Log:Apostate's Redemption, Scene 8

Apostate's Redemption 2019/01/29 	 Amelia Apostate Ayesha Connor Prime Enoch Jak Laurel Technomorph Moonshadow Radical Timewarp

8

A series of floating flat-topped asteroids, orbiting in what appears to be a somewhat regular pattern. The rocks are spinning on individual axes in addition to moving around a central point. The surrounding area is black, with no discernable stars or features.

Each asteroid appears to be a room, like rooms in a house. There's a bedroom, a library, a study, a kitchen, and several others...

-

A few days ago, a strike team from another dimension...a version of their SGG...showed up in Colonial Bay, chasing down two fugitives. One is the bounty hunter known as Desperado, who was in turn chasing the second...a man going by Apostate. The strike team was, after a time, convinced to return to their own dimension, but the heroes had learned that Apostate was damaging the dimensional barriers. With the help of the former Cartesian, now going by Radical, they were able to track the Apostates movement back to his sanctum in a pocket dimension.

A fight ensued, but a truce called...and the heroes have managed to learn a bit about their target. Firstly, his dimensional harness has been repaired by Radical, so that further damage will not be incurred. But he also had been working a time machine, which Timewarp destroyed, so that he could go back and save his world, which he claims was destroyed due to his actions.

The Earth of his dimension is ruled by four Emperors, two of which use magic as their power source, and two use technology. Apostate's uncle was the Sorcerer Emperor, and the power mantle was to be passed to him. Only he refused...and it went to his cousin Thomas instead. The subsequent conflict between the two cousins caused the destruction of the world.

While Grimm was working on repairing the barriers here in the dimensions...and nearly done...that's when Enoch steps through a tear in the fabric of space, and ends up in the workroom where the heroes are.

The current plan is to substitute a book in Apostate's library in the past, so that he won't create the dangerous version of the dimensional harness. It will be one that is more technically sound. Radical has already created a copy of the book necessary with the appropriate changes. The only thing remaining is to put it into the young Connor 'Apostate' Duran's hands.

Amelia looks at Radical, "If we need a distraction I could summon Lazare." she says straight-faced.

Radical looks at Amelia, "You are not serious, are you? That would be...a horrible, horrible idea."

Dialydd listens and watches to all the planning to change the past, his head tilting to one side from time to time. But, apparently he chooses to listen to his elders as he raises no objections.

Amelia shakes her head. "No. I'm not serious. But someone needed to lighten up the mood."

Apostate sees Enoch arrive, and he sighs. "I think your appearance here also must have caused a conduit to here. We're getting random people arriving now."

Timewarp says, "Oh - that happens with interdimensional travel too?"

Enoch steps out of nothing and into reality, well this reality, and freezes. It just so happened that she was at the gym registering as a hero for those services and had crossed the street for a smoothie and had to use the ladies room. Nature be damned sometimes. Fixing her gaze on the Apostate she blinks, once, "This is not the lavatory I was expecting."

"Who is this Lazare?" inquires Dialydd in his deep and Scandanavian(?) accented English. His veiled gaze then drifts to where Apostate looks.

Moonshadow says, "The opposite of what Radical used to be."

Here- in the Sanctum between worlds, Jak has little to do but spin his pistol on his finger and holster it as he bounces from asteroid to asteroid, trying to get a feel for the spatial warping that caused him such strife when he originally attempted to teleport the team to the 'room' that functioned as Apostate's workshop.

He bounces between asteroids- each time coming up short or overshooting only to have to make a second jump or activate his Outrider Rig to subvert gravity entirely.

Even behind his RidTek blackout shades its clear Jak doesn't like this place at all.

He gets bored with this 'practice' and leaps towards the asteroid that the other heroes have assembled on- in time to spot Enoch's arrival.

"Oh- look, a stray." He says, pointing towards Grimm and Enoch.

Apostate tilts his head at Enoch's comment, but then adds, "There's a washroom over there." It's a couple of floating rocks away. It looks relatively private.

[To Enoch] Timewarp says, "Hey. Where have you come from?"

Radical says to Dialydd, "I was once the Cartesian, the agent of Order. Lazare is the Anarch, the agent of Chaos. My former direct opposition."

[To Timewarp] Enoch lifts her chrome shoulder in a little shrug, "Colonial Bay, Past Times Coffee Shop, the ladies room needs a warning sign or something."

Timewarp says, "It has one! Or should. Maybe it fell off?"

Amelia nods, "I'll bet the clearer took it down again." she says knowledgably.

Enoch's voice gains a smirk, "I was in a hurry, might have missed it... I guess it's hold it time."

Moonshadow says, "There's a washroom here. I can fly you over if you wish."

Enoch's eyes crinkle a little at the corners, probably smiling behind her mask, "Thanks but, it can wait... I don't want to risk another bathroom jaunt in strange spatial distortions or whatever this all is." She gestures around to indicate everything. "I'm Enoch."

