Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Varalent's Variable Villa

*From the untamed streets of Legion World... *

<from one of the side entrances--an almost forgotten common one from the very streets of Legionopolis--arrives five men; a little tired and worse for wear, but now in good spirits>

Follow my lead

<Cobalt nods to a servant who smiles and ushers them with him; warm bowls of water and towels are hold out to wash their faces as fruit and drinks are brought to them; before them lies the single grandest private residence on Legion World>

Is your master in?

<the reply is a 'No'; evidently Cobalt comes here often as thR staff know him well>

We'll take a private canopy. Bring some wine and a spread of meats, bread and cheeses. We have our own pipes and tobacco.

We're meeting some other.

<the servants nod in a way that implies they understand completely and will be very discreet>

It's a shame Vee is not here. You can see my friends by the architecture and statues, he is a man of refined tastes. But while I wish we could use the pool and introduce ourselves those Naltorian Ambassador's daughters, we have real work to do.

<Cobalt sits, overlooking the city as a peaceful breeze gusts over him>

I've been thinking it over quite a bit and I've begun to form a theory as to what is really happening. What I need now is every bit of available news from the last few days for clues that we've likely missed. If Jailbait Lass were here, she'd have analyzed this already.

So let's get to work while we wait for Space Ranger...

Furball nods. "Yeah, too bad Lolita couldn't be here..." he says as he looks at Cobie and shakes his head.

"Do you think they're gonna be desperate enough to bring Sushi Lad in?" Furball says with a cockeyed grin on his face.

Yes. I think it's inevitable. That's why we need to find out the true story before it comes to that.

Ex, you still have those papers from Gruertis Nyebif, right?

Excellent. I also noticed you noticed we specifically have taken the high ground. Some lessons can be leaned millennia after millennia.

OOC (oops...)

<Enters from the pool, toweling himself off. Walks quickly to Cobalt and shakes his hand.>

Took you long enough to get here. <Glances at Power Boy, Question Kid, and Furball's human form> I'm assuming your friends are on the side of the angels. You going to introduce me?

The package is on the desk. It raises more questions than it answers, at least for me.

"I know I am...and so do you, you just don't realize you know it. I'm Furball, this is what I really look and sound like. You, like most people have never seen me like this before. Can't really speak for this kid, but he's been helpful so far...or at least not a hinderance."

Furball? The kid's gonna die laughing when I tell her this, unless you want this to continue being top secret.

<Eyes Question Kid speculatively then extends his hand.>

I'll take the chance Kid, I might be just a little tougher than you think.

Furball looked at Space Ranger, "Nah, this is pretty much out of the box now. and after all these years of operating in the shadows, it'll be nice to operate normally and maybe have some real relationships...as long as I survive this whole thing."

Furball thinks for a second, "although, I may want to rethink my operative code name."

<Once Cobalt shook Ranger's hand, he immediately began going through the package while the others introduced themselves>

You've come through like always, Ranger. I appreciate you getting this so quickly and having to do it without me. This is all the records of entrants to Legion World in the last two years, as well as footage from Grand Central Space Station--which you've signalled out as being noteworthy....

<nods to wine and food>

Help yourself.

Ex, keep going through those files from Gruertis. I know what need to do. Cross reference the exact dates of illegal shipments into Legion World which Nyebif had in his papers with the footage Space Ranged provided.

<sips aged Pinot Noir>

Okay...now to review those specific dates and that specific footage.

<begins viewing>

Interesting...

Furball is nibbling on some bread and watching the comings and goings of the patrons. Eyes darting from one person to another, studying their every movement.

<still viewing>

Interesting, here is the arrival of "Hot Chick" the woman hanging out with the Security Office these days. Coincidentally on one of the Dark Oval drug shipment days. That may or may not mean anything.

<looks at date had previously circled>

Ex, take a look. Here are the "business associates" of Nyebif delivering the illegal narcotics. I recognize them--they are Dark Oval terrorists, or at least, work for them. In other words, take a look at what you were supporting. Yeah, yeah, I know, lay off the boy scout routine. Well, maybe when all is said and done, you'll start thinking of opportunities where you not only get rich...but help Legion World.

<suddenly Cobalt's eyes go wide; he inhales deeply; without realizing it, he drops his wine glass and it shatters all over the patio; everyone stops immediately because Cobalt never loses his composure>

Bloody Liberty.

<Cobie rewinds the tape>

Ex, what do you see?

<they watch; there is nothing there. Ex replies 'nothing'>

Again.

