The New Vanguard! Lionheart Issue #5 - The Mission, Part 3

The mansion was in 'lock down' Lionheart figured as soon as he skidded to a halt in front of the mansion.

Jethro the butler appeared almost instantly.

"Ah, Master Lionheart. I regret to inform that there has been an... incident..."

Lionheart looked around to see dozens of other 'Jethros' clearing up debris and digging up soil in the ground to smooth over craters and potholes. Jethro went on to explain... "Wandafar was investigating the 'dust' you brought back when it appeared to react to some outside stimulus and the mansion was attacked by swarms of soldiers. the automated defences took some down, but their goal was no outright destruction, rather to seize on a target and shrink down with that target. Why, I cannot ascertain, but there are no living beings currently residing within the mansions walls, unfortunately. What made it more complex was the presence of another group that opposed the first, but also taking the opportunity to kidnap the team, who were taken by surprise."

"Some of them were able to put up a fight, but alas only a touch was required by these attackers to abscond with the team."

Lionheart looked at the mansion and stifled a curse. If he'd been here...

"Master Frostbite was working on a case with the UKChampions involving an invasion force of a different kind who sought the Lady Professor he recently rescued. She, too, has been taken."

What a mess. At least these aliens would have no way of tracking down Professor Koshelvik. He hoped.

How to rescue the team?

Jethro spoke up again. "This address" he handed over a post it note with a London address on "...housed an old safehouse used by members of the Executive superhuman team including Wandafar. He had made arrangements only a few hours before for one of his devices to be delivered there. That, I believe, would be the key to tracking down the team. Unfortunately it requires a power source..."

White Dwarf Star material. Again. Lionheart knew where he could get some... but the probability of causing an international incident was near 100% He could feel a headache coming on.

"Until the Mansion finishes its sweep and lockdown procedures, it is not safe to enter sir. In the process hundreds of my holographic selves are making good of the place. It shall be as if no battle took place. Alas were that true for Ms Stowe and the others."

Lionheart looked the place over. Nothing here for him. The UKChampions might want a hand, and might be able to help him if they had good influence with the Americans. In addition they knew about these 'Locust Men', the case Frosty was working on. His priority was to help his friends, but not if in doing so he neglected the protection of the country and allowed these insectoids to run riot! In addition these forces under Timmys control... He looked about. They could strike anywhere, any time...

Admin wrote:Lionheart looked the place over. Nothing here for him. The UKChampions might want a hand, and might be able to help him if they had good influence with the Americans. In addition they knew about these 'Locust Men', the case Frosty was working on. His priority was to help his friends, but not if in doing so he neglected the protection of the country and allowed these insectoids to run riot! In addition these forces under Timmys control... He looked about. They could strike anywhere, any time...

OOC: Can I get a clarification Paul, the way this reads it sounds as if not only Wandafar but perhaps a good number of the team have also been shrunk and kidnapped. I was working up until now that the rest of the team got to the safe house?

Lionheart gave a curt nod toward Jethro adding, "keep me informed on the secure coms line of any developments. I am going to check out this address, get the weapon and then check in with the UK champions, see if they can't help me if I help them."

And with that Lionheart took off into the air, gaining speed and distance as he flew in a long graceful ark toward the safe house listed by Jethro.

Sj

OOC yeah, sorry if it wasn't clear. Anyone living in the mansion (including Professor Powers grandson - Charlie Hammond - and Professor Koshelvik the plant/alien woman, Catherine Stowe, Mary, all of the team and Wandafar...) has been taken by the invaders... or possibly the other, third party, that joined in the battle. The only thing at the safe house is the spare full size reusable shrinking machine/platform unlike the one shot (now useless) gun Frostbite used to go into the microverse.

Lionheart sped through the sky towards the city of London.

Someone had invaded the mansion, a place so secure even Lionheart would struggle to get near, taken all of the team after what seemed like a short battle, then just... gone! Like Nowhere Man and Timmy Jones, and the villain of the piece, Executor.

Even given the fact that many of the new team of Vanguardians were raw recruits and not much good in a fight he'd expected to have found they'd given a better showing than they had done. That said, they'd had a rough few days and being caught completely by surprise... well, it seemed that wherever they were right now, they would have to toughen up fast or perish!

