World War II - The Vanguard Issue #4 - The Battle Of Britain!

A hot shower, change of clothes from the tattered fatigues and domino masks that were more or less dropping off, and a strong cup of tea were the order of the day for the Vanguard. Bone weary, exhausted from a lack of sleep and constant fighting, and haunted by what they'd seen, each warrior dealt with it in their own way.

There'd been no cheering when the weary heroes had staggered from the loading ramp of their scarred and dented ship. Many of those who'd come out to greet the returning heroes on their landing at Bletchley had looked on with sympathy. Despite the Vanguards heroics, despite their sacrifice, no one was in any doubt that Dunkirk had been a major defeat. Triumph, if such could be drawn from the mess, was in the fact that the bulk of the army had retreated to England in one piece. but thousands had died, the majority of the weapons and equipment had been left behind, and the Allies had gained nothing.

Indeed, the list of success for the Nazis had grown. France was next.

The PM had authorized the release of press photographs and vague details about the Vanguard and their abilities in order to counteract the disbelief and fear that had run rife when newsreels had shown flying Nazis tossing tanks about. Now, whenever they went anywhere in uniform, they would be watched and approached.

Suddenly the team was thankful for the masks and garish costumes.

General Wynn walked across the field to the landed craft, and shook hands with those who could walk off without aid. "We know what you did, and a grateful nation thanks you. You have tonight and all of tomorrow to recover, then the PM wants to see you all. Right now, it's shower, a bit to eat, and debrief. The others will want to catalog everything. I'm sure Allard will have tales to tell when he gets back from Belgium."

The staff of Bletchley was still pouring from the building as the heroes walked towards the barracks, and someone started a slow clap. By the time the team had fully disembarked, it had turned into a tumultuous roar of hands, and cheering! The team paused for a moment, gave a weak smile and a wave, and staggered on towards the barracks area, whilst non commissioned officers barked at the Bletchley staff to get back to their posts.

=========

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite) hovered his hand over the phone. As leader of the team he'd retired to his quarters last after ensuring the injured Vanguardians were being cared for. Ironically, they were best served on the ship, with its amazing medical facilities, and the arguments had been heated as the Strange Science Section under Brigadier Dawson had been barred from stripping the ship to 'see how it worked'. So much had happened since he'd seen his sister, Jean, last...

Telling her anything would only put her in danger - they'd been reminded about the Nazis spy threat. Frostbot stood in the corner of the room, quietly conserving energy. He was once more in possession of the computer mind inside his own, and felt more 'whole' now, but knew that the spectre of the dark power would never leave him. He'd properly opened Pandoras' box now, and when the Dark Power disaster came, not if, he hoped that it would be confined to the enemy, rather than the people of Britain or his home country of America.

He unfurled a crumpled piece of paper in his drawer. Alice Jones, the nurse who he'd promised to take dancing... Despite all that had gone on, Joe couldn't help but smile.

=========

Silver Sentinel stood like a statue in the bathroom. His owner, or rather the man who could form the suit up around him like liquid metal, Steve Jenson, sat on the bed looking at it. He'd used his powers to kill, and not just one or two Nazis, but hundreds of them. Things would never be the same again!

Most of his team mates in the Justiciars had been badly injured, and he was no longer a 'second string' hero anyway, with the power at his command.

Right now, France was being overrun, and despite all his power, there was nothing Steve could do. They'd been ordered to rest, then summoned to meet Churchill and the chiefs of staff to prepare for the inevitable - the invasion of Britain!

Then came a knock on the door. Steve answered it, opening the door to see Jock Hanrahan, Anchor, and Mary Tremlett, Fastback, in uniform and waiting in the corridor. "Och man, ah figure we'd come n get yer, get doon th' pub an' raise a glass to our fallen friends. A few of 'em, th' kid included, bought it in Berlin. Then, when we're finished toastin' an rememberin', ah'm gonna get shitfaced!" he turned to Mary, taking off his cap "Beggin' yer pardon lassie, excuse ma french, but after..."

She smiled sadly, then looped an arm through each of the mens arms, before saying "What's a girl got to do to get a man to buy her a drink around here?" and putting on her best smile.

=========

Meditation didn't help. And sleep, he knew, was the enemy. Saladin smashed a chair to splinters, then sagged on the bed in his room. Lionheart was waiting like a great cat that he sourced his codename from. Waiting to pounce!

"I will ... resist you... as long as I can!" said Saladin, pouring another cup of coffee and ignoring the empty jugs scattered on the disheveled rooms' floor. He snarled as it became clear it was empty, tossing it against a wall and screaming!

The windows smashed, the bed buckled, and the plaster on the walls turned to powder as his telekinesis lashed out!

=========

Wynn looked out of the window. His hand had been forced. The team was too weakened. It meant throwing more young men and women into the fire, changing their lives forever, and probably condemning more than a few to death.

The skies rumbled, dark and ominous, of the storm to come, and this time, the man who was master of the weather gave it it's head.

Because no matter what the Vanguard did, the storm was coming...



OOC This is a 'calm before the storm' time for the characters to catch up on life outside the war, before the war comes to catch up on their lives....

Admin wrote:
Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite) hovered his hand over the phone...He unfurled a crumpled piece of paper in his drawer. Alice Jones, the nurse who he'd promised to take dancing... Despite all that had gone on, Joe couldn't help but smile.

OOC: I bet I had you looking back to that first thread to find out the nurses name ;-).

=========

As much as it pained him, not to call his sister. Right now he couldn't be sure that contacting her would cause more harm than good. His family meant a lot to him and if it was used as leverage...

Mind you talking to a pretty nurse, he'd met some time ago could also be construed as a risk. But then war was a risk and right now he needed to be with someone with whom he could have a laugh and not have to worry about responsibilities, over much.

After picking up the receiver he allowed the lady on the switchboard to put him through to the hospital where he'd woken up so long ago. Not soon after that he'd been visited by Peelers, P'utinarian shape changing doctors and who knew what else.

When the phone was finally answered at the other end, Joe wondered if Alice would even be allowed off, considering the number of casualties and the efforts regarding the war. Still it was worth a try.

OOC:

Ok not sure how you want to handle this, not sure I want to go into a heavy role playing moment here, just be glad to make contact with nurse Alice, if she is still there. Explain that after being taken by the gentleman in question I've been serving my adopted country and have a short break to catch up. Followed by, this time I'll try not to stand you up, unless some unforseen emergency occurs, that is.

If arrangements can be made, I'll fly over to the area, low so as to be discreet and avoid notice and then take her out.

