EV #64 - "Strange Things"

[GM Mad]

Eternal Vigilance #63 - "Strange Things"

Roll Call: Tesla, Powershift, and Xanaphia

Tesla leads Xanaphia inside the office building that they landed on, a short distance from the Starr Building. The electrical heroine gestures for Powershift to follow. Once inside, the pair has the chance to talk for a few minutes before receiving a summons from Flux.

“A situation has arise that requires our attention”, Powershift speaks up, having been mostly quiet during the talks. “Why don’t you accompany us, Xanaphia?”


Roll Call: Flux, Backlash, Sea Guard, Blackout, and Frostbite.

Over at the Starr Building, Flux is speaking to Sea Guard in private.

"I understand your concerns Sea Guard. I share them. Today has not been a standard day in spite of what it looked like. My memories of today's events-and tomorrow's-are fading and changing by the hour. I expect it's the same for Tesla and Menagerie. A few things I still recall. One of those things is working with Blackout and the Frostbite before-even though we have never met before today. I can't be sure but I'm trying to keep it straight what comes next. Something involving your warning earlier. The Thugmaster’s weren't HERE before, they don't FIT into this."

" I know, I know, sounds crazy but the doc gave me a clean bill of health so all I have left are my instincts and judgment to go by. I trust those two-to a point- because of these memories. But that's not the only reason I'm including them along on this. The Runaway Princess is new to me too. She has the look of trouble around her. If these guys work out we can invite them to join us on a permanent basis. If they don't work out then we'll know now. If they turn us down at least we will have some working familiarity with them. Whichever way it goes, we'll have allies for whatever fallout the Princess brings with her to San Diego."

This all brings a very concerned look from Sea Guard. “You’re right, it does sound crazy. Could this be some sort of attack against you? Some unknown enemy could be trying to get those two close to us. It’s not like something like that hasn’t happened before. Maybe it would be best to let Powershift take over for the time being. He does not seem to be suffering from any of these symptoms. I’m just saying that we should proceed with great caution.”


Roll Call: Flux, Backlash, Tesla, Powershift Sea Guard, Blackout, Frostbite and Xanaphia (?)

Edgar notifies Flux that there is some trouble brewing at the El Condor hotel and the heroes go to investigate joined by Frostbite and Blackout. Flux carries those who don’t fly or travel under their own power. (Xanaphia gets to decide if she tags along or not.)

It’s a short trip the reach the El Condor hotel, about twenty blocks. As the group draws closer, you spot someone rising up from the roof and start to fly away. You’re too far away to see the figure clearly, but it seems that translucent wings of bluish energy support them. The winged figure is flying away from you.

Otherwise, all seems quiet at the hotel, although there are police cars starting to pull up out front.

[GM Mad]

Roll Call: Tilt-A-Whirl

Tilt waves back and smiles at the attractive woman, noting her costume. Soon she asks her some questions.

"umiknowalittlebit," Tilt says, then realizes she's talking fast again. "This isn't my home but what are you looking for? Oh and I’m Tilt-A-Whirl!"

“Hello, Tilt-A-Whirl”, the woman answers as she touches down. All the flames about Phoenix vanish when she does so.

“I’m looking for several of my students. It’s a bit of a long story, so I’ll explain. Back in El Paso, I mentored a group of superpowered teens. We called ourselves the Rat Pack. The Thugmaster’s Elite came to town and several of my students left with them. I’m trying to find them to convince them to come back with me. The Rat Pack my not have been heroes, but we weren’t criminals either. The Elite are. In particular I’m looking for Wild Wind and Flex. Have you seen or heard about them around here?”


Roll Call: Menagerie

On the way home from the fireworks, Lily spots something unusual near Horton’s Plaza. She has Donny stop the car, changes into her Menagerie costume and departs while her family continues on home. Once they are safely away, Menagerie goes to investigate the figures she saw earlier.

Menagerie catches up to the people she saw earlier. They ducked off the street and are moving into Horton’s Plaza itself, using a side emergency exit. (The kind that typically only opens from the inside.) The people shamble through the door and it closes behind them.


Roll Call: Eldrich

“Yes, they are. These things are personal magic items of the sleeping couple. I wasn’t aware that you had items of power at the asylum. I didn’t note anything near you. Were they stored elsewhere? It might behoove us to go back and retrieve them. We still have a little time before the magical conjunction takes place.”


Now what?

[Tilt-A-Whirl]

Tilt-A-Whirl:

“I’m looking for several of my students. It’s a bit of a long story, so I’ll explain. Back in El Paso, I mentored a group of superpowered teens. We called ourselves the Rat Pack. The Thugmaster’s Elite came to town and several of my students left with them. I’m trying to find them to convince them to come back with me. The Rat Pack my not have been heroes, but we weren’t criminals either. The Elite are. In particular I’m looking for Wild Wind and Flex. Have you seen or heard about them around here?”

Most of what the woman says goes over Tilt's head. She just wasn't paying enough attention! She doesn't really recognize any of the names, although Flex is close to Flux... and why does Flux seem so important to her? Tilt can't remember.

