The NEW Vanguard - Frostbite Issue #3

FROSTBITE
HP 160

OOC Frostbite absorbs all of the points that he can. That means he's on Spirit 5/7 and deprived of his senses for 4 rounds, an eternity in combat. However, you said the right words...

"If not can I use Frostbot to direct me as eyes and ears so that I can avoid the worst that can happen in the next 16 seconds, which in an SHrpg, is basically the end of a battle and my head on it, if not."

Bingo.

Frostbite knew he only had one chance, and reached out to his computer alter ego...

'I thought you might make such a request, so have already linked into the cameras in this room. The link is tenuous. The security protocols are trying to override my access constantly. At some point everything will reboot, and I will be kicked from the system. Until then... I bring you vision...' said Frostbot.

Frostbot gasped as an overlay of the room appeared in his head. He was looking down on himself, at the Super Soldier looming near him, at the others who were in the room. That knight was perhaps the most dangerous. That sword could slice through any defence Frostbite put up. He could still feel its chill where it had entered his chest. Not a mark was left, but the cold was deeper than any even he could imagine.

Without a sense of hearing he couldn't be sure if his voice was coming out garbled, loud, or at all. Steadying himself with his lack of balance he turned in the direction of his team mates. Seeing their leader stricken, they reacted in different ways.

Traveller vanished!

Reflex reached out to drain the fellow with the scary looking sword...

OOC 2d10 → [4,4] = (8) DOUBLE.. that's useful. 2d10 → [1,8] = (9) 17, and she does 6RAPs damage.

The Knight cries out as Reflex drains his life force (Body 4/10) and now has the following stats for one minute:

Dex 8 Str 8 Body 8
Cling 5, Regeneration 5, Flight 6, Ultra Vision 6, Personal Force Field 5, Sealed Systems 5

She moves to stand slightly in front of Frostbite, using her own body as a shield. "If you want him, you'll have to get through ME!" she declares, hoping to sound more confident than she felt!

Rebuff considered running, but instead turned and thrust a hand out at the big fellow shouting "GET BACK!"

OOC 2d10 → [1,5] = (6) Oh dear.

The big fellow doesn't even move! Rebuff is horrified, and takes several steps back, fearful. "NO! How is it possible you... you..."

"Keep it together Michael" muttered Impulse as he used his power...

OOC Time Stop is a mental attack against EVERYONE in range of the character. Dex/Mind are the OV/RVs. Just a single roll determines the attack, and the effect is applied against everyone within range. The energy blaster is standing further away so suffers an attack from 7 Timestop instead of 9.

Roll 2d10 → [10,3] = (13)

Frostbite - suffers loss of 6RAPs. Reduces Dex and all AVs by 6 as well as movement.
Reflex - same, 6 RAPs loss
Rebuff - Suffers 8RAPs loss

Super Soldier - 4RAPs loss
Spectral Knight - 4RAPs loss
Witch Woman - 8RAPs loss
Phaser - 5RAPs loss

What does this mean? Well if you attack someone with a greater loss than you, you get an advantage as they are slowed more than you are. If you attack someone with less of a loss than you, you are slower than they are and suffer a penalty.

Example: Frostbite lost 6RAPs from his acting value and dexterity, effectively. He can still move, but its like moving through treacle. He attacks Super Soldier, who only lost 4 RAPs. Frostbite attacks with a penalty of -2 whereas Super Soldier retaliates with a bonus of +2, effectively, just because he's moving faster than Frosty. So, pick you target carefully!

Impulse called out "Sorry bout this boss, but you'd want it this way I guess!" and moved like a blur, with Frostbite barely able to track him on camera, towards the hostages. He intended to get them out, as many as was possible at any rate. Compared to everyone else in the room, he was moving so fast as to be almost invisible!

OOC Initiative check... 2d10 → [9,3] = (12) Good guys 9, Bad guys 3. Even with the loss of Dexterity Frostbite goes first before the bad guys (just) after Impulse has acted. He scoops up the Ambassador and his family (wife and son) and zips out of the room. Frostbite is suffering from sensory deprivation (all OV/RV increased by 2 for 3 more rounds including this and his own OV reduced by -2 Columns vs physical attacks) and is slowed by the Time Stop as well which reduces his acting value dependent on who he attacks. Think the scene from X men movie with Quicksilver and the difference being that some guards are stood sill and others are moving very very slowly. He's best off attacking someone who suffered a greater loss than he did which means Witch Woman basically. He can attack anyone he likes but he's firing blind even with frostbots help as while he can see in a fashion he's look at himself from above, camera being mounted in the ceiling... Confused? Yeah. Me too. That's superhero battles for ya.

Admin wrote:FROSTBITE
HP 160

Impulse called out "Sorry bout this boss, but you'd want it this way I guess!" and moved like a blur, with Frostbite barely able to track him on camera, towards the hostages. He intended to get them out, as many as was possible at any rate. Compared to everyone else in the room, he was moving so fast as to be almost invisible!

