Rage Against the Rikti! Reports & Analysis:

From the Desk of Ex Libris:


As it will be necessary to collect data analysis and feedback please use the following format for submitting your reports. In the field reporting on assignment please use the general assignments listed in this <a href="/showthreaded.php?Cat=0&Number=12548411" target="_blank">Assignments</a> or bring us new issues to review.

[ QUOTE ]

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name:
Global Contact:
Reporting on Assignment:
Star Strider Force Unit:
Time/Date Location:
Level of Alien Threat [High][Medium][low]:

Report Details:



Analysis of Current Situation:



Suggestion of Action:


[/ QUOTE ]

Stay Safe,

Ex Libris

---

Hmmmm...

Michelle
aka
Samuraiko/Dark_Respite

*******

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Agent Andrea Blake
Global Contact: @Samuraiko
Reporting on Assignment: Rikti Incursion, Atlas Park 11/16/08
Level of Alien Threat [High][Medium][low]: Medium

Report Details:

You'd think the Rikti would have learned by now... but no. They keep trying, and we keep pushing them back. Maybe they think it'd be demoralizing to kill as many inexperienced heroes as possible, to cut down our forces and keep us from strengthening our side. But whatever the reason, their most recent assault in Atlas Park was unsuccessful.

This is not to say our side did not face losses. Every few moments, I would hear the all-too-familiar sound of the Emergency Medical Teleport System transporting one of my comrades to the hospital for emergency treatment. And in other cases, it was necessary to employ my talents to bring them back to life. But we did not yield. We will not yield.

No matter what.

Analysis of Current Situation:

The randomness of the Rikti encounters seems to indicate either a softening up process, or a testing of our readiness. One day, we might have several invasions in quick succession, with the Rikti hitting multiple zones at once. Another day, it might be hours between attacks. I've been told by other Star Patrol agents in the field that of every zone in the city, the Rikti tend to hit Talos Island the hardest. One would think that Peregrine Island, with its Portal tech, would be their preferred battleground, but no.

And they're hitting harder, too - it used to be that they would hold back their trump cards, those damn Heavy Assault Suits, until it became necessary to turn the tide of battle in their favour. Now it's become an opening gambit to have them teleport in and rain death down on us. I've also even seen them start diverting their dropships' flight paths to overfly us, which has proven to be deadly when fighting from the high ground in some place like Talos or Kings Row.

Suggestion of Action:

I've spoken to Agent Sorina Tavarisch (our group's resident expert on the Rikti, as well as our liaison to Vanguard), and while she's also at a loss on how to stop them coming in, she has issued standing orders to all Star Patrol agents to capture whatever Rikti tech we can and turn it over to Vanguard for study. She hopes that with Gaussian's help, Vanguard can find a way to turn the Rikti's technology against them. (Of course, she's more than a little cynical about the fact that Crey will certainly try to get their hands on it.)

Tavarisch is also trying to coordinate with technology experts from other registered SuperGroups to find a way to crack the Rikti computer programming. She hopes to eventually find a way to jam their communication signals. If we can sever their communications links, we might be able to stop them from summoning reinforcements mid-combat.

This won't be without risk, though - the Rikti aren't going to give up their secrets so easily... and I wonder how many more lives must be lost before we find a way to bring this bloody stalemate to an end.

Agent Andrea Blake, Leader, Star Patrol

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force: Virtue

Name: Zambo

Global Contact: @Inquizitor

Reporting on Assignment: Historical preservation: Founder's Falls University Campus. 11/18/08 0200

Level of Alien Threat [High][Medium][low]: Low

Report Details: The University Campus has been secured with the help of the Midnight Squad. The following Exibits have been relocated for safekeeping inside a dimensional rift located inside the Midnighter club. All artifacts were cataloged through MAGI and several Knights from the Order of the Blue Crescent stand watch over the artifacts to ensure their security.
<ul type="square">[*]Several of the recovered artifacts from the Anti-Magical Harmony Inversion of 1937 [*] The treasures recovered from the tomb of 'The Frozen Leader' in Mexico.[*] Tablets containing a key to the Magubil language[*] Preserved US Civil War era Confederate Firearms including the Amulet of Bjeid.[/list]As these items were being transferred Talos Island came under heavy assault form the Rikti. Few Rikti strayed into Founders during this raid and they were detained almost immediately upon entering the area.

Analysis of Current Situation: The Order will contact nearby museums and attempt to place what artifacts we can into Secured Dimensional pockets. The Order will continue to stand watch in the Founders Fall Area as per the Strike Forces mandate of protecting sites and artifacts of historical significance. Furthermore emergency shelters are being set up to aid those displaced in this time of crisis. Supplies and trained Medical personnel are needed. Two shelters are being erected. The Small shelter is located just east or Williams Square so that people can find it quickly. From there they are moved to a facility North of the University. This larger facility allows the Order to protect both with little delay in response.

Suggestion of Action: The Order is ill equipped to protect advanced technology in a similar manner as the magic employed can cause interference within the sensitive electronics without extensive and sometimes lengthy testing. Untested equipment passing through the portals can cause irreparable and sometimes catastrophic problems. Given the need for urgency a more practical solution should be explored. These technological artifacts would likely be of greater value to the Rikti as they are more familiar with it. Steps should be taken to likewise move these artifacts to a more secure area.

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Maiden Mars
Global Contact: @Lirene
Reporting on Assignment: Rikti Incursion, Virtue Squadron
Level of Alien Threat: Low

Report Details:
Okay, so maybe I missed the first couple of alerts on my comm while I was rocking out at Pocket D, but hey, the music is loud and you guys still have a lot to learn about clear transdimensional communication, so that's totally not my fault. Anyway, as soon as I realized I'd gotten mission orders, I hightailed it like a Mercurian skreep to Founders' Falls. I mean it's got the university, the canals, Williams Square with all the obelisks (You know you guys stole those from us, don't you?)--that's where all the culture is, right? Anyway, I got there not a moment too soon, because the first thing I find as I come out of the D is that the sky is all green and Rikti warships are cruising around like they own the place.

