Spectrum's Comments: Yes, there are really 7 posts in this file! The number of players was dwindling and those who were around didn't post every post. Eclypse and Jinx were gone as a PC's as well. D
When we last left the Lost Heroes, the mystery mentalist had used Sh're to regain corporeal form. Then things got interesting.
Lost Heroes #27 - "Rebirth"
Upon hearing the mental voice, everyone in the hanger rushes towards the elevators to the lower levels. However, Jinx does not move from the hanger. She continues to look around, confused on where she is and how she got here.
Tarantula, carrying Rem, bounds up to the control room and towards the elevator beyond. Beth, Brawn, Val and Terry shortly follow. All the while, Rem attempts to contact Eclypse. She is just locking on to him when, her connection with him is brutally shattered. The psychic feedback stuns her for a moment.
In the Med-Sphere, Number 6 ignores the mental voice and continues his research.
On the terminal screen, the information he seeks is scrolled out. The Mendleson process works as follows. A sample of the DNA to be changed is required. Then under laboratory conditions, it is alter to what is intended to be.
Once the DNA 'Pattern' is finished, it is coupled with the formula of the rewrite. Becoming the 'Pattern' to follow for the changes.
The work on a human requires special care. The formula is carefully injected to certain areas of the body at various times. All the while, the patient is under anesthesia. (The process of altering one's DNA is extremely painful!)
The patient is immersed in a pool of a special radiated liquid. This speeds the process up. Since the patient is unconscious throughout the entire ordeal, Number 6 will need assistance in curing himself. The whole process will take 15 hours.
The elevator doors slide open and the rest of the group enters the intersection on the 3rd level. They see the signs pointing to the various Spheres' on this level. It is easy to determine which way to go: One of the corridors has an odd blue light coming down it. Jumping into one of the many carts here, the group motors down the tunnel.
After a mile they enter into a large area. In here you find Eclypse. He is standing still, staring into the heart of the blue glow. He doesn't appear to notice you.
Suddenly the glow intensifies, and then fades away. Standing before you is a woman in black. She wears a hooded cloak and thigh high boots. The body suit underneath is shiny. Near her floats a shifting, jewel like shape.
"Free.... After all this time to have substance again!"
She then notices you.
"Genocidians! You killed me once... Now it's my turn!"
Spectrum's Comments: As you might have guessed, the mystery mentalist was Solitaire. Basically she had died in the old Genocide base Alpha Base was built over and her spirit haunted it for the last 700 years or so. You'd be cranky too after all that time.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 10/07/89 S#: 398790
- Damn. Now that I actually need them, they're off getting themselves killed. Wouldn't that be the ultimate irony? Looks like I'll have to get involved, if I wish to be cured. DAMN THEM. Why couldn't they listen to me? -
I'll fly back to the area I left Eclypse and Sh're in at top speed. I'm not in a particularly good mood, and am going to take it out on whatever is causing the problem. Maximum lethality.
Spectrum's Comments: Yes, Number 6 does have several dice of Unluck...
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 10/12/89 S#: 439842
"Genocide, I'll give you Genocide. I don't know who you are but so far you have attacked me twice for no reason. Now its my turn." Although you all hear Rem's boastful words, you all can't help but notice a trace of fear in them that is unbecoming of the carefree young lady.
REM will try to lock onto her foes mind and create the image of a Minuteman robot coming down the hall and attacking her. If this doesn't work, REM will activate her defense screen and try to block any mental attacks that this she-creature could use on her teammates.
Spectrum's Comments: I'm not so sure the best way to convince someone that you're not a part of Genocide should involve creating the image of a Minuteman robot!
Lost Heroes #28 - "Vengeance"
In the closed off section of the base, our heroes have found the remains of the original Genocide base. And the creature that haunts it...
Rem concentrates and an image appears before the woman's eyes.
"So, you show your true colors, Genocidians! Your puny device shall not stop me this time!"
A blast of energy is fired at the illusion, shattering it.
"My powers are now beyond your comprehension! All the centuries that I wandered these halls... You killed me once, but I didn't die... I would not die! My will was too strong... And now, thanks to this alien, I now have form and substance! Now I shall have my revenge!!"
