Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 5 Marvel - chapter 1 Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1999 22:51:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE: Arrival On Thu, 25 Mar 1999 22:44:29 -0800 (PST) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006772 In the parking lot outside Callahan's Place, it was quiet. Most of the patrons were inside, listening to Fast Eddie playing mindmelds. This explained why the only witness to the wormhole opening was a raccoon, whose reaction was something on the order of, "It isn't attacking me, and I can't eat it. What's the problem?" A moment later, somebody sailed out of the portal, bounced off of a parked car, and dropped to the ground. This, the raccoon decided, was a problem which should be solved by running away. As an anticlimax, the wormhole closed. "Ow. I've had better landings." Touching a bracelet on his left wrist, he watched as a few lights came on. "High-tech, low chi, weak on everything else. First aid, then." Pulling a small first-aid kit out of a pocket, he cleaned a scratch on his left hand, and bandaged it. Studying the cars, he noticed the name painted on the side of the one that had stopped his flight. "Vlad the Impala. Great. I'm starting to feel right at home. Also, nothing's exploded yet, nobody's shooting at anybody, and there's some interesting piano coming from that building over there..." ----------- Mike looked up as the door opened. A casual observer would have seen an asian male, about 5'9", wearing blue jeans, a black sweater, and a grey denim jacket. Being a somewhat better observer, Mike also noticed bulges in various pockets, none of which resembled a firearm, and a look that he usually associated with, "Where's my wallet?" or, "Can I afford this place?" "Welcome to Callahan's Place, stranger! What'll it be?" Mike boomed out. "Um, that depends on the prices. I've got..." the new arrival fished in a pocket, "Two Galactic Credits, a silver nas, a CSA five-dollar bill, and a dollar and twenty-three cents in wheat-back pennies." "Dollar buys you a drink, and the wheat-backs will be acceptable," Mike replied. "Fine. Do you serve italian soda?" "Sure do. Flavors are over there." "Creme de menthe, cremosa, please." "Coming up, mister..." "Nishikawa. Rob Nishikawa." After collecting his drink, Rob wandered over to see what one crowd was looking at - and managed a double-take. "I thought that legal problems had made a TV series impossible." "What are you talking about?" "That's the Army of Light, right? I know the comic books were a success, but there were too many people who wanted in on the TV series or movie rights.Ended up in a six-way lawsuit, I thought." "Actually, this is the Callahanian Army of Light, and the X-window is showing them live." "Oh." [Live?! There really is room for everything in an infinite number of universes.] Pausing to think for a moment, he fished around in his pockets, and pulled out an envelope and a pen. Scribbling "That's the Army of Light, no matter the name. What do I do now?" on the outside, he then tore the envelope open and pulled out a three-by-five card: -------------- | | | Join them. | | | -------------- "And just how do I get to the other side of an X-window?" "Assuming that last question wasn't rhetorical, the answer is to go talk to Nemo, over by the fireplace," said a nearby Patron. "Oh. Thanks..." Swiftly draining his drink, Rob headed for the fireplace... ================================= Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 19:04:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE: Arrival On Fri, 26 Mar 1999 17:45:47 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00006773 >On Thu, 25 Mar 1999 22:44:29 -0800 (PST) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006772 > >"Oh. Thanks..." Swiftly draining his drink, Rob headed for the >fireplace... Where the large, long haired person sitting there spoke to him in a *perfect* imitation of the "Mission Impossible" briefer's voice. "Good day, Mr. Nishikawa. Your mission, should you decide to accept it..." ================================= Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 15:07:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 14:53:04 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006775 /----------------------------------------------\ | Assuming everyone passes through the portal... | \----------------------------------------------/ As Our Heroes enter the new reality, they see an enormous castle within the forcefield, with one road leading to it inside the field. An enourous green slab of meat easily recognized as the Hulk and a crimson-armored monstrosity who some will recognize as the Juggernaut stand guard within. "Lo!" A thunderous voice cries. "Behold-more constructs of that miscreant Whirlwind!" Any who look up see Thor, God of Thunder (though he may seem oddly dressed to the more fantasy-oriented types) hovering overhead, his enchanted hammer Mjolnir spinning in his right hand like a helicopter blade. "Though he fill the _world_ with the creations of the Cosmic Cube, Thor shall ever stand against him!" "Thor, WAIT!" A young blond man in blue-and-black armor flies up beside him. "They're friends! I recognize their leader!" (OOC: And anyone else with ties to the FF or X-Men, if they wish-it's the future Franklin Richards in his Psi-Lord guise.) "Cosmic Cube?" Defender gulps. "oooooboy..." ================================= Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 19:13:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 19:04:57 -0500 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006776 >On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 14:53:04 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006775 > > (OOC: Well, _that's_ the slowest I've ever seen this list! Anyhoo, >moving right along...Mandy, let me know when you've got some free >time, we're not going to _that_ world just yet...) Well, I just got back from Coronation myself... helped cook feast for 125 people. And became a prospect for membership in a very small household. On the one hand, they are good people. And after 7 or so years in the SCA, no other house has invited me in. On the other hand, they are a small household, and the reaction to hearing their name for most people is "who?" > "Thor, WAIT!" A young blond man in blue-and-black armor flies up >beside him. "They're friends! I recognize their leader!" (OOC: And >anyone else with ties to the FF or X-Men, if they wish-it's the >future Franklin Richards in his Psi-Lord guise.) He'll probably recognize (or mis-identify) Legion as Dr. Victoria Haakin. Dr. Haakin is a mutant supremicist, but a rational one. Evolutionary law does not justify terrorism. The fact that someday homo sapiens superior will replace homo sapiens sapiens does not justify trying to make that day TODAY. So instead she is quietly untangling the genetic code, and treating mutants whose mutations are a threat to their own lives. In this universe at least. (In other near-Marvel parallels, she is a mutant dictator (think AoA but far, far worse), a mad scientist, a hero, an Xman, or an allied doctor. So many alternities, so little time.) I will post tonight or tomorrow, after I've showered, slept, eaten, and had some time with my RL SO. ================================= Date: Sun, 28 Mar 1999 20:35:33 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes (Long!) On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 23:08:53 -0500 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00006778 >On Sun, 28 Mar '99 Caprice Said > >>Morgan and/or Roland Said >He'll probably recognize (or mis-identify) Legion as Dr. Victoria >Haakin. Dr. Haakin is a mutant supremicist, but a rational one. >Evolutionary law Assuming this is the "Fantastic Force" alternate version of the adolecent Frankie Richards aka "Psi-Lord" and not the MU^2 (?) "Fantastic Five" Psi-Lord, he'll recognize Dhyrclhanc from stories the X-Men have probably told him about the times in the past when the Lensdragon was staying with that gang of "outlaw" mutants from Upstate New York. Speaking of which, it is at this point that the USS Charles Xavier materializes above the heads of the, newly arrived, CAoL in the skies above the tropical island. Anyone besides, or rather including, Dhyrclhanc who has "Cyber-Psi" capablities, possibly also including Franklin, will "hear" the following, #/Dhyrclhanc, we have finaly found you and the rest of the CAoL. We had to scan the Omni-cosmodial frequencies stored in the Xavier's multidimentional navigation computer for some time before we found the signal from the tracers you installed in your C-bands./# The aformentioned members of the CAoL will recognize the voice as being that of the version of Nimrod that has been accompaning the Sentinel-Lensdragon, along with Synthea, since the CAoL's adventures on Quarren. Roland, being the esteemed Meta-GM for this jaunt, it's up to you as to weither Frankie "hears" this transmission and/or recognizes Nimrod's voice. FTR, ignoring the Bastion/OZT nonsense for the moment, the most recent itteration of Nimrod in the mainline MU both looks and sounds different than the one that has been following DC around. Something Psi-Lord ought to know if he's been in contact with the X-Men Family seeing how it was Cable and X-Force who ran into the "Evil Twin" Nimrod when he last reared his non-existant head ( Small joke: Neither of the Nimrod AI "Robots" based upon the future technology from the "Days of Future Past" reality have had seperate necks or heads, their faces have essentialy been in verticle extentions of their torsos. Although, the second Nimrod bore a much closer physical resemblance to Arnim Zola than the first ) Once crossing the rift from the amalgamated Oz/RoE, the decidedly leonine Immortal "adolecent" Ruby Fire Dragon changes back into the more familiar semi-humaniod reptilian everyone knows and loves. Once his clothes reappear, which now include a new pair of black, blue, and purple half-gloves, he says, "I knew I installed those things for a reason." Then, #/Nimrod, providing that you and Dasher have finished converting Moonstone's Stateroom, get down here and bring Synthea. While you are at it, tell Dasher to get down to one of the forward quantum torpedo launchers -- we've got Cain Marko down here, and we're going to need all the help we can get." Moments later, both the rather mechanical form of Nimrod and the more lithe form of Sythea appear on the island with the CAoL. Wow! All of that in one breath! }:=86 So, where, exactly, are we in relation to the MU Heroes and Villians who are also present? I.e., Jade Jaws, Blondie, Psi-Lord et all? ooo/ Roland, I'll see their Cosmic Cube and raise them one Mother Box /ooo Dhyrclanc sends while removing what looks like a Kirby-tech oversized pack of cards from the lapel of his An'lashok robe. ================================= Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 20:37:12 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 20:03:04 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006781 >On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 19:04:57 -0500 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006776 > >He'll probably recognize (or mis-identify) Legion as Dr. Victoria >Haakin. Dr. Haakin is a mutant supremicist, but a rational one. Franklin gulps quietly and hopes for the best. (This version of the youngest Richards hangs out in 'Elsewhen,' which I presume to be a dimensional nexus. He's familiar with local alternities, and figures that she's not the same Dr. Haakin he's heard of. He _does_ think, OTOH, that she's a version thereof...) (OOC: How can _any_ Earth be 'far, far worse' than AoA? Then again, I don't think I want to know...) >On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 23:08:53 -0500 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00006778 >Assuming this is the "Fantastic Force" alternate version of the >adolecent Frankie Richards aka "Psi-Lord" and not the MU^2 (?) >"Fantastic Five" OOC: Correct. >Psi-Lord, he'll recognize Dhyrclhanc from stories the X-Men have >probably told him about the times in the past when the Lensdragon was >staying with that gang of "outlaw" mutants from Upstate New York. Franklin smiles at the Big Guy. "Oh, and the dragon's a friend too. Some relation to Lockheed, as I recall," he quips, clearly joking as he says so. >The aformentioned members of the CAoL will recognize the voice as >being that of the version of Nimrod that has been accompaning the >Sentinel-Lensdragon, along with Synthea, since the CAoL's adventures >on Quarren. Roland, being the esteemed Meta-GM for this jaunt, >it's up to you as to weither Frankie "hears" this transmission and/or >recognizes Nimrod's voice. FTR, ignoring the Bastion/OZT nonsense for >the moment, the most recent itteration of Nimrod in the mainline MU >both