<> <> ( It was on fire? >.> ) ( Sure was/is. ) (Um... I don't believe it was ever mentioned it was on fire.) (Definitely. Remember the smoke and the throwing metal into electrical sockets? c.c;) ( *nods* ) (Oooohhh.) <> (Every hero has a very misguided sense of adventure.) <> d6+7 * Atom rolls for Katherine (d6+7) and gets 11. d6+6 * Atom rolls for Leopoldo (d6+6) and gets 9. d6+6 * Atom rolls for Ian (d6+6) and gets 11. d6+5 d6+6 * Atom rolls for Rochelle (d6+5) and gets 8. * Atom rolls for Vera (d6+6) and gets 7. (I believe your init is your CV, right?) d6+3 * Atom rolls for Demetreia (d6+3) and gets 4. ( Some other things mod it, but it's mostly CV, yes. ) (...) (d6+CV, yes.) (That is the most impressive init I've ever seen.) (Er, what's the formula for def again? I think mine is way too low.) (DCV = ACV-2. d6+4 * Atom rolls for Fitzroy (d6+4) and gets 8. (Whoops. Yeah, 2 def is not correct. @_@) (Unless you took just ACM or DCM) (Because they were split.) (Nope, neither.) (And also, I think your init is your CV if you switch your ACV and DCV...) (Rolling done! Chatter later! Kill now!) (Uh... Kill? *hides*) <> ( Killing is bad, very very bad! ) <> * Katherine 's eyes focus, she brings her gun to bear on the bigger man's left knee, and then she fires the .357. * Ian frowns, takes aim at the small fellow, and fires. 2d6-2 * Atom rolls for Katherine (2d6-2) and gets 3. (A good start. Hit by 4, obviously a called shot.) 2d6-3 * Atom rolls for Ian (2d6-3) and gets 1. (...I think that's a yes.) * SmallFellow slides out of the way of Ian's shot. "Oh, come on, now. You can't really expect to fight.>> * BigFellow takes the shot to his knee! But doesn't seem terribly bothered by it. <> * Leopoldo assumes a defensive posture, not taking any offensive action against them. But he's still in the way. (Total Defense) <> * Rochelle makes absolutely no move to get off her seat, even amid the gunfire and panic. She just shifts her purse to her lap and watches. * Fitzroy backs up a bit, and does nothing. He waits to see what happens. * Leopoldo prays silently that the Cops get here soon. * SmallFellow twists around and wings a butterknife at Leo! <> (Uh... How was defense working again?) (Dodge like the ninja!) (Dodge defense, by the way.) 2d6-2 * Atom rolls for Leopoldo (2d6-2) and gets 6. (Noppers!) (What you're defending with. It'd be Dodge(Personal).) (Well, I have none of those fangled defenses you speak of.) <> (...I forgot to tack "personal" onto my defense skills...d'oh! ) * Leopoldo winces at the hit, but it doesn't seem to do *that* much considering how hard it was thrown. <> (It's a free -1! Never forget it!) * Vera pulls a rather large pistol from her coat, twirls it around her fingers twice and fires the instant it stops spinning, aimed at the small guy. 2d6-3 * Atom rolls for Vera (2d6-3) and gets 7. ( Aw. Shouldn't have been so fancy :P ) (Styling.) ( Hey! That's my turf!) * SmallFellow doesn't even move as the shot goes flying past him. "Give it UP already!" * Vera smirks. "That one was just a warning." <> ( She, I like.) ( Gotta make this look good.) ( ^^ ) * BigFellow swings his upraised fist down at Ian! ( On it... ) ( Grandparents on phone...>< ) * Ian leaps sideways. 2d6-3 * Atom rolls for Ian (2d6-3) and gets 5. (Damn, missed by 1.) I respectfully request that you cease this behavior. It is against regulation. * Demetreia stands in a passive-looking pose, hands at her sides, head raised. <> ( Full Defense or whatever) <> * Ian oofs, and staggers backwards, a bit dazed. * Katherine snarls. "This is why I hate warning shots." Then she fires at the same knee, again, despite herself. 2d6-2 * Atom rolls for Katherine (2d6-2) and gets 3. (Same exact attack, same exact roll.) * BigFellow grunts as he's shot in the same place, and falls to one knee, dropping the whatever-it-is. (Ian?) * Katherine grins with satisfaction. (One sec) * Ian growls, and fires at the big guy's right shoulder. (Called.) 2d6-2 * Atom rolls for Ian (2d6-2) and gets 3. (Made it.) <> * BigFellow tilts to the side slightly, avoiding the shot. <> * Leopoldo winces as he takes out the knife the blade barely penetrating his scales. "One good turn deserves another." He throws the knife back at the small guy. 2d6 * Atom rolls for Leopoldo (2d6) and gets 7. (Nope!) (Good try!) (I know! ;-;) * SmallFellow dances to the side to avoid the blade, meanwhile glancing at the big man's predicament. "Oh, for the love of ARISTOTLE, man!" <> * Fitzroy is still trying to stay out of the line of fire.. as well as the burning fire. * BigFellow grunts in response. (total defense) (Question.) (Big guy dropped the thingie. Is he making any move to pick it up again?) (Not yet.) ( 'Course not. 