***********AT ATTENTION**********
<Eve> @@
<Gage> @@
<Click> @@
<Hazard> @@
<Dravin> @@
**********SIM BRIEF***********
<Dragon> If you read the e-mail, that was it :)
************PROLOGUE*************
SCENE> A SMALL ROOM IN A SOMEWHAT RUN-DOWN APARTMENT, WHERE FOUR PEOPLE ARE LISTENING
TO THE INSTRUCTIONS OF A FIFTH.
<Dragon> Blacksuited FBI guy> Remember how the plan goes. I don't want to see any
grandstanding or even a sneeze that wasn't on the scripts.
<Dragon> Blonde girl with a bright yellow t-shirt> ::slight pout:: I don't get
it... Why can't we go do something that hasn't been all planned to death first?
<Dragon> Robotic dog> Fool. We are playing the roles they give us, haven't you
learned yet? ::turns a cold red-eyed glare on the FBI rep, who clears his throat
nervously::
<Dragon> Woman> ::exchanges a glance with the fifth man at the table, a silent
figure seated in shadow, except for the glowing of one eye:: We don't have time for this.
Let's get going, and get it over with.
<Dragon> FBI guy> Like I said, not one deviation. A lot rests on everything going
off smoothly.
************END PROLOGUE*************
************SIM START*************
SCENE> AT THE BASE, TENSION IS A BIT HIGH. A CODED MESSAGE WAS SENT TO SOPHIA,
PRESUMABLY FROM SINISTER, GIVING THE DATE, TIME, AND LOCATION OF SOME EVENT, AND TELLING
THE TEAM TO BE THERE. NO INFORMATION WAS INCLUDED THAT EXPLAINED WHAT THE EVENT IS. THE
JET HAS BEEN LOADED WITH JUST ABOUT ANY EQUIPMENT ANYONE THOUGHT MIGHT BE HELPFUL, AND IS
READY TO TAKE OFF AS SOON AS EVERYONE GATHERS.
<Click> ::walks towards the jet, clicking, as usual, with every step::
<Dragon> ::stands in the hangar, checking her watch:: ((Still got some leeway to get
to the coordinates he gave us...))
<Gage> ::enters the hangar, bends down and ties his boot::
<Eve> The odds of this being a trap are quite high. ::As always, speaking in a quiet
hushed tone::
<Bloodshadow> ::: walks into the hanger carring a small athletic type black bag :::
<Gage> ::looks up at Eve:: What was that, Eve?
<Dragon> ::nods to Eve:: I've tried to prepare for any eventuality, including that.
<Eve> Right ::nods::
<Hazard> ::trails behind slightly, armed with a couple plasma blasters inside of his
jacket::
<Dragon> ::taps her com:: +com+ Testing... everyone hear this alright?
<Bloodshadow> ::: looks to dragon and nods as he walks closer to the group
<Bloodshadow> ::
<Eve> Yes.
<Click> ::looks at the com and blinks:: yes
<Dragon> ::boards the jet, running a hand through her hair::
<Gage> ::stands:: Loud and clear. Where's this place again?
<Dragon> Colorado somewhere... pinpointed it on the map and it's near a medium-sized
town
<Bloodshadow> ::: looks to the others and then boards the jett as well :::
<Click> ::walks onto the jet::
<Eve> ::sits down and straps herself in while staring straight ahead with a nearly
blank expression::
<Hazard> ::walks into the jet and takes a seat::
<Gage> ::strolls onto the jet and sits and straps in::
<Click> ::sits down in an empty seat::
<Bloodshadow> ::: sets his bag down on a seat and then takes the one next to that
seat for himself :::
<Dragon> ::closes the hatch once everyone's in:: Sophia, take us out...
