The Warehouse is exactly where Gwen described it, a decrepit building in a decrepit neighborhood. Boarded up windows, stripped cars, and suspicious men selling suspicious wares from suspicious coats.

But it is not abandoned in this reality. As you approach, several very large men in gray off-the-rack business suits walk in the front door. Anyone who's been a part of New York's superhero scene might recognize some of them-- Steve Rogers, Matthew Murdock, Luke Cage.

This is a safehouse.

Sally descended from the New York skyline, gently setting the invisible group down in the alley across the street from the warehouse. She didn’t recognize any of the trio entering the warehouse. “Do any of you recognize those men? How should we play this one, Sue? Danny?”

In reply to Timebroker (msg # 1):

Danny's eyes widen as the trio of newcomers walk through the entrance into Gwen's warehouse. Despite himself, he feels the mask of stoicism he's worn for so long begin to slip a little. Captain America, Matt Murdock, and Luke Cage are all people he considered close friends at one point in his life. But that was years before he discovered K'un-Lun's treachery. Before the elders had cast him out. Before he'd turned his back on his friends to keep them from sharing the fate that lay in store for him. The mistakes Danny made had cost the Iron Fist his home, his friends... and eventually, his life. But now he had a second chance to make things right-- for everyone. And of these three people, only one of them was his best friend. He barely takes note of Polaris' question.

"Luke..." he starts forward, "Is that really-?"

No. Wait This isn't the Luke he knows. He has to remember that.

"Er, I mean, it's good to see you."

"Of course it's me, Danny." He bumps fists, and looks you in the eye. Something's wrong. "It's good to see you, too, buddy. How long has it been?"

"Man, I wish my lawyer was as good as yours, so I didn't have to keep looking over my shoulder. Glad I don't have to wonder if you're on our side."

Sue watched, likewise knowing none of them.   As Ironfist had begun to advance, she'd removed the invisibility from him, since he seemed bent on making contact.

To Sally and Nomad she whispered - "Let's wait, see what happens. That hunky brother seems to be someone he knows pretty well, back home."

Keeping the rest of us invisible.

I know Murdock's got senses out the Wazoo, so:

Unseen rolled 11,6,2,6,7 using d12,d10,d8,d8,2d6.  Invisibility dice pool.
Invisibility + Safety + Outta sight protectoress + Covert expert + Polaris
Total = 18; effect die = D10


This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Sat 06 Feb 2021.

Funnybone and Tigro found a nearby alley where they could stop without attracting unwanted attention, and Wade could make his reappearance. They walked the last block to where Iron Fist was.

"Hey."

In reply to Funnybone (msg # 6):

"Hello, gentlemen..."  Steve Roger's? Cap? What was he doing out of costume? He hopes that was "their" Iron Fist of course but he mentally shrugged about the other two. Not faces he recalls offhand. His keen eyes checking the area around them, concerned.

"Yeah, Jeri's top-notch, isn't... she?" says Iron Fist in reply to Luke. Crap. What if the Jeryn Hogarth of this world wasn't a woman like in his own timeline? He'd taken note earlier when some of his teammates had mentioned that the genders of their allies here didn't match those of their counterparts back in their native universes. If his team was trying to be inconspicuous here, he may have just foolishly given them all away.

Danny nods a greeting to Wade and Tigro as he stalls for time, thinking of how to reply to Luke's other questions.

"How long's it been? Oh, I've lost track," he continues. Well, from where I stand, buddy, it's been about five years. "Things at Rand have gotten too hectic since this Registration crap started."

He claps his friend on the back. "Anyway, I'm just glad we're all on the same side here." Looking over at Matt and Cap, he adds: "Anti-Registration, that is."

Brilliant work, Danny, that didn't come off strange at all.

Susan shook her head.   She did not like the way this was heading!

'God damn it, if these people are touchy about super-powered folks in general, just till they learn there's a bunch of us here from alternate realities... we'll probably have a *real* witch hunt, then!'

She felt for Danny, in this situation, doing the very best he could with it.  Wasn't Tigro supposed to be a sister, here?   How was that going to go down?

You know, about now, I wish we could just go score some grass, and go find some retro 60s club, she quipped to Sally through the Tallus.  Why do I just have a shitty feeling about this-?
This message was last edited by the player at 18:56, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

There’s no reason we can’t, like, score some grass anyway, Sally offered oh-so-helpfully. Should Danny get on with a few introductions? The longer we stay in hiding, the madder they’ll probably feel when we finally show ourselves.

I could also go for a moonshine-wich right now, I’m famished!

Yes, good point on the grass!  I just don't know...do you think we should go make that introduction?   We could be in for *a lot* of trouble, here.   If too many of us Alties show up at once, they may think they're being invaded, and freak out!  I kind of wouldn't blame them.   I feel like one of the best things we can do for Gwen, right now, is not make some big scene.   But, we may already be past a point where we've got a choice. And all we can do is mitigate. What do you think we should do?

I hope that they’ll welcome a few like-minded advocates of civil disobedience. I can’t call on the Brotherhood of this world, because they’re apparently regarded as terrorists. The Establishment propaganda says the same about the Black Panthers, though, so I won’t rule them out just yet. If Big Brother really brings the hammer down on all us super-types after the clock strikes midnight, then we aren’t in any position to refuse help. No matter where it comes from.

Sally watched Danny, Wade, & Grant introduce themselves. Sue, if you’re asking me...I think we should just lay it on them. If the boys fess up now, they might give us a warmer reception than if we spring our crazy rap on them later. We certainly don’t wanna make explanations in the middle of a throw down if Iron Pig shows up with warrants for their arrests...which will be our arrests, he longer we hang out here...
This message was last edited by the player at 21:56, Sun 07 Feb 2021.

Grant offers his hand to the gentlemen with a slight smile. He hopes for some recognition but is pretty sure he'll see none the way their team acted.

Agreed on not being too picky as to sources of help.   It may well come to something like that.   I admit --  I've even thought about seeking out the Reed Richards of this world, depending how things shake out.   Whatever else, he seems to be consistently brilliant, world to world.   And, if he's anything like my Reed, then we've got something to bargain with -- novelty, and knowledge.  My Reed would've traded three years of his life to speak with people from other realities. 

But, I think you're right, Sally --  let's do this, get it over with before we make it any worse.

Sue chose to gradually remove the invisibility, doing a fade-in, rather than an abrupt winking into view.  The less surprise the better.    She, Sally, and Cable gradually became visible.

With a brief glance to Sally, she began walking toward where Ironfist, Tigro, and Wade conversed with this 'Luke,' and the other two strangers...

For npc reactions:   This version of Sue is 25, could pass for several years younger. Her hair looks about like in the avatar.    She didn't change clothes, and is still wearing what she came in with, something like:  http://tinyurl.com/1mcvopb2   Total hippie retro, sterling peace symbol included...of course there is the Tallus on one arm as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Mon 08 Feb 2021.

When they faded into view, Sally was changed back into the clothes she’d worn upon arrival. She’d let it all hang out for the heroes of 2006 and be herself! Her long black hair fanned down past her shoulders, her psychedelic min-dress and go-go boots looking retro and time-lost. As they closed in on their companions and Cap’s Contingent, Sally flashed the Peace sign with a friendly smile. “We thought we’d jump on in, the Revolution sounds fine!”

She pumped her fist in the air with a quick jab. “Power to the People, right?”

Though his internal systems now pump a sludgy synthetic substance through his veins to keep him active, the old man feels his blood go cold when he sees the three men across the street. "D -- " he feels himself start to utter but cuts himself off lest he give away his position. He makes no reaction as the invisibility wears off but instead being of being exposed, he steps back into the cover of the alleyway, around the corner from where The Iron Fist is speaking with the other gentlemen, but where he can still keep a view of the warehouse. His snarled face sneers as he looks over as much of the warehouse as he can see, calculating a covert way into it. "If this place is important, we need to find a way in," he grumbles, just loud enough for Sue and perhaps Polaris to hear, not taking his eyes off the building across the street.

Are there any Scene Distinctions available?

To create Secret Warehouse Entry Asset:
Veteran Warrior (but disconnected from his experience)    d4
(+1 PP)
Cybernetic Senses    d10
Covert Master    d10
Duty    d10

Nomad rolls 2,2,6,4 using d4,d10,d10,d10 ((2,2,6,4)).

Total: 10; Effect: d10

PPs:
1 (starting) +1 (negative Distinction) = 2

Luke Cage takes in the scene. "Look... we need all the help we can get to fight SHIELD and Tony's private army, but I don't know any of you."

"Except you, 'Danny', and that just raises more questions."

He steps out of the doorway, making room for you to go inside.

---

15:51, Today: Timebroker rolled 16 using 1d8+1d8+1d6 ((7,7,2)).

Nomad scans the building, looking for electromagnetic patterns or variations in material density that might indicate an extra-- and unsecured-- entrance. As the shielded door he's watching clicks shut behind his teammates and powers up, the security system verifies the integrity of each of the ground-level doors.

And a skylight that can only barely secured without giving the safehouse away from a birds' eye view.

As Nomad mounts the roof, a quiet voice seems to echo off of every nearby surface, spoiling his target acquisition systems.

"Nice night for a covert op. Really bad choice of target, but a nice night for it. Keep your hands where I can see them, and maybe I'll ask Captain America to sign your cast."

A dense metallic baton gives away your assailant's position; he won't lose you again.

16:21, Today: Timebroker, for the NPC Daredevil, rolled 21 using 1d8+1d8+1d6+1d8+1d8 ((6,4,2,3,6)).

12/d8 Physical Stress

Reactions Needed: Nomad
Actions Available: Nomad

“Are we copacetic, good-looking?” Sally smiled sweetly at Luke. “If you just rap with us, you’ll learn that we’re pretty helpful in super-situations.”

"Copa--?" He shakes his head, but leads you into an office where a large blonde man is engaged in a heated conversation with an intense-looking man with slicked-back dark hair.

Luke waves a hand at the blonde man. "They followed me home, Cap, I swear. Can we keep 'em?" He winks back at Sally.

"Ladies and gentlemen... I present to you Captain America of Earth and our most unfortunate ally in this war, Frank Castle of Earth. Now, Frank has promised not to murder any of our friends, so I hope you come in peace."

Frank glowers at him, but it's hard to tell if he's really annoyed, or just always looks like that.

Captain America stands up and offers his hand to whomever wishes to shake it. "I'm guessing you folks have a hell of a story. I'm afraid I'm going to have to insist on hearing it."

'Shwew!' Anticipating an issue right at the outset, Sue was somewhat relieved by that suggestion of possible alliance.

It didn't mean she was lulled into trust, however.  And she remained as alert as she could.

"Look; in the name of disclosure, beginning on the right foot, all that, I should tell you, one of our group went to look for another way into the place.  He's been through a lot - not the trusting sort, you know?  He means well."  'I hope...'

Frank Castle meant nothing to her.  Her mouth opened a little, as the blond man was introduced as Captain America.  He looked as though he might be the same as from her world.  Then something struck her:

"Wait, what do you mean 'of Earth?'  As opposed to what other planet?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:26, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

"Soon as I realized that 'Danny' here was a fake, I asked Daredevil to check to make sure he didn't have more people hiding in the alleys. I'm sure they'll be fine."



Captain America smiles; the effect is disarming. "I think Luke expected you to be able to answer that question."

“We’re from parallel universes,” Sally said with a half-shrug. “We’re travelers on a, like, cosmic journey across different times and realities that brought us to your city. She goes by ‘The Unseen’ because her thing is invisibility. My handle is ‘Polaris’, and as you probably deduced, my thing is magnetism.”

Sue nodded her concurrence. 'God damn.  That is one mega million-watt smile.  I bet the lady soviet super-spies of his world all defect when they see that.'

"Oh."  She laughed a little.  "I see.  You thought we're ETs?   Sorry; we're all Earthlings.  Well, one of us isn't.  But he's a rabbit.  Sort of? It's complicated."   She waved a hand.

"Nope; the rest of us aren't fresh off a flying saucer, or anything like that. We're from the sort of places you dream about.   Not like Maui, or St. Tropez, or anything.  But when you dream, and things are familiar, but also mixed up and wrong.  That's how your world seems to me, and how mine would seem to you.  I like to call us Alties.  Because we're each from an alternate reality. So to speak."   She cleared her throat.

"I'm rambling.  Polaris gave you the Readers' Digest version.  You must have questions-?"

Reaction to Daredevil's physical attack, Total: 12, Effect: d8:
Veteran Warrior    d8
Enhanced Reflexes    d8
Godlike Durability (shield)    d12
Combat Master    d10
Violence    d8

Nomad rolls 2,7,6,6,2 using d8,d8,d12,d10,d8 ((2,7,6,6,2)).

Total: 13; Effect: d12

Purely by instinct, and before he even realizes he's doing it, the old man bats away the baton with his shield. The collision sounds a mighty "KLANKSH!" then the baton clatters away.

