Log:Attack of the Promethean, Scene 6
From Champions MUSH
| Advances Plot: | |
| Attack of the Promethean | |
| Previous Scene: | Next Scene: |
| Scene 5 | None |
| Contains Appearances by: | |
| Captain Forster, Kibin, Lightning, Promethean, | |
| Log Date: | |
| 11/11/2006 | |
The Seashell of Aphrodite -- Yacht has arrived.
From inside the yacht, Lightning says, "How about this, Random? Do you see it?"
Random Factor says, "Ok, folks... here's what we know."
Random Factor says, "The Promothean robot has the ability to reconfigure it's abilities for situations - the reconfiguration process is a lengthy one. The current configuration is built for gravity manipulation. Its abilities include flight, a personal force field of gravitic energy, increasing or decreasing the affect of gravity locally about an object (which may play havock with my ability to increase my density. It should still work, but we can't count on me being able to hold a pod in place like I did before, by weighing it down.), and destructive blasts of pure gravitic energy. In addition, the Promothean has the ability to mentally impress sentient creatures into it's service."
Kibin thinks . o O (Meh, we forgot tin foil helmets.)
Kihzra frowns heavily during the briefing. "Cha, vhat is gravity?"
Kibin says to Kihzra, "The force that prevents you from floating off into space."
Random Factor says, "The Navy still hasn't been able to break through the force field around the island, though I've been able to pahse through it and Yu could teleport through it. So I'm hoping this tuneller can make it through."
From inside the yacht, Lightning sighs. "So much for arriving in style." She floats up off the deck of the yacht.
Lightning disembarks from the yacht.
Random Factor says, "Garvity controls how much things weigh... it can pull you down, or press you up."
Lightning says, "It's a girl's worst enemy."
Momo the Monkey has come along as well, insisting on returning to her island home.
Kihzra shakes her head. "Sorceror is more vorse."
Random Factor chuckles at Lightning. "I don't think any of you ladies needs to worry on THAT count just yet.
Lightning grins at Random, but refrains from comment.
Kihzra realises she'd better get changed for a fight.
Momo has been quiet for more the most part, seemingly fascinated with the shiny zipper on the new coveralls. Momo looks up at Random and waddles over to him. "Important job to do."
Random Factor says, "Yes, Momo?"
Momo raises her arms as if waiting to be picked up.
Sword Dancer has looked far from relaxed since getting into the vehicle.
Random Factor smiles and picks up Momo.
Kibin waits patiently to finnaly arrive at the island.
Momo uncurls a finger and reaches for Random brow to tap her fingertip to it lightly, if he allows.
Random Factor doesn't stop her.
Random Factor allows the probe. He's leaned not to underestimate the apes.
Lightning leans against a bulkhead, watching the interaction.
Random Factor nods to Momo.
Kibin finds a wrench to fiddle with while he's waiting.
Momo hops down from Random's arms and begins to walk about the transport to each member of the team, offering a light touch of a finger to the forehead.
Sword Dancer greets Lightning, not having met her before. "Hi, tjasivju."
Lightning smiles, and nods. "Lightning," she answers. "Charmed, I'm sure." She looks at the ape with a raised eyebrow, glances at Random, then shrugs. "Sure, go ahead."
The monkey's touch carries with it the gentle invitation to a mental rapport. Each person is free to join or decline.
Kibin goes ahead and accepts the invitation.
Sword Dancer returns the smile and the nod. "I am Kihzra daughter of Pfarok viv Jungre from city of Jhorbagh in land of Brun, descendant of Brun President and Sorcerer-Killer, and am corred Sword Dancer."
Lightning grins. "That's a mouthful," she says, as the ape goes to the others. "I'm just me, descendent of no one in particular. I take my clothes off for a living."
Sword Dancer says, "You are dancer?"
Momo thinks: << There, much better now, yes? You see, I was given a task to perform by the elders of the Island. To find help and retrun to safe them from the hairless man. I will try to protect you all from becoming his workers as well. >>
Lightning nods at Momo. "Nifty," she answers.
Random Factor says, "THAT works."
Sword Dancer says, "My muvver vas dancer, and her muvver, and her muvver too, and many muvvers."
