CHESS Castle was secured!
The thunderstorm was beginning to break up. CHESS jets roared overhead.
But Oracle was gone!
Remembering AEGIS’s frequency, Sentinel quickly broadcast to Oracle for fear that they would never find her again. The masked man of mercy offered words of support and friendship to the lonely angel.
Forester’s message was not so friendly. Seeing the future vision as a personal violation, the archer ordered her to never do that to him again.
Oracle’s only response was, “Roger. Over.”
Months passed and winter with it. During that time…
Vanguard! After interviewing Inhuman, the Owl, Crabman, Dr. Chiropterus, Rook Christiansen and Warden Farquhar, Vanguard and CHESS determine the following:
-Hotsleep involves a chemical-induced dream state where the subject’s mind lives in a dream.
-This dream illusion can be pierced with effort (and Willpower defense). Sentinel (in the future vision) and Primate (who has Willpower) both pierced that illusion and achieved self-awareness.
-Primate’s powers changed in Hotsleep while he was aware (OOC: He leveled in Hotsleep with all the experience from having murdered AEGIS)
-His new power manifested in Hotsleep, a telepathic control over animals, including “Ani-Men.”
-It is through this power that Primate communicated to the Owl, Pachyderm and the Ani-Men from within CHESS Castle, and to no other individuals but Ani-Men or animals.
-Once he was free, a global satellite array prepared by the Owl magnified that power across the Earth, at great strain to the Primate, which is why it could not be maintained indefinitely.
Director Grey takes Vanguard’s story of an alternate future very seriously. He orders a CHESS audit of the Hotsleep process. A panel is convened to investigate and recommend whether the process should continue as is, be modified, or discontinued. Until the panel findings are revealed, Primate remains in Hotsleep, with Doc’s Transmission Jammer set at a short range and placed in Primate’s cell.
Inhuman is not tried for crimes committed in the alternate reality. However his is encouraged by Grey to take some time off. His probationary period ends with him not joining Vanguard.
As to the final fate of the Primate, that is not for Vanguard to decide. The Primate will be tried in absentia for the attempted escape and detonation of a nuclear weapon! If found guilty, his sentence may include the devolution serum, but that would be for a jury to decide. CHESS works with Interpol to seize all AEGIS computer records, including those of Professor Fahrenheit, in case the devolution serum needs to be “re-constructed.”
And during this time, two new superheroes join the ranks of Vanguard!...
Soldier and Talon! Talon was the fierce, black birdman Vanguard briefly met in the burning Body Farm of Dr. Swastika’s Star Giant! Grey and Drake cleared his name of wrongdoing and enlisted him to join Vanguard. He was curt, surly and needed a shave (imagine Hawkman meets Wolverine).
The star-spangled Soldier might have been Talon’s opposite in demeanor. Professional and courteous, he stood with a military man’s bearing and confidence, and his physique was that of a perfect human specimen! (imagine Captain America born into this generation)
He too had been recruited by CHESS and seemed to know Agent Sam Drake well. The two likeminded veterans had hit it off during Soldier’s induction process.
(OOC: Welcome, Dom/Soldier and Denny/Talon! Please meet and greet the player characters and vice versa. Also please review the info on CHESS and write questions/interactions as you see fit.)
Kairos! John dates Shelley Harper. She’s a very intelligent, funny, beautiful young woman who’s been burned by players before (pardon the pun) and will wait to see if John’s interest in her is more than sexual. John discovers that her father is a retired NYPD detective who had worked with Det. Hank Archer (see Big City Gang War story arc), and she’s got her brother’s scientific recklessness and interest in superheroes. The latter may be the main draw to John, that and his appearance.
She nearly grills John about Hal and Vanguard at one point, taking special interest in what powers were duplicated by the Harper Harness.
One night, Kairos dreamt of returning to the shattered landscape of lost heroes where he last encountered Penumbra. Again, he found himself lost and walking among broken marble ruins beneath a bleak red sky. Battered columns and crumbling statues of long dead gods and heroes, their sightless eyes and passive faces gazing out from antiquity into infinity. Beyond the full moon were other worlds, other galaxies.
Kairos was oddly at peace, sleepy and dreamy. “Traveler,” called a woman’s voice. It might have been Penumbra! Kairos turned and beheld a cloaked female figure shrouded in shadow perched atop a gigantic stone head that lay decapitated, broken on the ground. “You are lost. More than you know.”
She stepped forward. It was Oracle! “You have been made to drink from the River Styx and forgotten your true self, your true name. She waved her hand slowly across John’s face and the motion left a rippling wake in the air itself. It was as if she had lifted a veil that had blinded John for eons.
“You are the Avatar of the twelve Olympians, their chosen champion in this reality.”
Somehow John knew these words to be true!
“Their enemies, who are mighty and without number, tricked you into forgetting that, long ago. But that time is done. Arise, son of Olympus, arise and fulfill your destiny as a true hero.”
John felt himself awakening. On the material plane, he sensed his sleeping form held a silver sword in its hand. A helmet in the style of ancient Greece rested nearby! (see new image)
(OOC: Replies, if any, before awakening? See your new character sheet on the site, Avatar, for what all this means. Everyone else, any reactions to Kairos reborn as Avatar!)
Symbiote! Hal is aware that John courted Shelley and they’re dating. Shelley doesn’t want to talk about it. [OOC: If this was the FF, and you two were Ben and Johnny, there’d be a fight! ;) ]
Shelley Harper is transferred to Vanguard HQ as a CHESS scientist. Hal sees more of her, as does John.
Symbiote successfully drags Doc Rocket to the doctor to get a full checkup. He hadn’t been in years. The physician prescribes some heart medication and advises Doc to slow down.
Symbiote tunes up the Harper Harness, improving the duration that powers may be “held.”
Symbiote and Sentinel! The original Sentinel, Dr. Lancaster Gerard M.D., was 76 but still full of life and strength (Imagine a cross between Doc Savage, Sean Connery, Hollis Mason and Max Von Sydow). His eyes were so blue they were almost white, like the thick shock of hair atop his head. He smiled, shook hands and seated the two young men before the fireplace in a private study that smelt of old books, pipe tobacco and nostalgia.
He sat, smiled mildly and listened intently to what they had to tell him.
After much discussion, where Lancaster recounted his early days and Kirk’s childhood, it seemed the most likely explanation was that their amazing power was not genetic, but psionic. There had been much training in Kirk’s early days to master his fearsome abilities. Training alongside Lancaster. It would also explain their telepathic senses.
(OOC: Replies, dialogue, actions, if any?)
Later that night, the three join up with Sgt. Stone and Doc Rocket for dinner. Shelley would wheedle Hal to try and tag along. (OOC: Hal?)
Sentinel! The beacon of liberty learns that CHESS has a program for ex-con extranormals. The goal is not necessarily recruiting them, for the same reason the police don’t actively recruit ex-cons, but to help them stay out of trouble. Crabman has a year left on his sentence.
Sentinel and Lightning Strike! The two friends aid CHESS Castle scientists in monitoring Hotsleep sector. The ever-elusive Venus cannot be reached. There they spend time with Doc Rocket, CHESS Knight Nathan Lamb and prison personnel.
Most terms in Hotsleep are long. The subject known as Zeitgeist is the one scheduled to be released soonest, in 5 years. Everything seems to be working properly but the Primate’s EKG and surface thoughts indicate awareness.
Strike knows the Hotsleep technology was created by Maas Biolabs. Silas Caine is a minority shareholder. CHESS continues to privately investigate Silas Caine. The choices he made in the alternate timeline were uncanny and prophetic; the man is a genius. Strike aids CHESS’s investigation in the billionaire and...
Lightning Strike! Strike, in his assumed identity of Sparks McGee, enters Big City’s underworld to continue waging his one-man war on crime! Months after the Gangwar, he finds order has come to the formerly chaotic gangland. Things are quiet, running on schedule, tribute is being kicked up.
After much investigation, the dark detective concludes that a peace has been brokered between Silas Caine and the Black Bat, to avoid another gangwar that could bring Vanguard back. Bat’s agent is Whisper (Femme Fatale’s former lieutenant whose mysterious disappearance was one of the powder kegs that blew the Five Bosses apart). Caine’s front man appears to be the bastard son of Dexter Sinister!
No one working for either of them even knows Caine’s or Bat’s name.
Forester! The blind zen master, the Marksman, contacted his former student to arrange a meeting. Trust had not flowed naturally between the two and they met in a snowy field in Central Park near sundown. As the blind man approached Frederick, he left no footprints in the snow.
The Marksman was not in costume, his blind eyes were uncovered, and his hands were empty (Imagine Clive Owen meets David Carradine).
He was completely calm when he said, “Student, you have passed a critical test. Well done. By now you must know it was a were-creature that attacked you the day we first met. It had infected you with the mystical disease, lycanthropy. There is no cure. I should have killed you right then.
“But something stayed my hand. Mercy? Hope? I dared believe that with proper training, one’s will could swallow up the affliction. Force it down. And so I took you as a student, despite your recklessness, your lack of discipline, your wanderlust, and my better judgment.
“Your chaotic nature made you break training and leave Haven. It was then I knew you would soon be seduced by dark creatures of the Enemy, who could offer you kinship. I believed your life would end by my hands. It was only a matter of time.
“Yet that did not transpire. You persevered with greater strength than I gave you credit for.
I was wrong and humbly ask your forgiveness, Forester.”
Then, there in the gently falling snow, the master bowed before his pupil.
(OOC: Replies? Please see your sheet on the site to see what this means.)
Slingshot! The single-celled superhero sequestered himself for months within the projects room that held the lifeless body of the valiant metal maiden, Nanite. Like a sleeping princess within a fairy tale, she slumbered without dying, waiting to be awoken.
