Doulos

Both Rocks blaster (sharp shot) and I have been in BB and shot through stealthed stalkers with just TD, I do have tactics to currently, but will probably respec that out. AM happy to meet any stalker who pleases to try in Warburg to test out the theory though....

Union is going down, tomorrow, but only for maintenance...

I ask this cause when I get Doulos to 50, in 44 bubs time, I will be playing as a Rad Rad, anyone got any tips on balancing the build for PvP and PvE? I'm pretty sure I know what is essential in PvE but its the PvE time that concerns me... debuffs taking time to take hold and all that, would a stealth Rad Debuffer be any good... or should it be a quasi blasting tank?

Any thoughts please let me know!

Any AT can PvP, some just require more work than others... AR/Dev is possibly the weakest blaster in PvP but it is a great sniper, I can out range pretty much anything, plus I get telemining (over 300 yards when I hit 50), which most people hate, and a stealth power that doesn't take a whole pool up. Yes I am underpowered when it gets up and personal, but if I see you first then I will do good damage first...

To whoever said that Rock Eagle could shoot them "Bah" you've never considered that targetting drone lets us see through even a stalkers stealth (tactics, but cheaper, built into the pool and freeing up room for other enhances in the blasts)? Bring your break frees buddy, I'll disorientate you from over 100 yards away. If in PvE I can take down a +3 lt with 3 blasts, then I think that it's possible I can do that to you too... and any thing I can do Rock can do too... cause he's AR/Dev A well...

Unless you want to run your scrapper up against his granite tank sometime, please let me watch if you do...

Level 44.2 now... got my cryo ray... very cool, now to get it slotted!

Good job buddy? what next? are you off to the dark side?

Christmas? I wanna get there ASAP so HURRY UP PEOPLE!

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Good stuff, but I found the Star Wars: Empire strike backs reference a bit overdone.

G-Force

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Aero...

2 bars from 44 here... should be there by tomorrow if I can get on today.

So here is part 3, you'll have to wait til next week for part 4 though... hope you enjoy, and to those who spot the parody: Aero is most definitely to blame for that .

The mist swirled around the base of the wall. The Council fortress had come to dominate this end of Striga Isle. The three heroes watched from the safety of the trees as squads of guards paced the length of the brutal stone walls.

“So, let me get this straight,” Doulos began, “We’re going in there so that you can take out one guy?” Aeronaut nodded, “And we might have to take out a whole host of others too before we get to him?” Again Aeronaut nodded, “And this is the plan? Walk in and hit stuff?”

“Look, if you have a problem with this…”

Doulos held up his hands, “No problems, I just wanted to make sure that we were on the same page, that’s all.” The two looked at each other warily then turned around to look back at the walls.

“Scape…” Doulos began, “Where the hell is she?”

Aeronaut pointed, “I believe she’s over there.”

Sure enough Scapegoat stood with her back pressed against the wall walking slowly towards a point where a squad of soldiers stood isolated from others.

“What is she doing? We have to help her!” Aeronaut began to put his helmet on and move forward but Doulos shot out an arm grabbing him.

“Hold on there, she’ll be fine, watch this.” hissed Doulos, “Trust me, she can more than handle herself.”

As they watched Scapegoat appeared to blend in with the wall behind her, and the nearly invisible form suddenly darted into the middle of the group. There was no reaction from the squad, no inclination that they knew she was there.

“What is she doing? Why is she bending over like that.”

“Just watch.” Suddenly there was a blinding flash of blue and white energy, the council soldiers were hurled into the air and into the trees, Aeronaut wished he had put his helmet on whilst blinking his eyes desperately to get rid of the purple spots that had begun flashing is his head, an aftershock of energy rippled the floor under them and a gentle breeze lifted Aeronauts cape from his back for a moment. “That’s my girl.” Aeronaut turned to look at Doulos who grinned mischievously, “One day anyway.” Turning back he saw Scapegoat trotting casually over the ground between them and the wall, as she got closer Aero could see that she looked slightly drained, her lips were pale and there were bags forming under her eyes.

“Are you ok?” Aeronaut asked, standing and offering her a hand.

