Log:Valance Wrapped Up

Don't Count Me Out Yet 2008/06/20 	 Nexus Rebound Skysabre 1

Don't Count Me Out Yet, Scene 7
Bunker KX-2 -- An underground bunker.

Nexus approaches the spot where the entrance to the bunker supposedly is, on the surface, being maximally sneaky and looking for sensors and signs of use.

The site is clearly in use, and evidence suggests the usage is recent. There's a new chain-link fence surrounding the bunker entrance and a above ground area about the size of a football pitch. The fence has one gate. No sign of any security guards. Signs on the fence declare the site to be a building supply depot. The piles of materials within the fence seem to confirm that. Whatever it really is, the site looks deserted and locked up. The bunker entrance is presumably inside the one building in the fence, a weather-beaten old concrete blockhouse the size of a small garage.

After a careful look Nexus sees a simple commercial alarm on the gate. No other sign of any security systems.

Nexus knows he should just leave now, having confirmed that the bunker is in fact in use. But that would be boring. Surely there's no harm in just checking out the situation underground?

Nexus backs off a little and around a tree or something, takes a deep breath, and sinks into the ground while holding it. He heads towards the spot where, according to the records of the bunker, some relatively isolated location would be.

The sinking into the ground goes without a hitch. But entry into the interior of the bunker doesn't. Nexus finds he can extend his arm in through the buried wall of the bunker but there's a lattice-work of material that prevents him from entering himself, a grid of material about an inch wide at roughly six inch spacing.

The lattice-work could be consistent with a Questonite matrix embedded in the wall of the bunker, to strengthen it against nuclear ground shocks perhaps.

Nexus figures this latticework probably blocks teleports as well, but it can't hurt to memorize a location. He tries to position himself to see past it somehow.

The lattice is embedded in the thick bunker wall. Nexus can get his head half way through the wall before hitting the lattice but no further.

Nexus thinks. o O (Oh well. Worth a shot)

Nexus returns to the surface.

Nexus recovers from the exhausting expedition, contemplates a more risky inspection, decides against it.

Nexus ports to some isolated location a significant distance away from the Utah repair depot, then approaches it via a series of smaller ports till he's within sight of it.

The army depot in Utah. A long long dusty road out in the desert leads up to a wire fence enclosing an army encampment. There are half dozen buildings, all from the last century although freshly painted. You might guess there's little else to do out here. A couple of the larger buildings are pretty obviously workshops. Large doors stand open and vehicles, some up on ramps, can be seen. The other buildings could be dwellings, canteen, etc.

Nexus looks around from a distance, trying to get a feel for how many people are on the base and how active they are at the moment.

Rebound is with Nexus.

It looks like maybe a couple of dozen army personnel on site. One bored looking MP on duty at the gates. The rest are either working, lazing in the sun, or playing a rough version of touch football.

Nexus says, "So, whatcha think? Your whole man-of-a-million faces gig's gotten a lot better... you wanna bluff the gate, or go in sneaky?"

Nexus says, "Well, I guess that's 'sneaky' either way. But you know what I mean."

Nexus thinks a second and adds "Or we _could_ just walk in. Flash IDs, official UEMS business." He clearly doesn't like the idea.

Rebound says, "I'd say sneaky might be a better bet. I don't know a whole lot about this base, and I left my General's uniform in the wash."

Nexus grins. "Yeah. Need to get that pressed before your big date."

Nexus says, "OK, sneaky it is. If you want, hang loose, and I'll port you in once I find a good spot..."

Rebound nods. "Be careful... If it's the Count, then there's no telling what defenses there are."

Nexus gets difficult to see and starts sneaking his way towards the side of the camp the MP isn't watching.

There's no sign that the servicemen have spotted Nexus. They continue playing football and lazing around.

Nexus checks for hidden security as he moves towards a spot out of sight of the wandering servicemen.

There's little in the way of security systems in the depot. Seems if the presence of armed MP's is considered enough for most purposes. However one possible dwelling function building has cameras set up to cover approaches to it.

Nexus smiles. . o O (OK, we know where to search first...)

Nexus finds a good spot, memorizes it, ports back to Alex, ports them both here.

The depot continues on with its normal routine unaware of the intruders.

Nexus looks pleased.

Rebound nods to Nexus, indicating that he heard his test message. He takes a look at the residence with the extra security cameras.

The entire building Nexus is interested in is covered by cameras - except for one dog-legged path through the coverage to a part of the building wall that is not covered by any camera.

