Re: Project GI Joe Issue 1 - The Adventure Begins

DavidMcMahon Sun Jan 22 2023, 04:36

After settling in, unpacking and talking for a bit more, the trio of new heroes decided to hit the sack. The night was pretty much uneventful.

Next morning at the promised 0 Dark-thirty, the 12 new heroes were in PT outfits and masks, for those who wore them, and in formation. Once roll call was finished, American Youth led the men through the normal military warm ups, calisthenics and stretching exercises. It was pretty apparent, even with the supposedly overweight Bounceback, he finally decided on that name during the night, had no problems doing the work out. They then went on a 12 mile RUN through the dirt trails around their section of the base. They remained in formation while yelling out the cadence as needed.

"YUP! in the Morning with the Rising Sun! We're gonna Run all Day 'Till the Runnin's Done! Hup! Two! Three! Four! ...."

A good time was had by all.

Once back at the quad in front of their barracks they were dismissed to S, S & S [Fecal activity, shower and shave], dress in their costumes and head over to the chow hall for breakfast. A wide selection of foods were provided and there was plenty of it. Upon returning to their individual group barracks rooms, the Fin discovered a manilla envelope on his well-made bed. In it were directions and a small map for him to report to CO's office in ... looking at the clock, ten minutes to receive orders for his unit. The other two were directed to pack their duffle bags [or ditty bags depending on branch of service] with costumes, appropriate military uniforms and civilian dress and stand by to move out.

ooc: Once the Fin relays the message to the others, he will go by himself to the CO for orders. The Fin outranks both American Youth and the Patriot, so he is in command. The other two are NCOs and get to do all the scut work since they don't have any privates there to have THEM do it instead.
Been 40 years since I was a reservist so memories and what is done today are a bit blurred but we won't be too military once off the base.

Admin Wed Jan 25 2023, 10:18

PATRIOT

With a lop sided salute to Fin as he leaves to go to the COs office Patriot packed his stuff up in the rucksack/duffel bag. He'd miss all this, in a way. The Army told him what to do, when and how to do it and by how much. He was a cog in the machine and the reassuring feel of having those around who would back you up was going to end, with just the three of them having each others backs.

Out there... well he'd seen the news, read the papers. Superhumans had been a part of life for decades. Some had their own reality tv shows as they hunted criminals down, others chose to be more low key. The main people - the Ultrahumans - were so far above and beyond what was considered superhuman that they seemed to be godlike, with each having powers and capabilities that were too powerful to fathom.

Where would Patriot, Fin and American Youth fit into all that? State sponsored superheroes weren't new and conspiracy theories about using them as super powered strike teams at home and abroad probably had some merit. It was all above his pay grade though. Even as a superhero, Patriot would do his duty, and do what Uncle Sam told him, whenever and wherever and however that might be.

andyman Sat Jan 28 2023, 00:59

"Maybe 'The Trident' will work if you don't mind the seafaring connotation."

The Fin will start his day, and wake himself up with a quick dip in the pool.

DavidMcMahon Tue Feb 14 2023, 17:34

The Fin reports to General Steele's office while the other two pack. He and the other 3 squad leaders enter together. Upon entering, you all snap to attention and salute, "Reporting as ordered, Sir!" and wait.

"At ease gentlemen," General Steels replies, returning the salutes. "Today you get your team's first assignments. I know, you haven't even really had a chance to get to know your teams and figure out the needed teamwork but we are at war and there is chaos in the streets of America, so you are just going to have to Adapt, Overcome and Improvise!"

His aide de camp, at a nod from the general, passes out large manila envelopes with each team leader's name on their envelope.

"In there, you will find your "assignments". I use that term a bit loosely as the situation is ever evolving and you will have to decide what you can and cannot do. You are basically going to the areas assigned to you and doing what you can. Certain objectives are listed. Try to achieve those. For now, the area listed in your orders are to be considered "Your Home Area", for now. Once you've read your briefing and dial in your men, destroy them."

"Transport is waiting. Get your men and your gear, climb in and change into your normal military ID and report to Major Talbot, your ISSER commanding officer and he will give your teams their "normal military assignments" to allow you to locate there without too much suspicion."

"Any Questions?"

andyman Sun Feb 19 2023, 23:45

"Sir, you said we are at war. Did you mean that literally, sir?" The Fin asks. (Unless The Fin would be aware that the United States did indeed declare war.)

