Variant Earth 13 E Mail Game Archive Number 7

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Mon, 22 Feb 1999 13:29:58 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> Jinx just stared at the sinking Joes for a moment, a very short
> moment, before tossing her guns to the ground at her feet.

> "You, my leafy friend, are on MY LIST!" she stated, pointing at him as
> menacingly as she could without her firepower.

> "Now let those guys go. What the hell are they going to do to someone
> obviously as powerful as you? Oh wait, they could use some roughage in
> their diet, I suppose! Watch out! They've got salad tongs under all
> that camoflage!" she taunted as best she could under the
> circumstances.

> "Hey, and look miss cyber bitch, you did have holes in you, but you
> did some self-repair techno crap and got better. And a good thing,
> too. I'd prefer to have you vent your spleen on these botanical bozos
> rather than my ass." she tossed over her shoulder at Lisa.

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Ronin shook his head disapprovingly?  Why had Fate sent him to such a
> weird place amongst such strange and illogical people?  Was this a
> sign that his quest was in vein?  He sighed to himself.  Now was not
> the time for such thoughts....now was the time for battle.

> Ronin continues to play "nice" as he watches for his opening.

> (snip Jinx's comments)

> Ronin frowns at Jinx.  "Does your tongue never grow weary? And how
> black and sullied your ears must be from listening to such profane
> language day after day.  Has no one taught you to speak with
> reverence?"

> Ronin thought to himself, <<Yes...perhaps they will assume that we are
> enemies and let their guard down.  Then....then we will strike.>>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> Jinx just grumbled under her breath at Ronin's words...

> "Hey, man, I dropped my guns! What more do you want?! And no, I don't
> ever expect to kiss my mom with this mouth. I never said I was miss
> congeniality, did I?!" she blurted out, trying to keep focused on the
> matter at hand.

> "So, Mr. Plantmaster, are you going to release those guys yet? Oh
> wait! I should be more polite and obsequious, right? O' Mighty Green
> and Leafy Plantmaster, please release these unworthy trespassers and
> let this most rude and ungracious worm of a woman escape with her
> life!" she beseeched as best she could, more than a hint of her
> disgust leaking through the thin veneer.

Andy Hicks wrote:

> "Dumb broad," Hardcore thinks to himself, still watching the area
> attentively, waiting for someone to make a move.  "That asian fella
> had better not beat me to the punch.  I owe her a whippin'."

As you watch, Hardcore, The Plantmaster nonchalantly waves his hand in
response to all of this, and the sinking Joes quit sinking.  They come
back up out of the ground, and find themselves flung at the others.  Of
course, they've naturally been stripped of their gear.

You also note with some disdain, Jinx, that your guns have sunk into the
ground as well, and are re-emerging (with Grunt, Flash, Lisa, and Hawk's
guns) in a pile in front of the door, guarded by what appear to be
vicious attack plants.

Their vines are writhing all over, protecting the weapons from their
owners... (just a quick note, Lisa and Hawk disarmed whilst you were
arguing, Jinx and Ronin; you were simply too busy to notice... yeah,
that's the ticket).

At any rate, now that you all are unarmed (save for Ronin, who's got his
sword in his sheath, and Lisa, who can't really be disarmed unless she's
been, well, disarmed) the Plantmaster has his minions escort you all to
his log cabin.

He sits down, cross-legged, and asks "So by what rights do you fools
trespass on my domain?  Me and my fellow Plant Protagonists here are
doing good work, restoring this area to its natural state, untouched by
man or his handiwork.  For instance..."

He waves his hands, and a bluish substance comes oozing out of the
ground before you.  "This material permeated a large percentage of this
dying forest, and I have worked these last six months to remove it.
What you see before you is what remains of it."

"I and my followers have determined the source of this toxic ooze, and
are preparing to shut it down - permanently - in order to prevent it
from undoing our labours.  Now, what makes you think you are so
important as to interrupt this work?!"

"Well?!"

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Mon, 22 Feb 1999 15:23:05 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

"Hey, bucko! We didn't interrupt nothin'! We were just investigating
this weird ass weather pattern, see? What the hell do you expect us to
do? Hmmm...here's this weird blizzard and now there's this lush forest
sprouting up in the middle of it...Oh, wait, that's perfectly normal,
let's ignore it! Pshaw! I think not, Mr. Fancy Pants..." she countered,
feeling completely out of her element without her guns.

"But I'll shut up now and let the more...diplomatic...people take their
turn with the peace pipe..." she continued, eyeing the toxic ooze with
more than a little trepidation.

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Mon, 22 Feb 1999 17:47:04 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

>"I and my followers have determined the source of this toxic ooze, and
>are preparing to shut it down - permanently - in order to prevent it
>from undoing our labours.  Now, what makes you think you are so
>important as to interrupt this work?!"

>"Well?!"

After watching the group enter the cabin, Hardcore asks Rock 'n Roll, "If ya
wanna go back to yer post, go on ahead.  But I don't trust the plant people,
especially when yer crew is in there without most of their weapons.  They're
gonna need a little help if Plant Man turns on 'em, 'n I plan on givin' it
to 'em if they need it.  So I'm on my way to the cabin to get a closer look,
as long as I don't run into any trouble along the way.

"Are ya comin' or goin'?"

Either way, Hardcore makes his way to the cabin, watchful for any animated
plant-life along the way.  He'll first try to get a look inside to make sure
everything is okay, then take a look around the perimeter of the cabin for
any indication of any technology that might be able to control flora or the
weather.

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Tue, 23 Feb 1999 11:57:20 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> Things with his fingers, moving them in interesting and eye-watering
> ways, causing them to move around, through, and in-between each other in
> ways that should be impossible, or at the very least, illegal.  A second
> or two later, the bars seem to be heating up.

Reaper takes a step back, raising his right hand (with the bundle/book
tucked in his left like a football) and sending his body into phase...

> Halby, the 'Magician', says unto thee:  "Give me the book."

"So you can make a little firey eh?"  Reaper says, shaking his head,
"Well, 'Spandex-Boy' let me see if I can't show you a little
something..."

He projects his raised hand in the magician's direction, bolts of
electricity streaking from his fingers...

(OOC:  Rolls - init: 7+3=10, 16, 09, 03)

(if this is enough to temporarily incapacitate him, with those rolls -
doubt it!)

Reaper takes a step back, "listen man, I've got bigger problems in my
life than dealing with you.  The fact is, I'm taking the Infinitum and
I'm getting the hell outta here.  There's some sh*$ coming down that'd
make your toes curl.  As far as denying it from the world - got no
plans to do anything like that, so in your weird little world - we're
on the same plane."
He extends his arms out to the side, "So whatever you want, I can
obliterate you here and now, or we can get outta here before it gets
any thicker."

Reaper pauses, watching Halby carefully for a response, staying
"in-phase" until some resolution occurs.

OOC:
More rolls (just in case)
init: 10+3=13
31, 08, 92

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Tue, 23 Feb 1999 23:14:21 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

Ronin frowns at Jinx's tone and manner.  He shakes his head
disapprovingly.

"Your cause is indeed noble, my lord.  And as my...fellow traveler
has pointed out, we were only passing through this area and stopped
to investigate the odd weather patterns.  We meant no disrespect. If he
have hindered your mission in any way, we crave your forgiveness.
Perhaps, if you can find use for our paltry skills, we might be able to
assist you in some way.  To make up for our interruption..."

Ronin looks over at Hawk.  His expression is calm and even,
revealing little about his state of mind.

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Wed, 24 Feb 1999 00:18:04 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

> He projects his raised hand in the magician's direction, bolts of
> electricity streaking from his fingers...

> (OOC:  Rolls - init: 7+3=10, 16, 09, 03)
> (if this is enough to temporarily incapacitate him, with those rolls -
> doubt it!)

Heh heh... indeed.

You send out blasts of electricity, but of course, they wind up getting
sucked into the bars in front of the Magician instead of striking him.
This seems to stop him, however, from doing what he was doing.  Whether
it be shock or surrender because of your power, you don't know.

"Harrumph.  Fine, have it your way.  I can't quite burn through the
bars, anyway... when they built this cage, they used real iron, not that
flimsy steel crap they process in Detroit these days.  I see how you
are.  Harrumph, I say."

> Reaper takes a step back, "listen man, I've got bigger problems in my
> life than dealing with you.  The fact is, I'm taking the Infinitum and
> I'm getting the hell outta here.  There's some sh*$ coming down that'd
> make your toes curl.  As far as denying it from the world - got no
> plans to do anything like that, so in your weird little world - we're
> on the same plane."

> He extends his arms out to the side, "So whatever you want, I can
> obliterate you here and now, or we can get outta here before it gets
> any thicker."

> Reaper pauses, watching Halby carefully for a response, staying
> "in-phase" until some resolution occurs.

"We?  We?!  Why didn't you say so!  Heck, get me out of here and I'll
help you get clear.  After all, you aren't going to be able to avoid the
Illudicated Brethren without some magical aid.  And, thanks to that book
you have there, well, I have aid to spare..."

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Wed, 24 Feb 1999 00:54:49 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> "Hey, bucko! We didn't interrupt nothin'! We were just investigating
> this weird ass weather pattern, see? What the hell do you expect us to
> do? Hmmm...here's this weird blizzard and now there's this lush forest
> sprouting up in the middle of it...Oh, wait, that's perfectly normal,
> let's ignore it! Pshaw! I think not, Mr. Fancy Pants..." she
> countered, feeling completely out of her element without her guns.

> "But I'll shut up now and let the more...diplomatic...people take
> their turn with the peace pipe..." she continued, eyeing the toxic
> ooze with more than a little trepadation.

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Ronin frowns at Jinx's tone and manner.  He shakes his head
> disapprovingly.

> "Your cause is indeed noble, my lord.  And as my...fellow traveler
> has pointed out, we were only passing through this area and stopped
> to investigate the odd weather patterns.  We meant no disrespect. If
> he have hindered your mission in any way, we crave your forgiveness.
> Perhaps, if you can find use for our paltry skills, we might be able
> to assist you in some way.  To make up for our interruption..."

> Ronin looks over at Hawk.  His expression is calm and even, revealing
> little about his state of mind.

Andy Hicks wrote:

> After watching the group enter the cabin, Hardcore asks Rock 'n Roll,
> "If ya wanna go back to yer post, go on ahead.  But I don't trust the
> plant people, especially when yer crew is in there without most of
> their weapons.  They're gonna need a little help if Plant Man turns on
> 'em, 'n I plan on givin' it to 'em if they need it.  So I'm on my way
> to the cabin to get a closer look, as long as I don't run into any
> trouble along the way.

> "Are ya comin' or goin'?"

> Either way, Hardcore makes his way to the cabin, watchful for any
> animated plant-life along the way.  He'll first try to get a look
> inside to make sure everything is okay, then take a look around the
> perimeter of the cabin for any indication of any technology that might
> be able to control flora or the weather.

Rock 'n Roll looks at you, Hardcore, and doesn't spend any time thinking
about his response.  "No way!  I'm not goin' back to the bus, with this
freak-o holding my pals hostage.  Somebody's got to cover 'em.  And
besides, if things go real bad, Breaker can always call in backup."

The two of you walk around the cabin, noting that only the plant
guarding the many weapons seems to be motive; otherwise, aside from the
weather and the other weirdo plants in front of the log cabin, this
place seems perfectly normal.

You don't find any gear or other device that appears capable of
controlling the weather; of course, were you to happen across such
machinery, you're not really sure you'd be able to identify it.  Such
things aren't normal, you know.

However, you manage to get round front in time to hear the Plantmaster
spouting off again, about whatever it is that ruined his day.  "Yes, I
do see the logic in your reasoning."  He slaps the blonde one, Leif,
upside his head.  "Fool!  This is all your fault!"

"And no, warrior, I have no need for your particular talents, though I
do appreciate the offer."  He looks away from you, Ronin, and back to
Jinx.  "Besides, I could hardly trust you absolutely, no offense, what
with your... present company."  He sneers at you, Jinx.

Hawk pipes up at this point.  "So, you're ending the... ecological
threat to this area, right, Plantmaster?  Just what is this threat - not
the goop, mind you, but the source of it?  And have you tried legal
channels to put a stop to this??"

"Legal channels!?  Ha!!"  The Plantmaster slugs Hawk with that, knocking
the Colonel to the ground.  "As if that would work!  This government
sneers at it's environmental well-being.  Besides, who would listen to
the logic of a plant?!  Nobody -  Nobody!!!"

He then storms towards the entrance of the cabin, though he waves his
hands first, and suddenly, vines burst forth from the earthen cabin
floor at each of you.  Quick, everybody, roll a Strength FEAT to see if
you can resist being immobilized by the writhing vines!

(except for you, Hardcore, as you're outside - no vines for you!)

As you all struggle with the vines, the Plantmaster speaks again, and
his minions follow him to the cabin entrance.  "Don't worry, these won't
kill you, though the things outside might, if you try and escape before
we return from our little trip across the border to Ohio..."

"By the time you see us again, New Paris, Ohio will never be the
same..." With that, the Plant Protagonists head out.  Do you pull any
quick maneuver to hide, Hardcore?  Also, for those of you in the cabin,
what do you do?

Just remember:  there *is* still a nasty pile of viscous goo mere inches
from you...

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Wed, 24 Feb 1999 18:25:03 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

[Rolled an 82 for the Strength FEAT]

Jinx yelled out as she was grappled, "ACK! You leafy bastard! You're
definitely on my list now, buddy!"

She was glad she never let down her force field as it was fairly slick,
and just might help her in wiggling out of the vines once the
Plantmaster took his leave. But she muttered and bitched as loudly as
she could, doing her best not to roll into the glowing ooze.

"Someone remind me to invest in weed killer when we get out of here! If I
can round up enough cash I'll buy stock in some logging company!" she
complained, straining against her botanical bonds.

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Wed, 24 Feb 1999 18:34:42 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> "We?  We?!  Why didn't you say so!  Heck, get me out of here and I'll
> help you get clear.  After all, you aren't going to be able to avoid the
> Illudicated Brethren without some magical aid.  And, thanks to that book
> you have there, well, I have aid to spare..."

"Riiight," Reaper says, "Lets just start with getting outta here - I
still gotta wonder - if you're able to use this book so well, how you
got yourself in here, but whatever - lets just say I'm not all that
into giving you something like this just cause it used ta be yours.
Now stand back a bit - this'll just take a sec."

Reaper points his right hand at the door of the cell, exciting the
ions in it until it disintegrates.

(OOC: Roll - 68)

"Now grab your cape or whatever, and lets get going!"

He goes ahead - in phase - to make sure the path is clear until they
are able to leave the building, and re-convene at the bike.

Reaper looks over the bike - in essence examining it for perhaps the
first time.  If there is anything resembling a bag on it - saddle bag
or whatever - he pulls it off the bike, slinging it over his shoulder,
and placing the Book inside.

Reaper looks at Halby, "So who are these 'illudi- whatevers' anyway?"

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Thu, 25 Feb 1999 01:35:54 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Michael Joiner wrote:

> Reaper points his right hand at the door of the cell, exciting the
> ions in it until it disintegrates.

> (OOC: Roll - 68)

Despite Halby's claims that the bars are made of really tough stuff, you
manage to take them apart easily; but then, most matter yields easily to
disintegration.  He steps out of the cage quickly, and seems impressed
with your ability.  "Nice."

> "Now grab your cape or whatever, and lets get going!"

> He goes ahead - in phase - to make sure the path is clear until they
> are able to leave the building, and re-convene at the bike.

> Reaper looks over the bike - in essence examining it for perhaps the
> first time.  If there is anything resembling a bag on it - saddle bag
> or whatever - he pulls it off the bike, slinging it over his shoulder,
> and placing the Book inside.

