angrydurf

To Steshas best guess this first room was not where the Mankana was likely kept. This area seemed devoted to several very rare varieties of orchid and other rare tropical plants. She could make out other connected growing areas likely for other enviroments. Ace seemed quite pleased with her enthusiasm, "Oh it certainly exists," He said with a laugh, "its powers are part of hte reason I called upon you rather than taking it to some university." He strolled quickly through the large growing area and used a broom to push aside an odd thorny vine like nothing she's seen before that twitched and seemed to grasp at the broom handle revealing a more secure plexiglass door with inset keypad and some kind of biometric scanner. Ace gestured to the vine, "Its a vile little thing but keeps anyone from looking too closely at this corner." He said with a smile nodding at the odd plant." He quickly wnet through the neccisary security measures and stepped in beckoning Stesha. "Most experts are more interested in how it does what it does and woudl just want to analyze it, personally I think the powers are only partialy linked to the plant itself the real power is in the process of refineing it." Ace explained as the waited for this second air lock to normalize before he opened the door to reveal another growing chamber. This chamber was cooler and dryer than the last and had but one resident a somewhat wilted looking low bush in the center of the room. It was not particularly impressive to look at but even at first glance it was clear that it wasn't quite like any other plant she'd encountered. There was an expansive enviromental control system ocupying one corner of the room as well as a desk piled high with notes and diagrams.

Mike shifted uncomfortably at the question. He was accustomed to this kind of question to a degree but most adults always phrased it much more in terms of 'If you need to talk we're here' or some such drivel. For some reason Dark Stars more direct approach resonated with the young man. "Its really nothing," Mike replied though even to Dark Stars trustign nature that rang untrue, "Just some difference of opinion with some friends about the whole he ... uhm what to do after we graduate." Mike shrugged "Thanks for asking but its not your problem, I don't need to pester you about it." He attempted a rough smile.

Ace grinned at her clear intrest, "Perhaps we'll head straight to the atrium then and continue the rest of the tour later." he said with a chuckle. "I am unfortunately not at liberty to reveal where I aquired it but I do know its name, its a Mankana." He said with a quick smile and a wink to Stesha. He continued to explain, "An old associate of mine gave it to me as a gift in return for a favor I did him awhile back." Given the man speaking awhile could be months or decades of course. "He left me very complete instructions on its needs," Ace glanced back and assured Stesha, "and I have followed them to the letter, but it is looking strained." Ace led her through a sunny conservatory off the hall and to a glass paned door with a complex readout of enviromental information. He cracked the door and there was a whoosh of warm moist air. Ace gestured for her to enter the small airlock and followed her in shutting the door behind them and indicating for her to open the oposite door.

Mike started slightly when Dark Star spoke, "Oh uhm, no I was uhm," He babbled as he stared briefly at the man shaped mass of energy infront of him. Remembering his manners Mike stood dusting his hand off on his jeans and offered it to Dark Star, "Mike Harris sir, uhm are you a teacher here?" Mike had been avoiding people but the appearance of Dark Star had at least distraced him from his mope for the moment, also he was raised to show a certain respect to adults even if they were ... insubstantial. As he realized the rediculousness of offeringhis hand he dropped it quickly to his side, "erm sorry." unsure what exactly the social norm for such meetings was.

Ace closed the door behind them and strode across the long room with a gesture to the accumulated treasures, "The rewards of a misspent youth." the famed adventurer explained with a small laugh. He stepped into the long hall beyond the foyer, "Right this way," He said with a glance back to Stesha, 'Cute in a girl-next-door kind of way. But buisness before pleasure.' He thought to himself. He flashed Stesha Winning smile as he spoke, "Yes Tayor and I have worked together upon a couple occasions." He kept to a sedate pace so that Stesha had plenty of time to take in the paintings and other decorations festooning the walls as they continued down the hall. "I called upon her expertise and she suggested that you may be able to help. I have a rare plant in my collection that is somewhat ailling." He further explained. As they progressed down the hall Stesha could peek into the nieghboring rooms each in the style of another far off place. The manor had a rather eclectic design over all but somehow managed to all fit together. Oddly however there seemed to be no staff despite the emaculate conditions of the various rooms.

Well I'll have them get billing info for the phone and run that through the system to see if the name or address comes up with anything.

"Quite alright," Ace said with a smile, "and indeed I do have a bit of a plant conundrum." He strode up the stairs to the imposing main door and turned to Stesha as he opened the door, "After you milady." He said with a sweeping gesture. The door opened into a large foyer tastefully decorated an eclectic mix of artifacts from around the world, African masks and Tibetan statuary interlaced with itricately woven baskets and renasance paintings. The largest peice was a full portrait of the Jungle Patrol including the young Ace Danger at the famed Johnny Dangers side on some pristine savanna.

Mike was lucky enough to have a free morning and decided to try and get out of his room for awhile. He had grabbed a couple books and parked himself under an out of the way tree to get some reading done and work in his journal. He was struggling with the group trainings summers had assigned and sharply considering just bailing on the whole thing, after all its not like everyone here was going to go on to super-heroics. Thus far however every time he mentioned it Mark or Alex talked him into staying on. So self absorbed was Mike he didn't even notice when Dark Star faded into sight. As he wrote he mumbled to himself about the recent argument he had had with various teammates, "Its not like I own the world something, its probably better off if I just sit back anyway."

I do have the guys name and picture though right?

Ace seemed utterly unpreterbed by the clutter and as he slid into the passenger seat complemented her work, "The roses are lovely, you are quite talented." He hopped spryly out of the car as it rolled to a stop and told Stesha with a smile, "Its fine right there, but if you preffer we can move it into the garage." He gestured to the converted carriage house off to the left of the main drive. He waited patiently with a small smile on his face for her to decide which she prefferd.

