Lost Heroes #1 - "Return from Beyond"
The small, one-man battleship tumbled helplessly through the void of space. It's pilot was only now regaining consciousness. Numerous lights played before his eyes. When they finally did clear, only empty space laid before him. His mind was in a whirl. More questions than he could possibly answer were in his thoughts.
The first thing he thought was where was the battle? Here, in the depths of space, the final battle of the war for the planet Aurelon was being fought. The only spectators being the twin suns of the Beta Aurigae system. The suns!
The last thing he could recall was the wild fluctuations of the small sun. And then seeming numbness. Almost like before...
With the skills of an expert pilot, the battleship was soon under control. The ship had sustained major damage, but would hold together long enough to land safely on Aurelon.
The ships scanners, what was left of them, came into play. And what they read he could not believe. Only one star showed on the system scan! Had the other gone Nova? Had it hurtled his vessel across the great void?
The answer was forthcoming. This was not the Beta Aurigae system. Nine planets... The third at 93 million miles out... Could it be? Was this just like before? Had Eclypse returned home?
The year was 1994. Victor Braddock was testing a new propulsion system developed by Harper International. Once free of the Earth's atmosphere, the space drive malfunctioned. His ship was hurtled through time and space.
It appeared near the planet Aurelon. He crashed there and was found by the inhabitants of that planet: the Aurelonians. A culture with an odd mix of ancient and futuristic implements. And, strangely enough, all female. But the Aurelonians were in the midst of a war with a race of large, reptilian invaders; the Gothronians. Braddock, in time became the man known only as Eclypse. Possessor of the Star Scepter and the Star Amulet, thus fulfilling an Aurelonian prophecy.
Eclypse took command of the armies and led then into battle. Uncounted years passed in the conflict. Strangely, Eclypse never appeared to age during his time on Aurelon.
Eventually, the Aurelonians found allies. Together they battle to push the invaders back. The final battle took place in space. The only spectators the twin suns. One underwent wild fluctuations and then now...
Was it just like before? Had Eclypse returned home? Or to someplace worse...
He sat his course for the third planet. Four hours later he learned his answer. The blue and green of the Planet Earth loomed before him.
But as he flew closer he found that while this was the world of his birth it was not the same planet that he had left. It was a far darker shade of blue. The reason for the darkness was soon obvious. A string of satellites circled the globe. The largest in a stationary orbit over the North Pole. A field of blackness projected from each of the satellites. Together, they covered the world with their field of darkness.
The condition of the battleship was worsening. Eclypse now had no choice but to land on Earth. His ship was rapidly deteriorating.
Unexpectedly, his radio came to life.
"Attention alien vessel. The Planet Earth has been declared off limits. Do not approach! Do not approach! By order of the Sol Space---"
At that precise moment, the battleship pierced the field of darkness. The radio died. And so did the battleship. With Eclypse muttering an Aurelonian curse, the ship went into a power dive into the atmosphere.
The ship had lost all control. The vessel was designed for battle, not aerobatic maneuvers. If fell like a rock. Friction rapidly heated the hull. Within seconds the cockpit was an inferno.
Eclypse grabbed his old friend, his Star Scepter. Yes, the Scepter was his friend. How any battles did the two of them engage in? They were too numerous to mention. The product of an ancient technology, the Star Scepter may once ore safe the day.
Grasping the Scepter, Eclypse concentrated upon in, calling forth it's fast array of solar powers. The Scepter responded immediately. It drew the awesome heat into itself. The cockpit cooled to a more tolerable level.
Long minutes passed and the Star Scepter continued absorb the heat. He had never tried a stunt like this before. As far as he knew, the Scepter had no limits. On this day he reached the limit.
The Scepter itself began to glow. It rippled with energy. Far more power than it ever held before, or could hold. The Scepter burned in his hands, but Eclypse held on in spite of the pain. He simply had no choice.
