Thevshi

Veronica Once Kam indicated he was ready, Veronica released her grip on the handholds of the rockwall and pushed herself off to then come sliding down on the belaying line back to the gym floor. Once, down, the teenager proceeded to unhook herself from the belaying line before turning toward Corinne and Davyd as they approached. "A pleasure to meet you Davyd," she stated as she moved forward and extended a hand to the newcomer, "I'm Veronica Danger, welcome to Claremont Academy." As the girl continued to speak, Davyd could detect a slight accent that sounded like it might be French.

Some more info on the Midtown Restaurant https://www.tripadvisor.com/Restaurant_Review-g147354-d1046036-Reviews-Midtown_Restaurant-Tortola_British_Virgin_Islands.html http://www.b-v-i.com/RoadTown/shops.htm#Midtown Restaurant

Veronica Veronica listened as her friends made suggestions on what they would like for some lunch. "Okay, fresh seafood will be easy enough." She replied, addressing Davyd's request first. "And if we want to experience some local style food, the research I did back before we left Freedom City suggests that one of the best places for that in Road Town is only a few blocks away." The teenage Danger added as she turned away from the harbor and started walking toward the center of town. The group of teenagers started their way through the streets of Road Town, passing various shops, restaurants and other business along the way. Veronica paused briefly only a few times along the way, studying the streets as she appeared to match them up to a map in her head. Soon enough they arrived at Main Street, a narrow single lane street that wound through a residential area lined with a number of shops. Veronica brought them to a halt in front of some stairs that led up to the first floor of a four-story building. At the top of the archway over the stairwell was a sign that read "Midtown Restaurant." "Not at all fancy," Veronica stated with a smile, "but I understand this is a place the locals go and it is the best place in Road Town to find local cuisine, including fresh seafood."

Blur [PL 8] Abilities Str: 12 Dex: 18 Con: 16 Int: 12 Wis: 12 Cha: 12 Combat/Saves BAB +4 BDB +7 Tough: +6 Fort: 4 (+7) Reflex: 5 (+9) Will: 4 (+5) Skills: 11 (44 ranks) Bluff 8 (+9); Disable Device 8 (+9); Kn: Streetwise 4 (+5); Notice 6 (+7); Search 6 (+7); Stealth 8 (+11); Survival 4 (+5) Feats: Equipment 1; Dodge Focus 3; Evasion 2; Teamwork 1 Equipment: Arsenal Body Armor (+3 toughness) {3 EP} Powers: 1) Speed 8 [8 PP] 2) Quickness 8 [8 PP] 3) Enhanced Improved Initiative 5 [5 PP] 4) Super Movement 2 (Wall Running and Water Running; Flaw: Only while moving) [2 PP] 5) Superspeed Array 9 (18 PP array) (2 alt powers) [20 PP] BP: Strike 8 (Autofire; Accurate 2) {18/18} AP: Sonic Boom (Blast 8 ) (Area Burst; Zero Range) {16/18} AP: Thrown Objects (Blast 8 ) (Accurate 2) {18/18} Stats (24) + Combat (22) + Saves (13) + Skills (11) + Feats (7) + Powers (43) = 120 pp Notes: Blur is a speedster from West Africa. He began his mercenary career in several of the conflicts within Central Africa before being recruited by Arsenal. Like most of the members of The Arsenal, when working Blur wears a black outfit with black combat armor, which does not seem to slow the speedster down in the least. Neon Spider [PL 8] Atributes Str: 18 Dex: 30 Con: 20 Int: 12 Wis: 12 Cha: 14 Combat/Saves BAB: +5 BDB: +7 Tough: +6 Fort: 4 (+9) Reflex: 2 (+12) Will: 4 (+5) Skills: 11 (44 ranks) Acrobatics 8 (+18); Bluff 6 (+8); Notice 8 (+9); Stealth 8 (+18); Sense Motive 12 (+13) Feats: Acrobatic Bluff; Attack Focus: Melee; Attack Spec (Energy Lance); Challenge: Fast Acrobatic Bluff; Dodge Focus 4; Evasion 2; mproved Initiative; Teamwork 1 Powers: 1) Leaping 5 [5 pp] 2) Speed 2 [2 PP] 3) Super Movement 2 (Wall Running) [4 PP] 4) Bio-energy Lances (Strike 4; Mighty) [5 PP] 5) Super Sense 1: Danger Sense (Hearing) [1 PP] Stats (46) + Combat (24) + Saves (10) + Skills (11) + Feats (11) + Powers (17) = 120 pp Notes: Neon Spider is a female meta-human from Singapore in Southeast Asia. Unlike most of the other members of Arsenal, she does not wear any body armor, not wanting to have anything which might slow her reflexes. She does wear a black bodysuit, with dark green stripes along the sides and across her back and torso. Strand [PL 10] Atributes Str: 12 Dex: 20 Con: 18 Int: 12 Wis: 10 Cha: 16 Combat/Saves BAB: +5 BDB: +7 Tough: +6 Fort: 2 (+6) Reflex: 6 (+11) Will: 4 (+4) Skills: 23 (92 ranks) Acrobatics 8 (+13); Bluff 12 (+15); Climb 12 (+13); Diplomacy 4 (+7); Disable Device 12 (+13); Drive 2 (+7); Intimidate 2 (+5); Kn: Streetwise 8 (+9); Kn: Technology 6 (+7); Languages: French, Spanish (English native); Notice 8 (+8); Slight of Hand 8 (+13); Stealth 8 (+13) Feats: Accurate Attack; All-Out Attack; Attractive; Defensive Roll 2; Dodge Focus 4; Equipment 1; Power Attack; Takedown Attack 2; Taunt; Uncanny Dodge (Visual) Equipment: Arsenal Body Armor (+2 toughness) {2 EP} Lock Picks (+2 Disable Device) (1 EP) Powers: 1) Elongation 5 (drawback: Limited to her hair) [4 PP] 2) Speed 3 [3 PP] 3) Super Movement 1 (Swinging) [2 PP] 4) Prehensile Hair (32 PP Array) (1 alt power) [33 PP] BP: Super Strong Hair: Enhanced Str 18; Super Strength 4 (Feats: Chokehold; Improved Grappl; Grappling Finesse; Improved Grab; Improved Pin; Accurate 3) {32/32 PP} AP: Moving Things (Super Strength 16) {32/32PP} Stats (28) + Combat (22) + Saves (12) + Skills (23) + Feats (15) + Powers (42) = 142 pp Notes: Strand is an American meta-human and experienced thief. While working on a job in Freedom City, she encountered Bloody Mess, the Hound and Revenant. In exchange for information, the heroes had allowed Strand to escape, but suggested she leave Freedom City. The super-thief took the suggestion and relocated to Europe. While operating there, she encountered some members of Arsenal and eventually began working with the group.

