Lost Heroes #18 - "Night of the Spider"
Within Alpha Base, Number 6 wakes Mary up from her sleep.
Number 6 - "I received a call for help from Rem. I think I'd better go and give them a hand. It sounds serious. You should be all right inside the shields, but I think it best that you be awake, just in case. I wouldn't let anyone else in here until someone else gets back."
Mary - "Alright. I'll do what you say."
Mary weakens the shields and Number 6, protected by a force field belt, takes off into the night sky. Once he is out of sight, Mary walks back to the lounge and punches up the code for black coffee.
Mary - "Looks like this is going to be a long night..."
At the Shrine out in the desert, the High Priestess, Chandria, has arrived with her 'god': A giant spider! The creature's legs flail into the guest quarters, striking down Tarantula before he can react.
Rem - "Tarantula sweetie!"
Rem runs to his side. He is only stunned and will recover in a moment.
On the other side of the room, Terry and Beth drag the man to safety. Terry turns and gives the Priestess a hard stare. Chandria is dazed for a moment. That gives Rem a mental opening that she needs. With ease, she slips into Chandria's mind and preys upon her fears.
Chandria screams in terror. She dismounts the spider and disappears from sight.
Rem - "That will teach you, you hussy!"
The victory is short lived however.
Beth - "Ahhh! We've got other problems, Rem!"
Turning, Rem can see that numerous small spiders have entered the room.
Beth - "Most of these species are poisonous!"
Suddenly there is a large crash, and Spinadria crawls away.
Outside the temple, Brawn watches as his boulder crashes into the giant spider.
Brawn - "Come 'ere, ya creepy crawly!"
Another boulder is tossed by Val, hitting the spider in its face.
Val - "I do believe that we have its attention."
Spinadria leaps off of the building and at the two annoyances on the ground. It flicks one of its legs and pushes Brawn away.
Brawn - "You're gonna have to do better than that, bug!"
Brawn lands a tremendous punch, blasting the spider into the side of the temple.
Back inside, the whole temple shakes as the spider crashes into the building. As the girls regain their footing, Tarantula regains his wits.
Tarantula - "What happened?"
Rem - "No time to explain, sweetie! We need to get out of here!"
The invading arachnids now covered one half of the room. The stranger's body was lost in a sea of spiders.
Tarantula - "I'll get us out of here."
Tarantula scoops the girls up and leaps out of the room to the roof.
On the ground, Brawn and Val continue to go at it with the spider. Brawn hurtles a boulder at the spider, distracting it long enough for Val to rush in and disembowel it. Though dying, the spider continues to attack.
Number 6 appears in the sky. He lands near the two fighters.
Number 6 - "That's an interesting playmate that you've found, Brawn."
Brawn - "Stow it, tin man. Let's just trash this thing!"
Number 6 shifts to strength, and together with Brawn and Val, punch the monster. Their combined might hurtles the spider back into and through the temple itself! What little that is left of Spinadria is a bloodied mess. A great portion of the temple collapses, not being able to withstand the pounding Spinadria took.
Tarantula and the girls appear on the scene a moment later.
Rem - "Nice punch, guys! Say, who's the woman with the sword?"
Before anyone can explain, the remaining Sisters of the Shrine appear. They are all situated over 50 yards away. They are watching you all. Waiting to see what happens next....
Spectrum's Comments: That takes care of the giant spider. The guy who became spider-chow was a new player who never posted. Now he never will...
SUBJ: Number 6 (R) FROM: Deslock 08/02/89 S#: 801497
"Good to see you again BT. Interesting place you've found here. It seems we've trashed their great warrior, so now, they'll either go berserk, or be rather cowed. Beth, you've been here longer, how do you think this crowd will go?"
I'm ready to air evac non-combatants to a safe area, should further hostilities break out, and then return to take care of business.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 08/03/89 S#: 408064
Rem looks at the destroyed temple oblivious to all. She then drops to her knees sobbing into her hands, "Oh my God, look what I've done. All those people, that helpless man, all dead. It's all my fault. If only I'd have listened to Beth sooner. This wouldn't have happened this way." Rem then collapses as she turns her own nightmares loose on herself.
SUBJ: Beth
'I'm not quite sure how they are going to react, Number 6. Although after seeing how you guys waxed their 'god', I sure that they're afraid of us. Otherwise, I think that they would have attacked already.'
While the others watch the women, I'll go to Rem's side.
'Hey, it's all right Rem. You were doing what you thought was best. From what Terry saw earlier, I'd say that most of the women made it to safety all right. As for that man... Well, we all failed him. It could just as easily been one of us in there. If anyone is to fault, it is the Priestess. She caused all this. She unleashed the spiders.'
I'll try to comfort Rem the best as I can. I'll also keep an eye on the situation with the women as well.
