Log:Starguard Returns, Scene 1

Starguard Returns 2012/02/19 	 Chen Paul Van Sterran Star Girl Total Babe Jolt 1

Moon crater with crashed lunar hooper in it.
Paul Van Sterran is a middle aged man with a relaxed attitude but the look of an experienced and capable Starguard officer. He nods to each hero as they arrive and offers drinks and snacks from a small buffet set out near the door. "Good afternoon. Let's get accquainted. I'm Paul Van Sterran, as I imagine you're guessed. Prehaps you'd like to introduce yourselves and provide a brief resume of your abilities?"

Paul nods to Total Babe, "Starting with you, prehaps?"

Star Girl waits around for the auditions to starts. She breathes out a nervous sigh and rubs her hands together. She's been through the stress of try-outs before, but Star Guard Gamma is more grand a stage than her high school cheerleading team.

Total Babe is rather nervous being here, and the more so when she's asked to speak first. "Um - well, I was dubbed 'Total Babe' by the media before I could think up a name myself, but please don't hold it against me!" . o O (Or my appearance...) Um, basically I seem to be pretty indestructible. I also pick up physical skills very quickly." She whirls her three-section-staff about briefly as a demonstration. "Uh - I have some medical training too, but I'm not a doctor."

Total Babe thinks. o O (Yeah, like anyone would think I was. I hope he can see past the physical...)

Paul nods to Total Babe. "Are you space capable? How about radiation exposure?"

Total Babe says, "I don't actually know. I've only had my powers for a couple of months. All I can say is that nothing has hurt me much yet. And the things that hurt me a little I got over in seconds."

Paul nods again. "We can try that out this afternoon if you're agreeable, Total Babe. Mmm... That's a mouthful. Is there a short version you prefer?"

Total Babe says, "Some people call me Total and some Babe and some TB - I don't really mind."

Paul says, "Let's go with TB then. If for no other reason than safety if my wife overhears me talking to you sometime." He smiles to show his comment was a joke. The looks to Star Girl, "Are you willing to be next?"

Star Girl puts on a warm, welcoming smile as she steps forward. "I'm Star Girl. I'm wearing an alien space suit that gives me strength, speed, and stamina greater than a typical person. My suit is space capable. and it also has an onboard translator... I can understand pretty much any language I run into. Also: I can fire blasts of energy from my hands."

Paul smiles, "You sound almost tailor made for the team. An alien spacesuit, you say? Which species? And if it has translation capabilities do you know if it has any automated functions. For example, can it be controlled remotely by one of the creator's species?"

Total Babe thinks. o O (Sounds a lot more suitable than me, that's for sure....)

Star Girl nods to Paul. "Actually, there's a lot that I don't know about the suit. The alien who it belonged to was vaporized when his spaceship blew up. I was hoping that I could find out more about the suit and its creators by joining up with Star Guard.

Paul nods to Star Girl. Then he turns to Chen, "And you?"

Well the news of Starguard returning got to Jolt. The electrical girl entering the workout room and looking around. Well at least theres a familiar face or two around.

Star Girl looks over toward Total Babe to try to catch her gaze with her own eyelets. She nods to Total, mouthing the words 'good luck'.

Total Babe mouths, "You too" back to Star Girl.

Chen hurriedly swallows the last bite of a cookie, "I'm Chen. I'm faster than most metas, can change shape to anything, know martial arts, and I'm unkillable. Well, I can be killed but I just get better again afterwards. I'm adaptable too, so if I can't live in space now I can soon learn to do it."

Total Babe thinks. o O (Outclassed again!)

Paul nods to Chen, "I see. Well we can find out this afternoon if you can manage space conditions if you agree to the test." He looks over to the door where Jolt is entering, "Good afternoon. I'm Paul Van Sterran, as I'm sure you guessed. If you're here for the Starguard Gamma audition, welcome. Can you introduce yourself and provide a brief resume of your abilities, please?"

Jolt nods a bit to Paul and smiles some "Yeah well I helped out a bit last time you guys were around. You probably still have a file on me somewhere... Anyways everyone knows me as Jolt and I'm sure most people know what I'm good at... zapping things that need to go down"

Star Girl looks over at Chen and Jolt. o O ( I wonder how many slots are available..? )

Paul nods, "I'll look up that file. Now, what I suggest is you all pull up a chair, grab a drink, and I'll talk about what's involved in being a member of a Starguard Gamma team. You can ask question. And when we finish that, those who are still interested can have a try at the tests I have lined up. Is everyone okay with that?"

