Spectrum's Comments: Unlike the previous file, this one was posted entirely on the message boards, so the player's responses are here too. Both Ultimax and Sundragon's players did the Q fade and their story wasn't continued. Sundragon did return later on for a little while. When we last left our heroes, they had been drawn to the airport by a variety of ways. As many of you probably guessed by now, this is the Mechanon Gambit scenario from Adventure's Club #1. We did our version of it in Spectrum #9. I have no idea why we replaced Pulsar with Darkon for this go around.
Crusaders #3 - "The Mechanon Gambit: Chapter 1"
Okay, here's the situation: Darkon is on his knees, apparently stunned from an unknown attack of some sort. Nearby, the construction workers are now approaching a black man in a black punkish costume with a glow around him, who was previously exchanging quips with Darkon.
"Get back now; I don't want to hurt you."
But the men pay no attention.
"You wimpy hero types don't frighten us!, one yells. "Yeah, git 'em!" They scream as one, rushing forward. They each hold construction tools, waving them menacingly.
Nearby, another black man in a dark blue costume with glider wings swoops in and slams into one of the thugs threatening the police officer. The thug crashes into one of his mates, and both appear stunned. While this happens, a 9' tall figure in black armor is approaching. He speaks.
"My friend, Lightwarp, has informed me that what is going on here is wrong. You will cease all hostilities or I will be forced to go into battle mode."
With that, the two thugs still standing turn tail and run. As Darkon tries to regain his senses, another armored figure in green, gold, and white, roars in and thumps Darkon on the head. "You've done enough here already, Darkon! I'm putting you out for good!", he says. Darkon slumps to the runway pavement, unconscious.
A moment later, the police officer rushes up and handcuffs the offending villain. Near all this, yet another armored figure slips into view, a little behind the commotion, then simply disappears.
Finally, from over one of the trucks, a man in red and gold streaks onto the scene. He lands on top of the other truck and surveys the scene.
Well, you all know who you are, so Post away!!!
If you can make it before Saturday, I can keep this rolling....
Panther
Spectrum's Comments: You know him better as Muskateer. His Q username was Panther13.
SUBJ: Police... FROM: Miss Terry 01/19/89 S#: 103682
After handcuffing Darkon, I get him into the back of the jeep, watching all these masked and armored men. Turning around, badge clipped to my belt, and a 357 Python in my right hand, my left hand holding Darkon down, with a little shiver in my voice, 'Who are ya'll and what are you doing here?'
::Praying that back-up arrives soon::
Spectrum's Comments: That became Mystery's catch phrase. In fact, I'm sure she's still out there, somewhere in a dangerous situation, waiting for her back up to arrive.
SUBJ: Imperial
Hmmm... None of these people appear to be VIPER agents. But, keep an eye on them nonetheless. Respond to the police officer. "Fear not, my dear, for I am Imperial, champion of justice!" Defend the officer if necessary. Otherwise, look for the guy in the armor who disappeared.
Spectrum's Comments: Here's the first appearance anywhere of Imperial, whom we talked about elsewhere on the forum. I was his player.
SUBJ: police... (R) FROM: Corum bey 01/20/89 S#: 839093
Turning to the policewoman, I say, "My name is Nomad I saw that villain
::Pointing to Darkon::
Threatening the airport so I stopped him. Now who are the rest of you???
JUSTICE IS SERVED ^ the arrow of law
SUBJ: Lord Liberty (R) FROM: REM9 01/21/89 S#: 440223
From the 9' tall armored one comes an eerie mechanical voice that unnerves everyone, "I am Lord Liberty. My friend, Lightwarp, informed me that it was my duty as a member of the Crusaders to stop the one called Darkon. Inquiry: Is my assistance required in any way?"
SUBJ: lord liberty (R) FROM: ELRIK KANE 01/21/89 S#: 841159
Turning to the 9' tall armored suit I say, "My name is Nomad. I've heard about the Crusaders and I want to join. You've seen me in action so how about it do I get the chance?????
SUBJ: POST 3 (continued) (R) FROM: Panther13 01/21/89 S#: 841265
After the police officer puts Darkon in the jeep and asks everyone who they are, most of the action seems to slow down all of a sudden. The man in the black, with crimson trim, walks over.
"Need any help, officer? I'm Backlash, and am at your service." He smiles, but quickly turns to see the four construction workers bearing down on him!
"You ain't gettin' away from us that easy, chump!", one yells. He swings a sledgehammer at the startled hero. Before Backlash can react, the four men are suddenly dropped!
