X-Champions Issues
Issue #30 - Earthly Terror
Sammy is dumbfounded at Sihn's talk of his and Jane's mating (see Supplemental Notes to issue 28). He hems and haws, saying nothing for the longest time, until Jane speaks up and says what Sammy is thinking but afraid to say to the overpowering Dr. Sihn, "Why don't we just worry about it when we need to worry about it?" Sammy joins in, "Yeah! Don't worry, you've taught me well, Dad!"
No one expects Sihn's reaction - a non-reaction. Suddenly distracted, Sihn excuses himself. Little does Sammy realize this may be the last time he ever sees his father figure...
Before taking leave (see Issue 31, Cosmic Terror Part 1), Sihn lets his colleagues know via a hasty note and a brief word to Laughton, so that it's obvious it's really him, that he has to leave for what may be a short time - or a long time - and not to be concerned. He doesn't stop to talk and takes his leave. Laughton guesses it has something to do with the Necronomicon and imagines that if Sihn ends up gone for 10 millennia, he'll be the only person around that Sihn knows. He imagines that doesn't provide any comfort to the science-mage.
Suzanne Palmer and Hamlet Laughton chat as they update each other. Suzanne mentions the thoughts that Mel, of Phoenix Mel's, has regarding the mayor being involved somehow in cultivating ties to Sammy and/or the Justice Squad. As they speak Laughton is busy multi-tasking, working on a self-help book along the lines of late night infomercials, on how to be a detective, entitled "How to Find Out Anything About Anyone" and subtitled "Be Your Own Detective." He intends to create his own infomercial to sell the book and its services. The book is an ongoing money-maker, replete with a premise to create a multi-level information gathering society, a sort of pyramid scheme. Chapter Three is entirely about duct tape. In fact the duct tape company is still in contact with the Justice Squad regarding an endorsement; Suzanne is looking into setting up a dummy corporation to handle the finances.
The next day a grim cloud appears over Sihn-Tek, engulfing the two top floors. Giles discusses the situation with Spectrum: some kind of dimensional portal is open above Sihn-Tek, and they surmise Sihn, missing, is involved. Giles has taken charge of the building despite his lack of any status within Sihn-Tek and sent its laboring scientists home. The Mysterymen are away, leaving only the Buffy gang to safeguard the portal, which threatens to unleash horrifying creatures. They also work to ensure no one enters the building. As Spectrum and Giles speak, a shrieking is heard from the sky, and a Byakhee is seen flying out and too rapidly away. Giles returns to work with the rest of his crew.
Spectrum finds Laughton, busily setting up his "you can be a millionaire" set in his office. Sammy is hanging out there as well, giving Hamlet acting tips. As Suzanne walks in she overhears Sammy explaining, "You need a tan, Hamlet." She adds, "You have to exercise those legs, too." Sammy suggests buffing up; Spectrum speculates Laughton will just find a way to make a buffed-up human form. Hamlet replies he has the Lance Armstrong book and is all set. Suzanne finally interrupts, asking Sammy to let them speak privately; she knows Sammy is still emotionally young.
She explains to Laughton what is going on; meanwhile, Sammy wanders over to Sihn-Tek to check on his own "lab" there. He's greeted at the door by Cordelia, who rudely snips, "You can't come in, shoo, shoo!" Sammy, confused, responds, "You know who I am right?" thinking that Cordelia has some sort of amnesia. She merely confirms she does and nags, "Go away, no bubbly-crawly things here!" She slams the door.
Curious and undeterred, Sammy gives her a few moments to go away from the doorway, remaining silent. Then he turns into his oozing self and attempts to go through the minute crack in the door. A mysterious force blocks his way though, as if he's too weak to exert himself to get through the crack. He turns on his acidic secretion, but it does nothing useful. He loses interest and goes back to helping Laughton - by writing a jingle for his paid ad.
After briefing Laughton, Palmer goes to see how far up the cloud goes. It extends a mile into the sky. She remains mind-linked with Hamlet, keeping him informed (as well as for backup). She contacts Willow as well for some help but is unable to reach her mind through the same barrier keeping Sammy out. So she uses her cell phone, which works fine. Willow seems distracted, and suddenly she drops the phone. After a few seconds of screaming and the apparent sound of the "Scooby Gang" (as J. Jonah Jameson has recently dubbed "a group of kids who got away after faking a vampire attack") keeping something at bay. Then Willow picks the phone up again and, out of breath, agrees to come by and briefly consult.
She makes her way through a mob of reporters now assembled outside of Laughton Agency and Sihn-Tek. As she reaches Laughton he has his aluminum mental protection hat on; she questions it at first and then humors Laughton, winking at her friend Suzanne. Via mind-link, Suzanne points out it really is an aluminum hat and Laughton has found a way to make it work, albeit with a few extras.