It become obvious the woman, Phoenix, is waiting for an answer, and Tilt realizes she hasn't given her one! "oh..um," she stammers. "ireallydontknowanyofthosenames... i uh... i was with a couple boys who were looking for others and said they were interested in me. i figured out they were up to no good, the kind of trouble i really didnt want. i dont know where they went though. i never got that far. sorry."

[Menagerie]

Menagerie:

Following the strange people toward Horton's Plaza, Lily sees them shuffling through one of the emergency exit. It occurs to Lily that most emergency exits are hooked to alarms, but no alarm seems to be ringing - at least, none that she can hear.

Lily keys her communicator. "Edgar? Menagerie. I'm at Horton's Plaza. Some people who appeared to be moving in an odd, perhaps drug-affected manner just entered the building. I'm following to investigate. Send backup if anyone's available; I've got a bad feeling about this."

Moving up to the door just after it closes, Lily inspects it. She looks for any small gaps she might be able to slip through in the form of a spider or worm. If none appear to be present, she'll enhance her strength and pull the door open. However, being quiet would be the better option.

[Omni]

Xanaphia

FOllowing Tesla inside, Xana took time to look around once inside, these people are way behind us in most areas she though to herself. Then She heard Powershift speak.

“A situation has arise that requires our attention”, Powershift speaks up, having been mostly quiet during the talks. “Why don’t you accompany us, Xanaphia?”

UHm,....Ok Xana anwsered with a smile, I'll do what I can to help.

[Bruce]

Eldrich Arcane

"Calling them 'Items of Power' is giving them more potency then is legitimate. Still, if time permits, I would like to seek them out. Doubtless their level of power is too slight for you to detect without effort--if they are present at all."

Eldrich turns his gaze back upon the armor and weapons, speculating on just how best to tell the Magus that such armament was at least three generations out of date where he was from.

No, best to say nothing. If they are limited in magic here and have little in the way of Material Manipulation then this will go better then they might believe. I doubt if they could manage even a simple Aireolite crafting, to say nothing of a Heliovessel. I see no reason to bring insult to my generous hosts by displaying superior knowledge of my Realm. I have yet to see much of this place. I hope it is more than piles of stone blocks and mud homes.

[Tesla]

Tesla:

Tesla leads Xanaphia inside the office building that they landed on, a short distance from the Starr Building. The electrical heroine gestures for Powershift to follow. Once inside, the pair has the chance to talk for a few minutes before receiving a summons from Flux.

“A situation has arise that requires our attention”, Powershift speaks up, having been mostly quiet during the talks. “Why don’t you accompany us, Xanaphia?”

UHm,....Ok Xana anwsered with a smile, I'll do what I can to help.

"Well, nothing like jumping right into things," Tesla says as she makes her way back outside.

"You would think Flux could time his summons better so we didn't have to come all the way in just to go back out again," she says jokingly to Powershift.

[Blackout]

Blackout:

It’s a short trip the reach the El Condor hotel, about twenty blocks. As the group draws closer, you spot someone rising up from the roof and start to fly away. You’re too far away to see the figure clearly, but it seems that translucent wings of bluish energy support them. The winged figure is flying away from you.

Otherwise, all seems quiet at the hotel, although there are police cars starting to pull up out front.

Blackout takes notice of the winged individual flying away and the relative quiet of the hotel. He wonders if everything is already over. The arrival of the police doesn't mean anything, as they too might merely be too late.

Blackout will wait to see what Flux wants them to do since he's just on a weekend pass with this group at the moment.

[Tesla]

Tesla:

It’s a short trip the reach the El Condor hotel, about twenty blocks. As the group draws closer, you spot someone rising up from the roof and start to fly away. You’re too far away to see the figure clearly, but it seems that translucent wings of bluish energy support them. The winged figure is flying away from you.

"Want me to go see who that is?" Tesla asks Flux, indicating the departing figure flying away on wings of energy. If he does, she'll try to catch up with the unknown person. If not, she'll direct her attention to what Flux does want her to do.

[Bruce]

Flux

"Yes, go ahead. Intercept if you can, get a visual if you can't. Everyone else, we are inbound to the roof. We will work our way down from there. I expect if any hostages or captives are here they will be in a large space so working from the top down look for ballroom, reception halls, storage areas and the like."

[Backlash]

Backlash
Leaping here and there as the others move ahead of him Lash is one of the last to come up but he does see the women flying away before he can ask what Flusx wants us to do Tesla voices it and Issues are ordered.

“Well let’s get a move on.” He will take the stairs down into the hotel and check large rooms even old suites.

[Frostbite]

Frostbite

Moving through the streets on a sled of Ice, Frosty makes his way to the Hotel. Upon seeing the women flying on wings. He locks onto her form with his eyes as ice pours from his hands to keep his slide in front of him.

Once on the roof, Frosty will head down with the others and see if everything is alright, staying close to one of the Guardians so he doesn’t get mistaken for a trespasser or criminal.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:

Roll Call: Tesla, Powershift, and Xanaphia

"Well, nothing like jumping right into things," Tesla says as she makes her way back outside.

"You would think Flux could time his summons better so we didn't have to come all the way in just to go back out again," she says jokingly to Powershift.

“Criminals are always so inconsiderate,” Powershift responds. “But duty does call.”

