Nanite looked at herself in the full length mirror. She was in her wedding dress. It looked beautiful.
There was a knock at the door and Shelley Harper stuck her head in. “It’s time,” she said. Then: “Oh, Nan.”
Nanite picked up her bouquet from the chair, smiled and said, “This is it.”
Shelley brought her down to the limo that would take them to St. Patrick’s Cathedral. The last few months had been a surreal whirlwind. She had agreed to it all, out of hopes that it could improve the lives of extranormals, especially her son, but things felt like they were getting out of control. Probably because they were. In the car, Nanite’s mind returned to the events that had led to this moment, not all of them pleasant.
[Flashback!]
Moments after the birth of Ethan, there was an argument in the delivery room. Menagerie ranted about her son, and Slingshot and Sentinel defused the situation but not before Nanite recovered from the shock of her bouncing baby boy.
SMACK! Nanite slapped Menagerie’s face. “How dare you?! Get out!” She put her arms protectively around her full grown son and watched until Menagerie left. [Replies, any and all?]
In those crazy months of celebrity and fame since…
Some of Vanguard had expressed a positive opinion toward an animated series about Vanguard. As their defacto publicity agent, Felicity Chase said to the assembled team, “Unless any of you have any reservations, I’ll contact the animation studio and have them draw up the papers. Speak now or forever hold your peace.” [Replies, everyone?]
Clone, Sentinel and Symbiote continued their effort to gain special access to classified files on Dr. X, the creator of The Program in the USSR. Grey got them access to a short report from 1943. During WWII, Liberty League founding member, Agent America (Miles Hudson) had coordinated an attack on one of Dr. Swastika’s labs with the Soviet Dr. X, a scientist of some renown. The mission was a success but Swastika was not found. There was nothing else.
Sentinel wondered: “Do we have the location of the lab? Was it in Soviet territory or elsewhere?”
The report showed Swastika’s lab to be in what was Nazi Germany and what is now Soviet-controlled East Germany, behind the Iron Curtain.
Sentinel asked Ajay, a CHESS Rook, “Can you run thermal satellite images of the area to see if perhaps there may be aspects of a hidden portion of the lab not discovered prior?”
In time, satellite imagery shows an indistinct structure in the target area. “Sorry I can’t get it any better,” Ajay said unhappily. “Only thing I can say for sure is that there’s something there.” [Replies if any]
Symbiote arranged a meeting between Vanguard and Mother Russia, who was sad to hear that Talon had quit. Of Doctor X she said: “He was very mysterious, as Clone could tell you. Often absent for long periods of time. A brilliant mind. He can invent superheroes. Or should I say super powers.”
She also said, “I want a new costume and name to disassociate myself from my former homeland, but can’t decide what.” [Replies? Clone’s trip to the Soviet Embassy occurs “weeks after the wedding” which we haven’t reached yet. Stay tuned!]
Grey and Sentinel were arguing again. Sentinel ended with: “But Grey, just promise me you’ll keep your eyes and ears open so that on the chance my concerns are valid you’ll be looking for it in your dealings with MEDUSA.”
Grey grumbled, “Haven’t I had your back all this time, kid?”
A week later Vanguard is told by Grey that MEDUSA denied their interview request. “Vanguard Omega have been designated a Level Four National Security threat and are being put into Hotsleep at CHESS Castle.” Vanguard knew all too well that Hotsleep was a chemical, suspended animation program that places the most dangerous prisoners in a dream state. “MEDUSA wants it done before Slingshot’s wedding, out of concern of what Slingshot Omega might do.”
Kirk eyed Grey and said with a bit of frustration, “So if they are done with them, why deny our interview request at this time? What could possibly be the reason?”
Grey replied, “I just said they’ve ordered a rush job, before the wedding.”
MEDUSA respectfully turns down Vanguard’s offer of assistance in the transfer of the prisoners. After the fact, Vanguard learns that the transfer of Vanguard Omega, and their insertion into Hotsleep, goes off without a hitch. [Replies, if any?]
Seeing his obvious dissatisfaction, Grey spoke to Sentinel privately. “Without tipping MEDUSA off to your telepathy, I can’t force an interview with their prisoners. They thoroughly answered all of your submitted, written questions.” [See last issue. Reply, if any?]
Sentinel and Zephyr were a couple. When Sentinel asked her if they should tell Hal and the rest of Vanguard, she replied, “Why not? We’re not doing anything wrong. Unless of course you’re ashamed of me!” she said jokingly. “Let’s tell everyone before the wedding.” [Reply, Sentinel?]
Symbiote, Sentinel, Slingshot and Doc Rocket began to plan another expedition to the Digital Zone!!!
Menagerie asked to be included in the plans. Symbiote began designing an amazing exploration vehicle, but Slingshot expressed that it might be too ambitious an undertaking. [Replies? Resolve, please.]
Avatar receives word from Nigel, his antiquarian colleague who manages his bookstore. "The buying agent from Sotheby's has come back. The interested party has increased their offer. Your stalling tactic has them bidding against themselves now. Well played!"
John insisted on meeting with Sotheby’s and given the amount of money at stake, the auction house agreed. John manifested the oratory and diplomatic ability of the Olympians to learn more about the anonymous buyer.
Sotheby’s buying agent replied, “You’ve no need to worry. Your collection will be in good hands that appreciate its worth. The buyer is a scholar himself, and a collector of antiquities. But he is a very private man. I don’t believe you would have heard of him.” This seemed to rule out Silas Caine. [Replies?]
Menagerie had the animal kingdom watch The Patriot. Their reports indicate that he is away from Silas Caine too often to be a bodyguard.
