The Mid Atlantic, beneath the CHESS Omni-Carrier, late morning.
Black garbed CHESS soldiers repelled down ropes from the Omni-Carrier to pull people from the tumultuous waves. Lightning, rain, wind. Aquon called his goodbyes, dove beneath the chop and was not seen again.
Everyone was brought into the shelter of the wondrous technological achievement of the CHESS Omni-Carrier, a combination of a nuclear submarine and an aircraft carrier that had sprouted jet wings. There, a state of emergency existed. Soldiers, busy in their duties, saluted Grey as he passed.
Close up, it was now clear that Grey had been tortured. Nanite saw this and healed him again.
Those who were liberated from the Stasis Tubes of the evil Dr. Swastika’s diabolical Body Farm were sent, under guard, for medical examination in the Omni-Carrier’s hyper-futuristic sick bay. They were: Nanite, Clone, The Ghost, Sgt. Stone, Hip Hop and all the civilians including Senator Henry Westphal and Miles Hudson. Agent Grey was part of their escort. “Be right back,” he said.
Meanwhile, their rescuers were given first aid in the Omni-Carrier’s ready room (where heroes were first briefed way back in Issue 7).
Doc Rocket and Blue Comet were there! Both looked as if they had been in a battle. Two CHESS soldiers were posted outside the door, and Forester, Sentinel, Viper, Slingshot, Lightning Strike, Blue Comet and Doc Rocket were rejoined!
(OOC: Each gain 3 hit points from first aid, except Lightning Strike, due to his super-weakness, and Slingshot who was already healed by Nanite.)
After being treated and fed, our heroes were joined by a bandaged Agent Grey and his lieutenant, CHESS Agent Sam Drake. (Unbeknownst to our heroes, or to Sam himself, Sam is the younger brother of Dynamo, founding member of the Freedom Force! –Ye Ed.)
Grey settled in and said, “Report.”
Drake had black hair, clear blue eyes and a coolly professional demeanor. He wore a battle uniform similar to Grey’s, webbed with pouches, ammo and weapons. At first reluctant to make report in front of the irregular personnel (our heroes), Drake finally did so at Grey’s urging.
“Commander, the search parties captured Ratman and Shockwave on the water, near their escape pods. Hundreds of miles from land, both surrendered to CHESS Knights. (All players know that the CHESS Knights are the most publicly famous elements within CHESS; the formidable powered-armor division.) Both are detained in our brig for further questioning. Ratman wants his lawyer.
“Skin Deep, the vigilante Talon, and Morgue are still at large. The manhunt continues and will fan out here, here and here,” he said, indicating vast sectors of the mid-Atlantic via satellite photos on a large, wall-sized display screen. Federal Wanted Posters also appeared, showing Morgue, Skin Deep and Talon, the name of the fierce, black bird-man.
“More importantly, sir: Hours ago, in your team’s absence, rogue elements within CHESS, onboard this station, believed to be SKULL moles, attempted to commandeer the Omni-Carrier. Their actions were well-planned and executed, and displayed an alarming knowledge of CHESS’s internal workings.” Grey looked up from his coffee.
“Their ambush succeeded in rendering unconscious the extranormal codenamed Venus, disrupting your mission’s communications. She is stable, in intensive care.
“Simultaneously, a rogue division of Knights attempted to take the Omni-Carrier bridge. Their siege lasted hours and finally failed, due primarily to the efforts of Blue Comet and Doc Rocket.”
“Well now son, you weren’t too shabby yourself,” said Doc Rocket to Agent Sam Drake.
“Our casualties,” Drake said flatly, handing Grey a digital databoard. “None of these ‘Black Knights’ were captured alive.”
“During the bridge siege, other SKULL moles accessed the Omni-Carrier’s computer mainframe. We’re still unsure of what they were attempting. Our men are combing through access records as we speak. Those SKULL agents are still at large. We’ve ordered a general lockdown and search. We’re reviewing security camera tapes, but there are notable deletions already detected, and malfunctions continue.”
(OOC: Any questions or comments at this point, to any of this, can be inserted here. Thanks!)
Drake continued, “We’re prepared to de-brief the extranormal friendlies,” indicating the heroes. “But we might need their special abilities first.”
Grey nodded, quietly concurring. “Yes. Nanite, Lightning Strike and Sentinel might be able to detect what SKULL was doing in our computer systems.”