==============

Saladin looked at the pulped room which his mind wave had shredded. Coffee wasn't going to be enough, he had to start making progress. Pouring his energies into something, anything to keep the relentless Lion from seizing the moment to be free.

Moments later Saladin, was dressed in civilian cloths, he worse a hat, and also brought gloves and a scarf, though he wasn't sure what the weather was going to do, when he saw the storm clouds up above, he knew his darker skin wouldn't draw attention under the bundle he wore to cover his appearance.

Moving out from the boundary, he decided first to go back to the place where he was forcibly kidnapped before. When Trowers and his lackeys had been considerable efficient in getting him away from Bletchley. He really didn't know what he was looking for, but he had to do something, anything to drive away the relentless pounding on his inner resources.

He dismissed the thought,"Focus!" He told himself and then off he sped to the small copse of woods where Lionheart had tried to stop him being taken.

OOC: Ok not sure where to go with Saladin, he is obviously obsessed with finding Trowers and Bentham, but he isn't stupid. He will take precautions so as to not be captured, allowing them to use him instead of getting his own back. Ultimately he is looking for any clues, that might have been left, but he knows its a long shot. He just needs to do something to keep his mind active and off of, Lionheart.

Sj

OOC By the way, Frosty and Silver Sentinel earned 5HP apiece for their heroics in Belgium, but that's reduced to 2 HP after using the Dark Power. Whichever way you look at it, using your 'ultimate power', even for a heroic deed, has some cost... It's kind of like a Jedi using the Dark Side to kill a bunch of stormtroopers who were about to do some farmers in. Sure, it's a good deed, ultimately, but not without some cost somewhere down the line...

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

OOC oh, and I didn't see a name for the nurse - so Alice Jones sounds as good as any. Yeah, I had to look

The sound of dancing music rang out in the town hall as the young woman chewed nervously on a nail, huddled under the umbrella as rain scythed down. She'd been stood up before, but the charming American had something about him, so she gave him a second try. She'd had to cancel on someone else, an Airman no less, and hoped she'd not be made a fool out of again!

Dressed in his uniform, intangible, Hoskyn was as dry as a bone when he landed, so turned tangible and stood in the rain for a moment before rounding a corner and walking towards the young woman stood under the street light outside the village hall, with people going in and out all the time, music blaring out when the door opened.

"Oh!" gasped Alice, as she saw Joe. She blushed, smiling, and said "I wondered if you'd stand me up again! What are those? Majors pips?" she gasped. "You HAVE been busy!"

OOC As far as I recall Frosty was Army, making him a Major. Anyman was Navy, a Lt Commander and Lionheart was Air Force, Sqdron Leader.

'The Shadows Darken near that one.'

Joe nearly choked on his reply after the Dark power spoke in his mind. His head was crowded once more, with four distinct voices vying for attention at any one time thanks to the robot being absorbed back in again! He blinked rain away, and glanced over Alices' shoulder. Someone had gone into the town hall, but he'd had eyes for Alice only! What in the...? Couldn't he have a day off?

Alice asked again "...stand here all night or do we go in...?" she asked, smiling and holding the brolly over both of them as best she could.

=========

Disguised, Saladin left Bletchley Park and knew he was being followed. Let them. A glance over his shoulder revealed a pair of DICE agents in trenchcoats and hats at a discrete distance.

The woods beckoned. Some clue.. anything where he could pick up the trail of Bentham and Trowers again!

Without rushing it took a while to walk to the spot, and he enjoyed the cool fresh rain on his face, keeping him awake and alert. Lionheart was seize on any chance to regain control, and Saladin had been awake solid for days now. The thing was, his mind would be so exhausted that he'd not be able to effectively fend off King, but he wouldn't give over control without a fight!

After an hour of searching in the woods, all the while being watched through binoculars by Forbes' snooping agents, Saladin felt something. Alarm! What?

He glanced around.

The night held no barrier for him. He saw as well as any cat, could smell... something. Sulfur? What the?

Narrowing his eyes, he crouched low and looked around. Something was up. A quick glance confirmed that the agents were out of sight.

His intuition told him he was in deadly danger!

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

Admin wrote:'The Shadows Darken near that one.'

OOC: Can I check is this in reference to Alice? It sounds as if it is but then the way you continue put a doubt in my mind. I'll assume its a yes and go from there.

Admin wrote:Alice asked again "...stand here all night or do we go in...?" she asked, smiling and holding the brolly over both of them as best she could.

"Sorry, yes of course." Joe took the umbrella and after offering his arm escorted the pretty young nurse into the social night. The music was louder in here and Joe knew talking was going to be difficult except between numbers. But that suited him for the moment. The warning that had gone off in his head, meant that either the Nazi's were more entrenched here than he realised, or that the Shadows themselves had taken no chances last time he'd been see with Alice.

Either way it made no odds to him, if this woman was being controlled by the darkening shadows, then more than anything he'd want to make sure she was free. Well that and to find out if there were others, a network or any other kind of organised spy ring.

Between the numbers Joe, chatted amiably away, told a few funny stories, he'd got from his men. But otherwise gave nothing away about the work, other than mentioning mundane stuff. It surprised him only a little how easily he could lie, but he knew what was at stake.

After eating a little from the available rationed snacks and drinks, Joe lead Alice to dance and he didn't mind enjoy the shear joy and frivolous nature of a good dance. Many men and women he'd seen and known would not be able to enjoy the company of a another, of friendship, love, joy. He owed it to them, that he should enjoy this valuing it all the more as a result.

OOC:

Ok not wanting to steer things too much here, so happy to dance the night away and try and ply Alice for information etc. What she's been up to, who she's seen etc.

I'm looking for a way to find out more, but my suspicion is that she might well meet with her superiors after things have left off. Unless I'm wrong. But otherwise I'm happy to let things just run on and see where it goes.

=========
Saladin

Admin wrote:
The night held no barrier for him. He saw as well as any cat, could smell... something. Sulfur? What the?

Narrowing his eyes, he crouched low and looked around. Something was up. A quick glance confirmed that the agents were out of sight.

His intuition told him he was in deadly danger!

Saladin activated his force field, his mind keenly probed about him wondering what foul manner of beast or foe lay close by. He had no doubt that this was an enemy owing to his own heightened intuition warning him. But his own instincts, that strange survival instinct at a primal level that warned of danger alerted him to the danger as well.

