Elizabeth Báthory entered the Tiki lounge. She did what she could keeping her anger in-check. At the bar she ordered a Bloody Mary Vampire special. She was still glad that pocket D served blood mixes. Otherwise she would go haywire controlling herself.
Elizabeth never understood the concept off 'casual clothing' as the invitation had mentioned. She was wearing a long black dress with matching black strappy high-heeled shoes... on her neck her demon-god head pendant was hanging.
Seeing Edward at his table she walked up to him and sat down. "Mechano... I am used to talking to dead men. And you are no exception. What do you want?"
- The Italian Job: The Godfather Returns #1151
Beginner - Encounter a renewed age for the Mook and the Family when Emile Marcone escapes from the Zig!
- Along Came a... Bug!? #528482
Average - A new race of aliens arrives on Earth. And Vanguard has you investigate them!
- The Court of the Blood Countess: The Rise of the Blood Countess #3805
Advanced - Go back in time and witness the birth of a vampire. Follow her to key moments in her life in order to stop her! A story of intrigue, drama and horror! Blood & Violence... not recommend to solo!
Edward smiled, "ah...Countess Bathory, it's good to see, as to why your here...well we shall just have to wait for the other invitees to show up now...it would be rude of me to start without them..."
Edward grinned, "You know Pistol and Headbreaker quite well don't you?"
Edward took a sip of his coffee and pushed a copy of yesterdays (the 14th of January) paper with the title 'Mad Mechano Hits Heroes Homes!', "Paper?"
Badge Earned: Wing Clipper
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"No... I know what it says!", she waved the offer away and sipped of her Bloody Mary.
"And yes... I know them both. So the Coorporation sends in Headbreaker! Was Sebastian out of town?"
- The Italian Job: The Godfather Returns #1151
Beginner - Encounter a renewed age for the Mook and the Family when Emile Marcone escapes from the Zig!
- Along Came a... Bug!? #528482
Average - A new race of aliens arrives on Earth. And Vanguard has you investigate them!
- The Court of the Blood Countess: The Rise of the Blood Countess #3805
Advanced - Go back in time and witness the birth of a vampire. Follow her to key moments in her life in order to stop her! A story of intrigue, drama and horror! Blood & Violence... not recommend to solo!
Edward chuckles, "William is an old friend of mine so naturally I would select him over Sebastian...still if Sebastian wishes to come I have no objections, the invites did not state for you to come alone...infact as you can probably tell...I do love an audience.."
Badge Earned: Wing Clipper
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"That's the reason I am alone... I don't need bodyguards in Pocket D. And I hate pleasing you at the moment.", her hand tightened around the corner of the wooden table leaving claw marks on it.
- The Italian Job: The Godfather Returns #1151
Beginner - Encounter a renewed age for the Mook and the Family when Emile Marcone escapes from the Zig!
- Along Came a... Bug!? #528482
Average - A new race of aliens arrives on Earth. And Vanguard has you investigate them!
- The Court of the Blood Countess: The Rise of the Blood Countess #3805
Advanced - Go back in time and witness the birth of a vampire. Follow her to key moments in her life in order to stop her! A story of intrigue, drama and horror! Blood & Violence... not recommend to solo!
"Last rumour that I heard said that Sebastian has been extremely ill since mid last year before disappearing. I wish I had something to do with it" said Pistol, floating into the room, dressed almost identical to the Countess. "I do hate that Corporation, the amount of clients they stole from me in 2007 alone." She reached the table and took her seat, greeting the Countess and making a point of ignoring the Doctor.
Smiles to himself.
he muttered, quietly but loud enough to be heard, "Some people just don't know the meaning of informal..."
Edward took another sip of his coffee before looking at the assembled...
"Pistol...shame you didn't bring your lovely friend Spruk with you...I hear he's a big fan of all things anarchic...still it's good to see you looking well..."
Edward checked his watch, "still a couple of minutes before we begin...if I know William he will be punctual..."
Badge Earned: Wing Clipper
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The sound of Spruk's steps were heavy as he entered the Tiki lounge, literally grinning ear to ear. He took off his black trench coat and draped it over the back of a chair, sitting down. "You rang?"