Scapegoat just looked at him, then sat down with out taking the hand, “Give me a couple of minutes and I’ll be right as rain.”

“What was that?”

“I’m not exactly sure, recently I started to be able to do that.”

“Well its bloody effective.”

Scapegoat raised an eyebrow and looked at him, “Yeah, it is, it’s also bloody exhausting so if you could give me a minute then that’d be great.”

Aeronaut leant forward as if to say something but glimpsing at Doulos he saw the other man shake his head ever so slightly, Aeronaut took the tip.

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“What do you mean a patrol just vanished!” demanded Dialous, “Eight men do not just suddenly disappear. Where were they, send a team to investigate.”

“Yes sir.”

“And get a move on.”

The doors to Dialous's control centre opened and Maestro entered the room.

"Lord Maestro, what an unexpected pleasure, we are honoured by your presence" stated Dialous.

"You may dispense with the pleasantries, Archon. I'm here to put you back on schedule." Maestro replied

Dialous turns ashen and trembles slightly.

"I can assure you, Maestro, that my men are working as fast as they can"

"perhaps I can find new ways to motivate them."

"I tell you the suit will be back in our possession as planned"

"I do not share your optimistic appraisal of the situation" with that, Maestro stared at Dialous, cutting off his reply with a wave of his hand "that's right, Dialous, I am most displeased with your apparent lack of progress"

Dialous replied slowly, “With all due respect sir, how can I be held responsible…”

The Arch Villain placed a firm hand on his shoulder, “Today Dialous,” he snarled, “today, you are responsible for everything, when the butchers bill is presented it will be you who pays the price, do you understand that?”

“Perfectly.”

“Then I suggest you ensure that the suit is in our possession soon, see to it personally Archon”

Dialous stammered, “You mean actually go out there.” there was no reply, “of course sir, right away, I’ll see to it.”

Turning to the man on the comm. desk he said with more than a little shakiness in his voice, “Let the team know I’m coming, have them meet me in the exercise yard.”

Dialous left the room as calmly as possible and rubbed his face, if he wanted to keep it he better get this right. If there was something out there that could make a squad vanish then there was no way he wanted to be anywhere but behind the strong walls, but Maestro had ordered, and he was not a man to be disobeyed.

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“Someone is coming, Scape are you ready to move?” Doulos asked, shifting his assault rifle nervously. Scapegoat nodded and slowly pulled herself to her feet rolling her shoulder and neck as she did, to Aeronauts eyes she seemed to have recovered completely but Doulos stayed close to her, his gun ready, the three of them headed slightly further into the cover of the trees.

“Let’s find a way in.” muttered Scapegoat, “One that doesn’t involve the need for vast quantities of caffeine.”

“There is a way in to the south, it’s not safe but it’s safer than the walls.” Aeronaut muttered.

“You tell us this NOW? We could have been in there already.” growled Doulos.

“It slipped my mind ok, I’m sorry.”

Doulos was about to speak when Scapegoat laid hand on his arm, “Aeronaut, you’re pretty new to this hero business right? You have some moves or those wolves would have eaten you alive, literally, but the whole hero thing is new isn’t it?”

Aeronaut nodded, “That suit doesn’t make you a hero or a vigilante, it makes you powerful, what makes you a hero is this,” she said tapping his chest plate over his heart, “and this.” She said tapping his head with her finger, “Slippery minds? We all have them, but when the lives of other heroes are at stake you make sure that it is as unslippery as possible, ok?”

Aeronaut just nodded again, “We’re here to help you, and help you we will, but we need you to stay focused, emotions are well and good, but out here it is logic and awareness that keep you alive.”

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Dialous and the thirty man squad came to the area where the group had disappeared, there was no sign of the 8 man team anywhere.

“I want to know what did this, I want to know now, search the area for anything you can find, a broken twig, a foot print, anything, I need a lead.”

The soldiers spread out and began searching the ground. Dialous stared into the woods, “I will not lose face over you Dr. Johnson, where are you?”

“Sir I have something!” A shout came from one of the troopers. Dialous walked, deliberately over to the man, even though he wanted to run, running was a sign of panic that would only install doubt in his men, and he had to hold together.