'S not his turn. ;_; ) * Rochelle gets to her feet now and looks around. "If ya wanna live, better move now." She takes this opportunity to do just as she said, running for the left exit. (...XMMS: Disco Inferno. Which I have been listening to for three minutes without realizing.) * SmallFellow runs over to BigFellow's side, grabbing his arm and dragging him. "Come on, you lug, they're almost here and we can't afford to be caught tonight! There's always later!" He dashes to the right and jumps over a burning rafter, vanishing out of sight. (Dragging the guy with him?) * BigFellow nods and takes off to the right, running over tables and right through the burning rafter. <> * Vera runs after them, calling to the others, "Grab that thing!" * Ian grabs the thing, and makes for the exit deceptively quickly. Considering the penguin feet and all. (Which exit? There's more than one. ^^) * Demetreia looks around, shrugs, and follows everyone else to the nearest exit. * Fitzroy follows Rochelle out the left exit. * Leopoldo nods and goes to pick it up only to be upstaged by the penguin... So he runs for the exit. (Following Rochelle) <> (Same here. Left.) * Katherine tracks the Big Fellow part of the way with her gun, then coughs, and stuffs it back in her purse. "Glad y'all stuck around, dammit." She moves over to the 'thing' and sees if she can lift it. ( Alrighty then. That one. ) 2d6-1 * Atom rolls for Vera (2d6-1) and gets 5. (Er. Change that. Ian grabbed it. c.c;) * Katherine goes out the left exit, then. 2d6 * Atom rolls for Vera (2d6) and gets 5. 2d6+2 * Atom rolls for Vera (2d6+2) and gets 13. (Uh... What are the rolls for?) (Or shouldn't I know.) ( SEKRIT ) ( Getting killed :P ) (Vera's chasing after the small fellow.) (And probably burning alive.) (Cool!) (Eh, whatever.) <> 2d6 * Atom rolls for Vera (2d6) and gets 7. ( Hehehe! Fire! Fire! ) <> * Demetreia screeches, almost literally to a halt, and goes to see if Vera needs help. ( add a comma in there. ) * Katherine is doing no screeching, and a lot of not being in the place when it collapses. * Vera rubs her head, curses, and heads towards the safest exit. All at the same time! (Actually, I'd take a comma away from that pose.) * Demetreia keeps on going, then. Wheeeee ( I'd rearrange it entirely, but adding a comma makes it easier. ) * Leopoldo runs forward, his tail making it somewhat obvious what walls he goes around. * Vera makes sure to preserve her hat! (Hats are important. You've got to wear them when you go outside.) <> * Vera curses again, shoving her pistol into her somewhat-scorched jacket. * Rochelle looks back. "Everyone got out. That's good." She removes her mask, revealing cat-slitted blue eyes, and runs a hand through her hair. Put the artifact down now! Leave it on the ground. They're going to arrest anyone holding it. * Ian pants, his gun stowed inside his costume, and removes the penguin head. He's got light brown hair and hazel eyes. * Vera heads over to the others, too. She takes off her hat and feels at her head for any blood. * Ian sets the thing down on the sidewalk, and leans against it. "Are you all okay?" <> * Fitzroy brushes off his suit-jacket. "Sorry I wasn't more help." That was odd. * Rochelle nods. "Sounds like the police are here." * Leopoldo nods. * Katherine looks about, frowning, but leaves her mask on. "Who cares about help anyway?" * Ian stands back upright. "That was odd, yes." I suggest you put the artifact down. (I did.) Yeah. (Ah, okay.) (Yah, he did.) * Ian blinks. "We were the only armed table, weren't we?" Now... I doubt the Police are going to be happy with any of us if they find us here... Yeah. * Demetreia tilts her head at Leopoldo. "But we did not do anything wrong..." We were the only table dumb enough to stick around, at least. I don't think so, but- yeah. * Rochelle looks at the artifact. "Funny how that works." I don't care, I don't want to be caught up in a jail-house while they sort out facts. * Vera shrugs. "There were enough witnesses so that we should get off fine." <> * Ian looks over at Fitzroy. "You took pictures, right?" * Fitzroy nods at Leo's comment "I don't need to be here when the police arrive either." Stayin' back here might be a worse idea. * Rochelle shakes ashes out of her hair. * Ian nods. "Where to?" Yeah. I've got a few pictures of them and this thing. * Katherine smirks. "Who cares where? It's Masq night." * Leopoldo nods, and makes his way to the movie house, as the Police probably have the other end blocked off. * Fitzroy gets out his computer to take a close-up or two of the artifact. <> "STOP! HALT!" * Leopoldo puts his hands in the air, offering no resistance. * Rochelle looks over at the policemen, blinks, and just spreads her hands to show she has nothing in them. * Vera puts her hands in the air, rolling her eyes. * Ian blinks, and puts his hands up as well. Flippers. Great. 2 hours of masq left, and we're gonna spend it in with the cops. ( Don't you dare threaten me! I have an anti-tank missile under my hat! ) * Fitzroy offers no resistance as well. He has evidence. Could be worse. * Demetreia offers no resistance either, looking at the police curiously. * Katherine puts up her hands. "It could always be worse, Roch." <> "You folks get out alright?" * Ian nods. "I think everyone got out, Officer." * Rochelle nods and lowers her hands hesitantly. "Almost everyone." * Ian relaxes his flippers. "Any of you see the perps who done it?" * Katherine puts her hands down. "Yeah." She thumbs towards Fitz. "He got a great look." * Ian nods. * Leopoldo nods. * Vera nods too! I actually have a picture of the two guys.. <> "Really? That's great!" <> "Can you upload it?" * Rochelle adjusts her purse strap and watches. Sure thing. *he goes about transfering the pictures to whatever the cops have* * Vera pulls out a cigarette and lights up. <> "It's good you got out, though. Fire's so rare nowadays people don't know how to handle it." <> "Thank you very much, folks, and enjoy the Masquerade." <> * Leopoldo waits