As the name indicates...this RPG will revolve around Crossroads and New Beginnings.CrossroadsWe would like to see characters come to a 'crossroads' in their lives where important and life changing decisions have to be made. These events can be very personal...i.e. a relationship beginning, ending or changing, or they can be moral or spiritual. Whatever is decided, they should show 'growth' for your character.New BeginningsThis can be any number of items as well and most likely will relate back to the 'crossroads' in your character(s)' life or lives and/or career. They may be starting a new career as teacher or student at Xavier's School for the Gifted or may have been selected to train for the upcoming X-Men team(s). Their 'new beginning' once again may be as simple as establishing a new relationship or changes in an old one.
The X-Men and all likenesses are the property of Marvel Comics, 20th Century FOX, and ALL the creative minds therein. X-Men Crossroads is a non-profit RPG board. We here participate for the pure enjoyment and satisfaction writing in the X-Men Universe brings.Most of the Bio information is courtersy of Marvel Directory
New Beginnings (Day 3)Location: Thera Island, Old Coaling Station (O) Time: Local late morning, Day 3 (note: Greece is 5 hours ahead of New York)
The most intact area in what seemed to be an old coaling station served as the briefing room, with a hastily-erected tarp-and-camo-net roof and card tables and folding chairs cadged from god-knew-where for furniture. A rolling corkboard pinned with diagrams was flanked by a whiteboard at one end of the line of tables. It wasn't exactly a high-tech location, but it was secure and they'd all handled worse. And Gyrich had his reasons.
He looked around at his assembled team as the last operator filed in. Thirteen fit and hard-looking men ranging in age from early twenties to mid-thirties. They were Navy SEALs and old-times' sake and loyalty made him wish for Army Rangers, but in this case he knew SEALs were operationally the better choice. Folders sat on the tables before each of the chairs and he motioned for the men to take seats and open them up as he began.
"The cruise ship Olympia," he said, to the accompaniment of rustling pages as the men studied the ship's diagrams, "has been taken over by two mutants. Why, we don't know. Most of the passengers and crew were able to escape, but they've reported no declaration of intent or demands, nor have the mutants themselves made any since. Approximately 100 passengers and crew remain aboard. They may be hostages, they may be dead, they may be trapped, they may be all of the above. Our job is simple -- neutralize the mutants and take back the ship."
Grim laughter circled the tables at that, and the SEAL team leader, Simpson, spoke up. "What about the civilians?"
Gyrich nodded, acknowledging the question. "There's a ten-ship strike group headed toward the Olympia. Their Tarawa's helos will be doing SAR for anybody in the water or on the deck as soon as they get within range, which should be," he rolled his arm to check his watch, "in about three hours. When they're done, the helos will insert a company of Marines. Refugees and Harrier flybys report the opfor holed up near engineering, so they'll start at the opposite end of the ship and clear as they go."
Dragging the display board forward, he indicated a large map of the surrounding sea, with the fleet's and Thera's locations marked on it, the Olympia between them. "This situation has been all over the news and other mutants may try to horn in on the action. Along with doing SAR, the strike group is a diversion. We want everyone's attention on them while we come in," he traced a path from Thera Island toward Olympia, "from behind."
"I do purely love a sneaky man," Simpson drawled. "Cover?"
"An especially intrepid camera crew who've hired a local fishing boat," Gyrich replied. "You've been briefed on the nullifiers?" At the affirming nods, he continued, "That'll cover the ranged one we'll be bringing in, too. Once we're aboard, we'll have four men on that, two floating teams of four, you and me on command team."
Simpson nodded. "Good enough. What are we up against?"
Gyrich shifted from map to photos. "One of the mutants, the man, has some sort of power over electricity. As you can see from the shots of the hole, over a lot of electricity. We'll be taking out the generators straight off in case he's tapping into them, but wear your wetsuits under your armor, and go heavy toward the ceramics. We don't know yet what the girl does, if anything." The men were studying the pictures of the hole, expressions as close to worried as SEALs ever got. "Gentlemen," the big commando said, in a voice that brought thirteen pairs of eyes to him. "I've gone up against mutants before. They're not gods, much as many seem to think they are. It can take a little more doing, but they die like anybody else."
"Speaking of that," Simpson said, "RoE?"
"Softly, softly while there are still civilians in play. We don't want another Moscow theater. If and when they're cleared it's weapons free. We're looking to take the opfor alive if we can, but Big Boy's Rules apply."
