Black_Jon_Bludd

Aye essentially the ones not in use can be shuffled to the other sg, and if anyone then wants to use the toon it can be invited back in to the main sg for the prestihe harvest. btw fisty, any advice for an RSF build en/stone, as you have the skillz ;p

assume moderate access to HO's for defense and resist, as i dont need them elsewhere ;p so if i get some (when ;p) they can be diverted here

well, i'm thinking of trying out a new brute tonight, en/stone. RSF build, obviously, so may be a bit funny and rubbish for normal play ;p

So we'll see how that goes =)

well at least you wont make me weep with envy ;p

as a premium regen i can answer that. I feel more survivable than a lot of brutes, as hide is good def when slotted, and regen fills me up nicely.

Can scrap fine, but please for the love of god take energy melee ;p
i weep with envy every time i see an em stalker ;p

please give us a powerset respec as a veteran reward!

More than enough while its on, as it does hefty -def

probably wont need fallout if its not an RSF build, as i doubt people will die enough to justify it with all your debuffs, but if you have nothing else to pick i guess its ok =)

Seven ;- March of the fliers


The pair of Arachnos Fliers banked sharply, heading over the walls of Agincourt. Infrared and ultrasonic sensors displayed images of fleeing Longbow through the dense black smoke that was boiling into the air from the shattered radar towers. Below them quad artillery guns opened fire wildly, bullets streaking the air, tracing contrails in the ash and debris.
“Destroy those turrets!” Two Fist ordered, and the flier dipped down, and then opened fire, salvos of rockets hammering out across the top of the wall, obliterating the turrets, smashing them apart. The wall shivered, and great chunks slid into the foaming waters below.
Two Fist was exultant. With the radar down the heavy defences of Agincourt were reduced to firing blind, and the Fliers were agile and heavily shielded, as evidenced by the dull thump as a volley of explosive rockets splashed off his fliers energy shield.
“Return fire!” Two Fist commanded, and the Gatling guns opened up, reducing the heavy missile turret to splintered gobbets of steel. The second flier had moved across the back of Agincourt and was opening fire on scurrying Longbow as they fled towards underground shelters. There were few survivors of this onslaught.
“Right, time to Fist!” Two Fist declared, looking at his target, the main laboratory, where the computer data banks would be. “Set us down there and then provide covering fire!” he ordered the Arachnos pilot. As the flier descended, desultory fire bouncing off the energy shield, the Gatlings sang, and rockets flashed out. The screams of dying Longbow filled the air with noise, and the smell of burnt flesh was almost overpowering.
“We have incoming!” The pilot shouted in panic, as the radar screen suddenly lit up with blips. “Moving fast this way.” Wrestling with the controls he spun the flier to the left, as a volley of missiles stabbed out from the flight of Longbow Chasers that had appeared, their slick, aerodynamic hulls and garish longbow paint job making them look almost like exotic birds.
As rockets flashed past two Fist ordered a return of fire, and several Chasers exploded as Stinger air-to-air guided missiles flashed out from under the flier and drove into their targets like a fist full of knives. Metal rained down on the earth, and the sky was filled with a tracery of bullets as the miniguns of the Chasers opened up, small and weak against the might of the fliers Gatlings, but more numerous.
The second flier was in trouble, being swarmed by the smaller, more agile Chasers, and a squadron of Longbow Eagles. The energy shield was holding around it, but it was not the deep cobalt blue of normality, it was a faded, washed out, almost transparent sky blue now, and its radius was barely more than the flier itself.
Then the shield was not there at all, as several Chasers rammed it, seemingly with deliberate disregard for their own life. As they exploded a volley of rockets from the remaining chasers and a volley of grenades from the Eagles struck home, and the flier was rocked by a series of blasts, then one mighty eruption as the ammunition stores exploded. The nearby Eagles were engulfed in the expanding tide of flames as were several of the nearest Chasers, but the rest veered away, heading towards the other flier from one flank, while other Chasers moved in from the other.
Two Fist watched the descending wreck of the flier impassively.
“Arachnos ought to make these things stronger…” Kitty muttered. “That’s two we’ve seen junked now.”
“Looks like there is twelve of them.” Scarlet observed. “Six on each flank. If they ram us I don’t think the shields will hold.”
“Take the fight to them?” Chaos agent asked, and Helioss agreed with a snarl.
“Very well.” Two Fist agreed. “Pilot the flier towards those six.” His gauntleted hand stabbed out at the screen. “We’ll dispose of the others.”
Then Two Fist was gone, appearing in mid air above one of the Chasers. Unleashing a punch of furious strength he smashed through one of the wings, sending the Chaser plummeting to the ground. Scarlet had flown out of the newly opened rear hatch of the flier and hurled a blast of darkness, as did Kitty, and two more Chasers spiralled out of the sky. A deafening whine signalled the demise of several chasers on the other flank as the Gatlings tore them to pieces, and then Chaos Agent was there, mighty blows smashing the cockpit of a Chaser and killing the pilot within. Then, muscles straining, with almost impossible strength, he hurled it, sending the craft spinning through the air until it struck a second, and they both fell to earth, spraying sharp metal debris everywhere. Kitty and Scarlet finished the last with their shadow attacks and then the last few on the other flank were reduced to ruins by another volley from the Stinger missiles.