patiently. It's good to have a geek on hand sometimes. *he grins* * Ian blinks. "...so, what do we do with this thing?" Yes, it is. * Rochelle watches them oddly. "Take it with us. I guess." Hmmm... I'm not sure. Taking it with us would be the most logical thing. Why would we take it? * Vera waits for the officers to be out of earshot before muttering. "Lovin' it already." They didn't seem to interested in it. Exactly. Guess we could leave it, but that'd be a total waste. * Ian nods. * Rochelle looks up at the fires, then around. No point in leaving it. Those guys would just come back for it. Are you sure they knew what this gathering was about? Perhaps the auctioneers will report it missing, later. * Leopoldo picks it up and nods. (What viable exits do we have?) <> <> * Vera shrugs. "If they do, we can give it back then." * Ian nods. ...that sounds reasonable. * Rochelle looks the direction of the cops, then walks the other way. * Katherine snorts. "Yeah, that'll work great. Remind me to be nowhere near you when they catch you." She goes the other way too. * Ian follows. * Leopoldo walks the direction Rochelle goes, artifact in hand. So, where are each of you staying for the festivities? * Rochelle puts her mask back on as she goes. "In a box." * Demetreia seems to perk up. "You as well?" * Demetreia follows too, by the way. I'm not sure if I care what happens to it. I came for the Sangria-Beltane (or however you spell that).. *he follows out with the others* Eh... You're not serious, are you? * Vera follows the others. * Katherine looks at Roch, disconcerted. "You'd be surprised how many people live in boxes around here. I live in my flat, though." * Ian repenguinifies, and adjusts his beak to point the right way. It's somewhat unnerving. "I live a little south of here, in Red Brooklyn." * Rochelle blinks at Demetreia, then nods. "Yeah. Got some metal overhead, too. Makes for good shelter." I'm just staying for a couple more days in 'Red and Gold'. If you would like a place to stay until I leave, I'm sure I could work something out. <> Ohh...that's an intelligent idea. I'll add that to my databases. * Leopoldo chuckles. "You really like your cyber-tech, don't you?" * Ian looks around the street - he's being quiet for the moment. ( Mmm, frosting. :9 ) * Vera finishes her cigarette,stamps it out, and throws the butt in the nearest available trashcan. <> Yer welcome. * Katherine eyes Demetria critically, but can't really see much, then turns to the elsewheres, and grins. "2 hours left before midnight, and I haven't hit my quota. Anyone wanna hit the clubs and forget about this?" I'm game. Officer said enjoy the masq. * Ian smiles. "Sounds like a plan." * Leopoldo nods. "I'd like that." Sounds good to me too. Only if there's a bar. * Katherine eyes Leo. "Just as someone dumps the accessory. It doesn't go with your eyes." I'd like to first drop this artifact off first, though. * Leopoldo blinks at Kat. "What accessory?" Oh, this. * Leopoldo smiles sheepishly. Hmm, who lives closest? <> I think we should leave it where someone lives permenantly. I wouldn't want someone to find it my hotel room. * Rochelle shrugs. "Don't look at me. Box." * Katherine frowns. "We can ditch it at my place, if someone promises to take it later. I'm not keeping it forever." Then I'm out. My place is in Twilight. * Leopoldo nods. (You just said that out loud. >.>) * Rochelle blinks at Fitzroy. (Yes. Yes, he did.) I'm more or less straight south of here, three or four miles. * Ian raises an eyebrow. I'll take it home when we're done, then. I live up there, and I'm positive I might be able to find something to do with it. * Leopoldo points in the sky. Gotta be me, then. C'mon, you. * Leopoldo shrugs and follows the kitty. * Vera follows. "If nothing else, sell it on a TVNet auction." * Ian follows. Just watch out for people throwing cutlery. * Rochelle snickers and walks after. "Silverware, the currency of the future." Butter knives don't make good projectiles. I dunno, he made 'em into good ones. * Katherine says offhandedly, "It's only a few blocks, so that'll make it easy." * Katherine is walking towards 95th, and will walk until she gets there! * Leopoldo follows Kat! <> Nice building! * Vera looks up and whistles. "Trippy." * Leopoldo nods. "Very nice." * Demetreia looks up and remembers to take off her hockey mask, revealing a very young-looking heart-shaped face with wide grey eyes. Awwww. <> <> Thanks. Uriel tries. Maybe too hard. * Leopoldo smirks. Yeah, but it's her money to waste, after we give it to her. * Rochelle walks on up. Her eyes lock onto the boy, but she doesn't slow down. * Katherine eyes leatherboy as well as she walks up. * Demetreia straightens up and looks hard at the boy, coming in close. "...I recall you." * Ian notes the boy, but walks on. * Leopoldo walks up and looks at the leather boy just like he looks at most everyone else. Happily. * Fitzroy doesn't pay much attention to the kid. He's looking at the surroundings more. * Vera doesn't pay a great deal of attention to him. <> "So, you're hiding it, then? Good plan." Where was...what you promised? * Ian blinks, and turns to face the boy. "Huh?" * Katherine says, "He's from the auction, obviously." She lets her left hand rest on her purse. <> "You'll get it, Demeteria, I promise. You'll just have to wait a little while." <> "The artifact, of