Log:Faster Than a Speeding Bullet

Best of the Best 2058 2008/06/07 	 Captain Rackham Crater Dark Horse Howl Lightray Lorelei Nexus Sable Spirit Titan Variable Wasp 1

Variable climbs out of the locker room, because the door's a bit of a tight fit. Mostly because, not knowing what she's up against, she's come prepared, and is a little tall. Over 20 foot tall, in fact.

Lightray looks up, then up again. He then grins up at Variable. "Been eating your greens I see, Variable."

The newly refurbished stadium is nearly filled to capacity with tens of thousands of spectators, some of them just now finding the way to their seats. Stadium rock music plays over the loudspeakers. At the 'stern' of the coliseum, there's a tunnel that leads from the locker rooms to the playing field. For now this is where the competing heroes have gathered.

Howl flexes his fingers inside his gloves. "Oh is this ever a mistake..." He mutters to himself. He glances at Variable. "That's a good look for you, X."

Variable grins at Lightray, and says "Thanks," to Howl, adding in a lower voice, "I just wish it weren't mostly for show. I'm a bit overstretched. No pun intended."

Spirit just makes a brief appearance...flying in over the crowd...and then transforming to his civilian clothes as he lands in the stands.

Howl pats Variable...on the thigh. "You're good enough, X. Just relax and do your thing."

Lorelei slips out of the locker room, as much as she can "slip" anywhere. She's in something sportier than her usual costume - actually rather more normal sportswear than the costume, if clearly from a designer.

Titan looks around at the crowd, from where he's standing near the exit from the locker area. Needless to say, his gaze is drawn to Lorelei as she appears.

Sable follows behind Variable, moving cautiously into view. Her attention sweeps across the stadium as she moves into the arena proper, her lips compressing into a slight wince, though exactly what her problem is remains something of a mystery.

Lightray stands with the others in the now somewhat cramped tunnel. He looks out at the large crowd and shakes his head. "Is anyone at work?"

Variable smiles. "I wanted to see how I can do at this... I'm hoping that I can make up in flexibility what I lack in raw power...."

Captain Rackham wanders into the waiting area. He looks at the others. "Yar... Et be bad enough I be havin' t' smuggle me rum in. Crowded. Think thar be a free-fer-all?"

Dorian signs a few autographs in the stands, after he transforms into his street clothes. After all, he's won this competition twice. The woman he's seated with looks amused.

Lorelei says, "At work? You could say I am - they offered me a big bribe to take part. Of course, I'm donating it to charity."

Howl shrugs at Lightray. "I'm technically retired."

Crater shuffles into the back of the hall, having joined in case there's prize money or something. He's just in his usual clothing. It seems a bit cleaner than usual, at least.

Titan grins. "Is anyone at work? Of course. The gods are." He continues to smile, and looks up at the crowds again.

The music blaring of the loudspeakers starts fades aways. "Ladies and Gentlemen..." the stadium announcer says, a deep voice booming over the loudspeakers. "Are you ready... for Best of the BEST!"

Lightray grins as he glances over at Howl. "Well, technically I suppose I should be as well." He winces slightly at the noise from the loudspeakers. He says very softly, "Who knew rock n roll would get so popular...."

A roar of cheers rises up for the stands, as fans stand up and begin shouting and clapping.

"Oh I'm going to embarrass myself." Howl comments, looking up at the crowd.

Dark Horse climbs up the outside of the coliseum, moving from support beam to support beam, until he reaches the top of the stadium. He then pulls out a set of binoculars from a pouch to watch the goings-on down on the field.

Lorelei laughs. "You think *you're* going to embarrass yourself? I'm probably going to come last in everything!"

In the tunnel, a production assistant with a clipboard and a headset tells the heroes, "Get ready to head out to the stage in the middle of the playing field. I'll give you the signal."

Variable hopes they made the stage strong.

Sable glances briefly at the man with the clip-board before turning her attention over the other participant. "Noone is going to embarrass themselves, everyone's going to give their best and that's all anyone can ask, you're all going to kick ass."

Captain Rackham harrs. "I be doubtin' I be best at anythin', but I be havin' a ball, thinks I." He thumbs ups at the comment from the production person.

Titan grins at Sable's comment. "It's refreshing to hear such. Confidence becomes you."

The loudspeaker man announces, "Here's your host... Syndey Crosheeeeeere!" An hatch on the stage in the center of the stadium opens, and Sydney, the young and rising star of the serial City by the Bay, rises on a hidden elevator. She holds one arm high and waving to the crowd, and holds a microphone in the other. "Hello, Colonial Bay!" she says, drawing a wave of cheers from the crowd.

Lorelei grins, "Oh, I'm confident too. Confident I'll embarrass myself."

