Supercape

Starshot The Xeno was pretty smooth despite the weather, and was certainly fast. Starshot sat at the bridge, communicating with Ooka over the intercom, with Greasy Gear in the bridge by him. Unarmed it might be, but the Xeno was a luxury yacht class vehicle. The seats were Artavian leather, and the latest in comfort. And the Xeno had some of the best sensor systems in the galaxy. Digital augmented holodisplays of the surface, atmospheric readouts, scanner verification software, the works. Starshot stared at the mess he was receiving. It felt like he was picking up too much, rather than too little. "Its like a thousand decoys" he grumbled, switching on the intercom. "Monkey! Can't you refine the scan?" "Monkey say, Monkey no do" came the retort. Gunmonkey spoke like an American Cowboy, with heavy sarcasm. Starshot let out a vexed sigh. "Well, we got the northern mountains, the eastern swamps, or the southern jungles. Hardly a narrow field" he muttered, showing Gear the ember-hued areas on the holo-display. "I guess its a matter of searching on ground. The ATV should manage most of the terrain. But its harsh going" he admitted. "I would have wanted to narrow the field a little more. If you can make any sense of the data here, please, the ship's computer is yours..."

Mechanically the sensors are as per stashots sheet under equipment / the xeno and are pretty expensive / powerful. The xeno isn't armed but it's pretty top of the line for a yacht like luxury hunting vessel ! As per star trek, feel free to fiat something impairing their accuracy e.g quantum electro-magnetic lensing ? I.e. story comes first! Let me know what you want and I'll post ic.

Starshot "I'm bad at dying. Haven't had any practice at it" he answered, like tumbling iron. "Killing though. Lots of practice. Good at it. But I guess you won't be celebrating your death" He turned away. "Because you will be dead" He strode off. "Idiots" he muttered. "Small men with big mouths. Somebody's going to bust those lips one day. Let's hope its me" he said to Gear and Mazer. "Let's go. We have enough to go on and I need an open sky to breathe under".

Synth This was a horrible choice. He could run, certainly. But they would give chase and they had demonstrated their artillery and their willingness to use it. Plus, he would make an enemy of AEGIS which was unappealing. On the other hand, giving in opened the flood gates. He was staying under the radar for a reason. In his cells, and even his memories, was years of work by SHADOW, who most certainly wanted their research back. There were probably other people who would like their hands on it too. He had good reason to stay under the radar. And now, the very clash he had always dreaded was in front of him. Would he make friend or enemy of the authorities? There was no comfortable road to take. Somehow, he found himself offering up his wrists. "Very well. You may be making a terrible mistake. And so might I" he said, voice like tombstone dust.

Probably not, as it would be heard by anybody with the super sense ultra-hearing. The limitation is that you can't communicate words or the like, its just a digital thing (the whistle is blown, or it is not). Of course, I suppose you could communicate via morse code etc, but thats slow and tedious and pretty much negates the whole benefit of communication!

GM "I have no idea" answered Rosa, a little tense. After all, they had just been attacked by a giant snake and met two swamp men with intimidating manners. "Those men. They were like some degenerate inbred murderers" she shuddered. "Lets pray we don't meet them again!" "I pray we do" muttered and angry Capt. Hammer. "Two years ago, I ran into them. Was giving a trip to a botanist. Young and pretty she was. Those jokers saw us, hailed us down. Said they had a broken motor. Well, I we went to help, although every coil of my gut told me to run. Should have listened to my gut" he said bitterly. "They dragged her off, screaming and yelling. When I tried to help, the big one knocked me senseless. Make no mistake, he is as strong as they come. Next thing I know, Billy Bob is taking a machete to my hand and told me he would give me something to remember me by. I would never forget the Slaughter cousins". He sat back, full of sour. "Those murderous scum deserve to die. And I'm going to kill em" he said, bluntly.

