Allison nods, and tries the telepathic link out, sending Rama the information she senses about the future as fast as the connection permits.

StarHaven
11:30 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean, Kara.



<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Joe and Smite, along with Reaa and Tonya travel to Eternytya via Lelayan orbs used by Reaa. The trips is akin to D-jumping and the super-spatial translation is made in less than a blink with no side effects. The two novas are now in their third existence they have ever been in. The affects here are, if not witness immediately, at least felt by Joe and Smite; they feel as if their in an oxygen deprived area in relation to their node anyhow. After being on earth in their true time when quantum was available in ‘normal’ amounts and then in this time where it is in abundance it is realized that here the quantum flows to them in less amounts than even in earth.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--coloro:#ff00ff--><span style="color:#ff00ff"><!--/coloro-->{{Quantum here will allow half the recharge rates and availability as Aberrant CORE rules.}}<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->The 4 travelers arrive on a raised platform in the middle of a vast castle courtyard. The walls are of white marble and tower over 200 feet high. The ground is paved of the same material in most spots with areas of grass and dirt where horses are meant to be harnessed. A set of stairs leads up from this elevated platform to a balcony some 4 stories up and another leads 2 stories down to the ground. A light cold beeze blows over the area and the snow dusted on the walls and ledges from a month old snow falls in small pieces at the arrival of voices not witnessed in some time.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->“They came from that entrance over there...” Tonya says as she steps to the edge of the platform. The entrance in question is over 300 yards way and is presently closed like all of the other doors and windows in this quiet lonely palace.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->“..and the attack was done ..there. Right in front of the grand fountain.” She then points to a location some 20 yards down near a frozen fountain some 20 yards in diameter. The statue on the fountain is of some10’ tall naked cherub or winged angelic creature brandishing a great pike toward the heavens.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->“They made the distance from the entrance to here at the fountain in under a breath and we could not even mount a defense for our queen. Not that it was always easy to defend Lathan, she never was one to take the flank of the guard.”<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Tonya finishes with a somber breath and stares in recollection.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->“Yes, a lot like her daughter in that manner I think.”<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Reaa says with just a small hint of irritation or sarcasm as she starts down the stairs. With a glance around, she stops several steps down.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->“The palace is empty as expected. We are the only ones here.”<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> =================================================================================<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->After about twenty more minutes, the hacking is finished by Rama. What he comes out with is both interesting and satisfying on some levels but might not be the exact details hunted for. In summary he has learned:<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

• <!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#ff0000--><span style="color:#ff0000"><!--/coloro-->There is no active gate to Ba’alt here in Starhaven.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc--></li>
• <!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#ff0000--><span style="color:#ff0000"><!--/coloro-->He found what is suspected to be a ‘map’ to find the door that lads to Nomikos but only if traced from the bar at the world serpent inn and the map is so complicated it will take a mega-intelligent to trace it.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc--></li>
• <!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#ff0000--><span style="color:#ff0000"><!--/coloro-->There is a room here in Starhaven put aside simply for travel. Called the “room of rifts” it is said that te portals within can lead to “anytime, place or anything in-betwixt.” The room is under constant guard and is itself hidden in a second pocket dimension off of StarHaven<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc--></li>

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->It should also be noted now that you have discovered that StarHaven is not simply a ship or station but a living independent entity. It has vast mental reserves and seems bent on its own survival. Whisper cannot help to think that it ‘allowed’ her to protect Rama and simply toyed with her. There is no evidence of that however and it could be said that she simply overpowered it.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--> <!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->By the time this is done, Joe and Smite ought to be returning from Etyrnytya. Both activities took about an hour. <!--coloro:#ff00ff--><span style="color:#ff00ff"><!--/coloro-->{{we’ll have to wait and see what Smite and Joe do there, but I will be summarizing and not doing full role play.}}<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

Eteryntya11:30 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
Participants: Smite, Crumble.

Smite takes note of the palace as it stands. He follows along in the narrative, but his eyes start to drift to overhangs and alcoves. Looking out as always for an ambush, he seeks the points of defense. This would likely be a helpful understanding of the events as they transpire.

"That is good, it would not due if we were overheard. "

Tonya frowns to smite.
"It has been deserted over 7 years, Its actually a good thing though; the brunt of our numbers are safely stored on Rathien while we can afford short rotations of our guard to areas throughout the galaxy where were neeeded. Not needing strongholds on our homeworld, here, is a very good thing indeed. Especially when reality itself makes it improbable if not impossible for enemies to come here."