Howl hmms as he sees Croshere. "Well, we're about to find out how embarrassing we're all going to be."

Sable's shoulder lift. "Let's just all do our best, and there can't be any losers."

Lorelei thinks. o O (I wonder if Phil's here - she always liked City by the Bay....)

Captain Rackham harhars. "If nothin' else, lass, ye be a pleasant contrast t' me haggard face, aye?" he comments at Lorelei.

"Let's get this show on the road!" Sydney says. "Let's hear it for Colonial Bay's Mightiest!" She sweeps her arm towards herself beckoning the heroes to come out. "Enter: The Heroes!"

Titan chuckles. "Actually...there could be. A few years ago, this event was used to attempt to kill some local heroes. But..that's when it was being run by Pride Leung." He pauses..."Not to make people more nervous, or anything."

Lorelei says, "And on that note... let's go!"

Titan jogs out toward the stage, waving to the crowd as he moves.

The production assistant says, "That's the cue. Go."

Sable's lips curl into a bright smile as she turns to Titan. "Well, thanks for that, I for one am greatly reassured."

Variable heads out quickly too, if just to make room for the others!

Howl strolls out at a sedate, almost leisurely pace as he heads towards the stage. Running is for chumps.

Crater starts shuffling that way.

Lorelei walks out, turning and waving to the crowd as she goes.

Captain Rackham shrugs. He sneaks another quick swig of rum from a flask before following the group.

Sable follows more sedately at the rear of the assembly, her attention sweeping left and right. A little way out of the tunnel she turns around and walks backward for a few steps before turning around again for the rest of the trip to the stadium. She stomps a booted foot at the ground underneath, testing it.

Dark Horse quietly watches the competitors walk out, using his binoculars. He then makes a few notes on his PDA, and makes a quick call.

The cheers continue as the heroes take the field. In the center of the playing pitch, its the raised area, where Sydney is waiting. Around that are some elements of what appears to be a kind of obstacle course. A cardboard building mockup of a crowd section of Main Street, a swimming pool, some kind of covered tunnels.

Howl leans towards Variable. "Looks like your thing, X."

Titan chuckles. "Great...I guess I'll have to wait until the 'more powerful than a locomotive' portion to show off." He seems to be in good spirits anyway, just happy to be here.

Variable looks at the obstacle course, trying to work out what sort of contest may be called for.

A hint of what's to come, perhaps. In the crowd, some people have embraced the spirit of the event. There are a few signs out there, a handful for Howl, even more for Lorelei. People dressed in super-costumes are dotted throughout the crowd.

Crater looks at the obstacle course. "...Crater wonder if gotta physically go through?" he mutters. He looks around at the crowd.

Lorelei plays to the crowd - it's largely what she's here for, after all. She blows kisses in response to the reaction from the crowd.

Lorelei says (never stopping smiling to the crowd), "Don't worry, Crater, they'll tell us the rules."

Captain Rackham harrs. "Et be a mighty turnout, aye?"

Howl looks up. "My god those signs have my name on them. People are truly out of their minds. But I'm here anyway."

Lorelei laughs. "You're the reigning champion!"

Jackie has accepted an invitation to join this location...

Jackie has arrived...

Sable brings up the rear, every now and again stamping as though something were stuck to the bottom of her shoe. Eventually she manages to reach the podium and join the others.

Jackie hurries onto the field after the other contestants, a little late in arriving.

Dorian returns to his seat in the stands, having left to get some food. He sits down next to his companion, and points out a couple of competitors out on the field.

Dark Horse continues his call over his PDA, getting the adjusted odds as a new competitor arrives. He then puts the PDA away, and settles down to watch the competition from his perch at the top of the stadium.

Sydney jokes, "I feel safer than the President, surrounded by all these heroes... This year's contest is based around some traditional notions of superheroes. Today's contest is called 'Faster than a Speeding Bullet'. Our heroes will have to be quick on their feet and agile if they'll want to win!"

Jennifer and Jessica are seated in the audience with a bunch of kids ranging from about eight to sixteen years of age and a distinguished man dressed in English style suit.

Variable thinks. o O (Darn.... I'll have to lose the mass then.)

Variable positions herself near the edge of the podium, to make it easier to dump the excess mass under it when the time comes.

"It's a timed event," Sydney says, "And today's contestants will be compared against results of Monday Night's heroes before a winner will be decided."

"Obstacle course is better than a race track." Howl comments.

Captain Rackham harrs. "Aye. I be a mite agile, but I be lackin' in th' go-fast department."

Lorelei agrees, "Means it doesn't necessarily go to the fastest."

Sable's lips purse slightly as she looks around the array of obstacles, clasping her hands in front of her.

Variable suspects eating the cardboard building might be cheating.

