Big_Game_EU

((This piece originally started out as just another Informer newspaper article alluding to one of the battle's from the current Rogue War III plotline. Once I started on the writing I realised I had an oportune moment to reintroduce my original main Britanic, as well as an old enemy... Anyway I wont give it all away just yet, so go ahead and have a read...))

{Fort Plum, Point Du Hoc, RWZ.}

For the last few months Eric Mitchell aka the mutant powerhouse Britanic had been working as an architectural engineering consultant for the Vanguard in the Rikti War Zone. Originally he'd so-say taken the job to help give him time to readjust after his return from exile in the Netherworld. The idea was to busy himself doing something he excelled at, yet still make a meaningful contribution to Paragon's defence without having to take up the mantle of Britanic. The reality was that on his return a traumatised Britanic was still feeling uncomfortable around the significant people in his life, and working in the RWZ gave him the space he needed to avoid dealing with that.

Still, as much as he thought he needed the space his work in the RWZ afforded him, he still craved news from the outside world...

"What do you have there soldier?" asked Britanic.

An almost startled Vanguard soldier turned to face the man who'd addressed him. "Me?... Oh, my paper. It's the Informer. Kind of an underground tabloid from back home. The writing is very editorial, but at least it isn't censored by the Arachnos Ministry of Information like the rest of the media in the Etoile Isles."

"Do you mind?" asked Britanic with hand outstretched. "I have been tied up making these structural upgrades to the forts for weeks now. News from somewhere else, and not involving Rikti would be a welcome diversion."

"Sure. Here you go." answered the soldier as he handed over the paper.

Thanking the soldier, Britanic took the paper and leant against one of the newly installed support girders as he started to read...

((Thanks guys, it's great that everytime I decide to show my face again I always get a warm welcome. I am especially pleased that some of you are actually inspired enough to write your own reactionary pieces to the story I posted. To me those pieces really help reinforce the feeling that the Unionverse is a living breathing entity.))

((Sooo after another long absence I been bit by the CoX bug again. But rather than just show up unannounced on my native Union server I thought I'd cobble together a bit of a story both as a shout out for myself as well as start laying some foundations for whatever RP I might get into once im back properly. Coming soon expect some wiki updates for the stuff in the story, as well as (well hopefully) a MA arc featuring Eso-Tech. Anyways im waffling. Just have a read...))

{03/01/2010, The Foundry, Sharkhead Isle.}

CRACK!, SMASH!! Went the hand-held communicator as it shattered against the far wall.

Why the hell do I bother? a very annoyed Peddler thought to herself. Still seething, she proceeded to pace through the wreckage of the communicator.

Ever since her hostile takeover of Eso-Tech, during what was known internally as the 'Night of the Long Knives', the company had been plagued with problems. The latest of which being down to the scavenger hunter teams that Eso-Tech relied on for the gathering of the many strange raw materials needed for it's production and research.

After Eso-Tech's disassociation with the problematic Big Game's monster hunting Hyenas the company once again recruited it's own in house teams of hunters. The first of these was the Jackals lead in the field by the karma obsessed Earl. After several operational disputes with the Jackals,
the Peddler then recruited a second team to balance the workload. This second second team, calling itself the Vultures, was lead by death obsessed shaman Bonecaster, but just as with the Jackals and the Hyenas before them they also proved to be somewhat awkward employees.

The Peddler rubbed her forehead and let out an audible sigh. I only have myself to blame, after all I've always known that professional monster hunters are all crazy. It's rather naive of myself to expect them to be reliable too.

The Peddler knelt down and started to pick up the pieces of the broken communicator.

Why the hell did Earl pick up that lottery ticket on his last trip to Paragon? No... wait... Why the hell did he have to win so big? I wouldn't mind so much if it was a case that he thought he had enough money to retire on, but to refuse missions because he's afraid of negative karma balancing things out is just ridiculous.

The Peddler picked up the last of the communicator pieces before getting up and throwing the debris into a small waste paper basket.

As for Bonecaster, the whole idea of recruiting him and his team in the first place was to cover stupid stuff like this. I can't believe he's refusing this mission because he dropped a bargain bucket and the remains spelled out some sort of ill omen. I really have to take that guy's incense away. I swear it's far more potent than he lets on.

