Thevshi

You have left off Overshadow (and by the same token, Scarab), though not sure if a constantly resurrecting soul counts or not (though Overshadow has basically figured out a workaround on that).

Paradigm As the group was talking, several beings in the uniforms like those worn by the two individuals Zhu and Lexa had first encountered when they had arrived at the station arrived on the scene and began cordoning off sections of the area that were damaged in the fight. Several bystanders began to come closer to the scene now as well, as things started to go back to the normal routine. Lawrence tried to brush off Zhu's attempts to mother him as he responded, "yeah, thanks Zhu, I am fine. Nothing ever touched me." Paradigm glanced around a moment then looked back at the teenagers and Lawrence. "Of course you are welcome as our guests until we can arrange for you to get returned to Terra." She stated. "We should make our way back to our headquarters, it is not far, just on the other side of the Main Plaza." As they began walking, the paragon responded to Lexa’s question about who the kidnappers were. "The various simulacrums that we were facing were copies of a group of super-criminals the Praetorians faced a few cycles ago when the seized control of a Lor colony after escaping a prison ship they were being transported on. As for the robed figure, I am afraid I do not know who, or what that was." "As for getting you home, we can contact your Freedom League. I assume they should be able to help locate your families." Lawrence had been walking near Seresk and brightened up slightly at this comment. "That should be easy," he began, "my mom is a member of the Freedom League."

GM SFX Moving forward towards the sound, SFX had no trouble moving to the edge of the crowd and blending in without anyone questioning her presence. There were a lot of late teen/early twenties Asian males that she took to be members of the gang they were here to investigate. While SFX heard some English being spoken, it seemed the gang members primarily used Cantonese when speaking with each other, which mean that SFX was able to only pick up a fraction of what they were saying. From what SFX could tell, there did not appear to be anyone she could see so far that seemed to be being held against their will. The weapons she had detected earlier would be relatively easy for her botnet to get to, should the need arise, they were just a bit spread out around the main floor of the warehouse and the loft above. Jessica Jessica's guide stopped as she did giving her a sly grin. "Don't worry, the fun will start soon enough. Your friend was paid because he brought you to help provide entertainment, but, as much as I might wish otherwise," he glanced down at the rest of Jessica a moment before looking back up, "it is the boss who decides who gets to spend time with you first."

Paradigm If Paradigm was somehow insulted by Zhu's impromptu hug she did not show it, instead she gave the teen a warm smile and a small hug in return with one arm. Seresk, who had hopped down off the rooftop and followed Paradigm over, also did not seem offended, giving her a gentle pat on the head with his large four fingered hand. "You are most welcome little one," he replied in his gravely voice, "I am just sorry I was not able to fully protect each of you." He glanced over at Rev as the other teen came back over to the group. Lawrence also offered his thanks, looking up at the towering Seresk with a smile and fascinated curiosity. Paradigm listened to Zhu's summary before replying. "This is Coalition Victory Station, more commonly referred to as CoVic Station. We are in a solar system over twenty thousand light years away from your home system." Paradigm replied, holding up a hand to cut off anticipated reactions to the distance they were from Earth. "But, the station is also located next to a wormhole that connects to one that lies at the outer edge of your solar system, which greatly reduces the time to travel from here to Terra."

GM A slightly conflicted expression crossed Commander E'tten's face. "I am afraid much of the wormhole data we have here is restricted." He replied in an apologetic tone. "I would have to contact my superiors in order to provide access. There are likely research facilities on Magna-Lor or CoVic Station that may have wormhole data that is not restricted." He was quite a moment, as if thinking and the quickly added, "however, the data we do have that is unrestricted relates to a few isolated incidents when some spacecraft have disappeared while traversing the wormhole network starting from this entry point. The most recent of which occurred less than two standard rotations ago."

