Bermuda Holiday Session 3

Princess Guard - The New Era 2016/15/12 	 Charm Titan Pulsar Wolf Harlequin 26

The Fae Princess Cruise Liner
It seems that the two crew members running the laser tag games were equally unimpressed by the Maryland coach. Because the ignominious defeat of the Maryland laser tag team by the Steel twins gets posted onto the cruise liner's social media for everyone to see.

However there are no immediate consequences. The cruise continues. Charm has the chance to dine with the Russel couple, who turn out to be both knowledgeable about the art world and also witty and good company. Johnathan has his bubbly redheaded rocket scientist as a dining companion if he wishes.

After diner there are several live shows to choose from in addition to movies in treaters or on the large screens in each cabin.

Charm favours the live shows, curious to see more of Earth's arts.

We'll draw a veil over the night, except to say that the lure of shipboard romances seems alive and well in some cases.

Sasha, or 'Steven' per his cover name, lets Leonid pick what to do in the evening. He even will, reluctantly, stay away if that is what Leonid wants...not that that will keep him from keeping an eye on Leonid and the Markham kids via scrying.

Leonid has no trouble picking what he wants to do. Spend quality time alone with Sasha. Taking in a couple of movies in Sasha's cabin.

Titan sticks to the live shows as well, for the most part.

Sasha and Leonid enjoy watching classic movies such as 'Harry Potter and the Invisible Child' in their true, original Russian.

The next morning the weather is holding up, clear sunny skies and a moderate breeze. The cruiser is about half way to its first landfall in the Bahamas.

The motion of the liner becomes rougher, more pronounced pitching with a harsher faster pace. And those outside see the sun swing around to lie on the bow of the liner.

Titan furrows his brow and takes a look at the water below and the weather to see if that would explain the change.

'Steven' almost falls on his way to the breakfast buffet when a sudden roll of the ship occurs as the ship pitches. He moves to the side of the passageway he and Leonid are in then relays over the PG commlink mentally, .oO(Anyone have any idea what is going on?)Oo.

Charm also looks at the weather with second sight, though she has no skill as a weather-worker.

The liner is leaving a roiling white wake behind it. Titan would guess the liner is travelling at full flank speed, sacrificing comfort for maximum possible speed.

Titan says over the link, .oO(Looks like we've turned southward. And we're moving full speed, or close to it. I don't see an immediate reason why, though. Can someone check the bridge subtly?)Oo.

Charm checks her PDA. Her first thought was to check the course, but she checks weather reports too.

It's only a few seconds after Johnathan's comment when the ship's PA system comes to life, "Ladies, gentlemen and others, are there any Greek speakers on board ship? If you can speak Greek can you please contact a member of the crew."

Akita knows that Ceci has even better hearing than his own, which is also decent. So he "leads" Ceci to a point where they can hear any bridge convo, telling Titan: .oO(Aye. We'll Try!)Oo.

The weather forecast is good. A continuation of the near perfect weather for at least several more days.

Charm says, .oO(It's not the weather.)Oo.

Titan raises a brow, .oO(I can speak Greek. I'll find out what's up with the emergency.)Oo. He heads off to looks for a member of the crew.

When Johnathan contacts a member of the crew he is immediately escorted to the bridge. There the captain comes over to speak to him. "Thank you for volunteering, Sir. We're in communication with a ship transmitting on the emergency band. We think the radio operator is speaking Greek. Would you listen and see if you can make out what he is saying?"

Sasha heads to a nearby lounge as he says over the link .oO(I'll scry the bridge.)Oo.

Titan says over the link, .oO(I'm on the bridge. They're heard something on an emergency band. They think it's Greek.)Oo. He nods to the captain, "Sure, I'm happy to give it a try."

Charm heads to the bow, to get a view of the presumed vessel in trouble as soon as possible.

One of the officers hands Johnathan a set of headphones. The signal is weak and distorted by static but Johnathan can make out the message after a couple of repeats - This is the Ultra-Large LHC carrier Jovial Wanderer. We've collided with an underwater object and we're on fire and taking on water. Main power is out and several crew members are unaccounted for. Mayday. Mayday... - the message repeats.