(I should note that there was plenty of time before the summons came for Xana to tell Tesla whatever it was she was going relate.)

Roll Call: Flux, Backlash, Tesla, Powershift, Sea Guard, Blackout, Frostbite and Xanaphia

Four of the Vigilant, along with three guests, have made their way to the El Condor Hotel in the seedier part of town. Dr. Williams pulled the image of the hotel from Brother Basilisk’s mind, so it has to be important. This clue was confirmed when Edgar picked up police reports of trouble at the hotel.

As they close in on the hotel, a figure flying away on wings of transparent energy was spotted. The figure seems somewhat familiar…

Flux sends Tesla ahead to investigate while the rest of the group goes to the hotel. Surging ahead, Tesla closes in on the figure. As she gets closer, she realizes that the figure is the woman called Chimera! Just as Tesla gets close enough to call out to her, Chimera simply vanishes as if she was never really there.


The others land on the roof of the hotel and make their way down. The upper floor of the hotel holds large suites that were grand in their day, but that day was over thirty years ago. Today, they are just old and ratty looking.

The rooms are in even worse shape thanks to what must have been a battle that occurred here. You find the Dash unconscious halfway through a wall. It’s as if he hit the wall at superspeed and knocked himself out. Not to far away, Lightwave lies unconscious on the floor.


Spreading out, the heroes find the rest of this floor in much the same shape. You come across Sparkler, Flex, Turbo and the Dark Knight himself all unconscious. The men seemed to have taken more of a beating than the women. Based on what you know of the Elite between those found here, those arrested earlier, and Brother Basilisk back at the clinic, only Rainbow is unaccounted for.

The police summon PRIMUS to deal with the super criminals. PRIMUS arrives about 15 minutes later and takes the whole lot of the Elite away. Tesla returns, reporting that what they saw was an illusion of Chimera. Most likely trying to mislead the heroes in some manner. The trouble at the El Condor Hotel was over before the Vigilant could arrive.

“That seems to take care of the Elite,” Powershift states. “There is just the matter of Xanaphia to resolve. Perhaps we should take her back to our base for the time being? We should get some rest as that magical event is still awaiting us tomorrow.”


About an hour later, Dr. Williams will report that Gloria Starr has reverted back to human form. The teenager is no worse for wear from her experience.

[GM Mad]

Roll Call: Tilt-A-Whirl

It become obvious the woman, Phoenix, is waiting for an answer, and Tilt realizes she hasn't given her one! "oh..um," she stammers. "ireallydontknowanyofthosenames... i uh... i was with a couple boys who were looking for others and said they were interested in me. i figured out they were up to no good, the kind of trouble i really didn’t want. I don’t know where they went though. I never got that far. Sorry."

“They could have been members of the Elite trying to recruit you,” Phoenix muses thoughtfully. “At least you had the good sense to stay clear of them. Thanks anyway. I’ll continue to search for them.”

With that Phoenix turns away and unless Tilt says something will fly off once more.


Roll Call: Menagerie

At Horton’s Plaza, Menagerie has trailed a group of strange zombie-like individuals who were muttering “Morjok”. They group passed through an emergency exit into the shopping complex. Standing outside the door, Menagerie pulls out her communicator. As she does so, the world around her inexplicably warps into something she can barely comprehend. Horton’s Plaza has vanished!

Menagerie hands in a bizarre void where there is no up or down, no object to give her any sense of bearing. Mysterious shapes and smears of light are visible, but she has no way of telling how close or how far away they are. It’s all her mind can do to try and make sense of all of this.

(Imagine a Ditko-esque realm from the old Dr. Strange comics.)

Menagerie tries to use her communicator, but it does not function in this strange realm.


Roll Call: Eldrich

"Calling them 'Items of Power' is giving them more potency then is legitimate. Still, if time permits, I would like to seek them out. Doubtless their level of power is too slight for you to detect without effort--if they are present at all."

“They might have been stored, intentionally or not, in a place that blocked my detections. Thick metals can block my sensing of magical energy. We need all the advantages we can get. I’ll let my wife know that we will be taking a short trip.”

Once the Magus returns, he casts a spell. He and Eldrich vanish, only to re-appear in the room where Eldrich had been kept at the sanitarium. With a gesture, the Magus causes the door to open. It’s very early in the morning, so the sanitarium staff should be minimal.

“Any thoughts on where we should search?”

Now what?

[Bruce]

Flux

"Everyone spread out and search . Sing out if you come across anything."

It doesn't take long to find the Elite-they aren't exactly hiding. More like slumped and unconscious. There was a battle here and they lost it.

A tally of the known members shows only one missing: Rainbow.

Flux looks over the fight scene, trying to set the action in sequence. Something seems odd, in particular with the Dash-it's hard to catch a quick reflexed man by suprise.

Tesla reports on the flying woman as being Chimera and that she seemed to vanish from sight instantly as an image or illusion.

Hmmm. Illusion. . . visual confusion, identity deception. . . invisibility?

Flux ponders that thought as the police summon PRIMUS to collect the Thugmater's Elite

“That seems to take care of the Elite,” Powershift states. “There is just the matter of Xanaphia to resolve. Perhaps we should take her back to our base for the time being? We should get some rest as that magical event is still awaiting us tomorrow.”