Psi-Energy lashes out at everyone, briefly overwhelming them.
"You, my little mentalist, you were my first choice... But I found someone better! And so, Solitaire is reborn!"
As everyone picks themselves off of the floor, Beth squeezes the trigger on her stun gun. The beam hits Solitaire, dazing her for a moment.
"You shall pay for that, witch! Eclypse, destroy these fools for your mistress!"
Eclypse turns and walks towards you.
Eclypse - "As you command..."
Number 6 sees this as he arrives...
SUBJ: "Number 6" (R) FROM: Deslock 10/15/89 S#: 818724
- Let's see, only one face in this crowd that I don't recognize. Must be the source of the problem. Not for long. -
I'll continue my flight as a move through, shifting extra power into Dex to improve my hit probability. This should knock her a fair piece down the hall, I'll follow it up with a full strength EB, centered on the area around her. If the blast itself doesn't take care of her, hopefully the hallway will collapse on her.
"Been waiting centuries for this, eh? Hope it was worth the wait."
SUBJ: REM (R) FROM: REM9 10/15/89 S#: 790147
"We're not Genocidians. Think about it. I'm a mutant like you and proud of it. Would I have anything to do with that mutant hating scum who call themselves the world's saviors. Be real. The only reason we fight you is that you fight us, and take over our friends. Give us our friends back so we can stop this madness." While REM is making her speech, she is slowly trying to infiltrate Eclypse's mind. She will create for him an illusion of Brawn for him to fight all the while mentally trying to help him to break the hold she has on his mind. (I know that this means that REM has to drop her shields). If it is necessary, REM will let Eclypse succeed in KILLING the illusion of Brawn, hopefully to break the spell on him.
SUBJ: BLACK TARANTULA FROM: AREION 10/20/89 S#: 849391
Reacting with all the speed at his command, Tarantula leaps over Eclypse's head (or around ECLIPSE if the ceiling is too low) flipping (or rolling) to land on his feet and face the intruder.
"HEY!!!"
Tarantula yells to get her attention. He stands before her, back straight, shoulders square; arms outstretched palms forward, as if to show he's unarmed. His cold demanding eyes glint as they meet hers.
"The kid's tellin' it straight! Things've changed since you've been out of it."
If ECLIPSE continues to advance, BT will activate his special mind link with REM as he charges.
>>No dice...We're gonna have to take her. Tell BRAWN to hit the floor with everything he's got (shockwave) on my cue...brace yourself...NOW!!!>>
A split instant later, BT leaps and casts a web at the intruder, landing on his feet again to hammer the woman with a double fisted haymaker.
Mail From: AREION Date: Friday 20-Oct-89 19:19 EDT
Tarantula will try to make eye contact with the intruder, to use his hypnotic stare (STR/DEX Neut)
Spectrum's Comments: A small sample of the extra powers that BT has that no one else knows about.
Lost Heroes #29 - "Psi-War"
The resurrected Solitaire continues to menace our heroes. With Eclypse under her control, he begins to attack...
Rem - "I keep telling you that were not Genocidians! You're the one who attacked us!"
As she speaks, Rem's powers reach out and affect Eclypse. In his eyes Brawn rushes forward to do battle. Eclypse engages the illusionary foe. A blast of energy is fired from his Star Scepter. It passes harmless through the illusion, but unfortunately glances off of Beth.
Seizing this opportunity, Tarantula leaps over Eclypse and lands before Solitaire.
Tarantula - "The kids tellin' it straight! Things have changed since you've been out of it!"
Terry - "There is little point in trying to reason with her. She's totally insane!"
Seeing Beth go down, Val becomes enraged. With the battle cry of "Od's Blood" she rushes Eclypse. The flat of her blade hits him the chest. He rockets backwards, crashing into the far wall. He collapses to the floor.
Solitaire - "You're nothing to me, insect!"
Solitaire appears to be concentrating, but something strange happens.
Solitaire - "What... What are you doing to me?"
Just then Number 6 comes rocketing on to the scene. He collides with Solitaire, who seemed to be unaware of his approach. After 75', she slides to a stop, very unconscious.
Terry - "Crude, but extremely effective.
Rem - "That takes care of her."
