Vanguard Roll Call!

Vanguard Roll Call!

Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Issue 9: The Manta Craft… Invaded!


6:05 am EST, Atlantic Ocean. 18,000 feet below sea level.
Time until Tsunami Machine Activation: 5 hours 55 minutes.

The Manta Craft bucked and lurched, with Grey hanging onto the controls, cursing.

“Alright, this thing is goin' down, I'm suitin' up!” Viper said as he donned a pressurized suit.

Sentinel calmly touched the edge of viewer window and energy seemed to flow from his hand. It appeared outside the craft, encircling the entire ship. The incredible pressure of the ship’s depth damaged the shields immediately. (OOC: 8 points of damage every 15 seconds. So, every 4 minutes, Sentinel will need to “rebuild” the shields at a cost of 8 power points.)

The ship careened up sharply and leveled off. “Tell someone when you’re gonna try that!” snapped Grey. Then, quieter: “Um. Nice work, kid.”

Sentinel closed his eyes and concentrated again. He detected two forms on the top hull of the Manta Craft, in contact with his energy shield. One was human sized and shaped, the other was like a giant ray. Then the ray seemed to quickly transform into a human shape!

Lightning Strike sensed a quick electrical activation, out among the hammerheads. It seemed very much like a radio transmission. Then it was gone.

Grey watched the hammerheads. ”That shape… moving among them. It’s so damn fast. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was the Blue Comet!”

Then, everyone in the craft heard Venus’ voice: “Grey, the Blue Comet is no longer with us on the Omni-carrier. He’s disappeared from the debriefing room!
Also, I’ve detected two minds on the hull of your craft. One was able to resist my mind scan! The other one is named Slingshot. He’s not hostile. He’s in desperate trouble! He’s drowning!”
“Slingshot?! Damn it!” said Grey. “He’s one of us! He was on the first team we sent out!* I don’t know who the other one might be, but we’ve got to let Slingshot in. Sentinel, make a door in that energy thingamabob of yours, I’m opening the airlock!”
(*In Issue 7, Grey told our heroes that the first team went missing! –Ye Elephant-Memory Editor)

Moments earlier, clinging to the golden translucent force-bubble that surrounded the Manta Craft, Forester and Slingshot discarded the dead weight of their empty oxygen tanks. They fell away into the patient, black abyss beneath them.

Suddenly, the golden force bubble rippled and reduced its size until it now fit snuggly against the craft’s hull. Slingshot’s pliable hands formed suction cups that gripped tightly as he maneuvered the two air-starved heroes to the starboard side of the craft, to the airlock. But there were no exterior controls!
With his keenly honed perception, Forester surveyed his improbable surroundings. He saw the golden energy that now limned the ship did not cover the ship’s stern, where its propulsion systems were.
Forester saw the hammerheads’ movements seemed strangely orchestrated. They formed a swirling, cascading pattern of teeth and eyes that surrounded the ship at a distance. He made out the other shape among them: a dark silhouette that was human enough, in size and appearance. It was faster than the hammerheads.

Suddenly, the two heroes felt a hand tickling the synapses of their brains. Forester recognized it as a telepathic scan. He remembered his Master’s teachings and he successfully resisted the scan. Slingshot did not. He sensed the unnatural presence of a beautiful woman. Then she was gone.

The airlock opened, and the two dying men had no choice but to swim within it.
The airlock sealed behind them and depressurized. SHSSSSsssssssHHHHHsssSSS!
The water in the small airlock was replaced with air and the two gulped deep breaths of it, falling to their knees. Surprisingly, Slingshot didn’t get the bends! Perhaps it was his new physiognomy.
Another door in the small chamber opened, revealing Mister Grey and three other men that Slingshot and Forester didn’t know. They looked like superheroes.

“Cripes!” yelled Grey. “We thought you two were dead! What happened? And where’s Sgt. Stone?” Grey made hurried introductions.

Forester was strangely calm and centered. He wore a
pressurized suit and held an archery bow.
Lightning Strike was introspective and cautious. His costume was dark and his mien darker.
Sentinel was young, assured and noble. He looked like one of the old heroes from World War II.
Slingshot wore no pressurized suit. He was a big guy with black, rubbery skin and an easy smile.
Viper had a pressurized suit on. He seemed like a surly, wisecracking tough guy.
Everyone knew Agent Grey who was now attired in a black combat uniform webbed with straps, holsters and pouches.

Grey said to Forester and Slingshot: “Agent X is dead. Killed in London, but not before he got us the blueprint of the Tsunami Machine. So, we’ll have a shot at deactivating it when we find it.
I thought I’d never see you two alive again.” Then…
BBOOOOOOOM!
An explosion! From the rear of the craft. It almost knocked everyone off their feet. There was the sickening groan of twisting metal and spraying water from the stern. The hull quivered, shuddered and rocked. Alarms sounded and the interior lights turned red.
Two inches of water were on the floor. Three. Five.
“Damn it. All hands, abandon ship!” barked Grey as he grabbed a pressurized suit. In all the commotion, he dropped his cigar.

