#: 547513 S6/Heroes 14-Feb-94 00:03:02 Sb: CHC: International News Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: All "WEATHER TERRORIST" THREATENS MARSEILLES February 13, Paris, API Following a freak tornado off the coast of France that destroyed a fishing trawler, killing all six crewmembers, the French Interior Minister has reported that an individual identifying himself as "Cyclone" called government offices claiming responsibility. "Cyclone" claimed that he is capable of causing tornados, and will inflict severe damage to the city of Marseilles unless he is paid 100 million Francs by Tuesday, February 15. Although no other comment was made by the French government, unofficial sources say that, contrary to the apparent absurdity of the claims, the government is taking this threat seriously, and the French secret service is said to be investigating. #: 552972 S6/Heroes 19-Feb-94 21:36:51 Sb: CHC: International News Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 MARSEILLES DEVESTATED BY FREAK TORNADO! AT LEAST 200 DEAD, OVER 3000 INJURED February 19, Paris, API The date of the "weather terrorist's" ultimatum came and went, and if anyone believed that Marseilles might really be struck by a damaging tornado, as the man identified only as "Cyclone" claimed it would be, their fears were ended Tuesday. At 5:14 AM Friday morning, a tornado appeared from out of a clear sky, and cut a terrible path across the French city of Marseilles. The tornado missed the residential areas, but tore through the main business district, and also struck the city administration offices almost dead center, utterly destroying most government buildings. [aerial photographs shown on news broadcasts depict a city that looks almost literally cut in half, with a quarter-mile wide strip of total destruction laid across its center.] The tornado travelled in an almost perfect straight line through the city, touching down at one side and dissipating when it reached the other. One meteorologist classified the possibility of this being a natural phenomenon as "theoretically possible, but astronomically unlikely". Experts say that had the tornado passed through residential neighborhoods, the death toll would likely have been in the tens of thousands. The disaster is one of the worst in French history, and emergency crews are still attempting to dig people out from under the rubble. Police and fire departments from all over the province had to be summoned to Marseilles, as the city's own emergency personnel and equipment were virtually wiped out by the tornado. Initial damage is undoubtedly in the billions of dollars, and the city of Marseilles will be economically unviable for at least a year. Meanwhile, the French population, as well as much of Europe, is in an uproar at the possibility that this was a man-made disaster. The French government has assured its people that locating the self-titled "Cyclone" and investigating his claims is now its highest priority. There is no word of any new demands being issued by the would-be extortionist. #: 558994 S6/Heroes 26-Feb-94 04:40:58 Sb: CHC: International News Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: All "SPIDER GIRL" STOPS CRAZED GUNMAN IN JAPAN API, Tokyo- In the sort of incident that is often considered common in America, but almost unheard of in Japan, a salaryman working in the district offices of Matsuzaka Microelectronics in Tokyo arrived at work this morning with an assault rifle, and held his coworkers hostage for three hours. Sadao Kodama, 42, was apparently distressed that he had just been passed over in his one chance to enter the upper echelons of the corporate heirarchy. In his frequent telephone conversations with the police during the three hour ordeal, Kodama repeatedly demanded to speak with Aoi Matsuzaka himself, the president of Matsuzaka International, the parent corporation of Matsuzaka Microelectronics. It is still unknown where he obtained the AK-47 assault rifle, which, like all firearms, is banned in Japan and not easily available even on the black market. In the end, it was not the police who ended the situation, but a woman who was observed climbing the sheer walls of the Matsuzaka Building, with no climbing equipment visible. Upon reaching the forty-second floor, where the hostage situation was taking place, she kicked in one of the exterior plate-glass windows, a feat which would be considered impossible under normal circumstances. According to the Matsuzaka employees inside, the woman was wearing a plain black bodysuit, with a small white spider on the left breast, and a mask which concealed the upper half of her face. As the window shattered inward, the surprised gunman spun around, only to be grabbed by the woman as she leapt inside with blinding speed and kicked his weapon across the room. She then wrapped Kodama in what was described as sticky webbing, which she emitted from her fingertips. After quickly checking to make sure everyone inside was uninjured, she jumped back out the window, climbed another twenty-five stories to the roof of the building, and from there evaded further surveillance, even by a police helicopter which attempted to follow her. Tokyo police, the Japanese government, and Matsuzaka officials have all refused to comment on the amazing "Spider Girl", who is quickly becoming a media rage in Japan. #: 522858 (P) S6/Heroes 14-Jan-94 21:27:14 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Nigel Cole 100020,1170 Nigel, I changed my mind and decided origin stories will be done in Private, until characters encounter one another. Keeps them from having surprises spoiled for them. (Btw, I only have three players so far, so if you have any friends who might be interested, let me know.) Anyways, here's your beginning. Kimberly's combination of powers and disads made for an opportunity I couldn't pass up! So, you're getting right in the middle of things, probably sooner than the others. --------------------------------------- Kim has been feeling GREAT lately. No one can touch you in any of your sports. You've always been a decent tennis player, but you've been doing fantastically well lately. Same in soccer, and martial arts. Your teacher says you finally seem to be paying attention...maybe you'll be ready to test for brown belt soon. You've also noticed that you're not sleeping as much lately. You don't feel tired, but you constantly wake up in the early morning and can't get back to sleep. So you've taken to climbing out your window and jogging around the neighborhood in the early morning hours. Oakland is not the best city in the world for a young lady to be out alone at night, but it does have some better areas, in the hills, which is where Kim lives. Plus she feels confident that anyone she runs into that would give her trouble, she could either outfight or outrun. Your parents would have fits, of course, if they knew you were running around alone in the dark. You are asleep, drifting towards wakefulness, knowing it's about time for you to get up and go for your morning run. And suddenly you feel a peculiar TUGGING sensation, like something is beckoning to you. You sense it in the back of your head, like a mental beacon. And then you are WRENCHED from your bed, though you haven't moved. You awake very quickly now, as you feel a cold breeze blowing over you and through your pajamas. Opening your eyes, you find you are lying on some kind of metal platform, which is humming. Looking around, you see the platform is sitting on the ground, on a small flat area among some hills...it looks vaguely like the hills that stretch