Legion World Forums LEGION OUTPOST Bits o' Legionnaire Business Re: Legion Worlds Seven (finished 27 July 21)

This is part seven, set in the retro-boot, and a lot has happened since it started. The team has greatly expanded and have several planetoid bases.


The Academy's planetoid is situated 2 light minutes galactic north of Saturn's northern pole and is called HOME BASE. They have an average of 300 students at one time, of which 250 or so are meta-staff from the Science Police or UP militia on three-month long secondments. The tutors include former Legionnaires.

Tutors:

Triplicate Girl - Luornu Durgo of Carggg, able to split into three identical duplicates (part of Duplicate Girl)
Cosmic Boy - Rokk Krinn of Braal, manipulation of magnetic fields
Night Girl - Lydda Jath of Kathoon, incredible strength and durability out of direct sunlight
Colossal Boy - Gim Allon of Earth, increase personal size and mass at will
Wildfire - Drake Burroughs of Earth, composed of sapient anti-energy, extreme strength, speed, durability, space flight, anti-energy blasts
Invisible Kid - Jacques Foccart of Earth, invisibility
Chameleon Girl - Yera Allon of Durla, shape changer
Shadow Lass - Tasmia Mallor of Talok viii, summon and manipulate total darkness

Science Police training staff:

Jumping Jack - Science Police Senior Training Officer Jaxi Delgrado-Hynd of Morshesh 5, hyper-awareness, reflexes and agility
Ms Big - Science Police Officer Erikka Chowdrey of Venus, increase her own muscle mass at will, combat specialist
Brain Girl - Science Police Officer Ella Drottmi of Titan, telepathy and telekinesis
Dream Boy - Pre-Commando Sergeant Rol Purtha of Naltor, precognition
Tues El - Science Police Officer Vae Loct of Daxam, incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability.

Support Staff on LWHB:

I.Z.O.R. - Gear ii - infrastructure manager - nannite collective being, technomorph
Henry - Anti Lad - Spatial warp controller
Numbers Guy - M?Rissey of Earth, super-efficient business management skills
Dr Boom - senior physician and United Planets Government envoy - Danii Schwartz-Geltt of Myar, physician and alchemist


.........................................


Phantom Girl and her junior deputy leader Thunder have taken half of the team out into the United Planets in the former Tyrazzian battle planet they call FIRST BASE.

Their remit is to actively defend the United Planets, so this part of the team stays very much within the UP's sphere of influence and generally have high profile missions. As the team suffered badly as a result of the negative media manipulation by Psyche from the Dark Circle ruled alternate reality, they often invite journalists to report on missions from this base.

Legion World First Base (previously LW2):

Phantom Girl - Team Leader, Tinya Wazzo of Bgtzl Dimension, intangibility
Thunder - Deputy Leader, Cecelia Becks of 21st Century Earth, immense strength, speed, indestructibility, space flight, wisdom
Chameleon Boy - Espionage Squad leader, Reep Daggle of Durla, shape changer
Sun Boy - Senior Team member, Dirk Morgna of Earth, generation of intense light and heat
Lightning Lass - Senior Team member, Ayla Ranzz of Winath, electrical generation and manipulation
Tellus - Ganglios of Hykraius, telepathy and telekinesis
Comet Queen - Grava of Extal colony, spaceflight, comet gas extrusion
Chemical Kid - Hadru Jamik of Phlon, catalyzes chemical reactions
XS - Jenni Ognats of an alternate dimension Aarok, phenomenal speed
Otaki - Bina Nawoti of Earth, mindsense
Kid Quantum - Jazmin Cullen of Xanthu, creation of temporal quantum bubbles, flight
Ferro - Douglas Nolan of Earth, can assume invulnerable iron isotope form
Dragonmage - Xao Jin of Earth, dragon magics
Kinetix - Zoe Saugin of Aleph, telekinetic animation
M'Windaji - Gahaji of Kiringyaga, super tracker, carries the Ruby of Life allowing tactile transformative magic
Backlash - Mrruaw M'Nau of Simballi, enhanced strength, speed, senses, absorbs kinetic energy to boost own size and mass
Comet King - Drinchnar Lamment of Extal colony, spaceflight, comet gas extrusion
Atom Girl - Sylva Nrilsan of Imsk, can shrink to microscopic size

Newly promoted from Academy student to full membership (Mentor in brackets):

Ultra Girl - Li-Fahn Qiong of Xanthu - incredible strength, speed, indestructibility, spaceflight, and projection of force blasts, effectively limited to one at a time (Thunder)
Polar Girl - Mel Lassar of Tharr - cryokinesis (Lightning Lass)
Friction - Janee Whittakka of Xanthu - manipulates the force of friction (Sun Boy)
Spoiler ii - Gord Eno of Naltor, precognition, specialising in short range visions for combat situations (Chameleon Boy)

Science Police meta-squad seconded to Legion World First Base:

Captain Heavyweight - Science Police Captain Tuk Shir of Daxam, Senior Team liaison, incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability
Replicator - Science Police Officer Tarev Jusool of Talok viii, can mimic meta-abilities of those nearby for limited periods of time
Gravity Kid - Science Police Officer Tel Vole of Earth, manipulation of personal or nearby gravity
Power Boy - Science Police Officer Jedidiah Rikane of Earth, personal density control

Other seconded members currently based on Legion World First Base:

Gazelle - J'izl Dtutuu from the Khundian Battle Brigade, of Khundia Prime, enhanced strength, speed, agility and metabolic control
Cosmic Kid - Po Miman, Justice Legionnaire of alternate dimension Mars, energy manipulation and flight

Support Staff on Legion World First Base:

Dr Richard Kent Shakespeare -Impulse - Chief medical officer - enhanced strength, speed, durability, stamina
I.Z.O.R. - Gear iii - infrastructure manager - nannite collective being, technomorph
Danielle Foccart - Kid Computo - Technical support - technopathic communication and control over advanced technology
Drura Sehpt - Infectious Lass - medical officer - containment and control over bacteria and viruses
Henry - Anti Lad - Spatial warp controller
Ming Sul - Amp Girl - investigative officer, hyper-enhancement of her own sensory capacities
Silver Shaman - Shardwurd Gandussen of the Ten Peaks from Avalon - biokinetic healing
Science Police Psychiatrist - Doctor Anje Falkner, alpha-level telepath
Flaurianarelle of Zerox - Greensleeves - magical manipulation of plant life
Theena Greglenn of Silgor Marregorraus - Network - Communications officer, hyperpathic communication through symbiote

.............................................


Tyroc has taken the remaining team members with him onto SECOND BASE, another battle planet won from the Tyrazzian warmongers. Their remit is a bit looser than the team on First Base in that they do not necessarily have such high-profile missions and they are not fixed within the United Planets.

They rarely invite journalists onto their missions.

Legion World Second Base team:

Tyroc - Deputy Leader - Troy Stewart of Marzal city pocket dimension, sonic control
Duplicate Girl - Senior Team member, Luornu Durgo of Carggg, creation of multiple identical duplicates of herself
Mon El - Senior Team member, Lar Gand of Daxam, incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability
Element Lad - Senior Team member, Jan Arrah of Trom, elemental transmutation
Dawnstar of Starhaven - Senior Team member, space flight, incredible speed, tracking
Timber Wolf - Brin Londo of Zuun, enhanced strength, speed, agility, reflexes and senses
Dragonwing - Marya Pai of Earth, breathes dragon fire and acid
Glorith of Zerox - manipulation of magical energies
Shield - Laurel Kent of Earth, physical invulnerability, tactile psychometry
Monica Sade of Rimbor - strength, reflexes, line of sight teleportation
Lexikon - Princess Daheenisha of Tamaran iv, enhanced speed, strength, durability, flight, omni-linguist
Titan - Nasir N'Cube of Titan, alpha-level telepathy
The Huntress - Ambassador Amynta of Nostos ii, incredible strength, speed, invulnerability, space flight
Karate Kid iii - Mithindrivithis Ngandraffa of Lythyl, strength, reflexes, mimetic motor learning giving incredible combat skills
Thirteen - Dann Hortra of Naltor, line of sight probability manipulation
Babbage- I-45ENG/Nth Series, of the Robotica Confederated Worlds, strength and durability, internalised weapons, hyper awareness and analytical skills.
Sister Eclipse - of Rhoohanisett iii, durability, heightened senses, physical possession of any living being.
Starkling - telepathic swarm-being composed of indestructible ball bearing sized components
Retro - Deen Toro of Ventura, limited reversal of personal timeline
Spy (also team counsellor) - Dr Noah Kabbo, heightened awareness and limited telepathy

Newly promoted from Academy student to full membership (Mentor in brackets):