Sydney walks down off of the stage and over towards a mock up of Main Street. There, waiting, is a group of men in black ski-masks who smile and wave for the crowd. "The task we've put in front of the heroes is a simple one -- to catch a purse snatcher."

Howl looks around the group. "Where's Rebound? This is his competition."

Titan chuckles quietly. "Interesting."

Jackie shrinks out of her street clothes and hovers on buzzing wings listening to the rules being explained.

Crater shrugs, listening as he looks over. After all, wouldn't want to break rules.

Variable listens to the rules intently, too. They could make a big difference to what she does.

Sydney smiles, "But standing in between the hero and the robber are a set of obstacles. First, the heroes have to navigate a Main Street, crowded with pedestrians. Then, they need to navigate through a maglev tunnel. Next, it's into the pool for a dip..."

Variable frowns and starts recalculating.

Titan raises a brow as he listens, muttering "If I could reach the purse snatcher with a single leap, why would I swim to get to him?"

Variable is wondering similarly.

Titan smiles anyway, looking genial about it...apparently it was a rhetorical comment, just meant to vent.

Howl nods a bit to himself. "Fliers..."

"Then, they have to grab the purse from the robber, while dodging the stun blasts from his two partners. The contest ends when the hero takes the purse to the podium and rings the buzzer." Sydney says.

Lightray listens to the instructions.

Captain Rackham listens. "Harr... th' dodgin' be me strong bit, I be thinkin'," he murmurs.

Sable tilts her head slightly. before commenting under her breath. "Wow, I was worried for a second there we might be asked to do something tricky."

Jackie listens and thinks. o O(A nice simple test for the first event. I might do pretty good in this).

Lightray quietly listens to the instructions.

Lorelei thinks. o O (I'd bet on Wasp for this, given how she did two years ago....)

"The hero's race ends when he takes the purse to the podium and rings the buzzer." Sydney says. "All the heroes will start the race at the same time."

Variable waits, hoping there will be an opportunity for clarification.

Sable takes a deep breath.

A man in a striped referee uniform walks over to field the heroes' questions.

Variable raises a hand.

The ref says to Variable, "Go ahead."

Variable says, "Do we have to cross the pool by swimming? And what about the city section - does it matter how we cross that?"

The ref says, "You can cross Main Street any way that you'd like. The pool, however must be swum."

Sable looks around the rest of the group to see if there are any more queries before raising her hand. "is the tunnel lit?"

The ref says, "Yes, it is."

Howl raises his hand next. "Does it have active mag-rails? As in, can I jerry rig them to pull me along by my iron blades?" He might as well have fun with this marathon.

Sable nods. "Well I'm ready" She moves over to the starting line, languidly swinging her arms to and fro.

Crater shrugs. "So, gotta actually go through course stuff. 'kay."

The ref raises an eyebrow at Howl's question. "Only rules questions, please."

Lightray moves to the starting line and flexs his wings.

Howl gives the ref a thumbs up. "Ready."

Jackie moves over to the starting line.

Titan shrugs as well, "I guess I'm set. We'll see how this goes."

Variable shifts in shape, becoming about normal mass but with very long yet flexible limbs, tentacles really. The rest of the mass she hides under the podium (extruding it through one of the tentacles).

Sydney calls out: "Heroes, on your marks!"

Captain Rackham shrugs. He raises a hand. "We allowed t' try an' slow th' other contestants?" He heads in that direction.

Howl removes his hat, undoes his cloak. They'll just slow him down.

Variable gets in position and catches her breath before the start of the race.

Lorelei moves to take up position.

Jackie is ready

Variable singals she's ready once she has her breath back from the shift.

Sydney shouts, "Ready... GO!"

Sable's knees flex as she readies herself on the starting line, dropping into a low crouch, the muscles of thighs and calves coiling tight.

Lorelei can only hope the robots respond like real people...

Captain Rackham starts on go, a tad irked that he didn't get an answer on playing dirty. Ergo, he assumes it's not allowed. He runs for the first area, becoming more spectral as he runs.

"Oh, that's clever, Captain..." Howl comments. "...Please spook away all the people..."

Wasp darts off on buzzing wings beating so fast they are just a blur while making the distinctive sound that gives Wasp her name. She arches up about the heads of the crowds in the Main Street section accepting the increased distance to cover in exchange for not having to duck and weave around obstructions. And then: she's at the end of the street and plunging down to enter the tunnel. In her reduced size a mere foot and a half high she has plenty of room to fly down the bore.

Sable's legs straighten, hurling her slight frame in a scything arc high above the milling throng that crowds the Main Street. Her arms sweep slightly to maintain her balance before she lands with a discernable thump, using her momentum to tuck herself into a forward roll from which she rises already running.

Variable extends her tentacular legs to the full and runs down the the mock-up street as if on stilts to avoid the crowds.

