Log:Expedition to Earth-946, Scene 2

Expedition to Earth-946 2008/07/09 	 Nexus|Caleb Amber and Azure|Jennifer and Jessica Nexus Sable|Regan True Shot Dr. Yolanda Simmons|Yolanda 2

Caleb says, "OK... here's the situation, way I see it."

Caleb says, "Basically we got three choices. 1 - Back off and leave these guys alone. 2 - Make contact with the locals, get info, make up our minds then. 3 - Charge in and take down the enemy now."

Caleb says, "Let's get real, we're not gonna pick 1. 2 makes sense if we trust Robin Hood here... he can negotiate for us. If we don't trust him, it just gives away our hand to the enemy, and we should go for 3."

[To Regan] Caleb says, "thoughts?"

Regan says, "Well it is essential that we determine if the besiegers or the people in the city are on the bad guy's side."

Caleb hrms. "Well, judging from the winterizing effect being thrown at the city, and the bad-guys whole ice-schtick, I'd say it's the way to bet."

Regan looks to Yolanda to see if True Shot can offer any clarification."

True Shot confirms this is Arctic Fox's army, under the command of Icy Breath - unless that's changed since his time.

Caleb says, "What can you tell us about this Icy Breath guy?"

True Shot says, "I only met him once. He's a sorcerer - and like all that kind, disturbing. He wears a sword, but it was his eyes that disturbed me. And those ice demons were guarding him, even when we were there. I'm told he comes from the far north, and the demons too."

Caleb says, "Any stories about what he's capable of? I take it this winterizing thing is his doing?"

Caleb says, "Even better... about what his weaknesses are?"

"He brought the winter with him, but whether it's him or the demons I don't know. But they say it's all like that in the north, his home...."

Regan says, "Is he capable of mind magic?"

Caleb grins. "Yeah. Well, they serve good coffee in my home, but unfortunately that didn't come along."

"I've never seen what he can do, and I'm glad of that."

Caleb says, "Well, you used to work for his boss, right? No trading of gossip in the ranks? No stirring ballads about how he beat the crap out of some enemy troops?"

Regan says, "Well I have two suggestions."

He frowns. "Just how he brings the winter. And... how he can freeze the heart in your breast and turn your breath to ice."

Caleb nods. "OK... fair enough." He turns to Regan. "Mm?"

Regan says, "Idea one is that we get a local envoy to approach Icy breeches and offer to guide him through the sally port to freeze the city's cisterns and then we mug him once he and his guards are in the tunnel."

Caleb says, "What's a sally port?"

Regan says, "It's a tunnel you use to sneak out of a besieged fortress"

Caleb says, "Ah. OK. So we'd have to ally with the city first... fair enough. Idea 2?"

Regan says, "We get True Shot to take Jenn and myself to the enemy camp as captives, then when Icy bottom comes to interrogate use you jump in with Jess and Regent and we gbeat up bad guy and guard."

Regan says, "We get True Shot to take Jenn and myself to the enemy camp as captives, then when Icy bottom comes to interrogate use you jump in with Jess and Regent and we gbeat up bad guy and guard."

Regan says, "Or... we get a local envoy to approach Icy breeches and offer to guide him through the sally port to freeze the city's cisterns and then we mug him once he and his guards are in the tunnel."

Caleb says, "If we wanna go with the local-envoy plan, step 1 is to make contact with the city, natch."

Caleb says, "Which means we either send Robin Hood in to negotiate for us, or we send one of us in and have Yolanda route translation services through."

Caleb says, "Option 3 is we say the hell with it and just storm the camp. A mage, a couple of hundred soldiers, some demons, and whatever they've got hidden... how hard can that be?"

Jennifer stirs herself to look over where Sable is making her suggestion. "Uh-uh. This is a magic evil mage domain, right. Suppose the local version of Miranda is kill the prisoners and then interrogate their spirits? I say lets leave that plan until we're really desperate."

Caleb says, "Oh, well, and the rest of the army about half a kilometer away."

Regan nods to Jennifer. "Fair point."

Jennifer drops Jessica.

Caleb says, "I was also thinking, if we can negotiate an arrangement with the locals, they could keep the army occupied while we sneak into the camp somehow."

Caleb says, "If it's just Icy Breath and some demons and some sleeping soldiers, we might stand a chance if we can get in with surprise."

