The situation at Renscorp stabilized after the strange behaviors were
explained with the help of Dr. Know. The mentally disturbed woman,
who
called herself Epiphany, was taken into custody by CAPE and was to be
held to the Darkholme Asylum for the Criminally Insane. Verve and his
body were taken to the Horizon Institute in the hopes that the
metahuman specialists there could remedy his condition. Master
Menagero and
Electra were both briefed on the events that occured while they were
under the contol of Epiphany. Dr. Know told the team that if they
ever
needed his help in the future to conatact him, then he vanished
mysteriously.

After a night of rest it was time for Meta-Force to get back to work.
They still had a case to crack: Tracking down the cyber-zons that had
been stolen from ASTRO Labs. Before leaving the HQ in the morning the
heroes are all given new communicator devices. Not only do they allow
f! or communication, but they also contain tracking devices and hidden
cameras for those times when Guy and Calvin were unable to accompany
the team or when teh team split into seperate groups.

Using the tracking device that Dr. Goksel had outfitted him with,
Roughneck leads the others to a dock area on the lower east side. The
signal appears to be coming from a large oil tanker docked
there.Though it is daytime, the day is very dark and overcast. Rain
pounds down
upon the heroes as they scan the tanker from several hundred yards
away.
Lightning occasionally illuminates them as they crouch behind a stack
of wooden crates. Guy and Calvin are in the process of rigging the
with a
rain shield to keep the lens from getting wet. The tanker bears the
corporate logo of Geo-Corp, the same one that Frank and Zena had
located on the internet some time ago. The sight of it sends memories
of the
last fateful days of Amazonia through Zena'! s mind. Thunder grumbles
in
the distance, as if reflecting her mood.

The tanker appears to be getting ready to leave port depite the
inclimate weather. Workers scurry about the tanker performing various
last minute tasks before embarking.

Roughneck scans the ship with his EM vision looking for anything out
of the ordinary. He says to the rest of the group, "This is it, that
tanker's what my new tracker is leadin' me to. I figger we oughta get
on there and have a look around."

[Keith, Roughneck used to work on an oil rig, so he has probably been
on one of these tankers before. Does he know of any good way to board
one undetected? For exmaple, is there a portal below the deckline but
above the waterline through which we could enter? He will use his
Assessment and the 9I card to detect a good way to board undetected.
Or he uses his telescopic vision to search for means of ingress if
that is more appropriate.]

Roughneck! scans the tanker. It is a big one; 1200 feet long and about
200 wide. Frank can see with his telescopic vision that most of the
activity is centered towards the middle and center of teh ship. Near
the
back end on the raised levels, where the engine room and piloting
occurs
is relatively quiet, but Frank knows that most activity there occurs
within the ship. He figures the best chance they have of boarding
undetected is from the very back above the giant propellers. It would
bring them right up behind the piloting platform. The only problem is
the ship is several stories high, not counting the sections beneath
the
waterline and there are no ropes or ladders on the rear of teh ship.

Frank relates all this information to the rest of the group,
describing it in as much detail as possible.

MM grows impatient. "Well, since Electra is the "leader", he says
while doing quote fingers, "Why doesn't she just *AHCHOO* figure out
a wa! y for us to *AHCHOO* get onto the ship. Oh, this weather is
going
to be the death of me."

Zena scowls at Master Menagero.

MM sure has a problem with the leader issue, thinks Roughneck. He
says out loud, "Anyboddy with a suggestion how to get on that
tanker?"

As MM finishs everyone notices that Electra is gone.

"I could teleport us up there," says Sci-Fi, then a rather bad
scottish accent creaps in as he says,
"I dinnea think I can take us all at once, not enough space ta beam
us in to, but I can ferry us up there a few at ah a time." He then
focuses his visor scanners on the giant propellers and the area Frank
pointed out, to see how much room he has to beam into up there.

Sci-Fi sees that there would be plenty of room to port everyone.
There
is a small walkway on the deck behind the elevated piloting
platforms.
The propellers are mainly underwater, though they stick out of the
water
about one story. There is at least 2 or 3 stories of ship height
above
the propellers before the deck begins.

Kinetic shrugs. "You know me, I'm all for the direct approach."

MM mocks Kinetica, "You know me, I'm all for the direct approach,"
placing his hands on his hips and sucking a pretend cigarette.

Julia gives MM 'the look.'

"By the Great Bird of the Galaxy what are you MM, 12?" says Sci-Fi
aghast at MM's juvinle behavior.

"I dislike Electra nearly as much as yourself Menagero, but I have a
newfound respect for Kinetica. I will not sit here and listen to you
try to pick a fight. This may be the only chance that Frank and I
have to discover information about our connected past. I'll kill you
myself before I let you spoil that." As Zena finishes her statement
the familair lioness at her side growls at Menagero.

"...anyway my scanner shows there's enough room for all of us, but
I'd still rather divide in into two trips, beaming to many at once is
a bit exhausting." continues Sci-Fi.

"I could send Tancreed to scout the ship. No one would be likely to
think much of a passing bird." Zena offers.

Roughneck says, "Good idea. Can Tancreed tell if people on the ship
are armed?"

Frank is trying to ignore MM's behavior. He is acting even more
strangely than usual. Roughneck worries that it's his fault MM is
acting this way, because of MM's promise back at the bank, after the
fight with Group Therapy. Frank tries to clear his mind and ready
himself for the task at hand.

"She'll be able to tell me if they carry weapons, though she wouldn't
be
able
to distinguish the difference between a rock and a gun." responds
Zena.

"NO big deal," MM says. "I doubt ROughneck could tell the difference
between
a rock and a gun if it weren't for his high-tech sensors *AHCHOO* and
we
don't
love him less. I'm sure Tancreed will be as effective as any of us
usually
are."

Electra suddenly reappears as she skids to a halt next to the others.
A large gust of wind follows in her wake. "I just did a superspeed
recon
of the tanker. The cyber-zons are being kept in a makeshift laboratory
beneath the deck where the oil is normally carried. There are some
people in lab coats working on them, but the cyber-zons seem inactive.
There are also ten men, whom I assume are cyborgs, in the same room.
They have horribly scarred faces, some of them have mechanical parts
sticking out of them. They are definitely funtional. Most of the
workers on deck are armed with Uzi guns. I don't think anyone noticed
me."

Roughneck looks at Electra in surprise, waving away the dust and
debris she carried along with her. "You mean you already went on that
tanker and scouted the whole thing?" He has a newfound respect for
her powers. "And whaddya mean you don't *think* anybuddy noticed you?
You mean they might be aware of us now and waitin' to ambush us? If
them robots got the same senses as I got, they prob'ly had a good
chance of seein' ya."

"As much as I do admire your take 'charge and get things done
attitude'Elektra, even Kirk would consult with Spock and Bones
before running off on a hunch," says Sci-Fi as he looks up at the
ship. "Teamwork is part of being a team leader. So are we still
sneaking
in or just hitting it head on?"

Alarms suddenly begin sounding on the ship. Zena is slightly startled
by
the
sound and Tancreed squawks.