Kibin asks Sword Dancer, "You mean mother?"
Lightning looks away from the diminutive ape, and shakes her head. "No; I'm what we call a model. I sell the idea that other women can look as good as I do, if they wear what I wear." She pauses. "Very lucrative, actually."
Sword Dancer nods to Kibin. "Is hard word for say."
Kibin says, "To, not for."
Lightning glances at Random, as if to ask if he finds it surreal that the dinosaur is giving English lessons to the alien, but says nothing.
Random Factor says, "Lightning, I'm hoping your powers will be especially helpful against the robots..."
Lightning spreads her hands, and a standing spark jumps between them, like a Jacob's ladder. "I live to serve," she answers, smirking a bit.
Momo adds: << It's all quite hard to say. That's why I admire Bilbo so: he speaks the language so well. >>
Sword Dancer looks at Lightning appraisingly. "Is good for money? Qhah! Now I understand! To me vas strange, so many pretty vomans vear so many cloves. Men must pay for vear less cloves?" She grins at the thought.
Lightning says, "And is an all-around good guy."
Lightning grins at the Sword Dancer. "Sometimes, but that's not really... well, we'll discuss economics later. Right now, shall we see about getting through this barrier?" She lets the spark fade from between her hands.
Random Factor says, "I double checked, and while the eggs are indeed machines, but Promethius himself may be synthetic, but he is alive, so we cannot use lethal force on him."
Sword Dancer nods, and faces forward, worrying a bit about this barrier. She didn't really understand that part, but it sounds sorcerous, and that's never good news.
Eventually, the transport makes it's rendezvous with the blockade, setting down on the deck of aircraft carrier USS Daniel O'Reilly. The heroes have time to make whatever preparation they need before teh final leg of the journey.
[To Random Factor] Sword Dancer says, "Vhat is lefal force?"
Lightning checks her makeup before getting out on the deck of the carrier, and smiles, waving to the sailors.
Random Factor says, "Lethal, that's anything that's meant to kill something."
Random Factor chuckles at Lightning, then pauses and checks HIS makeup before getting out on the deck of the carrier, and smiles, waving to the sailors.
Sword Dancer says, "No kirr Promefius?" She nods. "Is good. How Promefius rook?"
Kibin steps out on the deck of the carrier anyway, not pausing to check anything.
Random Factor describes Promethius as he remembers him.
Sword Dancer goes on board deck, pausing to check everything around her. "Is big boat!"
The captain of the O'Reilly is there to greet the heroes. He introduces himself. "Captain Maxwell Forster, commanding officer of the naval task force." He greets Random first, then the other heroes.
Lightning trails behind the group, talking with the enlisted ratings cheerfully.
Random Factor nods. "Thanks for the assist, Captain."
Kibin says to the captain, "Hi," then looks around at the aircraft carrier. He comments, "Never been on an aircraft carrier before. Big."
Captain Forster says, "Our engineers have been looking at the forcewall for hours on end with no luck. Your people have a way inside?" He eyes the tunnelling vehicle. "You have my men and women at your disposal, Random Factor. Whatever you need."
Sword Dancer seems quite fascinated by the aircraft carrier itself, looking over ths side for a better looks at the hull. "Is orr steer?" she says, to no one in particular.
Random Factor says, "Thanks. I'm just hoping we can keep you from having to make the island glow."
"Excuse me, ma'am," a deckhand in drab coveralls asks of Lightning. "Could you sign this for me?" He offers his pda clipboard.
Lightning laughs as one of the deck gang produces a copy of a two-year old "Victoria's Secret" catalogue, and she signs it. One of the deck gang hangs close to Sword Dancer, looking a little nervous as she approaches the edge. "Be carefull, ma'am, it's a ten story drop to the sea."
Forster frowns, "No guarantee taht even -that- would breech it. And if it did it'd be heavy price to pay. We're all hoping that your people can have us heading home as soon as possible."
Sword Dancer nods. "Is far. I von't forr vough. Have been in boat before. More smorrer van vis boat vough. More - cha --" She indicates a very rough sea by hand movement.
Random Factor says, "The good news is, either way, you won't be here for Thanksgiving."