Slingshot started once more at the very beginning and, with support from Doc and the scientists in Vanguard, the big lug ran through everything again. And again. And again. Days blurred into weeks. Then months. The sleepless hero refused to give up. Diagnostic scans were run countless times to no avail. His friends were losing hope and began to advise him to give up. But the big, bleary-eyed brawler did not relent.
It was 3am on a Tuesday when Slingshot’s exhausted mind had a different idea. Instead of using the incredible battery of technological equipment to peer within her for the answer, perhaps it could be used to detect what was coming out of her.
In six hours, the wondrous array of sensors at his disposal detected a transmission of sorts along a rare frequency spectrum. It wasn’t a message. More like a tone.
Over coffee the next day, it reminded Slingshot of something he had read. He raced to the Vanguard case files and accessed photos of the pages from the journal of Nanite’s murderer, the Luddite.
It read like the diary of a madman. The densely packed and relentless handwriting encroached upon itself, like the scribblings of a paranoid schizophrenic. The original journal was 300 pages thick; its chronology encoded by the intangible author.
“…over the last 90 years an insidious invasion of what is benignly called technology, most dangerous of all the so-called internet revolution, is in actuality a malignant and guided transformation of human nature itself, preparing it for its dark fate…”
That wasn’t it.
“… the unwitting, deluded and seduced millions do not understand that I labor to save them and so, mind controlled by their secret masters, they are all directed against me…”
No.
“Every silicon chip is another bacterium that invades and infects this dimension. Every computer screen is a portal through which they can see. And humanity is building these infectious portals as fast as its fingers will allow.”
Wait. Here it is…
“…through my abilities, I have been chosen, blessed and cursed…” His powers seemed to include some sort of way to detect ‘technology’ and he could hear “the unceasing frequencies leaking through the gaping portals of computer screens that threaten to drive me mad!”
And, the night he killed Nanite…
The Luddite’s ability to detect unusual technology drew him to “this artificial machine-human, a glimpse of the future of mankind that must be thwarted…” He “drew her accursed soul from her synthetic form,” and intended to discover how she came into being. “Was she a herald? A traveler from the future? Created by the government? Or created by Them?”
Slingshot shared his findings with Doc Rocket and Vanguard. In a day they were detecting the silent tone from all computers.
In a month, CHESS orbital satellites were scanning for it. The largest center of the transmission, by far, came from an unexplored region of Antarctica!
(OOC: Replies? Actions?)
To be continued in Issue 89… In Search of Nanite!
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Slingshot:
OOC: Welcome back James!
Dom, Denny.. Welcome to the game!
Avatar?! New name.. Interesting..
Wow! 8 players?! Jeff, think you can keep us all in line? ;)
Now.. time to read the turn.
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GM:
Stephane wrote: "Wow! 8 players?! Jeff, think you can keep us all in line? ;)"Verily, I am doomed.Seriously, it reminds me of my favorite team books: The JLA when they were packed, and the Avengers when the Beast and Wondy were in their lineup.Have fun,Jeff
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Symbiote:
OOC: That was a GREAT period for the Avengers. George Perez doing the art, I believe Marv Wolfman and Jim Shooter doing the writing. Little details they worked in, like Cap talking with the Scarlet Witch while using Turtle Wax on his shield. Always loved that safari jacket costume for Wonder Man...sometimes simpler is just better. Especially considering some of the eyesore costumes he had later (remember that terrible clown costume from the West Coast Avengers days?).
Anyway, welcome Dom, hope you enjoy the game. And welcome to Denny as well, though I already know him. And know things about him.
Horrible, horrible things....
I'll have a reply in a day or two as well, once I digest it all.
Viva Vanguard,
Greg
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Forester:
"I see you've finally developed a sense of humor," Forester says when
Marksman bows down.
"My predicament aside," Forester adds. "I have long worried that your rigidity and suspiciousness clouds your judgment. That your 'certainty' is flawed. There are multiple paths to enlightenment, Marksman. Yours is not the only righteous way."
"For all your pretense, my friend," Forester continues. "You do not act Zen! If you can hear my heart beating--as you have so often thrown in my face--then you know that I speak the truth."
"You do not need my forgiveness," Forester says before the two men depart. "But I hope that one day you will find peace. Be well."
In the weeks ahead, Fred Knobel tries to find work as a stunt archer at winter carnivals. He continues to meditate daily. He feels like himself again.
Forester uses his CHESS resources to find out what he can about Dr. Monster, the other surviving member of AEGIS.
If he hasn't done this already, Forester tells Brian Grey everything he experienced during Oracle's hypothetical reality.
PS:
OOC: Is there any way our players can know for certain that the "Months passed..." events that begin in Issue 88 aren't simply the beginning of another future-vision from Oracle?
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Sentinel:
OOC: Hi everyone.A big welcome to the new players, Denny & Dom! (Wow, you are going to be one over-worked GM Jeff)And a special welcome back to the return of our amazing archer! Glad you're back James!I'll read the new issue now.Seth
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GM:
Fyi, Denny and Dom, I’ll usually reply to most out-of-character (OOC) comments and a few in-character (IC) comments during the course of the turn.
Replies:
Greg wrote:
That was a GREAT period for the Avengers. George Perez doing the art, I believe Marv Wolfman and Jim Shooter doing the writing. Little details they worked in, like Cap talking with the Scarlet Witch while using Turtle Wax on his shield. Always loved that safari jacket costume for Wonder Man...sometimes simpler is just better. Especially considering some of the eyesore costumes he had later (remember that terrible clown costume from the West Coast Avengers days?).
Jeff reply:
John Byrne did a few of those too, like the Count Nefaria story. The red jacket was my favorite Wondy costume too, with the sleeveless green one with the red visor that he wore when resurrected by the voodoo chicken man as my second favorite.
Cap, Iron Man, Thor, Vision, Scarlet Witch, Beast, Wondy, Hawkeye, plus cameos from Black Panther, Jocasta, Ms. Marvel and more.
GM Replies:
Forester said:
IC: "My predicament aside," Forester adds. "I have long worried that your rigidity and suspiciousness clouds your judgment. That your 'certainty' is flawed. There are multiple paths to enlightenment, Marksman. Yours is not the only righteous way."
GM Reply:
The Marksman remained as calm and peaceful as he was when discussing the possibility of having to kill Forester to prevent the outbreak of a mystical disease that turned its victims into contagious killer-cannibals.
“I do not deny that, Student. But you’ve only known me for as long as you’ve been afflicted. Could that not explain my suspicion or fear of what would you become? Of whom you would serve?"
Forester said:
"For all your pretense, my friend," Forester continues. "You do not act Zen!”
Gm Reply:
The Marksman said, “And how does one “act Zen” in the presence of an anti-natural contagion, student?”
Forester said:
If you can hear my heart beating--as you have so often thrown in my face--then you know that I speak the truth."
GM Reply:
“Wrong, student. I know that you believe you are speaking the truth.”
Did the Marksman smile just then?
James wrote:
OOC: Is there any way our players can know for certain that the "Months passed..." events that begin in Issue 88 aren't simply the beginning of another future-vision from Oracle?
GM Reply:
That would depend on the method the players employed. Any ideas? :)
Also, your lycanthropy was partially paid for in the original character sheet build. However, to pay off the rest of the newly discovered Weakness, you get another “character level advancement” worth of ability right now!
What would you like it to be? Current Willpower defense turned into full blown Willpower? Stats increase? Meditation is only required to prevent lycanthropy and not maintain other Heightened Senses? Boxing glove arrow? Other? Please let me know. Thanks.
Best,
Jeff
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Sentinel:
OOC: Hi Jeff.Before Kirk gets into character stuff, can you let me know his energy perceptions of our newest recruits and has anything changed with Kairos/Avatar and Forester. I'm not necessarily expecting anything, but wondering as Kirk continues to refine this sense and since he see the change in Kairos and knows that Forester hasn't reacted well to the whole experience with Oracle.Also, was there any reaction with Grey and Drake to Kirk's revelation of his new power? (yes, an old power at this point)I'm going to check out the new character sheets online and hopefully the work week will be better to allow some postings to this issue.A good week to everyone.Thanks.SethViva Vanguard!
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GM Replies 2:
Forester wrote: In the weeks ahead, Fred Knobel tries to find work as a stunt archer at winter carnivals.
GM Reply: He succeeds. Does he appear as Forester?
Forester wrote: Forester uses his CHESS resources to find out what he can about Dr. Monster, the other surviving member of AEGIS.
GM Reply: The resourceful ranger discovers that Dr. Monster is a mysterious creature whose true appearance is hidden beneath a dark, tattered, hooded cloak. He (it?) is rumored to be an unspeakable horror who investigates occultic events. His membership in AEGIS was unofficial at best; he would often disappear for months at a time.
After most of AEGIS was murdered by the Primate, he vanished completely. Some CHESS analysts list Dr. Monster as retired. Others postulate he is still active, working independently.
Forester wrote: If he hasn't done this already, Forester tells Brian Grey everything he experienced during Oracle's hypothetical reality.
GM Reply: Forester has done this and it, and other factors, led to Inhuman’s departure. Grey genuinely appreciated the straight arrow’s candor. “Thanks, Forester.”
Forester soon noticed minor personnel changes within CHESS; Jen Christensen was moved laterally away from sensitive areas or Vanguard contact.
Sentinel wrote: Before Kirk gets into character stuff, can you let me know his energy perceptions of our newest recruits and has anything changed with Kairos/Avatar and Forester.
GM Reply: Sentinel’s superhuman senses detect that Soldier has cybernetic enhancements and that Talon’s wings are organic. Avatar is clearly Kairos, but his energy signature has changed. Forester’s remained the same.
Sentinel wrote: On Kirk’s revelation about his (previous) new power (surface thought scan)… Kirk would meet with Grey and Drake separately to tell them once again (most of Vanguard already knows). Kirk’s request for keeping this info on a need to know was for strategic purposes for the team to give them a tactical advantage…
GM Reply: Grey appreciated being taken into Sentinel’s confidence and agrees that it would be advantageous to keep it as an unexpected asset. “That goes with any extranormal ability, actually,” added Drake.