course, Ian. And correct as usual, Katherine." * Leopoldo blinks and looks strangely at the boy. "Were you at the auction?" * Vera rubs her head. "Now what?" * Rochelle removes her mask before shaking the rest of the ashes out of her hair. "Kat just said that." "Of course I was. Don't the clothes give it away?" <> Who are you? Yes, yes it does. * Leopoldo twitches slightly. * Katherine smirks. Leather's not that uncommon, boy. <> "No matter. My name is Anders. No need to introduce yourselves, I know all of you." And? * Fitzroy looks hard at the kid. He doesn't recognize him though. Would you care to reveal any more information? * Ian peers at him. "Of course, but aren't you going to invite me up? Kind of rude not to, after I got you those invitations and all." Ah...we were wondering who had sent those. * Rochelle twirls her mask around one finger and looks to Kat. * Leopoldo looks at Kat. * Katherine 's left hand twitches. "Tough decision. On the one hand, you nearly got us all killed. On the other, you didn't tell us anything. You're 0 for 2." Yeah, I'm still waiting to hear what's so important. And I'm still trying to think straight. <> "The artifact, of course. Two Twenty-Fours broke in to steal it, it's obviously got a value over what it was about to be auctioned off for." "That artifact, and the others like it." Tell us something we don't know. * Ian nods. "So why get us involved?" * Chamelaeon looks sharply at Vera. "Be careful what you wish for, Vera." <> "Because I need people who aren't already busy. My crew has their hands full already, and frankly, you really had no other choice but to get involved." <> "Fate and numbers led you here, and they won't let you leave." (Anders.) (right). (Mr. Anderson?) (Hello. Mr. Anderson.) (Anders. The name. Is Anders.) * Vera raises an eyebrow. "Sounds like a threat." * Rochelle starts picking at her mask strap now. She wanders over to lean against one of the railings while she listens. .. And your little invitations. ...what do you mean? And the music? * Ian sounds annoyed. "So, are we going to learn what's going on, or just dance on our strings?" (Ian, drama queen.) * Katherine is just standing there, hand on the purse. People are doing a great job of talking without her. I think he's about to tell us, Ian. "Fate is not a passive thing, it requires a little help. As for the music, Leo, I'm afraid that's a little side power, and I can't exactly shut it off." Great, just great. "And I would absolutely love to tell you, but frankly I'd rather get off the street, if you don't mind." * Leopoldo rubs his temples. "Just don't mind me when I strangle your throat to turn it off." "I promise I won't stick around too long." * Ian sighs, and steps back to lean against the wall. ( At least he's not running...the Mulan soundtrack. ) * Katherine keeps her eyes on him. "Fine. I'll hold you to that, then. Apartment 5005." I'm sorry if I'm inconsiderate, Anders, but you probably know exactly how I'm feeling right now. <> "Yes." * Rochelle stops leaning, opens her purse and tucks her mask into it, then blinks as the car drives by. "That explains it." ( Oh, Papa LUUUUUUUUUUUURVES mambo, yes he does. ) * Katherine walks to the front door, and opens it, letting far too many people in. * Leopoldo walks in, glancing around the apartment. * Rochelle heads in! Yes, she does. * Ian follows! * Fitzroy asks Anders out of the blue "You with the tall guy then?" (Not to the apartment yet. c.c;) * Demetreia follows. (We were outside the building. Stupid paranoid buildings.) * Vera follows! * Fitzroy follows as he asks. <> "Yes, that'd be Samuel. He's one of my trusted crew." (Oh, well then.) Ahh. * Katherine punches 50, and zoom goes the elevator. Did you pick them out? <> "No. Fate chose them for me." That would explain the bad philosophy, then. Nah. The thieves, they had bad philosophy. Ah, okay. * Ian snickers. "That they did." * Rochelle steps out of the elevator. * Leopoldo scratches his head. "Okay, then who were you talking about?" * Katherine walks down the hallway, to a corner of the apartment building, and opens her door with a swipe of the card. "The thieves are not mine. In fact, they're my adversaries, insomuch as I have adversaries. I believe Fitzeroy refers to a tall man, also in black leather, who gave Fitzeroy, Vera, and Ian their invitations." * Leopoldo nods, a bit more understanding in his eyes. Pretty lame adversaries. * Fitzroy palms is forehead. "Call me Roy or something.." * Rochelle heads after. <> "Roy it is, then." * Katherine walks into her relatively large studio apartment, which has a kitchenette on the left, and a closet on the right. As you walk further in, you can see three major features. A large open area with a punching bag hanging from it, a small couch and chair facing the TV, and some large bookshelves on the wall, and another block away from the wall. A bed is against the far windows, as this is a corner apartment. (Did that all make it? And http://mechalink.sandwich.net/rp/apart.bmp is a _lousy_ scan, but it'll give you an idea.) (As to layout, at least.) (It all made it.) <> "Get drinks if you want them, you very well might need them before the night is over." * Ian steps in. "Nice place." * Rochelle looks around, then nods. "Yeah, you got a nice set-up, Kat. Can I sit down?" * Katherine doesn't stop walking all the way over to her