Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Zaryan’s Palace: Grand Hotel & Casino

<Ex, still swatting at his invisible assailants, hears Cobie's shout and follows suit, plugging his nose. Across the mayhem, however, he spies one individual who - not having a nose - is taking advantage of the chaos to make a quick exit: Gruertis Nyebif>

<Nyebif is seen grabbing stacks of papers from his now shattered desk and shoving them into a bag. He then scurries toward a back door, pausing only to grab a wad of cash that had fallen from Ex's jacket when he had thrown it off. This sends Ex into action>


Hey! Where do you think you're going?!?


<Ex leaps to his feet, and races across the floor to the back door that Nyebif is scrambling for.>

<In a very awkward scuffle between two people clearly not skilled in hand-to-hand combat, Ex throws his jacket over Nyebif's eyestalk, effectively hooding him. This causes Nyebif to jerk back and blindly swing his bag around to try to smack Ex in the head. He, of course, misses, but the inertia of the motion throws him off balance and he falls on Ex.>

<Throwing the jacket off of his eyestalk, Nyebif stands up and goes to kick Ex. In an instant, Ex leaps up, grabs his still burning tri-gar from the ashtray - remarkably still standing - and, in a forward thrush more resembling a fall, crushes it into Nyebif's hand that is holding the bag. Nyebif screams, and with absolute abandon, hurls the bag at Ex's head, finally making contact>

<As Ex falls over, Nyebif - hands empty - scrambles out the door. Ex groans as he recovers, but then grins at his phyrric victory: There on the floor, he sees Nyebif's bag.>


Well... not a total loss!

<scurrying down secret steps>

That damn opportunist! I knew he was bad luck!

Time for me to cash out and lay low for a bit--once he finds out they almost had me blabbing his name, my luck might really suffer...

<exits down secret passage way>

<Lardy arrives with Dev who's flown them both in>

Dev, help establish a perimeter! Make sure no one leaves the area!

<looks around>

Des? Ex? What the Devil's going on here?!?!

<calls Sam Pureheart's ambulance unit in as he awaits an answer>

<continues to sit, sipping a drink>

MWAHAHA, Its about time things got interesting!

<looks at the fallen patron Cobalt noticed>

ARISE!!

<The broken and bloodied corpse shambles to its feet and begins walking toward the door>

<Cobalt runs over Ex, noticing the chaos down below; the assault continues on both of them>

Lardy! Stand Bac--

<Cobie is cut off as he realizes Space Ranger is about to unleash one of his greatest weapons, and Cobalt tackles Ex to the floor to get out of harm's way>

Thinking to himself (Hm, Lardy & Dev are definitely going to want to question Ex and if what he told me is true about them shaking him down, I might not end up seeing him again. I'd rather not believe it, but I can't trust the Security Office right now with Ex; I'm going to have to take him with me...)

<realizes that attcks are apparently still ongoing>

Crap! <looks around> I don't SEE anything! The attack is invisible--OW! Felt like something bit me..or stun--Guh! Ow!

<closes his eyes and reaches out hands--nothing happens>

Hell and damnation! Instinctively tried to reach out with Lard Force...forgot...

<catches sight of Shenu and animated corpse> Him?!? Is Shenu behind this?!?

<turns on Omnicom> Where's my friggin' backup! Dev, interior is NOT secure! Get back in here!!

<fingers blaster> Crap! This thing is friggin' USELESS!

<yells across Palace at Cobalt> Des, what's going on here?!?!

<just then, Space Ranger leaps into action...>

<sees Cobie duck and does same>

Damn! <Ex mutters to himself> The Security Office guys! This is gonna get real ugly...


<but before the thought can escape his lips, suddenly a strange sensation passes over Ex. A calm, almost warm wave passes through his head, and for a moment, it's almost as if the room itself dissolves into another scene... >

<He knows he's still in Zaryan's Casino, but... almost as if he's watching a dream... he suddenly sees himself in the Midnight Exclusive Lounge . He turns, still in this odd state, and sees a vision of Cobalt Kid speaking, "...and that's why we need to find a safe haven to..." But before the sentence even reaches its end, the scene dissolves again, and Ex is back in the moment.>

<He shakes his head. Weird>

<As he comes out of his reverie, he doesn't miss a beat, as though no time has passed at all>


... real fast. I better amscray on the double.

