Vanguard Roll Call!

Vanguard Roll Call!

Friday, May 24, 2013

Vanguard: Issue 174: Shattered!



Vanguard had undertaken a desperate quest to stop the End of the World and in the first mission of this quest, they had failed!  (see last issue for all the gory details! –Ye Ed)

The new Soviet Super Soldiers had retrieved the Spear of Destiny from the Lost Lab of Dr. Swastika and escaped, but not before Vanguard had been reunited with Clone. But Clone was acting differently!

In truth, even Vanguard was acting differently.
Jim Harrik had done from captivity, that which he could never have done in battle. He had shattered Vanguard.
The deal Vanguard accepted to capture Caine and release Harrik had broken the team.
Lightning Strike and Soldier had quit immediately.
Avatar was about to quit but Sgt. Stone had managed to raise his spirits, in his own inimitable fashion.
And Clone defected back to the USSR.

Vanguard reunited in the Lost Lab after the SSS were teleported out by Shatter.

“That sucks,” Avatar said with characteristic brevity and directness.

Menagerie was confused and frustrated. "We lost the artifact to the Soviets!" He couldn't believe that Dr. Swastika had, and then abandoned, the Spear of Destiny. The Soviet Super Soldiers arrived at the same time as they did and retrieved it for Dr. X! Very frustrating indeed.

Slate moved to one of the Clones/Collective, "Alex, is it you?"

Symbiote controlled himself, but barely.  Furious for being taken in by Mother Russia and Clone.  Furious for trying to play the diplomat with some members of the SSS had grabbed The Spear while others had distracted him.  He wheeled on Clone.  "Talk," he said, coldly.  "And make it good."

As Symbiote snapped at Clone, the rest of Vanguard could see the duplicates slowly forming in behind Clone. Marching in slowly, the duplicates looked physically exhausted and stared at Clone more like a punitive destination rather than a member of their collective. Clone winced painfully as each replica was absorbed and began to look drained by the entire experience. With the last of his duplicates absorbed, Clone slowly settled to the floor and took a seat. With Symbiote still glaring at him waiting for a response, Clone wiped his hand over his face and then said in an uncharacteristic and unexpected American accent, "This might take a few minutes to explain." Clone then began to tell Vanguard all about the escaped Rogue Clone and how he came to be here. (see last issue -Ye Expository Ed)

Symbiote said, "So who's in charge now?  Clone the Independent, or Clone the Brainwashed Soviet Puppet?  How can we be sure?'

Clone's facial expression matched his tone as he said regrettably, " . . . I don't know . . ." After a moment Clone shook his head and calmly continued with a questioning look on his face, " To be honest with you . . . I'm not even sure who I am anymore."

Sentinel said, “Alex, I want you to know that I didn’t believe the information about the Collective’s memory about you for a second.  We were going to get you back, Alex, no matter what it took.”

Clone slowly turned to look at Sentinel with a sarcastic look of disbelief in his eyes and then suddenly started to experience stomach convulsions. Before the rest of the group could react, Clone leaned to the side and started to vomit on the floor. Thankfully it ended quickly and Clone stared up at Sentinel once again.

Sentinel put a reassuring hand on his team mate’s shoulder, “Alex, are you all right?  Are things straight up there?” indicating Alex’s head.

Wiping his mouth with his sleeve, Clone said to Sentinel in an almost menacing tone, "You need to stay out of my head . . . " Clone began to nod his head over and over again slowly as if to say something more, but hesitated as if collecting his thoughts.

Sentinel asked gently, "Alex, you’re nodding in agreement but nothing is coming out of your mouth.  Can you give us the locations of the monitoring devices so we can secure the Vault?"

Clone's head finally stopped nodding, and he said, "I think . . ." He nodded his head a few more times, " . . . I think . . . I think I'm going to be sick again."
Clone was sick for the remainder of his time in the Lost Lab, and was unable to answer further questions.

Sentinel found Clone a chair and an empty steel bucket and made him as comfortable as he could. Then he turned to his demoralized team.
“Since we have some time before retrieval, let’s use it to gather useful information on Swastika. Perhaps if we’re really fortunate we’ll find something regarding the current situation.  Although this was a secret base of his, there could be a secret room within it with even more critical information or items hidden.”  Kirk turned to Scott, “Perhaps you could use your architectural skill to check through the rooms for something that looks out of place, like it may be concealing a hidden area, unless you think your time better spent looking through what is here?”
To aid in the search for a secret part of the lair, Kirk entered the different rooms and used his powers to expand his energy bubble to the parameters of the room.  He then had his construct change to a liquid type form to flow outward further to see if there were any openings that his construct entered, indicating a secret passage or concealed area.

Vanguard searched with what time they had, and found grotesque remains of research subjects, many still in shackles… evidence of scientific depravity on a scale Vanguard had not anticipated, even in this accursed place.

Sentinel, probing with his energy constructs into every crack and crevice, found the secret door he was looking for. Like the booby trap, its trigger was mechanical, designed to last without a power source.
“What could be more valuable to Dr. Swastika than the Spear of Destiny?” he thought as he scanned the dark chamber with his energy sense.
He shuddered involuntarily as he detected a black energy that reminded him of Black Bat’s unlife, and the thing that the young Soviet heroine Echo had become in the Temple of Terror in the Lost Lands.
Sentinel projected light into the small chamber. It held one object. An ancient book with metal clasp, hard-bound in a black leathery material that Sentinel could not identify. He retrieved it.

It was time to return to Vanguard Vault.

Avatar looked at the book in Sentinel’s hands, and said, “That’s impossible.”

Clone stood and collected three of the transponders he smashed before the SSS teleported out. "I think we might be able to make a weapon out of these."

“Or that,” said Avatar, glancing at the dark tome that Sentinel held adjacent to the all-seeing eye-pyramid upon his chest. 

Vanguard were magically gated back to Vanguard Vault by the three magi, Mystic, Oracle and Archimedes.

Vanguard had eight hours until they would go after the second artifact of power. It was 4pm EST.

Slate found a quite spot near the Magi to prepare for their next mission, watching his team mates for reactions.

 “The Soviet Super Soldiers: 1, Vanguard: 0,” said Sgt. Stone when he heard the whole story.

