On the wedding day of Slingshot and Nanite, Lightning Strike discovered that Jim Harrik had put a price on Vanguard’s head! The reward was membership in Homicide for Hire. Now, the auditioners gathered around the wedding church and held their ground… watching, waiting for the opportune moment to attack the most powerful superhero team in the world!
As Vanguard leapt into action, preparing for the onslaught of would-be assassins to begin, inside St. Patrick’s Cathedral, the Archbishop of New York said: “Do you, Nan, take Scott, to be your lawfully wedded husband?”
Nanite said, “I do!”
The Archbishop turned to Slingshot: “Do you, Scott, take Nan, to be your lawfully wedded wife?”
Scott looked into Nanite’s silver eyes. Focused solely on her, holding her small hands in his, he took a moment and savored the fluttering he felt in his heart. "I do."
For the vows, Scott said: "I had a long speech, but I'll make this short. Even though, it was the first time I ever met you, you supported me in a way that I hadn't seen since the accident that made me what I am now today. Since that time, I knew there was something special about you. You are special to me and I'm more than happy to spend the rest of my life with you."
Nanite simply said, “Scott, you saved my life. In more ways than one. I can’t wait to spend the rest of my life with you.”
Doc Rocket dabbed the corner of an eye with his handkerchief.
Meanwhile, two blocks away…
Strike recognized them both.
One was Catman, an expert infiltrator and thief who usually worked alone.
The other was Dexter Sinister Jr., the psychotic court jester of crime, and bastard offspring of the former member of the Five Bosses, Dexter Sinister, now deceased. “Innocent bystanders,” grinned Dexter Sinister Jr. merrily. “I do so love innocent bystanders. I don’t think… I’ve ever seen… so many… all at once!” His dark eyes twinkled with glee at the prospect.
Catman ignored Sinister and nodded at the Silent Killer. “We’re not enough yet for a siege. Won’t be long now, though.” His telescopic goggles adjusted automatically. “Sentinel is on the street. Talon’s in the air. Enough of Vanguard to go around, friend. Enough of Vanguard to go around.”
Lightning Strike/Silent Killer spoke to them softly, trying to get them to come closer. “What separates Vanguard from us is that they have a strategy all the time. We can't rush into this without a plan."
As Catman and Dexter Sinister Jr. watched in the direction of Vanguard, Lightning Strike tried to sucker punch both of them with bolts of lightning! SHAKOW! SHAKOW!
Dexter Sinister Jr. was caught completely unaware! The psychotic psychedelic’s skeleton was illuminated from within as he was electrocuted into unconsciousness! He fell hard onto the roof and didn’t move. WHAM!
Catman proved luckier. He saw the sneak attack coming [thanks to a successful Detect Hidden roll, and rolled with much of the damage]. Unhurt, he looked at “the Silent Killer” without speaking. Whether he believed the Killer to be an undercover agent or just an auditioner looking to ice the competition, Catman saw no profit in this fight. He leapt fearlessly off the side of the building and down, away from Lightning Strike’s view!
Outside the Cathedral…
Avatar, one Clone, Sentinel and Sgt. Stone had stepped out the southern door to yells and well wishes from the crowd that was barely held back by temporary barricades. The myrmidon of mythology waited to manifest Olympian power.
The NYPD, Nathan Lamb and the CHESS Knights asked the crowds outside the Cathedral to disperse, to no avail. The majority of the crowds thought it was all an act; all part of the circus atmosphere. They settled in, hoping to see a theme park stage show of fake bad guys “fighting” Vanguard! Cheers rose in the crowd!
Sentinel energized his shields and formed a device to amplify his voice as he rose.
“Citizens, unfortunately this is not an act. It is not a show. Please listen to the CHESS Knights and cooperate with the NYPD to disperse and leave this area as quickly and orderly as possible.”
The crowds cheered to see Sentinel, leader of Vanguard!