So like I said, I was a little late to the party, and it looked like they were just dropping their last bombs before they started sending in the troops. I didn't see much damage; they seemed to have pretty much ignored the university and all the sculpture. I guess they're either too civilized to target that stuff or too barbaric to know what it would mean to us if they blew it all up. Or maybe they just thought they could learn something useful if they left it all intact.

Anyway, let me tell you something about the Rikti: they wouldn't know a proper invasion if it came to their homeworld, wiped out half the population, and turned it into a summer home for its war-mongering space tyrant. If it'd been the folks back home at Mars making the attacks... well, let's just say it's lucky for you we more or less grew out of that phase in the 60s (Your 60s, I mean, not ours).

Okay, so they did manage to land a couple bombs that blew up before we could disable them. Fortunately, the only one caught in the blast as far as I know was yours truly, and I bounce back pretty easily. The roads had been pretty much cleared of traffic by that point.

After the bombing, they started beaming down and, as usual, the heroes of Paragon pretty handily sent 'em packing. No tactics on their part, no strategy of any kind as far as I could see; they just kept beaming in hoping to take us down with superior numbers, and we kept dropping them before they had a chance to get their bearings. Amateurs.

Oh, and never at any point did they show interest in any of the cultural or aesthetic landmarks of Founders' Falls, unless you consider that the bulk of their force landed at Williams Square--probably only because that's where most of us had gathered as well and they thought they could catch us by surprise or something.


Analysis of Current Situation:
With regard to Earth's cultural treasures, I don't think Earth has much to worry about from the Rikti. Maybe call the Louvre and suggest they lock some of their really good stuff away just in case but, like I said, these guys just don't seem that interested.

As for the invasion situation in general... well, the Rikti obviously have numbers far superior to our own, and their technology isn't half-bad either. If they got their act together, I could see them easily giving this little blue planet a run for its money. As things are right now, though, I'd say we can keep holding them off without much trouble.

The only problem is, we don't really have any way of hitting them back. It seems all we can do right now is keep fighting them here on Earth and try to keep them from from doing any really serious damage while they're around. And no matter how quickly we keep beating the shplortz out of them, innocent people are gonna keep dying, and the Rikti are gonna keep coming back.


Suggestion of Action:
For the short term, we've gotta keep keeping an eye on the high-density areas, plus the universities, libraries, and what-have-you just in case they do start taking an interest.

But at some point, we've gotta take this thing on the offensive. Build a space ship, a portal, something that'd allow us to take the fight to them. I've tried contacting the Elder Council back on Mars and asking them to lend a hand, but they don't really like you guys very much. And they like me even less, so that's pretty much out. I could lend out my personal saucer for a week or two; maybe your scientists and engineers could learn something that would speed the process along. It's just an old clunker my parents bought me when I was learning to drive, but I bet you guys could learn a few things from it.



Well, that's my report. I dunno if it helps, but I hope it does. After all, this little blue ball is my home too, now. And to be honest, I've gotten kind of attached to it.

-Miraxa Moonblaze, a.k.a. Maiden Mars

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force

Name: Akemi Ai
Global Contact: @ Kyo-chan
Reporting on Assignment: Rikti Incursion, Steel Canyon, 11/18/08, approx. 02:00
Level of Alien Threat: Medium

Report Details:
Apparently a girl can't even head to Icon safely any more. I mean, ever since I got to this city, these Rikti alien things have been attacking at random. I was just about at Icon when I heard a call for help from a fellow hero being attacked a short way down the road, so I rushed down to help him out. We nearly had those two Rikti down, and a dropship diverted from its path and dumped a whole load more on us! Needless to say, we both ended up in the hospital. Man, all I wanted to do was change my costume!


Analysis of Current Situation:
What's up with the dropship changing path en route to wherever it was going? We need to be able to plot the invasions further ahead of time. I mean, there has to be some way to know they're coming before the war walls drop, right? The more time we have to prepare before an invasion, the better off we'll be.


Suggestion of Action:
We need to do more research into the timing of the attacks. Maybe they wait a certain amount of time between each attack, or maybe it's only in certain zones. Some areas seem to get hit more often than others.

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Vodou Priest
Global Contact: @Healing Phoenix
Reporting on Assignment: Protection of Financial Systems. Vaults, Markets, and stores
Level of Alien Threat [High][Medium][low]: [High]

Report Details:
I spend most of my time at the Cap Au Diable’s branch Black Market, and it almost seems to me most of the Rikti attacks are targeted to that area, including the University and Vault Reserve nearby. The members of the Vanguard, who are located near the general area of attack, are being no help to the situation at all.
It also seems that the Rikti are interested in what we have, attempts have been made to take what’s been placed on the Black Market, and in our vaults for their own use. They don’t seem to keen on taking much of the technical items, it’s magic they want. The Black Market Shades have informed me they’ve seen strange individuals come to the market and checking the quantities of items way before the recent Rikti attacks.



Analysis of Current Situation:
From my research of all items magical, their main target of items are: Essence of the Furies, Prophecy, Pangean Soil, and Fortunes.
Since it is well known that Statesmen and Lord Recluse both received their powers from the Well of the Furies, they wish to analyze the essence to somehow counter-balance their powers. (As well as using ancient prophecies in their favor, combined with the luck of fortunes they might achieve that!) It is unclear why they need the Pangean Soil, but I’ll look more into detail about that as soon as I get back into my lair. It may also be an attempt to strengthen their Mages and Priests that I have seen in the Warzone. Or to increase the powers of a Rikti Lord we know nothing about.



Suggestion of Action:
I talked with the Black Market Shades and they’ve told me they are limited as well as unlimited with the powers they possess. They can lock down the trucks they use to keep all things protected, but that will not do any good since we need the Black Market. The Shades also told me they have no way of defending the items, since they only have defensive abilities.
Although of my own magical ways, I believe we can use powerful wards to repel the Rikti away from the Black Market, or even make such places (Reserve, Vaults, and Black Markets) unseen to them. I have already taken the liberty into infusing my vault within my lair with an unbreakable mystic code. There is no way for them to get inside. I have talked with a dear friend of mine who is working on a special upgrade to the technological vaults to make them impenetrable.

