Log:Night of the Sphinx, Part 1

From Champions MUSH

Advances Plot:
Night of the Sphinx
Previous Scene:	Next Scene:
None	Part 2
Contains Appearances by:
Caleb, Astronomer, Fist, Joseph, Yutaka, Valencia, Jennifer
Log Date:
06/20/2008

(Time Slide) It's almost summer, the summer solstice just around the corner. It's just after work hours and the Civic Center is open for a large gemstone, jewelery, convention/expo. Many people looking for good deals on gemstones, engagement rings, anniversary rings, jewlery etc are walking into the convention center to see what goods are around. The main attraction to this expo is the display of a set of gemstones from Egypt, known as the Pharoah's Jewels. It is a set of 3 large emeralds worth millions of dollars. The security is especially tight in that display area.

Caleb is looking around the gem displays, looking for something unusual he can use in another piercing.

Fist is both in-costumed and unmasked, her entire head exposed while she visits. The sparkly things are neat to look at, and she can play at being discouragement for would-be gem thieves while she is in plain sight of everyone.

Joseph comes into the civic center. He holds a brochure in his hand about the various exhibits and exhibitors. He takes his time walking around the displays, seeing if anything seems 'interesting' to him.

People, vendors are hawking their goods and many people are looking at the various display. Caleb will find a large variety of unique cuts of gemstones for another piercing, but they are expensive.

Caleb makes notes about good deals, even if pricey, intending to return once the crowds thin a bit and haggle them down.

Some vendors try to get Fist's attention with sapphires, telling her that these beauties match her colors etc.

Joseph heads over towards the main display after a while. He spends some time listening to a guide, if there is any, talk about the the Pharoah's Jewels.

Fist is of course distracted, having absolutely no sales resistance. She fortunately also has no money, a fact which might be clued into come the time of mentioning price.

People ask Fist if she has an agent, surely a heroine of her caliber must some money!

There is a droid that drones out info about the history of the gems for Joseph. Apparently there is a curse attatched to these gems, as all previous owners have died in mysterious circumstances.

Joseph smiles slightly as he listens to the droid drone on. He thinks . o O (Too bad not all curses are legends.) He looks closely at the gems, his expression one of open curiosity.

Caleb makes his way over to Fist. "Yeah... I'm her agent. See anything you like, XL?"

In reply, Fist hugs Caleb, pointing to him with a small grin. She appears a bit puzzled though, both at the vendor and the Caleb who speak of agency.

Yutaka is walking through the crowd, looking mostly at rings, although the occasional necklace catches his eye as well, especially the ones in sets. Eventually after marking a few for a second look, he makes his way to the main attraction...

Caleb explains to Fist... "They mean somebody who handles your finances for you and stuff. Doesn't really matter. But if there's anything you particularly like, let me know."

The vendors speak to Caleb, "A heroine with this sapphire brooch will look quite heroic! Only 15k!"

Yutaka sees Joseph and says softly, "Most likely killed because people coveted these jewels eh?"

Fist doesn't really reply, staying well out of the talk of buying things. She takes notice of both Joseph and Yutaka, waving to them.

Caleb ignores the sales pitches, but keeps an eye out for anything she seems to like. The trouble is, there seems to be no variation in the degrees of what she finds attractive. She looks more impressed and intrigued by the stones than covetous.

Joseph glances over at Yutaka and smiles slightly. "Oh, one never knows about old gems. It cvould be that these ones are touched by a Pharoanic curse."

Yutaka sees a hand waving, attached to that hand is an arm that belongs to a blue haired girl he knows...he waves but then looks at Joseph..."Curse?..come now, that's just old wives tales.."

Joseph smiles slighlty as he straightens up from his perusal of the emeralds. "Sometimes old wives tales have a kernel of truth in them." He looks around for a moment.

The heroes spot some big guys in minotaur constumes with what look like hammers, axes and some boxes walking around the perimeter of the area heading towards the main displays..

Yutaka raises an eyebrow..."I guess...there are many legends that have turned out to be true.."

Yutaka frowns.."Son of a...jeezus....that just doesn't make sense, there's no subtly in that."

Caleb notices the minotaurs, wondering if they're some kind of marketing gimmick. Just to be on the safe side, though, he starts making his way to someplace hidden to change IDs.

Vendor calls out the Caleb as he departs, "Hey wait.. look i'll lower the price... come back!"