The deck hand goes on, telling Sword Dancer, "Ship, ma'am. We're a fusion-bottle Aircraft Carrier, displacing two hundred thousand tons. We have a draft of thirty feet, and almost twenty stories of freeboard."
"And no, ma'am, we don't feel the chop much, most days."
Sword Dancer looks blank for most of that. "Ship, is big boat?"
Random's comment draws a rough laugh from Forster. He turns to the officer at his left hadn side. "Lieutenant, inform the men that there will be pretty of time for autograph seeking later. For now, we've got work to do."
Kibin wanders off on the deck, looking around the ship.
The deck hand shrugs. "Well, it's more than that, ma'am. A ship is something to take pride in; a boat is just something you use." He looks embarassed.
Lightning looks up from the group of deck apes she's laughing with, and sees the tunneller is ready. She makes her way from her fans to stand next to Random.
Random Factor says, "We ready, folks? Go now if ya gotta."
The deckhand talking to Sword Dancer says, "There's a head in the deck shelter over here, if you folks need it."
Sword Dancer nods: it seems to be the sort of thing she understands. "Vhy ship is steer? Vood is more better for - for - cha - svim!"
The deckhand looks back at Sword Dancer. "You could never build a wood keel this long, ma'am. They top out at about one hundred twenty, one hundred fifty feet. Just don't have the strength for it. But, thanks to Archimedes' principal, we float just fine."
Sword Dancer says, "Qhah! Is no tree big enough! Understand."
Kibin walks back to the group, asking, "When are we going to leave?"
Random Factor says, "Right about now, if nobody needs anytig first."
Lightning smiles at the dinosaur. "I'm ready," she answers Random.
Sword Dancer says, "Am good for go."
Forster offers Random Factor a handshake. "Godspeed, Random Factor. We're counting on you and your people."
Random Factor nods as he returns the handshake. "Thanks again, Captain."
Sword Dancer says to the deckhand, "Goodbye, tjasivju."
Lightning pauses before she steps into the tunneller. "It's such a nice day to be cooped up in a tin can," she says, and sighs, then steps inside.
Forster begins to head back into the ship. As he retreats he can be heard to say: "Sound battle stations. They folks are heading into the hornet's nest and I expect it to kick up some real trouble..."
The deckhand smiles. "Longworth," he says. "GM2 Longworth."
Sword Dancer says, "Longvorf. I am Kihzra daughter of Pfarok, descendant of Brun." She calls the introuduction short because she has to go. "Goodbye!"
Kibin follows Lightning into the tunneler.
Sword Dancer follow into the tunneller, looking even less happy about it than Lightning.
Momo climbs into the vehicle as well: << You people travel in giant eggs too... >>
Lightning mutters, "Koo-koo-kachoo, I am the eggman."
Over the radio, a tiny voice speaks: "Tower to Starguard: you are cleared for launch."
Sword Dancer settles down, if not comfortably. "How egg goes?"
Lightning looks at Kibin, curious how the dinosaur will seat himself.
Kibin goes ahead and stand, hopefully the ride won't be too bumpy.
The tunneler is a hover vehicle, fitted with a special engine created with technology from the Black Mamba franchice. It works on a principle of shifting out of phase with it's surroundings. As such, it's able to bypass the force field surrounding the island. It's not long before the team pilots the ship from the deck of the O'Reilly across the water and onto a secluded beach on Monkey Island. From the beach it's possible to glimpse the very top of the target location, the peak of a large tower being constructed near teh main monkey settlement.
Lightning looks over Random's shoulder at the tower. "Hey-diddle-diddle, straight up the middle?" she suggests, meaning their possible battle tactic.
Sword Dancer looks about for any sign of our being observed.
Random says, "That's where the Promethean will be. If we're sneaky, hopefully we'll get the drop on him."
Lightning shrugs. "Well, sneaking is a good back-up plan," she says, then asks, "You want to run this thing up closer, or shall we sneak on foot from here?"
Sword Dancer looks at the vehicle doubtfully: it seems a bit big for stealth!
Random nods. "We can take it underground and pop up right next to the tower. How's that for sneaking?"
Kibin says to Random, "That seems good."
Lightning shrugs agreeably.
