Nissa winces at the sounds of reptilian flesh being ripped apart.
“Sounds like you got everything under control, heh heh?”
She then says to the others. “Wanna steal a bus from the Gaians. There ain’t any bus stops where they’re going.” She thinks her comment is best left unexplained.
She looks for any vehicle big enough for the people here, Charles, Theo, Zellgato, possibly others both Zellgato and non-Zellgato, and if they happen upon Karen and her dudes, them too. (Alive, she hopes, unless they’re already reptiles so it’s obvious they can’t be saved.)
”We aren’t far from camp. In the town, we are likely to encounter armed mercenaries that aren’t the problem; they are just doing an unpleasant job. Let’s keep going forward - the camp has vehicles and the people that are the problem.”
Zellgato shoots the two reptilians trying to climb the wall out of the compound and Charles brings one of them down. The last one drops off the wall and surrenders. "The Lord of Many Feasts will smile on you if you slay his failed servant without delay," says the 'raktavarna' kneeling and bowing his head.
”We aren’t far from camp. In the town, we are likely to encounter armed mercenaries that aren’t the problem; they are just doing an unpleasant job. Let’s keep going forward - the camp has vehicles and the people that are the problem.”
[dice=But he will try to think where he has seen a larger vehicle, anyway]1d20 + 10
There are convoy vehicles at the camp. These vehicles were used to transport refugees to ARIZ-29. They're operated by non-profits funded by Mexico. The drivers, after days on the road with passengers, hang out with each other overnight at the camps and then head out on the next assignment. The convoy vehicles have congregated on the outer perimeter of ARIZ-29 where the drivers can drink and smoke dope and not be bothered by anyone's children.
Henri might have heard one of the nurses talk about hooking up with one of the convoy drivers.
Kai's voice comes over the comms, "Team? Legion found something at the horse ranch. It was doing its routine scans when it picked up some T-radiation ... a trail of it ... Those Gaians that were here are giving off some low level T-Rad. More than we do right after we've stepped through a portal. Which, when you think about it, is probably how the swords work too ... detecting portals or outsiders who have stepped through portals ... The swords must be detecting T-radiation ... that wouldn't explain the whole compelling people to tell the truth thing," Kai breaks off, lost in their own string of scientific thoughts. "Long story short; the Gaians generate T-Rad."
Nissa says to Henri, “I distract. You get a vehicle with its engine running.” She hands Tarantula all of her gear other than her Clearweave. “Hold this… I gotta go naked for this. By which I mean ‘unarmed,’ and not literally…” She smirks. ”Not totally.” She then says to Tarantula, “If you got pretty underwear, or one of those nineteen-eighties neon sports-bras, you can join me if you want.”
* * *
When Nissa spies a driver smoking dope, she dims the glow of her Stellar Armor. If dimmed all the way, she will appear completely nude. But at 25% light, she appears bikini-clad.
“Hey… Mister Driver? My friends and I are having a beach party. But it’s like, a desert, y’know? Got any hallucinogens so we can, like, pretend… but without using our imaginations?”
Is Nissa trying to do this without attracting the attention of the other drivers? The drivers are avoiding the unwashed masses, not each other. There are other drivers around. To be stealthy as you do this, make a Stealth check.
If spotted, Nissa says, “Oh, ya got friends. Well… the more the merrier? First come first serve? Blondes have more…” Ugh, this is both cringy and gross! Forgive me, Dawnflower!
"Look guys, I got a new shortie," calls out the one Nissa approached.
A few laughs and woohoos from the other huddles of drivers.
One of the drivers shakes her head at Nissa's shameless performance. That driver looks familiar to Nissa.
[dice=Perc]d20+3
Nissa knows the woman looks familiar but can't really remember where. She's got dark skin and hair and is about 5'4". Dressed like a truck driver.
Nissa is racking her brain. But the ‘new shorty’ comment and the head-shaking prompt Nissa to alter her plans.
She transforms into a fairy and flutters closer to the dark-skinned woman.
“Wait. I was…” What? About to rationalize criminal behavior? “…never mind that. Do you recognize me?”
The thought of there being more than one Nissa is weird to her. But at this point she’s accepted doppelgängers as a fact of the multiverse. She does consider that she might be the only Nissa who shrinks.
