World War II The Vanguard Issue #3 - Operation Dynamo - LIONHEARTS TEAM

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

OOC take a look at Silver Sentinels post first - your team is next to be dropped off.

Having seen Sentinel and his crew dropped off near the edge of the forest, Lionheart and his waited at the airlock hatch to disembark. Without the ability to fly his team were limited in speed and manoeuvrability - it would be up to Lionheart to bolster their abilities with his own incredible list.

OOC Lionheart is on full health, 4 Hero points down on his current total BUT he will get those back and more should he survive this issue (there are no guarantees!) as his was a very Heroic act, and may well prove vital to the course of the war...

Glancing at a data pad that showed a full colour scrolling map, Lionheart was impressed. The technology fair rivalled that of the 21st century, some 60 years distant. There were many other gizmos and gadgets aboard but some were 'too alien' to figure a use for. The Skralls would make better use of them. He wondered if they might come looking for their stolen ship at some point. "One mountain at a time, King." he muttered to himself. 'Talking to yourself is a sure sign of madness.' said Saladin. 'Remember I am here to use. We are stronger together, but can accomplish much apart. Admittedly the more time I spend in your head I am amazed you have been as effective as you have been. Your thoughts are awhirl on a number of different subjects, but the woman known as 'Beth Carter' still occupies some. Why? She is dead, is she not? Or do you still harbour hope that the future technology was able to somehow help her?'

Lionheart considered his answer but was interrupted. "Squadron Leader King?" said Spartan. "20 seconds to drop."

They'd picked a point between the paths of the Axis 12th and 16th armies, talk about a rock and a hard place! Using cover of the forest the intention was to hit one line, then the other and alternate strikes to slow both down to a crawl as the armies milled in confusion and maybe - just maybe - strike each other with friendly fire!



OOC the town of Libramont-Chevigny is highlighted. Similar options to Sentinel - strike from the forest with lightning hit and run raids against the conventional (you assume) troops and break off, direct assault and hope you bring their advance to a halt, split up and make the most nuisance of yourselves as you can? Or another option? The PSI agents are low category superhumans with some measure of strength (25), Agility, speed and martial arts. Their programming was not complete by Bentham and so they won't develop the powers Lionheart has unless he arranges for it to be completed somehow. Still, they are superior to any normal human, or small groups of humans. Problem is you are dealing with a long stream of troops and armoured vehicles, thousands strong. The task is monumental, but I have faith in you all Anchor is very strong - probably more so than Lionheart himself, and fairly durable - he can take a hit. He wears Ultra Light Chainmail which will help, but enough bullets will carve him up like mincemeat. The main problem is that he runs no faster than a normal human.

The craft swooped low - directly over the Axis lines. The team were able to see the sheer length and breadth of the forces arrayed against them. The Nazis looked up at the gleaming dot in the sky and saw it descend towards the forest. More supplies? Reinforcements? Command staff? The Fuhrer himself? They looked in confusion to their officers who sent word out on the radio for the craft to identify itself.

By now word was getting around that the Nazis incredible communications and spying network had suffered a crippling blow! The troops were getting nervous, but still confident. The British Expeditionary Force would fight for every inch of ground, and it was said one of the three lumbering Automatons had been crippled by sappers. Still, two remained, and they pounded the British Armour into the floor wherever they encountered it. Gamely, many of the French refused to surrender, rather to suffer death than the ignominious defeat in record time that was threatened.

They were annihilated where they stood. Jetpack Nazi Rangers soared down, strings of grenades tumbling from their hands on top of terrified troops who fired at the fast moving targets, hitting only air. Lunarium accelerated Needle guns punched through armour and cover to leave burning holes in whatever they hit. Tales were told of horrifying hybrid men/animals in cloaks and hoods that struck with lightning speed and terrifying stealth. Curiously they left survivors, ensuring they were able to retreat to their own forces, but the intent became clear when panic started to spread in the BEF.

In short it was a battle the Allies could not win, but could not afford to lose either. A total loss would leave Britain defenceless. The Vanguard HAD to buy them more time!

The Vanguardians ship lowered itself over the forest and Lionheart flew out, a rope trailing behind him. Attached to it with harnesses were his team, and he lowered them into the trees as the ship angled upwards and back towards the front, where Frostbite would disembark with his team, drawing a line in the Belgium soil and defying the Nazis to cross it. Even in his most optimistic dreams Frostbite knew they were fighting at best, a holding action. The Dark Power beckoned inside, but the cost of using it would be terrible - Frostbite knew without doubt it would obliterate many of the gallant, besieged BEF soldiers.

What price victory?

A sobering thought.

In the trees Lionheart and his crew unhooked from the rope, stashing it in the trees.

Guillotine lay out a map on the forest floor, unheeding of the melting late snows still present in dotted areas where the sun barely reached. "They will come to investigate. Do we split up, or act as one?"

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Admin wrote:Guillotine lay out a map on the forest floor, unheeding of the melting late snows still present in dotted areas where the sun barely reached. "They will come to investigate. Do we split up, or act as one?"

OOC: Ok Paul what strategic lines are here, where are the forces, where is the heavy armour, supply lines in relation to where we are. Can you tell me what cover exists between the two fronts that are in this area? Are any using the forest? Can we get ahead of them and dig trenches, or use our powers in more subtle hit and run means.

I want to formulate a plan but I don't know enough about what we are walking/running into nor how best to deploy the troops.

The other thing is can I use my Psi power to link us all, not perhaps all the time as that would be too great a drain but so we can pass thoughts, ideas and information if we do need to disperse. I'm thinking that we'd not want to be far from each other.

As to the immediate issue, we know that if the troops do not return they will be missed - great that is what we want. Lets draw them into the woods here, but then move on to our next target. I appreciate its a big area, but that my problem I hate making decisions without knowing what I'm getting myself into (saw that with Frostbites bad choices before) so I don't want to get it wrong again with Lionheart's team.