Sammy meanwhile joins the throng of reporters and looks up at the cloud. He mingles, working up a story and speculating wildly with the others. He meets up with the Justice Squad's reporter associate, Fritz Cunningham of the Detroit Free Press.
As Willow and Spectrum consult, Willow speculates that even if they can shut the portal completely, she fears it will forever trap Sihn, assuming he's on the other side of it. Laughton interjects, joking they better close it up then. Spectrum, at Laughton's ever-curious urging and egging on, agrees to attempt to scan for minds in the cloud, in part to see if any creatures reside there as well as with some hope Sihn may be there. She is sharply attacked by some weird force that, while not enough to hurt her badly, is enough to force her to be more cautious. Laughton gets out his special binoculars with infrared and telescopic abilities. He finds a heat source at the center of the cloud, no doubt the portal itself. Thus armed with harder data on where to seek with her mind, Suzanne reaches into the portal...and her mind is consumed with visions so unusual it rattles her. She cannot articulate anything of it, she just "senses" all matter of unnatural and vile creatures and scenery. She babbles incoherently, starting to rave. Willow quickly helps to heal her friend, using her magical abilities and bringing Suzanne back to near-sanity. Still, she mutters about canaries with big teeth, gerbils, and big fat chinchillas taking over the world.
Concerned about the Mysterymen who are unaccounted for, Hamlet calls Mr. Furious' cell phone. Roy is equally busy; when asked of his whereabouts, he shouts into the phone, "Doc Magnus' house. See ya later," and abruptly hangs up.
Laughton and Willow talk about the portal and Laughton concludes going into the portal would be a bad idea. Suzanne nods and responds, "I feel like a cheese sandwich." At least she means that she wants one, not that she actually feels like she is one, a sure sign of her rapid recovery. They go downstairs to the secret base, while Willow heads back to help out the Scooby Gang.
Sammy hears that the mayor is coming; still disguised as a reporter, attempts to enter the Laughton Agency to let the other Justice Squad members know, but is at first kept out by Manny and Pagliacchi. After he whispers his identity and demonstrates a facial display secretly, he quickly enters just in advance of the mayor. Hamlet comes out of the elevator, greeting them as the mayor arrives. Spectrum comes up a few minutes later, sandwich and glass of milk in hand. Sammy brings the mayor a Mountain Dew and a baloney sandwich (along with a few for himself).
The mayor launches into his upset state, complaining how his ulcer is acting up. Laughton observes the cause must be the cloud, to which the mayor sarcastically replies, "Now, you MUST be the smartest man in the world, Hamlet, with thinkin' like that" Laughton offers up that he'll volunteer to keep people away from the cloud.
The mayor is dismissive of the least they can do, and asks if they'd mind explaining what's going on. Laughton quickly responds, "Yes, actually I would mind." Sammy, having been around Laughton long enough, brings up the mayor might prefer to remain with plausible deniability - and Laughton congratulates Sammy.
The mayor presses Laughton for "an" explanation, "any explanation" that will allay the reporters and the city. Laughton's mind works furiously and he immediately whips up an explanation that Sihn-Tek has put up a new microwave tower currently generating a harmless magnetic field, which in turn reacts with the stormy weather Detroit has started having to create this dense cloud. He uses his array of knowledge to make this sound plausible, discussing condensation and how the cloud is "harmless". The mayor nods as if convinced, and in preparation for leaving, mentions, "Well, of course, there will be microwaves in the air that can be tested and measured. Of course." Laughton responds, "Of course. Just give me 10 minutes before you announce to the press as...I'm busy right now," and with that he disappears. Sammy also disappears - to go call in his "scoop". Mayor Berry prepares himself, and consults with the team and agrees to some duplicity for the sake of appearances: Sammy will appear with the mayor as Sihn, while Spectrum keeps Sammy mind-linked with Laughton who will tell him what to say. They resolve to keep the press conference short. In the meantime the Justice Squad has the microwave oven from Laughton Agency jury-rigged with the help of Gere-luce and put inside a high-tech-looking container. It's hoisted onto the roof by Spectrum's telekinetic powers.
But later a scream is heard from the alley behind Sihn-Tek and Laughton Agency. The Justice Squad is quickly upon the scene, finding Fritz dead on the ground. His eyes are wide open, bug-eyed looking. On his hands and feet are suction cups suitable for climbing. They are mysteriously burnt. Laughton surreptitiously recovers Fritz' notebook and camera - mostly interested in ensuring there are no pictures from inside the cloud. As they work out the details, Spectrum agrees to "get the gerbils right on it," but is otherwise okay. Laughton also peels a few layers off the suction cup and when 911 services arrive Laughton points out the "inferior design" of the cups which led to his fall as he tried to scale the building.
