Log:BotB 2058 - Final Ceremony

Best of the Best 2058 2008/07/07 	 The Collector Cypher Kibin Lightray Nexus Sable 1

Sable returns the nod. "I found a bunch of biometric scanners in other girders around the stadium, the best guess is that they wer planted during recent renovations." Her shoulders lift. "Not much help I guess."

Cypher takes a seat in the audience area. She's ecorting a half dozen kids around eleven to fourteen, probably from Harrisburg judging from the tatty clothes the kids are wearing.

Nexus nods to Sable and tells her about the trace working.

Nexus waves to Cypher from his seat

Sable says, "I have no idea specifically what the sensors were scanning for or what information they could broadcast. We'd need to get them looked at by an expert."

Cypher waves back to Nexus.

Sable follows the direction of Nexus's gaze. "Oh look, there's an expert now."

Nexus nods to Sable. "Spoze so! Let's go ask her..." He disappears, reappearing not far from Cypher. "Hey."

Sable in turn offers Yusuko a smile and a wave. "I might go over and have a chat with her..." Her lips compress as Nexus bamfs off mid-sentence. "Is there such a thing as teleportation etiquette?" She mutters to herself before making her way to Yusuko's seat.

Cypher turns and nods to Nexus. The visor prevents her facial expression being visible. "Hello, Nexus. Come say hello to my friends."

GM Notes: If a GM needs me to use a particular SFX for whatever reason in a scene then please send me a page and let me know, I'll be happy to help.

Nexus grins to the kids surrounding Cypher. "Nice meeting you guys. Where do you know Cypher from?"

Sable oofers the children a smile. "Hey gang, did you enjoy the contest?"

One of the older boys boys answers, "She's been teaching computer stuff in the Clinic."

Michelle is present, probably in one of the seats where she'll be able to watch one of the screens.

Nexus nods to the kid. "Cool. Useful skill, that." He turns back to Cypher with a grin and adds "So you can work with computers the normal way, too? Good to know..."

Cypher nods. "That's how I started. I didn't get my present level of talent until quite late."

[To Cypher] Nexus says, "Probably for the best. Thing about meta talents is you never know when someone's gonna knock 'em out... always good to fall back on something."

Cypher says, "Yes. I've not really had them long enough to start depending on them yet."

Lightray continues to read on his battered PDA as he leans against the tunnel wall.

Nexus hrms, seeming surprised by that, then asks the class "So, what's she been teaching you?"

This time a girl pipes up with the answer, "Loads of stuff. I like the painting program best. The coding classes are too tough."

Cypher looks at the girl and nods, "Victoria is quite an accomplished artist with photoshop."

Nexus grins and bamfs next to the girl. "Painting's cool. But I'll tell you, coding isn't as tough as it looks at first, either, once you get used to it." He shrugs. "Can I see your work?"

Cypher leans in and lowers her voice, "What's going on up in Harrisburg anyway? The schools are wrecked. Holes in the buildings. Looks like a war zone. None of the children are getting any formal schooling."

Nexus says, "It _is_ a warzone, Cyph. Remember what I was saying the other day about those robot-soldier-thingies? They attacked the school, among other things."

The girl nods and borrows the single rather old and battered PDA they possess to log in to her account and shows Nexus her work. It's not professional but for her age it's shows talent.

Cypher nods. "That was months ago. Why isn't anything being done to fix the schoold up or at least provide alternative schooling?"

Nexus looks at the hardware with dismay, but seems to take the artwork itself seriously. He chats with Victoria for a while about her work... asking why she made particular choices and offering suggestoins for improvement.

The children gatheraround Nexus and listen as he talks with Voctoria. She's thrilled to be talking to him and even more thrilled that he is taking her work seriously.

Kibin lounges aroudn in the tunnel, waiting for the ceremony to start.

[To Cypher] Nexus says, "My guess, frankly, is that nobody's paying much attention." He frowns. "Hell, the least we can do is get these kids some decent hardware." He scrawls on his PDA for a second and adds. "Consider that much done.""

Cypher chuckles suddenly. "The final score for the Best of the Best has just been released. It was closer than I realised. You came fifth."

Lightray looks down at his PDa as it beeps. He smiles slightly at something he sees there, then looks over at Kibin in the tunnel. He quietly murmurs, "Congratulations, Kibin."

