Vanguard agreed
unanimously to next target the Artifact of Power that lay in the middle of the
Atlantic Ocean. They separated to make final preparations before they
disembarked in the Manta Craft.
Slate headed to the
basement, to the Quartermaster to requisition his equipment. Stace, the young agent that had helped him
before was working late, sitting before his computer inside the cage that
surrounded the storage area. “Hey Stace,
I need to get a few things,” Slate said smiling. His smile was short lived… Stace practically
snarled at him, “I’m not giving you anything.”
After an argument, Stace finally said,
“All right, all right. Come back, kid. I
can get you all this except the harpoon gun.
But this is really the last time.”
Slate turned back as Stace's face
softened, "I really didn't mean to get you in trouble," Slate said as
he walked back to gather the supplies he could still get. "I'll talk to my dad and see what we can
do regarding making things official after this mess is over."
Stace said, “Cool. By the way, do you think you could… explain
just how you work? I hear you’re a robot or something. I’m a gear head and all but you’re on a whole
other level.”
Slate tilted his head to the left
slightly looking at Stace, his large eyes reflecting the equipment around them…
“I haven’t thought about it in some time, I mean I believe I’m the product of
my parents, but I don’t really know what that means.
I’m not a robot, but I do have
mechanical parts. I’m not sure how much
you know about Vanguard and their adventures, but if you do a search on the
Digital Zone it might help you understand a little better. Basically, there is another dimension that is
connected to ours, but for me it’s more like a case of dual citizenship. I’m a creature of that Digital Dimension, but
I was born here. I hope that helps.
“We can talk more later, I have to
get back upstairs.”
Later…
Slate overheard Slingshot and Nanite through the door
of his parents’ apartment.
“Wait, tell me this again,” said
Nan as Scott packed. “I thought you were in some kind of industrial accident
that transformed you. How can your powers be “magical” in nature? And just when
did that “magic” take place? I mean, how old was that book with your picture in
it?”
Scott scratched his head in
confusion, "That's exactly it. I was at the job site and there was an
accident. I was doused in chemicals, several of which were tar based and the
cocktail somehow gave me my powers."
Scott continued with a shake of
the head. "Yeah, I know how it sounds. I always figured there was
something else, but I have to say that, for myself, this was the best thing
that ever happened to me. I was a superhero! I could do things! Amazing things!
I was recruited by CHESS?! On my first outing, I met you! If it hadn't been for
this, I wouldn't be here holding your hands.
"Some time ago, we figured
out that my body was completely and irrevocably changed and I was much closer
to a one-celled organism than I am a man. Now this news that my powers are
magical in origin, possibly Cthulhu-esque? I don't know what to say. Could it
be that it was magical in nature all this time? Or that accident triggered my
powers to save me from certain death? I can't say, although it sounds a more
likely scenario than a chemical exposure changed me into a one-celled
creature." Scott kept holding his wife's hands as if the physical touch
will reassure her more than his words.
"I'm still Scott. I love you
and Ethan. I love my job, although I could do without the doomsday
scenario." He said with a smirk. "I don't know how old is the book,
but it's not for the faint of heart. If you want I'll see if Ethan can pass it
on for you to research. I wasn't keeping this from you. We hadn't found anything conclusive and I
just didn't think there was anything to this information that was
serious."
Nanite tightened her grip on
Slingshot's hand. "And I love you." She tried to sort it all out,
thinking out loud: "But Scott, if your powers, your entire physical
makeup, was already in place before the accident... lying dormant and awakening
only to save you... then... have your origins been "magical" from the
beginning? I mean... that heinous book predates your birth."
Nanite was quiet for a moment.
Then: "Scott, I think you're going to have to call your father."
Scott looked at Nanite then nodded
pensively. "That's what I was thinking too." His demeanor showed
clearly that he was dreading it.
Symbiote found Doc
Rocket in the special projects room.
Symbiote had come to charge the Harper Harness. Doc was looking at the remains of the Janus
Chair.
“You know, of course,” said Doc,
“that your brilliant invention, the Janus Chair, gave us the artifact locations
at one moment in time. With each passing
hour, the likelihood increases that one or more artifacts will move… to
locations we haven’t yet divined. What then, my boy? What then?”
Hal turned to Doc Rocket with a
tired smile: "Doc, I honestly don't
know," he said. "That's one of
the many reasons I'm glad you're around.
An extra first rate brain to think of the things the rest of us may
overlook.
"The short answer--I don't
know. We're headed out to the
mid-Atlantic, which I think means we will encounter the Star Giant creature
that Vanguard encountered during their very first adventure. I get the idea that thing doesn't move around
too much,"
Hal continued. "After that? I guess we use the chair again, no matter
what."
Doc replied, “I’d best repair the
Chair then… I only hope the minds of Sentinel and Menagerie can withstand a
second use.”
Lightning Strike went
to his old quarters and used his superpowers and skills to retrieve what email
had come to all his various identities before the internet went down. There was
an anonymous message, sent to a secret account that Lightning Strike only used
to send from. It could only have come from one person: Lightning Strike Omega.
It read: “This world is done. I
don’t plan to live through another apocalypse. I’m leaving this dimension. Come
with me. Save yourself.”
Lightning Strike replied: “You
have little faith on how much we can change in this universe! Just because your Vanguard failed does not mean we will. You are a wild card in our world which means
you can change anything. Don’t give up
but hold out until everything looks as bleak as it can be. You have a chance to be the man you were
called to be. Don’t miss it for a second
time.”
By the time Strike had to report
to the Manta Craft hangar, there was no reply from Lightning Strike Omega.