Sentinel, seeing the spirit of his teammates, replied,  “Let’s not get over anxious over the exhibition game with the main event in front of us.  We came into this last second with little information.  Nine artifacts in seven days would have been a long shot with no opposition at all… and we knew we’d have opposition.  At this point we’re still learning the players in the game.  And frankly in my eyes the Soviet Super Soldiers are only pawns.”
 “Unless we get more players as we go for further artifacts than we know they are being used.  If we believe them, they want to keep those artifacts from misuse themselves.  If it’s just them and us, then all we need to do is keep on track and be sure between our groups the artifacts are all gathered and along the way, determine where they are keeping their artifacts.  We know where our artifacts will be so once they are gathered enemy forces will try to secure them from one of the two locations or the SSS are actually being manipulated into gathering them for the enemy unknowingly.”

“Given they have thrown Swastika’s name out there and his secret lair had one of the artifacts it wouldn’t surprise me if they are his secret pawns.  It fits.  It follows his M.O. here in the States.  He loved manipulating Miles to work his ends.  He could be doing the same with the SSS just as they proclaim their hatred of him.   We stopped him from his infiltration of the US government… maybe he was successful in an infiltration of the Soviet government.”

“It’s just a working theory for now, and it may not be right, but like I said we came into this last second with few facts.  It’s not just about the artifacts, it’s about who wants to use them.  We have to move beyond simply reacting here and figure out the big picture as we work to gather the remaining artifacts…”
(OOC: replies, anyone?)

Sentinel said to Clone, “Let’s convey the locations about the monitoring devices you planted now, so that our headquarters can be cleared.”

Clone nodded his head quickly in total agreement and said, "Not a problem."
He gave locations of all the bugs that had planted while under the influence of Dr. X. There were so many within the Vanguard Vault, it would be impossible to leave them in place and plant disinformation through them.

Also, Clone had uploaded a software virus into the Vanguard communicators that allowed the SSS to access Vanguard’s GPS. That’s how they knew Vanguard’s movements and plans. And it’s also why the SSS knew to arrive at the Lost Laboratory moments after Vanguard arrived.

Clone then showed the smashed transponder(s) he grabbed before leaving Dr. Swastika's Lab to the other members of Vanguard and said with a sly tone in his voice, "If we can repair one of these, outfit it with a GPS tracking device, and then somehow attach it to one of the SSS during our next encounter with them . . . I'm thinking that we might be able to pin-point the location of their secret base once they teleport away again."

(OOC: Clone may or may not have the right skills for this, depending on his new sheet. But he’s only got one Luck Point left, and I suspect he’ll use it on an early Level Advancement, as discussed earlier. Any science types care to use a Luck Point on this one-shot invention? Doc and Shelley are out of Luck Points)

Sentinel said, “What can you tell us regarding the information the SSS has about the artifacts and why Mother Russia mentioned Swastika as behind this?  How did they become aware of the threat?  Are they after all the artifacts?  What was their plan for keeping them safe?  What can you tell us about the new members of the SSS and their abilities?  Who is giving them knowledge of the future?”

Clone was exhausted. He replied, “Look, Kirk. The Soviet Super Soldiers are just that. Soldiers. We’re briefed for a mission, and the source of any intelligence that makes it into our briefing is not shared with the likes of us. It’s a totalitarian structure. We only know what they think we need to know. When we learned Vanguard was investigating the Lost Lab of Dr. Swastika, we were told Swastika might be behind it by Dr. X, who’s got an even bigger hard on for Swastika than you do. Dr. X fought alongside the Allies against Swastika in WW2.”

“I remember,” said Sgt. Stone.
“Me too,” concurred Doc Rocket with a glance toward the Mystic.

Clone continued, “Here’s what I can tell you. They plan to go after all the artifacts. They don’t trust you. But they were using Vanguard as their stalking horse, via your communicators and GPS. With their surveillance of Vanguard smashed, I don’t know how they plan to proceed now. Or even if they can.
“Revolution is an energy absorber. Proletariat is a tank with legs. The rest you know.
“I don’t know how Dr. X has knowledge of the future. He’s a bigger mystery than the Mystic here. That all?”

“Not quite,” said Director Grey from the doorway. Drake was behind him. Grey said, “Please go with Agent Drake for debriefing.” Clone went with him.

(OOC: Kev, feel free to change the tone and speech patterns of what I wrote for the Clone as you see fit.)

Sentinel then showed the book he found to Vanguard, Director Grey and the mages.

Mystic recognized it immediately. He was astonished. “The Necronomicon?!”

Menagerie had heard of it.

Mystic mused grimly, “It would certainly explain Swastika’s knowledge, powers… and insanity.” He turned to Vanguard to explain. “This mythic black book, bound in human skin, is said to hold unspeakable secrets of the Cthulhu Mythos, and to drive all who read it mad.”

Avatar said, “If Cthulhu is real, it only follows that H.P. Lovecraft was seeding his fiction with truth, and therefore the Necronomicon is real as well.”

Avatar, Menagerie and the Mystic shared what they knew of the black book’s “fictional” history:
The tome of magical rites and forbidden lore was originally called Al Azif, an Arabic word defined as "the nocturnal sound of insects, supposed to be the howling of demons.”
The book is said to hold the most astounding metaphysics ever presented to humanity before or since, and it urged mankind to worship interstellar beings of unimaginable horror and power. These entities once roamed the Earth and still remain present and potent “not in the space we know, but between them.
The very act of studying the text is said to be inherently dangerous, as those who attempt to master its arcane knowledge meet madness, violent death or worse.

Its author was Abdul Alhazred, a "mad Arab" from 8th century Syria. “Madman” in classical Arabic is similar to “poet” and ”prophet.” His death is described as “coming apart in bloody fragments, as if devoured by invisible monsters,” in the marketplace of Damascus.

In 950, Al Azif was translated into Greek and given the title Necronomicon by Theodorus Philetas, a scholar from Constantinople. The title translates as “The Law of the Dead” or “The Book of the Law of the Dead.”