In the background, Beth shakes off he effects of the blast. Eclypse is going to be out for a few minutes.
Terry - "The question is, what are we going to do with her?"
SUBJ: Black tarantula (R) FROM: AREION 10/24/89 S#: 405835
"Way to go Number 6! She'll be sleeping that of for a while! Beth, how's Eclipse...he was hit pretty hard."
Tarantula rushes over to Rem, helping her up. She notices he seems to be a little uneasy, and avoids direct eye contact. Once he's certain she's ok he'll release her (or carry her is she's been hurt)
"What to do with this Solitaire?? Good question! She's much too dangerous to let run loose...but at the same time we can't just off people, even raving lunatics. I say we store her in one of the cryogenics tubes...at least until we can find a way to control her power... maybe with the genetic overlaying."
"I don't know about the rest of you but I'm...hungry. Scrapping always works up my appetite. If anybody want me, I'll be in the cafeteria."
Once the group decides what to do with the fallen adversary, Tarantula takes his leave, heading for the cafeteria. There he eats a scant meal, for all his professed hunger, it's not much. Anyone with him notices him kneeling over the crevice left by the giant insects before leaving.
From there he goes to his quarters, for some rest then heads for the machine shop after getting directions from the computer. He sits down at a drawing table and intently begins sketching. An hour later there's a large pile of crumpled paper piled alongside his table.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 10/24/89 S#: 458166
"She annoyed me."
"I've just returned from the Med Lab. We should be able to keep her sedated, at least until we decide what to do with her. Speaking of cryo-tubes, we have six more Popsicles down there. I have no idea what their nature or status is at this point."
Noting Beth's dazed condition, I head over to render what aid I can.
"Glad to see you're here. I've found some more information about the rewrite, but there are some lengthy preparations involved, and I cannot perform the procedure alone. I'd like to begin as soon as possible."
SUBJ: Beth
Still a little bit woozy, Beth makes her way to her feet.
"Wow... That smarted..."
Beth takes a quick look at everyone. She noticeably perks up at #6's news.
"That's wonderful! I'm so happy for you. Yes, by all means let us begin. Would someone be so kind as to summon Mary? Her skills might be helpful in this task.'
Beth will then follow #6 to the hospital.
SUBJ: Rem FROM: REM9 10/26/89 S#: 409101
REM, a little taken aback by Tarantula's response to her, is somewhat sullen. She gets up wondering what to do now and trying to think about how to free Sh're from Solitaire's control, but her mind keeps drifting back to Tarantula. It is only when she hears Beth ask for someone to contact Mary that she finds something to do. "OK Beth, I'll call Mary. Do you wish her to bring anything with her?"
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 10/27/89 S#:841947
"Ok if no ones needs me I will be in the Rec area working out. Call me when lunch is ready. And REM stay away from the machines unless you know what your doing." Brawn stalks off down the hall to the REC room.
Lost Heroes #30 - "Settling In"
The menace of Solitaire is over. The insane villainess is currently sedated in the Med Sphere. However, you cannot leave her like this indefinitely, so some solution must be found.
The days the follow pass quickly. Number 6, Mary, and Beth work long hours in the Med-Sphere working on his cure. The others take the time explore the base. With the exception of the Botany Sphere, assume that all areas have been searched.
A quick review of the base.
Level 1: This level holds the hanger bay and the control center. There are several aircraft here in need of repair.
Level 2: When the base was flooded with refuges, this level became their living areas. Five of the eight spheres on this level are living quarters. One sphere is the education sphere, essentially a school. Another is dubbed the Mall. Virtually any goods that you need can be found here. Clothing can be made to order here. If their are any items that you wish to have, let me know what it is and I'll see if it's in the stores. Remember, equipment does not cost you character points in this game! The last sphere is the Gym Sphere. This area, as you might guess, has an area for almost every athletic activity you can think of.
Level 3: This level is where the main work of the base was done. It has the Bio-Labs and the Med-Labs. There is a receiving and storage area, a machine shop, and an Officer Quarter's Sphere. As you might suspect, the best apartments are there! The Rec Sphere is also on this level. This Sphere holds all the non-athletic pass times that you can think, plus some that you can't think of! The Botany Sphere has yet to be explored because the computer detected unknown life forms there earlier.
