Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Rockhopper's Rookery: Annual Holiday Party in Progress

<Rocky begins to experience an emotion he almost never indulges in: anger. No, he tells himself. Rage is not our way. He takes a deep breath, so deep he almost uses his super-breath.>

Chief, you are forgiven for your derision of the Pyngwyn Colonies on its own soil. Power Boy and Cobalt Kid are right. There is a greater foe than any of our petty angers and quarrels.

(Tempest has remained quiet, observing the interaction. But Cobalt Kid's gesture of brotherly companionship to Lardy has struck a chord with her.)

Intriguing as always, my Cobalt.

(She listens to Lardy's command to stay put.)

Of course, he too has something special about him.

(She turns to Dev Em and Power Boy. She smiles and waves.)

Rocky... <gives him a look that betrays the depth of his feelings> ...we'll talk some time...alone, okay? After all of this mess is over.

Furball sits down near the windows staring out at the Security Force outside.

"I know he's out there."

<puts hands on shoulders>

We'll go then. And we can all work together.

<to Furball>

The moment I can confirm my suspicions, Lardy will drop the guard. First thing I need you to do: find Lolita. It's of vital importance.

<to Exnihil>

You're still in danger, Ex. A lot of danger. Stay with Rocky, Dev or Power Boy.

And everyone...thanks...

<turning back to Lardy>

Ready when you are, big guy.

Dev looks at Tempest and changes his appearance to a mirror image of her and waves back.

"Grife I hate magic."

Furball nods at Cobie. "Got it boss."

<smiles> I'll have to go retrieve my exo-armor first--you are NOT carrying my ass!

<walks out and retrieves armor from Roy>

Roy, make sure the standoff is maintained. NO aggression by the Security Office is authorized! I'll have anyone's head who violates that order---and I expect you to lead by example. You're in charge, here. You're my guy, Roy. <places hand on his shoulder for a second>

<to Tempest> If I send you our prearranged signal, you are to drop your barrier immediately. Then, I'll send you all new orders.

<to the rest> All of you make me proud!

<walks back to Cobie> I'm ready now.

(Tempest sneers at Dev Em, then grins. And walks closer to him. She doesn't shout, she merely uses magic to carry her voice to him.)

It's a good look on you. My ass is bit more perky, though.

Dev? Your clothes look a little singed. Aren't they treating you right over there?

Dev smiles with Tempests face and then proceeds to age the look of the face he's wearing into an old lady.

"They treat me just fine deary..."

He then shifts back to normal.

"Better not antogionize too much," he says and winks at her.

Red Arrow had finished drawing the heart, and had moved on to sketching a nearby flower. She really didn't want to talk to people right now. She had a feeling she would be questioned about her motivations and life, but those were questions she really didn't have answers for. Everytime Question Kid used his powers on her, the memories would jumble and often rearrange themselves. So many universes travelled (girl is based on all those character's ruined by contiunity) that truth and lies were blurred.

(Tempest's eyes pop, she brings her right hand to her face and slight pulls her skin back. She genuinely smirks.)

All right. I suppose just because we are opposing sides doesn't mean we can't be civil.

<as Lardy approaches, Cobalt fixes his boots, belt and uniform and finishes getting ready>

Okay Chief. Let's do this. Our destination is none other than Dedman\'s PowerSphere .

Everyone else, please stay as long as you need. Any actions by anyone against anyone else will not tolerated.

Would anyone care for some tea?

"Got anything with a little more kick to it Rocky?"

Red Arrow put away her journal. She said, "I would like some tea." She couldn't help smiling at Power Boy as she walked past. How can I talk to him? Won't he think I'm weird?

I hope you'll forgive me, Rocky, but I'm a bit weary after the chase we've been on. I think I'm going to pass on the tea and retire to my quarters.

<Ex bid goodnight to his companions and walked down the hall to the room reserved for him. He hoped noone noticed the slight haste to his steps, but he couldn't wait to get a moment alone>

<Ever since he had snagged the bag full of papers from Nyebif at the Casino, he had been waiting for an opportune time to get a closer look. His initial once over jibed with Cobalt's take... financial records tying various fronts across Legion World to the Dark Oval... but there was something else more interesting that had caught Ex's eye, something that he needed more time to examine>

<Again, Ex quickened his pace and, reaching his quarters, shut the door behind him>

<Ex closed the door behind him. Wow... opulent digs... apparently wealth has its privilege, he thought, then immediately caught himself. Enough with the money talk, Ex... there are bigger fish to fry.>

<He moved over to sit on the side of the bed, and upended the content's of Nyebif's bag. Papers spilled out across the bed.>

