The Dynasty: A Macabre Nativity, Issue 5 "And With Towers Girded 'Round"
- by Bard

When We Last Left Our Heroes: Having teamed up with the nanotech Nova, the Architect, the group returned from the Pub to the compound, angry over the information that Frost had not given them. Demanding another interrogation of the prisoner, they also learned much about the mysterious aliens, "The Coalition", who inhabit the alternate universe through the Architet's reading of a disk of alien information. Upon further interrogation of the prisoner, very little information was gained, and a confrontation with Frost has finally lead to a march to the armoury to arm themselves for their trip. The Dynasty is ready for war.

Player Situation: We got the most people here for a game yet! Good job, folks! Regretably, Rez's player was unable to make it, as he was called away from home during the game. As Rez was a fairly major part of this Issue, I'm awarding him a bit of XP anyway. I hope that I ran the character true to what his player expected.

<ChenMuYi> Its about time you gave us something worth while, Frost. This armoury is impressive
* JennyArtemis lights a fag and blows out smoke in a puff of scorn.
<JennyArtemis> "Mr. Frost, we need to have a chat..."
<the_Architect> Would I be correct in assuming that the technology available to us here is strictly conventional in nature?
<NicholasFrost> "Indeed, Detective Inspector."
* JennyArtemis glances around at all the weapons and chuckles bitterly.
* ChenMuYi walks down the rows of weapons, inspecting each one closely
<NicholasFrost> "Indeed, Nagashima-san. Though we do have quite a variety. Help yourselves.
<NicholasFrost> "
* NicholasFrost gestures down the hall
<NicholasFrost> "This way, Detective Inspector."
<JennyArtemis> "How very bloody 'Matrix'..."
* Rex_Mundi just stands there, waiting.
<JennyArtemis> "Right."
* ChenMuYi turns to Architect
* NicholasFrost heads off down the hallway towards his office
<Rex_Mundi> This is very impressive, yes? But I do not need these.
* the_Architect follows Chen Mu Yi. "What do you recommend, Mister Yi?"
* Spectrum walks down the hall from the elevator, towards the weapons room. He's still wearing the polo-shirt and slacks.
<ChenMuYi> Architect, how extensive would you say is your knowledge of firearms?
* the_Architect holds up her right hand, and seams appear in the surface of her skin. The panels then pull back under the surface of her arm, as the same black tendrils that infiltrated Frost's computer disk flash with green energy across their larger circuit pathways and flow outward into the form of an AK-47. 1 "Adequate."
<Spectrum> "Good day, folks. I see Frost opened up the armoury." He looks to the Architect, "Ah, you must be Ms.Nagashima....fascinating."
<ChenMuYi> I see. May I suggest that burdening yourself with anything here would be a waste of time?
* Rex_Mundi keeps a few paces behind Mr. Yi and The Architect
<ChenMuYi> And where have you been keeping yourself?
<the_Architect> "I had foreseen that possibility."
<Spectrum> "Frost had me fly some reconnaisance. I also needed to pick up a few things."
* the_Architect allows the gun-arm to revert to its normal form, and the synthetic skin returns to its normal texture.
* ChenMuYi picks up to Uzis and twirls them deftly in either hand before holstering them on either side of the inner lining of his trenchcoat.
* Rex_Mundi looks Spectrum over
<Rex_Mundi> Hello my friend! I believe we were not introduced!
* the_Architect crosses her arms and turns to the new arrival.
<Spectrum> "Actually, we met a few hours ago. I complimented you on your skills as an Elite."
* Spectrum holds up a Glock 9mm, sights down it. "I haven't used one of these in years."
<Rex_Mundi> "Why yes! I forgot. You could not come down with us for food. I am sorry that was not possible."
* ChenMuYi ignores his temates and straps on two badoliers of grenades
* Spectrum puts the Glock down and touches his belt buckle. His clothe suddenly slide like water, rippling. A glow burns in his chest, becoming a glowing energy starburst over a black suit of Eufiber covering him from neck to toes.
<Rex_Mundi> "So, how does the situation look?"
* ChenMuYi turns to Spectrum "Where did you acquire that colony?"
<the_Architect> We are to invade a hostile parallel world that rejoices over the deaths of our superheroic native counterparts.
<Rex_Mundi> "Da, I know that much already. I was there when we heard that before."
