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Yes, our fair city has built itself quite a reputation over the years. From humble beginnings to modern industrial marvel, it's not hard to see why Metropolis has often been called 'the city of the future'. But let's turn our attention to the present, and see what's going on in 2014, shall we?
All around town, the streets are busy with the sounds of life, commerce and industry. But, one sound is missing... the rumble of car engines! That's because Lexcorp's newest models of hydrogen-cell lighter-than-air Skycar (tm) are on sale. Everyone these days is trading in their old gasoline guzzlers for efficient, safe and environmentally friendly Skycars. Now our citizens have a new reason to watch the skies!
And not only are our streets being modernized, but our workplaces as well. With the introduction of the Steelworks' new Servebot, getting chores done around the house is as easy as the push of a button. But before you invest in one of your own, why not try out one of the public models on display down at City Hall? They're voice activated, and will be happy to answer your questions, sing you a song, or play you a friendly game of chess. Just remember to be a good sport... winning a match against their advanced computer brains isn't easy!
But, life in the city isn't all hustle and bustle. Here in Memorial Park, the Green Lantern Scouts hold their 25th annual bake sale to raise money for camping trips and charity work to be held throughout the year. Open to boys and girls from all walks of life, the Green Lanterns are a vital part of city youth culture. Reached for comment, Scouts founder and war hero Alan Scott had this to say:
"Teamwork, fortitude and having fun are what it's all about. If you have a son or daughter who isn't a Green Lantern, why not talk to the local chapterhouse about signing them up? And hey Dad, we're always looking for volunteer Guardians too, so why not come along for the adventure!"
And what does little Jenny think?
"I've earned twelve of the badges, plus this neato membership ring!"
Ha ha, you hang in there Jenny!
But sadly, even in Metropolis we must remain ever vigilant to keep our city safe. The fastest growing threat to the public today is the Brainiac menace. Is there a Brainiac in your school, on your street? Forewarned is forearmed! Watch for these tell tale signs;
-Greenish tinge to the skin
-Awkward use of slang or stilted speech
-Unusual lumps on the forehead or scalp
Of course, the surefire method of detecting a Brainiac is to rely on their huge ego. They cannot help but correct faulty math. If you suspect someone you know is a Brainiac, try this simple test: while engaging them in conversation, make a statement that contains arithmetic and purposely use the wrong answer. When a Brainiac hears this, their calculator-like brains cannot help but correct your mistake and state the true sum.
Once you've identified a Brainiac, immediately report them to your nearest Science Policeman. Your neighbors will thank you!
2014 was a busy year in Metropolis, with a mayoral election, playing host to the winter Olympics and successfully repelling three separate alien invasions. But, it also went down as the year that Superman got married! Seen here in footage of the historic ceremony on the steps of City Hall, our protector Kal-El of Krypton slips a ring on the finger of blushing bride Lois Lane, longtime sweetheart and star reporter of the Daily Planet. The open-air ceremony drew crowds in the thousands, all wishing the new couple a happy honeymoon and matrimonial bliss.
Celebrities from all over the globe made the event, and at Superman's request have brought charity donations in lieu of wedding gifts. Dignitaries from Japan, Scotland, Russia, Pokolistan, Kenya, France, Markovia and Canada are all present, seen here posing for photographs with typical Metropolis citizens. And seen here throwing a handful of rice are heiress Selena Kyle and philanthropist Bruce Wayne, having come over from Gotham to deliver their gift of a new animal shelter and hospital to Metropolis' Southside district. Later, we see Superman accepting an invitation from King Henry to spend a portion of his honeymoon at Windsor Castle. Why, even old enemies have buried the hatchet for this special occasion. Several wedding-goers reported having seen the fifth-dimensional imp called Mr. Mxyzptlk make a brief appearance, and claimed he was responsible for the uncharacteristically favorable weather before disappearing once again.
And, just in time for New Year's Eve, the tail end of 2014 also sees the newlyweds announce the birth of their first child, daughter Cir-El. Doctors in the delivery room are not sure exactly how to handle the world's first human/kryptonian hybrid, but no apparent complications and a strong heartbeat are good enough for the proud new father. Not even Superman knows what future little Cir-El might have in store, but a multitude of donated toys, diapers and pre-admittance to preschools should keep this super-tot happy.