"Sure, we can use those alarms as cover." says Kinetica

"God Dam It!" Electra curses

"That ain't good," says Roughneck. "Ten cyborgs, I don't like them
odds." He looks at Zena, and continues, "But we can't let'em go
either. We gotta take that tanker." He switches on his communicator
and says, "Ms. Chesterton? We found the cyberzons, they're on a
tanker. They know we're comin' in, so we're gonna need backup. Can
you give CAPE a call?" To Sci-fi he says, "I unnerstand if you don't
wanna stick around once the bullets start flyin', but I gotta get on
that tanker. Think ya can 'port me and whoever else is comin' onto
the deck, outta view of the guards? I can use my laser to cut a hole
in the deck, sos we can get into that lab." [Keith, Roughneck might
know roughly where the lab is on the ship, at least the general
area...if he can add more info for Sci-fi, he tells him so Sci-fi can
teleport them as close to the lab as possible--assuming the others go
along with this plan. Can Sci-fi teleport us inside the ship itself?]

Electra tries to come up with something to redeem herself. "First
let
me see
if I can fry the ships powers with a bolt of lightning."

MM slinks away from the possible battle scene. He doesn't like the
idea of
cyborg powers that he is unable to emulate. And he doesn't like the
fact
that no
clear cut plan has been outlined. He climbs to the top of some crates
but out
of view from eyes on the ship. He'll wait and see what happens,
emulating
whatever powers are closest to him. If anyone asks, he says he has to
take a
potty break.

Zena eyes Menagero as he sneaks off. In an animal tongue she talks to
Tancreed. "Watch him." She instructs her to keep an eye on Menagero,
who
she is
having trouble trusting, especially with his current immature
behavior.

"I have instructed Tancreed to stay here. Tolwynn and I are very
willing to
go. I am loathe to put her in such a high risk situation, but
Amazonia
was as
much her home as mine. She has a right to this battle." Zena explains
to
Sci-Fi, ready to go. "Perhaps Electra can provide a distraction with
her
speed,
keeping the guards occupied while the rest of us make haste to the
lab."

"Well whatever you are doing you better do it quick, They are getting
away,"
says Guy, pointing to the tanker as it moves further away from the
docks. "And
don't think we are going to get left out of the action this time, Sci-
Fi."

"Yes I'm going to teleport two civilians onto a boat filled with
highly
trained goons and killer cyborgs," says Sci-Fi, "you've got us all
wearing cameras
now, you'll have to live with that."

"Let's go, Sci-Fi." states Zena as she watches her prey slowly get
away.

"I still need to know are we sneaking in or just attacking outright?"

"Take us to the rear of teh ship, behind the piloting platforms .
There
was nobody around there. We should at least have a minute before we
are
detected." Electra replies.

"Uhh, guys I think it is too late for that," says Calvin, "Look." he
says pointing a finger toward teh tanker.

The team looks and sees five humanoid figures blast off the deck into
the sky. They are obviously propelled by some sort of rocket packs on
their backs. They hover for a moment nearly fifty feet above the
tanker
then head straight for the team in a classic "V" fighter plane
pattern.
They are approaching incredibly fast. The high pitched whines of
their
jet packs draw nearer and a loud boom is heard as they break the
sound
barrier.

With a glance to Sci-Fi, Kinetica says "Red Alert! Raise shields!
All hands, brace for impact!"

"Oh bloody hell, I hate teleporting large groups, everyone hold
hands," then glancing at Guy and Calvin, "you two too God damnit." 5D-
to teleport, push with 5D+. 3S to rely on my scanner visor to
pinpoint a safe beam in point.

Roughneck joins hands with the others, and uses his telescopic vision
to look at the approaching fliers. He tries to see what weapons they
carry, and if they are cyborg by checking their EM pattern. [Since
cyborgs carry computers, they would presumably have different EM
emissions.]

[Once on the tanker, Roughneck will immediately use his laser (at +5)
to cut a large hole in the deck and drop down a level--hopefully into
the lab itself.]

Electra really wanted to try to zap out the power before they all went
on the ship but her previous error of judgement has now made that
impossible. So, Electra reluctantly grabs Sci-Fi’s hand.

MM slinks down behind the boxes. HE tries to tune into Sci-Fi's powers,
aligning himself to be closest to the young hero. If he successfully
emulates Sci-Fi's powers, he will transport into the bridge of the ship.
OOC: Please keep me abreast of whatever powers I have at the moment, Judge



Sci-Fi joins hands with the other members of Meta-Force, along with

Calvin and Guy. Zena places a free hand on Tolwynn to insure her

teleportation as well.  A flash of light envelops them as Sci-Fi

teleports them to the back end of the tanker. Everyone is there

except for Master Menagero and they have no idea what became of him.

Sci-Fi's head blood pounds in his temples and his vision takes a

moment to refocus after teleporting such a large group.



(Sci-Fi's Confessional: 
Sci-Fi has a petulent look on his face.  He isn't speaking.  Several
long seconds go past. Muttering is heard from off camera.  "Talk
damnit!" is shouted at him.  "No, no this is stupid.  I'm suposed to be
a superhero I'm not doing this."  Some more loud but incomprehensible
shouting, "I don't give a crap what Ari says I'm not doing this."  more
shouting, "Fine fire me, I'd love to get my dignity back." low and
threatening muttering.  "Sue me?  On what ground?"  quite muttering. 
"Okay fine...I don't like teleporting large groups, it gives me a
headach.  There can I go now?")



They can see the cyborgs that were heading towards them when they

were on shore quickly decelerate after their disappearance. They

hover in the air above where the heroes had initially been hiding

apparently scanning the area from above. The storm seems somehow more

fierce aboard the tanker. The wind drives the rain in heavy sheets

and it is hard to hear anything but the pounding of the rain, the

crackling thunder and the howling wind. As bad as the weather is, the

tanker stays relatively calm in the water as it progresses. A few

sudden shifts here and there but nothing so bad as to throw anyone

overboard. Tolwynn lets out a low growl to voice her displeasure. 

Calvin puts the camera  to his eye and begins recording. Guy

says.."Action" in an excited whisper.



The men aboard the ship seems top  be on alert. They have their guns

(uzis) at the ready and are patrolling the front section of the ship.

None have made it to the rear yet, but it will be only a matter of

time before someone thinks to look there. 



The five cyborgs, having found nothing on shore are quickly returning

back to the ship via their jet packs. They will be flying straight

for where the team is located.



Frank looks for a place on the deck where he can cut a man sized hole

through which the party can descend from the deck. [Assuming the

following will work...] He uses his laser and quickly cuts 95% of a

hole. With his free hand, he pulls the nearly cut out circle of

decking up like the lid of a can and looks inside [using his IR

vision to quickly look for any people or cyborgs in the room below].

Assuming there is no danger, he says, "Everbuddy down, fast!" [If

there is someone down there, Roughneck will jump down first himself

and take them out with a laser blast at +5, using a 6W card.] Once

everyone has come down into the room, he quickly pulls the lid shut

and spot welds it shut with his laser.



[Keith, if I have made bad assumptions, like there is no room below

us and the hole leads directly into the tanks/lab, please let me know

and I will revise.]



[Does Kinetica have her forcefield on?]



Electra moves to where she had seen the main generator on the ship.  She
rubs her hands together to create an arc and then touches the metal exterior
of the unit.



Kinetica will fly down below bashing any hostiles.



