Log:The First Rule

Eclipsed 2014/11/10 Chen Cheshire Lightray Paragon Porter Malcolm 5

Now, Lightray and Paragon aren't exactly the sorts who would be approached by, or invited to, events that are going on. You see, just being a Master Villain/Criminal/Leader doesn't provide entertainment for one's followers. Occasionally one must allow their people to branch out and have... shore leave, so to speak. So it is that Spartan organized events just for his own pleasure. Paragon and Lightray are skipped over, but by pure happenstance, Porter teleported to a nearby takeout restaurant.. but appeared in an alley where he was literally slammed into by a running courier. Of course, after apologies and such... the young man runs off and Porter finds something stuck to his shoe. It's an invitation... to what is called: The Purity of Combat. An invitation for someone listed on the invite as The Anvil... a low level flunkie with the minor ability to transform fists into steel. But this one is in the hands of Pandora... er Porter. Both names begin with P.. coincidence? I think not! The invitation does have a date, time, and location listed.. on board a freight liner docked at the Port.

Their first night back together in the city, and Porter isn't about to ask Para to cook. And there's also the small kitchen fire from the other day. So he went to get takeout, and wound up with a prize. An invitation to something that probably isn't legal. Of course he'll let Paragon know.

Paragon was mentally linked to Porter so she could choose something from the menu while he was going for takeout. But since she can multitask and the food will take a while to get cooked, she called up Lightray's contact number (the one he gave her during Arion's protection detail) to see how he was doing after the Carrion Queen incident. As they converse, she gets the notice from Porter about the sudden ticket. "Ohhh...excuse me, Lightray. I have something on the other 'line'."

<> Paragon mentally asks Porter.

<> Seems that they haven't really been about to do the partner thing much lately except for the Carrion Queen, and he really doesn't count that.

To note, the ship it is hosted on is named: The Hoplite. If anyone puts that together with anything here... who knows....

Joseph waits patiently for Paragon to continue speaking as he sits in a library somewhere. He remembers to keep breathing while not speaking as he's trying not to lose the habit.

<> Her mental voice comes out way too loud and excited. <<...I mean, of course, Partner. This bares investigating.>> This time it sounds much more dignified and professional. Paragon chats back on the phone, "Sorry, Lightray. Something came up about potential illegal fights at the Port. Considering how I promised to be careful, maybe we could use some backup if you're interested?" <> Multitasking.

Joseph murmurs in his civilian, soft accented Colonial bay drawl, "Of course I would be interested. Its been dec...quite a while since I interfered with any illegal fights. When and where? Oh, and should I come in mufti or as Lightray?"

Porter laughs, which gets some odd looks before he's handed the food. <>

"Well...sounds like it's tomorrow at the Port--Oh, food's about to come! I'll phone you with more details. Meet you there tomorrow?" Paragon suggests. She can organize once she has more intel. <>

Joseph hangs up and goes back to working out the exact wording of the curse on the tablet before him.

Porter muses over it as they eat. "Hmm... The Hoplite? Weird name for a ship. Isn't that a Roman thing? Maybe your dinner date god might know something? You ever get his number or anything?" Yes, there might be some smirk, but it seems a honestly good idea. "I can ask around about the fight, too. Could be others got invite, too."

Chen gets a text message from her big sis, high jinks afoot! She's on the next flight from Friesburg to Berlin and then TransMat to Colonial Bay. Assuming the persona and look of a brash rich young Top Hat gang member she makes her way to the suggested meeting point. "Hi." comes as she sees Paragon and Porter. Followed by a sisterly hug and kiss on the cheek for Porter if he allows it, and a tighter happy hug for Paragon.

Third picks up a spring roll with her chop sticks. "Thanks for picking up the food, Partner," she smiles affectionately at Porter, then takes a crunchy bite after dipping it in some sauce. "Yeah, roman. Remember the outfit that Spartan wore at the beach party? That was how the old hoplites of Rome used to...dress..." some gears start to turn in her head. "Yeah, dinner date guy. No, I didn't, and he never did come over. But he did deliver that delicious home made baklava. That was amazing." She nibbles a few more bites, enjoying the simple takeout meal with Porter. "If you know anyone to ask, that'd be great." As Chen arrives, she smiles and gives her a big hug, still unwitting that she played a roll in Porter coming to visit her in Germany.

Chen gives Porter a cheerful grin, "Welcome home." she tells him. The location isn't important. The 'home' Chen refers to is his being with Paragon again.

Porter is able to stumble upon ... well.. The Anvil. He's working as a thug for hire and trying to prove himself. This is why he was hoping for an invite. It's more like Porter accidentally figured out where the guy lives... knows he's waiting to get the invite that... well, never arrived.

Porter isn't against a sisterly kiss from Chen and returns it with a hug. "Hey, Chen. Good to see you again. And thanks." The gratitude is for the welcome home, and maybe a bit more. "We're just grabbing some food and planning on checking out this fight club boat thing..."

Porter is out asking around about the fights for a while. He doesn't get much, until he happens to hear thumping on the wall of the seedy tenement building that forms the dirty alley he's traveling down. That's not so odd. He happens to look in the window and see... a guy with metal fists pounding on a punching bag? Well, that's... coincidental. Rather than ask HIM about the fight, he heads back home.

"Well, you are never going to guess who I ran into tonight... We want to show up as Anvil and his team or something? Since we've got his invite..."

Paragon blinks and sits up. "Really? You mean, go undercover?" She sounds intrigued by the idea. She hasn't really gotten to do anything like that before. "Sure, I guess we could," she grins.

Chen asks Paragon a trifle plaintively, "What's going on? A underground fight club? What do you know about it?"

"Just that it's happening tomorrow on a boat. Porter accidentally found some fighter's invitation. It sounds illegal, so..." Para looks to Porter questioningly, "We're thinking of going undercover as the fighter and see what's going on?" She wants to make sure that's the plan.