"Looks like we've got a bit of catchup reading to do, then," the SEAL leader said, accepting the mission.
Gyrich nodded. "I'll be doing some recce. Can reach me via radio." Leaving them to study the material in the folders and on the board, he headed for the door. With binoculars, the Olympia should be visible from an old lighthouse he'd spotted not far from here.
Unremarkably, Gyrich was not the only one with the same idea. More remarkably, however, was that its latest visitor had taken a perch on top of the lighthouse's long-defunct pinnacle. It could also be noted that, although she was looking out onto the general area of the ship, she had no binoculars.
...But Crow was like that. She sat casually atop the rusting dome, absently sharpening a knife with a small diamond plate. Her eyes had changed to a brilliant gold, and her vision was now better than most binoculars would provide. Sure, it was a bit ostentatious, but much more interesting.
She had arrived late last night at their airport, and, like any good teenager, had done some shopping at the local touristy area. The result was a new pair of sunglasses, now hiding her unusual eyes. Thankfully, she never had a problem with jet-lag, perhaps due to the varying hours she kept even when not traveling.
She had arrived by the lighthouse nearly an hour ago, outfitted with her characteristic backpack and sunglasses. A quick shift to bird had provided her with the means to get onto the dome, and there she watched the "show". A short while ago some helicopters had landed-with some difficulty, she noted amusedly- in the ruins nearby. So she and the X-men weren't the only ones to know of the disaster-in-the-making...
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(O.o)
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Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
Despite the luxuriant growth and almost non-existent trails, it had been a comfortable run from the old coaling station and Gyrich welcomed the opportunity to stretch his legs and get the blood flowing again. The day was warm, but there was a breeze off the water that cooled and dried the light sweat that his exertions generated.
He was dressed as an almost sterotypical tourist in floppy hat, shorts, and a flowered shirt. He'd even forgone his beloved Wileys for a pair of Ray-Bans. Some of the contents of the rucksack slung on his back, however, were decidedly non-tourist. Like the Baretta M-92 and its extra clip, padded with a beach towel to hide their distinctive shapes. And the Steiner 10x50 binoculars. Of course, at a scarred and powerfully-muscled 6'8", he didn't look much like a tourist either, but there wasn't much he could do about that.
His long legs made short work of the stairs up the lighthouse tower. But, as he neared the turret, a sound slowed them -- the familiar singing scrape of a blade being sharpened. He frowned. His people all had knives, of course, but none of them were out here. Pausing to switch the gun from rucksack to waistband and covering it with the untucked tails of the shirt, he continued on to the top at a more wary pace.
Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
The steady rhythm of the blade's strokes had faltered for a few short seconds as Crow caught a flicker of movement out of the corner of her eye. Below her, some tourist was entering the lighthouse. She studied him closer. No, not a tourist. His build and features- even the way he walked and looked around- screamed "military". So my guess about the choppers was right, she mused silently. And amazingly enough, one of them had enough sense to find a good lookout point.
She continued her sharpening as Gyrich entered, although now the hand holding the plate was more than prepared to take another knife in its place, if need be. The quiet clang of feet against the echoing staircase paused for a moment before continuing; quieter, slower. She gave a soft, almost regretful, smile. So she had been noticed. It took him long enough.
Her smile slowly widened into a mischievous grin. He was here, he was military; she might as well play with him. Her hair rippled to jet-black and spiked itself, the ends turning a brilliant red. She let her skin pale a few shades, and her lips and nails turned black. The rest of her appearance, from sunglasses to cargo pants to backpack; only added to the image. Her grin flashed once more before settling into the mask of a neutral pout. Whatever he was expecting, a disaffected teen probably wasn't high on the list.
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(O.o)
(><)
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Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
Gyrich paused at the top of the stairs, looking over the girl perched up on the dome. Great. A spoiled child who'd slipped her leash and wandered away from her keepers, complete with the sullen expression they seemed to be issued and puberty these days and kept till somebody smacked it off their faces. Plus a getup that screamed 'Look at me! I'm edgy and gothy and cool and did I mention edgy?' Genuine edge never advertised, but they were too young to know that.
In his experience, about the only purpose teeners served was the entertainment they provided when they failed to get the attention they'd never admit they craved. Nothing drove them stark staring mad as fast as treating them like the irrelevancies they were. Mindful of the knife, he kept her on his right, but otherwise gave no more than a derisive snort before turning away to scan the water.
Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
It was all Miri could do to keep from laughing as she watched Gyrich's reactions out of her peripheral vision. He had fallen for the act; hook, line, and sinker. She seriously considered stepping off the side of the dome, just to confuse him.
