Log:New Starguard Adventures, Scene 4

New Starguard Adventures 2016/03/06 	 Chen Grimm Malcolm Psyn The Torus Victory

4

Victory isn't technically a Starguard Gamma member yet, but after speaking with Star Girl, he's giving it some serious thought. He's just on his way out of the SG office after having spoken with someone in recruitment.

Chen arrives with a tray of Past Time's coffees and a plate of tasty danish pasties. "Hi, everyone. Help yourselves." she says putting the tray down on a desk. "So what's up?"

Malcolm Gibbs is seated on - more like half-sprawled across - one of the couches in the reception area. He is busily sorting through what appear to be a half-dozen or so different case files. Naturally, as he's at work, Malcolm's dressed in his Starguard BDUs and is very carefully keeping his boots off of the couch cushions.

You only get one warning about getting your boots and their muck on the couch cushions. Malcolm dares not explore the horrible realm of what comes of a second such infraction.

Looking up, Malcolm offers a smile and a nod to the others. A lone metal cable snakes out of one of his sleeves to spear a danish and coil about a coffee cup before it retracts toward him. Straightening up in his seat, Malcolm collects his coffee and his danish before intoning, "Thanks for the pick-me-up, Chen. What's going on?"

Even though she is a little bit late, Psyn makes her way into the Starguard facility. She has been here a few times and biggest thing keeping her from doing more is probably her age. The teenage psychic gives a bit of a wave and a smile, and some watching closely, might notice that she isn't walking on the ground, her feet never quite touch the ground, more of a hover walk, though at the pace of a normal walking.

Paul van Sterran steps into the building, accompanied by a few subordinates in suits. "Agent Gibbs!" he calls as he walks over. "Good thing I caught you. I was wondering where we are with the Wraith investigation."

Paul Van Sterran, Director of SGG. He's a middle aged man with a relaxed attitude but the look of an experienced and capable Starguard officer. Today, he's wearing a dark blue suit with matching tie.

Chen grins as Malcom gets the boss' attention all to himself. She also subtly enlarges her ears so she can overheard what's being said.

Victory overhears the start of the discussion about the Wraith. He stops and heads over in that direction, since he's involved with that case.

This is just Malcolm's luck. Director van Sterran calls to Malcolm just about a second after Malcolm bites into his cherry danish. Chen gets a perfect view of Malcolm's expression of anguish as he fights to get himself together. Danish is stacked atop coffee and the coffee is set down on the floor alongside the couch before Malcolm hops to his feet.

Quickly, Malcolm covers for his rapid fire chewing by snapping off a salute to the Director. He swallows - gulps, really - twice in rapid succession before clearing his throat.

"We've found evidence that tends to implicate a shapeshifter in the sabotage, rather than the initial prime suspect. Said suspect was found dead shortly after the start of the investigation, but the coroner hasn't been able to narrow down the time of death window as much as I'd like. The team, however, found some scales on the body that are a match for "the Chameleon" from that Los Alamos case in 2063, sir."

Paul nods to Malcolm. "At ease," he says. He glances around at the other agents who have come over, and he doesn't seem to mind the company. He listens to Malcolm's report. He nods. "What's the next step?"

Torus enters from Alien District.

With a very subtle gust of wind, created by the sudden mass displacing the air- The [ansi(hb,T)][ansi(c,o)][ansi(hc,r)][ansi(c,u)][ansi(hb,s)] appears. As before, The [ansi(hb,T)][ansi(c,o)][ansi(hc,r)][ansi(c,u)][ansi(hb,s)] is shaped like a perfectly shaped sphere with a constantly changing bas-relief of various geometric patterns that never seem to repeat. %r%rIt's tardy arrival is quite out of character, but then again- aliens from half a galaxy away appearing in your cosmic neighborhood will do that to a Post-Post-Human consciousness.

"I see two primary avenues of investigation at this point, sir," replies Malcolm. He glances around at the others, then looks back to Paul as he shifts into a "relaxed" posture. "We could assume that this has something to do with the Los Alamos attack and question Dr. Richards to see if she has any information that might be relevant or might shed new light on the evidence already collected. We could also assume that Next Generation is involved and begin trying to run down leads on where Next Generation is operating from now and/or what their attack on the city with the Wraith could have been a cover for or prelude to."