Two Fist and the others joined the Flier as it landed, Helioss and Atomic Tempest disembarking, followed by Lady Doom, who was carrying a large spherical object, all metallic sheen and faint light.
The sky was dark and choking, an image of hell, with twisted corpses lying everywhere and the burning remains of man and machine lying in heaps, like broken toys discarded by a child bored with them.
“In there.” Two Fist said. “We’ll find the main computer core there.” His hand went to the small bundle he carried, tied to his waist. Inside was a small computer memory stick, loaded with a program the strange Crey Technician had given him, just before the mission. The technician was vacant and dazed, eyes unfocused, yet seemed to know exactly why Two Fist was there.
Wrenching the door off its hinges he stepped inside, ignoring the muted blaring of the alarm system or the glowing red lights of the warning lamps. As the others followed him in the desolate, empty nature of the halls made them wary.
“I wonder where everyone has gone?” Kitty said. “Not into the underground shelters surely? Longbow aren’t renowned for their cowardice, you’d expect them to defend their main database to the death.”
“Which is what it will be, of course.” Helioss growled.
“Quite.” Kitty agreed.
“I expect a trap.” Two Fist said. “Longbow are treacherous and cunning. There could be spec-ops watching us even now.”
“Keep alert then.” Scarlet said, her ninjas formed up behind her, weapons ready. As they progressed through the corridors they encountered no opposition, just a few automatic pop up defences, which were easily dealt with, Two Fist, Chaos Agent and Helioss smashing them to pieces easily. It was then they heard faint voices, raised in argument.
Two Fist held up a hand for silence, and the Demons formed up behind him. As they crept closer they could see a lift shaft in the distance, and clustered in front of it was a Longbow Warden, a dozen longbow and what looked like a computer technician, with the customary white jacket and portable interface device cradled under one arm.
“Our base is under assault!” the technician was saying, panic heavy in his voice. “I have to dump the main system storage here to one of our backups back in Galaxy City! There is priceless data here, that we can’t allow any villains to get their hands on!”
“There is no need to panic!” The Warden said, looking down on the terrified tech. “This looks like a raid for destruction, not information, and in any case, our Longbow forces will drive them out.”
“Wrong on both counts I’m afraid.” Two Fist said, stepping out of concealment, the Demons behind him once more. “Your information is what we came for. And your Longbow… I fear there is no aid coming. Take them!” he ordered, and the Demons attacked.
As the Longbow troops were mercilessly slaughtered by his Demons, Two Fist squared up to the Warden. Blacking a martial rats kick, he retaliated with a mighty punch, energy fizzing from his knuckles.
“Such a shame that the whole base must be levelled.” Two Fist said, taunting his opponent. “But we can’t have anyone finding out about our plan here.”
“You monster!” the Warden roared, lashing out with fists and feet.
“I know…” Two Fist said, both fists crashing down, smashing out the Wardens life. “But better a monster than an easily provoked heedless fool!” Looking around he saw that the mighty Oni was standing over the technician threateningly, while the other Longbow had been dispatched easily.
“Most of them were wounded and in no condition to fight.” Scarlet said. “Must have been injured in our bombing runs above.”
“Makes our job easier.” Chaos Agent said, and everyone else agreed. “So, what do we do with the tech?”
Two Fist loomed over him, appearing as some monstrously threatening creature of rock and stone, and sneered. “We take him to the main computer database. Then he will help us…”
“And if … I don’t…?” The tech stammered.
“That would be a very, VERY bad idea…” Two Fist answered. “And the last bad idea you ever have…”

Well, i didn't bother taking any of the patron powers myself, didnt think they were worth it.

ok, here goes. drop Rad infection to 3 slots... sounds crazy at first, but the speed we are getting HO's you can probably get it slotted with acc buff/def buff/end red in short order. I have 2 for mine already

Air Sup? not convinced you want to be getting in that close

em pulse? not conveinced its useful in AV fights

Billzard is a little overslotted

get a sixth slot with an endmod in AM ;p

of course all of the above is just my opinion and has no basis in whats actually a good build =)

time to bring out Exofrost eh? ;p

hehe, well as i assume you'll be doing the pulling the rad it is ;p

kk, would you prefer me rad or me stalker? ;p

sure i'd be yup for that

be warned its fataly boring. one of the worst i ever did, as very few count, just the ones that dive and upgrade ;p

well you'll get the chance to prove that at the weekends =)

one hour 35 mins, no resets, no team wipes. new union record =)

ok, now for the weekend teams ;p

it has been settled for sat morning at 11:00 start (meet 10:30 at recluse) and sunday meet 1:30 for 2:00 start as i am going out friday

so, saturday run.