Telepaths are rare. There was never a Freedom Force member with that power.
Grey doesn’t feel the need to lecture the saintly Sentinel on the ethics of mind reading, but does mention, “Be aware, kid, information gained in that manner isn’t admissible in court.”
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Forester:
OOC: Hey Jeff,
Forester will try to get carnival work in his civilian identity: Frederick Knobel, the Amazing Archer! He does not use any trick arrows in his act.
Also, Forester feels a sense of peace after Marksman confirms that he did indeed have lycanthropy. That information gave the inquisitive archer something to work with. Forester would meditate harder and longer to try to mitigate the effects of the disease so that, even if he did transform he might still retain some sense of his values--or perhaps halt the transformation half-way. Or at least, that's what he hoped! That's how he would use any training/advancement bonus he might receive.
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Soldier:
First off I'd like to thank everyone, and especially Jeff for the invite, and chance to play for the first time in quite a few years. I'm interested to see the various character interactions, especially how Talon and Soldier get along, as Talon is the type of person I can see him routinely bumping heads with. OK, a few quick questions.
1. Where would you suggest that Soldier get his weekly treatments? The CHESS Vault? Or some other location?
2. What type of training will new recruits undergo?
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GM Replies 3:
Forester, I’ll add that advancement to your sheet by tomorrow at the latest. Thanks.
Soldier wrote: Where would you suggest that Soldier get his weekly treatments? The CHESS Vault? Or some other location?
GM Reply: The Vault is too far away. Vanguard’s HQ in the Empire State Building is 90% complete. It will have facilities that can handle it. Doc Rocket can be a part of the process.
Soldier wrote: What type of training will new recruits undergo?
GM Reply: Probably not enough, to the mind of the Soldier. Less about tactics or physical training, it covers some extranormal law, Vanguard’s structure and bylaws, CHESS’s mission and structure. It helps some heroes learn more about their powers and how to control them. There is also a psych evaluation.
Soldier discovers the team is quite loose in its structure. Except for the new members being “on probation,” there is no organizational hierarchy or leader in Vanguard.
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Avatar:
IC to Soldier and Talon at first meeting:
Welcome to Vanguard, gentlemen! It's good to see more people eager to fight the good fight. I'm Avatar, formerly known as "Kairos". If there's anything that I can do for you, don't hesitate to ask.
IC to all at some point when everyone is together:
Well, guys, you might be wondering about the name change and I guess I should tell you about it...I'm not really certain that I understand it all myself but, apparently, the charmed life that I've led is more than dumb luck. It seems that I have some mystical tie to the gods of ancient Greece...may actually BE something of a representative of their's in the mortal world, hence the name change. Turns out that my decision to start out on the Hero's Journey has caused some notice from some supernatural powers and I'm actually developing the ability to manifest certain aspects of the powers of the Greek gods. We'll see where this goes as time goes on....I'm curious, myself. Along with the name change comes a change in costume, as I feel the need to pay a little homage to my benefactors. I'll be using a sword now, as well, rather than a staff. It's the same old me, though, just going through some changes. I'm all for the team, as always.
IC to Soldier and Talon some time after first meeting:
Guys, if you don't mind, I'd like to speak with you about what you can do...what your powers are and what skills you have. If we all know each other's strengths and weaknesses, we can work better together. As it is, we're kinda disorganized and play to our own strengths but I'm hoping that we'll come together a little more as time goes on and we get used to working with one another. I'm already seeing it but we have a way to go.
Jeff, I'll do nothing IC in regard to my dream/vision...I'll just wake up. I'm sure some more visions will come later. I WILL take a trip to somewhere remote (i.e. mountaintop, desert, by the ocean, something...) and go through manifestations of power just to see what it's like.
John will visit Vanguard HQ enough to get along well with everyone, especially the new guys, and will continue dating Shelley Harper and ensuring that she knows well the pleasures associated with dating the avatar of the Greek gods (why is it that I giggle whenever I make that implication, Greg..?).
Jeff...could I have a shield, as well? If so, and if I used it in combat, what bonuses and/or penalties might I get?
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GM Replies 4:
Avatar wrote: John... will continue dating Shelley Harper and ensuring that she knows well the pleasures associated with dating the avatar of the Greek gods
GM: Maybe I was too subtle in Issue 88. Let me be more direct: Having been burned by players before (pardon the pun), Shelley ain't puttin' out until she knows you're interested in more than sex. Months pass.
(OOC: Actions, replies? Ultimatums?)
Avatar wrote: Jeff could I have a shield, as well? If so, and if I used it in combat, what bonuses and/or penalties might I get?
GM: Do you mean a mundane shield, like your chakrams or staff? If yes, where do you get it from?
If you mean a magical one, the Heightened Defense manifestation under
Hestia is a "magical shield" that manifests. It doesn't have a Medusa head on it, though. :)
Thanks,
Jeff
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Symbiote:
OOC: A longer post about much more important issues to come later, but for now...
IC: Hal takes a certain satisfaction out of John dating Shelly. John is a super hero, after all, he has done demonstrable good in the world, Shelly could do far worse. And he is pleased to see that Shelly is bringing the Henpecked Hero to heel, making sure he toes the line before giving him any nookie. Hal forsees a great future in which Kairos/Avatar must make sure the dishes are done and the trash taken out before being allowed out of the house to save the world....
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Avatar:
OK. The magical shield from the manifestation will be fine.Jeff! You're ruining my potential fun taunting Greg! That's just not fair.
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GM:
Let Greg taunt you for a change. ;)
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Avatar:
OOC: For a change!?!?!You saw how he acted when he absorbed Pachyderm's powers....that's how he is IN REAL LIFE! If anything, that was just a shadow of his true self. He really should be institutionalized but he has somehow fooled the doctors...for now.
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Sentinel:
Grey and Drake
Kirk was relieved to hear that his decision to keep his new power revelation ‘on a need to know’ for strategic purposes was sound as far as these vets were concerned let him know he was thinking the right way. After some of the misunderstandings of his actions in the alternate future he wanted to be sure his reasoning was indeed sound.
Avatar
OOC Harold, let me know if Kirk and John ever got to share the meal during downtime R&R that was planned in the ‘alternate-verse’ as that would have been of the things Kirk tried to do before spending some down time away.
IC:
Upon returning and seeing Kairos’ new uniform, and prior to his announcement to the team, John noticed almost a quizzical look on Kirk’s face when he first saw him for a brief second which quickly turned to a smile. “This is more than just a new look John, isn’t it? Something has changed about you. You’ve always carried yourself with an air of confidence, but this, this is something more, something deeper. Good for you.”
If Avatar chooses to reveal more to Kirk in discussion he adds the following (if not now, then after his revelation to Vanguard):
“Life in our line of work certainly has a way of throwing curve balls at us,” and he laughed. “As you choose the path on your journey, I’d like to share some words of advice that a man far wiser than me gave me; he said, ‘Destiny may have big plans for you, but be sure you define your destiny and that your destiny doesn’t define you.’”
Forester
Kirk was clearly concerned over his friend. The outburst with Oracle, other signs of stress, this just wasn’t like Forester. Clearly the alternate world experience has affected him even more so than the others. Perhaps it had to do with how ‘in tune’ with nature he was? Or perhaps there was even more at play here than Kirk realized.
But in Kirk’s eyes, Fred had been untouchable. In battle, he was a force of nature, seemingly a half-step ahead of everyone and everything else, and in any situation Vanguard faced, he was always the epitome of calm in the storm.
But now … something had rattled him.
When they had a moment away from the others Kirk simply said, “Fred, I know that something isn’t right with you. If it’s something you need to work out on your own, I totally get that, but if there’s anything I can do, you know that I’m here.”
Symbiote
Kirk was quite happy that Gramps had agreed to meet Hal so he could meet his ‘family’ and because he knew what it meant to Hal. And he was glad to be able to talk to someone about the discovery regarding his powers.
After much discussion, where Lancaster recounted his early days and Kirk’s childhood, it seemed the most likely explanation was that their amazing power was not genetic, but psionic. There had been much training in Kirk’s early days to master his fearsome abilities. Training alongside Lancaster. It would also explain their telepathic senses.
Kirk replied, “I certainly don’t have a better explanation at this time and if the two of you think this that psionics is the source and the answer, then I suppose for now, it’s enough. But I find it hard to believe that there isn’t something more at play here. It seems like too much of a coincidence that two generations of the Gerard family get the same sort of unique gift. What are the odds of that? No, I think there is more at play here, there has to be.”
And as Kirk continued, Hal actually thought about just how young Kirk actually was. With all his training and with his usual demeanor, it was usually lost on those around him, particularly with the mask obscuring it.
“But that’s a mystery for another day, another time and there’s plenty of time for it; but tonight, tonight is going to be about fun.”
Later that night, the three join up with Sgt. Stone and Doc Rocket for dinner. Shelley would wheedle Hal to try and tag along. (OOC: Hal?)
Kirk tries to ‘twist’ Hal’s arm into letting Shelley came along. If successful, he will egg on the sibling rivalry whenever it comes up in conversation, making careful mental notes of little things to later use against Hal, as any good friend would. Given Kirk’s upbringing, he is happy to have the opportunity of ‘extended family’ in friendship.
As far as the evening goes, this is a great night for him, in effect, he is ‘living the dream’ this night spent with these heroes (and likely Hal would feel this way to a degree too) and with close friends and family. It’s not often that your life involves doing exactly what you know you should be doing, you are happy with it, and you get to share it with people you care about … and in this case people that you respect and are your personal heroes and are becoming actual friends… and you’re twenty-one with endless possibilities ahead of you.