The Arsenal The Arsenal is a group of mercenaries consisting of a combination of low-powered super-humans and highly-trained normals with specialized gear. I have used them in a few threads in the past (and had planned to use them in a couple of others but never got around to their appearance). The group originally appeared in a Dark Champions sourcebook, Justice, Not Law, where they were a far grittier, Iron Age group of killers consisting of former special forces and other military types. I clearly moved them away from that version, excluding many of the original members and adding others in their place, while leaving some original elements. I also took some inspiration from the Serpent Society of the Captain America comics in the late 80s/early 90s in choosing to focus on lower PL for the majority of the members. Arsenal [STATS TO COME] Other Members Blur; Neon Spider; Strand Fade; Bola; Incendiary Troubleshooter; Widowmaker; Firefight; Barrage

The Arsenal A mercenary team of low-powered supers and highly skilled normals. The Deadly Dozen Intergalactic group of super criminals. Pilot Templates For space fighter pilots (or possibly normal fighter pilots) Khanate Troopers/Special Forces Templates for regular troopers and special forces for space militaries (but could be used for Earth militaries as well)

Welcome back Darius! Fulcrum has been unarchived! We have a pretty big Claremont class right now, so a great time to join. Only problem is it is the start of Summer Vactaion now, so might be better to wait until the fall? (Of course you could always make the character and have them in some adventures over the summer and start Claremont in the fall).

Unarchived at player request

KNIGHTED by Fox Spending the following experience for Kath’lana and boost her to PL 10: 14 PP total 2 PP to increase BAB by 1 2 PP to increase BDB by 1 2 PP to increase Con by 2 4 PP to skills to add: 8 ranks of Diplomacy 4 ranks of Acrobatics 2 ranks Kn: Galactic Lore 2 ranks Kn: Technology 4 PP to Star Knight Armor, which adds 5 device points to be spent as follows: 2 DP to increase Offensive Capabilities (increasing the ranks of the various powers/alts 1 DP to add a rank of Impervious Will save the other 2 DP for now

@Dr Archeville @Heritage @RocketLord @Thunder King OOC for this thread. Here is another picture of Road Town from the north/northwest looking south/southeast, where you can see the inner harbor past where the cruise ships dock. Those hills at the top of the picture are where the PCs were driving along on their way in. About halfway up you can see where the road is by the clear cut in the trees.

