Defenders! Ch. 2: Purple People Eaters(Closed)

[Hound]

I am amazed this game is even going forward. It started from a simple off hand comment of mine, and has become something really cool. Honestly I didn't even have a story yet when I posted recruitment. But I have a good one now. Thanks to Epic for a few amazing ideas by the way.

~~~

The World:

The Avengers team line up is Batwoman(Stacey Wayne), Superwoman (Kali Kent), Ironwidow(Annette Stark) , Mr. Marvel (Carl Danvers), The Wasp (John van Dyne ), The Hulk(Betty Banner), and Thor daughter of Odin the All Father.

Each Hero began activity a bout five or six years ago. About four years ago a Thanagarian invasion forced them to join forces to save the earth. Since then they have been known as the Avengers, saving the world together.

For most of you, these seven have been your inspiration, your goal. You have worked hard to be just as good as them. Six months ago you received your first chance to truly shine. For a second time the earth was under assault, this time by the Skrulls.

While the Avengers took the fight to the Skrull mother ship, you joined other heroes to fight off the invading "shock troopers" and protected human lives. While the Avengers took credit for ending the invasion, you did gain credit for saving lives.

Unfortunately the tabloids dubbed you the "B Team." To say the least you were all upset by this, yet you grouped up and made it your own thing. Your group decided to take the name Defenders. If they were Avenging Justice, you would Defend it so it never needed avenging.

Your group has faced many threats, but tonight for the first time, Ironwidow contacted you and has asked for your help.

Your group assembled at avenger mansion, only Ironwidow was there to greet you. She explained that the rest of the team was otherwise indisposed taking on various high level missions. She further explained she was also needed somewhere and had no time to deal with a threat that required an entire team.

After explaining the mission, your group borrows a Quinn Jet built with a cloaking device. Thankfully Renee Richards is capable of flying the craft. An hour later your group is in position...

~~~

The Mission:

A.I.M. has secretly built a research and development base within the Colorado Rockies. Ironwidow's intelligence has revealed they are working on a game changing bio-weapon. They have nearly completed work on a virus that is able to target specific living creatures, and devour them in seconds before becoming completely inert and harmless.

While this could be used to target a single human and assassinate them in a crowded room, the more obvious, and scary threat of this virus is that with several well placed gas bombs, and entire city could be cleared of all human life with little to no collateral damage.

Primary mission:
To ensure no A.I.M. agent escapes with any of the research. You must destroy all samples, and data in their possession.

Secondary tasks include:
1. obtaining a small sample so that counter measures can be prepared.
2. Capturing all A.I.M. Agents.
3. Discovering more information about other A.I.M. bases and plans.

~~~

You all start the game with a communications link device. This device has three pieces. Three tiny, 1/8 inch diameter circle, about 3 microns thick. One is placed on your right ear lobe. One is placed just below your lower lip. The third on your left thumb. By using your right hand to press the disk on your right ear, you turn it on, connecting you to the rest of the team. The one on your lip transmits what you say, and auto compensates for whispers or yelling so not to hurt your team mates ears. The disk on your thumb, if tapped three times in rapid succession allows you to turn the Communications link on, and remain on until re-tapped three times.

This way if you are ever bound, and held captive, you can still contact your team. All of them are held into place by a special Adhesive and make up designed by Renee Richards that can withstand the viciousness of battle with out failing. Only by applying a special dissolving can they be removed.

Additionally Renee Richards has a person PDA that allows her to connect directly to computer units and perform technology checks to hack security doors or steal data.