As he searched with his mind, he made himself aware of his surroundings, trees, possible cover, staging points to leap or attack, dodge and weave. But he was not one given to wait for an attack, so as his mind went out from him, he let it pear where his eyes couldn't seeking that which clearly now threatened him, that he might launch his own attack pre-emptively.

OOC:

Ok so looking for we beastie and any companions he might have here. Perhaps my presence was anticipated, in which case I am on high alert, ready to attack or even flee if my foe proves to be too much for me.

Sj

Anyman

"Remarkable." said Dawson, holding up the cylinder containing the innocuous looking rock/metal inside the glass tube. Allard had arrived in the Vanguardians ship without fanfare late at night whilst the code breakers were hard at work. Met by Wynn and Dawson, he'd been allowed to shower and change before reporting, but not before handing over the Lunarium.

"Typical egghead." muttered Slobotham. "Bloody good job, again, Allard."

Wynn frowned "Rank, Slobbie. Dawson is a Brigadier."

"Harrumph." said Slobotham waving the General off, and reached for the glasses to pour whisky.

Seated in a comfortable leather chair in the huge study that served as a three way office, four if you counted Slobotham. In the middle of the room, a large table with maps and pins dotted about them. Along the walls, books, charts, and more maps filled the view. It smelled of old leather, pipe smoke and slightly fusty old men, but wasn't unpleasant.

Dawson turned. "Oh yes, the job, again. What Slobotham said. Look old chap, I know it's your forte and whatnot, but you're too damned valuable to be slipping behind the enemy lines time and again! What would happen if you were to buy the farm, eh? Good show on giving the Nazis a bloody nose though. And this? Our lads will be cracking on it at dawn, see if we can't figure out what makes the stuff tick. That Von Berne fellow sounds like a Nazi scientist with his finger on the pulse of everything they are into, and that dispatch..."

The smile fell from his face. "They are getting closer to the 'Master Race' they so desire. That Von Berne is conducting field trials tells us two things. One, they are cottoning onto the fact that no 'superhuman training facility' of there's will ever be safe from us, and by that I mean you. You are two for two so far. And two, more worrying, is that they have moved past the days - even a week ago - of poisoning their troops with so called 'super serums' that cause them to die some horrible death hours after taking it. We raised eyebrows and even chuckled nervously when we heard about those. They were powerful and effective, but self destructive. That the Nazis could so casually toss out advanced technology like that and not care less whether their men died was one thing, but now? This fellow is changing the game. We're not chuckling now."

"We have other problems. They will make an attempt on Churchills' life, you can depend on that." said Wynn, his voice grave. "We need someone close to Churchill with the tools to do a job. Up for it?" It was clear that he'd been ordered to assign Anyman to the safeguarding of the PM, but the fact that Wynn had asked as a suggestion rather than ordered meant he hoped Anyman would see his point of view - having one of the most powerful people on Earth protect the leader of the country was wasteful.

"Think on it. Till then, go see the troops. Steed has been asking for you. She's in one piece, but bashed up. Still devilishly pretty though." said Wynn, a twinkle in his eye.

As Allard left, he pulled the collar of the coat up around him, morphed out of uniform and into a plain suit, and walked down the corridor to the exit of Bletchley. Time for some air.

He was just about to leave when a junior officer came up. "Sir? Commander Allard?" offered the youngster, who looked nervous around Anyman. There was also something else about him. With no one else around, the officer continued. "You are him. Our people need your help! The Nazis are slaughtering us!"



Before Anymans eyes he morphed into his native form - a P'utinarian!

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

Frostbites' hackles rose, but then the voice inside reassured 'Your female companion is not the cause for concern. The Dark Empowered person is inside the structure'

With Alice on his arm Joe went into the dance hall. In between numbers he enjoyed himself, all the while looking over Alices' shoulder and scouring about, but there came a tap on his shoulder. A woman almost at the same height as Joe stood in a stunning gown, gaining envious glances from every woman in the room and admiring from the men. She ignored the catcalls and wolf whistles and purred with the music playing in the background "May I have this dance?" Alice smiled nervously, shrugged, and laughed it off "I'll go powder my nose." she offered, and hurried off.



'Impressive' said the inner voice.

It seemed Frostbite had found the cause for concern!
=========

Saladin looked about in the woods. Taking note of every attack and vantage point, he scanned... and found nothing.

Frustrated, he turned, and a bright light shone out, causing him to shield his eyes!

A glowing figure in the shape of a man lit the forest up - he hadn't been there a second ago!



"I detected a temporal anomaly in this location, and tracked it to you. You will come with me." said the being, without a visible mouth or means of speech!

ANYMAN

As Allard left, he pulled the collar of the coat up around him, morphed out of uniform and into a plain suit, and walked down the corridor to the exit of Bletchley. Time for some air.

He was just about to leave when a junior officer came up. "Sir? Commander Allard?" offered the youngster, who looked nervous around Anyman. There was also something else about him. With no one else around, the officer continued. "You are him. Our people need your help! The Nazis are slaughtering us!"



Before Anymans eyes he morphed into his native form - a P'utinarian!.

"Aw Crap!," Putty said inside Allard's head.

"Quick man, change back," Lance said, glancing around. "Walk with me. Tell me what's going on and where!"

He led the junior officer outside to walk around the grounds. Getting the air.

"Great," he muttered in his mind, "guess I'm not going to get to visit Emma anytime soon."

"Love and War make strange bedfellows," The third voice said. Lance and Putty weren't sure if he had made a joke or was serious.

She smiled sadly, then looped an arm through each of the mens arms, before saying "What's a girl got to do to get a man to buy her a drink around here?" and putting on her best smile.

"Oops almost forgot my cap" Steve exclamed jogging back to grab it and giving his suit a slap on the back and saying "Dont work to hard old boy" before rejoining his two team mates.

After a couple of minutes of walking to there destonation at a quicken pace, all the while Steve was wondering why he near paid much attention to mary in the past and now he was trying not to staire, Steve piped up

"Guessing its my round then chaps?"

OOC:Three things, dam the picture is hot, Alice Jones is my auntie (has she gone back it time) and are steve, jock and mary off to the same place as Joe?

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

Admin wrote:'Impressive' said the inner voice.

It seemed Frostbite had found the cause for concern!

As Alice turned to go, Joe offered a parting reassurance, "Don't spend to0 long..."

Turning to the undeniable beautiful woman, Joe said to himself, 'This shouldn't take too long!'

Then turning to the woman with a speculative gaze, Joe indicated the dance floor and simple said, "Shall we?"

OOC:

Ok I'm not eager to let on that I know who she is what she contains, but I suspect that she might well already know who I am.

