The NEW Vanguard Issue 4 - Falling into the Abyss...

Brightness...

Fading... the world, spinning and tumbling. Hold it together... The howl of wind as terminal velocity sends Centurion towards the Earth... Something in his suit had dissipated back into it's component parts...

Moments before he had seen the blinding flash of Bombshell as the energy she'd absorbed unleashed itself! With his amazing suit Centurion had been the shield between the near nuclear blast and the ground below. Any dangerous radiation had fired upwards and outwards...

Except now he was falling - his boot jets had expired - and from several miles up would even his suit withstand the fall?

He looked about, trying to catch a glimpse of Bombshell... THERE! A falling star in the night sky, seemingly unconscious, body clothed in tattered rags and with a fading glow. She was several hundred yards away, falling like Centurion was, but seemed to be unconscious! Centurion looked down... Clouds. No. Through those. The ground was getting closer!

OOC Centurion has found Bombshell, absorbed much of the blast that occurred when the energy she absorbed was finally too much to hold onto, and saved a large section of Wales from being microwaved.Now he doesn't have long before he gets to test which is harder - the ground or his suit!

"Let me handle this. Truth told, compared to you youngsters I was somewhat redundant during the fight. We Lore Knights were never the biggest hitters, but we were adept at fighting the foes no one else would or could face. I think that describes what we just faced. Wait here." said Ghost Knight

Frostbite, Lionheart, Stormbreaker, Haunt and several dazed looking soldiers stood in the rain, the ruins of the United Kingdoms maximum security prison around them. Only 10 minutes before a furious battle had taken place in the bowels of this place, one few people would know about, but all would feel the benefit of. Someone... some... thing had tried to marry science, magic and metahuman abilities to create a gate between our world and another. Some great, vile creature, a servant of evil, had been thwarted in it's attempt to claim this land as it's own. Of seeming lesser consequence, but no less disastrous, the superhuman prisoners of this place had been stopped before they could fully regain their powers.

Even now emergency power dampeners were being set up and the prisoners returned to whatever cells were still intact, four and five to a cell.

Ghost Knight spoke to a brightly coloured - even against the grey and darkness of the thunderous night sky - group of superheroes. The UKChampions had turned up late, and had their noses put out of joint somewhat by the fact that a new, untried (seemingly) group of superheroes had saved the day.

OOC Fabrica de herois has changed (and I don't speak Portugese or whatever) so until I figure it out no pics

Ghost Knight looked small beside one of the UKChampions, a man known as STONELORD who pushed past the veteran hero and strode over to the 'newcomers'. He stood some eight feet tall, muscled form looking like it was carved from gray stone. Stonelord 'crackled' with every step, and his stern face showed his intent as he came to stand before the Vanguard.

"The law is the law. You are unregistered heroes. That means you come with us for debriefing, one way or another." he growled. "No ifs, no buts. We need to get to the bottom of this mess, starting with who you people are and deciding what to do with you from there."

A number of the soldiers started to protest, shouting, and several police officers tried to calm them. The prison guards joined in, shouting that the newcomers had saved the day, and where were the UKChampions while it was all going down?

Stonelord glowered at the dissenters, then turned to the Vanguard, making a show of popping his knuckles. "I'm in no mood for being messed about. What's it to be?"

Ghost Knight was talking to the other UKChampions who seemed less sure than Stonelord. All in all there were now five Champions on the scene, with Stonelord being the only one easily recognisable thanks to his public profile of being a brawler and a loudmouth - albeit one that got results. His reputation as a man who didn't hold back had been the subject of debate across the land in newspapers, late night talk shows and living rooms across the land as the TV showed the latest exploits of the countries only state backed superhuman operatives.

The direction and fate of the UK's newest guardians would be decided in the next few moments!

