Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board The LMB Academy

****decrypted reply to Emily Sivana****

Like an intervention or something, Em? We haven't put together a guidance dept. yet (technically we haven't opened), but if you can be specific as to how the student is "at risk", I'll see what I can put together.

Regards,
Pal

****end message****

I've taken a quick look at your facilities here Paladin, and I have to admit I'm impressed.

If you need any help, contact me at my office, I'm sure we can arrange something if the money is right.

Good to seeya agin, Bart! We'll see what we can do. Yell yur brother I said "hi".

(Yeesh! Don't recall Bart being materialistic. Should I mention I'm mostly looking for volunteers?!?)

Yeah, About that volunteer stuff Lardy, Spacey's been playing at being a private detective, but it's mostly for show.

You ask, he'll be there. So will I.

Now what's this Brit's telling me about Nighty teaching swordsmanship?

Uh, My, it's not Nighty who will be teaching it...

Oh... OK... Just forget I asked.

But the offer is still open, Let me know what you need in the way of volunteers. I'll make sure they step up.

I gotta go kick Brit in the ass...

Awww... Don't be like that Tony. Look, I'm sure that you could teach me a few things too. If I had the upper body strength to swing that fifty pound war-hammer you use.

But I'm just a little girl. I need to use quickness and finesse, not brute strength and overpowering force.

There's a difference, ya'know?

My...I know I'm a big, fat guy, but I'm not all brute strength and force, either. No swordsperson worth a damn relies on those.

I'm quicker than I look.

<rubs his chin>

So...you and Exnihil, huh? Anything to that?

Tony, I've seen you swing that two handed Broadsword. It's impressive as hell. But (She draws the left shoulder Katana with her right hand and hold it in a way that makes it clear it's out for display only) I'm not stupid enough to think I can block any of your cuts with this.

So, I'd have to hamstring you before you could get the first cut in...

And yeah, Exy has first call on my off hours, but my heart belongs to the Security Office.

Especially now that IBBY is Security Chief.

Well, I know we haven't interacted a whole lot outside of the Security Office. But I'd just say that though I think Ex is a good guy in his own way, well...let's just say I see a little bit of myself in him. You know, the self that went crazy a few times and built thousands of robot duplicates? That self?

Just...take it easy. That's my advice. End of lecture.

<looks at her katana>

Yes, you definitely have a point there ('natch!). A katana is about as foreign to me as a broadsword is to you. I wouldn't mind sparring with you with both of us using katanas to see how I'd do some time.

Nah, If we're ever gonna spar, I'll go with Escrima Sticks. That way one of us might have a few bruises at the end but we'll both still be alive to argue about who won.

And Ex might be a little crazy, but he's crazy in a good way...

And he def knows how to make me crazy!

I'm just sayin'...

Um....eww?

(Never thought I'd play the role of prude!)

Escrima sticks, eh? Part of the art of swordsmanship is being expert enough with them to know how to use them to without cutting or killing your opponent if such force isn't necessary. While it's true that katanas have less of a margin for error than a broadsword, it is still entirely possible to use them in this way.

Comes in handy in LMB missions where lethal force is generally frowned upon.

****decrypted reply to Paladin****

Apparently there was some sort of incidence involving superpowers after a magnoball game. I think the other students are afraid of the kid, and some thefts took place before the game...officials won't tell me much more than that because there are minors involved.

****end message****

****decrypted reply to Red Arrow****

Copy that, Em.

If this kid is underage, we'll have to coordinate with his/her folks and child welfare if we're to do anything to intervene.

Keep me advised.


****end message****

Evening

Rond and Paladin waited after dark, the light of the new Academy building spilling over the island. Rond was excited about the academy after a tour of the facilities. He would need to teach all science, not just advanced theories and applications of time. Surprisingly, he found it fantastic to branch out.

Something else else moved over the low hills at the edge of the island.

"I think they're here." rond said as he squinted through his glasses.

A blonde female Science Police officer with a shaved head walked up. She was smoking a cigarette.

Cigarettes in 3013? Rond thought.


As he looked closer he realized she was not alone, he was hard to see in the darkness but a boy crouched by her leg, clutching her hand. He looked fearful of Rond and Paladin.

Shadows wrapped around him, making him impossible to make out fully.

