X-Champions Issues
Issue 53 – The Black Issue
The Justice Squad has been looking for Black Diamond. Nexus has studied where the likely appearance spots from the Black Crystal dimension are plus where Black Diamond has been seen, and they have set up surveillance at three key points in New York City. Then, just a few days after the fight with January Victory!, Laughton and Nexus, the only members available, see Black Diamond pop into place near the Statue of Liberty.
T'suara and Nexus pop in, several hundred yards from Black Diamond as he surfs the skies southward, and ambush Black Diamond. Nexus bombards dimensional energy against Black Diamond's mental senses as T'suara beings the transformation process, finding Black Diamond tough.
Black Diamond quickly moves directly back to confront them, getting close. T'suara continues his attack, while Nexus moves to sap Black Diamond of strength against this, but misses. Black Diamond casts a strange energy at Nexus, momentarily surrounding him with a hazy crystalline sort of energy that quickly dissipates. As it turns out, the crystalline form gives Black Diamond the ability to determine where to attack and reduce Nexus' defenses. And Black Diamond then surfs the air and slams his board directly into Nexus' face, penetrating the mage's dimensional protection and dazing him.
T'suara and Nexus are concerned as they see the crystalline form again appear around Nexus and suddenly another attack follows up as Nexus' defenses are almost useless as Black Diamond hits Nexus with a mystical surfboard strike in his mid-section. Nexus suffers internal injuries and broken ribs! His cloak holds him safely in the air but he is unconscious.
T'suara realizes his ability to transform Black Diamond will take too long against this sort of destruction. He turns into the acidic cloud form and engulfs Black Diamond in this. Black Diamond is hurting and wants to escape; he performs a desperate blind move into the Black Crystal dimension, reappearing over the waters near the former World Trade Center site. T'suara takes the opportunity to bring Nexus back, healing him by the simple touch of a light. Nexus looks through a space/time portal and they see Black Diamond diving towards the river (the acid clings, continuing to burn him) and looking weak, sort of falling into the river at the last minute.
Black Diamond has no idea they know this as Nexus creates a portal and flies through it to get there while T'suara swiftly flies there, moving a few miles in a second. As Black Diamond starts to rise, Nexus concentrates on warping mental energies around him, surprising Black Diamond. They watch as Black Diamond's head lops back and he starts to drop into the ocean. T'suara uses his slight telekinetic ability and holds him.
They bring him to the Justice Squad base (or Justice Squad sieve as they now refer to it), and carefully take everything away from him, finding him naked underneath. Laughton notices he has a very similar look to the Men in Black. Nexus notes an unnatural affinity between the gear and Black Diamond. They then duct tape him as well as place him in stasis suppression, and Nexus takes samples.
Then they bring Black Diamond to and begin interrogating him. Nexus' first question, based on his many negative experiences in combat, is why Black Diamond attacked him first. Black Diamond explains that he felt Rodin would be easier to deal with once Nexus was out of the picture, as they realized from Alice that Rodin needs the help of others to fully be effective. He mentions that if Sammy were there he would probably have gone after him first. Nexus relaxes and says, "That's mainly what I wanted to know."
They find he's entirely amenable, easily responding. As they ask him about his background, Black Diamond proudly declares he was "created by the cosmos." Nexus puts this to the test with studying the samples. As that goes on, they ask about Death. Black Diamond refers to him as "pretty creepy," and asks, "What's in it for me to tell you? Could I be a superhero, working with you?" Laughton is surprised to note that he's not lying; he has no problem with switching sides and seems to have a cavalier attitude, believing that "the cosmos" will dictate his course. As Nexus says he'll put a good word in for Black Diamond if he gives more information, that's good enough for Black Diamond, who only asks that they put that offer into writing. Nexus is glad to do so.
So Black Diamond goes on to give details about a base under the Statue of Liberty, and that Death seems to like cemeteries, where he can just soak up the artifact life forces of the dead.
As he's bombarded with various questions, he says he does not know how he came into being, specifically, but that he just appeared right after the Incident, feeling that "the cosmos" created him. Nexus reveals that he can find many different genetic strands from Black Diamond, and that apparently the triggering of the genetic tampering device that Phoenix created killed several people and those people's DNA somehow, with all this bizarre energy, combined into a single new entity. Black Diamond feels that this makes him more special, that the cosmos conspired to create him out of these people's "sacrifice!"
