Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board The Office of Security (out with the Lardy, in with the Dev)

The building shook from the blast. Bullseye said, "What the--?"

He was interrupted by a boxing glove arrow to the back of the neck. Red Arrow did not waste any more time. She was worried that her partner, had been blown away. She shouted, "Anthony!"

<Elektra had managed to survive the blast but was shaken up>

<before she could get up, Lardy landed on her neck hard with his foot>

<gasping> She's done for. Only...only a simulation, Lardy.... <falls on his back and passes out>

Red Arrow followed the sounds to Anthony's unconsious body. She sighed at the sight of it and wondered what to do next. This was only a simulation so there had to be walls somewhere and a door close by. She took out an arrow with a tracer and shot straight forward. It went through all the holograms (glitch?) and found a wall. She then proceeded to attempt to revive Anthony.

<she smacks him>

Unh. Usually prefer a kiss to wake me up... <grins>

<gets up>

Sorry. That was one strong grenade blast...knocked me a little silly. So... <looks over at the blast site> ...looks like I destroyed the weapons we were supposed to secure in the blast. We gonna rescue the hostage or call it a day?

Red Arrow replied, "You look tired. We can always try again some other day. Let's find out what happened to the controls. Does your computer keep a log of all users?"

I think so. You actually seem more familiar with the equipment than me. Let's go take a look.

<both exit the room and go to the control area>

Red Arrow began examing the computer logs. She replied, "Last log is marked as "mantienence" which is probably a virus scan." She then noticed a blond hair on the console. Both her hair and Anthony's was dark so it must have been someone else. She asked, "Do you know any blonds?"

Um, lots. But we can take it to the lab for DNA analysis. <takes a kit out> We'll take that hair... <puts in test tube> and some swabs from the controls that would have to be used to adjust the settings that way... <swabs them and puts the swabs in another test tube>

So how'd I do in there?

Red Arrow replied, "You did pretty good for a beginner. It won't be long before we're busting drug lords together. And you can teach me more about saving the universe."

Heh. Felt good to let loose physically like that. Gotta work on not using lethal force, however. Officers can use it, of course, but it's not always necessary. The LMB itself, though, forbids its use. So it's a lot to get used to.

I've been a part of the Security Office in its old iterations but never had to kill anyone. That said, I have killed before...have you?

Red Arrow replied, "Citizen V forbid the use of lethal force in the Thunderbolts. I almost killed Tyrian with a gun, but Mockingbird stopped me." She thought about her arch-enemy. Emily would be happy never to see him again.

Hm. I'd advise you to avoid it at all costs, at least in a situation where emotion is a factor. The people I killed were horrible people...all murderous and evil. But when I killed them, I had a choice and gave in to my desire to make them pay for what they did to me and some people I loved. It felt good at the time, but they haunt me still.

Kinda felt too easy killing those simulations back there. Not easy in the sense that they were unchallenging--gods they were! But the snapping of their necks and the like...that just came too naturally for me.

I need your help to learn some of your nonlethal measures. Maybe you can teach me how to use a bow and arrow and to stock nonlethal ones like the boxing glove arrow. Maybe you can help me with my marksmanship on stun guns, also. My sword...just isn't good for nonlethal combat.

Gods...I miss my powers and how useless I feel sometimes without them...

"There was a man in my universe called The Punisher. He had no super-powers, only guns and the willingness to kill. His war was without end and I don't think he died satisfied," Red Arrow said. "However, he managed to fight a god-like being called The Sentry and won. Us street-levelers have to rely on our brains as much as our powers. But you know, I think at the end of the day we are just as good if not better than cosmic heroes. We see alot more human suffering than they do, and in return we personally help more lives. The woman in Manhattan doesn't about epic battles with aliens, but she will remember that you saved her life."

'Woman in Manhattan'? You mean the one in the simulation that we didn't get around to rescuing? Yeah, I guess.

That universe you came from sounds pretty interesting, actually.

Red Arrow asked, "Does New York exist in this universe?" It was a subject she could no longer avoid. The city was such a part of her identity, you could even say it was a main character in her life.

Yes, Arrow, it does...sort of. North America is pretty much one big city called "Metropolis" these days. Centuries ago, there were separate cities called New York and Metropolis. Now, everything's Metropolis there. But the area that was New York still retains some of it's old flavor as i understand it.

Red Arrow was surprised. How could most of North America be a city? Don't they need farms? She now had to ask this question. "What is Colorado like? Are there still mountains, drug cartels, and weird cults?"

I dunno, Emily. I'm not actually from Earth. I'm from a small colony called GusCrek. The LMB was originally based in Metropolis before we ultimately moved here, but I never fully explored it. I think, however, most of the farming is done in special biodomes and not so much on farmlands. Earth also imports a lot of food from offworld. You can look all this stuff in the Office databanks if you'd like.

By the way, are you from the 31st century on your Earth or from the 21st? I'm a little unclear on that, and you seem to have a lot of affinity for that era.

Red Arrow answers, "I was born in 2010...the year I came from is 2029. Marvel Girl went through my mind and discovered I was born in October."

Ah...I'm surprised you've adapted so well to our futuristic setting. Unless technology has advanced considerably quicker in your universe?

Red Arrow didn't know how to explain her world. She answered, "Technology is advanced for the very few. My adoptive family has a business called OsCorp so we have access alot of things most people don't. I'm a Thunderbolt, so I have been to other planets before. Everything here reminds me of the Kree Empire."

Sounds like this kinda tech wasn't exactly commonplace on Earth of your era and universe at least. I imagine Earth hadn;t colonized other planets or had artificial worlds like ours in its vicinity?

Unfortunately, we're somewhat at odds with Earth right now. It's ruled by powerful and unscrupulous corporations these days. That's why we relocated after having been based there for several years. Let's just say they're not much for freedom of speech and expression over there anymore. It's their way or the highway.

They've withdrawn from the United Planets. Heck, even most of Earth's colonies have disavowed Earth at this point.

Red Arrow replied, "There is a place called the Blue Area of the Moon. It's where the Kree-Skrull War began, and where a young woman sacrificed herself to save the universe. After that event, a sub-race of humans called The Inhumans moved their city there from the Himalayas. However, they later moved to Kree-Lar and took over the Kree Empire. They are doing very well at the moment."

Interesting. In any case it looks like our earth's histories are pretty wildly different! Our databanks show no record of Kree or Skrull races. From what you've said, I'm guessing there were no Metropolis or Gotham City in your world?

<Omnicom beeps>

Oh! That might be the results from the material we took from the Danger Room controls...

<reads>

Hm. My DNA and yours....and a third that's a hybrid of two unknown races. Shit! This may be your shape-shifter!

Red Arrow asked, "Should we investigate on our own or do you want to call in more troops?" She knew that Nrrev would be dangerous, but there were so many variables she could not anticipate.