"You gentlemen have terrible manners." The armored figure in green, gold and white fired a wide-angle beam at them, and they are all now laid out. "No need to thank me Backlash."
Meanwhile, Imperial introduces himself, as does Nomad. Then, the 9" tall armored figure walks over and introduces himself as Lord Liberty. (Check out their posts!)
"So, big guy, where's the ice come out?" Imperial says to Lord Liberty. He then turns and heads to where the other armored figure disappeared. The green armored man lands, and walks up.
"I am Lightwarp.", he says. In the background, everyone can hear the sounds of sirens drawing very near. Two police cars roll in.
When Nomad asks to join Lord Liberty, Lightwarp starts to cut in. "Well, Nomad... Uh oh! Heads up people! I've got movement coming in from the southwest. And it isn't the police!"
Sure enough, the runway erupts in a wild array of blaster fire and laser beams! Coming into view is at least 2 squads of VIPER agents. One of the police cars suddenly erupts in a fiery explosion!
Post away everyone!! If anyone wants to communicate with each other, you're welcome to exchange anything you want!
Have fun...!!
Spectrum's Comments: One of the things we both did at first was re-write what the players were saying in their posts into cohesive narration. Given that we were both used to writing stories, that shouldn't be a big surprise. As you can tell with the New Crusaders post, I out grew that and stopped covering old ground in my portion of the posts
SUBJ: Imperial Response (R) FROM: Imperial1 01/21/89 S#: 842019
All right! I knew those slime-balls would show up! Fly at them and try to blast as many as I can. Then, land in their midst and pummel them. That way the should shoot at me so much in fear of hitting each other. At least I hope. Fly at them and say: "Back doers of foul deeds! I, Imperial shall stop your evil plan!"
After the mop up, I'll offer my services to Lightwarp. I should be a shoe in!
Spectrum's Comments: I even game Impy his own username, Imperial1. Would any of you actually believe that he was a plant?
SUBJ: Miss Terry... (R) FROM: Miss Terry 01/22/89 S#: 842327
In awe over all these costumed people around, and still not sure who these people are, I take Darkon down to the ground using the jeep as cover while were fired on. Making sure he's still out, I start to search him for any weapons or power packs of any kind and disable them without breaking them if there are some or if I can. I'll take a few shots at the agents coming toward us and start to pray that armored backup arrives, wishing I had my radio.
SUBJ: Backlashes response (R) FROM: Rastermstr 01/22/89 S#: 441818
I jump up onto the nearest car (using my flight). Prepare to reflect (I'm trying to make myself as appealing a target as possible) and yell "Yo! Snake Pricks! Go crawl back under the cow patty you (takes big sniff and wrinkles nose) crawled out from under!"
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 01/22/89 S#: 441995
"Warning these men are agents of VIPER, approach with caution."
Why is Viper here? Do they know that I am here? What do they want? Where are they coming from? All these questions race through Lord Liberty's mind. Before charging into battle right away, he will try to get some answers. He will use his enhanced senses to try to determine from where underground they are coming and what other surprises they may have in store for this group. Also will be scanning the radio frequencies to try to pick up any broadcasts being made. I will do this from cover if possible. If not will try to dodge to the best of my ability until done.
SUBJ: my reply FROM: ELRIK KANE 01/22/89 S#: 844094
C'mon punks lets party! I grab the nearest thug with my T.K. then I send him spinning into his buddies my force field all aglow, I back flip into the fallen agents to confuse them and to give my friends time to set up their attacks if necessary.
SUBJ: POST #3 (cont.) FROM: Panther13 01/24/89 S#: 787066
Okay, the fog is still quite thick as the VIPER agents come rushing into the area, firing at everyone assembled.
As Lightwarp rushes over to the destroyed squad car, Imperial is the first to react! He fires a beam of energy, striking the closest VIPER agent. It sends the man backward.
Just a moment later, another of the agents is hoisted into the air, and slammed down at yet another. This man avoids the unusual attack, but the man used as a weapon is quite unconscious. While this is going on, Backlash jumps on the jeep, baiting the opposing agents. He is sitting duck for a blast from a side-mounted hand-held cannon. The blast connects and sends the hero rocketing off the vehicle. He lands some 80 feet away, stunned.
