Log:Between a Rockslide and a Hard Place

From Champions MUSH

Advances Plot:
None
Previous Scene:	Next Scene:
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Contains Appearances by:
Citadel,Diamond, Jennifer, Jolt, Lorelei, Merlin, Rockslide
Log Date:
03/15/2009

"This is Amber Lin reporting for the Justice Network from the Colonial Bay Courthouse. Just moments from now we expect arrival of Howard Means. Of course, Means is the millionaire investment mogul suspected of running a giant Ponzi scheme that defrauded investors of tens of billions of dollars. Means is expected to arrive today to deliver a guilty plea to city prosecutors..."

Suddenly the picture begins to shake and a few panicked cries comes from the crowd. Amber Lin tries her best to maintain her balance as it appears the ground is quaking. "What... I.. I think we're in the middle of an earthquake.. No wait... over there in the street." Amber points towards the street, and soon the camera's perspective pans to focus on the street in front of the courthouse. The asphalt seems to rising up into a hill, about a story tall. The mound of pavement and dirt comes alive. It blinks open a pair of beady black eyes and it opens its giant mouth.

Almost lost in the drama of the giant man-hill entrance is the appearance of a costumed man, who seems to walk on camera from behind the mound. He speaks up. "We've come here for Mr. Means. Stay out of our way and no one will be hurt."

Rockslide A shambling mound of earth, rock, and crumbled cement. It stands almost a full story tall and is built like a hill, rounded at the top of its head and wide at its solid-looking base. It's face is a pair of polished beads of opal for eyes, and a gaping maw with sharp rocks and bits of rebar for teeth.

Merlin A costumed adventurer. He's a man with a slight build in a black and blue costume. He's got a white well-trimmed beard. The upper half of his face is covered in a mask, with high-tech goggles covering his eyes, and a pointed blue wizards hat on top of his head. He carries a metal staff that looks like it has a number of buttons and switches near his fingers.

Diamond had been here at the court house today by happen chance. She was just wandering by and saw the crowd. She blinks at the arrival of the hill and costumed man, and lets herself armor up since really this doesn't look good. Her skin seems to shimmer and ooze a bit, and a moment later hardens into the diamond carapace that makes her look like a gemstone statue.

He was sitting at home and enjoying one of the few days where he knew no one was going to bother him. Even the Triads knew coming around on a 'closed' day was a bad idea. But watching the Justice Channel seemed like a bad idea. Feng sighs and shakes his head. "Guess I can hit there the fastest." He races to the roof of his home, slapping the buckle to his waist as he goes before sliding a pair of cards into it. Raising into the air with a leap, his wings spread as he shoots off to the scene in a couple of seconds before landing neatly on a rooftop just outside of the scene. Switching items as he hovers in the air, he drops down from up high with his arms spread. "So much for peace and quiet today... I really need to take a vacation."

Jolt is around as usual, the electrical heroine sorta chilling on one of the rooftops watching things unfold "Oh great... dont tell me, he was one of the investors" she mumbles mostly to herself as she watches the giant asphalt guy

Citadel exits out of the courthouse, coming out to see the source of the disruption. He glances around, looking at the scene.

Jennifer was in the courtroom already. She knows people who was stung by the crooked scheme and wanted to see just what kind of a person was behind the scam. The shaking and noise brings her out of her seat and out into the street.

<SG> Jennifer says, "If anyone is around there's trouble down at the Courthouse."

Traffic screeches to a halt as the mini-earthquake blocks both directions on Main Street. The cars are gridlocked, but despite this, a black luxury car with tinted windows tries to break free. The car reverses, slamming bumpers with a taxi behind it. Then it lurches forward, bumping the car in front of it. Slowly but violently it tries to work itself free of the traffic jam.

<SG> Jolt says, "Yeah I'm already here... I wonder if this guy was one of the investors he bilked out of money. Maybe we should just let the guy have at him. Hrm I wonder if that car is the one carrying Howard Means"

Merlin says, "Ah ha... I believe we have our man." He points towards the luxury car with his staff. "Rockslide, I believe Mr. Means is in that black car, right there. Would you please retrieve him?"

Diamond cocks her head to the side and steps more towards where she can be easily scene, "This is not the way to go about things, there are proper ways to deal with complaints." she calls out loudly and it is hard to miss the diamond gal. She glances towards the black car, "And haven't you caused enough damage?" she winces as she watches cars be banged into.

