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GM It was the ever enigmatic Mr. Smith, dressed in his black suit and carrying his extremely large suitcase, powered by his tall, muscular frame, that sent Synapse off. "Dover" The channel tunnel had been shut. On the English side. There was a cover story, of course. Engineering works to ensure safety. All very reassuring. All completely false. Nobody really knew what was going on, but it happened fast. An explosion and then...nothing. No trace of explosives. A flash for one second popped into existence, and then popped straight out again. "From the little information we have, the origin of this may not be from our dimension" explained Smith as he introduced Doctor Rhona Rost. Dr Rost was working for the government, an expert in theoretical physics apparently, and well briefed. She was a nervous, thin, woman with nicotine stained fingers and bad glasses. For all that, she was also a tall, blonde, woman with sculpted Russian cheekbones. She looked like a Supermodel who had stayed up three nights on too much coffee and had thrown all her make up and fancy clothes down the toilet. "Y-Y-Yes yes" she said, adding a nervous stammer to her plethora of qualities. Her voice didn't indicate either a lack of confidence or an abundance of arrogance. "We best get going. Don't want another frazzin' explosion in a tunnel under the sea, do we?" she asked, hopping from one foot to another in perpetual restlessness. Smith's face was, as ever, like unnatural stone. No muscles moved at all. He merely handed Synapse a sealed document. "Only open if you are...displaced..." he said, stoically, before marching off.

GM "So that's it" said Cruxberry. "The best lead we have. And I can't say I'm surprised that it was Lucy Diamond that showed up first. She never was very circumspect at the best of times". Cruxberry sat, whilst the impassive, muscular agent Smith stood with his usual jet black glasses, crisp black suit, and huge black briefcase, not moving a muscle. He didn't say a word. Smith never said a word, unless he needed too. It was in rural Wales, apparently. Some locals had seen sights. Of course, masses of people had seen sights. Champion flying overhead, Y Derwen planting himself in their back garden, on a glittering display of lights that could only be Lucy Diamond. But this was a lot more persuasive than the others. The descriptions were accurate. And actually frightening. A band of travellers, a wandering woman matching Lucy Diamond, and a wholescale panic. The whole travelling community went, for want of a better word, banana's. Attacking each other, arson, self injury. Two dead, seventeen severely injured. Utter mayhem. The file on Lucy Diamond spoke for itself. "Lucy was always powerful, but a loose cannon" explained Cruxberry. "Anyone touching her was infected with some kind of madness. And she was quite short of marbles herself. Combined that with the ability to turn into a form of organic diamond..." he whistled. "Osprey and Dr Benoit...I can see their potential but they haven't earned their stripes yet. Also, I need them for another matter" he explained to Young Brittania and Synapse. "So I would like you two to look into the sightings. Lucy Diamond is not a threat, at least not directly. We just want to find answers...." he drummed his fingers and looked at Synapse. "And there is a problem" he explained. "Lucy was completely immune to psionic effects. At least as far as Headcase was concerned. Somehow she shuts them down. Probably why Headcase was so paranoid about her. Although as you know, he was pretty paranoid about everything" he conceded. "Maybe you can get through to her, maybe you can't. But you can at least try to find out what happened, see if there is any truth to the stories. See if you cant stop anybody else going crazy with that splendid head of yours" he said to Synapse, passing her the file on Lucy.

GM Friday 7th February Sochi, the Winter Olympics 2014. The air was unseasonably warm in Sochi, casting doubts upon the logistics of the game, but spare snow had been stored, and was being hauled to the slopes. The mood was reasonably bouyant, with spectators both domestic and international looking forward to the herculean efforts of the olympians. Of course, the tourist industry was in full swing, with every type of food and drink being plied, and a rain of tourist tat to take home, place in the back of a cupboard, and stay there unseen for decades. There was a heavy and intimidating police presence, thanks to terrorists threats. And, some might say, to the possibility of demonstrations against the Russian governments policies over homosexuality. There was to be no marring of the festivities with contreversy, at least as far as the officialdom was concerned. One police officer was on edge. Sergeant K was smoking heavily. His revolver was hidden from view, under his armpit, but he always found it uncomfortable. Plain clothes policing in Russia could be a nerve wracking business. Shoulda brought a shotgun...he said to himself, between puffs, thinking of his favourite American film. He had good reason to be nervous too, given what he had found out. There was sweat on his forehead, despite the cool air. What he needed was someone to help him, and get him the hell out of Russia. An american tourist, well connected, plenty of money, and capable. He had considered approaching the American athletes, but they were too close to the problem, he judged. One wrong word, and boom... A palpatation in his chest. He visibly jumped at the thought...