The Peddler walked over to her desk, picked up a clip board, and started to scan through the research and development notes on it.

"Additional fresh samples from an extra dimensional creature such as a Winter Lord would be invaluable in furthering our research of dimensional travel and expanding the capabilities of the 'Gateway' system. Failing any progress there any salvaged energies and remains would still be useful as components for cryo-weapons and equipment. However based on the data retrieved from the samples secured by the Hyenas in 2007 I am very confident new samples would greatly help our research into dimensional frequency theory, and navigational plotting.

I strongly urge you to assign either the Jackals or the Vultures the task of hunting a Winter Lord without delay, especially since it is almost certain that we will have a very limited window of opportunity to secure one of the beasts."

The Peddler let out another loud sigh. Looks like I ought start thinking about the alternatives.

Sitting down at her desk she then proceeded to tap away at her keyboard bringing up various personnel files of Eso-Tech's security staff on her computer screen. After about fifteen minutes of browsing files she came to the conclusion that the few operatives possibly capable of the task within the security force were far too valuable to risk loosing should the hunt go bad.

She started to rhythmically tap her fingers against the desk as she pondered her dilemma. Hmm, someone talented, yet at the same time expendable... Oh no! Surely I can't be that desperate? Then again he did it before, and even if he did manage to screw it up this time and get himself killed it's not like I'd shed any tears.

After a little hesitation the Peddler finally made her decision. Reaching across her desk she pressed a button on the desktop comm system...

"Gateway this is the Peddler, prepare a 'port to Darwin's Landing immediately. I need to make a business trip."

"Certainly ma’am. The Gate will be ready for you on your arrival..."

{The Jelly Fish Dream, Darwins Landing, Mercy Island.}

A sharp pain in the ribs, no doubt the result of a swift kick, woke a bedraggled Big Game from his drunken stupor. His vision was still blurred both because of a discarded luxurious silk stocking still draped over part of his face as well as his state of semi-intoxication. While his vision slowly regained focus Big Game pulled the stocking away, and then clumsily reached about himself looking for something to drink. Before he'd actually chanced across anything his vision came back into focus and he groaned as he realised just who was standing above him.

"Geez Peddler, you gotta lotta nerve! What the hell d'ya want?"

"Why thank you, I missed you too."

"Can it Peddler! Thanks to you the Hyenas went belly up."

"If I remember rightly you abandoned the team to wash away your guilt with booze and whores. Besides, what are you moaning about, you managed to start up a new team."

"Yeah and they all bought it thanks to Eso-Tech's screwing about with necro-bots in Cap Au Diable."

"Your team was hired to deal with a Zombie outbreak, and they were killed during that action. Monster hunting occupational hazard im afraid. Admittedly the Zombie's origins are unfortunate coincidence, but perhaps your team shouldn't of bit off more than they could chew in the first place."

"You're all heart Peddler... So other than kicking me in the ribs, disturbing my sleep, and insulting dead friends what is it you actually want?"

"I'll come straight to the point. I want to re-open a working relationship between Eso-Tech and yourself."

"Really? what happened to your replacements, y'know what's their names? Jack-*****?"

"You mean the Jackals. Unfortunately they are currently otherwise engaged. As, unfortunately, are my other team the Vultures.

I’m not expecting you to sign up as an Eso-Tech employee, but to work with us on a purely freelance basis. You will remain your own boss at all times, and be handsomely rewarded for any contracts you undertake. In addition I promise you a substantial discount on any Eso-Tech goods and services."

"What makes you think I'd ever work with you guys again?"

The Peddler picked up a holdall that was sitting on a table out of Big Game's sight and started to empty the contents all over him. Big Game momentarily flinched as he was showered with money.

"An advance, because frankly you need it. Face it you are flat broke. you have not had a decent paying job for months. Whatever money you have managed to get hold of has been blown on drink, gambling and girls. Even signing back up with the Corporation didn't help you because you've lost all interest in merely being a hired goon. You're a mess 'Game and if you don't sort yourself out soon you're going to end up dead. It's just a question of what will actually kill you... the drink, someone you owe money to, or most likely sexually transmitted disease! I’m giving you yet another chance to get away from that."

Big Game seemed to ponder his situation for a moment before replying.

