Heroes: Jag, Atobe Keigo, Pacci, and Dust
Enemies: The Dragon of Sphere, Grand-Marshall Vonderveck, Lady Feyne, and Lady Draven of Stormwind
Jag – Officer’s Dispatch 38
Recent Duties: Ha ha ha. It sure was a beautiful night out. Of course, it was made even more beautiful by your incredible undercover abilities. If you weren't such a good lawyer, you might have to consider taking up acting or something. Your two first-year drama classes would certainly make you more than qualified for such a profession. There's just no end of uses for a liberal arts education.
Troop Status
-Supplies: Schmitzer SMGs, Armored Flak Vests, Deluxe Laywers’ suits, briefcases with a distubing lack of legal documents, and a fleet of jet-skis, much to Vidal Sassoon's disapproval.
-Morale: Not surprisingly, your men have been wondering where you've been for the past little while. Even they were unable to see through your impenetrable disguises. Unfortunately, the reason they wanted to find you was to complain about how hard it is to do work without sufficient paper. Apparently, most of the paper supply you've brought to the base has mysteriously disappeared. You however suspect that they just worked so hard they used it all up.
-Health: Now that you don't have so many papers to carry in your briefcases, you're thinking you should find another use for them. If only they were bullet-proof or something like that...
Military Communiques
-The battle with Mecha-Drakkhaan is over, but significant damage has been inflicted on Republic forces and the nearby city of Ellivia. With major infrastructure like power-plants having been destroyed, both the base and the city are suffering from a shortage of energy. However, you're sure your introductory science courses make you more than qualified to address this crisis. Besides, once you're producing all the energy, you can smile gleefully as the other divisions come begging to Law Division for their assistance.
-You've received a Law Division broadcast warning concerning international terrorism. It is believed that a known Fenixan terrorist group known as Al'Zura has been expressing interest in the Electran military. You'll have to up the local security level around here and keep an eye out for them.
Personal Notes
-Not surprisingly, impressionable Jean-Paul Jean-Paul has his own theory for the disappearance of your legal supplies. He claims they have been stolen by the crafty Mountain Wumpus, who lurks in the hidden mountain caves in this region. Pah! Another superstitious monster? There's no place for nonsense like that in Law Division.
-Just so you know, you're still the most successful injury lawyer on this base. You would think Dust would know that by now, but he hasn't said anything to you about the several band-aids on the back of his neck that you've seen recently.
Mini-Objective
-Find and produce as many sources of energy as possible.
-Disprove the existence of the Wumpus.
Atobe Keigo – Officer’s Report 38
Recent Duties: You hate Spherans. No, really, you hate them. You thought you did before, but that was before they killed poor, noble Flammie, and what you felt then was nothing compared to your burning rage now. Also, you hate that stupid shark – you're sure he wasn't pulling his weight down there! And Zeke too, how could he sell out to those hateful Spherans for mere money or any other reason? In fact, right now you hate just about everything, so it's not really worth continuing the list.
Troop Status
-Supplies: FLAME-THROWERS, Steeltek Swords, crimson uniforms, kamikaze headbands, Crimson Armor of the Republic, and a decided lack of your original Coca-Cola hat. What? To add insult to injury your hat goes missing? What is this?
-Morale: Bahhh...who cares about anyone else's morale right now but yours? You're utterly miserable, and if other people aren't, they should be. In such situations, as far as you're concerned, misery is NOT optional. The only thing misery really loves is company, and you plan to have plenty of it. Your philosophy is that when the world gives you lemons, you turn around and throw 'em right back!
-Health: Stenda has expressed her opinion that you should seek medical treatment for clinical depression, but the last thing you want right now is a bunch of quacks breathing down your neck. Unfortunately, that may be unavoidable given the number of ducks that seem to have taken up residence around Pacci's camp.
Military Communiques
-None.
Personal Notes
-Hmph. Those stupid kids of yours had better not be playing pranks on you now! Despite numerous interrogations, they claim not to have taken your missing Coca-cola hat. There is only one explanation they've offered: Echizen claims it was stolen by the mysterious Mountain Wumpus which has been terrorizing the camp. You don't know if such a story is true, but if so, that Wumpus is going to be sorry for messing with you!