Sentinel and Shelley
Harper said their goodbyes in Sentinel’s quarters. In an hour they would part again.
Shelley said, “I wish I could come
with you and help. But I know now the whole Zephyr thing was just some crazy
sibling rivalry that got out of hand.
I’m not cut out to be a superhero, like you… or Hal. But with the world
on the edge, when I feel like we’re about to lose everything, there’s been this
sudden realization that there’s something I want to be, more than anything
else. A mother. I want to bring life into this world, even in the face of
Armageddon. Kirk, let’s make a baby… right now. Cthulhu can go to hell.”
Her eyes were wet. “Because love
conquers all.”
Kirk took her cheeks softly into
his hands and looked deep into her beautiful eyes and felt he could happily be
lost there forever. Tenderly he said, "Shelley Harper, my Shell, my love
and my life, for you I would do anything; anything to make you happy and
complete. I know you would make an absolutely unbelievable mother, and there is
with no one else I would even consider starting a family with. And if this was
just about the two of us, I wouldn't hesitate. Not for a moment. But this goes
beyond us. This decision involves another life, the life of a child. Our child."
Shelley said, “Time? There is no
time, Kirk. The world could end in two days. This isn’t a spontaneous
whim. I know what I want. Read my mind.
Yes. Read it and see.”
Sentinel scanned Shelley’s thoughts:
“Kirk, you’re my soul mate. I’m completely committed to you. And us. It’s time.
I want to bring our intimacy to a new level… so you always know what I truly
feel and want. I want to share everything
with you always. Complete honesty, freely and without reservation. Will you do
the same?”
Sentinel’s answer was a kiss. Together,
the two of them permanently bonded their minds, their very souls, with a
telepathic intimacy beyond what other people could possibly share. They
committed to each other here and now, forsaking all others until parted by
death. They began to make love, cementing the bond forever.
(OOC: From now on, Sentinel and Shelley can read
each other’s thoughts, and communicate telepathically, at will within
Sentinel’s telepathy range.)
Avatar meditated in
his Spartan quarters before he set out once more to war. He drifted to sleep
and the eternal champion found himself in the familiar broken landscape that he
had come to learn was the City of Dead Gods. He was dreaming, and he dreamt
that he met Penumbra there. “Don’t look so surprised,” she said. “Of course I
survived our last encounter. Did you
ever doubt it?”
In her hand she held the iron mask
of the Dark Avatar.
“Cthulhu must be stopped,” she said.
“If I regained the powers of the Dark Avatar, I could stop him. I could save
the world. You know that to be true.
Will you help me, old friend?”
Avatar said, "And how would I
help you to do that, even if I thought it were true?" Avatar knew this was a trap of some sort but
he also knew that the enemy of one's enemy could be a friend...at least for a
time.
Penumbra replied softly, gently:
"By sacrificing your power to me."
Softer still, and slowly: "It
would be a noble sacrifice. One for which you shall be remembered for eternity,
as the savior of the world. You would become as myth, at long last; your
weariness and toil finally done."
She placed her small hand on
John's broad shoulder and looked up into his eyes.
"You will be the honored and
exalted god at the center of a new pantheon... that will last forever. The god
who willingly sacrificed his life, so that all men should live. No longer merely
an avatar of the gods... but a true god yourself. What better fate could be
hoped for, by one such as we?"
Avatar gazed into her eyes, a
smile playing at the corner of his mouth.
"Wouldn't that be grand?
Well...except the sacrificing my life part. While I'm up for that if I think the situation
might require it, I don't think that sacrificing my power to you is such a
situation. Why not sacrifice YOUR power
to me? Would you not want those same
honors?"
He placed his big hand over hers
and gently removed it from his shoulder. "Do you think me such a
fool? After the whole 'Dark Avatar'
thing, why would I think that you had anything but your own elevation in mind?"
Penumbra’s face lost all of its
sweetness. “Fool. Blind as ever. I should be the one because you lack
ruthlessness, guile and intellect. You have no understanding of what dire
threat we all face. Your ridiculous quest with those youngling heroes… you
waste precious time and energy. I’m our best chance. The world’s best chance.
Hopefully, before the end, you’ll realize that, and finally embrace your fate.”
Avatar opened his eyes. He was
still in his Spartan quarters. He rose from his meditation stance, gathered his
weapons and went to the Manta Craft hangar.
Menagerie met with his
spirit guide Archimedes to meditate. Afterwards,
the two observed Central Park from their skyscraper aerie. Central Park was
burning. Specifically, the grove of the
Lady of the Lake.
Menagerie wanted to rush into
action.
“Wait, boy,” commanded Archimedes
in his thick Scottish accent. “Ye’re about to embark on the next leg of yer
quest. THAT is yer destiny.”
Archimedes used his mystic vision
and observed the arsons of the sacred grove. “Baron Samedi… Jack Lantern… Le
Fou… The Fly. Nihilistic fools, all. They’ve come to dance at the end of the
world. Leave them to me.”
Menagerie stared at his friend. He
wanted to argue with Archimedes that this wouldn't interfere with his destiny.
He wanted to plead that he take Sgt. Stone and others with him to help. He
wanted to debate the odds and how 2 to 1 was better that 4 against 1. He wanted
to remind Archimedes that they were a team.
At the end of it Archimedes was
his mentor, his guide. This wasn't his destiny and the risk of injury was too
great. Menagerie didn't say anything. He simply nodded that he would obey.
As Archimedes flew away, Menagerie
unleashed an anguished howl of rage and frustration which could be heard all
across New York, especially in Central Park.