Giles meets up with the Justice Squad just prior to the press conference and inquires as to what's going on at the rooftop and alley. He mentions Buffy is wondering why a microwave oven is in a box on the roof. Spectrum, having experienced the cloud first-hand, is stunned to hear she could have entered, let alone looked around, inside the cloud. All is explained.
The press conferences goes well. "Sihn" is quickly whisked away after a few questions and the mayor regroups with the Justice Squad. He presses his offer for deputization, complaining about their non-response. Sammy immediately responds, "I'd be honored!" Spectrum mutters, "If he could deputize the ants, he'd have eyes everywhere." They point out that they can't make the decision without Sihn, cutting Sammy off. Before he leaves, the mayor mentions to Spectrum he's accepted her Halloween party invitation. It comes up in conversation that while Laughton has to pass his guest list to Spectrum beforehand, Sammy has to pass his to Laughton so Laughton can review it even before Spectrum does.
With the situation at Sihn-Tek apparently under control, the Justice Squad takes up the mayor at his request to patrol on Devil's Night. Nightshade, fresh from New York, joins. They run across the fire demons again; fortunately Laughton recalls them so no mishaps occur as he explains them to the Justice Squad. The fire demons are relieved there's no The Captain this year, and chat a bit with the gang.
And the Halloween party the next night off as planned. Laughton, who beforehand said he was going as a form they haven't seen yet, shows up as a huge ball of flame. Sammy and Jane show up as Lancelot and Guenevere. Nightshade goes as Necromancer, while Spectrum is dressed as Morticia. Spectrum ensure there's no parcheesi at the party, as some demon-friends-of-friends are coming. The poor weather keeps things quiet, and any hoodlums who see the Justice Squad nearby flee. Food is well-planned for as filled dumpsters are put out back for Sammy and Jane. The Scooby Gang is there without Giles, who is taking his turn watching over Sihn-Tek and the barely-blocked portal.
Spiderman also shows up at the party, dressed as himself. He enjoys relaxing as no one thinks it's really him, and chats with Sammy near the front door. Suddenly a loud knocking is heard; in bad disguises, it's the Jerky Boys. Sammy recognizes them immediately from the smell, and Spiderman makes an excuse to leave, indicating he's going on patrol. Sammy volunteers to come along but after considering the weather outside - Detroit is now in thrall of an unseasonable blizzard - decides that he, along with Jane, will remain at the party.
As the Jerky Boys enter, Sammy and the nearby-Rodin can overhear them talking. One whispers loudly to the other, "Yo, I pissed in the rose garden!" Rodin asks Sammy to open the door, and the flaming ball floats to the Jerky Boys, transforming to a larger "Flaming Head of Death." He scares them a good bit, though not as much as he'd hoped, still forcing them to back up. Spectrum hollers over asking someone to be sure the cat door was adequately fireproof, but the fiery Rodin form is self-controlled enough to not cause damage. Rodin maneuvers the boys towards the door as he gets larger. They're pushed back to the front steps as Spectrum comes over to see them off. They start to get headaches. Disgusted and out-classed, they resolve to leave. One of them hollers at her, "You tell Sihn he wants to find us, it was your fault we ain't around."
Sammy runs into the demon who tried to enslave him months before. The demon says hello but Sammy just stays away, not speaking. Later, as things wind down, Sammy puts on an Elvis show.
After the party Spectrum finds two newspaper clippings sitting on her table, both regarding men who disappeared, with homicide suspected, and left behind wives. The next day she consults with Laughton. There are too many fingerprints on it for him to get anything meaningful. He does see the clippings are four days apart but judging from the edges they were cut from the papers on the days they respectively came out. He determines the party who cut them had an immediate interest, perhaps foreknowledge, and was not simply researching something after the fact.
But there's no time to consider it as Laughton is interrupted. Velda calls back to tell him that a federal agent has arrived, but the agent bursts in as she talks to Laughton - and just as Laughton hits the 9th digit on his phone in calling WEB. He has a black crewcut, black suit and tie, and large reflector sunglasses (similar to Lou Reed's from the '70s). He announces himself in terse, arrogant fashion as "Richard Weed," and acknowledges the implicit joke humorlessly, saying "I can be a Richard or I can be a Dick, the choice is yours.". He informs the Justice Squad that "Your asses belong to me," as he is assigned to be their single government liaison. Laughton leaves his cell phone, below the desk, on to capture the conversation.