And that's 2014's year in review! Brought to you by Coleman's. When you want reliability, trust Coleman's!
_______________________________________
The lights flipped back on, followed immediately by Mrs. Stockbolt snapping "Cir-El! Wake up this instant young lady!"
"Snnrrk---I'm awake! I'm awake. What? I'm up, I'm..." Cir-El's startled response faded as she looked around the classroom with wide eyes, noticing her classmates snickering at her.
"Ms. El, I would have thought that out of everyone here, you in particular would have been paying attention to the film. Since the school period is almost over I'll let you off the hook for today, but I'll be making a call to your parents about your sleeping patterns in and out of history class, understood?"
"Yes ma'am..." Cir muttered as she slinked away towards the door, the bell having signaled the students to leave for home. Pushing her way through the throng of students in the hallway, Cir was quickly singled out and pulled aside by her best friend.
"Greetings Cir-El, I am most pleased to have found you!" said Chyrl'estl, a Tamaranian girl whom Cir had met back in grade school. Physically the two girls were near opposites: Chyrl's tanned orange skin compared to Cir's pale Caucasian complexion, Chyrl's long curly auburn hair to Cir's short, straight black hair. The trend even continued into their clothing, with Cir preferring a conservative black smartfiber singlet and boots that blended in with what most girls her age were wearing, while Chyrl sported a flashy Tamaranian skirt and top that caught the eyes of their male classmates. Despite physically being polar opposites the two young girls had always found plenty in common, being the only two female aliens in their grade.
Chyrl was usually overly exuberant, but today she seemed especially anxious about something. "I must tell you of a message from Doctor Peabody. He has requested that you go to his lab, as quickly as possible. I am not sure why exactly, but it does sound very exciting! Might I come along?"
"Sure thing, Chyrl!" Cir said, dropping her schoolbooks into her locker and slamming it shut, the maglock engaging automatically. As soon as they had stepped out the school doors, Cir slung her rucksack over her shoulder and took to the air. "But you'll have to keep up!" she called out to her friend, speeding off in the direction of Peabody's lab.
One short but spirited aerial race later, Cir was the first to touch down on the doctor's porch only moments before her friend. "Keen!" she grinned, "Now you owe me a coke!"
Before either of them could even knock the door swung open wildly, nearly smacking Chyrl. Doc Peabody was a small man with thick black rimmed glasses, a prominent snout and not a hair on him that wasn't snow white. Normally quiet and precise in every word and action he took, today Peabody looked positively haggard. Dark rings circled his eyes, and his clothing and lab were far from their usually immaculate state. "Come in, come in girls." He barked, rushing them inside. "We haven't a moment to lose!"
"What's the big deal?" Cir asked, following close behind the elderly doctor as he lead the two of them in.
"There is a crisis afoot! I came across this most startling of events this morning as I was monitoring your father on the Oscilloscope. As you know, Superman is currently accompanying a United Planets exploration mission to Mars."
"Right. I knew that." Cir-El said, hoping no one would call her bluff.
"Or rather, I should say he was accompanying them. Sherman, get the lights, would you?" the scientist asked.
Sherman, a lanky red-headed lab assistant employed by Peabody who had gone unnoticed until now, flipped the switch and plunged the room into darkness save for the blue glow of a Jacob’s Ladder. Peabody activated the Oscilloscope and tuned it to a playback of the events recorded earlier that day. The four sat and watched, Chyrl scooting closer to Sherman.
"Hi, Sherman," she whispered, batting her eyelashes at the visibly uncomfortable young man.
The Oscilloscope displayed a scenic field of stars, a few planets of various colors hanging suspended in the background. A title graphic appeared, wavering with menace as it declared "The Threat from Beyond Time!" on the screen. As they watched, a bright red rocket ship shot past, a gout of smoke and fire spraying out of the rear engines. The image zoomed in on the ship until the interior was visible, where Superman and several UP officers were fighting for their lives.