OOC: Actions? Replies to any of the above? Thanks.
-Ye Editor

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Forester:

"Thanks for letting us in," Forester says, as he and Slingshot board the Manta Craft and see Agent Grey. "We could have been hammered out there."

While his lungs fill with air, the archer tells Grey and the others: "Sgt. Stone became separated from us after our vessel was attacked. We were unable to locate him.""That's not all," Forester continues. "In addition to the sharks, there's an elusive figure lurking through the water--he's very fast and possibly psychic. I'm sure someone tried tapping our minds a moment ago, when we were right outside the craft."

Forester nods politely to each of the heroes during the debriefing and introductions. After learning of Sentinel's powers, the archer says, "Your energy field looks incredible from outside. Do they work only as shields, or can you use the energy as a weapon against opponents in the water while remaining here inside the Manta Craft?"

Later in the conversation, Forester says, "My insignia's rather straightforward," looking down at the letter 'F' on his chest. "But yours is rather interesting," he adds, looking back up at Sentinel. "The 'eye' on your uniform, what does it represent?"

When Forester learns that it was an ally named Venus who tried making telepathic contact, he appears genuinely surprised. "Part of my training involves quieting my thoughts, which creates a form of mental camouflage as a result," he explains. "I had no idea we had a telepath on our side, and the confusion with Venus was completely unintentional. To prevent any further cases of mistaken identity, I'll try making my thoughts more 'audible' for the rest of the mission, so Venus can recognize my mental signature."

Forester puts one hand to his forehead and tries thinking "loudly": "Venus? My name is Forester. I am one of the new heroes working with Mister Grey. Can you read me?"

Forester has no idea what he is doing. He is not a telepath any has never worked closely with one. Still, he does his best to bring his thoughts closer to the surface without losing his heightened mental awareness.

To Agent Grey: "Back when Marksman was a member of Freedom Force, he worked with an underwater hero named Aquon. And if memory serves me right, Aquon is still active. Could we contact him for assistance?" Forester asks Grey. "I'm completely on board with this mission, but I'm fresh out of water-breathing arrows."

...“Abandon Ship!”

1. Forester dons his pressurized suit, keeping four arrows fastened to the outside of his bow: Flare Arrow, Corrosive Arrow, Sonic Arrow, and a normal arrow.

2. As an attack action, Forester fires the Sonic Arrow at the sharks, trying to affect as many as possible without having to attempt a special attack. He believes the sharks are under a form of psychological/technological influence and hopes this attack will interfere with their natural senses, along with any behavioral/mechanical influences. (OOC: According to the underwater appendix in the module "Pre-Emptive Strike," sonic attacks have twice their normal range underwater. But this attack still stands even if he can attack only one shark.)

3. If the sharks are no longer outside the Manta Craft, Forester will fire the Sonic Arrow at the opponent who is the farthest away--but who he can still safely hit.

4. If the heroes can escape as a group, Forester will hitch ride on another Slingshot "manta ray" or step inside one of Sentinel's air-tight energy spheres.

5. If Forester gets a mental tele-gram in the next six hours (game time), he will try to accept it.

(OOC: Just let me know afterward if this reduces the other bonuses he receives through his Heightened Senses. Forester doesn't know how this might affect his abilities; it's better to find this out sooner rather than later.)

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Viper:
After Forester and Slingshot come aboard.....
Showing a big toothy grin and putting a hand out to help the new heroes up....
"Welcome to the 'No Longer Secret' assault on the Skull fortress! I believe you know our ring master Mr. Grey, these 2 fellows are Sentinel and Lightning Strike and more importantly, I'm Viper. I s'pose those sharks out there aren't friends of yours? (doesn't really wait for a response) I didn't think so. I've hung out with a few 'Hammer Heads' in my day, but didn't think you'd find 'em this far from the local gin house."

After Forester tells about the "Elusive Figure"....
"Question is, who is this 'elusive' figure and how are we going to make a trophy out of him for Mr. Grey?"

Glancing at Forester, "Have a harpoon in that quiver? Maybe we can make this guy a little less elusive."

After Grey calls the abandon ship......
(OOC: I'm going under the assumption the pressurized suits have some sort of communication. If not, we may have to communicate through Venus which may be a little slow.)
"You don't have to tell ole Viper twice! Venus baby, we're going for a swim!"
In the hustle and bustle of preparing to abandon ship...."Alright, let's make use of my girl Venus and her powers. We'll need some way to talk to each other while we're under water. Venus can help us out there. (seemingly to Venus) Don't worry honey, if anyone thinks anything out of line, you let me know."