looks and sounds different than the one that has been following >DC around. True, but Franklin is fully aware of his 'DoFP' counterpart...and the mechanized horror that managed to take him down. However, his character sheet only gives him standard telepathy, so the question is moot. (Well, there's his Reality Warping power, but that's not something he uses lightly.) >Moments later, both the rather mechanical form of Nimrod and the more >lithe form of Sythea appear on the island with the CAoL. And _then_ Franklin 'jumps,' a neat trick for a guy in mid-air, there's a scream from the other clustered heroes, then "Bozhei moi!" and the legendary cry, "Fastball Special, Petey!" are heard. "Oh, Light!" Roland sighs. "Guys, NO! Wrong robot!" As Wolvie flies toward the Ultimate Sentinel, he gives Roland an odd look. "Huh?" he asks, as startled as Logan ever gets... (OOC: I'm assuming someone 'catches' the vaguely chagrined Logan; Wolverine fans, here's your chance! If not, well... ) > Wow! All of that in one breath! }:=86 >So, where, exactly, are we in relation to the >MU Heroes and Villians who are also present? >I.e., Jade Jaws, Blondie, Psi-Lord et all? Oooookay. Facing the dome, the clustered remaining heroes are to the CAoL's left. The conscious ones include the entire Fantastic Four, a truly torqued-looking Cyclops, Wolvie(natch), Colossus, Shadowcat, Captain America, Iron Man, the Scarlet Witch, the Rachel Summers Phoenix (she's the one who screamed), and of course Thor and Psi-Lord. Descriptions on demand. There's also one other heroine that it's unlikely anyone will recognize, though folx can tell she's got a cat motif to her costume. UNconscious heroes include Nightcrawler, Giant-Man, and Justice. Hulkie and Juggs are the only people that can be seen on the _other_ side of the dome, tho. Last, but not least, Rachel is 'Phoenixing' up... >ooo/ Roland, I'll see their Cosmic Cube and raise them one Mother Box >/ooo Dhyrclanc sends while removing what looks like a Kirby-tech >oversized pack of cards from the lapel of his An'lashok robe. ooo/Ah, Dhyrclanc, I don't think the Mother Cube would win that one,/ooo Roland replies dubiously. "/Okay, folx, time to confer. Obviously, the usual 'beat on the bad guys' thing isn't going to work. I am open to suggestions here, and I'd really hate to just keep on walking with something like _this_ waiting to bite us...um...from behind./" "/Um...maybe we should confer with the locals?/" Morgan replies. Roland sighs (tm Seosaidh). /I mean _besides_ that, love./ /Well, I can't really suggest anything until I have the rest of the data, now can I?/ Morgan quips. /I love you too, dear,/ Roland replies dryly. (OOC: And now we wait to see if folx catch Wolvie and calm down Phoenix, since that will obviously affect what happens next... ;^) Marvel Abbreviation Glossary: FF: Fantastic Four AoA: Age of Apocalypse (alternate timeline where a genocidal supervillain named Apocalypse conquers the world) MU^2: Marvel Universe 2 (a possible Marvelverse set approx. 15 years in the future of present continuity. Home of 'Spider-Girl' among others, including a _different_ grown-up Franklin.) OZT: Operation Zero Tolerance (a buncha mutant haters) DoFP: Days of Futures Past (popular time-bending X-Men story arc) Oz/RoE: Oz/Rock of Eternity. Morgan decided to add this one in just in case anyone _else_ got that glazed-eye effect. 8^) ================================= Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 23:03:41 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 22:13:40 -0800 (PST) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00006783 >On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 20:03:04 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006781 > > "Oh, Light!" Roland sighs. "Guys, NO! Wrong robot!" > As Wolvie flies toward the Ultimate Sentinel, he gives Roland an >odd look. "Huh?" he asks, as startled as Logan ever gets... > (OOC: I'm assuming someone 'catches' the vaguely chagrined Logan; >Wolverine fans, here's your chance! If not, well... ) Raver's eyes snapped to the shooting Wolvie, and she swore. A few bounds on all fours and a final leap sent her directly into his trajectory. A grunt escaped as the mutant smashed into her armored chest, but she managed somehow to keep her wings open, slowing their descent until they hit the dirt in front of the CAoL. Gasping a bit, Raver rolled off Wolvy. "As Roland said, our Nimrod is not who you believe him to be." ================================= Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 23:03:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 00:50:41 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006784 >On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 14:53:04 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006775 > As Our Heroes enter the new reality, they see an enormous castle >within the forcefield, with one road leading to it inside the field. >An enourous green slab of meat easily recognized as the Hulk and a >crimson-armored monstrosity who some will recognize as the Juggernaut >stand guard within. Mike and Tink frown as they look at the two guards. Mike says, "Now what's wrong with that picture." Tink glances up at Mike, holding his left hand. Mike nods, "Yeah, they -aren't- fighting each other. I agree, some sort of mind control." ================================= Date: Tue, 30 Mar 1999 23:03:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 00:50:45 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006785 >On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 20:03:04 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006781 > "Oh, Light!" Roland sighs. "Guys, NO! Wrong robot!" > As Wolvie flies toward the Ultimate Sentinel, he gives Roland an >odd look. "Huh?" he asks, as startled as Logan ever gets... > (OOC: I'm assuming someone 'catches' the vaguely chagrined Logan; >Wolverine fans, here's your chance! If not, well... ) Mike reaches out and grabs onto the flying hairball's belt with his right hand as he passes by, slowing him down as Mike turns a full 360 degrees with the force of his inertia and setting the canucklehead down on his feet. "Sorry about that, I think the Big Guy," nodding toward Dhyrclhanc, "Wasn't expecting to see you here, so didn't think there's need for a warning. This Nimrod doesn't do the Mutant Extermination thing. But he can tell you that himself. I think we're pretty much all willing to vouch for his honesty on the matter, though." > ooo/Ah, Dhyrclanc, I don't think the Mother Cube would win that >one,/ooo Roland replies dubiously. "/Okay, folx, time to confer. >Obviously, the usual 'beat on the bad guys' thing isn't going to >work. I am open to suggestions here, and I'd really hate to just keep >on walking with something like _this_ waiting to bite us...um...from >behind./" > >"/Um...maybe we should confer with the locals?/" Morgan replies. > > Roland sighs (tm Seosaidh). /I mean _besides_ that, love./ > >/Well, I can't really suggest anything until I have the rest of the >data, now can I?/ Morgan quips. > > /I love you too, dear,/ Roland replies dryly. /I have to side with Morgan, there./ Mike interjects, /I don't know half these heros, none of the villians, and no idea where we are, what this field is I assume they're trying to break through, and probably a googleplex of questions that will spawn from those. Time to take a breath and do some good, old-fashioned, networking. Dhyrclhanc, have your battalion stand down for the moment and we'll get some answers./ Mike adds aloud, "Uh, first off, any of you seen a younger, female version of the big square-jawed fellow in the red longjohns there? We're looking for the young lady." ================================= Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 04:35:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 07:25:20 -0500 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006787 >On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 20:03:04 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006781 > >>On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 19:04:57 -0500 >>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006776 >> >>He'll probably recognize (or mis-identify) Legion as Dr. Victoria >>Haakin. Dr. Haakin is a mutant supremicist, but a rational one. > Franklin gulps quietly and hopes for the best. (This version of >the youngest Richards hangs out in 'Elsewhen,' which I presume to be >a dimensional nexus. He's familiar with local alternities, and >figures that she's not the same Dr. Haakin he's heard of. He _does_ >think, OTOH, that she's a version thereof...) > (OOC: How can _any_ Earth be 'far, far worse' than AoA? Then >again, I don't think I want to know...) Legion smiles at Franklin, "We both are and are not what you might fear. We are many, yet we are one. Our name is Legion." Her voice has lost that 'echo' it had in the DC universe, still, she is projecting a hint of something... enough to make people think there is something to what she is saying. >>On Sun, 28 Mar 1999 23:08:53 -0500 >>Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00006778 >>Moments later, both the rather mechanical form of Nimrod and the >>more lithe form of Sythea appear on the island with the CAoL. > > And _then_ Franklin 'jumps,' a neat trick for a guy in mid-air, >there's a scream from the other clustered heroes, then "Bozhei moi!" >and the legendary cry, "Fastball Special, Petey!" are heard. > "Oh, Light!" Roland sighs. "Guys, NO! Wrong robot!" > As Wolvie flies toward the Ultimate Sentinel, he gives Roland an >odd look. "Huh?" he asks, as startled as Logan ever gets... Legion sighs, letting the others deal with it. "All of us are not what we seem. And some of us are exactly." She relocates over to near Rachel. "Be calm, Rachel... he is not the hunter you fear... He is an ally." (OOC: That relocation just tipped Franklin off. Legion is a reality warper several degrees more subtle than he is. She simply... rewrote reality so instead of being in one place she was now in another, and there is not a single hole, fray, or loose thread to tell that it happened. Currently she is doing something very subtle that he can almost feel in the area around Rachel to contain things if she cuts loose.) > Last, but not least, Rachel is 'Phoenixing' up... >"/Um...maybe we should confer with the locals?/" Morgan replies. > > Roland sighs (tm Seosaidh). /I mean _besides_ that, love./ > >/Well, I can't really suggest anything until I have the rest of the >data, now can I?/ Morgan quips. > > /I love you too, dear,/ Roland replies dryly. /We are attempting to handle the firechild.../ Legion sends, /Hopefully with subtlty/ ================================= Date: Wed, 31 Mar 1999 12:37:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 14:10:14 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006788 >On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 22:13:40 -0800 (PST) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00006783 > > Raver's eyes snapped to the shooting Wolvie, and she swore. A few >bounds on all fours and a final leap sent her directly into his >trajectory. A grunt escaped as the mutant smashed into her armored >chest, but she managed somehow to keep her wings open, slowing their >descent until they hit the dirt in front of the CAoL. > Gasping a bit, Raver rolled off Wolvy. "As Roland said, our >Nimrod is not who you believe him to be." >On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 00:50:45 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006785 > "Sorry about that, I think the Big Guy," nodding toward >Dhyrclhanc, "Wasn't expecting to see you here, so didn't think >there's need for a warning. This Nimrod doesn't do the Mutant >Extermination thing. But he can tell you that himself. I think we're >pretty much all willing to vouch for his honesty on the matter, >though." > ================================= Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 16:05:17 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Rocks and Cubes On Thu, 1 Apr 1999 18:35:04 EST Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00006789 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006781 > Oooookay. Facing the dome, the clustered remaining heroes are to >the CAoL's left. The conscious ones include the entire Fantastic >Four, a truly torqued-looking Cyclops, Wolvie(natch), Colossus, >Shadowcat, Captain America, Iron Man, the Scarlet Witch, the Rachel >Summers Phoenix (she's the one who screamed), and of course Thor and >Psi-Lord. Descriptions on demand. There's also one other heroine >that it's unlikely anyone will recognize, though folx can tell she's >got a cat motif to her costume. UNconscious heroes include >Nightcrawler, Giant-Man, and Justice. > Hulkie and Juggs are the only people that can be seen on the >_other_ side of the dome, tho. > Last, but not least, Rachel is 'Phoenixing' up... Seeing downed heros, Aurora extends one hand towards them. A beam of energy pulses out striking each of them, healing them and revitalizing them instantly (OOC: as though they had just had a full nights sleep and eaten a huge dinner, without the feeling of being full of course). As she does this, she looks to Rachel and says /*"Don't, we are not yet your enemies! With wisdom we never will be."