#: 640442 S6/Heroes 14-May-94 16:11:01 Sb: #CHC Crystal's Room Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Crystal leads Mitchell to her room, an expensive suite among many others like it. She pauses just inside the room, closing her eyes and simply breathing deeply for a long moment. Then she speaks. "Turn on the television. We'll need to see how the news is carrying this. CNN should have something by now. I need to change clothes." She reaches into the closet, selecting and outfit and taking it with her into the bathroom. It takes long minutes before she returns. Many of those minutes spent in silent contemplation of the sight in the huge mirror. She had chosen jeans and a full shirt to hide the fractures that webbed her form, but changing into them she had no choice but see the extent of her injuries. But, eventually, she covers that with her clothing and steps back out. With the curve-hugging jeans and long-sleeved top, her strangely alien form is almost unnoticeable, except that her face is still shimmering crystal. She smiles a somewhat forced smile and looks at Mitchell. "Find anything on the news?" -- There is 1 Reply. #: 640658 S6/Heroes 14-May-94 20:03:13 Sb: #640442-#CHC Crystal's Room Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 Mitchell finds that CNN is indeed running coverage of the battle in the hotel. So far, no names have been mentioned, but they are reporting that the same two superhumans who fought the previous night in another hotel had a showdown that left several people dead or injured. There are also rumors that other superhumans were involved. Live footage of the battle is promised soon. At this time, it appears that the mad superwoman who attacked both times is now dead. Live footage from outside the hotel shows police and some of Agent Donnay's men holding back reporters, though they can't do anything about the reporters who are already inside. Someone knocks on the door. Mitchell expects Tyler, but it's a large, middle-aged man that Crystal identified earlier as her lawyer, Mr. Berkowitz. He waits until Crystal emerges from the bathroom in her "normal" clothes, and says "It would probably be best for you to go to another hotel- reporters will get hold of the registry and find out which room you're in. They're likely to be up here any time now." At this point, Tyler comes up behind him. There is 1 Reply. #: 640765 S6/Heroes 14-May-94 21:57:53 Sb: #640658-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: Star Fire 71533,1302 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "We'd better get out of here," Mitchell agrees. "I'll sneak out to my car..." he lowers his voice. "Lets meet somewhere tomorrow, the three of us, to talk this over. I've got to rest, and spend the early part of tomorrow fixing a mistake of mine. Maybe 2:00 PM tomorrow, near the statue of liberty? It would give us time to recover, take care of errands, and make certain the reporters are lost before we collect again." "I can't let those reporters get any more than they may have on me from videotaping; I've got superpowered people after me. Something called Legion. Relatives could get hurt if anyone knows my true identity, corny as that sounds. I'm out of here -- I'll be at the statue at 2:00 tomorrow. I can recognize your vehicle for sure, Tyler." He grins. "Take care, I'll see you tomorrow. If anything keeps you tied up, I'll check back there every day at 2:00. Or come looking for you." He winks. #: 640993 S6/Heroes 15-May-94 02:18:20 Sb: CHC Crystal's Room Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "Evenin'." Tyler glanced curiously at the attorney, then came on in. "Feds're sellin' memberships. All things considered, it wasn't a bad offer; ah think ah might take 'em up on it, in some fashion. Consultant, maybe. Armorer; hell, who knows. 'Course, as a private citizen, you can always say 'no thanks' if the bad guy is too tough, but that's kinda wussy, you know? Personally, ah kinda like the pressure of the big time." She wandered around a moment, admiring the facility and eventually fetching herself a glass of water, after which she settled into a chair. "Y'all mind if ah smoke?" She took a drink, fished a mismatched pair of pills from her shirt pocket, and downed them with another swallow of water. A sigh of relief. She lipped a Winston out of her pack while she listened to Mitchell's media and security complaint. "Sure. How about up on the observation deck, or whatever they call it? Ah kinda need to talk to Crystal tonight...that is, if she can stand my company. Ah promise not to drop a dime on you with the media boys, Mitch." #: 641391 S6/Heroes 15-May-94 14:08:13 Sb: #640993-#CHC Crystal's Room Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) Crystal is silent as Tyler talks about accepting the government's offer and what she thinks in means, but her face shows just what she thinks of the decision. "It's a non-smoking floor," she observes flatly, then listens to Mitchell. "We will have to split up. I can't hide very well like this, and I don't think I should turn back until I can be sure it's safe. But Mr. Berkowitz is right, we do have to vanish or the press will be all over us. And I... don't think we're ready for that yet." She stuffs her tattered costume into a shoulderbag, a change of clothes and a few other personal items as well. She very pointedly does not look toward any of the mirrors in the room. -- There is 1 Reply. #: 641422 S6/Heroes 15-May-94 15:12:24 Sb: #641391-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 "Whoa," Tyler said, managing a crooked grin. "Scuse-ay-mwah. Sounds like ah trod on somebody's toes with that Feds thing." She carefully removed the cigarette and tapped it back into the pack. Tyler didn't have the same resentment or concern for the press that the others did; she'd been through the mill after her accident, and before that the sporting press had always been around the Rodeo in herds. True, it was mostly the All-Arounds and bull-riders who got the crowds, but there were generally enough to go around. She'd learned to 'no comment' her way right past 'em, along with an occasional 'that's too personal' or 'get f***ed, a**hole.' Still, Crystal was right, in that it wasn't worth the hassle to prove she was press-tolerant. It kind of surprised her, though; Crystal had sought out media attention with her so-called 'conference', and now she was ducking out. Not a very appealing advertising strategy. "Ah guess ah need to make an appointment to talk to y'all, then. Ah was kinda hopin'...well, it don't matter." She got up and stretched stiffly. "Y'all let me know when you've got an open slot on your dance card, eh? G'night. Mitchell, ah'll see ya'll tomorrow. "Ah hope y'all come out okay, Crystal." She turned and headed for the door. #: 643117 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 00:52:01 Sb: #641422-#CHC Crystal's Room Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) As Tyler reacts to coldness with snappy sarcasm, Crystal's cold expression melts and she reaches a chilly, hard hand to rest on Tyler's retreating shoulder. "No. Please... I'm sorry. I just don't trust... You know, those Government agents. They've known about this for months and they didn't do anything to warn us, they didn't even tell me about... her... and what they knew or anything. I don't think they're too concerned with anything except themselves, and there was one last night... Well, I'm pretty used to being looked at like a slice of meat or an advertising edge or a mannequin, but I don't think I like being looked at like I was some new kind of gun. I think that's all we are to them. "But we need to stick together. All of us who can. Besides, you saved my life down there, I can't let you just walk out angry." She smiles, or tries to. She seems torn, but her crystal features lack the subtlety to express it. "I'll see if I can get a room on a smoking floor of another hotel, then we can talk. All right?" -- There is 1 Reply. #: 643814 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 15:00:11 Sb: #643117-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 Tyler paused and turned, a little surprised at Crystal's reaction. She hesitated, wanting to formulate her thoughts carefully. "Yeah...well, that's really okay. It ain't the smokin', so much. Nasty habit. Ah oughta quit, anyway. See..." she took a deep breath, her shoulders rising and falling, "...ah know this ain't easy. But ah figured...least you kinda know what the hell is goin' on with your body, right? Ah was hopin'...maybe...see, ah can wish up all this s***, but ah got no idea how, or where it's comin' from... "Some of it is apparently mine from a different universe or somethin', you know? It's really weird. Ah guess ah don't like not knowin' what ah can do, and where the hell all this s*** is comin' from. You know?" She shrugged plaintively, then smiled her famous crooked smile. "Got any good ideas?" #: 645468 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 02:43:00 Sb: #643814-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) "I wish I knew. To be honest, I just woke up like this. I'm just glad I can change back... But I don't know what any of it means." She glances to her lawyer and frowns slightly. "And I need to be going. I need to get a new room, somewhere where I can try to get a grip on things. I don't know how we can get back together or how Terry can find me... I suppose we could impose on Mister Burlowitz to act as a messenger, can't we? You will know where I am, of course, and she could just call you. And I suppose we could leave a message for Terry..." Her hand clenches on the strap of her shoulderbag, crystal fingers closing tightly. She raises her hand and looks at it again. "Or maybe another hotel isn't the best idea. I'm not sure what sort of shape I'll be in when I change back to... me. Last time there was just a few marks and my wrist..." She holds up her arm, letting the light show its condition now. -- #: 645897 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 11:28:28 Sb: #645468-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 (X) Tyler hid her disappointment fairly well. SHe'd been hoping that there would be some more definitive answers forthcoming, but...well, there was not much she could do about it, except keep trying. She had a couple of projects she wanted to invest some time in, though, before she met up with Mitchell at the Statue. First, she intended to wish up a history book, and see if that shed any light on her situation. Secondly, she intended to hit the library, and do a little research. She felt woefully inadequate, insofar as her exotic science knowledge went, and all things considered, she figured she'd better get after it if she wanted to take maximum advantage of her talent. For instance, there were probably adjuncts like tripods or gyroscopic mounts or some such that would have made firing that damned big gun a breeze; but she didn't know enough to wish for them successfully. So...maybe scanning a little speculative or CP fiction...she vaguely remembered seeing some future tech stuff in B. Dalton's once. She'd bought a Kellerman mystery instead. "All right. Ah got a couple of things ah need to do, anyway. Y'all sure y'all're gonna be all right? I mean, when y'all go back to flesh and blood, what happens to all those cracks? Maybe y'all need some superglue or somethin' first...and y'all ought to have somebody 'round, like a doctor. Say...y'all want to go to a hospital emergency room, and *then* try switchin'? Ah'll go with you, see that they treat you right." #: 647813 S6/Heroes 21-May-94 14:34:02 Sb: #645897-#CHC Crystal's Room Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 "That might not be a bad idea... I think I'll turn back when I fall asleep, so I'm on a time limit in the end. And I think having someone along is a good idea." She smiles again, taking up a kerchief and dark sunglasses that fail miserably to hide her, but are at least an attempt. "Thank you." -- There is 1 Reply. #: 647992 S6/Heroes 21-May-94 17:50:19 Sb: #647813-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 When Crystal and Tyler make their way to the hospital, you find a number of people from the hotel are there already. Some are journalists and hotel staff, injured by Lucretia when she charged madly into the throng, and during the battle when she was throwing things around. Others were wounded by the bullets that went spraying through the hotel, perforating walls like paper. Tyler spots one bloody figure that looks like a teenage boy....the doctors are pulling the sheet up over his head. An emergency room nurse hurries over to the two newcomers, holding out a clipboard with forms to sign, asking you to wait if it's not life threatening- then she does a double take as she sees Crystal. #: 648293 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 00:03:19 Sb: #CHC Crystal's Room Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "How y'all doin'," Tyler said, agreeably enough. She was probably as used to hospital emergency rooms as anyone around. "This is Chris Tallin, and as you can see, she's got a small problem that pretty much qualifies as an emergency. Now...what we we need is to get her admitted, get her a a PCU bed, and get her a chance to talk to the doctor ahead about what kind of specialized medical care she's gonna need. We don't need to take up any of the E-room facilities...at least, not yet...but we're talkin' prob'ly pretty severe physical trauma care, pain control, and maybe some blood loss after. Reckon y'all can help us out?" There is 1 Reply. #: 648332 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 00:49:17 Sb: #647992-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "Please... I don't know if I'm hurt, but I think I am. When I change back to me, the real me, I want someone ready to..." She can't bring herself to say it, so she takes the forms. "I'll fill these out. And I'll wait until no one else is at risk. I... don't want anyone else hurt because of me." -- #: 648353 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 01:16:29 Sb: #648293-#CHC Crystal's Room Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) "Umm...ummm..." the nurse looks totally baffled. Someone cries out behind her. "She was at the hotel! It was her that lunatic came for!" Over a dozen pairs of eyes fix on Crystal and Tyler, and the expressions range from curiousity to fear to blatant hostility. "You caused this!" their looks say. Or maybe it's just your imagination. Most of them don't pay much attention to you at all. The nurse hastily escorts you out of the ER room, and down the hall into a treatment room, where you have to wait over half an hour before a doctor arrives, with another nurse. He looks at Crystal and blinks. "You're....one of those superhumans." It seems to be half question, half talking to himself. Surely he was warned before he came. Looking more closely at the crytalline woman, he says "I don't know how to treat....someone like you." He looks down at his stethoscope, then back up. "Do you even have a heartbeat, or respiration?" There is 1 Reply. #: 648405 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 02:11:37 Sb: #648353-#CHC Crystal's Room Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Crystal's earlier, more frightened mumbles were lost behind Tyler's more decisive manner and she was whisked into a more private room with the burning of all those eyes still cooling... "I don't know. I think I'm still breathing, but I don't know how this body works. But