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Irridian Ithryn
Global Contact:@Ithryn Incarnate
Reporting on Assignment:Freedom Offensive Unit
Level of Alien Threat: [low]

Report Details:

Low level rikti raid sighted several minutes prior to filing report.

"Kill Zone" in surrounds of Black Market operating at peak efficiency.


Analysis of Current Situation:

Lack of metahuman presence appears to deter much of the Rikti forces- perhaps some form of tracking system is being employed by invaders to indicate high threat targets.

Patrol of Cap Au Diable airport suggests lack of active defenses.

Patrol also indicates large hangars as potential tactical advantage for future Rikti raids.



Suggestion of Action:

Enable active defenses in Cap Au Diable airport and surrounds.

Station secondary counter attack forces in hangars for future raids.

Investigate any intel regarding Rikti tracking technologies...

---

What part of phnglui mglw'nafl Cthulhu r'lyeh w'gah nagl fhtagn don't you understand?

Zzzttt ZZTTT *Hacked transmission occuring* Zzt ZZZttt

I'll use your own format in hopes of proper communication.

Status Reports
Star Strider Force: Unconfirmed
Name: Sin Stalker
Global Contact: @Sin Stalker
Reporting on Assignment: Rerouted
Level of Alien Threat: [high]

Report Details:
I have no idea whats going on.
The Rikti are attacking, yes, but this top secret Star Strider Force communication stuff is leaking to part of the public that is the superhero community. No one is sure what to make of it.
Given this leak, I have decided to attempt communication of my own and figure out what's going on.

Analysis of Current Situation:
These Star Strider Force stuff appears pretty serious and I've even noticed many signing up when they don't even know what its for. My super group the Justice-Knights has in its hands a retrofitted Rikti mother ship that was left over from the first Rikti war. This ship is in orbit and is at the ready, should Rikti-ish sensors or equipment be needed.
Also to report, our equipment has been acting strangely as of late and we are getting equally strange readings. We need more information to understand what these COULD mean. We need your help with this.

Suggestion of Action:
What is the Star Strider Force? What are all these communications dealing with Justice Unit, Virtue Unit, Infinity Unit and the like.
Why are you mobilizing? Details of what each units assignments are, Offensive Units, Defensive Units, Special Assignment Units are all out there and leaked. Why all the planning now?
Who are you?

Since your "secure" communications have been leaked to parts of the hero community, my suggested course of action would be disclosure.
Perhaps with more information of what is planned and/or going on, the Justice-Knights, and myself, could be of better use, especially given the use of a Rikti Mother ship as our base of operations.
It is also likely many more heroes out there have greater connections to equipment, information or technology that could be of use.
Now that much of the community is aware SOMETHING is going on, I suggest communication, FULL communication with whats going on.

If you know something is going to happen, I pray you share it with the rest of us who CAN assist.

I suggest you fill us in on what is going on cause IF something big is about to happen and lives are lost because of some self-important idea of doing it alone and keeping secrets from those who can help...
If something ANY of you know but refused to share with the rest of us hurts an innocent, I swear AFTER this is all over...
I'm coming after you.


Zzt zzttt *Connection terminated* ZZztt ZZttt

---

Need help making your own CoH comics or read other's comics at cohcomicindex.com

www.jkcomics.com for Justice-Knights comics series and more!
Storylines:
Introductions, Obey,

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Randall Grey
Global Contact: @Mr Grey
Reporting on Assignment: Protector
Level of Alien Threat: [High]

Report Details:

When the Rikti forces deployed in the city, I set myself up on the Kings Row Crowne Memorial Hospital. Specifically, on the roof. Other heroes took the ground. Me? I took the blaster cannons to the face and chest so they wouldn't have to.

Analysis of Current Situation:

Despite the previous battles with the Rikti and the ongoing efforts against Hro'Dtohz and the Honoree in the Rikti War Zone, the bombing runs are just as methodical and destructive as they ever were. I guess we could at least consider the fact that they're not worse to be some form of victory, but that would be accepting of too little.

Suggestion of Action:

Frankly, I believe the time has come to take the battle to the enemy. I know that the Rikti are merely one of many problems currently plaguing our world, but we hold within our hands the means to finally end this conflict, once and for all. With the Traditionalists on our side, we could move into the Rikti homeworld and convince them of their error.

Otherwise, we'll have to keep on with our current plans, simply weathering the storm of bombs and raiders. As we go on with it, innocent people are going to die and their families are going to blame us for not taking care of it.

---

My Stories

Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Soul Train
Global Contact: @SoulTrain
Reporting on Assignment: Virtue (Patrol)
Level of Alien Threat : Low

Report Details:

LOC: Atlas Plaza
TIME: 1320 Local

Rikti attacking a fashion show/competition. Most participants undergunned or ill-trained. Competition disrupted. Rikti forces routed a good number of the fledgling heroes in the area. Several fashion models injured and mediported to the nearby hospital. Organizers observed cowering inside the basement of City Hall.

Analysis of Current Situation:

Security of large gatherings in the Atlas Plaza area is woefully lacking. However, stationing Vanguard or Longbow units around the premises would sour the 'flavor' of the Plaza.

Suggestion of Action:

Suggest that plain-clothes agents dressed as 'tourists' circulate among the new heroes, ready to spring into action should another sneak attack occur. Also, 'seeding' future fashion competitions with established war veterans would help curtail the panic that ensues when alien forces launch a sneak attack on unarmed fashion models and designers.

Stiletto-Heeled Enforcers stands ready to implement this plan, if adopted.

---

"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."

Status Reports

Star Strider Force: Virtue

Name: Diamond

Global Contact: @Diamond

Reporting on Assignment: Historical preservation and Protection : Steel Canyon University Campus. 11/18/08 1420hrs

Level of Alien Threat: Low

Report Details: As reported by Zambo concerning the situation in Founder's Falls, the University Campus in Steel Canyon has likewise been secured with the help of the Midnight Squad at our location. Colation and securing of all exhibits under their care has begun as well as sweeps of local private and public collections has begun in the surrounding zone. Reciepts are being issued as well as Government insurance policies to protect the private owner and his/her item of any damages incurred..if any.