They neared, and as the boy came into the artificial light of the LMB Academy ... Rond knew exactly what he was! A VRYKOS he exclaimed in his mind. He didn't gasp out loud but his expression was transparent.




The small Vrykos growled picking up on Rond's trepidation.


"WHOAH ... easy, it's ok" Circe the SP officer tried to calm the boy.

"Do you know what this is?" Rond asked aggressively.

Paladin was quiet, a grave look on his face.

Circe replied "I know what it looks like, but ... this kid saved me down in the tunnels of Weber's World against monsters twice his size. He saved a lot of us that day. We had the refugees moving out through teleportation portals but we were too slow, surrounded by some unholy monsters of the Dark One. This kid ripped them apart, saving us all. He's strong and fast and I figure, with the right teaching, he could be one of the greats one day."

The boy looked ready to pounce, fangs out, fingers clenched like claws.

Paladin was still quiet, Rond was dumbfounded ... he had experience with creatures like this ... personal experience. The kind you didn't want to be reminded of.

Circe, the tough woman, seemed to be getting emotional, it was obviously something she wasn't accustomed to.

"Look, someone took a chance on me once, I was a thief from a slum of some back water planet. I had no hope, I had nothing. An SP found me and told me I could do better."

Paladin looked at her uniform, she was a decorated SP, she had risen up during the Dark Oval war, partly because her superiors all died. It was a wonder she was alive. The SP's took the hit of the war harder than most, they were charged with defense and disaster control. It left them in the line of fire of attacking forces, shielding people with nothing but themselves.

"All he needs is someone to take a chance on him." She said as she tossed her cigarette down.


Rond looked at Paladin, He shrugged, his hands in his lab coat.

Paladin felt something for the boy, maybe it was because he had kids, or because of his own struggle with the darkness. He reached out a hand, not invading the boy's space, as one might to a deer, signaling no aggression, no intention to do harm.

Circe let go of the boy and pushed him forward a bit. She whispered "it's ok." in hushed tones as if to a space-kitten not one of the deadliest creatures in the galaxy.


Rond wore a measured expression ... and then with a lunge ....



the boy Vrykos took Paladin's hand.

The next late morning. Reflecto was flipping through her Omnicom, looking at her course assignments.

Basic Hand-to-Hand I, Mental Defense I, power level test, Level 5 Scenario Room session

She would be busy. Basic Hand-to-Hand would be a breeze for her. Her style was a bit chaotic and self-taught but she handled herself well. On second thought, it might be nice to learn the basics properly. Mental Defense she would probably excel at, she knew she was stubborn. Power level test? She was still new to her powers ... that might be tough ... and what the frack was a "Level 5 Scenario Room session". The confident Reflecto was starting to think this wouldn't be as easy as she thought ... when she saw Kid Gravity flying up to the Academy, followed by ... Nam'Lor. This brought a smile to her face. Friends at the Academy would help ... except .... they looked ...

... well Zombies looked better.

"Well, you two have clearly been out all night." She said, with a disapproving look and arms crossed.

Kid Gravity looked a bit ashamed under his sunglasses. He spoke with a raspy voice ... "aww ... you wouldn't begrudge a guy one last hurrah before going responsible and trying out for the LMB Academy."


Reflecto turned to Nam'Lor. "I suppose you're going to try out too???"

"Who Nam'Lor?" The big guy with a mohawk asked with a finger pointed at his own chest. He waved his hands as if surrendering. "NO NO, Nam'Lor bad student. Nam'Lor maybe be be be teacher. Yah!" Nam'Lor chuckled under his big grin. Finding his own joke hilarious. Tears came to his eyes.

"Nahhhhhhhh! you got me! Nam'Lor joking! School's out for Nam'Lor for ever! Endless Summer, Winter, Fall, and Spring. Heh"





........


"YOU'RE LATE." A husky voice came from the entrance to the Academy tower.

Paladin strode up, omnicom in hand. omnipen held like a sword.

Nam'Lor took one look at the headmaster and sped away. "Bye Bye, Nam'Lor go now! Good luck friends Reflecto and Kid Gravity! If you get hungry ... eat something! " Nam'Lor flew off ... faster than Reflecto had ever seen him fly. Come to think of it, he seemed positively scared!


