Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Vacation to Rimbor

Power Boy stood at the docks of the Freeport, duffle bag over his shoulder, waiting for the others to show up, if they were serious about joining him. Humanoids and non humanoids rushed to catch their shuttles, from the looks of the Freeport, it seemed like business as usual, as if the galaxy wasn't in disarray after fighting for its very survival.

A volunteer mission to help out some the poorest people in the UP would be just what he needed. After all the violence and horrors of the Dark Oval War it would be nice to help people one on one.

... and if they could take out a few of the gangs on Rimbor, well, that would be fun too. A good old fashioned "super hero locks up criminals" story for the news couldn't hurt the LMB's reputation or the general sense of safety for the average UP citizen. Instead of the type of story they've been living through recently "the end of all that is".

"What do you think Mother Box? Will anyone join us."

Hello Peebs…nice to see you. “Word” has come through the grapevine about your mission, and I’d like to join you if there’s room. I’m sure there’s plenty I can contribute while the LMB is on Rimbor.

< Lolita leaves it at that, hoping Power Boy doesn’t push her for more of an explanation. She’s served as the Legion’s premiere spy throughout his term and he’s never asked her to come forward with more of an explanation that is necessary. It’s been a pleasant, albeit tense, unspoken relationship. But clearly, her presence indicates this mission will be more than just feeding the poor and busting up gangs. >

<Power Boy's huge smile on first seeing Lolita, had changed to an arched eyebrow. His t-shirt and jeans seemed somehow inappropriate now. He wanted for his battlesuit for a moment. They had been through so much together and not very much of it good.

Lolita had changed so much, from a girl with great potential to a woman of great intelligence, wit, and resources. He just never thought she would turn out quite this way. His relationship with her was changing from that of a big brother who protected her from danger in battle to the LMB leader who was suspicious of her but, might need her someday, to do his dirty work. Power Boy was especially disdainful of spies and secrecy. He now realized what a luxury that viewpoint was. Strength and fighting skill had served him well ... before the Dark Oval war, then he grew an appreciation for the darker arts of warfare. The need for spies and leverage when you were hopelessly out gunned. He still didn't find it particularly flattering, on him or on this 'little sister'.

His smiled returned, though not as warm as before, and he held out his arms in friendship. and kissed Lolita on the cheek.>

"I think a break will be good for all of us. We're just waiting for a few more."

Emily Sivana walked into the Freeport. She felt a bit of unease. I feel a strange going to a foreign planet to fight crime and poverty given the state of Charltonburg...I know that Rimbor is a lot worse, but I feel a bit like a hypocrite. I also worry about Question Lad when I am away. I know that Xben and the others are good men, but I don't like the prospect of another attack by the Tyrian. She saw Lolita, who she had never interacted with on a regular basis. Lolita was primarily known for being in Cobalt Kid's circle, and Cobalt Kid's circle was pretty political. Ever since the Lardbot incident Emily promised not to mix science and politics again.

" hello miss sivana! You're the third to arrive ... After we get on board I will give a short debrief but really ... It's rimbor ... We won't have any trouble finding ... Trouble."

" I believe you and Lolita know each other ? "

< notices a bit of frost between the two. Wonders if there's something to it or just ... friction>

< after an awkward pause>

" Well we will have plenty of time to get to know each other on the trip. The star gates are still not all functioning and the few that are are jammed with resources and trade going to planets that need it. Our legion cruiser should make good time without one."

Power boy starts packing the cruiser ... Guns, food, body armor, medicine, etc.

Whistling to himself he thought Legion world would be in good hands. Jerry and all the others could take over for a short time ... And this mission was important ... The galaxy was being taken over by pirates and mob gangs ... The nassholes were Taking advantage of the power vacuums in the universe and the lack of military personal back from the war. The military and police forces were exhausted from the war and depleted ... Having to deal with gangs now as well as performing relief efforts.

Rimbor ... Rimbor was where all the pirates and gangs went at one point ... Most had offices there ... Rimbor was a major hub of Crime in the UP. Arms, money, and criminals moved through rimbor daily. Take out rimbor, cut off the head, and it would just be a matter of cleaning up the gang members. That would give suffering planets at least a fighting chance.

