Wedding at Sault Ste. Marie

[Pender Lumkiss]

The wedding...

The town of Sault Ste. Marie in a matter of days was transformed from a sleepy beach side town to a fortified City rivaling chi town. Heads of state from Quebec, Kingsdale, and Whykin, heck even the NGR had arrived. The streets were filled with plain clothes Intelligence officers, packs of dog boys lurked at every corner.

Llyboc himself seemed surprised at the pomp and circumstance that had befallen Ste Marie. His cigar smoke filled the living room of the guest house, “I suspect one of those demons must be in Prosek’s inner circle already. Puffing up this wedding like it was his own daughters’. Insidious...” He eyed the remains of the 13th. His best of the best that had come to fruition, “But I guess that is why we put you all through hell.”

Poppy had been a nervous wreck as it was clear she could not get close to be the one to deliver the cake, but still yet with the right amount of supplies she had made a wonderful cake that had somehow been selected for the bride and groom, “Oh my... They chose my cake? I... I am speechless! I can’t believe Nicole and Jack selected it. How did they... I...” She glanced at the final cake order and nearly stumbled in the kitchen with baker roll in hand, “Two days and 90 cakes... I ahh... I need a bigger kitchen.” Nearby Llyboc stifled a wise smile and put his PDA away. Over the last few days he seemed to have taken a shine to Poppy and Lady Viggo. Getting Poppy’s cakes into the wedding might have been the nicest thing he had ever done for a D-bee.

Lady Viggo chuckled beinging a duplicate cake into existence with an impressive flash of orange blue light, “I might not have my temporal spells Poppy, but I know a trick or two you may find useful.”

On the day before the wedding there was a terrible noise that shook the house. Llyboc raised an eye hanging onto his cigar with pursed lips. Then it settled as if only a minor tremor. The spy master pointed to the seaside docks, Several Naval cruisers had moored, off loading tanks, APCs, Scores of Samas and Mauler power armor. “The newly minted Mobile Armored Division, number six... Soon to be lead by your sister if I am not mistaken Jude. A wedding gift so to speak by our Emperor. All capable of mobilizing in full force anywhere in a 10k range of Ste Marie in a matter of minutes.” High over ahead a single death head transport circled around the town.

The wedding was held at Cornwalls Spire, named so after a CS hero of the north. Legend was he was the officer that led the initial expedition to these Iron Heart lands. Maried a woman named Marie and when the Xicitic tried to take the lands beat them back using the tower as a base of operation. The area immediately around the tower had been cleared and a rose garden freshly dug extending 1000 feet in any direction. Then beyond that fifty foot tall and wide holo projectors, video prompters, loud speakers, and scores of black seating(with a ceremonial Death head) as far as the eye could see. The tower itself was said to be nearly impregnable. A tall standing bunker of sorts made of something more sturdy than your normal MDC super structures. The base of the tower was wide and it swept up sky ward as if mimicking the final moments of a water droplet. High up nearly 200 feet was a silver and chrome balcony protected by a shimmer force field. The balcony had VIP seating for high ranking CS officials including the emperor himself, along with the dignitaries from other human only settlements and city states. The ceremony was to be precided by the cheif chaplain Gary Oldsman, and a private party would be held on the balcony after the ceremony while below CS logistic team lead by Corporal Hardcastle would transform the seating area below into a wide array of festivities and food for the less prestigious attendees.

A large digital timer installed halfway up the tower counted down for all to see. Currently the dooms days clock was at an hour before the wedding would begin. The CS Garrison began to let people take their seats down below. And the best of the best, The CS imperial honor guard escorted the dignitaries into the tower and presumably up to the balcony.

---

As people begin to file in, you take your place. This is your chance to tell the story of how you got into where you are and what you did to prepare. Each of you has a chance to gain help from an ally (+4 bonus), but if you take it, you must describe how that ally perished in helping you. A quick note on skills... There is a good chance we do three rounds of this. The same skill cannot be used twice in a row by a character.

Jude, Code word Pinapple, Uncle Mac, -6 to skill roll TN 16

Jude: [dice:2qehu27h]60807:0[/dice:2qehu27h] Disaster, -6 to skill roll TN [dice:2qehu27h]60807:3[/dice:2qehu27h] wild [dice:2qehu27h]60807:4[/dice:2qehu27h] ace [dice:2qehu27h]60807:5[/dice:2qehu27h] benny for extra effort: [dice:2qehu27h]60807:6[/dice:2qehu27h]
Bad news Jude, your face, DNA, and common pick up lines have been circulated through out the overwhelming security forces. In short it seemed he would need some kind of super human luck to not get shot just stepping one foot outside the guest house. Major Lexi Colton herself has seemed to take a personal interest in in apprehending you after her initial blunder. Llyboc eyed you carefully from the arm chair rubbing his stump absent mindedly, ”Jude... You overestimated your gift for gab son. Stepping out of this house will likely get you and us killed. What were you thinking when you let Major Colton go? This is no high school slumber party. We are at war soldier and we need your head screwed on tight.” Something about this conversation struck a cord in Jude, like a memory taken or forgotton. Had Llyboc said these same things before? Llyboc lifted the sheet over uncle Mac, “You might need some help... This is the last one we have. Want me to reactivate it?” Llyboc smiled ruefully looking Jude sternly in the eye, “Just say Pinapple.”

Cantrell, Burn Protocol, Llyboc, -6 to skill roll TN 4

Cantrell: [dice:2qehu27h]60807:1[/dice:2qehu27h] Interference -4 to skill roll. TN 4.
Cantrell found Llyboc on the balcony one morning as the day for action drew near. The breeze from the bay that Ste Marie was nestled against felt chilly this morning. A metallic suitcase the size of a rifle was next to him. Llyboc had a holo communicator out on the wooden table he was sitting at. An image of a woman was displayed. Llyboc was saying, “Its done director two are dead in their sleep. A bit of dendro toxin in their food. Jude has been put into an induced coma. Burn protocols are in place.” Cantrell vaugly recognized the woman from a photo downstairs of the entire Maverick clan. As Cantrell approached Llyboc turned the communicator off. He grimaced at the hero and took out a cigar snd blew a puff, “I am pretty sure if the republicans are compromised Nadya... A bit of misdirection never hurts. At this point its only going to be a bit of interference really, but I think we are truly on our own.” His eyes glanced toward the near mountain as he opened the metallic case. He pulled out a matte black cyber leg and after roling back his pant leg shoved it on. The auto clasps dug into his leg bitting and the electric tendrils merged with his own nerve endings. His eyes watered from the pain and he grunted. After moment he looked her with a forced smile and his voice had a clean sense of honesty to it, “Camp K... A man’s last resort I supposed. We were all so idealistic. A group of deep cover agents as the last line of defense. Sounds silly when I say it out loud.” He patted his holstered U round pistol and threw a vial of liquid to the grass below. He stood giving her a salute, “I am with you agent Cantrell, looks like we are last to leave, lets go kick some ass.” As they leave the house goes up in flames.

Libertas, Shadow of Geist, Laddy Vigo, -4 to skill roll TN 4

Libertas: [dice:2qehu27h]60807:2[/dice:2qehu27h] major issue, -6 to the skill roll TN 4.

Libertas’ dreams were filled with shadowy nightmares. Over and over through the swirl of darkness all he could see was a large powerful sharkman snap his father’s neck. Not exactly how it happened in real life but the nightmare was enough to make him wake in a cold sweat. Viggo... Lady Viggo’s soft shark features were inches from your own face. Her eyes blinked and she stepped back. Softly she said, “Sorry Libertas. I could hear you screaming in my own head.” Her hands absently touched Libertas’ tail, “Strange that I miss being being so close to you.” Her soft eyes looked at his for a brief moment. Perhaps that was when Libertas realized the Lady Viggo was only wearing a simple night gown. “I have had night terrors as well... A shadow draws near Libertas. One we have faced over and over... From Gloom to here, can we ever be rid of Geist?”