Chen says, "What if the fighter turns up? Or has he or she been taken out of the picture?"

Porter shrugs. "Well, that's his invite, so if he's waiting for it to know where to go..." He points at the table. "And I found out where he lives. It was just a thought. I'm good with whatever. Just seemed easier than trying to sneak in or just showing up."

Chen nods to Porter, "Sounds like a good plan. Can you get me in a position where I can get a look at the fighter." she asks with a grin, "I'm assuming I'll be posing at the guy and you'll be my second and my manager?"

Paragon gives a thumbs up and a grin. "Sure. Team Anvil, coming up!"



Joseph makes the rounds of various private clubs where the old money and the new money, the up and comers and the one son the way down mix and mingle. He freely buys drinks and converses with the various gaming sorts to try to find out if anyone has heard about a new underground fight club. It takes time and lots of drinking but one of the advantages of being undead is never having to get drunk.

Joseph cannot help but think back to his days with Jamie when he is trolling for information. The Bloodhound would rustle the grasses on the street while Lightray would cajole the vultures in the clubs. They made a good team.

Several of the rich and powerful politicos or whatnot have a stake in such things. There are young, and even old among the socialites who wish to liven things up. Some attend the fights, supporting them financially. Others wager on them. Still more have their champions they sponsor. In fact, as the wine (or whatever) flows.. Joseph is actually invited to attend the event the coming night by a young lady he has been flirting with. Deborah Champlain, middle daughter of Augustus Champlain, an industrialist and a very very rich man. It seems she is attending because she simply loves watching men and women get bloody....

Joseph graciously thanks Deborah for her invitation and arranges to meet up with her to go to the fights. "Oh, I know some people who are good fighters. Former students for the most part. Probably not on par with the pros, but they could be good fodder. Think I could get them in?"

Joseph calls Paragon after he receives the invitation from Deborah Champlain. "I have an invitation as a guest to the fight. How about yourselves?"



When Third takes the call with Joseph, she coordinates with him to tell them they'll be undercover as Anvil, and his crew. "Chen will be impersonating Anvil, Porter will be her manager, and I'm her second," says Third.

"Sure," Porter can't hide his grin. He's being useful! "And we don't even go track him down again if you don't want to. I got a good look at him, and I can share."

Chen is a bit puzzled by Porter's remark, "Share? You're going to have to explain that to me like I'm five."

Joseph sends Paragon a picture of himself so that she can recognize him. He is dressed in a stylish retro cut black tuxedo/ So Paragon now knows what Lightray looks like as a normal human.

Third studies the photo and texts back. <>

Porter chuckles. "Well, I can use that," he points at the absurdly large old tome on the coffee table," and model Anvil for you. Or if Para doesn't mind me hanging up on her, and you don't mind me in your head, I can share what I saw." He glances over at Para. "Everything good so far?"

Third nods and grins. "Everything's find. I don't mind you hanging up."

Chen thinks for a moment, and then nods. "Yeah. I guess. I need to see not just what he looks like, but how he moves, what does he sound like, etc., if I'm to do a good impression."

Joseph sends back an image of Deborah Champlain from the society pages of the newsfeeds. "And this is my 'date', Deborah Champlain. She does not know about me. See you all tomorrow. Be safe."

It occurs to Joseph to do some research on Deborah and Augustus Champlain. So he hits the internet, the library, and the clubs again.

Ms. Champlain is in essence, something of a blend of Lindsay Lohan, and Kim Kardashian. She's basically a socialite who gets off on being social, in the limelight, and rich. She gets more famous because she's famous, and she gets richer because... well, she's rich. She's the -idle- rich. Which gives her plenty of time to party. She's in her early 20's and has a new guy every week. Apparently.. this week, it's become Joseph!

Porter nods to Para. <> He hits a button on the doohickamabob that's on his belt (now that he doesn't need a collar and string) to open a channel to Chen. Which might feel a little weird if she's not used to it. <> He shares what he observed. After that, he adds, <>

Chen is a bit uneasy about the mental linkage but puts that aside to study Anvil. <>

Chen morphs into Anvil and walks around the room, shadow boxes and shuffles dodging and ducking. "How do I look, Porter?" she asks.

Porter watches Chen shuffle and box around before he nods and grins. "Looks good Chen. Better than I can do. But I think you've had way more practice than me."

Third nods in agreement. "Plus if Anvil actually has to fight, she can take a punch."

"Hey..." Porter smirks at Para. "I can take a punch at least once..." And it's true! It's whether he can more than once that starts to get iffy. More seriously, he reaches to grab up the invite to hand to Anvil. Since it's his.

Third smiles apologetically at Porter. "I know you can. And I know you've got a hell of a punch. Maybe you -should- impersonate Anvil." She has faith Porter would be lucky enough to pull it off.

Chen takes the invite, and in his gravelly voice, after looking at the metal fists and thinking about the implications of being a club/cage fighter, "'bout time I got an invite. You ain't gotta have a lot of work tonight, uh, names? Who are you going to be?" The last sentence is said in her own voice.

Once the details are set, the day passes by. Our heroes arrive at the port where the Hoplite is docked, Joseph has been there for a time, since Deborah wanted to party harty. She dragged him to the event as her "plus one" and draped herself all over him pretty much all evening. She's on her fourth drink when the others arrive and are ushered in as the fighter and crew. "You know, you have got to be the most arrogant of all the fighters. You're the only one who bothered with an entourage." says the guard who lets them in.