The Greek translation was banned by Pope Gregory IX in 1232, and burned and suppressed throughout the Spanish Inquisition. The Elizabethan mathematician and magician John Dee (1527-1609) allegedly translated the book into English. The English version has not been sighted since Salem, Massachusetts, 1692.

The Mystic said, “I had prepared a ritual to secure the first artifact of power after you retrieved it. As that is no longer possible, I suggest that I instead secret away this foul object for the safety of all.”

“Wait,” said Grey. “This thing is the enemy’s playbook? Any chance of using it to increase our odds?”

(OOC: Replies?)

After the fate of the Necronomicon was decided, Avatar saw his opening. “I wonder how effective I'll be at this pace.  I need rest to be effective.  Vanguard, it might be best to let the other side get some artifacts and then hit them at their home base with us rested and them spent.”

(OOC: Replies anyone?)

With that, Avatar took his leave. The eternal champion tended his wounds and then slept soundly for seven hours without dreaming. (OOC: Avatar gains one healing rate worth of hit points, modified by his Healing skill)

At Avatar’s sudden withdrawal from the impromptu planning session, the Mystic said gently, “Be not offended. His destiny, his curse, is to fight. Until the breaking of the world.”

Grey said, “Let’s hope he’ll be fighting for some time to come then.”

Symbiote glanced at the door where Clone had left with Drake and muttered, "Well, at least we now know what we're up against, somewhat. Menagerie, can you do that anti-teleportation spell in case we run into Shatter again?   Wish Lightning Strike were still with the team, I expect an EMP burst might mess with him a little.  I guess I could go in with his power set, but I have something else in mind.”

Menagerie replied to Symbiote. "Unfortunately no. That spell needed ample time to prepare and I had to enchant the land itself to create the barrier. It prevented all teleportation which in this case would prevent our own as well. Since I don't know where we are going next I don't know if I will have a strong enough connection to the land. I will discuss with Archimedes and the Mystic to see if there is similar spell we could use to prevent Shatter from gaining upper hand again.

(OOC: A Luck Point could be used in an attempt to “invent” a one-shot spell. It could prevent the unnatural transport of any one soul, and therefore not require a ritual tied to the land. Menagerie has 4 Luck Points left.
Chance of success is Int x 3%. Care to attempt it? It would take up most of your remaining time.)

Symbiote headed for the Manta Craft bay. If the next mission involved a race to find the artifact, Hal intended to be the fastest man in the room. The super scientist planned to use the intervening eight hours to make a quick trip to CHESS Castle (plugging in the Harper Harness along the way, to recover a charge).  He wanted to meet with Accelerator. 

Larry Manetti met him in the Vault’s Manta Craft hangar. “No go, pal. Storm’s got us grounded.

Symbiote looked out the wall-sized window of the 85th floor of the Empire State Building. The storm that was building when Vanguard went to the Soviet Consulate had grown into a thundering nor’easter.
“Thanks Larry, I’ll take it from here,” said Symbiote as he activated the Harper Harness’ power template of Zero G and flew out the hangar, north through the lightning-filled hurricane.

Cloud cover extended to every horizon, darkening the wild sky. Soon CHESS Castle was beneath him.

CHESS Castle’s new warden, Bill Nettenstrom met him in the yard after Hal was cleared to land.

The previous Warden, Jane Fahrquar, an ex-CHESS Knight, had been fired in the fallout of the Maas Biolabs Hot Sleep scandal that Vanguard had uncovered in the wake of the Primate prison break attempt.

Nettenstrom was an administrator first and foremost. He yelled to be heard over the rain and wind. “Not the best time for a visit, Symbiote.” He tried to smile. “The prison’s on full alert. All prisoners locked down. Riot last night. When the storm started.”

Symbiote assured him it was an emergency.

“Very well,” said Nettenstrom unenthusiastically. “Always happy to help Vanguard.”

Nettenstrom and a CHESS Knight escorted Symbiote through the maximum security prison for extranormals.
They passed a cell and inside it was Symbiote!
It was Skin Deep’s cell. In a few days she, Jim Harrik and Zero G would be released as part of a plea bargain agreement that moved Silas Caine from the White House to prison. Through a wall of bullet proof glass, the other Symbiote said, “Be seeing you soon...” The voice was identical. Then he morphed into a perfect likeness of Shelley Harper. She said, “Real soon. It’ll be a regular family reunion.” Shelley’s face smiled with pure malice. 

Accelerator was held in the third tier of security. Advanced technology leg and arm cuffs, created by MEDUSA, prevented him from building up speed. His environment was strictly controlled to prevent him from absorbing velocity from anything.

“No fast movements please,” Nettenstrom instructed Hal before sending him into the interrogation room with the CHESS Knight.

Accelerator was a lazy, selfish, American teen who met Mother Russia in CHESS Castle and became enamored with communist philosophy, or her, and defected. Disillusioned with life behind the Iron Curtain, he was happy to be back in the states and was just waiting to be freed. Ten more years.


Symbiote told Accelerator that the interview was part of a research project involving the nature of his powers. He asked the High Velocity Villain some questions to avoid suspicion, but his real goal was to sample Accelerator’s DNA with the Harper Harness. Hal was sure to be friendly about it--patting him on the shoulder and shaking his hand at least once. The Harper Harness absorbed the following powers:

1)    Heightened Speed: +500”, as per the rules. +17 to initiative.

2)    Absorption: Velocity: Accelerator can absorb velocity, store it temporarily, and transfer it to the target of his choosing, including himself.
Range=0”. Accelerator must touch what he is absorbing velocity from, and transferring it to.
PR = 1 PP per 100” of movement absorbed/transferred. Costs movement (1/4 of total) to absorb or transfer velocity.
Maximum amount of velocity he can store = 1000”. Velocity beyond that is lost. His stored velocity dissipates at a rate of 50” per turn.
When Accelerator absorbs velocity, the item he absorbs it from loses that amount of velocity. If the target has more basic hits than Accelerator (for example, he’s stealing velocity from a moving car) the target’s lost velocity is a fraction proportionate to Accelerator’s basic hits/ the target’s basic hits. Likewise if he transfers it to a target with more basic hits.

3)    Weakness: Reduced Charisma/Will: -10

Before Hal left, Accelerator asked, “Have you seen Mother Russia lately? Did she ask about me?”