Regan says, "I can't help but think that that is a plan they would have to have taken precautions against."

Caleb nods. "Yup, could be."

Caleb says, "Then again, they might not be expecting the locals to have magic backup."

Regan says, "Their camp might swarm with magical alarms and traps we can't detect or disarm."

Yolanda says, "I'm afraid that it maybe be difficult to earn the trust of the locals. We've already tried once. The only one of us who speaks their language is an agent of the sorcerer."

Caleb nods to Regan. "Yeah, true." To Yo he adds "Well, we've got that funky concealing cloak thing of Jess's. We could bring him in in a different identity."

Jessica nods. "Think local culture. Dr Simmons set off the witch hate/kill response. Who's going to be looked on as top-dog? Warriors. I suggest that it's swordsmen and swordswomen. If we take the mage in as a prisoner I figure they'll give communicating a try. Sable, you Cale, and me. We have the skill to sneak in, take out the mage, and sneak out without anyone outside the tent knowing."

Caleb says, "Yo's pretty good at the sneaky thing, too."

Caleb says, "But, sure... I'm game for a covert takeout."

Caleb stares at the camp. "Oh, man. Something just happened."

Regan's head tilts. "Well, it is direct and simple to implement.

Regan turns to regard

Caleb says, "Some kind of interdimensional anomaly. Maybe he's summoning more demons? Who knows?"

Regan turns to look in the direction of Caleb's gaze.

Regan's brow furrows. "How can you tell that?"

Yolanda closes her eyes for a moment. "The camp... everyone is waking up."

Caleb grins. "Teleporting hundreds of miles doesn't phase you, but perceiving interdimensional anomalies you have a problem with?"

Jennifer pulls out binocs and scans the enemy camp.

Nexus hrms. "Well, either they're being attacked, in which case this is our chance, or they're getting backup, in which case we should wait and see what happens. Thoughts?"

Jennifer says, "Wait until we known."

"They're on alert - and know where we are," says True Shot.

Nexus says, "Oh, fuck. OK, I can get us out of here, or we can take the offensive. Which?"

Jessica says, "I -hate- magic."

Jennifer grins, "Both. Fight until the wall guards see we're on the other side to Icy Guts and then bamf out to the city."

Yolanda doesn't sound too eager: "Maybe we should pull back and try another plan..."

Nexus shrugs and gears up for battle. "Okeydoke. Remember, bamfing you guys out ain't instant. If we're already in a fight, might not fly." He doesn't seem to be hesitating, though.

Jennifer says, "Dr Simmons, are the Ice Demons for real sentients albeit evil or genuine demon type uglies? Did you get any mind contact?"

Regan says, "Ok, Yolanda and Caleb should retreat while Jenn Jess and I provide cover."

Nexus, ready to get into battle, looks puzzled over his shoulder. "Huh?"

Nexus becomes difficult to see.

Regan looks to Caleb, you and Yolanda can provide cover from range

Jessica says, "I can see a couple of dozen Ice Demons heading out way. Remember, evil mages may be able to bamf uglies behind us so watch your sixes."

Nexus looks even more puzzled. "What've you got in mind, range-wise?"

Jessica says, "Remind me to pack a flamethrower next time."

Yolanda says, "The demons seem sentient, but completely their minds are completely alien."

The Archer says, "There's something big over there."

[To Jessica] Nexus says, "Pack a flamethrower next time."

Nexus looks in the direction the Archer indicated.

Jessica laughs. "Now you tell me."

Nexus thinks. o O (OK. Six of us, a couple of dozen of them, with hundreds of backup, plus magic. We can take 'em!))

Regan says, "We can't just sit here and wait, we must move, let's pick a plan."

Jennifer grins and pulls out her energy whip. As does Jessica. "Heh, I can use my gear without worrying about someone spotting and recognizing it. Neat."

Nexus finds a spot some distance from the main group and moves that way, using the trees for cover, waiting for the enemy to get into range.

The ice demons begin running over, like an approaching snow-squall.

Jennifer nods to Regan. "A plan? Sure. Charge. Straight down their throats to contact, then fall back slowly. It will look like we're being pushed back and losing while we whittle down their numbers."

Nexus waits.

Regan says, "I still think Nexus and Yolanda should support us from a distance."

