World War II - Frostbite Issue #1

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE currently dressed as GENERAL FREEDOM

General Freedom scooped up the machine gun with a hand whilst raising the shield in another...

Thanks for the ruling on shields, I'm tempted to get acquainted with the shield but when I hand on the reigns I might need to hand on the equipment as well. So not sure if its a waste or not. We'll see how things turn out.

Admin wrote:
OOC Initiative 3 GF, 5 bad guy, 1 frame to him. He attacks ... total 15, miss. 4 frames to the General...

Joe Levelled the gun at the man, and said in a tone that brooked no batter, "Stand down or I will empty this clip into you. We are at war, and we need ever able bodied man to stand for liberty - this is your final chance. If you surrender I'll put in a word for you and your men - as long as none of the hostages are harmed. If not..."

Joe left the unspoken and obvious threat hanging in the air, as he waited for a response.

OOC:
Ok I will wait if the guy tries anything funny I'll empty the clip into him. It is war after all.

Rolls to hit: 1d20+6+3=28 1d20+6+3=29, 1d20+6+3=29

I'll leave you to sort out damage. I will stop of killing him unless I can help it. I'd rather not hurt him any further but turn him to aid America's efforts. But it may be too late for that.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE currently dressed as GENERAL FREEDOM

"Stand down? Ha! I just need to grab your head and pop it like an eggshell little man!" he reached forward for the General...

BRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

The machine gun opened fire, somewhat quieter than if normal munitions had been used, but these were special, and not just for their armour piercing properties!

OOC damage 13 htk, 1 htc, 10 htk, 2 htc and 11 htk, 1 htc. Criticals increase the Lunariums' effect dramatically...

The big man staggered back, feeling somewhat like a porcupine! Something else was going on though.. the glowing slivers jutting from his skin started to bleed, and the man himself to shrink!

<<The Lunarium which this unit suspects was used to give this man his powers has a specific balance. When treated to a certain amount of Lunarium radiation, a person will change genetically. The balance is fine however. If attacked or exposed to a large amount of Lunarium, the targets genetic code will revert back to it's original. In this case, the number of Lunarium slivers in the target hasn't removed the mans' powers but have weakened him. He will steadily revert to his original genetic template then the damage from his wounds will cause him to bleed to death.>> said the computer without emotion.

The big man stuttered, brushing at the slivers which broke off, leaving the ends in his skin. "What the...?" he cried out, looking at the blood on his hands. "They said it would be easy! Half a dozen of us... given powers.. that Nazi said it was easy money, and more power than I ever..."

He swooned, lack of blood turning his skin pale as he staggered back, a normal 5'10" man in a loose fitting costume sliding down against the pillar holding the roof up.

The General stood, smoking gun in hand and shield in the other. The Gangsters that could see that their 'ace in the hole' was down, and that this costumed man stood across the floor with gas wafting past him and out into the street was triumphant. When FBI agents and Secret Servicemen rushed in shouting, handkerchiefs over their mouths, they knew the 'gig' was up.

By now General Freedom felt the tear gas starting to effect him and took a deep breath of fresh air outside.

He was greeted by flashing bulbs and cheers, claps and whistles as a street full of civilians pushed against a police line to see their hero, a man who had braved impossible odds to fight off the most amazing crooks any of them had ever seen.

And, just like that, America changed forever.

General Freedom looked down at the gun in his hand. This really WAS war, and in order to fight the enemy he would have to climb down into it's pit.

Looking about, and at a tattered American flag fluttering from a building, he wondered how dirty he would have to get in order to win... and whether he would ever be able to wash the guilt and pain away when all was said and done.

OOC Fight over. Anything you want to do before we move to the next scene?

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE currently dressed as GENERAL FREEDOM

Admin wrote:
OOC Fight over. Anything you want to do before we move to the next scene?

Waving to one of the secret service guys, Joe spoke quietly with him. "The Nazi's operations here I don't think have been sanctioned from high command. But that won't stop them trying again, possibly trying to do as much damage to America's efforts to get involved before things even begin. Find out what these goons know," he jerked a thumb back toward the others, "and keep me informed."

With that General Freedom, strode over to his bike, and rode back to where he'd come from.


OOC:
1. Ok head back to the hotel, and then get stripped, changed and showered.
2. The second question being will I need to go before congress and the senate to convince them of what the President already knows?