Joseph seems confused by what Yutaka is saying. In fact he is looking in the wrong direction entirely.

Yutaka taps joseph and points at the costumed men.."This doesn't look good, and we're right in the middle of where they're heading..FIST!!" he calls out, "Costumed men, headed this way!"

Fist has seen them, thanks to Caleb and her own ability to view things. She moves toward the minotaur-seeming folk, hands out and open.

The security guards also weren't sure of if this was some gimmick. But since Yutaka called it they take out their weapons and call for the minotaured costumed men to freeze. The crowds look to see what is going on. Everyone seems confused.

While unbeknowst to the people around him, Yu's suit turns hard...armoring up as the nanites change the molecular make up of the clothes.

Joseph looks around and spots the minotaurs. He steps back from Yutaka and the security guards, seeming to put them between him and the minotaurs. He glances around to see if there is something he can duck behind.

The minotaured men hold up there hands and weapons as if surrendering but they drop their boxes at the same time. Then as the boxes hit the ground green coloured gasses escape out of the containers!

Joseph ducks underneath a table that is nearby as the boxes drop.

Yutaka groans.."I called it.."

Fist dives back, holding her breath quickly once she realizes what is happening.

Nexus hrms. "That doesn't look good."

Yutaka takes a deep breath before the gas can come to him and he gets ready to hold it for the long run..

The Minotaur guys don't move as the gas spreads out...

Fist rushes one of the mino-men, aiming to tackle him to the ground and knock the wind out of him, rather than seriously injure him as she easily could, according to her presumptions.

The big minotaur guy goes oof and falls on the ground. He doesn't seem too badly hurt.

Fist meanwhile has rolled to her feet, glaring at the goons.

Yutaka uses the shoulder of an onlooker to leap up and flip towards the minotaurs, he tries to land near one and take its head off with a rising uppercut ((Shoryuken!!)

The helmet doesn't fly off, but there's a resounding crack in the gear. A closer look can tell that yutaka damaged the breathing apparatus to protect from gases.

Nexus takes a deep breath and holds it as his arms seem to vanish from his shoulders, reappearing near the crates. He attempts to grab a couple of crates and fails.

Joseph gets under the table and then mutters to himself, "Time to act, old boy." HIs body is then suffused with sunight from the inside out. In a moment, he stands as Lightray and pushes the table aside. With a flap of his wings, he takes to the air and targets one of the minotaurs with a bolt of sunlight. "Not today, bullies!"

Joseph's blast strikes a case of diamonds and they fly and scatter all over the ground after the blast. The minotaur is unharmed. Joseph winces as his shot goes wide.

Two minotaurs attack each hero at ground level, none after Lightray up in the air.

The ghoulish green gas spreads quickly around, engulfing the crowds, the heroes, the security quickly... Those who do not hold their breaths quickly fall to slumber. The minotaur with his helmet broken by Yutaka also succumbs to the gas...

Fist is already on the next one, making a grab for the weapon to send it away into the gas-obstructed zone so that there are fewer armed minotaur men about. Whupwhupwhupthud. Off goes the weapon. Fist is still glaring.

Yutaka does it again. Crack! Another broken mask!

Valencia leaps from rooftop to rooftop, long legs stretching and retracting as she moves effortlessly over the cityscape with a small bag slung over her shoulder. She's definitely headed towards the civic center, only slowing when she sees the green gas. "uh oh..." She mutters, landing on a roof near the main entrance and unslinging the bag to hide it.

Fist is moving on to the next goon-with-weapon, applying precision and force to wrench the weapon from his hand and sent it off after the first. Warhammers collecting on the ground at an alarming rate!

Jennifer is on her nightly exercise run when she passes the Convention Center and sees the green gas seeping out of it. o O(Jewelry expo. Gasses. Okay, more fun) Slipping filter plugs into her nostrils she rides her bike right into the Convention Center and looks around. Activating forcefiled in the process.

It is a sight to behold. Fist, Lightyray, Yutaka, and Nexus are fending off what seems to be goons dressed in minotaur outfits. Crates spewing out green gasses have the security and innocent bystanders out cold.

Nexus looks around at all the unconscious civilians, and decides there's no use in locking the barn-crate after the gas-horses have fled, especially when the gas doesn't appear to cause more than sleep. He becomes suddenly difficult to see, and takes a swing at the nearest non-unmasked minotaur

The goon looks woozy. another strike should drop him.