Titan relays the message to the captain as well as to the team via the link.

Titan says, "How far out is the signal coming from? Can we tell?"

'Steven' murmurs over the link .oO(If we're within, oh, a hundred kilometers or so, and we can get a location, I can open a Gate near the other ship. I cannot guarantee spot-on accuracy unless we are close enough I can scry it.)Oo.

The captain frowns, "A UL LHC and on fire? First officer, we're not getting within five miles of that. Relay the alert to the US Coast Guards and other ships. I doubt that signal is reaching anyone except us." He turns back to Johnathan, "Radar is painting something twenty miles out from our current position. Anyway, thank you for your help. I'll ask you not to tell anyone else about this. You can be sure I will not put this ship in danger but some passengers might be concerned if they knew."

Titan nods to the captain, and makes a decision that might earn a reprimand later. "I might be able to deal with it myself. But I need to you swear to secrecy, sir."

Meanwhile, back in Colonial Bay an amateur radio hobbyist has his radio tuned to the Coast Guards' frequency. He also foolishly drove out onto the beach and his car got stuck in sand. Time for Lucent to do a good deed, and by chance hear about the dire plight of the burning tanker.

The captain is not looking happy at this turn of events. "I cannot and will not fail to notify the Coast Guards of the situation." he says, misunderstanding Johnathan's intention.

Titan says over the link, .oO(Only twenty miles out. See if you can spot it.)Oo.

Titan turns off his disguise. "I'm a metahuman, sir. And I have metahuman friends."

Titan says, "No need to get the ship closer. I just need fairly accurate coordinates."

Titan smiles. "And by all means, please contact the Coast Guard."

Akita *sends*:

.oO(

Once Sasha's Eye can see the ship

that's burning on the sea

Could he then Scry _beneath_ the waves,

and find what's _there_ to see?

)Oo.

An intent scrutiny of the sea in front of the bow will notice a smudge of smoke climbing into the sky. And as the tanker is still twenty miles away, that suggests a serious fire indeed.

Charm tries to spot the ship.

Sasha looks around the lounge, see that it is mostly empty, and then says to Leonid. "Go find the Markham kids and stay with them, Leonid." He then hugs Leonid before teleporting back to his stateroom. Once he is there, he changes into Harlequin form as he says over the link .oO(Going to start trying to open a Gate. If the ship is twenty miles away, it is beyond my range for scrying. So, it will be hit or miss. Come to my stateroom.)Oo.

The captain blinks at Titan's revelation. Then he nods, "Secrecy? You have it from me. And everyone else on the bridge, right!"

The other bridge officers all nod and express agreement.

There's a knock on Sasha/Harlequin's cabin door.

Titan nods, "Good enough. Contact the Coast Guard. I'll see what we can do about the ship in the meantime." He gets the coordinates and passes them on via the link to Harlequin. He then says, "I'll report back when I know more details of the situation." He then heads off toward Harlequin's stateroom after reengaging the disguise.

Harlequin opens the cabin door.

The kids are clustered around his door. Leonid is standing at the back next to the Steel twins. The younger ones look excited. Peter has his - I'm almost a grown up - face on. "Steven, is something going on?" Peter asks. "Yeah," Anne-Maria, or maybe Maria-Anne, pipes up, "Can we help?"

Pulsar dives down to the beach. "No need for a tow truck, Citizen!" He says as he swoops past the driver side window. "Please engage the parking break!" He requests as he phases through the vehicle to position himself beneath it.

.o0(As often as I'm lugging cars about, I should start a tow service!)Oo. He thinks jovially as he listens in to the radio being played by the driver.

He hurries to reposition the car, and waves as he phases through the vehicle once more and makes a beeline straight for the ocean.

As he passes the lapping waves he disappears in a ball of light- leaping forward miles at a time to make his way to the reported incident.