{{Tactically, the fortress is set up to be very easy to defend and with a minimum of defenders. It is apparent the architects designed it to stand against overwhleming numbers what with various man-traps, offensively blind corners, and just plain defender-favoring positioning. From Smites vantage point, if her were attacking this area, there are far too many spots where a sniper could be setting and be out of sight. The fact that the palace and grounds are deserted is comforting.}}

Eteryntya11:30 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
Participants: Smite, Crumble.

Joe reaches out with his temporal senses and tries to get a feel for what is allowed and not allowed on this reality without actually breaking the ban. Then he takes a long, long look around and consideres. Adding up what he's read and what the various people have told him, he tries to mentally walk through what happened and see if at least the various accounts are consistant. A thought occurs to him and he says to Smite,

<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue"><!--/coloro-->"We should walk around and get a view of this from several angles... and on a side note, I'm curious of how this place effects your power?"<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->


(OOC: What does Joe think of the idea of firing up some of his powers before making the jump here?)

Using purely latent senses and not charging any quantum, Joe looks around and noted that the entire area is temporally anchored and shielded. As it stands from this perspective he cannot determine how strong the effect is but he can see that the effect itself is about 67 years old (the same amount of times since Lathan was slain).
Then feeling his way around his powers and having some experience with the bitter taste of the Ban backlash, he flexes just a little. NO aftertaste. NO tingling bite of the Ban beginning to rear it's head. It appears safe here, in the palace environs, to use temporal powers.

All the accounts that Joe runs through his head match up, wit the exception of the distance involved. From Lathans story herself, it seemed as if she was much closer to the gate where the assassins entered from. It could all be due to their speed and Lathan not having a perfectly focused perspective of the events in question. From his recollection, this is the one area that she has been completely incapable of returning to temporally since her death.

{{<!--coloro:#ff0000--><span style="color:#ff0000"><!--/coloro-->OOC: What does Joe think of the idea of firing up some of his powers before making the jump here?
powers activated prior to the jump would have likely been negated what with the completely alien and varied reality aspect.)<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

"Joe" continues to walk around the site, looking at various buildings and landmarks, and fixes in his mind how the place would look and where everything was. He wasn't sure where Lily's orb would drop them and he wanted to not be lost whereever he showed up. When he's done, and when Smite seems done with whatever he's evaluating, Joe says,

<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue"><!--/coloro-->"The rules here changed when she was killed. Everything is still accessable to me, but... I can tell the moment she died. Ready to go back?"<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Summary of recent events:<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->
<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#8b0000--><span style="color:#8b0000"><!--/coloro-->Allison and Rama, with help from Whisper crack into the AI of StarHaven. It is discovered that StarHaven is actually a sentient in itself called Ta'Hean. They are certain that the station 'allowed' them to pass because at a certain point in the contest when it felt to Whisper as if they were going to be ejected from the connection, Ta'Hean just stopped.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#8b0000--><span style="color:#8b0000"><!--/coloro-->They get a "road-map" to the possible door to the Library of Nomikos within the World Serpent Inn. They also learn that there is a room here in StarHaven called the Na'aetina portal. It is said that the portal room is guarded and no one is given access there, not even the Lords of StarHaven, Na'aetina is said to be triggered only by the drawing in of a certain sub-space energy that it not normally stored in capacitors on the station. Glean was standing by Allison the entire time.
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->
<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#8b0000--><span style="color:#8b0000"><!--/coloro-->Chronos and Smite travel to Eternytya and investigate the location of Lathans death. The palace there has long been abandoned since the AllWar. Chronos has a better mental image now and should be able to use the bracelet with a higher degree of accuracy.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#8b0000--><span style="color:#8b0000"><!--/coloro-->Smite, just prior to traveling with Chronos, signed up to do a Raeke in the Nova exposition. This Raeke is going to be the "coming out" of the 'enlightened terrans' and is sure to be of interest to everyone in the station. The contest is due to take place shortly.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#8b0000--><span style="color:#8b0000"><!--/coloro-->Asche and Kara have a brief Family meeting in the Rathien apartments with Toya, Tonya, Lokymean, Fier, and a select few members of House Lonn.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc--><!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->
<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->
<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--fonto:Verdana--><span style="font-family:Verdana"><!--/fonto-->StarHaven
16:00 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
<!--sizeo:2--><span style="font-size:10pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#ff8c00--><span style="color:#ff8c00"><!--/coloro-->Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->
Now, all those that are interested are gathered in the Main Arena sitting center station. The Raekes are about to begin. Smite has not yet been called down to get ready and is assumed to be sitting with the group consisting of Asche, Toya, Lokymean, and whoever else of the team are there. You all got into the reserved seating through Toya and are ringside the huge, multi-spatial arena.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->A Raeke begins in which a Logrokai (read: and Orc) with high-tech weapons and equip asks to have his people as a whole invited to Starhaven. The Lords then develop (through a series of intricate manifestation and matter creations that shape the Arena into a sort of dungeon-maze that all the audience is somehow able to see through walls to observe the contest) a Raeke in which the Logrokai has to navigate a series of obstacles and dangers only to die fighting five unarmed and loin-cloth clad martial artists. The fight is brief and two of the five champions are slain. The safeties were off and StarHaven claims three more lives this day.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