<Spectrum> "Picked it up during a mission in Asia."
* Spectrum blinks
<Spectrum> You're...kidding me.
* ChenMuYi continues to make like a pack mule, putting away hundreds of rounds of various types of ammo
<the_Architect> "Unfortunately, that is all I know for certain."
* Rex_Mundi laughs
<Rex_Mundi> "Friend, it is no joke."
<Spectrum> ...interesting. Well, I suppose it's just one more thing to think about. Incidentally...how did we die?
<the_Architect> "Please excuse me for a moment, this may be visually... disturbing."
* ChenMuYi addresses Spectrum without looking up "Apparently, our opponents dropped a warship on our heads as a last ditch effort"
<Spectrum> Overkill much. Hmm. That was a variable I would have liked to have been told of.
* the_Architect walks ten meters away from the group, then retracts the synthetic skin from her entire body, allowing her nanoimplement strands to tear apart and rework the material of her business suit into a green kimono with black and gold trim and a slightly modified cut to allow for ease of motion.
<ChenMuYi> To say the least. We had to di for that tidbit /me glances at Frost
* NicholasFrost is in his office with Jenny
* Spectrum looks at the Architect with an interested gaze
* the_Architect returns to the group. "This should be more tactically effective."
<ChenMuYi> Most certainly
<Spectrum> Indeed
* ChenMuYi finishes lokking new clips of ammo into all of his weapons
<ChenMuYi> I am prepared
<the_Architect> "As am I, from a physical perspective."
<Spectrum> I'm as armed as I'll ever be.
<ChenMuYi> Did Detective Inspector Artemis make mention of why she wanted to talk to Frost?
<Rex_Mundi> "I was waiting for you. Shall we go?"
<ChenMuYi> Time is wasting
<Spectrum> I saw Mr.Strathmour down the hall in the labs. They were showing him some computer screens and various bits of technology
<the_Architect> "I do not believe I have met him yet."
* ChenMuYi gets to Frost's office, and waits for a few moments before entering
* NicholasFrost is speaking with Jenny, sitting behind his desk
<Spectrum> He's...interesting. Australian. I've heard a few things about him. Very adventurous type. Teleporter.
<the_Architect> "Singular capability, or is he able to bring others with him?"
<Spectrum> I think he can create warp gates and play with space. Interesting stuff.

Meanwhile, in Frost's office, the mysterious patron of the Dynasty and Jenny Artemis talk...

* NicholasFrost sits down behind his desk
* JennyArtemis folds her arms across her chest and screws her lips to the side thoughtfully.
* JennyArtemis glances down at him and leans over the top of his desk to stare at him.
<NicholasFrost> "Yes, Detective Inspector?"
<JennyArtemis> "Alright. You're a right bastard, and I'm a bitch. Agreed?"
<NicholasFrost> "Agreed."
<JennyArtemis> "Good. Now that this is out of the way, maybe you and me can make some progress, wot?"
<NicholasFrost> "Indeed. What do you want to know?"
<JennyArtemis> "I wanna know about the people I'm gonna be workin' with, then. The need to know stuff. Powers, skills, talents, that sort of thing."
<JennyArtemis> "I also need to know who's gonna lead this caper."
<NicholasFrost> "To your second question. You are, Detective Inspector."
<NicholasFrost> "As to your teammates abilities, allow me to explain."
<JennyArtemis> "please do."
<NicholasFrost> "Mr.Carpenter's Nova abilities give him mastery over the entire electromagnetic force. He can fly, vapourize city blocks with a glance, lift upwards in the range of 20 tons with his bare hands, that sort of thing. Generally, if Caestus Pax can do it, then so can Carpenter."
<NicholasFrost> "He can also produce and recieved radio, microwave, and laser transmissions."
* NicholasFrost outlines the powers, roughly, of the rest of the Dynasty: The Architect's body is made of Quantum charged, shapeshifting nanotech, as well as being cyberkinetic and one of the most intelligent Novas on the planet. Rex Mundi is nigh-invulernable, capable of lifting some 20+ tons, and can control the movements of the Earth's tectonic plates by force of will. Rez can teleport nearly any amount of mass as far as around the orbit of Pluto in a single jump, can open warp gates up to some 10+ kilometers in width, and as well can play with space in several interesting, untested ways. Finally, Chen Mu Yi is the ultimate killing machine, unstoppable, untrouble my a consience or moral compass, and capable of taking out low powered Novas and baseline troops in a matter of seconds.
