Aberrant: Dead Rising - Chapter 12c: Fallout Baby

[Courier]

His inner self exposed to the world, James froze in dismay and then his thoughts were derailed by V's plan to carry his children. V could sense she'd really surprised him.

James reflected, ...V just stepped over the edge of the universe about three different ways.

After a moment he said gently, "V... five children is an amazing amount of work. Won't it will be years before you're ready for more?"

V could sense this was an important issue but not the only one.

[Venus]

Venus smiled first and then chuckled at James while she shook her head, ”We don’t have years to wait, Ares. As soon as my children are born it’ll take me only a few months to conceive again – the children will be taken care of by the community.”, Venus glanced at James’ women.

”I was hoping for your support, to be honest. It’s part of the reason I’d like you to stay with me. I trust you.”, her eyes wandered from woman to woman until she found JoAnna’s. ”You know I trust you.”

James could see that the glow in Venus’ eyes became softer and got diffused by watering eyes. He sensed how much hope she invested in this meeting but he could also feel a strong resolve in case her offer would be turned down. Venus tried not to overwhelm them with her emotional powers – she needed an honest response. She needed James and he knew it.

[Courier]

Struggling to make sense of V's answer, James asked, "What does 'cared for by the community' mean? Are you giving them up for adoption? Maybe give Dan one or two?"

Now there's an idea... if so it makes me glad I didn't give V the entire 'family: defined' talk. Her family is... well Dan is gone I guess. Wait. What's missing in this picture?

[Venus]

”Of course not!”, Venus answered and this time she didn’t hide the anger his question caused. How could he even think as much as this?

”I would never give my children away for adoption – they’re mine.”, she was trying to calm down a little but her conviction was evident in her eyes and expression.

”Ares...”, she sighed, ”Don’t be such a simpleton – I can’t raise 5 children all on my own. I’ll be needing help and the community will provide. I’d prefer if the Covenant did but I can’t...”, she stopped midsentence and corrected herself, ”I won’t force them to. I’d feel much better if you did, though. I know my children would be in capable hands and I’ll dedicate as much time as I can to raise them, that’s undisputable, but I can have more children. I want more children. I want your children and unlike any other woman I can get pregnant whenever I want. I am Venus”

[Dawn OOC]

"You can't have James's children," Janella said, her voice cold. She butted into the conversation in a way that no other human would. "He's our husband and you already broke his heart once. You don't get to do it again because you had some revelation that you're a magical baby-machine."

"Agreed," Helen said, though she was calmer about it. "All of James's wives have to agree if another joins us, and none of us want you."

"I wouldn't mind," Jo said softly.

Janella rolled her eyes. "Fine. Three to one. No dice, lady. James isn't up for community donation. He's already going to be a dad, several times over before we're done." She looked at James. "If that isn't going to be enough, you'd better make that call now."

[Courier]

James replied with an understated smile, "I was getting to that." Truth was they were right.

James clapped his hands together and held them out to Venus almost as a supplicant and said, "V... my mother used to say she wouldn't wish twins on any woman. You're only going to have so much time, so much love, to hand out. If you have five babies every nine months some of them will get shorted."

"Relationships are funny things. You get what you give. You're bound by what you bind. Possessed by what you possess. Owned by what you own. A moment ago you said you're not mine. That's true, and it also means I'm not yours."

"That's fine. But two people who don't belong to each other shouldn't have children." This had been one of James' shocks, that V would even consider otherwise. For a moment he'd wondered if she wanted to go back and for a moment he entertained the idea.

"This isn't what I wanted at one time, and part of me misses that dream. But a man is defined by what he does, not what he wants. Family Comes First. That's the rule. You and I are friends, coworkers, we share a history and a coven, and humanity needs you. I'll kill for you when you need it." James wanted to believe a willingness to kill would prevent the need, but he didn't want to lie to himself. If he'd kill to have children then others would.

James tone was matter of fact but V could feel an undercurrent of regret when he concluded, "But... we're not family. We're just not. You decided that when you walked out with Jill. And speaking of Jill, where is she?"

[Venus]

Originally Posted By: Courier

"Relationships are funny things. You get what you give. You're bound by what you bind. Possessed by what you possess. Owned by what you own. A moment ago you said you're not mine. That's true, and it also means I'm not yours."

"That's fine. But two people who don't belong to each other shouldn't have children." This had been one of James' shocks, that V would even consider otherwise. For a moment he'd wondered if she wanted to go back and for a moment he entertained the idea.

Hypocrite... LIAR!

Originally Posted By: Courier

"This isn't what I wanted at one time, and part of me misses that dream. But a man is defined by what he does, not what he wants. Family Comes First. That's the rule. You and I are friends, coworkers, we share a history and a coven, and humanity needs you. I'll kill for you when you need it." James wanted to believe a willingness to kill would prevent the need, but he didn't want to lie to himself. If he'd kill to have children then others would.

James‘ words angered her but it didn’t show in her expression or body language. Only her link to James revealed the short emotional spikes she had when he spoke – but his women didn’t know that. Venus looked at James and then at his women again regarding them with a rather cold distance.

Originally Posted By: Courier

James tone was matter of fact but V could feel an undercurrent of regret when he concluded, "But... we're not family. We're just not. You decided that when you walked out with Jill. And speaking of Jill, where is she?"

“You’re wrong and you know it. We are more than just friends, everything else is a lie. What irony to argue with morale values all of a sudden. But you have little choice with your women present – you have to take their side or else you risk to lose it all.“

She lifted her head in an arrogant pose as she addressed his women, “And you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us. He is the best thing that could’ve ever happened to you and you dare to put demands on the table? You have little understanding of what binds us. Just ask JoAnna – she knows, she was there, she was part of it. And that never ended and it never will. Maybe once you understand the scope of my words you’ll change your mind until then I’ll respect your stance.“, Venus inhaled deeply and sighed showing some of her own emotional involvement with the issue. Still it was a cruel display of self control – something James has never seen before and if it wasn’t for the link he couldn’t have told if she was holding something back or not.

As she focused to keep her emotions under control she slowly caught up with the last question James asked – where was Jill?

“I thought she was with you? She ran away just before I packed my stuff, we had a little argument...“, that was an understatement but Venus didn’t want to explore that problem now, instead she used it to add another argument to her little speech.

“Aside from that – she is just as much family and keeping her out of your circle is wrong. You know that.“, Venus looked specifically at JoAnna and repeated her words, “You know the truth and no sense of false pride will change that. If you want to be angry and blame someone, pick me. I can deal with it. I will always be blamed but the truth stays the same no matter how much you try to deny it.“

The somewhat furious bombshell crossed her arms under her immense bust signaling that she was done. Inwardly she was still steaming and continued her monologue but it was better to keep that to herself unless this whole situation would blow up in her face. Venus knew she had more control over their fates than the covenant on its own. James would come to her sooner or later, all she had to do is... deny his request.

[Courier]

James felt some of V's emotions over the link and he felt some sympathy in addition to his usual attraction to her. No one liked being told they weren't family. But V was pregnant with another man's children and saying she didn't want to be his. His wives weren't the issue. It wasn't that they were wrong... although if V felt differently she could probably talk them into...