I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc
The harsh smell of cigar smoke soon wafted into the Tiki lounge, shortly followed by the large man known as William Breaker. He stumped the cigar out in a nearby ashtray, using the moment to study the faces around him. He then spoke,
"Seems you keep strange company Ed. Liz and Pistol, isn't it? I forget..." he grinned, clearly he did not forget at all. He moved to one of the benches and sat in it heavily, draping his arm over the back,
"Longier, our current CEO, will hopefully be joining this meeting in due time. In the meantime I am his representative, any-thing that is related to our situation comes through me." he waited a moment before containing.
"So let's get one thing strait. Netiher of you are allowed to allowed to mention John Sebastian...ever! I hear you mention his name again and i'll snap y'damn neck, y'hear? Secondly, let's keep this courteous. Let's not blur the line, we hate you, you hate us... he rose a single finger but we have a common problem," his eyes met Mechano's "So...what the hell Ed?"
"I've seen how you fight here in Zero's world Mr. Breaker" said Pistol, not impressed with being threatened. "If the Gladiators show is anything to go by, you couldn't break open a bottle of champagne" she laughed a little at her joke, looking to Elizabeth.
Will eyes narrowed in a questioning manner, "Please correct me if I am wrong but...how many fights have you won?" He started counting fingers. After a moment he lowered his hands as the corners of his mouth turned up into a smirk. His eyes locked onto Pistols "Oh, that's right, none! It's all good and well sittin' on your [censored] at home watchin' it, mockin'...but I suggest you come along next Saturday and put some money where that mouth is..." he looked to Liz,
"As for the bride of Dracula here, how is the mansion? I hear your newest attempt at decoration really shook up the place, Mmmm? Now, ladies...can we please get back to the topic at hand here. Ed here has seen fit to attack the three of us...I'm sure you'd rather know why then tryin' to bring back old grudges long since dead.
"I am not into television that much, so I have not seen the show you speek of Alicia. But I trust youre judgement."
Elizabeth turned toward Breaker... "Mr. Breaker, I have been threatened by warlord's and demons alike. If that is what you come to do here... please go play somewhere else."
"We are here because the doctor here has something to tell us..."
She looked at Ed very sharply trying to pierce his mind... "What do you want Mechano?!"
- The Italian Job: The Godfather Returns #1151
Beginner - Encounter a renewed age for the Mook and the Family when Emile Marcone escapes from the Zig!
- Along Came a... Bug!? #528482
Average - A new race of aliens arrives on Earth. And Vanguard has you investigate them!
- The Court of the Blood Countess: The Rise of the Blood Countess #3805
Advanced - Go back in time and witness the birth of a vampire. Follow her to key moments in her life in order to stop her! A story of intrigue, drama and horror! Blood & Violence... not recommend to solo!
Acknowledging defeat, Alicia cleverly chose to avert the topic. "Mechano probably wants to start by apologizing for destroying the secrecy of my home, don't you Doctor?" she pressed, fixing him with a dangerously condescending look. "However humorous the pranks were, you will be held accountable for damages and inconveniences, by any means deemed necessary. And I mean, any! You should have targeted Paragon alone."
((...want to join in...-itches- Would Alpha be able to drop by? He is the Corps tech Director, so him not knowing would be mighty unlikely...))
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
 |
((it's fine...any member of the assault villain organisations can join, as Edward mentioned, the invitation wasn't restricted to the person it was addressed to)).
Edward stood up with a smirk, tossing the paper into the middle of the table, "I've done something you three never could have done...I got to them...I've got them riled, asking questions about how safe they are in their own little bases, I've got heroes truly afraid in their own homes. I managed to create more fear and more anger in Paragon than the three of you combined in a days work."
"What's more important is I got to you...as I said you aren't untouchable...what if my attacks had been more maliscious in nature, what then huh? If I can figure out how to get to you...what about the brightest and best among Paragon, compared to some of them I'm a FREAKING SIMPLETON!"
Edward slammed his cybernetic fist down on the table, there was a cold rage in his eyes, insanity lay behind them...something truly rare to behold, nobody had seen Edward in this state of fury before, even his old nemesis Britannic hadn't seen him like this.