Variable unfortunately trips and stumbles over one of the robot people in the crowd. Though she lands on her feet (or at least tentacles) she's lost valuable time.

Crater vanishes from the starting line with a crack of displaced air. Any evidence to the contrary is just silly. He reappears in the tunnel.

Lorelei calls out "Excuse me, world-famous superhero coming through!" and then runs into the crowd, hoping the robots will make way. Sadly her figure is better designed for presenting a good view to the spectators than for running.

Lorelei, finding the crowd isn't getting out the way fast enough, resorts instead to dodging around - and once even over - them!

Howl was waiting for Lorelei to move. He runs in her wake, trying to take advantage of her ability to sway crowds to ease his own passage. And besides, he figures he's going to lose this thing anyway so he might as well have a good view while running the course. But then the crowd fails to part, and he has to make the same moves as everyone else.

Lightray flies down Main Street, threading his way through the crowd. He smiles broadly as he moves through the robots, his wings passing harmlessly through them as he wends his way through the figures.

At the far end of Wasp's tunnel, a spotlight switches on. A horn sounds and the light gets closer, and in a hurry. There's a train in the tunnel, smaller than a normal one, but large enough to take up most of the tunnel. The subway car barrels down the tunnel, threatening to eject the Wasp. Meanwhile, the same thing is happening in Crater's tunnel.

At the far end of Crater's tunnel, a spotlight switches on. A horn sounds and the light gets closer, and in a hurry. There's a train in the tunnel, smaller than a normal one, but large enough to take up most of the tunnel. The subway car barrels down the tunnel, threatening to eject the hobo hero.

Wasp and Sable can see a similar train car powering on in their tunnels.

Indeed the shot it replayed on the jumbotron, drawing a collective "Oooooh!" from the crowd.

Wasp is feeling quite relieved she didn't just fly into the tunnel. She thought it looked to deceptively simple. At least she has a chance to see what is ahead and plan to counter it now.

Crater blinks. *POW* Train'd! He doesn't seem that hurt by it, though.

Sydney jokes, "Oh, did Crater catch the express train, or is it the other way around!"

Wasp starts down the tunnel flying close to the roof of it. As the train and her come to a meeting point she rotates to face upwards and flies with her face mere fractions of an inch from the lining as the train, hopefully, speeds by beneath her.

Wasp feels the wind from the trains passage as it speeds past her before turning in the air after it's past and continuing down to the end of the tunnel and the start of the pool.

After slamming into Crater, the train car stopped cold in the tunnel. It's still trying to push him out, but he maintains his ground.

Sable rises from her forward roll surging unhesitatingly into the mouth of the tunnel. Her lips compress slightly as she assesses the on-coming train waiting for the last possible moment to step to one side, kick off the wall and leap into the upper corner of the tunnel as the train thunders past.

Sable manages to time her jump very nicely, bangs lashing her cheeks as the crushing wake of the train rumbles past her. her boot-soles crunch as she lands behind it and starts forward again, arms and legs pumping in a precisely balance blur of motion.

The train in Sable's tunnel stop at the Main Street end of the tube, leaving an easy space to squeeze past it.

Howl keeps up the pace, realizing that he's behind but determined to finish nonetheless. He abandons his position behind Lorelei and moves to surge past her.

Captain Rackham continues to run, staying desolid to avoid the crowd. He tries to pick up the speed a bit, since he doesn't have to worry about the crowd as much.

Variable continues with her stiltlike movement till she reaches the tunnel, where she stands at the mouth and stick a tentacle heavily down the tunnel.

Whoosh! The train rumbles down the Main Street end of the Variable's tunnel.

Variable reaches the mouth of the tunnel and waits, ready to spring into action once the train has passed her.

Crater tries to peer around the train so he can teleport, since he seems to be jamming its progress. If he can, he'll teleport to the pool and dive in.

Variable springs into action the moment the train has gone by, and the second function of her tentacles can be seen: despite their length, they're no hindrance: they allow her to move octopus-like down the tunnel!

Lorelei assumes the robots aren't programmed to respond and so just keeps weaving her way through the crowd, as fast as she can.

Lorelei runs as hard as she can, but the robots keep getting in the way.

Lightray continues to wend his way through the crowd. He chuckles as he nods politely to one robot he brushes by it. "Pardon me, ma'am..." He stops for just a moment as he reaches the entrance to the tunnel.

Wasp dives into the water and shows once again in a Best of the Best event that her wings are as effective in water as out. She remembers with pride helping her Spirit of Justice team to a shared first place two years ago. She also remembers the electrical attacks in the pool during that event and is observant while she swims.

Wasp gets to the end of the pool rather surprised at not being attacked.

Three robbers wait on the other side for Wasp. Two are armed with stun guns, and the third has the pocket book.

