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Dol-Druth the Speaker Power Level: 10 (150/159PP) Trade-Offs: None Unspent Power Points: 9 In Brief: Planetary inspector and hive-mind-aided super-mentat with a government mandate. Residence: The Lighthouse. Base of Operations: Earth Catchphrase: "Why is this real?" Alternate Identity: Lor Civic Rotunda(Planetary Inspection Committee Division) Officer Dol-Druth Identity: Public Birthplace: Lor-Dotra, birthing pod cavern in the southern continent Occupation: Planetary inspector, representative of Dotrae. Affiliations: Lor Republic, Freedom League Family: The other eighty billion Dotrae. Description: Age: 46 Apparent Age: N/A Gender: Male Ethnicity: Subterranean(near colourless skin) Height: 7'2" Weight: 300lbs Eyes: Black Hair: None White is his dominant colour, from the pearly, nearly translucent skin to the teeth like chips of pale grey ice. Slender, twitching antennae protrude from the top of Dol-Druth's head, as edgy and irritable as their owner, while large, deep-set black eyes glare out at the world over a broad, broken Roman nose and perpetually-pursed thin lips. His bulky, ungainly body is swathed in an enormous loose suit of good-enough-for-government-work iridescent beige, on which his name and elected titles stream constantly in a shifting collage, the letters warping to make themselves intelligible to anyone looking at them. His voice is a deep, frustrated growl with clipped, sharp syllables even in telepathic communiques. Power Descriptions: When drawing on the collective mental force of Dotrae, Dol-Druth's eyes glow an eerie blue, and anyone with psychic sensitivity can feel the presence of many other, whispering minds suddenly at hand. Anything being affected by these powers similarly starts to glow and emit a low-pitched whine. Dol-Druth tends to gesture in ways mimicking the effect of his powers on their target, lifting his arms to pick up a car or thrusting his hand forwards to throw telekinetically-accelerated projectiles and so on. It is not necessary, but it is an ingrained habit. History: The office of Speaker(originally Voice) of Dotrae was first created around three hundred years ago, when the inhabitants of Lor-Van encountered the hive-mind race during their Great Experiment in empire-building. While they had encountered species of loneminds in the past, the Dotrae were still unused to the idea of any one specific being having any special authority over their manymind, preferring the never-ending psychic debate between each other to make decisions. When inducted into the Lor Empire, however, the visiting generals impressed on the Dotrae the need to have some representative for their people, arguing that in times of crisis snap decisions would need to be made without the benefit of argument, even at the speed of thought. Dotrae considered the matter, found the logic compelling, and presented a then-unknown adolescent girl named Gana-Ley to be their Voice. Since then, what was intended as a means of Imperial control over the Dotrae has grown into a respected and valued position in the Republic. With access to the collective wisdom and psychic might of a race tens of billions strong, Speakers have filled countless specialty roles in government, military and judicial fields. But until an obscure functionary named Dol-Druth no Speaker was ever a planet inspector. Dol-Druth was appointed after his predecessor was uncovered, after being cleared two years before, as the head of a lucrative kidnapping ring "acquiring" test bodies for unscrupulous lab-corps in a sensational exposé that led to the downfall of over a thousand other Dotrae officials responsible for 'screening' their ringleader's thoughts from the manymind. Before that he had performed the thankless work of surveying prospective member races with a kind of principled, rigorously honest and fair bloody-mindedness, and was already notorious for his very strong opposition to the post of Speaker long before the Senator's crimes were public knowledge. That last quality made him a perfect fit. As part of his new duties, Speaker Dol-Druth was required to meet with the more prominent ambassadors and negotiators of the still-weakened republic. While on these rounds he met with a number of the people who had helped lead the Coalition, including an ambassador named Th'emme who had a lot to say about the fringe world of Earth and its incredible inhabitants. What was intended as glowing praise sparked immediate suspicion in the inspector. The tour done, and with the security of border worlds a pressing concern, Dol-Druth decided to clear up the matter himself and asked to make the next scheduled survey of the Sol system and its inhabited bodies. His comrades in the Rotunda were happy to hand off such an unimportant job, and setting out in the basic flit pod that had been his home-away-from-home for decades the voice of his race sped through space to confront this strange world of myths, monsters and madness. Personality & Motivation: Even for one of Dotrae, Dol-Druth is aloof, withdrawn and largely impersonal. While he understands personal rights and privileges, and the need to take more than a broad-strokes view of any people, he abhors the way even others in the manymind glorify isolated selves and exceptionals. The idea of heroes, of private, personal property, of selfishness and self-interest is as baffling and alien a concept to him as many of his base assumptions would be to humans. The fact that he's even on Earth over a private, individual feeling and idea rankles him, and frays his perfectionist's irritation and discomfort with a self that doesn't fit its ideals. He sees his duty in Solar space as partly therapeutic and partly investigatory, exorcising his aberrant mindset and expanding Lor information and projection about a possible future member. Powers & Tactics: Since he isn't licensed to use his mentat powers without supervision by local authorities, Dol-Druth has to limit his use of telekinesis on natives to temporary immobilization, and relies on his hard-earned people skills and access to billions of helpful minds to make a compelling case against violence for the less immediately hostile. Due in part to shortages and also a preference to experience the planet like its inhabitants do, the Speaker of Dotrae has no independent means of fast movement, forcing him occasionally to 'push' against the ground or 'latch' onto solid objects and fling himself through the air. His standard-issue stun-pistol is less restricted, but still only drawn in dire circumstances. Complications: Alien Nation: While reasonably up to date on what's happening on Earth, Dol-Druth has very little frame of reference for much of the planet's history and culture. Bow your head: Dol-Druth is easily annoyed and needled by people with strong senses of self and identity outside a group or society. I am not I: Dol-Druth is first and foremost the Speaker of Dotrae. His own wishes and opinions are secondary to the decisions and aggregate view of the manymind. If they think he should act or speak otherwise than he wants, he feels compelled to obey. May I?: As an alien and non-citizen of Solar space, Dol-Druth is sharply limited in what he is and is not allowed to do with his powers. Attacking without obvious cause, reading minds without express permission(from the authorities), and damaging Earthly property are only a few of his restrictions. Mental Malarkey: Like most mentats, Dol-Druth channels his will and connects his thoughts through the Astral Plane, and things affecting that dimension around Earth affect him much more heavily, since his mental 'door' is wide open in constant communication, unlike the more segregated minds of humans. 1=0: Used to thinking of things on planetary scales, Dol-Druth is wholly unused to the idea that individuals can be as important as whole nations to the locals. Abilities: 0 + 0 + 4 + 6 + 6 + 4 = 20 PP Strength 10 (+0) Dexterity 10 (+0) Constitution 14 (+2) Intelligence 30/16 (+10/+3) Wisdom 16 (+3) Charisma 14 (+2) Combat: 12 + 12 = 24 PP Attack: +6 (+10 Multitudes, frazzer) Defense: +10 (+6 Base, +4 Dodge Focus), +3 Flat-Footed Initiative: +10/+0 Grapple: +6/+20 w/Mass Mgmt. Knockback: -5/-1 Saving Throws: 5 + 4 + 6 = 15 PP Toughness: +10 (+2 CON, +8 Protection) Fortitude: +7 (+2 CON, +5) Reflex: +4 (+0 DEX, +4) Will: +9 (+3 WIS, +6) Skills: 68r = 17 PP Computers 7 (+17/+10) Diplomacy 8 (+10) Disable Device 7 (+17/+10) Gather Information `7 (+10) Intimidate 8 (+10) Knowledge (current events) 5 (+15/+8) Knowledge (Galactic lore) 6 (+16/+9) Languages 4 (Galstandard(Native), Farsider, Grue, Jerreid, Zultasian) Notice 8 (+11) Sense Motive 8 (+11) Feats: 18 PP All-Out Attack Benefit 3(Rank 2(Lor Republic Civic Planetary Inspection Committee Rotunda Official, Speaker of the Dotrae; Security Clearance (Lor Republic) Dodge Focus 4 Equipment 5 Power Attack Skill Mastery (Diplomacy, Intimidate, Notice, Sense Motive) Speed of Thought Uncanny Dodge (Mental) Well-Informed Powers: 37 + 8 + 5 + 6 = 56 PP Multitudes, 32 PP Array (Power Feats: Accurate 2, Alternate Power 3) [37 PP] Base: Enhanced Intelligence 14 [14 PP] + Quickness 4 (x25, Flaws: Mental Only) [2 PP] + Comprehend (Languages) 3(Understand/Read/Speak All, One at a time) [6 PP] + Communication 7 (Mental; 200 miles, Power Feats: Rapid) [10 PP] + Enhanced Feats 2 (Improvised Tools, Jack-of-All-Trades) [2 PP] Concentrated Wills Alternate Power: Blast 10 (Extras: Autofire 1, Power Feats: Improved Critical 2) [32 PP] Telekinetic Barrage Alternate Power: Telepathy 10 (Extras: Area Burst(Mind Reading only), Power Feats: Rapid, Selective) [32 PP] Linked Minds Alternate Power: Move Object 10 (Extras: Damaging, Power Feats: Subtle, Split Attack) [32 PP] Mass Mgmt. Protection 8 [8 PP] Super-Senses 5(Communication link(Dotrae manymind, Mental), Mental Sense Acute Radius Ranged)[5 PP] Variable Skills 1 [6 PP] DC Block: ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC15 Toughness(Staged) Damage(Physical) Frazzer Ranged DC17 Fortitude Stunned Mass Mgmt Ranged DC25 Toughness. Damage(Physical) TK Barrage Ranged DC25 Toughness Damage(Physical) Abilities (20) + Combat (24) + Saving Throws (15) + Skills (17) + Feats (18) + Powers (56) - Disadvantages (0) = 150/159 PP