OOC Initiative check... 2d10 → [9,3] = (12) Good guys 9, Bad guys 3. Even with the loss of Dexterity Frostbite goes first before the bad guys (just) after Impulse has acted. He scoops up the Ambassador and his family (wife and son) and zips out of the room. Frostbite is suffering from sensory deprivation (all OV/RV increased by 2 for 3 more rounds including this and his own OV reduced by -2 Columns vs physical attacks) and is slowed by the Time Stop as well which reduces his acting value dependent on who he attacks. Think the scene from X men movie with Quicksilver and the difference being that some guards are stood sill and others are moving very very slowly. He's best off attacking someone who suffered a greater loss than he did which means Witch Woman basically. He can attack anyone he likes but he's firing blind even with frostbots help as while he can see in a fashion he's look at himself from above, camera being mounted in the ceiling... Confused? Yeah. Me too. That's superhero battles for ya.

Thankful for Frostbot's ability to circumvent his own limitations and remain cogent in the battle around him, Frostbite readed an attack on the woman, responsible for almost singlehandedly taking him out in one shot.

OOC: Ok go for an Energy Blast attack on the Witch, 5/5 HP on attack and effect as I don't want to miss and want to try and make sure I take her out before anything else happens.  I'll let Frostbot know what I am doing and as a result seek to get him to provide appropriate telemetry to help me make the shot as best as possible (that is me rationalising how the HP works to steady my shot despite the current conditions I'm facing) and try and take her out.  I'll also tell the team, to stay focused, I'll be ok but to remember what we're here to do.

Sj

With the minds eye image of the room in his brain, Frostbite levelled an arm and blasted out with an icy stream...

That missed, punching through the plaster and brick, before he moved it slightly to the left and towards the Witch, who was moving even slower than Frostbite was!

OOC 2d10 → [6,3] = (9) hit, and the following happens:

The icy blast thundered out, slicing through the air and crashing into the chest of the witch! She screamed, a noise cut off as she was engulfed in ice and fell back, a statue encased in steel hard ice! Frostbites control was such that the area around her face was perforated with tiny holes to make sure she could breathe, but it would be some time before it melted unless one of her team mates helped her. Even then, they'd have to revive the woman. Despite having a superhuman endurance the power that had laid her low was easily capable of overwhelming it, even if the wielder couldn't aim straight!

The Super Soldier stepped up to Reflex and took a swing at her!

OOC 2d10 → [1,8] = (9) Hit

Reflex ducks, barely, as a powerful fist scythes through the air and nearly connects. She was superhuman fast, strong and durable, but the man in front of her had power in his fists enough to powder stone! However, the man smiles, then follows with a backhand that catches Reflex across the face! It shatters her force field (which reforms instantly) and draws blood from her nose and mouth. She stands her ground though and narrowed her eyes...

Reflex snarled, the beast in her unleashed!

OOC And she swings back... 2d10 → [9,7] = (16) Hit, but because of being slowed she is not accurate enough to land a telling blow!

The big man is battered backwards a foot or two but he chuckles as he rubs his chin. In halting English he laughs "You are strong and fast woman, but not enough, I think!"

Rebuff, petrified after his previous failure, is on the edge of being reduced to a blubbering wreck! He thrust his hands out and shouted "BEGONE!" at the Super Soldier!

OOC Not likely to succeed without a double, and even then... 2d10 → [4,8] = (12)

Despite a valiant effort, nothing happens! Rebuff wails "What's h.. happening! I can't... I need to get out! OUT!"

He backs off, and Frostbite stifles a curse. On the camera vision in his mind he sees Rebuff stumble backwards and out of the room! Coward!

The Armoured Knight replies to Reflexes attack on him by slashing out with his sword!

OOC 2d10 → [5,7] = (12) Hit and Reflex takes 6 points of SPIRIT damage, leaving her on 1 point remaining!

With an audible sigh, Reflex finds herself run through by the deadly spirit blade which leaves no physical mark but a definite wound in her soul as though she had suffered some great loss that would be nigh impossible to recover from! Tears roll down her cheeks, mingling with the blood from the earlier strike, and she turns to Frostbite, saying something... which he cannot hear thanks to the effect on him!

And then the world came rushing back into Frostbites' head! Noise, sound, vision, smells, touch, taste even, as the Witch Womans effect wears off thanks to her immobilisation! He gasps, shudders, and suppresses a sob as blurs form into real people. He sees Reflex, staggering, barely able to stand with two foes standing over her. He sees the energy blaster across the room taking aim at him, and the ice encased Witch Woman.

He sees the terrified hostages, too frightened to move or even scream! He glances to see Rebuff stumbling into the corridor, confidence shattered.

Impulse then appears at the door. "Heybossyouwantmetotaketheseguyson?" he says in one quick fire burst of speech!

Then the Energy Blaster shoots at him from the other side of the room!

OOC And will need a reasonable roll, but its not beyond the bounds of his accuracy despite being slowed. 2d10 → [10,9] = (19) Oh. BOOM! 14RAPs damage plus knockback...IMPULSE IS OUT OF THE FIGHT

And just like that Impulse was punched from his feet through the wall behind where he stood, and smashed into the wall beyond that!

Reflex cried out, then looked at Frostbite. "B... Boss?" she mumbled through swollen lips...

Frostbite looked up, and saw he faced off against the three ruthless supers.

The Super Soldier laughed, and suddenly everyone 'sped up'. That meant impulse was out for the count... or worse...