I'm also keen to make sure that she doesn't use the innocent by standers here to get at me, again though that might not be a luxury I can afford. But I'll hear her out and then see where we go from there.

=============

Saladin

Admin wrote:"I detected a temporal anomaly in this location, and tracked it to you. You will come with me." said the being, without a visible mouth or means of speech!

Saladin didn't know what this being was nor who he represented, but his intuition had told him this was dangerous - he needed no other prompting. Knowing that it might well be pointless to flee, nonetheless Saladin wasn't going to give up that easily.

"Sorry, but until I've cleared up the mess my superiors have made of things, I'm not going anywhere. Start by hunting down Bentham and Trowers and leave me out of it."

With that Saladin took off, first running at speed in one direction, before reversing course and running in the other direction. Either he was going to flee and if that option wasn't working, then he'd have to go on the offensive. Either way he wasn't going down without a fight.

OOC:

1. Ok run in random directions, and keep running to get away.
2. If that doesn't work out and he manages to still get the drop on me then I will go on the offensive and use first Psi power or if that doesn't work a physical attack to try and keep this thing/being from getting to me.

Saladin isn't so nieve as to think that what you see is what you get - this could well be a imposter or some sort of reuse.

Sj

ANYMAN

"You are..." spluttered the frightened young alien. "You are our only hope. I was assigned here as a spy, to watch and report to the Nazis, but it's clear they have nothing but contempt for my people. I have learnt that my people have been diverted from the training camp that taught them how to integrate into English life and report back, and instead sent to a camp in Poland. Why would the Nazis do this? Our people made a deal with them, they would supply us with lunarium and we would spy for them. Not fight, just spy. Some of our people decided to fight anyway, but...now this? I..."

He looked somewhat shamefaced. "I heard what you had done, and so instead of reporting back I decided to seek you out. You are the Anyman, yes? The legend? The scourge of the Nazis? If anyone can get them out of Poland, you can."

"The place is Chelmno*. I was unable to get further details because my friend... her connection was cut on the other end. If you do this... I will make every effort to let our people know you are a hero, not just for the humans, but the P'utinarians too. Please! Help us!"

Allard considered the words. He'd been ordered to watch the PM like a hawk, and more or less been told he was grounded. And yet.. how useful would an army of shapeshifting aliens be to the allies? The problem was, reporting this to Forbes and Dawson would result in this young alien being imprisoned, and the Bletchley facility going into lockdown, all of which would effectively condemn the aliens to death!

*OOC Chelmno is one of the extermination camps in Poland, along with Auschwitz and others...

Steve Jenson
(Silver Sentinel)


OOC Frosty had to fly to meet up with his date (your aunty ) and she's in a neighbouring town, some miles away. I think the picture is of the indian bollywood actress lady with green eyes, and turning it greyscale doesn't do her justice...

"Och, ah'll nae argue wi' ya there laddie!" laughed Jock. They left the Manor, marched down the long driveway and arranged for a car to pick them up and take them into Bletchley itself, even as the rain started to fall.

"So how was it fellas?" asked Mary quietly as the three of them rode in the back of the car. Two MPs rode up front, and the lights from the car behind told Steve they'd be followed. Forbes wouldn't take any chances with his remaining active prized assets...

Just then, for the strangest reason, Steve shivered. It was dark outside, the car meandering along country lanes towards the village on the outskirts of Wolverton (OOC which, along with Bletchley and other places, would form part of Milton Keynes in the 60s) dry stone walls and hedgerows then fields stretching away into the darkness with the rain limiting sighting distance.

Mary laughed at something Jock said, and the MPs swapped a comment with a smile, both glancing in the rear view mirror at the pretty passenger and her chaperones. Steve couldn't help thinking something was wrong.

That something was about to happen...

OOC you have seconds before something does. You've no reason to think it will be something bad, just that something is going to happen, but you don't know why. Maybe because of the Dark power inside, maybe some instinct the youngster has, but it's strong - hair on the back of neck standing up strong.

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

"You are a man of actions, rather than words." purred the woman as she slid into Joes arms. He noticed just about every man in the room glancing at her, but she only had eyes for him.

"I am but a messenger." she said, voice firming up. "And the message is this. The shadows will darken, and nothing you can do will stop it. Now or later, it matters not. We know you are powerful, and can afford to wait. But there is a greater threat affecting this world, this... nexus of realities, where so many pass through unseen by mortal eyes. There is a being of scope and power that cannot easily be described. Normally we would welcome the terror and chaos it would bring, but we have ... miscalculated. This being will annihilate this word and cause a reality cascade, where alternate realities clash and time itself is sundered. We welcome fear, chaos, terror. But if there are none alive to provide our sustenance we will be trapped for a time in the shadow realm. So we offer this."

"An alliance of sorts, to deal with the threat of the Devourer."

Joe looked around.

The dance hall had frozen. The music had stopped, and time itself had come to a halt. Across the room a barman poured liquid into a glass, save that the liquid was hovering inches above it. A quick wave of a hand through a nearby reveller revealed he was ghostlike, as if intangible.

"Do not think we are without power. A war the like of which this world has never seen is underway. The enemy will pale into insignificance though. First, there will be a clash of empires, then a lull. Then it will come. when the Day of the Devourer arrives, you must cast off your mortal shackles, otherwise it will drain every living thing from this world before completely absorbing it into itself. You will need our power to fight it, Prince. Think on it."

She stepped back, smoothing down her dress and chuckling at the attractive form she wore.

OOC She's about to leave. Anything you wish to say or do? The Dark Power has stayed silent throughout her little speech.

=============

Saladin

Saladin sped off through the trees at high speed, but knew, ultimately, that even his speed wouldn't be enough for a being that could instantly traverse across distances by teleportation!

Sliding to a halt in a clearing, he readied his vast mental powers, about to hurl a mental bolt at the creature floating 20' up and away from him.

"Wait." said the creature. "When you mentioned those names, it triggered a thought process in my mind. Bentham. Trowers. Yes. More temporal anomalies. I believe with some time I could track their locations, but I must warn you. The damage to the timeline is now irreparable, too many people have been affected by the actions of the time travellers. That said, before more damage is done, you and the others will be removed from the timeline!"

The creature raised a hand towards Saladin, slowly!

As his mind raced, Saladin considered the words. This thing, whatever and whoever it was, could lead him to his enemies if he made a deal with it!

ANYMAN

"The place is Chelmno*. I was unable to get further details because my friend... her connection was cut on the other end. If you do this... I will make every effort to let our people know you are a hero, not just for the humans, but the P'utinarians too. Please! Help us!"