DavidMcMahon Wed Feb 22 2023, 01:12

"No, not yet," General Steele replies. "I may have misspoke. The President has not asked and Congress has not declared war on the ADVENT and their human allied nations. It would be World War 3 if they did. But for all intents and purposes we are involved in a very hot Cold War with them."

andyman Thu Feb 23 2023, 02:38

DavidMcMahon wrote:"No, not yet," General Steele replies. "I may have misspoke. The President has not asked and Congress has not declared war on the ADVENT and their human allied nations. It would be World War 3 if they did. But for all intents and purposes we are involved in a very hot Cold War with them."

"What is our official jurisdiction concerning agents of ADVENT? Are we empowered to arrest them on sight or suspicion? If so, where would we bring them to be held into custody? Are we limited to only being able to confine members of Advent if they are endangering others or breaking a law? I want to make sure my crew doesn't do anything to increase the amount of paperwork you need to process when we do find and contain the enemy."

DavidMcMahon Tue Mar 07 2023, 01:15

General Steele grunts at that.

"There might be some Advent ambassador-types in DC. If so, we can't touch them. Diplomatic Immunity, doncha know. As to elsewhere ... if they seem to be bringing harm to our citizens overtly then we can act against them. As to where to put them or any other superpowered villain you might catch, here is good for now. Other military bases are also being geared up to have super brigs to hold them. Civilian side? Homeland Security is working it out too. Rich cities like New York City are also gearing up super jails. Some states are doing it too. Not having SuperMax available has been a blow when it comes to holding powered crooks."

"IF we had a few months to work the bugs out, we would have super jails all over the country either finished and ready for business or in the final stages of being built. It's amazing how having DC almost totally destroyed, the President kidnapped and who knows how many hundred of thousands of civilians killed or wounded pulls people together to get things done and blast the red tape!"

"Any other questions?"

andyman Sun Mar 19 2023, 20:07

The Fin opens the envelope to review his team's assignment.

Admin Mon Mar 20 2023, 08:25

Having packed his stuff into his kit bag Patriot wonders if he needs to be 'his own man'.

Honouring his ancestors memory was good and all but there would be inevitable comparisons with the previous Patriot. More than that, would he feel like he was doing the original Patriot injustice? After all, that was a different time, an era when people acted differently.

America was on the verge of war it seemed, but not with a foreign power. Aliens who on the surface appeared to be friends and bring benefits of Science and technology seemed to be a good thing. What was in it for them though? Many of the Governments in Europe had 'gotten into bed' with ADVENT but America and a few others held out.

The propaganda machine of ADVENT had switched into high gear with images of new hospitals and 'gene therapy' clinics that would 'fix' the problems of humanity which modern society had failed to do were enticing. If everyone was under ADVENTs banner there would be no war with neighbours. Civil unrest was low, employment high.

Many African nations were on board with ADVENT too and their infrastructure - roads, buildings, amenities - would improve rapidly as a result.

Again that niggle, nagging question though. Why? What was in it for ADVENT?

He shook his head. No use worrying about it. He would be given orders, he would follow them. For now, he was PATRIOT and he hoped that he would bring honour and respect to the memory of his ancestor ...

OOC He'll use the time to sketch out a few costume ideas...

DavidMcMahon Mon Mar 27 2023, 15:35

andyman wrote:The Fin opens the envelope to review his team's assignment.

Having left the general's office and letting the next hero leader in to get their assignment, The Fin opens his orders while walking back to the barracks. Not the best security op; it would have been better to wait until he is back with his team to lower the chances of anyone spotting the orders.

A quick perusal of the orders has them heading to Atlanta, Georgia. Once he is with the team, they can go over it in depth.

andyman Fri Apr 07 2023, 22:01

The Fin learns he is going to a landlocked city. He wanted to read more before leaving, so he could ask questions to General Steele, but finds himself returning to his bunk without fully reading the orders.