As these and any further items are located, they will be secured in the Midnight Society Club's storage areas for safe keeping.

Analysis of Current Situation: Also as reported by Zambo, efforts are underway to continue to locate and and private collections as well as stolen contraband magical items that the Rikti and their intelligence services may attempt to locate.

Secondly all efforts are continuing to increase the effiency of the response time of emergency services teams to and from Rally points throughout the zone to Area Hospitals and emergency shelters located throughout the city. An effort is currently underway to restock old Cold War era Civil Defense Shelters located in some of the older Skyscrapers in the zone, most notably in the Fool's Gold District.

Suggestion of Action: As stated previously in a report issued by this Hero to the Governor in coordination with the National Guard, an increase in emergency medical and food supplies is required to reinforce the fortifications and shelters set up around the Campus and several Area Museums. This can and will alieviate the on going stress and prevent possible overloads of the Mediport system during times of attack. I also second the reccomendation of Zambo in requesting more dilligence in the locating and securing of all items that may have a dangerous mystical ability. Such items must be made a priority to locate and secure as the Rikti Interest in Magic Grows.

Lastly I can not stress this enough, a number of those of the order have requested a greater level of security be placed on the vaults of Magi. Even some have gone so far as requesting /all/ items of power be transfered directly to the Society for care nd storage during this time of emergency. Given the ability I have witnessed these last four years, concerning the security of Magi's vaults I feel I must endorse such a request personally.

---

Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Professor Nutronious
Global Contact: @M I Abrahms
Reporting on Assignment: Protector
Level of Alien Threat [Medium]:

Report Details:

Utilizing the reports of telemetrty based troop deployment, have increased production on Battle Drones. Drones simultaniously capable of acting as surveilance, back up communication lines. Also, Drones register false-positive for meta-human presence to Rikti targetting. Result; more even spread of invasion, offering Retaliation squads less concentrated targets.


Analysis of Current Situation:

Heavy demand required use of less durable materials, resulting in weaker than normal drones. Have now set up command protocols to divert Meta-presence to deactivated drones. Will need to finish designs of recovery drones to recycle deactivated units.

Suggestion of Action:

i) Negotiate with organization designated "Goldbrickers" for mid-level tech/materials. These supplies can be used bothe for maintenanceof Medi-port grid, as well as surveilance/comms. NOTE: The Goldbrickers themselves are untrustworthy. Will likely make an attempt to better their barganing side through theft. Suggest having moderately restricted, unclassified mid level technology made known to them, as distraction. Also, attempts to aquire Rikti contraband likely.

ii) Criminal organization classified "Circle of Thorns" have vested interest in the area of both Cap au Diable and Sharkhead Isles. Suggest opennegotiations to attempt to make use of Rikti weakness to energy type classifies 'magic'. NOTE: To protect netotiators from possible Circle of Thorns threat, suggest making negotiations attempt through tele-conference.

iii) Utilizing varied information sources, have discovered attempt from rogue Vigilanties to engage in counter-offensive. According to sources, they willattempt to utilise the appearance of one Vigilanty in particular as a form of 'psycological attack'. Suggest locating Vigilanties in question and halting efforts, as this will likely extend Rikti attacks.

---

The Abrams is one of the most effective war machines on the planet. - R. Lee Ermy.

Q: How do you wreck an Abrams?

A: You crash into another one.

Status Report
Star Strider Force[*] Name: The Artiste[*] Global Contact: @slickriptide[*] Reporting on Assignment: Star Strider Force Freedom - Front lines [*]Level of Alien Threat: High

Report Details:

Upon receipt of instructions from Freedom Corps Coordinator, codenamed 'Ex Libris', I called I.L.L.U.S.I.O.N. to order; meaning that I made a ham sandwich and tuned in the emergency forces scanner on the mission computer.

By the time I finished my lunch (Black Forest ham with Dijon on stone ground wheat. Delicious!) it was clear that there was unexpectedly fierce fighting around Skyway International Airport and that the ground troops were having a difficult time of it due to a lack of super-powered support.

I printed a copy of the orders from Ex Libris and wished myself over to Skyway, where I presented my compliments to Colonel Blakely, the commanding officer at the time.

Blakely has command of three of his own ground units and, at last check, a national guard unit that had retreated to his command post.

The scope of the fighting was overwhelming. A series of trenches and foxholes surrounds the runways. The army has resorted to conventional weaponry against the Rikti invaders. The technology that allows the Rikti to bypass the war walls allows them to bypass the defensive force fields that the Army had developed.

The only good news is that their own force fields are also affected by the dampeners and our forces are giving as good as they get.

My arrival was fortuitous. Blakely informed me that his forces had been forced to retreat back towards Concourse B due to the arrival of a force of plasma cannons around the north runway.

Aerial photography had determined that the cannons were all operating off of a central generator, but the permiter was reinforced well enough that any attempt to take it would result in a massive loss of soldiers that Blakely could ill afford if he meant to hold the airport.

His strategists had concocted the idea of sneaking into the Rikti encampment and destabilizing the plasma generator by activating the plasma detonator extracted from a UXB. The only problem with the idea - Nobody under his command was able to sneak across the enemy line or crazy enough to try it if they thought they COULD make it.

I smiled, set my beret at a cocky angle (I really need a new hat) and told him, "Get me this detonator of yours, and I'll get you a plasma cannon to hang on your wall as a trophy."

The detonator was the size of my head and weighed about three pounds. Blakely's aide, Wilkison, expressed some misgivings about giving a plasma detonator to a non-combatant. I believe his exact words were "I've heard of this nut. How do we even know he can make it, let alone take out the generator?"

I just grinned, made some hocus-pocus motions, popped up behind him, and put the detonator on his head. "I think I can handle it," I told him. I grabbed the detonator as he shook his head angrily and it dropped. "Woops! Wouldn't want to set THAT off!"