Nexus grins. "I think I can get there without being spotted..."

Nexus watches the distracted MPs for a while, and picks the best moment to make a break for the unwatched wall.

The rest of the security is too good, Nexus might think, for that unmonitored access to accidental.

Nexus hrms. "I take it back. Might be a trap."

Rebound says, "How do you mean?"

Nexus says, "Nobody'd leave a gap like that unless they _wanted_ to. So either it's a way for them to come and go without being spotted, or it's a way to get smarty-pants like us to walk into a mousetrap."

Rebound says, "It may be an escape route for the Count perhaps. To get in and out without the MPs seeing."

Nexus nods to Rebound. "Yeah, true."

Nexus grins and plays his damned Disads already. "Only one way to find out, right?" He watches the distracted MPs for a while, and picks the best moment to make a break for the unwatched wall.

Rebound says, "Well, there's only one way to find out... Look let me go fir--"

As far as can be determined Nexus gets to the wall of the building without being spotted. Fortunately that place is shielded from view of the rest of the depot by a couple of pallets loaded with spare truck parts.

Nexus positions himself to best avoid being seen by outsiders, and sticks his head through the wall for a moment to see what he can see.

Rebound frowns, but he sits tight for now. o O ( If it is a trap, it doesn't make sense for us both to get caught. )

Inside that building Nexus sees most of the dividing walls have been removed to create a Great Hall. The décor is like stepping back in time to the medieval period. Ornate wooden furniture, thick floor coverings, tapestries on the walls. Seated at repose is the Count, recognizable from his prison photographs. Also in the room is a very distinguished looking man of indeterminate age, dressed in a Roman style toga. That man is speaking and the Count is listening with an air of deference. Also in the room are two younger people, about mid twenties, a man and a woman, both sleek and athletic appearing.

Nexus pulls his head back quickly, having intended only a peek.

Nexus makes a thumbs-up gesture to Rebound.

Rebound takes and deep breath and he tries to stretch himself as thin as possible before following Nexus's path to the wall.

Nexus pays about as much attention to that entirely reasonable suggestion as you might expect.

Nexus charges through the wall at the Count, getting about halfway there and pausing.

The sudden arrival surprises those inside. The Roman toga clad male seems to be the quickest to begin recovering.

Skysabre soars overhead in its falcon mode, circling in a inconspicuous holding pattern while monitoring the action below and scanning for errant signals.

Nexus begins to question the tactical genius of his "take them by surprise and stand there" plan. It sounded good when he was outside...

The toga clad man turns in his chair to face Nexus. His eyes glow with the force of his personality. "Welcome. We are all friends here. Be at peace and introduce yourself."

Nexus 's eyes go comically boi-oi-oing.

Nexus shakes his head and solidifies. "How about I introduce my fist to your chest cavity instead?"

A slight change of expression from Toga as Nexus punches and connects. "I could have used you in my gladiatorial school." he says in what could be an admiring tone.

Rebound bounds into the building. He takes a quick moment to size up the situation and then lashes out with his fist, stretching his hand and growing it as he tries to punch the man in the toga.

Nexus says, "Been there. Done that. Busted out. F--k off."

Nexus grins at Rebound's strike. . o O (just like old times...)

Nexus is astonished that his plan seems to be working, despite him.

Rebound smashes the man solidly in the chest, and knocks him out of his chair and onto his back. "I can hit a lot harder than that. I suggest that you stay down."

Skysabre switches its optics to x-ray, scanning the warehouse for any evidence of legobots or other tomfoolery that would tell it why the Count was holed up here in the first place. And it's listening for familiar signals that might signal trouble for the guys below.

Skysabre patches in to Rebound's communicator. "Rebound. This location is hot with unknown chemical or biological agents. Recommend extreme caution."

Skysabre converts to combat mode in midair.

Nexus nods.

Nexus glares at the not-twins. .You two, not-twins, your bosses do NOT want you to interfere, trust me."

The male bodyguard steps into range of Nexus with a smooth gliding pace and strikes hard at Nexus' ribs with a sidekick.

The female bodyguard steps over to Rebound, "Go, Sirs, we'll deal with these and catch you up at the rendezvous point." she says to the Count as she slams a backfist at Rebound.

Skysabre descends towards the hole that Nexus made, scanning the interior of the building to get a good idea of what's going on.

The female bodyguards fist turns Rebound head hard, and his torso twists one full circle. He tenses and untwists himself and hurls his fist towards the toga guy.

The man in the toga turns into mist that swirls unharmed as Rebound's fist passes through it.