Originally Posted By: Venus

She lifted her head in an arrogant pose as she addressed his women, “And you wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for us. He is the best thing that could’ve ever happened to you and you dare to put demands on the table? You have little understanding of what binds us. Just ask JoAnna – she knows, she was there, she was part of it. And that never ended and it never will. Maybe once you understand the scope of my words you’ll change your mind until then I’ll respect your stance.“, Venus inhaled deeply and sighed showing some of her own emotional involvement with the issue. Still it was a cruel display of self control – something James has never seen before and if it wasn’t for the link he couldn’t have told if she was holding something back or not.

James rumbled both in sympathy and in warning, "V..."

Originally Posted By: Venus

“I thought she was with you? She ran away just before I packed my stuff, we had a little argument...“, that was an understatement but Venus didn’t want to explore that problem now, instead she used it to add another argument to her little speech.

“Aside from that – she is just as much family and keeping her out of your circle is wrong. You know that.“, Venus looked specifically at JoAnna and repeated her words, “You know the truth and no sense of false pride will change that. If you want to be angry and blame someone, pick me. I can deal with it. I will always be blamed but the truth stays the same no matter how much you try to deny it.“

James palmed his face and said, "Last I knew she was looking for you. No one deliberately excluded her. Further she's still Jo's sister and at a minimum, my sister in law."

At a minimum was an understatement. Jill still hit James' radar as family. His break up with her had been less painful, more forgivable than V's. Maybe it was the whole 'gay' thing or maybe he just couldn't blame her for going with V. He'd have done the same.

James said, "OK, Jill missed the gate. That's embarrassing for her but not life threatening. I should go back and get her... but that brings us to the question of what else I should bring and who else should come along."

James addressed his family, "Having seen this place up close, I'm for moving in."

[Venus]

Originally Posted By: Courier

James said, "OK, Jill missed the gate. That's embarrassing for her but not life threatening. I should go back and get her... but that brings us to the question of what else I should bring and who else should come along."

James addressed his family, "Having seen this place up close, I'm for moving in."

Venus was truly surprised but it was only James who spoke and was in favour of moving in. Still his vote would have some weight and she was left with hope that the Covenant would agree. She had dropped her arrogant stance and was much more open now even though she still didn’t know how James‘ women would decide – at least he had shown his loyalty.

“I’d be grateful if you brought her back. Regarding your belongings just take everything you want to have here and if you need help just ask. You will get your personal space, of course. As for whom to take along... I’m not quiet sure what you mean? Are there more people who showed interest of joining Olympus? Remember you are here on my recommendation. Han didn‘t told me that he was looking for more candidates. Do you want me to ask him? He will take my advice and I trust you... so who do you have in mind?“, Venus was curious about his answer. It never occured to her that she could ask more people to come with her aside from James and the Covenant. She knew Kristin wouldn’t come and Myfwany had her own agenda. Jules was too attached to Fox and the Refuge and her list of friends was short... there was no one else she could ask.

Venus looked at the women again with hope in her eyes. She really didn’t want to alienate them or even worse turn their friendship into a rivalry.

[Courier]

James explained, "No, I meant the other way around. Assuming a move, we need to gather any essentials, including Jill. I can do all that myself..." From James' tone this was more than an offer, he'd prefer doing it this way.

"...or others could go with me to do the same. Han's gate is a rough ride..." James looked with concern at Nashwa, limiting exposure to Han's gate seemed like a good idea

"...but this would be a one shot and if there's a must have that someone wants to personally supervise then I'm not going to say no."

[Venus]

”Oh... sure.”, Venus quickly replied. ”We’ll need Han of course, but I’m sure if you think you can handle it all by yourself you’re free to do so. We could prepare your living space for your return and I’m sure Jill will help you organise the move. I’m going to stay here, though... if you don’t mind.”

Venus was open to his offer and going through the gate more than once a day wasn’t something she looked forward to. ”Han will surely sent the usual escort but I don’t think he’ll interfere with your plans. He knows about Jill so everything should be fine.”

[Courier]

James nodded and waited for his ladies input.

[Dawn OOC]

“I’m game for trying this place out,” Jo said after a moment. “It seems safe and they’ve put a lot of thought into making it pleasant, too.”

“Something about it bothers me,” Janella murmured, “but I’d be willing to try.”

Helen swallowed hard and shook her head in the negative but didn’t say anything. Her vote was no, but she didn’t offer a reason.

“I think this is a good place,” Nash said, rubbing her belly lightly.

“I’m with Nash,” Pat said softly.

[Courier]

Five out of six. A quorum but not consensus. And on an issue this big they could split. Free will and all that.

The obvious reason why Helen might dislike this place was V, which would also explain why she didn't want to say anything. She might even still think that they didn't need V's fertility power. She might even be right. Please let her be right. And please let her stick around to prove it.

James appealed gently, "Helen? Please try it for a while?"

[Dawn OOC]

Helen looked pale, but she nodded. “I’ll try,” she whispered, but her hands were shaking as she nodded. Seeing James’s look at her fingers, she pulled her hands into her lap to hide them.

“Then… we’re in,” James told Violet with a smile, feeling such relief it was almost a physical release.

“So we have to go back and get Jill?” Pat asked, reaching out to pat Helen’s shoulder comfortingly.

“Yeah, we should find Han and make those arrangements,” James replied. Nodding, Venus rose and led the way from the room.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

Under the caves where the majority of Olympus lived, a stone had been shifted. Those who had moved it had left it open, because it was a pain to move later. They’d not dreamed it would not become a means of rapid escape.

Taranis pulled himself out of the hole, running for his life. Artemis was somewhere behind him, but he wasn’t sure where. He didn’t care, either. All he knew is that he had to run. He had to get away from that thing.

[Einherjar]

The dark haired woman lay in a puddle in the dank gloom, her fine silk and leather clothing soiled by both dirt and excrement as she keened breathlessly, mindlessly, driven out of her mind with terror. Nearby on the muck-covered floor of this private hell used by the 'gods' as a playground, a beautifully ornate silver bow, the craftsmanship exquisite, gleamed with a soft, barely discernable inner light. A quiver, silver-chased leather embossed with images of the hunt and the moon was strapped to her back, several of the arrows within having fallen loose and lying around her prostrate form.

Martin looked down on her, his head throbbing as he replayed what had just happened. All the hauteur of moments ago was gone now. The beautiful, predatory features of the woman who called herself Artemis were distorted by terror and tears, marred red lines scored down her cheeks by her own hands as she'd sought solace in pain... to no avail. Gone now was the arrogant, cruel goddess who'd toyed with those condemned to dwell here in the dark. The manicured hands that had snapped his father's neck to the accompaniment of a silvery laugh were crusted with filth and her own blood now. The other one had fled, self-preservation still intact. But the brave and graceful 'goddess of the hunt' was, when stripped bare under the flensing gaze Martin had turned on her, nothing but a cruel child afraid of the dark. Martin dimly remembered being afraid, though it had only been minutes ago. Right now the fear was washed away by his grief.

Grief... and hate.

He bent down and picked up the silver bow, testing the pull. To his surprise it pulled easily enough for a bow made of metal, though with enough resistance to make it tough at full extension. He turned it over in his hands, marveling at the craftsmanship, at how light it seemed. Martin scooped up an arrow and nocked it, admiring the metallic head, cruelly barbed. His father had died with one of those arrowheads in his shoulder from a week ago, a wound which had already begun to fester. Hate surged in him and he stepped to the goddess's side, toeing her over onto her back with one foot. She whimpered and stared up at him as he drew back until the nock touched his ear, pointing the bow down at the lovely face.

