World War II - Lionheart Issue #1

September 1939, near Chojnice in the Western part of Poland


Richard King landed with a thud! in the mud. He cried out with pain, eyes adjusting to the sights around him. And ears to the sound. Gunfire. A rumble like thunder. The BOOM! of heavy artillery.

And the screams of the dying, men and horses.

Groaning, he eased himself into a seating position and looked around. Not 10 feet away was his mortal enemy! Saladin!

He was naked, like King was. Shaking his head to clear the fuzz, he suddenly ducked down - bullets started to zip and whine past him! Looking about, he saw... a battle taking place?

Mounted Cavalry charged to the sound of bugles against German infantry, and behind them, tanks. Lots of tanks. The rattle of machine guns sang out, and the brave cavalrymen rode on to their doom. Their objective - to scatter the Germans, appeared to have succeeded, but the intervention of armoured units suddenly changed the dynamic of the battle...

"My legs are broken." hissed the man near him. Saladin pulled himself up, painfully and straightened both legs with had snapped below the knee.The man didn't cry out, simply looked about, then grinned over at Lionheart. "A blood transfusion from me will save your life. But first, I think, you need to save BOTH our lives!" He shivered with the cold, mist flowing over the battlefield as the roar of thunder and the clash of steel, the screams of agony and the ring of bullets sang out. Richard King had heard tales of war. Of glory, honour and fighting for the cause. He looked out at the battlefield, dangerously close now as the cavalrymen scattered and circles, only to be cut down by machine guns.

This was no battle, only a massacre...

Lionheart spun. A mass of German infantry were running his way, coming through the fog!

OOC Lionheart has lost his 'flash' unit, and the last ability in his brain will have been Martial Arts. Until he gets another, he's restricted to using that, but he has otherwise the full range of his superhuman powers, making him more powerful (at the moment) than the other Vanguardians. The pair of you are in a field adjoining the The Tuchola Forest in Poland, 7km from Chojnice. He has arrived at a slightly different time from the others. And his enemy lies helpless nearby.

September 1939, near Chojnice in the Western part of Poland

"If I had time I think I'd make some witty comment about this situation, thank goodness there are no camera's around." Distaste written all over his face, Lionheart raced to Saladin's side, wondering what he could do for the man, without his skills as a surgeon. But with another hail of bullets bringing his disoriented mind into the present once again, he roughly lifted his enemy. "Now stay still and no funny business else two broken legs will be the least of your problems."

Moving away from the German line, Lionheart, speed up. Slowly at first, seeking to make sure he could run before all he could do was walk.

OOC: ok I'm getting this guy over my shoulder, and running as quick as I can, trying to dodge bullets and use whatever cover and dodging I can do to avoid being shot at. I'm heading toward the Allies's line and hoping I can get Saladin into a hospital to get me a blood transfusion before we both crock it.

Sj

Lionheart

Hefting Saladin to his shoulder, he made a strange sight as he sped across fields, a naked man carrying another naked man into the woods whilst bullets and shells whizzed past them! He danced left, right, dodging bullets and speeding along. All the while he figured it might not be a shame is Saladin were to take a fatal bullet. Even one less fatal, but embarrassing...

Several hundred metres away, he set the man down. Neither was out of breath. They were superhuman, and it appeared, in full control of their abilities. Which meant Richard King could expect a mental attack at any moment!

"Truce?" Saladin offer, moving to a seated position. "You are lucky agent King, that I fell badly. If it were you, perhaps I would have left you on the battlefield to be flattened by what appeared to be German military hardware circa 1940. Would you care to elaborate on what happened at the Stone Circle and why?"

Lionheart was about to answer when he heard the whinny of a horse nearby. Looking through the trees he could hear the distant sounds of battle and saw vague shapes running through the forest. Closer, a horse stood by, flanks steaming whilst anothers reins were snagged on bushes. The riders, wearing a military uniform of some kind, were down. One clutched his gut, but his face and colour suggested he was dead already, and the other lie at a horrible angle, having fallen from the horse whilst leading the other with his dying friend on.

They were no more than 20 metres away. Trouble was, the Nazis were moving through the forest, shooting anything that moved!

Saladin called out to where Lionheart moved "You need me remember!" he hissed. "My blood is your lifeline! Don't leave me here damn you!"

