Thevshi

I forgot to note, Heroditus and Danica get a Hero Point for this unexpected turn of events.

@KnightDisciple Looking around Micha sees no sign of Ben. Now that he has had a moment to look around, he realizes they are not in a forest, but a jungle, with high, triple canopy trees above them. The three of them are standing in a mostly clear area that seems to run along a slight elevation to one side and a relatively flat area to the other, with lots of thick undergrowth along each side. While he cannot get a good view of the sky due to the thick jungle canopy above them, something about the humidity in the air makes Micha think there might be a rain shower on the way.

Go ahead with some Notice checks. You can make any other check you might want to as well.

OOC for this tread. Please give me some Notice checks, and any other checks you might want to make.

Location Unknown Date and time unknown: Saturday March 7, 2020 at approximately 10:04 AM China Standard Time (CST) The rocky, cold terrain of the hillside had become a blur of color around Danica and Heroditus. Then the pair felt a slight jolt and everything returned to normal. Only, they were no longer in the cold foothills of a massive mountain range at the edge of a desert. Instead, the pair found themselves standing in a brightly lit open area, a hot sun bearing down on them, a fact not helped by the heavy humidity that hung in the air. Looking about, Heroditus could see no trace of the portal that had brought them here. Glancing ahead, Danica saw the edge of what appeared to be a very thick jungle that spread out to either side. But as the pair turned around to take in their surroundings they both were slightly taken aback by what lay behind them. The jungle wrapped around the clearing and to steep side of a rocky spire that towered over several hundred feet into the air, with rugged, jungle covered hills behind it. But perhaps even more surprising was the structure built into the base of the rocky spire. Three sloped sides rouse upward dozens of feet to a flat area, wide stone stairs going up the middle of each side. Atop the flat area was a small, columned building that was clearly built into the side of the cliff that appeared to Danica to be of a Greeco/Roman style. But Heroditus realized the structure was of an Atlantean design….

Veronica Danger Veronica listened to her various teammates as they discussed different approaches to exploring beyond the portal. While a part of her felt it might be best to stick together, she also recognized the wisdom in at least a few staying behind to keep an eye on things on this side of the portal and that Heroditus was likely one of the best choices, given he was the only other one that could actually see the portal. "Alright, I agree it is a good plan to have some of us stay behind to keep an eye on things here, and Heroditus and Danica seem like good choices for that." The teenage Danger stated finally, turning to Danica to answer some of her questions. "We are not exactly sure anything is keeping the scientists on the other side of the portal by force. Given its nature, they would not have even seen it, and would be unlikely to be able to find their way back to it with much ease. It also appears to open and close at presently unknown intervals, so that could be part of it as well. As for being able to get back once we go through, Astrid has access to the Bifrost, and I should also be able to come up with something if I need to as well, so we should be covered on getting back when we want to." With the decision made, the teen moved forward in the direction of the portal. "Okay Ben, Astrid, Micha….how about we see what is on the other side?" She said with a small grin. Veronica then turned toward the portal and started forward as the other three Claremont students followed after her. As the group entered the portal, everything around them began to warp and shift, the rugged, rocky terrain ahead blurring into a collage of color. Then there was a slight jolt and they were no longer standing on a sunny (if cold) mountain side. Instead, they were in a shaded forest filled with heavy vegetation. Tall trees towered above them, vines hanging down from thick branches dozens of feet above them. It was also no longer cold, but hot and humid. Veronica turned around to look at her teammates, looking past them with a slight frown. "The portal has closed." She stated, just as a slightly puzzled look came to her face. "Umm, where is Ben?" ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Danica and Heroditus had been standing back and watching their teammates. To Danica, the four teens had just seemed to blur out of existence. For Heroditus the scene played out very differently. The Atlantean teen had seen the quartet enter into the portal, but even as they did, he saw the outer edges pulse as it became unstable. The teen could barely began to shout a warning when the portal began closing, even as it cascaded toward the pair and sweeping over them. Danica had just a sense of Heroditus tensing with alarm when everything seemed to Warp around them.......

Dee had just smirked slightly at Kay and Eira's glares and bickering. "Well, is not something we have exactly been advertising." She replied to Kay in reference to her pregnancy. "But thank you." When the suggestion was made by Mette for them to move along the Englishwom nodded in agreement as they started toward the exit. Once outside, she took in the seemingly idyllic scene near the Studio. "Well, how about we just start off in the direction opposite the way to the airport and see what their might be to see." She offered to the group out loud. Let us see if there are any good opportunities for a few of us to break away and try to take a closer look about the place.