Me
Two Fist
Scarlet Vengeance
Lady Doom
Dr Death
Dr Dust
helioss (as his kin, if not available another kin can sub)
Max khaos



sunday would be me
syn and cyb, our two darks
frosthound
aeonic or whatever his name is, the rad corr, you know who you are =)
kinslayer
max khaos
quarks


i know, o know, couldnt fit everyone in ;p

but soon we will be up to 6 runs a week and that will allow more people to have their shot at this

if people cant make it subs will be drafted in from the list of people i couldnt fit in ;p

damn scary but turns out to be repetetive [censored] =)

its a lucky day for you lot ;p

Part 6 - fireworks


The small motorised dinghy darted through the water almost silently, laden with a half dozen still figures. In the distance loomed the high walls and towers of Agincourt, patrols of Longbow Chasers and Eagles flying overhead, searchlights sweeping the water, the gun turrets that dotted the wall every thirty feet constantly roving, looking for intruders. It was a base that expected attack at any time, knowing that it had been built in very hostile territory.
The boat beached in a rocky inlet, bobbing and rising on the crest of the waves that beat against the shore. One black armoured figure attached a thick anchor wire to a nearby outcropping, and once it was in place the others followed them out of the boat. Overhead the walls of Agincourt reared up, some thirty metres high and made of reinforced concrete. Overhead several quad-cannon turrets were arching gently from side to side, constantly scanning for targets. At a gesture from the lead figure, who was shrouded in a voluminous black cloak the half dozen others unlimbered grappling irons attached to steel cables, and tossed them into the air. Several bit cleanly into concrete at the top of the wall, and were secured at ground level. Then the cloaked Bane Spiders began to climb, reaching the top with practised speed. They quickly unlimbered their maces, and before the turrets could react had fired several silent shots into the control housings, shattering the motorised circuits that moved them. Once done, the leader of the Bane Spiders, an Executioner, gestured over the wall, and the unidentified figure flew up to the top, seemingly by magic or some other strange force. Landing, he tossed aside his cloak, revealing the leathers and armour of Black Jon Bludd, the pirate, who surveyed his hired troops handiwork critically with his one good eye.
“Fused good and proper.” He said after a minute, twirling his moustache in one hand as he thought. “Shouldn’t take these Longbow bubbers too long to work out some of their turrets are knackered, so let’s make this quick me mateys. Gesturing to another of the Bane Spiders he took a large leather bag from him. Looking inside, he smiled. “Four shaped charges, finest Aeon tech. This should give us a nice firework display. Lets move.”
The Banes slipped effortlessly down one of the ramps that led down to Agincourt proper. As it was night there were only a few patrols around, most of the Longbow were in barracks. Overhead, the moon was merely a pale silver sliver, shedding little light. Dropping down beside a row of half a dozen tanks, Black Jon gestured, and two banes ran off, attatching small limpet mines, also finest Aeon tech, to each one.
“I figure we have about ten minutes before someone notices us. Less if we have to execute patrols.” The Bane Spider Executioner said to Black Jon.
“Aye, so we better get our bones moving.” He concurred. Racing across the two hundred yards of open ground to their first target, one of the two radar towers that provided Agincourt with coverage, they were fortunate to evade patrols. Once at the door they produced cutting gear, and within a minute had opened a small access panel. Reaching in, Black Jon tore a fistful of wires free.
“According to schematics our intelligence has gathered that should disable the alarm system.” The Executioner said, and at Black Jon’s nod they levered open the doors and slipped inside. The inside of the radar tower was starkly lit with fluorescent tube lights, and computer monitors dotted the walls. A half dozen technicians were working, watching the monitors. A Longbow warden was in the centre of the room, keeping an eye on things, his back to the door. Black Jon Bludd did not hesitate. Moving forward he snatched out his sword and attacked, his blade scything through the neck of the Warden, who collapsed, spraying blood across a started technician, who turned only to be blasted against his monitor by a Bane Spider. The other Banes snatched up their maces and opened fire, filling the air with a criss-crossing spray of laser beams, sending technicians cart-wheeling broken in all directions, smashing glass and scorching metal.
“Cease yer fining!” Black Job bellowed, and a moment later they obeyed. “We don’t want to break anything we shouldn’t… yet. Get those charges placed.” He tossed a pair of charges out, and two Banes quickly relayed them to their positions.
“Very well. Out we go.” Black Jon said, leading his Banes to the door. As he stepped out he almost walked straight into a half dozen Longbow, who were momentarily paralysed with shock at seeing an intruder. Black Jon reacted quickest, his blade flashing and one Longbow falling, a second staggering back, clutching at her eye where Black Jons’ dirk had pierced, flung expertly from ten yards.
“Hand to hand, quickly!” he shouted, as one of the Longbow went for their mobile transmitter to radio for help. Black Jon ducked a spray of fire from a flamethrower, which engulfed a Bane Spider and lashed out, slicing through the foes wrist, shattering bone. The other Bane Spiders rushed forwards, and in a short, ugly melee battered the Longbow to a smashed ruin.
“What do we do with this one?” The Executioner asked, looking at the injured Bane Spider, who was sobbing and screaming in pain, his armour seared away, raw flesh peeling and smoking.
“Give him the rope.” Black Jon said quietly. “It’d be a mercy anyway. And we can’t have him bringing more patrols down on us.”
As he turned away a gurgling cry indicated that his orders had been carried out.
“That’ll cut our chances of getting this done unnoticed.” The Executioner said, as they began to run towards their second target, the other radar tower. It was at the other end of the base, some eight hundred yards away, up a long, well-fortified ramp, but according to the schematics it was possible to bypass this by swimming around the peninsula.
The Spiders leapt into the water, following the pirate, and they began a frantic swim, trying to avoid the searchlights of the Chasers that flew overhead. One Bane slipped underwater and did not surface again, unable to keep up with the frenzied pace, but the others kept slogging onwards, and were almost at the beach below the tower when a searchlight illuminated them in the water. Several seconds later a general alarm sounded, ear-splitting klaxons wailing. Several Chasers swooped down, rockets flashing out, plunging into the water before exploding. Two of the Banes were torn apart and the others scattered.
“Give me covering fire!” Black Jon ordered, and the remaining two Banes and the Executioner broke out their maces and opened fire. A lucky shot struck the left engine of one of the chasers, causing it to explode, but the other was only slightly damaged by the energy beams.
As they fought behind him Black Jon struggled out of the water and sprinted the remaining few dozen yards to the tower. Attaching a limpet mine to the door he detonated it instantly, ignoring the pain as shrapnel lanced deep into his flesh. It would heal, it always did. Stepping through the charred doorway he was rocked by a volley of bullets from a Longbow minigunner. Ignoring the dragging pain in one of his now useless legs he hurled his blade, taking the Longbow in the chest, pinning him to the wall. Crawling forwards he hefted the minigun and opened fire into the centre of the radar room, sending engineers flying, blasting out screens and consoles, glass and shell casings littering the floor. Then he jerked convulsively as from above a Longbow Eagle fired a single shot, shattering his right arm. With a snarl, Black Jon reached into his bag and withdrew another of the shaped charges and tossed it into the centre of the debris. Then, with a snarl, he pulled out a small remote control, and depressed the single red button upon it. Then the world went red, and he knew no more…

The two radar towers exploded with a thunderous roar, fire shooting out in all directions. The one nearest the beach slid off its foundations and crashed into the sea, vanishing from sight, while the other erupted in flame so violently that the nearby Longbow barracks ignited too, trapping several score desperate troops inside. On the main strip the limpet mines went off, and the line of tanks blasted apart, ammunition stores bursting with an almost pretty display of multi-coloured fire and smoke…

Two Fist surveyed the carnage through the long-range screens of the Arachnos Flier Delta. As the destruction registered a technician beside him spoke. “Radar is down, detecting no long range sensors.”
“Excellent.” Two Fist answered. “Black Jon Bludd must have achieved his goal. Signal to Flier Beta. We attack immediately!”