when I change back, I think I'll be hurt. Very seriously hurt, if the cracks mean anything." She shows him her arm, its webwork of fractures, then pulls the sleeve down again. "Last night I had a broken wrist from far less than that. I... I can't feel much in this body. Not pain, at least. So I don't know how bad it is. But I know I'll turn back if I fall asleep, so I can't stay like this forever. I think I'm just another person when I'm not Crystal. I don't feel any different... "What should I do to be ready? Take my clothes off and lie down?" -- There is 1 Reply. #: 648481 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 03:28:16 Sb: #648405-CHC Crystal's Room Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 Tyler didn't like the way the doctor seemed hesitant, even open-mouthed. "Hey, doc; snap out of it. She's a real person in there; she just can't help the way she changes. And she's gonna change back, so you don't worry about how she is *now*, y'all worry about how bad she's gonna be when she turns human again. Ah think you just ought to be ready for a little girl that's beat up bad. Y'all get trauma cases in here sometimes, right? So...you're gonna do your job, and not jus' stand there gawkin' like a fool, are you? "Ah'm no expert on weirdos, but ah know pain. And if it all comes on her at once, she's at least gonna pass out, maybe worse. There's no tellin' what that kind of shock could do to that l'il body, y'all understand?" #: 629287 (P) S6/Heroes 05-May-94 00:38:48 Sb: CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 "Good morning," Nancy says in a soft but pleasant voice, trying to avoid waking the sleeping woman. "Are you going to want to eat breakfast with us, or should I save something for you?" She looks hesitantly over to Ashiya. "Do you think she's all right?", she whispers worriedly. "She's been out for an awful long time...." ÿ #: 630502 (P) S6/Heroes 05-May-94 23:20:47 Sb: CHC Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: Captain Micro 72067,1533 (X) > She looks hesitantly over to Ashiya. "Do you think she's all >right?", she whispers worriedly. "She's been out for an awful long >time...." Kim looks at the sleeping woman, then whispers to Nancy. "I don't know how long she normally sleeps. I'd let her sleep for a bit longer." She quietly closes the door behind her, and joins Nancy and the others at breakfast. #: 631928 (P) S6/Heroes 07-May-94 03:28:25 Sb: #630502-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 [One thing before we go on, Zebekia...a bad on my part. In the PRI stuff I did with David while you were away, I'd said that Nancy waited till AFTER everyone else had left before she checked on Kim and Ashiya (figuring that if they'd wanted to come and join them for breakfast, they would have done so without an invitation). SOoooo...assume that when Nancy said to join "us" for breakfast, she meant "me". Nancy, the very picture of domesticity in her pink plush bathrobe and bunny slippers, leads Kim to the kitchen. "What would you like?", she asks, going to the stove. "We've got eggs, some sausage...I could do hash browns or pancakes if you're really hungry." As whatever Kim asks for is cooking, Nancy goes over to the sink and washes several other morning dishes (or, more accurately, rinses them off and puts them in the dishwasher ). At her questioning look, the other woman replies, "Mike and the kids are already off to school. I decided to stay home today to get some things done with you and Ashiya." She refills her coffee cup and sits across the table from Kim. "Not the least of which," she continues, "is calling your folks and telling them where you are and what's going on. I'm a little disappointed that we didn't get that done last night...but I was busy working on my...project." Her eyes have a mischevious twinkle as she mentions her preoccupation. "However, given that it's about 8:00 here, which would make it...6:00 in the morning your time?...I don't think calling your parents right now would be a good idea, unless you know that they're up this time of day." ÿ #: 632939 (P) S6/Heroes 08-May-94 02:53:00 Sb: #CHC Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: Captain Micro 72067,1533 (X) > Nancy, the very picture of domesticity in her pink plush bathrobe and >bunny slippers, leads Kim to the kitchen. "What would you like?", she >asks, going to the stove. "We've got eggs, some sausage...I could do hash >browns or pancakes if you're really hungry." [FX: mouth waters... ] "Some sausage and an egg would be great" replies Kim. Despite her lean frame, she's clearly not anorexic . >a mischevious twinkle as she mentions her preoccupation. "Project? What project? Or is it a secret?" >"However, given that it's about 8:00 here, which would make it...6:00 in >the morning your time?...I don't think calling your parents right now >would be a good idea, unless you know that they're up this time of day." "They're early risers, but I'd better let them have their first cup of coffee before I call. I'd like to wait for Ashiya, so that I can find out what her plans are - it would be helpful if I could go back to explain things to them." There is 1 Reply. #: 633168 (P) S6/Heroes 08-May-94 07:06:09 Sb: #632939-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Nancy goes over to the fridge and gets out some Bob Evans link sausage and an egg, which she begins frying up on the stove. "How do you want that egg?", she asks. "Over easy...scrambled?" "Oh, it's not a secret...at least not to you," she says with a smile. "I'm making myself a costume...just in case I need to go out in public and use these powers. I'll show it to you later if you like...I'm adapting a design I saw in one of Jeremy's comic books." Nancy scowls slightly. "I thought that you were saying yesterday that you were going to tell them about your powers over the phone. As for Ashiya...well, I don't know...I'm hoping a good night's sleep and doing that 'gestalt' thing with you will help put things into focus for her. Poor thing...she's only a child. She really shouldn't have to handle something like this...not on her own." ÿ #: 633606 (P) S6/Heroes 08-May-94 21:50:10 Sb: CHC Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: Captain Micro 72067,1533 > Nancy goes over to the fridge and gets out some Bob Evans link >sausage and an egg, which she begins frying up on the stove. "How do you >want that egg?", she asks. "Over easy...scrambled?" "Scrambled'll do fine." > "Oh, it's not a secret...at least not to you," she says with a smile. >"I'm making myself a costume...just in case I need to go out in public and >use these powers. I'll show it to you later if you like...I'm adapting a >design I saw in one of Jeremy's comic books." "Won't that be rather chilly?" grins Kim. She swallows a mouthful of coffee before continuing. "I've wondered about a costume, but I'm not sure enough of my abilities yet. I don't want any more nasty surprises like that teleport mishap. And Ashiya would probably think it silly anyway." > Nancy scowls slightly. "I thought that you were saying yesterday >that you were going to tell them about your powers over the phone. "I'm going to tell them... but it'll be a lot easier if I can show them, too. And I doubt if my telepathy can work over that sort of distance!" >"As for Ashiya...well, I don't know...I'm hoping a good night's sleep and >doing that 'gestalt' thing with you will help put things into focus for >her. Poor thing...she's only a child. She really shouldn't have to handle >something like this...not on her own." Kim nods. "I think I know what you mean. She's a bit of an `innocent abroad'; I think it's a bit like a history student suddenly being dumped back in the middle ages. They might know all about who rules what and where, but they wouldn't be able to ride a horse, hunt for food, or chop wood. Ashiya went through airport security carrying a gun - luckily for us, its non-metallic and they didn't search us." #: 633765 (P) S6/Heroes 09-May-94 00:49:00 Sb: #633606-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Nancy cracks the egg into a small bowl, whips it a few times, and starts it cooking along with the sausage. She smiles tolerantly at the teenager. "It took a bit of looking, but I finally found a pretty nice full bodysuit. Most of the others I wouldn't wear on a beach...not to mention Chicago winters. I'll be adding a cape and a mask, but other than that, I left it pretty much the same. I only wish I had a body like some of those women," she says wistfully. She thinks for a moment as she gets up to take the egg out of the pan. "Hmmm...well, I can't recommend anything about the...errr...clothing problem, but maybe you could make up your face with greasepaint...like some of those TV wrestlers do. At least then nobody would know what your face looks like. Personally, though, the sensible thing to do would be to only do that in some kind of an emergency. Then not only wouldn't you have to worry about losing your clothes, but not everybody you meet would know you can do that." "Assuming I ever have the time to finish mine, I could sew an outfit for you too...though you'd have to find me a design I could make a pattern from." She hands the plate to Kim and sits down again. "Personally, I don't care how silly Ashiya thinks it would be. I have a family to think of...and I don't want some media circus invading my private life." She nods. "That is a point...but I don't see how you're going to explain running off across the country with Ashiya if you don't tell them why you did it." Nancy looks a little uneasy when Kim mentions the gun. "Yes...I hope she's able to start picking up on the nuances of our cluture soon. The less attention she attracts, the better off we'll all be." #: 634070 (P) S6/Heroes 09-May-94 05:32:10 Sb: #633606-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 "Good morning," Nancy replies to the awakened alien. She shrugs as Ashiya apologizes. "Don't mention it...it's been fairly rough on Earth since you got here...I think we can give you some time to adjust. If you want something to eat, I have some salad in the refrigerator that I made for you yesterday, or I could make you something. You could have some of the children's cereal," she says with a smile, "but it's not very good for you." Nancy is a bit puzzled by the hostility in Ashiya's voice, but doesn't let it show on her face. "I agree with you completely," she answers. "If you're able to help Chad, then I'm with you all the way. However, there are some things I think should get done first, not the least of which is having you do your 'gestalt' with Kim. It might not be as good as with one of your own people, but at least it should help keep you going until we can contact your people again." "Of course," Nancy says as she gestures towards the bathroom. "Oh...I got some strands of hair from each of the kids this morning as they were getting ready for school. Now I don't know how that machine of yours works, but I thought maybe that would provide the cell samples you need to see if they have Functions or not." ÿ #: 634792 (P) S6/Heroes 10-May-94 00:08:37 Sb: CHC Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: Captain Micro 72067,1533 (X) [About costumes] "Well, my abilities aren't too obvious, so I don't have quite the same problem." [When Ashiya comes in] >"We- well, I, I want to find Chad Reiter. He is a Shabaali. Whether you >accept that or not," she adds, at Nancy's doubtful expression. And with a >tone more accusatory than you're used to, she states "Whatever you may >think of my society, you cannot claim Chad is adjusted and happy in >yours. I am going to find him whether you will help me or not." "From what Nancy says, he must be pretty powerful, and he seems to enjoy using his powers to hurt people. Do you have some way of protecting yourself against his powers? And are you well enough to resist him?" [OOC: Yes, I know about Mind Shield, but Kim doesn't!] She smiles grimly. "I wouldn't count on him behaving pleasantly just because you are Shabaali. He might easily view you as a threat. What happens in your society if someone *does* use their powers to deliberately harm others? Or does that simply not happen?" Kim's tone is questioning, not accusatory. "In any case, though, something has to be done about him before he hurts too many more people." >Ashiya looks at Nancy and Kim mournfully. "I do not think you understand >what is entailed in a true gestalt," she says sadly. "I think it is too >much to ask of you, Kimberly, though perhaps when you trust me >more....*if* you trust me more...." "I don't know what a `gestalt' is, true... but I'm willing to try, if it will help." #: 635490 (P) S6/Heroes 10-May-94 12:55:12 Sb: #634792-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Nancy gets up and puts her hand on Ashiya's shoulder (if the alien allows it). "Ashiya, no one here expects you to be perfect. If you're human like we are, then you can make mistakes and errors in judgement just like the rest of us. Just try your best...that's all anyone can ask of you." "After your shower will be fine," she replies. #: 635504 (P) S6/Heroes 10-May-94 13:28:12 Sb: #634792-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 [Note: knowing how Ashiya feels about meat, Nancy would have cleared the table during her shower. If she's poking around the sink and looking for trouble, it's her own fault. ] "Can you protect people around you at the same time?", Nancy presses. "Part of what makes Chad dangerous is that he was willing to use other people to hurt the people HE was angry at, especially if he wasn't in a position to do it himself. You might be immune to his control, but Kim might not be...and I'm certainly vulnerable." "And as far as I can tell, he's had his power for almost a year...maybe not in the same league as a Shabaali, but hardly 'newly manifested'. I might give you 'untrained', but he didn't seem to have any trouble controlling anybody as far as *I* saw." ÿ #: 636138 (P) S6/Heroes 11-May-94 01:01:30 Sb: #CHC Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: Captain Micro 72067,1533 (X) >"Do not fear; he is only a child, newly manifested and untrained. I am >only lesser-third magnitude in psionic power, but I have been ranked as a >tenth degree adept, and unlike most Shabaali, I *have* been trained in >offensive telepathy." [OOC: I hope that doesn't mean Power 3, Skill 10 ] Kim still looks worried. "Do Functions manifest them in the same way here? He may be `newly manifested and untrained', but that won't mean much if, in a short space of time, he learns faster than you expect. How do my abilities compare with someone from your society, two days after their powers manifested?" She gives a grim smile. "Can you give me any idea if I could resist him? It would be bad if you resisted him and he... he controlled me and made me attack you." There is 1 Reply. #: 636542 (P) S6/Heroes 11-May-94 05:13:22 Sb: #636138-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Nancy sighs and puts on one of those "patient" faces...the kind one makes when you're waiting to be clued in on what is going on. "It *might* be where Chad is," she replies carefully. "We don't have any way of knowing for sure. How exact is your device? Where in Chicago would we need to go? That's an awfully big place to be wandering around in with no idea of what we're doing." Nancy's brow furrows even deeper when Ashiya mentions New York. "I don't usually watch the news in the morning." She goes over to the TV and turns on CNN Headlines. "If that was as big as you say, there's