"Ok im in. Just gimmie a hand up will'ya? Oh and while you're at it find me a drink, my mouth feels like I been chowing down on freakin' cat litter..."

{08/01/2010, Mid-morning, The Foundry, Sharkhead Isle.}

"Sorry to disturb you ma'am, but I think you should read this..."

The Peddler looked up from the pile of research notes she'd been reading to face the man who had disturbed her. Standing on the opposite side of the desk was the incredibly non-descript security director Rook. Clutched in his hand was a rolled up copy of the underground tabloid the Informer.

"The Informer?"

"Yes ma'am" Rook replied as he rolled the paper open onto the Peddler's desk.

As the paper was flattened out the Peddler's eye quickly caught sight of the photograph of Big Game on the front page. Snatching the paper from the desk the Peddler immediately started to read the front page

Britanic wasn't happy about the current situation at all. It was bad enough one of Mechano's bombs had caused a dimensional breach, but now he had some armoured heroine from the other side taking refuge from imposter cops while his only back up from his own side was some gun toting vigilante. Trying to decide on the best course of action, his train of thought was soon disturbed when a few of the fake PPD officers were blown through the portal into his side by some hero's assault on the other side. as the fake officers crashed into the ground Britanic took up a fighting stance ready for any aggression from them once they'd got to their feet again.

Keeping one eye on the fake officers, and another on the portal itself he thought to himself...

I wish somebody from D.A.T.A. or Portal Corps would hurry up and get here, otherwise im just going to have to lob this lot back through the portal and try collapsing it myself.

Britanic looked down at the armoured woman. She was obviously injured, and she no longer seemed to be the threat he'd originally percieved.

"Not some sort of invasion after all, more like an asylum request then. My name is Britanic, and my friend here call's himself Ashen. Sorry if we seem a little unfriendly but some nutter by the name of Doctor Mechano has opened a portal between our two worlds, and frankly we wasn't exactly sure what to expect coming through."

Things were happening at a seeming breakneck pace. Just as Britanic steeled himself ready for the assault by the armoured figure coming through the portal another figure dived for the ground at his feet. He didnt recognise the figure but seeing as he was joining the defensive line at his side he took a leap of faith this was some other hero responding to Mechano's threat. With no time for a formal introduction, Britanic was about to give the stranger a thumbs up to acknowledge his presence. However the stranger started to open fire underneath the armoured figure hurtling towards them.

Damn!, he doesn't realise that's PPD back there I got to st...

Britanic's train of thought was cut short as his attention was forced back onto the portal.

As Britanic stared into the portal he could start to make out forms on the other side. As it came into focus he could see what appeared to be a duplicate of the area where he was standing occupied by what looked like several PPD officers and an armoured figure who was charging towards the portal. Though he couldn't hear what was going on the other side he
could clearly see the PPD open fire on the armoured figure, and if the cops were shooting at it then it was reasonable to assume the armoured figure was the bad guy.

As the unknown armoured figure raced towards the portal Britanic thought to himself... My Paragon already has more than it's fair share of villains. There is no way im going to let another one slip in.

((Ye olde classic hero mistakes hero for villain scenario! ))

Just as the device detonated Britanic used his own mutant abilities to do his own dimensional slip to the Netherworld. As he passed into the darkness he was immediately set upon by the denizens of the darkness. Fearful of being once again being trapped in the darkness he used all his strength to resist their assault just long enough for what he'd thought was an explosion to pass. Then with the dark denizens still clawing at his body he slipped back into his own reality. With heavy breath and sweat pouring from him he shakily rose to his feet, amazed at the lack of destruction and the large swirling portal in front of him.

Wiping the sweat from his brow, and drawing energy into himself to revitalize his own power he stood defiant in front of the portal.

I don't know what sort of freakish horrors they have in this Virtueverse of Mechano's, but whatever piles through that portal is about to have a really bad day!

((Had problems posting so Mechano managed to sneak in first!))

The Unionverse, Kings Row Sewer Network, Near PPD HQ moments before detonation.

Britanic's idea of narrowing down possible bomb sites by analyzing sewer network plans, against a city map, and Mechano's own twisted sense of humour would of been perfect if not for other annoying variables. Having decided on a few likely bomb sites Britanic set up an emergency broadcast message for his Militia teammates before racing off to the sewers. However before he even managed to get underground he had the misfortune of getting caught up in a Paladin rampage. The battle with the Paladin was short and he would of still been making good time if he didnt stumble onto a Circle summoning as soon as he entered the sewer...