OOC This could get messy. Ghost Knight is trying to sweet talk the others but this hot head turned up looking for a fight, only to be denied one. Of course, he's technically right - a few years ago (in this timeline) - a superhero 'civil war' occurred when Adjutant (most powerful of the Champions) was impersonated and seemed to go on a destructive spree. Public confidence was shattered and the government of the day was forced to act - to outlaw all unsanctioned superhumans, regardless of whether they served justice or their own ends. The war finally ended when public opinion swayed again, and the Government relented, with conditions. Masks and identities could be maintained, but new superhumans would have to be registered and judged by their actions. After all, many of the people in this very prison could flatten buildings and lay waste to small towns on their own. Gone are the carefree days of 4 colour super heroics and saving cats from trees. In this Brave New World, even the Heroes have little trust for one another. It's better than it was, but still ... grim.

"The law is the law. You are unregistered heroes. That means you come with us for debriefing, one way or another." he growled. "No ifs, no buts. We need to get to the bottom of this mess, starting with who you people are and deciding what to do with you from there."

"Who I am," the Haunt replies in his spectral voice from his small field of fog that he kept up around him to obscure a good look at him. The white of his uniform blending fairly well with the white/grey of the fog - could still see a man-shape with a cowboy hat though from time to time as the fog eddies and whirls in the rain, "I am the Haunt of Justice. I am the Haunt of those who would dare defy Justice! Be they criminal or be they Hero. I have no problems speaking with those who also fight for Justice. But none will decide my Fate as Fate has already decided on His own what it will be!"


yeah yeah yeah. While not trying to be belligerent, he also refuses to kowtow to a big bully. Quite willing to go with them if the bully doesn't try anything. If he does, we will see how he likes being haunted by the Haunt!   

DavidMcMahon wrote:

"The law is the law. You are unregistered heroes. That means you come with us for debriefing, one way or another." he growled. "No ifs, no buts. We need to get to the bottom of this mess, starting with who you people are and deciding what to do with you from there."

"Who I am," the Haunt replies in his spectral voice from his small field of fog that he kept up around him to obscure a good look at him.  The white of his uniform blending fairly well with the white/grey of the fog - could still see a man-shape with a cowboy hat though from time to time as the fog eddies and whirls in the rain, "I am the Haunt of Justice.  I am the Haunt of those who would dare defy Justice!  Be they criminal or be they Hero.  I have no problems speaking with those who also fight for Justice.  But none will decide my Fate as Fate has already decided on His own what it will be!"

Frostbite looked wearily at Lionheart who nodded sagely. You didn't need empathic powers to tell that this could go one of two ways and and neither hero favoured their chances of it going there way today. Frostbite strode purposefully toward the stone man mountain, but slowly to telegraph his intentions as non hostile or threatening.

"I would wish we'd had met under better circumstances, however that has not been afforded us at this time. I am Frostbite, my friends and I are here not to cause harm but help. I appreciate there are things to take care of but isn't there also an element of civil liberty here as well? After all we are private citizens here doing a civic duty, no more no less. These are convicted criminals so we were, I would suggest acting in a public good, and not in breach of the law. Or at least that is what we fought in the war to preserve. Now son, are you telling me, its illegal for a private citizen to stop a convicted, dangerous criminal from escaping a federal prison? Because if you are, then I dread to think what the world has come to."

Frostbite let the words sink in, he knew that the only way they were going to get out of this was if he could convince the Champions that they currently hadn't broken any laws regarding using their powers and that arresting them would make them seem foolish. However he also knew that this Stonelord looked bullish, and deep down inside might be quite binary and simplistic in his thinking.

OOC: Ok if a fight is what needs to happen for us to escape then we will fight, its the principle of the thing for a start. Since Frostbite and the others will not allow the UK to become another 'Germany' if you know what I mean. However I want to try and find a way through this, assuming the dice let me. Knowing that is almost certain to be unlikely, whilst Frostbite has been talking he will disperse so as to be able to avoid being hit, save his hands and then get ready to freeze them all if need be. If we do get into a fight, our actions will be to try and prevent further harm, fight defensively and get away asap.

PS great to have you back, hope all is ok.