She sat at the edge of his bed. The soft moon light hit her back making it shimmer as if he was looking at soft rolling waves of the ocean. “Do you ever think it was a mistake to learn the legendary Spell? My mind too has its workings, it was like we both learned it. But now I feel like Geist or maybe her shadow is drawn forth seeking what we know.” She took his hand for a moment and whispered, “I am with you Libertas... I don’t think I ever really left.”

The room darkened, the moon’s light vanished. A pair of floating red eyes appeared on the ceiling and a wretched voice called from the ether, ”Nor I... Haha...” Then like a dream it was gone, but the two both felt like an old enemy had returned to cause them some major trouble.

Results: no mater the result you accomplished your task and got imto position, but you might have taken a wound or lvl of fatigue. Or perhaps you accomplished your goals so well you are better prepared for the next stage, or even can help your team mates avoid a future disaster. Wounds can be soaked as normal. Rerolls apply to next round.

• Critical Failure: 1d3 wounds, and reroll a Jackpot.
• Failure: 1 wound
• Success: Vigor roll at -4 or take a level of fatigue.
• Raise: Unscathed
• Double raise: Unscathed, and reroll Disaster result.
• Tripple Raise: Unscathed, +2 to everyone’s roll next round. This can be achieved once. Any other tripple raises give everyone a benny. Also possibly shortening the number of rounds.

[Jude Maverick]

Persuasion 19

-6 difficulty
Persuasion [dice:6tn93emb]60880:0[/dice:6tn93emb]
Ace [dice:6tn93emb]60880:2[/dice:6tn93emb]
Wild [dice:6tn93emb]60880:1[/dice:6tn93emb]

Vigor 5

-4 difficulty
Vigor [dice:6tn93emb]60880:3[/dice:6tn93emb]
Wild [dice:6tn93emb]60880:4[/dice:6tn93emb]
Benny for Elan Extra Effort [dice:6tn93emb]60880:5[/dice:6tn93emb]

Sault St. Marie/Lakehouse
Night
Round 0

Jude looked down at his uncle. Maybe it was the Coalition armor he was wearing. He was starting to think like he had always been trained and raised to think, utilitarian, accomplish the mission, no matter the sacrifice.

“Pineapple,” Jude said, reactivating his Uncle Mac. He told himself it wasn’t really his uncle.

Jude studied the guest list as Lyboc berated him. “I let Lexi go because I’ve seen too many of my ex-girlfriends die recently,” he said. “You may be right. Maybe it was a rookie move. We’ll just have to deal with it.

“We’ll go in as extra, last minute security for my father,” Jude said. “Some functionary will likely get yelled at and beat down a rank by my father -- he hates the unexpected in his perfect planning -- but it will get us in and close where we need to be.”

Jude dyed his hair dark. It wouldn’t help much with a facial recognition scanner, but it might fool a person. He showered and scraped to remove any random loose DNA, and even wore a lot of cologne -- different than his normal -- to throw off his scent.

Things went better than he expected. Every bureaucracy has its cracks, and Jude was raised in that bureaucracy. While his father was excellent at his job, even he couldn’t plug every one. Jude’s quick talk, the bars on his shoulder, and the help of Mac applied just the right amount of pressure, opening doors in the tight net of security.

Mission Objectives

***

Character Tracker

Jude Maverick Character Sheet
Parry: 6; Toughness: 17 (8 natural, +1 duster, 4 armor, 4 personal force field [nonmagical attacks only, ignores AP)
You Know What to Do: During the first round of combat you gain and extra card draw and +2 to your trait rolls, +2 damage, +2 pace (stacks with a joker).
Battle Hardened: +2 Soak
Brave: +2 Fear
Common Bond: Share bennies
Danger Sense: -2 to detect ambushes
Elan: +2 when spending Bennies
Hard to Kill: When making rolls for Incapacitation or death, ignore Wound modifiers
I Know a Guy
Strong Willed: 2 vs. Tests of Will
Trademark Weapon: +1 Shooting with JA-11
Healing Stone: 15/15 PPE
Armor: 15/15 PPE
Necklace: 15/15 PPE
Nike Airs: Teleport/Teleport Others (K. Electronics roll)
Rifle Ammo: 59 (Spare clips: 2 x 20; 1 x 16; 2 x 30; 2 x 60)
Pistol Ammo: 16 (Spare clips: 2 x 16)
Bennies: 6/7

[Cantrell]

Hacking into Camp K, Success

-6 scene modifier

Kn: Computers [dice:3f56phx4]60902:0[/dice:3f56phx4]
Wild [dice:3f56phx4]60902:1[/dice:3f56phx4]
Benny for Elan + Extra Effort [dice:3f56phx4]60902:2[/dice:3f56phx4] = Success

Vigor [dice:3f56phx4]60902:3[/dice:3f56phx4] = Success
Wild [dice:3f56phx4]60902:4[/dice:3f56phx4]

"Stop fidgeting, both of you," Cantrell said, as another Dog Pack passed by their seats, giving the smallest of nods to the group. "Whoever built this psi-tech stuff knew what they were doing -- how else would Camp K's Republican spell-slingers have existed so long right under the Coalition's nose?"

Despite the persistent holes in her memory, Cantrell hadn't had too much trouble hacking into the vacant Camp Kander, disabling the passive defenses and then sifting through the backup database to find the concealed caches of equipment the Republicans had left behind. Sure enough, she'd found a solution to their magic problem -- psi-tech "veil" emitters that masked any magical auras radiating from the 13th or their gear, making them appear psionic rather than arcane. As a bonus, they created a visual illusion, too, cloaking their non-standard equipment with the appearance of more traditional CS gear.

Some subtle detailing indicating the trio were PsyOps polished off the deception. To be doubly sure, Cantrell had hacked her way into the guest list to add their aliases to the sentry list. As far as the roaming Dog Boys were concerned, Cantrell, Jude and Libertas were a trio of psychic interrogators, here to keep a watch on the proceedings and ensure no funny business.

"Just squint off into the distance every once in a while, flex your facial muscles and try to make the veins in your forehead bulge. That'll sell it. Head-shrinkers always look like they have worms under their skin," she says, regulating her own stress level with a combination of will power and cybernetic feedback.

[Libertas Magicum]

K: Engineering 8

Starting Bennies: 3/2

Scene Penalty -4
Knowledge: Engineering [dice:umrnuz4q]61069:0[/dice:umrnuz4q]
Wild K:E [dice:umrnuz4q]61069:1[/dice:umrnuz4q]
Machine Maestro +2 (non-combat, non-TW machinery)
Total = 8

Also, Lib is at -1 to all Agility rolls going forward, as his tail is restrained.

The Republican gear Cantrell found wasn't proper Techno-Wizardry, so Libertas wasn't able to bring his full expertise to bear, but the basic underlying principles were still sound, and with a little bit of effort, Libertas had been able to get them integrated into his and his companions' gear. He had to admit these Republicans were impressive.

Lib shakes his head at Cantrell. "I'm not fidgeting because I'm nervous about the devices failing, Boss. I just...." He takes a deep, ragged breath. "You have no idea how much I want to grab Jude's sister, teleport all of clear, and then set off a massive fusion block--big enough to take down the whole damned tower, and every last one of the Proseks with it. The thought of that is... distracting. Sorry."

He pauses for a moment, then adds. "Also, my tail keeps twitching inside the armor." After all, Cantrell had insisted that the bauble-filching tail needed to be properly secured until this job was over--the holographic emitters could only cover so much, and short of making Lib into a Dog-Boy, hiding a tail was right out.

