Thevshi

@Poncho You can go ahead with Michael's action, unless you want to see the result of La Puma's toughness save first.

GM Dovox stepped back before swinging his glaive-like weapon at the young Star Khan. However, Kinarr managed to sidestep the attack, the glaive slamming into the pavement, tearing a massive gash in it and sending debris flying in various directions. One of the Boran that had been with the troops on the side Predator was facing finished closing the distance with the armored heroine. As he drew close, the Boran swung a large club at her, but the hero ducked under the attack. Meanwhile, the other Boran on that side went past the small melee involving Predator and crossed most of the distance towards La Puma Negra. The remaining Boran engaged with Paradigm tried to hit the Praetorian again, however the experienced fighter was able to catch its wrist and push the Boran off balance, causing the attack to miss. Meanwhile, the regular troopers had continued spreading out so they were not grouped up. Several of them took the opportunity to open fire on either targets not engaged in melee, or those that were higher priority. Five troopers fired on Fleur de Joie, with two actually hitting the League member, but to no noticeable effect. Another five tried to fire on Paradigm, despite her being in melee, but all missed the Praetorian. Another five took aim at La Puma Negra, opening fire on the agile heroine. Golden Star moved into the path of one of the blasts, taking the hit. La Puma twisted and turned, trying to make herself a harder target for the other attacks. For the most part it worked, but one energy blast still managed to strike her. As she dodged about, one of the figures in black reached out with telekinesis, trying to grab ahold of La Puma, but she managed to dodge away before the alien mentalist could get a grip on her. Meanwhile the two alien telepaths both sent out mental blasts, each at a different target. One struck the young Star Khan, who winced slightly at the psychic assault, but otherwise seemed unharmed. The other struck Fleur de Joie…

Okay, with Moon confirming in Discord that La Puma is using a HP to double her dodge bonus for the turn, will finish out the last group. The Hound telekinetic will try to grab La Puma with Move Object, but misses. The Hound telepath on that side will hit Fleur with a mental blast. @Electra DC 20 Will save. The Hound telepath that Predator dazed first round will hit Star Khan with a mental blast. He easily passes the will save with a 30.

Okay, going back to combat order. To keep this moving quicker, will probably be asking multiple people to post their actions at once. Round One 38 Velocity (unharmed) 32 Gamma Buzz 2 HP (unharmed) 25 Insect Drones (many) 24 Timeout 5 HP (unharmed) 21 Blue Bolt 2 HP (unharmed) 21 Rot 4 HP (unharmed) 20 Spaceman 3 HP (unharmed) 20 Golden Star 2 HP (unharmed) 17 Torpedo Lass II 4 HP (unharmed) 15 Drones (many) 13 Needle Fighters (many) 10 Sever 1 HP (unharmed) @Supercape @Kaede Kimura Let me know what Gamma and Blue Bolt are going to do. Right now there are half a dozen groups (each of four) of the ground based drones spread out around the plaza/park where everyone is gathered. There are several small swarms of the insect drones that are flying around, several heading down to where everyone currently is.

Timeout As the alien fleet opened fire and the needle like fighter craft filled the sky, the Freedom League went into action. Dr. Metropolis and Star Knight combined to create a barrier above the plaza, partially of concrete and stone, partially of yellow glowing energy. The barrier managed to withstand several blasts from the cruisers, although holes were blown out of the concrete barrier. Explosions could be heard from the nearby area as energy blasts struck numerous buildings. The first of the needle fighters plunged down into the street around City Center, some out of sight, while a half a dozen impacted into the ground spread out around the barrier protecting the center of the plaza. Captain Thunder looked over to Deadalus. "See if you can figure out a plan, the rest of us will try to keep things contained." With that, he, Lady Liberty, Star Knight, Siren and Dr. Metropolis all took to the air and began trying to intercept some of the needle fighters as the temporary dome vanished, the concrete and stone moving back into the streets and other areas Dr. Metropolis had drawn it from. Raven glanced over to the group of teens. "Unless you have information about these things or can otherwise add to any plan, pair up and keep each other safe" She then started off towards one of the needle ships and the four Communion drones that had emerged. Bowman followed quickly after her. Johnny Rocket zipped over near the teens. "Velocity, let's try to clear some of the areas a bit further out." "No problem." The teen speedster replied with a smile before the two speedsters were gone with a *WOOSH* of air. Before any of the Claremont teens departed the area, Lawence sent out another temporal healing burst, eliminating the last lingering injuries from the earlier encounter. He then turned to Daedalus and Vueriz and any others that were remaining to possible come up with a plan. "I doubt the singularity is anywhere within the city. As for the wormhole weapon…the images I recall seeing at the Lor-Van memorial were of something really big, far bigger than any of those ships above the city. If it even exists in this timeline, it could be up further in orbit, elsewhere in the solar system or not here at all." Daedalus paused a moment, then asked a question. "You all have mentioned someone manipulating this timeline, what are you talking about?" Lawerence looked over to the League inventor. "There is a cosmic entity that once tried to kidnap me. We have reason to believe that it is possible that entity could be behind this, using a singularity as a power source. It is possible that this entity used that to create this timeline."

