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M&M 3rd Edition: "And Justice For All." IC Thread
As one of the shark draws near AG, the corner of her lip curls into a smirk. She lunges towards a shark and grabs hold of it by the nose. The Emerald Knight's mask of rage fades into confusion. She shark bucks and thrashes against the heroine, but it cannot shake off Astro Girl. With a mighty pull Astro Girl directs the its nose upwards and rides the shark up and towards the surface. In the back of AG's mind, she can't help but think this is a little cool but that no one will ever believe it. The Emerald Knight let's out a water-muffled cry of rage.
Hrrmmm... Dice aren't liking me right now. Okay, I spend the Hero Point, because this is going to be awesome. My roll is actually a 23, winning the contest.
Unknown parameters. Unknown parameters! Evaluate, what is proper response? Establish space, provide summary
The massive leafy superhero quickly begins to back away from the surprisingly forceful medic, spewing a wall of information as if to hold her off.
"Wound caused by small flying creatures with laser eyes. Likely omnivores. Allies of Oranguman, who did not engage in incident. No further damage sustained while rescuing others. Regeneration factor has removed wound already. Far beyond healing rate of majority of creatures. No further tests or samples needed. Dr. Meyers said no experiments without permission. Option to refuse any time. Refusing, refusing right now, no need to experiment or harvest now, need further disclose. Syringe and sedatives not needed."
While lacking intonation, Deciduous more than makes up for it by the increase in speed as it speaks.
The lovely medic immediately picks up Deciduous's distress. "Okay, okay, easy. I didn't mean to startle you, I was just worried. You did a lot of good out here, but I've seen a number of heroes that always put others before themselves and end up sacrificing their own health needlessly. I just want to help you the way you've helped so many others. So how about you let me look you over, then I'll explain exactly what I'm doing and you can ask me to stop at anytime. Does that sound okay?"
The panic ebbs from the wooden warrior. It didn't sound too bad, just allowing a professional to observe. And her reasons seemed sound, her aim was the same as its, to reduce suffering. So the giant creature awkwardly sits upon the bench again, allowing the female to continue.
"This one is Deciduous. What is the appropriate method to refer to you?"
Technical turned to his robot creation, "Edison," "Ah, tut-tut. ArchEdison, if you please." Edison said while waving a finger at Robert. Robert sighed in annoyance, "Edison. I need you to end the link with Archimedes," He said.
"Aw, but why? I'm having fun." "Because it's dangerous to leave the two of you fused like that for long. I don't know if there are side-effects or complications. Please just do it." Edison sighed, "As you command."
Technical said a distracted thank you and grabbed the R.S.R.U com-badge. "Commander Ironsmith or any R.S.R. agents. Villain Wildfire is unconscious but currently unrestrained at my location. To the best of my knowledge, there are no remaining threats at this time."
"I'm keeping an eye on Wildfire but am dispatching a medical robot to assist the EMT's with medical treatment. Technical out" Technical cut the connection and caught the ball of nanoscopic robots that was the shut-down Archimedes core. He pulled the nanite sphere that was Hippocrates from a belt compartment. Activating it, he spoke as the medical android assembled itself.
"Hippocrates, please assist the EMT's and emergency responders, it they'll let you." Robert said, as he pointed to where the EMT's had set up and were treating the injured. Hippocrates paused for an instant, said, "Of course sir." and headed over to where the medical personal were treating injuries.
Edison flew up beside Technical, "You know, I missed being big. And haven't I been really good recently. You think I could bet a growth spurt boss? Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?"
Never before in his ten years of fishing off the coast of Titan Martin Clove seen such strange activity. First something had scared off the enormous fish he'd spent more than an hour trying to land, then rogue wave had nearly capsized his small boat The Autumn. Muttering angrily to himself as he drew up his anchor he thought of little more than his warm bed and a hot meal back on dry land.
A spray of saltwater rained down over the deck of The Autumn soaking him even more thoroughly as something broke through the surface of the water off of his port side. Spitting out saltwater and wiping his stinging eyes he fell backwards as he saw a shark that was twelve feet long if it was an inch soaring through the air. He blamed old eyes and a few too many beers for the fact that he thought he'd seen a young woman steering the shark by its nose, but when he couldn't blink away the phantom blonde he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted as loudly as he could. "Ahoy there you alright miss?!"
Limping across the deck he picked up a bright orange life preserver and hurled it at the shark as hard as he could aiming for it's nose. He knew that if he didn't drive the thing off it could bite that girl in half.
The shark Astro Girl had captured thrashed violently beneath her snapping its jaws as it struggled with all of its might to escape.
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
A pair of R.S.R.U. officers who looked young and very unsure of themselves approached Technical, one of them glancing down at the unconscious villain on the ground in front of him while the other kept his eyes on Technical. "Sir we were told to take this one into custody, we're the only available agents with everyone else..."
He trailed off very deliberately not turning his head towards the smoking ruins of his organizations headquarters. The other agent rolled Wildfire over and fastened a pair of what appeared to be plastic zip ties around her wrists. "We're taking her to the hospital for treatment, once she's recovered the commander will be handling her interrogation. He's asked that you and any of your...team who are willing be there as well."
The officer offered Technical his hand while his partner heaved Wildifre up onto he feet. "I had a lot of friends in there, and if it weren't for you folks none of them would've made it out alive. Thank you."
Packing the supplies back into her bag except for a small bottle the EMT didn't look at Deciduous as she spoke. "You can call me Danielle."
Forcing the bottle into Deciduous's hands she stood up and brushed off her knees. "I'm glad you're not hurt but I'd like you to hang onto these just in case. They're anti-biotics. Just take one a day with plenty of water and don't stop until they're gone."
"You saved a lot of lives today, I hope you understand that, but be more careful next time alright? I don't want to read about you getting torn apart on the front page of The Torch.
At that moment Hippocrates lumbered up to a group of EMTs who were in the process of placing a neck collar on an R.S.R.U. officer who'd been lifted out of one of the survival spheres. "Will you be applying the leeches next or bleeding the patient?"
Even with all of the activity going on around her and the din of hundreds of clamoring voices Holly recognized Ratash's with a agonizing pang of familiarity. Soaring over the bustling crowd she spotted the son of her greatest enemy wrestling with a police officer who must have outweighed him by at least thirty pounds. "Unhand me you buffoon! Do you have any idea who I am?! I am Ratash soon of..." The officer slammed Ratash's face into the hood of his squad car cutting of his last words.
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Astro Girl's attempt to hail the old sailor was meet by her spewing up some of the seawater in her lungs. She releases the shark's nose, taking back to the air. Returning to flight felt like going home again. It was nice to know that she could survive deep water indefinitely. AG, however, was still more comfortable in the sky. She snatches the life preserve mid-air before the shark snared it with his massive, toothy jaws. As the angry behemoth disappears beneath the surface, AG sets down on the boat and hands the orange donut back over to the sailor.
Never had the fisherman ever witnessed such a thing. He stood in stunned silence. Then when the girl lurched, appearing like she might vomit, he dropped the life preserve. Astro Girl leaned over the rail as he slapped her back repeatedly. "Spit it out, dear," he shouted. He moved to give her the Heimlich maneuver but AG just held him off and took a step away. Punching herself in the gut her mouth filled with the water from her lungs. She wretched over the rails into the sea with the old man still patting her back. Then AG slugged herself in the stomach again forcing the last of the water free before gasping hard. She fell back onto to the floor of the deck, coughing and struggling to adjust to breathing again. "My god," the fisherman knelt by her, rubbing the girl's back. "You seem like you've had quite a swim."
"Yeah," AG whispered in a raspy voice, still recovering. "Did you know it's impossible deliver snappy one-liners with lungs full of water?" She smiled brightly.
The veteran gave her a puzzled look then the two laughed aloud. He pulled a rescue blanket from beneath the deck and draped it over Astro Girl's shoulders. She sighs deeply and leans against the railing, closing her eyes. "You just rest now girl," he grinned. It wasn't every day a super-powered girl washed up on his boat after riding a shark through the ocean. He decided it would serve him well to be on his best behavior. "I'll have you back to shore shortly. Name's Martin. Who you be, sweetheart?"
"Astro Girl. Thank you," AG rasped. "I've had a heck of day. How far are we out?"
"Bout half-hour. Maybe more."
She took a deep breath and pulled the thick blanket tight around herself. It had been a very long day: a train attack, giant sea monsters, a not-date with a prince, rampaging hordes of skeletons, a crazed armored knight, a car chase through midtown, bomb threats from some future-spy, a crashing dirigible, flying monkeys, a fire witch, said dirigible crashing on her head, saved a woman from the fiery wreckage, then the knight came back and lest we forget she invented the sport of shark equestrianism at the bottom of the sea. Oh, and she went through two sets of clothes and a perfectly good cellphone. It still bothered her that she couldn't remember whatever it was back in the fires. She decided it must not have been important. All things considered, she decided to call this one a good day. Still, she felt very tired. While she might make it back to shore faster flying, it seemed rude to not take up his offer and she wanted a short reprieve. "I'm . . . just going to get a short nap."
Technical grasped the man's hand and shook it once, "uh, Thank you officer. But you don't need to thank me ... really."
Thankfully, Edison came to his rescue, He hovered in front of the officer;s face, "But you can thank me. I did all the heavy lifting and happy to do it too. I liked being big and strong. Hey, you should tell the boss to give me an upgrade, then I could help out even more." Edison practically gushed.
Robert quickly grabbed his creation and pushed him away, "I"ll think about it Edison." Techincal said "and could you please try to behave?" he finished under his breath.
"Uh, yes. I'd like to be at Wildfire's interrogation and I'll let the rest of my ... associates know."
"You could just admit it and call them your teammates, or friends, Father." Marie said over the radio connection.
"As you instruct, Danielle. Your concerns are...noted. This one will strive to reduce damage received in future conflicts. Now to inquire if further assistance is needed."
Interesting, why the concern by that one. Perhaps, just the desire to reduce my own suffering. Interesting, to reduce her suffering I would need to reduce my own, as she does not want to see me suffer and I do not wish to see her suffer...hmm, seems circular. Will need to think about the implications further.
Approaching Technical, the Green Guardian seeks further activity to help mend the horrible damage done during this battle.
"One named Technical, is there any further action this one can perform to assist emergency personnel? Strategic insight would be valuable. Additionally, further inspection of the crash site to find purpose behind attack would be invaluable. Large number of hostiles, and connection to previous thefts and attacks still obscure. Analysis?"
Another thought suddenly occurs to the leafy liberator. It holds out the antibiotics given by Danielle:
"Additionally, how would one ingest these without a digestive tract?"