Sable dashes forward, striding smoothly through the length of the tunnel, building speed. Once she clears the confines of the subway she launches smoothly into a dive into the pool, careful not to use any form of superleap. While still submerged she starts powerfully stroking through the water with practiced ease.

Howl surges ahead, tired of this crowd. He pushes his legs into a stride he hopes to keep up through the tunnel. As for the train? Well, he'll just have to dodge.

Captain Rackham keeps on movin'. Unless that train affects ghostly things, he keeps on.

The train passes harmlessly through the Captain.

Crater doesn't seem to be a very strong swimmer. He'd much rather just teleport across the pool. So, he plods along.

Lightray moves into the tunnel and flies as close to the ceiling as he can. He slow down substantially to try to squeeze by the train as it approaches.

Lightray gets snagged by the train and pushed back to the mouth of the tunnel. "Well, Superman I am not it seems" His tone is light as he speaks. He waits until the gap appears then will slip through it, with luck.

Wasp decides to try and give the crowd a good show. Coming out of the pool she accelerates to full speed and tries to purse-snatch the purse from the robber. If she succeeds she'll continue to the podium in the same move. If she fails to make the grab she'll swing around and in in position for a second try.

Wasp's purse snatcher tries to dive out of the way.

Wasp misses with her grab. (Shame,) she thinks, (would have made a great finish). Swinging around she prepares for a more considered approach.

Sable breaks the surface after her initial dive and starts swimming with reasonably elegant form though her speed is far from super-human. She remains tantalizingly close to the edge of the pool

Variable moves octopus-like down to the end of the tunnel and throws herself into the water, where the last function of this tentacles form is - she's just as fast or faster still in water! Her powerful tentacle propel her thin body with its oddly pointy head forward, and she's across the pool in no time.

Lorelei runs out of the crowd and keeps running as hard as she can into the tunnel - then throws herself flat on the ground between the rails, praying there's enough clearance for the train to pass over her.

Lorelei makes sure she's breathing out as the train rumbles terrifyingly over her head!

Howl keeps up his stride after dodging past the train. The pool is nearly in sight, and he's not displeased with his effort, not having wings.

The gunmen try to blast Wasp.

Both of them miss.

Captain Rackham exits the tunnel, then dives into the water and swims, letting his desolid drop.

Wasp turns and flies in to make a controlled grab for the purse in the robber's hands.

The purse snatcher is still dodging.

Sable continues desperately to swim as fast as she can, her form starting to break a little as the artificially high pace she is setting starts to take its toll. She manages to make it to the end of the pool and tries to pull herself out of the water

Wasp grabs the purse away from the imitation robber. Now all she has to do is avoid being shot while taking it to the podium.

Sable pulls herself up into a handstand but one hand slips from under her back into the pool and she crashes clavicle first onto the corner of the concrete before landing in a sodden, crumpled heap on the ground.

Crater keeps swimming, trying to swim faster. He's pretty sure he's got a ways to go, but he's trying.

Howl takes a few bounding steps towards the pool, setting up for a possibly disqualifying leap into the pool. Swimming sucks.

Lightray squeezes past the train and flies down the tunnel. He is not pushing himself, but moves as fast as he can down the tunnel.

Variable uses her tentacles to throw herself back out of the pool and resumes running, slowing to a speed more appropriate to combat. Making her arm-tentacles less suitable for swimming and more for strength - and boosting her defenses against stunners - she attempts to grab the man with the supposed stolen item.

Lorelei rolls to her feet and runs down the tunnel. It should be a simple slog now, to the end of the pool....

Variable successfully strengthens her tentacles but doesn't get used to their new shape in time to grab the man.

All of them miss, except for one gunman who's shooting at the prone Sable.

Captain Rackham swims as hard as he can decently muster! ... He may be a pirate, but not all pirates swam well, apparently.

Sable, while lying elegantly sprawled on the ground, gets hit square in the solar plexus, the impact smashing the breath from her in a pained grunt. She curls into a tight ball on the ground, clutching the site of the wound.

Wasp flies over to check on Sable's condition after the slipped handstand causes Sable to crash down onto the unyielding concrete. Wasp is first a nurse and medical student, only second a Best of the Best contestant. Sable is a fellow contestant in a Meta competition. Wasp doesn't expect Sable to be injured but she'll check before continuing to the podium with the purse. "Are you okay, Sable?" She asks looking for any sign of injury.

Wasp sees no bleeding, none of the defensive twisting of posture that would indicate a broken or cracked bone. Sable's eyes, although pained, are clear and with pupils of equal size. The spot where Sable landed on the concrete probably smarts but there's no evidence of any underlying injury.

Crater continues swimming, trying to push himself harder as he swims, hoping to reach the other side, at least.

