Action, Adventure, Excitement, Part 9 Chapter 1 Subject: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (1 of 2) On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 20:59:35 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011189 New York. Now. (Or nearly so. Just a TORG joke there, son.) Hell has descended on Manhattan. UNTIL agents jet from rooftop to rooftop, fighting a running (and losing) battle with ten times their number of parademons. Vanguard, UNTIL's in-house metahuman team, is in full retreat from an elite Darkseid squad called the Deep Six. New York's finest are embattled just dealing with waves of Dog Cavalry and Aero-Cavalry. And the Champions are under full attack. Jaguar and Obsidian are barely fighting off the Female Furies, Seeker is locked in a terrible duel with Kanto the Assassin, Quantum is trading cosmic bolts with a Desaad robot, Orchid is desperately battling Bedlams, and Solitaire's magick strains to hold back Suli's sorcery. Meanwhile, Defender battles Kalibak under Darkseid's watchful eye. The Eternal's vast psychokinetic power wars with the might of Kalibak's Beta Club. After a few moments, Kalibak becomes annoyed and leaps at Roland. Even Defender's force can only slow the Scourge of Apokolips, and one swing of the mountain-shattering Club obliterates the hero's forcefield. "HA!" Kalibak roars in triumph, leaping again, landing right in front of Defender. "If _you_ are this Earth's mightiest hero, then this will be an _easy_ conquest!" He raises his Club into the air, motes of power swirling and crackling around it. Suddenly, Kalibak shoots into the sky, howling in frustrated fury. "Actually, Kalibak," Defender replies harshly, "I'm not this Earth's mightiest hero." With a thought, he flings Kalibak the Cruel towards the Atlantic. "But I don't need to be to beat _you._" With that, Darkseid nods. A flicker of thought starts the descent of the disk he's standing on. "Indeed. However, son of Eternity," the dark god intones, "are you mighty enough...to face Darkseid?" "Ohhh boy," Defender replies... * * * New York. Thirty minutes ago. "I can't thank you enough, Defender," Endymion said. "No, really, we were glad to help," Roland replied, blushing(tm). The heroes were in the Champions Island, save Endymion, who was only on the screen. Defender was wearing his armor, though his helmet was absent. "That Golgoth of yours...I thought _my_ world had nasty villains." Endymion chuckled through a pained cough. "It does. And I'll use our equipment here to look into those dimensional rifts you were talking about." "Much appreciated. Call if you need anything." Defender paused at Endymion's reluctance, and his face hardened. "I _mean_ it, Endymion." The Superman-like hero nodded unwillingly. "If my world were not so ravaged by years of Golgoth's rule..." Defender nodded. "Understood." Endymion nodded back grimly. "Terran Republic out." "Champions out," Roland replied, and the screen went dark. The armored hero collapsed in a chair, and the other five founding Champions regarded him with amusement. "Not a word, one of you." "Who, us?" Seeker quipped. "Why would we say the first thing about you taking on too much work? It's not like you just saved the ficton from Mark Waid's 'Empire' series--" "Or fought Markoth for three solid hours last week," Obsidian continued. "And then there was that volcano in the South Pacific," Solitaire added dryly. "Okay, okay, I get it," Defender sighed, putting his feet up on the table and breathing out emphatically. "Some months, everything just piles up at once." "Okay, memorize this word, hon," Quantum replied. "De-le-ga-tion." "Oh, it's not like you weren't fighting the Dark Masters _with_ me in that Markoth business, or holding off Golgoth's inner circle--" "Or dealing with a dozen other minor crises," Solitaire added. "_Thank_ you," Defender replied emphatically, gesturing in a sort of polite I-told-you-so way. Seeker and Quantum looked to each other and rolled their eyes, aggrieved. "On the other hand," Morgan added, "when was the last time you saw Liam and Rachel?" Seeker and Quantum 'high-fived' as Defender gently face-palmed. "Whose side are you on?" he groaned. "We are _all_ on your side, old friend," Obsidian said patiently. "However, being the leader of our team does not mean you should also have to do twice the work of any of us." "Yes it does," Defender snapped back. "My team, my idea, hell, it's practically my _damn_paradigm._ My responsibility." "Ye canna pour from an empty _cup,_ my love," Morgan replied pointedly, yet gently. Roland sighed even more heavily and sat up. "I know, I know. It's almost as if..." Defender trailed off, eyes narrowing. A moment later, his helmet swirled into place around his head. "...as if someone planned it that way..." The others sat up. "Defender?" Jaguar asked, ears swiveled toward the Eternal. The Lunar cat-warrior was already in full hybrid form, and he was clearly unamused. "{Orchid,}" Defender intoned into the helmet, "{set the monitoring system to 'automatic' and bring the Tharkold file when you come in, please.}" In the space of a half-second, Orchid blurred in, zoomed across half the computer consoles of the ready room, and came to a quivering halt in the only unoccupied chair. She was at attention in her seat. Defender sighed as Seeker stifled a chuckle. Solitaire was smiling indulgently behind her hand. "You're doing _fine,_ Orchid. You're not on trial and you're not a probationary member." "Yes, sir," Orchid said seriously. Defender forced down another sigh. He was the only one she was ever serious around. He swiveled his chair around, and the others turned to face the several large screens. As the lights darkened, the Champions' leader felt a brief increase in Morgan's queasiness. ^My love?^ ^It comes and goes,^ Solitaire soothed. ^I just wish I knew _what_ was coming and going.^ ^I'm probably about to get to that,^ Defender sent back. The screens lit up at a flicker of thought from the Eternal. In the center screen was an image of the techno-demon body Menton had brought them. Around it were several readouts, including one in the Hermetic Enochian language and one from an UNTIL autopsy. On the smaller screens surrounding the larger, anomalous newscasts of possible note were looped. "The most clearly related incidents appear to be in northern India," Obsidian noted slowly. Defender nodded. "Thratchen could be trying to start a war between India and Pakistan. A nuclear blight in that area would certainly soften up our reality for an invasion." "You think up the sweetest things," Quantum quipped. Seeker chuckled wryly. Defender smiled back sourly. "_That's_ part of my job, too." He returned to the screens, completely serious again. "This is the part that worries me, though." A brief series of thought-flickers, and the news screens flickered and changed to differing reports from around the world. Vanguard battling strange troll-creatures in northern Sweden. Tradition mages in Venice capturing a strange sorceress with the power to twist chance, only to watch her escape. Siberia, suffering its worst storm in years -- no surprise, either regarding weather or Thratchen -- except the weather pattern is...odd. Almost twisted, and not in a 'rigid' way. "This one bothers me the most." Roland gestured, and the center screen changed images to a bizarre prop from a 30s serial. It appeared to be a large Tesla-coil cannon on a floating platform. Quantum laughed. "So an Etherite got nostalgic, what else is new? It's actually rather stylish, in a retro sort of manner." Defender nodded. "I agree. Except this device was found in Alexandria. The manual was written, not in Arabic, but _hieroglyphs._" Quantum and Seeker looked at each other, confused. Obsidian cupped his hand in his chin, while Jaguar and Orchid whispered at the far end of the table. After a few moments, Seeker turned to the team's leader. "Okay, I'll bite. So?" "So...it matches the M.O. of one of Thratchen's colleagues. Another reality-attacking High Lord named Dr. Mobius," Defender explained. "To say that they got along is a stretch, but they were less hostile to one another than most High Lords." Roland thought a moment, then shrugged. "I guess they share a sense of style. Though Mobius' style isn't as sadistic as Thratchen's, mercifully." Quantum scowled, leaning forward as she stared at the weapon. "Sort of a Son of Ether gone bad?" Defender considered this, then nodded. "One from the late 30s, perhaps, but yeah, pretty much." He shook his head. "Anyway, I want to start coming up with contingency plans. Obviously, UNTIL's been alerted, and we've got teams in all the potential 'hot' zones, but I want to come up with a larger game plan to present to the Council." The other Champions nodded. "If we're facing what I think we are, then it's a good thing hostilities are at the low point they've--" Solitaire paled and swayed suddenly, catching her forehead in one hand. She looked like she was on the verge of fainting. Defender shuddered for a moment as well. "Soli!" he said, in time with Seeker and Quantum. *You didn't filter that. What happened?* "I'm...not sure," Soli replied. "Something is affecting the ley lines, something...foul." She shook her head, trying to think, still looking a little queasy. "The closest thing I can think of is Epsilon 3, that thing the Gaunt Man did, the...Maelstom Bridge." She looked at Defender, worried. "Damn." Defender's head whipped around, and with a glare he reset the screen. Outside, dark, thick clouds were gathering with speed beyond that of any normal storm. "Looks like that scene from Ghostbusters," Solitaire commented dryly. The clouds were briefly lit up by a lightning bolt...a light, rose-colored lightning bolt. Another bolt lit the sky, this one a bright azure. "I'm alerting UNTIL now. Let's move." The Champions raced outside, reaching the surface of the island in time to watch the clouds ripple out towards the horizon in every direction. "The center appears to be forming just south of Manhattan Island," Obsidian mused. "We'd better -- uh-oh," Roland groaned, but no one heard his last words. (To be continued. :-) ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 21:00:14 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 (Continuing from "Dark Storm Rising," 1 of 2) "I'm alerting UNTIL now. Let's move." The Champions raced outside, reaching the surface of the island in time to watch the clouds ripple out towards the horizon in every direction. "The center appears to be forming just south of Manhattan Island," Obsidian mused. "We'd better -- uh-oh," Roland groaned, but no one heard his last words. BBB OOO OOO M M B B O O O O MM MM BBB O O O O M M M B B O O O O M M BBB OOO OOO M M [Ed. Note: That's supposed to form a big "BOOM," but I have no control over whether your browser shows it in a monospaced or proportional font. Sorry if it looks weird.] An enormous cylinder of coruscating light appeared in the sky as the city was filled with a sound like the wrath of the gods. Perhaps it was. The cylinder was wide enough to easily accommodate Champions Island, and from its opening 2000 feet in the air it extended up as far as anyone could see. And it began disgorging flying carriers, landing craft, and flying warriors in green and gold, with alacrity. >On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 18:32:58 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011171 > >/Roland? This is Rob. I believe that this(*) counts as >a Situation.../ /I see it,/ Roland replied dryly. /I'm going to be busy for a while. You may want to avoid the LZ. If not, I suggest you work the edges. We certainly wouldn't mind the help./ (OOC: Assuming Rob asks how he's going to get there) /I can --/ *Mew!