MINOTAR nods at Enigma's comment.
"Agreement and Speculative comments: Let's explore that idea. If we agreed to meet them, we can suggest a location to meet. What kind of specific location could we choose that would be to our advantage, and the enemy would agree to meet with us there despite it being our suggestion? What kind of precautions could we take, that would enable us to find ourselves the victors? Please NOTE: We would be outnumbered I believe. Most of our enemies have above-normal abilities, and most have the capacity to kill without hesitation."
Leon sat quietly at the meeting table. His feet propped up on the chair beside him, folding paper into tiny animals and shapes as he listened to the others.
”I doubt we could get them to agree to the local library or a bookstore.”
He joked as he set a paper crane on the table beside his other creations.
”Wherever we meet, if we can get there first we can lay a few traps of our own. We need to go full Batman on this and be ready for anything.”
As he spoke be moved one of his paper animals, a paper tiger, setting it beside a small paper box.
”We let them think they’ve got us where they want us, then…”
Leon snapped his fingers and the paper box opened like a set of jaws and in an flash it snapped out at the paper tiger. In the next instant the tiny tiger was caught in a small paper cage.
”And if we know they got muscle we just need to get some of our own. We could try calling in ARGUS to back up the ones being ambushed. I bet they’d love another shot at these guys.”
Again nodding, MINOTAR looks at Leon and immediately sends an e-mail to the Head of ARGUS marked 'Priority-Justice League'.
"Agreement: ARGUS is a good back-up at this point if we can get their agreement. We walk into the trap ourselves and let our ally sweep everyone up...and maybe invade their base too while we keep them busy. We need to pick an out of the way place the enemy cannot gain too much of an upper hand and so we can also fight them with some sort of equal footing...allowing the time it will take ARGUS to mop up."
MINOTAR does some quick calculations, reviewing maps and other esoteric data, and then transmits to a large room display to show a map of Colorado.
"Suggestion: My tactical database offers the closest advantageous point of a meet could be here...Pikes Peak. The tallest mountain in Colorado. The oxygen is lower here and those who are still mostly human would be hampered in their fighting to some degree. I would not. ARGUS personnel could wear extra oxygen to keep themselves healthy and there are plenty of places for them to hide nearby if they have it. We could put the Javelin on standby in the upper atmosphere, out of sight too if we need to have back-up too. We will have to convince the local tourist board to shut down the top of the mountain for the day...and I'm sure I don't have all the available information we need currently. But feel free to offer suggestions or alternatives."
"You know son, I could do some scouting. Not much downside since I'm dead already. "
"Oh yeah, my dad mentioned he could check out any location we need to look at since he's like a ghost and all. "
MINOTAR yet again nods.
"Agreement: I was thinking the same thing SJ, but I did not want to be presumptuous with...a family member."
"Well I guess he is dead and all, so what can they do to him?"
”That’s a good idea.” Leon agreed and chuckled.
”Wish I’d thought of it.”
He looked back at MINOTAR more seriously.
”That just leaves splitting the party. Who goes where?”
"First up I think is scouting a location or picking that location. Pike's Peak really isn't terribly close, and it's usually packed with Tourists. I used to live on the front range.
He will head back to the Javelin and report.
SJ will relate it to the rest.
"Wish I had a bit more finesse with my stretching like Plastic Man, then I could hide myself. "
MINOTAR will note SJ's point.
"Statement: Even Plastic Man took time to learn what he could and could not do. You may learn to stretch like Plastic man, or you may discover other abilities that he cannot do. Do not worry: Time and training will tell all. I am pretty sure Plastic Man's 'undead' father does not walk around his life constantly either."
He then decides to move forward with the plan once the scouting is done, informing Argus of the location. He then requests they help maintain secrecy of the diversionary meet on the Peak, as well as alert them to infiltrate the enemies' base directly once the we have drawn the majority of the enemies out. Once he gets an affirmative reply from Argus, he will then inform the enemy of the meeting time and place for the 'reverse ambush.'
”Mino’s right. It takes time to get better. Even then, there’s always room to improve.”
He patted SJ on the shoulder as he tried to reassure his teammate.
As MINOTAR contacted ARGUS officials, Leon texted his own inside agent with a dinner offer for the following weekend. It was a familiar song and dance, he offered, she’d agree, day before or day of she’d get pulled for an assignment somewhere else. He’d only managed to get her alone a handful of times since he had convinced her of his sincerity.
He was convinced someone higher up was doing it on purpose. If he even found out who it was… he probably sick her in them. She has a mean right hook.