Nexus checks the report on his PDA and chuckles. "Why, so I did. Heh. Fifth-best of the best isn't so bad, really."

Kibin says over to Lightray, "Thanks again."

Cypher puts out a hand to Nexus. "Thank you. There are more ways to be a hero than being good at the things tested out there in the Best of the Best. You're going to be number one in these kids eyes."

Sable returns from her brief absence. "Congratulations, very well done indeed."

Nexus seems uncomfortable with the compliment and shakes her hand in a self-consciously businesslike way. "Yeah, well. Least I can do."

Sable moves to the periphery of the children clustered around Nexus and smiles. "Wow, you have a fan club."

Nexus shakes his head and points to Cypher. "Nah, it's her fan club, I'm just visiting. Cypher, Sable... have you two met?"

Sable inclines her head to Cypher. "I think we met briefly in Past Times. But I certainly saw your extraordinary performance at the last heat."

Sable says, "And we met after the last heat of best of the best, if only in passing"

"Ladies and Gentlemen... Platinum recording artist Christine McCantry!" The crowd cheers as Christine walks out onto the stage. She's a forty-something chanteuse who's still known for her silky voice and live performance. The music begins to play as she steps to center stage, wearing a white, flowy gown and she begins to sing a classic from the millenium past, "Wind Beneath My Wings" The bands and dancing teams from before accompany her, with a large, choreographed routine.

Nexus groans. Quietly, he adds "Damn. I _knew_ we'd be attacked if we showed up."

Cypher hushes Nexus, "Shoooh..."

Cypher nods to Sable but is listening to the singing.

Sable claps Ms McCantry onto the stage and politely watches the routine watching the elaborate choreography before leaning over to comment softly. "This is what Nexus' fan club needs, uniforms and dance routines."

Nexus says, "They're _not_ my -- oh, never mind..."

Nexus seems embarassed.

Cypher waits for the song to end. "Nexus has very generously donated a number of new PDA's to my computer class children. That's a much better gift for them."

Nexus seems even more embarassed.

Kibin watches the performance from the tunnel.

Lightray smiles as he listens to the songstress from the tunnel.

Sable nods, her lips pursed. "Very good work indeed, beats the living daylights out of winning this thing."

Sable says, "Should we all be backstage rather than in the stands?"

Nexus shrugs. "Beats me. Don't worry about it... if they call us up, I can port us onstage in no time."

Cypher says, "I only took part in one event and came last. But you came in second. You probably should be down there."

Nexus says, "Hey, you only came in 13th..."

Nexus says, "...that's not so bad. Lucky number."

Cypher nods. "Yes."

Nexus tilts his head in Cypher's direction, puzzled by the response, but says nothing.

McCantry finishes her song to the applause of the gathered fans. She waves to the crowd as she deaparts from the stage. Sydney Croshere steps to centerstage, taking her place. "Oh my," she says. "That's a hard act to follow. Fortunately, we have some super people to introduce." She winks in an exaggerated manner for the crowd's benefit.

Sable's face, or at least what's visible of it, becomes noticably flushed. "Oh... well I guess I should be down there, hope you'll all excuse me." With a last nod to Cypher, Nexus and entourage she starts making her way to where she's actually supposed to be.

"Let's welcome our competing heroes to the stage!" Sydney says. Meanwhile, in the tunnel the production assistant signals for all of the heroes, except for Kibin, to head out to the stage.

Kibin blinks. Okay... guess there's going to be a dramatic entrance for him later.

Cypher watches Sable go. "She's really good isn't she."

Nexus nods. "Yeah." He sticks his hand out toward her. "So, hey... lucky number or not, you competed. Let's go do this thing."

By dint of heroic exertions through the bowels of the stadium complex Sable races into the tunnel just in time to be the last straggler in the array of heroes, just when it seemed like there was noone else left. She offers the crowd a cheerful wave.

Cypher says, "I have to keep a watch out for the kids safety, Nexus. You go."

Lightray comes up onto the stage wans waves for the crowd.

Nexus gets an evil grin on his face and says "Trust me?" Without waiting for an answer he : gets an evil grin on his face and says "Trust me?" Without waiting for an answer he concentrates and the entire crowd -- kids, himself, and cypher -- appears on stage.