“Well… maybe you don’t recognize me like this.”
Nissa is racking her brain. But the ‘new shorty’ comment and the head-shaking prompt Nissa to alter her plans.
She transforms into a fairy and flutters closer to the dark-skinned woman.
[dice=Perc (closer look)]d20+3“Wait. I was…” What? About to rationalize criminal behavior? “…never mind that. Do you recognize me?”
The thought of there being more than one Nissa is weird to her. But at this point she’s accepted doppelgängers as a fact of the multiverse. She does consider that she might be the only Nissa who shrinks.
“Well… maybe you don’t recognize me like this.”
"Holy shit," says the woman. "I've seen DNA hacks but ... how the f++! do you do that?"
After she composes herself she say, "I'm April, April Rain Patel. Do you think you know me?"
Nissa realizes who it is. It’s the woman she wants to kill… wanted to. The woman doesn’t seem so bad right now.
“I’ll tell ya what. Gimme a ride and I’ll tell you about my powers. There’s a lot I could tell ya. Maybe we’d both be better off knowing each other.” She adds, “I do know you, but by another name.
“Do you know my name? Nissa van…” She purposely gives April a chance to add the Donk.
“I’ll tell ya what. Gimme a ride and I’ll tell you about my powers. There’s a lot I could tell ya. Maybe we’d both be better off knowing each other.” She adds, “I do know you, but by another name.
“Do you know my name? Nissa van…” She purposely gives April a chance to add the Donk.
"Nissan Van?" she puzzles, [b]"I don't think I know you, but I think you and your friends should get in the bus and we should talk."[/b
She points to a bus that looks like it was once a prison vehicle, with barred windows and such, but now has signs indicating it's run by a non-profit refugee support organization funded by the UN and Mexico.
“I’ll tell ya what. Gimme a ride and I’ll tell you about my powers. There’s a lot I could tell ya. Maybe we’d both be better off knowing each other.” She adds, “I do know you, but by another name.
“Do you know my name? Nissa van…” She purposely gives April a chance to add the Donk.
"Nissan Van?" she puzzles, "I don't think I know you, but I think you and your friends should get in the bus and we should talk."
She points to a bus that looks like it was once a prison vehicle, with barred windows and such, but now has signs indicating it's run by a non-profit refugee support organization funded by the UN and Mexico.
Henri is trying to nonchalantly move toward the vehicle but realizes that the conversation appears to have changed from a stealth and steal method.
Nissa flutters aboard the bus, inviting Henri to follow.
“Just Nissa will do, April.
“So first, my powers are a gift from the Dawnflower Herself. I know, sounds conceited, as if a Goddess handpicked me of all people. But I was praying to her when I dozed off and woke up like this!” She then becomes humanish. “No one ever believes I really prayed while sunbathing on a nude beach. But y’know, Sarenrae’s the sun goddess. What better time to pray than under the summer sun?
“Well, maybe dawn since she’s the Dawnflower, but I sleep in sometimes.
“So anyway, I started working for a military man and two scientists. They helped me put my powers to use.” The three people you tried to kill, Ms. Grey. Did kill, in one case.
Am I changing that now?
“Oh, and maybe ya might’ve guessed it, but I’m not from this world? What do you think of that, April? The idea of other worlds where you can breathe the same air and everybody speaks English?—which makes sense because all the worlds have an England. Well, maybe not the elf world, or the one where I bathed with Artemis and her nymphs. That was so awesome, being the least hot woman in the room!
“But that’s my awesome, April. What about you? Everything wonderful here, or if I told you I could take you to another world, would you maybe… like that?”
Once everybody is on the bus, April listens to Nissa's ramble, rolls up her sleeves, locks the door behind her, and says, "Okay, so, maybe the request for hallucinogens was legit, but that transformation ... who are you people and what do you have to do with the Gaians. No bullshit, because I don't have time for that."
If Nissa starts to talk, she hold up a hand and says, "Someone besides the acid-dropping pixie."