SJ

Roll Call:

Vanguard

Frostbite, Haunt, Stormbreaker, Lionheart, Ghost Knight

UKChampions:

StoneLord, Quarrel, Luna (Female), Lodestone, Prism (Female)

Stonelord 'snorted' at Haunts' posturing. "What are you supposed to be? Some reject from a movie set, all smoke and mirrors? You people, if power you have, are untrained, inexperienced, and DANGEROUS! There's no way you are leaving here without..."

Frostbite butted in, saying his piece.

Stonelord frowned. "War? Son?"

This seemed to set him back a little. "Who do you think you are?"

A police officer walked up. Despite being bandaged around the head he made the effort to make himself heard.

Stonelord started to cut him off, but the officer was insistent. "Where were you? These people came from nowhere. This place... look at it! Someone broke IN to the prison. Everything the guards, the defences threw at him? Nothing. We were doomed. This place? Look at it. It's finished. Barely standing. Every prisoner was on their way out, from what we can tell the reactor was going to go bang. These people stopped all that! And here you are, spouting that they didn't dot the i's or cross the t's with some paperwork in Westminster?"

Stonelord snorted. "You know nothing about people like this laying waste to high streets, innocents caught in the crossfire. I've cleaned up after that. I've held dying kids in my arms. This? They got lucky. Luck runs out."

The officer laughed, a sound without humour. "If this was lucky, I'll just say that every person within 100 miles of this place in every direction just won the jackpot. For the rest of their lives, however long that is, they won" He turned to Frostbite and the others "If these idiots start anything you can count on every man and woman here to stand with you. We don't have super powers, we'll probably be smeared over the floor, but we'll fight, tooth and nail, against this lot, because THEY didn't save us, and stop the bad guys. You did. Whoever you are, and wherever you came from."

He thrust a hand out to shake that of the Vanguardians, then moved back to join a line that had formed.

Ghost Knight walked over, barely able to keep pride from his voice within his full face helm. "No fighting. Stonelord, stand down. If you don't respond to me, respond to your team mates."

Eyes turned to the Champions stood behind. The two women and two men looked uncomfortable, and one, Prism, coughed to clear her throat before speaking. "Stonelord. Ghost Knight has said his people will go peacefully, but not to be arrested or detained in any way. He also pointed out that you're the heaviest hitter, and at least two of these guys could flatten you without much of a fight..."

Stonelord growled, sneering, and was about to speak before the man in cloak and hood, bearing a fancy bow/arrows, sighed and spoke. "Shut up Stonelord. Put it this way. You start anything then WE'LL join in - against you. Yes, you heard that right. We're team mates, but we have a responsibility to do what's right before anything else."

He walked over, shook his head at Stonelord and addressed Frostbite. "Will you come with us. Please. Oh, and on behalf of a grateful nation... thank you." He thrust out a hand to shake...

Admin wrote:He walked over, shook his head at Stonelord and addressed Frostbite. "Will you come with us. Please. Oh, and on behalf of a grateful nation... thank you." He thrust out a hand to shake...

Having first silently and with a great sense of gratitude, acknowledged the brave police officer, Frostbite turned again to Quarrel. "Its a pleasure to meet you son. It doesn't look like we're in Kansas anymore."

Turning to the others, and then back to Quarrel Frostbite added, "In the interests of cooperation we will come with you. But as private citizens we maintain the right to defend ourselves. So what I am saying is no funny business and we won't need to start on the wrong foot. We might be strangers to these here parts, but we want to start on the right foot."

OOC:
Ok I am happy to go with these guys, but any notion of signing up, forsaking privacy or anything else is going to hit a solid brick wall of opposition. However if we don't give a little we won't get anywhere, so lets see where this leads.

Sj

"We are missing a companion," the Haunt puts in. "Anyone spot him yet? He flew up after the girl who absorbed the atomic energies."

Alex loosened his grip on Stormbringer when cooler heads finally prevailed and took a moment to breath. He'd been about to take Stonelord to task, either verbally or with his blade when the Champions teammates had finally stepped in. At the much politer request that they go with the Champions he shook his head and stepped forward.