<Dragon> ***TIME WARP***
<Dragon> ACTION> THE COORDINATES TAKE THEM TO A SWOLLEN RIVER IN COLORADO,
APPARENTLY DESERTED. THE RECENT RAINS HAVE FLOODED THE RIVER TO NEARLY TWICE ITS USUAL
SIZE, AND DEBRIS FROM THE NEARBY TOWN THAT WAS DAMAGED BY THE FLOODING IS BEING SWEPT
DOWNSTREAM
<Gage> ::looks out the window:: Somebody left the water running
<Eve> ::looks around::
<Bloodshadow> hmmmmm interisting
<Click> ::watches out the window, transfixed with the passing scenery::
<Dragon> Ok, we've got approximately 10 minutes until the time that was on the
message Sophia received... ::frowns slightly:: We need to be out of sight
<Gage> ::steps off the jet into the soggy wet ground:: Any ideas?
<Hazard> ::pulls out on of his blasters, looking it over and teleporting out of the
jet, at the edge of the river::
<Eve> Affirmative Miss. ::unstraps herself and prepares to get off the jet::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE JET CLOAKS, VANISHING FROM SIGHT
<Gage> ::powers up, then looks for a place to hide::
<Dragon> Hold on... ::tosses a headset and visor to Gage:: Everyone get one of
these.. if anything happens, we'll all be able to see it
<Bloodshadow> ::: grabs his bag and and slings it over his shoulder following in
suit departing the jett :::
<Hazard> ((Water shouldn't damage it.)) ::slips the blaster back into his jacket and
starts walking into the river::
<Eve> ::blinks and puts it on::
<Eve> ::extends her metal wings and flies above the water, sticking close with the
team::
<Click> ::goes and gets a headset & visor::
<Gage> ::catches the visor and slips it on:: VR?
<Dragon> Sophia, keep us all linked... ::steps down, then makes her way back into
the brush, finding a spot to hide::
<Hazard> ::disappears into the water::
<Bloodshadow> ::: takes a visor and a headset, following the others :::
<Gage> ::head into the brush by the river and climbs a tree and prepares himself::
<Dragon> Sophia>+com+ Nah, just a video feed. If the jet's cams pick up anything,
everyone will see the picture
<Gage> +com+ Copy.
<Click> ::goes and finds a spot to hide and puts on the equipment::::
<Eve> ::searches around::
<Dragon> ::narrows her eyes:: {{Everyone out of sight, someone's approaching}}
<Bloodshadow> :::: walks under a tree and then, bends the light around himself
turning him invisable :::
<Eve> ::lands behind a tree and stays silent::
<Dragon> ACTION> A SUDDEN CRASHING THROUGH THE BRUSH CAN BE HEARD DOWNSTREAM A
FEW YARDS, AND A DISHEVELED MAN WITH GLOWING EYES STUMBLES DOWN THE BANK, LOOKING QUICKLY
TO BOTH SIDES, THEN GLANCING DOWN AT A GUN HE CARRIES.
<Hazard> ::sticks his head above the water's surface just enough to see, pulling
some floating debris around him to remain hidden::
<Gage> ::prepares to fire an ionic enery pulse at the man:: ((Wait for it, wait for
it))
<Dragon> ACTION> IN THE DISTANCE, SIRENS ARE APPROACHING ALONG THE SMALL GRAVEL
ROAD THAT WINDS ITS WAY TOWARD THE RIVER.
<Bloodshadow> ::: still standing next to the tree, watching the man noticing his gun
right away :::
<Gage> ((Well, there's one good thing about being green, good for hiding int he
brush))
<Dragon> {{Gage, don't fire... we want to know what he's up to and why we're
supposed to see this}}
<Eve> +Com+ Waiting for an order...
<Dragon> +com+ Everyone stay in position and wait for further orders
<Gage> ::grumbles softly:: ((I gotcha boss-lady))
<Dragon> Sophia> +com+ I'm picking up radio communications from the police!
They're chasing that guy
he's dangerous. Some mutant serial killer they just tracked
down, apparently, but he got loose and took off.