"Not quite Powershift. Where are the victim's of Brother Basilisk's stone gaze? If this is where he was keeping them where did they go? And if not, why was Dr. Williams unable to supply another locale? There's a rat in the breadbox somewhere still."

A top down search turns up no statues or live women. The Elite are unquestionable just now. The trail seems cold for the moment.

"All right we are done here. Unless something turns up between now and tomorrow I suggest we follow Powershift's advice and get some rest. Xan you are welcome to come over to our base until or unless you have a place to go."

Since you say you came here by accident I'm guessing not.

Flux again offers to ferry any that need it on their way to the base, including Blackout if he wishes to go there. Flux will not be resting however. There is much to ponder concerning vanquished Elite, vanishing stone women hostages, fake Chimera's,-- and a possible intruder at the medical facility. . .

Time to do some quiet checking on the whereabouts of Dr Sallier. I'm going to look the Dr's address up and drop in for a little visit. See what we see.

[Bruce]

Eldrich Arcane

Returning to this bare room sparks a memory of having been here before. The first such memory he has had since awakening.

I remember this room! I have spent much time here. I did not like it.

That much comes clearly and at once.

"Where to search? I cannot say. Whosoever rules here will hold my possesions I would think. Perhaps in a vault of metal. What is this place? A prison? A keep?"

When Eldrich passes through the door nothing but strangeness greets his eyes. Hideous green walls and strange glass tubes on the ceiling and squares of an unknown material comprise the makings of the floor. A series of rooms identical to the one just vacated, some occupied, some not. An unpleasant, pervasive odor hangs in the air.

A wretched place indeed. I would not stay here, given free will, therefore I was not a willing guest. They will not take me again.

[Tilt-A-Whirl]

Tilt-A-Whirl:

“They could have been members of the Elite trying to recruit you,” Phoenix muses thoughtfully. “At least you had the good sense to stay clear of them. Thanks anyway. I’ll continue to search for them.”

With that Phoenix turns away and unless Tilt says something will fly off once more.

Tilt waves as the woman flies away. Suddenly she's left with nothing else to do! She'll race around town a little bit longer.

If nothing else proves entertaining, she will run off to look up one of her few friends from high school and crash there for the night, probably sneaking in through the window as it's wayyyy too late for her friend's parents to simply let her ring the doorbell!

Of course, Tilt will hide what little costume she has before knocking on her friend's window if she gets that far.

[Menagerie]

Menagerie:

Feeling it's time to report in, Lily pulls out her communicator. However, before she can activate it, the world turns inside out! Where the streets of San Diego and the buildings of Horton Plaza were, now exists an acid-trippers flashback!

Lily finds her floating in a near void, strange lights and bizarre maybe-solid shapes her only companions.

Oh my God! Where am I?! How did I get here?! What just happened?! These thoughs and more stream through her consciousness and Lily struggles to make some sense of her situation.

Pushing down her fear, Lily posits that maybe this is just some kind of illusion. However, a quick test shows that her commicator isn't working at all. If it's an illusion, it's a sophisticated one. Just in case, Lily sets the automatic homing signal, just in case there is someone out there capable of receiving it.

In the hope that flight works here, Lily shifts into the form of Tesla and begins flying in a spiral pattern looking for something recognisable.
___________________________________________________________
Does Lily still have access to the forms of people she knew in the old universe, such as Goldstar and Major Star, or were they forgotten along with many of the details of that previous reality?

[GM Mad]

Does Lily still have access to the forms of people she knew in the old universe, such as Goldstar and Major Star, or were they forgotten along with many of the details of that previous reality?

She can still use them. Major Star remains the head of PRIMUS in San Diego. Goldstar hasn't been seen much as of late, but she founded the Vigilant some 15 years ago.

[Tesla]

Tesla:

“Criminals are always so inconsiderate,” Powershift responds. “But duty does call.”

"Typical," she says with a smile before they head off.

"Yes, go ahead. Intercept if you can, get a visual if you can't. Everyone else, we are inbound to the roof. We will work our way down from there. I expect if any hostages or captives are here they will be in a large space so working from the top down look for ballroom, reception halls, storage areas and the like."

Flux sends Tesla ahead to investigate while the rest of the group goes to the hotel. Surging ahead, Tesla closes in on the figure. As she gets closer, she realizes that the figure is the woman called Chimera! Just as Tesla gets close enough to call out to her, Chimera simply vanishes as if she was never really there.

"On it," is all Tesla needs to say. She nearly catches up with the woman she can identify as Chimera, but then, she's just not there. Disappointed, she can only return to inform Flux after she takes a careful look around.

There is nothing else to do. Apparently everything else is already over before they had even arrived. PRIMUS shows up to haul away the Elite and Flux tells everyone to stand down for the rest of the night.

"All right we are done here. Unless something turns up between now and tomorrow I suggest we follow Powershift's advice and get some rest. Xan you are welcome to come over to our base until or unless you have a place to go."

Tesla will see what Xana decides to do. If she wishes to return with them, she'll approach and say, "Want to see some more of the city before we head back?"

If she's receptive, Tesla will show some major landmarks to help her get familiar with the area. She will also engage in some more small talk, trying to learn more about her.