The Soldier was crouching by a fallen tree, there were faint but fresh footprints in the damp earth, two men and a woman by the looks of things, “Let’s move out, everyone be on your guard.”

Thoughts ran furiously through his mind, why would they turn away from the wall, where would they go, where would Dr. Johnson think to go more precisely, as it was becoming obvious that he was one of the men they are now following. Then it struck him, opening the comm. unit he spoke clearly and deliberately. “Exit TQ27, be on alert, there are hostiles coming in your direction, do not engage them, I repeat, do not engage if they try to enter.”

The reply came, “Sir are you instructing us to allow hostiles into the fortress?”

“Yes, but once they are in, seal the gate with everything you have, I will meet them in the base, with a force that can handle them.”

“Understood sir.”

Turning to his soldiers he said, “Gentlemen, if you please, one unit move to gate TQ27 and assist the guards there with their preparations, the rest of you, come with me.”

The suit would come to him, and with it his redemption.

Once again thanks to Aero for the editting and helping and suggesting stuff... and keeping my insane brain vaguely on track.

Aeronaut braced himself as another rock thumped into his chest, the war wolves were all over him and the bog was making it hard for him to get air bourne. It had been all he’d been able to do to land on his feet then the first boulder had knocked his left engine out; that was a design flaw that would be amended later, right now the issue was staying alive.

The wolves were staying back now, the couple that had charged him were lying face down in the mire of the bog and thankfully a show of force makes even THESE behemoths wary, but there was only so much dodging he could do with his feet planted in the thick mud beneath him and with full branches, boulders and sections of earth being hurled at him it was only a matter of time before his suit was damaged enough for the war wolves to get close enough to use those nasty looking claws. He sent out another broadcast, “Emergency, Hero in difficulty, requesting back up.”

So far he’d been broadcasting for three minutes and he was beginning to doubt that anyone would show up. A rock caught him on the side of his helmet throwing him painfully to the floor; his left leg was still stuck in the mud. He tried to push himself up but the mud was sticky and thick as it swiftly sucked in his hands. The war wolves closed in, their large fangs dripping hungry saliva, frantically Aeronaut hauled his left arm from the mud, as he did it caused his right arm to sink further into the dark sticky ooze of the bog. The nearest war wolf took the full force of his first blast in the chest but there were too many of them coming in too fast.

Suddenly a shot rang out from the trees to his right throwing a wolf to the floor, because of his precarious balance Aeronaut couldn’t make out what it who or what was shooting, the last thing he needed was for it to be a husk mob attacking, being stuck in that fight was not something he would appreciate. Another shot rang out and a second wolf collapsed as its right leg exploded in a shower of blood. From his left he heard a rushing sound as the two closest wolves were thrown flying back from him, something began to pull him backwards from the top of his cape, and the added momentum pulled him out of the bog as he and his mystery rescuer began to move rapidly to safety. The gun fire continued and the wolves fell one by one as bullets tore through their thick hides.

Aeronaut was on solid ground and he slumped to the floor, his rescuer went back to firing at the remaining few war wolves who rapidly began to fall back. “You ok?” said a female voice with a heavy city accent.

As he rolled over Aeronaut replied, “Yeah thanks.” He found himself looking at a startlingly beautiful woman clad in tight fitting body armour, the sun glistened of her slivery hair, she smiled at him warmly. Instantly Aeronaut began to berate himself, Julie wasn’t even a week dead and he was already looking at another woman.

“Thanks for the help, where’s the sniper you had in those trees?”

“Oh, Doulos, he’s just coming, he’s chasing down the last couple of wolves then he’ll be back.”

“Cool.” Said Aeronaut, “Pass on my gratitude,” he said as he examined his fault jet on his leg, it shouldn’t take more than a few minutes to fix. “I’m sorry to have bothered you, I’ll be ok from here on.” The woman laughed a warm pealing laugh that filled the clearing. “No offence buddy but if you think that that’s ok,” she said gesturing at the bog, “then you really need help, and not the kind we can offer.”