Rebound says, "Can't say I didn't see that one coming."

Nexus nods. "HATE these intangible types," he adds with a smirk.

Nexus becomes difficult to see and takes a swing at the nearest not-twin.

When Nexus hits with his punch it goes through the force armour, which looks like a modified Wolfguard model, but is stopped just below the bodyguard's skin.

The Count stands and advances on Rebound. He holds his ornate cane in his hands and twists the handle. It comes apart to reveal a rapier like blade. Lunging in a classic fashion the Count tries to pass the blade through Rebound.

Fortunately for Rebound the Count stumbles on the overturned chair that his Master was seated in.

Rebound says, "Looks like you're a step slower since leaving Nicky, Count."

Nexus snerks. "Way I hear it, _she_ dumped _him._ For a peasant shaman, no less. _That's_ gotta smart, huh count?"

The count kicks away the chair in rage, his face twisted into hatred.

Nexus thinks. o O (Cool, _that_ worked. Now, why did I want him pissed off, again?)

The not twins combine against Nexus, moving in to strike from opposite directions in a coordinated attack.

Rebound says, "If you think that destroying Colonial Bay will win her back, Count, you're wrong. Oh, and when you tried to blow up Dancing Coyote, you missed."

One strike misses but the female lands her blow into Nexus' flank.

Nexus oofs and falls over, rolling smoothly back onto his feet. "And, again. Ouch."

Nexus says, "Well, his lackeys missed. He wouldn't know how to override a toy plane's controls, let alone a real one. And it turns out he's just a minion himself! Ah, the irony."

Rebound steps to the side of the not-twins. He swells his body until it's big and round like a super-beach ball. With a thrust of gut, he tries to belly-bump on twin into the other.

Rebound says, "Well, I got one of them. Nail her, guys."

Bumped by Rebound's thump the male bodyguard is knocked flying. He narrowly misses the female bodyguard and springs back to his feet on hitting the floor.

Rebound says, "Er, nice move."

Skysabre takes only a moment to size up the situation before raising its arms, the plasma launchers concealed in its wrists popping up like deadly daisies from an ebon field of metallic snow. "Count d'Estes. You will submit." It fires a pair of plasma bolts at the vampire-wannabe.

The Count is knocked over by the plasma bolt, a smell of burnt flesh coming from him as he collapses moaning and paralysed from the pain of the injury.

The pretty obvious vampire drifts up as a mist and reforms on his feet. His eyes turn to Rebound and glow with the fire of ancient power.

Rebound grabs his head and grunts, "Grnnf! Get out of my head!"

Skysabre repositions after putting the Count down. The true vampire falls in its sights, and once it solidifies for the attack on Rebound the Air Commander unleashes a full volley, at considerable energy expenditure. Missing quite badly.

Nexus wonders what Sky is shooting at. Perhaps another concealed Legobot on the wall somewhere?

Nexus smirks at the Count. "By the way, if you want your 'I-was-mind-controlled-I'm-innocent' defense to stick when we drag you in, this would be a good time to surrender."

Nexus addresses Toga. "Eyes _front_ Greek boy. Rebound doesn't roll that way."

The Count groans as he starts to gather his awareness. From outside the building there's a pounding on the main door and shouts, "Master, are you alright?" being the loudest.

Rebound does his best to imitate the 'Master's' voice. "Yes, we alright. We are not to be disturbed!"

The male bodyguard strikes at Nexus with a spinning back kick.

The kick catches Nexus in the pit of his abdomen and hurls him back into the wall of the building.

Nexus remains conscious.

Then the female bodyguard follows up while Nexus is sprawled up against the wall he hit.

Nexus flips up to his feet just in time for an unexpected rubbery force-field to protect him as Rebound dives over to take the blow from the female bodyguard. He looks pretty woozy.

Nexus says, "Owe you one."

Rebound stretches in front of Nexus in the path of the bodyguard's attack. He absorbs the attack and he flops lightly into the wall. "Don't mention it."

With both Nexus and Rebound up against the wall side by side the vampire stares with baleful power at both of them.

Nexus falls right over.

Rebound flops onto the ground too.

It's actually kinda cute, the way they're curled up unconscious together among the debris.

The bodyguards move to Skysabre, "Sir, you should depart. More metas will be on their way. We'll clean up here, kill these and then catch up with you and the Master." the female says to the Count as they strike at Skysabre.

The vampire nods. "They speak wisely, Count. Let us depart." He turns to the wall and a section opens up like a doorway.