If Xana isn't interested, then Tesla will leave it be and just return to the base and unwind for the rest of the night.

[Blackout]

Blackout:

The rooms are in even worse shape thanks to what must have been a battle that occurred here. You find the Dash unconscious halfway through a wall. It’s as if he hit the wall at superspeed and knocked himself out. Not to far away, Lightwave lies unconscious on the floor.

Spreading out, the heroes find the rest of this floor in much the same shape. You come across Sparkler, Flex, Turbo and the Dark Knight himself all unconscious. The men seemed to have taken more of a beating than the women. Based on what you know of the Elite between those found here, those arrested earlier, and Brother Basilisk back at the clinic, only Rainbow is unaccounted for.

It's all very strange for Blackout that there simply isn't more. There is the very clear picture of a battle and who lost, but nothing to indicate the other side, who they were or how many.

Blackout will reach out with his senses in the minutes before PRIMUS' arrival and see if he can't notice anything that would give a clue to this mystery. Depending on what, if anything, he finds will depend on if he has anything to add to Powershift and Flux's conversation.

Flux again offers to ferry any that need it on their way to the base, including Blackout if he wishes to go there. Flux will not be resting however. There is much to ponder concerning vanquished Elite, vanishing stone women hostages, fake Chimera's,-- and a possible intruder at the medical facility. . .

Blackout passes on the offer to go back to their base. He's not a part of their group, and certain things just push the boundries of accomidating. Besides, there are some things he wants to check on by himself.

"I can meet up with all of you tomorrow if you would like the extra help for whatever this 'event' is," Blackout offers, "but for tonight at least, I'm going to pass on your gracious invitation."

After the other heroes depart, Blackout swings away and investigates the darker side of the city. Word on the street that the Elite have been taken down should filter down to the lower criminal elements, and he will look for his leads there. Although he knows such information is not always reliable, any clue at this point is more than they have at the moment.

[Omni]

XANAPHIA

Tesla will see what Xana decides to do. If she wishes to return with them, she'll approach and say, "Want to see some more of the city before we head back?"

If she's receptive, Tesla will show some major landmarks to help her get familiar with the area. She will also engage in some more small talk, trying to learn more about her.

Xana smiles at Tesla, " Thanks I would love to see some of the city, and I also will need a place to stay I suppose."

[Backlash]

Backlash
Keeping his guard up Lash makes his way down the stairs into the building where several suites and other rooms are soon found. Within several moments the cause of the call is found. Walking slowly into the room with the others he can’t help but look in awe. Who ever did this had style!!

“Love the decorator..” he says with a grin as he pulls turbo from the wall dropping him to the floor as if he was trash.

Heading back to base Backlash can’t help but wonder about the what the good Doc said. Over his intercom if he has one, “Flux you think our good doctor maybe hiding something… The Icicle may have been speaking the truth, whether we like ti or not.

[Frostbite]

Frostbite

Seeing the carnage within the room Frosty can’t help but wonder who would be powerful enough to do this and better yet why.


“That seems to take care of the Elite,” Powershift states. “There is just the matter of Xanaphia to resolve. Perhaps we should take her back to our base for the time being? We should get some rest as that magical event is still awaiting us tomorrow.”

“Yeah but who would do this and why? Super heroes wouldn’t, so who would this leave? They had to know something or have something someone really wanted.

[GM Mad]

Post Continued:

Roll Call: Flux, Backlash, Tesla, Powershift Sea Guard, Blackout, Frostbite and Xanaphia

Most of the Vigilant and their guests have reached the El Condor hotel and found that someone else has already done battle with the Thugmaster’s Elite and defeated them. All that remains are the unconscious remains of most of the Elite. The only one who seems unaccounted for is the colorful woman known as Rainbow.

"Not quite Powershift. Where are the victim's of Brother Basilisk's stone gaze? If this is where he was keeping them where did they go? And if not, why was Dr. Williams unable to supply another locale? There's a rat in the breadbox somewhere still."

In a small regular guest room a few floors down from the penthouse suites, you’ll find a room with the stone statues of three women. Much like Gloria Starr, they all revert back to human form in a few hours. Brother Basilisk stoning power is only temporary.

(GM Note: My bad on Brother Basilisk’s victims. I forgot about them! Going to leave them or take them back to the clinic for the affect to wear off? Anyone going to stay with them?)

While that is going on, Blackout attempts to ‘read the crime scene’ to see what truly transpired here. Using his enhanced senses he puts together a quick picture. Judging by the position of the defeated Elite, it becomes clear that they actually fought amongst themselves! Whoever did this manipulated the Elite to take each other out. The Dash was used like a battering ram to slam into his colleagues and eventually ran into a wall himself.


PRIMUS eventually arrives to take the Elite into custody. That seems to wrap up everything as far as the Elite are concerned. The heroes seem to be heading their own ways once more. Blackout departs on his own once more. Xanaphia takes up Tesla’s offer to explore the city. Frostbite returns to the clinic to be there when Gloria Starr is unstoned. Powershift and Sea Guard will see to the additional stoned women is no one else does.