-Speaking of fictitious monsters, you can't believe the uncanny resemblance between yourself and that 'Momoshan' monster your troops have been drawing. How dare they, those cheeky pigs!!
-You've noticed that Dust has some kind of wound on the back of his neck. Normally you wouldn't care or notice, but it's occurred to you that irritating it might be a good way to make him miserable. If there's anyone who deserves to be miserable, it's the Denchulli, not you.
-Even Brock hasn't been much comfort to you (or at least, trying to). He's been busy with that other Pokemon trainer, Blane, working on some kind of joint project with their pokemon. You think you heard them mention the word 'geothermal' in their somewhere, otherwise you're not quite sure what they could be up to. Nor do you care.
Mini-Objective
-Construct a convincing case that misery is not optional by making as many other people as possible miserable.
-Catch the Wumpus and retrieve your hat.
Pacci – supreme Commander’s Report 30
Recent Duties: In spite of the destruction of his robot creations, the real villain of this war has once again escaped. However, he can only run from you for so long. The time has come for you to really take charge of this army and deal with the situation once and for all. If the evil Dr. Wily was working in the Spherans, then they just have to be defeated too. It's as simple as that. Pac pac pac.
Troop Status
-Supplies: PK-33 Handguns, SIR Rifles, Bright Yellow Deluxe Uniforms, Combat Helmets, Steel Breastplates, a Verizon wireless cell-phone, an amazing vintage Pacman arcade machine, and Protoman’s whistle.
-Morale: The Pac has seen all too well by now that following other leaders can only lead to disaster. Clearly, you're the only who can deal with things once and for all, and they're only waiting for everyone else to recognize this fact too. On that count, you don't plan to let them down.
-Health: You're very glad to have that despicable Field-Marshall Model out of your tent, even if it did mean setting up another one just for him. Your troops are going to need to be in tip-top health to prove your dominance among leaders. You don't know how anyone could stand all that icky cigar smoke.
Military Communiques
-There has still been no word of General Gol Draam since his column's disappearance into the mountains. You've also heard that Republic forces are closing in on the capture of Grand-Marshall Vonderveck and the rest of his hold-outs. Gol Draam dead, Vonderveck soon to be captured and Field-Marshall Model utterly incompetent – all of this can only mean one thing, and that is that you are without a doubt the last true leader of the Conventionals, OH MIGHTY RULER!!
Personal Notes
-As mentioned above, Field-Marshall Model has been given his own tent just to get him out of yours. However, you didn't want to give the impression that he was more important than your own officers, and thus had a tent erected for General Quacci as well. He has happily moved in along with a bunch of the ducks from Flash's church, and they seem to have been in a flap of activity over there.
-With 'Captain' Mace obviously unsuited for command, you've declared yourself the new leader of this supply base. And of course, no supply base can be complete without more supplies, so you ordered several more. Apparently, vehicles have been in short supply, so Captain Mahmood has had them shipped up on sure-footed mules instead.
Mini-Objective
-Make as many different people as possible address you as OH MIGHTY RULER!!
Special: Ruler's Might:
During this Adventure only, Pacci gains +2 AC, +2 to-hit and +1 dam. with all attacks for each time he has been addressed as OH MIGHTY RULER.Dust – Officer’s Report 32
Recent Duties: Frankly, you're not sure you can believe all this blarney of a slug-fest between supposed giant monsters. As such, you had no desire to go out and see it for yourself, but as it turns out, it might have been better for you if you had. But there's no point second-guessing, even you couldn't have predicted this turn of events, and you'll just have to make the best of it...
Troop Status
-Supplies: X-3 Phantom Rifles, Camouflage Scout Uniforms, Sniper Scopes, Rifle Tripods, Climbing Spikes. Your box of Fortune Flakes cereal seems to have gone missing, but you're not too concerned as it was mostly empty anyway.
-Morale: The Boyos still remain terrified of the various monster legends on the base. You've assured them that the Spherans' 'Mecha-Drakkhaan' has been dealt with, but they claim that a new monster called the Mountain Wumpus is at large. Not to mention the dreaded 'Momoshan' which still lurks right on their very base.
-Health: You have a bad feeling that Lady Feyne is not bluffing. The wound in your neck is still throbbing, and already, you can feel yourself getting a little woozy from the poison coursing in your veins. And given the 'quality' of medical attention around here, you've been adverse to seek any. Your only hope is to fulfill her demands as quickly as possible.