That's the weird thing - the bike *didn't* have a pouch before, at least
you don't remember the big pouch, perfectly sized for the Infinitum,
hanging off the right side of the bike.  At least, you think you'd
remember it...

> Reaper looks at Halby, "So who are these 'illudi- whatevers' anyway?"

the Magician looks at you, as if you'd finally woken up.  "The Society
of Illudicated Brethren.  They're a small army of wizards that believe
that magic is the way of the future - but that only *they* should
determine what kind of magic is available to the world."

"That's why they want the Infinitum - it's the greatest earth magic tome
in existence!  It has scores of known and unknown spells from the
Geomantic school of magic, some known to others, but most unknown.  They
wish to keep this book for themselves."

"And decide what parts of it should be shared with society."

"And you misunderstand.  I don't need the book to practice magic;
instead, it taught me how to wield it the day we found it on that dig in
Alaska.  I could use it to learn *more* magic, which I'd like, but I
don't need it to do what I can do."

Just then, several bikers crash through the door of a nearby bar, one of
which has his arm around a certain blood-haired troublemaker you hadn't
been able to detect - until right now.  "Hey, you little toads!  Git off
my girlfriend's bike, eh?"

You see a wry grin forming on her face, her razor-edged face.

The bikers wander towards you, sort of stumbling, and you can smell the
booze from here, despite the cold, the snow, and the wind.  "We're gonna
have to teach you pansies a lesson.  We don't like pansies around here -
this is Men's country!"

They look like they're gonna start something.  Of course, they may just
mean to drink them bottles of booze, instead of smashing them over your
heads.  But then, you can't help but wonder why they're holding them
like they are...

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Thu, 25 Feb 1999 08:29:26 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

He then storms towards the entrance of the cabin, though he waves his
hands first, and suddenly, vines burst forth from the earthen cabin
floor at each of you.  Quick, everybody, roll a Strength FEAT to see if
you can resist being immobilized by the writhing vines!

(except for you, Hardcore, as you're outside - no vines for you!)

As you all struggle with the vines, the Plantmaster speaks again, and
his minions follow him to the cabin entrance.  "Don't worry, these won't
kill you, though the things outside might, if you try and escape before
we return from our little trip across the border to Ohio..."

(rolled a 64)

Ronin tries to avoid the vines that writhe and lash out about him.
He glances at the Plantmaster, his eyes narrowing menacingly.

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Thu, 25 Feb 1999 15:07:20 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

>"By the time you see us again, New Paris, Ohio will never be the
>same..." With that, the Plant Protagonists head out.  Do you pull any
>quick maneuver to hide, Hardcore?  Also, for those of you in the cabin,
>what do you do?

"Move it, blondie!" Hardcore whispers to Rock 'n Roll as he darts for the
nearest cover.

"Don't know if we can take the Fern Patrol alone," he thinks to himself as
he watches the Plantmaster and the rest.  "We gotta get the others outta
there.  Then we can take care of those leafy sons of bitches the way they
deserve!"

(OOC- Hardcore waits for the Plantmaster and his minions to leaf, er, leave,
making special note of the method of transportation in case they need to be
found later on.  He then makes his way into the cabin to try to help the
others wrestle their way out of their vines.

Rolls: 2, 54, 13...  Sorry, guys.)

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Fri, 26 Feb 1999 00:32:28 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> [Rolled an 82 for the Strength FEAT]

> Jinx yelled out as she was grappled, "ACK! You leafy bastard! You're
> definitely on my list now, buddy!"

> She was glad she never let down her forcefield as it was fairly slick,
> and just might help her in wiggling out of the vines once the
> Plantmaster took his leave. But she muttered and bitched as loudly as
> she could, doing her best not to roll into the glowing ooze.

> "Someone remind me to invest in weedkiller when we get out of here! If
> I can round up enough cash I'll buy stock in some logging company!" she
> complained, straining against her botanical bonds.

Peter Chambers wrote:

> (rolled a 64)

> Ronin tries to avoid the vines that writhe and lash out about him.
> He glances at the Plantmaster, his eyes narrowing menacingly.

Andy Hicks wrote:

>> With that, the Plant Protagonists head out.  Do you pull any quick
>> maneuver to hide, Hardcore?  Also, for those of you in the cabin, what
>> do you do?

> "Move it, blondie!" Hardcore whispers to Rock 'n Roll as he darts for
> the nearest cover.

> "Don't know if we can take the Fern Patrol alone," he thinks to himself
> as he watches the Plantmaster and the rest.  "We gotta get the others
> outta there.  Then we can take care of those leafy sons of bitches the
> way they deserve!"

> (OOC- Hardcore waits for the Plantmaster and his minions to leaf, er,
> leave, making special note of the method of transportation in case they
> need to be found later on.  He then makes his way into the cabin to try
> to help the others wrestle their way out of their vines.

> Rolls: 2, 54, 13...  Sorry, guys.)

HA ha!

Seriously, though... you manage to duck out of the Plant Protagonists'
way just in time, Hardcore, and the four of them parade out.  You hear
the sounds of struggle within the cabin, though mostly Jinx's yammering.
Then, the Plantmaster waves his hands again, and the earth shakes.

The Protagonists sink into the earth, and seem to be travelling eastward
through the dirt.  The only reason you know that is because the
Plantmaster's extra-tall fronds are reaching above the soil a bit, and
they look like the fins of a school of east-bound, planty sharks.

He eventually rectifies this, mind you, and by the time the Plant
Protagonists are gone, the sounds of struggle cease within the cabin.
Everybody those planty terrorists have captured meanders out of the
cabin, apparently having bested their wriggling, viney foes.

Of course, Jinx, Ronin, you both know where those maniacs are headed,
and you can guess that they're out to demolish some sort of industrial
complex in New Paris, Ohio, just a mile or so over the border from where
you are in east, east Indiana.

So, what do you do?

(?)

Subject: [v13] The peanut gallery
Date:    Fri, 26 Feb 1999 04:58:27 -0600
From:    "Christopher W. Acers" <cwacers@home.com>

Deep Fried, Blow Dried and Electrified!

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...(The peanut Gallery)
Date:    Fri, 26 Feb 1999 05:03:12 -0600
From:    "Christopher W. Acers" <cwacers@home.com>

> So, what do you do?

Get some Oil and Vinegar and call it a salad!

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Fri, 26 Feb 1999 08:52:35 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

> So, what do you do?

Ronin growls angrily, picking off any wayward vines or green that still
clings to him.

He looks over to Jinx, a wicked gleam in his eye.

"I feel like having some tossed salad....You?" he askes Jinx.

Ronin unsheathes his sword and cuts the air dramatically.

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Fri, 26 Feb 1999 19:17:40 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

Jinx started searching frantically for her guns.

"Where the hell did he stick those things! Argh! I'm never dropping my
guns for anyone I don't know ever again! That guy is so much roughage
when I get hold of him!" she muttered, going through the pile o' stuff.

"Ah ha! Right! Here you are my babies! Yes, momma didn't abandon you! No
she didn't!" she baby talked at her hand cannons as she checked them
over for any signs of tendril tampering.

"Hmmm? What? Oh yeah...I could use some green leafy stuff in my diet
right about now!" she responded to Ronin's query, an evil grin spreading
across her face, her icy blue eyes doing their best to kill all the
vegetation in the area by spreading their frosty touch.

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Fri, 26 Feb 1999 19:31:25 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> That's the weird thing - the bike *didn't* have a pouch before, at least
> you don't remember the big pouch, perfectly sized for the Infinitum,
> hanging off the right side of the bike.  At least, you think you'd
> remember it...

Reaper pauses for a moment, then decides that stranger things 'have'
been known to occur, and puts the book in the pouch, slinging it over
his shoulder...

> the Magician looks at you, as if you'd finally woken up.  "The Society
> of Illudicated Brethren.  They're a small army of wizards that believe
> that magic is the way of the future - but that only *they* should
> determine what kind of magic is available to the world."

> "That's why they want the Infinitum - it's the greatest earth magic tome
> in existence!  It has scores of known and unknown spells from the
> Geomantic school of magic, some known to others, but most unknown.  They
> wish to keep this book for themselves."

> "And decide what parts of it should be shared with society."

> "And you misunderstand.  I don't need the book to practice magic;
> instead, it taught me how to wield it the day we found it on that dig in
> Alaska.  I could use it to learn *more* magic, which I'd like, but I
> don't need it to do what I can do."

Reaper nods, "I get it, cool - "

> Just then, several bikers crash through the door of a nearby bar, one of
> which has his arm around a certain blood-haired troublemaker you hadn't
> been able to detect - until right now.  "Hey, you little toads!  Git off
> my girlfriend's bike, eh?"

> You see a wry grin forming on her face, her razor-edged face.

> The bikers wander towards you, sort of stumbling, and you can smell the
> booze from here, despite the cold, the snow, and the wind.  "We're gonna
> have to teach you pansies a lesson.  We don't like pansies around here -
> this is Men's country!"

Reaper takes a deep breath..."I must commend you on being so upfront
about your 'sexuality'.  And if that whore of a beast next to you is
your 'girlfriend', then I'd recommend you go on keepin' this place a
'Man's Country'.  As for the bike, its mine.  As for you and your
friends...BITE ME!!" He shouts the last as he...flings his arms out,
unleashing as much lightning as he can as far as possible.  He drops
to a crouch, taking a moment after the first volley to "re-phase"
himself...

OOC:

Rolls - init - 5+3=8
50, 91, 87, 03, 66

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Sun, 28 Feb 1999 03:42:55 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

> Reaper takes a deep breath..."I must commend you on being so upfront
> about your 'sexuality'.  And if that whore of a beast next to you is
> your 'girlfriend', then I'd recommend you go on keepin' this place a
> 'Man's Country'.  As for the bike, its mine.  As for you and your
> friends...BITE ME!!" He shouts the last as he...flings his arms out,
> unleashing as much lightning as he can as far as possible.  He drops
> to a crouch, taking a moment after the first volley to "re-phase"
> himself...

> OOC:

> Rolls - init - 5+3=8
> 50, 91, 87, 03, 66

Heh heh heh... well, you manage to catch the biker scum off guard,
zappin' them all before they can act out against you.  All save for the
lead thug, the one hanging out with War.  "Whore?  Whore?!  Why I
oughter!  Actually, 'think I will!!!"

He jumps out at you, though you manage to dodge his poorly-timed and
alcohol-induced broken bottle attack, and he literally falls past you,
crashing into the snow behind you.  "Harrumph," the Magician says.
"Men, indeed."  He kicks the man in the rump as he tries to get up.

The man doesn't get up right away, and War just laughs at this.  "Ah ha
ha!  "You see, I bring out the best in you!  'Bite me!'  I like that...
tee he he!"  War looks on, watching as Halby does a tap dance on that
biker's face.

"Hey, what'cher face!  Why don't we get out of here before the Brethren
catch up to us?"  Halby then looks at the bike, and shrugs.  "You want
me to ride with you, or run behind?  I can always hotwire a car, I
think... At any rate, I say we head for Montreal."

"We can catch a flight straight into the States from there.  What do you
think?"

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] I bet we're going to Canada.
Date:    Sun, 28 Feb 1999 17:40:34 -0700
From:    "Lady Arakne" <araknesweb@darkspiral.com>

That morning, Col was no more aware that Sil had been out most
of the night, lurking around and moonlighting with her powers, but
both young women got the benefit of seeing Rob Liefeld's face
when they arrived at the office around 9 am.

He'd gone into his office, expecting to see a stack of panels for his
new comic venture, backgrounds finished by one of his assistant
penciller, only to find a mutilated, dismembered hand, clutching a
pen and a spilled bottle of "India ink" all over his panels....

Sil chuckled to herself as the ink seemed to keep oozing, despite
all of Rob's attempts to dab at it with several paper towels. Col
looked at her roomie, her eyes wide as she tried to not burst out
laughing...

<Sil, you didn't....> she thought, so that Sil could hear her, <It's
your shadows, isn't it?  You just about gave him a coronary!!! That
has got to be the best practical joke yet.... But where did you find
such a realistic severed hand??>

Sil looked archly at her friend and fellow comic book artist at
Shattered Image, <<Who said it wasn't real?>>

With that, she left Col for her own office, and began preparing for a
few days away, letting her assistant know what was done, and needed to get off to the inkers and Liquid! (the company that did colors on her comic).

She had that meeting to attend, and then she was off for a while.

Several hours later....

Sil and Col both were wishing that they'd not been included as the
token females on what was clearly another of Rob's books filled
with few plots, lots of "action", and a pair of women who wore less
than a porn star.. supposedly a pair of "black ops" agents who
were combating vampires and other stuff...

It was a crock, and Sil had done everything she could to keep Col
from cutting loose with enough opinion for both of them. She had
advised her best friend, that she was going out of town for a few
days to investigate some leads for a new story....

It was around 2 pm when she arrived at Och's place, smelling
something cooking even from outside the flat. She stepped out of
the shadows just inside the front door, and sent a telepathic
greeting to him, <<Och? I"m here.... Don't worry about the front
door... I'm already inside....>>

tbc...

Subject: Re: [v13] I bet we're going to Canada.
Date:    Sun, 28 Feb 1999 20:34:30 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

> You almost think he could be two different people.

> <yer taunting me....damn you>

Heh heh heh.

Lady Arakne wrote:

> (snippity snip snip)

> Several hours later....

> Sil and Col both were wishing that they'd not been included as the
> token females on what was clearly another of Rob's books filled
> with few plots, lots of "action", and a pair of women who wore less
> than a porn star.. supposedly a pair of "black ops" agents who
> were combating vampires and other stuff...

> It was a crock, and Sil had done everthing she could to keep Col
> from cutting loose with enough opinion for both of them. She had
> advised her best friend, that she was going out of town for a few
> days to investigate some leads for a new story....

> It was around 2 pm when she arrived at Och's place, smelling
> something cooking even from outside the flat. She stepped out of
> the shadows just inside the front door, and sent a telepathic
> greeting to him, <<Och? I"m here.... Don't worry about the front
> door... I'm already inside....>>

Christopher W. Acers wrote:

> "Aughh, Lady outta nowhere!" Masque says.

Och hollers out from behind the sounds of grilling "Okay!  Pancakes
coming right up!  And chocolate milk!"  Och comes out of the kitchen,
wearing a comical cooking apron, and sees Masque climbing up the walls
in repsonse to Silhouette's sudden entrance.

"Ah... so that's what he was squealing about."  Och chuckles for a
minute, eventually recovering from the comical scene before him.  "Well,
then.  Silhouette, would you also like some pancakes or chocolate milk?
I can also add blueberries or chocolate chips in the 'cakes..."

(Theoretical response space)

He sits Masque's late breakfast down on the coffee table, and then
greets you properly, Silhouette.  "Welcome to my humble home.  Feel free
to make use of the stereo or television, as you see fit.  For your
information, our plane will set out at six, so we have plenty of time
before we go."

"To relax, that is.  I feel we didn't quite get acquainted last night,
what with us fighting for our lives and all..."

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Sun, 28 Feb 1999 20:45:29 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Ronin growls angrily, picking off any wayward vines or green that still
> clings to him.

> He looks over to Jinx, a wicked gleam in his eye.

> "I feel like having some tossed salad....You?" he askes Jinx.

> Ronin unsheathes his sword and cuts the air dramatically.

William Lockwood wrote:

> Jinx started searching frantically for her guns.

> "Where the hell did he stick those things! Argh! I'm never dropping my
> guns for anyone I don't know ever again! That guy is so much roughage
> when I get hold of him!" she muttered, going through the pile o' stuff.

