Log:Superkids!, Scene 5

Superkids! 2007/05/19 	 Jennifer and Jessica Lorelei Rainbow Di 	 Toymaster Porthole Doll Toymaster#Teddy|Teddy Toymaster#Saucer|Saucer Toymaster#Cowboy|Cowboy Toymaster#Barbie|Barbie Toymaster#Soldiers|lots of toy soldiers 5

Jessica has been abducted by the toy flying saucer.

Jessica rests in the TK grip of the flying saucer waiting to see where it will take her and who will be waiting at the end of the journey.

After a while the saucer has decided on a more definite direction. It seems to be navigating mostly by following roads, but eventually descends on a ruined farmhouse. The farmland itself looks still in use, but probably it's been absorbed into a larger farm.

There's no one evidently about, though the farmhouse and barn are obvious hiding places - or even the crops, given the size of the people likely to be involved.

Jessica looks up at the saucer. "Thanks for the ride. Is it a return ticket? Oh, and mind letting go so I can stretch my legs. I'm getting cramp."

The saucer beeps and flashes cheerfully.

Jenn is relaying everything to Lorelei as it happens.

Jessica sees that indeed there is someone in the house, but not really much more till she lands.

Momentarily the saucer sets Jessica down in the field near the farmhouse, and flies to the ground itself a few metres away.

Jessica stretches her arms and legs.

Jessica finds herself surrounded by toys! To be specific, on each or her four sides is a group of toy plastic plastic soldiers. To her right is the toy coyboy and to her left a teddy bear, each partially concealed in long grass.

"Howdy, ma'am," says the cowboy.

Jessica looks around slowly, given her Jenn half time to describe each of the toys. Then she looks further afield. "So did you bring me out here for anything in particular?" she asks the cowboy doll.

"Reckon you're our prisoner, ma'am. You see, you got three of ours taken prisoner, so you're our hostage. You wouldn't have any weapons or suchlike on you, now?"

Jessica says, "Would I have dangled under that saucer if I was carrying a weapon?"

Lorelei has trouble suppressing giggles at the description.

Jennifer says, "Lorelei, I don't know how your abilities will affect the toys. Jess spotted someone in the farmhouse. Maybe the controller of the toy?"

"Reckon not, ma'am, but we can't take any chances before you see the boss. Better check her out, Teddy."

Lorelei nods. "Always seems to be like that with me. Devastating or useless."

Teddy waddles over to frisk Jessica.

Jessica chuckles, "Now we have a problem. You see if any of you tries to touch me I'm going to kick the stuffing out of them. In this case literally. Either you'all figure the bunch of you is enough to counter anything I can do or you stand off and I'll start walking back to the city.

Teddy stops and growls.

Jessica says, "Okay, I'll put it another way. Do you know what I do at Starguard?"

"Well then, we have a problem, ma'am. Can't take you to the boss like that. Reckon we'll just have to keep you prisoner ourselves. And no ma'am, I don't."

Jessica says, "I'm a filing assistant. A paper-pusher. Maybe your boss and his or her friends ought to consider a new line of work if you're scared of what a filing assistant can do."

"Reckon as how you're more than that, ma'am, seeing as what you and your sister did to my friends. Leastways, you're mighty dangerous."

"Now ma'am, I suggest you let Teddy frisk you, or this'll get mighty ugly."

Jessica says, "I want to meet the person who thinks they can kidnap me. So I'll compromise. "She pulls a silvery sphere about 5cm in diameter out of her jacket pocket. "This is a net entangle grenade." She puts it down on the ground. It's followed by a small compact gas mask and two pairs of vision enhancement goggles. "I'm wearing an armor underpadding and I have a medikit in my jacket. You want to see that? Oh and talking of ugly, touch my gear and ugly is how it will get. So does your boss want to see me or not?""

There's some discussion among the various toys, before the cowboy says, "Reckon is is ma'am. Come this way - not too fast!"

Jennifer says, "While Jess is talking lets move on the farmhouse, Lorelei. You've been practising your sneaky skills?"

The toy soldiers shout orders at each other, and do their best to keep around Jessica. Clearly the 'not too fast' was mostly to let them keep up.

Lorelei says, "Yeah - the assault on Enemy Ace's base was good experience, and I've practised a lot since then too."