Seeing the pale blue glow of Kinetica's forcefield, the cyborgs make a beeline
for teh group. As they get within range, they open fire with auto-bursts
of laser fire. The lasers burn half dollar sized holes in the metal of the ship where they make impact.



[It will take Roughneck the entire round to cut through the deck, so I need
to know what cards everyone is playing for defense and/ or attack.]



“Incoming Frank and Zena’s illegitimate love children!”  Kinetica will smash into the nearest cyborg, dodging lasers as she does so. [5A to dodge, 6W to attack]



"Guy, Calvin, find something large and hide behind it don't do anything stupid
or I'll stun you myself," shouts Sci-Fi as he fires a stun blast at one of
the cyborgs. (5W to stun, 4S to dodge)



(Sci-Fi Confessional: "Taking civilians into combat has got to be the
stupidest most inane idea I've ever heard of." muttering from off
camera, "what do you
mean I'm not supposed to talk about Calvin and Guy?")



"Let's get one thing stright Sci-Fi. I'm the Director, your the
talent." He points at Sci-Fi, "Talent" then points at himself.
"Director....that means I tell you what to do, not vice versa. Now get
back to work, your blocking the shot. " He mutters to Calvin. " And I
thought directing that Madonna video
was bad. What a control freak. "



Calvin nods empathically.



Zena and Tolwynn dodge the incoming fire as they wait for Roughneck to cut
a way in. [All Out Dodge, 7W]



----------------------------------------------------------------------

----------

Elsewhere...



Master Menagero takes a chance and teleports into where he thinks the

bridge of the ship is located. Reintegrating mere centimeters from

the wall, he realizes how close he just came to teleporting into a

solid object. He quickly scans the room and sees that he does appear

to be in the bridge do the tanker. The captain is there along with

two burly men with uzis. All three immediately turn in his direction

with his sudden appearance, though they seem surprised by it.

Menagero lets out a Sci-Fi patented stun wave at the three opponents. "Hello
and good night, gentlemen."



OOC: Using 6I and trump for attack and 6W + acrobatic for dodge.



MASTER MENAGERO    [Edge/Hand: 1/3 Plot Points: 1 XP: 2]

Powers Duplicated: (Sci-Fi) http://eternalwarriors.freeservers.com/meta-earth/captainsheet.html

• 6S+ She-Hulk (Gloryhound/Public Accolades)

• 6W* Nate Grey (Outcast/Mistaken Identity)

• 6I* Moondragon (Explorer/Rift)

"Hello and good night, gentlemen." MM says to the two guards and the
Captain of the ship before letting loose with a stun wave. The three
men immediately fall to the floor unconscious. Then all of the lights
go out in the room making it pitch black. The only light source is
from the occasional flashes of lightning that can be seen through he
large observation window.
Menagero fumbles around for a flashlight and such, peering out of the
window to see if anything is happening on deck.

Meanwhile...

Electra grows impatient and decides not to wait for Roughneck to
finish cutting through the deck before trying to short out the
generator. Knowing that the generator is in the engine room beneath
them she figures an electronic pulse should disrupt the generator and
shut down the tanker's power.

She unleashes an electric pulse that shoots out of her body in all
directions. The generators immediately short out, shutting down all
electronics aboard the ship. Roughneck's laser immediately shuts off
and he falls forward on the deck, overwhelmed but the weight of his
cybernetic body as the pulse shuts down his cybernetic systems. All
of his systems are off-line but he is still conscious.


The computer's missing presence at first seems like a massive void in
Frank's mind, and as his nose smashes on the deck of the ship where
he falls, he is filled with dread and fear. He is sure he is about to
die. He can only barely lift his arms, much less his torso or head,
where he carries the bulk of his cybernetic equipment.

But as the rain pours down on his immobile form, he realizes the void
in his mind is no void at all. It is the absence of an invader. For
the first time since he was welded, Frank is free. The computer core
no longer whispers murderous thoughts to him, nor commands him to
return home to his makers. It is like a massive weight has been
lifted from his shoulders. Then, from his position where he fell, he
sees Electra fall to the deck, blood pumping from her wound like a
fountain. Frank can see that she is going to die too. He mouths a
silent "Thank you" to her, and genuinely smiles.


In addition Sci-Fi's visor is no longer working, nor are the comm-
links, or Calvin's camera.

The lead cyborg's jet pack, who was just coming within firing range,
immediately shuts off and he plummets into the stormy ocean and sinks
beneath the waves.

"Hey! What the %#@ didi you do to the camera!? " Guy screams at
Electra.

Calvin quickly pulls out a backup battery and switches it out as the
cyborgs let loose with another volley of laser fire.

Zena dodges the pulsing red laser as they singe the air around her.
Electra dodges several before she is clipped in the shoulder by one.
It feels like a red hot poker being shoved through her and she
screams in pain as she falls to the deck. As unconscious overtakes
her and her blood begins pooling around her, she knows that she is
dying.

Sci-Fi is also hit by one of the laser blasts, blood erupts from his
chest where the laser hits him. He also falls to the deck unconscious
and at death's door. The two heroes blood mixes with the pools of
water on te deck, from teh pounding rain.

"Holy shit!" screams Guy. "Keep filming." he barks at Calvin. He
moves to Sci-Fi to see if he can do anything to stop the bleeding.
Guards come arpound both corners of the walkway that the team is
located on with their uzi's at the ready. " FREEZE!" the one in the
lead screams over teh storm. "Make one move and I'll order my men to
kill you all and dump you bodies in the ocean. Get your hands up
where I can see' em now!"

Kinetica, who is already speeding towards the cyborgs at this point,
takes evasive maneuvers as the lasers fly toward her. They smack into
her forcefield, punching through it ;like bullets through glass, and
Kinetica takes a hit in the leg as her forcefield completely
shatters. It burns like fire, but she grits her teeth and heads
straight at the one nearest her, attempting to slam into it, even
without her forcefield on. The cyborg leap frogs over her in mid air
and Kinetica zooms underneath him. The cyborgs are fast; as least as
quick as Roughneck.

Without her forcefield up, Kinetica realizes that if she takes
another hit, she'll likely wind up like Electra and Sci-Fi.
[I let Kinetica use a Willpower card to soak some damage. I guess
that can be a house rule now. Any Strength or Willpower cards used to
soak damage, can flip an additional card from the fate deck to absorb
damage. ]

[Please not that these guys are using lethal attacks against you,
they are playing for keeps. Also pleaase remember that your comm-
links are not currently working, so MM would not be awaare of the
events ocuurring outside. ]

Zena readies herself to dodge any attacks that come at her, but makes
no aggressive moves that would endager the others.

Without warning
Sci-Fi, Guy & Electra disappear inexplicably. perhaps it is a knee-
jerk reaction by the dying Sci-Fi or some outside force that sends
the injured heroes away, taking Guy with them because of his
proximity. Unfortunaetly it strands Kinetica, Zena, Calvin, Tolwynn
and Roughneck at the mercy of the guards and Cyborgs. There is still
no sign of Master Menagero. [Keith - I'd like to use a Plot Point and
my Inexplicable Disappearance 7 Int card to get the others to a
hospital or some other helpful facility before they croak. It can
either be just an unconscious teleport made by Sci-Fi or something
else that could work into the plot later (like some unknown
benefactor lending us necessary aid at crucial times or somesuch). Of
course if you don't allow the use let me know and I'll revise my
action - Garry]

The guards seem a bit taken aback by the sudden disappearance of
three of thier hostages, but they do not take their eyes off the
remaining ones. They move closer, snatching the camera from Calvin
and pressing an uzi into his back. Another takes aim on Tolwynn and a
third gets a bead on Frank. The rest are all locked on Zena. "Throw
down your weapon and put your hands in the air. Do as I say, woman!"
barks the head guard.