Veronica Veronica smiled slightly as Pan marveled at the sight of the cruise ships docked at the main pier in Road Town. "Those are cruise ships, they are designed to carry thousands of passengers on recreational cruises. As for how they get so big and still float, well steel or aluminum hulls and wide and even displacement of their weight to keep them balanced." The teen responded. Veronica was pretty much dressed as she normally did, with brown khaki cargo shorts, a light grey T-shirt and her well-worn hiking boots. To this she had added a pair of women’s aviator Ray-Bans. The van continued along the winding road, and it was not too long before it was down at the outskirts of Road Town, making its way toward the harbor. All around the teens were brightly colored buildings and narrow side streets. As they got closer to the piers, the area became full of craft stores and gift shops. But it was not long before the van had made its way up to the edge of the inner harbor of the town, which was filled with dozens of sail and power boats of various sizes. Prudence directed the driver to a point further ahead, where a trio of men were standing, dressed in khaki shorts and white polo shirts. As the van drew closer, the “DI” logo of Danger International could be seen on the left breast of the men’s polo shirts. The van then came to a stop and the passengers were able to start disembarking. As they had experienced at the airport, the air was very warm and humid, with a steady breeze coming in off the bay. One of the men moved forward, a tall man in his mid-thirties with an athletic build. He focused on Veronica, moving toward the teenager. "Good morning Miss Danger, I am Arthur Coburn, the first mate of the Horizon, I would like to welcome you and your guests to the BVI." The man stated with a distinct British accent, glancing at the other teens with a small smile as well before focusing back on Veronica. "Thank you Mr. Coburn." Veronica replied as the two shook hands. "Allow me to introduce my classmates, Adam Lanchester, Pan Barrie, Louise Beaumont, and Davyd Palahniuk." She added, indicating her friends in turn. "A great pleasure." Mr. Coburn said with a warm smile as he shook each hand in turn. "And I believe you have been communicating with my assistance, Prudence, for the logistics of this trip." Veronica then added, indicating the other woman as she moved over toward them. "Ah yes, a pleasure to meet you in person finally." He started as he turned to Prudence to shake her hand as well. "And for me as well Mr. Coburn." Prudence replied. "Is everything ready to go?" She then asked. "Yes, the supplies are all loaded aboard the main tender." The first mate replied, indicating a nearly thirty foot long boat tied up to the pier nearby. The boat had a number of boxes and crates stacked up in the front, as well as over a dozen air tanks, more than half of which had a bright green and yellow band across them. "We also brought along the smaller tender to make sure everyone would have a comfortable ride out to the Horizon. So we are ready to get underway." He added, indicating a smaller boat, about half the size of the first. "Actually Mr. Coburn, after the long flight, my friends and I would like to stretch our legs a bit ashore and perhaps have lunch in town before making our way out." Veronica stated as the two other crew members began gathering the group's luggage out of the back of the van. If the change in plan bothered Mr. Coburn he showed no sign of it, giving a small nod even as Prudence had the slightest trace of a frown. "Understandable Miss Danger. We will leave the keys for the smaller tender with you then so you can depart when you are ready." He added, gesturing to one of the other crew members who was passing by and stopped to fish a pair of keys out of his pocket to hand over to Veronica. "Thank you, and where is the Horizon anchored Mr. Coburn?" The teenage Danger asked as she put the keys into one of the pockets of her cargo shorts. "Dr. Durant and her team have been making use of the time since we arrived yesterday afternoon to study the marine life around the Indians. So once you exit the harbor, just head south by southwest across the channel, you cannot miss us." "Wonderful, we will see you in a couple hours." Veronica replied as she gave a nod to Coburn and then exchanged a few words with Prudence before the other climbed aboard the larger tender, on which the group's luggage had already been placed. As the crew undid the lines for the larger boat and started to pull away from the pier, Veronica turned to her friends with a wide smile. "So, anywhere in particular you might be interested in starting?"

So Ari, as I mentioned to you in chat, I would be up for my Space Squire to be there on the space side of things.

