***********AT ATTENTION*************
<Gage> @@
<Cryz> @@
<Hazard> @@
**********SIM BRIEF***********
THE TEAM IS IN A CORRIDOR LINED WITH CYLINDERS, FROM WHICH THEY JUST BROKE FREE. THEY
FREED A WOMAN WHO TURNED OUT TO BE VERTIGO OF THE MARAUDERS, AND A BOY WHO HASN'T SPOKEN A
WORD. THEY FOUGHT VERTIGO AND RIPTIDE, THEN THE DOORS AT THE END OF THE CORRIDOR OPENED
AND JENNIFER ENTERED WITH A METALLIC DOG BY HER SIDE.
************SIM START**************
THE GREENISH GLOW FROM THE CYLINDERS IS THE ONLY THING THAT LIGHTS THE ROOM, EXCEPT FOR
THE LIGHT COMING IN THROUGH THE OPEN DOORS AT THE END, CASTING THE SHADOWS OF JENNIFER AND
THE ROBOT DOG. HAZARD IS STUCK TO THE FLOOR BY A MASS OF GOOEY WEBBING.
<Hazard> ::mutters and tries to slice himself free with the polymer shard he grabbed
before::
<Dragon> Metal Dog> ::eyes glow brighter, and a beam of energy lances out and
strikes the shard of polymer Hazard's holding, knocking it out of his hand::
<Dragon> Jennifer> Sinister will see you now. ::flicks her wrist, and the webbing
pinning Haz down peels away and disintegrates::
<Dragon> ACTION> GAGE REALIZES THE KID HE WAS TRYING TO HELP, HAS QUITE SIMPLY
VANISHED INTO THIN AIR
<Cryz> ::blinks:: Umm... okay.
<Gage> ::kneels next to twhere the boy was, looking at Jen:: See us? ::looks down::
Where-?
<Dragon> Jennifer> ::glances back dismissively at them, walking out of the room::
<Dragon> ::muttering, still wiping bits of drying slime off of her, follows::
<Hazard> ::rubs his wrist, standing up and walking our of the room:: Stupid mutt..
<Dragon> Metal Dog> ::eyes Haz:: Stupid mutant
<Gage> ((I'm starting to feel like Alice in Wonderland...)) ::rubs head and walks
out of the room::
<Hazard> Go find a buick in heat, rover. ::looks around as he walks::
<Cryz> ::blinks at the dog:: Umm... okay.
<Dragon> Metal Dog> Is that one outside yours? Smelled kinda like you.
<Gage> ::now that he's out of the room, tries his powers:: ((C'mon you damned
things. WORK!!!!!!!!))
<Dragon> ::glances back at Cryz:: Coming, hon?
<Dragon> ACTION> NOBODY'S POWERS ARE WORKING YET
<Dragon> ACTION> THEY ARE LED TO A RATHER NICE PARLOR, NOT THE SITTING ROOM THEY
WERE FIRST CAPTURED IN. SINISTER IS STANDING NEXT TO THE WINDOW, LOOKING QUITE HUMAN IN AN
EXPENSIVE LOOKING BUSINESS SUIT ASIDE FROM HIS SLIGHTLY TOO-PALE SKIN, SIPPING A GLASS OF
WHITE WINE.
<Cryz> ::blinks then follows Drags, staring blankly at the dog::
<Dragon> Sinister> ::motions to a tray with glasses for everyone:: Please, help
yourselves.
<Gage> Got a date, Psycho? ::takes a drink:: (( I need one! ))
<Cryz> ::looks towards the glasses:: What's the occasion?
<Dragon> Sinister> ::sets his half-empty glass down, and smiles slightly,
revealing even, precisely pointed teeth:: I am aiding you, despite your deplorable
behaviour earlier.
<Hazard> ::blinks at the wine: Don't you know it's red wine that goes with
kidnappings?
<Dragon> ACTION> THE GUYS ABRUPTLY NOTICE THEY HAVE ABOUT TWO WEEKS OF STUBBLE ON
THEIR CHINS, SO THEY'VE BEEN IN THE TUBES FOR AWHILE
<Cryz> You're... helping us?
<Dragon> Sinister> ::arches an eyebrow:: It does not suit my purposes to have
mutants being hunted down in the streets.
<Cryz> Suddenly caring about your fellow mutants, after all you've done for... wait,
to them?
<Dragon> Sinister> Caring does not enter into the equation. I do not care to have
my life's work disrupted by torch-wielding peasant mobs.
<Gage> ::sits down:: So you kidnapped us, instead of letting us fend for ourselves?