bed, where she withdraws a _large_ handgun. AE class, and in fact, for those in the know, it IS is an AE .50. "Yeah, sure, siddown. There's some light alcohol in the fridge." * Vera looks around. "Sounds good." * Rochelle doesn't bat an eye when Kat pulls out the gun. She just sits on the chair. * Leopoldo walks over to the fridge and gets a drink then, passing them out to whomever else wants one. He takes a seat in the sturdiest chair there, leting his tail swing off to the side. * Demetreia sinks hesitantly down onto the couch. "Would there be any water?" * Ian takes a drink, and sits down on the couch. "Thanks." * Leopoldo smiles. "No problem." * Fitzroy finds a chair and brings out his comp again. * Leopoldo twitches slightly after he sits down, again. * Rochelle shifts and adjusts her sandals so they're a bit more comfortable. * Vera takes a drink, something alcoholic, and leans against the wall. Of all the songs... You had to have *that* one. * Katherine puts her purse down on the bed and walks back across the room. "Yeah, sure, there's water too." On her way, she hits the punching bag hard, once, then goes to grab something to drink herself. * Demetreia gets up and gets some water, then. "The doctors have no explanation for it. My mother asserted it was the song playing over the hospital music system immediately following my birth. I am unsure as to the truth of that." * Ian raises an eyebrow. ( O.o ) "Nonetheless, it is a fact that I can't seem to stop or inhibit it in the slightest." Maybe you can sue the hospital then. * Leopoldo sighs. "I suppose I should make due then. Kat, do you have any tinfoil I could borrow?" "I'm lucky it was not polka." * Leopoldo shudders at that thought. * Ian winces. <> "So, are we all settled?" * Rochelle leans back and folds her hands behind her head. * Katherine sits back with her drink in one hand, and the gun in the other, and eyes Leopoldo. "Yes, I'm sure I have some tinfoil in the third drawer from the door. Try not to use it all." Close enough. 2d6 * Atom rolls for Fitzroy (2d6) and gets 8. 2d6+1 * Atom rolls for Fitzroy (2d6+1) and gets 5. 2d6+3 * Atom rolls for Fitzroy (2d6+3) and gets 12. * Ian sits back, and takes a drink. * Leopoldo nods. He walks over and pulls out some tinfoil to make a makeshift helmet out of. The finished product isn't exact, but it gets the job done. He sits down with a tinfoil 'helmet' on his head. * Rochelle looks at Leo, cracking a grin at the tinfoil hat. * Demetreia seems to notice nothing odd about Leo's choice of headgear. * Leopoldo changes a light hue of pink from the unwanted attention. "Anyways, could you continue?" <> "So. I'm sure that tonight you noticed a group of men in business suits, one of them with a monocle?" * Ian nods. * Leopoldo nods. Yeah, we did. * Katherine takes a small sip of her drink and seems mostly content to sit and listen. "And I imagine that you at least, Kat, noticed two of them missing before the erstwhile philosophers showed up on the scene?" * Fitzroy is busy with his comp, but he is still listening. You can see windows, pictures, etc flip by at a pretty quick pace on the holo display. * Rochelle cocks her head at Leo's color change, then turns her full attention to Anders. * Vera sips her drink and listens. * Leopoldo drinks and calms his nerves, changing back to the standard peachish grey. "Well, even if you didn't, that was obviously no coincidence. The suited group is a small section of what is known as the Concordat." * Ian looks on quietly, and drinks a bit more. That's a stupid name. "A group of people dedicated to getting their hands on artifacts." <> "Those artifacts. And perhaps it is, but even knowing the name is a huge bit of information." * Vera looks at the thing again. "You mean it's more than one?" For you, maybe. To me, it's just a stupid name. * Fitzroy 's computer seems to be displaying various pictures of philosophers now and then, if anyone's watching. "There are hundreds of these artifacts. The Concordat has slowly been collecting them, not letting on that they were anything truly special, or revealing their existence, for hundreds of years now." So what's special about them, then? * Fitzroy 's screen pauses on something, and he speaks up. "Has, uh, this group been around for a while?.. say since the 1920's at least?" * Katherine takes another sip. Well, they're alien, of course. Several hundred artifacts of unspecified origin, found scattered across the globe, and some even on Mars and a few of the moons, are bound to be extraterrestrial in origin." * Leopoldo nods. "And yes, Roy, they have indeed." Hmm... * Rochelle does not twitch, because she is not Ardweden. Instead, she says, "What's wrong with letting 'em have it?" Lord knows the humans could never invent something high-tech on their own. (I missed the hudreds of years part. ^^;) Well, other than if they obtained them the way they were attempting tonight, they'd be stealing. <> "This was found in China. Carbon dating of the ground around it places it at 1000 BCE. I doubt highly even some of the more powerful dynasties could have built this." * Ian blinks. "What else does it do?" So it harbors some hidden technology that we have since discovered. * Rochelle watches the floating thingie. * Vera snickers. "I dunno. They say everything used to come from China. Or that other China. The one on the island." The