While he was there, Hal visited another prisoner, his father’s ex-partner, Detective Hank Archer.

At CHESS’s request, Archer had been transferred to CHESS Castle for his own protection due to the involvement of extranormals in his case (Black Bat, and Silas Caine’s hired guns). Also, it kept him out of Ryker’s Island, where most of the criminals he collared were serving time.

The visit was pleasant and without incident. Archer, in orange prisoner coveralls, was grateful for the company and the support. His trial was in a few months.

Hal asked, “How are they treating you?”

“Fine, thanks. No problems at all, aside from the riot last night.”

Hal asked, “What set it off?”

Archer chuckled, “Damned if I know. Something about “the end of the world?”

Meanwhile, at Vanguard Vault, the planning session had ended.

Slate got Slingshot alone and showed him Dr. Swastika’s journal. "Dad, I found this in the lab. It looks like you," he said tentatively, "What do you think it means, and how could it have been there so long ago?"

Slingshot saw a journal that revealed Swastika’s fascination with sorcery, especially the Cthulhu Mythos. There was an amazing illustration of the Star Giant, penned in Swastika’s talented hand.

The journal covered the Nazi expedition to the Lost Lands of Antarctica, wherein lay the Temple of Terror. There were illustrations of the Dinosaur Men, and of temple hieroglyphs depicting the race of Inhumans. Next to that was a depiction of a creature that resembled Slingshot!
(Reply, Slingshot?) 

Slate returned to their apartment to check on his mother, and begin a search engine to compare the hieroglyphs in the book with every known language or symbol found in the cultures of Earth. Trying to pull together an amalgam to understand what the symbols mean. He tethered his computer to his communicator so that when something was found it would alert him. It should work. It was just a matter of time.

Shelley Harper said, “That’s incredible, Ethan. Really nice work.”

Slingshot went to the electronics lab with Clone’s recovered transponders. Using his skills in Computers and Robotics, he spent several hours creating a small device that could jam one of the SSS transponder’s transmissions. Shelley helped him with the design.

(OOC: Shelley contributed her Electronics skill, required for something like this, but no Luck Points.
Slingshot had 3.2 Luck Points, and now has 2.2
It’s a one-shot invention that will last the length of the Cthulhu Quest saga. 5 charges and a range of 2 feet.)

Menagerie consulted privately with the Mystic and Archimedes on the severity of the loss of the Spear.

The Mystic said, “If Clone is correct, the loss may not be catastrophic.”

Menagerie confessed, “Part of me doesn't care if the Soviets plan to defend the Earth too.”

Archimedes said, “Yer wisdom does ye credit, boy. If ye and they could put petty politics aside and join forces, our odds would be greater to save the whole of the World. Yer governments are drops in an ocean, compared against the timeline of Life, of Nature itself. It is that which ye and I are sworn to defend.”

The Mystic said, “And that which lies in the balance. Cthulhu cares less about the differences between NATO and the Soviets than you do about the difference between red and black ants. He will destroy you all.”

Menagerie said, “I still can’t believe that Dr. Swastika had, and then abandoned, the Spear of Destiny.”

The Mystic replied with rational deliberateness, “So what does that tell us? Perhaps he didn’t believe it was the genuine artifact.
Or perhaps he believed it was, and thought it was safe there, to be retrieved at his convenience later.
Or, he never wished to leave it behind and was forced to, due to events beyond his control.
Or, he really is dead, despite the impassioned insistence of Sentinel and, it would seem, Dr. X.”

Archimedes said, “There is another possibility. An unpleasant one. Perhaps he lives, and has grown beyond the need of the Spear.”

The Mystic said, “A chilling prospect indeed.” 

(OOC: Reply, if any, Menagerie?)

Menagerie then consulted with Oracle to see if Vanguard’s path was to retrieve the Spear from the Soviets.

Oracle said, “The spell which blind-gates you to your Quest will answer in time.”
She turned to face the shamanic shapeshifter and said, “I’m sorry. I’m trying to help, but that desire is balanced against my fear of causing unintentional harm.
“Once, I sought to avert a future threat. I informed my team, AEGIS, of future events and the result was a tragedy far worse than what I foresaw. AEGIS ended up murdered by the hand of one of our own, Simon… whom you know as the Primate… whom I once knew as a dear friend. I cannot ever allow that to come to pass again.”

(OOC: Reply, if any, Menagerie?)

Menagerie observed Snowball, Alex’s family’s goat. Even though he was not a predator, Menagerie was convinced that he was only what he appeared to be. 

Meanwhile, Clone was debriefed professionally and courteously by CHESS Agent Drake.
It took four hours.

After Clone had shared everything he knew, Drake informed him that his security clearance is revoked for the time being. Given the severity of the current crisis, he can stay on with Vanguard, barring any objections from the team itself.

As Clone left the debriefing room, Shelley was waiting for him in the hallway. She gave him a hug.
“Alex, how are you?” 

(OOC: Replies if any?)

Before the friends parted, Shelley said, “Rachel is worried sick about you. Do you want me to call her for you?”

Vanguard was reunited an hour before they were blind-gated to the next artifact of power. With them in the newly bug-free war room were Doc, Shelley, Sarge, Drake and Grey.

It was now 11pm EST, 6 days after the Aztech assault, 6 days until the winter solstice, when the stars would be right to bring Cthulhu and his unholy pantheon back to Earth.

Yesterday, Vanguard had reached out to Viper, Lightning Strike, Talon, Blue Comet, Soldier and others to assist them in their hour of need. There were no responses yet.

A week ago, a Vanguard team meeting was scheduled for today. The agenda was:
•           CHESS briefing on MEDUSA
•           CHESS briefing on its investigation into “the Lost Lab of Dr. Swastika.”
•           Felicity Chase, PR and Vanguard the Animated Series
•           REACH activities

But given the events of the last 24 hours, the agenda had changed.
Agent Drake briefed Vanguard on the following:

“There are a number of meteorological incongruities happening worldwide.” He brought up satellite imagery on the screen and Vanguard saw a number of superstorms had cloaked the Earth.

“Civil unrest and prison riots also on the rise.”