[Pender Lumkiss]

Cold Feet... Cold and bloody.

The Trio of Psi Ops interrogators were positioned just inside the main hallway next to a set of ornate heavy blast doors that, for the ceremony on the enlarged dais at the top spire, were open. An opulent copper basin each holding 100 white long stem roses was next to each door. There was no way these basin’s could hold the weight of the doors if they shut. A red carpeted aisle went down in between two sets of 15 row 150 chair sections filled with Humanities elite and most prejudice.. The important folks were ushered into the spire to its top, down a few hallways. Then they nervously passed the psi op 13th growing quiet and hoping their minds did not get them killed or worse. After most folks had arrived the Groom and his men came in and took their positions to the right of the Altar.

Major Lexi Colton looked at the three helmed interrogators giving them their final orders for perhaps the nth time. She had been frantically running around at a clipped pace not unlike a juicer. She was not frantic perse, but there was a certain level of stress that she normally could handle and with 5 minutes to go she had exceeded maximum stress levels.

Her lips were pursed and a single strand of hair had found its way out of her tight bun. She was looking at a PDA and not necessarily at the undercover members of the 13th when she approached them, " Groom check. He and his men are at the altar.” You could just see Jack and his Grooms men in their dress uniforms smiling and waving. ”Ok you three keep an eye out for the bride, when you see her let me know so I can que the band." She glanced over to the south side of the dias at the string quartet ready to play. She slightly frowned commenting, " We had sent a formal request to the NGR to have Dres Marbles Left play, but... Their reply seemed to indicate they had disappeared or perhaps died." She tapped her PDA crossing off lists. "Damn... Where is the priest? Fucking Gary Oldsman if I catch him getting liquored up... I'll bust him like a pinata." She tapped soldier libertas on the shoulder, " Take a quick look arround and see if you cannot find him eh? Thanks... Let me know about the bride too." She grinned almost crying.

Dignitaries, high level officials were being seated, and there was a buzz of people talking about almost anything other than the wedding from the select few (about 150 people total) that were seated on the dias atop the spire. A soft cool breeze swirled around the area, and suddenly shut down as a pair of technical officers at their consol about 15 feet away activated some electronic equipment. With a good kn engineering roll you could hazard the techs activated a series of force feilds that would protect the guests outside. Moments later Emporer Prosek and his wife, Jude's father and mother flanked by a honor guard of six of the CS's best walked by the Under Cover Operatives. As a soft music started playing the Theme of the Empire, Prosek nodded to the three Psi Ops Interrogators and Major Colton, " Gentlemen...Lady... Well done Major Colton." They continued in all the folks rising and saluting.

Major Colton nodded feverishly as the emperor passed. She wheezed almost passing out, “He.. He said Hi...” The technicians at the electrical control station started babbling about the doors closing. Lexi turned to them and an all too familiar silvered blade poked out her chest as it must have been thrust from behind. She whispered spitting out blood, “ He said... Hi....” She slid off it with a sickening thud crumpling to the ground. Her breath was fading and a green mist poured out of the wound.

Down the corridor Jude’s sister in a wedding gown yelled and came tumbling down as if thrown by some invisible creature. She had a laser pistol in hand and flipped up to her feet spraying the pistol rapidly trying to hit something. “What the hell! One of my bride’s maids went bridezilla and killed everyone!” The front of the gown was drenched red as were her white shoes.

Llyboc’s voice crackled, and popped in the ear pieces of the team, ”Kssshhh... Lost contact... Do you... Can’t....kssshhhh...”

Just maybe 15 feet away at one of the spire’s tactical consoles two CS techs were Laser focused on their read outs adjustimg dials and tapping their key boards frantaclly. The blond haired one with freckles, Major Tom Hallond, muttered looking at the screen, “Everything is shorting out... Damn common... Its like the spire thinks it is under nuclear attack... Ridiculous.”

The brown hair grizzled tech, Sgt Kasey, slapped the screen he was looking at, “What the fuck... Scopes are clear... only other reason is if the quantum threat assessment matrix wanted to keep something in... Major Colton the blast...” He turned finally seeing her bleeding out and gasped in fear!

There was a loud hiss from the pressure releasing on the double wide blast doors and they heavy slammed shut effectively cutting off those in the hallway from those outside seated for the ceremony, including the emperor and Jude’s father!

A multitude of voices echoed down the hall way and surrounded the 13th... Their forms went from invisible to visible, like some kind of goat headed man demon, the four of them laughed thinking they were just dealing with the CS left overs half way thinking they would cower in fear. “The great awakening is taking place! A pity you will be dead but your likeness will carry on. Our master Zaza has claimed humanity for his own.” They raised their silvered glaives meaning to kill everyone in the hallway!

---

Go ahead and make any skill roll to interact with the scene( no modifier). If you have danger sense roll it and on a success you can even move to the outside dias where the ceremony is before the blast door shut (nothing has really happened yet out there, but soon...) Jude if you want to be one of those six honor guard members that is fine as well(you can be outside). Just keep in mind this skill roll must be different than the last one.

[Jude Maverick]

Danger Sense 3; I'm going to take the option to have Jude be in the honor guard

-2 Danger Sense
Notice [dice:1ecwzfag]61224:0[/dice:1ecwzfag]
Wild [dice:1ecwzfag]61224:1[/dice:1ecwzfag]

K. Battle 5

K. Battle [dice:1ecwzfag]61224:2[/dice:1ecwzfag]
Wild [dice:1ecwzfag]61224:3[/dice:1ecwzfag]

Sault St. Marie
Night
Round 0

“Relax. Breathe, Major Colton,” Jude’s soothing voice reassured Lexi, disguised by the helmet he wore. “It will work out.”

Jude joined the honor guard as they went outside on the dais, in the protection of the force field. But Jude wasn’t paying enough attention behind him, and heard the shout from Nikki and Lexi. He spun around, readying his rifle, watching the blast doors slam down behind him, separating him from the rest of his team.

“Shit!” Jude looked to the other honor guards, his parents, and the emperor and his wife. Then he looked suspiciously at Jack, the groom, a man he had seen killed.

“Emperor Prosek! Empress! Move to the north of the blast doors! If they open, you’ll be out of the field of fire,” Jude instructed. He turned back to Jack, wary. “Get that altar!” Jude called to the rest of the guards. “Get it against the door for cover!”

Nikki...please be safe...Lexi...don’t die...

Mission Objectives

***

Character Tracker

Jude Maverick Character Sheet
Parry: 6; Toughness: 17 (8 natural, +1 duster, 4 armor, 4 personal force field [nonmagical attacks only, ignores AP)
You Know What to Do: During the first round of combat you gain and extra card draw and +2 to your trait rolls, +2 damage, +2 pace (stacks with a joker).
Battle Hardened: +2 Soak
Brave: +2 Fear
Common Bond: Share bennies
Danger Sense: -2 to detect ambushes
Elan: +2 when spending Bennies
Hard to Kill: When making rolls for Incapacitation or death, ignore Wound modifiers
I Know a Guy
Strong Willed: 2 vs. Tests of Will
Trademark Weapon: +1 Shooting with JA-11
Healing Stone: 15/15 PPE
Armor: 15/15 PPE
Necklace: 15/15 PPE
Nike Airs: Teleport/Teleport Others (K. Electronics roll)
Rifle Ammo: 59 (Spare clips: 2 x 20; 1 x 16; 2 x 30; 2 x 60)
Pistol Ammo: 16 (Spare clips: 2 x 16)
Bennies: 6/7

[Cantrell]

Danger Sense 8; Persuasion 18

Notice (1d12+4) -2 = 1d12+2
Notice [dice:38mktg4z]61332:0[/dice:38mktg4z]
Wild [dice:38mktg4z]61332:1[/dice:38mktg4z]

Persuasion for the scene

Persuasion [dice:38mktg4z]61332:2[/dice:38mktg4z]
Wild [dice:38mktg4z]61332:3[/dice:38mktg4z]

Benny for Extra Effort + Elan [dice:38mktg4z]61332:4[/dice:38mktg4z] = Ace! [dice:38mktg4z]61332:5[/dice:38mktg4z]

Cantrell feels a prickling on her neck as the demonic invaders prepare their attack -- invisible they may be, but she's encountered them enough times now that her cybernetic warning system has started picking up on the minute imperfections in their concealment.