Weed immediately bosses the Justice Squad around. He gives Sammy $20 to go get him a cigar, telling him to get whatever it will buy and "keep the change". He refers to Spectrum as "little lady" at one point and requests coffee. She goes to get him coffee - down the street, taking her time. The liaison grouses at Laughton at the time it takes. Spectrum mentally contacts Laughton to ask if he wants doughnuts, and of course he does, saying nothing to Weed.
As the team reassembles some 30 minutes later, Weed listens to their objections at being saddled with him so abruptly and without any senior explanation. He merely responds, "Why don't you take it up with GW?" Laughton asks if this has anything to do with the Rosicrucians, which causes Weed to at least pause his rapid-fire stream of orders and arrogance out of puzzlement. Still, as Weed explains the government needs them and offers what support they can get, Sammy is impressed and offers his support when he learns he can have access to a military PX. Weed points to Sammy's enthusiasm, to which Laughton counters, "All you have to do is say baloney and you have his support."
Before long - well before he's ejected out of frustration - Weed reveals why the Justice Squad is being contacted. First, under the new auspices of the Homeland Security Office, mutants will have a sole government liaison. The Justice Squad gets him. He mentions they are to cease any other government contacts, focusing solely on him. He goes so far as to indicate they don't defecate without seeing him, that all actions are to be cleared through him.
Then he offers up that the government needs the Justice Squad's services. There is a "WMD" (Weapons of Mass Destruction) program in Iran [NB - in this campaign world Iraq was dealt with a while back and a semi-puppet government took over after Hussein's death]. Weed reveals the "axis of evil" program and that the help of a stealthy metahuman team is needed to go in and take care of this WMD program "quietly". As fantastic as it sounds, it turns out the Iranians have found a way to clone dinosaurs. The government wants the program terminated, with all dinosaurs dead, the scientists responsible captured or killed, along with the government official known to be involved. Details are scarce; they are to meet an American sympathizer in Iran who knows a Colonel Omar Mohammed ibn Wahaf, the man running the program. From there the Justice Squad should be able to establish contact with the Colonel and go from there. Laughton indicates he needs 20 minutes to come up with an inventory of needed items, and Weed indicates he'll have them ready to head out in 4 hours after that.
Sammy asks, "Are we like secret agents now?" Weed, wanting to find a bar (it's only 10 AM), says, "Sammy, come with me." Then he asks Sammy for a good bar and they end up at O'Malley's. Laughton, via Spectrum who is keeping them connected the whole time, mentally reminds Sammy to ensure this goes on the government's tab.
At the bar, Weed demands the couple of older drunks there leave, and offers to pay O'Malley a substantial amount to keep the bar open only for him and Sammy. One of the drunks slurs at Weed, "I know the Jushtice Squad, you can' do this ta me!" Weed asks Sammy to remove the men, and Sammy, looking liike a big beefy agent guy, dutifully does, informing the drunk, "I am a secret agent and you are in the way." The government agent gets a bottle of vodka and shoots the breeze with Sammy, picking at him for information. He asks about Sihn ("Kinda like a mad scientist" says Sammy) and Sihn-Tek. Hoping to find more, Weed asks Sammy if he can accompany him on his normal daily rounds. This simply means that Sammy takes the hard-nosed Dick Weed dumpster-diving.
Spectrum decides to take this time to go see Buffy and the gang. She is greeted by Cordelia who automatically blocks her, saying, "You can't come in." Spectrum just gives her a look, and, nonetheless without apology, Cordelia relents, saying, "Well, okay," as if she's being imposed upon. Spectrum sees Buffy and chats for a while, blowing steam about the new government liaison and talking about the cloud. She hears another death occurred overnight, another someone scaling the building and no doubt making it to the cloud and falling. Spectrum contacts Gere-luce and has the robots programmed to safeguard the perimeter. Gere-luce also creates a containment field on the 4th floor.
Laughton talks to Frank Beard at WEB. Frank knows of Dick; they went to the academy together, Dick always the more dedicated and better student overall. Now he's one of roughly 20 men agents reporting directly to the president. He's the type who has been married to his job; while he and Beard used to be social in the '70s, they fell out of touch as Weed retreated entirely from having a social life; they haven't seen each other socially since 1985. Beard indicates that his gut-feel, not based on any hard facts or analyses but his emotional read, is that Weed is like the Brando character in Apocalypse Now, an obsessed soldier with no other life. From talking to Beard and researching what he can via hacking, Laughton feels that Weed is getting burnt out from ceaseless field work. In fact, Weed is one of the few agents who refuses desk jobs completely (unlike Beard who is now basically a manager).