Oh, how noble! We're not injured animals, y'know.
<Hazard> Well aren't you the kind, noble, psychotic doc frankenstein type. Anyway,
what's the deal? I'd like to get out of here now. ::scratches his chin::
<Dragon> Sinister> If you would prefer to wander around the forest until you are
reduced to the state of injured animals, the door is right there. ::points and turns back
to the window unconcernedly::
<Hazard> ::glances at the way he points:: What abuot my powers?
<Gage> ::scratches head:: ((there's something going one here. Something more than
he's letting on))
<Dragon> Sinister> If, however, you choose to accept my offer, I can make it
perfectly safe for you to continue your business in the United States without being
recognized.
<Hazard> Blah blah, my powers, will they come back if I leave?
<Dragon> Sinister> Your powers will come back when I decide they should
<Hazard> So in other words, if we leave you decide our powers shouldn't return?
<Cryz> And if we accept your help, we'll get our powers... but only after you
"help" us.
<Gage> (( After all the trouble these "powers" have cost me, do I want
them back?)) :: listens ::
<Hazard> ::flops back down on the couch:: So what's your offer, Franky?
<Dragon> Sinister> I have orchestrated the engineering of the new
"team" which has taken X-Factor's place as government agents, and my plan
requires your assistance to dissolve the current state of anti-mutant sentiment in the
country.
<Hazard> And what's our part in it then?
<Dragon> Sinister> You will step in and neutralize a non-mutant threat at the
appropriate moment.
<Dragon> Sinister> Hence, the public's affection will be transferred back in
favor of, or at least neutral towards mutant government agents.
<Hazard> Sounds good, give me back my powers and I'm up for it.
<Hazard> Yeah we do make good canoon fodder, don't we? ::puts his feet up on the
other arm of the couch::
<Cryz> Has the public's affection ever been in favor or neutral towards mutant
govenment agents?
<Dragon> Sinister> ::waits for the others to agree or disagree::
<Gage> A deal with the devil. . . ::rolls his eyes:: What the heck. I'm in.
<Dragon> ::glances around:: Why not... better than wandering backwoods Canada.
<Gage> ::looks toward Cryz:: . . .
<Dragon> Sinister> Compared to the current sentiment? Being ignored is preferable
to being hunted
<Cryz> ::shrugs:: Fine... at least we'll get our powers back.
<Dragon> Sinister> ::nods and raises a small device in his hand, which flashes
brightly for a moment:: You will find gear better befitting your disguise in the other
room.
<Hazard> ::rubs his eyes, getting up and heading for the other room:: I call dibs on
the nose and mustache glasses.
<Dragon> ::blinks slightly at the brightness of the flash, and heads for the other
room::
<Gage> :: blinks several times ::
<Cryz> ::snickers, following everybody::
<Gage> :: mianders toward the room ::
<Dragon> ACTION> GAGE NOTICES A FAINT GREENISH TINT TO HIS HANDS THAT DOESN'T
QUITE LOOK LIKE JUST LEFT-OVER SLIME
<Gage> ::eyes widen, rubs his hand, trying to get the green out:: Um....uh....What
the hell!!!
<Dragon> ACTION> THERE ARE SEVERAL SMALL CLOSET-SIZED COMPARTMENTS IN THE OTHER
ROOM, WITH A DIFFERENT NAME ON EACH
<Hazard> ::looks at the compartments until he finds his name, then glances back at
Gage:: What's up with you?
<Cryz> ::looks around for his name then walks into his compartment::
<Dragon> ::looks over at Cryz as she opens her compartment:: This is bound to be
interes... ::squints slightly, stepping closer and looking at his face::
<Gage> ::looks at the others:: Please tell me I don't like the Jolly Green Giant....
<Dragon> ACTION> EVERYONE CAN SEE A FAINT BUT INCREASINGLY GREENISH TINT TO
GAGE'S SKIN
<Hazard> ...you weren't green before?
<Dragon> ::grabs Cryz's elbow before he can step all the way into his compartment::
Your eyes are purple
<Cryz> ::blinks:: My eyes are... what?
<Dragon> Purple.
<Gage> ::breathes heavily:: Green?!!!!!!!
<Dragon> ACTION> HAZARD NOTICES A FAINT BLOTCHY LOOK TO HIS SKIN, BARELY
NOTICABLE
<Hazard> ::looks around, really sarcastic voice:: Oh god no.. something's screwing
with the tint! ::groans and opens his compartment::
<Cryz> Really? Cool...