"Hiiiyah!" Howl exclaims as he leaps at the edge of the pool, soaring over half the distance before splashing down.//12" NCM leap.

Lightray flies down to the end of the tunnel and out to the edge of the pool. He drops lightly to the ground, then spots Wasp bending over Sable. He shouts, "Is she okay?"

Wasp calls over. "I'm confident she'll be fine. A little winded and going to have a sore shoulder tomorrow but no injury."

Captain Rackham continues swimming. He doesn't push himself too hard, as he doesn't wanna test how well he breathes water.

Sydney says, "It looks like Wasp has the win in hand; All she has to do is take her purse to the buzzer!"

Sable stays curled into a ball clutching her chest and rolls onto her back to pull her knees against her chest and kick herself smoothly up onto her feet, once there she latches her attention onto the purse snatcher and moves across to attempt to retrieve the stolen bag.

Wasp flies over to the podium with the purse now she has reassured herself on Sable's condition. She hands it over to the waiting Judge.

Variable figures there's only one chance even to come second - she makes an attempt to grab the man with the purse and carry him (with the purse) to the winning line, pushing the button. *If* she doesn't miss....

Sable snatches the purse and yanks at it brutally, twisting and using her weight to wrench it abruptly from her target's grasp. The masked man glances for a second at his hand where the purse was secure but a moment before.

Variable grabs the man and runs to the finish line, hitting the buzzer!

"Ladies and gentlemen," Sydney says, "We have our first finisher -- Wasp! And what's this? Variable of Starguard has just crossed the line right after her!"

Wasp flies over to congratulate Variable.

Variable grins back at Wasp. "Well done - you were miles ahead of me!"

Crater swims the rest of the way out of the pool, hauling himself out.

"It looks like Sable will take third... she's recovered nicely from that tumble she took."

Wasp smiles, "Far from being the case. I thought I had a clear run at this event but Sable and you were close behind pushing at my lead all the way. The other contestants aren't that far behind either."

Lorelei runs down the tunnel and finally dives into the water.

"Oh, and Crater has just come out of the pool," Sydney says. "He's currently in fourth place."

Variable says, "Except Lorelei - she's only halfway round...."

Howl quickly gets his bearings in the water and decides he doesn't want to spend any more time here. He pours it on, swimming up to the edge of the water and pulling himself out. He glances at Variable and Wasp at the finish. "Totally called it as Variable's event..."

Wasp grins, "Lorelei is... Well there's some debate whether Lorelei is a Meta as I recall. What is not in doubt is she is a wonderful person and her inclusion in this contest is doing wonders to the viewing figures and the final charity contribution."

Variable grins and nods and points to the pictures of Lorelei on the big screen. There seems to be something of a disproportional focus.

Lightray dives into the pool and pours on the strength. HIs form is okay if not great.

Zam, Zam, Zam, Zam! The gunmen fire, but all of them miss their targets.

Sydney walks over to Wasp, mic in hand. "I'm here with the winner of this heat of 'Faster'. Wasp, what did you think of the course?"

Sable clutches her purse and sprints for the finish line. Once there she gives the button an unnecessarily emphatic thump with a tightly balled fist. When the buzzer sounds she stagers a few steps to one side before dropping unceremoniously onto her butt and then falling onto her back to suck in deep, hungry lungfuls of fresh, sweet air.

Caleb cheers in the audience!

[To Sable] Variable says, "Are you ok?"

Sydney says, "And Sable has just crossed the finish line! We're seeing some fine performance from our Best of the Best first-timers."

Sable nods repeatedly. "Just tired and cranky." She says in between gasps

Wasp smiles at Sydney, "I couldn't have designed it better myself to showcase my particular strength, my movement abilities. Those are why FEMA asked me to head up it's Fast Response Team. So obviously I'm pleased with it. It was a good test of our movement and agility." She chuckles, "I'm glad to have a good stash of points in this event. I'm sure the other events will test other aspects of Meta powers and in those I'll be struggling against the kind of skill and determination we've seen today."

Captain Rackham keeps on swimming. Obviously not his strong suit.

Crater aims for his purse-holder, ready to try teleporting to grab for the purse.

Lorelei swims as fast as she can across the pool.

The purse snatcher manages to tuck the handbag under his arm before Crater can get to it.

Lightray keeps on swimming all out and seems to be pusing it now.

Howl flicks his wrists, revealing the first weapons of the tournament as his pata blades slide into view. He marches with purpose, golden eyes leveled on the object of his desire, the most valuable purse ever given all he's gone through to get to it. He brings up his blades and strikes, a quicker scissoring motion designed to liberate the purse snatcher of his prize.

Howl succeeds. The move isn't as flashy as the one that won him the Best of the Best a year ago, but it gets the job done, neatly separating robotic robber from his ill-gotten gains.