Zena prepares to surrender her weapon, but then she hears Kinetica.

"Ouch! You bastards!" Kinetica reactivates her forcefield (3D) as
she prepares to dodge further attacks (3A).

The remaining four cyborgs hover around her, ready to
fire, "Deactivate your forcefield and return to the ship with the
others. You have five seconds to comply. " says one of teh cyborgs.

"You biatches have to catch me first," retorts Kinetica. She dives
towards a portion of the tanker that looks particularly volatile,
attempting to Manipulate the cyborgs into following her (6W). She
then (assuming at least one cyborg followers here) tosses a k-bolt at
the tanker once they get close, hoping to cause an EXPLOSION (Plot
Point) which catches the cyborgs as she flies as fast as she can away
from the tanker.

Zena does not relinquish her weapon yet. If Kinetica draws away the
cyborgs, she plans on taking out the guards. She whispers to the
nearby Tolwynn in the animal's language. "If I start a fight, you
knock the fat camera man off the side of the ship and haul him to
shore. Be swift." [since I declared an All-Out dodge, and I don't
know what will happen with Kinetica just yet, I don't want to post
any attacks or other actions yet]


Nearby, Frank lies there like a slug. It is his only defense.





----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------

Meanwhile...

Guy finds himself suddenly reappearing with Electra and Sci-Fi in the
medical lobby of the Horizon Institute, one of teh few places
equipped to deal with metahuman medicine.

The staff is stunned by their sudden appearance and everyone
hesitates trying to figure out what is goinf on.

Guy isn't sure what happened either, but he knows that time is
critical. He immeditely clicks into director mode and starts shouting
orders. "OK people snap out of it! We have a metahuman ememrgncey
here! These two members of Meta-Force need immediate attention.
They've both lost a lot of blood from injuries sustained in the line
of duty."

The nurses immediaately snap into action, retreiving gurnies, IV's
and other medical eqippment. They rush the two heroes off to the
emergency room for immediate sugery

The four cyborgs chase after Kinetica , who fires a K-bolt into the
side of the tanker near the propeller. The blast punches through the
hull, sparks ignite the fuel line causing a huge explosion that
catches the cyborgs as they fly past. Secondary explosions occur as
the fuel supplies in their jet packs explode from the heat as well,
sending cybernetic parts and human flesh everywhere. None of the four
cyborgs survive the blast.



Kinetica dusts her hands off. "That will teach them to pick on a
poor, defenseless&wait, did I&?"



[No action this round for Julia]


The explosion causes the guards on deck to dive for cover from the
huge fireball that wafts upwards due to the explosion. This provides
a momentary distraction and Tolwynn does as she was told by Zena,
knocking Calvin into the water , then jumping overboard after him.

Zena moves away from the fireball and sees her chance to attack. Most
of the guards are prone or more concerned about not getting burned in
the fire at the moment. There are three in front of her, near
Roughneck, and two behind her.

Frank's system's suddenly come back online and he is now able to
support the weight of his cyborg body. His computer core quickly
identifies the enemies near him and tries to compel him to terminate
them.

Normally Frank would be happy to oblige his computer core under these
circumstances. He has just seen several of his team members killed
and somehow disintegrated. They couldn't have survived the wounds
they took; he saw Electra's blood flowing too freely for her to
survive without immediate medical attention. To Frank, his enemies
have given up all rights to mercy.

But though the core commands him to do something he is already
inclined to do, its renewed presence in his mind is like the return
of the invader. Once again, Frank is not alone in his own skull. He
instinctively resists the core's commands, rejecting its influence on
him. But this mental battle only lasts for a split second before one
of the guards rolls over, sees Frank standing, and levels his weapon
at Frank. Frank lets go, lets the core once again take complete
command of his limbs. He feels himself rush toward the goard with
inhuman speed and drive a spear-hand thrust toward his throat.

[Frank is doing killing damage (Brawling skill) because the core is
in control and because he thinks several team members are probably
dead. Danger Sense +8D for dodge, and using the other 8D for the
attack. Keith, I don't know the rules that well, is it possible for
Frank to attack more of the guards near him this turn? If possible, I
will split my attack among two of them, or even all three of them if
I would have decent chance of success.]


Zena can see the three guards in front of her. The guards behind her
though are more risky. Still, if she goes after one of the guards
near Frank, those behind her could take her down quickly. She has to
chance attacks on the other two. She spins on her heels and flings
her weapon of choice at the paid help. Her chakram flies towards her
enemies. [Dodge with 6 Agil when needed. I am using my contingent
attack skill to hit both guards. I will put 7 of my agility points
towards the first guard and the remaining 6 towards the second guard.
I use my 7 Str + trump for World Classed Flinging at the first guard.
For the ricochet check I will use my 6 Will card (or whatever I get
as a replacement card if it is better, even if its doom). For the
second attack I will use my 6 Int + trump (unless a replacement card
from the ricochet check is better - any higher non doom) for the
attack against the second guard. Also utilize any edge cards that may
come up into the next applicable action, dodge, ricochet or the
contingent attack.]

All other electronic equipment is now functioning as well, including
the lighting on the tanker which suddenly turns back on. MM hears and
feels a huge explosion from the back of the tanker as the light
suddenly come back on. Through the window he sees the hanger door
on the front of the tanker deck slide open with a hydraulic hiss and
5 more cyborgs fly out.



"Oh, no you don't," MM says. He quickly goes to the crane controls.
He is aware that most large ships have a crane to load freight onto
the vessel. These crane's jobs can swing around full circle. He
intends to grabs the computerized control levers available from his
vantage point on the bridge and bat the cyborgs into the water."This
one's for the team, you monsters."



OOC: Using a plot point as an Explorer to knock these 5 goons into
Uncharted, or maybe somewhat charted, water. Intellect to control
computerized crane equipment + 6I + trump + 9S push + computer skill.




----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------


Meanwhile, a few hours later
Electra and Sci-Fi have both been stabilized, but are still in bad
shape. They awake in hospital beds hooked up to heart monitors and
IV's.
Guy is there in the room with them. "Welcome back to the land of the
living. " he says. "it was looking pretty sketchy there for
awhile. "

"Guy, what happened? Where's everyone else?" asks Sci-Fi as he comes
to.

Kinetica hovers in the air watching the action take place onboard the
tanker.

Zena spins on her heels and flings her chakram at the two guards
behind her. It smashes into the first ones head, ricochets off of it,
then hits the second guard just above the bridge of the nose, the
weapon returns to Zena's hand as the guards are knocked head over
heels onto the deck of the tanker. They are no longer conscious.

Roughneck drives a spearhand into the throat of the lead guards,
crushing his larynx. He pushes forward into the other two. An open
palmed thrust into the second's nose drives the cartilage into the
man's brain, killing him instantly. The third is killed with a swift
twist of the neck. The three guard lie lifeless at Franks's feet.