"You ask anyone on the streets of Paragon...what villains name is on their lips...MINE! You three, you use to be glorious...now look at you...it's all shadow plays and bluffing. Pistol you're nolonger notorious to anyone outside of the Rogue Isles, people in Paragon just don't fear you anymore...they fear me because I'm the one striking at their homes, their bases of operations, I'm the one which brings chaos and wakes them from their fitfull slumbers to face what I bring.
"Countess Bathory...you pretend to be someone who lords it over humanity and yet you still skulk in the shadows like a rat, gnawing a little here and there at the edges, playing your little games but when was the last time you actually did anything to Paragon...when was the last time you saw a hero, a REAL hero give you a look of sheer terror. You can play your games but nobody is afraid of you anymore, too much time spent in the shadows and not enough time spent in the cold harsh moonlight..."
Edward turned to William, "out of this bunch William, you get off the lightest with both my prank and my tirade and that's not just because you're an old friend but because you actually do what you set out to do, your mercenaries for hire and you do it damn well but you ever think it would be nice to have heroes shiver in fear at even the mention of your organisation?"
"All of you can continue to play your little games, your little machinations but when it comes down to it...your simply nothing, all your schemes come to naught because unless you make it obvious, the heroes wont care...the time for being subtle has long since past..."
Edward pauses a moment, taking a deep breath...as he ranted and raved nether-energy had begun to swell around him...this was a different Mechano to the one anyone had seen.
"What's more...yeah you want to get rid of me but you forgetting something, you NEED ME!"
He glared at all of the assembled...though oddly except for Spruk.
"Why do you need me? Because I'm out there...I'm this huge distraction to the heroes...who do they hate more right now...any of you or me...I enable you to play your little shadow games and pull puppet strings because if I wasn't there...heroes would be looking for them, I'm the most pressing conscern they have, I'm what keeps them awake at night, I am a both a villain and a hero, I've walked both sides of the path, what I do is for the good of humanity even if they're TOO DAMN DUMB TO REALISE IT!"
For a moment something truly demonic seemed to appear over Eds face...not his normal demonic form but something created from insanity and a rage against a betrayal before vanishing as quickly as it appeared.
Edward once more paused for breath, taking slow, deep breaths the nether-energy that threatened to completely engulf him slowly faded away.
"That's why I've called you here, I've called you all here to show that it's time to buck your ideas up, it's time to get back to the roots of villain to show the heroes why they're afraid of the dark, to show them that we aren't simple costumed marauders that they deal with in their every day boring lives...we're something to be so very afraid of and I believe all of you have lost being part of that primal fear all heroes have..."
Edward moved to sip his coffee and let out a soft sigh before regaining his composure and with a light hearted smile he looked to them all.
"Questions?"
The worst and by far the scariest thing...it was obvious Edward was simply not afraid of any of them when any sane person would have been a nervous wreck simply being confronted with the leaders of the biggest villain groups in the Rogue Isles, Edward was simply insane, any one of them could see it, insanity was a dangerous thing...it meant people were unpredictable.
Badge Earned: Wing Clipper
A real showstopper!
It was one minute past when Cx-1233 'Carl' Director of the Corporation entered the Tiki Bar.
He nodded to those who had already gathered there before turning to Dr Mechano. "My apologies for being late. I am Cx-1233, Director of Operations for the Corporation"
Cx walked up to William, nodding to the much larger man.
"So, it was as I suspected, all this to make a point?" He turned to Ed, waiting for him to reply.
Spruk pulled a pen from his pocket and fiddled around with it, listening to the bad Doctor. He raised his head with interest at the words 'you need me' and chuckled as Ed showed another side of himself. At the end, he looked at Pistol in a way to say 'He may be crazy, but he has a point'.
He grinned, checking his watch. "Ooh, you're interesting, you do all that to get people's attention? Outlandish, insane and destructive. Although, even YOU should be careful, it's always good to plan ahead, even if it's an escape plan. What if this doesn't go your way, hmm?"
I am the Blaster, I have filled the role of Tank, Controller and Defender
Sometimes all at once.
Union EU player! Pip pip, tally ho, top hats and tea etc etc
"You're a prime class headcase, I'll give you that."