Lionheart

"Truce?" Saladin offer, moving to a seated position. "You are lucky agent King, that I fell badly. If it were you, perhaps I would have left you on the battlefield to be flattened by what appeared to be German military hardware circa 1940. Would you care to elaborate on what happened at the Stone Circle and why?"

Lionheart looked shocked both by the thought his enemy was using any and all means to get himself into a better position. He was a canny one, and Lionheart couldn't afford to let his guard down for a moment.

Saladin called out to where Lionheart moved "You need me remember!" he hissed. "My blood is your lifeline! Don't leave me here damn you!"

"Quite yapping, I haven't forgotten, we may have got you some transport and possible clothes,"

Then Lionheart couldn't help adding, "Stay here and don't move," for a bit of fun at his enemies expense. Moving quickly he speed to where the rider was, trying to not frighten the horse.

"Ho, hey friend, are you ok?" Lionheart couldn't believe he sounded so lame, but then he was buck naked in the middle of a battle. Moving closer he tried to see if the man was alive still.

OOC: Ok my plan is to help the man, grab his comrades horse and use that to hoist Saladin onto and get out of there if possible. It might be the the horse slows us down, but I will also try and take the dead man's uniform and dog tags to make sure his family know he died. Before trying to bearing him as best I can with superspeed to make sure I don't delay for too long.

Sj

Lionheart

One man was dead, hands covering the gunshot wound to the gut where his life's blood had been leaking and in turn not noticing the shot through his thigh which had drenched the horse with blood and caused it to rear, which in turn had dragged his companion from his own horse where he'd fallen badly.

And broken his neck.

The soldier was Polish, and his eyes held fear whilst the poor boys body shuddered with shock. Even without the skill of medicine his flash would impart, Lionheart knew the youngster was dead.

He couldn't have been more than 16 or 17.

Looking up, he saw German soldiers marching through the woods by the dozen. He heard a scraping sound behind. "Hurry up!" hissed Saladin. "I'm freezing out here, and I think I'm going into shock!"

"HALT!" screamed a voice. Through the trees Lionheart saw a couple of German soldiers coming towards them. They were more than 30m away but carefully picking their way round trees with rifles at the ready.

On the ground near the soldiers lay their horribly antiquated weapons. Lionheart guessed the killing range would be shorter than that of the relatively advanced German weapons. Coupled to the fact that men on horses vs infantry and tanks wasn't a fair fight, he began to feel for the plight of these brave, doomed Poles protecting their home from invasion.

The German Soldiers came closer. There were three now in sight, with another further back and seeing the glimpse of naked flesh through the trees...

Lionheart

"Oh man could this day get any worse!" Lionheart mumbled to himself before zipping off to take out two German soldiers and not be too gentle about it either.

OOC: Assuming these are thugs and this is a fairly straight forward attack. I will strip their uniform wearing trousers and shirt but ripping of badges and what not to make myself presentable as possible. Then I'll return, bury the boy, having taken his papers. I think that its probably best I carry Saladin as the horse is likely to be tired and slow anyway. So I will set it free afterwards, hoping it can get away safely.


Sj

Lionheart

Somewhat taken aback by a naked man moving at high speed towards them, the Germans level their rifles and call for Lionheart to halt. By the time they've finished saying the command, one is down clutching the ruins of his face, the other has been disarmed and is slammed to the floor with the butt of his own gun. The third begins to fire, but his opponent has... gone?

From behind a tree, a fist, and the arm that drives it, into the side of the soldiers head. He drops too. All three are down (staggered or stunned) and Lionheart applies a short sharp blow to send them to sleep before stripping some clothing from them.

OOC Getting clothes for Saladin too? Also, you doing HTC or HTK damage. It's going to matter very soon. No rolls reqd for a full blown superhuman against normal soldiers. Most of these will be kids having been taught how to shoot, go over an assault course and follow orders. Put a spetznaz or SWAT member in the field against Lionheart and... it would be the same result. A bunch of them would need some working out, but 3 soldiers, no problem. For now.

Saladin sees Lionheart return, clothed now, and shivers "What next? This place is a battlefield. We are as likely to be shot by either side."

Lionheart

OOC Getting clothes for Saladin too? Also, you doing HTC or HTK damage.

Ok HTC damage these guys don't deserve to wind up in hospital. And Lionheart doesn't need to mirror his enemies tactics.

