Suicide Squad Annual #1
“Identity Crisis part 2”

by Lightshear


We had worked our way in from the east, low and quiet. Ivy had made our route easier, using her plant ju-ju to keep the path clear and to give us some shelter from prying eyes. It was when I took a look out over the cliff at the fortress that I had a surprise.

“Wouldja look at that,” Major Force says. He chuckles a bit, like a high school bully who had just spotted a nerd in the crowd. I know what he means, though. Looks like the party started without us.

“What do you see, Cheshire,” I ask the lovely lady in green. She had the long-range binoculars and was doing most of our spotting. This one was quiet, and I appreciated that, but something about her made me uneasy. She had the look of a dame that would split and trade you in for the new model as soon as a better deal came along. I know for a fact, because she used to work for the Kingpin. She was a hired-knife who ran with one of his lieutenants until she got pinched. A couple nights in the hoosegow and she was anxious to turn all his secrets over to us. Witch is callow, and I know from callow.

“Looks like the capes are breaking through the front door,” she says. Her accent is a strange cross between Japanese and British. A little too proper and perfectly formed, you ask me. But she brought good news. With those super-freaks fighting the main force at the front door, we’ll have an easier time cutting our way into their pink underbelly.

“Alright, Squad, we stick to our plan. This distraction only makes our work easier – into the fortress through the eastern air vents, then wind our way through to the prize.” I move ahead, taking the lead. It’s nice now that Manta’s off the team so I can take point without worrying so much about getting a trident in the back, but I still keep one eye ahead and one behind. Trust is for suckers.
____________________________________

“Move ahead, but keep silent; Cheshire, work the locks – Wizzer, cover her back.”

“Wizard,” the pretty-boy pansy says with a pout. Boo-freaking-hoo. He’s dead weight, so far as I’m concerned, and unless he pulls his end when we get through these last doors he can kiss his sweet pardon goodbye and go back to keeping some oversized mass of rapist muscle warm between his cheeks.

So far, so good. We’ve killed a clean path to our destination, and now we just have to shut down the nerve-central of the place. If our intelligence is any good, and if Cheshire’s two-timing insider info is believable, then this room should be the hub of the Kingpin’s security network for the whole joint, and once we pop its top we’ll have access to the cameras, guns, alarms, lights – everything.

In a second, Cheshire has cracked the code for the door – her old code having been erased when she was caught. I take some cover in a doorway and motion for the others to follow suit. Major Force, being the biggest, and Grundy, being the dumbest, take point. Force flies forward, since his big, heavy metal feet tend to pound the floor where he walks, and taps the button, opening the doors with a soft whooshing of air. Grundy leaps in to intercept any waiting surprises.

“Nobody home,” Grundy calls out. I wave everybody ahead and make my way into the room. It feels too easy, no matter how good our intel was. I take a quick visual sweep of the room; computer terminals, more monitors than a nerd’s basement, lots of hardware. Looks genuine. I don’t like it.

“Hello, Lawton.” I hear the voice, dark and deep, mixed with the sinister wheeze of a respirator unit, but I don’t take notice. I’m already making for the door. Everybody but Force follows me out before they slam closed and whatever trap they had in there explodes with so much force it still d*mn near knocks me down. A couple seconds after the sound fades to a dull ringing, I hear a couple slams from inside, and the door blows open. Major Force just walks out, cool as a New York sax solo, slightly darkened with soot but otherwise completely unharmed. D*mn.

“Manta’s here,” I say, as if they didn’t know. Gotta play to the idiots, just in case. “The mission’s scrapped - let’s move.” We start hauling toward our escape route, and just as we enter the last room I pull up short at the sight that waits for us. Manta is there, his massive electrified trident gleaming and sparking as he stands tall. He’s Darth Vader staring down a footsoldier. He’s death in battle-armor. His red eyes glow hot in the darkened room, the low lights only serving to amp up his menace level to 11.

“Welcome home, Cheshire,” he says, mocking her openly. She doesn’t take it too well, but doesn’t let her anger show. Good girl. “You betrayed us and had the gall to return. Foolish girl. Now I shall have to leave you to my new associate. Roland?”

I know what’s coming before it happens, but when Desmond steps forward, I’m still a little surprised. He’s traded in his white-trash redneck overalls for Brooks Brothers – he even looks like he’s groomed himself. His eyes sparkle with malicious intent, and his smile betrays something deeper in his mind. He’s like a coiled viper, just waiting for the prey to make the first move.