It was 3am. Vanguard was ready and they boarded the sleek black amphibious
vessel, the Manta Craft. At 50’ by 100’, it held them comfortably. Onboard were
pressurized suits and personal micro air canisters in case of emergency. There were wrist radios for everyone as CHESS
satellites were still down. The radios
had a radius of one mile.
CHESS Rook Larry Manetti would
pilot for Vanguard as he had during the CHESS Castle jailbreak, and for the
Freedom Force before. He introduced his copilot, CHESS Rook Danielle Ortiz. The
30-something woman looked up from her systems check in the cockpit to nod hello.
VROOOOOOOOM! The Manta Craft
rocketed out of the hangar bay on the 85th floor of the Empire State
Building and started climbing up hard. Vanguard saw the city was blacked out
and dotted with burning fires and then the city disappeared as they climbed
through the clouds.
In Vanguard Vault, moments after
the Manta Craft took off for the middle of the Atlantic, a Clone peered out of his quarters. Careful to avoid detection, he
stealthily made his way across Vanguard Vault.
He skillfully chose a path that
would let him pass unseen by all, even the Vault’s surveillance cameras.
Clone finally stopped
at the door to Mystic’s temporary quarters. He knocked softly.
A voice replied, “Come in. I’ve
been expecting you.”
Clone entered the room where the
powerful mage took his rest. Mystic was in the lotus position, levitating a few
feet off the floor. “Yes?”
Clone looked at him confidently and
said, "I won't try to dazzle you with some convoluted tale, or insult you
with a complex lie . . . because I would imagine you already know why I'm
here."
“Go on,” said Mystic.
The look on Clone’s faced changed
slightly and with a strong sense of urgency in his voice he said, "You and
I both know that at our current rate of recovery, not to mention the fact that
there are other groups out there competing against us, Vanguard may not be able
to accomplish the task at hand in the amount of time we have remaining.”
“Yes,” said Mystic.
Clone continued. “I think we both
know that it’s time we stopped playing it safe and started thinking a bit more
proactively . . ." The look in Clone's eyes suddenly got a bit darker as
he concluded his thought, ". . . I think it’s time we send me back to
Moscow.”
Mystic said nothing for a moment,
as if contemplating. Then, “If that’s what you wish.”
“NO!” shouted a woman’s voice.
Both men turned and saw Oracle standing in the doorway to Mystic’s chambers.
“It’s suicide. Clone alone against Doctor X and the Soviet Super Soldiers!”
Mystic replied, “It’s his choice.
If he succeeds, our cause stands much to gain. If he fails, we lose little.”
“A risk-reward analysis?!” snapped
Oracle. “I’m talking about a man’s life!”
“And I’m talking about every life on Earth,”
said Mystic. “The hour is late. None of our options are desirable now.”
Mystic returned his attention to
Clone. “With Vanguard flying to the next artifact, I am fully rested and can
cast a gate spell right now. Where, specifically in Moscow, would you like to
go?”
Oracle pleaded, “Clone, don’t do
it!”
[Reply Clone?]
Meanwhile:
Four hours later, the Manta Craft was beginning its
descent over the Atlantic, and Slate woke up Vanguard.
“Strap in!” Ortiz called as the
jet descended through the whirling thunderstorm.
KRAKA-BOOM!! Lightning exploded off the starboard side.
The Manta Craft lurched violently. Sirens blared from the cockpit.
“We’ve been hit!” said Manetti.
“Damn it,” said Ortiz. “Lost an engine!”
Menagerie and Sentinel could
suddenly detect the energy signature of next Artifact of Power! They were
plummeting straight towards it!
“Pull up! PULL UP!”
“Something won’t LET IT!”
VRASHHHH!
Light flared through the cabin,
longer than a lightning flash and without the sound of thunder.
Manetti started pulling the Manta
Craft out of the dive and began to straighten her out.
“Can’t keep her up! I’ll put her
down in the water! Brace for impact!’
SPWOOOOSHHH!!!!! The Manta Craft crashed across the surface of the ocean a
few times before its momentum finally gave out. The craft settled atop the
ocean waves and rocked like a boat.
Manetti said a silent prayer. Then he opened the hatches.
Vanguard and the pilots climbed up
out the hatches and stood on the wings of the craft as it floated atop the calm
waves. Something was wrong. The storm had lessened in strength. No rain or
lightning, just cloud cover. The sky was lighter. It should be noon, but it
appeared to be afternoon. And it was too warm for the season.
“What the…” Manetti said, looking
at the sky.
“Engine’s gone,” Ortiz confirmed
as she crouched near its smoking remains. “We’re dead in the water.”
Manetti reentered the cockpit. “Satellite’s
still down. No GPS. Nothing.”
Slate glanced as his watch.
8am on the east coast. Two days and 14 hours until the end of the world.
Menagerie and Sentinel
could still detect the Artifact of Power. It was somewhere below them. How far,
neither knew. It was beyond the ranges of their senses (120 feet for Sentinel,
550 feet for Menagerie). They could only detect direction now, not range.
“Radar’s picking something up,”
reported Manetti from below. “From the
east. Something big. Slow. A few miles out. “And three little bogeys
from the same direction. Coming faster.
Coming our way.”
Ortiz stood up and looked at
Vanguard, “What should we do?”
Slingshot looked
at Menagerie and Sentinel: "Are you saying that the artifact is directly
below us or from the east where these,” pointing at the radar screens, “are
coming from?"
Menagerie and
Sentinel confirmed that the artifact was directly below them.
Slingshot asked,
"How long do we have before the bogeys get here?"
Slate calculated:
"The three small ones could be here in 30 seconds if they hold their course
and speed. The large one might be here in 5 minutes."
Slingshot asked,
“What are all the weapons on board? Can they be used?”