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE currently dressed as GENERAL FREEDOM

OOC This answer may be little rushed - heading off to work. On another note how hard is it to find some reasonably priced luggage that allows you to carry all your work gear and a 15" laptop? Sheesh...

Steve showered, ate and recovered from his ordeal. The big man had died from his wounds in hospital. The surgeons had plucked the the slivers from him only to find they were slightly barbed and left a far larger hole, thus meaning the man bled to death on the operating table. It was hard to feel sympathy for him. This was war, and he'd been willing to risk normal people for the shot at fame, fortune and power. Had Joe done the same? No, he was a reluctant hero, had been pushed into the situation, and his actions had saved lives, though the hostages would take hours to recover from the tear gas.

Half a dozen police officers had been badly injured outside the bank, and several people killed. It had been a mess, and yet he, as General Freedom, had come out smelling of roses thanks to the press and the Government.

He watched the late November rain come down outside and shivered, but not from the cold.

=========

Hours later...

"Son, I asked you before, and you stepped up to do your duty. We've never seen your, or these people you fought, like before. That said, I know you have a strong sense of duty and honour, and that you're itching to get back to help the Brits." said a man named Phillip Stern, head of the Secret Service under FDR. The President is having a hard time convincing congress about the need to go to war. You see, even with the womans' testimony, she's not proof enough to drag this country into a distant war. The Nazis are the bad guys - on that we all agree - but the Senate are adamant that they will not sanction a war that will kill this nations young men without justification. They view this as a simple act of criminality, and any Nazi influence they'll question at the German Embassy. Which as we both know will be denied. The only thing that might sway them is more proof. Concrete, undeniable proof that Nazis operate on this soil with a view to causing America and her people harm. To do that, you would need to continue in your role as General Freedom. Not for a short while, but... well, that'd be it. You'd have the full backing of the USA and an adoring public to back you up, and proof presented by you in the face of that would sway even those hard heads in the senate!"

He sighed. "I know what I'm asking is... enormous... but there's no one else, son. Just think about it, is all I ask."

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE currently dressed as GENERAL FREEDOM

Admin wrote:
OOC This answer may be little rushed - heading off to work. On another note how hard is it to find some reasonably priced luggage that allows you to carry all your work gear and a 15" laptop? Sheesh...

There are some good camera bags you can strip out the camera part for your stuff and that come with a specially padded section for a laptop. They are waterproof and comfortable but can be expensive worth looking on fleebay for though.

Admin wrote:He sighed. "I know what I'm asking is... enormous... but there's no one else, son. Just think about it, is all I ask."

"Thank you sir, for giving me time to think. Had I known what was happening on home soil, I'd have thought twice about going to England. But somehow I wonder if my going is what got me into this whole crazy mess in the first place."

Joe looked up thinking deeply, the strain showing on his face as he deliberated between his conscience, his commitment and the strange link he felt with the other 'Vanguardians." After a moment he was able to continue.

"The other things is, that I am part of a team, somehow I feel a connection with the others who appeared to get powers with me as the same time. I can't ignore that connection nor my commitment. But I can apply for some temporary leave, at least until we get you this proof and then maybe I can go back - for now, sir!"

Joe didn't like having to fudge things and if the British high ups gave him the word to come back - he'd feel he'd have to. Somehow he knew that the axis was falling hardest on Europe and Britain in particular and he knew that he couldn't be away long.

OOC
1. Ok maybe we've got a solution in the making here for Joe to continue being the general, for the time being. Maybe if the folks back at Bletchly would consent to my being on leave, for a fixed period I might be able to get things done here. After which, if nothing else maybe I could have got the ball rolling sufficient for others to do what needs to be done.

2. But if the collective Generals don't agree then the decision is taken and the die is cast and I've got to return.

3. If I do stay, however we need to put me where I will not be a threat to civilians as clearly being in town has made the population a target, just to get at me.

4. If I do have to go, I'd like to try and keep the shield...and maybe the bike. But we'll see.

5. The other thing I want to do is spend some more time looking at the downed P'utinarian ship to see if I can't interface with it and get it working. If that can teleport me anywhere, then I might be able to use it more effectively as a base to work from.