OOC This had gone from bad to worse! Impulse has gotten the ambassador out of the room, plus his wife and son. The rest of the staff are stuck where they are for fear of being hit in the crossfire. The mercenaries with automatic weapons aren't sure whether to keep heads down or cover the hostages. Rebuff has been useless so far, Reflex has been battered, Impulse is out, and Frosty has just recovered his senses but faces off against three foes at least as powerful as he is! This is going down to the wire! 2d10 → [5 Heroes,2 Bad Guys] Frosty first, then bad guys, then his team (what's left of it). Over to you!

Admin wrote:Frostbite looked up, and saw he faced off against the three ruthless supers.

The Super Soldier laughed, and suddenly everyone 'sped up'. That meant impulse was out for the count... or worse...

OOC This had gone from bad to worse! Impulse has gotten the ambassador out of the room, plus his wife and son. The rest of the staff are stuck where they are for fear of being hit in the crossfire. The mercenaries with automatic weapons aren't sure whether to keep heads down or cover the hostages. Rebuff has been useless so far, Reflex has been battered, Impulse is out, and Frosty has just recovered his senses but faces off against three foes at least as powerful as he is! This is going down to the wire! 2d10 → [5 Heroes,2 Bad Guys] Frosty first, then bad guys, then his team (what's left of it). Over to you!

OOC: Oh sounds pretty normal for me, looks like Frostbite's noble ability with dice is being shared about his team. Sad to see them get such a kicking as I was hoping that they'd stand up to things better. At least see a round or two before being taken out. I need to end things quickly as I can't see this going well for anyone otherwise. So time for something drastic.

Frostbite felt suddenly tired, the team hadn't performed as he had hoped they were capable off. That wasn't there fault and in some senses perhaps he'd been too keen to get them out too soon. In truth there was nothing like battle field training for improvement, but perhaps the team simply wasn't sufficiently ready for that. And now there very lives and the remaining hostages were in dire need of help.

He didn't have time for witty lines or some come back to the three Meta humans, looking as if they'd cheerfully rip his head off. So instead he went for all he had left.

OOC: Since my energy blast, cold attack is so darn powerful, I am going to spend a ton of HP on attack and defence to improve the chances of taking out all three at once in area attack but only aimed at them. Spend whatever it will take in HP, so 20/20 or 50/50 whatever, can't loose the battle in any case and this is sort of make or break - or at least I hope this is. If there is anything else moving after this it might prove fatal after all. If Frostbot has an ideas I am open to them, but short of allowing them to capture me - assuming they'd contemplate any such move, its me having to go down in a blaze of icy glory or nothing, I fear.

Sj

Frostbite could see his inexperienced comrades were falling like skittles. Reflex had done him proud, Impulse had been useful, but Traveller and rebuff had been disappointing.

Travellers ability to turn into a ghost was all well and good, but his offensive capability was very limited. Rebuff? Well, the man didn't have it in him - yet. A first mission, hopefully not the last. The way Impulse had gone down though. Frostbite didn't have time to shudder. He took in his opponents, all closing in, then let loose!

OOC Ok multi attack on the three of them. 14 each on AV and EV (attack and damage). Normally I'd suggest a critical blow (harder to hit, do loads more damage) or devastating attack (even harder to hit, mega damage) but with your luck with the dice (hey, blame invisible castle, not me ) I'd suggest just hoping for a reasonable roll (i.e. not really garbage like less than 9) ans seeing what happens. When multi attacking you take the most powerful stats as opposing and resistance values of those you are attacking (so if attacking the Flash and Superman, use Flashs' Superspeed as the OV and Supermans Body as the RV) then stick a modifier on top to make it harder.

Roll 2d10 → [8,5] = (13) That's not a bad roll at all, so much so that...

FROSTBITE HP 122

Frostbite unleashed everything he had. The most powerful, searing energy bolts, too cold even to freeze the air, sent like missiles at his foes. He struck one, then another, and finally the energy blaster at the other side of the room.

All of a sudden, the fight was over. The mercenaries stepped out of cover, looked at the ice coated statues that had been their employers, and dropped their weapons. Reflex sagged to the floor, holding her nose to stop the bleeding and stifling a sob. Frostbite could hear Rebuff whimpering in the corner, and he looked out to see the man curled up into a foetal ball. He walked up to the nearest of superhumans and looked at him. Perfect hibernation, at least for an hour or so. After that? Well, hopefully he'd be someone elses problem.

'Frostbite' said Frostbot. 'I have detected a VTOL vessel has hovered over the building and is making its way across London even as we speak. The Royal Air Force are en route but their technology may be insufficient to stop the enemy craft. It is possible that this... abduction... was a diversion, and the real mission was to abscond with something.'

The hostages slowly realised that the ordeal was over, for now. They'd been taken en masse to this place and threatened with death, but now they'd been rescued. One of them stood. "The ambassador? Where is he?"

'Frostbite! I have scanned radio communication channels nearby, and you have three superhumans inbound to this location, closing... mach... very fast! They are on a direct intercept course!'

More? Frostbite groaned. His team was in no shape to take on more of these goons. Whatever was on their ship was making a getaway across London, and these guys needed putting on ice a little more permanently otherwise they'd be on their feet in an hour! And what of the Ambassador and his family? And Impulse?

The burden of leadership weighed heavy on Frostbite, such that he couldn't revel in the stunning victory he'd had against the odds.