It takes him a bit longer than he expected to find the exact location of the ship- but he can see the plume in the distance once he gets close enough.

From there he drops down low and streaks for the ship at the fastest speed he can muster while flying.

Harlequin facepalms.

Harlequin removes his hand from covering his porcelain mask. "Yes, something is going on. No, you cannot go along. Yes, you may stay here and help the victims." After a beat he adds, "And where is your chaperone?"

It's Graham Sparks that answers Harlequin. "Mr. Kirk? He's in his cabin. He's really seasick."

Akita *Sends*:

.oO(

When we step-sideways 'cross the waves,

to rescue those-that-burn

Could Caleb see our Steel-eyed cubs

are safe 'till our return?

)Oo. Titan gets down to Harlequin's cabin, and spots the kids. "Why am I not surprised?"

"Alright. You have the answers to your first three questions then, kids. Now step inside. One of you let the rest of adults in when they arrive. I have a Gate to open and probably move." Harlequin steps to the outside (sea wall) of the cabin and opens the first Gate.

As Pulsar nears the ship at low altitude he reaches his hand out to touch the lapping water passing beneath him leaving a wake in his trail.

Mentally, he tries to figure out how he'll be able to assist.

The kids obediently step inside Harlequin's cabin. Peter asks, "Is it the smoke we can see? How far away is it. I tried but I can't reach as far as that with my mind sense." On the fourth attempt, Harlequin gets the Gate to open just forward of amidships on the other ship. "OK," he says as he stands on the cruise ship side of the portal. "I cannot do much but keep this open. Two people at time can pass through. And I cannot keep it open forever."

A bit of sweat trickles down Harlequin's neck as he speaks.

Harlequin murmurs to Peter, "Twenty or so miles...Can you feel through the Gate, Peter? And if so, can you feel the crew?"

Maybe having the kids in the cabin wasn't the best idea. Anne-Maria and Maria-Anne dart through the gate to the burning ship, with Peter shouting angrily "Come back!" after them.

Peter turns to Harlequin and looks down, "I'm sorry. They shouldn't have done that." Then he concentrates, "Yes. I can feel the minds. I can feel... ten on the big ship, and twelve underneath it."

Titan mutters to himself and he flies through after the kids.

Anne-Maria and Maria-Anne are on the other side. They look defiantly at Titan. "You can punish us later. But we can help, and we're tough. We won't get hurt."

Pulsar changes angles to get a better view of the ship as he nears. He climbs about 50m up to clear the deck of the ship and get a good overhead view of things. This will likely make him viewable by those scrying from the Fae Princess.

It also means Pulsar will spot the Gate and the three figures who have come through it.

Titan raises a brow, "How about drowning? Keep that in mind, too." He looks around to assess the situation now that he's on the other side of the gate.

The LHC is huge. Almost twice the length of a football field and as wide. There is a stern bridge superstructure, and five giant spherical liquid H2 containers. The bow of the tanker is a mess of twisted steel and on fire, a fire that is getting close to the foremost gas dome.

.oO(Ten on the ship...and apparently 12 in the ship under that ship,)Oo. comes over the link from Harlequin.

From above, Pulsar watches the three likely heroes emerge from the portal- he comes to a stop before disappearing in a ball of light.

A twin sphere of light appears near the new arrivals, and as it diffuses Pulsar stands heroically.

"How can I help?" He asks uncertainly.

Titan says over the link, .oO(Under the ship? What's that mean? In a sub or something?)Oo.

Titan blinks at seeing Pulsar, and decides the other meta likely did not cause the problem. "We have to get the fire out before it hits those tanks. I know...just enough about chemistry to know that would be really, really bad."

.oO(No idea, but that is what Peter is picking up...)Oo. replies Harlequin. .oO(Can you go down and check while the others...Who's the glowing guy?)Oo.

Peter says, "I can sense six on the bridge near the stern of the tanker, one trapped in the engine room, and one near the front of the tanker.

Titan says over the link as he heads toward the fire, .oO(We're going to need a means of putting out or at least fighting this fire. It's about to endanger some Hydrogen tanks.)Oo.