* Mew interrupts. (She's "piggy-backing" on the link via Eric.) (OOC: That's your ride. 8^) The Eternal nods to himself. Then... "Champions -- ATTACK!" Defender roared. A comic book artist would be proud. Defender had one foot on an outcropping of rock, the other leg stretched back, pointing dramatically into the sky. The Champions surged forward around him, Solitaire, Quantum, and Jaguar flying into battle (Jaguar growing wings to do so), while Orchid raced forward, running fast enough to skim across the water, Seeker leaped ahead anime-style, and Obsidian performed a more standard super-leap. Within moments, they were in the heart of an enormous battle. * * * New York. Now. The battle is not going well. Obsidian is now facing Kalibak, and Jaguar is in full retreat from the combined might of the Furies. A shaken Orchid is fighting off parademons while UNTIL agents draw off the powerful Bedlam. Quantum is desperately resisting the combined might of Desaad and Virman Vundabar, each wielding the pinnacle of Kirbytech robotics. Seeker, too, is fighting defensively, as Kanto presses the attack with an elite parademon cadre. UNTIL's forces are under heavy fire, as Darkseid's military genius, Steppenwolf, pushes at them on several fronts at once. Solitaire's battle with Suli remains a stalemate; though Suli outmatches the Highlander in terms of power-wielding prowess, she must retreat whenever Solitaire threatens to close to melee range. And Defender is facing Darkseid. "You are a magnificent opponent, Defender," Darkseid intones, swatting a full-force blast aside with the Omega Effect, "but even you must realize it's hopeless." "Sorry, Darkseid," Defender hisses, his every psychic channel stretched to the limit, "I just don't believe in 'hopeless.'" The asphalt suddenly rips itself out from under Darkseid's feet, then slams into the dark god's face. Darkseid ignores this assault, righting himself before he can even lose balance and simply letting the stretch of road shatter against him. His eyes glow red, and with a small 'boom' he vanishes. Defender, sensing the warp, immediately rockets aside as a second 'boom' unleashes from behind where he had been a fraction of a second before. The Omega Effect darts out, barely missing the hero. The dark red beams then turn, and it takes all of the Eternal's power to channel the beams (almost) into the ground. Even at that, the Champion's force field flares ominously, cracking with a sound like a failing light bulb. Solitaire, sensing Defender's position, shifts into a defensive mode. *Ma! Remember the contingencies? Grab the bairns and the house and go to Callahans, now! Ye can get to Arcadia from there.* She parries a blast from Suli. *An' dunna let the twins see any x-windows pointin' this way.* Satisfied that her mother was taking care of her children, she returns her attention to the battle, trying once again to close on the other sorceress. Meanwhile, Darkseid easily shrugs off a psychic thrust from Defender and a disorienting ch'i wave, closing enough to hammer the hero's force field with a fist that can shatter moons. Defender flies back several blocks, coming to rest in the broken remains of a condemned building. [Thank the Light there wasn't anyone in--whaa?] >On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 17:52:10 -0700 >Crystal Jade Guess Said As CAoL Message # 00011173 > >Then she saw it, just ahead. Some slabs of rock that had >fallen into a door frame position. > >#Hallejuja!# she thought. #Now, if it just works.# She >dove forward, curling around L.U.T.E. to make sure that it >didn't get damaged. > >As she went through the "doorway", she *felt* the >transition. It was stronger than she had ever felt before. > >OOC: Okay folks, you get to decide where she came out. (OOC: You asked for it. ;^) A doorway in a broken piece of wall glowed, and a woman ran out. Before Defender could even register much more than "roughly humanoid" and presumed gender, a flight of parademons dive and begin firing. Defender looks upward and glares, too focused to bother with a dramatic gesture. The energy blasts never come within a block of their position, turning back and striking the offending soldiers. With another flicker of thought, he races back to the heart of the battle to face... "DARKSEID!" The Lord of Apokolips, about to send Seeker into oblivion, turns slightly. "Eh?" Roland usually fears the vast range and depth of his power. This is why he has eschewed the many empowering crystals and devices given to him in the past. Further, he prefers to face dangers with his wits and natural talent. With the world (and possibly much more) on the line, however, he cannot afford to allow his ego to rule his judgement. Shiral crystals suddenly encrust Defender's armor, and the purple shield ring given to him by his sib appears on his right ring finger. With one mental channel, Defender strikes at the X-Element that powers Darkseid's cosmic might. With the rest of his considerable will and force, he pours his Shiral-enhanced might into his vast psychokinetic abilities, which he weaves together with the power of the purple shield ring. Together, it all lashes out in one tremendous burst of power unlike anything Roland has ever unleashed before. The entire world shudders slightly under this fantastic display of power. Under this assault, even mighty Darkseid staggers. For a moment, the battlefield becomes less violent, as many combatants pause to watch this titanic clash. Hope wells in the hearts of Earth-9's protectors. But this is the original Darkseid, the master of Apokolips of Earth-1, capable of battling the mightiest Superman of all. His fists can crack worlds. His science can master stars. And his Omega Beams...are irresistible. A single, supreme counter-burst blinds all watching for a moment. Darkseid rights himself, his eyes burning with pain and power. This blow cost the New God. It cost Defender far more. The Champion stares in shock at the space where his right arm had been a moment ago. It is gone, up to the shoulder. The purple shield ring is motes of quickly-dispersing energy, and the Shiral crystals are inert. The armor ripples around the wound for a moment, trying to grow, then settles for sealing the wound. Pure shock holds him up for a moment, but then Defender falls to one knee. Darkseid strides over, triumphant. He stares down at the wounded hero. "You have fought valiantly, Eternal. Yet this battle could have but one end. I give you another chance to yield." "Never," Defender gasps. The pain is breathtaking, literally, and yet (to even his own amazement) he fights it off and stares back in defiance. "Even if I fall, my world has a thousand champions. We _will_ beat you." "And of course, there is your trump card," Darkseid adds with a sly smile, glancing at Defender's remaining wrist. The minilens 'ported itself there, and Defender stares at it, blinking in dazed confusion. "Rest assured, child, that I have thought of everything." Darkseid gestures at the sky, and the clouds part above them. Thrown into relief by the indirect light are creatures out of nightmare. Solaris, the Tyrant Sun of Earth-Zero. Maggedon, the ultimate weapon of the Old Gods. Quisp, the Fifth-Dimension imp turned to evil rather than mischief. Amazo, the One-Man Justice League. And above them all, behind them all, murdering light and hope alike... ...the Anti-Life Equation. "Surely," Darkseid notes calmly, one fist slowly rising, "you must have wondered what my 'Darkness Device' would be? Fear not, however. Rest assured that the fate of your people shall be far kinder under Darkseid than it would have been beneath the heel of the Gaunt Man." [Oh Light!] Defender reaches out with his mind, telepathic signal racing frantically across the link and to Callahan's Place as Darkseid prepares his coup de grace... */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest multiple dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces being overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under atta--/* (OOC: Okay. NOW you can start. ) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 18:40:04 -0400 (EDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011191 (Revised when On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 23:12:22 -0400 (EDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011197, changes woven in; And again when On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 00:19:30 -0400 (EDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011200) An anauti is an Inuit parka worn by a mother and child, the child can look over the mother's shoulder or crawl inside to sleep, the two share body heat, an ideal situation in the coldest parts of the planet. Tink wore a futuristic version of such a coat, David riding on her back, as they looked out across the north pole of mars, a forcefield keeping breathable air and heat circulating within their force-bubble. "I wonder what our family's doing right now." She considered a moment what she knew already, then projected that knowledge into the current. Gary Seven and Roberta Lincoln-Seven had gone with Isis into the future to help a Romulan agent in his mission. Flarn was still deeply entrenched in trying to keep the telepath war from spreading off the human worlds. Grep was teaching troops on Dorsai and Melissa was helping integrate the creations of Steve the Supervillian into human society. Molly, Tiara and Anna were touring Hogwarts. And Michael Seven had just stepped through a linking book he'd found on an Age he had written for his future university to discover a Myst linking book which he was just placing his hand on to link through. Tink smiled. "Well, not bad, considering none of them are wearing their mini-lenses or other telepathic gear." The Seven Clan had stopped when Michael Seven retired, mostly pulling them out when they planned to visit Callahan's or one of the CAoL members. Tink considered a moment, then decided to try the same trick with her extended family. First, she'd project for Rob, Uncle Roland, and Aunt Morgan. War, an invasion of Earth-9, the Gaunt Man seeking to overthrow, teaming up with other uber-villians, all visions coming with such clarity and certainty that she could not doubt their immediate threat to her loved ones. Her mini-lens was suddenly upon her wrist, her mind linking to vast stores of power she was just learning to control. She foresaw her immediate needs and fortified herself to the task. David would have to come along for this, and her plans took the infant into account. Thus, as the call came through, after what felt like an eternity of waiting, she and David vanished from the martian polar landscape. >On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 21:00:14 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 > > [Oh Light!] Defender reaches out with his mind, telepathic signal >racing frantically across the link and to Callahan's Place as >Darkseid prepares his coup de grace... > */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest multiple >dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces being >overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY MAYDAY >Earth-9 under atta--/* > (OOC: Okay. NOW you can start. ) A figure materialized before Roland, grabbed Darkseid's punching arm, pivoted and threw him in a judo throw that sent the Lord of Apocalips crashing into the road several blocks away, a pitch most likely that only Kryptonians and the super-augmented could pull off. Throwing back the hood of the futuristic anauti, Tinkerbell Seven, age 15, crouched, David, only eighteen months old, peering from within the parka over her shoulder. /That won't hold him for more than a couple seconds, UNCLE DHYRCLHANC, I NEED YOU, NOW; TARGET DARKSEID! Aunt Aurora, can you do something about this darkness devise thingie? At least keep him from using it on us? Uncle Roland,/ [Crap, he's out cold.] /*"Okay, people, strategic withdrawl with him or tell me all you know about these people so we can toss out more targets."*/ /Guys! I don't mess with comic book worlds as a rule, so I can't match up people with who'd best suit them. ROB! Can you help organize our people? Aunt Morgan, can you help get our people working with yours? ROGER, I need you powered up and ready to kick godling butt! EVERYBODY, IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE BADDIES HERE, TAKE ONE OR TELL US WHO CAN!