OOC And with our 'changes to combat' will be changes to HP. I don't want to nerf any chance you have of taking guys down but I've been stacking things in the heroes favour by not spending HP for the bad guys (otherwise we'd REALLY be in the do do with regards slowing things down). Frostbite has enough on his plate right now though... Over to you.

Admin wrote:Frostbite

More? Frostbite groaned. His team was in no shape to take on more of these goons. Whatever was on their ship was making a getaway across London, and these guys needed putting on ice a little more permanently otherwise they'd be on their feet in an hour! And what of the Ambassador and his family? And Impulse?

The burden of leadership weighed heavy on Frostbite, such that he couldn't revel in the stunning victory he'd had against the odds.

OOC And with our 'changes to combat' will be changes to HP. I don't want to nerf any chance you have of taking guys down but I've been stacking things in the heroes favour by not spending HP for the bad guys (otherwise we'd REALLY be in the do do with regards slowing things down). Frostbite has enough on his plate right now though... Over to you.

Frostbite stirred himself as he put the remaining goons on ice. "Reflex, I need you to get rebuff up and functioning. We need to get these people out of here, and I need to intercept what is going on at the roof. I suspect this was some sort of ruse, or diversion from the main goal. Can you do that for me?"

OOC: Assuming its not too difficult to sort out the mercenaries and Coup de Grace the criminals, so that I need not worry about them for now. I will then make sure that I get to the roof. If Frostbot can assist in locking anything down to stop this merry little transaction go ahead then great, if not, then I'd best make best speed and use dispersal to get to it.

Sj

Leaving Reflex to sort out Rebuff and make sure the hostages are led to safety, Frostbite turned ghostlike and moved through the ceiling towards the roof...

Frostbot guided him to where Traveller had mentioned the superhuman had been waiting for extraction. Getting there in moments, he entered a room via the floor and saw it had a large glass roof that was opened. He also saw Traveller, corporeal and covered in blood, slumped against a wall. His eyes fluttered open. "B.. boss!" he gasped. "I... wanted to follow them. There was someone... someone *cough* on the jet though... don't know what it was she did... powers just... just turned off. *hack*. Guy with case just.. just ... knifed me..."

He held a hand on his gut and slowly lifted it off. "Hurts like hell. My... my powers are back but the pain! So... so hard to concentrate!" He chuckled, then added "Boss. Whatever in that case... that's the prize! Maybe... maybe ambass *cough, cough cough* maybe the ambassador knows..." His voice trailed off as he coughed up blood.

Admin wrote:Leaving Reflex to sort out Rebuff and make sure the hostages are led to safety, Frostbite turned ghostlike and moved through the ceiling towards the roof...

He held a hand on his gut and slowly lifted it off. "Hurts like hell. My... my powers are back but the pain! So... so hard to concentrate!" He chuckled, then added "Boss. Whatever in that case... that's the prize! Maybe... maybe ambass *cough, cough cough* maybe the ambassador knows..." His voice trailed off as he coughed up blood.

"Blow, right Traveller can you get yourself back to the ship? If not I'm calling in Mary and the ship. There is no point pretending we're not here and the time for diplomacy might well have gone out the window. I suspect whatever is in that brief case might well be some sort of weapon."

With the call put through Frostbit continued up to the roof ordering Frostbot to keep an eye on Traveller until Mary had him and the others secure aboard the ship along with the Ambassador and his team.

Frostbite hated to leave the rest to get on with it, but whatever was on that roof was worth a whole lot of trouble that meant it was likely both dangerous and powerful and that was something that he could not just let slip away.

Frostbite pushed through to the roof and as he did, he signaled to Frostbot again. "Ok am just about to find out what is going on, if this base has any means of security anything we can throw at this craft to stop it taking off I suggest we make use of it. That or you'd best come with me, I don't want that case or anyone getting away without my having a say so in it. I don't want the teams sacrifices to be for nothing."

With that Frostbite got ready thinking he'd freeze the ship to the top of the roof if that was necessary to keep it from taking off with that case. Although while wondering what on earth they'd got themselves into.

Sj

Traveller coughed and staggered to his feet, holding his gore splattered gut "Can't...use power... but can get down stairs..."

"The others... they can... help. Go get... get the bad guys Boss." he coughed, spraying blood across the floor and near where Frostbite stood. "Sorry." added Traveller.

Frostbite phased through the ceiling and roof towards the top of the building. He made the request of Frostbot. 'The building has automated sentry guns of a non lethal nature. Dum Dum slugs I believe they are called, designed to slow down incoming aircraft in such a way that they are damaged but not shot down over the City of London. That is the extent to which the British Government allows foreign powers to protect their embassies from air attack. I have activated them and the jet is being tracked at almost a mile away. They have departed, but their speed suggests the power from the aircraft is being routed to other systems. Shields perhaps or...'

"Or?" Frostbite asked as he phased through the ceiling.

'Or another system. Stealth, perhaps. You may not have long. Speaking of which, I have hacked into the RAF channels and they have confirmed that the three inbound superhumans are American. Clearly they are seeking to rescue their ambassador. You may have some explaining to do before an unfortunate incident occurs...'

'Amongst the 'chatter' is the confirmation that one of the Superhumans is 'Silver Centurion' the man formerly known as 'Silver Sentinel', leader of the Ultrahumans, Americas most powerful superhuman organisation. His powers are on a scale higher than yours, possibly more than Lionhearts. His companions have not been identified, but apparently the RAF have orders not to interfere with them. They will be here in... ETA... the next half minute or less.'