Soaring through the canyons of tall buildings, Lionheart saw a costumed woman looking down on the streets, her dark red costume doing a decent job of blending in with the evening shadows. She looked up and saw Lionheart, which shouldn't have been possible given his speed and the fact he was being discreet, but she'd known he was there. A super then.

As he glanced to where the woman was looking, Lionheart saw something unusual. A diplomatic plated car with police escort front and back, was held up in traffic and despite the polices' efforts, it seemed that a broken down truck was blocking the path, and with traffic backing up behind, the car in the middle had nowhere to go but wait.

Still, he needed to get to the flat to see about this device Wandafar had secreted there. Plus he needed more White Dwarf star material, and he knew of only one place on Earth to get it... (America)

Admin wrote:Still, he needed to get to the flat to see about this device Wandafar had secreted there. Plus he needed more White Dwarf star material, and he knew of only one place on Earth to get it... (America)

He let his mind drift forward, such an escort. Police cars and diplomatic car and yet they get stopped by a broken down truck. What are the chances...and then on top of this a super just happens to be casting a wary eye over the whole scene. Flat or no Flat, this looked about as fishy as could be. The scene stank of something, and Lionheart wasn't a psi cop if it didn't look like a setup of some sort. But for whom, and by whom? Taking in the scene, Lionheart cast another weary eye at the Super standing guard. Who where they? And where they friend or foe?

OOC: Thanks for the clarity. Right then whilst keeping an eye on the super standing guard and trying to get some idea of what is going on here, I'll keep an eye out for what I think is going to be an inevitable attack. But just to be on the safe side, I am looking out for the unusual, like someone borrowing up from underneath the car to steal whoever's in there whilst from the outside all looks normal etc.

Sj

Lionheart gazed upon the scene. The woman appeared to rising slowly to a ready position from her crouch...

He glanced at the scene below. The driver and what looked to be a bodyguard were getting out of the car. The bodyguard stayed put, looking about, whilst the driver walked up to have words with the driver of the broken down truck...

Which sprung open at the back as a door raised and four dark blue clad individuals - two men, a woman and what can only be described as a human/hippo hybrid, gaping maw bellowing a challenge!

The bodyguard raised his gun to fire, people nearby started screaming and running for cover, and the woman in red leaped off the roof, dropping like a stone from 10 storeys!

OOC Which is all very nice, but if Lionheart wants in on the action, he goes first....

Admin wrote:The bodyguard raised his gun to fire, people nearby started screaming and running for cover, and the woman in red leaped off the roof, dropping like a stone from 10 storeys!

OOC Which is all very nice, but if Lionheart wants in on the action, he goes first....

Lionheart knew instinctively this was no benign meeting of like minded and cordial groups. He suspected that this was some heist or kidnapping plot. But judging by the rudimentary tactics, it was all about brute strength. Hit hard and get out quick. Still at the same time he couldn't help but say to himself, "It's never simple."

Truth was he didn't really mind, so long as it didn't take up too much time. In truth he had bigger fish to fry and this was not helping. But neither could he just fly ideally by and ignore what was going on. It was the Psi cop in him, or at least he like to think so.

Swooping down he went for fast and quick. Boosting his mental powers he took a split second Lionheart style to go for one of the most threatening of the assailants and let loose with a mind blast. All the while he was taking in what his amazing abilities could tell him as he drew near to the melee.

OOC:Actually this seems quite nice, I doubt its as easy as it looks but a straight up fight with no complex entanglements seems like a lot of fun right now. So Psi blast the most likely assailant. I want to go hard and fast, so lets add 2 dice to attack to make sure I don't fluff up my attempt to overwhelm their defences. Hopefully damage will take care of itself. But we'll see.

Sj

Lionheart aimed a mind blast at one of the dark blue clad men stepping out of the back of the wagon!

He looked up in suprise at the new arrival as Lionheart swooped in and unleashed his blast!

OOC Power Reserve to Mind Blast (from 7 to 15). Nosebleed check... Roll(2d10)+0: 6,5,+0 Total:11 No problem.

LIONHEART HP 83

2 extra dice on mind blast... Roll(4d10)+0: 4,9,8,5,+0 Total:17 +15 vs TN11 + Int 8 (19). Hit 13 difference (+5 effect). 20EV vs RV9. 11 damage. The target absorbs the damage (3 mind reduced) and is STUNNED but still up.