Oops.  Thrusting your hands into the pile of weaponry, you incite the
anger of those writhing attack plants that the Plantmaster set up to
guard the things.  They snap at you, Jinx, and start tearing your arms
up, inflicting exceptional damage to them.

Remarkable (30) Edged Attack damage if your force field was down, Good
(10) Edged Attack damage if it was still up.  Also, you'll want to make
a Yellow Endurance (res) FEAT roll, the failure of which will mean you
have been subjected to it's poisoning.

That'll put you at -2 CS to any Agility FEAT rolls you need to make, for
it is a weak paralytic agent.  Of course, you manage to seize your
weapons, however much it may have cost you... (hey... I *did* mention
the weapons were guarded...)

> "Ah ha! Right! Here you are my babies! Yes, momma didn't abandon you!
> No she didn't!" she baby talked at her hand cannons as she checked them
> over for any signs of tendril tampering.

> "Hmmm? What? Oh yeah...I could use some green leafy stuff in my diet
> right about now!" she responed to Ronin's query, an evil grin spreading
> across her face, her icy blue eyes doing their best to kill all the
> vegetation in the area by spreading their frosty touch.

Well, since you're all free of the grapplin' vines, the savage attack
plant guarding them weapons of yours, and know where these fiendish
Plant Protagonists are headed, what do you do?  Do you head after them,
or sit and lick your wounds?  Though that mostly only applies to Jinx...

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Sun, 28 Feb 1999 23:06:17 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

[Rolled an 89 on the Endurance FEAT]

"Ack! Ack! Jeez! Let go! Freaky plants! Ow!" Jinx hollered as she
grabbed her guns from the pile.

She cursed to herself, but counted her blessings since her field was up
and it didn't look like any sizeable amount of the dripping goo got into
any of the scratches the plants made in her tender flesh.

"I hate those things! I really do! Oooo, do I want to shoot them! Yes,
I'm talking about you, you monsters! But no! You're not worth the waste
of ammo!" she spit at the writhing green beasties.

"Right! Where to next?" she asked the rest of the group, trying to clean
up some of the scratches from one of the first aid kits in the personnel
carrier after dropping her field.

Subject: Re: [v13] I bet we're going to Canada.
Date:    Mon, 01 Mar 1999 00:22:53 -0600
From:    "Christopher W. Acers" <cwacers@home.com>

> It was around 2 pm when she arrived at Och's place, smelling
> something cooking even from outside the flat. She stepped out of
> the shadows just inside the front door, and sent a telepathic
> greeting to him, <<Och? I"m here.... Don't worry about the front
> door... I'm already inside....>>

"Aughh, Lady outta nowhere!" Masque says.

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Mon, 01 Mar 1999 08:47:48 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

"I hate those things! I really do! Oooo, do I want to shoot them! Yes,
I'm talking about you, you monsters! But no! You're not worth the waste
of ammo!" she spit at the writhing green beasties.

"Right! Where to next?" she asked the rest of the group, trying to clean
up some of the scratches from one of the first aid kits in the personnel
carrier after dropping her field.

Ronin replies quietly, "I believe we should follow them."

Doh...talk about overstating the obvious.

Subject: Re: [v13] Road Trip...
Date:    Mon, 1 Mar 1999 13:01:30 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

>"Right! Where to next?" she asked the rest of the group, trying to clean
>up some of the scratches from one of the first aid kits in the personnel
>carrier after dropping her field.

>Ronin replies quietly, "I believe we should follow them."

"No shit," Hardcore interjects, stepping into the others' view.  "Are you
gonna let those tree-huggin' sons of bitches make fools outta ya?
"Let's get back in that cruiser and go kick their goddam asses!"

???

Subject: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Mon, 01 Mar 1999 13:37:36 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> "Ack! Ack! Jeez! Let go! Freaky plants! Ow!" Jinx hollered as she
> grabbed her guns from the pile.

> She cursed to herself, but counted her blessings since her field was up
> and it didn't look like any sizeable amount of the dripping goo got
> into any of the scratches the plants made in her tender flesh.

> "I hate those things! I really do! Oooo, do I want to shoot them! Yes,
> I'm talking about you, you monsters! But no! You're not worth the waste
> of ammo!" she spit at the writhing green beasties.

> "Right! Where to next?" she asked the rest of the group, trying to
> clean up some of the scratches from one of the first aid kits in the
> personnel carrier after dropping her field.

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Ronin replies quietly, "I believe we should follow them."

> Doh...talk about overstating the obvious.

Andy Hicks wrote:

> "No shit," Hardcore interjects, stepping into the others' view.  "Are
> you gonna let those tree-huggin' sons of bitches make fools outta ya?

> "Let's get back in that cruiser and go kick their goddam asses!"

Okay.  You all head back to the carrier after re-arming, and while Jinx
performs some quick first aid on her poor, poor arms, Flash gets the bus
moving.  "All right, folks, let's head to New Paris!"  He tears out of
the forest like there's no tomorrow.

Rocketing on as fast as the bus will allow, Flash takes you across the
border into Ohio, and after crossing two small bridges and about a mile
of rather ratty looking real estate, you make it to the city limits of
New Paris, Ohio.

At first, you're not sure exactly where to go, since there seems to be a
whole lot of industrial complexes, most of which appear somewhat
abandoned, along a local lakefront.  However, a giant, impossibly large
tree growing out of the Arbco Lubricant Factory gives you a quick hint.

Pulling up in the Jacob (Joe Covert Ops Bus), you all jump out in time
to see factory workers fleeing from the compound in a panic.  "Aah!"
"Eee!" "Run!"  "Augh!"  The local consensus seems to be to run away, so
it looks like innocent bystanders shouldn't be a major issue.

As such, Rock 'n Roll, Lisa Polanski, Flash, and Grunt break out their
hard core hard ware, and follow Hawk into the Arbco plant.  Assuming the
three of you follow, Jinx, Hardcore, and Ronin, you see a bizarre scene
unfolding once you enter the lubricant plant.

It looks like the interior of the plant has transformed into a verdant
forest, complete with a bubbling stream, under the roof of the factory.
The only abnormal plant, of course, seems to be the giant tree in the
center that has pierced the roof.

And the Plantmaster, of course.

You can barely see him, within the new forest, dancing about and
laughing like the madman that he is.  He seems to have a bottle of clear
liquid in his hand, and he's drinking from it frequently.  His fellows
seem to be doing strange things with their hands, making the plants grow.

Except for that creepy, emerald-haired girl.  She's roughing up some
mere human folks trapped within the trees, doing so with her arms, her
bizarre, bark-covered arms.  They weren't like that before, but it would
seem she is some sort of freaky, plant-enhanced bio-borg.

That's the scene unfolding before you all... what do you do now?
Initiative rolls may be a good idea at this time, as I'm sure you all
are about to engage in some smart fisticuffs... if you don't cut the
Plant Protagonists to pieces, of course.  Hmm...?

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Mon, 1 Mar 1999 13:19:58 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> The man doesn't get up right away, and War just laughs at this.  "Ah ha
> ha!  "You see, I bring out the best in you!  'Bite me!'  I like that...
> tee he he!"  War looks on, watching as Halby does a tap dance on that
> biker's face.

"Really..." Reaper says, dripping with sarcasm, "Whatever works eh?
So, this is the best a 'god' can do?  Pimpin' herself to a bunch 'a
Canadian rednecks?  I thought you were here to DO something...or did
you drag me all the way up here just to show off your lack of style?"

> "Hey, what'cher face!  Why don't we get out of here before the Brethren
> catch up to us?"  Halby then looks at the bike, and shrugs.  "You want
> me to ride with you, or run behind?  I can always hotwire a car, I
> think... At any rate, I say we head for Montreal."

> "We can catch a flight straight into the States from there.  What do you
> think?"

"Huh?" Reaper says, puzzled, "I didn't even catch half of that!
You're gonna 'run' next to the bike?  Hey - if it works for you - feel
free to jump on the back of the bike if ya get tired though.
Montreal?  Whatever, this scene is gettin' silly," He looks back at
War as he gets on the bike,"At least 'Death' has some pride...thanks
for the wheels though!"

(Provided that War actually lets us off that easy - ) Reaper fires up
the bike, and takes off after Halby.

OOC:

"Just-In-Case" Rolls...

Init: 5+3=8
22, 48, 79, 42

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Mon, 01 Mar 1999 18:37:34 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

[7 + 2 = 9 Initiative. (Attack #1: 43 to Hit, 82 Damage); (Attack #2: 03
to Hit, 39 Damage); (Dodge #1: 08); (Dodge #2: 47); (Various other
rolls: 50, 71, 05). Ack! Talk about crappy rolls. Oh well!]

Jinx looked around, and after spotting the woman beating the human,
grinned widely.

Popping up her field and pulling out her hand cannons, she called out to
the green clad eco-terrorist, "Yo she bitch! Let's go!"

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Mon, 01 Mar 1999 19:01:48 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Michael Joiner wrote:

> "Huh?" Reaper says, puzzled, "I didn't even catch half of that!
> You're gonna 'run' next to the bike?  Hey - if it works for you - feel
> free to jump on the back of the bike if ya get tired though.
> Montreal?  Whatever, this scene is gettin' silly," He looks back at
> War as he gets on the bike,"At least 'Death' has some pride...thanks
> for the wheels though!"

"Smart ass."  Halby gets on the bike.

> (Provided that War actually lets us off that easy - ) Reaper fires up
> the bike, and takes off after Halby.

Well, you think she is.  She's smiling as the two of you drive off,
though.  It's that creepy, razor-edged smile, again, however, making you
think that she isn't quite done with you yet.  At any rate, the two of
you 'rocket' off towards Montreal.

That word may not quite be adequate, however, as it's already dark, and
the snows are simply getting thicker and thicker.  Plows or not, this
highway you're on is getting more and more impassable by the minute.
Luckily, you can see the city of Montreal in the distance.

By the time you actually hit the city, proper, there's about six inches
of snow on the freshly plowed roads.  The bike, oddly enough, doesn't
seem too hampered by this, and the only impediment to your progress
seems to be the near-zero visibility the falling snow is causing.

Following Halby's haphazard directions, you manage to make your way to
the airport, despite the weather.  Arriving on the scene, you
immediately notice three gentlemen sitting in front of the main
entrance, each wearing bleach white suits, white leather shoes, and
white shades.

Your awareness immediately kicks in, however, and you sort of see a
double image of the three men.  The other, less apparent image of the
men involves long, flowing white robes, various pouches and belts, and
white, polished leather boots.

The three of them seem fixated on you and Halby, especially once they
notice the book-pouch mounted on the side of War's cycle.  "Ahem...
pardon me, sir."  The center one steps up to the plate.  "I do believe
that you are carrying stolen property, in the form of that book."

"If you would be so kind..."  He makes gestures with his extended hand
indicating that you should kindly hand over the book.  Further, his two
pals seem to be looming behind him, as if to accent the point.  What do
you do, Reaper?

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Mon, 1 Mar 1999 19:15:24 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> "If you would be so kind..."  He makes gestures with his extended hand
> indicating that you should kindly hand over the book.  Further, his two
> pals seem to be looming behind him, as if to accent the point.  What do
> you do, Reaper?

"Why, you might be right..." Reaper says, nodding, "But hey - did she
look like she could *really* ride one of these" He finishes, shaking
his head, patting the bike.

"Now, looking around me, I know we didn't somehow end up in the
Carribbean, so what's with the "Mr. O'Rourke" look, and where's your damn
midget?  If you guys haven't guessed - its F*#$in' snowing out here,
and we would really like to get away from this gods-forsaken place!"

"You can either let us go, or I disintegrate every damn piece of tacky
white stitching you got on - get it!?!"

His demeanor turns from playfully bantering to downright pissed.  His
nostrils flare, and he raises his hands.

His fingers rotate from pointing inward, down, then palms facing the
"men-in-white".  As he does, he manipulates his ions into "phase",
then lets the effect ripple around his hands for effect.

OOC:

Init:5+3=8
24, 02, 89, 77

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Tue, 02 Mar 1999 15:43:33 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

> You can barely see him, within the new forest, dancing about and laughing like 
> the madman that he is.  He seems to have a bottle of clear liquid in his hand, 
> and he's drinking from it frequently.  His fellows seem to be doing strange 
> things with their hands, making the plants grow.

Sword drawn, Ronin approaches the Plantmaster.

"Plantmaster.  While I respect you vigilant protection of nature and the
woodlands, I cannot abide your wanton disregard for human life.  You
will cease this aggression now."

His tone is even and calm.  Deadly calm, in fact.

Rolls - Init = 10, Dodge = 74, Block = 97 (yahoo!)

Ronin will hold his punch until the Plantmaster acts.
IF the leafy one attacks, Ronin will block the move with his sword
(if possible) and/or dodge.

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Tue, 2 Mar 1999 16:40:48 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

>Sword drawn, Ronin approaches the Plantmaster.

>"Plantmaster.  While I respect you vigilant protection of nature and the
>woodlands, I cannot abide your wanton disregard for human life.  You
>will cease this agression now."

>His tone is even and calm.  Deadly calm, in fact.

(Rolled a 3+3=6 for initiative, so I'll assume Hardcore acts after Ronin...
Also rolled a 33 for one extra dodge, and a 66 for one extra attack.)

"That samurai's goin' about it all wrong with all that passive-agressive
BS," Hardcore thinks as he begins a charge at the Plantmaster, trying to be
mindful of any vegetation coming his way.  "You gotta take yer shots at that
thing when ya got tha chance!  And I bet that juice it's drinkin' is the
place to start!"

"Heads up, pal!  Comin' through!"

Hardcore attempts to leap off of his good leg around Ronin, swiping at the
bottle in the Plantmaster's hand with one cane, and at his body with the
other.

(Rolled a 73 to hit and 52 for damage for the swing at the bottle, and a 92
to hit with 94 for damage for the swing at Plantmaster.  Dodge rolls are 88,
58, and 13.)

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Tue, 02 Mar 1999 19:59:22 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

> His fingers rotate from pointing inward, down, then palms facing the
> "men-in-white".  As he does, he manipulates his ions into "phase",
> then lets the effect ripple around his hands for effect.

> OOC:

> Init:5+3=8
> 24, 02, 89, 77

The lead man in white looks at his compatriots, and apparently responds
for all of them.  "Ooh, crackling energy.  I do assure you, friend, that
we are suitable scared."  He pauses to light a cigarette, and continues.
"However, we need that book, and I'm afraid we're going to get it."

He starts reaching for his wallet, but you also see that he's performing
some sort of motions with his hands thanks to that weird double image
effect created by your awareness.  He's also shaping energies to some
effect, though you're not quite sure what yet.

(out of character:  what exactly were you going to do, Reaper?  You did
threaten to disintegrate their clothing, but I wasn't sure if that was
your goal... for your reference, you did beat everybody on the
initiative, so if you mail me back real quick, we c'n go from there.)

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Wed, 03 Mar 1999 00:45:00 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> [7 + 2 = 9 Initiative. (Attack #1: 43 to Hit, 82 Damage); (Attack #2:
> 03 to Hit, 39 Damage); (Dodge #1: 08); (Dodge #2: 47); (Various other
> rolls: 50, 71, 05). Ack! Talk about crappy rolls. Oh well!]

> Jinx looked around, and after spotting the woman beating the human,
> grinned widely.

> Popping up her field and pulling out her hand cannons, she called out
> to the green clad ecoterrorist, "Yo she bitch! Let's go!"

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Sword drawn, Ronin approaches the Plantmaster.

> "Plantmaster.  While I respect you vigilant protection of nature and
> the woodlands, I cannot abide your wanton disregard for human life.
> You will cease this agression now."

> His tone is even and calm.  Deadly calm, in fact.