In the meantime we take down the guys that come looking as soundly and loudly as possible and we even let one get back to tell the others in order to draw them here. Great that will make a start if they know we're about, but are then gone again.

Sj

Lionheart gave some thought to what he needed to do with the troops he had.

"Ok this is what I suggest team. I'll run ahead, fell enough trees to block their path, just for a bit, give them something to think about whilst you'll sneak around to their rear. I want you to wait for me to catch up and we'll drop grenades on them all, and then get out.

We'll compare notes and try something similar in the other armoured column. The main thing is don't get boxed, in, stay loose and make sure you're options for retreat remain viable. Now I'm warning the you all. If you get yourself killed I'll not be happy!"

OOC: Assuming all are ok with this.

Lionheart speed off, so that he was a significant distance ahead. He then waited, noting where the outriders were before felling trees and throwing them in the path of the road, in such a way as to make sure that even the tanks at the front had to take a moment to stop and consider moving forward.

Having used his strength, he called on Saladin, and Golden Lion leapt forth. Both men worked quietly knowing that time was against them.

Just for good measure, they also laid about grenades, the pin's tide off to different tree limbs so that as one limb was pulled out it would set all the grenades off.

Before ducking back into the undergrowth and speeding back to the others.

Sj

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Lionheart and Saladin headed back to the arranged meeting point, and not a minute too soon! Using the incredible strength he now had to fell grown trees, Lionheart had tipped three across the path just after a bend. The slow moving convoy would stop in time to see them, but it would be clear that it was no accident. By then though, he hoped they would spring their trap.

"You need to train the three PSI agents." said Saladin, keeping pace as the two sped, agile as jungle cats, through the undergrowth. To their left some distance away the first tanks were rolling past, then the dense infantry column. Suddenly Saladin hissed, and halted. Lionheart sped to a halt and looked through the trees.



"That's an UrbanPacifier!" snarled Saladin. "Mk2 if I'm not mistaken, but the fact that Bentham and Trowers are using them suggests they have some kind of advanced manufacturing process up and running!"

Lionheart thought, recalling all he knew about the UrbanPacifiers. Originally designed as weapons of war they were the latest in military hardware and firepower, mating a human pilots nervous system to a machine, and sending them out to destroy all they came across. With the emotions dulled, the pilots would wipe out anything living, cleansing entire areas of life! The suits made them near unstoppable, and when the war ended the Pacifiers fought on! Eventually the PSI Corps project was started up, their first assignment to hunt down the deadly cyborgs! The prototype MK3s never entered active service but rumours persisted of 90 ton monstrosities that could level buildings! Field trials had been... frightening.

Saladin turned. "There may be a way to turn those things on everyone around them. If they have the repellant field around them, munitions from this era will not penetrate the armour! The soldiers they face will be slaughtered for sure! Do we continue with the plan to attack the column, or do wish to see what we can do about that monstrosity?"

Some 30m away, still the thing looked enormous, striding apart from the infantry and standing nigh on 9 feet tall. It would take all of Lionhearts mental strength to overcome the things programming, and if he failed? They would know where he was! The place would become a war zone!

Saladin turned. "If the Nazis can create the horrors that our time churned out, this war is lost! We few cannot stand against armies of those things!" he spat, angry that he felt so insignificant, the mans ego shining through even in his golden energy form (which he had to work hard to keep concealed in the trees).

OOC Your choice. Grenades and the original plan, or dabble with this things brainwaves and see if you can get it to, if not join the allies, then at least turn on the axis! bear in mind, if you do get it turned, it won't stop until all life is wiped out! Power wise, they are on a par with a MK1 PSI corps (Saladins original state), so slightly above what a MK2 PSI Corps (Lionheart) can dish out. No pushover then.

Lionheart

Admin wrote:Saladin turned. "If the Nazis can create the horrors that our time churned out, this war is lost! We few cannot stand against armies of those things!" he spat, angry that he felt so insignificant, the mans ego shining through even in his golden energy form (which he had to work hard to keep concealed in the trees).

Lionheart looked on grimely, "Just when I thought things might go our way..."

He smiled grimly believing no such thing. But saying it knowing he was being sarcastic and whity. He heard Saladin's huff, before raising a hand to silence any biting remark he might come back with.

"You'd better come back on board, we're going to need everything if we're going to turn that thing loose."

Moments later, recombined with Saladin and having picked his spot, from which to launch his attack, Lionheart concentrated giving it all he could to overcome the man monster in front of him.

OOC:

Ok we'd better spend some more hero points, knowing how unfortunate my rolling is with Invisible castle.

1d20+18=38 OK not to shabby, but I'll use two more hero points to boost this up, some so that we can really bring this thing under our sway. Certainly letting it loose, will do a good job of making it easier to target the rest of the column for now anyway.

Sj

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

OOC that roll was a 20. No need to bother with Hero points. Additional roll (from the 20 roll) comes up 14. Total 52.

The Germans gasped, then opened fire as a golden lion sprung from the undergrowth. Their bullets lanced through the living manifestation of Lionhearts will, and into their comrades! As men screamed and died, the Lion leapt at the Nazi cyborg, which turned a flamethrower on the 'creature'! Again, Infantry screamed and ran in terror as they burned!

The others took that noise as their cue, and loud BANGS! rang out, followed by a hail of bullet fire as the Nazis fired blind into the trees! The Tanks started pounding shot after shot into the forest, exploding trunks like balsa wood with their lunarium accelerated shells, spun up by a series of lunarium electromagnets to increase their potency by 500%!

Worst was to come though.

The Lion mauled the human brain in the Cyborg, and then dissipated. It slumped, going silent as all about burst into pandemonium!