Captain Rackham keeps swimming. Whee.

Crater smirks at the miss, then just tries taking the guy instead.

Lightray keeps swimming and pushing it. The strains shows in his gritted teeth. But he reaches the far edge of the pool with this attempt. He rests his hands on it for a moment but does not pull himself out quite yet.

Lorelei keeps swimming across the pool - more than halfway now.

Howl makes his break for the finish line, trying to snag the liberating purse on the end of one blade before running full out towards the finish.

The giant screens start cutting to show various groups of cheering fans in the audience. A very large group, almost all male, many waving signs supporting Lorelei, are looking very agitated. A much smaller group under a banner reading "Pirates against Global Warming!" is waving plastic cutlasses and generally cheering the Captain.

Crater vanishes with the bag, a clap of displaced air as he shows up halfway to the finish.

Captain Rackham continues swimming, making it to the edge of the pool, finally.

The Pirates against Global Warming cheer!

Sydney says anxiously, "Crater has just jumped ahead of Howl, but Howl is running hard! Who will reach the buzzer first?"

Crater teleports the rest of the way to the stage, hitting buzzer if needed.

The camera focuses on a small disturbance near the gate, as several late-arriving unsavory-looking homeless types try to push their way in. One of them is frantically waving a sign that reads "Cratur Roks!"

Lightray pushes himself up out of the water, but when his chest is clear spreads his wings and launches up and forward towards the 'purse snatcher'. A glowing field of sunlight snaps into existence around him as he moves.

"It's Crater!" Sydney cheers.

Howl huffs as he approaches the finish. "Damned teleporters!" He mutters before pouring it on in the final stretch.

The camera focuses on a dour-looking man in a priest's collar as the crowd cheers Lightray. The apparent priest looks unhappy.

Lorelei swims to the far side of the pool and begins to lift herself out of the water, her soaking clothes clinging to the curves of her form. "Hello boys," she says, "Like what you see? Tell you what, you don't you just give me the purse and I'll give you a better look later....

An athletic-looking young man -- some of you may recognize him as the star quarterback of CBSU's football team -- seems overwhelmed by this display. He rips his shirt off to reveal a giant letter "L" painted in red on his chest and belly. He runs out of the bleachers and tries to get to the edge of the pool, shouting something that might be "I love you, Lorelei!" before being tackled by one of the security guards.

The purse-snatcher goes starry eyed and simply hands the purse to Lorelei.

The gunmen just gawk at Lorelei.

The others aren't so lucky. Gunmen shoot at Lightray and the Captain.

Several easily spooked audience members yell "Look out!" and various similar things.

Sydney cheers, "Let's go, Lorelei! You can beat them!"

Howl watches Lorelei from the finish line, flicking his patas closed. "Mein gott she could rule the world."

Captain Rackham starts running toward his, spectral blade forming. He gives a shout as he charges, hoping to scare the guy into giving the purse to him.

The camera switches to a five-year-old boy wearing an eyepatch and waving a plastic cutlass wildly while sitting on (one assumes) his dad's shoulders. His putative dad notices the screen and points, and they both cheer.

Variable thinks. o O (Hey, we have fans!)

Howl retrieves his hat and cloak from an attendant kind enough to scoop them up from the start. He walks over to Variable, clapping her on the shoulder "Hell of a race, X. I told you this was your event."

Variable says, "I got a bit lucky I think - and fortunately we were told enough in advance I knew what to do. It's not like that in a real fight."

Variable says, "I wonder what the other events will be like...."

Lightray turns slightly as he flies and is missed by one gunman, but the other strikes him head on. The glowing man winces slightly but continues on towards the 'purse snatcher'. He bellows as he approaches him before the grab, "Drop it!"

The crowd cheers Lightray as the camera focuses again on the dour-looking collared man. This time he's holding a sign... or, well, a piece of notebook paper on which something has been written, probably in ballpoint pen, too faint to see. Two equally dour-looking but younger folk are standing next to him.

Howl shakes his head. "No one told you how to do what you did, X. That was all your strategy, you just saw what the challenge was. Second place puts you in great position."

The purse snatcher hesitates, allowing Lightray to catch him flatfooted. Still he manages to hold onto the purse.

The crowd boos, and the dour-looking man on the camera smiles thinly.

Variable says, "It should be what next - more powerful than a locomotive? I can be pretty strong, if I don't have to do anything else at the same time. But I guess from this I will have to."

Howl nods in agreement, looking back at the ongoing competition. "No way it's a straight out strength test, just like this was not a mere race."

Variable says, "Yeah, it's pretty clever. I guess the organizers really have to think to get a close race from people with such different abilities."

Captain Rackham, since his attempt to scare failed, tries to deck the guy if he's in range.