one back on Earth, right? Japan? * Vera shrugs at Ian. "Beats me. History ain't my strong point." ( Japan....HAHAHAHAHAHA ) "This particular artifact can cause a mild space/time warp. It'll slow light down a little, but mostly it just registers like a flaring beacon on sensors built to detect that sort of thing." * Rochelle blinks a couple times. * Leopoldo blinks. "Ookay. That's not natural." ...interesting... "But their usefulness is immaterial, really." <> * Fitzroy shows his screen to Anders, "Do you recognize this one?" So what's the point, then? (BRB, foodgetting. Keep going. ^_^) <> "Yes. That one molecularly alters items so they appear to be a different color, without otherwise harming them." Okay, so if their usefulness is immaterial, then how *are* they useful? Instant paint job. Cool. (If we still use the word 'cool'. :P) (You could use chizz.) (Yeah. Remember, all the old ones are still good.) "The Concordat are out to collect all these artifacts because they are trying to bring back an ancient dead race, an Elder Race." ( Nah. We use "Woot!" now :P ) (Chizz. It's a good one.) (Schway!) (Woot!) (No, seriously. Chizz.) Why? Power, I'd guess. * Ian raises an eyebrow. ( Nah, Schway's cooler. ) (They wanna turn this campaign into Cthulhu In Space.) (Right, but Cham already established chizz.) Because they're bored and have too much money. "The usual gamut of reasons... yes, power, money, covering for inferiority complexes." * Katherine sips. I take it that they have to collect them all, then wait six to eight eons for delivery? (As all of you sit there and go "Elder Race. Yup, got it, totally believable.") * Rochelle sets her elbow against an armrest and props her chin on her hand. (NONE of this is believable. c.c;) (Why pick out any specific detail?) * Leopoldo sighs. "So, how do *you* know all this stuff?" Wouldn't it be easier to steal a high-tech weapon or something? Like all the other power-hungry madmen used to do. But in a world of superpowered young adults, a high-tech weapon isn't exactly that intimidating anymore. Well, young adults and adolescents. Only if those young adults are complete fucking morons. * Leopoldo shrugs. "Well, what do you think is happening in Twilight City?" * Katherine gestures idly with the gun hand. "See: Young adults are complete fucking morons." * Rochelle snorts. So the better solution is to take a few thousand years to collect some old junk to revive some super race? I didn't say either of those. You're jumping to conclusions. "Leo, you have two siblings, named Patricia and Loraine, Trish and Laura for short, you grew up on an asteroid and supported yourself once you were eighteen despite coming from money, and you feel you always sound better on the radio." <> "I know a lot about you. I know a lot about all of you, thanks to what happens to be my fate." * Leopoldo blushes a full-body red at that. "Um... Yeah. I think you made your point." * Demetreia looks at Anders, brow furrowed. "Then you really aren't...you don't have anything for me..." * Vera leans back and finishes her drink. "It's true, Deme. I don't know the answers you're looking for. But I DO know that if you follow this path, you'll find those answers. Just like I know that in approximately one minute a police plane will pass by this window, sirens off but lights blaring, in pursuit of an orange convertable hovercar." (Wow. Game-breaking Precognition.) How do you know all this stuff? * Ian raises an eyebrow, and unzips one of his suit's arms to look at his watch. * Demetreia sits back, frowning furiously and sipping her water. I'm guessing it's his power. You're about, what, fifteen? * Rochelle hums faintly. <> "Precog, postcog. I get to see the equations of the universe, and it's not always pretty. And I am exactly fifteen." * Fitzroy shuts off his computer and leans back. Happy birthday. * Ian whistles. "Happy birthday, yes." 2d6-2 * Atom rolls for Rochelle (2d6-2) and gets 3. Nifty. I guess. * Leopoldo smirks, the red hue all gone out of his scales except for the very tips. "Happy birthday, then." <> "No, not that kind of exactly... I just meant your guess was on." Ah. * Rochelle shrugs. "Happy birthday anyway." <> * Katherine drinks, finishing off her glass. "So. Do you want to get to the part that involves us, and why we are supposed to care that they think this'll cause something that sounds like it was out of a badly written book?" * Demetreia looks up at the cars, a little pensive. * Ian nods. "Just what is this elder race?" <> "There've been various sightings throughout the ages... the Anasazi had contact with them, they're the base for the Maori faces on Easter Isle, and they've been variously misidentified as Atlanteans, Xanaduans, Giants, Trolls, Titans, and a whole host of other myths and legends. There was a brief period of cohabitation long ago, and the legends just keep passing down." "Or so anyone can tell. Even I can't. That was before written history." * Ian nods. * Katherine blinks, and frowns, before yelling, "Eck! Where the hell are you?" * Leopoldo nods. * Rochelle blinks and looks to Kat. <> * Leopoldo starts at that, his scales changing from the typical to a very slight white where the peach usually is. He looks at wherever Kat is. ( Egyptians? No, they were just wannabes. ) * Katherine taps the gun on the table. "Must be all the people." She eyes all the