Archived at player request

Tortola, British Virgin Islands Monday, June 24, 2019 (10:34 AM local time) A white van made its way along curving roads that twisted and turned along the lush green hills along the southern coast of Tortola along the way to Road Town. In the back of the van sat Veronica Danger and four of her classmates from Claremont Academy, Adam Lanchester, Pan Barrie, Louise Beaumont, and Davyd Palahniuk. When Veronica had learned that she needed to come down to the Caribbean almost immediately after the school year ended to help a Danger International team that was investigating a recently discovered shipwreck, she had invited some of her classmates to come along. The group had departed Freedom City early this morning aboard a Danger International private jet, landing a short while ago at Terrance B. Lettsome International Airport on Beef Island, where the van had picked them up. Now they were on their way to where they would be picked up by the Danger International research vessel. The teenage Danger had been eagerly anticipating the trip. While she enjoyed being at Claremont, she also found the time there somewhat….constrictive, as she was not accustomed to being in one place for so long. If it had not been for trips to Africa over winter and spring breaks, Veronica would likely have gone stir crazy. But now it was summer vacation, and this was but the first of a number of locations she would be visiting before the fall. The teenager was pulled from her thoughts by a voice from the front passenger seat of the van. "A launch from the Horizon is already waiting at the docks for us. Several of the team went into Road Town to pick up supplies." Stated Prudence, the almost omnipresent twenty-something employee of Danger International that had been given the daunting task of trying to oversee the schedules for both Veronica and Janus Danger while the cousins were at Claremont. As was typically the case, Prudence had her tablet in hand, studying the screen, seemingly indifferent to the breathtaking view outside the van. From the winding roadway, the van’s passengers had a mostly unobstructed view of the clear blue waters of the Sir Francis Drake channel to their left, along with several of the southern British Virgin Islands in the distance. Out on the water were a number of sailboats, catamarans and yachts of various sizes, either moving through the channel or moored in one of the many bays along Tortola or the other islands. "Thank you Prudence." Veronica replied with a small grin, shaking her head slightly before looking back out the window at the water beyond. Then the van turned a corner to the right, and the teens in the van caught sight of Road Town and its harbor below. The clear blue waters of the bay were filled with boats, from small single person sailing ships to a large cruise ship pulled up to the main pier.

Veronica Danger (21) Lari of the Mummy (8) Sky Pirates (1) Mud Pack (2) Dead Men Tell No Tales (6) Dakana Summer: The Spiders’ Lair (2) Dakana Summer – The Turquoise Coast (1) Dakana Summer – Islands in the Sun (1) Paradigm (MAXED) (2) Praetorians: Shards of Time (1) Praetorians: Return to the Fold (1) Squire Kath’lana (3) Stellar School (2) Sword and Shield (1) GM (8) Praetorians: Return to the Fold (1) Crash on Volturnus (3) Lair of the Mummy (1) Praetorians: Shards of Time (1) Sword and Shield (1) Dakana Summer – The Turquoise Coast (1) (give Veronica enough GM/rollover posts to help her, then the rest to Kath’lana, Ref point to Kath’lana)

Veronica Dr. Nassry gave a small smile and a bow of his head at the compliments and thanks from the three teens. "I would be a poor host if I did not provide you a fitting welcoming dinner that showcases several of my country’s best dishes. I only hope I am not setting expectation too high, as I am afraid we will not be able to eat quite this good every night." Veronica gave a warm smile between bites as she saw her friends’ excited reaction to the food. Of course, she knew Kam had experienced a variety of more traditional foods throughout Africa, so there had been little doubt he would enjoy the fare. And while some of the dishes might be new to Elizabeth, Veronica had come to recognize the other girl's zeal at trying out new things, so it was little surprise she had taken a wide sampling of foods. Veronica herself had taken some of most everything as well, having had the opportunity to try all of these foods a number of times in the past. "We greatly appreciate the meal Dr. Nassry." She replied. "And will understand that other meals are not likely to match this. And truly, if all of us are as hungry as I was after only part of an afternoon’s work, I am sure we will not be judging whatever food we get." She added with a smile. As the meal progressed and she was able to speak a bit more freely with Kam and Liz, Veronica gave a small nod Liz’s suggestions for making their way away from camp later that night to begin exploring the pyramid. "I think Liz has a good idea. Instead of just trying to sneak around, saying we want to go out for some stargazing is likely a better cover. It gives us an excuse to move further to the west of camp, further away from the town and that puts us close to the pyramid." She glanced over to where Prudence and Dr. Nassry were talking. "And Prudence generally knows we are here to further investigate the pyramid, so she can help provide us some cover."