Henri raises a hand in a half-wave, ”I’m Henri. She’s not intoxicated, but she thinks way faster than she can speak. I was sent here to investigate what was going on in the camp. She and her friends arrived out of nowhere with a sick member of their group. One of them was familiar with the Gaians and the way they aren’t what they appear to be. Not human. Anyway, Nissa and I evacuated with some residents that were in imminent danger while her friends took the fight to the leadership. We are on our way back to help and met these folks on the road. We just need to borrow the bus or bum a ride, if you are willing.”
Nissa tries to win over April by transforming back into a drug-free pixie and sitting quietly on Henri’s shoulder, committed to behaving. Some nodding and smiling ensues.
"I do this not for your master," Charles snarls as he whacks the surviving Gaian with a paw.
Their hunt done, Charles takes a moment to look around. "There was talk of prisoners, yes?""You will want to free them before we leave, will you not?"
They start trotting towards the remaining structures in the compound in their odd hexapodal gait.
Their hunt done, Charles takes a moment to look around. "There was talk of prisoners, yes?""You will want to free them before we leave, will you not?"
They start trotting towards the remaining structures in the compound in their odd hexapodal gait.
"Yeah! Let's go!" The godling follows Charles deeper into the complex.
"Yeah,wish we had an explosive for that portal but I doubt it would work. Baring a Kai-Implosion special." Looking around for Past-Team. "If we've taken most of the Gaians RAIN can help the prisoners. We'll pop the cells and leave after care to them."
Calling out the Gris and other-me "You two good? I missed that bear-ferosicty. You retired, it suits you though. I think you should both do that after this. But thats for later. You seen Ix? He was hunting Andrews-but last time he didn't do great alone. We need to move"
"Rain cannot have that portal. It is dangerous longterm."
“Oh, shit. My comm!” Nissa’s fairy form seems to flicker to a bug-zapper shade of ultraviolet mid-sentence.
She leaps off of Henri’s shoulder and grows to human form somewhere in the back of the bus.
“Me again! And I’m on a bus driven by a woman I’ve once seen before. Her name is April, and she’s being helpful. You boys ready to ride?”
Having a moment of cold shock at Nissa's response, Zellgato's mind races and then settles down. "That's my partner, my handler. Tell her I'll have a report for her shortly. How long until you arrive at . We've got some captives to check and free. But I'll need to talk to April. RAIN will need to handle the after effects. You don't have another bomb do you?"
Back in the room as they move. "I'll do a quick scan. I don't know if they were doing here. But if they're infected they'll still need isolation and treatment. Though I don't think they can infect unwillingly persay." Looking at Von Junzt for clarification and any knowledge he has from earlier spy business concerning the captives. "I think they gather anyone rebelling, or suspecting them. As well as anyone with a hint of unusual power. Such as my little friend whose name I shant speak." lingering with a tone that says and you won't either
Nissa moves back to the front of the bus and holds the comm before April.
“It’s for you.”
Henri raises a hand in a half-wave, ”I’m Henri. She’s not intoxicated, but she thinks way faster than she can speak. I was sent here to investigate what was going on in the camp. She and her friends arrived out of nowhere with a sick member of their group. One of them was familiar with the Gaians and the way they aren’t what they appear to be. Not human. Anyway, Nissa and I evacuated with some residents that were in imminent danger while her friends took the fight to the leadership. We are on our way back to help and met these folks on the road. We just need to borrow the bus or bum a ride, if you are willing.”
"You're the speedster? I was told you'd be here. Sounds like you met my guys. They aren't subtle, but they're effective. I've just spent 6 months infiltrating weapons smugglers near El Paso only to be pulled off and told to get a team in here. Sounds like the situation is as f###ed up as RAIN thought. Yeah, we can get this thing to the front gates of the compound; that will have to be close enough," says April.
Nissa moves back to the front of the bus and holds the comm before April.
“It’s for you.”
"Agent," says April to Zellgato, "I've just been filled in on what is going on. RAIN is going to want some hard evidence before they quarantine this place; please send me whatever you've got. If it's as bad as what I hear then we're going to need to convince them not to blow this place off the map and claim it was a tornado. Any evidence that this is treatable might keep their trigger finders from getting itchy."
"Yeah! Let's go!" The godling follows Charles deeper into the complex.Their hunt done, Charles takes a moment to look around. "There was talk of prisoners, yes?""You will want to free them before we leave, will you not?"