Master Menagero swings the crane arm at the five new cyborgs. They
crash intro each! other like dominoes before spinning out of control
and falling into the stormy sea. Menagero isn't sure if it took them
completely out of action, but it at least bought them some time.

There are still a few guards on the front part of the tanker, who now
seem to be heading for the doors that lead up to the bridge of the
tanker where MM is located.

[Keith, there is no new battlemap, but I assume Frank and Zena, being
behind the "control tower" at the rear of the tanker, can't directly
see the oncoming guards (or Menagero in the tower for that matter).
If the guards are in view, I may revise, but I proceed on the
assumption they can't fire on us immediately.]

Frank wipes the blood from his hands and says to Zena, "Cover me." He
also motions to Kinetica to join them (if she is in view). He then
finishes cutting the hole in the deck and leaps in, ready to fry
anyone who approaches with his laser (at +5). Depending on what he
se! es, he intends to make his way (with stealth, if possible) to the
lab, cutting through walls and floors as necessary to get there as
quickly as possible. [If for some reason Zena or Kinetica is delayed,
Frank will wait for them/help them.]



Kinetica seems to be in her own little world and ignores them.

Zena does as she is asked and keeps an eye out for approaching guards
or
survivng cycborgs [6 Will for Observation]. She keeps herself ready to
dodge any of the deadly laser fire or other harmful attacks that may
come her way. [2 Agil & 6 Agil for dodge]. She quickly chances a look
overboard to see if Tolwynn is alright and safely escorting Calvin to
shore.

Through the flames she see Tolwynn and Calvin making slow progress
towards the shore in the stormy sea. A few boats with sirens on them
are
now heading for the tanker, attracted by the huge explosion and flames.
Over their comm-links everyone can hear Guys voi! ce, "Hello? is this
thing working? If anyone can hear me, we are at the Horizon Institute,
Sci-Fi and Electra are both in the ER now. Not sure how we wound up
here. I guess Sci-Fi teleported us away at the last minute."

It takes Zena a few moments of staring at the comm after Guy calls.
Though they have repeatedly shown her how to use the device, she still
has trouble with most forms of technology. She isn't adapting well to
it. "Guy. This is Zena. Things have gotten worse. You should hear from
Calvin soon, I had Tolwynn take him to safety when the boat went up in
flames. There is still no sign of Rupert, but Frank and I are continuing
on. It looks like Kinetica may not be in perfect health. There seems to
be something wrong with her."

Since MM still ,weirdly, possess Sci-Fi's powers, he telprots next to
Frank. "I took out the captain and 5 cyborgs."
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Meanwhile, a few hours later...

Electra and Sci-Fi have both been stabilized, but are still in bad
shape. They awake in hospital beds hooked up to heart monitors and
IV's.

Guy is there in the room with them. "Welcome back to the land of the
living. " he says. "it was looking pretty sketchy there for
awhile. "

"Guy, what happened? Where's everyone else?" asks Sci-Fi as he comes
to.

"You both got blasted all to hell by those cyborgs." say s Guy
excitedly "I thought for sure you were both gonna die. I was applying
direct pressure to your gaping chest wound when all of a sudden we
wound up here at the Horizon Institute. . One of the docs said it
might have been a subconscious survival instinct on your part. I hop!
to o hell that Calvin got it all on tape. It will be great for sweeps
week. "

Electra ignores Guy's comments. "How long have we been here? Are the
other all right?"

Sci-Fi mutters to himself "We almost get killed he worries about the
film...," then out loud he says, "wait, you don't know if Calvin got it
on tape? They haven't come back yet have they?"

"You have been here a few hours. I haven't heard from the others, they
are still on the mission." answers Guy

[It will be impossible for Electra and Sci-Fi to return to teh battle
due to the timing of events at this point. You two are actually a few
hours ahead of what is occuring on the tanker at the moment. I hope to
get them operating on the same timeframe ASAP. ]

Master Menagero materializes next to Roughneck as just as he finishes
cutting through the deck. He immediately feels his powers shift,
assuming Zena's abilities. "I took out the captain and five
cyborgs." he says. As he speaks the words, he is shocked to see
several dead guards lying nearby and he moves away from the railing
to avoid the searing heat of the fire coming from near the propeller.
The rain seems to be keeping the blaze from getting completely out of
control. Roughneck is covered in blood, though it is hard to tell if
it is his or the guards.

Roughneck drops through the hole and into the engine room below. The
emergency lighting has kicked in bathing everything in an eerie red
light. There doesn't appear to be anyone in the room. There is a
door to the east which Frank figures will take him closer to the
laboratory Elect! ra told them about.

Guy radios back to Zena. "If things are getting too dangerous, then
maybe you should abort the mission. We can't have all of the talent
getting taken out of commission. It's up to you guys of course. "

"Guy," MM shouts loud enough for his voice to carry over Zena's
radio, "Shut up and let us do our jobs. You just stand their like the
media-addicted parasite you are and fantasize about ratings. Don't
distract us again, jerk."

MM blushes and follows Roughneck down the hall. His mind stays on the
dead bodies but he keeps his mouth shut. No one on the team is in a
position to scold anyone. "Sorry about that outburst. It's just that
this mission seems like its only going to get worse. I didn't feel
this nervous when we fought Harbinger at his moonbase. But, I have
your back, Frank, no matter what."

Roughneck says, "This mission just might get worse MM. Them cyborgs
look like updated versions uh me, and there's a bunch of'em." He
looks up through the hole at Zena, who is trying to see Kinetica
through the rain and smoke.

MM approaches the eastern door, thinking that the team is nothing but
a ragtag bunch of solo hereos. "A battle may happen on the other side
of this door. Try to protect sensitive equipment. In case you don't
leave anyone to question, I need to be able to retrieve information."
MM places his shoulder on the door and looks Frank in the eyes. "And,
one last thing. Make this mission count. It's my last one. Master
Menagero is going solo after this gig."

Frank stops Menagero before he attempts the door, before Zena drops
down into the room, and says, "Look, this one means a lot to me an'
Zena, but it ain't yer fight. Don't get yerself killed. I know you
prob'ly got Zena's powers, but even so, them lasers'd make short work
of even her if they catch her off guard. That means you too. You saw
what happened to the others. If you wanna bug out now, I wouldn't
blame ya. But Guy's prob'ly right, goin' in at this point, with half
our guys outta commission, is nuts. If'n I don' come back, it ain't
no big deal, an' somethin' tells me Zena's meant fer a bigger end
than this. But you, you got a life." Roughneck holds up his bloody
hands, now black in the emergency lighting. "They're playin' fer
keeps this time. An' so am I."

"If I die today, I die fighting alongside some of the bravest, though
irritatingly disorganized, bunch of heroes ever seen on the face of
this earth. Master Menagero's day has not yet come, Frank." MM snickers.
"Funny how after all our fighting, we end up the last two guys until
the end. Never thought I had it in me. And, frankly, Frank, I didn't think
you had it in you either. Now, enough mush. I'm busting through this
goddamn door. LET'S SHOW THESE OVERRATED TINKERTOYS HOW META-FORCE
DISHES IT OUT!!!"