Level 4: This level is main power plant for the entire base.
Over the last few days, everyone has moved into the main base. (The place where you woke up in is cut off from the rest of the base.) Everyone has his or her own living quarters. Valteria has been gathering supplies and preparation to go exploring in this odd world.
In the Med-Sphere, the work has come to a halt.
Beth - "Well, Number 6. All the preparations are complete. Are you ready to begin?"
Meanwhile, Adela quietly approaches Rem.
Adela - "Pardon me, mistress, but I am troubled."
Rem - "What's the problem?"
Adela - "It is Cythia. We have not seen her for several days now."
Rem - "I see. When was the last time anyone saw her?"
Adela - "I believe that she was taking a meal to his grace, Lord Tarantula."
Rem - "Let's go see what he knows."
Just then, Terry approaches with Val. Val holds a body in her arms.
Terry - "That won't be necessary, Rem. I believe that we've found the missing girl."
Val - "She's been murdered!"
Terry - "That's not all. All the blood has been drained from her body..."
SUBJ: Black tarantula (R) FROM: AREION 10/29/89 S#: 796282
Over the past several days, Tarantula has spent a great deal of time in the machine shop. On the second day he was seen leaving the mall with a large bundle of black cloth and some very expensive looking jewelry. He would disappear into the machine shop for hours on end, the sounds of metal being cut and worked echoing from within. He seems quite excited about whatever it is he's working on.
Shedding the stolen robe for a pair of sweat pants and T-shirt (on the rare occasions he's seen wearing a shirt) BT Settles into one of the officers' quarters on level three. His mood seems somewhat tense, and, as the days roll by, he seems to be avoiding REM more and more, though he won't say why. All she can sense from their brief mental dialogs is that he feels very uneasy when he's around her lately.
Awakened from a sound sleep by a mental message from REM, bordering on hysterics, Tarantula rushes to her. Bursting in on her, he sees that the lovely young mutant has been shopping over the past few days.
"REM...What is it...What's wr...HEY! What's with the makeup and the dress... I mean...You look...What's wrong?!?"
Following her mute stare, he suddenly realizes that they aren't alone. His jaw drops open when he sees the limp, pale body dangling from Val's arms.
"W...Wha...What happened??!??!"
Suddenly very ashamed of his recent behavior, Tarantula draws REM to his chest to comfort her.
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 10/29/89 S#: 845631
"Ready? I've been waiting years for this. Let us begin."
- Is this finally it? Is my ordeal really going to end? Or will this turn out like so many previous attempts? -
Number 6 has spent all his time working in the med lab, although he will relate some basic maintenance instructions to the others concerning the power generators. They aren't yet up to snuff, and I don't wish to encounter any power shortages during the procedure.
SUBJ: Beth
'As you wish, Number 6. Mary the anesthetic please. Have a good nap, Six. You'll be a new man when you wake up.'
Beth will wait until the anesthetic takes hold and then begin the long procedure.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 11/01/89 S#: 791383
In all the free time that has occurred over the past few weeks will begin attempting to link all the sections together again. Using whatever materials are available he will make bridges where necessary. And try and bring power back to all sections of the base.
SUBJ: REM (R) FROM: REM9 11/04/89 S#: 791229
As REM learns that Tarantula is on his way, she reluctantly contacts him again **Be Careful. There may be an intruder in the area.**
While she is waiting for him to arrive, she once again starts to concentrate, this time taking great caution as to not startle the one she is about to contact.
**Mary, ummm this is REM, Have you and Beth started that thing that you were doing to Number 6 yet? The reason I ask is that we have a problem out here and could probably use either your or Beth's help. It seems that Cythia has been killed and all her blood has been drained. No, this is not a Halloween joke; I'm being quite serious. Please come as soon as you can.**
When Tarantula arrives, REM tries to avoid eye contact with him. When he mentions the way she looks (during the past few weeks REM has visited the mall to get a new set of clothes, shedding her costume. She is now wearing a pink dress, a little to formal for everyday occasion, and REM has started wearing makeup, although she could use a little instruction as to how to put it on better) REM turns away and seems about ready to start crying. When Tarantula pulls her close, she sniffles once and then starts to regain her composure. "Cythia was on her way to bring you dinner. Did she get there? I'll see if I can spot anyone else in the base that we don't know about. Terry if I spot anything I'll hold out my hand so we can see it." REM will then extend her senses to cover the whole base.