"I cannot. This battle was just a skirmish. A footnote to a much larger problem and there is no time to deal with your bureaucracy." He turns to look at Ghost Knight. "Ghost Knight, I came to you at the club looking for help. Kaberaxus encroaches on this plane south of Edinburgh. I lack the means to breach his defenses on my own. Time is short and I need your help-" Alex stops and sweeps across the assembled heroes. "-All of your help really. If we go now it will be much faster then if I have to follow up with all the names the White Warlock gave me.."

DavidMcMahon wrote:"We are missing a companion," the Haunt puts in.  "Anyone spot him yet?  He flew up after the girl who absorbed the atomic energies."

OOC: Whoops that is right, but I had kinda figured Centurion could take care of himself.  Besides I think it seemed like Ross' might wel fork at this point.  

As regards to what Stormbreaker just told us, I'm like "huh?"  

Sj

dunecat wrote:It's not anything you would know in character. Alex isn't being very clear or explaining things right now. But it all ties back to what I've been through in the game so far. In fact I'm still technically still on my first day of story believe it or not.

At this point Lionheart looked at the relative newcomer and said, "Well how about you fill us in, rather than leave us hanging with that rather ominous headline." Then turning to the others he said from behind his hand, "Sorry he's new here, matter of fact we all are." He added with a slight laugh, to lighten the moment. Not that anyone looked like they would be so easily 'lightened'.

OOC: Yes I understand the way a 'day' in a game like this can seem almost infinite. Anyway why don't you care to fill us in, in Character so we can see if the UK champions will bend our way accordingly.

Sj

OOC: Damn this is shaping up brilliantly
Okay first things first, how far away is are young damsel? Does she have any metal left on her uniform and how much have I got left? I wish to pull her.....in close to me then assess the fast approaching ground.
Dont suppose there is a heap of scrap nearby to use my magneto ish powers to retract both are selfs from to slow are decent????? Didnt think so.
how about when Steve secures bombshell he fires hes remaining suit at the lovely soft ground then apply the same tactic, not sure is the magnetic opposing force well be enough or even too much and liquidfie us both.....gotta try something or this could be a real short trip.

Centurion

Tumbling through the air he looked out into the darkness and rain for the metal he knew he';d been shedding. His power was incredible, astounding even, but it had it's limits. Time, of course, for one.

He caught a glimpse of the floor. That, he didn't have so much of.

He glanced down at himself, and was thankful that the bulk of his suit was still intact, even if his boot jets had gone kaput.

OOC 2d10 → [1,8] = (9) Tries to create a jet pack (Flight 11, Body 11) and makes it. Just. Lasts for 2 minutes...

Feeling metal peel itself away from his back and forming into a jet pack that spins up, Centurion tumbled through a dark cloud... and a bright flare of light lit up the underside of the cloud as he sped up and out, and towards the falling superheroine!

Reaching a hand out he tried to grab any metal on her... belt buckle, anything.

Nothing! Arggh!

Pouring on the speed he knew the chances were slim of getting there in time... still he tried anyway!

OOC Pushing Flight 2d10 → [1,10] = (11) Gain of 3RAPs. FWOOSH!

He sped forward, risking all in a do - or - die attempt to catch her!

OOC Reaches out an arm to grab Bombshell... 2d10 → [7,10] = (17)

Bombshell tumbled towards the floor... Centurion shielded a hand across his face at the glare her body gave off... He reached out, blind, pushing harder and harder with the speed of the jet pack...

"COME ON!" he yelled. He gasped as his hand struck her ankle, and he took hold straight away. Instantly he looped upwards and smashed through the branches of the uppermost parts of trees, slowing to land near a river which lazily weaved its way through the Welsh mountains.

"W... water!" gasped Bombshell. Centurion thought she needed a drink, but then noticed the remains of his suit were melting! She was white hot! With the last of his suits strength and structure, he dragged Bombshell a few feet over to the river, then dropped her in!

HISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!