Aeronaut scowled beneath his helmet as he pulled out his tool kit from his pouch in the small of his back. “Thanks again, but like I said, I’ll be fine.”

The woman squatted down in front of him, and suddenly Aeronaut noticed again her full figure, “Look honey, Striga is a rough place to be out on your own, it’s getting dark which means the banished pantheon and worse will soon be out in force, let us help you out, why the lone hero thing anyway?”

“Look lady,” said Aeronaut as nicely as he could, in spite of his disappearing patience, “I don’t need help, those wolves caught me off guard whilst I was looking for ssomeone. I’m not here for hero work, I’m here for blood…” he continued talking summarising briefly that he was only on the isle for revenge on the man that had killed his wife and son, all the time she listened and nodded, “… so you see, this is my fight, my revenge, my battle, I appreciate the offer but I’d rather go alone.” From the distance there was more gunfire. The lady looked at him for a moment then smiled another winning smile.

“Hi, I’m Scapegoat, you want a hand?”

“Didn’t you just listen…”

“Yes I did, and I think it’s terrible what the Council did to your family, I’d like to help and I’m sure Doulos will be up for some revenge. I’m not going to take no for an answer.”

Shaking his head in disbelief Aeronaut reluctantly made himself nod, women, why did they never listen to him ?. Over the comm. he heard Scapegoat talking, “Doulos, this guy could use our help, do you fancy attacking the Councils fort?” Whatever the exact reply, it was definitely in the positive. “He’ll be here soon, one more wolf to go. That leg of yours fixed?”

Aeronaut nodded, and began to pack away his tool kit. “Let me help you up.” Scapegoat said thrusting out a hand offering her assistance in pulling him up, grudgingly Aeronaut took it and Scapegoat grunted slightly as she pulled the armoured hero to his feet. “Doulos is on his way back, so what’s the plan?”

“I, I mean we get into the base, I find the man responsible and take him down, we leave. Simple as that.” Scapegoat nodded pursing her lips thoughtfully.

A gruff male voice came from behind Aeronaut, “Here Scapegoat.” Aeronaut turned round as a figure in white armour materialised seemingly out of mid air behind him, Aeronaut looked at him, instant recognition dawned on him, and clearly on the other man who must be Doulos. Doulos glanced at Scapegoat then went back to Aeronaut. “Come on Scape, let’s leave him be, he can sort himself out.”

Aeronaut spoke at almost exactly the same time, “Actually, I’ll be fine, you guys must be busy.”

Neither of them moved as they stared at each other. Doulos unconsciously flicked the safety of his assault rifle on and off, and Aeronaut flexed his fists.

“Is there something going on here I should know about?” demanded the female hero.

“No, Scape it’s fine, this guy can take care of himself, lets head back to the port.”

Saying nothing Scapegoat walked a little further from the pair of them, then beckoned Doulos over to her. Aeronaut didn’t know what was said but from the red that flushed Doulos’ face in either anger or embarrassment he wished he could hear it, the pair came back. “Doulos has something to say.” She folded her arms and stared at the other hero expectantly.

“I’m sorry about the boat.” Doulos said then paused, Scapegoat coughed, and he continued, visible making himself speak as his voice came out strained and through gritted teeth. “It was my fault, I would very much like to help you sort this out.” He looked as Scapegoat through pleading eyes, as if begging to stop, she nodded and unfolded her arms.

“I’m glad you accept responsibility, and you’re help would be appreciated.” Aeronaut snapped back. Scapegoat coughed again at Doulos, but Aeronaut felt her eyes boring into his own, without thinking he almost blurted, “Sorry about my part in it too.”

“Right boys, now that’s sorted maybe you can shake hands and put it behind you, we have a villain to catch.” Turning on a stilettoed heel Scapegoat launched herself into the air, “next stop the council fortress.”

Doulos and Aeronaut stayed a moment longer staring at each other, and then as if some unspoken command had finally backed up Scapegoats instruction they shook hands tentatively.