Paradigm Like Galvanic, the unusual field generated by the robed figure made Paradigm feel as if she were suddenly weighed down, every movement an effort. But the Naram paragon fought against the feeling with all her strength. Just at Galvanic's electrical blast struck the robed figure, knocking it off its feet, Paradigm managed to surge forward, covering the distance between her and the figure as she swung her right hand as hard as she could. The two combination of the two powerful attacks slammed the figure down onto the rooftop. The figure tried to push itself back up, but was unable to, the dark emptiness of the hood looking up at the nearby Praetorians. "I….did…..not….focus….enough…power…for…this…battle…..next….time…I….shall…be…better...prepared." And with that the figure crumbed into dust. As the robed figure disappeared, the remaining Simulacrums that were starting to close back in on Lawerence all faded away as well, bringing the battle to a sudden end. Paradigm and Galvanic felt the effect of the robed figure’s last attack fade as well. Letting out a slight breath, Paradigm activated her communicator. <"Elite, notify the station peacekeepers that the situation has been resolved. There is a bit of cleanup to be done, as we made a bit of a mess."> She stated in Gal Standard. She then looked over at Galvanic. <"Could you please go check on Magnetar. I will see to our young Terran allies."> The Naram paragon then drifted over to where Zhu and Lawrence were standing, landing a short distance away. "Greetings," she stated in English with an accent unlike any either of the two had heard before. "I am Paradigm, leader of the Praetorians. You handled yourselves well. Tell me, what was all this about and how did you come to be here on Coalition Victory Station?"

The robed figure gets a 23, which is another bruise and dazed. Paradigm will use a HP to remove her fatigue and make a charge attack and all-out attack (+2 attack), power attack (-2/+2) to try to punch the robed figure. She hits with a 29 for a DC 35 toughness save. The robed figure gets a 23 again, so he is now staggered and dazed. This will bring combat to an end, as will be covered in IC posts.

Okay, not!Cor is still trying to get back to the fight with his single move action, not!Sai'x recovers from being dazed by SFX. Galvanic is up!

GM The combined onslaught of Paradigm's heat vision and Galvanic's electrical blast knocked the robed figure off its feet, sending it down onto the rooftop dazed and hurt. Over away from building, Seresk looked at Zhu and Lawrence a moment, "I shall be back momentarily little ones, we need to try to defeat the one that appears behind all this." The large reptilian humanoid stated, before taking a couple of running steps and then leaping into the air, arching up towards the rooftop where the robed figure lay. As Seresk came down, he swung the spiked club end of his long tail at the robed figure, the powerful blow striking true. But somehow the robed figure managed to withstand the blow with no further effect. Down on the plaza concourse, the female simulacrum encased in a rocky covering started toward Rev, but did not quite reach the teen. Meanwhile the short squat simulacrum fired another blast of energy at Paradigm, but just missed the Naram paragon. Up in the air, the dark clad simulacrum that Rev had attacked managed to recover from her attack. Up on the rooftop, the robed figure managed to recover from being stunned and smoothly rose back to its feet, the black void of its hood turning to regard the three Praetorians that had managed to bring it to the ground. "I…..unprepared for…..this battle….." It stated in partially halting words, as if there were some sort of static or gaps in a recording. "Must….quick end….......recover key." It finished, as it waved one of its sleeve covered hands out in front of itself. As it did so, a visible distortion of time and space flowed outward, washing over Seresk, Paradigm and Galvanic. All three Praetorians felt as if time around them slowed down, could feel their bodies wanting to freeze and come to a halt. Each resisted the feeling as best as they could.

Seresk is going to leap over to attack the robed figure, making a charge attack (+2 attack), he hits with a 27, DC 28 toughness save. The robed figure gets a 36 for its toughness save, so is fine. Not!Adiri will move toward Rev, but not quite reach her in a single round. Not!X’madi will get back to her feet where she landed. Not!Santri will fire a disintegration blast at Paradigm, but just misses with a 21. Not!Amikri recovers from being stunned. Round Six 49 Robed Figure (bruised 2, dazed) 28 Lawrence (unharmed) 25 Rev (bruised 2, 4 HP) 22 not!Cor (5) (bruised, staggered) 21 not!Sai’x (6) (bruised 3, staggered, dazed (rd 5)) 21 Galvanic (bruised 2, 3 HP) 20 Paradigm (unharmed, fatigued, 3 HP) 19 SFX (unharmed, 1 HP) 18 Seresk (bruised) 17 not!Adiri (9) (bruised, staggered) 11 not!X’madi (10) (bruised, dazed) 9 not!Santri (11) (staggered) 3 not!Amikri (12) (bruised) The robed figure will shake off its daze (+1 HP to Galv and Paradigm) and get to its feet. It will then unleash a targeted area Paralyze effect hitting Galv, Paradigm and Seresk with a 22. It is a DC 25 Will save effect. Paradigm gets a 23, so is slowed. Seresk gets a 28, so he resists the effect. Lawrence again take s his Total Defense action. Rev is up!