Then it powered up...

The Cyborg scanned about. "Primary directive reset to default. Scanning. New objective. Elimination of life forms designated 'human' !"

Suddenly a gatling type gun jutted from its palm, a flamethrower from the other.

And, quite literally, it turned the Nazi column into mincemeat!

The gun buzzed at a rate even Lionhearts superhuman senses struggled to follow, and he watched from the trees as the infantry in range were sliced to ribbons, their bodies exploding as they were scythed up! A tank turned its weapon on the cyborg, only for the thing to point its flamethrower at it. An atomic flame, so hot it set trees on fire and causing even Lionheart behind his forcefield to shy away from the heat, melted through the tanks armour and cooked the innards! The men didn't have time to scream! It marched towards another tank, stopped its gun from rotating, and peeled off the hatch before jamming its flamethrower inside. The mens screames were cut short as they melted, and the robot moved on, murderously cutting a bloody swath through those that had sought to control it! Some gamely stood their ground, throwing grenades and firing machine guns.

Futile.

It ignored the primitive weapons, slicing and dicing all within range, even those that threw down weapons and ran!

And it was heading towards Lionhearts team, where they bombarded the Nazis with pin point accurate grenades!

OOC The Pacifier is now an out of control killing machine! This particular convoy will be minced and silenced in a minute or two, such is the things destructive killing power, but its more machine now than man - the only way to shut it down is destroy the machine! And it's heading towards Lionhearts team mates...

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Admin wrote:And it was heading towards Lionhearts team, where they bombarded the Nazis with pin point accurate grenades!

"Oh for..." Lionheart looked about, first things first. He took off, fast as he could go back toward the others.

OOC:

Ok assuming that I've time to get back to them, I'll get them out of the way and toward the next convoy, for now this man mountain can be worn down by his own forces. I'll get back to him, unless he follows me later.

Once I get with the others I'll warn them of what is coming, I don't want them wasted or wasting time trying to stop this thing, we've got more fish to fry.

So hopefully we'll head to the next column and this time dig some pits, gets some tree's in place and find if we can really slow down the enemy.

However if that isn't going to work. Then I'll have to scale a tree and attempt to drop on this thing from above to stop it.

Sj

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Lionheart sped through the trees, seeing the robot carve and slice its way through terrified Nazi troops! Blanking out the carnage, he easily outpaced the thing as it had to wade through several feet of bodies and the armoured column had turned their machine guns on it. Even the tanks at the back of the column took aim and fired, killing their own troops in an attempt to stop the machine! The grenades tossed from the trees were long forgotten as panicked Nazis ran into the forest, only to be ambushed by Lionhearts squad.

When he reached them, there were dozens of bodies scattered about, and the mayhem on the road had reached fever pitch!

Anchor turned. "Dunno what ya' did laddie, but it worked! Let's get oota here 'fore th' damn thing turns on us!"

=========

A couple of miles further down the track, the group stopped for a breather.

A thick black spiral of smoke coiled into the sky, the guns silent now. Spartan spoke up. "We should lay traps for more Nazis. Once Bentham figures out what happened to the cyborg you described, he will transmit a fail safe. The same tactic may not work again, but if that killing machine still lives, we might be best served by luring it into the midst of the Nazi forces!"

Guillotine called down from a tree, lowering binoculars from her eyes. "They are on their way. We have about an hour I would say, from their speed. They have spotted the smoke and the commander appears to be giving orders out. We should expect company."

The group worked at scooping up a trench, then another, and another. Wheels would drop into them, and vehicles crash into the back of each other. Trailered vehicles would tip over, and trees would stop tanks in their tracks, having been set to fall with the pulling of a grenade pin.

Then the group all heard crashing through the trees. Something approaching! Lionheart knew, somehow, that it was the cyborg. It had survived and continued down the path. Only problem was, it would reach his group before it reached the Nazis!

=========

"Relax. This won't hurt." said the Nazi scientist in the armoured column heading towards the traps Lionheart and co had laid.

Five young fit Nazi soldiers stood in the tent at attention. He flicked the syringe in his hands and nodded to the Commander, who spoke. "You are to be honoured! You have seen the Ubermensch that serve the third reich with honour? You are about to join them! We have a super serum, developed from a design brought from the far future! You may not believe me, but it is true! Once injected into each of you, your muscles will harden and swell, your reactions and synapses quicken to an unbelievable degree! Your brains will think at a speed we mortals cannot comprehend!"

"Apologies for the intrusion sir." said one of the soldiers. "How is it you yourself have not partaken of the serum? Surely you, as a higher ranking officer, are next in line for ultimate power!"

The Officer smiled, clapped the Private on the shoulder and stood back. "The Fuhrer has determined that every rank should see the benefits of our alliances. And so..." he shrugged. "I wait my turn."

He nodded to the scientist who injected each man with a syringe full of the serum. Partially obscured by the scientists hand was a label on the syringe saying "Velocity."

Another word was obscured.

Before the eyes of the Commander and the Scientist, the men cried out, their muscles straining at the skin. In good shape, now they looked like the finest of chiselled Olympic Athletes! They flexed fists and looked about at the world in a new light. "Now. Don your new uniforms and investigate the disturbance up ahead. Engage any enemy you may find, but one of you come back here to report whilst the others deal with whatever the problem is."



As one, the soldiers saluted "HEIL HILTER!" and were gone with a cloud of dust in their wake! The Scientist raced to grab papers that swirled about, and turned to the Commander, who picked up a syringe. It said 'Velocity' but when he rolled it around, it was stamped 'Terminal - do not use'.

He chuckled. "How long do they have?"