Timewarp idly wonders how the plumbing works.

Timewarp says, "I'm Timewarp!"

Moonshadow introduces herself.

Dialydd bows slightly to Enoch, his hands held open at his sides. "I am Dee-all-lith...Robe...must remember the codename."

Apostate nods. "I am known as Apostate. This is my sanctum that you have arrived in."

Amelia smiles, "I'm Amelia. Nice to meet you, Enoch."

Radical nods. "Nice to meet you as well. I suspect you're from teh same dimension we are. Though I suspect Amelia can confirm that. I go by Radical."

Enoch nods, "Wish it was under different circumstances... I feel like if things go sideways I am punching way beyond my pay grade."

Amelia nods, "She is." she confirms.

Dialydd murmurs softly, "Paygrade?" in a mildy confused tone.

Timewarp says, "What is it you do?"

Both Apostate and Radical shrug at Dialydd's comment, exactly in time with each other.

Enoch answers, "I don't normally end up in other dimensions or worlds. You know, bank robbers, evil militaries, stuff like that..." She looks around, at the Asteroids and blank empty darkness. "This," She gestures with her metal arm, "Is not my normal thing."

I can't tell which one you mean.

Technomorph(#2997PenACcFk)

Taller than the average human female, this woman is a showpiece. She has a muscular build that shows she is truly an athlete. She stands at five feet ten inches tall and her hair appears to be a bright silver color. Metallic silver. Yes you read that right. Her body appears to be encased in skintight weaves of silver scales with royal blue highlights at the edges of the scales. Her eyes appear to be covered by blue slits which glow now and then. But if there was an ounce of fat on her, believe me it would show in such a skintight outfit. It looks literally painted on, or maybe poured on. Her movements and body language suggest someone who is used to watching out for trouble. Her bearing might imply that she is a soldier, or she -was- one.

Amelia grins at Enoch. "Hey, hang around with us and you'll get used to it."

Moonshadow says, "And eventually home."

Technomorph ALSO appears in the workroom, right where Enoch had appeared. Grimm hadn't managed to close the rip in space yet, and she managed to walk through the dimensional rift from teh ladie's room in the coffee shop to the sanctum prior to the fix.

Moonshadow says, "We need to check on that sign..."

Grimm mutters to herself...and finishes repairing the dimensional barrier. "That should take care of it. No more strays."

Timewarp says, "Darn. And we did the interdimensional travel the gentle way!"

Dialydd tilts his head at Enoch then his gaze turns to the newest arrival before looking at the spot where both emerged. "Cha...amazing...Are such weaknesses in spacetime common in Colonial Bay, sera Amelia, sera Grimm?"

"It wasn't exactly a rough trip." Enoch says to herself, "One step there, one step here, poof..." She then looks at Technomorph and nods. Otherwise standing at ready ease, military style and just observing all the strangeness.

Amelia looks over at Grimm. "Is that teachable? Or, if not, how would you feel about being on a retainer?"

Opening the door to the stall and stepping inside, Alexandra blinks as this is -not- the toilet. "Damnit." she mutters. "I already had too much coffee..." She clenches up and notices that the place is -vastly- different than she expected. So silvery liquid flows over her whole body, encasing her as she attempts to radio home-base. "Well, that sucks." she mutters mostly to herself. Then she peers about at the situation and falls silent to attempt a tactical analysis.

Grimm smiles. "I'm...not sure it's teachable. But I can try, once this is sorted out."

Amelia nods, "Thanks."

Apostate shakes his head as another person arrives. "We should fix the past so that this will be corrected."

Enoch asks, "Isn't there a thing about the Sanctity of Time and that if we alter anything in the past we are just creating a new version of reality, another 'verse in the multiverse?"

"Excuse me. But... altering the past is one of the worst things that can ever be done by anyone... at least according to many theories that I've been told. I'm not a scientist. Just.. someone who gets lectured by science types a lot." offers Technomorph.

Apostate nods. "My 'verse, as you put it, no longer exists. If we create an alternate version or save the original world, either is acceptable. At least those multitudes of sentient beings in my dimension will not have died."

[To Enoch] Timewarp says, "That's the - well, majority theory. Another theory suggests it is possible to alter the past, at least of another dimension, though it's tricky. But save a branch of the world is better than saving none of it."

Radical adds, "We're not changing OUR past. We're changing his, in his dimension. If that makes sense."

Enoch nods, "I am fine with whatever, really, just rehashing late night trid show science specials essentially. I think. But those people still died. You'll just be creating living versions of them... it doesn't erase what happened. Moral implications aside, I think it's a net win."

Folding arms over her upper abdomen, Technomorph inclines her head. "If your timeline no longer exists... then nothing we do will fix that. Your best bet is, if we really are talking about an infinite number of universes... find another one similar enough where the major event you are worried about went your way and poof, live there. But... then you might have an alternate -you- to contend with." She hrms and shakes her head, "Maybe you should move on."