OOC for this Synapse and Foreshadow attend the Winter Olympics! Some politics, some athletics, some icy danger! To kick off, please feel free to post your arrival to Soshi, by air sea or land. Foreshadow has also experienced a fore-vision of Sergeant K approaching him, and also of Sergeant K getting shot (lethally? who knows...) Feel free to make appropriate Knowledge (Current Events) or Gather Information rolls about any specifics you want to know - either now, or in the course of the thread.

Saturday, February 1st, 2014 Before midnight (but not by much) Winter had descended with a vengeance on Freedom City once again, but bitter cold and blowing snow couldn't keep young and restless music fans at home. After all, inside the Wall, the press of bodies on the dance floor provided plenty of heat, and the bustling bar provided a different kind for the club goers staying at their tables. Asli Sadik sat backstage, listening to the dance music and to the people outside moving to it. She took deep breathes, calming the butterflies in her stomach. She'd been going on stage for a little more than a year, but somehow every single time she did it she got scared. To distract herself, the woman leaned forward and examined her stage makeup once again. She had decided on a grey-and-black camouflage; she avoided makeup in her daily life, but on stage everything was fair game. A touch there, a careful smudge there, and she had to sit back. Anything more would ruin the effect. Now it was just time to wait.

Rolling and suchlike for >this thread. Jiggity.

OOC for thread, as we start pulling the team and relationship map together, and may see the beginnings of conflict and investigation!

GM September 1st The Ministry of Powers, London There were, of course, a number of government agents. Armed ones, too. And a number of bustling, virtually faceless civil servants. But the only two men with any gravity in the plush office, decorated in oak, with lined leather volumes gilding every wall were the Minister for Powers, the Rt Hon. Cecil Booth, and Sir Cruxberry, who actually ran the agency. Cecil Booth was middle aged, slightly rounding, and moderately intelligent. A career politician, he had never been particularly successful and had never really failed. He had slowly risen the ranks, never destined to be a star, but never destined to take a fall. "Good old dependable Booth" was the genial comment that accompanied his name, when it was mentioned. He was even respected by the opposition parties, which of course only served to further dampen his career prospects. He had never wanted the portfolio for the Ministry of Powers, but once he had it, he had applied himself to it. Sir Cruxberry was older, ex army, and a veteran of war and spying. He wore a patch over one eye and walked with a noticible limp, but his solitary blue eye shone bright. His form was lean and his hair was white and clipped like his moustache. Somehow, one was left with the feeling that ones boots were not quite polished enough when one talked to him. Or that he could kill you in some ingenious but terribly effective way without breaking a sweat. "Thank's for popping over" said Booth, offering Young Brittania a cup of tea, of which he had already drunk several cups and was quietly trying to hold on to his bursting bladder. He was quite excited to have the heroine in the room. "For Queen and country and all that" he continued, with encouragement. "Look, I expect you know what this is all about. The Vanguard, they vanished without a trace a few months ago. Quite the mystery. Left us defenceless, and beside that, we would rather like to know what the devil happened..." he said with a helpless shrug, backed up by the precise gaze of Cruxberry who spoke no words but communicated his iron agreement.

GM Wiltmoor hospital Just outside London September 1st "Just a second ma'am..ill buzz you through" said the nurse. He was dressed cleanly and causally, middle aged but fit, with a pleasant smile. "Your father is here already..." he explained kindly as he lead Lady Dawn Farrington through the clinical and friendly corridors of Wiltmoor hospital. It was expensive, to say the least. But it was money that showed in the high level of staffing, expertise of said staff, and architectural beauty and function of the building. It was actually fairly secure for a hospital, but it hid it well. The grounds were expansive, and green, and the fencing discrete. "Susan..she is doing ok, you know. She still has some days where she is bad, but on the whole, she is making progress. She is learning to talk about and cope with her problems" he smiled, encouragingly. Further into the bowels of the hospital, outside the ward Susan was in, stood her Father, in consultation with Doctor Felicity Green, her psychiatrist, and a tall, bulky man wearing regulation agency suit and carrying an enormous briefcase that carried God knows what inside. A weapon? a bomb? "AH there you ah, m'dear" said Lord Farrington, stiffly, trying to contain his irritation at his daughter's appearance behind a stiff upper lip. "This man, Mr. Smith.." he said indicating the suit "...has come from the Ministry. They ah...were just checking up on your Sister. And you, I understand..."

