The new Vanguard! Frostbite Issue #4

Frostbites new team mates had limited success in their first real test. Two were hospitalized, another was paralysed with fear and the last nigh on fought to a standstill against superior foes.

It took all of Frostbites considerable power to end the fight, and not a little luck. Even so, his objective - to save the US Ambassador to Britain and his family/aides was successful, but the enemy - a minor foreign power known as a rogue state that harboured terrorists - absconded with ... *something* that the Ambassador had been carrying. Perhaps it was that, and not he that was the target all along.

Wandafar, diminutive genius*, former superhero and friend to the Vanguard (Lionheart, Frostbite, Silver Centurion, Haunt and others), has dug about concerning the origin of the case and come up with a name - Doctor Sandra Koshelvik, noted scientist and daughter of Russian Defected Scientist  Leonid Koshelvik - appeared in the coded transcripts prior to the Ambassadors kidnapping. It's possible she knows something about what's in the case and why someone would want it.

With his team battered and bruised, and willing, able but inexperienced trainees eager to take their place, Frostbite faces a choice. Go it alone, or blood his other would be superheroes?

"Being a leader is never easy" said Mary, handing a hot drink over to Frostbite. "Comes with the job. Not everyone can do it. Here, look."

She called up details of Sandra Koshelvik. "Cambridge University science department is where you'll find her most days, and she lives on campus. 29 years old, quite brilliant, utterly devoted to both her work, and her father. No personal ties as far as we can tell, keeps fit, reads a lot, does lots of unpaid time in the lab... Bet she's fun on a date." laughed Mary, sipping her tea. "The father is an interesting one. Defected from Russia 10 years ago. His work in the field of cybernetics is interesting. Obviously there are world level geniuses about - we work with one - who can cook up robot limbs, but this guy genetically engineers them to specific patients. Amazing potential for war wounded and accident victims. Early suggestions are that his research is groundbreaking. Unfortunately he contracted serious radiation poisoning recently and hasn't been seen for a while. Maybe something to do with the job, but the Russians have long memories and prior history with such tactics. Without proof there's no one to pin the blame, but I would figure them to have had a hand in it."

"Hold on."

Her fingers danced across the keyboard. "She's got a meeting today at the university with the Dean. Seems like giving, or selling, her research to the Americans in return for medical attention for her father is something that may be frowned upon. I bet..." she said, turning on the swivel chair to look at Frostbite "...she's about to be fired. The British Government won't be keen on her research landing in the hands of the Americans before they have a look, and now it seems the Azerhajani state may have it. Let's see."

"Tiny country, population 10 million. The richest 5% run the place, oil, minerals, gold... The ruler is a man called Marko Antrovich... nickname 'The Iron Duke' because of his ruthless way of ruling the place. When the Eastern European countries split his father took the opportunity to stage a military coup, and Marko usurped him when he came of age. Nice. Aside from the obvious - money - its possible he has a personal interest in the research. He lost a hand in battle 8 years ago when American superheroes invaded to get their people back. The international community kicked off and the Yanks got egg on their face, but got their guy out. They will be itching to get back in there, but not wanting to cause an international incident like last time."

"I think the best course of action would be to meet up with this Doctor, find out what she knows, and go from there. Or we can get you to the border of Azerhajani and try that approach, but you'd be going in blind. Your call."

OOC Frostbite earned 150HP for last issue and had 91 so now has:

HP 241

He can go it alone, or with what's left of the team:

Team 2
Probability
Gravitas
Terra firma
Surge
Firebrand

Over to you.







*who may appear to share Wolverines secondary mutation of being in every issue simultaneously. He isn't, he's just a busy guy with a full schedule... *cough*

[quote="Admin"]"I think the best course of action would be to meet up with this Doctor, find out what she knows, and go from there. Or we can get you to the border of Azerhajani and try that approach, but you'd be going in blind. Your call."

OOC Frostbite earned 150HP for last issue and had 91 so now has:

HP 241

He can go it alone, or with what's left of the team:

Team 2
Probability
Gravitas
Terra firma
Surge
Firebrand

Over to you.


Frostbite had been listening attentively during the conversation, nodding in all the right places and trying very hard to not be distracted by the haunting feeling that still seemed to hang over him. It wasn't that he was not used to command or indeed things turning out badly. Many a time before he remembered loosing men, in circumstances that he and they knew to be dangerous. But that all seemed a long time ago and to boot these were civilians, people who he could not blame for reacting poorly in combat. But as his mother used to say, "you can't bake a cake without smashing a few eggs." which drew an involuntary smile, whilst Mary was tapping out on her keyboard.

Finally when she had finished talking through the possibilities, Frostbite felt he had a better and clearer war forward. He would take the team, it might after all be a good productive day out! 'Like that usually happens', he couldn't help but think to himself.

"Thanks Mary, I appreciate the trouble you've gone into to collate this information. I think we've done enough blind blundering for the rest of this year. But as you say we can't let our failures hold us back. Besides it might be that this sort of field trip affords us the chance to bond as a team and for me to try and help people get over fright and fear if a conflict comes our way."

Getting up eager to move Frostbite added, "Lets get the team ready, they know what happened to the others but its best that they also hear it from me. I want to schedule in training with the teams and lets see if we can include some psychological help. In the Army they taught us how to kill, fight and be men." Noting Mary's somewhat disdainful expression, Frostbite added,
"They were...simpler times." He said in almost an injured tone. "Anyway lets get underway, it would a good thing to be on hand as soon as we can before our only likely source of information were picked up by someone else."

With that Frostbite left wanting to find the ever useful, if somewhat annoying Wandafar.

OOC:I am aware that when we go for this mission, it will be in street clothes rather than masks etc, since we are trying to protect the identities of these folks, and if anything does kick off everyone on ccty will be examined, I need Wandafar to find a way to scramble our images or cameras. I could have Frostbot do it of course, but I've a feeling like all our missions this isn't going to be straightforward and I want to make sure that camera's not working or people being examined doesn't raise more questions. I'd like a way for us to blend in that doesn't draw attention afterwards if people come looking for civilians faces with powers the like of which these guys have. As for me, well I'm a man out of time, but I guess it never hurts to have some privacy. Once we've had the debrief about the Embassy debacle and what I can try to impart by way of help to the team we'll head on over and work out how we approach our erstwhile contact and take it from there.

Sj

"Yes yes, vot is it now? I em very busy. Plus Emmerdale is on. Oh. Is you. Are ze new recruits vining about getting zere botties smecked?"

"Vud not be first time or lest. Not every fight is won. All you can do is your best, und look in ze mirror and know you could have done no more. We are super, yes, but ve are not invincible. Anyvay... vot?" he spluttered, glancing off screen every now and again. "I vill pause it."

Frostbite explained the problem.

"Ah yes, ze secret identity. In so many vays a vaste of time und effort. In others, chence to live normal life, but vot is normal for us? Always 24/7 ve see danger, we look for place to change und desh in. Ven ve hear of stuff heppening und are at vork or having lunch or something und don't respond, ze guilt is overpowering."

"Vell, zere are vays to blur images on recording devices, but as easy to fit everyone up viz prosthetic mask. Different features, hair colour, eyes... height... fat suit...." he raised an eyebrow at the last. "No problem."

=========

"Be good to flex some muscle. Lay down the smack, know what I mean?" said Kevin Jackson, Surge.