Meanwhile, Weed tires of dumpster diving and finally presses Sammy to see the Justice Squad's headquarters. Sammy, thinking of Weed as one of the team now, gladly takes him to the base. As they get into the elevator, Sammy is surprised to find it sticks and does not go down; the Justice Squad has taken precautions against Sammy or Neumann, both naive/mentally young members, from bringing anyone else in. As Sammy tries to get the elevator to work, the doors open and he sees Laughton standing there. Sammy complains to Laughton. At first Laughton resists and tries to "correct" Sammy, saying "it goes up just fine," referring to how it goes to the normal above-ground floors. Weed intones that he's not the "world's stupidest man"; Laughton glowers at Sammy and says, "I know."
Given the situation, Laughton decides to show Weed around to appease him - but to a select part of the base, a ruse section set up to keep people from inquiring too deeply, another Sammy-intended security option. As they walk around the common areas, which basically include the living quarters, minor offices, and the trophy room, Sammy offers Weed the ubiquitous baloney sandwiches. It turns out Weed likes baloney, leading to a conversation on the various ways they prefer the meat - Laughton prefers 1/2 inch thick slices while Sammy prefers his rather on the green side. Sammy shows Weed his "secret research" (his cache-based Internet service as provided by Laughton) and the jingles he's working on for his advertising campaign. As Weed tires of that, Laughton shows him his Rosicrucian files and brings up the CIA issue he's been investigating. Weed seems to know all about it and laughs, saying it's a ruse for "the rubes" to pick up on. Weed even knows the first several digits of the broadcasted code. Laughton of course takes this to mean that either Weed is duped or in on the deal. Weed also comments on the World Weekly News articles Laughton shows him, offering details on ones he knows to be true.
With occasional directions via cell phone, Weed has arranged for the trip. Weed asks about Spectrum, and Laughton makes a comment to Weed it'll take some extra time as she has "all those dresses to pack." He starts to feel a headache and via Spectrum's mind-link he tells her, "You feed the Weed Weed-food, just keeping him under control." The team is given big taser guns provided to subdue the dinosaurs. Sammy practices turning into dinosaur shapes. Weed mentions he wants, if possible, one of the dinosaurs brought back alive, though in parts will suffice. The Justice Squad is not to keen on collecting dinosaur "parts". However, Laughton muses briefly what it would be like to have Jonas' brain in "Snappy the Wonder Velocirapter."
Suzanne is speaking with Buffy in the meantime. She was seeking Willow but Willow's asleep as they sleep in shifts to keep the dimensional portal from leaking monsters. After speaking a while and with Suzanne indicating she has little time before she has to leave, Buffy points her to where Willow is. Spectrum is a bit surprised to see Willow curled up on the couch with Oz rather intimately. Pressed for time, she wakes Willow and asks he what she might want from Iran. Willow mentions a few esoteric herbs, and Suzanne dutifully makes note.
Next thing she knows, Suzanne gets a "mental call" from Laughton via the mind-link. He asks her to pick up on the first cell phone ring, and to be nice she does. Hamlet asks Suzanne to come over, showing off his commanding style to Weed. As Weed deigns to speak more with Laughton, he mentions, "Your reputation precedes you," and Laughton fairly beams. Then he asks Weed about transport into Afghanistan - hoping to catch up with the CiA operative he seeks but only saying he has some "interests" back in the Middle East.
Not to be ignored as the big guns are broken out and military plans are discussed, Sammy asks Weed for a cell phone - a "serious" one, not the Barbie type that Laughton gave him. Weed assures him he'll get one for the mission.
Suzanne Palmer makes it back. As they discuss the mission she waxes legalese merely to annoy Weed, who scoffs at the law, at first complaining, then claiming they find the laws "funny" "back at the office."
As Sammy brings up synchronizing watches, Weed points out he doesn't trust electronics and hopes everyone has an analogue watch like he does. It turns out only Sammy, ever-trendy, has one. Suzanne is too classy and Hamlet (the frequent jammer of electonics) is too suspicious.
They get ready to leave. Just before going Jane meets Weed, introduced as "my babe" by Sammy who is getting used to Weed's speech patterns. Laughton mentions, "Maybe we can swing by Afghanistan onm the way to Iran," but is shot down. Undeterred but mindful of his missions, Hamlet completes his final steps before leaving, making note of islands which may have the dinosaurs on them per satellite hints, and learning enough Persian to get by. Suzanne remembers to bring a South African bottle of scotch that she never intended to drink to "share' with Weed, who is impressed.