Lightray takes a deep breath, holds it, and moves down towards the case holding the Pharoah's Jewels. He raises his shield of sunlight around himself as he descends. He keeps a close eye for anyone trying to use the gas as cover for tier own movements. Nothing seems amiss to Lightray!

Another minotaur falls to the gas effects and goes to slumber.

Systematically, Fist is carefully ensuring the minotaurs have no smashy toys in hand. The next weapon is given the same treatment.

Yutaka looks to his next target spinning around and trying to land a rising kick, his heel in the lead, to the masked head of the next target. Another Crack! THe goon falls back into the thick of the gasses.

Valencia leaps towards the second level now that she's unencumbered and appears to lose definition, becoming a thick liquid that attempts to flow into the civic center through an opening.

On the second level, Val can see the concentration of gasses is where the action is.

Jennifer moves up to the closest minotaur. If he is armed she removes the weapon. If not armed she goes for skilled control of her strike, using her ranger staff to break the helmet without letting the blow extend to the face behind the visor. Cru-cack! The breathing apparatus of the minotaur splits in two as the gasses enter the goons nose.

Jennifer smiles, "Have a nice sleep, you all hear me now."

Lightray stands guard near the Jewels. His gaze roves around as he turns his attention fist from one direction to another, trying to spot with his senses anything untowards in the thick gas.

Lightray almost curses out loud, but instead moves to take a look at the display case.

2 more minotaur goons fall to the gas. Only two remain.

Fist decides that the best way to prevent minotaurs from being even more of a pain than they have already proven themselves to be is to nab one and toss him into the other. She rushes past, taking hold of the minotaur-man's arm, crouches as she halts abruptly and pivots to lend all of her momentum and then all of his into the throw.

Standing again, Fist watches the pair of minotaur-men with a little confusion. And a glare. She's not happy about their doings. She listens meanwhile for movement among the gasses.

Nexus smacks down the last goon. Nexus cheers triumphantly, unintentionally taking a breath in the process. "That was dumb..." he mutters as he slumps to the floor.

All the minotaur goons and nexus is out. All the security and the people are out. (Combat over) However, the crates are still releasing gasses.. sss.sss.sss.

Fist examines a box to see what is spewing gas specifically and whether she can plug it somehow.

Valencia doesn't move to the main level, instead hooking her legs into a railing and descending to just above the gas boxes. She looks at Fist. "Gas boxes. Whaddya wanna do?"

Lightray reaches into the opened display case and takes out a piece of parchment that is inside. The Pharoah's Jewels are conspicuously /not/ inside the display case any longer. He shakes his head as he looks at the parchment. Then, with a sweep of his wings, he rises up over the gas and says, "Alright, who around here has a hold?"

Clue

Ladies and gents, heroes and pests, don't you all worry, feel no distress! I have your sweet treasure safe in my hold, Come to retrieve it, if you be so bold. For this was too easy, no challenge, no fun. Who will come get me, who will be the ONE?

Jennifer has the same idea as Fist, although at the start she doesn't know where the gas is coming from and goes in search of the source.

There are six crates (size of a bowling ball) on the ground spewing out green gas. Sss. sss. sss. it's more like its spewing it out, pushing it out.

Yutaka takes a look..he motions to jen and fist, his eyes on the boxes...

Fist points to the crates, looking at Valencia with a hopeful expression.

Valencia blinks at Fist, as if reading her mind. "...You're kidding." She glances towards Yutaka as he approaches. "Please tell me you can figure out how to close these things."

Jennifer waves back to Yutaka, "Hi. What's up?" she asks him. She's still making her way to a gas producing crate seeking to find a way to stop the gas being emitted.

Lightray stays up above the gas, his wings moving far too slowly it seems to keep hims aloft. He calls down from above. "The Pharoah's Jewels have been stolen. And this note," he waves the parchment, "is written by someone who loves riddles. Ring any bells?"

Yutaka nods...but remains silent as he is holding his breath..

Valencia nods to Yutaka. "Ok. But I will try and block it if you can't." Yep. Still hanging upside down.

Valencia meanwhile morphs her arms into giant flat panels, flapping them to try and keep the gas from accumulating around the heroes so they can work easier.