While all that is going on, Flux decides to check up on Dr. Alexis Salier covertly. Much is already known about the doctor from your numerous visits to the Clinic. She’s highly intelligent and from a wealthy family. Dr. Salier has numerous PhD’s in various scientific and medical fields and is generally considered an expert when it comes to metahuman medicine. If she has any failings, she’s a bit arrogant and can be condescending towards men. She lives a few blocks away in the penthouse suite of the Browne Apartment building.

As for the enigmatic woman known as Chimera, she has appeared in San Diego before. She’s hard to classify, but you can’t help place her in the category of the famous Lady Blue. She’s not truly a criminal but has committed criminal acts and she’s not really a hero either although she has done heroic things. She can be a disturbing shade of gray. What is known about Chimera is that she has never harmed an innocent or allowed any around her to be killed.

[GM Mad]

Roll Call: Tilt-A-Whirl

On her own once more, Tilt-A-Whirl rushes about the town. The hour is getting late and the streets are not as crowded any more. As she runs along, a white van speeds past. It bears the logo for Infinity Exports, an import/export company that’s big in the San Diego area. They converted an old oil drilling platform a few miles out to sea into a floating warehouse. Seeing their vehicles about town is not unusual.

A few minutes later, a second Infinity Exports van goes barreling past! And then a third! This is certainly not a coincidence! What are they up to?


Roll Call: Eldrich

The Magus has returned Eldrich to the asylum where he had been kept for who knows how long in search of his missing magic items.

"Where to search? I cannot say. Whosoever rules here will hold my possessions I would think. Perhaps in a vault of metal. What is this place? A prison? A keep?"

“Yes, a storage area makes sense,” the Magus mumbles. “This place? It is what is called an asylum. Those who are thought to be insane are kept here. It is a dismal, unhappy place.”


Out in the hallway, the pair comes across a night watchman. The Magus uses a spell and easily puts the man under his control. The night watchman leads you to an area where patient items are stored. After some searching, Eldrich’s belongings are located!

“Let us depart this place.”

The Magus casts another spell and the pair departs the asylum.


Back at the residence of the White Witch and the Magus, the final preparations are complete. The comatose forms of the Paladin and Lady Virtuous are loaded into a van and you all drive off into the night. Eldrich notices that he’s on the outskirts of a large city. The buildings become more common as they drive along. A large city lies before you and far off in the distance each of you can sense a strong magical source that only grows more intense.

“I can feel the magical energy gathering!” The White Witch notes excitedly. “The time draws close!”

“Let us hope that we arrive before any others do,” the Magus adds.

[GM Mad]

Roll Call: Menagerie

In the area of Horton’s Plaza, Menagerie is caught up in an unexplainable affect. The world around her has shifted into some sort of nightmarish realm where there is no up or down. Strange lights flicker off in the distance and unusually shaped objects can be seen.

Changing forms to that of Tesla, Menagerie begins to fly in a spiral search pattern trying to find her way in this strange realm. After what seems like only a few minutes, Menagerie comes across a path in this void. A road constructed out of natural, unworked stone that winds its way through the bizarre void. There is no visible support for the road, but it does seem solid.

The disorientation of the realm isn’t as bad on the path. It’s still hard to tell what is up and what is down, but now you can see this path, where it goes, along with many other paths at all sorts of odd angles. A bright white light can be seen far off in the distance. The roads all seem to lead towards that place.


Roll Call: Blackout

Having departed the Vigilant, Blackout swings about the downtown area, searching for any further information about the Elite. The hour is late by now and the streets mostly deserted. Landing on a rooftop, Blackout prepares to throw his line again when his enhanced senses notices something. There is a man-sized shape moving across the rooftops on the other side of the street. The figure moves in near silence and seems unusually hairy.

It soon becomes clear that this figure is stalking someone down on the sidewalk. The sounds of high-heels clicking on the sidewalk are clearly heard. A young woman is walking along seemingly unaware that she is being stalked!


Roll Call: Tesla and Xanaphia

After departing the El Condor Hotel, the two women fly off to explore the city and talk. Fireworks light up the sky over San Diego Bay creating an impressive display.


GM Notes:

Any particular place you’re going to explore?

Now what?

[Bruce]

Flux

In a small regular guest room a few floors down from the penthouse suites, you’ll find a room with the stone statues of three women. Much like Gloria Starr, they all revert back to human form in a few hours. Brother Basilisk stoning power is only temporary.

Hmm. Whoever fought the Elite didn't take the victims away with them. Why? Because. . . they couldn't?

"After we finish up the recon I'll airlift these ladies back to the clinic. When they recover the police will want to talk to them and so will PRIMUS most likely."

Note: whether or not Blackout shares his information Flux already has his suspicions that a single illusion-using perpetrator was responsible for the attack.

Flux collects and carries the three statues to the clinic after informing the police of their whereabouts. He will leave them with Dr. Williams and start looking up Dr. Alexis Salier in a non-electronic manner. ( AMA profiles)

Chimera can be referenced less covertly through the seabases data records.

After collecting what is known on both women Flux will walk off to a private meeting room where he has previously set up an old blackboard and begins to write.

Fact: Thugmaster's Elite defeated by misdirection/illusion.

Fact: One female member unaccounted for in Elite.