Two totally ill-timed battles later and the frustrated hero approached what he suspected to be one of the bomb sites. As he looked ahead into the darkness he could see a suspect device that was likely to be Mechano's bomb. Pleased that his hunch was right he allowed himself a smile.

Just then there was a whine, followed by a growing whirr...

Immediately Britanic's smile fell from his lips, and he simply thought BUGGER!

16:31, Big Game's boat the Jelly Fish Dream, Darwins Landing, Mercy Island.

In the main cabin of the barely seaworthy Jelly Fish Dream wearing nothing more than his patented tiger-striped combats was mercenary turned monster hunter Big Game.

"C'mon ya freakin' pile junk, work will'ya!... Man I gotta steal myself some decent kit, I can't keep missing MacGyver like this." He said as he fiddled around with a real Frankenstein's monster of a jury rigged satellite decoder.

Just then, heralded with the buzz of static a picture flashed onto the TV screen. As the familiar face of Doctor Mechano came into focus Big Game chuckled as he waited to see what crazyness his old roommate had cooked up.

Mechano's message played out, but Big Game wasn't smiling anymore. Though he might have been a million miles away from being some sort of boyscout, even he had limits to the sort of stunts he'd pull. As usual Mechano had gone to far again.

"Mergin' freakin' realities! Geez Mechano has really lost it this time. I kinda resent this is probably gonna affect me too. Maybe I can slap some sense into the old geezer. Maybe show the capes how it's re..."

"'Gaaaaame! Come back to bed hun. I found that can of squirty cream!!"

Big Game looked back towards wherethe sultry woman's voice had come from. There on his bunk knealt a half naked athletic young blonde, shaking a can of squirty cream. Big Game looked again at the TV and grinned to himself.

"What the heck! Some freakin' cape's probably gonna hand Mechano his butt anyway, I might as well get on with dessert!..."

Eric Mitchell aka Britanic's office, Sentinel Industries, Kings Row.

As the maniacal Doctor Mechano's image was replaced by static and then the regular TV programming the mutant powerhouse Britanic swore under his breath.

Since his return to his own reality from the nightmarish depths of the Netherworld he'd found it practically impossible to catch up on his life from before his accidental exile. What with an invasion of Zombies, discovery of weakened dimensional barriers, renewed Rikti aggression, and having to return to England to care for his ailing Father he'd been unable to find the time needed to re-establish himself within the Militia. Much worse than that his relationship with his beloved wife the White Vampyr was still suffering from his long absences caused by a multitude of problems that he thought only he could deal with.

As for Doctor Mechano?... Well he's another one of those things Britanic never got around to properly dealing with before his long exile. As crazy as Mechano was, Britanic knew all too well how dangerous he was, and that none of his threats should ever be taken lightly. It looked like Britanic would have to once again put off getting his life back on track in favour of dealing with a new crisis.

Britanic switched off the television and started to walk towards his large open office window. As he stepped onto the ledge he forced his mutant ability to manipulate ambient energies to agitate the wondrous shape changing particles of his Polymorphic Fibre Weave business suit and changed it into the more iconic red, white, and blue Britanic costume. He was about to step out of the window and take flight, but then stopped dead in his tracks.

You're a bloody ***** Eric! Why just go charging off when you can apply a little logic and save yourself some traipsing through the muck. In the past Mechano has often shown a preference for operating in Kings Row, and it's a fair assumption that's what he's done this time too. He also definitely mentioned the Lost, something the Kings Row sewage system has plenty of, so that also backs up that hypothesis.

Britanic walked over to a filing cabinet and started to pull out dozens of architectural drawings and plans. With single purpose he rifled through the mass of papers until he found the plan he wanted. Beaming with satisfaction he started to lay out a folded map onto his desk.

Kings Row sewage network with city overlay! Let's see if we can't narrow our search a little and focus on a few target zones. Knowing Mechano's twisted humour he's probably placed them bombs underneath places of special significance to the hero community. It's just a case of deciding exactly where...