The Scientist shrugged. "Minutes. Depending on how long their heart lasts out. With that test sample, no one ever lasted more than 4 minutes. For that 4 minutes though... their speed is... " he shrugged. The Commander chuckled. "I was told we were to be running field trials for all of the experimental drugs those future men were developing. How come we ended up with a failed batch?"

"The Fuhrer did not want to see it wasted. They will die horribly, but in service of the Motherland. Unfortunately, there was quite a large batch created." he gestured to a cardboard box full of rows of syringes. "What a waste."

"Waste?" said the Commander. "My dear Heinz, I have several hundred men under my command here. It shall not be wasted!" he laughed!

OOC You guys have one round before the Robot rounds the bend in the road. It will be several hundred metres away but will pick you up as life signs, and act accordingly. As for the Nazi speedsters? They'll be with you presently...

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Admin wrote:OOC You guys have one round before the Robot rounds the bend in the road. It will be several hundred metres away but will pick you up as life signs, and act accordingly. As for the Nazi speedsters? They'll be with you presently...

Lionheart looked at Saladin, both realised that they had to do something with the cyborg, it had been too successful, but what. Could their combined minds overcome what they'd already set in motion.

Only one way to find out. Turning to the others, he spoke quickly. "Ok I want you to get into position, I suspect the Nazi's will be taking a lot more precautions about us now. So be ready for anything."

Then moving off with his companion, Lionheart and he jumped speedily into the tree's above in the direction of the Cyborb.

OOC:

Ok first things first, what are my chances of overriding what I'd set in motion. If its possible to render this thing useless with another Psi attack I am happy to try that first of all. I don't really want to engage it full on unless I have to.

But if needs must, I'll get Saladin to distract it from behind whilst I jump on it from above and try and rip out some vital part of it to stop or slow or render it inert in some way.

Sj

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Lionheart tried a tentative 'push' with his psychic powers towards the cyborg. It was as if the thing no longer lived and was being motivated purely through mechanical means...

He separated, becoming Golden Lion as well as his 'old' self, and ordered the others to get into position.

Suddenly Boudicea called out "Wait! There's someone.. UFFF!!!"

Lionheart turned to see the PSI Agent fly through the air, then clatter against a tree!

Anchor looked about. "What was tha? Ah thought ah saw...?" Spartan shouted "We're under attack!"

Just then the Cyborg rounded a bend on the dirt track. Spartan spoke up "Look out!" and stood theatrically in the middle of the track as if surprised. The Cyborg levelled a machine gun, a huge smoking thing still glowing from the dreadful use it'd been put to. Suddenly a man in black (OOC as shown in the last post) appeared out of thin air near Spartan, and the PSI agent spun, backhanding the man and grabbing him up.

Bullets roared out!

Spartan dived to the side, his human shield - the surprised nazi metahuman - cut to ribbons!

Golden Lion looked across at Lionheart from the tree he'd climbed. 'The cyborg can do our dirty work. Let's just get out of here, split up, rendezvous with the others at one of the towns on the map. It's a sure fire thing the longer we stay here and fight, the more chance we have of being surrounded. We'll escape, but the others don't move as quickly...' said Saladin in the head of Lionheart. Lionheart glanced through the trees and saw the faintest whiff of dust kicked up. Guillotine cried out as she was clobbered from behind, then the front, then the side, and Lionheart hadn't seen a thing! Even in his 'evolution' form he doubted he'd get much more warning than his comrades got! He looked at the tattered form of the dead Nazi in the road. Another metahuman. They had a seemingly limitless supply!

Appraising the situation, Lionheart saw his team with backs to tricks, occasionally swinging at something they couldn't see, and dodging behind cover as the cyborg let fly with a volley of bullets that chopped trees to pieces! Whilst they were pinned down, the Nazi column advanced, getting nearer...

OOC The Super Speedsters are moving too fast to see, even with speed grade 1. The punches they deliver hurt, but the team are tough. That said, there's only so long before the Cyborg or the Nazis arrive on the scene, then they'll be trapped. One of the Speedsters is dead, chopped to ribbons and bleeding on the road. Other than that, there is more than one out there, and they seem to be toying with the team...

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Admin wrote:Appraising the situation, Lionheart saw his team with backs to tricks, occasionally swinging at something they couldn't see, and dodging behind cover as the cyborg let fly with a volley of bullets that chopped trees to pieces! Whilst they were pinned down, the Nazi column advanced, getting nearer...

Lionheart nodded to Golden Lion, "We'd better keep the rear guard, see if we can't lure this speedster into a trap."

With that they both raced back to the others, helping get them to their feet. No matter who this guy was, he still had to stop for a breather, he had to make a mistake or trace his momentum. Lionheart reached out with his mind, what he couldn't see with his eyes, he could still determine by his incredible psi powers. And then he'd be ready, even as they scooped up the rest and let the Cyborg do its deadly worst.

OOC:

Ok I am trying to sense where he is, so he can't attack without me getting a counter attack back. Meanwhile we'll get the others on their feet, draw together so he has to come to us and start to move on to another target away from the cyborg and this part of the front line.

Sj

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Lionheart and the Golden Lion moved back to the others, helping them to their feet. "I'm alright." huffed Boadicea. "Let's make sure these guys, whoever they are, don't have things all their own way though!"

Lionheart couldn't agree more. He closed his eyes, concentrating. The trees around appeared in his minds eyes as mere slivers. The Cyborg was a blue dot - the last part of the things human mind showing up as barely being alive, but that was it. The others appeared as Lionheart imagined them, save they were see through and mistlike. Then there was a blur, and Lionheart concentrated harder. Sure enough, he caught a name - Jurgen Morschmidt. He also caught the recent memory of the man as he passed quickly in and out of range. Standing in a tent with a number of others, being injected. Gaining incredible speed and their bodies enhanced to withstand the speed. Having doubts about what it would do to them, then ordered to go out and investigate the disturbance, with one of them ordered to return and report.

