Ari

Warp had 4HP. - 1 to not be knocked out, I would be fine with her getting Jack of all Trades and Beginner's Luck with another two.

GM Later On the other side of the portal, the air stank and stung with alien chemicals and the strong reek of blood. The floor hummed with power and the walls, floor and ceiling blinked with busy electric signals. Raul had been flung from his seat at Kat's arrival and was crouched on three limbs on the floor, one claw holding some entities and slender instrument. "What now?" The other world predator glared at the small, weaker creature who still held his world's fate in her hands. "Will you condemn every sssoul in thisss universsse? Kill millionsss for nothing?

Key, would you please make a Toughness save, DC25? Going with a larger and much deadlier kind of debris Dino having emerged at some point. So moving to the end, in the big control room, lots of delicate electronics everywhere. A DC15 Knowledge(Technology) check to know exactly where to blast to just shut the invasion down. 5-10 is still right but has wider repercussions.

OOC thread for this thread. Salmon and Kid Kamehameha foil a spot of horrible human experimentation. @Kolohehonu

GM March 18th, Saturday, 2017, 12.45AM The Teahouse, University Hill Music sizzled and pulsed in a steady, danceable beat, lights on the floor, walls and ceiling flashing and shifting in hues and frequencies calculated to avoid causing seizures in 98% of all epilepsy patients, casting the patrons dancing and relaxing in dizzying shades. Waiters and waitresses in mini versions of Edo period costumes skated through the blare, carrying trays and infectious smiles that had gone into overtime. Most of the patrons were students or faculty(or, in rare cases, both), forming and breaking cliques and clusters on the dizzying dance floor, laughing at each others' in-jokes as they sipped at the Teahouse's specialty teas. As usual in places like this, there were smiling men in button-up shirts that hid extensive tattoos. These were the only people allowed to serve alcohol in the Teahouse, which made their tables some of the most attractive spots in the club, the smiling men and their stock constantly ringed by happy, raucous crowds. Jun, Kimo's self-proclaimed best friend, was doing her darndest to get both of them into one of those crowds, pulling him along behind her by the hand. "Come on, Imo! They got the good stuff tonight! We gotta breeze if we want some!" Pausing so abruptly Kimo almost collided with her Jun looked earnestly into the junior's eyes "This is the koro of student life, Imo! If we miss out on this, we might as well be like the qikes waiting for Archetech to give 'em a handout! These nights are for living!" Meanwhile, a lanky Native kid slipped in through the back door, nodding and smiling at the bouncer before turning to nervously eye the floor. His backpack and tied-up long hair weren't exactly club standard, and Ishmael Redwater silently seethed at the need to physically change. But he kept resolutely calm, waving away one of the waiters who skated close with a menu and taking up an edge seat so he could watch more easily. It was happening tonight. Swallowing hard, Ishmael drummed his fingers on the table. Suddenly he wondered why he hadn't just waited outside and changed then. Gritting his teeth, Ishmael slumped into his chair, watching like a hawk, watching for his chance to be a hero...

Sorry Ex, Blarghy. What they know confirms, broadly, what they've just been told as not uncharacteristic of PanStar's activities. But they certainly don't know if it's the case here. There have been rumors of experiments on sharks off the coast of Japan, SHADOW once did show the ability to control animals in an ill-fated assault on Dakana decades ago and the Rayders aren't lying intentionally. Both also know that what has been described, while possible, would take decades, if not longer, and the effects would still be fairly small even given the vastly reduced amount of life in the global oceans. It would be a dreadfully inefficient way to control the world,s food supply. But further musings will have to wait. Would both of you make a Reflx save, DC20, to avoid water-amplified concussion beams of rank 9 Damage/Stun Area effects?