Manetti replied,
hurriedly, “The Manta Craft has torpedoes and air to air missiles. They're
mounted under the "wings." So, dead in the water as she is, the
missiles can't be used. Ortiz and I have
been trained in the ship's weapons. We also have CHESS-issue sidearms, and the
ship has a flare gun.”
Slingshot noted
that both Manetti and Ortiz were wearing wetsuits. They had suited up before
the ship's final approach. “Are you okay with coming with us?”
Manetti glanced
at Ortiz. She replied, “Given the
alternative, yes.”
Sentinel asked,
"Does the Mantacraft have any self destruct sequence that could be
activated remotely or directly if needed? What is CHESS protocol on this?”
Manetti nodded. “Yes,
directly. Protocol is we can’t let the Manta Craft fall into enemy hands.”
Sentinel said,
“Slate can you help me get the self-destruct to activate remotely?”
Slate replied, “Yes
but are we certain these are enemies? I'd say leave the Manta Craft set to blow
if it's molested, which is probably the intent of the self destruct.”
Sentinel said,
“I’m fine having the ship set that way if it can follow CHESS protocols
regarding having it fall into enemy hands, and then use the remote
self-destruct only if prudent to assist our situation.”
Lightning Strike
spat, “Is Vanguard debating protocol while the world is ending? You guys should be playing violin on the
Titanic!”
Sentinel ignored
his partner and said, “I say we rig the self destruct, keep together, and all
dive for the artifact. The three
smaller, faster bogeys will undoubtedly follow us below and I get the feeling
we are going to want to do all we can to get the object and teleport out before
the large bogey arrives.”
Lightning Strike said,
“I disagree. You’ll never make it.
They’re coming too fast. I’m
going to modify the radar and communications systems of the Manta Craft, and
transmit myself on a carrier wave to the large bogey. Hopefully I can cause a diversion that buys
the rest of you time to escape.” Even as
he spoke, Lightning Strike rapidly set to work on his jury-rigged invention!
Symbiote
activated Inhuman’s template in the Harper Harness! [OOC: costing one charge
and activating the following superpowers:
1)
Animal/Plant Powers: Fish (add 4 to Endurance, subtract 4 from Agility)
a)
Water Breathing B: When underwater, Inhuman’s Power Points remain at full at all
times. Out of water, Inhuman cannot heal Hit Points or Power Points. After
Charisma hours out of the water, Inhuman acts as if Fatigued.
b)
Heightened Senses:
-Underwater
Sonar giving a bonus to Detect Hidden and Danger of x3%
-Nictitating
Membranes that halve all chances of eye damage or blindness
-Ambivalent
Electro-sense enables him to detect living creatures in the water up to 1 mile
away.
c)
Special: Aquatic Communication: Inhuman may speak with any amphibious, aquatic
or semi-aquatic life form. This
communication ability also gives him the ability to generate, in himself and in
those life forms he leads, Charisma+ defense regardless of the respective
Charismas involved.
2)
Hydro-kinesis: This is not the ability to create water. This is the ability to
move water without touching it.
Symbiote
can manipulate water by expending one action and one Power Point, and making a
successful roll to hit to gain control over the desired volume of water. Gaining
control of water costs an action, manipulating the water thereafter only takes
movement and the Hydro-kinetic capacity is reduced by the amount of water
controlled. The speed with which these
water ‘creations’ can be moved equals the remaining amount of Hydro-kinetic
capacity divided by 10, rounded up, in inches per turn.
Symbiote’s
"Hydro-kinetic Capacity" equals Int x Level x 50 lbs ( 9,800 lbs.). This is the maximum weight of
water that can be moved at once. As one gallon of water weighs 8.5 lbs., he can
move ~1153 gallons.
Used
as an attack, Symbiote can project waves of controlled water at a range of
Agility x 2. Damage is based upon the number of pounds employed (not expended)
in the hydro manipulation, as a Brawling Weapon. This may be less than the
character’s maximum if the hydro-kinetic capacity is being employed in other
activities. PR = 1 per shot, and attacks
as Hand to Hand on the combat table.
Used
as a defense, Hydro-kinesis utilizes the Ice Powers defense table, takes one
action and one PR to set up, with one PR per attack repulsed thereafter. This
takes up 100 lbs. of Hydro-capacity or the weight of the attacker/weapon,
whichever is greater, to form the water wall or shield.
Weaknesses:
1)
Low Self Control: Transformation: Carl is in the middle of an uncontrolled,
unwanted transformation. The number of years the transformation will require
and its end result are unknown to Carl. In addition to the physical
ramifications of this, there are several psychological ones as well, including
dread self-loathing, depression and social isolation.
2)
Unusual appearance: Can’t pass for human easily. No secret identity possible.
-1 to all reactions
3)
Special Requirement: Water. See Water Breathing B, above.]
Menagerie leapt over
the water and transformed into a Hammerhead shark! He thought-sent to the
others, "Let’s get the artifact as quick as possible. We can teleport out,
taking our CHESS friends with us."
[OOC: Menagerie Hammerhead Shark
stats are:
Weight: 600 lbs.
Agility: 11
Ferocity: 22
Hit Points: 14
Power Points: 66
Accuracy: +1
Damage: 2d8
Swimming: 127” per turn
Powers:
-Heightened Senses: can detect
living things, or blood, in the water at a range of 1 mile.
-Waterbreathing B: (see above for
description)
-Speed Bonus: +75” swimming]
-Special Requirement: Water. Out
of water, acts as if “drowning.”
Slingshot stretched
his pliable form into a manta-like shape to make himself as aqua-dynamic as
possible.
