Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Mission Monitor Board Cobalt's Office of Security - the 80's Power Years

LOL! Yes, that is all the more proof that you are the real Ranger. Only you would realize that too.

No Vee, while you may be satisfied my friend there are still too many unanswered questions...

But still... Thank You for believing in me.


Truth and Justice shall Prevail!
(I need to see matlock, only he has the skills to unravel this)

Ummm, if no one's going to use that replica GDT,

I have a friend..

ymmm

nevermind.

So the Great Space Ranger is here!

How convienient... For Cobalt Kid anyway...

Yes the real Space Ranger is back. But the real question remains...how? That's what we need an answer to most.

I suspect that there are a group of people here who already know the answer to that question.

They seek to manipulate this to their advantage.

Think about it... Legion World's Greatest Hero Returns and is promptly thrown in jail... by his niece!

Who also happens to be the Assistant Chief of Security. His brother, one of two titular "Security Chiefs" does nothing to reign in his out of control granddaughter and Cobalt Kid who is supposedly the Ranger's "Best Friend" maintains a hands off policy throughout.

Seriously who's kidding who?

This whole mess just flat out stinks!

Couldn't we just make up something that sounds good and then go to Cramer's for coffee?

It worked for Lard Lad....

And here I thought it was ostriches that stuck their heads into the sand, not... Dung Beetles.

Yes but remember, liquids always distract Lard Lad.

Fine, have it your way. We'll go the angst-ridden route.

May as well start now: Has anybody tried to get a cell sample? Has SR been subjected to any medical or scientific exams whatsoever? Have the areas he's been seen in been scanned for any traces of radiation, harmless, harmful, chronal, or whatever? Have the people who have been near him been scanned for the same? Have we contacted our magical people?

Anybody? Bueller? Mr. Dung Beetle in the back there?

Yes.

Yes
YES.

I've done all those tests. And I've seen the results and retested, and retested. Compared them to the old tests we put Space Ranger through when we reinstated him after the Alt ID Rebellion fiasco (aside--yay Ranger!).

And its clear. This is the real Space Ranger.

...he's back. He's really back

I don't know how, but the tests all piont to it. Even the magic-users and telepaths do. We can call in STU and Crujectra or Saturn Girl if we need to, and we might as well, but the results are clear.

<turns to Space Ranger>

Welcome home, Ranger. Time to find out where you've been, and what happened to you. But first...

<puts hand into cell outstretched>

[teary-eyed]Welcome home, old hero. We've missed you.[/teary-eyed].

If he's passed all those tests, LET HIM OUT, Lolita!!

<timidly takes a step back, then gets angry>

Don't yell at me. I mean it.

I can let him out, sure. I have the codes. But I'm not authorized to do so, so I won't. The Security Office has to do that. Besides, the Ranger could tear this cell in half with a yawn if he wants.

I've always been very clear who I work for. And that comes before the Security Offfice.

Whatever it is you're hoping for here, LardLad, I don't think you'll find it. You never knew Space Ranger. And neither did Gary Concord.

Look...I have nothing to gain from this...quite the opposite, probably. But having been subjected to this treatment when I came back, particularly after I fingered your boss for his culpability in some high crimes, I won't stand for another of Legion World's heroes to be locked up like this!

Let him out, Lolita--on my authority as a reinstated Security Officer!

...

...

No.

Let him out yourself then. I want to see you take action here. I want the consequences on you. From here on out, I want all consequences on you. Because then whatever you're saying will start making sense to me.

Fine.

I don't have the codes. Tell me, and I will let him out. And I won't use my powers to do it.

I will. But first, tell me what is going on with Gary Concord. But think first before you answer. I see the patterns, when many do not. That's my job.

Something else else terrible is happening, and its coming to Legion World. And Gary Concord and you need to refocus your attention on these more important matters.

<turns to Space Ranger>

We're going to need you too. We're going to need everyone.