OOC
Thomas White - Codename: Gravitas (increase/decrease gravity on a target)
David Russell - Codename: Terra Firma (create a powerful earth elemental to do his bidding)
Sarah Barrington - Codename: Firebrand (covers herself in fire)
Kevin Jackson - Codename: Surge (grows, increasing in size, strength, durability and attitude)
Jeremy Cotton - Codename: Probability (manipulates luck, good and bad)

Sarah Barrington (Firebrand) rolled her eyes. The others in the meeting room glanced at each other, wondering what would happen next. A screen flickered into life, showing Wandafar, complete with bottle bottom goggles and strange pointy hat. He seemed to realise the hat was on and yanked it off, tossing it aside. "Is my birthday. Third one this year. Custom from my home."

"Where's he from? Mars?" muttered Thomas White (Gravitas).

"Not quite." said Wandafar. "Bit further. Anyvay. I have 3D mapped your face und bodies form scans taken at various..."

"Oy!" shouted Kevin. "You can't do that! There's privacy laws against that sort of..."

"No problem. You can go looking as yourself. A men viz a face like yours will stand out like a mile..."

"Well, that's what all the girls reckon..." laughed Kevin, prompting more eye rolling in the room.

"...just as someone viz ze face of a baboons bottom vud." concluded Wandafar.

Furious, Kevin looked at those who were chuckling but Wandafar continued. "Anyvay, in order to protect your identities und give you some chance of leading normal life, ve hav latest in prosthetics, I spray on skin coded specifically to your DNA und designed to change features und look real und all thet stuff. If you like I can cook up fet suit too. Kevin I cen make you look handsome but is only temporary, nothing about your IQ I cen do though, you vill always be thick as pig..."

"Ahem." said Mary, walking in. "Let's keep it professional shall we?" she turned to Frostbite, walking in just behind her.

Jeremy Cotton (Probability) piped up "What's the plan boss?"

OOC your anonymity is assured. Next...?

Admin wrote:"Ahem." said Mary, walking in. "Let's keep it professional shall we?" she turned to Frostbite, walking in just behind her.

Jeremy Cotton (Probability) piped up "What's the plan boss?"

OOC your anonymity is assured. Next...?

Frostbite took a seat at the table,"I'm glad you asked and I hope that you understand that given what Wandafar has indicated the nature of this operation is one that is more subtle than the last mission. That we succeed by a whisker, this time I want to try and avoid hospitalising any of you."

Frostbite saw the looks that shadowed the features of the team, he saw Jeremy looking to pipe up again, showing he wasn't afraid. But he appeared to think again, when he caught the intense stare of Frostbite as he caught his eye. His retort died on his lips, as Frostbite smoothed it over by continuing.

Explaining the background to the mission and the fallout from the package that had got away, he then outlined what they were going to have to do.

"In short we need to make contact with Miss Koshelvik, we already know enough to surmise she might well be on our enemies radar. You, however are not, they know nothing of their original plan being interrupted. Only that heroes went in to intercept and free an American dignitary. If we are careful, they might be weary but nonethewiser. We've had word that Miss Koshelvik, is to be let go off, we need to intercept her. Try and find out what we can and help her find some sort of safe haven. I hope that our enemies will be still a step behind, but we can't assume anything. And it may well be that we could come under fire."

The last word was drawn out and once again said with Frostbite's penetrating stare looking into everyone. "Combat is the last thing I want to happen. Without your power levels and lack of combat training we could do more harm than good, innocent civilians will be there. I do not want collateral damage to be a factor. But I must take the trouble to warn you, that no plan survives contact with the enemy. Even your own best laid plans of what you think you'll do and how you'll behave. Truth is most missions are tough, sometimes the failures live with you far more than the victories. However on the battlefield your mental preparedness is most critical. This isn't a Sunday School Picnic, I need you to be focused at all times. If things go South, I need you to listen to me and look out for each other and those around you. Or last mission was difficult on account of a lack of preparedness on the team's part. Something I'd not fully taken account of. We may end up facing the same team again, knowing how they are, should be sober reflection for us all. If you want to step away that is fine. It might be more training is needed, but if not, for your sake and that of the team bare in mind what I've said."

With that Frostbite, placed his hands on the desk, got up and said, "Ok you've got 5 to get ready and make a final decision, anyone not on transport will be considered to have walked away and there is no shame in that, we can talk later. Dismissed."

With that Frostbite left the rest to get ready, a quick nod to Mary to get the disguise equipment and Frostbite headed out to the transport with files on the University, the lead and whatever else Mary had been able to rustle up.

OOC:Ok lets do this...

Sj

"This is as close as I can get you before people notice that something is up." said Mary.

"I thought you said this was a stealth plane?" asked Kevin.

"Yes it is - stealth to radar and basic detection, that means from a distance. Up close? The ripple effect of the stealth panels as they change to blend into the background will alert onlookers that something is amiss. They might not know what, but I'd appreciate it not being plastered all over youtube when you lot step out of thin air..." she replied, trying to keep a check on her anger. She glanced at Frostbite, then glared at Kevin for a moment then back at Frosty.

"There's a bus along that lane in... 10 minutes. If you hurry across that field you'll be in time."

They'd landed in a copse of woods somewhere outside of Cambridge, but close enough to be only a short ride into the city and to the university campus.

"A bus? A BUS?" spluttered Kevin.

=========

"A bus." he muttered.

The others glanced at Kevin, or at least his disguised self, and tried their best to ignore him.

Sarah Barrington (Firebrand) turned to face Frostbite on the row behind. "So, who do we think is after this woman? She had something to do with the case, so clearly knows something of value, which means a few people will be after it."

Frostbite was about to answer when the bell run for their stop.

The group got off, as did others, and made their way through the streets towards the University.

It was a big place. Mary spoke over the ear comms piece. "I'm just ... ah... accessing the universities computer system to find out where Ms Koshelvik might be having her meeting. Ah yes. Deans office. Sending you coordinates. Put your glasses on. Professor."

Frostbite could almost hear her grin, but did so. The technology of this time was astounding and yet with Frostbot in his mind somehow underwhelming. The glasses brought a heads up display of the town map and a GPS direction finder to the office.

"Hold on." said David (Terra Firma) as he gently placed a hand on Frostbites shoulder. They were crossing the road and a pair of black mercedes were tearing along. They wooshed past, and headed towards the main buildings, the direction Frostbites party were heading, albeit on foot. Thomas White (Gravitas) shook his head. "So much for speed limits, someone should tell the cops about those guys. They must have been doing 60 in a 20 I reckon."

Kevin laughed "Yeah right. See the plates? Non standard. Diplomatic. Ain't nowt the cops would do anyway."

Jeremy Cotton (Probability) turned to Frostbite. "Diplomatic plates? I'm sure plenty of rich kids go to this place, but what are the chances of a pair of diplomat plate cars heading to the university at the same time as us...?"

Frostbot spoke up in Frostbites mind 'I took the liberty of running the plates through all known databases. The plates are Russian... save that the embassy does not have two Mercedes of this years model assigned to those plates. That would not normally show up on the police database, but I pride myself on being thorough and digging past the obvious.'

The cars had stopped about half a mile up the road, with black suited men getting out...

Admin wrote:The cars had stopped about half a mile up the road, with black suited men getting out...

"Come on, I don't like this look of this." Switching to Frostbot, Frostbite gave him instructions to piggy back on any CCTV camera feed from within the university. Anything that might give them the heads up on what is going down.