<!--fonto:Times New Roman--><span style="font-family:Times New Roman"><!--/fonto--><!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo-->Smites Raeke is coming up next. The announcer is making a big to do about the whole ordeal and by observing the audience, it is apparent that there is not a disinterested one in the house. During the last Raeke (the one described above), Allison picks out of the crowd a face the team has not seen in a long time.

Genine Ebherhart is in an upper level from where the team is sitting and is in a section that is empty save for six others sitting near her. Allison is immediately aware that all are Nova's and all are part of the security detail for ODIN and ERI (Lucinda (Caliber), Refuge, Virago, an unknown black man, Impulse, and Glimmer). Of the seven nova's only Lucinda is not watching the Raeke but instead is casting hard glares in the directions of the team, and especially in the direction of Asche.<!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--fontc--></span><!--/fontc-->

Eteryntya11:30 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
Participants: Smite, Crumble.

Standing around observing things, Joe has a thought and turning to the two ladies he says,

<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue"><!--/coloro-->"A theory I've been toying with is that there was another Temporal Manipulator here, but his or her presense was masked by Sight Blinder. I know it's a lot to ask, but did you see anything... well... harmless that was out of place on that day?"<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

Joe reflects, And maybe the question itself will give Smite enough to guess where they'd be.

Smite begins to mull over the area, trying to discover were a temporal manipulator could have acted and yet avoided notice. They would need to be close if Chronos was any indication of their ability, and temporal editing generally causes minor inconsistences in what might have gone on. Smite will examine the area and the scenario for the most like point of interference, the place were the most change could be managed with the least effort.

Smite watched as the competitors from the previous Raeke are butchered. Blood sport was something the masses never really tired of, no matter how civilized they would like to pretend to be. His gaze flew to his fellow combatants in the stands. And he used the power of the lesser orb that he had been given to scour the crowd for other novas. Having completed this task, he quietly puts it away and checks his multitude of weapons. He had a vast area of traditional and otherwise weaponry, in truth to disarm him would have been a long and pointless endevor.

He could feel the eyes of the ODIN and ERI security teams, looking into both himself and his team. They would bare watch. But with his gear checked and stored, he started to mold his attire to something a bit more flamboyant and eye catching than normal. It would be good to have them focus on the clothing and ignore the uncovered face. Though I suspect I could get away with a mask, the rules are long and he was no expert. But still, he was ready to move.

Eteryntya11:30 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
Participants: Smite, Crumble.
<!--quoteo--><div class='quotetop'>QUOTE</div><div class='quotemain'><!--quotec-->Smite gives one or two likely areas where the Sword of Stealth might be used from. At first is is a long list of 5-8 locations but he narrows it down to the 2 most likely.

Reaa and Tonya both say that they are relatively certain that the Sword of Stealth was not there. They explain that is was jut months earlier that Lathan had locked it up tight in the Rathien vaults on planet Rathien Prime. As far as they both know, its still there.<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->Joe fixes the places where it might be in his mind and surpresses a smirk when Reaa and Tonya say it's unlikely. If they're right then all the temporal manipulators will be on the same side, and that would make everything so much easier. This has been a very worth while meeting... the chances of success increased between 5 and 15 percent, and that increase was taken by subtracting from the chances of dramatic failure.

(After returning)

Joe gives Reaa and Tonya his sincere thanks and tells them they'll know what he finds out. Then he takes his wrapped assassin's weapon back to where he left Allison.