Argonaut Power Level: 10/14 (206/212) Trade-Offs: +3 Attack/-3 Damage (Power Pike), -2 Defense /+2 Toughness Unspent PP: 6 In Brief: Omegadrone Agent of A.E.G.I.S! Alternate Identity: Yves Zermeño, Yvejskrujanharbh'aar Identity: Secret Birthplace: Lor-Zul Occupation: AEGIS Field Agent Affiliations: AEGIS Family: Carlos Zermeño (Husband), Luz Zermeño (Eldest Daughter), Anna Zermeño (Middle Daughter), Sophia Zermeño (Youngest Daughter) Description: Age: 50 (DoB: Born March, 16 1968) Apparent Age: 30 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Lor Height: 5'2 Weight: 210 lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown Yves is a slightly muscular brown skinned woman with no visible natural body hair. The missing hair on her head was replaced with a very expensive lace wig. The wig is styled into a short bob. She often dresses in modest fashions that leave very little skin showing. Hiding the various scars throughout her body that she actually opted not to have surgically removed. Never wanting to forget the monster that she was. As Argonaut, Yves' MEGA-MAX bears a recolored Shocktrooper Omegadrone Armor. The face plate retains an all too familiar skull like design. The armor does not have wings due to having a far sleeker design than Steelgrave's original bulky model. The back does, however, have secondary thrusters to to aid the jet boosts propulsion outside of atmospheric conditions (although the secondary boosters are currently damaged), The rocket boots can maneuver through the air with no issue having lost no air superiority. The Armor's left breastplate has the AEGIS emblem engraved. History: In another world in which the Lor's First Age never came to a close, the Lor Republic stretched to every corner of explored space. The military existed primarily for the purpose of exploration and further colonization of Lor Space. Quality of Life for citizens of the advanced civilization was such that only a sci fi novel could compare. Yvejskrujanharbh'aar was a freshly graduated university student with a future as a star faring diplomat in all but certain. Her life was pretty much uneventful. She had friends, family, loved ones and her personal tragedies were no more exciting than a lost pet here or there. Having never left her home planet, her dream was to engage in interplanetary relations perhaps to eventually take a seat as a Senator. The Lor citizens born on the planet of Lor-Zul are known for being born with two very distinct features. The first being a long life span in which they maintain a youthful appearance, only showing signs of aging during the last quarter of their lives. The second a natural affinity with languages their mind able to comprehend all spoken and written word as if they were living ciphers due to a unique psionic mutation. It was only the first trait that appealed to Shadivian Steelgrave after the Terminus came. With no enemies to oppose the Lor the military was nowhere near qualified to handle the unified front of the combat drones that swept their world. The Lor were crushed and in the end there was only the Terminus. Life as a conquered slave with the Hundred Worlds was far different for the Lor. Gone from Spacemen to cavemen one had to let a piece of himself die just to survive. In Nihilor only the strong survive. And what she lacked in physical might, Yvejskrujanharbh'aar made up for with sheer willpower and luck. Engaging in brutal gladiatorial fights until she scrapped by on top of her opposition. Her prize? Her mind was torn asunder as she underwent the unspeakable acts that defined the Omegadrone conditioning. Brainwashed by the Omegadrone conditioning Yvejskrujanharbh'aar had long faded she was merely a servant of Omega. Serving on the front lines as an Omegadrone Shocktrooper. Many people remember the Terminus Invasion of 1993 differently. Most of those memories are not looked back on too fondly. But for Yvejskrujanharbh'aar it was her first real memory since her first shot at life had ended. As one of those very invaders, she found herself barely clinging to life by the time the battle had come to a close. Her armor was skewered onto a steel rod at her abdomen. Recovered by AEGIS field agents, she was given medical treatment as the organization wasn't out to just let people die. Even those part of a foreign invasion force. Of course if it brought about the opportunity to learn more about the Terminus forces more power to them. It took a think tank of the top AEGIS psychologists and doctors to match Daedalus efforts in deprogramming the Omegadrone conditioning. They even crafted a new identity for her to live, monitored by a field agent, just outside of their Baltimore offices. Yvejskrujanharbh'aar or Yves as she had now come to be known just had to agree to surrender her armor to them as well as acting as a consultant whenever the need struck the agency. When Dr. Doris Volk joined AEGIS in 1997 amongst the many projects she pursued was the development of MAX series Power Armors. Shorty after completing the designs on the Super-Max armor Dr. Volk had already begun considering the process for advancing upon her design. Searching through old AEGIS files for inspiration Dr. Volk eventually came to learn about the deal AEGIS made with Yves. It took a decade to combine the technology of the Omegadrone with that of a SUPER MAX armor creating the first flight capable power armor, far before the distinctly more well known models used by Subjects V and V2. The most problematic bit of integration was that the armor's neural interface would only respond to omegadrones like the armor's previous pilot, Yves. A neural interface was originally designed to reinforce the Omegadrone conditioning and improve Nihilor's Mixed Murder Arts by recording combat data and aiding the pilot adapt in all situations. Dr. Volk's attempts of repurposing the interface to aid field agents in saving lives could not completely overcome the fact that only a mind whom had gone through Steelgrave's brainwashing was the only one capable of conceptualizing such an idea. So she requested Yves assistance in improving the combat data of the interface as Dr. Volk attempted to overcome the flaw in the design. An offer that went through a very long series of refusals before Yves finally relented with some trepidation. Spending weekends as a test pilot for the tongue in cheekily named MEGA-MAX armor. Breaking away from the training simulation when the armor caught the transmission of a nearby alarm system in which a shoe store was being robbed by three heavily armed men. Within the comfort of her armor she was able to easily able to deal with the crooks. Disappearing before AEGIS latest line in experimental technology could be shaken. Upon her return she wasn't admonished for taking off with government property as she expected. Instead there was a congratulatory fanfare and applause and she was offered a real job with the agency. After weighing her options and the sense of satisfaction that came with actually doing something good with the armor she took the job. In her personal life, Yves and her handler had wed some years back. Together they were raising three girls from his first marriage. Although at this point the eldest was studying at FCU, so the children did not exactly outnumber the parents in the household. Eventually the Zermeños requested a change in duty station from Baltimore to Freedom City. Marking her return to the city after 20 years as the armored hero Argonaut. After Argonaut returned from a mission off planet. Dr. Volk claimed to have attained enough data to begin work on the MEGA-MAX series of prototypes. AEGIS set about fully repairing Argonaut's Shocktrooper armor and upgrading both it and her pike with the information on display. Personality & Motivation: Yves may not have been quite herself when she worked as a soldier of Omega. But she remembers every waking minute of that nightmare. Every slash, every stab, every atrocity committed in the name of the Lord of the Terminus. She tries not to let it weigh on her conscious too much and for the most part succeeds with bravado and gumption (albeit a silent gumption), but the memory is always there gnawing at the back of her head. Despite that one would be hard pressed to find her without a smile on her face. Whether it is forced or not. Outwardly confident, albeit carefully spoken, she works hard at covering up her own insecurities of not being qualified for being a 'hero' due to her past a Terminus soldier. Despite the fact that AEGIS already has a solid history of working with reformed criminals. Yves is very good at seeing through people's intentions. Above all else, she feels as if she has seen enough death in her lifetime and will go through absurd lengths to try and save everyone she can even if it cost her life in doing so. In her daily life, Yves can be downright domestic. Attempting to portray the image of a perfect mom next door type, while still keeping conversations as short as possible. Yves is not a talker by any measure for those outside her family. But, when she does speak it's usually either snark covered or blunt with absolutely no sense of tact. A self described realist through and through Argonaut does not mince words or paint optimistic pictures. Powers & Tactics: Yves relies on the Argonaut armor to do all her heavy lifting. Even with her now rusty training in the mixed murder arts, she is quite effective at using her power pike for close range combat. At a distance, Argonaut fires bolts of cosmic energy at her foes from her pike. Her Shocktrooper armor has multiple thrusters throughout potentially allowing her to fly through the air with ease. The rear thrusters allow her to traverse the atmosphere with much more force than she can muster inside the planet without risking damaging the surroundings. Taking a cue from Omega himself, Yves can compress the entropic energies of her Blast blade creating a small endothermic reaction that releases in a bright flash of light to blind her foe. Lastly, AEGIS has created a sort of funnel exhaust to allow Yves to release the entropic energies of her power pike from the middle of the shaft. Specifically forming it into the shape of a shield with AEGIS’ symbol on the center. Seeing as the pike is both collapsible and kept on a wrist sheath underneath her arm this can make it appear as if her only weapon is the shield itself when not wearing the armor. The Shocktrooper Nanites in her body use a "stim pack system". Using a chemical delivery system with a variety of entropic fueled stimulants designed to appeal to an Omegadrone's implants. This activates the whenever she successfully slices matter with her entropic blast blade. In turn creating a sort of painkiller effect in the heat of battle to keep fighting. This allows the mindless drones to push forward in the heat of battle with even less care for their well being. For a freed Omegadrone like Yves, it means having to combat her baser urges every time she fights. Yves body contains tiny nanofibers that are far stronger than human muscle fibers of equal size. The tiny nano muscles allow her to perform feats of strength above what is humanly possible. In fact her very physical condition is improved well above what should be humanly (or rather Lorly) possible. Her neural implants allows her to react with split second timing. When not in use the Omegadrone armor is stored in a portable suitcase Complications: AEGIS Defend!: Yves has an almost unhealthy obsession with pursuing redemption. Nominally this just presents in her wanting to try and protect as many lives as she possibly can. Which on its own is not a problem. But ,Yves runs blindly into action without thinking of the consequences if she thinks it can help someone. Theoretically making her an easy target for a villain's manipulations Broken Arrow: The Terminus did the former Omegadrone no favors. Matters related to Omega and his Annihilists, are a possible trigger for Yves' PTSD to flare up. Flashbacks, hallucinations, and panic attacks are among the many possibilities of how this can manifest. While distracting all on their own, it can be real inopportune in the midst of a high stress chaotic combat zone. Calling for Pegasus: Her identity as Argonaut or even as a former Omegadrone is not common knowledge. AEGIS keeps its secrets well guarded. Her would be allies could even assume her to be a criminal due to the design of her armor looking as if it was a riff on Omegadrones. Local law enforcement or overly enthusiastic civilians may try and attack the Azure Omegadrone mistakenly believing themselves to be attacking a villain. Shield Cracked: The neural interface on the Argonaut armor connects her mind to the machine. This means that , Argonaut's brain can be "hacked" by means that would normally only affect machines while connected to her armor. GM's can feel free to have not only be affected by attacks meant to "mind control" technology but even have her auto fail it. Shields High!: Yves is given a lot of autonomy as an AEGIS agent, but still she has to formally request permission to activate her Omegadrone Armor unless the situation is exigent enough for her to do otherwise. Shield Wall!: Argonaut's Vampiric Damage Effect doesn't really heal her. The Vampiric effect is only a temporary stimulant release for sedation. The GM can at any point in time have any healed injuries return. Furthermore, the stimulant release was not designed with a conscious person in mind. The GM could apply any number of new conditions (such as nauseate, paralyze, etc) with or without the prior healed Damage condition to show her body is suffering from adverse effects from the entropic energies flush in her body. Abilities: 6 + 6 + 6 + 6 + 10 + 2 = 36PP Strength: 16/24 (+3/+7) Dexterity: 16/24 (+3/+7) Constitution: 16/24 (+3/+7) Intelligence: 16 (+3) Wisdom: 20 (+5) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: 8 + 8 = 16PP Initiative: +7 Attack: +4/10Armored Ranged, +7/13Armored Melee Grapple: +16/+17 Defense: +5/+8 (+4/7 Base, +3/ Dodge Bonus), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -9/-10 Saving Throws: 3 + 0 + 2 = 5PP Toughness: +12 (+7 Con, +2 Density, +2 Armor, 7 Impervious) Fortitude: +10 (+7 Con, +3) Reflex: +7 (+7 Dex) Will: +7 (+5 Wis, +2) Skills: 104R = 26PP Acrobatics 1 (+8) Computers 12 (+15) Skill Mastery Craft (Structural) 2 (+5) Craft (Mechanical) 2 (+5) Disable Device 7 (+10)Skill Mastery Diplomacy 4 (+5) Drive 1 (+8) Gather Information 1 (+2) Intimidate 9 (+10)Skill Mastery Investigate 2 (+5) Knowledge (Behavioral Sciences) 2 (+5) Knowledge (Civics) 2 (+5) Knowledge (Cosmology) 10 (+13) Knowledge (Current Events) 2 (+5) Knowledge (Galactic Lore) 5 (+8) Knowledge (Streetwise) 2 (+5) Knowledge (Tactics) 2 (+5) Medicine 1 (+6) Notice 9 (+14) Pilot 8 (+15)Skill Mastery Search 2(+5) Sense Motive 10 (+15) Stealth 3 (+10) Survival 5 (+10) Feats: 10PP Attack Focus (Melee) 3 Benefit (AEGIS Security Clearance) Dodge Focus 1 Favored Opponent (Omegadrones) Fearless Interpose Skill Mastery (Computers, Disable Device, Intimidate, Pilot) Startle Powers: 6+ 8 + 20 + 1 + 1 + 29 + 50 = 115PP Communication 4 ( Radio [1 Mile]; Power Feats: Selective, Subtle ) [6PP] Comprehend 4 ( Codes & Ciphers, Languages [Read All, Speak Any One at a Time, Understand All ) [8PP] Device 6 ( 30PP container; Feats: Restricted to Omegadrones, Subtle; Flaw: Easy-to-Lose ) [20 PP] (Collapsible Power Pike) Concealment 4 (Normal Sight; Flaw: Passive ) [2DP] (Cloaking) Terminus Blast Array (25PP Array; Feat: Alternate Power 3 ) [28DP] BP: Damage 10 ( Extra: Ranged; Feats: Affects Insubstantial 2, Incurable, Precise, Split Attack) (Entropic Blast) {25/25} AP: Damage 0 ( Extras: Penetrating 7, Vampiric 7 ; Feats: Affects Insubstantial 2, Extended Reach [5'], Improved Critical 2, Incurable, Mighty, Precise, Variable Descriptor 2 [Any Technological] ) (Blast Blade) {24/25} AP: Deflect 5 ( All Ranged Attacks; Extras: Redirection, Reflection ) {25/25} (Shield of AEGIS) AP: Dazzle 10 ( Visual Senses ) {20/25} (Blinding Blast) Feature 1 ( Temporal Inertia ) [1PP] Immunity 1 ( Aging; Flaw: Limited to Half-Effect ) [1PP] Device 8 ( 40PP Container; Feat: Restricted to Omegadrones; Drawback: Full-Round to Don the Suit [-4] Flaw: Hard to Lose ) [29PP] (AEGIS Upgraded Omegadrone Armor) Enhanced Attack 6 [12 DP] (Combat Computer) Enhanced Defense 3 [6DP] (Combat Computer) Flight 3 ( 50mph, 500 ft./rnd; Feat: Move-by-Action ) [7DP] (Jet Boots) Immunity 4 ( Disease, Poison, Sleep, Starvation & Thirst; Flaw: Limited to Half-Effect ) [2DP] Immunity 6 ( Environmental Conditions [Cold, Heat, High Pressure, Radiation], Suffocation[All] ) [6DP] Protection 3 [3DP] Super-Movement 1 ( Space Travel [Interplanetary] ) [2DP] Super-Strength 1 ( Effective STR 39 [Heavy Load 2.8 Tons] )[2DP] Omegadrone Shocktrooper Nanite Enhancements ( 50PP Container ) [50PP] Density 4 (x2 Weight, Flaws: Permanent, Feats: Innate, Subtle) [14PP] Enhanced Constitution 8 [8PP] Enhanced Dexterity 8 [8PP] Enhanced Feats 2 ( Affects Insubstantial [Unarmed] ) [2PP] Impervious Toughness 5 [5PP] Speed 1 ( 10 mph, 100' per round ) [1PP] Super-Senses 10 ( Analytical [All Vision], Darkvision, Infravision, Microscopic Vision 3 [Molecule Size], Radio, Tracking [Infravision/Half-Speed] ) [10PP] Super-Strength 1 ( Effective STR 34 Heavy Load=2.8k lbs ) [2PP] Drawbacks: -2PP Vulnerability (Magnetism; uncommon, Major, +50%) [-2PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE DC EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC22 Toughness Damage (Physical) Blinding Blast Ranged DC20 Fort/Reflex Dazzle (Light) Blast Blade Ranged DC22 Toughness Damage (Technological) Entropic Blast Touch DC25 Toughness Damage (Cosmic) Totals: Abilities (36) + Combat (16) + Saving Throws (5) + Skills (26) + Feats (10) + Powers (115) - Drawbacks (2) = 206/212 Power Points