Yolanda retreats, trying to keep the heroes in sight, but between herself and the oncoming demons. "They're simple minded... kind of like aliens, for what it's worth."

[To Regan] Nexus says, "I still don't know what you think I can do from range."

Regan smiles. "Well, cogent point."

Nexus continues to wait.

The ice demons are simple-minded enough just to be charging right at you.

Nexus says, "Hey, Archer... this'd be a good time for range support."

The archer has already set up in partial cover and got his bow out.

Nexus says, "Yo, you got any long-range demon-whammy?"

Yolanda sighs, "Which means I can't hide myself from them." She tries to duck behind a tree on teh side of the copse away from the oncoming demons. She tries to spot if the wizard is nearby.

Nexus says, "Oh. Doesn't work on demons, huh? Sucks."

Yolanda shakes her head. "No, their minds are too different for me to do anything to them, really."

Nexus says, "Mm. I'd suggest running away, then"

Nexus gets impatient waiting and starts moving out of the copse, off to one side, intending to flank the approaching enemy.

True-Shot opens fire but the arrow just passes through the demon it hits.

Nexus thinks. o O (F--k.)

Regan says, "That is a long way from being encouraging"

Jennifer cuts through the trunk of a nearby tree with her whip. Curling the lash around the trunk she hefts it trying the balance. "Anyone got a match. You do still smoke don't you Nexus?"

True-Shot swears and fires again.

One of the demons lets out a windlike howl of pain, and in reponse the demons have the speed of approach.

Jennifer shrugs. o O(No fire. Blah). So she throws the tree at the demons as they get in her range.

Twenty demons remain after Trueshot has taken a few out.

Only two of the demons is hit perfectly. THe other two sort of blow around the tree and take shape again on the other side.

The two demons explode in a little puff of snow.

Jennifer coughs rather painfully after throwing the tree with a frown appearing on her face.

Nexus frowns, remembering the twins' nerve-gas thing.

The demons compace themselves into denser form as they approach their prey.

The archer, seeing they've solidified, tries to shoot more than one!

The archer hits 5 different demons!

All five demons howl in pain, but only one does the poof-into-snow thing.

Jennifer and Jessica position themselves to cover Sable's and each other's back and then wait for the demons to close slightly.

The demons run in for the attack.

Yolanda tries asking Prohz via Mind Link: << Do you have anything that will start a fire? >>

Jennifer and Jessica lash out with their energy whips striking several of the demons as they charge in to attack.

Jennifer knocks a couple of the Ice Demons down. The tearing sensation in her lungs as the cold air bites on exertion reminds her to ease up though. Nexus is right. She can't contribute if she is coughing up blood.

Regan whoas

Nexus thinks. o O (Neat! Maybe Yo figured out how to mess with their heads, after all!)

One ice-demon bites into Regan with razor-sharp icicle-teeth.

Jennifer thinks. o O (Ouch. Those teeth look a lot sharper from this close up)

But the demons fail to bite the twins.

Nexus comes out of stealth and takes a shot at the nearest demon, from behind.

Regan's torso twists as she tries to elude the attacks, weaving her body in a subtle arabesque. Despite her efforts the talons of the last of the creatures gouges her left shoulder, slicing a furrow in the flesh of her shoulder. Using the momentum of her turn she leaps, swinging her foot as she get s airborn to kick all of the monsters that confront her.

The demon whines like the wind as Nexus hurts it and spins about to face its foe.

Nexus waggles his eyebrows. "Surprise!"

Regan twists in the air, flailing her foot in a hissing arc that is reasonably easily eluded by all three of the demons opposing her.

Yolanda swallows. "Well, here goes nothing..." She narrows her eyes and concentrates on the front row of snow-men

Regan lands smoothly, her lips compressing. "THAT showed them."

Jennifer says, "First pass is a win for us, 2-0, Sable. If we stay on our feet we'll take them down. It's not a race."

Nexus says, "Well, long as there ain't a second wave."

Two of the demons Sable is facing whine for some reason.

Regan smiles. "I'll be ok, I just sort of hoped that would work better."

Regan rises from her croouch to smash the heel of her palm into the throat of the demon who hit her.

Trueshot fires five more arrows into the melee.

Regan's fist smashes solidly into the cloud of snow which explodes blossoming into a glittering cloud of ice particles that drift softly onto the blanket of snow.