Amelia also nods, "Timewarp and Radical and Harlequin stopped a extinction level nuke war in an alternate dimension. Whether it changed the past or created a new timeline, either way I'd count it as a win."

[To Technomorph] Enoch says, "From what little I've caught, the idea is that the alternate older version of himself will live there with his world. Not sure what this one is going to do."

Apostate listens to the comments, but focuses on Technomorph's. "I have tried...to 'move on'. I cannot. I am the reason they all died, or at least part of the reason. I need to fix that." He points to a book that Radical is holding. "That is the key to making sure that the damage I have done will not happen. If I cease to exist, as a result, so be it."

Dialydd listens quietly, his head turning to look at each speaker in turn. But, the tall figure remains silent.

"Here's the thing." says Technomorph as she unfolds her arms and gestures to Apostate. "If in your universe, things went belly up.... then there is an alternate one where they did not. Does that stand to reason? If every choice made, creates alternate universes with both versions of each choice, then why not just.. find the opposite one and live there, safe and secure in the knowledge that things did not go to hell in a handbasket there?"

Apostate's voice raises, "Do you REALLY not understand? I am the reason my WORLD DIED! You do not just GET PAST that!"

Moonshadow says, "That world would likely be the one where he chooses to become Sorcerer Emperor."

Radical places a hand on Apostate's shoulder to try to calm him down, and while Apostate shrugs it off, he still takes the moment to regain his composure.

Timewarp assures Apostate,"*I* understand. And that's what matters here."

Enoch raises an eyebrow at Technomorph, "What's the harm in trying to fix a dead world?"

"What -matters- here, is what is best for the most people." says Technomorph. But she glances to Enoch. "So long as it doesn't require the sacrifice of entire other realities, nothing. I just don't see how it's possible to restore a timeline that no longer -exists- at all. I mean if it was merely damaged and the people dead, perhaps it could be restored, but to me, it sounds like trying to undetonate a nuke after it happened."

Jak just smirks and says, "WEll let's get on with it then. Then we can find out."

[To Technomorph] Enoch says, "Dead people on one side, living reality on the other. I'm going to go with life."

Amelia looks at Tenchnomorph. "Been there. Did that. Watch and learn."

Apostate nods to Timewarp. He grabs his mask from the table, and prepares to put it on. For those who haven't met Connor before, his face looks weathered and scarred, like he's seen quite a bit. And fought often.

"It is possible that the attempt may be unsuccessful, I agree. But, for his sanity...and the safety of others if his sanity snaps...we should make the attempt," murmurs Dialydd.

Shrugging, Technomorph remarks, "I'm not against the concept. Really, just devil's advocating here. Either way, if people canbe saved, that's the mission. Yes."

Timewarp says, "People can be saved. Yes!"

Moonshadow says, "To Life!"

Apostate nods again as the others voice support. "We need to get that book into my personal library after I left my family's stronghold, but prior to trying to build my dimensional harness."

Moonshadow says, "How long a timeframe is that?"

Apostate thinks about it. "About a six month window."

Timewarp says, "Sounds easy enough."

Shaking her head, Technomorph mutters softly, "The more time is futzed with, the worse things get. But.." then she raises her voice to conversational level, "I can emulate a cloaking field, if that would help get that book where it needs to go."

Enoch asks after things seem decided, "Don't we have to go to the now dead place before we time travel?"

"And do you remember the security measures you took to safegaurd yourself during that time frame, ser Apostate? And if so, how to make certain you would not find any traces of tampering?" inquires Dialydd.

Apostate shakes his head, "I wouldn't notice tampering, honestly. I don't think so, as least. That's the point where I started actively working on the harness. And I hadn't read the books prior to that. As for security...there is some basic security on the house I lived in at the time." He pauses, "Um...magic based security. I should add that."

Apostate shrugs, "Most of the economy and services in the realm I lived in is magic-based."

Dialydd looks over at Amelia and Grimm. "Do you by chance have a key still to your home at the time?"

The questions seemed to be addressed to Apostate.

"So, there is an argument to be made that magical troubleshooters would be the most useful. But a countervailing argument says that anyone with magical powers might be the most noticable if that is all they are used to." offers Technomorph. "Again, devil's advocate." she adds with a smirk.

Enoch says, "A better question would be, do you know how to subvert those security measures without raising an alarm?"

Enoch adds, "I mean it is your house right?" Attention on the Apostate.

Amelia glances at Radical. "I recall what you told me of events when we were helping the Red Tigers. How you were able to get past the Shaman's magical defences - because you didn't use magic. The same might apply. Although if it could be someone not Apostate's dopple..."

Jak couldn't have done better. So he finds something to lean against, looking over his glasses at the others.

Apostate nods, "I would be able to do so. There is a code of sorts, but it keys on me personally. And the magic attunement will still recognize me. I think."

