Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 5 Marvel - chapter 2 Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 13:19:25 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Fw: AAE V: A Change In Plans pt. I On Tue, 06 Apr 99 16:35:01 PDT Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006822 Ok, for some reason this doesn't seem to have gone out the first time. Take two. >On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 21:28:44 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006812 > >>On Fri, 02 Apr 99 04:58:50 PST >>Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006795 > >> "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. "Ah, given up the business? It's too bad, you were quite good." Driss remarks with a smirk. >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?* Roscoe looks a bit surprised and takes a quick glance at Driss before answering. *Well Mi'lady, if you can believe it, it's been almost 400 years for Driss and I since those green lands of Scottland, and around 500 since we last saw the lands of Quaren.* ================================= Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 13:19:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans On Wed, 07 Apr 99 05:09:18 PDT Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006823 >On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 22:26:28 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006818 > > */-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!" Cool, this is the one I wanted to trade with anyways. hehehe "clown he may be, but he's fought Captain America, Nomad, She-hulk, Hawkeye, Daredevil, not to mention Power Pack and a young franklin Richards. OK maybe I shouldn't bother mentioning them. But non-the-less he always seems to come back for more." > */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... /Who? Me??/ Driss sends along with a mental picture of a young innocent looking child looking up with big brown eyes. As he trades places with Thor, he slips the Gargoyles from his face and onto Thor's "He'll get you every time if he can get you to look in his eyes." Driss tries to make sure he's in exactly the same spot as Thor as the diversion drops. /Hey is it poetic to use a Whirlwind in a plan to beat Whirlwind or what?/ As the wind drops, Morg is momentarially confused as the Muscle strewn hammer-weilding opponent has been replaced by a lean Rapier-weilding one. But any distraction is momentary as he chops the Axe down at Driss. Driss easilly parries, but then twists his blade to trap the half of the axe between his blade and quillion. "Hmm tough axe you have there if it wasn't cut in two when my rapier hit it." Morg doesn't answer, but instead raises the axe again, lifting Driss off the ground. Driss flips himself up, releaseing his hold on the axe, and lands with all the force he can muster on top of Morg's head. Using the head as a springboard, Driss leaps off again, landing behind Morg. Morg whirls around, surprisingly quickly for his size, and Driss barely has enough time to leap out of the way of a blast of force. "OK, ugly, let's see how you like this. then." Reaching into his cloak, Driss produces what look to be three large rubber balls. Tossing then at Morg's feet, a different colored gas spews out of each, mixing in the air around Morg. Morg ignores the smoke, swinging his axe at Driss, who Lithfully keeps dodging circles around Morg. Soon, due to Morg's churning up the air around him, the smokes have all blended together into a dull brown haze hanging around Morg. Driss gives a big smirk, and leaps as far backwards as far as he can. Morg looks confused for a moment, but doesn't have enough time to react before Driss aims his ring at Morg and fires. A bolt of lighting, larger than normal due to Aurora's magical aid, lashes out at Morg. As it hits him, the electrical psark also catches the trinary chemical compound in the air around him, and Morg finds himself in the direct center of a massive explosion. ================================= Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 20:18:20 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans pt. I On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 22:11:47 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006824 In a message dated 99-04-06 05:32:34 EDT, you write: >> /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. Roger opens his mouth -- and shuts it again. Quickly. As his lips thin, there is a faint sound in the background of the general link -- a zipper closing. ================================= Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 20:18:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans, pt. II On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 22:11:45 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006825 In a message dated 99-04-06 02:31:09 EDT, you write: >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. "Like that's MY fault?" Roger inquires just a bit archly. > "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.* "It's good to see you again, Rachel," Roger says with just a hint of obviously mock flirtation. "I can now say that I really *do* understand your situation.What say, when this is all over, we dump the Old Folks-" he flashes an absolutely blinding grin at the Old Folx in question "-and go out for, oh, dinner, a movie, a long moonlight flight through the Rings. We can commiserate and drown our mutual sorrows." He leans toward Rachel on an elbow set on empty air, waggling his eyebrows outrageously in pefect Groucho-Marx style. OOC: Ooops. Are this Franklin and this Rachel involved? And for that matter, what's Rachel wearing now? Her old red spiked leather, or the red&gold "Not-Dark Phoenix" outfit from near the end of her term with Excalibur? /OOC > */'Cut the chatter, Red Two,'/* Roland sends as light-heartedly as >possible given the circumstances. Then he grows serious. */Ready, >team?/* ^Red Two? Dad, that's Baaaad.^ Roger sends. ^Normally, I'd go with the stealth team, but....I don't seem to be up to my usual standards. Unless you've got an assignment for me, I'll stay out here and play backup.^ ================================= Date: Wed, 7 Apr 1999 23:41:41 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAEV: Change In Plans 2 On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 00:14:10 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006826 >On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:36:14 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 > >>On Sun, 4 Apr 1999 04:35:29 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006802 > >> 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?" Michael Seven nods as he continues assembling, sandwiching a lens between a couple metal rings and fitting those onto the barrel of the gun. "I know a bit about him. Never actually met him, though." /In case any Trek fans are wondering, this little replicator I've been using to make parts has a small memory, so the best way to make the most of it is to scan in common components and stuff and build things on-site as the need arises. It's also got a CAD program for specially shaped parts. Tink, the little genius, made it for me on the trip down to the Place. Great little device. Probably never stop finding new uses for it./ Tink blushes faintly. Mike glances up at the storm. "Hmmm. With Storm here, that worries me faintly." As other conversations continue, Mike finishes completion on his 'gun' and begins fitting together another, less complex, weapon, then hands it to Tink and constructs an identical weapon of what he gave her, only slightly larger for himself. > 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?/* Mike sends as he and Tink get up. */When do we eat? Oh, right, relevant questions, gotcha. None here./* ^#Stay close to me Tinkerbell.#^ Mike sends directly to Tink's Borg neural implants. ^#You remember how we fought in Morgan's backyard? This is just like that. Only with guns, not swords.#^ ^#Okay, Grumpa. But this time they'll send someone good, right?#^ ^#Well, it isn't hard to be better than those guys. But, if they're doing direct countering power matchs, they'll probably send someone high tech for us.#^ > */'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. Pressing a button on the large gun, three legs drop down to form a tripod. Mike then takes aim. Tink standing just to the side and in front of Mike. > */"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. Mike fires a steady beam on the dome, the gun designed to specifically affect the dome and punch a hole into it. Adjusting a few dials to fine-tune the effect, Mike watchs a small monitor on the side. > Slowly, torturously, the shield begins to give way. The heroes' >powers warp the dome slowly at first, then with increasing speed, >then- As the shield begins to buckle, Michael gradually adjusts the beam which seems to widen then split into four smaller beams and spread outward uniformly like four lines drawn on a cone, the energy effect of which is like four hands stretching out dough, making the center thinner and weaker until it tears. > -an opening! Tink smiles gleefully, seeing something she helped build work like it was supposed to. Michael can't help but grin. > */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. Michael Seven frowns as the gate wavers, the energy beginning to feed back on the device helping to hold the hole open. He moves a slider pot, increasing the power output, but the effect doesn't last. The beam shuts off as fuses snap open and the smell of burnt electronics blends with the smell of the approaching storm. But Michael and Tinkerbell are too busy to make repairs. The ground shudders and a deep mechanical voice high above and behind them delivers a familiar ultimatum... "SURRENDER MUTANTS!" Michael and Tink turn to look up at the 60' form of a purple form of a Sentinal. /Oh boy.../ Mike thinks, then says, "We're not mutants." and he and Tink fire at the head of the giant robot. The energy beams each hit an eye socket which explode, then there's a chain of explosions and the whole head explodes, parts raining down on them. Mike and Tink take cover under a pair of circular yellow forceshields generated by a ring of emitters on the barrel of their rifle-like weapons. "That shouldn't have happened," Mike says, as Tink nods her agreement. "No, it shouldn't!" an annoyed voice says from atop the Sentinal. A large two-dimensional square holographic image appears where the head used to be. Big teeth grin down from a pale yellow Jabba the Hutt-like face, then the camera zooms out to reveal an equally repulsive body atop a mechanical scorpion. "And when I get done here, I'm going to write and complain to the manufacturer!" "Mojo, I presume..." Mike says. "Do you know of anyone -else- this handsome?" Mojo-Sentinal retorts, "Ah, the X-men! The Avengers! And a band of interdimensional travellers team up together for the biggest rumble in the galaxy! Live! In MOJOVISION! The ratings are gonna go through the ROOF! Unfortunately, your cast reads like a russian novel... I'm afraid we're going to have to cancel a few contracts. Starting with yours." Mojo-Sentinal raises a hand and fires an energy beam from the palm. Michael grabs Tink and leaps nearly twenty feet out of the way, the little girl firing at the robot the whole time. Dodging several blasts, Mike and Tink run between the Sentinal's legs and around it's feet, Mike's cybernetic legs propelling him at about thirty miles an hour, making rather difficult targets even for the now stomping Sentinal. "C'mon, hold still! Jeez!" Mojo says, looking frustrated. ================================= Date: Thu, 8 Apr 1999 00:15:31 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans On Wed, 07 Apr 1999 22:48:03 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006827 >On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 22:26:28 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006818 *snip* >>/We can handle the effects for now... though when we're done we'll >>need to.. tidy up the area./ Legion looks thoughtful. > > Roland nods while deep in thought. /Your call, Legion./ Legion smiles /Count me in. We'll say something if it get too bad./ >>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. Legion smiles, "Perhaps it's just best to say that we belong to each other." > *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. Legion gives Billy a smile, most of her attention on hiding the subtler signs of their presence. ================================= Date: Thu, 8 Apr 1999 17:15:02 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 20:03:25 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006828 In a message dated 99-04-07 01:38:31 EDT, you write: > */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.... ^DAD!