"Very Carefully!" shouted Edison, earning a soft backhand from Technical.
"The truth is, Deciduous, I don't know. But Wildfire is in R.S.R.U custody and we've been asked to view her interrogation, if we want. I think we're good here. I've got Hippocrates helping the EMT's."
Martin secured the anchor and then set himself to the task of getting his boat underway, he moved across the deck determinedly even after he slipped twice. The Autumn's engines sputtered to life and the noise drove a small flock of seagulls who'd been lurking out of sight waiting for scraps into the air. Leaning against the railing Astro Girl stared out over the waves pulling the borrowed blanket around herself more tightly as the wind picked up. Martian vanished below deck and The Autumn pressed on towards crashing through the waves like a stubborn bull. He emerged short of breath and smelling like dryer sheets several minutes later and smiled weakly at Astro Girl. "There's some dry clothes waiting for you in the head, you'll catch your death if you don't change out of those. They might not fit too well but they're warm. I changed the sheets on the bed below deck too, get some rest if you can. Don't worry I'll come wake you once we're ashore."
Orion, Sapphire Sorceress, Deciduous, and Technical
The R.S.R.U. officers led Wildfire away carrying the unconscious arsonist between them like a sleeping child.
Hippocrates cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted over the crowd in a voice that screeched like a train whistle. "Father you must come and see this at once!"
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Astro Girl opened her eyes and smiled up at Martin sleepily. When he reached his hand out to her AG takes his hand and stands. "Thank you, Martin," she kissed his cheek. "You've been really great about having a strange girl drop off on your boat."
Martin blushed a bit, which was both strange and endearing on a grizzled sailor. "Think nothing of it."
As she slide into the head, AG turned back to Martin with a cheeky grin. "No peeking now," she teased before disappearing below. Martin found himself chuckling then cleared his throat, composing himself. He moved to the wheelhouse to drive the boat back in to port.
Below deck, Astro Girl was pleased at the sight of a bed and change of clothes laid out for her. Though she trusted the sailor, he had given her no reason not to, she still found herself peering up through the dutch cabin doors. While she wasn't shy, a girl had to protect her modesty. She felt relieved to be free of the soggy jeans and t-shirt, both of which had seen better days. She wondered how she was going to apologize to Jessica about those. She pulled the shoulder straps of her bra down then pulled the sweatshirt over her head, removing the wet article underneath. She stared at the moist brazier in her hands for a moment. By all rights, such a device should never fit or be desirable, even ideal, for her. She was, after all, an alien species born from an entirely different solar system in likely entirely dissimilar conditions to Earth. Why was it that she didn't have four arms or six eyes? Or maybe her species might have been reptilian rather than mammalian, or something else more bizarre. Was it the destiny of all species capable of intergalactic travel to develop similar features? Some cosmic queue that the universe was ready for that species to spread? Earthlings had not reached the stars yet, but AG was certain they had the potential. That Astro Girl's physiology was a perfect match to regular human girl was nothing short of miraculous. Not only that but her features matched the ideal of beauty among humanity. She chuckled considering that maybe on her planet she was actually quite ugly. She hastily finished stripping the last of her soggy clothes off and slipped into the gym shorts. Both the grey sweatshirt and black gym shorts were a great deal too large, but they did have elastics and the shorts had a tie to synch up.
She tossed the jeans and t-shirt into the drier, assuming Martin had left the door open for just that reason, and turn it on. She found some nooks and hooks to drape her delicates over. Sitting on the edge of small, twin-sized cabin bed she pinched the bridge of her nose. It wasn't often she got headaches. Her body must not have adjusted to the deep sea pressures as well as she had thought. This was the price of recklessness. With a groan she laid back and curled up in the warm sheets for comfort. She cooed softly as she relaxed and then drifted into dreaming.
Wincing momentarily at the high pitch of Hippocrates cry, Orion soared over the crowd swiftly, cloak fluttering in the brief wind before he landed with gentle ease. "Yes, what matter requires our attention here friend automaton?" Orion hoped to deal with this quickly, he had noted that Astro Girl had disappeared beneath the surface of the bay, and though he was sure she could take care of herself, he wanted to ensure. The Emerald Knight was a fearsome foe, even bereft of her deadly blade.
Technical, Orion, Sapphire Sorceress, and Deciduous
Hippocrates didn't say a word as the heroes gathered around him, instead he merely pulled aside a bloody sheet of plastic that someone had put in place to conceal the body underneath it. The young man laying on the grass almost looked as though he might have fallen asleep were it not for the jagged piece of metal jutting up out of his chest. Lacerations and bruises covered both of his arms and his hands.
Edison shook his head much of his usually melting away. "Poor guy, did he get that smashed up from riding in one of those survival spheres? I thought those things were supposed to save lives."
"No, most of his wounds were defensive and superficial. These are not the sort of injuries one would exhibit from the blunt trauma of being smashed around the interior of a survival sphere. However the true cause of death was this, a small piece of metallic tubing that became lodged in his torso. His lung was perforated and flooded with fluid in a matter of minutes. He did not die quickly or peacefully. I also do no think he was a member of the R.S.R.U. which makes me wonder how he came to be on board their headquarters." Hippocrates glanced at Technical meaningfully leaving theses last words hanging between them. The android rolled the body over revealing a strange mark on the man's shoulder. "This symbol serves as an emblem one of the Titan Ten, it is how they carve out pieces of territory and mark their lieutenants so that no one will lay a hand on them. I must regretfully inform you all that this mark belongs to the villain known as Tech Master."
Technical stared down at the body wordlessly and wondered why someone had cloned him, and why they had gone to the trouble of smuggling his duplicate onto the R.S.R.U.'s headquarters.
Astro Girl
When Astro Girl awoke the first thing she noticed was the strange silence that'd fallen over the ship. The engine was quiet, and she couldn't hear Martin complaining about the weather or his aching joints for the first time since she'd come aboard. Waves lapped against the side of the boat rocking it gently. Reluctantly squirming out from underneath Martin's snug comforter and collecting her borrowed clothes from the dryer Astro Girl changed quickly savoring the warmth clinging to her as she climbed the stairs leading up out of the cabin. The Autumn was tied off to a long wooden dock alongside of several much larger more impressive vessels that were rocking in the water. Martin was nowhere in sight but Astro Girl could still hear his voice coming from somewhere close by thanks to her incredible abilities.
She spotted the aging mariner standing apart from a group of men some distance down the dock. The men who making up the group were a random assortment of ages, sizes, and ethnicities, in fact the only thing they had in common were their sour expressions. Martin was shaking his head emphatically at the lanky twenty something man blocking his way.
"...nd I told you twice already, no one docks here unless they pay the toll old man."
Martin's face turned a deep red color. "Don't you old man me! I'm not paying you a damned thing, now get out of my way." Martin made to step around the group but someone threw out their leg catching his foot and knocking him down onto the dock.
"That was a stupid thing to do. Now I've got to have the boys make an example out of you. Nobodies going to pay up if they hear I went soft on some mouthy old codger."
One of the men twisted Martin's arms behind his back as they hoisted him up onto his feet, suddenly Martin drove his elbow into his captor's stomach knocking the wind out him. When the man doubled over Martin balled up his fists and drove them into the back of his head putting him down for the count. A second scraggly youth tried to seize Martin but he somehow managed to flip him over his shoulder casting his attacker off of the dock and into the water below. Momentarily stunned by Martin's attack no one in the group moved to pursue him as he made a mad dash back towards The Autumn. Then their apparent leader shoved them after Martin breaking the spell.
"What are you waiting for get after him you idiots!"
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Robert couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was himself, dead. He opened a mental communication channel to Hippocrates, Hippocrates, this is bad. He sent to the android through the implant in his left temple.
"This is bad."You're looking at a dead clone of yourself and That's what you say? Of course it's bad! ... sir. Anyone with eyes can see it's bad. Robert smirked, Yes yes. You're right. Take tissue samples if you can. I need to know how old this clone is.
Of course I will. Do you take me for a simpleton? Hippocrates sent back. Thank you. Robert said and closed the link.
"Of course, it can't be the real Tech-Master. He turned himself in and is serving life in Glass Island. If he'd actually escaped, we'd know. Where was the body found?"
"Yes, if Tech-Master escaped, you would be the first to know, wouldn't you Father?" Marie said over the radio in his helmet.
"Hush now. Be a dear and start looking into how somebody could get a dna sample to clone me, now, would you? The why is critically important too, but I have a few ideas myself."
Technical, Deciduous, Sapphire Sorceress, and Orion
"The body was discovered by emergency responders on the outer edge of the wreckage. They'd assumed that he had been thrown clear of the wreckage some how but I don't believe that is the case. I think someone dragged him into an area where the body was certain to be found relatively undamaged." Hippocrates began taking samples of the clone's tissue, hair, and blood.
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
"If the servants of this... Tech-Master are here, then he is involved somehow. Perhaps he was a willing participant, perhaps there is deception which has yet to be uncovered, but regardless, we cannot let this go un-investigated. Perhaps we can shine a light in the darkness which mires the intellect behind this attack, and bring the perpetrator to justice." Orion looked across the carnage, and gave a slow, weary breath. "I confess, such things are not in my experience, but I will lend you all my aid in whatever tasks must be completed."
Technical nodded, "We agree on your last point, Prince. We have to investigate this. I do give greater credence to the theory that Robert Lewis, the man that was Tech-Master, is being framed. It is possible he could be involved. But everything I know of the man suggests that he wouldn't be involved with random destruction for its own sake."
"Why not ask him yourselves?" Hippocrates replaced the tarp over the body and began sterilizing his hands as he spoke. "I couldn't help overhearing your invitation to join in on Wildfire's interrogation, I'm certain she'll be transported directly to Glass Island's hospital ward from here. It should be a simple matter to arrange for a few words with Tech-Master while you're there."
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
With a crack of the air Astro Girl darted in front of the gang, startling them back. She floated before them, her shoulder back with fists balled tightly, her feet never touching the ground. The dull headache still present despite resting gave her a dark countenance. The taut muscles in her shoulders and arms flexed. She appeared as an angry goddess come to smite the wicked. "I don't like bullies," AG said coldly. "You have two options. The first option, I wipe the floor with everyone of you and then take you to jail. The second, you run. You run as fast as your cowardly feet can carry you and never return. Because I promise you I will return. And if I hear one word of you extorting people here again, even just the slightest hint in the expression of the sailor's who dock here, there will be no safe place for you to hide from me.
"I am invulnerable. I rip through tanks like newspaper clips. And I hear everything. I am Astro Girl - Maiden of Mercy and Might. This dock is under my protection."