<NicholasFrost> "Any other questions?"
* JennyArtemis nods thoughtfully, absorbing the info.
<JennyArtemis> "So...when were you gonna spring it on me that I was s'posed t'be the leader, then?"
<NicholasFrost> "I had assumed that you'd read your file that listed your position as Team Leader."
<JennyArtemis> "'Kinnell..."
<JennyArtemis> "So, my word goes, then. No questions? No silly buggers?"
<NicholasFrost> "I think you have enough of a reputation that they shouldn't misbehave. Mind you, each of the members of your team have their own specialties. I suggest you listen to them when their area of expertise comes up."
<JennyArtemis> "Oh, indeed."
<JennyArtemis> "Then of course, there's the small matter of intel."
<NicholasFrost> "Indeed."
<JennyArtemis> "I assume you have tactical and strategic info, even bloody general assumptions that might prove useful."
<NicholasFrost> "We have maps and the like. Nagashima-san should be able to tell you more."

* ChenMuYi walks down the halls to Frost's office
* ChenMuYi knocks on the door of Frost's office "May I enter?"
* JennyArtemis turns around toward the door and curses.
<NicholasFrost> "Come in."
* ChenMuYi enters Frost's office, closing the door behind him
<JennyArtemis> "if the palmtops aren't a problem...?"
<JennyArtemis> "Good. We'll need those maps, then. I'd also like to have six palmtops netlinked to eachother and uploaded with the info. if that's not too much for your people..."
<NicholasFrost> "The palmtops would work, however we may also be able to fit you up with Eubfiber headsets that run off your own Qunatum energies for power. We have maps and the like. Nagashima-san should be able to tell you more.""
<ChenMuYi> The rest of the team is equipped, we merely await word to start
* JennyArtemis stares at Yi and chuckles. "Arsenal much, luv?"
<NicholasFrost> "Excellent. Move down to the labs. Mr.Strathmor is waiting there with the scientists and ready to create a gate."
* Rex_Mundi looks around
* JennyArtemis nods at Frost. "That'll do nicely."
<the_Architect> "That should be a great assistance to our mission. Where can we find him?"
* NicholasFrost just said that Rez was down at the labs
<ChenMuYi> Ill escort the others. See you in a while
* Rex_Mundi waits with relative patience for Yi's return
* ChenMuYi exits Frosts office and returns to the others
<JennyArtemis> "Hold on, Yi!"
* ChenMuYi spins on his heels
<NicholasFrost> "By the way...the technicians do have something else for each of you."
<ChenMuYi> Yes?
<ChenMuYi> The headsets and the palm tops?
<Rex_Mundi> "This is taking alot of time, is it not?"
<JennyArtemis> "How are you at range, luv? Sniper-style?"
<ChenMuYi> What would you think?
<NicholasFrost> "The labs are just down the hallway, the doors marked 'Propulsion Lab'."
<ChenMuYi> Im an expert marksman at any range, Detective Inspector
* JennyArtemis nods and winks. "Then go and get yourself a high calibur sniper weapon. preferably a barret .50"
<the_Architect> "Thank you. Shall we go?"
<JennyArtemis> "They have a bullpup config for the bloody thing. Should be easy to lug around, broken down. And you shouldn't have a problem assembling it."
<ChenMuYi> I wouldnt think so. Is there anything else before I leave?
* the_Architect walks calmly in the direction Spectrum indicated, looking for the propulsion lab.
* Rex_Mundi moves over to see what is taking Yi
* Spectrum walks down the hall, followed by the Architect
* ChenMuYi returns to the armoury and retrieves a .50 caliber sniper rifle, and then walks in the direction of the Propulsion lab.
<Rex_Mundi> "My friends, why are you taking so much time?"
* Rex_Mundi stops, turns around midstep, and hurries after Yi
* ChenMuYi passes the others in the hall,"Follow me, this way"
<the_Architect> "Very well."
* JennyArtemis is satisfied and follows the others to the Propulsion Lab.
* ChenMuYi walks to the Propulsion Lab with the others in tow
* ChenMuYi takes a position in the furthermost corner of the lab, where he can see anything/one that comes through the door.