She's already moving when the blade emerges from Colton's chest. She pushes another Coalition officer out of the way just as one of the D-bee attackers materializes, puts a leg out to trip a second and sends it careening into a third.

She's not fighting to kill, at this point, but rather to clear the way. She makes it to Colton and snatches up the major's handset before it hits the ground. Thumbing the communicator on, she cranks the signal as high as it will go, then broadcasts on the public channel. To be doubly sure, she speaks as loudly as possible, broadcasting from her armor's speakers, as well.

<<Chi Omega Upsilon. Repeat, Chi Omega Upsilon. Initiate Theta Protocol. All Coalition operatives, Theta Protocol is in effect.>>

Seeing Jude dash through the closing doors, Cantrell ducks below one of the silver blades, then puts her shoulder into one of the goat-headed demons and shoves it backward off the balcony. Exchanging blows with a couple of others, she's able to give herself enough breathing room to get back on the comms.

<<Repeat, Chi Omega Upsilon. Initiate Theta Protocol.>>

She hopes the code hasn't changed in the year she's been gone. But every Coalition grunt in the army is trained for Theta Protocol. If there was one thing the Proseks were paranoid about (and, really, they were paranoid about a lot of things) it was the possibility of magical infiltrators. Shapeshifters, ghosts -- every soldier in the CS has it drilled into them how to act when such threats went live.

<<Opfor is composed of magically-active D-bees of unknown origin. Capable of assuming the appearance of friendlies as well as magical invisibility that may be outside the bounds of psi-hound detection. Repeat, Opfor is capable of alpha-level concealment and infiltration, as well as regeneration at similar levels. Theta Protocol is in effect. Deploy U-rounds if you've got 'em.>>

They'll still be outmatched, but any Coalition forces listening will at least give it their best. Theta Protocol is simple -- suspect everyone, find a defensible position and start verifying the identity of those around you. Usually that means quoting memorized lines of the Emperor's memoirs at each other -- not many D-bees have the stomach to do that, even if they knew to try.

Having given the Coalition forces as much warning as she can, Cantrell turns her attention back to the attackers, but after a nod from Libertas, who seems to have a plan, she dashes through the closing doors to support Jude.

[Libertas Magicum]

OOC Comments

Bennies: 3/2
Danger Sense [dice:3kn20rvf]61387:0[/dice:3kn20rvf]
Wild Notice [dice:3kn20rvf]61387:1[/dice:3kn20rvf]

Intimidation [dice:3kn20rvf]61387:2[/dice:3kn20rvf]
Wild Intimidate [dice:3kn20rvf]61387:3[/dice:3kn20rvf]
Extra Effort Benny [dice:3kn20rvf]61387:4[/dice:3kn20rvf]

Current Bennies: 2/2

Libertas gives Cantrell a 'go' sign towards the doors. "I'll join you in a sec! Keep Jude safe!"

Then, as the massive doors slam shut, hopefully with Cantrell on the far side, he pops the visor on his helmet so that the demons can see his face, and so that he can touch the barbed-wire tattoo around his neck. He then starts speaking to the fiends, not in American, but in their native, infernal tongue.

"Demons! I know your Master, Zaza, and he knows me. The last I saw him, he screamed my name in pain and rage after I bested him. I am Libertas Magicorum, and if you think you can stand against one who defeated your lord so easily, then please, come at me and be dispersed back to the Pit that spawned you. Otherwise, run back to your master, and tell him I'm waiting here."

As he's speaking, he also moves towards the blood-stained bride; dropping the infernal language, he smiles to her. "Hello, Nikki. I'm a friend of your brother Jude--he heard about all this and wanted to make sure you'd be safe. Let's go join him, shall we? Safety in numbers and all that?"

[Pender Lumkiss]

Don’t ever split the party... Because thats when you realize you are on a rocket ship!

Outside

A shimmering forcefield engulfed the large Dias with over 100 of humanities finest leaders and despots. Jack at the wreathed alter which had meticulously decorated in white and golds grinned at the entrance of Prosek. As if he had been waiting all this time for the leader of the most powerful force for humanity to show himself.

The doors to the inside had closed unexpectedly sealing off the two areas. Muffled screams from the two lab technitions left behind left one to wonder as to what exactly was going on. The honor gaurds readied their weapons understanding the Theta protocols. They might not have U rounds... Something very experimental to be sure, but they knew what it meant.

One of them grabbed Prosek Sr. Driving him to the ground, “Sir... Theta Protocols were enabled, stay down we need an evac...”

Prosek nodded keeping low, both looking at him and the mysterious Gaurd issuing orders. The senior Prosek knew all his personal guards by name. “Good idea, to the door... Lets get out of here-“

Jude’s dad laughed tossing Josephene and Jude’s mom into some ornate black folding chairs nearby. The elder Maverick’s skin tore revealing a creature of foul blackness clad in silver armor with a blazing red infernal visor. A long cloak of shadow drapped over it disapearing where its feet should be.

Prosek Sr. yelled rolling out of the way accompanied by his gaurd nearly into Cantrell, “What the hell! Demon spawn!”

At the Altar Jack nodded to his grooms men which transformed into goat headed demons which the 13th have fought before. Jack himself neared... His white spiked head pulsed and then a sickly black armor wrapped around his still mostly human form.

The creature which once was Jude’s father yelled, “Now is our time! My demons take the humans, it is our time to rise!”

Jack still in human form yelled, ”Zaza commands it! We obey!”

As if slow motion everyone, humans, a dozen demons, Zaza, Prosek, gaurds reacted.... Only to be thrown to the ground when the tower lurched violently and the deck of the dias rumbled and heaved. Jude’s moms looked around trying to hold onto something as she like everyone else tumbled along the floor. She yelled at Prosek and the honor gaurd, “The orion 5 engines have been engaged! Hang on to something!”

Sadly with the blast doors sealed little beyond the sound of rail gun fire and people yelling was known about the fate of those still in the main hallway.

Inside

Nicky looked down at her wrist communicator and scowled muttering, “Theta Protocol... U rounds, what they grow on trees?” She tumbled back to Libertas who was being mocked mercilessly by the demons.

The one who had stabbed Colton chortled, “Human... You think you know Zaza? We bring you to him and you will see! We will all bring you too him!” Ding! The four service elevators chimed and out walked another two dozen demons with their silver glaives poised to strike. “You know our tongue but you do not know us!”

Nicky shook her head grimacing, “You really know... Libertas? Yeah we met in the black market hideout... What the fuck are you doing here? Jude is here?”

The two lab techs mummbled something about being up shits creek as the horde approached. Nicky snapped at them, “What did you geek heads say?”

The younger tech pushed his glasses up his nose and wiped the sweat off his head, “Uhh sorry Captain. It looks like someone is in the engine control room rewriting the code... Its a language I have never seen... Oh fuck hang on...” A quick glance before the world went topsy turvy would tell Libertas there was a reason the tech had never seen code like that... Libertas had... Inside Geist’s spell book! Then the ground lurched and heaved too! As the dust settled and the demons regained their feet. Libertas felt the air pressurize for a moment and ears pop. A hand reached down, to help Libertas up shark skinned and all.