Kirk is wise enough to savor the moment.
Not that evening but before heading back to Vanguard headquarters Kirk will ask Lancaster a bit more about their family history before him. Are there any family journals? Can he remember approximate years and locations of previous generations? On the backburner (ie no rush for now), Kirk will begin some research to see if their family heritage reveals the possibility of their talents in previous generations of Gerards.
Soldier:
After the introduction Kirk would approach Soldier.
Kirk couldn’t help but notice as his energy sense gave him quite a display of the interplay of the organic and mechanical energies cascading from him closely intertwined. Naturally Kirk didn’t comment on any of that.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t introduce myself sooner. I’ve seen you in the gym recently (Kirk would have been there more than even usual per his level advancement), but figured you were a Chess temp here on routine business. Usually even with that I keep up with the new faces. Sorry about that, I’m Kirk.”
“I seem to recall you around Drake, guess that was why I made the assumption. Drake’s a good man. You an old friend of his?”
“If I can help you get adjusted to the place or with anything else with Vanguard, be sure to let me know. Good to have you aboard.”
And looking at the costume and the way he carried himself Kirk added, “I like your choice of colors; I’m glad we’ve got someone joining the good fight looking to live up that spirit.” Kirk thought about Inhuman and concerns about his choices, but said nothing. ‘Someone who will act with honor’ he thought to himself with a slight nod.
Kirk is interested in hearing what Soldier says about Drake since this is the first ‘costume’ that he appears to be on friendly terms with. Also Kirk’s perceptions of Drake have begun to change for the better since his actions in the alternate future and he’s hoping that perhaps his perception of the ‘costumes’ is turning a bit more favorable too.
Talon
After the introduction Kirk approached Talon and spoke with him. “I never did get to thank you for your actions back in the Battle with Swastika. You were fierce! Your choice, your actions … you helped to save that day.
“I certainly appreciate the choice you made to fight for what was right then, and seeing you here today, well I know now that it wasn’t just in anger or revenge that you acted.
“Glad to have you here as a member of Vanguard. If I can do anything to help you adjust to things here or with the team, just ask. I know it can be difficult finding your place in a new situation.”
And Kirk added, “That thing with Swastika. It was messed up. Big time. Creatures like him,” and Talon could feel the venom in his voice and new it was an unusual tone for Kirk even though he didn’t know him, “are one of the main reasons we’re needed. We make sure it doesn’t happen again; him or anyone like him.”
And then his voice was normal, his composure regained and Kirk smiled again, “If I can help, let me know.”
Slingshot
Kirk was encouraged that his friend finally had gotten the time and developed the expertise to get a break though in his quest for Nanite. In seeing the physical state of Scott he was becoming a little concerned that his friend was becoming obsessed and perhaps worried that more signs of physical wear might have been evident if not for the sultan of slings unique physiology. He did what he could through the process when around to encourage Scott to be ‘taking care’ of himself.
When Scott had his break through regarding the tone, Kirk tried to absorb what he could about the information at hand and tried to see if there was any ‘energy signature’ related to the tone that he could focus on with his energy sense to be of use in tracking it.
He would help with his computer skills in any way he could and would assist in gathering and interpreting the research regarding the tones and the area in Antarctica as was needed to supplement whatever Slingshot was doing.
Finally if and when Scott determined he wanted to head to that spot in Antarctica Kirk would reply, “Tell me when to be ready to go.”
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Avatar:
John will make it clear to all through various means that he is always available as a companion for dinner, movies, training, etc. to anyone in Vanguard. As time passes and people get to know one another as people as opposed to superheroes (if, indeed, members let down their guard and socialize with one another), John will make the attempt to bring more and more of the group into communal activities. Using his charismatic nature and "nobility of spirit" power in some manner (if applicable, Jeff), he will try to ensure that the group bonds at a basic level. At need and/or where applicable, John will actually manifest Oration skill (Zeus) or Diplomacy (Hera) to further ensure the bonding that will likely be naturally taking place.
(Sorry for the long-windedness...John will most certainly go to dinner with Kirk as he is curious about his nature. While we, as players, see the vignettes with Lancaster, John doesn't have that depth of knowledge and is curious about where Kirk got his own "nobility of spirit", among other things.)
John will ask about the possibility of getting a forge set up in some work area. In his spare time, what little he probably as, he will manifest Weaponsmithing skill and begin forging a back-up arsenal of ancient weapons, mostly swords and spears.In addition, although he likely has a pretty good knowledge of mythology, he'll begin intensive research into mythology, history, and mysticism related to ancient Greece.
Shelley Harper will be a regular date for female companionship but John will imply through his actions that the superhero business and discovering his own past and exploring his newfound abilities take precedence over anything but a casual relationship.
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Symbiote:
Lots to do here. Going down the issue's pages relevant to Symbiote...
1) Symbiote welcomes both Talon and Soldier, and reveals his secret identity as a matter of course. He'll offer to do a full physical exam on both. He's interested in the origins of Talon's powers (particularly if they're metahuman!) and would be willing to try to work on a way to streamline Soldier's treatments if possible.
2) As mentioned before, Hal is not particularly disturbed by the fact that Shelly and Avatar are dating--he's seen Avatar's noble spirit in action, Symbiote believes that he will treat Shelly well. He does, of course, shake his head at the P-Whipped Paladin's inability to Close The Deal, however. (OOC to Harold: This isn't playing out how you'd hoped AT ALL, is it?).
If he learns of Shelly's continual intense interest in the Harness, however, Hal will be disturbed. As Hal sees it Shelly gave him at least minor assistance with the Harness design, particularly with the hard mechanics of it (whereas Hal is master of the genetic component), and he acknowledges her contribution. But Hal has no doubt what Shelly's ultimate objective is--she wants to be a superhero too, if not as "Symbiote II" then as something else. While Hal is happy to let her handle here own love life like a big girl he takes an entirely parochial, totally irrational and arrogant big brotherish position that she SHOULD NOT put on some union suit and face off against maniacs like the Black Bat and Primate. He'd hoped having her work in the lab would be enough for her, but maybe not.
Symbiote will do what he can to keep her away from the Harness and try to steer her towards projects at Vanguard Headquarters that don't necessarily involve direct conflict with superhuman criminals. He'll encourage her to help with Nanite, for example (more on that in a moment). And while he likes to think Shelly would never steal or interfere with the harness, in a strange enough situation he supposes it's possible (Example: Homicide for Hire attacks the headquarters while Shelly is there but Hal is teaching a class at the college so Shelly puts on the harness, telling herself it's what she has to do.) Hal has no desire to tell his widowed old father that his youngest child was killed by a supervillain. He'll start working on more security for the harness, including a possible remote "kill switch" he would carry on his person at all times. It's not just for Shelly, after all, theoretically others might try to steal the harness.
If Shelly starts angling for some sort of combat role with CHESS Hal will fight it tooth and nail, enlisting the help of Avatar if possible, assuming he genuinely cares for his sister.
3) Symbiote is awed and humbled to meet the original Sentinel, and enjoys the conversation. From the conversation Symbiote gleans that there are three sources for "ingrained" powers (i.e. powers that are not the result of external technology, such as Blue Comet's nanotech or Soldier's bionics):
a) The metagene, which Hal has studied extensively and has mastered with his harness.
b) Psionics, the result of extensive training of the mind.
c) Magic, which Hal didn't believe in until he met the likes of Avatar and the Black Bat and which he still believes is simply a form of science we don't yet understand.
Hal wishes to study the latter two sources as much as possible, hoping to adapt the Harness to them or at least gain a greater understanding of them.
Hal would like to do EEGs on both Lancaster and Kirk if they're both willing and at their convenience. He'll enjoy dinner with Sentinel and the older heroes and will invite Shelly along if she wishes to go (he's realistic about the fact that there is no way he can dissuade her lifelong fascination with superheroes, any more than his own fascination could be blunted. He just doesn't want her trying to become one.)
4) If Sentinel assures Symbiote that Primate is the only prisoner conscious in the hotsleep sector Hal will drop his crusade to end the hotsleep program, though he believes the prisoners should be scanned every few months to make sure nobody else develops consciousness. Likewise, if a jury is going to decide Primate's fate he can accept that. He'll assist in recreating the devolution formula if that's what the jury decides. He'd like to testify at the trial however, or at least file an amicus brief stating that if it's not going to be devolution it needs to be SOMETHING other than the current situation for Primate. He's essentially in an unending, unrelenting solitary confinement, a punishment ruled cruel and inhumane by every civilized society. Plus, who's to say that at some point he might be able to overpower Doc's neutralizer and summon Pachyderm to him again? We need a solution for Primate both more humane and more permanent.
5) Hal encourages Shelly to assist with Nanite, she was good at cybernetics as a student. He'll also recommend Slingshot speak to Talon about Nanite--both were Dr. Swastika's captives, maybe the Avian Adventurer can offer clues to Nanite's past. Regardless, when Slingshot makes his breakthrough, Symbiote congratulates the Malleable Man of Might and runs home to grab his thermal underwear...looks like we're off to Antarctica!
Viva Vanguard,
Greg
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Avatar:
Jeff, With Avatar's new powers, are the Heightened ability manifestations the standard +15? If so, when you have the time, could you shoot me Avatar's stats when the various Heightened abilities might be active?
When a Heightened ability is active and Avatar has used power points for something, does it come out of the increased Power from the ability before Power that is "base" or does it come out of the base (i.e. still a loss when the Heightened ability's time constraint kicks in)?
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Forester:
Hey Jeff,
The initial prison break began when Forester in conversation with
Brian Grey about how CHESS and Vanguard should take more initiative, instead of responding to villain attacks. I went back to Issue 87 and noticed that we still have a handful of known villains at large:
Ratman, Accelerator, Gadget Girl, Black Ice, Figment, Singularity, Mother Russia, Smog.