"Deck 'im, captain!" comes a startlingly loud voice from the crowd.

"It's better than last year." Howl admits to Variable, then smirks. "Heh. Captain. Deck. I get it."

Captain Rackham slugs the guy. He tries to take the bag after he does. "Ye be havin' somethin' I be needin', matey..."

Variable says, "Last year's was weird, I heard. Lots of big-name heroes didn't show, for a start."

Howl grins. "Now you know how I got to be champion. It was pretty much just Kihzra, Amber and I."

Variable says, "Well - it's not like they're pushovers!"

The camera switches to a middle-aged man in a business suit under a sign, being held above his head by two amused-looking bystanders, that reads "Lorelei: Marry me!" with an arrow pointing down to him. A small altercation breaks out as two nearby audience members try to push him out of the way and take his place under the sign.

Crater looks around. "Crater at least not get dead last. That something."

Howl glances at Crater. "Hell of a run. Teleporting comes in handy, eh?"

Lorelei smiles as she accepts the purse and begins her sprint for the finish line.

Captain Rackham picks up the bag, grinning. He turns and runs toward the stage.

Lightray glances back at Lorelei, then murmurs, "Like Inanna..." He then smiles as he makes another grab for the purse. "Do you not think so, sir?"

"Captain Rackham crosses the finish line!" Sydney exclaims.

The crowd goes wild! The young eye-patch wearing boy appears on the camera just as he loses his grip on the plastic cutlass, which goes flying off, hitting an unfortunate bystander in the eye. Fortunately there's an eyepatch handy.

Lightray snags the purse away from the 'villian' and prepares to fly off. He nods. "Thank you."

The audience takes a collective breath. Many start chanting "Lo-re-lei! Lo-re-lei! Lo-re-lei!" Several more suddenly shirtless college boys are promptly tackled by security guards before they can leave the bleachers.

Lorelei sprints across the line, hitting the buzzer in passing.

"And Lorelei finishes! You go girl!" Sydney says.

Lightray flies in after Lorelei, putting on a burst of speed, a smile on his features.

"Now it's just Lightray, but remember," Sydney says, "But remember he's not just competing against today's contestants, but all against Monday Night's heroes!"

Howl applauds as the final competitors come across the line.

Captain Rackham harrs. "Swimmin' quick no be me strong suit. May'aps I be needin' t' work on that."

The camera switches to a small group of capering, howling audience members dressed in fuzzy wolf-outfits. One is waving a sign that reads "Canines for Howl!" The audience members next to them are giving them a wide berth.

Lightray hits the buzzer as he sets down on the ground. "That was fun."

Variable says, "Humans aren't really built for it... that's why I went more squiddy...."

AND THE CROWD GOES WILD!

"And Lightray finishes, barely behind Lorelei!" Sydney says. "Let's hear it for the contestants!"

Lorelei throws herself down on the grass too, exhausted.

Lorelei thinks. o O (I wasn't last... wow....)

Lightray strides over then kneels next to Lorelei. "How are you, my dear?"

Lorelei says, "Worn out... but ok... you?"

Variable shifts at last to a rather more human form.

Crater stretches. "Crater lucky Crater tough. ...train might've hurt Crater."

Lightray takes a deep breath, then lets it out. "I am a little tired. Do you require assistance? I can retore you if you desire."

Lorelei says, "I'm just glad the movie thing worked and there was room for me under the wheels!"

Lightray nods and stands. He offers Lorelei his hand as he murmurs just over the roar of the crowd. "Your audience awaits."

Sydney turns to camera. "That wraps it up for the first part of the Best of the Best! Be sure to tune in on Monday for Part Two!"

Howl tries to ignore the fans that he saw the crowd. "Hell. I need a drink."

Lorelei laughs. "As ever." But she gets up and give the crowd another and some more blown kisses.

Captain Rackham nods in agreement with Howl. "Aye. I be losin' me flask o' rum somewhere in th' pool, methinks..."

Variable goes back to the podium and soon grows to a height of about 21 foot again.

Caleb, who's been cheering in the audience, blinks and cranes his neck. "Wow."

Variable gives the crowd a wave and heads back to the locker room.

Caleb watches her walk off, partly in admiration and partly wondering how she'll fit.

Variable fits with difficulty.

Caleb seems impressed. "Man, they make impressive elastics these days," he mutters, disappointed.

Lorelei stays around a bit to play to the audience - she also goes over to thank the the "robbers" - she did after all promise.

Lightray watches the others slowly wander off. He smiles slightly and looks over at the Captain. "I guess We will have to ahve that drink later."

Caleb wanders off... and, by one of those coincidences, Nexus appears next to the heroes shortly thereafter, bypassing security.

Nexus says, "Nice job, guys... sorry I couldn't make it, but you were looking good from what I saw!"