The shamanic sorcerer continued his lessons with Archimedes and asked him what threatens the Natural Order. The great owl turned his head completely around to regard Frank with two large reflective eyes. He spoke in the language of birds: “Your duty is to defend Nature, aye. But the manner of your death has shaped your focus. Distorted it. Because you died defending animals you think your duty is to defend the animal kingdom. But there is so much more to Nature than that. Open your mind, boy. What do you think Nature is and how we might best serve it?” [Reply, Menagerie?]
Slate and Symbiote got pizza and Slate disintegrated the cameras of some paparazzi! The next day, not surprisingly, he received bad press that wondered about his humanity, and by extension, his mother’s. [Weakness: Prejudice]
Lightning Strike reached the cabin ahead of Sentinel, Symbiote and Menagerie. The cabin on the lake was off the grid; no power lines, phone lines or cell phone service, and therefore the Vanguard communicators would be down. SHAKOW! Strike materialized a mile away at the nearest house with power and hiked to the remote cabin.
The night was dark like only the countryside can be. Strike saw the cabin from across the lake, lit with the yellow light of oil lanterns, just like he remembered. His uncle had taught him how to fish on this lake, beneath these pines.
After an electrical scan turned up nothing out of the ordinary, he made a cautious approach.
He spied Hank Archer sitting inside, drinking, listening to the radio.
Strike knocked on the cabin door.
Archer got up and saw him through the door’s window. A look of disgust crossed his face.
“What the hell are you doing here, Steven? You’ve got a lotta nerve after what you put me through. Is your wife still alive, too, you bastard? Damn YOU!” He threw open the door and charged Strike with his bare hands!
POW! Archer crashed a big fist into Strike’s jaw! (OOC: 10 points of damage! Strike rolls with 7 and takes 3 from hits)
"No Hank, my wife is not alive anymore. She was not transformed in the way I was,” Strike replied as he tried to restrain the big cop.
Archer threw another punch and missed! He was clearly drunk.
Lightning Strike got his arms around Hank Archer and said: “Hank, if there was any way to prevent what happened to you, you know I would have done it. I couldn't tell you everything that happened for your own safety. The people behind all of this will stop at nothing. You were used as a pawn to get at Silas Caine and although every fiber of my being wanted you to pull that trigger and gun the bastard down for what he has done, I couldn't let you do it."
Archer growled belligerently but stopped throwing punches for now.
Strike continued, "Others from Vanguard are on their way here. We probably have only minutes until they get here. You have to tell me where my counterpart is. Vanguard won't stop until he is hunted down. If he is here, tell him to come out. Neither of us can harm one another so he knows I am not a threat to him. In fact, there may be a way for him to help me bring down Caine but if Vanguard takes him out, he will be condemned to hot sleep and be in a coma for the rest of his days. Vanguard will see to it."
“He’s not here,” snarled Archer. “And he told me you’d say that. He said to tell you, of course I don’t know where he is. Would you have told me that?”
Strike knew that Vanguard would soon arrive, and that Archer was technically an escaped convict.
[Replies, actions, Strike?]
Nanite snapped out of it. [End flashbacks] Her car was six blocks from the cathedral now and stopped dead from the crowds that had packed the streets to catch a glimpse of the event of the decade!
The driver’s horn played the first few notes of “Here Comes the Bride,” and the crowd screamed and reluctantly opened a path. Cameras flashed, and TV cameramen pushed to get a shot. The television rights had brought in millions of dollars. She and Scott agreed that after the circus of a wedding was paid for, the remainder would go to REACH.
The limo finally reached the curb before St. Patrick’s and Doc Rocket was waiting for her. The bells of the cathedral rang out. In black tie, Doc opened the door and helped her out. Barricades, NYPD and a CHESS Knight Honor Guard held the screaming crowd at bay. The noise was deafening. Doc said, “You look simply lovely, my dear. Scott is a very lucky man.”
Nanite turned to take in the staggering crowds and noticed a large statue of Atlas across Fifth Avenue and thought of Avatar.
Every seat in the monolithic, 133 year old, Neo-Gothic, Roman Catholic Cathedral was taken. Shelley went down the aisle first and everyone stood up and turned around to see the beautiful bride.
As Nanite lowered her veil, she saw Scott at the end of an infinitely long carpet, with Ethan, Nathan Lamb, Vanguard, Sgt. Stone, and Archbishop Dolan of the Archdiocese of New York standing beside him. The organ began playing and Doc Rocket walked Nanite down the aisle slowly, dabbing his eyes only once with a handkerchief. The throngs outside could be clearly heard above the organ.
As Nanite saw who was in attendance she thought that Felicity Chase had certainly done her job. Lady Gaga, the President of the United States, Bono, Johnny Depp, George Clooney and Rachel Ray, who was Clone’s date, smiled at her as she passed, just to name a few. One Clone sat with Rachel and a fleet of Clone ushers lined the cathedral walls.
She also saw Scott’s estranged family. She had been worried about whether they would attend or not. If Scott’s father and brother had been unaccepting of Scott’s new appearance, they seemed even less happy with his choice of a bride. Scott’s uncle, aunt and cousin were beaming, though.
Nanite was crying tears of joy by the time she reached Scott. The couple held hands, the congregation was seated and the Archbishop of New York said:
“Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in the presence of God, in the face of this congregation, and these witnesses, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony. We, their families and friends, form a community of love that together we may support and encourage them with our abundance of prayers and blessings on this day and for all of their lives.”
Then Lightning Strike’s phone silently vibrated! It was the phone the “Killer with No Name” had been given from Homicide for Hire! Without looking at it, he used his powers to “read” the incoming text. It said:
“Go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral immediately.