along the eastern Bay Area, same topography and plantlife. At first you think that several hours must have passed, for it is no longer dark. But the moon is still out, and the sun isn't. Your vision seems somewhat muted, but the darkness is no impediment. What really rivets your attention, though, is the four people standing nearby. One has a foot on the platform, stepping onto it, but he's stopped as he stares down at you, obviously as surprised at your sudden appearance as you are. He is dressed in a shiny metallic outfit that you could only describe as futuristic-looking armor. He looks like he belongs on the cover of a sci-fi novel. Various gadgets, including something that resembles a gun, are attached to his belt, chest, and other spots on his suit. He and two of the others, one of whom is a woman, are all very tall black people with heavy builds. All three have heads shaved bald, except for a single braid of black hair growing from the very top of their skull and trailing down their back. The other two are wearing dark jeans and dark sweaters. The fourth person is a woman also, with dark skin, though not as dark as the others', and long black hair, wearing normal clothes (slacks and a long-sleeved shirt). The bald woman seems to be escorting her with a hand on her elbow....body language suggests that the long-haired woman is a captive, though she is not resisting; in fact her movements seem slow and sluggish, and though she is looking at you, she doesn't seem to see you. The unarmored man is speaking to the bald woman, but you can't understand what he's saying. His voice trails off as she seems not to be paying attention- as the armored man stopped to stare at you, her gaze followed his, and she too is staring at you now. The second man turns towards the platform, looking annoyed. ÿ #: 523651 (P) S6/Heroes 16-Jan-94 00:54:59 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 Kim's eyes widen momentarily, the closest she has ever come to expressing shock . "What are you doing here?" she demands of the man in the shiny metallic outfit. She jumps to her bare feet, and watches them closely, ready to run or fight if they turn out to be hostile. Then she smiles, but coldly. "What's the matter with your friend there? Had a bit too much to drink?" #: 526027 (P) S6/Heroes 19-Jan-94 00:28:14 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Nigel Cole 100020,1170 The two men exchange glances, and some rapid discussion in a clipped-tone foreign language you dont recognize. Then the man in the armor turns back towards you and draws his weapon..... #: 526871 (P) S6/Heroes 19-Jan-94 22:50:39 Sb: #CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) >Then the man in the armor turns back towards you and draws his weapon..... [Quickly checks... no, this isn't Section 15 ] Assuming she is close enough, Kim will grab the weapon before he can use it on her, and try to knock it from his grasp (she's overconfident ). If not, she will attempt to dive for cover (acrobatically, if need be). "Ahh, see the brave Tin Can, using a [gun, sword, whatever it is] on an unarmed and defenceless opponent. What unmatched courage!" she'll taunt. There is 1 Reply. #: 527369 (P) S6/Heroes 20-Jan-94 06:48:54 Sb: #526871-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 He moves fast, but you're faster; still, you suspect you succeeded in grabbing his weapon (get your mind out of the gutter! ) mostly because he didn't expect an "unarmed and defenseless opponent" to go on the offensive. You hold the...whatever it is, it's shaped vaguely like a pistol and clearly is meant to be held in one hand. And there's a button conveniently under your index finger. You point it at him.... ...and it disappears from your hand and reappears in his. You dive for cover as he fires, a flash of light darting out and striking the grass behind you, with no effect that you can tell. The woman (the black woman, not the one who seems drugged) tenses as if to move, but the unarmored man says something curtly and she pauses. He says something else to the "Tin Can", who nods with a frown, without taking his eyes off you. He steps towards you and fires again. You leap aside.... ...and are standing back on the platform. Without having moved the intervening distance, so far as you can remember. This time you are overcome with dizziness; you feel as if you had just leaped on way and had a hand reach out, grab you in midair and yank you in another direction. You barely keep your feet, but there's no chance you'll be able to dodge the next shot. But it doesn't come. The armored man holds his pistol at the ready, but the other steps forward with his hand up, palm facing outward. "I was not mistaken. Our search tonight has yielded an unexpected benefit. Be at ease, Terran; we shall not harm you. Indeed, you are one of us, and we are glad to discover you! As you shall be glad that we discovered you." His speech is clipped and oddly enunciated, with perfect, though oddly constructed syntax. ÿ #: 527780 (P) S6/Heroes 20-Jan-94 22:15:31 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 >(get your mind out of the gutter! ) [My mind is like a Welsh railway - one track and dirty ] "Who *are* you?" Kim asks warily. She doesn't trust any group that appears to be holding a drugged woman captive. #: 528145 (P) S6/Heroes 21-Jan-94 04:02:46 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 "I am Terekpal Itkadb. I am in command of this expedition. I represent.. we represent the Sebth Nithd...." "The Sebth....Combine. Nitkadth ak Kidpetketh Niktop adth!" You're not sure if the last part was addressed to you, his companions or himself. It seemed to be a statement of frustration. "You have just demonstrated your Sebth...ness. Your Sebth identity. You are Sebth. You must come with us now. I will explain everything to you. You will be surprised and perhaps displeased initially. You will be much more pleased after everything has been clarified to you. FOR you! Akthit Madi!" He glares at the "drugged" woman with the last. All of them are now stepping onto the platform with you. ÿ #: 528714 (P) S6/Heroes 22-Jan-94 00:27:05 Sb: #CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "Now wait a minute" says Kim, backing away (but not leaving the platform), "who or what is a Sebth?" There is 1 Reply. #: 529243 (P) S6/Heroes 22-Jan-94 19:26:31 Sb: #528714-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Terekpal Itkadb presses a couple of buttons, and you get the brief feeling that maybe you DIDN'T want to stay on the platform. For a split-second, your vision is blanked out by a flash of light. Then... The platform is now seated in a recess in a metal floor. You seem to be in a medium-sized room, with a concave floor and a metallic ceiling above. There are a few instrument panels and electronic devices sticking out of the floor or set in the wall, and you see two short ladders that lead up to holes in the ceiling. A ship bay of some sort, is what comes to mind. Two people are waiting for your group. One is another tall black man, except while his pate is also shaved bald, his hair hangs in braids in a fringe along the side of his head. You notice something about all these black people, now that you are in full light; their skin is not brown, but literally ebony black. Aside from that, though, they don't seem to have any other typical black ethnic features. Their noses are angular and narrow, their lips are rather thin, and their faces are basically round in appearance. The other person standing next to the first is very tall, and skinny, and pale. His eyes are small and