<Cobalt puts his head down between his knees and it happens...>

Space Ranger was one of the mightiest members of the LMBP, know for his courage, strength and fortitude. His mighty Damaxmite powers made him a force to be reckoned with. Yet, in addition to those powers, there was one other “power” that many Legion Worlders had ignored or at least tried to forget.

Space Ranger’s stomach was not one that easily handled alien foods. This was complicated by his steady diet of bratwurst, usually followed by an ongoing supply of Michelob chasers. This mix of chemical potency resulted in a gaseous state of Space Ranger’s bowels that some believed could fuel Weber’s World with its nuclear power. And thus, Space Ranger had been holding back all evening in case such an occasion arrived where this ability would be needed.

Space Ranger flew several feet into the air, and turned around immediately, lifting up his cape and without further ado, he unleashed hell upon the citizens in Zaryan’s Palace.

Toxic fumes spread throughout the air, choking those above and below and immediately the attack stopped, as the unseen assailant was infected by the awful fumes and quickly escaped.

Unfortunately the rest of the LMBP were either choking back tears or holding their breath with great anxiety, knowing soon they would breathing in this mustard colored gas.

As for Space Ranger, he suddenly felt great.

<Cobalt continued to hold his breath knowing he had to get the hell out of there and quick>

Ex,…*cough* *cough* Bloody Liberty Ranger…

…Ex, we have to go…can’t trust what’s going to happen to you with the Security Office…have too many questions I need to answers to…

<magnetically pulls Ex over to him and grabs his arm so they are flying side by side>

<Cobalt immediately uses his magnetism to fly at incredible speed towards Space Ranger, holding Exnihil side by side with himself>

Ranger—we need to separate and meet back up. I’m starting to think this assault on Legion World is far bigger than we ever could have imagined. This may no longer by a public matter but full-on LMB business! We need the LMB Leadership involved! Find Ram Boy and get him going…explain to him: Zardi, this unseen assailant, terrorist forces on LW. I think this is an assault on the LMB. And see if you can find Lash while you’re at it. As for me, I’ve got to go.

<sees Lardy and Dev helping those below>

Lardy! I’m sorry buddy but you’re going to have to trust me!

<Cobalt suddenly flies at full speed out the top of Zaryan’s Palace, shattering a window as he does for additional property damage; knowing that Dev-Em could easily chase him down with powers, Cobalt zags to the left, almost making Exnihil lose his lunch, and appears to be going full speed into the side of a building>

Easy Ex…trust me…

<Cobalt suddenly hits the building full speed, but in reality, he launches right into a tesseract on Legion World, the former technology of Stoopid Cat, long thought lost when Stoopid Cat left Legion world permanently. The tesseract immediately dissapears because it is set to constantly be on the move, impossible to track and impossible to monitor or use; unless of course you are the former Chief of Security with Ch’p in the Head technology that once, and still, gives you full access to this underground maze of tunnels and teleportation triggers>

*In an instant, they are gone*

*choke* Good lord, Bart... *choke* I-I thought mine were bad.... <throws up>

<looks around> Looks like...Bart's condition stopped the attacks. Shenu and his zombie are gone...

<hears Cobalt> Lardy! I’m sorry buddy but you’re going to have to trust me!

<Cobalt leaves with Ex>

Though history tells me I can, I've gotta be sure!

<sees Dev Em swoop in>

Dev, after them!

Dev reverses direction and goes after Cobalt Kid and Ex.

He gets within a yard of catching them when they vanish into the side of a building. He stops inches from the side of the building and faces behind the windows staring out at him.

Dev hits his com-link, "Chief, Cobie is still somehow able to use Stoopid Cat's tesseract. They could be anywhere now. Is Ranger still in there? I heard Cobie say something to him over the noise as I was coming in. Furball is en-route to Cobies Lounge in case they went there."

Dev looks around for a few seconds and heads back to the casino.

