Supercape

Synth Lots of shaking up....a time of chaos and loose morals, no doubt. Someone came in, took over the company either explicitly or in the shadows, subverting it? or at least using its resources to fund a dubious science program...and AEGIS? were they involved? How? Why? Too many questions, climbing around her head. And Sarah to deal with. "I'm just a woman who would like to get to know you better" she smiled. Part of her felt a wave of noxious guilt. Part of her succumbed to the memories in her head. Lena Kurtis, a neuropsychologist with an open mind and, she had joked to herself, open legs. Quite the remarkable woman, in her eighties with the energy of someone half her age, Lena had been a romantic bohemian in the sixties and had always laughed about her time of free love without regret. Those memories seeped into Synth and she found herself accepting them with an embrace, for they were an antidote to guilt. "I'm only flirting with you" she half laughed, unashamedly. "And saying thanks too" she explained. "I was a bit worried about this place. I had heard AEGIS was involved. And this is Freedom City. I don't want to get involved with capes and cowls! Too much excitement of the wrong type..."

Starshot Pleased with himself, Starshot stepped forward, flicking his helm back up and the safety on his plasma rifle. Still charged, but he could do with replacing the pack. "Cain, you blood sucking piece of pig dung" he sneered. "I was never in this for the money" He prodded Cain with a boot. "But you have my attention. You might wish you hadn't. Tell me why in the seven hells you are trading in Baby Sky Tyrants" he demanded. "You saw they nearly ripped you in two. They would have, if me and my friend here hadn't taken them down. Perhaps we should let them" Satisfied the immediate threat was over, he shouldered his rifle. "Gear" he called out. "You alright? Our mutual friend seems to have a dangerous business..."

Starshot He couldn't resist a pump of the fist as Cain went down. It was a perfect shot on a perfect enemy. Bullseye! He was interrupted in his celebrations by the crash and bang of Sky Tyrant against trees and, more pertinently, Gear. His duty to his ship - guest now swam back. Gods! I hope...no...he is made of steel, that one! He spun round and sped back to where he had come from, leaping over a strange armoured squirrel thing the size of a goat who paid him no mind, chewing peacefully on a purple leaved flower. His gun came up again. Too big for a web-shot...he concluded, and flicked on the plasma ejector cell. Another blast of crackling yellow energy hummed through the Jungle, slamming into the Sky-Tyrant...

Move action: Run towards Gear and Sky Tyrant. Standard action: Fire! Shifting +4 DC, -4 Attack, and -2 Attack +2 Defence, for a total attack roll of 16 which I think hits (as a minion), a defence of +14 (this round) and a Damage 12 effect (DC 27 Toughness)

GM "Duke beat your ass..." mumbled Duke, slowly getting up. He had a swelling black eye, and bruises peppered his body. He was missing a tooth. Was that new? He took a foot forward, but covered in mud, standing on mud, and ears ringing, he slipped over and fell over again. He was breathing heavy now, his fury starting to cash in on his body. "How come you so strong? Duke is strongest" he said confused. "You hurt mama, you hurt Billy Bob. Don't make no sense. Nobody ever hurt Billy Bob. He was one that did the hurtin'" he mumbled, eyes still trying to focus. Rosa was clawing at the vines, and beginning to make a little progress as they slowed their writhing. "Kimo, please...catch my brother. He is sick...he doesn't know what she is saying!" she said firmly. To both Kimo and herself.

Synth "Everyone has a history" she replied, Enigmatically. "Impressive" she commented, touching her lips in contemplation with one hand. She was almost unconsciously playing along with the femme fatale archetype, some bubbling memories of female scientists in her head. The idealised vamp of dreams. She cautiously embraced the memories, feeling the edges of her ego dissolve. "I mean, Impressive salary. And view" And Sarah, after all, was a good person. Or appeared to be. The charm was not entirely one way. "And what about the people at the top? Williams and Knight? Do they have a story? Do you have a story about them?"

Red Rat "Don't taunt the bear. Good advice. From a political and wildlife perspective both" she agreed, hastily. She didn't want to be eating atomic laser vision as an early breakfast. "Its..ah...not radioactive is it? I don't react to well to radiation" she asked. She hadn't felt herself growing a vestigal tail, or coming out in pustules of purple ooze, but then again it affected her in a lot of ways, some subtle and insidious. "I mean, nobody does. But me, particularly. Darwin-X survivor, as you probably know. Tends to be helpful, the viral changes, but not around radiation. Tends to be pretty unhelpful" she explained. Although she suspected the strange scientist might knew that already. "In any case, you have me at a disadvantage, professor. I know your name, but not quite how you mean to make amends. And what exactly are you making amends for? I mean, Russia has a strange history, and many people did things they would rather not have done...."

A good question and one I cannot surely answer. Underwater, in this swamp is probably pushing it - but how about we allow it with an HP or extra effort?