Okay, Sovereign will attack Star Khan, missing with a 20 One of the minion Borans will close with Predator (who moved up to a Hunter) and try to attack her, missing with a 19. The Boran attacking Paradigm will try to hit her, also missing with a 20. The other Boran (tough alien) will move towards La Puma, not making it all the way this turn. Troopers: Troopers on Predator's side are not too keen on trying to shoot at her in melee given how hard it would be to hit. But five will shot at Fleur: two hit, but Fleur cannot fail the DC 20 toughness save, so she is fine. Five will shoot at La Puma, Four of them hitting! Golden Star will interpose for one, so @Poncho DC 20 toughness save. @MoonSimply La Puma has another 3 DC 20 toughness saves. Five will take the chance try to shoot Paradigm, but all miss (two came very close). With Golden Star moving out of melee, four shoot at him, but all miss. @MoonSimply Before I move on with the next group of bad guys, do you want to have La Puma spend a HP to double her dodge bonus for the turn, which means she will only get hit once (the natural 20) instead of three times?

He rolls almost as badly as possible, getting a 12, so he is staggered and dazed now (in addition to the earlier bruise) and sent flying back 25 feet and to the ground. Forgot to make a toughness save for the knockback (as small as it was), DC 20 save, he gets a 15 so picks up a second bruise as well!

@Dracostern While waiting for TA's action, might as well get Daniel's as well.

Okay, noted.

Paradigm When Fleur called out to Sovereign, the Boran snarled at her. "If the felineoid had not attacked first, my men would not have responded in kind." Paradigm still felt the crystal sapping her strength and durability, but focused on one of the Borans that was attacking her. The Naram swung her right hand with as much strength as she could currently muster under the effects of the crystal to backhand the much larger Boran. The blow still hit with enough force to knock the Boran unconscious, and send it flying backward about a hundred feet to land at the edge of the abandoned parking lot. Star Khan looked over at Sovereign from where he was still between Paradigm and the Justicar that had tried to attack her before looking back at the Praetorian. "I will get the crystal from Dovox!" He stated, before flying over towards the large Boran. The young Zultasian reached out to try to grab the crystal from Sovereign’s grasp, but the Boran turned his body, moving the hand holding the crystal out of reach, while pushing the Star Khan to one side with the shaft of his glaive-like weapon. "Looking for a means of controlling your would-be bride?" Sovereign asked with a snarl. Meanwhile, the Boran that had been moving towards Predator closed with her, pulling out a large sword as he did so. Bringing the blade around in a powerful swing, the alien managed to connect with the armored hero. On the other side of where the heroes had all started, Golden Star found himself alone against the large Boran who’s attack on La Puma Star Khan had blocked. Bearing its tusks at the teen, the Boran swung his axe at the hero, landing a powerful blow.

Okay, the Justicar that is up next has to clear his daze. Paradigm will make a full power attack (-5/+5) on one of the tough alien minions on her, taking 10 to hit and knocking it out (as it cannot make the DC31 toughness save). Star Khan will fly up to try to take the crystal from Sovereign, but misses with a 20. The Boran Lt that was charging Predator will close and make a melee attack, hitting with a 26 so DC 25 toughness save for Predator @Spacefurry The other will attack Golden Star, hitting with a 18, so he also needs to make a DC 25 toughness save @Poncho And then, depending on the roll, it is Predator's tun @Spacefurry

@Avenger Assembled That brings up Patriot!