After a non-eventful trip spent getting ready for the mission, the three Justice Squad members arrive in Iran ready to roll. Hamlet, speaking Persian and posing as a visiting Arabic businessman ("Saleem's House of Rugs"), leads as Sammy and Spectrum pose as his obedient wives. They first make contact with the "inside' man of the U.S. government, a Persian who wishes to end the dictatorial rule of Iran. Sammy greets him in a seductive voice while Suzanne settles for, "Howdy." He gives them details on Colonel Omar Muhammed ibn Wahaf who is scheming to overthrow the Iranian government once he develops his "weapons of mass destruction" (the dinosaurs). The Persian functionary explains that Omar Muhammed is throwing a filthy drug-sex orgy and needs a big-time dealer; he will introduce Hamlet as such via a dinner that evening.
The matter settled, the Justice Squad moves into town, visiting a grand bazaar. As they wind through the little shops Hamlet and Suzanne are on the lookout for a t-shirt for Sammy to go with his "Italian" shirt (see issue 29). With little event Suzanne locates an occult shop specializing in the herbs Willow wants and she eagerly spends Weed's $750 in expense money to purchase them.
Then it's time for dinner with Colonel Muhammed. The colonel's women naturally sit at another table, and Laughton sends away Sammy and Spectrum as they continue to pose as his. However, Spectrum keeps up her mind-link with Hamlet. Laughton offers to the Colonel a "gift" of a hollowed-out Koran with opium (supplied by Weed) in its midst, knowing how profane the Colonel is. It goes over well, and the Colonel takes a taste much to his liking. They banter about giving "gifts" and "honoring" each other, then arrange to next meet at the Colonel's party the next day.
(there was some comment here about "Weed didn't pick up supplies - instead watching Squarepants Sponge Bob" - anyone remember what that was about?)
The next day Laughton shops for transportation, and finds a man, Abdul at the bazaar whom he suspects will set him up. Abdul listens to Laughton who mentions, "Your wagon has a large space below the floorboards," in explaining what he wants. They make an agreement, including a code to summon when needed, and Laughton soon has a bus being arranged. It costs Laughton $2,000, along with $10,000 for his opium, spending nearly half of the $25,000 money given to him for the mission. He keeps track...
By way of preparation he also contacts Weed to find out who will be at the colonel's party. Roused from his daze of watching satellite broadcasts of Squarepants Sponge Bob, Dick researches and finds not much can be said about them other than being a small number, it being an exclusive party.
Later the Justice Squad is prepared for the party. While Spectrum and Sammy must persevere as Laughton's wives, Laughton dresses up like John Travolta (with an aluminum-inner-wrapped turban) when disco dancing in Saturday Night Fever, being a hip modern - and innocent-appearing - Arab. They make their way to the Colonel's estate, noting that on the way in the two guards at the door appear to have velociraptor-like heads. Sammy approaches and sniffs one, noting it's something vaguely like human with reptile and bird. The guard intones at Sammy to "move along".
Entering the palace, the Colonel greets them and lavishes praise on the beauty of Sammy and Spectrum. Then they enter a room with a dozen women cavorting with a couple other guests. The women are clearly drugged, glassy-eyed and zombie-like. They perform lewd, unspeakable acts. Laughton pretends to drink heavily, stealthily dumping the alcohol. Meanwhile Spectrum reaches out with her mind and reaches the Colonel's. Slowly his thoughts are altered...but visibly Spectrum is seen as drinking heavily. But, although she is, she keeps it below her tolerance and remains astute. Too uncomfortable in the setting, Sammy is stand-offish and demurs that he had yak's milk that didn't agree. Pressing the trio, Coilonel Muhammed offers up one of his women and makes lewd comments about tongue length. Laughton changes the subject, displaying interest in the lizard-headed guards. The Colonel indicates they don't live long as of yet, so likely will die in a few weeks. They make arrangements as Laughton mentally finds via Spectrum that Weed is willing to put up the money.
Sammy, adapting to the surroundings, uses his mimicry of human seduction to draw in the Colonel, now in full party mode. Spectrum cuts her mind-link, not wanting to overhear any mental processes related, and Laughton steps in before Sammy tests his skills too greatly.
As the party wears on Spectrum works her mental powers to deeply reach into the Colonel's mind and bend it deeply to her will, so that he considers her implanted suggestion naturally - to release the women in the morning, along with some cash. Along the path, she picks up the identity of the dinosaur island from his mind. Laughton gets to some of the women through Spectrum's mental power and jointly they determine the women know nothing about the dinosaur program.
The next day Laughton sees to the arrangements for the bus to pick up the women - he ensures a tracer is hidden on it so he can track it. He also picks up the guard and a control stick which the Colonel demonstrated the prior evening, assuring the thing's obedience.