Allard considered the words. He'd been ordered to watch the PM like a hawk, and more or less been told he was grounded. And yet.. how useful would an army of shapeshifting aliens be to the allies? The problem was, reporting this to Forbes and Dawson would result in this young alien being imprisoned, and the Bletchley facility going into lockdown, all of which would effectively condemn the aliens to death!

"Talk about being between a rock and a hard place," Anyman muttered outloud. "Damned if I do, damned if I don't."

"Helping you folks," he says to the young P'utinarian, "is something I want to do. It's good for relations between our peoples and will help with the war but ...."

He grimaces.

"I have orders that can't be disobeyed. And I would need help getting to Poland. I don't have my own mode of transportation. But I have a few ideas of what we might be able to do. Give me a few hours. We can meet back here and I will be able to tell you if I can help you or not. Will you trust me for that long?"


ooc: Depending on his answer, plan is to go see Emma Steed in the hospital and get her take on it. Especially her take on keeping Command out of the loop. Then quietly get in touch with the others. Just because Anyman has been ordered not to go behind enemy lines for now doesn't mean he can't ask the others go behind the lines, if they are willing.

It's possible this is a trap but unless the actor Lance has failed to realize someone is acting in front of him, I don't think the alien is faking it. Of course, it doesn't mean he isn't being an unwitting pawn to get to Anyman.

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

OOC: Thank goodness I took a copy of my text, just checked back and my original response is nowhere to be seen. Blame ropey internet connection, right here we go again.

Admin wrote:"An alliance of sorts, to deal with the threat of the Devourer."[/color]
You will need our power to fight it, Prince. Think on it."[/color]

"I guess I should thank you! At least in matters of survival, we agree on something, even if how we get there is very different." Joe's mind whirled, no one knew the power of the Shadows better than Nowhere Man, not that he didn't feel a begrudging respect for his own shadow who'd proven trustworthy- at least so far.

"Ok, I know you won't be surprised when I tell you that I need to talk to my allies though I think we can all see the sense in what you are suggesting. How should I contact you?"

Joe turned to let her go, before saying, "If you don't mind me asking, how is this different from you own goals in the end, aren't you also as much the Devourer? Ultimately fear and chaos begets destruction and whether slowly or quickly you will surely bring about the very end you are now approaching me to end. Who knows, maybe this Devourer was the last of a race not unlike you, the one who devoured all until all that was left was himself.

Is this how this plays out. That even after defeating this Devourer, one day imagine you succeed and get your own way and your work, at this the nexus of all points, will surely bring about the very destruction you are asking us to help you prevent.

Surely you've seen this, isn't it the case that your own world was something that succumbed to this, now its but a realm of shadows, but surely there has to be a solution. For its surely the case that despite what this devourer is coming to do, you are the real devourers, but like us Human beings we need to find a alternative solution to provide lasting sustenance and feed your hunger. Isn't there something greater than fear and chaos that they can feed on, are their not more sustainable and wholesome elements that can sustain you.

I to all about survival, surely it doesn't have to end with your destruction any more than the destruction of creation in the wake of their hunger. For if chaos is what they feed on then chaos will also be their own undoing. Something for you to think about, right?

=============

Saladin

Admin wrote:The creature raised a hand towards Saladin, slowly!

As his mind raced, Saladin considered the words. This thing, whatever and whoever it was, could lead him to his enemies if he made a deal with it!

"Wait, firstly how do I know you are telling the truth, that you have the means to do what you say? For surely if you have seen this anomaly then you also realise that the men who were able to bring it about are not men who will be easily fooled, or apprehended. I was sent back in time to stop them, but even I was actually part of their plan, many times they have evaded capture, it seems that you goal and mine are the same and if we could be combine our efforts, would we not be better suited to deal with this problem.

All I care about is making sure these men and the destruction and harm they cause is set right, but no one knows how capable of being resourcefully manipulative, than me. If you, even with all your considerable power, were to fail, think how much harder it would be to set right what is wrong here? You are a man out of time, like me, we should work together for the good of this time line."

Sj

"Whats wrong, you look like you've seen a ghost" Mary asked seeing the look on Steves face.

"Something..............something.....er I cant explan..... If im right you better brace yourselves" Steve answerd pausing on ever other word moving his eyes from oneside to the other concentrating on his senses in antisapation for whatever us out 'there', all the while moving his hand closer to the metal bodywork of the milatary vehicle.

ANYMAN

"A few hours." said the young alien. Disguised as an officer once more he checked a clock on the wall and nodded, both agreeing on a time 3 hours from the present and Anyman watched him walk away. The fact that the near legendary (at least in terms of achievements) hero hadn't automatically taken it on had cast a pall on the young aliens efforts, but at least he'd tried.

Anyman made his way to the hospital, and after inquiring, to the female wing. There were a number of patients in there, most covered by a curtain running around the bed and some still had visitors, Emma Steed being one as she finished her report to General Forbes. Forbes glanced at the lighting up of Steeds face and turned about "Ah, Allard. Good to see you're checking on the men. I mean, women. Troops. Ah... carry on."

"Oh Lance!" cried Steed, throwing her arms around him from where she sat up in bed. "I can't believe it! They said what you'd been up to..."

Allard related the tale of his latest adventure, the smashing of another Nazi superhuman training facility and the securing of the lunarium which Dawson and the Strange Science section would get stuck into. After that he glanced about, then lowered his voice and spoke about the Alien.

"It could be a trap..." she pondered, echoing Allards own thoughts. "But the P'utinarians are in desperate trouble from the sounds of it! If it's on the level, surely we should go to Forbes and the others with it?" She pondered for a moment. "No, they'll tell you to stick to your orders. Much as it might not seem like it, you are effectively under house arrest. Keeping you close to the PM keeps you out of harms way. You should be flattered - they clearly value you more than the rest of us, but it will get awfully boring, being Churchills' lap dog!"

Allard was reminded then of his orders, and considered what he'd been told to do. Babysitting Churchill was vital, and whilst he considered himself up to the task, being left at home whilst the others were thrown into the fray time and time again rankled on his sense of duty.

"Wait... what if... what if the young Alien takes your place? And I'll help him. Whilst I'm recovering from my injuries, I'll keep an eye on him and the PM, and you can coach him to look and sound like you? You should only be a couple of days if you can commandeer a plane and drop behind the lines or... perhaps the Vanguards own ship?" she chewed her lip. "They could have you court martialled or shot for this, and me for helping you! You'll have to decide, Lance, whether the risk is worth the reward!"