Total Babe nods, though not liking her chances. . o O (Being hard to hurt doesn't look too good next to people who can actually *do* things....)

Star Girl nods. "Yep!"

Chen nods.

Paul stands while he talks, hands mostly clasped behind his back except when using them to empathise a point. "I'm Paul Van Sterran, as I said. I'll be the operational director for the Colonial Bay City Starguard division. What that means is I'll have administrative command of the people who go out and actually do things. I've served in the Delta Troopers for almost fifteen years. So although I'm not a meta, and won't be with you in the field, I do know what it's like at the sharp end. Don't let me or Starguard down and I'll keep the bean counters and pencil pushers off your backs."

Total Babe thinks. o O (I hadn't even thought of the administrative side of things.)

Star Girl nods, listening.

Assuming the chairs are metal Jolt just yanks one magnetically over to herself and sits down as offered. She's got nothing to lose after all which is why she's here "Cool... I dont like having to deal with bean counters and pencil pushers" there's another point for her joining or at least helping out.

"Starguard's areas of authority and responsibilty are local space, that is the Solar System, and as of yesterday, alien affairs within the boundaries of the United States. The rest of the planet is the responsibility of UEMS." Paul smiles, "That doesn't mean you have to break off if a fugitive gets outside of those boundaries. I intend that the law of hot pursuit will apply. Because we can't depend on the Marshals to get it done." Paul takes a breath. "Although I asked about space capability, that isn't a make or break point. The vast majority of SGG operations are on Earth. Neither do we have a target number of slots to fill. The nature of the team members, volunteers with their own lives to lead, means that we can't, and don't, expect you to be available for every mission. So we'll take everyone who can, firstly, be a benefit to the team, secondly will respect and obey the chain of command. Starguard is a paramiltary organization. We'll expect team members to follw orders. If you can't do that there are other hero teams who you might suit, but not Starguard Gamma."

Paul asks, "Any questions so far?"

Total Babe holds up her hand.

Paul says, "Yes, TB?""

Total Babe says, "You say that it's a paramilitary organisation, which brings one question to mind immediately - what's Starguard's standpoint on, uh, lethal force?"

Paul nods, "A good question. Lethal force should be the last possible recourse when dealing with a mission situation. Many, probably most, heroes are opposed to the use of lethal force. This is also Starguard operational policy. However we don't entirely rule it out. But if and when it is used, whoever is using it had better be ready to justify such use in front of a board of inquiry."

Star Girl holds up her hand as well.

Paul nods to Star Girl.

Total Babe raises her hand again.

Star Girl says, "How many people are you looking for, for the team?"

Paul answers, "As many as we can get is the simple answer. The more heroes we have nominally on the team rosta the less disruption responding to Starguard Gamma missions will be for individuals and the greater choice we have in initial team selection for a mission the better we can tailor the team for the specific requirements of that mission."

Paul looks back to Total Babe, "Go ahead."

Total Babe says, "Would we ever be ordered to use lethal force, even as a last resort? I would have trouble obeying such an order."

Paul says, "It's possible. I won't say it can never happen. But very very unlikely. I can't think of a single instance when that has occured during my career in Starguard. In fact I can't think of any circumstance when that would be justified. Maybe... okay. Let's say an sentient alien bomb is in Colonial Bay City and the only way to prevent it detonating and destroying the city is to disassemble it which will kill the sentience. Could you do it in that situation, killing one to save thousands, assuming no other options exist?"

Total Babe says, "I... think so... I hope I never have to find out, though!"

Paul nods, "I also hope such a situation will never occur. Starguard Gamma should be about providing options above and beyond the capabilities of Delta Troopers. You, and your teammates should be able to find options other than the last resort."

Total Babe nods, her concern alleviated.

Star Girl nods, too.

Paul says, "If there's no other questions at the moment, let me tell you what Starguard can provide you. A secure meeting place. Comprehensive data search capabilities for official missions. Which might also be available for non-Starguard heroic activities if you make the case to me. Transport for the team. Delta Trooper support if required. You'll be paid for being on the team. It won't make you rich but SGG activities will cause some disruption. You ought to be compenstated for that. Excellent health benefits. Most important of all, the knowledge that you are protecting Earth from alien incursions. And, I should add, protecting visiting aliens from Earth villains."

Total Babe nods again.

Paul looks over to Jolt, "You said you were in the previous team. Can you share your experiences and thoughts with your fellow heroes to give them an idea what being in SGG is like?"

Star Girl raises her hand. "How much of a time commitment is it? I have kind of a secret identity, with a day job. And also, will I have to reveal my identity to the government?"