As the group started to pick up the pace, jogging so as not to draw up too quick, but so as to close the gap, Frostbite talked to the team."To answer your question from earlier, Sarah, I had thought it might be our friends from the Embassy. After all they've one part of a device but there may be a wide gap in their knowledge to make best use of it, or turn it into a weapon. But those are Russian plates and I wonder if the motherland is also interested. Diplomatic plates mean we'll have to tread carefully. We don't want the heat turned up on us, because we play fast and loose with diplomatic privileges. So lets do our best to give them no reason to suspect."

With that in mind, they sought to close up the gap. Frostbite contacted Mary and asked her to dig the layout to the place. Was there a way to intercept the dean's office from another route, or was there an obvious point to close up and listen in. Frostbite was reluctant to go in all guns blazing whilst innocent civilians might be put in danger and reluctant to use the team's powers until they can be certain they could cover their tracks so as not to cast automatic suspicion on Meta Humans.

OOC:Ok so lets see if we can either cut them off or intercept them without having to go past the vehicles parked outside. Although I don't want to split the team up I am also not keen to bunch up and have all our eggs in one basket. So I will have Thomas, AKA Gravitas stand nearby with Jez AKA Probability. I want them to make sure neither is out of sight of the other but out of the way to cover the Vehicles. If we fail and these guys get back to the cars, then I want them to mess with the cars, subtlely so that for instance the engine pistons break due to weight, or the brake- pedal gets stuck etc. I also want him to keep me informed if anyone comes from the car (as we don't know if they are keeping anyone back in case there is trouble) or goes to it, whilst we're inside. No point in getting any surprises. However if they do anything on their own initiative, without me say so, Frostbite will threaten to ground them from future missions until they can prove they can take and carry out orders. Taking orders is part of the role. Finally they both best make sure they keep from being easily spotted so find a good point of cover, and try not to make their presence obvious.

As for the rest of us, we'll take the side route in and see if we can find out what these guys are up to, or even try to cut in on this dance and get to our target before they do.

Sj

Gravitas and Probability seemed dissatisfied with their allotted roles, being that of nursemaid, but accepted their roles without comment save a glance at each other.

Frostbot spoke up in Frostbites ear 'I have hacked into the camera system, which is extensive across campus, as you'd expect. Facial recognition software requires a higher resolution image of the ... interesting. The images of the Russian 'diplomats' are blurred, facially. The technology is not uncommon, but rather than go unnoticed - as you and your team are - the Russians with blurred faces stand out.'

'I have overlaid the route by which you might arrive at the Deans office first. Take a left here.'

Frostbite and his remaining team did so, into the building and a wide corridor. 'There are areas where security key cards are used. You have no need to worry about those. Follow my directions.'

After a few minutes, Sarah spoke up. At first she'd been worried about one of the campus security guards accosting them, but their radios appeared to distract them with reports of minor infractions needing their attention elsewhere. When they arrived at a security door and swipe card scanner, she was further amazed when the door simply buzzed at Frostbites approach, allowing him to pull it open and admit them. "How do you do all this Boss? Has Mary somehow hacked into the system?"

Frostbite looked ahead. Down a long corridor he saw a woman exiting an office. The Dean was shown up on an overlay in the corner of Frostbites' vision, whereas the woman was identified a moment later as Dr Koshelvik. She was very pretty, though flustered looking, The Dean appeared to be attempting to calm her down, or persuade her to stay. At this distance (30m) it was hard to say, but beyond them, a door was at the far end of the corridor and Frostbot confirmed. "The Russians have appropriated means of defeating the swipe card security, so I have locked that door. They are approaching however, and will be there in moments, and able to see through the glass panel to where Dr Koshelvik is. You do not have long."

Kevin (Surge) spoke up "That her boss? Nice. I'll go up and grab her, yeah? We can argue about tactics later once we're outta here. Even I don't fancy startin' a scrap on campus with all these students about, even if they are all stuck up tosspots here cause mummy and daddy have a pile of cash they inherited."

It was clear he'd little respect for the halls of learning, but Frostbite also considered that Kevin wanted to be in and out because his power was essentially useless inside a building - unless he wanted to grow and turn the inside of the building outside...

David (Terra Firma) shook his head "What, go up and grab her? Are you an idiot? The Dean will call the police, and I don't blame him. We need a softly softly approach."

Frostbot added 'The Russians will be at the door in seconds.'

Admin wrote:

David (Terra Firma) shook his head "What, go up and grab her? Are you an idiot? The Dean will call the police, and I don't blame him. We need a softly softly approach."

Frostbot added 'The Russians will be at the door in seconds.'

"Sarah, pretend to bump into the good doctor and then act as if you know her, play it up based on what you know or fake it so it's apparent it's a clear case of mistaken identity, but give yourself a reason to remain talking to her. Guys with me."

Frostbite spoke quickly and quietly, as he tasked them with moving up toward the door that the Russians sought to come through quickly. As the group passed the Professor and the Dean, Frostbite appeared to trip pushing Sarah, gently into the way of the Prof. "Sorry!" He mumbled as he moved on seemingly not very sorry at all.

As they approached the door he continued to talk low, so only the other two could hear him. "Both of your powers if let loose, will cause a great deal of damage and we don't need that, got that Kevin?" Frostbite gave him a quick and pointed glance before continuing. "I'll handle these guys, but I want you to be on standby to help me if things start going sideways. In which case, we'll take it from there. Ok we're at the door, I'm going to cool things down a tad."

With that Frostbite grabbed the door handle and began to apply his cold powers to it and the door. He sought to create a wall of ice, so cold and clear it looked like glass, subtle from a distance but reinforcing the door form this side making it much harder to get through. At least that was the plan.


OOC: I've got a feeling that either these guys are going to get their heavy guns out or they've packing additional support like a meta human. Either way, I might have forced them to show their hand.

Once we've frozen the door in place, I'll head back to the others. Frostbot should be able to tell me what is happening on the other side of the door and if it looks bad, I'll grab the Dean, shove him into his office and freeze that up and tell Sarah to grab the Prof and start to run the way we came. I'll maybe shout something about the Russians are coming...so the good prof has something else to kick her in motion rather than cause her to stall.

Sj

Frostbite and his small team walked up and past the Dean and the Professor as Ms Koshelvik blinked in embarrassment at not recalling Sarah as being one of her class mates on a course several years ago.

At least one of the team does a little homework the veteran superhero mused as Sarah excitedly mentioned the name of a tutor whilst the Dean looked on, bemused.

At the end of the corridor Frostbite took a hold of the handle and issued forth a steel hard frost that coated the lock, hinges and door itself, freezing the door at nigh on the molecular level. He was careful not to bring it down so low it shattered though, only stuck in the frame. He looked through the reinforced/wire inserted glass window to see the Russians - three of them all in dark suits, sunglasses, same haircut, same...

More or less same everything.

'It's possible you are dealing with clones' said Frostbot having scanned them. 'I would have to take a tissue sample to be sure but preliminary scans indicate the exact same height, athletic build and even stride pattern.'

And as one they all pulled sidearms - guns of a kind Frostbite had not seen before as they seemingly unfolded from a plain black hand sized box to grow a barrel, cartridge and sight!

'The firearms do not match the parameters of any known manufacture' stated Frostbot.

The three levelled the guns at the door, and at the trio behind it! It was clear they knew more than your average 'Russian Diplomat' might!