Nexus gets an evil grin on his face and says "Trust me?" Without waiting for an answer he concentrates and the entire crowd -- kids, himself, and cypher -- appears on the stage, miraculously scattered among the folks already there.

There's a WHEEE! and a few squeals from the girls.

Nexus says, "I hope nobody minds Cypher bringing her class along," calling loudly out to the audience. "Since they aren't getting much else from this city, I figure we can at least give 'em a thrill."

Sable pauses as she is about to step up onto the stage to join the rest of the competitors as a small mob materialises in front of her. She grins broadly and claps nexus, CYpher, and kids enthuriastically.

Lightray smiles slightly as he is now surrounded by children. He chuckles softly and looks over to NExus. "Fan club?"

Sable takes her place on the podium, moving to one side.

Nexus shrugs to Lightray. "Nope. Like I said, Cypher's class."

Sydney blinks, startled at first by Nexus's sudden appearance. She recovers quickly enough. "And really, this is what it's all about... showcasing the best of the city for the children..."

Nexus winks at Sydney and herds the kids together.

Sydney shifts quickly, "And speaking of the best, it's time to introduce this year's contest winner: Kibin!"

Nexus cheers.

The Jurassic Pack begins a chant in their section of the bleachers. "Kibin! Kibin!"

A faint smile rests on his lips as his gaze travels slowly about the room. He seems possessed of a calm self-assurance and dignity.

Lightray claps enthusiastically for Kibin.

The kids cheer and yell while Cypher claps.

Kibin supposes this is his cue to go out onto the field, as he does so, waving to the crowd. A grin appears on his face.

Sable Cheers and lifts her hands to fervently applaud the city's champion, turning to watch him make his entrance.

Michelle watches one of the screens, since from her position its easier to see things and details on the screen after all.

Sydney offers Kibin a small plaque mounted on glass. "Congratulations, Kibin."

Nexus says, "Don't drop it!"

Sable cheers again, smiling broadly as Kibin's victory is fully confirmed.

Kibin grabs the plague, being careful not to drop or scratch it. "Thank you, it's an honor." He shoots a friendly glare at Nexus.

Nexus grins.

Lightray smiles slightly as he watches the presentation of the Best of the Best.

Sydney smiles. "It seems that you have a little bit of a following, Kibin. Do you have anything that you want to say to your supporters, to the people of Colonial Bay?"

Nexus walks over to Cypher and calls over the kids. "Hope that was fun... time to port back, OK?" He returns the mob to their seats... hopefully.

Kibin hmmms, thinking. He's never been good with speeches... "That I'm proud to be a part of this city, helping to keep it safe," he says after a short time.

Lightray looks up at sky for some reason, his expression curious.

Kibin follows Lightray's gaze.

Nexus looks up at the same thing the other two are looking at, and shrugs. He continues to chivvy the kids to port them back to their seats.

Collector: A masked man in a purple costume, with yellow trim. There's an old-fashioned flare to his outfit, with gauntleted gloves and boots, and a cape. His mask seems to be built with a bit of a helmet, cylindrical with a flat top to it. The man wearing the costume is a little under six feet tall, with a wiry build. He's wearing a finely trimmed moustache. He's surrounded by a cloud of sparkling motes of energy the flitter about him. Cypher glances up and comments, "Huh. Someone is late. I can't see who it is. Anyone recognise them?" She points up into the sky.

Sable's gaze lifts skyward momentarily. "Is that someone we should recognise?" after only a moment she turns to look behind the podium, her instincts telling her that if someone wants you to look one way, there's something they're trying to hide.

Nexus shakes his head. "Doesn't look familiar. Talk about a late arrival!"

Michelle hrms and looks up for a moment or two, thinking as she finally moves to get closer to see what might be happening.

Sable looks around the podium

The caped man begins to descend to the stage and lands to address Kibin. "Best of the Best?" he says, with contempt in his voice. "I'm the Collector, and I think I'm much more deserving of the title."

Cypher whispers to Nexus, "Get my class out of here!"

Sable's lips twist. "I don't see how, you didn't attend the events."

[To Cypher] Nexus says, "Been working on that."

Cypher says, "Kids. Gather round Nexus. Now."

Nexus ports the kids back to their seats as soon as he's able to do so.

Cypher says, "Hurry."

