"I recognize everybody, all the time, right away," says the AI. "but I like to play things cool. People don't feel comfortable when they know you have a file on them the second they walk through your door. I know everything about you, up to clearance 7."
"I rather suspect we recognize some people you wouldn't, but that is scarcely relevant at present," Charles comments, "Beyond the oblique connection that fact has to the fact that the Manticore, not to mention the entire First Responders team, would be wholly inadequate for our job, even if they actually intended to do it properly, which I doubt."
"I know him too," says the AI. "Unpleasant man."
"Unpleasant?" Charles snarls. "Insane. Unethical. Murderous. More."
Charles has to admit that one advantage of three heads is being able to carry on two conversations at once while also walking down the hall to link up with Nissa and her... new friend? And possibly Zellgato, as well. Given combat seems imminent, being separated seems unwise... though this leaves Theo unsupported down the other hall... too late now.
Henri comes swiftly down the hallway. "Heads up. Literally. There are ports for entry of auto-fire aerial robots everywhere. And no clear exit that isn't the elevator."
Henri and Speedfreak's warning gives the party time to prepare. Speedy heads out into the hall just before the drone ports in the ceiling of the complex open, dropping a dozen drones into each corridor.
Nissa had already stepped up to the edge of it, guns drawn.
”Make like a fire-eater, and EAT THIS!”
Theo, Angel Sword and shield in hand, is pleased he has drones to vent his frustrations on.
Theo, Angel Sword and shield in hand, is pleased he has drones to vent his frustrations on.
[dice=Angel Sword]1d20 + 12
[dice=Dmg.]1d6 + 6 + 1d6
Round 1
The Olympian continues to slash at drones with anger in his eyes.
[dice=If you need a new roll as we are in battle now. Not gonna be better than that lst one though]1d20+13
Zellgato picks the lock to open the meeting room door.
The mad scientist in the room says, "Excuse me, I've booked this meeting room until .... Egads! Intruders!"
The mad scientist we presume to be PhDestruction says, "Now, you see, this is why I don't do 'Lair Warming Parties.' Lairs are supposed to be secret. Say 'hi' to the twins for me. Bye-bye!" before his screen goes blank.
"You're under arrest." Zellgato states plantively. Pulling his rifle (move action) and motioning to Charles if hes viewable.
Charles bounds down the hall towards Zellgato as the drone ports open, then tenses as one drops near him. He crouches down then leaps upward, almost tackling the drone as much as attacking it with their claws.
Nissa had already stepped up to the edge of it, guns drawn.
”Make like a fire-eater, and EAT THIS!”
[dice=Shoot, Damage]d20+11; 2d6+3
Nissa pings one of the drones. It flies off course and slams into a wall, but doesn't seem damaged. It reorients itself to attack Nissa when it gets a chance.
Theo, Angel Sword and shield in hand, is pleased he has drones to vent his frustrations on.
[dice=Angel Sword]1d20 + 12
[dice=Dmg.]1d6 + 6 + 1d6
Each of Theo's quick sword attacks bring down a drone. They aren't so tough.
"You're under arrest." Zellgato states plantively. Pulling his rifle (move action) and motioning to Charles if hes viewable.
The man in the room turns and says, "Under arrest? Moi? I don't think so."
He studies Zellgato for a bit. "Say, you're with that team that keeps tussling with my twins, aren't you? You're the one without anything interesting going for you. You must be so jealous of Charles."
Charles bounds down the hall towards Zellgato as the drone ports open, then tenses as one drops near him. He crouches down then leaps upward, almost tackling the drone as much as attacking it with their claws.
[dice=Claws]1d20+12
[dice=Damage]1d6+17
Charles' claws slice through a drone. Not so tough at all!
There are ten drones remaining in the Development corridor where Nissa, Theo, and Henri are.
The drones seem to be trying to land on you, like angry wasps.
Four drones try to tag Nissa, but she's too quick for them. None of them manage to land on her.
Three drones try to attack Theo. Again, all of them fail.
Three drones try to attack Henri. Two of them land on him and then blast him with electricity
Everybody in the Development Corridor sees Henri zapped with electricity from two of the drones, which somehow managed to land on him.
There are eleven drones remaining in the Research corridor where Charles and Zellgato are.
After Charles manages to take out one drone, eleven remain. Zellgato is in a glass room at the end of the hallway. There are no drones in that room. If only Charles could get to it and get inside he'd be safe.
One of the drones closest to Charles manages to shock him
Round 2
"Fu<k these drones!" Theo barks as he continued his attack on the drones.