The fellow staggered and stumbled from the van. The woman cried out "Thomas!" and the Hippo man roared "You just made a BIIIIG mistake little man!"

"I'll say!" shouted another of the group as he transformed into pure energy and took aim at Lionheart!

OOC Ah, NOW you're in bother... you have Dex 16 (Superspeed) instead of the usual 22 as power reserve is used on Mind Blast. However, 16 is still Superman level Dex...

Energy Blast 13 plus roll (add 2 extra dice) Roll(4d10)+0: 6,8,4,3,+0 Total:27 vs TN11 + Dex 16. Hit. 13EV vs RV16 (Force Field). No damage.

The energy man blasted Lionheart, quipping "No way you can... Hey!" as he realised the agile target had almost dodged his blast and even when it'd hit, had merely shrugged it off!

"He's got a force field!" shouted the woman. "I'll try a mind blast!"

A mentalist!

OOC Mind Blast 12APs vs TN11 + Int 8. Roll(2d10)+0: 5,9,+0 Total:14, 26 total. Hit, +4 EV. 16EV vs RV19 (Mind Field I assume you use. I will always assume Force Field is up, and Mind Field you can't attack through but you can put it up after attacking). No Damage.

"I don't believe it!" the woman exclaimed. "He resisted jacks energy blast AND my mind blast! Who IS he?"

The hippo man kept silent and leapt at Lionheart!

OOC using 3 dice to attack with Dex 8 plus Roll(5d10)+0: 3,3,2,10,9,+0 Total:6 DOUBLE plus Roll(2d10)+0: 8,7,+0 Total:21 + Dex 8 (29 total) vs TN11 + Dex 16 (27). Hit, +2EV. 14 Str + 2 vs RV16.. no damage...

Despite taking a whack that sent him flying twenty feet backwards, Lionheart was unharmed yet again!

The Hippo grunted "I don't believe it!"

The man from the car, a tall, well built fellow in his early forties, dressed impeccably in an expensive suit, had been watching proceedings. "The UK Challengers... attacking me despite my not having done anything wrong..."

The woman shouted "We know what you've done! Release the slaves, Draaken!"

Suddenly a pair of bolas spun through the air, flung from the red clad woman and they struck the mentalist around the neck, looping round and round until the balls touched... and unleashed an electric shock! The woman cried out, and dropped like a stone!

"Helen!" bellowed the Hippo Man.

The red clad woman landed in a crouch on the cars roof and turned to the man called Draaken. "Is he..." she asked, referring to Lionheart "With you?"

Draaken turned to Lionheart, floating in the air. "No, but I suspect he is a do gooder. These people..." he said, referring to the Challengers "... have attacked me without provocation. Arrest them if you will, or detain them until the police arrive at least. There's a good chap..."

Admin wrote:The red clad woman landed in a crouch on the cars roof and turned to the man called Draaken. "Is he..." she asked, referring to Lionheart "With you?"

Draaken turned to Lionheart, floating in the air. "No, but I suspect he is a do gooder. These people..." he said, referring to the Challengers "... have attacked me without provocation. Arrest them if you will, or detain them until the police arrive at least. There's a good chap..."

OOC: Oh you sneaky whatsit...you caught me out here good and proper.

Lionheart did a double take, "Anyone mind clueing me in as to what is going on here? And hadn't we better get the police involved if there isn't a clear line of culpability."

A sinking feeling had begun somewhere in the back of Lionheart's stomach, as he thought through the implications of a messy and unclear situation. Draakan, had about him the looks of another villain Lionheart met in the States. Frederick Timpson. Who had all the air of an upright citizen, but was anything but. He was almost too big to fail or be caught unless the stench of him became too great to ignore. As for the UK Challengers, who were they and what was their beef here. One thing for certain was that the way Draakan held himself showed that the man clearly felt confident and unlikely to let his spotless mask slip. Lionheart could see this going the wrong way and getting their quickly.

OOC: Ok so I see where this is going, protect the bad guy who plays the part of the misunderstood or arrogant untouchable mastermind. However I can see, if I just step away thing go badly for this small team, and I'd rather that didn't happen. So I best wait to see if we can't get some explanation to this situation and see what we can do from there.