GM Zediker snorted, regarding the younger woman critically with one cold grey eye. "We have learned enough from the past, young lady, that the old mistakes are all but impossible. We have met life from other worlds, other Earths and the concept of "sharing" has taken very significant hold. Instead of glorifying and enriching some state or crown it would be for the benefit of all. Expansion to other Earths will show everyone how arbitrary our nations and borders are, how trivial are the things that divide us!" The fire of a prophet had sparked in the professor and Dr. Razko quickly stepped in, smiling apologetically at Kat. "Thank you, Professor Zed, we all dream of a more cosmopolitan future. Would you mind giving a brief overview of how you and your team invented this? Interdimensional travel of any kind is pretty rare, isn't it?" Zediker frowned and regarded the portal "Oh yes, extremely. There are a handful of working gates on Earth, including the Atom-made Tunnel in Freedom City and the two made by ASTRO Labs. As I recall..." The physicist was on the verge of launching into a lengthy diatribe when something, blessedly, happened. The lights turned off. Along with the rest of the power. Without any fuss, the very delicate portal folded into itself and vanished with a final, desultory crackle. Zediker very loudly said a very rude word while the locals and visitors alike began to snap on their cellphone lights. Then a voiced roared from every wall "Nobody move! You're with the Capture Crew now, kiddies!" Thundering footsteps followed the announcement and the door behind the party was flung off its mooring and into the hall outside, where lights glared from powerful rifles aimed right at the crowd! Kat, from her place, very clearly heard somebody in that hall hiss "Don't use your powers, moron, we only get one shot!"

Attack roll: 22 Defence is +7 Stunting an AP off of his Array: Speed 4 + Super-Movement: Wall-Crawling 2[8PP]

"Scusemecomingthrough!" Suddenly, a kid in a gaudy costume was hanging by the truck driver's door, struggling against the momentum that had sent him racing along its slick metal walls. Regaining himself, the Salmon wrenched the door open, dragged the man inside out, hoisted him onto his back and sprang back onto the bridge. Skidding and sliding on the rain-slick concrete, the speedster growled a curse against the weather, the Atlanteans, the bridge, the lack of real traction on his costume... Setting the man down on the other side of the bridge, Ishmael took stock of the Atlanteans clambering up the support columns, the swinging cable and especially the burn-hole made by the blaster. He was pretty sure he couldn't run up walls too easy, but right now that wasn't much of a problem. Leaping into action before he could think things through and run away, the Salmon jumped off the bridge and ran along the side, angling sharply to meet the amphibious invaders with a flurry of punches and kicks as he rocketed by. Swinging around for another pass, scrabbling for purchase on the smooth colmun and fighting gravity at the same time, Ishmael couldn't prevent one errant thought slipping into his rigorously-clear mind. If they kill me, I'd be the first dead hero in the Emeralds It was profoundly uncomforting. So he leaned a little extra hard into the burst that sent him charging again into the Atlantean pack.

Jesus Christ, Kolo. Mend well and smoothly.

Many happy returns to the day, Knight.

Bravo, Olopi! I hope you keep exceeding expectations.

"We would argue that the illusion is all that the leading clique needs. Admiration and fear of superhumans does the rest. We have seen this even in Republic Space, in the nigh-worship of the Assembly of Prophets and the acclaim given the mentat you call Mindforce. Regardless of their actual success they are honored like gods." Reaching into his suitcase, Dol-Druth withdrew a sandwich heavy with mushrooms, settling against the table to eat. Glancing up at Elias he added "We brought more, if you are also hungry. Drink too, some of your planet's water." "We feel our Speaker's perspective gives us a proper evaluation. He relies on us for his power and authority but we need the singular focus he provides us. Is it dissimilar in New Freedom?"

19 is the result, so a Bruise to Air-Martial. He will fire a flurry of rockets at Blue Jay: 20 is the Attack roll. I take it that misses? He keeps flying. In either case, the Drones also keep flying, maintaining their Move Object Grapples on the PL0 patrons. TA, Asad has time for one Standard Action against the swarm before taking his regular two Actions.