Drake said flatly, “But they lack security clearance for such work.”
“For now,” Grey said. He paused, then: “Lemme have a look.” Grey went to the computer console in the room, gave a retina scan with his one good eye and then a voice match and finger print. He started typing.
Drake began de-briefing the heroes for a few minutes when Agent Grey activated a microphone at his station. “Attention all personnel,” Grey said calmly, his voice echoing through the Omni-Carrier halls.
“Attention. This is Agent Grey. Apprehend all extra-normals onboard. They are the SKULL moles! Agent Drake is one of them. Each is armed and extremely dangerous! Deadly force is sanctioned! Repeat: deadly force is sanctioned!”
Grey stood away from his console, revealing the screen.
On it, a folder of data, secreted away by SKULL moles, had been opened. Launch codes. A countdown had completed. Satellite images of missiles leaving silos. Map of the USA. Targets, trajectories, ETAs. Nuclear Armageddon was unfolding!
Agent Grey smiled his same devil-may-care smile. But his laugh was not his own. It was the twisted laugh of Dr. Swastika! The eye also held the same unmistakable burning intelligence and powerful, unyielding will of the evil Nazi genius. The Blue Comet could not identify this, but somehow recognized it! With a dark chill, many of the heroes remembered mere hours ago, the ghastly, decapitated head taunting: “You are here only because we wish it. The Tsunami Machine Plot was devised for three purposes:
One: To destroy the US eastern seaboard and with it, the Washington-based, mongrel world government.
Two: To deliver the Freedom Force to me so that I might place them and their unmatched powers and abilities under my control. That was why we created the charade of a ransom demand: to bring the Freedom Force. That CHESS has sent you instead indicates that the damned Freedom Force are truly dead, or no longer on this world. In either case, they will be unable to stop SKULL.
Three: During the catastrophic loss of New York and Washington, we shall seize control of the launch codes to America’s nuclear arsenal. Our agents are in place and waiting. Our dream of world domination has been made real! I am pleased you are going to witness it.”
(OOC: Back in issue 20 –Ye Ever-helpful Ed! End flashback.)
Doc touched a nearby console, “Perhaps I can…” BZZATT! Lightning fast, Agent Grey quickdrew and fired his high tech pistol into Doc Rocket’s chest. Rocket fell and was motionless.
“You’ll do nothing, Doctor,” Grey smiled. “Yours was always the inferior intellect. Nothing can be done! The missiles are self-controlled and cannot be called back! Hahahah! This mongrel world government dies now!!”
Doc’s brief console touch caused “Agent Grey’s” station screen to go on the giant wall vid screen.
Trident missiles were in the air. Four of them. Trajectories were mapped over a satellite image of the United States and Atlantic Ocean. They were launched from the CHESS Omni-carrier!!
Four targets: New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston.
Distances: 200 miles for the first, 250 for the last.
Countdown to target achievements: 16 minutes for the first!
Lightning flashed and thunder roared outside the wall-sized window.
Amazingly unflappable, Agent Sam Drake coolly said: “Whichever of you extra-normals can fly, stop those missiles now! You’re our only chance! In 30 seconds, they’ll be traveling at the speed of sound.
The rest of you, stay here with me. We have to take down Agent Grey!”
…to be continued!
OOC: Actions?
Except Blue Comet, you’ve been on the Omni-Carrier for all of 15 minutes.Here’s everyone’s current condition:
Blue Comet: Hit Points: 10, Power Points: 65
(OOC: Back in issue 20 –Ye Ever-helpful Ed! End flashback.)
Doc touched a nearby console, “Perhaps I can…” BZZATT! Lightning fast, Agent Grey quickdrew and fired his high tech pistol into Doc Rocket’s chest. Rocket fell and was motionless.
“You’ll do nothing, Doctor,” Grey smiled. “Yours was always the inferior intellect. Nothing can be done! The missiles are self-controlled and cannot be called back! Hahahah! This mongrel world government dies now!!”
Doc’s brief console touch caused “Agent Grey’s” station screen to go on the giant wall vid screen.
Trident missiles were in the air. Four of them. Trajectories were mapped over a satellite image of the United States and Atlantic Ocean. They were launched from the CHESS Omni-carrier!!
Four targets: New York, Washington, Philadelphia, Boston.
Distances: 200 miles for the first, 250 for the last.
Countdown to target achievements: 16 minutes for the first!