"Attacking before your opponent even has the chance to surrender?" the old man growls. "If that's not what passes for class in this world, then clearly you're one of the bad guys."

He crouches into a battle-stance with his shield in front. "Maybe you just need to back down. You can have whatever you just tried for free, but the rest won't be so easy or painless... for you." His voice sounds shakier than he would rather it be, but at the moment he's less sure about what abilities he's going to use to back up a threat than he would rather be.

Emotional attack (intimidation) on Daredevil:
Veteran Warrior    d4
(+1 PP)
Menace Expert    d8
Safety (his opponent's)    d6


Nomad rolls 3,8,4 using d4,d8,d6 ((3,8,4)).

Total: 11; Effect: d6

PPs: 2 (starting; from msg #16) +1 (negative Distinction (attack)) = 3

Next Action: Unseen

Are there any Scene Distinctions? (I would have used one from the Scene but instead contrived one of my own.) And is it possible to see what stats the opponent is rolling and the current count on the Doom Pool?

"As I understand it, we come from somewhere else, but I'm from 'Earth' as well, just I guess, not this one." He says "and some of them muttered about gender, and all I know is I recognize Steve Rogers! Who wouldn't?"
He shrugs and shakes Cap's hand, but tilts his head listening around them wondering what might else be going on since their shield-carrier didn't come in with the others. Maybe he's just cautious.

(Bear with me on this everyone I'm new to the dice system other than playing an early playtest of MH So rolling but sharing with Timebroker/GM for corrections)

"I might say the same thing to you. It's not midnight... we're not even breaking the law, yet, much less fighting back."

"But... then... neither are you. You're not a rogue cop jumping the gun, and you're not a petty criminal with a homicidal grudge."

He steps out of the shadows, a pale man in a dark red costume with devil horns.

"I didn't notice the shield before, with all the other metal. There's only one like it in the whole world, and it's downstairs."

"That's a lot harder to copy than Iron Fist."



I'm choosing not to oppose. d6 E.



It is a Cluttered Rooftop, Bad Acoustics, Large Skylight.

Also, my apologies for not posting Daredevil's datafile. I'm using the one from the Basic Rules unmodified, and I'll post it up if it looks like we're going back to hostilities.

When Tigro called out Captain America’s secret identity, Sally tilted her head a little. “Hold up.” She grinned as she appraised his features, pointing at Cap as she slowly walked around him. “You’re telling me the man beneath the mask is, like, a square-jawed Robert Redford?” Sally shook her head with a smoky chuckle. “I mean, I always thought you’d be a hunk, but like a severe, goose-stepping version.

Where I come from, you’re stomping down on conscientious objectors and upholding an oppressive government, not leading a resistance against it.” Sally chuckled again. “Far out! Dig this, Unseen, a Captain America that I can get behind (or under, if I were single)!” Sally looked Cap over, her eyes lingering on the face, shoulder, and ass that represented the America of that world.

Captain America takes it all in, thoughtfully. "We have a Polaris here... she's with most of the other mutants on Utopia Island. The Unseen looks like a younger Sue Richards, whose powers are also related to invisibility. And Tigro... I am guessing any of the Cat People might take that name, but are you related to Greer Nelson?"

"Sue and Greer have been my dear friends for many years. And... they will be..." He checks his wristwatch. "... for another three hours and twenty-three minutes."

"You were all quick to declare your sympathies for our cause. Did you have this conflict already on your... different Earths? We will welcome all--"

Frank interrupts him. "No." He looks... abashed, an emotion that ill suits his countenance.

"We're looking for help from anyone--" he glares at Frank, "-- trying to protect the rule of law and Constitutional due process. President Gyrich is offering full Presidential pardons to any superpowered criminals willing to register and... allocute their offenses."

"That should tell you everything you need to know about them." His voice is a deep, scratchy growl so thick with contempt it sounds like he could choke on it.

"Tony and SHIELD and President Gyrich are using mercenaries and homicidal maniacs and terrorists to enforce laws that are profound violations of basic human rights. We need all the help we can get... but given the circumstances, we have to know why."

“You said there’s a Polaris living on Utopia Isle.” With a hopeful smile, Sally asked, “What about Havok? Is he doing okay in this world...?”

Jig's up, huh? They know we're 'Alties' now. Well, Danny, guess you better explain yourself to these folks.

It takes a minute to gather himself, and when he speaks, his voice is low and quiet:

"Where I come from, the rulers of K'un-Lun-- the city that took me in and made me the Iron Fist-- had gone mad with power. They believed it was their divine right to rule, and they were making moves to conquer the other Heavenly Cities. After that, they wanted the world, and they tried everything they could to try and drag me into their war. I sealed the gates to K'un-Lun, trapping myself inside, and fought a war against them for five long years. I thought I could stop them-- believed it was my duty alone-- but in the end, I failed."

Hanging his head in shame, it takes him a moment before he continues on.

"For the people of K'un-Lun, there was no refusing the decree. Those who didn't agree with the elder's plans were rounded up and imprisoned, or worse. And I can tell you, Registration is going to be just like that. The ones at the top drunk on power, doing whatever they want while saying it's best for everyone, and not caring who disagrees or gets hurt in the process."

His voice carries a hard determination as he looks each of his companions in the eye.

"So understand me when I say I will fight with everything in my power to keep something like that from happening here. I don't even understand how I'm alive-- or how I got here, really-- and if my world had a 'superhero Civil War,' I'd have missed it anyway. But fixing what's gone wrong in your world may be the only way for me to get back to mine."

He gives a humble bow before extending his hand to Cap.

"I'd be honored if you allowed my friends and I to join your cause."

Made a couple of small edits to answer Cap's question and explain why Danny would have missed his universe's Civil War, if there was one.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:24, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

Cap blushes at Sally's frank... analysis.

"He was doing pretty well the last time I saw him, but that was months ago-- I approached him about joining The Avengers but he said something about 'spending some quality time with my father' and vanished off the face of the Earth."

"I thought Alex and Scott were orphans. Maybe you know something I don't."



"That's not far off from the reason your counterpart gave me-- only, with great regret on his part, he believes he's going to be most effective fighting this war in boardrooms and courtrooms."

"You've mentioned you have other teammates... who and where are they?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:34, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

"... Interesting," Danny nods, after a pause.

He doesn't need to ask questions to realize that something seems off about the excuse Cap's gotten from this world's Iron Fist. Why would his counterpart be sitting on the sidelines, missing out on the chance to stand up to these Pro-Reg bullies? There was nothing to stop him from taking on Stark's people in the courtroom and in the streets, if that was where this conflict was heading.

There had to be an explanation-- perhaps some sort of personal obligation his doppelganger needed to fulfill. And sure, he couldn't imagine any version of Danny Rand being eager to fight what were essentially former friends of his... but then, the Iron Fist rarely passed up a true test of his fighting skills. What was really going on here?

OK, 'Other-Danny,' what are you up to...? he thinks.

At Cap's query, he turns his attention back toward the street.

"By my count, there were eight of us. Rocket, Funnybone, and Spider-Woman headed their own way. Polaris, Unseen, Nomad, Tigro, and myself came here. But it looks like our large friend may have gotten lost."

He looks around, scanning the rooftops.

"Anyone seen Nomad?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:44, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

"Been standing here the whole time," Wade said to Danny, who'd managed to overlook him. This was what he got for keeping silent for a while, it seemed.


[Apparently this is what I get for not posting for a few days. Nobody remembers where I am.]

"Forgive me," Danny says, his eyes still searching for their missing companion. "The Wade Wilson I knew was... louder."

Talk of Alex meeting his father got an incredulous frown from Sally. “No. Alex’s parents died in a plane crash when he was a child. He & Scott were separated at the orphanage. Alex was adopted...Scott wasn’t so lucky.” Sally sighed. “I guess that’s how he ended up in Xavier’s clutches.”

Wade’s mild protest got a quick side-hug from Sally. “Sue & I knew you were here!” She hugged him, and looked at Cap. “Here’s the thing, Captain. We were all grabbed from different times and places, and met, like Sue said, at the ‘Desert At The End Of Time’.

Wade and Tigro come from worlds that each faced tragic catastrophes. From the way that beautiful Black man looks at me, I’m guessing you figured out that I’m from the past. Sue, too. I left my world right when Richard Nixon was campaigning on a big promise to send you and the Avengers to end the Vietnam War, John Wayne style.”

Sally sighed. “So dig what we’re all saying. As crazy as our stories sound to you, imagine how crazy it must be for us to see what your world is going through. You dig?”
This message was last edited by the player at 23:14, Fri 12 Feb 2021.

«Okay, guys,» Wade 'said' through the telepathic link, «I think we're going about this all wrong.

«We can't go choosing up sides in what might amount to a civil war. It doesn't sound at all like what that stupid riddle was telling us. Mind you, I don't know what it was saying, but this sure as shit ain't it.

«What if we pick the wrong side? What if the mission has nothing to do with this at all, and we're wasting our time here? I just get the feeling that we're not looking to stop a war. That feels too big. Too many moving parts. I think we're gonna find that we're here for something a lot smaller. A single moving part.

«You wanna make nice-y nice with Captain America, I can't say I blame ya. (He is kinda dreamy, in a Nebraska, corn-fed kinda way.) Just don't go giving away the farm. We're not fighting somebody else's war, unless we get some proof that we're supposed to.»

I protest wars, handsome, I don’t fight ‘em. However, the Registration we're hearing about reminds me too much of how the American government abuses power. I don’t know about your world, Wade, but we only just desegregated my country in mine. The forced registration of a class of citizens also reminds me of the Red Scare so much it’s frightening. “All Superhumans Must Register” isn’t that big a step from “All Mutants Must Register. I can’t turn my back on people who need my help.

Sally locked eyes with Wade, looking away from Cap & Cage. If the brewing “Civil War”, as you call it, doesn’t matter, then let me ask you this. Why were we dropped right in the middle of a moment so clearly connected with it? Yeah, I’m sure there’s a detail or two we missed, but why are we arriving at the heart of this conflict?

Well, the Timebroker told us we were going to fix each individual timeline by correcting some sort of deviation, putting the timeline 'back on track' and preventing it from collapsing and taking 'nearby' timelines with it-- *supposedly* saving every sentient life in both the timeline we repair, and those 'nearby' timelines.   I think, in a way then, that Wade is right --  we're here for something specific, and smaller.  Which in this case seems to hinge on Peter Benjamin Parker, and the well being of his family.  Fixing that so-called deviation may well have a great impact on the war.  I agree with you in principal, Sally --  it's a just cause, a very vital one.   Part of me wants so badly to sign up, and do everything I can.  And, we *do* have some time on our hands, while Gwen is dealing with the Parkers.  There's absolutely no reason we shouldn't help, for the meanwhile.

She addressed the Captain:  "Captain, there's a little more to it than that.   All of us are technically dead.  In situations we were told amount to deviations...something that shouldn't have happened.  We were recruited to prevent similar occurrences, with the prospect of going back home to our lives, if we're successful.   The deviation in your world's case revolves around Peter Benjamin Parker.  Or, the effect it will have on him if his loved ones are killed. What can you tell us, about him, even if you only know him as Spider-Man? What made him throw his lot in with the pro-registration faction?  He doesn't exactly strike me as the type. If you can help us understand him as a person, it may aid in what we're here to do."

Rocket chimes into the mental line, not having heard anything said in person thus far.  *I'm partial to Wade here, but the unfortunate truth is we don't even know Parker is relevant past revealing his identity.  The only clue we got is 'Bloody hands cannot mend what is torn.'  I'm assuming anyone becoming fertilizer here is game over for us.  We're in charge of stopping both sides from drawing blood.  If anyone can prove me wrong, I'd appreciate it.*

((And that's assuming there are only two sides.  Sadly, the moment thay clash would be an awfully handy time for a LOT of outside entries to but in.))
This message was last edited by the player at 06:22, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

You're forgetting about one part of the mission parameter, Rocket.  Call it a woman's intuition, a poet's soul, or minoring in literature at uni...but, I'll eat my collection of 45s if that bit about the Weaver doesn't apply to Spider-Man.  In the meanwhile, as I said, I think we should help.  Yes, of course, to avoid bloodshed, and protect the innocent. That goes without saying.  But, let's not forget this isn't our world; we're a foreign element, here to do a specific task.   The less time we spend here, the better.  Things are mucked up enough as it is, don't you think?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:32, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

He pauses for a long time, deep in thought. When he speaks, he speaks slowly and deliberately. "When he was just a kid, I used to say that Spider-Man would grow up to be the best of us one day. I stopped saying that a long time ago... because he did grow up to be the best of us."

"But I've known him for almost twenty-five years, and fought by his side. I have saved his life, and he's saved mine countless times... and I never heard his name or saw his face until two years ago. The last time I looked at Spider-Man's SHIELD file, Nick Fury had three dozen suspects and not one of them was Peter Benjamin Parker."

"Something happened when he was a kid. Right about the time he got his powers. He made a mistake, and someone else paid for it. His whole life has been defined by two obsessions: secrecy, and never letting anyone else die again. Anyone else: his friends and family, total strangers, even his sworn enemies."