Sgt. Stone put two granite pinkies in his mouth and whistled shrilly. Then he cupped his two big mitts around his mouth and hollered at the crowd: “Hey! Party’s over! You missed the bride and groom! They ducked out the back way!” The crowd half listened to him.
“Reception’s at The Roof, in Tribeca. You’re all invited. Open bar. But you better hurry! First come, first serve!”
That worked. The crowd started dissipating. There were people fanning out into the streets for a one block radius around the Cathedral. Stone, Lamb and the CHESS Knight Honor Guard moved with them as protection.
Sentinel nodded appreciation at Stone and hurtled into the sky towards the villains he saw or sensed. As he did so he spoke to Ajay stating, “I don’t take the clouds rolling in as coincidence, it appears we have a rogue with weather control here. During the attempted breakout at CHESS Castle I took out a thug there, I think Elemento was his name. He still locked down?”
Ajay replied: “He is. Must be another weather-controller.” The cloud cover was complete.
Sentinel took a place hovering above one of the buildings in area and his energy forming a giant image of his face amplifying his voice through the skies. “You dare come on this day to this holy place, a place of peace, with murderous intent?!?” he shouted across the skies. Kirk’s normally warm face was now anything but that as it lit up the sky.
“Look around you. Do you really think Harrik is seriously considering the lot of you? You are his cannon fodder! There is no element of surprise here. We know everything. Menagerie sensed your coming! Vanguard is ready for you. And we are angry! You have been set up by The Mercenary to fail. You will fall and you will fall hard. We give you one chance. Turn and run! NOW!”
Of the twenty-three advancing killers that could be seen at this point, a third of them took Sentinel’s advice to heart and retreated. Among them was Pipsqueak, the dwarf with the strength of fifty full size men; Hardcore, the invulnerable hitman; an evil goth cheerleader they couldn’t identify; and Big Time, a 40 foot tall giant who probably would have made a terrifying addition to Homicide for Hire.
[I’m awarding you with Oration skill for that little stunt. Lord knows, over the years, Sentinel’s earned it! ;) ]
Symbiote thought to himself, “Time to pick a partner.” Hal was still infuriated at the attack on a sacred day for Vanguard. He heard Sentinel bellow a challenge to all comers. “Let's show them we mean business.”
Symbiote picked one of the villains not silhouetted by the sun in order to come at them from the direction of the sun. He climbed high, dodged two news copters that were hovering over the church, and then divebombed for The Fly! ZOOOOOOMM! The claws of Talon raked the insect assassin! SKRAASSHHH!!
The Fly was successfully ambushed by the suddenness of the attack and the cover of the setting sun! He couldn’t return the attack, but he did roll with it! Symbiote’s savage slash would have killed a normal man. The Fly seemed unaffected! Symbiote heard a steady buzzing drone coming from this creature. And the super-scientist detected the unmistakable stench of death!
Meanwhile, inside the cathedral…
Slingshot, after the ceremony, ring exchange and the signatures, turned to the assembly and calmly said, "Thank you one and all for coming. This day is of special importance, not only for Nan and myself, but for all of the Supers community. I wish to thank you all for your support. As you well know, we have had a large campaign trying to call for understanding and acceptance. Obviously, it is also the occasion to make a statement against such it. We have been alerted that Vanguard has been chosen as the target of such a statement. There is no need to panic, you are likely safe here as possible, since all the members of Vanguard, including me, will be going outside to meet these people." He turns to Nan, kisses her deeply and whispers, " Keep them calm, if CHESS wishes to evacuate them, help and encourage." He smiles at her and says, "It's time to be brave again." This last was an inside joke regarding the first time they ever met.
Nanite replied with a smile, “Don’t be brave. Be careful. You're married now.”
Slingshot took one giant step across the church, to the gasps and applause of the congregation, to the door. Via his communicator, he told CHESS to secure the assembly. “If you can't bring them outside, possibly bring them into the basement.” Scott exited and closed the doors behind him.