Jessica ambles at a relaxed pace. "Not to fast works for me. And in case you're interested SG Psi division detected minds in the dog and hoverboard. They're locked up but haven't been harmed. For when I go back, do you need anything like food or liquid? Wouldn't want to have SG accused of mistreating it's guests."

Jessica grins as the toy soldiers race to keep up. Stopping for a moment she shouts "Attention!" in a parade ground voice at one bunch of the soldiers.

"The dog really like dog biscuits, and eats dog food - the hoverboard don't each much of nothin', I reckon. And Spitball'll eat just about anything."

The soldiers immediately jump to attention, which causes a bit of confusion, though their commander soon sorts it out.

Jessica chuckles and stops while order is restored

Jessica is led into the house where, three children are. They're all wearing masks, though it seems pretty pointless.

You don't have that!

Jessica nods to the children. "Hi. You could have just phoned."

The fat kid does his best to play master villain. "Enough of your foolishness! I am the Toymaster, and you are my prisoner!" His evil laugh is more of a gleeful giggle.

Jessica shrugs, "Your prisoner. The other two with you don't count?"

Rainbow smiles and waves.

Jessica waves back at Rainbow and give her a cheerful smile.

Toymaster looks at the other two and says, "Ok I guess, OUR prisoner! But it's my army!"

Jennifer and Lorelei can see the ruined farmhouse now across the fields. It's a fair bit from the road.

Jessica says, "Okay Toymaster. I'm Jessica. What are your names, girls?""

"I'm Rainbow, and this is Di!" says Rainbow brightly. "She doesn't talk too much, except when she's playing."

Jessica says, "Hi Rainbow. hi Di. So here I am. You brought me here for a reason. You want to tell me what that reason is?"

"It's cos Toy messed up," says Di, rather unexpectedly.

"Shut up!" shouts Toymaster.

Jessica gives Toymaster a stern look. "Be polite." She instructs him.

"I'm in charge here!" says Toymaster, annoyed. "You do what I say or I'll order my army to fire!"

Jessica smiles. "Have you seen an old but wonderful movie called Hero?" she asks Toymaster in an apparent change of conversation.

He looks puzzled. "No. Does it have cowboys?"

Jessica says, "No. It has a hero who decides to assassinate a cruel Emperor. The Emperor had lots of guards and never allowed anyone closer than ten paces to them The hero taught himself to be able to kill the Emperor from that distance before the guards could act. Now, Toymaster, do you know why this story is relevant?"

"Uh-uh," says Toymaster, though clearly getting nervous.

Jessica smiles again, "You are closer than ten paces from me."

Toymaster takes the point and promptly hides behind Di. Well, not very well, given she's smaller in all dimensions. "I said she was more than she looked!"

Jessica says, "So lets all be polite shall we?"

"Have you got powers?" asks Rainbow.

Jessica smiles, "Depends what you mean by powers. I can't fly and shoot colored beams. But I'm kind of special, yes."

"But - are you special like us, or just a *normal*?"

The flying saucer is visible overhead outside now, but doesn't seem to have spotted the approaching heroes.

Jessica side steps. Not attacking or moving closer to the children, just displaying her exceptional reflexes. "Does that look normal?"

"She *is* special!" says Rainbow.

Great!" says Toymaster. "Then they'll release the others to get her back!"

"But we shouldn't being mean if she's like us!"

"She works for Starguard, so it's ok!" responds Toy.

Jessica says, "In that you are making two erroneous assumptions, Toymaster. First that Starguard will submit to intimidation. Second that it is within your power to hold me against my will. I came here to see why you were trying to snatch me. So you want Spitball and the toys back? Why?"

"Because they're my friends!" says Toymaster.

Jessica looks at Di and Rainbow questioningly.

Di has lost interest the conversation and playing with a Barbie doll by this point. Rainbow nods. "They're our friends!"

"I want Doggie back! He's nice," affirms Di, without looking up.

Jessica nods. "I can relate to that. My brothers and sisters and I always stick together. But even if you could hold onto me that's not going to work. You're all special, right?"

Rainbow nods.

Jessica says, "So why rob the Mall stores? If you were smart about using your special powers you'd be able to earn enough to buy the whole place."

"We shouldn't have to work! We're special!" says Toymaster.

Jessica hears a creaking of floorboards from the back of the house.

Jessica says, "So is the doctor who might save your life one day. He's special because he's smart. If he didn't work you or one your friends would die. Should he work?"