OOC These three aren't messing around. They move as one, pulled weapons at the same time, took aim and are just about to fire at the door! When combat breaks out, to speed things along we can try a few things, like state actions for the next four rounds, even if its just:

1) Attack with cold
2) Be as defensive as possible
3) Attack with cold
4) Move to get the Dean and Koshelvik out of harms way

Or some variant, with +HP added to the end of the line to indicate you want to spend Hero Points to ensure (or help with) success. e.g.

1) Attack with cold against all three +HP

You aren't in combat yet (as such) but these three see an obstacle in front of them (locked, reinforced door and three people stood beyond it) to their immediate task, grabbing Dr Koshelvik.

There's more to this than meets the eye.

[quote="Admin"]OOC These three aren't messing around. They move as one, pulled weapons at the same time, took aim and are just about to fire at the door! When combat breaks out, to speed things along we can try a few things, like state actions for the next four rounds, even if it's just:

1) Attack with cold
2) Be as defensive as possible...
 
There's more to this than meets the eye.

OOC: Isn't that always the case ;-)

Frostbite looked back to the others and indicated that it was time for them to get them out.  Before turning to Frostbot and saying, "Time to put a call into the police and perhaps trigger the fire alarm, we can use the chaos to cover ourselves.  besides we want to avoid collateral damage."

OOC: ok for the next few rounds here's what I will do with some side notes for other eventualities.
1.  Frostbite will make sure the others start to get the good dean into his office and suggest that he call the police, hopefully that will time with the fire alarm going off and cover the rest of the team back away the way we came with the good doctor.  
- Whilst they do that I will step back and make an ice wall, that cannot be so easily blasted through.  And then run back to join the others.  

I realise that it might not hold up against the 'Russian dolls' firearms, and what not but I intend to slow them down.  
Before I leave the scene can I also coat the floor the other side of the wall I make to slow them down to slow them down, so slippery that either they have to make a check to fail or fall or at least reduce their movement.  

With those two actions, which may end up taking two rounds, I'll then move back to the others.  

2. Once I catch up with them, we'll try and make sure we get caught up with the scrum of people leaving and avoid being seen by the 'Russians' unless they've got some way of tracking the good doctor.  I'll once again keep any eye on where they are by using Frostbot to use the extensive CCTV coverage and try to avoid their route.  If however we find that they are moving toward us, we'd best think of an alternative way out of this.  

3.  If we are being tracked or if we are intercepted on our way out, we then may have to switch tactics and move to the roof, where we can fly away with the good Professor.  One thing I am worried about is that if the Russians suspect heroes are involved they may and try to use the students - i.e. ransom them for the doctor.  In which case we may again need to rethink things.  Hence the reason for keeping an eye on their movements with the CCTV.  

4.  If somehow they do catch up then I suggest that we look for a way for me to slow them down perhaps with Sarah leading the prof to rendezvous with the others (assuming they've taken care of the cars, if need be, and get her out toward the ship.  Whilst I slow the Russians down.  Right now getting her out and keeping the team safe is the biggest thing we need to do.  I will make sure that whatever happens to me, they must get her to safety its imperative we get this information.  

Ok if we need to use HP for the gimmicks to be effective then use what you think it needs.  Let's be adaptable as regards the overall plan.  I want to get the Prof away and I will hang back to slow down the opposition,  I require the others to go with our captive to keep her and them safe.  If however I can hold the others back sufficient to join the rest of the team I will do.  If Probability and Gravitas do their thing with the cars, so that they can rejoin us that would be good also.  Hopefully by the time we leave the police will be on the scene, students and staff will be everywhere and we can try and get away under the cover of the whole mess.  

Sj

OOC Not long before I go to work Going to try to update as fast as I can before I get nattered by someone (wife, kids, dog...) to sort their stuff out for them and cast my own aside. It's only taken a week to get to the stage where I have an hour or so for myself! Doh! Right, on with it...

Frostbot calmly stated 'The call has been made that there are armed intruders on campus, and a fire has broken out. By default there will also be a call to the ambulance services. In any case, the sound of sirens may help divert the attention of these gentlemen, whoever they are.'

The artificial intelligence inside Frostbite had the same suspicions as the hero himself - that these people weren't Russians, acting so blatantly on foreign soil. They were, perhaps, hoping to make the more casual observer (or the less intelligent) think they were Russian to stir up diplomatic tension perhaps, or simply to have the Russians as a scapegoat.

The other two bundled the Dean into his office, Kevin pounding a hand on the fire alarm bell glass as he passed it. Frostbite could hear the Deans loud protestations, but better he was complaining than the alternative.

Turning to the door he iced it up, then layered it and the walls surrounding it with thick ice, hardened and cold enough that it would stay that way for minutes, hopefully buying them time to get the Ms Koshelvik clear of the place.

He backed up along the corridor, icing as he went and ensuring that the floor was slick with ice.

Sarah (Firebrand) stood with Sandra Koshelvik who seemed rather calm despite the fact she was virtually being kidnapped. Sarah had a vacant look on her face before she blinked and looked about, then mumbled "you need to come with us Miss." The scientist turned her eyes on Frostbite...

OOC 2d10 → [2,2] = (4) DOUBLE plus 2d10 → [4,8] = (12)

Frostbite stared back... and blinked...

Darkness. No. Pinpricks of light. Noise. Violent, crashing... explosions? Yes. Another sound, like speech, but unintelligible, inhuman. Sounding musical almost. Looking about. Light. Shiny smooth metal. A hologram floating in the air with coloured symbols on it. Control panel? A green hand, human like, save for the fact it seemed to be more like a plants branch than... attached to a body. Green again, humanoid, the face flat save for dark round eyes, slash for a mouth, leaves for hair. Looking up at the being who seemed... kindly? Another explosion, flame bursting somewhere in the... ship? Everything shaking. Crying. Another plant... person... female? Smaller, softer somehow, flowers for hair, both wore jumpsuits, one blue the 'woman' in grey? Something closer over me/her... a glass dome. A small hand, fingers tendril, probing, the crying is my own, the grey suited 'woman' placing her hands on the glass dome covering me, wailing, the other... father... drawing her away, sap tears falling down his barklike face. Then more violence, roaring, stomach churning, propulsion, escape, the blackness of space, then stars stretching around, darkness... Light. A kindly man reaching for me. His beard sprinkled with grey, he speaks in a language I recognise but can't understand. Russian. Tentatively, she/I reach a hand up and ...

Dr Koshelvik is stood in front of Frostbite, who blinks and wonders what just happened. "Your heart is good." she smiles at him. She looks over his shoulder and frowns. "They are coming."

Frostbite looks back. He'd just been 'probed' but there'd been a two way transfer of thoughts and images somehow. Another look at the young woman in front of him and his gut told him she wasn't an enemy, whatever else she was. However, a glance past her revealed his ice wall is already glowing in the middle and oozing into puddles on the floor! They have heat rays?

Taking the Doctors arm as gently as he can, he leads her through the corridor with Sarah and Kevin in tow. "I can hold them off!" shouts kevin, popping his knuckles. "Nothing to worry about..."

PHEW PHEW!

Laser bolts blast past him, slamming in and through the ceiling, leaving sizzling holes! He turns and catches up, now joining the throng of evacuation as a glance back reveals the 'Russians' are already pulling at the ice and breaking it away, climbing through the hole as one pulls his pistol back and helps with the ice breaking.

=========

Outside the gathered students have heard something going on. There's little panic - most are mature and probably used to drills, though something tells them this isn't just another routine drill as distant sirens start to wail.

Sarah shouts to make herself heard "Boss! What happened? Did you see...?"