^ Roger blazes across the link. ^Bait & Switch!^ Followed by a belated {} explanatory burst as he recalls their circumstances. OOC: Assuming Roland doesn't object to a momentary breather: As Thanos' next blast surges towards Roland, there is a sudden flicker almost too quick for the mortal eye to perceive, and father and son have switched places via something that looks boths like teleportation and Legion's "weaving" ability. This puts Roland in a flanking position on Thanos as Roger pins his attention and takes the hit -- a hit calibrated for *Roland,* not Roger. With a grim smile, the younger immortal grabs the incoming energy and performs a vector-steer on it, diverting most of the energy back towards its source (albeit in a loose, unfocussed spread). The remainder pins his hair back in an effect reminiscent of Daffy Duck after the dynamite. "Oof! Hey, TanHose, is *that* all you got?" [Geez, that HURT! I think I sprained my brain.] "Y'know, compared to Galactus, you're a real pantyWHOA!" Thanos, who doesn't miss a trick, sends his reply straight into Roger's face, with enough English on it to prevent any cute vector tricks. Roger Duplicates to either side of the blast, picking up a mild sunburn on opposing cheeks from the near miss. And in the single heartbeat that Thanos is focussed on Roger, Roland attacks from his blind side into the opening. ^Yeah, Dad! Phoenix&Son Superheroics -- No Baddie Too Big, No Crisis Too Small. I keep telling you, we should take out an ad--^ WWWWWHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMM An energy pulse that doesn't look too shabby even compared to Thanos's with almost no warning, even from his hyper-acute energistic sense. As it is, his shields buckle under the load and only the sacrifice of the left side of his nanarmor jacket save him from a severe injury. ^Uhhh....Dad? I think you may be on your own for this one...^ [Nass. Whirwind's supposed to be a dope, but he's too perceptive by half. Must have noticed similarities between me and Dad, and decided on an equivalent response] Hovering above Roger, hands and eyes glowing with Power Cosmic, is the silver-clad figure of the man once known as Norrin Rad.... The Silver Surfer. [This...is bad.] OOC: From this point out, Roger and Rad (Radd? It's been a while) will duke it out straight regardless of Roland's choice on the Bait&Switch offer. Also, if anyone puts out a call for backup, they can probably count on a Roger Duplicate...although he'll likely be stretching himself a bit thin under the circumstances..... ================================= Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 11:39:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAEV: Change In Plans 2 On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 13:09:16 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006829 >On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 00:14:10 -0500 > I Said :) As CAoL Message # 00006826 > Mojo-Sentinal raises a hand and fires an energy beam from the >palm. Michael grabs Tink and leaps nearly twenty feet out of the way, >the little girl firing at the robot the whole time. Dodging several >blasts, Mike and Tink run between the Sentinal's legs and around it's >feet, Mike's cybernetic legs propelling him at about thirty miles an >hour, making rather difficult targets even for the now stomping >Sentinal. > "C'mon, hold still! Jeez!" Mojo says, looking frustrated. "Riiiiiiight," Mike said, sweeping up the damaged forcefield hole-puncher. As Mike bobbed, weaved and fired his personal energy weapon, Tink started making repairs/modifications on the gun. Mike passed around behind a large chunk of Sentinal faceplate and when he emerged, Tink wasn't with him. Mike fired his and Tink's energy weapons as he moved behind another large chunk of Sentinal. Unfortunately, even with both energy weapons, he wasn't doing much more than scratching the paintjob. Mojo said, "Hey! I gotta take this thing back, ya know! I can't have the finish marred! Ack!" This last in response to twin shots at the yellow blob's holographic face. "Madeja flinch!" Mike called. "Ha ha, very funny," Mojo retorted peevishly. Suddenly, a huge hole ripped through Mojo's Sentinal's chest, blasting out the back as Tink fired the forcefield hole-puncher, now modified for Sentinal hole-punching, from where Mike had set her down. "Laugh that off," Mike replied just before the holoimage of an infuriated Mojo flickered off. The puppet's strings cut, and with no brain if it's own to kick in, the Sentinal crumpled to the ground in a smoldering heap of electronics. Mike leapt over to Tink, the pair scavenging for more parts to upgrade their personal weapons. */Anyone need assistance?/* Mike called. */Mojo's show got cancelled./* ================================= Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:37:27 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: Things Usually Get Worse... On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:00:53 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006830 Before all nass breaks loose... David Cannon (aka Whirlwind) watched with amusement as the newcomers conferred with the local heroes. "Look at 'em. _Look_ at 'em. They don't know whether they're comin' or goin.' Hey, Storm." Storm, present leader of the X-Men, now one of Whirlwind's council, looked impassively at the image Whirlwind created. "Yes, mighty Whirlwind?" Cannon smiled. "Which ones do you think we'll take?" Storm looked at the screen calmly. "The boy who now calls himself 'Defender' is brave and clever, but he is no match for Thanos." "I wouldn't be too sure of that," Janet Van Dyne (aka the Wasp) said, craning her head as much as she could, given that the rest of her body was frozen in place on a small column. "If the big-deal Cosmic Cube matched them against each other, then he's at least got a chance." "Jan, Jan, _Jan_... when you get right down to it, who fights who doesn't really matter. The only two people out there I'm worried about are the Richards brat and 'Miz Scarlett.' The rest of 'em...it's just the UCWF, with yours truly as MC." Whirlwind leaned back into his 'throne' and smiled; the Wrecking Crew and the Brotherhood watched the fight with savage glee as his dominated minions either stood guard and/or looked decorative, depending on gender and powers. "And Phoenix," Storm warned. "If she calls on the full might of the Phoenix Force, she will show your 'Unlimited Class Wrestling Federation' the true meaning of 'unlimited.'" "Aw, come on, Storm. I mean, they can make all the noise they want, but when you get right down to it-huh?" Whirlwind blinked as... >On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 01:30:30 EDT >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00006819 > >> Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 >> ...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) then the 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. Whirlwind kittens a swig of brew, and stares at the screen. "Ho-lee..." "Geez, Cannon," Wrecker says, "what are ya gonna send against THAT?" "Watch," Whirlwind snarls, and vanishes. Outside... Thanos blinks, momentarily blinded. (OOC: He's immune to electricity.) Roland's eyes go wide. "/Aurora, NO!" For Light's sake-/ "YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?!" a voice roars from everywhere. The air itself seems to be speaking. "YOU GOT IT, HORNHEAD!" The mother of all tornadoes rises from the dome's apex, and a fifty-foot tall Whirlwind emerges from the top. >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 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006818 >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... (OOC: Good call. 8^) Approximately ten feet above the ground is a 'laser barrier' style motion detector, parallel to the ground, except it's a flat field; anything larger than an atom passing through it will be detected. There's a similar field perpendicular to it about a hundred feet in, but only extends from the first field up. >On Wed, 07 Apr 99 05:09:18 PDT >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006823 > >> On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 22:26:28 -0700 >> Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006818 >> */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 >/Who? Me??/ Driss sends along with a mental picture of a young >innocent looking child looking up with big brown eyes. > As he trades places with Thor, he slips the Gargoyles from his face >and onto Thor's "He'll get you every time if he can get you to look >in his eyes." You're pretty sure Thor blinks at you from behind the shades...but then he nods. "Aye, I believe I doth remember such a thing from the Avengers files..." It ought to be illegal for anyone to look that good in shades. Anyway, he turns to face the madcap...um, Madcap...and twirls his hammer. "Lo, varlet!" > Soon, due to Morg's churning up the air around him, the smokes have >all blended together into a dull brown haze hanging around Morg. >Driss gives a big smirk, and leaps as far backwards as far as he can. >Morg looks confused for a moment, but doesn't have enough time to >react before Driss aims his ring at Morg and fires. > A bolt of lighting, larger than normal due to Aurora's magical aid, >lashes out at Morg. As it hits him, the electrical psark also catches >the trinary chemical compound in the air around him, and Morg finds >himself in the direct center of a massive explosion. It's almost comical, the look on Morg's blackened face...he looks like a 'toon who got caught on the wrong end of a 'Duck Season' skit. Finally, he speaks. "You...are insane. And I would know." His eyes glow with unearthly light, the Cosmic Awareness filling him, and he leaps at Driss, preparing to go where Driss is going to be, rather than where he is... (OOC: Hey, Driss, that relationship with Chaos might do your character some good for once! 8^) >On Wed, 7 Apr 1999 22:11:45 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006825 > >In a message dated 99-04-06 02:31:09 EDT, you write: >>"Our son over there hasn't been _born_ yet," Morgan adds, pointing >>at Roger. > >"Like that's MY fault?" Roger inquires just a bit archly. Morgan just smiles... >"It's good to see you again, Rachel," Roger says with just a hint of >obviously mock flirtation. "I can now say that I really *do* >understand your situation. What say, when this is all over, we dump >the Old Folks-" he flashes an absolutely blinding grin at the Old >Folx in question "-and go out for, oh, dinner, a movie, a long >moonlight flight through the Rings. We can commiserate and drown our >mutual sorrows." He leans toward Rachel on an elbow set on empty air, >waggling his eyebrows outrageously in pefect Groucho-Marx style. Rachel blinks at Roger. Then laughs. "Oh, Eternal. He is _so_ your son, Roland-he's got your 'Cary-Grant-meets-Robin-Williams' bit down pat. This explains a lot. Like why I never meet your parents, Roger." Rachel actually chuckles as she shakes her head. "Didn't want the 'Old Folx' knowing you were chasing one of your father's old flames?" The Phoenix Force flickers around her as the last line leaves her lips. "But I'm afraid you're a little late, which is bizarre, considering that, in my timeline, this is the first time we've met." She extends one hand in the manner of proud, engaged women everywhere...displaying an absolutely _stunning_ gold signet ring with a '4' inscribed in it with pieces of diamond. If that's enough of a clue for Roger to turn and look, he sees Franklin watching, still amused-for the moment-though his arms are folded. >OOC: Ooops. Are this Franklin and this Rachel involved? And for that >matter, what's Rachel wearing now? Her old red spiked leather, or the >red&gold "Not-Dark Phoenix" outfit from near the end of her term with >Excalibur? /OOC (OOC: Yes, they are, and she's wearing the 'pseudo-Phoenix' outfit from circa X-Men 200. Basically a red skintight with the golden Phoenix-symbol radiating out from it through the entire uniform.) >> */'Cut the chatter, Red Two,'/* Roland sends as light-heartedly >>as possible given the circumstances. Then he grows serious. */Ready, >>team?