< Lolita nods to Emily Sivana and offers a smile >

Nice to meet you, Red Arrow. I don't think we've actually been properly introduced yet. I've heard great things about you and your abilities.

I've heard about this one and how keen her instincts are. It won't take very long before she realizes I have a secondary purpose here that is much more secretive and political. Maybe she's someone I can trust when our backs are up against the wall?

Power Boy, there's something I wanted to have you digest. If we're going to Rimbor we'll be knee deep in space gangsters and pirates. And we know there is one Legion World citizen who is a major hub for intergalactic space crime .

Perhaps its a good idea to have one of the Legionnaires or Security Officers put some pressure on him for information? Or at least keep an eye on Legion's #1 crime boss...even if he'll never admit to being so.

Emily said, "It is a pleasure to meet you."

She could not help listening to Lolita's conversation with Power Boy. I wonder if this has something to do with Charltonburg. They keep trying to build a casino there, though some are worried that either Mr. Verde or Mr.Violetta will control the house. I wonder if this crime boss is trying to get involved?

Power Boy considered Lolita's words.

" that scum? Why he is allowed on legion world is beyond me."


" I'll see if Shark Lad can go. Ha! He's probably feeling irritable with you traveling so often. If not ill have to see who is available at the security office."

Power Boy looked at Emily Sivana as if contemplating something " it would be nice to have someone approach him with a subtler touch, someone connected to him, maybe someone he owes money or needs money from .... "

"Hello everyone," Angdar said as he landed. "Sorry I'm running a bit late."

Angdar looked at the three assembled so far. Of them, he knew Power Boy and had met Lolita on Weber's World briefly. The other he had not met.

"Ummm...Kinetix should be here any time. She left just after me."

Emily Sivana paused, "There is one person I can think of capable of pulling such a feat off. She's currently serving time in the Kane County Jail though. Would you be willing to bargain with her in order to catch this crime boss?" This choice would involve a great deal of personal risk on her part. She trusted this woman to get the job done, but knew there could potentially be price.

"Hey everyone, sorry I'm late! A girl should never fight crime without looking her best."

<Kinetix strikes a pose in her green blouse over blue jeans. Noticing the somewhat disapproving stares from Emily and Lolita, both of whom she'd only met briefly, she decided to change tactics>

"Actually, don't worry about me slowing us down. I TKed this outfit while walking here. What delayed me was this -"

<she pulls her omnicom from her purse>

"Since our mission is partly for relief and partly to clean up Rimbor, I did some quick research on current efforts there. If you'll give me your contacts, I'll send you the file right now. I wish I'd been faster, but this was a spur-of-the-moment trip..."

<Out of the corner of her eye, she sees Angdar smiling in approval. Both Emily and Lolita's stares softened, and Power Boy nodded approvingly. She didn't want to earn the reputation of being just a fashion-slave airhead, and besides, it was her suggestion that they undertake relief efforts.>

Welcome, Zoe.

< turning back to Emily >

Unfortunately, Nyebif is a very clever and thorough crime boss. The best security officers on Legion World haven't been able to tie him to any sort of crime. "Catching him" isn't the problem. "Catching him in the act" is more like it.

Still, he knows we know about him. So we might as well press him for information when we need it.

"It is simply an option," Emily said. "I cannot think of anyone more capable of finding him than Madam Verde, though I realize the risk in letting her out of prison." One of them being that the whole love potion fiasco has completely changed her perspective on my boyfriend. I don't want to lose him to a murderess.

She turned her eyes towards the file Kinetix had given her. The typical suspects were on the list: organizations from Yew, Ikgaline,Raltvee, Nasger, Xanthu,etc. She wondered if this trip could end up being more than a vacation to Rimbor.

Bloody Nass ... are these two going to be at odds the whole way? Power boy thought. Ironic, they are so alike: Both brilliant, both excellent marksmen ... and both with many contacts that would be useful when they got to Rimbor.

Power Boy was glad Zoe was there, Often discounted for her easy manner, she was a rock. And Angdar Fel would come in especially handy if it came to guerilla warfare on Rimbor. It would be nice to get to know the warrior more, he might have great potential, as an LMBer and a friend.