As Psyche returned to her senses she felt the urgency and nervousness of Phalanxs comunication pressing in, 'Get somewhere safe, we're on Erde, some crazed Nazi world. We gotta raid some factory to get what they need to bring you here and send us all home.' There was a certain desperation to the comunication as he added 'We'll do this as quickly as we can.'

Mike was clearly not happy with their answer, his friends were in danger and the solution they gave was to raid some Nazi robot factory. He looked to Lilith and asked, "And once we get this tele-whatever we can get the others?" While he waited for her response he concentrated on sending a message to Psyche.

As Stesha approached the sign she bagan to feel and odd sense that this couldn't possibly be right, after all there was a clear view from here to the shoreline and certainly no structure of any kind. She was about to turn around when in the blink of an eye, literally, there was a handsome man in his mid-twenties leaning casually against the sign. He was dressed in what apeared to be a well tailored suit minus the coat with a low slung fedora casting a shadow across his eyes. As she took note of him he stood to his full height and with a few quick steps approached. "You must be Stesha, a real pleasure to make your aquaintance madame." He said with a bow, doffing his hat as he took her hand and lightly brushed his lips across her knuckle a mischevious glint in his eye. Straitening he introduced himself, "Captain Ace Danger, thank you for coming on such short notice." He glanced to her car with a smile, "We should get that off the street the nieghborhood is full of snobs that'll call in the police for any little thing." He said and then leaning in close whispered something in an odd language into her ear. The next time Stesha glanced towards the formerly empty lot she saw a well maintained garden and picturesque drive leading up to a large colonial style manor house. Ace gestured to the car, "If you don't mind its a dreadful long walk." He said with a gentle laugh.

"That would be excelent, I'll see you then, and thank you again I recognize its an unusual request." Ace was ever polite in such matters, the product of a bygone age. He added "Good Day to you." Before hanging up. When Stesha arrived at Vintners court she could clearly make out the numbers on the grand gates of the manors of four and five Vintners court betwixt them however was nothing but a beautiful view of rolling dunes heading down to the shore and a rather simple no tresspassing sign.

Ace's eyes sparkled as he turned, he took the young lady before him in with a smile hovering at the edge of his mouth. "Indeed," He replied, "Captain Ace Danger," the deboinaire hero gently took her hand and brushed the knuckle with his lips as he stared up into her eyes, "and I'm afraid I don't know your name my enchanting young lady, but I certainly would like to." As he asked the question he signalled the barman to take her order as he waited for her reply.

Ace spoke clearly and without reservation, "Certainly Madame, Ace Danger." He left the barest pause for the name to sink in, not out of any real hubris but beacause he was accustomed to a degree of surprise at its revelation. "I can pick you up if you like or if you preffer you can come to 4 1/2 Vintners court, North Bay. I can give more specific directions if you like and you can reache me at ###-####, and thank you." His tone clearly showed he had no doubt that she would be able and willing to come.

Ace sounded not at all impatient as he replied, "Ah, excelent I'm glad you're available madame." He paused for a moment to consider his next words, "A good friend of mine, Ms. Taylor Chun suggested you to me, said your Magic with flowers." He layed a delicate emphasis upon the word magic as he spoke. "I know with your talents you must be busy," He spoke with a confident grace, "But if possible I'd love to have you swing by when you're available, I can of course compenste you for your trouble." Despite the oddity of the request he made it seem quite reasonable and there was a certain intrigueing air of mystery to what exactly he needed.

Ace calls upon Stesha for help with a plant problem

It wasn't common that there was a problem Ace Danger wasn't able to take care of himself, even less common that he knew no one who could help. Thus far his extensive network of contacts had failed him however. Yet it seemed luck was on his side as he hung up after his call to young Taylor Chun, otherwise known as Phantom, who had at least been able to suggest an option in dealing with his very special plant problem. Ace called the exclusive midtown shop and with a light voice inquired, "I'm trying to reach a florist by the name of Stesha, she came highly recomended to me." He spoke with the voice of a man well accustomed to not having to ask twice and the North Bay prefix certainly tended to open doors regardless.

HP to Begginers luck Disable device, take 20 for a 28 disable device check.

Ace settled donw on the roof with practiced grace and said with a nod, "Thanks, kid" He surveyed their surroundings quickly as Phantom checked for magic. "If they managed to block scrying I wouldn't be surprised if they blocked magic senses as well soem how. Would only be prudent." He agreed. "Well we have to start the search some where might as well be here." The practiced Hero said as he crouched before the roof access door and began trying to fiddle the lock open.

Mike let slip a half smile at Eddies joke and managed not to look too uncomfortable whent he subject switched back to his own uncomfortable truths. "I can see where you're coming from Eddie but I don't think this is the kinda issue either of us can just ignore if we're gonna work together." Mike said finally, adding, "I think Chris is right and I should just try and talk it out and not let my temper get away from me." Of course the closest either of the other boys had seen to Mike losing his temper was his occasional sulk about this or that nothing one would say would start a fight.

Well as a variable power theoreticaly yes but the design of weapon creation is weapon only in general. Also as variables are both very expensive and not the refs favorite thing to have bouncing around I suggest building an array of strike and blast with variable descriptors.

Mike spun to look at Erin, "The Nazis won?" He asked incredulously. He paused then as if listening to a far off voice no one else could hear, "They're in danger." There was no need for him to explain who he was talking about to his friends here and he turned to the ones who had brought them here, "We have to get them, can you pull them here with this thing?" He asked as he gestured to the various gizmos spread about the room.

Mikes mental presence seemed more stable after the first contact as he reached out once more to Alexs mind. 'Looks like thats all of us, these people were looking for Hope and something interfered and pulled us all in I dunno exactly what they are talking about. Are you all OK?'