The gang members stared blankly at Astro Girl for all of fifteen seconds before the youngest and the smallest among them turned and ran back down the dock as fast as his short legs would carry him. Following his example the rest of the gang sprinted away, when their leader threw out his arms to try and turn them back they stampeded over him like a herd of maddened cattle. Shouting and cursing as he was crushed beneath their boots he rolled to the edge of the dock and rose to his knees cradling his arm.
He glared at Martin and Astro Girl with eyes that promised a rare sort of violence in the near future. "This isn't over old man, we'll be back, and next time we'll have help!"
Chasing after his underlings swearing at their retreating backs he thundered down the dock without another backward glance.
Coughing and wheezing Martin made his way up the gangplank of his boat leaning on the railing heavily. "You didn't have to do, I could've handled them."
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
"You helped me, Martin," Astro Girl set down near him. "I'm sorry I insulted you but I felt like I owed you that much."
Finding a pen on the boat, she took Martin's hand and scribbled her number on his palm. "I want you to call me if they come back. I know you can take care of yourself, but there are other people who use this dock, too. They may need my help."
The salty old sailor hrumps then took the pen back from AG. She knew that he was too proud to ever call her, but she hoped appealing to his sense of decency and community would have him make the call. A kiss on the cheek eased Martin's dark mood a little, forcing some color to his cheeks. "You're a good man, Martin. Thanks again for everything."
Taking to the sky again AG did not head back to the park - she needed to have a phone on her person.
She entered her apartment from the balcony, having little time for niceties with the doorman and other residents. The bell on Cosmos' collar jingled as he scurried up and rubbed against her legs. "Hi, baby" she cooed as she picked up the cat. She held him to her breast and stroked him lovingly. Cosmos purred loudly. "Did you miss mommy? Yes, you did." She entered her open bedroom and open her top dresser draw, pulling out one of the three spare phones she kept for safety. She winced looking at the voicemails, seeing Stacy's name multiple times. AG tucks the phone into her back pocket. She'll call Stacy back later. There are more important things right now. AG also did not want to get an earful while this headache was still bothering her.
She moved to her closet, kneeling down near a safe against a wall. She looks to make sure no one else is around or peering in thru the window. She sets down Cosmos who meows then scampers off. Astro Girl picks up the safe, revealing a hidden panel behind it. She pulls the panel free then reaches inside, pulling out a folded black bodysuit with red piping that sparked to life in her hands. Something about the suit unsettled her. It was the suit she was wearing when she came to this planet. Only two things survived the crash in tack - herself and this suit. The pod that carried her had been damage and was missing now. She had gone back to reclaim it, but someone had already come taken it. AG always told herself she would hunt it down but the life of a superhero rarely aloud her the time to investigate. She stuffed the suit into a boutique bag and sighed. She wasn't sure she was ready to share this part of herself with anyone, but she hadn't had the best luck with costumes lately. If the suit could be synthesized, and she only knew one person she thought would be smart enough, maybe a more durable costume could be made. One strong enough to preserve her modesty in the heat of battle. She only knew one person who might be able to help: Technical. Astro Girl wasn't sure he would help but she hoped the chance to examine with alien artifact might entice him.
She put the panel back into place then headed back out to the balcony, closing the sliding-glass door behind her. She clutched the back close to her chest and took off towards the park. Somehow having this thing with her made her feel vulnerable. Even exposed. It was physical evidence of her alien nature - and looked really sinister, too.
She spotted them below, unconsciously clutched the bag tighter, then set down behind them. "Hi guys... did I miss much?"
"... yes. We could arrange a meeting with him probably." Technical glared at his creation, Hippocrates, are you crazy? He said, mentally communicating with the medical machine. Drawing attention to myself and Pasteur in Glass Island is the last thing I want. Why even suggest it?! Hippocrates somehow managed to sigh over the mental link, Need I remind you that somebody is already drawing attention to you sir? And as they seem to show no sign of stopping, at least getting the story straight from the source might convince your teammates that Robert Lewis isn't trying to restart his supervillain career.
Edison popped up, hanging over Robert's shoulder, "Did I hear right boss-man? We could be going to see Dad? come on come on, please? It'd be awesome, I haven't seen dad in sooo long."
"Edison, do you hate me?" Robert subvocalized to the little android. "No, but it's super fun to annoy you. Also, if I suddenly started acting wildly different somebody might notice." Edison said back.
Technical turned to look at Astro Girl as she landed behind the group, "You've missed a bit. I had Hippocrates working with the EMT's and he found something most interesting. This man," Robert indicated the corpse of his clone, "He has the mark Tech-Master used when he was an active supervillain. We're debating if it's an attempted frame of the man or if he could be actively involved." He said.
"I guess we head to the prison and make sure he's still in his cell?" AG suggested. The tone in her voice was very uncharacteristic. AG normally spoke with more confidence. Her body language was all off, too - shoulders slumped and unable to make eye contact. She clutched the boutique bag to her chest like it was the most precious, or dangerous, thing in the universe. "Um, hey, Technical, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"
The mighty Prince Orion arched an eyebrow.
"Sure. We're done here," Technical remarked matter-of-factly as Hippocrates covered the body.
"Oh boy! Is it time for show and tell?" Edison cried with greate enthusiasm.
The pair walked away, leaving Orion, Deciduous and Holly back with the body. Edison chased after them which Astro Girl didn't object to. If she was going to ask Technical to do this, his robotic assistances would probably be involved. "Alright, Astro Girl. I think this is far enough. What's in the bag and why all the secrecy?" Technical demanded.
AG shrank where she stood then took a deep breath. "When I crashed on here four years ago," she spoke in hushed tones, "two things survived the crash. Oh god. I'm starting this all wrong. Okay, lately, I've had some issues with. . . wardrobe malfunction. The threats to Titan have gotten larger, stronger. My costumes can't take as much punishment as I can. Like I said, only two things survived the crash - me and the suit in this bag." Technical felt a excited tingle down his spine. "If it survived with me, unscratched, then it should be able to survive whatever punish your world can deal. Problem is, it's not exactly inspiring.
"So what do you think? My tailor Francis could help with making the costume. If I let you borrow it, can you synthesize the materials to make a new more durable costume?."
"Interviewing the two individuals is amendable. Additional information is greatly needed. Perhaps the individual refereed to as Tech-master can lend light on motivations, even if not directly related. The ones named Orangaman, Wildfire, and Mechanism share connection. A technological source of power, which may be aided by thefts. Yet the one called Emerald Knight does not share such affiliation.
It is troubling that those with varied backgrounds work together, as it confuses the purpose. One called Sapphire Sorceress, any insight? Emerald Knights mystical source of power, could it be integrated with technology? Could there be an other dimensional connection between the individuals and equipment?
As for the interview, suggestion to be made. Astro Girl and Orion have shown great facility in interacting with other individuals. Perhaps they shall lead the interview with suspects. The one called technical could assist Orion with interview of suspect Wildfire and Astro girl would be assisted by the one called Sapphire Sorceress in interview of Tech-master."
"And what of you, friend Decidous?" The mighty Prince inquired "You have proven yourself in battle against these foes, and it is clear you have many thoughts to contribute. Do you not wish to join us?"
The woody warrior ponders the question, but knows the response it must give. "Unlikely to be assistance. Presence of one similar to this creature would increase distress of all in the facility, including the security units. The...source of origin for creatures like this one is of too much concern for most. Additionally, one called Orangaman is still at large, search should be made."
Best if the monster is not taken to the containment. Otherwise, they may decide it is better if it doesn't get back out.
Orion crouched next to the still, covered form of the dead man. He was so still, so fragile, so human. On the surface as below, the world was as glass to a man who could tear a steel girder in half, whose roar could scatter a storm. He walked in the deep fires of the earth, swam in the crushing depths... and mortal men still died.
When he was a child, Orion's father had taken him to the tombs of their ancestors, deep within the sacred groves of the darkest, wildest forests. For a mortal travel there would be the act of a lifetime, for those blessed with the power of the great spirits, it was a hardy outing between father and son. When they had arrived, Orion had been struck by the glass-spiders and their strange beauty, weaving their filaments between mile-high trees glowing with the light of sacred pools and the glittering eyes of iridescent insects. As they had walked the forest, they had brushed through cobwebs, pulling through their silent embrace like ghosts in the mist.
Looking at the fallen, Orion remembered that. Cobwebs and mist. He touched the cold arm of the fallen, felt it's delicacy. Had this man been a monster? Perhaps, but there was a spark of heroism within even the cruelest fiends. And for all your strength, Orion, courage is the only substance which is truly mighty. When faced with your worst nightmares, it is your heart that matters.
Why fight for them? Because in the eyes of the innocent, strength was meaningless. A tyrant was worth nothing. Only bravery made a difference. And they were brave. All you had to do was look, and you could see that.
"If we are to talk with this man, then let us do it, and swiftly. I tire of chasing murderers. Wildfire will tell us what he knows, I am sure of that."
I shrug. "No clue who Emerald Knight is. I'd have to see the spellwork but it's unlikely, most people from the weird side shy away from tech and vice-versa. We don't play nice together."
I look down at the body of the Tech Master and then back up to the heroes. "I'm not sure I'll be much use at a prisoner interrogation anyway, and I've got a little trouble of my own at home. Pest problem and I sort of had to get my... roommate out of there. I should be getting back," I say. For a moment my eyes drift over to Technical, back to Tech Master's body, and the gears start turning in my head. I'm what's classified as a Meta-type level genius so I'm not exactly a dull knife. I watch the girl from the stars talk to the be-suited man... and I get an itch in the back of my brain that I just can't scratch.
A popular misconception about the Art is that you need to speak an incantation and make a gesture for the magic to work. For lesser mages it's mostly true, and it does make things easier. It's like having leverage when trying to lift something. But the thing is... I'm strong. Like, really strong. if I want it to happen, I can make it happen without you ever knowing.
And so I blink a few times and the aethyric energies in the area fill my vision, floating around like wisps of food coloring swirling in water. I can see the auras of everyone around me--the alien, verdant aura of Deciduous practically bursting with life and growth; the wild crimson aura of Prince Orion... and I see something peculiar. I look back up at Technical and down at the body of the Tech Master.
"Isn't that curious," I mumble to myself and blink the sight away, letting the world fill back in. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
"Anyway, sorry, yeah, I should really find my roomie and see if my apartment has been torn apart by the forces of ancient evil like I suspect."
"Unscratched? Interesting. I'll be glad to take a look at the garment for you." Technical said. "If I can find out what it's made of, I can probably synthesize more. Make it a different color too, if this doesn't suit your needs. I'm curious what it's physical properties are. It could be useful in a whole variety of applications."