Any of you that kills a member of Vanguard passes the audition and becomes a member of Homicide for Hire.
Good luck.”
To be continued!
OOC: Actions?!
I need to know what you’re doing for the next few minutes.
I’ll assume that Strike will share this info with Vanguard, so please assume you all know what it says.
Strike, HOW will you share this info?
Thanks.
Have fun,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Avatar:
Some of Vanguard had expressed a positive opinion toward an animated series about Vanguard. As their defacto publicity agent, Felicity Chase said to the assembled team, “Unless any of you have any reservations, I’ll contact the animation studio and have them draw up the papers. Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
John will advise them on his powers and give them a different take than reality. John will represent his powers are largely derived from Ares alone and will focus on strength and weapons skills and will leave out anything beyond that.
**********
Sotheby’s buying agent replied, “You’ve no need to worry. Your collection will be in good hands that appreciate its worth. The buyer is a scholar himself, and a collector of antiquities. But he is a very private man. I don’t believe you would know him.” This seemed to rule out Silas Caine. [Replies?]
John will try and force the issue (diplomatically, of course). He would like to meet the buyer to assure himself that his life's work will be going to someone who would appreciate it.
**********
Rachel Ray, who was Clone’s date
LOVE THAT!!!!!!!!!!!
**********
OOC: Actions?! I need to know what you’re doing for the next few minutes. I’ll assume that Strike will share this info with Vanguard, so please assume you all know what it says.
John is in full Avatar regalia as he would be expected to be representing Vanguard on this occasion. Not knowing how soon something might happen, he won't activate any powers but will be on alert and ready to act.
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC:
Another great issue. Wow 150? I hadn't realized. That's quite a set of weeks.
How many people will be going for our heads? I'm just worried for the innocent bystanders.
Let me ponder this one a bit.
Clone/Rachel Ray - Nice!
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC:
150th Issue! Do we get a special 3D, Glow-In-The-Dark, Anniversary Cover with that?!? =D
Re: Rachel Ray:
Woo-Hoo!!! Too bad she's married ( at least I think she is ), otherwise Clone would have to pull his 'Ultra-Special Ukrainian Love Mojo' out on her, and try to get himself a new girlfriend! LOL ;)
Absolutely terrific issue Jeff, I was reading it the whole time saying, " . . . no way! No way . . . really?!? Holy Hanna . . . no way!" =O
As for 'good pizza in NYC' - most of the places in NYC are decent, but for really AWESOME pizza though you have to head out to Brooklyn or Queens ;)
Talk to you guys soon,
- Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Wonderful issue! Jeff. I am very proud to be a part of issue 150. Such Awesomeness!!
IC: SMACK! Nanite slapped Menagerie’s face. “How dare you?! Get out!” She put her arms protectively around her full grown son and watched until Menagerie left.
"Well at least she had a human response in her, I was afraid she was only a beautiful machine" Menagerie thought as he walked to his room.
…
Some of Vanguard had expressed a positive opinion toward an animated series about Vanguard. As their defacto publicity agent, Felicity Chase said to the assembled team, “Unless any of you have any reservations, I’ll contact the animation studio and have them draw up the papers. Speak now or forever hold your peace.”
Menagerie agrees to it but wants his death not put in the story. Make it where he is a Park Ranger given the ability to change into a Bear, Eagle, or Wolf forms only by the spirit of our National Parks to protect nature. He is still a Park Ranger and appears in that uniform when off superhero duty. Play up the 'Green Movement' with him. He can give the "Don't Pollute", "Always Recycle" and "Use Alternative Energy Sources" speeches thereby meeting the FCC requirements that kids shows be educational as well as fun (Well, the FCC doesn't care if it is fun but we do).
…
Menagerie had the animal kingdom watch The Patriot. Their reports indicate that he is away from Silas Caine too often to be a bodyguard.
He reported his findings to Sentinel and Slingshot. "It would appear the whole initiative is PR only. There isn't a reason in the future that Caine can see that requires him to have superhero albeit normal human bodyguard. It would appear the Presidential Campaign is his true purpose."
…
Archimedes spoke in the language of birds: “Your duty is to defend Nature, aye. But the manner of your death has shaped your focus. Distorted it. Because you died defending animals, you think your duty is to defend the animal kingdom. But there is so much more to Nature than that. Open your mind, boy. What do you think Nature is and how we might best serve it?”
OOC: Okay Jeff, you blew my mind here. I was literally shocked when I read this. Wow. Indeed, this really challenged me. I said WOW right?
IC: "I would do my best of open my mind. But an open mind is worthless unless it is filled. Please Archimedes fill my mind, teach me about Nature. What it is, what it means, and how to best serve it. If needed, take me to others who can teach me as well."
…
I’ll assume that Strike will share this info with Vanguard, so please assume you all know what it says.
Menagerie will contact the bird and rat kingdoms to determine if the assassins have arrived yet. If signaled by Sentinel to act, he would discretely move out of view of the wedding guests and take the form of the Spider. He would go to the assassin(s) which are least accessible to Clone. If it is in an environment that is not accessible by Spider form he will change into the form that is. If he knows about the assassin(s) and their accessibility before he changes into Spider he will change in that form first once he is out of sight of the guests.
Best
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Seth, I was thinking the same thing about Rachelone (Failed merging of Rachel and Clone names) but with the Soviet Union still standing, isn't it Jeff's call whether Rachel Ray is married or not.
So Jeff, are you going to break Clone's heart or not?
Is Rachel Ray married? Vanguard wants to know.