Yutaka nods..as he's working he points to his head and then looks at Fist...pointing at his head then to her then back to his head..

Valencia's efforts do help keep the heroes immediate vicinity free of gasses.

Jennifer nods after studying the crate for a few seconds. "Okay, I can do this." she says and proceeds to start doing so.

Yutaka continues to work hoping that Fist will get what he wants..

Fist comprehends, sending a gentle but persistent telepathic contact toward him.

While Valencia keeps the gasses away, Yutaka and Jennifer successfully shut off the gas producing crates one by one. Lightray comes down into the area that Valencia's efforts have cleared. He waits while Jennifer and Yutaka fiugre out how to deal with the boxes.

Yutaka thinks to Fist...(valencia make a line out of herself that I may breath.."

Yutaka shuts one off, then smiles at Jen and nods, holding out a hand for a high 5

Jennifer stands up after closing up one of her crates. "Hi, Mr Y. Been a while since I saw you last. Hi, Fist, Lightray, Val." She returns the high-5.

Valencia phews once the crates are off, letting her arms rest now that the area is cleared and won't be replenished. She hangs for a moment.

The gas must have been powerful... People are still sleeping soundly. The pharaoh's jewls are missing, that much is clear.

Fist waves, puzzled but not surprised by the results of the minotaur distraction. She starts stockpiling weapons from them, setting them into a nice spot opposite the heroes from the thugs. Lightray holds out the parchment between Jennifer and Yutaka. "It is a challenge in the from of a riddle to find the 'hold' the Pharaoh's Jewels are in and come meet the thief."

Yutaka blinks.."Eh.." now that he can breath." I don't get it...read it out loud?"

Valencia unhooks her legs after a moment of rest, letting the elastic power from her legs snapping back into position to turn her right side up. She plants her feet on the floor and exhales, completing the maneuver. "Whoo. Sorry I was late."

Jennifer grimaces, "Someone has been reading too many comics. I hate riddles" She grins, "Come to think of it, I hate magic, demons, History homework. Riddles simply join a long list."

Lightray reads the Clue out loud.

Fist looks at Lightray, interested-looking.

Lightray looks at the note. "Well, hold could refer to a ship. Also, the letters L, I, C, F, T, W, O, N, and E are all capitalized in an odd way."

Valencia hmms at Lightray, planting her hands on her hips. "Two, town, clown...I dunno."

Jennifer listens as Lightray reads the clue. Then shrugs. "Hold? As in the hold of a ship? Or he or she is holding it? Or... ugh. I really hate riddles!"

Lightray muses out loud. "CLIFTOWN?"

Lightray shakes his head. "Clown Life?"

Lightray hands the parchment with the riddle on it to Yutaka.

Yutaka says, "ONE, its all capitalized, its the only thing that stands out.."

Valencia nods to Yutaka. "Do you think he wants someone to come alone or is he referring to something?"

Yutaka says, "I think he's referring to something.."

Lightray smiles. "I wish there was someplace named Cliftown around here." He goes over and checks on one of the fallen security guards. "Is there a palce or ship or address in which ONE is important?"

Yutaka says, "Is there an address that has the ONE in it? or is ONE an acronym? NEO..EON...A ship?" He pulls his PDA and tries to hack a list of ships in port with the number 1 in its name.."

Jennifer grins to Val and Fist as Lightray and Yutaka work on the CLUE. "See, that's why I'll never try to rule the world. Too much work. Give me someone to hit a couple of times a week and I'm happy."

Valencia smiles as she watches Yutaka work, clearly proud of his deducery. "Yeah. I twist my brain in more literal ways."

Yutaka smacks himself..."NEO...the Matrix..lets go!"

Lightray goes around setting people in more comfortable positions and generally making certain that they are alright. He says, "I can stay here and tend to these peole if you all figure out waht that riddle means." He looks up. "Who?"

Yutaka says, "You hero types..make it to the Matrix..I'll wait here for the authorities.""

Lightray adds. "Oh, and the Pharoah's Jewels are touched by the supernatural. Be careful they could very well be cursed."

Valencia nods to Yutaka. "Ok. But take care of yourself, ok?" She clearly intends to go.

Fist is out the door, headed toward the rooftop of the Matrix to scout while she waits for others.

Jennifer laughs, "The Matrix. Legally I can't go in there." She laughs, "I'm under-aged."