Can you provide us with CHESS files on these notorious extranormals so Vanguard can try to track down and capture these villains? No need for the heroes to wait around any longer while the villains dream up diabolical plots!
It'd be a pity to have them show up in the coming issues without the heroes taking steps to stop them beforehand.
James
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GM Replies 5:
Avatar wrote: I WILL take a trip to somewhere remote (i.e. mountaintop, desert, by the ocean, something...) and go through manifestations of power just to see what it's like.
GM Reply: What tone does this take? Goofing around, training exercises, other? Thanks.
Avatar wrote: Shelley Harper will be a regular date for female companionship but John will imply through his actions that the superhero business and discovering his own past and exploring his newfound abilities take precedence over anything but a casual relationship.
GM Reply: Shelley won’t waste her time then. The two break up amicably.
Symbiote wrote: If he learns of Shelly's continual intense interest in the Harness, however, Hal will be disturbed. As Hal sees it Shelly gave him at least minor assistance with the Harness design, particularly with the hard mechanics of it (whereas Hal is master of the genetic component), and he acknowledges her contribution. But Hal has no doubt what Shelly's ultimate objective is--she wants to be a superhero too, if not as "Symbiote II" then as something else. While Hal is happy to let her handle here own love life like a big girl he takes an entirely parochial, totally irrational and arrogant big brotherish position that she SHOULD NOT put on some union suit and face off against maniacs like the Black Bat and Primate. He'd hoped having her work in the lab would be enough for her, but maybe not.
GM Reply: Hal tried to cure an alcoholic by getting her a job in a bar! Being in closer proximity to Vanguard, as part of the new position Hal fought to get her, has only fanned her interest in superheroes.
Symbiote wrote: He'll start working on more security for the harness, including a possible remote "kill switch" he would carry on his person at all times…
Hal wishes to study the latter two sources as much as possible, hoping to adapt the Harness to them or at least gain a greater understanding of them.
GM Reply: fyi, Completing those will be at least part or all of a level advancement / luck point.
Avatar wrote: With Avatar's new powers, are the Heightened ability manifestations the standard +15? If so, when you have the time, could you shoot me Avatar's stats when the various Heightened abilities might be active?
GM Reply: Yes to both. The latter will take time.Avatar wrote: When a Heightened ability is active and Avatar has used power points for something, does it come out of the increased Power from the ability before Power that is "base" or does it come out of the base (i.e. still a loss when the Heightened ability's time constraint kicks in)?
GM Reply: When changing stats (like Symbiote does), I calculate the ratio between the two and reduce proportionately.
Forester wrote: Can you provide us with CHESS files on these notorious extranormals so Vanguard can try to track down and capture these villains? No need for the heroes to wait around any longer while the villains dream up diabolical plots!
GM Reply: Will get these out asap. May take a while.
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Avatar:
The manifestations will be a self-discovery thing. Knowing that there is more power that is either in him or able to flow through him, he will go to appropriate locales (i.e. mountains or seaside) and will just allow the powers to well up inside of him, taking joy and interest in what happens, perhaps even having the experience of an observer in some ways as the divine (?) abilities come to the surface and some small bit of the power (and personality?) of the Greek gods takes over.
John will be somewhat in awe as he sees that he can actually channel these powers. While he's always been favored, it has been at the edge of what might be possible for "normal" people and he never really thought that he was anything but gifted in terms of physical and mental attributes as well as luck. Now, however, he's seeing that there are powers beyond the physical world, beyond what science can explain (according to his compatriots who are more scientifically-inclined)...powers that come, so he now believes, from ancient Greek gods. It causes him to re-examine what he thought he knew about the world and reality, about his own faith, about what might lurk out there in the universe. What was something of a game to him - using his supposedly natural gifts to fight crime - is now changing into something else. This is no game...there are powers out there beyond the ken of mortal man and, for some reason, John is now a champion of them. Rather than his new powers increa sing his confidence, John is shaken to his core.
His exploration into mysticism and mythology is an off-shoot of this as he tries to comprehend what is happening and likely not succeeding. His parting with Shelley can be attributed to his preoccupation with this.
On the surface, John is confident and continues to interact with his fellows in such a way but, in private, he worries and studies, hoping to reconcile his old views with his new revelations or, if that's not possible, to replace his old views with completely new ones based on what he experiences.
How can a man be a vessel for the power of the gods and not suffer for it?
John is reminded that many, if not most, of the heroes in Greek mythology come to bad ends. In his further studies, he tries to steer clear of Greek tragedies as much as possible.
OOC: Jeff...is there any outward visual sign of a power manifestation or does Avatar just access the power?
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Forester:
After hearing Sentinel's words of concern, Forester decided that the beacon of justice deserved an explanation for his harsh tone with Oracle.
"I strive to rid myself of extraneous thoughts and unwelcome impulses on a daily basis. Being aware of the present is vital to my belief system," the archer explained. "Experiencing days of would-be memories, information about a might-be future, tore at my sense of ethics and individuality."
"Realizing that none of those hypothetical events had taken place made me question my senses. I felt like I had been sleepwalking and could not trust my own judgment until I was sure I was awake again.
No matter what her intentions may have been--no matter what the outcome--it was a mental invasion that I do not condone. I am relieved that her vision of the future is now in the past."
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Slingshot:
[ooc] Wow I put all my stuff on Nanite mostly because last break had been a week. so I figured I would give it all my time. Lo and behold this break was months! Doh!. So I'll retroactively do some little changes without affecting the slightly obsessive behavior that Slingshot had last issue, because it worked out, especially with the weight gain... hehe[/ooc]
Now for the small changes:
IC: Soldier and Talon: Slingshot greets them both warmly. He introduces himself as Scott. You can tell that his demeanor is generally jovial and easy going, but he seems to be under a bit of strain. He lets you know that he was an engineer before some freak accident turned him into what he is right now. Big, strong and resilient. He personally introduces you both to Nathan Lamb (knight). He's a good friend of Scott. He's an excellent judge of character and great to have in a fight by your side.
IC: Talon: Following up on Hal's suggestion, Slingshot asks Talon if he would talk about his time with Swastika and and anything he might recall regarding Nanite herself. Obviously, Scott won't push his luck, as he can certainly understand how it's not something that Talon would like to recall, especially considering his own stay there.
IC: Avatar: Scott takes some time to spend with Avatar through out the downtime. He obviously notices the change. Let him know that if he needs to talk that he's there. I'm going through changes of my own, so if you need to go out for a beer or some wine (which would Avatar prefer?). I'm there.
IC: Sentinel: Scott thanks Kirk for his help and his support. He knows that over the last few months, Scott hasn't taken care of himself physically and it shows by his increased girth, which thankfully, he can... redistribute (ahem). Having a unique physiognomy does have its advantages at times. He promises to get out more, but that promise didn't pan out until the breakthrough.
IC: Symbiote: Scott thanks Hal for his support and his suggestions. He'll try to spend an evening or two in his company (no, not to hit on his sister).
IC: Forester: Scott hasn't spent as much time as he would have with Forester. The two don't seem to quite have the same endeavors, but he still feels a bond especially due to having been partnered with him from the first. So he spends some time to go over anything new that he might be willing to share. Obviously, Scott talks about Nanite and his research.
-That's it for now. I'll respond to any inquiries as I can.
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Soldier:
IC to the group, at the first meeting:"Gentlemen, first off, I'd like to thank everyone involved, for allowing me the opportunity to serve as a member of this prestigious group. I only hope that I'm capable of performing to the high standards that you've managed to set. I look forward to speaking with you individually, when time permits. Once, again, thank you."
OOC: After the initial meeting breaks up, Soldier will spend a few minutes introducing himself the rest of the group, making small talk, he's pleasant enough, but will hold back and let someone else initiate contact, as he wants to size up the rest of the group. But, if anyone asks, he'll give them a quick overview of how he aquired his powers, and what his specific capabilities are. The one thing he'll steer clear of are specifics of his family life. He will spend what free time he has checking out the facility, its layout, any training areas (gym, track, etc.) in the area, and looking into setting up a living area. He'll also inquire about reading over any files the team may have on hand (especially anything on the escaped villains, from the Vault), and what, if any their procedures they've worked out (emergency recall, basic tactics, etc.). Once that's done, he'll scope out places like the local library, hospitals, law enforcement and emergency services, and then some decent places to eat/and or relax after a good run/and or swim, he can't be super trooper all the time.
As I'm new at this, if anyone has specific questions, or comments, fire away.
Dominique
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GM Replies 6:
Talon remembers little of his time in Dr. Swastika’s Body Farm, being unconscious for much of it, but does remember seeing Nanite in an adjacent cocoon-tube. He did not have the chance to communicate with her.
She seemed less robotic then than she does now, as Vanguard also recalls.
Avatar wrote: Jeff...is there any outward visual sign of a power manifestation or does Avatar just access the power?
GM Reply: Not for skills. Powers, when used, caused his eyes to glow white when he tested out his abilities.
Soldier is given a warm welcome.
He and Talon are given a tour of the nearly completed Vanguard HQ on the 86th floor of the Empire State Building.
CHESS personnel at the HQ are professional but friendly, especially to someone dressed like Soldier.
The patriotic powerhouse is assigned living quarters and given access to Confidential materials in CHESS files.
After that he familiarizes himself with midtown Manhattan.
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Soldier:
Once Soldier gets the basic lay of the land, he'll converse with the other team members about some of their experiences, and what they'd like to do in the future. Specifically what is they expect from him, and off his assistance in any plans they may be forming. Within the first few days, he'll make sure that a set of emergency medical files, detailing what needs to be done to his systems, in the event he becomes incapacitated, are on file, and a backup copy is stored in a separate location. He'll also, explain the basics of his weekly treatments, to any team member who asks about them, as they'll need to know in an emergency.