deep-set, his face is angular. His hair is long and white, hanging loosely to his shoulders. Both are wearing jumpsuits, with patches on them displaying symbols of some sort, and writing you have not seen before. Terekpal tells you "Be calm for a few moments. I will explain everything to you. First I must explain certain matters to my...subordinates." He proceeds to address his "subordinates" in that jarring, consonant-clustering language. [Going to do something, or go along with him for now?] #: 530146 (P) S6/Heroes 23-Jan-94 23:07:24 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 > you get the brief feeling that maybe you DIDN'T want to stay on the > platform. [I suspected as much ] Kim looks around the room curiously. Having watch Star Trek several times, suddenly finding herself aboard a vessel of some kind is about the least surprising thing that's happened this morning. "Where are we?" she asks Terekpal, not showing any signs of being anything other than calm. If there's a control panel anywhere near, she will wander over to it and examine it. And maybe push a few interesting-looking buttons to see what happens... #: 531117 (P) S6/Heroes 25-Jan-94 01:52:25 Sb: #530146-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 You press a button, which causes a blue light above it to wink on. Terekpal hurries over and turns it off. "Do not press buttons, young girl!" he snaps. "Come with us. You are in our ship, Nakedk Prikopkol." They take you, and their prisoner, to another medium sized room. From her they remove a small white disk from the back of her neck. She blinks her eyes rapidly and seems to regain awareness. The tall white man presses buttons on a control panel, and a translucent wall appears, dividing the room in half. The prisoner is sealed in her half. You notice that her skin is olive brown, and she has long wavy black hair. Her face is Asian in appearance, but her build is heavier than you've seen in many Asians; she has quite a voluptuous figure. She is extraordinarily beautiful. She stares at you, then glares at Terekpal, snapping at him in a melodious, flowing language unlike the one he was using. He looks smug as he answers her in the same tongue. Then she switches to his harsh, consonant-clipping language. He answers her, then seems to dismiss her with a wave of his hand. She continues talking, but suddenly no sound comes from behind her shimmering wall. Terekpal turns to you. "Rejoice, Terran! You are a Sebth, mentally awakened from the mind-dead status of your fellow barbarians. That element which makes you a full human being and heir to a proud civilization is now active. You will no longer be trapped on this primitive world of the mind-dead. You will receive an education, and training, and full citizenship in the Sebth Combine." He grins at you. "Your aggressiveness suggests that you may fit well in the warrior class. But the choice will be yours." ÿ #: 533404 (P) S6/Heroes 27-Jan-94 20:37:34 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) >You press a button, which causes a blue light above it to wink on. [Saying "Please do not press that button again"? ] "I'll thank you not to call my friends barbarians" replies Kim, "And I like it on my world. Who or what is a Sebth? And what if I don't wish to become one?" #: 533671 (P) S6/Heroes 28-Jan-94 03:06:04 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Terekpal frowns. "Of course your...friends... are barbarians. Is it not obvious? You can see where you are. We are civilized, technologically advanced. Your birth-world is one of depravity and ignorance. But you will more fully understand what it is you are being given once you see our worlds. You like your world because you have nothing else to compare it with. When you see our civilization, you will know how fortunate you are to be a Sebth. You ARE a Sebth, because you were born Sebth. Your genetic matrix makes you a Sebth. I wish I could speak with you at length right now. But I have pressing matters I must deal with. Do not worry. All will be explained to you as soon as possible. Normally it would be immediate, but we did not expect to find a Sebth on this expedition. This world very rarely produces Sebth. Mostly Tua, occasionally Shabaali and Wineye'i, sometimes others. Sebth, very rarely. You were obviously drawn by our beacon. An unexpected benefit. But I am sorry, I must go now. The Shabaali garrison sent a distress signal we were unable to block, so we must leave this system soon. Do not worry about anything. You will be provided for beyond your greatest hopes on this primitive world." With that, he leaves the room through a portal that opens and closes behind him. Leaving you alone with the prisoner, separated by that sound-proof force field. You realize that you are in effect a prisoner as well, though Terekpal obviously doesn't think of you that way. The mysterious, exotic-looking woman is sitting in lotus position on the floor of her cell. She regards you calmly, with a sad expression. ÿ #: 534913 (P) S6/Heroes 29-Jan-94 23:36:52 Sb: #CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Kim looks unimpressed at the alien's rhetoric. "This `we are the master race' bit sounds a bit like a nutter on my own world. He ended up committing suicide in a hovel, amidst the ruins of his capital city. You may have better technology, but you've a lot to learn about being civilized." After she has been imprisoned, Kim will immediately examine the cell for any sign of an exit, or something that will help (but not really expecting to find anything - it's only in Hollywood that cells have convenient air ducts ). Having failed to find any exit, she will talk to the exotic-looking woman. "I'm Kim. Who are these people? What do they want with you." And, glancing down at her clothing, she'll grin. "I got called away rather urgently. I still don't know what happened." [assuming she's still in her night attire after the jaunts at the platform ] There is 1 Reply. #: 535179 (P) S6/Heroes 30-Jan-94 04:54:18 Sb: #534913-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 The tall alien frowns at your statements. "I do not think you understand. Don't worry. You will understand. Again, I am sorry I have not the time now to explain this to you." After he leaves, you're right, there aren't any convenient air ducts or vents into the sewage system. There are a few buttons in the room, including the one that created the energy barrier. And one by the door. But nothing happens when you press either of them. Not surprising; you figure Terekpal probably turned off the controls so no lowly Earth barbarians could mess with their advanced, civilized Sebth machinery. Hmmph! The woman looks at you while you speak, without answering. She shakes her head, pointing at the translucent barrier. Then claps her hands to emphasize the point...you can't hear the clapping. You strained to hear something, but no sound passed through the barrier. ***nashiyaa alii Sebth sabaanoaya*** **alishu** nishi** **ha.