Meanwhile, the police officer takes Darkon to the ground, searching him. He has no obvious foci however. His powers are apparently derived from himself. Lord Liberty has also taken cover, and is searching the radio bands. Nothing useful is found however. Also, the VIPER agents just appeared out of the fog (Sorry if my wording was unclear). There is quite a large open area surrounding the airfield, but the fog limits visibility to about 70".
The sounds of gunfire can be heard, as the VIPER agents start spreading out. The police officers have also joined the battle. Another fiery explosion signals the destruction of the other squad car.
As Backlash shakes the effects of the last attack, Imperial and Nomad leap into the fray. A few stray shots fail to hit Nomad, and each of the heroes smashes a VIPER agent. Suddenly, Imperial is wrapped in a net, fired from one of the VIPER agents. Nomad is then hit from two rounds of blasts from a nearby agent. He is hurt, but not stunned. Two of the agents are also taken down by this attack, however.
Over the din of the firefight, the squad leader's voice can be heard leading one part of the assembled agents out of the main part of the fighting and toward the center of the runway. About six agents break off, and rush over to near where the police officer and Lord Liberty are.
SUBJ: Imperial Response
Shred the net with my EB and then fly after the agents heading towards the runway. Would they happen to be heading towards where the construction workers were? Something's going on here, and its probably nothing good....
Do a move thru into the agents, trying to hit as many as possible. Afterwards, go HTH with the squad leader. Perhaps with him out of the way, they rest might go easier.
SUBJ: now I'm MAD!!!!!!! FROM: ELRIK KANE 01/25/89 S#: 787880
OK scum you've done it now turn to the fool with the gun (ie the agent that shot me) and using my T.K I get creative slipping my T K around his body, I make him shoot a few of his buddies Then I dribble him into the pavement a few times (hee hee hee) I'm not gonna let some two bit flunky ruin my chances at being one of the Crusaders!!!!
NOMAD
SUBJ: Hey! FROM: Rastermstr 01/26/89 S#: 447109
I was going to Reflect! (Unless I blew the roll, but I never said I turned it off) As soon as I recover, I fly up and over the agents, yelling, "is that the best you can do?" (Ready to reflect THIS time!) Btw, how many pts did my Absorption add to my reflection?
SUBJ: Police Officer FROM: Miss Terry 01/27/89 S#: 481252
Quickly I use my knife to cut Darkon's suit around the neck, just to get the fabric off, if he somehow gets up and gets away I want him to know that I could have killed him. Leaving the handcuffs on him I stand and face the men coming at me, 'I have to say this, your all under arrest lie flat on the ground with your hands on your head, feet apart, but you don't have to obey me, but if you don't I'd have to shoot at you.'
Nervously I walk toward them.
If they don't obey I'll empty my python into them.
Spectrum's Comments: Gee, you think that Darkon may have a case of police brutality??
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 01/28/89 S#: 451319
"Lightwarp, my scanners indicate an ultra-high radio source in the area. Do your senses detect anything?" Seeing the approaching Viper Agents, Lord Liberty leaps out from behind his cover.
"You created me to be the ultimate killing machine. Come and test your handiwork. Entering FULL battle mode." He will then dodge the enemy gunfire until he is within striking range. There he will release a barrage of martial punches on the agents. (Note Lord Liberty will not deliberately kill. If he determines that an attack is too much for his foe he will pull the punch.)
Crusaders # 4 - "The Mechanon Gambit: Chapter 2"
SUBJ: THE BATTLE CONTINUES! FROM: Panther13 01/29/89 S#: 476716
Okay, the action is really heating up now. Imperial strains against the net that holds him. It starts to give, but still keeps him entangled. Nomad, meanwhile, uses his TK to fire the agents' gun. The VIPER agent turns toward one of his companions and starts firing away!
"Hey! What's goin' on?! Somebody stop this thing!"
A rapid stream of energy bolts come out of the weapon and down the misfortunate VIPER agent that is the target of this attack. Another nearby VIPER agent, sporting a large rifle weapon, blasted the man in Nomad's TK, and sent him flying. The agent with the side-mounted, hand-held cannon fires at Nomad, but misses. The beam travels on and rips thru one of the semi trailers.
Meanwhile, the police officer completes her move with Darkon, cutting his suit around the neck. She then sees that the other agents aren't quite coming at her. They are heading right to where the construction crew was working.
She raises her gun at them, and tells them to surrender. The agents, however, seem to ignore her, except for one.
"Yer outta yer league by a mile, sister." He prepares to fire, but then drops his weapon suddenly for no apparent reason! It goes off anyway, however, and narrowly misses the officer! The blast rips apart the luggage cart, sending suitcases and a shower of clothing into the air.