Nexus has a vivid dream in which he manages to get a teleport lock on the departing Count. Later, he'll be frustrated to find it was just a dream.

The situation certainly does seem dire for our heroic -- though foolish -- trio. Will they survive? Tune in next week to find out!

An unknown time later... Rebound awakes to a shaking of his shoulder. When his eyes open he sees the female bodyguard bending over him. "Wake up." she tells him. Seeing his eyes open she points to her right eye. "Hit me. I need a bruise here. Valance is in the lab under here. Don't ask questions. The Count and the vampire are gone. Tell your companion we are even for South America now."

Rebound blinks his eyes open. "Hu... What..?" He looks around. "Where's my... where's Nexus?"

When Rebound glances around Nexus and Skysabre are laid out on the floor near him. Neither seem injured or damaged.

Rebound sighs and sucks in a deep breath. He closes his hand into fist. He looks at her face for a moment sizing up the punch.

Rebound punches the bodyguard. Hard.

The female bodyguard rocks back from the punch and then nods. "Good. Next time bring more heroes. It's going to be embarrassing to have to explain how you woke up and overpowered me enough to escape." Standing she and the male race out through the opened secret door.

Rebound turns quickly and tries to wake up Nexus. "Get up, get up!"

Skysabre's optics flicker on, and it sits up. "We are uniquely fortunate."

Nexus rouses slowly. "Later, honey, I need to sleep some -- oh!" He looks around, startled. "What -- oh." He looks around again. "I don't _feel_ dead."

Rebound says, "We gotta move. We got bailed out by the bodyguards. Valance is in the basement. Let's collect him and go."

Rebound says, "She said something about being even for South America."

Nexus nods, slowly. "I will _never_ understand Wolfguard."

Skysabre gets to its feet. "Agreed. We are in a chemical/biological weapons facility. I would advise that you organics handle this situation with more tact than your earlier attack.

Nexus disappears from the ground and reappears standing up next to Rebound. "But charging in worked so well last time!"

Nexus at least has the grace to look chagrined.

Nexus says, "I almost had Toga-man. _THAT_ close!"

Rebound shakes his head. "We were this close to finding out what their plan was."

"We may yet have an opportunity to do so if they left a computer terminal idle." Skysabre comments. "But I agree that our first priority is recovery of this 'Valance' and escape."

Rebound nods. "Lets go."

Nexus nods and follows.

The entrance to the lab is clearly marked, a hatch in the floor.

Skysabre hovers and moves along so as not to clank.

Nexus sighs. "OK, let's try this again... just gonna peek. I promise."

Nexus phases out and sticks his head through the hatch for a quick peek.

Skysabre switches on the x-ray to try and eliminate any surprises.

Nexus sees lots of equipment. Delicate equipment. Bio-hazard and Chem-hazard signs all over the walls. Two men in NCB suits and Valance, as seen in Interpol photos, wearing a white coat. The main operation seems to be the mass production of a liquid very like that squirted by the robot in the Mayor's meeting. The production is being run into a pair of crop-dusting spray tanks.

Nexus pulls his head back and describes the situation.

Nexus says, "Anybody with a better track record for non-stupid plans got a plan?"

Nexus says, "With a little time I can port the three of us in and surprise 'em..."

"Not a bad idea." Skysabre replies. "I may be able to shut this operation down. At the very least we can spoil the mixture. Though I would advise against violence."

Nexus says, "Avoid violence, huh? Well, that's different. How do we shut it down, then?"

Rebound says, "I think that if we act quickly and decisively, we can take them all out without risking an accident."

Nexus nods, preferring that answer. "Yeah, that. I'm guessing this Valance guy's chock-full of chemical tricks, but if we take him down fast w should be OK."

Nexus grins to Rebound. "You still remember our old training routines?"

Rebound says, "Ok, here's another plan. Divide and conquer..."

Nexus says, "I ain't as fast as I used t'be, though."

Skysabre glances at Rebound. "I'm listening."

Rebound says, "Skysabre, can you rig the system to trigger an alarm that they'll have to come and check out? We take out whoever it is who comes to inspect the alarm. Then we go after the rest, possibly using the teleport, then get-'em."

"I require an access port. And any alarm may bring aid from above." Skysabre replies.

Nexus says, "That gives up surprise. If there's site defenses or whatever they'd turn 'em on."

Nexus says, "I say we just bamf in and take him out. I bet if we take down their boss fast, the other two will just fold."