"Rainbow can fix me up!" smirks Toymaster, pleased he has a quick answer to that one.

Jessica says, "But she's special. Why should she have to work fixing you up. She should say no, she's special, she isn't going to do it."

"Cos - cos she's my friend!" Toy's clearly getting annoyed at this line of questioning.

Jennifer whispers in Lorelei's ear very quietly, "Someone in the rear of the farmhouse. Staying out of sight. Interesting, yes?"

Lorelei nods a bit, indicated that direction and gives a questioning look.

Jessica smiles at Toymaster, "So you want your friend to work even if she's special?"

Jennifer nods and leads the two in the new direction.

"It's not like it's hard for her, she just has to turn green!"

Jessica says, "Ah, so a little bit of work is okay?"

"Yeah I - hey, someone's here!" says Toymaster.

The saucer starts zooming to towards Lorelei - or rather over her.

"You tricked us!" says Toymater accusingly.

Jessica says, "That's a friend of mine. She's very special. You should meet her."

Toymaster grins. "I will, when I take her prisoner too!"

Jessica says, "Tricked you? You kidnapped me. You were planning on holding me hostage. Did you think that through? Did you, Rainbow? A hostage is worthless unless someone believes you're willing to harm or kill the hostage. Had you thought about that?"

"It all Toy's fault! Saucer was only supposed to watch you!" blurts out Rainbow, and Toymaster shouts "SHUT UP! Tie her up!"

"We should have stuck to Auntie's plan," says Rainbow.

Jessica shakes her head, "Not very smart, Toymaster. How many are out there? I have lots of friends, same as you have. Try to tie me up and it's too late to talk. Talk and you can try to tie me up later. You should talk with my friend. I'll ask her to come in if you like."

"You can't trick me, it's just one! Tie her up!"

Jessica says, "If you're so sure it's just one why are you panicking, Toymaster?"

The cowboy readies his lasso even as the flying saucer bears down on Lorelei.

"Yeah, can't you play nice?" Rainbow says to Toy.

Jessica is ready to dodge if needed. "What was Auntie's plan then?" She asks Rainbow. . o O(Auntie, who is Auntie?)

The cowboy tries to ensnare Jessica.

Jessica can easily evade the lasso. Meanwhile the flying saucer takes a shot at Lorelei. Lorelei attempts to roll to her feet and dodge.

The saucer attacks while Lorelei is still creeping along the ground.

Lorelei tumbles back to the ground just as she was trying to get up, but doesn't look too badly hurt.

Jessica looks at Rainbow. "Toymaster is attacking my friend. You can stop him or I will. He won't like me stopping him."

"Get her! Attack!" shouts Toymaster, annoyed that the lasso missed.

"No, we mustn't hurt her!" says Rainbow.

Jessica knows Lorelei can look after herself And she's got a suspicion it might be the mysterious Auntie that she heard in the rear of the farmhouse. Moving away at an angle she goes further to ground and plans a route to the rear part of the farmhouse.

Rainbow turns to her "rainbow" form, then shifts entirely to blue, till she's purely at one wavelength - then she blasts Toymaster!

Toymaster's fat body is encased in bluish ice. "Hey, you're not supposed to be fighting me, stupid!"

"Get me out of here!"

Rainbow repeats, "We mustn't hurt her!"

Jessica tells Toymaster, "Rainbow isn't fighting you, she's protecting you... from me."

Jessica looks over at Rainbow, "Let's go get my friend shall we. You'll like her."

Teddy comes over and tries to bite the ice from Toymaster.

He damages it, but doesn't get all the way through. The soldiers try firing on it, but don't even scratch it, for all the noise they make.

Jessica knocks the bear away from Toymaster. Jenn continues her stealthy approach.

"Ok!" says Rainbow to Jess. "Oh, don't try to hit Teddy!"

Jessica misses the small nimble little Teddy. Jennifer reaches the rear wall of the farmhouse and peeks carefully through a corner of the old kitchen window

Jessica nods to Rainbow. "Teddy is going to bite through that ice in a second and it doesn't sound like it'd cool Toymaster off any.

Jessica sees Porthole in the old kitchen.

Rainbow nods and blasts Toymaster again to be sure.

A small figure from under the back steps of the house suddenly flies at Jennifer!

... and despite surprise flies clean on by.

Anastrophe drops Doll.

Lorelei picks herself up and runs up close by the house, hoping to make sure the saucer has to come in close, at least, to fire on her.