"The Bug is naive, but he's not stupid and he's not weak," Frank adds. "In his way, he's as focused and as relentless as I am. The only way I ever kept him from getting what he wants... is by giving him something else he wants more."

"I used to be able to bait him away from my targets by threatening him with collateral damage, but then he realized I wasn't that kind of monster..." He pulls the collar of his sweatshirt down over his shoulder to reveal five puckered scars, the shape of the tips of a thumb and four fingers. "I killed fourteen people that day. Would have been eighty-six if The Bug hadn't stopped me."

He slips his collar back up to his neck. "Would've been fifteen if The Bug hadn't stopped me. He's a pain in the ass, but maybe the world's a better place for it."

Captain America is a bit taken aback by this sudden outpouring of sympathy from Frank Castle. He says, "Yes. It is. Spider-Man is on the wrong side of this... conflict. But the only way he can be standing where he is, is if he truly believes that Registration, and Tony's conscription program, and even Reed's extradimensional prisons are the best way to save lives."

"I can't even say he's wrong about that, for sure, but the cost is too damn high and it's not going to be Tony and Reed and Peter paying it."

“In Greek mythology, the Fates wove the lives of gods and mortals alike. Let’s say the warning is about Spider-Man, though. Enough of you keep tuning into vibrations about the Wall-Crawler, so it could be him.” Sally laced her fingers, ambling languidly around the office.

Then, she stopped. “How do we know the warning meant his family, though? Like, dozens of gossamer strands lace together to make a web, right? A hero as important to the world as Spider-Man touches more lives than just his family.

You said it yourself, Captain America. Spider-Man feels responsible for all the lives he touches. The blood on his hands might not be family at all. What if it’s an enemy he kills, or if this really becomes another civil war, a friend turned enemy?”

"Look, I get that you've been fighting against authoritarianism since you were in red, white, and blue diapers," Wade said, finally speaking up. It didn't make sense to keep this to the telepathic channel, especially if the others weren't going to. "And you were probably pretty cute, chasing the Red Skull around the playground. But we're on a mission that literally supposed to save the universe. Maybe you've heard of it?

"So, maybe it has something to do with Spider-Man. Maybe it doesn't. Maybe it's you. Maybe it's some hotdog vendor on Third Avenue who picks his nose when he thinks nobody's looking. We don't know. But we're never going to find out if we just go down the rabbit hole — which takes on a whole new meaning thanks to our friend Rocket — and fight in your war."

He looked hard at Polaris and Iron Fist, who seemed the most adamant about doing so.

"We can't get involved."

Danny shakes his head in amazement. A Wade Wilson acting as the voice of reason? Now he'd seen it all.

"I meant what I said," he shrugs, after a time. "Our friends from this world need our help."

Trying out the Tallus' telepathic abilities, he mentally directs his next message to the whole group:

"I've still got my eyes on the prize," he says. "But if there's one thing I know about Spidey, it's that he's a slippery target. Some of us should hang back here, in case Peter and his 'new boss' decide to crash Cap's party."

Gwen sends a message * I think Rocket might be on a good track - he's talking that assassin down, which gives us a better chance to solve this without bloodshed.  Can we convince some of the other dangerous people to... go on vacation or something?

The most dangerous people to Spider-man's family might be Norman Osborn, some guy named The Jackal that keeps cloning me and Peter, plus Jameson - who's just going to be stoking hate in the press, and ironically his bodyguard.  I'm sure the list is longer, but that's what I've got so far.  Actually cloning a bunch of spiders does kind of sound like weaving life-to-life but that's probably not it.

If it were my world I'd suspect Murdock or S.I.L.K. of planning an assassination but it's clear some things are different here.

Can I get a Tallus report on the Osborn of this world? *

Sue listened attentively to everything Cap and Frank Castle had to say, glad that she had asked. "I think one thing we're really milking from this is that there's a lot we don't know. And how could it be otherwise, being strangers here?   There's little we can be certain about.   But, Peter Parker is being played, his emotional wounds and his heart are being worked, that much is plain. And if he breaks, bad shit is going to happen.  So, we have a vested interest in seeing that he doesn't.  And Gwen is most capable and suited to insuring that he doesn't.   As to fighting a war --  wrong, wrong perspective."   Her fingers went to the sterling peace symbol about her throat.

"How about doing the compassionate thing?  Protecting the innocent and the vulnerable.  Preventing and mitigating harm and damage.  For myself, I don't want to carry the battle to the pro-registration pigs.  I just want to defend if they attack.     I'm against them only in purpose, and that they seem to be on the verge of becoming the aggressors."   

Gwen:  "Tallus...profile on this world's Norman Osborn, please."     Sue then hesitated, almost did not...but, her own feelings and emotional scars couldn't be allowed in the way of being effective.

"Also:  profile on Reed Richards, of this world.  Including his stance and role vis-a-vis the proposed Registration act."   
This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Sat 13 Feb 2021.

The old man shakes his head hastily, to rattle out the buzz of voices that keep popping in as distractions.

He stands his ground on the rooftop, never taking his eye off the horned man in front of him. "You'll have to forgive me when I don't throw in my lot with the first person I meet who has super-powers. I'm not that foolish," he sneers. "Villains have super-powers too. They also often dress up like devils and throw the first punch." It wasn't his loss of memories that leaves these people suspicious to him, but a battle-worn instinct guiding a mistrust of just anyone showing up. Any of these people could be on the side of evil, and he didn't have the time for research before one took a swing. But this joker won't get a second chance. "What's your story, then?" he asks, waiting out the moment his cybernetic senses charge up to max.

"I'm worried about what you just said, so forgive me for thinking it over--Greer Nelson? I'm Grant Nelson. I she blessed to guard the Cat-People as I am? And the time? Are they going to execute her!?" He growls at the last bit.
"If she is in danger, I simply must go, I can't let them do that! I need a time and place!"

He thinks for a moment to try and calm himself down but growls mostly to himself. Processing the whole moment and the distractions he growls aloud. They can't do this, they can't be this monstrous, she's like me, somehow! His thoughts and natures scream tearing him up for a split second.


"Oh, and now there is, was a fight on the roof! We've got to deal with that then move, MOVE now! We can't let whoever is going to Kill Greer succeed. I'm sorry. I am, but you can't be that precise with other ways to die unless you're very different from my friend Steve!" He starts running for the door.


Not sure if this is correct, bear with me.

Trying to control my instinct and not run mad:
Violence: D8
Freedom: D4
Enhanced Speed D8
Mystic Expert D8
Rolls: D8, D4, D8, D8 (4,1,6)

Total: 11 Effect:D8
(There that pesky 1, I think something bad happens)

"We are only fighting for the freedom to continue being heroes-- to continue saving lives-- our own way. We would be hypocrites to offer less to you. I will take your word--"

"OPSEC, Cap."

"-- I will take your word that you won't betray us to SHIELD, and that you're here with good intent. Keep your word... you can come and go as you please and you can request our help or our resources. If you want to accompany us on our operations, you'll have to agree to follow orders while we're in the field."

"And... you've mentioned a Gwen and a Rocket who aren't with you, pursuing other objectives. I need details: who are they, where are they, and what are they doing?"



The Tallus chirps:

Tigro bolts for the door. If any of you had intended to stop him... well, that simply wasn't going to happen.

Nomad's cybernetic senses pick up the security system noting the door opening-- from the inside-- and immediately recognizes the bounding feline as a friendly.

His opponent isn't as quick to make that determination, and his heart rate jumps as he notes the addition of a third party to this... discourse.

The old man shifts his weight to his back foot, with his shield in front and ready, instinctively taking a defensive position in the triangle between himself, the devil-man, and this feline and his entry point. The cat-man isn't necessarily friendly as much as he's familiar, but it's enough for now. The old man's cybernetics senses check both of these presences then skips to searching out any others, to minimize any surprises. He snarls slightly at the effort, surely not endearing him to any actual allies. "What's going on here?" the cyborg-man asks, to the feline humanoid.

Wade sighed. He wasn't sure what the big kitty was going off over, but he found he didn't entirely care. It had been a long day so far, and it didn't look like it was anywhere near over yet.

"I have a very important question," he said, looking grim. His eyes went from face to face of their new... well, allies wasn't the right word for it, but that was possibly the best he was going to do on short notice. One of them surely had an answer for him, and it had better be the right one. "Where's the beer?"

Susan nodded at Cap's words, taking comfort that here at least was one element, one person, that was reassuringly like the man she knew back home.  And it spoke to the part of her that still longed to believe in the integrity of her country and home;  in spite of the hideous mistake of Nam, and an ever growing list of political misconduct.

"Thank you, captain.  For all of that.   It's more than I would have asked. I can't speak for the others. But, for my part, I agree to abide by what you ask.  So long as it doesn't play into the hands of any calamity, or lead to bad things in some preventable way." 

"Gwen, did you get all that, about Osborn?"   Jeez, sounds like a dangerous, probably nasty, character...

If no, then Sue reiterates everything as best she can over the psi-link, striving to leave nothing out. Or, better, requests that the Tallus reiterates all of it over the link.

And then it came to Reed:

Sue snorted a laugh.   Shook her head once.  "I was going to call myself the Invisible Woman.  Reed said it was dumb."   She frowned, listening to the rest.   He was such an asshole, in every reality, so far.  Could it truly be any different, in this one?

The last part...but has been credited by Tony Stark...told her what she had most wished to know.  She bit her lip.  Turned back to Captain America:

"Captain...I've got this idea.  About speaking to Reed, your Reed, as a means of getting in Tony Stark's ear.  What do you think are the odds he'd speak with an alternate version of his wife? With a very critical message to relay?"   
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

"I heard the fight, and came to see who was fighting near our possible allies, and I have a tendency to throw all in for my allies, Shield-bearer. I don't know if your Cable, or some other cyborg-man, but you came with us, I give you a bit of leeway." He growls out, "Now who the heck is this, and why should I not rend him to bloody ribbons?"a bit feral-sounding as he utters the words crouched low ready to pounce on the devil-clad man.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:49, Fri 26 Feb 2021.

Luke speaks up first. "Now, what kind of top-secret superhuman resistance movement doesn't have beer in the fridge? Kitchen's this way." He leads you out of the office, down the hallway, into a large warehouse area. There are padded mats in the center, various pieces of exercise equipemnt lining the walls, and one corner is held down by a couple of large tables and mismatched kitchen appliances, including no less than three refrigerators.

Another muscle-bound blond man is drinking chocolate milk straight out of a gallon jug; there are two empties sitting on the counter next to him. He sees you and Luke coming and steps aside, offering a half-assed wave with his free hand.

"Thanks, Eddie" Luke turns to you. "Don't mind Venom over here, but stay out of his chocolate milk. Help yourself to... well, anything else."

He frowns. "Look, man... just because everyone's picking sides right now, doesn't mean we aren't all on the same side. In the long run. Seems like you're looking ahead to what's gonna happen after this war's over." He pulls a couple of longnecks out of the fridge, hands you one, and cracks his with his bare hand. "I wish more of us were."

Venom wipes his mouth with the back of his hand, adding a third empty to the pile. "This is the same shit, different day, Luke. There's Good Guys and Bad Guys, and there's Heroes and Vigilantes. Same old dance, just different partners."

"Bullshit, man. You eat people."

Eddie belches reflectively. And gets another jug of chocolate milk out of the fridge.



Captain America thinks about your question for a moment. "Reed has always been... distant, detached, but he's always done the right thing. And he has more experience with extradimensional travel than anyone else in this..."

"He'd probably be willing to talk to you directly. The only problem is reaching him, directly. Even your counterpart has complained about him screening his phone calls. The only people who can reliably get through to him are both out of the country... and deliberately staying out of American problems."

When Luke offered beer, Sally smiled, but held up her hand and shook her head. She sidled up beside him and looked up with a heavy-lidded smile.  “Beer’s cool, but can I score some Grass around here?”

The conversation turned to Reed Richards, which seemed inevitable with Sue. Sally sighed, giving her new friend a quick, sympathetic hand squeeze. “The Reed you knew was a creep, but maybe he’s not like that here?”

 Talk of the Fantastic Four reminded Sally of another heroine she’d briefly encountered. She looked at Cap. “What about the Inhumans? Is Crystal still playing footsies with the Human Torch? They were kinda sweet, and she seemed like a chick who’d understand the Mutant struggle, even though she’s not one herself.”

If Sally follows Wade and Luke into the Commons, I'm assuming Cap invites Sue to follow them. Nobody invites Frank, and this is just as well.



Luke barely stops himself from spitting out his beer. "Score some what? I'm not gonna play like I never touched the stuff, but it's still a mandatory life sentence. No parole if you're dealing, they think you're dealing, or you're black." He puts his hand on your shoulder. "Or a mutant."

"I'm hoping that more of us will see what's happening right now and start taking a stand on other political issues-- not just mutant issues, but... Not even Castle will shoot a kid for smoking a little weed."