"Well ... Let's get to it." Paladin commanded tapping his Omnicom.


Kid Gravity took a deep breath. he wasn't THAT late for his appointment ... only about 45 minutes. Well if he was ever going to be a hero he better get started.

All joking aside, he remembered the Dark Oval war, He remembered feeling so outclassed so powerless despite controlling one of the fundamental forces of the universe. He remembered thinking, if only he practiced more he might have saved more people and ...... maybe Power Boy would take him more seriously. He gulped. Maybe everyone would take him more seriously.


Paladin raised an eyebrow as if to tell Kid Gravity to hurry up.

Kid Gravity's hands glowed .... his feet lifted off the ground as he defied gravity.

He pointed to some large rocks nearby ... they floated up ....

Paladin asked "Reflecto, if you will?"



Paladin would teach Kid Gravity a lesson up front, show up late, not take this seriously, and he would test you hard. Reflecto flew at Kid Gravity, fists forward.

Kid Gravity swallowed hard, he dodged, barely. Then he pointed at Reflecto and she dropped like a brick! THUMP

She struggled as she lay stuck to the ground, her forcefield compensating ... starting to resist the gravity field.

Paladin made notes ... on both of them.

Reflecto stood with some effort. Then Kid Gravity waved with a hand and ... he altered the gravity of the surrounding dirt and earth around Reflecto. In moments she was engulfed in a dust cloud, blinded.

Kid Gravity began to sweat, Reflecto's field still resisted him, she was so strong, normally he admired her but did she have to try so hard during his audition! The exertion did feel good though, especially after his binge last night.

WHOOOOOSHHHH!!!! Reflecto came flying out of the dust field at top speed!!!!


"ENOUGH." Paladin commanded. Kid Gravity rolled left, diving out of the way and Reflecto tumbled trying to avoid him. They both ended on their butts.


Reflecto and Kid Gravity extended hands to each other helping themselves up. Kid Gravity wiped his brow.

Later, Kid Gravity stood before Paladin, a bit dirty, Reflecto waited nearby with fingers crossed, hoping her friend made it in. They had been through a lot together. In fact, it seemed for a while they were the only survivors of the ill fated Drinking Buddies crew. Until Nam'Lor and Taur El recovered fortunately.

Kid Gravity waited nervously, he thought he was a shoe in but now he was not so sure. I really shouldn't have gone out last night he thought

Damnit Nam'Lor!

This is tougher than I ever thought, was the phrase that continued through her head. The courses were tough, the instructors expected so much and the goals were set so high. Still--she knew if she put her mind to it, she could do it.

What made it more difficult was the social element that was so prevalent. The LMB, she knew, had it in spades. Here at the Academy it was x10; like space high school for superheroes.

As the sister of a Legion World founder, she knew the others talked about her behind her back. Whispers of nepotism would follow her forever. She'd just have to prove herself even more.

Reflekto was already turning out to be a best friend. She was so thankful she was here. And man, was she tough. Whatever she experienced in the Oval War taught her something all the others who were untested could not know.

Salu Digby, the Imskian, was not so cordial. She definitely had a chip on her shoulder, though how much that related to Imskians being seen as traitors to the UP she couldn't tell. She regretted telling the joke about her being a "shrinking violet"--because now that nickname had stuck. If Salu didn't know Ayla started that, she would eventually. And Ayla just couldn't get Salu out of her head no matter how cold she was.

So many of the LMBers were to encouraging and nice. But she knew there were others who wouldn't be. Whose expectations would be firm and hard. Whose patience would be limited. She hope she had what it took.

"Here's the syllabus I plan on using, Paladin" said Lolita. She was pleased with it though she still felt trepidation on being an instructor.

Paladin looked it over. "Wow...this is quite...extensive Lolita. These poor kids will be losing their minds halfway through the semester."

"I hope so," she replied. "We need to clean up the notorious sloppy habits of new Legionnaires early. No more ignoring data and overlooking easy clues. The Research and Data Analysis course should correct that. I expect it'll weed out those who aren't serious and don't want to buckle down."

"Yup," said Paladin, as if he was admitting to himself his expectations for Lolita as an instructor were dead on, "definitely a Cobie-type attitude." He sighed. "It is a likely contender for most difficult and least favorite course we have at the Academy. But totally necessary. Welcome aboard."