Saladin sees Lionheart return, clothed now, and shivers "What next? This place is a battlefield. We are as likely to be shot by either side."

Here he said showing him the clothes he had procured from the soldiers. Helping his enemy, Lionheart attempted to get him dressed such as to make him warmer and more comfortable. He went about it silent in a cold pragmatic way.

"I reckon we should head for the Allies line, and surrender, get ourselves into a hospital." But silently to himself he thought, "I need to find the others..."

OOC:

Ok I am going to pick up Saladin, get him to the Allies line as best I can and try and make it clear we are not German soldiers deserting, but rather Allies working secretly behind German lines. If necessary we will say we are part of a secret project (codename Manhattan) to fight new German super soldiers or something. We are needing to meet with a James Caldwell.

Sj

LIONHEART
Richard King
And Saladin

Stopping to splint Saladins' legs the pair avoid all contact in the Polish countryside. Though the Nazis mount a 'Blitzkrieg' or 'lightning war', a tactic never before used with such great effect, these are no two mere peasants or soldiers. Time and again the Nazis seem to close around them as their rate of progress is slowed thanks to the injuries Saladin sustained, only for one or both to offer a distraction or solution for getting out of there.

Lionheart knows Saladin is selfish, power hungry and evil - his strike back at those who created him in vats was enough proof of that - but with what he knew and heard of Hitler and his regime, the more and more he drew parallels with his own superiors and the way in which they ruled.

"Makes you uncomfortable doesn't it? Having worked for a regime which ruled completely, without democratic process and with no forum for debate. 'Our way or the highway'?" suggested Saladin, one night around a fire. "I opposed that. They said I was a terrorist. Make your own mind up. You heard only what the state wanted you to hear, knew only what they wanted you to know."

=========

Almost a week later approaching Międzyzdroje, the pair look bedraggled and exhausted. Living off the land, covered in mud and stinking, progress slow and hampered by the news the Soviets had formed a pact with the Nazis and attacked on another front, causing the remnants of the Polish army to rout and flee to Romania, the men from the future stumbled to the fishing town of Międzyzdroje. Shoes were dangling from their feet, Saladin walked with the aid of crutches and the horse had died after taking a bullet, the valiant beast soldiering on before collapsing later.

Everywhere the mark of invasion showed itself in columns of thick smoke and burnt out houses. Poland was a poor country, the roads and infrastructure undeveloped. If nothing else, the Nazis were thorough.

They left few or no survivors, in this, the first wave of their grand plan to annexe Europe.

=========

Hours later, after grabbing what food remained in buildings and any containers they could, the pair found a rowing boat, and from their rowed out to where a fishing boat still floated. It was riddled with bullets, blood stained the decks and bodies draped over the sides, courtesy of the Luftwaffe.

"I think, you have carried me enough." said Saladin. Lionheart turned, only for strong hands to grasp him and haul him on board, his exhausted body long having gone past even superhuman limits thanks to sleepless nights and endless battling through expanding enemy lines, as avoiding encounters took as much from him as fighting. As he sagged back, he saw Saladin over him, the man looking about on the boat.

Then everything went black.

OOC To be continued. Need to go to work. Update on Frosty when I get back around 13 hours time...

LIONHEART
Richard King
And Saladin

Darkness and light rolled into one, as the world seemed to roll. Dampness, the flickering light of lantern, the curses of a man fumbling in poor conditions, himself suffering from broken legs only just starting to heal, images flickered across the fevered mind of Richard King. The time shift had accelerated the process inside his body, the mechanism by which the totalitarian state had controlled its agents.

"Live, damn you! If you die, we BOTH die, and that won't do!" hissed the accented voice of a man pushed beyond limits of endurance and will. His plans, shattered, dreams of Empire, ruined. Whereas he'd conspired to be a player on the board, now he was but a pawn.

Saladin looked out of the window of the fishing boat, the little vessel chugging away. Inside the cabin blood stained the floors where a stuka had riddled the harmless Polish vessel with bullets. On the table lay Richard King, makeshift blood transfusion apparatus having been gathered by Saldin at the port town hooked up to his arm and the rogue agents. Saladin sighed. He was tired and had gone without sleep for over 4 days, piloting the small vessel along the coastline towards the relative safety of France. It had manfully chugged against hostile seas, but now the boat and the pilot were almost finished.