Sj

The man known as Draaken smiled. Lionheart was reminded very much of a cat toying with a mouse, able to strike and end the game at any time, but wanting to drag it on for his own pleasure.

"These people..." Draaken offered "...attack me without provocation. I am a businessman. These 'slaves' they speak of are my employees. They are paid handsomely for their efforts. Does that sound like slavery to you?"

The Hippo Man barked "You pay them with addictive drugs that force them to do your bidding else they will die!"

Draaken chuckled "Really? Oh my dear misshapen fellow, you really do have the brains of a hippopotamus too don't you?"

The sound of distant sirens could be heard. "Now if I'm not mistaken, that would be the police and SMITE or whatever they call themselves these days, come to apprehend you. This fine upstanding chap has saved me from your criminal assault and I would be more than happy to cooperate with the authorities to testify against you. Such unchecked power used by misguided fools... Clearly you are a danger not only to the people around, but to yourselves as well!"

The Hippo Man bellowed and charged at Draaken! The woman in red tensed to pounce but Draaken merely raised a pair of eyebrows and his hands, putting on mock terror even as Hippo Man thundered towards him. "Save me!" he beseeched of Lionheart...

Admin wrote: The Hippo Man bellowed and charged at Draaken! The woman in red tensed to pounce but Draaken merely raised a pair of eyebrows and his hands, putting on mock terror even as Hippo Man thundered towards him. "Save me!" he beseeched of Lionheart...

Inwardly Lionheart wanted to groan. He could see that Draakan was playing them all and would have the upper hand regarding publicity. He'd have the media eating out of his hand, despite what underhand schemes he might otherwise be responsible for. In stepping in, to stop the heroes Lionheart was well aware that he'd be making potential enemies of people he'd more naturally call friends. And appearing to side with the real enemy. But he knew well enough when the game was up and they were easily outmatched. Being hated, wasn't so bad as long as the stakes were worth it. Keeping these 'heroes' out of such a sticky situation was worth it. Maybe one day they'd see. But Lionheart had far more important things to be dealing with, so set about getting this done and quickly.

Moving forward, he sort to mind blast the 'Hippo' thinking that taking him down would lead the others to calm.

"Draakan's played you, whatever righteous cause you feel you've got, know that this is only going to make everyone in the media think otherwise. You need to stand down and be smart, or it will be you who'll be arrested and or on the run from the authorities. Not him."

Lionheart doubted whether his words would persuade them to stop. Clearly tempers and emotion was running high. Hardly the best for a nuanced discussion about right and wrong. Trial by social media or any some such.

OOC: Ok so if they don't listen then I blast away with mind blast at the Hippo, hopefully take him out without doing any lasting damage. Or worse still failing to hit at all and Draakan's attempt to make them look bad succeed. Consider using HP as needed. Following this my ploy is to get them up and out, keep trying to talk sense to them and all the while learn what I can from Draakan. Clearly he is a man to watch, as was Timpson in the States.

Sj

OOC Lionheart uses power Reserve (8) to boost Mind Blast and take a pot shot at the Hippo Man. First of all, the nosebleed part...

Roll(2d10)+0: 1,4,+0 Total:5 No problems there

Next up. Mind Blast. Buying two dice ...

LIONHEART HP 70

Roll(4d10)+0: 9,3,2,7,+0 Total:16 plus Mind Blast 15 (31) vs TN11 + Int 6 (17). +5 Effect (20). 20EV vs RV16= 4 damage

Lionheart wallops the hippo man... and immediately feels something... a barrier like his own mind field!

With a grunt the Hippo Man stumbles forward and growls. "Your words mean... nothing... little man. Your actions... speak volumes! They shout that you are another pawn in this mans game!"

OOC Dex 8 plus 2 dice vs Lionheart Dex 16. Roll(4d10)+0: 4,5,9,8,+0 Total:17 + Dex 8 (25) vs TN11 + Dex 16 (27). Miss

Lionheart steps aside as the huge man swings a meaty fist and strikes only air!

He realised the situation had now gone too far... Draaken made it worse.

"I can't believe this! I've done nothing, and I'm being attacked! Where is justice? Where is the law?" he said, and Lionheart could almost hear the smirk in his voice!