Citadel increases his mass, and starts to head towards Rockslide and the black limo.

Dragon Guardian shakes his head. "Guess that's my cue..." He seems to consider. "Hmm... cape won't be enough against that... hopefully gauntlets will be enough..." He pulls a card from the holder at his side, flicking his hand to the side as he flips it and slides it into the slot. Ethereal, feathered wings shoot out of his back as he leaps off the building and flies down to attempt to intercept Rockslide. Meanwhile, his helmet disappears.

Jennifer jumps up onto the roof of a nearby vehicle parked in the street so she's above the crowd. "Hey, guys. I'm afraid I can't let you do that. He stands trial. He's found guilty or not by a jury and pays the price that the court allots him. Vigilante justice isn't going to work today. Go home. Be part of the solution, not part of the problem."

Jolt shakes her head and sighs "Even though he PROBABLY deserves what's coming to him..." the electric heroine decides that the black luxury car probably needs an exit and soon, before the big asphalt guy gets ahold of it. Then starts to reach out with magnetic force to try and lift the car into the air.

Merlin points towards Jolt with his staff. "There, Rockslide, she's helping the bad man get away. Stop her!"

Jolt closes her fist as the magnetic force grabs hold of the car and begins to be lifted into the air, starting to get over top of the other vehicles as she tries to get it out of potential reach quickly.

Jennifer shakes her head, "Why do people ignore the good advice I offer? Is it because you enjoy me smacking upside the head for being dumbos?" she mutters while moving to close on the mage like leader of the duo.

Rockslide rumbles in a deep voice that can be felt as easily as it can be heard. "Rockslide stop bad man.... " he turns towards Jolt. "Little girl, you put him down now..."

Jolt hrms at Rockslide and asks "Sure thing... is the Courthouse roof a good enough place to drop him?"

<SG> Jolt says, "I really dont like having to help a criminal escape other bad guys. Particularly scammers like this guy"

Jennifer says, "leaps off from the vehicle roof to land infront of the mage like leader. As she moves through the air her right hand slides into her jacket and pulls out a hi-tech sword hilt. As it clears the jacket a violet energy blade ignites from the hitl. Any Starwars fan will recognise the look. Then the blade is swinging at the middle of the staff."

Merlin flinches as the energy blade nearly slices him. He backs away from Jennifer. his goggled whirr as he focuses his attention on Jennifer. "Hmm. And who might you be?"

Jennifer misses as she fails to allow for the energy blade being a few inches shorter than her katana. . o O(Idiot. Think, don't just let reflexes take over.)

Jennifer answers Merlin, "I answer to Jennifer. Or Hey you. Have another coffee gets a reply most times too."

Merlin says to Jennifer. "You seem awfuly confident for someone who's just made a terrible mistake. You see, Rockslide is very protective of me."

Jennifer grins, "Which gets him distracted from trying to get to the real crook here today. So it's a win-win as for as I'm concerned."

Dragon Guardian drops down quickly in a burst of speed from his wings, the streaming look to them making it almost seem as if he's flying with only a trail of feathers as he drops right down at Rockslide and passed the creature as his fist lashes out in a hard punch even as the sound of an animalistic growl seems to follow his strike and movement until he lands and twists around. "Sorry, but that ain't gonna happen!"

Dragon Guardian's blow knocks a bit bits of gravel from Rockslide's skin, but largely Rockslide seems unaffected.

Dragon Guardian blinks at that. He gives a low whistle as he shifts his stance, the low growl coming from his boots apparently again. "... well, this ain't gonna be pretty."

Lorelei runs up the street, a bit late onto the scene having abandoned her car to get close. She tries to work out what the heck is happening as she approaches.

Diamond cocks her head to the side a bit and then sighs, "Well looks like the big guy is mine." she says as she lowers her body for a moment and then leaps up into the air, throwing herself towards Rockslide and land next to him. She sees Dragon Guardian's attack and nods, "You can give up now," she says to Rockslide and seem to hold from doing anything else at the moment.

<SG> Lorelei says, "Jenn - that guy's just a hologram or something!"

Dragon Guardian nods at Diamond. "So any ideas, Diamond? I don't know about you, but my only one so far is to play toss the can. Literally."