She continued to sharpen the blade for a few more seconds, before finally stopping. Plucking a short, loose hair from her getup, she placed it loosely over the blade, watching it sever instantly. Perfect.
Both plate and blade disappeared invisibly into pockets as she adjusted her perch. Metal plates wee never known to be the most comfortable of seats. Crow eyed her new companion curiously, although her gaze never seemed to leave the water. He really was an odd duck.
The tips of her hair changed from their previous red to an electric blue. It would be interesting to see if he noticed. On the topic of interesting... pulling her backpack around, she dug through it until she found her CD player and a set of earphones. Not bothering to check the contents- she already was positive of what CD was in there- she plugged in, carefully tuning the volume to just loud enough for Gyrich to hear. Her backpack was replaced to its previous position, and she refrained from a wince as a familiar tune blared over the earphones.
Beethoven's 6th symphony. Oh yeah.
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(O.o)
(><)
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Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
Gyrich hid a smile as he listened to her shifting around. She hadn't picked an especially comfortable place to do her posturing. And black clothing in the sun of a Mediterranean summer was likely proving an unfortunate choice as well, breeze or no breeze.
But, as entertaining as the sideshow was, he had work to do. He'd spotted the Olympia right where the intel had said she would be -- not always a guarantee -- not far from the island. Many of the civilians fleeing the ship in lifeboats had made it from there to here, so it would be a fairly fast, easy row for his own people.
Unslinging the rucksack, he extracted the Steiners for a closer look. The powerful binoculars made the ship seem to leap closer and he began panning slowly along from stem to stern, keeping an ear on the girl as he did so. She' d now resorted to headphones, with the music -- surprise, surprise -- cranked up loud enough to be tinnily audible all the way over to his position. The fact that it was Beethoven was mildly surprising, but perhaps way, way 'retro' was in this week. Or perhaps even bad lyrics had proved too challenging and been reduced to none at all.
Motion caught his eye and he stopped, panning back, locating a bit of cloth caught on a hatchway and flapping in the breeze. Noting the location, he resumed scanning.
Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
((Sorry its taken so long, I ended up going away this weekend last-minute.))
It was all Crow could do to stand up and scream in frustration. Commando Clueless hadn't really noticed the more unusual aspects of her guise, which meant he was either dumb as a rock, or distracted.
She really had to pity him. Binoculars were so annoying, and nearly useless when compared to her own eyes. Sure, he could probably see people on the ship, but she could read their lips. At least, she would be able to, if they weren't speaking in Greek.
The tips of her hair slowly lightened to bone-white. Combined with her naturally pointed features and the black tank top, she now looked remarkably like a hedgehog. Lying down, she stretched out on the dome's surface, hands propped behind her head as she watched the ship- and Officer Oblivious. Once again the urge to jump off the lighthouse nearly overwhelmed her sensibilities. She was sure that, at least, would convince him something was up.
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(O.o)
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Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
His study of the ship completed, Gyrich lowered the binoculars to his chest and let them rest there for a long moment before returning them to his rucksack. There hadn't been much to see. The people still aboard were keeping their heads down -- or having them kept down for them.
Turning away, he let his gaze sweep over the girl. Interesting. Her hair had changed color. A mutant, then. And provoked by either temper or pride into giving that fact away. He hid a smile. It was so easy sometimes. Those who'd been handed power on a genetic silver platter lacked the self-discipline of those who'd had to earn it.
Shouldering the rucksack, he pondered what, if anything, to do with the information. Certainly warn the guards to be on the lookout for a shapeshifter. He and his men practically spoke their own language already, but they'd go to click and hand code just to be on the safe side.
Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
With the faintest hint of a smile, Crow let her appearance ripple back to its normal self. Sure, the disguise had been amusing, but its time was up. Besides, if she kept her skin that pale, she'd have a nasty sunburn later.
"Took you long enough," she commented, easily flipping up to her feet. It was easy to tell what any person was thinking, and that fact became only truer if discipline was involved. They were taught to think the same way. She had to like the military for that. They made her job very, very easy.
Absolutely expressionless, Miri turned to face Gyrich. "If you don't mind me asking, why's the U.S. government so interested in a pair of upset Greek mutants?"
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(O.o)
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Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
Gyrich could practically hear the child making her assumptions and he half wanted to laugh. Perhaps he should thank her -- her antics, after all, had provided him a bit of much-needed entertainment. But she was just a sideshow. When she actually spoke aloud, it only confirmed it.