Bouncing Boy ii - Stoor Chamble of Pasnic, creation of personal spherical force field (Tyroc)
Southern Lights of Starhaven - spaceflight, magic user (Mon El)
Atomsmasher - Ergus Wraithcat of Betelgeuse, spaceflight, durability, hyper senses, telepathy, radiation manipulation (Dawnstar)
Kid Pulsar - Neel Koduah of Earth, incredible strength, invulnerability, projection of explosive blasts (Duplicate Girl)

Science Police meta-squad seconded to Legion World Second Base:

Captain Phantom - Senior Team liaison, Science Police Captain Gryal Vrizza of Bgztl Dimension, intangibility
Power Lass - Science Police Officer Nel Duwi of Daxam, incredible strength, speed, stamina, senses, laser vision, space flight, invulnerability
Magno - Science Police Officer Dyrk Magz of Braal, manipulation of magnetic fields
Changer - Science Police Investigative Officer Urill Yagthal of Durla, shape changer

Other seconded members currently based on Legion World Second Base:

Green Lantern - Dkyun Mu of Xudar, wearer of a Green Lantern power ring

Support Staff on Legion World Second Base:

I.Z.O.R. - Gear iii - infrastructure manager - nannite collective being, technomorph
Henry - Anti Lad - Spatial warp controller
Hethuk Bran Drommsi - Smith from the Green Rift Forge of Talok viii, weapon maker and engineer
Dr Shoodixi Singh - Science police medical officer, bio-empathic

Laipas - hunting dog from Nostos ii, enchanted to never lose a trail, fast and tough

....................................


The most successful students from Home Base are offered an internship that allows them special privileges including joining the team on selected missions, with potential to join the team as full Legionnaires once their internship is successfully completed. Currently there are 14 interns:

Tectonik - Hardal of Granite Falls from Mondriak iv - geokinesis Solar Gorilla - D'Nadka Endarooga of Dmansca - generate and project extreme heat and light
Dragon Lass - Mari Baertling of Rimbor - enhanced strength, durability, echolocation and flight
Strobe - Denal Lort of Dryad - assume electro-magnetic energy form
Non - negative energy being - spaceflight, alter own dimensions and density, explosive touch, limited telepathy
Tesseract - Sar Jerash Mor Toark of Mars, access to intra-dimensional space
Impact - Dillon Blackstream of Myar, incredible strength, speed, durability, stamina, motion sense
Orion - Science Police Cadet Tw'gg of H'lven, tracking skills and awareness of flaws or weaknesses
Poltergeist -Jaun Vineo of Titan, alpha-level telekinesis
Mosaic - Science Police Officer Rish'ha Nor of Lallor, tactile mimicry of material properties
Triple Nova - Elthur Mundo of Carggg, split into three seperate bodies, each with either strength and durability, speed and reflexes, or laser vision
Mindbender - Marmud Illic of Titan, alpha-level telepath

Booster - Solstin Wang of Earth - medical support - awareness and manipulation of physical properties of those around him
Glory - Gloriana Crestellen of Grighshtall iv - medical support - read and manipulate L- and T-auras



....................................

Legionnaire on secondment to the Khund Battle Brigade:

Gates - Ti'Julk Mr'Asz of an alternate dimension Vyrga, creation of spatial warps

Academy Student currently within the Khundian Empire:

Inferno - Sandy Anderson of Earth, fire generation and manipulation


On long term leave:

Brainiac 5 (Personal leave) - Senior Team member, Legion Worlds Operational Manager and chief scientist - Professor Querl Dox of Colu, 12th level intelligence
Star Boy (Parental leave) - Thomas Kallor of Xanthu, induce mass
Dream Girl (Parental leave) - Nura Nal of Naltor, precognition
Matter-Eater Lad (Medical leave) - Senator Tenzil Kem of Bismoll, mega-omnivorous consumption
Harmonia (Personal leave) - Professor Harmonia Li of Earth, manipulation of the natural environment
Loutrahim Mango (Personal leave) - 'Death Boy' - Professor Li?s laboratory assistant, exemplary biochemist, sweat activated neuro-toxic palm secretions


Other affiliated teams:

Weber's World ambassadorial team:

Quislet - . of Teall dimension - able to animate inorganic matter though this causes the matters destruction
I.Z.O.R. - Gear i, Chief Maitre D', nannite collective being, technomorph
Oodoo Shanair of Lallor - empath
Sentinel of the Khund Battle Brigade - strength, durability, manipulation of magnetic fields
Princess Shooradel of Tamaran iv - enhanced speed, strength, durability, flight, omni-linguist
Proty iii of Antares - shape changer, limited telepathy

The League of Super-Heroes (former Academy Students):

Kid Dynamo - Ja Vlo of Dryad - incredible strength and invulnerability
Ballistix - Crishtrakrek 714 of Zuun - synthezoid with great strength, speed, durability, stamina and spaceflight
Magno Lass - Josi Rista of Braal - Magnokinesis
Kid Nimbus - Kendall Mekensy-Wolff the Fifth of Dryad - assume gaseous form
Flipside - Drannananna Otticolli of Grathvarth V - fast, agile, manipulate personal gravity orientation
Slingshot - Prince Alfon Gundrix Maunheesta of the Grindlaw Colonies of System Mondarsh - hyper-charge kinetic potential of objects by touch


................................

Gadgets and paraphernalia:

Flight Rings: as well as giving their wearer the power of flight the rings are choc-full of useful functions. Their apps include an eco-protect setting that automatically protects the wearer in hostile environments, they create a link to the artificial telepathic grid between fellow Legionnaires and their bases, a loud hailer, an alarm function that automatically broadcasts to the Bases if a Legionnaire is injured including sending appropriate medical data, a scanner, access to the Legion's AI database and calling up hard light holo's to display requested data.

The belt buckle includes a Distorter that projects a life-like holo around the wearer to disguise them, and can give a 'stealth' effect that, while is far from invisibility, at least helps blend the wearer into their surroundings. The belt buckles also have a spotlight setting that projects a beam of light.

Incapacity Cuffs are standard kit for all Legionnaires. These are small tubes (think lipstick) that when flicked release a chord that adheres to whomever they touch and analyse their bio-signature before releasing an appropriate anaesthetic to knock them out. Virtually all Legionnaires carry a supply in pouches on their belt.

Phantom Girl - Team Leader, Tinya Wazzo of Bgtzl Dimension, intangibility
Sun Boy - Senior Team member, Dirk Morgna of Earth, generation of intense light and heat
I.Z.O.R. - Gear iii - infrastructure manager - nannite collective being, technomorph


Tinya and Dirk had coincidentally both been in the upper gymnasium on First Base when Gear appeared before the team leader.

The Linsnarian had translated the final data stream from the Tyrazzian battle world Tinya had been considering for the teams next big mission. The report also included a rough description of the other remaining planetoids that the alien warmongers were using as they pirated their way across the Milky Way. The Linsnarian thought that Tinya might be interested in this so had regrouped his nannites in the gym and extended his consciousness into this new body to share the news. Dirk had overheard and joined in."They'll be expecting us Tinya, you know that." Dirk said. He wiped a hand through his sweaty hair as he spoke.

"Yup, so why let them down? We have two of their worlds now to call our own. We can use them... and you know the team are ready to take on another. The students have all turned out fine so we can rely on them, Lu and Rokk are reporting amazing results from the Academy... I think you're being too cautious Dirk." Tinya's voice trailed off at the end of her sentence and she considered her colleague. They had never been particularly close and there were definitely things about his character that she didn't approve of but for all that Dirk Morgna was an intelligent and loyal Legionnaire whose opinion on matters to do with the team she fully respected.

"Tinya, we took two in quick succession as we had the element of surprise and a lot of luck... we don't have the staff to man them both fully though. Let's be realistic, it'll take us years to get enough staff for that. Do you think we should hand it over to the SPs... they'd loved us for it. What if..."

"What if? You know I can ask that sort of questions too Dirk. What if the Fatal Five reform and Validus stands on us? Splat!" She smiled cheekily as she asked the rhetorical question in reply.

Dirk smiled back."Fair point Tinya. I just think we shouldn't overstretch ourselves too quickly. We've a lot of new members and new bases and all... I'd rather we focused on getting ourselves fighting fit and organized before trying our luck against a planet full of warmongers. You do understand that, don't you?"

"Yeah, of course and I also agree in principle, it's just... I dunno Dirk, something inside me says we need to get there while the Crzzhaxxl's in its cave... oh, sorry, Bgltz saying... it means get it done while the opportunity is there in front of you."

"Ah, yeah, I figured. Flex while the magnetosphere is expanding." Dirk agreed, using the solar engineering phrase his father would say at times like these. "You're the boss Tinya, I'll follow whatever you decide to do, you know that." He grinned once more before giving her a mock salute and flying up to the upper mezzanine running track.

Tinya watched him for a couple of seconds before turning to Gear."Can you send the high-level findings from our target as well as the locations of the other Tyrazzian battle worlds through to my personal quarters please Izor? I'll look at them later. Thanks for your assistance, I'm really grateful for it."