<Dragon> ACTION> HEAVY CRASHING THROUGH THE BRUSH IS COMING NEARER, AND EVERYONE
CAN HEAR THE POLICE SHOUTING TO EACHOTHER. THE MAN THEY HUNT STANDS STILL FOR A MOMENT,
THEN WADES INTO THE WATER, HOOKING A SMALL MASK ONTO HIS FACE, AND VANISHING FROM SIGHT.
<Eve> ::switches to an infrared vision and tries to locate the man::
<Gage> Hmmp. ((not just a serial killer, but a super-power one to boot))
<Hazard> ::squints and drops down into the water himself::
<Dragon> ACTION> EVE CAN SEE THE MAN, FAINTLY, CROUCHING IN THE MUDDY BOTTOM
<Dragon> ACTION> WITHIN A MINUTE, THE OFFICERS STUMBLE ONTO THE SCENE, BUNCH
TOGETHER FOR A MOMENT TO CONVERSE EXCITEDLY, THEN DASH UP AND DOWNSTREAM IN SEARCH OF THE
FUGITIVE.
<Gage> Oh shit. ::digs his fingernails into the tree:: ((God, please don't let
Hazard do something to get us all killed.))
<Eve> +com+ I have a visual, Miss, on your word I will confront him with the
necessary force.
<Dragon> ACTION> A MASSIVE BRANCH SWEEPS DOWN THE RIVER, CARRIED ALONG BY THE
FLOODWATERS, AND NARROWLY MISSES THE MAN'S POSITION, HEADING STRAIGHT FOR HAZARD
<Hazard> ::tries to drop below it, laying down in the mud::
<Gage> ::watches the river, tenatively::
<Dragon> +com+ Just wait, Eve... ::taps her com off again, chewing at her lower lip
slightly:: ((Something's odd about that man...))
<Bloodshadow> ::: continues watching from his postion :::
<Dragon> ACTION> HAZARD FEELS THE BRANCH GRAZE HIS BACK AS IT WHIRLS PAST
<Dragon> ACTION> THE OFFICERS VANISH FROM SIGHT, AND THE MAN SLOWLY RAISES HIS
HEAD FROM THE WATER, DETACHING THE MASK AND TUCKING IT AWAY. HE THEN CLIMBS BACK UP THE
BANK AND FOLDS HIS ARMS, LOOKING ABOUT AS THOUGH HE IS WAITING FOR SOMETHING.
<Hazard> ::looks up, seeing the man leave the river:: ((Damnit..)) ::moves back to
his former position::
<Dragon> ACTION> A SMALL, SLEEK JET APPROACHES, LANDING ON THE BANK, AND THE
HATCH OPENS TO RELEASE CANARY, PROTECTOR, GRIDLOCK, AND SPYDER, WHO SURROUND THE MAN JUST
AS A NEWS TEAM SCRAMBLES THROUGH THE BRUSH, SHOUTING EXCITEDLY.
<Gage> ::eyes the man, clenching his fist::
<Dragon> Man> ::seems rather unconcerned, although he makes a token struggle::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE MAN IS SWIFTLY HANDCUFFED AND LED AROUND BEHIND THE TEAM'S
JET AS THE TEAM EXPLAINS THE SITUATION TO THE CHAGRINED POLICE, WHO ARE STRAGGLING BACK
FROM THEIR CHASE, WHILE THE MEDIA LOOKS ON
<Hazard> ::watches Gridlock specifically, reaching into his jacket::
<Gage> +com+ Did that seem to easy to anyone else?
<Eve> +com+ It did seem convienant.
<Dragon> +com+ I... don't think it's over yet... ::squints at the government team::
<Dragon> ACTION> THEIR VISOR FEEDS COME TO LIFE, ABRUPTLY, SHOWING A POINT BEHIND
THE GOV'T JET WHICH WAVERS A FEW TIMES BEFORE COMING INTO FOCUS
<Dragon> Sophia> +com+ I think we've got something here...