/ Tink touched a hypo-spray to Roland's neck, the injection was simply to help fight infection, it wasn't a cure-all, alas. She was over her head and knew it. But at least she'd nudged the ball a bit, the rest could help keep it rolling. /Aunt Morgan, (like I need to tell you) this looks like something up your alley, but I can shield Uncle Roland while you're busy./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 16:17:55 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011192 >On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 18:40:04 -0400 (EDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011191 > > /That won't hold him for more than a couple seconds, UNCLE >DHYRCLHANC, I NEED YOU, NOW; TARGET DARKSEID! Aunt Aurora, can you do >something about this darkness devise thingie? At least keep him from >using it on us? Uncle Roland, strategic withdrawl or tell me all you >know about these people so we can toss out more targets, I don't mess >with comic book worlds as a rule, so I can't match up people with >who'd best suit them. OOC: Just so it's clear, the reason the transmission cut off is that Darkseid knocked Roland out. If he wasn't an immortal, he'd be dead. So, he's not going to be much help ;-). > ROB! Help with organizing, please! ROGER, need you powered up and >ready to kick godling butt! EVERYBODY, IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT >THE BADDIES HERE, TAKE ONE OR TELL US WHO CAN!/ OOC2: OTOH, the rest of the Champions are around, and IIRC Seeker would be in command after Defender has been rendered irrelevant for the remainder of the event. > Tink touched a hypo-spray to Roland's neck, the medicine only >brought the pain down enough to where the immortal could think >clearly, it wasn't a cure-all, alas. She was over her head and knew >it. OOC3: I don't think he's feeling any pain at this point. I'll let Roland go into just how much damage was done, but IIRC it's severe. Not permanent, of course, but serious. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 17:23:42 -0700 Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011193 >On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 18:40:04 -0400 (EDT) > Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011191 > > A figure materialized before Roland, grabbed Darkseid's fist and >threw him in a judo throw that sent the Lord of Apocalips crashing >into the road several blocks away, a pitch most likely that only >Kryptonians and the super-augmented could pull off. Four largish (50 foot tall) and roughly humanoid figures appear in the air above the city's buildings. The moment they appear they are surrounded by parademons, which they begin swatting from the skies. Parademons that they swat DON'T get up. After a few seconds of this, they look at each other and visibly come to a decision. Two of them report to their "superiors". *Oracle, Earth 9 is under MAJOR attack. The local defenders are clearly going to be unable to to defeat the invaders, and even with our help are very likely to lose. We need reinforcements, NOW!* The guardian for the Compact of the Unaligned reports. At the same time the agent of the Coalition of Light sends *Aurora, Roland's people are getting their butts kicked, and I discern that even WE won't be able to prop them up. You may even want to get Oracle to bring in The Kid.* ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 18:40:21 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011194 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 > >>On Thu, 25 Sep 2003 18:32:58 -0700 (PDT) >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011171 >> >>/Roland? This is Rob. I believe that this(*) counts as >>a Situation.../ > > /I see it,/ Roland replied dryly. /I'm going to be busy for a >while. You may want to avoid the LZ. If not, I suggest you work the >edges. We certainly wouldn't mind the help./ [Oh, great. He's in the -middle- of it.] Rob ran a quick inventory. /I'd love to help now, but most of my gear is in a locker at the Boston Greyhound, and I'm in Boston as well, so it'll take a few hours.../ > /I can --/ > *Mew!* Mew interrupts. (She's "piggy-backing" on the link via >Eric.) Rob, unfortunately, does not understand feline, and he doesn't speak it all that well either - something about mixing his "meows" with his "miaws." Fortunately, Eric can translate. (OOC: insert translation here) /Right. I'll be there shortly./ Moments later, Rob was in the bus depot, dragging gear out of a locker. Sword over his back, and various items in his pockets, and he was ready to go. > The battle is not going well. > Obsidian is now facing Kalibak, and Jaguar is in full retreat from >the combined might of the Furies. A shaken Orchid is fighting off >parademons while UNTIL agents draw off the powerful Bedlam. Quantum >is desperately resisting the combined might of Desaad and Virman >Vundabar, each wielding the pinnacle of Kirbytech robotics. Seeker, >too, is fighting defensively, as Kanto presses the attack with an >elite parademon cadre. UNTIL's forces are under heavy fire, as >Darkseid's military genius, Steppenwolf, pushes at them on several >fronts at once. Fortunately, a fraction of Steppenwolf's attention is taken up by a conundrum; he has lost an astonishing amount of parademons in an area three city blocks square, yet none of the troops sent in have reported any life signs. The first group that went in screamed something about going blind, but every team sent in since then has simply fallen, one by one, with no explanation of who is attacking them, or where the parademons go. --- The source of this curiosity is currently perched on a streetlight, watching the third score of parademons enter his chosen zone. Rob grins, as the parademons look right through him. Darkseid's shock troops are well-armed, numerous, powerful, obedient, and have all the brains of a bowl of oatmeal. They are trained in resisting mental control, but more subtle tricks work quite well - too well, as Rob discovered with his first attempt. ["The clouded mind sees nothing" isn't meant to be taken that literally, but the effect was interesting.] As the last of the mob passes his point, the wandering warrior drops, making one of the parademons vanish from his fellows' awareness. Three swift blows, two bounces off the concrete, and a nerve strike later, the selected victim is unconscious. Not long after that, he is gagged, bound, disarmed, and superglued hand and foot in the sewer. [The only problem is, I'm running out of places to hide the--Ghidrah's heart.] (snip of a titanic tussle, a battle royale, don't tell me you missed it!) > [Oh Light!] Defender reaches out with his mind, telepathic signal >racing frantically across the link and to Callahan's Place as >Darkseid prepares his coup de grace... > */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest multiple >dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces being >overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY MAYDAY >Earth-9 under atta--/* A moment later, the parademons are surprised by the arrival of a human whirlwind. Fists, feet, and fireballs shatter their crowd from the inside out, and every shot they fire passes through their attacker without slowing him down. In reality, Rob is a few feet from where the shots are aimed, but convincing simple minds that the target is not where it seems to be is only slightly more challenging than clouding one person from sight. Half a minute later, only thirteen parademons remain standing, and Rob vanishes again. As they regrouped, their attention is caught by a shout: "Psychoooo...BLIZZARD!" Six seconds later, a baker's dozen of Parademonsicles lie in the street. "Roland," Rob whispers. [I would have bet on Roland against Darkseid any day of the week. This is -bad-...] ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Stillness before the Storm On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 19:56:58 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011196 The petite lady daintily lifts her skirt, showing only boot but no ankle as the manners of this time and place require. Her corseted dress is elaborate, over a hoop skirt. The small hat and veil are carefully pinned into hair carefully piled and coiled on her head. The man approaching the theatre from the saloon next door is in a long frock coat, but in his hurry somehow fails to avoid the lady. They collide with some force, and he is obliged to apologize profusely as she tries to regain her composure. "_Thank_ you, sir, I'm fine." She says coldy, dimissing him. The man makes another hurried apology as he dashes off once again. Behind him, Zia smiles faintly as she pockets the derringer she took from his coat pocket, as well as the hunting knife her other hand purloined. "Well, Mr. Booth, other than that, how _was_ the play?" She murmurs under her breath, as she calmly makes her way down the board sidewalk into the darkness of the evening. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Stillness before the Storm On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 21:03:55 -0700 Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011199 >On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 19:56:58 -0700 (PDT) >Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011196 > >"Well, Mr. Booth, other than that, how _was_ the play?" She murmurs >under her breath, as she calmly makes her way down the board sidewalk >into the darkness of the evening. A man steps out of a doorway ahead of Zia. He's wearing a gray suit with a bowler hat and carrying an umbrella. It takes Zia a moment to realize that there's something not quite right about the cut of the suit. Then he turns to face her. He tips hit hat and says, "Mrs. Peel, we're needed." It's Nemo. And in spite of his humorous approach, he looks serious. He offers her his arm... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 21:34:08 -0700 (PDT) Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011201 >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011197 > > A figure materialized before Roland, grabbed Darkseid's punching >arm, pivoted and threw him in a judo throw that sent the Lord of >Apokolips crashing into the road several blocks away, a pitch most >likely that only Kryptonians and the super-augmented could pull off. > Throwing back the hood of the futuristic anauti, Tinkerbell >Seven, age 15, crouched; David, only eighteen months old, peering >from within the parka over her shoulder. > /That won't hold him for more than a couple seconds, UNCLE >DHYRCLHANC, I NEED YOU, NOW; TARGET DARKSEID! Aunt Aurora, can you do >something about this darkness device thingie? At least keep him from >using it on us? Uncle Roland (...) > > [Crap, he's out cold.] > > /*"Okay, people, strategic withdrawal with him or tell me all >you know about these people so we can toss out more targets."*/ > > /Guys! I don't mess with comic book worlds as a rule, so I can't >match up people with who'd best suit them. ROB! You've been here a >while, help with organizing, please!/ /Seeker's got the helm, Morgan can coordinate,/ Rob sends, as he pulls the flight wings from a parademon's jet pack. /Morgan, I don't know much about Darkseid's crew, but the little guy who looks like Hitler with bad fashion sense and a monocle is about the easiest KO of the bunch./ (OOC: That's Virmin Vundabar, BTW. And saying he's the easiest KO isn't saying much, IIRC.) "Steel wings will ride the breeze, invade the air, the land, the seas!" Light flows from the rose quartz to the wings, and they rise into the air. Despite the fact that they shouldn't be able to bear his weight, Rob has no problem standing on the wings as they fly him toward the main battle. >/Aunt Morgan, (like I need to tell you) this looks like something up >your alley, but I can shield Uncle Roland while you're busy./ /Morgan, that's seconded and thirded. I can read Roland's chi from here, and it's unbalanced across his full spectrum - you're probably the -only- person who knows enough about him to help right now./ ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 21:36:26 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011202 Quickie image reference for many of the baddies of Apokolips: http://jl.toonzone.net/apokolips/apokolips.htm On with the show! 8^) >On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 18:40:21 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011194 > >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 >> >> /I can --/ >> *Mew!