<Dragon> ACTION> CRYZ NOTICES THAT DRAGON'S IRISES ARE A DARK RED COLOR
<Hazard> ::raises an eyebrow, looking over his arms and chest:: Okay.. least it
ain't bad. ::looks inside his compartment::
<Gage> This had better wear off Sinister!!! ::opens his capartment:: Great.
<Cryz> ::raises an eyebrow:: My, what red eyes you have..
<Gage> ((I was supposed be in Toronto by now)) I need to call my dad.
<Dragon> ACTION> HAZARD FINDS AN ODD VERY STRETCHY BUT FORM-FITTING DARK BLUE
COSTUME IN HIS COMPARTMENT, GAGE... I'LL THINK OF SOMETHING, CRYZ HAS A COMPLETELY BLACK
COSTUME, DRAGON HAS A BLACK AND YELLOW PATTERNED COSTUME
<Dragon> ACTION> GAGE NOTICES A PHONE ON A TABLE IN THE CORNER
<Hazard> ::puts his costume on, blinking:: You have got to be kidding me.. ::notices
how tight it is in some places:: Maaan.. that Jennifer chick better not come around here
<Dragon> ::steps into her compartment to change out of the slimed dark gray thing
she wore in the cylinder::
<Gage> ::Quirks an eyebrow at the phone:: ((was that there before?)) ::looks in his
capartment::
<Cryz> ::puts on his costume except for a flap that hangs behind his head then comes
out, glancing around:: Is this thing supposed to go over my head? How'm I supposed to
breath? ::shrugs then puts it over his head::
<Gage> ::puts on his his black and green uniform:: At least it matches....::sighs
and walks over to the phone::
<Dragon> ::blinks at a sudden rush of telepathic input as her powers start working
again:: Whoohoo!
<Hazard> This thing is giving me a wedgy.. ::mutters, struggling with his evil, way
too tight costume::
<Cryz> ::blinks at the whoohoo then tries shifting to crystal::
<Dragon> ACTION> CRYZ FEELS HIMSELF SHIFT TO CRYSTAL, BUT IT FEELS DIFFERENT THAN
IT USED TO
<Gage> ::dials his father's casino:: Hello? This is Mr. Lidler's son, is he there?
No? Okay, could you tell him I called? Thanks....::turns to his teammates::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE OTHERS CAN SENSE THEIR POWERS HAVE RETURNED AS WELL
<Gage> ::decides to follow suit and powers up::
<Hazard> Powers back? Alriiight.. ::morphs himself into his other form::
<Cryz> ::takes off the head for his costume, looking around for a mirror::
<Dragon> ACTION> CRYZ'S COSTUME RIPPLES SUDDENLY, PULLING AWAY FROM HIS ARMS AND
LEGS AND HEAD, REVEALING PITCH-BLACK CRYSTAL
<Gage> Well, that's I relief, I suppose. We're "freaks" again...some more
than others...::looks for a mirror::
<Cryz> ::blinks, at the crystal, and at the costume:: Okay...
<Dragon> ACTION> HAZARD FINDS HIMSELF BLUE AND SHINY
<Hazard> ::blinks:: Hey.. I have been vandalized
<Dragon> ::comes out of her compartment wearing her new costume:: This is gonna take
some getting used to... holy crap what happened to you? ::blinks at Hazard and Cryz::
<Gage> ::turns:: Them? I'm GREEN!!! ::clenches fists:: Calm down...count to ten...
<Dragon> ACTION> GAGE POWERS UP WITH A RED AURA LIKE NORMAL, BUT HIS SKIN KEEPS
GETTING GREENER AND GREENER
<Cryz> ::blinks at Drags:: Did you go color blind?
<Hazard> Sinister went and gave me a paint job? This is his ingenius disguise?
<Cryz> ::snickers at Gage:: Now you just need some torn up pants and you can run
around yelling "your name Smash!"
<Gage> ::chuckles:: Okay, I can take this in stride. BTW, call me Gage....
<Dragon> ACTION> THE BLOTCHY SPOTS HAZ NOTICED EARLIER ARE NOW DARK BLUE,
CONTRASTING WITH THE LIGHTER BLUE OF THE REST OF HIM
<Cryz> Disguise? ::ponders then lets his control of his crystal go and spikes of
crystal form on his shoulders and on top of his head in place of hair then removes any
facial features:: How's this?