“Hello, Floyd,” he chuckles. I get a shiver that almost runs up my spine, but it thinks better of it after a couple vertebrae and shuts it’s hole. “Nice to see you again. Or, perhaps I should rephrase. It’s nice to have you back in my clutches. I had dearly hoped that you would have been at the Cadmus site alongside us, but this is so much the better. Now I get to take my time with you.”

He looks so smug and haughty I want to shoot the taste out of his mouth. I could, but I hold back. I still need information. “Shouldn’t you be humping your sister or something?”

“Droll. No, you see my new associates have been so kind as to return my mind to me. The serum which I ingested to perfect my physical attributes had stripped me of my glorious intellect – I’m afraid I haven’t been myself for some time.”

“Was it you I saw on the security tapes raping Frost while Cadmus burned, or was that some other sadist sonofa##### using damaged goods for his thrills?”

His laugh was pure evil. His eyes narrowed as his smile broadened and I saw the Wizard shrink back beside me. “No, no – that was indeed me. And I enjoyed every second of it. Perhaps I’ll do the same with your skull once I’ve finished reshaping it. After I’ve repaid Cheshire’s treachery, of course.”

“No, no,” came a weaselly little voice from behind Desmond. “You promised! You promised to leave Alice for me!” Hatter slithered out from behind with a look of fear, loathing, and hunger on his face. Ugly little troll.

“Enough talking,” I say, my wrist-cannons automatically cocking forward with a satisfying cha-clack. “Let’s get this job done.”
____________________________________

Suicide Squad:

E Deadshot - 50
R Major Force – 95
R Solomon Grundy - 48
R Cheshire – 24
R Poison Ivy – 35
R Weather Wizard – 31

Total: 283

Vs.

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:

E Black Manta* - 34
E Blockbuster – 117
E Mad Hatter – 33
R Dreadnaught - 30
R Dreadnaught - 30
R Dreadnaught - 30

* Stunning Blow - 10

Total: 284
Map: IAP 1

Scenario Rules:

 The robots are powered by the central defense matrix of the citadel. If TMNT’s JLI are able to destroy all 4 defense turrets, the robots will short circuit and shut down in that same round.

Ex: In round 9 of the JLI Annual, TMNT manages to destroy the final Defense Turret. Therefore, in round 9 of the SS game, the robots will all shut down (even if you’ve only made it to round 3 of your game). If he shuts them down in round 4 and you are currently in round 5+, they are immediately disabled.

You will receive KO TAP for any ‘bots you have damaged.

I'd definitely be up for playing the villains, er, the Kingpin's villains in this one, Kasz, if that's alright with you and the power-that-be.

Initiative: 6+3=9
Objects: 5+5=10

sweet with me.

Initative = 6+4
Objects = 5+6

Wow... didn't think I'd win those... hot rolling hope it keeps.

So I guess you set up first. I think.

I believe -- since you won Init -- that you now pick the side, from which you'd like to start, n'est-ce pas? In a 'normal' game, you -- having won Init -- would first pick the map, but here the map is chosen for us. Once you choose a side, then i'll set up and place 1 HO and 2 LOs.

Ah... ok... I'll take the bottom... just because that looks more like where a computer hub would be a few spaces away.

Hmm... just noticed Deadshot dosen't have his trickshot... eh well.

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) B12
E Blockbuster (9/9) B17
E Mad Hatter (5/5) B14
R Dreadnaught "Alpha" (5/5) B13
R Dreadnaught "Beta" (5/5) B15
R Dreadnaught "Gamma" (5/5) B16

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: C17,
LOs: M11, K16,

May your rolls in the game reflect your first two rolls for Initiative and Objects! Good luck, Kasz!

Deadshot (5/5) X12
Cheshire (5/5) W10
Solomon Grundy (10/10) X13
Major Force (8/8) W13
Weather Wizard (5/5) W12
Poison Ivy(4/4) W11

VS

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) B12
E Blockbuster (9/9) B17
E Mad Hatter (5/5) B14
R Dreadnaught "Alpha" (5/5) B13
R Dreadnaught "Beta" (5/5) B15
R Dreadnaught "Gamma" (5/5) B16

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: C17, N13, V13
LOs: M11, K16, N12

So do I move first or you?

