Log:ACE Returns, Scene 2

ACE Returns 2008/02/08 	 Brainchild Decibel Kiloton Lorelei 2

The observatory is an old building with a high domed roof, almost there stories tall. The center of the space is dominated by a giant old-fashioned optical telescope mounted on a mechanical platform that allows for the telescope to be rotated and elevated to gaze at any part of the sky, through an opening in the ceiling. Some of the mechanical parts look dusty and dirty with disuse, however. There is more modern equipment here, too. Fusion power cells are arranged against the wall, daisy-chained together. They seem to be powering the facility, and some sort of high tech device. On the ground level of the building there are couple of offices to the side.

Lorelei awakes to the sound of an argument outside. Her immediate surroundings are an office, mostly empty save for a chair, which she is currently tied to.

Outside the office, Brainchild says, "Have I reminded you of the enormity of this error in judgement?"

Outside the office, Kiloton says, "I've gotta agree with the squirt. Let 'em keep Stinger... I think we're much better keeping Lorelei instead!"

Lorelei takes a moment to register exactly where she is and why - then, alert tries to work out what's going on and who's about, without giving a sign of having woken. Hopefully her hair will cover the movement of her face to some extent, assuming it's not exactly neat.

Brainchild says, "Call me 'squirt' one more time, and you'll be reliving your childhood more quickly than you can say, 'C is for Cookie...'"t

Lorelei thinks. o O (Darn... the mentalist. He's going to be a problem. I didn't seem to have much influence on him....)

"ENOUGH!" Decibel says, in an unnaturally booming voice. "Enough already..."

Lorelei shifts position in her "sleep" - both easing an uncomfortable position and getting into a position calculated to be quite distracting to any onlookers.

Decibel says, "I've already decided -- we make the trade. If you're not happy with it, then you can show yourselves out."

Silence follows for a short while, until Kiloton says, "All I care about is getting another shot at Random. That guy needs to be taken down a peg."

"Good then." Decibel says. "If we pull this off, you'll thank me. Good allies are in short supply, it'll be worth it to get Stinger back. Kiloton, you go check on the prisoner... I'll work on the teleporter. I think we shorted out a fusion cell during the last jump."

Footsteps can be heard outside the office, nearing the door.

Lorelei changes plan, finding it's just one of them approaching, and shifts to another position - a non-threatening, indeed quite helpless pose. Which isn't hard when tied up.

Lorelei figures it's better if they're thinking of her as a hostage than as a superhero in their midst - and she's not quite sure what their current impression is.

"Just one moment!" Brainchild says. The footsteps stop, just shy of the door. "I've got a better idea... we need to know more about the heroes we're going to be facing. And I know just who to ask. I'm going to be spending some quality time with our starlet guest..."

Lorelei switches back to the more subtle plan A, which might be more effective again the mentalist, whom she assumes to be a bit more wily. Not that she likes the sound of *that* at all.....

After a shuffle of footsteps, the door opens revealing Brainchild. Beyond him is the rest of the observatory and Kiloton in view. He says to the others, "I don't wish to be disturbed. I'm going to find out what's going on in that pretty little head of hers..." He steps into the room, pulling the door shut behind him.

Lorelei thinks. o O (A mentalist - think! This is bad news...)

Brainchild pulls off his tweed coat and hangs it on the doorknob. He takes his time, not really expecting any interruptions.

Lorelei shifts a bit more in her "sleep".

Brainchild turns his attention to Lorelei now, and he begins to speak aloud as he opens his mind. "Tell me... what to you know about Random Factor..."

Lorelei stirs as if waking up as he speaks.

Brainchild begins to scan Lorelei's thoughts of Random.

Brainchild hmms to himself. "Interesting..."

Lorelei realises she has little time for subtlety. She "wakes up," does a start at seeing Brainchild, tugs on the ropes holding her, acts frightened to the point of giving a little scream.

Footsteps stir outside of the room. Meanwhile, Brainchild smiles and says, "Relax, Lorelei. Did you enjoy your nap..?"

Lorelei says, "My hands wrists hurt - and my foot's gone to sleep! Please untie me?"

"It wouldn't do to have you sneaking out on us," Brainchild says. "Not when we were just getting to know one another." His smile widens slightly as he looks on at Lorelei with puzzlement. "Were you just trying to influence me? Really?"

Just then, Decible enters the room from outside. "What's going on in here?"

Lorelei has run out of good plans so she goes for a bad one. This sort of thing has never worked before. Again the frightened starlet act. "He's getting inside my brain - it's horrible! Save me! Make him stop!

Brainchild raises an eyebrow. "The tabloids don't do you justice my dear..." He look over at Decibel and tries to undo the mind control.

"I told you!!" Brainchild says. "Do not disturb me!" Decibel grabs his head and drops to his knees under the psionic onslaught.

Brainchild says to Lorelei. "I've got you. Check and mate." He smiles. "Concede defeat, and we can remain civil about this." Brainchild folds his arms. "You can start by releasing your hold on Decibel.

Lorelei stalls, hoping that Decibel might still come to her aid. "Stay away from me!" she screams, still acting terrified of the misshapen Brainchild, and wiggling in her chair eyecatchingly as if to try to back away from him. All this is distraction thoguh as she tries to work at the ropes on her wrists.

Brainchild sighs. "An exercise in tedium." He turns and looks towards Decibel.

Decible shouts and collapses.

Brainchild looks back to Lorelei and says, "Your move."

Lorelei doesn't give Brainchild the satisfaction of her breaking character. She just screams for help at the top of her lungs, hopefully to bring Kiloton running.

Kiloton runs, skidding to a halt in the doorway. He spots the downed Decibel, and then Lorelei. "What the hell is going on in here?!"

Lorelei says, ""Help, he's hurting me, and Decibel too!""

Brainchild is a bit too late with his mental attack on Lorelei.

Lorelei cries out in pain, making the point clear to Kiloton.

Brainchild says, "I've been patient, but even I have my limits." He looks at Lorelei and focuses on her mind.

Lorelei cries out once more and slumps in the chair.

Editor's Note:

Even though Lorelei is knocked out, Kiloton is still under mind control. He knocks Brainchild out and escape with Lorelei. When Lorelei regains consciousness, Kiloton is still under her control. Lorelei escapes to civilization, with Kiloton in tow.