> Rolls - Init = 10, Dodge = 74, Block = 97 (yahoo!)

> Ronin will hold his punch until the Plantmaster acts. IF the leafy one
> attacks, Ronin will block the move with his sword (if possible) and/or
> dodge.

Andy Hicks wrote:

> >His tone is even and calm.  Deadly calm, in fact.

> (Rolled a 3+3=6 for initiative, so I'll assume Hardcore acts after
> Ronin... Also rolled a 33 for one extra dodge, and a 66 for one extra
> attack.)

> "That samurai's goin' about it all wrong with all that passive-
> agressive BS," Hardcore thinks as he begins a charge at the
> Plantmaster, trying to be mindful of any vegetation coming his way.
> "You gotta take yer shots at that thing when ya got tha chance!  And I
> bet that juice it's drinkin' is the place to start!"

> "Heads up, pal!  Comin' through!"

> Hardcore attempts to leap off of his good leg around Ronin, swiping at
> the bottle in the Plantmaster's hand with one cane, and at his body
> with the other.

> (Rolled a 73 to hit and 52 for damage for the swing at the bottle, and
> a 92 to hit with 94 for damage for the swing at Plantmaster.  Dodge
> rolls are 88, 58, and 13.)

While Jinx runs off after somebody or another, you approach the
Plantmaster, Hardcore, Ronin.  The Plantmaster scoffs at the two of you,
and makes his move.  He waggles his fingers at you, and big, burly brown
roots issue forth from the earth beneath you two.

You both manage to sidestep the grappling members, and then Ronin blocks
a secondary, sneak attack launched by the Plantmaster, in which he threw
some sort of pine cone at Ronin, which was deflected by Thunder Cutter
shortly before it exploded in a wooden shower of shrapnel.

"Agh!  Damnit!"

While he curses, you run up and smash both his bottle and his chest,
Hardcore.  You're not sure how much harm you inflicted upon his chest
with that blow, but the contents of his bottle are now all over the new
forest floor.  "Ack!  My Jack!"

Though winded, the Plantmaster rallies for another attack, and then
decides against it.  "What the hell am I doing?  I have minions for
this! Leif!  Phytechumous!  Deal with these dolts while I finish our
work here!"  As if on cue, they emerge from the trees.

The one called Leif approaches you, Grunt, and Rock 'n Roll, Hardcore.
"Ya, I will be doing horrible bad things to you, yes?"  He seems rather
overconfident in himself, and both Grunt and Rock 'n Roll look at you,
Harcore, and smile.  They seem to imply that you should hit him high.

The other one, the so-called Phytechumous, sidles towards you, Flash,
and Breaker, Ronin.  "Hmmph.  So I have to deal with the ninja and the
techies... phooey.  Oh, well, time to test out these Power Briefs..."
Before your eyes, he puts on a pair of green, planty-looking undies!

Outside his costume, of course.

As this takes place, Hawk takes several shots at the Plantmaster, two of
which strike home directly in his green forehead.  The creepy thing is
that, though they went into his head, he's laughing about it.  "You
idiot!  I'm a plant - I have no *brain*, remember!  Ha ha ha ha ha!"

Meanwhile, deeper in the new woods, Jinx, you run up towards that weirdo, bark-armed girl.  When she sees you coming, she immediately stops what she's doing, allowing those tortured humans to run, and faces you and, apparently, your pal Lisa.  "Man, I *always* have to fight the *girls*!"

With unbelievable speed, she whips out her arms at the two of you, and
they elongate into these gnarly, bark-covered tendrils, each covered
with nasty, oozey thorns.  She only nabs you at the leg, Jinx, but it
looks like she wrapped the other one clean around Lisa's head.

For your information, Jinx, you again took Good (10) Edged Attack damage
after your force field, and ought to roll me up another Endurance FEAT
versus poison - only green this time.  "Woo woo!  Rose Petal Ricky
scores again!"  You look, and you see Lisa dropping to her knees.

You don't know if it's from poisons of suffocation, or what, but she
seems to be out of sorts...  At any rate, you then take your shots at
the sadistic tree-hugger, and despite the fact that she's grappling the
two of you, she manages to maneuver clean out of the way of your bullets!

"Ha ha ha!  Looks like my poisonous thorns are even hurting you, ya
blonde bimbo, through yer silly force field!".  You can tell that she's
simply asking for it, no?  In fact, it is now time for you all to once
again roll initiative, and any applicable rolls you choose to.

Having fun yet?

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Wed, 03 Mar 1999 09:47:30 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

>The other one, the so-called Phytechumous, sidles towards you, Flash,
>and Breaker, Ronin.  "Hmmph.  So I have to deal with the ninja and
>the techies... phooey.  Oh, well, time to test out these Power Briefs..."  
>Before your eyes, he puts on a pair of green, >planty-looking undies!

>Outside his costume, of course.

Ronin growls angrily. "I am NOT ninja!"

With that, he rushes in to take on Phytechumous head on.  Power Briefs
or not, this guy is sushi.  Ronin will use his swordsmanship to smite
this foe three times (with the blunt of his sword of course. I'm a
hack-n-slash type, but one Jinx is enough for the game. :P )

"You who profane the sanctity of nature....feel my wrath!"

Rolls: init 8, dodge 83, multiple attacks 93 (yahoo): #1 89, # 49,
#3 58.  As well, using my talent to diagnose fighting styles,
extra bonus will kick in after (rolls) 2 rounds.

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Wed, 3 Mar 1999 13:20:19 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

>The one called Leif approaches you, Grunt, and Rock 'n Roll, Hardcore.
>"Ya, I will be doing horrible bad things to you, yes?"  He seems rather
>overconfident in himself, and both Grunt and Rock 'n Roll look at you,
>Harcore, and smile.  They seem to imply that you should hit him high.

"Could probably take this one out on my own," Hardcore thinks to himself
smugly as he prepares to spring at Leif.  "But I don't really feel like
gettin' plugged in the back by the soldier-boys, so hit him high it is.  I
hope these two know what they're doin'..."

Hardcore lunges in Leif's direction, both canes directed at his head, making
sure to watch out for what the Joes have aimed down low.

"We'll see who's gonna be doin' the BAD THINGS, smart ass!"

(Rolled a 6+3=9 for initiative and an 82 for an extra dodge.  First attack
is 44 to hit and 49 for damage, and the second is 85 to hit with 64 for
damage.  Dodges are 18, 75, and 13.)

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Wed, 03 Mar 1999 20:01:19 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

[Initiative: 9 + 2 = 11, 83 for the Endurance FEAT, (Attack #1: 91 to
Hit!, 57 Damage), (Attack #2: 30 to Hit, 48 Damage), Dodge #1: 99!,
Dodge #2: 99!, Various other rolls: 17, 76, 77.]

Jinx cursed as she was struck in the leg, "ARGH! Damnit! Quit it with
the vines and shit!"

She hoped her force field would keep protecting her during the combat
because those vines looked rather nasty. But she didn't have the time to
be too afraid as she let loose with another pair of shots at her foe.
The first one was aimed at the arm the vine that grappled Lisa was
issuing forth from, hoping to disable it or sever the vine. She had no
clue what the capabilities of this lady were and wanted some backup in
case it got really messy.

The second shot she just hoped hit the woman anywhere a bit more
vulnerable than the bark-covered arms.

Subject: Re: [v13] I bet we're going to Canada.
Date:    Thu, 4 Mar 1999 12:48:11 -0700
From:    "Lady Arakne" <araknesweb@darkspiral.com>

>> You see 'Sony' all over the individual components.  Further, he's got
>> the place wired for computers, having three or four of them set up in
>> the living room, and lots of other high tech doo-dads laying all over
>> the place.  Though the couch seems free of them, at least.

>> "Can I get you anything, Masque?"

> MAsque slowly takes in the surroundings, shakes his head and sits down
> on the couch, making an obvious effort not to allow his robes touch any
> of the....ptooie...technology.

> He says with a frown and a the taint of disgust:

> "I see you have 'adapted' to this mad world quite well."

> And with amazing recovery, almost unnoticable, he says:

> "But all that aside, Do you have Chocolate Milk and there's never
> enough pancakes..MMMM blueberry , chocolate chips....mmmmmmmm"

> You almost think he could be two different people.

> <yer taunting me....damn you>

Heh heh heh.

Lady Arakne wrote:

> (snippity snip snip)

> Several hours later....

> Sil and Col both were wishing that they'd not been included as the
> token females on what was clearly another of Rob's books filled
> with few plots, lots of "action", and a pair of women who wore less
> than a porn star.. supposedly a pair of "black ops" agents who
> were combating vampires and other stuff...

> It was a crock, and Sil had done everthing she could to keep Col
> from cutting loose with enough opinion for both of them. She had
> advised her best friend, that she was going out of town for a few
> days to investigate some leads for a new story....

> It was around 2 pm when she arrived at Och's place, smelling
> something cooking even from outside the flat. She stepped out of
> the shadows just inside the front door, and sent a telepathic
> greeting to him, <<Och? I"m here.... Don't worry about the front
> door... I'm already inside....>>

Christopher W. Acers wrote:

> "Aughh, Lady outta nowhere!" Masque says.

Och hollers out from behind the sounds of grilling "Okay!  Pancakes
coming right up!  And chocolate milk!"  Och comes out of the kitchen,
wearing a comical cooking apron, and sees Masque climbing up the walls
in repsonse to Silhouette's sudden entrance.

"Ah... so that's what he was squealing about."  Och chuckles for a
minute, eventually recovering from the comical scene before him.  "Well,
then.  Silhouette, would you also like some pancakes or chocolate milk?
I can also add blueberries or chocolate chips in the 'cakes..."

Sil nodded, <<Blue berries are good, but do you have fruit juice of
some sort? I don't care much for chocolate....>>

He sits Masque's late breakfast down on the coffee table, and then
greets you properly, Silhouette.  "Welcome to my humble home.  Feel free
to make use of the stereo or television, as you see fit.  For your
information, our plane will set out at six, so we have plenty of time
before we go."

"To relax, that is.  I feel we didn't quite get acquainted last night,
what with us fighting for our lives and all..."

Sil picked up the remote and flipped on the TV to CNN to catch the
latest news...

<<Where did you originally come from, Och?>> she asked.

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Thu, 4 Mar 1999 17:26:26 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> The lead man in white looks at his compatriots, and apparently responds
> for all of them.  "Ooh, crackling energy.  I do assure you, friend, that
> we are suitable scared."  He pauses to light a cigarette, and continues.
> "However, we need that book, and I'm afraid we're going to get it."

Reaper raises his eyebrows, "Not likely..."

> He starts reaching for his wallet, but you also see that he's performing
> some sort of motions with his hands thanks to that weird double image
> effect created by your awareness.  He's also shaping energies to some
> effect, though you're not quite sure what yet.

"Especially not by hiding your little energy shaping by reaching for
your wallet..."

> (out of character:  what exactly were you going to do, Reaper?  You did
> threaten to disintegrate their clothing, but I wasn't sure if that was
> your goal... for your reference, you did beat everybody on the
> initiative, so if you mail me back real quick, we c'n go from there.)

Reaper cocks his head to one side, and draws small circles with his
hands, attempting to change the energy that the man is beginning to
form into pure electricity (thereby electrocuting them).

"This is gonna hurt you guys a hell of alot more than me..."  He then
attempts to disintegrate their clothing...

OOC:

Sorry for the delay in responding...

Here's some more rolls (just in case)

init: 5+3=8
74, 44, 65, 23

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Fri, 05 Mar 1999 14:04:17 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Peter Chamers wrote:

>> Before your eyes, he puts on a pair of green, planty-looking undies!

>> Outside his costume, of course.

> Ronin growls angrily. "I am NOT ninja!"

> With that, he rushes in to take on Phytechumous head on.  Power Briefs
> or not, this guy is sushi.  Ronin will use his swordsmanship to smite
> this foe three times (with the blunt of his sword of course. I'm a
> hack-n-slash type, but one Jinx is enough for the game. :P )

> "You who profane the sanctity of nature....feel my wrath!"

> Rolls: init 8, dodge 83, multiple attacks 93 (yahoo): #1 89, # 49,
> #3 58.  As well, using my talent to diagnose fighting styles,
> extra bonus will kick in after (rolls) 2 rounds.

Andy Hicks wrote:

>> He seems rather overconfident in himself, and both Grunt and Rock 'n
>> Roll look at you, Harcore, and smile.  They seem to imply that you
>> should hit him high.

> "Could probably take this one out on my own," Hardcore thinks to
> himself smugly as he prepares to spring at Leif.  "But I don't really
> feel like gettin' plugged in the back by the soldier-boys, so hit him
> high it is.  I hope these two know what they're doin'..."

> Hardcore lunges in Leif's direction, both canes directed at his head,
> making sure to watch out for what the Joes have aimed down low.

> "We'll see who's gonna be doin' the BAD THINGS, smart ass!"

> (Rolled a 6+3=9 for initiative and an 82 for an extra dodge.  First
> attack is 44 to hit and 49 for damage, and the second is 85 to hit with
> 64 for damage.  Dodges are 18, 75, and 13.)

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> [Initiative: 9 + 2 = 11, 83 for the Endurance FEAT, (Attack #1: 91 to
> Hit!, 57 Damage), (Attack #2: 30 to Hit, 48 Damage), Dodge #1: 99!,
> Dodge #2: 99!, Various other rolls: 17, 76, 77.]

> Jinx cursed as she was struck in the leg, "ARGH! Damnit! Quit it with
> the vines and shit!"

> She hoped her force field would keep protecting her during the combat
> because those vines looked rather nasty. But she didn't have the time
> to be too afraid as she let loose with another pair of shots at her
> foe.  The first one was aimed at the arm the vine that grappled Lisa
> was issueing forth from, hoping to disable it or sever the vine. She
> had no clue what the capabilities of this lady were and wanted some
> backup in case it got really messy.

> The second shot she just hoped hit the woman anywhere a bit more
> vulnerable than the bark-covered arms.

Phytechumous laughs at you, Ronin.  "I am not neenja!  I am not neenja!
You say potato, I say poh-tah-to!"  Seeing you preparing to rush, he
continues with the annoying banter.  "And what do you mean, defiler of
nature?!  We're here to *protect* it from stupid humans!"

"Humans like *you*!"  As you move in, he activates his power briefs,
which sort of ooze forth a green, liquid-y plant goo which almost
instantly spreads to cover Phytechumous' entire body in a sort of second
skin.  It looks rather creepy, really.

As this occurs, you close upon him, and thwack him a few times with the
Thunder Cutter, and though the physical impact moves him about, he seems
to shrug it off.  In a slightly muffled voice, he says "That the best
you got, *neenja*?   Ha ha ha ha ha!"

He then throws something at you, which misses (of course), and instead
nails the two Joes aside you.  Breaker and Flash, in response to the
explosion of yellowy dust around them, fall to the ground in a coughing
fit, and Flash's laser shot totally misses it's mark.

But it doesn't hit you...

Meanwhile, Hardcore, Leif starts waggling his fingers about, much like
the Plantmaster was earlier, and you are greeted to an explosion of
leaves as you close in and bash Leif upside his head a couple of times
with your canes.

Despite his confusing defensive leaf effect, you manage to give him
quite a bloody nose.  That's why, when he starts screaming at you, the
combination of his odd accent and his plugged nose is almost comical.
"Kaah!  Yu ibbiet!  I bill ckeel yu!"

He snaps his fingers, and his hand becomes encrusted in this jagged
looking bark gauntlet thingie, which he uses to swing at you... madly.
He hit you with the first punch, actually inflicting Remarkable (30)
Blunt Attack damage to you in the chest, though the second punch missed.