Synapse She is a teenager and fully in a rebellious awkward phase, but I am not sure being in her robotic body is a source of significant angst for her, given the alternative she was facing. Dee replied to Klara's comments about their young Swedish friend. The Englishwoman gave a small smile as Eira responded to Mette's questions about Kay. "Well, that is a rather succinct explanation, if short a few details." She stated as she followed closely after Eira into the entrance to the Studio and taking in the apparently holographic image inside. There is a fair bit more to say about Kay, but suffice to say that her robotic body was funded by the British government and the development project overseen by one of the founding members of Vanguard, a man named Headcase. Which raises a host of other problems, which might be a bit too much to go into at the moment. "Cheers Kay, good to see you once more." Dee responded with a genuine smile as she gave Kay a hug in return. "I should have brought my bikini, although, not quite a beach ready as I was a month or so ago." She added, gesturing down to her abdomen which was starting to show her pregnancy.

Synapse (1) Bubblegum Heart (1)

Synapse Well, if there was a general power dampener on, we would not be having these private little thoughts amongst ourselves. Dee replied to with a small smile at Klara. When Eira mentioned having limited access to the web, the Englishwoman looked over at the Swedish teenage robot. "I hope you are not overly shocked by that. Perhaps Kay will have a more open network you can access." As Eira and the robot driver got into a literal hissing match Dee had to force herself not to frown. Well, if little miss sunshine here keeps on like this maybe they will be so busy focusing on her we might have a bit more freedom to poke around. She replied to the members of Vanguard over the mental network. I have the impression that all of this strikes a little close to home for Eira. "Well thank you for the efficient transport." Dee said to the driver as they reached their destination. Climbing out, she looked up at the building Kay had claimed as her own.

Moved to address some issues

Veronica Danger Veronica fell in line behind Janus, not necessarily one to shy away from leading the way into the unknown she knew that Janus was the better choice to focus on any potential threats while Veronica tried to figure out a way for them to get back home. The teenager gave a small laugh at Janus' comment about hoping they had not been pulled into a time dilation, and the amount of time that might pass before it was noted that they were missing. "That would be the worst. Luckily I did not sense anything when we shifted to suggest there was any change in time, but I was not exactly closely watching for that." Janus led the way forward, the light from the camp lantern brightening the way as Veronica followed. Janus noted the stone of the walls and doorway were worn and covered with what appeared to be spiderwebs. There was also a layer of dust on the floor as Janus moved forward into a hallway beyond the room into which they had appeared. The hallway ran to the left and right from the doorway Janus exited. Directly across was another similar doorway, the room beyond lost in shadow. Janus could see faintly down the hallway to the left, making out another pair of open doorways some twenty feet down the hall before it ended in what appeared to be a T intersection. The light Janus has noted previously was coming from the right side of the hallway, where there was another T intersection, but at this one there was a large open window high up on the wall through which the faint blue light was shining, and appeared to be steadily brightening.

Veronica Danger Veronica gave a modest smile at Kam's comments, true though they might be. Having only just met Murine, the teenage Danger was not as attuned to some of inconsistencies Kam was observing and kept her focus on Murine. "Well, even with the availability of modern travel today, there are still many around the world that do not venture very far from where they are born, so I would say you are off to a good start in terms of seeing more of the world" She offered as Murine mentioned this being her first time leaving England. At the other teen’s question, Veronica gave a small nod. "Yes, the adjustment to being in one place has been one of the biggest for me since I started here. Though, I have gotten to do some travel still, although for short periods. Since last year I have made trips to Egypt, the Caribbean, parts of African and the Middle East, Brazil, and eastern China. So, I probably cannot complaint too much."

Synapse Oh, there is certainly a fair bit that is not on the up-and-up Dee responded to Mette's question about things seeming too good to be true. At the very least the sky is some sort of holographic projection on a massive scale. At the very least likely to interfere with aerial surveillance. But perhaps it serves a secondary purpose as well Also interesting that all the refugees who have been here awhile have at least some cybernetic implants. The Englishwoman added. Not completely artificial however, I am still detecting mental activity from all of them, unlike our Swedish friend who is fully artificial. When Murine reported being cut off from the shadow plane that provided her her powers, Dee quickly responded. Easy Murine, calm down. I am not exactly sure why there is something here interfering with that, but I doubt it is just because of you. I do not expect they have much information on you at all. More likely it is a more general deterrent for some other villain organizations with powered operatives that tap into the Schattenwelt.

At the moment you just hear the shouts (as Casey has REALLY good supervison). As for whether you notice anything with Casey.....you and Heri can work that out

Veronica Danger Veronica’s smile widened slightly as Muirne asked where she was from. "The answer to that rather depends on how you define what it means for someone to be 'from' any particular place." The teenage Danger answered. "My mother is French, my father from here in Freedom City originally. I was born in the south of France, but after I was a year old, my parents began traveling again, taking me with them on archeological digs, scientific expeditions and humanitarian missions all over the world, with just some good old exploring mixed in as well. I have been to every continent, travelled to some of the most remote places in the world and all manner of locations in-between. In fact, my time spent here at Claremont has been the longest I have been in any one place for one continuous amount of time since I was a year old."

Might as well thrown in a Sense Motive check as well, roll absolutely terrible and get a 22

@Dr Archeville @KnightDisciple @Electra @Grumblefloof Could use some posts to keep us moving.