Charles roars, more in rage than in pain, after the little shock he was given.
Afterwards he stalks towards the conference room door, not fancying staying out here and smashing so many drones.
☀️☀️
When the drones fly down, Nissa charges right at them!
Round 2
With Charles bounding in, Zellgato taps the door mechanism open and moves in closer to the target of information. "Boring is good. No one knows you. Or what you do." he simply replies in even tones. Lining his bayonet equipped rifle within reasonable distance-but retaining it close to his own body to prevent errant muzzle grabbing best he can.
As he waits for Charles before he transitions to ranged combat from the cover of the room.
Henri exhibits a sudden burst of speed, charging one of the drones as he draws his polyclub and tries to hammer the threat into the nearby wall.
Theo takes out another drone, hitting it easily.
Nissa takes out the four that had been trying to land on her with her blazing orbit.
Henri sends one back to the ceiling droneport for repairs.
There are four left in Development corridor.
The congressman, the marketing team, and the really big guy are standing at the glass wall of the room, and watching the fight. The really big guy gives you a shy wave. The congressman is looking annoyed.
Charles causes the drones in the Research corridor to scatter for a second before they resume their attacks. Some are damaged. None are destroyed. All are cautious.
Only three of them manage to land on Charles as he stalks down the corridor. Ordinary folk wouldn't be able to shrug off the damage these drones are doing, but Charles is a beast.
As Charles enters the room, the Mad Scientist gestures at Charles excitedy and says, "See! Majestic!! Although, I think you will find the Manticore to be an equally brilliant design if you continue to squabble. Welcome, Charles, I have heard SO MUCH ABOUT YOU and you REALLY do live up to EXPECTATIONS."
He moves like he wants to try petting Charles in delighted curiosity but something makes him restrain himself a little. Perhaps Charles growls? In any case, he is all a flutter with excitement.
Round 3
Theo sneers at the observers in the glass office. The godling increases his fervor against the drones.
Charles grit their teeth as the drones shock them. With someone else to draw some attention they could destroy them, but alone? It seems unwise to try.
Once inside the conference room they fix the probable mad scientist with a triple glare.
"You are responsible for this?"
"If we are your idea of brilliance, we'd be doing the world a favor by tearing your throat out," they snarl.
They advance on the object of their ire. "But you might know about Him," they growl in unison.
"What are you, his apprentice?"
"Where is he?"
Round 3
As Charles stalks up and begins is inquiry Zellgato shifts and fires down the hallway at a drone moving to the doorway for cover.
"Watch for tricks or escape tools."
Development Corridor
Theo takes out another drone.
Only three drones left in the Development corridor. The AI piloting them doesn't know what to do about Nissa's ability to burn the drones up if they try to touch her but recognize Theo as a consistent threat. All three attack him, one manages to land on him and zap him
Research Corridor
Zellgato's shot sends one of the drones spinning, but it soon recovers. All 11 of the drones in the Research corridor swarm outside the door waiting for Zellgato to open it again.
"A bifurcated personality? Oh, my!" says the scientist. "His apprentice? Not at all! You have the honour of addressing Dr. Hansen Johansen; perhaps you have heard of me?"
Nissa sees that the drones are avoiding her, which gives her an idea:
• keep moving
• blow up the repair station
Nissa runs toward Theo, hoping to singe his assailants. She also makes sure the AI wall catches fire.
She then leaps, becomes a spark, soars straight up, subatomically into the ceiling—and blows up the repair bay like Michael Bay! The blast should hit any airborne drones (within a ten foot radius) as well!
Nissa and Henri finish off the last drones in the Development corridor together. The big guy, on the other side of the glass, gives a thumbs up.
The head of the Last Atlantean android calls out, "You made quick work of those drones!"
Speedfreak has taken this opportunity to zip down the corridor to the lobby. The ding of the elevator tells you he's taking off.
The eleven drones in the Research corridor stop swarming around the glass wall and start buzzing towards Henri, Theo, and Zellgato.
Henri grins at the big guy's approval before turning to face the coming drones.
Nissa says to Henri, ”Guess we better help our friends in research—including that big guy!”
Nissa gives him a thumbs-up, and makes sure to look super cute in case he’s a big teddy bear of a man who wouldn’t want to see anything happen to Nissa’s purty little face.
She then rushes to the Research wing, blazing a trail intent on roasting the AI wall.
”Tell me how hot I am,” she says to the AI.
