Log:Where Condors Dare

Don't Count Me Out Yet 2008/06/14 	 Nexus Fist Sable Variable 1

Don't Count Me Out Yet, Scene 5
Past Time's Coffee Shop: The smell of fresh coffee is the first thing that assails you. The next is the very old style. It seems the owner has gone for the Edwardian style from early last century. Lots of imitation wood panelling and prints of old English countryside. There are many partitions between the tables, affording some privacy and the sound seems hushed in the room, this has been achieved mainly through very good design, which muffles sounds. At the counter service is quite quick and cheery, conveying a welcoming and friendly attitude. The menu boasts the fact that for a little extra real coffee is served along with light hot and cold meals and snacks. All in all a pleasant place to pass a bit of time.

Regan smiles and waves to Xing_liu as she enters before sipping from her now-traditional hot white chocolate.

Nexus gets a coffee for himself and something-or-other for Xing-Liu, then sits at a table not far from Regan.

At first sight there's nothing to make the two people entering the coffee shop stand out except they are twins. The men are in their late twenties from appearance. They are chatting quietly as they enter and glance around casually. A quirky smile comes to both their faces as they spot the metas in the coffee shop.

Regan glances to the doorway as the twins enter. Her brow furrows slightly.

Variable is practicing being someone else today. This time she's a rather tall woman in her thirties, seemingly of a slightly nervous disposition, to judge by the way she glances at the door any time someone comes in. Maybe she's just drunk too much coffee.

Xing-Liu seats herself by Nexus, letting a gentle sigh that seems almost cheerful.

The men split up, one heading to a table and sitting at it. The other goes to the counter and starts placing an order for teas.

The tall woman takes another sip from her coffee and goes back to reading something on her PDA.

Regan's gaze fixes on the newcomers, her lips compressing as she sets her drink down. She twists in her seat slightly to rise to her feet slightly and takes up her satchel as she moves toward the doorway.

The man sitting at the table shakes his head, "I wouldn't leave right now." He turns his hand palm up and opens his fingers. There's a small radio detonator in his hand and his thumb is keeping the trigger buttom depressed.

Nexus is about to greet Regan, then remembers he's still got his aura going. Having made that mistake once today, he subsides and -- then startles at the man's comment.

Nexus shakes his head with a low chuckle. "You have _got_ to be kidding. Hasn't the word gone out by now about this place?"

Xing-Liu looks over at the odd comment, puzzled by what she sees and the reaction. An inquiring look is sent to Nexus.

The man nods. "That's why I'm here. This," he gestures with the hand holding the detonator, "is just insurance that you'll listen."

The tall woman looks nervously at the man. She's quite attentive.

Nexus shrugs to XL. "Beats me. I'm guessing some kind of hostage gig." Quietly, he tries to evaluate his chances of snatching the detonator out of the guy's hands without it going off, and decides not to risk it.

Regan blinks slowly, her brow furrowing. "Oh?" Her fingers nervously grip her satchel. "Why would you want me to listen to anything?"

Nexus stands up slowly, continuing to sip his coffee casually. "So, OK, we're listening. Talk."

The man at the counter has turned and is facing everyone now. "You I don't much care about. But you're not leaving. Nobody is leaving yet. It's the meta I want to talk to. I have information the city needs. I have something I want done."

Xing-Liu still looks confused, but she sits casually and pays attention.

Nexus looks down at himself, shrugs, looks back up. "I guess you won't believe me if I tell you it's the newest fashion in Nice, right? OK, fine. Spill it."

The seated man continues talking. "Your city is under threat. Someone wants it destroyed. I know who. You need to know. There's some people I want out of an illegal holding facility in South America. Call it a trade offer."

Nexus rolls his eyes. "And we believe you, why?"

Xing-Liu still seems confused, though interested. Everything she's seen so far appears to be a win-win situation.

The man at the counter, "Because you can check the facts about the holding facility. If I lie about that you'll find out and not do anything. As to the person who wants this city destroyed, my group are on his list too. So it's zero benefit for me to lie about that either."