The voice was cold, clipped and precise, in the way that only a robot could manage. Techbot Alpha stalked from the shadows, followed by Omega 1. Even as they came to stand beside Williams seat, a shadow peeled from out of nowhere, forming into the shape of a man, clad in a long black trenchcoat, officers cap and wearing a gas mask. Captain Von Schaden, one of the grimmest Assassinns of the Rogue Isles, and Alphas primary compadre in crime outside of Tau Team, his robotic squadron.
"The fact that Paragon hasnt been hit lately is partly due to us being busy with our own problems," Alpha snapped, leaning against the side of the sofa, not even sparing a glance for the others except for William. "Besides, the Heroes are *dull*. They whine about all their precious principals, when in reality their such awful hypocrits. I've *faced* the only one I really respected, that being Positron, and *won*. The only real challanges come from the Rogue Isles. Amongst those we actually hit, the name Techbot Alpha is known well enough, and Von Schaden, and the Corporation. If we *cared* what those little inbreds in Paragon thought, we wouldn't be who we are, would we? *I'd* still be just a Crey robot, and that would probably be bad news."
Von Schaden simply nodded, the featureless but penetrating gaze of his mask sweeping over those he did not know. His was a name that did cause terror, at least in those who listened to the rumours around the Rogue Isles.
"Oh, and one more thing," Alpha added, hand straying to the laser carbine slung by his side, "You *ever* pull a stunt like that with *any* of my technology, and I will have Max here hunt you down and bring back your head on a plate. Insane or not, I don't care."
Alpha leant back, sparing a brief glance at the other seated figures, before turning his visored glare back on Mechano.
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
|
Will offered a reassuring gesture to the other Corp employees.
"Stay your hand Al. Consider how lucky we have been compared to how he's hit every-one else." he turned his attention to Mechano,
"Ed, firstly...thank you. The Corp does do as it sets out to do and we are glad you see that. Secondly, we don't NEED any-thing from Paragon, we don't NEED them to fear us because it's not there we are trying to hold our own. It's in the Isles we have fought to survive. Unlike Tweedledum dumb and Tweedledee dee here..." he gestured Liz and Pistol "...we're not out for global domination or to be a named fear by the heroes of Paragon. We are after some-thing else. So, I offer you an invitation, one to see the Corp for yourself. See inside and see what is happenin' behind closed doors. Take it, leave it...you're choice Ed."
Will looked to Carl, Al and Max to see if they agreed with his offer.
Von Schaden simply shrugged, but there was a distinctly metallic 'clang' as Alpha smacked his palm against his faceplate.
"You are offering that without the CEOs go ahead, right Will?" he said after a second, "If he DOES join up, first off that gives us *yet* another person who a lot of people want locked up or dead..."
He shrugged finally, stepping back and folding his arms. "On your head be it...sure as hell ain't mine..."
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Zwillinger
GG, I would tell you that "I am killing you with my mind", but I couldn't find an emoticon to properly express my sentiment.
|
Quote:
|
Originally Posted by Captain_Photon
NOTE: The Incarnate System is basically farming for IOs on a larger scale, and with more obtrusive lore.
|
Elizabeth had stayed cool and emotionless during Ed's ranting... only to lift an eyebrow at the words "You need me!". She emptied her Bloody Mary. "You are completly out of you're mind..."
"What do I care if heroes fear me! My operations go much further then torturing and drinking the blood of a human... Making full-out attacks, showing me being there... being active... will only lead to heroes digging in my operations. I don't need that!"
"Besides... I will be around scheming when most of them will have withered and died of old age anyway. I don't want total domination. Just the control from behind the screens that enables me to get whatever I want."
She looked at Edward with a grim smile... "It's a shame some control still eludes me. Or I would have gotten a hold on Zero and you would be dead by now. Believe me when I say that I looked into it!"
Elizabeth turned her head for a second and nodded towards Breaker and consorts. "I see the toy-soldiers here like to have their enemy close. It's a good tactic, and you will need every protection you can get."
- The Italian Job: The Godfather Returns #1151
Beginner - Encounter a renewed age for the Mook and the Family when Emile Marcone escapes from the Zig!
- Along Came a... Bug!? #528482
Average - A new race of aliens arrives on Earth. And Vanguard has you investigate them!
- The Court of the Blood Countess: The Rise of the Blood Countess #3805
Advanced - Go back in time and witness the birth of a vampire. Follow her to key moments in her life in order to stop her! A story of intrigue, drama and horror! Blood & Violence... not recommend to solo!