Well, that comment certainly raises Technomorph's brow. Well not so much what was said as what was almost said. But to direct attention away from that, she glances to Enoch and shrugs, then looks to the others, "I am purely tech based. Programmable matter and all."

Radical nods. "Mmm...I got past those magical defenses because they were blocking non-organic things only. I only moved across the barrier with organic material."

Amelia rubs her chin, "Oh. I'd heard you got into the Shaman's lair in Harrisburg past magical defences?" she says to Radical.

Radical blinks. "Oh! That time! Yes, I teleported beyond a magical barrier. That might work here, too."

Enoch starts absently looking over at the asteroid that is the watercloset.

Jak raises a brow at that. "Does that mean you went throu--" He's cut off but Amelia's correction, so he just snickers to himself.

Timewarp says, "Or maybe I could move so fast the defences can't react. It just depends on what they are."

[To Enoch] Moonshadow says, "Want a lift over there?"

"Between all the teleporters here... I'm sure we can figure something out." Jak offers encouragingly.

Apostate nods at Radical's comment. "I suppose...that a correspondence shift could also get past the security. But we would need to be careful inside."

The corners of Enoch's eyes crinkle as she smiles behind her mask, "I never teleport on a first date." She mentions dryly at Jak, but otherwise shakes her head a bit at Moonshadow, "I'll be ok, been on worse stakeouts."

 Jak says, "Yup. So Radical's doppleganger has agreed to let us help him replace a book on his shelf wit hthe updated one with more technically accurate and therefore less destructive information within. We go back in time and swap the book. Now we're talking getting past Apostates built-in defenses"

Moonshadow says, "I don't teleport."

[To Apostate] Timewarp says, "But you don't know the details of the alarms? Did someone else set them up?"

Dialydd glances at the large group then looks to Radical and Apostate. "Perhaps while all of us should journey to your world's past, not all of us should enter your home? There are many of us. Perhaps some should wait outside?"

Grimm looks to Dialydd. "As what? A distraction? To run interference?"

"When infiltrating, there is a point of diminishing returns. More people get spotted easier while a small team can work best." says Technomorph, agreeing with Dialydd's words. "Or a reserve in case distractions or high firepower extraction is warranted."

Moonshadow says, "As backup."

Enoch nods to Dialydd and Technomorph, "An insertion team should be small, no more than a handful. A larger party has greater chances of triggering alarms or being noticed."

Apostate nods to Timewarp. "I have no facility with magic, as things stand. So the alarm system was set up by another." Radical adds, "Picture having an alarm technician turn up to your house, only instead of a tech-based alarm, it's magic-based."

"As backup or interference if needed. While unlikely, tampering with the past could attract, cha, attention from those powers who, cha, dislike such meddling."

Apostate nods at the clarification. "I know how it turns on and off. And...what will happen if it's tripped."

Moonshadow says, "And what is that?"

Apostate says to Moonshadow, "The security forces would be dispatched to investigate. Likely a member of the Demon Squad."

Timewarp nods. "Ok, mild. I wondered if it was like that. So we need to do some housebreaking, one way or another, on a world where we don't know how security alarms work. Maybe it's best if we just go there and see how much we can work out about the alarms, rather than just standing here and speculating?"

Nodding, Technomorph offers, "I volunteer to be a part of the backup reserve. I am suited to infiltration, but not if knowledge of magic is required. I am just a soldier with some crazy tech."

Enoch adds to what Technomorph says, "I'm just a soldier, not even any fancy tech. Just a nifty prosthetic." She taps her cyberarm with the fingernails of her other hand. Ting ting.

Radical nods as he thinks about it. "Based on the description of what Apostate said, I think that moving back in time first makes sense. And likely not here. This pocket dimension was likely constructed after he became Apostate, right?"

Apostate nods in agreement with Radical.

"Well, if we go to -our- universe and travel back, then we risk ruining something in our own world if we step on the wrong ant." suggests Technomorph. "Whereas if we go there first and travel back... it's not like we're not already PLANNING to change the past there."

"Perhaps, if possible, to an empty world, empty of sentient life that is, then back in time and then to the alternate Earth of Apostate?" adds Dialydd.

Amelia says, "The best course is obvious. We leave this pocket dimension, as it was created recently. Back to our own or another existing dimension. Then back in time so Apostate's world still exists. Then cross over."

Apostate shrugs, "I think...it makes sense to go back first. Your concern about changing your own past is warranted, but we'd only be there briefly. And my future does not exist. If we cannot survive a vacuum, we would not survive."

Apostate smiles slightly as he pulls on his mask, "I was not kidding when I said the world was destroyed. It was..literally destroyed. Ceased to be."

Timewarp says, "Or, as Amelia says, to another dimension. She's the expert there."