people looking at her. "I have a cat. Usually she'd have bugged me by now." (Heheh.) "You should care because by all accounts, the Elder Race were not happy people. Take Grendel from Beowulf, for example, if any of you know that particular myth. Grendel was an Elder Race." "So was his mother." * Leopoldo calms down again. "Oh dear. What about Beowulf himself?" * Ian grins. * Rochelle shrugs. "Dunno 'bout it. But ya didn't answer Kat's question." Oh, my... (Oh wait, he did. Heh.) (*snicker*) So, that covers why we should care...but why pick us? "A very strong and resourceful man, but human. Or so anyone can tell. The possibility of a crossbreed has not been discounted... especially considering Gilgamesh. But that is neither here nor there. Suffice it to say that the Elder Race would not be happy about humanity's assumption of top dog in the solar system." Yes. As you know, I'm hardly 'hero' material for anything. "I did not pick you. Fate did." How? Well, it's good that Fate's so clear on that. So fate decided one day that it'd come knocking. "Your personalities and lives led you here, the choices you made, aided by a little of my help. But that, too, was Fate." ("Such is life." *gong* "DAMMIT. What is it about people whose names rhyme with Ethan?!") (*snrk*) Soo... We're just 'lucky'. * Rochelle shifts a little in her seat, but keeps her eyes on Anders. * Ian thinks. "Who else knows about this?" "Or unlucky, depending how you look at it." <> "And I assure you that now that you've come this far, you won't be able to escape it." <> "Lord knows I've tried at times." "My crew and the Concordat. Plus some various people who've helped me out in places where Fate required them to. Very few people at all." Otherwise it'd be all over the news. Or you'd be in an insane asylum. Of course few know about it. * Ian nods. "Very true." My last question, I think...how much more are we to do? * Fitzroy shifts in his chair. * Ian finishes his drink. Yeah, we got the artifact. Now what? "Here is what Fate requires from you. You must go out and collect as many artifacts as you can. Neither I nor the Concordat know which ones can send the signal to bring them back, or which combination, so we need to get as many as we can." You gotta be kidding. ...and once we get them? * Rochelle shakes her head. ... You know how much that thing would have costed if we bought it. I don't know about you guys, but I don't have access to that kind of money. "Once you get them, you bring them to me, and I hide them in one of my caches. And don't worry about buying them. Very few of them are in the hands of people who aren't Concordat." * Leopoldo sighs. So we get to go digging then. Ah. So instead of money, we're talking massive risk of injury or death? "For some of them, yes." Fun Doesn't sound worth it. No, it doesn't. * Ian nods. Not worth it. Espically if the one we got today would be considered 'easy' compared to the rest. "It was not. You won't be facing the Concordat for each one of them." Afraid of a little threat? .. Though the returns don't seem that great. Do the Concordat have most of them? Well, if we're not getting anything by obtaining them, I don't see much point to gathering them in the first place. If the Concordat has such a huge lead on us, they'll undoubtably get them first. Espically since they'll likely have many more resources at their disposal. * Vera chuckles. "They also have morons working for them, though." <> "Ah, as I suspected. Not enough honey in the pot, is it?" <> "Then I'll sweeten it." "Vera, how would you like an artifact that could instantly paralyze? Ian, how about one to look into the past?" * Katherine chuckles, and looks at her empty glass. "It could certaintly use some. Fate needs an incentives package..." You mean a taser? * Rochelle raises an eyebrow. "Tasers don't work from a half-mile range." * Leopoldo chuckles. "Bad example, Anders." * Ian thinks for a few moments, and then shrugs. "What for?" ... Half-Mile? That far? "Because, Ian, your fiction will top the bestseller list in a week with that kind of postknowledge." "You bring me artifacts, I give you ones I know aren't part of the recall machine." You will not tempt *me* with others' possessions. Stealing is not part of my programming. "You saw this one." <> "The others are nearly as amazing." * Ian thinks. Easy Data. Don't attack the man who knows you more than anyone should. * Vera looks down for a minute, then up again. "I've still got issues with this." I am not attacking him. I am merely pointing out a fact. I was not made to be a dog. "And I expect you to go along, dear Deme, because your past is hidden along this journey, like I said." <> "Yours is, too." * Rochelle lets out a sigh. And stands up. "Okay, Anders." What, don't you know it already? You seem to have enough knowledge to possess that information. You know what the problem is? 