SUBJ: BT - II FROM: AREION 11/04/89 S#: 815347
"Yea...Seems the natives really believe that I'm some kind of god! They appointed her to serve me. I haven't seen her since last night."
Tarantula stairs transfixed at the body.
"Wh...What could be capable of such cruelty! This new world is full of dangers!"
Lost Heroes #31 - "Time to Kill"
In the Medical Sphere, Number 6 is given the shot and sent to la-la land. Mary and Beth monitor his progress, until they hear a mental message from Rem.
Mary - "I better go see what they need."
Beth - "Right. Mary's on her way, Rem. I must remain here and monitor Number Six's condition.
Mary gathers up a med-kit and departs. Beth sits down at the computer consol and waits.
Beth - "All I can do now is wait..."
She stares at the unmoving form of Number 6, wondering what is taking place inside him.
In his mind, Number 6 floats in a strange place. Slowly, an image of reality appears to him.
His old lab appeared before him. A tray of lab results sat before an analysis computer. Absent-mindedly he, pick on of the samples and ran it through the computer. As his work proceeded, he found that one of his test results came up positive! There was a cure for his disease. Only then did he notice the reflection of his terminal screen. He was not alone...
Elsewhere, Mary arrives where the others have gathered.
Mary - "She's dead alright. Not a trace of blood in her."
Terry - "Now to determine who is responsible for this crime.
Just then the voice of Eclypse is heard over the loudspeaker.
(The base has it's own internal communications.)
Eclypse - "Perhaps you should place the body in the medical section and come up here. I've found out a few things.
Shortly in the control room.
Eclypse - "I've been playing around up here for the last few days. This world is not quite as dead as we suspect. Even as we speak, there is a battle being fought above the planet."
He points to a radar screen. It is filled with numerous blips. Occasionally, one of the blips fades away.
Eclypse - "It is my contention that some unknown force destroyed the Dampening Satellites. That force is now fighting someone else now. We must face the possibility that we might be a target."
After that news sinks in...
Eclypse - "I've been monitoring your conversation about the dead woman. The bases defense shields have been in place for days know. I doubt that the killer is an outsider. The murder is among us in this base...
Spectrum's Comments: Any guesses to the killer's identity?
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 11/07/89 S#: 432328
- ...mmmph? Must have dozed off. One hell of a dream I was having. No time for that now, this may be the batch of results that contains my cure... Cure? Wasn't there something about a cure? No matter, there's work to do. -
Running the results of his latest batch of tests, Dr. Driscoll comes across his Grail.
- This is it! This is finally it! I... What's that... There's someone here... IT WASN'T A DREAM... -
I dive for cover, attempting to get a lab table or two between myself and the intruder.
- Not again, not this time dirt bag. You won't destroy my cure again. -
Time for some system analysis. What mode is my armor in? If still in pre-battle configuration, then I'll use the contents of the lab as weaponry, acids, alkalis, poisons, whatever, to bombard the invader with. If I'm in my new armor, then this guy is toast.
Spectrum's Comments: This dream sequence gave 6's player something do while his cure attempt was being made. Much of FIST's background was based on this character.
SUBJ: Beth
While continuing to monitor Number 6's condition, Beth will perform an autopsy on the dead woman.
SUBJ: BRAWN FROM: N4SIR 11/11/89 S#: 418526
Brawn will continue his work on the base. He is attempting to link the base together.
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 11/12/89 S#: 115605
"Gee Eclypse, can't the defenses of this base handle whatever is out there? They seemed good last time. Why don't we wake up those other sleeping people, maybe they know more about this place than we do?
You know I think I have a thought as to what may have happened to the girl. If it is someone in this base, the only one I can pick up that we don't know about is that thing in the Biology section. I can't seem to reach its mind. Maybe we should start our search there. Brawn might be some help, should I call him?"