Frostbite turned to where the jet was receding, flying low and presumably evading radar. Even at this distance he could see it was 'shimmering' and appearing to change colour. The incoming Superhumans would fly in like bulls in a china shop, and his team, depleted as they were, might be caught in a crossfire. Whatever was in that case must have been important enough to steal from the American ambassador and create this international incident. The Ambassador, his family and staff had merely been bait to draw such as the Ultrahumans away. The question was, could Frostbite risk his people in order to pursue that craft?

Admin wrote:Frostbite turned to where the jet was receding, flying low and presumably evading radar. Even at this distance he could see it was 'shimmering' and appearing to change colour. The incoming Superhumans would fly in like bulls in a china shop, and his team, depleted as they were, might be caught in a crossfire. Whatever was in that case must have been important enough to steal from the American ambassador and create this international incident. The Ambassador, his family and staff had merely been bait to draw such as the Ultrahumans away. The question was, could Frostbite risk his people in order to pursue that craft?

OOC: Ok I've notionally got an idea for a plan, but it requires me trying to contact Sentinel and his team, to basically explain what is going on, and that the real target is the jet speeding off trying so hard to remain unnoticed - big clue. That if they want they can send a team mate to help mop up with mine, but that the real target is what they've got away with, the ambassador's kidnapping was the rouse needed to cover it. Assuming I can do that I will go after the jet. If not, then it'll have to be the case that its the one that got away. Not much else I can do about it and best I get the team out, before the American's pummel my team into the back of beyond thinking we're the bad guys or something.

Frostbite looked at the Jet and asked Frostbot to punch him into the income teams coms. He didn't know if he could do it, but if possible it might yet be possible not only to save the day but also save the world from some as yet unknown threat that the the jet was trying to steal away.

OOC: As much as it bugs me to see the jet leave, the primary concern of my mission is the team, so whatever happens if I am not satisfied as to their safety then assume team first in whatever way you resolve this. Getting them out safely is my priority, if they can't do that without help then I stay to help. Otherwise the Jet is my next objective assuming I can convince my fellow American's we're on the same side.

Sj

Admin wrote:OOC Frostbite is looking to persuade the incoming heroes. Persuasion is a subskill of the CHARISMA skill which Frostbite doesn't have (unskilled use +2CS difficulty to opposing and resistance values - i.e. its harder to do). With that in mind effectively he's not the most persuasive person going, especially when faced by superhumans who'd rather punch first and ask questions when the dust has settled and you wake up behind bars!

So with that in mind, do you want to spend hero points (up to 7 on acting, up to 7 on effect) for the check?

OOC: "Yes I do want to try and use HP 7/7 as you suggest as well as saying something.

Frostbite took a moment and then said in his easy to follow American accent...

"Heroes the real villain is using us all to escape with that which they've stolen from your Ambassador, who is safe at present. The real enemy's vehicle is cloaked and escaping, however a wideband sweep will show you and avert an avalanche of problems that will follow if you don't take advantage to avert their getaway."

Frostbite knew it was a long shot but had to hope that searching for the vehicle would not impede their progress and may instead be taken as wise advice. After all it was difficult enough to think how else to put it in as short a message as made sense in the given time. He also hoped that being American, in an American crisis might go someway to helping his message get across. Of course this all might be for nothing if their sensors were not as sophisticated as their coms and they couldn't detect the craft. In which case a world of hurt might fall and on them not to mention what might be escaping to cause who knew what havoc on that craft.

Frostbite waited running through various contingency plans if this one shot deal failed. He couldn't help wonder as well what this might have done for the team's moral let alone lives from the injuries they'd picked up.

Sj

OOC You get the bonus. Let's see what the dice say...

2d10 → [2,1] = (3)

Oh. My. Word. That's invisible castle for you. You've had a run of decent rolls to get you through the fight (well, decent for everyone else, staggeringly brilliant for you) but the dice are back to their usual shenanigans. This makes things... complicated.

Silver Centurion speeds ahead of his team mates, and swoops in, almost too fast for Frostbite to see!

"Tell it to the judge, punk!" he snarls, and scythes an uppercut designed to take Frostbites head off, or at least rattle his teeth!

OOC Yeeeowch. Centurion wins initiative (no roll needed, he's that much faster). Do you want to pile hp into defence (opposing value and resistance) in order to buy time to slow this chump down enough to listen? Frostbite has a staggeringly powerful attack of his own to use, but needs chance to use it. Currently:

FROSTBITE HP 108

Otherwise the chances are that Centurion will one shot Frostbite. yes he's THAT powerful. Your call. In this case you've done everything you could and spent everything possible, but still got gouged (BADLY!) by the dice. That's just pure hard luck, but it's not all bad. Hopefully.

Admin wrote:OOC Yeeeowch. Centurion wins initiative (no roll needed, he's that much faster). Do you want to pile hp into defence (opposing value and resistance) in order to buy time to slow this chump down enough to listen? Frostbite has a staggeringly powerful attack of his own to use, but needs chance to use it. Currently:

FROSTBITE HP 108

Otherwise the chances are that Centurion will one shot Frostbite. yes he's THAT powerful. Your call. In this case you've done everything you could and spent everything possible,  but still got gouged (BADLY!) by the dice. That's just pure hard luck, but it's not all bad. Hopefully.