* The group reaches the lab and is greeted with the sight of a HUGE, cavernous room full of equipment. Standing in the middle is Rez, decked out in several different pieces of blinking technology while various technicians fiddle with it. He has an infinity symbol clipped to his hat and is wearing a green and black jumpsuit with another infity symbol on the breast.
* the_Architect wanders around the room, studying various gadgets.
* Rex_Mundi looks around the lab
* The technicians head over to the group, handing each member, save Spectrum and the Architect, a package. It appears to be...Eufiber. Fully charged Eufiber.
* Rex_Mundi laughs; "Wow, this is almost as large as some caves I've seen."
* Rex_Mundi looks at his package
<Rex_Mundi> "Ah, the rubber suits."
<JennyArtemis> "Eufiber, is it?"
<NicholasFrost> "Indeed. Straight from Buendia, though our technians have woven armor and power cells for your communication strips into it."
* Technians hand each member a mobius strip as well. It's made of a light metal with eufiber circuitry.
* JennyArtemis glances around. "All you blokes turn around, will ya?"
* Rex_Mundi attunes his Eufiber to himself
<ChenMuYi> You have extensive connections
* Rex_Mundi turns around
* JennyArtemis holds up the package. "Where are the bloody instructions on this stuff, then...?"
* Rex_Mundi starts putting on his eufiber uniform
* the_Architect continues examining the device in front of her. "I am listening."
<Technician> "Uh, you just put it on like a jumpsuit, Detective Inspector. Then you think about how you want it to look. It's psychoreactive."
* Rex_Mundi attaches his mobius strip
<JennyArtemis> "Fine, then. Turn your bloody head." Jenny pulls off her coat and begins to strip.
* ChenMuYi had donned his Eufiber before anyone had a chance to see him change. He looks exactly the same, save for the Mobius Strip on his chest
* JennyArtemis pulls on the eufiber sheath, thinking immediately how foolish she looks.
* Rex_Mundi zips up his military-style uniform.
* Rex_Mundi still has bare feet, however
* ChenMuYi has his back turned, but grins slightly
<Rez> Eh, mates! These folks are daggy as a sheep in traffic, but this tech is pretty ace!
* Rez watches Jenny undress
* JennyArtemis 's suit immediately shifts into a pair of jeans and a sleeveless tee shirt with an infinity symbol on it.
* JennyArtemis socks Rez in the jaw...playfully...
* JennyArtemis glances harshly at anyone who might be peeking.
* the_Architect affixes the communications device to her left shoulder.
* Rez grins, "Eh, Sheila. What say we get to this sos we can be back for some avos an dead horse, eh?"
* JennyArtemis stares at Rez blankly for several long seconds.
* the_Architect also turns to stare at the Australian.
* Rex_Mundi looks, puzzled, at Rez
<Rex_Mundi> "What?"
<Technician> "We're about ready to go, Mr.Frost. Mr.Strathmor, you should be able to pass back into this dimension once you're through. Just be careful, you'll teleport back into the direct correlation with our world. Thankfully the planets are on the same spin cycle, so you shouldn't end up in the middle of the earth or deep space....we hope."
<Rez> Why don't we get goin' so we can be back for dinner?
<ChenMuYi> For your sake, you had best be correct
<Spectrum> Hmm. This is, of course, assuming we all live through this endeavour.
<ChenMuYi> We will be arrivingat these exact coordinates on the other world?
<Rex_Mundi> "I will come back and give you a very big correction if we end up in space."
<JennyArtemis> 'We'll live through it. Don't get over ambitious. And Listen to what I say."
<Technician> "Well, we've spoken with Mr.Strathmor. He's going to teleport you the mile above ground while you're in transit. It'll be tricky, but he's assured us he's capable of it."
<the_Architect> "Certainly."
<Spectrum> So...who's in charge here, anyway?
<JennyArtemis> "I am, kiddies."
* Rex_Mundi glances at the "Boss Lady"
* Rez blinks, "Eh! Didn't mean nothin by those first remarks, sheila! Bobs your uncle, eh?"
<Rex_Mundi> "I think that will work."
<the_Architect> "I have no particular objection."
* Operation: Dynasty technicians give everyone a quick rundown of how to use the communication strips, how to access the map overlays for their suits, and some quick other words on the various other things the stuff does.