<Watches Dev re-enter the casino.>

I'm not sure about this "new" Security Office and Chief Lardy's attitude... so I think those guys won't be seeing much of me.

Cobie's paying the bills so I guess it's time to find Ram Boy and drag his leadership into this.

<Flies off, leaving a few whisps of noxious green cloud behind him.>

Dev lands and watches Space Ranger depart as he moves toward Chief Lardy.

"I thought we got rid of that thing...how did Cobie get hold of it? Oh, and Furball is almost to the Lounge...we should know something soon."

<An ambulance unit rolls up to the entrance to the casino>

Where's Chief Lardy? All of the Injured civilians have been taken care of.

But I also had a report of a fatality. We never found a body.

Dev turns to Sam.

"The Chief is busy at the moment. If the civilians are taken care of, that will be all I guess. The one fatality got up and left with an unexpected guest, and we have to track that one down ourselves. Thanks for all your help."

Dev turned back to survey the area. "Gruertis ran off in that direction..."

Dev was checking different areas where Gruetis had ran towards...trying to find whatever hidden escape route that he had taken when his comlink buzzed.

After a brief conversation he found Chief Lardy to tell him the news.

"Chief, Furball just checked in and said that he hadn't seen or sensed Cobie or Ex at the Lounge and that there was a disturbance there though that he was handling...and I think I might have found somethign over here..."

Well, go ahead and tell me whatever it is, but I want you on Cobie and Ex's tail, stat! If you check Cobie's usual haunts, I'll guarant-damn-tee you you'll find him at one of them before he sets into motion whatever he's got goin'!

Now--quickly! What have you found?

Dev looks at Chief Lardy with a sideways glance.

"It's over here," and he walks over tho an innocent enough looking area of the room and punches through the wall. He then rips the wall in half to reveal a passageway that leads to a stairwell that goes down.

"There's an entire network of these things leading out from here. Just what the hell is going on here?" he asks as he tuurns back to Lardy. "We're chasing our tails. Shenu just walked out of here with a zombie, Gruertis left through these tunnels in a real hurry and you want hunting down our friends...and that's not to mention what you've been doing on the side. You're little donation program you have goin on. I hear you hit up Ex as soon as he turned his open signa round. Don't BS me Chief...I need to know that you know what you're doing...and aren't what some people are saying. I've known you a long time, and I trust you...but I am getting concerned."

<looks grim>

You're very observant, Dev. It's the biggest part of why I wanted you a part of my team...

<motions for Dev to come with him down a flight of stairs>

<gets ports-sensor out to check for listening devices, it gives the all-clear>

Look, Dev...Ex is a cog in something much bigger than the tobacco busines. Yes, he's selling some stuff that should be enough for us to shut him down. Problem is, if I do so, I'll lose the only accessible lead I have that could lead me to whomever is running a full-blown terrorist ring!

<motions upward>

What went on upstairs is just a taste of what's to come. I've got to be aggressive to get to the bottom of this thing! If all Ex thinks I'm corrupt and all I'm interested in is skimming his profits, then he can run business as usual and get me closer to the real bad guys!

Problem is, I'm not sure that what happened today has just blown it all to hell! I suspected Guertis's involvement as the next link, but if both are seen as flipping by their overlords, then all my work's for nothing, and I'm back to square one.

I need to know what Cobie's up to with Ex, and I need to get a hold of Guertis....

<Omnicom beeps>

Hm. looks like our new recruit Question Kid has a bead on Cobie and Ex....and he's gaining their trust. That changes things quite a bit....

Okay, you and me, we go down these stairs and see what we find. We need Guertis, and this is a solid lead.

<looks Dev square in the eyes>

Now...are you satisfied by what I've told you? It's 100% true, I promise you. If you aren't, we need to get it settled before we go any further.

*before Dev-Em can answer, a light begins to glow from down below the stairs; as Chief Lardy and Dev-Em go to check it out, they see in front of them none other than Gruertis Nyebif*

Greetings sentients.

*Their hopes quickly fade as they realize this is a hologram*

As you might expect, I've hightailed it out of there since I know I'm now in quite a bit of danger. Wish I could help the law, being a law-abiding citizen myself, but as the Governor of Ventura, I'm far too important to be put at risk.