I beg your pardon Raveled. Same roll, same DC. A-M has a Defense of +9.

Acrobatics. DC25. Failure just means she can only attack one at a time instead of the groups. each round means another try.

GM For a moment fire leapt into Loki's eyes, and the burning embers of the fight Osla had only just won roared to life around her, searing metal and splitting dry old concrete in pops of bursting rock. The shadows swept about the giant like a cloak and battlements of living wroth and in its depths gleamed a sword of bitter black steel. It died almost as soon as it began. The world was once again a small street in Bedlam with a reek of sulphur and the far-off wail of sirens. "Yes, I suppose this does fit the bare minimum of my request. Have it your way, Aryan Arrow." "Your debt to me is lessened. I will be sure to give you a challenge equal to your skills next time. Good night, Osla." The air shivered and where the giant had stood there was nothing. Not even a streetlamp. But that would go unnoticed for a long time.

HidR-SeekR Salmon February Vignette On a peaceful hill overlooking the Columbia river delta a copse of sentinel pines had grown for hundreds of years. Their branches were thick with spiders, crammed with birds' nests, the destination of countless ants. Several simply exploded when Ishmael Redwater ploughed through them, racing pell-mell across the Atlas Range's foothills as he arced into the eastern fingers of the Elysian State Forest. He was already gone by the time the birds burst into the air, shrieking in panic. They were just recovering when the pursuer followed, a soft humming shadow. Brushing off the needles, insects, terrified arachnids and other debris with hurried, robotic movements, the Salmon risked a brief backward glance. His heart leaped into his mouth when he saw that it was still following him. I wish I knew how irony worked Ishmael groused, lowering his head into another super-fast sprint through the blurring green maze that had been his world for the last few hours Gotta be on like the third or fourth level of irony by now A very long time ago Ishmael had been downtown in the so-called Core, the busy heart of Emerald City's booming tech industry. Parking his motorcycle at one of the streetside maglocks, in the shadow of KessKorp's dark blocky citadel, the lanky young man had paused to take in the rush and bustle of the city, in particular the rush and bustle he didn't have to do. The monorail gliding noiselessly overhead, the commuters dashing into and out of automated taxis, buses and even the odd personal car, bubble-buoyed executives in suits yelling into their earpieces as they maneuvered the drifting packs of pedestrians on their Segways. Ishmael had politely failed to notice the scruffy, tired old man in the torn jacket and faded camo pants, eyes fixed on the ground and back bent under a massive backpack. By the time the man had plodded by, the young speedster's buzzing brain had lit on a perfect use for his powers. With a grin he'd closed his eyes...and opened them on a world in slow-motion. A single drop of hot chocolate slipped from a beanie'd college girl's jostled cup, spilling like molasses toward a tiny dog becoming aware across geologic eons of the incoming treat. Bit by bit, a man in a suit slipped on a stray patch of ice and drifted lazily into a pile of dirty snow. Drones carrying boxes crept by, bobbing like a procession of ducks. A line of bees flew out of a tiny hole in the wall of the KessKorp building, heading for the river. Starting, Ishmael had almost lost control. But for better or worse he'd accelerated again just in time to see them go, moving more like automatons than insects, coloured in neon shades of yellow and darkest blue. For an instant he'd almost not followed. MarsTech was making robot bees(as the skyscraper sidesigns had announced for weeks), clearly KessKorp was just ripping them off...but curiosity had won out: just where were they going? What were they doing? So Ishmael had ducked into an alley, changed into his superhero suit and given chase. So he had spent a nice few hours running atop the Columbia, feeling the cool sea breeze whipping by and feeling the soft cushion of the river under his feet. He and the bees had wound their way up into the foothills, to the farmlands on the north side of the delta. To the massive underground hive where they were making copies of the farmers. Ishmael stumbled to a halt, clutching a tree and panting as he crashed to the forest floor in a cacophany of detonating twigs. He shouldn't have torn it all up, shouldn't have acted so fast, shouldn't have cycloned water into the cavern and smashed thousands and thousands of drowning bees in a horrified frenzy... The Salmon looked at his feet, still caked in tiny shredded corpses. I can salvage this, I can...I can get these to ASTRO, they...what? Do WHAT? Something that makes me not look crazy? Maybe? One of the bodies moved. It found me _______________________________________ Hours later, soaked and exhausted, Ishmael stumbled into his and his aunt's home, dropping his backpack next to a piece of art made from buck antlers. Negotiating the maze of genius to an open chair, the teenager slumped into it and simply discorporated, letting every arm and leg hang from its socket as the searing pain washed over and through him. "Paris?" Ellen Riverrun stumbled down the loft steps, rubbing her eyes and yawning "Why're you back so late? Where'd you go?" Squinting as she turned on the light, flooding the open wood-panel rooms in gentle yellow radiance, she smiled fondly at her nephew, easily stepping through the easels, sculptures and...other things even Ishmael had never learned the word for to give him a light hug. "Oh, you're wet through! Did you fall in the river?" The boy looked up at her anxious eyes through a tangle of dripping hair. For a second he was back there, the savage hummng right in his ears, the mad leap, the last-ditch waterspout. "...Yeah Aunt Ell, got chased by bees. Sorry." It was only a lie of omission. Better than normal. Better than having to explain. Ellen looked grim. "Bees. My god." They both burst out laughing.