=========

Lionheart woke. He could hear voices. Germans.



Dragging his weary body up, he peered through the window, looking out onto the small deck. A Nazi U-Boat had pulled alongside, heavy guns trained on the fishing boat. A Nazi in white wearing a heavy leather coat to protect against the rain and wind stood over Saladin, who was held, limp, between two burly sailors.

Blood ran down Saladins back when a bullet wound had exited his shoulder. Another appeared to have gone through his thigh. The Nazi walked to the other side, holding a luger to Saladins shoulder and firing. Lionheart winced as blood sprayed from the mans back.

He didn't utter a sound, simply holding his head up defiantly.

The Gestapo agent looked rattled, and slammed a fist, time and again into Saladins' face. The sound of a leather coated fist slamming into an unprotected chin rang out. Even some of the tough sailors seemed shocked, glancing at each other as the Nazi leaned in. He bellowed words in German, backhanding the rogue agent again and again.

Lionheart sagged back. He was as weak as a kitten! Through the other window he saw the coastline, tantalisingly close - swimming distance! Despite his fragility - and he saw the blood transfusion equipment scattered around the cabin, he figured he could swim to the shore. Saladin had bought Lionheart time by weakening himself with the blood transfusion and then directing the Nazis efforts towards himself.

Lionheart looked outside. 4 Sailors on deck, the Nazi, half a dozen on the deck of the U-Boat, all armed, and the large deck gun trained on the fishing boat.

Tall odds. Saladin had known that.

The Rogue agent had sacrificed himself that Lionheart could live! Why?

The Enemy hadn't seen him - yet - but it would only be a matter of time after they'd killed Saladin - only his superhuman durability had saved his life thus far.

Then Lionheart saw the Nazi raise the Luger to Saladins' face, bellowing in German as the rogue agent sagged between the Germans. He clicked on the hammer, closed finger on the trigger...

[size=18]LIONHEART

Then Lionheart saw the Nazi raise the Luger to Saladins' face, bellowing in German as the rogue agent sagged between the Germans. He clicked on the hammer, closed finger on the trigger...

"Oh no you don't..." Lionheart didn't know how Saladin had done what he'd done, self interest or was their yet some humanity left in the man. He didn't care, this was no way for anyone to die. He hoped his mind powers would still opperate despite his fatigue, nothing else would serve his purposes in this moment. Concentrating he let his mind lash a bold of Psychic energy at the soldier, hoping to stop his his finger firing before he could kill Saladin.

OOC: I really hope I'd doing the right thing here! I did considere telekenisis but then all I'll have done is delayed things so spending my energy to stop the Nazi with a Psi bolt. 5 points, can't take a chance. And I roll: 1d20=11+18 = 29 Here is hoping that is enough.

Sj

LIONHEART
Richard King
And Saladin

From nowhere the image of an energy lion sprang up, clawing and biting at the Nazi over Saladin! The Germans, startled, turned their guns on the 'animal' as Saladin dived aside for cover! RATATATATATATATATATATATATATA!!!!!!!

Suddenly all was pandemonium! The Nazi in the coat was riddled with bullets to compound the mental mauling, and blood sprayed everywhere. The bullets that missed struck the other sailors who fired back blindly whilst diving for cover, and the deck crew on the submarine cocked the large machine gun, took aim, and strafed the deck, aiming at the Lion and anything else that moved!

Wood exploded into shards at the deck gun chopped the little sailing boat up! Lionheart stayed pinned to the floor, whether unable or unwilling to risk dodging the bullets, it turned out to be the best course of action anyway! The gunfire stopped, then the recriminations started as the Germans shouted at one another, blame firing back and forth as the little fishing boat groaned its death knell, listing to the side as water pumped in from myriad holes in the side.

Lionheart looked up, the dust and flutter of debris still settling around him. He started as a hand, then an arm and body clawed its way around the corner and Saladin crawled into view on his belly. "Time... to go... I think..." he gasped. Blood ran from the wounds in each shoulder and his leg. He was a mess, having weakened himself to save Lionheart then been beaten badly and shot up. Still, he was a superhuman. It would take a lot to kill a man like him or Lionheart normally. Right now? Not much. The seawater washed in as the boat continued to tip... both men were painfully aware of the U-Boat alongside and the deck crew still arguing over whom was to blame for the massacre of their own men!