"Astro Girl? Please nod if you can hear me." Marie said over Robert's helmet speakers. The AI waited until Astro Girl nodded before continuing, "First of all, thank you. You've given Technical something new to play with. Though if you and your designer can come up with a design you both like, let us know the color and amount of material you'll need. It will be easier if we have a known minimum amount."
"Right." Technical said, "I'll take a quick detour and drop this off at my workshop and then go to Glass Island."
Astro Girl, Deciduous, Orion, Technical, and Sapphire Sorceress
Hippocrates scooped up the shrouded body of his creator's clone. "It would probably be for the best if we kept this little discovery to ourselves for the time being. We should store the body in your workshop for the time being, at least until you've uncovered the truth."
A bolt of red lightning erupted from the folded fabric striking Technical in the chest and flinging him backwards. Robert's suit was overloaded with energy as he flew through a cluster of trees snapping them in two. Bouncing off of the trunk of a particularly thick oak Technical hit the dirt with a heavy thud and rolled onto his back.
Hovering in midair the fabric began unfurling itself and swelling as though an invisible woman was donning it. The suit's foot touched the ground as its fingers furled and unfurled themselves as though testing their strength. The headless figure started speaking in a harsh series of whistles and hisses which slowly faded into English. Emergency responders, injured R.S.R.U. officers, and those who had been unable to evacuate from the park before the airship crashed stared at the alien suit as it spoke. "Universal translator has been aligned. Vanguard reconnaissance suit serial number HGE-001-87A-F39 has fallen into enemy hands. Pilot compromised by indigenous life forms. Initiating emergency self-destruct protocol."
Marie shouted to compete with the ringing that was filling Technical's ears. "Father you have to get up! The energy readings from that suit are spiking, if they continue to rise at the current rate the resulting explosion will envelop Titan in its entirety."
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Astro Girl's eyes widened as panic set in when she heard Marie's estimate for the blast radius. She grips the suit tight in her hands and shakes it, " What?! No, don't do whatever that thing you just said was! Uhh umm Disengage self-destruct!" She looks around at everyone, tears welling in her eyes. Oh god. This is my fault. I should have left it behind that panel and forgotten this thing forever. She was just about ready to jetison into space with the thing in hand when she heard...
The suit faced down Astro Girl as more red light sparked and snapped across its fabric. "Unable to comply with pilot's orders, you have been compromised, all security clearances terminated."
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
The suited superhero shook his head with a groan and stood up. Data from the blast was scrolling across his helmet hud. His sensors were also examining the suit itself now too. "I can see it, Marie. At this rate, I calculate thirty seconds max before it explodes."
"Agreed. What are you going to do?" Robert grimaced, "Try to disarm it. ... Astro Girl wait!" he yelled as he flew back towards the overloading suit and the mighty maiden. "You and I can stop it from exploding. Just give me five seconds."
Technical turned his suit's systems up to maximum. He'd need every iota of data available to pull this off. As the data flooded in, he was amazed. "Fascinating! The entire suit is capable of taking in, computing, and storing information. In essence, the entire structure is processor, memory, and I/O device rolled into one package. It's like it's woven from microchips. And the programming is cleaner and more elegant then anything I've ever seen."
He held up one hand and a scrolling stream of the suit's programming was projected into the air. "Astro Girl. Here's its machine code. Stop me if you see anything promising." Astro Girl watched the unfamiliar display of alien code but on a hunch and a feeling she jabbed at one section of the suit's algorithms, "There! Is that something you can use?"
Technical smiled behind his armor's faceplate, "Yes! That's it. I have you now." Instantly, he switched from observation to a full digital assault on the alien artifact. He attacked the suit's root command user subroutine and worked to convince the overloading device that Astro Girl wasn't 'compromised' and still had full command authority. Seconds passed until he said, "Astro Girl. I need you to say: 'Vanguard reconnaissance suit serial number HGE-001-87A-F39, stand down self-destruct protocol.' Do it now please. 'm not sure how long I can hold it."
"Vanguard reconnaissance suit serial number HGE-001-87A-F39, stand down self-destruct protocol!" AG shouts.
"Pilot override recognized. Self-defense protocols disengaged," the disembodied voice of the suit replied. Just as quickly as it had started, it was over. The suit falls limp in Astro Girl's arms, energy streaks still pulsing from the red piping. Her heart rate was still elevated. What did it mean by saying she had been compromised? Compromised by what? In event that Astro Girl was 'compromised', it was designed to take out an entire city after just being touched by another species. In five years it had lain dormant only to threaten the lives of millions. This was not a device developed by a peaceful people. Tears streaked down her cheeks when the more terrifying thought occurred - what did this mean about her?
Astro Girl simply nodded numbly, still processing what had just occurred. For Deciduous, the situation was confusing. An artifact had clearly been activated, and it took the combined efforts of Astro Girl and Technical to achieve safety. Yet the questions of where the artifact came from, why it had struck out against Technical, and why Astro Girl was referred to as a "pilot" still eluded the plant creature.
"Explanations are required. What is the origin of this item? What is the items connection to you? What is it that is piloted?"
Noticing the tears streaming down the mighty one's face, Deciduous reaches out to wipe them away. Its own wooden facial mask can not express the sympathy, the shared hurt, it was feeling nearly as well as that simple gesture.
"This sign of pain and stress is understood. Understand now, these drops of sailene shall give no assistance toward the goal of saving others. Only knowledge and action may further our goals. Share this knowledge with all the members, it will aid all those whom suffer."
Technical let out a sigh of relief. "That was close." His enhanced mind ran through the implications of the alien suit's attempted self-destruct.
By the look on her face, he guessed Astro Girl was thinking similar thoughts. "Astro Girl, don't think this changes anything about you. Wherever you come from doesn't matter. Your choices and actions define you, not your birthplace."
He pointed at the jumpsuit, "I'm still willing to analyze this suit if you want me to. ... but I think the next time I try, I'll do it somewhere safer. Like on top of a mountain or far out to sea. Anywhere where there aren't people in the possible blast radius. And with you nearby, just in case. For now, you hold onto it, keep it somewhere safe."
Edison hovered over his creator's shoulder, "It'll be like a date! You can bring candles and wine and it'd be all cozy, doing science by starlight."
"Edison." Robert said, "Drop it."
"But I hear the sunsets over the Rockies are spectacular. It'd be so romantic." The little robot said.
"Keep it up and you'll get an upgrade like you asked, but you won't like it." Edison flew close to stare into Technical's helmet, "Pah, an idle threat." he said, "You wouldn't dare."
"No threat. Just a promise." Robert said, grinning.
"Deciduous, I'm pretty certain she doesn't know much more then we do, at this point." He looked at Astro Girl, "But I'll help her find out, if she wants."
Orion frowned. "I am curious, however, as to what force lies behind the creation of such high technology. We have artifacts like this in my homeland, but I can assure you that what we see before us does not originate from within the World-Sphere. I appreciate that you do not have knowledge of this, Astro Girl, and I assure you that none of us here hold you responsible for what might have happened, however it is a mystery and potentially one which our duty, as the protectors of Titan, demands we investigate."
The Prince gestured to the chaos around them, as emergency responders worked to transform the crash site into something a little more orderly. "That said, we have a clear task already set. Enigma upon enigma has been placed before us, but if we are distracted we will only see all of our efforts suffer. As the 3rd teachings of the most excellent General Ictheon tell us, strike with certainty, be aware of everything, but focus your efforts. While the sword guards 'gainst many blows, it can pierce but once at a time."
She took comfort in the words of Deciduous and Technical. Somehow they both seemed to understand what she was feeling, even if it wasn't perfect understanding. Then Orion's words cut like a knife. 'While the sword guards against many blows, it can pierce but once at a time.' It only takes one moment for an instrument of peace to become a device of ruin. Was she the sword and she didn't even know it?
She pulled away from them all, lowering her head and gripping the suit so tight her hands shake. She wanted to destroy it. Barring that, launch it into space to never be seen again. Maybe she should go with it, too. Then there would nothing left to threaten . . . Her grip loosened and AG raised her head, eyes wide. The pod.
"Oh no . . . Someone has my pod," she rushed to Technical, gripping his arm. "They have my pod and no idea how dangerous it could be!"
"Whoa, whoa," he started, taking her hand from his arm. "What pod? What are you talking about?"
"The one I crashed on to your world in," AG nearly shouted, "I came in a pod. After I got my bearing, I went back looking for it. Someone took it.
"Technical, if this suit . . . What could that pod do?"
I blink. Too much stimuli at once, something about a bomb, aliens. I rub the bridge of my nose. "Okay, well, I'm going to let you all deal with... all that. I best be going."
The leafy creature Deciduous seems to absorb that. He makes a vague branch waggle at me. "Sapphire Sorceress is very knowledgeable in a way none of us are. If we encounter magic forces, we would require aid. How can this one establish future contact?"
I tilt my head. "That's fair," I say, walking closer to the plant-man. "I guess one good turn deserves another."
"I do not understand the purpose of rotational adjustment in this scenario."
I cough. "Figure of speech. If you guys need me, just rub this leaf," I say, stroking one of the errant leafy branches sticking out of Deciduous's neck. It starts to glow with a soft, cyan inner light. "Speak the word Defere thrice and I'll hear you."
I step back from him and flick my hand, preparing my gate spell. "Good hunting," I say as the world melts away and I reappear in... IHOP? I'm sitting at a table and across from me is Ratash, a great stack of blueberry pancakes the size of a small child in front of him.
"Ah, very good Holly Weird. In time to take care of the bill of sale for my transaction. I feared I might have to exit this palace of sustenance without compensating the proprietors," he says, raising his cup of coffee for the waitress to fill it. She looks mildly distressed at his words of bouncing on the check. I just sigh and shake my head. "Hurry up and finish your lunch then, we have to see what's become of my apartment. I felt the wards get eaten away in the blink of an eye."
"Yes, that is to be expected of the Soulsworn," the former Lesser One says, cutting into the pancakes. "It is very fortunate that you arrived when you did. I may have been able to wound her, but she is not bound by this world's conventions. I would have been torn apart."
"Wait wait wait," I say, setting my hands on the table. "Soulsworn?"
Ratash regards me while he chews. He swallows and takes a drink of coffee. "The Soulsworn," he finally says, "are the bound retainers of the King of Dust. Former Prima Arcana themselves eternally chained to the first."
I feel my jaw go agape. "So you're saying..."
"Mm, possibly. You would look very good in form fitting black armor, perhaps a nice cape, accented eyeshadow, a mage's soulblade at your back..."