"Asss iff you needed to asssk." Skirrirs' tail twitched indignantly "The Imperatrixss will be pleasssed at our victory and what infformation we get can only help usss. To sssay nothing of how the crew of that ssship need ressscuing. Let usss away at once!" Sliding off of her perch and lunging onto the table, Hyperslice formed a neat upright circle by arching backwards and joining her tail tip with her helmet's visor. Almost at once she began to glow with a silvery light, a faint spacial distortion glimmering in the ring of her body. "Sssay the word, Sssri Traveler, and we're off to Hyperssspace!"

GM "I wouldn't expect the Oathbreaker's get to know the law. The Pact states that anything of divine origin can only come into the world at the request of a mortal on Earth. Nobody asked for those bracers, nobody asked for you, Edone." There was a thin triumphant smile on the unkempt and uncouth man's face, pleasure at finding a chink in the woman's armor. "Lord Hades, King of the Dead and all the Earth, is gracious. He only asks that the bracers return. Be smart and hand them over." "I'd be happy to take this elsewhere, girl. All of us would." Ixion glanced meaningfully across the restaurant floor. Several of the patrons were watching the muttered altercation worryingly, but several of them were watching with very different airs. One, a giant of a man in military fatigues, chewed on a side of beef and watched like a hawk, every muscles tensed. The weary-looking woman across from him stared at her plate but now and then glanced over, swirling her water glass moodily. The two well-dressed men in the corner surveyed the goings-on with idle amusement from the leonine, fitter one while the gaunt scarecrow in a suit stared with his teeth clenched tight. Ixion turned back to Moira. "Your choice. That gold worth your life?"

Ixion was the first kin-slayer among the ancient Greeks. For this crime and his subsequent abuse of Zeus' mercy he was bound with chains to a wheel perpetually spinning and eternally burning. He hasn't ever left solitary in Tartarus as far as she knows. Bluff check: 23. Whether he's lying or not, Moira can't tell. He seems to believe what he's saying.