Dust is at -10 to-hit and AC and -20 to ability checks until receiving the antidote from Lady Feyne.
Military Communiques
-There has been no sign of General Gol Draam since his battle with the Dragon of Sphere. Could the legendary Hammer of the Republic really be dead? Either way, with both of their main leaders out of commission, things are looking bleak. Who is there left that can lead the Republic to victory?
-Things are going from bad to worse. Your scouts have returned and reported the presence of a sizeable military force approaching from the south of your position. Whoever they are, they have yet to make known their intentions, but they don't appear to be either Electran or Spheran. If they prove to be hostile, there's going to be serious trouble.
Personal Notes
-Captain Mahmood has recently arrived at the base with supplies of rations and ammunitions. It seems the Republic is so short on vehicles that he was forced to bring them up on sturdy, sure-footed pack-mules. Nevertheless, what is he thinking bringing innocent work-animals into a war-zone? Haven't the Electrans dragged enough people into their war? Simple mules deserve to roam free, and you intend to see to it that they do!
-You've got to find Major Vanbaal, and quickly. It makes you a little worried about what Feyne's intentions might be, but a man does what a man has to do. You're sure ol' “K.V.” wouldn't hesitate to do the same in your position.
Mini-Objective
-Free the peaceful mules so they can roam free!
-Find Khaurus Vanbaal and deliver him to Feyne.
As this adventure opened, the loyal troops of our heroes, Jag, Pacci and Atobe Keigo, and the not-so-loyal troops of Zeke, had just arrived at the volcanic cliffside in search of their leaders. Jag was quick to round up the treacherous Captain Mace and interrogate him. However, the grizzled Captain refused to divulge further information on Spheran plans, stating that the damage had been done and he expected the Coalition forces to over-run the Electrans at any time, thus securing his freedom.
Keigo, meanwhile, had other concerns. Sliding down the rocky hillside, she and her men raced towards the fallen Flammie. Her talking up of her pet's noble sacrifice earned a baleful glance from nearby Megalodon, who didn't appreciate other monsters stealing his credit. The great charrizard was mortally wounded, and she yelled at Brock to apply his Pokemon skills and do something. Brock immediately started shovelling rock and gravel overtop of Flammie, much to Keigo's horror, claiming it always worked with rock pokemon. Keigo applied heat in the form of her flamethrower, but this only caused Flammie to slowly begin a cleansing immolation, leaving behind only a single Phoenix Down. Keigo turned sadly to leave, noticing as she did a black cloud of ravens circling overhead.
Meanwhile, unbeknownst to all the other officers, Dust didn't believe in the blarney of giant monsters and had returned to his tent. This turned out to be a decision with grave consequences, for as he did, he felt a rush of air and a sudden jab to his neck. Dropping to his knees in pain, he looked over his shoulder to see the Arabic-clad form of Lady Feyne. The Fenixan 'merchant' informed him that he had just been poisoned and would be dead within 48 hours without the antidote. She was more than willing to provide this, of course - in return for Dust's cooperation. Specifically, she demanded that he arrange to bring her Special Forces Sniper Captain Khaurus Vanbaal, alone. Although Dust protested this would be difficult, he had no choice, and Feyne disappeared as swiftly and silently as she'd come, leaving no room for further argument.
A night passed as our heroes reviewed their reports and their new situation. As they reconvened for lunch the next day, Pacci declared that there was going to be a new policy around the base. Specifically, from now on, everyone was to address him as OH MIGHTY RULER. The others were sceptical of the purpose of this policy, especially Dust who thought Pacci was sounding an awful lot like a delusional dictator. Keigo didn't care about Pacci, but she did care about the wounds on Dust's neck, and started jabbing them with her lunch-fork. This quickly caused Dust to leave the table, but on his way out, he bumped into an enraged Lord Aeolus of Stormwind, accompanied by Sir Karsh. Aeolus was on the warpath, looking for the impudent Lord Flash, who had been sending him several derogatory transmissions concerning both his flight skills and his mother. Keigo was quick to point out that while Flash wasn't here, his comments had been right on the mark, enraging Aeolus even further.