Charltonburg High School

Red Arrow walked into the school, signed in, and was escorted by a student to a classroom. A young man sat at a desk near the front, and what appeared to be a hall monitor was staring at him from a desk. She looked relieved to see Red Arrow.

"Thank you for coming. I hope you can take care of our problem...for us," She said before quickly leaving, letting the door slam shut behind her. Red Arrow glanced at the clock and realized that they were both early for the meeting.

She said, "Hello, my name is Red Arrow. What is your name?"

He rolled his eyes. That is not her real name.. "My name is Matt Appleton. Look...I don't want to be here. I'm missing practice. Can we get this over with?"

"That depends," Red Arrow began. "I don't know exactly why I am here. I'm going to tell you something: I did not want to go here alone, but circumstances left me no choice." A few seconds later the door opened and two school officials walked inside. After brief introductions, the officials made it plain why this student was here.

"Appleton's...abilities emerged after a tournament. The team was ready to go out to celebrate when a heated argument between Appleton and another student. Something else else weird happened...witnesses claim to see their worst fears," One of the officials stated. He spoke in a neutral, even tone which told Red Arrow that he has had conversations like this before.

The other official added, "We are concerned that he is an at risk student. There have been a series of bicycle thefts..."

"I didn't do it. Why would I steal my own bike?" The boy interrupted. The officials didn't like that he interrupted them, but Red Arrow thought the boy had a point.

"...if he got into the wrong crowd he could be very dangerous. We have heard that the LMB is opening a school and was wondering if he could attend?" The official asked. Red Arrow did not know what to do. She had no authority over entrance to the school. She was probably called in because she fought crime in Charltonburg. Her thoughts were interrupted by the entrance of a man and a younger boy. It became clear from the greetings that this was Matt's father and brother. One of the officials thought it best to take the younger son to her office because it would be "an adult conversation", and the father agreed.

"As you may know...we have discovered that your son has unique abilities. Do you have any idea where he got them from?" The official asked. The man looked like he dread the possibility of having this conversation.

He answered, "He got his powers from his mother. His older brother has the exact same powers."

"Where is his mother?" Red Arrow asked. She had a strange feeling that this conversation had already happened.

The father replied, "I have sole custody. She is out of the picture--"

"--divorced, not dead! My older brother became a doctor. I'll be fine. Please believe everything will be fine," He said, his voice raising. It was a that moment that the room began to fade away, and Red Arrow began seeing images of a garden with a huge fountain.

The official said, "I must have finally made won the lottery and have retired to Hawaii...but why are you here?" Red Arrow glanced around for the child, but he was nowhere to be seen. She reached out for one of the flowers, but it dissipated. It is only an illusion. It is all an illusion. Red Arrow kept walking until she encountered a door knob, and went out to the hallway, where the boy's father stood.

Red Arrow asked, "Are you alright, sir?"

"Yes," He replied. "I built up resistance after years of marriage to that crazy--to his mother. Please don't be too hard on my son. I think he was going to find something." Red Arrow walked through the halls, the bells being the only thing that punctuated the surrealism of the illusions around her. The hall monitors were too preoccupied with their own wishes to notice her pass by. She walked to the end of a wing and saw Matt outside holding a camera.

"I followed your illusions here. I thought you said you had to go to practice?" She smirked as she walked outside.

He replied, "And Red Arrow is not your real name. I got to catch the thief so I can go back to my life..."

"But your powers are part of your life. Why do you want to avoid them?" She asked.

"Because I don't want people to judge me based on my powers," He said. He ignored her gaze and aimed the camera at the bike rack. Red Arrow was not sure what to do; they waited for several minutes until a masked person approached the bike racks. The boy whispered, "He can't see us because he wishes he won't get caught."

Red Arrow said, "We have to tell the school officials now! You have no authority. Your tapes may not hold up in court." She forgot that she was speaking to a teenager. The boy ignored her, and Red Arrow realized that she had to get the adults. When she returned, the thief was still taking bikes. The officials called for the police, but Red Arrow knew that time was of the essence.

Red Arrow asked, "Matt, could you please turn off the wish illusion and tap into his fears?"

The boy's father asked, "Is that really a good idea?"