"Martin..." his mother sobbed behind him. He heard the others too, the survivors of this place who'd come out to see this new thing, to see the gods run and scream. "Martin... Oh Martin. No, no-no, no..."

She wasn't talking to him, Martin realised. But to his father. He risked a look: sure enough his mother was cradling her husbands head on her lap and rocking slightly, sobbing out her pain. Blinking back the urge to cry, Martin bared his teeth in a silent snarl and looked around.

The others shrank back from his stare, unable to face that terrible glowing whiteness of that gaze in the youthful face contorted in wrath. The boy seemed different now, and the whispers in the dark started that he was one of them now: one of the gods.

Am I? he asked himself, his mind cold and abstract as he aimed at Artemis's face. Artemis. Hercules. Taranis. Gods! Fucking assholes is what they are. I'm nothing like them. I'm going to be their worst fucking nightmare.

"Phobos." he said aloud, speaking as much to the listeners as to the woman at his feet. "God of Fear."

He loosed the arrow. There was a solid *thuk* sound and the sound of splashing as the woman's limbs convulsed.

"But not your fear." He told the onlookers as he bent down and gripped the shaft that protruded from between the woman's open lips, pulling it free with a brutal yank and holding it aloft. Blood dripped from the tip as he pointed upwards with the arrow. "Theirs. I'm going to get you all out of here and to safety." He told them all with a confidence that was beyond his years. "Get whatever you have that you wish to bring. And hurry."

He heard them leave as he knelt by the dead goddess, nimble hands unfastening the quiver and belt with it's hunting knife. He worked swiftly, replacing all the arrows in the quiver before standing and approaching his mother and father.

Why am I not crying? a part of him asked the rest as he crouched beside his father's body. He felt sad, but the tears were not coming. It was as though all the tears had been wrung from him before he first fell sick with the virus, having spent a month as the plaything of gods. His mother still cried, however, clinging to Martin Enyalios Senior's body.

"Mother. We have to go." He hated to do it, hated to pull her away, but he must. He wouldn't leave her to die down here. With gentle words and firm coaxing he steered her away from his father's body. A nearby girl, barely older than him, watched with a mixture of sympathy and awe.

"What's your name?" he asked her. She smiled timidly.

"Fiona."

"I'm Martin. Fiona, could you take my mother please? I need to... To say goodbye." The girl nodded, the expression on her pale face one of understanding as she gently took his mother from him. Martin went back to his father's body and knelt there.

"Well Dad..." he paused, feeling the tears somewhere on the other side of a wall. "This is goodbye." He laid a hand on his father's chest, noting how slack the powerfully built man seemed in death. This isn't him. He's flown on. he thought, and turned his incandescent gaze upwards instead. "Thanks for everything. I'm going to use all you taught me to keep Mom safe. Kiss Annie for me, okay?" It seemed so pitiful, so small a thing, these words. But he couldn't spend more time here. "I'll wear the jacket. You said I'll grow into it. I think I understand that a little more now. Goodbye, Dad." He stood then and moved back to the small knot of people who awaited him, some with bundles, most without. They regarded him with a mixture of fear and awe. He could feel it roiling off them.

"We're heading out the way they came in." he told them all. "Stay behind me, don't move unless I say its safe. And keep it quiet." He looked around and nodded at Fiona. "Look after my mother please?" he asked her. She smiled and nodded. "Okay, any questions?"

"No, Lord Phobos." said one man. Martin winced a little.

"Don't call me lord. And my name to you all is Martin, understand? We're in this together." They exchanged looks, but nodded assent. It would do for now.

He led the way, an arrow nocked and ready as he followed the trail of fear left by the fleeing Taranis.

[Courier]

James observed Helen and thought, Claustrophobic? Maybe just a touch? That… could be an issue. How do you deal with that? Gradual exposure?

James remarked, “Let’s try to get some large rooms.”

James thought, Will Helen make the second trip? Go back to Fox’s? Making the second means there will be a third. V will stay. Probably Nashwa too. Hey… if Nashwa is V’s doing, then I know exactly when she conceived. The night the coven formed… I spent the night with Jo, Nashwa and V spent it together. ‘Cleaning rituals’ or something like that. :Snort: I smelled sex on Nashwa when she came back the next morning and I whisked her off to bed. James-the-dog marking his territory. Timing works… this whole fertility thing is a nightmarish head trip.

Well, V and the girls are safe and accounted for. The larger situation… is still amazingly sucky. I’ll have children, I need to make sure that my sons and daughters won’t also be husband and wife. V needs to do her thing for larger communities. So… should give Fox a heads up? Get him to round up the couples that want kids so V can drop by? And wait, how involved is V’s power? Is it a touch, an hour, or does she actually have to have sex with them?

James asked, “V… how many times a day could you do your fertility thing? And do you know how many people are here?”

[Dawn OOC]

The stairs out of Tartarus were just rough hand- and foot-holds in the rock, leading from the floor of the cavern to the passage above. Martin went first, bouncing on nimble feet and disregarding the hand-holds as he bounded up. At the top, there was no one waiting for them, only an empty room. Martin had often wondered if the entrance to this hell had been guarded; now he suspected it either wasn’t or that Taranis had drawn any guards there with him.

“Come on,” the youthful super whispered back down the hole, then crept forward to see what awaited him in the next tunnel. Two girls were there, looking uncertainly down the tunnel and whispering to themselves. Martin recognized one; she’d shook her head with sad self-righteousness when he and his family had been condemned to Tartarus. He’d remembered thinking her pretty, with wavy chestnut hair, before she’d cast that gaze of inhumane pity on his family. She wasn’t a god; she was a mere mortal. Her eyes widened as she saw Martin, fear and recognition.

The other was blonde and prettily-made up, though perhaps not pretty herself. She bowed and said in a coy, whispery voice, “My lord.” She couldn’t meet his gaze but that didn’t seem to bother her.

[Einherjar]

"I'm not your lord." Martin grated, his voice a harsh murmur. He swung the bow up, covering the two girls. The eyes of the pretty one with the chestnut hair widened, both from the obvious threat and from recognition of the bow. The blonde stifled a titter with her hand, which would have made Martin blink in astonishment if it wasn't for the cold fury burning in his chest. "Both of you get in here, and quietly." He drew back on the nocked arrow, the threat unmistakable. The blonde giggled, as though it was all a game, but the darker haired girl's expression grew more tense and fearful, but she obeyed without delay. The two girls hurried down towards him, and he stepped back and to one side, herding them into the chamber he'd just left as the first of the Tarterus escapees were scrambling out of the hole and turning to help other up. Martin examined his two prisoners, noting that they were both a little older than him, dressed alluringly and perfumed as well as made-up. He turned his gaze on the blonde.

"You. How do I get in and out of this place? Does Olympus have a service entrance?"

"Nobody enters or leaves Olympus without Lord Han's permission." Blondie said with a simpering smile that made Martin feel like sending an arrow through her face. He fought down the sudden murderous impulse - the slaves of Olympus weren't his enemies unless they tried to stop him. He looked at Chestnut.

"What about you?"

"She is right. Nobody comes or goes without Lord Han's leave."

"That doesn't answer my question, you..." he bit off the frustrated words and grit his teeth, his glowing eyes flaring. "How do people come or go?"