Before Frostbite could answer he looks back and saw a 'Russian' step from a window ledge on a floor above and drop down, whilst people scream and point. He's at least thirty feet up but lands in a crouch and straightens, pulling a pistol from his inner jacket.

Now the people start to panic...

OOC Frosty and his friends have the Doctor in tow and there are hundreds of people about, but these 'Russians' aren't messing around and someone will be caught up in the crossfire. Also the police probably don't have much idea about what they are getting themselves in to. In this day and age (superheroes and villains routinely flattening buildings etc) chances are they will have firearms but realize they aren't much use against supers. A glance about reveals Frostbites other team mates (Gravitas and Probability) near where the Russians cars are parked. There's a possible escape route... Flying out of here will cause more panic, but all hell is about to break loose anyway. That Russian is striding across the lawn, Terminator like, shoving people aside and raising the gun to fire...

Admin wrote:OOC Frosty and his friends have the Doctor in tow and there are hundreds of people about, but these 'Russians' aren't messing around and someone will be caught up in the crossfire. Also the police probably don't have much idea about what they are getting themselves in to. In this day and age (superheroes and villains routinely flattening buildings etc) chances are they will have firearms but realize they aren't  much use against supers. A glance about reveals Frostbites other team mates (Gravitas and Probability) near where the Russians cars are parked. There's a possible escape route... Flying out of here will cause more panic, but all hell is about to break loose anyway. That Russian is striding across the lawn, Terminator like, shoving people aside and raising the gun to fire...

Somewhat unnerved by the experience of being scanned and sharing moments and memories, Frostbite had to wonder if the secrets imparted might be more widely known or suspected by the oncoming captures. Was this simply about some superweapon or scientific breakthrough or an alien refugee that carried knowledge which might prove far more lucrative. In any case any such thoughts would have to wait. It was far more important that the team get the good prof back to somewhere safe, before they could figure out what to do next.

These guys were clearly more prepared than Frostbite had expected. But something had to be done to slow them down, as they might not be too indiscriminate in who they attacked to get to the professor. Especially if they could pin the blame elsewhere.

OOC:

1. Ok lets take the kid gloves off and have a full on smack down, since that was always likely to happen. I'll hit the guy in front with a super cold super blast, and see if his heat gun can get a bead on me fast enough to make a difference.
2. if I can hit him, all good and well, if not I want Gravitas to follow up and slow him down with a reordering of his mass.
3. If I am successful, then I want the others to retreat with us and have Probability and Gravitas slow any other pursuit, trip them up, have their weapons fail etc.
4. The other priority is to retreat with the professor safely. We can't know that these guys won't try to cut us off. Since my ruse to escape didn't work, we'd best try and see if we can keep them from hurting anyone else. If however we all miss, fail and they start targeting students, then we'll have to reverse our initiative and go on the full offensive and try and have the team tackle the agents to stop them asap. In any case we'll try to get the Prof out, even if it's only with Susan at present. Her flame based powers Her flame control, might be able to absorb or use the heat based guns in a way that means she can help the prof if these guys attempt to target her.

Sj

OOC Apologies for delays. Even when I get a day off it's not actually a 'day off', as you'd expect even if I'm not at work :(

Frostbite had to be careful. Screaming people were running across his line of fire, and he felt fairly sure the people he was up against would have no qualms about blasting away indiscriminately.

OOC Initiative. Bad guys:

1d10 → [2] = (2)

Good Guys:

1d10 → [2] = (2)

Frostbite goes first THEN the bad guys act before Frosties team. These are no mere mooks!

Attack on 'mook' :)

2d10 → [7,4] = (11)

Hit, 8 points of damage...

Frostbite waited, waited... what seemed an age but only fractions of a second then... THERE! With a powerful blue bolt issuing from his hand he saw it lance across the gap between himself and his target and strike square in the centre of his chest! With a cry the man arced back and... suddenly wasn't a man. Half frozen, his form shimmered to reveal what could only be described as as human sized... locust?



Now the people around REALLY screamed and panicked! The locust-man stumbled back, clearly stunned. Frostbite wasn't sure how healthy it was still (OOC GM Note Locust 1 has 3HP remaining 1 Body down STUNNED)

Seeing no further need for pretence the other two 'Russians' chasing their companion out of the window both levelled guns and started blasting!

OOC Locust 2 has his heat ray set on 'wide'.

Using 4 of his HP (6 remaining) on Acting Value...

2d10 → [6,2] = (8)

He strikes FIFTEEN innocent bystanders, dropping them and clearing a virtual path between themselves and Frostbite/Dr Koshelvik!

Frostbite gasps in horror as a small crowd of people are dropped!

Frostbot gives an immediate assessment 'Injuries appear to be consistent with severe sunstroke. With correct hydration and treatment all will recover but the blast will be fatal to an ordinary human should it be more narrowed and focussed'.

The third Russian/Locust man takes aim...at Frostbite!

OOC Using 4HP to aim

If struck you can use HP to absorb damage in last ditch defence. If you want to add HP to defence and/or resistance at any point before attacks are made feel free to state how many to add (3 on Opposing 3 on Resistance is a good total, or 1 on each. Adding 2 or 4 points has no added benefit to Frostys total.

2d10 → [1,6] = (7)

As it is, the number required to hit was 5 so the blast strikes. I don't recall any reference to Frosty Icing up (covering himself with ice) which actually works well in his favour in this case.

He takes only 2 Damage reducing his current Body total to 8 (from 10)

FROSTBITE BODY: 8/10

Frostbite reeled, but the blast did little more than heat his skin up once it had burned through his shirt. It would sting for a while but icing up would take that away. That said it would have had more effect had he been iced up. These Locust men weren't messing around!

Gravitas doesn't mess about. He aims at the one Frostbite struck and piles on the Gees!

OOC Gravity increase on the lightly injured Locust man.

2d10 → [3,1] = (4) Oh. Oh dear.

Gravitas cried out and winced as his beam missed completely and struck the wall of the building behind! Instantly it collapsed under its own weight and created a twenty foot high and wide wall with an immense wall of dust that spewed out and across the field of battle!

Kevin - for once - seemed reluctant to engage in battle. "Boss, this lot aren't messing about! If they want a fight we need to get away from here! These people..." he seemed shell shocked. "I can grow here but..." Frostbite saw his point - that would escalate the battle with so many innocent bystanders still here! "If you take the woman and go I will make myself as big as wide as possible to slow these goons down!"

Sarah (Firebrand) shouted "I'll stay with him! Go! GO!" as she immolated, sheathing herself in flame and striding forward through the dust even as Kevin grew... and grew.. and grew... He now stood at fifty feet high and towered above the battle. "GO! EVERYONE RUN!" he shouted at the bystanders, some of whom were stopping to take videos of the battle! "YOU'RE IN GREAT DANGER!" he strode towards the building where the two Locust Men/Russians were aiming their lasers from a smashed window.

Probability (Jeremy) and Terra Firma (David) stepped up. "We can use the dust boss. Before more of these... things turn up." offered Jeremy. David turned and pointed to the ground which started to rumble... and spat upwards to form into a 9' high 'mud man' "We got this boss. We'll beat these guys down then get out of here before the cops show."

Could Frostbite trust his people to get the job done? If the fight went on for any length of time, not only would people suffer but these great and old halls of learning might be smashed into rubble!

Sandra Koshelvik turned to Frostbite "The Swarm will be on their way" she explained, looking fearfully at the cloud of smoke. "They are linked. A hive mind. The locust send only small groups to scout out their prey..."