Regan turns to regard Nexus, waiting for his answer. Her brow furrows as the man at the counter chimes in.

Nexus thinks about that for a couple of seconds, then nods. "Dude, you're the most sensible person with an explosive device I've talked to this week. OK, I'm listening... who is this guy, and what's the skinny on this prison breakout you want staged?"

Xing-Liu appears a little excited at the prospect.

Regan says, "Your group being Wolfguard I take it?"

The man at the tables nods. "You get the name after my friends are out of the holding facility. Call it unfortunate but we've been let down once in a deal. Maybe not the meta's fault in that case. But this time we're taking no chance. The prison is in Argentina. It's a hot-sleep facility. There are many prisoners. Some we're interested in. Most are just inconveniences to the government there. Nosey reporters, straight police offiers." He smiles coldly, "It's even close to a public service I'm asking for. Release them all. We'll pick up the ones we're interested in."

Nexus shrugs. "Well, no promises, but if what you're saying checks out... sure, why not? I've met some nosy reporters I like, from time to time." He watches the man carefully and decides to take a small risk by establishing a teleport lock on him... which will take a while.

Variable thinks. o O (But what if there are some prisoners there that
 * should* be kept locked up?)

Xing-Liu stands up, nodding to the man with the strange thing on his palm, then at his twin. She looks at Nexus, eyebrows raising in interest to see what he wants to do.

Nexus says, "So, where is this place?"

The men nod in unison. One drops a data chip on the counter. "I'm leaving now. Stay inside the shop for a minute after I depart. This chip contains the information on the holding facility. One proviso. We aren't involved in this. We don't yet have enough influence to get the people we want out. We do have enough influence to take over the hunt for those doing the raid on the facility. And I can assure you that hunt will be futile if you do your part."

Nexus shrugs. "Like I said, no promises... and I ain't exactly counting on you guys to do squat." He picks up the chip. "But, info is info."

The men depart leaving the chip behind.

Back to being confused, Xing-Liu looks at Nexus, shrugging slowly and looking at the datachip for long enough to know that she cannot discern anything from it.

Variable sips her coffee nervously again.

Regan waits for a while longer before striding purposefully out of the shop.

Nexus hrms and tosses the chip in the air a few times. "OK, it'd be really dumb to assume this thing isn't virused to the gills. Anybody got a computer they don't mind seeing skragged?"

Nexus shrugs. "Didn't think so." He ports to a local computer store, buys a spare PDA, and ports back. "OK, here goes nothing..." He puts the chip in.

Variable waits till they're safely gone then abruptly shifts to look like Variable. "Think they're telling the truth?"

Xing-Liu looks surprised to see Variable, and nods in reply.

Nexus looks startled at Variable's appearance. "That's what I'm gonna try and find out. But my guess is, probably."

Nexus starts poking around the data provided, letting anyone who wants to look over his shoulder do so.

The datachip contains a zoomable map of South America with a blinking dot of light in the north of Argentina. The plans of a militrary facility. Details on security systems, guard details, schedules for resupply flights as access is by air only. The facility is built high in the mountains of the Andres.

Variable says, "It's remote... South America - that means Hypersite, right? I wonder where the closest tele-port is..."

Lacking is any list of prisoners. There is according to the details a basic contingent of twenty permanent troopers on site.

Nexus hrms. "OK, fair enough." He posts a quick note to Heronet to grab the attention of anyone else who wants to participate, and grins at Variable. "Nearest teleporter's right in front of you, actually. It's gonna take me some time to confirm what they're sayin' about prisoners and stuff, though. I got some friends with the right skills. Say we reconvene in about an hour, ready to roll?"

The door of the shop swings smoothly open to admit Sable who blinks at the congregation of meta-humans around the PDA. "Did someone leak pictures of Amber's last beach party?"

Nexus blinks suddenly, for no obvious reason. "Hm. _That's_ weird," he murmurs to himself, then shrugs. "Oh well."

