Supercape

GM "An earthquake" replied Cassie, neutrally. "....that is bad timing. Too bad timing for me to casually put it down to coincidence. It might be just bad luck, but..." "I dreamed of the past, of calamity and ruin and earthquakes. Maybe just a dream, but...but I think there is more to this" she said, firmly. Perhaps Neil would put it just down to superstition, perhaps not. Irrespective, she wanted another look at the temple. If possible. "Its a good haul, I know. But I can't walk away. Not quite yet" she said. If nothing else, I want to see if my dreams of the past match up with the present!

Rev "No problem! Its a beautiful car, I would hate to see it banged up any more!" said Rev, walking over and lifting the car comfortably over her head. "Don't ask" she said to the onlookers, as she walked it off to the side of the road out of harms way. As she did the heavy lifting she continued talking. "If something came at you...why? what? who?...." she babbled, before clamping down on her mouth and talking more coherently. "I mean...this race isn't safe if someones trying to sabotage it. High speed collisions can get ugly" she said, remembering her own terrible crash. "Who would want you out of the race? and why?"

Snakebite "Thats good, but...I don't think we should head back to electricity and McFries just yet" answered Snakebite. "Something happened here, and I need to know what it was" Besides which, she had a ring apparently welded to her finger. She could hardly ignore that. She pulled at it almost absent-mindedly, with the vague hope it might somehow fall off. "Lets wait till daybreak and then explore the temple more. See what we can dig out. That is..if you are up to it?" she asked, a slight llight hearted jibe to propel Neil into action.

Mr. Murk "I think it will be" said Mr. Murk, with a fair degree of certainty. The future was hardly clear, and yet he caught glimpses and fogged views of it. And, by his estimation, Tsunami's balance was good at worst, admirable most likely. "The first rule also, however, applies to inaction. The Codus requires us to use reasonable effort to prevent another Immortal's death. Now, this does not mean exposing oneself to risk, or the such like. What it does mean, however, is that we try to avoid such deaths. A case in point would be not to hand over an immortal to a country or organisation that would, in all likelihood, inflict capital punishment..." "How does this sit with you? For my part, I would not support any capital punishment, but there are those that consider it appropriate for vile crime...." "The principle here is that with infinite years comes infinite opportunity to repent"

GM "No...no I don't" replied Greenfingers, slowly and full of sour mood. "What are you arresting me for?" demanded Smokey, indignant. "I didn't do nothing. Except....maybe resisting arrest! Well, I ain't going to not get no arrested for not doing no nothing!" he protested, mangling his multiple negatives in a vague attempt to bamboozle the heroes as to what he was actually saying. More importantly, with a burst of remarkable speed and agility, he did a legs first leap into the vehicle he and his bandit friends had come in. "See you later, folks!" And he ignited the engine...ready to make a getaway!

Snakebite "If we are here for the night, I guess I can put my boots up..." replied Snakebite, putting her boots up and glad for a chance for a breather. She felt the sweat from her dream, cold on her skin. The ring was a problem. But not one, it seemed, she could solve right now. "I guess we go look at that temple again. Or what's left of it. Once its light" she said, having no wish to rummage around in the dark, irrespective of her own visual acuity at night (Which was excellent), other people stumbling around was not her idea of fun. "Whats our provisions and supplies looking like?" she asked. Water always first on her mind, but food was important too. And besides, this kind of expedition might need pickaxes, ropes, flashlights, and all sorts of caving equipment. Not to mention the normal tools of the archeologist.

GM "Ain't seen no leaf like that before" said Mr. Sting. He kept his knife in his hand and advanced towards the Dust Devil and the still-smokey Abdul. "I ain't no botanist either. And It ain't really my business about who smokes what or gets high on whatever. 'Sfar as as I can tell, everybody can do what the hell they damn please" He grinned the grin of an anarchist. Which was, evidently, precisely what he was. "That is, unless they get in my way. Sounds like Abdul here, he gettin' in my way...." he said menacingly. "You gonna find yourself eating or drinking something one day, boy, and then its gonna feel like a little twang in your belly first. Then you gonna be lettin' loose your insides, one end or another. And then both. Then, yer gonna find yerself drowning in yer own blood. And I'll make sure it ain't quick, and it ain't pretty...."

Starshot The Ul-Mor! "Good idea" replied Shatshot, brightening. "Not easy" he added. "But it is worthwhile..." "In any case, we need to abandon this base. As you say, its only a matter of time before they notice it has fallen, and then try to retake it. Or worse, just bombard it. I don't think we can risk using it is our base. We need to strip what we can into the flyer, including the G-bikes, and relocate" he said. As far as he could see, there was no option here. True, it was not urgent, but it could be mere hours before a counter attack was launched, and it would not be one they would survive. Or, given it was in the middle of the desert, one they could flee. "I suggest we rebase in the forest, or at least next to it. With our victorious freinds. Then, we should see about making contact with our Ul-Mor freinds. See if they will help!"