Before heading to the island, Weed asks the Justice Squad to terminate Omar. They resist, pointing out they didn't sign up for that, but Hamlet does turn in the lizard-headed guard. Weed relents. As they go to the island Sammy gets to co-pilot while Laughton carefully observes satellite pictures of the area. He surreptitiously, even as he guides a computer expert to do his bidding, uses the time to identify and verify the tracer he planted on the bus.
When they reach the island Laughton does long-distance observation while Sammy flies in as a seagull. He's surprised to find he's snapped at by one of the velocirpators and nearly is dazed as a result, nearly scrambling to get away. He notices at that point as well the paucity of animal life there. As his information is relayed Spectrum and Rodin discuss options with Weed, who is unwilling to risk helicopters and American soldiers' lives until the Justice Squad can assure the island is secured. During the conversations on the island, Weed relays a mysterious explosion has taken place at Doc Magnus' estate outside Detroit.
Back to matters at hand, Spectrum flies in after twilight as does Sammy, appearing as a small hummingbird, towing Rodin in his monopole form. Most of the dinosaurs are asleep. Sammy, himself appearing as a camouflaged special forces member, knocks out a guard in a sentry tower on the way in. As they arrive near the base headquarters building, Laughton/Rodin tears the canvass apart, then moves in in his monopole form. A T. Rex moves towards him as the canvass tears, but his mighty jaw clutches shut into thin air as the various monopoles are too tiny to sink into. Sammy releases his acidic blast onto the T. Rex, slightly hurting it. Spectrum adds damage with her mind blasts, and they continue to struggle as the mighty dinosaur lashes at the air in vain attempts to reach them. From the top of the base headquarters, abutting the canvass tent covering the island, guards begin to fire at Sammy and Spectrum, missing the dodging dark figures. Spectrum moves a bit away, narrowly escaping a leaping T. Rex bite, as Hamlet, in human form, moves down into the canvass, and turns one of the velocirpators reaching the scene into dust. Several velocirpators gather and by piggy-backing onto one another launch two into the air to snap at Spectrum and Sammy, dazing her but not missing Sammy. Sammy turns and catches the falling Spectrum, pushing what little strength he has to ensure he doesn't drop her. He gets bigger, turning into a larger, menacing version of a hummingbird in so doing. He turns his attention to the grates he sees the guard firing from, knocking out someone in a spray of acidic miss.
The battle joined, Sammy lets the revived Spectrum go and shrinks small enough to sink into one of the grates from which the guards had been seen firing. Spectrum moves to the air, providing cover from the sentry building as Hamlet and Sammy move into the headquarters. They quickly find the scientists doing the bio-chemical work, and Hamlet turns into his Rodin form, sitting on the chest of the chief scientists they've found. Meanwhile, Spectrum, using mental images and suggestions, turns one of the Tyrannosaur Rex' against the other. Then she begins mind-scanning the various sentry posts as Hamlet and Sammy get the electronic "wand" that the chief scientists uses to tame the dinosaur beasts.
With few choices, the scientist and his cohorts, who at first rush into his room and are stunned by the metahumans there, agree to assist. As angry dinosaurs start to tear down the walls to get into the headquarters, the humans run towards the back, monitored and followed by Hamlet and Sammy. Cornered, the scientists are turned to dust by Hamlet, who is confident he's learned enough.
By now the tarp covering the island has been set ablaze. Spectrum is cleaning up the sentry guards, turning them against each other with her mental powers. Some of the Persian guards are eaten by eager dinosaurs. Weed notifies that a Persian plane is approaching, investigating the disturbance. Stretching her mental net, Spectrum finds a pilot and convinces him all is well, sending him home. That gives time for Hamlet to begin turning dinosaurs into dust as the remaining guards surrender.
As Weed inquires as to landing and what happened, Hamlet intones, "You'll get our bill." Hamlet is in fact careful to note on the baggies they put together, when appropriate, "Iranian scientist, do not breathe."
With this episode ending, Weed, pleased, agrees to drop the Justice Squad into a mountainous area of Pakistan bordering Afghanistan for their convenience in assuring the harem slaves are properly liberated. As they are dropped off, Hamlet cautions, "Don't breathe in the dust, really!"
After dropping down, the Justice Squad prepares for a trek to where they intend to meet the bus-load of ex-slaves. Sammy changes to a camel, carrying Spectrum and Hamlet faster than the typical camel. After a few hours they come across a small village, Sammy transforms to a respectful female look, and they meet up with a couple American reporters keen to find a story in Afghanistan (in the wake of 9/11). Laughton offers up, upon meeting, that he's heard of a busload of liberated ex-slaves, piquing the reporters' interest. Sammy grumbles mentally, "quit stealing my story." But with this news, and after refusing a UNICEF interview, they move on the reporters' jeep to meet up with the bus.