"Lord Han takes them."

"Fuck." he muttered, looking around at the other prisoners. One, a burly-looking man with burns on his arms, cleared his throat.

"Uh... I know where they keep their weapons, Lo- I mean, Martin." he said diffidently, obviously intimidated by this boy who barely came up to his shoulder. "The gods... I mean, they have a large stock of dynamite there. We'll need weapons, and we might be able to blast a way out with the dynamite." Martin considered this, then nodded.

"Works for me." he said with a tight grin, then regarded the two floozies.

"Where is the Lady Artemis?" Chestnut said, her eyes on the bow.

"Down there." Phobos told her, grim satisfaction evident in his tone mingled with the grief of who else was down there. "In Tarterus. She'll be staying." He levelled the bow at them again. "You two can keep her company until the other 'gods' come to get you out. Move."

The blonde girl blanched, looking down at the forbidding rough-hewn 'stairway' in distaste and trepidation, then fixed the youth with what was probably meant to be a sexy smile and moved towards him, avoiding contact with his eyes.

"Have mercy, my Lord." she breathed as she stopped just short of the arrow's point and cast a coquettish glance up at him through her lashes. "I'd be grateful, very grateful to a handsome Lord who would take pity on me." She licked her lips slightly with the tip of her tongue, her meaning obvious as she gazed on the adolescent young man.

Who didn't react as expected.

Phobos lowered the bow slowly, and she smiled wider, then her eyes shot open and she emitted a strangled shriek as he grabbed her around the throat and lifted her bodily off the ground one-handed, his eyes boring into hers with incandescent fury.

"As if I'd touch an Olympian's diseased sloppy seconds." Phobos told her in a terrible voice that was equal parts disdain and wrath, the courage-devouring fire of his stare flaying her will. She tried to scream, but all that came out was a garbled, choked squeal as she soiled herself. With a faint growl, the boy turned and, taking two steps, hurled the girl bodily down the hole, hearing her cry out as her body hit, then rolled and bounced to the bottom of the stairs. Her groans of pain drifted up as he whirled on Chestnut, who stepped back from the perfect mask of inhuman anger on the handsome face. He felt strange, his anger not like the anger of the boy he'd been, but more, somehow. As if even his rage had become stronger, less full of doubt that weakened it's pure strength. Deep inside of him, the old Martin was shocked at the sudden brutal violence, the terror he could taste in the cavern air from the two slaves and the fear and shock, mixed with satisfaction in some cases, he could feel from the other escapees.

Phobos loved it. Relished it like it was the finest damn ice cream.

"You. Anything to add to the negotiations?" he grated. She shook her head hastily and began to climb down, the crying of the other girl accompanying her descent. Phobos waited until she was out of sight, then gesturing for several men to help slide the stone firmly into place. Feeling a little calmer, but with rage still simmering in his breast Martin turned to the burly man who'd spoken up earlier.

"What's your name?" he asked.

"Dillon." the older man answered, his eyes unwilling to meet Martin's and his emotions uneasily afraid, though his manner was far from cringing or fear-stricken.

"Okay Dillon. You, stay right behind me and guide me. Everyone else, behind him. Let's go."

[Dawn OOC]

“And left there,” Dillon said, pointing past Martin’s shoulder. The boy nodded, slipping into the tunnel that led down to the cavern. Like most of Olympus, the rooms were interconnected caves. Doors were erected only where privacy was necessary, and an argument could be made that they were needed even in places where they weren’t, at the time. Like on the entrances to the grand caverns where the ‘gods’ held their feasts; given what happened in those rooms, doors should have been required.

All of that was far from Martin’s mind as he found the weapons cache of Olympus. The room was empty and he quickly waved the other escapees into the cavern. Around them every pistol, every rifle, every weapon that had ever been found, made or stolen was stored here. Martin’s chest tightened in grief as he recognized a rifle. Reaching out, the boy plucked it off the stand; E.A.M. was carved into the butt, and no one who knew Martin’s name doubted whose it was. “Grab whatever you can carry,” he said, turning to Fiona. “Can you fire this?” When the girl nodded, he handed it to her. “Take care of this.”

“Martin!” His name was already known to all the escapees; due to the dire conditions in Tartarus, he didn’t know many others. This man was one of the few he did know; Dallas and two other men had been allied with his father, trying to help each other scrape a living out of the hell they’d been trapped in. Dallas was grinning as he pointed at a weapon’s rack. “Lookee what Herc left lying around.”

[Einherjar]

"This is that asshole's?" Martin said as he stepped to Dallas's side, his featureless glowing white eyes widening a little as they studied the long, heavy curved sword that gleamed in the flickering lights. It was almost as long as he was, a four-and-a-half foot blade that looked like it was made of polished steel the colour of blood, ending in a shaped hilt nearly a foot long. "Guess he was compensating for something." Despite his scornful tone, there was a thoughtful look on the youth's face as he regarded the weapon. It sat on a polished wooden stand, an ornate sheath underneath it that seemed as much holster as scabbard, allowing the massive sword to be drawn easily whilst still protecting the wearer from the edge.

"It's like that bow." Dallas said, also staring at the great blade. "Their go-to-guy, Vulcan made it, apparently. No-one's seen the dude, but he's meant to be a genius. I've seen Hercules use this thing to chop through an engine block without it taking a nick. And it takes two normal guys to even lift the damn thing without straining something." He looked sideways at Martin, who was staring at the sword more intently. Dallas grinned. "Are you thinkin'...?"

"It's a nice sword." Phobos said. "Too nice for Hercules. Trust cheap imitation K-Mart gods to get their mythology wrong." He grinned back at Dallas. "Hercules used a club."

"So who used a big red sword?" Fiona asked. Martin glanced at her: she'd had looped two bandoliers of rifle ammunition around her slender shoulders and strapped a hunting knife around her waist.

"Don't know." he said with a smile, then turned back to look at it. "But I know who's going to use it now." He reached out and lifted the blade carefully from it's stand, shifting his grip to hold the hilt two-handed.

"You can use a sword?" Dallas asked, stepping back as Phobos swished the blade a little in the air, then essayed a few cuts and slashes. It was heavy, but incredibly well-balanced, and the edge was so sharp those listening could practically hear the whine as it parted the air. Martin found that he needed both hands firmly on it to wield the thing effectively. So, I'm strong, but not super-strong. Well, as long as I'm strong enough, that's all that matters. He stopped his experimental kata and smiled grimly at Dallas.

"Kendo since I was ten. It was something Dad and-" he stopped, the grief deep inside him transmuting into a sudden fit of tumultuous rage that made his eyes flare and his grip tighten on the red sword. He choked it back, aware that the others were staring concernedly. "It was something we did."

"Right." Dallas said with a nod, his expression saying louder than words that he didn't want to go there right now. "I'm going to grab something for the road, then help Dillon with the dynamite."

"Sure." Martin replied, stepping over to the stand and picking up the scabbard. He concentrated on sliding the blade into place, then fixing it with the strap that went just above the crosspiece. He stopped, contemplating something.

"Are you alright?" a soft voice said behind him. Fiona. But Martin's eyes were on at the embossed lettering at the top of the sheath.

"Let your enemies fear you as grass fears the scythe." he said softly, reading aloud, then turned the scabbard over in his hands, reading what was on the other side, embossed in larger letters. "Grasscutter." He smirked then, an unpleasant expression. "I like it."