bound to be something in the news about it." Though she doesn't say anything, the expression on Nancy's face make plain the fact that she's beginning to get a little tired of the alien's mood swings. "Think, Ashiya," she says in an even voice. "You have your satellites...and you can naturally detect Functions if they're exhibited near you. Finding them is not going to be a problem. You are NOT alone. Kim and I are going to help you...but we're not going to get anywhere if you give up before we've even started." #: 637964 (P) S6/Heroes 12-May-94 13:43:56 Sb: #636138-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Nancy mulls the matter over for a few moments. "All right, that sounds reasonable...though I hope we won't have to resort to forcing the issue. You said there were multiple traces in Chicago...can you be any more specific about what those Functions were? How many of them there were?" Her emotions churn inside her as the alien turns away. Her desperate desire not to lose the things she's worked so hard for...the impatience with Ashiya's rapidly deteriorating condition...and yes, more than a little fear of Chad. But she tries to rein all of that in as she clears Ashiya's plate off the table. Nancy turns white as a sheet as the violent scene unfolds. "Good God!", she chokes as the punk woman's arm is blown off...but even that doesn't stop her. The housewife turns away as a wave of nausea sweeps over her so she's spared Lucretia's death scene. [Does the broadcast mention anything about federal agents being in charge of the "investigation?] ÿ #: 638342 (P) S6/Heroes 12-May-94 22:59:25 Sb: CHC Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: Captain Micro 72067,1533 (X) >"all I really need to do is go directly into his mind and remove his >ability to assault you." "That should irritate him" says Kim, with a smile. >On CNN, you see a scene of total carnage. Kim stares at the horrific scene on the TV set. "That's going to be very difficult to cover up" she mutters. She listens to hear how many people were killed and injured, apart from the superwoman herself. And she wonders how many more would have died if other Functionals hadn't been around to stop her. Then she thinks of the damage Chad could do if he took control of another Functional - and how that Functional would get the blame. It isn't a very pretty thought. "Is that what you detected on the East coast?" she asks Ashiya quietly. #: 638598 (P) S6/Heroes 13-May-94 01:23:51 Sb: #638342-CHC Monday Morning Fm: Captain Micro 72067,1533 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 Nancy brightens a bit when the announcer says there may have been government superhumans involved. "There you are!", she says in a slightly relieved voice. "The US government is probably working very hard to find and categorize all of the Functionals that are popping up. If you went and worked with them, they'd probably be very helpful in accomplishing your goals. Maybe they'd even be willing to make some sort of a treaty with the Shabaali." Ashiya can tell that she sets a great deal of faith (though perhaps not deserved ) in her elected officials. She reaches out sympathetically when the alien shows her anguish, trying to take her hand and comfort her. Silence hangs for a moment after Ashiya announces her dismay with the human capacity for violence. "Don't paint us all with the same brush," Nancy finally says. "You said yourself that even some members of your race are violent. We're a young people...we don't have the benefit of your years of breeding and training. I won't lie to you and claim we're perfect...but will calling in your Galatic Council really make things any better? You can't FORCE progress. The people of Earth are not just going to throw open their arms and sing your praises...even if you are doing it for our good. We'll fight back...and then good people on BOTH sides will die." She smiles softly. "Ashiya...you said before that I might have made a good Shabaali. Just as that...woman embodied some of our bad traits, there are those of us that are good and kind. But our attempts to become better, to rise above the animals that were our ancestors, will all be for nothing if you don't let us have the chance to do it for ourselves." "Work with us, Ashiya. Help Kim and I to show the world there's a better way...something more productive and satisfying that fighting." ÿ #: 650603 S6/Heroes 24-May-94 02:20:42 Sb: CHC Tyler @ the Hospital Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) You settle in somewhere where you can read in peace, and concentrate on trying get a couple of books, on history, and armaments, from the same place you got your gun. Even a couple of books drains you now. You're starting to feel more like sleeping than reading. The first book is a glossy volume with what seems to be a plastic cover. The second one is a loosely bound stack of thin paper which has plentiful diagrams of the massive rifle you summoned, and all its components. There are many illustrated diagrams showing how to load it, disassemble it, maintain it, etc. It would probably be enormously useful....except that the text in both books seems to be entirely in Chinese. #: 648500 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 03:50:40 Sb: CHC: At the Hospital Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 The doctor shakes his head in amazement. "I'd say this calls for a specialist," he says, "but I doubt anyone specializes in....what are you made of, anyways? Silicon? Diamond? My God, this is scientifically impossible!" "So is a flying man," the nurse murmurs, behind him. The doctor finally pulls himself together. "Did you receive any medical treatment for your broken wrist?" When you answer in the affirmative, he calls Records and has your folder brought to him, where he looks at the file and the X-rays that were taken. "You say you had a....fracture, in this...crystal form, and it became this-" he indicates the X-ray of your normal, flesh and blood wrist, "when you changed back?" When you confirm this, he asks you to roll your sleeves up so he can look at your arms more closely. "It's hard to tell from the surface, since you're only semi-transparent," he says, "but some fissures seem deeper than others. Obviously cracks don't translate directly, or you'd have had lacerations and punctures in your wrist, instead of crushed tissue. I'm not sure exactly what process is involved, when your crystal, umm, cells, become organic again. But last night, you had internal hemorrhaging. That could be very bad, if you also have fractures reaching into your internal organs." "We can take X-rays. Hopefully X-rays will work on you. But you said you have to change back eventually anyways. I think the best we can do is get you in a trauma unit before you change back, and stand by ready to perform whatever emergency medical procedures are necessary." #: 648823 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 14:11:58 Sb: #648500-#CHC: At the Hospital Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "Do what you have to, Doctor. I hope we never have to know more about how this works than today... But I'm afraid my first two days aren't promising a quiet life now that I have this... I don't know what to call it." She doesn't feel hurt, but that doesn't mean much. The doctor's observations are frightening her more than she already had been, but she fight to keep that from showing. "Tyler, I think you should probably get to whatever else you wanted to do. This will probably take a while, and I don't think there's anything more you can do." She pauses, meeting Tyler's eyes with her own oddly inhuman gaze. "Thank you again. I don't know what I would have done without you." -- There is 1 Reply. #: 648922 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 17:07:27 Sb: #648823-CHC: At the Hospital Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 Tyler grimaced. She'd been alone enough in hospitals to remember the feeling, and it wasn't all that pleasant. "Ah can stay a while, be sure there's nothing else. Ah don't mind. Really. Hell," she grinned. "Maybe ah should wish up a medical text, along with a history book. Might have some new stuff, just for you." Whatever the end result, she'd accede to Crystal's wishes. If she wanted her to stay, she'd find a corner in a restroom and wish up her history text and maybe a book on 'modern weapons and technology' from that same transdimensional source. Something that just might give her a grasp on what she was dealing with. She could read them in the waiting room, and if it seemed right to spend the night in a chair in Crystal's PCU, she'd have something to read and prop up her feet with. On the other hand, if she wanted her to leave, she'd go find a reasonable motel and do the same thing. She could hit the library tomorrow. #: 650434 S6/Heroes 24-May-94 00:17:32 Sb: #648922-CHC: At the Hospital Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) Crystal doesn't put up any fight to force Tyler to leave, and she follows orders like the best of them. If she ignores the setting, the hum of the wrong kinds of machines, lights and cameras, it's almost like a regular shoot. Almost like her life wasn't on the line... -- #: 650601 S6/Heroes 24-May-94 02:20:32 Sb: CHC: At the Hospital Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 Once a surgical table is prepared, and you are in a gown, they ask you to lie down and then, change to normal. Three doctors stand by with a frightening array of equipment. It isn't immediately painful when you become flesh and blood again. You feel sore, very sore, all over, But the soreness becomes a throbbing ache, and then pounding agony in your skull, your wrist, your shoulder, your knees, a dozen other places. In short, you feel like someone who's just had the cr** beaten out of her. No surprise... "Joint swellings...." "possible bone chipping..." "internal hemorrhaging..." "ruptured blood vessels...arterial blockage...subdermal hemablahblahblah...." Through the haze of pain, you can feel them poking and prodding, examining you with a small X-ray machine, keeping a close eye on all your vital signs while they try to figure out just how badly injured you are. Finally, they inject an anaesthetic which does not put you unconscious, but does put you in la-la land, so you only vaguely recall anything afterwards. You must have fallen asleep at some point, because you wake in a hospital bed. You have bandages all over, and your arm is in a cast again. It hurts when you move, or breathe. When you let the nurses know you're awake, a doctor arrives soon after. "The fact is," he tells you, once he's introduced himself, "it looked much worse than it was. We had to relieve a lot of swelling, and deal with some ruptured blood vessels, fortunately no major ones, but essentially, you're just one enormous bruise. You have crushed tissue all over your body, but it's healing. You do have fractures in your knee, wrist, and ribs, and we have your neck in a brace because we're a little worried about what seems to be some stressed vertabrae. But while you are going to be walking stiffly for a while, and not doing any modelling shots anytime soon, we should be able to release you in a day or two. You'll need to come back several times, so we can make sure no unforeseen problems arise in your healing. But it seems that all that damage you took in your...other, form, was greatly diffused when you changed back. I do think, though, that you about hit your limit. You took about as much damage as a person can take and not have any of it transmit to something vital, or escalate to something permanent." "Oh, your friend Ms. Sterrit has been waiting around for you, if you want to see her now." #: 651569 S6/Heroes 25-May-94 00:14:53 Sb: #650601-#CHC: At the Hospital Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Christine wakes slowly, a fog of pain and painkillers battling to see which can steal more of her attention. But the nurses are attentive, the doctor very helpful. She tries to smile slightly as he tells her it isn't as bad as it initially looked, but it feels far worse. "Terry? Did he...?" Talking is more difficult than she had thought, *everything* hurts. She worries how bad she must look, wonders if she'll ever really recover. But she knows if Terry won't tell her, someone else will. "Yes. I'd like Tyler..." But one other question burns in her mind, one she must ask. "What about Crystal? If I changed...?" Completing the question proves impossible, but she hopes the doctor gets the direction she was thinking in and has some sort of answer, somehow. -- There is 1 Reply. #: 651876 S6/Heroes 25-May-94 03:22:26 Sb: CHC: At the Hospital Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 (X) The doctor shrugs. "I wish I could tell you what will happen if you change back to that other form. But I have no idea. I guess you'd be like you were...all cracked up." He winces, and adds "No pun intended." #: 651974 S6/Heroes 25-May-94 04:21:12 Sb: #651569-CHC: At the Hospital Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 (X) Tyler came in looking a little rumpled and carrying a couple of large books. She'd apparently settled for a nap on the waiting room chairs, after making an effort to decipher some glimpse of the alternate universe history from the pictures and charts in the Chinese version. The entire thing was getting odder and odder; the Ford manuals were in English, and for that matter, the corporate logo and truck appearance showed no oriental design influence. Her horse spoke English; the guns had English markings; why would the books be untranslatable? She could likely find someone in New York to do the translating...if it really was Chinese. In fact, the Feds would probably *want* to do it. So exactly what logical reason was there for books that she wanted to flop out of nowhere in a totally different language? Maybe the Chinese ruled America in that version of the universe. Maybe there were glitches in her wishing process. Maybe there were *multiple* alternate realities, that rotated beneath the microscope of her influence over time, so that if she picked a different time, she could get a bunch of different histories. Maybe she had to specify English. What if it wasn't called 'English' in the alternate universe? She'd have to try more, later. "Well. You're up and around a little, ah see. How're y'all feeling?" #: 653059 S6/Heroes 26-May-94 04:09:59 Sb: #651974-CHC: At the Hospital Fm: The Ghoul 76226,2723 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) "Cracked up." Christine smiles as she echoes the doctor's appraisal to Tyler, her mood brightened by the familiar face, even if still anchored to the ground by the web of medical equipment she is trapped in. "Doctor says... couple days. Nothing serious. Hurts, though." She doesn't look like she's searching for sympathy from Tyler, just stating the obvious rather than trying to hide it. "Can you turn on the TV? I want to hear the news..." -- #: 653832 S6/Heroes 26-May-94 22:47:08 Sb: #653059-CHC: At the Hospital Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: The Ghoul 76226,2723 (X) When Tyler turns on the news, you get a local station covering something at the Kennedy airport. A camera is pointing across a mostly empty stretch of airfield, where a small jet is sitting by itself with its lower cargo door hanging open. Several people are running and- flying!