Lor Timemark 1329.8 - March 1, 2015 Garron-9, Garron System Trooper Ekna Veiu sat strapped into the back of the transport ship between a Lor mentat clone with a lantern jaw and a member of a scale covered species he couldn't name and tried to steady his breathing. He'd never planned to be a soldier but then the Communion had ripped through the Khanate, leaving the precious few survivors to flee or be turned into monsters. The Lor loved to talk about never forgetting Lor-Van but they hadn't been the only people to lose a homeworld and they weren't the only ones who'd wanted to fight back. Ekna was seventeen stellar cycles old; that had seemed like so long sitting around on his family farm waiting for his life to start, old enough to enlist with the Coalition forces, certainly. As the ship shook from atmospheric turbulence and he clenched his grey-green hands all he think about was whether or not he'd see his eighteenth cycle celebration. There weren't any enemy ships in the skies above Garron-9, at least. There didn't need to be. What had once been a densely populated border world with almost a billion inhabitants was now a solid sphere of computronium, a planet-sized server to add to the Communion's processing power. A billion people converted into raw materials and 'antibodies', the mindless, shrieking foot soldiers of the enemy. This was only Ekna's second deployment but he'd already gotten to see those up close and personal. They'd lost that moon but he'd acquitted himself well, getting his wounded sergeant to safety. They'd given him a commendation for that. They didn't mention the rest of his squad when they shook his hand. He didn't mention the night terrors he'd had ever since. That was how he'd ended up as part of one of four squads deploying to Garron-9 with a simple mission: fight their way through and take down a communication relay, in theory briefly blinding the Communion in the adjacent sector long enough for something apparently above his pay grade. Troopers didn't need to know the big picture, he guessed. He looked up from his knees and immediately regretted it as he saw the Grue strapped in across from him scowling right at him. At least Ekna thought the Grue was scowling. It was hard to tell with no mouth. He immediately looked back down regardless. Most of the other troopers were more experienced soldiers and most of them had experience fighting against those who were suddenly their allies. Tensions were always high but the calm before the storm was always the worst. Then again, at least he knew what a Grue was. Each squad had been assigned a commander for the mission, though Ekna got the impression the rank wasn't exactly official. One of them was a stern Lor officer with no patience for excuses; he'd met a lot of those in the past months. The Zultasian told a lot of jokes and laughed loudly, all swagger and confidence. Ekna had never seen anything like the grey skinned woman with the cybernetic tail, though, and even though the forth commander didn't look all that much older than him he'd heard some of the other soldiers say she wasn't really Lor but Terran and everybody had a friend of a friend with a horror story about a Terran. Ekna risked glancing up again to the back of the transport where all four of them were standing, holding onto handing straps and conversing.