The Vanguard were the united kingdoms major superteam in the late twentieth century, forming slowly between 1970 and 1980. Much is known about them, from press cuttings and interviews. Of course, some information is more classified, and known only to those with access to the Ministry of Powers files on these exceptional individuals. What is not known is how and why they disappeared overnight...

Player Name Thevshi Character Name: Synapse Power Level: 12 (241/250PP) Trade-Offs: -2 Def/+2 Toughness Unspent Power Points: 9 In Brief: Rebellious genius Englishwoman with mental powers. Alternate Identity: "Dee" Farrington; Lady Dawn Farrington Identity: Secret Birthplace: Bournemouth, England Occupation: Activist Affiliations: Ministry of Powers (not by choice), Vanguard Family: Lord Erasums Farrington (11th Earl Farrington (father)); Lady Margret Farrington (mother); Lady Susan Farrington (twin sister); Edward Farrington (Viscount Farrington (brother)); Erick Slone (Foreshadow II; Fiancé) Age: 29 (DOB: 5/18/1990) Gender: Female Height: 5' 7" Weight: 120 lbs Eyes: Blue Hair: Black, with green stripes (naturally blonde) Dee is slightly taller than average, with a slim build. Though an attractive young woman, that attractiveness is somewhat diminished by her generally irritable disposition. Her shoulder length hair is black, with a few colored streaks (the color of which varies from time to time between green, blue, magenta, purple and orange), though her natural hair color is blonde. Dee typically dresses in dark jeans, with T-shirts (typically with a band logo or some political statement on them) and a black leather jacket. Dee has a number of piercings in each ear, as well as tongue and bellybutton piercings. She also has gotten a few tattoos over the years. One is a grouping of Chinese characters on her left shoulder blade. The other is of a black circle made of twisted thorn branches on her lower back. Power Descriptions: Synapse's Telekinesis, Forcefield, Mental Blast and Paralyze attack all involve a manifestation of red psychic energy that are readily visible. Her Mind Control and Telepathy, are considerably more subtle in nature, making them somewhat more difficult to detect by either the target or others with mental awareness super-senses. History: Dawn was born into an aristocratic family in the United Kingdom. Much of her early life was spent in either London, where her father serves on the House of Lords, or at her family's estate in Dorset, most often in the care of nannies hired by her parents to help raise her and her siblings. The family's head butler, Arthur Winston-Smythe was also a prominent figure in caring for the Farrington children, traveling between London and Dorset with the family. Growing up, Dawn and her twin sister Susan were inseparable, as one would expect of twins. Their older brother, Edward, was somewhat distant, but it did not matter much as they had each other, particularly when their parents began to send them off to expensive boarding schools. In his position in the House of Lords, Dawn's father worked closely with the Ministry of Powers and was a strong supporter of Taskforce UK. In particular, Lord Farrington was a close associate of the team's mentalist, Headcase. When the Ministry revived its Powers Project, Headcase convinced Lord Farrington to include Dawn and her twin sister Susan in the Psi Initiative, confident he could induce psychic powers in the two girls. The two girls were subjected to the process, with Headcase himself directly involved. Over the course of several weeks over the summer when the girls were eleven, they underwent the process. When it was over, both girls had gained mental powers. However, something had gone awry in Susan's case, the process causing damage to her psyche, driving the girl insane. Headcase was forced to subdue her, and drugs were used to suppress her powers. Dawn's parents had no choice but to commit Susan to a private mental hospital, where she could be provided the best around the clock care, and carefully kept be out of the public eye. In Dawn's case, the process was far more successful, as her psyche had not been harmed, at least by the psi initiative process. The fate of her sister, and her parents reaction in quietly tucking Susan away, served to create a rebellious attitude in Dawn (who began refusing to acknowledge that name, insisting on being called "Dee" instead), as she blamed her parents, and in particular her father, for what had happened to Susan. Always an extremely bright girl, Dee began to do everything she could to act out against her parents. In addition to generally being as difficult as she could, Dee began dying her hair; eventually got additional body piercings and tattoos; and otherwise generally acting as unladylike as possible. During the times she was home (either in Dorset or London), she would regularly sneak out at night, either going to concerts or nightclubs. Unbeknownst to her, during those late night outings, she was often followed by Arthur, the family's butler, who had for a time served as an agent in MI6, as he did his best to keep her from coming to harm. Her behavior carried over to the boarding schools her parents sent her off to, including incidents such as mixing together a chemical formula to generate massive amounts of smoke in chemistry class (and thus causing an evacuation of the building) to repeated violations of school curfew and other rules. Among the prestigious boarding schools she got herself kicked out of were Brighton College, Queen Ethelburga's College (York), Wycombe Abbey, and Cheltenham Ladies' College. As much as Dee hated her parents, she despised Headcase even more. Unfortunately, over the years she was required to have regular meetings with the mentalist, as he helped her learn to use and control her ever strengthening powers. Despite her rebellious behavior and expulsion from several boarding schools, Dee eventually attended Oxford University. Dee's rebelliousness subsided somewhat, in large part due to the fact that the university was far less restrictive than her boarding schools, and the fact she wanted to be there. While she still enjoyed having a good time, she had little trouble maintain excellent marks. It was early during her time at Oxford that Headcase took Dee (despite her protests) to meet the other members of Vanguard. Unlike so many others, she was not overly impressed with Champion. Certainly he was powerful, but to her, he was just a figurehead for the status quo. Y Dderwen was rather inscrutable, and the young woman did not quite know what to make of him. Lucy on the other hand, she found to be rather cool, even if the older heroine was working with the government. After finishing her degree, Dee ignored her father's attempts to steer her towards going into research work with corporations at which he had connections or for the government. Instead, the young woman joined a human rights group and left England to spend a year teaching and working on aid projects in Africa. After returning from Africa, Dee was contacted by the Ministry of Powers to be part of a new Vanguard and help search for the whereabouts of the previous team. Dee’s life has gone through some radical changes since she joined Vanguard. At present she is the last remaining member of the new Vanguard team crated by the Ministry of Powers to replace the original, all of the other members having since been replaced by others for various reasons. But perhaps the most significant change was when Dee met Erick Slone (Foreshadow II) at the Winter Games in Sochi and the two immediately hit it off. The couple have been together ever since and are currently engaged and expecting their first child. Personality & Motivation: As a first impression, Dee generally comes off as rather irritable, though she can be generally pleasant as long as someone does not do anything to aggravate her. Unfortunately, it is not that difficult to aggravate her. For the most part, Dee is happiest when she is left alone to do what she wants. In addition to a rebellious streak, Dee is also something of a thrill seeker, one who loves racing motorcycles, or extreme snowboarding. Although there is a great deal of anger, and even hatred, directed at her parents (and to a lesser degree, her older brother), there is still a part of Dee that cares about them, though she is extremely reluctant to show it. Being a superheroine has never been anything Dee has strived for, particularly if it meant working with the Ministry of Powers. However, she reluctantly realizes that despite what she might feel about the government in general, and the Ministry of Powers in particular, choosing not to do anything could well lead to innocents being hurt. Powers & Tactics: Thus far, Dee has had little in the