Chen walks over to the gathering, "I'm not an investigator type. Now if you want somewhere infiltrated I'm your girl. But... those vills have been wanted for the last three years and not spotted. Sounds like we need to get them to come to us. If it's not too late maybe we can put out that the navy guy is still alive but badly burned and in a coma. They might try to shut him up before he can talk?"

"What in Sam Hill!" Paul says, as Torus pops in suddenly. "What is that?"

Grimm may or may not have been spying in the area as she suddenly appears near the collection of people. Really more like fades into view now that she isn't mentally shielding herself from the minds of others. The more likely cause of her concealing herself was so she could eat without getting caught like Malcolm.

"That's, err, the Torus, sir," intones Malcolm, reaching up to rub the back of his head as he glances over at Torus. "Some kind of alien artificial intelligence. It's been a valuable asset in the investigation so far."

Paul van Sterran relaxes a bit. "Ah, right.... " He takes a moment to compose himself. "Gibbs, take point on this investigation." He nods to Chen, acknowledging her suggestion, before returning his attention to Malcolm. "It sounds like you have a few possible leads to pursue. And don't be afraid to get help from your fellow agents. If Next Generation really is up to something, we want to find out about it, before it ends up on the eleven o' clock news..."

The reception area has muted black tiled floor, with the walls and roof painted off-white. The secretarial desk enclosure is barely twenty feet from the double set of glass doors. To its left is a large double-hinged door ominously labeled 'Security'. A seating area full of soft couches is to the right. Down the hallway that leads deeper into the building is the office of the Director of Operations and the exit to the landing field outside.

The Torus says nothing, but being recognized by Malcolm- the Torus drifts towards the man and sets him as the center of its gravitic based systems. %rIt begins a creepingly slow rotation around the man- moving less than 4in in an hour- but if you sat for about 2 days it would complete its orbit. 5r%rThe Torus continues monitoring the room and the conversation within.

Malcolm nods at Paul, returning to his "relaxed" position.

"Yes sir," he replies, grey eyes tracking toward the Torus trying to orbit him. Malcolm clears his throat politely before shifting his gaze back toward the Director. "Anything else I can do for you, sir?"

"Actually there was one --" Suddenly an alarm sounds. Over the loudspeaker a voice announces: "Attention, SGG personnel. We have multiple reports of metahuman-level threats throughout the city: in the Alien District, at Main Street, and at CBSU. Some kind of creatures are rampaging through the streets."

"Rampaging creatures? That...kind of has Next Generation written on it?" Gabrielle Grimm suggests to Malcolm as she looks aside to him. "Wonder what those attacks are covering up if it's even related," she ponders.

Chen grins, "Now hitting things, that's one of my specialities. Where do you want me to head to, Agent Gribbs?"

Paul looks up at the voice, then back to Malcolm. "It'll keep until later."

Victory had been listening quietly. He furrows his brow when he hears the alarm, "I'll happily lend a hand again."

Psyn blinks a little and sighs, "And it couldn't be just one area." she murmers and then does look around for a bit of guidance. SHe hasn't worked with large groups much.

The Torus slows its orbit and then sets Malcolm as a point of repulsion. The sphere presses itself against the wall- flattening into a pancake. %rThe pancake grows and grows until its approximately he size of the largest person in the room. %rThe sides fold in towards the center and fall into a warp vortex there. %rSoon enough there is a black doorway on the solid wall. %r%rGrimm feels another soft pressure at the base of her skull- the Torus is asking permission to connect.

"Yes sir," replies Malcolm, glancing around at the assembled heroes. He pulls out his tactical headset and situates it properly, its visor lighting up with its holographic interface. "Dispatch, I'm going to need coordinates for all of the creature reports. Whatever intel you've got too."

Looking around at the others, Malcolm intones, "Two person teams. I'll handle the Alien District, you guys figure out who's on whose team while I figure out where I'll need you to go."