There's a grunt from the next room. What this grunt signifies is unclear.



Cap looks bemused. And then amused. And then bemused again. "The Inhumans are currently, officially, under a 'no contact' order with Earth by order of Queen Medusa. The only real exception is Crystal. Who is on Earth. On Utopia Island."

"With your brother and their daughter."

"We're... kind of a small community here."

When they mentioned the possibility of “Frank” shooting kids for smoking dope, Sally snorted. “Frank could try it.” She waggled her fingers and magnetically levitated a toolbox and work bench, before setting them down. “Coming after me with a gun is like coming after the ocean with a cigarette lighter.”

Cap redirected her with his gentle reprimand, though. “Hey, I care about a lot of issues, Captain Flagman.” Sally rolled her eyes. “I care about equal rights for ALL people: Black, White, Indian, Chicano, Jewish, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Muslim, Witch, Man, Woman, Transsexual, Gay, Straight, Mutant, OR Human! I believe in a Movement that frees our minds and lifts us ALL together.

Remember that I believe in what you’re doing here, too.”

The update about that world’s Crystal got a nod. “Groovy! I always knew Crystal would fit in with us.” However, Cap’s next-to-last statement stopped her dead cold. Sally frowned in confusion. “I don’t have a brother, man. Well, not the biological kind. I’m an only child.”
This message was last edited by the player at 09:37, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

"That's what I mean. It's too easy for us... as superheroes... to get tunnel vision, to think it's only our job to protect people from our problems: 'street crime' or 'hostile E.T.' or the 'forces of hell'. The only people wondering if we need to protect ordinary people from the alphabet people have been, traditionally... our enemies. Whether we win or lose here, especially if we lose here, that needs to change. We need people who think like you, wherever they come from."



"An only child? No Wanda, no Pietro? In our timeline, we only learned that Magneto had a third child after M-Day. When... Wanda..." He struggles to say it out loud. "When Wanda said 'no more mutants'." He swallows hard, like he's fighting something back. "Excuse me. We were close, and nobody's had time to adjust."

“Magneto had...a ‘third child’...

HUH?”

The pretty brunette stared at Cap in utter stupefaction. Her voice was breathy, eyes staring off as she pondered that revelation of this world’s Magneto. When Sally got herself together again, she laid her hand on Cap’s firm arms and looked up into his eyes. “I’m sorry about your Wanda, but I really need you to lay that one on me again.”
This message was last edited by the player at 10:45, Sat 27 Feb 2021.

"I'm sorry, it's... complicated. In this timeline, before founding the Brotherhood, Magneto had a wife and two children: Wanda and Pietro. They were with the Brotherhood for awhile, before joining the Avengers. Some time later, your counterpart in this timeline Lorna Dane became publicly known as an associate of Charles Xavier's."

"Despite the similarity in powers, she denied having any relationship whatsoever with Magneto... and there were rumors, but her actions spoke for themselves and that was that. I don't know exactly what happened, but she learned the truth from her mother shortly after M-Day, and she hasn't left Utopia since."

He hesitates. "I'm sorry, but I have to ask... there's really no Wanda and Pietro Maximoff in your timeline, just you and... your father?"

Wade helped himself to a beer. He wasn't sure what was with Eddie and the chocolate milk, but he didn't feel like asking to find out. In his own timeline, Wade had had a few run-ins with Venom, and he was not the guy you wanted casual conversation with. Funnybone was crazy, but Venom was fucking nuts.

Sally asking for grass was hilarious. Wade wanted to live in her world more than in his own, if super-heroes were toking up. He almost commented, but the conversation had quickly moved back into 'what's different about this world?' territory, and Wade was frankly tired of that topic. They came from different worlds. Shit was different. Getting bogged down in the details wasn't going to help anyone.

"Was your Wanda also married to the walking department store dummy?"

This ought to be fun.

* Thanks.  That was really helpful.  Terrifying but helpful.   Norman was just a businessman at home, and only ever cared about me when he needed my help to save Harry - not even when I was dating his son.

Harry was the only Green Goblin I know and he's cured.  Rocket knows the assassin, who is working as Peter's bodyguard.

I've run into the rest of the team... sorta.  Scorpion was someone different at home.  But those others usually work for someone and Tallus says they are all villains here, so I don't think we have an alignment flip like the situation with the other you.  If they're my enemies maybe also his enemies but they're also security here and I am not reassured.  I have no idea why Peter would be working with Norman right now.  They even said Norman hates him. *

“I don’t know this ‘Lorna’ chick, my name is Sally.” she said with deliberate patience. It was one thing to hear about a parallel universe version of yourself. Another thing entirely to be confused with another person, or find out you didn’t even exist in that world. “Whoa. Talk about Ego death. I guess I didn’t even make the scene here at all, huh? Like, an up close and personal experience with Impermanence!” Her voice trailed off as she pondered that notion.

Cap kept going back to Magnetos’s family, though. Sally stared suspiciously at Cap. “There’s my Mom & Dad, who live in Nebraska.” She shot Sue a quick glance, training a side eye back on Cap. “I think you’ve got me confused with that other chick. Sorry.” Sally shrugged. “Anyway, Wanda & Pietro were always a sore subject with Magnus. Especially after they sold out to the Avengers.

No wonder, if they’re really his kids. Heavy.”

"Maybe you're lucky, Sally? The more I hear of most of these other Sues, the more I wish was somebody else." 

As to Inhumans, she nodded sagely. "When Cap mentioned people staying out of the country, and American affairs, they were on my list to ask about.  As people who might have a means of contacting Reed.  But...I don't know of any Queen Medusa.  Thena is the Inhumans' queen.  And, no Crystal, either.  Though she sounds like a right on sister.  My Johhny has a soulmate, a fiance, named Alicia.  An incredibly gifted painter, as well as something of a psychic. And she's deaf, mute;  my brother worked so hard to become versed in sign language, to make that relationship work.   He's matured so much, in being with her.  In good ways, not square, stodgy ways." She smiled fondly. "He's still the same hot-rodding, hellraiser he always was, outside of that."   

Cap glares at Wade. "Emphasis on was, thank you. Vision's remains are in a SHIELD lab somewhere."



Cap shrugs apologetically. "I'm sorry. Except for the hair, you do look just like her. And she grew up in Nebraska, too, with the Dane family." He clears his throat. "I think Wade's right, too, regardless of how he's showing it. We could get lost in the minutia of our timelines, especially with five of you here."

"We have burner phones you could use to try to reach Reed directly. Just need you to get a safe distance from here before trying to use one, and make sure you're not followed back here afterwards."

"So tell me where we stand? Shall we fight? Or will we speak in peace?" he growls, "Because this place, makes me angry, turning heroes against one another and friends against friends. That's what the villains do, not the government, and if they decide to do that, then they're a villain." He stands up human for a moment, trying to get his bearings. "But I do have people to protect, my people here." He gestures to the shield-bearing man.

 Thinking of those below and elsewhere. Do these still too-human people think they can regulate the aliens? The Cat-People? Eternals and more? I've fought for this world, and country too many times to let them ruin people's lives! He pauses and then he decides where he stands. How many innocents will die, simply because they have the power to talk to fish?
This message was last edited by the player at 07:32, Mon 01 Mar 2021.

"Woo-hoo! Cap said I'm right!" Wade began to dance. It wasn't bad for having no music to dance to, but it did contain an awful lot of pelvic thrusts. "Uh huh. Uh huh. Uh huh, uh huh, uh huh!"

He flopped back into a seat with one leg flung over the arm rest, finished his beer with a single pull, and tossed the bottle into the trash from across the room.

"Now, would someone please explain to me why we're calling a guy who we all know as a jerk from other realities? Because I don't see any way that he's connected to our problems here and now."

Wade’s “victory dance” got a giggle from Sally. She shook her head with a playful grin. His flawless toss into the wastebasket wowed her, and she clapped enthusiastically. “Groovy, Wade! If they don’t hire male strippers, you’ve got a promising career in Pro Basketball!”

Once the hijinks settled, Wade brought up a question worth asking. “He’s got a point,” she said with a gesture at her fellow “Exile”. “I mean, it’s not like we’ve settled who that funky poem was about, but is Mr. Fantastic our man?”

Over the group psi-link, Sally gave a Sue a telepathic message. On the surface, she maintained a slightly flirty smile. Her thought was, well, more thoughtful. Sue, can you also see invisible people?

"As I said to the captain," Sue reiterated, "Reed may be a means to get into Tony Stark's ear. Since they're allies, and there seems to be a degree of trust.   And, he's an ally one of us has an in with, since apparently I'm still married to him, here.  Jesus help me." She smiled wryly. "I suppose, too, talking to myself might be another option.  I do it sometimes anyway." 

She answered Sally via the Tallus: That would be handy dandy, wouldn't it?  Unfortunately, no.  Though I've got a less graceful, more intrusive method:  pushing a force field through an area where I suspect an invisible presence, and seeing if it smacks somebody.

She added aloud, on the matter of contacting Reed:  "I think Gwen's idea was superb.  If we can delay or stop these factions from fighting, it's about the best thing we could do."    She bit her lip. "I just hope it's not our interference that escalates this whole thing. Wouldn't that be fucked up?     But, we're here to fix. Supposedly." 

"Captain, I'll take that burner phone, and try.  Just tell me how far away I need to go." 

Captain America hands Sue the cellphone-- it's a simple flip phone model, with a big green SEND key and a big red END key. He demonstrates dialing with the keypad, and the aforementioned buttons, and the phone's contacts feature... like an electronic Rolodex with automatic dialing.

Not as impressive as the telephone itself, but still pretty nifty.

The phone's internal Rolodex is programmed with dozens of phone numbers. You immediately recognize Dr. Richards (Reed) and Dr. Richards (Sue) and Reed's friend Ben Grimm (Thing). Your brother, Johnny Storm (Torch).

And several of the other people whose names you've heard recently.

Captain America says, "You probably won't have more than a couple of minutes before SHIELD starts tracing your location. You can buy yourself a little more time by staying on the move. When you're done with your phone call... however many calls you want to try to make, break the phone in half and drop it down a storm drain and make your way back here by a different route than you left."

"Good luck."

Having rolled in from 1969 -- which despite some other differences, and exposure to any number of her ex-old man's gizmos, was technologically equivalent to most worlds in '69 -- Sue was impressed by the phone.

"Wow.  Far out.  Like Star Trek. Can I set the phaser to stun?"    She considered the options:

Ben Grimm...Thing?  She hadn't heard from Ben in years.  Not since...she and Reed got married.  Ben...the choice she should have made...she frowned.   The Ben she knew would listen.  For what that was worth.  He likely didn't have the same connection to Stark.

She knew her brother in this world was recuperating from a grievous injury.  And his Sue was fretting at his bedside. In exactly the same way she would have...so, no.

She made up her mind.   "Save one of those beers, will you?" she told the others.  "I may need it when I come back."

She left, going outside, beginning to walk.  Once she was far enough down the street, she lifted the phone up.  And noted her palms were faintly damp with perspiration. Images of Reed's condescending, snide visage came to mind.  She shunted them away, drew a breath. And then dialed in the way the captain had instructed.

Dialed Dr. Richards (Reed)  (Continuing to walk)
This message was last edited by the player at 16:01, Wed 03 Mar 2021.

The phone rings, just like you're used to. Several times. There's a click. "Reed Richards speaking." His voice sounds harried, in an all-too-familiar way. There's a deep, male voice speaking in the background, in a language you can't quite place-- Norwegian, maybe? Swedish? "This isn't a good time. Can I call you back?"

There was no more time to spare to gather thoughts. And here we go. "No, it isn't a good time.  And there won't be one. Reed, it's Susan.  That might be verified a number of ways, I'm sure.  And may need to be.  Because I'm not your Susan.   I'm from what you'd regard as an alternate reality.  Here to stop an incident that's in no one's interest, except some very callous people.   My time on this phone will be short.   I can tell you in brief.  Or, meet you in person.  As your prisoner, lab subject, whatever's necessary. I'll agree to it.  But I'm begging, begging you to hear me."   

If he took her up on the offer, she'd first relinquish the Tallus to one of the others.   No way was she going to risk it falling into his or Stark's possession.

There's a pause. And a click, and the background noise stops.

"Okay, Susan. I am in the middle of a very dangerous and time-critical experiment, but you have my undivided attention. Explain yourself quickly and we can meet in person, later, if we have to. If you're following local news, your counterpart in this reality is already registered and recognizable enough that law enforcement shouldn't be a concern."

“Flag Man, I’m gonna check on Sue. I dig what you said about discretion.” Flashing a playful grin, Sally added, “If anyone asks about my dress, I’ll tell ‘em that I’m, like, an understudy in an Off Broadway production of Hair.” She flashed a Peace symbol. “Let the Sunshine in, boys!”

Sally exited into the alley. She searched the immediate area for Sue. If she found her, she’d keep quiet while Sue handled her phone call. If not, she’d look for Tigro.

but you have my undivided attention.