"You have cameras out in space?" asked Chyrl.
"Shh!" hushed Cir, "That's not important!"
Superman was instantly recognizable to everyone, his costume and even face considered iconic by anyone living on Earth. Even in the last fourteen years since Cir's birth, the only minor changes to have occurred were a couple small wrinkles and the hair at his temples going white. The slimy green alien that he was wrestling with proved little challenge, requiring only a quick blast of heat vision to reduce it to a puddle of ooze. Two more brightly hued aliens stepped forward, but with little effort Superman seized them by the shoulders and shoved them together, bonking their heads together and dropping them to the floor.
"Superman, help!" came a shout from off-screen. Superman leapt to the left. The camera reoriented itself just in time to catch Superman burst through a solid interior wall, catching three more alien thugs by surprise.
Biff! Pow! Zot!
Three swift punches sent the ugly brutes down in a tumble, freeing a handsome young man dressed in a reflective uniform.
"Thanks, Superman - I owe you one!" he said, as Superman helped him to his feet. "But we have to act fast! Follow me!"
"Hey, that's Buster Krabbe!" interjected Cir-El. "He's a sergeant of the Darkstar Patrol, and the captain of the baseball team at my school. He was the one who stopped Mongul the Merciless from enslaving planet Mogo, plus he plays guitar too! He's so dreamy."
Buster lead Superman down one of the rocket ship's corridors, passing by other aliens wrestling with other human cosmonauts. The reason for their hurry was soon evident: reaching the bridge, Superman and Buster came face to face with their deadliest enemy.
"The Czar of Space!" exclaimed Superman, a sharp musical sting adding even more dramatic tension. Standing nearly seven feet tall, bearing stone-gray skin, bony spiked protrusions and glowing red eyes, the Czar looked like evil incarnate. His crown and cape were feeble attempts to make the Czar appear civilized, but one look at his craggy teeth, stringy white hair and muscles that would put a grizzly to shame and you knew that the Czar of Space was a monster, plain and simple.
"Indeed it is I, comrade Superman," the Czar mocked, twisting his thin mustache between thumb and forefinger. Superman took a half step forward before freezing in place when the Czar unveiled his latest Doomsday Weapon.
"I wouldn't step any closer if I were you, goodnik. I hold in my hand the first Anti-Choniton Bomb ever invented. It was designed by a genius... myself! Muahahaha! When it detonates, it will not simply annihilate you. No, the anti-chronitons will actually erase years of your previous existence, undoing all the many good deeds you have done!"
"You fiend!" snapped Buster, drawing his ray-gun faster than even Superman could blink. A zap of blue light hit the Czar's fingers, making him yelp in pain and drop the Doomsday bomb. It was just the opportunity that Superman needed, so he dashed forward and locked arms with the Czar of Space before he could retrieve his weapon.
"Yeah, get 'im dad!" cheered Cir-El, pumping a fist into the air. "Knock his block off!"
"You'll pay for your many crimes, Czar." stated Superman as he wrestled the beast to a standstill. "The people of Earth have prepared a nice cell for you at Super-Jail."
"You fool, the bomb was already triggered on a countdown, you'll destroy us both!" The Czar's eyes were genuinely panicked. The bomb skittered around their feet, kicked this way and that as the two titans traded blows. Every attempt he made to throw Superman off so that he could retrieve the weapon was blocked, until the countdown had only seconds left. Realizing that there was no longer any chance to avoid the blast, the Czar's eyes took on a crazed mirth. "Dos Vidanya, Superman!"
A blinding flash and thunderous explosion sounded, obscuring Superman and his foe. For a few second the years seemed to melt away from both combatants, Superman regaining his once youthful good looks and the Czar losing his facial hair and crown, becoming the uncouth savage he had once been. And still the two continued to trade blows, Superman landing a solid uppercut even as cruel knuckle-spikes stabbed into his stomach. The bomb flashed again and billowing smoke surrounded the two, forcing Buster and even the viewers at home to shield their eyes. When they could look again, neither Superman nor his opponent remained, save for a few scraps of Superman's cape and the black-and-red S-shield he wore on his chest.