GM Neko shifted her illusions from the gigantic Crimson Katana to her more focused illusions blocking the senses of the Omegadrones that had been attacking the illusion. These helped with the panic that had set in with some of the gathered police and SWAT team members, although many still seemed very rattled by the onslaught of the Omegadrones, what was happening throughout the city and the sudden rescue by the group of metahuman teens and members of FORCE Ops. Arched stepped forward as the immediate threats ended, an arrow nocked, but not drawn. "While those illusions are drawing forces from us, it is likely to make this area a higher priority threat. We can probably expect more forces to be throw this way." He stated as he moved over to the commander of the SWAT team. "Before you get the stupid idea of trying to arrest us, or just shoot us, this is obviously way bigger than any of us." The vigilante hero stated, nodding his head towards the chaos unfolding in downtown Freedom City on the other side of the river. "Right now, the best thing you and any other available officers could do would be to create a safe corridor away from the city for civilians to use to get to safety. We will do what we can to draw away these bastards." The SWAT officer seemed to hesitate for a moment, but then started yelling orders to the other officers nearby and then started talking over the radio as he moved towards one of the SWAT vans. The officers and SWAT team members began gathering up their gear and wounded comrades and moving to their undamaged vehicles. As this was taking place, another of the flying transports flew overhead, a dozen Omegadrones dropping off of it and flying down towards the group. As they came, Archer quickly drew his nocked arrow, aiming at one of the drones and fired. The arrow struck right into the visor of the Omegadrone, causing its head to snap back as the arrow embedded deeply into its skull before the drone plummeted to the ground. The other Omegadrones began to attack, some staying in the air and shooting at targets, another six flying down to try to stab their targets. As one flew down towards Neko, Owain’s wolf form was quickly ono the drone, quickly taking it down. Half of the remaining Omegadrones stayed in the air, firing at their intended targets. One of those blast stuck Mult-Girl's duplicate in the shoulder, leaving a burn mark and knocking her to the ground, momentarily dazed.

@TheAbsurdist Let me know if Jotunn had an action he wanted to ready and he can probably get it off before he is attacked.

Okay, Archer is going to talk with the cops, and ready an action for more bad guys. Another dozen Omegadrones get dropped off and Archer will use his readied action to shoot one (full power attack -5/+5), taking 10. The drone fails its DC 25 toughness save. A drone flies down toward Neko, so will let Owain's readied action take place, the drone just misses it save and goes down. The remaining drones attack: One shooting at Archer: miss One attacks Copper Knight: missing One shoots at Muli-Girl's duplicate: hitting (DC 22 toughness save: 14, so she is injured, bruised and dazed) One on Jotunn: Just hit ( @TheAbsurdist DC 22 toughness save) One shoots at Iris: missing One shoots at Daniel: missing One shoots at Starlight: missing One attacks Neko: Hitting ( @Avenger Assembled DC 22 toughness save) One attacks La Puma: 18 also a hit ( @MoonSimply DC 22 toughness save) One attacks El Gato: missing

Multi-Girl Bernadette gave Ryan a reassuring smile as he talked about the importance of music to him. The older teen seemed very much at ease talking with him, but then she did not seem to lack for self confidence. "Shoor, I can understand that. Music is different things ta different people." The redhead replied. "But even if you are doin' it just fer yourself, sometimes it is good ta have input from others, who see or hear things we don,' an' can encourage or push us when needed." She added. "You should think about gettin' involved here. Doesn' mean you ever have ta be part o' any performance or anythin,' just a chance ta be around others with similar interests. Sides, if you don' Michael will likely continually hound you until you join some club…or a dozen."

Okay, she can easily get over to two that are too close together, they both fail their saves and go down.

@Dr Archeville Go ahead with your IC post Dok

Multi-Girl Bernadette gave a small nod as Ryan mentioned having a habit of getting up early as she let go of her lacrosse stick and then lowered it, so the net was resting on the ground. "Well, worse habit ta have." She commented before smiling at his mentioning the show at the Midnight Hour. "Glad ta hear. We have been puttin' in lots o' work over the last several months." She replied. As he awkwardly mentioned playing guitar, the redhead gave him another smile. "I recall seein' you with one during the Fiji trip. You gotten involved with the music department here? Certainly helped me along when I came ta Claremont."

Multi-Girl As Ryan called out, all of the redheads out on the field turned their heads a moment, but only one stopped what she was doing, lowering her lacrosse stick as she turned to face the younger teen, the others continuing with what they were doing. "Top o' the mornin' Ryan." That Bernadette called out in her distinctive Irish accent as she started walking his direction, swinging her lacrosse stick up so that it rested across her shoulders and behind her neck and hooking her free arm over it as well to keep it in place. While Bernadette was generally very friendly and cheerful, since the events during the return trip from the visit to Fiji, she had been known to be a bit more irritable and short tempered than normal. The group that the redhead had been with had ended up in a situation no less dangerous than the one Ryan's group had faced, finding themselves in the middle of the 1993 Terminus Invasion. But whatever the case, she seemed to be in a good mood at the moment, as she had a bright smile as she drew closer. "You are up bright an' early this mornin'." She added, coming to a stop a short distance away.