Kibin watches the collector land. He replies, "Well, I didn't see you in any of the events," not sure of what else to say.

Lightray smiles slightly as he looks at the Collector. "I take it you are the one who has been scanning us during these events then?"

Sable glances to Sydney. "While I'm sure that what follows will make compelling viewing, you're probably not safe here." She moves to stand between the hostess and the Collector, hoping that the former will take the opportunity to take her leave.

"True enough." The Collector says, answering Sable. "But I'm willing to prove my claim. I'll challenge you, Kibin, to a duel. And the winner claims the prize of Best of the Best."

Sable. o O "He's going to get into a fight with a meta over a crummy plaque? Geez, he could have one made up for like twenty bucks"

Cypher stands forward. "You, Collector, are not eligible for the title. It reads Best of the Best. Whatever else you may be and whatever powers you possess, you are clearly not - of the Best- by your very actions here."

Most of the kids gather by Nexus -- it's hard to grow up in Harrisburg and not have some sense of when a situation is becoming dangerous. Four of the children huddle around Nexus, but the other two seem rooted to the ground, through either fear or curiosity.

Kibin hmmms, considering that for a moment. "What would be the conditions of the duel?" he asks the Collector.

Cypher thinks. o O (What are I doing. I haven't even gotten the field shielding on this suit working again yet.)

Nexus grabs hold of the other two as long as they're within 5" of him and ports the kids to safety, unless something stops him. // stretching, group-port.

Nexus grabs hold of the other two as long as they're within 5" of him and ports the kids to safety.

The Collector shakes his head and says to Cypher. "I beg to differ. I am the fastest, the smartest, and the most powerful." He looks to Kibin. "We fight until one of us falls. That should be an adequate test."

Sable's head tilts slightly. "So winning in combat proves that you're smarter?"

Cypher gives the Collector a long hard stare.

Nexus watches the Collector from the stadium, where he stays with the kids. He attempts to get a teleport-lock on the Collector while the other heroes engage him in banter.

Sable says, "If you were faster, smarter and more powerful you should've competed.""

Michelle watches from a fairly safe distance, ready to assist if need be. Attuning her senses to 'nearby' effects that she might be able to make use of if things go south.

Xing-Liu enters from North of Colonial Bay.

Kibin replies back to Collector after thinking a bit more, "I accept." Wouldn't be very heroic of him to simply refuse, he thinks.

Nexus cheers. "Yay, Kibin!" He does his best to make it seem like this whole thing is scripted, not especially wanting the audience to trample itself.

Lightray looks over at Kibin. "Good luck, Kibin." His gaze turns back to the Collector and he frowns slightly as he observes the man.

Sable looks quizzically to Kibin.

The Collector looks to Sable. "Excuse me. I'm speaking the champion." He turns to Kibin and nods. "Outstanding. The rest of you might want to stand back."

Kibin hands the plaque back to Syndey, asking "Can you hold this for a while?"

Cypher steps back to give Kibin room. She won't pass up the chance to mind link with the Collector's PDA and once having done so do a full download. That's for starters.

Nexus continues his attempt to get a teleport-lock on the collector.

Sydney accepts the plaque and takes a few steps back.

Lightray steps back a few paces to give the duelists room. He keeps his attention on the Collector as they get ready.

Sable stands aside to give Kibin access to Sydney before moving to leave the podium. She glances to Sydney. "They're going to need a lot of room I think. Though I don't really understand how anyone expects this to work."

Sable turns back to Kibin, lifting her voice. "Don't let him get any altitude on you."

The Collector opens his hand to Kibin and gestures for him to bring it.

Cypher returns to the seats where Nexus and her class teleported to. "I do not like bullies."

Kibin supposes that's the signal to start. "I suppose we'll begin then." He leaps at the Collector, spinning around and attempting to hit him with his tail as an opening attack.

Sable pauses to escort Sydney to what seems like a safe distance

Nexus nods to Cypher, somewhat distractedly, as he continues trying to get a lock on to Collector. "Yeah. But this is just too goofy for words. There's gotta be a catch."

The Collector steps back, trying to avoid being hit by Kibin's tail. He stumbles over a power cord and, off balance, he leans just beyond Kibin's reach.

Sable's head tilts softly.

Lightray murmurs to himself. "My, how fortunate for him."