* NicholasFrost steps forwards, "Well. It looks like after much chatter we're finally ready to get underway. You men and women are Earth's best hope of survival. God's speed."
<JennyArtemis> "Spectrum...I want you up in the air at high angel when we arrive. You'll be our eyes."
<the_Architect> "Can anyone else maintain flight?"
<Spectrum> Alright.
<JennyArtemis> "Yi, get wierd for me, luv."
<Rex_Mundi> "I will drop like a rock. But it won't hurt me much."
<ChenMuYi> Excuse me?
* Rex_Mundi takes up his vodka flask
<Rex_Mundi> "Anyone want a swig? For good luck."
<JennyArtemis> "Yi, go stealth. Keep out of sight, but stay on the air. You're gonna be moving off of our vector once we establish it. About twenty or thirty meters. Whatever you feel comfy and invisible with."
<the_Architect> "I do not drink. Fluids."
<ChenMuYi> Luck is for fools. If we win, it will be through cunning and skill. IF we win
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, you have the ability to scan for transmissions and network signals?"
<the_Architect> "Certainly."
<JennyArtemis> "Good, Keiko. I want you on the air, monitoring. Make sure we know if anybody starts chatting about us."
<JennyArtemis> "Professor...Can i call you Rex?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Of course. Though all my friends call me André."
* the_Architect grows a miniature radio antenna array out of her shoulders. "Altitude would be helpful for my task. Would you like me to assume an airborne position as well?"
<JennyArtemis> "Andre. Good. I need you getting a lay of the land when we arrive. I want to know if anything deviates from our maps. You'll probably know more than our maps will anyhow, bunkers, structures, that sort of thing. I don't want us walking blindly into Barney without a warning."
* JennyArtemis adresses Keiko: "Can you fly?"
* the_Architect grows a set of directed thrust jet engines out of her back, with matching attitude control thrusters on her forearms and lower legs. "When I choose to."
* JennyArtemis smiles at her and lights a cigarette, "Then why'd you ask, luv?"
<the_Architect> "You have command. I thought you would appreciate the courtesy."
<Rex_Mundi> "Alright."
* ChenMuYi watches Jenny handle the command quietly
<JennyArtemis> "I do, Keiko."
<JennyArtemis> "Rez...Jono...heh. Make sure you keep a lock on all of us, and be ready to zap us back here if I give y'the say so."
<Rez> You got it, sheila.
* ChenMuYi adresses technicians "is there anything else you would like to add?"
<Technicians> Well...the visual overlay on the suits comes up by double tapping the communication strips. A single tap activates communication mode. Pressing down and repeating the codename of one of your teammates, or any number, puts you in a closed circuit transmission with them. The suit has all the maps we have, as well as pictures and interrogation transcripts.
<Technicians> That's about it. Err...good luck.
<Rez> Alright, then. Want me to shove off?
<ChenMuYi> What did I just say about luck?
<JennyArtemis> "Luck is not a factor, people. We're the Dynasty."
<ChenMuYi> Well said
* Spectrum chuckles and steps closer, "Couldn't have put it better myself."
* Rex_Mundi takes a swig from his flask and puts it back into his breast pocket
<Spectrum> "Now lets go kick some alien tail."
<JennyArtemis> "Let's be off, then."
<Rex_Mundi> "No reason to pass up good vodka."
<ChenMuYi> Tally forth
<the_Architect> "Ready."
* Rez nods and holds out his arms so that everyone is touching him. Bowing his head, he concentrates. The air around the group begins to do weird tricks to the eyes and then suddenly, with a woosh of air and the appearence of everyone sliding in every direction at once, they are gone from the room.
<Rex_Mundi> "When you are."

* The ride is bumpy. It's like moving through jello. There is no light, no sound, no air. They struggle to breath and then...suddenly...they are on the ground. The sun is bright in the sky over the parched earth, and the cloud cover is minimal. The rolling hills to either side are covered in dying trees and dust.

* The Dynasty stands in the ruins of a scientific facility, with broken concrete and steel walls to all sides and a single, dusty, ancient skeleton hanging off one blasted rampart.
* Rex_Mundi looks at the skeleton
<JennyArtemis> "Bloody brilliant..."
<Rex_Mundi> "Must have been rough on you, friend."
* Rex_Mundi silences
* the_Architect takes three steps away from the group and lifts off into the air, her engines emitting a dull roar. "Scanning."