With the new ‘Going Rogue’ expansion on it’s way to us later this year it got me thinking about other possible expansions we might possibly see in the future. So I was thinking that a ‘If you could design the next expansion?…’ thread might be fun. Who knows maybe one of the Devs might draw some inspiration from our ideas.


So of the top of my head and to start us of I give you…

Factions

In this expansion we give your characters the opportunity to ally themselves with the various factions present in the CoX universe and gain costume pieces, and powers related to that faction as an alternative to ‘Pool‘ powers.

Similar to CoV’s ‘Patrons’ you would be required to complete a faction specific story arc to unlock the costume pieces as well as to gain access to that factions powers. Faction power sets would be available from level 6 just like the current power pools and count towards the number of power pool sets your character can have. Also certain faction sets would only become available once your character enters the level range for the particular group (ie Carnies, Sky Raiders, etc)

Some of the factions and benefits available on launch would include…

Vahzilok (Villains)

Costume pieces include skull caps, bloodied aprons, explosive back packs, stitched skin body pattern, and bloodied meat cleaver for weapon customisation.

Amongst the Faction Powers would be a debuffing vomit attack.

PPD (Heroes)

Costume pieces would include a variation of the veterans PPD emblem, SWAT flack vest, Hardsuit cossie pieces, and pump action shotgun for weapon customisation.

Within this group’s Faction Powers would be Shotgun, and Tear Gas.

Sky Raiders (Villains)

Costume pieces would include Raider helmets, gloves, Porter backpack, harness chest piece, Raptor jetpack, and machete for weapon customisation.

Faction Powers in this would be flight (via Raptor pack), and short range teleportation (via Porter pack).

Longbow (Heroes)

Costume pieces include the Freedom Corps emblem, Eagle jetpack, Longbow chest and leg harnesses.

Amongst the Faction Powers would be Flight (via the Eagle pack), and Sonic Grenade.

Carnival of Shadows (Villains)

Costume pieces include the hard Carnie mask (finally!), Strongman helmet and shoulder pieces, sashes, leggings, back flags, and the flaming torch for weapon customisation.

Faction powers would include a ring toss attack, torch attack, and Psionic resistance power!

…and so on.

What do you reckon? Post up some more ideas.

Ta for the WB Al

Anyways a small update...

I just finished making the changes to Humanity First's wiki page to better reflect it's new status as a custom villain group. Links to custom critter files are now under a pic of that critter giving the page a far more complete feel. Also the mission files linked to that page have been updated to their current ingame build.

Of course rather than having me go on about it just check it out at Humanity First

Hi im Big Game (formerly Britanic). While I have on a few occassions had to take a break from the game (Usually forced upon me by outside RL sources) I plan on staying with CoX for a very long time to come.

I currently have over three years of gameplay under my belt, yet I still to this day have only one lvl 50. Admittedly a huge part of this could be put down to being cr*p(no need to expand on this guys!), oodles of alts, epic roleplay sessions, and narcoleptic episodes at the keyboard. However the biggest reason has to be that I just don't want to rush my way through the game. despite it's many imperfections CoX is d*mn good entertainment, and has been for a very long time now. I have every faith the game will keep my interest for a long time to come, and who knows might even still end up surprising everybody in future issues.

LONG LIVE CoX!!!

Im currently slowly making a comeback to the game (although as @Big Game rather than @Britanic) and thought I should think about getting some work done on my Union handbook stuff. One of the big things I will be changing is making my anti-meta VG "Humanity First" into a full blown custom villain group. As a start I have created the "Custom Group" category and added Humanity First to it. I also posted links in the Humanity First page to mission, and custom critter files for those who might be interested. I figure that it won't be long before others start adding their customs to the handbook so a Custom Group category seemed a good start.

The infamous mercenary criminal turned monster hunter, Big Game, brazenly strolled into the ornately decorated council chambers. As well as his trademark grey hunter’s hat and iconic tiger-striped pants he wore a tiger-striped armoured vest adorned with various religious tokens, and a number of dubious mystical symbols inscribed into the armour. Strapped to his back was a large custom modified Vanguard Redding rifle as well as his trusty baseball bat ‘Monster Mash’! Finishing off his ensemble was various bits of monster hunting paraphernalia including stakes, garlic, holy water etc. As he walked into the room it was readily apparent that he was drawing much attention from the room’s occupants, and he couldn’t help but smile to himself.