GM Notes- Terry
Terry walks over and joins Number 6, Brawn and Val, as they watch the Sisters massing.
Terry - "I can see in their thoughts that they are unsure what to do. Their leader is dead. For perhaps the first time in their lives, they must think for themselves. They are waiting for us the make the first move."
Looking at the ruined temple, none of you are sure how they can possible survive here now.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 08/05/89 S#: 79202
"Ok, if they are looking for us to make the first move, then how about we offer to help in rebuilding what we helped in destroying. If terry is right then and they are afraid then we've got to help them."
I will do something to show we do not wish to hurt them, maybe, start to gather stones to reform a wall.
Mail From: REM9 Date: Sunday 6-Aug-89 04:26 EDT
Hi Mad, I meant to mail you when I Posted, but haven't had the time until now (SUN at about 430AM). I wanted to tell you exactly what is happening to REM right now. When REM was captured by PSI, they not only tortured her, they were constantly tricking her, trying to train her to be a trained cold-blooded assassin. They used her to strengthen the new recruits, those that survived REM usually built up a good ego defense. Those that didn't.... This experience has greatly traumatized REM. Not only is she plagued with constant nightmares; she has an extreme Code vs. Killing. Any time someone dies around REM she blames herself and tortures herself by forcing herself to relive the nightmares that PSI put her through. She usually emerges from these nightmares nothing more than a quivering mess. In this matter she is totally irrational, to the point of not doing things she should be doing like searching the wrecked temple for survivors for one.
This experience has also made REM extremely protective of people her age or younger. Most of her victims were in this category, and she will not allow any harm come to any other children so long as she lives. This is the one exception to her code vs. killing. If she catches ANYONE exploiting any child in any way, she will vent her FULL wrath on that person. In this matter she is unstable and unstoppable.
As you see REM is a very confused and somewhat traumatized little girl. She tries to hide this with her happy-go lucky nature, but she cannot escape from herself. That should give you a little idea of what REM is really like. Any questions class??
Spectrum's Comments: Some insight into Rem's character.
SUBJ: ** BT ** FROM: AREION 08/06/89 S#: 816943
"No way!! Those...THINGS... tried to kill Rem, Beth, & me! Meant to eat me alive! And what they brought on that poor stranger..."
"No...These things are more animals than human, worshiping things they can't understand. Their fear is nothing compared to the terror and torture they've inflicted on god knows how many innocent victims! My main concern is to see that they don't do it to anyone else!!"
BT turns towards the fearful on- lookers and takes several strides in their direction. Not menacingly, but with an air of haughty arrogance, and self-confidence...as a king walking among the peasants. He stops with a sudden jerk, arms crossed. With all the fury and confidence he can muster, BT spats words like hot acid at his one-time captors.
"Sisters of chandra...Spinadra is DEAD! Your great god cannot save you now! If you do not wish to join Spinandra in oblivion then from this day forward you will live by the creed of peace! No longer will you reeve this world of life and blood for your own selfish wants! Instead, you will serve this land and ALL its inhabitants to the greatest extent of your mortal ability!"
"IF EVER AGAIN YOU PREY ON HELPLESS TRAVELERS THEN WE WILL RETURN AND OBLITERATE YOU,AS SURLY AS YOUR HIGH- PREISTESS AND SPINANDRA HERSELF!!"
"WE ARE THE NEW GODS...AND TO DEFY US IS DEATH!!!"
BT will stand facing the several seconds more, daring them to defy him. Then will turn, return to the group, and bend to lift Rem tenderly. He will not intrude on the young mutants private thought...comforting her only with his presence.
Tarantula stops momentarily, to look over the others trying to gage their individual reactions. Imploring them with his eyes to let it lie, BT silently, and solemnly, carries Rem back in the direction he judges brawn and the stranger (BT has yet to meet the newest member ;> ) came from (judging by their position in reference to the shrine)
Lost Heroes #19 - "Fate of the Sisters"
The Shrine of Spinadria, and its namesake, are no more. While Beth tends to Rem, the others watch as the remaining sisters of the temple stand by.
Terry - "They are wait for us to make a move."
Brawn - "Ok, if they're looking for us to make the first move, then how about we offer to help in rebuilding what we helped destroy? If Terry is right, and they are afraid, then we've got to help them."
Brawn walks towards the ruins, gathers several bricks and begins the task of rebuilding the structure.
As the others watch, one of the sisters slowly comes towards Terry. She can identify her as Adela, the assistant to the High Priestess.
Adela - "We-- We appreciate your attempt to aid us with your giant, sister... But I fear that it is in vain. Spinadria was our protector and provider. With out him we are doomed."
Terry - "I'm sure that there is something we can do?"
Adela - "You did what had to do. Chandria... Changed over the years. But she was still Spinadria's favorite... Now we are truly lost... With no home."
Number 6 - "That sounds very familiar."