"Or you could ask the others to go, and I'm sure they'd take it on. The question is, would whoever is left be enough to safeguard Britain in their absence?"

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

The Woman smiled. "There is much truth in what you say. Think on this though. Mankind will, ultimately, destroy itself. It is inevitable! There is no such thing as a lasting peace! Always, there is war, terror, anarchy, death. And we feed from such emotions. What then would we feed on if all this was gone? You speak in terms of what will happen in the end? Ha!"

She smiled then, looking almost sad as she added "You don't understand the nature of the threat that this planet faces. In this reality, the Devourer is the ultimate power we know of! It is a being... an entity of such scope and scale that even we, the immortal Shadow Demons, can only look at in admiration. For we feed on the fear and negative emotions from the billions of teeming humans on this world. The Devourer? It doesn't simply destroy worlds, it lays waste to solar systems... galaxies eventually!"

"Why do you suppose it is coming here, of all places, at this time?"

Joe had a nasty feeling he knew the answer.

"You. You and your friends, with the deposed royal family inside you. For some reason, the symbiosis between the most powerful of our race and certain, specific mortals has created a union of cosmic level entities that has drawn the Devourers' interest! So YOU are the reason mankind faces extinction! If you wish to save them... well, it's too late now. The Devourer will not waste its journey, even if you left, and despite the gates of darkness being more open now than at any other time, thanks to the mortal man known as Adolf Hitler, we cannot pour through in such numbers that would make a difference against its power. No, far better for us to retreat and find some other world to feed from. That said... what is it about this rock that makes it so valued in the multiverse? There are other worlds, other places..."

"I'll tell you shall I? Mankind has the greatest scope for self destruction and for self improvement of any race we have encountered. All other cosmic empires will see this now that you have alerted them to this planet, and it's fate will remain in your hands from now on! We could, of course, leave you to your fate... but with the doors closed to this world we would have to find another... or turn on one another."

"Like mankind does, once in every generation. Your evil, you see, has rubbed off on us. You could even say we are doing the multiverse a service! If mankind should realize it's ultimate destiny, a thousand years from now...? The cosmos will tremble at its might!"

"We will feast on the fear that this Earth of yours trembles in when the Devourer comes. We will be at the peak of our powers! Then it will be taken from us, unless we, combined, can stop it! After that?"

"Well, assuming there IS an after..."

She smiled again.

"All bets are off"

"Consider our offer, hero. I had to work hard to convince the new ruling council that this was the right course of action. They simply wanted to feed, seal the gates and find somewhere else, little realizing that before anywhere new was found the Shadow Demons would turn on each other, starved of terror and anarchy! And so our fates are tied, for now."

=============

Saladin

"I am a Temporal Guardian. We exist outside of time and space, guarding the past that the future stays unchanged. Were we to exist in your time and space, we might ultimately cease to exist if certain actions in the past did not come to pass! There are dark times ahead though. This planet is at the centre of a raging temporal maelstrom that we cannot unravel. No one knows what the future holds, and it is down to the actions of a few men, yourself included. Normally we would use our considerable powers to drag you back to your own time, erasing the memories of those who have interacted with you and therefore setting things back on the right path, but this planet HAS no future right now! We do not know why this is, but we will find out. Some have said a great cosmic terror is voyaging across the depths of space, and that would explain why mankind has no future! Therefore I have come to investigate and set things right but..."

"There are forces at work on this planet that should not exist. Powers, that dwarf anything mankind is ready for, as in their grasp! I can only assume that other cosmic powers have detected them, and seek to claim the power for their own - or snuff it out before it consumes them! Know this - no matter how true of heart the bearers of such power be, absolute power corrupts absolutely. We have seen it time and again."

The being chuckled then. "Pardon the pun."

"You ask me to work with you, to help capture or destroy your enemies? We cannot interfere, only set things right as best we can determine, but the more time I spend here, the more I am convinced there is no 'right' path." He looked up, to the skies. "Your enemies are, at this moment, on the moon. I will retire, to watch and plan on the next course of action. Removing one, or all of the men from the future will make no difference now. Mankinds history has been changed. The technology level altered, the fears and expectations of the common man irrevocably heightened. I could find the moment the men from the future came back, stop them in their tracks. Set all this right and yet... when I look into the future that would bring, I see only oblivion. My colleagues were right. There is a power coming to this world, and it will not be stopped or swayed from its path, even by time itself! Planet Earths only hope is uniting to meet the threat head on, and defeat an Entity that no other civilisation in all of time and space has been able to stop!"

"There is one thing I can do though, right now." said the alien. It floated down towards Saladin. Then it reached out a hand to touch him.

OOC Up to you if Saladin lets this thing touch him, but as you can tell from the last few posts, beating the Nazis in World War 2 is just one of the Vanguards' problems!

ANYMAN

"Wait... what if... what if the young Alien takes your place? And I'll help him. Whilst I'm recovering from my injuries, I'll keep an eye on him and the PM, and you can coach him to look and sound like you? You should only be a couple of days if you can commandeer a plane and drop behind the lines or... perhaps the Vanguards own ship?" she chewed her lip. "They could have you court martialled or shot for this, and me for helping you! You'll have to decide, Lance, whether the risk is worth the reward!"

"Or you could ask the others to go, and I'm sure they'd take it on. The question is, would whoever is left be enough to safeguard Britain in their absence?".

"Guarding Churchill may be a babysitting job," Lance muttered to Emma, "but it is also very important. What if he is killed? Who steps forward to lead England then? Would I spend the whole war being Churchill? I can't fly a plane. So getting there would need the assistance of at least one other. I don't know how to use the Vanguard ship. You forget, I've spent most of my time away from the team and I don't know all the ins and outs that you know. If I were to disobey orders and go, I would need the assistance of at least one Vanguarder who knows how to fly a plane or fly the V-Ship. That would be three of us up on charges; you, me and whoever I approached, assuming that they agree and don't turn us in."

He ponders for a bit, lightly stroking her hair as he does.

"I wonder ... what about the PM himself? Going over the head of our bosses and going straight to him with this problem? I've not been in the Navy long but I know it will become living hell if I jump the command structure to do something like that! And would he react as we expect our superiors to react or would he allow me to go? What's your take on that idea?"

ooc: The fact that Anyman doesn't know how to fly anything really is going to force at least one other person in on this. Whether a Vanguard or someone else.

