Project M.I.N.O.T.A.R's page

I had fun!

=)

Beating Mr. Myzplck was a crowning achievement of my gaming career! MINOTAR will always be one of my favorite Hero characters.

Thanks for sticking with it as long as you have.

Besides…trying to figure out a safe place near Dallas in 1963 to sucker time traveling villains into a trap was taxing my brain. I was about to ask my mom for suggestions…
(I live in Dallas of course, and grew up in North East Texas most of my life.)

Good luck on the future: Don’t let yourself be your own worst enemy.

MINOTAR would laugh but was afraid to offend their new compatriot.

Statement: Technically we are already in the ‘Metroplex.’ The United States Census Bureau determined the ‘Dallas-Ft.Worth Metroplex’ encompasses 9,286 square miles (24,100 km2) of total area; 8,991 sq mi (23,290 km2) is land, and 295 sq mi (760 km2) is covered by water. The conurbated metropolitan area is larger in area than the U.S. states of Rhode Island and Connecticut combined, and larger than New Jersey. If the metropolitan area were a sovereign state, it would rank the 162nd largest state by total area after Lebanon. The U.S. Office of Management and Budget combines the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex with the Sherman–Denison metropolitan area and seven micropolitan statistical areas to form the Dallas–Fort Worth TX–OK combined statistical area. At least in our modern times. We will need to pick a more specific location.”

Again, without turning his head, MINOTAR states the obvious…yet again.

”Statement: We would need a place out of general view of the public, but not that far from the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex itself. We would also have to be careful and hope our enemies cannot turn our trap back on ourselves. Of course we also need to protect the timeline as well.”

Pausing only a moment, MINOTAR replies.

"Statement: You would probably have a better idea on how to get the attention of a of a time traveler. My suggestions are limited by my knowledge of time travel which is minor at best. If nothing else something 'obvious' hitting the news that seems unbelievable but a time traveler would recognize instantly. Or an encrypted radio burst...some thing like that."

Contemplating multiple scenarios as he scans the airwaves, one suddenly pops an interesting question into his head. Without turning he speaks to his temporary teammate.

”Query: Maybe we should have the ‘time villains’ come to us? Would there be a certain action or signal that would cause them to respond to us? Draw them out, rather than us hunting needles in a thousand haystacks.”

Understood. But my point was following him would be easier than trying to find out anything with his license plate in some government documents file somewhere, which we don’t have access to at the moment. If you can follow in a cab or steal a car or something then do so…otherwise I suggest flying extra high in order to stay out of general sight. What you do is up to you and is part of the challenge of our situation.

MINOTAR quickly relays Voltage’s info to their time ally, and responds.

”Statement and Request: Excellent work Mr. V. Tracking down a government license plate might be difficult in this day and age. Stay with him and observe. If things change, then call us in and we will converge on your location. He could just be doing prep work for the President’s motorcade, but again he might be masquerading as a government agent to move around quickly. He could also be involved with the assassination attempt too.. Regardless, be careful and contact me the moment anything major happens.“

Mainly just trying to monitor as many signals as he could. TV, radio, short wave, heck he’s checking Sputnik’s signal to see if it is still beeping! We are basically shot-gunning for anything that could lead to any clue as to where/when the time villains might strike. Going across town just seems the smarter thing to do than just sitting still and looking suspicious.

MINOTAR nods casually to the alien woman.

"Statement: 'Karen' works perfectly. Ed and Karen? Yes this is fine. Let's see if we can find a bus that can take us across town then. The sooner we get started the sooner we can finish and go home."

MINOTAR continues to scan the local radio, TV, and short wave signals hoping to find an anomaly as soon as possible.

Now if we can only find a bus stop...

The boy is playing with a Tonka truck.

I used to own a more modern version of that when I was a kid!

I'm unsure when 'Police Scanners' were invented but MINOTAR will also try scanning for unusual Police, or possibly Fire and Ambulance calls as well. Portable Police Radios were introduced in the 1960s and Police Car Radios had been around for years already by this point. Considering most technological equipment in this century is nothing close to digital (real computers of the time filled entire rooms and they were mostly just fancy calculators if I remember correctly), this is his best source of strange and unusual local info probably. That and maybe Ham Radios. I'm hoping the 4-armed telepathic lady can help a bit more once we get closer to anyone who might be 'out-of-time.'