Fact: Image of Chimera seen leaving area before vanishing from sight.

Fact: Men of Elite took most of the damage.

Fact: Victims of Stoning effect unharmed during battle and left behind after it.

Fact: No member of Elite killed/permanently injured.

Fact: Frostbite reports overhearing one way conversation involving Dr. Salier and Basilisk re victims. Disapproval expressed. Flash of light noted.

Flux stops writing and steps back to take in what is there. . .

. . . then returns to the board and writes again.

Theory: One attacker using disguise of Rainbow infiltrates El Condor hotel to defeat Elite using illusions of their enemies.

Questions: Why not use invisibility? Where is Rainbow now? How did attacker know where to look for Elite? Motive?

Conclusion-Tentative. Invisibility not in the powers. Rainbow subdued previous to attack??? Attacker learned from contact with-or IS Dr Salier? Motivated by attacks against women?

Theory: One attacker using disguise infiltrates El Condor hotel to defeat Elite with Mind Control used on Dash.

Questions: If Mind Control used then Telepathy possible too? If so, then from what mind is location obtained? Basilisk? Rainbow? Where is Rainbow now? Motive?

Flux steps back from the board for a moment but draws no conclusions from these questions. . .

. . . and goes back to the board and writes.

Theory: Chimera impersonates Dr. Salier to obtain entry to clinic and extracts information from Brother Basilisk re women using Telepathy.- Note conversation took place BEFORE Dr. Williams probe of BB's mind.

Question: How does Chimera know of attacks and location of Brother Basilisk so swiftly??

Question: Where is Dr Salier?

Conclusion- Tentative. Chimera dislikes Elite. Stays current on whereabouts. Implies information network. Dr. Salier unharmed/sedated possibly in own home.

Theory: Dr. Salier IS Chimera.

Flux looks at that one for a long time. . .

Questions: Motive? Proof??

Conclusion:To keep abreast of events in paranormal comunity/assist where needed. Serve personal agenda.

Circumstantial evidence re overheard conversation.

Procedure: Visit home of Dr. Salier-verify identity if possible. Match whereabouts of Dr Salier at times of Chimera sightings. Check with known family members/ friends of Salier re personality changes if any. Collect information on Chimera re area of operations/ types of activities/ powers displayed.

Flux puts down the chalk, backing up to look at the board.

Yeah sarge, nothing like trying to track down someone who might be able to read your mind for a fun-filled diversion. And how do I do this without attracting unwanted attention? It's not like my C I D days. I have no authority to ask questions like this in my Flux ID. And no business doing it in my civilian ID. Well, I can at least begin collection the empirical data on location comparisons. . . after tomorrow's headach.

Flux takes a wet cloth to the chalkboard, wiping away all traces of his writings.

[Blackout]

Blackout:

While that is going on, Blackout attempts to ‘read the crime scene’ to see what truly transpired here. Using his enhanced senses he puts together a quick picture. Judging by the position of the defeated Elite, it becomes clear that they actually fought amongst themselves! Whoever did this manipulated the Elite to take each other out. The Dash was used like a battering ram to slam into his colleagues and eventually ran into a wall himself.

"Hey, I think you might want to come see this," Blackout says, mostly to Flux, but anyone else nearby is more than welcome to hear what he figured out.

"From what I can tell, the Elite were fighting amongst themselves," Blackout states. "Either some internal strife or manipulation I would guess. The one known as the Dash seems to have been the main dealer of damage here," he says, pointing out some areas. "Then it looks like he ran into that wall there, either missing Rainbow, if she was here, or else directed to do so by some sort of trickery."

Having departed the Vigilant, Blackout swings about the downtown area, searching for any further information about the Elite. The hour is late by now and the streets mostly deserted. Landing on a rooftop, Blackout prepares to throw his line again when his enhanced senses notices something. There is a man-sized shape moving across the rooftops on the other side of the street. The figure moves in near silence and seems unusually hairy.

"Hmmm, odd," Blackout mutters to himself after detecting the silent, hairy stranger. He wonders if it is some sort of animal or hybrid.

It soon becomes clear that this figure is stalking someone down on the sidewalk. The sounds of high-heels clicking on the sidewalk are clearly heard. A young woman is walking along seemingly unaware that she is being stalked!

"I see you're also a predator," Blackout says, again to himself. He moves into a better vantage point and prepares himself. If this hairy man-beast does more than just stalk the woman, Blackout will either move to intercept the predator or swing down and snatch the woman out of harm's way, depending on what has the best chance to succeed.

[Menagerie]

Menagerie:

Flying around in this strange nothingness is disorienting, and Tes-Lily has to really focus to even maintain a semblance of a spiral pattern. Fortunately, it isn't long before she spots something that looks familiar. It appears to be a path of some sort.

Flying closer, Lily examines the path. It appears to be the first solid thing that she has encounted since entering this bizarre place - wherever it is. More importantly, she finds the formlessness of this place less disturbing when close to the path, perhaps as it gives her a solid point of reference.

Menagerie flies down so that her feet are mere inches off the path. Looking about, she can now see that there are other paths winding through the void. Strangely, they all seem to be converging toward one point enveloped in a bright glow.

With no better apparent option, Tes-Lily converts to the form of Goldstar and flies along the path toward the bright light.