GM "Well I'm be pur-leased to meet you, Ronald McDonald" came the sarcastic response from Blowfish. "Hey, darlin'" he snapped his fingers at the waitress. "Get my friend Ronald here a burger. Tell the chef to make it taste like a burger this time, eh?" he laughed as she scuttled off. "Money talks, my friend, sure. Opens mouths. But reputation counts too. That can open mouths and shut 'em too. I don't need money ya see, got enough to go around and make things happen. Reputation, now. That's a currency I do need. Hell, everyone needs a reputation in Bedlam, am I right?" "You, well, I ain't heard of ya. Means you ain't got no reputation. But I admire your rocks, son. And ya know, sometimes being nobody is handy, ya know?" he said, hinting at future favours from both sides. "But speak plainly. Whatcha want with old Blowfish? It ain't a kiss, thats fer sure...Hwfffff....."

Synth "That's his story" said Synth. "And you believed him?" He didn't move a muscle. "Let me tell you what actually happened. He kidnapped me tried to experiment on me. Have you seen the laboratories here? I was strapped down and about to get carved up and injected with...something. Have you checked the data here? They are trying to boost people to become superhuman. Maybe ZOOM or other drugs. I didn't stop to ask. I escaped, and despite being electrocutes, I caught up with him" "Why are you protecting him? Does he work for AEGIS? If so, you have something rotten in your ranks"

GM "F&^% off" said one of the lackeys. "Hold on, hold on" said Blowfish, patting the man down. "This here is a civilised joint. No swearing, huh" he chastised his employee. "Welcome to the Bad Beat. May I introduce myself. Blowfish. I'm da most respectables owner of this here place" he said, giving a little bow, dabbing his mouth with a napkin. "Please, have a seat. Have some Rose. On the house. Real good vintage" he said, offering a seat opposite him, and pouring John a glass of the Rose he had just spat out. "Amber, sure, she is playing just after these cra---I mean this fine youngsters, here" he explained, giving a little clap at the end of the drum solo that had just finished. "Voice that can melt ya at twenty paces. Da Star of the Bad Beat. Ain't none better in Bedlam. Best theres is" he proudly said. "I'm sure she will knock ya socks off" he said with a friendly smile. It froze slightly. "Ah I don't have da pleasure of your name, Sir. Ya must be new here? How'dya have da rocks to come over to me and discuss the main attraction?"

GM It was a hot, smokey joint. Surprisingly compact too. John noticed a fire exit the other side, with a burly man beside it, but in case of panic of fire, there would be a dreadful, probably dangerous club. No doubt Blowfish, its shady owner, had bought of the health and safety inspects too. There was plenty of talk around about Amber, talk of how she was sad, depressed, and scared. Nearly everyone avoided the name of Vanity. The few slips were rewarded by an elbow or kick and "Shut up", before they had said any more. The Band was a group of young skinny kids. The warm up. They weren't bad, but they weren't much good either. Looked scared and nervous. Drums, Sax, and Keyboards. They would pass for a warm up. There was a bar, where a fat black man in a suit and bow tie was quickly serving up drinks. There was a menu, but the food had a bad reputation and few were ordering. At the side, a table set out for Blowfish and two body guards. And the man himself was sitting there. He was average height, with a solid, slightly fat frame. Receding black hair. He might have been handsome once, but now, in his fifties, he had let himself go. He was angry and when he was angry, he puffed out his cheeks like balloons. Hence, his name. "Whhhfff....who are these musical assassins? Never heard a drummer so off beat" he complained. "Don't pay them. And if they complain, break their fingers. See how they play then...Whhhffff...." "Sure 'ting, boss" nodded one of the men by his side. "Whffff...Vanity would be turnin' in her grave....its an insult to her memory, I tell ya...Whffff....Amber betta pull it off tonight...." He spat out his Rose wine, and demanded another bottle from the frightened water. He was clearly as upset at the Bad Beats food and drinks as he was the mediocre warm up act.

Cool. Ill avoid making frequent notice rolls and lets take that roll as for the scene in general. I.e. He notices stuff!

