Echo 13

//Record 15 Start

We confronted Joutei a few days a go; the plan was sound; we searched the surrounding area, posted guards around the only exit of the meeting place, and I used a hologram to get close to him. But we severly underestimated him. He managed to get past us and lead us into several traps. Realising that we'd lost our advantage of battlefield control, I challenged him to a duel; no-one allowed to interfere. That got rid of the sniper problem, although it left me dueling with an incredibly dangerous opponent, with no backup. And I was already wounded from a previous trap.

It was close. I managed to force him to forfeit the duel via breaking the terms, although if Megan hadn't shielded me at the last moment, my brains would have been decorating that roof. He fled, and I got medi-ported. Seraphian fighting style is dangerous, but as much to the user as to the opponent.

I managed to arrange a peaceful meeting with Joutei last night, after meeting another of the Eclipse. Despite everything, I trusted Joutei, and my trust was not misplaced. We've called a truce of Tyrannix; I give him 20 lashings and watch him to ensure that he doesn't stray from the straight and narrow; Joutei will no longer attempt to kill him. In addition, he's agreed to help us flush out the other member, who seems significantly more reprehensible and in more need of being dealt with.

Civil appears to be slightly injured, but is refusing to see a doctor. I'll have to talk to him about that. Still no sign of recovery from Andrew...That, I will also need to investigate.

Iron Vanguard, signing out.

//Record 15 ends

*This record is a voice recording*

Record 14. Time is 11:47, 23rd of May.

I am recording this from Talos's shoulder, for I cannot concentrate in the base.

It seemed a normal enough day. Met Babel in the garden. Met a "new" friend, Shining Valkryie. Then I met Adam, Andrew's progenitor.

It appears that both clone and parent are dying, and only one can be saved. With, quite literally, Andrew's heart. Both refuse for the other to die. It's heartbreaking to see this happen once again. I promised Adam I would attempt to persuade Andrew to survive, but...

He may be dead as I speak. He collapsed, starting breaking up. His fate is in his own hands now, and Megan's. If he survives, then I will be glad. If not...then I am sorry for failing, Adam. I didn't...

*slight coughing sound, concealing a sob*

...Didn't realise it would happen so soon. I'm...sorry.

*regains her composure*

...In addition to this, I argued with Rogue. I am becoming steadily less impressed with him. This may be my penultimate record; if Rogue insists on acting the way he does, then I will be no part of this.

*angry tone rising*

Fool. He speaks of authority, yet he has none himself. I-

*cuts herself off, again regaining her composure*

...I will speak to him again on this matter. I will stay until this issue with Andrew is resolved, but if Rogue persists, then I will leave afterwards.

Let us hope that this does not come to past.

Mhey thro drana makaiela, Andrew, ot ley thanto iam cuno. ((A completely foreign, not of Primal Earth language))

Iron Vanguard. Signing out.

*Record ends*

//Record 13 Start

...So. Apparently Tyrannix is a member of Liberty Force now. I was away when the descision was made, but...I trust the others judgement on this. That doesn't mean I won't be watching my back, however.

Andrew is dying. It's saddening, but there's nothing which can be done, by the looks of things. So I'll stand by him 'till the end, and make sure that he doesn't go to the void with regrets. Disagreements or no, he's my teamate and my friend- I've despatched Dusk to find as much information as she can on those from the bank, as well as whoever is trying to kill Max.

Dean's in bad shape. He was nearly killed the other day by a Paragon Protector- the same from the bank, I believe. Right arm gone from the elbow down, legs mangled, spine broken, heavy internal injury including pierced lungs, ribs shattered, jaw broken, and his left arm is pasted. I've been working with his friend to make him prosthetics- but there's a lot needed. I'm not sure if Dean will survive the procedure, but he's strong willed.

Things are progressing, but there's a rough road ahead of us yet.

Iron Vanguard, Signing out.

//Record 13 ends.

//Record 12 Start.

Things are moving quickly. It seems Rogue has accepted more responsibility as a leader, and is taking to role seriously; he's promoted a more organized command structure. Thunderar didn't take it too well, but we can't please everyone.

Whether because of this, or like he says something else, he has decided to leave Liberty Force. I'm dissapointed, but I won't stop him. Still, I hope for a private word with him. I don't want any bad blood between us.

We followed the adress to what should have been Tyrannix's home. We fought a Nictus named "Quantanimator"- I'll need to interrogate him fully later, but Sunstorm knew him. Which may mean he's sincere. He was killed by a sniper as Megan leveled the apartment block- and destroyed the Shadow Cysts he was hording- but we ressurected him with the "Gift" Civil recieved; he's in holding now. We destroyed most of the Nictus, but many escaped...Sunstorm has been informed.