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“What do you mean it's here?” demanded Dr. Dialous. "your own surveillance placed Dr. Johnson in Kings Row less than an hour ago"

“The suit is here, on the island.” Repeated the radar man. Dialous spun on his heel and stalked off towards the door, which opened as he approached it. Maestro entered the room, Dialous stopped in his tracks.

“You have your chance doctor, you must reclaim that suit, somethings are expendable, that investment isn't one of them.”

Dialous gulped, “I understand sir.”

Maestro looked at him evenly, “Yes doctor, I think you do.”

Dialous ducked around the arch villain and as soon as he was out of sight ran down the corridor, Maestro had been less than happy at losing the A.E.R.O.N.A.U.T. suit a week ago and failure now could only spell disaster for him.

Part three to follow tomorrow...

The more the merrier, we're having a rad rangers day on saturday which should be a lot of fun...

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So Scape is a liar?

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It depends entirely on what is whose fault doesn't it...

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Shot yourself in the foot there, Doulos. You've just admitted it's not Aero's fault!!

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such a large assumption after just 1 part

Holy cow, how did that happen! It just decided to make me a trinity I guess...

If I can be there, I will... depends a lot on Mrs D...

If I can be there, I will... depends a lot on Mrs D...

If I can be there, I will... depends a lot on Mrs D...

Well folks, it's been a while, but I'm back on the creative forums, here is the first part of a new story, if you want the immediate backgroud to it then the place to head is Aeronauts back story on www.precisionrangers.tk this is a joint work with Aero, so he deserves some credit, I do all the work then he tweaks bits and pieces that he wants to change as well as feeding in a few ideas here and there, I hope you enjoy. D

Doulos lay on his back, hands behind his head, the smoking cigarette in his mouth wobbled as he spoke. “You know, this is all your fault.”

“How do you figure that?” demanded Aeronaut whilst removing his helmet, “Get over it Doul, it’s your fault, AGAIN.” with that, Aeronaut stood up from the steps he had been sitting on and brushed the dust of his shoulders. Doulos continued, “You know, one day something won’t be your fault, and when that day comes, I’ll quit smoking.”

“You’ll quit smoking before then Doulos.” said Scapegoat as she stormed into the room, “How many times do I have to tell you, those things will kill you.”

“They might, if Aero doesn't manage it first, it's all his fault anyway, he makes me nervous.” a pause, “Now can someone get this off me?”

The remains of the Fake Nemesis were lifted off Doulos by Rock Eagles massive granite fist. “Out you get D.”

“Thanks Rocky, I wouldn’t have been there if Aero hadn’t Nova’d.”

“Well I wouldn’t have had to Nova if you had backed me up!”

“And if you’d listened I DID say wait.”

“Stop it the pair of you!” screamed Scapegoat at the top of her voice, “I swear, it’s like looking after little children when you to get together.” She stood on her toes and balled her fists up to give emphasis.

“Sorry Scape,” said Doulos as soothingly as he could, “it’s just that Aero star…”

Scapegoat spun around and jabbed her finger onto the end of Doulos’s nose. “You’re an utter child sometimes, you know that… don’t snigger Aero, you’re just as bad as he is. The pair of you should be back in nappies.”

Rock Eagle shook his head. “You know Scape,” said Aero, “you really look beautiful when you get angry, your face turns a beautiful shade of pink, Doul, you’re a lucky man.”

Scapegoat screamed in frustration, “I know buddy, she is cute when she gets angry, and Scape, don’t get cross, it’s a compliment.”

“The pair of you are intolerable sometimes! You!” she said, pointing at Aeronaut, “You’re a squad leader, and yet you have this incomprehensible desire to nova every passing punk who you see.” Doulos poked his tongue out at Aeronaut over Scapegoat’s head. Without looking she said, “And you Doulos, are a Commander in the Precision Rangers, a ‘pillar of the community’ yet for some reason you decide to behave like a 5 year old when Aero shows up.” she paused. “And if you don’t put that tongue away right now, I will slap you so hard…” with that she stormed off.

Doulos mouthed the words, “How did she know?” to Aeronaut, who shrugged and mouthed back “Women!”