Multi-Girl As the band finished the second song, the lights on the stage dimmed until there was only a faint light over the piano and a spotlight that followed Bernadette as she moved over near the piano, the microphone in her hand as she sat the stand down at the end of the piano before she hopped up to sit on the piano. The redhead crossed her legs as she looked out at the shadowy shapes of the crowd in the darkness and Summer sat down at the piano and began playing several slow, soft notes. After a few moments, Bernadette began to sing in a soft, sorrowful tone as Summer continued to accompany her on the piano. When am I gonna stop being wise beyond my years An' start just being wise? When am I gonna stop being a pretty young thing ta guys? When am I gonna stop being great for my age An' just start bein' good? When will it stop bein' cool Ta be quietly misunderstood? Summer's playing picked up in tempo slightly as Bernadette raised the volume of her voice while keeping a sorrowful tone. I'll blow out the candles Happy birthday ta me Got your whole life ahead o' you, You're only 19 Bernadette softened her lyrics once again as Summer did the same with the piano notes. But I fear they already got all the best parts o' meeee An' I'm sorry that I couldn't always be yer Teenage d-r-e-a-m An' when does wide-eyed affection an' all good intentions start ta not be enough? When will everyone have every reason ta call all my bluffs? An' when are all my excuses o' learning my lessons gonna start ta feel sad? Will I spend all the rest o' my years wishin' I could go back? I'll blow out the candles Happy birthday ta me Got your whole life ahead o' you, You're only 19 But I fear they already got all the best parts o' meeee An' I'm sorry that I couldn't always be your Teenage d-r-e-a-m Bernadette hopped off the piano and started slowly walking toward the center of the stage once more as her duplicate backup singers began to sing still just accompanied by Summer’s soft piano notes. They all say that it gets better It gets better the more you grow They all say that it gets better But what if I don't They all say that it gets better It gets better the more you grow They all say that it gets better It gets better But what if I don't Bernadette joined in the last line of the chorus, at which point the rest of the band began playing and Summer's piano notes became stronger and more pronounced. They all say that it gets better It gets better the more you grow They all say that it gets better It gets better But what if I don't They all say that it gets better It gets better the more you grow They all say that it gets better It gets better But what if I don't They all say that it gets better It gets better the more you grow They all say that it gets better It gets better But what if I don't With the last lyric, there was one last cymbal crash and then the only sound was Summer again playing on the piano for a short time. Bernadette had lowered her head, looking down as the spotlight turned off and there was only a dim light over her. As Summer played the last few notes on the piano, the dim light that had been over her faded until the only light in the club was the dim light over Bernadette.

Claremont Academy Freedom City, New Jersey Wednesday March 27, 2024. 7:08 AM The buzz about Bernadette O'Connell's band, Multiplicity, had been growing over the course of the school year at Claremont. Back in the Fall, it had mainly been students that had listened to her band’s recordings online, or rumors about the redheaded Senior going out at least one night a week to perform at various venues around the city. Then the band had performed at the Freedom League's holiday party, and things only increased from there when Bernadette's roommate, Neko, began helping the band with marketing and their internet presence. Almost two weeks ago the band had performed at Freedom City's underage night club, the Midnight Hour, which had allowed many Claremont students to attend (with Bernadette providing free tickets to those interested). But the big topic making its way through the school right now was how late last week and over the weekend, Bernadette and her band (along with Neko) had traveled to Tokyo to perform! It was little surprise that the attractive redhead was very rarely alone on campus, and with her busy schedule of school, practicing and performing with her band, and, according to another rumor, being involved in a supergroup with some recent Claremont graduates, it was even harder. But, one other fairly well-known thing about Bernadette, was that she was often up very early most mornings to go to either the gym or the athletic fields to workout/train, a habit from her time as a lacrosse player before her powers emerged and prevented her from taking part in competitive sports. While she was often joined by some of the school's other "jock" types, there were days where it would just be her (if one did not count her duplicates). Today was one such day. Bernadette and about half a dozen of her duplicates were up on the school’s athletic fields at the north end of campus, running around with lacrosse sticks, passing a ball and shooting on a goal set up in the center of the field. They were all dressed identically, black sweatpants and a light grey hoodie.

The main launch door is currently blocked by Artificer, I will say a secondary recovery door towards the rear of the vessel (the back wall of the hanger) was closed, but is currently opening to be used for launching, so that would need to be blocked.

Timeout Lawrence listened as Kitty tried to further explain what she knew about this other world, the Star and Sola. None of the others seemed interested in calling in someone that was an expert on magic to take a look at the Star and possibly confirm any of this, and far be it for him to unilaterally decide to do so. While Lawernce had only a basic understanding of magic within the wider superhero community, he did have a decent understanding of the cosmology of alternate dimensions and timelines, and what Kitty was describing fit well enough within what the blond teen understood. Giving Michael a small smile when he suggested delivering Eclipse and FX to the Freedom League along with the gem, Lawrence stepped over toward the two. "Sure thing, will see that these two get taken care of and that the gem gets to someone experienced in magic to take care of it. Catch up with you all later." The blond teen said as he prepared to teleport himself and the two unconscious teen villains to Freedom Hall.

While we wait for Tiff to get an IC post in, @Dr Archeville What is Artificer going to do?