Silver Sentinel
(Steve Jenson)
Also:
Fastback
Anchor
Two MPs

Bracing himself, looking around, Steve suddenly shielded his eyes as a bright light flash down from above! He tried to move, but found his hand locked into place! He couldn't even move his eyes, but saw the others were exactly the same!

'Hiss!' snarled the Dark Power inside. 'Your weak mortal form is victim to some 'stasis' magic!'

By 'magic' Steve figured the Dark Power meant technology. The fact that he couldn't move, nor use his powers suggested that it was technology far beyond anything even the Nazis could call upon! He saw the ground pull away and downwards as the car was levitated upwards... to what Steve couldn't see!

'At least the terror of those in the car with you is satisfying and nourishing.' cackled the Dark Power. 'And it is feeding me! Give me a few moments, mortal, and I shall find a way to free us from this vile sorcery!'

In moments the world around the car had receded, leaving Steve looking through the windows at the front of the vehicle at the clouds, and then beyond them, to the stars showing in the sky above!

What on earth was happening?

Or rather, not on earth!

One sided effect of this 'stasis beam' was removing any need to breathe, and seemingly protecting those affected by outside forces, like the cold... and soon, hard vacuum!

Before he knew it, Steve and the others, car and all, were looking at the earth in its blue and white glory below them!

'I believe I can break us free of this sorcery, but to do so right now would be... unwise!' stated the Dark Power.

Just then the view changed about the car, and those inside heard a hissing sound, then clanking noises, then finally, felt the BUMP! as the car was dropped several feet onto a solid floor... and those inside could move again!

Gasping for breath, and realising they were breathing some strange mix of oxygen and nitrogen in proportions their lungs were unsuited to, the humans took some moments to adjust. Steve was the first, and he looked out of the windows of the car.



"We're nae in kansas anymore..." muttered Jock.

One of the MPs, terrified, turned. "You're super agents! Do something!" he cried.

The other MP jumped from the driver seat out onto the deck of the vessel they were on and pulled out his gun... only for the collective aliens to concentrate, their eyes glowing, and blast the man from existence!

Suddenly they spoke, despite having no mouths which Steve could see!

"We are the Qrii. This is a forward scouting vessel, come to report on the emergence of cosmic powers on this primitive planet. Our scans reveal that one of you, humans, possesses such a power! We intend to extract the knowledge of how you obtained this power and return to our fleet. Then we shall invade your world and claim the source of the power for our own! Our technology has gleaned your language from your primitive brains, but there is interference, one we cannot scan! We therefore deduce we have found the one which we seek!" The voices, dozens, all spoke at once, in perfect time and coming from all directions, filling the heads of the cars occupants!

Mary spluttered "What in the...? How...? What...? Why...?" then she feinted!

Anchor snorted "Och, lassie, nae time fer rest noo! We gotta get oot there an' kick some arse! What say ye, Steve?"

ANYMAN

Holding Allards hand, Steed thought for a moment. "I suppose... I suppose it's worth a try! But that young Alien is going to be back in a few hours! If you aren't there, he may do something foolish! Perhaps I could meet him, tell him you are speaking with our leader to get help on this. It's worth a try. The shapeshifters can go anywhere, anytime! It would be like having an army of... of you!"

"Visiting hours are up!" barked a bulldog like Matron from down the end of the ward.

Steed, despite being all bashed and bandaged up, was still lovely to Allards eyes. She would follow him in whatever crazy endeavour he undertook, he knew that now. But this bordered on mutiny! Would it be justified to save the lives of Aliens?

'Do this, and you will finally earn the respect and admiration of the P'utinarian people!' said, Putty, the voice within.

'Or you could be regarded as a traitor, a loose cannon... They could even send your team mates after you to bring you in! A few aliens aren't worth risking yourself, mortal!' rasped the Dark Power.

Allard considered. The PSI agents that Lionheart had recruited knew how to operate the V-Ship. (OOC Good name) Or Lionheart himself. He wasn't one to follow rules! He'd happily wander deep behind enemy lines, if nothing else than simply to bash some Nazis!

If Churchill said no, what then would Allard do?

ANYMAN & LIONHEART

Allard considered. The PSI agents that Lionheart had recruited knew how to operate the V-Ship. (OOC Good name) Or Lionheart himself. He wasn't one to follow rules! He'd happily wander deep behind enemy lines, if nothing else than simply to bash some Nazis!

If Churchill said no, what then would Allard do?

Lance thinks for a moment, says a prayer and then thinks, "Hey Lionheart, ole chum! You free to meet with me?" through the Vanguard link.

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

OOC: Is it only me or is everyone else getting reminders when the thread is updated, its only because I check everyday that I saw replies had come but I haven't been getting consistent updates for this thread.

Admin wrote:
"All bets are off"

"Consider our offer, hero. I had to work hard to convince the new ruling council that this was the right course of action. They simply wanted to feed, seal the gates and find somewhere else, little realizing that before anywhere new was found the Shadow Demons would turn on each other, starved of terror and anarchy! And so our fates are tied, for now."

Joe nodded to the lady, although he balked at the idea that, human kind was in any way like the Shadow demons, he wasn't unaware of the gross inhumanity that had already gone on, or as his future self reminded him, would go on.

But Joe was all to aware that the future, such as it was stood on a knife edge and they couldn't afford to be choosy.

"Ok I'll take you request back to my superiors, I believe you are offering this in good faith, why wouldn't you be if what you say is true? I guess I'll be able to contact you when all is said and done."

With that Joe turned away pondering anew what he'd been told and wondering what this unexpected turn of events would do with regard to the whole war effort.

OOC:

1. Ok happy to go along with this for the time being, once we've also checked in with the others and with our own Shadow Demons.
2. I of course will need to take this to the others, the other high ups aren't going to like it, but if what is coming is true then no one is going to give a small war attention when this Devourer arrives in any case.
3. I guess I'll finish up my time here and then when I get back find out what and who I need to talk to about this and also seek verification.

=============

Saladin

Admin wrote:"There is one thing I can do though, right now." said the alien. It floated down towards Saladin. Then it reached out a hand to touch him.

OOC Up to you if Saladin lets this thing touch him, but as you can tell from the last few posts, beating the Nazis in World War 2 is just one of the Vanguards' problems!

Saladin fought the instinct to flinch, he knew he could resist, but he sensed that the alien was in effect suggesting that his original plan, such as it was, was not going to pan out as planned anyway. Any advantage he could use to get ahead in this deadly game of cat and mouse, was welcome.

But not at the expense of the world he loved and cared about. What would it matter if he got Bentham only to see the world itself crumble into dust. So reluctantly Saladin, was willing if somewhat weary of the alien.