In six hours they meet up with the bus, flagging it down. The women are in bad shape, going through opium withdrawal. The reporters nervously take down the story, but shortly a machinegun blast is heard in the air as two jeeps of miscreants intent on burglary arrive. They demand the women separate from the men. In so doing, Spectrum begins to mind control the man on one the jeep with a machine gun mounted. Hamlet suddenly turns into a new form - a flaming head of death! This head of death challenges the gangsters, and most people begin panicking, the women running randomly into the desert. The gangsters quickly surrender, and then the reporters pile into their jeep and take off to report the story (and flee). Spectrum, with her psychic abilities, mentally locates those running off and returns all. Meanwhile, Hamlet claims it was his plan to have them scatter and panic, to make memories less reliable and ensure best anonymity.
The reporters do return, after a bit, and ask the super-heroes who they are. They claim they are UNICEF-sponsored, explaining "how much money do you think those kids asking for nickels make?", indicating they do the "real" fund-raising and heavy work. One of the reporters points at the Hamlet "flaming head of death" and exclaims, 'He's 'Fire and Brimstone'"! Shortly thereafter they christen Spectrum as Control Woman and Sammy as Camel Lad. They ask if Camel Lad can change into other things besides camels, and "magic zippers" comes up, but Hamlet dissuades them from further inspection, suggesting it is unseemly. Then they're off to make their full report.
From there on, it's smooth sailing as the Justice Squad returns home. As one of the first duties, Hamlet visits with the Metal Men and offers them a stay at Sihn-Tek - when that building of course is freed from its current curse. They find, though, the city is flooding as the rain has continued non-stop in their absence, five days going by. In the meantime, the Metal Men and Mysterymen stay at a Unicorn Inn at Hamlet's behest.
Spectrum delivers the MidEast purchases as requested to Willow and then quickly attends to getting Jonas Hell (the human body) delivered to private mental care.
The Shoveler visits with Hamlet, begging him to reconsider the Unicorn Inn and let the Metal Men and unhoused Mysterymen to stay at Laughton Agency, where they can afford it (if free) and may be better looked after. Laughton muses, "Well, the Metal Men will go nicely with the Mocker vending machine," but at first refuses. He finally relents, explaining, "You can use the conference room until Magneto arrives and makes you leave." Sammy, reflecting, puts a "Magneto" sticker on an appropriate chair in the conference room. Despite his continued resistance and his offer to cover the first 2.5 minutes of the "vibra-bed" at the Unicorn Inn, the Metal Men and Mysterymen feel Hamlet likes them and welcome his final offer to stay in his detective agency office.
The Justice Squad considers calling on Storm of the X-Men to lessen the stormy effects but don't get around to contacting her - they're too busy trying other avenues. Hamlet breaks into Sihn-Tek and begins perusing Sihn's databases, trying to find a lead for his disappearance. Spectrum concerns herself with the freed ex-slaves, ensuring money goes to their counseling and using her mental abilities to assure they find the correct families.
Unbeknownst to Spectrum, Magneto does in fact arrive at Laughton Agency. In typical fashion he summons Hamlet and Sammy, but is disappointed to find the conference room inhabited by the Metal Men. After their departure, he discusses an ominous offer with Hamlet and Sammy - he needs assistance in breaking into ABC Laboratories...
[Game Mechanics - Points Awarded...
Winning against a marginally inferior opponent for the fight against Iran/dinosaurs - 1.875 RP Rodin, Sammy, Spectrum, .125 XP Rodin, Sammy, Spectrum
Thoroughly defeating Omar bonus for freeing the women, inferior opponent - .75 RP Rodin, Spectrum, .05 XP Rodin, Spectrum
Winning against a marginally inferior opponent for navigating Weed - 1.875 RP Rodin, Sammy, Spectrum, .125 XP Rodin, Sammy, Spectrum
Act of great heroism/publicity for freeing up the women (as a side plot you needn't pick up on but is heroic, these get more) - 22.5 RP Rodin, Sammy, Spectrum
2 hours .375 RP Rodin, Spectrum, 2 XP Rodin, Spectrum
Totals:
Rodin 27.375 RP, 2.3 XP
Sammy 27.375 RP, 2.3 XP
Spectrum 27.375 RP, 2.3 XP
Totals to Date:
Dice 188.5 RPs, 14.95 XPs
Neumann 344.5 RPs, 49.05 XPs
Rodin 1272.25 RPs, 123.625 XPs
Sammy the Slime 1217.125 RPs, 128.3625 XPs
Spectrum 1139 RPs, 115.925 XPs
Steely Danelle 86 RPs, 10.75 XPs
Troll 1233 RPs, 124.75 XPs]