Oh yeah. These guys may be a bunch of strokey beard, bath robe wearing, Harry Potter wannabes but even they recognise true talent! If I hand out a bunch of the cards I had printed im bound to drum up some business… Who says crime don’t pay? If I didn’t pocket that invite during that last job I’d never of found out about this little get together. Time to capitalise!

While he waited for the meeting to begin Big Game started to work the crowd handing out printed business cards while waffling on about “Professional Paranormal Investigations and Obliterations!”

{Meanwhile at the same time at the Observatory , Eso-Tech Headquarters, Nerva Archipelago}

Stood talking in front of the immense techno-magical hybrid machine known to Eso-tech as S.C.R.Y. was the head of security Rook, and the half Fae Eso-Tech sales rep the Peddler.

“Looks like your old buddy got the drop on the Jackals again. He managed to clean the clock of a real nasty bugger of a Leprechaun that was tormenting some Midnighter. It wouldn’t of been much of an issue but the Jackals had been tracking it for a while now, and we already had a buyer lined up for the little creep’s teeth.”

The Peddler, far from being amused, glared directly at Rook.

“You know damn well he’s far from being my ‘buddy’. The sooner Big Game dies in a truly horrific accident, or better yet by some suitably excruciatingly painful sexually transmitted disease the happier il be. It was annoying enough when he first resurfaced and started touting the Hyenas name around the Isles again with out him muscling on our raw materials acquisitions too.”

Rook raised his hands in a pacifying gesture and curled the corners of his lips into an uneasy smile.

“Ok Peddler, don’t get your panties in a bunch, I didn’t mean to offend you, I ju…”

Rook didn’t finish his sentence. Instead, along with the Peddler , he turned to look towards the bubbling water sounds that came from S.C.R.Y. On top of the strange machine was a jar like container containing a suspended human eye trailing several string like nerve endings. Underneath the jar a dozen needles scratched away on a large swathe of yellowed parchment that was being spewed from the machine. At the same time the eye seemed to be in a fit of frenzied movement as it scanned the parchment being ejected by the body of the machine.

Rook stepped over to the machine and collected up the parchment. On the parchment was a strange sketch depicting a crow feeding a number of worms to a wide jawed snake. In the background several more crows took flight, each bearing a human skull in it’s talons. Although Rook lacked the knowledge to fully interpret the drawing he knew the snake represented treachery or a traitor, and the skulls… well they were never good news.

“I better get this up to the board. It looks like we might have trouble heading our way.”

Rook went to make his way to the board room but was stopped by the Peddler’s cold metal, rune inscribed prosthetic that clamped down hard onto his shoulder. As he turned to face her, his eyes were suddenly transfixed onto her own milky white orbs. The Peddler started to speak in a slow, deliberate, yet strangely musical tone.

“There is no need to bother the board. There is nothing to report.”

“There is no need to bother the board. There is nothing to report.” Rook repeated.

The Peddler reached forward with her free hand and took the parchment sketch. She then looked up to the floating eye that seemed to be watching her.

It would seem Romanov has called together the League to tempt them with Crowley’s Text. If all goes well very soon I will have the alliance I need to take control of Eso-Tech. Handing you over should cement my place amongst them.

The eye continued to watch the Peddler almost as if it understood what she was thinking. Meanwhile the Peddler looked away from the eye, and turned to face a standing but seeming comatose Rook.

As for you, I can’t afford for the board to get wind of what is going to happen so im sure you’ll understand if I tear what memory you have regarding this from your mind… not that im giving you any choice on the matter.

A few minutes later Rook awoke from his daze alone, and totally unaware of what had happened. Scratching his head as he left the room he thought to himself.

Hmm Leprecauns … Probably be easier to put the Jackals on a plane to Ireland…

{13/09/08, Crowley’s Gentleman’s Club, Steel Canyon}

Crowley’s is an establishment whose long history was seeped in both mystery, and scandalous rumours. The club founded in 1908, and named after the infamous occultist Aleister Crowley, immediately attracted many of Paragon’s rich elite into its membership. As well as the constant rumours of the club hosting extravagant debauched parties, it is also speculated more sinister supernatural activities were carried out behind closed doors. However despite it’s chequered history, the club still to this day can count a large number of Paragon’s most wealthy, and influential citizen’s amongst it’s membership.