Soon, everyone has a front row seat to the events going on. The announcer is some nobody... but a charismatic nobody. A few fights are done... nothing to the death. They are all small time metahumans.. The announcer gets some new information, and then grins as he steps into the ring... hands lifted into the air. "Okay, okay... boy, do we have a treat for -you-!" he announces as he smiles to the crowd. "We have... just for reasons of security you know... a half a dozen US Marines down below. We've given then one chance... -one- chance to be released unharmed. "We have a local who has a reputation for truly punishing his opponents... who goes by the name, Anvil!" and there's a gesture to a door for well... Chen. "And to fight him.. this one folks.. you might have all seen in the skies of Colonial Bay. With a gesture, a door opens, and there stands Lt. Colonel Abigail Hearns, looking decidedly unhappy. "If she wins... the marines go free, and her opponent takes their place. If she loses.. she, and all of her marines... are at the mercy of the crowd!"

Chen waves to the crowd, clasping his metal fists together above his head and then throwing a couple of air-punches with a evil grin on his face.

Chen makes a small, very small, change to her appearance. She forms a almost faded to invisiblity marine tattoo on her/Anvil's right upper arm. So faded only someone close could spot it.

Porter could shapeshift. That would probably make more sense. No one would suspect a purple kitten, right? Then again, he could wind up as an 80 foot tall purple kitten. That might be a little conspicuous. So, he sticks with a hat, turned sideways because that's always cool, and a pair of sunlgasses. Because cool people wear those at night, too. Luckily, most of the attention is on Chenvil. Then there's the announcement and he looks to Para. <>

The owner's box, or whatnot. That's where the truly VIP's, or perhaps super arrogant bosses... watch from. Everyone knows this is a tiered fight though. The overall winner wins the chance at the champ. Whomever the champ happens to be. Abby just points up at the box and says, "You know that once I get my people out of here, I'm coming back for you, right?" Of course... there is no response.

She looks over towards Chenvil, cuz that's such a cool blended name. "I'm sorry I have to do this." she says to the guy, her hands glowing a bit with energy.

Trinity, the second for Anvil, stands alongside the ring with his manager. She's dressed in skinny black jeans, wedge heel booties, a dark red scoop neck blouse, and a black leather moto jacket worn open. Her eyes are lined with dark eyeliner and black smokey eyeshadow. At the announcement of Abigail being in the ring, she returns Porter's look. <> she echoes.

Joseph murmurs to Deborah. "Ah, how exciting, my dear. This should get bloody." He then glances at her glass. "Let me go get you another before this all starts, shall I?" He stands with his emptied glass and snags the socialite's with his other hand. He thinks. o O(My sister would have drunk you under the table, sweetie.) Joseph makes his way to a bar or waiter whichever is closer, hands over the glasses, politely orders another round, then asks where a bathroom is.

Trinity looks up over to the Box as Abby issues her challenge. <> She keeps an eye out for Joseph.

Chen grins confidently, "What makes you think there's going to be an After for you?" he asks Abigail. "Semper fi, as my old group would say."

Porter nods to Trinity and glances up at the box for a second. Then he lifts and pumps a fist to encourage Anvil on, but doesn't yell out anything. Hopefully the crowds or announcer are loud enough to cover all the yelling.

A brow raised, Abby just shakes her head, "Oh... well that changes things." she remarks as she looks to the announcer. "I'm not going to trash a marine, to rescue another marine. I'm sorry, but you just don't have enough leverage for that." She holds up a hand in that.. stop sort of gesture towards Anvil. "Even if you're out of the corps, there's no such thing as a former Marine..." She shakes her head and walks closer. She offers Anvil a hand and says, "I'm sorry you came here for a fight. If you must.. you can pulp me, but I will -not- fight a marine." And... during the handshake, soft words are exchanged and she raises a brow, "Semper Fi indeed." she replies to a whispered question from Chenvil, her lips quirking into a grin. "Ally-Oop it is!" she announces as she keeps hold of that hand and then.. launches herself into the air. She's quite strong, and throws Anvil at the mirrored owner's box... the next move is up to Hammerhands there.

Trinity says to Porter aloud in her best attempt to sound not like herself. Which means she tries the sensuous, bad girl type voice. "I'm just going to get myself a drink." [I see our accomplice. I'm going to let him know about what's going on.] She steps away from the ring and casually makes her way through the crowd with her attention on the rest rooms as she draws nearer to her actual target, Joseph.

Chen twists in the air and seems to be trying to fend off the fast approaching mirrored surface with his hands. A closer look might indicate the fending off is actually a punch using momentum to increase the impact as Chenvil attempts to smash through the mirror and get inside.

Chen bulks up muscle as she slams her metal fists into the mirrored box front.

Chen slams through the mirrored front of the box, hitting it hard enough she feels the impact deep in what passes as bones for a metamorph.

As Chen blasts through the mirrored and armored plexiglass, it breaks into many pieces, showering down harmlessly on Abby below. "Wait! Stop!" yells the announcer. "SECURITY!" he yells, even as Abby hits him with a blast that sends him reeling. She's already charging out -his- exit to try to get to her other marines. She figures... she will get them and show up with real reinforcement. But...

In the box, sitting in a chair far too large for her, with her legs waving due to being too short, is the childlike Cerebellum. "Oh goody!" she announces, clapping her hands before her excitedly even as Corona lights up her plasma field, disintegrating the cheap jumpsuit she -was- wearing. "I get to kill yet another marine?" she asks with an almost identical voice inflection as Cerebellum.... and she's stepping forward, leaving molten footprints in the armored floor.

Meanwhile, guards appear at the rear of the crowds, and bystanders are watching from the sidelines, above, through their own less armored windows. It's.. chaos and mayhem, but who is whom?

Chen grins and she bounces back up onto her feet, "Another hot-shot, huh." Chenvil says to Corona. "I'm gonna put you out like a damp squib." Chenvil maintains her cover as Anvil while her body changes to a martial mode and she fires a carefully judged jab at Corona's jaw.