As they discuss the capture of Octal Fist (which they laugh about and even Black Diamond snickers) and the others, Laughton asks what their contingency plan was. Black Diamond queries, confused, "Contingency plan?"
Nexus, figuring it's best to keep their opponents from learning, laughs it off, saying, "Don't insult his intelligence!" to Laughton.
Black Diamond elaborates that the group did have a meeting point and all that, but that he "goes where the cosmos take" him. As it turns out, the cosmos first took him to January Victory! as Alice enlisted him. Now he seems content to see where defeat will take him.
They discuss Death more, and Nexus reviews the ritual to the extent Black Diamond knows about it. Black Diamond is glad to give information, not understanding it well himself. As Nexus raises that he needs Death's "true name," Black Diamond says, "Oh, his name? He's called as Thad Franks. Makes him mad every time when he hears it, though."
Nexus is quite appreciative. He puts in an excellent word for Black Diamond, contacting Terwilliger and even leaking such to the press as Laughton passes rumors on to Jameson, so that Black Diamond won't get railroaded by the system. Also, he wants to develop the notion that the Justice Squad will honor their word and will be glad to reasonably help those who are helpful in defeat. Of course, Jameson capitalizes on the opportunity to lambaste the Justice Squad for "making deals" and "going soft" and "probably cashing in on associations they already have with criminals." As it turns out, Black Diamond will only get a ten year sentence in less intensive conditions than the most serious mutant threats. Nexus' surveys into alternate futures seems to indicate it's likely Black Diamond will end up being a superhero. Rogers writes an op-ed piece in the Times supporting a relatively positive treatment for Black Diamond.
As Black Diamond is given over to federal authorities, Neumann "awakes" from work being done on him, and talks with Nexus and Laughton. He announces "I have decided that I need a secret identity. I've decided on the name John Wayne."
Nexus asks how long Neumann has thought of this, and, as Neumann says for some time, Nexus admits that at least it's a good thing the name is available. Neumann says of the name, "Seems to blend in, doesn't stand out."
Laughton is appalled at the choice of name, and tries to reason with Neumann. As he tries to get the robot to pick a less recognizable name, he suggests "John Robinson", but Neumann rejects that, saying, "No, I do not like that one, too long."
Laughton says, "Oh, fine" and gives up
Nexus asks about the secret identity, and Neumann intends to become a waiter, vowing to apply for jobs immediately. Laughton asks what he intends to do about his appearance as inhuman. Neumann just dismisses that as he indicates he's noticed people do not pay attention. Nexus agrees and notes most people don't even know how many hairs are on their head. Laughton mentions they could call in favors. Nexus says, "Aren't you and Spiderman friends," to gently tease him.
Laughton gets a call from a Dr. Thoreau at the state mental hospital for the criminally insane. It turns out that Medusa has escaped, they suspect about a week ago. The doctor is in mid-sentence when Laughton hangs up and turns into T'suara, moving quickly. He communicates to the others as he moves by them.
Neumann says, "I think she is planning to reproduce." But he's actually discussing Jane, as Jane and Sammy are on a vacation where they intend not to be disturbed, visiting the Tanna Islands.
Nexus says to Laughton, "Well, you're going to the one place you're safe."
Then Nexus teleports Neumann and himself there. Laughton, turning into that form from T'suara has just barely made it there and is in Dr. Thoreau's office, who is hanging up to find them all confronting him. It turns out, Thoreau explains, that a different patient was substituted from Medusa, a woman who left another institution six months prior. This other patient is convinced she is Medusa, and was apparently made to look like her. Neumann asks how sure they are, and they indicate they have verified the imposter's identity.
As the discussion turns to Medusa being angry over Laughton's not visiting her, Neumann asks, "Why have you not visited your girlfriend?" Laughton is exasperated and explains the situation in detail and that she was not his girlfriend. Neumann asks if she was aware of that, and if Laughton "followed through with the break-up protocol." As Laughton explains how he tried to handle it, Neumann tilts his head and watches and listens inquisitively.