*** she thinks. Thinks? You heard her thinking. At least, you feel sure it was her speaking, but her lips definitely weren't moving. And the "voice" faded in and out. From her casual posture, you don't think it was an attempt at communication. You seem to have inadvertently "eavesdropped" on her thoughts. Well why not? you think. Teleportation, why not telepathy? ÿ #: 535760 (P) S6/Heroes 30-Jan-94 23:14:26 Sb: #CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Kim slumps to the floor, and hugs her boney legs to her torso. Then she makes a concentrated effort to reach the woman's mind, whether she can understand the thoughts or not. She will also try the reverse, sending her thoughts to the woman. If any of this works, she will see if she can pick up any more thoughts within range. Otherwise, it looks as though escape will have to wait until their captors let them out. There is 1 Reply. #: 536110 (P) S6/Heroes 31-Jan-94 04:22:58 Sb: #535760-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 You concentrate, and are rewarded with more thoughts from the woman. She is no longer thinking "verbally". She seems to be trying to calm herself; from your posture you'd say she's meditating. But she's not too successful at it; she is obviously under a great deal of stress, though she appears calm on the surface. And you sense a deeper sadness in her. The "static" continues to interfere with your ability to "hear" her thoughts. Experimentally, you think at her: **Hello, my name is Kim** Her eyes snap open and she stares at you. **Can you understand me?** you think. **Seeyashu niHa*** lu**isaf!** she thinks in alarm. Then her thoughts come in English: **You ar* **abaali! But how i* thi* ***sible? I saw you tele***t!** You sense rapid thoughts, zooming by too fast to get more than a glimmer. Then, in a rush, she thinks, **Liste* to me Kim! I kno* you don** underst*** the situation and have no wa* to know which of us to tr*** but you must get off **** ship! The Sebth will not le* you return to Ea*** soon if ever, and when they fin* ou* what you are it m** well bring catastro*** on your en**re planet! Tell me quick** do you kno* how to us* **ur powers well? Or did they just mani***t? And wi** you trust me? You MUST get **ay!** ÿ #: 536256 (P) S6/Heroes 31-Jan-94 08:15:54 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) **I don't know what I am** Kim thinks to her, **Until this morning, I was perfectly normal. Or, at least, as normal as everyone else** She pauses for a moment. **I will trust you. I do not trust these self-proclaimed `civilised' creatures. But how do we get away? I don't see any way out of this cell. Even if we could overpower a guard, I don't know how to get off this ship.** #: 536857 (P) S6/Heroes 01-Feb-94 03:33:05 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 The woman closes her eyes, and you sense she is thinking, considering possibilities. Finally she opens them and gazes at you. **Ther* is not enou** time to *each you to men**ll* influen** the Seb** But you may be able ** **leport out. Not fr*m here; I'm sure **ey have safe** devic** that prevent any**e **om telepo**in* out of the shi* We must ge* you to their jump plat***m. If I can be fr*** from here, I can perh**s contr** the mind of on* *f the cr**** She shudders at the last statement; you sense it is something abhorent to her. Meanwhile, you have to concentrate to "hear" her thoughts through whatever mental static is blocking them, and you're starting to get a headache. **They ha** a psi***reen in thi* cell to block ** **lepathy. I can do noth*** unl**s I can get out. I don** think you can es**pe withou* my help** More thinking. **I don** know your pow** level...but if **u lin* in a **esta** with me, I **ght be able to ***ter enough po**er to **cus through your mind and influence a Sebth, long **ough to make her **ee me. Fir** *ou w***d hav* to ***e a commotion, to bri** someone in. **en you w*uld **ve to al**w me to ente* your mind, **eply, and use you *o "s**ike" at the crew**rson. Then we wo*ld have to **ckly overpow** ***. And then som**o* get to the **mp platf**m. Su*ce**ing at ANY of these t**ks is highl* qu**tion*bl*. She regards you calmly, for another short time, then thinks again: You wou** be taki** many risk*, Kim. And I mu** be hon**t, if you le* the Seb** take y**, you wi** not be in an* dange*. They will not **streat you. You are trus***g me a very gr**t deal if we att*mp* this. Are you sure? #: 537251 (P) S6/Heroes 01-Feb-94 19:45:34 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [I don't think Kim would have recognised the word `gestalt' even if it had come through ungarbled . However, she gets the general idea] > Are you sure? **Yes** thinks Kim, **I do not trust the others, these Sebth you speak of. Are you ready?** Assuming she is, Kim will appear to have a fit, writhing and screaming. As soon as someone enters, she will let the woman into her mind (or, more accurately, she won't oppose her - she has no idea *how* to let someone into her mind!). As soon as the crewman appears to be affected by whatever is done to him, Kim will kick him hard in the stomach (not in the groin, in case he isn't human or male enough for that. Hmm, reminds me of "Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered country" ). Once he is subdued, she will help the woman out and they will try to get to the platform. #: 537608 (P) S6/Heroes 02-Feb-94 02:25:08 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 [Yup, well, the woman obviously didn't consider that. ] You thrash and scream, rolling on the ground, and kick the door for good measure. Nothing happens at first, and you think maybe they aren't monitoring you at all and you're wasting your time. But after a few minutes, the tall, pale man you saw when you arrived enters the room, looking at you with a bit of irritation. He reaches for you, and you wait for the woman behind the force screen to do something. She does: she doesn't exactly enter your mind, but formulates...something...in hers. You can't envision it or describe it, the process is totally alien to you, but she wordlessly expresses the concept that she cannot use the power herself, can only focus it and allow you to pull it from her and wield it. A clumsy analogy, but your mind seems to be adjusting to the situation, even if you can't completely understand what's going on in real terms. It's as if she is creating a weapon that you have to take from her and use, as she guides your arm. You reach out and take the telepathic construct...as you reach into her mind again, you sense something else; even for the effort she is putting forth in her own mind, without trying to push it beyond the barrier herself, she is enduring a hideous amount of pain. Whatever is causing the static that obscures communication is retaliating viciously against her efforts to focus her own power. Following her mental directions, blindly, you "push" the construct at the other alien, even as you notice that his hand is on your arm now, and you feel an odd tingling sensation where he touches you. Not unpleasant; the reverse, in fact. But strange. The thought that was formed in her mind and transmitted through yours is **FREE ME** Formulated without words, but as a compulsion. The tall, slender man hesitates. Frowns. Looks down at you. Looks at her. And slowly walks over to the energy screen. Still hesitating. **Push har**r!