“Dramatic rise of “end of the world” related internet searches, along with a corresponding rise in media reports on end times prophecies.”

“There’s a sharp uptick in occult murders globally. 13 in the US alone. Ritualized human sacrifices with identical M.O.’s.  Not corresponding to any known religion or cult. Suspects and victims have no link we can identify.”
Ghastly crime scene photos of the victims reminded Vanguard of the horrors they had just witnessed at the Lost Lab of Dr. Swastika and, at the time, had thought were gruesome scientific experiments.

(OOC: Replies if any)

The time had come. The three magi stood ready to blind-gate Vanguard to the second artifact of power!

To be continued!
OOC:
Last call for actions and dialogue before we launch the next stage of the Quest, including but not limited to:

1)    All replies and interaction to any and all of the above?
2)    Any further ideas about the plan forward?
3)    If you are continuing with the existing plan, what powers are you activating before you enter the gate?
4)    Is there any particular marching order through the gate?

Thanks.

Viva Vanguard,
Jeff

Current Conditions:
Avatar: Hit Points: 43, Power Points: 85, Manifestation: None
Clone: Bodies: 1, Hit Points: 22, Power Points: 64, Hit Point Pool: 22
Menagerie: Hit Points: 21, Power Points: 66, Form: Man
Sentinel: Hit Points: 29, Power Points: 70, Creation Points: 0, Shields: 0
Slate: Hit Points: 35, Power Points: 73
Slingshot: Hit Points: 50, Power Points: 92, Invulnerability: 8
Symbiote: Hit Points: 38, Power Points: 93, Charges: 14, Copied: None

--------------------------------------------------

Slate:
IC: Slate monitors his computers progress remotely, as he does so, he finds an agent in the vault, and asks if he can get some basic equipment.  He gathers a few things, and joins the team to prepare for the next outing.  He will go in behind Slingshot, and attempt to stay close to him, but in the background.

OOC: Equipment Slate is looking to acquire, flashlights (he'll grab several), some rope/rock climbing gear, a backpack, a lighter, basic survival equipment.  He looks at some machete's, but selects a sword if he can find one... not because he thinks he'll use it, but because Avatar looks so dang cool with it. :)  A few bottles of water, and some basic food stuff.  He also grabs a jacket and a hat.  He will also go online to speed review some survival guides while he's waiting looking like an Indiana Jones wannabe.

Jon

--------------------------------------------------

Sentinel:
[Revolution is an energy absorber]
“What have you seen him do?  Do you think my energies are at risk to him?”

[ “Wait,” said Grey. “This thing is the enemy’s playbook? Any chance of using it to increase our odds?”]
The book had disturbed Kirk since his first felt its being.   Its foul energy was an affront to his senses.  His every instinct told him to obliterate it on a molecular level and remove its foul presence from this realm.  The blackness of its unnatural energy and his aversion to it at the core of his being affected him in a way he didn’t quite understand.
Kirk had been looking down as the discussion went on about The Book.  Uncharacteristically for him and then he looked up and said with what sounded almost like anger in his voice, “There’s another option we haven’t mentioned; we obliterate that piece of filth now.”  And he glanced downward again.
Another part of him was considering the thought Grey had just brought up since he found that damned book.  If Swastika had hidden it that well, there was a reason.  And now knowing its information was directly related to the things at hand … and knowing the wealth of information it contained, the part of him that had studied the legends and exploits of the ages, part of him felt the book played a major role in the events that were unfolding.  That perhaps it did hold the key to preventing the infiltration. 
And on a personal level it was the only thing he had encountered up until now that could perhaps help him to understand his reaction to that black energy.

And he looked up again and said staring towards the three in the room who were well versed in this sort of thing, already comprehending that none of them had made efforts to view the book or suggest using it and said, “Is it possible that the contents of this book could be used for good in what comes ahead?”
“Has this sort of dark magic,” and he struggled with the words, his personal feelings being that it was just another form of energy, one he didn’t quite yet understand, “ever been used in a positive way before?”
But he feared he knew the answer.  That if somehow they were forced into using its knowledge and power it would cost one of them dearly.
OOC: Have some fun with this Jeff.  Somehow it seems appropriate that part of Kirk is fighting against what would be his normal inclination here… almost as if part of him may be leaning towards perhaps a path that corrupted Swastika himself… we’ve already established his aversion towards the black energy,  but sound reasoning follows Grey’s thoughts… excluding a corrupting influence.   Especially appropriate since you did have Kirk find the book… almost as if he was drawn to it ?!?  Why do I think you’ve got some sinister stuff in mind…

[ Vanguard, it might be best to let the other side get some artifacts and then hit them at their home base with us rested and them spent.”]
Assuming they continue to have a means to gather them it would seem it would benefit us little to engage them since we have to retrieve the item they already have but we do need to be sure we secure the locations of each item.   Of course, if they meet no resistance then they may be just as fit as we are… it seems we can decide after seeing what happens at the location of a some of the other artifacts.

[Archimedes said, “There is another possibility. An unpleasant one. Perhaps he lives, and has grown beyond the need of the Spear.”]
OOC:  Jeff: Enjoyed this whole dialogue a lot of the three mystics discussion things… felt like a Jedi counsel type discussion and Archimedes here especially reminded me of Yoda.  Good stuff.  Nicely done.

[“There’s a sharp uptick in occult murders globally. 13 in the US alone. Ritualized human sacrifices with identical M.O.’s. Not corresponding to any known religion or cult. Suspects and victims have no link we can identify.”
Ghastly crime scene photos of the victims reminded Vanguard of the horrors they had just witnessed at the Lost Lab of Dr. Swastika and, at the time, had thought were gruesome scientific experiments.]

Kirk said, “This is bad. It would seem that as the time grows closer the world scene as a whole will be getting worse; perhaps Chess can help the other governmental agencies to prepare for what is likely to unfold with the population in general since Vanguard’s efforts will be directed towards the threat itself.”

[what powers are you activating before you enter the gate?]
Energy summoned.  Shields at full.  