OOC: MM uses a willpower feat to detect anything strange on the other
side of the 'lab' door. 8W+trump and a strength feat to bump it open
if it is locked. 6S + trump.

As Zena watches Menagero go down the hole, she wonders how long he's
been here and if he could have stopped Electra and Sci-Fi's injuries
had he appeared sooner. She turns her attention back up towards the
stilled Kinetica. Something is wrong with her. Zena cups her hands
around her mouth as she shouts to enhance her voice over the roaring
of the flames. "Julia, come now. We need your help. We can't succeed
without your aid, our lives depend on it. You did what you had to do.
It was them or you."

"S-sorry, be right there," says Julia, as she flies towards Zena and
Roughneck.

(("Those cyborgs, I.never thought that explosion would be so.I mean,
it was just supposed to knock them out, I didn't think they got quite so
close, and got.," starting to cry, Julia turns away from the camera.
"Get that think out of my face! This interview is over."))

Master Menagero kicks in the door as the others follow him. They come
out in a hallway with an observation deck. Through the glass windows
of the deck they see a vast metallic room, running the remaining length
of the tanker. The cyber-zons, in various states of wreckage and repair
are in various work tables throughout the laboratory. There are a dozen
men in lab boats scurrying about, destroying documents and purging hard
drives. Vast computer screens dot the walls at irregular intervals .
They show images of various things: maps (mainly of teh east coast,
but with a concentratiuon of areas off teh coast of Miami, FL and the isle
of Bermuda), dinosaurs, anatomy and physiology schematics (of humans
as well as dinosaurs), cybernetic enhancemants, and scientific formula.
The laboratory roof (about 3 stories above the floor) is still open
slightly, from where the last five cyborgs flew out, and rain is
cascading in through the opeing. The scientists seem completely
unaware of the heroes presence.

Roughneck crouches (to avoid being seen by the scientists) and looks
around the observation room to see if there are any controls to shut
the bay doors to the lab--hopefully delaying the approach of any more
cyborgs. He then quickly scans the lab itself for any lasers/intruder
countermeasures [which he might be able to detect using his Energy
Detection power...] [5I for this action]. He sees the collection of
dots near the Bermuda Triangle, nudges Zena to attract her attention,
and points this out to her (if she hasn't already seen it).

After this, he says to Zena, MM, and Kinetica, "Looks like it's ass-
kickin', name-takin' time." He cracks his knuckles, which pop with an
unnatural metallic sound. "Howsabout I ram my head through that there
window, and we can all try'an surprise'em?" He waits to see what the
others think of this simple plan.

[If Frank does find a button to shut the bay doors, he won't hit it
until immediately before they attack, so as not to alert the
scientists below. Also, if the fall is too great, and we can't jump
from this window to the lab below without taking damage, Frank won't
suggest they bust through the window.]

"Let's do it, MM says while stepping close to Kinetica to get her
powers. "I'm going straight for the computers. THe rest of you need to
keep those scientists from essing with the data. Take them out." MM
stands behind Frank. "There's using your head old buddy. Let's move.
Each second is more of your past lost."

OOC: MM will use a defense card (the best available) to fly to the main
computer terminal without getting hit by any attacks. I will use my best
card available to access the computer files and route the data stream
into the main computer hub. Using computer skill. My goal is to download
all remaining data into the hard drive closest to me and remove the hard
drive for later inspection.




----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------
Meanwhile at the Horizon Institute...

Guy has left Electra and Sci-Fi to get their rest.

Sci-Fi's best friend, Jill Lee, has shown up along with Gene's
younger brother Luke. They have to push their way through a throng of
reporters and paparazzi that has assembeled outside of the room. A
security guard does his best to keep them at bay, while Jill and Luke
enter the room.

Once they enter the room, they take off the Halloweeen masks tehy were
wearing to conceal their identities from the reportesr. they knew how
sensitive gene was about keeping his true identity a secret from the
public.

"We came as soon as we heard the news," says Jill. "Are you, okay?"
she asks setting on the bed next to him, with a look of worry on her
face.

"Well I feel like shit, but I'm fine now," says Sci-Fi, "Apparently my
teleport power has an emergency evactuation function. Who knew?"

"Thank goodness for that. I don't know what I'd do if you went and got
yourself killed," says Jill. "Who would I have to watch Star Trek
with?"

Luke stares at Electra with star struck amazement. Even though his
brother is a famous superhero, he didn't put him on a pedestal the
way he did other superheroes.

" Luke, Luke," says Sci-Fi, "come in Luke. Hailing Luke. Don't drool,
it's rude. Jill, Luke I'd like to introduce you to Electra, the newest
member of Meta-Force. Electra, this is my brother Luke and my best
friend Jill."

"Nice to meeet you," says Jill.

"That goes double for me," says Luke. "It's strange meeting someone
like you in person. I've had your poster hanging in my bedroom ever since
youjoined up with the Guardians. I cant't beleive you are actually on the
same team with my dorky brother, " gushes Luke excitedly.

A little laugh slips out as Electra watches this juvenile battle of
wit. Then Electra switches into her sex machine mode that she had perfected
from her days as a dancer. She sits up in her bed and leans in close to
Luke
but she is looking strait at Sci-Fi. "Dorky... I don't think so. Your
brother is
hot! Don't you think so?" Electra adds as she turns to Jill. Not waiting
for a response "as a matter of fact your brother just saved me and I can't
wait to repay him."

"Wha..what?" stammers Sci-Fi.

"You've got to be freakin' kidding me!" says Luke incredulously. "I
need to get into the hero biz. Did Gene tell you I have super powers?"

Jill looks at Electra icily "Maybe we should be going Luke. It seems
we've come at a bad time." Looking at Sci-Fi, she says " Sorry, I
didn't mean to interrupt things between you and your girlfriend. " she
stands
and prepares to leave.

"Wha..? No Jill, wait! Don't go." pleads Sci-Fi.

Electra bites her bottom lip. That is her most common tell-tale sign.
She always
does that when she get flustered and she hadn't expected that reaction
from Jill. She was just trying mess with Luke.

"I'm sorry, Gene. You know how protective I am of you," says Jill. "I
just think you can do better that's all."

"Yeah right." says Luke sarcastically. "No girls would even look at him
before he got those fancy powers and started running around in his long
johns. Let alone someone as hot as Electra. "

"There's no accounting for taste I guess." says Jill. "Anyway Gene, I
stopped by to give you this. It should help pass the time while you are
recuperating." She hands him a portable DVD player, along with several
DVD's. Several of his favorites are among them: the entire fist season
of the original Star Trek series, the extended versions of the first two
LOTR movies, and various others. "I hope you like it. " she says.

[Turn 2.7.13--combining all the posts. Added in the latest post for
Roughneck that Pat sent me in private. Yahoo is acting up, Sorry for
the delays in the posts. ]

Roughneck scans the lab for any energy emissions indicating security
countermeasures. Not detecting any, he rams his head through the
glass shattering a large portion of it and Roughneck jumps through. It is
a two story drop to the laboratory, but Frank is prepared for the jump
and lands safely below. He looks for a button to shut the open hanger
door above, but nothing jumps out at him. There are thousands of buttons
in this room and any one of them could control the doors.

Menagero, activates his forcefield and flies to the nearest computer.
He quickly begins attempting to re-route as much data as possible from
the shared network into the computer he is working on. [This will take
some time. ]

Zena lands next to Frank ready for action.