Clone took up a defensive position inside the cathedral. Reducing the number of duplicates from twenty-two down to thirteen, one stayed with the other members of Vanguard outside the cathedral, one stayed with Rachel Ray, one stayed near Slate and Nanite, and the remaining ten took up guard positions near the entrances and exits of the cathedral so that no one could leave.
Slate watched as Nanite, Doc Rocket, Shelley and the Chess Agents started to evacuate the wedding attendees into the basement of St. Patrick’s Cathedral. But his eyes were really on the door Slingshot exited the building through. Not having a communicator, the only information he had was what’s been said aloud, and he felt an odd sensation/emotion for the first time, anger.
“This is not right,” he thought. “Today was to be a happy time for his family, and someone is intruding on what should be a celebration.” Slate began to deliberately stride toward the door with intentions of finding whoever is responsible and stopping them.
“Ethan! Come back!” he heard his mother call from behind him. [Reply, if any?]
Slate saw four Clones near Slingshot’s exit moving to intercept him.
[Clone, do you try to prevent Slate from exiting the Cathedral? If yes, Slate, what is your reaction?]
Clone’s nervous energy got the best of him unfortunately, and he can’t help but start to chew the ‘woman of his dreams’ ear off as Vanguard begins to secure the perimeter of the cathedral. Not realizing that Rachel’s probably frightened by all the commotion outside, Clone takes the opportunity to act like a love sick schoolboy; he carries on about the first time that he saw her show, the first recipe he heard her discussing, thanking her for coming as his date, asking her why she is single, and so on.
“Alex, why aren’t you outside with the rest of Vanguard?”
Clone continued on with his love struck banter as if he didn’t even hear the question and replied, “ . . . perhaps if it so that you are not being so busy, that you be might be coming to meet my mother. She is most excited to be meeting with you after it is that I am telling her that you are here being my date today.”
As they joined the attendees who were slowly making their way into the basement, following the President and the Secret Service, Rachel said to herself, “You come to superhero wedding, I guess you shouldn’t be surprised when a fight breaks out.” Then, “That’s sweet of you Alex,” as she put her hand on his arm to steady herself on the stairs down.
Outside the cathedral…
Slingshot exited the church and the lingering crowd out front cheered! It was a three ring circus outside. Some of those that were dispersing turned to see Slingshot still there! Slingshot was pelted with volleys of rice. Flashbulbs popped all around him from the paparazzi. [Slingshot successfully saves vs. blindness! By the time Slingshot gets through the ceremony and outside, his “action” (his allotted time to act this issue) is done.]
Menagerie, following Sentinel's lead, assumed the shape of Eagle and took to the sky. “SKRAAA!” Using his eagle eyes, he identified all the remaining assassins he could see and thought-sent their coordinates to the rest of the team. By providing surveillance and intelligence gathering for Vanguard, he hoped to help coordinate attacks and make sure no one would attack Vanguard by surprise!
Menagerie identified the following supervillains who remained:
The Fly! Menagerie sensed he was an enemy of the Natural Order, he flew 200 feet from the street!
Black Ice! The anarchic, ice cold killer was advancing at street level down Fifth Avenue!
Damocles! An armored female enforcer for the Miami drug lords stood atop a 30 story building!
Catman! The expert infiltrator and thief was in an alley at street level!
Triceratops! The Jurassic juggernaut who might be Pachyderm’s equal was at street level!
Chain! Ninja apprentice of the Cat, who was one of Big City’s Five Bosses, was atop a 40 story building!
Inside Man! An albino assassin whose powers were unknown, was at street level!
Dexter Sinister Jr.! The court jester of crime was unconscious atop a roof!
Web! Agile arachnoid who must have survived the failed jailbreak of the Primate, was atop a 15 story building!
Killshot! The high tech blind zen archer, was perched on a 25 story building
Overdrive! The brutal speed freak, wanted for armed robbery, assault and battery, was on the street!
Black Sheep! The outcast gun for hire, who was rumored to be everywhere, was atop a 35 story building!
Jack Lantern! The eerie Halloween killer was at street level!
The Voice! The living death knell flew at a height of 100 feet!