Slate looked around,
he'd never seen so much water, and it was almost overwhelming. He took off his gauntlet putting his hand in
the water... the temperature was 65 degrees Fahrenheit, warmer than he had
expected with the storms, and as he pulled his hand out, he licked his fingers,
fascinated by the saline content. He
pulled on his glove, the body suit he wore had no helmet, Slate didn't really
need the swimsuit, but thought it looked cool.
He turned back to the team, to see what the plan was, as Menagerie
jumped into the water becoming a Hammerhead as he hit the water. Slate watched in awe as he circled the craft...
now that was cool. Slate thought to Menagerie, "well, things didn't work
out so well last time, care to try again?"
Slate would attempt to piggy back
on Menagerie. He'd stick with the group
as much as possible, watching them and trying to learn to swim, but his skills
would be basic at best, as he's never really been in water, but he had no fear
of it.
Avatar manifested the
awesome powers of Poseidon! (Water Breathing B (see above) and Swimming skill)
Clone, since he has no
long range attacks and it looks like the team is about to abandon ship, would
simply don his deep sea diving suit and say in coy yet questioning manner,
"Let’s get wet?"
Sentinel had
re-programming the Manta Craft’s self destruct.
It could work remotely now, at a range of one mile. And if anyone
attempted to tamper with it, it would self destruct. (OOC: Cost one Luck Point for the one shot
invention)
He marveled at how well the team
quickly adapted to the situation; Avatar manifesting the powers of Poseidon,
Symbiote replicating Inhuman's powers, Menagerie transforming into a sea
creature.
Kirk manifested his energy shields
and hovered down into the water.
Lightning Strike
finished jury-rigging the communications dish.
“Here goes nothing,” he said as he aimed its transmission at the large
bogey. SHA-KOW! Lightning Strike transformed into living
electricity and was gone! (OOC: Cost one
Luck Point for the one shot invention.
See private email to follow.)
The rest of Vanguard
hit the water and prepared to dive!
[OOC: fyi, for those of you
that are interested in the rules, I’m mostly using Monkey House Games’ V&V
Rules for Underwater Combat and Movement. If you’re not interested in rules,
just jump down past this OOC aside. Thanks!
Breathing:
Characters without a method of breathing underwater can hold their
breath for Endurance turns (ie: Endurance x 15 seconds) at a Power Point cost
of 1 per turn.
If they are surprised at the sudden loss of their breathing
method, they must save vs. Endurance on d100, or have their breathing time
reduced to Endurance phases (ie: approximately Endurance seconds)
Once a character is out of air, they pass out and must save vs.
Endurance on d100 every turn or die.
Characters with Willpower A may double their Endurance score for
the purposes of these Breathing rules only.
Movement:
Swimming in “calm” waters costs 6 Power Points per hour for
humans, and characters must save vs. Current Power Points on d100 every hour,
or be forced to stop until Power Points are fully healed.
If a character has the skill Swimming and successfully makes a
skill roll, then their chance at this save is doubled.
If a character is swimming while carrying anything (armor, gear,
weapons, other characters), his d100 save is reduced by the proportionate
reduction of his Carry Capacity. (ie: If you are carrying something that weighs
10% of your carrying capacity, your save is reduced by 10%).
Swimming speed for humans in “calm” water is 50% normal movement
rate (including flying), with these exceptions:
a)
Wings
are useless underwater, unless amphibious in nature.
b)
Characters
with Water Breathing, Adaptation or Non-Corporealness move at 100% their move
rate.
c)
Characters
with Life Support may move at 75% their normal movement rate.
d)
Vibratory
Powers treat water as having a Structural Rating of 2 for movement.
e)
Characters
with Robotic Body, or who are otherwise too heavily encumbered to swim and
unable to fly, will “fall” until they reach the bottom. There they can walk, at
33% normal movement rate.
Menagerie, in Hammerhead form, is immune to all these modifiers.
Slingshot, in manta shape, can move at 75% his movement rate, I
will rule.
So, here is
Vanguard’s water speed:
Avatar
(with Water breathing): 64” per turn
(14.5 MPH)
Clone:
26” per turn ( 6 MPH)
Lightning
Strike: 29” per turn ( 6.5 MPH)
Menagerie
Hammerhead: 127” per turn (29 MPH)
Sentinel
(in construct bubble): 124” per turn (28
MPH)
Slate:
41” per turn (9 MPH)
Slingshot
(in manta shape): 57” per turn (13 MPH)
Symbiote
(with Inhuman’s powers): 55” per turn
(12.5 MPH)
Combat:
Emotion Control, Force Fields, Hand to Hand without weapons,
Telekinetic Blasts, Mind Control, Paralysis Ray, Devitalization Ray, Magnetic
Power and Transmutation may all be used underwater as per normal.
Disintegration Ray, Light Control and Power Blast lose one point
of damage per game inch ( ie: per 5 feet) of water between user and target. So will
Ice Power, as it leaves a trail of ice 1" ( 5 feet) thick between attacker
and target. A victim immobilized by ice will float to the surface at half
falling speed. Ice Creations have double creation points when underwater.
Flame Power is utterly unusable.
Lightning Control generates ball lightning, radius = Endurance/2”,
with a chance to hit all within range.
Sonic Abilities may be used as normal, with twice normal range.
Hand to Hand:
Melee weapons and stabbing weapons (Knives, Spears, Tridents) have
no further modifications.
Swords and axes are -2 to hit.
Clubs are -4 to hit and do half normal damage.
Muscle-powered ranged weapons (spears, knives and variants) do
normal damage, but their range is halved.
Normal tech ranged weapons are unusable. Except spear guns, which
act as crossbows.