<SG> Lorelei says, "The wizard guy, I mean."

Citadel starts to pick up speed as he moves towards the big fellow in the middle of the street.

Jennifer chuckles, "This could be interesting." she tells Merlin. "The old question of unmovable against irresistible is about to get answered."

Jennifer frowns as Lorelei's voice comes over the communicator. "Ah. So that's how come I missed him. Can you spot if there's a real one around?" she says on the channel.

<SG> Lorelei says, "No - not yet anyway...."

"You no hurt Merlin!" Rockslide says turning towards Jennifer. He stomps on the ground and the pavement ripples as easily as a jump rope, sending a wave of ashphalt towards Jennifer.

Diamond shakes her head, "Two can play at that game, You not hurt Jennifer." she says and then giggles a bit, but then gets all serious as she pulls back her fist and throws a punch at the form of Rockslide.

Jennifer rides the rippling ground as it passes under her feet like a surfer in the tube of a big white water special, swaying to maintain her balance with considerable ease. "Not too bad, Rocky. You ought to get a day job as a fiarground ground."

Rockslide turns towards Diamond. He sounds more hurt that he actually is: "Why pretty lady hit Rockslide?"

Merlin explains: "Pretty as she may be, she must work for Mr. Mean. Remember why we're here, Rockslide."

Jennifer asks the hologram, "Why are you here?"

Dragon Guardian frowns as he keeps his stance. He glances at Jolt. "Hurry up, please." He looks to the shambling mound and steps forward, flying up and launching a kick at the mound's head as he backflips in the air.

Merlin says, "I'm just a concerned citizen, here to make sure that Means gets his come uppance."

Jennifer says, "Then call off your Rocky friend and find a seat in the courtroom. That's the whole reason he's appearing here today and all you're doing is slowing the process down."

Dragon Guardian's kick knocks a chunk of rock and dirty from Rockslide's head. Rockslide turns. Dragon has his attention now.

Dragon Guardian blinks a few times. "Oh. Hi there. Don't suppose you'd care to just lay down instead of going after this crazy guy named 'Means', would you?"

Jennifer holds her action waiting for Lorelei to check out the area. She's scanning, and listening, herself to try and locate the true location of whoever is behind the Merlin illusion.

Diamond cocks her head to the side a little, "Why? Because you are trying to hinder the due process of Law, because that means you are attempting to commit a crime even if it is against such as Mr. Mean. As I said, surrender and let things happen how they are supposed to." she doubts that Rockslide is going to get all that. She holds there though waiting.

Merlin says, "Well, I'd also like to discuss with Mr. Means the possibility of getting back the money that he stole from me. In private and in person."

Jolt lifts the car through the air, she's not using as much finesse as just velocity and brute force as the car flies up a few stories into the air and is dropped with a bit of a *THUD* onto the roof... Nope not a smooth flight or landing but hey, its probably better than what would happen if Rockslide got his hands on him.

Lorelei uses her acrobatic (well, to be honest, cheerleader) training to help her get rapidly through the crowd and on onto the marble steps of the courthouse, the better to survey the crowd for the source of the hologram, or anything else strange. Of course, it's also a good place to be seen, for when she wants to take more direction action.

Jennifer says, "Now we come to the nub of the issue. If you had said, 'to discuss the possibility of getting back the money he stole from everyine I'd feel a lot more sympathetic. But what I hear from you is a selfish interest. Just like you are away somewhere safe while your Rocky friend is getting pounded on your selfish behalf."

Lorelei lands with a flourish on the top step of the courthouse and whirls about to survey the crowd.

Citadel says, "Property destruction, attempting to kidnap..." shaking his head, then swings to strike the big guy.

<SG> Jennifer says, "Yes. I'd just about worked that out. Jeez, I hate people who put others at risk but at too scared to face the music themselves."

Citadel lands a glancing blow that Rockslide barely notices.

Merlin eyes Jennifer before saying to Rockslide, "Rockslide, old friend, see how they protect the bad man? We'll have to stop them first!"

Rockslide grumbles, "Rockslide get back what Mr. Mean stole from Merlin!" And then he stomps his foot on the ground quaking everyone who's around him.

Jennifer rides the shockwave gracefully herself but quickly glances around to see what damage and injuries it may have caused.