Sword Dancer says, "Under ground? Goes under ground?"
Sword Dancer doesn't sound very happy about this idea.
Lightning says, "Like a mole." She grins at the Sword Dancer. "Or a worm."
Sword Dancer nods, "Qhah." The worm example makes some sense to her: they manage to dig without feet.
Kibin adds, "Or someone moving through air."
Lightning mutters, "I just hope the quantum field doesn't collapse while we're underground."
"Alright. Everyone back in the car." Random says. Once everyone is back onboard, he pilots the craft underground. Following the computer navigtion he's able to close in on the location of the tower.
Sword Dancer gets back in, looking more nervous than ever. Indeed, a field collapsing when you're underground sounds bad. If she understood what was
- actually* being talked about, she'd never get in.
The ocean, full of mighty power and adventure to any who dare to attempt to conquer her. Swells of water rise and fall throughout this massive body of water. The surface of the water, a disguise to hide the myriad of life forms living underneath. Out this far, there are only the strongest of the water birds flying over head. Even on a good day, one cannot see the land. Surrounded by the ocean, none can mistake its awesome power and beauty.
"30 seconds..." Random counts down as the vehicle travels beneath the surface. "10 seconds..." The vehicle lurches as he brings it abruptly towards the surface and through. The vehicles leaps from the ground, like a fish jumping a wave and lands solidly in the middle of the camp.
Lightning powers up her forcefield, and pops the door.
Sword Dancer, sword already out, readies herself to leap out the door and take cover by the vehicle while se looks about.
Kibin steps out first, letting everyone that was seated have enough room to stand up and get out.
The team emerges in a large clearing in the jungle, which is dominated with a large construction site. A makeshift tower, constructed for parts cannibalized from and alien spaceship, robot walkers, and the starguard installation dominates the scene, rising five stories into the air. Monkeys and a handful of humans work to finish the construction and are present on all levels of the tower. Above it all, is a golden armored figure, hovering in the air and orchestrating it all.
Kibin runs towards the tower, looking up at the big tower. Hmmmm... hehehe.
Sword Dancer has about the same idea as Kibin, realising she can't reach Promethean otherwise. She dashes from the partial cover of the vehicle to the partial cover of the edge of the tower, while keeping her sword ready for defence.
That is not a player
Levels: Density Increase -7 lvls (+35 STR, +7 PD, +7 ED, -7" KB, 12.8 tons) Mental Defense: 10 +3 to all PER Rolls
Lightning sees the golden armor, and it's like waving a flag at a bull. "I'm coming up," she sings, spreading her hands wide, "so you better get this party started!"
The Promethean is rocked upwards from his stationary position by Lighting's blast but seems otherwise unharmed. The robot looks down at the invading heroes.
Promethean says in a calm monotone voice: "A surprise attack. I was not prepared for this situation."
Lightning quips, "That's what makes it a surprise, goldy."
Kibin climbs up the tower, using his claws to help not fall off, getting up to a position to where he can strike at Promethean.
Sword Dancer thinks . o O (Myttje. Ir ksahrzozgbenehech rahzdoft.)
Sword Dancer climbs the tower remarkably quickly for a human to reach Promethean.
Sword Dancer holds her sword in her teeth as she climbs.
The Promothean form shimmers slightly before a bubble of purple energy appears around him. "There. Now I am prepared." He looks down towards Lightning. "You are about to interfere in the grand experiment. I am afraid that I cannot allow you to stop me." And with that, he fires a bolt from his hand that passes through his shield easily.
The Promothean's blast misses Lightnign and strikes an oil drum. The drum flashes and is instantly encased in some kind of force field. Slowly it begins to crumple like a stepped-on soda can.
Lightning launches into the air. "Little problem there, Goldy. Those people you're wanting to expirement on? They're mine. And I don't like expiriments without all kinds of paperwork!"
Lightning's blast glances harmlessly off of the Promethean's field, but the jolt sets him off balance.
Kibin jumps from the tower, doing a flip with midair and attempting to hit Promethean on the way down, towards the ground next to where he's going to land.
Promethean says, "The needs of individuals is unimportant in the face of scientific advancement. Only once this world has been advanced will it contribute significant research."