"Martin?"

"I'm fine. Stick close to my mother and make sure she's safe, please." he told the young woman, giving a soft grunt of effort as he swung the sheathed sword into place across his back, arranging it alongside the quiver so that he could draw it if need be, then strapping the oddly-comfortable harness into place around his shoulders and waist. This Vulcan they had was definitely a genius. The harness was fully adjustable, and distributed the sword's weight nicely. That done, he picked up the bow again and looked around. Fiona was watching him from his mother's side. Joan Enyalios was still in grief-stricken shock. She had lost her daughter, suffered abuse and rape, and now had lost her husband. Martin felt his heart ache at the lost look in the woman's gaze and went to her, gently wrapping his arms around her. "Mom? We're going to get out of here. Stick close to Fiona for me, okay mom? Do as she tells you. It'll be alright." Mom just nodded, staring at a spot on the floor, uncaring. Martin shut his eyes tight and hugged her, kissing the careworn cheek.

But it was Phobos who let her go and turned to the others, his eyes burning with a nameless, dreadful urge as he looked upon his impromptu army.

"Right." he said in a voice tight with anger. "We need an outer wall, maybe close to some air vents. Anyone know a place?" Dillon raised a hand.

"I helped blast out some of the tunnels. I was a mine worker before... well, before all this." he admitted. "I know a spot that this dynamite should help us get through."

"Do we need all the dynamite?" Phobos asked, an idea forming in his head. "And how far away is this point?"

"Most of it, probably." Dillon said after a long moment's thought. The man had a deliberate air about him - not stupid, but the type of man who thought things through before committing. "And it's not far. A couple caves over that way."

"Dump a couple bundles here in the ammo area. Set a fuse for ten minutes and light it. The first boom will draw them here, and while they're dealing with that lot all going off, we'll make our doorway. Grab ropes and climbing gear in case we need them. Everyone got what they need?" Dirty faces nodded, alight with hope as they readied their weapons. "Safeties on until we need them off, everyone. Now let's go."

[Dawn OOC]

The group eased out of the weapons room, moving faster now that they had left a literal ticking time bomb behind them. It was this need for speed that caused the accident. Martin had checked a corner, but failed to see the immediate switchback. The small group was passing by it when Martin heard a scream and then the punishing retort of a pistol in the cavern.

The noise would carry for miles as an indistinct, muffled boom, but here, at the point of the shot, it was an unmerciful audio punishment. Only Martin was spared temporary hearing loss. In seconds it was chaos; the escapees were largely non-combatants. At the first signs of trouble, they panicked. Martin turned back, his hand going to his sword hilt – only to stop as he considered the low ceiling. The silver bow was the fallback weapon as he pushed through people to the place of commotion.

Bast stood in the intersection, three people already on the ground and bleeding. One was staring at the ceiling, clearly dead; the other two were dying. The shapeshifter was pitiless; all of the inflected wounds were utterly fatal. She was fully ‘catty’ – as those unfortunates from Tartarus were fond of calling her, covered in short brown fur and with gleaming yellow eyes. Her black claws were fully extended, wicked scythes that had already cut down people Martin had sworn to protect. She was beautifully feral – and, as far as Martin was concerned, utterly evil.

Martin, your turn.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“I think there are about as many as Fox’s,” Venus said, smiling. “As for how many times… I don’t know. I haven’t tested my abilities to their limit.” Her lips curved up in a smile, promising and full of memories for James and his libido. “We’ll have to test it. The last time I had the chance to see how many I could affect in a given time span, I wasn’t thinking about using it consciously.”

“Last time?” Jan asked, clearly jumping to the immediately conclusion that Venus had been in an orgy.

“Yeah,” James said, “you’ll need to test that.” In the distance, there was a muffled noise.

“What was that?” Helen asked, jumping a little.

“I don’t know,” James said, stepping outside of the room, determined to find if it was trouble. Only problem was that he couldn’t tell where the sound had come from; the twists and turns of the cavern had disguised the direction. “Hey,” he said as a couple passed, hand-in-hand. “What was that noise?”

“I dunno,” the girl said, grinning and shrugging her shoulders. She released her partner’s hand and sidled up to James, her fingers brushing lightly over his bicep before resting on his arm. “I’m sure it was nothing. Who are you?” Her young man didn’t seem to care that she was practically draping her rack over his arm; instead, the young man was giving James a look that made all straight men uneasy.

[Einherjar]

It was easy. That's what he remembered afterwards. So, so easy. His fury flamed up as though gasoline had been dumped on the banked embers as he watched the pampered, cruel spoiled creature rampaging amongst (my people) the people under his protection. He'd promised them safety. He'd promised to get them out. And there was the fucking renegade from furry fandom ripping apart innocents.

The arrow was in his hand. It hadn't been a moment before, but now it was as naturally as if it'd been there all along. To the watcher's, Phobos' hand didn't even move before it was drawn back alongside his ear, the wicked point of the barbed arrow glowing with the same purple-edged white as the young man's eyes. He didn't even need to take his time, the arrow's tip lined up with one of the cruelly playful eyes that flashed gold as Bast turned to see what the light was.

"Die." Phobos told her.

The first arrow was on it's way as he nocked the second, not even needing to concentrate on the act, and sent it right behind it's fellow as fast as a cop would double-tap with his automatic. Their tips flared with that white radiance for a full nanosecond before they found the intended mark - one in each eye. They plunged into the eyesockets, through the brain and out the back of the Olympian's skull with a *crack* as the impact threw her into the tunnel wall.

Bast was pinned there, suspended with her feet inches from the floor on the quivering shafts, her limbs twitching spasmodically and her bowels letting go as she resumed her normal form. A beautiful, lithe woman, nude from the waist up and her skin dusky and exotic, hanging like a grisly trophy from two arrows through her eyesockets. Phobos smiled, a look of grim satisfaction on his face, then turned to the wounded.

They were beyond help, he realised. They would die slowly without proper medical aid, and there was none to be had. If the Olympians saved them, it would be only to visit further cruelties on them. The other escapees, some still in shock, were looking at at him expectantly. He nodded.

"Dallas, give me your knife." he said in a tight voice. The older man hesitated, then drew the blade and passed it over. Phobos knelt by the first, a woman, her eyes wide with fear as she fought against the unknown shadow of death. Phobos leaned over her and looked into her eyes. "No fear." he told her, and felt the emotion leave her under the push of his... what? Powers? The woman smiled at him a little, and nodded as she saw the knife. Phobos's jaw clenched as he stabbed it into her heart, twisting once, then withdrew it. Then he went to the other and repeated the process, taking the man's fear from him before sending him to peace.

Closing the eyes of all his dead, he stood, wiped the blade off and handed it to Dallas, then looked around at the staring faces.

"If I was wounded like that, I'd want the same rather than to fall into their hands again." he told them harshly. "Now let's move. We've lost time."

Click to reveal.. (The Math Stuff)

Spending 4 qp: 2 uses each of Artemis' Bow and Godslayer

Splitting dice pool for 2 actions

-2, -3 dice

First shot, aiming for left eye +3 difficulty, +4 damage

Roll: [10, 1, 4, 5, 4, 4, 6, 8, 5, 4, 1, 8, 6, 5] + mega [9]. Total Successes: 5.

popping 10 (Steady Hand) Roll: [4]. Total Successes: 0.