Paragon hear Porter's voice inside her head: << Well, so much for the ruse! I hope you found him. >>

Telepathic message from Paragon to Porter: << I see him, but I can't get to him in time. Everything's gone downhill, fast! I'm sure he'll jump into action. >>

Corona is striding forward, preparing to incinerate this low level mook, when he strikes her like the anvil of doom. The punch sends her sailing into the far wall and Cerebellum says, "oh poop." as she hits. Corona appears a bit out of sorts... but not unconscious (stunned?) She did leave molten knuckles behind as a parting gift though!

Porter watches as the ruse is shattered with the glass. "Great..." Not that he's not curious of who's behind all this. Well, so much more subtle. Which is fine for him. With the sudden flare of light and heat, and the gleeful comments above, he might have an idea of an answer. "Double great..." He smacks a button or three on his belt dowhatchit and attempts discombulation-recombobulation to get himself up there. Sure, Chen's probably indestructable... but doesn't mean he can't help.

Well, Porter recombobulates in the room, right in front of the little girl wannabe. "Oh, a new playtoy!" she adds with another clapping of her hands. Porter however, has a half phase left to him.

Lightray notes with a grin that there is no where to hide near where he is then just shakes his head. He thinks. o O(Oh well, I'll deal with it later.) A golden sunny glow flashes from within him highlighting a brighter glow on his chest. In that instant, Joseph is gone and Lightray stands in his place. A solid golden glow rises from his body as he shouts in his basso profundo, "Weapons down, gents!" which is probably meant for the guards.

He does not wait for the guards to react to this command as he sweeps the ones closest to him with blinding sunlight that emanates from his eyes.

These guards aren't wearing helmets or sunglasses. They are suddenly rendered blind. Well, they are glorified extras.... "Damnit!" yells one of them as they all react in a similar manner, trying to rub eyes, shake head, etc

Lightray nods firmly as he then shouts, "Ladies and gentlemen, the fights are closed! Police are on their way!"

"Police!?" squeaks Deborah as she dives under a table. She pauses to reach up and grab her drink though before vanishing once more under the table.

As Porter appears there, Cerebellum said her thing about a playtoy and then she nods at -something- unheard. "Oh right. Got it!" she says aloud. "Porter dear. Would you please be so kind as to get that ... person.. out of here? He's messing up play time! I think you should find a way to get a lucky shot and knock him clean out."

And Porter just grins at Cerebellum. Nodding. "Of course. I'll make sure to get him right out of here. No problem." he says as he turns to face Chen. He might be acting but... he isn't giving -any- tells at the moment....

The three guards behind Trinity-a-gon, move in. They have blaster rifles. Generic doohickies that are aimed at her. After all, the other two parts of her -team- have gone against the place. So... they spread out, flanking her. "Hands on your head ma'am!" announces one..likely the leader here. He listens to his comlink headset and inclines his head, "Um, nevermind. Ma'am... I am told to tell you that you have one chance to leave unharmed. Otherwise, we will be forced to fire."

Trinity looks at the men surrounding her. Deception and under cover was never her strong suit as her honorable tendencies kick in. "No. I'm afraid it's -you- that has a chance to leave unharmed. I'm sure you probably didn't realize, but you're employers is involved in illegal activities. If you go now, you will not be held accountable for their crimes. If you stay and provide resistance in their apprehension, I'm afraid I'm going to be forced to subdue you," she announces politely and kindly to the security guards. They're only doing their jobs, after all. But if they do their jobs knowing their employers are criminals, then they're accomplices. She has to give them the chance to surrender and leave before using force.

Hearing comm orders, the guards almost shrug. Each of them flips a switch on their weapon, and the underbarrel attachment flares as the leads of three separate taser weapons fire towards Trinigon.....

Trinity just shakes her head as they all get their weapons ready to fire. "I gave you a chance. I'm sorry, but you've brought this on yourself." The barrels come up as Trinity's fist slams into an open palm in front of her. The sheer force of the impact sends the men flying into the walls of the hallway and on the ground, leaving them dazed and confused.

The heroes had found out... via Porterizations of the universe, that there was an underground fight club going on, on board the Freighter Hoplite. Chen was impersonating Anvil, a fighter who could turn hands to steel, and more importantly... Anvil was -invited- to the fight club. An invite that ended up stuck to Porter's shoe by total accident. Or rather.. happenstance. Third and Porter went along with Chen as his crew... the fights began.. with Lightray (or Joseph) as the social guy up in the VIP lounge. Up there with Deborah Champlain... famous socialite drunkard.

But.. things went south rather quickly. The announcement was made that Marines were being held prisoner to force the heroine... Guardian, aka Abigail Hearns... to fight. Chenvil said the magic words: Semper Fi, and Abby threw Chenvil at the armored plexiglass window to the owner's box. ... or rather THROUGH it, where Cerebellum and Corona were hanging out. Porter poofed up there and was asked to take Chenvil out by Cerebellum, after Chen slammed Corona's brain into stunned mode. Trinigon had just turned, faced down a handful of guards, and handclap-slammed them all off their feet. So here we are... Porter being told to eliminate Chenvil, Abigail having charged below decks to go find her marines...

Chen respects Porter's abilities. She doesn't understand them but she's seen enough to know what Porter can do. . o O(I can't see Porter hurting sis. But Corona can and will. Okay, lets take Corona out of the picture before Porter puts me down!) Ignoring the molten knuckles on her hand she rushes over to Corona and launches a massive uppercut to her jaw.

Chen punches through the hastily erected plasma field to get to Corona, slamming her hard back against the wall and knocking her out. But Chen does not escape without damage of her own. One hand is a semi-molten glowing mass of fused metal and the resulting pain almost takes her down to her knees, causing Chenvil to lean against the wall herself to keep her balance.