Chameleon Boy - Espionage Squad leader, Reep Daggle of Durla, shape changer


Chameleon Boy did not have a good feeling as he read through the hard-light file before him.

Sa Lok had set up a seriously sophisticated gene-mod operation with six outlets that specialised in manipulation of meta-abilities. From the records in front of him Reep reckoned there had already been easily several thousand beneficiaries of the treatment from each.

While most of the meta-gene mods were minor - a weakened level of Titanian's telepathic abilities or enhanced strength being amongst the most common - there was also a side-line in more experimental operations that worried him that used mixed DNA grafts from some rather unique beings.

He had scanned the lists of clients and quickly came upon the six students and former students from Dryad, one of whom was currently an intern. There were a few more of Home Base's students listed, though he was glad to note not many... if word got out about this it could be troublesome.

It was three hours later after he had thoroughly checked the clients listed and the matched them to UP records that he contacted Tinya. If even half of his suppositions were correct, they needed to take action quickly.

This was going to get messy; he could feel it.

Amongst this lists he had discovered twelve senior asset brokers from a major interplanetary arms dealership with added telepathic awareness, a planetary senator with a sudden pheromone producing ability, eighteen famous athletes from major league sports with a range of enhancements and a large number of UP soldiers who it seemed spent their wages on becoming the meta-elite. These were all worrying, though the data that caught Reep's attention was the hundred or so people for whom he could find no historic record on any legitimate UP database. Worryingly, when he cross-referenced these names against Sa Lok's files, he established that forty four of these were on the former Under Secretary's payroll. It appeared that Sa Lok had created his own meta-army!

Chameleon Boy knew that with some further digging he would find even more to be worried about, but for now there was enough in the files to take to the Senior Team to discuss.

He knew that gene-modifications were not technically illegal, but he also felt the team needed to shut down these shady operators quickly. There were too many people out there with unknowable agendas and access to incredible powers for the team to turn a blind eye to this issue any longer.

Reep hoped the Senior Team would back him up when he took action.

Lightning Lass - Senior Team member, Ayla Ranzz of Winath, electrical generation and manipulation
Kid Quantum - Jazmin Cullen of Xanthu, creation of temporal quantum bubbles, flight
Dragonmage - Xao Jin of Earth, dragon magics
Backlash - Mrruaw M?Nau of Simballi, enhanced strength, speed, senses, absorbs kinetic energy to boost own size and mass
Polar Girl - Mel Lassar of Tharr - cryokinesis

Replicator - Science Police Officer Tarev Jusool of Talok viii, can mimic meta-abilities of those nearby for limited periods of time

Intern:
Orion - Science Police Officer Tw'gg of H'lven, tracking skills and awareness of flaws or weaknesses


Ayla had decided before they had even started that their Hit Squad missions would prove successful.

Her optimism was infectious as the whole team seemed pumped and eager to go. With a seasoned reporter in tow, they stepped through a warp to Ventura and their first case.

The kidnapping of the child of a local politician had made the news and a reward was offered but with Orion on the team it was fairly straight forward to find her and the estranged mother that had taken her daughter. The angry mother said some fairly uncomplimentary things about the team as she was led away, and the crying girl was reunited with her obviously relieved father. Polar Girl cheekily waved to the SP aircar as it took the kidnapper off. With the reporter pointing his eye-spy's towards both the Legionnaires and the reunited father and child Ayla asked if the reward money could go to a local orphan's charity. Of course, the answer was an emphatic 'yes', and with that bit of happy news in the can they stepped through another warp.

Their next case involved a bank heist that had just been reported on a satellite outpost of Nurus Iopitus Prime. There where half a dozen hostage at the scene but as Henry had warped the team into the middle of the gang Kid Quantum had frozen them and, remembering to take the reporters hand so he would not be affected by the stasis field she had created, she then simply slipped incapacity cuffs onto the armed gang members before dropping her quantum bubble. It really had been that easy. The team stayed for five more minutes to make sure the staff and clients in the bank were okay then stepped through another warp.

This time they arrived in a mega-dome on Frentoni Six. Orion noted that his fellow student Granite Girl was from this world. He told the team that she had always described it as rather unexciting but that wasn't what the Legionnaires found as they stepped through the warp. The news feed had said there was trouble reported with the structural integrity of the dome that covered the city-state and imminent loss of life was expected leading to panicking being widespread. The Legionnaires stepped through the warp into a broad well-lit avenue. Around them residents were indeed panicking - there was little order as the crowds pushed and screamed, in fact, pandemonium would have been a far more accurate description.

<Dragonmage, take Kid Quantum and Orion, find the problem with the dome. The rest with me, we need to get the folks here safe>

Although the reporter wasn't party to the telepathic link between the team, he sent one of his eye-spy drone cameras to follow them as soon as they took to the air.

They could see the dome above them was made from semi-transparent hexagon blocks but weren't aware of just how huge it was until the cleared the buildings. The edges of the dome were at least several klicks in each direction from them. Orion zipped in front of the two Legionnaires, expanding his senses to become aware of any weak points in the large dome above them. For several long seconds the intern from H'Lven strained to find the problem.

<There's nothing wrong with the dome... totally sound and steady!> He sent to the two Legionnaires.

<You sure? That's weird...> Xao replied.

<So, who originally said the sky was falling? And, what's in it for them? Y'know what, I bet creating this sort of confusion is a great way to cover for some real sneaky actions> Jazmin added.

<Okay, can you track the person responsible?> Xao asked the intern.

<Not how my skills work, sorry. You'd prob'ly need M'Windaji for that...> there was a sense of embarrassment as Tw'gg replied.

<Not to worry, you've given us the first piece to this puzzle already... let's get back to Ayla and see where we're at>

Frentoni Six

Lightning Lass - Senior Team member, Ayla Ranzz of Winath, electrical generation and manipulation
Backlash - Mrruaw M'Nau of Simballi, enhanced strength, speed, senses, absorbs kinetic energy to boost own size and mass
Polar Girl - Mel Lassar of Tharr - cryokinesis

Replicator - Science Police Officer Tarev Jusool of Talok viii, can mimic meta-abilities of those nearby for limited periods of time


Ayla floated above the crowd and, using the loudhailer app from her flight ring, announced that the Legion had arrived so they should settle down and return to their homes until instructed differently. The crowd didn't listen, and across the concourse a large group appeared to be brawling.

<folks, we need to split up a bit to get this under control, they're too spread out...M'rruaw, stay with Mel and call if you need me. Tarev, with me> With that Lightning Lass and SPO Jusool flew across the broad concourse towards a large crowd that appeared to be rioting.

With a couple of carefully placed electric bolts zipping between rioters Ayla dispersed the raucous crowd though the general level of aggression and fear on display remained incredibly high. The sheer amount of people meant there were skirmish fights and small brawls erupting as quickly as the Legionnaire and SPO could stop them.

"They are not in control of themselves." Backlash said out loud to no-one in particular.

"No... so, what's causing them to panic? What would scare them all, and... Why aren't we scared too? ...our training perhaps?" Polar Girl replied as she checked for any major situations in the frantic crowd around them that might need the Legionnaire's intervention.

"Our flight rings give us some protection..." Backlash mused, his deep voice was felt as much as heard.

"Eco-protect! Ah 'Lashy, you might be right. It must be in the air... Whatever's going on is caused by something in the air."

<Ayla!> the junior Legionnaire sent across the artificial telepathic grid <Backlash's figured it out - there's something in the air causing them to act like this... We need to check their atmospheric filtration plant>

<Good job you two. That makes sense, can you get to the air plant? We'll send Xao, Jaz and the intern after you if you need a hand>

Polar Girl had a momentary pause as she realised her mentor was sending her on a mini-mission without being there to guide her. Mel Lassar had a burst of pride at the knowledge that Lightning lass must think she had proven herself to be truly capable as a Legionnaire.

<Of course, we'll get right on it, thanks Ayla> And with that Polar Girl and Backlash took to the air.

Mel Lassar checked a map of the settlement on a hard-light screen that sprung from her flight ring. The actual atmospheric filtration system ran through the struts that supported the dome above them though the control mechanism was stationed in a huge, bleak looking ferro-concrete building on the edge of an industrial estate nudged up against the protective dome. As the two Legionnaires approached the building, they could see no signs of a forced entrance, or in fact of anything much. The air-pad was half empty and there appeared to be no-one around.

<can you pick up any scents 'Lashy?> the junior Legionnaire asked. She was scanning the surroundings with her flight ring and examining the hard light read-out as the Tigerram strolled around the empty lot.