The Silent Killer! New to Big City and looking to make a name for himself, was atop a 25 story building! [Tony, I don’t think Strike has informed Vanguard of his alter ego.]
The crowds were in the streets for a one block radius around St. Pat’s. Knights, Lamb and Stone with them
[See image and map below for their placements! Each map square is 40 feet / 8”. Characters are not in scale. Thus I can’t fit all the Clones in the Cathedral. One counter will represent multiple Clones there.]
The murderous wedding crashers, having ringed the church, still waited. It was a standoff. Until…
Triceratops saw the groom and suddenly let out a growl and charged! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! He was barreling down on Slingshot like a runaway train! His advance became the rallying action that the rest of the criminals had been waiting for, triggering an end to the standoff! They joined his charge, advancing en masse!
Menagerie telepathically reported the advancing wave of extranormal assassins to Vanguard!
Avatar, hearing this, manifested the endurance of Hera to prepare himself for the imminent battle! [+15 to Endurance! Everyone had one action this issue. Manifesting Strength will have to occur next ish. Thanks.]
OOC: Actions!
Current Conditions:
Avatar: Hit Points: 103, Power Points: 84, Manifestation: Hera
Clone: Bodies: 13, Hit Points: 2 each, Power Points: 41 each, Hit Point Pool: 22
Lightning Strike: Hit Points: 48, Power Points: 65, currently disguised as the Silent Killer.
Menagerie: Hit Points: 26, Power Points: 63, Form: Eagle
Sentinel: Hit Points: 30, Power Points: 59, Creation Points: 118, Shields: 100
Slate: Hit Points: 35, Power Points: 72
Slingshot: Hit Points: 79, Power Points: 91, Invulnerability: 8
Symbiote: Hit Points: 91, Power Points: 93, Charges: 12, Copied: Talon
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Wow amazing issue!
I am always impressed with your villain creation but Homicide Unlimited is pure greatness!
Viva Vanguard!
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Thanks.
Villain creation combines my love of V and V character creation with my secret, innermost murderous impulses.
Just kidding.
They're not secret.
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: Great issue Jeff!
Glad Kirk is much more heroic than I am ... your descriptions and visuals of the villains have me ready to run :) --- I was expecting a crowd of wanna-be's with a couple of heavy-hitters in the mix; they look tougher than that...
And thanks for the oration skill ... although it sounds like you're actually giving me a license to make speeches ... you may have the other players paying you a visit in Chicago in real life :)
Can you tell me what the oration skill actually means in game terms?
Hopefully will get my posting done this weekend, although I think it should be a quick one just choosing a dancing partner at this point... (is that cheers I hear from the other players?)
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Slate:
“Ethan! Come back!”he heard his mother call from behind him. [Reply, if any?]
Slate saw four Clones near Slingshot’sexit moving to intercept him.
IC: Slate stops at his mother’s command, as he does, he hears Sentinel’s booming voice, and cocks his head to one side, listening... processing.
Suddenly he shouts, “Clone, Sentinel is right, this is all a ploy to get Vanguard away from the guests. Think about it from everything I’ve read about Vanguard’s encounters with Homicide for Hire, they’ve always had bigger goals, taking down the US economy, removing Vanguard so the bosses could take over the New York underworld…all of the individuals Menagerie is sending, (I'm assuming he received the mental sending, since that's the only way he'd know who's out there)are nobodies, where is Harrick? Where is his team? They’ve got to be after the President!”
He suddenly spins and sprints toward Nanite, and the basement.
OOC: Even if he's wrong, that'll give him something to do. :)
Jon
Viva Vanguard
OOC:
Guys,
I know everyone's busy with the new year and all, but I wanted to give a little background on Slate's response. I also know several of you like to wait until the last day to post and that's cool too.
Reading through the issue several times, I'm convinced something else is going on here. As stated, this is not the kind of thing Harrik does, it's got to be a distraction... Also, Jeff is so slick with sliding stuff in that you think doesn't mean anything until you realize it was actually the "clue" that pulls everything together. I/Slate am/is actually convinced that Clone's date is not the real Rachel Ray... She keeps trying to get him to go out and help his team,
“Alex, why aren’t you outside with the rest of Vanguard?”