Heading to the airlock..."Since I'm the best looking I'll go first. Let's plow our way through some sharkies and get to their tamer!" Viper, eager to leave the confines of the ship, makes way to the airlock. Unless they can all leave at once, Viper will go with the first group or by himself if the others delay. Once outside he's going to keep an eye out for whoever is controlling these sharks. In the short term, he's going to take out as many of the hammer heads as he can until he finds Forester's "Elusive figure."

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Slingshot:
[upon entering] Slingshot entered the craft. He breathed deeply, sitting down on a nearby seat. The sweetness of air. He listens as Forester gives a synopsis of their short and quite unsuccessful adventure. As his companion finishes, he stands to his full height, towering over everyone there. "Agent Grey. Everyone." He nodded to their mission leader and looked at all heroes present."I'm Slingshot. You can also call me Scott, if you like. My specialties are muscles." At which, he did an arm curl that impressively inflates, until it unnaturally becomes a balloon. He frowns, "I hate it when that happens." As his arm returns to normal, he winks at Lightning Strike.

[at the mention of "elusive figure"] "We do not know who or what it is, but it can move underwater blindingly fast."
[abandon ship] "Ok. I'm pissed now. I just got inside and I've got to abandon ship already?! This guy better be out there. I feel like pounding someone" Slingshot shoulders his breathing apparatus and leave the ship while it is in one piece.

actions:
1- Slingshot will lookout for the "elusive" figure. He's going to try and catch him with a "net" (palm) or with "tendrils" (fingers extra long) whatever works best under water. He'll try to wrestle him to a stop.
2- If his primary target isn't available, but the sharks are, then he'll do the same maneuver with one of more of them.

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Sentinel:
Physical actions: Sentinel will follow Viper’s lead and suit up in the pressurized suit amidst the talking.

(Grey watched the hammerheads. ”That shape… moving among them. It’s so damn fast. If I didn’t know better, I’d say it was the Blue Comet.”)
At those words a look of dismay came across the face of Sentinel, half not wanting to think it was possible and half disappointment that Grey would make such an accusation. But he said nothing.

(There was no reply. Then, everyone in the craft heard Venus’ voice: “Grey, the Blue Comet is no longer with us on the Omni-carrier. He’s disappeared from the debriefing room!)
Sentinel shot a half-apologetic glance towards Grey and said “Looks like you were right to be cautious about the Comet, but he could have had a change of mind about coming to help too… any chance Venus could determine if our mysterious figure is Comet?”

Upon introductions to the new heroes:
“Pleasure to meet you both, always glad to meet others fighting the good fight… and it doesn’t get more important or bigger than this one…”

(Forester nods politely to each of the heroes during the debriefing and introductions. After learning of Sentinel's powers, the archer says, "Your energy field looks incredible from outside. Do they work only as shields,or can you use the energy as a weapon against opponents in the water while remaining here inside the Manta Craft?" ...)
"Thanks for the compliment; they can be used offensively as well as defensively, although once formed they are solid, but what you suggest should be possible."

("My insignia's rather straightforward," looking down at the letter 'F' on his chest. "But yoursis rather interesting," he adds, looking back up at Sentinel. "The 'eye' on your uniform, what does it represent?" ...)
With a smile Sentinel replies, “Now that you mention it, I guess it does sort of look like an eye, it’s supposed to be more like a beacon of light, lighting the way… it had to do with the legacy of the Sentinel and the one that came before me. What it stands for means a lot to me. I like your whole motif too, you don’t get a much more heroic association than an archer striking to balance the scales of justice and fight for the rights of those in need.”

(Slingshot wore no pressurized suit. He was a big guy with black, rubbery skin and an easy smile.)
“Wow, I’m impressed… what are you made of to survive out there without a suit?”

(While his lungs fill with air, the archer tells Grey and the others: "Sgt. Stone became separated from us after our vessel was attacked. We were unable to locate him.")
With more excitement in his voice than he’d like to show, “Sgt Stone is on this mission! He’s got to be in the thick of it! Did you locate the base when you were attacked? If so, we need to head in that direction now… do you know how are they concealing the base from being detected?”