/* > >^Red Two? Dad, that's Baaaad.^ Roger sends. ^Normally, I'd go with >the stealth team, but....I don't seem to be up to my usual standards. >Unless you've got an assignment for me, I'll stay out here and play >backup.^ Roland immediately shows concern. ^There really isn't much good in 'backup' duty, given the 'rules' we're laboring under...are you okay?^ TBC in the following post ================================= Date: Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:37:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:08:12 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006831 Continued from an earlier post... >On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 00:14:10 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006826 > >>On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:36:14 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 >> A storm begins to build overhead. "Hey, bub," Wolvie asks, >>looking over at the Borged ex-Time Lord, "you know a guy named >>Forge?" > > Michael Seven nods as he continues assembling, sandwiching a >lens between a couple metal rings and fitting those onto the barrel >of the gun. > "I know a bit about him. Never actually met him, though." > Mike glances up at the storm. "Hmmm. With Storm here, that >worries me faintly." As other conversations continue, Mike finishes >completion on his 'gun' and begins fitting together another, less >complex, weapon, then hands it to Tink and constructs an identical >weapon of what he gave her, only slightly larger for himself. /It should. Forge is her ex,/ Roland sends evenly. > Tink smiles gleefully, seeing something she helped build work >like it was supposed to. Michael can't help but grin. /You GO, girl!/ Roland sends encouragingly. > But Michael and Tinkerbell are too busy to make repairs. > The ground shudders and a deep mechanical voice high above and >behind them delivers a familiar ultimatum... > "SURRENDER MUTANTS!" /Oh, Light, not NOW!/ Roland sends in between dodges. > "Mojo, I presume..." Mike says. > "Do you know of anyone -else- this handsome?" Mojo-Sentinal >retorts, "Ah, the X-men! The Avengers! And a band of interdimensional >travellers team up together for the biggest rumble in the galaxy! >Live! In MOJOVISION! The ratings are gonna go through the ROOF! >Unfortunately, your cast reads like a russian novel... I'm afraid >we're going to have to cancel a few contracts. Starting with yours." "You don't _remember_ me, fat boy?" Roland snarls. "I'm hurt. Cut to the quick, even. And I brought you such good ratings, too. 'Course, I also trashed your studio, but you can't have everything..." Defender reminds him, hoping Mojo will get distracted. (Which he probably will, but with Mojo's nanosecond attention span it probably won't stick 8^) >On Wed, 07 Apr 1999 22:48:03 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006827 > >>On Tue, 06 Apr 1999 22:26:28 -0700 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006818 >> 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. > >Legion gives Billy a smile, most of her attention on hiding the >subtler signs of their presence. It's almost ridiculous, how easy it is...blunting his more direct effects would be much more difficult, but he's using a katana like an axe, so to speak. Legion easily disguises their presence from his 'reality check.' 8^) >On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 20:03:25 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006828 > >In a message dated 99-04-07 01:38:31 EDT, you write: >>I'm sure you can think of something to do with a guy like that- >>"GUH!"/* >> Thanos connected.... > >^DAD!^ Roger blazes across the link. ^Bait & Switch!^ Followed by a >belated {} explanatory burst as he recalls their circumstances. >OOC: Assuming Roland doesn't object to a momentary breather: /roGEr-nn-/ Roland tries to send, but he's still wondering why the sky is brown... >"Oof! Hey, TanHose, is *that* all you got?" [Geez, that HURT! I think >I sprained my brain.] "Y'know, compared to Galactus, you're a real >pantyWHOA!" Thanos, who doesn't miss a trick, sends his reply >straight into Roger's face, with enough English on it to prevent any >cute vector tricks. Roger Duplicates to either side of the blast, >picking up a mild sunburn on opposing cheeks from the near miss. "Your tricks are clever, boy, but you've just run out of-" Thanos begins. >And in the single heartbeat that Thanos is focussed on Roger, Roland >attacks from his blind side into the opening. "That will be ENOUGH!" Roland roars, and a debris fist the size of a small freight train comes down on Thanos. "That's my SON you're messing with, you Barney-wannabe!" >^Yeah, Dad! Phoenix&Son Superheroics -- No Baddie Too Big, No Crisis >Too Small. I keep telling you, we should take out an ad--^ ^Roger, watch your back! Have you forgotten?! Anyone who interferes in a fight gets-^ >WWWWWHHHHHHHHAAAAAAAAMMMMMMMMMM ^-their own opponent!^ Roland finishes, too late. >An energy pulse that doesn't look too shabby even compared to >Thanos's with almost no warning, even from his hyper-acute energistic >sense. As it is, his shields buckle under the load and only the >sacrifice of the left side of his nanarmor jacket save him from a >severe injury. >^Uhhh....Dad? I think you may be on your own for this one...^ [Nass. >Whirwind's supposed to be a dope, but he's too perceptive by half. >Must have noticed similarities between me and Dad, and decided on an >equivalent response] ^Maybe, but you're not,^ Roland replies grimly. He begins to move in- And debris sprays everywhere as Thanos easily frees himself. >Hovering above Roger, hands and eyes glowing with Power Cosmic, is >the silver-clad figure of the man once known as Norrin Rad.... >The Silver Surfer. >[This...is bad.] > >OOC: From this point out, Roger and Rad (Radd? It's been a while) >will duke (OOC: Yep, Radd) Roland looks at the other battles, torn, as Thanos seems to be ignoring him for a moment. He looks from the Silver Surfer, to Rachel, who could trounce her opponent if it weren't her mom (I mean, how do you make yourself hit your _mom?_) to the constantly shapeshifting pair of combatants he assumes are the Morgans, confirmed by a private link-check, to Mike- /Hallelujah! Mike, I think Roger could use a hand, and it looks like you left enough of Mojinal there that Whirlwind won't throw someone else at you. I've got to do _something_ about Thanos!/ Meanwhile, Le Fey, in the form of a gryphon, cocks her head at Greywolf in winged-sphinx form. "You are a formidable opponent, Greywolf, I'll grant you that. But you've finally made an error. My claws can tear that to ribbons." LeFey charges forward. "Yield." "Sure," Greywolf replies, her tone belying her words. As the gryphon reaches her position it claws empty air, and lets out a yelp of surprise and annoyance. LeFey looks around, letting out another raptor's cry of rage. "Show yourself, coward! If you want to expand this duel, rest assured I...can..." She shakes her head, scratching at her side with one of the mighty lion paws. "Wh-what?" She flows back into her own form, unbidden. "What have you done?" "What, all these Avengers around and you didn't expect a Wasp?" Greywolf chuckles. "I'm sure Ms. Van Dyne will forgive me." She grows back to her normal size and form as LeFey slumps to her knees. "Oh, and it should be obvious that I strengthened the venom. It _shouldn't_ kill you, but you're going to take a little nap now." Greywolf smiles coolly. "Curse...you...Greywo-*" LeFey loses consciousness and vanishes. Meanwhile, above the 'lesser' battles... "I'M A LIVING _GOD!_ THE ONLY REASON I DIDN'T DUKE IT OUT WITH THE WITCH AND THE KID IS BECAUSE I DON'T WANNA BOTHER RECREATING THE EARTH! BUT IF YOU WANT TO THROW DOWN WITH ME...YOU GOT IT, YA OVERGROWN COW!" "oooboy," Roland and Morgan (and probably Roger ;^) say in unison... "Whirlwind. That is unnecessary," Thanos intones. "HUH?" Whirlwind looks down. "WHAT'RE YOU TALKIN' ABOUT, THANOS?" "Stop shouting," Thanos sighs. "Use the Cube. Can't you feel it?" Whirlwind laughs. "OH! OH, YEAH!" Then he stops laughing. "BUT WHO'S GONNA FACE COSMIC BESSIE HERE?" Thanos smiles... "Like nass!" Roland snarls. He fires a bolt at Thanos, who responds casually in kind. Which was just what Roland was waiting for; he shows Thanos just _where_ Roger learned that 'blast-turning' trick, hammering Thanos' head from both sides with his own power. But in the moment between Thanos' attack and Roland's response, Thanos' power has been increased manyfold. The Titanian Eternal laughs his Vader-on-steroids laugh and flies into the air, the Power Cosmic flowing around his fists. Whirlwind withdraws, fortunately for the local galactic cluster. "And now, my dear," Thanos says, almost graciously, "let us end this farce." His body glows with the power cosmic as he strikes at Aurora both physically and psychically. "I don't THINK so-" Roland begins, flying up... His armor beeps. "/LIGHT! NOW what?!/" A flicker of thought, and... {Defender here.} {Defender! Thank God!} Obsidian replies, his normally passive face lined with worry. {Obsidian? What the nass is going on back there?} Defender replies, jaw going slack. {We were trouncing some VIPER agents, when we were ambushed by a small army of robots! We were holding our own, mostly because of Quantum, but they knew it and went after her first. Worse, they're building more of themselves with the VIPER vehicles we trashed,} Obsidian explains, slowly calming. {Ick. Robots shouldn't be able to do that, and it isn't Destroyer's style...} Ice suddenly runs through Roland's veins. {Is there one that's been doing the talking? You got a name?} Obsidian nods. {Yes. He says he's Iteration 6.7, but we should call him Mechanon. Does that mean anything to you?} {Yes. Light help us. We'll be right there.} Roland turns to find Morgan. ^Love, we have a HUGE problem.^ He sends explanations to her privately, and the CAoL (in abbrieviated form; just what he got from Obsidian) through the link. /oh, _light._/ She looks around at the remaining heroes. /We're needed home more than we're needed here./ She sends it almost as a question, but not quite. Defender nods grimly. */Folx, the Champions need us. Sorry, Mike, but with big 'D' gone it's your gig for a while. XO's your call./* Morgan, having shifted to Solitaire, is at his side in a moment as he creates a gateway to Earth-9's New York. */Good luck to us all./* The CAoL hears one last thought from Roland... /Out of the frying pan.../ ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 02:36:35 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 04:12:26 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006832 >On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:08:12 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006831 > >>On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 00:14:10 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006826 >> >> Mike glances up at the storm. "Hmmm. With Storm here, that >>worries me faintly." As other conversations continue, Mike finishes >>completion on his 'gun' and begins fitting together another, less >>complex, weapon, then hands it to Tink and constructs an identical >>weapon of what he gave her, only slightly larger for himself. > > /It should. Forge is her ex,/ Roland sends evenly. Mike mentally nods. /I started reading at UXM #299. Issue #300 was my first introduction to him, and they had broken up by then. Though, why should I specific...? Oh, heh, ouch, displaced anger maybe. I remind her too much of Forge, maybe I get my butt kicked that much harder./ >> Tink smiles gleefully, seeing something she helped build work >>like it was supposed to. Michael can't help but grin. > > /You GO, girl!