*/ Then with all the skill that an L3 can muster, she "shows" Rachel (and only her) mentally what kind of worst case destruction could happen should the "local" heros and the CAoL start fighting. (OOC: that of course involves a CAoL sigil or lens carrier dying and The Stardragon getting involved. I am assuming that the Seven family, animals included, had neither operational, or Voyd would already be dead) ================================= Date: Thu, 1 Apr 1999 23:05:50 -0800 (PST) Subject: AAE V: Down to Business On Thu, 01 Apr 1999 22:15:58 -0800 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 >On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 22:13:40 -0800 (PST) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00006783 > > Gasping a bit, Raver rolled off Wolvy. "As Roland said, our >Nimrod is not who you believe him to be." Wolvie shakes the rough landing off and stands slowly, dusting himself off. "I kinda figured that when the president of Sentinel-Haters Anonymous over there-" he pointed a thumb at Roland- "waved me off from nailin' Nimrod version umpteen-whatever. Nice catch, by the way. Name's Logan." He offers a hand, completely unfazed by Raver's appearance. >On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 07:25:20 -0500 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006787 > >Legion smiles at Franklin, "We both are and are not what you might >fear. We are many, yet we are one. Our name is Legion." Her voice has >lost that 'echo' it had in the DC universe, still, she is projecting >a hint of something... enough to make people think there is something >to what she is saying. Franklin is still a bit thrown, but clearly relieved. "Pleased to meet you." >Legion sighs, letting the others deal with it. "All of us are not >what we seem. And some of us are exactly." She relocates over to near >Rachel. "Be calm, Rachel... he is not the hunter you fear... He is an >ally." The Phoenix Force begins to recede as Ray watches events unfold. >(OOC: That relocation just tipped Franklin off. Legion is a reality >warper several degrees more subtle than he is. She simply... rewrote >reality so instead of being in one place she was now in another, and >there is not a single hole, fray, or loose thread to tell that it >happened. Currently she is doing something very subtle that he can >almost feel in the area around Rachel to contain things if she cuts >loose.) Franklin watches, taking mental notes and is relieved one step further. Legion would know that the area inside the 'dome' is being affected by a Reality Warp several orders of magnitude _less_ subtle than Franklin's...and equally more powerful. >>Roland replies dubiously. "/Okay, folx, time to confer. Obviously, >>the usual 'beat on the bad guys' thing isn't going to work. I am >>open to suggestions here, and I'd really hate to just keep on >>walking with something like _this_ waiting to bite us...um...from >>behind./" >/We are attempting to handle the firechild.../ Legion sends, >/Hopefully with subtlty/ Rachel watches Nimrod like a hawk, though psi-sensitives can sense her reaching out to both Franklin and Roland... >>On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 00:50:45 -0600 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006785 > >> "Sorry about that, I think the Big Guy," nodding toward >>Dhyrclhanc, "Wasn't expecting to see you here, so didn't think >>there's need for a warning. This Nimrod doesn't do the Mutant >>Extermination thing. But he can tell you that himself. I think we're >>pretty much all willing to vouch for his honesty on the matter, >>though." Rachel looks at Mike briefly, with a 'oh yeah, and who are you?' look, then Roland responds to her mental 'knock' (presumably, Franklin did the same, but I'm assuming that folx are being polite) and she finally relaxes somewhat. (OOC: Those who know this Rachel Summers know that she _never_ relaxes, really.) >> /I have to side with Morgan, there./ Mike interjects, /I don't >>know half these heros, none of the villians, and no idea where we >>are, what this field is I assume they're trying to break through, >>and probably a googleplex of questions that will spawn from those. >>Time to take a breath and do some good, old-fashioned, networking. >>Dhyrclhanc, have your battalion stand down for the moment and we'll >>get some answers./ /I _know_ that, Mike. I meant besides the obvious part. *sigh* If I know this lot, Cap's probably in charge. Though IMO Cyke ought to be./ Roland starts to walk over. >> Mike adds aloud, "Uh, first off, any of you seen a younger, >>female version of the big square-jawed fellow in the red longjohns >>there? We're looking for the young lady." Thor nods. "Aye, she did come to this island but the night past. Soon after she arrived, yon perfidious dome was erected. Those with scientific knowledge of cosmic forces believed that the woman was responsible, but the power of Mjolnir did say, 'nay.' Also, I remembered yon Captain Marvel from our last encounter." He turns to Captain M. "A relative of thine?" "My sister," Marvel nods. "Possessed by an unknown force." >On Thu, 1 Apr 1999 18:35:04 EST >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00006789 > >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006781 >> UNconscious heroes include Nightcrawler, Giant-Man, and Justice. >> Last, but not least, Rachel is 'Phoenixing' up... > >Seeing downed heros, Aurora extends one hand towards them. A beam of >energy pulses out striking each of them, healing them and >revitalizing them instantly (OOC: as though they had just had a full >nights sleep and eaten a huge dinner, Nightcrawler tried teleporting through; he got scrambled insides as a result. Not dead, but Aurora had to put a little actual effort into healing him. Giant-Man and Justice are just out cold; to Aurora waking them up was as casual as a shrug. >without the feeling of being full of course). As she does this, she >looks to Rachel and says /*"Don't, we are not yet your enemies! With >wisdom we never will be."*/ Then with all the skill that an L3 can >muster, she "shows" Rachel (and only her) mentally what kind of worst >case destruction could happen should the "local" heros and the CAoL >start fighting. (OOC: that of course involves a CAoL sigil or lens >carrier dying and The Stardragon getting involved. I am assuming that >the Seven family, animals included, had neither operational, or Voyd >would already be dead) (OOC: It gets worse. The Cosmic Cube makes its wielder the equal of, say a Celestial. That's high-Starspawn level to CAoL cosmology. The Stardragon would win, but the local galactic cluster would be annihilated in the ensuing battle, at a minimum. _That,_ in turn, might manage to interest the Celestials themselves, any one of whom is more powerful than the combined pantheons of Marvel-Earth...) Rachel gulps. Then she looks vaguely indignant. *I wouldn't hurt one of Roland's friends!* Then she looks at Roland, a bit confused. *Not that I ever thought _Nimrod_ would ever count there. Roland?* */Looong story,/* Roland replies. */Short form is, he's a friend of Dhyrclhanc's, though where _those_ two hooked up is a mystery to me as well. I think it has something to do with the Siege Perilous./* Rachel nods. Then, as Roland heads towards Captain America, she flies over to Franklin, hugs him ferociously-then does the same to an astonished, flabbergasted Roland. (OOC: Ever been ambushed by your first love? 8^) Morgan smiles, amused, and walks towards the group. ^help!^ Roland sends, virtually paralyzed. Fortunately (for Roland's dignity, at least), his hug is as quick as Franklin's. The Living Legend smiles, more gently. "Friend of yours, Phoenix?" Rachel blushes. "Um. We've met." She notices Morgan, puts two and two together, and takes a discreet step back from Defender, quickly becoming more embarrassed. ^Catch up later?^ Rachel sends to Roland. ^I hope so,^ Roland replies, shifting to 'Blaze' mode. Some of the heroes go 'oh,' making the connection for the first time. "So. What's the situation, sir?" Captain America, seeing the obvious attempt at changing the subject (admittedly, back to a more pertinent topic), comes to Roland's rescue. "There's been a fair amount of trouble with Cosmic Cubes lately, it seems. This time, at least, it's Whirlwind. He's not trying to rewrite the whole world, like the Skull or Korvac." "Who?" Roland asks, blinking. "Not relevant right now. The problem is, Whirlwind's a good deal more paranoid. He's brainwashed several super-strong heroes and villains, a fair number of thinkers, and kidnapped a number of women. Worse, we have reason to believe that Thanos is one of his 'advisors,'" Cap rattles off without blinking. Roland, while brave in his own right, can't help but feel his stomach sink. "Thanos? oboy." Then his eyes shift to Giant-Man, Cyclops, and Justice. "Women...?" Captain America nods. "Among the victims are the Wasp, Jean Grey, and Firestar. Storm has also been taken, but we believe that she's serving as one of his advisor-warriors." Thor's eyes darken. "Aye. When I did summon the elements 'gainst the blackguard, fair Storm's power opposed Mjolnir. Though her power is great, she could not normally oppose the master of the living lightning. And yet she bested me. She certainly would not have thwarted me of her own free will." Roland sighs. "The dome?" "Every effort to penetrate it has resulted in an approximately equal opponent being summoned against him or her," Captain America explains. "When Thor, Iron Man and the Human Torch tried to penetrate the barrier, they found themselves fighting Hercules, Techno, and Hydro-Man. For every one of us that jumped in to help, another puppet attacked that person specifically. The ones who lost...the Thunderbolts were with us initially. Moonstone and Atlas were beaten. They're working for Whirlwind now. The other Thunderbolts have pulled back for the moment." Roland blinks. "How...odd." */Then with this bunch around,/* she mentally motions towards the more powerful members of the CAoL, */we need to be careful not to escalate things. We don't need him tossing out a match for Dhyrclhanc, or Gods forbid Aurora./* */Ouch. Still, I don't think we'll have much choice. We'll need at _least_ Dhyrclhanc to have enough power to open that portal. At least he isn't taking the _winners,_/* he adds on the link, not wanting to give Whirlwind ideas. */Okay. So we need to open a hole in the dome with as few folx trying to penetrate it as possible. We'll need a stealthy team to go inside. No way we'll be able to outmuscle a Cube. Aurora, that reminds me; you can't go up against this guy until we can contain the situation. Maybe 'port him to a pocket universe or something once someone gets close, then you can take him. Um./* An unpleasant thought occurs to Roland. */CAN you take him?/* Even Captain America is a bit boggled by the idea of a teammate who has a shot at beating a Cosmic Cube... (OOC: Aurora would probably have a hard time against an artifact like the Cube.) ================================= Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 01:09:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Fri, 2 Apr 1999 04:05:48 EST Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00006792 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 > */Ouch. Still, I don't think we'll have much choice. We'll need at >_least_ Dhyrclhanc to have enough power to open that portal. At least >he isn't taking the _winners,_/* he adds on the link, not wanting to >give Whirlwind ideas. */Okay. So we need to open a hole in the dome >with as few folx trying to penetrate it as possible. We'll need a >stealthy team to go inside. No way we'll be able to outmuscle a Cube. >Aurora, that reminds me; you can't go up against this guy until we >can contain the situation. Maybe 'port him to a pocket universe or >something once someone gets close, then you can take him. Um./* An >unpleasant thought occurs to Roland. */CAN you take him?/* > Even Captain America is a bit boggled by the idea of a teammate >who has a shot at beating a Cosmic Cube... > (OOC: Aurora would probably have a hard time against an artifact >like the Cube.) /*"I do not know, let me compute the odds."