"What is this...?" He said, despite his internal discussion he wasn't about to let him be subject to this hostile alien's touch without further confirmation of what he intended to do, but he was mindful that his intuition had not alerted him to danger. Even so, the threat from within, his counter part, could so easily use a moment like this to usurp control. And right now that couldn't be allowed to happen.

OOC:

1. Ok Saladin will submit to the alien if he is assured that it will not cause him to loose control. Otherwise he'll resist. We both know he will do anything to stay in control.
2. As regards to his own personal vendetta, he'll be willing to put that aside for the moment if it means that in the long term he can secure a means to get to the moon and get there without the threat of the devourer looming large over them.
3. I guess also at some point Anyman's call to "Lionheart" will come to me, I am inclined to help as I don't mind flouting the law and any chance to get more familiar with a space faring ship would be welcome as it might aid my long term goal. But my assistance will be limited, as Anyman's fight isn't necessarily mine.

Sj

"Wait, dont shoot" Steve yelled at the second MP as he too was slighly reaching for his gun
"Yes they grabbed us out of the blue but we have no reason to believe they wish to cause us harm" he added aimed more at cock than anyone seeing the anger build in his eyes.

"You mean laddie if they wanted to kill us they woulda done it already"

"Doesnt mean we should be cautious" he replied in a quieter voice, adding "Can you take us to your leader (ooc: how original) and our friend needs assistance too" he said implying mary speaking to no one alien in particular.

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

"A wise choice." purred the woman. "You have no idea how long I have spent convincing the high council that this is a worthwhile cause. Their argument was similar to yours - what is the point of saving this planet when we plan to subjugate it anyway? The difference is in our goals - ours and the Devourers. We wish to rule mankind, and have them serve us as we spread out into the universe. We are patient, and can wait, but know that, ultimately, mankind will aid us unwittingly! Compare that to the Devouerer."

"It will simply erase this planet, and everything on it, from existence unless stopped, somehow!"

Leaning in to Joe, she smiled, warm breath on his cheek "I could grow used to this mortal form, lover. Do you not remember our days of passion together, making love whilst we had a thousand sub demons tortured and slain for our amusement? You had to spoil it though, with your vile sense of honour and compassion! When the day of reckoning comes, I shall plead your case, and you may yet live, albeit to serve my every whim! That is for another day..." She turned and walked between frozen dancers, towards the exit. As she reached it and turned, she smiled again, and was gone.

Everyone started moving in the dance hall again, the music playing, liquid flowing, as if nothing had happened!

'I knew her... in another time and place.' was all the Dark Power inside would say...

Alice returned minutes later, looking flustered but dolled up and pretty. She looked about. "Has your friend gone?" she asked, frostily... Even through his immunity to the cold Joe felt that one! He'd stood there for minutes as the dancing went on around him, digesting the fact that all this... everything... could soon cease to exist unless he and his friends stopped this 'Devourer'.

He remembered the quote "The enemy of my enemy must be my friend" but it was rather like teaming up with a tiger to kill a shark - at some point the tiger would turn on him!

"Seeing as your friend has left, how about you show me a good time Joe? And it's early still! We have all the time in the world!" she smiled.

==========

Saladin/Anyman

The Temporal Guardian touched Saladin lightly on the forehead...

Images blasted through his mind, pictures and sounds of events that had happened and in turn, would never come to pass! He saw a name flash up though, one unfamiliar to him but the significance of which was not lost on him.

Ludwig Von Berne.

He was the direct ancestor of Damon Trowers, the mastermind behind this whole plot to reshape history to Trowers' liking! That meant...

"Be careful. The Man is guarded well by Trowers, as you might expect, but eradicating him will have repercussions through the timeline - it's possible that the PSI Corps program will be changed completely - or even cease to exist!" explained the Temporal Guardian. "Do you see how dangerous the meddling with time has become? All of this planets history has been changed, and continues to be changed, with every disaster that befalls it! And the beings you know as the Vanguard cause yet more ripples in the space/time continuum with their power, drawing cosmic forces to this place that would otherwise have written the place off as a backwater mudhole!"

Just then Saladin heard Anymans mental call, and turned to speak to the Temporal Guardian...

But the man - if such it could be called.. was gone!

From the trees the two DICE agents staggered, dazed and confused, before running over to Saladin. "Are you alright? We saw a bright purple light... then nothing! We must have - both - blacked out! What happened?"

Joe Hoskyn (Frostbite)
(14HP 1 Dark Power XP point)

Admin wrote:"Seeing as your friend has left, how about you show me a good time Joe? And it's early still! We have all the time in the world!" she smiled.

Joe did his best to continue to enjoy the evening, but the talk of yet another threat looming large, looked as if it might upset things. But at the band struck up again, he made a valiant and not wholly unsuccessful attempt to get into the swing of things. Well as best as he could.

OOC:

1. Ok I'm done here unless there is anything else to have. Joe'll happily enjoy the evening for all its worth, as I said at the beginning for the men who are not coming back if not for myself.

2. After escorting my date home, Joe will not be foolish enough to promise a follow up as with the war looming and other threats yet to materialise, things could get difficult.

3. Once I'm done here I'll get on back to the base and have a meeting with the others to discuss matters regarding this Devourer.

==========

Saladin/Anyman

Admin wrote:Just then Saladin heard Anymans mental call, and turned to speak to the Temporal Guardian...

The sudden and abrupt change, wasn't one he was expecting, but it was welcome as it gave him chance to snap back into the present. He couldn't help wonder if he could take out Trowers ancestor if he'd exist and that might cause some strange sort of loop.

Perhaps a last recourse, but the Guardian had spoken about matters unfolding in unexpected ways, perhaps the best thing to do here was to see out the present time line as it stood and see where it took him. If the future was in flux killing Trowers might well have unexpected benefits in a world devoid of a fixed future.

"Anyman, this is Saladin...I hear you and will be returning soon. I look forward to hearing more about what you are proposing." He finished with a small smile, relishing the awkwardness of being himself rather than King, the team preferred team-mate.

Admin wrote:From the trees the two DICE agents staggered, dazed and confused, before running over to Saladin. "Are you alright? We saw a bright purple light... then nothing! We must have - both - blacked out! What happened?"

"Nothing that need concern you gentlemen, I am returning to the base, I will leave you to catch up in your own time."

And without further explanation, Saladin speed off back to Bletchley under his own super powered means, interested in finding out more of what Anyman had proposed.

Sj