Enoch asks Apostate, "Ever heard of the butterfly effect? Let's not risk messing with our own timeline." She says to the others. "The arrival of a large group of interdimensional travellers from the future has risks even if we were there only for an instant."

Moonshadow says, "True. there weren't as many of us last time."

Apostate shrugs, "If you have another dimension you wish to move back in time in, that also works. It does not have to be your own. Mine is not viable."

"For example.." begins Technomorph, "A previous version of a time traveling hero such as.." she gestures to Tali, "May sense it and investigate, thus we altered our own future already." She shrugs, "I can survive a vacuum, and it's possible that I can help others. I've never tried. But either way, I think we should go anywhere but home."

"It'll work itself out in the wash." Jak says unholstering his pistol and spinning it. "Now, lets get this show on the road."

Amelia says, "There are many alternate realms, earths, which are uninhabited by sentient life. Making changes in the timeline there will be insignificant."

A series of floating flat-topped asteroids, orbiting in what appears to be a somewhat regular pattern. The rocks are spinning on individual axes in addition to moving around a central point. The surrounding area is black, with no discernable stars or features.

Each asteroid appears to be a room, like rooms in a house. There's a bedroom, a library, a study, a kitchen, and several others...

"So, let's do that." suggests Technomorph as she gestures to Amelia. "I'm all for limiting our exposure to our own past."

Amelia opens a gate, "Maximum of four at a time, please. Have passports and tickets in hand. Carry luggage only."

The dimension the group jumps to is a barren world, covered by rock and dust. No life is present. There is still an atomosphere, curiously.

Moonshadow steps through the gate, flashing an illusory ticket and passport at Amelia.

Before passing through the portal, Technomorph shifts and sdjusts her body. Well, the tech about her body. She grows what appears to be more solid -armor- rather than just plates in a bodysuit. Amor that is sealed with a helmet and visor and such. She also grows what appears to be a sort of energy weapon in her hands. Blaster rifle?

Enoch looks at the Gate, looks at the others, then steps through into barren dust and rocks, and is thankful the mask covers her mouth and nose. Something of a filter at least. "Well, the cleaning crew is going to wonder who tracked all this dirt in."

Timewarp looks about the barren world. "No kidding, dead world. How'd it end up like this?"

Jak slides through as if friction didn't quite apply to him still spinning his pistol. He looks a little gleeful- he's clearly happy to move on, even if it is to just a barren counter-Earth.

The time jump...is hard to gauge. The land is still barren. But the next dimensional shift, to Apostate's world, goes well. The world exists. So you're at least far enough back in that sense. You arrive in front of a large old home in the Green Acres area outside of his version of Colonial Bay. It's a three story home, likely built in the early 1900s.

Amelia shakes her head, "No idea, Timewarp. I can select the nature of the earths I open a gate to but that doesn't mean I know how they got like it."

Moonshadow says, "Find a newspaper?"

Apostate raises a brow. "Newspaper? What's that?"

Amelia pulls out her PDA and checks for reception.

Just before going through the time jump, Technomorph shifts from life support, armor and a blaster.. to her cloaking field. So when you all arrive, she at least is shielded from optical sensors and the like. "We should get into a position of cover first thing." she suggests.

There's no reception for the PDA, sadly.

Moonshadow says, "How about a dated decree?"

Grimm follows along with her hands in her leather jacket's pockets, not looking entirely pleased with all this meddling.

Timewarp does a quick survey of the area out to half a mile.

Moonshadow says, "There's a magical shell around the house. I'm guessing that's the security field."

Timewarp does come across a date on some mail delivered to a nearby home a mile away, giving her a rough idea of what day it is. You appear to be in the six month window.

There's a barn nearby as well, that the heroes would recognize. It looks like a version of the one Radical used as a workshop/garage.

Otherwise, it's mostly open fields and a single road. The barn has a view of the house itself. And there doesn't seem to be any security on the barn proper.

Timewarp returns. "Ok, we hit the right time. I was just worried in case the calendar was different, or the rate of time massage.

Enoch looks at the Barn, "We should get out of sight, then we can figure out how we're going to try to get past the magical security and who is going. Just, my suggestion." She headnods over towards the barn.

Moonshadow says, "Excellent idea."

Timewarp says, "So where's the magic barrier junk?"

Glancing about, Technomorph lifts a brow. Then she glances to Enoch and gestures to the barn with a lifted brow. Then at Enoch's words, she nods, "I agree." she states. Then she remembers that she is cloaked so says, "I'll scout it out." and trots off that way

Moonshadow says, "Around the house itself."

Timewarp says, "How close? I don't want to trip it by mistake!"

Moonshadow looks again at the house and the shell around it.

Apostate and Radical also head toward the barn. Apostate says, "This was used as a garage while I lived here. If the vehicle isn't here, I'm not at home." And sure enough, the barn is mostly empty. There are some older pieces of farming equipment, but with a slightly gothic look to them. Those with magical senses can tell that some of them have be imbued with power. Perhaps to run without intervention by a human?