Nexus looks up at Sable. "Ah... you saw my note on Heronet? Cool... I like fast response. Like I said, gonna take me a while to confirm what these guys are saying, but if you want in, meetcha here in an hour?"

Variable says, "Ok... Is there any information on the prisoners there? We need to make sure we aren't releasing people who *should* be locked up..."

Nexus shakes his head. "Nope... that's one of the things I'm gonna get my friends to find out."

Sable's shoulders;'s shoulders lift slightly. "I'm afraid this is more serendipity than coordination. What's happening?" She glances at the PDA monitor.

Xing-Liu looks at Variable, who would undoubtedly be better able to explain any part of the situation.

Sable looks between the gathered meta-jumans for any sort of exposition.

Nexus returns to Past Times at the agreed-upon hour. "OK... here's what I know," he starts out, after a quick summary of the events of the twins' arrival.

Variable says, "Somebody wants us to break people out of an Argentinian prison that they say is illegal and will help us save the city if we do. They say."

Sable's lips purse. "So it's not an official Argentinian government prison or it is and it's used to house political prisoners?"

Nexus says, "Officially, place doesn't exist. Unofficially, word on the 'net jives with what Mr. Twin said. I figure, anybody gets dumped in a prison that doesn't officially exist probably doesn't belong there... if they'd done somethin' worth arresting 'em for, they'd be in a real prison. Why they weren't just executed, beats me. One guy whistleblew on 'em... he claims they're all "inconvenient to the government", some of 'em there for decades, a few for over a century."

Nexus says, "Course, he might be lying. He died in an 'accident' a while later, so we can't exactly ask 'im."

Variable says, "Probably so they can try to get information out of them. Or maybe use them as leverage against other people."

Nexus says, "There's definitely _something_ in that spot the government ain't talkin' about, though."

Variable says, "Anyway, if officially the place doesn't exist, that's something..."

Xing-Liu folds her arms, appearing a little impatient now, restless.

Nexus says, "So. Who's in?"

Variable says, "I am, I guess. If it'll save the city.."

Nexus shrugs. "No guarantee of that... that part might've been pure bull. Then again, who knows?

Nexus says, "I figure it'll be a fun caper, anyway. I can get us within a mile or so of the place, one at a time... we can do more careful approach from there, I figure."

Xing-Liu points to herself, and her eyes. A thought occurs to her, and she holds up a finger signalling for a pause as she rushes out the coffee shop door.

Sable nods in time with Nexus' summary. "Is there any way we can get schematics of their security system? Do they run on independent power?"

Nexus hands Sable the info twin-man provided. "That's what we got from the terrible two. THere's a power station for the site, WAY overbuffed for what it's supposed to be."

The security info is _extremely_ detailed.

Nexus says, "Course, they could be lying, but..." he shrugs "can't see why they'd bother. If they were trying to pull me into a trap, there's easier ways."

Variable says, "They know a lot for a place that doesn't exist..."

Nexus shrugs. "I'm guessing they've reconnoitered a few times."

Nexus looks back and forth between Variable and Sable. "So, me and Fist are in. Y'all?"

Sable's head tilts slightly as she examines the security schematics and the layout of the compound. "I'm in." She says without looking up. "I suggest we hit the generator as a matter of priority, it should weaken the hot sleep containment."

Variable says, "Like I said, yes... though I wonder who they want out so badly!"

Nexus nods. "Yeah. Me too."

Nexus nods. "OK. Be back in a sec, let me fix a target."

Nexus stands still for a moment, then blinks away. (long-porting to a random spot about a mile away from where the site is supposed to be and about a mile straight up, drifting for a few seconds to find a spot that seems reasonable for us to reconvene and print it, then back to the coffee shop)

Nexus says, "OK. Got a spot... the Nexus shuttle is ready for business. Once we're there we can figure out how to tackle this place..."

Nexus sticks out an arm. "Who's first?"

Sable examines the data for the above grond layout. A barracks for the troops to the north of the site. A central building that is mostly a shell around the underground access. The power plant to the west of the site. A VTOL landing pad in the south. All pretty compact on a very small plateau, not more than 20" in its largest direction.'