Leon grinned to himself at the thought before putting his phone away and returning his attention back to the comms. He was glad they had a plan and might be able to put an end to the is soon.
"Do we have a time for the meeting? I had an idea. I don't actually breathe anymore, so maybe I could be buried up there and pop up when we need to spring it. A bunch of dirt on top of me isn't enough weight to slow me much. "
“Statement: Exactly what I was thinking SJ! Extrapolation of that general idea can be used to aid our anti-ambush. I do not breathe either. So we can attempt to prepare many surprises for the enemy. Let’s just hope the enemy reacts the way we need them to.”
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With the ambush set, everyone assumes their positions. Microgirl is contacted and told to expect the arrival of ARGUS and she confirms that she will be in place. Straightjacket and MINOTAR are buried beneath a light layering of dirt (I don't believe that there was snow on the peak in September, though I might be wrong). The rest of you leave yourselves in the open so as to be seen easily.
At the appointed time, a private helicopter approaches the peak. Inside, you can make out four figures, one huge. Flying fiery support is Shee-Ariel and another figure, that of a man dressed in what appears to be a custom suit of armor.
Shee-Ariel and the other flying figure circle the peak, but do not land, preferring to hover about 30 feet away. The two choppers land and the occupants get out.
One is an incredibly handsome muscular man in a white bodysuit. He has blond hair and captivating ice blue eyes and a large club hangs at his side.
Second is a repulsive, nearly skeletal humanoid covered in a sickly brown goo! Even from here, you can smell him; a scent reminiscent of Limburger cheese left to molder in the sun for several days.
Finally, Mongo squeezes his way out of the helicopter. The pilot does not exit the vehicle.
The handsome man addresses the group. "Alright, here's the deal. We're tired of tussling with you hero-types. It's time we had this out once and for all."
Paper stood out in the open on the peak. Watching as the helicopter and flyers approached. His face half covered by a white domino style mask.
”They’re arriving.”
He spoke quietly into his comms without taking his eyes off them.
”Two flyers, chopper with pilot and three passengers. I’ll leave comms open.”
He added as the helicopter landed and he got a glimpse at the inside.
The handsome man addresses the group. "Alright, here's the deal. We're tired of tussling with you hero-types. It's time we had this out once and for all."
”I couldn’t agree more.”
Paper said as he studied the man.”How about you save us all a bunch of trouble and just turn yourselves in.”
He suggests jokingly.
Voltage floats slightly off the ground and looks over the three beings. He keeps an eye on the person still in the helicopter and wonders if that person was also a supervillian.
Keeping perfectly still in a way only a robot can manage while buried under nearly a foot of dirt and debris, MINOTAR signals Leon to acknowledge his statement and transmits his words directly into the group comms digitally without actually speaking out loud.
"Statement and Orders: Understood Leon. Everybody follow Leon's lead: we go when he says to. Voltage and the rest of our flyers will handle the helicopter and the two enemy fliers. SJ and I will handle the heavy hitters on the ground as much as we can. Everybody else, fill in wherever you think best. I am contacting Microgirl NOW to get things started on her end. Remember this is not just a 'takedown', but a distraction too. We need to make sure we give MG as much time as she needs to do her thing. Don't be afraid to let lose a little here, we picked this place specifically to minimize damage to any civilians and infrastructure on purpose."
MINOTAR then silently prays they all survive this confrontation...
WAIT! I pray now? To whom?!? Is there a digital god to pray to...??
He then suddenly resets his perception parameters in order to concentrate on the moment at hand, and works to verify the signal to Microgirl was transmitted and received.
Straightjacket waits patiently under his pile of loose dirt waiting to pop out if he hears shouting or explosions, or even word on his com.
Rigel exits the Javilin, immediately looks up, sees Shee-Ariel and the other flyer, and takes to the sky heading for the peak.
"I will head up to where they are circling and stay about 30 yards off: 2 opponents in the air could be more of a distraction than we need."
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Shee-Ariel seems determined to end this before it starts and blasts Rigel with a greenish-gray ray from her outstretched hand.
Knightengale returns the attack with a sonic screech, angled at Shee-Ariel. It seems to have no effect on the flying woman.
The skeletal humanoid reaches out to attempt to grab Paper.
Dodge blast.
The Gaunt Helm reaches into a small pouch on his hip. Pulling out a handful of sand, he brings it up to his face. Somehow, even without a mouth he blows it at Mongo. A voice echoes in his mind.
"Sleep. Let the Soothing Sands do their work, and rest. Rest for the wicked"
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INITIATIVE (now with 100% more MINOTAR!)