GM "Old man? Im fourty!" protested Mr. Sting. This might be true. Mr. Sting looked like he was fifty. But he had a wiry, weathered appearance that could be due to sun and dust rather than age. Whatever the case, whilst small and thin he had a fast, wiry strength to him, it seemed. "I didn't sell Abdul no leaf. I don't deal in leaves. Not unless they got poison in 'em, and as far as I know, no damn leaf got any poison in 'em - at least, not any poison worth talking about" he protested. "Toads, snakes, insects. Maybe even a jellyfish. That's where the real juice lies!" he says, eyes glinting when discussing his specialist topic. "Thats what he would say!" hissed Abdul, still smoke, into the Dust-Devil's ear. "Look at him...does he sound right in the head?" "Abdul...you lying pig!" grunted Mr. Sting. "I'm going to slice you open and make you squeal...." Mr. Sting was angry now, drawing out a small knife from his belt, not much more than a table knife really. It did, however, look like it was coated with something very unpleasant. And toxic...

GM If one had ultrasonic hearing, surely one would notice the thrum and hum of disruptive subsonic virbations thrumming and humming through the air! But it appeared Yasser Sanu was still a man, and not a dog. A man infused with Daka-power, of course. But whilst he was crackling with energy, and most probably had a number of Daka-powers, they apparently did not extend to ultrasonic hearing. He was blissfully aware of the Scarab's silent blasts of sonic energy, and - given the "relaxation" chamber was quiet anyway - was also apparently blissfully unaware of his new (albeit temporary) deafness! The Scarab's blasts had done their job!

Snakebite "A little wan" replied Cassie, honestly. She was drinking as much as she could; she well knew the dangers of dehydration, especially in this climate. She was feeling more than a little wan, truth be known. But...positive mental attitude! "For starters, my memory seems shot" she said. "I remember going in to the temple, Raymilla, the Cuespac who built it, and the moon to whom it was dedicated. After that...well...its a mixture of grey and black" she admitted. She omitted mentioning the ring. For now. "Mind filling in some of the blanks whilst I drink my own bodyweight?" she asked, politely, still chugging away.

Diamondlight 12 PP on Powers Environmental Control 5 (Bright Light, 100' Radius, Feats: Precise, Flaws: Touch Range [-1]) "Emit Light" [6 PP] Teleport 5 (500' a move action, Feats: Change Velocity, Flaws: Short Range Only) "Light Flash" [6 PP] Illuminated - TA

GM "Ah may have told Mr. Abdul here about the Mesa" admitted Mr. Sting, cautious and on the alert. He was sweating, and it clogged his thinning hair to his damp brow. Then again, by the looks of it, Mr. Sting was always sweating. It was hot here, even in the tunnel. "He looked like a mighty fine gentleman, if you so please. And he paid me, too!" he added, getting to the heart of the explanation. Now that the danger was ramping up, he had changed his tone from contemptuous to corteous in a mercurial moment. Abdul whispered softly, his voice and breath smoke, directly to the Dust Devil. "Here is a snake...a low life murderer. A master of poisons and venoms, except every poison is also an medicine. Its all a matter of doses!" he said quietly.

Red Rat has a built in radio communicator in her head!

GM North was impressed. "That is excellent work!" he concluded, offering Synapse a seat to sit down on, and a cup of tea (of which he was most fond). "I shall alert the relevant authorities and intelligence agencies...of course" he started, before considering the matter a little bit futher. "But this is dangerous, and time is of the essence. Between the Sleeper, who can apparently inflictrate anywhere, and Mother Board, who appears able to hack the world with ease, it is unlikely that we can keep this information secret long. I can only imagine the FBI is comprimised" he started. "Our cyber-defence systems are the best in the world, I can assure you!" started one of the suits in the room. "Yes, and I doubt that will be good enough" replied North, a little more curtly than he had anticipated. "Mother Board, whoever she - or he - is, is on another level to what you have dealt with before..." He turned back to Synapse and Cubismo. "Which means time is of the essence. And any delay means they may have time to clear out our one and only lead!"

So noted, technically that fatigues Synapse, but I doubt it will be pertinent as there is time enough to rest.