Variable says, "What's it like there?"

Variable says, "I want to know how to go...."

Nexus describes the location he picked.

Nexus shrugs to Variable. "Coordinates are on the chip. I'm guessing there's no public transport, but honestly I didn't check."

Fist heads into the shop again, now in-costume, which looks very, very warm for the weather. Rugged and completely covering. She waves to Regan.

Sable says, "We should be able to get to within 60 metres while under cover. There are some terrain features we can follow that will keep us under cover."

Variable shifts to what seems a tough form, with wings.

Nexus checks over the security system info while waiting for folks to get ready to port, but generally is willing to defer to Sable, who sounds a lot more used to this sort of gig than he is.

The trooper patrols are detailed. Ten on duty, ten resting at any given time. There are notes that the ten off duty spend most all their time in the barracks. There's a five man above ground patrol and five on duty in the underground area.

Sable turns away from the PDA. "I'm happy to go first."

Once everyone is shuttled to his randomly chosen staging area, Nexus takes a while to catch his breath. "OK. Is it worth working out a plan and sharing info about what we're capable of? Or do we just go in and blow things up?"

Variable says, "A plan is good. And I don't know what you can do, except teleport."

The view is almost worth the trip on its own. The Andes are majestic. Condors swoop and sweep overhead. The wind sings as it whistles through the rocks and around peaks. The vantage point is high about the plateau where the facility is allowing a bird's eye view.

Nexus nods to V. "Mostly, that's it. I'm pretty good at it, though. I can port all of us about, oh, 150 meters or so -- but we're sorta sitting ducks at the end of it. One person at a time, pretty much anywhere on the planet. Decent in a fight. Can phase through solid objects. And I'm pretty good at not falling."

Fist peers at the target location, leaning, looking at Sable and Variable.

Nexus says, "As for a plan, I figure if any of you are good at large-scale blowing-things-up, we take out the power station first. Otherwise, just go after the guards."

Variable says, "Ok. I'm a shapeshifter. I can do a *lot* of things - just not many at once. And it's really tiring to change form, so I don't like to do it in a fight unless I have to."

Fist nods, hopping to it, dashing toward the facility and using terrain for cover along the way.

Nexus hrms. "If we grab a guard, can you take his place?"

Variable says, "Yes, and sound like him. But I don't speak Spanish. That is what they speak here, right?"

Variable stares after Fist. "I thought we were going to make a plan?"

Nexus blinks as Fist takes off. "Hm. I'm guessing that's one vote _against_ plan. Fist's a _damn_ good martial artist, by the way.

Nexus turns to Sable. "How 'bout you? Better make it fast, unless you want her taking care of the whole place without us..."

Sable says, "Get to the generator and take it out. We don't need to blow it up, just disable it or cut the cables to the rest of the compound."

Fist stops at the point where cover stops, waiting in sight of the heroes.

Nexus nods to Sable. "OK, works for me."

Variable says, "Won't that tell them something's wrong?"

Nexus looks ready to move, then stops at V's question and shrugs. "You got something else in mind, V?"

Sable says, "Yes it will, but it will also give them a lot to worry about once their hot sleep cells go down and release the prisoners."

Nexus waits for Sable and Variable to work out a plan, trying not to be _too_ obviously impatient about it.

Variable shapeshifts, again, not changing her abilities but matching the terrain as much as possible for added camouflage.

Sable says, "So what I suggest is a two-prong attack"

Variable says, "Oh right. *Hot* sleep. Yeah, that makes sense. Well, unless they have a backup generator."

Nexus tilts his head to one side, listening.

Variable says, "So.... who knows how to cut the power?"

Variable thinks. o O (Dad would be great for this....)

Sable says, "Well if they have a h2 cell that will make a big bang"

Sable says, "Or we just need to cut the cables, I can do that."

Nexus shakes his head. "Sorry... don't know much about power systems. Alarm systems, yeah."

Sable says, "How far can you teleport Nexus?"