You know what's going on, Lolita. I've talked to you extensively about it! We're trying to get your boss to answer for what he's done--that's all! I think I can speak for me and Gary in saying that we have no other agenda!!!

<gestures toward Ranger, who observes all this stoically and silently>

But you and your master are NOT gonna distract us with vague tidings of DOOM!

So either you give me something a LOT less vague or you gimme the damn codes!

LardLad, I can't give you the codes. I can only give them to Everyday Girl. Either you have to break him out or he has to break himself out.

<pauses>

Tell me about the Computer Tyrant, LardLad. What do you think happened to him? After all, wasn't he with you at the very end?

Or do you not remember?

You know, as much as it punctures my spleen to admit this, Lardy has a point.

About the vagueness thing, anyway.

As for Space Ranger, maybe we ought to let him decide if he's spent enough time here.

I wish I could be less vague, but I scarcely understand it myself. Cobalt Kid seems to planning for something, even if I'm unsure what it is. And whenever Eryk Davis Ester goes missing, that's never good for Legion World.

And earlier today it was reported that Lash Lad was firebombed when attempting to return to Legion World.

You must both sees the signs too? I can't be the only one.

...Or maybe I am? Either way, I agree, the Ranger can decide for himself.

<looks at Ranger>

Well?

<responding to Lolita's earlier question about his death, Lardy grabs his forehead, closes his eyes...>

There's still a gap in my memories, a large gap from just before the incident that Mordra stole my powers disguised as Hummer Lass...until my death.

I--I remember my last moments very well, though. I remember defeating the Tyrant, feeling its death throes...and then igniting the master powersphere. I remember reaching a window where I could safely 'port out. And then--

<tears well>

--Cobalt's voice in my head TAUNTING ME! He told me he wanted me dead...and then my powers started fading. I couldn't 'port out!

Then, I was burning--it hurt so bad! Should've been quick, but I burned and burned forever--all the while, my...my best friend's laughter ringing in my ears!

Then, finally...mercifully...nothing. Oh...oh God.....

<falls to his knees, overcome with emotion>

I'm going to assume that's not a slang term for "wasted". Is he OK?


You've got to remember: I haven't been in these parts for awhile. I'm a bit out of touch. And neither Lardy nor Concord can get out of their interior monologues long enough to take a peek, let alone get the picture.

You're gonna have to fill us in.

No. It doesn't add up.

<to Miner>

Lash is okay, but he's having trouble reaching Legion World officially now. And I know you haven't been around, but its good to have you back. We need you. Things have been quiet for some time, with small signs here and there for months. While Gary Concord and LardLad plot Cobalt's demise, Cobalt has resigned from the Security Office. He spends his time in the streets of Legion World with lurkers and Alt IDs in some counter-culture. Mayavale and Eryk Davis Ester have joined him.

Yet throughout the United Planets, an economic slowdown has occurred with a possible depression on the way. The UP is focused on the war with the Khanate of Sol Invictus, hardly giving much thought to other matters.

Telepaths across the UP are experiencing odd nightmares, often claiming they've been harrassed by "evil in its purest form", often claiming they only awake when all they see is darkness.

I know it sounds like it makes little sense. But c'mon Miner, you know as well as I that nothing ever makes sense around here. You need to see the signs--the ones that appear to be insanely obscure and unimportant and usually mean the most.

<turns to Ranger>

We'll need you now.

<exits>

Hey! Having a moment here!

<shrugs, wipes eyes, stands up>

<to Ranger and Miner> Look, Gary and I are not seeking Cobalt's literal "demise". But we are seeking the demise of the carte blanche he gets. The facts are that he caused my death and was in command of, and ultimately responsible for, an army that massacred Slim's world! And he's gotten not so much as a reprimand!

He's outta control, and no one else seems to @#$%-ing CARE!!! This "impending crisis" is nothing but a SMOKE-SCREEN!