At last the ship passed through the troposphere. Land appeared beneath the ship. With a cry of triumph, Eclypse ejected from his battleship. The power of the Scepter permitted him to defy gravity, but there was the matter with the Scepter itself. The power was still within the Scepter. It needed to be released, and fast.
At the cost of his flight, Eclypse switched to a field of invulnerable about himself. Grasping the Scepter, he unleashed the power within in a fiery beam of energy. The mountain below exploded from the power leveled on it. Eclypse lost consciousness, the ordeal too much for him. Silently, he fell into the inferno he created.
Much to his surprise, Eclypse awoke, in darkness. The Star Scepter still firmly held in his hands. It was dark now, the power drained out. It felt different now. Perhaps it had been damaged while overloaded with power. That was a small worry at the moment. Eclypse was alive, that was all that mattered.
Calling upon a small portion of power from the Scepter, Eclypse illuminated his surroundings. He was in an underground tunnel. A man made passage way, made of metal. The ceiling above had mostly collapsed. One side of the tunnel was completely blocked off. The other led off into darkness.
Eclypse silently thanked his old friend. It had pulled him through another battle. But at what cost to itself?
Eclypse walked further down the tunnel. As he traveled, he examined his other equipment. His other relic, the Star Amulet survived undamaged. Except for a sensing device, the rest was smashed beyond repair.
But something was wrong with sensor. It failed to work. He gave it a slight rap in frustration. As if on cue, the device flared on. But it was not alone, emergency lights activated in the tunnel.
Eclypse paused for a moment. How odd he thought. At least the scanner was operational. He could now find other people. He could now learn what happened while he was away from Earth.
The scanner detected a faint trace of life in the direction that he was traveling. But the vital signs were getting stronger.
Eclypse quickened his pace. In moments he came to a large door. Almost like an air lock he thought. In large, stylish letters, the words 'Biosphere' were written on the door. On the side of the door was a small device with a slot in it. A sign was posted next to it: 'Please insert ID Card'.
Eclypse had no such thing of course, but he had another way in. Calling upon the power of the Star Amulet, he ripped the doors open.
The emergency lights also illuminated the area beyond. On the left was a parking area for motorized carts. Three such vehicles were parked there. Eclypse came to a four-way intersection. Excited at the prospect of seeing other humans again, he followed the scanners direction.
Eclypse flew deeper into the Biosphere. In what he guessed to be the center of the Sphere he found a gigantic crevice. At this point it was twenty feet wide. It continues on off to his right and left. There was a soft red glow from the bottom of the crevice.
Eclypse flew over the crevice on continued on. His scanner led him to regular door, but there was no visible way to open it. Again, there was the slot device on its side. The words 'Cryogenics Lab' were written on the door. This door was easy to force. The Star Amulet not even needed to augment Eclypse's already impressive strength.
Inside the lab equipment was in operation. The scanner led Eclypse to a side room in the lab.
After forcing this door, Eclypse found the room to be filled with Suspended Animation tubes. Six of these tubes silently slid open.
In the first tube was a man. He wore an all black body suit with full head covering. There was a big, brown tarantula on his chest. He wore matching brown boots and trim.
In the second was a young girl. She wore a sky-blue jumpsuit with a matching bandit mask. She had red hair that passed her shoulders. There was just a hint of freckles on her face.
In the third was a figure in armor. But as Eclypse watched, a strange change over came the armor. Its features disappeared. It appeared to be an opening into a black void.
In the fourth was a young woman. She was dressed like a jogger, in gray sweats. Her t-shirt bore the letters 'MIT'. She had brown hair.
Next was a large and powerfully built man. Muscles rippled through out his body.
In the last tube was another young woman, dressed in the uniform of a police officer.
They all began to stir...
You all know who you are, so post your introductions!