Paul tells Star Girl, "How much of a time commitment being in SGG will be is largely dependant on external factors. However, I'll point out that as a hero you'll probably be involved in such incidents anyway as a hero, whether or not you're in SGG. So the additional time committment might not be so siginificant. Also, the more heroes in SGG, the more I can spread out team selection to reduce the committment needed by any one individual. No, you won't have to reveal your secret identity. Although obviously we will want some means of contacting you."

Jolt smiles a bit and hrms "Well it was alright... though I was only like a reserve member, never full time stuff. They called me when they needed a specific skill set or my particular powers to handle things... Like robots. I'm good at destroying those"

Paul nods his thanks to Jolt before continuing to speak to the heroes. "If you're still interested, I have a couple of situations for you to showcase your abilities and resourcefullness. Do you wish to participate?"

Total Babe nods. "I'd be glad to." . o O (I may even learn something from it.)

Star Girl nods to Paul. She glances briefly to Babe and then Chen.

Chen nods, "Sure."

Paul says, "Excellent. Now the first situation is already on show. A shuttle with six passengers has crashed into a crater ten miles short of Selene Settlement. They have oxygen for two hours, two spacesuits, and a rescue crawler can't make it out here in less than four hours. Can you save the passengers? In space conditions."

Total Babe's face falls. No way she can move fast enough to help, even if she can survive in those conditions - and she's not sure of that.

Total Babe says, "IS this for us to do individually, or as a team?""

Paul says, "As a team."

Star Girl looks towards the others. "Hmm. The Moon has less gravity right? So it might be easier to carry the entire shuttle. I don't think it's possible with my strength, though."

Total Babe nods. . o O (Then should be doable. But I'm not sure I'll be any use.)

Jolt hmms and nods a bit "Actually 1/6th the gravity from what I remember in school.. so 6 tons of shuttle becomes a 1 ton shuttle... or however much it actually does weigh"

Total Babe says, "Can the moon conditions be simulatred accurately?"

Paul says, "I'm going to set up a permable force wall in a corner of the workout room and move behind it, then pump down the rest of the room to vaccum and space cold. I'll do it gradually, so if you feel any ill effects, come through the force wall to the normal conditions behind it."

Star Girl looks over to Paul. "How much does the shuttle weigh?"

Total Babe nods.

Paul says, "The shuttle weighs 62 tons on Earth, so 10 tons on the Moon."

Total Babe thinks. o O (Lets see if I can handle this!)

Paul steps over to the corner and creates a force wall with the workout room remote unit. Out in the rest of the room the air pressure and temperature start to drop.

Total Babe holds her breath.

Chen also holds her breath.

As the temperature drops further Chen begins to shiver violently and uncontrollably.

Total Babe thinks. o O (I wonder how cold it's getting. Feels kind of wintry.)

Chen runs for the force wall, exhaling a cloud of ice particles as her moist breath freezes instantly. She passes through and gasps for air, ice forming on her clothes.

Jolt doesnt even really hesitate, she heads to the presurized area because lets face it she knows she cant deal with vacuum conditions and there's no space suits here. Other than her touch practically killing people she's pretty normal.

Total Babe watches Chen. . o O (...or colder...)

Paul checks on Chen, and says, "Looks like this is down to TB and Star Girl. Let's see how they manage."

Total Babe thinks. o O (I suspect Jolt is our best bet for moving this, but if she needs a space suit... hm, two space suits, yes? I'd better see if I can retrieve them...)

Star Girl's outfit shimmers as a protective energy field envelops it. Beneath the the field her inky blue-black costume takes on the look of a blue-black expanse of star filled sky.

Total Babe heads for the crashed shuttle. She not sure if she should be starting yet, having little idea how cold it is or how thin the air by this point.

Total Babe tries to pass through the air lock, assuming she can figure out the controls.

Star Girl bounds over to the shuttle. She follow Total Babe inside.

Total Babe waits for the air lock to cycle, then checks on the situation therein.

Inside the shuttle are six technicians happy to see Total Babe and Star Girl.

Total Babe says, "Is everyone ok? We're working on getting you out of here. You have two spacesuits, yes? I'll need to borrow them for out teammates."

Paul is watching and also accessing files on a secure PDA.

Star Girl says, "Hey. We're here to help." She waves hello and defers to Babe for now."

The technician passengers pull out the two spacesuits and quickly explain their functions and operation.

Total Babe says, "I'll get these to the others. Unless any of you have injuries that need treating?"

"Just bruises." One of the techs replies.