He'll also, speak with the CHESS personnel, and ask for permission to use any weapons ranges (as he likes to stay up to speed on his fire arms use), and if they've got a flight simulator. If they do, he wants to keep his pilot certifications current, and if possible, he'd also like to look into getting certified as a fixed wing pilot (when ever he's acquired enough experience to acquire a new skill). He'll ensure that a routine systems maintenance schedule is set up, as he wants to make sure there are no issues with his implants. When that's completed, he'll ask for general recommendations on places to unwind (he's still a single male, so places he can meet women will top the list ).
Other than that, he'll try to start working on a daily routine. If nothing is going on, it will look something like this.
M-F
5:00 AM - Wake up
5:30 - 7:00 - GYM (rotating schedule/circuit training)
7:00 -7:30 - Personal Hygiene
7:30 -8:30 Breakfast/local & national news
8:30 -10:00 Any reports CHESS may generate
10:00 -12:00 Rotating Training (weapons, HTH combat, pilot training, etc.)
12:00 -1:00 Lunch
1:00 -5:00 Continued training (either a second work out, or whatever he deems necessary)
5:00 -9:00 Dinner, personal time, a little TV (Some sports, UFC, a movie, or something on either the History Channel, or Military Channel).
9:00 -10:00 prep for bed, entries into his personal log (normally he'll also run a quick check on his implants, and record readings).
10:00 He'll catch the news, and wind down for bed.
'Weekends, he'll usually wake around 7:00 AM , go for a either a run in the park, or a swim, and just basically spend the day familiarizing himself with the city. He may go out for the evening, depending on what's going on. And while he'll have a drink or two, he won't get sloppy drunk.
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Sentinel:
“John will most certainly go to dinner with Kirk as he is curious about his nature. While we, as players, see the vignettes with Lancaster, John doesn't have that depth of knowledge and is curious about where Kirk got his own "nobility of spirit", among other things”
Kirk is friendly and open in answering John’s questions. He will find that he has a love of life and of people. It is quickly apparent that he is an ‘old soul’ and has no hidden agenda. At this point probably Kirk’s biggest struggle is reconciling some of what he’s known about people that simply don’t want to be helped with his ideals and deciding in his mind where the line must be drawn for the greater good.
He absolutely would cooperate with John in promoting the spirit of camaraderie and friendship among the heroes (and the Knights) and has been pursuing this already on his own. Not having had much opportunity to be grounded in a place for long he hasn’t had the opportunity to develop many long-lasting relationships and other than Lancaster, doesn’t have a family and is seeking to promote that here.
If they get onto the topic of ancient Greece and the gods, he will find Kirk to be very knowledgeable and interested. Kirk’s knowledge would be particularly strong in the areas that are related to heroic lore and the god’s effects on people. While John may view them as true ‘gods’, Kirk clearly isn’t convinced about that and would likely speak about the parallels between pantheons of Gods through different cultures. He is interested in John’s view and his opinions and facts to support them. < /span>His approach is always an interchange and to learn more, not to win an argument or maintain his opinion has to be right. (FYI, this is an extension of Kirk’s interest and skill in the current history of heroes as he looked for a similar spirit running through history and its ultimate source or need). If Kirk saw his opinion was upsetting him and that he didn’t want to discuss it further, Kirk would quickly change the topic.
John quickly sees the influence of Lancaster in shaping Kirk’s ideals, but almost feels that even without that influence the qualities would be present in this young man. Kirk knows who he is at his core in that respect and is at peace within himself regarding it.
“From the conversation Symbiote gleans that there are three sources for "ingrained" powers (i.e. powers that are not the result of external technology,20such as Blue Comet's nanotech or Soldier's bionics):
a) The metagene, which Hal has studied extensively and has mastered with his harness.
b) Psionics, the result of extensive training of the mind.
c) Magic, which Hal didn't believe in until he met the likes of Avatar and the Black Bat and which he still believes is simply a form of science we don't yet understand.
Hal wishes to study the latter two sources as much as possible, hoping to adapt the Harness to them or at least gain a greater understanding of them.
Hal would like to do EEGs on both Lancaster and Kirk if they're both willing and at their convenience.”
Kirk has no problem cooperating with Hal and trusts him even more after the alternate future experience where he saw that at his core Hal would20always try to do what he felt was the right thing to protect others even at great sacrifice to himself.
Regarding the source of powers and magic verses science, Kirk’s feelings go a bit further. Ultimately he feels that there is a basic universal force at the core of everything and that this force or energy is manifested in different ways. The rest is ultimately man’s attempts to understand and explain it. We have the metaphysical, the psionic, and the magical natures – he feels that they all ultimately come from the same place and just manifest in different ways as their current _expression in the physical universe. Each of their current manifestations possess qualities that allow (or cause) their being classified under their ‘accepted’ groupings.
“If Sentinel assures Symbiote that Primate is the only prisoner conscious in the hotsleep sector Hal will drop his crusade to end the hotsleep program, though he believes the prisoners should be scanned every few months to make sure nobody else develops consciousness.”
Kirk would explain that his findings are the best he can come up with using his very limited perceptions of his thought scanning abilities. He would emphasize that he feels it best Chess get a trained telepath with greater abilities and experience to review things in greater detail, but he did his best given the tools at hand. And he is absolutely very concerned also about Primate overcoming anything used in his current state (he did it once, so there is reason to assume he could develop greater abilities with further exposure) – Kirk is concerned that while he is physically restrained he could develop further abilities via the ‘dreamstate.’
“ After hearing Sentinel's words of concern, Forester decided that the beacon of justice deserved an explanation for his harsh tone with Oracle. "I strive to rid myself of extraneous thoughts and unwelcome impulses on a daily basis. Being aware of the present is=0 Avital to my belief system," the archer explained. "Experiencing days of would-be memories, information about a might-be future, tore at my sense of ethics and individuality." "Realizing that none of those hypothetical events had taken place made me question my senses. I felt like I had been sleepwalking and could not trust my own judgment until I was sure I was awake again. No matter what her intentions may have been--no matter what the outcome--it was a mental invasion that I do not condone. I am relieved that her vision of the future is now in the past."
I’m sorry this has hit you as hard as it has, but I can understand why with your nature of being. I guess with all of my training and research about past superhero history I’ve prepared myself to expect this sort of weirdness and take it in stride.
I know that in battles with Hyena you both spoke about an ‘animal’ archetype of sorts related to each of you. In some cultures such as the Native American Indian, these animal guides helped young men to find20themselves … their true nature and their place in the world. If this really is part of your experience, perhaps that could help you to focus and hold on to your true self despite what you are experiencing around you in the future?
“Can you provide us with CHESS files on these notorious extranormals so Vanguard can try to track down and capture these villains? No need for the heroes to wait around any longer while the villains dream up diabolical plots! It'd be a pity to have them show up in the coming issues without the heroes taking steps to stop them beforehand.”
This is a great idea. Perhaps Chess can do the legwork tracking their activities and then call in Vanguard to act together as a team and recapture them. It would be nice to have the team as a whole recapture them individually without fuss and would be a nice display of one of the reasons why Vanguard is=2 0together. (Although heroic lore shows that such coordinated activity usually leads to the villains coordinating a ‘counter-society’ of such activity).
“Once Soldier gets the basic lay of the land, he'll converse with the other team members about some of their experiences, and what they'd like to do in the future. Specifically what is they expect from him, and off his assistance in any plans they may be forming. Within the first few days, he'll make sure that a set of emergency medical files, detailing what needs to be done to his systems, in the event he becomes incapacitated, are on file, and a backup copy is stored in a separate location. He'll also, explain the basics of his weekly treatments, to any team member who asks about them, as they'll need to know in an emergency.”
Kirk is interested in both his abilities and treatments. Since Soldier is open regarding these things he would use his energy sense to get an idea of the interaction of his systems20on that level so that if in the field he could somehow help diagnose a problem or help the scientific brains help him he could assist. Kirk is happy to spend some social time with Soldier. While he respects Soldier’s discipline and would join him in some of his training if scheduling allows, Soldier gets the feeling that his regimen is just a little ‘too’ disciplined for Kirk.
Enjoy the day everyone!
Best,
Seth
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Soldier:
Matt (Soldier) will set up a time when Kirk can analyze his systems., Once Kirk’s had a chance to look him over, he'll state the following
Soldier IC to Kirk: "Kirk, I’ve got a question for you. I can't keep up with all my basic system maintenance, without some help, from time to time. Would you be interested in learning to perform some of the more routine system diagnostics?"If Kirk says yes, Matt will ask if CHESS can assist, by providing Kirk with background files, and raw data, and a few days of training. He'll also inquire about possible upgrades to his systems, as he has a few ideas of his own (namely an interface that would allow him direct links with computer databases, and possibly a sub-dermal implant that would allow CHESS to track his location, but that will be dealt with later).
He'll also accept Kirk's offer to join in workouts, and provides him with a written copy of his work out plan.
Soldier IC to Kirk: “I run with this schedule M-F, so if you‘re up to it, I‘ll see you in the gym.”
Matt is prompt, and expects others to also. If Kirk doesn't arrive at the gym on time, Kirk will sense that Matt is a bit annoyed, but Matt won't mention it the first time it happens. If he’s on time, he’ll sense that Matt is pleased with him, and he’ll be greeted with a warm, “Good Morning. If you’re ready, we’ll get started.”Either way, he'll go over some basic warm up exercises, and do a good stretching routine, and then begin the work out. He'll start out slow to gauge Kirk's fitness level, and then gradually increase the pace. Throughout the workout, he'll offer encouragement (little things like "good job", "Come on, push it", "Only one more."), and monitor safety (no need to pull a muscle, or get a back injury). If he senses that it's to much for Kirk to keep up with, at any point during the workouts, he'll ease off. Once the workout is over, he'll state the following:
Soldier IC: "Kirk, thanks for coming out here and working with me. I admire the fact that you're out here pushing yourself.". He’ll inquire about the other team members. He's interested in how the team acts, how they get along, how they deal with stress, and interactions they have with CHESS.