[To Sable] Variable says, "I guess it's up to you then - if you can sneak in."

Nexus shrugs. "Into low earth orbit, I think. Never tried. Maybe to the moon. More about whether I can hit what I aim at."

Nexus looks startled and looks over at where Fist is.

Nexus says, "Fist says she's ready to roll, by the way. She thinks she has a chance of getting in without being seen."

Sable nods. "I can sneak in, you can take the others in."

Fist judges distance, eyes that would be on the crossing distance.

Nexus shrugs. "Is there much point to being sneaky? OK, if you want. Just tell me where to take who and I'll give it a shot. Remember, like I said, whoever I take in will be a sitting duck for a little bit. Me too."

Sable says, "Once the power goes I want you guys to hit the roof of the main building and break in through their." She looks to Variable. "Can you do that do you think?"

Nexus says, "I can come in through the roof, but not so much with the breaking."

Variable shifts once again, making her arms more clublike and getting rid of the wings whilte keeping the camouflage.

Nexus says, "If it helps, I can also move sneaky when the need arises."

Variable says, "I'm not so good at sneaky - well, not without being useless otherwise."

Nexus nods. "So, Sable - where do you want me, and who do I take?"

Sable looks to Nexus. "You can teleport into buildings right? Sable's brow furrows.

Nexus nods. "Sure. If I can't see where I'm going it's a bit of a crapshoot where I end up, but it probably won't kill anybody."

Nexus says, "And, again, sitting duck for a few seconds. So porting into a guardpost, not good."

Variable says, "How far can you teleport without being a sitting duck?"

Nexus shrugs. "About 35 meters. Fist says she's willing to scout and feed data back telepathically."

Variable says, "If she's stealthy enough, I guess that's the best plan."

Nexus says, "OK, cool." He waves a "go for it!" signal to Fist."

Once Fist has the go-ahead, she waits for what she thinks of as the right moment, then dashes, low to the ground, using her cloak to make her appear to be part of the rock to prevent people from seeing something strange. It's a dark spot at a distance after all...

Nexus starts reporting to the rest of the group whatever Fist sends back.

Variable moves forward to the edge of the cover and lies still, so hopefully she can observe without being spotted.

Nexus thinks. o O (Wow... didn't know Fist could disappear like that! Neat!)

[To Nexus] Variable says, "Can you get me closer when the time comes? I'm tough like this but not fast."

Nexus shrugs. "I can get anyone anywhere, long as nobody's going to be shooting at me for a couple of seconds when I get there."

Variable says, "I can stand in the way if they try."

Nexus nods to Variable. "OK, works for me."

Sable says, "Ok can you telepot into the main building with Variable after I cut the power. I'll meet up with Fist and we can cause trouble up here to distract people"

Nexus nods to Sable. "OK."

Fist informs Nexus that she will find an isolated spot, to prevent worry.

Nexus reports accordingly.

Sable nods approvingly.

Sable says, "So I'm going in."

Nexus nods, and waits for Sable to take out the power before going in with Variable. Or, until he gets impatient waiting, whichever comes first.

Fist peeks, and searches for a place where there will be no one seeing it for at least a few minutes.

Sable sets off toward the compound, trying to exploit the gap in the patrol pattern to get to the generator building.

The power plant building has a rear entry for changing the H2 tanks in the building. That allows access to the plant building without using the door facing the barracks.

Sable moves into a low crouch, weaving smoothly from boulder to crag to exploit the available visual cover and shadow. She navigates through a blind-spot in the patrol's pattern to make her way to the rear of the generator building which she checks for alarms and unlocks.

Variable gets ready to stand as bodyguard when Nexus 'ports them in.

Sable bypasses the alarm system on the door and moves silently into the generator building

Inside the power plant the two power systems stand side by side. A small cold fusion plant and a larger backup H2 fuel-cell system. There's a large H2 tank in the building close to the rear entrance, and a power distribution board near the front door.