They start trotting towards the remaining structures in the compound in their odd hexapodal gait.
Charles, Theo, and Zellgato enter the dormitories. The hall is lined with small single-occupancy rooms. The corpses of the guards lie in the hall. Zellgato recognizes IX's work when he sees it. The doors to the small rooms are locked from the outside. You know this because people are pounding on some of the doors begging to be let out, "I've changed my mind. I don't want this anymore. Please make it stop," shouts one.
"It's killing me," claims another, "I don't want to die."
Zellgato toggles the call to a Video-call, "Ma'am, want the cliff note report, major aggressives neutralized, debrief in person. I've got considerable extra data than you'll be expecting. I've been preparing. Be aware our team-set comms security is comprimised. Stick to Nissa's its got layers of protection from an high level of proficiency." Zellgato does take time to send a photographs the corpse of Andrews. Secure that Nissa is unlikely to give her comms up so the picture isn't a large risk compared to rewards. At the tailend, he has Past-Zellgato and himself show briefly, showing a "silent" gesture before continuing.
"This is treatable, and it can be detected. I have treated a similiar case-and I have a willing volunteer for proving this one is treatable. There is also a wealth of potential knowledge. Quarantine is advised.It is unlikely isolated, we need research to prevent what will come."
He sends one text as well, for April to see. "You are at risk, info in person." the notification will vanish before Nissa sees it. She will see it if she checks her messages later however.
Charles, Theo, and Zellgato enter the dormitories. The hall is lined with small single-occupancy rooms. The corpses of the guards lie in the hall. Zellgato recognizes IX's work when he sees it. The doors to the small rooms are locked from the outside. You know this because people are pounding on some of the doors begging to be let out, "I've changed my mind. I don't want this anymore. Please make it stop," shouts one."It's killing me," claims another, "I don't want to die."
Slowing up, "I'll scan. We need to verify stages of gestation. We'll free those uninfected first. We need to know how many infected we have."
Zellgato will begin scanning as the others free, and clear the area. "I'm worried for Ix, I don't know if he found Andrew before us, or is still looking.
Charles sits down at the entrance of the building, having no particular interest in seeing to these captives... and no desire to let further invaders pass them by.
Nissa is somewhat comforted by April’s words. “I’m glad you wouldn’t let those asshoIes blow people up, then lie about it.”
She says to Zellgato, “Hey, errrrr… Aaaagent? I got three Gaians stranded on the road. Not sure they’ll still be there, changing a tire I guess, but if they can be saved… well, that was the point of keeping them alive.”
For April’s benefit, she adds, “Y’know, that and—much like yourself, I’m not a hardened killer.”
”John and Hector may be able to scoop up the ones in the disabled car. Don’t know if they would have two spare tires… Yes, ma’am, I think I’m the speedster you were told would be here. I was never able to get close enough for actionable intel. The goons that died at John’s ranch said they’d been told to keep an eye on me. I never caught on. I’m not that good an infiltrator, I guess.”
Zellgato toggles the call to a Video-call, "Ma'am, want the cliff note report, major aggressives neutralized, debrief in person. I've got considerable extra data than you'll be expecting. I've been preparing. Be aware our team-set comms security is comprimised. Stick to Nissa's its got layers of protection from an high level of proficiency." Zellgato does take time to send a photographs the corpse of Andrews. Secure that Nissa is unlikely to give her comms up so the picture isn't a large risk compared to rewards. At the tailend, he has Past-Zellgato and himself show briefly, showing a "silent" gesture before continuing.
"This is treatable, and it can be detected. I have treated a similiar case-and I have a willing volunteer for proving this one is treatable. There is also a wealth of potential knowledge. Quarantine is advised.It is unlikely isolated, we need research to prevent what will come."He sends one text as well, for April to see. "You are at risk, info in person." the notification will vanish before Nissa sees it. She will see it if she checks her messages later however.
April Patel looks puzzled, seeing the two Zellgatos, reading the strange message, and seeing the corpse of the reptilian known as Brother Andrew, "Debrief in person in 5 minutes. We're coming to you. Lock down the compound and let none of the infected out."