Criminal Carter Bay, Florida, Terra One week before the Battle of Kesteven 79; Lor Timemark 1329.7 "Whaddya mean what do I want you to do with 'em?! They came to my son's house!" Anna knew she was screaming, and she knew she sounded like an old woman when she screamed, but for once in her life she didn't care. She'd tried for weeks to reach Basil after the fighting in Freedom City during the Communion incursion; and only now, pacing back and forth so fast she was burning through yet another bedroom rug, had she finally gotten ahold of her old friend. "They tried to kill my grandson! They tried to put their filthy stinking hands on my little baby granddaughter! I want them dead! I want their whole goddamned organization dead and buried in a goddamned hole in the ground!" Basil let her rant, like a good friend should, knowing what Clock Queen was like in a righteous temper. When she was finished, Basil broke in gently. "I'll do whatever is in my power to help you, my dear Anna." His voice was warm and soothing, the perfect veteran musician's calm, even tones. "I am not soley responsible for composing their fate, but I think I can persuade even their backers to dance to my tune for a while. But the question remains, Anna, what will you do for me in return?" His tone was serious, but almost apologetic, the same way he might have asked for repayment on money she'd borrowed from him back in the day - which now that she thought about it had happened more than once. "Certain things have never been tolerated in our organization - but of course we're talking about a third party. If I'm to move against them, I need to be sure that you can move with me the next time I need a favor." Anna put her head against the wall, palm flat against the bright green wallpaper of her retirement bungalow, and thought about her old friend's words, even as not for the first time recently she felt a great wave of unaccustomed fatigue. "Listen, Basil, I...I promised my boy I wouldn't get back in the League, and I meant it. It's important to him - and you know nothing's more important to me than family." She opened her eyes and caught sight of herself in the mirror across the hall. Jeez - look at me! Eighty years old, and she looked like a healthy woman in her fifties - a woman who was going to spend a long, long life right here in this bungalow if she chased Basil away right now. He'd better be right about the white noise blocking the line here. "But a deal's a deal. If you need a favor, a real favor...gimmie a call. I'm yours."