<Where was it? Finance records... no... organizational charts... no... info on tax shelters... no. Damn it, where was it?>

<Wait... bingo!>


<Ex pulled a sheath of papers from the pile and looked at the title with a mix of sad disbelief and resignation. It had been nearly 20 years since he had seen the words that were emblazened on the title page, and he had thought he had long put it behind him:>

Project Möbius


<How the hell did Nyebif get a hold of this and, more to the point... when? He looked at the side of the sheath... still sealed. Whatever was inside, Nyebif never got a chance to examine it. Thank God for small miracles. Ex tore open the cover and began to read:>


Subject A-Null - deceased 2963
Subject A-One - deceased 2964
Subject A-Two - deceased 2966
Subject A-Three - deceased 2965...


<What is this, Ex thought, some sort of checklist? The A series all deceased... no real surprise there... they were all before my time.>


Subject B-Null - deceased 2971
Subject B-One - deceased 2970
Subject B-Two - deceased 2973
Subject B-Three - deceased 2971...


<Ex grew more maudlin. He had known some of these>

<He flipped through the pages, at first slowly, then quicker as each subsequent entry revealed more of the same:>


Subject C-Null - deceased 2974 <flip>

Subject D-Five - deceased 2980 <flip>

Subject F-Twenty Seven - deceased 2991 <flip>

Subject M-Six - deceased 3004... <flip>


<They're all gone, Ex thought with the briefest flash of regret. But why does this document even still exist? The very architect of Project Möbius was himself 20 years dead. Who had compiled this?>

<Dont look, Ex told himself... don't do it.>

<Of course you'll look. He flipped forward:>


Subject X-Null - status unknown


<Ex's lips pursed tightly. Someone knows.>

<He quickly scanned throught the remainder of the list. All deceased. The loop was almost closed. He tossed the list into the fireplace and watched it burn.>


Well... I knew it had to happen sooner or later, but I was really hoping for a little more time. There's nothing to be done now, but soon as this terrorist crisis on Legion World is concluded, it's time to pay a long overdue visit to my "dear old dad".

"INYUK CHUK!"

SharkLad appears outside the Rookery.

"Whoa, the Chief really pulled out all the stops!"

SharkLad looks up at the highest windows of the Rookery.

"I know he's up there."

<Power Boy pouted. Depressed that he was left behind.>

" Why did Cobalt and Chief Lardy not take me ? Am I not warrior enough ..... "


<notices Red Arrow smiling at him>

"The ruthless one with the arrows is showing her teeth at me? She must be more powerful than I thought. Well ... I will not cower ... "

<Points at Red Arrow. Points at himself. Then makes a fist ...

and punches into his other hand!!! Frowns and turns away from the window. She looks very confused. Power Boy moves deeper into the Rookery >


"Maybe Furball will spar with me to pass the time ... ... "

Red Arrow was indeed confused. Really, Red Arrow you must stop breaking promises to yourself. Whenever you date non-street-levelers bad things happen, She thought.But I really can't help it. I like being in love.

Love is the "higher magics",the Soul Gem Spirit thought to her. She looked down at her necklace and smiled. She would survive this war and everything will be fine.

<Sir Roy approaches the Rookery to be sure Red Arrow is inside. He sees Rockhopper Lad>

Your highness! I suspected you were here but did not know for sure!

<bows>

'Tis been too long!

<Upon seeing Rockhopper Lad, both noble and just, Sir Roy suddenly feels a strange feeling--guilt. Until now he believed all his actions were right but the presence of he who knighted him causes him to see he may have strayed from his Path>

I...I...milord...forgive me, I feel as if I'm out of breath...

Dev is scanning as far as he can with his x-ray vision. He stops in a certian direction.

"Oh my GOD!!! NOOOOO!!!!!"

Dev runs out of the Rookery and promptly dives through the street. Descending intot he sewers, he finds a way post Tempests shield and is gone .

Furball turns and ties to stop Dev, but is too late.

"What the hell? What teh hell did he see?"

He looks around in the general direction that Dev was facing.

"There's nothing really that way that Cobie was worried about...that's where the LMB housing...is..."

The color drained out of Furballs face. He tried to concentrate, but those around him could tell he was getting more agitated.

He grabbed his com-link, "c'mon...pick up...pick up..."

<the Office receives a transmission from Lardy> Drop the barrier, Tempest! All of you fan out and protect Legion World! The Red Bee is on the loose! Casualties reported at Cobie's Lounge and Zaryan's Palace! He's an Omega-Level threat! His file is downloading to your Omnicoms!