The Torus slows its orbit and then sets Malcolm as a point of repulsion. The sphere presses itself against the wall- flattening into a pancake. %rThe pancake grows and grows until its approximately he size of the largest person in the room. %rThe sides fold in towards the center and fall into a warp vortex there. %rSoon enough there is a black doorway on the solid wall. %r%rGrimm feels another soft pressure at the base of her skull- the Torus is asking permission to connect.

Psyn blinks a little and sighs, "And it couldn't be just one area." she murmers and then does look around for a bit of guidance. SHe hasn't worked with large groups much.

Victory motions to Chen, "Why don't you and I head to CBSU? We both know the area pretty well."

Chen nods to Victory, "I'm good with that. Like a ride. I'm not the faster but it beats walking."

Grimm rubs the back of he rhead at the familiar tingle, permitting the Torus access to her mind hesitantly. She should know better than to let alien presences in her minds, but...she doesn't.

The Torus's consciousness touches Grimm's mind as before. %r [ansi(hc,.o0(As you are aware, I can provided transport to all those who need it. You simply must select your teams and destinations.))] It tells her gently.

"Torus, can you portal Victory and Chen to CBSU?" intones Malcolm, still collecting data from Dispatch over his headset's comms systems.

Grimm looks over to Malcolm with a hopeful expression. "Mind if I have your back for wherever you go? Sounds like there may be a threat nearby, even."

[ansi(hc,.o0(Please advise Agent Gibbs that I can teleport them. Triangulating location now.))] The Torus says in Grimm's mind. %r%rA few scant seconds later, the solid mass of the black door on the director's wall becomes less solid. %rSoon enough sme very advanced 4th dimensional physics begins and soon enough- where once was a door, is now a hole directly to CBSU's center quad.

Chen asks, "Who's going to stay here? This could be a divesion to get us out elsewhere so they can get in here. And I'm not volunteering."

Victory takes a deep breath. "I was going to say...a ride would be good. But going directly works better." He smiles slightly and turns on his energy shield before he hurries through the portal and into the quad.

"Sounds like a plan to me," Malcolm hesitates for a second, glancing at Grimm and then Paul, "Gabrielle."

Looking over at Chen, Malcolm quirks an eyebrow at the suggestion. He rubs his chin a second and replies, "Starguard's a pretty secure facility, Chen. We'll hear about it if someone does try to break in here. Torus and Gabrielle can round up the team and get us back here in a hurry if it's necessary."

Chen races after Victory with a cheerful rebal yell to draw attention to her. She's also shifted to turtle mode. Just in case.

Grimm rubs her chin at the thought. "I could leave my shadow here. If something comes up, it can fetch us?" she says in a very peculiar way. She's almost sheepish to offer. Her shadow moves independently of herself and waves. "I could leave a pet behind, too."

Psyn binks as people are starting to get broken up, "I can go anywhere I might be needed." she says offering.

Grimm flashes a slight, mischievious grin to Malcolm as he calls her by name rather than nickname. "You can call me by my last name if it's easier, Mr. Gibbs." Her cheshire grin grows wider.

"Psyn, I'd like you and Torus to take care of the creature feature on Main Street," calls Malcolm, looking in Psyn's direction.

"If... You prefer, Grimm," replies Malcolm, voice just slightly hesitant.

Psyn nods and her head and isn't sure about that but she will take the order, "Got it." she says softly.

[ansi(hc,.o0(I can remain here and provide logistical support if required. Though if every team has atleast one StarGuard member or Reservist with comms I suspect I can be notified and provide extraction in approximately 1 minutes 48 seconds.))] The Torus advises Grimm before adding [ansi(hc,(Also- I am prepared for the next destination.))]

Grimm thinks back to the Torus. o O (Well, I think Malcolm would like you to backup the kid. Though she seems a bit young. Malcolm has a headset, so I should be covered. We may need communication with Victory's team or Psyn. I don't know who has comms.) She looks over to Malcolm again at this hesitation. "Where do you want the next gate?"