Power stuff: I don’t know the time frame of all this to know how to adjust my powers at this point, but I would not extend further power to reinforce the shields if it was necessary prior to the attack since I wasn’t aware of imminent danger. Assuming that this is within my time frame of the shields still not having been destroyed just by the water pressure, then after the explosion I would gather the shield towards whatever area we were going to exit the craft to put a barrier between our exiting the ship and whatever is out there so that our team is bought a few seconds time to see what’s out there before we are attacked (ambushed)
I figure that at least 75-80% of the shields have been destroyed by the water pressure, by this time anyway, so I would form a personal shield with the 75-80% of my points that would be available to be prepared for combat.
Hopefully by the time the attack has occurred we’ve at least got a direction to head towards the enemy base to accomplish our mission; Sentinel would do his best to help clear the way for the team to make its way towards the base.
If for some reason we are not immediately exiting the craft and instead are first attacked by foes who have entered from the explosion in the rear, Sentinel would still shield up and would use the outside energy to come around the craft and act as a battering ram/barrier from the rear once things became apparent, whatever would help most to deal with the threat.

Sorry about the delay and if any of my actions are unclear or we don't have time to fit in some of my dialogue, that's ok. Thanks all.

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Lightning Strike:
As chaos fills the ship, Lightning Strike is strangely calm, deep in thought. He speaks calmly, "Those sharks are being led by something or someone but I just can't pick it up. If I had more time I could perhaps pinpoint the source."As the missing agents are brought aboard, LS looks them over for obvious signs of attacks.

OOC: Any obvious signs of battle, wounds, etc?
As soon as the wrenching sound of the hull rupturing shatters the moment, Lightning Strike moves into action. He mutters "Why is it always water?!?! Can't we visit the desert for once?" He moves to put on one of the pressurized suits, quickly scanning them for any sign of electronics. Rather than move away from the rupture, he moves towards it to determine if another ship has hit the manta craft in order to get a better look at what has hit us.

OOC: Has there been a metal on metal contact between two ships?
OOC: What impact, if any, will this suit have on my powers. Probably nothing good!!
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GM Replies:
Forester asks Grey: "And if memory serves me right, Aquon is still active. Could we contact him for assistance?"
“No help there.” Grey replied bitterly. “Aquon had a falling out with us “surface dwellers” a few years back. He went back to his people.”
Then: “And no, Aquon couldn’t control animal life. At least not back then.”

Forester puts one hand to his forehead and tries thinking "loudly": "Venus? My name is Forester. I am one of the new heroes working with Mister Grey. Can you read me?" "Loud and clear,” came the reply. “Nice to meet you.”There was the sensation of a beautiful blonde woman. There was sorrow there as well.

If Forester gets a mental tele-gram in the next six hours (game time), he will try to accept it. (OOC: Just let me know afterward if this reduces the other bonuses he receives through his Heightened Senses.)
GM: Will do.

Viper said: "Alright, let's make use of my girl Venus and her powers. We'll need some way to talk to each other while we're under water. Venus can help us out there. (seemingly to Venus) Don't worry honey, if anyone thinks anything out of line, you let me know."
More silence from Venus.

Slingshot shoulders his breathing apparatus and leave the ship while it is in one piece.
Grey watched the man go back out there without a pressurized suit. “Nice trick.”

Sentinel shot a half-apologetic glance towards Grey and said “Looks like you were right to be cautious about the Comet, but he could have had a change of mind about coming to help too… any chance Venus could determine if our mysterious figure is Comet?”
Grey was silent and Venus said, so that everyone on the Craft could hear, “I’m having trouble locating him. I was able to scan Slingshot easily because someone in our ‘network’ had Slingshot’s location firmly in his mind (Sentinel, through his energy sense).
But this one is moving too fast for any of you to pinpoint accurately so far. But I’ll keep trying!”

With more excitement in Sentinel’s voice than he’d like to show, “Sgt Stone is on this mission! He’s got to be in the thick of it! Did you locate the base when you were attacked? If so, we need to head in that direction now… do you know how are they concealing the base from being detected?”
Grey heard the young kid’s hero-worshipping and couldn’t help but smile.
OOC: To answer Sentinel’s other question, Forester and Slingshot had not located the base.

As the missing agents are brought aboard, Lightning Strike looks them over for obvious signs of attacks. OOC: Any obvious signs of battle, wounds, etc?
GM: None, save the fact they were both out of air and about to drown when they came on board.

Lightning Strike: OCC: They have electronics webbed throughout, involving life support functions.
Lightning Strike OOC: Has there been a metal on metal contact between two ships?
GM: No. It was an explosion. Perhaps from the outside. The sickening metal sounds were the hull’s reaction to the explosion. Hull integrity has been lost, and the pressure of the water is now doing its inevitable work on the ship.

Lightning Strike OOC: What impact, if any, will this suit have on my powers. Probably nothing good!!
GM: Sorry. LS has no idea what would happen if he turned into electricity outside of his suit. Probably nothing good!! However, LS can attempt to form and fire lightning bolts underwater (they don’t need to physically leave his fingers. They can be formed separate from him. But the water will dissipate their power quickly, and might act as a “ranged” attack, affecting friend and foe alike! (Imagine a live power line in a swimming pool)
Best,
Ye Ed