Poppy, Llyboc, Lady Viggo took positions along the wall. They had brought four CS soldiers with them who opened fire... Lady Viggo smiled, “We got your back!”. A spell flew at the horde blasting two but four took their place!

Nicky glanced at the two techs now unconcious... She shouted pointing at a nearby elevator “We need someone to get down to the engine control room!” Fishing out her CS security badge from her garter belt she thrust it into Libertas’ hand. “I saw what you did Libertas in the black market base... You can do it. Level 4B, shut the engines down! Code is 8776S”

Llyboc grimmaced and fired a U-round into an approaching demon with a satisfying thud, “Go Libertas, we will hold them!”

Poppy let loose with a mini rail gun, “I got a cake to deliver!”

Nicky wiped blood off her face staring into the eyes of a seemingly endless band of demons, “If the engines are not shut down we all die Libertas!”

---

Ok so that is the general scene outside and inside. Now each have a little prompt or situation to resolve. End of your ooc is your difficulty. Please make an appropriate combat or arcane skill roll. You got one chance to save humanity and the CS, lets see how it turns out!

Everyone can take 1 final benny for the great RP!

Last but not least, if you got a signature move and use it +2 to your roll.

---

Libertas... Robo Geist

Level 4B. After a quick security card swipe and code punch the lift lowers to the subterranean levels. The door opens to the wail of warning sirens and an automated drone of the computer, “Warning... Warning... Safety protocols have been disengaged.” The lift led to a hallway and then in between two bent gnarled security doors labeled project Orion. A fair amount of smoke wafted from the room beyond. It was a large room with banks of now cracked computer screens and dozens of bodies slumped over them... All except one. The center console stood about 30 feet from the steps down into the room. At it stood a shiny humanoid figure, female in appearance, but definitely robotic or a cyborg. Its fingers were somehow inside the consoles screen without damaging it! The room shook violently, and the robotic feminine figure turned to Libertas, it cackled in an all familiar voice with a slight mechanized edge, “Libertas... Libertas... Last we met, for a time, a brief time I drifted... Then I found a partner, just as alone as me, and just as thirsty for revenge against humanities would be saviors the coalition. It gave me this body and I showed it how to give magic to its artificial creations... Demons ha?” The robot’s face morphed into the face of Vicotria Geist. “Almost imperceptible to the real thing! They even react to holy magic and everything... Neither of us could have built them without the other. A true masterpeice.”

The dead bodies in the room rose as one scrambling to Libertas, and a flash of purple light flew from Geist’s hand toward’s the techno wizard, “This time... No punches pulled. Once these engines have fully engaged you die with the rest of your kind Libertas.”

---

Difficulty is -6 to the skill roll (Disaster), and TN an opposed roll of 10.
[dice:20t5fv0m]61457:0[/dice:20t5fv0m]
Skill die: [dice:20t5fv0m]61457:3[/dice:20t5fv0m] wild [dice:20t5fv0m]61457:4[/dice:20t5fv0m] Extra Effort [dice:20t5fv0m]61457:9[/dice:20t5fv0m]

Jude... Meet Jack

Jude looked up from the floor as the dias rolled to a slow undulation and saw the lopsided grin of Jack Durgen looking up at him with a laser pistol pointed at the young maverick. Still wearing the dress blacks of the CS, but his eyes were wild and filled with hatred. Looking at the pistol barrel Perhaps images of past lovers went through the young maverick’s mind before the apparent end. A hand reached over the top of Jack pulling him back, the pistol fired and went wide by centimeters. Uncle Maverick cried, “Look out Jude! Find cover!”

As the two tussled for a moment Jude felt a tender hand touch his gauntlet. His mother’s hand. Her sweet smile blessed him as her hand touched his. She whispered grimacing against the bruises received when the deck had lurched, “Jude... Of course its you... Of course... A mother just knows.”

A body hit the two of you. Male, and groaning in death. Mac’s face torn almost in half, and a mechanical eye ball popped against Jude’s armor. In his final breath it muttered, “Jack’s like me...zzzzttt!”

Jude’s mom struggled to get up but her knee was twisted something aweful. She slid Jude her pistol packed with u rounds, “oh Mac... Jude, just like debate class honey, you got this in the bag.” Jack laughed, still strangely in human form, and his grooms men turned goat headed demons approached from the alter with their silver glaives in hand!

Jack had only eyes for Jude yelling... But the voice had changed, distorted as if another was speakimg through him “Nicky told me all ablut you Jude. My mission is to sever the line of men. But you... It was your ancestor that left me alone in the dark cave... Long have I wished to to end the line of Mavericks...” It was unsettling to see this human talk as if he wasn’t even human.

---

Difficulty is skill roll at -2, TN is an opposed skill roll vs 9.
[dice:20t5fv0m]61457:2[/dice:20t5fv0m]
[dice:20t5fv0m]61457:5[/dice:20t5fv0m] wild [dice:20t5fv0m]61457:6[/dice:20t5fv0m] Extra effort [dice:20t5fv0m]61457:10[/dice:20t5fv0m]

Cantrell... Prosek’s Back

The dias stopped shaking. People were all over scuffled into the chairs moaning and hurt crying out for help. A strong hand grabbed Cantrell’s shoulder lifting her up. Llyboc? No as Cantrell’s vision cleared it was the Emperor himself! He grimaced, blood ran down his temple and his uniform was torn across the chest. He pointed at the demon that had once been Jude’s father, “You called for Theta Protocols? Good, back to back soldier. Don’t give the enemy quarter.” The dias rumbled a bit and Prosek swore, “ We need to clear these fraking demons out and get down to the basement of the tower.”

The emperor pulled out two pistols and went to work firing shot after shot waiting Cantrell to join him and watch his back. That is when Cantrell felt her cyber systems begin to seize up and not exactly short out but seemingly move out of control! In her mind she heard a voice, robotic, child like, and angry, “You again! You took my friends, and I needed to kill that shifty human! Grrrr... Humanity is over rated and needs to be ruled over by me!” Cantrell felt her hand yank her pistol around to the back of the emperors head. She had a clean shot at Prosek who was busy firing expertly at two hulking demons. Two u rounds struck each in the chest.

The demon Zaza slid next to Cantrell as if unseen by anyone else. It coo’d tempting her, “Common... Do it!” The finger trigger began to squeeze... If Cantrell did not resist it Would be so easy! It felt as if Zaza was caressing her finger willing her to shoot. Somehow Zaza was fiddling with her cybernetics. “Fire now...” Cantrell felt something put into her left holster as if by magic. Llyboc’s Uround pistol!

---

Difficulty is skill roll -2, TN is opposed roll of 8.
[dice:20t5fv0m]61457:1[/dice:20t5fv0m]
[dice:20t5fv0m]61457:7[/dice:20t5fv0m] wild [dice:20t5fv0m]61457:8[/dice:20t5fv0m] extra effort [dice:20t5fv0m]61457:11[/dice:20t5fv0m]

Camp K side note!

Cantrell while there you find an arcane helmet that might hold to unlock Lucretai’s mind.

[Libertas Magicum]

OOC Comments

Techno-Wizardry 1d12+5 w/Staff
Scene Penalty -6
Signature Move: Fatal Flaw, +2
Net Roll: 1d12+1, TN: 10
Techno-Wizardry [dice:ny2gcg0o]61458:0[/dice:ny2gcg0o] ACE BABY [dice:ny2gcg0o]61458:2[/dice:ny2gcg0o]
Wild TW [dice:ny2gcg0o]61458:1[/dice:ny2gcg0o]

Lib gives Lady V. and Poppy a pair of kisses on the cheeks as they arrive, then turns to Nicky. "Yeah, Jude's here, on the far side of the door with Cantrell. Any members of your family that aren't... well, replaced, they'll save. We can--" He gets cut off by her explanation of the situation, though, and sighs, nodding. He looks at Lyboc. "Jude, I'm leaving Nicky in Lyboc's care. If something happens to her, feel free to take it out of his gizzard." Off-radio, he adds to Lyboc, "I advise you not disappoint him." And with that, he gets on the elevator, flipping the bird to the demonic horde as he goes.