Lieutenants' 'page' 1a

Jervis Tetch glanced briefly up at Black Manta. It was a momentary look of fear and loathing. Black Manta appeared not to notice as he began to stride toward their opponents. With that damnable helmet on Manta's head, the small Hatter couldn't be sure that Manta didn't see him, so he quickly turned away. Across the room, Cheshire was hiding, the dark-tressed assassin, whom Tetch had found so fetching. Now, the Mad Hatter was again caught in a pickle, between the glowing, deadly trident of Black Manta and the lovely fists of Cheshire. If the Mad Hatter allowed himself to wish Black Manta dead, then he dare not show it -- not yet.
-----------------------------------

Black Manta moves to H13.
Dreadnought Alpha moves to J13.
Blockbuster grabs the HO in C17 and moves to J16.
---------------------------

The 'S' Squad
Deadshot (5/5) X12
Cheshire (5/5) W10
Solomon Grundy (10/10) X13
Major Force (8/8) W13
Weather Wizard (5/5) W12
Poison Ivy(4/4) W11

VS

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) H13 @
E Blockbuster (9/9) w/HO J16 @
E Mad Hatter (5/5) B14
R Dreadnaught "Alpha" (5/5) J13 @
R Dreadnaught "Beta" (5/5) B15
R Dreadnaught "Gamma" (5/5) B16

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: w/ Blockbuster in J16, N13, V13
LOs: M11, K16, N12

[Well, in a 'normal' game, the Initiative winner winds up making the first move (which -- in my opinion -- is often a disadvantage). Here, since the first step of choosing a map falls away, i believe i make the first move. (How many months have you and i been playing these RPSC games by now? ;-)) ]

heh yeah I know... hrm.

1) Major force picks up Grundy and the HO and moves to N16, Drops Grundy in 015

2) Poison Ivy to Q12

3) Wizard to S13, he carries Deadshot to R12


The 'S' Squad
Deadshot (5/5) R12
Cheshire (5/5) W10
Solomon Grundy (10/10) O15
Major Force (8/8) N16 @
Weather Wizard (5/5) W13 @
Poison Ivy(4/4) Q12@

VS

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) H13 @
E Blockbuster (9/9) w/HO J16 @
E Mad Hatter (5/5) B14
R Dreadnaught "Alpha" (5/5) J13 @
R Dreadnaught "Beta" (5/5) B15
R Dreadnaught "Gamma" (5/5) B16

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: w/ Blockbuster in J16, N13, HO in Major Force's Hands
LOs: M11, K16, N12

Lieutenants' 'page' 2a

With a whirr and hiss, the servo-motors in the robots' joints propelled the unthinking killing machines forward. Suddenly, the Mad Hatter found himself alone. He wondered briefly if he should try to make a break for it, but he knew that would only prolong the inevitable. With the predictable cry of, "Hey! Wait for me!" he scurried as fast as his short legs would carry him and took a preliminary position behind the robots.
----------------------
Dreadnought Beta moves to J12.
Dreadnought Gamma moves to J15.
Mad Hatter moves to H15.
----------------------
The 'S' Squad
Deadshot (5/5) R12
Cheshire (5/5) W10
Solomon Grundy (10/10) O15
Major Force (8/8) N16 @
Weather Wizard (5/5) S13 @
Poison Ivy(4/4) Q12@

VS

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) H13
E Blockbuster (9/9) w/HO J16
E Mad Hatter (5/5) H15 @
R Dreadnaught "Alpha" (5/5) J13
R Dreadnaught "Beta" (5/5) J12 @
R Dreadnaught "Gamma" (5/5) J15 @

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: w/ Blockbuster in J16, N13, HO in Major Force's Hands
LOs: M11, K16, N12

"Okay.... Plan Alpha!" Deadshot shouted at Grundy and Cheshire.

Grundy moved towards the enemy hefting a piece of debree in his way, but then walked back.

Deadshot took a shot at one of the Machines they were facing the shot hit the robot but barely made a dent

Cheshire then ran up ahead of Deadshot and covered him ready to engage the enemy in hand to hand combat if the need arose.

HAHAHA... Come now... of course our defenses would be set up special just for you!

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Page 2B

1) Grundy picks up the object in N13 and moves back to his original space

2) Deadshot RS to R13 and attacks the Dreadnought Alpha, 9 on 15 now hindering is removed, 4+6 for a hit for 1 after toughness.