/ Roland sends encouragingly. Tink beams. > "You don't _remember_ me, fat boy?" Roland snarls. "I'm hurt. Cut >to the quick, even. And I brought you such good ratings, too. >'Course, I also trashed your studio, but you can't have >everything..." Defender reminds him, hoping Mojo will get distracted. >(Which he probably will, but with Mojo's nanosecond attention span it >probably won't stick 8^) Mojo 'turns' and looks at Roland. "OOOO!!!! YOU!!! Do you have -any- idea how much a forty-eight digital input, holo-imaging, camera switcher costs!?" ZAP! ZAP! ZAP! go the palm blasters. "DIE! DIE! DIE!" says Mojo in time with each one. "Your royal high-" says a smarmy yesman off-camera. "I'm busy here, cut to the chase," Mojo snaps. "Yessir, our polls indicate that the current Sentinal target, one ... Defender ... would be better saved as a teaser for the next commercial break." "Really?" Mojo says, snatching a computer printout from off camera. "Hey, these ratings jumped up eight points as soon as we showed him." He looks back 'at' Roland, "Okay, save that aggression up for after the break. Now where'd that other guy go?" Mojo looked around, spotting Mike, and resumed firing on him. /It was a short breather,/ Michael sends, /But it'll do. Thanks./ > /Hallelujah! Mike, I think Roger could use a hand, and it looks >like you left enough of Mojinal there that Whirlwind won't throw >someone else at you. I've got to do _something_ about Thanos!/ Mike and Tink continue scavenging as Mike sends, /Got it ... Okay, Roger, you have backup. Call when you need it./ Mike's assuming, like he does with Roger's dad (after a few early attempts to intervene on Roland's behalf were declined) that Roger will feel there are some fights you don't get in on until invited. Since Mike knows zip about the Silver Surfer, yet the ex-Herald was chosen to 'match' Roger, that it should be an even fight. Meanwhile, Michael and Tinkerbell study the combatants, looking for methods of attack they can emulate with their technology. >"What, all these Avengers around and you didn't expect a Wasp?" >Greywolf chuckles. "I'm sure Ms. Van Dyne will forgive me." She grows >back to her normal size and form as LeFey slumps to her knees. "Oh, >and it should be obvious that I strengthened the venom. It >_shouldn't_ kill you, but you're going to take a little nap now." >Greywolf smiles coolly. > > "Curse...you...Greywo-*" LeFey loses consciousness and vanishes. From where he's tinkering, Mike looks up and shakes his head, a smile nearly reaching ear to ear. He sends, /That... was pure elegance./ Tinkerbell grins as well, sending a piece of video over the link, which Morgan's solution reminded her of. /{The Disney cartoon, _The Sword and the Stone_, the wizard's duel, the absentminded, white bearded, cartoon Merlin defeating the cartoon 'hag' Morgana, who had turned herself into a cartoon dragon, by turning himself into an invisible microbe and infecting her.}/ > "I don't THINK so-" Roland begins, flying up... > His armor beeps. Michael arches an eyebrow, /Sounds like your Tamagachi's hungry./ > "/LIGHT! NOW what?!/" A flicker of thought, and... {Defender >here.} >/oh, _light._/ She looks around at the remaining heroes. /We're >needed home more than we're needed here./ She sends it almost as a >question, but not quite. Michael Seven pauses for a moment, weighing the odds here and what they are likely on Earth-9. The CAoL has a rough fight ahead, probably, but Earth-9 is likely far less able to cope with its problems that the Callahaners were with theirs. > Defender nods grimly. */Folx, the Champions need us. Sorry, Mike, >but with big 'D' gone it's your gig for a while. XO's your call./* Mike nods, */We'll be fine. Go./* >Morgan, having shifted to Solitaire, is at his side in a moment as he >creates a gateway to Earth-9's New York. */Good luck to us all./* */Indeed, safe journey./* Mike sends, then just over the link itself, /You know how to find us. We'll see you on the next world./ > The CAoL hears one last thought from Roland... > /Out of the frying pan.../ /...And into a McDonalds wrapper,/ Mike adds, /Let's serve these guys up for dinner. I'm feeling a big Mac attack coming on./ ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 05:35:29 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAEIV: Knock, Knock... On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 08:10:34 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006833 >On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:08:12 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006831 > > It's almost ridiculous, how easy it is...blunting his more direct >effects would be much more difficult, but he's using a katana like an >axe, so to speak. Legion easily disguises their presence from his >'reality check.' 8^) [OOC: Good, because that justifies the next move] >On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:00:53 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006830 *snip* > Approximately ten feet above the ground is a 'laser barrier' style >motion detector, parallel to the ground, except it's a flat field; >anything larger than an atom passing through it will be detected. >There's a similar field perpendicular to it about a hundred feet in, >but only extends from the first field up. Legion murmurs along a shielded link to the stealth group *This first one is mine..* There is a feeling that isn't nausea... or anything else for that matter, as Legion takes a 'hold' on ever member of the team, down at the several times sub-quatum level, and simply... 'relocates' them to be next to the door of Whirlwind's keep. *If I relocated through the door, I'd probably set off the 'Reality Check' triggers on it... But a purely technical response might work. I think this one is going to have to be your baby, Rob.* ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 07:37:16 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Things Usually Get Worse... On Mon, 12 Apr 99 03:53:32 PDT Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006834 > On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:00:53 -0700 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006830 > > It's almost comical, the look on Morg's blackened face...he looks >like a 'toon who got caught on the wrong end of a 'Duck Season' skit. > Finally, he speaks. "You...are insane. And I would know." "Hey, don't you have to be to go out in public in these tights?" chuckles Driss as he admires his handiwork. >His eyes glow with unearthly light, the Cosmic Awareness filling him, >and he leaps at Driss, preparing to go where Driss is going to be, >rather than where he is... (OOC: Hey, Driss, that relationship with >Chaos might do your character some good for once! 8^) For a moment Morg is perplexed, Driss isn't as easy to get a fix on as he expected, and when the axe comes down, it hits, but not a clean hit like Morg expected. Driss stumbles back, blood gushing from where the axe struck into his left shoulder. A trickle of blood hiccups out the corner of his mouth from the punctured lung. But these are only temporary things, and as Morg looks at his apparent vicotry, Driss begins pulling himself together. " O..K.. You..ugly..bastitch. We were...having lots of...fun. But..if you want the..kid gloves off, HERE YOU GO!!!" Driss had slipped his hands into his cloak while he spoke and slipped the gauntlet of speed onto his hand. As he left shoulder finally rejoins his torso, he charges at a surprised Morg, at the same time sending to Roscoe. ^OK, time for Hi and Low.^ ^Gotcha Driss.^ The previously unnoticed Roscoe, who had followed Driss in, now plants his feet and snarls at Morg, hair bristling up and saliva dripping from razor sharp fangs. But Morg doesn't bother looking at Driss's dog, keeping his attention focused on Driss. That is until Roscoe's telepathic mind spike hits. Morg's power is incredible. most beings would be left complete vegetables from such an attack, but it does hit with enough impact to hurt and get his attention. But he doesn't get a chance to devote much attention to the faerie wolf, as Driss strikes as soon as he sees the change on Morg's face. The mono-edged mithril rapier is invisible with the speed of Driss's strikes. A thousand strikes a minute begin hitting Morg all over his body. "As a herald of Galactus I'm sure you were still only second rate. And that's just not enough to do it, cuz now you're facing the best of hte best!" ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 08:36:34 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Things Usually Get Worse... On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 08:12:16 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006836 On Sun, 11 Apr 1999, L.J. Wolfe wrote: > Approximately ten feet above the ground is a 'laser barrier' style >motion detector, parallel to the ground, except it's a flat field; >anything larger than an atom passing through it will be detected. >There's a similar field perpendicular to it about a hundred feet in, >but only extends from the first field up. "Great. The questions now are: What is there that a thermal scan can't see, and how do we get past what we can see?" Rob whispers. "Any suggestions?" Rob is used to being out-powered. This is just an extreme case. BTW, I've lost my scorecard. I think Legion, Mischief, and Billy are in the infiltration team too, but there were other folx around before - and I'd like to have some idea who's trying to make this sneak. After all, Colossus is not going to be an easy move, even as Peter Rasputin, unless we have a telekinetic or magnetokinetic inside. Roll Call! ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 10:10:51 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 13:06:11 -0400 "Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00006838 Author's note: I'm doing a quick catch-up short, then make my entrance at Roland's departure... Waay back, in the DC 'verse: A pile of bricks and rubble shifts, then a slightly battered draconic Transformer pushes its way out of its temporary tomb. "Hey... where'd everybody go?" One head mumbles, taking in the aftermath of a Supers battle. Looking around, sie only sees the results, and not the cause. A leap takes hir into the air, wings spread, then jets ignite, propelling the mechanical draconic into the sky. "Maybe I can find someone to help..." with a thought, the being's shape folds and shifts, like steel origami, a much more massive aircraft now where the dragonform was. The gunship begins a search flight over the city, but help comes to hir before sie can find it. As none other than the S-man closes, Xander transforms back into 'bot mode. "Superman! Listen, where'd the CAoL go? I, err, got bueried in some rubble in the fight..." The man of steel gave hir a pat on the back. "Happens to everyone, friend. Here, what you do is, go to..." With the directions in memory banks, and the help of a couple of dimensional transfers, the Transformer soon arrives at the force-dome around Whirlwind's sanctum. The situation rather obvious, sie shifts from jet-form down to full-size 'bot form, towering over a good deal of the combatants. A heavy laser pistol in each hand, sie takes aim at the Herald of Galactus, and squeezes off a couple of shots-- which apparently are ineffective. Before sie can get a couple more blasts off, a thundering footfall is felt/heard, and a being approaches, larger even than the now-downed Sentinel-- Bruticus, a giant robot made up of five Decepticons combined. "Oh, shards," Xander mutters, and immediately shifts aim to the new threat, playing the laser beams, as well as rounds from hir forearm-mounted autocannon over the goliath, looking for a weak spot. None found, sie shifts to tank mode, and a pair of heavy treads chews into the ground, propelling hir away from the fight. The side-mounted autocannon, the weapons which were formerly on hir arms, still play bursts over Bruticus, chipping and denting armor, but mostly, making him mad-- sie doesn't want to fire the 10-CM Hellbore jutting proudly from hir turret so near those on hir side. ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 17:06:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Things Usually Get Worse... On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:50:07 EDT Dane0R0A Said As CAoL Message # 00006839 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006830 > Outside... > Thanos blinks, momentarily blinded. (OOC: He's immune to >electricity.) > Roland's eyes go wide. "/Aurora, NO!" For Light's sake-/ > "YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?!" a voice roars from everywhere. The air >itself seems to be speaking. "YOU GOT IT, HORNHEAD!" The mother of >all tornadoes rises from the dome's apex, and a fifty-foot tall >Whirlwind emerges from the top. There is a tearing sound, as the entire spherical volume of space occupied by Whirlwind is ripped away from its current universe and unceremoniously dumped in a universe that had died the heat death many tens of billions of years ago. Surrounding Whirlwind is an infinite expanse of nothing. Then Aurora appears before him in her humanoid form. Surrounding her right wrist is what Dhrylance (I know I spelled it wrong) would recognize as a vastly oversized lens. (OOC: Same height as Whirlwind). *Have at you,* she says. (OOC: what are his normal powers, and how are they modified by the Cosmic Cube? This particular universe was chosen for its extreme resistance to being 'modified' (as opposed to being added to). It can be done, but it takes a boatload of power (as in a rowboat would be a lot and the Titanic is a boatload.)) An instant after the 50 foot Whirlwind and Aurora leave the scene, Oracle and Hydra (in his 400+ foot form) appear. *I cannot allow Aurora to need to summon The Stardragon. Hydra and I will aid her as we each best can.* (OOC: they will not attack any of the "enemy" but any "enemy" that impacts either of them will pass into the form, and be converted to energy, and absorbed. Any energy striking them is simply absorbed) ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:05:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Things Usually Get Worse... On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 23:45:00 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00006840 -----Original Message----- From: L.J. Wolfe > Approximately ten feet above the ground is a 'laser barrier' style >motion detector, parallel to the ground, except it's a flat field; >anything larger than an atom passing through it will be detected. >There's a similar field perpendicular to it about a hundred feet in, >but only extends from the first field up. Zia until this point had passed completely unnoticed even by her fellow sneakers. She drops the SEP field she is generating by sheer acting talent, and gives the setup a raised eyebrow of mild concern. "Can it be so simple as to jump a lateral onto the road behind those two big, beefy, brawns, there? I bet two of us could toss someone that far. Anyone else ever done any circus-style tumbling?" ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:09:17 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 00:09:25 -0400 Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00006842 >On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:08:12 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006831 > > Defender nods grimly. */Folx, the Champions need us. Sorry, Mike, >but with big 'D' gone it's your gig for a while. XO's your call./* >Morgan, having shifted to Solitaire, is at his side in a moment as he >creates a gateway to Earth-9's New York. */Good luck to us all./* > The CAoL hears one last thought from Roland... > /Out of the frying pan.../ "It seems rather more as if I've wandered into that same locale." James observes as the two vanish to Earth-9, and he pulls himself up from the hunk of destroyed Sentinel he had definitely _not_ been leaning on the last time anyone looked that way. He finishes getting the tri-banded cigarette out of his silver case, taps it, and then lights it with a practiced ease of habitual action. His eyes sweep the battle field with every bit as much habitual skill, despite the elegantly tailored black tuxedo with formal bow tie he is wearing. Noting that Micheal and Tink seem to be free of immediate opponents, he turns to make his way over to meet them. James (I'll leave the full introduction until after the battle...) ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 22:04:54 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Knock, Knock... On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:49:08 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006844 >>Until this point, Zia had passed completely unnoticed even by her >>fellow sneakers. She drops the SEP field she is generating by sheer >>acting talent, and gives the setup a raised eyebrow of mild concern. >>"Can it be so simple as to jump a lateral onto the road behind those >>two big, beefy, brawns, there? I bet two of us could toss someone >>that far. Anyone else ever done any circus-style tumbling?" "Sounds good, except for the problem of leaving somebody behind..." >Legion murmurs along a shielded link to the stealth group *This first >one is mine..* There is a feeling that isn't nausea... or anything >else for that matter, as Legion takes a 'hold' on every member of the >team, down at the several times sub-quantum level, and simply... >'relocates' them to be next to the door of Whirlwind's keep. Rob blinks in surprise. "That's a good answer. I don't normally think about teleportation, partly because I'm still trying to learn it..." >*If I relocated through the door, I'd probably set off the 'Reality >Check' triggers on it... But a purely technical response might work. >I think this one is going to have to be your baby, Rob.* "Depends on the door. It looks like the basic 'Evil Overlord overcompensating for his deficiencies' door. I'd _expect_ a security system, but what I expect and what I get are not always the same." ================================= Date: Mon, 12 Apr 1999 23:44:14 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: Fw: AAE V: A Change In Plans pt. I On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 22:25:22 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006846 (Oops, almost lost this one in the shuffle. Obviously this takes place before R&M leave for Earth-9.) >On Tue, 06 Apr 99 16:35:01 PDT >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006822 >> >>On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 21:28:44 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006812 >> >>^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...^ >>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?* > >Roscoe looks a bit surprised and takes a quick glance at Driss before >answering. *Well Mi'lady, if you can believe it, it's been almost 400 >years for Driss and I since those green lands of Scottland, and >around 500 since we last saw the lands of Quaren.* *Oh. OK.* Morgan replies, attempting to keep the tone neutral. No mention of the many and varied places they'd been while attempting to deal with Z'On'Dar's plans. Were they _both_ from before then? ^I'm not so sure about that,^ she sends to Roland. ^_Driss_ might not be sure of that,^ Roland replies with a mental shrug. Then things heat up and she puts the whole issue on 'deal with later' status. ================================= Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 05:05:09 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Knock, Knock... On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 07:34:59 -0400 Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006848 >On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 21:49:08 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006844 > >>Legion murmurs along a shielded link to the stealth group *This >>first one is mine..* There is a feeling that isn't nausea... or >>anything else for that matter, as Legion takes a 'hold' on every >>member of the team, down at the several times sub-quantum level, and >>simply... 'relocates' them to be next to the door of Whirlwind's >>keep. > >Rob blinks in surprise. "That's a good answer. I don't normally think >about teleportation, partly because I'm still trying to learn it..." Legion smiles... oddly. "What we... I do isn't teleportation. It is... hard to explain. I refer to it as 'relocation'." >>*If I relocated through the door, I'd probably set off the 'Reality >>Check' triggers on it... But a purely technical response might work. >>I think this one is going to have to be your baby, Rob.* > >"Depends on the door. It looks like the basic 'Evil Overlord >overcompensating for his deficiencies' door. I'd _expect_ a security >system, but what I expect and what I get are not always the same." [OOC: Tag to the GM: What do Rob and I find? Assuming Aurora hasn't made all this moot an pointless.] ================================= Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 11:35:37 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 13:07:11 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006852 >On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 00:09:25 -0400 >Zia Said As CAoL Message # 00006842 > >"It seems rather more as if I've wandered into that same locale." >James observes as the two vanish to Earth-9, and he pulls himself up >from the hunk of destroyed Sentinel he had definitely _not_ been >leaning on the last time anyone looked that way. He finishes getting >the tri-banded cigarette out of his silver case, taps it, and then >lights it with a practiced ease of habitual action. His eyes sweep >the battle field with every bit as much habitual skill, despite the >elegantly tailored black tuxedo with formal bow tie he is wearing. > >Noting that Micheal and Tink seem to be free of immediate opponents, >he turns to make his way over to meet them. Michael and Tinkerbell are stripping the optics out of the Sentinal robot's faceplate and rewiring components, Tink with a multitool capable of functioning as a soldering iron among other things, Mike with another portion of his cybernetic right hand. "Hello, James," Mike says, looking up briefly. Tink nods a greeting, smiling at the new arrival. ================================= Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 20:05:44 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 22:46:18 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006855 Roger helps out Roland, and gets Surfer Duuude for his pains: >>^Uhhh....Dad? I think you may be on your own for this one...^ [Nass. >>Whirwind's supposed to be a dope, but he's too perceptive by half. >>Must have noticed similarities between me and Dad, and decided on an >>equivalent response] > > ^Maybe, but you're not,^ Roland replies grimly. He begins to move >in- Even under the circumstances, Roger blushes (tmRoland) > And debris sprays everywhere as Thanos easily frees himself. >>Hovering above Roger, hands and eyes glowing with Power Cosmic, is >>the silver-clad figure of the man once known as Norrin Rad.... >>The Silver Surfer. >>[This...is bad.] ^Don't worry about me, concentrate on Thanos! I can deal with Radd -- at minimum, I can keep him occupied for a good while.