- around it. "-at this time who the participants are, though it does not seem to be the same superhumans involved at the battle at the Regency Hotel in New York City earlier this evening. We know that the plane is a government jet, as it's occupying a section of the airfield reserved for military, police and other government aircraft, but have not yet been able to learn - holy sh- lookithat!..." As the camera zooms in, a glimpse can be seen of what looks like a girl in a dress hovering in the air, and suddenly the plane is lifting vertically into the air, then tipping. #: 638532 S6/Heroes 13-May-94 00:42:09 Sb: #638025-CHC: Bloody Aftermath Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 Donnay nods and says "Most metahumans manifest under rather...traumatic circumstances, and they usually take a while to get a handle on their abilities. Of course, those working with us have the help of a team of scientists, already somewhat familiar with these powers, and a facility where we can test the range of your abilities. Our metahumans probably have a great headstart over those that keep struggling on their own. Of course," he sighs and looks at the destruction around you, "some have powers which are pretty straightforward." "We're certainly willing to work with you on whatever basis you'd like, but naturally we'd like to offer you a full time job with us. Believe me, the benefits package is better than you'd get in any other government job where you don't have to be elected first." "And you don't necessarily have to be a combat field agent. We need those, of course, against people like Lucretia....but whatever your abilities might be, we can find a use for them." [Note: The government is trying to recruit you because that's what they do, and they'll try to recruit any metahuman they meet. However, I am NOT trying to "push" you into that role. You can end up working for them, if it suits Tyler, but don't think this is what you're "supposed" to do because you think the GM wants it. I am not relying either on your accepting or refusing their offer- there will be plenty of trouble for Tyler whatever she does. ] #: 638931 S6/Heroes 13-May-94 05:31:53 Sb: #638532-#CHC: Bloody Aftermath Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Tyler nodded thoughtfully. "Ah reckon it all sounds pretty invitin'...and to be honest, if ah elect to continue makin' use of my particular weirdness, ah believe ah'd be a fool NOT to accept your offer. After tonight, ah suspect it's one of the few places left where you can actually do some good for your country. And not worry about accident insurance. Still...ah hope y'all can understand that this is somethin' ah need to consider. Y'all have a business card? Is it considered good manners to call up and ask for a job, with no resume?" She flashed him a thin smile, and stubbed out her cigarette. There is 1 Reply. #: 638958 S6/Heroes 13-May-94 05:59:10 Sb: #638931-#CHC: Bloody Aftermath Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) Donnay smiles and says, "You know, with all the metahumans that have been appearing lately, we probably *should* have business cards. In the meantime," he pulls out a notepad and writes down a phone number, "call this number anytime. Just give them your name. And if you happen to lose it, go to the nearest FBI office, and they'll route you to us pretty quick." There is 1 Reply. #: 639568 S6/Heroes 13-May-94 21:35:54 Sb: #638958-CHC: Bloody Aftermath Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Tyler stuffed the phone number in her pocket. "Thanks." She hesitated, then stuck out her hand. "Like to say it's been a pleasure, but ah don't 'magine it has. Ah'll call y'all, either way. No reason for y'all to be left hangin'." She squeezed his hand briefly, then headed up to join the others. #: 633789 S6/Heroes 09-May-94 01:08:35 Sb: #CHC: Going to NYC Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 (X) [B'aeyr- since Walt didn't say anything, I assume he agreed to the trip?] Mabe laughs at Harvey's comments. "No circling the airport," he says. "We've got the authority to force any plane except Air Force One to make way for us. We're landing at a private airport, and a helicopter will be waiting for us." Mabe drives you all in a Jeep Cherokee to an airstrip less than half a mile from the ranchhouse, where a small jet is already poised at the end of a runway. En route to New York, Mabe tells you, "The superhumans involved are named Lucy Golden and Christine Tallin. Lucy Golden, who we've been referring to as "Lucretia" until we learned her real name recently, is a psychopath. She's strong enough to punch holes in concrete, invulnerable to high-explosive, armor piercing bullets, and she can fly, faster than most jets. She can also sense other metahumans, and she hunts and kills them, just for the fun of it, as far as we can tell. And she has no compunction against casually squashing anyone else who gets in her way. She tore a plane out of the sky last week, over Canada. Just ripped its wings off and let 23 innocent people smash into the ground. There was probably a superhuman aboard, but if so, he or she didn't survive." "The other night, she came after Christine Tallin at a celebrity party in New York City. Some of our other agents, including Jason Little- who, uh, unfortunately is still in the infirmary and couldn't join us-", Mabe avoids looking at Walt, "were tracking her, and caught up as she was trying to kill Ms. Tallin. Little almost electrocuted her, but she managed to get away. She was severely wounded, so we thought she'd stay in hiding until she recovered, but apparently she recovers a lot faster than we thought. And our friend Ms. Tallin, who refused our offer to help her, decided she wanted to turn her new powers into a boost to her modelling career, I guess, and held a press conference at another hotel. And guess who showed up?" Supraman slaps a fist into his palm and says "Don't worry, pal, we'll deal with this super-powered bimbo." Looking at Kelly, he says "She may think she's tough, but she hasn't run into me yet!" Kelly smiles faintly, but doesn't look to reassured. Mabe looks slightly amused, and says "I hope you can stomp her that easily, Abraham, but-" he looks at Walt, "I'm thinking if you can at least keep her occupied, our friend Mr. Shindell can sneak up on her and turn off her strength. Possibly with Harvey's assistance. Of course, this is assuming she's still there when we arrive. We might end up just picking up the pieces....probably pieces of Ms. Tallin." There is 1 Reply. #: 633880 S6/Heroes 09-May-94 02:46:33 Sb: #633789-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "Well, I sort of figured you wouldn't let little things like holding patterns slow you down, Mabe, I was just sort of pointing out that we're limited in how fast we can respond to events once they happen. The only way we could be sure of arriving in time would be to be waiting. But your answer brings up another problem: where are you going to land the helicopter? The army never got around to teaching me the 'fast roping' method of rappeling from a hovering 'copter and jumping isn't really appealing", says Harvey, Before it dawns on him that he COULD jump out of a helicopter and just walk on air to the ground. "I don't know which is stranger, that this farmhouse has an air strip or that I didn't notice it before." slightly sarcastically. <> "If Lucretia can sense other mutants is there any evidence she can identify there meta-abilities at the same time? It would make a difference in how effective the distraction has to be to let Walt close enough." Harvey #: 634098 S6/Heroes 09-May-94 06:00:25 Sb: CHC: Going to NYC Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 "We don't know how much she can sense," Mabe says. "We only know she can detect people like you, maybe the same way Donovan does, maybe not. As for the helicopter, don't worry, there will be someplace the chopper can hover over, close enough for you to jump out. Though you could jump out at any time, couldn't you, and just walk down to the ground?" he asks, echoing your earlier thoughts. "And Walt here could probably just jump out and expect a pile of mattresses waiting for him! And if old Chuck here is as tough as he says, I guess he'd just climb out of the crater he'd make and walk away. That just leaves me and Donovan having to disembark the old fashioned way." A little closer to New York, and Mabe reports back from the pilot's cabin. "Fight's over, and it looks like the good guys won," he says. "Apparently there were some other metas there, and they fragged Lucretia, and most of the hotel as well." Donovan looks relieved and nauseous at the same time; Supraman looks disappointed. "But we're still going in. We want to talk to these other metas." #: 634845 S6/Heroes 10-May-94 00:51:11 Sb: #633789-#CHC: Going to NYC Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Walt shakes his head ever so slightly, amazed that so testosterone-ridden a man still exists. Still, he doesn't seem completely the fool; and everything that Walt has heard leads him to believe that this guy *may* be aas strong as he is of the opinion he is. "If this girls tearing up folks like it sounds, well then, she aughta be put away til she either sees the error of her ways, or some shrink can help her. I guess we can just try to stop her." B'aeyr There are 2 Replies. #: 634956 S6/Heroes 10-May-94 02:18:55 Sb: #634098-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "...Ah... Talk to those metas about anything in particular?" Harvey tries to think of something comforting to say to Kelly, but nothing comes to mind, so he settles for a brief smile. Harvey #: 634957 S6/Heroes 10-May-94 02:19:05 Sb: #634845-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 "[[put away until she either sees the error of her ways, or some shrink can help her]] quotes back Harvey in amazement. " Do you really think there's much hope of either of those spontaneously occurring? And where would you put her to stay or find a meta-shrink capable of changing her??" Harvey says, his words coming on before the realization hits him, that he doesn't have an alternative. "...ah...hmmm... let me re-evaluate that, I may have been excessively hasty and pessimistic, sorry Walt" he apologizes while trying to see his way out of the dilemma he's dug himself into. "We don't really have an alternative do we, the only way we have to neutralize her so we could hold her is Walt, that's only temporary and I doubt Walt wants to volunteer for permanent guard duty on one psycho. MAYBE Kelly could come up with something to keep her down, since she can see the details of how it works, but that might take a while. ....I think I'm out of solutions" Harvey find concludes. If Chuck 'supraman' points out the 'obvious' (and permanent) solution, Harvey will hotly reject it with "Hey, we're the good guys here"! Harvey #: 635000 S6/Heroes 10-May-94 03:01:57 Sb: #634845-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 Supraman looks at Walt with a mixture of horror and contempt. "HELP her?" he exclaims. "See the error of her ways? Are you serious? This psycho is ripping people apart and you're talkin' like she's a naughty child we need to send to her room without supper?" [this is before Mabe comes back and announces she's dead, of course. ] #: 635807 S6/Heroes 10-May-94 20:31:26 Sb: #635000-#CHC: Going to NYC Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Walt shakes his head slightly at the hard words of Abraham. "Well sir, I truly do wish that *I* had *your* supreme confidence in the right and wrong of this here situation. *I* sure as heck don't know why this happened; maybe there is a reason why this here girl acts as crazy as she does. Heck, maybe whatever it is that caused her powers drove her insane to boot! Now, I ain't saying that we are going to have a choise - we may well not." Walt pauses, looking as though he's wrestling with some kind of dilemma. "But I do know this much; if you all are planning on just trying to 'drop' her without at least trying to talk sense to her, then you can darn well count me out of this little lynching!" He slumps back in his seat, appearing tired and spent. B'aeyr There is 1 Reply. #: 636073 S6/Heroes 11-May-94 00:23:12 Sb: #635807-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 "Well, when you come right out and say it, I have to agree to at least TRY talking, but I also have to admit doubts it will work. My best, un-educated guess, sorry-I didn't take any psych courses, is maybe she's so terrified about the possibilities of malevalent metas that she's just decided to eliminate all of them...er, us. We all admitted the hazards, just none of us wanted that direct an approach to the solution." Harvey glances at Chuck as he says the last, then looks away immediately. "So maybe talking would work, but I don't suggest any of us except Chuck try holding our breath and waiting". "Hmmmmm, actually, I'd be willing to try talking to just about any meta we meet, both as the civilized and safe method, but Lucretia doesn't sound like the kind of person to respond to logic and reasoned discussion. Would you be willing to make a self-defense exception to the talk first rule? I don't think we'll have time for more than 'stop in the name of the l..' before she'll be attacking us, taking steps then might be very sensible." R. Chip #: 636456 S6/Heroes 11-May-94 04:17:05 Sb: #635807-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 "It's a moot point now," says Mabe, "because she's already been 'dropped' for us." You land in New York, and since it's no longer a crisis situation, you drive to the scene instead of taking a helicopter. [Note to the other New Yorkers- hopefully this won't be too confusing, but these people won't arrive until quite a bit after your current scene, so assume that whatever dispute Tyler has will be resolved one way or the other, and you're not here at the moment. Continuity can be such a hassle. ] Yellow police tape surrounds most of the hotel. You can see shattered glass and fragments of concrete all over the place. The bodies have been cleared, but there's no doubt in anyone's mind that this was the scene of some serious carnage. Walls are shattered and cracked in some places, perforated by scores of bullet holes in others, and burned all the way through in two sections. The floor is alternately blood-stained (with silhouettes chalked out in three spots) and scorched. It looks like the aftermath of a small military conflict. Another agent, who introduces himself as Agent Donnay to your group, says "Total body count is five dead, including our girl, and fourteen wounded. Which is a small miracle, considering all the firepower that was being thrown around. You have to see this weapon that one of the metas arrived with- the damn thing is practically a man-portable field artillery unit." He lowers his voice and says "Actually, a couple of the casualties were 'collateral damage'." #: 637328 S6/Heroes 12-May-94 00:55:38 Sb: #636456-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Harvey surveys the scene, which resembles the aftermath of a military operation, noticing the holes, cracks and scorchs he sums it up concisely with "What a mess"! (actually, he thinks, it looks like a disaster and they should put in for federal disaster relief funds). As he notices the blood stains his expression turns even darker, luckily he doesn't notice the significance of the chalk marks. Considering the lump in his throat and tensness in his chest as he looks around he glances over at Kelly to see how she's holding up, they may need to get her moved if this is too much for her. As Donnay describes the 'super-gun' Harvey resorts to what little humor has left as a method of coping, "You mean someone just walked into the hotel with a howitzer under his arm"? ... "Oh, it was a woman. That explains it, she had it in her purse." Harvey #: 638937 S6/Heroes 13-May-94 05:44:53 Sb: #637328-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 Agent Donnay chuckles and says "She wasn't carrying it in her purse. She *summoned* it!" At Mabe's raised eyebrows, Donnay says "She seems to be able to summon objects out of midair. Whatever she wants. Don't ask me how, maybe she creates them out of her imagination, or summons them from another universe, but this damn gun is like nothing I've ever seen before. It's one helluva improvement on our own HEAP-throwers though. It's going back to Virgina, along with Lucretia's corpse." Kelly looks like she's going to be ill at that. "This girl seems cooperative enough. I've been trying to sell her on joining our little group, she's at least thinking about it. Don't know about the others though. There's a kid who's some kind of a shapeshifter, got his butt kicked by the psycho, but managed to heal himself right up afterwards. Then there's Ms. Tallin, little miss prima donna. 