[Tilt-A-Whirl]

Tilt-A-Whirl:

On her own once more, Tilt-A-Whirl rushes about the town. The hour is getting late and the streets are not as crowded any more. As she runs along, a white van speeds past. It bears the logo for Infinity Exports, an import/export company that’s big in the San Diego area. They converted an old oil drilling platform a few miles out to sea into a floating warehouse. Seeing their vehicles about town is not unusual.

A few minutes later, a second Infinity Exports van goes barreling past! And then a third! This is certainly not a coincidence! What are they up to?

Tilt watches as first one, then another, then a third van roars past her. must be something fun going on! she thinks as they speed past. why else would they be in such a hurry!

She will follow the vans, knowing she could easily catch them, but if they see her, they might not let her join them. Better to see where they are going first and then crash the party!

[Tesla]

Tesla:

After departing the El Condor Hotel, the two women fly off to explore the city and talk. Fireworks light up the sky over San Diego Bay creating an impressive display.

Tesla pauses from giving Xana and aerial view of the city to watch the fireworks. Looking over at her she asks, "Do you have types of celebrations like these where you're from?"

Suspecting Xana may not know what exactly the Fourth of July is, Tesla explains it briefly. After resuming the tour and seeing the landmarks and important places of note, Tesla will suggest returning to the base unless something peaks her interest.

[Omni]

XANAPHIA

After departing the El Condor Hotel, the two women fly off to explore the city and talk. Fireworks light up the sky over San Diego Bay creating an impressive display.

Tesla pauses from giving Xana and aerial view of the city to watch the fireworks. Looking over at her she asks, "Do you have types of celebrations like these where you're from?"

As XAna watches the fireworks and tesla explains the 4th of July Xana listens . When Tesla nasks about celebration Xana reples :No, we don't have many celebrationns like this, mainly we celebrate victories in war or conquering of other people."

After a bit Xana will look to Tesla " I/m getting hungry, do you know where we can get some food ? "

[Bruce]

Eldrich Arcane

Eldrich walks through the place of his former captivity with the Magus, evaluating as he goes. It is completely unfamiliar to him. And very strange. His earlier surmise about 'mud huts' and 'stone piles' is unfounded, utterly.
Eldrich cannot imagine how such a structure could have been built without magic, yet he senses none within. As they search the place Eldrich seeks a glimpse of the land outside but the only view through a glass window shows a street, very smooth, and a row of buildings made of a red, square stone. Objects sprout from the ground in profusion, metal, wood, stone(?) that defy understanding. One quick look is all there is time for.

Out in the hallway, the pair comes across a night watchman. The Magus uses a spell and easily puts the man under his control. The night watchman leads you to an area where patient items are stored. After some searching, Eldrich’s belongings are located!

Eldrich reaches for the two objects, the sight of them striking a cord in his memory.

Yes, these are mine. I can remember these! I've had them since my youth.

Eldrich unfolds the sky-green Cloak of Floating, and attaches it. then turns his attention to the Amulet of Warding noting its full complement of charges.

“Let us depart this place.”

The Magus casts another spell and the pair departs the asylum.



Back at the residence of the White Witch and the Magus, the final preparations are complete. The comatose forms of the Paladin and Lady Virtuous are loaded into a van and you all drive off into the night. Eldrich notices that he’s on the outskirts of a large city. The buildings become more common as they drive along. A large city lies before you and far off in the distance each of you can sense a strong magical source that only grows more intense.

Eldrich is not daunted by the vehicle. It seems much like the ones he has known in function if not in form. The disturbing aspect of no magic present is the only odd note. The revelation of the grand city is another matter: much larger then any city he has seen or can remember hearing of. And in spite of its incredible size, only one source of magic!

Truly, they have mastered the art of Material Manipulation here beyond what is known in my home, perhaps even beyond what the Ancients accomplished before the Sundering!

“I can feel the magical energy gathering!” The White Witch notes excitedly. “The time draws close!”

“Let us hope that we arrive before any others do,” the Magus adds.

"Friend Magus, what might we expect to encounter in the way of difficulties? Who else knows of this confluence of magic?"

[Backlash]

Backlash

Seeing how he is no longer needed in the hotel and the victims are in Flux's large enbrace, Backlash decides not to go back to base. hitting his communica Backlash messages Flux, "Going to head out on patrol, Perhaps there maybe more to these Illusions then just the Phantom of Chimera." Lash will proceed to bounce around the city checking out anything that seems odd.

[Frostbite]

Frostbite

As the events come to a close at the Hotel, Frosty soon sets out to return to Gloria. Constructing a slide of Ice Frosty begins to weave to and fro over various obsicles seeking to see his girlfriend. Landing upon the roof of the Starr building he makes his icy way down the stairway and to Gloria's room.

Walking into the room Frostbite smiles as he sees Gloria alive and unstone, "How you feeling? Can you remember anything that happened?" he asks concern written through out his Icy facade. Not sure if Gloria will recognize him or not, he slowly thaws out as his emotions get the better of him. "I'm glad your alright." he said as he took her in his embrace. "I can explain everything." and he will proceed to do just that.

[GM Mad]

Post Closed