Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Cobie's - Midnight Exclusive Lounge

But I'm digging the background music.

<close up on Cobie's eyes is now so intense it make you a little nervous>

Is it me, or did we all just get five 'o' clock shadows?

<Abin has never been the universe's deepest thinker but he is now in a Knerd State. "Yee Gods this is weird, ever since Hrun poured that coffee down my throat everything has been so... Clear.">

Is Cobie stiil here?

<I think it might be a good idea to duck>

Finally the music stops as the clockwork in the silver pocket watch winds down to silence.

Suddenly the hooded figure moves, his hands are a blur.

The shiny object spins through the air so fast it can hardly be seen. It lands on the table before the startled figure of Gruertis Nyebif.

“It...It can’t be” says Gruertis looking down at the table “I haven’t seen one of these since..........

<as the crowd turns to Gruertis, Cobalt lunges forward and magnetically holds down the hooded figure, and then in a flash so fast it reminds everyone who the greatest hero of the LMB is, he rips off the hood>

You.

<Abin watches Cobie and the mysterious figure closely, his face growing whiter and whiter with each passing second.>

Neither of them are the person I want...

But I doubt I'll ever be able to look Cobalt in the eye again. Yee Gods! How does he live with himself?

Who's next on the list? Chief Taylor?

<sees Abin leave>

(Probably for the best. I would have had to lie to him anyway)

<in a blink, everyone realizes some time has passed and the scene is no longer playing out before them; the stranger is gone and Cobie is sitting by the bar, overlooking the crowd and chatting with the Khundian Diplomat's daughter>

...what was that, doll? Sorry, I got distracted.

<grins>

(And I didn't want him revealing himself to everyone here yet).

As Cobalt looks lovingly into the young ladies eyes he fails to notice 20 Varangian guards filing silently into the bar. With the trained and deadly skill of elite troops they silently and unobtrusively take up position to guard all the exits.

“Listen Doll” Cobalt continues, “I got me a large suite upstairs with a Jacuzzi some sweet ass sweet sounds and a bottle or two of something special. How’s about us dropping all ...”

Before he could finish that sentence the glass his left hand was reaching for (his right hand being otherwise occupied gently caressing the nape of the Khundians neck) moved faraway. Tutting Cobalt reached for it again, only to find it faraway from his hand, yet again.

“That’s not right” he muttered

Slowly Cobalt became aware of the Varangians spread out across the room. Still smiling at the Khundian, Cobalts stance changed slightly. To the casual eye he remained relaxed, happy and smiling, but a trained observer would notice the steel in his eye, the tension in one leg, coiled ready to spring into action if need be.

“Relax Old Friend” said a voice behind him as a hand clasped his shoulder, firmly, gently but irresistibly pushing him back down onto his seat and locking him in place. “I’m afraid this one would not really be a good idea. Isn’t that right Commander?” said Faraway Lad looking straight into the Khundians eyes. Turning slightly he continued.
“Cobalt Kid may I introduce you to Commander 3rd Level, Draxh’a of the Khundian secret service. She and her insertion cell of 12 have been working hard to infiltrate Legion World for the last 6 months. I guess she was hoping for a little ‘pillow talk’ indiscretion.

As the Varangians led Commander Draxh’a away Faraway Lad settled down next to Cobalt Kid. “Sorry Des” he said a broad smile across his face, “knowing you maybe I should have waited until morning to arrest her”
“But” and here the smile faded “my sources in seven Embassy’s warned me to do this now, they said the Cell was connected with something even more dangerous than just this run of the mill Great Game stuff. I don’t know what it is yet but I did get a bit of paper with this on”

Faraway passed over a charred and burnt piece of paper, sticking to it were stands of thin brownish material. An unmistakable smell of tobacco reached Cobalt’s nostrils. On the paper was a message but only three remaining readable words.

...’Pagan’.......and then...’...e range...’ and then ‘death’

I think you need to call in a few favours from the office of security old chap and try to get to the bottom this

And as he turned to leave Faraway called back over his shoulder, “as opposed to trying to get into the bottoms of that Khundian, I mean” and with a laugh Far left.

<rueful grin>

That's the difference between us Darden; when I get information from a mark, I always sleep with her first.

<looks at the piece of paper>

More on this mystery...

Time to find out who exactly is trafficking cigarettes and other paraphernalia from the Dark Oval to Legion World, and whether this is some pusher trying to make a profit, or something more politically sinister.

<motions to his very capable staff that he is leaving for awhile and loosens his bow tie; he then exits to his private quarters upstairs>

<Cobie enters once more, months after the last posts, and the never-ending party seems to be going as hard as it ever did>

Scotch tonight Sascha,

<motions to bartender>

...I have some thinking to do. The information I've been waiting for from Faraway Lad should be coming shortly. I've been waiting months for it and I suspect it will confirm my suscispions.