** the woman urges you. You try your best. He reaches out and presses the button that you pressed earlier without effect. The energy field disappears, and the woman leaps forward. He immediately yells and draws something from his belt, as you lunge at him. An adrenalin rush like none you've ever felt before surges through you. You move towards him so quickly, he seems to be moving in slow motion. Your foot slams into his midsection, and he doubles over, falls to hands and knees, then curls up in a ball, retching. The woman stands, sweat covering her face. She looks down at the gasping, heaving man with genuine pity. "So violent," she says, looking at you reproachfully. #: 539072 (P) S6/Heroes 03-Feb-94 23:26:13 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 "He'll recover", says Kim non-commitally, "He should be thankful I wasn't in track shoes. Can you mentally knock him out so we can escape?" [Assuming that, between them, they can render the guard immobile and incommunicado] With that, she will cautiously look out of the cell to see if the coast is clear. If it is, Kim will follow the woman's lead to the platform. #: 542528 (P) S6/Heroes 08-Feb-94 10:54:35 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 The woman looks at you, seemingly a bit shaken, but rapidly gets a hold of herself. She reaches down and touches the twitching alien, and he gently subsides into an inert posture. Rising, she looks at you with eyes that are slanted, Oriental-fashion, but very wide. She really is exceptionally beautiful, you notice. You wonder just what these "civilized" Sebth planned to do with her; you wouldn't like to think of what her fate would be as a captured prisoner of most Terran armies. Or what yours would be, for that matter. "I must admit", she says calmly, "I have no brilliant plan of escape. I think this is only a small raider- if so, we may be able to reach their jump platform before the entire crew is alerted. Then we may be able to operate it so you can teleport away. Many uncertainties. If I am wrong and we are aboard a large battleship, we will never find an egress in time. Should we be prevented from escaping, deal with me as you did the Atla, as violently as possible. Tell them you felt me overwhelm your mind." You're not sure you remember exactly how you came to this room from the one in which you arrived, but you know it wasn't far. Up a ladder, down a hallway and turn to the...right? ÿ #: 542804 (P) S6/Heroes 08-Feb-94 21:34:32 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Kim leads the woman back the way they came, at least as well as she remembers. She will try to keep them out of the way of other people. If they make it to the pad, she'll hope the woman knows how to operate it! #: 544196 (P) S6/Heroes 10-Feb-94 04:50:44 Sb: #542804-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 She follows you, as the two of you move stealthily towards where you hope the exit platform is located. You hear an increase in the humming that permeates the walls of the corridor. You arrive at a ladder leading down to what you think is the room you started in. Just as two Sebth come running up, one from each end of the corridor. "Yatkb! Nekrip ilk!" one of them yells, drawing one of those rayguns. ÿ #: 544682 (P) S6/Heroes 10-Feb-94 22:23:25 Sb: #CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "Quick! Hurry" Kim will urge, dropping down the ladder rather than climbing it (assuming the floor isn't far away). A fight will only lead to their quick recapture. There is 1 Reply. #: 544875 (P) S6/Heroes 11-Feb-94 02:08:29 Sb: #544682-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 The woman follows you, with admirable agility. This seems to be the same room you arrived in. Your friend peers about the room, looking at the various control panels that exist, and puts a hand to her forehead. "I don't know....they must have some sort of emergency mechanism, but I've never been on a Sebth ship before..." The two Sebth warriors from the hallway blink into the room, not ten feet from you. They rapidly shift into an alert posture, taking in their immediate surroundings. You have about half a second to react... #: 546592 (P) S6/Heroes 12-Feb-94 21:52:36 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 Kim immediately tries to take out at least one of the Sebth warriors, by judo-throwing him into his companion. She hopes that the woman will find the emergency control before reinforcements arrive. #: 546874 (P) S6/Heroes 13-Feb-94 05:00:28 Sb: #546592-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Your judo throw doesn't work as well as you'd hoped...he obviously has some experience with hand-to-hand combat, and counters your hold. But not your punch, which smashes into his jaw. He staggers back, bloodied but not beaten...until you grab him and throw him, successfully this time. He crashes into a wall and slumps, not quite unconscious, but with the fight taken out of him for the moment. You turn, and see your friend similarly employing some kind of martial arts throw on the other man. She executes her technique more fluently than you, pinning an armored arm and throwing her attacker back against the wall. She raises her hand as if to slam the edge of it across the bridge of his nose...and hesitates. This man is also a trained fighter, and takes advantage of her moment of indecision. His foot lashes out and catches her between the legs, causing her to cry out and fall to her knees. As he prepares to bring a fist down on the back of her skull, you leap forward and deck him with a right cross. As he blinks and looks dazed, you grab his ears and slam his mostly-bald head against the wall. He collapses. The woman gasps with pain as you help her up. "How...how could you defeat...two Sebth warriors?" she asks. "You can't be...so strong, or so skilled..." At another time, you'd probably be celebrating yourself...you know you're stronger and faster than you look, but a blue belt in judo certainly doesn't account for being able to beat up two huge men who are both trained fighters themselves. However, the way these people move, you suspect later would be a better time to discuss your unexpected victory. Before another dozen teleport in. "How about the jump platform?" you ask her, with as much urgency as your voice ever betrays. "The platform...is not what teleports people out. It only facilitates those who have that power themselves. You." She takes a deep breath, and closes her eyes for a moment. Concentrating. "I have it. I think." She moves to a panel on the wall (not a control console, like in Star Trek), and pushes it up, revealing buttons underneath. She presses a sequence of three. "Emergency manual controls...I hope they have not set them to respond only to crew, as they did in our room." She gestures for you to stand on the platform, which you do. She quickly joins you, and puts her arms around you. "You are not an experienced teleporter," she explains hastily. "IF you can bring me along at all....which is not at all certain, close physical proximity will make it easier." Her eyes meet yours, with that calm gaze of hers. "I don't know where we are, though I believe their safety systems will not let you teleport naked into a vacuum, or a solid object. If you get out, and cannot bring me with you, you...I don't know what you can do. I have not enough time to explain much to you. Stay hidden, do not use your powers, for at least a few days. They are leaving soon, I think. But someone will be back to look for you...hopefully it will be my people. I'm sorry, Kimberly, you are facing things you can't understand. Good luck." All this came to you in far less time than it would take to speak it aloud, and you realize she is speaking telepathically. This also carries the sincerity of her wishes, and genuine concern for your well-being. She gives you a kiss, to your surprise. The telepathic connection makes her feelings very open to you, and you sense that there is nothing sexual implied by the act. Apparently she is used to casual displays of affection, on a level that would make most Terrans very uncomfortable. Saving such speculations for a less hazardous time and place, you concentrate, not sure exactly how you go about teleporting deliberately...but you try to summon whatever mental energies let you read your friend's mind, and strike out at the...Atla, she called him...and visualize disappearing