*/ Aurora answers. She stares into the distance for ten whole seconds, then continues, /*It will be close, and will depend on what knowlege of spirit manipulations the Cube is capable of providing him. Not all Cubes are the same, but all are of a nature to render envisioning chancy at best. If one of you can get close enough to him to allow me to strike through you at him, I can move him and myself to an empty universe, where we can see if his raw power can defeat my speed, experience, and skill. Be assured he will not take me as a slave. Before I go down in defeat, if I do, I will summon The Stardragon. There is no question at all that the Primal of Quantum Reality could defeat him and me, and as long as they fight in an empty universe, the Celestials would not have reason to get involved. I am willing to risk the consequences. Are you?*/ she says as she looks from Roland, to Cap., to Thor. /*If I do need to summon the child, when it finishes with Whirlwind it will NOT be happy, and I will not be alive to help turn its wrath.*/ ================================= Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 05:50:27 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Fri, 02 Apr 1999 08:13:46 -0500 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006794 >On Fri, 2 Apr 1999 04:05:48 EST >Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00006792 > >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 > >>Um./* An unpleasant thought occurs to Roland. */CAN you take him?/* Legion relaxes as the current problem seems to be under control. She focuses on the dome, a faint frown on her lips. */That dome is powerful... but it's also incredibly... crude. Messy. Just being this close to it is giving us a migraine./* Faint hints of nth dimensional topology and microcosmic/macrocosmic power structures echo behind her words as she puzzles over the dome. Meanwhile, Mischief has appeared over by Shadowcat. She's mewing adorably, doing her best 'I'm cute, pet me!' routine. ================================= Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 07:36:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Fri, 02 Apr 99 04:58:50 PST Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006795 >On Thu, 01 Apr 1999 22:15:58 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 > Even Captain America is a bit boggled by the idea of a teammate >who has a shot at beating a Cosmic Cube... Meanwhile, a perviously unnoticed hero comes walking up slowly. Not really recognisable in the Marvelverse, his black and white Harlequin costume and canine companion are familiar to the CAoL non-the-less, even before Driss pulls off the mask. "Ah, greetings to you all. Selling out your services again? It's a pleasure to see you here regardless..." He pauses and looks down at Roscoe, an annoyed look on his face while this internal conversation takes place ^I just wanted their names Roscoe, not a commentary on my mind^ ^Hey, how am I supposed to keep your memories in order if you have memories I don't know about? And I see a bunch here I don't recognise.^ ^Yeh, _SURE_ you don't recognise them. I can tell you're lingering over the Morgan memories again. I've told you before, I don't want to deal with those. that romance is dead.^ ^Yeh, but here she is again. It's the perfect time for a little nudge nudge wink wink^ ^ROSCOE!^ ^OK Ok OK I'm getting to it. sheesh.^ He regards teh CAoL again. "Ah, Roland, you are looking well. And Morgan, you seem more beautiful and radiant than ever. Dhryclhanc, well met old Dragon. Knytt, you're looking, well.... metalic? Xerrion, you're looking much better than the last time I saw you in Quaren. Alas there are so many of you and my memory is not what it used to be. I'm afraid I don't recognise some of you." He gives a flourished bow to you all. ================================= Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 11:10:03 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Fri, 2 Apr 1999 12:10:41 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006796 >On Fri, 02 Apr 99 04:58:50 PST >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006795 > He regards teh CAoL again. "Ah, Roland, you are looking well. And >Morgan, you seem more beautiful and radiant than ever. Dhryclhanc, >well met old Dragon. Knytt, you're looking, well.... metalic? >Xerrion, you're looking much better than the last time I saw you in >Quaren. Alas there are so many of you and my memory is not what it >used to be. I'm afraid I don't recognise some of you." > He gives a flourished bow to you all. ['And with Driss and Roscoe's arrival, Order's annoying little brother entered their lives once again...'] Mike mentally 'narrates' to himself. [Ah well, reality had been getting too regular and predictable anyway.] Tink tugged on Mike's sleeve and he picked the little girl up. "Actually, I'm going by Michael Seven now, though I still answer to the old name. This is my granddaughter, Tinkerbell Seven." Tinkerbell waves. "I'll leave the other introductions to everyone else. Oh, and good to see you, two again." Mike turned back to the dome, trying to think of some way to get through covertly. Tink digs around in Mike's jacket pocket and removes a small PADD.She starts playing Tetris on it. ================================= Date: Fri, 2 Apr 1999 22:06:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: RE: AAE V: Down to Business On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 00:40:48 -0500 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00006797 >On Fri, 2 Apr 1999 12:10:41 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006796 >>On Fri, 02 Apr 99 04:58:50 PST >>Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006795 >"...Alas there are so many of you and my memory is not what it used >to be. I'm afraid I don't recognise some of you." > He gives a flourished bow to you all. The so-far completely unnoticed Amberite in the black Oriental-styled uniform/dress just smiles slightly, and lets everyone keep ignoring her as she listens to Roland talk to the local yokel hero-types. She gives a curious glance and eyebrow at all the names dropped, and "Cubiness" commentary, as it is plain she knows little to nothing of either. >> ['And with Driss and Roscoe's arrival, Order's annoying little >>brother entered their lives once again...'] Mike mentally 'narrates' >>to himself. [Ah well, reality had been getting too regular and >>predictable anyway.] >> Tink tugged on Mike's sleeve and he picked the little girl up. >>"Actually, I'm going by Michael Seven now, though I still answer to >>the old name. This is my granddaughter, Tinkerbell Seven." >>Tinkerbell waves. "I'll leave the other introductions to everyone >>else. Oh, and good to see you, two again." The petite brunette with the hourglass figure shakes her head in confusion, and gives up trying to figure out what Aurora, Roland, and the X-men plus other heroes are discoursing on. "It is good to see you looking well, Driss, Roscoe. I go by the handle of Ziactrice. Ziactrice Keenan, but please just call me Zia, if you will. I think we've met briefly once before, but the memory is likely to be distressing to recall, about that place. Let's just start all over again. Do you like to shake hands?" She offers, politely. 'Dame Marvel' A.K.A. Dame Ziactrice Keenan ================================= Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 06:42:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 05:10:48 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006798 >On Thu, 01 Apr 1999 22:15:58 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 >>>On Wed, 31 Mar 1999 00:50:45 -0600 >>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006785 >>> >>> "Sorry about that, I think the Big Guy," nodding toward >>>Dhyrclhanc, "Wasn't expecting to see you here, so didn't think >>>there's need for a warning. This Nimrod doesn't do the Mutant >>>Extermination thing. But he can tell you that himself. I think >>>we're pretty much all willing to vouch for his honesty on the >>>matter, though." > > Rachel looks at Mike briefly, with a 'oh yeah, and who are you?' >look, then Roland responds to her mental 'knock' (presumably, >Franklin did the same, but I'm assuming that folx are being polite) >and she finally relaxes somewhat. (OOC: Those who know this Rachel >Summers know that she _never_ relaxes, really.) Mike glances at Rachel with a 'Was I adressing you? I don't think so, Miss Thang' look. >>> /I have to side with Morgan, there./ Mike interjects, /I don't >>>know half these heros, none of the villians, and no idea where we >>>are, what this field is I assume they're trying to break through, >>>and probably a googleplex of questions that will spawn from those. >>>Time to take a breath and do some good, old-fashioned, networking. >>>Dhyrclhanc, have your battalion stand down for the moment and we'll >>>get some answers./ > > /I _know_ that, Mike. I meant besides the obvious part. *sigh* If >I know this lot, Cap's probably in charge. Though IMO Cyke ought to >be./ Roland starts to walk over. /Okay, okay, sheesh.../ Mike replies, /Shoulda stayed in bed. First attitude from Miss Thang over there, now I'm stating the obvious./ > Rachel gulps. Then she looks vaguely indignant. *I wouldn't hurt >one of Roland's friends!* Then she looks at Roland, a bit confused. >*Not that I ever thought _Nimrod_ would ever count there. Roland?* /No, just cop a 'tude with 'em,/ Mike mutters over the Lens Link. > Even Captain America is a bit boggled by the idea of a teammate >who has a shot at beating a Cosmic Cube... After Driss's arrival and reintroduction, Mike returns his gaze to the dome. /Thoughts so far: I'd probably be scared if I recognized half the names you and Cap A just said. Then again, I only read X-titles for about a year and Wolverine for two. I don't know most of the main heros/villians. One point I may have misunderstood, the dome is easy to open, but whoever enters it is met by someone with like abilities?/ ================================= Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 11:40:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Sat, 03 Apr 99 06:44:37 PST Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006799 >On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 00:40:48 -0500 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00006797 > >>From: Michael Knight >> >> Tink tugged on Mike's sleeve and he picked the little girl up. >>"Actually, I'm going by Michael Seven now, though I still answer to >>the old name. This is my granddaughter, Tinkerbell Seven." >>Tinkerbell waves. "I'll leave the other introductions to everyone >>else. Oh, and good to see you, two again." Driss bows again to Tink and smiles at Mike. "A granddaughter? I've got to say, you look pretty good for being an old fogie then." > The petite brunette with the hourglass figure shakes her head in >confusion, and gives up trying to figure out what Aurora, Roland, and >the X-men plus other heroes are discoursing on. "It is good to see >you looking well, Driss, Roscoe. I go by the handle of Ziactrice. >Ziactrice Keenan, but please just call me Zia, if you will. I think >we've met briefly once before, but the memory is likely to be >distressing to recall, about that place. Let's just start all over >again. Do you like to shake hands?" She offers, politely. Driss turns his attention to Zia with a sparkle in his eye. "Ah, for some a handshake might do, but for a beatiful flower such as yourself, nothing less than a kiss would suffice." Driss drops down to one knee before Zia adn takes the offered hand, gently kissing the back of it. "And as for meeting before, I highly doubt it. Though my memory may fail me at times lately, I doubt I could ever forget as raveshing a beauty such as you. This meeting is certainly my pleasure." ^Uh Driss? I think I remember seeing her face in one of those fragmented memories.^ ^Shush Roscoe, can't you see I'm busy being humble and charming to this lady?