If Kirk fells like he’s up to it, Matt invites him to the range later on that day.
Soldier IC to Kirk: “Kirk, if you’re interested, I’m going to be putting in a little range time, with some of the CHESS guys later today. If you want, swing by and put a few rounds down range.”
OOC: I’ll wait for responses before I post any more.
Quick question, any of you guys see the new Terminator flick yet? Is it decent? While you’re enjoying the holiday, and take a minute or two to remember all of the US service members who are, or have previously served.
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Forester:
After hearing Sentinel's perspective and advice about recent events, Forester says calmly: "Save your speeches, my friend. You may have greater need for them in the weeks ahead." Forester assures the upright adventurer that he is now at peace.
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Sentinel:
"Given what we've faced since joining Vanguard I'm sure your right, and I'm just relieved you've found your focus once again.
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Avatar:
John will be open and frank with Kirk about his newfound powers and the doubts that have been brought up as a consequence. John's feelings on the divine are muddled. There are obviously beings of power that touch the world in various ways...are they gods if they are powerful enough to make and defend the claim or are they really "something else" that goes "beyond"? Things are far too confusing and not enough is known for certain.
John sees in Kirk a kindred spirit in terms of heroism and nobility, though their paths may be somewhat different. John will continue to have periodic dinners with Kirk if things go well and the respect seems mutual.
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Lightning Strike:
Hi,
I have been attempting to keep up with the vast flow of e-mails but I am sure I missed a few. Here is Strike's action.
Strike gives a quick and rather aloof greeting to the new heroes (no sense treating them any better than the rest of the group) and he continues his assault on the underworld. He attempts to trace Silas Caine's transactions attempting to find a pattern to the technology purchases. He attempts to research the major components each firm is known for in order to determine if they can be assembled or combined into something lethal. There must be a method to Caine's madness.
He will assist in the tracking of what happened to Nanite seeing if leads can be tracked by tapping into any systems. If the trail leads to the antarctic then he will take the time to see what happened up there in the Chess archives.
That's all for now.
Take care all,
Tony
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Sentinel:
To Soldier: Kirk is flattered that Matt has taken him into his confidence and would offer to learn and assist him regarding his systems. Kirk's scientific skill is regarding computers and he explains his energy sense helps him to perceive the flow of different forms of energy. He explains his energy control is only related to a specific form of energy he can manifest and control.
Kirk would do his best to assist, but would likely suggest that Hal (Symbiote) get full training on his systems if Matt was comfortable with him since he would understand the science behind their working and if something went wrong, its likely it would be his expertise would be needed to solve it. Kirk would add that likely Lightning Strike would be equally up to the task, but he was more of a lone wolf while Symbiote has volunteered to assist all of us in such endeavors.
Kirk would be impressed and a bit surprised by Matt's detailed schedule and would definitely do some tr aining with him. He had been doing additional training under Sgt Stone with his regiment, so Kirk would be open to seeing how Soldier might suggest some things differently. Along the way Kirk would introduce Soldier to Stone and in their conversations likely would relate some of their WWII activities and such so he knew who he was. He also talks a bit about Agent America in his prime and how he inspired the men in the armed forces and how he’s glad that Vanguard now has someone to represent the American colors once again in a similar positive way.
Kirk would likely try to schedule a few sessions a week with Matt. He would show up promptly and give the sessions his all. He’d find him to be in good shape, but his abilities aren’t super human in his physicality. The one thing that surprises Matt is his ability to push a bit beyond what he’d expect of him. He finds that in trying to get him to ‘push’ beyond the wall, it se ems that his _expressions that exhort him to ‘not let him down’ or something along those lines cause Kirk to endure and push beyond himself.
Matt gets the feeling that Kirk would train even more if not for all the other things he is working on and feels he needs to accomplish.
Kirk is glad that Matt is working closely with Chess and the Knights. Kirk has promoted cooperation and respect between their groups. If Matt mentions he is a pilot and intends to train on their systems Kirk loves the idea. He tells him that Manetti has been their pilot and he is a total pro, but it would be great if someone in Vanguard had that skill. Kirk had a basic walk-through of their flight systems but has not had the time to be really trained and felt real training would be necessary to master the craft.
Kirk also tells Matt he’s been spending some time with Avatar and he’s working hard to make the team close-knit and suggests Matt spend some time with him. He speaks a bit about their last new recruit and that if perhaps they had bonded with him better, he might have made some better decisions and still been with the team and that he doesn’t want to let something like that happen again.
To Avatar: Kirk would be interested in John's development and anything he learns about the Greek 'gods' that he feels comfortable sharing and agrees with him that defining 'godhood' is a difficult thing. John sees that understanding the nature of things is important to Kirk. Kirk offers to be an open ear and soundboard if John ever needs it.
Kirk would continue to work with John to promote a sense of team spirit with each other and the others. He is glad for the social time which has been lacking and now feels a loyalty to Avatar and respect, feeling that he has a much better sense of knowing him and where he is coming from. Until now he hasn't had that same sense with him that he had with some of the other members of Vanguard.
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Talon:
Talon has spent the majority of his adult life in the wild. That experience lends to some discomfort in the confines of an enclosed structure. To alleviate the discomfort of this claustrophobia, he will spend some time stretching his wings in the night sky above Manhattan.
His personality is a reflection of time spent apart from society. While he respects the abilities of the men of the Vanguard, any excessive questioning or attempts to examine him will be turned down quickly.
IC: When Hal approaches Adam with the offer of a physical examination, Talon responds, "You may be pretty, but you're the wrong gender to be puttin' your hands on me! Why don't you go play with your buddies, I'm sure they would be more than willing!"
Adam will also spend some time researching the CHESS archive files on Dr. Swastika and all his known associates. He is hoping to find clues that will help him remember the details of his time spent in his lab.
He will also talk with CHESS leadership to learn their expectations of his service with the organization, and get suggestions for training that would help him hone his natural abilities to better serve the group.
Viva Vanguard,
Denny
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Symbiote:
OOC: It is a good first post (even if I took the brunt of it).
IC: When Talon/Adam rebukes Symbiote's offer of a physical examination, Hal raises a Spock-like eyebrow but quickly recovers. "Fair enough. If you do have any questions or concerns about your abilities, however, please feel free to talk to me or Doc about it," he says. Hal will leave it at that, figuring the Feral Feathered Fighter will need time to adjust to being a member of a team.
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GM Replies 7:
Hey,
OOC: Haven’t seen Terminator. Want to even though it’s not getting strong reviews.
And yes, great first posts to Talon and Soldier! Welcome aboard!
IC:
Symbiote learns that Kirk and Lancaster’s EEG scans reveal normal brain function until they use their extranormal abilities. Then activity is detected in an area of the brain that is thought to be unused!
Slingshot creates a hand held device that can detect the silent tone.
Soldier, through his workout routine, spends time with military vets Sgt. Stone, the WW2 enlisted man with skin of granite and a heart of gold; CHESS Agent Sam Drake, formerly special ops; and CHESS Knight Nathan Lamb, former marine and NYPD officer; who all have similar gym schedules.
Stone was a drill sergeant and it shows. The octogenarian’s rocky form has apparently retarded the aging process, but Stone has seen too much action to crave more.
Drake is an unflappable, cool-under-fire, experienced pro who expects his coworkers to be the same.
Lamb takes pains to keep himself in great condition, not wanting to rely to much on the amazing CHESS Knight powered armor.
Soldier wrote: He'll also inquire about possible upgrades to his systems, as he has a few ideas of his own.
GM OOC Reply: Cool. This stuff can be handled during character advancement time.
Forester wrote: “The initial prison break began when Forester in conversation with Brian Grey about how CHESS and Vanguard should take more initiative, instead of responding to villain attacks. I went back to Issue 87 and noticed that we still have a handful of known villains at large: Ratman, Accelerator, Gadget Girl, Black Ice, Figment, Singularity, Mother Russia, Smog.
Can you provide us with CHESS files on these notorious extranormals so Vanguard can try to track down and capture these villains? No need for the heroes to wait around any longer while the villains dream up diabolical plots!”
GM Reply: OOC: Wait around?! The relentless Vanguard tracked Morgue and Skin Deep after their escape from the Star Giant, leading them to the Big City Gang War and Black Bat!
:)
IC: CHESS provides files on the escaped extranormals to Vanguard. CHESS agents (usually Bishops) are actively hunting them and welcome Forester’s interest in helping in the hunt.
There are no strong leads on where Ratman, Smog, Singularity or Figment may be headed.
Black Ice, Gadget Girl, Accelerator have known affiliates / relatives / lovers who are staked out by CHESS and local law enforcement.
Mother Russia was a member of the Soviet Super Soldiers and is expected to attempt to make her way home. Airports and ships are on alert for her. It’s also possible that she may leap back overland via Greenland or the Bering Strait! Radar stations are monitoring for her.
Avatar wrote: could you shoot me Avatar's stats when the various Heightened abilities might be active?
OOC GM Reply: Sorry for continued delay. You could probably do it faster at this point: Assume +15 for any Heightened Stat. Switch the hit point mods for Strength and Agility. Everything else as per 2nd edition V&V. Again, sorry.
Lightning Strike wrote: He attempts to trace Silas Caine's transactions attempting to find a pattern to the technology purchases. He attempts to research the major components each firm is known for in order to determine if they can be assembled or combined into something lethal. There must be a method to Caine's madness.
GM Reply: The high voltage vigilante discovers that Caine is not building any master weapon or doomsday device. The genius is placing a string of uncanny investments with foresight that borders on the supernatural. In a short while his entire operation could be above board. Silas Caine will be completely legitimate!