Best
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: I thought the same thing ... Rachel Ray's life could be different in the Vanguardverse ...
so yes, Jeff, inquiring minds want to know.
I want to know.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC:
Seth/Sentinel wrote: “I also agree how much I enjoy everyone's posts and thoughts... and Kev, the whole coffee line had me rolling amidst the seriousness of what was happening there. You give Peter David a run for his money setting up humorous situations and pulling them off... hope Alex knows Rachel Ray is married and he just wants to be 'friends' ...”
Peter David? That's quite a compliment; although I would argue that I'm not nearly as good of a writer as he is, I do really appreciate the compliment. I often worry that I may be throwing something along those lines into my responses ( i.e. the coffee bit ) and that it might come off as 'over the top', so I truly do thank you for the positive feedback on it.
And for the record - you're no slouch yourself there Seth, I always look forward to reading your posts. The amount of effort and thought that you put into each of them is very apparent. Your responses are always done in such a way that anyone reading through a few issues could easily tell what kind of character Sentinel is without even reading his background. Week after week you always put out terrific responses without fail; even when you could easily slip by with a much shorter and less detailed one, you always seem to go that extra mile - well done sir!
Thanks again Seth.
That's a really great point, Tom - I never considered the possibility that in the Vanguard Universe she might not be married. How interesting would that be lol? This might just turn out to be a very 'interesting' turn of events after all lol ;)
Thanks Tom,
- Kev
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: I’ll give Kevin first right of refusal to answer that question. It’s his subplot entirely! J
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC: My subplot? LOL No way, this is your world Jeff, and I'm just live'n in it! But if you are going to through some of the burden of response of my shoulders then I have only one answer for everyone regarding Rachael Ray's marital status and the possibility of a Rachael / Clone relationship - a good story teller always knows when to drag out part of his story in order to build up the anticipation for a dramatic outcome; you should always leave 'em sitting on the edge of their seats . . . so with any luck we'll find out more in Issue 151 about 'Rachael and Alexander' . . . maybe . . . possibly . . . we'll see =P
Could it really happen?
- Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC:
Don't you mean 'Rachander'?
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC:
lol Nice! I could definitely see the tabloids using that.
- Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Slate:
Some of Vanguard had expressed a positive opinion toward an animated series about Vanguard. As their defacto publicity agent, Felicity Chase said to the assembled team, “Unless any of you have any reservations, I’ll contact the animation studio and have them draw up the papers. Speak now or forever hold your peace.” [Replies, everyone?]
Being a minor, Slate is not to be allowed to be a part of the animated series.
Sentinel asked Ajay, a CHESS Rook, “Can you run thermal satellite images of the area to see if perhaps there may be aspects of a hidden portion of the lab not discovered prior?”
In time, satellite imagery shows an indistinct structure in the target area. “Sorry I can’t get it any better,” Ajay said unhappily. “Only thing I can say for sure is that there’s something there.” [Replies if any]
Slate overhears Sentinel and Symbiote talking about a possible trip to Germany to investigate something regarding Clone…, “I’d like to go if it’s possible, doesn’t sound that dangerous… Could I? I’m sure if dad’s going he wouldn’t mind and mom would be OK with it. I won’t be in the way…”
Slate and Symbiote got pizza and Slate disintegrated the cameras of some paparazzi! The next day, not surprisingly, he received bad press that wondered about his humanity, and by extension, his mother’s. [Weakness: Prejudice]
Flashback Pizza with Slate and Symbiote:
Symbiote looks out the window at the surprised photographers, holding nothing where moments ago their cameras had been. He looks back at Ethan, who seems very pleased with himself.
“Ethan,” Hal says, “Did you do that?”
Ethan nods his head not looking quite as pleased, pulling a piece of pepperoni off the pizza and sticking it in his mouth with his fingers. He doesn’t look up to meet Hal’s eyes.
“How did you make them vanish?” Hal asks.
Ethan Shrugs, “They didn’t really disappear he says, I just digitized them.”
“You did what to them?” Hal says not trying to appear overly concerned as he reaches for another slice of pizza.
“You know, like mother is teaching me, the way computers convert images or sounds to a discrete set of points, so they can be reproduced. I just converted them to a digital representation of the physical object,” Ethan says.
Hal nods knowingly, “Well, let’s not do that again until we talk to your parents about this. They will probably have an opinion on your digitizing objects, OK?”
Ethan agrees, and they finish their meal pretty much in silence.
As they return to the vault, Ethan looks up at Symbiote and asks, “Did I do something wrong?”
“I think I’ll let your father have that discussion with you Ethan, but I enjoyed having dinner with you, and I hope we can do it again soon,” Hal says. “Next time we’ll shoot for something a little more private.”
Ethan smiles at him, “I’d like that.”
Symbiote, Sentinel, Slingshot and Doc Rocket began to plan another expedition to the Digital Zone!!!
Menagerie asked to be included in the plans. Symbiote began designing an amazing exploration vehicle, but Slingshot expressed that it might be too ambitious an undertaking. [Replies? Resolve, please.]
Slate lies on the examination table, totally nude save a thin sheet covering his midsection. Around the room, x-rays, CAT scan results, and sensors all show what is going on, inside Slate’s body. Slingshot, Nanite, Symbiote, Doc Rocket, and Shelley stand nearby looking at papers strewn across another nearby table.
“It’s really astounding Doc Rocket says, he has all of the organs a human would have, but they do not appear to be fulfilling the same functions.” As to his digestive systems, food is taken in normally, and is somehow processed and utilized to power the machines that make up his body. Very efficiently I might add. He breathes as a human would, taking in oxygen, but most of his body functions appear to be anaerobic.”