"...Dad?" Cir breathed, totally caught by surprise. Though she had watched her father battling evil countless times, either in person or watching on her television set like most kids, the possibility that Superman could ever actually lose a fight had never crossed her mind even once. She kept watching the screen, waiting for the usual "same super-time, same super-channel!" advertisement for the next installment of the story. Or even a lousy "To be continued..." or "next time", or something! What was this?! As she watched the screen, unblinking, the camera zoomed out to show the rocket ship turn around and zoom off in the direction of Earth. The position in space that it had formerly occupied was rapidly becoming discolored and tearing open like celluloid bubbling and burning in front of a projector bulb, exposing the blank white nothingness beneath.
Cir felt her cheeks growing hot, and her breaths coming in short angry huffs. What kind of an ending was THAT?! There was no resolution, no closure. No celebration for the heroes or punishment for the villains. Cir stared at the growing white void that was dissolving space itself. She found herself hating it.
"Now, Cir, of course you have every right to be upset, but you should know that the situation may not be quite as dire as it looks!" Peabody appeased her. Sherman flicked the lights on again, and pulled forth a blackboard covered with arcane calculations. "I've theorized that the energy wave you saw was the causal result of your father's existence being erased. As it passes over the solar system and beyond, it is remaking the universe into the state it would have been in had Superman not existed! But I have an idea, an idea that might save Superman and all of us as well. But I'll need your help!"
Oh, now it made sense. Cir breathed a relieved sigh. She had encountered situations like this before. "What do you need me to do, collect cereal box tops?" Cir asked. She hoped that was the task, since she liked eating sugary cereals. Dr. Peabody quirked a quizzical eyebrow at Cir but otherwise remained stone-faced.
"....Hostess Fruit Pies?" Cir guessed again.
"No, nothing like that I'm afraid." Peabody said, adjusting his thick glasses. "Based on the size of the initial anti-chroniton explosion, I believe that the blast did not erase Superman's entire existence. By my calculations, his existence should currently end sometime in the year 2009. We'll need YOU to travel to that year and discover the cause of his death, and rectify it! Once that is accomplished, all the results of the Doomsday event should reverse themselves, including bringing you back to your proper time."
"But why me, doc? I'm just a 14-year-old kid." Cir asked. Surely there were others better suited to such an important mission.
"Firstly, you are one of the few people who will most certainly be erased from existence entirely should this mission fail, and not merely changed such as myself. Thus, this time period is far too dangerous for you to remain in. Secondly, you already have allies in that time to assist you; your mother and other family will naturally want to help you. Lastly, your Kryptonian powers are nothing to scoff at. In that time period aliens and meta-humans were much less common, you will have power beyond that of other people."
"Right. Okay." Cir said, psyching herself up. "I can do this. Do it for dad."
"At it's current rate of expansion, the transmogrification wave will reach Earth less than an hour from now, so you must hurry! I've already radioed ahead to Doctor Brown at the temporal science institute, as well as Buster Krabbe on route back to Earth. They will rendezvous with you at the science institute, where Doc Brown will configure the Way-Back-Machine with the coordinates for your trip provided by Sgt. Krabbe."
"Okay, if this works I'll be right back! Wish me luck!" said Cir to everyone around her, heading for the door. Chyrl surprised Sherman with a quick peck on the cheek then dashed out after her friend.
"Golly Mr. Peabody, I think she likes me!" said the astounded Sherman.
"Quiet, you." muttered his elderly mentor.
In the skies above Metropolis, Chyrl'estl pushed hard to catch up to her best friend. As fast as she pushed herself, the Tamaranian was unable to close the distance between them until they had almost reached the doors of the temporal science institute. As Cir slowed to a halt, Chyrl'estl careened into her, knocking both girls to the ground.
"Oh, I am greatly sorry my friend! I did not mean to!" apologized Chryl, with both hands covering her mouth in embarrassment.
"That's okay, but why did you follow me?" asked Cir.
"I am here for the support of your morale. It is as you say, 'what friends are for', correct?"