from this room. A wrenching sensation rips your body in half, or so it seems. The world goes black and red around you, and you feel an unbearable pain deep in your skull. Every cell in your body seems to rip in half, as your brain seems to be dragging a thousand-ton weight attached to its cortex while you sprint uphill. Wind or space or something roars past you as you are whipped along a tunnel. All that lasts for less than an instant, though it seemed to go on forever. And suddenly you can't breathe. You are gasping for breath, before you realize you're underwater. Without thinking you kick for the surface, and burst into air with a gasp, choking and sputtering as salty water vacates your mouth and nose. Still only semi-coherent, and wincing from the memory of that awful jump (?), which has left all your extremities tingling and numb (or is that from the cold water you are now floating in?), you see a dark shape in the water near you, sinking rapidly. ÿ #: 547055 (P) S6/Heroes 13-Feb-94 12:30:31 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Kim will dive for the dark shape, attempting to bring it to the surface. Assuming it's the woman, she will attempt to get her breathing - although artificial respiration is difficult when floating in water! When back on the surface, she will try to work out where she is. Is there any land nearby? #: 547508 (P) S6/Heroes 14-Feb-94 00:02:19 Sb: #547055-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Yes, it's your friend. With difficulty, you apply pressure below her ribcage to force most of the water out of her, and are relieved to hear her gasp and choke roughly. At least you won't have to try to give mouth-to-mouth while in the water. Holding her up, as she is still semi-conscious, you tread water and look around. The scene is familiar after only a moment- especially since you can still see unusually well for nighttime. Perhaps two miles from you are the tall buildings of San Francisco, glittering and lovely. On the opposite shore is Oakland. You're in the middle of the Bay! As you ponder this (and whether you can make it to either shore...it's pretty cold, though fortunately nothing like the Atlantic!), you sense a vast disturbance in the water beneath you. A wave front pushes against you, sending you bobbing several yards towards Oakland. (You also notice the Bay Bridge, as you regain your orientation...it's a lot closer and you could perhaps get to one of its support struts, though you don't know if there would be a ladder or something that would let you get up onto the bridge itself.) The surface of the water suddenly bulges hugely. As you watch, the water parts to reveal gleaming metal. A large metallic sphere, reflective and perfectly featureless as far as you can tell, rises into the air without a sound. It looks to be perhaps twenty yards in diameter. It reaches a height of about fifty feet, and pauses, hanging silently in the air. The water around you suddenly boils...literally! You feel a "whoosh" of hot air rush past you, followed by a cloud of steam that will probably raise blisters in places. The water roils and sizzles around you, though remarkably little heat is getting to you directly. You are tossed and dunked up and down repeatedly, as large volumes of water are vaporized, only to be replaced by the surrounding mass rushing to fill the void. Barely, you hang onto your friend, hoping neither of you will end up as impromptu lobsters. When the cloud of steam finally dissipates, the metal sphere is gone. #: 548351 (P) S6/Heroes 14-Feb-94 22:12:06 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) First things first - Kim will swim for the bridge support (towing the woman), to get clear of the water. At least the flying immersion heater has reduced the risk of immediate hypothermia! "I should never have paid that subscription to the "Weirdness-of-the-month Club", she mutters. Once on the support, Kim will force more water out of the woman's lungs until she is conscious and breathing cleanly, then see about finding a ladder up. [OOC: Is the Bay Bridge like the Forth Bridge in Scotland, always being painted? If so, perhaps there *is* a ladder] She ponders for a moment how she will explain to her parents that she was found on the Bay Bridge, dressed in her pyjamas (assuming they've survived everything she's been through!), parboiled, soaked to the skin, and accompanied by a strange woman. She shrugs - she'll climb up that bridge when she comes to it . [OOC: No problem about publishing intro] #: 548758 (P) S6/Heroes 15-Feb-94 04:23:50 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 (X) [Although I have driven across the Bay Bridge many times, I don't actually know if it has ladders to the water or not, so I'm making it up. As for paint, it doesn't have much, as I recall. It did have to undergo major repairs a few years ago, as it was severely damaged in the big quake that hit northern California. Your story would reveal too much to the other players right now (thus far, you're the only one who's encountered aliens ), so yours won't be uploaded yet.] ---------------------------------- Your friend coughs some more, and after a few minutes, she is able to hold onto the bridge by herself. You find that there is indeed a ladder heading up, though it's a LONG climb, and the ladder is one of those consisting only of metal bars jutting out from the main support. Although you still feel surprisingly strong, considering all you've been through, you are worried whether your companion can make it up by herself. But she begins climbing, at your urging, and seems to also be recovering fairly quickly. When you reach a platform on which you can rest (underneath the actual roadway, apparently a place where workers can get to the structure from underneath, without impeding traffic), you both crawl onto it and lie there for a while. Finally, she speaks. "The Sebth....none have pursued?" You tell her about the sudden appearance of the metal sphere, and the boiling water. She frowns in puzzlement. "That would be the Sebth ship, yes. But its drives would not generate heat." After a moment, she says, "It must have been their lasers....the Sebth commander was expressing his irritation at us by vaporizing the water around us." She smiles faintly. "They could easily have killed us, if they wanted to. But I do not understand why they left. I was hoping we would arrive at some point much farther from them...we came out so close, apparently, and we were virtually helpless. They could easily have sent another party out to recapture us. I wish I knew where they are now, and what they are doing." After a few more moments to catch your breaths, she says, "I have never yet told you my name, have I, Kimberly? It is Ashiya. You allowed me to escape, and then saved my life. I am grateful." She turns that intense, serious expression on you again. "There is a great deal I must tell you, and a great deal you will have to learn. But we must do something about your state of dress....I would not like you to become sickened. And I must get to my...apartment. In Daly City. Will it be possible for us to locate a...taxi, somewhere nearby?" [Almost forgot you probably wouldn't know where Daly City is...it's immediately adjascent to San Francisco, at the tip of the peninsula.] #: 549400 (P) S6/Heroes 15-Feb-94 23:43:34 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 >Will it be possible for us to locate a...taxi, somewhere nearby?" Kim shrugs. "I don't know... Ashiya. Maybe if we got onto the bridge, we could hail one. Have you any money that survived the immersion?" Then she