Player Name: HG Morrison Character Name: Argonaut Power Level: 10 (162/163) Trade-Offs: +1 Attack/-1 Damage (Blast), -2 Attack/+2 Damage (Strike), -2 Defense /+2 Toughness Unspent PP: 1 Progress to Gold Status: 26/90 (24PP pre-bump [PL8/144PP > PL10/158PP], 4PP post-bump; Silver Status earned with Foreshadow II) Bronze Reward: 10PP of Equipment for Foreshadow, 5PP gone into shared Vanguard HQSilver Reward: 3rd PC [Argonaut] at PL10/150PP In Brief: Omegadrone Agent of A.E.G.I.S! Alternate Identity: Yves Zermeño, Yvejskrujanharbh'aar Identity: Secret Birthplace: Lor-Zul Occupation: AEGIS Field Agent Affiliations: AEGIS Family: Carlos Zermeño (Husband), Luz Zermeño (Eldest Daughter), Anna Zermeño (Middle Daughter), Sophia Zermeño (Youngest Daughter) Description: Age: 47 (DoB: Born March, 16 1968) Apparent Age: 30 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Lor Height: 5'2 Weight: 105 lbs Eyes: Brown Hair: Brown Yves is a slightly muscular brown skinned woman with no visible natural body hair. The missing hair on her head was replaced with a very expensive lace wig. The wig is styled into a short bob. She often dresses in modest fashions that leave very little skin showing. Hiding the various scars throughout her body that she actually opted not to have surgically removed. Never wanting to forget the monster that she was. As Argonaut, Yves' MEGA-MAX bears a recolored Shocktrooper Omegadrone Armor. The face plate retains an all too familiar skull like design. The armor does not have wings due to having a far sleeker design than Steelgrave's original bulky model. The back does, however, have secondary thrusters to to aid the jet boosts propulsion outside of atmospheric conditions (although the secondary boosters are currently damaged), The rocket boots can maneuver through the air with no issue having lost no air superiority. The Armor's left breastplate has the AEGIS emblem engraved. History: In another world in which the Lor's First Age never came to a close, the Lor Republic stretched to every corner of explored space. The military existed primarily for the purpose of exploration and further colonization of Lor Space. Quality of Life for citizens of the advanced civilization was such that only a sci fi novel could compare. Yvejskrujanharbh'aar was a freshly graduated university student with a future as a star faring diplomat in all but certain. Her life was pretty much uneventful. She had friends, family, loved ones and her personal tragedies were no more exciting than a lost pet here or there. Having never left her home planet, her dream was to engage in interplanetary relations perhaps to eventually take a seat as a Senator. The Lor citizens born on the planet of Lor-Zul are known for being born with two very distinct features. The first being a long life span in which they maintain a youthful appearance, only showing signs of aging during the last quarter of their lives. The second a natural affinity with languages their mind able to comprehend all spoken and written word as if they were living ciphers due to a unique psionic mutation. It was only the first trait that appealed to Shadivian Steelgrave after the Terminus came. With no enemies to oppose the Lor the military was nowhere near qualified to handle the unified front of the combat drones that swept their world. The Lor were crushed and in the end there was only the Terminus. Life as a conquered slave with the Hundred Worlds was far different for the Lor. Gone from Spacemen to cavemen one had to let a piece of himself die just to survive. In Nihilor only the strong survive. And what she lacked in physical might, Yvejskrujanharbh'aar made up for with sheer willpower and luck. Engaging in brutal gladiatorial fights until she scrapped by on top of her opposition. Her prize? Her mind was torn asunder as she underwent the unspeakable acts that defined the Omegadrone conditioning. Brainwashed by the Omegadrone conditioning Yvejskrujanharbh'aar had long faded she was merely a servant of Omega. Serving on the front lines as an Omegadrone Shocktrooper. Many people remember the Terminus Invasion of 1993 differently. Most of those memories are not looked back on too fondly. But for Yvejskrujanharbh'aar it was her first real memory since her first shot at life had ended. As one of those very invaders, she found herself barely clinging to life by the time the battle had come to a close. Her armor was skewered onto a steel rod at her abdomen. Recovered by AEGIS field agents, she was given medical treatment as the organization wasn't out to just let people die. Even those part of a foreign invasion force. Of course if it brought about the opportunity to learn more about the Terminus forces more power to them. It took a think tank of the top AEGIS psychologists and doctors to match Daedalus efforts in deprogramming the Omegadrone conditioning. They even crafted a new identity for her to live, monitored by a field agent, just outside of their Baltimore offices. Yvejskrujanharbh'aar or Yves as she had now come to be known just had to agree to surrender her armor to them as well as acting as a consultant whenever the need struck the agency. When Dr. Doris Volk joined AEGIS in 1997 amongst the many projects she pursued was the development of MAX series Power Armors. Shorty after completing the designs on the Super-Max armor Dr. Volk had already begun considering the process for advancing upon her design. Searching through old AEGIS files for inspiration Dr. Volk eventually came to learn about the deal AEGIS made with Yves. It took a decade to combine the technology of the Omegadrone with that of a SUPER MAX armor creating the first flight capable power armor, far before the distinctly more well known models used by Subjects V and V2. The most problematic bit of integration was that the armor's neural interface would only respond to omegadrones like the armor's previous pilot, Yves. A neural interface was originally designed to reinforce the Omegadrone conditioning and improve Nihilor's Mixed Murder Arts by recording combat data and aiding the pilot adapt in all situations. Dr. Volk's attempts of repurposing the interface to aid field agents in saving lives could not completely overcome the fact that only a mind whom had gone through Steelgrave's brainwashing was the only one capable of conceptualizing such an idea. So she requested Yves assistance in improving the combat data of the interface as Dr. Volk attempted to overcome the flaw in the design. An offer that went through a very long series of refusals before Yves finally relented with some trepidation. Spending weekends as a test pilot for the tongue in cheekily named MEGA-MAX armor. Breaking away from the training simulation when the armor caught the transmission of a nearby alarm system in which a shoe store was being robbed by three heavily armed men. Within the comfort of her armor she was able to easily able to deal with the crooks. Disappearing before AEGIS latest line in experimental technology could be shaken. Upon her return she wasn't admonished for taking off with government property as she expected. Instead there was a congratulatory fanfare and applause and she was offered a real job with the agency. After weighing her options and the sense of satisfaction that came with actually doing something good with the armor she took the job. In her personal life, Yves and her handler had wed some years back. Together they were raising three girls from his first marriage. Although at this point the eldest was studying at FCU, so the children did not exactly outnumber the parents in the household. Eventually the Zermeños requested a change in duty station from Baltimore to Freedom City. Marking her return to the city after 20 years as the armored hero Argonaut. After Argonaut returned from a mission off planet. Dr. Volk claimed to have attained enough data to begin work on the MEGA-MAX series of prototypes. Keeping the old Argonaut armor, AEGIS set about fully repairing Argonaut's Shocktrooper armor (At her request). Her thorough cybernetic modifications allowed the armor to once again return to storage within her body. Personality & Motivation Yves may not have been quite herself when she worked as a soldier of Omega. But she remembers every waking minute of that nightmare. Every slash, every stab, every atrocity committed in the name of the Lord of the Terminus. She tries not to let it weigh on her conscious too much and for the most part succeeds with bravado and gumption (albeit a silent gumption), but the memory is always there gnawing at the back of her head. Despite that one would be hard pressed to find her without a smile on her face. Whether it is forced or not. Outwardly confident, albeit carefully spoken, she works hard at covering up her own insecurities of not being qualified for being a 'hero' due to her past a Terminus soldier. Despite the fact that AEGIS already has a solid history of working with reformed criminals. Yves is very good at seeing through people's intentions. Above all else, she feels as if she has seen enough death in her lifetime and will go through absurd lengths to try and save everyone she can even if it cost her life in doing so. In her daily life, Yves can be downright domestic. Attempting to portray the image of a perfect mom next door type, while still keeping conversations as short as possible. Yves is not a talker by any measure for those outside her family. But, when she does speak it's usually either snark covered or blunt with absolutely no sense of tact. A self described realist through and through Argonaut does not mince words or paint optimistic pictures. Powers & Tactics: Yves relies on the Argonaut armor to do all her heavy lifting. Even with her now rusty training in the mixed murder arts, she. Preferring to use her Power Pike at a distance, Yves will pelt away at her foes with the entropic energies of the Terminus contained in the blast blade. If need be she can close the distance and strike at her foes with the actual pike itself. The Shocktrooper Power Pike has a "stim pack system". Using a chemical delivery system with a variety of entropic fueled stimulants designed to appeal to an Omegadrone's implants the Pike can actually deliver a sort of painkiller effect in the heat of battle while filling an Omegadrone with a sort of bloodlust. This allows the mindless drones to push forward in the heat of battle with even less care for their well being. For a freed Omegadrone like Yves, it means having to combat her baser urgers every time she fights. Yves body contains tiny nanofibers that are far stronger than human muscle fibers of equal size. The tiny nano muscles allow her to perform feats of strength above what is humanly possible. In fact her very physical condition is improved well above what should be humanly (or rather Lorly) possible. Her neural implants allows her to react with split second timing. When not in use the Omegadrone armor is stored in the hollow parts of her bones. Complications: AEGIS Defend!: Yves has an almost unhealthy obsession with pursuing redemption. Nominally this just presents in her wanting to try and protect as many lives as she possibly can. Which on its own is not a problem. But ,Yves runs blindly into action without thinking of the consequences if she thinks it can help someone. Theoretically making her an easy target for a villain's manipulations Broken Arrow: The Terminus did the former Omegadrone no favors. Matters related to Omega and his Annihilists, are a possible trigger for Yves' PTSD to flare up. Flashbacks, hallucinations, and panic attacks are among the many possibilities of how this can manifest. While distracting all on their own, it can be real inopportune in the midst of a high stress chaotic combat zone. Calling for Pegasus: Her identity as Argonaut or even as a former Omegadrone is not common knowledge. AEGIS keeps its secrets well guarded. Her would be allies could even assume her to be a criminal due to the design of her armor looking as if it was a riff on Omegadrones. Local law enforcement or overly enthusiastic civilians may Shield Cracked: The neural interface on the Argonaut armor connects her mind to the machine. This means that , Argonaut's brain can be "hacked" by means that would normally only affect machines while connected to her armor. GM's can feel free to have not only be affected by attacks meant to "mind control" technology but even have her auto fail it. Shields High!: Yves is given a lot of autonomy in her identity as Argonaut. Mostly because Dr. Volk judges any superheroics she pursues as still useful for data gathering purposes. But she still is an AEGIS agent and as such does still have certain obligations expected of her that can come into conflict with other heroes. Shield Wall!: Argonaut's Power Pike doesn't really heal her. The Vampiric effect is only a temporary stimulant release for sedation. The GM can at any point in time have any healed injuries return. Furthermore, the stimulant release was not designed with a conscious person in mind. The GM could apply any number of new conditions (such as nauseate, paralyze, etc) with or without the prior healed Damage condition to show her body is suffering from adverse effects from the entropic energies flush in her body. Abilities: 6 + 6 + 6 + 0 + 0 + 0 = 18PP Strength: 16/30 (+3/+10) Dexterity: 16/30 (+3/+10) Constitution: 16/30 (+3/+10) Intelligence: 10 (+0) Wisdom: 10 (+0) Charisma: 10 (+0) Combat: 16 + 8 = 24PP Initiative: +10 Attack: +8 Base, +9 Ranged, +11 Power Pike Blast Grapple: +18 Defense: +78(+4 Base, +4 Dodge Focus), +2 Flat-Footed Knockback: -6 (Outside of Armor), -9 (Inside of Armor) Saving Throws: 0 + 0 + 2 = 2PP Toughness: +12 (+10 Con, +2 Protection, 7 Impervious) Fortitude: +10 (+10 Con) Reflex: +10 (+10 Dex) Will: +2 (+0 Wis, +2) Skills: 76R = 19PP Computers 10 (+10) Skill Mastery Disable Device 5 (+5)Skill Mastery Intimidate 10 (+10)Skill Mastery Knowledge (Cosmology) 10 (+10) Knowledge (Galactic Lore) 5 (+5) Notice 8 (+8) Pilot 5 (+15)Skill Mastery Sense Motive 15 (+15) Survival 8 (+8) Feats: 8PP Attack Focus (Ranged) 1 Benefit (AEGIS Security Clearance) Dodge Focus 4 Fearless Skill Mastery (Computers, Disable Device, Intimidate, Pilot) Powers: 6 + 17 + 1 + 1 + 25 + 44 = 964PP Comprehend 3 ( Languages [Read All, Speak Any One at a Time, Understand All ) [6PP] Device 5 ( 25PP Container; Feats: Restricted to Omegadrones, Subtle; Flaws: Easy-To-Lose ) [17PP] (Power Pike) Concealment 2 ( Normal Sight; Flaw: Passive ) [2PP] (Cloaking) BP: Damage 9 ( Extra: Ranged; Feats: Accurate, Alternate Power 1, Improved Range, Incurable, Precise ) (Entropic Blast) [23PP] AP: Damage 4 ( Extra: Penetrating 2, Vampiric 12; Feats: Extended Reach 1 [5 ft.], Improved Critical 2, Incurable, Mighty, Split Attack ) {22/22} (Power Pike Strike) Feature ( Temporal Inertia ) [1PP]Immunity ( Aging; Flaw: Limited to Half-Effect ) [1PP] Omega Armor 5 ( 25PP Container, Free Action, Sustained Duration ) [25PP] Flight 3 ( 50mph, 500 ft./rnd ) [6PP] (Jet Boots) Immunity 9 ( Life Support ) [9PP] Impervious Toughness 7 [7PP] Super-Senses 3 ( Darkvision, Radio ) [3PP] Omegadrone Shocktrooper Nanite Enhancements 8.8 ( 44PP Container ) [44PP] Enhanced Constitution 14 [14PP] Enhanced Dexterity 14 [14PP] Enhanced Strength 14 [14PP] Protection 2 [2PP] Drawbacks: -3 = -3 Vulnerable (Magnetic; Frequency: Uncommon; Intensity: Major ) [-3PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC25 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Entropic Blast Ranged DC24 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Entropic) Power Pike Strike Touch DC27 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Piercing/Slashing) Totals: Abilities (18) + Combat (24) + Saving Throws (2) + Skills (19) + Feats (8) + Powers (94) - Drawbacks (3) = 162/163 Power Points Note: Argonaut was originally bought as my 3rd PC with my Bronze Reward as a PL 8 (120/120). This Rebuild switches her over to my Silver Reward as a PL 10 (150/150). Seeing as this counts as a roundabout bump, Rollover from her time as a Bronze Character Slot has been applied. The Bronze Reward is instead taking the place of my Silver Reward (15 Equipment points. 10 Spent on Foreshadow, 5 on Vanguard HQ).