The Red Rat "Am I a people person?" wondered the Rat, aloud. It was an interesting question. She was paranoid, in a sense. On the run, the life of a spy, head on a swivel. Deeply ingrained from so many pressures over so many years. The question made her think. "I'd like to be a people person" she replied, honestly. "I would like to trust. But sometimes, trust gets you killed. Or worse" she replied, just as honestly. "But I guess you have to put your faith in something, or somebody, or you end up cold and empty..." "But I think what you mean is can I handle people. Sometimes. People aren't exactly predictable...but sure, I'm a spy. Of sorts. I can do the talking!" "And I don't trust our employer either. We need to find out what this place is hiding. Are you with me? It may not be...exactly...legal..."

So for the purposes of PLOT, Synapse will, to a degree, succeed. But what else? Make a mind reading power roll, with a +2 bonus from reading and understanding the psych profiles (as above) DC 10 (Automatic) The Sleeper is indeed behind this. More so, you bring up some memories of being trained in a secret, and small, facility in Moscow [complete with enough memories to actually go to this small building]. The soldiers themselves were all previously special forces trained - legitimately by the Russian government, but they then appeared to have been side tracked through mental manipulation into a programe lead by the Sleeper. DC 20 DC30

GM It was fair argument, and eloquently put. The soldiers were rather out of options, and whilst they were not full of trust, they agreed. For they to wanted to know exactly what had happened to their brains. Having them peeled off and blanked out was a disconcerting experience. "<Very well>" came the answer. With a bit of diplomatic wrangling, the three soldiers (under armed guard, of course) where taken to the infirmary, where the vitals (EEG, ECG, BP and so on) could be monitored whilst Synapse did her thing...

GM "We are here!" whispered Abdul, laughing at his own philosophical joke, for everyone is always where they are, and everyone is always when they are, too... Except, maybe, when they are at the magic mesa! "The snake is here, the snake is here!" he yelled down the tunnel, still able to speak and laugh and shout despite being made of smoke. And mad of smoke, too. "Abdul, abdul is that you?" hissed an incredulous Mr. Sting. "Stupid rich kid, wanted me to take him to the Mesa" explained Mr. Sting to Venomax. He was somewhat annoyed at this interruption, for his mind had been engrossed in Venomax's stories of potent venoms! 'Im made of smoke!" said Big Mama, behind them, quite redundently. She hefted her shotgun, although a shotgun blast to some smoke and dust would be just as redundant.

Kn History: 1d20+15 19

Starshot nodded grimly, scratching his chin and scar. "Its the long game" he replied slowly. "But, I admit, it is a very long game. It may take years for the Edestrekai to revert back. I am no sociologist...but I think you are right, beliefs do not die fast. Or easy" "But equally I can't see how we have any hope with the Jaas whispering into their minds all the time. If that continues, any chance we have of an uprising has gone" he said, grim and gloomy. He clenched his fists in frustration and then breathed out, trying to exhale some of the adrenaline soaked sweat in his body. "The ideal would be to get the Jaas to convert to our side. Use this religion to our benefit, not theirs. A poisonous venture...I never trusted religion, or war, and nothing is so bitter as religion married to war" he said, remembering the faux religious trappings of the Nazi regime. His feelings on the matter where complicated; he had seen religious beliefs, if doctrimated, allow the most blatant cruelties. He had seen religious beliefs - in spirit - potentiate the greatest nobilities. Whatever the case, he found using religion a toxic task. "But every road ahead is a grim one, yet we must choose nonetheless" he said, bluntly. "But perhaps...not yet. For the first order of business is surveillance. Understanding the pirates, the religion, the Jaas, and the Edestrekai..." "What is the range of those g-bikes? and how far to the pirate base?"

Snakebite Now that was faaar back! It was unusual to have such post cognitive visions asleep or unbidden, but they did happen every so often, when trauma or terror permeated through space and time. When she voluntarily tried to force her mind back, it got chaotic at the best of times, and vast time-distances created more and more disintegration of the vision. But for now, she was getting back awake, and finding that burning ring painful. Which, in a sense, was a helpful focus to bring her back to the here - and - now. In an attempt to cool it off she reached for her water and sloshed it over her hand, trying to cool it. And then...study it? Was it hers? Or had it come with the dream?

Ok so the thread now merged with Dust, Sand and Smoke (not planned that way, but it seems the best way to handle the scene transitions) Following on from the slightly clumsy on my part two threads that lead up to this (sorry, but no harm done!) Dust Devil - 3 HP - Unharmed VMX - 1 HP - Unharmed We are not in combat so feel free to post reactions, etc!

Ok we are jumping about a bit but it made sense to me to merge the threads by diverting it onto Sting in the tail!