As the matter is discussed, the doctor and staff seem to feel that the switch occurred about a week ago based on a power outage that occurred and would have provided an opportunity. The security tapes were rotated about that time. But it comes up that her former therapist, Dr. Greeley, visited a couple weeks ago. Neumann goes to investigate the power generator.
Dr. Thoreau mentions that Medusa was just starting to face her anger over Laughton. Nexus grins and says he has an excellent idea of where she'll turn up. Laughton coldly says he is pleased that she was making this break-through, "except for the timeline" (given the DEXTER issue that they know is coming to a head soon).
As Laughton joins Neumann in investigating the power, Sihn looks back in alternate pasts to get an idea of what's happened in her room, particularly during Dr. Greeley's visit.
Neumann and Laughton find that there are old, frayed cables that contributed to the power outage, and they appear to have been gnawed as if by a rat. The break was in a single and particular place, no similar gnaw marks elsewhere.
Nexus sees that Greeley visited with an "assistant" and that he orchestrated a switch there. Further quick research shows that Greeley has since disappeared. In fact, it turned out that as the Justice Squad (Laughton and Palmer) had complained about what was apparently a poor handling of Medusa's case by Greeley, he ended up being taken off of her case. That apparently precipitated a downward spiral for him, as he subsequently lost his contract with the state and his private practice began to suffer, culminating in his loss of that practice entirely. Then Dr. Greeley disappeared entirely, just in the last few weeks!
Laughton points out it was not his fault Greeley went downhill and ultimately disappeared. Nexus backs him up, noting that if Laughton were just saying this for plausible deniability that he'd have a knowing look, being proud of his work, but he has no such look in this case.
They move on to check Greeley's last residence. It's a nice condo downtown, and they find, as they enter, that he hasn't been paying bills. Ignored mails indicate that the bank was about to foreclose on his condo. All his credit cards were maxed with big cash withdrawals. As Laughton investigates, he finds that the place was evacuated about a couple weeks ago, and surprisingly he finds Daredevil's recent fingerprints there! Nexus gets a sample of Greeley, and finds that Greeley has mutated, becoming some sort of mentalist.
They interview a neighbor, Emma Jameson (distantly related to the famous/infamous Jameson). She mentions that he was acting oddly and confirms he hasn't been seen. She nails down his last known appearance there to 17 hours just before the visit he made to spring Medusa.
To find Medusa and Greeley, they decide it's likely they're around Detroit, and they revive an old trick, one not used since their days early on fighting the Purple Hat Gang - a sewer trace wherein they plant something in many sewer locations to collect samples and determine the location of their subject. Laughton tinkers with his mutant detector, adding some range to it. He then visits Hellcat's Hellions and asks for their assistance planting the many sewer devices. Land Shark gets a surprised expression on his face, but just says, "Okay, where are my galoshes?" and quickly acts.
Then they visit Daredevil, now known as Dave Daniels (given the destruction of his Matt Murdoch identity). The last time they'd seen each other was Suzanne's wedding. They dance around the issue just a little, then Laughton rattles off the date and time he was known to be at Greeley's apartment, asking where he was then. Daredevil was elsewhere, he claims, and notes the last time. Nexus says that someone borrowed his fingerprints, then, and explains. Daredevil notes, "I haven't seen him (Greeley) for a while, like a year, for legal purposes, he needed a consultation." They ask Daredevil if he's had any gaps in his memory. He notes that early in August he had a gap of a few hours after a concussion sustained when sky-diving with Wilting Rose, explaining, "We were playing a game, we were kinda drunk, actually."
It turns out that, for a rare change, the world's greatest detective got it wrong! (GM note - one of those 18 moments! And by the way, Medusa and Greeley would have encountered the Justice Squad likely at Laughton Agency had it not been for the timing of this) Laughton reexamines and realizes his mistake, though he considers for a bit that perhaps someone used a stasis field.
Laughton mentions to Daredevil to be on the look-out for Medusa as well as Vision, and Daredevil just notes, "Sounds like fun!'
They return to the condo. Nexus talks more with neighbors, and one middle-aged woman notes that just a couple weeks ago Greeley visited her and her husband. He was desperate for money, and they were concerned and convinced of his need, so they gave him their entire live savings of many millions of dollars! She points out, "We can start over." Clearly Greeley has worked his mental magic at that point.