"Aww, thanks Chyrl, you're a real pal." Cir affirmed, drawing her friend in for a hug. The touching moment was cut short only a few seconds later by an explosion in the air above.
"Oh, my..." Chyrl gasped.
Before their eyes, the sleek red rocket of the Darkstar Patrol came crashing through the Metropolis skyline. It tore through skyships and towers before finally impacting into the side of the science institute only a short walk from where the two girls sat. Although neither the rocket nor the building were destroyed, the impact had torn open the rocket's hull in several places, spilling it's passengers out like a broken piñata spilling candy. A confused mix of UP officers and the Czar's alien thugs were littered inside the science lab and out, each side still pressing on with the battle. The grounds of the temporal science institute had suddenly become a war zone, and Cir still had to get through it to reach the Way-Back-Machine inside.
"Chyrl'estl?"
"Yes, friend Cir-El?"
"Thanks for coming with me."
The Tamaranian girl gulped loudly. "Think nothing of it."
Behind the city skyline, the creeping white void of the transmogrification wave rose over the horizon. In less than an hour, Metropolis and everything else Cir-El had grown up with would be erased forever.
_______________________________________
-> Buster Krabbe is trapped by the wreckage of his crashed rocket! To free him, Cir or Chyrl must move adjacent to him. They begin freeing him as a free action. At the beginning of your next turn, Buster is freed and may take actions as normal.
-> The goal of the mission is to get Cir into the Way-Back Machine and sent back in time! The WBM is located in the north-east quadrant of the map, and Cir’s pod is denoted by the blue circle. Doc Brown is marked as the silver letter A.
To activate the WBM, move Cir to her pod. You may then give Doc Brown a Power Action to begin the chrono-replacemefication process. Protect Doc Brown at all costs! He must survive for two (2) full turns to complete the activation and send Cir through time! If he is knocked out, Chyrl or Buster can try to complete the activation, but can only successfully do so as a power action with a successful roll of 5 or 6 on 1d6.
The aliens have no idea that Doc Brown is important, and so can not attack him until he begins activating the Way-Back Machine and reveals his significance.
Successfully sending Cir-El back in time grants the Metropolis team a +10 TXP bonus. Chyrl and Buster may continue fighting off the aliens until the end of the game.
Quick question (though it won't matter for a while) but what are Doc Brown's stats? If he can be attacks by the space-thugs, he'll need a defense value.
The roll for objects is our way of randomizing who gets to place which objects. It's not a big deal. Whoever rolls highers gets to place 2 heavy objects and one light object. The person who rolls lowers places 1 heavy and two lights.
Since we tied, we'll have to roll again. My second roll is (5, 1).
The starting positions are already taken care of for us in this case. That's not always the way it happens, but for this issue Lightshear has set up all the bad guys in the middle of the map. And I'm not actually sure how to post dials in the thread, usually I just open a tab and look at the site's units section.
1 Cir El
un076 R Supergirl
Team: Superman Ally
Range: 6
Points: 108
Keywords: Metropolis, Teen
10
9
14
3
10
9
14
2
9
8
14
2
9
8
14
2
8
7
15
2
8
7
15
2
7
6
14
2
7
6
14
2
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
2 Chyrl'estyl
io206 LE Princess Koriand'r
Team: Titans
Range: 10
Points: 88
Keywords: Ruler, Teen Titans
10
9
15
4
10
9
15
3
10
9
16
3
9
10
16
2
9
10
16
2
8
9
15
1
8
8
14
1
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
3 Buster Krabbe
lg064 R Superboy
Team: Superman Ally
Range: 0
Points: 97
Keywords: Celebrity, Metropolis, Teen, Young Justice
10
9
16
3
10
8
15
2
9
8
16
1
9
8
15
1
8
7
14
2
8
7
13
2
7
6
12
2
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
KO
And the Scientist: Doc Brown
htB009 Scientist
Team: No Affiliation
Range: 0
Points: 3
6
6
13
.
KO
KO
KO
KO
When you view the dial and image in the units section, there is a little word "dial" in the right corner. Click it and it opens a window where you can copy the code and paste it onto your post.