The place steamed up, water boiling, and hot vapour filled the vale. Moments later it cleared enough to see Bombshell, dressed in tattered rags, lying in shallow water. She no longer glowed, save the smile on her face. "My hero!" she grinned, weakly, coughing. "Never absorbed that much power before..." she added, voice croaking. "Thought... I was a gonna..."

Centurion glanced down at his own clothes, showing through the tattered remains of his melted and ruined suit. The Jet pack had about a minute of life left in it, the rest of the metal around him had been heat and radiation cycled so as to be useless, but it had done it's job and saved his life.

Roll Call:

Vanguard

Frostbite, Haunt, Stormbreaker, Lionheart, Ghost Knight

UKChampions:

StoneLord, Quarrel, Luna (Female), Lodestone, Prism (Female)

"What? What's that you say?" said Ghost Knight. He walked to where Stormbreaker was. "That name you mentioned. Son, do you know what you're saying?"

Stonelord growled "Now don't go pulling any tricks here. Quarrel might be fooled by you lot but until we've..."

"The White Warlock is an old friend of mine." continued Ghost Knight. "The land is still in danger, despite what we did here tonight. You must..."

Lodestone strode forwards. His powerful magnetic field meant that his skin was able to attract a coating of what looked to be steel ball bearings, thousands of them. It was a strange sight, but his powers were similar to Centurions in that he could control the movement and form of ferrous metals and even - to a limited degree - the magnetic field of the Earth itself. "Stonelord is right. You need to come with us so we can straighten this out. Look at it from our point of view - something one of you lot did or could have done might have caused all of this. Stranger things have happened." he added, with a bitter edge to his voice and no doubt referring to the time a super villain had masqueraded as Adjutant.

Frostbite could see the situation was changing, then Haunt mixed it up a little with his mention of the missing Centurion.

Prism, a female form seemingly composed of transparent crystal that gave her her name as light refracted through it, strode up. "Much as I disagree with Stonelords' attitude we must insist you come with us. Understand that we can help you once we have verified who you are, your powers and potential. Our ships onboard sensors revealed that a huge radioactive spike occurred at the same time as that bright flash and our computer says it could be one of half a dozen people, all of whom are lethal to ordinary humans. Then we have you guys. Sorry. It was a request, now it's an order. You're coming with us."

Ghost Knight looked at Stormbreaker, then at Haunt, Frostbite and Lionheart. With a sigh he spoke "The land is imperilled. Now that the immediate threat has gone, another has made itself known to me. If you come with me... " he looked at Stormbreaker "And him, we may be regarded as outlaws." he said to Haunt, Frosty and Lionheart.

"hey now there's no..." said Quarrel.

"Told ya they'd be trouble!" growled Stonelord. The ground around started to rumble! Despite the police and army personnels bravery they backed off, unsure of whether to stand their ground or run for their lives!

OOC Go with the UKChampions, or with Ghost Knight/Stormbreaker to investigate the coming of Kaberaxus and risk becoming outlawed? Also, Centurion will be (doubtless) heading back this way - do you want to wait for him, knowing that the UKC are gearing up to take you down?

"Hold on," The Haunt said in his most authoritative and reasonable voice,"Centurion and the woman he went after could be hurt!  Could be falling from the sky right now!  We look for them first, then we discuss other options.  Besides, it saves you a trip trying to find them later."

ooc: Not trying to provoke any actions on anyone's part. Just trying to slow them down until we know what happened to Centurion and Bombshell. After that ... depends on what the others want to do but I'm leaning towards giving a certain big-mouth pushy hero a taste of the Haunt's Aura of Fear.   

"I know exactly what I just said.."

Cut off by the UKChampions Alex scowles, and his expression doesn't get any better as the conversation continues back and forth. Finnally he hits the breaking point when Prism tries to order him to comply.