To his credit, Blakely took charge. "Stow it, Wilkison. I don't see you volunteering to carry it and we need whatever help we can get." He looked me squarely in the eye as he said "I need you to focus on this task, Artiste. Our success and our lives may depend on it."

Well, that was enough to get the attention of both of us. "We're depending on you" has always been my downfall. My shrink calls it my "White Knight Syndrome".

I tossed a salute to Blakely and a sneer to Wilkison and left the tent.

As I made my way towards the front lines, I became aware of a strange thing - Soldiers were passing me on their way towards the fighting in the nearest trenches. Despite the fact that there seemed to be a continual stream of them, the number of soldiers on our side didn't seem to be getting any larger.

Moreover, I became certain that I was seeing the same soliders multiple times. One private ran past me no less than six times.

At the front lines, I was just in time to see an attack on the foremost trench by a squad of Rikti drones. They were summarily cut down, but not before taking down three soldiers and wounding two others. The stricken soldiers promptly "de-rezzed" in a fashion that I knew all too well. It seemed that the military had setup their own mediport network, something that I ought to have expected.

I bent down to the two wounded soldiers and covered each of them in Green Goodness. Their gratitude was gratifying as the pain eased and the plasma burns roiled and healed into smooth healthy flesh.

"What are you doing here?" asked one of the soldiers as his partner picked up a rifle and began scanning for a target.

"I'm going to take a stroll across the battlefield here, and see if I can convince these aliens that our airport really wasn't intended for dropships."

He looked at me like I was crazy and said, "You're crazy!"

I nodded. "I get that a lot."

Just then three soldiers arrived and I realized with a shock that it was the same three soldiers that had been mediported. "Good God!" I looked at the soldier I'd healed. "You come within a hairsbreadth of dying, port to a field hospital, get quick-mending, and rush back to do it again?"

The soldier grimaced as he picked up his rifle and checked it out. "Yeah," was all he said.

I shook my head. "You call ME crazy?" I asked to nobody in particular. I wished myself invisible and climbed over the trench into no-man's land.

I stood up and looked down the battle lines. With a sick feeling, I realized that every trench and foxhole had a stream of soldiers constantly running towards it, like ants to a hill. "It's only a dream." I whispered to myself, but the conviction didn't make the view any easier to bear.

I turned towards the enemy lines and plotted a zig-zag jump pattern across the battlefield, in case any drones were watching. I'd learned the hard way that machines aren't nearly as susceptible to my psychic mind-games as people are. If I ever wake up from this mad nightmare, I'm going to ask a real shrink why I'd dream things up that way. Maybe for the extra challenge, I dunno.

Right. The report.

I strode invisibly but carefully through the Rikti forces. Even if they couldn't see me, the drones were everywhere and they have a few mind-gamers themselves who might notice if they weren't pre-occupied with trying to kill everyone on the other side of the north runway.

The sick feeling didn't get any better when I saw the entrenched Rikti forces each had its own line of ants reaching back to their field hospitals.

Long story short, I almost made it to the generator.

A drone spotted me thirty yards from the target. It began firing and the nearest Rikti troops didn't waste any time wondering what it was firing at. I'll give 'em credit for that.

I summoned my doppels and a phant and ran for the generator, only to find myself unable to move. One of their psychic platoon leaders had caught me with my guard down.

I probed the hold he had on me, found a weak point, and broke free. It held up it's hand and I told it "You are NOT going to out-Jedi me!". We threw everything we had at each other.

A minute later he was cowering in fear of whatever it is that Rikti have nightmares about, and I was sailing through the air courtesy of a Rikti soldier with a really, really big power axe.

It's a good thing I've got the "green" or I think I might have become one of the ants myself at that point. As it was, I nearly blacked out from the pain. I pulled a desperate play from a trick I'd seen once in an arena league match - I Jedi'd the phant and shouted "Head's up!" as I tossed the detonator as hard as I could.

The blank face of the phant tracked the path of the detonator and blasted it to smithereens just as it touched the generator. The resulting flash outdid anything I'd ever managed to conjure up.

When I woke up later in the field hospital, I decided that maybe being an ant was better than the alternative. Blakely stopped by and handed me the forms, told me to write up a report for Ex Libris and you, whoever you are, have it in your hands.


Analysis of Current Situation:

Skyway International is currently under the control of our Army, but they're spread thin. They took back the north runway and repair crews have even managed to patch up enough of the runway to make it usable for relief aircraft to attempt. The ants are still running on both sides.

Suggestion of Action:

Just when my shrink has me thinking that maybe this place IS real, a situation like this comes along. It's insanity. The mediporters and Rikti medical tech have turned the front lines into a kind of never-ending video game fragfest. There's no way this can be real, because if it is, then we're all living in Hell already.

The ultimate winner of this battle isn't going to be the one that can blow the biggest holes in the enemy. It's the one that can out-frag the other so badly that the field hospitals overload and fall apart. Forget the plasma cannons. Concentrate on the mediport network and the field hospitals. Take out their ability to recycle their soldiers endlessly.

Frankly, you should do the same for ours. I don't want to think about the psychoses that the shrinks of the future will be dealing with as a result of this virtual undeath our military has created. Talk about job security...

---

Name: Hott Garbage
Global Contact: @h00chi3
Level of Classification: 50
Origin: Tech
Super Rank &amp; Super Group: Champion, Warriors of Heaven Elite
Level of Alien Threat: Shorty got low low low low low low low low
Report Details:
Nothing much to report. Small activity, maybe scouts.

Analysis of Current Situation: been making sand bags around Pocket D in case the attack takes out my favorite club.

Suggestion of Action: Keep making sand bags, can't let the "D" go down.

---

FREEDOM
- Chemofrost lvl 50 Rad/Ice Defender
- Pushrod lvl 28 Nrg/Nrg Blaster

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Anna Kotenko, aka Madam Rouge
Global Contact: @Archiviste
Reporting on Assignment: Protector, Rogue Isles area
Level of Alien Threat High Medium low : low
Report Details:
I received a message from Matthew Burke, informing me of this "Star Strider Force" being assembled to deal with the Rikti menace. He told me that he had been put in charge, among other things, of "protecting banks and financial systems including market operations".
Very well, if he wants me to protect banks, I will do so.
In a fashion.
I assembled my crew, and we went to "protect" the 22nd National Bank in Sharkhead Isle. My men had little difficulty dispatching the obviously Rikti-controlled RIP guards, and I was able to move the content of the vault to a more "secure" location where it will be held until it can be returned to the proper authorities, against a slight "finder's fee"...