Shee-Ariel
Knightengale
Scuzz
Tabula
MINOTAR
Enigma
Magnetron
Mongo
Adonis
Liberteen
Paper
Rigel
Voltage
Miragi
Straightjacket
Rigel, you suddenly find yourself unable to move, your muscles stiffening and petrifying. You have become a solid stone statue! Meanwhile, MINOTAR may act!
Knowing the time had come, MINOTAR stands up out of the dirt and detritus, his Trident Rail-Cannon active and deployed.
Immediately he locks on and targets the enemies' main means of retreat... the grounded helicopters and any enemies standing nearby that could be caught in the blast.
"Urgent Statement: Keep them engaged! Do not let them withdraw from this mountain!"
[dice=MINOTAR]1d20+3
INITIATIVE (now with 100% more MINOTAR!)
Rigel, you suddenly find yourself unable to move, your muscles stiffening and petrifying. You have become a solid stone statue! Meanwhile, MINOTAR may act!
With the ambush set, everyone assumes their positions. Microgirl is contacted and told to expect the arrival of ARGUS and she confirms that she will be in place. Straightjacket and MINOTAR are buried beneath a light layering of dirt (I don't believe that there was snow on the peak in September, though I might be wrong). The rest of you leave yourselves in the open so as to be seen easily.
At the appointed time, a private helicopter approaches the peak. Inside, you can make out four figures, one huge. Flying fiery support is Shee-Ariel and another figure, that of a man dressed in what appears to be a custom suit of armor.
Shee-Ariel and the other flying figure circle the peak, but do not land, preferring to hover about 30 feet away. The two choppers land and the occupants get out.
One is an incredibly handsome muscular man in a white bodysuit. He has blond hair and captivating ice blue eyes and a large club hangs at his side.
Second is a repulsive, nearly skeletal humanoid covered in a sickly brown goo! Even from here, you can smell him; a scent reminiscent of Limburger cheese left to molder in the sun for several days.
Finally, Mongo squeezes his way out of the helicopter. The pilot does not exit the vehicle.
The handsome man addresses the group. "Alright, here's the deal. We're tired of tussling with you hero-types. It's time we had this out once and for all."
So Rigel will use his remaining control of FLIGHT to angle his landing towards the handsome dude, to hopefully hit him in the head as he falls, while addressing his AI about what is needed to shake off the paralysis.
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Rigel, now a solid stone statue, manages to angle his fall/flight to attempt to connect with the handsome man and manages to do so, but the man shrugs it off!
With Tabula's assault, Mongo begins to sway slighty, his eyelids growing heavy. He seems entranced by the gentle voice.
MINOTAR tosses a grenade beneath the chopper. The projectile explodes, taking the helicopter with it in a fiery blast! The pilot is trapped inside the inferno!
Enigma raises an eyebrow at the carnage before turning his attention to the grounded female."I'm of the opinion that you will not surrender peacefully," he says. He throws a punch at the woman, connecting with a solid hit! She reels under the assault but remains standing!
"You're mine, Robot!" Magnetron growls, unleashing a blast of magnetic energy at MINOTAR.
Adonis, the handsome fellow calls to Mongo. "Snap out of it, big guy!" Mongo shakes his head to clear it and growls. Adonis hefts his scepter and slams it home! The mace hits hard!
Why not try me?" Liberteen says, stepping up to Adonis. "Unless you are afraid of a woman beating you!" To exemplify her statement, she swings her sword in a downward arc. Adonis moves to parry with a resounding CLANG!
STATUS
Shee-Ariel:
Knightengale:
Scuzz:
Tabula:
MINOTAR:
Enigma:
Magnetron:
Mongo:
Adonis:
Liberteen:
Paper:
Rigel: Petrified
Voltage:
Miragi: Bruised 2
Straightjacket:
In the movies ... this is when Rigel would use Extra Effort and a Hero Point AND mortgage his grand mother ... to make his Ring activate his Light of Hope power (Healing 7) so that he comes bursting out of the stone behind the handsome guy and beats the crap out of him.
Voltage flies up into the air and then points down as an arc of lighting strikes drown, splitting as it goes to strike Shee-Ariel and the armored figure that was flying with her.
MINOTAR rolls to the side, his TRI-DENT railgun folding away as he does.
"Statement: I belong to no one criminal!"
Feeling the near-miss magnetic energy scramble his less-shielded circuits mildly, MINOTAR was glad he was able to maneuver away from the attack in time.
Literally can’t hit that. -_-