Admin wrote:You're up.[/i][/color]

Frostbite had so many questions, that the 'men' before him were clearly nothing of the sort, gave rise to the suspicion that this was some sort of offworld fight between different factions or species. Clearly the Prof was strategic to that fight. Perhaps lying low here was meant to protect her. But clearly that was a bust. If there were more on their way, then the group needed more intelligence, a better battle plan and the means to properly defend themselves.

One thing at a time, if the Prof was what they wanted then, it was the prof he had to protect first and foremost.

"It's clearly the Prof these things want, so I am going to get her away, as soon as we're clear, split up take alternate routes and make sure you're not followed before returning to base. And don't get killed, just delay them and split."

Frostbite hated having to remove himself from the battle, but he was the strongest and most experienced member of the team, the Prof stood the best chance of survival with him. At least in theory.

Turning to the Prof he was about to say what needed to be done, but it seemed the Prof was already one step ahead of him. Frostbite nodded, " Ok let's go."

Withdrawing whilst the rest of the team delayed the other 'locusts', Frostbite took the opportunity to ask, "If they can track you, there is little point in our running, save to a more secure place to fight. I'm not leading them back to our base, so perhaps you ought to tell me what we're up against, starting with how do we loose the hive mind?"

OOC: Ok with us on the move, firstly want to know if we can be tracked and if so (like scent or something more sophisticated) how we might throw that off. Then we'd best find a way for me to get the Prof back to a secure location that gives us security and the added bonus of finding a way to fight back. Hive mind and Locust calls to mind overwhelming odds, or swarms.

Finally I'll use HP 3/3 like you said, but also try to play smart, hide in the crowed, get the prof to change her hair, coat etc, so she no longer resembles the person they caught site off, unless such rudimentary changes are pointless. In terms of getting away, I'll either blend in or if that doesn't work, ice up and bring down a storm that hopefully might slow the locusts (warm climate creatures assuming that applies here) and by creating an ice storm it might give us more chance to obscure our exist i.e. head into the sewers (clearly got a thing for them) or jump in a car etc. Once we've got some idea I'd best contact Wandafar and make sure he is aware of what is going down, as well as to put down the soap he is watching and keep an eye on the recruits.

Sj

The team moved into action, their inexperience and uncertainty hanging over them, but determination to prove themselves hopefully outweighing it.

Frostbite moved with the Professor in tow, glancing over his shoulder as he rounded a corner. He asked for details as they moved. Everywhere students were running and shouting/screaming, and they were just two more bodies in the crowd, but if these things could track her, he needed to know.

"The 'locusts' are similar to the Earth bound equivalent. They move in a swarm from planet to planet, and devour everything. The ones you saw here are a scouting party. They will report back on this planets plant life and potential for the swarm to devour. As for myself, I was sent here, as a podling, by my dying civilisation, both as a way to escape the Swarm and to warn your people. Unfortunately very few will listen when my warning proved false. Something happened to the Swarm. Some ... distraction, or calamity, that meant a reprieve had been given to this world. I began to believe that we would be safe from their blight, but I was wrong. They can detect and track plant life across light years, but it still takes time to travel that distance. Tell me, stranger, do you trust me?" She reached a hand towards the trunk of the tree but stopped short and looked into Frostys eyes.

She had stopped walking and was now stood in the shadow of a tree by the side of the road, despite the fact that Frostbite wanted to keep moving, and that the sirens were getting louder. If his people did their job right, they would contain or delay the locusts long enough to get the Professor away, but not if she stopped to chit chat!

Admin wrote:The team moved into action, their inexperience and uncertainty hanging over them, but determination to prove themselves hopefully outweighing it.

Frostbite moved with the Professor in tow...She had stopped walking and was now stood in the shadow of a tree by the side of the road, despite the fact that Frostbite wanted to keep moving, and that the sirens were getting louder. If his people did their job right, they would contain or delay the locusts long enough to get the Professor away, but not if she stopped to chit chat!

"Trust is earned Professor, not given." Frostbite said in a way that perhaps could have come out a little less harshly. But he felt that under the circumstances a chat of this nature was not what was in everyone's best interest. Somehow he felt that the whole mission was turning on its head and from being in charge he was going to end up being charged with what to do. Mollified by his own chastisement he relented. "...What I meant to say was, I am not sure if I can trust you. Since you like they, do not appear to be what you seem to me. However I did see some sort of moment back along, some sort of shared connection. So I do get that what you're telling me does seem to be true. As far as I can tell. Ok, but you'd best make this quick, from what I can tell we've got a probably invasion ready to come down on us and I don't need to be dawdling."

Frostbite waited for the Professor to explain...

Sj

She reached, placing a hand gently on Frostbites shoulder... and another hand on the trunk of the tree they were stood under...

...and then they were somewhere else!

Birds chirped, bugs screeched, and the sounds of the jungle all about told Frostbite he 'wasn't in kansas' any more.

"There was no time to explain." she explained, taking a deep breath then smiling, though Frostbite could tell it took something out of her. She glanced at him, shy all of a sudden, then sighed. "No need for secrecy now I suppose. In order to stay safe and remain hidden my step parents made sure I hid my true nature lest I be taken from them by the authorities or worse."

He skin started to darken, becoming... green? He hair burst into flowers and vines, and her eyes became solid bright glowing green. She was quite beautiful, and Frostbite felt a sense of calm come over him as the trees and plant life all about seemed to burst into instant bloom! She slipped her shoes off to stand in soil, and reached her hands upwards...

The trees above seemed to part slightly, and sun beamed down in the glade. Frostbite half expected a unicorn to come prancing into the scene, but of course, that would have been absurd.

With another sigh, and a beaming smile, the green skinned woman seemed replenished. "I come here, the Amazon rain forest, whenever I can in secret to rest and replenish the forest. The locusts see the 'worlds lung' as a source of food. If the rain forest were to vanish it would have a catastrophic effect on the environment! Unfortunately I cannot mask my true nature, despite being able to shape change. They know I am of the plant people - to them I seem as alive and vibrant as entire forest. Food. They would use my powers to cover the Earth in plants... in order to then devour it. It is probably taking all of their willpower to resist from devouring me... their Queen became as such when she started devouring my people and grew to a colossal size, her hunger increasing exponentially and in turn creating billions of locusts to do her bidding. I probably don't need to tell you that a vast horde has an even larger appetite."

"We need to find the Locust hive they will have established on Earth. They use technology where required, and as you have seen can appear to be human." she sighed again. "I developed a serum, along with my step father, based on my own dna. The serum transforms ordinary humans by effectively making them solar powered, through photo synthesis. In addition to increased strength, reflexes and durability, the regenerative abilities of plants are mimicked too. It couldn't help my step father though..."

Frostbite knew then what had been in the case at the embassy.

With such a serum in their hands, a rogue state might be able to churn out thousands... millions of super soldiers!

"The plan was to give it to mankind to defend themselves against the swarm... but.. .call me untrusting, it's not of much use at the moment. It has only a temporary effect.. unless the final chemical factor is introduced to make it lasting."

"I can take us back to England, or wherever you wish to go, by teleporting through trees. I shall devote my efforts to stopping this 'pod' of locusts, before the main swarm can learn of this planet. trust me when I say, if they had any idea of the potential for food on this planet, they would already be here. They may know by now of what I truly am, and if word gets back to the swarm... we may not have much time..."