^ Suiting action to words, Roger steps *into* the Surfer's next shot, literally "eating" the energy and dumping the overload as a harmless burst of white light. He counters with his GL ring, counting on the sheer unfamiliarity of the energy to keep Radd off balance just long enough to: Seperate the Surfer from his board, using an enormous jackscrew-and-wedge assembly that resembles nothing more than a huge gear puller. >"What, all these Avengers around and you didn't expect a Wasp?" >Greywolf chuckles. "I'm sure Ms. Van Dyne will forgive me." She grows >back to her normal size and form as LeFey slumps to her knees. "Oh, >and it should be obvious that I strengthened the venom. It >_shouldn't_ kill you, but you're going to take a little nap now." >Greywolf smiles coolly. > > "Curse...you...Greywo-*" LeFey loses consciousness and vanishes. Even absorbed as he is, Roger spares a few mental processing cycles to chuckle. /And people wonder why I worry more about Dad in a fight than I do about Mom./ With a hard twist, he manages a few millimeters of air gap between Norrin Radd's feet and his board, and in the brief moment of seperation brings up the strongest teleport effect he can muster and 'ports the surfboard into the vicinity of Alpha Centauri. Radd, despite not being a teleporter, nonetheless recognizes the attempt and retaliates with a massive barrage of disruptive Cosmic Power that stretches Roger's multitasked resources to counter. The board ends up somewhere in the Kuiper Belt, and turns immediately to speed towards Earth. Halfway back, the X-gate energy construct Roger attatched to it activates and bounces the board straight back out to where is started, to begin the cycle again. And again, and again, and again..... OOC: SS could doubtless break the effect if he turned his Cosmic Awareness on the problem -- but by that point, Roger plans to have his attention firmly riveted. (:) /OOC ================================= Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 20:34:36 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Things Usually Get Worse... On Tue, 13 Apr 1999 22:46:21 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006856 In a message dated 99-04-12 02:39:17 EDT, you write: > Rachel blinks at Roger. Then laughs. "Oh, Eternal. He is _so_ your >son, Roland-he's got your 'Cary-Grant-meets-Robin-Williams' bit down >pat. This explains a lot. Like why I never meet your parents, Roger." OOC: Aroo? >Rachel actually chuckles as she shakes her head. "Didn't want the >'Old Folx' knowing you were chasing one of your father's old flames?" >The Phoenix Force flickers around her as the last line leaves her >lips. "But I'm afraid you're a little late, which is bizarre, >considering that, in my timeline, this is the first time we've met." >She extends one hand in the manner of proud, engaged women >everywhere...displaying an absolutely _stunning_ gold signet ring >with a '4' inscribed in it with pieces of diamond. If that's enough >of a clue for Roger to turn and look, he sees Franklin watching, >still amused-for the moment-though his arms are folded. [Ooh, THAT's when we are. Gotta get my bearings back...] Roger, never one to let tension cloud the air, grabs Rachel's proferred hand and slaps a huge 'toon jeweler's loupe onto one eye, slipping into Mel Brooks mode. "Oy, Gevalt! Look at t'SIZE a'dose ROCKS! Dat's more ice dan Europa and the Rings combined -- I may plotz!" While Rachel cracks up [OOC: I hope], another Roger "bamfs" into place next to Franklin. "Seriously, bro," he says without any trace of humor. "That's a one-of-a-kind lady, and *you* are a very blessed man. For what it's worth coming from a complete stranger, I have every hope --and confidence-- in what the two of you can build together." [There. Shouldn't be anything to upset Uncle Wrinkle in *that*.] Meanwhile, a third Roger pops up beside Roland. "'One of your father's old flames'?" he mimics perfectly. "Dad, are there some things you *haven't* told me about your misspent youth?" OOC: Even at his age, the idea that there were Women Before Morgan may come as a bit of a shock. I wonder if *Morgan* had any early boyfriends.....(:) /OOC >>^Red Two? Dad, that's Baaaad.^ Roger sends. ^Normally, I'd go with >>the stealth team, but....I don't seem to be up to my usual >>standards. Unless you've got an assignment for me, I'll stay out >>here and play backup.^ > > Roland immediately shows concern. ^There really isn't much good in >'backup' duty, given the 'rules' we're laboring under...are you >okay?^ ^Umm....^ Roger looks distinctly uneasy. ^Well, that's the question, isn't it? I *feel* fine, and all my self-diagnostics come up green. But ever since I ran into you during that dustup with Kyle/Sinestro, I've been making mistakes and putting my feet in my mouth--^ he glances at Zia ^--at a rate unprecedented even for me. I was chalking it up to simple disorientation, and the fact that my ingrained habits for interracting with all of you are based on 350 years or so of mutual acclimitization. But after that wierd episode I had back in Fawcett City, I have to consider the possibility that I have *something* wrong that I can't detect. So far, I've been okay for straight-up combat ops, but the sneak-team is just too delicate. I don't want to take the chance, however small.^ ================================= Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 21:35:18 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Things Usually Get Worse... On Wed, 14 Apr 1999 00:11:53 -0400 (EDT) Xzerrion Said As CAoL Message # 00006857 On Mon, 12 Apr 1999, Peter Eng wrote: >> Approximately ten feet above the ground is a 'laser barrier' >>style motion detector, parallel to the ground, except it's a flat >>field; anything larger than an atom passing through it will be >>detected. There's a similar field perpendicular to it about a >>hundred feet in, but only extends from the first field up. > >"Great. The questions now are: What is there that a thermal scan >can't see, and how do we get past what we can see?" Rob whispers. >"Any suggestions?" Xzerrion points out, "I'm an illusionist. I can screw up any detectors, as long as you tell me where they are. As long as I carry a sigil, power isn't much of an issue for that kind of thing." > >BTW, I've lost my scorecard. I think Legion, Mischief, and Billy are >in the infiltration team too, but there were other folx around before >- and I'd like to have some idea who's trying to make this sneak. >After all, Colossus is not going to be an easy move, even as Peter >Rasputin, unless we have a telekinetic or magnetokinetic inside. Roll >Call! > Xzerrion's here, just hasn't had much to do for a while, and the writer has wedding planning still eating at spare time :P ================================= Date: Tue, 13 Apr 1999 21:35:23 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Wed, 14 Apr 1999 00:29:13 -0400 (EDT) Xzerrion Said As CAoL Message # 00006858 On Sun, 11 Apr 1999, L.J. Wolfe wrote: >/oh, _light._/ She looks around at the remaining heroes. /We're >needed home more than we're needed here./ She sends it almost as a >question, but not quite. Tezrantha and Dantris begin moving towards the fight. /We can cover if we have to, Lady Morgan./ > Defender nods grimly. */Folx, the Champions need us. Sorry, Mike, >but with big 'D' gone it's your gig for a while. XO's your call./* >Morgan, having shifted to Solitaire, is at his side in a moment as he >creates a gateway to Earth-9's New York. */Good luck to us all./* > The CAoL hears one last thought from Roland... > /Out of the frying pan.../ Dantris paws the ground, his gaze daring Thanos to come on. ================================= Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 16:05:39 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: A Change In Plans, pt. II On Wed, 14 Apr 1999 16:00:25 -0700 (PDT) The Lone One Said As CAoL Message # 00006859 > On Mon, 05 Apr 1999 22:36:14 -0700 > Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006811 > >>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.) He does, to the extent that a human *can* feel hirself to be kindred with a demon, anyway. However, if he's sensitive enough to The Way It Should Be (IOW: Laws of Nature, that is) or has met other demons, he should be able to get a sense of something subtly different/off about Raver. (OOC: Did that make sense? I haven't had any sleep in over 48 hours unless you count conking out at the keyboard for about an hour total and in class... *mutter* Famous last words: Never Again.) (OOC2: Mea culpa for not getting around to this sooner, though) > (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...) (OOC3: Danke, I'm with the stealth folx) ================================= Date: Wed, 14 Apr 1999 19:35:58 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Wed, 14 Apr 1999 21:53:45 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006860 In a message dated 99-04-12 05:37:21 EDT, you write: >> The CAoL hears one last thought from Roland... >> /Out of the frying pan.../ > > /...And into a McDonalds wrapper,/ Mike adds, /Let's serve these >guys up for dinner. I'm feeling a big Mac attack coming on./ Roger, doing the wolfpack dance with the Surfer, pops a dupe over to Mike. "Don't worry about me yet," he says, absently reaching down to give Tink a one-arm hug. "Norrin seems to be off his game today -- I suspect being dominated by the Cosmic Cube is having a deleterious effect on his skills." He turns his attention to Rachel's unpleasant fight with Jean Grey. "But if you don't mind a suggestion, it might help out Rachel if you could whip up an inhibitor tuned for Aunt Jean. I hate the idea, but under the circumstances it seems the least harmful alternative." He turns to reconsolidate with the fighting Rogers, but pauses for a moment. "Oh, yes. Here you go." He hands Tink a pair of Happy Meals(tm) in Tardis-tech cartons (larger on the inside than the outside) with NanoSillyPutty toys. Judging from the fine print copyright dates, they appear to be from the late 22nd century. "Not Big Macs, I'm afraid, but they might help tide you over." With a wicked wink at Tink that belies his sober tone of voice, this Roger vanishes. ================================= Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 05:34:30 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Thu, 15 Apr 1999 06:44:06 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006861 >On Wed, 14 Apr 1999 21:53:45 EDT >SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006860 > >Roger, doing the wolfpack dance with the Surfer, pops a dupe over to >Mike. "Don't worry about me yet," he says, absently reaching down to >give Tink a one-arm hug. From Roger's frame of reference, Tink does something out of character, she slips out of the hug, turning it into a handshake, and moves closer to Michael. But, from Tinkerbell's perspective, she and Rog just met and she's feeling shy. > "Norrin seems to be off his game today -- I suspect being >dominated by the Cosmic Cube is having a deleterious effect on his >skills." Mike nods. >He turns his attention to Rachel's unpleasant fight with Jean Grey. >"But if you don't mind a suggestion, it might help out Rachel if you >could whip up an inhibitor tuned for Aunt Jean. I hate the idea, but >under the circumstances it seems the least harmful alternative." Mike says, "I don't have the components for such a thing here," adding over the lens link, /Keep it to the minilens-link, kid, don't want them overhearing information we don't want them to. Though, all things considered, it should add a bit of surprize if I can actually come up with one./ >He turns to reconsolidate with the fighting Rogers, but pauses for a >moment. "Oh, yes. Here you go." He hands Tink a pair of Happy >Meals(tm) in Tardis-tech cartons (larger on the inside than the >outside) with NanoSillyPutty toys. Judging from the fine print >copyright dates, they appear to be from the late 22nd century. "Not >Big Macs, I'm afraid, but they might help tide you over." With a >wicked wink at Tink that belies his sober tone of voice, this Roger >vanishes. Tink stops work and immediately opens the boxs with a gleeful grin, first taking out the NanoSillyPutty eggs, like any intelleigent five year old would do. Forget the food, the toy is what's important. ^#Grumpa,#^ Tink grins, looking at the strange alloy while chewing on a french fry, ^#We need to modify the hole-puncher.