<Dragon> ACTION> BEHIND THE JET, THEY ARE ABLE TO MAKE OUT A SUIT-WEARING MAN
WITH AN FBI BADGE SPEAKING TO THE HANDCUFFED FUGITIVE.
<Gage> Eh? ::squints::
<Dragon> ACTION> WITH A FEW CLICKS AND STATIC BURSTS, SOPHIA GETS THE AUDIO TUNED
INTO THE TWO, AS WELL
<Gage> +com+ Audio, please?
<Dragon> FBI guy> Satisfactory performance, Ms Darkholme. As agreed, you are free
to go.
<Dragon> Disheveled man> ::appearance ripples to become a nondescript police
officer, and he smiles in a rather unpleasant way:: Don't imagine I am doing you any
favors. This is a one-time gig. And here's your bug back. Did you really think I wouldn't
notice it? ::tosses a small chip to the FBI man's feet, then turns away into the trees,
disappearing from sight after a few paces::
<Dragon> FBI guy> ::shakes his head, then walks back around the jet into the view
of everyone else leading a handcuffed duplicate of the fugitive that is walking somewhat
woodenly and staring straight ahead::
<Gage> Sonofa- ::clenches teeth::
<Dragon> +com+ Darkholme... move after her! But don't let anyone see you. ::turns
her visor off, slipping back further into the brush in the direction that Darkholme went::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE MEDIA AND POLICE START DRIFTING BACK TOWARDS THE ROAD AS THE
GOV'T TEAM BOARDS THEIR JET ALONG WITH THE 'PRISONER'
<Hazard> ::looks around, and starts moving out of the river, heading towards the jet
though::
<Click> ::goes off into the bush, treading lightly so the clicks are barley heard,
taking off the visor as well::
<Eve> ::stalks towards where the others went::
<Dragon> Sophia> +com+ I've got a lock on her position... but she's moving pretty
fast now. I think she's following a path of some kind.
<Gage> Shit! ::drops from the tree and moves toward Raven, still hidden by the
brush::
<Gage> ::reads the visor, and heads toward Raven's coordinates as stealthly as
possible::
<Dragon> ::grimaces every time she steps on a twig or dry leaves:: ((This'd be so
much easier if i could fly..))
<Hazard> ::let's the others go off, moving quickly for the other team's jet and
trying to grab hold before it takes off::
<Dragon> ACTION> HAZARD GETS AHOLD OF THE LANDING GEAR BEFORE IT SLIDES UP INTO
THE JET, CLOSING ON HIS WRIST, DANGLING HIM ABOVE THE GROUND AS IT TAKES OFF
<Gage> ::nears the coordinates:: +com+ Boss-Lady! What's our orders? Do we take her
down, or take her out?
<Eve> ::tries to fly towards the jet::
<Hazard> ::lifts himself up, grabbing the gear with his other hand and pulling his
body up against the bottom of the jet::
<Dragon> +com+ She's dangerous... knock her out if you can, but do NOT let her get
the drop on you. I'd rather have to pay for her medical bills than pick pieces of you out
of the brush
<Dragon> ACTION> THE JET QUICKLY ACCELERATES AWAY
<Gage> +com+ Copy that. ::slows as he nears, and pays more attention to what he is
doing. Looks, listens, smells...::
<Eve> ::stops in midair and tries to blast a tracking pin at the jet::
<Dragon> Sophia> +com+ Watch out... she's reversed direction, I think she's
doubling back!
<Click> ::still goes slowly and as silent as he can::
<Dragon> ACTION> EVE SEES A TINY PUFF AS THE TRACKING PIN HITS THE BOTTOM OF THE
JET AND STICKS
<Gage> ::stops, waits::((Use your training, Abe))
<Eve> ::flies back towards the others::
<Eve> +com+ I have a tracking unit attached to the ship, Dragon.
<Dragon> ACTION> GAGE FEELS SOMETHING COLD PRESSED TO THE BACK OF HIS NECK
<Gage> ::prepares to fire a pulse, feels the cold:: ((Shit))
<Hazard> ::blinks at the tracking pin with him on the bottom of the jet:: ((...That
could have hurt.))