Part 5 ;- Strike force Paralt



The stateroom of Lord Recluse was just how Two Fist remembered it. A large ornate table, marked in red with the symbol of Arachnos, was the centrepiece of the room, a state of the art holo-display dominating it. This was currently displaying the symbol of Arachnos, as it was dormant. Lord Recluse sat upon a great black iron throne, staring intently at the Demons Delegation. To one side Ghost Widow lounged, surrounded by Fortuana Seers, and Scirroco sat on the other flank, Sword across his lap, two Mu Guardians in attendance.
“You may be wondering why I have called you here.” Recluse said. When no answer was forthcoming he continued. “It is not a trap, or some plot to destroy you, as you may have suspected. Project: Destiny has taught me that to interfere in your destiny would be to invite my own destruction. But I can still make use of you.” He gestured, and the holographic display flickered into an image of a man.
“Marcus Cole. Known as Statesman.” Recluse said, as the image turned slowly. “He is all that stands between Arachnos and the glory it deserves. My many efforts to defeat him have been thwarted. My point is this. Defeat Statesman for me. Destroy him, and all he represents. Do this, and the wealth of Arachnos will be open to you.”
”Defeat Statesman, and all your dreams of wealth and power will come true.” Ghost Widow purred. “All your dreams fulfilled.”
Scirroco said nothing, merely looking troubled, but he nodded agreement.
For a long moment Two Fist did not speak. Then, weighing his words carefully he began to talk. “Statesman? If all of Arachnos and your vaunted power cannot defeat him, why do you think we can?”
“It is possible you may not succeed, and be defeated.” Recluse agreed, seeming not too displeased at the prospect. “But you defeated my future self, so if anyone can bring down Statesman, it would be the Demons and Vengeful Spirits. All resources you require to complete your plans will be placed at your disposal.”
Two Fist looked at his fellow leaders. Black Jon returned a non-committal shrug, Lady Doom shook her head, and Scarlet merely smiled.
“We will need to conduct some research.” Two Fist said, and Recluse nodded. “It would be foolish of us to take on this contract without doing some research into ways and means. We have no intention of ending up back in the Zig.”
“Very wise. I can see I was right in coming to you for this task.” Recluse stood, signalling that the interview was at an end. “If you decide to proceed with this task, return to me with a list of your requirements and I will put them into motion.”
“That we shall.” Two Fist said, the Demon leaders standing behind him. “We shall be in contact soon.”

Two Fist paced up and down the library, deep in thought. The other Demon leaders were having a heated discussion on the possibilities of Recluses offer.
“I still be leaning towards it’s a trap.” Black Jon was saying. “After all, wasn’t Project: Destiny all about the defeat of Statesman, then us getting the rope?”
“And look how that ended.” Lady Doom rejoindered. “We destroyed Recluse of the future and could do the same to Recluse of the now if he tries to double-cross us.”
“It would certainly do us no harm to look up ways and means of defeating Statesman… discreetly as it were.”
Two Fist stopped pacing and came to a decision. “Very well. Hit the brokers, lean on our contacts, break into libraries and date systems, whatever. Find out all the information on this Marcus Cole that you can and return here. If we like what we learn, we will undertake his task. But our fees will be suitably usurious, have no fear.”
“That’s the way we like it…” Black Jon agreed.

Later on that evening Two Fist reclined in the recreation area of the base. Information had been coming in all day about Statesman and the Freedom Phalanx. The information was not good. Statesman was an incredibly powerful foe, and would be almost suicidal to oppose. Two Fist was not entirely certain, but refusing the contract looked the most likely possibility at this stage. Still, it was time for a little rest and relaxation, he thought, pouring himself a large measure of port and picking over a tray of fine meats and cheeses. Turning to the large television screen that dominated the recreation room he reached for the remote. This TV screen had been salvaged from where it was lying in the gutter of Grandville, as a sort of trophy. It had been a strange part of Two Fists life, which had led him to many remarkable adventures and caused him to question his sanity at times, but that was all in the past now. It was here to remind him of that time, as well as to provide entertainment to the Demons, as Arachnos broadcasted TV constantly now, with dozens of channels, in part due to a report co-authored by Two Fist himself.
Pressing the remote he turned the TV on. Flicking through the channels, noting what puerile drivel was on most of them, shows like ‘Arachnos greatest victories…’ and ‘The Mobfather’, he became restless. Then his flicking stopped, as he found something that seemed to grab at him, something that simply HAD to be watched.
It was a cartoon comedy about a boy that was frozen and transported 1000 years into the future, where the differences only highlighted how much of it was the same. The boy, a stupid yet endearing bumbling fool, and his cheeky yet lovable robot companion, Generic_Robot_001, were sitting at home, drinking beer and watching TELEVISION, when in came the obviously mad old scientist.
“Good news everyone! Two Fist is going to help TELEVISION, and TELEVISION in turn will help his old pal Two Fist. Isn’t that wonderful news?”
“It is indeed!” The Robot said, drinking beer and burping flame. “Everyone knows those that help TELEVISION get help themselves!”
In came the comedy alien creature, all red and misshapen. He crooned, “I wish I was popular like Two Fist! I wish I could help TELEVISION!”
“So what’s TELEVISION need from Two Fist?” The delivery boy asked, eating pizza.
“You don’t even know that, delivery boy?” Asked the surprisingly attractive one-eyed alien female that had entered the room. “Don’t you know anything? Longbow hates TELEVISION. Longbow has destroyed several of TELEVISIONS receivers in the rogue isles. TELEVISION must not be denied.”
“And Two Fist is to help us how?” the delivery boy asked.
“Well it’s simple. My new invention is just the ticket!” The professor said. “While working in Crey labs I have invented a device that when linked up to the Longbow computer system will infect it with TELEVISION! Then all the Longbow will learn to love it as much as we do!”
“That sounds very good professor!” The lobster-creature fawned. “But what does our old friend Two Fist get out of it?”
“That’s elementary my dear lobstrocity!” the professor said. “Have you heard of Ms. Liberty?”
“I have. She’s hot!” the delivery boy said, and the robot echoed it. “Woo-hoo, I’d like to pour beer all over her lithe figure… in fact, sod her, just more beer!” The robot cracked upon a six-pack and poured it all over his face and in his mouth.
The alien woman shot the robot a disapproving look and then kicked the delivery boy over. “Don’t be such a pervert delivery boy! Besides, I’m hotter! Anyway, when Two Fist helps TELEVISION he can steal the base location and access codes to the Vindicator base. Then he can kidnap her…”
“And pour beer on her…” Generic_Robot_001 said.
“If he must.” The alien woman sighed. “And use her to force Statesman out into the open!”
“Let’s drink to that!” The delivery boy said, getting up.
“Help TELEVISION and TELEVISION will help you!” they all chorused, and then normal programming resumed.