The pair cautiously made their way into the stark building, Backlash insisting he led the way. Polar Girl didn't argue. The entrance led to a large, dimly lit atrium that was empty. There was a huge reception desk with holo-screens behind, but no-one sat there to welcome them. Polar Girl accessed the plants schematics and they decided to make their way to the upper levels and the main filtration control and engineering section. Backlash bounded up a broad staircase with Polar Girl floating close-by. The Legionnaires were halfway up the spiralling stairs when Backlash sent a warning:

<we are not alone, there is a fresh scent and I hear a heartbeat approaching>

<can't see anyone but if they're invisible let me find them> Polar Girl held her hand out and extended a bubble of intense cold around them. The Legion flight ring's eco-protect function kept her colleague from freezing. Almost instantly, ice formed in sharp tendril over the stairs and bannister. Twenty feet up the stairwell icy streaks began to twist around the unseen form of a man. As they did Polar Girl focussed her abilities to encase their opponent in a thick sheet of ice.

<smells like a Khund> Backlash sent as he approached the frozen figure.

<Ayla, team, we just caught us an invisible Khund, so you need to be careful out there in case there's any mo...*OW!*> Polar Girl's telepathic call to the rest of the team was cut off as the icy block that surrounded their opponent exploded sending fist sized chunks of solid ice in all directions, including onto the two Legionnaires. As Polar Girl took her breath Backlash had jumped forward and issued a roar.

The challenge was unmistakeable and the Khund accepted. The Legionnaire pounced on the Khund, using his weight and momentum to knock the cyborg backwards. Polar Girl flew overhead and blasted the Khund, pinning his right shoulder and upper arm to the floor.

<Find the source of the trouble Mel, I shall contain this one> Backlash sent as he placed an enormous paw across the struggling Khund's face.

<Hang on 'Lashy, one mo...> The short Tharrite swooped down and quickly grabbed a set of incapacity cuffs from a pouch on her belt and wrapped them around the Khunds frozen arm rendering him unconscious.

"Thank you. Those cuffs are difficult to work when one has paws." The gentle humour in the great feline's deep voice made his colleague smile. "There were invisible Khunds during Thirteen's try-out test, weren't there? I wonder if this is one of them? Backlash mused.

<Ayla, team, hi...> Polar Girl sent, suddenly remembering that she had been cut off during her last broadcast.

<We're on our way Mel, ETA no more than two minutes> Ayla replied.

<Thanks. We're fine now, just making our way to the control booth> Polar Girl replied.

"Okay 'Lashy, what do you say we try to figure what's going on before the rest of the team get here and steal the glory?" Mel asked.

"Sounds perfect." Backlash replied, already walking ahead of his colleague, the great cat's nose was pressed onto the steps as he searched for fresh scents. His tail was pointed straight up; the tip quivering as he took each step.

"Purrr-fect." Polar Girl replied with a small laugh as they continued up the broad spiralling staircase.

Theena Greglenn of Silgor Marregorraus - Network - Communications officer, hyperpathic communication through symbiote

Dr Richard Kent Shakespeare -Impulse - Chief medical officer - enhanced strength, speed, durability, stamina
Drura Sehpt - Infectious Lass - medical officer - containment and control over bacteria and viruses



Theena felt tired.

The Communications Officer role for the Legion wasn't quite as exciting as she had hoped.

Not that she was complaining really... the first three days had gone quickly as she got to know the bases, and the staff on board of them. Tinya and the senior team had given her a list of tasks and asked her if she was able to create enough work to keep herself busy. Theena had agreed without really thinking about it. The list had looked enough initially, especially the part about getting press releases ready and organising media support for First Base's missions, but in truth within an hour or two she had that all planned out for the next month, barring any emergencies that arose and issuing statements from live missions in real-time.

Theena set about trying to arrange interviews with all active Legionnaires, updating their official profiles for the wider UPNet and generally tidying up any personal data-feeds they might post onto already. As much as she would have enjoyed this, after several hours of trawling through the team's media-feeds she discovered that many months before Querl Dox had set up an AI algorithm to do it that ran in the background constantly.

And, annoyingly for Theena, she had to admit to herself it did a better job than she could have.

At least she managed to use her symbiote's hyper-pathic skills to set up links between the team's flight rings and hers that would let her know immediately when any alerts broke so she could manage any media fall-out as it happened. As her third full day on First Base came to an end Theena was grateful that at least this one task had been completed. She knew that the next day she was rostered to cover the Monitor Board so, she hoped, it would go better than this day had.

"Knock knock!" Theena was startled and turned away from the data-feed before her. Stood in the doorway Dr Shakespeare and Drura Sehpt were watching her, both had big grins on their faces.

"Shardwurd is watching the med-bay so we thought you might like a proper tour - what rec rooms are busy and which are quiet, the lowert deck gymnasia where you won't be shamed by show offs......" Kent began to say.

"...Where all the bathrooms are. There are so-o-o many!" Drura interjected with a smile.

The tour was informative though First Base was huge and they had only covered perhaps a third of it when Drura suggested they drop by Shakes for a quick beverage. Theena wasn't quite sure what the medical officer was talking about but agreed, though a little suspicious as she spotted Kent and Drura exchange a quick glance.

Kent allowed Theena to stroll through the swinging double doors first and she was totally suprised at what was waiting for her. At least half the active Legionnaires from both Bases and the tutors from the academy were inside to formally welcome her, and the students that had made internship, into their organisation!

As the evening progressed they were treated to champagne, games, a lot of laughs and story-telling from the majority of those present. Theena made a point of shaking hands with everyone present - in part because her symbiote would use their DNA markers to create strong hyper-pathic connections. Also it felt really good to talk to each of the Legionnaires on a purely personal level after years of seeing them in news-holos or having them as tutors.

Ferro and Titan tried to arrange an arm-wrestling contest but Amynta of Nostos ii put an end to that as she quickly defeated everyone who came near her. Both Douglas Nolan and Nasir N'Cube laughed at how easily the Amazon beat them all though Gazelle was annoyed as she hadn't had the time to set up a betting syndicate on the matches.

It only took an hour or so before the music volume increased and some serious dancing broke out. This included some of the best and worse examples Theena had ever seen. She would remember in future to never get too close to Jed Rikane on a dancefloor, he was a gyrating menace!

Over the next couple of hours teammates came and went and returned again, every one of them genuinely happy to welcome Theena and the interns to their rather exclusive ranks. They mostly all had encouraging words and stories to tell. Phantom Girl tried to offer a toast for the interns but the general raucousness in Shakes meant she had resigned herself to giving it individually to the former students. The team leader really didn't mind, she needed this evening to reaffirm the positives as much as anyone else did.

As the night wound down into the small hours of the following morning Theena realised that she would happily put up with the non-excitement of days like today if it meant occasional evenings like this one in return.

Yay, more Legion Worlds! I will read these later and write something more substantial, but I just wanted to say...I don't know if this is something new or I just had forgotten, but I love that M'Rissey's codename is Numbers Guy

What fun! Some nice action scenes, I really loved Polar Girl and Backlash making a really nice duo. Orion in action is cool too. And Theena as Comms Officer also dealing with media relations is a nice upgrade to her role.

More, more, more!

Ming Sul - Amp Girl - investigative officer, hyper-enhancement of her own sensory capacities

Evolvo - Sev Tcheru of Lallor, manipulation of person evolutionary characteristics


Ming Sul sighed just before she walked through the warp.

Sev Tcheru waited on the other side. As Evolvo, he was the leader of the Lallorian Heroes, a group of government sponsored meta-powered mutants that were long-time allies of the Legion. He had also spent a rather fun night with Ming Sul after Cosmic Boy and Night Girl's wedding several months prior, which she assumed would have led to a relationship - that was what they had discussed and agreed anyway. The Legion's Investigative Officer had tried to contact him a few times after, but he had been "busy", so she had stopped trying.

Then about three weeks ago he had contacted her out of the blue with an apology and had offered to explain why he'd been so distant over dinner. Ming had had a tough day so wasn't in the mood for what she presumed was nothimng more than an attempted Booty Call... so, she said she was busy and cut the holo-comm before he could say another word. He tried over the next few weeks to speak to her half a dozen times after that, but each time Ming declined to talk. She had heard that the Lallorian team had helped with the Talokean refugees but was grateful she hadn't seen any of them on the few occasions she had been helping out.

Yesterday, she had met up with Grava, Laurel Kent and Zoe Saugin for the evening in Shakes as they welcomed the new interns and had finally told them of the situation. Zoe had seen it as good news, the scuzbag had obviously come to his senses and was trying to make up for his earlier rude behaviour. Laurel wasn't so sure; the invulnerable woman told her friend it sounded like he was looking for some sort of a strings-free arrangement. Grava had been the most thoughtful and asked if she had spoken to anyone else about it - wasn't Retro still seeing Gas Girl after that night? Perhaps there really was something else going on... her friends had all booed as Grava had said this and playfully mocked her. The conversation had quickly moved on though Ming kept thinking about what Comet Queen had said... she hadn't realised that Deen was still seeing Tal Nahii so perhaps her colleague would be able to give her some insider information regarding the Lallorian team.