Clone put the invitation for the date on the internet, where anyone/everyone could see it... As his date, she'd have full access to all areas, and Harrik would know she'd be with the rest of the wedding party when things went down.
As they joined the attendees who were slowly making their way into the basement, following the President and the Secret Service, Rachel said to herself, “You come to superhero wedding, I guess you shouldn’t be surprised when a fight breaks out.” Then, “That’s sweet of you Alex,” as she put her hand on his arm to steady herself on the stairs down.
I wouldn't be surprised if she's none other than Skin Deep. I know we've got to deal with the threat outside, but I'm pretty sure there is something else amiss, and I'm hoping Clone shares my/Slate's concern with the rest of Vanguard.
Just wanted to share how I came up with this response.
Jon
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC:
You are correct. I was thinking about that as well, but I'm not sure that Scott would let the others deal with the bad guys by themselves. So keep us posted if you need us to help. At this point, we have to deal with the wall of villains coming at us.
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Slick?!
:)
So Slate hasn't told Clone his thoughts about Rachel Ray? I see you've just discussed it OOC.
Menagerie, did you include Slate in your thought-send about the villains you identified?
He doesn't have a communicator as he's not an official member of Vanguard.
Thanks,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie;
OOC: Yes, Menagerie included Slate in the thought-send. He would do it to scare the kid so he won't do something stupid like leave the protection of his mother. Menagerie included Nanite in the thought-send as well.
Best,
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Slate:
OOC: Thanks Tom, after writing this I was thinking with the rocky start they've gotten off to, he might not even think about including Slate, but I like your idea of trying more to intimidate him.
As far as telling clone, I think Slate would grab the nearest Clone and spill the beans with regards to his thoughts. I don't think his mental filter is developed enough to think this might upset Clone, and he wants/needs a communicator to let everyone else know his suspicions.
I had thought Slate might try to find Nathan Lamb, but I think one of the Clones would be closer...
IC: As he runs toward his mother, Slate grabs the nearest Clone by the arm and begins dragging him toward the stairwell. "We have to stop them, and the individual we thought was Rachel Ray may actually be Skin Deep or someone like her. They used you to get into the wedding. We've got to let everyone know..."
OOC: Clone's turn. ;)
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: You’re welcome Jon, when Jeff asked me if Menagerie included Slade in the thought-send it left me a little stumped at first. When considering Menagerie's current relationship with Slate and Nanite I wasn't sure if he would or wouldn't.
So I stepped out of character and then thought about what would be the best game play experience for everyone involved? The answer was easy. Menagerie had to thought-send to Slate. With that settled, I had to think of a good justification for Menagerie to do it. He went with the mindset that the unknown to a child is exciting and alluring, so Menagerie would have to counteract that by trying to scare the young'en.
I then decided to include Jeff in on the fun but letting Nanite know as well. How will she react to the info? It will be an interesting development for Slate and Slingshot with Momma scared for both of them.
Now all I got to do is figure of what my action will be for this turn.
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: Hi all.
The time for speeches is done!
Not sure how the landscape will change by Kirk's movement but in the beginning of this battle Kirk should be in good shape against physical damage and will try to attack as best he can to take a foe out of the battle. If there is any sign of any energy leech type foe he will avoid them as he needs to maintain his power with them outnumbered (although things look safe in that regard).
I can't make out who most of the little squares around me are ... although Killshot looks close, minimal physical protection, and with a ranged attack she could easily take shots at his teammates, so if nothing better presents itself perhaps a good old giant fist or hammer in her direction might take her out of the battle for his first blow. Secondary perhaps Black Sheep or Damocles - but Killshot looks more unprotected.
If another attack on a foe already hit be another teammate appears to be able to take down an enemy or help out a teammate who appears to be in trouble, that works for me too as the target.