"If you don't mind me asking, why's the U.S. government so interested in a pair of upset Greek mutants?"
Arching an eyebrow, he glanced over at her, then shrugged. "You'd have to ask them," he said, and headed on down the stairs.
Who: Crow
Where: The top of a lighthouse, Greece
When: Late morning
With: No-one currently
====================
Ask them...that sounds like a good idea. Crow wasn't sure if he actually didn't know or was just trying to avoid her question. She hoped it was the latter--although he was a military nutcase, unthinking obedience didn't seem to be his cup of tea.
As for asking them... Crow pulled her backpack up, digging through it yet again. A second later a cell phone--one of her few legal acquisitions--was in her hand, and her CD player shut off and back inside. Punching in an address, Miri waited for a ring.
She was rather surprised when the other end was picked up immediately. Her contact must have been really bored. "Hi dear," she greeted him sunnily, "I do believe I need to pull another favor..."
The resultant cursing was probably audible down the stairs, Miri noted with a wince, holding the phone away from her ear. "Now, that really isn't necessary," she scolded him, absently pulling out a pen and notepad. "I just need some info on the Olympia issue."
Pausing for a second to listen, she frowned. "Yes, I know I'm insane, I know I'm going to get myself killed, I know you have better things to do..." Lowering her voice just enough to ensure no one could overhear, she continued. "But, I still need that info. Check on what other groups are messing around in the issue."
There was another pause, and she replied, "Yes, that's it." The conversation coming to a close, she quickly added, "Oh- send the info to that PDA you looked at the other day, if you don't mind."
"Yes, I hate you too. Bye." With that, she hung up, and replaced the phone to her backpack. It was so useful, having friends in low places.
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(O.o)
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copy the bunny to your siggy to help him achieve world domination.
Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
A mile out from the cruise ship, there was a disturbance in the ocean as a disk-shaped object some 12 meters in diameter rose from beneath the surface. Attached dorsally, a massive bridgemast extended behind and below, hinting at a much larger structure beneath.
Water cascaded in white sheets and streams from the flying bridge of Magneto's flying submersible craft, the "Jonah's Whale". As it settled to rest level with the water, the antenna complex within the bridgemast silently extended.
Jonah's Whale/Evo/Tags: Mission Goers
Even as Evan waited for something to happen, he found himself on the Jonah's whale. He stepped off the transpad immediately, and turned to watch it, already considering whether or not to go ahea dand change on this hug submersible base he found himself on. He knew what Magneto had saifd, but until now h hadn't emotionally grasped what the silver-haired master of magnetism had said.
Re: Lighthouse Dome/Crow/None, unless Gyrrie's joining
Browsing interestedly over the latest addition to Kurt's PDA, Miri let out a soft whistle. It was an interesting day when SHEILD decided to get involved. Combined with the X-men and Magneto...well, who knew what could happen?
Just as she was returning the device to her backpack, the faint sound of rushing water drew her attention outward. Wincing, she muttered under her breath. "Subtle, Maggie, Subtle."If this was she time he was trying "tact", then she'd hate to see what had gone down the first try.
Well, I should probably get going, then. Looking over her shoulder at the stairs, she half-expected to find her earlier amusement there. The area deserted, she adjusted her backpack habitually, and shifted, donning the white and grey of a local species of gull. The flying rats were everywhere, and one more wouldn't be noticed on the ocean...
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(O.o)
(><)
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copy the bunny to your siggy to help him achieve world domination.
Re: New Beginnings (Day 3)
Scott took only a moment to look around before he leapt lightly off the pad, clearing the way for the next inbound mutant. Sleekly high-tech was the overwhelming first impression, and that didn't change on closer examination. It was also disconcerting, the huge clear bubble with the water so close. Still, down here in the chop they'd be invisible to the powerful Aegis radar.
It hurt thinking that way, seeing the Aegis as an enemy, especially when coupled with his discomfort at having Magneto as an ally. Intellectually, he knew it was necessary, but his gut was another matter. With an inward grimace, he put his misgivings aside, concentrating on the mission and the lives at stake.
The Hydrastorm he wore on his back, under his jacket, had been jarred slightly askew and he shrugged to resettle it. That set off a touch-check of his gear and supplies -- the visor in his pocket, flashlight and energy bars in pouches on his belt. He felt vaguely unbalanced without the weight of a sidearm on his hip, but his power armed him better ... and more subtly.