Then Laughton's private number is called. Pagliacchi is on the other end, blurting out, "Velda's stone!" Nexus can't resist and says, "I told you not to leave that stuff in the office." Pagliacchi had just walked in and found this. He sees destruction in the office, and not being sure if someone is there still he exclaims, 'Oh, holy crap, I'm going to Sihn-Tek!'
The Justice Squad appears in a couple seconds at Laughton Agency. Manny and others are stoned as well. The freight elevator which secretly leads to the base is ruined, though apparently the base was not found. But more oddly, they note there are lots of spiders around, far, far more than normal. Neumann begins vacuuming them up.
They have to see their associates are turned back from being stone. Nexus knows the Olympian gods can help. Laughton thinks it's safer for them to deal with Medusa. While Nexus goes to do this, conversation turns back to Neumann's job. The group will use their contacts to acquire a social security number for the robot, and Laughton begins crafting the John Wayne identity.
Nexus begins his trip to Olympus the customary way, scaling a mountain and knowing the spell to continue on upward beyond its normal crest and ultimately to Olympus. Nexus walks to the guards, who simply part, apparently knowing who he is and letting him pass. A young demi-goddess meets Nexus, speaking in ancient Greek but he manages to understand based on his dimensional language abilities. She takes him to Zeus, who is brief in conversation and notes "the oracle told us you were coming." Zeus asks a future favor, to be named when appropriate/as needed, from Nexus, who agrees. Then Athena takes Nexus to see the Three Fates who can apparently take care of de-stoning Medusa's victims. Before he leaves, Zeus mentions to Nexus to indicate they are real. Nexus will gladly do so, and makes plans to see that this is in some national glossy magazine by the end of the month - because he hopes this will aggravate Kietersling, who lives on the reputation of being Odin. Nexus will spin it as if the Olympian gods are real but the Norse gods are all fake! Nexus muses on ambrosia restaurants…
Meanwhile, Laughton figures that the stoned employees' time off from work can be deducted from their vacation days, and begins keeping track. As he checks the security cameras, he notes Medusa came in a big black coat with a hood so as to contain her appearance on the street, and sees a figure in a lab coat with her. Laughton goes ahead to field investigation alone as he doesn't want to endanger the others, as her ability to turn those to stone does not affect him. He finds the regular homeless guy down the street who tells Laughton he saw the two figures getting into a police car, seizing it, though he does not remember the license well enough. As Laughton contacts the authorities, he finds they left Car 73 at the Stone Clock Pier entrance to the observatory.
With Laughton investigating the area and Nexus in Olympus, Neumann takes the time to start checking the papers and making calls for a job. As Neumann's electronic voice is distinctive, Mel knows it's Neumann and calls him by that name, but Neumann corrects him, saying, "I am John Wayne." He makes arrangements with Mel of Phoenix Mel's for an interview. Mel shakes his head as he hangs up the phone, confused, figuring it's still Neumann.
As Laughton calls Neumann on his way to investigate the Stone Clock Pier room/reconstruction at the observatory, Neuman asks, "Should we attack now?" Laughton lets him know to hold off, and heads there, going in via his monopole form. He finds that a clock on the wall is just barely off from its normal position, according to the dust level behind it, and he turns to Laughton form again to check it out. Behind the clock is a note addressed to Hamlet Laughton, telling him he will be contacted and "do not delay when you are called."
As Nexus and Laughton return, arrangements are also made for the Mysterymen to help out as no one is there to take calls. The Shoveler agrees, mentioning he's sorry to hear about their trouble. Nexus says to Shoveler, "Laughton has a major crush on her [Medusa], but he won't admit it, plausible deniability and all." The Shoveler winks at Nexus as Laughton objects. Then Shoveler asks if it's a paying job, while he covers, and Nexus says "sure," leaving Laughton perturbed, but, under the circumstances, finally relenting and saying, "Yeah, fine."