If a threat emerges that appears to really need Kirk's attention (others totally not suited), then that is the foe.
Whatever will thin the herds of their enemies fastest would be first choice of attack figuring to take out the extra bodies (attacks) first and then concentrate on the tougher opponents. Forester style attacking might work best for Kirk's approach (ie attack one for to the next, ignore the foe attacking you if possible and hitting another opponent serves better).
So now that I have an official 'oration' skill, you get what may be my first silent post :)
But at least I still can give a ridiculously long set of directions to say 'I hit a bad guy'.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Slingshot knows who he's going to have to stop. Triceratops!
[OOC: My actions will depend on some clarification - The people are a block around the cathedral. Does that mean that Black Ice in standing with people?]
[OOC: Option 1: Assuming that Black Ice is not mixed in with innocent bystanders and he's in a perfectly pretty position to get smooshed]
Since there are multiple assailants and Triceratops is a nice and heavy beast, a perfect projectile. As he prepares himself to receive the horned villain, Scott stretches his arms out to building outcropping anchoring himself sufficiently. As Triceratops attempts to bulldoze through the elastic powerhouse, Scott will use his stretching power to absorb his kinetic energy and then launch him at Black Ice (the other villain within visible range). He will make sure that he will arc it in such as way that Triceratops will get smashed down on top of Black Ice and the pavement and not start rolling down the street.
[OOC: Option 1: If Black Ice is in too close to bystanders, using Tactics, I'll grab Triceratops slingshot him towards Sgt. Stone for double administration of pain!]
"Stone! I've got a present for you! Batter up!", yells Slingshot. Anchoring onto the pavement, Scott stretches and grabs the Mesozoic Menace and throws him at Stone who readies himself to deliver his signature haymaker! (It's Clobbering Time!)
If there any issues, let me know. I'm interested in giving them some pain, but I'm more interested in not seeing any bystanders hurt. So if there is any chance of that occurring from my actions, I will not do them.
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
Hal attacks The Fly again. He circles back around the Insidious Insect and rakes him again with the claws. "You been playing with dead things, Gnat, or whatever your name is?" he asks, taunting his foe.
Viva Vanguard,
Greg
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Menagerie will continue to provide surveillance to the team as they engage the villains especially using his senses (Magical and Animal) to spot any new villains showing up including inside the church. He will attempt to widen his flight path to get behind The Voice or Black Sheep. He will then fly toward his target turning into Spider (venomous) form with the intent to land one on them without their notice. He is wanting to find a foe without sealed armor that he can apply his Spider Bite to.
My List of choices in order are:
The Voice
Overdrive
Black Sheep
Jack Lantern
Killshot
Chain
IC: "Vanguard keep moving, there are too many to get bogged down in a one on one slugfest with. I will inform you if I sense any new players show up."
Via Vanguard
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC:
Not that I want to make a habit of replying during the allotted time, but Strike/Silent Killer will use this opportunity to get off the roof via the most convenient electrical outlet available. He will materialize somewhat away from the main area of combat and then attempt to levitate a manhole cover magnetically and then aim it at one of the nearest Vanguard members but then "just miss" and "inadvertently" hit a villain that looks close to attacking and potentially harming one of Vanguard.
OOC: I have been working like a dog and tomorrow is my daughter's birthday so I am too lazy to look at maps and actions to see how this might play out. I now know more about 3D Beauty and the Beast (saw it yesterday) than I do about Vanguard (not saying much). At least my son didn't like it but my daughter wants to see all of the Disney princess movies now!!
Take care all,
Tony
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Thanks everyone.
Slingshot: Black Ice is just outside the ring of innocent bystanders.
Menagerie: Your “attack” is transforming into Spider, with the intention of attacking your prey next ish, correct?
Lightning Strike: fyi, Transforming into lightning would be your “attack” which would delay your manhole cover attack until next ish.
OR, Strike could descend the building and move through the crowd, toward the cathedral on foot, expending all his movement, and then do his manhole cover trick. Your choice. Thanks.