Sat in his favourite black leather armchair in front of Da Vinci’s Madonna with the Yarnwinder, one of the club’s prize paintings, was the enigmatic Romanov.

While the rest of the club patrons waffled and bragged while drinking glasses of port, or smoked large expensive cigars, Romanov sat silently locked deep in his own thought.

“Penny for them!“ came a soft, almost musical female voice from behind him.

“A handsome sum considering you’d normally just tear them from most people’s minds.”

”But then you are not most people are you Mr. Romanov.”

Romanov saw the reflection of the person speaking to him in the polished silver ashtray next to his chair. Standing not far behind him was a white haired, pale skinned, elfin looking woman dressed in a fashionable all black business suit carrying a tatty leather-bound book. Although her stylish dark glasses hid her milky white eyeballs as well as the star-like tattoo around her left eye Romanov knew they were there as he’d seen them on several earlier occasions. He was also fully aware that her right arm was an intricately inscribed prosthetic underneath her suit sleeve, and black leather glove.

He turned to look at her, deliberately avoiding looking at the tatty leather-bound book.

“I’m assuming there’s a reason for this interruption, Peddler. Something that you are expecting me to buy perhaps?”

”Mr. Romanov you forget I often know what a customer wants before they do themselves,” she replied. “However on this occasion I am not selling. This is a gift.”

“A gift,“ he said, a statement not a question. There were countless proverbs about being wary of gifts. The only question was why she was giving it to him.

He took the book. It was cold in his hand. “A spell book?“

“A technical manual,” replied the Peddler.

Romanov opened it and casually flicked through the yellowing pages. Inside there was pages of hand drawn schematics, and notes on what was truly an incredible device. The dark potential excited him but his handsome, predatory face remained impassive.

“A gift you say?”

The Peddler gave a little smile, pleased she’d piqued Romanov’s interest.

”Yes a gift, although the book is nothing more than interesting reading material without the relevant artefacts needed to construct the machine.”

”Indeed. And do you have the artefacts?” Romanov asked calmly so as not to betray any hint of the excitement he felt about what had fallen into his hands.

”I can lay my hands on one of them. I’m sure a man of your resources and ability can procure the others.”

”I believe you‘re correct. If such an endeavour was worthwhile. And this item you say you can acquire?”

”Crowley’s Eye, and before you ask, no it’s not here. I only came here because it was a convenient place to find you. I do however appreciate the irony about the club’s name.”

Romanov ignored the comment and continued to look at the book.

”I see. So now your motive is revealed. I take it that you are not planning to just hand over the eye as a gift as well. So, let’s cut to the chase, girl, what do you want for it?”

The Peddler sat in a chair next to Romanov and leant forward.

”I want Eso-Tech, and a place amongst those with the power, and vision to steer our world in a better direction.”

Romanov raised an eyebrow at her boldness. Eso-Tech was the techno-magical company for which the Peddler served as it’s main sales representative, and sometimes trouble-shooter. She obviously had issues with the way it was currently being run. As for her wanting to help steer the world in a better direction, he had no doubt her intentions wasn’t as altruistic as they sounded. He was certain she’d somehow found out about the League of Righteous Destroyers and wanted a place amongst them.

”So let’s talk hypothetically for a moment, Peddler,” said Romanov. “Let’s imagine a scenario in which someone were to support you in a hostile takeover of Eso-Tech, as well as facilitate the introductions needed to help you, as you say, “steer our world in a better direction”. Then you would deliver the Eye to that…benefactor?”

”Yes, that’s the deal,” replied the Peddler.

Romanov smiled, distracting the young woman from the darkness in his eyes. ”Let me order you a drink, we have much to discuss…”

At the mention of GIFT Britanic averted his gaze slightly. He'd been less than cooperative with the agency tasked with looking after mutant affairs due to his own issues with his mutant powers. Things that experience had taught him over the years was that he was occassionally suceptable to the insidious influence of dark energies over his psyche, and even his physical being. In the end GIFT decided to just be content with the facts that he wasn't psychotic, or just about to keel over dead.

"Well GIFT gave me a clean bill of health, but I have not yet returned to active duty with the Militia or anything so I have had no need to tap my powers lately. I have just been taking it easy and making up lost time with the family."