[To Timewarp] Moonshadow says, "About a foot."

Timewarp says, "Oh, ok!"

Decloaking, Technomorph nods, "We're clear." she says as she calls down from an upper loft. "I have a good sightline from up here to the house." That said, she moves to a place where she can watch. "Get the infiltration team together. I'll wait here to cover with whomever else is staying behind."

Apostate looks at the building. "So, we have two choices. Either I can walk up and disengage the security, and we walk in. Or...we can try your idea of teleporting inside. Unless there's another idea?"

Timewarp goes and has a good stare through all the windows, just avoiding the last foot.

Timewarp says, "I guess trying to disable the security the criminal way is the other option. If anyone knows how."

Amelia says, "I'll see if I can find a weakness in it if you like, folks"

Enoch looks around, "It's a shame we don't know what will happen if it is tripped. Then we could prepare for the eventuality."

Moonshadow says, "Apostate told us. The "cops" come to check it out."

Timewarp notices that the house is well kept and orderly, if a bit archaic with antique furniture.

Amelia relays that information. "So a non-magic teleport ought to do the trick. Jak, what do you think?"

Enoch asks, "Anyone have handy digging powers? We could tunnel under it too."

"I thought you'd never ask." Jak replies with a grin. "Now whos riding along?"

Moonshadow says, "I'll stay with the outside group. But first..." She pulls out a small device quite familiar to the Travellers, and speaks into it, "Testing...1...2...3..."

Timewarp says, "I can dig, if I have a shovel."

Enoch considers, "I can be pretty sneaky when I want to be, but, I will stick out hugely here if discovered on the inside. So I am a poor choice."

The communicator works.

"Give me your frequency." suggests Technomorph. "As a technomorph, it shouldn't be much of a surprise that I have a built in comm." she adds with a smirk, "So we can stay in communication while the inside team goes in."

Amelia nods, "I'll stay outside too. My abilities are magical. Best if I don't use them unless I really need to."

Apostate takes the book from Radical, "My harness should also do the trick, since it's technological."

Jak holds out his hands for the 'strike team' so he can port them to the other side of the barrier.

Enoch suggests, "We should leave a teleporter outside with us too, just in case something goes down so we can bring in reinforcements as quickly as possible."

Timewarp says, "Do you want me to come? Or maybe there are enough?"

Timewarp says, "I guess maybe I'm better in reserve?"

Apostate shrugs, "Up to you. Just don't touch the outer wall while we're inside."

Timewarp says, "I'll wait. If shick treats, I'm better not in an enclosed space."

"That's a good point." Jak says, having seen Tali in action on a multitude of occasions.

Jak teleports the 'infiltration team' inside, aiming for the largest room on the ground floor. The teleportation goes off without a hitch. There's no obvious alarm that goes off. Apostate takes a deep breath, "This way." He heads to a library off the main room, where there are dozens of books on shelves.

Apostate starts looking through the books. "It's here...on this shelf someplace. I'll have it in just a second..."

The people outside can see a hover vehicle turn onto the property and head toward the barn. Apparently the owner of the home is back.

Jak follows along with his hand hovering over his pistol, just incase things aren't as they appear. He doesn't even realize he's doing it. He's quiet as he skims along the surface of the ground- never quite touching down and always locked in an unnatural forward movement that never quite matches up to his footfalls.

"What's it called?" Jak asks as he scans the shelves too, looking for a binding that looks similar to the one Apostate is holding.

The vehicle is a small passenger car, four doors, and looks like a practical reliable kind of car.

Apostate says, "Dimensional Theory across Six Dimensions."

Enoch blinks, "We need to get out of sight." She tells the people in the barn still, "And warn them on the inside that the younger guy is home." She then proceeds to look for a place to do just so, behind another vehicle perhaps.

"Oh. Just a little light reading." Jak jests.

Amelia says, "Someone with comms warn the inside team. I'll see if I can delay." And with that she ports out beside the drive. And tries to wave down the car."

Radical gets out of sight. He relays the information about the younger version of the owner coming home to those inside.

Moonshadow calls Jak on the comm to let him know about the car.

The vehicle slows to a stop when Amelia appears. The owner gets out of the vehicle, and it looks like a younger version of Connor, sans the scars. "Can I help you?"

Jak touches his ear and listens. He says to Apostate, "Alright- so you're home. Your other you, I mean. The younger you." He stumbles over the temporal vernacular.

Moonshadow also finds a place to hide.

Timewarp quickly hides on the dar side of the house from the younger Apostate.

Apostate grumbles. "Oh...good. A pretty face would keep him distracted. Relay that to the others."

"So we should hurry - or... we should try again. Go forward a day or something." Jak adds as an option.