Veronica Danger Veronica frowned slightly as her cousin began taking in their surroundings a bit more carefully. Similar to Janus, it was more in annoyance than any significant concern. "I am not sure yet." She said in reply to Janus' question about whether they would be able to return to Prime as easily. "It almost seemed like the mirror in the manor was triggered when I activated the magic in one of my amulet's gems. So, I can probably try that again, although cannot say for certain it would take us back to the manor." The teen replied as she moved the lantern closer to the stone edges of the new portal to study it some. As Janus turned about in place to take in their surroundings, they could see they were in what appeared to be a rectangular room with stone walls and a vaulted ceiling that rose well over a dozen feet above. There were no windows on the walls, and they were standing by one of the short walls of the rectangle, on which the other obsidian mirror was fixed. The other longer walls were smooth, fitted stone with no markings or carvings. They could just make out the far wall at the other side, a dark open doorway visible, through which Janus could make a faint light from somewhere beyond. "Might be helpful if I get my symbols out of my dimensional storage before I go and try to trigger the portal." Veronica continued as she turned to look at her cousin. "But, might be a good idea to do so away from this thing, just in case that triggers it as well."

Veronica Danger Veronica chuckled slightly as Murine asked about her relation to Janus. "Not a coincidence at all, Janus is my first cousin. Even though they lived most of their life outside of Prime, they visited enough over the years that we grew up close." The teenage Danger responded. As Murine mentioned her visit being in part for the benefit of others back home, a slight look of curiosity came to Veronica’s face. "So where is back home?" She asked. "Your accent sounds mostly English, but with a slight variation."

OOC for this thread. Veronica and Janus both get a HP for not being able to try to get away before they are transported away from Danger Manor

Veronica Danger Veronica had been studying the now uncovered object with a slightly far-away look, which tended to indicate she was using her mystical sight. As Janus gave their initial warning and then drew out their magical blade, Veronica glanced back towards her cousin, whose blade shined like a beacon to her eyes. The fact Janus was considering this dangerous enough to summon their blade was not lost on Veronica, who turned back towards the object. "I was not planning too much poking at this just yet." Veronica replied with a small grin. "Least not till I might get a better idea what exactly it is. There is magic in it, but…faint and hard to get a good read on." As she spoke, Veronica picked up the lantern the pair had been using to give some additional light in the area they had been working. Moving the light closer to the large object, she began to look a bit closer at the archway itself. As she did so, she shifted the magic in one of the gems in the amulet she wore around her neck to possible help her in her examination. Even as she did so, there was suddenly a slight HUMMMM that began to emanate from the object. Some of the carvings on the stone gateway began moving, shifting in place. "We might want to back away!" Veronica said as the object became active. But even as she spoke, the smooth black surface of the center of the object clouded over with white to then suddenly clear up to a mirrored surface, reveling a seemingly endless mirror reflection of Janus and Veronica within its depths. Glancing behind them, the two Dangers saw that somehow the mirror reflection continued out in the other direction as well, everything else around them just black nothingness. Then, almost as quickly as the mirror reflections appeared, they seemed to collapse back towards the two teens who felt a firm jolt. As the area around them started to come back into focus, they saw they were no longer in the attic of Danger Manor. Instead they were standing on a worn stone floor, stone walls just visible in the shadows at the edges of the light cast by the lantern Veronica was still holding in two directions. The pair were standing in front of a nearly identical object to the one they had uncovered in Danger Manor that was affixed to another stone wall.

Veronica Danger Once Veronica had unhooked the bungee ropes, she had slid down the ladder up to the platform and made her way over to the tour group as Kam introduced her to the visiting student. The other teenage Danger gave Murine a friendly smile as she focused on her. "Wonderful to meet you Murine, I am sure you will find this a wonderful experience once you begin in the Fall." There was the slightest hint of an accent as she spoke. "Good idea to visit before you actually start. There is a lot to take in, and it might not always get covered in the orientation tours at the start of the school year."

Taking a look around, Synapse gets a 36 on her Notice check and a 35 on her Kn: Technology (unless she might get the bonus from Eidetic Memory, in which case the Kn: Technology roll would be a 39).

Synapse Well, I am the one most qualified to investigate anything they might be doing here that is not above board, which also means they will probably be keeping the closest eye on me. But, as long as any of you do not get too far away, you can be my eyes. Dee had responded over her mental network. The Englishwoman let the conversation die off for a moment as the plane finally touched down inside Ruland, keeping the mental communication open. After debarking, Dee kept close to her teammates, but casually glanced about at those waiting to greet both the members of Vanguard and the refugees, but carefully taking in any details she could. <"Best of luck in your new home."> The Englishwoman offered the refugees in perfect Spanish before leading the other members of Vanguard off to the side toward the waiting van and what appeared to be their driver. "Cheers, we are Vanguard." She said in greeting as she came over towards the repurposed Foundry bot.