'S not that there isn't anythin' in it for us. I bet those artifacts are great and shiny and powerful and all that. But you've got no real proof. * Leopoldo nods. * Ian shrugs. "I have to admit it's tempting, but such success isn't something I'm going to risk my life for. I'm happy as it is." And another thing. If we take *one* piece that disrupts the construction of the machine, we've sunk their plans for the most part. And if we haven't, there's no way we'll be able to stop them. And in any case...I have only your word that my past is even connected to this. And your story does not seem very plausible in any case. <> "Proof you want, proof you get. Keep in mind you asked for it. * Katherine is just sitting there with her gun and a frown on her face. "As long as it doesn't wreck my apartment." <> <> "Give it a moment...." * Leopoldo waits patiently. * Vera folds her arms and waits. * Fitzroy looks around. * Ian looks on curiously. <> * Rochelle blinks, then looks around, trying to take as much of the gorilla-thing in as possible. << You feel a heavy pressure on your minds, like you were about to pass out, followed by an ear-shattering roar, except it's inside your head. A few seconds later Anders taps the spot again and the artifact returns to normal - the shape vanishes.>> (Remind me not to type so fast?) (Nah, it's okay.) * Katherine winces, and clutches her chair with her free hand. "Jesus fuck." * Ian groans, and rubs his head. "What...the hell?" * Leopoldo shakes his head. He's visibly shaken from the display, and the color purple on his skin proves it. * Vera shakes her head and rubs it. * Rochelle winces. Her hands cover her ears, even though that didn't do any good. "An Elder Race specimen." * Demetreia scratches her temple. "Odd." Yes, quite. * Fitzroy shakes his head and blinks hard, as if to get echoes out of his head. N-now... If you wouldn't be so kind as to tell us how gathering *all* the artifacts is supposed to stop it? Wouldn't we offset their plans just by gathering one piece of the machine? * Rochelle sits heavily on the chair again and shakes her head, trying to clear it. "Not actually here, but merely an impression of its presence on this dimension. Like a footprint in spacetime." So we're talking dimensions, now? "That's where they are, yes. And as for your question, Leo, the 'recall device' is not a set blueprint. So... Despite us gathering the pieces, they can still construct it anyways? * Katherine sticks the gun between her dress and one of the leather bands on her outfit, walks back over to the fridge, and fills her glass up again, muttering, "It can only get a little worse.' "You can still prevent them by collecting all the artifacts you can. There are several types of artifacts which are essential... completing any one set will defeat their plans, yes. And then you're done, and Fate resumes its course." * Rochelle calls, almost cheerfully to Kat, "It probably will." * Katherine walks back over to her table. "Nah. I've still got my gun, and I'm not drunk enough to miss if they show up." Seems rather anticlimactic. * Leopoldo nods. "You should be happy. It's much safer this way than killing them all one by one." * Rochelle focuses on Anders again. "So you're sayin' that we go around and collect a lot of pieces. When we get the right ones, it's over, and we go on with our lives." "Exactly." And we get to keep whatever the heck we get that isn't needed... "Exactly." How many people are in that group that's after them? However, what *I* don't get is if we collect them, how would we keep them from coming into the hands of the Concordat eventually anyways? * Ian nods. "Are you planning to destroy the ones necessary, or what?" * Katherine starts drinking again, leaving the gun tucked away. "The Concordat has precisely 36 members. And I in fact am planning to destroy them. Fly them into the sun, if necessary." Yay. Seven against thirty-six. Should make a good light show. Mmm... I'm still waiting to hear what makes your group the "good guys", as it were. "We're only good in the sense that we're opposed to the people who are out to screw humanity." You still didn't answer Ian's question, though. Are you going to destroy the artifacts that are required? (He did. @_@;) (Wake up, Leo! :P) (Man, this should be a character trait. Leo's just slow.) ( He did answer that, silly Leo. ;) ) ( Fun Fact: "Leo" rearranged is "Elo". ) (... He said he'd get rid of the Concordat. Not other people who may be interested as well.) ( He said he was going to fly them into the sun. ) (... Neither of you asked about the _people_.) (You asked about the _artifacts_.) (Yeah. He's dodging the question.) ( I think it's a case of misinterpretation ) (Dodging what question? My head hurts.) (I think we're all very tired. (... He said he'd fly them into the sun. That... usually involves destroying the items. Rochelle asked about the number of people, and it was answered.) (We're actually all caught up on questions so far.) * Leopoldo blinks. "Ah, okay." <> "Fate requires me elsewhere very soon. Was there anything else?" (Leo just can't think with the music in his head. Perfect excuse.) (Very true.) I have one more. Does the Concordat have a precog like you, or are you the only one? * Demetreia looks at him pensively, but says nothing. Yeah. I got one. Rather ask it when we're alone, though. * Ian shrugs. * Katherine smirks. "I'd ask what you can give me, but I know there's nothing. Do you plan on giving us a way of contacting us, or are you just going to pull us around when you feel like it?" (Second us -> you?) (Yes! So hard to type and think at the same time.) "The Concordat has no precogs. Thankfully. And I will answer individual questions out in the hall. As for contacting me, here's my contact information." <> "For those of you who don't have personal questions, I bid you goodnight." <>