Timewarp says on comms, 

Amelia smiles, "I sure hope so. I'm a traveler who seems to have taken a wrong turn somewhere. Where am I exactly, please?" She pull out her PDA. No reception but it seems to work in this realm, so she brings up google maps 2069 version.

"Oh perfect." Jak says before tapping his comms again. "Hey- he's a real ladykiller. Can someone... I dunno, 'leggy' get us a distraction?"

Connor Prime walks over and looks at the PDA, "Hmm. Never seen that kind before. Where are you from?" He doesn't bother to wait for an answer, "You're in Green Acres, north of Imperial Bay, Virginia."

Apostate grins, "There it is." He swaps the book on the shelf with the one in his hand. "We're good to get out of here."

Amelia smiles, and nods, "Thanks. Uh... which dimension? and what's the year? Every since teaming up with Tali she's wanted to ask that question of someone.

Timewarp undoes one of younger-Apostate's shoelaces while he's distracted. Hey - it'll probably buy a few extra seconds once Amelia is done.

Connor Prime blinks. "The year is 2068. As for the dimension...I...um..." He thinks about it a moment, "The theory books I have call this Dimension 1. But...well, that's all relative, I think."

Jak reaches over towards the others and says, "Let's go. I can get us back easy." Confident as ever.

Once everyone is accounted for, he makes the leap to the barn- appearing with all in tow with a flash becoming Jak Venture, the Outrider.

Amelia nods, "Yes. Everyone calls their dimension number one. Or prime. Or Alpha. Although the people who go for letters soon find themselves running out. I'm from a city called Colonial Bay, geographically close the here I suspect. From... duh.. we call it dimension prime-1."

Amelia notices that this version of Connor looks...happier. Less angry. No real hard edge to him, like Apostate has. Connor Prime smiles. "I see. Well, I'd like to learn more, if you have time."

Amelia nods "Sure. I'm kind of on the clock at the moment but now I've been here I can find my way back another occasion. Although I don't have to rush off in that much of a hurry. I'm Amelia Steinberg. And you are..?"

Connor Prime offers a hand to Amelia, "Connor Duran." He seems to hesitate, wondering if the name rings bells for her.

Meanwhile the others wait in the barn. Radical says quietly, "I can start transporting people back to the dimension we came from. Four at a time."

Moonshadow says, "That might be wise. We need to be gone when that car pulls in here."

Enoch murmurs, "The sooner I get back, the better."

Amelia chuckles, "No. Really. I know a Connor Duran on my home dimension. Great guy. Come to think of it, you look a lot like him. Do you know an Amelia here?"

Radical nods to the others. "Take a hold of my arm, then."

Amelia shakes his hand, lingering over the handshake a little.

Jak taps his comms now that they've landed to inform Amelia, "We're clear. Heading home now."

Connor Prime says to Amelia, "I'm afraid I don't. I'm sorry. But I haven't lived in the immediate area long. About two months."

Timewarp waits for the second trip, given that she can hide easily enough if need be.

Radical transports the first group of folks back to the barren dimension they used as a waystation. He reappears a few seconds later, ready to take the second group.

Moonshadow also waits for Amelia.

Amelia shrugs, "Well... Probably just as well. I know a couple of my dopples and, honestly, jerks. I mean I'm ashamed to be kind of related to them. You know what I mean?"

From her vantage point, Technomorph is subvocalizing to keep the infiltration team apprised of Amelia's distraction progress. She remains cloaked in stealth and observes... ready to back up one way or another. But minimal involvement, zero footprint is the rule of the day.

Connor Prime chuckles, "No, I can't say I do. Let me put my car away, and we can talk further."

Timewarp takes the second ride with Radical.

Amelia nods, "You live here? Huh, that's kind of a dumb question. What else would you be doing driving up the path." oO(I hope I've given you enough time.)

Connor Prime nods. "Oh...yes. Um...a bit of an inheritance."

Amelia nods, and walks back to the car with him. Slowly, hoping Connor-Prime will keep his pace slowed to hers.

Connor Prime does keep pace with her. "I guess I could leave it here for the moment. It's not going to rain today, since it's a Tuesday. We could just head inside and talk."

Decloaking near the others, Technomorph remarks, "Do we have a way to let her know we are all away?"

Amelia nods, "Do you have a drink called coffee on your earth?" she asks Connor Prime.

Connor Prime says, "No. That doesn't sound familiar. Is it something like tea?"

Moonshadow says, "She knows its just the last of us here."

Amelia far-reaches for a cup of Past Times' flat white coffee, and offers it to Connor-Prime. "Not really. It's a more bitter taste, but I like it. Especially for those late night sessions hitting the study books."

Apostate transports himself to the waystation. Radical starts to get impatient. "We should get going. There's no telling what this interaction will do downstream."

Connor Prime looks at it. He takes a hold of the mug and takes a sip. "Fascinating. How did you do that?"

Moonshadow says, "Then let's go."