Lightning flashed and thunder roared outside the wall-sized window.
Amazingly unflappable, Agent Sam Drake coolly said: “Whichever of you extra-normals can fly, stop those missiles now! You’re our only chance! In 30 seconds, they’ll be traveling at the speed of sound.
The rest of you, stay here with me. We have to take down Agent Grey!”
…to be continued!
OOC: Actions?
Except Blue Comet, you’ve been on the Omni-Carrier for all of 15 minutes.Here’s everyone’s current condition:
Blue Comet: Hit Points: 10, Power Points: 65
Forester: Hit Points: 5, Power Points: 63
Lightning Strike: Hit Points: 2, Power Points: 56 (Strike is still recharging power points)Sentinel: Hit Points: 5, Power Points: 60
Slingshot: Hit Points: 8, Power Points: 80
Viper: Hit Points: 5, Power Points: 85
Slingshot: Hit Points: 8, Power Points: 80
Viper: Hit Points: 5, Power Points: 85
Furthermore, Forester has still not regained his Heightened Sense abilities, as per his weakness.
-Ye Evil Ed
------------------------------------
Forester:
During the early part of Issue 23, in the event the Drake or any of the medical stuff ask about the heroes' abilities and backgrounds, Forester will freely reveal information about himself, which also answers Sentinel's inquiry from last issue. "I'm a trained archer who started developing stunt arrows on my own. I trained for a time with the retired Freedom Force member known as the Marksman, which helped develop my observational and survival skills. But I probably have more in common with the Marx Brothers than with Marksman. I've had plenty of adventure, but technically speaking, this has been my first heroic mission. And from a medical standpoint, I should check out as a highly skilled human rather than an extra-normal."
During the debriefing with Sam Drake, well before Grey's personality change, Forester asks several questions, in the order listed below. He apologizes if any of the material is classified, and makes sure to seem personable and eager to assist. If Sam Drake becomes frustrated with the questions, Forester will stop prying. The archer wants to get on the agent's good side.
1. Does CHESS have any idea how Von Zero and the Uber-Men were still alive and in good health, more than six decades after the Second World War?
2. We never encountered the Uber-Man known as Blitzkrieg aboard the Giant Star. Is there a special reason why he wouldn't have been present with his longtime teammates.
3. If half of the captured civilians were CHESS administrators, who were the others?
4. I haven't heard of Agent America in ages. What has Miles Hudson been up to all of these years?
5. If Talon is a vigilante, why the wanted poster? Has he committed a crime?
6. Is anyone (or anything) inherently immune to Morgue's deadly touch?
7. Does Skin Deep have a weakness? Is there any way to identify her when she's in "drag"?
During the early part of Issue 23, in the event the Drake or any of the medical stuff ask about the heroes' abilities and backgrounds, Forester will freely reveal information about himself, which also answers Sentinel's inquiry from last issue. "I'm a trained archer who started developing stunt arrows on my own. I trained for a time with the retired Freedom Force member known as the Marksman, which helped develop my observational and survival skills. But I probably have more in common with the Marx Brothers than with Marksman. I've had plenty of adventure, but technically speaking, this has been my first heroic mission. And from a medical standpoint, I should check out as a highly skilled human rather than an extra-normal."
During the debriefing with Sam Drake, well before Grey's personality change, Forester asks several questions, in the order listed below. He apologizes if any of the material is classified, and makes sure to seem personable and eager to assist. If Sam Drake becomes frustrated with the questions, Forester will stop prying. The archer wants to get on the agent's good side.
1. Does CHESS have any idea how Von Zero and the Uber-Men were still alive and in good health, more than six decades after the Second World War?
2. We never encountered the Uber-Man known as Blitzkrieg aboard the Giant Star. Is there a special reason why he wouldn't have been present with his longtime teammates.
3. If half of the captured civilians were CHESS administrators, who were the others?
4. I haven't heard of Agent America in ages. What has Miles Hudson been up to all of these years?
5. If Talon is a vigilante, why the wanted poster? Has he committed a crime?
6. Is anyone (or anything) inherently immune to Morgue's deadly touch?
7. Does Skin Deep have a weakness? Is there any way to identify her when she's in "drag"?
After Swastika reveals himself, Forester fires an arrow in a special attack at his opponent's good eye.
Nuff said!