Kinetica flies through the shattered glass and hovers above the room,
her forcefield protecting her from the rain spilling through the open
hanger door above.

The scientists are all stunned by the sudden appearance of the
heroes. Some stare blankly, others quickly dismiss them and return to
their
frantic destruction of evidence.

The various images on vast plasma screen monitors located around
the room suddenly vanish, showing static for a moment and are quickly
replaced by the same video feed. A man sits in a darkened room in
front of an entire wall full of television screens, each of them tuned
to a
different international news channel from various parts of the globe.
The pale light of the TV screens silhouette the figure, completely
obscuring any details of his appearance. When he speaks, his voice is
electronically distorted, making it impossible to tell what his real
voice sounds like. "I was prepared to write your escape off as the
cost of doing business, Frank. But it seems you can't leave well enough
alone. And you my dear princess, you are just as hard headed. It
seems you won't be happy until you ar both dead. But as your fallen
sisters
have proven, even dead things have their uses. I look forward to
working with you all, in your next incarnation. " The video monitors go
black
and are replaced by a digital countdown.

"10--9--8" says a soothing computerized voice.

The scientists all begin scrambling for the nearest exits

"Somehow I don't think when it reaches zero it's going to be happy
New Year," says Julia, though her statement seems somewhat forced.
She grabs Zena and makes her own exit (Playing 4 Str if need be).

"Not yet!" screams Zena as she is snatched up by Kinetica. "Rupert!
Stop the explosion.... please!" she cries out to Menagero desperately
needing him to salvage the ship for the answers she and Frank need.

"I'll give it my best shot. I should be able to survive the explosion
with Kinetica's force field...I hope. But I will stay until I have
secured the maximum amount of data for you, Zena." With care in his
voice, MM goes steadily to work.

Frank runs to the nearest terminal and shoves his fist at the input
port. Fiber optic cables snake out of his arm as he hooks into the
tanker's computer. Frank feels the core come alive in the back of his
skull and it begins to communicate with the tanker's computer system.
Quickly the two are of Like-Minded Alignment [plot point]--through his
own core,
Frank somehow controls the tanker's computer. He immediately attempts to
make
it to shut off the countdown, then disengage the self-destruct
sequence.




----------------------------------------------------------------------
--
At the Horizon Institute...

"Wha..? No Jill, wait! Don't go." pleads Sci-Fi.

Electra bites her bottom lip. That is her most common tell-tale
sign. She always does that when she get flustered and she hadn't
expected that reaction
from Jill. She was just trying mess with Luke.

"I'm sorry, Gene. You know how protective I am of you," says Jill. "I
just think you can do better that's all."

"Yeah right." says Luke sarcastically. "No girls would even look at
him before he got those fancy powers and started running around in his
long johns. Let alone someone as hot as Electra. "

"There's no accounting for taste I guess." says Jill. "Anyway Gene, I
stopped by to give you this. It should help pass the time while you
are recuperating." She hands him a portable DVD player, along with
several DVD's. Several of his favorites are among them: the entire first
season of the original Star Trek series, the extended versions of the
first
two LOTR movies, and various others. "I hope you like it. " she says.

"Thank you Jill," says Gene, "And Electra was yanking your chain, or
maybe Luke's."

There is a knock at the door, and the commanding presence of the
Unknown Soldier enters the room. Well over six feet tall, broad shouldered
and barrel chested. Steely blue eyes gaze through his red, white and
blue mask.

"No freaking way!" exclaims Luke, clearly exasperated by the living
legend's presence.

"Calm down Luke," says Gene.

"At ease, kid. " says the Soldier. "I just dropped by to see Electra.
How you holding up, girlie?" he asks Electra. He places a bouquet of
flowers on her night stand. " All the Guardians signed the card.
They're all pulling for you. So am I, but i gotta tell you I was afraid
something like this was gonna happen. No offense but you're too damn
green to be leading a team. "

"I appreciate your concern but I'm not really leading anyone." A
slight tone of shame can be heard in her voice.

"That's not what the media is reporting. They say you left the
Guardians so that you could get top billing with Meta-Force. Not that
it matters what those vultures report.. " says the Soldier. "I'm not
saying you don' t have what it takes to lead, kid. But you gotta
give them a reason to follow you. No one is going to listen to you if
they think you are just showboating. You have a tendency to rush into
things without thinking of the possible consequences. Take your time.
Use your head, and do whats best for everyone. If you want, I'd be
willing to let you guys run some training sessions in the Danger Room
under my supervision. It doesn't matter if you screw up there, and
lets you learn from your mistakes. Just a thought."?

"Cool," says Gene

Electra says , "That would be great, if the others are interested.
By the way have you heard anything about the rest of the group. If they
are still in
danger maybe you could send them some help."

" I haven't heard anything, but we can send in reinforcements if need
be. " says the Soldier.

"Maybe, you could send someone just to check." Electra gives the
Unknown Soldier direction to the location of the tanker.

"I'll see if Iceman and the Huntress can check it out for you. In the
meantime, you need to get your rest. Hopefully you 'll heal as fast as
you can run." Th Unknown Soldier squeezes her hand gently and gtes up to
leave. "get in contact with me about those training sessions. I think it
would do you all some good. " he says as he walks out of teh room. From
outside the door he can be heard barking orders at the reporters. "Get
that damn camera out of my face or you'll be in the emergency room
having it removed from your ass!"

"I like his style," says Gene, "think I could get him to yell at Guy for
a bit?"


"He would probably like that."

[ Turn 2.8.5--nothing new. Just combining posts.]

Frank feels the core come alive in the back of his skull and it
begins to communicate with the tanker's computer system. Quickly the
two are of Like-Minded Alignment [plot point]--through his own core,
Frank somehow controls the tanker's computer. He immediately attempts
to make it to shut off the countdown, then disengage the self-
destruct sequence.

The soothing female voice says " System error. Destruct sequence
disengaged. " and the countdown freezes at three seconds.

MM types away like a madman, furiously trying to route as much data
as possible into the hard drive of the terminal He is working on. he
is making progress but it is taking longer than expected, and there
was always s the chance that the hard drive won't be able to contain
all of the network data.

As this occurs Kinetica and Zena clear the hatchway opening in the
lab. The storm has died down a little, but it is still raining quite
hard.
As they fly away from the tanker towards shore, a feeling of dread
overcomes them as they see five cyborgs emerge from the sea and
begin flying towards the tanker once again.

Two begin heading on an intercept pattern towards Kinetica and Zena,
while the other three fly through the hatchway into the lab.

Seeing her mistress in danger, Tancreed swoops quickly in, having been
observing the battle from the sky since Menagero had teleported away
from the docks. Fearing for Zena's life Tancreed flies right into the
face of one of the two cyborgs and makes a Retributive Strike against
these terrors, scratching at the cyborg's eyes with her sharp talons.
[I'd like to use Zena's last plot point to have Tancreed blind one of
the approaching cyborgs. 8D Loki - Retributive Strike]

Julia will place Zena on the deck (or something similar), and then take
defensive maneuvers.