Explosives may function normally, depending on design.
Brawling Weapons receive To Hit and Damage at two levels weaker
than normal. Range is quartered. Velocity damage is halved.
All defense forms operate normally except Disintegration Ray,
Power Blast and Flame Powers which are affected as noted above.
Thanks!
/OOC]
Vanguard descended
into the cold ocean depths. It was
immediately apparent that their best speed would be made within Sentinel’s
energy constructs.
Sentinel engulfed
everyone, save Menagerie, within an energy sphere that had a breathable
atmosphere. With the large hammerhead swimming beside it, the sphere “flew”
downward into the bottomless fathoms of the Atlantic Ocean.
Eventually, the sky’s light failed
and they continued down through the darkness with flashlights and the glow of
Sentinel’s energy construct as their only illumination.
Following the direction of the
artifact’s aura, Vanguard descended.
Menagerie’s shark sense detected
life forms below. Lots of them! A thin trail of bubbles rose past.
Then they saw it. A dark silhouette beneath them. Its size was hard to gauge. Its shape
resembled a submarine. Sentinel (and his History skill) saw that it shared some
similarities with a WW II era German U-boat.
Surrounding the sub were the life
forms Menagerie had detected: dozens and dozens of hammerhead sharks!
Menagerie and Sentinel detected
the artifact of power within the submarine! It had the familiar energy
signature of the Ring of Eon!
A school of hammerhead moved to
suddenly reveal, emblazoned on the hull of the sub, a swastika! And entwined in its twisted limbs, the symbol
of SKULL!
Moments earlier…
SHAKOW!! Lightning
Strike’s atoms rematerialized instantaneously, five miles away! The
electric avenger was standing on the edge of the flight deck of a gigantic
aircraft carrier! It was 1000 feet by 100 feet
(OOC: 200” x 20” gamewise.
Strike’s position is marked by the red circle on the right hand side of the
map).
Strike looked up and saw,
emblazoned on the highest tower, a swastika!
And entwined in its twisted limbs like a lover’s embrace was the symbol
of SKULL! The deck had men crawling all
over it like worker ants. They were
dressed in the uniform of Nazi SKULL soldiers, circa WWII!
That was all Strike could take in
because an experimental jet was hurtling down the runway directly at him,
preparing for takeoff! The engines were deafening. Strike could see the white
of the surprised pilot’s eyes. There was no way the pilot would be able to
swerve in time to avoid impact with the high voltage vigilante!
To be continued!
OOC: Actions please?
Best,
Jeff
----------------------------
Current Conditions:
Avatar: Hit Points: 49, Power Points:
71, Manifestation: Poseidon! Water Breathing B and Swimming skill
Clone: Bodies: 2, Hit Points: 11,
Power Points: 67, Hit Point Pool: 22
Lightning Strike: Hit Points: 39,
Power Points: 76
Menagerie: Hit Points: 14, Power
Points: 64, Form: Hammerhead Shark
Sentinel: Hit Points: 21, Power
Points: 61, Creation Points: 122, Shields: 100
Slate: Hit Points: 31, Power
Points: 73
Slingshot: Hit Points: 79, Power
Points: 92, Invulnerability: 8
Symbiote: Hit Points: 37, Power
Points: 82, Charges: 12, Activated: Inhuman, Endurance: 26, Agility: 14
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Awesome issue! The return of Skull!! Amazing!!
Menagerie will talk with the Sharks. He will try to learn 4
things.
1) Are they being controlled by Skull and if yes, how
2) Are there any other 'metal fish' like this one around
3) Is the Star Giant nearby
4) Will the sharks join us in attacking the 'metal fish'
Menagerie will use his heightened senses to scan for all living
things within a 1 mile radius, Willing to spend a luck point to find a Sperm
Whale that can get here next turn that would join the fight with Vanguard. :)
Via Predator Kingdom
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Thanks Tom!
IC:
The largest Hammerhead replied:
"Our master, U-Man, told us to stay near the big metal fish."
They've seen no other metal fish.
They did not recognize the description of the Star Giant. They will not attack
the metal fish with Vanguard. Their orders are to stay near it.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: Hi all.
Jeff. I was actually already thinking about the
Uberman (Nazi symbol on sub) and was going to warn Vanguard and was going to
try to look up the old issue to find out the status of them at the end of our
last encounter (first mission). Also
what we know the ring of Eon does.
Do you want to provide a refresher
to us all or leave it to us to look it up.
FYI, at this point I'm for ramming
speed into the area we know the artifact to be located and breaching the hull
in several areas to cause whoever is inside to be busy either trying to save or
abandon the ship. We grab the artifact
while they are busy and go! Does knowing
the Uberman are involved give us a better clue on the possible objects at the
surface coming towards us?
Kirk-Shelley: Wow! I'm very afraid about what you have planned
on that end... will make for some interested role playing assuming we survive
the end of the world intact.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Hi Seth,
I can do it. :-)
The Ubermen! Nazi
supervillains of WW2!
Dr. Swastika: The mad Nazi scientist with a heart as
twisted as his name!
Blitzkreig: The lightning warrior!
Panzer: The human tank!
The Aryan: The perfect man, except for his soul!
Baroness Von Zero: Ice flows
through her royal veins!
U-Man: The human torpedo!
Vanguard faced them in their first
mission, onboard the Star Giant "ship." It was unknown how most of
the Uber-Men were perfectly preserved after 70 years.
Blitzkreig wasn't there, having
died in captivity in 1947 of old age,
due to his hyperactive metabolism.
Swastika's head was all that
remained of him, in a life support tank.