Spectrum's Comments: Wow. In all modesty, that was probably one of the best things I wrote back during this period in history. Just a flash of things to come. Yep, that is indeed Eclypse. I borrowed from some of his background in setting this game up, so everything you read here is not exactly true of the Eclypse on the main website. Harper International was a tip of the hat to Muskateer's SI. Several different scenarios were set into motion just in this post alone. Things that wouldn't come into play for a few posts yet. Do keep attention to the power going on and off! It is significant!
SUBJ: Brawn (R) FROM: N4SIR 04/01/89 S#: 124533
"All right Rogers This drug had better work this time" the man in the last tube shouts. Although awake anyone noticing can tell that his eyes are not open yet. "Do you hear me Rogers, if this doesn't work you will answer to Brawn Not your old Buddy and friend I swear this time you will meet your maker." I will rise out of the tube ignoring the IV Tubes (if any).
After Stretching I will open my eyes slowly and look around. "Your not Rogers, Who are you?" Brawn asks.
"Tell me little man."
Spectrum's Comments: N4SIR also ran a few other Champions characters. Golden Lion in Crusaders and Monarch in Crusaders Plus. This game pretty much started out with players I already had in other online Champs games. No strangers here!
SUBJ: Black Tarantula FROM: AREION 04/01/89 S#: 429506
As the man in black's eyes start to flutter, he suddenly realizes he isn't alone.
"NOOOOOOOOOO!!!!" his blood curdling scream echo's through the chamber.
With lightning quickness, he springs from the cryogenics tube, and leaps clear over Eclipse's head, flipping and striking Eclipse as he does so. His muscles are still cold, numb, wracked with fatigue. It does little more than knock him off balance, and even then, more from surprise then by force.
"BASTARDS!!! YOU KILLED HERRRR!!!!"
He leaps again, and heaves a double fisted blow at his confused target, but this time all he strikes is the Scepter. It flares with power at his touch, sends him sprawling backwards.
The figure twists, rolls & springs yet again. Hurtling through the air, fingers grasping franticly for Eclipse's throat he's caught in mid-flight and forced to his knees. Though he's inhumanly strong, so is his target, and his own body has not yet full recovered from its long hibernation.
"STOP!"
Eclipse's single word pierces his delirium. With a deliberate effort he stops struggling, wretches free of Eclipse's hold, and clasps both gloved hands over his face.
"What....who are you.....where am I? What am I doing here....??"
"The last thing I remember...I was fighting Cobra agents...they'd taken her...I never had a chance...she rushed towards me...went down in the crossfire... clutched her dying body to me... terrible pain my chest....I...."
With a sudden revelation, the black clad berserker franticly probes his chest with his half-numb fingers. There is no sudden pain. The flesh beneath his costume is as whole as if it had never been hurt at all!
"I was SHOT...But there's no wound! I...I should be dead!! DEAR GOD, WHAT THE HELL'S GOING ON!!!!"
Spectrum's Comments: What an eccentric performance. Areion should be familiar by now as well for Professor Abriax and his namesake character.
SUBJ: GM Update
Eclypse to Brawn:
"There is no one here named Rogers. This is an, apparently, abandoned base of some type. You six are the only life that I have found. I am known as Eclypse. And a word of advice, my friend, I do not like being refer to as little."
To Black Tarantula:
"Pull yourself together, man! Once you've regained control of yourself we'll try to figure out what happened! This is very strange. What happened to the Earth? What year is this?"
SUBJ: Mary Beth Williams
The woman with the MIT shirt slowly comes around. The blood curdling scream causes her to a wide awake state. She sees the two men, somewhat blurry in her eyes, in their mini-scuffle. She steps out of the tube.
"Stop that fighting!"
As she approaches an odd event occurs. Her form shimmers and she unexpectedly splits into two people! We help the man in black to his feet.
"I'm a doctor, I can help you", we say. "What did you do to this man?"
"I did nothing to this an. He awoke and went crazy."
Seeing that the man in black is not hurt, we suddenly realize what happened. Embarrassed, we quickly remerge.
"You never saw that! Forget you saw that! I'm a normal person, not some kind of freak!"