6. Finally if I stay or go I want to make sure my men get back safetly as well.

I think that covers most things - I know you're pretty open about where this goes, but part of me does feel genuinely torn over this issue. Besides which there is the small matter of being part of the vanguard but being stuck 2k miles away at present from action with the rest of the team. Should we do a team scenario I'll be stuck to try and get into the action.

Sj

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE currently dressed as GENERAL FREEDOM

OOC The choice/duty/dilemma was the thing I wanted to throw at you - but the choice of what to do is genuinely down to you. The direction Joe takes is yours, I just like to offer a few paths


Stern sighed. "I was hoping you'd not mention the Brits. They've been screaming for you to get back over there ever since they figured out what happened. We were hoping you'd give weight to the case of you staying and helping us out, and in return the Brits would be so desperate to get the US into the war they'd 'hand you over' so to speak. It's not like that at all. The Generals over there have kicked up so much fuss even that gullible Prime Minister of theirs (OOC Chamberlain at this time) has made enough noise for FDR to notice. It seems that you are, right now, more important to them than America entering the war. Probably for the best - I think it would take an earth shattering event for the American people to sanction taking part in a war thousands of miles from here."

He stood, shaking Joes hand. "I feel this won't be the last time we meet son. Stay safe. You may work for the limeys right now, but Uncle Sam WILL call, and I would hope at that time you would do what was best for your country. FDR said not to push the issue, and leave the choice to you. Even knowing the service you can perform right here at home he said he conceded that Britain had it worse. Be lucky."

=========

Later Joe got word that the ship at Area 51 had sealed itself...

He stood in a private airport lounge, his men sat about laughing, joking and drinking tea. The President had sanctioned a private plane flying American colours and an escort as far as possible before it would have to turn back. Transatlantic flights took a long time, but the chances of being detected and intercepted were minimal - the Germans had their attention turned elsewhere and had already angered a sleeping giant. To wake that giant through an unwarranted attack on a plane showing American colours would have been madness on their part.

=========

In a darkened room a few days later...

He'd been feeling strange since that day of the bank siege, better in so many ways. Feeling self conscious, but knowing that his identity needed to be protected, he pulled on the mask and hood, then slipped on the Hat. Checking the ammunition in the M1911 pistols he carried, along with spares, he climbed from the hotel room window and one to the roof. The wind whipped his cloak about and he crouched on the ledge. Somewhere a police siren wailed, and he smiled. Running across the rooftops faster than any Olympic athlete, with the sure footedness of a mountain goat, he laughed with exuberance and set out on the first of many nightly forays to right wrongs. The Knight Avenger felt the twinge in his leg from the wound a couple of days ago but ignored it. Inside his body the sliver of lunarium continued its work, changing and empowering his body, subtly altering his genetic code thanks to the one in a million combination of the radiation finding the right recipient.

As he crouched on the edge of a roof looking down at criminals cornering a helpless shop owner, the mysterious figure muttered "Thanks for showing the way General Freedom." Then he leapt from the roof, pistols in hand...

OOC Frostbites adventures in America end here - for now - but the journey home, as ever, won't quite go to plan. Any other finish up/comments you feel like making to Stern or Joes men, feel free

Agent Joe Hoskyn
CODENAME: FROSTBITE currently dressed as GENERAL FREEDOM

Admin wrote:
OOC Frostbites adventures in America end here - for now - but the journey home, as ever, won't quite go to plan. Any other finish up/comments you feel like making to Stern or Joes men, feel free

Having taken the time to talk to the Stern, Joe thanked him and reassured him that when American was ready to join the war effort, General Freedom would be there to answer the call.

Later with his men at the air base, he thought through the adventures they'd had. He hoped he'd learned a thing or two, such that he was worthy of commanding and being responsible for men under him next time. But at the same time, he was glad to just sit, reflect and be quiet. Who knew what was ahead of him when he got back to Britain, not least of all sorting out that almost impregnable fortress being built on Britain's doorstep, that itself needed to evicted.

Joe's mind flickered to the others, wondering how they were all doing. With no means of communication or staying in touch, he had no idea how well they were doing...

OOC:
Ok nothing more to add, really busy at present, so a brief reflection - great way to end things. Glad I was able to leave dignity attached. Although if I hadn't signed up I'd have loved to stay, great to hear about the Knight Avenger - loved that whole subplot not to mention any others that emerge from all that Lunarium floating about suddenly ;-).

Sj