~~~

Thanks to the cloak on the Quinn Jet your group is able to land undetected. You take out a couple of guards near an entrance with out effort and make your way inside. Before you is a long metal corridor, with no special decorations. Renee has hacked into the security system to put all the cameras on an infinite loop allowing you free reign. You follow the tunnel and come to a three way intersection. Three large metal doors, none have any markings as to what they are, but they all have a small keypad for a password to be entered before opening.

~~~

Renee received the call from Ironwidow, and called the rest of you. You can make an opening post describing what you were doing prior the call. Your feelings on the mission. Your feelings toward the other players. Or anything else you want. The only thing you have to do right now, is choose a door.

[Nineofspades]

Aquawoman
HP 1


Its for a good cause.

That's what I have to keep reminding myself. That working with this team is for a good cause. It gains public support, which in tern might help heal over some of the wounds which still linger in the minds of those whom Orm attacked in his power grab. But more and more, I find myself questioning how true that statement really is. We are called the B-team to the Avengers, the hailed 'champions of earth'. Many look up to them as Idols. Not me. A Queen does not bow her head to anyone, not if she wishes to keep the crown. I respect what they've done, nothing more. And We are the B-Team. And I find myself growing discontent with this. It feels as if whatever works we accomplish are undermined by the work done by Avengers.

Then, I got the call. Ironwidow, asking for help. Some might be honored by the idea. It made me feel sick. My doubts calcified in that moment. I am a Queen, not a dog to the feet of its master. Richards made the argument for why we were needed. A mix between a smart bomb and a bio weapon. Programmable to target specific gene sequences. You could target one person, one family, an entire race or even a species. Its a fair argument, one stocked in reason.

Dosn't mean I feel much better about attending. I keep to myself through the mission, not speaking much with my fellows. Usuaully, I'd exchange at least a few words, but today my mind elsewhere.It is not hard, landing and attending to the few guards on the base exterior, leaving me free to consider my position and that of my Kingdom. Following the corridor, my thoughts start coming to one notion. Trap. The entrance is straight, long line. Far to easy to set up an ambush or trap for any invaders. I didn't like it. When we arrive at an intersection, I don't even slow, continuing forward, raising my trident as I approach the door, and then striking through the metal.

DC 25 (Penetrating 8 ) Toughness check for the door.

I then use the leverage my trident provides to try and force the door open, not bothering with the security panel, knowing I have no means to bypass it.

Not sure if it counts for anything extra, but basically I'm trying to use the trident to help pry open the center door. Strength 8 plus leverage.

[Walking Dad]

Cub
Character Sheet - HP 1 - Condition: normal

T'Challa continued his study under his “Mati McCabe” alias. Still young the college recognized his brilliance in the field of science. When the Skrulls attacked, his first impulse was to return to his land, but he quickly recognized that the strong resistance in America made the aliens focus on that continent. By fighting with his former allies he could also protect hes people. Taking the name "Cub", as he felt not yet ready for the title "Animal Lord", his hero persona got famous pretty quickly.
Renee's call and description what could happen were enough for him to get costume and mask and join the task. His beloved country could be easily on the list of the possible terror acts

---

Standing before the door and complaining if Renee would be able to open the door, Aquawoman took initiative and attacked the door. She was maybe a fellow majesty, but she was surely lacking restraint.
He briefly concentrates and feels the power of the elephant, the grace of the hawk and the quick reactions of a snake in himself.

Active Powers:
Density 8 (16 PP), Flight 4 (8 PP), Damage 3 (Str based) (3 PP), Enhanced Traits (Improved Initiative 2, Evasion)

[Bladewind]

Sekmet
Cond: Normal
HP: 1


Not on my watch.

That had been Sekhmet`s first reaction. Terrorists were cowards in her eyes. Nothing more. Nothing less. No matter how many would sacrifice themselves with a false courage, to attack in such a manner was cowardly and sickening. End of discussion. Despite her stubborn sense of individuality, Sekhmet had been easily convinced to join the mission as a result or her beliefs.

As the team approached their destination, the black garbed champion remembered their first encouters together. When Thea had first met Aquawoman, she had felt an immediate kinship. Although not royalty herself, divine power flowed through her veins and she had stood in a different time alongside kings as their equals. Now, she was much like the young woman. Stripped of her status, she was now merely another "costumed hero" and not the champion that her power elevated her to…

