Supercape

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!

GM "She sure does...and some mighty sting in the tail!" chuckled Mr. Sting, greedily, licking his lip. "Now then, how about you ah..produce...some of that their poison you were talkin' about?" he said, salivating at the prospect. "I bet that..." A gust of wind, cool and strange, blew out from the tunnel ahead. The giant scorpion, locked in its wooden cage, got skittish - some animal, nay insectiod, instinct telling it that something weird and eldritch was ahead! And lo, the insect was correct, for from the tunnel came two forms - a man made of smoke, and a devil made of dust!!!

GM There was the sound of faint, half-crazed laughter as smoke and sand raced through the Mesa once more. This time, however, the Dust Devil was both faster and prepared. The trip through cracks was even more torturous and dizzying than last time. The Dust Devil could feel strange dimensions at his sandy finger-tips; the insane asylum spellhold, on lapping green oceans, the deadmoonlit world of faceless grief, playing his endless laments to hiw wife on his violin, the grey entropy of the murk, where a bowler hatted blind Neanderthal watched, somewhat shocked, as they brushed dimensions. And then, they were in a tunnel, with cool wind blowing around them... And voices up ahead... Continued In...Sting in the Tail!

GM "The path to enlightenment is not easy, for if it was, everyone would take it!" replied Adbul, as some twittering dog sized dinosaurs skipped around his form, wondering what on earth was going on. "The risks they took, well, I am sure they considered them worthwhile! You only see the tears, not the joy! But I see there is nothing that can bend your path, not one fraction. It seems indeed that the Mesa requires a fool to protect it, and that was why you were chosen! Come then....let me show you the depths of the Mesa....if you dare follow?" he laughed, mocking the Devil. And with that, his smoky body seeped back into the Mesa's cracks and caverns....

Echohead The young man caught up in this dimensional web of terror - Fascimile? - was in a state of panic, or confusion - or quite probably both (how often they went together), and thatm given he was clearly possessed of formidable suitablepowers, was dangerous for everyone! Echohead was not best fond of mind wiping persons, but right now, it seemed the only safe thing to do. Or, to be more precise, it was the least dangerous thing to do...for there was no getting away from it...they where in deep trouble, the lot of them! So, he reached inside Fascimiles mind and started pulling away at the memories of the last minute. See if that helped!

Echohead can try and do that Ari - but his psionic power is limited to removing thoughts / memories / feelings, not creating them. I would imagine a mind-wipe of recent events would serve the purpose, though! (can at least try!)

GM That's bad! The thought was fleeting, but pressing. She had never been subject to being crushed by a slab of masonry before, and, whilst always open to new experiences in principle, it really wasn't on her things to do list today. Or any day. With snakeblood reflexes, she dived out of the way, towards the mystery bearded man. Whom, she noted, was either showing humanity by rescuing the girl, or following her commands. Or, she added to herself, doing both! "Lets get out of here before we get crushed!" she said, giving a little cough from masonry dust. And now, it really was time to run! Save skin first, ask questions later!

Reflex save! Reflex Save: 1d20+10 26

GM Abdul actually stopped to think about what the Dust Devil said, but had a response that was measured. "A dealer? No...no, I don't think so. I give. There is no deal. I do not ask for money, or favours, or even adulation - although I confess our little group at Freedom City University does somewhat elevate me" he replied. "And I am no so foolish to realise I desire such adulation, and not so unwise to think I do not, in some measure, deserve it" he said, cold now. "But there is no demand. There is no deal, as you put it. You may twist my actions to suit your own ego, but it but twisting of facts. I make offer without asking or demanding anything in return!"

GM There was some suspicion, of course. They were - underneath the courage - frightened. Memories and minds blanked out, and now under investigation for terrible crimes. There treatment had been fair, all things considered, but still, this was a difficult and stressful situation even for the resilient. Speaking in Russian did apply a little oil on the wheels. And whilst Anglo-Russian relationships were strained, the English did not have quite so worrisome a stereotype in comparison to the States. Fifty years of cold war was not quickly disregarded. "<How?>" was the question, which was straight to the point. "<We don't remember anything>", said with heavy tongue - a refrain they had clearly been saying over and over again which was at best half-believed.

GM Rev caught the crash out of the corner of her red-eye. She didn't get why it happened, but she knew enough about what happened. It was a crash, and a bad one. She felt the racing urge, to step on the gas and win whatever. She gripped the wheel slightly tighter, and felt her foot twich, wanting to press her buggy harder. "Grrr....damn it" she said through gritted teeth. She slammed on the brakes and the car slid around. "Sorry, Facs, gotta help him. I hope you can mimic a first aid kit!" she said, her course now committed to helping the man, although irritated the race was lost.

GM "You probably will" conceded Abdul. "Much to the misfortune of man. Ah, it is terrible that someone like you, whom can navigate the bountiful dimensions of the mesa is so constricted. Perhaps, then, this is why you were chosen. Only the narrow-minded and blind would serve and protect so blindly, I suppose. At the end of the day, are you not just a tool?" "What if I showed you the Great Race of a million years in the future? Or the burning world of ideas, with islands floating on the northern lights? Would it make difference if you could see the lake of souls? Or wander the inside and outside of the puzzle box?" he asked, each temptation dropped with genuine eagerness.

Sorry missed this! Will Save: 1d20+8 16

Snakebite "Everyone has to get out of here" said Cassie, refining the philosophy. She pulled back her wrist - not that she didn't agree with the man's sentiment in trying to get her out - but rather, she needed to act independently. And she was a lot stronger than she looked. The east side looked collapsed beyond hope; it would most probably take too long to shift, even with concerted effort. There really was no way to pick another exit other than, as the man said, the nearest one. "Lets get going. And pick up any stragglers!" she concluded, making the way to the exit, but mindful to try and pull up anyone who was knocked down...

GM Adbul looked genuinely dissapointed. "Really? I show you beauty beyond time, I show you the ancient history of our world, and still your eyes are full of mist!" he said, both sad and a little angry. "Ah! If you are so small, then I wonder why the Mesa gave you such power?" he mused, irritated with the questions - and answers - he posed himself. "But I must ask now - and you must answer truthfully - what is your intent when you find the Snake? For I suspect you are ill disposed, at best. You wish to impose your will on others, and do so with the impunity that power brings!"

So you do have some time on route to do some knowledge / research checks, although as noted in previous thread there is nothing on Red Dawn or Mother board, other than the fact that there are no internet references linking either of those two terms with Darwin - X, suggesting an extremely powerful deletion. You do have the medical and physical data on the Russians as new information. Enough for Synapse to make a knowledge (Beh Sciences) taking 10: if made, she can

GM And so... Another flight in the WEST jet. This time, back to the states! The flight was another six hours, even with the souped up engines of the jet. And the travelling was bumpy. No science could control the weather- at least yet! North tried to catch a few hours sleep - for unlike Replica he was made of flesh and blood and caffeine only took you so far. But it was a light and unrefreshing sleep. The plane set down in Freedom City without incident, and the three of them went to the FBI holding facility just out of town. Security was pretty tight, as might be expected, but North got them through - although they were "escorted" by four armed guards at all times. The three captured Russians were in solitary, but well looked after. They were watching TV, exercising, or playing cards. Fed and watered, and given some basic luxuries. Nobody, yet, could work them out. All psychological and physical data had already been sent to North, and nothing outstanding was evident...