Lor Timemark 1329.7 - February 28, 2015 Repiuk System Asteroid Belt When rich ore deposits had been discovered in the asteroid belt of a system with no habitable worlds nearly a hundred and fifty years prior it had drawn in a rush of prospectors, independent fortune seekers and small companies looking to stake a claim that would set them and their families up for generations. As the demands of the galactic economy shifted and the best veins had been tapped out, however, the cost of refinement had risen past the profitability of the belt and one by one facilities had been abandoned, subterranean ghost towns riddling the asteroids with tunnels and shafts. Decades later those abandoned mines would serve as a base of operations for a vicious pirate fleet, their leader cannily realizing that the remaining deposits of heavy metals would play havoc with snooping sensor sweeps. They'd been found out by the Star Knights nevertheless and soundly routed, leaving another layer of abandoned equipment in their wake. It was Sri A'Lan Koor who had remembered those raids and suggested the belt, a remote location of no military significance or appeal to the Communion, as a staging area for the Coalition forces. For the past three months the secret had remained kept, long enough for the leaders of the Coalition to feel secure gathering together in one room as they planned out their last, best chance to drive out the invading menace. Standing at the war table the veteran Star Knight had to wonder if they weren't going to do the Communion's job for it. "You need to pull your head out of whatever orifice you've shapeshifted for defecation purposes," Senator Diena Th'emme told the Grue Arcane across from her flatly, fingertips pressed firmly against the surface of the horizontal display between them. The tall, imperious woman managed to make even the utilitarian grey jumpsuit she was wearing come across as regalia, her honey blonde hair done up in a crisp bun. "We have a precise window of opportunity. What troops we can spare to assault the communication relay will have to be enough." The short, stocky being to her made a fluting growl, waving fur covered hands for emphasis as his translator box did its work in an incongruously light soprano. "You would send them to their deaths and for what?" Minister Ch'rrr had rallied a number of worlds to the Coalition's banner in his home sector but was by nature disinclined toward risk taking. "The slim hope of a possible advantage for a doomed plan? Your ancestors' pardon, Citizen Tulink, but I cannot place so much faith in a single simulacrum. Surely you agree, Praetorian Val-Ren?"

Outer Edge of the Lor-Van System 17 Hours After Destruction of Lor-Van The previous solar cycle's worth of hours had been among the worst in the lives of either Seikahi’ino or Ana Plonsky. On shore leave from the Xeno, the human woman had chosen to spend it on the shining crown jewel of the Lor Republic with the more worldly Kahi'iru agreeing to tag along as a favour to their mutual acquaintance to make sure she didn't get herself into any trouble. There was no way either of them could have been prepared for the Communion's sudden, merciless attack on Lor-Van. There was no way anyone could have been prepared. They'd been among the lucky ones, making it to a spaceport and squeezing their way onto a mid-sized cruiser just as the bay doors closed and it made for orbit. They'd sat on makeshift benches formed from empty cargo containers while a panicked young man had asked over and over if anyone had seen his sister among the crowd and a frail grandmother had been unable to stop an infants plaintive wailing for even a moment. They'd been in the windowless hold when word had filtered down that the Star Knights had arrived in force, a moment of sudden hope and relief before learning that the armor clad champions had sacrificed themselves to give them and the other fleeing vessels time to break orbit. They'd been there when the air had begun to taste just slightly stale and those familiar with starships had begun muttering that the engines didn't sound quite right. There when a crewman had let slip that they'd fallen behind the rest of the extant fleet and wouldn't be able to jump to FTL until repairs had been effected. There when the panicked young man from before had to be restrained before he could hurt himself or anyone else. There when someone asked aloud what was stopping those terrible silver sliver ships from coming to finish them off. On the ship's bridge, Samran-86 ran a hand through her tightly shorn red hair and reminded herself to keep her breathing calm and steady. The Lor officer had assumed command of the vessel from it grateful owner, a cargo hauler with no experience with emergency situations. The clone mentat known to her fellows as Eject was beginning to think he'd had the right idea. "Any friendly vessels, this is the freighter Either Ore. We are venting plasma and require immediate assistance. Repeat: we require immediate assistance. Is anyone out there listening?"

"Stories?" Eden Espadas inquired with a hopeful inflection as she ducked her head under her aunt's elbow and pulled herself up onto Ellie's lap to get a better look at the medical text open on the table in front of them. With a small laugh, Ellie shifted the toddler about into a safer position. "Not exactly, Edie. Y'know how tu papa teaches people here? This is how I learn how to be a doctor." She'd set herself up at a deck on the dojo's first floor partly so that she could take advantage of the light coming in through the large front windows and partly so she could keep an eye on her niece as she played on the pads covering most of the floor. Chris had also mentioned something about coming by to work on the security systems in the headquarters hidden in the converted bomb shelter under their feet and with her brother and sister-in-law out celebrating their anniversary she wanted to watch the door in the meantime. Eden looked equally skeptical at the idea of a book that wasn't for stories as she did about her aunt being a doctor. She liked Ellie, after all, and she knew she didn't enjoy visiting the doctor much at all. She could only assume it was another case of an adult trying to be funny. They did that a lot.

Edges of Grue Unity Space Lor Timemark 1312.4 "Perimeter Vessel Theta-Theta-Gamma reporting all quiet," the Grue Metamorph named Dul'ce sighed, repeating the same message he'd been sending back to command twice a cycle for the entire duration of his posting. Cycle after cycle of staring at a field of stars, empty apart from a patch of asteroids or the occasional comet, lightyears away from anything to conquer or infiltrate or even just observe, just the arbitrary border of Unity controlled space past which there was simply nothing worth claiming. It was busy work of the highest order, that was the worst of it, Dul'ce reflected as he melted back in his chair, dejectedly allowing his form to become slightly liquid. The Meta-Mind could have easily focused on his thoughts, just like any of the Grue, if it truly wished to know what was happening on the frontier. The twice-cycle reports proved that it was simple bureaucracy, a tick in a ledger that no Grue would ever bother reviewing once it was logged. "Pull yourself together, Navigator!" a sharp voice barked, causing Dul'ce's outer layer to go spiky in surprise. The only other Metamorph on the vessel and his commanding officer strode onto the bridge, flanked by a pair of drones. Faa'et had taken to making his form a little taller and broader at the shoulder since his promotion and Dul'ce might have sworn his chin was even a little more square, though he couldn't imagine for whom Faa'et was making the effort. "I don't tolerate loose shifting on the Double-Theta Gee!" Dul'ce hid another sigh. The Unity didn't bother naming its vessels like lesser species and for good reason. Faa'et's attempts to give the scout ship a nickname were ridiculous, though the navigator never would have said so aloud. Just thinking that was about the captain would have been bad enough if Faa'et had ever bothered to read anyone's thoughts apart from his own. "Apologies, Captain. I was just finishi-- eh?" On the console in front of him a green dot blinked on, floating through nearby space before changing direction and heading toward them.