Admin wrote:"I can take us back to England, or wherever you wish to go, by teleporting through trees. I shall devote my efforts to stopping this 'pod' of locusts, before the main swarm can learn of this planet. trust me when I say, if they had any idea of the potential for food on this planet, they would already be here. They may know by now of what I truly am, and if word gets back to the swarm... we may not have much time..."

Frostbite was quite taken aback by what he had heard, but now it all began to make sense. Unfortunately so did the danger before them. The risks were enormous, however worse still was the fact that if they didn't strike decisively and accurately at the hive, then things would go from bad to worse. However if they got more of the serum or the existing source, then perhaps the team could be further supercharged, at least sufficient to take out the hive. Frostbite knew there were more established teams, but with the way that hostility was the name of the game, he very much doubt he'd be trusted. His recent run in with the Americans, his own people, proved that.

Turning back to the Professor, he spoke for the first time since arriving. "This is beautiful but this isn't so strange as you might otherwise believe. I've seen stranger." He passed over the time they'd been in ancient fey lands and all that had happened to save what they could. He'd not thought about it much since being there, it was still painful to think about and easier to busy himself in work and duty. Turning back to the present he said, "My team is willing, but under powered they're still so new and if you'll pardon the expression. So green! However if you could make more of this serum or we could get back the original, with that helping them, we could have a far more effective strike team with which to stop this hive before it had chance to get started. Clearly time is against us if the Locusts are here already. What do you think?"

OOC:Ok so lets see what our options are going forward from here, either we get more serum, or we have to retrieve what was stolen. If there is a third alternative I am open to suggestions. But if we can get the serum, it might be able to also help heal the team members currently trying to recover. Also the other aspect is how we locate the hive - it must be well hidden, I imagine.

Sj

As in in tune with Frostbites thoughts, Frostbot offered a suggestion 'Locusts, by their nature, strip bare any area of foilage before moving onto the next area. With that in mind perhaps recent areas of de-forestation might be investigated.'

The Professor raised an eyebrow. "Sir, we have barely met, and yet you require the knowledge of my - and my fathers - life work... and yet..." she turned, and glanced at an innocuous looking bush. Placing a hand on a leaf, Frostbite saw it glow, and from it instantly sprang a strange bloom, unlike one Frostbite had ever seen in his travels. It's white petals were star shaped, and she muttered something too quite to hear before gently plucking it. "Here." she offered. "But first, a question. Are you true sir, your heart noble, your motives pure and just?"

A trap of some kind, or simply a question?

(OOC Assuming Frostbite takes the flower...)

The petals stayed... white... and pure.

The Professor smiled. "A simple trick. I asked the plant to flower in such a way that it changed the chemical nature of its being. In humans, the only affect is to compel truth. Should falsehood be present, the petals will shrivel and blacken instantly. As for the locusts... it will blacken and shrivel within..." she glanced about "A distance from here to that tree when a locust is near," she said, pointing.

'Approximately 20.375 metres' Frostbot offered.

"...Whatever form they should be wearing. When they... 'take' another planet, they adopt new technologies, including gene manipulation, in order to further their species. They are virtually a different race from that which sprung on their homeworld now. They may have new strains, mutants even within their own kind, with powers designed to guarantee success. They are Evil, with an endless hunger. They shall stop at nothing to capture me, and when they have done that, they shall leave, and tell their swarm of this world, as well as delivering me to their Queen." She smiled, sad. "I had hopes of living out a long and useful life on this world, using my knowledge and powers to benefit mankind and reverse the damage done to the environment. I had hoped my gift would secure the medical aid my Father needed, and in addition secure treaties against the deforestation of certain areas of North America. A step, one of many needed, to save this world."

Professor Koshelvik straightened, smiling again. "I will need a laboratory, and time. The serum can be remade, and the final ingredient, to unlock its full potential..." she held up a finger, and a nail grew slightly, curving like a thorn. Running it over her palm, Frostbite saw a slight cup appear, and clear sap ooze forth. "...I carry within me. I shall help you, as you have helped, and hopefully will continue to help, me."

"Now, where to?" she asked, turning to the trunk of a tree then holding out her hand... which was now uninjured, despite having been cut moments ago!

Admin wrote:The Professor raised an eyebrow. "Sir, we have barely met, and yet you require the knowledge of my - and my fathers - life work... and yet..." she turned, and glanced at an innocuous looking bush. Placing a hand on a leaf, Frostbite saw it glow, and from it instantly sprang a strange bloom, unlike one Frostbite had ever seen in his travels. It's white petals were star shaped, and she muttered something too quite to hear before gently plucking it. "Here." she offered. "But first, a question. Are you true sir, your heart noble, your motives pure and just?"

Somewhat unsure, but unwilling to let his reputation be anything other than honourable.  Frostbite took the petal, it was pretty.  

Admin wrote:"The petals stayed... white... and pure."

Frostbite was beginning to like this Professor Koshelvik, if that was truly her name, despite himself.  "Hmm, well I need to check on the others find out if they got out safely, then we need to arrange a place to go.  A safe house, where we can meet, debrief and discuss what we do next.  Our little team is new, the newest members are...well for want of a better word.  Saplings, tender shoots, if you will.  Much untrained and imagine they would not be sufficiently experienced to deal with an invasion.  Somehow we've got to get word out to those who can take this locust swarm on, before they reach earth."

Frostbite put a call into Wandafar, first explaining the situation before getting a detailed update on the team.  

OOC:Assuming everyone is ok, then we'll go to a safe house where we can meet and discuss with Wandafar and the rest of the team a way forward.  If they are not back safe, then first port of call is to get the Prof somewhere safe and then get back to helping out the rest of the team.  I will also suggest that the good professor have more of those blooms to hand.  If the aliens can adapt their appearance and manage to slip in among the team, in the confusion, I want to know about it.

Sj

Wandafar spluttered "Vere are you? Your communicator is garbled, scrambled. Ze location gps emitter thing is... not vorking." he crackled in Frostbites ear.

"Yes yes, team is ok. Vell, zet idiot who turns into giant vill never be ok, but zet another story. Zey drove off Locust things, but several police injured. Looks like I hef some phone calls to make to smooth zis out viz authorities, Justin vill be overjoyed, as usual. Ze team vos picked up out of town only minutes ago, vondering vere you und Professor are."

"You need to get back ... ah. Location fix. AMAZON JUNGLE? Vot ze... hef you powers I know nothing about?" his voice crackled. "No vonder ze signal so crep. How you get beck from zer? You vont pickup I suppose. Vill take a few hours. Vot ze blummin eck goin on I don't know. Zis makes Eastenders look like normal happenings. You got ze Professor voman right? She needs to explain vot in zet suitcase ze bed guys got avay viz. Und why she hend it to Yenks in first place. Zey turn anything zey get zer hands on into veapons or iphones."

Frostbite rolled his eyes as Wandafar ranted, turning to look at the Professor. She had transformed once more into the academic that Frostbite had first encountered, though she had another half dozen blooms cupped in her hands. Plus, she looked tired. "I changed back whilst I still have the energy to create my disguise. The last of it I shall use to transport us back. Then I shall need to rest. I have... ah, specific requirements in that regard."

With that she gave the blooms (half a dozen) to Frostbite and placed a hand on the tree trunk, offering the other to Frostbite to take. "Describe where you wish to go, somewhere I might be able to look up on a map. The more detail, the better. I shall then... 'feel' for the woodlands nearby, and transport us. The journey will be exhausting for me. I may need assistance at the other end."