The Torus preempts Grimm's words since he's in her head. The gate window changes and fades from the CBSU campus to a spot on Main Street Proper.

When Victory and Chen arrive on the scene, they are confronted by the scene of students streaming out of the CBSU gymnasium, terrified. By the looks of it, there was a basketball game going on.

Victory looks to Chen, "That must be the place." He breaks into a run, sprinting over toward the gymnasium.

Psyn nods and when the look shows at Main she goes through to arrive there, her forcefield snapping into place around her.

Chen nods and races after Victory changing as she does into a lion bodied dragon headed creature with scorpion tail. "I'm with you." she tells Victory.

Victory chuckles without breaking stride, "You know...that form might freak people out too."

In Old Town, the there are tourists and shoppers fleeing. Smoke rises up over the tops of the building on one side of the street, indicating trouble one block over. The shortest path is through an alleyway between the blocks.

Chen takes Victory's point to heart. To show she's one of the good guys (girls?) she does a minor shift to add a cape fluttering from her shoulders with the 'Superman' symbol (TM) displayed on it.

The Torus agrees with Grimm's suggestions and Malcolm's command orders. %r%r .o0(I will wait to transport others and join Psyn on location.) it says as Psyn goes through the open portal.

Grimm's shadow, much like Peter Pan's, begins to detach itself from Gabrielle by stepping away from her. And then rotating upright in 2D fashion before it fills out into a 3D shape, filling out until it's a pure black copy of Gabrielle. It gives a thumbs up to Gabrielle and Malcolm.

Gabrielle nods to her shadow, which is ever watching. "Okay, Shadow stays here to help regroup while the Torus helps Psyn."

"Torus, go help Psyn. Grimm and I will deploy on our own once she's finished deploying Starguard's Shadow Defense Force," intones Malcolm, gesturing toward the freshly arrived Shadow.

The Torus is most interested in this new shadow Grimm. %r%rThe doorway remains in place as a Sphere pools at the top like a bubble being blown. The Bubble pops and out comes a black metal copy of Grimm- identical to her shadow, but more substantial. %r .o0(Stupendous. That is a most intriguing ability.) It says too Grimm. (I am ready to depart and join Psyn as required- but I suggest sharing StarGuard radio frequencies so I might coordinate with Malcolm.) Its tone is suggestive and reasonable.

The shadow begins to gain some color, greying in at first, but staying mostly monotone, until it's an identical copy of Gabrielle, dark clothes at all. The pair could be twinsies. Gabrielle is silent as she concentrates a moment, then gives Malcolm a nod. "Good to go, Boss." She seems to be playing with nicknames today.

Victory reaches the gym and heads inside, moving against the stream of people heading the other way.

Grimm adds to Malcolm, "So what frequency are people on? Did we lose communication with Victory and Chen, or are they covered with comm sets?"

Malcolm rattles off the Starguard Gamma comm frequency. He smirks slightly at Grimm and shakes his head, offering a brofist to her Shadow as it becomes suitably material. "Keep the place safe for us, Shadow. There might be someone trying to break in while the team is elsewhere."

Grimm's shadow tilts its head at Malcolm and mimics him, producing an effective brofist and giving a nod to Malcolm. "Keep the place safe," it repeats, sounding and looking just like Gabrielle now.

At CBSU: The gymnasium is mostly empty now and strewn with trash, as people simply dropped everything to run. Not everyone was so fortunately however. Two of the CBSU mens basketball team are trapped in the corner of the gym, menaced by some kind of beast.

Chen hurries after Victory. Oddly... or not... the fleeing crowds tend to leave her plenty of room.

Chen bounds over towards and up to the beast and snarls at it, smoke and flames emerging from her long fanged dragon mouth. "Down boy! Sit!" she says after the hopefullt intimidating roar.

The Torus/Monotone Grimm disappears in a wink- the air being sucked it to fill in the void left behind. %r%rIt appears not to far from Psyn, having resumed its floating orb form sometime in the split second it was teleporting to her.

The Dog Beast snarls and turns to face Chen. She's managed to get its attention.