When the Demons leadership returned to the base Two Fist outlined his plan. They would assault the Longbow base in Agincourt on Nerva, and then download the security codes so that they could access the Vindicator base. Then they would destroy the whole base so that their theft would go unnoticed. Then they would kidnap Ms Liberty and use her to force Statesman out.
“It’s a good plan…” Scarlet said, “But it needs further work.”
“Aye. I reckon we could jam the mediport systems. Crey knows how, and for the right garnish they might tell us the dark of it.” Black Jon Bludd said, remembering a time he had kidnapped Mynx for Crey using that very method.
“It needs work.” Lady Doom agreed. “But it is certainly doable.”
“Then it is agreed then. We take this contract.” Two Fist said, and they answered in the affirmative.

“So, we accept the task.” Two Fist said. “We will speak of remuneration as soon as the first stage of our plan is successful. But we will require the loan of a squad of Bane Spiders and two Fliers.”
Lord Recluse gestured magnanimously. “You shall have them. From this moment on, you are Strike Force Paralt. The Paralt is a small spider, but its venom is the deadliest known. So it will be, a group of villains bringing down the greatest of heroes. Go forth and conquer!”

well i expect to be posting preliminary teams for the weekend tonight, so keep an eye out =)

I'll be there to do our pulling of course =)

it's ok, i get bombared with tells for substitue spots so its fine ;p

I'll see if i can squeeze you in

gratz to Hel on his new 50 =)

well, monday was a win, with the late substitue Arachnos Girl providing bubbles. 2 hrs 40. pleasent =)

Yeah syn-o's are the same =) good work =)

anyway, here you go ... [img]/uk/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