Pulsar nods and turns to look in the direction Titan indicated. "Hmm - not much of a firefighter, yet. But I'll see what I can do, Titan. Are there any civilians still aboard?" He asks as he drifts toward the burning wreckage - he moves slow enough that the others won't need to yell to him if they hurry.

.o0(Holy smokes! That's Titan! Seriously - best week ever!) He thinks to himself before reigning in his inner fanboy.

Harlequin relays the location of the LHC ship's crew through the link.

Titan nods to Pulsar, "Ten people on the ship proper. Twelve...under it. I'm not sure what that means yet. Let's worry about those on the ship proper first."

Sensing Titan as the likely leader, Pulsar nods. "You got it - any idea where?" He asks as his altitude drops. When it looks like he's about to touch down on the deck he shifts his energy levels to X-Ray levels, starting from his toes on up.

This lets him slip right through the surface of the deck.

Titan relays what he knows of the locations. "Six in the bridge that way. One below in the engine room. One toward the bow. I'm not sure where the other two are."

Anne-Maria of the twin girls asks, "What do you want us to do?"

"I'll head to the bridge and try to save as many as I can - is their a rescue ship or is your team capable of getting them to safety so I can focus on the fire?" He seems more intent on saving the civilians but Pulsar understands how important it may be for all metas present to work as a cohesive unit.

Titan nods to the kids, "Head to the bridge." He looks to Pulsar, "We have someone up front near the fire. Let's take care of that in the meantime. See if you can spot them while I try to get the Hydrogen out of harm's way."

Titan heads over to the tank that seems to be in danger of going up, and tries to position himself to remove it.

The girls nod, "Yes, Sir." Maria-Anne says and they dart off toward the bridge to get the six there through the Gate to safety.

Harlequin looks over at Peter. "Can you maintain a link to the twins, Peter? We need to keep track of where they are." Over the link, he then says, "And the one in engineering is trapped. He is a high priority as well."

Peter is looking strained but he nods to Harlequin, "I'll try." He wipes his eyes, "There's only eight on the ship now."

Pulsar ascends out of the deck with a firm nod and a look of focus on his face. "You got it, Titan!" He says as he continues going skyward to get a view of the fire from above. He starts his search within the flaming wreckage reaching for the hydrogen tanks.

"If I spot them I'll grab them and move on to separate the tanks." He calls down to Titan, then he begins scouting the deck where Titan indicated the missing person was.

"Are the other two dead? Or just overboard, Peter?" Harlequin asks.

Titan says to the kids before they head off, "Better yet, head to engineering and see if you can get that person out. The ones on the bridge are likely safer right now."

Akita learned from working with Ceci that Earth (and even more-so metal !) conducts sound much, much better than air does. The best way he could think of to follow Titan's order was to lie down on the topside deck plating contiguous with that underneath the bridge, curled up in a circle with his tail over his paws and one ear pressed down to the metal deck to listen to what the bridge crew were saying. Ceci, with her even more sensitive hearing, probably got away with just sitting in a deck chair or chaise lounge nearby. Having learned their way around the ship "the hard way" over the course of the cruise so far, it didn't take very long at all for them to arrive at Sasha's Gate via the shortest possible route. Ceci is carrying two of the Fae Princess' fire extinguishers and Wolf is dragging one of the Fae Princess' suitcase-sized inflatable life-rafts when they Gate across.

The struts holding the spherical domes are tough. They are designed to hold the tanks secure under severe weather conditions. But they weren't designed with Titan in mind. It takes Titan time, as the edge of the flames gets closer, but he will succeed.

Titan mutters to himself as he continues dealing with the struts so he can roll the sphere out of the way, "The one time I wish I had either fire or water powers."

Peter holds his head in his hands and groans as he tries to widen his mind sense. But it seems worth it as his face lights up in a pained but relieved smile, "Yes, Steven. They're in the water." he tells Harlequin.