GM It was extraordinary that a seven foot tall man of that build could be lifted, let alone thrown, and Captain Hammer could not believe his eyes, his jaw agape. His reflexes went to sleep, and Duke crashed into him. He was knocked a dozen feet through the swamp, churning up mud and algae, and cam to lie flat on his back, out stone cold. Duke sat on his large behind, wobbling and dazed. "Wubble wubble...." he muttered, his eyes pointing in different directions. His adrenaline could only take him so far. Behind him, Kimo could hear the swamp creature slink into the river proper, submerging in a slimy hiss of bubbles...

Ok that helps! I have no end in mind, though! I suppose I don't quite see it as winning / losing, but more that some decisions sometimes have to be made which means whilst most people live reasonably content after, not everybody lives happily ever after every time. Anyway, without further ado: that crit certainly adds a lot more oomph to a knockout victory! Tough vs Being thrown: 1d20+9 21 for Duke. with a bruise already, and mindful that I completely got his toughness wrong, that is actually a roll of 16. Vs a Damage 24 effect makes dazed and another bruise. Captain Hammer on the other hand: Toughness save vs Duke being thrown into him: 1d20+2 10 is knocked out. Ok so playing a little loose with initiative right now: Duke is Bruised x3, Dazed Swamp Creature is Bruised x2, Injured x2, and 60' Away underwater Rosa is ensnared (and effectively not breaking out for a while) Everyone else is KOd. Kid K is up again.

It is probably just a Bond type thing and not needed, but taking 10 on Sleight of Hand for a 20 result; stuffing a kitchen knife up her sleeve.

Red Rat A cold shiver went down her spine as Sokolov's words. To date, SLAVE (or anyone else, for that matter) had not been directly able to hack into her mind, only the eyes that she saw through. But the possibility had always disturbed her. She hoped anything involved her amygdala was strictly sensory in nature. Frankly, she didn't dare look, and besides, organising a discrete MRI scan was easier said than done. Superior Soviet Technology Triumphs! Doctor Sokolov is hero of Communist State! Assist! Assist! "Ah yes, appease the politicians. Or get shot. That was my recollection" she said, a trace of bitter sarcasm edging into her words. She wondered for a moment about secreting the kitchen knife up her sleeve, just in case the bear got a little frisky. "And what about your marvellous creation, Doctor Sokolov? What's he doing?" she pointed to the atomic bear on her couch, directing his attention, and slipping a knife up her sleeve just in case. If he spotted, she hoped he would understand. She was a paranoid spy, after all. Part of the training. "Is he part of making amends?"

GM Jane barely moved. A slight parting of lipstick'd lips, exhaling. A kind of hard blankness fell over her face, a thousand yard stare that suggested the question and answer had circled without end around her skull. "Blowfish" she said, dry as a desert. The word was focus for her, and end to that circle. "Not that I have any proof, but its a clear as crystal. Blowfish was in love with my sister, wanted to possess her. Not the only one. But she was no man's possession. She wanted to run away, escape. Maybe Blowfish couldn't handle losing her. Maybe Blowfish couldn't stand other men gazing. Most likely he was scared she knew too many of his secrets and would sell him. Frankly, she probably would have. She was brave, and she needed the money" "Only thing Blowfish loved more than my sister was himself. Probably hurt him to do it. But he has an iron heart if needed. Cold and hard" she said, bitterly. "I don't want to set the woooorld on fiii-iiire! This one is to all the jilted lovers out there!" said Amber through the speaker, before launching into a loud, pointed, and languid jazz version of the song. Blowfish huffed, his tic magnifying, and his eyes and brow speaking of vexation.

Ok cool ill resolve this later but just sounding you out as to your preferences as a player: I tend to go for hard choices and unclear wins as a gm: they resonate in memory. I am not however a crushing gm that enforces brutal defeats either. So just sounding out your tolerance and preferences regarding hard choices, unclear endings and so on. What's your feeling? I don't want to push you somewhere uncomfortable

Synth Guilt infected her. She was manipulating a perfectly nice woman. Despite the desprate situation, she did not know how much more deception she could tolerate. It gnawed at her brain. "Very nice. You are giving me a good view" she said, almost wincing at herself. "Lots of money here I guess. Is that a good or bad thing? I like to balance paycheck and morals, but that's a greasy tightrope...."

Starshot For a split second, Starshot was torn. The Sky Tyrant or Cain? If had not just seen his Alien Friend casually throw off a rampaging Sky Tyrant charge as if he was made of carbon laced Nuetronium, he would have stayed with him. But his burning desire to catch Cain, combined with Gear's apparent invulnerability tore him another direction. If nothing else, Starshot was decisive. "Cai's getting away!" he yelled, jumping from his tree and over a fallen one like a panther. He was faster than any human had a right to be, but not every human has been pumped full of DNA splicing vectors and cybernetic enhancements. Cain would not get away, he swore. Mid stride, he brought up his rifle, pumped a web catridge into place, and fired. Electrified with plasma, it unfolded as it ejected, creating a glowing spider web sailing straight at Cain...