OOC Boat is sinking. Both of you are hovering above Staggered and Hospitalised... It's not good, but a few hundred yards away a beach beckons. If you can get there without being shot up. Alternately there are half a dozen of the U-Boat deck crew if you fancy a fight. All are armed and have itchy trigger fingers... Distracted at the moment mind - the paperwork on this one will be interesting at German High Command....

Lionheart knew that things were about as tense as they could be. He weighed his options as best he could. Attacking again might draw attention to them, there best bet would be to try and swim to shore whilst the Nazi's fought among themselves. But it wouldn't hurt to try and help the distraction get worse.

Concentrating once again, Lionheart attempted to snag a foot, a hand, an itchy finger and create more diversion even upend someone into the water the away from where they were, so they might make full use of the distraction to get away as best as they could.

He couldn't afford to stop and see if his tricks had worked, they'd need all the time they could get as he helped Saladin to swim away from the boat and toward the shore.

OOC: Ok will use telekinesis to either slap the water, the other side, making it look as if Saladin might come up there, or and trying to raise the stakes by pushing a finger and letting off a few rounds or so etc.

Sj

LIONHEART
Richard King
And Saladin

"Did you hear that?" bellowed one of the sailors (OOC all in German, but it's easy enough to guess...). The spooked sailors were still recovering from the shock of what had happened when they turned to blast indiscriminately into the water. At a raised hand from an Officer climbing onto the deck of the U-Boat from below, they paused. "He shouted in German, waving about, until he saw the blood spattered body of the man in white/black leather jacket on the deck of the fishing boat. At this he pulled out his gun and started waving it in the faces of the sailors, ranting and shouting for all he was worth!

Lionheart seized his chance...

BANG!

The luger went off in the officers' hand, blowing the face off a sailor who fell over the side. Another sailor screamed, pulling up his machine gun, then all hell broke loose!

Saladin stayed down and looked over at Lionheart, grinning "You always knew how to cause an argument, King! Of all the second generation cadets you were the one most likely to be rejected, but not through incompetence or lack of ability! I'm not surprised they sent you after me...What you don't know if the real reason why I rebelled. Unnnhhh..."

Lionheart looked at Saladin - the man slumped forward. Thanks to a stray bullet, he'd been shot again! Cursing, Lionheart could only stay low as bullets continued to zing out, until finally, after what seemed an age, silence remained.

By now the little fishing boat was ruined and sinking fast. Saladin was unconscious, Lionheart was weak as a kitten and what was left of the fishing boat deck was awash with blood and bodies.

There were also plenty of bodies in the water, the area around the U-Boat and the fishing boat turning dark. He could swim or... He turned. The U-Boat beckoned.It was shot up, but still looked seaworthy, the metal hull enough to repel angled shots not aimed directly at it, though it looked distinctly second hand. Lionheart glanced about. It was probable there were still more crew in the thing, but it represented the fastest way to cross the sea to England...

LIONHEART
Richard King
And Saladin

Lionheart glanced about. It was probable there were still more crew in the thing, but it represented the fastest way to cross the sea to England...

"Blast!" Lionheart felt frustrated and hamstrung but the boat did present the best of a bad set of choices. Pulling Saladin aboard, he quickly tried to staunch the blood from his wounds and find out what other crew were onboard, using his Telempathy to quickly scan for others aboard at present. (rolled to check in case any unwilling targets: 1d20+18=25) and moved cautiously but as quickly as he could to secure the boat.

OOC: Ok will check the boat, find and try and knock out rather than kill anyone here. Tie them up and get Saladin some medical attention before leaving in the boat - hoping to be able to work out how to take this thing to France asap. I will also hoist a white flag for when we get close, but only if I don't spot any other U-boats out here.

Sj

LIONHEART
Richard King
And Saladin

There were multiple 'contacts' when Lionheart scanned, and it made his heart sink. These things carried a complement of around 45 crew consisting of officers and seamen.

That was a lot for him to take on.

Still, the options were limited - Saladin, whilst his superhuman endurance had prevented him dying thus far, would eventually succumb to his wounds, swimming would be hard or impossible, and, well... hitching a ride in one of these things seemed about the only viable option.

"Get... me... aboard..." gasped Saladin "And.. find the... man in ... charge... Keep out of sight... get the officer to me..."