------------------------------------
Sentinel:
Sentinel will immediately try to ascertain if there is any way that the computer systems can be used to stop the missiles or divert their path into space to explode ( if Swastika lying about that) -- perhaps quickly asking Drake might be quicker than trying to sense things through the computer system. Whatever works quickest.
Sentinel will also try to see if he can find the video tape from the conference room (we all know its always recorded and stored somewhere) to see if they can broadcast the last few moments throughout the ship so that the normal Chess agents don't turn on the various heroes and Drake. If he can access this quickly and broadcast it he will do so otherwise this would be his immediate suggestion to Drake and perhaps Lightning Strike. Then Drake, who just defended this craft from Chess takeover, should broadcast that Grey had been compromised on the mission and to ignore his last transmission. I suppose he could do that either way, but if the tape of Swastika's last few moments could be broadcast it would likely swing opinion in the right direction.
Assuming we can't turn or stop the missiles using the computer system - how powerful are these missiles? Are they all leaving from the craft or are they being fired from different areas. You made it seem like they were leaving from the craft. What sort of range will these things destroy when detonated (i.e. how far into the atmosphere do we need to get these things to safely detonate)? Any easy way to defuse? Can the guidance systems be redirected on the devices? If messed with will they detonate early? etc Anything from their computer systems, Drake, or anything else on these missiles would help formulate a plan at this point.
Sentinel immediately raises his shields the moment Grey's behavior turns odd on the speaker (or as quickly as GM allows after this so as to hopefully not waste his first action doing it) - let me know if this is possible. Also, any chance anyone could have stopped Doc Rocket from getting taken out early? Even though Sentinel might not have been quick enough, Blue Comet is back among us!
More to come. Thanks.
OOC: Way to kill a reunion GM!
Hey, is any of the "craft fight" with Comet and Doc Rocket available on the website? Did you insert it or did Chris play it?
Sentinel will immediately try to ascertain if there is any way that the computer systems can be used to stop the missiles or divert their path into space to explode ( if Swastika lying about that) -- perhaps quickly asking Drake might be quicker than trying to sense things through the computer system. Whatever works quickest.
Sentinel will also try to see if he can find the video tape from the conference room (we all know its always recorded and stored somewhere) to see if they can broadcast the last few moments throughout the ship so that the normal Chess agents don't turn on the various heroes and Drake. If he can access this quickly and broadcast it he will do so otherwise this would be his immediate suggestion to Drake and perhaps Lightning Strike. Then Drake, who just defended this craft from Chess takeover, should broadcast that Grey had been compromised on the mission and to ignore his last transmission. I suppose he could do that either way, but if the tape of Swastika's last few moments could be broadcast it would likely swing opinion in the right direction.
Assuming we can't turn or stop the missiles using the computer system - how powerful are these missiles? Are they all leaving from the craft or are they being fired from different areas. You made it seem like they were leaving from the craft. What sort of range will these things destroy when detonated (i.e. how far into the atmosphere do we need to get these things to safely detonate)? Any easy way to defuse? Can the guidance systems be redirected on the devices? If messed with will they detonate early? etc Anything from their computer systems, Drake, or anything else on these missiles would help formulate a plan at this point.
Sentinel immediately raises his shields the moment Grey's behavior turns odd on the speaker (or as quickly as GM allows after this so as to hopefully not waste his first action doing it) - let me know if this is possible. Also, any chance anyone could have stopped Doc Rocket from getting taken out early? Even though Sentinel might not have been quick enough, Blue Comet is back among us!
More to come. Thanks.
OOC: Way to kill a reunion GM!
Hey, is any of the "craft fight" with Comet and Doc Rocket available on the website? Did you insert it or did Chris play it?
A couple of other questions -- can we identify the targets of each missile?
Yankee stadium isn't going up in blazes on my watch! :)
From public knowledge do we know the scope of Hip Hop's teleportation? If we miss a missile leaving can he get us in its trajectory or if that too far? If not public knowledge and it seems applicable, Sentinel will ask Forester who seemed familiar with him in the mission.
More OOC:
Oh, yeah ... see I knew he wasn't dead. But I didn't suspect him in Grey or him to show up immediately after the last issue. You got me good!
------------------------------------
GM OOC and NPC Replies:
Before Swastika revealed himself:
Forester to Sam Drake, in the five minute debriefing: Does CHESS have any idea how Von Zero and the Uber-Men were still alive and in good health, more than six decades after the Second World War?