Earlier this morning Ming had holo-ed Deen Toro. She had always liked Retro as he had a calmness about him that felt very reassuring. The time-manipulator had just been away to go to Home Base for a day of training but smiled warmly as she explained why she wanted to speak. He nodded and agreed with her that it was an awkward situation but reassured her that from the dozen or so times he'd warped to Lallor in the last couple of months he could absolutely confirm that the Lallorian Heroes were incredibly busy updating their planetary defences. Retro also added that he assumed that as Evolvo was their leader and the planetary technical genius the onus to be on top of it all probably fell on his shoulders. As she finished the call Retro had kindly added that no matter what Ming now chose to do, he wouldn't tell anyone of their conversation.

Within ten minutes Ming had sent a private holo to the leader of the Lallorian Heroes.

And three hours later here she was, the planet Lallor...

The initial awkwardness was soon overcome. For one thing Ming's hyper-senses immediately alerted her to how quickly Sev's pulse raced as she gave him a quick hug. She then noted that his eyes dilated, and there were no micro-expressions signalling anything other than relief and happiness. Well, there was a tinge of guilt but she saw that as perfectly justifiable.

"Ming, I'm so sorry I've been so busy but... I've cleared my schedule for the rest of the day." Sev Tcheru said, his eyes momentarily downcast.

"Me too Sev, I'm sorry too. I was..." She stumbled with what she felt she wanted to say.

"Amazing! That you called me after all this time... you're amazing." Evolvo smiled again and they had another, longer, hug.

Ming Sul was relieved that the man she had spent such an enjoyable evening with all those weeks ago was as decent as she remembered; too work-focussed for sure, and definitely geeky and self-conscious, but underneath it he was someone that obviously really liked her... as much as she like him.

Well, she thought, it was time someone had a long overdue chat with him about managing his work-social life balance better. After all, all work and no play would make Sev Tcheru such a very dull boy.

...and if Ming's memory served her right, he was certainly anything but dull.

Frentoni Six

Lightning Lass - Senior Team member, Ayla Ranzz of Winath, electrical generation and manipulation
Dragonmage - Xao Jin of Earth, dragon magics

Intern:
Orion - Science Police Officer Tw'gg of H'lven, tracking skills and awareness of flaws or weaknesses


Lightning Lass assembled the rest of the team and asked Kid Quantum and the Replicator to stay in the city centre. Between them they could use statis fields as the most effective - and least destructive - opton available to the team in containing the frenzied crowds. Ayla took Dragonmage and Orion with her and flew off to help Polar Girl and Backlash. The small eye-spy camera drone followed behind them automatically placing itself, so it was 20 feet from the Legionnaires.

Ayla's small team were close to the atmospheric re-processing plant when the attack happened.

Ayla had taken the lead when from out of nowhere she was knocked sideways with a loud crunch! The electric Legionnaire was momentarily stunned but Dragonmage saw what had happened and whispered a spell into his hands before he released a stream of swarming insect sized dragonforms that spun in the air like a tide in a globe around them. There seemed to be a point where they were colliding with something unseen but amongst the swarming tiny dragons it was unclear what, or even exactly where, it was that was causing this as it moved erratically.

<Your senses are keener than mine Tw'gg, can you pinpoint them amongst the swarm? Mel mentioned an invisible Khund, is there another...?> The intern sniffed the air around them as Dragonmage sent his query.

<of course, this way> The fox-like intern pointed to a spot just to the side of where Ayla had been, <There!> The tiny dragon swarm appeared to be crashing against a moving shape. Xao Jin concentrated and more tiny dragons streamed around the invisible attacker, blinding and limiting their movement even more.

<You want the honours of slapping the cuffs on them?> The Legionnaire asked <It would be your first official collar, I believe>

Orion grinned at his Legionnaire colleague before reaching out to find the invisible attacker as they struggled with the dragonform swarm and slipping the cuffs upon them. As it turned out, the cuffs were around the invisible Khund's ankle not wrist like standard operating procedures dictated, not that it mattered as the effect was the same. As soon as Dragonmage dropped the spell and the green swirling swarm dissipated the unconscious Khund faded into visibility. His anti-grav harness had kept him afloat in front of the Legionnaires. Lightning Lass used several choice expressions to describe him as she rubbed her head where he had struck her.

"Right, let's not do that again folks..." Lightning Lass announced as she took the lead again. This time there were sparks crawling across her skin - anyone, visible or not, who tried to touch her now would be quite literally in for a nasty shock.

Backlash - Mrruaw M'Nau of Simballi, enhanced strength, speed, senses, absorbs kinetic energy to boost own size and mass
Polar Girl - Mel Lassar of Tharr - cryokinesis

The top floor was open plan with only several dozen work-stations to show how this space was used.

At the back of the cavernous room sat a large machine that hummed as it connected the air filtration system to the struts in the dome above that processed the settlement's atmosphere. Two men ran at the Legionnaires while there was another person crouched at the far end of the room.

Polar Girl reached down and as her fingers touched the floor a sheet of ice shot out from her. The attackers continued to approach but were a lot more careful as they slipped and slid on the sudden frozen surface.

<I'll take the left> She sent to Backlash as she raised her hands and let loose with a stream of icicles that shot across towards the approaching man. He batted them aside though almost lost his footing as he did. Polar Girl took this opportunity to blast at his feet, encasing them in solid ice. The attacker swayed as he struggled, though by the time the Legionnaire had floated across to him he seemed to have calmed down. Mel Lassar activated her belt buckle light and pinned him in the spotlight it projected. The young man appeared to be human, wearing a dark red and black outfit. He smiled up at her and his eyes started to glow with electric sparks... as she saw this Mel blasted out again, covering her opponents head in a ball of solid ice. She could see cracks quickly beginning to form in it so kept up the pressure of the icy blast. Polar Girl flew towards her opponent and dug out another set of incapacity cuffs from the pouch on her belt and while still maintaining the icy pressure on her opponent's head, she slapped them onto his arm. He was quickly unconscious after that. Mel released the hold she had on the ice and it crumbled around him. At least now he would be able to breath she thought as she turned to see if her teammate needed any help.

Backlash had run towards the man on the right, the tigerram's claws gave him purchase on the icy floor. The Legionnaire pounced on the man that was running towards them though instead of colliding as he expected he started to pass through until it appeared that the man had dissolved, and a bubble of liquid remained that engulfed the Legionnaire.

"You'll drown soon kitty-cat" A voice said as the tigerram tried to fight against his liquid prison. Backlash realised that his opponent clearly didn't know about the Legionnaire's flight ring eco-protect mode.

The bubble rose up with the Legionnaire inside and slammed the him into the ceiling then dropped to slap against the hard floor. It repeated this process several times in half as many seconds. Within the bubble Backlash held onto the energy these assaults had given him and, after a dozen or so more times being slammed against the ceiling, he activated his mutant growth ability, trebling size in a second. As expected, the liquid bubble burst and as it reformed it changed into an unconscious man in a dark blue outfit laying on the floor before the Legionnaire.

"I don't like water." The tigerram said in his low reverberating voice as he sniffed his opponent to ensure they were not too badly hurt.

<You okay there 'Lashy?> Mel Lassar's message sang across the flight ring generated telepathic grid.

<Polar Girl, could you cuff this one for me please?> Backlash asked.

The Tharrite happily applied her last set of incapacity cuffs and they turned to look for the final member of the gang that had been crouched beside the large air filtration machine. Neither were surprised that this other mysterious opponent had escaped while they had been dealing with the attackers.

Backlash smiled broadly as he announced he had their scent!

Retro - Deen Toro of Ventura, limited reversal of personal timeline

Chameleon Girl - Yera Allon of Durla, shape changer


Deen Toro laughed.

Like all Legionnaires, Retro was obliged to spend one full day a month at the Academy to help the tutors and familiarise the students with potential future teammates. Currently he was playing a game of reverse-tag with a group from Yera's latest training squad. The rules were simple - to win one of the six-strong student team had to place a hand on him for a whole second. That was all, they were all 'it' and Retro was their prey.

The students were getting increasingly frustrated as he easily avoided them, and it certainly didn't help that Retro laughed as he did. His laughter was getting increasingly mocking as he had managed to have four full minutes without a single hand being anywhere close. The students were becoming sharp with each other, shouting their plans while tripping over or barging into their teammates as they failed to listen to each other. The Legionnaire's natural athleticism together with his skill at using his flight ring and time-spinning power would have made him a tricky catch for any group, but this groups poor attempts had been particularly clumsy.

Where he had been enjoying the exercise when it had started, he was thoroughly unimpressed by the time Chameleon Girl called for an end to the game.

<Can I suggest they get some training in teamwork pretty fast?> Retro sent through to the Durlan tutor.

<That's what this is supposed to be> She replied with a heavy sense of resignation.