<Rex_Mundi> "Ireland is under water."
* ChenMuYi runs thirty meters to find a proper sniper whole
<the_Architect> "As should be slightly less than half of England, according to the maps."
* Rex_Mundi cringes slightly as he starts pacing around the room
<Rex_Mundi> "More than that."
* In the distane, towards London-town, there is a huge plume of black smoke joined by several others. It blots out the sky in that direction, but the wind is with them so it's not overhead.
* The technology over Rez absorbs into his suit and he looks up into the sky. "Hell've a day for this, eh?"

* ChenMuYi has positioned himself on a high hill,where he assebles his sniper rifle and starts his patrol. He has also covered himself from head to toe in the dust that lies all around
<Spectrum> Do you want me airborne?
<the_Architect> "That smoke appears to be coming from some sort of central industrial complex. There are no indicators that we have been detected."
<JennyArtemis> "Yes, Spectrum."
* Spectrum begins to glow with a slight shimmering of energy and rockets skywards, hanging in the air and scanning around, his eyes aglow
* JennyArtemis stares at the plume with narrowed eyes. "Alright, let's move toward it folks."
<Spectrum> Spectrum to Jenny. I've got a visual on that factory the Architect was talking about. It's enormous, must be at least four or five miles in every direcction. There's not much else around."
* ChenMuYi removes the stand from his rifle, and heads back to the group
<JennyArtemis> "Any activity?"
<ChenMuYi> None for about ten miles
<ChenMuYi> Anything thats happening is happening at that complex
<Spectrum> "Nothing...wait. I'm getting some activity down there. Looks like they've got something airborne heading this way."
<JennyArtemis> "Right. Yi, keep an eye out for potential sniper roosts once we hit that facility."
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative
<JennyArtemis> "Something airbourne? A little more specific, maybe?"
* the_Architect turns to follow Spectrum's gaze. "All from Architect. Radio signal detected. Incoming scout craft investigating airborne contact. That would be us."
<Spectrum> "It looks like a ship of some sort...shit! I think they've spotted me!"
* Rex_Mundi starts moving out
* ChenMuYi draws his desert eagles
<Rez> "Want that I ought't move us out've here, sheila?"
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, go vertical. gain some angel, luv. Spectrum, take 'em up towards her. Keiko, prepare a surprise for them if they get naughty."
<the_Architect> "Affirmative."
<Spectrum> "Affirmative."
* the_Architect flies straight up at full speed. "Contact is climbing. Possibly preparing for bombing run."
* Spectrum rockets towards the ship, hovers, makes sure it's seen him. "Spectrum to Jenny, orders?"
<JennyArtemis> "Can you get an idea on their target?"
* Rex_Mundi tries to keep himself in cover while looking around for appropriate things to throw.
<Spectrum> "Looks like they're headed this way. They've got a direct on me..."
* The ship opens fire on Spectrum with some sort of energy cannon.
<JennyArtemis> "Jenny to Spectrum. Get them following you, but be quick. Don't let them have too good a look at you."
<JennyArtemis> "Take them up to Where Keiko's waiting."
* the_Architect assumes a stationary position two hundred feet above the scout craft and begins shaping her arms into some kind of large cannon.
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Jenny, bit late for that now, bosslady."
* Spectrum flies away from the ship, off to one side of the group to keep it away from the ruins.
<the_Architect> "Jenny. They've detected you on the ground as well."
<JennyArtemis> "Keikop, give him some cover fire. Spectrum, rip them open and see who's inside."
<JennyArtemis> "All from jenny, scatter and get some cover. ground clutter might help..."
<the_Architect> "They're firing."
<Spectrum> "Affirmative."
* "No kidding, Keiko!" Spectrum shouts over the wind as her reverses on the ship. FLying straight for them, he drags an energy charged hand along the top, slicing a solid piece out of it and grabbing the pilot straight out of the cockpit
* the_Architect launches a rain of magnetically-driven projectiles upon the scout craft. And another.
* ChenMuYi sprints for cover, leaping over a steel wall and taking it as protection
* The ship explodes in a rain of debris as Spectrum holds the bloodied alien in his fist
<Spectrum> "Spectrum to Jenny. He must have been attached to his ship somehow, I grabbed him and it ripped his limbs off. He's bleeding from ports on the back of his neck and torso."