Lost Heroes #32 - "Time to Kill: Part Two"
Number 6 continues his treatment, the very essence of his body being changed. As he undergoes this, in his mind, the drama of his cure attempt is played out....
Spotting the intruder's reflection off of his computer screen, Number 6 dives for cover. A rain of bullets follows him, but fail to hit him. Righting himself, he activates his internal weaponry.
Beams of energy strike down the intruder, making him nice and crispy. (Toast).
That threat over, Six looks find that the lab is on fire! Spilled chemicals have combined and combusted. The fire is rapidly approaching his just find cure...
Meanwhile, up in the control center.
Eclypse - "You misunderstand what I speak of, Rem. The fact that we have a force field up makes us a target. The aliens will detect the field. They are likely to assume that we are part of the side they are fighting. But, we are safe for the moment. Let's investigate the Botany Sphere.
And so, shortly thereafter, we find Rem, BT, Brawn, Eclypse, Terry, and Val at the entrance to the Botany Sphere. The door itself is closed. Dust in the corridor suggests that this area has not been disturbed for quite some time.
Inserting the ID Card into the slot activates the mechanism and the door slides open. The area beyond is enveloped in total darkness. A beam of light is shot out from Eclypse's Star Scepter.
Bathed in light, the area beyond is now visible. It appears that you are looking out into a meadow, filled with grass, trees and plants. The really odd part is that everything growing here is jet black....
Now what?
Spectrum's Comments: Now that is a real black forest...
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 11/18/89 S#: 504817
Seeing the fire approach my newfound cure, I leap up and race over to it. Picking up all the research materials, I head for the nearest exit, the door if it is still accessible, otherwise a window, or, if required, an exit of my own devising. Once out, I contact the fire department and report the fire, emphasizing that it is chemical in nature and that water can not be used to quench it.
- What's going on here... this is how things were, but now they're coming out differently... That dream... No, it was no dream. What has happened then? Has the rewrite driven me insane? -
SUBJ: REM FROM: REM9 11/25/89 S#: 487575
"Gee Eclypse, if it is because they will see our force field that they will attack us, why not shut it down before they see it? The computer can always put it back up if they attack us anyway right?"
"Oh boy. This place looks like something right out of a Dracula movie. Anybody got the stakes? And I don't mean the kind you eat." Rem moves even closer to Tarantula, leaning towards him to try and stop the trembling that is going through her body. (Meanwhile she is keeping up her scans so as to try and find the entity they are looking for in here.
Prolog: Elsewhere....
In some distant place, a man paces. Strangely enough, he talks to himself... and gets answers...
"This is not working out."
"No, it isn't."
"This calls for something radical."
"Not again... So who's gonna die this time?"
"Who said anything about killing? Not very subtle. I prefer to think of it as placing them in limbo."
"Until needed?"
"Correct."
"How are they going to react to this?"
"Let's find out."
The fire in Number Six's lab is quickly put out by the fire department. The lab is soon in working order again. Set up in speed that could only happen in a dream.
After weeks of work, the cure is prepared. A hypodermic sits on the table before him. Is this really his cure? Or will it leave him in an even worse condition? What will he do?
Cautiously, the others enter the Botany Sphere. It appears to be a normal wooded area with the exception that everything is black. Eclypse's light illuminates the way.
Rem concentrates and reaches out with her mind. There is no clear-cut indication of where the life form down here is.
Suddenly, the light disappears! Rem's grip on Tarantula tightens. Rem scans for the others, but can find no trace of them. It is then that she realizes that entire area around them is the life form!
Darkness seems to close in on them...
GM Notes:
Yes, things are getting weird! New players will be here next week!
SUBJ: Number 6 FROM: Deslock 11/28/89 S#: 505274
- Here it is at last. The readouts have been checked, the tests are all run. The ultimate test is about to begin. -
Number 6 opens an access door in the armor of his left arm. He stiffens that arm with the little natural strength it retains and makes the injection.
- I wonder which dream I shall awaken from after this. It matters little, it will finally signal the end of this nightmare. -
Spectrum's Comments: The above prologue is yet another clue as to what is going on in this game. Will Number 6 be cured? Who is the killer? What happened to Eclypse, Val, Terry, and Brawn? New players next time!