DavidMcMahon Sat Apr 08 2023, 05:37

ooc: Sorry, I totally messed up my geography. Y'all are going to Savannah, Georgia, not Atlanta. DOH!

https://www.locationgeorgia.com/advantages/logistics/ports/

Georgia Deepwater Ports
Georgia companies have another gateway to the world through the state-of-the-art deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick. Operated by the Georgia Ports Authority, they are the fifth largest in the country and serve as south Atlantic’s premier auto-processing facility. As one of the busiest ports on the U.S. East Coast, Savannah handles approximately 80 percent of the ship-borne cargo entering Georgia. Specializing in automobile importing, Brunswick handles nearly all of Georgia’s remaining shipping traffic. Combined with inland barge operations in Bainbridge and Columbus, and the Cordele Inland Port, which offers a direct route to the Garden City Terminal’s Chatham Yard, these waterways accelerate the pace of commerce.

andyman wrote:The Fin learns he is going to a landlocked city. He wanted to read more before leaving, so he could ask questions to General Steele, but finds himself returning to his bunk without fully reading the orders.

andyman Mon Apr 10 2023, 04:09

DavidMcMahon wrote:ooc: Sorry, I totally messed up my geography. Y'all are going to Savannah, Georgia, not Atlanta. DOH!

https://www.locationgeorgia.com/advantages/logistics/ports/

Georgia Deepwater Ports
Georgia companies have another gateway to the world through the state-of-the-art deepwater ports in Savannah and Brunswick. Operated by the Georgia Ports Authority, they are the fifth largest in the country and serve as south Atlantic’s premier auto-processing facility. As one of the busiest ports on the U.S. East Coast, Savannah handles approximately 80 percent of the ship-borne cargo entering Georgia. Specializing in automobile importing, Brunswick handles nearly all of Georgia’s remaining shipping traffic. Combined with inland barge operations in Bainbridge and Columbus, and the Cordele Inland Port, which offers a direct route to the Garden City Terminal’s Chatham Yard, these waterways accelerate the pace of commerce.

andyman wrote:The Fin learns he is going to a landlocked city. He wanted to read more before leaving, so he could ask questions to General Steele, but finds himself returning to his bunk without fully reading the orders.

No worries. I live in Georgia and can help with anything you miss.

Admin Mon Apr 10 2023, 15:32

OOC Kids on holiday means 'my' time is juggled between work (doh!) and kids (fun but after a while off you kinda wish they go back to school now! ) Apologies for delay.

PATRIOT

"Ah hey." said Patriot as Fin returned to the barracks.

"What's it to be? I was thinking, y'know, with your powers that the army could make you a kind of fishbowl helmet save its filled with water. That would help your powers to work, right? That super tough glass they use for huge fishtanks. Might be a sight but here's the thing - maybe some kind of colourant like a day glow yellow or green to obscure your face! You, uh, can breathe in water yeah?" he says, cringing inwardly at the thought of adventuring with someone with a day glow fishbowl head and a kid in a sailor outfit.

Aside from coming up with dumb ideas Patriot is all packed up, ready to go. He's been scribbling ideas down for a different design of suit and name but they all sound rubbish or childish so far.

'I guess I'm just itchin' to go do my thing.' he thinks to himself. 'Knowing what I can do and being here has me pacing like a caged tiger...'

DavidMcMahon Sat Apr 15 2023, 15:27

The orders are brief, as they usually are.
1. Grab your gear including your military uniforms and civilian clothes appropriate for 2 weeks stay.
2. Report to Major Talbot for orders in your military ID.
3. Take civilian passage to Savannah, Georgia
4. Rooms reserved at an Extended Stay hotel at the government rate.
5. Fight crime, especially in the port area.

ooc: Not sure if you have Extended Stay hotels on your side of the pond but its basically a motel room with a kitchenette added to it. With a supply of cooking utensils, frig and stove. Maid comes in every 2-3 days to replace the sheets and towels and do some cleaning. there might even be a laundromat on the premises so you can wash your own clothes instead of going to a dry cleaners or laundromat in town somewhere.

Admin Mon Apr 17 2023, 17:49

OOC Sounds like a self catering apartment like what I've just come back from (in Lanzarote). Functional, does the job and you are out most of the time anyway...

andyman Sun Apr 23 2023, 00:49

OOC: Yes, we have Extended Stay Hotels here. :-)

"I understand your concern, Patriot, but I can't conceal anything like that underneath my uniform. I'm not completely without value at human strength levels. Think of me like a Captain America or a Hawkeye that can become a Namor when he goes swimming."

