Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board The Evil Genius Supper Club - now Restored!

Frio, the LVMBP is just using you!
Grape-boy is never going to share control - why settle for being his second banana?

<Returns from where Faraway sent him. His clothes are ragged, ripped, and torn. His face is grimy, unshaven, and gaunt. It's obvious he hasn't eaten or slept in days.>

Frio...

<He collapses and lays motionless.>

at least now we know what it takes to shut him up.

M'lady Frio, as ever my heart is yours...

I am... relieved at your current state, Gary, but alarmed by your recent alliances in my absence. Please we have much to discuss. But first-- privacy.

<places a magical ice shield around them>

There, we are suitably protected. Now, I believe there is much you must update me on. Where has Lonestar Ranger gone? Why have you aided the Security Office? Is the LVMBP no more?

I have heard nothing but the barest rumblings for weeks. As I'm sure you can understand, it has been most disconcerting.

<takes his hand in hers>

Please, you are the only one left I trust. Especially now that my so-called sister Caliente has taken another so deeply into her confidence that she would marry him.

Despicable, the both of them.

There are a few things you must understand M'Lady.

Dominion over a pile of rubble was never our goal and that is all that will be left of Legion World if we allow the Security Office to handle most of these issues on their own. And each issue we resolve for them strengthens our position as it weakens theirs.

The real power on Legion World lies in the Security Office. Cobalt Kid has always known this. Elected Leaders come and go but CK is Security Chief (or whatever title he chooses to use while he pretends that Abin Quank and matlock are actually running the Security Office) for LIFE.

And there is no way short of assassination or armed rebellion to remove him from that position.

But as this series of events unfolds I am slowly usurping CK's authority. LMBPers are beginning to look to me for the answers to their problems... Even CK and LardLad... As things move on it will become easier and easier to supplant the roles filled by CK's sycophants with our people.

Lonestar is working behind the scenes... and now that you're back...

Gary Concord is right, my dear...

<enters>

Certain subtleties are needed at first, before we give these fools the show of force they so desperately need. Even now Gary Concord is causing a rift between longtime friends on playing on certain fears.

And in the meantime, I’m working on a separate, but equally beneficial plan that will help our goals. The Legion World economy has forever hinged on the wealth of but a small handful of Legionnaires, including royalty, nobles and former triumvirs. And that is how I will hurt them the most.

But do not think I have not forgotten my promise. I will turn Caliente to our side so that your sister can join you and enjoy the great life we are going to make for ourselves. Even now, I’m working to distance her from her newly wedded husband to do so. I only will need some more time, so that she can reach these conclusions on her own.

Well, that is relieving, at least. I'm pleased you've been able to make progress in my absense. I am, of course, at your service for whatever we may need to next further our agenda.

(For as long as it serves my interests, anyway.)

<looks to Lonestar>

Turn Caliente? Yes, I think that shall satisfy her well enough. Thank you, Lonestar Ranger, for your constant vigilance on this matter. Perhaps my trust has not been misplaced in this matter.

<Watches Frio's interaction with Lonestar silently, while wondering to himself who exactly would be satisfied if Caliente were "turned">

Frio my dear, I believe a small celebration is in order. Would you care to join me for dinner? And perhaps a show?

I'm not sure I've ever turned down a celebration. If everything is in order for the time being, I don't see any reason not to continue our discussions elsewhere.

<offers a hand to Gary>

Shall we then?

Enjoy yourselves. I'll continue my work to ensure we move our plans to the next step.

I can confirm, Frio, that Caliente is on the very cusp of joining us. Its her new fiance, Actor Lad, and that annoying Tamper Lad that keep her from us. I'll deal with them.

While they're out on the town, I can let things continue as planned. Even now some choice investments have inflated the stocks of several of Legion World's most renowned publicly held entities. While that creates higher expectations among Space-Streeters, I can prepare for the economic ransom we'll hold.

And at last...Caliente will be with me! With us I should say...

<Concord Appears, seemingly from nowhere with the unconscious form of Caliente floating beside him>

I know you'll never believe me Caliente, but I only want some answers...

You've been awake for a while now... in 3 seconds I'm going to drop the mag shell supporting you. I suggest you move quickly...

<opens her eyes and crosses her arms, a strangely blank expression on her face>

Fine.

(I am so tired of being kidnapped. I swear, if I ever end up in a refrigerator, I'm screwed.)

First off you're free to leave any time you choose... and unless I miss my guess you know this place far better than I do. I brought you here because it's someplace where you should feel comfortable.