"Emily, I'd like to keep the option open but I hesitate to bargain with any criminals. As LMB leader I've kept my hands clean. Not a small feat. "

"I suspect eventually we will have to try some more unorthodox methods with Gruertis Nyebif ..."

Power Boy made a face as if to spit.

"If i had my way I would use him for heat vision target practice ... HA HA .. !!!"

<Power Boy's humor could be brutal. It was a bit of a moral twist how straightforward he was, hating lying and subterfuge, while advocating violence and execution ... with levity. >

"I'll send Shark Lad or Nam'Lor. Make him feel a bit more pressure than usual ... meanwhile we can investigate some back doors to getting what we need from Nyebif!"

Power Boy looks around with a relaxed smile after discussing serious matters. "It seems we are all here, Very well Ladies, after you."

He waved towards the shuttle and held out the keys "Who's driving?"

Peebs writes a message on an Omnicom. They've been taking turns piloting the ship. Peebs didn't trust autopilots.

Shark Lad,

I need a favor. I think you will like it though. We need some information out of the slime, Gruertis Nyebif. You may have to go all the way to Ventura. We believe he has information regarding the mission to Rimbor. I need to know anything he knows, especially in relation to human traffic rumors. No need to be gentle. That's why I'm sending you, the usual police haven't been very effective with this guy.

He used to frequent Zaryan's Palace:Grand Hotel and Casino before it was destroyed. I bet it has been rebuilt as an even larger temple of crime, greed, and corruption.
http://www.legionworld.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=004099;p=4#000044


Thanks,
Power Boy

p.s. Don't kill him. We're the good guys.


Power Boy supposed it was almost time to brief the team.

SharkLad had just finished a call when his Omnicom pinged with a message from Power Boy.

“Ventura, eh? I guess I could use a little R and R.”

SharkLad tapped out a message on his Omnicom


Yo Peebs,

I’m in, but I can’t promise he won’t be begging me to kill him after I’m done with him.

S.L.


“Oh sprock! What am I gonna tell Lolita?”

Kinetix and Angdar are sitting together towards the back of the cruiser. Angdar playfully tickles Zoe, and she swats at him with a mock glare.

"Hey, don't. Lolita and Emily are both leaving their significant others on LW. Let's be a bit sensitive, okay?"

Angdar grins. "Come on, don't tell me you don't want to show off just a little..."

"I like showing off my outfits, but public displays of affection not so much. Unlike you, you naughty boy you."

The two keep sitting close together while reading through their mission notes.

Suddenly, Zoe fell silent. hen she turns to face Angdar squarely. "Ang, when we were joking about feathers and tickling before, you and IB exchanged looks. Is there something you wanted to tell me then?"

Angdar fell silent for a moment. Then finally, he answered, "It was just a... private joke."

Power Boy gathered the small group in the shuttle.

"You all know we are going to Rimbor to provide humanitarian aid and disable some larger elements of the organized crime there. What you may not know is just how bad the situation has become.

In the aftermath of the Dark Oval war, governments are strained, without resources and human power. Not all of the forces have returned from the fringe where the fighting was fiercest. Many of the wealthier UP members are providing aid to the fringe regions.

The star gates are few and far between, interrupting the flow of trade and resources.

In this vacuum an informal economy has sprouted. However, there are indications that there is more to it. There were several elements of organized crime that were waiting for just such a moment to expand their networks and get their sticky tendrils into all parts of government of the UP.

What is worse is we have evidence that suggests these criminal elements are performing illegal super power experiments. The average person is desperate for any kind of power provision in this increasingly lawless UP. I don't need to tell you how dangerous genetic experimentation for the purpose of super powers is.

What's more, we've found that some people unable to pay, have entered into a serfdom form of slavery ... entering into service to pay off the debt from the super powers.

I mean to intervene before this gets out of hand. The introduction of slavery, in any form, will not be tolerated in the UP. This form of serfdom and the selling of human rights can only lead to more exploitation and even marketing humanoids as cattle.

Rimbor is the locus of this experimentation and the organized crime networks. Rimbor is poised to become a criminal government center that rivals the legitimate UP. If we upset the power balance on Rimbor, we can cripple organized crime in the UP, their supply networks, and more importantly ... end this fledgling slavery and super power surgery industry!