3) Cheshire to Q13

The 'S' Squad
Deadshot (5/5) R13 @
Cheshire (5/5) Q13 @
Solomon Grundy (10/10) O15 @ W/HO
Major Force (8/8) N16 @ W/HO
Weather Wizard (5/5) S13 @
Poison Ivy(4/4) Q12@

VS

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) H13
E Blockbuster (9/9) w/HO J16
E Mad Hatter (5/5) H15 @
R Dreadnaught "Alpha" (5/5) J13
R Dreadnaught "Beta" (5/5) J12 @
R Dreadnaught "Gamma" (5/5) J15 @

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: w/ Blockbuster in J16, N13, HO in Major Force's Hands
LOs: M11, K16, N12

Shoulda just had Deadshot there to begin with... forgot that Dreadnoughts only have a 4 range.

oops forgot to update Alpha's damage

R Dreadnaught "Alpha" (4/5) J13

Lieutenants' 'page' 3a

"I know what you're thinking, but you should really utilize your reacquired intellect," came the awful voice from inside Black Manta's helmet. Blockbuster's hands were tensing on the heavy piece of machinery he had picked up. Blockbuster turned his head to Manta, who had approached the gigantic villain.

"I am quite well in control of my faculties," replied Blockbuster. Still, he felt the urge to rush headlong into the melee, as if his muscles controlled more of his body than his brain. The blood began to pulse through his temples at an increased rate. Certainly, a mind as brilliant as his could find a justification for taking the battle to their enemies!...
----------------------------------

Blockbuster, using Charge, moves to N14 and attacks Soloman Grundy > AV9 vs DV14 > roll: 6+1=7 HIT. SGrundy takes (4+2 HO -1 Toguhness) 5 damage. SGrundy loses Super Strength and drops the HO in his square, O15.
Dreadnought Alpha moves to N12.
Blockbuster Outwits Major Force's Charge.
Black Manta moves to M12.
--------------------------------


The 'S' Squad
Deadshot (5/5) R13 @
Cheshire (5/5) Q13 @
Solomon Grundy (5/10) O15 @
Major Force (8/8) N16 w/HO (Charge Outwitted)
Weather Wizard (5/5) S13
Poison Ivy(4/4) Q12

VS

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) M12 @
E Blockbuster (9/9) N14 @
E Mad Hatter (5/5) H15
R Dreadnought "Alpha" (4/5) N12 @
R Dreadnought "Beta" (5/5) J12
R Dreadnought "Gamma" (5/5) J15

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: O15, HO in Major Force's Hands
LOs: M11, K16, N12

Why I didn't think you'd do that i'll never know! Forgot about outwit... duh. Time for plan.... Oh #### I screwed up!


------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Well if grundy was good for one thing it was taking a hit...

Cheshire moved out of my way as I loaded a special bullet for blockbuster as soon as it was loaded I sent it at him and the explosion rocked him backwords, but when the smoke cleared his clothes were torn to pieces but he looked hardly damaged. I coulda swore he gave me one of his old stupid leering grins before his face switched back to his new smug grin.

The Grin was knocked off his face when Major Force blasted him on the cheek with a burst of radiation. Then he started to get madder... and more like the old blockbuster.


1) Cheshire pushes to move to 011,

2) Deadshot pushes to attack Blockbuster, (Shot should pass in the middle of P from 13 to 14 right) 9 on 16, needa 7 roll is a 6+1, for a hit for 2 after Invuln, Deadshot takes a click

3) Major Force attacks Blockbuster at range without the object 10 on 15, need a 5 twice, 1+5 for a hit, PC is... 6+3 for a hit for 1 after inuvlnerability

The 'S' Squad
Deadshot (4/5) R13 @@
Cheshire (4/5) Q13 @@
Solomon Grundy (5/10) O15
Major Force (8/8) N16 w/HO @
Weather Wizard (5/5) S13
Poison Ivy(4/4) Q12

VS

Kingpin’s Lieutenants:
E Black Manta* (6/6) M12 @
E Blockbuster (6/9) N14 @
E Mad Hatter (5/5) H15
R Dreadnought "Alpha" (4/5) N12 @
R Dreadnought "Beta" (5/5) J12
R Dreadnought "Gamma" (5/5) J15

* with Stunning Blow - 10

HOs: O15, HO in Major Force's Hands
LOs: M11, K16, N12

Cost me two more clicks to deal 3 to Blockbuster... but i think it's worth it. I know from using him how much of a team killer he can be.

Doh screwed up... forgot to change Cheshire's position...

Cheshire (4/5) O11 @@

still makin the rookie mistakes in both the game and the format!