The Promethean, still off-balance from Lightning's attack gets hit by Kibin. Also its force bubble absorbs the brunt of the attack, it seems to feel the impact of teh dinosaurs attack.
Sword Dancer keeps scrambling up the tower. About as far again....
The Promethean spends moment righting itself in mid air. "Be aware that you stand in the way of progress, not just for your world but all worlds."
Lightning quips, "Did you file an environmental impact statement? Informed consent documents? Has the AMA evaluated the procedure?"
Sword Dancer is disturbed by the implication this - whatever he is - is a threat to her world too!
To punctuate it's point, the Promothean opens it's palm towards Kibin and tries to hit him with the blast it missed Lightning with.
The burst of energy misses the Starguard dinosaur, but only just.
Kibin lands on the ground after that fall, cushioning his fall with his legs.
Lightning says, ""'cause, you know, this is Sovereign territory. And the AMA doesn't care for outsiders messing in their business." She flies closer, closing the distance to the armored figure, and then past, making a grab for his helmet."
Lightning 's hand misses the golden helmet by a slim margin, and she lets out a most un-ladylike string of curses in two languages.
Kibin goes climb up the tower again, trying to bring him down to a place that's a little easier for him to hit...
The Promothean says to Lightning: "Your AMA is not of interest to me. I have determined that your world has nothing unique to offer the rest of the galaxy. Therefore it is best used as fertile soil for the seed of galactic knowledge."
Sword Dancer not wanting to suffer a fall like Kibin, tries a trick: leaping on top of the field surrounding Promethean, and hoping her dancer's balance can keep her on it! Successful or not, she stabs downward throught the field: we're not supposed to kill this guy, but he seems tough enough to take it, and she wants to make sure she gets throguh the field.
Lightning quips, as the Sword Dancer jumps, "What /is/ it with men? Always wanting to plant seeds in fertile soil. Get a new pick up line, would ya?"
Promothean says, "Your methods of --- ZZZorthch!" Sword Dancer's blade fails to bite deeply into the armored hide of the robot, but from it's reaction she seems to have hit something critical as the mechanical man reels in mid air and begins to fall.
Sword Dancer still tries to stay with him, using the shallow hold of the sword to do so.
Kibin jumps from the tower at Promethean, aiming to piledrive him into the ground. And incidentally below Sword Dancer to catch her. He growls at Promethean if he's still conscious, asking, "That enough to convince you to stop?"
Standard Maneuvers
Lightning says, "noses over in a dive, and attempts to grab the Sword Dancer before she goes splat on the cold, hard ground. "
Lightning grabs the Sword Dancer forearm to forearm, and pulls up, avoiding unpleasant impact with the ground. "Ooof," she complains, "You ever thought about a /diet/?!"
Sword Dancer protests, "Am not fat!"
The Promethean slams into the ground hard, landing flat on its back. "Zaaarnkratch -- perhaps I have underestimated this world -- but how? No -- my sensors detect that your weapon is not of this world. Must.. reasearch... further... *" The Promethean's head slumps to the ground.
Lightning says, "You're not exactly svelte, Red... /you/ try lifting you one-handed!"
Lightning lands, letting the Sword Dancer down. "We should get him out of that armor. Try not to damage it, would you?"
Sword Dancer says to her unconscious foe, "Kfihtunyt: ryrdjyh tuhtpjotof ajar zhvo tehtmyteh!"
Kibin looks up at the monkeys and humans on the tower, seeing if they stap out of whatever mind control effect they were under.
Sword Dancer nods. "I stand guard." She stands over Promethean, sword at the ready, while Lightning sees to the armour.
Almost as soon as the Promethean collapses so does the force field around the island. Those of you who have radios that were once quiet now squawk back to life: "USS O'Reilly to Starguard, come in! Come in!"
Lightning , not having a Starguard radio, glances at the dinosaur, then kneels down beside the Promethean, examining the armor to see if she can figure out how to get it off.
One by one, the monkeys and people stop working on the tower.
Kibin takes the radio, repling on it, "Yes, we're here."
Momo jumps happily. << You did it! You did it! >>
Sword Dancer grins. "Rike most sorceror: not so strong viv himself."