Rock Eagle, who had wisely kept out of it waited until Scapegoat was out of sight, before patting Doulos on the shoulder. “Sofa tonight buddy, that’s a heck of a woman you have there.” The three of them began to laugh, following Scapegoat out of the room. Behind them the Fake Nemesis vanished as the Zig called it home.

Back at Ranger H.Q. Aeronaut, Doulos and Rock Eagle were all relaxing in the recreation room waiting for Doulos to be sure it was safe for him to head back home to Scapegoat.

“Out of curiosity,” asked the Armoured Core member, “Why is it always the other guys fault?”

Without pause both Rangers pointed at the other and said “Who, his ?” And began to laugh. “But really,” said Doulos, “It all began on Striga Isle…”

I was just leaving Striga, I’d had a rough day with some war wolves and those living dead things over by the cemetary and was on my way home, I was just trying to get to Talos and was just going through the door when this guy barged through pushing me out of the way, I thought what an a-hole and said “What, no apology…” the dude just kept walking.”

“Doul, if you’re going to tell a story, tell it right…”

It was less than a week after I had fled the Council fortress on Striga, you remember me telling you about that right Rocky ?" Rock eagle nodded and motioned for Aero to continue "I was going to go back and have a go at them, I got on the ship in IP and got myself focussed, I was past caring about my own life, as you remember, I’d just recently seen my wife and son die and I was going to avenge them, I didn’t care if I lived or died at that point. The ship had docked and I went to get off, anyway, this punk" Aero pointed at Doulos "was there blocking the door, I asked him to get out of the way but he wouldn’t budge so I pushed around the side of him…”

“Yeah, you pushed me alright, so hard I nearly fell over board!”

“Well I thought the bath would have done you some good, you just said yourself you had been fighting war wolves all day.”

“Oh shut up!”

“No, you shut up, I'm talking here Doul, just back off.”

The three of them were so caught up in the conversation they hadn't noticed Scapegoat enter the room and lean against the wall, listening to the conversation. “Rocky,” she said, “You want the truth of it then neither of these two is the one to ask, they’ll both make themselves up to be the hero and the other to be a muppet; the truth needs to come from someone impartial.”

“And that’s you Scape?” said Rock Eagle with a grin at the looks on both the squabbling rangers faces at the sudden interruption.

The beautiful Ranger just nodded, "It was a wet, cold and miserable day on Striga, Doulos and I had just met, he hade made a complete prat of himself fighting some war wolves and was sulking because he had needed my help, he didn’t like the fact that I didn’t need his help back then anymore than he does now. He stormed off in a tantrum and got to the boat about ten yards ahead of me, I saw the whole thing, these two eyed each other like cats looking for a fight, and neither gave an inch, no one pushed anyone over, a guard got between them before it came to blows, D tripped and fell, Aero walked past him without offering a hand. I went and picked D up but Aero was long gone, flying into the distance. D and I sat on the deck of the ship chatting, he was so sweet back then, blushing and shy, not like he is now at all," Doulos looked away briefly in embarrasment and Aero coughed to hide his chuckle "and we passed some time on the deck of the ship, until the call came over the comm. a little while later that an unnamed armoured hero needed assistance in Striga…”

Well the Rangers already know this but others of you have a think...

I have started a myspace (www.myspace.com) group for RL CoH players, all you need is a myspace account and then we have a RL community as well as an ingame one... you get to meet some cool people too.

We have another forum there and a bulletin tool which is muchos handy for stuff... the web page is

http://groups.myspace.com/UnionCoalition

And may you continue to provide such joy to the game!

of cause you can exemp down and earn lots of lovely prestige for the rangers, earning your slot on the TF maybe!

We can get other players, frozen has volunteered, to do a swift exemp somewhere close to burn off that debt it will mean patience from the group whilst we go on standby for the member to clear debt and get back to us but it will work out fine. I think we can all get 1 bar without a face plant...Aero isn't on the team after all. :P

the important thing is that screenie with everyone levelling at the same time!!!

Be great to have you lumi, we all need to be getting to the same level, 49.9 then do the final push together and try and get an 8 man team all there together!!! how cool if it was 1 Screen shot!

Coffee cake?

KK one more spot going then!