Perception(Awareness): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (4) + 5 = 9
Technology(INT): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20

Still scanning the airwaves and such, MINOTAR turns to his alien companion.

"Question: Maybe we should try to procure a local vehicle of some sort? Although we could attempt to use public transportation as a substitute if you prefer. Also, do you have a moniker that you would prefer I use for you? One that does not draw attention in the place? You can call me...'Mr. Ed' for now while we travel. That should not sound too much out of place, and is the name of a popular TV program of the current time period..."

Awesome! No you can pick you profile pick for SJ and put up whatever feels like your form at the time! Swap as needed.

MINOTAR will turn toward the city center.

”Statement and Question: Good luck everyone. Remember meet back here tomorrow if you can. Then we go from there. Shall we start from the city center and work outward in a counter clockwise direction?”

MINOTAR puts a finger in the air and runs it down a few inches.

"Statement and Example: One point for SJ. Yes...anything we do could change ten million things later on in the future, or worse, create multiple uncontrolled branches of reality that are out of sync with this one and could threaten all of known existence itself...but that is only a theory. However...if it helps...an example: I literally was made by combining different technologies from multiple sources and backgrounds. An accident. One in a billion chance that I turned out the way I did. Would you see my existence erased, me become the near mindless killing machine I was intended to be, or worse...a maniac villain whom you would have to fight directly at some point?"

He then waves a hand across the horizon.

"Explanation: Please...our best action now would be to 'blend in' and gather information. Try to see if someone has noticed anything unusual or reported something to the authorities. Unless the time traveler person or persons came back fully prepared, its very possible they will stand out much like us. We will have to cover as much ground as possible."

He begins pointing at each person in turn.

"Assignments: Rigel, you and SJ are on the president's motorcade and his entire entourage. You two have the best chance to blend in and try to find these other time travelers and stop them without causing a major incident. Voltage? You are good at talking to people. Try seeing, VERY carefully, if there is someone from this time who might be able to help us out in finding the ones who want to change time. A scientist...a police detective with an open mind, Batman's Grandfather: Whatever it takes. The Dallas area has some very interesting people in this era who are eccentric enough to possibly understand our situation and sympathize enough to help. This alien young lady and I will then focus on monitoring the city in general. I will follow the local Radio and Television signals subtly to hopefully get us closer to our quarry's location, and she...I'm assuming...can read the surface thoughts of those people nearby to help us narrow down who might know something or lead us in the right direction. So...Divide and conquer so to speak. We then meet back here in this alley at dawn tomorrow to update each other and coordinate on any possible successes. If you cannot make it at dawn, try to leave a hidden note or some other communication to let us know you were here...or need help."

He then looks at the others to gauge their reactions to his multiple statements.

MINOTAR shakes his head as his fear of discovery lessens.

"Admonishment and statement: You all think too narrowly. We could be here to make sure his wife or Texas Governor John Connally survives, or that Lee Harvey gets caught. Or none of it. The 'Butterfly' effect of time distortion could mean anything as far as we know. Some super-powered child could gain an advantage now that leads to a different future for all of us...so literally anything could happen. I for one have no problem making sure our future remains intact: Maybe its my tactical brain that gives me that advantage here, but 'doing what's right for the future' is bigger than whatever is happening 'right now' in my opinion."

Scanning the paper in her hand, MINOTAR begins extrapolating their location and time with as many factors as he can see and hear, tuning into local TV and Radio broadcasts. Once he started to realize what was going on, MINOTAR decided to use the new word Straightjacket taught him.

"Statement and Expletive: Earth. We are in the Southern United States. Dallas Texas...somewhere in the past. There are no cell towers or major satellites, so our communication will be limited. Approximately late November...1963. Oh that's just 'Craptastic.' You brought us here. NOW."