That hits, not!Sai’x gets a 17 so another bruise and dazed once more. She is knocked back 125 feet in the air.

Tsunami Tsunami glanced over at Crimson Tiger briefly, giving her friend a smile and then looked back at SFX, the smile still in place. "That should work very well." She replied. "See if you can spot anyone that appears to be a hostage. If this becomes a direct confrontation, focus on keeping any gang members away from the heavier weapons they have in the building." With that Tsunami gave a nod back to Crimson Tiger and the three heroines made their way into warehouse, Tsunami and Crimson Tiger slipping off on their own once inside. The two older heroines disappeared into the shadows as SFX started making her way through the rows of shelves toward the section of the warehouse from which the lights and music were coming.

Okay, Tsunami gets a 29 on her stealth check to sneak into the warehouse. Thunder, you going to roll for Crimson or just rely on Skill Mastery?

The robed figure gets a 21, so a second bruise, still dazed.

Paradigm Paradigm saw Galvanic fly up into position and get ready to attack. The Naram then turned back toward the robed figure as she pulled her right hand back. "I would say you waited a bit too long to take any direct action." She said as she swung her right fist forward, focusing all her strength into the blow. *WHAM* Paradigm's fist slammed into the invisible barrier, the sound of the impact echoing over the battlefield. The space between her and the robed figure seemed to distort and bend for a brief moment, then almost shatter before everything returned to normal. Not feeling the barrier in front of her any longer, Paradigm focused her gaze on the robed figure, as her eyes turned red and a concentrated beam of heat flashed out to strike the figure squarely, knocking it over.

Okay, Paradigm uses the full round action to break the force construct around the robed figure. The force construct is assumed to get a 25 on its toughness save, while Paradigm’s damage bonus is +31 (+18 Str +13 Super Strength), shattering the field. She will then switch her array to heat vision, surge and power attack (-2/+2), getting a 22 to just hit, DC 29 toughness save, the robed figure gets a 22 for bruised and dazed. Galv can use her readied action, the it is SFX’s turn.

Here is an updated map Ecal.

Not!Amikai misses his toughness save, picking up another bruise and dazed. He makes his fort save against the drain. Not!Cor is still slowly moving back to the fight (with a single move action) and not!Sai'x gets back to her feet. So, Galvanic's up!

GM Around the gathered heroes, several of the simulacrums that had been previously hurt and dazed had recovered and were getting themselves back to their feet. Up in the air, the dark clad simulacrum steadied itself, then aimed a hand at Zhu. A bolt of electricity shot forth, heading straight towards the Chinese teen, but at the last moment, Seresk’s large form stepped into the path of the attack and the lightning bolt glanced harmlessly off his thick scales. Up on the nearby rooftop, the robed figure considered Paradigm as the paragon hovered in front of it. "It appears I must take more direct action." It stated as it raised one hand, which was still lost within the tattered sleeve of its robe. A powerful blast of energy streaked out towards Paradigm, but the Naram managed to dodge aside and the blast shot off into the distance before dissipating. Down on the main plaza level, the reptilian simulacrum that had shot Magnetar came rushing over next to Lawrence, but no sooner did it appear near the ten year old, than Seresk's spiked tail club came whipping over to strike the simulacrum from one side. The impact knocked the simulacrum flying, but it did not travel very far before it disappeared. Lawrence seemed to ready himself for any other incoming attacks as he nodded at Zhu's question. "Yeah, I can try to keep up." He replied.