When he moves away from you, the Joes open fire... a lot.  Grunt's M-16
and Rock 'n Roll's M-60 create a terrifyingly thunderous sound, and the
two let loose on the man's legs.  Those stupid leaf things seem to
deflect all of Grunt's shells, but they can't get rid of Rock 'n Roll's.

The man nails him square in the left leg about four times, rippling up
in a straight line from just above his knee.  "Aaargh!"  Leif falls down
to the ground, wincing with pain, and it looks totally justified.  But
then, you'd know all about that, Hardcore.

As all this is taking place, Jinx, Rose Petal Ricky is mocking you yet
again.  "Ow, ow, ow!  Stop it, Ricky!  Stop it!  Bwah hah hah!  We
warned you, ya stupid bimbo!  Now take yer medicine and *like* it!  He
he he!"  Of course, that's when you open fire.

Your first shot indeed nails the vine-arm wrapping up Lisa's head,
causing it to snap somewhat between Ricky and Lisa.  Unfortunately, Lisa
hasn't quite gotten herself out of the thing, yet, and she's still
struggling with the remnants of the thing on her head.

Your seconds shot tags Ricky in the leg, but only a little; it was more
of a nick than anything else... she's bleeding a bit, but doesn't seem
hampered by the wound.  Furthermore, she pulls the remnants of her bad
arm back in, and it reforms into a normal one.

If bark-covered.

"Ooh, nice shot, toots!  How do you like this?!"  Laughing, Ricky tugs
mightily on the vine wrapped around your leg, catapulting you through
the air at neck-wrenching speed, slamming you head on into one of these
new trees; this slam inflicts Excellent (20) Blunt Attack damage...

After your force field.

Ricky's still laughing at you, Jinx, and you could be in trouble, here.
You'll want to make a yellow Endurance (res) FEAT roll to see if you can
shrug off the effect of that Stun result she scored on ya, and a green
Endurance (res) FEAT roll to again shrug off the poisonous thorns.

Whilst you all deal with his minions, the Plantmaster himself sets about
the completion of his dread botanical works, whatever they may be.  He
moves about here and there, all the while being shot by Hawk, until the
head Joe runs out of shells in his pistol.

He then throws the thing at the Plantmaster.  "Damnit, man!  You can't
just go around trashing places up!  People work here, and this place is
vital to them, if not anybody else.  I'm not going to let you do this!"
He then jumps on the planty one, disrupting his spell-in-progress.

A wave of energy then ripples through the entire Arbco plant, one that's
super-charged with life energies.  The TF effect of the disruptive spell
kicks the metabolism of everybody present into overdrive, causing you
all to recover about ten Health points.

The plants react differently, however.  The proto-forest starts growing
like mad, reaching higher and higher, as if groping for the roof.
"Nooo! You fool!  I've worked on this for six months!"  the Plantmaster
seems positively ticked, and he's only got one target for his rage...

(out of character:  now'd be yet another good time for you all to roll
up any of the thingies for Round Three you think you'll need, such as
initiative, attacks, defenses, Endurance FEATs (Jinx), etc, etc, etc...
Of course, you might wanna figure out what'cher doin', first... heh heh.)

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Fri, 05 Mar 1999 14:34:33 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Michael Joiner wrote:

> "This is gonna hurt you guys a hell of a lot more than me..."  He then
> attempts to disintegrate their clothing...

> OOC:

> Sorry for the delay in responding...

> Here's some more rolls (just in case)

> init: 5+3=8
> 74, 44, 65, 23

Okay... you find that you can't seem to affect the energy that the man
is shaping, for some reason, but disintegrating the men's clothing is a
snap, really, what with your controls over molecular energies.  There's
a crack in the air, and the smell of burning cloth, and it is done.

Their suits appear to be unaffected, but the arcane looking outfits that
are present in the double image are in tatters, and the men are
effectively only clothed in their undies.  They seem unfazed by this,
though, since they do have that nifty illusion on to cover their vitals.

"Nice trick.  Of course, I've simply got to one-up you."  He finished
the spell he was working on, and suddenly, these impressively red bands
stretch forth from behind him, heading for Halby with impressive speeds.
Again, though, the weird double image effect is protecting these men.

It looks like Halby's wrestling with some sort of security guard, one
who apparently was sneaking up behind him; at least, that's how it would
appear to anybody watching this whole debacle that wasn't, well, you.
"Ack!  Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, eh?"

As the things bind his hands, the Magician nonetheless keeps fighting.
"I don't necessarily need my hands to do magic, you idiots!  He breathes
in deeply, and then exhales... and how!  He fires forth much more air
than his lungs, much less his entire body, could contain.

And with some force.

The three men are knocked to the ground, and indeed slide about twenty
feet before coming to a stop...  In their underwear, such a slide across
concrete would simply have to hurt.  A lot.  As he breathes in again,
Halby looks at you.  "Illudiated Brethren.  There's likely more of 'em."

Once he finally extricates himself from those crimson bands, he asks you
"Now what?"  After all, those three men may be down, but you're sure
they're not out.  Not by a long shot...

Subject: Re: just a check
Date:    Fri, 05 Mar 1999 15:09:11 PST
From:    "Charlie Clay Jr." <cclayjr@hotmail.com>

"What run that by me again you were trying to take over earth and got
stopped.  What part of earth where did you start and what part of earth
is this?  Tammy do you have any input on this because I am at a total
loss?"

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Fri, 05 Mar 1999 18:18:18 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

[90 for Stun Resistance, 70 for Poison Resistance, Initiative: 3+2=5,
(Attack #1: 24 to Hit, 41 Damage), (Attack #2: 40 to Hit, 10 Damage),
Dodge #1: 95, Dodge #2: 33, Various other rolls: 37, 75, 18.]

"Ow! Ow! Ow! Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!" Jinx screamed as she was tossed
around and tried to draw a bead on the vine that grappled her leg,
pulling off a shot, then taking another one at her floral foe.

[Ow. Please don't forget Lisa.]

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Fri, 05 Mar 1999 19:48:51 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

"Charlie Clay Jr." wrote:

> "What run that by me again you were trying to take over earth and got
> stopped.  What part of earth where did you start and what part of earth
> is this?  Tammy do you have any input on this because I am at a total
> loss?"

"Wh-wh-what?!  We weren't trying to take over the world - *they* were!
Us of the dead nation of Varaknis are peace-loving folk; it was the
damnable Granx't that were up to no goo-goo-good!"  He descends into a
bunch of incoherent chittering at that, being mind-numbingly cold...

Tammy looks at you.  "Beats me.  Unless these jokers aren't kidding, and
when this idiot brought us here, he indeed moved us in time.  But, I
ain't never heard of these 'nations' in history class, before.  I don't
know if I buy this..."

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Sun, 07 Mar 1999 23:53:58 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com

>He then throws something at you, which misses (of course), and
>instead nails the two Joes aside you.  Breaker and Flash, in response
>to the explosion of yellowy dust around them, fall to the ground in a
>coughing fit, and Flash's laser shot totally misses it's mark.

>But it doesn't hit you...

Ronin gets tres irrate now and lets loose on this jerk.  He hacks and
slashes full out at Phytechumous.  He'll try to cut through that green
covering best as he can.

Rolls: Init - 7, Dodge - 74, Multiple attacks - 71, #1 18 #2 86 #36.
Init bonus should kick in next round, I do believe.

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Mon, 8 Mar 1999 09:54:25 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

Hardcore turns his attention away from the Nordic victim of Rock 'n Roll's
gunfire towards the woman with the arms of bark who seems to be getting the
best of Jinx and Lisa.

"All right, lady.  Ya took care 'a those two.  Let's see if you can pull
enough shrubbery outta yer ass to get rid 'a me!"

Hardcore attacks Ricky with canes and feet flying, as always being careful
to avoid any foliage coming from her person or the surrounding area.

(Rolls:  Initiative:6+3=9, Extra dodges: 94, Extra attacks 99(!).  Dodge
rolls:  55, 80, 92, 85.  Attack rolls: 1st- 97 to hit, 86 for damage, 2nd-
15 & 30, 3rd- 2 & 8, 4th- 98 & 60...  Whew.)

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Mon, 08 Mar 1999 13:58:55 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> [90 for Stun Resistance, 70 for Poison Resistance, Initiative: 3+2=5,
> (Attack #1: 24 to Hit, 41 Damage), (Attack #2: 40 to Hit, 10 Damage),
> Dodge #1: 95, Dodge #2: 33, Various other rolls: 37, 75, 18.]

> "Ow! Ow! Ow! Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!" Jinx screamed as she was tossed
> around and tried to draw a bead on the vine that grappled her leg,
> pulling off a shot, then taking another one at her floral foe.

> [Ow. Please don't forget Lisa.]

I'm not, I'm not...

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Ronin gets tres irrate now and lets loose on this jerk.  He hacks and
> slashes full out at Phytechumous.  He'll try to cut through that green
> covering best as he can.

> Rolls: Init - 7, Dodge - 74, Multiple attacks - 71, #1 18 #2 86 #36.
> Init bonus should kick in next round, I do believe.

In-dee-dee-doo!

Andy Hicks wrote:

> "All right, lady.  Ya took care 'a those two.  Let's see if you can pull
> enough shrubbery outta yer ass to get rid 'a me!"

> Hardcore attacks Ricky with canes and feet flying, as always being
> careful to avoid any foliage coming from her person or the surrounding
> area.

> (Rolls:  Initiative:6+3=9, Extra dodges: 94, Extra attacks 99(!).  Dodge
> rolls:  55, 80, 92, 85.  Attack rolls: 1st- 97 to hit, 86 for damage,
> 2nd- 15 & 30, 3rd- 2 & 8, 4th- 98 & 60...  Whew.)

Wow.

Well, I guess I'll start with you, Jinx.  You go to take a shot at the
vine grappling your leg, but your aim is totally wrenched out of place
when Ricky again tugs at you, flinging you towards that big ol' tree in
the center of the now-rapidly growing forest.

You then make your shots, and one of them hits Ricky who, now in pain,
lets you go.  This doesn't help you very much, of course, because you're
flying through the air at what, eighty miles per hour?  In a ballistic
arc, no less?

However, you were flying right towards that big tree, and rather than
hit the ground, you can try and stop your fall by catching yerself on
that tree, there.  Using your 'various other' rolls, you can pull it
off, though you'll take Good (10) impact damage from the tree.

Excellent (20) if you hit the ground.  And remember: this is after your
force field...  If you opt for the tree, that'll leave you about thirty
feet in the air, though right above mister Plantmaster.  If not, then
you're on the ground, but a decent run from any conflict.  Your call.

As Jinx flies through the air, you totally open up on Phytechumous,
Ronin. Your first and third sword strikes miss full out, but the second
one hits home, slicing the plant-covered stooge right across his
abdomen.  "Aargh!  You ass!"  He's seeping red fluid from the cut.

It's not too deep, mind you, but enough to make him bleed impressively.
Further, he now seems to have a weak point in his armor; apparently, the
liquid nature of the thing only lasted until it covered his body.  But,
he now takes this opportunity to get even with you.

"You rotten bastard!  I can't believe you cut me!  Me!  I'll *kill*
you!" Suddenly, his gloves begin to glow, glow a lot, emitting this pure
white light.  He takes a swing at you with his fists, and misses,
completely opening himself up for a laser shot from Flash!

The gassed Joe, though out of sorts, has recovered enough to burn a hole
clean through the shoulder of your collective foe.  "Owtch!  You're
next, ya stupid jerk!"  It looks like Phytechumous is getting ready to
fight the both of you (not Breaker, though, 'cause he's still in a
coughing fit).

Meanwhile, as Grunt and Rock 'n Roll butt Leif upside the head with
their guns, effectively taking him out of this fight, you wander over to
good ol' Rose Petal Ricky, Hardcore.  You arrive just in time to see her
fling Jinx across the remnants of this lubrication plant.

It almost makes you smile, but you do have work to do.  You come in
swinging, and nail her in the chest with your first blow, though the
second one misses.  That's about the time she takes that shot from Jinx,
and lets her go flying...

"Owww!  Ow ow ow ow ow!  You jerks - double teaming jerks!  You're gonna
pay for that, limpy-boy!"  Her normal arm, the one not distended into a
giant, Jinx-swatting vine, molds its form into a sort of long, wooden
spike, and she lunges at you with it, Hardcore.

"Aaaaargh!"  She screams as she comes running at you, and totally misses
you with that thing.  This, though, opens her up for your other barrage
of attacks, and you manage to hit her yet again, this time right in the
back of her head.  "Ugh..."

She drops to the ground, looking real unconscious.

Just then, Lisa finally pulls those vines off her head, and she looks
like something out of a Clive Barker movie, with all these long, sharp
thorns sticking out of her head and face in regular intervals.  Of
course, the psychotic look in her eye and gritted teeth help.

She wants to kill Rose Petal Ricky, you can see that, but since the
bimbo is down for the count, Lisa turns on the only clear target in the
area:  Phytechumous.  She opens up with her particle cannon, nailing the
fellow in his other shoulder, and dropping him like so much dead meat.

"Where... is... the Plantmaster?!"  She looks positively angry.
Speaking of the source of her rage, however, the 'man' is currently
grappling poor Hawk, since he apparently ruined the Plantmaster's work,
here, and wants somebody to suffer.

Throttling him around the neck, the Plantmaster rants some more.  "Six
months...!  Six long months...!  We would've ended the threat to the
forest over in Indiana, but no!  You had to intervene!  Kill you!!"  As
he chokes Hawk, you all can see why the Plantmaster's so mad.

Those trees, the ones that went into a vast growth spurt when Hawk
disrupted his magic, seem to have simply gotten too big, too fast, and
are now crumbling to bits.  Of course, they're about fifty feet tall,
and weigh hundreds of tons (collectively), so this isn't a really good
thing.

However, they're just starting to fall apart now, so that gives you all
some time to act.  You can a) run, or b) get the Plantmaster and save
Hawk from a suffocating doom.  But, that's your call...  I guess go
ahead and make your rolls again, for Round 4 of this mayhem!

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Mon, 08 Mar 1999 12:33:43 PST
From:    "Charlie Clay Jr." <cclayjr@hotmail.com>

I thaw the one that I have frozen.  "Any wrong moves and next time it
will be your head.  Do you all happen to keep track of time around
here?"  With that question asked I ask all about their people and the
surrounding area.  Trying to get our bearing for our actual location.

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Mon, 08 Mar 1999 17:29:56 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

[Jinx goes for the tree, getting a 90 to grab hold! 7 + 2 = 9
Initiative. (Attack #1: 07 + 25 Karma for a total of 32 to Hit, 79
Damage), (Attack #2: 46 to Hit, 32 Damage). Dodge #1: 17, Dodge #2: 32.
Various other rolls: 80, 95, 17.]

Jinx makes her way through the air, flailing about, looking for
something to slow her fall. Passing through the canopy of the large,
center tree, she latches desperately onto one of the branches. She loses
her intial grip, and pulls her shoulder pretty roughly, but comes to a
stop amongst the other branches a moment later.

"Ow.  Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!" she curses quietly to herself, just gritting
her teeth.

Taking in the scene, she keeps an eye out for possible targets. Noticing
the Plantmaster straddling Hawk, she does her best to draw a bead on him
through the foliage and the haze of pain in her arm and leg. She lets
off two shots at the middle of the planty bastard's back, hoping to
distract him a bit.

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Mon, 08 Mar 1999 19:57:16 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

The man recovers for a few minutes, his teeth chattering severely until
his body recovers from the cold.  "Don't worry, I'm impressed enough.  I
won't be no trouble!  No, sir!"  He looks at the motley crew that is
you, Tammy, and of course, the still-k.o.'d Seven Dimensional Man.

And then at his unconscious pal, the one Tammy took out.