The Collector catches his balance, seeming a little surprised at first. He smiles, and then reaches for Kibin. His hand fades to translucence as he seems to be reaching for Kibin's chest.

Nexus swears. "Hey, that's _my_ trick!"

Cypher nods abstractedly. She seems to be concentrating.

The Collector strikes Kibin and smiles, pleased with himself. "First strike goes to me."

Kibin winces as the strike hits him, stumbling back a bit. "Not down yet," he replies back.

Nexus thinks as he continues trying to get a port-lock. . o O (OK. So if he's got all of our powers... jeez. Wasp alone could take out half of us. Is he just playing with Kib, or is he limited somehow?)

The crowd gasps!

Sable. o O "At least he's not flying above the stadium raining poor Kib with thunderbolts

Lightray watches the Collector closely, his gaze taking in the various components of his costuming and the motes that float around him.

instant)

Kibin quickly recovers and crouches. He spins around, delivering a more carefully aimed attack at The Collector.

Nexus thinks. o O (Hm. I wonder if he can do this naturally? Probably not, given all the gadgetry around the stadium. That hat sure does look funky...)

Nexus whispers to Cypher. "Is he using any funky gadgetry right now?"

Cypher shakes her head. She still seems to be concentrating on something inobvious. "All he has on his gadget wise is a PDA." She tells Nexus.

Nexus frowns. . o O (Well, so much for that idea.)

The Collector gets knocked to his back and slides a little across the stage. He clambers to his feet and points at Kibin. The motes of light around him flicker.

Nexus suddenly recognizes the motes of light. . o O (Oh, hell. This is going to be a _lot_ tougher than I thought...)

Sable turns her attnetion to the stands, turning slowly in place as she examines the colliseum with what seem s like rapt attention.

Nexus adds to Cypher, because she's close enough to talk to without spooking the audience, "He's got Lady Luck's powers, too. I think." He figures she can probably download more details than he knows, himself.

Cypher doesn't take her eyes off the Collector as she asks, "Who's Lady Luck?"

Michelle heads on through the stadium until she's there with Nexus and Cypher "Who's the new guy?" she asks motioning to the one fighting Kibin

The footing on the stage is rather treacherous. In pressing his attack, Kibin has managed to get his feet tangled in power cable that have come untaped from the stage.

Lightray continues to watch the fight as it progresses. A faint frown stays on his face as he observes the variety of powers at the Collector's disposal.

Nexus says, "She's a meta used to hang out around the Bay. Lucky. Really, really, lucky. And, no idea who this guy is. Looks like he copies powers."

Nexus says, "He's got my phasepunch, Kibin's speed, and Lady luck's luck. And god knows what else."

Nexus says, "Expect him to teleport away if things get bad. Or phase through the floor."

Cypher nods. "I've got a mapping of his PDA. I can find that now." She mutters to Nexus still concentrating.

Sable glances briefly back at the combatants before resuming her inspection of the stands.

Sparks fly as one of the power cables tangled about Kibin's feet is yanked from his socket by the raptors struggles. It unbalances a rack of lights over head, sending one of the light falling free a heading straight towards Kibin.

Sable's head whips around at the sound of breaking glass, her lips twisting into a visible scowl.

The Collector raises an eyebrow at Kibin. "Had enough?"

The crowd boos Collector. "No fair!"

Kibin seems to be slightly stunned, not being able to retaliate right now. That was unexpected...

Michelle stands close enough to Nexus and Cypher as she watches the battle going on "This guy looks pretty tough" she secretly wonders what he's actually weak to.

Lightray shakes his head and murmurs, "I wonder what the limits of his mimicry are?"

Nexus nods to Michelle. "Yeah. We could take him out together, but if the audience starts believing this is a real fight, who knows what could happen?"

The fallen light is attached to another by a long power cord. It too pulls loose and falls onto Kibin.

The crowd seems to be getting into the Good Guy/Bad Guy fight, booing Collector more vociforously. "He ain't doin' nothin! He's just standin' around while poor Kib gets lights dropped on his head! Boo!"

Kibin gets knocked out by the second light, dropping unconscious.

Nexus shouts out "Oh, no! Is there no one who will defend the honor of Colonial Bay's heroes, now that our Champion has been defeated?" in the most over-the-top possible tone of voice.