The extreme ranges of this battlefield are one of its challenges.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: Thanks.
Fair enough. Black Ice it is.
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC:
“Your “attack” is transforming into Spider, with the intention of attacking your prey next ish, correct?”
Yes, that is my intent.
Thanks
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Avatar:
Avatar will go ahead and activate Heightened Strength (so that he should now have both Heightened Endurance AND Heightened Strength) and move to attack, with spear, the nearest ground-based group of villains, trying to tie them up with him while other heroes can pick them off around him or so that other heroes can take care of other threats. With both of those scores heightened, Avatar should be able to take quite a bit of damage and still be mobile so that's the route he'll take. If he sees or hears that others are having problems, he'll leap out of the fray and toward the trouble. His leaping potential should be pretty high at this point.
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC: You would think I would know the rules by now. In order to stay in character, I will take your advice and go down the pedestrian way and then do my previous action.
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
Working Security ( 10 Clones )
As Nanite, Doc Rocket, Shelley and the Chess Agents started to evacuate the wedding attendees into the basement of St. Patrick’s Cathedral, Clone and his duplicates do their best to lock all the exits / entrances and direct the traffic flow. Their attention is suddenly grabbed by the thoughts of the duplicate standing guard over Nanite and Slate, “Slate is running for the door – stop him!” Four Clone’s immediately move into place and block the youngsters path.
They feel a sense of relief when the young boy stops in his tracks and another one of their number moves next to Slate and starts to slowly usher him back towards his mother. A moment later however, their thoughts are overwhelmed by a dark warning from Slate sent them telepathically from that exact same Clone, “Clone, Sentinel is right, this is all a ploy to get Vanguard away from the guests. Think about it from everything I’ve read about Vanguard’s encounters with Homicide for Hire, they’ve always had bigger goals, taking down the US economy, removing Vanguard so the bosses could take over the New York underworld… all of the individuals Menagerie is sending, ( Jon OOC: I'm assuming he received the mental sending, since that's the only way he'd know who's out there ) are nobodies, where is Harrick? Where is his team? They’ve got to be after the President!”
The Clone’s quickly move back to their posts around the interior perimeter of the Cathedral, draw their staves and take up defensive postures. Without warning they’re once again sent a shocking telepathic warning issued forth by Slate, "We have to stop them, and the individual we thought was Rachel Ray may actually be Skin Deep or someone like her. They used you to get into the wedding. We've got to let everyone know..."
One of the duplicates then turned, unlocked the door next to him and opened it. Another duplicate came charging through the portal and slammed himself directly into the Clone before him. As the two collided into each other; two became one as the other absorbed his doppelganger, their number had now been reduced to twelve. The door was quickly closed and relocked – the interior of the cathedral was not under ‘lock-down’.
Heading Off Slate ( 1 Clone )
As Nanite, Doc Rocket, Shelley and the Chess Agents started to evacuate the wedding attendees into the basement of St. Patrick’s Cathedral; with a determined look in his eyes, Slate began to deliberately stride toward the same exit that Slingshot just went through.
Nanite “Ethan! Come back!” he heard his mother call from behind him.
Slate saw four Clones near Slingshot’s exit moving to intercept him.
Slate stops at his mothers command, as he does, he hears Sentinel’s booming voice, and cocks his head to one side, listening... processing. Clone ( OOC: The one that was standing next to Nanite and Slate as they were headed downstairs ) quickly makes his way over to Slate; places his hand gently on his shoulder and says, “Please to be coming with me Ethan, your momma she is calling of you to her”.
Suddenly Slate shouts, “Clone, Sentinel is right, this is all a ploy to get Vanguard away from the guests. Think about it from everything I’ve read about Vanguard’s encounters with Homicide for Hire, they’ve always had bigger goals, taking down the US economy, removing Vanguard so the bosses could take over the New York underworld… all of the individuals Menagerie is sending, ( Jon OOC: I'm assuming he received the mental sending, since that's the only way he'd know who's out there ) are nobodies, where is Harrick? Where is his team? They’ve got to be after the President!”