"Well, it's currently the 27th of Turentis.  And, if I am correct,
you're all time travelers, so you'll want to know it's the year 7126
A.A."  He sees your blank stares, and continues.  "Aah.  You, in your
far-flung time, don't seem to use our system of temporal measurement."

"That would make sense, since our society has been shattered by this
damnable ice."  He gestures with both arms, indicating the ice around
you, though it's rather thin here, compared to the mountains of the
stuff you see to the apparent north.

"We thought it was going to encircle the entire earth, this ice, so as a
society, the majority of the nation of Varaknis has fled the world,
leaving but a few to keep an eye on things.  Of course, two years after
the majority of humanity fled, the ice receded.  Damnable Ahom."

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] I bet we're going to Canada.
Date:    Mon, 08 Mar 1999 20:02:57 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

(This was from Lady Arakne... heh heh)

>> You see 'Sony' all over the individual components.  Further, he's got
>> the place wired for computers, having three or four of them set up in
>> the living room, and lots of other high tech doo-dads laying all over
>> the place.  Though the couch seems free of them, at least.

>> "Can I get you anything, Masque?"

> MAsque slowly takes in the surroundings, shakes his head and sits down
> on the couch, making an obvious effort not to allow his robes touch any
> of the....ptooie...technology.

> He says with a frown and a the taint of disgust:

> "I see you have 'adapted' to this mad world quite well."

> And with amazing recovery, almost unnoticable, he says:

> "But all that aside, Do you have Chocolate Milk and there's never
> enough pancakes..MMMM blueberry , chocolate chips....mmmmmmmm"

> You almost think he could be two different people.

> <yer taunting me....damn you>

Heh heh heh.

Lady Arakne wrote:

> (snippity snip snip)

> Several hours later....

> Sil and Col both were wishing that they'd not been included as the
> token females on what was clearly another of Rob's books filled
> with few plots, lots of "action", and a pair of women who wore less
> than a porn star.. supposedly a pair of "black ops" agents who
> were combating vampires and other stuff...

> It was a crock, and Sil had done everthing she could to keep Col
> from cutting loose with enough opinion for both of them. She had
> advised her best friend, that she was going out of town for a few
> days to investigate some leads for a new story....

> It was around 2 pm when she arrived at Och's place, smelling
> something cooking even from outside the flat. She stepped out of
> the shadows just inside the front door, and sent a telepathic
> greeting to him, <<Och? I"m here.... Don't worry about the front
> door... I'm already inside....>>

Christopher W. Acers wrote:

> "Aughh, Lady outta nowhere!" Masque says.

Och hollers out from behind the sounds of grilling "Okay!  Pancakes
coming right up!  And chocolate milk!"  Och comes out of the kitchen,
wearing a comical cooking apron, and sees Masque climbing up the walls
in repsonse to Silhouette's sudden entrance.

"Ah... so that's what he was squealing about."  Och chuckles for a
minute, eventually recovering from the comical scene before him.  "Well,
then.  Silhouette, would you also like some pancakes or chocolate milk?
I can also add blueberries or chocolate chips in the 'cakes..."

Sil noded, <<Blue berries are good, but do you have fruit juice of
some sort? I don't care much for chocolate....>>

He sits Masque's late breakfast down on the coffee table, and then
greets you properly, Silhouette.  "Welcome to my humble home.  Feel free
to make use of the stereo or television, as you see fit.  For your
information, our plane will set out at six, so we have plenty of time
before we go."

"To relax, that is.  I feel we didn't quite get acquainted last night,
what with us fighting for our lives and all..."

Sil picked up the remote and flipped on the TV to CNN to catch the
latest news...

<<Where did you originally come from, Och?>> she asked.

tbc....

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Mon, 8 Mar 1999 18:44:50 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> It looks like Halby's wrestling with some sort of security guard, one
> who apparently was sneaking up behind him; at least, that's how it would
> appear to anybody watching this whole debacle that wasn't, well, you.
> "Ack!  Crimson Bands of Cyttorak, eh?"

"Huh?" Reaper said, glancing over at him.

> As the things bind his hands, the Magician nonetheless keeps fighting.
> "I don't necessarily need my hands to do magic, you idiots!  He breathes
> in deeply, and then exhales... and how!  He fires forth much more air
> than his lungs, much less his entire body, could contain.

> And with some force.

> The three men are knocked to the ground, and indeed slide about twenty
> feet before coming to a stop...  In their underwear, such a slide across
> concrete would simply have to hurt.  A lot.  As he breathes in again,
> Halby looks at you.  "Illudiated Brethren.  There's likely more of 'em."

"Are they all pretty much like these guys?"  Reaper asks.

> Once he finally extricates himself from those crimson bands, he asks you
> "Now what?"  After all, those three men may be down, but you're sure
> they're not out.  Not by a long shot...

"Lets do what we can ta' keep 'em down, then get the hell outta
here..." Reaper says, unleashing lightening from his hands at the
three figures on the ground.  He also makes sure that his body is
still in "phase".

OOC:

Rolls!

init: 8+3=11
90, 86, 70, 10

Subject: Re: [v13] I bet we're going to Canada.
Date:    Tue, 09 Mar 1999 13:08:53 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Firebomb wrote:

>> "To relax, that is.  I feel we didn't quite get acquainted last night,
>> what with us fighting for our lives and all..."

Lady Arakne wrote:

> Sil picked up the remote and flipped on the TV to CNN to catch the
> latest news...

> <<Where did you originally come from, Och?>> she asked.

About thirty seconds later, Och appears with some blueberry pancakes and
some fruit juice, apparently orange.  "Well, as you know, I am
originally from the glorious realm of Asgard, well, the mountains
beneath, at least. Here's your pancakes.  Though I did travel a lot."

"Even if such travels didn't include extraplanar jaunts to Midgard, what
you folks call Earth.  But then, I told you all about how I wound up
here.  Well, you, at least, Silhouette.  Cheer up, Masque - it's only
television!"  You see Masque scowling at the television...

(any other questions or stuff can be applied here)

This continues on for several hours, you all small talking and the like,
until the appointed hour comes, and you must head to the airport.  "I
have arranged for transport to the airport, friends, so there is no need
for you to tax your powers... yet..."

You make it to the airport despite the mounds of snow everywhere, and
the flight is able to eventually take off, though a severe de-icing is
necessary before this can happen.  With only a few other small delays,
your flight to Montreal proceeds apace.

Even though Masque is constantly muttering something about the evils of
technology in general, and the size of that peanut bag in particular,
the flight is generally uneventful.  Save, of course, for those kids
that keep pointing at the mage's funny outfit and giggling.

When you finally land in the Montreal airport, the three of you notice
that the place looks abandoned, save for those of you that just flew
in.  Sure, there's the occasional janitor, or helpful airline person,
but there's no people ready to fly out, or anything.

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Tue, 09 Mar 1999 13:18:57 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

>> "Illudiated Brethren.  There's likely more of 'em."

> "Are they all pretty much like these guys?"  Reaper asks.

"... Somewhat.  Some of them are pretty weak, but the senior members of
the Brotherhood have magical powers that'll make your paint peel!  I'm
betting they called out all the stops, here, and that there's gonna be
at least nine more of these jokers about."

>> Once he finally extricates himself from those crimson bands, he asks
>> you "Now what?"  After all, those three men may be down, but you're
>> sure they're not out.  Not by a long shot...

> "Lets do what we can ta' keep 'em down, then get the hell outta
> here..." Reaper says, unleashing lightening from his hands at the
> three figures on the ground.  He also makes sure that his body is
> still in "phase".

You shock up those three fellows on the ground, as they were beginning
to get up (and theoretically get even).  To all outward appearances,
they still look fine, if unconscious, but your awareness betrays the
charred look that they really have.

Halby looks at you, one eyebrow raised.  "Right."

He then runs into the airport.  Assuming you follow, you see that there
aren't any people inside.  Sure, there's the odd airport security guard
here and there, and they look rather concerned about Halby's costume,
but they don't do anything.  Not yet.

After about a minute, you see several folks coming around a bend, as if
they'd just been released from a flight; which is weird, as this airport
looks virtually closed, likely from the deep snows.  If this is the
case, Halby's plan of escape by air might be moot.

Unfortunately, one of the former airline passengers is wearing a white
casual business suit, and the odd thing about him is that you *don't*
see a weirdo double image around him.  Either he's just a normal human
(and those glowing golden eyes say otherwise), or he's really good...

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Tue, 9 Mar 1999 18:14:13 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> You shock up those three fellows on the ground, as they were beginning
> to get up (and theoretically get even).  To all outward appearances,
> they still look fine, if unconscious, but your awareness betrays the
> charred look that they really have.

> Halby looks at you, one eyebrow raised.  "Right."

> He then runs into the airport.

Reaper takes a last longing look at the bike, then follows Halby...

> you see that there aren't any people inside.  Sure, there's the odd airport
> security guard here and there, and they look rather concerned about Halby's 
> costume, but they don't do anything.  Not yet.

> After about a minute, you see several folks coming around a bend, as if
> they'd just been released from a flight; which is weird, as this airport
> looks virtually closed, likely from the deep snows.  If this is the
> case, Halby's plan of escape by air might be moot.

> Unfortunately, one of the former airline passengers is wearing a white
> casual business suit, and the odd thing about him is that you *don't*
> see a weirdo double image around him.  Either he's just a normal human
> (and those glowing golden eyes say otherwise), or he's really good...

"Mmmmm....I may not be from around here, but I'm thinkin'..." Reaper
glances over to Halby, "You know these people?  Seems mighty strange
to be arriving on a flight when nothin's flyin'"

Reaper takes a deep breath, walks in the direction of the people,
placing his body in "phase" as he approaches.
"Ya'll know when the next flight outta here is?  See, my buddy and I
are headed to a 'dark' suit convention, so I'm bettin' from the looks
of you it ain't here..."

OOC

Rolls
init - 9+3=12
59, 46, 76, 68

Subject: Re: [v13] I bet we're going to Canada.
Date:    Tue, 09 Mar 1999 23:09:22 -0600
From:    "Christopher W. Acers" <cwacers@home.com>

"Golly those peanuts were good, do they have those all the time on
those....Things....? "

Masque shakes his robes out and an infinite amount of eagle brand peanut
wrappers flutter to the floor and just as much salt and that wonderful
sugary honey-like 'dust' piles up too.
He looks at the pile of suger and whatnot , ponders for a moment and
then shakes his head, as if arguing with himself. He waves his fingers
and sends the refuse on over to the nearest trash receptacle.

"Did I mention how good those things were? A body could live on those
for...awhile at the very least."

Distracted for a moment, Masque scurries on behind Och and just whistles
a very unmelodic tune while a very unhappy stewardess walks by.

" As I was saying Och, what now....or was I saying that?..hmmm"

<is about time Mr. Bomb!>

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Wed, 10 Mar 1999 10:56:52 PST
From:    "Charlie Clay Jr." <cclayjr@hotmail.com>

"What!?!  You mean to tell me this idiot does have some control over
time and space and we are God knows where.  Tammy do you happen to have
any mental abilities that we can glen from stupid's mind and figure out
away to get home before I kill him."

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Wed, 10 Mar 1999 15:03:48 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

Hardcore charges Plantmaster, hoping to loosen his grip on Hawk.

"I'm gonna try 'n knock that freak off yer boss, Joes," he screams, "but
somebody had better be there to grab him when he lets go, 'cuz I don't know
how long I can hold Planty off!"

(Initiative: 3+3=6.  Dodges: 11 & 43.  Attacks: 82 & 57, then 51 & 81.)

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Wed, 10 Mar 1999 19:39:04 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

She looks at you and shrugs.  "Sorry, I'm telekinetic, not telepathic."
She levitates the 7-D Man into the air and drops him back down to stress
the point.  "But we've got to figure this thing out; we need to get
home! My rent is due in two days!"

"But don't kill him; he's our only ride home.  If we can convince him,
that is..."  Just then, a man walks up behind you, Stone Cold, and taps
you on the shoulder.  "Pardon me, Sir, but you appear to be lost."  He's
a tall guy, 'bout six foot tall.

The striking thing about him is his long, flowing gray robes, and
chalk-white hair, which seems to be just over shoulder length.  Well,
that and the fact that neither you nor Tammy detected his approach...
What do you do?

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Wed, 10 Mar 1999 19:47:59 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

> Reaper takes a deep breath, walks in the direction of the people,
> placing his body in "phase" as he approaches.

> "Ya'll know when the next flight outta here is?  See, my buddy and I
> are headed to a 'dark' suit convention, so I'm bettin' from the looks
> of you it ain't here..."

The man looks at you, you think (it's hard to tell with those glowing
eyes), and replies.  "Hm... funny.  You are most amusing, little man.
And you may as well retire your little 'out of phase' state, for it will
not save you from my powerful magics."

He looks like he's rather peeved, for some reason, and not too happy
with something.  It looks like he's about to start doing something with
his fingers, akin to what that fellow outside was up to, but he suddenly
stops, looking rather distracted.

"Eh?"  He looks around the crowd of people surrounding him, and you see
what he finally focuses on:  three rather bizarre individuals.  One is
wearing a rather large, billowy cape, and fooling around with some
peanut bags.  One is a diminutive woman with pointy ears in a nifty
suit.

The third is a fellow a bit shy of five foot tall, wearing clothing
similar to Indiana Jones.  They're all looking around, as if stunned by
something.  Apparently, mister fancy pants here is rather bothered by
their presence for some reason...

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Thu, 11 Mar 1999 14:21:19 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

>However, they're just starting to fall apart now, so that gives you
>some time to act.  You can a) run, or b) get the Plantmaster and save
>Hawk from a suffocating doom.  But, that's your call...  I guess go
>ahead and make your rolls again, for Round 4 of this mayhem!

Seeing that Hardcore and Jinx are after the Plantmaster, as are the
mobile Joes, Ronin helps those inujured Joes to get the heck out of
there.

OOC - I assume that no rolls are needed for that; but if so: Init: 9,
Dodge: 73, Feats: 93, 48, 82.
Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com

Subject: Re: [v13] A beginning... (Reaper)
Date:    Thu, 11 Mar 1999 18:55:17 -0800 (PST)
From:    Michael Joiner <ml_joiner@yahoo.com>

> The man looks at you, you think (it's hard to tell with those glowing
> eyes), and replies.  "Hm... funny.  You are most amusing, little man.
> And you may as well retire your little 'out of phase' state, for it will
> not save you from my powerful magics."

"How 'bout I just take a chance there eh?"

> He looks like he's rather peeved, for some reason, and not too happy
> with something.  It looks like he's about to start doing something with
> his fingers, akin to what that fellow outside was up to, but he suddenly
> stops, looking rather distracted.

> "Eh?"  He looks around the crowd of people surrounding him, and you see
> what he finally focuses on:  three rather bizarre individuals.  One is
> wearing a rather large, billowy cape, and fooling around with some
> peanut bags.  One is a diminutive woman with pointy ears in a nifty suit.

Reaper glances at them as well, and takes himself out of 'phase'

> The third is a fellow a bit shy of five foot tall, wearing clothing
> similar to Indiana Jones.  They're all looking around, as if stunned by
> something.  Apparently, mister fancy pants here is rather bothered by
> their presence for some reason...

"Hey, ivory - pay attention!"

Reaper swings at the man in white, repeatedly if possible, following
him to the ground.

OOC:

Rolls
init: 1+3=4
48, 47, 41, 43

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Fri, 12 Mar 1999 02:26:22 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> [Jinx goes for the tree, getting a 90 to grab hold! 7 + 2 = 9
> Initiative. (Attack #1: 07 + 25 Karma for a total of 32 to Hit, 79
> Damage), (Attack #2: 46 to Hit, 32 Damage). Dodge #1: 17, Dodge #2: 32.
> Various other rolls: 80, 95, 17.]