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->StarHaven
16:00 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--coloro:#ffa500--><span style="color:#ffa500"><!--/coloro-->Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->Glean sits (or stands if able and polite, no blocking a view of others behind) near Allison but behind her in the next row. Taking a defensive vantage at all times and trying hard not to underestimate the combat going on in the Arena.

It is no small thing to him that his old friends are sitting across the arena; mega perception having spotted them as they entered the arena. Although he is probably unrecognizable in his dark-suit and Helm, part of him longs to go to them. If it is possible for her to see, he is returning the cold glare to Lucinda. Those with QA will lnote the energies about Glean begins to concentrate as Glean gets ready for anything.

"Looks like we have some old friends here as well?"
He says as he gently puts his hand on Allisons shoulder and nundges Smite in some casual manner.

"Straight across the arena, level 3, 5 sections over from the main stair. Allison, perhaps this is not the safest place for you right now, I do recall that Lucinda wanted to take out anyone that could see the future in the old days, you might still be a target."<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

Allison shakes her head a little.

"Don't worry, Glean. A lot's changed since the old days. But I'll let you know if I feel anything coming."

She pauses, then says, "There IS a strange feeling in the air...not exactly a premonition or vision. Just...hmm...I'll see if I can nail it down any better..."

<!--sizeo:3--><span style="font-size:12pt;line-height:100%"><!--/sizeo--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->StarHaven
16:00 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--sizec--></span><!--/sizec--><!--coloro:#ffa500--><span style="color:#ffa500"><!--/coloro-->Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.

Joe isn't quite sure what to make of this whole experience. To him "Trial by combat" had never seemed to be a good idea, but here it was being done on a cosmic level and many significant powers were good with the concept. Noting Glean's powerering up, Joe tenses and gets ready to move.

" :blink:

StarHaven
16:00 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.

<!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->The announcer, standing on an outcropping more resembling a long stone plank high above the floor, bellows out his call;

"NOW THE EVENT MOST OF YOU ARE HERE FOR!
THEY HAVE BEEN HEARD OF BY RUMOR AND ARE SPECULATED TO BE INVINCIBLE.
SOME ARE EVEN SAID TO BE HARBINGERS OF DISEASE AND THEN END OF ALL NON- TERRANS.
BUT HERE TONIGHT WE HAVE A SPECIAL TREAT!!

DRAMATIC PAUSE

WE HAVE AN ENLIGHTENED TERRAN. A POWERED MAN, BY WHATEVER NAME, A NOVA FOR US ALL TO SEE.
NOT ONLY THAT, BUT THE NOVA HAS AGREED TO A DEMONSTRATION OF ABILITY FOR US ALL.

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->DRAMATIC PAUSE

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->HAILING FROM SOMEWHERE BETWEEN OLD TERRA AND THE CASHMERE PROVINCE I AM PROUD TO INTRODUCE YOU ALL TOO
LUCINDA -CALIBER- MCGUFFY OF OLD HOUSTON.

The crowd is simply beside itself as the announcer stops talking for a moment. Then they are even louder as Lucinda leaps from the 7th balcony, about 5 stories up, and onto the arena floor. Her grace and style are impressive, especially to the non-nova's. Her black leather duster flows dramatically as she raises her hands at shoulder level and sprints short bursts of speed around the arena jumping nimbly over impossibly fast appearing obstacles.
Her jumps are well above and beyond human norm as are her reflexes and strength, which is shown as some other various feats. Most impressive is her ability to dodge which is displayed when the announcer comes back:

AS IMPRESSIVE AS THAT IS, WE DECIDED WE WOULD STEP IT UP A BIT.
LUCINDA, WOULD YOU ALLOW US TO APPLY SOME POSSIBLE DANGER TO THE DISPLAY? WE WILL TURN THE SAFETY ON.

Lucinda returns with a thumbs down implying that the safety be let off but agrees to the tests.
There is then a series of turrets that pop up and begin firing at her. Projectile, laser, shot, you name it. All are dodged effortlessly in a display that seems impossible even for a nova, then it stops and the announcer comes back out.

AND TO ADD A NEXT LEVEL TO ALL OF THIS FOLKS, IT GETS EVEN BETTER AS LUCINDA ALLOWED US TO DRAW FROM ALL OF YOU IN OUR MYSTERY EVENT.
AS YOU ALL SEEMED TO KNOW THE LORDS OF THE RAEKE, WE HAD NO ONE AGREE TO THE MYSTERY EVENT, ESPECIALLY AFTER THOSE SPECTACULAR FAILURES LAST MEET.
ALL SAVE ONE OF YOU THAT IS.