--------------------------------------------------

Slingshot:
[“It’s just a working theory for now, and it may not be right, but like I said we came into this last second with
few facts. It’s not just about the artifacts, it’s about who wants to use them. We have to move beyond simply
reacting here and figure out the big picture as we work to gather the remaining artifacts…”]

Scott looks ambivalent. "Dr X is willing to enslave and brainwash all of SSS, then maybe you're right. I'm not entirely sold yet."

[“Wait,” said Grey. “This thing is the enemy’s playbook? Any chance of using it to increase our odds?”]

The Malleable Man of Might didn't like where this thought was going and said so. "I'm not willing to sell my soul to the devil to try and pull the rug from under him. I prefer using this. " He enlarged his fist to the size of an ACME sledgehammer. " I also like keeping my brains in a functional state. Maybe, we could see if we could hunt down people that may have read the thing and get information from them. I prefer sending it away."

[After the fate of the Necronomicon was decided, Avatar saw his opening. “I wonder how effective I'll be at this
pace. I need rest to be effective. Vanguard, it might be best to let the other side get some artifacts and then
hit them at their home base with us rested and them spent.”]

"That's an interesting thought, but that presumes they are not Swastika's puppets," Scott said, pointedly looking at Sentinel. "The Mages are wasting a huge amount of energy to teleport us there, we might as well make the most of it and get the artifacts. If we keep losing them to SSS, then we could do a raid."

[Slate got Slingshot alone and showed him Dr. Swastika’s journal. "Dad, I found this in the lab. It looks like you," he said tentatively, "What do you think it means, and how could it have been there so long ago?"

Slingshot saw a journal that revealed Swastika’s fascination with sorcery, especially the Cthulhu Mythos. There was an amazing  illustration of the Star Giant, penned in Swastika’s talented hand. The journal covered the Nazi expedition to the Lost Lands of Antarctica, wherein lay the Temple of Terror. There were illustrations of the Dinosaur Men, and of temple hieroglyphs depicting the  race of Inhumans. Next to that was a depiction of a creature that resembled Slingshot!]

Scott looked quietly at the drawing and the information in the book. "Ethan, Thank you for showing this to me. I'm not sure I understand what this means. Would you leave this with me so I can read through it a bit more?".

[OOC] Assuming that Scott still has a bit of time left before the meeting, he would like to research the book a bit more and maybe do a roll on his burgeoning occult skill?
[/OOC]

[“There’s a sharp uptick in occult murders globally. 13 in the US alone. Ritualized human sacrifices with identical M.O.’s. Not corresponding to any known religion or cult. Suspects and victims have no link we can identify.” Ghastly crime scene photos of the victims reminded Vanguard of the horrors they had just witnessed at the Lost Lab of Dr. Swastika and, at the time, had thought were gruesome scientific experiments.]

Scott shook his head, "I will assume this is all in massive preparation to the final ritual. There is a correlation between all these sacrifices. It could be location dependent, they could all be nexus sites, or the points on the map could draw some massive pentagram. It could be that they are all people of a particular persuasion: race, situation, moral rectitute, moral corruption, sexual orientation or all virgins. Whatever the corrupt mind of Swastika can come up with or Cthulhu requires."

He turns to Drake, "I think we need CHESS analysts to review the information on all these and see what pattern emerges. Maybe get the feedback of the mages to the possibilities. If we can figure out the pattern, CHESS might be able to go and disrupt some of these preparations and potentially force the spell to require more artifacts, more juice, more fuel, because the spell is imperfect?"

[The time had come. The three magi stood ready to blind-gate Vanguard to the second artifact of power!]

"COWABUNGA!"  and Scott jumps up in an comical imitation of Michelangelo as they all get 'ported

--------------------------------------------------

Sentinel:
OOC: Good thoughts on the worldwide activity looking for patterns, etc.  I was taking it as a 'full moon' effect but among it there could certainly be stuff related to the big event... likely both.

Seth

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Symbiote:
Good issue, Jeff!  You fleshed out Symbiote's trip to CHESS Castle nicely.

Going more or less chronologically:

In regard to Skin Deep:  It was Skin Deep’s cell. In a few days she, Jim Harrik and Zero G would be released as part of a plea bargain agreement that moved Silas Caine from the White House to prison. Through a wall of bullet proof glass, the other Symbiote said, “Be seeing you soon...” The voice was identical. Then he morphed into a perfect likeness of Shelley Harper. She said, “Real soon. It’ll be a regular family reunion.” Shelley’s face smiled with pure malice.

Hal looked at the Malevolent Morph the way he might look at a new species of microscopic parasite.  "Bring it," he said.  "I've absorbed your powers and have the template on file.  We know your true face.  We know every little parlor trick you have. I'd suggest retiring or, even, God forbid, using your abilities for something constructive.  Since you're too ignorant and bitter to do so, I suppose we'll dance again."  And with that he walked away from her cell without giving her an opportunity to reply, unless she wanted to stand against her cell door and scream, not the best method for delivering cool, barbed threats.

In regard to Accelerator:  Before Hal left, Accelerator asked, “Have you seen Mother Russia lately? Did she ask about me?”

Hal regarded the young metahuman with compassion.  Young, given too much power too soon, and falling for Mother Russia's pretty face and nice ass, he thought to himself.  It's not like I'M not guilty of that last one myself.  "I haven't seen her, Terry (a name I came up with, you can change it if you wish, Jeff)," he lied, kindly.  "You've got some time ahead of you, son.  Use it to do some thinking.  When you do get out, if you want to gain a better understanding of your powers and maybe use them to do something positive, ask the prison staff to get a hold of me."  He gave the Blitzing Boy a genuine handshake before leaving.

Hal then ran back to Vanguard Vault, trying the momentum transfer power out on a few small inanimate objects (a rock, a discarded soda can, whatever's handy) along the way.

When he arrives back he'll contribute the Hero Point to create the tracking device Clone suggested.  Unless somebody else has a better idea he'll carry it.  With Accelerator's power set Symbiote will probably be striking first and often in most combat situations, he would hopefully be able to get it one one of them (probably Proletariat with that bulky armor) before any of them realized it.

He'll hook the harness up to his computer to make sure he saves a copy of Accelerator's power template.  After that, he's ready to go.  He's eager to grab that Necronomicon and utter the sacred words "Klaatu...Barata....whatever...."