I quickly fumble, trying to find my glasses, but they are missing.
"Damn! Of all the times to lose my glasses! Where am I? Who are you people?"
I notice the burns on Eclypse's hands.
"Let me take a look at those burns. I'm a doctor."
Spectrum's Comments: Mary Beth was my character in the game. She was pretty much specifically designed for this game and really isn't that much of a super. At this point her main ability was to create an exact duplicate of herself. One took the name Mary, the other the name Beth. I pretty much lifted Mary Beth's background and used it for Microwave on the main site.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 04/03/89 S#: 422300
"Where's Rogers? I have to know if the test was successful. Didn't he tell you this test was my last hope?"
"ROGERS! WHERE ARE YOU ROGERS!," Brawn shouts. It appears that the large Goliath like figure has gone over the edge. But just as suddenly as is rage is the calm.
"Very well, Rogers if this is still part of your test you'll have to conduct it without me."
Brawn sees not to notice his surroundings or the others in the room.
"I just don't understand why he's done this to me."
After Brawn is convinced that this is not a test of some sort he will begin to ask questions.
"Alright Eclipse who are you and why did you wake me up? Where am I? Who are all these people? What is this place? How long have I been out of it?"
SUBJ: Number 6 (R) FROM: Deslock 04/03/89 S#: 843991
... System status?
RESTART IN PROGRESS
... Defense priority...
DONE
... How'd this happen? This looks like a cryogenics chamber, but I have no memory of entering. From their reactions, at least some of these others are in similar straits. No signs of imminent hostilities, despite the big ones bellowing. Still, better safe than sorry.
After running my suit through its operational envelope, I'll step from the tube, and check out the others here.
"Allow me to introduce myself, I'm known as Number 6. If any of you have any information about how we came to be here, I'd like to hear it."
Spectrum's Comments: Here's Deslock again. This is Number 6, whose background I used for FIST on the main site. He had characters in just about every game I had. Araduin in the Frontier, Balamar in Sword of Doom, and Ranger/Nazgul in Crusaders.
SUBJ: R.E.M. FROM: REM9 04/03/89 S#: 453901
Suddenly there is a scream from the red headed girl. It appears that she is not awake as of yet even with all the noise. "NO Stop it. Why are you doing this to me? LEAVE ME ALONE. You're hurting me. Please I don't want to do that. NO you can't make me do that. STOP." Her eyes are now wide open. After staring in silence for a minute, the girl just slumps to the ground, crying, oblivious to all around her.
Spectrum's Comments: Likewise, REM9 should be equally familiar. He was Cereld in Frontier, Lord Liberty in Crusaders, and Starlight in New Crusaders.
SUBJ: Eclypse
"I'm afraid that I too am seeking the answers to your questions. As for myself, I am originally from Earth. I've been fighting a war on the Planet Aurelon for an untold time. I crashed on Earth just a short time ago. I don't know who revived you. The system was in operation when I arrived here. Perhaps we should search this place instead of standing here asking questions.
My hands will heal in time, Doctor. Perhaps you best see to the girl. And the policewoman. She hasn't appeared to be awake yet
Eclypse leads the others out into the main Cryogenics Lab. The room is cluttered with papers and equipment, as if it was in operation just recently. A computer terminal appears to be function in one corner of the room.
Black Tarantula makes a startling discovery at one of the desks.
"My god...."
He hands the calendar to the others. It is turned to the month of April. The year 2325...
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 04/04/89 S#: 424198
"No this is one of ROGERs jokes I went in for my test in 89 there's no way Rogers would have left in that tube 340 years" Brawn grabs the Calendar looking for some tell tale sign of the joke being played on him.
"You all are in on it your his friends Why are you doing this to me," Brawn Screams and turns on the group...
Spectrum's Comments: Can you say living in denial?
SUBJ: Black Tarantula (R) FROM: AREION 04/04/89 S#: 431817
The figure in black suddenly becomes very shaky. He puts the calendar down, and leans on the desk, favoring his stomach. You're sure under that jet-black costume he's as white as a sheet!