And he'd already come and gone.

Lionheart cursed, then closed his eyes again. He waited.

'Don't wait too long!' hissed Saladin. 'Tell you what, let's try something!'

He merged with Lionheart, boosting his power considerably, and once more concentrated on the speedsters. THERE!

Another sped in, eager to deal a blow to Spartan this time. 'NOW!' Saladin thought and Golden Lion leapt from Lionhearts body onto the speedster as the man passed!

On the speedsters back, Golden Lion grabbed the mans head then twisted violently! Suddenly slowed, Golden Lion and the Speedster appeared in thin air, flew through the air and one clattered against a tree, dropping like a rag doll. The other somersaulted, twisted in the air, sprung off a trunk and forward rolled to come up on his feet.

Suddenly Golden Lion staggered one way, then another!

OOC Lionheart is taking these hits though. 14htc and 20htc. As he didn't see them coming, he can't dodge or parry! Their speed really is incredible, but all great power comes with a responsibility.. or a price... I need to update Lionhearts 'divided' Htc/Htk totals. In line with the new standards he has 65htc, 52htk. He has taken 34htc and is on 31htc remaining.

Lionheart reeled, this time being supported by his comrades who looked around in anger and alarm! The Cyborg was getting closer and an enemy they could neither strike nor see was cutting them to pieces!

Suddenly there was a cry, and a man appeared out of thin air, tumbled through the forest at several hundred miles an hour and obliterated after colliding with a tree! Another appeared, leaning up against a tree and breathing hard, clutching his arm! His face was wrinkled, old and haggard! He'd literally run himself into the grave! Spartan sprinted over, delivered a flying kick to the man and wrenched his head sideways with a SNAP!

Another man slowed, still running at super speed but easier to follow as he flitted in the trees. The RATATATATATATATATATA of the Cyborgs guns sliced him into red sludge as he was no longer 'faster than a speeding bullet'

Finally another man appeared in front of the group, gasping and breathing hard. "Go..." he hissed. "I... *ack!* I will distract ze robot! You hef... *uuuurk* fought with honour and... deserve..." he had sweat running down his old lined face, clutching his chest and arm. Then he disappeared!

Suddenly the cyborg started turning on its axis, firing at nothing! The dust rising around the thing suggested the Nazi was in fact running around it though, and soon a tornado sprang up, the robot light on its feet!

"Is it a trick?" asked Guillotine. "Surely we will be gunned down when we leave the cover of the trees?"

Lionheart, wiping a smear of blood from his face, the result of a dozen super speed punches landed in a heartbeat, wasn't so sure. He saw the Nazi slow, stumble, and fall against a tree, gasping. The Robot, momentarily out of ammunition whilst it changed cartidges, strode towards the helpless dying man...

OOC You have an opportunity to run... the speedsters could run amazingly fast for a short space of time... and speed straight to the grave having aged 50 years or so in little under a minute!

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Admin wrote:Finally another man appeared in front of the group, gasping and breathing hard. "Go..." he hissed. "I... *ack!* I will distract ze robot! You hef... *uuuurk* fought with honour and... deserve..." he had sweat running down his old lined face, clutching his chest and arm. Then he disappeared!

"Is it a trick?" asked Guillotine. "Surely we will be gunned down when we leave the cover of the trees?"

"Maybe, but I think not! Lets go people, we've just been given an unexpected gift."

And with a short nod in the direction of what he hoped was the final German speedster, Lionheart directed the others away from the Cyborg and further along the front line, to regroup and ready their next target.

Helping the others, he together with Saladin headed away from the bloody scene, senses fully alert for any further unexpected attacks.

OOC:
Ok didn't see all that coming. Man I took a pasting from those supers.

Anyway we'll look to find somewhere to hole up and figure out tactics for what and where next. Make sure everyone gets any rest if they need it and attend to our needs before pressing on.

Sj

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

A muffled scream from the - now old - Nazi signalled the mans death. The Vanguard were already on the move though, and the sounds of battle rung out from behind them. The Cyborg was on the move, and cutting a bloody swath through the German lines! When the metahumans realised it had gone rogue, they would descend on it en masse, but till then it sliced and diced its way through soldiers who fired ineffectually against its future alloy/plastic composite armour...

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Spartan nodded. "Looks as good a place as any for a rest. I'll take first watch."

Deep in the forest, the group stopped to rest up and eat. By now it was early morning, the sun having risen high in the sky. Distant sounds of battle indicated the Nazis were still advancing but for now the team were safe to rest.

"What's our next move?" asked Anchor. "We fell on a stroke of good luck, what with you turning that murderous machine on its own troops. Hopefully it will march all the way to Berlin and save us the trouble!"

Guillotine chuckled, then smoothed out a map on the forest floor. "We have several options. Try to find another supply path and run the risk of tangling with Nazi special forces. Get back to the front and help Frostbite, maybe even come at the Nazis from behind and sew panic in their ranks. Or..." she looked up "Join a Nazi column in captured uniforms and get valuable intel on their moves. With their psychic network down they will have to rely on radio transmissions and written messages. With any luck we can disrupt the messages, maybe even redirect or pass or false information, get the Nazis to stay put instead of advancing and buy time for the B.E.F. to escape?"

Lionheart

Roll Call:
Lionheart Mk 1 & Golden Lion
Guillotine, Spartan and Boadicea (PSI agents)
Anchor

Admin wrote:"What's our next move?" asked Anchor. "We fell on a stroke of good luck, what with you turning that murderous machine on its own troops. Hopefully it will march all the way to Berlin and save us the trouble!"