The sirens got louder. The Hippo man snarled... then the red clad woman threw something at him!

OOC Roll(2d10)+0: 1,2,+0 Total:3 Miss

A tiny capsule lands near the Hippo Man who shows a surprising turn of speed!It misses and explodes into a cloud of yellow smoke! The woman curses. Lionheart catches a glance from Draaken, and a roll of the eyes. "Can't get good hired help these days..." he muttered, then turned to Lionheart. "A million pounds to put you on retainer, and one hundred thousand a week to work for me. What say you, good sir?"

Admin wrote:A tiny capsule lands near the Hippo Man who shows a surprising turn of speed!It misses and explodes into a cloud of yellow smoke! The woman curses. Lionheart catches a glance from Draaken, and a roll of the eyes. "Can't get good hired help these days..." he muttered, then turned to Lionheart. "A million pounds to put you on retainer, and one hundred thousand a week to work for me. What say you, good sir?"

Lionheart wondered if life could get more complicated in such a short space. Draakan was as slick and oily as they come. Being on the payroll would give him some kind of inside track. But that kind of mud stuck fast. Would he get out of the pit untarnished? Besides which right now he had other more pressing matters to attend to. These guys were going to get themselves caught and no amount of persuasion was going to persuade them otherwise. Perhaps he might be able to help, when they'd cooled down a bit.

"Sorry," Lionheart said to Draakan, "...you're talking to an idealist, I don't work for cash."

Lionheart had intended to say an officer of the law, but that seemed wholly inappropriate given he was only freelancing for some government agency and long since stopped being a Psi Cop. Still the point was made, he didn't work for money, never really had a use for it, save to get what he needed to live. The life he lived now seemed only to exist within the missions he undertook, with so little a breathing space between that if real life ever crept up on him, he'd have no idea what to do with it.

Turning back to the others, Lionheart moved into the air. "I'm not going to fight you, but I can see I can't persuade you how badly you've misjudged this situation. Clearly our friend here holds more than a fair share of the cards and if you don't want to get arrested, and unmasked I suggest you high tail it out of here. I've got somewhere else to be."

And with that Lionheart took off, he was disgusted with the whole situation. Like Timpson the world was far more complicated and without the law on his side, it was down to 'interpretation' which clever men like Draakan could always tip in their favour. What sliver of normal he had in his life was those people whom he shared the mansion with. Albeit a practical relationship of mutual benefit, adventurers bound by a common destiny, they were all he had in this otherwise unknown time. Lionheart had tried to help, but decided it was best to let things play out and so moved on to the secure flat to find if he could follow up on any leads. England and indeed the whole world was on the brink of invasion and men like Draakan, were secondary to that right now.

Sj

Lionhearts hearing picked up as Draaken mused "interesting. We shall meet again."

The Hippo Man bellowed his rage to the sky after Lionheart but scooped up those of his friends who were prone and leaped away.

=========

At the address given Lionheart looked about.

The building was expensive looking, exclusive. To get in was via intercom. Pressing the button he muttered "Ah, hello?"

'Voiceprint recognised. Entry authorised.' said an automated voice.

The door clicked and he used the lift to get to the 11th floor. There was only a single door there, and that accessed via another voice intercom.

It clicked open and after waiting for that telltale warning from his danger sense there was nothing. The lights activated to reveal an expensively decorated apartment. On the walls were various pictures of costumed superheroes...

Retribution... Vindex... Iron Lady... Jack Pelham... Wandafar... British Bulldog... Ben Nevis... Professor Thoth

Lionheart wondered if, in this timeline, he'd been part of this team. He continued along the line. Steeplejack, another name. Not his though. Looking through the rest of the apartment he saw it was neat, tidy, functional and secure. A place for costumed heroes to crash for the evening. He saw something... a 'teleport pad'? A way for the Executive to get in and out of their safe haven. There was little in the way of 'official' or 'work related' equipment. A computer terminal and screen, that was about it. Lionheart frowned. Where was the machine? He'd almost given up when he checked out a storeroom... and there it was.

A circular pad and four arms that stood up and arched over with lasers that pointed onto the pad. This was it. The shrink machine. He needed more white dwarf star material to power the thing, but it was here. The White Dwarf Star stuff?