MM and Roughneck hear the roaring whine off the cyborgs' jet packs
just before they fly into the laboratory. The cyborgs immediately
open fire on the computer terminals with their autofire lasers. The
blasts burn holes in the machinery and sends up electrical sparks
and explosions. They seem unconcerned with Roughneck or MM at the
moment. Frank spots an extra jet pack lying on one of the
workstations near him.

MM blocks the blasts with an force field expanded for maximum
coverage. "Frank, get rid of these guys while I defend the computer
core."
OOC: All-out defense 7S- Hercules (Adventurer/Arduous Labors) + trump
and push with 6S- Sub-Mariner (Majesty/Refusal of Authority)

Frank is not at all sure he can beat five cyborgs, especially given
they appear to be upgraded versions of himself. He tears loose from
the computer and runs to the nearby workstation and pulls the jetpack
over his shoulders, buckling it snugly around his waste and flipping
a toggle to "on". The jetpack somehow communicates with Frank's core
(probably some kind of short range wireless communication designed to
allow the cyborgs to control the packs with their computer cores) and
Frank sees a readout of the fuel, thrust, velocity, heading, and
other relevant information relating to the jet pack. With a thought
Frank blasts off from the floor, heading straight at one of the
cyborgs. [If putting on the jetpack isn't an action, Frank will also
fire his laser (at +5) at one of the cyborgs attacking the computer
terminals. He uses 4I (trump?) for the energy blast attack, and the
5S for dodging.]


[Didn't add anything for Electra and Sci-Fi, but if anyone wants to
continue any conversations at the Horizon Institure feel free.
Hopefully we can get this combat wrapped up and get everyone back on
teh same timeline by the weekend. ]

[Turn 2.9.11--added some more comments from the Enforcers.]

Kinetica sets Zena down on the deck and begins taking evasive
maneuvers. Two of the cyborgs are headed straight for them, as six
brightly clad figures appear out of nowhere on a glowing magical
platform and immediately launch themselves into the action.

Three of the figures take flight. One is a female dressed in an owl
motif costume, with a wing-like cape, that seems to allow her to
fly, another is wearing white and red powered armor, reminiscent of
one of the original Guardians called the paladin, the third is a male
dressed in a costume with a flame motif. The last three remain
standing on the glowing platform. Two are female. One wears a dark
blue hooded cloak. Her hands are shimmering the same color as the
platform. She appears to be chanting . The other woman on the
platform has a greenish tint to her skin, and is covered in a leaf
textured costume. The male on the platform is wearing a blue and
orange costume with a stylized "M" on his chest. He immediately jumps
off the platform , and grows to an enormous height before striking
the water. He towers over the tanker, with his waistline at the
surface of the water.

The three flying figures fly through the hatch into the laboratory
below.

The giant man swats one of the cyborgs heading towards Zena and
Kinetica out of the sky as tendrils of sea weed shoot out of the
ocean entangling the other one. Tancreed seeing his mistress is no
longer in danger, aborts his attack [saving you the plot point]

Below in the lab, Frank fires on one of the three cyborgs located
there, as the owl woman. the powered armor guy and the flame guy
streak into the lab. The powered armor guy unloads his own autoburst
into one of the cyborgs, punching holes through it, before it falls
to the ground deactivated. The owl woman sprouts mechanical claws
from her gloves and slices through the back of another's neck,
disrupting it. The last cyborg is barbecued by a fiery blast from the
third new arrival.

The fiery man lands on the laboratory floor. as do the other
two. . "Good work, Nightowl and Paladin. "

"Thanks Prometheus. " says the female Nightowl.

Prometheus talks into a wrist communicator, " How are things going
topside, Macro? "

"I just took out one, Evergreen wrapped one up with seaweed, and
Spellbinder is casting a spell to get the fire under control. "
answers the voice.

"Excellent. Prometheus out. " says Prometheus. He looks to Roughneck
and MM. " We're the Enforcers by the way. New group of heroes in
town. Hopefully you'll be hearing a lot about us in the near future.
This is Nightowl, and Paladin. I'm called Prometheus. We heard the
reports on the police band radio and thought you guys could use some
help. Not bad for our first mission, huh? "

"Lucky for you guys we showed up." says the Paladin, his voice
sounding mechanical and distorted through his exoskeleton armor. "it
looks like you were getting your ass handed to you."

Nightowl snickers at Paladin's comment.

MM feels his powers shift as Prometheus draws near. The blue glow of
Kinetica's duplicated powers fade away and are replaced by the fiery
aura of Prometheus. Nightowl and Paladin aren't registering on his
metahumnan radar, but there are two others ouside the tanker., and
one is HUGE.

Roughneck lands. He ignores Paladin's comments and Nightowl's
snickering, and says to Prometheus, "Thanks fer the help. Hope we can
repay ya sometime." He extends his (still bloody) hand to shake with
Prometheus.

He then uses his communicator to contact Sci-fi and the
others: "Everthing's secure here, we're alright. Thanks to some new,
uh, friends. Zena, Kinetica, what's goin' on up there? Seen any of
them scientists tryin' to escape?"

Next Frank goes to the cyborgs lying on tables in the lab, to see if
any of them are alive or need immediate help.

None of teh cyborgs appear to be alive.

Seeing Paladin inspecting the central computer terminals, Roughneck
warns, "There's
a self-destruct countdown froze at about three seconds, so I wouldn't
mess wit' them computers if I was you."

MM smiles in agreement. "He is right, Frank. Pleased to meet you people.
Your attack was so very organized. I am totally impressed." MM joins
Paladin, wiping his stress-caused runny nose on his sleeve. "That CPU
over there already has my infiltration program running. It will be
easier for you to access the data from that port. Make sure ROughneck
gets the data he needs please."

MM ignites into flame and soars into the air. He lands on the top deck.
"If you need me for anything else *ahchoo* in the future, you can
contact me through RensCorps CEO Rupert

"What? Everyone assumes because I have powered armor I'm teh tech guy? "
says Paladin. He pulls a small computer disk from a compartment in his
armor. " This is small, but effective. It has enough memory on it to
store teh entire library opf congress. He pops it in the computer, types
a few things, and says. " OK, It's burning all of the retrieved data to
that disk. Whenever it's done, just hit that button to eject it . Have
fun looking over it, there's a ton of stuff on there. "

"If that's all you need. We'll be on our way." says Prometheus.

------------------------------------------------------------------------

Meanwhile at the Horizon Institute....

Luke returns to the room, from getting a snack at the concession
stand. " Hey bro. Check this out." he says turning on the TV. Reports
of the tanker battle are coming in. Details are sketchy Rettenspottick.
I check in with him sometimes." The white-garbed hero uses Prometheus'
powers to jettison himself in the air with enough force to reach land
even when his powers cut out (He plans to use his parachute cape to
glide safely to land if he can't assume anyone's flight powers). "Well,
Meta-Force, it's been fun. Roughneck, Zena, my dear, good luck."
MM will zip away. Rupert needs som time to himself after the whole
Cassandra affair. THe team is too disorganized of late.at the
moment, but it appears that the reality TV super team Meta-Force had
to be rescued by a fledgling super group calling themselves the
Enforcers.

"Pretty embarrassing huh? ' says Luke.

"Don't be such a jerk Luke," says Jill. "There's no need to add
insult to injuries. "

"I wonder if these new guys are hireing," says Sci-Fi sarcasticly.