"Hey, hey, don't be gross. What do you mean possibly?"
"He can't bind you without your consent, of course, and you are already in a much greater debt to my father. The King is powerful, but no mortal, former or not, Prima Arcanum or not, would think to contest the mighty Xastur on a legitimate debt."
I let out an upward breath of air, my bangs fluttering. "Well, that's a relief, I guess."
"I suppose," Ratash says, stuffing a sausage link into his mouth. "Should you ever lay down the mantle of Prima Arcanum my father will try and collect your soul himself."
"Wonderful," I say, grabbing an untouched glass of water. "So why would one of the Soulsworn attack my apartment?"
A black and yellow helicopter swept over the ruined baseball field spreading the small fires that had already erupted. Turning tightly it landed a safe distance away from the triage center being set up by the emergency responders already on the scene. As its rotors powered down and the helicopter's whirling blades slowed to a halt the pilot emerged from the cockpit. A short man wearing black from head to toe his face was hidden behind a visor and helmet. Ignoring the dirty looks of firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders he made his way towards the gathered heroes.
"I'm guessing you're the folks I'm supposed to fly you out to Glass Island. I know you don't need it but the automated defenses will shoot you out of the sky if you try to fly out there in anything except a hornet."
Sapphire Sorceress
"I presume that she was dispatched to disembowel me and string my innards throughout the King of Dust's palace." Ratash speared another sausage and stuff it into his mouth whole.
"Nice."
Shrugging Ratash picked a slice of toast off of a plate and started slathering it with butter. "He and my father have been engaged in a pissing match on the cosmic scale for millennia. Killing me would certainly irritate Xastur if nothing else. Word of my mortality must have spread more quickly than I'd expected. The Soulsworn are just the first of many who will come looking for my head, and in my current state I have no hope of defending myself."
GM of M&M "And Justice For All."
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Posts
As one of the shark draws near AG, the corner of her lip curls into a smirk. She lunges towards a shark and grabs hold of it by the nose. The Emerald Knight's mask of rage fades into confusion. She shark bucks and thrashes against the heroine, but it cannot shake off Astro Girl. With a mighty pull Astro Girl directs the its nose upwards and rides the shark up and towards the surface. In the back of AG's mind, she can't help but think this is a little cool but that no one will ever believe it. The Emerald Knight let's out a water-muffled cry of rage.
Grabbed! Jesus. Would have failed if I hadn't used Accurate Attack.
AG contested Str: 1d20+9 13
Shark contested Str: 1d20+2 21
Hrrmmm... Dice aren't liking me right now. Okay, I spend the Hero Point, because this is going to be awesome. My roll is actually a 23, winning the contest.
The massive leafy superhero quickly begins to back away from the surprisingly forceful medic, spewing a wall of information as if to hold her off.
"Wound caused by small flying creatures with laser eyes. Likely omnivores. Allies of Oranguman, who did not engage in incident. No further damage sustained while rescuing others. Regeneration factor has removed wound already. Far beyond healing rate of majority of creatures. No further tests or samples needed. Dr. Meyers said no experiments without permission. Option to refuse any time. Refusing, refusing right now, no need to experiment or harvest now, need further disclose. Syringe and sedatives not needed."
While lacking intonation, Deciduous more than makes up for it by the increase in speed as it speaks.
The lovely medic immediately picks up Deciduous's distress. "Okay, okay, easy. I didn't mean to startle you, I was just worried. You did a lot of good out here, but I've seen a number of heroes that always put others before themselves and end up sacrificing their own health needlessly. I just want to help you the way you've helped so many others. So how about you let me look you over, then I'll explain exactly what I'm doing and you can ask me to stop at anytime. Does that sound okay?"
The panic ebbs from the wooden warrior. It didn't sound too bad, just allowing a professional to observe. And her reasons seemed sound, her aim was the same as its, to reduce suffering. So the giant creature awkwardly sits upon the bench again, allowing the female to continue.
"This one is Deciduous. What is the appropriate method to refer to you?"
"Aw, but why? I'm having fun." "Because it's dangerous to leave the two of you fused like that for long. I don't know if there are side-effects or complications. Please just do it." Edison sighed, "As you command."
Technical said a distracted thank you and grabbed the R.S.R.U com-badge. "Commander Ironsmith or any R.S.R. agents. Villain Wildfire is unconscious but currently unrestrained at my location. To the best of my knowledge, there are no remaining threats at this time."
"I'm keeping an eye on Wildfire but am dispatching a medical robot to assist the EMT's with medical treatment. Technical out" Technical cut the connection and caught the ball of nanoscopic robots that was the shut-down Archimedes core. He pulled the nanite sphere that was Hippocrates from a belt compartment. Activating it, he spoke as the medical android assembled itself.
"Hippocrates, please assist the EMT's and emergency responders, it they'll let you." Robert said, as he pointed to where the EMT's had set up and were treating the injured. Hippocrates paused for an instant, said, "Of course sir." and headed over to where the medical personal were treating injuries.
Edison flew up beside Technical, "You know, I missed being big. And haven't I been really good recently. You think I could bet a growth spurt boss? Please? Pretty please with sugar on top?"
Never before in his ten years of fishing off the coast of Titan Martin Clove seen such strange activity. First something had scared off the enormous fish he'd spent more than an hour trying to land, then rogue wave had nearly capsized his small boat The Autumn. Muttering angrily to himself as he drew up his anchor he thought of little more than his warm bed and a hot meal back on dry land.
A spray of saltwater rained down over the deck of The Autumn soaking him even more thoroughly as something broke through the surface of the water off of his port side. Spitting out saltwater and wiping his stinging eyes he fell backwards as he saw a shark that was twelve feet long if it was an inch soaring through the air. He blamed old eyes and a few too many beers for the fact that he thought he'd seen a young woman steering the shark by its nose, but when he couldn't blink away the phantom blonde he cupped his hands around his mouth and shouted as loudly as he could. "Ahoy there you alright miss?!"
Limping across the deck he picked up a bright orange life preserver and hurled it at the shark as hard as he could aiming for it's nose. He knew that if he didn't drive the thing off it could bite that girl in half.
The shark Astro Girl had captured thrashed violently beneath her snapping its jaws as it struggled with all of its might to escape.
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
A pair of R.S.R.U. officers who looked young and very unsure of themselves approached Technical, one of them glancing down at the unconscious villain on the ground in front of him while the other kept his eyes on Technical. "Sir we were told to take this one into custody, we're the only available agents with everyone else..."
He trailed off very deliberately not turning his head towards the smoking ruins of his organizations headquarters. The other agent rolled Wildfire over and fastened a pair of what appeared to be plastic zip ties around her wrists. "We're taking her to the hospital for treatment, once she's recovered the commander will be handling her interrogation. He's asked that you and any of your...team who are willing be there as well."
The officer offered Technical his hand while his partner heaved Wildifre up onto he feet. "I had a lot of friends in there, and if it weren't for you folks none of them would've made it out alive. Thank you."
Packing the supplies back into her bag except for a small bottle the EMT didn't look at Deciduous as she spoke. "You can call me Danielle."
Forcing the bottle into Deciduous's hands she stood up and brushed off her knees. "I'm glad you're not hurt but I'd like you to hang onto these just in case. They're anti-biotics. Just take one a day with plenty of water and don't stop until they're gone."
"You saved a lot of lives today, I hope you understand that, but be more careful next time alright? I don't want to read about you getting torn apart on the front page of The Torch.
At that moment Hippocrates lumbered up to a group of EMTs who were in the process of placing a neck collar on an R.S.R.U. officer who'd been lifted out of one of the survival spheres. "Will you be applying the leeches next or bleeding the patient?"
Even with all of the activity going on around her and the din of hundreds of clamoring voices Holly recognized Ratash's with a agonizing pang of familiarity. Soaring over the bustling crowd she spotted the son of her greatest enemy wrestling with a police officer who must have outweighed him by at least thirty pounds. "Unhand me you buffoon! Do you have any idea who I am?! I am Ratash soon of..." The officer slammed Ratash's face into the hood of his squad car cutting of his last words.
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Astro Girl's attempt to hail the old sailor was meet by her spewing up some of the seawater in her lungs. She releases the shark's nose, taking back to the air. Returning to flight felt like going home again. It was nice to know that she could survive deep water indefinitely. AG, however, was still more comfortable in the sky. She snatches the life preserve mid-air before the shark snared it with his massive, toothy jaws. As the angry behemoth disappears beneath the surface, AG sets down on the boat and hands the orange donut back over to the sailor.
Never had the fisherman ever witnessed such a thing. He stood in stunned silence. Then when the girl lurched, appearing like she might vomit, he dropped the life preserve. Astro Girl leaned over the rail as he slapped her back repeatedly. "Spit it out, dear," he shouted. He moved to give her the Heimlich maneuver but AG just held him off and took a step away. Punching herself in the gut her mouth filled with the water from her lungs. She wretched over the rails into the sea with the old man still patting her back. Then AG slugged herself in the stomach again forcing the last of the water free before gasping hard. She fell back onto to the floor of the deck, coughing and struggling to adjust to breathing again. "My god," the fisherman knelt by her, rubbing the girl's back. "You seem like you've had quite a swim."
"Yeah," AG whispered in a raspy voice, still recovering. "Did you know it's impossible deliver snappy one-liners with lungs full of water?" She smiled brightly.
The veteran gave her a puzzled look then the two laughed aloud. He pulled a rescue blanket from beneath the deck and draped it over Astro Girl's shoulders. She sighs deeply and leans against the railing, closing her eyes. "You just rest now girl," he grinned. It wasn't every day a super-powered girl washed up on his boat after riding a shark through the ocean. He decided it would serve him well to be on his best behavior. "I'll have you back to shore shortly. Name's Martin. Who you be, sweetheart?"
"Astro Girl. Thank you," AG rasped. "I've had a heck of day. How far are we out?"
"Bout half-hour. Maybe more."
She took a deep breath and pulled the thick blanket tight around herself. It had been a very long day: a train attack, giant sea monsters, a not-date with a prince, rampaging hordes of skeletons, a crazed armored knight, a car chase through midtown, bomb threats from some future-spy, a crashing dirigible, flying monkeys, a fire witch, said dirigible crashing on her head, saved a woman from the fiery wreckage, then the knight came back and lest we forget she invented the sport of shark equestrianism at the bottom of the sea. Oh, and she went through two sets of clothes and a perfectly good cellphone. It still bothered her that she couldn't remember whatever it was back in the fires. She decided it must not have been important. All things considered, she decided to call this one a good day. Still, she felt very tired. While she might make it back to shore faster flying, it seemed rude to not take up his offer and she wanted a short reprieve. "I'm . . . just going to get a short nap."