Chen's fist comes charging in, and Corona reacts by raising both hands and charging up her plasma field. She fires off a blast with the intent of interfering with Chen's incoming strike. The strike pushes through the field, searing Chenvil quite badly.. Plasma is hot. This is like fusion type solar plasma stuff. It's a sunburn from hell on Chen's arm and face. But the fist strikes Corona and she's knocked back through the wall she was up against. After all, it was weakened by her plasma field already. She melts through and slides along the floor.. her plasma field going out and her naked body slumped there unconscious. She comes to rest against the front of an old wooden desk with a man sitting behind it...

"Hey!" yells Cerebellum, her legs kicking angrily in the chair that's far too large for her. She flails her arms about and screams. She slitheres out of the chair and her little feet pump as she runs past Chen, sticking out her tongue towards Chenvil and spitting onto her.. might help make her less melty... and then she dashes through the hole Corona made, "You hurt my fave-rit!" she announces, skidding to a stop on her knees. "Get up!" she yells at Corona. Then she looks back over her shoulder, all angry-eyes as she stares at Chenvil.

"Hurt...." mutters Cerebellum... her glare staring daggers at Chenvil.

Chen staggers as her hand suddenly hurts so much more when the 'kid' stares at her.

Porter thinks that Cerebella is right. She's always right. And she's right about dealing with Anvil. Who's melted, in pain, leaning up against the wall and... is Chen. Wait. Chen! He blinks a few times and just about yells out her name. Not that there's much undercover anymore, but he still catches himself. "Don't worry! It'll be Ok!" Because he said so. Besides, all that melted metal isn't really metal, right? It doesn't conduct heat inside that well.. but it was already hardened up metal-like!

Trinity leaves the fallen guards behind as she turns and heads for the owner's box. She picks up speed and leaps up towards the opening, her armor sliding around and enveloping her in mid-air just before she lands with a crunch of broken glass and the clanking of metal plates. Paragon recognizes Cerebellum and rushes her, her fist drawn back. But at the last moment, she hesitates. Cere is twisted and cruel, but she still looks sickly. She pulls back some of her punch at the last second in a moment of weakness.

At the last moment, Paragon's stomping feet and heavy impacts are slowed just a bit. It seems that the psychokinetic energy Cerebellum calls on for her more.. physical abilities, The impact is reduced, but not by a ton. Cerebellum goes bouncing off after a muted squeak comes from her. "ow ow ow ow!" she announces as she hits the desk and ends up toppling over it right into the lap of the man back there... Spartan, but dressed not in his Hoplite armor. It looks like more of a modern tactical armor suit. A lot like the guards... speaking of which...

The two doors to the office open, and two guards come in each door, aiming weapons. "Just a moment." says Spartan in his calm voice. He calmly sets Cerebellum on her feet beside him, and stands up. "I was hoping that I would not need to use this..." he says as he reaches into a desk drawer and pulls out a black case... he opens it and pulls from within... a ring. "I did some research.. and thought I had hoped you and I might be friends, I took certain... precautions. My uncle gave me this..." he grins, "Perhaps you have heard of my uncle.. Hades, god of the underworld, with dominion over the dead. Now... as I had my men ask you to do... leave, before I am forced to -use- this." There is a pause and he adds, "Take your friends with you if you like, but... the choice is yours."

Paragon tilts her head slightly. But the explanation doesn't require her to do a lookup. "We still might, if you surrender now, I'll ask the judge to be lenient and let them know you cooperated. Illegal gambling doesn't carry too hefty a sentence. You may get out early on good behavior."

Paragon tilts her head slightly. But the explanation doesn't require her to do a lookup. "We still might someday if you change your ways and surrender now. I'll ask the judge to be lenient and let them know you cooperated. Illegal gambling and kidnapping are crimes that cannot be ignored."

Sighing, Spartan shakes his head. "You would throw away not only your life, but your friends' lives, to feed your ego?" He shrugs and shakes his head. "What happened to the Heroine I read about in the papers? The woman who has been giving this... despicable Mechaneer so much trouble?" He grins, "I've been enjoying the ... events involving that particular.. dabbler in weapons and magic." His eyes flicker to Porter and he chuckles, "You my friend... are chaos on feet. But.." he looks back to Porter. "The only beings who get to judge -my- fate... are my grandfather and his brothers. I have been walking the Earth for two thousand, five hundred, and twenty four years now. Your young nation has -no- laws that pertain to me. Plus.. " he tilts his head to one side, "Oh, I have just been struck with inspiration. The man I have occasionally worked for... really out of boredom... you know him as Event Horizon... these are -his- lackeys..."

Cerebellum says, "Hey! I'm no lackey!" and Spartan just glares her way and she gulps out of fear. He looks back to Paragon then and keeps speaking.

"As I was saying. He found out about some events that took place at a laboratory that was ironically named after a distant relative of mine. The giver of fire to man. He will be making an assault in 8 days time. . . without my aid. Do you think you can do anything with that information?"

Chen morphs into Jian, the elderly Shaolin monk, and walks over to stand silently beside Paragon.

It may all be Greek to Porter, but he gets the idea of the whole God of the Underworld thing where Para's concerned. She may have armor, but he steps in front of her, anyhow. Not like she can't see over him to talk. "Glad you know that. Hope you know you wouldn't be the first god complex that tripped on their ego and broke it around me, either. And, yeah, we know about EH. Those are about the only lackeys left. Because of us."

Paragon's eyes blink off and on a few times. She wasn't doing this out of ego, or at least she didn't think she was. She looks to Chen, and then down at Porter in front of her, thinking on what Spartan said about risking their lives. Her eyes dim and she returns her attention to Spartan. Behind the faceplate, she has a worried expression. She knows the right thing is to bring these guys to justice, but risking her loved ones? Porter's words actually bolster her up. She trusts their abilities. They've got this.

And then something Spartan says causing the wheels to start turning inside Paragon's head. "...Prometheus Labs...?" she suddenly figures. "Why there?"