'Crystal' she's calling herself. Definite attitude. Typical Hollywood bimbo, she holds a press conference to show herself off, Lucretia shows up to kill her, and she blames the government because we should have prevented it." Supraman snorts at that. "Great, she'll probably get invited to the White House. I guess I should've known some liberal weenies would get super powers too." Mabe looks amused at Chuck again, then turns to Kelly. "Agent Donovan, I know this isn't going to be pleasant for you. But there may be information you can get from Lucretia's body that will fade over time. I want you to try to...whatever you do, 'read' her, find out what you can." "She's on ice right now, at the airport," Donnay adds helpfully, as Kelly turns even paler than before. "She'll uh," he leans close to Mabe and whispers "she'll probably be flying back with you." "Oh God...." Kelly moans. Supraman puts a huge hand on her shoulder and tries to be comforting. "Don't worry, Kelly, we'll all be there. And she can't hurt you now..." Mabe says "Donovan, I know it's not a pretty job sometimes, but think, if we knew more about her invulnerability, we might have been able to stop her before she killed all those people, and maybe we could have stopped her without killing *her*!" #: 639939 S6/Heroes 14-May-94 03:10:13 Sb: #638937-CHC: Going to NYC Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Harvey looks concerned as Kelly moans, but his opinion of Chuck "supraman" Abrams goes up as he tries to comfort her. "Hang in there, Kelly, this is probably one of those things that is worse to think about and anticipate than to actually do.....sort of like going to the dentist", Harvey adds the last with forced cheerfulness. "It's sort of like a funeral, you say your respects and get out as soon as polite. Lucretia will just sort of lie there, quietly". Harvey decides this would be a good time to stop before he digs himself in too deep. Chuck said that we'd all be with her, I'm not sure we'll be able to be together but at least one of us is _definitely_ going to stick with Kelly and preferably all of us. Harvey (R. Chip) #: 641701 S6/Heroes 15-May-94 19:45:52 Sb: CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 Kelly is silent on the drive to Kennedy Airport. Rather than going in the main entrance, you all naturally take a side road onto a small corner of the huge airport which is reserved for government flights. Your plane, or one just like it, is waiting for you. The cargo bay door of the small jet is open, and something that looks like a small meat locker is already strapped to the floor of the storage area. You all become rather grim, realizing that in effect, it *is* a meat locker. Supraman helps Kelly up into the plane, then hops in effortlessly after her. Mabe, Walt and Harvey climb in as well. A couple of other agents are waiting, and as Kelly visibly steels herself, they open the lid. Lucy Golden, aka Lucretia, has obviously seen better days. Kelly spins away and clutches her stomach, trying not to retch. The woman inside is covered with gore. She is entirely naked, except for a few scraps of burned leather and denim clinging to her here and there. Her entire front side is shredded, looking like raw meat, burned at the edges. Her left arm is lying next to her, separated from her body. One leg is also separated from her, while the other one is mangled so badly it would surely have to be removed at the hospital....if the patient was still alive. Her eyes are closed, but under the blood and black soot that coats her face, her lips can be seen still pulled back in a snarling rictus of hate, with a bubbling froth of blood drying on her chin. Her purple mohawk, now streaked with red and black, still stands stiffly erect from her skull. The technicians don't look like they enjoy the sight, but they've obviously seen her already, since they loaded her into the refrigeration unit. Mabe looks down at the mangled corpse impassively, while Chuck glances at it, his lips twitching with distaste, then puts an arm around Kelly trying to comfort her. Mabe says "Can you read anything?" to Kelly. Chuck glares at him and says "Can't you see the lady's upset, Mabe? Have a little compassion!" "Mr. Sensitive." Mabe seems mildly amused, as always. "I realize this is a nasty piece of work....but as her body temperature lowers, any metabolic readings Donovan can get off of her are going to fade. Just do whatever you do, Agent Donovan, and then we can close the lid." Kelly looks up, then her eyes widen and her face goes even paler than before, as she cringes against Supraman. She mumbles something incoherent, to which both Chuck and Mabe says "What?" "She's still alive!" Kelly gasps. #: 641949 S6/Heroes 15-May-94 23:41:58 Sb: #641701-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "What'dya mean she's still alive!!! That's impossible!.......Well, I suppose it's not technically impossible, but that's one tough b*****" "Kelly, are you sure? I mean, have you ever seen someone newly dead before? Could she just have some cells that haven't died form Oxygen deprivation yet and still have most of her organs dead?" Harvey mutters to himself "we'd better put a guard on her anyway, and I don't mean a couple of cops with dinky little pea shooter pistols. We also have to decide if it's ethical to kill her when she's in this state", as he says the last he glances at Walt, wondering what he thinks then looks away quickly. Harvey #: 642376 S6/Heroes 16-May-94 06:27:55 Sb: CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 "She's alive!" Kelly repeats. "She...she's got a power, it's active..." Kelly's eyes widen in horror. "She's *healing*!" she whispers. Mabe looks at each person in the cargo bay, with a piercing, calculating look. Then says "Abraham, why don't you take Donovan up above before she pukes all over the place?" Supraman looks like he's going to argue with Mabe- he obviously doesn't take well to being given orders. But then he glances at Kelly, who is shuddering and obviously unwell, and his face goes from belligerence to something like protectiveness, and he nods, with an irritated glare at Mabe. #: 643152 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 01:19:59 Sb: #642376-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "uh-oh", which seems to make this Harvey's day for understatement. Harvey moves a step forward and examines Lucretia's (Lucy Golden's) exposed wounds to see if there are visible signs of healing. "I don't know how long we have before she's up and around, but when she is we're going to be in big trouble". Harvey takes a deep breath, "currently she's defensless, relatively speaking, and we can terminate,...ah eliminate ..ah execute.......... oh let's just say it: 'kill' her. the question is do we have the right to and do we have the nerve to. I had a hard time coming right out and saying that but that is the bottom line. I'm somewhat in favor of just doing it, but not enough so to make the decision by myself. Care to offer an opinion, Walt?" After pause Harvey adds "generally I'm against killing a prisoner, in cold blood, unless they're either given a fair trial or they try to escape; but we may decide to make an exception in this case." Harvey (R. Chip) There is 1 Reply. #: 643463 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 04:35:38 Sb: #642376-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Dazzler/Ass't SysOp 71460,3414 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [hmm...maybe it's time to see if Walt can turn off her healing power for a while... -- Lurking SysOp] #: 643551 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 05:58:01 Sb: #643152-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 [A carefully offered opinion: "Bombs away!" .] Nicki/Tyler the considerate. There are 2 Replies. #: 643588 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 06:40:29 Sb: #643551-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Gordon W. Fancher 74204,273 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) This could be a problem. Considering how tough she is, she may do more damage to the turbine than it does to here. Unfortunately, this would cause the plane to drop like a rock. GWF the Lurker {8-{)> #: 643603 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 06:44:41 Sb: #643551-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Star Fire 71533,1302 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) [Better yet, drain her powers, then drop her into an underground nuclear testing site at T-12 seconds, in multiple pieces. ] #: 644003 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 20:23:50 Sb: #643152-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 (X) Walt goes pale at the notion that this poor mangled...**thing** is still alive. "My God...the pain..." he murmers, a stricken expression plain on his face as he forces himself to view her. And she was slowly knitting herself back together; she would be up again before too long. Finally Walt spins away from the grisly sight and moves a few paces away, gulping air and trying to keep from being ill. Blood was one thing, but that, that mess was too much. He was pretty sure of what they wanted him to do...but he just couldn't do it. "I can't...I can't do it, if that is what you want. I made a promise..." Walt goes silent, leaning against the wall of the plane. B'aeyr There are 3 Replies. #: 644009 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 20:35:43 Sb: #643603-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: Star Fire 71533,1302 (X) [No, just leave her in a bait box. One of those things in fishing shops that are full of maggots ] #: 644021 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 20:38:23 Sb: #CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Star Fire 71533,1302 (X) Geez, look at all these bloodthirsty lurkers, no "X-Men" types here! Yup, I definitely have to make sure my villains are tough if I want to be able to reuse them! -David (waiting to see how bloodthirsty the *players* are....) There are 2 Replies. #: 644095 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 22:30:49 Sb: #644003-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 (X) Mabe frowns and glares at Walt. "Look," he says, "if this psycho revives, you're going to see even more bloodshed. She's as deadly as they come, and we CAN'T put her in prison. There's no prison on Earth that could hold her! Let her revive, and you're dooming God knows how many innocent people to die! Will you be able to look at the faces of their families and know you let those people die, because you didn't want to suffer the moral anguish of having blood on *your* hands?" Looking at both Harvey and Walt, he says "I know this is a dirty business, but the system just isn't set up to deal with people like you....not yet. We have no choice but to make our own rules and live with consequences." In a lower voice, he adds, "The best bet to finish her off is if Shindell can just shut off her powers. By all rights, she should be dead already, it's only her metahuman healing abilities that are keeping her alive. Turn her off and let her die naturally. But if you won't do that-" he looks at Harvey. "If Shindell won't do it the clean way, you have to do it the messy way. There has to be a limit to her regenerative powers, and you can destroy her vital organs....." There is 1 Reply. #: 644114 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 22:54:36 Sb: #644021-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [Lemme at her. I'll moidalize her. I'll chop her into chitlins. I'll cut her three ways: deep, wide and continuous. I'll put so many holes in her, she won't know where to bleed first. I'll...] Nicki Randallette Flagg Jett There is 1 Reply. #: 644115 S6/Heroes 17-May-94 22:54:41 Sb: #644003-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 (X) [*I* can. Hand me the chain saw and the frilly toothpicks.] Chef Tell #: 644394 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:18:30 Sb: #643551-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) Actually, even a bird will do significant FODding (Foreign Object Damage). I don't want to think what Lucretia would do to the engine, but causing it to fall off of blow up are right at the top of my 'guess' list. R. Chip #: 644395 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:18:39 Sb: #644003-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 "Actually, we don't know if she's in pain, she could be comatose. I HOPE she's comatose because I wouldn't want to be her listening to this conversation. We may actually have quite a bit of time. We need to make a decision before she's active again, but she may require quite a while to recover from this much damage; and that's assuming she can completely handle this. She could actually die of her wounds before recovering, but that's unlikely." Harvey looks over with sympathy as Walt says he CAN'T kill her. When he speaks it is with regret in his voice, perhaps that he doesn't feel the same absolute refusal to do the deed, "You won't have to do it, Walt. I can do it, I don't want to do it, but I can do it both in capability and in willingness .. if I can convince myself. Having her atoms mutually interpenetrate those of a block of steel ought to be quite effective." <><><><><><> [continued in message to Dave Edelstein replying to #644095] #: 644396 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:18:43 Sb: #643603-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: Star Fire 71533,1302 (X) Problem: I refuse to be at the underground nuclear test at t-12 seconds to do the dropping, are you volunteering? (anyway, we probably can't wait for the next test). R. Chip #: 644397 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:18:52 Sb: #644021-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) You're going about it the wrong way to create reusable villains. Instead of making them so tough that they can be reused, you've made them so tough there's little choice BUT to put them in un-reusable condition. Now if your viallains were a little weaker we could find an alternative and they'd survive better (paradoxical, isn't it). See, if they were weaker we'd put them in prison and then they could escape. (It's much harder escaping from a pine wood box). R. Chip There is 1 Reply. #: 644398 