OOC:One has to wonder if there is any way this ends well. Down to my stupid inability to command a good roll, not matter how much I try to execute a good plan I seem to fall flat on my face no matter what. I appreciate the fun of falling forward, however I wonder if against such superior foes my best bet is to surrender, and take the heat (no pun intended) out of this situation. After all the Ambassador can vouch for my team's attempts to help. Then again knowing how awful things go for me, he'd as likely charge me with being in on the act from the beginning. Anyway, yes add HP to the reaction, since there is no way I'd wake up from this punch any other way. And then its either

a) try and talk, whilst offering no offensive reasons to attack back
b) coupled with dispersal so as to not continue to be a punching bag
c) with the idea that I know where their ambassador is, 'do they really want to knock out the one person who knows more than they do currently?'
d) followed by, 'can we please now talk - because you guys goofed big time, however we're all in for the bill to be paid' discussion.

If that sequence of events fails to take, i.e. they don't want to talk and aren't open to listening then I'd best get out, get my friends and forget we were ever here.

And then see what is next.

Sj

OOC Max HP added to defence, dispersal active and hoping the dice are kinder. Without even looking at what Invisible castle chucks out I suspect you're in for a wild ride (haven't gone to IC to check out the roll yet). 17HP spent, down to

FROSTBITE HP 91

And here we go...

2d10 → [10,2] = (12)

Frostbite didn't even see the blow coming - this guy was as fast as Lionheart, surely!

Even dispersed, he felt his atoms displaced somehow, as if he were of liquid and a ripple had passed through him! Nonetheless, at his most defensive Frostbite had avoided being smeared across the wall of the Embassy. For now.

The American Hero slashed through Frostbite and recovered in the blink of an eye, his keen mind assessing the problem and finding a solution near instantaneously! "PHOTONIX!" he shouted "Fire an inverse tachyon cluster at this guy! That will give him something to think about!"

'Indeed.' said Frostbot. 'That would. If you were to remain dispersed with such an effect nearby, the tachyons would be drawn to you and prevent you from remaining together. You would be forced to become solid or find yourself dispersed further away than you might be able to recover from! It seems these superhumans have encountered someone with abilities like you own before.'

"I'm not fighting back!" Frostbite shouted. The hero known as Photonix, a black man in a shiny silver suit with a domino mask, paused. Centurion called out "Don't listen to him! We need to get in there and save the Ambassador!"

"Who has already BEEN saved!" spluttered Frostbite. "By me! The bad guys are getting away with... with something though!"

Silver Centurion seemed to stare at the floor for a moment, then took a step back. "You're right. Who are you? And what was that about getting away with something?"

Frostbite nearly breathed a sigh of relief, then looked to where the jet had been.

Gone.

What now?

"You'd better not try anything." growled Silver Centurion. "The last time I was here in Britain I felt fairly sure I didn't want to get mixed up with this place again, and here I am. Even now there's all sorts of political wrangling going on about our activities being unsanctioned. I need to get to the bottom of this and get away from here, before I lose my patience with this jumped up little country!"

Frostbite could tell Silver Centurion didn't like Britain much. The problem now was, where had that jet gone, and what exactly had it gotten away with?

Admin wrote:Gone.

What now?

"You'd better not try anything." growled Silver Centurion. "The last time I was here in Britain I felt fairly sure I didn't want to get mixed up with this place again, and here I am. Even now there's all sorts of political wrangling going on about our activities being unsanctioned. I need to get to the bottom of this and get away from here, before I lose my patience with this jumped up little country!"

Frostbite could tell Silver Centurion didn't like Britain much. The problem now was, where had that jet gone, and what exactly had it gotten away with?

"Frostbite, that is who I am. The ship which was the real target here, with something on it that these people wanted to get out is gone. I very much doubt you'll find it. You'd best make the most of a bad situation and come with me and get your ambassador and his staff. My people are injured I need to get them away before we all take too much heat from this day."

With that Frostbite turned to the Embassy, for the first time he felt quite ashamed of his own country, that people like this thought more of action first and thinking through a situation second. If he had learned anything from having great power in his time as a hero, it was that great power could make you both arrogant and complacent. Two things he felt were sadly in evidence today.

He radioed ahead to make sure that what was left of his team were relatively clear, and that the Ambassador's location and safety, which was no paramount.

OOC:"Ok so head back to the Embassy, hand over the Ambassador and try and find out any details they might have. I will then hand the case over to our American team, since they are going to be far better prepared than I or my team will be. I need to rethink our strategy and the teams training. Perhaps there is a NPC who can do a better job, since I can't be trusted with them given my improbably abilities with even electron random dice rolls ;-). Which might be for the best, looking after them is hard work when you have to constantly be mindful of their weaknesses, and the nature of PBEM combat. By the way, didn't say this in Lionheart's thread, but nice summery including the small combat sections as well. Got us to where we needed to be.

Sj

Silver Centurion was about to say something else, but stared at the ground the pair stood on instead.

With a sigh he looked back at Frostbite. "I owe you an apology it seems. The Ambassador IS safe, and with his family in the basement of this place. Judging by the ice in that main room I gather you were responsible for the stopping of those metahumans. I would normally say that we can bring them to justice but it is we who are on foreign soil, technically, so we will grab our people and go."