Thankfully, Edison came to his rescue, He hovered in front of the officer;s face, "But you can thank me. I did all the heavy lifting and happy to do it too. I liked being big and strong. Hey, you should tell the boss to give me an upgrade, then I could help out even more." Edison practically gushed.
Robert quickly grabbed his creation and pushed him away, "I"ll think about it Edison." Techincal said "and could you please try to behave?" he finished under his breath.
"Uh, yes. I'd like to be at Wildfire's interrogation and I'll let the rest of my ... associates know."
"You could just admit it and call them your teammates, or friends, Father." Marie said over the radio connection.
"Please, don't you start."
Interesting, why the concern by that one. Perhaps, just the desire to reduce my own suffering. Interesting, to reduce her suffering I would need to reduce my own, as she does not want to see me suffer and I do not wish to see her suffer...hmm, seems circular. Will need to think about the implications further.
Approaching Technical, the Green Guardian seeks further activity to help mend the horrible damage done during this battle.
"One named Technical, is there any further action this one can perform to assist emergency personnel? Strategic insight would be valuable. Additionally, further inspection of the crash site to find purpose behind attack would be invaluable. Large number of hostiles, and connection to previous thefts and attacks still obscure. Analysis?"
Another thought suddenly occurs to the leafy liberator. It holds out the antibiotics given by Danielle:
"Additionally, how would one ingest these without a digestive tract?"
"The truth is, Deciduous, I don't know. But Wildfire is in R.S.R.U custody and we've been asked to view her interrogation, if we want. I think we're good here. I've got Hippocrates helping the EMT's."
Martin secured the anchor and then set himself to the task of getting his boat underway, he moved across the deck determinedly even after he slipped twice. The Autumn's engines sputtered to life and the noise drove a small flock of seagulls who'd been lurking out of sight waiting for scraps into the air. Leaning against the railing Astro Girl stared out over the waves pulling the borrowed blanket around herself more tightly as the wind picked up. Martian vanished below deck and The Autumn pressed on towards crashing through the waves like a stubborn bull. He emerged short of breath and smelling like dryer sheets several minutes later and smiled weakly at Astro Girl. "There's some dry clothes waiting for you in the head, you'll catch your death if you don't change out of those. They might not fit too well but they're warm. I changed the sheets on the bed below deck too, get some rest if you can. Don't worry I'll come wake you once we're ashore."
Orion, Sapphire Sorceress, Deciduous, and Technical
The R.S.R.U. officers led Wildfire away carrying the unconscious arsonist between them like a sleeping child.
Hippocrates cupped his hands to his mouth and shouted over the crowd in a voice that screeched like a train whistle. "Father you must come and see this at once!"
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
"Yes Hippocrates? What did you find?" Robert asked. Nothing good, he wagered. Not if it caused the normally restrained robot to shout at him.
Astro Girl opened her eyes and smiled up at Martin sleepily. When he reached his hand out to her AG takes his hand and stands. "Thank you, Martin," she kissed his cheek. "You've been really great about having a strange girl drop off on your boat."
Martin blushed a bit, which was both strange and endearing on a grizzled sailor. "Think nothing of it."
As she slide into the head, AG turned back to Martin with a cheeky grin. "No peeking now," she teased before disappearing below. Martin found himself chuckling then cleared his throat, composing himself. He moved to the wheelhouse to drive the boat back in to port.
Below deck, Astro Girl was pleased at the sight of a bed and change of clothes laid out for her. Though she trusted the sailor, he had given her no reason not to, she still found herself peering up through the dutch cabin doors. While she wasn't shy, a girl had to protect her modesty. She felt relieved to be free of the soggy jeans and t-shirt, both of which had seen better days. She wondered how she was going to apologize to Jessica about those. She pulled the shoulder straps of her bra down then pulled the sweatshirt over her head, removing the wet article underneath. She stared at the moist brazier in her hands for a moment. By all rights, such a device should never fit or be desirable, even ideal, for her. She was, after all, an alien species born from an entirely different solar system in likely entirely dissimilar conditions to Earth. Why was it that she didn't have four arms or six eyes? Or maybe her species might have been reptilian rather than mammalian, or something else more bizarre. Was it the destiny of all species capable of intergalactic travel to develop similar features? Some cosmic queue that the universe was ready for that species to spread? Earthlings had not reached the stars yet, but AG was certain they had the potential. That Astro Girl's physiology was a perfect match to regular human girl was nothing short of miraculous. Not only that but her features matched the ideal of beauty among humanity. She chuckled considering that maybe on her planet she was actually quite ugly. She hastily finished stripping the last of her soggy clothes off and slipped into the gym shorts. Both the grey sweatshirt and black gym shorts were a great deal too large, but they did have elastics and the shorts had a tie to synch up.
She tossed the jeans and t-shirt into the drier, assuming Martin had left the door open for just that reason, and turn it on. She found some nooks and hooks to drape her delicates over. Sitting on the edge of small, twin-sized cabin bed she pinched the bridge of her nose. It wasn't often she got headaches. Her body must not have adjusted to the deep sea pressures as well as she had thought. This was the price of recklessness. With a groan she laid back and curled up in the warm sheets for comfort. She cooed softly as she relaxed and then drifted into dreaming.
Hippocrates didn't say a word as the heroes gathered around him, instead he merely pulled aside a bloody sheet of plastic that someone had put in place to conceal the body underneath it. The young man laying on the grass almost looked as though he might have fallen asleep were it not for the jagged piece of metal jutting up out of his chest. Lacerations and bruises covered both of his arms and his hands.
Edison shook his head much of his usually melting away. "Poor guy, did he get that smashed up from riding in one of those survival spheres? I thought those things were supposed to save lives."
"No, most of his wounds were defensive and superficial. These are not the sort of injuries one would exhibit from the blunt trauma of being smashed around the interior of a survival sphere. However the true cause of death was this, a small piece of metallic tubing that became lodged in his torso. His lung was perforated and flooded with fluid in a matter of minutes. He did not die quickly or peacefully. I also do no think he was a member of the R.S.R.U. which makes me wonder how he came to be on board their headquarters." Hippocrates glanced at Technical meaningfully leaving theses last words hanging between them. The android rolled the body over revealing a strange mark on the man's shoulder. "This symbol serves as an emblem one of the Titan Ten, it is how they carve out pieces of territory and mark their lieutenants so that no one will lay a hand on them. I must regretfully inform you all that this mark belongs to the villain known as Tech Master."
Technical stared down at the body wordlessly and wondered why someone had cloned him, and why they had gone to the trouble of smuggling his duplicate onto the R.S.R.U.'s headquarters.
Astro Girl
When Astro Girl awoke the first thing she noticed was the strange silence that'd fallen over the ship. The engine was quiet, and she couldn't hear Martin complaining about the weather or his aching joints for the first time since she'd come aboard. Waves lapped against the side of the boat rocking it gently. Reluctantly squirming out from underneath Martin's snug comforter and collecting her borrowed clothes from the dryer Astro Girl changed quickly savoring the warmth clinging to her as she climbed the stairs leading up out of the cabin. The Autumn was tied off to a long wooden dock alongside of several much larger more impressive vessels that were rocking in the water. Martin was nowhere in sight but Astro Girl could still hear his voice coming from somewhere close by thanks to her incredible abilities.
She spotted the aging mariner standing apart from a group of men some distance down the dock. The men who making up the group were a random assortment of ages, sizes, and ethnicities, in fact the only thing they had in common were their sour expressions. Martin was shaking his head emphatically at the lanky twenty something man blocking his way.
"...nd I told you twice already, no one docks here unless they pay the toll old man."
Martin's face turned a deep red color. "Don't you old man me! I'm not paying you a damned thing, now get out of my way." Martin made to step around the group but someone threw out their leg catching his foot and knocking him down onto the dock.
"That was a stupid thing to do. Now I've got to have the boys make an example out of you. Nobodies going to pay up if they hear I went soft on some mouthy old codger."
One of the men twisted Martin's arms behind his back as they hoisted him up onto his feet, suddenly Martin drove his elbow into his captor's stomach knocking the wind out him. When the man doubled over Martin balled up his fists and drove them into the back of his head putting him down for the count. A second scraggly youth tried to seize Martin but he somehow managed to flip him over his shoulder casting his attacker off of the dock and into the water below. Momentarily stunned by Martin's attack no one in the group moved to pursue him as he made a mad dash back towards The Autumn. Then their apparent leader shoved them after Martin breaking the spell.
"What are you waiting for get after him you idiots!"
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Robert couldn't believe what he was seeing. It was himself, dead. He opened a mental communication channel to Hippocrates, Hippocrates, this is bad. He sent to the android through the implant in his left temple.
"This is bad."You're looking at a dead clone of yourself and That's what you say? Of course it's bad! ... sir. Anyone with eyes can see it's bad. Robert smirked, Yes yes. You're right. Take tissue samples if you can. I need to know how old this clone is.
Of course I will. Do you take me for a simpleton? Hippocrates sent back. Thank you. Robert said and closed the link.
"Of course, it can't be the real Tech-Master. He turned himself in and is serving life in Glass Island. If he'd actually escaped, we'd know. Where was the body found?"
"Yes, if Tech-Master escaped, you would be the first to know, wouldn't you Father?" Marie said over the radio in his helmet.
"Hush now. Be a dear and start looking into how somebody could get a dna sample to clone me, now, would you? The why is critically important too, but I have a few ideas myself."
"The body was discovered by emergency responders on the outer edge of the wreckage. They'd assumed that he had been thrown clear of the wreckage some how but I don't believe that is the case. I think someone dragged him into an area where the body was certain to be found relatively undamaged." Hippocrates began taking samples of the clone's tissue, hair, and blood.
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
With a crack of the air Astro Girl darted in front of the gang, startling them back. She floated before them, her shoulder back with fists balled tightly, her feet never touching the ground. The dull headache still present despite resting gave her a dark countenance. The taut muscles in her shoulders and arms flexed. She appeared as an angry goddess come to smite the wicked. "I don't like bullies," AG said coldly. "You have two options. The first option, I wipe the floor with everyone of you and then take you to jail. The second, you run. You run as fast as your cowardly feet can carry you and never return. Because I promise you I will return. And if I hear one word of you extorting people here again, even just the slightest hint in the expression of the sailor's who dock here, there will be no safe place for you to hide from me.
"I am invulnerable. I rip through tanks like newspaper clips. And I hear everything. I am Astro Girl - Maiden of Mercy and Might. This dock is under my protection."
Hmm dice seem to hate me lately. Well, let's see how this one swings. They might still act in their own self-interest.