"I - I do?" almost stunned at how easy that was. She glanced up momentarily at Sally, not averse to the company, though continuing to walk.  Her own attire just as out of place, like some lost reveler from Burning Man perhaps.

"Right. Okay.  It's like this:  Peter Parker's being set up for some tragedy.  Something that will break him, thoroughly.  Something I believe involves his loved ones."   Sue was, for now, speaking in the singular.  Not wishing Reed to know she was here with others.

"Whether that's to turn him into a martyr, and make more fervor for what's about to happen -- or invalidate the cause he just espoused, and increase violent opposition to it, I've no clue.  Maybe both. Maybe something else entirely.   But you can count on tragedy and bloodshed.  Peter's the best of your world's heroes, I hear.  Please don't let him be sacrificed that way! It sounds like Anthony Stark is pretty damn trigger happy, right now.  And, if he acts on that impulse -- I think a lot of you will one day deeply regret not trying to talk him down. Once it's too late, and your new poster boy's had his soul shredded."

"You don't know Peter." It's not a question. "I'm not aware of any conspiracy against Peter, but... we wouldn't be, if the conspirators were even halfway competent." Over the phone, you can hear the calculations in his head, you can see the face he's making. Tick tock.

"I don't understand the nature of the threat, but I can tell Tony to order extra security on Peter and MJ and Aunt May, and try to persuade him to avoid escalating this further." He knows something. "Stark Tower's the safest place in New York City, maybe on Earth, so as long as they're all living under Tony's roof the only danger is when Peter's in the field. Trying to arrest our friends."

"Steve's playing with fire with some of the allies he's chosen for this temper tantrum. He won't permit his forces to escalate to lethal force for no reason, but Frank Castle and Venom are both going to be looking for a reason, and they both have ugly histories with Peter, and Venom's targeted MJ more than once."

He pauses again. Tick tock. "I'm irrelevant and your conspirators probably know it. Ben and Johnny are indisposed. I'm sorry to ask you, but if you think it's someone in SHIELD is trying to hurt Peter... talk to Susan. She'll get answers I can't."

"We've got seventy-five seconds until SHIELD drones can get a fix on your position. You're not going to be a wanted felon in--" Tick tock. "-- fourteen minutes, but you're probably trying to avoid leading us back to Steve, right? If you need to meet in person, ask for me at the Latverian Embassy and wait."

Daredevil apologizes for... trying to break Nomad's skull. It's kinda half-hearted, and he says it while picking up the attempted murder weapon, but he does graciously enter his door code to the roof access and invites the two of you inside.

"Please try to convince Tony Stark from escalating further, yes.    I doubt you'll regret that.   I don't know either of the guys you mention in my reality, though I have met one here.  As I'm seeing things - maybe more objectively, than those with a vested interest -  this is shades of grey, not white hats vs. black hats.   I implore you and Stark to bear that in mind.   If your Sue's like me, then you know my goal's to prevent suffering and harm, above any politics.   That's all I'm working toward, all I'm asking. And Reed -- thank you." 

Sue hung up -- broke the phone in half, and found the nearest storm drain, as directed.  Having disposed of it, she went back over to Sally, and sent through the psi-link:

I meant what I said about shades of grey. The captain's troops may not all be heroes. 'Frank' in particular. We need to be aware, and not miss the little things. 

Will be careful to take a different route on the way back.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:08, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

Old Frank acts like he’s seen tours of duty in Korea and Vietnam. He’s giving me a shell shocked vibe in the worst kind of way. Sally walked alongside Sue, pretending she was just another blasé New Yorker. Albeit one gone severely Retro.

In her mind, though, she maintained an intense psychic dialogue with Sue. Do you think he’ll go nuts? Captain America and that hunky Luke seemed to trust him enough. Is he on the level, or is this like America’s alliance with Russia in World War II? Either way, I can disable Frank if he goes cuckoo.

What are we doing about Spider-Man, though?

According to Reed, both Frank and some cat called Venom have 'ugly' histories with Spider-Man. And may be looking for opportunities to act on their grudges.  I don't know -- Frank strikes me as being more in control of himself. A guy who has a plan, rather than acting on impulse, or going cuckoo. But yeah, it's an 'enemy of my enemy' kind of alliance, if Reed was on the level with me. It sounds like Cap was pretty outraged, and lowered his standards in teammates. That does fit with some of the talk I heard between them. They're not exactly on the same page. As for Spider-Man --  I think giving Gwen more time is what we should do. And see how that shakes out.  But Sally, Reed did imply that Stark is going to make a move.  No surprise, we've all expected it; but this was confirmation."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Fri 05 Mar 2021.

When that happens, we disable him first, but we need to do it without violence. At least three of our own people walk around with a taste and talent for violence. I don’t want any blood spilled by our own group, either. Over the link, Sue might have glimpsed Sally’s own experience with peaceful demonstrations escalating into brawls, quick flashes of when she magnetically repelled Captain America’s shield or Cyclops’ eyebeams.

Whoa. Sorry about that, Sister. Superhero fights bring me down. So, back to my question about Iron Man. Back home, he hasn't devised a defense against Magnus or me. I’m not assuming that this futuristic version hasn’t built non-ferrous suits or installed anti-magnetic fields, though. Ask the Tallus about Stark’s most current armor.

It is Midnight. The Superhero Registration Act is now in effect. There is a 'Superhero Civil War d8' scene distinction on all scenes.

It's a long, tense night but it passes uneventfully. In the morning, Captain America and Luke Cage are discussing going out on patrol-- in disguise-- and doing their job while Tony Stark and the Thunderbolts are hunting them.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:24, Fri 05 Mar 2021.

:: Backdated previous scene.

Sue nodded grimly, in understanding, at the shared imagery. Reactively, she presented several of her own in succession, almost one one atop the other; blurred together in their similarity of theme:  herself talking compassion and decency, striving to defuse, before things go to hell, and she's left manifesting force fields against high-tech weaponry. Or massive, mutated, maul-like fists. Or a shrieking mad redhead, blasting withering, white hot plasma, that to Sally might look uncomfortably like Jean Grey wielding the lethal powers of Alex Summers.

I understand, she assured her fellow hippie, conveying much with those two words.

Let's get back, and I'll ask the Tallus to provide as much info as it can.

Once back, Sue will ask the Tallus for whatever can be provided about IM's armor, vis-a -vis magnetic attacks forms.  Can be provided in next scene; we're ready to move on. 
This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Fri 05 Mar 2021.

Before Cap & Cage assigned patrol, Sally woke up early and familiarized herself with the warehouse’s kitchen appliances (if any). Her Engineering classes at Berkeley coupled with the best tutoring by Magneto & Toad helped her deduce modern technology reasonably quickly. “Future technology practically teaches me how to use it. Amazing,” she murmured as she prepared breakfast for her friends and the Resistance. They needed fuel, and food would hopefully lift some spirits.

Whatever Sally couldn’t find, she’d sneak out and buy at the closest market. Her magnetic energy coursed from her fingers as she played Jefferson Airplane’s “Somebody To Love” on a borrowed iPod. “Don’t you want somebody, don’t you nee-eee-ed somebody to love,” she sang along as she levitated utensils, serving pans, and a coffee machine into place. Hopefully, there was a stove for toasting bagels, and frying up some homemade hash browns and veggie & egg scrambles.


OOC:

d8 Civil War: Anti-Registration + d8 Mistress of Magnetism + d10 Magnetic Control + d8 Tech Expert.

02:14, Today: Polaris rolled 8,5,9,4 using d8,d8,d10,d8.  Figure out 21st Century kitchen equipment .

Total: 17
If I have the option, I’d like to apply a Condition: “Good Morning, Starshine! (Well-Fed & Happier Crew)

Sometime after midnight, once it became apparent the world wasn't going to come to an end, and the Iron Fuzz wasn't going to come pounding on the door, Susan turned invisible and made her way outside the warehouse again.

Once there, she walked wherever there was a particularly good view of the night sky.  And she gazed upward.   Seeing how much of it was familiar to her.

She searched the heavens for the planets, stars, and constellations which were familiar to her, from the perspectives of astronomy and astrology, both of which she was versed in.  She eyed the moon as well, appraising the shapes of the lunar seas, and its other features.   Of course, she might have just asked the Tallus. But that was no fun...

Cosmic Expert D8 + Science Expert D8 + Peace & Party Hippy D8 + Home D8
I doubt this is anything that needs a roll.  Fairly plain by looking, I'd think.
Trying to discern if the planet's got the same (more or less) solar system & galactic location as the one I'm from.  (which is mostly like real Earth)

* * * * *
In the morning, she arose early and offered to assist Sally with the food prep. She loved to cook, especially communally.

She wasn't as gadget savvy, in spite (or perhaps because of) being married to Reed. But the iPods were just too cool, and she did her best to get one to play around with.    She was always up for harmonizing on some Airplane tunes.    In general, she tried to help out where she could, and brighten spirits.

Revised ::  There's another di(c)e I can add here.
Total = 14
Unseen rolled 8,4,1 using d8,d8,d8. Unseen rolled 6 using 2d6.  (Anti reg + Psych + P&P Hippy + Polaris)
If it helps her effort at all, I'll give Sally the D8 asset, "With a little help from friends"
TB, if you take the 1 as an opportunity, let me know -  I need the PPs!

After, she offered to Cap and Luke:

"If turning multiple people invisible, and making really hard to bust invisible barriers are at all assets in your work, then I'm available.  My rates are reasonable. Will work for grass!"   

Also: "I realize this is probably out of the question. Way too much to ask.  Availability limited, or nil.   But I'd really like to get my hands on a motorcycle.  Just a decent one. I'll do free maintenance.  They purr like a kitten, after sister Suzi's stroked'em."

This message was last edited by the player at 00:46, Sun 07 Mar 2021.

Night of SHRA going into effect:

When Susan steps out of the warehouse to do her stargazing, she may notice the Iron Fist standing quietly near her chosen spot. No doubt Cap already has his own people keeping watch, but Danny nevertheless must have seen fit to do his own observing. After all, there are still uncertainties about being in this place, among people they only hoped they could trust. "Trust but verify" had become his M.O. as of late, after the fallout from his break with K'un-Lun.

He, too, has his eyes set on the heavens above, as though he's trying to make out the familiar shapes of constellations and other heavenly bodies. Something about him has changed since they arrived here, as if he's less guarded after being reunited with the familiar Captain America and Luke Cage. It's like he's staking out the night on behalf of the team, now-- not just for himself. If Sue cared to make her presence known, he might invite her company.

Following morning:

Iron Fist gratefully accepts the food offered by his teammates, and pitches in by washing dishes and setting out mugs of Himalayan green tea for everyone. If anyone asks, he got it in K'un-Lun, of course.

Sally eagerly accepted Sue’s help with breakfast. She enjoyed harmonizing on vocals and cooking, adding Joni Mitchell, Cream, & Jimi Hendrix to the playlist. “FOXY—LADIES,” she belted, giving Sue a playful hip-bump from the side. To look at Sally & Sue, one wouldn’t know that the city was on the verge of war.

When everyone gathered, Sally gestured at a table set up buffet style. “Help yourselves, brothers & sisters! You can’t fight a revolution on empty stomachs!” She gratefully accepted the tea from Iron Fist. “Mmm. Thanks, Danny. I love green tea, it puts me in the right groove.”

When he cleaned up without any prompting, her smile of gratitude changed to appreciation. She watched him with a considering eye. “You really get down with communal living, Danny. What was it like in your monastery?”

I couldn't beat this if I wanted to.

"Sweet Christmas!" Luke is, besides Susan, the first to notice and appreciate your handiwork. "And here I was, looking forward to another beautiful day of watching Frank and Cap compete to see who can chug a whole can of pork 'n' beans the fastest. You've ruined my whole weekend." He winks at Sally. "Thanks. This is a whole lot better than I was planning, and damn sure better than any of these guys can do."

These guys, eventually, are equally grateful for your efforts-- though between you and Danny, there isn't really enough room for them to help you clean up.

Really, they're all perfectly willing to spell one or both of your for the clean-up, but that would interfere with your scene.



You recognize everything you see, but there are a couple of obscure-- unnamed-- stars that should be in the night sky that are missing.



Cap smiles at you. "At least those are still legal." He shows you a cabinet full of neatly-organized car, truck, and bike keys. "SHIELD's going to be looking for my personal bike, and Frank's van, so help yourself to anything in the 'garage'. Just try to bring it back in one piece, unless it's too hot. Use your discretion."
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:46, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

Wade wandered out to get some breakfast. He was missing his pants, but at least his shirt was on backwards.

"Do I smell coffee?" He looked around, and found a pot that has already been drunk, possibly the night before. There was half an inch of sludge at the bottom of the pot, and while it smelled like coffee, it looked more like motor oil. With a shrug, Wade went over to the refrigerator, pulled out one of Venom's jugs of chocolate milk, and poured an amount equal to the sludge into the pot. He swirled the pot with one hand to combine the two, and put the jug away with the other. Then he chugged directly from the pot. "Just like Mom used to make."