Meanwhile, Jag had a project of his own to work on. He first approached Pacci, and consented to call the latter OH MIGHTY RULER in exchange for manpower help from his men. Unbeknownst to Pacci, Jag soon had the Pac hard at work running on treadmills and constructing a water-wheel for the production of hydro-electricity. Pacci went about convincing several others to call him by his new title, including Officer Jenny and Jean-Paul, though the latter seemed to prefer to call him 'Oh Mighty Bastard' instead.
Dust had previously left the tent, and was on his way to see Mahmood. His alleged purpose was in seeking 'transportation.' He needed the sure-footed mules in order to scale the mountain in his hunt for the dangerous Mountain Wumpus. Mahmood was somewhat sceptical at Dust's claims that he would need ALL the mules for this task, and not just a partial batch, and would need authorization. Fortunately, this proved an easy task. Dust went right to the top, buttering up Pacci and declaring him his OH MIGHTY RULER, in exchange for signing a few papers. Pacci readily agreed, and Dust was able to head out with the mules. He returned an hour later to report to Mahmood that all the poor beasts had been eaten, and he had barely escaped with his life. That Wumpus was mean and could tear a man limb from limb! Mahmood speculated that at least now the mules had become partial mules, with which Dust could only agree.
Our heroes' activities were soon interrupted by a call to action from their superiors. Lord Brindon reported that they had the last renegade Conventionals, including the ringleaders of Grand-Marshall Vonderveck and Senator Rysian, on the run and headed their way. He wanted the heroes to bring their troops and engage in a pincer movement on the fleeing troops so they could be captured.
A battle ensued with the Conventionals troops fleeing from Brindon's Redcoats and Vanbaal's Bloody Ravens being boxed in by our heroes' troops. Although Vonderveck's "Big Marlin" was heavily armored, they seemed sluggish, as though weighted down with something, and had trouble moving fast enough to escape the field. Pacci's troops also proved all but unstoppable due to their leader's status as OH MIGHTY RULER of the battlefield. Rysian's "Last Guard" made a heroic charge at Vanbaal, but were swiftly gunned down on the spot. In the end, it didn't long to close down Vonderveck's jerk store once and for all.
With the conclusion of the battle, Brindon declared that he would escort the important prisoners back to the city, while Khaurus Vanbaal would lead our heroes back to camp and prepare for their next orders. These preparations even included some training, in which Dust finally learned his coveted Phantom rifles from Vanbaal, and Keigo learned Martial Arts from a reluctant Karsh who was only convinced with the authority of OH MIGHTY RULER Pacci.
Following this, Keigo returned to her tent to interrogate her boys about her missing hat and to make Stenda miserable by bashing her cooking. Seigaku maintained their story that the hat had been taken by the mysterious Mountain Wumpus. Wondering if perhaps this creature was related to Pokemon, Keigo tracked down Brock and Blane, who were combining their Pokemon in a geothermal power endeavor. News of this quickly attracted Jag, who wished to harness the energy for his own production syndicate. Keigo accosted Blane over the death of Flammie and accused the old man of being an uncaring monster, which only sparked the hot-headed trainer's temper further.
Jag was interested in Keigo's questions about the Wumpus, though of course he was convinced there was no such beast, and was eager to prove it. He'd heard Dust had had an encounter with the beast and went off to investigate. This left Keigo to question Jean-Paul what he knew about the Wumpus, which was remarkably little. She offered the runner some coffee for his time - Jean-Paul was used to getting coffee for others but not getting it himself and accepted. This turned out merely to be an excuse for Keigo to toss scalding hot coffee all over Jean-Paul. She then approached McMason, asking to borrow the photographer's camera in order to gain proof of the Wumpus' existence, or lack thereof. However, her real motive was just to break his prized camera. Needless to say, this put neither of Jag's subordinates in a very good mood.
Jag meanwhile found Dust's story to lack credibility and went out to search the location. He discovered a couple of grazing mules, which he promptly escorted back to his operation and put them to work producing ENERGY, after properly outfitting them for such with Mahmood. He also discovered the Stormwind pilots, Skywarp and Thundercracker, erecting a monument for their airbase which looked like a windmill. Jag wanted to harness it for wind power, but the pilots were reluctant. Fortunately, Jag brought in Supreme Commander Pacci, who stated such monuments on military land needed to be properly licensed. He was willing to skip the paperwork if the two would allow Jag to install his generator. And if they addressed him as OH MIGHTY RULER.