> Jinx makes her way through the air, flailing about, looking for
> something to slow her fall. Passing through the canopy of the large,
> center tree, she latches desperately onto one of the branches. She loses
> her intial grip, and pulls her shoulder pretty roughly, but comes to a
> stop amongst the other branches a moment later.

> "Ow. Bitch! Bitch! Bitch!" she curses quietly to herself, just gritting
> her teeth.

> Taking in the scene, she keeps an eye out for possible targets. Noticing
> the Plantmaster straddling Hawk, she does her best to draw a bead on him
> through the foliage and the haze of pain in her arm and leg. She lets
> off two shots at the middle of the planty bastard's back, hoping to
> distract him a bit.

Andy Hicks wrote:

> Hardcore charges Plantmaster, hoping to loosen his grip on Hawk.

> "I'm gonna try 'n knock that freak off yer boss, Joes," he screams, "but
> somebody had better be there to grab him when he lets go, 'cuz I don't
> know how long I can hold Planty off!"

> (Initiative: 3+3=6.  Dodges: 11 & 43.  Attacks: 82 & 57, then 51 & 81.)

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Seeing that Hardcore and Jinx are after the Plantmaster, as are the
> mobile Joes, Ronin helps those injured Joes to get the heck out of
> there.

> OOC - I assume that no rolls are needed for that; but if so: Init: 9,
> Dodge: 73, Feats: 93, 48, 82.

Nope.  You gather up Breaker and Flash, who are still having a hard time
breathing, and manage to get them out of the Arbco Lubrication Plant
rather quickly - that is, before any of them fifty foot tall trees (and
growing!) trees fall apart on you or your charges.

Meanwhile, you go and take your shots at the Plantmaster, Jinx.  Blamm!
Blamm!  You manage to put two holes in the planty fellow, spraying plant
guts all over Hawk, who was beneath the planty fiend before you started
taking shots at him - from above...

As the Plantmaster gets slammed into the ground from the force of Jinx's
shots, Hardcore, you leap towards him with both canes forward, and pound
him a couple of times dead on in the torso.  This dislodges him from
Hawk, who's laying out cold on the ground in front of you.

"Fools!  I tire of your pathetic attacks!"  As Grunt and Rock 'n Roll
pepper him with automatic gunfire, he snaps his fingers, and you've
suddenly lost your grip on that tree, Jinx.  In fact, it seems to have
begun squirming under you, and is growing vines from its bark.

They've successfully wrapped around your arms and legs, and are pulling
you into the bulk of itself... slowly.  It even seems to have formed a
nice, Jinx-shaped cavity to hold you in.  It's pulling you, slowly but
surely, to a pulpy doom...

Meanwhile, on the ground, the Plantmaster sneers at you, Hardcore.  "And
you... you... you...!  Attacking me with... sticks."  He waves his
hands, and the things start moving straight up into the air, taking you
with them, Hardcore!

With that, he turns his back on all of you, even the Joes who are still
filling him full of lead.  "This is pointless... you've already ruined
my plan to save this area from these fools.  I refuse to do battle with
you any further... for now."

"But there *will* be a reckoning, you damnable interlopers!  I have
tagged the individual plant life within your pathetic monkey bodies, and
I *will* hunt you down.  Oh, I will, I will..."  Having ranted for
several long moments, the Plantmaster sinks into the earth again.

Taking his silly minions with him.

Once he sinks, Hardcore, the force pulling against your canes goes away,
dropping you about ten feet to the ground.  Likewise, Jinx, you stop
being 'eaten' by the tall central tree, though only your head is free of
the vast organism.  You can breathe, still, but it's hard to do so.

Unfortunately, you still have the problem of these trees, which are
growing up real fast; so fast, in fact, that they're tearing themselves
apart - and how!  And, of course, you're still in the dead center of the
artificial forest, which is raining dead wood all over the place.

What do you do??

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Fri, 12 Mar 1999 09:31:33 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

>Unfortunately, you still have the problem of these trees, which are
>growing up real fast; so fast, in fact, that they're tearing themselves
>apart - and how!  And, of course, you're still in the dead center of the
>artificial forest, which is raining dead wood all over the place.

Hardcore picks himself back up from off the floor and begins to gather
himself, barking, "I got Hawk!  But somebody's gotta help cut that girl
outta that tree if we're gonna all get outta here in one piece!"

With that, he lifts Hawk up from off the ground, throws him over his
shoulder, and moves for the exit as quickly as he can.

(OOC- Hardcore will move Hawk out to safety, but if everyone is not making
their way out of the factory safely, he will head back in to help out.)

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Fri, 12 Mar 1999 08:56:08 PST
From:    "Charlie Clay Jr." <cclayjr@hotmail.com>

"Yeah what?"  Trying not to sound too arrogant, while hiding the fact
that I am completely out of my element. <What couldn't I have been
bless/curse with dimensional traveling powers>.  "I am as lost as lost
can be, what can you do about it."  (There is no place like home)
"By the way who are you and how in the world do you know my name?"

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Fri, 12 Mar 1999 18:14:02 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

Jinx yelled a lot until she realized she couldn't breathe very well.

"Um, guys?! Can someone get me down? I'd really hate to go this way.
Sure, it'd probably serve me right, but jeez! Come on!" she pleaded to
the individuals scattered about the plant.

"Hey, let me run this past you folks first!  Maybe I can drop my
force field and you guys can pull me out.  If the field drops, it might
loosen this tree's grip on my body.  Of course, we'll have to cut away
some of the stuff around my neck and shoulders to free up some more
space, but that might work... Any other suggestions? Please?!" she
babbled on, having to shut up to take some shallow breaths.

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Sat, 13 Mar 1999 18:36:14 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

>Nope.  You gather up Breaker and Flash, who are still having a hard
>time breathing, and manage to get them out of the Arbco Lubrication
>Plant rather quickly - that is, before any of them fifty foot tall
>trees (and growing!) trees fall apart on you or your charges.

Ronin will tend to Flash and Breaker, trying best he can to help with
their injuries.  He will also keep an eye on the Plant, moving in if
necessary to help the others out.

Subject: Re: Acers' last post in yer thread
Date:    Sat, 13 Mar 1999 21:15:58 -0700
From:    "Lady Arakne" <araknesweb@darkspiral.com>

"golly those peanuts were good, do they have those all the time on
those....Things....? "

Masque shakes his robes out and an infinite amount of eagle brand peanut
wrappers flutter to the floor and just as much salt and that wonderful
sugary honey-like 'dust' piles up too.
He looks at the pile of suger and whatnot , ponders for a moment and
then shakes his head, as if arguing with himself. He waves his fingers
and sends the refuse on over to the nearest trash receptacle.

"Did I mention how good those things were? A body could live on those
for...awhile at the very least."

Distracted for a moment, Masque scurries on behind Och and just whistles
a very unmelodic tune while a very unhappy stewardess walks by.

" As I was saying Och, what now....or was I saying that?  ...hmmm"

> <is about time Mr. Bomb!>

Sil glared at Masque, and then looked at Och, <<Well, we're here.  What now?>>

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Sun, 14 Mar 1999 16:17:25 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> Jinx yelled a lot until she realized she couldn't breathe very well.

> "Um, guys?! Can someone get me down? I'd really hate to go this way.
> Sure, it'd probably serve me right, but jeez! Come on!" she pleaded to
> the individuals scattered about the plant.

> "Hey, let me run this past you folks first! Maybe I can drop my
> forcefield and you guys can pull me out. If the field drops, it might
> loosen this tree's grip on my body. Of course, we'll have to cut away
> some of the stuff around my neck and shoulders to free up some more
> space, but that might work...Any other suggestions? Please?!" she
> babbled on, having to shut up to take some shallow breaths.

Peter Chamers wrote:

> Ronin will tend to Flash and Breaker, trying best he can to help with
> their injuries.  He will also keep an eye on the Plant, moving in if
> necessary to help the others out.

Andy Hicks wrote:

> Hardcore picks himself back up from off the floor and begins to gather
> himself, barking, "I got Hawk!  But somebody's gotta help cut that girl
> outta that tree if we're gonna all get outta here in one piece!"

> With that, he lifts Hawk up from off the ground, throws him over his
> shoulder, and moves for the exit as quickly as he can.

Okay.  As you're tending to Flash and Breaker outside, Ronin, you see
Hardcore running out with Hawk on his shoulders.  The man is
unconscious, but it appears he's breathing, so he's probably going to be
okay.  Aside from the plant guts, you see no visible wounds on him...

Meanwhile, in the Arbco Lubrication Plant, Jinx, you are approached by
both Rock 'n Roll and Grunt as you sit in the tallest tree in the
place.  It, too, seems to be growing like the others, though its decay
is taking a bit longer (maybe 'cause it was already grown rather large).

"Looks like the lady needs some help, Rock 'n Roll."  Grunt just laughs
after that, while Rock 'n Roll smiles.  "Yup."  They sit there for a few
seconds, watching her squirm, and they both start shooting at her.  Or,
rather, the area in the tree around her.

Now, normally their bullets wouldn't really affect a tree that size so
easily, but with the thing falling apart thanks to the Plantmaster's
botched spell, the two Joes manage to shatter up the bark surrounding
Jinx real good.  It explodes enough to allow the troublemaker to escape.

"Just remember, Jinx:  there is no 'I' in 'Team'..."  With that, the two
Joes run towards the exit, before the rest of this forest comes crashing
down around their heads.  Though you do have a force field, Jinx, you
can't breathe bark, so that might be a good idea...

Outside, you all hear the death of a forest, if an artificial,
malevolently grown one, as the hyper-grown trees tear themselves apart
and rain a deadly shower of bark and tree pulp down inside the place.
The remnants of the roof collapse, also, adding to the cacophony.

As the proper authorities arrive, several moments too late to be of any
good (as always seems to be the case), Rock 'n Roll tries to explain to
them what went down (since Hawk is still out of sorts), and they don't
seem to believe him.

Disgusted by this, Grunt takes the other Joes back into the Jacob, where
Breaker sits down to radio his fellows, in order to tell them what's
going on.  Seems like everybody's being busy, at least those capable of
moving, so what do you all do?

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Sun, 14 Mar 1999 16:31:41 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

The man looks at you and smiles one of those disconcerting, 'I know more
than you can possibly imagine' smiles.  "Well, I know your name because
I do.  It's my job to know things like that.  Especially when it's *my*
job to keep people like you from undoing my work."

"The name's Ahom, by the way."

Once he introduces himself, the fellow you formerly had on ice starts
turning red with rage.  "You!  You son of a -- eetn tu raie klaatu
bynnt!" In mid-sentence, he seems to shift languages, and once he
realizes this, he starts pounding on a button on his shirt.

Ahom looks at you and smiles.  "Translator.  The thing creates a slight
telepathic bond between the two of you, so you both think you're
speaking to each other in the same language.  That, and several other
powerful samples of technology are what almost destroyed this world
years back."

"That's why me and mine are working to cleanse the world of it, to start
fresh, if you will.  With the *vast* majority of the Varakni and Granx't
having abandoned the earth, me and my allies have a virtual free reign
to erase all traces of their civilization."

"Save for a few stragglers," and he motions to the two fellows you ran
into after defeating the Seven Dimensional Man, "our work has been
simple. Of course, we have had to root them out one by one, and nullify
their technology.  I will not allow them to destroy humanity's future!"

"As far as helping you and your associate make it home in time for
dinner, I can help you, though you in turn must help me first.  I need
the two of you to help me solve a problem that my allies cannot, as it
is something that has to do with your own era."

With that, he turns and snaps his fingers, and the weaponry,
translators, and other accessories of the two Varakni fellows you'd
scuffled with turn to dust.  The man you'd been talking to before Ahom
arrived flees in terror, screaming a string of incoherent syllables.

What now?

Subject: [v13] Montreal Mayhem!
Date:    Sun, 14 Mar 1999 17:57:30 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Michael Joiner wrote:

> Reaper glances at them as well, and takes himself out of 'phase'

>> The third is a fellow a bit shy of five foot tall, wearing clothing
>> similar to Indiana Jones.  They're all looking around, as if stunned by
>> something.  Apparently, mister fancy pants here is rather bothered by
>> their presence for some reason...

> "Hey, ivory - pay attention!"

> Reaper swings at the man in white, repeatedly if possible, following
> him to the ground.

Chris W. Acers wrote:

> "Golly those peanuts were good, do they have those all the time on
> those....Things....? "

> Masque shakes his robes out and an infinite amount of eagle brand peanut
> wrappers flutter to the floor and just as much salt and that wonderful
> sugary honey-like 'dust' piles up too.

> He looks at the pile of suger and whatnot , ponders for a moment and
> then shakes his head, as if arguing with himself. He waves his fingers
> and sends the refuse on over to the nearest trash receptacle.

> "Did I mention how good those things were? A body could live on those
> for...awhile at the very least."

> Distracted for a moment, Masque scurries on behind Och and just whistles
> a very unmelodic tune while a very unhappy stewardess walks by.

> " As I was saying Och, what now....or was I saying that?..hmmm"

Lady Arakne wrote:

> Sil glared at Masque, and then looked at Och, <<Well, we're here.  What
> now?>>

Och looks at you, Silhouette, and says "Well, we need to rent us a car,
one we can drive up to Ice Ridge.  It's about one hundred and fifty
miles from here, and once we get there, we can ask Halby what on earth
happened to him and that magic book."

You round the corner with Och, Masque, Silhouette, alongside the rest of
this crowd, and see some sort of scuffle going on between several oddly
dressed individuals.  One of them, in jeans and a tank top, just clocked
another, the one in the blindingly white business suit.

Definitely not proper clothing for this weather, to be sure.

The third fellow, though, isn't properly dressed for any weather, as far
as you can tell.  He's wearing brown leather boots and gloves, coupled
with a white spandex suit, and this billowy white cloak.  This fellow,
as the tank-topped guy drops the suit, starts performing magic!

He waves his fingers, makes a twirley motion, and the man in the suit is
suddenly floating in the air, twirling about like an antigravity top.
When you look closer, however, his abnormalcy becomes more apparent, as
he seems to have golden, glowing eyes!

Masque, you can sense the magic power in the man without even using your
own spells, and can tell that he's one tough nut.  Och, however, screams
out in shock.  "Halby?!  What the Hell are you doing?  Where'd you get
that silly costume?!  And where's the Infinitum?!?"

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Sun, 14 Mar 1999 18:53:35 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

Jinx ran like the bitch she is, cussing the whole way as floral flak
rained down onto her. Once she got out, she just stood and watched
grimly as the building collapsed. Once the cops showed up she did her
best to keep her mouth shut, grumbling now and then.

Once they all got back to the Jacob she looked around for the rest of
the first aid kits.

"Hey, can somebody fix Hawk up so we can figure out what the hell we're
doing next?!" she called out, digging through the supplies.

"Anyone have any clue where that planty bastard disappeared to?! Boy, is
he on my List!" she inquired, settling down onto the couch (if Hawk
wasn't already lying there).

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Sun, 14 Mar 1999 20:41:05 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

>"Anyone have any clue where that planty bastard disappeared to?! Boy,
>is he on my List!" she inquired, settling down onto the couch (if
>Hawk wasn't already lying there).

Ronin grimaces.  "This has indeed been an....interesting...day."  Du-oh!
No kidding.

"Perhaps we should leave the Plantmaster for now and continue on with
our original course of action?  It would seem that Fate placed us in his
way in order to thwart his plans.  That being done, we must
follow our prescribed course.  We cannot avoid our destiny...whatever it
may be."