With a look of great sadness, Adela turns and walks back to her companions.
Elsewhere, Beth has given Rem a tranquilizer. She has settled down some, and is being helped along by Tarantula.
Beth - "What's going on? Where are they going?"
Terry - "I can't tell."
Tarantula sits Rem down as he speaks his mind.
Tarantula - "Those... things... tried to kill Rem, Beth, & me! Meant to eat me alive! And what they brought on that poor stranger... Those things are more animals than human, worshiping things they can't understand. Their fear is nothing compared to the terror and torture they've inflicted on god knows how many innocent victims! My main concern is to see that they don't do it to anyone else!!"
Tarantula takes several steps towards the retreating sisters. With an air of arrogance, he stops, folds his arms and shouts at the women.
Tarantula - "Sisters... Spinadria is dead! Your great god cannot save you now! If you do not wish to join him in oblivion then from this day forward you will live by the creed of peace! No longer will you reeve this world of life and blood for your own selfish wants! Instead, you will serve this land and ALL its inhabitants to the greatest extent of your mortal ability! If you ever again prey on helpless travelers, then we will return and obliterate you, as surely your High Priestess and God themselves. We are the new gods... And to defy us is death!"
As Tarantula shouts, the sisters all run away.
Val - "Who is this man?"
Terry - "Overreacting a little bit, aren't you? They are thoroughly beaten already."
Tarantula says nothing. He watches them run off for a few moments. Then, he returns to the group and picks Rem up gently. Then he starts to walk back to the base...
It has been a long night and everyone is tired. Number 6's force field belt has about 4 hours before it's batteries run out.
Now what are you going to do?
SUBJ: ** BT ** FROM: AREION 08/07/89 S#: 419844
Stumbling of into the wilderness, Tarantula trudges on through his weariness, wanting to put as much distance between himself and the shrine as possible .As time rolls on, Rem seems to grow heavier and heavier, even to his augmented strength. Finally unable to go any further, he looks for a large tree on the rapidly changing landscape (BT would certainly stop before reaching the desert, not wanting to entrust his & his companions safety to his rapidly deteriorating limbs).
Resting his load gently against the trunk, he climbs into the lower branches of the tree, about seven to eight feet off the ground, and webs several branches together, and fashions a crude web/net between the gaps. Then he gathers newer, softer branches and leaves from higher up, and mattes them into the webbing to form a crude nest.
This done, he places Rem in this crude shelter, and goes in search of food, preferably fleshy fruits to help quench his thirst. Eating a scant meal, he gathers up as much as he can carry, returns to the tree and secures the fruit where it can easily be found by Rem when she awakens or any of the others should they happen along.
Completely spent, BT reclines in the comfort of the tree and is asleep before his eyes have fully closed. He will sleep deeply, relying on his danger sense to wake him if there is any imminent danger. BT intends to rest here until nightfall, not wishing to dare the desert in the heat of day.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 08/07/89 S#: 420205
REM awakens from her slumber long after BT has gone to sleep. After getting her bearings and realizing where she is, she will eat some of the food that Tarantula brought. If the others are not here, she will search for them and make sure they are all right. She will then, as quietly as possible, curl up near BT and finish her long needed rest until Tarantula or someone else awakens her. When she gets up, she will say, "Hi Tarantula. How are you doing? You sure had me worried for a while. Don't go off on your own like that again. It's a dangerous world out here even for someone like you. We gotta stick together so we can make it a safer place where there is no more killing."
SUBJ: Beth
'I don't believe this... Of all the thick-headed, egotistical... From what I overheard, they were led by a fanatic. You're blaming everyone for the actions of their ruler. True, they didn't threaten us, but they were misguided. And now it appears that unless we help them, they are going to die! For all we know, we all might be the only humans left! If we're going to survive... If our race is going to survive, we've got to work together! And Tarantula, how do you know that they were going to eat you? Maybe they were going to feed you to their god? Adela did mention something that sounded like symbiosis. They fed the spider and the spider fed them. Now we've killed the spider. And if we don't do something, we just as surely going to kill them. Why don't we take them with us? We can always us the extra hands in the work to come. Help in any form would be a tremendous asset to us if we intend to get the base active."
Hmmm... Quite an emotional outburst from Beth, but ya'll got to remember that she is a doctor sworn to save life.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 08/08/89 S#: 824632
"I think we've wasted enough time here. Beth is correct that getting the base fully functional is our paramount concern. I somehow doubt that these people will be able to provide any of the technical skills this will require."
I'll check out the current situation once more, to make sure everything is settled, then get ready to head back to base.
"Anybody need a lift?"
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 08/12/89 S#: 95849
"I don't believe you BT. We finally have a chance to do something for someone else in this god forsaken time period and you show no compassion for anyone else but yourself and REM. I'll bet in another life you would have been one of those Russians blaming the whole German nation for the concentration camps."