<JennyArtemis> "Bloody magic."
<JennyArtemis> "gree bug eyed sod, is he?"
* the_Architect reverts her cannon to the earlier thrusters and flies down to Spectrum's position. 1 "Jenny from Architect. Shall I stop his bleeding, or just kill him?"
<Spectrum> "Actually...no. He looks almost human, except that he doesn't have any eyes. Bony carapace under his skin. Damn weird critter."
* Rex_Mundi surveys the area where he is
<JennyArtemis> "Stop his bleeding."
<JennyArtemis> "Let's move to some cover folks. We won't be alone much longer."
* Spectrum rockets back and brings the alien over to Keiko
<the_Architect> "Cancel that. Six more vessels approaching in attack formation. Also, we have been upgraded from a level twelve threat to level fifteen.
<ChenMuYi> I spotted a structure about 40 meters from here
<Rez> "Rez to Jenny. Eh, sheila, if they start flyin want me t' put em in orbit 'round Venus?"
<ChenMuYi> follow me
<ChenMuYi> Damn
<JennyArtemis> "Let's go."
* Rex_Mundi starts running after Yi, keeping himself covered as much as possible...
* JennyArtemis smiles at Jono. "That sounds nice."
* Rez teleports himself after Yi, making sure he flickers too fast to see.
* ChenMuYi dives behind the metal structure and readies his Desert eagles once more
* JennyArtemis Jenny moves in a flicker of blonde, dashing towards the structure.
* the_Architect turns from the prisoner and flies back down towards Jenny, leaving the prisoner bleeding in Spectrum's hands.
* JennyArtemis looks up to scan the skies for the vehicles.
* Six grey specks appear on the horizon
<the_Architect> "I will attempt to jam their transmissions."
<ChenMuYi> Jenny, I have an idea, but the timing has to be just so
* Rex_Mundi runs up to the metal building
<ChenMuYi> Can you trasnmute elements into other elements?
<JennyArtemis> "Yeah, Yi?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Shall I go inside and have a look?"<ChenMuYi> Gold to oxygen, that sort of thing?"
<JennyArtemis> "Of course, Yi."
* Rez looks up at the sky as the ships zoom towards them, there's only a few more seconds to act
<Rez> "Rez to Jenny, if you want it sheila, I gotta do it now!"
<JennyArtemis> "Do it."
<ChenMuYi> Transform the hull of the middle ship magnesium, and its keft wing oxygen!
* Two things happen at once as the ships come forwards and begin to fire. First, The Architect shifts her arms into radio dishes and completly bollocks' the ships communications. As they begin to fall out of formation, Rez looks up hard and grunts, opening a huge Warp gate in the ship's path. They don't pass out the other side.
* Rex_Mundi moves into a sheltered position near the building walls
* JennyArtemis nods at Jono.
* Rez nods back. Spectrum swoops down towards the group.
<ChenMuYi> Rez from Yi, good job
<Rez> Rez to all, thanks mates. That oughtta bugger em up a bit.
<ChenMuYi> One can only hope
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, any more company coming?"
<the_Architect> "Nothing imediately. They're trying to figure out how to deal with a level 25 threat. We started today at level 12."
<JennyArtemis> "Can you do anything to jam their transmissions?"
<Rex_Mundi> "Maybe we should work fast before they figure out how dangerous we really are, yes?"
<ChenMuYi> Bad assesment on their part. Not our problem
<ChenMuYi> Dont jam transmissions, that will tip them off when they find the source
<Spectrum> Perhaps we should get moving from here, folks. We're sitting ducks as stands.
<Rex_Mundi> "Again, Miz Artemis, should I check inside this building?"
<ChenMuYi> I suggest we continue to the complex, as we had planned
* JennyArtemis glares at Yi.
<the_Architect> "Nothing I can do on a global scale. And a drop carrier is now being mobilized, although it will take time for them to load it with personnel suited to our capabilities."
<ChenMuYi> My sentiment exactly
<JennyArtemis> "Let them bloody track it, we'll be on the move."
<ChenMuYi> It will only highten security
<ChenMuYi> Are you looking for such a heavy, unnecessary confrontation?
<JennyArtemis> "Alright. Let's move. Jono, give us all a lift. About fifty meters from the place."
<Rez> "Done and done, sheila." Rez gets ahold of everyone and teleports them with another woosh of air and weird play of light.