She turns to Nissa as she gets the vehicle moving, "That thing ... the thing that looked like a reptile ... that's what we're dealing with? Are they dangerous?"
The bus starts to make its way into ARIZ-29 slowly. There are people everywhere yelling and shouting, ignoring the lockdown. As the bus approaches the compound, Nissa sees a crowd gathered at its gates. A handful of Gaians are pinned up against the gates, locked out of their own compound. The crowd is shouting at them.
Charles, Theo, and Zellgato enter the dormitories. The hall is lined with small single-occupancy rooms. The corpses of the guards lie in the hall. Zellgato recognizes IX's work when he sees it. The doors to the small rooms are locked from the outside. You know this because people are pounding on some of the doors begging to be let out, "I've changed my mind. I don't want this anymore. Please make it stop," shouts one."It's killing me," claims another, "I don't want to die."
Slowing up, "I'll scan. We need to verify stages of gestation. We'll free those uninfected first. We need to know how many infected we have."
Zellgato will begin scanning as the others free, and clear the area. "I'm worried for Ix, I don't know if he found Andrew before us, or is still looking.
Zellgato finds that a good number of the people locked in these rooms are infected. Some of them are in a state of intense bliss. Others are fighting it. Some are more advanced. Some less. There are at least 15 infected people on this floor.
Charles sits down at the entrance of the building, having no particular interest in seeing to these captives... and no desire to let further invaders pass them by.
Although Charles is in the inner compound, he can hear the din of a crowd gathering at the gates of the outer compound. The residents of ARIZ-29 have questions about EVERYTHING that happened today ... and where there cousins, nephews, children, and siblings are ... the ones who went to worship with the Gaians and never really came home again ...
"We want answers," they yell.
"We've got questions," they yell.
”John and Hector may be able to scoop up the ones in the disabled car. Don’t know if they would have two spare tires… Yes, ma’am, I think I’m the speedster you were told would be here. I was never able to get close enough for actionable intel. The goons that died at John’s ranch said they’d been told to keep an eye on me. I never caught on. I’m not that good an infiltrator, I guess.”
"Well, I didn't hire you," she says, with a shrug, "but it sounds like things went to shit pretty quickly. So, John, Hector, the guy in the retro Best Buy shirt, the one who looks an awful lot like Zellgato but, if possible, even stranger, you, Nissan, and Ms. Muscles. Is that your whole team? Oh, wait, and another Zellgato."
She shakes her head, "I've got so many questions."
The bus can't move any further forward as the crowd has become too thick.
It's about 20 feet from the gates of the compound, but too many refugees are gathered there.
To April, Henri offers a charming grin, "I have figured out which side I want to join in a fight. If Zellgato shows me a man-lizard and says it's a problem, I'm going to do my level best to solve that problem. Though admittedly decapitation is not my typical MO. But my questions beyond that can wait."
Henri looks at Nissa, "I think the top of this bus would be a fine platform for you to address your soon-to-be adoring fans and explain to them how they need to take these Gaian goons into custody in the center of the camp so they can get their answers. Don't you?"
Nissa says to April, “The reptiles are dangerous. Just not as dangerous as altering the timeline to fix things.
“I know that’s a weird thing to say… but there’s a reason you see different Zellgatos, just like there’s a reason I met you when you were older.”
Nissa crosses her arms as she looks at the crowd getting in the way.
“You know any of those people?” she asks April.
"Who do we save? Who can we save?" Theo pleaded.
Nissa says to April, “The reptiles are dangerous. Just not as dangerous as altering the timeline to fix things.
“I know that’s a weird thing to say… but there’s a reason you see different Zellgatos, just like there’s a reason I met you when you were older.”
Nissa crosses her arms as she looks at the crowd getting in the way.
“You know any of those people?” she asks April.
"Just your everyday refugees ... But, see that group right up front .. By their outfits, I'd say they're American Resurrectionists," says April, "They dream of bringing America back as theocracy. They operate in a lot of camps like this and couldn't have been happen when the Gaians showed up with a religion of their own."
To April, Henri offers a charming grin, "I have figured out which side I want to join in a fight. If Zellgato shows me a man-lizard and says it's a problem, I'm going to do my level best to solve that problem. Though admittedly decapitation is not my typical MO. But my questions beyond that can wait."