+ 3 diff = 2 net succs + 3 auto = 5 succs to hit.

Godslayer: -10 to soak

First attack's dmg Roll: [8, 10, 1, 2, 7, 2, 7, 9, 9, 6, 9, 10, 7, 8, 10]. Total Successes: 11.

11 Lethal

2nd Attack Roll: [9, 1, 5, 7, 1, 5, 2, 6, 1, 7, 3, 9] + mega [10]. Total Successes: 7.

+3 diff = 4 net succs + 3 auto = 7 succs to hit

Godslayer: -14 to soak

Second attack's dmg Roll: [3, 2, 7, 6, 10, 6, 5, 10, 9, 1, 7, 4, 9, 1, 3, 1, 3]. Total Successes: 6.

6 Lethal

Total: 17 Lethal

[Courier]

James replied, "Um..." while he let his thoughts race, Nice rack. I like. And he's not jealous because he's interested in my package and not hers. Once again, all weight lifters are homosexuals because we attract them. Right, like usual, ignore that, it's his problem, not mine. And the girl is not mine. She's probably a hotel girl (i.e. open to everyone) and if she's not then I’m still married. And James? You're being stupid. That's not a car backfiring.

James replied, “I’m James. Ares.”

Both of the coupled bowed, with the young woman so that James could look down her dress. She said in a tone that was both a question and an invitation, "My lord?"

James thought, Not useful.

James said, "Where is..." If I were a SWAT team working for RUSS or someone, where would I break in?

James asked, "Where is the wall closest to the outside?"

Both of them looked pretty blank at that question, clearly either not knowing or not understanding what he meant.

Shoot. Ask something else. Or maybe... someone else.

James asked, "V... reach out with your mind and please tell me if you can sense any groups of people afraid or angry or something like that." If that doesn't work I'll ask for the armory. Someone will be heading for weapons if it's all gone bad and they'll know what is up.

[Dawn OOC]

Venus chuckled, a rich throaty sound. “You know it doesn't work like that,” she told him. “It's not like a field that I cast about constantly.” Stepping over to him, she tucked her arm into his. “If there's trouble, they will come get you to fight. Do you think there will be trouble, here? This is the home of the gods – who would dare?”

"There will be trouble if you don't get your hands off our man," Jan muttered; Venus didn't hear her or ignored her.

"I always expect trouble." The statement was practically James's mantra. “Where’s the armory?”

“You don’t need weapons. Why go there?” Helen said, her tone strident. There was real fear in her voice as she asked, “Why would you run off and leave us unprotected?”

“Everyone calm down, it was probably nothing,” Venus said, looking annoyed now. “This is Olympus. Even if someone is dumb enough, no one will be successful.” The young man was gazing at her like she was the cherry on top the best milkshake ever. The girl’s expression was only slightly less enthusiastic.

“We could go find out if something is going on, if you like,” the girl offered. She smiled a little. “Or we could stay and offer comfort to you, Lady Venus.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

“We lost some people.” Dillon’s statement was grim. He was also speaking so softly that only Phobos could hear him.

“I know, I had to… end them,” Martin replied back, his glowing eyes peering up at the man.

“No, I mean, some of them panicked and took off. I just counted,” Dillon said. His expression was hard as he added, “Are we going to go back and look for them?”

[Einherjar]

"We can't." Phobos said after a moment's thought, a taut grimace of distaste for the decision on his features. He was aware of others nearby listening, and raised his voice a fraction. "That shot will have been heard, and we'll have more of these 'gods' all over us. We have to push on and fast. Maybe the others can escape in the confusion of the explosions. Maybe they'll meet us at the right place. But if we scatter to look for them we *all* die." He looked around at the others. "We stay together and there's a better chance of us making it out. Now let's move."

They moved, Phobos checking the passages and then waving for the others to follow him as they wound their way to the chamber Dillon insisted was against an outer wall of the complex. A few steps into the room, sweeping it with his bow, caused Martin's lip to curl as he realised the nature of the place. It was some sort of S&M style playroom, with toys and devices ranging from the padded and kinky to the painful and torturous. He wondered how many people occupying the frameworks dotted around the chamber had been willing participants, then experienced a further feeling of nausea when he remembered that, for some of these K-Mart gods, the difference between willing and unwilling was a matter of a hypnotic stare or irresistable voice. After checking it was empty, Phobos stationed a guard at each entrance to watch for anyone approaching, with orders to fall back at first sight of the enemy. He stood in the middle of the chamber, arrow nocked, and stood guard as Dillon supervised the setting of the dynamite.

"Ready." Dillon called after what seemed like an age, and not a moment too soon. Seconds after his announcement, a loud explosion rumbled through the complex, causing the earth to tremble slightly, followed by a staccato of secondary explosions.

"Light it." Phobos told Dillon, then waved the others into a side passage. "Ropes ready to go first, just in case." he told them as he kept one vigilant glowing eye down the corridor. Dillon came out of the room in a hurry, his fear and excitement palpable.

"Ten second fuse." he said as he grabbed his rifle and crouched. The others did likewise, every single one of them counting down mentally with Dillon. "Seven... six... five... four... three... two..."

[Courier]

With abstract surprise James noted, Wow. V can turn a gay man straight. More people to fight off I guess. And all this 'it can't happen here' sounds really familiar.

James looked down one corridor and then the other and answered Helen, "If there's trouble I want to head it off before it reaches you. Bullets flying, zombies dying, blood all over... for that I want you behind a wall and not in the thick of things. If I can't deal with it I want to find out early enough to run back and knock down walls until we get out of here. The armory is a good place to go because people fight over it and run for it in case of trouble."

James pulled out his pearl handled .45. He practiced with it occasionally but it was mostly for show. In any situation his powers were a lot more useful than a expensive 'pimp' gun, but silly or no, it was still a functional .45. James took Helen's hand and pressed the gun into it saying, "I know you're a little scared, think of this as a good luck charm." Jo is armed, she'll have a mage's pocket somewhere.

James said to Venus and everyone, "I don't hear more gunfire, it's probably over, and it's certainly not around here. I want to know what happened. If someone tried and failed, if something failed, if something worked..." You don't stay alive by trusting it can't happen here "...I want to know."

James said to the man in a 'You WILL' tone of voice, "You. Take me to the armory right now. Everyone else back to the room and stay put." If V can turn gay men straight then I'll take him with me. Let her practice turning straight women gay.

[Dawn OOC]

The young man smiled. “Anything for you, Lord Ares.” That smile promised so many things to James, and he wasn’t sure that he wanted to know what all of them were. It was easy to guess some, but there were things being hinted about that James couldn’t even begin to guess.

“That is so creepy,” James heard Helen murmur; when he looked back at her, she was staring at his impromptu guide.

“This way, my lord.” If words could caress, then James had a pending sexual harassment complaint to file. The young man turned and led him back through the large living cave. This was the one for the gods and was resplendent in its decorations and furnishings. As they walked, his guide said, “I’m called Byron.”

“Uh huh,” James replied. It seemed the safest reply that was also polite.

There was another moment of silence. “If I give you a blow job, it doesn’t make you gay,” Bryon said coyly, casting a fey look over his shoulder at Ares as he turned a corner – and died.

Ares found himself sheathed in flame as some kind of explosion rocked the cavern around them. The fires burned gleefully, sucking out the oxygen and leaving him gasping for air. A second later, the rocks above him came down with a thunderous roar. A man would have died; James was something more than that. Instead of dying, he was just entombed in a James-sized space in the rock.