Synth So, the game WAS up! That threw away his advantage...although it might heighten suspicion and paranoia. But right now, his tactical considerations went out of the window. He took a few steps back, shocked at the impact of whatever they had fired into him. He felt blood flow. And that's no ordinary bullet...he winced in pain, tears coming to his eyes. Are they actually AEGIS? "Call yourself AEGIS agents? Can't you see what's going on here?" he pleaded with the two men. Although it was not just a plea. He was sounding them out. Who were they, really? Who did they work for, and what was there loyalty? "You are a disgrace to your uniform...."

Toughness vs Bullets: 1d20+10 27 for toughness and Fort Save vs Stun: 1d20+12 26 for fort means, fortunately, shaking off both. Initiative: Initiative vs AEGIS agents: 1d20+16 19 which means losing initiative!

GM "Hmmm" grunted Capt. Hammer, red faced with fury. "I'm going to kill those two one day. They maimed me. Sadists and murderers" he whispered back at Kimo. "Son, I'm only turning away because of you and the lady. One time only tuning back. Because next time I see them, they are going to pay and so will anyone who gets in my way". He didn't wait for an answer. He slammed his prosthesis into the boat rim, cracking wood. He gripped the wheel of the boat hard enough to whiten his knuckles, and turned it. Rosa kept silent, and, on cue, turned on the motor. The boat sailed past the huts and the two men. "Awww....they gone to pick flowers!" mocked Billy Bob. "Prudty flowers" mumbled Duke, shotgun over his shoulder. They both watched as Kimo and the boat swung away from them, further into the wetlands. "She won't let you have them!" called out Billy Bob from the distance, as the two turned their backs, and started packing up their little camp.

Synth He decided to pull out the stops with the bluff. But he went no further. These were AEGIS operatives. Men doing good work, sacrificing themselves for duty. And also, well trained. Messing them was no pushover. "This is my research. I hope you understand that" he started, stopping his footsteps, holding his hands up. "If I am going to exit the building, leave years of hard work in danger, then you need to tell me why!" he said, raising his voice a little. Not in a threatening manner, but in an angry one. "I might even be able to help you. But I can tell you now, I'm not leaving here until you tell me whats going on and let me get my data"

Starshot Starshot scratched his stubble and gave another stroke of his scar - he always did when unsure. That's why he never played poker. "I'd sooner beat the snot out of them" he said, again grim. "But that would get us chucked out of here. And the star system, maybe" he said, almost annoyed. "Besides which, I have to keep my business running. Reputation is important" Instead he sidled up to the two hunters, tapping the but of his whip and giving them a fixed, stony gaze. "Can I buy you gentlemen a drink?" he started, throwing a few credits to the bar with a "Get them what they want" type of nod. "You can thank me by telling me where Carnivore Cain went..."

I think we can just use your diplomacy roll as a general indicator of "Calm TF down" to the situation! However, I think it also reasonable at this juncture to award a general HP for maintaining your secret ID and curtailing your powers (and trying to calm down a situation heroically!) HP - 2 You can always stunt a feat (subtle or insidious) in the future if you wish.

Whoops! Apologies. Yes you have mind controlled the captain. Feel free to command him as you wish! NB: As it isnt suble or insidious, the Captain will know you are mind controlling him. Is this still your planned action?

Will Save vs Mind Reading: 1d20+5 13 a failed Will save vs Mind Reading. You can read surface thoughts for as long as you are concentrating (next will save, 1 minute). I'm exerting some control over Diplomacy check for these characters. That roll is enough to dull their vexation at you, but I'm going to bypass the whole "Friendly / Unfriendly" ratings - I personally don't find those helpful for major characters in a story.

Starshot Abrasive? Starshot was not going to argue with that, but then, he had met some abrasive people who had become firm friends and some silver tongued devils who had stabbed him in the back. Not one to judge by first appearances. "Well I wouldn't spit on half the people in this joint if they were dying of thirst" he conceded, his own contempt spilling out. "But such is the nature of men and beasts. In any case, it might be worth a few words. Here, let me introduce to someone..." He walked back to Mazer, bringing Greasy with him. "Mazer. Picked up a customer. We are going down the surface, might see if we can't catch a Loopzoid or two" he said, steel in his eye but warmth in his smile. Perhaps Mazer knew he was lying; it didn't matter. "But help up out. Carnivore Cain is down there, no doubt causing hell. Any idea where he went, or who might know?"