* Mew interrupts. (She's "piggy-backing" on the link via >>Eric.) > > Rob, unfortunately, does not understand feline, and he doesn't >speak it all that well either - something about mixing his "meows" >with his "miaws." > Fortunately, Eric can translate. "/She's got the transport taken care of,/" Eric explains. > /Right. I'll be there shortly./ Moments later, Rob was in the bus >depot, dragging gear out of a locker. Sword over his back, and >various items in his pockets, and he was ready to go. Then... >On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 18:40:04 -0400 (EDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011191 > >>On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 21:00:14 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 >> >> [Oh Light!] Defender reaches out with his mind, telepathic signal >>racing frantically across the link and to Callahan's Place as >>Darkseid prepares his coup de grace... >> */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest >>multiple dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces >>being overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY >>MAYDAY Earth-9 under atta--/* Darkseid gazed placidly at Earth-9's most prominent hero. Defender's helmet was caved in along the right side, and his body was slumped on the ground. The Eternal's energies had provided a last-ditch defense. Still, one more blow would scatter his form suitably, and he did not wish to end this battle with his Omega Beams. By the time the Champion reconstituted himself, the war would be over. The High Lord of the New Gods raised his fist once more... > A figure materialized before Roland, grabbed Darkseid's punching >arm, pivoted and threw him in a judo throw that sent the Lord of >Apocalips crashing into the road several blocks away, a pitch most >likely that only Kryptonians and the super-augmented could pull off. Darkseid slammed into yet another battle-torn building, and it collapsed on him. The High Lord was quickly buried in hundreds of tons of rubble. > Throwing back the hood of the futuristic anauti, Tinkerbell >Seven, age 15, crouched, David, only eighteen months old, peering >from within the parka over her shoulder. Meanwhile... >On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 18:40:21 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011194 > > Fortunately, a fraction of Steppenwolf's attention is taken up by >a conundrum; he has lost an astonishing amount of parademons in an >area three city blocks square, yet none of the troops sent in have >reported any life signs. > The first group that went in screamed something about going blind, >but every team sent in since then has simply fallen, one by one, with >no explanation of who is attacking them, or where the parademons go. Steppenwolf frowned. "Phalanx commander." "SIR!" "Continue the attack." Steppenwolf wheeled his aero-cycle around, then raced off to the offending area. The parademons continued to pound the UNTIL units relentlessly... > /That won't hold him for more than a couple seconds, UNCLE >DHYRCLHANC, I NEED YOU, NOW; TARGET DARKSEID! Aunt Aurora, can you do >something about this darkness devise thingie? At least keep him from >using it on us? Uncle Roland,/ "*" Roland didn't say. ;^) >[Crap, he's out cold.] > /*"Okay, people, strategic withdrawl with him or tell me all you >know about these people so we can toss out more targets."*/ > /Guys! I don't mess with comic book worlds as a rule, so I can't >match up people with who'd best suit them. ROB! Can you help organize >our people? Aunt Morgan, can you help get our people working with >yours? ROGER, I need you powered up and ready to kick godling butt! >EVERYBODY, IF YOU KNOW SOMETHING ABOUT THE BADDIES HERE, TAKE ONE OR >TELL US WHO CAN!/ Darkseid literally SHRUGGED the weight off, throwing debris in every direction. Jaguar and the Female Furies ducked, and several UNTIL agents, parademons, New Yorkers, and dog soldiers were struck by the burst. [Ed note: snip of Seeker going to Tink, which was retconned out.] "Well now, well now, what have we here?" An old...woman, you think...squat, ugly, not exactly fat but wide enough to be a miniature wall, looked both Seeker and Tink over with a critical eye. She's definitely more curious about Tink, however. "Do old Granny's eyes deceive her, or have we a child in need of guidance?" The harridan's voice grated like a rusty harp out of tune. She tapped a strange Kirby rod in one hand with the other. Her smile was worse than most frowns... ...and four women (who will be described later; they're the Female Furies) step out of the smoke behind her. Dog soldiers are advancing... Oh yeah, back to Rob... > In reality, Rob is a few feet from where the shots are aimed, but >convincing simple minds that the target is not where it seems to be >is only slightly more challenging than clouding one person from >sight. > Half a minute later, only thirteen parademons remain standing, and >Rob vanishes again. As they regrouped, their attention is caught by a >shout: > "Psychoooo...BLIZZARD!" > Six seconds later, a baker's dozen of Parademonsicles lie in the >street. > "Roland," Rob whispers. [I would have bet on Roland against >Darkseid any day of the week. This is -bad-...] (OOC: Rob wins the solid-gold kewpie doll for proper assessment of JUST HOW DEEP you folx are in it. ) "Impressive," Steppenwolf says calmly, floating above the mess. Two dozen parademons hover in formation behind him. "Now..." the General of Apokolips drew an enormous axe from the flier. A cable snaked out from his back and attached itself to the axe, and it crackled with electric menace. "...are you ready to face one of the Ruling Elite?" A flurry of solar knives shot out, bringing down a half-dozen parademons. Eric burst out of the shadows like lightning, landing neatly between the New God and his prey. "I'm sure he is. However, I don't doubt he's got better things to do." Steppenwolf raised one eyebrow calmly. "And you?" Eric smiled. It wasn't a pleasant smile. It reminded the parademons unpleasantly of a human with a bat-fetish. "Things like you are my line of _work,_ Captain Sallow." /Rob, go find your friends. I'll deal with crater-face's hatchet man here./ (OOC: That's just Eric's violent tendencies talking. Feel free to open a can of whup-@$$ with him if you like. 8^) ================================= Subject: AAE 9: Cosmic Storm Rising On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 22:00:00 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011203 >On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 17:23:42 -0700 >Dane Said As CAoL Message # 00011193 > >>On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 21:00:14 -0700 >>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 >> >> [Oh Light!] Defender reaches out with his mind, telepathic signal >>racing frantically across the link and to Callahan's Place as >>Darkseid prepares his coup de grace... >> */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest >>multiple dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces >>being overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY >>MAYDAY Earth-9 under atta--/* *CRUNCH* >Four largish (50 foot tall) and roughly humanoid figures appear in >the air above the city's buildings. The moment they appear they are >surrounded by parademons, which they begin swatting from the skies. >Parademons that they swat DON'T get up. After a few seconds of this, >they look at each other and visibly come to a decision. Two of them >report to their "superiors". The moment the figures appear, Solaris and Amazo descend rapidly. Mageddon and Quisp float down at a more leisurely pace, Mageddon due to its massive size and Quisp because...well, because he wants to. >*Oracle, Earth 9 is under MAJOR attack. The local defenders are >clearly going to be unable to to defeat the invaders, and even with >our help are very likely to lose. We need reinforcements, NOW!* The >guardian for the Compact of the Unaligned reports. > >At the same time the agent of the Coalition of Light sends *Aurora, >Roland's people are getting their butts kicked, and I discern that >even WE won't be able to prop them up. You may even want to get >Oracle to bring in The Kid.* (OOC: Ignore all of this if these beings are Greater Starspawn. If they are Lesser Starspawn, however...ick.) The Tyrant Sun targets the one that it calculates to be the leader; if no leader is obvious, it remains diametrically opposite to Quisp. Its vast computer mentality moving at a tremendous rate, it begins to assault its chosen target on several fronts simultaneously. Raw power disruption is what the humans see, as massive gouts of carefully controlled plasma rip at the form savagely. Every strike leaves energy "viruses," some of which attack the energy-physicality, others its mental capacity, and still others its pure cohesiveness. Some of the strikes also leave "worms," which consume the host and use that energy to become more efficient plasmatic predators. The cumulative effect is...ugly. Maggedon's target is slowly corrupted by the great weapon's psychic power. If this does not turn the unfortunate Starspawn against its fellows, the ancient device uncoils its tentacles and begins "eating" the (heavily distracted) thing, swallowing it into the anti-sun that powers it. Amazo roars with a savage joy as it/he unleashes his horrific arsenal of powers. This including Oan force, Kryptonian might, New Gods weaponry, the Omega Effect itself, and the targeted Starspawn's own abilities. "You shall not stand against the Lion of Darkseid!" Amazo cries triumphantly. Quisp does nothing at first, watching the other cosmic powers demolish their unfortunate targets. He then proceeds to lean on the remaining entity's shoulder, 'tsk'ing tragically. "Sad, isn't it?" he sighs. "No art. No style. No poetry. No _soul,_ wouldn't you agree?" At which point the Starspawn becomes a seahorse. A large flying seahorse with minor super-powers (like the ability to shoot bursts of water), to be sure, but a seahorse all the same. Quisp sighs happily, if wistfully. "Ah, for the good old days." Quisp then mounts the seahorse. And is promptly bucked off. "Hey! FOUL! No fair!" He fires glittering, multi-colored blasts that tie-dye the buildings beneath them, but the seahorse escapes. Quisp glares for about a tenth of a second, then chitters gleefully. Solaris and Amazo look at Quisp, then each other. Amazo has a disturbed expression on his face. "00101110101 designate Qwsp is mentally unstable 1101110101 suggest avoidance 01100," Solaris notes. "You have a great gift for understatement, Tyrant," Amazo replies... ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (VLong!) On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 02:25:19 -0500 Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011204 >On Sun, Oct 5th, 2K3, Roland X Said > > An enormous cylinder of coruscating light appeared in the sky as >the city was filled with a sound like the wrath of the gods. Perhaps >it was. The cylinder was wide enough to easily accommodate Champions >Island, and from its opening 2000 feet in the air it extended up as >far as anyone could see. > And it began disgorging flying carriers, landing craft, and flying >warriors in green and gold, with alacrity. (sorry, couldn't help it. ;^) > "Surely," Darkseid notes calmly, one fist slowly rising, "you must >have wondered what my 'Darkness Device' would be? Fear not, however. >Rest assured that the fate of your people shall be far kinder under >Darkseid than it would have been beneath the heel of the Gaunt Man." > [Oh Light!] Defender reaches out with his mind, telepathic signal >racing frantically across the link and to Callahan's Place as >Darkseid prepares his coup de grace... > */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest multiple >dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces being >overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY MAYDAY >Earth-9 under atta--/* I hope I don't step on anyone else's toes with this... Somewhere within the distance between Earth-9 and it's Moon, two Jump-points flare into life. The smaller disgorges the recognizable semi-saucer-like shape of Dhyrclhanc's highly modified Defiant-class ship "Xavier". The somewhat larger one disgorges a huge ship, the length of which would easily span the distance between the cities of New York and Rio Di Janeiro if it were drawn in a straight line between the two. Those familiar with the last three Star Wars movies will recognize it as an Executor-style, Super-class, Imperial Star Destroyer. A smaller vehicle, recognizable as a reproduction of the Delta Flyer, exited out from the underside of the Xavier and then crossed between the two ships and entered the main docking port of the Super Star Destroyer and disappeared as the giant, previously opened, bay doors closed. Elsewhere, Dhyrclhanc says to himself, [Showtime!] At the same time, on the surface of the planet, within the vicinity of the, literally, Earth-shaking conflict going on between Earth-9's defenders and the Apoliptian invasion forces, anything and everything capable of broadcasting a signal, including empty cans and bottles, and everyone's communications devices -- on both sides of the battle -- suddenly switch on by themselves and broadcast the Dave Mathew's Band(tm) version of "All Along The Watchtower". It was at this point that Stepenwolf appeared beside his dread master and informed his nephew Darksied, the dread lord of Apokolips, of the arrival of the two ships in orbit. "'There Must Be Some Way Out of Here', said The Joker to The Thief. 'For There Is Much, Too Much Confusion and I Can't Get Nooooooo Relief. The Businessman, He Drink My Wine and The Plowman, He Dig My Earth. But None of Them, None of Them, None of Them All Along The Line Know What Any Of It's Worth'." "'There's No Reason To Get Excited', The Thief, He Kindly Spoke. 'For There Are Those Who Dwell Amongst Us Who Feel That Life Is But A Joke. Ha-Ha-Ha-Ha. But You and I, We Have Been Through All That -- Yes We Have -- And That Is Not Our Fate. So Let Us Not Talk Falsely Now, For the Hour, It's Getting Late'." "... And All Along the Watchtower, The Princes, They Kept Their View. ... And All The Women, All The Women, All The Women, They Came And They Went, and Their Barefoot Servants, Too." "... And Outside In The Cold Distance, The Wild Cat, He did Growl, and Two Riders, Two Riders Were Approaching, and The Wind Began to Howwwwwllll!!!" K K A BBBB OOO OOO M M !!! K K A A B B O O O O M M M M !!! K K AAAAA BBBB O O O O M MM M !!! K K A A B B O O O O M M M K K A A BBBB OOO OOO M M !!! [Ed. Note: Again, it's supposed to spell out "KABOOM!" Sorry if it doesn't come out right.] A second Boom-Tube formed at the opposite end of the conflict, disembarking are, of course, Dhyrclhanc and his personal Cadre of Light, or some variant thereof. Dhyrclhanc is at his full 21' tall size, but is riding an equivalently large post-modern design motorcycle with an almost organic design to it. Likewise, Dasher is there also, along with Lady Dharma -- Dhyrclhanc's personal Nemisis split, as well as Nimrod -- wielding a large, even for him, technological-looking, Bardiche-style axe. However there are also several newcomers, or at least what appear to be so. Moving along at a characteristically cat-like gait is a large (21-foot tall), Jaguar-like robot, which is walking on it's hind legs and has a large, Vulcan-like, multi-barreled cannon sticking out of its left fore-arm. There is also a man-sized, silverish, humanoid robot possessing a frightening jack-o-lantern-like face and is flying into battle via a jet-pack which looks suspiciously like an automobile engine. Lastly, there is a what looks like a human female dressed in a strange, completely black, mesh-like uniform. Anyone who get's a good look at her face will recognize that she isn't Sythea, but she does bear a striking resemblance to Uma Thurman, Charlize Theron, or Ashley Judd. Lastly, a smaller, when compared to Dhyrclhanc (19 feet long), dull black and shiny silver scaled dragon half-slithered/half-crawled out of the Boom Tube's tunnel of light. The "passenger manifest" of the second Boom Tube doesn't end there. In addition to all these people, there are also at least three platoons of troops the likes of which this world has never seen. Easily numbering into 2/3rds of the Dog-Soldiers of Apocalips are a mixed company of human cyborgs who look like they were designed by Syd Mead, what look like vaguely skeletal robots with strange looking oversized forearms. Each group has three hover tanks, each of which bore a strange resemblance to an Abrams M-10, and two armed hover APVs, which bear a striking resemblance to a Bradley M-6. Scattered amongst these troops were a few, even stranger looking, walking, 8-foot tall, armored colossuses who resembled what you might get if you crossed a Klingon with an Ogre and then gave them haircuts that were right out of medieval Japan. When the last of these troops disembarked, the Boom Tube closed down. [Choices, choices.] Thought Dhyrclhanc, while surveying the carnage. [First things first, I suppose] he said to himself as the legion of troops began to engage Darkseid's ground forces. Dhyrclhanc reached into his great-cloak and withdrew his Glaive. With a sweeping motion he passed his thumb over the Rune-nanomagitech throwing weapon and at the same time the weapon's blades slid outwards, the blade duplicated itself so that there was now five where there was originally only one. The draconic lensman drew his arm back and hurled the five starfish-shaped weapons into the huge melee. Elsewhere Kalibak was just finished dragging himself out of the Atlantic Ocean. But even the scion of Darksied needed to gather his breath after his combat with both Obsidion and Defender and so he was leaning against a cement wall, holding himself up with the hand that still grasped his cosmically-powered Beta-club. Without warning, two of the Glaives came swooping through the air, pinning both his wrist and the Beta-Club against the wall. Somewhere in the middle of the conflict, the technological genius of Darkseid's Elite orchestrates the Malevolent movements of the majority of the Kirby-tech mechanized forces of Apokalips while being sheltered from the real battle with the bulk of one of the Huge Troop Transports that came through the initial Boom Tube. A whistling noise is all that warns him when the other three Glaives fly through the air and pin his wrist to the side of the Troop Carrier, the ultra-sharp blade of one of the Glaives pins him inexorably to the vehicle right through his palm which, likewise, pierced right through the remote device he was using. Those terror devices capable of autonomic functioning do so. The rest drop to the ground, as of cut off from both power and control. Several moments ago, about the same time that Dhyrclhanc's Boom Tube opened and began spewing out combatants, several military ships stationed just off the East Coast reported the appearance of three submarines, two large (380 feet long) ones and one smaller (360 feet long) one, both discharged a number of two different kinds of armored troops and vehicles; hovercraft, fighters and helicopter gunships, as well as a number of strange manta-ray-like flying craft, all of which began moving towards shore. Then all of the subs sank back down beneath the waves, disappearing from view of the naked eye as well as from the ship's sonar screens. Back on land, Dhyrclhanc willed his power-ring to life, creating several large kelly-green lozenge-shaped energy constructs scattered around the battlefield. These immediately disappeared, each revealing anywhere between two to four of the Droid Starfighters from "Star Wars I:TPM". At least two of them, however, have obviously been altered, the platform where their head rests has been turned around and there are three wings on each of them as well. One of them appeared beside Dhyrclhanc, in land mode. After they appear, Dasher takes off into the sky to join one of the smaller wings of droid fighters, all of which begin attacking various wings of Darksied's Air-Cavalry. #Super Xi Char Variable Geometry Droid Starfighter Mark I, No. 1, reporting for duty and ready to act as command signal relay, as per your original commands.# Dhyrclhanc smiled. /I love it when a plan comes together./ he sends out via the lens-link, and then %^I hope you don't mind that I brought a few friends.^% to Roland via their private ring-link. He then reached behind himself and drew out a boxy-looking rifle w/ a strange looking dagger, with an equally strange looking gem in the pommel, attached to the rifle's business-end like a bayonet. Onto the other hand, he TK-ed on the red glove that he wore when Thratchen originally attacked them inside of Michael Seven's Tardis, at the same time activating the red,white and blue force ward contained in the glove. /I would not be celebrating just yet./ Dhyrclhanc heard in his mind, as someone laid their hand on his shoulder. Dhyrclhanc turned around, while still seated on the motorcycle and another Dhyrclhanc stood behind him, pointing into the air. Dhyrclhanc#1 looked up towards where Dhyrclhanc #2 was pointing and saw, as of for the first time, Solaris, the Sun-Tyrant, Maggedon, the last remaining weapon of the Old Gods and Qwsp and Amazo. "Eeep! Whoops! Oh well, you know what they say, the initial strategy never survives fully intact after the initial contact with the enemy." However, in so saying, Dhyrclhanc's computer-like mind begins contemplating a new strategy for dealing with these new threats. ...And a number of Ioun Stones fly out of the interior of Dhyrclhanc's great cloak and take-up orbit around the Immortal Dragon's head. In all seriousness, I'd think this should tie all of the crunchies up for the time being while Roland's "Trump Card" begins taking care of the Heavy Hitters. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 23:44:08 -0700 Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011205 (OOC: Sorry about that, folx, I sent before checking e-mail. Fortunately, I don't think we have much retconning to do...) "Feeling a bit pressured, human?" Suli laughed richly as the two sorceresses battled in the realm of pure magick. Suli's deceptions had been matched by Solitaire's willingness to close to sword range, and both had decided (not entirely deliberately) to engage in a match of primal power and skill. Solitaire was, in fact, holding her own well. Still, she was on the defensive, and given time (LOTS of time), Suli would eventually gain the upper hand. Worse, Morgan seemed to be doing better than any of the other Champions, all of whom were in various stages of retreat or disadvantage. It didn't look like the battle would _last_ long enough for Solitaire to lose it honestly. Then... >On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 21:34:08 -0700 (PDT) >Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011201 > >>Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011197 >> >>>>On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 21:00:14 -0700 >>>>Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 >>>> >>>> */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest >>>>multiple dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces >>>>being overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats >>>>MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under atta--/* *CRUNCH* ^ROLAND!^ > /*"Okay, people, strategic withdrawl with him or tell me all you >know about these people so we can toss out more targets."*/ > /Guys! I don't mess with comic book worlds as a rule, so I can't >match up people with who'd best suit them. ROB! Can you help organize >our people? Aunt Morgan, can you help get our people working with >yours? (OOC: Okay, we need to do a little retconning of our own. Ignore the part where Seeker leaps down to Tink's side and replace with the following.) It took Morgan every ounce of warrior training to not rush to Roland's side. One does not just abandon an opponent on the battlefield. On the other hand, Roland was in serious need of the Champions' best medic. *Seeker! Tag in!