Medusa calls and they take it in the conference room. As Laughton addresses her as "Andrea," she coldly replies, "Just call me Medusa from now on." As they start to negotiate, Nexus, as he hasn't had a chance yet, lets Laughton know that their can be cured via the Olympians. As she rants that Laughton never cared for her, Laughton points out the things he did do and that he sent something each time she tried her melodramatic pseudo-suicide attempts. As she calls him callous and says he doesn't even know how many times she tried to kill herself, he snappily replies, "Yes, 17." She claims to be even more hurt that he didn't come to visit even though he was aware. But Laughton tries to turn the tables a bit, and says, "Well, I thought you were doing well with your friend." As she hesitates, saying, "I don't know what you mean," he mentions "Dr. Greeley." Then Laughton hears whispering in the background, no doubt the doctor. She says, "Yes, well, he's fine,' and goes on to tell Laughton to show up at the Renaissance Mall, saying, "Bring your stone friends, I'll fix them." Laughton says, "No need," but agrees to meet her alone, as she requests that the other Justice Squad members not be there.
They go to the section of the mall, as instructed, where they have memories of fighting Bogeyman and his crew. Nexus hangs back, two blocks away in a restaurant booth, as he stays in touch with Laughton via a clairvoyance spell. Neumann hangs by the entrance to the mall, dressing as his new secret identity John Wayne, but still quite obviously a robot underneath. Nexus summons a water elemental to lurk in the fountain and assist in the battle. He also calls forth the Grim Stalker of the Plains of Despair, an acquaintance by now, who is quite willing to assist.
Then Dr. Greeley, now "the Psychologist," enters with Medusa. They see Neumann, and the Psychologist begins speaking to Neumann, mentioning how they just want to talk to Laughton, because Laughton made Dr. Greeley lose his job. Quickly - through the Psychologist's mental power - Neumann is convinced, and he agrees to hold Laughton still so they can talk.
Then Medusa walks in and the spiders from her web-hair shoot long webbing out to grab Laughton, ensnaring him as Neumann tries to assist but actually misses as the distance is long and his cables aren't quite up to it. Nexus summons flowers into Laughton's hands as Laughton asks if he still means anything to her. Laughton is pulled closer to her by the webbing, even though, as he turns into T'suara form, he remains entangled in the mysterious web. Tears well in Medusa's eye as the water elemental spouts a burst of water that misses her but smashes into Urban Outfitters!
Meanwhile, the Grim Stalker is near Medusa, and uses his powers on her, but finds his entrancing despair fills her with a strange, beautiful sensation. The Grim Stalker is invisible and the source of the effect is hidden, but those around her see her looking around confused and smiling. The Grim Stalker mentally communicates with Nexus, "I like this chick. I wanna put her in my tower."
But Medusa's spiders do their thing, striking at T'suara, and stunning him, their weird psychic energy permeating the alien form. Laughton manages, upon Nexus' advice, to eke out a few words into her head, saying, "Somebody here to see you," as the Grim Stalker appears. Nexus puts dead bunnies into the Stalker's hand as he introduces himself to her.
The Psychologist hollers, "What are you doing, Andrea! HE HURT YOU!" referring to Laughton. She looks strange, almost dazed, as the Psychologist causes her to strike out at Neumann, who is now dropping his entangling attempt on Laughton, fighting off the effects of the Psychologist as the original order about talking is clearly no longer true, and moves against her. But she gazes directly at him and he starts to turn to stone - as have many bystanders at the mall who have caught her eye inadvertently. Neumann is not entirely stone yet, though, and, barely moving, launches half-stone, heavy cables at her, just managing to barely get them around her and hold her.
The Grim Stalker angrily turns on the Psychologist, going back invisible and slowly draining the Psychologist's willpower with his depressive effects.
Laughton changes form, becoming his dark cloud state, just as he takes more damage from the spiders. The cloud does work, though, expanding, with the webbing still holding it one place. Neumann, inside the cloud, pops up his emergency alarm; meanwhile, the cement is cracking under his increased and settling weight. He is put back under the Psychologist's sway one last moment and launches an electrical attack against the cloud, but it dissipates due to the nature of the cloud form. Neumann is unaffected by the cloud, as he doesn't breathe, but the Psychologist is affected for a change. The Grim Stalker, given his nature, is not affected by the cloud's instillation of one's worst fears, and neither, for other reasons, is Medusa. The Psychologist, though, drops to the floor weeping.