Starshot The Time Period? A time traveller? That put his nerves up. He didn't much understand temporal physics but it always sounded weird, or dangerous. Probably both. Dragging himself from the existential anxiety of such concepts, he did what he always did, focus on the now. "Well I guess that's a good enough reason" he answered. "Guess the galaxy isn't short of reasons to put his head on a pike. Hell knows, he hasn't been shy of given reasons for people to hate him. Guess he ain't going to stop giving, either". "Welcome aboard the Xeno. I got a mechanic on board. Well, kind of a mechanic. Well...we get by...." he muttered, wondering what the simian was up to. "Whist you are a crew member, you are under my protection. That's the deal. Feel free to use its facilities as you wish. I'd ask you don't play with the plasma drives, though" he said, firmly. He was all for having someone handy with a multi-wrench or infrabolt on the ship. But he didn't want unsolicited modifications either. "Before we set off, maybe someone here knows something. Have you asked around?"

GM "You don't have to persuade me" Rosa whispered back, her olive skin pale with adrenaline. She was too frightened to even swat the ever-present mosquito's. There was something steely about her, however, even when afraid. The Captain stood up, face angry. "Remember me, Billy Bob?" he said, standing defiantly despite Duke's shotgun. "Har Har, I do believe so!" laughed Billy Bob, pulling out his machete casually. "Do you remember him, Duke?" "Hrur Hrur" guffawed Duke. "E want some more?" "Something really wrong with the big one" whispered Rosa. "He must have some syndrome or something. Watch him!" Billy Bob waved his Machete lazily around. "This here is our swamp, Captain. We gots a right to know whatcha doing here" said Billy Bob, still chuckling with a cruel mouth. "Happy to all hospitable, if the mood takes us. Always happy to lend a hand!" "hrr hrr" said Duke after Billy Bob nudged him with his elbow. Captain Jack turned away, face red with rage or maybe shame. "I'm going to damn kill them" he muttered to Rosa and Kimo, the veins in his neck visibly pumping. Even the mosquito's did not dare feast on him, though...

Synth How could they know? He racked his brains, but the fact was they did now. At least, they knew something. And they were about to shoot. And getting shot would hurt. Might even kill him, if they shot enough times. He was just about to act, but held off. The game was very probably up, but that didn't mean it was certainly up. "What's up?" he said, walking forward and holding his hand to his eyes to shield from the dazzling light. "It's me. Raise the alarm if you have to, I appreciate a tight security. But don't shoot!" he said, trying to squeeze a few more seconds out of his bluff. And in any case, a few more steps further to the men. "What's got you so spooked?"

Starshot Unsportsmanslike Conduct Synth Fight the Power GM Bad Beat The Sick and the Serpentine Synth should be at 50 posts but if not, GM posts to get there please. Should have enough GM posts to boost Starshot to 25, and give 25 to Red Rat, Flintlock, and Lord Steam. If not, allocate in that order. By my estimation, should also reasonably comfortably get 25 posts to Bloody Mess too. I doubt any left over after that which is of any use, let me know if it does turn out so.

GM The two men actually laughed at Kimo's joke, although there was a cruel spice to the laugh. It had the kind of flavour of a school bully who had grown up. The boat continued to drift towards them. Rosa, with some presence of mind, decided to turn of the outboard. It was not wise to wave that around. There was that silence again, just the noise of buzzing insects. "No problem?" hissed the Captain, crawling back into the boat, dripping wet. "These jokers are killers...." "My names Billy Bob" said the machete man, still smirking. He had a strange southern accent, drawling and crude. "This here's my cousin, Duke" he said, smacking the giant by his side on the back. "Strong as an Ox, but not as clever, Harr harr!" "Duh hurr hurr" grunted Duke, his belly wobbling with the half-laugh. "What brings you out here? Going snake hunting?" At closer range, both the men appeared to be wearing snake-skin boots, and Duke had a necklace of what looked like snake-fangs around his sweaty blubbered neck.