GM Reply: Drake does not. In fact, this is the first time Drake is hearing that the Uber-Men live.
Doc Rocket exhibits surprise and then says: “Toward the end of the war, Swastika grew more and more desperate to find a scientific weapon to use against the Allies, to turn the tide of the war. I’m not convinced that time travel or cryogenic hibernation were beyond the reach of that mad genius!”
Forester: We never encountered the Uber-Man known as Blitzkrieg aboard the Giant Star. Is there a special reason why he wouldn't have been present with his longtime team mates?
GM Reply: Again, Drake offered no opinion. Doc Rocket said: “Blitzkreig died in captivity in 1947, of old age, due to his hyperactive metabolism.”
Forester: If half of the captured civilians were CHESS administrators, who were the others?
I haven't heard of Agent America in ages. What has Miles Hudson been up to all of these years?
If Talon is a vigilante, why the wanted poster? Has he committed a crime?
Is anyone (or anything) inherently immune to Morgue's deadly touch?
Does Skin Deep have a weakness? Is there any way to identify her when she's in "drag"?
Before Swastika revealed himself:
Forester to Sam Drake, in the five minute debriefing: Does CHESS have any idea how Von Zero and the Uber-Men were still alive and in good health, more than six decades after the Second World War?
GM Reply: Drake does not. In fact, this is the first time Drake is hearing that the Uber-Men live.
Doc Rocket exhibits surprise and then says: “Toward the end of the war, Swastika grew more and more desperate to find a scientific weapon to use against the Allies, to turn the tide of the war. I’m not convinced that time travel or cryogenic hibernation were beyond the reach of that mad genius!”
Forester: We never encountered the Uber-Man known as Blitzkrieg aboard the Giant Star. Is there a special reason why he wouldn't have been present with his longtime team mates?
GM Reply: Again, Drake offered no opinion. Doc Rocket said: “Blitzkreig died in captivity in 1947, of old age, due to his hyperactive metabolism.”
Forester: If half of the captured civilians were CHESS administrators, who were the others?
I haven't heard of Agent America in ages. What has Miles Hudson been up to all of these years?
If Talon is a vigilante, why the wanted poster? Has he committed a crime?
Is anyone (or anything) inherently immune to Morgue's deadly touch?
Does Skin Deep have a weakness? Is there any way to identify her when she's in "drag"?
GM Reply: Sam Drake answers each of these with the same answer: “That’s classified.”His demeanor is that he’s supposed to be debriefing you, not vice versa. He’s not particularly over-friendly to you masked extranormals.
After Swastika revealed himself:
Sentinel OOC: Sentinel will immediately try to ascertain if there is any way that the computer systems can be used to stop the missiles or divert their path into space to explode ( if Swastika lying about that) -- perhaps quickly asking Drake might be quicker than trying to sense things through the computer system. Whatever works quickest.
GM Reply: Agent Grey/ Dr. Swastika said: “Nothing can be done! The missiles are self-controlled and cannot be called back! Hahahah! This mongrel world government dies now!!”
Sentinel said: “Drake, is it true? Is there no way to call them back?!”
Drake said, flatly: “Yes. It’s true.”
Sentinel OOC: Sentinel will also try to see if he can find the video tape from the conference room (we all know its always recorded and stored somewhere) to see if they can broadcast the last few moments throughout the ship so that the normal Chess agents don't turn on the various heroes and Drake.
GM Reply: Just a few minutes ago Sentinel heard Sam Drake report:
“During the bridge siege, other SKULL moles accessed the Omni-Carrier’s computer mainframe. We’re still unsure of what they were attempting… We’re reviewing security camera tapes, but there are notable deletions already detected, and malfunctions continue.”
If you want Sentinel to search for the recording system, or if you’re telling Drake to find it, tell me that in your actions. Time is of the essence and I’ll need you to prioritize your actions. Thanks.
Sentinel OOC: Assuming we can't turn or stop the missiles using the computer system - how powerful are these missiles?
GM Reply: Sentinel doesn’t know for certain. If they are ‘strategic’ nuclear missiles, used primarily as a deterrent, they are the most powerful kind of weapon on Earth.
If they are ‘tactical’ nukes, they are each as powerful as the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Sentinel remembers his granddad mentioning that those had yields between 13 and 22 kilotons, and the devastating damage they caused.