Guillotine looked up "Join a Nazi column in captured uniforms and get valuable intel on their moves. With their psychic network down they will have to rely on radio transmissions and written messages. With any luck we can disrupt the messages, maybe even redirect or pass or false information, get the Nazis to stay put instead of advancing and buy time for the B.E.F. to escape?"

Lionheart considered his options, "I like the last idea the most, the only problem being how many of us speak convincing German. Frostbite's team got into a bit of difficulty on their first mission because they only had basic German. I guess with so many people about the place, we could be missed, but the Germans are on high alert."

Lionheart stopped, he realised he was talking out his thoughts and to some degree his fears. He had to admit, despite his own reservations trying to sneak in among the regulars would have some appeal. They were no Anymen, but perhaps it might lead to more significant targets rather than just taking pot shots as they were.

"Ok its daring and not without risk, as I've mentioned. Its perhaps not even our style, but unless we keep the Nazi's guessing they'll be on to us. Lets go get us some Nazi Uniforms!"

OOC:
Out of interest who in the group does speak German, because I know I don't!

Anyway risk is what we're about, so we'll nip off and find us a few German's whose clothes we can steal and reluctantly whose lives we'll have to take. Can't have them telling everyone where they've been. Then we'll push forward to a serious column and seek to 'blend in.'

Sj

Lionheart

OOC Q: Who speaks German? A: no one!

The group moved through the trees, consulting the map and making their way to one of several marked dirt roads through the forests of the Ardennes. Though they mad excellent progress, for Lionheart it was like travelling in slow motion! Still, after some time they crested a hill and crouched between bushes to look down on a small clearing where three tanks had stopped and the crew was stretching their legs. The things were noisy, cramped and hot, and despite the advances in technology from the future criminals and the aliens that had gathered to the Nazi cause, soldier comfort didn't come anywhere on the list of innovations to be applied to modifying the existing machinery!

Spartan turned "There are several relieving themselves in the woods. It would be unusual for the ladies to be involved, but perhaps they could wear caps, dirty their faces with oild and grease, and look less..."

Both women turned to look at Spartan, raising eyebrows "Look less.. ah... dangerous?" he added weakly.

The tank commanders were leaning against the lead tank and consulting a map. It appeared they were lost. Lionheart did a quick head count and figured half five crew per tank, including gunner, mechanic, commander, driver and a relief man, there to stand in should any of the others fall in battle, and thus retain the tanks functionality. All were relaxed, despite the sounds of distant battle ringing out. The cover of the trees extended to within a few metres of the men, so sneaking would get them within range to strike.

"Can anyone drive a tank?" asked Spartan.

Anchor shook his head. "Ah think this plan is crazy. Especially if there are more Nazis in the woods somewhere. Maybe we should scout first."

"This lot might saddle up and move whilst we're scouting, and we'll miss our chance!" said Guillotine.

Anchor smiled weakly. "Ah cannae disagree with ya there lassie, but takin' on three tanks? Only Lionheart stands a chance against them guns!"

The group turned to Lionheart for leadership and guidance - would the tanks and uniforms from this group suffice, or would they keep looking?

Lionheart

Admin wrote:The group turned to Lionheart for leadership and guidance - would the tanks and uniforms from this group suffice, or would they keep looking?

"Ok let me scan about a second." Lionheart extended the range of his Psi powers to listen in and detect any other guards about the area.

OOC: Assuming they are just more guards, I'll send Spartan and Guillotine to go deal with them. But before I do...

Lionheart gathered the others around. "Look, frankly I think putting ourselves among the German army is crazy, but if we use those tanks, we might be able to get into a place, where we can at least make a real mess. But look, lets get real. None of us speak German, so pulling anything clever is going to be out of the question. And second when things look tough, we get going. I don't want to needlessly throw any of your lives away."

Lionheart knew they had to keep the Nazi's guessing disrupting the Psychic network had bought them time, now they had to make good what they did with it.

Having sent Spartan and Guillotine to dispatch the outlying guards. He got the others to fan out so they might approach with caution the others.

OOC:

Ok basically Lionheart could go in and give them all a good thumping, but I want the others to get in on this. I'd better break them in now before it gets any more messy later on.

So I'll let the others get in close and take them, I'll act as decoy, running in among the men to turn them to me, whilst the others set upon them from behind and then I suggest we mount up into two of the tanks, no point in spitting us further than necessary. If we get anyone trying to communicate with us, we'll try and make it clear the radio is out.

And see if we can't do better and find a nice column of soldiers and supplies or a train line to blow up or something.

Sj

Lionheart

With Lionheart aware of how much more powerful he was than the rest of the group, he chose to run 'interference' - at high speed he sprinted to the centre of the makeshift camp, made a comment about the Nazis mothers, then sped to another point, casting doubts about the identities of their fathers. Anchor didn't need telling twice! he charged into the midst of the Nazis, pounding them with strength that rivalled, perhaps even exceeded (OOC Strength AND Larger grade 2 would put him in the 50 strength range I should think. I need to properly roll up the character rather than go off my notes, but they are strictly 'co-stars' to the starring role, so it's not vital until they come face to face with Nazi metahumans) Lionhearts own. Soldiers sailed through the air whilst their bullets pinged from the ultra light chainmail he wore!

Spartan, Guillotine and Boadicea were more measured in their approach. As the other two scattered the Nazis, sending them running for cover, the PSI Agents would calmly step from cover of the trees, grasp the Nazis heads from behind and twist hard, before melting back into cover.

As Lionheart batted a nazi soldier away with a casual backhand, he looked about. The others were walking to the tanks. There were bodies scattered everywhere, and a strangled cry as Anchor finished one off in messy style was the only sound to be heard save for that of distant guns from the front.