* Solitaire sent. Seeker blinked, then grinned wickedly. "Sorry, mate, I can't play with ya any more just now." And vanished. As Kanto scowled in frustration and confusion, Seeker appeared directly above Suli, grabbing her arms and pinning them. "'Ey, point those somewhere else, would ya?" "YOU DARE?!?" Suli raged. "Yes. He does," Solitaire quipped, and vanished with a jaunty salute. (OOC: You know, Seeker's going to be in a lot of trouble in a minute or so unless someone takes on Darkseid's supreme swordsman...hint, hint. ;^) Meanwhile... > /Seeker's got the helm, Morgan can coordinate,/ Rob sends, as he >pulls the flight wings from a parademon's jet pack. /Morgan, I don't >know much about Darkseid's crew, but the little guy who looks like >Hitler with bad fashion sense and a monocle is about the easiest KO >of the bunch./ Solitaire appeared next to Tink. *{},* she sent in a packet to her newly arrived (and greatly appreciated) teammates. *Pass it on.* OOC: The {} is what she knows about Darkseid's crew. For some of the main henchfolk, see: http://www.aric-dacia.com/desaad.htm http://www.aric-dacia.com/granny.htm http://www.aric-dacia.com/kalibak.htm http://www.aric-dacia.com/kanto.htm http://www.aric-dacia.com/lashina.htm http://www.aric-dacia.com/steppenwolf.htm From earlier, Eric said: > /Rob, go find your friends. I'll deal with crater-face's hatchet >man here./ Unless Rob decides otherwise: > Light flows from the rose quartz to the wings, and they rise into >the air. Despite the fact that they shouldn't be able to bear his >weight, Rob has no problem standing on the wings as they fly him >toward the main battle. Eric and Steppenwolf glared at each other. The blade on Eric's chain and the one at the end of Steppenwolf's cable glinted with an eerie similarity. Then, with twin shouts that were as one, they charged at one another, parademons diving in after their commander... >> /Aunt Morgan, (like I need to tell you) this looks like >>something up your alley, but I can shield Uncle Roland while you're >>busy./ > >/Morgan, that's seconded and thirded. I can read Roland's chi from >here, and it's unbalanced across his full spectrum - you're probably >the -only- person who knows enough about him to help right now./ */Everyone, the Aussie's Seeker, Defender's XO. As opposed to Roland's XO, who I assume will be arriving in due time,/* Solitaire sounded a bit rambly, as she was already concentrating on triaging Defender. */He also maintains the team teep link, so you can coordinate with him. Seeker, meet the Callahanian Army of Light, powers vary, I'll let them explain themselves./* That last was sent with a mental grin. */I'll need someone to cover me, Tink, and.../* David's presence registered. [Oh, Light, let me be right in assuming Tink knew what she was doing bringing a baby into this.] /*...and David. I don't think Mike would appreciate us letting anything happen to his son. I'm going to try to bring Roland back online./* Morgan's presence didn't exactly fade from the link, but it was obvious to anyone paying any attention at all that she was deep in thought, and would only respond to things that really needed _her_ attention. The stray thoughts that leaked through were...not heartening. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 00:20:45 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011206 Harlock, by some twist of fate, is actually relaxing in Callahan's Place when: > */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest multiple >dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces being >overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY MAYDAY >Earth-9 under atta--/* "Urmph!" comes the Bard's voice from the near vicinity of the floor. "Roland?" *ROLAND?!?* [Uh-oh. This cannot be good. Methinks it best to call in my daughter and her friend Veren to help...maybe even Kell, an I can pry him from his inn. Oh, hells, I might as well see if Erindrea can talk that twit Marivale into helping while I'm at it...] With a few words and a brief gesture, Harlock fades from the Place. > Obsidian is now facing Kalibak, and Jaguar is in full retreat from >the combined might of the Furies. A shaken Orchid is fighting off >parademons while UNTIL agents draw off the powerful Bedlam. Quantum >is desperately resisting the combined might of Desaad and Virman >Vundabar, each wielding the pinnacle of Kirbytech robotics. Seeker, >too, is fighting defensively, as Kanto presses the attack with an >elite parademon cadre. UNTIL's forces are under heavy fire, as >Darkseid's military genius, Steppenwolf, pushes at them on several >fronts at once. A group of figures in medieval clothing materializes in Times Square. Two of them, a male and a female, immediately produce bows from quivers and start firing at flying parademons. The male has an appalling knack for finding the weak spots of the closer ones, while the female mutters something between shots and nails other parademons at appalling range. others stand in defensive postures as Harlock broadcasts *A thumbnail briefing would be helpful, good gentles.* (OOC: So, Peter, _is_ Harlock going to be able to pry Kell loose?) ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (VLong!) On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 00:26:29 -0700 Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011207 >On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 02:25:19 -0500 >Dhyrclhanc Said As CAoL Message # 00011204 > >anything and everything capable of broadcasting a signal, including >empty cans and bottles, and everyone's communications devices -- on >both sides of the battle -- suddenly switch on by themselves and >broadcast the Dave Mathew's Band(tm) version of "All Along The >Watchtower". Parademons and UNTIL agents were briefly stymied by this, as communications break down faster than Windows ME. Fortunately for them, both sides have counter-jamming equipment beyond that imagined by most of Earth-9, and combat soon resumes. >A second Boom-Tube formed at the opposite end of the conflict, >disembarking are, of course, Dhyrclhanc and his personal Cadre of >Light, or some variant thereof. >In addition to all these people, there are also at least three >platoons of troops the likes of which this world has never seen. > >Easily numbering into 2/3rds of the Dog-Soldiers of Apocalips are a >mixed company of human cyborgs who look like they were designed by >Syd Mead, what look like vaguely skeletal robots with strange looking >oversized forearms. Each group has three hover tanks, each of which >bore a strange resemblance to an Abrams M-10, and two armed hover >APVs, which bear a striking resemblance to a Bradley M-6. Scattered >amongst these troops were a few, even stranger looking, walking, >8-foot tall, armored colossuses who resembled what you might get if >you crossed a Klingon with an Ogre and then gave them haircuts that >were right out of medieval Japan. > >When the last of these troops disembarked, the Boom Tube closed down. As Darkseid emerged from the rubble, he looked up at the closing Boom Tube and smiled. "Ah. Precisely on schedule. {Desaad. Brimstone. War Dogs. Activate.}" Desaad laughed sadistically (no shock there). {Gladly, great Darkseid!} With monstrous glee, Desaad sent a signal through the Maelstrom Tube, and a second wave of battle cruisers emerged from the hole, accompanied by gleaming metal figures an an _enormous_ burning humanoid figure that screeched as it plummeted to earth. >Elsewhere Kalibak was just finished dragging himself out of the >Atlantic Ocean. But even the scion of Darksied needed to gather his >breath after his combat with both Obsidion and Defender and so he was >leaning against a cement wall, holding himself up with the hand that >still grasped his cosmically-powered Beta-club. Without warning, two >of the Glaives came swooping through the air, pinning both his wrist >and the Beta-Club against the wall. (OOC: Er, Kalibak was still fighting Obsidian when last we left him. He's bigger, stronger, and more powerful. Obsidian's faster and smarter, but that's not going to send Kalibak into the drink. But I digress. 8^) Obsidian, who had been taking a serious beating up until this point, grins faintly. "I believe that your situation has become untenable." "Bah! This is _nothing_ to the ultimate fighter!" Kalibak boasted. "Suit yourself," Obsidian shrugged, swinging to throw a knockout punch. Unfortunately for Obsidian, Kalibak is only marginally less strong than his father. That is more than enough to shatter the cement wall with little more than a flex of his muscles. Obsidian connects, staggering the Scourge of Apokolips, but even a direct blow only stuns the son of Darkseid for a moment... >A whistling noise is all that warns him when the other three Glaives >fly through the air and pin his wrist to the side of the Troop >Carrier, the ultra-sharp blade of one of the Glaives pins him >inexorably to the vehicle right through his palm which, likewise, >pierced right through the remote device he was using. Those terror >devices capable of autonomic functioning do so. The rest drop to the >ground, as of cut off from both power and control. Desaad screams. He can dish it out, but he can't take it. Quantum immediately begins driving Vundabar back. Darkseid scowls. "Unacceptable." The Omega Beams lash out, disintegrating both Desaad and remote control, then reconstituting them back in Desaad's war machine. {Remain in your vehicle, Desaad.} {Yes, Master,} Desaad whimpered. >Then all of the subs sank back down beneath the waves, disappearing >from view of the naked eye as well as from the ship's sonar screens. OOC: Er, no. Just about the time Dhyrclhanc expects them to show up, he gets a report that Apokoliptian aquatic forces, led by the Deep Six (well, we know what happened to Vanguard now), are engaging them. They are encountering heavy resistance. Come on, you didn't think that Darkseid would leave his flank so obviously undefended, did you? >Dhyrclhanc smiled. /I love it when a plan comes together./ he sends >out via the lens-link, and then %^I hope you don't mind that I >brought a few friends.^% to Roland via their private ring-link. OOC-M: Martin, you're not on ^this^ link. That's our private one, that's more untappable than the lens-link ;-). %*% Roland didn't send. ;^) %The Roland you have reached is not in service at this time,% Morgan deadpans, %But the more the...you know.% Then she cross-sends to DC and Seeker simultaneously, /*XO, meet XO. You two will have to take it from here.*/ And she delves into healing her husband. *Howdy, Bruce,* Seeker sent, *Good to see ya again. Right now the order is pick a target an' start shooting, we've got plen--URK!* "Suli is not some flower to be plucked from the field, mortal scum!" the witch of Apokolips snarled, as Seeker barely managed to turn a plummet to his death into a series of acrobatic moves that landed him on the ground roughly intact. *"What a woman,"* Seeker breathed, somewhere between admiring and disgusted. >"Eeep! Whoops! Oh well, you know what they say, the initial strategy >never survives fully intact after the initial contact with the >enemy." However, in so saying, Dhyrclhanc's computer-like mind begins >contemplating a new strategy for dealing with these new threats. > >...And a number of Ioun Stones fly out of the interior of >Dhyrclhanc's great cloak and take-up orbit around the Immortal >Dragon's head. Darkseid gestured, and his aero-disc flew to him. He briefly considered obliterating the girl who had manhandled him, and perhaps the two who had dared threaten his beloved Suli, but the bride of Darkseid must be strong, and there was no honor in destroying children. His eyes flared with cosmic red flame. Two rods appeared in his hands, one like Kalibak's Beta Club, the other similar to Big Barda's Mega-Rod, only both larger and more ominous. "I have been waiting for you, child of the Old Gods," Darkseid intoned, stepping onto the aero-disc. "Now, let us dance." > In all seriousness, I'd think this should tie all of the >crunchies up for the time being while Roland's "Trump Card" begins >taking care of the Heavy Hitters. OOC: What, and deny crunchies to others? You should know me better than that, sib. Heh heh heh... OOC 2: And one of those Heavy Hitters is _all_yours._ We call it the Toyota rule -- you asked for it, you got it. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Stillness before the Storm On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 04:00:12 -0700 (PDT) Ziactrice Said As CAoL Message # 00011208 >On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 21:03:55 -0700 >Nemo Said As CAoL Message # 00011199 > >"Mrs. Peel, we're needed." > >It's Nemo. And in spite of his humorous approach, he looks serious. > >He offers her his arm... Zia's pale blue eyes widen under her veil, as she adriotly places her hand gently on the inner curve of his lower arm. She steps lively at his side. "You always are, you know. Let's go." ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (2 of 2) On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 09:30:57 -0700 Crystal Jade Guess Said As CAoL Message # 00011209 >On Sun, 05 Oct 2003 21:00:14 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011190 [snip] OOC: Lordy, when you guys get started, you don't do it by half measures, do you? *GRIN* >>On Fri, 26 Sep 2003 17:52:10 -0700 >>Crystal Jade Guess Said As CAoL Message # 00011173 >> >>As she went through the "doorway", she *felt* the transition. It was >>stronger than she had ever felt before. >> >>OOC: Okay folks, you get to decide where she came out. > > (OOC: You asked for it. ;^) OOC: *GRIN* > A doorway in a broken piece of wall glowed, and a woman ran out. [Medhalla, I don't believe it! I've managed to land on my feet for once.] As she does just that, moving forward at a stumbling run. >Before Defender could even register much more than "roughly humanoid" >and presumed gender, a flight of parademons dive and begin firing. >Defender looks upward and glares, too focused to bother with a >dramatic gesture. The energy blasts never come within a block of >their position, turning back and striking the offending soldiers. "Oh, Great Rassilon, what have I gotten myself into THIS time? OOC: Since I don't see an indicator in the FAQ for a computer talking to you, I guess this will have to do. #! Probably 99 with 9s to six places that it is trouble as usual, Crys !# "Oh, hush L.U.T.E., YOU aren't Rassilon, thank the great mother." she responded, absent-mindedly, as she dove for what she hoped was better cover. >With another flicker of thought, he races back to the heart of the >battle to face... > "DARKSEID!" [Darkseid?? What the..?] > "Never," Defender gasps. The pain is breathtaking, literally, and >yet (to even his own amazement) he fights it off and stares back in >defiance. "Even if I fall, my world has a thousand champions. We >_will_ beat you." "And of course, there is your trump card," Darkseid >adds with a sly smile, glancing at Defender's remaining wrist. The >minilens 'ported itself there, and Defender stares at it, blinking in >dazed confusion. "Rest assured, child, that I have thought of >everything." Darkseid gestures at the sky, and the clouds part above >them. [Oh, Rassilon, ANOTHER ego-tripping 'super' villian.] > "Surely," Darkseid notes calmly, one fist slowly rising, "you must >have wondered what my 'Darkness Device' would be? Fear not, however. >Rest assured that the fate of your people shall be far kinder under >Darkseid than it would have been beneath the heel of the Gaunt Man." >[Oh Light!] Defender reaches out with his mind, telepathic signal >racing frantically across the link and to Callahan's Place as >Darkseid prepares his coup de grace... [I just know I'm gonna regret this.] Taking the "carry box" from her belt and opening it two folds, CJ pulls out a displacement grenade. Looking at it she wished the damn things worked on her. Activating the trigger, she flicked it out under Darkseid, and crossed her fingers, hoping that THIS time the displacement was in BOTH time and space. > */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest multiple >dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces being >overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY MAYDAY >Earth-9 under atta--/* > (OOC: Okay. NOW you can start. ) OOC: I did. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 14:17:54 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011210 [Ed. Note: This is an expansion of Harlock's post #00011206, and the quoted material from Peter Eng is from an off-list email.] >Peter Eng wrote: >>Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011206 >> >>Harlock, by some twist of fate, is actually relaxing in Callahan's >>Place when: >> >>> */MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest >>>multiple dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces >>>being overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats >>>MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under atta--/* >> >>"Urmph!" comes the Bard's voice from the near vicinity of the floor. >>"Roland?" *ROLAND?!?* [Uh-oh. This cannot be good. Methinks it best >>to call in my daughter and her friend Veren to help...maybe even >>Kell, an I can pry him from his inn. Oh, hells, I might as well see >>if Erindrea can talk that twit Marivale into helping while I'm at >>it...] With a few words and a brief gesture, Harlock fades from the >>Place. > > On Oerth, there is an inn, known for serving the food that would >not be out of place in a fine restaurant. Relatively speaking, anyway >- in a world where the average Zagat rating would be 0.9, a >three-star restaurant is impressive. > At the moment, however, nobody is commenting on the food, as the >patrons are engaging in that most time-honored of pastimes, a barroom >brawl. > Thanks to a enchanter-gourmet, the windows of this inn have the >ability to open with the wave of a wand, which saves money when the >owner starts throwing people out, as he is doing right now. > As the dust clears, Kell Vanderlan, owner of the Wandering >Adventurer Inn, closes the windows, puts up a "CLOSED" sign, and >locks the door. "So let me get this straight. You want me to close up >shop, pick up equipment I haven't had time to do anything but polish >for years, and go fight for the fate of another universe?" > (Harlock starts to explain the importance of this, and is >interrupted) > "Fine. Give me ten minutes to armor up and find that Cubic Gate." The Bard grins. "Bored, brother mine? Well, I have a few more people to collect and then we can be off. You never did tell me why you set up shop on Oerth rather than Toril, you know..." He pulls a palm-sized metal disc out of a pouch and glances down at it. "Erindrea and Veren are off that way...I'll be right back." With a few mystic words, Harlock fades from view. *** Deep in the lands held by Iuz, two figures stealthily approach an ancient keep. One, a leggy blonde in (of all things) a ballroom gown surveys their target calmly. "Ah make it foh in each patrol along the top, but ah cain't get a count in the gatehouse. They've got it blocked against scryin'," she whispers. The other, a well built male with greenish skin and dark hair, is dressed far more practically for this exercise: leathers and a cloak. He squints at the keep for a moment, then whispers back, "best I can tell, there's four on each side of the doorway, as well. What's our play?" "How do you _do_ that, Veren?" The blonde is midway through a head-shake when a figure materializes in front of them...a very familiar figure, at least to Erindrea. "Daddy, get down!" Harlock hits the dirt just as crossbow bolts start spraying from the keep's walls. "My apologies if I've come at a bad time, but a friend of mine is in trouble and I don't think I've the ability to rescue him without aid." Veren scowls at the gaudy figure of the Bard. "Well, our plans for the day are pretty much ruined now." Erin slaps Veren playfully on the shoulder. "Don't be such a grouch, Veren! Considah how many people mah daddy could have asked to help him and considah this an honah. Was theh anythin' else you needed, daddy?" "Well, I was hoping you could convince Marivale to join us." Veren looks like he's about to lunge to his feet, then thinks better of the idea. "Marivale?! That pig-headed..." Erindrea cuts him off in mid-bellow. "That's enough, Veren! You know as well as ah do that archers are not as useful without front line fighters to protect them. Can you think of any bettah swordsman than Marivale?" Veren's scowl, if anything, blackens. If looks could kill, nothing within twenty feet of him would still be moving. But he doesn't dispute the point. Erindrea waits a few more seconds, then nods sharply. "He should be in Leukish, daddy. Yoh spell or mine?" "Mine, honey. One of the perks of the job: unlimited milage." Erin is still looking confused at that one as the group fades out. *** The late afternoon sun slips lazily through clerestory windows as two figures fence in the saale under the watchful eye of a third. Suddenly there is a knock at the door. As the instructor goes to answer, he calls out "keep that guard up, Grenden! Distraction in the saale only nets you bruises. Distraction on the field can be fatal." Shaking his head, he opens the door. "Erindrea! My dear, you are a vision of loveliness as always, but whyever do you persist in travelling with that...mongrel?" Erin raises an eyebrow sharply, stepping aside just enough to reveal her father behind her. "Which one? Mah daddy or mah partner?" Harlock looks amused at his daughter's tactics while Veren merely glowers menacingly. "Ahhhh...your partner, of course. I certainly don't blame your grand...parent for their awkward choice of lovers, not when the end result is so delightful." Erindrea just shakes her head sadly. "You nevah did get the hang of diplomacy, did you, Marivale?" Marivale suddenly grins disarmingly. "Well, it's hardly an asset on the battlefield. Which, I presume, is why you're here, since you haven't payed me a social call in about five years." Veren mutters "small wonder," prompting a dirty look from Erin. Harlock speaks up for the first time. "Aye, you're quite right, milord Saevil. A friend of mine is in trouble and I do not believe I should go to his aid alone. As such, I bethought me of the finest swordsman on Oerth." Marivale preens at this and says "done, then! But I simply can't go anywhere without Geoffery." Erindrea rolls her eyes, but the Bard simply nods. A few minutes later, the expanded group fades out. *** Back at the Wandering Adventurer Inn, Kell is just sheathing the last of his weapons when the group fades into view. Erin calls out "Uncle Kell! Daddy, why didn't you tell me," just before she tackles her uncle in a rib-cracking hug. Harlock looks around, then nods to himself. "Right, then. I don't really know what we will be getting into, here, but anything firing on crowds should be considered fair game. Beyond that, I shall attempt to get more information once we are on site." *** NYC, the present Veren and Erin pull bows from their quivers and start firing at parademons as soon as they fade in, while Kell, Marivale, Harlock, and Geoffery take up defensive stances. Harlock broadcasts *Thumbnail briefing, please?* And the fun begins. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (VLong!) On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 19:56:02 -0400 (EDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011211 >On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 23:44:08 -0700 >Morgan and/or Roland Said As CAoL Message # 00011205 > >>On Mon, 6 Oct 2003 21:34:08 -0700 (PDT) >>Rob N Said As CAoL Message # 00011201 >> >> /Seeker's got the helm, Morgan can coordinate,/ Rob sends, as he >>pulls the flight wings from a parademon's jet pack. /Morgan, I don't >>know much about Darkseid's crew, but the little guy who looks like >>Hitler with bad fashion sense and a monocle is about the easiest KO >>of the bunch./ > >Solitaire appeared next to Tink. *{},* she sent in a packet to her >newly arrived (and greatly appreciated) teammates. *Pass it on.* > >OOC: The {} is what she knows about Darkseid's crew. /ThankyouRobThankyouAuntMorgan!