He knew where to go to get more of that. Timpson...

Admin wrote:He knew where to go to get more of that. Timpson...

Previously he'd gone in thinking that a quick snatch and grab would be enough, however that proved to be as successful as was 'Hippo Squad's amateurish attempts at Draakan.' He needed a more sophisticated approach, if he was going to get anything like what was needed. Originally he was brought on this case, via Agent X, there in lay the real issue at the heart of all this. If he was going to be working for this organisation then they needed to stump up and help him get what he needed. Clearly a far more organised approach was needed if he was going to separate a sufficient quantity of White Dwarf material from Timpson. And there was no way Lionheart wanted to deal with Timpson without having something better than his charm to get in the ring with.

Leaving the apartment Lionheart couldn't help but think it appropriate to leave things as he found them. Memories all from a previous time...but not his, not today. Back out on the street, he put a quick call through to Agent X, when he heard his response, Lionheart was necessarily brief.
"OK time to meet X! We've got to dance with a devil, and make sure our quickstep is sharp enough to avoid being trampled on."

Sj

"Sounds like Fun." replied Agent X. "I'm transmitting an address to you. I'll have to finish up this meeting with the Defence Secretary and be with you in 25 minutes..." His voice trailed off "Sorry about that sir, now as I was saying i want the budget upping from it's present levels to..."

Lionheart signed off. He imagined Agent X as having to juggle the needs of the nation with the limits of budget and getting results. Much of what security forces did was reactionary, having to wait for things to happen if intelligence - which cost in terms of money and resources - didn't tip them off.

With a quick look around he soared into the air and made for the rendezvous point...

=========

"Bit blowy up here" said Agent X as the pair of them stood on the roof of the MI6 building "But I have a meeting here shortly and it's about as secure a place as one can find." He adjusted his bowler hat.



Lionheart explained the problem.

"Ah. Right, well, Mr Timpson is very much a law unto himself. He knows.. well let's say his reach is wide ranging. Seems he's been poking about already to figure out who you are. We can go through official channels but he is a private citizen and has the ear of the President, so it's not going to be a fast process. I'll see what favours and strings I can pull."

He pulled out a folder from inside of his coat. "This...ah... is another option. Timpson has his own testing grounds in the Arizona desert." He opened the folder to reveal a powerful, large (around twenty feet tall) armoured suit. "He's trialling something for the US Army. It's overkill and way over budget. We have intelligence that whilst negotiations are ongoing it's held in a secure vault on the testing ground, and that a criminal organisation has offered $100 million to secure the capture of this thing. That's only a fraction of what was spent developing it, but for a bad guy with super powers it's enough money to consider settling down and not to bother knocking banks off. If you were to... prevent it's theft, maybe some goodwill might be forthcoming. Consider that Timpsons own armoured brigade will be defending it and they are no pushover, so anyone considering going for that will be pretty handy in a scrap. It's that or cutting through the red tape. Unless you have a better idea?"

Admin wrote:He pulled out a folder from inside of his coat. "This...ah... is another option. Timpson has his own testing grounds in the Arizona desert." He opened the folder to reveal a powerful, large (around twenty feet tall) armoured suit. "He's trialling something for the US Army. It's overkill and way over budget. We have intelligence that whilst negotiations are ongoing it's held in a secure vault on the testing ground, and that a criminal organisation has offered $100 million to secure the capture of this thing. That's only a fraction of what was spent developing it, but for a bad guy with super powers it's enough money to consider settling down and not to bother knocking banks off. If you were to... prevent it's theft, maybe some goodwill might be forthcoming. Consider that Timpsons own armoured brigade will be defending it and they are no pushover, so anyone considering going for that will be pretty handy in a scrap. It's that or cutting through the red tape. Unless you have a better idea?"

Lionheart sighed, "And there was me concerned that the plan you had in mind would be easy or involve a simple nudge and a wink with an American counter part. Right so I've got to save Timpson's bacon and try and leverage that for a favour. Last time I extracted White Dwarf material from his goons, perhaps if all else fails I could try and do that again here. There has to be an easier way to save the entire civilised world." He said with feigned exasperation.

Noting the coordinates he nodded his thanks to Agent X and shot off into the sky, gathering speed for a transatlantic flight without hopefully creating too many scares in international flight space.