Libertas takes the opportunity riding down in the elevator to adjust his armor and gear. No need for subtlety anymore. Tail out, staff held aloft in its grip, he steps off the elevator.

He pauses at the sight before him. So much waste....

Then he sees the robot, and pauses, as the all-too-familiar voice speaks. He lets her monologue until she animates the bodies of the unfortunate techies, ducking to evade the purple eldritch bolt.

And then, as the corpses stagger towards him, and she continues her attempts to blast him to the next life... he laughs. The sound is loud, even over the noise of the battle, and Cantrell, Jude and his other allies upstairs hear it, too, as he casually flicks on his radio.

"Geist, you poor, sorry sack of crap, the syphilis you picked up in that donkey show must've completely rotted your already warped little brain. A robotic body, and an army of robotic demons? You come at me with machines, and think that will get you victory? Lady, I am the Dominus ex Machina, I am the LORD of the Machine!" He maneuvers a bit, going around the consoles and blasting away with the Marianas Cannon to get himself some space from the surging horde of zombies, and continues. "I'll deal with your love-muppets here in a moment, but first, a little something especially for you."

And suddenly, the servos in Geist's body simply... shut down. She's still... well, 'alive' is debatable, given her current state of existence. But her spirit is still there, the body still providing whatever sort of anchor it was meant to. But the joints, and the bits that allow it to shapeshift, all of those just stop dead. As her body, slightly overbalanced and suddenly joint-locked, clatters to the floor like a cross between a store mannequin and a museum suit of medieval armor, Libertas gets down to business, first calling up his own horde of robotic servitors to battle the zombies, then pulling out the Valent Blade and cutting a hole in space to get to that one working console. Stepping through, he quickly types in the code: 8776S

Mopping up takes a few moments more. There's a lot of zombies, and Lib has to be moderately careful not to drain his power too much, until things are clear. But without their master to provide support, it's just a matter of time--a robot here, a blast of water there, and soon the zombies are laid back to rest.

"Hey, Boss, I'm good down here, and coming up with a present for you. I trust you've got that hot mess of robo-demons under control up there, but if not, I'll be glad to assist." With that, he clicks off the radio.

Crouching down, he grabs the frozen Geist by the ankles, and drags her across the floor back towards the elevator, metal head scraping on the concrete floors of the control room. "I should feel bad about this. I mean, 'I have no mouth, yet I must scream,' is supposed to be the ultimate bad guy move, but for some reason, I just can't work up the energy. Anyway, no more free-walking spirit for you, witch. I'm sure someone back at Castle Refuge can figure out how to send your soul where it belongs permanently; if not, well, you can stay in lockdown in some vault or something."

Stepping onto the elevator, he sends it back up to the top, to see what sort of carnage awaits.

[Jude Maverick]

Signature Move 27

Jude isn’t really a fighter. His “signature move” is his ability to talk his way out of situations.

+2 Renown
Persuasion [dice:2if997f7]61465:0[/dice:2if997f7]
Wild [dice:2if997f7]61465:1[/dice:2if997f7]
Ace [dice:2if997f7]61465:2[/dice:2if997f7]
Benny for Extra Effort+Elan [dice:2if997f7]61465:3[/dice:2if997f7] +2 Signature Move = 27

Sault St. Marie
Afternoon
Round 0

Jude scowled, not happy that Libertas was leaving Nicky with Lyboc. “Don’t be an idiot, Goggles. Give her a gun. She’s a better shot than me!” And did Libertas say Geist was here? But she was supposed to be dead! But Jude had other things to confront.

“I knew you were a fishy son of a bitch,” Jude growled at Jack as he advanced with his demon honor guard. “I found you dead after your unit attacked us. Stay down, mom,” he warned. He didn’t know who this ancestral Maverick was, but he’d obviously not finished the job.

“Get the Proseks over here, Mom. Is there a safe room nearby?” Jude asked. “I can teleport us there.” He clicked his Nike Airs together to warm up the teleporters embedded in the shoes.

“And if you think I’m letting you near my baby sister, you’re even more stupid than I thought.” Jude lifted the pistol with the U rounds and aimed it at Jack, even as he activated the mystical choker at his neck, imbuing his words with sweet, sweet power to compel “Now why don’t you all just line up nicely so I can kill you all with one bullet?” And Jude pulled the trigger.

Mission Objectives

***

Character Tracker

Jude Maverick Character Sheet
Parry: 6; Toughness: 17 (8 natural, +1 duster, 4 armor, 4 personal force field [nonmagical attacks only, ignores AP)
You Know What to Do: During the first round of combat you gain and extra card draw and +2 to your trait rolls, +2 damage, +2 pace (stacks with a joker).
Battle Hardened: +2 Soak
Brave: +2 Fear
Common Bond: Share bennies
Danger Sense: -2 to detect ambushes
Elan: +2 when spending Bennies
Hard to Kill: When making rolls for Incapacitation or death, ignore Wound modifiers
I Know a Guy
Strong Willed: 2 vs. Tests of Will
Trademark Weapon: +1 Shooting with JA-11
Healing Stone: 15/15 PPE
Armor: 15/15 PPE
Necklace: 15/15 PPE
Nike Airs: Teleport/Teleport Others (K. Electronics roll)
Rifle Ammo: 59 (Spare clips: 2 x 20; 1 x 16; 2 x 30; 2 x 60)
Pistol Ammo: 16 (Spare clips: 2 x 16)
Bennies: 6/7

[Cantrell]

Shooting 18

Shooting is 1d12+8, -2 Scene modifier, +2 Signature move

Shooting [dice:24vkkwas]61522:0[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 1 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:1[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 2 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:2[/dice:24vkkwas]

Benny to Reroll + Elan

Shooting [dice:24vkkwas]61522:3[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 1 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:4[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 2 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:5[/dice:24vkkwas]

Benny to Reroll + Elan
Shooting [dice:24vkkwas]61522:6[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 1 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:7[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 2 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:8[/dice:24vkkwas]

One more Benny just for fun:
Shooting [dice:24vkkwas]61522:9[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 1 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:10[/dice:24vkkwas]
Wild 2 [dice:24vkkwas]61522:11[/dice:24vkkwas]

As the fighting inside the "chapel" intensifies, Cantrell finds herself back-to-back with none other than Emperor Prosek. Even as the dictator himself urges her on to help fight the demons, Cantrell finds herself locked into a battle with her own cybernetics, as some outside force tries to bend her bionic enhancements to its will.

"Come on ... do it!" the demon Zaza whispers in her ear, as Cantrell's weapon moves toward the Emperor's unprotected back. Her finger clenches around the trigger. “Fire now ...”

For a moment, Cantrell thinks about giving in. But after all that brainwashing and indoctrination, her months with the 13th and the fight against Geist and all the others have taught her one thing: She is her own master. No amount of magic, programming or timey-wimey bullshit is going to change that.

"Fuck. You. In. Your. Stupid. Fucking. Face," she says, as Zaza moves close enough for her to spit in its alien maw.

Cantrell screams, focusing all of her will into the Red Gauntlet and the temporal lodestone mounted there. The stone flares, blindingly white, as incandescent fire spreads up her arm, seeming to penetrate through her armor and into her body, where the energy runs along the wires and artificial synapses implanted under the skin, burning it away, replacing the cybernetics with pure magic.