Analysis of Current Situation:
This situation is ripe with opportunities for the right kind of "entrepreneur".

Suggestion of Action:
Why, "protect" more banks, of course !

---

Keep NCSoft from shutting down City of Heroes : http://www.change.org/petitions/ncso...city-of-heroes

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Retail Retali8r
Global Contact: @Zekiran Immortal
Reporting on Assignment: Protector, Founders Falls unit
Level of Alien Threat: Medium

Report Details:
After hearing several reports of other neighborhoods being hit by Rikti bombs and dropships lurking around, I was called out to help keep civilians (and heroes) safe for the duration when the power to the Walls was struck down in this area.

I went to the University square, to keep track of students and make sure they got where they needed to, and then joined an impromptu fight against dropped Rikti forces in the main Square.

Since my main focus is teleportation, I could keep track of those heroes I couldn't reach in time to heal them, on their exit from the Emergency facilities I could bring them back to the fight.

Exhausted, but triumphant this time, the group largely went back to our normal routine investigations and work, when the attack subsided.

Analysis of Current Situation:
... I left my home Paragon several years ago, moving through dimensions to find a new one that hadn't been destroyed by the Rikti. I'll be damned if I let them take THIS home away from me.

Seeing the War Walls power down - hearing that sound... It makes me terrified and angry. I just hope that I can do my part, without losing another Paragon City.

Suggestion of Action:
Organization of forces in appropriate areas. We need to make sure that the general population has a safe environment to hide in while the heroes battle it out with the invasion forces.

Also, construction teams for quick renewal of damaged areas. We've got more than enough raw materials - and frankly teleporters like myself can bring in whatever is needed. Fliers and gravity manipulators should be in use to get heavy loads off of delicate structures if they fall.

And, in my opinon, we need to get the so-called villain groups to participate more readily. Crey and in some parts of the city, the "Family", Warriors and - importantly - the Circle of Thorns, should at least be contacted regularly to warn them of invasions.

It's their city too - some of them have chosen a path that isn't as bright and shiny as others. But...

From what I saw in my original dimension, the last thing we need is another Rikti mothership or war fleet landing on our beautiful city. It would lay in ruins.

I do not want to see that, ever again.

---

Please read my FEAR/Portal/HalfLife Fan Fiction!
Repurposed

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Walkiry
Global Contact: @Aliana Blue
Reporting on Assignment: Star Strider Forces Defensive Unit: Guardian.
Level of Alien Threat [High][Medium][low]: [High]

Report Details:

As per assignment, patrolling and protecting basic services has been my main duty, and the compatibility with this and my binding to Millie as her guardian has been very satisfactory. I would like to thank my superiors for their understanding of this duty and their efforts to help me make both compatible. Atlas Park has been my main grounds for defense, protecting the City Hall, Wenworth's Market, local access to the Vanguard base, and the Vault, among other basic services of the city, and of course protecting Millie, as she has her residence in Atlas Park too.

I have received several assignments which I have had to complete with little to no assistance, but I understand that not all heroes can be available at all times, and that one cannot win a war without carefully managing resources and fatigue of their combat units. I have so far managed to fulfill my assigned patrolling duties during the hours of lower hero availability.

The Rikti seem to have adapted to our rotation scheme, and their own rotation of combat units seems to match our own. Offensives during my patrol times seem to be of lower magnitude than those during peak hero activity, suggesting the true target of these waves of invasions is the meta-humans, which fits their change of strategy during the end of the first Rikti Invasion.

Millie says they're just scared of my broadsword, but she only says that after seeing me use it to angrily (and viciously, I must admit) beat the snot out of a Rikti invader who had the audacity of teleporting close to her, scaring her enough to make her cry. I'm not sure what the effect of witnessing the kind of angry violence I displayed will have on such a young girl, but she seemed happy when I finished with the Rikti, so I suppose it's good. The presence of Rikti in Atlas Park putting her in danger is what makes the Rikti threat immediately High on my scale.

Millie also claimed my new Talsorian Sword is "pretty," so my superiors will be happy to hear I will sign up for extended duty as per Millie's request to get more "pretty Vanguard clothes."

Analysis of Current Situation:

Attrition may be an important factor to consider for this offensive. The fact that they have not tried to bring in overwhelming forces during low meta-human activity times suggest that they may have reservations to commit a large force without a guaranteed results. Heroes of Paragon City are notorious for making impressive last stands that cost the enemy dearly for little gain. We have in Atlas a fine example that we all try to follow.

Non meta-human support has been spotty at best. The police department, with the exception of Blue Steel and the units he assigns to counteract the actions of Villains from the Rogue Isles, have been most unhelpful. While I don't expect them to share the first line of defense, there is a notorious amount of panic they could help with, by directing civilians during evacuations and verifying that they are completed satisfactory and shelters are properly balanced in the number of people they hold.

I have also been unsuccessful trying to make Millie join the civilians during evacuations instead of staying behind to cheer at me. I tried to give her a stern talk-to about the dangers of alien invaders and how it makes my duty to protect her even more difficult if she's not somewhere safe while I fight the Rikti, but she looked at me with her puppy eyes and seemed about to cry, which totally dismantles me.

Suggestion of Action:

Blue Steel needs to get it through to the police department that they must help us with the civilians when a new attack is detected. It is of vital importance that we can prepare to fight with the peace of mind that they've been cared for.

Additionally, the unreliability the Rikti bombs make it so that we can reduce the damage they cause by dismantling the duds before they have a chance to explode. A better spotter support for this, and the Rikti ships, would be of great help. Heroes have made do by having impromptu assignemnts on the field for spotters, but this is inefficient.