When we get to Rimbor, we've got to keep a low profile. We don't know how extensively the crime lords of Rimbor have supplanted the government. Anyone could be in their pay.

Expect a cut throat from the shadows, an arrow from a roof top, a knife in the back from anywhere. No one goes anywhere alone. Anyone going out can be accompanied covertly covered from the air by Angdar or myself.

First we've got to set up a base of operations. I am counting on Zoe to run our cover story.
A small group of the LMBP to provide humanitarian aid to the displaced and poor of Rimbor. We will need to be seen very publicly handing out food and clothes. I think Zoe can handle keeping people's attention on her and that front.

Lolita and Red Arrow, I am counting on both of your contacts to figure out the lay of the land on Rimbor.

If it comes to an intervention or a fight with the rowdier elements of Rimbor, that's where Angdar and I come in.

... I know it's a lot but, I also know we are exactly the right group for this. A larger force would never be able to make the inroads we need to root out the infection on Rimbor. If the entire LMB came, they would just scatter and flee like cockroaches until we left, at which point they would return.

Everything else you need to know is in those dossiers. Paper dossiers. Commit them to memory and then destroy them when you're finished. That information came at great cost and must remain confidential. Also, you'll find new more subtle work uniforms in your packs. I don't imagine we will stay incognito very long but we if we go in with our battle suits on and weapons drawn would just make it worse.

Also, you might like some of the new high tech treats in the pockets. It's good to have Rond Vidar back."

Power Boy had changed into his grey and blue striped Legion works suit, except for the "L" on the shoulder, he looked like one the LMB's many service workers.

Emily nodded at the knowledge. She would get in contact with her grandfather on Cavor, as a new republic dominated by fruit companies Cavor would have significant information on Rimbor. It would also be good to establish an option in case they would have to flee Rimbor in haste. She liked the idea of helping the poor and needy, but changing governments takes a different kind of power. She was glad Sebastian was not here, because he believed people should change governments themselves with little foreign intervention.

Emily doubted that halting operations on Rimbor would stop most crime in the UP. She knew that people like the Tyrian existed everywhere. She could only hope that this current operation would end well.

Angdar finished scanning his dossier. He got rid of it and sat back.

He had thought this 'mission' would be good for public relations for Thanagar. Him helping out after the war and all that. Good press meant that he might get a chance to see his family again sooner. The opportunity to crack some skulls while there, of those truly worthy of the beating, would just make the trip all the more worth it.

He thought the three ladies with him could probably more than take care of themselves in a scrape, but he got why Power Boy would want them to be more in the background. They were better suited for being subtle and getting answers through more subtle means.means.

He was a warrior first and foremost, and Power Boy was...well, he was a New God and had more than earned Angdar's respect during the war. He was also a warrior through and through. His kind of leader.

He stood and put on the standard uniform that Power Boy wanted them to wear. he wasn't thrilled with how constricted he felt, and not that the clothing was too tight, he was just more accustomed to wearing less clothing really.

Ah well...he knew that Zoe was probably not going to be thrilled with the clothing choice either.

As the five approach the orbit of Rimbor ... They see just how bad things have become.

In the eastern hemisphere, they can see little flashes of light as two regions trade rocket fire.

As they enter the atmosphere, the shuttle passes space-debris ... shattered remnants of vessels, the results of open attacks by space-pirates.

Power Boy types in a course for the largest mega city of Rimbor when ...

The LMB cruiser is hailed by Space-Pirates:

AYYYY ARR ! MATEEESSS! PREPARE TA BE BOARDED AND WE'LL TAKE THAT SHIP OFF YUR HANDSSS AND ANYTHIN' ELSE U'VE GOT! OTHERWISE YUR GONNA HAVE A VERY BAD DAY ... AND REST OF YUR LIFE ... A SHRT LIFE INDEED!!!!


MUAHAHAHAHAHHA!

The pirate ship then begins to fire warning shots, grazing the LMBP cruiser.

Power Boy grinned.

"They picked the wrong shuttle. I guess our mission begins now. Activate transuits."

The shuttle rocked as the pirate ship attached their crude docking clamps to the hull.

About a dozen pirates in make shift space suits floated out into space towards the LMBP cruiser.

They had cybernetic enhancements and laser rifles. They may even have black market super powers.