"Okay," she said out loud to the students, "...can anyone tell me why you didn't succeed there?"

The students squabbled among themselves, several of them blatantly blaming their squad mates. The disagreements and name calling quickly got personal and loud.

<Can I deal with this Yera? I believe it's time to set out some facts for them.>

<Knock yourself out Deen, I'm at the end of my wits with this group here>

"Enough!" Retro said loudly. "You are supposed to be a team so learn to act like it. Honestly, we've run this exercise every time I've been here in the last few months and you were by far the worst yet. You were awful! You are all to blame, you all have ears and eyes so why aren't you using them? Listen to each other and learn to trust your teammates, that's what Legionnaires do. We'll do it again but this time there's one difference. You..."

He pointed to a short girl with red skin and pointed ears who backed away a step as he continued.

"You will be team leader, none of the rest of you are allowed to speak during this exercise, if you do you are out." The students all stared as he continued. He looked each of them in the eye before turning to the student he had nominated to lead the next attempt. The Legionnaire spoke much softer though they could all hear the disappointed tone in his voice: "...and, if after three attempts, the team fail to catch me you nominate who will take over as team leader and sit out the rest of the exercise. Okay? Do you understand? Let's hope your team can succeed this time before you're all 'out'. You ready?" He directed this question to the red skinned girl he'd chosen as team leader.

The students were all momentarily stunned; Retro was usually seen as a fun guest tutor to have! None of their fellow students had ever said he could be so stern.

The red skinned girl nodded and gulped nervously.

<Wow! Thanks> Yera sent, her tone sarcastic <If I'd wanted to scare them, I'd have gotten Lu in here>

<Fear's healthy, if they can't cope with it how they gonna deal against Mordru?>

"Okay" he yelled, "Go!"

This time he lasted one minutes and eight seconds until the red skinned girls' third and final plan worked, and Retro was caught and held onto for the required full second.

"So, what did we learn?" He asked after congratulating the squad for their greatly improved result.

"Not to piss off you legionnaires, you're fierce!" The girl who had just led her team to their first win responded without a second thought.

Deen Toro laughed.

hahaha more great stuff Harbi,

Nice to see Ming Sul get more screen time, and a perfectly realistic situation between her and Evolvo Lad. The reactions of Zoe, Grava and Laurel too, and very normal for a group of friends to have different opinions on something like this

Retro: loved him switching from mocking laughter to stern tough love really quick. also LOL at Lu being the strict feared teacher!

And Polar Girl and Backlash continue to impress, as do Dragonmage and Orion. I especially loved seeing Polar Girl in battle, she knew EXACTLY what to do to incapacitate her opponent harmlessly!

I like Tinya and Dirk's relationship here, how they can have banter and she respects his contributions to the team but she still acknowledges there are parts of him she doesn't like. It comes across like they're work friends who have nothing to do with each other outside of that because their friendship only really exists within that context.

Polar Girl and Backlash are fun working together! "Purr-fect!" I like how Polar Girl's so resourceful with different applications of her ice powers too, it helps to set her apart from Polar Boy who generally only has a couple tricks up his sleeve.

While I am always keen on shining a spotlight onto the Academy and I enjoyed Retro's training session, I think my favourite of the above instalments was Theena's interlude. I like those little scenes that show how the cogs turn in the background, and it was a nice way of highlighting Theena's not very flashy power as well as showing the camaraderie of the Legion!

I was thinking the same thing, Polar Girl is doing such a great job that it doesn't look good at all for Brek!

And I have to say... I am actually rooting for Polar Girl despite how I am a fan of canon Brek. But Harbi's done such a good job with Brek's irresponsibility that I can't help preferring Polar Girl.

Hey guys, thank you once more for your very kind words.

IB, glad you liked the Amp Girl part, I realized that she's been MIA so will be giving her a bit more attention. And her friends...

Raz, your take on Tinya and Dirk is exactly as intended and I'm really happy you picked up on it. They're both adult enough to be professional when they need to be.

There's about a dozen or so posts ready to go but want to reread them as I've a bigger storyline for this arc to work out fully so may need to make a couple of tweaks before they're finally ready to go.

Funnily enough, one of them is centred on Breks (mis)fortunes which will be included in the next batch. Also glad you both picked up on how much more versatile Polar Girl is as I just dont see Brek as being too imaginative about anything other than getting more attention for himself. Poor Brek, I'm not a fan and it probably shows.

There's three more Academy students to be introduced so expect them soon too.

Ever since I decided to stop binge watching Netflix I've been really inspired to write so there's load to come.

Thanks again,

C

Yay! Looking forward to it!

Lightning Lass - Senior Team member, Ayla Ranzz of Winath, electrical generation and manipulation
Dragonmage - Xao Jin of Earth, dragon magics
Backlash - Mrruaw M?Nau of Simballi, enhanced strength, speed, senses, absorbs kinetic energy to boost own size and mass
Polar Girl - Mel Lassar of Tharr - cryokinesis

Intern:
Orion - Science Police Officer Tw'gg of H'lven, tracking skills and awareness of flaws or weaknesses


Backlash led Polar Girl up a set of stairs to the rooftop.

The great tigerram bounded up the stairs as the Tharrite flew close behind. As they barged through the locked door onto the flat roof a small aircar was taking off at the other end. It was too far away for Mel's ice to reach in time but still she tried, straining to reach the sleek vehicle as it manoeuvred to blast away from them. Backlash bounded across towards it. As the aircar reached 20 feet above the rooftop a lightning bolt tore through the air and smashed into its tail fin causing it to spin erratically.

<Hey gang, thought you might appreciate that> Ayla sent to the two Legionnaires on the rooftop as she swooped down from high above with other members of the mission's team.

Backlash leapt up and wrapped his paws around the front of the still spinning aircar and dragged it to the rooftop where it landed on its side with a loud whoomph!

<It's empty...> he sent; the disappointment was clear in his tone.

<You still got their scent?> Polar Girl asked as she approached, already blasting ice onto the fire where Ayla's lightning bolt had struck.

<not really, no. I believe they got into a vehicle here...and have left> Backlash replied as he sniffed around the rooftop.

"Must have a stealth setting as we saw nothing as we flew in. Sneaky to distract us with that one on autopilot take-off." Xao Jin said as he landed beside his teammates.

"Okay..." Ayla was absentmindedly scratching her shoulder as she spoke, "So, they drive the citizens crazy, why?"

"Jazmin suggested to cover for a crime." Dragonmage replied.

"Yup, but what? Does this colony have something going on that we don't know about?"

Even as Lightning Lass said this both Polar Girl and Orion were checking info-feeds on hard-light screens from their flight rings.

"No banking sector really... no really financial highlights..." Mel mused as she scrolled.

"They have their Ancestor Pits... umm, says here they have memory stores going back five centuries in them. And, quite close-by too...Only thing that looks interesting as far as I can see." Orion looked up hopefully.

"Okay. If that's all you can find let's check it. Thanks." Ayla took to the air, her team following close be

<Jazmin, Tarev, how're things? Can you find and check the Ancestor Pits? I think that there's something in them that our opposition are really after. Orion will send you the location. We're on our way back, will be a few minutes>

<Affirmative Ayla. Will do, see you soon> Jazmin sounded confident as she replied.

"Right team, let's see how fast our rings will take us." Lightning Lass said as she zoomed on ahead.

Second Base main gymnasium

Dragonwing - Marya Pai of Earth, breathes dragon fire and acid
The Huntress - Ambassador Amynta of Nostos ii, incredible strength, speed, invulnerability, space flight

Gravity Kid - Science Police Officer Tel Vole of Earth, manipulation of personal or nearby gravity
Power Boy - Science Police Officer Jedidiah Rikane of Earth, personal density control

Hethuk Bran Drommsi - Smith from the Green Rift Forge of Talok viii, weapon maker and engineer

Laipas - hunting dog from Nostos ii, enchanted to never lose a trail, fast and tough


As Amynta bounded around the lower mezzanine running track Laipas, the great hunting dog that had been a gift from the goddess Artemis to her, ran alongside.

On the floor of the gymnasium Marya Pai and Hethuk Bran Drommsi were in a game with Jed Rikane and Tel Vole. The game was an adaption of 'Happy Sack', a childhood game the Marya had played with her sister. Ther rules were simple - the 'Sack', or in this case a ball, had to be kept in the air and passed between the players who could use any part of their bodies other than their forearms or hands. They had adapted the game slightly, so the two sides had to steal the sack from their opponent's mid-pass, and whichever side got to twenty consecutive passes without losing the ball won. They had quickly agreed that no powers were allowed otherwise Tel had an unfair advantage.

Marya and Hethuk were clearly winning and Jed and Tel were becoming increasingly frustrated as the other couple laughed at them with each successful pass they completed. There had been eighteen clear passes between the fire breathing Legionnaire and the Talokean weaponsmith when Tel reacted without thinking, reaching out with his gravity manipulating abilities to shoot the ball straight up into the air above them and out of Marya Pai's reach.