Back around midnight ::

Seeing Danny, Susan reverse-faded into view, as she usually did to avoid the surprise of an eye-blink appearance. She smiled, gazing up toward the southwestern portion of the sky.

"There's Orion...in all his hunter’s glory --  that belt just as bright and beautiful as it is back home.   Most of my sparkling little friends are all right where they should be. I find that comforting. Even if there are a few playing hooky.  So.  You have a favorite constellation, or star, Danny?”

The morning, inside :: 

“Gracias, mi capitán!” she thanked Cap, hands folded over her heart.  “It will be hot, but they always come back in fine shape while under my care. I learned from the very best --  my brother.”

At the table ::

“You said it, Sally pally! Yeah, c’mon, let’s hear about the monastery!” Sue offered her encouragement to Danny.

Noting Wade’s dissatisfaction with the coffee, she diverted from sitting down to join him over near the machine, mouth open in disbelief, as he made mud-mava (milk + java) and then chugged it straight out of the pot.

“Oh, jesus man!  Sure, blame it on your mom!  I know she didn’t teach you to drink from the pot like that! Christ, ugh, I’ll make you some more.  And for me too.  I play at being only a tea drinker, but truth is, I like a good cup of joe. But not from that pot!”

Sue proceeded to get a clean one, with a filter, and set about making a fresh pot.  Still paying attention to the conversation back at the table.

"Hey, you make due with what you got," Wade said, defending his use of the coffee pot as an outsized mug. He slugged back the rest of the mocha-crud and wiped his mouth with his sleeve. "You know, you remind me of Mom, come to think of it. She was invisible most of the time too."

"Oh?  That so?  Because you were insensitive, and ignored all her effort and hard work?  Or are you saying your mom wasn't around much while you were growing up, and that you had to raise yourself?" 

That second question was asked in a different tone - more sincerely, with empathy.

"Uh, yeah... that second one." Wade almost got whiplash from how fast Sue switched gears on him there. "I grew up on the street corner. I was eight before I realized my name wasn't DON'T WALK."

"I'm so sorry, Wade. Every child should have a mother.  Not that 'should' has any meaning in the shit that life tosses at us.   It sounds like you had no family.  That must have been so hard.   Was there anyone who cared?"   

"There was a woman in the apartment upstairs who thought I was her grandkid," Wade said. He took the now-empty coffee pot over to the sink and bizarrely found himself washing it. "I'd go out and get her smokes, and she stuffed me full of oatmeal cookies. I mean a lot of oatmeal cookies. It was beyond raisin.

"Anyway, does she count?"

Venom:

"We care, Wade."  Eddie claps his hand on Wade's shoulder.  "We care that you replace that milk.  Cap says we might make a scene at the store."

He takes the jug back out of the fridge and drinks what's left, then starts licking the inside of it.  Human tongues are definitely not supposed to go that far, and there are disconcerting noises.

Edit:  changing I to We
This message was last edited by the player at 22:08, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

“Why can’t it be the community milk? We’re all fighting the Registration together. Why can’t we come together on food?” Sally laced a hand around Wade’s arm.

“Sister Suzie and I brewed several pots of coffee and put ‘em over there in the urns.” She pointed at the buffet line. “Fresh coffee, not that sludge leftover from last night. I scored some yummy bagels from the Jewish delicatessen around the corner. Cream cheese and lox, too.”
This message was last edited by the player at 22:03, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

Sue smiled, nodded. "Yeah, Wade --  she counts.  In a really profound, beatific, karmic kind of way, in fact.  Or put otherwise, 'hell of a nice person.'  Oatmeal cookies, hey?   I bet Sally would enjoy helping me make a big ol' batch."   

Her attention went to the newcomer.  Who raised her hackles even before he started in with a tongue that only a demon would envy...

Well played with first impressions on him, Gwen!
This message was last edited by the player at 22:13, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

"Is there any bacon? Meat? Anything for us who like that stuff? I can manage on eggs and such, but I tend to burn a lot more protein than anything else." He says as he looks at the breakfast for what he would and could eat.

Through the Tallus: "Alright guys we're disjointed and these aren't all
'our' people, both sides have people I've seen as villains helping them, so it looks like it's going to be rough, we need a damn good plan to shut this down sooner than later."

"Now does anyone have a plan? We've got two people loading up to patrol, as incognito do-gooders, but the rest of us? I don't have a secret identity to worry about. It's hard to hide a tail after all. Not that it would matter since I'm not from here. I expect this Greer lady may be willing to talk, but that's not a GOOD thing...either. Especially if she's had a life similar to mine at all."

“I made a batch of egg scramble with some beef sausage from the deli.” She pointed at the last tray of cooked items  on the right. “Last I heard, Lox had protein, too.”

Tigro asked about the plan, an important consideration for the day. “Hey, Tomcat. Why don’t you and I go on patrol? Iron Pig’s people shouldn’t recognize us, either.”
This message was last edited by the player at 23:18, Mon 08 Mar 2021.

"I'll get you some more choco-moo-juice next time I'm out," Wade confirmed for Venom's peace of mind. He wasn't afraid of Venom, but he had to admit the guy was creepy as hell, even with the 'Earth Girls are Easy' tongue. "Right now, there's a bagel and lox with my name on it, and maybe another that says 'To Whom it May Concern'."

Sue smiled to herself, reflecting that Wade had gone so far as to reveal a vulnerable part of his past.   It took some balls to do that.  Especially for somebody who'd grown up on the streets.   It was good. Physical wounds might heal better when covered, but the emotional kind were another story.

As to these patrols, her feelings were mixed. Her smile became more of a faint frown, and she ventured: "People - while out and about, please, let's bear in mind:  not every pro-regger is a pig.   There are for sure some with their hearts in the right place.  Please, do your best to differentiate.  Becoming the enemy to fight the enemy is one way wars get perpetuated. Let's not do that.  Let's be agents of mercy, not mayhem, hey?"   

Though she liked most of the company they were in here, she knew there were not so good guys mixed in with their ranks. Frank Castle, for one. And she was fairly sure Tommy Tongue over there was the 'Venom' that Reed had warned her about.  She would be watching him and Castle...

In reply to Polaris (msg # 102):

"Sounds good to me, but without whatever, they give out for 'registration,'
 we may get hassled." He smiles with his teeth showing. "Though I'm good with it, either way, I mean admittedly it's hard to catch a feline that doesn't want to be caught."

This is so not going to be easy, but we need information, not just on who or what we're facing, but the other pitfalls like too many people will get hurt by villains who won't sit around waiting for the police, or 'registered' heroes.

He eats a bit of the food, enough to keep him going. "Thanks by the way. Remind me to cook something next time. Only fair after all."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:58, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

Gwen replies over the link.  * Good morning.  Turns out Norman leaked my identity and where I was staying already.  Sorry if Rocket and I talking in the link woke you at uh... Was it 5?  We're fine.  First casualty in this war is a houseplant. *

OOC: edit just adding colors now that I'm not on my phone.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:10, Wed 10 Mar 2021.

Midnight, SHRA going into effect:

"It's funny," he shrugs. "The stars look so different in K'un-Lun. From where our village sits on its heavenly plane, there are so many more than you can see here. No wonder we learned completely different constellations, too."

With a playful smirk, he rattles off a few of them: "The Wings of Shou-Lao. Yu-Ti's Crown. The Jade Tiger's Tail." He's scoffing slightly at each one, as if embarrassed to be sharing this with someone.

"Not exactly the same ones everyone learns growing up here. Before I ended up in K'un-Lun, my parents tried to teach me about stars and constellations, but I only learned a few. Orion... yeah, I remember that one..." he trails off.

After a moment, he speaks up again. "There is a star I'd call my favorite. One I could always find even in K'un-Lun, as I laid my head down at night to look up at the sky. Dreaming of a way back home."

Smiling slightly, he points up to it. "The North Star. Polaris."

At the breakfast table:


Danny ponders the question for a moment, a bit humbled to have suddenly become the focus of his teammates' attention.

"It was a hard, strict place," he replies. "We rose early, before the sun was up, and set to work on our chores. Chopping wood, hauling river water, tending to the crops. After that, it was martial arts from sun-up to sun-down."

Uncomfortably, he adds, "Well, for the men, anyway. Our ruler, the Yu-Ti, wasn't exactly known for having modern, enlightened views of women practicing kung-fu. He turned out to be an evil dictator, too. Who would have guessed?"

He takes a sip of his tea.

"It was a harsh place, but there are things I miss about it. The sense of community. Sitting down to eat breakfast with your fellowmen. Bonding through our training. Little things like that are so often forgotten in our lives here."

As an afterthought, he glances down and matter-of-factly taps the emblem of Shou-Lao the Undying burned into his chest.

"Oh, and there was a dragon," he finishes dryly.

Earlier...
Eyebrows rose at the mention of a dragon. Sally stared at Danny’s tattoo. Tattoos weren’t as ubiquitous in 1968, even in Haight-Ashbury. She broke her gaze away from the minimalist, but striking,  body art. “Are you saying that you’re like the St. George of Asia?”


After breakfast

“Don’t worry, Sue. I can stop them without hurting them. Danny, are you coming or staying? Wade, what about you?”

"I'll go stir crazy if I sit here," Wade replied. Staying in one place all night was as much inactivity as he could handle. "I'm going out.

"I might even put on pants."

In reply to Polaris (msg # 108):
Re: Polaris, earlier:
"Something like that," Danny grinned at Polaris.

Now:
"I'd better go with you. Me and the big guy--" he says, nodding to Luke-- "-- tend to stick together." He still couldn't believe his other self seemed to be sitting on the sidelines during all of this.

Venom:

"Thank you, Wade.  We need this to stay calm.  There's so many new people here."  At this, Venom gets himself a hamburger roll.  He puts a chunk of raw beef from the fridge on this and covers that in chocolate syrup.

Thankfully he takes his meal to the other room to eat it.  When he does, it's gone in one bite.

Sue replied through the Tallus:

No sweat. Some of us were up and busy already. But, Gwen...aren't you dead in this reality? That may be quite a stone in the pond, if so.

To Wade:  "Put on ripped pants. Just so no one goes into shock," she winked.  "And, you know, if they're good enough for the Hulk..."

:: In the garage, after the patrol group has departed...

With the leisure at last, Susan went to check out the bikes in the warehouse garage.

On casual viewing, it was plain the design aesthetic had changed since ‘69.   In ways that were kind of predictable --  to her eyes, there was a noticeably more futuristic look, though not in an exaggerated, gaudy way, thank goodness.   The changes seemed to be in the name of aerodynamics as well as cool factor, so it wasn’t empty style.

One of them was a heavier weight bike; not a good fit for a gal of her height and lithe physique.   Another, a lightie aimed obviously at beginners, novices -- which she was not.

And then there was ---  oh yes, baby!   The Triumph logo, at least, had not changed. She recognized that immediately.   It seemed to be a customized sport bike; with the fairing removed, and other changes that gave an overall more aggressive look.  It was candy-apple red, with a single round headlight, and comfortably positioned handlebars. Its mufflers short, lightweight, and no doubt pretty loud, as one would expect on this sort of ride.

Sue took in a smattering of other detail, then did what any red-blooded biker chick would do: she mounted up.    Ears would tell her more than eyes...

The key awaited in the ignition; so she found the fuel petcock, and turned it on.   Pulled the choke all the way, and then turned the key.   Unlike an automobile, that didn’t start a bike.

No, that was the job of the kickstarter. Her foot felt for it, and...and nothing?

“Well fuck!”     There wasn’t a kickstart.  Apparently no longer standard in the 21st century?   Kicking starting a bike’s part of the fun!  How dare they remove that, of all things? 

But there was a too conspicuous looking button.   A fucking button...a goddamn start button...on a bike! Shit!   “Fuck you, progress!” she declared summarily and emphatically.

Yep, it was a start button. She listened...then lightly revved, then listened...  then did it again...then finally with more vigor.   She let it idle.   It was idling...so-so.  Just okay, not great.

“Baby, you’re getting a tune up.”  Sue shut the motor off, then dismounted.    Sweeping her flax hair back into a ponytail, she bound it, made her way over to a nearby bench and cabinet where the garage’s tools were.

That is, you’re getting one *if* I can make heads or tails of the tools of 2006... 
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

Over the Tallus:

* Maybe they need the ripple.  Harry said his dad died more than once.  And Em Jay said there were exploding clones of me.  This world is super weird.  Seeing a ghost can't be any worse than running into your duplicate self, right?

I think my being here is closing old wounds.  And helping Pete and Harry realize Norman is up to something.  Those people that are part of the Thunderbolts were real assholes in my world, but most of the names don't match with the aliases of who I know.

How are things over there?  No explosions?  Enough places to sleep?  We just had one old couch in there. *

Sue's surprise was apparent over the link.