"Let me put this in perspective for you. One of the most powerful demonic forces in exsistance, with nearly unlimited growth potential is either already present on this plain, or has nearly broke through. Before he can become fully anchored here and learns how to blend in he needs to be eliminated. Otherwise he'll be able to trick people into worshiping him and draw even more power from that. There may be hours left, or minutes, or it might already be to late, and I'm not about to leave Claymore to handle him on his own. You can either help me - and then we can sort this out, or you can get out of my way. One way or the other.

---

Full force persuasion attempt for my Dice Action. I believe thats on 11/8 with any attitude adjustments. Also, maybe we can get some kind of working together or 'team attack' bonus between Stormbreaker and Ghost Knight?

dunecat wrote:"I know exactly what I just said.."

Cut off by the UKChampions Alex scowles, and his expression doesn't get any better as the conversation continues back and forth. Finnally he hits the breaking point when Prism tries to order him to comply.

"Let me put this in perspective for you. One of the most powerful demonic forces in exsistance, with nearly unlimited growth potential is either already present on this plain, or has nearly broke through. Before he can become fully anchored here and learns how to blend in he needs to be eliminated. Otherwise he'll be able to trick people into worshiping him and draw even more power from that. There may be hours left, or minutes, or it might already be to late, and I'm not about to leave Claymore to handle him on his own. You can either help me - and then we can sort this out, or you can get out of my way. One way or the other.

---

Full force persuasion attempt for my Dice Action. I believe thats on 11/8 with any attitude adjustments. Also, maybe we can get some kind of working together or 'team attack' bonus between Stormbreaker and Ghost Knight?

OOC I see what you are doing there and want to support it anyway I can.  So for the moment buying time.  

"Look" Frostbite said, "Before we do anything you are going to want to make sure that you get us all, our friend Centurion went to help a lady who calls herself Bombshell.  It was she, who saved everyone around here from certain death and radiation poisoning.  Without her ability to absorb it, we'd all be gone.  Centurion went to get her, after she flew away to disperse the energy safely.  But let me add, I don't like what you're suggesting.  Heroes you might be, but ticking boxes and making nice, whilst acting anything but didn't save Wales and sounds like it might well put the rest of the country in danger, while another menace is ignored.  What happened to the UK, time was Britain was the defender of nations, the liberators and protectors of freedom?  At some point you need to fill us in, on when freedom was suddenly rationed."

OOC:

Ok I think if this play by DUnecat for full persuasion doesn't work we are going to be outlaws, we are not going to wait around to push paper and make nice.  So if it comes to a fight - which these guys seem hell bent on provoking then so be it.   But I have no interest in fighting them, rather getting Bombshell, Centurion and tackling this new problem.

OOC Persuasion attempt on the UKChampions with Team Attack (Haunt and Frosty chipping in).

2d10 → [9,7] = (16)

Quarrel, Luna and Prism show doubts on their faces. Lodestone and Stonelord take the attempt as implied threats (they were opposed because they aren't very nice people).

Prism looks doubtful, and turns to look at her team mates

Quarrel sighs "Look, this is the law, ok? We're here to..." His voice trails off. Luna pipes in. "Maybe we should listen to them. If not for these people..."

Stonelord bellows "NO! These people are twisting things! They are unregistered, dangerous, running loose without official backing, without training as far as we know! They can do as much damage as good! You know this! We've seen..."

Quarrel moved to stand alongside the Vanguard bow appearing in his hands with practised ease and an arrow nocked, the head looking to be some kind of cylindrical custom device with a flashing led on it.

The ground started to rumble, harder now. An earthquake?!?!?

"YOU... DARE???" roared Stonelord. His eyes glowed, and it was clear he was about to exert his full power! Lodestone summoned the metal spheres about him so densely that his skin appeared to turn into solid metal! He moved to stand alongside Stonelord, but seemed more measured "Quarrel... Prism, Luna. Think about what you're doing. By going against the law you are ..."

Luna suddenly shone bright silver, much like that of the moon with the sun reflecting from it! The light, however, only seemed to affect Stonelord and Lodestone! She turned to Frostbite, smiling sadly. "Go, please. We'll sort this out. Find your friend, go find and stop this disturbance. We will... I don't know. Buy you time."