part 4 ;- Future Recluse




As the smoke and debris cleared Two Fist looked around. Chaos Agent burst free of the rubble that trapped him, rising into the air entwined with shadowy strands that forced invasive healing upon him, flowing out from Kitty, and Scarlet was doing likewise with Helioss, bathing him in smoky darkness. The shattered ruins of City Hall had crushed most of the remaining Arachnos troops, but a few Bane Spider Executioners had regrouped, maces ready, around the imposing figure of Lord Recluse, who stood upon a pile of shattered stones, eyes locked upon his foes. All around as far as the eye could see packs of tormented ghosts were gathering. They respected the force that had discorporated many of their number, and were now hanging back to scavenge from the approaching battle.
As the Demons gathered behind him, Two Fist advanced. If he could but defeat Lord Recluse and take back some proof, the Recluse of his present would have to abandon his plans for Project: Destiny.
Lord Recluse watched them arrive, his eyes burning red through the visor of his distinctive black helm. As he took a close look at the mortals who dared to challenge him he gasped.
“Two Fist? But you’re dead. I killed you! You’re all dead! I shattered the Demons and Vengeful Spirits underfoot a decade ago!” he paused then, gathering himself. “But no matter. What can die once can die again!”
Recluse gestured with his eight spider arms that jutted from his shoulders and eight fiery beams of glowing red energy spun outwards, forming an interlaced web of surprising beauty. Two Fist hesitated, and then tumbled backwards, writhing in pain as the burning tangles ensnared him. Falling back into the bubbling mud he created around himself, he rolled and struggled to get free, his granite armour fading away, revealing the metal suit beneath, which was scarred and scorched by Recluses fell assault. Executioners leapt forwards, weapons raised, and one jabbed a heavy thrust into the now lightly protected Two Fist, cracking metal. The others fanned out, seven of them, moving rapidly, feinting and threatening.
“Quail before my might mortals!” Recluse shouted. “The power of Tarterus flows through my veins. Taste the fury of the Spiders Bite!” He leapt forwards then, surprisingly agile, and hammered out with his many spider arms. Kitty was pierced by two, and went pale, gurgling out a muted scream as greenish ichor began to flow from the wounds. Recluse raised his human left arm and struck her across the face heavily, the glove ripping skin and breaking her nose. Throwing her aside his other arachnoid limbs thrashed out at Chaos Agent, who managed to duck aside, only to be stabbed from the shadows by one of the Executioners.
Another Executioner attempted to stab at Helioss, but was suddenly grabbed by vines that rose from the earth, as were all of his fellows, holding them around the legs and waist. Recluse to was snared, but he tore free with contemptuous ease, and levelling his spider limbs, unleashed a cone of flaming energy that struck Lady Doom and pinched her back several dozen yards. She hit a wall with a bone-shaking thump and lay unmoving, faint wisps of smoke rising from her still form.
Chaos Agent staunched the blood flowing from his wounded side with one hand, and with his other grabbed the mace that the now snared Executioner had used to wound him. Wrenching it free he flipped it so that the mace was pointing towards the foe, and then fired, the Executioners head disintegrating into blood and bone fragments. Then he shuddered as Atomic Tempest tapped the life force of one of the Executioners and sent the energies flaring towards him, knitting up his wound. Throwing the mace, he took the stunned Executioner in the chest, armour no defence against the strength of his cast.
Meanwhile, Two Fist struggled out of the burning strands and rolled to his left as the Executioner that had wounded him struck again. Only the fact that his foe slipped in the boiling mud around him saved him, as the blow was wide, missing his head by a mere few inches. Two Fist kicked out, knocking the Executioner off balance, and then was hauled to his feet by Helioss, as the Oni leapt out and belched flame. The Executioner tried to stay the flames, but as he did Atomic pierced him with a radioactive lance of gamma rays, melting through armour and internal organs with equal ease. Helioss struck out with his massive fist at another, smashing him down, and Chaos Agent, with his energy senses reaching out, interrupted another as it tried to use stealth to sneak up on him. Catching its mace, he wrenched that clear, then pulling the second mace from the still corpse of his other dead enemy, he fired them both, pitching the Executioner backwards.