^ Roscoe just mentally rolled his eyes but stayed silent. ================================= Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 14:05:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 15:34:54 -0600 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006800 >On Sat, 03 Apr 99 06:44:37 PST >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006799 > >> On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 00:40:48 -0500 >> Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00006797 >> >>>From: Michael Knight >>> Tink tugged on Mike's sleeve and he picked the little girl up. >>>"Actually, I'm going by Michael Seven now, though I still answer to >>>the old name. This is my granddaughter, Tinkerbell Seven." >>>Tinkerbell waves. "I'll leave the other introductions to everyone >>>else. Oh, and good to see you, two again." > > Driss bows again to Tink and smiles at Mike. "A granddaughter? I've >got to say, you look pretty good for being an old fogie then." Mike smirks, "Clean livin', friend, nothin' but clean livin'." > Driss turns his attention to Zia with a sparkle in his eye. "Ah, for >some a handshake might do, but for a beatiful flower such as >yourself, nothing less than a kiss would suffice." Driss drops down >to one knee before Zia and takes the offered hand, gently kissing the >back of it. "And as for meeting before, I highly doubt it. Though my >memory may fail me at times lately, I doubt I could ever forget as >raveshing a beauty such as you. This meeting is certainly my >pleasure." Mike smirks again, but doesn't say anything, just thinking a certain Cajun X-man might be hard-pressed to lay on more charm than Driss does. He glances at Tink's game as he digs in his left jacket pocket, then back to the dome, idling twirling a dull blue metal 3.5" cube in his left (human) hand as he thinks. ================================= Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 22:34:35 -0800 (PST) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 01:15:37 -0500 (EST) Xzerrion Said As CAoL Message # 00006801 On Thu, 1 Apr 1999, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > "Every effort to penetrate it has resulted in an approximately >equal opponent being summoned against him or her," Captain America >explains. "When Thor, Iron Man and the Human Torch tried to penetrate >the barrier, they found themselves fighting Hercules, Techno, and >Hydro-Man. For every one of us that jumped in to help, another puppet >attacked that person specifically. The ones who lost...the >Thunderbolts were with us initially. Moonstone and Atlas were beaten. >They're working for Whirlwind now. The other Thunderbolts have pulled >back for the moment." Xzerrion interjects. "Equal in type of power, or simply about even strength? I doubt many in this world have experience in the magic of my people, and skill counts often as much or more as strength." > Roland blinks. "How...odd." > >*/Then with this bunch around,/* she mentally motions towards the >more powerful members of the CAoL, */we need to be careful not to >escalate things. We don't need him tossing out a match for >Dhyrclhanc, or Gods forbid Aurora./* Dantris sends over. */That probably leaves me out. We *really* don't need a black unicorn opposing us who can channel the power of a deity at need./* > Even Captain America is a bit boggled by the idea of a teammate >who has a shot at beating a Cosmic Cube... > (OOC: Aurora would probably have a hard time against an artifact >like the Cube.) Xzerrion, shaking his head at the thought of a CAoL stealth team, volunteers. ================================= Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 03:05:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: Idle Hands... On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 04:35:29 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006802 Somewhere between Mike saying hello to Driss and his questioning of Roland about the dome, he and Tinkerbell sit down on the ground. While Tinkerbell continues with her game, Mike begins to unfold the dull blue metal cube he had been twiddling with. What is quickly revealed is a thin, foot-square, hexigonal-patterned pad, about the thickness of a 3.5" inch disk, with an attached 3"x6"x3" tray and a 3"x5" PADD-like screen. Setting the contraption on the ground, conveniently blocked from view of those in the castle, Mike takes up a scoop of rocks and soil and puts it into the tray. Pressing a few lit icons, the soil level seems to drop a bit as a metal handle of some sort appears on the pad. Mike makes a few more selections and components for some sort of device are replicated. As Tink refills the tray with more soil, Mike starts assembling his contraption. Metal pipes are screwed together, then attached to the handle, the screws being driven in, spinning, on the tip of Mike's right, cybernetic index finger. A gun of sorts begins to quickly take shape, Mike's left hand selecting items to be replicated, his right working as an intricate multipurpose tool to attach the components. Through subspace, encoded, Borg frequencies, Tink and Mike compare notes contributing to the design, though both are still obviously paying attention to what's going on around them as well. The effect is almost unnerving, like watching someone solve a Rubik's cube while being interviewed on TV. > To the Marvel Heroes, this is exactly like watching Forge do his 'builder' thing. ================================= Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 04:34:05 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 06:15:39 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00006804 >On Thu, 01 Apr 1999 22:15:58 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 >*/Then with this bunch around,/* she mentally motions towards the >more powerful members of the CAoL, */we need to be careful not to >escalate things. We don't need him tossing out a match for >Dhyrclhanc, or Gods forbid Aurora./* /Now you know one of the reasons I'm sitting this one out/ sends Nemo from where he's observing in Callahans. [1] Is Nemo that powerful? Maybe. Maybe not. Are you *sure* you want to know the answer? ================================= Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 19:04:48 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Arrival On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 18:59:41 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006807 (Sorry for not responding to this sooner - I inadvertently erased it, and got slapped with the flu not soon after.) >On Fri, 26 Mar 1999 17:45:47 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Post # 00004810 > >Where the large, long haired person sitting there spoke to him in a >*perfect* imitation of the "Mission Impossible" briefer's voice. > >"Good day, Mr. Nishikawa. Your mission, should you decide to accept >it..." "If you tell me that I'm supposed to learn line dancing, I'll scream. I'm interested in joining up with the... _Callahanian_ Army of Light. So, the question in my mind is, where do I sign?" ================================= Date: Sun, 4 Apr 1999 19:37:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Down to Business On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 19:05:35 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00006808 >On Thu, 01 Apr 1999 22:15:58 -0800 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 > >>On Tue, 30 Mar 1999 22:13:40 -0800 (PST) >>The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00006783 >> >> Gasping a bit, Raver rolled off Wolvy. "As Roland said, our >>Nimrod is not who you believe him to be." > > Wolvie shakes the rough landing off and stands slowly, dusting >himself off. "I kinda figured that when the president of Sentinel- >Haters Anonymous over there-" he pointed a thumb at Roland- "waved me >off from nailin' Nimrod version umpteen-whatever. Nice catch, by the >way. Name's Logan." He offers a hand, completely unfazed by Raver's >appearance. The tall demon measured Wolvie up briefly before nodding and clasping Wolvie's hand. "Thank you. I am called Raver." Then Xzerrion said: >Xzerrion, shaking his head at the thought of a CAoL stealth team, >volunteers. Raver reached out mentally to her link with Mandy, testing the strength. It was just as deep and strong as it had been, and she mentally nodded with satisfaction. Satisfaction that was short-lived as, for the first time, she contacted Mandy. The response took a moment, but her mental voice was reassuringly normal. [Yes?] Filling Mandy in on the situation took nanoseconds. [I want to try something...] Blinking back to reality, the demon spoke up quietly. "I will do this. In case any of you object to a demon attempting this -- I may have something that will alter the probability of finding an opponent matched to myself." On the Link, she added, /It is my guess that, with a small amount of extra aid from my side, the bond between Mandy and I can easily cover the demonic signature and make me seem to be merely human./ ================================= Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 04:45:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Arrival On Mon, 5 Apr 1999 02:03:56 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00006809 > On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 18:59:41 -0700 (PDT) > Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006807 > >"If you tell me that I'm supposed to learn line dancing, I'll scream. >I'm interested in joining up with the... _Callahanian_ Army of Light. >So, the question in my mind is, where do I sign?" Nemo chuckles a bit at the response, then speaks in his normal voice. "No, I don't believe line dancing is a requirement. Just give me a brief rundown of who you are and why you want to 'join up'. While you are doing that, I can check and see if it's a convenient time for you to join in the curtrent mission. I'd rather not drop you into the middle of a battle, even if I was sending assurances ahead." If he has the proper senses or devices he can feel/detect a fairly normal "security scan" type effect. If he's shielded it just brushes lightly across the shields. Meanwhile, a tendril of thought crosses the universes and "knocks" gently at Roland's shields (don't want to strtle or interrupt him). ^Roland: I've got a 'new recruit' here at Callahan's. {dump of appearance and whatever info he gave me above} Is this a good time for him to show up?^ ================================= Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 11:49:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Arrival On Mon, 5 Apr 1999 08:29:06 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006810 On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Leonard Erickson wrote: >Nemo chuckles a bit at the response, then speaks in his normal voice. > >"No, I don't believe line dancing is a requirement. Just give me a >brief rundown of who you are and why you want to 'join up'. While you >are doing that, I can check and see if it's a convenient time for you >to join in the current mission. I'd rather not drop you into the >middle of a battle, even if I was sending assurances ahead." "Oh, wonderful. Where did I leave my resume? I'm a dimension-jumping righter of wrongs, with no control over where I end up. I know a lot of things, some of them are useful. On the downside, I appear to have made some people mad enough to want to kill me on sight, including at least one with dimensional travel capacity, and ultra-tech available to him." "As to why I want to join up: I was told to. I don't know why, or what help I can offer, but I've been using this method of divination for years, and it's never been wrong." >If he has the proper senses or devices he can feel/detect a fairly >normal "security scan" type effect. If he's shielded it just brushes >lightly across the shields. Nemo, being an expert in telepathy, has no trouble spotting the layered shield. The public portions of his mind show no discrepancies with his story. The private sections are shielded, but it's more of a "skill" shield than a "power" shield. Getting in without breaking Rob's mind would take a while for a first-stage lensman. Third-stage would need about a minute, if said lensman also wanted to eat lunch. ================================= Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 23:30:19 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: A Change In Plans, pt. II On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:36:14 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 >On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 01:15:37 -0500 (EST) >Xzerrion Said As CAoL Message # 00006801 > >Xzerrion interjects. "Equal in type of power, or simply about even >strength? I doubt many in this world have experience in the magic of >my people, and skill counts often as much or more as strength." "I'd have to say power," the Captain responds slowly. "He summoned a man who can channel water against a hero sheathed in flame and a being who can interface with any technology against a man in powered armor. Hercules was clearly chosen purely for strength, but against Thor, there are only so many options." The Living Legend ponders for a moment. "And while I believe skill is far _more_ important than strength, strength counts for something, and Whirlwind certainly took skill into account. Techno certainly wasn't the most powerful choice, but among technologically-oriented humans, there aren't many smarter. Fortunately, Iron Man was up to the challenge." The Armored Avenger salutes jauntily at Cap. The feline-attired woman looks up from her conversation with Iron Man and smiles proudly. >>*/Then with this bunch around,/* she mentally motions towards the >>more powerful members of the CAoL, */we need to be careful not to >>escalate things. We don't need him tossing out a match for >>Dhyrclhanc, or Gods forbid Aurora./* > >Dantris sends over. */That probably leaves me out. We *really* don't >need a black unicorn opposing us who can channel the power of a deity >at need./* *It would appear,* Captain America explains, *that Whirlwind is limited to summoning beings he knows of. But you have a good point, all the same.