<Dragon> ::eyes Cryz:: Well... you're certainly well disguised
<Gage> It's not easy being green...::hums that Kermit the Frog song::
<Cryz> You think? ::no mouth to talk through::
<Dragon> Nice trick
<Hazard> And what's with the case of smurfpox?! ::mutters, punching at the wall::
<Dragon> ::glances toward the door:: We should get out of here
<Dragon> ((I sure hope all this is temporary))
<Dragon> ACTION> GAGE FEELS A SLIGHT BREEZE GO PAST HIM, AS IF SOMEBODY WALKED BY
<Gage> Yes, lets....::stays powered up:: He coulda at least matched the red and
green. I feel like a Christmas light...
<Gage> ::shivers for second:: That was weird...::looks around::
<Cryz> ::turns his head towards Haz to show that he's looking at him and snickers::
Sorry... you look like you're supposed to be camoflage in the water... but if you were in
the water, you'd sink.
<Dragon> Sinister> ::steps in from the other room, looking them over:: Excellent,
it worked as I planned. I have refueled your jet, and it is waiting outside. Delightful
A.I., by the way.
<Hazard> ::glares at Cryz:: you sure about that?? ::grabs his own fingers on one
hand, pulling on them and stretchy them to twice their length:: I'd probably freakin'
float!
<Cryz> ::bursts out laughing::
<Dragon> ::blinks:: What do we call you now, Rubber Band Man?
<Gage> ::just stands and glares at Sinister, muttering something about torches and
pitchforks::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE COSTUMES APPARENTLY ARE COMPLETE WITH COM-UNITS WORKED INTO
THE MATERIAL, BECAUSE THEY BEEP AND THEN SOPHIA'S VOICE COMES OVER THE LINE
<Hazard> I don't want to hear it right now, witch. ::looks at Sinister, his fingers
snapping back:: So we go now?
<Dragon> Sophia> Guys! I have been waiting forEVER for you lunks! Get out here
already..
<Dragon> ::somewhat taken aback look at Hazard:: ((witch?))
<Gage> ::confused look at his com unit:: Uh....
<Cryz> ::blinks at Haz::
<Dragon> ::frowns slightly and walks out the door:: +com+ We're on our way, Sophia
<Gage> ::follows Drags::
<Dragon> ACTION> SOPHIA IS HOVERING IN A CLEARING A FEW HUNDRED METERS AWAY,
VISIBLE ABOVE THE TREES
<Hazard> ::mutters more, walking out of the room with his fingers in knots:: This is
certainly crap..
<Dragon> ::glances to Gage:: Oh... should have warned you. Our computer talks back,
that's Sophia, and she's flying the jet
<Gage> ::nods::
<Cryz> ::follows everybody, looking at Sophia:: Looks like somebody managed to pull
themselves from the bottom of the swamp...
<Dragon> ACTION> AS SOON AS THEY GET INTO THE TREES, A RUSTLING NOISE APPROACHES
THEM
<Cryz> What next? ::mentally frowns then reverts to flesh and frowns visibly::
<Gage> ::prepares to defend himself::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE DOG THEY ALL SAW "TURNED OFF" COMES RUNNING UP,
TONGUE HANGING OUT
<Hazard> Ahh.. he flipped back your on switch. ::kneels down in front of the dog::
<Gage> Lassie comes home...
<Cryz> What if that's just that tinmutt but with a disguise, like we got?
<Dragon> ACTION> A RECTANGULAR SECTION OF THE DOG'S FUR IS MISSING, AND THE DOG
DROPS A FURRED PANEL INTO HAZARD'S HAND, SITTING DOWN TO REVEAL THE WIRES AND CIRCUITRY
WHERE THE PANEL BELONGS
<Hazard> ::blinks, picking up the panel:: Nice remote..
<Cryz> ::pauses, looking at the dog then to Haz:: So... the entire time... it was a
mechanical dog?
<Dragon> Dog> ::pants happily, looking at Hazard and waiting for the panel to be
properly fastened down::
<Cryz> ::shrugs then heads more towards Sophia::
<Hazard> ::shrugs, placing the panel back in place::
<Dragon> Dog> ::bounds toward the jet, then::
<Gage> ::begins to walk to the jet again:: I need a drink ((shoulda kept that bottle
of wine with me...))
<Hazard> ::stands back up and heads for the jet, still snapping his fingers::
<Dragon> ::enters the open hatch of the jet and blinks when she runs into
something::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE KID REAPPEARS, BLINKING BACK AT THE OTHERS
<Cryz> ::blinks at the kid:: Umm... hello
<Gage> ::blinks:: De Ja Vu....
<Dragon> Kid> Hi. You got me out, right?
<Gage> Guilty as charged
<Dragon> Kid> ::contented look, sits down in one of the seats on the jet::
*************END SIM****************