"A bifurcated personality? Oh, my!" says the scientist. "His apprentice? Not at all! You have the honour of addressing Dr. Hansen Johansen; perhaps you have heard of me?"
"Bifrucated? You underestimate us," Charles replies.
"It is no honor," he simultaneously growls.
"But you do know him?" he notes, eyes narrowed.
"Where is he?" all three of Charles chorus.
Round 4
Theo keeps the heat up for the incoming drones.
"A bifurcated personality? Oh, my!" says the scientist. "His apprentice? Not at all! You have the honour of addressing Dr. Hansen Johansen; perhaps you have heard of me?"
"Bifrucated? You underestimate us," Charles replies.
"It is no honor," he simultaneously growls.
"But you do know him?" he notes, eyes narrowed.
"Where is he?" all three of Charles chorus.
"I'm not sure, actually," confesses Dr. Johansen. "He's weirdly secretive about his lairs. Last time I saw him was at his lair in dumpling factory in Turkey while he worked on his marvelous Manticore, but I think he's moved since then. I mean, I could tell you how to find him, but why would I? What's in it for me, as you Americans like to ask?"
Nissa says to Henri, ”Guess we better help our friends in research—including that big guy!”
[dice=Supermodel]d20+16
Nissa gives him a thumbs-up, and makes sure to look super cute in case he’s a big teddy bear of a man who wouldn’t want to see anything happen to Nissa’s purty little face.She then rushes to the Research wing, blazing a trail intent on roasting the AI wall.
”Tell me how hot I am,” she says to the AI.[dice=Blazing Orbit]2d6+1+d6
"You are very, very hot, Nissa Van Donk," says the AI voice even as the screens melt, "And that gives me an idea!"
Nozzles drop from the ceiling at either end of the Research corridor, just as Nissa, Henri, and Theo enter. Nothing is coming out of them yet.
Eleven drones zoom down the corridor towards you. Theo and Henri each take out one. Now there are nine drones and two mystery nozzles.
round 4 I think
Hallway abuzz with drones. Zellgato leaves the door closed. Turning back to Charles and Dr Johnsen. Using his tried and true partner, he scans the Doctor, and comments to Charles "Probably a few cameras in here, but Shall I administer some incentive?"
Looking at this madman, so smug and superior, even now seeking what *he* wants regardless of the pain of others... they remember.
He remembers the agony of being cut apart, the unfamiliar terror of being helpless to save himself in spite of his strength.
He remembers quivering in fear, watching in incomprehension as large *things* moved around him, provoking shrieks and roars and terrible noises from creatures he did not recognize.
He remembers the despair, the helplessness of watching a madman vivisect animals he'd cared for with his own hands, and for what?
Why?
What possible purpose could all of that pain have served?
Were they simply for the 'benefit' of a man like this?
All of this... the pain, the despair, the terror, the memories... in the pressure of the moment they blend together and transform.
Rage. Rage burns through their veins like lava as this smug madman asks "what's in it for me?"
The sounds that escape their throats are something between a roar and an incohate scream as they leap towards the object of their wrath.
Dr. Johansen crumples beneath Charles' pounce. He's clearly not much of a fighter. He shouts in fright and desperation, "Wait! Wait! We're on the same side! You're making a mistake! Call your bosses and ask them to call their bosses! The congressman is here. He can explain."
At the beginning of this new round, Charles and Zellgato are at the end of a corridor. Charles is standing on a man who is shouting and gesticulating wildly.
Henri, Nissa, and Theo are at the other end of the corridor.
Eleven drones stand between the two groups.
Round 5
Theo nods to others near him as they know the drones must go. The Olympian wades forward.
☀️☀️
Nissa fires both guns!—one at each mystery nozzle!
Henri attempts to take out another of the zappy drones.
He succeeds.
Theo takes out one of the hover drones and sends another zipping towards its droneport so it can get repaired.
Nissa blasts two nozzles, which were about to flood the hallway with freezing gas. Instead, the cannisters of gas explode flooding either end of the hallway with freezing gas.
Half of the drones get caught in the gas and are frozen and out of commission. The remaining four attack.
Zellgato and Charles get to continue their interrogation for a few more seconds before we move to the next round.
More restrant than I thought... Charles is well natured. Zellgato thinks, and then moves to examining the room, trying to find whatever computer was likely operating prior and hoping its an important PC. Quipping to Charles, "They're fighting out there still. as long as he doens't die, I can repair most superficial damage. Just not an internal organ."
perc adds 14,
No hacking kit though.