"Oh God...I need a drink!"
Glaring up at the mammoth Brawn, Tarantula spats under his mask.
"You still don't get do you!?! This is no joke pal! Everyone we've known, everyone we've ever...cared for DIED over two and a half CENTURIES ago! How are WE going to handle it?! How are WE going to survive in a world that has left us behind?!?"
Despite appearances, Tarantula's anger is more direct at his own helplessness than anything anyone else has done or said.
Spectrum's Comments: One thing they are not considering here: April 2325 was the last time someone actually used the calender. Just how long ago was that? ;D
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 04/04/89 S#: 442114
2325? Hmmmm... Cryogenic freezing would account for the time lapse, and may even be responsible for my amnesia about the events which lead up to it. If it is indeed 2325, then there's no way back for us. I don't think I'll mention that just now, Brawn doesn't appear to be handling this very well. Tarantula appears shaky too.
I'll move over to the Doctor, to see if she needs assistance. "Excuse me, but aren't you Dr. Williams? I'm familiar with your work. I'd appreciate your input on a problem I've been working on."
If this is indeed the 24th century, then there should have been a geometric increase in medical skills. I'll keep my eyes open for any medical supplies, a medical lab, or anything of that sort.
SUBJ: Mary Beth
The doctor is stunned for several moments. 2325? How? Why? Her training takes over. There are people in need. She'll be upset later
To Number 6 - "Yes, I am Dr. Williams. Have we met before?"
I squint at him, but his features are slightly blurry.
"I need to find some glasses... If what they are saying out in the lab is true, than there is no need to be so formal, sir. Just call me Beth. What is your problem?"
After listening, I agree that we need to find some pharmaceuticals. Soon, if I'm going to be able to help anyone. I'm diabetic...
Did I hear someone say that there is a computer? There's one good place to look for answers. I'll enter the lab and look for the computer.
"I've had some training with computers. Perhaps it might be able to tell us something?"
SUBJ: Terry FROM: Miss Terry 04/06/89 S#: 394519
The police officer steps out and looks around, stunned by the people she see's. She steps back in the tube and takes a deep breathe, she then comes out again and says, "Alright what's going on?"
Spectrum's Comments: Yes, that is Police Officer Terry! Since she was only a part-timer in Crusaders, I allowed her to run the same character in this game. After all, she could do both as exactly when she was placed into suspended animation was left up in the air.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 04/06/89 S#: 842024
"No, Dr. Wil..., um... Beth, I don't believe we've met. I've read some of your articles in the New England Journal of Medicine. I should be able to help you check this installations computers for info. If they have no insulin in stock, we may have to attempt to synthesize it. I doubt we're going to find any sheep around here."
SUBJ: Mary Beth
"I would be surprised to find sheep around here too, #6! (You do have a real name don't you?) If things do work out, perhaps we might be able to solve each other's problems. (What exactly is your problem?)'
I start out to the lab, but notice that the police officer is awake.
"Well hello there. You can come out we won't bite. As for what's going on, no one's sure yet. We all were placed in suspended animation and just awoke a short while ago. One of the others found a calendar which said that this was the year 2325."
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 04/08/89 S#: 441437
"2325. Let's see that makes me hmmm... 351 years old. WOW. What happened here, does anybody know? Who put us here and why? Come to think of it who are all of you? My name's REM. I'm hungry. Is there any food around here? What's it like outside? Are there flying cars all over the place like in the Jetsons? Or are we part of the Federation like in Star Trek?"
REM seems completely oblivious to the fact that everyone she knew is now long dead. She will just start looking around for anything interesting to do since everyone else sees to be so upset right now.
Spectrum's Comments: Any guess as to what is really going on here? How did these six particular people end up sleeping away the centuries? (And how the heck would I be able to get new players into THIS game?) Stay tuned!