Speaking of him, I had to do some explaining. He's agreed to keep quiet about me...for now. I'm glad.

Me, Civil, and Conall will be doing some special-operations work for Vanguard, contacting the Resistance about the aftermath. We'll be gone for a few days. We're hoping that on the next alert, the newer heroes should be able to come...provided it's deemed safe.

Iron Vanguard, Signing out.

//Record 12 Ends

//Record 11 Start

I...have returned. I think. Truth be told, I'm not sure.

Something's off. I can't acess my old powers. Or my true powers. Thank the gods I overprepared and fitted the Golem and Homonculous with armour with their own fusion generators, and power gauntlets. They'll do.

Hah. I spent so much time complaining about my "gift", and now it's gone, I don't know what to think. I suppose I should be glad. I'm back.

...I think.

What happened in my "absence", I don't know. The memories of it feel just out of reach- like a dream that just escapes you upon waking. Maybe it'll come in time.

I'll need to ask more later. But for now...I'm glad that I'm..."back". For what it's worth.

Iron Vanguard, signing out.

//Record 11 Ends

*This record, unlike the others, is a voice recording. Iron is not disguising her voice at all.*

Record 10, start. Time is 23:46. Date is the 14th of April.

There's a lot to mention in this record, and I'm not sure how long I have to make it.

As I arranged, the base was "attacked" today by a single, well prepared assailant. Sister Dusk of the Knives of Artemis. She's a good friend of mine, and I trust her with my life. I trust her with more than that, truth be told. We faked my death at her hand, as I'm not brilliant at pretending such battles, and...Well. Dusk wasn't happy with the reaction she recieved. She "killed" Thunderar and the Civil Servant, suceeded on landing a poison attack on Conall, and would have, likely as not, "killed" whoever she had attacked initially. That was Rogue, but he was simply teleported away, as he knew about the exercise. Truth be told, it was only quick thinking on the part of Lance that stopped her, although he should get over his principles of not hitting women.

I feel we...or they...have much to learn in terms of co-operation.

Not long after, we tracked Tyrannix to a hospital in Independence Port where he was planting bombs. The battle seemed to go our way, but... I was only saved narrowly due to my armour, and Civil... something happened to him. Tyrannix...perhaps he possessed him, altered him? Seeing as Civil then went on to plant bombs around the base afterwards, something was most certainly wrong. I disarmed all I found, and we think- think- that Civil is okay now.

I'm running out of time...I can feel myself breaking apart. Maybe it was that fight with Tyrannix, maybe it accelerated the decay...or maybe it was just destined to be today. I don't know. I doubt I ever will.

...Should what I fear come to pass...Then let it be known that in this life, I have had no regrets.

Iron Vanguard... Signing out.

*Record Ends.*

*This record, along with all 9 of her previous records, will appear mysteriously on the Liberty Force database sometime today. Of Iron herself, there has been no sign since last night.*

//Record 9 start

Hm. Have neglected this recently. Things have been happening.

Not a huge amount, nor hugely important things, but things.

Example: I found out that there -is- a limit to how fast I can run before I trip over. Somewhere around 55 mph, but that was on a slope - after living in Raven's Peak, I think that just made slopes -easier- to traverse, so it'll be slower on ground. Go figure.

New people, too. Konrad (Who I coined Skeletor initially), a Wight- considerable melee combatant with melee abilities. His potential to frenzy concerns me, but not too much.

Finally, it appears I've..."remembered"...how to use Peacebringers abilities. Without a Kheldian. I was aware I, being what I am, was cabable of doing so- but I didn't realise how -easy- it was.

...I hope she'd approve. It won't bring her back, but I'll not waste what she gave me.

Iron Vanguard, signing out.



...Oh. And I guess me and Con are officially an "item" now. Yeah, that might be worth mentioning.



//Record 9 Ends

//Record 8 Start

Finally a lead on the shapeshifter.

I was overseeing some construction work in the base, when Babel requested aid- Conall and I both came to help. After helping her deal with the Lost and helping Fusionette (It's nice to see that she's just as irritating as I remember her being), we tracked down Nocturne, smashing our way through her goons.

We were joined shortly before the fight by a Longbow Warden. That's what it looked like, that is. After pummeling Noc- she teleported away, unfortunately- our teamates dispersed, leaving I, Conall, Babel and the "Warden". Babel managed to get a touch on him- we'd already shared our suspicions- which should mean we can track him now. Babel left- she must have been tired from the fight- and I had a chat with the "Warden". As well as my suspicions, he was far, far to rude for my liking. Unfortunately I didn't want to get arrested for assaulting another Longbow officer, and I couldn't get any conclusive proof that he was the shapeshifter, so...I pushed him into the lake.