He immediately starts to visually scan for local police, or interested locals, while trying to stay as hidden as possible.

"Question and Warnings: Can you disguise my visual form as well with your powers? Otherwise, a seven and a half foot combat robot might just start a panic. AND summon the army to our nearest vicinity. Not to mention, this IS Texas: Almost 30% of the population here was believed to have had access to multiple types of firearms during this time period."

Thinking he would be the best to go first, MINOTAR immediately turns and enters the portal. As he did so, he wonders what would happen if he managed to get the time travel device…

MINOTAR nods yet again.

”Statement and Query: Then we should start immediately. Where do we begin?”

MINOTAR merely stands quietly to those watching. Inside, he is running calculations and triple verifying the woman’s statements. After nearly 3 minutes he finally speaks, as the others look anxiously at MINOTAR for his unusually slow response.

”Verification Complete: She is speaking the truth as she understands things. The physics involved are very convoluted and dangerous, but she is essentially correct. As far I can understand such things. Sentience is still new to me, so is time essentially… or at least how I experience it still is. But that borders on the philosophical, so I will skip that for now. Basically she is speaking the truth… as far as we can prove at the moment.”

MINOTAR begins to rattle of the name of the President, the Vice President, and the Joint Chiefs of Staff before he notices everyone's annoyed looks and stops.

Nodding at the new information, MINOTAR begins processing the possibilities. Too many… his processing center ‘brain’ temperature quickly begins to rise too quickly. So he relents and focuses on the here and now.

“Statement and Request: Obviously you seem distressed, and you tell a good story, but can you prove any of this? You are asking a lot of us, and possibilities abound on potential lies dealing with time travel. You may very well be trying to cause what you are asking us to prevent.”

Nonplussed by the Guardian's Ring power, MINOTAR nods and continues to monitor local remote camera frequencies and scans local radio for anything unusual while the others talk.

MINOTAR keeps himself from chuckling, seeing a chance at humor.

"Humorous Response: She doesn't appear to be sweating to me...just green."

Silently communicating to the others via his internal radio transmissions to their personal comm devices, he warns the others in the JL group that the woman is not who she appears to be (according to the description he was originally given at least) and to be on extra alert for an attack or surprise maneuver. He also sends a transmission of the alien's true look back to the base for further, but hopefully quick, research.

"Statement and Query: She appears to be green with four arms. Is that what you all are seeing, or not?"

Immediately suspicious of such a strange call, MINOTAR is already on the lookout for ambushes or scams. He is monitoring all the radio channels he can, scanning each over time, including the local unsecured CCTV cameras and anything else he can find as they approach the area with the woman.

He falls behind the others as they finally approach to let one of the other members speak to the woman while he continues to scan for possible trouble...

Perception(Awareness): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (15) + 5 = 20
Technology(INT): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (9) + 8 = 17

MINOTAR silently begins to help with the clean up process. Coordinating with the facility and law enforcement as needed.

Without missing a beat, MINOTAR nods and expounds on the idea.

”Historical Factual Statement: ‘The pen is mightier than the sword’ is an expression indicating that the written word is more effective than violence as a means of social or political change. This sentiment has been expressed with metaphorical contrasts of writing implements and weapons for thousands of years. The specific wording that "the pen is mightier than the sword" was first used by English author Edward Bulwer-Lytton in 1839.“

MINOTAR steps up to make sure Ivy is restrained.

“Statement: Everyone stay back. I am immune to her ability to control male humans.”

It’s been quiet. We ok?

If MINOTAR manages to get to the roof and make it quickly enough back to the fighting area from there, he will super leap-crash through the roof trying to hit Ivy as she attempts to move away from the scene.

Close Combat (Fighting): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25

Made it. Lots of pain, but good people to help me through it.

FINALLY: That's it! I'm off to bed and a 6am call at the VA. Wish me luck and I will see you all on the other side hopefully. Please bot my character as needed until I can post again later this week at some point. Everybody have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

Thanks all! Yes, I hope everything goes well too of course. I'm just trying not to think about it too much.