/ >*/Everyone, the Aussie's Seeker, Defender's XO. As opposed to >Roland's XO, who I assume will be arriving in due time,/* Solitaire >sounded a bit rambly, as she was already concentrating on triaging >Defender. */He also maintains the team teep link, so you can >coordinate with him. Seeker, meet the Callahanian Army of Light, >powers vary, I'll let them explain themselves./* That last was sent >with a mental grin. > >*/I'll need someone to cover me, Tink, and.../* David's presence >registered. [Oh, Light, let me be right in assuming Tink knew what >she was doing bringing a baby into this.] /*...and David. I don't >think Mike would appreciate us letting anything happen to his son. >I'm going to try to bring Roland back online./* Tink nodded, */Uhm yeah, first sign of mental-physical distress from David and I'm falling back to Callahans, end of my ability to help./* For David's part, he was calmer than Tink, concerned about his Uncle Roland but Aunt Morgan was here, which meant Uncle Roland was going to be fine. >Morgan's presence didn't exactly fade from the link, but it was >obvious to anyone paying any attention at all that she was deep in >thought, and would only respond to things that really needed _her_ >attention. The stray thoughts that leaked through were...not >heartening. David had faith in Morgan's abilities and Roland's own healing powers as well. Lucky kid, his certainty that all would be well was unshakeable, despite the facts to the contrary. He'd be fine, it just may not be as soon as desired. Meanwhile, Tink was matching up dance partners. */Uncle Dhyrclhanc, Darkseid is still yours. Looks like he wants to dance with you even if you didn't want to tangle with him./* As she's working out who should try and tackle some of the other Elite of Apokolips, Harlock's group arrives... >On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 14:17:54 -0700 >Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011210 > >Veren and Erin pull bows from their quivers and start firing at >parademons as soon as they fade in, while Kell, Marivale, Harlock, >and Geoffery take up defensive stances. Harlock broadcasts *Thumbnail >briefing, please?* And the fun begins. */Here's() what I know from Aunt Morgan. Kanto's free, he's a swordsman, immortal, and versed in Italian Renaissance weapondry. Aunt Morgan would be my first choice, she's got her own hands full./* */Then there's the furies, crack team there, very little info on them as a whole in my possession./* */Desaad, killing gloves and a planet full of high-tech, some of which he's probably got stashed on him./* */Granny Goodness, trainer and torturer, brainwashs and teachs these soldiers in 'orphanages' from the time they're kids. Saw a version of her on a Superman cartoon fighting Supergirl. This is probably silver-age comic version, which means she's gonna be ten times as nasty./* */Watch out for the rods some of these guys carry, they aren't for show and I have no clue what they do./* */And today's Doritos are dog soldiers and parademons. Crunch all you want, they've got more. Led to understand the 'dogs' are Steppenwolf's troops, which Hunter's dealing with, so Desaad probably has their reigns now./* She glanced heavenward, */If you aren't throwing power cosmic, don't even think of touching those four over us. They just trounced lesser Starspawn, which are about the only things which could have made short work of Darkseid./* */That's everything./* Tink paused and concentrated. In the Place, a sandwich board appeared on the chalk line. On both sides it read: HELP WANTED! Callahanian Army of Light seeking all assistance, big or small, to help fight off reality invasion on Earth-9. No experience needed, though highly reccomended for your own safety. No hazard pay, benefits, or pension plan, volunteer-work only. For more information and transportation, contact your nearest CAoLer. Don't delay! Help today! ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising v.2 On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 23:37:02 -0400 (EDT) Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011214 >On Tue, 07 Oct 2003 18:05:52 -0700 >Roland X Said As CAoL Message # 00011213 > >>>On Mon, 06 Oct 2003 21:36:26 -0700 >>>Roland X SaidAs CAoL Message # 00011202 [Ed note: Seeker being here was retconned, but I don't want to rewrite that much :-).] >>> "Well now, well now, what have we here?" An old...woman, you >>>think...squat, ugly, not exactly fat but wide enough to be a >>>miniature wall, looked both Seeker and Tink over with a critical >>>eye. She's definitely more curious about Tink, however. "Do old >>>Granny's eyes deceive her, or have we a child in need of guidance?" >>>The harridan's voice grated like a rusty harp out of tune. She >>>tapped a strange Kirby rod in one hand with the other. Her smile >>>was worse than most frowns... > > ...and four women (who will be described tomorrow; they're the >Female Furies) step out of the smoke behind her. Dog soldiers are >advancing... Tink grits her teeth, eyes moist momentarily. She closes her eyes, focuses her mind, and opens them again, her face resolved. Grabbing Roland's ankle and Morgan's elbow gently, she sends, */Position untennable, falling back,/* and teleports herself, David, Roland, Morgan (and presumably CJ's character if she didn't run off elsewhere to battle in the interum or otherwise wishs OOCly to be left out of this retreat) to Callahans, landing in the Listening Lounge, currently clear of smokers. (OOC: This only happens if CJ comes along with the group.) Tink sighs and stands up, offering a hand, "Sorry about that, I assumed you'd not want to be around when that bunch of psychos realised they didn't have a target anymore." (OOC: This happens whether CJ comes along or not.) Tink bit her lip, "Not too hot for my first try at organizing this bunch. I'm gonna be in front of the X-windows, see if I can help from this end." She walks out, David's head still peering out over her shoulder from within the futuristic parka-baby-carrier, grabs a glass of water, drains it and stands, staring at the X-windows. [Damn!] she thinks, the glass cracking in her light grasp, though not shattering. ================================= Subject: Re: AAE 9: Dark Storm Rising (VLong!) On Wed, 08 Oct 2003 01:30:11 -0700 Harlock - Bard Extraordinaire Said As CAoL Message # 00011215 >On Tue, 7 Oct 2003 19:56:02 -0400 (EDT) >Mike Knight Said As CAoL Message # 00011211 > >>Veren and Erin pull bows from their quivers and start firing at >>parademons as soon as they fade in, while Kell, Marivale, Harlock, >>and Geoffery take up defensive stances. Harlock broadcasts >>*Thumbnail briefing, please?* And the fun begins. > >*/Here's() what I know from Aunt Morgan./* "Umph," quoth the Bard as the data-packet hits him. "All right. Marivale, you see the gentleman with the sword over there? His name's Kanto, he's an assassin, and I'd appreciate it if you could at least keep him busy for a while. Kell, head on over to yon fellow with the missing arm and defend him and his Lady wife while she spellcasts, if you would. Erin, I'd like to stick a Silence arrow into the gent with the electric axe. If you could clip that cable coming out of its haft, so much the better. Veren, the cloaked gentleman riding the construct yonder is one of their leaders. Do what you can to harry him, but mind that he'll be well defended." Erin cocks an eyebrow at him. "And you, daddy?" Harlock grins sourly. "After I silence your arrow, I'm going to try to counter the psychic chaff coming our way." *** Marivale was confused. This place that Erindrea's father had brought them made no sense. He was still looking around in confusion when the Bard's voice caught his attention. "...gentleman with the sword..." Marivale looks over to check where the mongrel is pointing. [By all the gods, this Kanto fellow looks competent enough to provide a challenge! How fun! Assassin, is he?] "Oh, Geoffery..." "Yes, Milord?" "My periapt, please." "Yes, Milord." Geoffery reaches into his pack and pulls out an elegant pendant, then hands it to Marivale, who puts it on. Marivale then runs over to confront Kanto. Marivale salutes Kanto perfunctorily with his rapier, then says "en garde, sir! Before you die, you should know that you have the honor of facing Marivale Saevil, the finest swordsman on Oerth." Kanto smiles sardonically and salutes Marivale rather more elaborately. "It shall indeed be an honor, Sir, to kill the finest swordsman on Oerth. I will note, however, that you are not on Oerth, wherever that may be." With that, both swordsmen spring to the attack. *** Erindrea pulls one of her adamantine arrows from her quiver and casts the last of her True Strike spells for the day. Waiting for just that cue, Harlock casts a Silence spell on the arrow, which Erindrea lets fly at Steppenwolf. Between the True Strike spell and her own trained skill, the arrow does indeed clip the cable running to the haft of his axe before burying itself in his hip. Harlock smiles in satisfaction. At Erin's puzzled look, he explains, "that fellow was, according to what I was told, the general of the field troops for the...ah...bad guys. Provided Veren manages to harry the cloaked gentleman (who as I understand is the second in command) effectively, I believe we shall manage to invoke the ancient curse: order, counter-order, disorder. Now then, dear, apply your strongest mental shields, whate'er they may be, and continue picking away at the yellow flying goons." [Now to see if I can provide somewhat of a counter to the waves of aggression and despair that wash out from those...things...in the sky.] *DC, is that you broadcasting through the tin cans and whatnot? If you would allow me to piggyback on your signal, I might be able to mitigate the psychic onslaught we're experiencing.* *** Veren grimaces as he contemplates his task. [Harry the cloaked man riding the huge construct. Fine. And how am I supposed to...to...] Veren grins ferally as the scent of vegetation registers on his senses. Lots of vegetation. Casting a spell as he trots down the street, he arrives at Central Park, then vanishes among the trees. Soon thereafter, flights of arrows soar out of Central Park at irregular intervals, heading towards Desaad's war machine. Most of them find their marks in parademons, some of them in dog troopers. A few of them miss--four, to be specific, that fly mere inches from Desaad's nose. ================================= Subject: This time for sure! On Wed, 8 Oct 2003 01:46:30 -0700 Reality Hacker AJ47 Said As CAoL Message # 00011216 New York, two hours ago: Avery sat down on a mandala rug, assuming a lotus position, and closed his eyes. "Okay, okay-- priority interrupt? We've never *had* one of those before. It'd better be good." #You have *no* idea. Temporal statistics are off the charts. Already triple-checked for botched input parameters. Heavy doses of unconverted and converted energy, subspace and hyperspace, along with a few unusual and powerful bio-signs. Whatever it is, it's going to fire all barrels.# "Ground zero..." #...triangulates to Manhattan.# Mr. Book rezzed up an overhead map, highlighted two points and a route between them. #You wanted to start following this route five minutes ago.# Avery traced the route with one finger as he spoke. "Any progress on the subspace bio-filter?" #Genetic evolution of formulas has reached another sticking point. You'll have to run some more field tests-- when time permits.# "Or if." Without further commentary, he stood up, grabbing his keys and heading for the stairs at a fast walk. New York, now: >*/MAYDAY MAYDAY Earth-9 under attack invasion of conquest multiple >dimensions reality storm possibility theft native forces being >overwhelmed need assistance desperately message repeats MAYDAY MAYDAY >Earth-9 under atta--/* Fourteen blocks away from Obvious Stuff Happening, Avery cursed silently and pulled over to the curb. "Can't work and drive at the same time." He hopped out and sprinted down the sidewalk. "Identify frequency" #already have done# "and broadcast a reply!" *Reality Hacker AJ47 responding to mayday. Where do I go, who is my friend, and what can I do to help that won't kill my process in the process?* =================================