adds, with a slight grin: "I have to get back home soon, or contact my parents somehow. Otherwise they'll go spare." She shivers in the early-morning chill. "And you're right about my state of dress!" #: 550556 (P) S6/Heroes 17-Feb-94 02:56:01 Sb: #549400-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 [I assume "go spare" is a British expression that means "go nuts" or something of the sort? It certainly doesn't sound like something a California kid would say. ] ---------------- Ashiya frowns (frowning and thinking carefully before speaking seems to be a ritual for her). Then she pulls a small wallet from her pants pocket. "I have....a VISA card." She holds up the card. "This is acceptable as money, is it not?" [Unfortunately, taxis usually take only cash, at least in the U.S.] "Yes, you should speak to your parents." There's something about the way she put that that makes you a little uneasy. Two options occur to you; once you get off the bridge, you can make your way to a phone booth, where you can call your parents, or Ashiya can get a cash advance with her credit card from an ATM, and hail a Taxi. She wants to return home, but wants you to come with her, after checking in at your house. "We have much to do", she says. #: 551187 (P) S6/Heroes 17-Feb-94 20:39:26 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [Damn, my second Britishism (after "orange squash"). Yes, it means "Go nuts", "tear ones hair out", etc] [UK taxis take credit cards, but only for pre-paid long journeys. BTW, in the UK there's a slight difference between a taxi and a cab - is there a difference in the US?] "A taxi won't take that. They like cash. But you could get cash out of an ATM machine. And I could ring home." She shivers. "Come on, let's get off this bridge. It's too exposed." #: 551542 (P) S6/Heroes 18-Feb-94 02:47:54 Sb: #551187-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 [No, we call them "taxis", or "cabs", or "taxi cabs". What's the difference in the UK?] ---------------------- You manage to get to a convenience store, about three miles from where the bridge reaches Oakland. It was a long and cold walk. You stayed in the shadows as much as possible, since a teenage girl out at night in her pajamas might attract attention you don't want. It would be a longer walk to a bank, but Ashiya says she can manage. You explain to her that once you go home, your parents aren't going to let you just take off again. So she wants to stay in the area, so that she can meet with you early tomorrow. (Which is a school day, another concept Ashiya doesn't consider relevant.) She says she will use her credit card to sleep in a motel that's nearby, and tomorrow both of you can go to her apartment in Daly City. You get the impression that she's not about to say "Take care, see you later" anytime soon. You seem to be stuck with her hanging around, though you haven't yet gotten any kind of explanation for the night's events. You can't do much about where she chooses to spend the night. While you're considering how and whether you will meet with her tomorrow, you call your parents. Your mother, rather surprised to be called by her daughter who she thought was tucked safely in bed, is none too pleased. Mom and Dad get your location, and will soon arrive, ready to hear what had better be one fantastic explanation, you're sure. After hanging up the phone, you are left facing Ashiya, who regards you with her calm, serious gaze. #: 552193 (P) S6/Heroes 18-Feb-94 19:34:46 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 [In the UK, taxis have strict licenses, but are allowed to ply for hire (ie. drive around waiting for someone to hail them) or wait at taxi ranks. Cabs (or minicabs) are unlicensed (or more loosely licensed), and can only be pre-booked by phone call. A number of cab drivers flout the law, especially on Saturday nights, which has led to some trouble (cabs being set alight by angry taxi-drivers, etc)] Kim grins ruefully. "Well, that's that. My parents will be along soon, and they'll never believe some story about being kidnapped by aliens." [OOC: Now I'm off to think up an excuse!] #: 552743 (P) S6/Heroes 19-Feb-94 11:21:06 Sb: #552193-CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Your parents arrive, staring at you in your still-wet pajamas, and at Ashiya. After quickly making sure that you are all right, Mom says, "What the HELL is going on, Kimberly?" ÿ #: 553979 (P) S6/Heroes 20-Feb-94 23:23:18 Sb: CHC: Kimberly's Story Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Kim had run through and discarded many different excuses before they came. If she made up anything about being kidnapped, her parents would go straight to the police, causing lots of problems. She considered claiming to have sneaked out to see her boyfriend, but that had at least two snags: she would never have sneaked out in her pyjamas, and she didn't have a steady boyfriend at the moment. Yet her parents would never believe the truth! She finally settles on a story that is at least *somewhere* near what really happened, and takes a moment to explain it to Ashiya. >After quickly making sure that you are all right, Mom says, "What the >HELL is going on, Kimberly?" [OOC: Her parents would call her Kim, not Kimberley - remember her quirk! Although perhaps they switch to Kimberley when they are disapproving ] Looking sheepish (which her parents will know is a very rare phenomenon ) she says: "I don't know what happened - I think I walked in my sleep or something. I didn't even wake up until I was by the Bay. Then I saw a group assaulting a woman" - she indicates Ashiya - "and I went to help her. There was a scuffle, ending in the water, and the attackers escaped." [OOC: Note that the above is technically correct, but completely misleading . If the existence of metahumans becomes public knowledge, Kim might decide to ease her conscience by telling the truth] [OOC: (What a lot of OOCs, the librarian must by around ) It's a good thing you didn't implement the defect on her teleportation I suggested - it would have been even harder for her to explain a lack of pyjamas!] #: 527777 S6/Heroes 20-Jan-94 22:09:28 Sb: CHC: National News Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: CHC Players FALLING STAR SIGHTED OVER CHICAGO Chicago Tribune (January 20) [page B-23]- People from all over the city called the police, fire department, news media and National Weather Service last night to report what appeared to be a falling star descending on the city. No videotapes of the alleged meteorite have been obtained, as according to all accounts, it appeared suddenly and was visible for no more than four seconds. Described by many as a possible UFO, the number of reliable witnesses is so great that authorities have acknowledged that something did indeed produce the sighting. Current possible explanations include an unlicensed pyrotechnics display, a small remote-controlled flying device, or an unexplained atmospheric disturbance. Meteorologists have verified that there were no meteor strikes anywhere in the vicinity of Chicago last night, and needless to say, no alien spacecraft (or crashed satellite) has been discovered in the city. #: 544199 S6/Heroes 10-Feb-94 04:51:09 Sb: #CHC: National News Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: CHC Players Washington D.C.