"Dad, it feels like the right thing to do," Appleton replied. The father nodded in approval. The thief was trapped by a dark fear of failure and the punishments that could result from his arrest. This illusion was strong enough to hold the thief long enough for the police to arrive.
~~~~
The Appleton's Apartment, 750 Kane Avenue
"So in conclusion, I think your son would be a good candidate for LMB Academy. When I was his age, I was also a bit troubled because of my family and sent to a place called Colorado Academy. If it wasn't for the friends I made there, I'm not sure where I would be here today," Red Arrow said.

"Yes, it does seem for the best he should go there," The father agreed. Red Arrow knew that it was time to call the LMB Academy and get him enrolled. She called Paladin, "You are not going to believe what happened today. We'll work on the codename on the flight there...I hope your school has room for one more."

Postcard to Everyday Girl
From Invisible Brainiac
Sent from: New Manila

How's it going EDG? Hey, Paladin tells me you nominated Blaze and I to teach escrima. Awesome thanks, you sure are up on your Earth history! Funnily enough, Blaze and I never really learned it back on Earth. I know a bit of Krav Maga while Blaze took archery, and we both dabbled in Muay Thai, but not escrima. Always did want to learn more to augment my bo fighting skills, but Blaze will kill me if I do that on my pre-honeymoon!

How you been? Give me a yell if you ever want to visit New Manila. Funny how even in this day and age, people from Earth are still colonizing the stars!

IB

"Okay, Mr. Druiter," says Paladin, "let's test this ability you say you have to 'defeat any one opponent'."

"I'm ready, headmaster."

Paladin fires a blast intended to stun Hart. Hart simply absorbs it. Then, one of Hart's eyes starts to glow a bright yellow. The next moment it blasts Lardy and knocks him to the ground.

Crap!, Paladin thinks. That was exactly like one of Pornis' blasts! What if I switch tactics...

Paladin draws his sword and lunges toward Hart, intending to strike him with the flat side.

Hart dodges and grabs a nearby bo staff and disarms Paladin with a sharp strike to his arm.

"*huff* Pretty impressive. How do you do that?"

"I'm...not sure. I just do it. But if there were two of you attacking, I'd short out or something."

"Definitely worth an Academy spot, kid! Let's get you a dorm room and enroll you!"

Reflekto stood with arms crossed "I don't like him."

Ayla stood next to her "Aww give him a chance."

Kid Gravity said "I think he's cute."


Reflekto smiled "Then he's definitely bad news." Then she noticed the time.

"Oh crap!!! I am late for Rond Vidar's class on faster than light travel!"
Reflekto grabbed her Omnicom and shuffled off.


"Better hurry." Ayla said with a twist, she knew Vidar was Reflekto's favorite professor and had been teasing her about having a crush on him.

Kid Gravity smiled, getting the joke, and then was distracted ... wondering if Hart would be in Faster than Light 101. He new there was some reason he should study more!

A cruiser landed long enough for a young man to exit. Once the man had cleared the landing platform, the cruiser took off again.

"Well Drake, this is the place that can help you. At least that is what they told me before I left," he said to nobody in particular.

He looked down at his hands. The containment suit was doing what they had promised, but he felt like there was something else happening. Something else else that was going to change him forever.

He saw someone moving towards the Academy and he started to jog to catch up. "Hey. Hello. I'm looking for a Mr. Paladin.

< Cobalt enters with a file, with an apologetic grin on his face; he throws the file down on Paladin's desk >

Let me start with an apology because the last thing you needed in your first class of students was any potential rotten apples.

But I've got a possible new addition to the Academy that I'm hoping you can help. He just also happens to be my new adjunct / assistant that I needed to take on in my role as Ambassador to the UP for political reasons.

His name is Tamerlane, and he's a Khund. He's the son of Attilak the Bloody, and he’s everything the UP hates about the Khunds. But he’s young and he has dreams of grandeur in being a hero of the UP. So maybe, just maybe, you can help turn him into a proper hero.

< Cobalt shakes his head >

I have my doubts about him. In fact, I was ready to write him off as just another blood starved Khund killer. But if anyone knows a thing or two about redemption…and can believe in someone that everyone else has written off, it’s you. That’s why what you’re doing is so vital, Lardy—because you see the potential in everyone.

You’ve got your work cut out for you on this one.