Sentinel OOC: Are they all leaving from the craft or are they being fired from different areas? You made it seem like they were leaving from the craft.
GM Reply: Yes. All four missiles have just been fired from the CHESS Omni-Carrier! It’s even more like a nuclear submarine than you imagined.
Sentinel OOC: What sort of range will these things destroy when detonated (i.e. how far into the atmosphere do we need to get these things to safely detonate)? Any easy way to defuse? Can the guidance systems be redirected on the devices? If messed with will they detonate early?
GM Reply: You don’t know. I’ll assume you ask Drake, as conversation is not too limited in superhero comics or V&V.
Drake replies: “Again, any of you who can fly get out of here now! In 30 seconds, they’ll be supersonic and uncatchable!” (Even by the Blue Comet! –Ye Educational Ed)
Searching his memory, he continued: “They’re not Cruise missiles. Tridents are submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles. They carry out a sub-orbital spaceflight.”
“As for the rest of your questions… Doc would know,” Drake said, looking down at the motionless hero.
“During the bridge siege, other SKULL moles accessed the Omni-Carrier’s computer mainframe. We’re still unsure of what they were attempting… We’re reviewing security camera tapes, but there are notable deletions already detected, and malfunctions continue.”
If you want Sentinel to search for the recording system, or if you’re telling Drake to find it, tell me that in your actions. Time is of the essence and I’ll need you to prioritize your actions. Thanks.
Sentinel OOC: Assuming we can't turn or stop the missiles using the computer system - how powerful are these missiles?
GM Reply: Sentinel doesn’t know for certain. If they are ‘strategic’ nuclear missiles, used primarily as a deterrent, they are the most powerful kind of weapon on Earth.
If they are ‘tactical’ nukes, they are each as powerful as the bombs dropped on Nagasaki and Hiroshima. Sentinel remembers his granddad mentioning that those had yields between 13 and 22 kilotons, and the devastating damage they caused.
Sentinel OOC: Are they all leaving from the craft or are they being fired from different areas? You made it seem like they were leaving from the craft.
GM Reply: Yes. All four missiles have just been fired from the CHESS Omni-Carrier! It’s even more like a nuclear submarine than you imagined.
Sentinel OOC: What sort of range will these things destroy when detonated (i.e. how far into the atmosphere do we need to get these things to safely detonate)? Any easy way to defuse? Can the guidance systems be redirected on the devices? If messed with will they detonate early?
GM Reply: You don’t know. I’ll assume you ask Drake, as conversation is not too limited in superhero comics or V&V.
Drake replies: “Again, any of you who can fly get out of here now! In 30 seconds, they’ll be supersonic and uncatchable!” (Even by the Blue Comet! –Ye Educational Ed)
Searching his memory, he continued: “They’re not Cruise missiles. Tridents are submarine-launched intercontinental ballistic missiles. They carry out a sub-orbital spaceflight.”
“As for the rest of your questions… Doc would know,” Drake said, looking down at the motionless hero.
“Here. Take these with you,” Drake said, placing six wrist communicators on the table. He had planned to distribute them after the debriefing (Ye Explanation-Providing Ed).
Sentinel OOC: Sentinel immediately raises his shields the moment Grey's behavior turns odd on the speaker (or as quickly as GM allows after this so as to hopefully not waste his first action doing it) - let me know if this is possible.
GM Reply: Your shields were already on. Last issue, you withdrew them to a “personal” level. During first aid, you could manipulate them out of a medic’s way. If you hadn’t, then you would have had to spend an action to make yourself nearly impervious to physical attack. Hardly a waste! ;)
Sentinel OOC: Also, any chance anyone could have stopped Doc Rocket from getting taken out early? Even though Sentinel might not have been quick enough, Blue Comet is back among us!
GM Reply: The characters (and the players) were completely surprised, a game-rules term that means ‘Grey’ gets a full action of activity before any of you move. So, no, even Comet could not save Doc Rocket. But starting now, everyone including ‘Grey’ gets their full action, in order of initiative.
Sentinel OOC: Hey, is any of the "craft fight" with Comet and Doc Rocket available on the website? Did you insert it or did Chris play it?
GM Reply: I handled all that. This is Chris’s first issue back. And what an issue!
But if you wanted to experience what a battle against the forces of CHESS would be like on the CHESS Omni-Carrier, just stick around.
Sentinel OOC: Can we identify the targets of each missile?