Keigo meanwhile worked her impressionable young boys into a frenzy and led them on a hunt around the mountains in search of the Wumpus. However, they could find no trace of the mysterious creature.
Dust had also headed out of the base, in his case with Khaurus Vanbaal in tow. His scouts had earlier spotted a suspicious hostile force not far from the base, and he thought they might mean trouble. He also surmised the sniper captain would want to see them for himself. Although the story was true enough, Dust's motives were revealed only when Lady Feyne dropped from a rocky overhang and jabbed Vanbaal in the neck with a poisoned dirk. Cursing Dust's name and Feyne's in the same breath, Vanbaal stumbled back and drew his guns. Feyne told Dust where to find the antidote she had hidden and thanked him for his cooperation. Not sure he wanted to find out the outcome of this fight, Dust quickly made his exit.
Returning to base, all our heroes received an urgent transmission. Rushing to the plot-scene viewer, they were informed that Lanver and Xelme were on the way back - and they had Kilant. The amazing flying bikes landed in the base shortly thereafter, where a bloody and unconscious Kilant was rushed to the medical tent.
Keigo was still baffled by the elusive Wumpus, though a smug Jag was quick to point out this was because the creature didn't exist. Searching Jag's office where his papers disappeared, however, revealed some mysteirous white fluff, or perhaps down. Suddenly, the two wondered what General Quacci had been up to all this time. Pacci admitted to having set up a private tent for the ducks, and that they had been very busy. But he would only allow them inside if Keigo addressed him as OH MIGHTY RULER. Finally bending to Pacci's demands, she rushed inside to find a strange sight. Quacci and his flight of ducks had constructed a giant nest out of shreds of paper, clothing, and her hat, all around a pair of glowing orange eggs. As she retrieved her hat from the top of these eggs, they popped open, revealing a pair of baby charmanders, who instantly assumed she was their mother. Brock speculated that when it transformed, Flammie must have laid charmander eggs so as to continue the battle against evil. No one was quite sure of the mechanics of Pokemon procreation and had to accept this hypothesis.
Emerging from the tent, our heroes found a pale-faced but smiling Kilant waiting for them. He was appreciative of all their efforts thus far, but warned them that the final battle was yet to come, and they would need to be prepared. This preparation seemed to include a short inspirational pep-talk from the commander to each officer. Stopping last at Pacci, Kilant remarked that it seemed he really was the Conventionals Commander now, and to enjoy his power while it lasted - OH MIGHTY RULER!!
After one more period of training, this time with none other than the great Kilant himself available, our heroes were ready to hear the final plans. However, they were interrupted by the melodramatic arrival of a familiar figure, and one they had thought long-gone: Rodric. The former Auxiliaries captain stormed into the camp, noting that the Electrans would be in a bit of a tight spot. Surely the help of himself and the remainder of the Auxiliary forces would be welcome. In return, Jag offered him the chance to take down Vygrymm himself. Although Rodric found this appealing, his only other stipulation was that the Electrans arrange to aid his forces in leaving the planet after the battle was over.
With these new allies, the plan was quickly formed. Kilant would lead his forces to relieve the remnants of Gol Draam's 10,000 man Conventionals column, engaging the centre of the Spheran line at a former mining area known as the Irata Mines. Lord Aeolus' pilots would provide crucial air support from a nearby airbase, and Kilant asked our heroes to guard this facility with their troops. Aeolus himself was also asked to stay grounded to coordinate aerial activities. The plan was laid, and Kilant walked out of the tent, determined but still limping. A worried Xelme remarked quietly to Lanver that this time, he was in no condition to be facing the Dragon himself.
Before long, the great battle to determine the Ruler of Irata began. Lighting their thunder-sabres, Kilant led his valiant Crystal Defenders to the forefront of the battle, supported by Lanver's Sons of Destiny and Xelme's Iron Maidens. The force against them was considerable. Logical Mechtron's T-32 Armor Column led the way, flanked by Heavy Knights from Bonzoid and the Packer. Well-rounded Spheroid led a deadly group of Dragon Elite, while Gollumer was sticking his neck out with his rugged commandos in a flanking maneuver. Leggite's Windreavers closed the ground fast, and were supported from afar by artillery from the intelligent Humanoid. Although badly outnumbered, the Defenders weathered the attack while Xelme fired armor-piercing rockets at the tanks. Their odds decreased further, however, when Vygrymm himself joined the battle from the air, his massive black drakkhaan swooping down and snatching up one of Kilant's soldiers in its claws. This cued Kilant to unleash the Republic airforce, which swooshed onto the scene to engage the Dragon in aerial combat.