Victory circles around to the right, now that Chen has the beast's attention. He keeps at a full run, hoping to clear the way for the students to make a break for it.

The creature bounds towards Chen, in her shapeshifted form. It tries to jump on top of her and pin her to the ground.

Chen isn't physically affected by the squeeze. But even so she protests. "Get off me you mangy dog. You're not my type."

In Old Town, the there are tourists and shoppers fleeing. Smoke rises up over the tops of the building on one side of the street, indicating trouble one block over. The shortest path is through an alleyway between the blocks.

Psyn isn't going to just run through the alleyway though, she focuses on her flight and lifts herself up as she propells herself through the alley, probably near to the roof level almost as she moves to the other side to get a better idea of what is going on.

The Torus would correct the reader- the shortest path is /THROUGH/ the Torus. %r%rA grating and metallic voice that is definitely not human speaks up as the crowd flees from the smoke. "I suggest we recon..." But Psyn is long gone- darting off after the trouble. %r%rThe Torus would sigh if it had lungs, Instead it flies off after Psyn. 40m flight. It could teleport, but it might miss something important, plus how can it make an entrance if it shows up early?

Once airborne, Psyn can see the chaos one block over. There's some kind of demonic looking beast perched on the rooftop of a three story building. Below some of the parked cars are on fire on the street below, and people are fleeing for their lives. The creature takes notice of the oncoming heroes.

The creature inhales, then it roars as a jet of fire shoots from its mouth at Psyn.

Psyn gets blasted by the flame and goes flying back slamming into her back into a water tower. She looks pretty singed like the fire blast did a bit to her though her psychic field seems to have protected her from most of it.

In the Alien District, traffic is backed up. There looks to have been a traffic accident at the center of the intersection ahead. A truck has crashed into some kind of creature, though the creature looks mostly unphased.

Psyn gets blasted by the flame and goes flying back slamming into her back into a water tower. She looks pretty singed like the fire blast did a bit to her though her psychic field seems to have protected her from most of it.

Malcolm Gibbs closes in on the site of the accident with Gabrielle Grimm at his side, though his expression sours as he regards the beast against whom a truck stood little chance. Liquid metal starts to erupt from Malcolm's pores as he looks to Grimm and cheerily intones, "I'll move in for a closer look. You keep your distance, give me covering fire as I need it. Sound like a plan?"

Forge doesn't wait for an answer from Gabrielle. His metal-coated legs shift to better resemble industrial springs as he crouches down. With a loud danger, his Colossus' Flesh finishing engulfing his body while in the air.
 * SPROING* Forge hurtles through the air toward the intersection and obvious

After Malcolm lands, the beast turns to face him. It charges, picking up speed as it tries to bowl him over.

Malcolm probably already knows Gabrielle's on the same page. She teleports up and closer to the beast, but not THAT close. She hovers in mid air in a burst of swirling darkness and the hiss of shadows just in time to see it clobber Forge. The beast may regret that move as Gabrielle narrows her eyes. They cloud over with inky blackness as she extends a closed hand towards the beast. Her index finger extends and then wags scoldingly. "You shouldn't have done that," her voice echoes with a chilling reverb.

Forge just about lands when the beast charges him, eyes widening. He plants his feet shoulder width apart, but with his left leg extended out behind him as he leans into the on-rushing monstrosity. Thrusting his hands up into the creature's horns, Forge absorbs the majority of the impact, his feet etching small ruts into the asphalt before the monster's momentum is completely expended.

A half-second later, Forge lands on his back on the asphalt. Looks like metal is not the end all, be all of absorbing momentum. Someone needs to become a /HEAVIER/ Metal Hero.

The beast whimpers and freezes in place.

In the Alien District, in the middle of the intersection a circle of light appears on the pavement. A ring of red, with pentagram lines inscribed within. It's a portal of sort and a dark, robed finger rises up out of it. Face concealed beneath its cowl. It extends a skeleton hand and fingers pointing out towards Grimm. "Gabrielle Grimm..." the figure says, "...Welcome, to your destiny..."