GM Reply: Yes.
Sentinel OOC: From public knowledge, do we know the scope of Hip Hop's teleportation?
GM Reply: In one much publicized stunt, he jumped coast to coast.
Sentinel OOC: Sentinel immediately raises his shields the moment Grey's behavior turns odd on the speaker (or as quickly as GM allows after this so as to hopefully not waste his first action doing it) - let me know if this is possible.
GM Reply: Your shields were already on. Last issue, you withdrew them to a “personal” level. During first aid, you could manipulate them out of a medic’s way. If you hadn’t, then you would have had to spend an action to make yourself nearly impervious to physical attack. Hardly a waste! ;)
Sentinel OOC: Also, any chance anyone could have stopped Doc Rocket from getting taken out early? Even though Sentinel might not have been quick enough, Blue Comet is back among us!
GM Reply: The characters (and the players) were completely surprised, a game-rules term that means ‘Grey’ gets a full action of activity before any of you move. So, no, even Comet could not save Doc Rocket. But starting now, everyone including ‘Grey’ gets their full action, in order of initiative.
Sentinel OOC: Hey, is any of the "craft fight" with Comet and Doc Rocket available on the website? Did you insert it or did Chris play it?
GM Reply: I handled all that. This is Chris’s first issue back. And what an issue!
But if you wanted to experience what a battle against the forces of CHESS would be like on the CHESS Omni-Carrier, just stick around.
Sentinel OOC: Can we identify the targets of each missile?
GM Reply: Yes.
Sentinel OOC: From public knowledge, do we know the scope of Hip Hop's teleportation?
GM Reply: In one much publicized stunt, he jumped coast to coast.
------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Debriefing: Slingshot nodded his understanding of the situation. Poor Venus, she's still in intensive care. He settled a bit more in his seat. The chair creaked under his weight. There wasn't much to be done as far as he was concerned, obviously. He knows how to use a computer, but that's about it.
After the launch: As Slingshot flowed from his chair to a standing position next to the table, an arm shot across the table to snag a communicator. "That's four missiles!” he looks around the room “Drake! I’m not a flyer, but I think I can manage.” With an overlarge grin, he makes for the door.
[ooc: Unless I’m prevented from exiting (i.e. door not opening), I’m making for outside.
I’m not going to engage anyone if at all possible. I’ll use my elasticity to jump over and go around people. If the doors are blocking themselves, I’ll use the vents to get around the door. Whatever gives me the least resistance.
The goal: Slingshot after a rocket. I might not be able to launch myself this phase, but I’ll do my darnedest to be able to go for the next one.
If the others cannot get through a door, I’ll crash it for them.]
------------------------------------
Sentinel:
“Where the hell are we?” asked Westphal. His face was still hard, but his eyes betrayed his fear.
Miles Hudson said: “Lancaster, Sarge? What’s going on?!”
Sentinel replied: "Don't worry. You’re both safe now. Everything is going to be alright. I know your confused, and you've been through more of an ordeal ... then you can understand right now ... but you both have a strong courageous spirit," and he looked Hudson in the eyes, "call on that strength now to calm you and get you through this".
At that moment Sentinel felt he had confirmed in his mind that Myles Hudson, Agent America, hero of World War II, was indeed, a hero in every sense of the word, and that some fifty years of his life had been stolen from him by that bastard Swastika. He hoped he could somehow help this man to cope with that fact and his loss in the days to follow.
Sentinel saw the communicators and he thought to himself "where the hell were they when we needed them a few hours ago?"
Realizing that Drake was right about the rockets and knowing stopping them at this point was the most important thing he said to Drake; "Try to see if the video of this room from the last few seconds is intact and broadcast it shipwide to try to undermine Swastika's last commands otherwise you'll have your other agents "with proper security clearance" here to help you to the brig in the next few moments, assuming they let you live that long!" and as he grabbed the communicator he added, "four nukes aboard this boat, and CHESS is paranoid about the threat of heroes with powers, who watches the watchman?"
Sentinel follows the others (from other game rounds I assume they are quicker) to the easiest route out or leads the way if he is somehow quicker to get off the ship and stop the missiles.