Pistol sighs impatiently and rolls her dark brown eyes. "Mechano, Mechano, Mechano. If you aren't the most schizophrenic, science-mad, chaos-bent, megalomaniac dic*face I've ever known" she retaliated, her stabbing voice as cold as a knife. Her face wore a look of pure frustration and flames of anger threatened to explode from her eyes. "Honestly, what is your frigging problem? You ruin my home, ask me to come all the way to this dimension, just to tell me I've become a lazy villain? What gives you the right? I mean you really must be crazy to be able to pull all this off. The level of audacity you've displayed this week is so shockingly brilliant, I suppose it's the only thing entertaining all of us in this room, and the reason you're still being allowed to stand there alive, drinking coffee. Because actually, in the grand scheme of things, you and your green trolls are about as insignificant a threat to Paragon's heroes as the common cold. If you get off your high podium for just one minute and see beyond those pompous lab coats, you'll realize that most, if not everyone in this meeting has a bigger purpose in life than amounting fear. I am a very busy woman Edward so unless there is an actual plan to benefit my cause, behind your bipolar-induced temper tantrums, I'd advice you to keep your outrageously ignorant and insulting opinions of me and my business to yourself. Is that understood?"
Cx turned to Will "Hmm. He _could_ be an asset to us, but I can not honestly say that I appreciate his..luggage."
He turned to Ed. "Tell me why the Corporation should offer you...sanctuary and not leave you out in the cold?"
Edward smiled, "first William, let me consider the offer, I will need time to think it over...I appreciate that Paragon isn't exactly a place where you struggle to survive"
Edward looked to Pistol, "first off, thanks for the compliments, secondly, the real reason I called you all here wasn't just to hurl the obvious truth at your faces but for another reason entirely...you three hate each other but currently I've got you hating me more...which proves that given the right incentive you three can work together."
Edward looked all three of them over for a moment, weighing them up, "what I propose is an alliance between the four of us...a sharing of information on hero movements, however I also see that control, atleast underground control, of the Rogue Isles and Paragon also needs to be split between the three of you, I myself have no need for control over Paragon, it's not something I want."
"That's what I propose, you three are the biggest villain organisations in the Rogue Isles except the likes of Arachnos, Crey or the Council, your influence expands over a bigger area than say the Freakshow or the Goldbrickers. I say we carve up Paragon, assign everyone areas of control and STOP GOD DAMN BICKERING AMONGST YOURSELVES LIKE CHILDREN!"
"Seriously, how old are you people, some are old enough to be buried somewhere in my family tree several hundred years ago and yet you still bicker and fight like children with [censored]-for-tat revenge stuff or snubbing each other socially, if you three work together what makes you think any hero could stop any of you?"
"You three are THE most powerful people, hell you could probably take down Recluse if you really wanted to and if it wasn't for the stability he offers the Isles and the fact his resources aren't exactly limited or overwhelming I'm sure you would have done by now, so stop fighting, talk to each other and work together."
"As for protection Countess...if I was to be afraid of you three I would place Pistol and William higher than yourself...Pistol I have fought first hand while she was in a rage and lost and Mr Breaker controls a lot of people who could probably outshine your people by several hundred miles of creativity and visciousness..."
"Anyway...enough insults...you've heard my proposal, an alliance between the three biggest groups in the Rogue Isles, now tell me, what exactly could each of you bring to this prospective alliance if you were to join it?"
Badge Earned: Wing Clipper
A real showstopper!
((this is a follow-on from The Big Plan...personal invites have been dispatched to the three leaders of the Villain groups who were 'assaulted' and as such unless your a member of The Gang, The Cout of the Blood Countess or The Corporation attendence is not allowed)).
January 15th: 7:55pm
Edward sat there in the Pocket D Tiki lounge, drinking some coffee...checking his watch for a moment, he had chosen this particular location for obvious reason, he could talk to those invited without having his head cut off on being bound by demonic rites...Zero tolerated no such thing and even Edward had to admit, the power of Zero far outstripped his own.
"I do hope they are punctual...I do not tolerate tardiness for such things..."
Oddly Edward was alone, none of his robotic family flanked him as was to be expected.
Badge Earned: Wing Clipper
A real showstopper!