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:19:06 Sb: #644095-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "We can't just go making our own rules! Not if we want to be part of society. In this case we have make our own interpretations to existing rules. But you are right about living with the consequences." "Actually, causing her atoms to mutually interpenetrate a block of steel or other solid is quite neat. There's no blood, not even much of a corpse left. That doesn't of itself make it the right way to do it. I am not going to rush into doing something so irreversible when there is time to consider it. Did you know that's why I don't like capital punishment? Because if you find out you were wrong, there's no way to correct it." Harvey sounds almost desperate now, like he can't see an alternative and is desperately looking for one. "If this is proof by process of elimination, then absolutely every alternative has to be eliminated, how about sedating her like they did Deathstorm?" Harvey ask hopefully, before objecting to his own suggestion, "she's not breathing and has no ciculation now, so it might be difficult to make it work, drugs might not be effective, she might become immune..... dang, it's not even a permanent solution, just postponing the problem." Harvey drifts off into his own thoughts, trying to come to grips with an unpleasent situation that seems to have no alternatives. Obviously he isn't going to reach a decision on his own very quickly, something external is going to have to push him one way or the other, although Lucretia moving would probably do it if nothing else does. Harvey #: 644414 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:34:11 Sb: #644114-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 (X) Hmm, so you're eager for Tyler to get another shot at Lucretia, eh....? -David "Be careful what you wish for, you might get it!" There is 1 Reply. #: 644448 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:55:39 Sb: #644414-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Nicki Jett 76326,2340 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [As long as she's in her current state, yes.] Nicki the bloodthirsty but not stupid. #: 644451 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:57:07 Sb: CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 (X) Ah, but I took all of that into account. I was just being facetious. Not all villains are as "indestructible" as Lucretia. I deliberately presented her as a problem similar to that posed by Deathstorm- what do you do about someone who can't be restrained and is damned hard to kill, unless she's already been rendered helpless? Maybe you'll come up with a solution, maybe not. Then again, the choice might be taken out of your hands.... -David #: 644500 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 03:21:42 Sb: #644397-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: karma kid 73073,2242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 (X) I'll beat David's got a better idea, Rogue. Don't you David? #: 645317 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 00:38:40 Sb: #644451-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) I was kidding a bit myself. But I very glad they're not ALL that tough (on the other hand, some are probably worse (uh oh)). R. Chip #: 645319 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 00:38:53 Sb: #644500-#CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: karma kid 73073,2242 (X) You're probably right. I don't know what Dave would do, but like what happens when an irresistible force meets an immovable object, the side effects would probably be spectacular! R. Chip There is 1 Reply. #: 645369 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 01:16:26 Sb: #645319-CHC: Kennedy Airport Fm: karma kid 73073,2242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 Especially for innocent bystanders! #: 644452 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 02:57:19 Sb: CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 (X) Mabe says "We don't have TIME for a jury trial! Maybe society will come up with a solution for people like this, eventually, but for now, we're on our own. All your cop-outs don't change what you know to be true. Call it cold-blooded murder if you want, I call it a necessary evil." From above, you all hear Chuck yelling out the door of the plane, "Hey, Kelly says there's another super-type around here." "Oh s***," Mabe says, looking out onto the tarmac. A dark-haired young man, of medium build and dark complexion, is walking towards the plane. His expression is cold, almost like a statue. Walt recognizes him. He saw this man in Dallas. Before he disappeared....with Jamie. Forty feet from the plane, he speaks, in a flat voice that carries above the sounds of planes taking off in the background; "I am Legion." As he walks, he transforms. Suddenly he's not a young man of medium build. He's a tall black woman, over six feet tall and rippling with muscles on a frame like a professional bodybuilder. She's wearing a black tank top, loose-fitting jeans, and running shoes. The word "Amazon" comes to mind, both because of her build and her stance, the way she carries herself as she walks. She looks ready to fight, even eager. She grins, and says "I am Legion. And I'm here for her. But I'll take all of you!" #: 645203 S6/Heroes 18-May-94 23:06:42 Sb: #644452-#CHC: Legion Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Walt's jaw drops for a second, all thoughts of morality forgotten in light of this...visitation. He steps forward, a purposeful look in his eye. "All right, what in the name of **HELL** did you do with Jamie!!!! I shut you down right proper once, and by God, I'll do it again! You give me back that girl, you hear!!!!" There is an edge of desperate anger to Walt's voice, a fear for the little girl that he saw vanish into thin air. "You are not getting or taking _anything_ or _anyone_ from this place, and you will surender Jamie to *me*!" Walt stands ready, knowing that he *cannot* let "Legion" have its way here, but inwardly he is unsure as to what he can do about it B'aeyr There are 2 Replies. #: 645318 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 00:38:48 Sb: #644452-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "It's the appeals we don't have time for." "I'll get to it, but I don't have experience in convinving myself to do this, so it takes a little while to work up the nerve." "Uh-oh, I think we have trouble", which isn't as succinct as Mabe's comment, but does sum up the situation. Mabe mentioned this guy (guy?) a coupleof times but unfortunately Harvey forgot to folow up and get details. Whatever legion wants Lucretia for, it doesn't sound good. 'have her over our dead bodies', unfortunately sounds like just what legion is planning. Harvey tries to think strategically, but other than needing to have someone protect Kelly, and that they only have about forty feet to think of something, nothing comes to mind. Harvey (R. Chip) #: 645346 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 00:54:55 Sb: #645203-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 Harvey's not sure that Walt's is the best tactical approach (although neutralize first, ask questions later does jump to mind as an alternative). Harvey's considers taking the time to resolidify Lucretia in something solid, and hope that it's better than being taken by legion, but postpones it and quickly moves forward to stand next to Walt. Harvey (R. Chip) #: 645520 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 03:16:19 Sb: #645203-CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 "C'mon down here and make me, hero!" the tall Amazon calls back to Walt. She looks singularly unimpressed. "YOU GOT IT, LADY!!!" With a bellowing roar, Supraman launches himself from the door of the plane to the ground in front of the body-shifting metahuman, leaping forty feet as if he was hopping a fence. The two large people size each other up for a moment. Both seem unused to facing someone without looking down. Then Chuck reaches out and tries to close a massive hand around the woman's upper arm. She's not there, though- she steps back nimbly as he clutches empty air, then steps forward again in the same moment. She drops a few inches as one leg bends slightly, then she springs straight up.....seven feet up. Parallel to Supraman's head, one foot lashes straight out and drives into his face like a battering ram. The huge man is knocked off his feet and flies ten feet straight back. Lying on the ground, he shakes his head and rubs his nose, which is spurting blood. In the plane's cargo hold, Mabe has already produced a heavy pistol and is blasting away at the big woman, but she's already in motion, performing an impressive series of flips and cartwheels as she moves evasively towards the plane, at an angle oblique to Supraman. "GET HER!" Mabe snaps. "But don't let her touch you, unless you want to become part of Legion!" #: 646194 S6/Heroes 19-May-94 20:20:52 Sb: #645520-CHC: Legion Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Walt *moves* trying to get off to the side of her. His eyes go wide with shock when the Amazon kicks the butt of 'Supraman', and he pales slightly, as if now thinking that maybe this wasn't the *best* idea that he could have come up with. But he goes anyway, silently praying that he can purposfully do now what he managed to do by accident before; shut it off. "Jamie, l'il darlin, can you hear me? It's Walt, angel; come on out if you can and I'll try and get you free." As he says this, he's moving forward toward the Fury that is making for the plane. "Well," he mutters to himself, "I sure as heck hope that my 'luck' is good for more than dice and ninjas!" Walt is thinking *very* hard about her not being able to touch him, let alone hit him. He envisions her making all the *wrong* guesses about how he's going to move as he approaches her. B'aeyr #: 646538 S6/Heroes 20-May-94 02:37:35 Sb: #645520-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Harvey is trying to stay even with Walt, to back him up. He loses a little time glancing over at Abe, but Abe is moving so he probably isn't doing too bad (although the blow would probably have taken my head off). He loses a little more time trying to figure out Mabe's advice, how is he suppose to hit someone without touching??? No answer comes to mind, so Harvey will settle for hoping it takes a little time for anything bad to happen. Harvey _hopes_ that being desolid won't count as touching, since he'll be depending on it for defense, but he'll attack at high density. Maybe switching back and forth between desolid and high density will be effective, might even confuse this 'legion'. Having at least an illusion of a plan Harvey speeds up to match Walt, while trying not to look like he's rushing so he'll seem composed. Harvey #: 646574 S6/Heroes 20-May-94 03:05:32 Sb: #646194-CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 The tall black woman snaps a kick at Walt's head, fast as lightning and probably almost as deadly. She miscalculates the distance and her foot snaps the air a quarter of an inch from his nose, but withdraws too fast for Walt to do anything to counter it. She frowns, as if in disbelief that she could have missed. "Legion", or its current incarnation, springs back like a gazelle, out of Walt's reach. "Let's see if you can 'shut me down' with a couple of broken legs," she says, and moves back in, faster than any human should and looking all the faster because of her great size. As she kicks again, her other foot slips on a patch of oil, and she almost falls- but regains her balance with inhuman agility. Supraman approaches her from the other direction, and she leaps away, turning to keep both Walt and Chuck in front of her. #: 647145 S6/Heroes 20-May-94 20:14:14 Sb: #646574-CHC: Legion Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Walt thanks God that his "power" seems to be working; he has *no* doubt but that his head would have shattered like an over-ripe melon if that kick has actually connected! But he can't leave it at that...not with Jamie trapped somewhere in there. He moves carefully toward her, only wanting to get the chance to touch her once without getting smeared. One touch,(he hopes) and this "Amazon" will be out of the fight. Without powers, "Supraman" should be able to deal with her/it. And hopefully that one good shot that she nailed him with would kill some of that pompousness that he exuded... ...but Walt wasn't betting on it; he was lucky, but not *that* lucky! "Ma'am, I do wish you all would be careful. Wouldn't do for you to fall and do yourself an injury now, would it?" Walt moves in, a purposeful expression on his face. B'aeyr #: 647568 S6/Heroes 21-May-94 03:30:46 Sb: #646574-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [ I've lost track of where everyone is relative to everyone else and the plane. Also, is this area completely out in the open (i.e. no cover)? ] Even though Legion has moved so that Walt and Chuck aren't coming from opposite sides, Harvey like the idea so much that he'll move along the flank and try for a different angle to come in on. [if that doesn't make sense, please remember that I already admitted I'm lost.] Harvey #: 647707 S6/Heroes 21-May-94 06:31:35 Sb: CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 "Aren't you sweet?" the woman snarls at Walt. Supraman and Walt both stand between Legion and the plane, both are trying to move in on her, on each side. Meanwhile, Harvey attempts to circle around the group to approach Legion from behind. [Does this clear things up, RC? ] Supraman doesn't have the patience for tactical maneuvers, though- he charges the woman, swinging this time. Legion dips and extends one leg, catching him in the stomach with a kick that lifts him off the ground. The big man grunts and staggers backward, winded for the moment, but he still seems tough enough to avoid serious injury. Legion spins to face Harvey, and tries to grab him by the shirt front, then snarls as her hand passes through him. "If I can't hit you," she snaps, "you can't hit me, fool!" She proceeds to run right through him, making a wide arc around Walt and the gasping Supraman, heading towards the plane. #: 647835 S6/Heroes 21-May-94 15:04:43 Sb: #647707-#CHC: Legion Fm: Agent Orange 72643,661 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [C'mon, Chuck! Get ahold of yourself. Flying tackle, just like Coach told you NOT to do, but worked anyway.] --Agent Orange There is 1 Reply. #: 647993 S6/Heroes 21-May-94 17:50:24 Sb: #647835-#CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Agent Orange 72643,661 (X) Hey, you can resume playing him anytime. Though he might be rendered temporarily unplayable soon....I tend to be hard on my NPCs. -David There is 1 Reply. #: 648039 S6/Heroes 21-May-94 18:45:18 Sb: #647993-CHC: Legion Fm: Agent Orange 72643,661 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 I wish I could resume, really. I just couldn't resist a comment from the lurker ranks. Do your worst. He's in your hands now. --Agent Orange #: 648411 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 02:16:57 Sb: #647707-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Harvey thinks to himself, in a snippy way, 'well I knew that if you couldn't hit me I couldn't hit you; but I figured it'd take you longer to recover from the surprise and I'd get to attack then'. Fortunately, Harvey doesn't lose time deciding to chase legion. (though he isn't sure what to