Having spent enough time amongst the other members of Vanguard; Clone had come to understand that anything and everything is possible. If Slate’s assumptions were even partially right, Vanguard was dealing with more then they knew about and needed to be informed immediately. Clone instantly sent out Slate’s warning to all of his duplicates – the President needed to be secured!
As he ran toward his mother, Slate grabbed Clone by the arm and began dragging him toward the stairwell. "We have to stop them, and the individual we thought was Rachel Ray may actually be Skin Deep or someone like her. They used you to get into the wedding. We've got to let everyone know..."
Slate then spins and starts to sprint towards Nanite, and the basement. Momentarily stunned by the possibility that he could be right, Clone couldn’t help but run along with the groups newest member as he pulled on his arm. As they approached Nanite, Clone sent out Slates latest warning to his replicas without further delay.
Outside The Wedding ( 1 Clone )
As Clone stands outside the front entrance of the cathedral he stops what he’s doing as he receives the warning issued forth by his duplicate on the inside. Without hesitation he reaches for his communicator and brings the rest of Vanguard quickly ‘up to speed’ on Slates concerns and assumptions and that he is going back inside to secure the interior just incase he is correct. With the rest of Vanguard informed of Slates fears, Clone telepathically lets his duplicates know that he is coming back into the cathedral and to prepare for ‘lock-down’.
Charging through the open portal before him, Clone slams himself directly into the duplicate before him. As the two collided into each other; two became one as the other absorbed his doppelganger, their number had now been reduced to twelve. The door was quickly closed and relocked – the interior of the cathedral was not under ‘lock-down’.
With Rachael Ray ( 1 Clone )
Clone continued on with his love struck banter as if he didn’t even hear the question and replied, “ . . . perhaps if it so that you are not being so busy, that you be might be coming to meet my mother. She is most excited to be meeting with you after it is that I am telling her that you are here being my date today.”
As they joined the attendees who were slowly making their way into the basement, following the President and the Secret Service, Rachel said to herself, “You come to superhero wedding, I guess you shouldn’t be surprised when a fight breaks out.” Then, “That’s sweet of you Alex,” as she put her hand on his arm to steady herself on the stairs down.
As Clone made his way down the stairs with Rachael he unexpectedly stopped dead in his tracks as his head was suddenly filled with some alarming thoughts from one of his duplicates. An image of a panic stricken Slate flashes through his mind followed by a warning, “Clone, Sentinel is right, this is all a ploy to get Vanguard away from the guests. Think about it from everything I’ve read about Vanguard’s encounters with Homicide for Hire, they’ve always had bigger goals, taking down the US economy, removing Vanguard so the bosses could take over the New York underworld… all of the individuals Menagerie is sending, ( Jon OOC: I'm assuming he received the mental sending, since that's the only way he'd know who's out there ) are nobodies, where is Harrick? Where is his team? They’ve got to be after the President!”
Rachael looked questioningly at Clone as if she was waiting for an explanation as to why they stopped going down the stairs. Clone then turned to her and said, “I am being most sorry for this stopping, please let us continue . . . I am needing to get to President . . . he is possibly in most serious of dangers it is seeming.
Clone then stops once again as he receives some additional information from one of his replicas; another warning from Slate, "We have to stop them, and the individual we thought was Rachel Ray may actually be Skin Deep or someone like her. They used you to get into the wedding. We've got to let everyone know..." Clone’s head then snaps around and his eyes open wide as he looks directly at Rachael Ray in disbelieve and gasps. ( OOC: It would be obvious to Rachael Ray that this “look and gasp” was directed at her – if this is Skin Deep, maybe this will spook her into making her move??? )
OOC: Before I forget to mention it – this was a fantastic issue, Jeff!
I think I addresses everything here, but if I did miss something let me know – I can get anything else you may need out to you tonight.
Only 12 Clones left by the way – hopefully that boosts their Hit Points =/
Talk to you all soon,
- Kev