“He has a circulatory system very similar to humans, but when we analyzed his blood, which is O+ by the way, we found these.” He holds up a test tube that appears to have a silvery liquid in it. He gestures to a monitor connected to a nearby electron microscope, revealing that it actually contains very small machines, nanobots. “These appear to do most of the work the cells of an organic body would.”
“Shelley did most of the evaluation of the neurological, skeletal, and muscular systems… Shelley.”
Everyone turns to face Shelley.
Shelley moves to the display of the CAT scan and motions to the display with a laser pointer. “His brain appears to be some type of artificial neural network. Neurological signals are not sent through a central spinal cord, but are rather routed almost directly to any area of the body via direct connection. So far, we’ve been unable to identify how exactly this works, but we are sure that he feels pain, and that he has almost absolute control of all of his bodily functions. He can for instance stop breathing for long periods of time, far beyond human parameters. His knowledge base appears to increasing at a dramatic rate, not exponentially, but close to it, he is already approaching what we would consider a gifted level. He is quite remarkable.” On the table, a smile crosses Ethan's face.
She continues to the x-rays. “His skeletal system is very similar to a human, with some slight modifications. The bones appear to be mostly solid, and we can’t be sure their makeup without taking a sample. We didn’t really want to be that invasive at this point.”
“As to the muscular system, we do not see tendons attaching the muscles to the bones, they appear to be connected directly, but they appear mostly normal, both in size and strength. This may change. With all of the working out he’s been doing with Slingshot in the gym here, and with Nathan, he is growing stronger, but the rate appears to be pretty much on par with human development.”
“We have not had the opportunity to evaluate his reproductive systems, but everything seems to be fully functional. He is not truly an android, but more a cross between a human and a machine. Parts of him appear to be almost totally human. His tissue closely resembles human tissue. As Doc said, his organs don’t appear to be fulfilling the same functions they would in a human body. At the same time, they are functioning; we’re just not sure exactly what they are doing. His heart beats, his lungs expand and contract and all of his senses appear to on par for a human at his point developmentally, which we are estimating is between 15 and 16 years of age.”
Nanite lays her hand on Slate’s Arm, and he looks up at her, their eyes reflecting each other… “My baby, are you OK?”
“They have not harmed me in any way mother, and I find the results most interesting,” He responds.
“Slate you can get dressed now,” Doc Rockets says. Slate slides his legs off the table and holds the sheet around him as he has seen his father do in their apartment. He crosses the room and enters a smaller changing room.
After he is gone Doc Rocket continues,” It is apparent that he has an affinity for computers; we used some simple games to test his reflexes and knowledge. I would not leave him alone with one connected to the outside world at this point. I don’t know that anything would happen, but I don’t know that it wouldn’t… And there are sufficient resources here, such as the ones Nan has been using to educate him that are shielded.”
“Shelley and I will continue to review the results, and let you know if we find out anything further. At this time, He is what he appears to be, a young man, curious about the world. You should treat him as such.”
“With all respect Doctor, I don’t think we need you to tell us how to treat our son,” Nanite replies. She looks to Slingshot for support and he puts his arm around her shoulders. “I realize this is new to all of us, but I think we more than anyone know what he is going through, and what he needs. Thank you for the information, it is nice to know a little more about his physiology.”
Ethan opens the door, still trying to slide his shoes on without untying them. “Can we get something to eat?” He asks. “Pizza sounds great!” Hal smiles at Ethan.
“Alright Slingshot replies,” Running his hand through Ethan’s hair; “but this time we respect other people’s property.”
“Yes Sir,” Ethan replies, hanging his head a little. “Do I really have to send them apology letters?”
“You do, and you’re lucky we’re not making you pay for the cameras, it would take a lot of chores to replace that equipment. We have to think of others, and the impacts of our actions have on them, or we run the risk of becoming what we stand against,” his father says with a stern voice. He smiles at Nan over Ethan’s shoulder. “Now let’s go get that pizza.”
OOC: I'll post actions after he is more aware of what's going on.
Jon
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: This was awesome. Thanks!
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC:
Wow! That level of intelligence inside someone with the emotional development and social skills of an infant/young child? That sounds very scary and extremely dangerous - not someone I would want to be spending a ton of time with. It all sounds like the beginning of some kind of crazy horror movie or something lol ;)
Actually this almost reminds me of that movie 'The Lawnmower Man' =O
- Kev
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC:
Or that Twilight Zone episode with the omnipowerful kid in the suburbs.
Can't wait for Slate's first tantrum. :)
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: hahaha! I imagine it won't just be cameras this time..
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC: Wasn't this one of the first Star Trek episodes? "I can make you all go away!!!"
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Charlie X. I think Twilight Zone might have been first. But the idea of a terrifying, all powerful child who can destroy your very being on a whim isn't a new concept to any parent.
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Supreme Power explored this theme for a few issues as well.
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC:
>"I can make you all go away!!!"
Another favorite quote from Star Trek also involved children: "I'm a grup. And I want to help."
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC: I think that was the same episode that had the sequence Seth loved to quote.
"Bonk, Bonk on the head!!"
"No Bonk Bonk on the head."
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: Half right.
"Bonk, Bonk on the head!!"
But the other line was
"No blah blah blah!"
I think Kirk was giving a speech to the kids and they started chanting back 'blah blah blah' to what he was saying... too bad we can't do that as adults :)
Guess it’s time to watch some of the classic Treks again... haven't seen them in so long maybe I've forgotten parts of them. No channels seem to play them here that I come across... although I don't spend much time channel surfing anymore.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC:
Cartoon:
1) Scott is all for the cartoon. He loved cartoons as a child. Regarding power modifications: No talk about the regeneration powers.