The Fin changes into his military uniform, packs his duffle bag and prepares to meet with Major Talbot.

DavidMcMahon Tue May 02 2023, 21:34

The three of you, still wearing masks to hide your identity, and tape over your name strip on your uniforms and where rank tabs would be, finish packing and go outside where a number of trucks are waiting. Each driver is holding a sign, one of which just says "Fin" on it. Your ride.

Identifying yourselves, you are asked to climb in the back and to keep the flaps closed. Once underway, the driver opens a small sliding door from the cab to the rear of the truck. "We will be in the woods in about 2 minutes," he reports. "At that time, I will knock 3 times of this little door to let you know it is okay to strip off the rest of your costumes. Once we arrive at our destination, I will again knock 3 times while remaining in the cab of the truck so you can get out without me seeing your face."

"I will back in so the rear of the truck faces the door you should enter. The side mirrors will be turned inward. I will wait 90 seconds for you to leave, then I will drive away to ... well, never mind that, you don't need to know. You are to report to ... whoever it is you are to report to, 90 minutes after I drop you off. They want to stagger everyone so as to not make it too obvious. Enter the building, see where you are supposed to go and then leave and report back 90 minutes later."

He then closed the small sliding door and two minutes later, you hear the 3 raps on it. You remove all vestiges of hero ID, hiding them in your duffle bags. This is the first time you have gotten to see each others' faces and can now place them with the names you gave each other.

After a ride of about 50 minutes, mostly in dense wooded areas, you come up better paved roads and you can hear more traffic and more troops and civilian workers around. The truck bumps as it goes up a driveway lip, drives forward a bit and then stops then backs up. Three knocks are heard. You easily exit the truck within the allotted ninety seconds with all your gear. You find yourselves facing a standard military administration building, 3 stories tall.

You enter the nearest door, the driver takes off a few second later. There is a directory on the wall and examining it you find that the Inter-Service Support Education and Research {ISSER} unit's office is in B-109. In other words, in the basement, office 9.

You exit the building as per orders and now have 90 minutes to do what you want.

I suggest the following options though if you think of anything else feel free:
1. Go check into your ISSER assigned quarters. Officers have the Office Quarters or BOQ. Enlisted have their own quarters. Someone who needs it could go take a shower.
2. Go to the PX [basically the on-base store/mall] and buy stuff or hang out.
3. Go get some chow.
4. Go to the Gym and work out, they got a pool too.
5. Hit the library which include computers.
6. Go see a chaplain or go to confession, if you character is religious.
7. Go to the Officers, NCOs or Enlisted Man's clubs and have a drink and kick back for a bit.
8. Go call your family, if you have one and shoot the breeze remembering your cover story.
9. other that you can think of.

Admin Wed May 03 2023, 10:35

PATRIOT

OOC He'll take option 1, 3, 4 and work out at the Gym with a shower and change to finish off. Then hit the mess and watch the TV to catch up on the news. I assume that the events in Washington (with the Ultrahumans stopping an attack on the Capital) are still being reported on.

Anything else that sticks out he'll try to get more info on.

Al Mace selected the heaviest weights and had a 'leg day'. No good. being able to bench press a small car meant the gym would probably be for show and not a lot else. He needed something bigger!

Mind you... he'd hefted a hummer off the floor when he'd first discovered his powers, a hand under the engine end and glance about then... creaaak! Hummers weighed, what, a couple tons? That was when he noticed he'd left cracks on the concrete as his weight compensated to boost his density. That was something he'd have to watch for!

Mace wondered how strong he could get. Of course, the circumstances would have to be right. He'd tried to uproot a dead tree and sunk into the ground to his knees before the tree tore up!

With a chuckle he wondered what else he might be able to do. His sight was, well, better than 20/20 but he could see far distances as if they were close.

Holding his breath too. That was something he could test at the pool, but probably when no one was about. He glanced at his watch. He could time himself to get some kind of baseline. Two minutes? Three? Longer? Might mean the difference between life and death sometime. Of course Fin was the expert there. Maybe he could help and it might be good to know each others capabilities.

andyman Tue May 16 2023, 04:17

Ensign Dan Noble checks into his officer quarters and takes a shower to recover his strength. He then heads to the library to pick up a good book or two, before going to get some chow where he'll eat while reading, unless someone joins him at the table and wants to talk.

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