His plan of action is twofold
(1) If his sensitivity to energy flow and computers can have him reroute the guidance system once he gets within a range to sense it, he will immediately do so and have it head towards the outer atmosphere to either detonate where it will do the least damage if detonation can't be prevented or be retrieved later
(2) Without propulsion, the missile doesn't travel anywhere. Sentinel would try to encircle the missile within an energy construct and NOT allow air in it which should hopefully stop it from going anywhere; again, if there is fear of this thing detonating, he would try to propel it towards the outer atmosphere into space beyond the earth's environment
It the missiles are close enough together so that he can encircle more than one and do this he would try.
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Lightning Strike:
Lightning Strike grimaces and says "Obviously this Nazi scum is a lot harder to kill than we thought. His intellect could shift to any one of us and take control of us. Grey isn't extranormal. The key is to isolate him away from anyone that Swastika could move into."
He turns to Drake. "Where is the radar array on this ship? I need to get to it and make some modifications but I don't have much time. If I can make the necessary changes, I should be able to reach those missiles and disable them before it is too late."
As soon as Drake tells LS where the array is, LS will turn to electrical form and navigate up to the array using movement. My goal is to modify the array to allow it to transmit me to the missiles acting as a carrier wave. With some luck, LS could reach the missile, disable it and then take the carrier wave back to the helicarrier and then head out to the next missile at a speed much greater than the speed of sound.
Hope this doesn't violate any rules of the game or the laws of physics.
Have a great weekend all
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Viper:
After Drake's comments about the siege.....
(Visibly upset and pacing back and forth)
"Grey! We're workin' without a net here! I thought you CHESS guys had your act together. Now I see we're chasin' rats in the Big City subway system! And people are Dyin' over it!"
(Realizes he's making a scene when he looks at the other heroes)
"Alright, alright. I'm just sayin' I'm a bit tired of the bad guys jumping out of every doorway. But answer me this, a group of rogue Knights? How can you have a GROUP of 'Knights' go bad? It seems to me you need to grab the radio, the speakers and the fuzzy dice on this thing and set it on fire to collect the insurance. You're infested here! How do we know Drake isn't one of these rogues? I'll bet you a roll in the hay with the Fat Lady that we haven't seen the last rogue."
(OOC: OK! I read ahead!)
Amazingly unflappable, Agent Sam Drake coolly said: "Whichever of you extra-normals who can fly, stop those missiles now! You're our only chance! In 30 seconds, they'll be traveling at the speed of sound. The rest of you, stay here with me. We have to take down Agent Grey!"
Viper laughs...loudly.... "So I gathered up his brain in a sack, brought it back to the ship and he's still not dead. Well that beats all. If we stick around, maybe the Wizard will pop out from behind a Vid Screen and send us back to Kansas, huh Toto? Well Drake, looks like you're in charge of this mess now."
Viper charges Grey with all his might yelling.... "Ok Flyboys, Bring me back 4 missiles and a six-pack......"
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Blue Comet:
Coming down off the high of battle, The Blue Comet begins to feel a bit woozy and drained. As his super charged metabolism struggles to normalize, he steadies himself on a conference room chair still feeling too restless to sit. The people in the room are talking. At first he understands them, but the words begin to dissolve into murmurs. It was happening again, but there was nothing he could do to stop it.
If anyone was watching The Blue Comet they would have been stricken by the lack of surprise on his face at the revelation that Grey was an imposter. They then would have been more alarmed that he had no reaction to anything. He clearly noticed nothing around him. His eyes were vacant.
As the events unfolded in the ready room, Comet slipped further and further out of the present. He could feel his memories grow faint and vanish behind him like a swimmer's wake in a pool. Left only with the present, he concentrated on the men in front of him; he concentrated on the eyes of the one called Drake and the one who (for the moment) was calling himself Grey. Their faces were off a bit, but he knew their eyes. They were familiar men, important to him, but he had no idea why. He knew those eyes. The only other thing he knew was that he hated them.
Yet, even when memories vanish they leave a feeling, an echo. Some lonely echo told him that both these men were enemies even though both had been friends. Both were betrayers, but for different reasons. Then the voices in the room rushed back, pulling him back from his distant place, and erasing even the memories of the last moment.
"Whichever of you extra-normals who can fly, stop those missiles now! You're our only chance! In 30 seconds, they'll be traveling at the speed of sound."
With no knowledge past the last few seconds, Comet reacts to the present as he has instinctively trained himself to do. In a flash of blue flame he burst out of the Omni carrier to speed toward the furthest missile to destroy it in a ball of fire.