"Get ready America, cause here I come...again!"

Sj

Lionheart piled on the speed and entered the high atmosphere, which enabled him to stretch his legs so to speak without causing sonic booms down low.

OOC Don't worry too much about this next bit - Lionheart is undergoing some 'changes' (game speak for getting round to recosting the character. Don't worry he won't be less powerful - as the team's 'big hitter' he is more likely to solo mission and won't overshadow the others either.

"are you doing...?" came the thought inside Lionhearts head. He looked about... what? He was miles from anywhere! That voice... familiar? Then came a splitting headache, and blood running from his nose... oh no.. not...

And his flight cut out.

Lionheart tumbled towards the Atlantic, several miles below. No matter. His force field would... with a groan he realised he could feel the cold. No forcefield! Don't panic... he had his speed, just spin like a top and... he tumbled through the air. Ok, this was officially turning into a tricky situation. 3 or more miles up, tumbling through the air, staring down at the expanse of sea below him...

"...unleash your power, fool!" That voice again, the cause of this. Familiar... Saladin? What a time to wake up... how had his former foe managed to deactivate his powers...?

Admin wrote:"...unleash your power, fool!" That voice again, the cause of this. Familiar... Saladin? What a time to wake up... how had his former foe managed to deactivate his powers...?

"Saladin! You pick a fine time to decide to show...well anyway, I was doing fine till you mucked things up. What do you mean my powers were working fine unlike now hence the free fall to meet the ground."

Lionheart realised that getting angry or panicked wasn't going to yield one iota of help. So he got a grip on himself. In the past such changes that he'd undergone had always resulted in some disorientation, the sudden appearance of his enemy suggested that something else had happened. Some trigger, he knew not what. But now was the time to utilise his powers and not worry about the why and wherefores.

"Let's see..." and using his well he hoped what was his considerable mind, he began to explore what had happened...

OOC:Ok I am hoping that speed, or flight is part of the process so that I can slow, stop and start on my journey. Getting to the states overland/water might be a bit slow if its running especially without flight or more importantly speed. So I run though my options and let see what materialises.

Sj

Lionheart calmed himself as he tumbled through the air. Despite lacking his powers (momentairly he hoped) his Acrobatics and Martial Arts training allowed him to level his body to skydive...

Which was fine but the landing - without the parachute - might prove problematic!

That voice again "your powers are limited by your mind! Without challenge or obstacle to overcome, you remain forever limited! Together we are the ultimate expression of the PSI Corps program! They knew this when they created me and my brethren, and sought to limit your kind in the next program! When you and I joined, I unlocked that part of you but it seems there are still barriers, places to unlock! only by freeing up your mind can you unlock them, and then only by presenting a challenge to you!"

Lionheart wondered what the heck the former villain was on about...

"If you will not seek out the strongest opponents, the most insurmountable challenge, to unlock your potential, then I must do it for you! Now save yourself!"

Without powers??? He was an enhanced human, tougher and stronger than any normal human had a right to be, superhuman even, but without his mental derived powers what was he? Lionheart considered. Saladin could either be a crutch, to help him achieve his full potential, or he could seek to have the other mans presence purged from his thoughts, and perhaps drop to his previous power levels.

He looked down at the sea below. Of course, he had to survive the impending fall first...

OOC So there's the choice - rewrite character in one of two ways:

1) More like the original level of power so as to join in group missions more OR

2) Continue at his current level or a bit higher, as he becomes a truly Class 5 level power (the others are class 3) and takes on threats that are, quite possibly, out of this world!

Your call, then I will cook up a new bunch of stats and rework the character. It's long overdue (by months) for which I apologise

Admin wrote:He looked down at the sea below. Of course, he had to survive the impending fall first...

OOC So there's the choice - rewrite character in one of two ways:

1) More like the original level of power so as to join in group missions more OR

2) Continue at his current level or a bit higher, as he becomes a truly Class 5 level power (the others are class 3) and takes on threats that are, quite possibly, out of this world!