* >Xzerrion, shaking his head at the thought of a CAoL stealth team, >volunteers. (OOC-M: *snicker-chuckle-snort*) /I know, Xzerrion, I know, but most of you are actually fairly good at that sort of thing. But a group is only as stealthy as it's loudest member, and I'm not exactly the Invisible Man./ He permits himself a quick glance and chuckle in the direction of Mrs. Richards. (aka the Invisible Woman. 8^) Then he looks at the spot from which Dhyrclhanc recently disappeared, and his eyes narrow. [Light be with you, brother. I don't trust coincidences...] >On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 04:35:29 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006802 > A gun of sorts begins to quickly take shape, Mike's left hand >selecting items to be replicated, his right working as an intricate >multipurpose tool to attach the components. Through subspace, >encoded, Borg frequencies, Tink and Mike compare notes contributing >to the design, though both are still obviously paying attention to >what's going on around them as well. The effect is almost unnerving, >like watching someone solve a Rubik's cube while being interviewed on >TV. > To the Marvel Heroes, this is exactly like watching Forge do his >'builder' thing. A storm begins to build overhead. "Hey, bub," Wolvie asks, looking over at the Borged ex-Time Lord, "you know a guy named Forge?" >On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 06:15:39 PST >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00006804 >>*/Then with this bunch around,/* she mentally motions towards the >>more powerful members of the CAoL, */we need to be careful not to >>escalate things. We don't need him tossing out a match for >>Dhyrclhanc, or Gods forbid Aurora./* > >/Now you know one of the reasons I'm sitting this one out/ sends Nemo >from where he's observing in Callahans. Roland gulps. /Point taken./ >the cube would dig up a match for him, or it could be that he doesn't >want to be responsible for the effects on all the assembled heros if >he just walked in and took the Cube away[1]. Or it could be even more >convoluted. > (OOC: The first reason would be BAD. These things are made by Celestials. The only being ever to outmatch Celestials was the Beyonder, who was the sum total power of an entire universe.) >[1] Is Nemo that powerful? Maybe. Maybe not. Are you *sure* you want > to know the answer? (OOC: If he is, he could probably arm-wrestle the Stardragon.) >On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 18:47:31 -0700 (PDT) >The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00006806 > > The tall demon measured Wolvie up briefly before nodding and >clasping Wolvie's hand. "Thank you. I am called Raver." Logan nods. There's a sense-at least from Logan's end-of a kindred spirit. (Up to you whether or not he gets the same impression.) > Blinking back to reality, the demon spoke up quietly. "I will do >this. In case any of you object to a demon attempting this -- I may >have something that will alter the probability of finding an opponent >matched to myself. I would prefer not to speak of it at this moment, >in case one of us is captured..." (OOC: I'll find you an excuse if you [the player] would rather go in and sneak rather than stay out here, open gates, and fight. Otherwise...) Roland weighs Raver's comment for a long moment...though it is clearly not a matter of trust-his trust in his teammates is implicit, and clearly felt through the link-but rather, a weighing of the risks. Finally, he nods. */All right. Looks like we're ready. Stealth team, your job is to get in through whatever tricks and traps Whirlie's set up-and rest assured, he will have some set up-get Aurora to him undetected, and if possible get the Cube away from him. Plan 'B' is to shunt him to uninhabited space and take him down. The rest of us will stay out here and keep him 'amused.' We're also your backup. Any questions?/* Captain America nods approvingly, none of the other locals commenting. Shadowcat, Giant-Man (at one cm. tall), and the Richardses (Mr. Fantastic and the Invisible Woman) step forward to join the CAoLers. The Richardses look at Franklin for a long moment. Several hugs ensue. Then the two join hands and walk up. (OOC: Feel free to retcon being on one side or the other; folx are getting bored, so I'm picking up the pace.) Sue looks back at Franklin briefly, then says quietly, "Reed, it is so odd to be planning strategy with our son, when I know we left him home an hour ago, fifteen years younger." Morgan can't help but chuckle. "Tell me about it," she smiles. "Tell me about it," Cyclops says at the exact same moment, looking at Rachel. Then he and Morgan look at each other and chuckle briefly. The tiny Hank Pym shakes his head. "And I thought _I_ had problems." "Our son over there hasn't been _born_ yet," Morgan adds, pointing at Roger. "Neither have I," Rachel almost giggles. "Pleased to meet you, sir," she says to Roger. She chuckles at Roland. *Congratulations, Roland. I'm sorry I missed the wedding; I'll do my best to meet your son when he...arrives.* */'Cut the chatter, Red Two,'/* Roland sends as light-heartedly as possible given the circumstances. Then he grows serious. */Ready, team?/* Thor, Rachel, Morgan, (presumably) Raver, and anyone else from the CAoL joining in stand ready. Everyone else pulls back, Franklin and Wanda (the Scarlet Witch) joining forces to shield the other heroes. */"NOW!"/* Legendary Mjolnir spins to a blur in Thor's hand, divine power crackling around it. Magic blazes around Morgan, the ability to mold reality itself coursing forward. The Phoenix Force, primal and alive, flows around Rachel, though she is wary not to draw _too_ much on it. Roland shifts from Blaze to Defender, and with a single cry of defiance his vast energy powers shoot forward, turning the shield's power in on itself. (insert Raver's effect here) Slowly, torturously, the shield begins to give way. The heroes' powers warp the dome slowly at first, then with increasing speed, then- -an opening! */Go! GO!/* Roland urges, his concentration forbidding much more conversation. As the many-times stealthed team rushes in, the hole begins to waver. A few seconds after the last team member is through, the hole collapses-then explodes outward, and five (or however many there are holding the gate open) forms surge forward. An axe-wielding, mottled humanoid with stringy white hair slams into Thor, a glowing axe in one hand. He doesn't bother with pithy commentary, merely swinging his axe at Thor's neck. The Thunder God parries with Mjolnir. "Thou art Morg, Herald of Galactus, nay?" When Morg responds with a force blast, parried by Mjolnir spun into a shield of sorts, Thor's eyes narrow. "So be it. HAVE AT THEE, THEN!" Rachel isn't so lucky, as a woman almost her older twin slams her with a TK bolt. "mom...?" Rachel asks timorously... (Default: Raver is slashed at by a screeching Sauron, unless there's someone else from the Marvel U. that you want a crack at. Have fun. ;^) Morgan parries a magickal bolt from...Morgan? The Marvel version of Morgan Le Fey, a woman vastly different from the one she's familiar with, steps forward, but magicks are unmistakable. "So, little sister, you know the old magic, do you. Would you truly pit your sorceries against mine?" Le Fey asks through narrow eyes. Morgan (Greywolf) steps back a moment, thrown by this...being, though whether the similarities or the differences are the more jarring is uncertain. But she is surprised for only a moment. "The Lady of Avalon of my world would never have fought in service of such a vile knave-and a pitiful one, at that." "I have nothing to do with that...place," Le Fey hisses. "I do not wait about in wading pools for a champion to save me-I act! And I serve no one but myself-as all shall soon learn! Yield!" "As IF," Greywolf snaps (in a perfect Val accent, no less) and mystic forces lash out... And last, but not least...well, okay, given the company... A blast as powerful as any Roland has ever felt sends him flying. He lands, dazed, shaking his head clear. He looks up....WAY up...at the blue-and-gold clad villain with the purple, craggy-jawed face... ...Thanos. "I must admit, stripling, I am impressed by your daring," the Death-worshipper says softly. "But now your daring ends." The Power Cosmic courses around one out-stretched fist. "oooboy," Roland gulps... ================================= Date: Mon, 5 Apr 1999 23:30:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: A Change In Plans pt. I On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 21:28:44 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006812 >On Fri, 2 Apr 1999 04:05:48 EST >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00006792 > >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 > >>Um./* An unpleasant thought occurs to Roland. */CAN you take him?/* >/*"I do not know, let me compute the odds."*/ Aurora answers. She >stares into the distance for ten whole seconds, then continues, /*It >will be close, and will depend on what knowlege of spirit >manipulations the Cube is capable of providing him. (OOC: It's hard to say; Whirlwind's shields verge on the paranoid, but Aurora thinks she has the edge in terms of spiritual forces.) >I am willing to risk the consequences. Are you?*/ she says as she >looks from Roland, to Cap., to Thor. /*If I do need to summon the >child, when it finishes with Whirlwind it will NOT be happy, and I >will not be alive to help turn its wrath.*/ Roland frowns slightly. */I don't like risking anyone, Aurora./* *It's the nature of the business, son,* Captian America reminds him softly, using the link provided (by Roland, if no one else). *It's her call.* */I know, sir,/* Roland sighs. */But there's nothing in the rules that says I have to like it. Aurora, remember, while the rest of us may not be as powerful as you-the rest of us _together_ may not be as powerful as you-/* Roland fingers the CAoL sigil. */-but these work both ways. I have faith in you./* >On Fri, 02 Apr 1999 08:13:46 -0500 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006794 > >Legion relaxes as the current problem seems to be under control. She >focuses on the dome, a faint frown on her lips. */That dome is >powerful... but it's also incredibly... crude. Messy. Just being this >close to it is giving us a migraine./* Faint hints of nth dimensional >topology and microcosmic/ macrocosmic power structures echo behind >her words as she puzzles over the dome. Roland chuckles. */That sounds like Whirlwind, all right. Even with the powers of a god, he's _still_ second-rate./* Roland's chuckles fade. /Legion, just _how_ badly is that effect getting to you?/ >Meanwhile, Mischief has appeared over by Shadowcat. She's mewing >adorably, doing her best 'I'm cute, pet me!' routine. Kitty never had a chance. With a cute, anime heroine 'eep! aw...' sound, she bends down and starts scritching Mischief with practiced skill. Wolverine sighs. Heavily. As does the teeny, tiny dragon who alights on Kitty's shoulder... >On Fri, 02 Apr 99 04:58:50 PST >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006795 >Meanwhile, a perviously unnoticed hero comes walking up slowly. Not >really recognisable in the Marvelverse, his black and white Harlequin >costume and canine companion are familiar to the CAoL non-the-less, >even before Driss pulls off the mask. > "Ah, greetings to you all. Selling out your services again? It's a >pleasure to see you here regardless..." "We are _not_ mercenaries," Roland replies coolly. ^Oh, Gods, not again,^ Morgan sends to Roland. She's already had to watch both of her old friends die, each on a seperate occasion. ^I wonder when in their timeline _this_ pair is from?^ ^Well, at _least_ from after Chaos fried his Halo,^ Roland comments darkly. ^It occurs to me that the Weaver owes me one...^ >He pauses and looks down at Roscoe, an annoyed look on his face while >this internal conversation takes place > He regards teh CAoL again. "Ah, Roland, you are looking well. And >Morgan, you seem more beautiful and radiant than ever. Dhryclhanc, >well met old Dragon. Knytt, you're looking, well.... metalic? >Xerrion, you're looking much better than the last time I saw you in >Quaren. Alas there are so many of you and my memory is not what it >used to be. I'm afraid I don't recognise some of you." > He gives a flourished bow to you all. Morgan smiles tentatively, while she sends on a tight beam to Roscoe, *Hello old friend. When was the last time our paths crossed from _your_ point of view?