GM Newtorch station, Inner Oort Cloud, Sol System Second orbit, fifth day, April 15th, 7.30AM Earth time. A brilliant crystal lance sailed through the void, mighty donut-shaped rings spinning endlessly around the haft, housing the several hundred scientists, staff, and guards keeping safe the future of Lor technology. There they lived and worked in strict, regular shifts, coming and going, eating and sleeping to refresh their tireless dedication. A phalanx of ships patrolled far outside the sight of any being, searching unceasingly for any sign of an approaching threat. At the lance's tip was a white diamond, where the force field was strongest and the gunnery lines were thickest. The size of several battleships welded together, that was where the most dangerous part of the station's mission was kept. Newtorch station was one of several throughout the Republic, uncovering new ways to draw energy from the world and power the bustling interstellar civilization. They often ended up examining things strange and powerful enough that risking star systems was all too possible. Inevitably they ended up on the fringes of inhabited space, far from either help or victims. Thefts were possible too. But the sheer danger tended to keep everyone away. Except, of course, the daredevils. "Next shift incoming, sir!" called out the surveillance monitor "and none too soon!" "Just the facts, Bey." replied the station captain with a wry twist of his purple lips. Hands clasped behind his back, the stubby Lor watched the small, regularly spaced dots draw near and allowed himself a slight note of self-praise: nothing had happened that had endangered the crew, the only faulty source had been safely ejected and destroyed, and they had a marvelous new subject: the gem from Sirius. It could power an entire fleet if they could get the transferal right, and then... "Bey, how many ships are in that convoy?" The sudden edge in the officer's voice got a puzzled look, and a quick response "Eleven, sir. Usual number-" "That's one too few! Alert the ships, tell them there's an infiltrator!" 'Sri Steward of Earth, you have an incoming message.' Mentor's voice had all the warmth and wisdom that came from the unthinkable eons it had seen, but it was still as commanding as a drill sergeant, clear as ice and cut Kyle off from sleep like a knife. 'Blockade Fleet Admiral Kalf has urgent news, and a request. Your system is in great danger.'

Rolls and out-of-character discussion for thread. Cavalier has a rude awakening, and deals with a new take on jewel heists perpetrated by Captain Cerise.

>HellQ

CoronaPower Level: 10 [12] (168/182PP)Trade-Offs: +2 Tou/-2 DefUnspent Power Points: 14 In Brief: A Lor security officer empowered by weird cosmic experiments. She is assigned to work alongside ancient aliens and proven allies. Alternate Identity: Aya K'zan Identity: Public Birthplace: Firstdown, Hala Occupation: Agent of ALIENS Affiliations: Lor Republic, Allied Liaison/Intelligence Extra-National Service, the Praetorians Family: Genus K'zan (father, deceased), Mar'as K'zan (mother, deceased). Description Age: 32 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Lor, appears Hispanic Height: 5' 4" Weight: 135 lbs. Eyes: Brown/Gold Hair: Black Aya K'zan is a woman of average height but with a stocky, muscular frame. Her skin is brown and smooth, her dark hair is styled up in a faux hawk, and her eyes are deep and liquid. She moves with a confident, almost angry gait, and her round face is usually fixed in a scowl at whatever her latest problem is. She prefers to wear anonymous, sturdy clothes, usually a jumpsuit or trousers and a blouse. In a formal setting, she may instead wear rank-free set of Lor Navy dress blues. When acting as an official agent of the Lor Republic or when she expects a situation to be dangerous, she wears a Lor combat spacesuit. The suit is all hard angles and reinforced sections, painted a bright gold with a crimson starburst on her chest. The suit's paint is usually chipped, though, showing a neutral cream base. Power Descriptions: Corona can manifest a golden-tinged cosmic energy, which she can put to any number of applications. She naturally projects a forcefield micrometers above her skin, which offers better protection than any mortal suit of armor. She can use the energy to supercharge her muscles or focus it into a damaging ray of energy. She can even blast that energy behind herself to fly. Even her biology has been affected by these cosmic energies, as she longer has to breath or eat to sustain herself. She still possess a Lor-designed combat spacesuit, designed to withstand the rigors of combat while keeping one safe from the dangers of hard vacuum. It can preserve her life in any number of hostile environments, and after receiving modifications from Miss Americana it can safely channel Aya's cosmic energies. History: Aya K'zan was born on Hala, an old world of the Lor Republic, near the center of their galactic expanse. Her father was one of the Republic's top scientists and so she was raised as part of the upper class of the Republic, learning duty and loyalty and pride from a young age. When she came of age, instead of going into the Lor-Van Science Academy she joined the Republic Naval Academy. Her grades drew attention from higher-ups and upon graduation she was invited to join the Republic Investigative Patrol. The RIP is an investigation and enforcement group with extensive powers within the boundaries of the Republic. As an agent, Aya traveled to the outskirts of the Republic and the spires of powers, searching out corruption and treason. She took her job seriously, perhaps too much so; no matter was too small for her attention, and she pushed her authority to the limit pursuing her ideals of justice without regard to rank or connection. It was only a matter of time before she came up against someone powerful. It was a missing persons case -- a case of missing children, disappearing off the streets of a planetary capital. Aya took charge of the investigation and tracked the disappearances down to a particular corporate lab; she lead local law enforcement in raiding the structure. Inside were the children and other people, missing vagrants and adolescents written off as runaways. And there were mercenaries. Aya lead from the front, freeing the civilians and driving the hired guns back. Her zeal caused her to push too far ahead, and her group was ambushed; the local law enforcement agents with her were killed, but she survived. She found her way to the heart of the complex, where she discovered a Senator, hastily destroying the evidence of his involvement! Aya tried to arrest him, but the Senator hit her with a blast of weird cosmic energy from a laboratory projector. She came to in a hospital. There was no evidence of the Senator's involvement, but she reported it anyway and insisted on pressing the case. There was a brief trial, one word against another, and the Senator walked off a free man. Aya, having burned the last of her favors, was kicked out of RIP. After the destruction of Lor-Van and the battle against the Communion, Aya was tapped to form part of a new branch of the Lor government. The Allied Liaison/Intelligence Extra-National Service was designed to work with all militarily-significant, non-Republican forces in the galaxy, and in recognition of the service the Praetorians were assigned one of the first agents. Personality & Motivation: Aya K'zan is a direct, even forceful woman. She dislikes lies or even elaborate plans, preferring to live her life as a straight line between two point. Some people would claim that she's as graceless as a mad bull, but she prefers to think of herself as cutting through superfluous nonsense. She tends to come off as rather rough and she's not inclined to take less than 100%, but she can be surprisingly gentle to people who are genuinely out of her depth. Aya's greatest concern is justice, the simple notion that the rules apply to everyone and that everyone will get what they deserve. Trying to shirk your responsibilities or a just punishment is about the worst thing she can imagine. Powers & Tactics: Aya can talk about escalation backwards and forwards, and she follows it to a tee. She'll start by playing nice, then trying to scare opponents into surrendering, and only if that fails will she start fighting. Against baseline enemies she'll stick with grapples and Nauseate to get them to stand down, but against superpowered enemies she'll use every power she has. Once combat starts, though, she focuses on protecting civilians over and above everything else. Complications: For Great Justice! Whether it's the rule of the law, karma, or comeuppance, Aya has always been focused on balancing the scales. Responsibilities Aya is first and foremost an agent of the Lor Republic. It will take something extraordinary to get her to abandon her duty. Superior Lor Et Cetera Aya is loyal to the Republic through and through, and tends to trust Lor technology and Lor opinions above anything else. Like Pulling Teeth As a RIP agent Aya clashed several times with the Maw, a nasty group of smugglers and mercenaries without a moral between them. If they ran into her, it would inevitably descend into combat. Like a Shining Star Corona's powers all involve her glowing like a flashlight. Whenever she's actively using her powers, stealth is all but impossible for her. Prejudice Aya has worked for the Lor Republic all her life, and is extremely loyal to it. She will have a very negative reaction to any of the traditional enemies of the Lor, such as the Grue or members of the Khanate. Hatred Corona will go out of her way to fight, denigrate, or inconvenience the Communion any way she can. Neuvo Bureaucrats ALIENS is a new branch of the Lor government, and formed during a time of great uncertainty in the Republic. That means the exact extent of their responsibilities are unclear. That can be a boon and a burden Abilities: 8 + 6 + 8 + 2 + 0 + 6 = 30PP Strength: 30/18 (+10/+4) Dexterity: 16 (+3) Constitution: 18 (+4) Intelligence: 12 (+1) Wisdom: 10 (+0) Charisma: 16 (+3) Combat: 12 + 16 = 28PP Initiative: +7 Attack: +6 Melee, +6 Ranged, +10 Unarmed, +10 Blast Grapple: +10/+21 Defense: +8 (+8 Base), +4 Flat-Footed Knockback: -6/-24 Saving Throws: 4 + 5 + 8 = 17PP Toughness: +12 (+4 Con, +8 Protection, 0/10 Impervious) Fortitude: +8 (+4 Con, +4) Reflex: +8 (+3 Dex, +5) Will: +8 (+0 Wis, +8) Skills: 108R = 27PP Diplomacy 7 (+10) Gather Information 7 (+10) Intimidate 11 (+14) Investigate 11 (+13) Knowledge (Civics) 9 (+10) Knowledge (Galactic Lore) 9 (+10) Knowledge (Life Sciences) 4 (+5) Knowledge (Physical Sciences) 4 (+5) Knowledge (Streetwise) 9 (+10) Knowledge (Technology) 4 (+5) Language 4 (English, Galstandard, Grue, Lor [N], Mandarin) Notice 11 (+11) Pilot 7 (+10) Sense Motive 11 (+11) Feats: 7PP Accurate Attack Attack Specialization (Unarmed) Benefit (Native [Lor Space]) Improved Initiative Interpose Power Attack Startle Powers: 2 + 26 + 9 + 14 + 8 = 59PP Flight 1 (10 MPH) (Self-Propelled Flight) (Cosmic, Radiation) [2PP] Cosmic Empowerment Array 11.5 (23PP, Feats: Accurate, Alternate Power 2) (Cosmic) [26PP] BE: Immovable 13 (Extra: Linked [+0] [impervious Protection]) + Impervious Protection 10 (Extra: Linked [+0] [immovable]) (Shall Not Be Moved) (Cosmic, Mutation) [23/23PP] AP: Blast 10 (Feats: Accurate, Affects Insubstantial 2 [DAM 10]) (Cosmic Blast) (Cosmic, Radiation) [23/23PP] AP: Enhanced Strength 12 (Extra: Linked [+0] [Super-Strength]) + Super-Strength 5 (Str 55, Extra: Linked [+0] [Enhanced Strength], Thunderclap) (Strength of the Cosmos) (Cosmic, Mutation, Radiation) [23/23PP] Immunity 9 (Life Support) (Cosmic Genetics) (Cosmic, Mutation) [9PP] Lor Combat Spacesuit 3 (15PP, Hard to Lose, Feat: Restricted 2 [DNA Check]) (Alien, Technology) [14PP] Enhanced Feat 3 (Environmental Adaptation 3 [High Gravity, Low Gravity, Zero-Gee]) (Blood Flow Regulators) [3PP] Enhanced Feat 2 (Alternate Power 2 [On Cosmic Empowerment Array]) (Archetech Modifications) [2PP] AP: Damage 10 (Extra: Area/Cone [General], Extras: Progression 2 [Area] [50 ft per rank]) (Flat-Hand Blast) [22/22PP] AP: Flight 9 (Stacks with Flight 1 for Flight 10 (25 000 MPH), Extra: Linked [+0] [Super-Movement]) + Super-Movement 2 (Space Travel 2 [Interstellar],Extra: Linked [+0] [Flight]) (Cosmic Thrusters) [22/22PP] Communication 6 (Radio, 20 miles, Feat: Subtle) (Suit Comms) [7PP] Super-Senses 2 (Radio) (Radio Receiver) [2PP] Protection 8 (Skin-tight Forcefield) (Cosmic, Mutation, Radiation) [8PP] Drawbacks: (-0) + (-0) = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 19 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Strength of the Cosmos Touch DC DC25 Toughness (Staged) Damage Physical)/(Cosmic, Mutation) Cosmic Blast Ranged DC 25 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Cosmic, Radiation) Thunderclap Touch/Cone DC 20 Reflex/DC 20 Fort Deafened (Cosmic, Mutation) Flat-Hand Blast Touch/Cone DC 20 Reflex/DC 25 Toughness Damage (Cosmic, Mutation) Totals: Abilities (30) + Combat (28) + Saving Throws (17) + Skills (27) + Feats (7) + Powers (59) - Drawbacks (0) = 168/182 Power Points