Prism took the reflected light from her team mate and became a bright kaleidoscope like figure with rainbow colours. "Stonelord will calm down or fall down. But it's our problem now. Oh... and thank you. For this." she smiled at the Vanguard.

"What she said" muttered Quarrel. With a nod to the Vanguard he took aim at his team mates.

OOC This is a mess that will get out of control... but the persuasion attempt worked for the most part. You have a round before things get nasty. Doesn't sound like much but most of you can be a mile away or more in that time. Or you can stay, and see what happens...

ooc: Do we have any idea which way to go to look for Bombshell and Centurion? And the Haunt's dander is up, he is really thinking of hitting Tweedledumb and Tweedlebdumber with his Aura of Fear and then leave but holding off on that until I know which way to go.

DavidMcMahon wrote:ooc:  Do we have any idea which way to go to look for Bombshell and Centurion?  And the Haunt's dander is up, he is really thinking of hitting Tweedledumb and Tweedlebdumber with his Aura of Fear and then leave but holding off on that until I know which way to go.

Frostbite took a moment to solomnly nod so as to express as best he could his appreciation and thanks.  Then turning to the others he nodded upward.  As they took to the air and left the battle on the ground, He felt a pang of guilt for the loyal and supportive police and guards.  He had to hope they were sensible enough to move back, before the fireworks kicked off.  

Turning to the others (OOC: and assuming we can all fly or grab those who can't) Frostbite quickly says, "Lionheart you and Haunt find Centurion and Bombshell get them the help they need or get them to us, we're heading North we'll meet and at..." And at this point he looked to Ghost Knight and Storm Breaker for a suggested place, before waving the others off and heading north.  

OOC: I figure that we can best sort this out by dividing the team, Dave if you are not happy with Haunt going to look for Centurion feel free to say, I just wanted to point to a possible action but leave you room to decide for yourself. Meanwhile the rest start to rekkie ahead whilst Lionheart can use his Psi powers to locate Centurion and hopefully make sure they are sufficiently able to get them to the next disaster.

ooc: Got no problems with looking for Centurion since Haunt is the one bringing it up. Though I really do want to give those two a taste of the Aura of Fear before I leave but I guess I will hold off ... this time.

OOC Ryan - Yeah I need to read up on Metal Manipulation for Centurion again. Ross (Centurion) doesn't have a vast amount of experience with the game system so I tend to just interpret his desired actions with Fabricate but yeah I will look at MM for him as well.

As for Magic Sense...

Stormbreaker looked out into the darkness. The rain continued to come down, slower now, and he narrowed his eyes as he stared in one direction.

"Yes." he murmured. "I expect that's him." as he stared into the surrounding tree covered hills and valleys of North Wales. He glanced at Ghost Knight. The man positively reeked of magic. It's possible he had been holding back in the fight in the reactor room, looking to see what these new heroes could do. Ghost Knight seemed to turn his head slightly towards Stormbreaker, so he in turn glanced at the UKChampions.

Luna showed up as having some mystic power, presumably tied to the moon. The others were 'empties' a phrase used to describe those devoid of mystic talent in the various magic circles.

Haunt saw Stormbreaker gesture, and Lionheart gave Frostbite a slight nod before taking to the air and waiting for Haunt to form wings from his cloak and follow, a ghostly white manta chased by a billowing white fog.

Frostbite said his thanks and his internal computer offered "I have tapped into the global positioning satellite signals and can accurately, well, within 3 metres, ascertain both our current location and intended destination."

Stormbreaker took to the air as well, followed by Ghost Knight on what looked to be a spectral steed. "South and east slightly of Edinburgh." stated Ghost Knight, voice sounding hollow inside his helmet. Stormbreaker wondered how the man knew - had he read his mind? As if in answer Ghost Knight added "The land and I are one. When she is imperilled, I know. For better of worse." he added, trying to suppress a groan.

=========

Lionheart waited for Ghost Knight to catch up...