Click to reveal..

Bomb damage (after soak):

Carver *rolls* 4d10: 7+5+5+10: 27 = 2 Lethal damage

Secondary explosions (after soak):

Carver *rolls* 3d10: 7+8+1: 16 = 2 Lethal damage

James soaks all Bashing damage from the sonic damage.

James soaks all Bashing from the collapsing rocks and is pinned under them.

James takes 4 lethal damage and is trapped. Getting out will require a Dex+Athletics check. There is too much rock for James to shift it, especially being on bottom of the pile.

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The explosion rang through the corridor, louder to the small band of escapees because of their proximity. Dust and rocks filled the air, but when Martin peered into the room, he saw a ray of golden light. The ‘god’ of fear grinned broadly as he saw sunlight for the first time in weeks.

“Hot damn, I wasn’t sure that would work!” Dillon crowed, slapping Martin on the shoulder.

The boy and the man exchanged glances of delight, then Martin bellowed, “Move it! Let’s get out of here!” The escapees began to hurry, grins lighting up their faces as they began to climb over damaged sex equipment. Martin hung back, making sure everyone got out and doing a final count of those clearing Hell with him. Twenty-three. They seemed so few, and yet the burden of their lives were on Martin’s shoulders. Swallowing and feeling the lack of experience, he climbed out to see what they faced.

The new scar in the mountain opened to a sloping crevice. The fissure had cut back into the mountain, coming close to the playroom and it was up through this crack that the escapees clambered. Martin had the easiest of it, his new grace allowing him to bound up and down the slope with little issue. He went back and forth, helping everyone to the top.

Before them was a valley between two peaks; behind them was the sloping wall of their former prison. “Even if we don’t get any further,” Dillon said in a thick voice, “thanks for getting us this far, Martin.”

[Einherjar]

"This is just the start." Martin replied with a smile, clapping the older man on the shoulder before raising his voice. "Lets go. Down into the valley to the treeline there." He pointed to the small forested area that ran the length of the valley. As they made their way down the slope, moving carefully but without much difficulty, Phobos kept one eye on the cleft behind them and the other scanning his surroundings, and an arrow nocked to his bow. The first K-Mart god to show themselves would get what Bast got, he swore silently to himself.

The valley ran north/south, and Martin started his convoy of armed escapees south, quickly calling a halt after ten minutes when he realised that it was a dead end ringed by cliffs. Swearing under his breath, he led them north again, then east when the valley forked and went two seperate directions. The escapees moved swiftly, hope as well as fear of being captured again renewing their strength moment by moment. The valley curved a fraction to the north before terminating at a dirt track that ran north/south. Not even pausing to think, the cool-headed boy kept them moving north, walking alongside his mother and Fiona at the head of the column for the most part, but every few minutes dropping back to check on the others, or darting ahead to scout. Now and then he called a halt to let everyone breathe, whilst he stood sentinel and searched the skies.

"Martin." his mother said on one of the stops, looking at her son with a mixture of love, pride, fear and awe. Martin knew that was the case, because he could feel those emotions like tastes in his mouth. He turned to her and smiled a little. It was the first word his mother had spoken since the cave.

"Yes, mom?" he replied, stepping to her side. He was different now, Joan saw. He projected the same authorative air as his father, carried himself was though a great weight was on his shoulders. Joan Enyalios saw the man in her boy, and it filled her with pride and sadness, that the mantle had come to him this way.

"You saved us." she said with a brave smile, blinking back tears as she put her arms around him and kissed his cheek, stroking her boy's hair. Glowing eyes or not, daunting gaze or not, a little taller or not, he was still her little boy. "Your father..." her voice broke, and she hugged him close as tears filled her eyes and sobs choked her voice. "Your father would be so proud."

Martin felt the cap of his rage melting as his own grief tried to break through. But he couldn't. He wouldn't grieve yet. Right now, these people - his people - needed him to be implacable, to lead them with reason and focus. So he didn't cry, didn't let himself join his mother in her grieving. Instead he hugged her back, holding her until the storm of her weeping passed. He felt her tears soaking through his torn and dirty t-shirt and knew, inside himself, that Olympus would be washed away by these tears, and all the tears they had caused. He would personally mount Han's head on a spike in the bastard's own throne room, but not before he had destroyed and dismantled the sick fucker's dreams before his eyes.

Finally Joan relaxed, cried out for now, and he kissed her cheek. "Stay with Fiona, mom." He exchanged a look with the girl, whose dirt-crusted hair was showing glints of auburn out here in the sunlight. Fiona smiled warmly at him and nodded, taking Joan's arm and helping her as the others stood, ready to move out. Phobos nodded once at them all, then led the way.

The north-running dirt track tee-d again, and Martin once more took the east fork. Then the dirt track ended on a wide stretch of asphalt. A signpost clearly indicated that this was Highway 24, and that Leadville, Colorado further along it. The escapees cheered, smiles breaking out on every face as they clustered around Martin. He smiled, sharing their happiness, but motioned them all to listen.

"Leadville's going to have zombies. But it's also going to have supplies." he told them all. "Hopefully most of the zombies will have gone, but lets not take that for granted. When we get there, we stay together and move together. We keep quiet and look for food, drink, clothing, gear and transport." He looked around at them all. "Treat the place like a minefield. Any room, any closet, any chest could contain a zombie. Open doors carefully and with someone else covering you. If you see a dead body, throw a rock at it to make sure. Don't go up to it and poke it - that's a movie no-no." He smiled at their chuckles. "I'm serious, though. If there are zombies, don't panic, stay together and clear them out methodically. Shoot for the head. If you bring one down, make sure with a second headshot. Watch each other's backs and we'll come out of Leadville alive and with supplies."

"What about the gods?" A woman asked, a filthy bandage over one eye from some cruelty inflicted on her in the caves of Tarterus. "They might go to Leadville for supplies."

"They might." Phobos nodded. "So we be extra careful." He met everyone's gaze. "I will die to protect you all if I can." he told them in a low, intense voice, surprising himself with the sentiment. "I would rather die than let one of those fuckers hurt another one of you." His depth of feeling surprised them all as much as he, Martin saw, but the words were from the heart. "So we are in this together. We're going to get what we need from Leadville, then find a safe haven." Everyone exchanged glances, then smiled and nodded, fresh enthusiasm filling them. They followed Martin down the road, heading for Leadville.

[Courier]

{OOC: Activate Blindfighting, Regen 3 levels. Pool: 20/24}

James' first thought after the dust settled was, CRAP! And I let an offer for a gay blowjob distract me?? And for the record Bryon, YES it would make me gay... and dead.

Hard to breath, let's get out of here.

Jame pitted his full might against the rock pinning him. It didn't move.

Lack of leverage isn't the issue, so that's one heavy rock. No, what we're proving is I can't pick up a mountain. How about I crawl out of here? Do a snake impression.

Click to reveal..

[1,4,5,9,2,3,3,1] = 1 suc (+1 from Willpower) total = 2 (wow what a bad roll, I'll assume that won't be enough but it doesn't make things worse)

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3095461/

James wasn't sure if he was making any headway or not but he felt his clothes rip off.

Wonderful. I leave with a gay man and come back a few minutes later bare ass naked and all panting for breath.