Hail to the king, Baby,

Greg

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Menagerie:
[“It’s just a working theory for now, and it may not be right, but like I said we came into this last second with few facts. It’s not just about the artifacts, it’s about who wants to use them. We have to move beyond simply reacting here and figure out the big picture as we work to gather the remaining artifacts…”]

Menagerie listened in silence. “I agree that Swastika is a madman with deep plans but is really capable of taking over and managing the USSR while doing the same to USA? I think we have two foes, not one.”

Menagerie takes time to meet with Lancaster. He wants to know what he knows about Dr. X. Did he ever meet the man? Did he ever fight alongside the Soviets against Swastika? What can he tell about Swastika? Did Lancaster ever know that Swastika was into the occult? What had Lancaster heard about the Spear of Destiny? Does he have any idea why Swastika would abandon them?

Menagerie will ask Dr. Mystic if he was active during WWII. Would he consider Swastika was a scientist or a mystic?

[“Wait,” said Grey. “This thing is the enemy’s playbook? Any chance of using it to increase our odds?”]

“No!” Menagerie said, “It is not a playbook. It is a trap! To read it is to be converted to the enemy. Send it away! It is a much a threat to our world as the demon itself.”

[After the fate of the Necronomicon was decided, Avatar saw his opening. “I wonder how effective I'll be at this pace. I need rest to be effective. Vanguard, it might be best to let the other side get some artifacts and then hit them at their home base with us rested and them spent.”]

“I agree we should rest.” Menagerie said, “I disagree with hitting their home base. If we allow them to take them then why not let them keep them?”

[(OOC: A Luck Point could be used in an attempt to “invent” a one-shot spell. It could prevent the unnatural transport of any one soul, and therefore not require a ritual tied to the land. Menagerie has 4 Luck Points left.  Chance of success is Int x 3%. Care to attempt it? It would take up most of your remaining time.)]

OOC: Yes I want to attempt this. I want to talk to Lancaster too. I will use an additional ½ luck point to get both done.

[Archimedes said, “There is another possibility. An unpleasant one. Perhaps he lives, and has grown beyond the need of the Spear.”
The Mystic said, “A chilling prospect indeed.”]

“Frightening, He might be completely insane now.  Believing he doesn’t need the Spear or the Book. If this is true then Sentinel is right to obsess over this fiend.”

[“Once, I sought to avert a future threat. I informed my team, AEGIS, of future events and the result was a tragedy far worse than what I foresaw. AEGIS ended up murdered by the hand of one of our own, Simon… whom you know as the Primate… whom I once knew as a dear friend. I cannot ever allow that to come to pass again.”]

“Oracle, it was not your fault. It was those that used your wisdom. Everyone has the choice of act or not act on information provided whether it is a vision or found in an ancient text. It is not the books fault for mankind’s failures and AEGIS’ failure isn’t yours either. While I am sure you saw a future that Simon didn’t become Primate, it doesn’t mean that would have been the future if you hadn’t share your vision.
Remember without your vision Vanguard would not have been able to stop Primate the second time.

Best
Tom

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Lightning Strike:
Lightning Strike had been torn while staying away from Vanguard. He still felt that the compromises the group made were too much for him to countenance but when the world was at stake, personal differences had to be put aside. He clearly felt that the sanctimonious (re: Sentinel) leadership of Vanguard contributed to the recent defeat with the Soviets and that Vanguard as a whole has gotten soft.

Strike will electrically go through the base and ensure that all of the devices that monitored Vanguard are disabled.

(OOC: Is there any chance that Strike can create a field so that when he is in headquarters there is no way for outsiders to listen in? I am thinking of like the virtual cone of silence from Get Smart!)

As Vanguard met before departing on the next leg of the quest, SHAKOW! Lightning Strike materialized among them and said to the group, “As distasteful as I find this, I believe that the world needs all of us to band together. I feel that my skills may prove useful to Vanguard and that the tactics are in need of modification. I hope you all realize that the stakes are far higher than any we have faced before. We need to band together and prevent any other group from gathering all of the items together. Even holding one item can give us leverage in negotiating with the Soviets. "

--------------------------------------------------

Menagerie:
Menagerie responded to Lightning Strike, "Why do we care if the Soviets also want to protect the Earth from the threat? The goal should be to protect the Earth, nothing more."

Via Vanguard
Tom

--------------------------------------------------

Lightning Strike:
"Are you so sure that they want to protect the earth? Would you want them to be holding all the pieces? Their motives are in question and any group that holds the artifacts could essentially hold the world hostage. I trust that Vanguard will do the right thing. I am not so certain that the Soviets are doing this purely to safeguard humanity."

--------------------------------------------------

Menagerie:
"I agree that I don't want them holding all the pieces but first you question our motives with Caine and Homicide for Hire and now you question the Soviets' motives. What is this standard you are judging all others by?
“Most importantly I agree that any group that holds all the artifacts would hold the world hostage, including Vanguard. I say let them keep the Spear and we get the rest."

--------------------------------------------------

Sentinel:
Upon Strike's reappearance Kirk looked up, smiled, nodded his head,  and stated matter of factly, "What kept you?  I'd expected you'd show sooner.” He then continued whatever he was doing in preparation of the next retrieval acting as if Strike had never left. 

Kirk acts as if Strike has been fully briefed, as aware of things as the rest of Vanguard.  If that doesn't appear to be the case then he'd be surprised.  He'll ignore his attitude to the degree possible as he always does.

Given that Kirk had expressed his views earlier and everyone had the chance to speak then and that everything is a big question mark at this point, he's not interested in rehashing things simply because Strike has something to say now.

OOC: If it becomes necessary he might say something along the lines of, "It was never my intent to allow the SSS to retrieve ALL of the artifacts."  And, 'since there are still so many unknowns perhaps our time would be better spent readying for the next retrieval."

Seth

--------------------------------------------------

Clone:
[Clone then showed the smashed transponder(s) he grabbed before leaving Dr. Swastika's Lab to the other members of Vanguard and said with a sly tone in his voice, "If we can repair one of these, outfit it with a GPS tracking device, and then somehow attach it to one of the SSS during our next encounter with them . . . I'm thinking that we might be able to pin-point the location of their secret base once they teleport away again."