Now, how in the world do I get in touch with Kent Shakespeare and the Buraeu of External Affairs?

I'd say messenger bird is your best bet in this day and age.

* Appearing out of thing air , Cobalt Kid and Exnihil suddenly appear in the middle of the dance floor, Cobalt using his magnetism to land on his feet but Exnihil lurching forward. They are a little worse for wear, their unseen assailant having torn some of their clothes, but they are okay.*

My apologies people! Please, keep partying, don’t let this interruption distract your extravagance. Just a little theatrics to keep things interesting!

<an applause breaks out and Cobie smiles to the crowd waving, basking in how they love him; he takes a martini as it passes by; soon the crowd turns back to what they are doing; Cobalt’s smile fades immediately, being a cheap ploy and Ex gets a firsthand taste of what kind of façade Cobalt Kid keeps for the public>

Let’s go Ex, it won’t be long before we’re found out here. And we can’t keep using the tesseract system—without Stoopid Cat on Legion World no longer controlling it, it’s become far too dangerous for normal use. There was a good chance we would have teleported into the walls of this building and been dead. But hey, what’s life without a few risks?

<Cobalt walks Ex through the crowd to his back office, and signals to his staff to continue>

Karl, Sasha, I’m trying to lay low now. If any Security Officers or anyone else shows up, hold them up for as long as possible.

Ex, I notice you grabbed a ton of Nyebif’s files—very well done. It’s obvious that despite being an opportunist, you’re tired of getting pushed around. Same here. We need to regroup and figure out what to do next. The tobacco drug ring through the casino was obvious a front for not only a larger narcotics shadow industry, but importing some sort of terrorism as well…and a specific person to be exact. I’m starting to formulate some suspicions but we need more information.

<Cobalt appears to be talking to himself>

Grand Central Space Station? All imports and exports go through there. Or is there something else obvious I’m missing? I wish Lolita were here…her analytical mind would be invaluable right now.

<Cobalt suddenly spots someone plainly watching him, moreso than the casual fan of Legion World’s most legendary hero; it is the poster known as Question Kid>

Ex…do you recognize that sentient?

<Ex squints across the floor, and does a double take>


Actually... I do!

I don't know his name, but I swear that's the same kid that's been lurking around outside my shop ever since I reopened. At first I figured he was just some young guy who was trying to get up the nerve to ask me about some of the more “questionable” products I stock these days, but he never came in.

But almost like clockwork, every time I’d see this guy, about an hour or so later Lardy would show up looking for his payoff. I can’t believe I didn’t make the connection before! I’d be willing to bet that guy is tied up with whatever the Security Office is planning.


<looks around the rest of the Lounge>


I don’t see any of the usual SO suspects, so if he is with them, he’s gotta be flying solo tonight.


<grins at Cobalt>


This is your joint, Cobie… but I’m thinking it might be time to get some hard answers. Seems like a golden opportunity for a little “shakedown” of our own.

The doors to Cobies Lounge open and a young man of about 25 walks in looks around and sees Cobie and Ex standing in the back.

He moves through the crowd, ignoring most of the people as he passes or bumps his way through the crowds of people.

"Cobalt Kid, Des...we need to talk," he says as he flashes a fanged grin <insuring nobody else can see.>

Fortunately, Question Kid had been watching the scene a lot longer than Furball. I am not going to let my co-workers sabotage our own espionage missions, the young man thought. He decided to take a big risk and take off his gloves, and soon enough a young waitress tripped over and crashed a tray full of drinks. Question Kid used this opportunity to sneak behind Cobalt Kid and Exxnihil.

"I know you are having trouble with the law. Please follow me, and I can help you get out of them," He said.
( Maybe go in this nice thread here: http://www.legionworld.net/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=4;t=004383

<notices Furball>

Ah, I was wondering if you'd get involved in this, old friend. I'm glad I can count on you. I think some of our pals are being a bit misguided.

The question is...where to next and how to do it undetected?

<suddenly Question Kid walks over and the waitress tripping causes commotion; without thinking, Cobalt's hand reaches to grab Question Kid--and suddenly their bare hands connect>

Ugh...

<Question Kid's power suddenly begins to work...>

<Cobalt crouches over in pain>

Ughhhh...

...D-Doctor H-Hoffman...Dark C-Conan...nooooo...

...Tried to lock that away...

<looks up at Question Kid floating above them>

...get him down from there...

...don't have time for this madness...if he just took on my memories along with my powers, he should understand we have to move...

Furball looked up at the floating Question Kid.

"Great. This isn't easy for me to do..."

Furball transformed in front of them into his much larger furrier form. He then jumped up in the air and grabbed Question Kid.

"Come on down kid...Des needs to talk to you."

He gently pulled Question kid down to ground level and looked at Cobie, "I have to check in...try to buy us a little more time. My speech is going to rhet weird again rhoon."