- FCC officials still have no explanation for the sudden appearance of an old episode of "F Troop" on public airwaves, overriding the signal of every commercial television station in North America. Station managers and electronics technicians across the country confirmed that a signal of tremendous strength was broadcast over every UHF and VHF frequency throughout much of the western hemisphere, but the source of this broadcast is unknown. Communications engineers have stated that such a uniform "pirate" broadcast, affecting every signal along a certain spectrum and only those signals, and of this intensity, is virtually impossible. Cable TV reception was unaffected, as were radio broadcasts, but even satellite communications were disrupted by the mysterious signal. The FBI had no comment, other than to confirm that they are involved in the investigation to determine who or what is responsible. #: 551334 S6/Heroes 17-Feb-94 23:34:18 Sb: CHC: National News Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: CHC Players FLYING MAN FILMED OVER SAN FRANCISCO! [Broadcast on the evening news across the country: A blond-haired man wearing sunglasses, jeans and a leather jacket, flying among the skyscrapers of San Francisco and waving at the crowd below.] "This is the sight that greeted thousands of people during the noon lunch hour. The phenomenal flying man was seen cruising above the city for nearly forty-five minutes, and was reported by literally thousands of people. News cameras and home video recorders across the city captured the amazing sight. At no time did he descend to the ground or speak to anyone, but he smiled and waved at spectators and camera crews alike." "Speculation that this was a publicity stunt, or the filming of a movie, has been mostly dismissed due the widespread nature of the sighting, and the fact that the flying man was observed to fly north, away from the city, even being picked up by air traffic control radar. Also, no one has called the authorities or any media organization to claim responsibility for the spectacle, nor do any production companies have a permit that would allow filming of this nature within the city limits. The inescapable conclusion is that the sighting was real. City, state and federal authorities are refusing to comment at this time, other than to say that they have no knowledge of this being a prank, hoax or publicity stunt." #: 552828 S6/Heroes 19-Feb-94 17:02:12 Sb: CHC: National News Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: CHC Players FLYING FIREBALL DESTROYS CRACKHOUSE IN CHICAGO Chicago Times- The police and fire departments were called into one of Chicago's crime-ridden projects after a dilapidated building was demolished by what witnesses described as a "ball of lightning". The building, which is alleged by area residents to have been a crackhouse, and the sight of numerous drug activities, assaults and other crimes, was mostly levelled when emergency vehicles arrived. Although the fire department doused several small fires, the main damage seemed to have been done by the destruction of the house's framework, causing it to collapse. Witnesses (including some who were in the building at the time) reported that a "ball of lightning" smashed its way into the house and began flying from room to room, sometimes shattering doors and walls as it went through them. After doing this for over fifteen minutes, during which time the panicked residents evacuated the house, the fireball apparently began flying through the structural supports. No meteorologists are familiar with any incidents of ball lightning behaving in this manner, and no explanation has been given for the source of this "fireball". Although some police officials suggested that the story is unreliable, coming primarily from drug addicts under the influence of crack cocaine, the fireball was seen by a number of area residents in surrounding apartment buildings. #: 522859 S6/Heroes 14-Jan-94 21:27:22 Sb: CHC: Origins Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: All I have begun the introductory scenarios for two people now. (Intros are being done in Private, since each one is individual, so no one will fail to be surprised when the time comes to learn what someone else may have already learned.) There is still room for some more players in this Superhero game with a science fiction/psionics background, taking place in the "real" world, 1994. Read file INFO.CHC if you're interested. -David #: 549181 S6/Heroes 15-Feb-94 17:24:03 Sb: CHC: Story(s) thus far.. Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: CHC Players & others Everyone, I have just uploaded the introductory scenarios for several characters, everything that has happened in the last month (and the first month of this campaign). Hopefully the files will be OK (I had such trouble getting the CHC Intro file into a decent format! ) Each one is ZIPped, and should unzip to a plain ASCII text format. You can find them all (once the SysOp clears them) by searching for "CHC" (as well as GURPS, Supers, Psi, and whatever else I could think of ) as the keyword, in the Heroes library. Not everyone's story has been uploaded yet; a couple haven't reached what I think is a suitable break in their story, and one is involved in things that would spoil the surprise for the rest of you if you read it now. I am uploading these stories for the entertainment of those who are interested; I'm sure as much fun as you are having (I hope!!!) with your characters, you are curious to know what the others are up to, since so far, only two Player Characters have met. I'm sure I don't need to remind anyone that you should not let what you have read, OOC, affect your character's actions. I also trimmed extraneous comments, of course, and included only each character's "normal" background, not their character sheets or anything else that indicates their powers, aside from what you read in the story. Having just printed out the entire campaign thus far, I have noticed a couple of inconsistencies. 'Fraid the GM does not have a photographic memory (which is one reason I printed everything out, now that it totals close to a hundred pages altogether. ) Anyone who spots one of my goofs that I already know about gets a CHC No-prize. Anyone who spots one that *I* haven't noticed yet gets a bigger No-prize. (Maybe a few extra XPs! ) I don't think I've actually made any mistakes other than mixing up some trivial details, but I could be wrong.... I wonder how the editors at Marvel & DC do it, trying to keep a couple HUNDRED storylines from contradicting each other too much... (OK, OK, I'll admit it, one is when I had Mitchell looking for a girl with black hair....yeah, adding "Gee, wonder how you both made that mistake" into the narration was my pathetic attempt to cover up the fact that I hadn't gone back to reread Tyler's character description... I'm a bad GM, I'll never do it again, I promise....) Ahem. Enjoy! -David #: 549273 S6/Heroes 15-Feb-94 21:28:36 Sb: #549181-CHC: Story(s) thus far.. Fm: John R. Jacobs 72643,661 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 David, Like Marvel, a true No-Prize should only be awarded to someone who doesn't JUST spot the inconsistency, but also offers up some sort of explanation to help YOU save face. The more extravagant the explanation, the greater the chance for a No-Prize. Ta-da! V/R, John (No-prize connoiseur) #: 547512 S6/Heroes 14-Feb-94 00:02:54 Sb: CHC: Uploading Origins Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: CHC Players All CHC players, Several characters are reaching a convenient break-point at the end of their initial adventure, and I am planning to continually upload texts of your adventures as things progress. If there is anyone who objects to having his or her introductory scenario made available to the public, please let me know. Thanks. -David