Citadel feels the shaking and braces himself a bit, as he is able to stay on his feet as the shockwave passes.

<SG> Jolt says, "I doubt if he's even in the vacinity. If someone gone through enough trouble to set up a hologram they're probably halfway across the city"

<SG> Jennifer says, "Jolt, if his equipment is electronic can you detect it?"

Diamond shakes her head, seeming not too affected by the shockwave, "You had your chance, this ends now." she pulls back and throws her fist at Rockslide, putting everything into it that she can.

<SG> Jolt says, "Probably, it'd probably be easier to fry everything in the area... since theres so much damn electronics around ya know"

The police have been working to evacuate people into the courthouse, an most of the civilians have begun to flee the scene. However the TV news crew film the fight from the steps of the courthouse.

Dragon Guardian shakes his head as he moves back a bit. "Never thought I'd be taking on a walking mountain when I moved here." He comments towards Diamond and Citadel before looking around to see what the damage was from Rockslide's quake. "Hey... Diamond, big guy, you two notice anything about what this guy's been doing?" He comments to the two before he moves in to launch another strike at Rockslide's head. This time with a spinning kick that seems to leave him obscured in the ethereal wings coming from his back. "How do you beat a walking mountain of rubble anyways!?"

<SG> Jennifer says, "Err, think you could wait until I get clear? I've got a lot of hard to replace electronic in my equipment."

Dragon Guardian misses badly due to being busy talking at the moment. At least he's not going to be an easy target.

<SG> Jolt says, "sure I think if he was smart he probably has the holo emitter on Rockslide"

<SG> Jennifer says, "You notice how there's never a Cyberpath around when you need one."

The mountainous man sways with the earth shaking force of Diamond's punch.

Rockslide moans, "Pretty rock lady hurt Rockslide!"

Diamond cracks her neck, "Surrender and it stops."

Jennifer checks out the area where Merlin first appeared, and then Rockslide, looking for any sign of a device that could be the holo-emitter.

Jennifer sighs. o O(Rocky is being dealt with by the people already there. Merlin is a hologram and the darm emitter is nowhere to be seen. Looks like I'm a spectator here. So lets go make sure the real Merlin isn't in the courthouse sneaking away with Means). Jennifer heads back into the Courthouse.

Jolt remains there on the roof watching... who knows maybe she'll see where the hologram projector is or something.

The inside of the courthouse is filled with panicked people, hoping to escape the raging fight inside.

Dragon Guardian quirks an eyebrow. "Nice shot." He says to Diamond. Flying back a bit, he looks at the overgrown rock mound. "Huh. You know... this guy's tough as hell." Getting an idea, Dragon Guardian brings back a fist again. This time his hand takes the pose of a claw as he strikes out at the moving rubble pile's head.

Dragon Guardian grumbles as he misses due to the thing moving. "Drat... and I can't seem to figure out where the thing's legs are to knock it down that way... too heavy for me to throw..."

Diamond nods, "So you have a chance, give up, and this can stop." she says at Rockpile, hands held ready.

<SG> Jolt says, "I see the transmitter... if you got some elecronics you'd like to save get away from Rockslide"

Lorelei gives up looking for the projector and decides to lend a hand with Rockslide, where she's more likely to do some good, assuming Rockslide is basically human. She strikes one of her stunning poses for him.

Rockslide grumbles, "Oh... pretty green lady make Rockslide head hurt..."

Citadel shakes his head and waits a moment to think about this.

Rockslide growls, "Pretty lady stop hurting Rockslide!" He raises his arm to swat at Diamond.

Diamond gets smacked but it doesn't seem to do that much to her, though she obviously did feel it, it doesn't even budge her a bit though. "I guess that is no."

Citadel looks on as Diamond gets smacked. He shakes his head and shifts forms, as his hands start to flux in and out a bit, between density states. He sticks both his hands into Rockslide. "Stop that..."

Citadel sticks his hands into and starts playing around in Rockslide, "Don't make me reorganize your insides!"

Jennifer takes one look at the crowded floor and seeks an alternative route. Her swingline comes out and the tip is set to adhesion mode. She throws it up to the vaulted ceiling and activatives the retractable spooler, swinging up over the crowd and over to a roof access entrance.