GM Like living things, the drones tugged and struggled in Tona's powerful grip. She could see the blank, staring lenses on their blocky bodies swivel to look at her in the fraction of a second before they slammed against each other. One drone crumbled and cracked, fizzing and crackling as its rotors spasmed in one final frantic whirr, sparks bursting from the smashed chassis. But the other was at just the right angle to deflect most of the impact onto its twin and in a moment had twisted free to lash out at the screamingly rich crowd. Air-Martial started as he caught sight of Asad's glass-torn body shimmering with power, then again at Tona's brutal display. "~Well s***, nobody mentioned anything about you, Pintsize! Guess I better withdraw, but first-!~" With remarkable speed for someone wearing something so bulky and awkward, the armored man darted over to the table Amir had been awkwardly sitting at mere minutes ago. His PA, who'd instantly taken cover under the table and started trying to call Archetech's public line, was dragged out with a startled yelp to briefly dangle by an ankle clenched in one massive metal fist. "~Hey Asad, think fast!~" Air-Martial yelled as he flung the woman towards the gaping roof hole, then followed suit himself with a roar of boot-jets "~Fall in, Air Cavalry! Get these piggies home!~" By now the drones had latched their glowing lines of force around dozens of the patrons. Rebecca and Hisao, among the many the drones ignored, were blasted away with sonic bolts even as they tried to break others free. In a stream of screaming people in absurd finery, ungainly robots and neon beams, the cavalcade began to whisk out through the roof and into the sky. Max Mars, for his part, was frozen stiff on the stage. Staring at nothing, mouth and eyes working like malfunctioning machinery.

With the -2 that still hits. 23, 15 One is destroyed, the other not. Down to 29 drones. Air-Martial, not being paid to fight supers, grabs Asad's +1 and launches her into the sky. Surges(HP to Asad and Blue Jay) to then leave. Drones grab 29 of the ludicrously wealthy patrons d'sophisticated tech and fly off. Asad and then Blue Jay have time for another Attack or other Standard Action on the swarm before it escapes. Speaking of escapes, TA how do you want to handle Asad dealing with the potential lady plummetee? I would definitely buy something like Asad draining the kinetic energy pushing her skyward so she never actually leaves the building.

GM "Well since this is all the conversation I'm getting for the next month or so, sure." The Eye-dron slid with iron grace around the Armory, the facets' rays humming as they passed mere inches from Sakurako and the others. "So let's start with the home. What do you think it was like, growing up and slowly figuring out that you weren't wanted, that the reason you were even alive was other people not wanting to think about you? By the time I left, the nurses they'd hired didn't want to think about me either. "And even better, I had someone in my life I didn't want to think about. But every time I tried to find anything about my family I had to read her name and see her face. The little wünderkind with candy hair. Living the life I couldn't have no matter what. Very suddenly the Eye-dron swerved, then slowed. It began creeping closer and closer to where Endeavour was partly-hidden, its sweeps faster and tighter. "So no Saku, I didn't come here for you. But after reading these drooling creeps' files I now know why you're so special. It's the same reason I am. Or could be. So now I have a real simple super-genius plan: kill you and use what's left to fix what's wrong with me. "I don't know if I'm dying or not, but I know you aren't. Besides, Ghostworks will give a lot for a meta's corpse. They're paying me enough just for a simple smash-grab they could have hired out to Larceny Inc, might as well get a bonus. But don't worry, this is all for science."

GM Later, on the other coast...after activatng a new autosuit "So, near as we can tell, you were somewhere...here?" Dr. Lo pointed at the holographic shape of Oceanside, the scything peninsula on the far western edge of the southern city, separated from its cousin of West Vallee by the sluggish Bronze River. "We know the signal was dead when you got over this," Bak Lo circled a harsh, angular shape on the sea-facing tip of the landmass "the Ming Xi Visions complex. We haven't been able to get anything out of them. Just total silence. The police in southtown aren't any help, either. You might have more luck." "Wish I could tell you more, Sharl, like what blocked the signal, but something pulled that data out of the system while it was happening. We've got a little gizmo that might help, but..." Lo shrugged expressively, his uncertainty mirrored on the faces of the other Archetech personnel. "So what's the plan? Anything we can do, or is this one of those things you've got to do yourself? Not exactly a lot of other heroes out here."