Subject: Re: [v13] Attack of the Plant Protagonists!
Date:    Sun, 14 Mar 1999 22:00:58 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

"If all that crap means that we get the hell outta here in a hurry, then I'm
all for it," Hardcore intones peevishly.  "Somebody wake the boss up, and
let's get on with the business we set out to take care of, so I can give
that girl the beatin' she's got comin' to her.  Then we can all get along
with our lives.

"I mean, light a fire under it, damn it.  Let's do somethin'!"

Subject: [v13] Jersey City Happenings...
Date:    Tue, 16 Mar 1999 13:48:36 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> Jinx ran like the bitch she is, cussing the whole way as floral flak
> rained down onto her. Once she got out, she just stood and watched
> grimly as the building collapsed. Once the cops showed up she did her
> best to keep her mouth shut, grumbling now and then.

> Once they all got back to the Jacob she looked around for the rest of
> the first aid kits.

> "Hey, can somebody fix Hawk up so we can figure out what the hell we're
> doing next?!" she called out, digging through the supplies.

> "Anyone have any clue where that planty bastard disappeared to?! Boy, is
> he on my List!" she inquired, settling down onto the couch (if Hawk
> wasn't already lying there).

Peter Chambers wrote:

> Ronin grimaces.  "This has indeed been an....interesting...day."  Du-oh!
> No kidding.

> "Perhaps we should leave the Plantmaster for now and continue on with
> our original course of action?  It would seem that Fate placed us in his
> way in order to thwart his plans.  That being done, we must
> follow our prescribed course.  We cannot avoid our destiny...whatever it
> may be."

Andy Hicks wrote:

> "If all that crap means that we get the hell outta here in a hurry, then
> I'm all for it," Hardcore intones peevishly.  "Somebody wake the boss
> up, and let's get on with the business we set out to take care of, so I
> can give that girl the beatin' she's got comin' to her.  Then we can all
> get along with our lives.

> "I mean, light a fire under it, damn it.  Let's do somethin'!"

"Right!"

Grunt runs up to the front of the bus and fires the beast up, pulling
out of the place before anybody (like, say, cops) think about stopping
you.  This may be a good idea, too, since to all outward appearances,
this place blew up for no good reason.

That, of course, is because the Plantmaster's ersatz forest has gone and
totally decomposed itself already.  Now, all you've got is one smashed
lubrication plant and a bunch of quasi-organic goo to mark his assault
on the place, and that's not good.

Sure, the Joes have exceptionally high national security clearances and
all that, but still.  They'd nonetheless get hung up by some local yokel
would-be god of a sheriff or some such that wanted to get a piece of you
all, and nobody really wants that, now, do they?

So, Grunt drives the Jacob clear of New Paris, Ohio, as soon as
possible. As you tear out of town, Hawk finally wakes up, and walks over
to you, Jinx.  He pulls two things out of his shirt and drops them in
your lap.  They look like shells of some sort.  Likely yours.

"You're damn lucky that my jacket, and the Plantmaster's body, stopped
these..."   He waits a second or two to see what you've got to say, and
then he sits down with Breaker to communicate with some Joes not on the
Jacob.  Before he does so, though, Breaker hands him some headphones.

"I've been recording this transmission on one of the... 'hot'...
frequencies, Hawk.  Radio wave triangulation indicates that its coming
from what's left of the Arbco Lubrication Plant."  Hawk listens for a
few minutes, and smiles.

"Okay.  You and Rock 'n Roll take the R.A.M. back there and watch for
any shenanigans from our 'friends'.  We're going to continue on to New
Jersey, and get this nightmare over with.  I'll be sending some back-up
to you guys, pronto!"

Over the radio, Hawk talks to some fellow called Stalker, and apparently
arranges for some sort of strike force to head back to New Paris.  You
don't know why, but apparently he doesn't like somebody there.  Once
he's done that, he sits down on the couch and sighs.

"Well, folks," referring to the three of you, Jinx, Hardcore, Ronin, "I
just wanted to thank you all for helping us deal with that bizarre
fellow. I don't think we could've done it without you.  If there's any
way Uncle Sam can return the favor, just ask."

"Within reason, of course..."

(theoretical response space)

The Jacob (Joe Covert Ops Bus) continues on, driving farther and farther
away from the 'heartland' of America, finally landing in the urban wreck
of Jersey City after about thirteen hours, during which you all managed
to rest up a lot.  You even healed, some, as well.

Consider yourselves healed up, though you've still got a limp, Hardcore.

Once there, Hawk arranges for a media circus outside the Jersey City
courthouse, and has gotten you some completely normal clothes, Jinx.
That way, you seem normal enough to get public sympathy when Roy's
scheme gets all ruined.

Lisa proudly throws some cuffs on you, giving you a leer while she does
so, and carries you out of the bus with Hawk.  The reporters go wild,
thinking they're getting their first glimpse of a home-grown terrorist
in a few years... though they're slightly off the mark.

Meanwhile, inside the Jacob, Flash looks at the two of you, Hardcore,
Ronin, and ask you "So, you guys want to do anything while we wait to
pick Jinx up tomorrow?  I know this interesting little dive just a few
blocks from here.  Clutch took me there once, so you know it's got
character..."

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Jersey City Happenings...
Date:    Tue, 16 Mar 1999 14:16:52 -0600
From:    "Andy Hicks" <ahix@mail.utexas.edu>

>"Well, folks," referring to the three of you, Jinx, Hardcore, Ronin, "I
>just wanted to thank you all for helping us deal with that bizarre
>fellow. I don't think we could've done it without you.  If there's any
>way Uncle Sam can return the favor, just ask."

>"Within reason, of course..."

"Don't worry about me.  Just give me a shot at the walkin' disaster area
when yer through with her.  That's all I ask..."

<snip>

>Meanwhile, inside the Jacob, Flash looks at the two of you, Hardcore,
>Ronin, and ask you "So, you guys want to do anything while we wait to
>pick Jinx up tomorrow?  I know this interesting little dive just a few
>blocks from here.  Clutch took me there once, so you know it's got
>character..."

"Great.  'Character'," Hardcore thinks to himself, remembering his recent
experiences at Club Invertebrate.  "That doesn't sound too good.  Of course,
what the hell else am I gonna be doin' all day?  Might as well have a couple
'a beers."

"Yeah, count me in," he answers Flash.  "Just show the way, bub."

Subject: Re: [v13] Jersey City Happenings...
Date:    Tue, 16 Mar 1999 18:08:14 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

Jinx looks at the shells Hawk brings to her and sighs.

[Roll a 67 on my Psyche FEAT to be polite.]

"Gee, sorry, Hawk! I didn't mean to tag you back there! I thought the
green bastard would have taken it all. He seemed pretty impressive. I
had no wish to even get close to you. I tried to place the shots so even
if they went through him, they'd miss you. I guess the beatin' I'd taken
right before threw off my aim!" she apologized as well as she could
looking quite abashed.

Other than that, she was completely silent throughout the rest of the
trip, cleaning her equipment and guns repeatedly.

Once they got to the East coast she just went along with the authorities
and did her best not to mouth off.

Subject: Re: [v13] Jersey City Happenings...
Date:    Tue, 16 Mar 1999 23:31:31 EST
From:    "Peter Chamers" <lil_blk_duck@hotmail.com>

>"Well, folks," referring to the three of you, Jinx, Hardcore, Ronin, "I
>just wanted to thank you all for helping us deal with that bizarre
>fellow. I don't think we could've done it without you.  If there's any
>way Uncle Sam can return the favor, just ask."

>"Within reason, of course..."

>(theoretical response space)

"To have been of use and service is thanks enough..." replies Ronin all
high and holy like.

>The Jacob (Joe Covert Ops Bus) continues on, driving farther and farther
>away from the 'heartland' of America, finally landing in the urban wreck
>of Jersey City after about thirteen hours, during which you all managed
>to rest up a lot.  You even healed, some, as well.

>Consider yourselves healed up, though you've still got a limp, Hardcore.

>Once there, Hawk arranges for a media circus outside the Jersey City
>courthouse, and has gotten you some completely normal clothes, Jinx.
>That way, you seem normal enough to get public sympathy when Roy's
>scheme gets all ruined.

>Lisa proudly throws some cuffs on you, giving you a leer while she does
>so, and carries you out of the bus with Hawk.  The reporters go wild,
>thinking they're getting their first glimpse of a home-grown terrorist
>in a few years... though they're slightly off the mark.

>Meanwhile, inside the Jacob, Flash looks at the two of you, Hardcore,
>Ronin, and ask you "So, you guys want to do anything while we wait to
>pick Jinx up tomorrow?  I know this interesting little dive just a few
>blocks from here.  Clutch took me there once, so you know it's got
>character..."

"If you wish to go to this place, Hawk-Sama...I will accompany you."

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Thu, 18 Mar 1999 09:34:02 PST
From:    "Charlie Clay Jr." <cclayjr@hotmail.com>

"What exactly is that you want?  Something stolen, a throat slit?  And
why is it that you can't do it yourself?"

Subject: Re: [v13] Jersey City Happenings...
Date:    Thu, 18 Mar 1999 14:47:14 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Bil Lockwood wrote:

> Jinx looks at the shells Hawk brings to her and sighs.

> [Roll a 67 on my Psyche FEAT to be polite.]

> "Gee, sorry, Hawk! I didn't mean to tag you back there! I thought the
> green bastard would have taken it all. He seemed pretty impressive. I
> had no wish to even get close to you. I tried to place the shots so even
> if they went through him, they'd miss you. I guess the beatin' I'd taken
> right before threw off my aim!" she apologized as well as she could
> looking quite abashed.

> Other than that, she was completely silent throughout the rest of the
> trip, cleaning her equipment and guns repeatedly.

> Once they got to the East coast she just went along with the authorities
> and did her best not to mouth off.

Andy Hicks wrote:

>> Clutch took me there once, so you know it's got character..."

> "Great.  'Character'," Hardcore thinks to himself, remembering his
> recent experiences at Club Invertebrate.  "That doesn't sound too good.
> Of course, what the hell else am I gonna be doin' all day?  Might as
> well have a couple 'a beers."

> "Yeah, count me in," he answers Flash.  "Just show the way, bub."

Peter Chambers wrote:

> "If you wish to go to this place, Hawk-Sama...I will accompany you."

After Lisa carries Jinx inside the Jersey City courthouse, Hawk returns
to the bus, and hears you all talking about some bar or another.  "Count
me in!  I think I could use a few minutes of relaxation before this all
goes down.  What was the name of this place, again?"

Flash just smiles as you all make your way to the Arm Pit.

The place looks rather seedy, you know, like it was wanted in six
states. But, Flash just charges in with a smile.  Assuming that you all
follow, you see that it's actually quite cozy inside, with several pool
tables and even a video game or two to pass the time while one drinks.

And an electronic dartboard!

There's about four folks inside, apparently all bikers, who are sitting
at a round table all by themselves.  They're happily drinking out of
several pitchers, and when they see you guys walk in, they yell out.
"Hey!  It's early!  Drink up!!"

Hawk does just that, heading to the bar and ordering something called
Grog.  Just one, though.  The other Joes have a beer, and seem sort of
surprised that their boss is drinking stuff usually not touched by
anybody other than Clutch...

You also note that he's keeping a careful eye on his watch.  "Hey,
Barkeep, is there any way you can pop CNN on?  I want to see the
weather." He takes another drink.  "I hear it's gonna start coming
down... hard."  What do you all do, Ronin, Hardcore?

(theoretical response space)

After about half an hour, there's a repeaat of the headline news, a story that involved the capture of one of the Ariel-Shijitzu bombers.  Half an hour later, again, there's an interview on the television - an interview with one Roy Shijitzu, who's made his way to Jersey City - quick-like!

He spouts out for about five minutes about how Justice (TM) in this
country is finally being meted out, and he gleefully hands Lisa
Polanski, instant national hero, a suitcase full of money.  "Like I
promised, here's the reward for the capture of that insufferable wench..."

You can see that Lisa's trying really, really hard not to laugh at him.

A few minutes later again, the interview is over, and knowing what you
know, he's about to feel real stupid come tomorrow.  Meanwhile, watching
this in the Jersey City courthouse, Jinx, you can't help but feel angry
at the man, since he put you in this situation in the first place.

Which is why you're really surprised when Roy shows up outside your jail
cell.  "Hello, Jinx.  I see that you are finally going to pay for your
interference with my agenda."  He stops to light a cigarette, and you
can't help but notice how the guards here seem frozen...

They look like fleshy statues.

"You and your insufferable Direct Action American pals.  I can't help
but wonder why so many people have the need to break into my building
and snoop around."  He puts the smoke out, looking somewhat disgusted.
"Filthy habit.  But, I assure you, I'm about to return the favor."

"Come tomorrow, everybody will know the D.A.A.'s secrets, for I shall
personally deliver all of their files to the New York Times.  And how,
do you ask, will I acuire such files, your feeble mind asks?  Ha ha ha!
I'm going to take them!  Rather, my plant inside your building will..."

(likely response space)

He walks away, laughing, leaving you to simmer...

Meanwhile, back in the bar, Hawk is still watching his watch, and he has
the Barkeep turn it back to CNN at about 12:45 (yeah, you've been there
awhile), saying he wants to check the weather again.  'Round 1 A.M.
there's yet another special report about this debacle.

It would seem that several government experts have discovered that the
footage that proved to be evidence against Jinx, seems to have been
doctored... severely.  This Breaking Story has set reporters into a
downright frenzy, and you can see several in the background running.

Presumably to get in a car bound for Pleasantview, in order to get an
interview with good ol' Roy...

Meanwhile, Hawk looks at you all, and says "I think it's time to go,
folks.  Shall we go pick up our favorite maniac?"  Collecting yourseves,
assuming you want to go, you all walk back the block or so necessary to
get to the courthouse, and you see a living sea of reporters waiting.

Not for you, of course, but for Jinx, who has just been let out of jail
due to a complete and utter lack of evidence.  Reporters are all over
you, Jinx, asking you questions ranging from 'did you do it' to 'who
does your hair'.  You see Hawk outside the Jacob, and he nods to you.

In other words, the ball's in your court.  How stupid do you want Roy to
look?

(?)

Subject: Re: [v13] Stone Cold Release!
Date:    Thu, 18 Mar 1999 14:52:08 -0600
From:    Firebomb <firebomb@darkspiral.com>

Ahom smiles, that annoying know it all smile, again.  "Don't worry, I
wish you to perform no crime.  You see, someone who I formerly counted
as an ally is working against me, and trying to undo my work here to
save the earth.  I would act against him directly, but he'd detect me
right off."

"What I need is for someone he doesn't know, namely tough fellows like
you two, to enter his compound and retrieve an artifact of power he has
stolen from me.  With this device, I will be able to open the doorways
of time, and send you home."

"And, of course, I'll have taken this device out of the fool's hands.
Are you interested?"

Subject: Re: [v13] Jersey City Happenings...
Date:    Thu, 18 Mar 1999 18:22:39 -0600
From:    William Lockwood <albedo1@home.com>

Natasha looked at Roy, her icy blue eyes stabbing cold daggers into what
little soul he had left.

"You bastard! If I ever get out of here..." she trailed off, doing her
best to look helpless, but infuriated.

She just continued to glare, not thinking about the D.A.A. as best she
could. In fact she kept on thinking about what she wanted to do to Roy
in as violently graphic detail as she could muster.

Once he left and she was eventually released, Natasha did her best to
look traumatized by the whole event, putting on as good a show as she
could. She even went to the bathroom before hand and used some water to
make it look like she had been crying and her mascara had run.

When the reporters showed up, she didn't hide from them, but did her
best to make it to the appropriate vehicle as quickly as possible.