Britanic decided he wanted to steer the conversation away from himself, and his powers especially since he had no doubt Dante knew far more than he was actually letting on about.

"However if you want the exact location where I broke back through I'd be happy to show you. Although you could just as easily get that information from Portal Corps as they took all kinds of readings from the site"

Britanic looked over to Sebille, then back to Dante before carrying on.

"Im pretty bloody certain somebody wanted me to risk a sidestep. Back in February it was a gift-wrapped explosive device that was planted in my office. When I opened it the device it scanned me, and then announced it had acquired it's target just before it was about to explode. I personally feel that the announcement was to give me enough time to try make my escape, however the only way I could of escaped is to make that jump."

"As I said earlier, I always found traversing the Netherworld and breaking back through was difficult under normal circumstances. This time it was much worse. Instead of making a desperate grab for me, or merely providing resistance to my transit, the darkness ensnared me in a coordinated and deliberate action. In the end I was so focused on fighting off the Netherworld's hold that I lost sight of my exit point, and ended up being trapped."

Britanic paused a moment wiping a bead of cold sweat from his forehead.The strange look on Britanic's face betrayed some small measure of the discomfort he felt as he remebered his ordeal.

"I guess I was damn lucky to find an area in the dimensional wall less substantial than everywhere else. It gave me a perfect chance to latch onto that roaming Paladin's psychic signature and pull myself through the barrier into Kings Row."

”Incarceration… It’s funny you should use that word, because it’s exactly what happened.”

“Sidestepping through the Netherworld has always been difficult. The entire realm is awash with negative energy, and malevolence. In the brief moments I drew upon it’s energies I could feel it’s insidious influence trying to get a hold on me. When I reached in or dared to pass through the darkness always tried to wrap itself around me like a glue or sticky tar. I had always feared that one day I’d not make the jump through to the other side.”

“Back in February an attempt was made on my life and I was forced to make the sidestep. This time it was as if the realm’s full attention had been focused on me. The darkness quickly engulfed me, and I could not break through to the other side. I have no doubt my entrapment, and exile was deliberately engineered.”

Britanic wondered for a moment if the woman was star-struck or just plain clumsy. Either way it didn't really matter. Sebille scrabbling about the floor would only delay the meeting further so Britanic bent down to help her collect her papers.

"Let me help you with them."

Britanic carefully collected papers, and then without even looking at what they may be, handed them to Sebille. Once everything had been picked up he stood again.

"How about we all take a seat, and get down to business... I take it im here to discuss my recent entrapment in the Netherworld?"

{15/09/2008, 9.22am, The MAGI Library}

Britanic, wearing a tasteful grey business suit, stepped into the library. His glowing eyes, the most obvious thing marking him different from most people, scanned the room until he found a familiar face.

"Dante!" Britanic called out as he spotted his occasional Militia comrade across the room. As Britanic approached the mystic smiled, and extended his hand. After a few moments of pleasantries the two men entered one of the library’s side rooms for privacy.

”So is this going to take long? Im hoping to spend some time with Suzi and the girls at Talos Island today.”

Dante apologised, he couldn’t tell how long they’d actually be, but assured Britanic the meeting might be very important. They just needed to wait for another MAGI researcher, Sebille Riley, before they could start. So avoiding the main issue, the pair continued to chat pleasantries while they waited.

Do to concerns raised by another member of the RP community I thought it would be prudent to post up this...

Although the Harbinger community plot is inspired by the spirit of the forthcoming Zombie Apocalypse event there is no suggestion that they are the same thing. No character/s in the plot will be responsible for the Halloween event or contradict any official explanation of its cause or conclusion. However, spawns of zombies may be used by individuals, teams or supergroups in game during the event to represent elements of the plot in the same way existing mobs, missions and taskforces are made use of by roleplayers.

I hope that will put some minds at ease.

Right a bit of an update.

First off apologies, another busy week so im kind of slow to respond at the moment.

Secondly, due to the number of characters being put forward we are currently researching through the handbook and the RP threads to determine which characters best fit the story we have in mind. As we agree on those characters their players will be contacted in due course.

And thirdly, due to new complexities with the plot we are having to rethink the format a little. Rest assured we will pull our fingers out and get moving soon enough