Into her own comm, Technomorph says, "Amelia. We are clear. Time to go." That said, she nods to Moonshadow, "I agree. We should leave."

Timewarp nods. "Sooner the better."

Jak tele-flies about the barren landscape- but staying within comms range. There's plenty still to see, even tethered so! He plans on making the most of Amelia's doppelganger-flirting.

Amelia asks, "Do you have magic here. Basically I reach across dimensional realms to grab hold of what I want. There are limits on side ans weight, and it has to be something generic. I can get a book. But not the autographed book from John Smith's library. The trick is in formulating the spell so it targets the item I want."

Connor Prime nods. "Ah...yes, we do have magic here. Interesting. I'll have to see what I can come up with."

Enoch asks, "Can you get those of us who have to use the restroom to our own time and world while she corrupts that other timeline?"

Moonshadow says, "Timewarp? I think your up."

Amelia scratches her right ear, activating the transmit on her comms. "I ought to tell the people waiting for me I'll be a while if I'm going to stay and talk. Oh well, I'm sure they'll get the message somehow."

Jak chimes in. "Bonus points if said bathroom is adjacent to a place where we can get some celebratory beers."

Timewarp says, "I can do time, but not world."

"Jak. Stop playing. Get down here and let's get out of this place. We should not be.." And then Technomorph overhears Amelia's comment and she shakes her head, "Okay. We need to leave NOW. I think this place is going to implode."

Radical sighs, "She's staying for a bit to talk." He says over the comms, "You can't transport yourself through time. You need Timewarp to wait for you. If it was merely across dimensions, I'd be fine with leaving you here."

Connor Prime says, "Well, if you need to let them know, you should let them know."

Timewarp says on comms, "Amelia, we really can't wait any longer. Are you coming or not?"

Amelia nods, "Good point. I'll try and get back soon." she tells Connor-Prime. And opens a gate to the inbetween earth. Passes through it. And looks thoroughly dejected."

Radical transports the remaining folks to the waystation world as well, so everyone is there.

Timewarp looks worried. "Are you ok, Amelia?"

Apostate...is still there. And doesn't seem to have changed. But that could mean multiple things. He says to the others. "Thank you for your help. Once we are back to what we view as the present, I will return to my sanctum."

Amelia tells Timewarp, "I like him. A lot. And now I'll peobably never see him again. It's not just worlds. It's years."

Moonshadow says, "It may be occupied."

Oh right, an alternate alternate earth. Technomorph shakes her head and just clams up. She doesn't bother saying anything, but is fairly obviously frustrated.

Timewarp says, "How can we find out if your world is restored? Going there when it might be destroyed is not a good method!"

Moonshadow says, "Isn't it only one year?"

Enoch says, "Six months."

Timewarp says, "But anyway - all join hands and I'll take you back to the future. Or present, or whatever."

Apostate takes a deep breath and pulls off his mask. He says to Amelia, "I know I was that person back then. And I might be again. I...would be happy to have you visit if you have the inclination."

Moonshadow takes Amelia's hand. And Jak's.

Amelia says, "I can try to open a gate to it after we go forward in time. After getting myself killed in a bad shift I bult a lot of safeguards into the spell. If that earth doesn't exist the gate won't open.""

Timewarp says, "There's every chance you'll see him again Amelia. And before too long. Heck, once we know his world is safe..."

"Kumbiyah." mutters Technomorph as she reaches out to link hands. "Let's go." she adds.

Timewarp takes people back to the "present".

Amelia attempts to open a gate back to Connor-Prime's earth.

Radical says, once the others have arrived, "I can look into that dimensions wihtout going there. Give me a moment." He adjusts his goggles. Though while he's doing so, Amelia opens the gate. Sure enough the world is there. So...whatever happened in Apostate's past was averted. The consequences of such are unclear, though.

Enoch looks around, "Can anyone please take us from this dustball? Mission accomplished and all." She says all this dryly, doing her best not to do the need to use the restroom dance.

"Not to be crass but... can we get back to our world? I've been holding this a while." mutters Technomorph.

Radical chuckles. "Sure." And with that, he transports the first of the group back to the coffee shop in Colonial Bay. "Watch which stall you pick."

Timewarp says, "See, Amelia? He should be ok!"

Timewarp thinks. o O (Probably.)

Amelia nods, closes the gate to Connor-Prime's earth, and opens a gate to Past Time's on our home world. "There we are."

Apostate nods to the others. "Thank you again. I wish you all well. I think...I need some time to just...consider the future." And with that, he transports himself to his sanctum.

Time to rush for a stall. Yep! Technomorph becomes Alexandria and finds relief!

Timewarp gives Amelia a hug is she allows. And whispers, "And I can always take you back in time again a little if need be,...."

Amelia hugs Timewarp, "Thanks. I'll have to think about it. It would... complicate things."

Timewarp nods. "I know. Probably best not to. But you know, I would if need be!"