The gang members stared blankly at Astro Girl for all of fifteen seconds before the youngest and the smallest among them turned and ran back down the dock as fast as his short legs would carry him. Following his example the rest of the gang sprinted away, when their leader threw out his arms to try and turn them back they stampeded over him like a herd of maddened cattle. Shouting and cursing as he was crushed beneath their boots he rolled to the edge of the dock and rose to his knees cradling his arm.
He glared at Martin and Astro Girl with eyes that promised a rare sort of violence in the near future. "This isn't over old man, we'll be back, and next time we'll have help!"
Chasing after his underlings swearing at their retreating backs he thundered down the dock without another backward glance.
Coughing and wheezing Martin made his way up the gangplank of his boat leaning on the railing heavily. "You didn't have to do, I could've handled them."
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
"You helped me, Martin," Astro Girl set down near him. "I'm sorry I insulted you but I felt like I owed you that much."
Finding a pen on the boat, she took Martin's hand and scribbled her number on his palm. "I want you to call me if they come back. I know you can take care of yourself, but there are other people who use this dock, too. They may need my help."
The salty old sailor hrumps then took the pen back from AG. She knew that he was too proud to ever call her, but she hoped appealing to his sense of decency and community would have him make the call. A kiss on the cheek eased Martin's dark mood a little, forcing some color to his cheeks. "You're a good man, Martin. Thanks again for everything."
Taking to the sky again AG did not head back to the park - she needed to have a phone on her person.
She entered her apartment from the balcony, having little time for niceties with the doorman and other residents. The bell on Cosmos' collar jingled as he scurried up and rubbed against her legs. "Hi, baby" she cooed as she picked up the cat. She held him to her breast and stroked him lovingly. Cosmos purred loudly. "Did you miss mommy? Yes, you did." She entered her open bedroom and open her top dresser draw, pulling out one of the three spare phones she kept for safety. She winced looking at the voicemails, seeing Stacy's name multiple times. AG tucks the phone into her back pocket. She'll call Stacy back later. There are more important things right now. AG also did not want to get an earful while this headache was still bothering her.
She moved to her closet, kneeling down near a safe against a wall. She looks to make sure no one else is around or peering in thru the window. She sets down Cosmos who meows then scampers off. Astro Girl picks up the safe, revealing a hidden panel behind it. She pulls the panel free then reaches inside, pulling out a folded black bodysuit with red piping that sparked to life in her hands. Something about the suit unsettled her. It was the suit she was wearing when she came to this planet. Only two things survived the crash in tack - herself and this suit. The pod that carried her had been damage and was missing now. She had gone back to reclaim it, but someone had already come taken it. AG always told herself she would hunt it down but the life of a superhero rarely aloud her the time to investigate. She stuffed the suit into a boutique bag and sighed. She wasn't sure she was ready to share this part of herself with anyone, but she hadn't had the best luck with costumes lately. If the suit could be synthesized, and she only knew one person she thought would be smart enough, maybe a more durable costume could be made. One strong enough to preserve her modesty in the heat of battle. She only knew one person who might be able to help: Technical. Astro Girl wasn't sure he would help but she hoped the chance to examine with alien artifact might entice him.
She put the panel back into place then headed back out to the balcony, closing the sliding-glass door behind her. She clutched the back close to her chest and took off towards the park. Somehow having this thing with her made her feel vulnerable. Even exposed. It was physical evidence of her alien nature - and looked really sinister, too.
She spotted them below, unconsciously clutched the bag tighter, then set down behind them. "Hi guys... did I miss much?"
Edison popped up, hanging over Robert's shoulder, "Did I hear right boss-man? We could be going to see Dad? come on come on, please? It'd be awesome, I haven't seen dad in sooo long."
"Edison, do you hate me?" Robert subvocalized to the little android. "No, but it's super fun to annoy you. Also, if I suddenly started acting wildly different somebody might notice." Edison said back.
Technical turned to look at Astro Girl as she landed behind the group, "You've missed a bit. I had Hippocrates working with the EMT's and he found something most interesting. This man," Robert indicated the corpse of his clone, "He has the mark Tech-Master used when he was an active supervillain. We're debating if it's an attempted frame of the man or if he could be actively involved." He said.
"I guess we head to the prison and make sure he's still in his cell?" AG suggested. The tone in her voice was very uncharacteristic. AG normally spoke with more confidence. Her body language was all off, too - shoulders slumped and unable to make eye contact. She clutched the boutique bag to her chest like it was the most precious, or dangerous, thing in the universe. "Um, hey, Technical, can I talk to you for a minute? Alone?"
The mighty Prince Orion arched an eyebrow.
"Sure. We're done here," Technical remarked matter-of-factly as Hippocrates covered the body.
"Oh boy! Is it time for show and tell?" Edison cried with greate enthusiasm.
The pair walked away, leaving Orion, Deciduous and Holly back with the body. Edison chased after them which Astro Girl didn't object to. If she was going to ask Technical to do this, his robotic assistances would probably be involved. "Alright, Astro Girl. I think this is far enough. What's in the bag and why all the secrecy?" Technical demanded.
AG shrank where she stood then took a deep breath. "When I crashed on here four years ago," she spoke in hushed tones, "two things survived the crash. Oh god. I'm starting this all wrong. Okay, lately, I've had some issues with. . . wardrobe malfunction. The threats to Titan have gotten larger, stronger. My costumes can't take as much punishment as I can. Like I said, only two things survived the crash - me and the suit in this bag." Technical felt a excited tingle down his spine. "If it survived with me, unscratched, then it should be able to survive whatever punish your world can deal. Problem is, it's not exactly inspiring.
"So what do you think? My tailor Francis could help with making the costume. If I let you borrow it, can you synthesize the materials to make a new more durable costume?."
It is troubling that those with varied backgrounds work together, as it confuses the purpose. One called Sapphire Sorceress, any insight? Emerald Knights mystical source of power, could it be integrated with technology? Could there be an other dimensional connection between the individuals and equipment?
As for the interview, suggestion to be made. Astro Girl and Orion have shown great facility in interacting with other individuals. Perhaps they shall lead the interview with suspects. The one called technical could assist Orion with interview of suspect Wildfire and Astro girl would be assisted by the one called Sapphire Sorceress in interview of Tech-master."
"And what of you, friend Decidous?" The mighty Prince inquired "You have proven yourself in battle against these foes, and it is clear you have many thoughts to contribute. Do you not wish to join us?"
The woody warrior ponders the question, but knows the response it must give. "Unlikely to be assistance. Presence of one similar to this creature would increase distress of all in the facility, including the security units. The...source of origin for creatures like this one is of too much concern for most. Additionally, one called Orangaman is still at large, search should be made."
Best if the monster is not taken to the containment. Otherwise, they may decide it is better if it doesn't get back out.
When he was a child, Orion's father had taken him to the tombs of their ancestors, deep within the sacred groves of the darkest, wildest forests. For a mortal travel there would be the act of a lifetime, for those blessed with the power of the great spirits, it was a hardy outing between father and son. When they had arrived, Orion had been struck by the glass-spiders and their strange beauty, weaving their filaments between mile-high trees glowing with the light of sacred pools and the glittering eyes of iridescent insects. As they had walked the forest, they had brushed through cobwebs, pulling through their silent embrace like ghosts in the mist.
Looking at the fallen, Orion remembered that. Cobwebs and mist. He touched the cold arm of the fallen, felt it's delicacy. Had this man been a monster? Perhaps, but there was a spark of heroism within even the cruelest fiends. And for all your strength, Orion, courage is the only substance which is truly mighty. When faced with your worst nightmares, it is your heart that matters.
Why fight for them? Because in the eyes of the innocent, strength was meaningless. A tyrant was worth nothing. Only bravery made a difference. And they were brave. All you had to do was look, and you could see that.
"If we are to talk with this man, then let us do it, and swiftly. I tire of chasing murderers. Wildfire will tell us what he knows, I am sure of that."
I look down at the body of the Tech Master and then back up to the heroes. "I'm not sure I'll be much use at a prisoner interrogation anyway, and I've got a little trouble of my own at home. Pest problem and I sort of had to get my... roommate out of there. I should be getting back," I say. For a moment my eyes drift over to Technical, back to Tech Master's body, and the gears start turning in my head. I'm what's classified as a Meta-type level genius so I'm not exactly a dull knife. I watch the girl from the stars talk to the be-suited man... and I get an itch in the back of my brain that I just can't scratch.
A popular misconception about the Art is that you need to speak an incantation and make a gesture for the magic to work. For lesser mages it's mostly true, and it does make things easier. It's like having leverage when trying to lift something. But the thing is... I'm strong. Like, really strong. if I want it to happen, I can make it happen without you ever knowing.
And so I blink a few times and the aethyric energies in the area fill my vision, floating around like wisps of food coloring swirling in water. I can see the auras of everyone around me--the alien, verdant aura of Deciduous practically bursting with life and growth; the wild crimson aura of Prince Orion... and I see something peculiar. I look back up at Technical and down at the body of the Tech Master.
"Isn't that curious," I mumble to myself and blink the sight away, letting the world fill back in. If it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck...
"Anyway, sorry, yeah, I should really find my roomie and see if my apartment has been torn apart by the forces of ancient evil like I suspect."
"Astro Girl? Please nod if you can hear me." Marie said over Robert's helmet speakers. The AI waited until Astro Girl nodded before continuing, "First of all, thank you. You've given Technical something new to play with. Though if you and your designer can come up with a design you both like, let us know the color and amount of material you'll need. It will be easier if we have a known minimum amount."
"Right." Technical said, "I'll take a quick detour and drop this off at my workshop and then go to Glass Island."
Hippocrates scooped up the shrouded body of his creator's clone. "It would probably be for the best if we kept this little discovery to ourselves for the time being. We should store the body in your workshop for the time being, at least until you've uncovered the truth."
A bolt of red lightning erupted from the folded fabric striking Technical in the chest and flinging him backwards. Robert's suit was overloaded with energy as he flew through a cluster of trees snapping them in two. Bouncing off of the trunk of a particularly thick oak Technical hit the dirt with a heavy thud and rolled onto his back.
Hovering in midair the fabric began unfurling itself and swelling as though an invisible woman was donning it. The suit's foot touched the ground as its fingers furled and unfurled themselves as though testing their strength. The headless figure started speaking in a harsh series of whistles and hisses which slowly faded into English. Emergency responders, injured R.S.R.U. officers, and those who had been unable to evacuate from the park before the airship crashed stared at the alien suit as it spoke. "Universal translator has been aligned. Vanguard reconnaissance suit serial number HGE-001-87A-F39 has fallen into enemy hands. Pilot compromised by indigenous life forms. Initiating emergency self-destruct protocol."