Skysabre nods. "I am in agreement with Nexus. Triggering an alarm before we are finished is too risky."

Rebound says, "Alright then. Port and jump. I'll grab Valance if I can. You guys pile on. Don't wait for me to grab him though. Check your fire, and all that."

Nexus says, "All right!" in a cheerful voice. "OK. Gimme a minute to lock on.""

Nexus sticks his head through the hatch again, in the sneakiest way he can, and memorizes a spot a little bit behind Valance.

Nexus stands up again. "OK. Hold on and get ready to come in swinging. I'm gonna port us on the count of 3. 1... 2..." He teleports the group into the underground chemical weapons lab.

Skysabre nods, ready.

Nexus waits, to coordinate with Rebound.

Skysabre steps right up to one of the NBC goons and trying to sucker punch them with a metallic fist of righteousness.

Struck in surprise the technican goes straight down. Fortunately for him the thick material of the NCB suit protects him a little.

Rebound springs and stretches like a net to try and wrap up Valance. He tries to time his attack so that Valance's attention is split between himself and Nexus.

Nexus lines up with Rebound and attempts to smack Valance down with his shifty-fist in the exact same spot that Rebound's squeeze is focused.

Nexus glares at the remaining goon as valence drops. "You gonna surrender, or are we gonna hurt you?

The remaining guy nods and hurriedly puts up his hands. "This is a US Army base. You're going to be in serious trouble." he tells you.

Rebound twists his body around Valance, pinning his arms and cover his mouth. As the man falls unconscious, Rebound holds up his dead weight.

Nexus shows his UEMS ID. "Official United Earth business." Deep inside, a small part of his soul shrivels and dies.

Nexus searches and ties up the goons, presumably with help. He leaves Valance for last and is _very_ careful searching for boobytraps and such.

Skysabre turns towards the technician. "Be that as it may you are involved in the production of a highly dangerous substance under the direction of a known vampire and his thralls. You will shut down this facility and dispense of what you have created."

Rebound says, "Let's all step into the light then. Your skeletons are ugly. This chemical was being used to poison the water supply in Colonial Bay, and in an attack on the mayor."

Nexus says, "To be fair, it wasn't actually _used_ on the Mayor. Just a bunch of innocent civilians. And your boss here is a wanted criminal. Somehow I don't think _we'll_ be the ones in trouble."

The army technican peers at the UEMS identification. "Huh? What the heck? This is a legal facility. We're creating chemical neutralizers."

Nexus says, "You a chemist?"

Skysabre nods to the technician. "Direct me to your network access point."

Nexus adds to Sky "If you'd like a hand with the network stuff, I'd be happy to pitch in. Just a human, but I'm pretty good anyway."

The tech nods and points to a stand-alone computer system. "We're isolated. New procedure introduced by the CO when he came in last year."

Nexus sighs. "I hate it when they get clever."

Nexus says, "Still, local system might have useful info."

Rebound nods. "Let's take a look."

Rebound still keeps Valance wrapped up for now.

Nexus says, "Want me to take Val here into custody? Won't take aminute."

Skysabre moves towards the terminal, metallic fingers rapidly clicking and clacking over the keyboard. "I need a datajack. Fingers are so inefficient."

Nexus shrugs. Sky seems to have the data side of things under control, so he gives Val one last check for boobytraps, hidden weapons, etc.. He strips off everything that looks remotely suspicious.

There's some useful information. Designs for the spray tanks and plans to disperse the meta-berseker chemical over Colonial Bay City. The chemical analysis is on the computer, along with its history. The chemical was developed from a meta-enabling drug used by the army. The tech is insistant that the facility is being used to create defensive measures only even when faced with direct evidence. It's like he doesn't even see it right in front of him.

The computer yields full information over the chemical side of the attacks on the city. But nothing about the reasons for them or anything helpful in locating the others involved.

Nexus looks up from his (believed) safely stripped Valance. "I'm gonna put him in custody. Sky, if you can download a copy of that stuff, that'd be handy. Keep an eye on these two, I'll be back in a minute." He disappears, with Valance.

"Given the mind control nature of the vampire and the legitimate US army designation of this facility it is no surprise that the technician would adamantly believe that he is working for noble goals." Skysabre comments to most anyone willing to listen. "I will make a record of this data. But we still need to shut down this facility."

Nexus reappears.

Nexus says, "OK, one down. Way too many to go."

Rebound says to Skysabre. "This entire base has been compromised." Rebound tries thinking of a way to neutralize the solution with the equipment on hand.