She watched as the other blue blood in their midst walked forward. He carried himself with the regal grace of a princeling, and yet to Sekhmet`s eyes he did not come off as haughty or arrogant. She found it difficult to approach him as his manner and bearing were so much in contrast to those of her ancestor and she could almost hear Khem Adam`s voice urging to act differently… it only served to highlight the difference with her own mannerisms.

As Aquawoman provided a place for the black-garbed teen to gain a hand hold, she stepped forward silently. Her eyes met the Atlantean briefly and she applied her own powerful muscles to the task of pulling open the door alongside those of her teammate. The chance for subtlety had long since vanished, compounded by Aquawomans's assault on the door.


OOC - I don`t have access to online dice rollers while at work.

[Prof Weird]

Renee Richards
Condition : Normal
HP : 1

Renee had been overseeing an experiment in her father's lab when Ironwidow called.

As A.I.M's mere existence was an affront to everything Ms Richards believed in, she would've helped even if she wasn't a member of a team of superheroes.

She'd help even if she had no powers at all !

Getting into the A.I.M. base was simple, but before she could hack into the systems to get a map, Lorelei - Aquawoman - chose a door by simply trying to tear one open !

Renee knew that Lorelei was a noble and good person, but a bit status sensitive, and sometimes felt the need to demonstrate her royal status by taking rash or ill-considered actions.

Like ripping open a door in an enemy base with no idea of what was behind it ...

"Good news everyone !" Renee stated as he sat cross-legged on the floor near the left door while plugging her PDA into the system, "There is less than a 1 in 3 chance you're breaking into a barracks or other high-minion count area !

Of course, since they probably heard the ruckus, they'll be sending a welcoming committee any time now. Which could work in our favor, since one of our objectives is to capture A.I.M. agents !"

Ms Richards looked a the other team members. There is a LOT of raw power available !

"And given they'll be facing the combined might of Sekmet, Aquawoman and He-Hulk, they'll most likely send everyone they can spare, armed with their heaviest ordinance.

Which means security will be lighter everywhere else !"

She turned to Cub and asked "How about we infiltrate the labs, get a sample of that virus, and collect as much data as we can before we destroy this foul and wretched place ?

That is, as soon as I figure out exactly WHERE the labs are ..."

Technology roll to hack into the system and find a map :
1d20+14=30

[Walking Dad]

Cub
Character Sheet - HP 1 - Condition: normal

She turned to Cub and asked "How about we infiltrate the labs, get a sample of that virus, and collect as much data as we can before we destroy this foul and wretched place ?

That is, as soon as I figure out exactly WHERE the labs are ..."

"Sure, If you can keep silent for a moment... and avoid brash actions." T'Challa answers the female scientist, whispering the last words to not openly offend his teammates but fully knowing that their hearing might be enhanced. He adds the monkey's agility to his channeled totems, its iconic image flashing shortly around him.

Active Powers:
Density 8 (16 PP), Flight 4 (8 PP), Damage 3 (Str based) (3 PP), Enhanced Traits (Improved Initiative 1, Evasion) (2 PP), Enhanced Traits (Agility 5) (10 PP)

Stealth has now a +12 bonus and Initiative is +16

[Hound]

I read Cub's post as assisting Aquawoman. In addition with Sekmet, the door doesn't stand a chance.

Renee's Hack is a success

As the three teenaged super heroes rip open the door directly in front of them, Renee hacks into the door to their left. The young scientist made an off hand comment about a barracks, the words no more than pass her lips when Aquawoman gets her first peek in through the door.

Attack roll on Aquawoman: 1d20+3=8 Dodge successful.

Aquawoman ducks just in the nick of time as a green laser blast soars through the opening where her head had been. Ms. Fantastic takes note of the danger but completes her hack job, downloading a map into her PDA, only seconds before the entire building springs to life.

A blaring alarm begins to scream, as a large blast door appears from the ground blocking off the hero's retreat. At a quick glance, the heroes know the door is much thicker and will take far more time to rip the blast door open then the first door they attacked.

Roll 1 to 3... 1d3=1

Sekmet peeks in and sees that the group truly had chosen the upper security barracks. She scans the room and sees several security monitors on one wall, in the center of the room is a table with a poker game in mid progress. On the far wall is a large television and couch, a video game is on the screen. Lastly Sekmet know the 20 or so armed guards trying to open the door you three heroes messed up.

Attack roll on Sekmet1d20+3=13 Dodge Succesful

Sekmet explains what she saw to the group. The door that is partially ripped open is so messed up just right so that the guards can't seem to get the door to open, yet. Renee is still hooked in and can open either the left door or right door.

The team is left with a choice, finish bashing in the doors to start a fight, or exit by the left or right door.

I will send a PM telling Renee what she downloaded from her hack.