A strong voice booms from behind the group of heroes: "You should not toy with things which you do not understand." The voice belongs to a literally statuesque green-skinned woman, and she appears to be talking to Lightning.
Over the radio: "We read you Starguard. The force field around the island has gone down. What's your status?"
Lightning shrugs, and agrees. "Okay. Now that we've done the hard part, /you/ take him out of his armor."
Kibin replies, "Good, noone is hurt, we took down the guy that was projecting the forcefield..." Kibin turns to face Ultima, wondering where she came from.
Sword Dancer wheels about to face the newcomer. "wDvohmt wche?
Sword Dancer wheels about to face the newcomer. "Dvymtoh che?
"The Promethean is an entirely synthetic lifeform. And a wanted criminal facing charges back in the Guild. I shall take him off of your hands," Ultima says.
Lightning shrugs. "Sure. Just make sure we don't see him again, okay?"
Kibin asks Ultima, "Isn't Earth out of your jurisdiction, however?"
Sword Dancer frowns. "Is not good trust one sorceror viv anovver?"
Ultima raises her hand over the body of the fallen Promethean. She pauses at Kibin's words. "Yes, that is true, Solon."
Lightning shrugs. "I'm willing to waive juisdictional niceties, if you make sure he never comes back." She shoots a quelling glance at Kibin, then glances at the tower structure, before looking back at Ultima. "Just take your prisoner and scram already, wouldja?"
Kibin asks Ultima, "Then, wouldn't you have to wait till Earth turns him over into your jurisdiction?" Kibin looks over to Random Factor, who probally knows a lot more about what the laws are in this situation.
Ultima adds, "Certainly you can see how it's best for everyone to turn the Promethean over to my custody."
Random Factor sighs saying, "Procedure is procedure. Let me get on the horn to HQ." He starts radioing SGHQ.
Sword Dancer thinks . o O (Dvohjhe irp ksahrzozgyht tuhtkot?)
Lightning sighs, and turns her back on the whole thing, casually careful not to look at the tower structure.
Ultima folds her arms and waits, clearly displeased. "The very gall... Well then. I shall wait."
Lightning shrugs at Ultima. "Men," she says, as if that explains everything.
Sword Dancer remains standing at the ready over her fallen foe, not trusting any "sorcerer" still living. Or many dead ones.
Kibin walks over to the promethean, waiting for Random Factor to finish talking to SGHQ or whatever.
Sword Dancer says, "In this world is too much talk, too much write, not enough do."
Ultima glances towards Lightning briefly. "I am finding both genders of this planets inhabitant to be quite tiresome. The sooner I am able to complete my business here, the better."
Lightning says, "Yeah; I hear we're real fond of you, too." She shrugs. "I guess your mama never told you that you catch more flies with honey than with vinegar, hmm?""
Random nods. "We've gotten the go ahead to hand the Promethean over. Go for it, Ultima."
Ultima holds her open palm over the body of the Promethean. Slowly it's probe body begins to dissappear in a cloud of green and yellow lights.
Kibin lets Ultima take the Promethean, going back to the tunneller then.
Sword Dancer watches Ultima's actions. Though not from too close.
Lightning finger-waves at Ultima. "Don't let the atmosphere hit you in the ass on your way out."
Ultima looks about at the heroes gathered. "The lot of you managed to defeat the Promethean? Maybe this some hope for this backwater world. I shall return for the robot's things after it is booked." And then Ultima begins to vanish in a familiar cloud of lights.
Lightning waits until the last sparkle has vanished, and then comments, "Ego, much?" She turns to Random. "We need to get a tech team in here, stat, and go over this tower with a fine-tooth comb. We may be able to find the knowledge database somewhere."
Random mutters, "Can't say it hasn't been a pleasure..."
Sword Dancer wipes her sword and sheathes it, clearly glad for the two aliens no longer being about.
Lightning admits, "and even if we can't, the construction of the tower itself could tell us some interesting things."
Sword Dancer looks back at the tower doubtfully. "Sorceror's fings are often evil." She's glad to have learnt the word "evil". People here don't seem to use it that much, but it's very useful.
Kibin says, "Back in the tunneler and out of here, I guess?"