2) If there's any toys, he wants one of them to be modeled to Stretch Armstrong's back in the day rubber toy (Picture attached). Too many fond memories. Also I'm good with a blanket which has Scott's stretched face and hands/feet in the corners. It's got to be one of those nice warm/cuddly plush blankets.
Parallel universe:
We haven't spoken about this yet. Scott would like to first have a look and see if the war still rages on between Father and Son and potentially have a way to scout the place, before jumping into another universe halfcocked and completely unprepared like we did last time.
Wedding:
At this point, Scott hasn't received the information needed to do anything.
Once the action starts, he will move one of two ways. First, he will turn to Nanite and ask her to stay put and protect the priest. His main goal is to protect the bystanders. So if it means one of the following: that he will focus on a single big baddy, if he/she/it is causing lots of collateral damage, or if they are targeting specific people, Scott will try to block any attacks where needed.
If he stretches, how much of the people can he cover?
Anything else: if Strike forwards the info, then he might change his tactics. I'll try to come up a speech tonight.
Stephaney/Slingshot.
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: As I mentioned, please assume this knowledge. Strike will no doubt tell you guys asap.
It's just that Tony will wait til Wednesday.
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC: I was thinking Thursday or Friday!! Only kidding, I will be posting tonight.
--------------------------------------------------
Avatar:
OOC: I forgot about that toy! GREAT commercials. Ah, for sweet innocence of childhood.
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
[ooc]Assuming that we have all been alerted... Do we have our comm devices with us? assuming we don't..[ooc]
Scott will lean over to my best man (Nathan) and ask him to put the CHESS teams on guard duty in high alert. They are to keep the riff raff outside the church. I'll also ask him to make sure that he gets us all our comm devices if we are missing them and flag Felicity Chase that we are in emergency mode and we will be speeding up the ceremony.
I'll ask the priest to speed things up directly. Once the "you may kiss the bride" moment goes, Scott will go in full action mode, go outside and pile into the bastards. My general steps are still valid:
1) If inside the church: Protect the bystanders, or take out/tackle the main collateral damage person (doesn't have to be a strong person, if it is someone with vibration tearing down the church...)
2) if outside the church, I will attempt to divert as much firepower away from the church by making a target of myself (since they are supposed to kill a Vanguard member)
Stephane
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
Kirk agrees with Avatar and the others about limiting info about their characters. His cartoon persona will stick to his energy construct powers. He wants to be sure that Vanguard has final approval on use of their images in the cartoons and further marketing including international markets and that they get approval power on plotlines, etc (hey, if it’s good enough for George Lucas …) and that they get appropriate percentage of profits, etc … he will suggest at this point that profits from it is used to fund REACH projects with approval of his teammates.
In time, satellite imagery shows an indistinct structure in the target area. “Sorry I can’t get it any better,” Ajay said unhappily. “Only thing I can say for sure is that there’s something there.” [Replies if any]
“Perhaps before we risk an international incident here and with everything else on our plate we can have Grey look into having the building and area checked out low key. Surely Chess or one of her allies has access to undercover agents in the area that can get us some photos and check the area for current activity.”
Grey grumbled, “Haven’t I had your back all this time, kid?”
Grey’s off-the-cuff remark actually hit home with Kirk more than he expected. He saw what amounted to a hurt expression on Kirk’s face, not at Grey, but rather at himself and Kirk replied, “Yes. Yes, you really have. And I hope you know how much I do appreciate it. Even if it goes unsaid most of the time. There is no way I’d be where I am today without all you’ve done for me… and for all of us.” And after all of Kirk’s tirade, at that moment, Grey remembered just how old Kirk really was and that he wasn’t dealing with another typical collateral agency supervisor … and why he did have his back.
Seeing his obvious dissatisfaction, Grey spoke to Sentinel privately. “Without tipping MEDUSA off to your telepathy, I can’t force an interview with their prisoners. They thoroughly answered all of your submitted, written questions.” [See last issue. Reply, if any?]
“I do understand. Thanks for trying here. I suppose after we get through things here perhaps Hal and I can pay a visit to Chess Castle to assuage some of our concerns and see just what is going through their minds and happening there. Do you think it would be possible to get access to the MEDUSA agency mission statement and what is available to other agencies? I’m not looking for top secret access here, but a bit beyond what I’m sure they’ll let me see now. I’d like to see the picture they are presenting to their sister agencies as to what they are...” Kirk said as thoughts from Sun Tzu came to his mind, “know your enemy”.
Sentinel and Zephyr were a couple. When Sentinel asked her if they should tell Hal and the rest of Vanguard, she replied, “Why not? We’re not doing anything wrong. Unless of course you’re ashamed of me!” she said jokingly. “Let’s tell everyone before the wedding.” [Reply, Sentinel?]
At that moment Kirk pulled Shelley close to him looking intensely into her beautiful eyes and said, “Ms Harper, let it be known that I consider myself the luckiest man alive and I’d be happy to shout it from the rooftops.” As he spoke those words Kirk was actually a bit startled by how strongly he felt them. “Let’s tell them all.”
Symbiote, Sentinel, Slingshot and Doc Rocket began to plan another expedition to the Digital Zone!!!
Menagerie asked to be included in the plans. Symbiote began designing an amazing exploration vehicle, but Slingshot expressed that it might be too ambitious an undertaking. [Replies? Resolve, please.]