Sable takes the cable to the H2 system and with a powerful wrench tears them loose. After ripping the far end of the cable out of the wall she moves to hit the switch for the fusion unit which she proceeds to smash once the power is down. The H2 system comes up online automatically but those cables are already ripped loose.

Nexus says, ""OK, that's my cue!" Taking Variable's hand he teleports them both to the spot Fist selected earlier."

The power dies. Lights in windows go out. Why they were on in the daylight is another question. A siren begins a mournful wailing.

Nexus says, "Any objection to my porting us inside, then?"

Variable says, "Not much use our being out here..."

Nexus extends a hand to Var and Fist and prepares to take them to the other side of the wall.

Nexus and co appear on the other side of the wall.

The above ground patrol start to hurry towards the power plant to see why the power is off.

Sable moves into position to ambush the guards as they enter.

Nexus hope Sable can either take or avoid them. "OK. Guess our next goal is to take out the downstairs team."

The upper entrance to the elevator is guarded by a trooper. He's taken by surprise at the sudden arrival.

Fist is on her way to do as Nexus suggests, before he says it. Almost as though she can read his active thoughts.

The guard at the elevator is rushed by Fist, who aims to take hold of him and send him flying toward Variable and Nexus, rebounding from a wall as necessary. She is told these guys are armored, so she doesn't see a need to hold back as she might with common street thugs.

The guard gets thrown into a wall and luckily takes the impact on his armor. Bouncing off he sways stunned next to Variable and Nexus.

Variable is ready with her currently-massive fists and punches the guard as he bounces toward her.

The guard bounces off the fist and falls the ground. Variable comments, "Fists are easier than tails, but not so much fun."

Nexus looks like he's about to make a comment about that, then thinks better of it.

The e-lock on the front door of the power plant beeps. The door opens and two troopers out of the five try to push into to see what is wrong. They will be surprised to find someone inside.

Sable leaps down from above the doorway, twisting and grabbing the lintel to aim a two-footed kick at the chest of the guard on the right.

The first guard coming through the door is stunned by Sable's blow. Hung up in the doorway he blocks access and sight for those following him.

Fist heads onward, scouting out for more guards nearby.

The central building is mostly a shell around the elevator access. Fist checks the other rooms in the surface but they are empty and dusty and obviously unused.

Variable says, "Think we could get the drop on them by 'porting down?"

Nexus shrugs. "Guess so... worked for that guy, after all."

Sable steps forward, her knee rising to her chest as she lauches a powerfully precise kick at the victim of her previous attack.

The guard takes the kick on his armor fortunately for him. But he drops out cold after it. The guard behind him stares in disbelief at Sable. "xxxxxx xxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx xxxxx" he calls out in a non English tongue.

Fist moves onward, going to ground level, making a sight of herself in brief flashes to anyone who's watching for intruders so they can make a spectacle of themselves.

Fist moves in such a way that it's very hard to actually catch her with an attack. Her acrobatic movements, carried out with swift grace give a very difficult target.

Variable gets ready for a second 'port

Nexus works out, given the map of the complex, how far down he has to port to get to the floor where the prisoners are kept, and picks a spot that seems least likely to have a patrol standing in it right that moment (insofar as he has any clue). Then he ports Variable and Fist there, much like last time.

Nexus, Variable, and Fist arrive in a near pitch black corridor. There's the sound of people shouting, banging noises, and the slamming open of doors.

Nexus wonders if anyone can see. He sure can't.

Fist is already on the move again when Nexus delivers her, seeking out the next place she is supposed to be.

Nexus is reassured that there isn't the sounds of machine-gun fire or anything.

Within instants there are people moving in the corridors blocking them, pushing and shoving at each other.

Variable adapts her eyes to see in the infrared spectrum.

The telepathic contact with Nexus ends abruptly as Fist's hands start to glow.

Now she has vision Variable sees there are doors on each side of the corridor closely spaced. The plans tell you these are cell doors, this being one of the eight corridors radiating from the main hub where the elevator is. The corridor is blocked by escaped prisoners. No guard in sight here.