He turned, then looked about. "I don't see anything. Let's see... X-Ray, Ultra Violet, Thermal... ahhh. It may be invisible but the exhaust leaves a thermal trail. They are heading south east from here, towards the English channel. Speed approximately... 400 miles per hour. I suppose they are limited by the use of the cloak on their jet. Any faster and it would light them up like a beacon on radar and drop the visual camouflage."

He seemed to tip his head to one side, as if listening. "Yes, I am aware of that. We are retrieving the ambassador and will be out of here in moments. Yes, the Secretary of State is going to have to wait though. I have business to clear up h..."

He looked annoyed, then turned to Frostbite. "My apologies. You have done your country a great service." He pressed a stud on the side of his helmet. "A word of advice, friend. Never climb into bed with your countries Intelligence agencies. You will find yourself questioning everything you do. I have to go. Apologies again, for the mix up."

He nodded, respectful, then spun on the spot, drilling through the roof and vanishing at speed whilst he made arrangements to collect the Ambassador, his family and his staff.

=========

Reflex was battered but tried to keep a look of disgust from her face.

Rebuff was the reason why, and she shook her head as she glanced at him. She looked up as Frostbite floated through the ceiling and came over to them. "Boss." she said quietly. "It's Impulse... I... I don't know if he's still alive."

The pair of them moved through the holes in the walls to a room full of broken brick and plaster, and the equally broken body of Impulse lying awkwardly. Frostbite rushed over and felt for a pulse. Nothing. No, wait.

Faint. He was in a very bad way. Possibly internal injuries. Over the comms Mary spoke up "We need to get you out of there, fast! The Azerhajani consulate has apparently made loud complaints about its sovereign territory having been invaded by superhumans and is demanding diplomatic immunity for its own people, stating that the US Ambassador was a guest of their country and our teams intrusion is an act of war! Like that's going to stick. Anyway, we need to get out before it gets messier. Inbound, eta 1 minute. See if you can meet me on the roof."

Traveller was injured, badly, though still conscious. Frostbite blamed himself, but Reflex seemed to empathise with her commander. "Frostbite. I just want you to know... you're not to blame. We knew what we were getting into. Our inexperience cost us, but we won, We WON! Don't you see? The Ambassador is safe, we stopped the bad guys and with a bit of luck will get out before anything else kicks off. We just... maybe need more training."

'Extrapolating the course of the fleeing stealth jet.' said Frostbot. 'If it continues on its present course it will cross the channel shortly and head towards France, then Germany. There is a chance you can catch it.'

Frostbite looked to his people. They were battered. Whatever was on that jet, was it more important than getting his team out of here and back to base, so they could get medical attention? He'd handed the case over to the American team, but they seemed equally as reluctant to get involved. It seemed that Silver Centurion had been 'burned' by his previous experience here in the so called superhero 'Civil War' some years ago and wanted to just get in and out. That left Frostbite as the sole hero who had a chance of stopping the jet!

Admin wrote:'Extrapolating the course of the fleeing stealth jet.' said Frostbot. 'If it continues on its present course it will cross the channel shortly and head towards France, then Germany. There is a chance you can catch it.'

Frostbite looked to his people. They were battered. Whatever was on that jet, was it more important than getting his team out of here and back to base, so they could get medical attention? He'd handed the case over to the American team, but they seemed equally as reluctant to get involved. It seemed that Silver Centurion had been 'burned' by his previous experience here in the so called superhero 'Civil War' some years ago and wanted to just get in and out. That left Frostbite as the sole hero who had a chance of stopping the jet!

OOC:Sorry for late reply, been away seeing family and packed light so couldn't reply till now...

Whatever he did next he couldn't just leave the others to struggle on alone. The Army had taught him discipline, courage and more than anything unit cohesion and loyalty. He had to make sure his people were safe, before he ran off and got himself into more trouble. With the rest of the team, who knows where. On separate missions of their own, now more than ever he needed to wise in the way he dealt with what he did next.

"Frostbot has given me a trajectory for the jet, but before I go launching after it we need to get our man some much needed medical attention. So lets pick it up and get onboard our jet. We can debrief and work out what to do on their."

With no further ado, lifting the injured Impulse to the jet moving as gentle as flight would allow as he hovered over debris, through doors and to the quickest route they'd got to the jet. Once aboard he lift Impulse onto a waiting makeshift cot and gave orders to get them out of there.

OOC:Ok so with impulse this bad, near death, what are the chances that Wandafar and the mansion has a hospital wing or some way to make sure Impulse doesn't end up a permanent cripple out of this? If we do not have the facilities within the group, Frostbite will need to get him to a hospital on the down low. Strip off costume, get on some civies and go with him to get him in, type of thing. If it's the later option I see no point chasing the jet, as Impulse will need 24 hour guarding to make sure those who kidnapped him in the first place, don't try it again. Or some other sinister organisation etc. If we can get him the much needed attention then I'll follow up on the jet as best I can. All depends what happens next. I'd best make sure either way I keep Wandafar abreast of what is happening.

Sj

OOC Apologies for delay. Mixture of work and literally not being able to get near a keyboard, thank the school holidays for that Only 2 weeks left before respite. Don't get me wrong spending time with the kids is nice but when its work all day then start again when you get home it gets on your nerves - especially for 6-7 weeks Am sure you understand Anyway, back to it.