Whatever control Zaza had maintained falls away as Cantrell leaps into action. A quick shoves moves the Emperor out of harm's way without disrupting his aim as Cantrell's hand goes to the pistol loaded with U-rounds that's mysteriously made its way into her holster. Fire from the Red Gauntlet engulfs the gun as she swings it around the room, firing shot after shot, each expertly aimed.

Fate Cannot Hide as She Who Fights Monsters spreads destruction like a farmer scattering seeds. And even in a Crapsack World like this, Cantrell manages to ride the razor's edge between death and life.

She knows the fire burning through her veins won't last forever, but while it does she spins like a dervish through battle, dropping demons with her fiery, glowing gun. Soon, the tide of battle brings her back to Zaza. Ducking low, she tumbles between the demon's legs before climbing its back, pistol cocked as she whispers in its ear this time:

"Somebody didn't do their homework before trying to take over the world. Didn't anyone tell you what happens when you try to fuck with the 13th?"

[Pender Lumkiss]

Aftermath...

The dust settled and the screams died... Screams of demons at least. The sleepy town of Ste Saulte Marie was eventually returned to normal and the CS special force unit, called the 13th, were raised as faceless heroes the territories over.

The team was not arrested perse but asked very strongly by the emporer to remain at the lake side guest house for a couple of days while a CS rapid deployment RGIS team tended to the disposal of the demons. Robot Geist was left in the care of Libertas with a team of specialists, called the Trouble Shooters, from the tomorrow legion enroute to collect the inert form of one of the most notorious villains the 13th had ever faced.

Llyboc was sitting in one of the over sized chairs smoking a cigar. He looked at the 13th, as well as Poppy, Nicole Maverick, and Lady Viggo. He ruefully smiled looking at his electronic pad, “It seems you have all created a national holiday. And... And I have been discharged from service. So what now? You kill me? Or perhaps we work together?”

Nici hugged Jude having to go but also wanting to say the good by she never got, “Oh Judy... I am so proud of my big bro...” She gave Jude a punch on the shoulder, playful and kind like when they were little, “The Emporer still gave me my commission. He is sending a car for me any minute now. But... But I just wanted to say, say to you all... Thank you.” She laughed, “Thanks for keeping my bro safe, hehe.” She glanced out the window knowing time was short and precious, “But in all serious... If you need anything you can count on me. I am a Captain now.”

Poppy tussled the Newly minted captains hair with a soft manicured claw. The two of them had become close in the moments after the laser smoke settled. Nici had been shot in the upper chest, not only was poppy a baker but she had spent some time as a felid medic during the Tolkeen war. She not only saved Nici, but even with just her tail, some copper wire, and a tube of cake icing stabilized Lexi Colton! Poppy was in a good mood having just made sure folks had the best flapjacks ever, “Aww little girl. You take care.” The grackle frowned thinking for a moment, “I swore I would never leave the bakery for anything. But... You guys... If you are forming a team, I might not be a hero like you all, but damn if I’ll let you go out into the world on an empty stomach.” A tear strolled down her face.

Llyboc stifled a chuckle at the emotional grackle, and lady Viggo chided him in the ribs with a pointed fish elbow. She cleared her throat, ”I seem to remember a floating, invisible mountain hovering just outside Dweomer... Sounds like a perfect new base of operations.” She frowned looking at some spindly artifacts, and helm clutched in her hands, “The captain of the Air ship Morose gave me a way to contact him. I could ask him to brimg Lucretia there, and then...” She touched libertas’ arm, “We could go from there.” The moment She touched Libertas’ arm he felt an electrified surge of happiness. Not nessesarily from himself but from his lady fish friend as if he could intuitively feel her feelings.

Llyboc was about to chime in when an abrupt knock at the door sounded. He instead hurriedly opened the door...
Emporer Prosek Sr and Jude’s mother in tow were revealed. The Emperor was dressed in a solid black military dress uniform highlighted with dark gold buttons and red shoulder frills. Jude’s mom wore an elegant yet simple dark grey dress. Jude caught a slight proud smile escape her mother’s stoic face.

Llyboc started, “Joseph...”

The Emporer raised his hand cutting him off, “Not now Terrance... I just wanted to get a good look for myself at the people...” He glanced at Cantrell, “What did you say to the demons? The 13th...” He turned to head back to the car quickly joined by his honor gaurd but paused for half a second, “Our scientists discovered something interesting... Underneath all that Demon flesh and arcane energies... Electronics unlike we have ever seen. Some kind of ultra sophisticated robotics Merged with arcane and demonic principles that have my tech division up late at night. And not because they are excited, but because they are very afraid.”

Jude’s mom turn to follow as well, but she took in her son and allies for one last time. She whispered, “Thank you...”

Before she could say anything more Prosek called beckoning her, “Director if you please.”

Llyboc shut the door a d settled back into the chair pickimg his stoggie up, “Where are my manners? Anyonse else.” He held up a fistful of cigars, “So what now? Seems like there might be a base we can use... This mountain. Would your tomorrow legion superiors let you free to run independent mission with loose ties to their organization, and the CS...”

Nicole piped up gathering her things, “Oh don’t forget the Black Market. I am pretty sure Big Mikey owes you guys.”

Lady Viggo nodded, “Even the city of Dewormer owes you. As well as the burgeoning city of Gloom.”

Llyboc chuckled, “What do you say? The only thing to ever change the world has been a small group of like minded individuals...” Poppies tail handed him a platter of champaign and glasses. “You might have started out working for the tomorrow legion, but what will you do now? Go home to Stormspire, back to the CS? Continue back to the castle? Retire? Or do we here and now form a brigade to defend the future?” He raised a glass of the bubble as did the rest of the allies in the room.

A lot of people said a lot of things about Terrance Llyboc. Little is known of him after his last moments with the 13th of the tomorrow legion. Did he die there in that house? Did he inspire the 13th to a new chapter? This is your chance to give some kind of indication of what you wanted to do next in the life of your character. Perhaps one day we will explore these fantastic characters again and their next stage of their lives. On a peraonal note: This has been such a fun group to run. Thank you for all the engine block, tail romance, and trail of dead ex lovers. I have enjoyed laughing and cheering you all on in this wild ride. Thank you again from the bottom of my heart.

[Libertas Magicum]

Libertas considers the roads before him. "Well, I don't think I can stay here very long." His tail flicked around, holding the patch it had swiped off one of the honor-guard's uniform. "Dunno if the rest of you saw it, but Empy-Pro was doing everything he could to not look at the tail while he was here. Pretty sure if I overstay my welcome, there would be an attempt to have some sort of 'accident' arranged, and then I'd have to cut a swathe of bloody vengeance through the CS elite."

He chuckles, shaking his head. "So I think for me, it's a two-part trip. First thing, get this--" Here, he dismissively kicks robo-Geist. "--back to Refuge for safekeeping. Then, yes, to Dweomer, possibly on to Stormspire after that. Pretty sure I can write my own ticket there, now, and... well, Crystal, Lady V. and I probably have some talking to do." He and Lady V. share a brief, awkward glance--yeah, that's gonna be an interesting conversation.

He clears his throat and turns to Cantrell and Jude, then, directly. "That doesn't mean you two are totally rid of me." He twirls the Valent Blade on one finger, the edge of the blade cutting light in a fashion that's almost painful to look too closely at. "At a moment's notice, Boss, you send a word, and I'll rip a hole in space-time to be at your side."

Then he turns to Lyboc, and glowers darkly. "As for you... What I want to do is not just kill you, Lyboc, but kill you and then drag you back from the grave, a few dozen times over." His tail brings the staff up behind himself, radiating the purple-green-black energy it runs on. For just a moment, it looks like he's seriously going to carry through on that threat. Then he draws a breath, sighs, and lowers the staff, the eldritch glow fading. "But unfortunately, I've got something bigger to worry about--I suspect that that sort of activity, no matter how deserved, would feed Geist's shriveled excuse for a soul, and I don't want her waiting til I've worn myself out before she pops up for another round. So unless Cantrell wants to put a uranium round in your skull, you get to live another day. It's not a pardon, mind you--just a reprieve. Don't sleep too easy, you sack of rhino-buffalo-shit."