Nexus whispers to the other two, hoping not to be heard by _other_ people over the shouting: "Doesn't sound like the guards on this level are up to much... I'm guessing the prisoners re-enacted the French Revolution. Should we bounce back up and deal with the guards on the surface?"

Variable whispers back, "I only see prisoners."

Fist seeks out the source of English speaking person, aiming to bring them to where Nexus and Variable are.

Nexus nods, and prepares to jump the threesome back up once they're all jumpable.

Sable steps over the fallen guard and spins to swing a swift backfist into the closest of the remaining guards, aiming for the point where neck and shoulder meet though the impact lacks any real conviction

The guard Sable hits goes down leaving three active. Several missiles streak past over the power plant building very fast and impact into the barracks, which becomes a roaring inferno of flame from one end to the next before any of the off-duty guards can finish grabbing weapons and get out.

Sable glances momentarily toward the conflagration that has engulfed the barracks before returning her attention to the guards who seem intent on shooting her.

The guards are too close to Sable now she has moved into the midst of them to use rifles as firearms so they try to club and hit her with them.

Nexus wonders what that boom sound was.

The guards are getting in each others way a little but even with the advantage of crowding around Sable they are unable to hit her as she moves with skill among them.

The three remaining guards on the surface are dealt with by the heroes after they return to the surface, assuming any are still standing by then given Sable is trouncing the guards. An armed VTOL painted black with no insignia comes in to land.

Prisoners are making their way to the surface. There are many such, some young, some old. They are all weak and pale looking. The first group stands alone, a horribly burnt man, although the burns have long since healed, a elderly woman, and a thin shortish old man with wispy white hair and a equally white toothbrush moustache.

From the VTOL a squad of storm troopers in black uniforms matches out with the twin men at the head of the group. They go over to the three elderly prisoners and give a straight arm salute. Assisting the old man who is too frail to walk on his own they take the three back to the VTOL.

As soon as the troopers and prisoners are inside the VTOL takes off and departs before the other prisoners reach the surface level.

Variable is tempted to stow away and see where they're going. But that might blow the city-saving deal.

Just as it is taking off a message pad is tossed out the door.

Variable grabs the message pad, wanting to make sure there's genuine information *before* they get away.

Sable stands and watches the VTOl take off with a sombre expression on her face. "Well I just hope some of those prisoners were innocents and manage make it back to civilization.

Fist meanwhile is rather clueless about any shenanigans.

Variable nods as she reads the pad.

The message pad contains the following note - The person behind the attack on your city is the Count d'Estes. He might be better known to you for his previous activites involving the drug Twist. He has hired Prof Quantum and the Professor's team of experts. The Count is in the USA under the protection of the US Army. We doubt if they know what the Count is engaged in but are likely to protect him in any event as he is highly useful to them.

Variable frowns. The details mean little to her, but she knows how serious the Twist crisis was.

Sable glances to Variable. "Did we get something useful?"

Variable shows the pad to Sable. "It says who's behind this..."

Sable takes the pad and glances over its content for a few moments before pursing her lips. "Count d'Estes? I'm afraid I haven't had the pleasure." She waves the pad slightly between thumb and fore-finger. "we should get this to someone responsible."

Sable looks around the plateau. "Should we help some of the locals find their way to safety before departing?"

The vast majority of the prisoners are pure innocents. The Nazis were simply legacies of earlier governments. It seems once put away nobody was ever let out. The facility, as it turns out when it gets exposed by the escaped reporters, is not Argentine but belongs to Brazil. Argentine had no knowledge of it being there. As far as Argentine was aware the facility was just a weather station.

Sable says, "Well we'll help the locals get back to civilisation"

Variable says, "That's pretty illegal. Let's get them to the nearest Argentine city then,"

Variable says, "The twins aren't going to be happy. Though I must say the thing I still can't work out is why Wolfguard couldn't do this themselves."

The only surviving guards only saw CB heroes attacking them. And they were all out cold before Wolfguard turned up

Variable says, "But yeah, I figured they only asked us to do it so it wouldn;t be known it was them. So I'm not feeling too guilty."