Okay, not a whole lot of activity here. Seresk readies an action and prepares to use Interpose. Not!Adiri stands up. Not!X'madi recovers from being stunned where she landed. Not!Aantri also stands up. Not!Amikri will attack SFX, hitting with a 15, but Seresk steps in front of her, taking the hit with no effect. Round Five 49 Robed Figure (unharmed) 38 not!Varlis (2) (staggered) 28 Lawrence (unharmed) 25 Rev (bruised 2, 4 HP) 22 not!Cor (5) (bruised, staggered) 21 not!Sai'x (6) (bruised 2, staggered) 21 Galvanic (bruised 2, 3 HP) 20 Paradigm (unharmed, 3 HP) 19 SFX (unharmed, 1 HP) 18 Seresk (bruised) 17 not!Adiri (9) (bruised, staggered) 11 not!X'madi (10) (bruised, dazed) 9 not!Santri (11) (staggered) 3 not!Amikri (12) (bruised) The robed figure will decide to act, attacking Paradigm, but misses with a 19 Not!Varlis will run over next to Lawrence, at which point Seresk uses his readied action, hitting with a 23 for a DC 28 toughness save. Not!Varlis gets a 15 which would be a second staggered, so he is out. Lawrence again uses a Total Defense action and readies and action to follow SFX. Rev is up!

Tsunami Tsunami smiled slightly as SFX provided information on the interior of the warehouse. "As she was unable to detect any individuals off away from the main group, if the missing people are here, they are either mixed in with the gang members or somewhere SFX was unable to get information on." The Asian young woman said. "Right now there is a lot of noise and distraction where the gang members are, should not be too hard to get inside and get somewhat close, so long as one does not somehow make a lot of noise." She then added. "She should be able to trail a bit behind without attracting attention."

Paradigm Galvanic's electrical blast knocked the robed simulacrum off his feet, sending him flying backward. But he never connected with anything, disappearing as he was defeated instead. Paradigm took a moment to quickly survey the scene around her. The simulacrums of the Deadly Dozen had thus far been dealt with rather efficiently, the only one who had really not been engaged being the mysterious robed figure that had apparently somehow summoned the simulacrums. The Naram paragon decided it was time to change this. "I do not know who you are," Paradigm stated as she began to fly toward the figure, "but clearly this is all your doing and it is time to bring it to an end." But before she could reach the figure, she slammed into some invisible barrier surrounding it. The impact was hardly enough to cause her any harm, but did stop her momentum. Pulling back her fist, Paradigm slammed it into the barrier with a audible *WHAM* the impact of which kicked up dust around the pair. But there seemed to be no discernible effect on the barrier. "Everyone, stand ready to attack if I can knock down this barrier." Paradigm called out, first in English and then repeating the instruction in Gal Standard to ensure Galvanic heard.

He only gets a 16, which is a second staggered, which means he is out! Paradigm will switch her array slightly to add another rank to flight, dropping Super Strength by one (ot 13 ranks, Grapple +43) and she will fly at the robed figure, only to hit an invisible barrier around it. Any damage she might take from hitting that will easily be soaked by her impervious. She will then attack the barrier (power attack -2/+2), hitting, the barrier makes a toughness save vs DC 35, getting a 38, so it remains undamaged. SFX is up!

Updated map.

GM "Likely best to try to approach by night." Laark commented. "The pirates may have access to technology to overcome that, but they may also be complacent if they do not fear that any of the natives here can be a threat to them." "If we can get near without being noticed and can watch them for a bit, I can see what I might be able to do to overcome any defense systems they may have." Soreen added. The group fell back into following Ermorda and the Kurabanda through the dense forest. They stopped for a second night, which passed uneventfully. The next morning they were off once more, and by mid-afternoon reached the shore of a vast lake. The lake appeared to be several kilometers across, the far shore very distant. It continued toward the south and the north, opening up considerably to the north. As Starshot and his crew looked out at the lake, the could see what appeared to be some sort darker patches scattered along the surface of the water. "Kurabanda forests surround black water." Ermorda explained, pointing generally toward the north. "Demons from far sky that direction." The Kurabanda stated, pointing along the shore of the lake to the south.