His eyes twinkled "I will do .. the rest..."

Lionheart bit back a scowl. As a Mk1. PSI Corps operative Saladins powers were less limited than Lionhearts own, and he knew the man could influence the weak willed.Working together might be their only way out of this alive!

=========

Dropping onto the deck, Saladin in hand, Lionheart had only seconds to duck inside a side door, the lock breaking with a shove from his telekinetically enhanced strength! He heard shouts and cries of alarm, then barks, orders, from someone. More footsteps, the clanking of hatches closing, and a horn blaring throughout the boat. More barked orders outside the cabin in the corridor.

It was cramped and dark in here, he was wet, exhausted and weak from lack of blood. could Lionheart burst from the corridor and take on one or more armed men? Or did he have another plan?

LIONHEART
Richard King And Saladin

His eyes twinkled "I will do .. the rest..."

It was cramped and dark in here, he was wet, exhausted and weak from lack of blood. could Lionheart burst from the corridor and take on one or more armed men? Or did he have another plan?

Lionheart stopped, tired beyond belief and in danger bursting out on these men wouldn't be smart if they had back up. And on a ship like this they probably had back up of some sort. He had to let Saladin play out his part. Although he'd seen another side of the man, at the same time he wasn't ready to believe he was a reformed character. Yet he gained nothing from seeing Lionheart killed, they were at a stalemate and whilst that was so they had to trust each other, recent events had proven that to be the case.

So Lionheart waited, ready as he could muster so Saladin could play his hand.

OOC:

Sorry wasn't clear where our positions were relative to what was going on, so I'm assuming that Saladin is outside I'm hidden within and he is going to try and bend the captain or commander officer to his will. I feel I've no choice if we want to survive but let him have a go. But should things go bad I'll do my best to surprise them and attack

Sj

Lionheart and Saladin

Admin wrote:OOC Bizarre. Could have sworn blind I posted a reply in here.

Sadly not before I posted and not since by the looks of things. Its those long shifts you do mate. That and all this time travel, you've probably remember what you've written in the future.;-)

Lionheart looked at Saladin, "Look I know you can take on the captain, but without help you are not going to cope for long. I don't want you blacking out whilst taking charge of the ship. I need to get you some help, unless you've got a better idea?"

Looking around the room, Lionheart sought some way to staunch the blood, make Saladin comfortable and hide him at the same time. He knew it was a bad idea to split up, but without some kind of care... He didn't want to think about that. He needed Saladin and he wasn't about to let him die, if he could help it.

OOC: So tempted just to do the unexpected and burst out take the lot of them on and get the Captain to Saladin. It might kill me or it might just be the fast express train to getting this ship under our control and Saladin some help.

But seeing as we are both so weak I figure its best to get some help for him, try and get back and then take on the captain and crew together? Lets hope I'm right. I'll have to rely on superspeed and reactions to move quick and subdue whomever I can, tying them up and stashing them away where possible.

It looks like Lionheart is going 'Die Hard'!!!! lets hope that holds true for me to!

Sj

Lionheart and Saladin

Lionheart moved some lifejackets aside, giving a bed of sorts for the injured agent to lie on. His rattling breath suggested he not take too long if he intended to save his enemy. That was another thing.

Saladin had saved his life, and he in turn had saved the other man. Why? What was in it for him?

He eased into the corridor, looking about. The place was shadowy and cramped. It would be difficult indeed to hide from anyone.

Lionheart flexed a fist. His strength was steadily returning - what he wouldn't give for rest, a bowl of hot broth and a warm fire right now! With a wry grin he narrowed his eyes.

The lion went hunting.

=========

Thud!

Lionheart slid the sailor gently to the deck. He glanced up and down the corridor, then back at the pair he'd surprised. Glancing at the doors on this particular corridor, he saw signs on several. 'Arzt', a little further down 'Oberhaupt der Uhr' and another 'Kriegsmaterialienschließfach'

The Germans were nothing if not efficient. Which door - if any - would be of use to him? He heard the clunk of many feet on the metal grill that the floor consisted of, and grabbed up the two downed sailors, one in each hand. He had to make a choice - drag them out of sight into one of these rooms, run the other way down the corridor or take on whomever was coming this way!

And he had to do it fast!