...What got out wasn't a Warden.

The shape shifter, Tyrannix, is tough. Ice abilities, and some sort of strength sapping attack. Conall got hurt a bit- although he should heal- but I was mostly okay. Golem's up to spec. I got to try the new energy projector three times (I need to improve it's accuracy, power, and charge up time. Also a way to use it without dropping the shields), but he managed to shrug off most of them- after being pelted by Conall a bit, he escaped in a copter.

We returned to base to tell the others.

Later in the night, we had another discussion, and came up with ideas to catch him. A trap of some sort was quite a popular option.

Iron Vanguard, signing out.

//Record 8 Ends

//Record 7 Start

Hmm. Quite a disturbing sight today.

I saw a young girl- or at least I think she was young, I've never been good with ages- maybe about 20? She was in Pocket D, and calling herself "Missy Radical". Apparently, her new idol was one of those bank robbers, "Ms. Rad". I can't help but find it...unnerving...to see such a horrible excuse for a living being being...admired. She also didn't like me, and couldn't grasp the idea of being a good sportswoman.

Anyway, in the hopes to let her blow of steam- and also to see what her abilities were, and how dangerous she was- I asked her whether she'd like to settle it in the arena. She promptly accepted. Her powers aren't fully developed yet, so it wasn't too much of a problem; still, I'd hate to see her end up like some of the other kids I've seen.

There was also another girl in the bar worth mentioning, called herself "Jane". Butterfly wings, apparently a meta. Got off on the wrong foot with her, but I might have gotten her interested in joining. I'm not sure.

I chatted with Simm's in the bar for a bit about this shapeshifter- he didn't seem to like my idea as to what to do about it, as it involved beating up Longbow. To be honest, I don't myself see the problem with that.

It appears that we have another new recruit, although I didn't get to talk to her much- me and Conall were just going to be when we saw her. And yes, we are sharing a room, anyone who reads this. Don't jump to conclusions.

The base is coming along nicely, especially the gym. I'm going to propose getting rid of the original bar and replacing it with a proper eating area, now that we've got one where people are more likely to use it.

On a personal note...I'm worried about Megan. Because she's worried, and that doesn't happen without good reason. Still, at least Nova is recovering. Elisa really needed some good news, and I guess that's two pieces. I hope whatever Megan's concerned about doesn't kill her...for obvious reasons.

Iron Vanguard, signing out.

//Record 7 Ends

//Record 6 Start

I finished work on those power supressors during the day. Have to say, it took a lot less time than I expected; I suppose not having to look at the blueprints more than once helps. Conall kept me company; there was also some workers who Rogue had hired getting the changing rooms and showers up in the sparring area.

Conall wanted to learn how to fight with a weapon- a failsafe, as such. He was interested in Tonfa, but I pointed out it'd be better for him to learn something more basic. So I gave him my spare extending-staff and started teaching how to use that.

He's a natural, as you'd expect. He's got the strength and speed to make up for his lack of experience and skill, although that'll only work against "normal" opponents. He kept pace when I sped up a bit, but he was more on the defensive; he made a few mistakes. Still, I gave him some pointers, and told him his best bet was to just practise. I'll use different weaponry next time, as I don't think many people actually use staves.

Megan visited the base, we had a bit of a chat about her new abilities...Then I went out, and met her again in D. Along with Elisa and Phar.

...I didn't really realise how much I'd missed them. Well...they know I'm alive, now...

...Iron Vanguard, signing out.

//Record 6 Ends

//Record 5 Start

I'm sitting in my room, it's not even dawn yet, but I can't exactly sleep tonight. Conall's...well...I don't want to take my eye off him, and I want to at least keep him company.

Didn't make a record the day before, because nothing relavent happened, however, yesterday was a bit more interesting. Me and Civs had a discussion as to what the superior type of blade is. And later, we attempted to settle it in our new training room.

I have to say, Civil is a master swordsman. Most humans wouldn't have been able to keep up the pace, let alone match me. We ended in a draw after a long bout.

Next, Conall and Simms had a bout, but we cut it off early when I remembered that it was a full moon, and that Conall really shouldn't be fighting with his friends right now.

There was discussion as to finding Simm's a new weapon; I promised to make him an extension "club", although I think that's far to crude a term. I also decided to work on some power supressors...I've still got the blueprints that I retrieved for the Green Hero Core, and I think I can modify them to vary the strength. It'll allow for us to use our powers when in the ring, and fight without worrying of killing each other.