Kirk agrees with Scott’s idea of trying to monitor and find out what has happened there and what is going on prior to entering the zone, if a way can be figured out.
“Your duty is to defend Nature, aye. But the manner of your death has shaped your focus. Distorted it. Because you died defending animals you think your duty is to defend the animal kingdom. But there is so much more to Nature than that. Open your mind, boy. What do you think Nature is and how we might best serve it?” [Reply, Menagerie?]
OOC: Jeff – you are too cool! Awesome!
Every seat in the monolithic, 133 year old, Neo-Gothic, Roman Catholic Cathedral was taken. Shelley went down the aisle first and everyone stood up and turned around to see the beautiful bride.
OOC: Tony, skip the next few paragraphs, it’s a loooove comic entry. You’ve been warned:
Through the walls, Kirk could ‘see’ Shelley as she waited to make her entrance. In the weeks since their becoming a couple and as his feelings toward her grew it was as if his energy sense had ‘locked on’ to her. Whenever she came within his range, he just knew. And here and now, well, the whole world was waiting for her walk. Although Kirk knew the exact moment he would see her and was ready, he was still unprepared. His heart skipped a beat. He swallowed hard. She was the most beautiful thing he had ever seen in his life. She took his breath away. As she walked down the aisle, Kirk couldn’t take his eyes off her. For Kirk, the room was silent. All of the flashes from cameras, the movement of onlookers, all of it, it was as if it wasn’t there. As she approached her eyes finally met his and she smiled. And he could feel himself smiling back. And the rest of the room began to move again.
OOC: Ok Tony. You can come back.
“Go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral immediately. Any of you that kills a member of Vanguard passes the audition and becomes a member of Homicide for Hire. Good luck.”
Kirk had never been so glad that Shelley was no longer a member of Vanguard. Kirk raised his communicator and began to speak, “Ajay its happening. Eyes in the sky ready. They are on their way. Let us and the Knights know what you pick up on aerial feed. Keep NYPD in the loop as necessary. Drake, you on this?”
OOC-IC: Since we all assumed something was going to happen, I’m assuming we had Ajay on the satellites monitoring things around the area. At this point he should be able to give advance notice of any villains flying in – perhaps on the ground too if they are obtrusive enough. I figure Drake would likely have been upper command who would have stayed at the base to coordinate once things hit. (certainly your choice to allow or veto, but it made sense to me given his background) He may even be able to determine identities if they are known felons but we don’t Vanguard doesn’t recognize them if we send photos via our communicators. We’ve got the NYPD around and on crowd control. I say the Knights have orders to assist with crowds and low-level villains using a hit and run strategy. We should have an advantage from what Strike relayed in that the villains didn’t know they were going to be sent so they really shouldn’t arrive en masse. At this point our strategy would be to intercept and take them out together as they arrive. Hopefully we get fortunate here and maybe we can get a number of lower level thugs taken out quickly which discourages a bigger attack (ie morale rolls for the villains – they arrive to see Vanguard and the Knights having already made quick work of their cohorts and turn and leave before becoming involved). Likely some of the ‘tougher’ guys will continue but perhaps the herds will be thinned before they even start. And hopefully as Vanguard engages their foes the Knights can take shots at some of the villains flying around the battle. One shot and they move on so they don’t become a target.
When Kirk first exits the church he will try to use his energy sense to look for extremes to pick out the possible villains if they are concealed – if any of them have a powerful energy source as their weapon, he should be able to pick them out of the crowd, etc. If any of that is unclear let me know to explain it, but that's how I see our best bet here as they start to arrive and the initial strategy.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: One more thing: We have the POTUS in attendance. This means that we need to alert the secret service.
If we expect an imminent threat to the area with regards to Vanguard, they may want to take the POTUS away from the church and the general area.
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
On the matter of Doctor X: At this point, with Doctor X messing around with the metagene (something Hal has come to feel almost proprietary about), Hal is more than willing to be part of any covert effort to find out what's going on at this mysterious bunker. Plus, Alex is suffering--this isn't something he wants to wait on. OOC: (Presumably any such efforts will at first be sidelined and then, perhaps, sped up when Clone walks into the Soviet embassy and "defects" in the near future).
On the matter of Mother Russia: "Mother, we just hired a publicity consultant--God help us--so maybe she can help you with some aspects of this. If you want to call her we'll give you a card, she left about a million lying around," Hal says. "I'm not much of a fashion designer, but as for a new name? How about Knockout?" he says, looking her over approvingly and remembering that Talon has removed himself from the playing field.
On the matter of the Digital Zone expedition: Hal agrees that it is perhaps prudent to wait until we have more information about current events in the Zone. He'll continue blueprint work on the craft, though, and he'll also design a few probes to launch into the zone, hopefully to get some telemetry about the current situation (and maybe catch site of Nemesis, Cosmonaut I, or whoever).
And then there's this:
Then Lightning Strike’s phone silently vibrated! It was the phone the “Killer with No Name” had been given from Homicide for Hire! Without looking at it, he used his powers to “read” the incoming text. It said:
“Go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral immediately. Any of you that kills a member of Vanguard passes the audition and becomes a member of Homicide for Hire. Good luck.”
When given the information by Lightning Strike, Hal begins to seethe. If Slingshot will allow it he'll ask that the ceremony be stopped for a moment, and that the team get into a huddle, of sorts.
"This is a two pronged attack, on both our lives and our reputations," Hal whispers. "Even if we win the fight, there's a good chance that innocent bystanders could be hurt or the cathedral could be damaged, and all the hard work we've put into good publicity could be instantly wiped out. I can just see the headlines in every paper that Silas Caine has a controlling interest in--'Metahumans Destroy Famed NY Landmark, Dozens Injured' or some such crap. Well, it Ain't. Gonna. Happen."