Up the wall above the student handling the belaying line, a female student was making her way up the colorful handholds along the wall. She was dressed in dark green cargo shorts, a red T-shirt and a pair of well-worn hiking boots. Half-finger black leather gloves covered each hand and her long brown hair was pulled back in a ponytail. Coming to a halt less than seven feet from the ceiling of the gym, the teenager looked to her right, where the rockwall jutted outward to create an overhang along that section of the wall. Pausing a moment as she focused on one the handholds along the overhang, she released her hold with her right hand and let her right foot come free as well. Shifting her weight as she turned slightly to the right, the teen swung her free leg and arm back to the left before reversing the momentum and swinging to the right. As she did, she launched off her left foot and released her left hand as well, propelling her upward through the air toward the handhold at the edge of the overhang. Catching the handhold with her outstretched right hand, the teenager swung to the right before swinging back to the left and pulling herself up to reach up and catch another handhold with her left hand. Now somewhat stabilized, if still just hanging from two handholds with her feet free, the teen glanced downward to spot the other three students approaching the wall. "Hey Corinne, Leroy." She called out as she pulled herself further up past the overhang and to another section of the wall. "Be down in a sec. Ready Kam?"

Paradigm Planet Kobalii, During the Communion Incursion The collision with the rockwall of the chasm was more an annoyance to Paradigm than it actually hurt the Naram. Stepping out of the large indention in the rock she had created, dust and bits of rocks dropping from her as she did so, the Praetorian took in the scene around them, spotting the Communion needle ships in the air as more zipped overhead. Hazmat quickly took to the sky, apparently ready to attack the Communion ships. Even Moon-Moth seemed ready to lash out at the enemy that had cost them so much. Paradigm could well understand the impulse, she herself wanted to fly up there and begin tearing into the Communion forces. But there as a bigger issue at hand, the entity that had brought them here, and what this pace was, exactly. Looking about at the Grue drones running in panic around them, Paradigm suspected that this was one of the Grue worlds that had been taken by the Communion during the Incursion, or at least a very good temporal shadow of one. But given that everything around her looked as it would be expected to, rather than the slightly off appearance of the time shadows of the Deadly Dozen the robed entity had summoned during her initial encounter with the entity on CoVic Station the Naram suspected that they were actually in the past. "Do not act on impulse Myothizar." She stated to her old friend. "We do not know where, or even when, we have been sent by that robed entity, but until we know more we should not just rush in conflict, even as deserving as the Communion may be."

Veronica As Àjàṣorò climbed aboard the back of the Danger Cycle, Veronica took a moment to note that Astrid and Micah appeared to be handling the pirates that had come through the portal created by the cannonball that had pierced Zennith's dome. Satisfied they had things well in hand, the teenage Danger revved the engine of the flying motorcycle and took of up into the sky, heading toward the pirate ship that Pan had gone toward. In short order Veronica brought the Danger Cycle up over the deck of the ship, slowing down to hover to allow Àjàṣorò a chance to jump down onto the deck. She then glanced about, trying to take in the scene on the ship in order to decide her next course of action.

Veronica Veronica gave a small smile at Kam's friendly teasing about her family’s tendency to eschew more traditional archeological practices. The afternoon sun continued to move toward the west, the air cooling slightly in the process. Thankfully the angle of the sun allowed the three teens to primarily work in the shade. The work was somewhat tedious, but the three soon fell into a steady rhythm, working on their designated sections, though it was sometimes hard to tell if they had made any real headway. By the time the sun was far to the west and the other members of the excavation team started to get ready to depart for the evening, the three Claremont students had managed to come across a handful of pottery fragments, but not much else. "I know it may not seem like much," Veronica said as she individually wrapped up the pieces they had found in some cloth to be stored for the evening, "but it is not at all uncommon to work for weeks, sometimes months or years in an area and not find much of any significance. So, I’d say for a first day we are rather ahead of the curve." Once the three had gathered their things, they made their way back to the pods that would be their sleeping quarters while at the site. There in the common area between the pods, they found Prudence and Dr. Nassry waiting for them, one of the tables set up with several dishes of food. "Ah, there are our young friends, done with a tiring afternoon’s work." Dr. Nassry said with a smile as he spotted the three teens. "In honor of your first day as our guests, I took the liberty of having several common Egyptian dishes brought out for our dinner." He stated, gesturing over towards the set out food. "First off we have a variety of kababs." he continued, gesturing a variety of skewered meats. "I wanted to be sure you had a wide selection, so there is rabbit, pigeon, chicken, duck, lamb and beef." "Then we have some ful medames." Dr. Nassry continued, indicating a stew that appeared be made of fava beans with parsley, onion, chill pepper and other vegetables visible in the mix. "It is of course served with sliced hard-boiled eggs." He added, indicating a plate of the sliced eggs that sat nearby. "Another vegetarian option is kushari." He stated, identifying a large plate of a dish that appeared to be made of rice, macaroni and lentils, with tomato sauce, chickpeas and crispy fried onions included in the mix. “There is some eish baladi to go with everything," he added, this time indicating a plate of thick pita style bread. "And finally, for desert, I went with two options." Dr. Nassry continued with a smile. "We have some basbousa," Dr. Nassry gestured to a plate of small cakes topped with walnuts, "and some Om Ali." He finished, indicating a large bowl of what appeared be some sort of bread pudding. Veronica gave a warm smile. "Thank you Dr. Nassry, it all looks wonderful." She said as she took a plate in order to get a little bit of everything.