do when, and if, he catchs her). [ thanks, now I know where everyone is..... at least for the minute.] Harvey (R. Chip) #: 648963 S6/Heroes 22-May-94 17:17:01 Sb: #647707-CHC: Legion Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Walt curses quietly., taking off after her, hoping beyond hope that *something* would slow her down long enough for him to get close. Close enough to touch her, and hopefully end this menace . He will be running as best he can, but will try to be wary of a quick kick or punch from her as she runs. B'aeyr #: 649918 S6/Heroes 23-May-94 12:33:50 Sb: #648963-CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 The Amazonian incarnation of Legion easily outruns all three men, and at the side of the plane, leaps easily up to the lip of the cargo hold, then slips, almost losing her balance for a moment. Blasts of gunfire fill the air, and she reels back as the three agents inside, including Mabe, open up on her, point blank. She is blown off the edge and falls to the ground, landing with an acrobatic roll, but she rises very stiffly. Blood is running down her front. "Unnggh..." she grunts. "Damn!" Leaning over, she swivels her head to look at Walt. "You!? You made me fall, somehow...." "Well, what did you expect?" Her comment catches everyone by surprise, as it seems uncertain to whom she is addressing it. "Now has it occurred to you that while you're absorbing the psycho-bitch, if she's NOT totally comatose, we're gonna be helpless while you're trying to subdue her? And all these guys will clean our clock!" Without warning, she hops up, grabs the lip of the cargo hold, and flips herself up into the bay, feet first, with an impressive gymnastic maneuver. One foot drives into the stomach of an unwary agent who was leaning over the edge with his pistol, and he goes flying back into the hold, making a resounding impact that everyone can hear as he hits the far wall. "Hi Mabe," you hear the woman say. Two more gunshots, a heavy cracking sound, then silence. Supraman is the first to leap up into the hold. Walt and Harvey are now just beneath the edge of the opening. #: 650172 S6/Heroes 23-May-94 20:48:43 Sb: #649918-CHC: Legion Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 >>"Hi Mabe," you hear the woman say. Two more gunshots, a heavy cracking sound, >>then silence. ***** "NO!," Walt screams, a stricken look on his face as he hears the above. Walt tries to jump up and catch hold of the edge so that he can pull himself up. He imagines that *maybe* the shot that the Amazon took at Mabe was not really as bad as she thought (or it sounded). [Thoughts, bad thoughts, go racing through Walt's head. If Mabe, or any of the other agents are dead, it is at least partially *his* fault. If he had just done what they had wanted, used his powers to nullify Lucretia's, she'd in all likelyhood be dead now, and there would be no need for 'normals' to try and stop a powerhouse like the Amazon.] B'aeyr #: 650471 S6/Heroes 24-May-94 00:48:21 Sb: #649918-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Harvey's first instinct is to rush into the plane, possibly using a little 'walk on air' to assist, but a sneaky though comews to mind. What could legion plan as a counter to to legion's objections? A hostage comes to mind. So Harvey will continue under the plane a ways and then walk on air straight up, trying to come up on the far side of palne from the door everyone else is using. The extra time he's taking worries Harvey, but he figures Supraman is already in there and should be able handle things for the duration of the delay. Harvey figures to try to rush legion and desolidify her (it? them?) then drop with her right through the bottom of the plane. Possibly down into the ground even. Getting legion out of the plane should get her away from both the normal DOD agents and Lucretia; of course, it also gets her away from the other meta agents, darn. Harvey (R. Chip) #: 651161 S6/Heroes 24-May-94 17:21:23 Sb: CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 As Walter and Harvey both get up into the plane, their own way, they find Supraman and Legion duking it out in close quarters. Legion is fast, and clearly a better fighter. Her advantage is somewhat reduced by the lack of space, but she's still avoiding his blows and landing many herself. As she sees the other two men enter, she snarls and plants her foot in Chuck's chest, giving a mighty shove that thrusts him right over Walt's head and back onto the tarmac. Chuck hits with a thud, then lurches to his feet, wiping blood out of his face and limping back towards the plane. "All I gotta do is hit her once!" he growls. Mabe and the other two agents are lying on the floor; you can't tell how badly hurt they are. "Great, now what?!" the tall black woman demands. She aims an experimental kick at Harvey's head as he rises through the floor of the plane, and seems not particularly surprised when it passes harmlessly through him. "Dammit, let *me* handle this if you don't want us to get our butts kicked!" she snaps. "Or if you think you can do better, go ahead, see how well *you* can avoid that big-ass cracker! Yeah, I didn't think so..." She looks wary as Harvey rushes her, jabbing a fist through his face, finding it still doesn't connect, and thus seems taken by surprise when Harvey's hands materialize on her shoulders. She kicks straight up, through his groin, but her knee goes all the way to his chest. "How the hell did you-?" Then Harvey pushes her down, and they both sink through the floor of the plane. She struggles desperately as she begins floating towards the ground. Harvey finds that having desolified her completely, he can no longer hold onto her. And Supraman doesn't stop to think about how Legion came sinking down through the bottom of the plane; he charges her immediately, with a flying tackle that sails through her and Harvey and lands thirty feet away, where he skids along the ground, making a horrible grinding sound as his knees and elbows gouge grooves in the cement. Legion swears, then protests- "No! I-" And suddenly she's not there anymore. Instead, a little girl hovers in the air where the black amazon was a moment ago. A small white child with blonde hair, her eyes filled with a white glow. She's wearing a dainty blue dress and shiny black shoes, and she hangs in the air, with her hands clasped at her waist in front of her, like a mannequin. She looks about six years old. #: 651829 S6/Heroes 25-May-94 03:01:15 Sb: #651161-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Harvey is not very surprised by legion's sudden try at shape changing, because nothing legion does would really surprise him. He hardly slows down to conclude that this is still legion and the fight is still on. What does slow him down, slightly, is trying to evaluate the tactical situation. This is obviously a meta, the glowing eyes are a dead give away. That she is floating in mid air is also obvious, since she couldn't have stopped otherwise. Harvey decides that getting her moving towards the ground again could be difficult, and since he'd have to solidify, dangerous. He also isn't sure how long chuck will need to recover from plowing up the runway. Harvey quickly feels in his pockets and pulls out the only thing he finds, his wallet. Time to get vicious and hope this doesn't turn out to be a major mistake, he'll try to resolidify the wallet 'inside' legion. (Wonder if there'll be time for this before the next attack comes?) Harvey #: 652527 S6/Heroes 25-May-94 21:04:55 Sb: #651161-CHC: Legion Fm: B'aeyr 73363,1624 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) "JAMIE!!!!" Walt cries, swearing inwardly; he was going to spend the entire fight climbing into and out of the plane! Walt struggles to get as close as he can as quickly as he can, well aware that she has TK power and is part of Legion. "Honey, listen to me; it's 'uncle' Walt," he says, moving nearer if he can. "Do you remember me, darlin'? I'm the one who helped you and your daddy try and get away from those men at the Hospital. Jamie, I'm here to help" Walt stands ready, trying to approach the child but well aware that she could change or turn on them at any second. B'aeyr #: 653834 S6/Heroes 26-May-94 22:47:23 Sb: CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: B'aeyr 73363,1624 The girl doesn't say a word, but rapidly levitates away from Harvey as he extends an arm towards her, holding a wallet. She doesn't move a muscle, but her body simply moves vertically away, at a slight upward angle. Then she rotates until she's facing Walt, standing at the entrance to the cargo bay, with that eery, expressionless stare. The plane suddenly jerks, and rises into the air, then tilts, and Walt feels his feet going out from under him as he is dumped ten feet to the ground, landing conveniently on his feet with only a slight wince from the shock of impact. You hear bodies and a refrigerated coffin sliding along the floor of the plane, towards the opening, and Kelly Donovan screaming, in the passenger section above. Supraman, half-running, half-limping back towards the plane, pauses and stares. "Holy SMOKES!" #: 654218 S6/Heroes 27-May-94 03:00:00 Sb: #653834-#CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) Well, I knew it couldn't be that easy. Looking at the plane being 'shaken' by an invisible grip, that's not too bad...but I bet it will be! This is getting hard! How do you stop a telek with the strength to toss around a jet plane? And a telek probably doesn't care if your solid or not when they attack! Walt could stop legion if he could get close enough, but that means either bring legion lower or walt higher. Since currently Walt is way over there Harvey will rely on the adage take the high ground and climb up closer to legion. He really doesn't know what to do when he gets there, but when Walt gets close he may resort to giving him a lift up. [Dave: How far away is Walt? and how high up is legion? I get lost easy for some reason.] There is 1 Reply. #: 654289 S6/Heroes 27-May-94 04:05:50 Sb: #654218-CHC: Legion Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 Legion is now floating about 20 feet up, and Walt is about the same distance from Harvey. #: 655154 S6/Heroes 28-May-94 00:09:38 Sb: #654289-CHC: Legion Fm: Rogue Chip 72570,2264 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) O.k. plan revision time. Harvey will drop down and try to give Walt a hand up, to Legion. (Actually, I'm beginning to think getting legion out of the plane may have been tactically faulty. I just wanted to get it away from Lucy and the injured agents. Unfortunately, I gave it a lot more room to maneuver). Harvey #: 630503 (P) S6/Heroes 05-May-94 23:20:50 Sb: CHC: Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) > She looks hesitantly over to Ashiya. "Do you think she's all >right?", she whispers worriedly. "She's been out for an awful long >time...." Kim looks at the sleeping woman, then whispers to Nancy. "I don't know how long she normally sleeps. I'd let her sleep for a bit longer." She quietly closes the door behind her, and joins Nancy and the others at breakfast. [Copied to Captain Micro] #: 632940 (P) S6/Heroes 08-May-94 02:53:04 Sb: CHC: Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) > Nancy, the very picture of domesticity in her pink plush bathrobe and >bunny slippers, leads Kim to the kitchen. "What would you like?", she >asks, going to the stove. "We've got eggs, some sausage...I could do hash >browns or pancakes if you're really hungry." [FX: mouth waters... ] "Some sausage and an egg would be great" replies Kim. Despite her lean frame, she's clearly not anorexic . >a mischevious twinkle as she mentions her preoccupation. "Project? What project? Or is it a secret?" >"However, given that it's about 8:00 here, which would make it...6:00 in >the morning your time?...I don't think calling your parents right now >would be a good idea, unless you know that they're up this time of day." "They're early risers, but I'd better let them have their first cup of coffee before I call. I'd like to wait for Ashiya, so that I can find out what her plans are - it would be helpful if I could go back to explain things to them." [Copied to Captain Micro] #: 633607 (P) S6/Heroes 08-May-94 21:50:16 Sb: CHC: Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 > Nancy goes over to the fridge and gets out some Bob Evans link >sausage and an egg, which she begins frying up on the stove. "How do you >want that egg?", she asks. "Over easy...scrambled?" "Scrambled'll do fine." > "Oh, it's not a secret...at least not to you," she says with a smile. >"I'm making myself a costume...just in case I need to go out in public and >use these powers. I'll show it to you later if you like...I'm adapting a >design I saw in one of Jeremy's comic books." "Won't that be rather chilly?" grins Kim. She swallows a mouthful of coffee before continuing. "I've wondered about a costume, but I'm not sure enough of my abilities yet. I don't want any more nasty surprises like that teleport mishap. And Ashiya would probably think it silly anyway." > Nancy scowls slightly. "I thought that you were saying yesterday >that you were going to tell them about your powers over the phone. "I'm going to tell them... but it'll be a lot easier if I can show them, too. And I doubt if my telepathy can work over that sort of distance!" >"As for Ashiya...well, I don't know...I'm hoping a good night's sleep and >doing that 'gestalt' thing with you will help put things into focus for >her. Poor thing...she's only a child. She really shouldn't have to handle >something like this...not on her own." Kim nods. "I think I know what you mean. She's a bit of an `innocent abroad'; I think it's a bit like a history student suddenly being dumped back in the middle ages. They might know all about who rules what and where, but they wouldn't be able to ride a horse, hunt for food, or chop wood. Ashiya went through airport security carrying a gun - luckily for us, its non-metallic and they didn't search us." [Copied from message to Captain Micro] #: 633975 (P) S6/Heroes 09-May-94 04:14:08 Sb: CHC: Monday Morning Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: TMU/CHC: Nigel Cole 100020,1170 As Nancy and Kim eat breakfast, their discussion is interrupted by the door to the guest room opening. Ashiya, her hair looking too good for someone who just got up, emerges, wearing the same outfit she wore yesterday. She looks a little less fatigued, but her lovely features are still downcast, showing the stress that still weighs on her. "Good morning," she says softly. Her nose wrinkles, and she looks at the cooked egg and sausages queasily. "I am very sorry for being such a burden last night. I was...tired." Looking around, she says "Your family has left? Oh, school." Looking back at the two Earth women, she says "We- well, I, I want to find Chad Reiter. He is a Shabaali. Whether you accept that or not," she adds, at Nancy's doubtful expression. And with a tone more accusatory than you're used to, she states "Whatever you may think of my society, you cannot claim Chad is adjusted and happy in yours. I am going to find him whether you will help me or not." Looking almost embarrassed at her sudden outspokenness, she looks down and says "I would like to use your showering facilities to bathe, if I may?" cc: Captain Micro #: 634519 (P) S6/Heroes 09-May-94 20:34:38 Sb: CHC: Monday Morning Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: TMU/CHC: Nigel Cole 100020,1170 "Salad would be nice," Ashiya says demurely. "I am sorry for being curt, Nancy. I just- I want to actually do something right." Her lip trembles for a moment before she gets her expression under control. Which in itself is a rather disturbing sign; it's the first time you've seen Ashiya make that much effort to conceal what she's feeling. Kim, meanwhile, can sense that Ashiya is not allowing any thoughts or feelings to escape her- her shields block any passive telepathic sensing. Ashiya looks at Nancy and Kim mournfully. "I do not think you understand what is entailed in a true gestalt," she says sadly. "I think it is too much to ask of you, Kimberly, though perhaps when you trust me more....