The twins laugh, "That's amazingly pretty, Sable. Ice crystal art."

There's more howling from demons, and the previously unhurt one facing Regan just crumbles into snow.

Jennifer and Jessica switch to a more conservative approach now the demons are up close and personal.

Jessica and Jennifer straps glittering ice teech across the snow with two lashes of their energy whips.

Three demons converge on Caleb: the one he hit and the two lagging because they were hit with a tree. More gather round the twins and Regan, so there are once again three attacking each. The last two desolidify and fly up into the tree the archer's in.

But not one of the demons strikes true!

Nexus tries to stay aware of the whole area, in case something is sneaking up, but mostly concentrates on another punch.

Yolanda focuses her attention on the snowmen attacking the archer.

Nexus grins as his fist goes through the demon's head, and it poofs into a cloud of ice-shards a moment afterwards.

The demon makes and odd whisting sound

Regan steps forward and grabs the nearest, using the grip to pull herself forward and upwards as her knee drives into the heart of her target. She attempts to use the momentum from that attack to pull herself into an attack on its neighbour but the back-fist swings well wide of the mark

Regan's knee ploughs into the swirling bulk of the demon which explodes in her grasp and she drops back to the ground, her boots crunching in the snow.

Trueshot, takes the shot while he can at one of the dispersed demn's he's facing.

But the arrow passes through harmlessly.

Jennifer and Jessica maintain a defensive posture and wait for Trueshot's pair of demons to compact. He's the only one who can speak the language. They kind of want to keep him alive.

Yolanda does her best to try a help out the Archer again, focusing her mind on one of the demons attacking him.

Regan straightens and aims a smooth kick at the demon on her left.

The archer misses the creature as its organs move as it begins to compact itself.

Regan's boot ploughs smoothly into the into the misty silhouette of the demon, landing with a satisfyingly solid thump, the inert slurry of snow slapping to the snow-covered ground.

Jennifer strikes out at the demon threatening Trueshot as it compacts in readiness to attack him. Her whip lashes out seeking those shiny icy teeth.

Nexus says, "Hey, so anybody have any thoughts on what to do once we've met our shaved-ice quota for the week?"

Jennifer curls her whip over her own shoulder to strike at obe of the demons facing Jessica.

Regan's breath coalesces into a dense cloud of pale mist as she assesses the last of the demons attacking her.

Nexus says, "There's half a chance Stinky Breath might be tired out from summoning these goons..."

The demons once again all miss.

Nexus punches another demon. Unoriginal, sure, but it gets the job done.

Nexus does a little non-DCV-affecting end-zone dance.

The archer fires on the five demons facing the twins.

Regan's feet crunch on the snow as she spins, using the momentum of the term to lash a backfist at the last demon facing her.

Four arrows hit demons, and two of the demons facing Jennifer crumble to snowdust.

The demon Regan hits loses any semblance of humanoid shape, becoming briefly just a swirl of snow.

Regan's final opponent disintegrates into a clump of sleet, some which inadvertently splashes on Jenn (or is that Jess). "Sorry... these things are messy"

Jennifer and Jessica each strike at one of the demons in front of them. Their breathing is sounding harsh, puffs of condensate coming from mouths and nostrils as they begin suffering from the damaged state of their lungs. "This should have established our credentials with the city. Let's.. uh.. finish up and go find somewhere warmer. What do you say?"

Jennifer misses even as Jessica puts her demon down.

Yolanda puts the finishing touch on the demon facing Regan.

The demons don't seem to have a morale problem, anyway. The three left are still fighting!

Again all demons miss, but the one facing Jennifer just barely.

Nexus's last demon crumbles to snow as he puts his fist through it.

Regan crouches for an instant before launching herself skyward and backward. At the apex of her leap she stabilises herself by placing a hand on Jennifer's shoulder which gives enough of an adjustment that she can bring both feet down through the sentre of mass of the demon facing Jenn.

Trueshot puts 5 arrows into the last demon. One was ample.

Regan's twin boots pile-drive the demon which splats flat against the ground

The archer comes down from the tree, collecting up his arrows. And says (via Yolanda), "We should make sure of them. They won't be dead."

Regan blinks slightly. "Are these things self-aware or magical constructs?

"They're demons from the north where it's always winter."

Regan says, "That doesn't entirely answer the question"