Frostbot offered his aid "Access is sketchy, but I can describe with the internet's help, the grounds of St John Hall, the teams base of operations."

Frostbite conveyed his programs words, and the Professor was pleasantly surprised. "It sounds lovely! Oh, I shall just need a moment... " she stared into space, then nodded, taking Frostbites hand. "Yes... I see..." A deep breath, then seemingly drawn towards the tree...

... and standing under the shade of one of the oaks in the grounds of the manor! Frostbite shuddered, the teleportation causing his breakfast to unsettle, and turned to catch the Professor as she fell. She was unconscious, exhausted!

He turned to look at the grounds and the mansion less than half a mile away, a short flight, and saw beyond that the jet coming in from the distance, carrying his team.

OOC The Professor just needs rest, having exhausted herself. Your team will be landing shortly. General course of action?

Admin wrote:OOC The Professor just needs rest, having exhausted herself. Your team will be landing shortly. General course of action?

OOC:

Ok general course of action:
1. Get the prof somewhere safe, allow Wandafar to take care of her immediate needs and make sure he is aware of the potential she has to draw our enemies in.
2. Once we've got her sorted, its time to liaise with our team, check injury, information and debrief.
3. Then with the team assembled and anyone else who is presently available its time to start pooling resources to find out what we know about this group of aliens, together with the missing equipment etc.
4. Also need to test out the claims the prof made re the pettle/flower things abilities etc.
5. Finally it's trying to work out an order of priority re the Locusts, the foreign powers and the rest of their invading mother load in space. How we go up against, or turn them away from us.

I guess all in a days work for the Vanguard ;-)

Sj

Jethro the solid light hologram butler accepted the limp form of the Professor even as his arms morphed into into a stretcher of sorts to accommodate her.

"Interesting." the Butler intoned. "The patient scans as human, but a deep spectrograph scan reveals that the human DNA is in fact a temporary effect. I shall endeavour to treat the young lady as best as I am able but may have to alter my methods dependent on her bodily needs."

Frostbite was about to answer when he turned to see Mary and the team walking from the landed jet. She looked fresh enough but the team of superhumans looked completed exhausted, battered, bruised, wounded... They'd been through the fire and come out the other side.

Kevin (Surge) was holding an arm gingerly, and half of his face was sooted up, swelling beneath the dirt and streaked with blood. "Thanks for the 'help' Boss. Those guys were proper kicking our ass. Our hands were tied, protecting the cops and students. You left us in the middle of the scrap and..."

"Oh be quiet!" snapped Sarah (Firebrand). She was sporting a black eye and limped, carried with the help of David (Terra Firma) who was unmarked but looked pained nonetheless. "We got the job done..."

"...The locusts escaped! They smashed up a building!"

"Which you managed to hold up while people got clear! Don't ruin your moment of glory by moaning like a spoiled brat! Be a man! Suck it up! Get on with it!" she shouted, and hobbled past Frostbite. Thomas (Gravitas) added "They got away. We tried to take the fight to them and they started throwing the grenade bomb things around... Jeremy (Probability) copped for most of them, made sure they were duds or went off target, but those that did go off... we were outgunned."

David (Terra Firma) turned where he was helping Sarah towards the infirmary "But we drove them off, the boss got the woman away, we managed to save lives. All it costs us was... well, a right kicking."

Kevin grumbled and stumbled past. Frostbite got the whiff of cooked flesh from him.

Mary took him aside. "The team did well. Not great, but they lived, stopped the bad guys, and got out without having to answer any questions from the Police. Unfortunately there was a lot of Collateral damage to property..." She cringed. "We need a plan for when those guys turn up again."

=========

Hours later the team had been treated, washed up and gathered in a large meeting room, sat about on comfy chairs and sofas

The Professor was there, a little pale but on her feet. She'd come round and asked for time to stand in the garden. A short while later she'd come in, looking a little healthier. She laid out the problem.

"The Locusts want me. They also want to report this planet to their superiors. The fact that there aren't millions of these things swarming all over the place says that they haven't managed to transmit anything yet. Therefore they will be looking to find means to do that, some powerful emitter, telescope, satellite... They will modify the technology to provide the function they require, probably at the cost of the machinery but they won't care if it works. As for me, they will try again. I... regret to say that they will find it easier to find me with every use of my powers."

She turned to Frostbite. "You have a choice. Try to predict where they will strike to transmit their message, use me as bait, or try to find their base of operations, which is most likely an area with an alarming sudden loss of vegetation. And time is running out. There is also the matter of the serum I developed. Foreign powers have the basic form which will increase strength, durability and regenerative powers in those that take it. If it is mass manufactured there will be ... trouble. If I have enough time I can manufacture the advanced version of that serum, albeit in small quantities. It offers greater benefits."

Kevin raised a hand and sat back. "She said it herself. Very noble of you lady to offer you up as bait. I say go with that. Let's get this done!"

Admin wrote:"Kevin grumbled and stumbled past. Frostbite got the whiff of cooked flesh from him.

Mary took him aside. "The team did well. Not great, but they lived, stopped the bad guys, and got out without having to answer any questions from the Police. Unfortunately there was a lot of Collateral damage to property..." She cringed. "We need a plan for when those guys turn up again."

Truth was the team had done well, against superior forces who could have turned the tables by targeting the civilians! That would leave them feeling far worse. The team had done well, but Frostbite kept a stoic lock on his thoughts or feelings until there was time to let them be know to Mary.

"Well done, our Professor had to be rescued as it was taking her out of the situation that stopped things getting worse. But we’re not out of the woods, it would seem by a long shot."

=========

Admin wrote: Hours later...

Kevin raised a hand and sat back. "She said it herself. Very noble of you lady to offer you up as bait. I say go with that. Let's get this done!"

Frostbite raised his head, clearly having listened deeply and considered much whilst the Professor and the assembled team had, had chance to digest what was going on.

The opportunity to empower the team was something that might in the face of a trap present them with more options. Drawing out the enemy certainly made sense rather than fighting them on their own territory, or once again destroying public property by waiting for them to find a means to communicate with human technology.

But the team was only just learning the limits of their powers, adding more to them might only complicate an already difficult situation. What the team needed, was more hands on guidance, other team members willing to work with them and augment any plan to trap the aliens.

"Ok folks we’ve got an opportunity to strike so that a whole invading force of intelligent beings, not unlike locusts strips the earth clean. Whilst we might be left alone for a while, its a while worth getting to better prepare for any further return in the future.

In the longer term we’ll sort out what falls out from the mixture you’ve made. But for now the immediate thing, is to recruit our team, to bolster this plan. And make sure that however we lay the trap, it does its best not to look like a trap. We want to catch the aliens awareness as best as possible.”

OOC:
Ok so first things first, Wandafar needs to be in on this to help make sure we protect the professor. If she isn’t present, we’ve got no convincing bait. However we don’t want her snatched whilst our backs are turned.

Second Frostbite will ask the Professor if there is anyway to use their appetite of the creatures against them? Or other natural weaknesses we can exploit?

Thirdly we need a plan that makes it look as if the professor has escaped of her own volition and her using her powers, despite the risk is as much to prevent her being captured. That way we make it look convenient not contrived.

Finally we need to see if there are any active or retired heroes who can help the team lend a hand. Frostbite cannot be hands on with the team and fight and protect the professor, if he is also needing to give his attention to executing the plan. So lets tick that little list off before we get ahead of ourselves.

I’m also open to suggestions from the rest of the team etc.

Sj