Also, please send someone who can talk with Millie, she just asked me again when we are going to go "hunt Rikti." I literally can't do something that upsets her. Now if you'll excuse me, I have Rikti to hunt.

---

Players' Choice Awards: Best Dual-Origin Level Range Arc!

It's a new era, the era of the Mission Architect. Can you save the Universe from...

The Invasion of the Bikini-clad Samurai Vampiresses from Outer Space? - Arc ID 61013

[ QUOTE ]
TPS COVER SHEET

[/ QUOTE ]

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Mag Flashlight
Global Contact: @Wiregeek
Reporting on Assignment: Talos Island
Level of Alien Threat [High][Medium][low]: Low

Report Details: I was summoned from a night's well earned rest by the chirp of my comm, summoning me to the Talos Island Minotaur statue. I arrived in short time, launching from the Ouroboros exit and arriving at the feet of the Hero Corps Analyst in two brisk superjumps. Tonight's staffer was a rather attractive young lady, and I was mindful of proper conduct as I shared with her the mocha latte (iced, of course) I had picked up on the way.

The night drug past, the flickering fires of criminal activity making short-lived glows in the sky to the north and west. a single portal opened at approximately 4am, and I dealt with the problem before the poor Analyst could even react. This was the only enemy activity this evening.

Analysis of Current Situation: Talos Island is primarily under attack in it's central area and business districts. While I do not deny the importance of the Minotaur as a morale booster, I feel that the current minor level of protection will be sufficient for it.

Suggestion of Action: Continue current single-person guard duty, rotating shifts. Shorter shifts may be indicated, to increase alertness of personnel.

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Calash
Global Contact: @calash
Reporting on Assignment: Rikti War Zone (aka. RWZ)
Level of Alien Threat: High

Report Details: Per my previous instruction I have maintained my current patrols in RWZ per instructions from Vanguard.

The following anomalies were detected between 2:00 and 21:00

- 2.34% increase in the energy output of Rikti Defense systems (Pylons)
- 24% alteration in focus of ground troops toward heavy defended Vanguard positions
- 94% increase in assaults to other areas of the city. Patrol requirements forced me away from most of the incursions.
- 2.1% alteration in Rikti troop distribution over 138 encounters.

Analysis: Based on metrics recorded from past invasion attempts, compared to current numbers with anomalies factored in (Including the recent Zombie attacks) it appears that the situation is escalating. Past actions show a likely counter strike, likely beginning in undefended areas as to disperse the current Vanguard personal.

Suggestion: Upgrade of War walls to prevent bypass by bomb ships. Analasys of ship tragectory to determin launch point.
Counter attack on Launch point.

The suggested strategy of preparation is sound, however it can be executed by civilians with the same precision as Meta humans. Trained personnel are required to repel the invaders, and then to cut off there launch point.


EOF

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: "Kumo X"
Global Contact: @Rast
Reporting on Assignment: Guardian
Level of Alien Threat [Medium]:

Report Details:

Attack waves are more sudden, and of shorter duration than those previously observed.

Also: Specific observations on defenses of Rikti Drones.

Analysis of Current Situation:

While previous assault waves have consisted of short bombing runs followed by sustained ground assault, the present attacks have shown a tendancy towards quick dispersal. While forewarning time remains sufficient to evacuate most civillians, this shorter duration has hindered the deploy of heavy counter-offensive forces.

Suggestion of Action:

Rapid Response becoming more neccessary to inflict significant enemy casualty, it is important to have SSF Offensive units in a constant readied state for deploy. This will be of particular importance for Assignment: Liberty, due to the fortification of the Rikti vessels.

Addendum:

At the forefront of Rikti ground forces, particularly in Search &amp; Destroy units, the Rikti Drone will be encountered.

Used as a scouting unit, this mechanism is lightly armed and armored, but equipped with powerful surveilance equipment capable of detecting targets through near-perfect invisibility. While not particularly tough, these drones are small with little profile, making them difficult to specifically target. Utilization of area-of-effect weapons and attacks is recommended for maximum effect.

Despite being a small threat alone, these Drones are often in groups or accompanied by Rikti soldiers, making thier ability to thwart stealth a lethal weapon.

---

Sure, freakishly stylized cartoon child! Never give up!
Strike Force
MArc #39397 - Welcome to Chapter Six
MArc #123195 - Ch6 1.1 - Under White Plains
MArc #202989 - Ch6 1.2 - The Summoning Dark

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Ura Hero
Global Contact: @Ura Hero
Reporting on Assignment: Protector, Rikti War Zone unit
Level of Alien Threat: Extremely High

Report Details:

Standing next to U'Kon Gr'ai on the mothership the Rikti threat level is extremely high. I can count hundr...

*after rezzing in the hospital*

...eds of Rikti. Perhaps too many to be standing here alone.

---

Tech Support Rule #1 - They will lie to you. Usually intentionally.

Status Report
Star Strider Force: Justice

Name: Earth's Creed
Global Contact: @Earth's Creed
Reporting on Assignment: Rikti Skirmish in Hazard Zone, Hollows (Eastgate) 11/18/08
Level of Alien Threat: [Low]

Report Details:
A siren for an imminent invasion point at Skyway City had called out. Many heroes had left for the Tram, bypassing another route. As for me, I took the less traveled route of the Hollows. Ahh, old Eastgate was said to be such a wonderful place, with neighborhoods of New England architecture. But besides this, I am drawn towards Eastgate (I use this term more so than Hollows) due to the powerful nexus of magical essence it contains. And of course, this would lead me to believe that various enemy groups would entrench in this area. Never did I believe the Rikti would appear!

On my routes quickly past the uncouth Grendel's Gulch and then through the Cherry Hill areas, I was startled by a Rikti party beaming down, and quickly setting their sights on me! It was not a large group, and seemed more like a scouting party than an invasion force. Nevertheless, they could not stay here. With a flourish of my energies, I encased most in stone, calling forth my minion of Stone to help aid me. A Mentalist incantation of the Rikti had begun his mental assaults, but encasing him in a protective ward of crystal dimmed out his psionic powers.