Lord Recluse did not stay his assault at the death of his minions. Atomic Tempest was next to be assailed, snared by the burning web of light, and only Helioss leaping to catch her as she fell saving her from smashing on the jagged rubble below. Then Helioss too was under attack, suffering burning impacts to both legs, his arm that shielded Atomic Tempest, and also his chest. Falling back Chaos Agent charged, firing the maces wildly, until he sensed something behind him. Turning, he was barely in time to ward off the blows from the two Executioners that had blindsided him, suffering a long cut across his ribs and a crushing blow to the temple that dazed him. Reacting on instinct he slashed out, and one mace connected, sending one flying, but the other slipped behind his guard and thrust. As he fell suddenly another wave of healing darkness rose up in him, and his foe was staggering, dazed. Muttering thanks to Scarlet, who had called upon the power of darkness to once more heal and confound the foe, he attacked, his maces first breaking the arms of his foe, then the body beneath. Two Fist had hauled himself to his feet and once more was covered by his titanic rocky skin. Striding forward, crushing debris and broken Executioners underfoot, he faced Recluse.
“Kneel before Recluse!” Recluse shouted, arms flailing menacingly. “Bow before me and I may spare your miserable life. You are but insects, buzzing flies, and no fly ever escapes the spiders web.”
Suddenly Recluse let out a scream of pain, as from nowhere a blade pierced his back, drawing poisonous blood, then scythed up, slicing through the root of one of his arachnoid arms and cutting the tip off the other.
“Arr, less talk, ye great bag of wind, and more fighting!” Black Jon Bludd cackled, spinning away from Recluse, who lashed out wildly with burning lances of flame. Several struck Black Jon, burning deep gashes in him, but they began to glow a ghostly green, healing up rapidly before his eyes.
“Took your time.” Two Fist shouted at his pirate ally. “Thought this time maybe we’d been lucky and got rid of you for good.”
Black Jon laughed, dodging more of the fire from Recluse. “You know that the only time I’ll get the rope is when me curse ends, matey, and by the gods of salt and flame, I am not ready to give up my life of wickedness yet. To sin is divine, so it is.”
Lord Recluse stalked forwards, attacking Two Fist frenetically, spider arms lashing out and his human arms grappling. Two Fist ignored the burning pain as venom sprayed across his body, etching stone, and he lashed out, seizing one of the spider arms, which he tore away with a grunt of effort. Recluse staggered, then was hauled backwards by a half dozen vines that tangled around him, constricting. Lady Doom was up, dripping blood but summoning bravely. Oni moved in from the flank, slashing with his heavy sword, denting armour, and Kitty was up, barely able to see but still firing blasts or dark energy at Recluse, hazing him. Helioss moved in and landed a crushing uppercut, snapping the straps that held Recluses helmet on, knocking it half-clear, revealing a glimpse of hairy, almost spider-like flesh, and Chaos Agent was pounding away from behind, snapping one human arm with a vicious blow. Recluse reeled backwards, unable to come with the frenzied assault now that his Executioners were dead.
“I CANNOT BE DEFEATED!” Recluse roared. “I have defeated the mighty Statesman! I have even defeated you! Why do you haunt me, ghosts of the past?”
Atomic Tempest dragged herself to her feet. Looking around she could see the ghosts had closed in, and were a massing throng, ready to pounce on the survivors of this fight.
“Beware the ghosts!” She cried. “We need to finish this quickly.” Drawing on her reserves of strength she called forth a great haze of energy, the world seeming to lurch as kinetic energy was sucked out of everything nearby, the very balance of the universe shifting on its fulcrum. This energy then flared around the Demons and with incredible speed and power they renewed their arracks. Recluse was battered backwards, more spider arms cut and torn free, bones breaking under the hail of blows. Finally he staggered to a rest against the last standing wall of city hall, shielding his face with his last two functional spider arms.
“How can this be happening? I rule this world…” Recluse whispered.
“Not any more.” Two Fist said, batting away the spider arms. “I think this…” he said, tearing Recluses helmet free, “Should satisfy our needs.” Recluse tried to cover his disturbingly spider-like face with his one good hand, but no-one paid him any heed.”
“The ghosts are swarming.” Atomic Tempest said warningly.
“Not a problem.” Two Fist said, seizing Recluses injured arm, provoking a squeal of pain. Helioss grabbed the good arm, and they heaved Recluse up, ignoring his feeble thrashings. “Goodbye.”
And with that one word they heaved Recluse into the rushing mass of ghosts, pausing only to wait a few seconds while he was dragged under, before they turned and ran for the portal…