Harlequin smiles behind the mask. "Good. Thank you, Peter." He glances at the other Markham kids. "OK, which of you are good at running and getting someone back to the Gate? There is one crew member at the bow of the other ship?"

Graham and both the Steel twins raise their hands.

Harlequin says, "OK, the twins, go for the guy at the bow, get him back here ASAP. Graham, Leonid, drop a life raft to the two crew overboard then right back here, got it? If you cannot do this within three minutes just stay here." Harlequin looks at the kids. "And if you see a fire, come back immediately, understood?"

The kids nod and race through the Gate.

Graham and Leonid race back when they remember they forgot to take the life raft that Akita brought. Grabbing the life raft they run back toward the side of the tanker.

"I, meanwhile, will be trying to see what is beneath." He takes a deep breath then attempts to cast his Scrying spell.

After some searching, Pulsar finds the crewman located near the bow of the tanker trapped under a fallen stores cabinet. He is injured and suffering from smoke inhalation.

Akita and Ceci: Once on the bridge of the tanker. . . Telepathy to the tanker bridge crew "Beta" (First Officer). Need to know 1) What they hit (sonar contact? sub? Giant turtle? Poseidon's elbow?) 2) How many crew total were on the tanker. 3) How to shut off the Hydrogen valves if they have not already done that. 4) Send: Mental Image of how to get to the Gate so they can all escape safely, since they may only all speak Greek.

What Harlequin scrys beneath the tanker is a small submarine. The hull is ripped near the screws and the screws are twisted into junk.

.oO(OK, seems the ship hit a small submarine. There is a hull breach near the screws which are destroyed. Will attempt to look inside now...)Oo. comes over the comms from Harlequin.

Pulsar tries to focus on the task at hand. this is a much bigger issue than he originally anticipated and if he was honest with himself he knows he might be out of his depth. He takes a couple of passes along the bow area. Finally he spots the man. He looks back to Titan and dives for the man who he sees trapped.

An amazed crewman responds to Akita .oO(He doesn't know what they hit, it was underwater. There were 12 crew in total but he knows two were killed in the collision. The valves are all closed. And they'll get on their way to the Gate.

Inside the submarine are a disreputable crew. And a large pile of bags of white power. Almost certainly cocaine.

Titan gets the first tank free, and uses its spherical shape to his advantage, shoving it toward the side of the ship so it will roll into the water.

Charm follows the goings on over the link, but this doesn't seem to be a situation in which her skills are useful.

Akita @Sends:

.oO(

The humans from the bridge are clear,

they'll soon be at the Gate.

The values are closed, the spheres can go,

before it is too late! )Oo. The tank drops into the sea and drifts slowly away from the tanker as it sinks beneath the waves. That's bought no small amount of time before the fire can threaten the next dome.

Well, likely only Charm and Peter can see it, but Harlequin is just standing stock still by the Gate now. He seems almost meditative as his gaze looks elsewhere.

.oO(Really? Drug runners? Hmm. Lady Charm? Can you powers perhaps reach them? I think them coming to the surface, once the ship is cleared, would be a good idea.)Oo. murmurs Harlequin over the link. .oO(They are heavily armed, but there are no obvious metas among them.)Oo.

Pulsar is joined by a pair of kids, who look to be aged about ten or so, a boy and a girl. "Hi. How can we help?" they ask Pulsar.

Charm replies, .oO(My tunes can only reach those who can hear them.)Oo.

Pulsar flies right through the smoke and flames totally unaffected. The hero still holds his breath out of habit.

"Hang on citizen!" he calls as he lands nearby and grips the storage cabinet pinning the man to the deck.

The cabinet shrieks its displeasure but Pulsar is as strong as the magnificent Titan so he makes light work of the task..

Pulsar quickly has the trapped man untrapped.

Harlequin smiles slightly behind his mask as he says over the link, .oO(Well, then once the crew is safe, I can open a Gate to the scurvy sea dogs...And let them hear your voice, my dear. But only once the innocents are safe and the kids are back as well.)Oo.

The tanker's bridge crew are making their way to the Gate.