He was as prepared as he could be. Hooking his thumbs in his belt, he waited for everyone to assemble.
Hilamon Speak Your Mind
Posts: 44
(9/15/05 2:57 pm)
Re: Jonah's Whale/Chamber/Tags: Mission Goers
Jonothon stepped from the disk with a slight shiver. He wasn't used to the movement of the sea under his feet...yet. He gulped silently seeking to get his barings.
*Easy there Jonothon. You can do this. Just relax. Breath in and out.*
Slowly, he relaxed and looked around.
*Well, that didn't seem to bad. Wonder what is going to be next.*
His gaze moved over to where Scott and Evan was and sort of walked slowly over to them.
Amara appeared amid a state of giggles. The feeling was not unpleasant, her disappearance from the mansion and her appearance here, to this place.
"Well, this is interesting," she muttered her gaze moving around until she saw Evan and quickly made her way over to him.
"Hey Evan, how's it going?" she asked stating the obvious and giggling again.
China:
China's gaze was frozen in a mask of terror as she reappeared on Jonah's Whale. That trip from the mansion didn't lessen her fear, instead it sort of intensified it.
She stepped off quickly, and sought to wipe the fear from her face but it showed in her eyes.
"Never again. I hated that feeling." she muttered quickly moving away.
Re: Jonah's Whale/Warren, Storm/Tags: Mission Goers
Warren stepped through and off the transport platform closely followed by Storm. He flexed wings that had been furled very tightly while in transit. Warren had been more than a little dubious about the entire procedure. Like a cat's tail, his wings' slight fluttering gave away his nervous state.
Storm smiled at her winged friend. No doubt he also remembered the last time they had assembled as a team over six years ago. In the aftermath of the devastaion, it had been uncertain whether Warren would survive let alone have use of those glorious appendages again. They had survived though and would again. The team was needed to resolve this quietly and without harm to any if at all possible.
Warren nodded across the room at Scott, lifting his wings slightly to indicate he and Storm were in position and ready when needed. They both watched as Logan arrived with Jean. Jean paused and Warren could feel the gentle and reasurring touch of the telepath's mind as she firmed up the communication net, making sure no one had been lost in transit.
Re: Jonah's Whale/Logan, Jean/Tags: Mission Goers
Logan scanned the area as he stepped off the transport pad with Jean close behind him. Nodding briefly at Angel and Storm, he crossed to stand near Scott.
As Wolverine moved into a waiting position, he saw Jean close her eyes briefly and understood that she was taking a moment to check the 'net. After all, maintaining it during the transition had to have been tricky and a strain.
He waited until she opened her beautiful cat-slanted green eyes and nodded with a smile.
Assuming that meant all those linked into the net were accounted for, Logan stepped to Scott's side.
"This should put us at ready for deployment." Logan managed to keep the slightly grim note out of his voice.
Background: Many, many years ago, Charles Francis Xavier established Xavier's School for the Gifted. Also, seeing other Mutants misusing and abusing their powers, he created the first generation of the X-Men.This original team was trained and lead by an old friend of his...Logan, aka Wolverine. Logan's co-leader was a young woman and student named Ororo Munroe, aka Storm. Once the team was trained and fielded on active missions, they took on the additional responsibility of teaching and helping new Mutants deal with their powers.On one horrible night, the X-Men were fielded to stop a particularly powerful Mutant and his 'gang'. The 'intelligence' received on this Mutant and his cohorts was sketchy and actually turned out to be a set-up to entrap the X-Men and take them captive. In the ensuing melee', 'things' happened and a number of the team were killed outright or severely injured.After making sure his remaining team-mates were going to be okay, Logan left. Xavier has not, to current time, explained his absence or even whether or not he survived.Current Time/Game Time: Almost seven years later, as Human/Mutant incidents are on the rise, Xavier once again sees a need for a Mutant 'police force'. He sees this new X-Men team as a force for good and a way to help peacefully integrate the rapidly emerging Mutant society with the established Human society. To this end, he has contacted Logan and asked him to 'come home' and train his 'new' team.
Logan has reluctantly agreed.Can shadows from their past be put aside for the good of the new X-Men? How will the surviving members of the original team react and what will they do as 'truths' are learned about that disastrous night?Note: We want the new X-Men to include younger versions of the old familiar characters such as Scott, Jean, Beast etc...as well as many of the OCC’s and other Canon characters that are available.Please ask the Staff BEFORE stating or establishing that your character was one of the old, now disbanded, original X-Men.
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