Lightwarp cannot be seen right now. He disappeared somewhere into the fog, back where the squad cars came onto the scene.
"You created me to be the ultimate killing machine. Come and test your handiwork. Entering FULL battle mode.", the tall, dark, armored one says, as he comes into view. He moves in on the VIPER agents, and two of them open fire. Most of their blasts miss, and the ones that do hit do little damage, ricocheting away. Lord Liberty moves in and smashes one of the agents with a right cross. The man is stunned; a second punch sends him to dreamland.
While this happens, another costumed figure flies onto the scene. It is a man in a light blue and silver costume.
"Geex, look at this place! Alright VIPER, you've come to the end of your road now!"
"Don't make us laugh." This agent packs a large rifle weapon, connected to a backpack. He drops to one knee, and opens fire on the newcomer. The blast connects, sending him flying. The newcomer lands with a resounding crash in the side of the pump house, near the pond off to the side of the runway.
Imperial tries again to shred the net, and this time he succeeds. However, as he turns to follow the other group, one of the remaining agents opens fire on him. Three blasts strike the red and gold garbed figure solidly, sending him through the air. He easily rights himself, however, and swoops down into the group on the center of the runway. He sees three of the agents thrown backward suddenly from the edge of a large hole in the pavement. He slams into two more of the startled agents, and sends them sprawling.
Imperial - "What the heck was that?!"
Turning back, he and the police officer see a man in a grayish suit of armor crawling out of the hole. He carries an armful of machinery in one arm.
Meanwhile, the police officer opens fire on the now disorganized agents, dropping one man with two shots.
While all this is going on, Backlash has recovered from the blast that sent him rocketing away, and flies in over the scene. "Is that the best you can do?!", he shouts defiantly. Two of the agents sight him, and open fire. One fires a single energy beam that misses wide, while the other has a multi-shot weapon. The energy bursts erupt in the air, all around the glowing hero. Of the four shots that actually hit him, three are repulsed back at the agent. Two of the reflected bursts strike the startled agent, downing her. Backlash is knocked back through the air by the remaining blast, slamming into the intact semi. He is not hurt badly however, and flies back toward the fray.
Lord Liberty swings at one of the remaining agents, but misses. The agent returns the favor, opening fire with his blaster, but he also misses his target by a wide margin.
For everyone's knowledge, there are now 2 VIPER agents standing near the hole in the runway, and 3 more near Nomad and the original attack. There were also others that slipped away into the fog, engaging the incoming police.
SUBJ: Backlash (R) FROM: Rastermstr 01/30/89 S#: 454211
Land near the police officer and say: "M'am, you should get out of here. It's much to dangerous for normal law enforcement here. I'll cover you." (Watching warily for possible threats)
SUBJ: A pond you say............... FROM: ELRIK KANE 01/30/89 S#: 462462
Well now, lets see if I can "CLEAN" up your act. Using my T K to lift the three remaining agents into the air, I hold them under the water of that pond for about 20 sec or so that should short out all those nice laser blasters and things not to mention the fact that they should be pretty disoriented with all that pond scum filling their faceplates. I pull them out let them try to breathe and its back in the drink they go.....
NOMAD
SUBJ: LOL...Was wondering Des... FROM: Miss Terry 01/31/89 S#: 798511
::Retreats for cover behind the luggage car as the costumed strange guy lands nearby...After hearing what he says, 'I think I will,' running off, I really follow the men who went to engage the police officers who are coming. Trying to come up behind them and taking them by surprise.
SUBJ: .and furthermore FROM: Erekose2 02/03/89 S#: 409191
After I soak these goons a while I am going to bounce them dry on the pavement. Then I am going to strip them of any explosives that they may have [never know when they may come in handy] then I'm going to try to get someone to get me airborne.
NOMAD
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 02/01/89 S#: 446732
"Battle analysis complete. Prediction of completion of mission in 4.8 seconds." Lord Liberty will turn to face one of the remaining foes. He will make it seem as if the other has a clean shot at him. Then when the other seems ready to fire he will spin around and side kick the agent into next week. "Prediction incorrect. Will take only 3.7 seconds."
SUBJ: ...And continues... (R) FROM: Panther13 02/04/89 S#: 470220
Imperial unexpectedly meets the armored figure coming from the large hole in the runway pavement.
"Hold it right there, friend! Identify yourself, or I shall be forced to use force!", Imperial says. The armored figure is quite obviously not impressed.