Henri looks at Nissa, "I think the top of this bus would be a fine platform for you to address your soon-to-be adoring fans and explain to them how they need to take these Gaian goons into custody in the center of the camp so they can get their answers. Don't you?"
Nissa winces at the word ‘decapitation,’ as seeing April reminds her of the day they met. Nissa decapitated four men that day… the only men she had ever killed.
So if April changes, what if those four men… and Greer???
Nissa shakes off those thoughts as Henri addresses her. “On it! Literally!” But before literally getting on the bus, she asks Tarantula for her guns back, just in case!
Nissa shifts to fairy form, circles over the crowd, and lands on the roof of the bus—valkyrie armor converging onto her body!
☀️
“My fellow Americans, the Gaians need to be taken to the center of the camp. There, you’ll get your answers.
“Gaians, please cooperate. Brother Andrew is dead. It’s too late to save him, but maybe it’s not too late for you.”
”Oh… not my approach, but I’m not good with people, either.”
Henri gives her the gun she loaned him before she flies out. ”Sorry, April, I did not answer. John and Hector are locals. They are watching over some wounded allies and a family we escaped with when the Gaians came hunting them. I can’t really tell you much beyond that, I just met the lot of them a few hours ago. And then things have just gotten weirder. The Zellgato that came with Nissa - he can see the future. You’ve seen what she does. The others are… they all unusual somehow. I’m just fast.”
"Who do we save? Who can we save?" Theo pleaded.
"Well, this will be more my department than yours...Go met Nissa and help them get here. Charles keep hunting, keep an eye out for Ix... I'll sort and triage. Past me, Von Junzt, you two got a medical exam to start, I'll mark doors and we get that out of VJ. and then I'll start on what I can here."
Thinking for a moment, and deciding bandage was torn already. "Don't fight April, she looks like your Grey, but she's my April. I'm pretty sure Grey is a hollowed out April. No proof, but thats my guess. and what I'll avoid this time around."[/b]
"Alright. Good luck, Zs." The Olympian runs out to find the entrance.
Charles grunts in acknowledgement of Zellgato's words and trots towards the gate. Hearing the crowd they bellow out, "Those who called themselves 'Gaians' were deceivers!" "They used the bodies of those who joined them for their own purposes!" "Those that would submit, they twisted!" "We have made certain they shall do so no longer." "But time is needed to see who may yet be saved."
Once Zellgato has systematically set up a triage and order of operations he joins his past team. "Ready for this Von Junzt? Well, I'm doing it regardless but I think it goes better if you help reject it. Also it will hurt."
Setting up his medical lab and putting VJ in, he works with his past self, and with Gristlethornes' encouragements, a well as keeping an eye out for the two Zellgatos. They start to work.
The bonus was around that at lv 3...
+2 from Biohack.
To April, Henri offers a charming grin, "I have figured out which side I want to join in a fight. If Zellgato shows me a man-lizard and says it's a problem, I'm going to do my level best to solve that problem. Though admittedly decapitation is not my typical MO. But my questions beyond that can wait."
Henri looks at Nissa, "I think the top of this bus would be a fine platform for you to address your soon-to-be adoring fans and explain to them how they need to take these Gaian goons into custody in the center of the camp so they can get their answers. Don't you?"
Nissa winces at the word ‘decapitation,’ as seeing April reminds her of the day they met. Nissa decapitated four men that day… the only men she had ever killed.
So if April changes, what if those four men… and Greer???
Nissa shakes off those thoughts as Henri addresses her. “On it! Literally!” But before literally getting on the bus, she asks Tarantula for her guns back, just in case!
[dice=Supermodel (grand entrance)]d20+14+1
Nissa shifts to fairy form, circles over the crowd, and lands on the roof of the bus—valkyrie armor converging onto her body!☀️
“My fellow Americans, the Gaians need to be taken to the center of the camp. There, you’ll get your answers.
“Gaians, please cooperate. Brother Andrew is dead. It’s too late to save him, but maybe it’s not too late for you.”
This crowd barely needed encouragement to lay their hands on the Gaians. The followers of 'the American religion' grab the Gaians and start attempting to break the gate down using the Gaians as battering rams.