He turns to Slingshot. "Scott, enjoy your wedding. I'm sorry most of us aren't going to see it, but we'll all get drunk and watch the video later. When you're done saying your vows, excuse yourself and come out and join us," he continues.
"Kirk is right. We have to stop these imbeciles outside, before they get a chance to wreck everything, before most people--especially the paparazzi--know it's even happening. We've got to give them some targets to shoot at and we have to stop them before they put the slightest crack in even one pane of stained glass," Symbiote says.
While still whispering, his voice raises slightly. "And today, gentlemen--today we play full contact. "These @$#&%*!$ are coming here, to a house of peace, and trying to kill us and disrupt the wedding of two people we love. That gets them more than just the normal thumpin' and cuffin'. I'm not saying we fight back with lethal force, but my heart isn't going to break if the CHESS Castle infirmary is at full capacity tonight."
Assuming everybody is in agreement, Hal starts moving to the rear of the sanctuary. When he reaches the stairs to the bell tower he starts running up the flights. Dropping his tuxedo coat on one floor, his vest on another, his shirt on still another until his costume underneath is revealed. He reaches the roof, activates Talon's telemetry and launches himself into the air, swooping around the venerable church and the surrounding area, using Talon's enhanced vision to scan for possible enemies.
Alright, you bastards, he thinks to himself. Come get some.
Viva Vanguard (and let's kick some ass!)
Greg
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC: Wow, this must mean that I have been late for all 150 issues.
Anyway, Strike will of course let everyone know about the plan at the wedding. Thankfully, I have not read all of the e-mails so I can play in character.
Once the cell phone rings, Strike will let all of Vanguard know what is going on. Strike will also imbed a coded message to his counterpart, Strike Omega, to let him know that he can be part of this. The whole point of letting his counterpart know what is going on is to make sure that mistakes are not being redone. There are too many similarities that we can't be ignoring.
Strike will leave his uncle to the mercy of Vanguard.
Strike will go to the wedding in character of the silent assassin and hope that his counterpart wants to get everyone ready for giving up all they have,
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC:
Re: Loooove comic:
I've created a monster! :)
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
OOC: You will be tried by a jury of your peers for this someday, Jeff.
I haven't read the wedding of Reed and Sue Richards in years, but as I recall it was a total knockdown, drag out action fest. I confess, I'm kind of hoping this will be too.
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
Vanguard Animated Series
Clone gives his continued support to the idea of a Vanguard animated television series and then asks Felicity in a very sincere tone, “So . . . who is it that will be speaking for us in these television automation series? I am thinking maybe it is Michael Clarke Duncan that can be capturing of true essence of all that is me; you are agreeing in this, da?”
Doctor ‘X’
Confident that his friends will make the right decisions and ask the right questions, Clone watches on silently as Sentinel and Symbiote help him investigate his suspicions about the mysterious Doctor ‘X’.
( OOC: Clone wasn’t really sure how to proceed with investigating this matter so he is sitting back a bit and trying not to interfere with Sentinel and Symbiote as they make their inquiries )
Mother Russia
Symbiote arranged a meeting between Vanguard and Mother Russia, who was sad to hear that Talon had quit. Of Doctor X she said: “He was very mysterious, as Clone could tell you. Often absent for long periods of time. A brilliant mind. He can invent superheroes. Or should I say super powers.”
She also said, “I want a new costume and name to disassociate myself from my former homeland, but can’t decide what.”
Symbiote thought about her request for a moment and replied, "Mother, we just hired a publicity consultant--God help us--so maybe she can help you with some aspects of this. If you want to call her we'll give you a card, she left about a million lying around," Hal says. "I'm not much of a fashion designer, but as for a new name? How about Knockout?" he says, looking her over approvingly and remembering that Talon has removed himself from the playing field.
Clones eyes lit up in agreement as he burst out, ”Yes! That is being most amazing of names!” He then smiled at her, tapped her on the hand and reached for a pen and a piece of paper before he continued, ”I have been watching of many episodes of superheroic automated series of heroes and I am thinking I am knowing of a good costume design for you.” He then works feverishly on a design for a few minutes and as he presents it to her, he says, ”This is only quick sketch of course, but I am knowing that you are getting of my ideas.”
( OOC: see attached art for his costume suggestion )
Rachael Ray
As Nanite walks down the aisle Clone waves at her, smiles, and then leans back; out of sight of his date, and points to Rachael Ray as if to say,”Oh my God! Look who’s here - she actually came! WOO-HOO!” As Nanite smiled back at the ‘multiplying man of mirth’ with an expression of both shock and joy on her face, Clone whispered to her
( OOC: . . . err . . . not really sure where to go with this whole Rachael Ray thing lol. Hey Jeff, any chance you might be willing to give me a hand on this one? )
OOC:
Then Lightning Strike’s phone silently vibrated! It was the phone the “Killer with No Name” had been given from Homicide for Hire! Without looking at it, he used his powers to “read” the incoming text. It said:
“Go to St. Patrick’s Cathedral immediately.
Any of you that kills a member of Vanguard passes the audition and becomes a member of Homicide for Hire.
Good luck.”
If he actually has to kill one of us, I would imagine that Clone would be the most likely candidate since I’m sure that Strike knows that Clone can survive the death of one of his duplicates. Clone isn’t expecting any trouble at all and is completely consumed by the presence of Rachael Ray – he would probably be taken by complete surprise if someone attacked him.
Talk to you all soon,
- Kev
--------------------------------------------------