As the four of them looked up Laipas leaped off the mezzanine and caught the ball in her mouth. The great hunting dog landed twenty feet away from them, her tail wagging ferociously.

"She won't give it back to you now. You'll need to try to catch her. Good luck with that." Amynta called down from above with a chuckle as she leaned over the bannister to watch what was happening below.

Hethuk started to laugh as Tel and Jed both ran at the dog. Laipas easily avoided them and dropped the ball before her and yipped at them, chiding them for their poor efforts. Marya stepped forward, crouching as she got close to the great hunting dog. Laipas bowed before her, the dog's front legs either side of the prized ball. Laipas never took her eyes off Marya as the Legionnaire approached with a hand outstretched as if to stroke the dog's head. Dragonwing swore as Laipas bit into the ball and easily jumped aside as the Legionnaire tried to grab at it.

Laipas danced around for a few seconds before stopping in front of Jed Rikane, the dog's tail wagging wildly as it once again crouched before the ball, her sharp eyes watching the Legionnaire's every move.

"You'll need to offer her something of greater value to trade for it." Hethuk offered as a potential solution, still laughing. The Talokean Weaponsmith had not tried to engage with the dog as he knew immediately it would be futile. Instead, he rather enjoyed watching Marya and the guys make fools of themselves as they tried to get their ball back.

"Forget that... get her!" Jed yelled as he ran at the hound. Tel took to the air and flew over the top of his husband. Marya joined them. For several rather embarrassing minutes the Legionnaire and two Science Police Officers chased the hunting dog but for as often as they got close, they never once even managed to lay a hand on her or get their ball back.

Amynta had been watching from above on the mezzanine, smiling as her colleagues realised that Laipas was anything but an ordinary dog to play with: this was an Amazon hunting dog that the goddess Artemis herself had blessed... The Amazon ambassador jumped down to the main floor area and called out:

"Laipas, here now!"

The dog turned mid-dash and bolted between Jed and Marya straight towards the Amazon, stopping abruptly only a metre from her. Without another word Laipas dropped the ball at Amynta's feet and sat down, her tail was still wagging.

"...and you couldn't have done that before now, why exactly?" Marya called from across the gymnasium floor as she wiped sweat from her forehead.

Amynta smiled.

Home Base Academy


Polar Boy was a complete and utter jerk!

At least, that was the general consensus of the training squad he had been put into, the majority of the students he had interacted with and several of the tutors on Home Base.

Lydda wasn't particularly relishing the conversation she was about to have with him but knew that she had to at least try. If she couldn't get through to Brek now, he would not get through training with a pass score that Tinya would accept as eligible for a return to full membership.

Brek Bannin was currently in a small gym on one of the lowest levels of Home base. He had taken to exercising alone after a run in with a Daxamite from the UP Militia in the main gymnasium complex had not gone his way. Rumour had it that Brek had very publicly announced on his first day at Home Base that as a former leader of the Legion he had every right to jump the queue to a popular piece of equipment and had tried to shoulder the Daxamite soldier out of the way. It had really not gone well for Brek after that. At least the Tharrite didn't end up in hospital, which was what many of the onlookers expected after he tried to encase the soldiers' head in a block of ice for laughing as the Tharrite bounced off the soldier's invulnerable torso.

Lydda knew well enough that with Brek he could break his bones and he would remain absolutely fine, but the moment his pride was damaged... well, hence why he had retreated to using a small, isolated gym out of the way of any of the students or tutors here.

"Brek, how are you?" Lydda said as she approached him. He was smart enough to realise why she was here so she wasn't going to try any artifice with him, "... y'know, I'm a bit concerned for you and would really like us to talk. Can you give me a few minutes?"

"Gotta get through my training regime Lydda, you know the rules. You can talk while I do this if you really want so knock yourself out." He hadn't looked up from the bench where he currently struggled with some weights. His body language screamed of anger and hurt to Lydda and she knew that the straight-forward approach she had planned might not be the best way to deal with him right now. There were red rings under his eyes, and he looked paler and more drawn than usual. Lydda looked at him, one of her oldest friends, and fought the urge to give him a hug...

"Brek, put those weights down please, look at me and talk. We used to be close so let's try to recapture that and figure out what's going on... okay?"

"Yeah... nothin' like some more underhand humiliation to nail home the point that I'm not wanted any more. I get it."

"Oh, for the sake of your own pride if nothing else Brek just stop this self-pity party already, you idiot." Lydda spoke sharply, "If I wanted to humiliate you, I'd challenge you to a wrestling match." Her voice was stern and she put her hands on her hips and stared at him.

Brek put down the weights and sat up, staring back at Lydda. His expression showed how hurt he was feeling. Lydda found it difficult to hold his gaze.

"What are you doing here Lydda? We aren't close anymore... not been close for quite a while. But then why should we be? You've finally netted your Founder so you don't need any of us Subs anymore." He said, before quietly adding, "You never bothered to keep in touch with me after you got what you wanted..."

"I invited you to my wedding and if you hadn't drunk yourself unconscious... I was looking forward to talking to you." Night Girl said softly.

"Yeah, right! What else did you expect me to do, eh? Talk to all my 'good friends' on the team? They all turned their back on me, even Hadru and Grava... you all turned your back on me when I needed you. With friends like this... you know how the rest of that saying goes, right?" His voice was sharp with his hurt and anger.

He turned away and picked up the weights again. Lydda waited a moment as she collected her thoughts and took several deep breaths before she spoke .

"You do have friends here Brek, please remember that and don't push us away. Don't make this into something it's not.. you're better than that." Lydda said softly. Her voice cracked and she turned away from him.

Before he could reply she walked out of the gym. He didn't see the tears swell in Lydda's eyes as she left, which was probably just as well as Brek would have fully understood then that her heart was breaking. She finally knew and accepted that he would fail at this attempt to re-join the Legion. Brek had pushed many relationships to breaking point, burning bridges both here in the academy and within the Legion itself with his inappropriate and selfish behaviour. It was becoming too regular an event for it to be over-looked... and he just wasn't mature enough to ever admit any personal responsibility for any of it.

If he didn't turn it around really fast there wouldn't be room made on the team for such a damaged ego.

Kid Quantum - Jazmin Cullen of Xanthu, creation of temporal quantum bubbles, flight

Replicator - Science Police Officer Tarev Jusool of Talok viii, can mimic meta-abilities of those nearby for limited periods of time


Officer Jusool smiled rather bleakly.

From what Jazmin had explained to him after her very quick skim-read of a hard-light info sheet on the Ancestor Pits, they were built around the site of the first landing on this world. They were the salvaged remains from the mainframe AI that had set up the terraforming of this world. After sixty-three years of successfully managing the transformation of this world, it had awoken the first colonists before leaving high orbit and landing on Frentoni Six. It was common knowledge that the Pits contain AI simulations of the memory engrams of every person that had lived and died on this world in the last half millennia. They were said to be in a highly secured underground location, and reputed to be haunted...

The Legionnaire and Science Police Liaison swooped in towards the sacred gardens where they would find the historic site. The planting of trees and brightly coloured flowers and the placing of statues and ornamental pathways all circled the wide dome that housed the entrance to the Pits themselves. It was obvious that one of the large glass panels that made the dome had been shattered. Even before they landed, they could see several bodies - municipal garden workers perhaps or those simply unlucky enough to have been out for a stroll at the time of the attack - clearly murdered. Each had had their throats torn out and lay in pools of their own blood and gore.

<I'm going to activate a quantum bubble around us, okay? That way if anyone tries to attack, they'll be frozen before they can do... that... that to us> Across the shared telepathic link it was clear that the usually stoic Kid Quantum had been shaken by the sheer level of violence that had occurred in this otherwise pristine location.

As the message was received a hazy lilac bubble filled the air for several meters around them. Officer Jusool knew to mimic the Legionnaire's abilities so he could function within the stasis sphere.

The pair flew through the hole in the glass dome and were immediately struck by the near total darkness within. The Pit, it turned out, was quite a literal name, which surprised Jazmin. Below them a hole fell into utter darkness, even with their buckles shining twin spotlights. They had only just started down into the Pit when the first attacker leapt out of the shadows at them. The creature hung suspended in the air four feet from their faces.

"A werewolf? A frickin' werewolf!" Jazmin said, shocked by what was in front of her.

"I am unaware of the species..." Officer Jusool said as he reached for a set of incapacity cuffs to wrap around the creature's arms. Kid Quantum started to laugh until a second and third appeared on the edge of the stasis bubble she had spun around them, having leapt out from the dark walls as they dropped downwards towards whatever it was that lay at the bottom. Again, the SPO coolly slipped incapacity cuffs on their wrists.

A voice came from below them, a deep male voice, followed by a scurrying noise.