"We have our tanks!" said Guillotine. As the small group divided into two teams, Anchor climbed onto the third tank, grabbed the gun and bent the barrel back on itself to point directly inside the tank itself! Dusting off his hands the massive man walked up to a tank and grumbled. With a thought he was normal sized, without powers, and clutching his clothes to himself as they were now way too big! As he adjusted his belt he turned to Spartan. "No way I'll fit in there!" he laughed, then climbed in the tank.

OOC Is the group going to the east of the map, towards the supply line direction, or to the west, and the army/battle front?

Lionheart

Admin wrote:OOC Is the group going to the east of the map, towards the supply line direction, or to the west, and the army/battle front?

Lionheart clapped a hand on Anchor's back adding, "At least you won't need to worry about that where you're going. Right everyone, we head east. We've got to keep the Nazi's guessing and tripping up their supply lines. I'll run along side the tanks and keep an eye ahead to see what happens. I'll signal you..." At this point he pointed to his head, "in my own way, so you know not to fire on me."

"Lets head out." He added sweeping his hand around and then moving off at a reasonable trot in the direction they had to go. Before taking off to run ahead and check things out.

OOC: OK so I'll move on and take a look around, head back and report in. I'll try and make sure we keep away from any obvious roads where we might end up being questioned. So we can try and cut across and get to the next supply line unnoticed where possible.

Sj

Lionheart

Despite a few 'hiccups' where the tanks were driven into the bushes and in one case, a tree, the small convoy continued with Lionheart sprinting ahead, then returning to guide his 'flock'. Pace was glacial compared to the PSI Corps Agents speed, and he crested a hill to wait and got out his 'flash' uploader to use as normal binoculars. Scanning the forest, it was hard to make out positions, but rising dust and fumes from vehicle engines suggested they'd come across another convoy on this road in the next couple of hours. Scanning to the east, he saw thick black smoke coiling into the air, and knew his friend Frostbite must have been at least partially successful in slowing the Nazis down! Thinking of Frostbite made him frown. It immediately conjured an image of the man, singed, clothes tattered, icy skin melting and re-freezing. He looked to be considering his options, but couldn't make out any sounds. A glimpse of a huge man lying in a crater, injured to the side, suggested that they'd had a rough time of it, but no one would grieve for the loudmouth known as Tank Man should he fall!

Lionheart blinked, and the vision was gone! His powers were extending beyond anything Bentham, Trowers or the High Council could have ever imagined! Though he was miles away from Frostbite, he wondered if he might be able to push his mental powers as never before and reach out to communicate with him?

OOC This is something Lionheart can try like a 'power stunt'. Like normal esp but by spending ALL of his PSI points in one go he can have a crack at establishing a mental link, but it will need a good roll. You need a total of Ego+1D20 of 35 or more for this to work. Because of the mental strain, failure will cause 5 Htk and 5 Htc per point under 35, but Lionheart can spend 3 Htk and 3 Htc to boost his efforts by 1 point, decided before the roll is made. So if he spends 15 htk & Htc he adds +5 to his Ego+1d20 roll, and if he exceeds 34 (35 or more) he establishes a psychic link over a range he can only dream of (20m... ) before! Anyway, thought this was a way to update his abilities. It will get easier for him, but might take a few headaches and nosebleeds first... Whether you do or not is up to you. I'll move you on to meeting the oncoming convoy in the next post if that's what you want to do, but Frosty/Lionheart might have different plans after they have spoken (if they speak). Over to you!

Lionheart

Admin wrote:OOC This is something Lionheart can try like a 'power stunt'. Anyway, thought this was a way to update his abilities. It will get easier for him, but might take a few headaches and nosebleeds first... Whether you do or not is up to you. I'll move you on to meeting the oncoming convoy in the next post if that's what you want to do, but Frosty/Lionheart might have different plans after they have spoken (if they speak). Over to you!

OOC: Absolutely. Spent the 15 like you suggested which as it turned out I didn't need to do because I got 37, anyway here is the roll:1d20+5+18=42

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Whilst waiting for the others to come into range, Lionheart sat down, concentrated on recalling what he had seen and reaching out to Frostbite. Right now it was good to talk to a friend and find out what was going on. Besides it appealed to his own amusement to think that whilst he had brought down the Psi network, he himself was able to still stay in touch. But he knew he had to be careful, overreaching on the one hand and also getting to close to Frostbite's other - whom could make Lionheart's power look feeble by all means.

"Frostbite, can you hear me!" It sounded a little trite, but Lionheart was concentrating too much to worry about finesse. "You look like you're having fun!" He said, trying to gage a bit more about what had happened and why Frostbite looked a little worst for ware.

OOC: Ok assuming we make connection I'll fill him in on what is happening and Frostbite for his part will update him on what they've done and where they're up to.

He'll also tell him about what has been happening and the difficult choices that he is aware that both he and Anyman have been given in being allowed to bring back the Justicars.

After this, Lionheart will sign off and start to lead the others further up toward the tank line. Once we've got an idea as to what is going on and how its working out, we'll start to lay out a plan of attack.

Sj

Lionheart

Having successfully stretched out his Psionic powers further than he thought possible Lionheart wiped a smear of blood from his nose and blinked past a headache, getting to his feet and looking about. The Nazis were coming.

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The PSI Corps agent from the future used his binoculars again...

The dirt track winding its way through the forest was starting to bog down thanks to a light drizzle drifting from the overcast skies. The nazis were taking it in single file, with a truck running out in front and soldiers shovelling sand onto the track as they passed so those that followed wouldn't bog down. The going was slow as a result, and there were still vehicles getting bogged down. By now reports had gone out that the allies had some kind of sabotage squad operating in the area, so the column was on high alert.

Lionheart didn't see any evidence of superhumans in this new column, but that didn't mean they weren't there! It seemed to be mostly trucks - food and ammunition most likely, with a detachment of a couple of hundred infantry on foot, then half a dozen tractor drawn tankers full of fuel. These were well guarded, but still presented tempting targets!