I can save you some time: I don't know nuthin'. And everything with this casino is above board.

But you might be interestd in something else, Chiefy. Make this go away for me...and I'll give you the funds you need to cover the expense of the Bot program you're trying to get started. The chatter among the citizens here indicates one of your officers has been asking around the shops of Legion World about raising some money. Let me save you the trouble and donate it to Legion World...for the good of securty, of course. After all, I do fear for my security after the recent attack. It's the least I can do.

Think it over...

*the hologram suddenly fades*

Dev looks from the fading hologram to Lardy, "okay. I trust you. I want to know more about this bot program...and you said that Question Kid had a lead on Cobie and Ex...where are they?"

They're currentl;y at Cobie's Midnight Lounge.

<looks at Dev>

Yeah, I know...about the bots. Everything I just told you is true...but I've also been using the funds I've obtained to help protect Legion World from the upcoming threat.

I've assessed our defenses, and there are LOTS of holes that could be exploited. For one thing, our actual active LMB roster is fairly small at the moment. Many members are offworld and on inactive status...

<bows head>

...doesn't help that all of my "Lard Lad" powers are gone. You wouldn't believe how much of a deterrence I was in and of myself with the power levels I had.

<looks up>

So I've been raising funds to build a robotic defense corps that can help fill those holes. I'm looking to build about a thousand high-quality powered bots. As Chief, it's ultimately my responsibility to keep Legion World protected.

<eye contact>

So there's full disclosure...I can't let word of this get out to our enemies, so no one knows about it but me and my closest confidantes, including you. I hope you'll still trust me.

"You got it. We need to get over to the Lounge. If this means what I think it does...this is gonna be harder than anyone thinks. If Cobie has him and Ex at this point...we could be in trouble."

Dev looked at Lardy,"there's something you have to know about Furball..."

Dev knew the the Chief was getting impatient.

"I'll tell you on the way to the Lounge," he said as he ppicked the Chief up and flew out the doors of the casino.

"You remember when we all got rebooted or whatever it was that happened to us...Loser became the snake, one of us switched genders I think...well I became Furball. The thing is...it was me, and it wasn't me. My mother, who is actually Durlan, although my dad didn't know that until I was born. She was also a geneticist who apparently used my DNA to clone me when I was a teenager. She apparently spliced my DNA with that of some Lupine creatures from some world I've never heard of and vreated Furball. Here's the thing though, she used the disturbance to switch us. That's why he stayed around after I returned. The other really important thing is that he is a hell of a lot stronger and smarter than any of us thought, and he can switch between human and Furball forms. He kept it hidden for a long time, because while he knew what he was...I didn't. He only told, and showed me a few years ago,,,swearing me to secrecy. He also said that he trusted only one other person on Legion World with this knowledge, but refused to tell me who..."

"Des. Crap!"

"That would seem to be the case. I now think that he has been working for Des for years in an even more covert capacity than I have."

They approached Cobie\'s - Midnight Exclusive Lounge

*Though a recent disturbance caused some damage and calamity on Legion World, the Casino & Grand Resort quickly got back up and operating and continued to take Legion World’s citizenry for all they are worth. Hundreds of citizens enjoyed playing slot machines, blackjack and numerous other gambling games.*

*Very quietly, a bee flew by one of the guests, lightly stinging them; the guest slapped the bee but it did not die*

*Across the room, another bee landed on another guest, again stinging them—this one, an elderly woman, cried out in pain*

*Upon looking up, others realized there were numerous bees in the casino. In fact, it appeared they were everywhere*

*Panic begins to set in. The citizens look to the exits but there, they see the largest amount of bees. There they see swarms*



Thousands upon thousands of bees descend on the casino in a vengeance leaving overwhelming property damage in their wake. Many ran and made it out alive feeling a pain unlike any other in their life. Most, however, simply suffered numerous bite after bite and sting after sting, and simply died on the spot from the immense pain after nervous system shut down and the pain caused them to suffer heart attacks.

The Red Bee was back.