Lionheart and Saladin


Lionheart slid the sailor gently to the deck. He glanced up and down the corridor, then back at the pair he'd surprised. Glancing at the doors on this particular corridor, he saw signs on several. 'Arzt', a little further down 'Oberhaupt der Uhr' and another 'Kriegsmaterialienschließfach'

Lionheart didn't like the sound of the longer names to officius he headed for Arzt, anything with a name that short had to be lower priority - or at least he hoped so. Dragging the men, he flipped open the door shoved them in ahead of him to give him cover and leapt into the room, ready to attack anyone who tried to stop him.

OOC:

So jump in with the guards I've downed as cover, if this is what I think it is - Doctors, then I will try and get the supplies I need or if there is a doctor here, I will get him instead. Since I'm not sure what surgical skills I've left without my ocular device.

Sj

Lionheart and Saladin

OOC 'Doctor' is indeed the correct translation of 'Arzt' according to the internet...

"Gott in himmel!" cried the man inside sat behind a desk. The place was cramped indeed, and the skinny bespectacled fellow Lionheart had surprised when he opened the door looked rather out of place on a war vessel! His eyes widened when he saw the two slumped forms in Lionhearts hands. They were dropped as the speedster moved the short distance into the room to clamp a powerful hand across the Doctors' mouth!

"Speak... English?" asked Lionheart. After a moment, with fear across his face, the Doctor nodded. "Scream, and I'll..." he let the words trail off. Of above average height standing almost six feet tall, Lionheart was more athletic than bulky build. He carried the 220lb+ sailors, one in each hand, as if they were rag dolls. It wasn't lost on the Doctor. "I speak English. Not scream." he stammered. "What do you want?"

=========

Minutes later, with the Doctor and his kit bag in tow, Lionheart moved through the corridors of the submarine. Finally after what seemed an age of ducking and waiting till sailors went past, they arrived back at the lifejacket room. "Yes, I will help" said the frightened little man at Lionhearts' question. "Just don't kill me, please. I have a family.. wife... children..."

Lionheart held up a lighter taken from the unconscious form of a sailor (both were left locked in the Doctors room) and turned into the lifejacket storage room.

Blood was smeared across the pile of spread lifejackets, but Saladin...he was gone!

Lionheart and Saladin

Admin wrote:Blood was smeared across the pile of spread lifejackets, but Saladin...he was gone!

Lionheart swore, then brought himself back under control. He pulled a hand through his hair, thoughts racing wildly. He then looked at the doctor, wondering what might be best to do. Would the Nazi's realise that Saladin was more than he seemed and desperately try and save him, to take him back to High Command. That depended on if their captain had enough sense to realise. It can't be to hard, riddled with bullets, anyone could see that, that Saladin survived placed him in an extraordinary position.

Looking at the Doctor Lionheart took a chance. "Doc my, 'friend'..." Lionheart almost chocked on the word.

"Is very ill, if he has been discovered, I think it likely you will be called for to save him. We are different and I imagine you Fuhrer would like to meet him. I'm letting you go as you will be needed to tend to him. But I can see that you value seeing your family again. So you will understand me when I say how important I value you keeping my companion alive also. But if you think of betraying me, then this boat, despite all its soldiers, will not be enough to stop me getting to you if you fail me, Doctor."

Lionheart allowed his Psi powers to leak out seeking to read the thoughts of the Doctor whilst giving him a taste of his power, to make sure the man wouldn't betray him. [OOC: Psi roll 1d20+18=26]

Then (OOC: assuming I read him right) he let him go. Having first checked the coast was clear.

OOC:

Oh boy wasn't expecting that turn of events. Since he has been discovered, they will no doubt be looking for me, so I will try and stay one step ahead of the guards. Hopefully finding out what I can and trying to ascertain if my hunch about Saladin is correct.

If its not I will go on the offensive, I'll throw myself into attacking, the captain and guards as best I can. Perhaps taking a hostage if need be and using my Psi powers, strength and speed to rescue Saladin if all goes pear shaped.

Sj

Lionheart and Saladin

Lionheart read the Doctors mind. Images of a young daughter, a younger son, a wife, dog, family home in the hills, all sprung to mind. Things Lionheart had never, and probably would never, know. The man seat cold, gauging the intent and danger this formidable young man presented. He was dressed in soiled torn rags, bloodstains smearing the rags and his skin, though he seemed to be intact and healthy, if malnourished. And the way he'd taken out two BIG - some of the biggest on this boat - armed guards had been terrifying. He glanced at the guards. They would be out for hours. One's jaw hung slack, the other displayed a huge swollen eye that would take weeks to heal. A single punch to each.