* >On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 05:10:48 -0600 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006798 > >>On Thu, 01 Apr 1999 22:15:58 -0800 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 >> >> Rachel looks at Mike briefly, with a 'oh yeah, and who are you?' >>look, then Roland responds to her mental 'knock' (presumably, >>Franklin did the same, but I'm assuming that folx are being polite) >>and she finally relaxes somewhat. (OOC: Those who know this Rachel >>Summers know that she _never_ relaxes, really.) > > Mike glances at Rachel with a 'Was I adressing you? I don't >think so, Miss Thang' look. Rachel looks rather contrite, and 'knocks' telepathically. Roland doesn't notice. > /Okay, okay, sheesh.../ Mike replies, /Shoulda stayed in bed. >First attitude from Miss Thang over there, now I'm stating the >obvious./ /I thought stating the obvious was _my_ bit-/ /'Miss Thang?'/ Roland asks, his 'tone' darkening slightly. >> Rachel gulps. Then she looks vaguely indignant. *I wouldn't hurt >>one of Roland's friends!* Then she looks at Roland, a bit confused. >>*Not that I ever thought _Nimrod_ would ever count there. Roland?* > > /No, just cop a 'tude with 'em,/ Mike mutters over the Lens >Link. /Michael!/ Roland sends, surprised. > > After Driss's arrival and reintroduction, Mike returns his gaze >to the dome. /Thoughts so far: I'd probably be scared if I recognized >half the names you and Cap A just said. Then again, I only read >X-titles for about a year and Wolverine for two. I don't know most of >the main heros/villians. One point I may have misunderstood, the dome >is easy to open, but whoever enters it is met by someone with like >abilities?/ /No; from what I figure, folx who 'attack' the dome are the ones who get blasted. And that's where our strategy comes in./ Roland 'opens' his sendings. */Dhyrclhanc, Thor, Morgan and I should be able to open a hole in that thing. The rest of my team, and any others qualified to do so, will go through the opening while invis-/* Roland looks at the 'Big Guy,' and gets the traditional 'bad feeling...' "Oh, no, not again..." Roland says, heart sinking, as Dhyrclhanc and his entire entourage vanish. TBC in pt. II ================================= Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 02:01:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Arrival On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 23:42:09 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006813 >On Mon, 5 Apr 1999 08:29:06 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006810 > >On Mon, 5 Apr 1999, Leonard Erickson wrote: >"Oh, wonderful. Where did I leave my resume? I'm a dimension-jumping >righter of wrongs, with no control over where I end up. I know a lot >of things, some of them are useful. On the downside, I appear to have >made some people mad enough to want to kill me on sight, including at >least one with dimensional travel capacity, and ultra-tech available >to him." (OOC: Sounds perfect to me. ;^) >>Meanwhile, a tendril of thought crosses the universes and "knocks" >>gently at Roland's shields (don't want to startle or interrupt him). >> >>^Roland: I've got a 'new recruit' here at Callahan's. {dump of >>appearance and whatever info he gave me above} Is this a good time >>for him to show up?^ (OOC: This takes place BEFORE 'A Change In Plans pt. II') As Roland rounds up the troops, he smiles distantly. ^As Cmdr. Pavel Chekhov said, 'Now vould be a goot time.'^ ================================= Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 02:31:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans pt. I On Tue, 6 Apr 1999 02:35:37 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006814 >On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 21:28:44 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006812 >>On Sat, 3 Apr 1999 05:10:48 -0600 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006798 >> >>>On Thu, 01 Apr 1999 22:15:58 -0800 >>>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006791 >>> >>> Rachel gulps. Then she looks vaguely indignant. *I wouldn't hurt >>>one of Roland's friends!* Then she looks at Roland, a bit confused. >>>*Not that I ever thought _Nimrod_ would ever count there. Roland?* >> >> /No, just cop a 'tude with 'em,/ Mike mutters over the Lens >>Link. > > /Michael!/ Roland sends, surprised. Mike blinks, /What? Hey, I tried to apologize and she gave me a dirty look! She's all like 'Oh? An' jus' who the hell are you?' / Michael Seven pauses, eyes glancing between Roland and Rachel. The side of his mouth twitchs slightly as the coin finally drops. Mentally, he winces. /Damn. Sorry, shouldn'ta said anything, and behind her back like that was rude./ Mike glances at Morgan, /You may 'paff' when ready./ >> > /No; from what I figure, folx who 'attack' the dome are the ones >who get blasted. And that's where our strategy comes in./ Roland >'opens' his sendings. */Dhyrclhanc, Thor, Morgan and I should be able >to open a hole in that thing. The rest of my team, and any others >qualified to do so, will go through the opening while invis-/* Roland >looks at the 'Big Guy,' and gets the traditional 'bad feeling...' >"Oh, no, not again..." Roland says, heart sinking, as Dhyrclhanc and >his entire entourage vanish. [Wha-oh.] Michael thinks, frowning, [At least it wasn't some big worm diving out of a spacial/temporal rift this time. Good luck, Big Guy, wherever you're headed.] ================================= Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 05:45:26 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans pt. I&II On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 08:16:39 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006815 >On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 21:28:44 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006812 > >>On Fri, 02 Apr 1999 08:13:46 -0500 >>Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006794 > >>Legion relaxes as the current problem seems to be under control. She >>focuses on the dome, a faint frown on her lips. */That dome is >>powerful... but it's also incredibly... crude. Messy. Just being >>this close to it is giving us a migraine./* Faint hints of nth >>dimensional topology and microcosmic/macrocosmic power structures >>echo behind her words as she puzzles over the dome. > > Roland chuckles. */That sounds like Whirlwind, all right. Even >with the powers of a god, he's _still_ second-rate./* Roland's >chuckles fade. /Legion, just _how_ badly is that effect getting to >you?/ /I can handle the effects for now... though when we're done I'll need to.. tidy up the area./ Legion looks thoughtful. >>Meanwhile, Mischief has appeared over by Shadowcat. She's mewing >>adorably, doing her best 'I'm cute, pet me!' routine. > > Kitty never had a chance. With a cute, anime heroine 'eep! aw...' >sound, she bends down and starts scritching Mischief with practiced >skill. Mischief purrs estatically, her eyelids half closing. > Wolverine sighs. Heavily. As does the teeny, tiny dragon who >alights on Kitty's shoulder... Legion smiles at the scene. "The kitten's name is Mischief. She's mine. Though I try to keep her out of battles, she keeps showing up anyway. I'm afraid someone will step on her someday." Members of the CAoL might notice that Mischief has not show wings or special powers since arriving here... interesting. >On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:36:14 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 > > "I'd have to say power," the Captain responds slowly. "He summoned >a man who can channel water against a hero sheathed in flame and a >being who can interface with any technology against a man in powered >armor. Hercules was clearly chosen purely for strength, but against >Thor, there are only so many options." The Living Legend ponders for >a moment. "And while I believe skill is far _more_ important than >strength, strength counts for something, and Whirlwind certainly took >skill into account. Techno certainly wasn't the most powerful choice, >but among technologically-oriented humans, there aren't many smarter. >Fortunately, Iron Man was up to the challenge." The Armored Avenger >salutes jauntily at Cap. Legion nods thoughtfully, /Roland... I should go along... with any luck, Whirlwind will confront me with my own doppleganger, which is easily handled./ > *It would appear,* Captain America explains, *that Whirlwind is >limited to summoning beings he knows of. But you have a good point, >all the same.* Legion just looks over at Roland. > Thor, Rachel, Morgan, (presumably) Raver, and anyone else from the >CAoL joining in stand ready. Everyone else pulls back, Franklin and >Wanda (the Scarlet Witch) joining forces to shield the other heroes. Legion stands ready, and Mischief gives Kitty a goodbye lick on the nose, before running over to Legion. Legion picks up the kitten, and sets her on a shoulder, where the little claws dig into a shoulderpad. [OOC: Holding off for now... but I'm figuring Whirlwind will miscalculate and send Victoria Haakin vs Legion, and completely ignore Mischief. GM, I am waiting for your comment... feel free to take it to the Green Room or private email if you don't want to post here.] ================================= Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 09:45:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans, pt. II On Tue, 06 Apr 99 04:10:46 PDT Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006816 >On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:36:14 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 > > */"NOW!"/* > Legendary Mjolnir spins to a blur in Thor's hand, divine power >crackling around it. Magic blazes around Morgan, the ability to mold >reality itself coursing forward. The Phoenix Force, primal and alive, >flows around Rachel, though she is wary not to draw _too_ much on it. >Roland shifts from Blaze to Defender, and with a single cry of >defiance his vast energy powers shoot forward, turning the shield's >power in on itself. > (insert Raver's effect here) Driss steps up to the line, slipping a ring from his cloak onto his finger and firing lightning at the dome to help out. > (Default: Raver is slashed at by a screeching Sauron, unless >there's someone else from the Marvel U. that you want a crack at. >Have fun. ;^) Driss attempts to sneak in again, and is quickly intercepted by someone in a yellow and purple harlequin costume with a big floppy hat and a strange looking gun. "Ah, you came back to dance the tango yet one more time?" Driss snarls and then grins at Madcap. "Yeh, but this time I'm going to be prepared and look cool to boot." slipping a hand into his cloak, he pulls out a pair of mirrored gargoyle sunglasses and slips them onto his face with a flick of his wrist. Then, assuming a combat stance, he lowers his right hand and fires out a lightning bolt, hitting Madcap in the gut. Madcap staggers back a couple of steps and then giggles as he feels around in the large hole that's now in his torso. "Ah life is such a circle. I got my powers from trying to stay holy, and now here I am holy again! hehehe" Madcap does a flip and lands a bone crunching kick to Driss's jaw, and then fires his pistol at Driss, filling the air with bubbles. Driss flips back onto his feet and snatches the gun out of Madcap's hand. "gmme at oo mn dot" He tosses the pistol on the ground and then crushes it under one of his boots. Madcap gives out a cry, "Hey!! That was mine! That cost me a buck 58 at walmart! You knowhow hard it is for me to buy one of those? This costume doesn't have any pockets!" He throws a puch at Driss, who catches the arm and strikes the captured limb repeatedly, shattering it in several places. Madcap pulls free, stretches out his arm with several popping noises and wiggles the fingers. "A most dis-arming style you have there. But don't you know you can't hurt me? The best have tried." Driss rummages around inside his cloak a moment, pulling out his rapier, but caught there in the swept hilt is his Sigil. Looking at the sigil a moment, he then tucks it in his belt and turns his attention back to Madcap. Madcap rushes at him and Driss steps aside, slicing off Madca's right arm and leg. Madcap falls down with a giggle. "You're a real cutup. I really have to hand it to you." Madcap snatches up his fallen arm and throws it at Driss, slapping him in the face. As Driss recovered, Madcap grabs his leg and presses it back in place, flexing his toes. Jumping to his feet, Madcap's eyes begin to glow. "I already gave you a faceful, so I guess now it's time to give you an eyefull." Madcap makes a lunge to snatch Driss's glasses off but Driss dodges backwards. /Testing, testing is this thing on? Hey Roland, I have an idea. If these opponents were each picked to beat a particular opponent, why not do a bit of swtiching up? I don't have anything to caontain Madcap in and I think his regeneration may even be faster than mine so I can't slug it out with him./ ================================= Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 22:36:55 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans pt. I On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 01:04:48 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00006817 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006812 > Roland frowns slightly. */I don't like risking anyone, Aurora./* > *It's the nature of the business, son,* Captian America reminds >him softly, using the link provided (by Roland, if no one else). >*It's her call.