His amazing senses could already tell him that which his mundane senses had made clear - the column of steam rising into the night sky, as well as the fading glow, indicated where Centurion and Bombshell had landed.

OOC Will wait for Ross to catch up - Lionheart and Haunt will find him in a few seconds, and he can decide what he wants to make with his remaining metal stores - another suit, a vehicle, jet pack etc Will bear Metal Manipulation in mind.

You also have the option of calling on SOLARL, the holographic computer woman who piloted you here in a jet supplied by Captain Ion... all those months ago. Check out The first couple of pages of this post for a refresher.

Update tomorrow (it's sack time for me, then up early and packing, but will - happily - find time to move things on) when the team will arrive at the ruins that had Stormbreaker wondering if they were the point at which his ancient enemy might enter this world...

OOC Posting from a tiny tablet in the isle of man so apologies for any lousy spelling - having to two finger type as this keyboard is only fit for children :S

Frostbite heard his computer aide speak up in his head...

'I am receiving a transmission from the solid light construct known as SOLARL. She has pinpointed our location and will arrive with supersonic transport shortly at this location' said Frostbot.

=========

Bombshell gasped "My powers! They are somehow diminished! Absorbing that radiation and expelling it somehow left me drained! I feel.. normal! At least for a while!"

She hugged Centurion which was how Haunt and Lionheart found the pair.

OOC Still with us Ross? I will assume Frostbite takes up the offer of transport from SOLARL

Moments later the FWOOOSH! of near silent air jets, technology that was both 'green' and far more powerful than that used by any military, signalled the arrival of another VTOL jet.

On board the Vanguard looked at the unfinished panels, exposed wires and winced aqt the strange noises. The beautiful artifical woman at the helm seemed unperturbed. "This is a prototype. Wandafar felt it necessary to provide the fastest transport possible. The stealth technology works, but it has no offensive cqapabilities as yet." 'she' explained.

=========

True to her word, the 'AIRJET' was indeed fast

Somehow it created a hole in the air and used that to expel from the engines to travel at several times the speed of sound without making any kind of 'sonic boom'. The Vanguard, along with the depleted Bombshell now reclothed and nursing a warm drink, rocketed towards the location that Stormbreaker had encountered earlier.

Ghost Knight confirmed. "Up ahead. This thing is FAST! I hate to think what it cost me..."

SOLARL glanced back at Ghost Knight but said nothing.

From within the helmet Ghost Knight added. "Something is wrong."

Up ahead, becoming visible in the dark and rain, the ruins of a castle became clear. SOLARL landed around a mile away, in the cover of trees.

Stormbreaker senses great magic present, but altered somehow. Before there was a magic shield which he could not penetrate. Now the shield was gone, replaced by something else...

OOC You are south of Edinburgh at a place called Coldstream, or close to. The castle is an old ruin from the middle ages. It's dark, raining, and there is an air of danger. Lionheart doesn't sense any impending danger to himself.

All the Vanguard (including Ghost Knight, Bombshell and SOLARL) are present.

Sorry about the no blue writing for OOC stuff. No option for it on this android version of chrome...EDIT sorted

OOC You are south of Edinburgh at a place called Coldstream, or close to. The castle is an old ruin from the middle ages. It's dark, raining, and there is an air of danger. Lionheart doesn't sense any impending danger to himself.

All the Vanguard (including Ghost Knight, Bombshell and SOLARL) are present.

Sorry about the no blue writing for OOC stuff. No option for it on this android version of chrome...EDIT sorted

With the others gathered, around, Frostbite spoke up. "Ok friends, some of us are not so blessed in the realm of magic, although we might have encountered such things before." At this point a pained looked crossed Frostbite's face, but then it was swept aside. "So anything you can give us on this would help. Otherwise I am inclined to let Lionheart do a sweep of the parameter and then think about how we go from there? Any asides, comments or suggestions welcome."

OOC: Ok so unless the others want to chime in Lionheart will give a wide sweep to get an impression from the outset as to what might be here, then I think we go in, bold as you like?

Sj