Laughing now, Spartan just shakes his head, "And you think that the man hasn't been recruiting?" He shakes his head, pointing a finger at Porter. "I have no quarrel with you personally right now Mister Porter. I would not -want- to have one. Your aura speaks of one with immense power, and very little control. You are learning more control though, and that is truly terrifying, even to one such as me. Battle is my domain... who wins is of little consequence to me. The question is.. do -you- want to do something about the attack on the laboratory?" He pronounces that with extra syllables, the way cultured folks from England might do.

"Ah, and now you ask the right questions. Your true enemy... Mister Edward Hamilton.. or Event Horizon as you know him... found out about the fact that they were doing experiments on mortals who happen to have metahuman abilities. He seems to take harm to any of them by normal humans, as a personal offense. I think it is a strategic and emotional weakness of his but.." he shrugs a bit and gestures to the women. "So.. do you wish to fight -all- of my people, as well as me? And those you have yet to learn about?" he grins a bit, "I have... been recruiting soldiers as well. Soldiers tend to flock to the banner of one such as me..." And yeah, he definitely has that aura of authority, much the same way Pendragon has...

Chen glances at Porter standing in front of Paragon, and it clicks that he at least thinks this guy could be a real threat to her big sis. So she's more willing to make a deal under those circumstances. "We need something to show for our night's work. And since you've spoken in front of the kid, she can warm Event Horizon to change his plans if she's free to do so." she tells Spartan. "Give us the child and I'm cool. Although it's Paragon's decision in the ned. Wherever she leads, I follow." "If she hasn't already..." Porter adds. She's a mentalist. If she can get in and navigate his head, she could probably contact anyone. "but we can't just let her walk." You hear Porter's voice inside your head: << What do you want to do, Para? I don't like the idea of letting him walk, but we want EH. And who's to say he can just god his way back to heaven or whatever? >>

"I give you both of them." replies Spartan instantly. He gestures at the women, and Cerebellum squeaks! "What?!" She narrows her eyes and looks towards Chenvil. "I've already been in your head! I'm gonna make you think you're..." *pop* Two guards fire tasers at Cerebellum, and she twitches, twitches, and then slumps over. "Stupid woman." says Spartan. "She is not a child. Do not treat her as such." he says.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << But he kidnapped marines for sport. He sounds like he could become just as big a danger Event Horizon. He's bargaining for his freedom by selling out his teammates. I'm worried about that ring, but we can't let intimidation stop us, can we? >>

Paragon watches as Spartan has his men taze his own teammate, causing her to frown behind her faceplate. If Spartan has no fear of Event Horizon and is willing to sell out his lackeys, then he's as big a threat as Event Horizon is. "I'm sorry, Spartan. I appreciated the baklava and had hoped I was wrong about you. But we won't surrender to your intimidation." She's made a call. She trusts her friends. And she draws up her fists.

Chen says, "Spartan, a word if you please. I'm immortal like you. I'm indestructible. Not invincible but indestructible. Defeat Paragon if you can and I won't hold a grudge. Harm her and you'll be looking over your shoulder for the next two thousand, five hundred, and twenty four years."

Paragon puts a hand on Porter's shoulder as she steps alongside him. She gives a silent nod, but no verbal words are exchanged. Just a gentle encouraging squeeze. Then she lets go and leaps forward towards the desk. As she lands, she punches her fist into an open plated palm in front of her. CLAAA--AAA-AAANNNGG! A powerful shockwave rattles all those around her.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << We got this. Give 'em hell. Love you. >>

The four guards are knocked off their feet and slammed into the walls. Spartan just stands there and takes it. He inclines his head with a sigh. "This is not what I wanted, but you give me no choice." he says. The ring is glowing brightly and he says to Chen, "Believe me. My family has ways of dealing with those who cannot die. Tartarus comes to mind." That said, the battle has begun and he's suddenly no longer there before Paragon. He appears behind Chenvil, in full regalia.. a shield on his left arm. A big shield... and in his hand is a large mace... which is swinging towards Chen with deadly speed.

Chen quickly steps to the side and then lets her body flow like water around the club as Spartan drives it down where she was standing an instant ago.

"You are skilled." says Spartan. "You are all under the mistaken impression that you are in control here." At that, a new figure steps in through the hole in the room. "As I say, I have been recruiting too. So let me introduce you to another cousin of mine. The one who arranged my meeting with Hades actually." and the man in the hole has pale flesh... and with a gesture... black fire begins burning on his hands. That fire flows like a liquid as it blasts towards Porter. "I call him.. Stygian."

Oh, great. Another one. Porter's ready to unleash some...thing on Spartan when the other player shows up. Since dark burning rays of something related to the god of the underworld are probably bad things, he jumps to the side. Unfortunately, his jump is about a foot short and he's zapped with the chilling black ray of ray-y blackness.

And then... as if nothing could get worse, two more guards come in the doors behind the guards who got slammed. They are chattering over their comms. "In position. Engaging. I repeat, squads alpha, beta, and epsilon, converge on the office. Omega, continue engaging in the hold.. Omega? Shit." The guy speaking shakes his head. "Fire!" he orders his partner.

Paragon's body tenses and shudders as its shot by the tasers, electricity arcing along her armor. Once the electricity disperses, her shoulders slump and her head droops forward. Somewhere along her right shoulder joint, a tendril of smoke rises up and curls in the air.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << We've got this! Wouldn't be the first godly person we stopped... >>

Wherever Malcolm happens to be, he gets a call. "Agent Gibbs! This is Starguard Comms Central. We got a garbled transmission that was cut off. Colonel Hearns is on board a ship at the docks.. she didn't give a name, but she asked for backup. Marines are in the line of fire." And Cheshire has an even easier way in. Porter is there so one of her jaunts goes wrong and she ends up on the ship's deck. This is definitely -not- the Undermoon Embassy. How in the hell? But.. armed men are moving with a purpose, towards the walkways down into the ship.