Jazmin leaned forward so her buckle light would catch the person who had spoken and there, at the edges of the beam stood a tall man in a dark cloak alongside a woman with short dark bobbed hair.

"Don't think you're gonna get far." Kid Quantum said quietly as she dropped her quantum sphere from around herself and the Science Police officer so she could re-channel the energy towards the two figures. As she did there were 'whoops' from the walls around them and more dark blurry shapes started to leap towards them, distracting her. Thankfully, Officer Jusool had mimicked the Legionnaire's ability and set up his own quantum sphere to protect them. Another werewolf was caught in it as it attempted to attack them. The SPO snapped cuffs on the frozen lycanthropes as quickly as he could. As the Legionnaire's dropped towards the ground the unconscious beast floated down with them, pinned in place by the quantum field.

"Fume, deal with them while I get the last of the data-drainers..." The man in the cloak said before disappearing into the darkness, leaving his companion to face the Legionnaire and the Science Police Officer.

Kid Quantum swooped down towards the woman but she leaped up catching the Legionnaire by surprise. The woman called Fume held her hand at the Legionnaire's face and almost immediately Jazmin Cullens fell unconscious, landing with a loud Whump! on the hard floor.

"Your rings may give you protection you from my dispersed pheromones out there in the city but they're no match for getting up close and personal." She gloated as the Talokean SPO landed close-by.

"Perhaps...." He slipped a stasis bubble around her and slapped a set of incapacity cuffs on her wrists. The SPO recognised this woman from SP files of known meta-terrorists so was aware she had fought the Legion before and was renowned to be especially cruel. He made sure the cuffs were tight. After she had succumbed to their anaesthetic Tarev Jusool placed her gently on the ground, quickly checked Kid Quantum was okay and went looking for the cloaked man.

Even though Talokeans had slightly better night vision than humans SPO Jusool still struggled.

The spotlight from his buckle spewing out illumination before him but it was obvious the darkness had somehow been enhanced. He was originally from the City Folk so had looked up to the Shadow Champions all of his life, though until this moment had never appreciated what a boon their abilities really were.

<We're on our way in guys> Ayla sent across the telepathic grid, and behind him Tarev was aware of a flickering light within the Pit.

<Be careful, there may be more werewolves> He replied <I'm following a man in a cloak; he said he was getting the last of the data-drainers...Jazmin and Fume are unconscious at the bottom of the Pit >

There was a sudden eruption of light and a smoking body crashed into the ground at the bottom of the Pit behind the SP officer. A lone werewolf had tried to attack the incoming Legionnaires, but Ayla had efficiently dealt with it in her own explosive style. In the flickering light a green tinge appeared as Dragonmage sent magical creations to find any more lycanthropes or other attackers waiting in the darkness.

The Science Police Officer had floated perhaps forty meters along the corridor, leaving the drop shaft behind when it opened out into a circular room with sheets of a reflective metal covering the walls and floors which bounced the light from his spotlight around. In the sudden illumination he could see the cloaked man was desperately scrabbling around at a control panel.

<I am right behind you> Backlash sent across the telepathic grid to the Science Police Officer a second before appearing at his side. Polar Girl flew above the tigerram.

<Ayla and the rest will just be a mo, just cleaning up the mess back there> she sent.

"You should stop now. You are officially under arrest." Tarev said loudly. There were no doubts in his voice.

The cloaked man turned around, a small box in his left hand. He didn't speak as he pulled open his cloak and a figure seemed to tear itself out of his torso and run at the Legionnaires. Another werewolf! Backlash jumped at the creature and headbutted it, entangling it in his great curled horns before smashing it onto the ground and landing heavily on its chest. As Backlash had fought the creature Polar girl had projected an icy blast towards the cloaked figure sheathing him in its cold grip.

As the Tharrite tried to contain their cloaked adversary SPO Jussol flew up to him and slid a set of incapacity cuffs around his wrist. Before he could activate the cuffs, a werewolf tore through the ice and clawed at the Talokean. Thankfully, his body armour deflected most of the blow but instinctively Tarev activated his mimicry ability and ice blew out of him re-covering their opponent in a frozen cocoon.

"You guys got this under control?" Ayla's voice sounded almost mocking as she asked from the entrance to the circular room.

"I recognise him... he's the War-Wolf!" Xao Jin levitated towards the frozen figure, "He's a total savage! He's caused a lot of trouble in the magical community..."

"So, what's he doing here?" Ayla asked, trying to surreptitiously point towards a floating camera that the reporter that had followed them here had set to record their mission.

"They were trying to steal the data from this facility." Officer Jusool said, "... it appears they had Fume drive the colonists crazy with her pheromones as a distraction."

"Why would they need this information? Surely all the data has public access on the planetary info-net?" Jazmin Cullen mused. She had floated in behind the team, still woozy from the lung full of Fume's pheromones.

" ....umm, perhaps War-Wolf and the rest of them didn't check first, eh?" Ayla was conscious that the team were discussing matters that may cause questions that they didn't know the answers to if broadcast so hoped to divert the conversation before it went any further.

<Team, let's not speculate here with that camera, okay?> She sent.

"I've contacted the Science Police; they will have a squad here soon to investigate." Officer Jusool said. Ayla gave the muscular Talokean a thankful smile.

"That's great, okay let's get these crooks to Tarkon-Galtos. Everyone ready?" Lightning Lass smiled at her team as she lifted her hand up to her face to speak into her flight ring. "Henry, can we have a warp to T-G please, we've a special delivery to make."

<Umm, Ayla, remember to get the reporter too, we don't want to leave him here, do we?> Polar Girl sent through.

<Once we're done on T-G we'll get him. Reporters aren't allowed there anyway. Though thanks for reminding me Mel, I had actually totally forgotten about him>

Lightning Lass laughed as she stepped through the warp.

....................................


Almost a hundred light years away a figure watched a holo of the Legionnaires' victory on Frentoni Six.

"Damned children... I needed that information. It's past time I made sure they're kept too busy to get in the way again."

ooh that War-Wolf is a nasty piece of work!

I feel sorry for Brek too, even though this is all his own fault....I am hoping this all leads to him redeeming himself somewhere down the path!

That last line is a bit foreboding too...I wonder whose way the Legion have got in now and what keeping them 'too busy' entails? A mystery!

Oh! I nearly forgot! I already love Laipas! What a good doggo

Laipas reminds me of my family dogs awwww

Heh funny, that reporter is like Chekhov's gun, nice way to keep him in the story but not

War-Wolf is definitely an interesting villain

Alas poor Brek. I mean I get it, his pride, but wow he really needs to shape up. Lydda's concern was so well done.

Harbinger,

So begins another fun and fantastic ride. Vol. 7 is shaping up to be an interesting ride already.

I liked Tinya and Dirk's chat and I'm not 100% who I agree with. I'm partial to what Drik said. It might be a bad idea to go after that war world so soon. I can't imagine how you'll split the team up more. But I can't but help feel a war of the Legion Worlds is coming.
Raz is right. they totally sound like work friends.

Cham's exposure of Sa Lok, has really let a cat out of the bag. I'm intrigued by this plot and how it could change the Legion's world. The secret Meta-army is a fun plot. There's many a mission I can see coming from all those nefarious unknowns with gene-mods.

The hit mission for Alya's team was super fun and the teamwork was well done. Backlash and Polar Girl work well together. Polar Girl's application of powers is inventive and I think Berk is definitely going to have a hard time impressing the team again with her around.
Orion is trying so hard and the moment when he admitted to not having that type of tracking power, kind of heartbreaking. I could feel his need to want to be liked by others and be of value. Which made his moment to shine that much sweeter.
The team's deduction abilities were well done too. Each of them figuring out a piece of the puzzle and how the dome wasn't really falling.
I wondered how Backlash dealt with the inhibitor cuffs.

Invisible Khund's?? is this a gene-mod or part of their cybernetics?

Thenna's segment was well done. I wondered how she was going to be used, especially once you made it clear that Brainy developed an AI that does much of her job. I like the quieter moments sometimes and the welcome she got from the team was fun. It's a good reminder of how they are more than a team or an organization. But friends and family for some of them.

Ming Sul and Evolvo's segment was cute and realistic for two people who just met. I'm glad it did turn out to be because he was busy and not because he was blowing her off.
Retro's time at the academy was one I enjoyed. He made some good points and sometimes a firm hand and a reality check are needed.

A Memory Store and five centuries worth? that could definitely be interesting loot to steal.

The gym moment with Liaps was super cute. I think a game with her and more team members would be fun as a training exercise.

poor Berk. But he really is doing it to himself. Lydda tried and that's all she can do. But I hope he can turn it around.

werewolves? Fun and dangerous. Is it a pack of them? wait...War-Wolf? that's a new power for sure!

i liked the line from Alya about forgetting about the reporter. having them along could create some interesting story ideas.

Can't wait for more!