As the Spheran groundforce advanced further, Kilant also gave the signal, and storming from the hidden mining tunnels in the region came reinforcements in the form of Auxiliaries troops hitting the Spheran flank. A drunken Dolg led the assault, while the Evil Baron Waldorf laughed as his Avalanche laid down artillery fire from their perfect mountain position. And the Spherans were shocked to find themselves facing none other than the wild Mountain Wumpus charging them with a horde of hairy troops.
In the air, a combination of Electran and Stormwind pilots formed up against the formidable Dragon. Thundercracker opened fire with his powerful storm missiles, but the Dragon shrugged off the blow and soared it, tearing at the Republic ships. Skywarp and the Red Baron engaged in a dog-fight, while a panicked Thundercracker tried to get back in position for another missile volley. The Flapper, meanwhile, used his radar-guidance system to fire sidewinder missiles, and a scheming Starscream opened fire with his armor-piercing Null Ray. The Dragon momentarily received reinforcements in the form of the ace pilot Lady Draven and her wingmen, but to his confusion, they raced away from the scene after a single volley. Starscream also fled the battle after suffering a single blow, despite high hopes that his ship would go down. Meanwhile, while Thundercracker did get another chance for a powerful shot, his plane was soon torn apart by the Dragon's claws. The Flapper was also felled by a blast of fiery breath. However, the skilled and sneaky Skywarp had scored several good hits with his machineguns. In the end, though, it was none other than the Red Baron who scored the skill, sending the bloody drakkhaan plummetting into an icy ravine below.
Back at the airbase where our heroes were stationed, things were surprisingly peaceful. The only activity was the approach of Starscream, who had returned to repair his damaged ship. Berating Starscream's cowardice, Aeolus grudgingly granted permission for the ship to land. However, as the ship got closer, Dust noticed something strange with his binoculars. A dark figure was riding the back of the jet, and leaped off as it characteristically buzzed the tower. Crashing through the glass roof was the armored figure of Draven of Stormwind. She WAS the Black Spear of Justice that falls from above, and come to deliver said justice at last to Aeolus and the heroes. No sooner had she said this than a chilling black rain fell began falling from the sky. Our heroes disagreed with this form of so-called justice and prepared for battle. Not surprisingly, Draven's first target was Aeolus, running the Wind-prince through with her dark spear. Aeolus struck back with his flaming sword, but to no avail as Draven teleported out of the way. The gunshots and ranged attacks from the heroes couldn't find their mark in the torrential downpour that surrounded Draven. She didn't waste much time before finishing Aeolus off, driving her spear through his throat on the ground. But she wasn't counting on the power of OH MIGHTY RULER. Pacci rushed to the fore, smashing her with his shield and dealing truly MIGHTY amounts of damage. Keigo's charmanders also came to her protection, spewing smoke rings and fireballs at the Spheran knight. And hidden away by his dust-bomb, Dust lined up for the perfect shot, scoring a deadly hit on Draven. Draven struck back with her spear, and the heroes' fortunes changed when the rain cleared away, and lightning pounded the top of the tower, felling both Dust and one of Keigo's charmanders while Draven took down Jag with her spear. Mighty Pacci's blows seemed incredibly accurate however, and Draven was feeling the pain. Nearly defeated, another lightning storm appeared above her, pummelling Pacci to the ground. Just as he fell, however, a mysterious whistle was heard, and Protoman appeared, tossing his OH MIGHTY RULER an energy tank. With Pacci fully restored and Protoman on the field, Draven didn't have a chance. As she lay dying on the towers' top, she seemed resigned that her time had come, as our heroes had already killed the only pure thing on this planet. At last she would join her sister, and in a manner eerily reminiscent of this latter's death, a flock of black ravens swooped around Draven's body, clawing and pecking away. When the birds scattered gain, there was nothing remaining. Our heroes stood victorious as the dark clouds slowly cleared. The ravens, it seemed, had finally fled on the wind - this time for good.
None.