The next bout was between Rogue and Civs; I have to say that Rogue needs to learn some sportsmanship, and also how to follow his own rules, as he completely forgot the "no powers" agreement until reminded. Still, Civ's bested him, despite having only one usable sword for the match.

After this, it was getting close to midnight, so I walked with Conall back to my room and activated the force-field I installed (In case any of my modifcations to the Golem made it...unstable); only I could get in or out. I made sure he'd be okay, then went back to the others.

They were talking about this shapeshifter. I'm still rather unconcerned about it, but then, I've never been too bothered about getting or being put on the wrong side of the law. Still, at least we agreed to not make a deal with the Council. That'd have been stupid.

It reached midnight, and Conall transformed. I went back to my room to keep an eye on him- what I'm doing at the moment- but really, I didn't need to bother. He's shapeshifted, but he seems to be trapped in his own mind... it doesn't look pleasent. I wish there was something I could do to help, but...I guess all I can do is keep him company.

Iron Vanguard, signing off.

//Record 5 Ends

//Record 4 Start

...I really don't have much to talk about today. I only got on the radio late; I was...busy.

Me and Conall made up over our arguement from yesterday. He was drunk. I let him ride on my shoulder (I was in armour) back to the Liberty Force base, and he slept on my sofa over night. I went out for most the night.

There was some talk of him joining us. I wouldn't mind, really.

Iron Vanguard out.

//Record 4 Ends

//Record 3 Start

There's...alot to put in this record. My identity is no longer a secret. We fought one of our first, true battles as a team. And I had some problems of my own.

I'll start with the start of yesterday. Civl, Dean and I travelled to the Hollows to bring down one of the Outcasts higher ups. I decided I hate ice slicks and slides, coincidently. We met a young girl who had, apparently, been hiding in the office when the fighting started. I'm not quite sure how much to believe- this -does- appear to be another Megan, and I correctly assumed she was a fighter in her own right. A useful ally. Unfortunately, I had to duck out of the fight for some armour repairs, and by the time I returned, they'd finished the job.

We returned to base, Megan joining us out of interest to explore. I left my armour in its repair station; gave Civ's quite a shock when he saw what I looked like, but Megs and Dean didn't seem -too- suprised.

We hung around the bar for a while, Babel joining us (after I donned my armour again), and Simmons aswell. Then, thing's got interesting.

We got an alert from Independence Port. A bank robbery- Metahuman criminals. We headed off, Megs following again. We arrived just as they were exiting the bank- another hero arrived around the same time, "Amy Zon", I think it was. There were four of them; a green, radiation throwing woman, a teleporter with a mace that the others called Blackwell, a drone (which later turned out to be in control of some goblin-like creature), and a vampire. They had hostages. Simmons and Civs wanted to attack regardless- I did not, of course, so we managed to negotiate their release...in exchange for losing police backup.

Then, as you might guess, the fight started properly. Civs and I fought the teleporter; Simmons and Dean appeared to go for the vampire, Amy Zon attacked the green one. I lost track of what the others were doing.

The fight...well, I did not pick the most preferable opponent. Blackwell repeatedly teleported- his attacks didn't do much to me, but I couldn't land many decent hits. Civil didn't fair much better. The others, well...

I'm not going to do a complete account of the fight. At some point, Babel vanished, Dean suffered an injury, and Conall turned up in wolf form. I should have known something was wrong then, but...anyway. My armour was severely damaged by the goblin at one point, and, as it wasn't helping much, I teleported it away. And then regretted it when the goblin got a heavy suit, and I only had a revolver. That's about the time I started breaking my own rules.

By the end of the fight, Civil was comatose, the radioactive lady was half unconcious, Blackwell still seemed perfectly fine, the Goblin had run off, the vampire was doing his best, but unfortunately, life draining doesn't work too well on immortals. Even ones like myself, who probaly should have been dead by that point anyway. Both of them managed to teleport away...I'm not sure as to what happened with the money and hostages, but, at least we won. Sort of.

We returned to base to lick out wounds- Simmons carrying an unconcious Civs, Conall-still in wolf form- carrying a broken robot, which had shown up at some point in the fight. Rogue had also turned up at some point.

We got to a portal and returned to base. I set up the robot in my repairs station, Aerial took Civs to the infirmary...and then Conall collapsed, reverting to human form. Pretty much dead to the world.

I'll admit it. I was scared. I got him to the infirmary with Megs help. And then, well... I helped him. As to how, that doesn't matter.

After that, a quick check on the robot- which was starting to repar- and another conversation with Conall, I got my robes and went out. I got back early morning, when everyone still seemed asleep.