He kept a "body farm" of subjects that he could somehow place
his consciousness into. After "possessing" Director Grey and
launching nuclear weapons in a bid to trigger armageddeon, Swastika's
consciousness escaped.
The Aryan murdered U-Man before
Vanguard's eyes.
Panzer, Aryan and Von Zero were
last seen unconscious in the Star Giant's control room as it flooded with sea
water.
SKULL!
SKULL is a worldwide subversive
terrorist organization dedicated to global domination. It is the most
extensive, powerful, and dangerous such organization in history. They are
steeped in mysticism and have access to rare technology and considerable
wealth. Their legions are fanatically loyal. No SKULL agent has ever been
captured alive.
The origin of SKULL is still
shrouded in mystery! Some can date it back to the Knights Templar. In fact, it
may refer to the mystical skull that the knighthood were accused of
worshipping, before their order was declared heretical, and destroyed. SKULL,
and the Knights, has also been linked to John Dee (the court sorcerer for Queen
Elizabeth I), Adam Weisthaupt (the founder of the Bavarian Illuminati), the
Thule Society (the occultic order that inspired Nazi mysticism), and even the
Freemasons. (The skull and crossbones was originally a Templar symbol,
appearing on their tombstones. It alluded to Gol'gotha - "the place of the
skull" - and the cross - where Jesus Christ died. The symbol meant
resurrection to the Knights Templar. It later become synonymous with piracy
after the Knights were outlawed for sorcery and blasphemy, and turned to piracy
and banditry as their only means.)
The Ring of Eon:
Eon is the evil, time-controlling,
galactic celestial who led the alien invasion of Earth, ending the second age
of superheroes. The Freedom Force (the 1980's pre-eminent superhero team)
stopped the invasion and went missing. Vanguard found the Freedom Force member
Nemesis who had been lost in time. They
also encountered Dr. Change, the shapeshifting scientist supervillain who was
the archenemy of the Freedom Force. Apparently, Change had been present at the
final altercation between Vanguard and Eon, for the sole purpose of acquiring
the Ring, the source of Eon's incredible temporal powers. Change succeeded in his
mission but the ring lay dormant as Change was trapped in Limbo for so long, he
forgot his true identity. Vanguard last saw Dr. Change and the Ring of Eon (in
Issue 145) when the ring awoke and Vanguard temporarily controlled it,
transporting it and Change back to Limbo.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: Dr Change - shape shifting scientist supervillain?
Awfully similar to a Vanguard member - just saying. I know we met him before,
but I'm only drawing the similarity now.
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC:
Tom:
Re: Luck point for a passing Sperm
Whale:
I had an idea that could save you
a Luck Point. :-)
Menagerie can transform into any
of Earth's wild predators, including extinct ones like Terrordactyls.
How about Megalodon or Leviathan?
http://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/top-tens/top-ten-marine-predators.html
Best
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: thought about changing too. That would keep me
from attacking next turn.
If that is okay with the rest of
the team, then Menagerie will turn into a C. Megalodon.
Thanks
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Slate:
Pre-episode discussion with
Quartermaster Stace:
IC: Slate tilted his head to the
left slightly looking at Stace, his large eyes reflecting the equipment around
them… “ I haven’t thought about it in some time, I mean I believe I’m the
product of my parents, but I don’t really know what that means.
I’m not a robot, but I do have
mechanical parts. I’m not sure how much
you know about Vanguard and their adventures, but if you do a search on the
Digital Zone it might help you understand a little better. Basically, there is another dimension that is
connected to ours, but for me it’s more like a case of dual citizenship. I’m a creature of that Digital Dimension, but
I was born here. I hope that helps.
We can talk more later, I have to
get back upstairs.
Present:
As the group sees the gigantic sub
below, and begins to discuss tactics, “I could probably open some holes in it’s
hull, might force them to surface,” Slate offers. “Especially if we did it close to the engine
room.”
Jon
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
Menagerie changes into a C
Megalodon and prepares to attack the sub from underneath like it namesake
attacks Whales.
Thanks
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: There are two options with
the sub here. Go in through the door or pound it dead. Scott would like to make
sure we don't leave them to die once we get into the sub to retrieve the item.
Depending on the team's decisions,
since I'm next to last to move, I'll either defend against the hammerheads if
they attack or help get into the sub. Here's a couple of options:
1) defend against the hammer heads
- USe my grapple attack if appropriate. I know that sharks need to move to
breathe.. so I might entangle a few of them. immobilize them and see if that
will scare them into leaving.
2) Open the boat to gain access to
the insde- my method: straight ripping off of the hatch.
3) both are handled? the u-boat is
leaving? Destroy the propulsion system of the sub (crush the propeller)
Stephane
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC:
Hi everyone.
More stuff to do this morning than
originally thought so here are my suggestions for proceeding as I don't want to
hold up the issue... no time for dialogue and/or proof reading.
At this point the sub is basically
a mobile terrorist attack unit/base of ops, Kirk sees no reason to leave it
functioning and every reason to make it uninhabitable. I say we use forcing them to abandon the sub
as a means to prevent all or most of them from interfering with our mission to
obtain the Ring of Eon.
At this point perhaps Menagerie
can ask the sharks if they intend to protect the sub or interfere with our
approach. I'd assume 'yes' at this point
and have Vanguard all approach together at once so if some of us have to stop
to run interference for the others we can do so and the others can make it
through to the sub and hopefully breach it this turn (ie Kirk could use his
shields to repel he sharks as we move and block their approach or prevent them
from attacking Vanguard)
Kirk will use his energy sense
both to locate the Ring and tell the team (and assume Menagerie will do so too)
along with determining if other big energy signatures (that should give us the
location of the engine room). Don't want
to waste time moving through the interior of the sub to the ring so that is the
primary breach point - perhaps that is the area where Slate can evaporate the
hull and gain us entrance or one of the rest of us that make it can smash
through the hull.