The Collector dusts off his hands and looks to Sydney who's holding the plaque. "I'll be taking that now." He looks around and the crowd, raising an eyebrow at their reaction.

Sydney draws away from the caped man, unsure of what to do. She shakes her head no to the Collector.

Sable raises a gloved hand stepping between Sydney and the Collecotr. "Hold on a second."

Nexus breathes a sigh of relief. . o O (You go, girl!)

The crowd cheers Sable. "Yeah! Kick his ass!"

"Come now," the Collector says. "A deal is a deal. I'd like my trophy. It will a small but quaint addition to my collection."

Sable nods smoothly. "A deal is very much a deal. I have no intention at all of denying you your trinket."

Sable holds at a hand to Sydney. "May I have the plaque please?"

Sydney nods to Sable and hands the plaque to her.

Michelle stage whispers to Nexus "I wonder if he realizes the other guy's name is still on it"

Nexus chuckles, though he still seems distracted.

Sable holds the plaque in her hand and weighs it for a moment. "THIS is what you risked your own safety, Kibin's, and that of everyone in the stadium to obtain." Without warning her free hand curls into a tight fist and smashes powerful into the trophy.

Kibin takes a deep breath, and then leaps up and roars at the Collector, slashing at him with one of the claws on his feet. He's not down yet it seems...

Nexus thinks. o O (I wonder what would happen if I phased and punched him...)

Kibin's claws slice at the Collector. He spins away from the attack and clutches his side. As it turns out, just his costume is torn. He sputters and looks at Kibin, "You..." he says, surprised. "You could have killed me!"

Variable descends from the MagLev station.

The GM will apply modifiers to a PRE attack.These are applied after

the number of dice is computed based on the attacker's PRE.

Kibin breathes heavily... he expected some sort of forcefield. Hmmm.

Sable's fist smashes into the trophy, shattering the glass into shards that clatter across the podium and folding the engraved plate into a twisted pretzel-like shape that she lobs to the Collector's feet. "Congratulations. Now we can we please spare the public the unedifying spectacle of grown men pummeling one another over a cheap piece of tat that could be purchased in any trophy store?"

Michelle peers at Kibin's assault for a moment, she shakes her head as she begins to consider things to do to assist those on stage should this Collector fellow get uppity.

The Collector closes his hand into a fist and flame smoulders from it. He says to Kibin, "I'd won, fair and square. If this is how you want to play it..." he says angrily. He seems set on advancing towards Kibin when the clattering of the ruined trophy draws his attention.

Kibin says to The Collector, "I'm still standing..."

Michelle nudges a rake from a nearby dimension into the path of The Collector for him to step on like an old slapstick cartoon, ofcourse in that dimension the BotB Closing Cerimonies isnt scheduled until tommorow which explains why theres a rake on the stage.

Sable seems less than impressed at the resumption of hostilities and raises her voice to a sudden sharp yell. "CHILDREN!!! Stop this at once!"

The rake appears, drawn in from another dimension. But luckily for him, The Collector steps right over the tool.

The Collector relaxes his stance. "Sable is right. I wanted the trophy -- it would have made a fine souvenir... but now it's ruined. There's no more point to this fight." And with that he vanishes, teleporting away.

Kibin blinks. "Okay..."

Michelle sighs and shakes her head as the rake disappears after its few brief moments in this dimension, returning back to its own. Well that didnt work... but atleast she didnt draw any attention that she knows of.

Sable glances to Kibin. "And I'm sure the organisers will get you new one."

Sable turns to Sydney. "I apologise for vandalising the trophy. I will of course pay for the replacement."

Kibin sighs. "Probably..." He breathes heavily for a while, recouperating.

Sydney says, "Don't worry about it. Maybe insurance will cover it. By the looks of it, it was the right thing to do. At least than man went away."

Sable shakes her head. "No, what he wanted was a fight. If we'd just given him the trophy he would've looked like an idiot."

Sable says, "Which is exactly what he is."

Kibin gets his breath back quickly after a few seconds.

Sable turns to Kibin. "Are you ok?"

Kibin nods at Sable. "I catch my breath fast."

Michelle heads off to go do stuff

Sable lowers her voice. "In future don't put yourself at risk when the stakes are so small, and don't use lethal force to attempt to settle trivial disputes, and most importantly don't make me complicit in it. Congratulations on your victory."