With the heroes and two-thirds of the ship's complement beamed down into the heart of the Curator's central control room, it was just Jill and Vrix-117, and of course Quickstep as well. Vrix wasn't as talkative as Samran or Shepard, and admitted that as she showed Jill how to read the panels that showed everyone's life readings inside the Curator's construct. "Commander's tactical, Shepard's science, but I'm more engineering. I mostly keep the ship running while they're on missions." Vrix had removed her helmet too, revealing bronze skin and hair as red as a lollipop. "I...oh!" she pointed as one of the wall panels lit up to reveal a flash of light from the distant perimeter of the ringworld, a silvery saucer ship flying through the gap. "I don't know that design, but they're not local. Hang on." She tapped a button on the panel in front of her, then shook her head. "Damn. I can't reach the commander, but I got a tachyon squirt out to the fleet. They'll be sending reinforcements. Friends of yours?" she asked, cocking her head Jill's way. Dorothy peered at the screen and said, "Looks just like a flying saucer from the movies!" - The saucer erupted into the Curator's system as it dropped from FTL, spilling a wash of tachyons and neutrinos along with a spray of visible light. They were between the ringworld's star and its structure, and for a moment the sheer size of the magnificent construction, known to be one of the largest structures in the Milky Way, filled the scanners of the ship. Thanks to the Curator's famous paranoia, it had been a long, long time indeed since anyone had ever gotten this close. 'Beneath' them was an ocean big enough to swallow multiple Earths, a storm playing across it that could have covered the entire planet, with distant shores visible even to the naked eye beyond before the ring curved away into invisibility. Trillions of people were down there, living their lives, perhaps never knowing about the Curator. Above them, close to the star, hung a black sphere the size of the Earth's moon, part of the circle of rotating black squares the size of planets themselves that made day and night for the people below. It was the central control unit of the entire structure, the geniuses aboard could tell at a glance. And inside that sphere, somewhere, was Steve. And attached to the side, visible as they got closer and closer, was a white pod the computer recognized as a Lor military vessel.

The group of young heroes and their Lor allies stepped onto the transmitter pads and vanished, their atoms quantum-tunneling five hundred miles through solid computronium and re-emerging in the central control room of the Curator - the mighty cybernetic intelligence whose vast power and arcane manipulations of their world had brought them to this place. They found themselves standing in a vast, cathedral-sized hall lined with dark and silent monitors cut in a triangular shape, the too-bright silver light overhead a source of stark illumination inside the central hub of the Curator's lair. The air was stale and smelled musty, a relic of however many eons it had been sealed inside since the Curator's original construction. At the 'altar' of the room sat a massive chair, almost like a throne, covered in the same silver-black pyramids that were the Curator's symbol, tentacles of computronium rising from it to infiltrate the wall behind. Sitting in that chair, its head bowed ever-so-slightly, was a still, silent Curator drone, its three eyes dim and dark. And standing next to it was Dr. Sebastian Stratos, lightning crackling around his fingers. "Hey, kids!" he called with a wave. "Got your hive going, eh, Barry?" He chuckled. "I wondered if I'd see you again. You didn't happen to bring any food with you, did you? Because I am _starving_!" He waved his lightning-covered hands around for emphasis. "I found this zoo a couple of levels down, but most of the animals tasted terrible, and one kept trying to shapeshift into my mother or something. It was awful!"

Ready for anything, the heroes erupted from the pyramid ship, weapons raised as they prepared to do battle with unending robot hordes! But instead they found...stillness. The lights were bright, just as VINCE had suggested, the sharp white glow of the central spine overhead casting harsh shadows everywhere. There was a scent in the air vaguely like the stuff added to natural gas back on Earth, and everywhere there were robots! Eerie humanoid skeletons with three eyes and clawed limbs, ferocious-looking guardians of the Curator that were doing absolutely nothing. For a long time, Harrier eyed the robots, his armor having chunked open over his skin, before he spoke in a voice loud enough for them all to hear. "Look at them. They are not arranged. They are not armed. They are...immobile." And sure enough, the robots were silent and still, caught in the middle of walking, pressing buttons, circulating around the hangar bay, but not a single one moved a metal muscle. Harrier walked over to one, still wrapped in armor. "It does not react." "So what does that mean?" asked Quickstep, scrubbing her hands along her arms as she leaned out of the ship. "Is he waiting for something? Is this really his base? Are we were we're supposed to be?" She wrinkled her nose against the smell. "What do we do now?"