But I need to find out a few things about Frio.

I've grown quite fond of her and I believe that she thinks quite highly of me.

But lately... something seems to be wrong... she's growing colder... not to me, to everyone and everything... She's always been a hard-edged woman, but never coldly callus, at least as far as I know...

Something else else happened and I need to know what that something is. But all I have to go on is a name...

Who or What is the Empress?

The Empress? Who's that? What are you talking about? Do you mean Empress Frio? That-that's what she started calling herself after she reappeared last year all... different.

*sighs* Look, I-I'll tell you everything I know about what's been happening with Frio but you probably know more about her than I do.

But Gary, you have to know... Lardy said Frio was dead. He said that she said Frio was dead... after she killed the Lonestar Ranger. Killed! Frio! She would never...

<dissolves into tears>

Did you know he was blackmailing me to marry her? I just wanted to save my best friend. And now? Now she's dead!

<is overcome by uncontrollable sobbing>

Frio is not dead. Neither is Lonestar.

I would know if either of them were... even if...

Believe me Girl your sister/best friend is alive...

I'm just not positive she really is Frio anymore.

How did Frio get her powers?

For that matter, how did you get your powers?

*sniff* Not-not dead? I mean, I know I would know if she was really dead but... but something's been wrong. For a long time. And Lardy seemed so sure that she-- God, I can't imagine her ever killing anyone. It's just not... it's so not her.

Look, *blows nose* you have to know, Frio wasn't always like this. I've known her longer than anyone else here and all that I know is that she had a really hard life before coming to Legion World.

She buried it all with a party girl attitude. think she wanted to have some fun because they were so cruel to her on Tharr. Oh, that's how she got her powers. They're biological-- all sentients on her plants have them. But she was different. That's why they called her Frio and exiled her and... God...

What if she's really gone? I always thought I'd know. After I got my powers-- which are none of your business, by the way, and not open for discussion-- we had this special bond. I mean, we went from best friends to sisters.

Fire and Ice.

I miss her so much...

But, *points her finger at Gary* do not for a minute think that I trust you, Grape Boy. I'm not sure you've ever been any good for Frio. She was happy before you came along. Well, actually, she seemed a little lonely but still, we were fine without you. It would've been fine. It would've.

And now she's gone.

<starts crying again>

I'm beginning to believe that your power is super-crying. Can you shut the waterworks down long enough to have a simple conversation?

So Frio is from Tharr, but her powers don't seem to work the same way most Tharrian's do... And I don't believe she's a cold blooded killer either... I think...

What I think doesn't matter right now...

Did her powers change while she was gone? Get Stronger? More versitile?

Did she tell you where she was while she was gone?

Shut up, you misogynist. *sniff* No wonder Frio went evil.

Change? Uh.. well, she seemed more powerful, definitely. That's when she created this place. She also seemed to have a magical component. And the teleporting was new.

But I don't know where she went when she was gone. That was the time she joined the LVMBP and refused to talk to me anymore, except the occasional snide comment.

DUDE!?! Tamper when are you gonna get your club back? Daddy needs a place to drink and smoke his cigars.


Wait don't tell me, the club's losing money. So you want the the LMB to fight in here and smash stuff up so you can collect the insurance?

Caliente, I seriously doubt that Frio could ever be classified as "Evil."

And I know for a fact that I have no influence over any choice she makes with regard to imposed versions of morality.

But for the past few months I've watched a subtle change come over her and I'm afraid that change is the result of an outside influence.

An Influence which calls itself "The Empress."

I need your help to rescue Frio from that influence...

Will you help me?

I might hate myself for this, but... if I was willing to marry Lonestar Ranger to help her, I suppose I could partner with the likes of you. I'm in, Gary. (Until you try for the inevitable double-cross, that is.)

Whether Frio is really gone or not, The Empress-- whoever she is-- must be stopped. I just hope it's really not too late. She was my best friend once upon a time and she saved my life as much as I saved hers. Maybe more. I owe her that much.

So, what's your plan? And it better not involve hurting any of Legion World's non-evil sentients...

GAH Can someone just get her so I can have my club back? I need to clean up this insurance nightmare. Even the Claremont Insurance Company won't pay off claims that have been dangling this long.

Also the Colonel needs a place to hide his drinking and cigar smoking from that overbearing battleaxe wife of his. Er I mean spend evenings in good fellowship with men of adventurous spirit.