<they rewind and rewatch; this time Ex notices it>

Once you see it, it's hard not to notice. The people, the guards, they're all reacting to someone. Saying hello, getting out of the way. But on the tape, there is no one there.

Someone is there. But they're invisible to the tape.

No.

<holds up hand to others to block off questions>

If what I think is true I have to be sure. What else is in the package?

<scrambling through it>

Recent news. Yes, this is what I need. Exactly the thing Lolita would have given me...at a girl My Whee Fem...(Lolita--I've got to check on her--no, have to focus)...

Okay. I see it. So obvious. But I know where we have to go next. And we have to go now. This is the only place he could be hiding! It makes sense.

<suddenly, a Villa servant comes over, a look of alarm on his face; he whispers something to Cobie>

Dammit, no. Not now.

<looks at them all>

The Security Office is going to arrive soon. They have us cornered.

Furball received a call on his com-link. After listening, he set put it away and his face grew grim.

"This is not good. That was my niece, Dev just got a new toy from his son. He's on his way...he at least has Sharky plus a few squads with him. We gotta move now if we're gonna make it there in time."

"Vee must have a secret entrance or two we can use for a getaway ... or a satellite uplink to all the major news networks we can broadcast incriminating evidence on ?? "


"If not it's me and a few hundred security officers while you guys run for it"

<Hauls himself slowly up off of a couch. Question Kid's power effected him more than he'd let on>

Cobie, The slideway to SHAKES is still operational, that's how I came in. From there it's a short hop to just about anywhere. Power Boy, let's fight them when we're ready, on our turf.

This Way...

<follows Space Ranger>

...they're going to catch up with us sooner or later. We can't run forever, and while I'm not worried about anyone beating me in a fight, we can't fight forever either.

I have one final piece of information I need to collect but I'm not sure I'll be able to get to it. Not without first having a big throwdown.

I also don't want to be responsible explaining to Semi why a huge brawl is breaking out in SHAKES. We may need to take it to the streets if the Security Office starts showing up...

<Ex listened to Cobie and Space Ranger debate, feeling as though this situation was escalating beyond anything he could have imagined.>

<How could he have been such a dupe in Nyebif's schemes? Money is one thing... but Cobie's earlier words had hit hard. Ex had been so blinded by his own greed that he had opened a door for much greater evil. It was really time for him to take a hard look at himself>

<As he mused, however, that same strange feeling washed over him again and the Villa dissolved. Ex wasn't sure what this latest vision was showing him, but it was a scene of absolute chaos. A man with his fist raised high shouted, “…if this is my end, I die a hero, not a villain…”>

<This scene quickly dissolved back, and Ex finally realized what was happening to him. He was getting glimpses of the future>


Cobalt... <he interrupted>... who is "Sir Roy"?

Sir Roy? He's the guy I clobered with his own saber back in the Streets of Legion World. I'm not a fan, as you can surmise, but I don't want to bias you against him; apparently he is trying to change for the better.

<watches Space Ranger go through the slideways>

Well boys, its off to SHAKES , but we'll have to make a move fast after that...

A large battle axe flashes through the air, neatly cutting the straps holding the serving girls dress up. She can’t hold the dress up without dropping the plate of cut fruits, almonds and cheeses, eventually she decides modesty is better and drops the plate and runs from the room in embarrassment.
The axe lands with a splash in the bath showering Cobalt with hot water.

“Noble Lord” shouts a voice “tis moot we should meet at this hour”

Turning and whipping his hair from his eyes Cobalt see Hrun standing at the door, over one shoulder an unconscious Varagian Guard, in the other hand Hrun is slowly absentmindedly knocking another Guards head against the wall.

Hrun smiles, drops the two guards to the floor and dives into the pool.

“Well my Lord, lead on there are wenches to meet, drink to quaff, tis been too long since we caroused and you may need to honour Bacchus before you head off.

<rueful grin>

As always my friend, you speak words of wisdom!

<claps hands twice>

Bring us many flagons of mead and more serving girls than are needed to carry them! And we'll need Legion World's best bard to recite the glory songs of yesteryear to keep us in high spirits.

<grabs an apple and bites it>

To signify the indulgence we are about to partake in!

Suddenly appearing against their will are a drunken Lard Lad, an angry Tempest, Timberwolf & Hot Chick, Power Boy & a minotaur, a Villa servant girl (passed out) and Dev Em, who is especially annoyed at being teleported against his will.

Hrun, I've brought more mead & scotch!