Total Babe says, "Right then. Back with help soon!" She holds her breatth again and cycles back through the air lock, taking the space suits."

Star Girl follows Babe back outside.

Total Babe carries the space suits to the corner, for Jolt and Chen.

Chen nods to Total Babe, "Thanks. I need to get used to this but it's going to take me a while."

Star Girl from the vaccuum side of the bubble, Star holds her thumb and pinky to the side of her face, doing the 'call me' sign. On the space suit radios her voice can be heard: 'Can you guys hear me?"

Chen says, "Hey, yes."

Total Babe says, "It's really cold there then? Didn't feel any colder than in did outside in January to me."

Star Girl smiles. "Cool."

Jolt sighs a bit and starts putting the space suit on... Lets hope this works.

Total Babe says, "Up to you now - I'm no stronger and not that much faster than a normal person."

Total Babe takes a breath again and goes back into the vacuum again. She also lacks a radio, of course. And can't really talk, beyond the breath of air still in her lungs. But she figures she'll go back just in case there's something she can do.

Chen says, "What can I do? I can't lift that. It's too heavy."

Star Girl looks to Chen. "Maybe if we try together?"

Chen nods, "Okay."

Star Girl tries to find a place to grab the shuttle, probably by one of the wings.

Chen gets under the other stubby wing and tries to lift. But the weight is far too much for her to lift.

Jolt takes a moment to double check everything and moves over to the shuttle. Still lacking any radio she kinda figures the whole bringing space suits to her thing means she's gonna be responsible for the shuttle. So she walks up to it and since she cant really talk to anyone with a dead microphone and waits to see how the others do with their efforts first though.

Total Babe goes to help Chen but that's far from enough even so.

Chen shakes her head inside the suit, "We're not going to move it this way."

Star Girl says, "Can we lighten the load somehow?"

Chen says, "Only by chopping bits off. I've no idea which bits we can chop off and keep the air inside it."

Star Girl radios to the technicians. "We can get you home, but we need to lighten the load. Can you tell us if there are bits of shuttle we can remove."

The technicians answer, "Not safely. We still have charged power cells onboard."

Jolt still can't hear any of the answers so she just shrugs and does what she does best and that's pump out enough magnetic force to try and brute force the shuttle into moving for her.

Total Babe frowns. Unable to talk to the others and without a radio, all she really knows is that they aren't achieveing much.

Total Babe sees Jolt can lift the shuttle, but not fast. She mimes pushing it to Star Girl.

Total Babe then tries to push it herself. For what little difference that will make.

With the shuttle off the ground. Star grabs a hold of it. She tries a test hop, so see how far she can jump with the shuttle, under the Moon's reduced gravity.

Paul shuts off the simulation when the team have shown they can save the shuttle and crew, repressuring the rest of the room and restoring a decent temperature before switching off the force wall. "Well done. A question, can you save the passengers if Jolt wasn't with you?"

Total Babe says, "Star Girl could maybe shuttle them two at a time in the space suits, but I don't know how fast she flies."

Paul nods, "Could you make the round trip twice in two hours, Star Girl?"

Total Babe says, "What sort of fuel does the shuttle use?"

Star Girl says, "I'd need to sit down and figure out the math..."

Star Girl says, "Can we get more space suits at the base? If so, I only need to make three legs of travel."

Paul answers Total Babe, "Water heated to plasma temperature in a fusion chamber."

Total Babe says, "Hm. Could use hyydrolysis to extend oxygen supply, in principle."

Paul nods to Star Girl, "Yes, you can. That's correct. So you had at least two ways to save the passengers. Three ways with TB's suggestion which would have extended the O2 supply long enough for the rescue crawler to reach the men."

Star Girl smirks to Total Babe and gives a thumbs up. o O ( I think we pulled it off! )

Total Babe smiles. She was helpful, after all!

Paul smiles, "I must have talked too long at the start. Because we're reached the end of my booked time for the room. We'll have to skip the second test. TB, Star Girl, Jolt, there's a place for you in SGG if you want it. Chen, you didn't get much opportunity to display your abilities. Feel free to attend another audition."

Total Babe says, "I'd be glad to accept!"

Star Girl closes her hands into fists and grins, bouncing up into the air.

Jolt smiles some "I'll be glad to help out though I dont know if I can do full time work to be honest"

Paul nods, "Welcome to Starguard Gamma. I'll contact you as soon as the building is in a fit state to move in.

Chen slouches off muttering, "I didn't want to be in the silly team anyway." to herself as she leaves the room.

Total Babe frowns at Chen's reaction. , o O (I hope she doesn't feel bad about it...)