Ok so move action: Run. Standard Action, an unshifted Plasma Web attack: Snare Attack on Cain: 1d20+12 32 well I never get criticals somehow, but there you go! So thats a Snare 8 attack, and with Critical a Reflex 23 Save.

So would move action: Run after him and (given Starshots speed) a Standard Action to snare him be ok? or is it a jungle chase with tarzan vine swings?

GM "That's easy for you to say...." say Rosa, keeping her nerve despite the situation. Not so easy, encased in sickly sweet vines that still slithered over her body. The sap coated her skin and clothes, leaving a slightly red inflammation. Mosquitos were already landing on her, attracted to the smell. "I don't know about you" said Captain Hammer. "But that murderer killed a woman. And left my maimed for the rest of my life" he complained, waving his shotgun. "And wrapped up in all...of...this..." he said vaguely, not quite comprehending what was going on. It looked like he didn't quite care, either. "This is too good for him. But I'm gonna do it anyway..." he said, walking over to the unconscious Billy Bob and cocking the shotgun. "Nooo! Let me gooo!" screamed Duke, spying the imminent assassination. And all the while, the Swamp beast slithered towards the water, moaning bitter moans.

GM Duke seemed surprised that anybody could best him physically, and with good reason given his size and strength. He slithered to the left and right as Kimo dragged him through the mud, not quite understanding what was going on. "Whats happening? Whats happening?" he cried, with tears and fury. The swamp beast answered, in a rumbling, bubbling monologue, still oozing that sickly sweet sap. "I came...to be healed....the witch gave me the orchid...I did not die...but was changed....forever...." he moaned. "A blind beast forever tied...to this strange place....of mud and green...." He battered his head in frustration. "Only the dead can pluck the orchid. The living...it changes...how I long for death....but from my body....a new orchid will flower....it is a terrible cycle of death...and life...." it moaned. "I cannot kill...myself....not unless I know the flower....I leave....will be burned too...." He snorted, a kind of snarl. "The witch....I cannot touch....she made sure of....that....you must kill her...and then ME!!!!!"

Ok sorry for delay! The Swamp Horror, bereft of immediate targets, will slither away in the swamp. His swimming speed is 5mph, and he is unhindered in swamp like conditions. So 30'/Round. At this point, I will suggest a pause in combat, but not conflict!

Are we in or out of combat? *(sorry, lost the thread a bit!) In any case as Starshot spotted him, inclined to have him give chase whilst Gear fends of the Tyrant (feels a bit unfriendly but arguably necessary?)

The Red Rat SLAVE indicated, via HUD feed in her cybernetic eyes, that Superior Soviet Science was clearly evident. Protect assets from Capitalistic Appropriation! Usually she would have ignored it, but it was obvious that Doctor Sokolov was of a fine calibre, if he had created the bear and...and whatever that green glowing jar was. Superior Soviet Technology Indeed. She put some coffee on. "Best speak in English. Keeps up the cover" she replied, despairing of his accent and indeed the volume of his voice. Possibly if he spoke in Russian things would be better rather than worse. "Yes, yes, Mind Control would be a disaster" she groaned, contemplating all the ways the Soviet Empire had tried to, and sometimes succeeded in doing so. She recalled rumours of brainwashing, implanted chips, and the feared psychic they called the Sleeper. "And pleased to meet you, Trotsky" she saluted the bear, old habits swimming back. "Very subtle. Very effective" she commented, then patting the atomic bear. "But you may need to be a bit more discrete working in America, or more specifically, Bedlam" She put her finger to her chin, poured some coffee, and had a moments contemplation. "How did you find out about me?" she asked. "I tried to burn everything of my past. I was pretty sure nobody would track me here..."

The Red Rat What? WHAT? It took a moment to sink in. Meanwhile, SLAVE was working over time, giving HUD displays in Infrared, Ultravoilet, readings on height, width, and texture. It made the whole thing more, rather than less, shocking. She nearly dropped into a fighting stance. Nearly punched out. But this was a bear. A cybernetic bear. That didn't feel like a good fight. And besides, there was a friendly voice from the kitchen. A sort of voice, anyway. "Pirgois, yes, that would be delightful" she said, barging her way into the kitchen (or what passed for one), to see what was being prepared. She hoped it was Pirogis. Other than, say, a kitchen made nail bomb. You could never tell when dealing with eerie green jars and cyborg bears. "I am delighted you could stop by. Such a surprise! Would you mind letting me know who you are?"

Synth Synth continued to study the layout, trying to memorize the architecture. In case i have to run... "Well, this is Freedom City. Alien invaders do happen" she smiled back. "But I am afraid I have no flying saucer". "HR. Well, that's something I should poke my nose into. I hope they appreciate a go-get-em job seeker. There is a fine line between keen and pushy, I suppose" she commented. "But I guess right now, I need to get a feel for the place, huh? " she asked. "May as well work out what this place could offer me, as well as what I could offer it? Although you seem to be doing a good job enticing me" she commented, pleased with her double-meanings. "I suppose if they do genetic research, that would be something I would be interested in, and good at..."