( OOC: Clone may or may not have the right skills for this, depending on his new sheet. But he’s only got one Luck Point left, and I suspect he’ll use it on an early Level Advancement, as discussed earlier. Any science types care to use a Luck Point on this one-shot invention? Doc and Shelley are out of Luck Points. )]

OOC: I'm not sure how we left off with this - did we say that Clone's new personality would just be an even swap-out of Powers vs. Weaknesses? Will this still cost a Luck Point to change this stuff around? If he still has a Luck Point and if nobody else is going to attempt to re-work the smash transponder ( I don't recall reading that anyone was going to, but I could be mistaken ), then Clone will attempt it. Even if he doesn't have the Luck Point to pull it off successfully I'm going to say that he immerses himself into trying to work it out any way - even if he fails. Given the fact that he just experienced a major mental / emotional event I think its safe to say that he wouldn't be 'overly chit-chatty' and would probably want some 'alone time' to work through everything. Plunging himself into a project that would allow him to lose himself in his own thoughts would most likely be what he would want at the moment.

-----------

[Clone continued, “Here’s what I can tell you. They plan to go after all the artifacts. They don’t trust you. But they were using Vanguard as their stalking horse, via your communicators and GPS. With their surveillance of Vanguard smashed, I don’t know how they plan to proceed now. Or even if they can.

“Revolution is an energy absorber. Proletariat is a tank with legs. The rest you know.

“I don’t know how Dr. X has knowledge of the future. He’s a bigger mystery than the Mystic here. That all?”

“Not quite,” said Director Grey from the doorway. Drake was behind him. Grey said, “Please go with Agent Drake for debriefing.” Clone went with him.

( OOC: Kev, feel free to change the tone and speech patterns of what I wrote for the Clone as you see fit. )]

OOC: No need - that's perfect. Like I said, I would imagine that Clone is 'shot' and 'drained' at the moment so keeping his responses short and sweet makes complete sense.

-----------

[As Clone left the debriefing room, Shelley was waiting for him in the hallway. She gave him a hug.

“Alex, how are you?” (OOC: Replies if any?)]

With a look of uncertainty on his face, Clone replied, ". . . to be honest . . . I'm not sure." His expression then turned to one of mild angst as he continued, "I have all these thoughts running through my head and I don't even know if they're mine or someone else's. Its like Its like watching someone else through a window, but that someone else is you . . . but its not because you're inside looking out at yourself. His expression then changed once more as he asked with a confused look on his face, ". . . does that make sense?" After a brief and silent pause in the conversation, Clone said to Shelley in an exasperated tone, "I think I just need a few minutes alone to collect my thoughts . . . I'll catch up with you later Shelley." Before the friends parted, Shelley said, “Rachel is worried sick about you. Do you want me to call her for you?” Clone stopped and turned back around and said with a defeated look on his face, ". . . no . . . she doesn't even know who I am to be worried about me . . . the Alex she knew doesn't exist . . . he never did." The two started to walk away from each other once again, but Clone stopped and called out to Shelley as if he just had a change of heart, "Shelley?" As Shelley stopped and looked back at Clone, the former Soviet Super Soldier said, "Call her . . . let her know that Alex is ok . . . I'll call her when this is all over."

OOC:
Just like when Clone first joined Vanguard, Alex will remain silent ( for the most part ) during any team discussions or mission briefings. He's going to need some time to rediscover not only himself, but his place on the team.

Jeff, I want to thank you once again for allowing me to explore a new personality for Clone. I'm having a blast with it and I think it'll bring a whole bunch of fun story-lines to the Vanguard story - I hope. I also wanted to thank everyone for being understanding about my extreme lateness's as of late - I promise I'll work on getting stuff out much quicker - my apologies once again.

Talk to you guys soon,

-Kev

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GM:
OOC Replies to Clone/Kev:

[Did we say that Clone's new personality would just be an even swap-out of Powers vs. Weaknesses?]

Almost. We said that given what's happening to Clone in-game, I would allow him to use a Luck Point to get his next Level Advancement ahead of time.

That Advancement, as usual, would give him a 1/2 of a Super Skill, or a 1/4 of a full fledged super power.

Additionally, he could lose weaknesses, or trade for new weaknesses. Also, if he wanted new, different powers, he could trade existing powers, etc.

So his total "build" points or Hero Points are only increasing slightly, but he's able to lose powers to get new ones.

I need your ideas for a new sheet asap. Ideally before next issue goes out. Thanks.

[ if nobody else is going to attempt to re-work the smash transponder ]

Symbiote said he would do it.

Best,
Jeff

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Clone:
OOC: Cool, so he would pick-up the skills you mentioned as his level advancement and lose his Empathic and Telepathic Link powers along with his Psychological Limitation and Low Self-Control Weaknesses. In addition to all of that he would also get that new weakness/power we discussed - Shattered Psyche. That sound right?

Since Symbiote is going to be working on the transponder; if he allows it, Clone will assist him in any way that he can. 

--------------------------------------------------

GM:
OOC:
Hi Kev,

Attached are character sheets for Clone, before and after, for your approval.

Please note:

-When he next levels, he won't get his Level Advancement. You're taking it now.

-A player may get Int/5 skills with a Level Advancement. Because Clone can divide into multiple bodies, he can learn skills at three times the normal rate (see last sentence of his Body Power description on the "after" sheet.) So he gains 7 skills. Please check the sheet and make sure you're happy with the skills I chose. "Espionage subculture" is tradecraft expertise.

-His Charisma is 21. Charisma is willpower, confidence, morality, and other stuff Alex doesn't exactly have in spades right now.
Given his new personality shake-up, I'll allow you, as part of this Level Advancement, to shake up the stats that represent his personality. You may move points from Charisma to Intelligence at a rate of 2 to 1. For every two Charisma points you drop, you may gain one Intelligence point. 
Higher Intelligence will increase your latest skill gain,  detect %'s, your hit points and therefore the number of Clones you can create.
Game-wise, the Rogue Clone could have gained Intelligence on a Level Advancement in the recent past.
But you needn't trade any stats. It's up to you. Please let me know.

Best,
Jeff