Lorelei heads toward the front door, so as not to draw attention to Jenn going to the back.

The Cowboy and Soldiers continue to help Teddy try to free Toymaster.

Jennifer steps into the kitchen and moves up behind Porthole. She aims to place a hand on his shoulder, "Bang! You're dead." She tells him. "So go through to the front room and join the others."

Porthole is scared out of his wits. It doesn't even occur to him to try teleporting away. He sticks up his hands at starts into the other room, begging you not to shoot.

Jennifer shakes her head, "There's a very small girl flying around out back. A boy who was in the kitchen is now coming in here. Can you get them and Toymaster and his toys to stop fighting if I offer you all a truce?"

says, "I - I'll try - just don't shoot!" He gulps."

And he does. The younger kids seem to listen to him - when he calls for truce even Toymaster listens, however grumpily.

Soon everyone is gathered in the front room. When Lorelei comes in the Barbie Di was playing with suddenly bursts into life. "Do you know who that is?" she says excitedly, "That's Lorelei!"

Jennifer says, "Jennifer comes into the room to join Jessica. "Lets have some introductions. "I'm Jennifer. My sister is Jessica. This is a good friend of mine named Lorelei.""

The kids all introduce themselves too, except for Doll. Barbie introduces herself as Barbie, and attempts to engage Lorelei in a conversation about clothes.

Jessica says, "I'm going to tell you a short story. Then Lorelei will talk to you."

Di goes back to playing by herself. She seems a little upset Barbie has deserted her. The other listen, with varying degrees of attentiveness.

Jennifer says, "Once upon a time, not many years ago, a group of special children were being taught to be deadly fighters by people who wanted the children to do terrible things. But one of the children did something extraordinary. She made friends with a meta-hero. And this girl told the others, her brothers and sister. The children decided to leave the bad people. They went to a school for special children like them. A school where they come be special without getting into trouble of being shouted at. And where they made lots of new special friends. They were very happy in that school... You can be too if you want to go there."

"We're happy where we are!" says Toymaster, and there's some agreement among the others.

Jennifer says, "Is Spitball?"

"Yeah - or he was till you came along!"

Jennifer says, "If not me then another meta hero."

Di doesn't even seem to be listening. Porthole does. He's not saying anything, but at least he seems interested.

Rainbow says, "Would they let us be special there?"

Doll seems very sceptical. "What is this school?"

Jennifer says, "Everyone there is special. The name of the school is Lord Markham's school for Talented Children. You would be encouraged to be as special as you wanted."

Jennifer says, "It's a school especially for children like I was, your people like you."

Rainbow smiles brightly. "That sounds fun!"

"You're not listening to her?" says Toymaster. "We have Auntie - why do we need some school?"

Jessica says, "You don't need the school. But I think you would be very happy at the school. What you're doing now is going to get more of you locked up. And that's not fun at all. I was locked up over the Xmas holidays. It was horrid."

"They *shouldn't* lock us up. They have no right, because we're special!" says Toymaster. "And you think your parents would let you go to this school?" he says to Rainbow, who suddenly looks most downcast.

"Anyway, Auntie's done a lot for us - you just don't know!" bursts out Doll suddenly. "Where was this school then?"

Jessica says, "Who is this they you're talking about Toymaster? Who was at the Mall? Barricade, Spirit, Psiforce, me. Special, everyone of us, just like you. When you do bad things people see its specials doing then and we all get blamed. So we have to stop it. Rainbow, you have parents who won't let you go to the school. Because they love you and want you with them? Or because they are stupid and ashamed at having a wonderful girl like you for a daughter? I know someone who can fix that for you in that case."

Jennifer says, "It's in England. In the countryside outside of a town called Oxford."

My parents... don't wan't me to be special," says Rainbow, suddenly tearful. "But I miss them a lot...."

"You've got us now," says Porthole, hugging her.

Jessica looks over at Lorelei, "Someone can talk to them, Rainbow. You are special, very special. They should be proud of you!"

Lorelei nods. "I'd be happy to talk to them for you."

Rainbow blinks back tears. "You would?" It's clear she recognises Lorelei too.

Doll looks at the others. "You know they're just trying to divide us, right?"

Jessica says, "NO! I would never do that. Nobody could ever come between my and my brothers and sisters. I would never try to do that to you. If you go to the school it's all of you. Everyone. Spitball included."