'Exploding clones?'  Wow, that is *so* B-grade sci-fi!   Do they come from Jupiter? Seriously though, I did hear that my brother here has returned from death.  The Tallus said there was a number of ways it might happen, and that it wasn't as shocking a thing in this world.  Anyway, I'm glad you're mending wounds.   That was what I'd hoped for. And why we've tried to give you time and space.    Can't complain about the warehouse; Cap and his people are friendly, have treated us well, and it's comfortable enough.    But Gwen, there's a guy here who calls himself Venom.  And also an itchy-finger named Frank Castle.   When I spoke with Reed, he mentioned they have ugly history with Peter, and would be happy to kick him one.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Thu 11 Mar 2021.

She talked to Reed?  That's surprising.


* "The clones come from someone called The Jackal - he's apparently obsessed with me even though I never had powers here.  No outer space involved - you're going to get Rocket involved if you keep that line of thought up.

Castle is a mercenary.  The rumors about WAR MACHINE Company are... pretty ugly.  I have history with him and sounds like he's not much different here.  Half of the Thunderbolts worked for him in my world, and you heard what Tallus said about them.

Venom is... that's complicated.  You know how my clothes turn into spiders when they change?

Venom is what the scientist that created them called it.  It's a hybrid symbiotic organism that gave me my powers back after they were drained by a supervillain.  She said only someone immune to the radiation from the spiders could be a host.

Bonding with the symbiote gave me my powers back and cured Harry.  It's not bad, and you shouldn't think that.  I wouldn't call it Venom anymore if it hadn't decided that was its name.  It's an animal and it needs to be taken care of.  Venom magnifies what you put in, and it's... an adjustment having something else in your head.  Took me a little bit to get back to myself.

Even now if I don't eat the right foods I get headaches, powers that stop working, mood swings.  I think you saw one when I yelled at Timebroker.  A SHIELD agent told me there were six spiders here, sounds like Venom is number four." *

OOC: I will be using different colors for Gwen's symbiote and Eddie's Symbiote.  They are different and Gwen does not know the extent of that.  All Gwen's advice thus far is about her own.

Susan caught the stray thought.    *I did talk to him, yes. And used a burner phone, supplied by Cap.  It was a gamble --  but...there was a small list of things suggesting the Reed of this world isn't such a terrible guy.   I did it because he's near to Stark. I hoped he might be able to get him to rein it in a little.  He did promise me he would try, for what that's worth. I told him what and who I was, but made it sound like I was alone.  I didn't mention the rest of you. Or the Tallus.  But...if this Norman guy has spread the word about you, then Reed - and maybe Stark through association --   will catch on that there's a number of us here.*



*I see.  Sounds like another nasty character.    I've not heard of him, nor the Thunderbolts. Though I did hear what the Tallus said.*     Susan paid careful attention as Gwen detailed the nature of her symbiote, and its origins, its ins and outs...



*Oh hell, Gwen, sounds like me during that time of the month!* she sent, tongue in cheek.  Mostly.  Somewhat..

*Seriously, I'm glad you took the time to lay that out.   You spider-folk are so central to this whole thing...it helps if the rest of us understand your nature and situation better, I think.  The part about it becoming what you feed it is kind of  comforting.   And maybe...it's not so different from we humans, in that way.   I think the Venom here may be feeding his symbiote chameleons.  Because, by god, he's got a tongue like one!  I take it Peter has powers like you used to have, and not a symbiote?    Do you have any feel for what he's going to do?   Reed did confirm that Stark will make a move, soon.   And of everything he told me, I doubt that bit not at all.*
This message was last edited by the player at 02:55, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

* "I don't think I explained it very well, but Doctor Brock isn't here to do it better.  I meant just what I put in emotionally?  The spiders are vegetarian, actually.  She told me to eat kale, spinach, cauliflower, tropical fruit...  If they doesn't get needed nutrients from what I eat, they're taken from my cells.  That's when the side effects come, and trust me it's way worse than that.  Other than that, it just manifests outside.  My body doesn't physically change - except for the isotope.  What's this about Chameleons?

Peter doesn't seem to have one - he would have been dressed for the fight this morning if he did.  And I think... I feel like they would recognize each other." *
This message was last edited by the player at 20:07, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Tigro departs for his patrol. "I better take time to dress as much as I can if they have clothes available that will hide my skin, though I can't hide my tail well and it's uncomfortable to do it for long. He sighs aloud.

"Hey can the Tallus tune us into police frequencies?"
"Shall we get going and is anyone going with me?"

He paces a bit while thinking the best way to handle this is probably to stay off the rooftops where helicopters and fliers can see him, but he does like to move quickly so he'll stick to alleys and quiet roads if he can.

He makes sure to stick to the shadows as he moves and listens for anything he can hear that might mean being in trouble.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:30, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

Sally borrowed blue jeans, sneakers, a jean jacket, and a belly t-shirt with the iconic Rolling Stones logo from a lady friend of Luke’s. She flipped her dark hair out from under the jacket. “At least the Stones lived to see the 21st Century! I see that long, straight hair hasn’t gone out of style, either, so I should be more inconspicuous now.”

Tigro would be trickier. “Say, why don’t you borrow a hooded sweatshirt? That’ll hide your face from the Squares.” When he was dressed, she would leave with him. “Hold down the fort, Suzie Q!”

*I was being funny!  The Venom here has a gross-long tongue --  so I was joking like that was from eating chameleons. Since they've got the longest tongues of any lizard.*   

*But, I totally got you were talking about feeding them psychically, emotionally. And that's why I made the comparison to we humans. We're the same way, to a great degree, I believe.  It's plain the symbiotes are feeling creatures, like we are.   And vegetarians?  Wow.  That's a different kind of arachnid.  Better for you!  You'll benefit from a life of veggies, too.*   

*Okay...so Pete's without a plan? Good. Surely he'll keep talking, and thinking, which is perfect. Just let us know if you need anything done, outside of the tower. Most of the others are going out on patrol, with Cap and his people, but I'll be holding the fort here. Eh, with creepy Castle, and some other guy I don't think I've met.* 

She waved farewell to Sally and Tigro.

"Be careful, out there!   Love the shirt! You look great," she enthused to Sally.

Susan had also changed from what she'd arrived in;  trading the long skirt and halter top for a pair of jeans (not a cut she was familiar with, but she wasn't quibbling) and a black tank-top, with the caption 'Cowabunga!' printed in bright purple.  She'd no clue what it meant.   But would have only liked it better, had she known it was an exclamation favored by a fellow mutant...
This message was last edited by the player at 23:06, Fri 12 Mar 2021.

* Well I wish the things they needed me to eat didn't taste like cardboard.  But what can you do.  I've gotta eat for Gwen and Venom after all.  Just, try to keep this Venom well-fed and that might help.  I don't know about any of the what happened between him and Peter but maybe I can find out.

So is your brother like, a Phoenix or something?  It would fit with the setting himself on fire. *

Gwen really hopes that Johnny Storm isn't immortal in her world, the Storms are already bad enough without one of them being unstoppable.

*Cardboard?  Jeez --  when it comes to veggies, it's all in the seasoning, the saute. If we end up doing any meals together, me or Sally can for sure do you better than cardboard.    Unless you've gotta eat'em all raw? If so, I do feel for you.    Now, you sure all symbiotes are herbivores?   'Cause this Venom just slurped up chocolate milk like it's going out of style.  I'll...work on keeping him fed, if you think it'll help.*  It was a grisly task to contemplate. But, you do what you have to...

She smirked about Johnny being a Phoenix. *Well, my Johnny is more like an Achilles, than a Phoenix, if you want to get Greek about it.   A super confident hotshot, with a vulnerable spot or two. And, this 'Human Torch' thing is new to me.   In my world, the only Torch was a maniac android who served the Reich, before Sub-Mariner put him down.  But, I hear Johnny has the pyro powers here.   He's the one who came back to life. And the Tallus made it plain it was done for him, rather than by him.*

* "I have to assume SHIELD is watching me so it's probably not safe to meet up, at least not at the base.

Symbiotes don't really come with a manual other than 'you're the only host it won't irradiate' - we only figured this out from what they ate on their own and what I was missing.  Does chocolate milk have collagen and fiber?" *

OOC: it does not but Gwen may not know that
This message was last edited by the player at 23:13, Sat 13 Mar 2021.

*Nada, nope, no fiber, or collagen.  Collagen's found in connective tissues.  I'm not familiar with this SHIELD, we only have SPEAR in my world, a cartel of techno-terrorists.   But Reed did mention if I wanted to learn who within SHIELD was gunning for Peter, I might talk to myself.   The Sue of this world, I mean.  Apparently she has connections, or knows the organization well.  I confess...the idea of talking to some other version of me is disquieting.  Especially since she's got to be on edge, with her Johnny in critical condition.  But, it's on my to-do list.*   

"Thank you, Sally, that's a start at least." Tigro says looking for something to cover his body so he doesn't stand out as much. If it weren't for this strange law, no one would care unless he threatened them, he'd be another strange superhuman.

Some days he remembers the day-to-day of humanity and contemplates how it moved from that to this, in this odd world. He nods inwardly superheroes can be scary, but they do the good work. A mental sigh and shrug. Maybe we've not done enough here? Is a question that lingers in his thoughts. What tragedy did we not stop, that our good will is lost?
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

* Signs all point to Norman as that person - if that changes I'll let you know.  No need to talk to your double if you don't have to. *

If flower girl meets another Sue Storm, will she like what she sees?  Pete says she's a hero here but... who actually knows.

“Not that I think that you should have to hide your face,” Sally said with a quick stroke of Tigro’s fur. “I think you look groovy, but the people here don’t seem open-minded. Not if they’re aspiring to Third Reich policy for us super-types.”

((Some undefined, appropriate amount of time later -- still out in the garage))

I'd be safe and warm (I'd be safe and warm)
If I was in L.A. (If I was in L.A.)...

The lush, four part harmony issued from the speakers of the radio -- the radio like thing --  that sat atop the garage's tool bench.

California dreamin' (California dreamin')
On such a winter's day...   

Not only did it have AM and FM, but XM as well. She'd no clue what the hell XM was.    But it had sounded intriguing, and mysterious --  so why not?   She'd hit upon a channel that had now served up three songs in a row that she knew.

Well, I got down on my knees (Got down on my knees)
And I pretend to pray (I pretend to pray)...   

Susan turned from the bench, to face the garage's only other occupant.

"Okay, baby -- it's just you and me  -- we're all alone."

The Triumph future-bike didn't reply;  but that didn't matter.  She liked the lean and agile type. And he'd be talkin' up a storm, once she was done, what with those lightweight mufflers.    She'd managed to rummage up gloves, the bike's shop manual (from which she'd learned it was a 2003 model) and most of what would be needed for a tune up.   So she hoped.

All the leaves are brown (All the leaves are brown)
And the sky is grey (And the sky is grey)...

Having moved her supplies over, she began with checking the fluid levels.  Glad to have something to do, that made her feel a little nearer to the life she knew.   Though it didn't make her forget she was alone here now with Frank Fucking Castle, and some other guy she hadn't yet seen, let alone met.

Well, I fucking hope he's an attorney!  'Cause I'd love to sue whoever thought it was a great idea to start making bikes without a kickstarter!
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Thu 22 July 2021.

While Sue listens to the radio, someone in the next room is flipping through TV stations all broadcasting news.  Some of the sound comes through.


"been Spider-Man since I was fifteen years old."

* Click *

"Johnny Storm still reported in critical condition this morning at"

* Click *

"Minor explosion at Stark tower 'No cause of concern' according to Stark rep"

* Click *

"My name is Peter Ben"

* Click *

"Relatively quiet overnight as the Superhuman Registration Act came into effect, with sporadic protests but no wide outbreaks of violence as some feared."

* Click *

"Outside the childhood home of Spider-man hoping to get a word with his Aunt but across the street we can see a reminder of the dangers"

* Click *

"And we can trust that the Thunderbolts and other Powered entities who have done the right thing will keep this country safe from"

* Click *

"We're here with J. Jonah Jameson."  "I felt so bad for the Parker kid when his fiancée was killed due to Spider-man's  NEGLIGENCE but now it turns out that he was RESPONSIBLE.  That poor innocent girl... Georgia or something was killed because"

* Click *

"Released a new Most Wanted list this morning with Captain America in the top position"

* Click *

* Explosion *  "Meep Meep"  * Looney Tunes theme *

Listening, Susan suddenly paused in what she was doing.   It did occur to her that anyone who stopped at Looney Tunes likely wasn't Castle.

I really hope not; it would only make him more scary!

Curious, she set down the oil can, then walked from the garage to the other room, in order to have a look.

As Sue rounds the corner she can see that it's Eddie watching tv.  He notices her immediately even though he's not looking in her direction, and turns to talk to her.  "Pull up a seat.  Can watch something else, just... just nothing with Parker.  He brings up a lot of animosity."

The newspapers on the other side of the couch are suddenly being moved to the coffee table, but Eddie hasn't moved.  It seems like the shirt he was sitting on is doing the move.