[Nineofspades]

Aquawoman
HP 1


My fellows are quick to come to my aid, and combined, its none to difficult to create a decent opening. The effort is rewarded right away with a laser blast coming through, my reflexes allowing me time to duck aside. While I didn't have enough time to see what exactly is on the other side, its not to hard now to tell that its an enemy. "Big mistake" I say, letting the poor A.I.M. grunts know the folly of their action. From my trident, I summon a great mass of water, flooding the security chamber to the brim with salt water. "Lets see how fierce they are without air"

Create Water Object, Toughness 0, Volume 8, to fill the entire security booth with water. Not entirly sure how this works out from a rule's perspective, but it should be doable enough.

[Hound]

Editted:

Aquawoman fills the entire room with magical water, that remains in the room despite the gapping hole in door. The grounding in the flooeded room trips and the lights go out, leaving the room in total darkness, the heroes are unable to see how the minions respond to the flash flood.

Roll initiative as it seems you are doing battle.

[Walking Dad]

Cub
Character Sheet - HP 1 - Condition: normal

"You did this on purpose, right?" T'Challa asks Aquawoman with only a hint of irony. In her presence, he has to use the power of the animal kingdom to it's fullest, but at least, this isn't going to become boring... He lets go the elephant and channels the squid, a animal much more comfortable in the water.

Initiative (1d20+11=17)

Active Powers:
Enhanced Traits (Str 7) (14 PP), Protection 7 (7 PP), Damage 3 (3 PP)
Swimming 3 (3 PP), Movement 1 (Environmental Adaptation, Aquatic) (1 PP)
Enhanced Traits (Improved Initiative 1, Improved Grab) (2 PP)

Offense
Initiative +11
Unarmed +8 Close, Damage 11

Defense
Dodge 7 Fortitude 9
Parry 7 Toughness 12 / 9
Will 10

(Messed up my math. Corrected now)

[Prof Weird]

Renee Richards
Condition : soaked, but fine
HP : 1

Renee hacked into the base's computers, and managed to get an encoded map, plus a few files with charming names like "Project S-Soldier" and "Project Brood Parasite". The little PDA could handle decoding the map, but it would take time to finish the whole thing; the other files she'd have to do on her own.

"If anybody cares, the left door is a elevator going down." she stated, "The right door goes to a really large hanger."

Initiative roll :
1d20+3=22

Hmm - I wonder how long it'll be before I roll a string of 2s and 3s ?

But first - those files sound interesting ...

1d20+9=16

Since 16 < 20, her Science !!! Complication just activated !

So she'll spend the upcoming round working on the 'Project Pandora' file.

Results : 1d20+14=16

[Bladewind]

Sekhmet
HP:1 / Cond: Norm

Init (1d20+2=13)

It was too late now... besides, each menace they ended here was one less to deal with later.

"Perhaps Aquawoman and I should deal with these... Ms Fantastic and Cub could look down below?"

It was an idea, one that she would not be able to insist on it, and one she would not likely be offended if it was ignored.

Although unhindered by the water - her strength, flight and other abilities compensated - it seemed it did slow her down a little...

Attack Roll (1d20+10=13)
(Ready for when it's needed...)

[Hound]

Sekhmet, Cub, and Aquawoman readied themselves as they eyed the room full of water, each one prepared for action at a moment's noticed. Ms. Fantastic on the other hand made use of her time going through her PDA, decoding the hacked files she managed to obtain from the A.I.M. database.

Renee sadly ran into some difficulty and so far only discoverd a few things about Project Pandora. The project required test subjects, living humans. She also came across random chemical compound formulas, DNA structures, and a few notes on how the test subjects reacted.

With out warning the damaged door exploded. Chunks of half melted metal flew everywhere.

This is an AOE effect, all players check their Dodge, if your dodge is less than 20, you are hit with the full blast. Toughness check of a DC 25. 1 full injury if failed toughness, you take -1 to all rolls until you recover. If your Dodge is 20 or greater, you take no damage.

When the dust cleared, a large chunk of the magical water had also been blown away by the explosion, four A.I.M. agents dressed in their full yellow uniforms come walking out of the water. Each one is armed with a high tech blaster rifle.

With out a doubt, the rest of the A.I.M. agents will not be far behind the first four.

Minion roll for initiative: 1d20+1=12

Order for battle:

Cub: 17
Ms. Fantastic: 16
Sekmet: 13
Minions: 12
Aquawoman: 11

[Prof Weird]

Renee Richards
HP : 1
Condition : fine thus far

Intellectual challenges to Renee are much like candy and presents are to a 4-year old at Christmas, and she responds pretty much the same way - entrancement !

She didn't get very far with decoding the Project Pandora file, what with all the distractions from bending metal, swirling water, explosions ...

"Huh ? What ? Oh crud !" she managed to squeak as the barrack door was blown off from inside.

Her Dodge 12 + 10 = DC 22

It was only her altered reflexes that enabled her to avoid the brunt of the explosion by flattening out against the nearest wall in time.

[Nineofspades]

Aquawoman
HP 1

Dodge (1d20+10=22)