* > > */I know, sir,/* Roland sighs. */But there's nothing in the rules >that says I have to like it. Aurora, remember, while the rest of us >may not be as powerful as you-the rest of us _together_ may not be as >powerful as you-/* Roland fingers the CAoL sigil. */-but these work >both ways. I have faith in you./* */I have no intention of letting you down. As for being as powerful as I; any one of you who carry that sigil could be more powerful than Cerberus. At least for a short time. It might kill some of you though, and if one of you drew that much power, whatever you were fighting would not survive The Stardragon's arrival./* She answers smiling. */You may recall, it is no longer limited to the state of an eternal child. What would show up would be the full adult power of The Stardragon. Of all the beings I know of, only the Beyonder could match it for power, and it would be angry./* (OOC: IIRC the Beyonder had the power of an entire multiverse. He was too powerful for Eternity, who is this universe incarnate, to take. The Adult Stardragon would weigh in somewhere on the high end between Eternity and the Beyonder. "Right now" with the "curse" removed, The Stardragon would be a good match for Eternity. But then time is The Stardragon and so "right now" doesn't have any more meaning to it than it wants it to.) ================================= Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 22:37:06 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 22:26:28 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006818 >On Tue, 6 Apr 1999 02:35:37 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006814 > > Michael Seven pauses, eyes glancing between Roland and Rachel. >The side of his mouth twitchs slightly as the coin finally drops. >Mentally, he winces. > /Damn. Sorry, shouldn'ta said anything, and behind her back like >that was rude./ Mike glances at Morgan, /You may 'paff' when ready./ Morgan smiles mischievously as her ring glows. A small hanky pops into existence over Mike's head, and floats lazily down. If examined, it says 'politeness hanky' in small cursive. Roland's mouth quirks into almost a smile. /Don't sweat it, Mike. Ray's wonderful, but she wasn't exactly raised by 'Miss Manners.' Nass, the guy who ran the slave-camps in her era actually called/will call himself 'Ahab.'/ >On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 08:16:39 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006815 > >>On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 21:28:44 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006812 >> >> Roland chuckles. */That sounds like Whirlwind, all right. Even >>with the powers of a god, he's _still_ second-rate./* Roland's >>chuckles fade. /Legion, just _how_ badly is that effect getting to >>you?/ > >/I can handle the effects for now... though when we're done I'll need >to.. tidy up the area./ Legion looks thoughtful. Roland nods while deep in thought. /Your call, Legion./ >> Wolverine sighs. Heavily. As does the teeny, tiny dragon who >>alights on Kitty's shoulder... > >Legion smiles at the scene. "The kitten's name is Mischief. She's >mine. Though I try to keep her out of battles, she keeps showing up >anyway. I'm afraid someone will step on her someday." "You mean you're hers, don't you?" Shadowcat chuckles, giving Lockheed (the teeny tiny dragon on her shoulder) a scritch on the crest for good measure. "Usually somewhere in between, isn't it?" Wildcat (the other feline-oriented heroine) comments. >Members of the CAoL might notice that Mischief has not show wings or >special powers since arriving here... interesting. Roland makes a mental note of it, setting aside a thought track to her defense should it become necessary. >Legion nods thoughtfully, /Roland... I should go along... with any >luck, Whirlwind will confront me with my own doppleganger, which is >easily handled./ /Agreed wholeheartedly, though the idea is that the infiltration team gets in unnoticed. I suspect your power...and more importantly, your skill with it...will be vital,/ Roland replies. >[OOC: Holding off for now... but I'm figuring Whirlwind will >miscalculate and send Victoria Haakin vs Legion, and completely >ignore Mischief. GM, I am waiting for your comment... feel free to >take it to the Green Room or private email if you don't want to post >here.] (OOC: Well, as I said IC, the idea is that Whirlie isn't supposed to notice the infiltration team. OTOH, she could help open the gate, causing her doppelganger to be 'summoned,' then deal with that, cloak, and go in before the gate closes.) >On Tue, 06 Apr 99 04:10:46 PDT >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006816 > > Driss attempts to sneak in again, and is quickly intercepted by >someone in a yellow and purple harlequin costume with a big floppy >hat and a strange looking gun. > "Ah, you came back to dance the tango yet one more time?" > Driss snarls and then grins at Madcap. "Yeh, but this time I'm going >to be prepared and look cool to boot." slipping a hand into his >cloak, he pulls out a pair of mirrored gargoyle sunglasses and slips >them onto his face with a flick of his wrist. > /Testing, testing is this thing on? Hey Roland, I have an idea. If >these opponents were each picked to beat a particular opponent, why >not do a bit of swtiching up? I don't have anything to caontain >Madcap in and I think his regeneration may even be faster than mine >so I can't slug it out with him./ /Good idea. *Cap? Are combatants 'allowed' to mix 'n match?*/ Roland sends, desperately dodging Thanos' Power Cosmic. *Yes! But once a person's opponent is defeated, that person must retreat; if they aid anyone else, a new enemy appears,* Captain America replies. *Holy Moley,* 'our' Cap (Marvel) sends. *What a mess.* He looks at the gate...then his face tightens up. "Enough standing around. SHAZAM!" A lightning bolt strikes the World's Mightiest Mortal...and he vanishes! The infiltration team just had one young boy added to its ranks-a stealthy 12-year-old named Billy Batson. 8^) Once he sneaks inside the invisibility field, those passing through the portal notice him. */-sigh-Just another day with the CAoL. Hey, Thor, trade off!/* "Odd's Blood!" Thor, surprised, looks over at Roland, just holding his own against the silent, homicidal Herald. "Art thou certain, Defender? Thy friend's opponent is a...clown! I face a Herald of Galactus!" "Trust me!" Defender replies, firing a bolt of lightning at Thanos. The Death-worshipping Eternal looks down at the strike point, amused. [oboy.] Thor shrugs, says, "As thou sayest," and creates a whirlwind that obscures Morg. *Now, Son of the Phoenix?* */Now, Thor, you open a gate to Asgard for Madcap. Send him to meet your stepbrother./* Roland grins diabolically. */If any two people deserve each other...as for you, Driss, Morg's insanely powerful, and he's _really_ good with that axe, but he's not particularly bright. His idea of tactics is 'look for someone to chop, then start chopping.' I'm sure you can think of something to do with a guy like that-"GUH!"/* Thanos connected... GM stuff: Okey-doke. Folx who want a piece of someone Marvel-related have their stuff going on outside the dome. Inside the dome, the first thing the stealth team encounters (besides Juggernaut and the Hulk, but they don't notice you) is a ring of pressure-sensitive ground a few yards in, surrounding the castle like a high-tech moat. The only area it doesn't cover is the road, but Juggs and Hulk take up most of the room on that, and you probably _don't_ want to call attention to yourselves by bumping into one of _them._ 8^) ================================= Date: Tue, 6 Apr 1999 22:37:15 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans, pt. II On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 01:30:30 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00006819 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 > A blast as powerful as any Roland has ever felt sends him flying. >He lands, dazed, shaking his head clear. He looks up....WAY up...at >the blue-and-gold clad villain with the purple, craggy-jawed face... > ...Thanos. > "I must admit, stripling, I am impressed by your daring," the >Death-worshipper says softly. "But now your daring ends." The Power >Cosmic courses around one out-stretched fist. > "oooboy," Roland gulps... Aurora seems to vanish (OOC: she's still there, but in six space), but as she does so, each of the "good guys" under attack, feel their powers magnified and strengthened. (OOC: magically enhanced by 10 times) thenthe world rings to her laughter (OOC: the kind that enhances good and debilitates evil with a special exemption for Raver built in). *"Is that the best you can do, Whirlwind? I was led to expect more from you"* she says. Then from the gathering storm, the grand-daddy of all lightning bolt spears down to strike Thanos, with enough energy to ignite a star. (OOC: I don't expect it to kill him, or even to hurt him much, but it should give Roland enough of a breather to collect himself.) Then her laughter rings out again, and goes on and on. ================================= Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 09:20:47 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 08:24:59 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006820 (In the narrative, I haven't arrived yet, but if I don't get in soon, it'll be a bad choice of timing - so I'm going to show up prior to the infiltration.Unless somebody gives me something of an idea to work from, assume appropriate special effects, briefing, etcetera.) >On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 22:26:28 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006818 > > GM stuff: Okey-doke. Folx who want a piece of someone Marvel- >related have their stuff going on outside the dome. Inside the dome, >the first thing the stealth team encounters (besides Juggernaut and >the Hulk, but they don't notice you) "Analogues of Crimson and Jade from my home dimension, from the looks of it," Rob mumbles. >is a ring of pressure-sensitive ground a few yards in, surrounding >the castle like a high-tech moat. The only area it doesn't cover is >the road, but Juggs and Hulk take up most of the room on that, and >you probably _don't_ want to call attention to yourselves by bumping >into one of _them._ 8^) "Nice design. But somebody named Whirlwind probably can fly, so there ought to be more to this." Pulling an oddly-shaped chunk of metal from his pocket, Rob turns it around until a discolored section shows up. Pressing it with both thumbs causes the metal to turn silver, and flow over him. The FX aren't as good as the T-1000 from Terminator 2 had, but the result is a silver spacesuit. It has no visor, but apparently Rob can see just fine. "Overlay thermographic." Scanning the area carefully, Rob looks for signs of the air defense... The chunk of metal is a concept stolen from SJ Games. It's called a "sprocket," and can be compacted back into the original form. While in expanded form, it is a spacesuit with flight capacities, as well as heat sensors, radar, and lidar. All on a full-color HUD projected inside the suit. Rob's passing on the radar and lidar because they could draw attention, and that's the last thing the stealth team wants. Incidentally, stealing it is relatively pointless - it's attuned to Rob, and it would take several hours of trial and error just to work out how to expand the suit. Not that it hasn't been tried sometime in Rob's past. Just that it gave the poor soul a major headache. Especially when trying to work out how to take it off became a problem... ================================= Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 12:48:21 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE: Arrival On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 11:50:57 PST Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00006821 >On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 23:42:09 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006813 > > (OOC: This takes place BEFORE 'A Change In Plans pt. II') > As Roland rounds up the troops, he smiles distantly. ^As Cmdr. >Pavel Chekhov said, 'Now vould be a goot time.'^ Nemo turns back to the new sucker^H^H^H^H^H^Hmember. "They're waiting for you, step on thru..." As Nemo speaks an elliptical region of space nearby shimmers and becomes a view of the CAoL and their current surroundings. After our new hero steps thru it vanishes. =================================