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->DRAMATIC PAUSE

NOW LET ME INTRODUCE YOU ALL TO OUR CONTESTANT THAT IS WILLING TO GO UP AGAINST LUCINDA TONIGHT.
HE HAILS FROM THE CASHMERE PROVINCE AND BEYOND AND SEEMS TO BE AS TOUGH AS HE IS LACKING IN WORDS.
AND ON TOP OF THAT, HE TOO IS A NOVA!!

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->DRAMATIC PAUSE
The crowd goes nuts!! this time its overwhelingly loud and the announcer has to quiet everyone down.

PUT YOUR HANDS TOGETHER FOR BARON THOMAS OF YORK!!!

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->
{{At this, Smite please get yourself to the arena in whatever fashion you can. You are on equal levels as Lucinda was, that is to say, about 5 stories up. Post your intro and then whether or not Smite takes note of the safety being off prior to the contest. Any wounds will be dealt with only by whatever means at your own disposal and not by the Matrix.
Also, please pause for Allison, she was give some input and she might say something prior to your entering.
Take warning that in your time, she was the number one ranked offensive capability nova and proud of it.}}
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

:blink:
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

After a pause, Allison says appropos of nothing, "Her future is...missing."

She frowns and concentrates.

"There's something...she has something with her, an item with a primal signature. I think it's blocking her future from my sight."

Allison glances back at Glean.

"I guess she's still hunting precogs...a device like that would let her take them by surprise, even if they were so strong they didn't think it was possible TO take them by surprise. I'm glad you said something. An ordinary scan wouldn't have turned anything up even if she was seconds away from burning through my head with a laser."

"I guess I'll give her a wide berth."

Glean simply remains vigilant in all this but is staring intently at Lucinda 'Caliber' McGuffy. Only once or twice through the several minutes of the show does he glance expectantly at Allison only to see she is not readying herself or in any manner getting defensive. All the more for Glean to stay on alert, Glean lifs himself off the ground a few inches and begins to hover instead of stand.

Glean simply remains vigilant in all this but is staring intently at Lucinda 'Caliber' McGuffy. Only once or twice through the several minutes of the show does he glance expectantly at Allison only to see she is not readying herself or in any manner getting defensive. All the more for Glean to stay on alert, Glean lifs himself off the ground a few inches and begins to hover instead of stand.
<!--QuoteEnd--></div><!--QuoteEEnd-->

"Glean," Allison says to him quietly. "You won't be helping me or yourself if you make a spectacle. Try to relax a little."

StarHaven
16:00 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.

As Smite hears the roar of the crowd fill his ears, and the announcer call out the name he had been given. He considers the mask again, and decides to dawn one. Allison had indicated that she was a precog hunter and any chances that she might recognized him and trace him back to Allison would be avoided. The Eufiber flowed upward, creating a mask of seeming clothing to just above his eyebrows. It was a mat black with white eyes, lacking any other weakness save for the top of his head.

He leaping from the stands in such a ways as to obscure his point of origin, he lands audible onto the Raeke's stage. He can feel the slight tremble of impact in his heels from the landing. It was mildly discomforting and intentionally so, as he need to know if the "safety" was on. His heels would be slightly sore in the morning, but the discomfort told him what he needed to know.

He was vistooned with weaponry, and ready for all that might come. As his after images started to fade he noticed how effortlessly she was dodging those blows. He might have done the same, but there was no way to tell now who was the more agile. So it would be an interesting fight.

StarHaven
16:00 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
<!--coloro:#ff8c00--><span style="color:#ff8c00"><!--/coloro-->Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.

<!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->Smites Raeke
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->
Smite lands with a thud that impacts the floor with enough impact it can be felt reverberating among nearbye sections of seats. The crowd again is pleased at the display of extraordinary sights from the historically ordinary terrans. By nature, terrans were 'powerless' and without esoteric abilities but this never held them back. It was always the terrans training and technological advancements that made them formidable, along with their seeming undying loyalty to each other. But these terrans were something more and were thus something to consider especially if it was a wave of the future.

THE NATURE OF THE RAEKE IS ALREADY DETERMINED AS A FREE FOR ALL. NO RESTRICTIONS EXCEOT THAT IT MUST BE DONE WITHIN THE CONFOUNDS OF THE ARENA MATRIX.