"Most of the news is about him today.  We don't want to relapse.  Gotta stay strong, don't let Cap down."

Oh - him.  Wasn't he supposed to go out with the patrol?

Her first instinct was to decline, but then she reconsidered.  Wasn't he one of the Weavers? Number four, according to Gwen? Perhaps, she could learn something.  With her bullshit detector set on 'high' of course.

"I'm working on tuning up a bike out in the garage.   But, sure, I'll take a break for a bit."    She walked to the now vacant spot, sat down.

"So what do you mean by relapse, exactly?"  She tried to remember everything Gwen had recently told her about Venom.  'Venom magnifies what you put in' was the part that stood out in her mind.

"Yeah, I guess you don't know any of it."  Eddie says, while a cartoon skunk sexually harasses a cat on the tv.

"Parker was the first Venom host.  That Spider-symbol shows up on us even now.  He rejected the bond, tried to kill the symbiote."  The shirt reacts.  Eddie looks sad. "We did some bad things after that.  Ask one of the others sometime if you want.  We're not like that anymore."




Last night, Luke had said "Bullshit, man. You eat people."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:06, Fri 23 July 2021.

Mr. le Pew was well known to Susan.  As a cartoon character, and as an archetype on the dating scene.

"I see.  And what made Peter react so antagonistically toward the symbiote?" She paused briefly before adding- "Any reason beyond not wanting to be covered in alien, metamorphic spiders, I mean."   
This message was last edited by the player at 19:52, Fri 23 July 2021.

"Spiders?  huh?" Eddie says.  The shirt dissolves into a ball of black goo.

"The symbiote only speaks Klyntar.  We can't even get near Parker without seeing red.

Imagine you had an ex that tried to kill you, but you couldn't explain why due to the language barrier.  And today they're getting a parade.

For all I know, Parker just hates chocolate milk.  You'd have to ask him.  I didn't even know they were the same person until last night."

The lights go out. Dim sunlight filters in through the boarded-up windows, casting the room in pockets of visbility among deep shadows. You hear movement-- probably Frank-- from the garage.

"Ok, I can dig," nodded Sue.

"I'm relatively sure my ex did kill me -- and there kind of was a language barrier, at the level of the heart.  And yeah - it would be a real drag, watching him get a fucking parade."


At the abrupt loss of power, and the sounds from the garage, Sue stood up, and vanished from sight.    Unseen rolled 2,4,7,3,6 using d12,d10,d8,d8 d6.  Invisibility dice pool.
Invisibility + Safety + Outta Sight Protectoress + Covert expert + anti-registration
Total = 13, Effect = D12

She then padded to the garage to see who...

Susan wasn't able to truly see the invisible, herself.  However, she wasn't so far removed;  she was able to discern the presence of invisible things/people, as a side-effect of being able to function herself while invisible,

Frank was in the garage. He seemed to be working on one of the cars, but had just shouldered his rifle, and looked to be seeking a target for it. And though he couldn't see them, there were plenty.

At least a dozen figures stood out there; and while Sue couldn't identify colors, they were plainly garbed in stereotype ninja outfits, and carrying the stereotype katanas and other weaponry.

Any humor to be had from the fact she was wearing a tank-top with Cowabunga! emblazoned on it was quite lost upon her...

They were aware of Frank, but plainly couldn't see herself. They didn't appear to be making any move to neutralize him, but were instead intent on heading deeper into the warehouse.

Idiots, she thought dismissively.  Reckoning no force worth their salt would be garbed that way.   She'd hazarded over how to best deal with this, and had an idea:   while maintaining her invisibility, she made a force-screen that would halt their forward progress into the warehouse.   Ideally, she wanted them to all move toward it, nearer together, so she might then smack them with it.

Unfortunately, the silliness of their outfits had made her cocky, and it wasn't exactly the most energized field she'd ever made...

Unseen rolled 2,1,4,2 using d12,d10,d4,d6.  Force field dice pool.
Godlike durability + Safety + Outta Sight Protectoress + anti-registration
Maintaining invisibility;
SFX: Multipower. Use two or more Force Projection powers in your dice pool, at –1 step for each additional power.
Total = 6  Effect = D10  (after being adjusted)
+1 opportunity for TB
Collecting a PP for using a trait negatively, total PP = 2 

The force field is placed flat across where the door is, and spans maybe six feet out to each side of it.   
This message was last edited by the player at 20:18, Sun 25 July 2021.

OOC: You don't have to take the Multipower penalty when 'maintaining' a power or using an asset created by a power-- only when using more than one die from the same power set in a roll.

One of the ninjas encounters the force field. He stops, alerted, and turns to try to scan the garage more intensely.

Sue, and the ninjas, hear a soft click and a clank and gentle clattering from Frank's position.

ORDER OF BATTLE
Unseen
Frank Castle
Ninja Horde 3d4

NEXT ACTION: Unseen

When the lights go out, Eddie stands up.  The black ball of goo completely covers him, showing a hulking black figure with a white version of Spider-man's logo on its chest.   It's several inches taller than Eddie was on his own and significantly more muscular.  The face has teeth that look like they belong to a shark and a tongue hanging down to the chest.

It has no idea what's happening, just that something's wrong.
OOC: No actions from confused Venom

What sounded like a weapon being primed, or changed in some way, made her hesitate. If Castle was going to take these out, it would leave her free to focus elsewhere...   Fuck!  How many are out there?

In spite of her force field, she stepped aside from the door frame, just in case.

I'm going to cede my position to Castle, and act right after he does.

Or will that work?  If it means I go simultaneous with the ninjas, then I think I'll keep my ranking.   
This message was last edited by the player at 02:33, Tue 27 July 2021.

The silence is shattered by an explosion.

Half a dozen ninjas appear in a smear of violence... leaving smears behind on the walls, floor, and ceiling. Another small handful appear, mostly unharmed, but visible. Frank is aware of the ninjas. The ninjas are aware of Frank. Neither of them appear to be aware of Sue.


10:45, Today: Timebroker, on behalf of Frank Castle, rolled 41 using 1d10+1d8+1d8+1d10+1d6+1d6+1d6 with rolls of 6,8,1,10,6,4,6.

Effort: 18 Effect: 3d6

10:49, Today: Timebroker, for the NPC Horde Nin jas, rolled 22 using 1d10+1d4+1d4+1d4+1d4+1d8 with rolls of 10,2,1,1,4,4.

Effort: 14 Effect: d4

Result: Ninja Horde (in this room) is reduced from 4d4 to 2d8.

NEXT: Unseen

There was a brief moment of horror;  Sue had no stomach for murder, brutality, and she couldn't believe what Castle had just done to those men!

Yet had she expected anything else?  And there were very badly outnumbered...

Sue focused, went to work...tried to dome the warehouse in a force shield, to keep this horde out.  Simultaneously, she strove to shield Castle from his adversaries attack.

Unfortunately, she was too shaken by what she'd just witnessed, and her energies were not efficiently used.

Unseen rolled 1,4,3,2,3 using d12,d10,d8,d6,d6.  Force field dice pool.
Force field + Safety + Protectoress + anti-reg + force construct*
SFX: Force Constructs. When using Force Projection to create assets, add d6 and stepup effect die by +1.*
Total = 7; Effect dice = D8, D8*
Attempted complication = kept away by invisible force; asset = shield for Frank
1 opportunity for the TB
Not gonna waste any PPs on this pool!   Unless, I had to, to attempt a complication + asset in same round.    = 1 PP spent, if so. 

22:31, Today: Timebroker, for the NPC DOOM POOL, rolled 17 using 1d8+1d8+1d6+1d6+1d6 with rolls of 7,1,5,1,3.

You spend the PP after the roll, to keep a second Effect Die-- but before I rolled mine. I think you knew I was going to win before I rolled, so if you'd understood the rule you'd have chosen not to spend the Plot Point. Does that sound fair?

Take one for the Opportunity. You're eligible to activate up to two Opportunities of mine for push or stunt dice on your next action.

DOOM POOL: 3d8 + 2d6


The ninja stares at Sue in apparent-- but brief-- shock.

"It's her. She's here."

There's no sign whom he's talking to.

"Inform the Master."

The speaker, and the other remaining ninjas in the garage, along with the corpses of those killed by Frank's frag grenade, all crumble into dust. More ninjas appear on the periphery of Sue's invisibility sense, first on the upper floor... but then, those that do not appear to be engaged in combat already start converging on the garage.

She was nonplussed, blinking and gape mouthed, for maybe a second and a half, as those in front of her went to dust.  For no real apparent reason at all -- other than they had recognized her?   What sort of enemy was this?  What kind of cheesy, B-grade, vampire-ninjas did Stark keep on his payroll?

Sue recovered quick, annoyed, exasperated by being unable to unable to understand.    She refocused her existing barrier, honed it with greater will -- and then shoved outward with it, in a concussive pulse, not just blocking the ninjas from the garage but slamming them backward:

Unseen rolled 11,6,5,6,2 using d12,d10,d10,d8,d6.
Field + Safety + Stunt + Protectoress + anti-reg
Total = 17; Effect = D12;  Stunt = Unseen's Invisible Ire, cost = 1 PP
2 PP left

She sought to buy time for answers. Immediately she asked of the Tallus: "What are these opponents?  Aside from ninjas, I mean! And Who is this 'Master?'" 
This message was last edited by the player at 16:06, Sun 08 Aug 2021.

I can't beat that. I'd only be rolling to keep you from upgrading to d12, and the chances are too small to be worthwhile. Take the d12. I don't think you have Area Effect normally, but with the Stunt die, I'll allow it. All of the current Ninja Hordes are degraded/upgraded to 3d6 and we're temporarily ending the combat.

The Tallus chirps: "The Hand is an international occult/paramilitary secret society founded in Japan in the late 16th century. At some point in history, they were subverted by a demonic cult worshiping an interdimensional entity known as The Beast. The identity of the Hand's ruler at this juncture is unknown following a war with The Hellfire Club and a subsequent power struggle."

Sue frowned, shook her head, "Ok, so this new ruler has ended up in the pro-reg camp, for some reason.  Even though an international occult/paramilitary  secret society would seem odd bedfellows for Stark & company.  Or would they-?" she shook her head again, realizing she was speaking more to Frank than the Tallus, and wondering if he could offer any clarity.

She said to him directly: "We've got a reprieve.  And, as much as I kind of love this warehouse, it's now ceased to be a secret base.  You're the local, and a tactics guy.  Is there any need or point in trying to hold this place?" 

Frank grunts. "Out of my wheelhouse. I don't buy this is a Stark thing, though; not their style, not his. They're after something."

"I can set the self-destruct. The Devil will hear the countdown and get out. Maybe some of the cockroaches won't."
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:55, Sun 08 Aug 2021.

"Who the hell is 'the Devil?'  Oh, right, the other hero-dude I haven't met! You know, that may not be a terrible idea;  but, I want to check with some people whose opinions I think we should consult first."   

Through the psi-link of the Tallus, Sue reached out to Gwen:

Gwen -- the warehouse came under attack by what the Tallus describes as an international occult/paramilitary secret society, known as The Hand.  Like ninjas, who turn to dust when things unexpectedly don't go to plan! Frank is pretty sure they aren't part of Stark's forces, but we've no clue who they serve.    They came here searching for something - or someone - maybe even me, I mean the Sue of this world, based on their reaction.   If you've got any insights, suggestions, I'm listening! 

She added: I put them at bay, for the moment.   But supposedly their 'master' has been notified!
This message was last edited by the player at 17:40, Sun 08 Aug 2021.

Plainly, there were now bigger fish to fry.    Much bigger...

"Tallus, please provide any available data about a 'portal to hell,' located approximately fifty feet from you brought us in last night!"

The Tallus chirps: "There is a deliberate interdimensional rupture at the location specified, providing a connection between the physical plane in this reality and the Realm of Limbo. There are currently three Legions of N'Astirh's light infantry deployed within one kilometer of this rupture.

MISSION CRITICAL!!! Mission failure is imminent."

Susan ran into the garage, opened the exterior garage door, then went to the motorcycle she'd begun the tune up on.

She got on the bike, pinning the throttle open, and hit the button she'd identified as the electric starter.  One it started up, she let go of the throttle, and asked of the Tallus:

"Plot and supply the quickest route to the rupture!  Provide any known data about N'Astirh while en route!"   Then to Frank and Venom:

"This place doesn't matter any more!  All hell's about to break loose - literally! Get a vehicle and follow me, if you want to help!"   

Sue waited just briefly to see if they would, and if the Tallus could in fact supply the route.  Otherwise, she'd have to do it from memory, or follow one of them.

The Tallus does, indeed, provide a map that will allow you to arrive in Midtown at the speed of plot.

Venom heads into the garage, still in the huge black form with the white spider on it's chest.  "Something is WRONG out there.  We can feel it."

En route, Polaris chimed in over the Tallus:

We’re on our way to you, Suzie-Q! See you in Midtown soon.