Your call, then I will cook up a new bunch of stats and rework the character. It's long overdue (by months) for which I apologise

OOC: Hmm, I like the level and versatility of my character, however I am aware I have often pretty much unused powers that never get touched. Or get used by sporadically: So Analytical Smell, Directional Hearing and Super Hearing I'm looking at you for instance.  Not to mention Empathy and Mind Field, when was the last time I used them powers?  Anyway, it strikes me that the powers that serve me best, as a solo character are powers that help move the plot on, get the job done and also add a bit of challenge.  Where would Superman be without his Kryptonite - right?  Also I like playing with the group, albeit it seems like its just David and me these days.  So I guess its no big deal if I stay solo.  

So to summarise, I like my existing power level but would like the powers to better serve the missions I tend to be on and not have powers that really sit taking a space better occupied by something else.  Being this high a power level is no fun unless there is a challenge or perhaps an Achilles heel of some form - this has tended to work with the burnout factor. It would be good to get added back into team missions from time to time (Batman can function alongside Superman and Wonder Woman no problem so why can't Lionheart function with Haunt and Frostbite etc.  So hope that helps although I will say, speed, agility, mind powers and a set of skills, I remember the old viewer thing that meant I could swap in and out skills, was also fun.  Unlike my present set where I have powers mentioned above that really have never come into it.  I mean, how many Psi users have I faced?  

Sj

Admin wrote:OOC Right, with that in mind I will cook up several power sets for you to pick from, along with a brief one line description of the power and you can mix/match. The fewer powers you have, the more powerful they will be BUT... but... we can give him his power reserve to boost powers to a decent level even if you have low levels in senses. Think Ultra Boy of the legion where he can only use one power at a time. Lionheart won't be that limited but if we purposefully reduce the APs of less used powers knowing that you can boost them it frees up points to use on the other stuff like speed and strength. It's something I shall work on over the next few days.

As you may have guessed from absence and if you saw my Facebook post we had a disaster the other day. Toilet sprung a leak and its one of those where the cistern is hidden behind a wall. Anyway, finished night shift, sprung into action, smashed a hole in the wall, figured out what was wrong and replaced the part, replaced the tiles, grouted and painted over the leak stains in the kitchen below, all in time for a house viewing today (who said they will be making an offer when their house sells, but we'll see).

One of those things I can do without, especially as I've ground out another 11 hour shift today Anyway, as usual mate, you and David are stars for hanging in here, thanks

Oh bless you mate, I appreciate with so much normal stuff to do, the abnormal is as welcome as storm katie at a picnic party. Anyway hopefully the abnormal will return to some kind of normal and things might go back to being manageable. As ever we're in no hurry and these last couple of days have been my busiest (hence the absence myself in not replying in my usual fashion) anyway look forward to seeing what you come up with, when it fits around your schedule.

Sj

OOC: I like it, be interesting to see how some of those powers shake down but I like the additional skill set, which I think could add greatly to his being more of an alrounder. As for the remaining points, greater speed would be fine. Lionheart was always fast, well since I took him on anyway. But as for the rest, well he was originally your character, and since you know how the rules work better I'm content for you to put them where they suit best. One additional thing might be to add military Science but particularly tracking as this would be helpful along with Detective as he is a cop from the future. In any case I am not otherwise worried, like I say I like the return of the skill set. Anywho let's get to it.

Sj

OOC He's a powerhouse and no mistake, but then he has to be as the other guys are Class 3 and Lionheart is Class 1, the top tier of superhero power or thereabouts. the most powerful? No, but at that level it's more about fighting smart and outfoxing an equally matched for. See Thor vs Hulk (or anyone vs hulk), Silver Surfer, Superman, Martian Manhunter etc.

Anyway...

Lionheart tumbled through the sky. So this was how it ended...?

He thumped into the water and... didn't feel anything.

'At last! You embrace your full unlocked potential! Too long have you been held back by self imposed limitations! I will help you unlock your true power! now rise, RISE and onwards to defeat any foe placed before you!' ranted the voice belonging to Saladin inside Lionhearts head...

OOC Take a look at the powers sheet. You have options of various things. Speed for example. Superspeed at 22APs and run across the water, or flight at 26APs and be in America in seconds? For an example of speed, 22APs is around 7000 miles in 4 seconds. 26 APs is around 121,000 miles in 4 seconds. That will cause serious environmental damage mind, near inhabited areas... With great power comes great responsibility and all that...