Diamond sighs and shakes her head as she gets smacked, "I guess that is a no," she takes a deep breath and seems to settle herself, like catching her breath and getting ready to get down and dirty, persay.

Dragon Guardian nicks Rockslide with a spinning kick.

Jolt flies off the edge of the roof and towards Rockslide. The electrical heroine figuring Jennifer is far enough away to avoid the resulting EMP wave she's about to deliver "Alright fire in the hole" and with that the charge she's been storing up is released in a harmless shockwave... well harmless to anything that isnt an electronic device of some sort that is.

Merlin says, "What in the... *crackle* *fizzle*"

Merlin fades from sight.

Rockslide turns to Jolt. He rumbles angrily, "WHAT YOU DO TO MERLIN?" The ground shakes with his voice.

Dragon Guardian turns as he hears that. Then he braces for the inevitable electrical shock to metal armor and blinks a few times as it doesn't happen. "... freakin' hell. Who knew?" He frowns a bit. o O (And that just brings up more questions as to what the blasted belt is.) Frowning a bit, Dragon Guardian stays in the air. "Umm... lady, I'd get the hell out of there. He looks a bit mad."

Diamond cocks her head to the side and shakes it a bit. She pulls back her fist and throws it at again, well she rears back and just punches him, "Just can't leave well enough alone eh, just surrender."

Jolt hovers there as she responds "I just smashed his remote control... If he wants you to do something he'll have to come here himself" the electrical heroine grins "Besides you seem like a smart enough guy to think for yourself"

Rockslide takes the punch, and finally he seems to swaying unevenly over his rock solid base.

Lorelei says to Rockslide, soothingly, "Merlin wasn't really here. He was just using a hologram - a picture - of himself to trick you into helping him.

Rockslide looks to Lorelei. "Merlin not hurt then?"

Lorelei says, "No, he's not hurt."

Rockslide says, "Where Merlin go?"

Citadel decides to wait for the big guy to decide what he wants to do. "Cease this violence, and we can talk about this."

Lorelei says, "He was never really here. Do you know where he lives? He might be there...."

"Me go find Merlin." Rockslide. "Him come to Rockslide home to talk." And with that, Rockslide begins to sink into the ground. The earth quakes with the force of a 4.0 on the Rictor scale, strong enough to be felt and set off car alarms but not enough to do serious damage.

Lorelei says, "Darn - can anyone track him?"

Citadel looks at Lorelei, "Tracking is easy, just listen to the sound."

Lorelei says, "You also have to be able to move fast enough!"

Dragon Guardian calls out, "Hey, Rockslide! Wait a minute!" He shakes his head, "I'm on it..." He pulls out two cards and flips both off to the side. "I should be able to see and hear when he makes a move from the air. Might want to notify the police as well." His wings change into a more stable look as a helmet forms over his head in pulses from the lines of his armor. He pauses, then looks to Lorelei, "Tell Jennifer I'll talk to her in a few minutes." He jets upwards, leaving a rush of wind as he takes off skywards.

Citadel turns to the limo and making sure the court proceedings continue correctly, "Now where is that swindler..."

<SG> Jolt says, "So I guess everything is fine now?"

<SG> Lorelei says, "Don't know about that, but the immediate danger seems to be past?"

<SG> Jolt says, "The only thing keeping me from saying yes is that I'd be an accessory... plus I'm sure theres enough people in court who'd love to throw rotten produce at him if that was a viable punishment."

<SG> Lorelei says, "Well.... I didn't give him any money....."

<SG> Jennifer says, "I'm going to stay with Means in case anything else happens. Thanks for the quick response everyone."

<SG> Lorelei says, "Good idea, Jenn."

Dragon Guardian drops back down to the ground some minutes later, wings fading away as well as the helmet as he stands. "I lost him once he got outside of the city. I'm not sure where he went out there, but this Merlin apparently found him outside of the city." Rubbing his leg, he stands and rubs his hands he used to punch Rockslide. "... I've heard of punching brick walls and the like, but that's a new one."

Lorelei nods to Dragon Guardian. "Well, thanks for trying..... I wonder if his passage could be traced from the point you lost it by some other means."

Jolt says, "Dont they have some scientists who track earthquakes or something?"

Lorelei nods. "I don't know how closely they monitor this area, though."