Medusa kisses the dust in her face and says, "Did you do this for me?" Laughton, unable to communicate with her as a cloud but via Nexus' abilities, claims he did, and she's appreciative.
As they ensure to keep the doctor down, they realize they can't directly strike or otherwise harm him, even though the cloud worked. Then they realize that the Psychologist's great psychic powers always protect him, even subconsciously, from any and all threats it can reach - but it can't reach what it doesn't "see," and anything invisible to mental senses it misses!
As Medusa and the Grim Stalker speak, Nexus lets the Grim Stalker know that Medusa's recent behavior was due to the Psychologist's control, which she confirms now that it is lifted. She says goodbye to Rodin, as Laughton turns to stone form upon her request for one last kiss. Nexus puts an illusion of kissing back on Rodin's face, and promptly appears himself at the scene.
Medusa then cures the people turned to stone in the mall, covers her face, and she and the Grim Stalker are off, disappearing as he takes her to his tower in the Plains of Despair. The Justice Squad realizes that a bunch of people here are probably going to need some mental treatment.
Neumann goes into Urban Outfitters and begins cleaning up the damage, promptly drying and steam-cleaning. The manager at the store offers to pay Neumann, but Neumann of course politely declines. He does, however, come back later as John Wayne, with a "better" disguise bearing a blonde wig and a red moustache, to apply for a job. The manager gladly gives him one, seeing through the disguise but willing to play along.
Give the damage from the water being, Nexus just makes like they fought against three super-villains as the matter starts getting the arriving media's attention. With the media he takes the opportunity to make mention of the real Olympian Gods "unlike the mythological Norse ones." He's also sure to tell the authorities how to suppress the Psychologist's powers as, just before handing off the Psychologist, he takes a sample and does some quick mental surgery to temporarily suppress his powers. During the surgery, he downloads the memory onto his PDA and upon request gives Laughton a copy.
Given Neumann has a job now, he, as John Wayne, lets Phoenix Mel know he cannot take his job. Mel says the offer will stand in the future, and offers up, "keep it in mind, Neumann." "John Wayne" acts confused by the reference and hurries off.
In the next few weeks, through an intermediary party, Sihn buys the franchise chain that owns this particular Urban Outfitters so as to ensure Neumann's success and secrecy. A big deal is made of the robot at the store, in order to throw people off a bit, making a promotion out that it's a robot and even implying it's Neumann, which in the end is fairly successful, with Neumann of course denying any connection.
[Game Mechanics - Points Awarded...
For dealing with Black Diamond, the enemy is taken care of "once and for all", and he was tough, a worthy challenge - +26.25 RP, +1.75 XP for Laughton, Nexus
Medusa is also taken care of "once and for all", and she is tough, a worthy challenge, in her long-term context – +26.25 RP, +1.75 XP for Laughton, Nexus, +35 RP, +3.5 XP for Neumann
I split out the
Psychologist, who was taken care of this time, and he was interesting but not
that powerful (NB - this rating is deliberately partly degraded as I gave
separate XP/RP above for Medusa, and didn't want to over-award as I was breaking
the encounter out which is unusual but I wanted to do that because of the nature
of the resolution with Medusa and her storyline versus his appearance) -
For Neumann, in advance since I'll no doubt forget later and no reason not to add now, 4 XP solely for use as "PS: Retail Experience" and 3 XP solely for "KS: Retail Operations" (INT-based version)
5 hours - +3.75 RP, +2.25 XP for Laughton, Nexus
3.75 hours – +1.875 RP, +1.875 XP for Neumann
Totals:
Laughton
58.125 RP, 5.875 XP
Neumann 39.375 RP, 12.625 XP
Nexus 58.125, 5.875 XP
Totals
to Date:
Dice
188.5 RPs, 14.95 XPs
Laughton 2468.4 RPs, 249.5 XPs (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for minion, 50
for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Neumann 984.375 RPs, 156.575 XPs (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for
minion)
Nexus 2544.65 RPs, 247.9 XPs (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for minion,
50 for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Sammy the Slime 2352.65 RPs, 227.3625 XPs (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25
for minion, 50 for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Spectrum 2178.025 RPs, 190.675 XPs (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for
minion, 50 for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Steely Danelle 86 RPs, 10.75 XPs]]