The announcers voice comes loudly over the crowds roar.

THE CHALLENGED DOES HOWEVER GET TO STIPULATE FURTHER STRICTIONS UPON THE STYLE AND METHOD.
CALIBER, IS THERE ANY THING YOU WOULD WISH TO ADD BEFORE THE MATRIX IS SET TO PROTECT THE WINTESSES?

Caliber casts an analytical glance at Smite and tries to quickly purvey the fact she is not surprised to see only another nova come to challenge her. She flares her duster back and where there was nothing moments ago, there are a pair of heavy pistols strapped to her legs.
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->[attachment=43:Caliber_toon.jpg]
<!--coloro:#ff8c00--><span style="color:#ff8c00"><!--/coloro--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->
"None here. I'll just do my best to put on a good show."
Lucinda says without taking her eyes off Smite.

OK THEN..... LETS GET THIS CONTEST GOING. AND REMEMBER FOR BOTH OF YOUR SAKES, THE SAFETY IS OFF.
BUT STARHAVEN STANDS FOR NO COLD BLOODED KILLING. ONCE THE OPPONENT IS DOWN THE CONTEST IS OVER.

The announcer retreats from the plank but not before spheres of energy encapsulate both Smite and Lucinda. The arena shifts and metamorphoses into what can be described as a street taken right out of third world Beirut amongst some terrorist or guerillla wars. overturned cars, cracked streets, knocked over lampposts, random burning wreckage, smoke, and no real line of sight over 200 feet.

For Smite and Lucinda, the view shifts entirely adn they are no longer physically in Starhaven any longer. It is as if theay are actually there in the city. The Horizon shifts and stretches to go on for miles. Buildings jut up out of the arena floor and both can watch the spheres land their opponent some 300 yards or so away but behind cover. A voice is heard coming from the skies:

IF THERE ARE LULLS IN THE CONTEST OF OVER 90 SECONDS, THE BOUT WILL BE DECLARED BALANCED AND YOU WILL BE BROUGHT OUT OF THE MATRIX.

When the opponets move away from each other, if they do, the view for the audience shifts and zooms in or out as if the arena is just one big liquid tri-vid but it still holds the appearance of being 3D.

{{Note. Lucinda does appear to have low levels of Mega appearance and Manipulation, followed by higher levels of Perception, Dexterity, and possibly Strength. There are no mega socials in effect but in whatever position Lucinda takes, its like a page out of a fashion magazine Picture Perfect. She also seems to be a very confident combatant}}

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->Combat State<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
<!--coloro:#ff8c00--><span style="color:#ff8c00"><!--/coloro--><!--coloro:#000000--><span style="color:#000000"><!--/coloro-->{{Presently Lucinda and Smite cannot see each other but it is suspected that they are right around 300 yards apart down a long street.
Smite has a dead end on his side but its not for about another 50 yards behind him.
Obstacles in between the two combatants will prevent them from being spotted until they are about 200 feet from each other.
Smoke in the area will add modifiers to combatant without Mega Perception.
Some obstacles can be stood on top of to get a longer LOS.}}

<!--coloro:#ff0000--><span style="color:#ff0000"><!--/coloro-->Please state declarations of intent without results in your posts.<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc--><!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

Feel free to be as cinematic as you like. Both Contestants are extremely agile and skilled so it should be something extreme.

StarHaven
16:00 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
<!--coloro:#ff8c00--><span style="color:#ff8c00"><!--/coloro-->Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.

[color:#000000]Smites Raeke
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->[color:#000000]

He pauses a moment as the announcements start. He offers no response to her statement save a smile hidden by the mask. She was a showman, that much was obvious and arrogant too. There were ways to place into that, and things she would be expecting. Things were starting to fall into to place. Now, lets see which she goes for.

Using the temporary cover of the smoke and obstacles to manage a few battle field preparations.

{{ Moving through the columns and rumble towards his opponent, he takes to start sliding Claymore mines from his jacket and adhering them to objects as he paces. They were controlled by transmitter and they certainly make for an interesting few suprises. As he nears the 200 ft mark, he slides the Desert Eagles from his coat pocket and starts to move more swiftly.

Afterimages follow along his path like a pursuing hound, always on his heel. Running up the side of a still standing column, he was able to catch sight of her. And that was when he opened fire. Not that he expected for her to be gun down quite this easily, but how she dealt with it would say something. If she simply dodged in place and then returned fire, he would respond by sliding down the back of the pillar and then side kicking pieces of it towards her as he went.