Cheshire smiles a bit uncertainly. Curtsies.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << Para is a bit woozy, but not too hurt. "We totally got this. Those soldier pack quite a wallop. I'll try to keep them off you two, then help with the big guys. Unless you can do something about those guns..." >>

On the plus side, Malcolm was in the vicinity - by which we mean he spent the past four pages of his issue training in the Port's, uh, train yard - when his headset chirps to indicate an incoming priority call. Confirming he's en route, the tall man sproings along through the port until he spots soldiers swarming the gambling ship - and gamblers fleeing said ship like rats from a wreck. Malcolm angles that way, his metal flesh overtaking his form as he springs along.

Cheshire makes up her mind. She smiles at the nearest man and flips over him, trying to hook him with her parasol and fling him into the water, ending her series of flips some distance away, out of sight from people potentially shooting at her.

Chen looks at Spartan, "I'll be right back. Got to go help out my big sis. You've got family. You'll understand I'm sure." Turning in place she sends out a tentacle at the nearest of the two soldiers, reasoning that only one probably can't stun Paragon again. After that, hit or miss, she turns back to Spartan, "... now, remind me, where were we. Of yes, I remember now."

Rolling his eyes under his helmet, Spartan shrugs, "I understand. Family is a source of strength... and weakness." he states. "As I shall demonstrate." He points the hand with the ring at her and .. it flares. Then he laughs, "I'm kidding. I was running a bluff on the ring." That said, the mace in his hand just... changes. It's so fast that it's not visible how it changes. It just.. changes. Into a new weapon. He himself vanishes and appears off to one side, aiming the weapon between Chen and Porter. It looks like a 6 shot rotary grenade launcher... and it fires.

Chen jerks when the ring is pointed at Paragon and flares... and then joins in the laugh when Spartan reveals he was bluffing. "It's a shame we're on opposite sides. I could like you otherwise. And there's not many unattached and free immortals around these days." She gets knocked over by the blast from the grenade a moment later.

"Cute. So you're a liar, to-ohcrap!" Porter doesn't try to jump this time, but he does at least try to turn his face away from the blast. Which his jacket seems to take the brunt of. Bulky clothes (or scrawny wearers) can be helpful? But it still knocks him down.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << "This guy is really ticking me off... we need to take him down. And his dark buddy." He sounds more annoyed than really hurt, but he is winded. >>

Forge drops out of the sky and onto the deck proper, watching one of the soldiers go flying overboard - though he doesn't quite manage to spot the every tricksy Cheshire before his legs finish compressing to absorb the force of the impact with those dense industrial springs seemingly formed around and integrated into his legs. A terrific *WHUMP* comes from below decks and Forge visibly bristles.

The metal man releases the built up tension in his legs, sending himself flipping up and over a passle of people scurrying about the deck to sail freely down the nearest stairwell and below deck. Forge hits the floor and *SPROING*s along, bouncing off of the walls, floor, and ceiling as he heads toward that explosion.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << Para is still trying to regain control over her glitching systems. "Glad the ring was a bluff. I'm going to hit him or his friend." >>

The pale man in the black turtleneck and black jeans may have poor taste in fashion and style, but his hair is long.. he's a reject from the 90's it seems. He rolls his neck and seems to have felt almost invigorated when his flames licked at Porter. "Aw." he says, "Didums go boom, fall down?" He is about to say more when Spartan says, "Focus kid." And the younger one snorts and looks towards Paragon. "So, you're the walking dead eh?" he asks. "Option A or Option B? hrmmm... hrmmmmmmm...." He shrugs and says, "B it is. A hurts more." With a gesture... blackness begins oozing out of the corners of the room, inky darkness reaching out for Paragon. It looks like shadows... spectres.. vaguely humanoid forms as they flow in towards Paragon.

Porter really hates gods. Deities, godlings, god-like beings, interdimensional immortal tyrants... Maybe Spartan is a bit much to chew. But there's Stygian. Kid? Lack of focus? Didn't Spartan himself say something about kids with more power than control being dangerous? Porter isn't the only one, it seems. So he focuses on Stygian. Maybe he's got ADHD, ODD, AFK, or one of those other letter issues. Maybe his focus point changes. Maybe he's really an agent of Hades, sent to monitor his nephew, and with his own agenda?

Shaking his head for a moment, Stygian narrows his eyes. "Seriously. Fate? Spartan, I think this guy's got the blood of the fates in him! Nice try!" he says to Porter before smirking a bit.

Cheshire hears the sounds of fighting and smiles. . o O (That sounds more fun than these guys.) She flips down into the ship and slides down railings to get to the scene of the battle, ending with a flourish of her parasol and a curtsy.

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << Para feels...pain seeping into her from Stygian's dark spirits. "...I...can't move..." >>

Paragon regains some of her senses, but she's frozen in place as Stygian's powers over the dead bind her.

Once Cheshire makes her move, and Forge is just a bit behind her... one more guard drops to a knee in the doorway to the room. His partner is still in there, and Spartan says, "Setting 1." And points towards Chen. The two of them shift settings and aim... and coordinate their shots towards Chen..

Chen sees the guards aiming at her and she's still prone on the ground after the grenade. She relaxes her body image and her mass spreads in a goopy fluid out across the floor dispersing herself so point attacks catch so little of her she can ignore them.

Turning to face Porter now, Spartan shakes his head. His hand shifts, and is now a high-tech plasma rifle. Yeah, he can make literally -any- weapon he wants. He aims it towards Porter and remarks, "You have the blood of the fates? That explains why you are so dangerous." *kablooey!*

Cheshire strolls over to the hoplite, crossing the distance quicker than her pace would seem to allow. She smiles up at him, and twirls her open parasol in front of his face.

Porter takes it like a man. Takes a point-blank shot from a plasma rifle while lying on the ground, that is. Which means it hurts.