#^ ^#Already on it, sweetie.#^ Mike sends, removing the focusing lens, ^#You work on the reprogramming.#^ /Muahahaha,/ Mike sends over the lenslink, /This is gonna be cool./ Mike then directs a thought privately to Scott Summers, ^We have a plan to physically and psychically restrain Jean without doing her any harm other than a slight bruise at the contact points - nothing worse than the Danger Room would dish out in an afternoon's fun - but Rachel will have to get out of the line of fire when the time's right. So as not to surprize Rachel and misdirect Jean, you better give the warning. And if you could pass the word along to the other X-men/Avengers members standing by.^ Mike finishs the modifications, and takes a bite of the cheeseburger. "Mmm, two hundred years in the future and they're still mushy. Fortunately, I find that a good thing." ^#Done,#^ Tink sends, passing over the eggs. Mike loads the eggs into the gun and sends, ^Cyclops, now!^ As soon as Rachel is clear from being hit by the eggs, Mike fires the gun and the eggs shoot out toward Jean. No doubt the most powerful telekinietic on the planet will try to affect their path, but she will discover they are surrounded by a field that nullifies psychic powers, in a similar way yellow can't be affected by a GL ring. She, of course, can dodge the two eggs, but when they hit something, the eggs break and the NanoSillyPutty will spread out in a restraint. Not enough to physically smother, more like a straightjacket. Psychically, though, it will inhibit any psychic affect trying to affect it or it's occupant, and any it's occupant tries to use. Mike and Tink aren't trying to knock Jean out, just make sure her powers were useless and maybe ease whatever influence is controlling her. ================================= Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 21:05:40 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Knock, Knock... On Thu, 15 Apr 1999 20:43:51 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006862 > Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006848 >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00006844 >> >>Rob blinks in surprise. "That's a good answer. I don't normally >>think about teleportation, partly because I'm still trying to learn >>it..." > >Legion smiles... oddly. "What we... I do isn't teleportation. It >is... hard to explain. I refer to it as 'relocation'." "If all of you can't come up with a way to explain it, I won't worry about it," Rob replies. >>"Depends on the door. It looks like the basic 'Evil Overlord >>overcompensating for his deficiencies' door. I'd _expect_ a security >>system, but what I expect and what I get are not always the same." > >[OOC: Tag to the GM: What do Rob and I find? Assuming Aurora hasn't >made all this moot an pointless.] [OOC: I'm not up on the details of Cosmic Cubes, so I don't know whether Whirlwind took it with him or not - but Rob wouldn't know that either. So, now that I know this is possible: ] "Mrs. Richards? Can you keep Shadowcat invisible even if you can't see her? If so, I'd like to send her through as an advance scout. I don't remember for certain, but I think there are only three people who can turn intangible that are native to this universe, and Moonstone is the only one we have to worry about at the moment." [I wish I'd studied more of Vance's recordings back on the _Freedom's Lady_. The info would really be handy about now.] Turning back to the others, he notices that Mr. Fantastic has a small gizmo in hand, is studying it intently, and types constantly on a keypad built into the left arm of his costume. [OOC: GM's call as to whether he's scanning through the door, or he's just fascinated by the alloy that the door is made of, or he's trying to figure out Rob's spacesuit. Only thing for certain is that he ain't playin' Tetris. ] ================================= Date: Thu, 15 Apr 1999 23:05:28 -0700 (PDT) Subject: AAE V: Damage Control (Inc.) On Thu, 15 Apr 1999 22:49:29 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006863 Oy...responding on way too little sleep...I'll try to get more responses in ASAP, but for now I'm getting a few out of the way... >On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 04:12:26 -0500 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006832 > >>On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 23:08:12 -0700 >>Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006831 >> >>Continued from an earlier post... >>>On Thu, 8 Apr 1999 00:14:10 -0500 >>>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006826 >> "You don't _remember_ me, fat boy?" Roland snarls. "I'm hurt. Cut >>to the quick, even. And I brought you such good ratings, too. >>'Course, I also trashed your studio, but you can't have >>everything..." Defender reminds him, hoping Mojo will get >>distracted. (Which he probably will, but with Mojo's nanosecond >>attention span it probably won't stick 8^) > > Mojo 'turns' and looks at Roland. "OOOO!!!! YOU!!! Do you have >-any- idea how much a forty-eight digital input, holo-imaging, camera >switcher costs!?" "Not a clue, to be honest," Roland quips with a wicked smile. > ZAP! ZAP! ZAP! go the palm blasters. > "DIE! DIE! DIE!" says Mojo in time with each one. "I didn't know you cared." He redirects the blasts towards Thanos (who, sadly, ignores them). > "Your royal high-" says a smarmy yesman off-camera. > "I'm busy here, cut to the chase," Mojo snaps. > "Yessir, our polls indicate that the current Sentinal target, >one ... Defender ... would be better saved as a teaser for the next >commercial break." > "Really?" Mojo says, snatching a computer printout from off >camera. "Hey, these ratings jumped up eight points as soon as we >showed him." He looks back 'at' Roland, "Okay, save that aggression >up for after the break. Now where'd that other guy go?" [Mike'll have you toasted _before_ the next break, Slojo,] Roland thinks amusedly. >> "Curse...you...Greywo-*" LeFey loses consciousness and vanishes. > > From where he's tinkering, Mike looks up and shakes his head, a >smile nearly reaching ear to ear. He sends, /That... was pure >elegance./ > Tinkerbell grins as well, sending a piece of video over the >link, which Morgan's solution reminded her of. /{The Disney cartoon, >_The Sword and the Stone_, the wizard's duel, the absentminded, white >bearded, cartoon Merlin defeating the cartoon 'hag' Morgana, who had >turned herself into a cartoon dragon, by turning himself into an >invisible microbe and infecting her.}/ Morgan sends back a grin and a wink. /Where do you think I got the idea?/ (OOC: BTW, the witch was 'Mad' Madame Mim. I don't think they wanted to get involved with the whole 'Arthur/Morgana' thing. 8^) >> "/LIGHT! NOW what?!/" A flicker of thought, and... {Defender >>here.} > >>/oh, _light._/ She looks around at the remaining heroes. /We're >>needed home more than we're needed here./ She sends it almost as a >>question, but not quite. > > Michael Seven pauses for a moment, weighing the odds here and >what they are likely on Earth-9. The CAoL has a rough fight ahead, >probably, but Earth-9 is likely far less able to cope with its >problems that the Callahaners were with theirs. (OOC: The Callahanians still have plenty of backup if they need it; the remaining Champions are outnumbered and outgunned. I'll show their sitch later.) >>Morgan, having shifted to Solitaire, is at his side in a moment as >>he creates a gateway to Earth-9's New York. */Good luck to us all./* > > */Indeed, safe journey./* Mike sends, then just over the link >itself, /You know how to find us. We'll see you on the next world./ Roland salutes as he and Morgan smile back, though Roland's is a bit weak. He actually seems worried about whatever he's facing on Earth-9. (OOC: And anyone familiar with Mechanon OR Iteration X can probably guess why...) >On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 08:10:34 -0400 >Caprice Said As CAoL Message # 00006833 >*If I relocated through the door, I'd probably set off the 'Reality >Check' triggers on it... But a purely technical response might work. >I think this one is going to have to be your baby, Rob.* Sue's stomach _does_ lurch; her powers are connected to hyperspace (IIRC) and she 'feels' what happens. Sort of. "Would someone mind telling me what the he-heck _that_ was?" (OOC: I heavily debated whether or not to retcon this...but it's been too long with too many posts since. But see the IC response.) Caprice's power slips easily under the radar. Once. But she notices something as she transposes the stealth team's location. The defenses against teleportation are absolutely hideous. The closest analogy that comes to mind (well, the GM's mind, anyway) is a normal trying to fly naked through a tornado that sucked up a glassworks and a razor factory. Nightcrawler probably would have died if not for Aurora's intervention, and he didn't even make it through. Worse, while Whirlie's too busy throwing down with Aurora to give it much thought (see below), the spacial anomaly certainly gained _something's_ notice. The anti-teleportation effect widens to take into account other forms of non-motive relocation. >On Mon, 12 Apr 99 03:53:32 PDT >Driscoll Said As CAoL Message # 00006834 > >>On Sun, 11 Apr 1999 22:00:53 -0700 >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006830 >> >> It's almost comical, the look on Morg's blackened face...he looks >>like a 'toon who got caught on the wrong end of a 'Duck Season' >>skit. >> Finally, he speaks. "You...are insane. And I would know." His >>eyes glow > >"Hey, don't you have to be to go out in public in these tights?" >chuckles Driss as he admires his handiwork. "I suppose that's _almost_ as insane as using flame against one who can swim in stars," Morg replies casually. >Driss stumbles back, blood gushing from where the axe struck into >his left shoulder. A trickle of blood hiccups out the corner of his >mouth from the punctured lung. But these are only temporary things, >and as Morg looks at his apparent vicotry, Driss begins pulling >himself together. > " O..K.. You..ugly..bastitch. We were...having lots >of...fun. But..if you want the..kid gloves off, HERE YOU GO!!!" Morg shakes his head, thoroughly baffled, then prepares to make turkey-carvings out of Driss. > The previously unnoticed Roscoe, who had followed Driss in, now >plants his feet and snarls at Morg, hair bristling up and saliva >dripping from razor sharp fangs. But Morg doesn't bother looking at >Driss's dog, keeping his attention focused on Driss. That is until >Roscoe's telepathic mind spike hits. Morg roars in agony; though as a Herald he's got defenses against just about everything, it's fairly clear that Galactus didn't choose this guy for his genius. 8^) >But he doesn't get a chance to devote much attention to the faerie >wolf, as Driss strikes as soon as he sees the change on Morg's face. >The mono edged mithril rapier is invisible with the speed of Driss's >strikes. A thousand strikes a minute begin hitting Morg all over his >body. > "As a herald of Galactus I'm sure you were still only second rate. >And that's just not enough to do it, cuz now you're facing the best >of hte best!" Morg, phenomenally, manages to parry some of Driss' blows, even with his mind reeling; it soon becomes obvious why he _was_ chosen as a Herald. (Hey, the man was throwing down with THOR and holding his own. 8^) But even with his skill and Cosmic Awareness, the two-pronged assault is too much for him. He starts to bleed Power Cosmic through the many shallow wounds. He tries to concentrate to heal himself, but that just makes his parries slower. "...