Marie shouted to compete with the ringing that was filling Technical's ears. "Father you have to get up! The energy readings from that suit are spiking, if they continue to rise at the current rate the resulting explosion will envelop Titan in its entirety."
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
Astro Girl's eyes widened as panic set in when she heard Marie's estimate for the blast radius. She grips the suit tight in her hands and shakes it, " What?! No, don't do whatever that thing you just said was! Uhh umm Disengage self-destruct!" She looks around at everyone, tears welling in her eyes. Oh god. This is my fault. I should have left it behind that panel and forgotten this thing forever. She was just about ready to jetison into space with the thing in hand when she heard...
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi
"Agreed. What are you going to do?" Robert grimaced, "Try to disarm it. ... Astro Girl wait!" he yelled as he flew back towards the overloading suit and the mighty maiden. "You and I can stop it from exploding. Just give me five seconds."
Technical turned his suit's systems up to maximum. He'd need every iota of data available to pull this off. As the data flooded in, he was amazed. "Fascinating! The entire suit is capable of taking in, computing, and storing information. In essence, the entire structure is processor, memory, and I/O device rolled into one package. It's like it's woven from microchips. And the programming is cleaner and more elegant then anything I've ever seen."
He held up one hand and a scrolling stream of the suit's programming was projected into the air. "Astro Girl. Here's its machine code. Stop me if you see anything promising." Astro Girl watched the unfamiliar display of alien code but on a hunch and a feeling she jabbed at one section of the suit's algorithms, "There! Is that something you can use?"
Technical smiled behind his armor's faceplate, "Yes! That's it. I have you now." Instantly, he switched from observation to a full digital assault on the alien artifact. He attacked the suit's root command user subroutine and worked to convince the overloading device that Astro Girl wasn't 'compromised' and still had full command authority. Seconds passed until he said, "Astro Girl. I need you to say: 'Vanguard reconnaissance suit serial number HGE-001-87A-F39, stand down self-destruct protocol.' Do it now please. 'm not sure how long I can hold it."
"Vanguard reconnaissance suit serial number HGE-001-87A-F39, stand down self-destruct protocol!" AG shouts.
"Pilot override recognized. Self-defense protocols disengaged," the disembodied voice of the suit replied. Just as quickly as it had started, it was over. The suit falls limp in Astro Girl's arms, energy streaks still pulsing from the red piping. Her heart rate was still elevated. What did it mean by saying she had been compromised? Compromised by what? In event that Astro Girl was 'compromised', it was designed to take out an entire city after just being touched by another species. In five years it had lain dormant only to threaten the lives of millions. This was not a device developed by a peaceful people. Tears streaked down her cheeks when the more terrifying thought occurred - what did this mean about her?
Astro Girl simply nodded numbly, still processing what had just occurred. For Deciduous, the situation was confusing. An artifact had clearly been activated, and it took the combined efforts of Astro Girl and Technical to achieve safety. Yet the questions of where the artifact came from, why it had struck out against Technical, and why Astro Girl was referred to as a "pilot" still eluded the plant creature.
"Explanations are required. What is the origin of this item? What is the items connection to you? What is it that is piloted?"
Noticing the tears streaming down the mighty one's face, Deciduous reaches out to wipe them away. Its own wooden facial mask can not express the sympathy, the shared hurt, it was feeling nearly as well as that simple gesture.
"This sign of pain and stress is understood. Understand now, these drops of sailene shall give no assistance toward the goal of saving others. Only knowledge and action may further our goals. Share this knowledge with all the members, it will aid all those whom suffer."
By the look on her face, he guessed Astro Girl was thinking similar thoughts. "Astro Girl, don't think this changes anything about you. Wherever you come from doesn't matter. Your choices and actions define you, not your birthplace."
He pointed at the jumpsuit, "I'm still willing to analyze this suit if you want me to. ... but I think the next time I try, I'll do it somewhere safer. Like on top of a mountain or far out to sea. Anywhere where there aren't people in the possible blast radius. And with you nearby, just in case. For now, you hold onto it, keep it somewhere safe."
Edison hovered over his creator's shoulder, "It'll be like a date! You can bring candles and wine and it'd be all cozy, doing science by starlight."
"Edison." Robert said, "Drop it."
"But I hear the sunsets over the Rockies are spectacular. It'd be so romantic." The little robot said.
"Keep it up and you'll get an upgrade like you asked, but you won't like it." Edison flew close to stare into Technical's helmet, "Pah, an idle threat." he said, "You wouldn't dare."
"No threat. Just a promise." Robert said, grinning.
"Deciduous, I'm pretty certain she doesn't know much more then we do, at this point." He looked at Astro Girl, "But I'll help her find out, if she wants."
The Prince gestured to the chaos around them, as emergency responders worked to transform the crash site into something a little more orderly. "That said, we have a clear task already set. Enigma upon enigma has been placed before us, but if we are distracted we will only see all of our efforts suffer. As the 3rd teachings of the most excellent General Ictheon tell us, strike with certainty, be aware of everything, but focus your efforts. While the sword guards 'gainst many blows, it can pierce but once at a time."
She took comfort in the words of Deciduous and Technical. Somehow they both seemed to understand what she was feeling, even if it wasn't perfect understanding. Then Orion's words cut like a knife. 'While the sword guards against many blows, it can pierce but once at a time.' It only takes one moment for an instrument of peace to become a device of ruin. Was she the sword and she didn't even know it?
She pulled away from them all, lowering her head and gripping the suit so tight her hands shake. She wanted to destroy it. Barring that, launch it into space to never be seen again. Maybe she should go with it, too. Then there would nothing left to threaten . . . Her grip loosened and AG raised her head, eyes wide. The pod.
"Oh no . . . Someone has my pod," she rushed to Technical, gripping his arm. "They have my pod and no idea how dangerous it could be!"
"Whoa, whoa," he started, taking her hand from his arm. "What pod? What are you talking about?"
"The one I crashed on to your world in," AG nearly shouted, "I came in a pod. After I got my bearing, I went back looking for it. Someone took it.
"Technical, if this suit . . . What could that pod do?"
The leafy creature Deciduous seems to absorb that. He makes a vague branch waggle at me. "Sapphire Sorceress is very knowledgeable in a way none of us are. If we encounter magic forces, we would require aid. How can this one establish future contact?"
I tilt my head. "That's fair," I say, walking closer to the plant-man. "I guess one good turn deserves another."
"I do not understand the purpose of rotational adjustment in this scenario."
I cough. "Figure of speech. If you guys need me, just rub this leaf," I say, stroking one of the errant leafy branches sticking out of Deciduous's neck. It starts to glow with a soft, cyan inner light. "Speak the word Defere thrice and I'll hear you."
I step back from him and flick my hand, preparing my gate spell. "Good hunting," I say as the world melts away and I reappear in... IHOP? I'm sitting at a table and across from me is Ratash, a great stack of blueberry pancakes the size of a small child in front of him.
"Ah, very good Holly Weird. In time to take care of the bill of sale for my transaction. I feared I might have to exit this palace of sustenance without compensating the proprietors," he says, raising his cup of coffee for the waitress to fill it. She looks mildly distressed at his words of bouncing on the check. I just sigh and shake my head. "Hurry up and finish your lunch then, we have to see what's become of my apartment. I felt the wards get eaten away in the blink of an eye."
"Yes, that is to be expected of the Soulsworn," the former Lesser One says, cutting into the pancakes. "It is very fortunate that you arrived when you did. I may have been able to wound her, but she is not bound by this world's conventions. I would have been torn apart."
"Wait wait wait," I say, setting my hands on the table. "Soulsworn?"
Ratash regards me while he chews. He swallows and takes a drink of coffee. "The Soulsworn," he finally says, "are the bound retainers of the King of Dust. Former Prima Arcana themselves eternally chained to the first."
I feel my jaw go agape. "So you're saying..."
"Mm, possibly. You would look very good in form fitting black armor, perhaps a nice cape, accented eyeshadow, a mage's soulblade at your back..."
"Hey, hey, don't be gross. What do you mean possibly?"
"He can't bind you without your consent, of course, and you are already in a much greater debt to my father. The King is powerful, but no mortal, former or not, Prima Arcanum or not, would think to contest the mighty Xastur on a legitimate debt."
I let out an upward breath of air, my bangs fluttering. "Well, that's a relief, I guess."
"I suppose," Ratash says, stuffing a sausage link into his mouth. "Should you ever lay down the mantle of Prima Arcanum my father will try and collect your soul himself."
"Wonderful," I say, grabbing an untouched glass of water. "So why would one of the Soulsworn attack my apartment?"
A black and yellow helicopter swept over the ruined baseball field spreading the small fires that had already erupted. Turning tightly it landed a safe distance away from the triage center being set up by the emergency responders already on the scene. As its rotors powered down and the helicopter's whirling blades slowed to a halt the pilot emerged from the cockpit. A short man wearing black from head to toe his face was hidden behind a visor and helmet. Ignoring the dirty looks of firefighters, police officers, and emergency responders he made his way towards the gathered heroes.
"I'm guessing you're the folks I'm supposed to fly you out to Glass Island. I know you don't need it but the automated defenses will shoot you out of the sky if you try to fly out there in anything except a hornet."
Sapphire Sorceress
"I presume that she was dispatched to disembowel me and string my innards throughout the King of Dust's palace." Ratash speared another sausage and stuff it into his mouth whole.
"Nice."
Shrugging Ratash picked a slice of toast off of a plate and started slathering it with butter. "He and my father have been engaged in a pissing match on the cosmic scale for millennia. Killing me would certainly irritate Xastur if nothing else. Word of my mortality must have spread more quickly than I'd expected. The Soulsworn are just the first of many who will come looking for my head, and in my current state I have no hope of defending myself."
Dresden Files RPG- Dumb Luck
Playing Phillip Hess in Motor City Blues
GM of Dresden Files Low Life
GM of Star Wars Sagas Into the Unknown
GM of Star Wars Sagas Lost Hope- Concluded
GM of Star Wars Sagas the Dark Times- Concluded.
GM of Star Wars Sagas Jabba's Palace- Concluded due to injury.
Bart Allen/ The Flash in M&M Metropolis- Concluded.
Koyi Disturbances in the Force- Concluded.
Jessup Owlbeard Forge of the Dawn Titan- Withdrawn due to injury.
Sal Mander In the Shadow of Zeus- Concluded.
Zevoto in Out in the Black- Withdrawn due to injury.
GM of Wyvern Watch
Berru Secune in Rise of the Jedi