Kirk would ask Slingshot to use
his architectural skill let us know best other areas to breach the sub hull
where it would cause the most disabling damage-water entry bang for the
buck. And perhaps, if it seems that it
would work game-wise and if he desires Menagerie can use the C. megalodon
attack method to swim down and
then upward like a torpedo at the underbelly of a whale on the underbelly of
the sub...
I don't remember U-Man being
killed so thanks for the reminder and seeing the sharks around makes me think
he or someone that can control the fish is here. My guess is now that the U-Man were cloned so
as to remain young and preserved and that he is back will be attacking us from
the oceans pretty quickly. I sort of
remember him doing that in the first adventure.
If he or another similar Sea King ends up in direct conflict with Kirk
and if it were possible I'd think the best approach would be going for the fish
out of water ploy and if he grabs Kirk to just shoot up out of the water and
into the sky taking him out of his element (assuming we know he can't fly and
that certainly is something Kirk would know both from his superhero lore
knowledge and Lancaster directly). None
of that may come into play because I could be wrong and even if I'm right he
might not target Kirk or we may be too deep already beneath the waters but that
was an idea I had if the scenario comes up (anyone else feel free to use it if
desired and in contact with him)
So overall plan is go directly for
the ring and grab it and use breaching the hull as a means to cripple and
occupy the enemy so they stay out of our way.
If I missed anything else let me
know. And naturally these are all Kirk's
suggestions with the understanding that everyone controls their own characters
actions. If anyone else has something
better to retrieve the Ring Kirk is certainly open to it but this would be the
best method to get us many of us to the sub and at the ring as possible with
the known facts thus far from what I can come up with... definitely open to all
suggestions to improve on the plan or point out problems.
Best,
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: Re: U-man being dead -
there's always Inhuman. He didn't leave in the best of circumstances, but we
will see.
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
The Atlantic:
Clones listened closely to the
team as they begin to make suggestions as to how to best tackle the sub and
started taking mental notes as to everyone’s overall objective. With a sharp
clearing of his throat, the Duplicating Dynamo offered up another suggestion to
the group, “What if Sentinel simply formed a Force Field either under or around
the sub, purged the water from inside of it, and than guided the sub to the
surface with his makeshift lift-bags?” His tone than changed slightly as he
raised an eyebrow and said matter-of-factly, “On the other hand; if we did do
that, he would have to manage the assent carefully . . . raising the ship too
quickly could kill or permanently maim the crew inside.” A twisted look quickly
washed over his face as he continued, “ . . . “The Bends” can be a real bitch.”
The Vault:
Mystic returned his attention to
Clone. “With Vanguard flying to the next artifact, I am fully rested and can
cast a gate spell right now. Where, specifically in Moscow, would you like to
go?”
Oracle pleaded, “Clone, don’t do
it!”
Clone looked at Oracle with a
gentle look of understanding in his eyes as he responded, “I appreciate the
concern Oracle; but as Mystic has already explained, the world is at stake here
. . . my life is meaningless in the grand scheme of things.” Thoughts of his
dear sweet Rachael than ran through his head and he thought to himself, “If by
some miracle I survive all of this, I’m gonna somehow make things right with
her.”
With a devilish grin on his face,
Clone continued, “Besides, who says I have to go alone? If we could somehow
‘procure’ me some body armour and assault weapons . . . we could send an army
through that gate.”
( OOC: If Oracle and Mystic can
somehow hook Clone up with some body armour and assault weapons; depending upon
the quantity, he would be willing to form up to 10 duplicates. If they can’t,
than he’ll simply go in ‘solo’ and rely on his ‘super secret ninja skills’ to
keep him in one piece. Regardless of the outcome . . . )
Clone than turns to Mystic; and
with the wink of an eye, says in a determined tone, “Next stop . . . Moscow.”
( OOC: Jeff, based on his jumbled
memories of the SSS and their base, all of the research he has done on the SSS
and their base, and his best guess-timations on the location of the SSS and
their base – Clone will give Mystic the most exact location/coordinates he can.
Hopefully he’ll be abel to give him something that will get him inside their
base – I’ll use a Luck Point if need be. )
Talk to you all soon,
-Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC: OK, this is from memory as my
PC is totally dead and I am writing from work.
If I remember correctly Lightning Strike materialized on the deck of an
aircraft carrier with a plane bearing down.
The logical move would be to get
out of the way and go down into the bowels of the aircraft carrier but the hell
with logic. Strike will attempt to blast
the plane so that it vears toward the control tower of the carrier doing as
much damage to their aerial support.
Sorry for the delay,
Tony
--------------------------------------------------
Avatar:
Avatar will grab on to the Meg and
"ride" to the vicinity of the sub.
If the sub is disabled, there will most likely be enemies coming OUT of
the vehicle and he'll be there to deal with them. Swimming and Water Breathing already
activated. Using a spear.
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
Symbiote says "let me try
something..."
He then uses Inhuman's ability to
communicate with aquatic animals to send one simple message to the surrounding
hammerheads. "Leave, for your own
safety. It's bad here, you could get
hurt. Swim far away, now!"
Keeping it short and simple, hoping
they'll understand and respond. If that
doesn't work (presumably on his next move), Symbiote will use the hydrokinesis
power to create a watery vortex in the center of the cluster of sharks,
hopefully convincing them that yeah, they REALLY need to leave.
Viva Vanguard,
Greg
--------------------------------------------------