When he returned to his own small tank column (consisting of two tanks) the others gave their thoughts. "Another chance to smash Nazis?" asked Anchor. "I'm up for that! let's send 'em back to hell!"

Spartan thought for a moment. "The tanks we have will take a reasonable amount of punishment. I suggest we set them up to block the road and pound the column for as long as we can before they nail us. Whoever is in the tanks should get the heck out at the right moment. It'll be tight. The Nazis will send men to investigate. When that happens, you should attack the rear of the column and those fuel tankers. With a bit of luck we may be able to run a trail of fuel at speed up and down the rest of the column. The whole lot might go up!"

Guillotine shrugged. "Do you have a better plan Lionheart? Your range of powers is by far the largest. You have so many options available you make the rest of us feel like we're making up the numbers!" Lionheart smiled, but thought the PSI Agent was only half joking.

OOC You have a good amount of time to plan and get things in place should you fancy trying something intricate...

Lionheart

Admin wrote:Spartan thought for a moment. "The tanks we have will take a reasonable amount of punishment...you should attack the rear of the column and those fuel tankers. With a bit of luck we may be able to run a trail of fuel at speed up and down the rest of the column!"

Guillotine shrugged. "Do you have a better plan Lionheart? Your range of powers is by far the largest. You have so many options available you make the rest of us feel like we're making up the numbers!"

"You know that isn't a half bad idea, Spartan, which goes to show that for all my powers why I seldom lead a team. Frostbite must just be crazy or desperate or both." He said with a good natured smile back at Guillotine.

"Lets do it. I'll take the tanks, I can get out easier when things go belly up, and you guys can have a lot more fun at the back. When I've had my fun, I'll join you. If all goes pare shaped, then we regroup further south from here. If anyone gets into trouble shout hopefully I should be able to pick it up. Just watch out for any nasty Nazi surprises. We've been lucky so far, I get the feeling that we can't count on that for much longer."

Lionheart looked around to gain a consensus, he wasn't easy dishing out orders and being responsible for everyone, but he got on with it as best he could.

OOC: After we've parked the tanks we'll set it up so that we can fire both barrels at the oncoming column and then when that doesn't work, I will rig the tanks. I'll use telekensis to pull the pins on a load of grenades near the tanks shells and engine, so that the whole lot goes up just when its worst.

For that reason we'll try and pick a part of the road that is narrow, so that the obsticle cannot be got around easily.

Sj

Lionheart

The plan seemed as good as any, so the group set off into the woods without Lionheart to take a circuitous route around to the back of the convoy. The Nazis had had things their own way for so long, their discipline was getting slack, but who could blame them? With the overwhelming resources they could call on, the war was a certainty to be won, barring the odd 'fly in the ointment'.

At that moment the 'fly' in question moved at superspeed from one tank to the next, loading up the guns and levelling them as best he could to target the oncoming convoy at a narrow part of the road. On top of that he emptied several shell casings and poured spare fuel in the floors of the tanks. It stank, but once done with the things there would be no way the nazis would ever use them again!

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Hauptmann Elias Schnell felt today was a good day.

Despite the loss of the psychic network - that many had been wary if not downright suspicious of, the radio reports were that the battle was going well, though French resistance had been stronger than expected in several areas. There had also been a brief mention of convoys encountering 'difficulties'. With that in mind he'd ordered the bored soldiers to be on alert, but didn't blame them when they got back to chatting and laughing as they walked. It was slow, dull progress, but Schnell was confident he would get the job done without trouble.

That's when he heard the BOOM! then another BOOM! as another tank fired off seconds after! He had time to hear the whistling sound of an incoming shell, then Schnell, his tank at the head of the column, and the tank next to it, were completely and utterly destroyed!

The Nazis broke into ordered ranks, infantry moving to cover to the side of the road and pulling weapons out, waiting for orders. Few noticed an infantryman and two comrades who moved from fuel tanker to fuel tanker, unscrewing the caps on the huge containers. A driver of a tractor called out, starting to climb down, as he saw what was happening. Guillotine, in a captured Nazi uniform, calmly stepped up and twisted his neck, tossing him into the bushes. Two infantry moved to investigate and came across the flying tanker driver.

Anchor stepped up from behind and delivered crushing blows, before dragging them back into the bushes with him.

Just as Lionheart turned up, having watched the infantry move towards the two tanks that had halted their convoy, he saw Spartan move into the bushes. With a nod the PSI agent tossed a match onto the floor and ran for cover!

=========

Soldiers moved up to the tanks, weapons ready...

Suddenly Lionheart appeared, grinned, and twisted a german grenade, tossed it to a nazi soldier who caught it instinctively, twisted another, leapt onto one of the tanks to drop it in, then snatched the grenade from the soldier, whilst the other infantry looked on, astonished. Before they could raise their weapons, the speedster quipped "thanks" and tossed it into the other tank. Then he was gone!

At a safe distance the Vanguards watched as a mushrooming ball of fire spilled into the sky, having following a terrific blast that shook the trees and sent men spiralling through the air!

Anchor looked on, grim, as men burnt. "Job done. If the others have done theirs, that means we get back to the front and help Frostbite, right?"

Even from several hundred yards away, behind cover of trees, the heat from the blazing ruin of the convoy was causing the trees to crack and splinter! Lionheart looked on. Another small wound in the nazi war machine. It would take many more to bring down the beast though...

OOC Superhumans vs normal humans never going to be a challenge, especially with the most powerful superhuman on planet Earth in attendance. The Convoy is stopped, and this road is unusable. Aside from mopping up any survivors there's nothing to stop Lionheart and his crew heading to the front to help Frosty or trying to find Silver Sentinel and co, your choice.