Mary spoke over the comms "We have some medical facilities on board. At the mansion there is a more extensive setup, thanks to our diminutive friend"

The roar of the jet indicated the pilot wasn't hanging about, and Mary swung it in over the mansion as Frostbite gathered his battered allies on the roof for pickup. He'd jury rigged a stretcher from hard ice and covered it with a curtain snatched from a room.

By now the mansion was being stormed by conventional authorities and it was time to leave. Despite having unofficial clearance from the Ministry of Defence the red tape would surely snarl things up with regards getting attention to the wounded team mates. Traveller and Impulse couldn't wait that long, Rebuff was of no use to anyone and Reflex was putting on a brave face, albeit one covered with bruises and blood.

'The Stealth vessel will have left British airspace by now' stated Frostbot. Frostbite had finished helping his team mates aboard and looked at the direction the jet had been going in. Whatever they'd taken in the briefcase from the American Ambassador would be the USA's problem, but he wondered if it might come back to bite him. He and his team had done their part. The Ambassador, his family and their staff were safe, and foreign superhumans were on ice for the time being. Things being as they are though he knew that the diplomatic process would see them freed. Technically a foreign embassy was off limits, and it was only thanks to the grey status of superhumans with regards the law that they could be invaded, as such. On the flipside the foreign power could claim diplomatic immunity for their people and lodge an official complaint, probably blaming the kidnapping on some misunderstanding seeing as the only witnesses were the kidnapped people and the superhumans who'd rescued them. In order to avoid a diplomatic incident, things would be noisy for 48 hours then quiet down.

Behind the scenes Frostbite knew his countrymen would be fuming, and sorting their own solution to the problem.

He sagged back into a seat as the jet, in stealth mode, cruised on autopilot as Mary monitored the badly injured team members in their separate medical cocoons. She glanced at Frostbite and spoke quietly "It's... not looking good for Impulse. Wandafars machines are as good as any surgeon though. Hopefully he'll hang on."

They'd won. Beaten the bad guy, saved the victims and gotten out mostly in one piece, but the price had been high indeed. He looked at the pale form of Impulse and frowned. Everyone knew the risks, came with the powers and the uniform. Even so...

=========

"Zey vill be fine." declared Wandafar, hours later.

"Impulse hez serious injuries, broken bones, internal bleeding. He is busted up. Traveller has internal bleeding but is stable now. Both vill be out of action for..." he shrugged. "Depends on how tough zey are. From ze sounds of sings you kicked ess viz zet power of yours. Is always ze same. You hef limits, a line you vill not cross because of fear of vot you can do, but what if the fear is greater for what vill heppen if you do not cross zet line? Zen, only zen, vill you know vot you are capable of. Vell done."

He passed a cup of coffee over to Frostbite and settled into a leather chair, frowning. "I hef used my contacts und hecked where I could to get information. Ze Ambassador voz doing a favour transporting zet briefcase for his government. I do not know vot voz in it but if you are interested a name popped up. Doctor Sandra Koshelvik. Her father is Leonid Koshelvik, former top soviet scientist who defected to west some years ago. She carry on his work in field of cybernetics after he contracted serious case of radiation poisoning. Russians up to old tricks I sink. Anyway, drugs and treatment too expensive to pay for so she done deal I guess. Whatever in zet case for treatment to Father. Now case is gone, Father dying, Americans mad and somebody hef something valuable in case. I hef an address for her..."

OOC If you post a reply will wrap up this thread and start a new one along with Lionhearts, probably tomorrow I should think (have to hit sack for work, bit of a grueller but at least the kids will be in bed when I finally get home tomorrow. The trail for the case (and whatever is in it) went cold when the bad guys got away with it over the channel, possibly, but there is still a lead and the plot will thicken...

Admin wrote:Whatever in zet case for treatment to Father. Now case is gone, Father dying, Americans mad and somebody hef something valuable in case. I hef an address for her..."

OOC If you post a reply will wrap up this thread and start a new one along with Lionhearts, probably tomorrow I should think (have to hit sack for work, bit of a grueller but at least the kids will be in bed when I finally get home tomorrow. The trail for the case (and whatever is in it) went cold when the bad guys got away with it over the channel, possibly, but there is still a lead and the plot will thicken...

OOC:Totally understand mate and yes its difficult to kept from the things you might like to be doing, but at the same time I can wait however your children cannot. One they've grown, believe me, they've grown.

Frostbite was visible relieved at the news Wandafar had brought. He sat slowly in the chair as the full weight of what they'd been through hit him. Like a weightlifter struggling with a huge lift straining to keep the weight above his head, Frostbite seemed to suddenly let go. He listened to Wandafar's words relieved to have something else to think about and felt only a pang of guilt as he let the news distract him from his immediate concerns.

"I'd like to get to the bottom of this, a second crack at what was going on would be much appreciated. Besides if we can also find out more about who is behind this, we might be able to make a few friends with my American counterparts. Who knows, we could do with earning some favour."

Letting Wandafar's words sink in, Frostbite waited till the man started to relay the information, pleased that something worthwhile might yet come out of this mission.

OOC:Right lets go for it. We'll follow things up from here and find out what we can next.

Sj