Talon wrote: I also talk with CHESS leadership to learn their expectations of his service with the organization, and get suggestions for training that would help him hone his natural abilities to better serve the group.
GM Reply: Agent Sam Drake seems pleasantly surprised at the question. After reviewing Talon’s files he said:
“With your aerial mobility, speed, eyesight and stealth capabilities, I think you could best contribute as recon. In some situations, I can see you and Forester working together as advance scouts for the slower, noiser, ‘heavy artillery’ in the group.
“As to our expectations, seems like you’ve got a problem with authority and teamwork. Loner, looks like to me. Problems in your past. Well we expect you to work through that crap.”
The advice was given coolly and without malice.
Talon wrote: Adam will also spend some time researching the CHESS archive files on Dr. Swastika and all his known associates. He is hoping to find clues that will help him remember the details of his time spent in his lab.
GM Reply: Reviewing the files dredges up bad feelings of imprisonment and worse. Talon feels his heart racing, his fight or flight response kicking in. His claws are out and his teeth clenched. The bestial bird-man makes a successful saving throw (as per his Weakness) and walks away from the computer before things get out of hand.
Sentinel continues his regular Hotsleep scans. All the subjects are safely in their dream states, save one.
The Primate, in his mind, is alone, floating in a black void of weightlessness, screaming.
“Accursed Mankind! Just wait until I get out of here! We shall cast your civilization in ruins! We will eat your children alive! We shall END you! JUST… YOU… WAIT!”
(OOC: Replies if any, to any of the above, then head over to Issue 89!)
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Forester:
Forester definitely wants to help the Bishops track down any escaped extranormals. If he can prioritize, he'll focus on Gadget Girl, who poses an insidious threat. Otherwise, he'll follow the lead of the Bishops. If they say jump, he'll say, "How high?"
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Soldier:
Thanks Jeff.
No worries, he'll deal with that as he gains enough experience to make improvements. He'll just mention it to CHESS so that they can begin looking into funding and R&D on the project.
Since I'm still pretty new to all of this, can you guys be so kind as to point me to the issues covering the background on the various villains mentioned here?When there's time, Soldier will request files on the villains still known to be at large, and speaks with everyone (CHESS & his fellow team members) as to what type of plan they're formulating to track them down. He's particularly interested in what Forester has been working on, and what info the various Bishops have managed to dig up.
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GM Replies 8:
Forester works mostly with Agent Drake and a female Bishop named Gina Cavozos.
Forester’s investigations on Gadget Girl uncover that she was a rebellious-natured yet compliant prisoner.
Level 1 of CHESS Castle is co-ed in common areas, due to the complexities of housing extranormals. Prison snitches report that Gadget Girl was romantically linked to Accellerator. But Mother Russia inadvertently broke up the beautiful music when her political philosophy gained too much attention from Accelerator for the green-eyed Gadget Girl’s liking.
Soldier is briefed on this, and all elements of the investigation. (See issues 58-60 to see some of these extranormal ex-cons in action)
There are no breakthoughs in the extranormal manhunt before the expedition to Antarctica! (see next ish!)
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Slingshot:
Slingshot will also check out all the technologically enhanced heroes to see if their technology is broadcastings. While we are at it we should check all the Chess equipment. Like the Knight armor and stuff. Might as well be aware
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Sentinel:
Kirk makes Symbiote and Vanguard and Grey and Drake aware of the situation with Primate and that they need to do something sooner rather than later regarding his situation (more to Grey and Drake on that since they took it out of our hands).
Regarding Symbiote's discovery of the brain activity Kirk comments that this would support Hal's theory of their powers being psionic in nature and asks if he reads anything more into this?
Kirk wanted further investigations into Caine's activities of what we learned from the alternate future - at some point he still wants to get within a range of Caine to see if his energy pattern indicates abilities (this had been mentioned long ago after the Black Bat encounter, but was lost in other events taking priority). If Strike shares any of his findings with Kirk at any point (I'm not holding my breath on that) it would remind him to do this once again when they get some non-mission time to allow it. I didn't specify it this time around so this continues unanswered for now.
On the broadcasting taking place that Slingshot has discovered you didn't mention if Kirk would be able to hone in on the energies of this signal (but perhaps you did in Issue 89 ... so there I go)
Seth
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GM Replies 9:
Slingshot wrote:
Slingshot will also check out all the technologically enhanced heroes to see if their technology is broadcastings. While we are at it we should check all the Chess equipment. Like the Knight armor and stuff. Might as well be aware
GM Reply:
Yes! It is soon deduced that everything that is or has a computer is “transmitting.” CHESS communicators, the Harper Harness, Nanite, the CHESS Knight powered armor.
In time it is discovered that the more powerful the computer, the more powerful the signal!
This phenomena becomes Doc’s priority and computer specialists and manufactured are contacted for a summit. A few of Vanguard’s auspicious number would have been present, had they not been dispatched to the most powerful signal source detected!
Sentinel wrote:
Kirk wanted further investigations into Caine's activities of what we learned from the alternate future - at some point he still wants to get within a range of Caine to see if his energy pattern indicates abilities (this had been mentioned long ago after the Black Bat encounter, but was lost in other events taking priority). If Strike shares any of his findings with Kirk at any point (I'm not holding my breath on that) it would remind him to do this once again when they get some non-mission time to allow it. I didn't specify it this time around so this continues unanswered for now.
On the broadcasting taking place that Slingshot has discovered you didn't mention if Kirk would be able to hone in on the energies of this signal (but perhaps you did in Issue 89 ... so there I go)
GM Reply:
Caine activities in the alternate future included cornering the market on extranormal defense technologies. He does possess an interest in them in this reality, but not to the same extent. Nor, in this reality, has Caine proposed running for public office.
Your previous request wasn’t lost. Silas Caine does not make many public appearances and when he does, they are not announced in advance. His schedule is private and he does not own a personal computer. How does Sentinel try to locate his whereabouts to get within range of him?
Kirk can detect the signal when he is actively looking for it, and it is within his power’s range. It is a very subtle, low energy sound wave that is very hard to isolate among the normal energy coming off of computers.
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Sentinel:
OOC: “Your previous request wasn’t lost. Silas Caine does not often make many public appearances and when he does, they are not announced in advance. His schedule is private and he does not own a personal computer. How does Sentinel try to predict his whereabouts to get within range of him?”
His office had a window with a view when the team entered his building, if he hasn’t changed that, Kirk could fly by on patrol. If he has moved his office away and no longer has an outer office (what and give up the prestige of his view?) then perhaps if he doesn’t have any electronics his assistants do to tap to find out a schedule. How about his ride into work?
No personal computer, hmm. Perhaps we’ll be seeing him sooner than we think.
“Kirk can detect the silent signal when he is actively looking for it, and it is within his power’s range. It is a very subtle, low energy sound wave that is very hard to isolate among the normal energy coming off of computers.”
Very good, at least Kirk can sense the signal and can identify, isolate, and track if necessary (ie if we lose the gadgets to do it, which may have just happened).
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GM Replies 10:
Sentinel wrote: His office had a window with a view when the team entered his building, if he hasn’t changed that, Kirk could fly by on patrol. If he has moved his office away and no longer has an outer office (what and give up the prestige of his view?)
GM Reply: During downtime, Sentinel flies by Caine Citadel and notices the top floors (location of Silas Caine's former office) are under construction.
Sentinel wrote: then perhaps if he doesn’t have any electronics his assistants do to tap to find out a schedule. How about his ride into work?
GM Reply: How, specifically, does the shining beacon of justice and liberty intend to find the answers to these questions?
Sentinel wrote: No personal computer, hmm.
GM Reply: The public knows that billionaire investor Silas Caine has long resisted personal computers claiming they focused him too much in the present and prevented him from thinking about the big picture.
Vanguard believes that Silas Caine was an associate of the Luddite.
Best,
Jeff
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Sentinel:
“How, specifically, does the shining beacon of justice and liberty intend to find the answers to these questions?”
Chess has already been investigating and looking into his affairs since the Vanguard encounter with him (and perhaps before on their own?) and certainly moreso with the revelation of his role in the alternate future. It would be likely they know who is in his close inner circle and could obtain intel such as this. Another possibility would be discussing with Strike since Kirk knows one of his ultimate goals is to bring Caine down for his involvement in the death of his wife (I think Kirk nows that, if not at the very least he knows that Caine framed Strike for murder). He could just state that he is doing some investigating on his own and needs his schedule to do so and tell him he will share any pertinent information with Strike if he finds results.
Seth
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GM Replies 11:
Sentinel wrote:
Chess has already been investigating and looking into his affairs since the Vanguard encounter with him (and perhaps before on their own?) and certainly moreso with the revelation of his role in the alternate future. It would be likely they know who is in his close inner circle and could obtain intel such as this.
GM Reply:
Director Grey and Agent Drake talk to Sentinel about this.
(As discussed in issues 57 and 58...) After Vanguard admitted they went to Caine with the intent to kill him, destroyed his property and even assaulted him, charges against him have been dropped. They'd never be able to prosecute in court.
An investigation continues, but nothing that could remotely be construed as harassment can be authorized because of Vanguard's attack on him, and his pending lawsuit against them. So, stalking his movements or infiltrating his corporation without a warrant or cause is not in the cards.
"In regards to his "role in the alternate future," he is a canny businessman, no doubt, who could have been cashing in on that world's dominant macro-trend: anti-extranormal technology. He ran for public office. He's done nothing illegal in the alternate reality. And even if he did, it didn't occur here. We don't prosecute political thought crimes, Sentinel," said Grey.
Sentinel senses that Grey and Drake are wondering why Kirk wants to get near Caine because they do not know about Sentinel's ability to detect extranormals.
Best,
Jeff
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The Manta Craft came apart around Vanguard and that was that. Icy wind cut through them. Vanguard was plummeting to their deaths over the mountains of Antarctica. Shelley Harper too.
Best,