I do not recall much as I rushed forward, stone coalescing onto my fists for a grand strike against them, but a blast of an energy rifle did hit me on the head and caused some phases of disorientation. During this time as I struggled to regain my composure, I saw that I was not alone in the attack against the Rikti. There were mages I had heard of that had come to my aid; blasts of light, fire, and propelled earth came whistling past my head and blasted the Rikti back. By this time I had regained my composure and with a hearty grin, I summoned a great gale to push the stumbling aliens off their feet and propelled them back into the ground, where a fissure awaited them and proceeded to contain them until they hastily retreated and teleported, realizing their mission was folly.

Analysis of Current Situation:

Before the magi had left, I had a pleasant conversation with their tactical leader, a Tellus of Earth he had called himself. They called themselves the "Legacy Chain"; this band of magi works to keep balance in the world, especially against Magic Oriented threats. They had felt my coming through the Cherry Hills and had come to meet me for questioning. Seeing me in dire straights, they aided me in fighting back this scouting group of Rikti. These people could be of great help to us, just like Vanguard. They have various resources among Eastgate (and who knows else where), while also they are organized in the Rogue Isles as well.

What makes me wonder the most is that there was a strange occurrence of Rikti in Eastgate, where they have not been at ever. What was this scouting group of aliens here for, since they were not for me. They were just as startled by my presence. Perhaps there more more groups like this in other Hazard areas such as Dark Astoria, gathering information?

Suggestion of Action:

It might be a good idea to have more contact with and consideration of the Legacy Chain as an ally for the war effort, for guarding areas we normally do not think of, and sharing intelligence with each other. There could be other assault points for attacking the Rikti or defending from that we could learn from these people as well. I will consult Azuria and about this endeavor; she must know of these Magic Origin protectors. Maybe she can help become a bridge for the Legacy Chain's further friendship? Perhaps War Witch (though she be in spirit) could be a suitable guide as well?

there must be more observation of Rikti in non-populated zones; the Rikti I fought were looking for something in particular, or they might have other plans. They had Mentalists and Guardians to supplement support, and few offensive Infantry with them, if any at all in my skirmish. I could have taken them down easily by myself, despite the Legacy Chain aiding me.

What were the Rikti doing there?

Signed,
Felicia Cree, Earth's Creed
Earth Maiden, Captain of the Eternals

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force:Triumph
Name:Fallenz
Global Contact:@Fallenz
Reporting on Assignment: Answering Vanguard alerts on 11/18/08
Level of Alien Threat [High][Medium][low]:Medium

Report Details:I'm spend some time going to action stations where the Rikti attacks in Paragon City. At first it seem to weak but as the night went on the attacks became more and more intense. Alot heroes answer the call beside myself and we were up the call. Not as many Heavys this time around as before. I'm worried they are holding them back for a final assault.



Analysis of Current Situation:I think they are about to make a big push to break though our lines.



Suggestion of Action:At this time I'm not at liberty to discuss plans of action. All I can say is we are going to take the war back to them....soon.

---

Status Reports
Star Strider Force
Name: Crimson Ace
Global Contact: @Requiem Morte
Reporting on Assignment: Protector, Indepence Port Docks, near Hospital
Level of Alien Threat: [HIGH]

Report Details: While working the docks i happened upon a group of Rikti. From my vantage point I count at least 3 dozen, they kept coming through a portal. I tried my radio to call in some back, something seemed to be disrupting my signal. Quietly i moved down from the rooftop, i was perched upon, to the water directly beneath the portal and the growing army of rikti. I began planting explosives at the base of the dock. Again I tried my radio, again it failed. slowly and silently I made my way back up to my perch, I set aside my bow and picked up my LRM launcher, taking a steady aim upon the Comm Officer in charge of the portal I slowly squeazed the trigger. As the rocket rockets towards its target I was already in motion, grabbing my bow, reaching for a handful of arrows from my quiver i dove from the rooftop to the wall below me pulling the arrows back upon my bow as I fell. Just as i heard the impact of the rocket I unleashed my rain of arrows already pulling back another fistful as the first salvo struck the diving rikti, I flick the switch to the mines I had set as I reached for an arrow strapped with dynamite, my arrow explodes just as the mines explode. I reached into my quiver the enemy still trying to figure out what is going on 2 Lt's have already spotted me, I began alternating between targets as they approached my location, the left one fell to a well placed aimed shot while the second took a few more quick snap shots to fell. at that point it really began to get difficult, while only 6 or 7 remained they were big, and I was dangerously low on arrows at this point. a boost of adrenaline rushing through my arms afforded me the power to pull my bow back a thousand times in a heartbeat it seemed. Powerful arms grabbed me from behind I wished I could fight these arms but i was completely drained of endurance, and i was still clutching the last arrow from my quiver. Before I fell against the wall the arms had sat me down upon, I could see the team of heroes that had come to my aid.



Analysis of Current Situation: It was a very trying event I very nearly would not have survived had my explosives not alerted a nearby team of rookie heroes to come to my aid. Should these raiding parties become any more frequently the docks of IP will no longer be safe for even the most grizzled veteran among our ranks.



Suggestion of Action: an update of the radio systems and less units soloing in Rikti hot zones

---

Status Report
Star Strider Force
Name: Guilt Trip Girl
Global Contact: @GuiltTrip
Reporting on Assignment: Infinite Survival
Level of Alien Threat [low]:

Report Details:
Operation Survival:
Day 1:

The first day was fairly uneventful. I sat in the base, listening to the reports of Ritki Invasions that were regularly occurring throughout the city and even the Rouge Isles. In all cases the threat was repelled fairly quickly.

Analysis of Current Situation:

While it has been pleasant to hang around with my fellow heroines, I am quickly getting annoyed by the continual presence of the heroes. My mind is anguished, as I listen to the mental prattle of the seemingly intelligent men around me.

Suggestion of Action:

I still am cautious, that this Star Rider Force is some sort of hoax being perpetrated by an evil male, but will continue to stay safe in the comfort of our base for now. If things become clearer to me, I shall be sure to act appropriately when the time comes.

---