* They are now all standing at the edge of the huge factory. It towers above you for about fifty stories on the outside walls which are made of solid black metal with the occasional gate to enter.
<Rex_Mundi> "Just walk right in, yes?"
<the_Architect> "We have been detected again."
<JennyArtemis> "Hold on..."
<ChenMuYi> What vector?
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, Spectrum, you picking up any transmissions from the place? Any energy signatures at all?"
<Spectrum> Hell, this place is buzzing like mad. I think they know we're here.
<the_Architect> "They are mobilizing the entire garrison against us."
<Spectrum> Want me to ring the bell, see who's home?
<JennyArtemis> "Go ahead, luv."
* Rex_Mundi 's body suddenly changes into a more rocky shape
* ChenMuYi puts away hi DE's, and makes ready his Whipsword
* Spectrum's eyes blaze with energy and he sweeps his gaze across the wall, crumbling it under an enormous blast of energy.
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko, you got a fix on the garrison's location?"
* The wall is left a melted hole leading right in.
* the_Architect shifts both her hands into maser emitters.
<the_Architect> "Give me a minute and I will."
<ChenMuYi> I think its about time we introduced ourselves
* Rex_Mundi walks right in, light reflecting off of his black opal eyes and lighting granite body...
* The insides of the building look like a huge complex maze of wires, circuitry, and pipes
<ChenMuYi> Rex, Spectrum, take point
<JennyArtemis> "Keiko?"
* The Dynasty has blown it's way into a central coordidor around the perimeter, and hundreds of things that look like the son of Sasquatch are running away from the explosed gap.
<ChenMuYi> Architect , maintain an aerial perimeter of the area, and be prepared to give us cover fire if needed

<Spectrum> "Spectrum to all, I think we found the missing link. Anyone got a camera?"
<ChenMuYi> Rez, hold in reserve and be prepared to transport us elsewhere?
<ChenMuYi> Affirmative?!
<the_Architect> "Nothing yet. Spectrum's attack dealt considerable damage to the communications arrays. I suggest we take advantage of this weakness while we can."
<JennyArtemis> Shut your mouth, Yi.
<ChenMuYi> Detective, Ive donw this before, PLEASE TRUST ME
* Rex_Mundi looks to the left... To the right...
* The creatures are mostly away from the gap now
<ChenMuYi> They're not yet regrouped,
<ChenMuYi> Rex, Spectrum, attack!
* Spectrum steps forwards and begins to glow, he looks to Rex, "Weenie roast?"
<Rex_Mundi> "If you say so, friend."
<JennyArtemis> Hold off, Spectrum..."
* ChenMuYi puts away whipsword and draws his Uzis
* Rex_Mundi kicks the nearest wall
* JennyArtemis brow creases in concentration and a shimmer rolls across the floor before them, sweeping beneth the feet of the creatures before the group.
* The wall buckles and dents, Rex's foot sliding into it like jello. The supports make unhappy noises.
* The creatures slip over themselves on the oiled floor and begin to fall over
<JennyArtemis> "Spectrum, Keiko, Yi, snipe them."
<JennyArtemis> "Make sure to share and play nice."
* ChenMuYi crosses his arms and opnes fire on either side with twin semi atuo bursts
* the_Architect strafes the fallen creatures with maser energy, cooking their internal organs.
* JennyArtemis pulls her pistol and begins capping off rounds at the creatures.
* Spectrum opens fire with a swath of energy from his eyes that scorches the flesh from the creatures till they are nothing but apish skeletons.
<JennyArtemis> "Yi, we're gonna want at least one that can talk."
<ChenMuYi> Then increase the viscosity of the air around one of them, and Ill knock him out
* Rez just sits at the side and teleports bits and pieces of select critters six inches away from their bodies
<the_Architect> "If we can isolate one, I can bombard it with ultrasonics until it loses gross motor control long enough for us to immobilize its limbs. Also, we have hostiles incoming there!"
<Rex_Mundi> "I'm making a way into the middle of this building"
* the_Architect points to the corner to her left.
<ChenMuYi> Spectrum, cut a swath in the ground in front of them
<ChenMuYi> And hurry!
* A sound comes from down the coridoor, it sounds like screaming, clicking and clacking, and around the corner bubbles the forces of hell...

To be Continued!
Next Issue: War Without End!