way of combat experience, and thus has not developed any particular tactics relating to her powers. She has learned to use her telekinesis to protect herself with a forcefield, and will almost always put up the forcefield if she gets into combat. She also has generally sought to avoid using her powers in general. However, she learned to control her powers as they grew in strength over the years, in order to avoid them accidentally going out of control. Complications: Twin Sister: Susan is still perhaps the single most important thing in Dee's life and the young woman is determined to take care of Susan the rest of her life. Dee hopes that someday she might be able to find a way to repair Susan's psyche and restore her sanity. The "bad girl": A number of tabloids have carried pictures of Dee over the years (and some of her wild antics), so she has developed at least a small amount of fame (or infamy, depending on who you ask) as a result. There has to be a story here: Besides the general tabloid attention Dee occasionally gets, one investigative reporter, Billy Bunting, has heard some rumors about the Ministry of Powers having some sort of psychic powers program, and that it might be somehow connected to the Farrington family. He is determined to find out if there is anything to these rumors. Another reason to hate that guy!: For some reason, whether by accident or specific design, Headcase's tinkering with Dee's mind to induce her powers has left her particularly vulnerable to his abilities. If targeted by Headcase's powers, Dee automatically fails her saving throw for a HP. ABILITIES: 0 + 6 + 6 + 12 + 12 + 2 = 38PP Strength: 10 (+0) Dexterity: 16 (+3) Constitution: 16 (+3) Intelligence: 22/34 (+6/+12) Wisdom: 22/34 (+6/+12) Charisma: 12 (+1) COMBAT: 8 + 12 = 20PP Initiative: +12 Attack: +4 (+10 Telekinesis; +12 TK Blast) Grapple: +3 Defense: +6 base, +9 with Dodge Focus (+3 flat-footed) Knockback: -1/-6 w/Forcefield SAVING THROWS: 7 + 9 + 6 = 22PP Toughness: +14 (+3 Con, +11 Forcefield) Fortitude: +10 (+3 Con, +7) Reflex: +12 (+3 Dex, +9) Will: +18 (+12 Wis, +6) SKILLS: 124R = 31PP Bluff 6 (+7/+11 w/ Attractive) Computers 14 (+26) Concentration 4 (+16) Craft: Chemical 2 (+14) Craft: Electronics 6 (+18) Craft: Mechanical 6 (+18) Drive 10 (+13) Disable Device 15 (+27) Kn: Behavioral Science 1 (+13) Kn: History 2 (+14) Kn: Popular Culture 4 (+16) Kn: Philosophy and Religion 2 (+14) Kn: Physical Sciences 6 (+18) Kn: Technology 10 (+22) Medicine 1 (+13) Notice 4 (+16) Perform (Piano) 12 (+13) Pilot 4 (+7) Search 2 (+14) Sense Motive 9 (+21) Stealth 4 (+7) FEATS: 14 PP Attractive Benefit 4 (Wealth 2; Member of British Aristocracy; Member of Vanguard) Dodge Focus 3 Eidetic Memory Improvised Tools Inventor Luck 2 Speed of Thought POWERS: 13 + 4 + 12 + 12 + 11 + 53 + 2 + 9 = 116 PP Communication 4 (Mental, 1 mile radius; Extras: Affects Others, Area; Power Feats: Selective) [13PP] (Telepathic Linkup) Comprehend 2 (Understand All Languages, Speak Any One Language at a time) [4PP] Enhanced Intelligence 12 [12PP] Enhanced Wisdom 12 [12PP] Force Field 11 [11PP] Psychic Powers Array 24 (48PP Array; Feats: Alternate Power 5) [53PP] BP: Paralyze 12 (Extra: Perception) {48/48} AP: Mental Blast 12 {48/48} AP: Mind Control 12 (Feats: Mental Link, Subtle) {25/48} AP: Telekinesis 20 (STR 100 [hvy load 12,500 tons]; Feats: Accurate 3, Affects Insubstantial 2, Precise) {46/48} AP: TK Blast 12 (Feats: Accurate 4, Affects Insubstantial 2, Precise) {29/48} AP: Telepathy 12 (range 20,000,000 miles; Feat: Subtle) {23/48} Quickness 4 (x25; Flaw: Limited to mental tasks only) [2PP] Super-Senses 9 (Communication Link [mental] with Foreshadow II, Detect Minds/Mental Awareness [Very Common Descriptor; Extras: Accurate, Acute, Radius, Ranged]) [9PP] DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Unarmed Touch DC 15 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Blast, Mental Perception DC 27 Will (Staged) Damage Blast, TK Ranged (1,200 ft. max) DC 27 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Mind Control Perception DC 22 Will Controlled Paralyze Perception DC 22 Will Slowed/Paralyzed Telekinesis Ranged (2,000 ft. max) Grapple vs. +30 Pinned/Bound TK, Thrown Object Throwing (STR 100) DC 27 Toughness (Staged) Damage (Physical) Totals: Abilities (38) + Combat (20) + Saving Throws (22) + Skills (31) + Feats (14) + Powers (116) = 241/250 Power Points