<Gage> Perhaps we can talk about this, Raven?
<Dragon> +com+ Great, Eve... now we'll know when they're moving out of their base to
do anything
<Dragon> ACTION> THERE'S NOTHING BUT SILENCE BEHIND GAGE
<Gage> ((Dragon? Move to my position...please, please))
<Dragon> {{What's going on?}} ::angles towards Gage, moving faster::
<Gage> Raven? Ms. Drakholme? Ma'am?
<Gage> (( Not quite, sure, I'm a little afraid to look. Jus get here. Quietly. ))
<Dragon> ACTION> THE COLD IS SLIDING DOWN HIS NECK SLIGHTLY
<Click> ::keeps going, a bit faster now::
<Gage> I don't like where this is going.
<Gage> (( Do it! )) ::Kicks backward and fires a pulse of ionic energy::
<Dragon> ACTION> SOMETHING WHIZZES PAST CLICK, HITTING THE TRUNK OF A TREE NOT
TWO INCHES FROM HIM
<Dragon> ACTION> GAGE STILL HEARS NOTHING BUT SILENCE. THE COLD THING IS STILL
THERE
<Dragon> ::sees Gage and blinks, slowing down:: +com+ Uh... You're alone
<Click> ::looks around quickly:: ((wha? who?))
<Gage> +com+ Standby. ::reaches back to feel his back::
<Dragon> ACTION> CLICK SEES THE BULLET HOLE IN THE TREE
<Click> ::looks at the direction it came::
<Dragon> ACTION> THE COLD THING FALLS OFF GAGE'S NECK AND INTO HIS HAND,
SQUIRMING A LITTLE. IT'S A SLUG THAT FELL OFF A LEAF.
<Gage> ::whispers:: +com+ False alarm.
<Click> +com+ umm something shot at me ::looks around for the shooter::
<Dragon> ACTION> CLICK SEES THE BARREL OF A LARGE GUN, HELD BY A RATHER
ATTRACTIVE LADY WITH BLUE SKIN AND RED HAIR, AND IT'S AIMED AT HIM
<Click> uh oh.. umm can we talk?
**********EPILOGUE**********
SCENE> A RED-HAIRED WOMAN WITH ONE ARM IN A SLING AND A KNEEBRACE ON ONE LEG IS SITTING
AT A DESK, PORING OVER SOME PAPERS. THE PHONE RINGS, AND SHE PICKS IT UP SWIFTLY.
<Dragon> Woman> Hello? ...Ah. Yes, I see. Yes, that did go ...well. Excellent
thinking, as usual. If you will pardon me, I have to finish make some arrangements for
some friends. ...John? I have to go. Yes, now. ...Goodbye John.
<Dragon> ACTION> THE WOMAN SETS THE PHONE DOWN CAREFULLY, THEN BREATHES A SIGH OF
RELIEF. SHE TURNS TO A MASSIVE ADDRESS BOOK, THEN, AND BEGINS TO FLIP THROUGH IT,
SCRIBBLING NUMBERS DOWN ON A NEARBY PAD
<Dragon> Woman> ::quietly muttering to herself:: I just hope half of these groups
are as active as they claim to be... we'll need all the help we can get, at the
convention. Now, I just have to finish tracking you all down.
<Dragon> ACTION> SHE LOOKS UP TO A MAP ON THE WALL, DISPLAYING NORTH AMERICA.
THUMBTACKS ARE PUSHED INTO IT HERE AND THERE, AND STRANDS OF THREAD TIED BETWEEN THEM. THE
THREAD MEANDERS UP FROM MAINE TO CANADA, WITH SEVERAL GAPS AS IT VEERS WEST. A LONE TACK
MARKS VANCOUVER B.C., BUT HAS NOT BEEN TIED WITH THREAD YET.
*************END SIM************