So, that was our first true test. I'd say we accounted for ourselves well, but...there's room for improvement. Alot. We'll see.

Iron Vanguard out.

//Record 3 Ends

//Record 2 Start

Our first new recruits last night, and it seems the base has come along well.

I was in the base early in the day, moving my equipment in. A bed too- might need to stay late some nights. Later, I moved on to the bar. Civil and Thunder were there; Rogue joined us later.

A shout through the base got our attention; our first recruit. We went to meet him, Babel joining us on the way.

Our first recruit called himself Sir Lancelot. I call him Lance. Dresses up and speaks like a knight, said he could joust- although I doubt that'll be useful- and fight with a shield and mace.

We returned to the bar for some drinks, and then decided to leave for Pocket D, although Lance was called away (by his cell phone, ruining the medival look a bit).

We found a second recruit in the bar, who's been assigned to Civil; Dean Mason, a cybernetically enhanced gunslinger. He should be interesting.

I have to say, I am not sure of Rogue's recruitment methods. It seemed to...direct, forward. Still, it didn't seem to put Mr. Mason off. As there weren't any other viable recruits in the bar, we returned to the base; Bable retired to her room, I did some more work on my armour, and Civil went off...somewhere. We showed Mr. Mason the base, chatted a bit, and then I decided to sort out some things on my computer before sleeping in the base.

That's all to report. Iron Vanguard, signing off.

//Record 2 ends

((I just thought it'd be a nice idea to make a recap thread, like the Pocket D one, for Liberty Force. I'll be doing all my posts IC as Iron Vanguard, but anyone contributing, feel free to do IC or OOC.))

//Record Start

I am intending to keep a record of events of my new team; memories can get...cluttered, sometimes. The team is called "Liberty Force". How I came to join it, well...

I had that feeling that I should be there, in that defence of Atlas. Usually I would have just left it, let the more active Meta's do their thing, but something pulled me there. Ended up fighting alongside those who I now call my team.

We went to our HQ- which, it seems, had been prepared for us. None of us really knew what was going on, other than that we'd been called. In fact, after going through the portal, we didn't even really know where we -were-.

We got answers soon enough, as the one responsible for bringing us together, The Rogue Manipulator, appeared. Not long after that, we were sitting around the meeting table- seemed a bit empty, for just the sixof us, but hopefully it'll fill up. (I also need to inquire as to getting stronger chairs. They were barely supporting my suit.)

We'd been called, from throughout time and space, together, by this "Rogue Manipulator"- a team which will make a difference in Paragon, or so he says. Before I go on, I should probaly record who "we" refers to.

• First, there is I. The Iron Vanguard. Powered armour, near indestructable with a significant amount of attack power aswell. I prefer to keep my identity secret.
• Second, The Civil Servant. English man, wearing spandex. Fights using blades, and he's pretty tough. Well spoken, aswell. I met him before hand during the fighting- saved each others hides a few times.
• Third, Aerial Assault. A soldier, it seems, and a tactician. Rules-stickler aswell, but I suppose it'll be useful for teaching the more alien among us.
• Fourth, Lady Babel. I'm not sure what to make of her. She doesn't look like much, but looks are often decieving. Her powers...they were a bit unclear aswell. Some sort of philosipher, perhaps? We'll see.
• Fifth, Thunderar. He didn't seem to talk much. Lightning powers.
• Finally, the one who brought us together, The Rogue Manipulator. An extradimensional, he mentioned, able to control...shadows, I think it was.

After establishing that, we got a few more answers. The base is being worked on, and is under the Pacific ocean- Lady Babel doesn't know how to swim, although I doubt that'd help anyway. We'll be getting quarters soon. And starting soon aswell, hopefully.

The meeting seemed to wrap up around here. Aerial Assault made sure we were all registered, and was going to do some more paperwork. Lady Babel made sure to handshake with us all- some sort of psychic memory, I believe- although I had to retract my arm armour first, due to the nullifiers in place on it. After that, we took the portal back to Paragon.

So that would be the first record. The team has formed...now all we need is a target.

Iron Vanguard, signing out.

//Record Ends

Global Name: @Echo Thirteen
Server: Union
City of Heroes/City of Villains/Going Rogue
RP Characters:
Athena Dawnlight
Dusk's Edge
Verrater
Umbrase (Which should be Umbra.)
Protector 184 (Actually 7 numbers on the end, but that's too long to remember)
Type of RP: Pretty much anything, but normally zilch RP on a none RP team.
Can be contacted: In game mail, Union Roleplayers channel (If I remember to have the tab open)
Times on: Usually 8 o'clock onwards
Timezone: British Standard Time.