Well...here it goes:

I have been diagnosed with a bad ticker. And they are in a hurry to get it fixed: Next Tuesday I will be getting open heart surgery and a Heart Bypass at my local VA. That means I will be in the hospital for at least a week of recovery and home resting after that for weeks. I will attempt to keep up with my games, at least by phone for now, but I cannot guarantee anything after next Monday yet. That's assuming I survive. They gave me a pretty low percentage of something going wrong, but with any surgery you never know...

I am still available between now and next Monday however. If you need anything from me for this game until then, just let me know.

Either way, please feel free to bot my character as needed after next Monday, and I hope to get back to all my PbP games (by phone at least) as soon as I can. Hopefully by...Christmas? We'll see I guess.
=)

MINOTAR silently transmits to the others.

"Statement: Target is now safe and hidden! Returning to help."

He then scans the building plans and security footage for the shortest route to the building's roof.

Perception(Awareness): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (17) + 5 = 22 -free action
Technology(INT): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (17) + 8 = 25 -standard action

MINOTAR will keep moving Gemstone to a safer location, as far from the fighting as possible, and hopefully into the arms of a security detail from the Con at minimum or (hopefully) real police officers by this point. Once there, he will instruct them to remain radio silent and keep the woman safely hidden until he or another member of the League returns.

Flower Arrangement skill points!

Got it covered! My 'Jack-of-All-Trades' can handle that.

I know I have PP sitting around, but I haven't figured out how I wish to use them.

Ditto...?

Im good.

Still here!
=)

I'm good. Slow pace is better than no pace...

No reason to feel sorry. He’s lived a long and decent life. I just hope he can pass on with some dignity intact. It will all be hard, but it’s better than him lingering on in a state that is not sustainable.

He's actually doing a little better at the moment, but the nurses say its only a matter of time from here. He's lost too much weight and his regular oxygen %, even with a concentrator is just too low.

As long as the ex-villain remains calm and follows MINOTAR silently, he will quickly map a way out to the convention center's back loading docks, calling police and an ambulance to meet them there in case the woman is hurt or goes in to shock once her adrenaline wears off.

He then, reports to the others as well, silently.

"Statement: This is MINOTAR. I have the villains' target in possession and moving her out of the scuffle from the immediate vicinity. Let me know if you need assistance ASAP, and I will return post-haste once I have secured her safety."

If you need me to make any rolls for this, just let me know.

Apologies all:

I hate to pile on, but it may be difficult for me to jump on and post for the next few days or so. My father has been at home in hospice care for over 2 years now and things seem to be suddenly accelerating today according to my sister.

Please bot me where/when needed, and I will attempt to stay up to date and post when I can in the near future.

Patience is a virtue!
=)

Whispering to the captured individual, MINOTAUR tries not to panic the woman.

“Reassuring and Statement: Please do not worry or struggle, I’m with the JLA and am attempting to remove you from this situation and hopefully descalate the scuffle nearby. Please stay with me and do not speak. Nod your head if you understand.”

That puts me close behind the person under attack? Correct? If so my first action on my turn will be to try and surprise grapple her and yank her out of sight quickly behind the curtain wall.

Understood! Of course real life matters more. No problems here.

Still behind the scenes (so to speak) MINOTAR attempts to use this to his advantage...he begins downloading as many maps of the convention center at high speed and moving down a back corridor that gets him closer to the action.

BASICALLY...Can MINOTAR sneak up in all of the commotion and get near one of the combatants in order to gain a surprise attack? Even if it means busting through a wall, or floor, or...something? He should be able to use any unsecured wireless security cameras and cell phone transmissions to attempt and triangulate something like this. I think?

Skill Flurry!
Perception(Awareness): 1d20 + 5 ⇒ (20) + 5 = 25 -free action
Technology(INT): 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (12) + 8 = 20 -standard action
Jack-of-all-trades(Expertise:Guerilla Tactics)-INT: 1d20 + 4 ⇒ (19) + 4 = 23 - does not take an action!
Jack-of-all-trades(Athletics)-STR: 1d20 + 8 ⇒ (6) + 8 = 14 - move action