Paragon is bound in place by whatever power the Stygian used on her. When she sees Porter get shot while he's on the ground, she tries her damnedest to exert her will. To help. To do anything to stop this. But she's held fast by the magics binding her. She does, at least, manage to speak in a low forced growl at Spartan. "Leave. Him. Unnhh!! Alone."

"She's resisting my grip." says Stygian as he steps further inside and Spartan just says, "Very well. I've no desire to continue this." he glares at the girl with the parasol. "I advise you... do not poke your nose into the affairs of immortals." Stygian strides over beside Spartan and says, "So, Underworld passage then?" and with a nod, Spartan confirms it. "Paragon. Listen to what I told you. 8 days. The girls are yours." And a black flame appears to consume the two demigods... drawing them into the underworld.

Paragon hears Porter's voice inside her head: << It's Ok, Para, I got this... Damnit. They're leaving! >>

Telepathic message to Porter from Paragon: << "Glad you're okay, Partner. I...still can't move." The binding magics are still hurting her. >>

Meanwhile, combat was raging below decks. When the demigods depart, Abigail is leading her six marines... one wounded and being helped by a comrade as they come up to the deck and meet the rest of you all.

Cheshire rests her parasol on her shoulder after the villains depart. Seems amused that they fled after she arrived.

Chen hurries over to Paragon, "Are you okay?" she asks worriedly. "Can I help? What can I do to help?"

Paragon listens to Spartan's final words. Only her eyes are able to track him, since she can't move.

What is it with bad guys always taking off right when Porter has them right where they want him? He's only dimly aware of this following the blast, but he's still aware. It's only after they've gone that he blinks away the afterimages of the muzzle flash and clears his head. "Cowards. Always running -ow- way..." He grunts as he gets up and walks to Paragon. "C'mon, Partner. You can reboot or unravel it or whatever to whatever it is."

Chen turns to Porter, "Are you okay?" she asks equally worried.

Porter pushes out a grin for Chen and Paragon. "Yeah. Just got the wind knocked out of me." And maybe a few months of hi life from that dark burning beam thing. But he's not even near Mostly Dead yet.

Maybe all she needed was Porter and Chen's encouraging words. With a grunt, Paragon is finally able to move again. "Ahhh...there. His hold weakened once they went away. But that...-hurt-." She's aching down to her cold bones.

Cheshire walks over to the unconscious naked woman and looks to see if she's injured.

Chen looks to Paragon and Porter and seems reassured by what she sees. "Sis, would you mind if I went home? Porter helped a lot and I'm healing but burn injuries take a lot out of me. I'm very tired."

More bruised than anything. Abigail sends her men and women to the ship's deck. She steps into the office... "Are you guys okay?" she asks, eyes sweeping as she seeks the marine she met. "Where's .. what's his name.. Anvil?"

Paragon nods softly to Chen, smiling behind her faceplate. "Go rest up, sis. You did good. We'll finish up here and see what we can find out."

Chen grins and faces Abigail, "Here. It was the only way I could think of to get you to trust me without having to blow my cover." She morphs back to Chen. "I'm Chen. Shapeshifter. We worked together in SERAF for a while if you remember."

The soldiers.. have stopped pouring in. They are scramming. In fact, after a few seconds, a series of muffled *WHUMP* sounds... are the start of the scuttling charges on the bottom of the hull. Abby hears it, she's a marine.. she knows that sound. "Damn, time to evac." she remarks, grinning to Chen, "Oh, it worked... you busted through the window handily enough."

Chen smiles, "So I did. That sounded like explosives in the bottom of the ship. Time to get off, everyone." Turning to Paragon and Porter she lengthens her arms to hug both. "See you back home." she says. And departs.

Paragon hugs Chen back. "See you, sis," she says warmly. After Chen leaves, she takes a few moments to look Porter over to make sure he's alright. "They didn't hurt you too badly, did they?"

Lightray returns from the outside of the ship where he was dealing with guards and then getting the non-combatants off the ship. He looks around as he says in his deep voice, "Well, that does it for this vessel. Who needs a lift?"

Cheshire sees that she's not needed. Smiles, curtsies. A faint blue aura builds up around her. A moment later she skips backward and vanishes. . o O (Now that I've had my adrenalin fix, I can focus on my math homework.)

Paragon raises a hand to Lightray. "I'm sure the marines could use a lift. Or Porter and I could. Could you have a look at him? He has a few burns," she says in quiet concern.

"Okay, let's get folks off the ship. -Then- deal with healing." says Abigail. She picks up Corona over one shoulder and says, "I'll take this one to Starguard... can someone pick up Cerebellum there?

Lightray moves over to pick up Cerebellum. "I can take her. Then I will come back for the Marines. Then if needed Porter and yourself, Paragon." He glances at Abigail. "If that is acceptable to you, Colonel?"

"Works for me. But, I think the squad is headed for shore themselves. One has a shot to the leg. The others are just bruised and such. They're good marines." says Abby as she steps out onto the deck and drifts off towards Starguard.

Paragon nods to Lightray. "We can walk out on our own. We'll be fine. I can help carry anyone that needs carrying as well."

Lightray nods as he picks up Cerebellum and cradles her in his arms. "I will be back then to help heal then. I shall be back soon." The golden man steps over to an open doorway and out onto the deck. Hw unfurls his tendril-like wings then leaps into the air with the heavy yet somehow distant beating of many invisible wings.

Paragon watches Lightray go, quietly pondering about the afterlife as he takes flight. She doesn't remember any angels or demons, heaven or hell, from before she was activated. Just...nothingness. She looks to Porter and takes his hand to squeeze it lightly, then releases and searches around Spartan's desk for evidence and clues. She already knows they're going to attack Prometheus Labs. One villain team taking out a villain organization. She's not sure who she should be helping in that battle.