Two Fist strode up the steps to the dais, covered in burns and dents, watched by the curiously flat eyes of Lord Recluse. Saying nothing, Two Fist merely held out the battered helmet. Also silent, Recluse took it, and examined it quietly for a long, seemingly eternal moment. Then he opened his hand and let it fall to the floor.
“The message here is clear…” Recluse said. “I can guess what you intend to say. Very well. However you have achieved this feat, what is done cannot be undone. Project: Destiny will die with this shade of me who fell before you, so that you may bring this trophy here. From now on you are unbound, free from any interference from me and mine. Go, and know that you have achieved a destiny so great that not even I may thwart it…”

Two Fist shook his head, breaking free of his momentary reverie. There were still a few matters of business to discuss with his inner council. As he opened his mouth to speak the holographic display went blank. Puzzled, Two Fist reached for the controls, and then stopped as it reformed into a glowing image of the head of Lord Recluse. It turned to them and spoke.
“Greetings, villains of destiny. I will not waste words on pointless preamble. You owe me nothing, and I in turn owe you nothing. But I have a task that only Villains of your level of power can achieve. Succeed in this task and rewards will be yours beyond imagining. Should you wish to undertake this task, you know where I am.”
The head then winked out, leaving the generic Demon skull in its place.
Silence smothered any sound for a long moment, and then Lady Doom spoke. “Well, it can’t hurt to see what he wants can it? If it’s some kind of trap we’ll give him what we gave his future self. And if not… well, we’ve been complaining we have nothing profitable to do…”
“Aye.” Black Jon agreed. “Rewards beyond imagining sounds like a mighty pile of jink. I have a good imagination.”
“I concur.” Scarlet said. “Besides, who knows what other opportunities it may lead to? It would be foolish not to hear him out at the least. We can always decline.”
Two fist looked at his companions, and then nodded. They would hear what Lord Recluse had to say…

alas, i've searched and searched and the one i used to use seems to have vanished. bugger ;p