Porthole, in particular, looks relieved at the inclusion of Spitball.

"Well *I'm* not going, especially if it's in England, so that's that, then, says Doll.

Jessica laughs, "What's wrong with England. It doesn't rain as much as they say, honest."

"It's cos that's where she's from," says Rainbow helpfully (she's stopped crying now). "I am NOT! I'm from Scotland!" says Doll.

Jessica says, "You don't like the English?"

"I didn't say that - I'm just not going back to Britain."

"Auntie's English!" says Rainbow helpfully again.

"You're not supposed to talk about Auntie!" hisses Toymaster.

Jessica smiles, "Someone looking for you there? Like the police?"

"I'm not talking about it and I'm not going!" says Doll, crossing her arms. And unexpected reverting to full size - it seems to catch her by surprise too.

Jessica says, "Just tell me this. Did you kill anyone?"

"What if I did?" she asks defiantly.

Porthole shakes his head. "Don't be like that. No, she didn't kill anyone."

"How do you know? It could have been before Auntie found you!" Doll returns.

Jessica frowns, "Then you can't go back to England if you have killed. Anything else and you can get a clean sheet and fresh start. Heck, I was part of a group that was on a shoot on sight list in most European counties. I got a new life at the school."

"None of us have killed," says Porthole firmly.

Jessica looks at the children, "Okay, you aren't supposed to say anything about Auntie, right?"

They look at each other and nod.

Jessica says, "So do the same for me. Don't say anything about me to anyone else else. Not anyone. Not even Auntie. Just like you won't say anything about Auntie to me. I've told you all more than more anyone else knows. Because you're going through what I did at your age. I trusted you with this. Don't let me down, okay."

Again there's an exchange of glances: that clearly wasn't what they were expecting. "But Auntie already knows Toy was watching you," says Porthole. "What are we supposed to tell her?"

Jessica says, "You can tell Auntie what everyone knows, I'm a student at the high school, work in the filing section at Starguard and do a turn as instructor at Steel's Gym. I'm a pretty decent martial atist. She doesn't need to know I'm special or my background."

"I promise," says Porthole. The others agree in rather less firm fashion (except Di, who says nothing still).

Jessica smiles, "Thanks." Looks over at Lorelei, "I'm sure you're go a lot to add that I missed."

Lorelei smiles. "Actually, I'm not sure I do. Maybe if I knew you each better.... All I'd say is, remember you have choices. Auntie offered you a choice you didn't have before, maybe, but there are other choices too! Remember that."

[To Jessica] Lorelei says, "I think they've got plenty to thing about - shall we leave them to mull it over?"

Jessica grins, "Now officially I guess I'm supposed to drag you all into Starguard. I'm certainly not going to do that. But don't count on that a second time if I come across you engaged in another robbery or the like. Otherwise, you can contact me at Steel's Gym."

Porthole seems to have taken charge for now. "Thank you - and sorry about everything. Toy can get a little... carried away at times."

Jessica nods to Lorelei. "Yes. Let head off and let them think about what we're said."

The kids seem happy enough to let you go, except for Toymaster, but he's clearly outvoted. "What's going to happen to Spitball?" asks Porthole.

Jessica says, "Spitball is a minor charged with a non-violent crime, attempted robbery. If a responsible adult was to turn up with proof of guardianship he is pretty certain to be released into the guardian's care."

Porthole nods. "Thank you." But it's clear from his expression he regards that as very bad news.

The kids take their leave, all heading out of sight before Porthole conveys them elsewhere.

Jessica sighs, "I came here to kick butt. But you know what. Most of those kids seem okay. I couldn't do it."

Lorelei says, "And I thought you said you weren't good with people. You handled that brilliantly!"

Lorelei says, "By the way, if we ever do need some inside help with Auntie, I think I can arrange it. I'm sure Barbie will betray her to me for a couple of fashion tips!"

Jessica looks you straight in the face. "That's me, Lorelei. Seven years back my personal timeline I was a lot worse than those kids but the basic situation was the same. Did you pick up on this Auntie figure. Someone is playing those kids."

Lorelei nods. "I wonder what her game is...."

Jessica says, "She got a bunch of meta kids looking to her. She doesn't seem to be doing anything to rein them in, and Rainbow let slip that Auntie had a plan involving me. So whatever her motive I think we can assume it's not good."

Lorelei nods. "I'm afraid you must be right."