One thing RL, White Lioness is where Veronica is, as Veronica is piloting the Danger Cycle and White Lioness is riding along.

GM Giirok's powerful blow sent one of the Khanate soldiers flying backward to slam into a wall and slump to the ground unconscious. The remaining Khanate soldiers seemed somewhat more hesitant about the situation, as they tried to back away from Giirok and Vannox, keeping their weapons leveled at the escapees and their rescuers. Barrox leveled his large energy weapon at another of the Khanate soldiers, firing a powerful blast that knocked the withdrawing solider off his feet and to the ground. "We cannot let them delay us too long or they will be able to bring up larger numbers and more powerful weapons!" He called out as he moved slightly away from the hole in the arena wall. The other various aliens that had accompanied Barrox continued firing at the Khanate soldiers, but this time proved rather ineffectual, with only one managing to hit one his target, only to have the energy beam absorbed by the soldiers’ armor. Vannox rushed forward after the withdrawing soldiers, downing another with his glaive. Only two Khanate soldiers remained on their feet, appearing almost near panic, causing both to miss their shots when they fired at Vannox and Giirok. With that last ineffective attack, the two remaining Khanate soldiers turned and began to run.

Next turn: 22 Barrox (unharmed) 21 Sovereign agents (many) 12 Vannox (unharmed) 11 Khanate soldiers (many) 8 General Giirok (bruised, 2 HP) Barrox takes 10 to blast another Khanate soldier with a Power Attack (-2/+2), so that guy will go down automatically. The other rescuers short at the Khanate soldiers, but this time only one hits. The Khanate solider actually makes his toughness save. Vannox closes with another Khanate soldier, also power attacking (-2/+2) and taking 10 to auto hit and taking the bad guy down. The two remaining Khanate soldiers fire at Giirok and Vannox, but both miss. Back to the general, there are now only two Khanate soldiers left.

And Hazmat, Barrier, Moon-Moth and Paradigm are also getting a HP as well

GM Aboard the Devotion The four Praetorians remaining aboard the Devotion had done their best to keep a sensor lock on and communication open with the group who had gone aboard the Lor research station. However, once the four had closed with the station, it became difficult to maintain the connections. The sensor locks and comm. line would fluctuate in and out, almost as if they ceased to exist and then returned. However, shortly after the group had entered the station, there was a major increase in the quantum energy from the station, and the readings on the team became extremely faint. But Moon-Moth had little time to consider this development when a robed figure appeared on the bridge of the Praetorian spacecraft. The figure was tall, completely concealed within a tattered, hooded black robe. No face was visible within the hood of the robe, only a shadowy darkness. As she saw the figure materialize, Paradigm rose quickly to her feet. "You!" She cried out as she took flight, starting across the bridge toward the robed figure. However the Naram Praetorian did not make it very far before the robed figure raised one of its arms and began to gesture. "You Praetorians shall not interfere in my plans again." Suddenly the area around the four Praetorians began to blur, as the bridge of the Devotion began to fade. Then the four found themselves in a rocky canyon, Paradigm smashing into one of the walls and creating a large crater from her impact. Dozens of red skinned Grue running past them in the canyon. There was the sound of faint explosions somewhere in the distance and they could feel the ground shake beneath them. As Hazmat glanced around, she realized they were in the hive city on Kobalii. The chaos around them was consistent with the first true memories the independent Grue had when the Communion had attacked the Grue world and it had been cut off from the Meta-Mind. Sure enough, a trio of Communion needle fighters streaked overhead, firing their silvery energy blasts at some distant target as they went…