*if* you trust me more...." she sighs and turns to walk back to the bathroom. "Yes, a hair sample should contain enough information to determine if they are active Functionals, though if they have deeply latent abilities, a living tissue sample would be better. I will check them when I am finished showering." cc: Captain Micro ÿ #: 634788 (P) S6/Heroes 10-May-94 00:08:31 Sb: #CHC: Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) [About costumes] "Well, my abilities aren't too obvious, so I don't have quite the same problem." [When Ashiya comes in] >"We- well, I, I want to find Chad Reiter. He is a Shabaali. Whether you >accept that or not," she adds, at Nancy's doubtful expression. And with a >tone more accusatory than you're used to, she states "Whatever you may >think of my society, you cannot claim Chad is adjusted and happy in >yours. I am going to find him whether you will help me or not." "From what Nancy says, he must be pretty powerful, and he seems to enjoy using his powers to hurt people. Do you have some way of protecting yourself against his powers? And are you well enough to resist him?" [OOC: Yes, I know about Mind Shield, but Kim doesn't!] She smiles grimly. "I wouldn't count on him behaving pleasantly just because you are Shabaali. He might easily view you as a threat. What happens in your society if someone *does* use their powers to deliberately harm others? Or does that simply not happen?" Kim's tone is questioning, not accusatory. "In any case, though, something has to be done about him before he hurts too many more people." [OOC: Is Chad our Lucretia? ] >Ashiya looks at Nancy and Kim mournfully. "I do not think you understand >what is entailed in a true gestalt," she says sadly. "I think it is too >much to ask of you, Kimberly, though perhaps when you trust me >more....*if* you trust me more...." "I don't know what a `gestalt' is, true... but I'm willing to try, if it will help." [Copied to Captain Micro] There is 1 Reply. #: 635227 (P) S6/Heroes 10-May-94 05:32:35 Sb: #634788-CHC: Monday Morning Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 After showering, Ashiya returns to the dining room, her hair hanging loose and damp around her shoulders. She eats the salad Nancy offers, trying to avoid looking at the remains of the Kim and Nancy's meals. "I know Chad does not yet know how to behave like a Shabaali," she says. "I will have to teach him. Offensive uses of telepathy almost never happen in our society, but we are not perfect; every once in a while, someone may go temporarily insane under some extreme stress, or simply behave badly. Mostly outworlders." She sniffs. "When that happens, we restrain them until they become calm again, or in severe cases, correct their mental imbalance. Of course Chad's telepathic abilities will have to be restrained until he learns not to use them as a weapon. Do not fear; he is only a child, newly manifested and untrained. I am only lesser-third magnitude in psionic power, but I have been ranked as a tenth degree adept, and unlike most Shabaali, I *have* been trained in offensive telepathy." She looks uncomfortable, as if this is a confession of some sin. "In mind-to-mind confrontations, superior skill will outmatch raw power. Chad will not be a threat to me." [The following NOT copied to Captain Micro] At your offer of a gestalt, Ashiya looks at you seriously, and "speaks" in a very gentle mind-voice. **You are thinking of what we did back on the Sebth ship. That was a gestalt, yes, but not the same.... it was executed for a specific purpose, under an emergency situation. Neither of us had the time or inclination to turn to other applications of a gestalt. Kim, a gestalt is a full, uninhibited mental link. Not like the telecommunication we are engaging in now. It is a literal sharing of minds. *Everything* in your mind, even the deepest, most hidden parts of your subconscious, are accessible to those with whom you gestalt. Secrets are impossible, privacy is non-existent. You are utterly defenseless.** Sipping some water while watching you carefully, she continues. **I would not have dared ask you to gestalt with me on board the ship, and I am ashamed that I persuaded you to allow me to do so, not knowing the ramifications- except it was a dire emergency. And even so, I owe you an apology. Kim, you were utterly at my mercy. I could have done anything I wished to your mind. Of course theoretically you could have done the same to me, but I know how to do such things, and you do not. There is no way a human being can be more vulnerable to another. Have you ever had sexual intercourse? No. Well, you must have some idea how intimate that is- a gestalt is even more so.** **A gestalt has a utilitarian function, to combine psionic abilities in a unified effort, as we did, but more often, we Shabaali just do it for pleasure, for friendship. It is the ultimate sharing, and in a gestalt you can express thoughts, feelings, love, fear, everything you are, instantly communicate your entire being to your partner(s), and be responded to. It is comforting, sustaining, nurturing, it is the most wonderful thing in the world.** **We Shabaali are much more trusting than your people, at least among ourselves. While even we do not engage in gestalts casually, we naturally come to know one another much more intimately than non-telepaths ever can. We have no trouble finding people whom we are comfortable engaging in this ultimate union. Most Shabaali trust one another that much, really, but we do feel better getting to know a person before doing it, even though we are so sociable that the vast majority of Shabaali are compatible.** **I think you are offering more than you realize, Kim. It is kind of you, and last night, I was so anguished I... I wanted someone to - a shoulder to cry on, someone to comfort me, someone to love me, and we never lack many such friends, in our own society. But I am alone, except for you. I already know you, Kim, and I trust you. I know you would not maliciously harm me in a gestalt, and you aren't even skilled enough to do so accidentally. But I do not know if you are prepared to trust me that much. Intellectually, you may realize- I hope!- that I would never hurt you. But are you willing to go that far with me? If I was a man, would you be willing to have sex with me? If the answer is no, then you should say no to this also, because you would be giving just as much of yourself, or more.** She sighs and adds **It is not- as Nancy seems to think- just something you 'do' to make me feel better.** ÿ #: 636137 (P) S6/Heroes 11-May-94 01:01:26 Sb: #CHC: Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) >"Do not fear; he is only a child, newly manifested and untrained. I am >only lesser-third magnitude in psionic power, but I have been ranked as a >tenth degree adept, and unlike most Shabaali, I *have* been trained in >offensive telepathy." [OOC: I hope that doesn't mean Power 3, Skill 10 ] Kim still looks worried. "Do Functions manifest them in the same way here? He may be `newly manifested and untrained', but that won't mean much if, in a short space of time, he learns faster than you expect. How do my abilities compare with someone from your society, two days after their powers manifested?" She gives a grim smile. "Can you give me any idea if I could resist him? It would be bad if you resisted him and he... he controlled me and made me attack you." [The following NOT copied to Captain Micro] >At your offer of a gestalt, Ashiya looks at you seriously, and "speaks" >in a very gentle mind-voice. [...] >**I think you are offering more than you realize, Kim. It is kind of you, >and last night, I was so anguished I... I wanted someone to - a shoulder >to cry on, someone to comfort me, someone to love me, and we never lack >many such friends, in our own society. But I am alone, except for you. I >already know you, Kim, and I trust you. I know you would not maliciously >harm me in a gestalt, and you aren't even skilled enough to do so >accidentally. But I do not know if you are prepared to trust me that much. >Intellectually, you may realize- I hope!- that I would never hurt you. But >are you willing to go that far with me? If I was a man, would you be >willing to have sex with me? If the answer is no, then you should say no >to this also, because you would be giving just as much of yourself, or >more.** She sighs and adds **It is not- as Nancy seems to think- just >something you 'do' to make me feel better.** **I hadn't considered it like that** Kim admits telepathically **To reveal your innermost thoughts and feelings, even any you may be ashamed to feel, and to get the same in return...** She pauses for a moment, pondering, fascinated. Ashiya can sense no fear or revulsion, just wonder. **No wonder your society is more trusting. Every time you engage in a gestalt, you are effectively saying `Nothing of mine is secret from you'. A great many married couples aren't that honest and trusting with one-another. But we understand the idea, crudely. We have a saying, `A trouble shared is a troubled halved': by talking to close friends and loved ones about troubles, no matter how embarrassing, we usually feel better, even if no solution is found. Your gestalt carries that idea a stage further, by sharing everything, troubles and all** An image of the Vulcan Mind Meld from Star Trek swims unbidden into Kim's mind, making her smile momentarily **If you were a man, would I be willing to have sex with you? That's a very strange question. I look at it another way - you are a skilled telepath, so a gestalt might teach me more about my powers and what has happened to me, and also help me better understand your Galactic Council. And, apart from any comfort and support, perhaps a gestalt would pass over some of the minutiae of information about life on Earth, the silly little customs that someone from off the Earth needs to know in order to blend in** **And, for me, there is an element of curiosity too. I *want* to know what a gestalt is like. I don't have any skeletons in my closet that I want to keep hidden away** - Kim immediately realises that Ashiya may be unaware of this expression! - **I mean, I have no deep, dark secrets lurking in my past. If you are prepared to open yourself to me, I would like to try a gestalt** [OOC: Interesting coincidence - I mentioned FM Busby's "Rissa Kerguelen" trilogy when describing the idea of time slowing down in emergencies, and in the same story the heroine has sex with a man to cure one of his psychological problems... ] There is 1 Reply. #: 636457 (P) S6/Heroes 11-May-94 04:17:17 Sb: #636137-CHC: Monday Morning Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: Zebekia 100020,1170 >>>[OOC: I hope that doesn't mean Power 3, Skill 10 ] No, Ashiya is a bit better than that. I'm afraid I've never read any of the "Rissa Kerguelen" books. <><><><><><><><><><><> Ashiya looks at Kim in surprise, and embraces her warmly, with tears in her eyes. Nancy again gets the feeling that there's a conversation going on that she's not privy to. **Kim....** she answers. **You cannot know how much that means to me. I would like that very much. We can do this soon, I hope. Perhaps after we finish speaking to Nancy?** Gently, she disengages and turns to Nancy. "I will inspect your children's hair samples now." She withdraws a small tube from her pocket, and looks at it for a moment. "More psionic activity nearby!" she says excitedly. At your sudden wariness, she adds "Not that near...wait. Yes, it corresponds to the location of the city we first landed in- Chicago. And there are more than one. Oh my." Looking up, she says, "We must go to Chicago! That is probably where Chad is, yes?" Then she stops and glances at her device again. "Shimayn Luwalo!" she gasps. "Even more, on the east coast of this continent! While I was asleep....our satellites registered psionic activity that exceeded Magnitude Six! The location corresponds to...New York City." With a sigh, she says "I believe we will have to go there next, after I find Chad. Oh, I do not know how I can locate and communicate with all these Functionals. I cannot do this alone!" She looks close to breaking down again, in the disturbing manic-depressive cycle she's been exhibiting lately. #: 637573 (P) S6/Heroes 12-May-94 04:24:36 Sb: CHC: Monday Morning Fm: David Edelstein 73312,3242 To: TMU/CHC: Nigel Cole 100020,1170 "From orbit, I cannot pinpoint the location of the Functional precisely," Ashiya admits. "But once I get in the area, I can track him down, as long as he keeps using his power. And yes, I can give you some protection from Chad's telepathic attacks, though all I really need to do is go directly into his mind and remove his ability to assault you." At Nancy's rebuke (more mental than verbal), Ashiya blinks and looks stunned for a moment, before turning calm again. Something in her expression and tone of voice seems much more careful, wary, than before. "Yes, of course, Nancy," she says softly. "I am sorry." She looks at Nancy for a moment almost as if reevaluating her, before turning to her device again, and the hair samples. Kim "overhears" stray thoughts from Ashiya- **not Shabaali, a Lemaar, I must remember that-** On CNN, you see a scene of total carnage. Live footage of a half-naked woman with a mohawk, throwing people around like rag dolls and crushing walls, is replayed over and over. As is the footage of her arm being burned off, and of a small, dark-haired woman firing an enormous gun at the superwoman, looking like a scene out of a Rambo movie. Lasers, explosions, bullets that tear walls apart, it looks like the sort of overexaggerated hyper-violence that you won't let your kids watch. But this is the news, and the blood looks real. ÿ #: 638341 (P) S6/Heroes 12-May-94 22:59:18 Sb: #CHC: Monday Morning Fm: Zebekia 100020,1170 To: David Edelstein 73312,3242 (X) >I'm afraid I've never read any of the "Rissa Kerguelen" books. [They're a bit odd - usual "rebels vs. evil empire" stuff, but the evil empire is a megacorp, and the author stuck with near-Einsteinian physics for the first few books: ie, ship journeys may be only a couple of weeks for the occupants, while years pass on the planets. The heroes win by being better able to take this into account in their plans] **************** >**Kim....** she answers. **You cannot know how much that means to me. I >would like that very much. We can do this soon, I hope. Perhaps after we >finish speaking to Nancy?** **Yes, soon would be best** agrees Kim, **Ashiya, there's a problem: I shall have to return home soon. If I'm away much longer, my parents or school will send the police after me as a truant** >"all I really need to do is go directly into his mind and remove his >ability to assault you." "That should irritate him" says Kim, with a smile. >On CNN, you see a scene of total carnage. Kim stares at the horrific scene on the TV set. "That's