Turning away again, he looks back at his companions. The last three, of so many..... "So, what about you two. You would, of course, be welcome to come along to Stormspire, but I'm not sure it's really either of your ideas of a great place to settle down."

OOC Comments

Goddamn, guys, it's been a helluva run. Jon, I have to thank you for an amazing time. Tribe, Matthew, this has been fantastic. Thank you all for that. And yes, Jon, if you ever want to run a "Legends of the 13th" one-shot, or whatever, just let me know.

[Cantrell]

After a couple days of what amounted to house arrest, Cantrell figures she might as well have a polite smile tattooed on her face, to save muscle strain. As the offers of future employment or partnership come in, her responses are politely non-committal: "Mmmm, that would be interesting. Lots of possibilities. We'll see."

The idea of going back to the Legion, or working for the Coalition, after everything that's happened just seems ... quaint? She can't quite process the idea and truth be told, isn't quite sure she's up for it.

A couple of rounds of medical scans confirm what she'd known as Zaza lay dead at her feet and the blue fire faded from her fist: the arcane flames summoned by the Red Gauntlet had burned through her body and incinerated every last fiber of cybernetics implanted there. The bone lacing, the wired reflexes, the skilljacks and neuro-mesh network -- every bit is gone, with not a sliver of scar tissue to show it had ever been inside her.

Funny thing is, she doesn't feel diminished in the slightest. Her reaction time isn't any slower, and she can still shoot the nuts off a housefly from across the yard ... but the jumpiness is gone. Whatever the fire had burned away, it had left something in its place. She has a feeling if she ran into a Dog Pack now, they'd be howling like a pack of hyenas with migraines.

During those final days in the safehouse with Libertas and Jude, Poppy, Llyboc and the rest, she thinks about all the bullets they've dodged together. Dark futures avoided, temporal disasters undone. Saving the fucking universe, sometimes twice in a week. Most of that time, she'd been sure she wouldn't make it out alive. The idea of putting together a new team and doing it all again seems ... exhausting. Instead, her thoughts keep returning to the few brief moments of rest and relaxation they managed to grab amid the chaos, to past lovers and old friends scattered across the multiverse.

When it comes time to choose a destination -- Castle Refuge or Stormspire? Gloom, Dweomer or one of the satellite safehouses connected to Camp K? -- she just shakes her head, the polite smile replaced by something more wistful and honest.

"Thanks, but no thanks. Maybe down the road a ways ... or maybe not at all. At the moment, the only road I want to walk leads to some extended R&R," she says. "First up is a return to that Witchwell Inn for a massage and a fresh supply of those bath bombs. Then ... I don't know. Maybe find a beach somewhere warm, where I don't have to wear my armor and don't have to shoot anything besides whiskey. Hell, if I find someone pretty enough I might just settle down to make some babies."

She makes the rounds for hugs, handshakes and goodbyes. Even Llyboc earns a farewell -- as well as a warning that if she ever sees him again, she'll use his extremities for target practice. Then she shoulders her pack and heads for the door.

She stops in the threshold, turning to look over her shoulder.

"Well, what do you say, Maverick? You coming?" she says with one arched eyebrow. "You never know ... you play your cards right, you might even get lucky."

[Jude Maverick]

Sault St. Marie
Afternoon
Round 0

“I suggest you just find somewhere to enjoy a long retirement, Lyboc,” Jude told the man coolly. “Well away from us.” He sighed. “Fuck. But if you need me, because, like, the world is ending, I guess you can call.”

Jude hugged his mother tightly. “I’m so sorry...about dad…” he said, his voice choked.

“I’ll...be okay,” his mother said.

Jude hugged his sister as well. “Don’t get shot down, Nicci,” he said.

“As if!” she said, returning the tight hug.

“Sorry about Jack.”

“Yeah,” Nicci said, more subdued. “But, hey, I’ve still got Lexi.”

Jude stared at his sister. “You...and Lexi?”

Nicci looked a little embarrassed. “Well…”

Jude shook his head. “I don’t even want to think about you picking up my old girlfriends!”

Nicci grinned. “You aren’t the only one with a silver tongue.”

Jude laughed. “I guess it runs in the family.”

It looked like Libertas was taking off. “Make sure Lucretia’s taken care of. Let me know when she’s better.”

Jude looked to Cantrell.

"Well, what do you say, Maverick? You coming?" she says with one arched eyebrow. "You never know ... you play your cards right, you might even get lucky."

Jude grinned. “I think you mean you might get lucky, Cantrell,” he said with a wink. He grabbed up his gear and turned to follow the mercenary. When they opened the door to the safe house to leave, Jude stopped short, staring.

A young woman stood there. She was tall, gorgeous, with long, flowing, red hair and brilliant emerald eyes. Just a hint of freckles scattered across a pert nose. Her figure was slim, but very feminine, and her voice was liquid gold heavy with a Quebecois accent.

“Bonjour, mon tresor,” the woman said, her eyes locked on Jude.

“Michelle…” Jude whispered her name. “I...I…” For once, the silver-tongued vagabond was speechless.

And then she was in his arms, kissing him. Jude held her tightly, caressing that silken, scarlet hair.

“Oh, mon tesor!” Michelle said, as Jude kissed away her tears. “I have left heem. I saw you at wedding, and you steel ‘ave my ‘eart,” she said between kisses.

“But...but…” Jude couldn’t wrap his mind around it. Was Michelle really his? The only woman who held his heart, his love? “But you can’t,” Jude said, pushing Michelle away. It hurt so bad. It was the hardest thing he had ever done. “I am still wanted. I can’t put you through that! I can’t give you the life you deserve!”

Michelle beamed. She reached into her bodice and produced a paper, handing it over. “The Emperor pardoned you!” she said. “And I ‘ave plenty of credits. I go anywhere you go,” she vowed.

Jude stared at the paper, then at the love of his life. He swallowed.

“Nicci? You did pay for that priest, right? Seems to me he owes you a wedding…” Jude looked over at Nadya. “Sorry, Cantrell,” he said. Then paused. “Well, unless…” He looked at Michelle.

The French Canadian pouted, and gave Jude a slap. “She can join us after the honeymoon,” the redhead said.

Jude laughed and kissed her again. “I know this nice little town called Silver Bluff we can settle in.”

“Eet zounds wonderful!”

***

Mission Objectives

***

Character Tracker

Jude Maverick Character Sheet
Parry: 6; Toughness: 17 (8 natural, +1 duster, 4 armor, 4 personal force field [nonmagical attacks only, ignores AP)
You Know What to Do: During the first round of combat you gain and extra card draw and +2 to your trait rolls, +2 damage, +2 pace (stacks with a joker).
Battle Hardened: +2 Soak
Brave: +2 Fear
Common Bond: Share bennies
Danger Sense: -2 to detect ambushes
Elan: +2 when spending Bennies
Hard to Kill: When making rolls for Incapacitation or death, ignore Wound modifiers
I Know a Guy
Strong Willed: 2 vs. Tests of Will
Trademark Weapon: +1 Shooting with JA-11
Healing Stone: 15/15 PPE
Armor: 15/15 PPE
Necklace: 15/15 PPE
Nike Airs: Teleport/Teleport Others (K. Electronics roll)
Rifle Ammo: 59 (Spare clips: 2 x 20; 1 x 16; 2 x 30; 2 x 60)
Pistol Ammo: 16 (Spare clips: 2 x 16)
Bennies: 6/7