If she dodged on the run, he would keep pace along the tops of columns and the rubble of former structures. He would try to see just how fast she really was.

If she started shooting his bullets out of the air, he would slide down the front of the column and continue firing. Eventually he would try to close enough to be in close quarters and see how it plays then.}}

Edited by Narrator for Intent in Italics. My apologies.

After the startling revelations of Te'Hean, Rama had been quiet and contemplative. So much was new here, and he harbored no illusions of understanding. Best to wait, and observe, until the moment of correct action was revealed to him.

The Arena was spectacular, and enormous. Rama watched the proceedings with interest and some mild distate as the Logrokai was defeated in the virtual dungeon. Obviously in this place, at this level of reality, Might did make Right. An answer befitting any Brahmin to be sure.

But he had little time to ponder the further signifigance of that train of thought for now his own companions were in the spotlight. In particular, this Nova woman, Lucinda, seemed to be enjoying her showboating on the arena floor. Rama noted the reactions of his companions and the looks exchanged in the stands between the two opposing groups of Novas.

While Lucinda demonstarted her prowess, Rama thought it wise to look at her beyond the veil and get an idea of how much of a threat she posed to Smite. After all the safeties were off and it would be tragic to lose a fellow team member to such brutality.

Immediately Rama sensed something was off. For one thing, her Quantum signature was distorted, no...somwhow cloaked to appear less than what it was. There was also something else. Other sources of quantum on her person, unrelated to her own pattern. Quickly, Rama surmised that these must be some sort of Quantum gadgetry, similar to experiments conducted by Alinsky and other's back home. One of these was powerful enough to almost completely haze over Lucinda's signature.

The Blue-Skinned godling turned to Glean and Alison standing beside him.

<!--coloro:#4169E1--><span style="color:#4169E1"><!--/coloro-->"Something is not right. This woman is making use of quantum artifacts. Is that allowed under the terms of the Raeke? Should we warn Smite? I fear he may be underestimating his opponent to deathly consequence..."<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

"Joe" says,

<!--coloro:blue--><span style="color:blue"><!--/coloro-->"I don't know about 'underestimating' but Lucinda, aka 'Cin' aka 'Caliber', is a top of the line killing machine, even by nova standards. If I'm remembering correctly her big power is that gun of hers, it is the bullets which become her massive quantum bolts.."<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->

StarHaven
16:20 hours
Tuesday, December (Suruan) 14, 498 CY
<!--coloro:#ff8c00--><span style="color:#ff8c00"><!--/coloro-->Participants: Allison, Smite, Crumble, Whisper, Rama, Glean.
<!--colorc--></span><!--/colorc-->
Smites Raeke
Smite does indeed see Lucinda when he finally comes into a sort of clearing in the wreckage and debris of the street. She is standing atop a over turned car, gracefully straddling the drive shaft. Her hands are at her sides but as she spots Smite it is her "Hey you!!" that brings Smites eyes to her some 75 yards away. When he turns to her he sees her raise both hands in the classic "Bring it" wave made popular by wrestlers of our day like the Rock.

Then Smite rains down some of his testing fire. Lucinda dodged the first onslaught without even moving her feet or drawing her weapon. A second burst from Smite and she is cartwheels off the car and hop-runs and dodges toward him. The speed in which she travels is great, compared to a human, but nowhere near displaying quantum powered speed (ie; hyper-whatever)

Range now less than 150 feet.

Smites blasts are never coming within closer than 4-6 inches, a big miss from people like Smite. The grin on her face tells that she is not even really trying yet, or she is putting on a good act as such. Then on her last ducking-flipping-weave a pistol no in hand fires of a short burst of three. It seems to be such a wild and random set of shots that comes out of nowhere that one hits Smite surprisingly right between is eyes. Her first two shots helped her focus in on the true image that was Smites. The crushed slug of the bullet falls to the ground without so much as fazing Smite and there is no knockback but Smite lets him self slide down the pillar returning fire as Lucinda heads for close cover.

As Lucinda gracefully lands behind another down vehicle, she pops her head out, now with a glowing pink eye and says tauntingly;

"You give up yet? That coulda just as as well been powered up there 'Baron.'"


Arena Perspective

Smite does not look tried yet but with his current effort level, this is going to be a short fight. The cro