"Stuff it, pretty boy. Armadillo's in a hurry! So beat it!", says the man in grayish armor. A beam of energy leaps from Imperial's hands, striking Armadillo. But the blast just ricochets away. Armadillo is not amused.
"I might need some help over here!", Imperial shouts. Armadillo swings his free hand at the hero and connects, sending him hurtling away. He lands some 60 feet away on the grass at the end of the runway, thoroughly stunned.
"Ha!", he yells. "Whatta wimp!" Without another look back, Armadillo turns and purposely heads to the NE away from the remaining fighting.
Meanwhile, Backlash lands near the police officer.
"Ma'am, you should get out of here. It's much too dangerous for normal law enforcement here. I'll cover you." Backlash warily watches for any possible threats. There are none coming for a few moments, at least.
The police officer retreats behind the luggage cart. " I think I will.", she says, running off. In a moment, she disappears into the fog.
Nearby, Lord Liberty confronts two of the remaining VIPER agents.
"Battle analysis complete.", comes the strange mechanical voice of this 9 foot tall armored figure. "Prediction of completion of mission in 4.8 seconds." Liberty faces one of the remaining agents, who warily brandishes his weapon at the hero. The other agent eyes the scene as well. Seeing a possible avenue for escape, this agent turns, and opens fire in a wide spray while steadily retreating. One of the multitude of blasts strikes Backlash and then bounces back to down the agent. He never saw the blast coming.
As the other agent turns his attention momentarily to this new development, Lord Liberty moves in. He spins into the agent, sending him sprawling. The man falls back into the hole and disappears from sight. A faint greenish haze can be seen around the mouth of the hole.
"Prediction incorrect. Will take only 3.7 seconds."
While all this goes on, Nomad attacks the three remaining agents that can be seen. He uses his Telekinesis to grab them, but only gets two. The surprised agents are hoisted into the air.
SUBJ: ...and continues.... FROM: Panther13 02/04/89 S#: 500461
The third agent senses the ultimate defeat, and takes off running. The two agents held in Nomad's TK are carried over above the pond. Suddenly, the drop, as Nomad is struck again by an unseen attack! It hits him in the back of the head again. He sees stars, and is momentarily stunned.
The police officer then heads over to follow the agents engaging the other incoming police. Little fighting is going on now. Only three agents can be seen. The fire at Lightwarp, who is tending to a severely wounded officer, near a burning squad car. Unconscious VIPER agents and police officers lay all around. Lightwarp seems oblivious to his attackers. Their beams fire out, but at the last moment are stopped dead, mere inches from their target. The agents continue to fire, to no avail.
"We can't do anything to him! Let's go see how the others are doing!" As the VIPER agent turns to break off the attack, he spots Officer Terry. But it is too late. She gets off a shot before the man can fire and he drops to his knees, holding his shoulder. The other agents turn to fire.
Terry squeezes off two more shots before they can fire. One is wide, while the other grazes off one of the agents' legs. It does make him miss however. The other agent doesn't miss though. The officer is struck in the arm. She drops her weapon.
"Yer a sittin' duck now! Hope you...", but the man never finishes his threat. He falls flat on his face, unconscious. Terry sees Lightwarp then turn back to the man he is tending.
Back at the main area of the battle, the pool where the agents were dropped into starts to smoke violently. One of them staggers out, obviously freezing, her teeth chattering, and arms wrapped about herself. The other agent never surfaces.
Eventually, both Nomad and Imperial regain their wits and rejoin the festivities. VIPER is beaten for all intents and purposes now. Darkon is still unconscious. The man who slammed into the pump house is still unconscious. As the assembled heroes gaze around the area, Lord Liberty is struck full in the face by an unseen attack! He is surprised, and slightly stunned, as he drops over onto his back.
SUBJ: Backlashes move (R) FROM: Rastermstr 02/05/89 S#: 404586
I power up my pack and try to pursue Armadillo to see what he's up to. I try to do so without getting his attention. I gesture to any of the other heroes who aren't incapacitated to follow. (Can't be letting armed and dangerous supervillains just waltz off like that) I AM trying to keep my distance from him, as I know just how deadly those claws can be!
SUBJ: Lord Liberty FROM: REM9 02/05/89 S#: 452277
"Inquiry: What hit me? My senses reveal no foe in the area, and yet I felt that impact upon my face. Implementing full spectrum and vibrational search of the immediate area. All others please stand by."