Either he was the world heavyweight boxing champion - not likely given his size - or...

"Are you... ubermensch? Like the man who died on deck? I hef seen his file. I am... scared. This war is wrong, and these things are not natural. Whatever Der Fuhrer is doing, it cannot be good for humanity." he looked at the man he faced off against. "I am... "

Lionheart saw the image flash in his head. The Star of David. Hiding his religious beliefs, burning anything that might put him or his family in danger.

"Jewish?" asked Lionheart.

The Doctor nodded uneasily. "Already there are words coming from the Nazi regime that we are to be rounded up. I must keep it secret. I will help your friend. Just... just get me out of here alive so I can get back to Germany and save my family!"

Lionheart shifted uneasily. The Nazis were evil, but they were no fools. He didn't voice his fear that the Doctors family might already be in a camp somewhere...

The Doctor gathered his things. "I will try to help your friend. Down there, the third door to the left, are uniforms. You may find it easier to blend in were you not dressed like... like a refugee."

The man would not betray Lionheart. Sad, Lionheart watched him go. The little Doctor would never see his family again.

=========

Lionheart moved into the bridge area, sticking to shadows. He saw the cramped area cleared in a space around the Captain's conn area. Four burly seamen were holding Saladin up, his limp form already looking dead. He bit back his anger when he saw the glint of the knife in the Captains' hands. The Captain shouted in german, only for Saladin to slur "Speak english you Nazi sum!" and spit blood at him!

SMECK! CRACK! THWACK! SMECK!

Saladin crashed to the deck, then was kicked a few times for good measure. The Seamen around seemed disturbed by the brutal treatment of the stowaway, but none would risk the Captains' wrath. The man leaned in and hissed "You will talk, you untermensch!" he spat, referring to Saladins' dark skin and swarthy arabian looks. He ran the knife across Saladins' cheek, drawing blood. Then he turned the blade. "Hold him. I will take out an eye. He will talk then. WHO ARE YOU? ARE YOU ALONE ON BOARD? HOW DID YOU GET ON BOARD?"

Saladin laughed, further antagonising the man. Lionheart cursed. There were a dozen sailors in here, with several between him and the Captain. Just then he saw Saladin flick a glance towards his direction, and a bloody smile. He turned, crying out as an injured arm lunged up, grabbing the Captain by the shoulder and staring into his eyes!

The guards dragged him off, and proceeded to lay into Saladin with fists and feet. The Captain staggered back.

With a glazed look in his eye he called out (OOC in German, but Lionheart gets the idea) "Set sail for England!"

The sailors dragged what was left of Saladin past Lionheart into the corridor and probably somewhere to the brig. The little Doctor followed, worried look on his face. He didn't see Lionheart sticking to the shadows. Saladin had done what he set out to do - get the pair of them 'home'. But at what cost?

Lionheart and Saladin

The sailors dragged what was left of Saladin past Lionheart into the corridor and probably somewhere to the brig. The little Doctor followed, worried look on his face. He didn't see Lionheart sticking to the shadows. Saladin had done what he set out to do - get the pair of them 'home'. But at what cost?

Whatever Saladin was, this wasn't what Lionheart had expected. He wasn't just fighting for survival, something else was present. But right now, he had succeeded where he, despite feeling fitter and healthier couldn't have done. He needed a plan, hoping that the Captain wouldn't easily come out of his state, Lionheart needed a way to get Saladin off the ship, before they were both killed.

Following the crewmen at a distance, he watched where they placed Saladin. Thankful that the Saladin had stopped his bloody cruelty before it could go too far. Having spotted where Saladin was placed, Lionheart began to map out a possible route out for the ship, and away to safety when the time came. What he couldn't be sure of, was how he'd get the doctor out as well.


OOC: Ok firstly sticking to shadows and trying to see where Saladin is placed, what security and the route from here to the deck and a lifeboat. I'll also want to try and disable the guns, take out firing pins, ruin the triggers so that the damage isn't obvious. Hopefully we'll be no more than a few hours, since we were already near France.

Sj