*" Morg doesn't say as he falls over. >On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 13:06:11 -0400 >"Xander Opal" Said As CAoL Message # 00006838 >"Oh, shards," Xander mutters, and immediately shifts aim to the new >threat, playing the laser beams, as well as rounds from hir >forearm-mounted autocannon over the goliath, looking for a weak spot. >None found, sie shifts to tank mode, and a pair of heavy treads chews >into the ground, propelling hir away from the fight. The side-mounted >autocannon, the weapons which were formerly on hir arms, still play >bursts over Bruticus, chipping and denting armor, but mostly, making >him mad-- sie doesn't want to fire the 10-CM Hellbore jutting proudly >from hir turret so near those on hir side. Bruticus, OTOH, couldn't care less about nearby combatants. He raises one mighty foot to stomp Xander. (Though even in tank mode, sie's probably fast enough to dodge-Bruticus, IIRC, is far better known for his ability to cause general mayhem than specific strikes. 8^) In addition, since he's five beings in one, he makes a _great_ target for lots of frustrated superheroes (well, okay, four at most) on this side on the dome... (OOC: Xander, if there's any Marvel characters you want to fight alongside, now's your chance! ) >On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 19:50:07 EDT >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00006839 > >>Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006830 >> "YOU WANT A PIECE OF ME?!" a voice roars from everywhere. The air >>itself seems to be speaking. "YOU GOT IT, HORNHEAD!" The mother of >>all tornadoes rises from the dome's apex, and a fifty-foot tall >>Whirlwind emerges from the top. > >There is a tearing sound, as the entire spherical volume of space >occupied by Whirlwind is ripped away from its current universe and >unceremoniously dumped in a universe that had died the heat death >many tens of billions of years ago. Surrounding Whirlwind is an >infinite expanse of nothing. None of Aurora's attack happens. Whirlwind, wielding the Cosmic Cube, can sense her attack with Cosmic Awareness any Herald would be jealous of. He doesn't want it to happen. So it doesn't. Roland stops on his way out of the reality. /Bloody sprocking NASS! Aurora, I said to hold back! You were supposed to go with the stealth team!/ He starts to turn back-then out of the corner of his eye, he sees Obsidian get one-punched by a robotic doppelganger of that worthy, the original flying into a building. He curses a blue streak that includes Interlac, Barsoomian, Atlantean (Earth-9 version) and English, and leaps into the Earth-9 fray. /I hope to grife you know what you're doing.../ >Then Aurora appears before him in her humanoid form. Surrounding her >right wrist is what Dhrylance (I know I spelled it wrong) would >recognize as a vastly oversized lens. (OOC: Same height as >Whirlwind). *Have at you,* she says. (OOC: Up to you if Aurora still makes this challenge, but 'Before They Get Better' still stands-she's up against a power-boosted Thanos, on the original island in the Marvel Universe. More to come, but someone's gonna need a plan 'B,' 'cause the one Roland came up with is pretty much toasty now. To quote the priest from 'Blazing Saddles:' "Son, you're on your own." I'll respond to more when I'm more awake. 8^) ================================= Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 00:34:57 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Damage Control (Inc.) On Fri, 16 Apr 1999 01:22:08 -0500 Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006864 >On Thu, 15 Apr 1999 22:49:29 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006863 >>On Mon, 12 Apr 1999 04:12:26 -0500 >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00006832 >> Tinkerbell grins as well, sending a piece of video over the >>link, which Morgan's solution reminded her of. /{The Disney cartoon, >>_The Sword and the Stone_, the wizard's duel, the absentminded, >>white bearded, cartoon Merlin defeating the cartoon 'hag' Morgana, >>who had turned herself into a cartoon dragon, by turning himself >>into an invisible microbe and infecting her.}/ > >Morgan sends back a grin and a wink. /Where do you think I got the >idea?/ Tink giggles. > (OOC: BTW, the witch was 'Mad' Madame Mim. I don't think they >wanted to get involved with the whole 'Arthur/Morgana' thing. 8^) ================================= Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 09:35:49 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: Damage Control (Inc.) On Fri, 16 Apr 1999 12:23:31 EDT Jack Said As CAoL Message # 00006866 >On Thu, 15 Apr 1999 22:49:29 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00006863 > > Morg, phenomenally, manages to parry some of Driss' blows, even >with his mind reeling; it soon becomes obvious why he _was_ chosen as >a Herald. (Hey, the man was throwing down with THOR and holding his >own. 8^) But even with his skill and Cosmic Awareness, the >two-pronged assault is too much for him. He starts to bleed Power >Cosmic through the many shallow wounds. He tries to concentrate to >heal himself, but that just makes his parries slower. > "...*" Morg doesn't say as he falls over. Driss looks down at his fallen opponent who is now covered in litterally thousands of shallow cuts. "You know you're really quite lucky that I'm playing the hero by this world's rules, which means no killing. Otherwise you'd be stew meat by now." Driss turns away and begins fishing in his cloak. "Of course the way all this is going we can certainly use all the luck we can get." He pulls out a large cloth sack, and throws it over his shoulder. The sack sails to fly directly into Morg's chest, where it breaks open in a cloud of salt. "Now, letme see, where's Thor so I can tell him his opponent's toast?" Driss looks around and sees no sign of the God of Thunder. Then he spots the Asgardian outside the dome again. "Uh oh, how long has he been out there Roscoe?" *I dunno. I was concentrating on you and Morg.* "Long enough immortal!" came a voice from behind Driss. He whirled around in time to see the flash of a blade coming down on him. He threw up a parry, but surprise had the better of him, and his opponent moved her shot to take a slice into Driss's left arm. Driss looked down at the bleeding wound in wonderment, then at the woman standing before him dressed in red and black and weilding a rapier of her own. He looked down at the cut again, and saw it was still bleeding and his hand hurt to move. "It's not healing up? What kidna sword have you got there lady?" Driss said, slipping back into a combat stance and raising his own rapier. "It is a consecrated blade designed to kill Earnest St.Ives, but it will kill you just as well. And I am not 'Lady'. I am Nemesis!" She flew up into the air, and attempted to send a blow through Driss's head from above, but the immortal was on his guard now. "OK Lady, call yourslf whatever you like, but I have a freind by that name so you won't hear _me_ calling you by it. If it's a fight you want, it's a fight you have. It's been a long time since I got the thrill and exhileration of a fight where personal injury was at stake." Driss rolled away from Nemesis, coming to his feet with three throwing knives in his hand. Letting them fly, he stuck his hand into his cloak to retrieve his rapier again. Meanwhile, Nemesis tried to parry the knives, and blocked two, but a third hit her cape where it was attached to her wrist, severing it.. Nemesis sheiked and dove at Driss, striking almost simultaneously at his head, chest, arm, and leg, but Driss easily parried each one. "I can tell one thing about you right away Lady." "And that is?" "You've been facing unarmed opponents _far_ too long!" With that, Driss attacked again, a simply strike to parry, but as soon as Nemesis did, Driss twisted his sowrd, locking them together, then wrenched Nemesis's sword out of her grasp, and it flew off to the side. Nemesis flew after the sword, and landed to pick it up off the ground. But as fate (or Chaos) would have it, the sword flew too close to Xander adn Bruticus's battle. The giantic form of Bruticus stumbled back a step at that moment, its foot landing directly on top of Nemesis. Driss winced and turned away. "That's _gotta_ hurt." Then he began quickly moving back out from the dome before another opponent appeared. ================================= Date: Fri, 16 Apr 1999 18:42:38 -0700 (PDT) Subject: Re: AAE V: ...Before They Get Better On Fri, 16 Apr 1999 20:33:35 EDT SkyeFire Said As CAoL Message # 00006868 In a message dated 99-04-15 08:35:00 EDT, you write: > From Roger's frame of reference, Tink does something out of >character, she slips out of the hug, turning it into a handshake, and >moves closer to Michael. But, from Tinkerbell's perspective, she and >Rog just met and she's feeling shy. Roger spends about .75sec looking absolutely mortified at his faux pas (and momentarily shapeshifts into a giant heel) before he swallows his embarrassment and returns Tink's handshake with matching firmness. He grins at her in lopsided apology. "Sorry. Pretty girls with bright smiles turn my brains to mush -- *you* know how it is," he says, nodding significantly in Mike's direction. >>He turns his attention to Rachel's unpleasant fight with Jean Grey. >>"But if you don't mind a suggestion, it might help out Rachel if you >>could whip up an inhibitor tuned for Aunt Jean. I hate the idea, but >>under the circumstances it seems the least harmful alternative." > > Mike says, "I don't have the components for such a thing here," >adding over the lens link, /Keep it to the minilens-link, kid, don't >want them overhearing information we don't want them to. Though, all >things considered, it should add a bit of surprize if I can actually >come up with one./ "Components--" Roger begins. Then his brain catches up with the rest of Mike's sentence, and proceeds to run in several diections at once. In the distance, one of the battling Rogers stumbles momentarily and gets blown half a mile down the beach by the Silver Surfer. The near Roger's face flickers through the most interesting spectrum of expression, half "Light, I'm an idiot!" and half "What the nass is WRONG with me?!?" He sways for a moment before returning his attention to immediate matters with a visible effort. > Tink stops work and immediately opens the boxs with a gleeful >grin, first taking out the NanoSillyPutty eggs, like any intelleigent >five year old would do. Forget the food, the toy is what's important. OOC: I LOVE this kid!! > ^#Grumpa,#^ Tink grins, looking at the strange alloy while >chewing on a french fry, ^#We need to modify the hole-puncher.#^ > ^#Already on it, sweetie.#^ Mike sends, removing the focusing >lens, ^#You work on the reprogramming.#^ > /Muahahaha,/ Mike sends over the lenslink, /This is gonna be >cool./ OOC: Mike's pretty cool, too. (:) Scary, but cool. > Mike finishs the modifications, and takes a bite of the >cheeseburger. "Mmm, two hundred years in the future and they're still >mushy. Fortunately, I find that a good thing." /The B5 franchise still has some bugs to work out/ Roger's voice trails distractedly. > ^#Done,#^ Tink sends, passing over the eggs. > Mike loads the eggs into the gun and sends, ^Cyclops, now!^ > As soon as Rachel is clear from being hit by the eggs, Mike >fires the gun and the eggs shoot out toward Jean. > > > Mike and Tink aren't trying to knock Jean out, just make sure >her powers were useless and maybe ease whatever influence is >controlling her. > OOC: Note to self: Be more carefull when giving Mike or Tink techno-toys. (:) *I* thought that the NanoSillyPutty was just a throwaway one-liner. Shoulda known better. =================================