And that's if I'm lucky. Hey Venus you listening in over the link? Think you can dig me out?

Wait... James, are you totally sure you want the girls around here? Leaving the girls behind was the right call, that might not have changed. Keep crawling James.

Click to reveal..

[7,3,7,7,10,8,3,4] (+1 Willpower) => Total 6 sux

http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3095999/

(If his Rugged or Unyielding qualities mean the 10 gives a 2nd roll...

[10] http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3096003/

(RePop the 10... [2] (failed) http://invisiblecastle.com/roller/view/3096005/

Total 7 Successes

[Dawn OOC]

*We’re coming.* The thought was an anchor to which James held tight; he wasn’t sure where it had come from; it had sounded like Venus’s voice, but so tense with worry or fear he wasn’t sure it was her. *We’re coming for you.*

James wasn’t the kind to wait for rescue; he resumed his wiggling. He was pleased that he could feel he was making progress, even if his clothing wasn’t making it with him. A moment later, something wet touched his shoulder. James jerked to the side, but in the utter darkness, he couldn’t see what it was. All he could smell was… saltwater? He could feel that wet something wrap itself around him, though it wasn’t skin tight or completely enclosing him. He could still breathe just fine.

Several moments later, James heard a grinding noise, like rocks sliding. He wondered if it was another mini-landslide. Instead, fresh air gusted over his skin; craning his neck, he thought he could see the outlines of rock. It was another few minutes, but slowly he saw his rescuers approaching. James could now see the partial dome of water that appeared to be covering him and pushing against the rock in what was a protective manner. Familiar shoes – James remembered the beefy guy calling himself Hercules wearing them – were visible but aside from the grunt, nothing moved. “It’s a solid piece of rock. I can’t shift this much weight.”

“I’ll do it.” Han’s voice was matched with Keds James remembered from earlier. “Yam, get out of there in case this works too well.” The water flowed away from James, taking the scent of saltwater with it. It also left James uncomfortable remembering that Yam was a dude.

For a moment, there was only silence, then the rock shifted. The weight on James eased as the something twisted and lifted the rock from him. It was hard to see how or why, but James saw the rock shrink and disappear. The point of disappearance seemed to be Han.

As if to collaborate this, the god sat down heavily, holding his head. “Get him some clothes,” Han rasped, sounding exhausted. “And find out if anyone else is still alive in there.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The escapees scattered into groups of three as soon as they reached the first buildings. Martin found himself in the two-person group with a battle-scarred woman built like a fireplug. Her name was Rhonda and she seemed to be a walking stereotype of a bull-dyke lesbian. She wasn’t afraid of hard work, he soon learned. When they found a bit of food, she was the one bagging it and throwing it over her shoulder.

There were a few zombies and they almost lost someone when one of their partners missed the headshot. It only served to remind them all that the world outside of Olympus was as dangerous as Tartarus.

The regathered group shared their loot; there was enough food for them for three days, though it was mostly beans. More than enough clothing was found for everyone to change into something that didn’t stink of captivity and Marilyn, the shy housewife whose story was close to Joan’s earned lots of cheers when she showed her backpack full of shampoo, soap and other toiletries. It was Dillon who made the biggest score; he found a small schoolbus that still ran. “We don’t have much fuel,” he warned, “but we can put some distance between them and us. I can drive – so where are we going, Martin?”

Forty-six eyes looked to him with a mixture of hope and happiness – life might be hard, but they all would take this over Tartarus. And Martin had given it to them; would die so that they could keep it. It was no wonder they looked at him like this; looks that the ‘gods’ of Olympus couldn’t beat out of them were freely given to a fifteen-year-old boy.

[Courier]

Dirty, naked, wet, and alive, James felt like he was being reborn. He wiped some of the grime away from his face and said, "Han, Herc, Yam, V, everyone, Thank you."

Without being bothered by his nudity James reported seriously, "Bryon's dead and it was just us two in the tunnel. Explosion got him before the cave in. This wasn't an accident, I heard combat type sounds. Thought someone was breaking in. Anyone know what happened?"

Someone handed James a robe and he awkwardly put it on, more focused on what the others were going to say. The fight might not be over, he might be nude again in a few minutes.

{OOC: Regen one more level, 19/24}

[Einherjar]

"I'm not sure." he admitted gravely, dumping the kitbag of arrows he'd liberated from the hunting and sports store into the back of the bus and turning to Dillon as the others loaded up. Pretty much all the ammo there had been stripped, but arrows weren't really on most people's priorities when surviving a zombapocalypse. There'd been some other stuff too - fishing line and hooks, for example, that Martin had appropriated readily. He leaned over the map that Dillon had spread on the ground and pondered. It didn't take him long to plot a course of action, the other survivors having finished loading and watching him expectantly.

"There." he traced a line on the map. "Highway 91 north. We keep an eye open for gas stations, abandoned vehicles we can siphon, anything to keep this crate moving. We hit Interstate 70 and keep eastwards, stopping in Frisco for more fuel and supplies. Then we stay on 70 all the way to Denver." He straightened up and looked around. "There's towns on the way. We scavenge, rustle up any fuel we can, maybe even some extra transport if we have the gas. We watch out for zombies and gods."

"Denver's gonna be crawling with zombies." Dallas said grimly. Phobos shrugged and nodded.

"Probably, but we're not just going to drive in there either. Georgetown is just before Denver proper, and we can stop there, clear out a building and create base of operations while we forage."

"And then?" Rhonda asked. Martin felt a flash of annoyance, but quashed it ruthlessly. They looked to him, but needed to realise that he didn't have all the answers, either. He shrugged instead, a rueful smile making him look his age for a moment.

"And then we talk it over." he replied honestly. "Once escape and survival are taken care of, we make longer-term plans." The others nodded, satisfied with that. "Everyone cleaned up some and in better clothes?" More nods, and Martin waved them towards the bus. "Then lets roll."

[Dawn OOC]

“We’re not sure yet,” Hercules said, looking uneasy. Suddenly, he looked less like the god of strength and more like a young man, thrust into frightening circumstances. Some of the others ‘gods’ caught his discomfort, looking nervously around.

“Fan out, find them,” Han said, rising to his feet. He had just finished sliding his sunglasses back into place, but not before Courier saw a hint of unnatural shadows. “Find them and bring them to me.”

The terrible voice of their leader restored their faith, and the godlings scattered, looking for the cause of the explosions. As James soon learned, there had been another while he’d been trapped. “We’re still figuring out who it was,” Yam explained, his Japanese-American features taut with worry. “And where that last explosion was.”

“Venus,” Han said, turning to the beautiful woman. “You and Void, go to the God’s Cavern. Ares, take them and guard them. They carry our future.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

The course was set and the group loaded onto the bus. Dillon got them in motion and they embarked on the trip. At first, everyone was just glad to be off their feet, but soon other feelings set in. A man cried softly because his girlfriend had run away from Bast instead of staying close. Another woman just shook as her body struggled to handle the adrenaline in her system.

Martin found his mother sitting on a seat, staring listlessly out the window. Fiona smiled sadly at him and rose, giving him the seat next to her. “Mom?” he whispered. He had to repeat himself before she turned to look at him. “Are you okay?”

“Yes, Martin. I’m fine,” she said blandly giving him a small smile.

“Okay,” he said, wishing he could lean against her, that she’d put her arm over him and he could curl against her and let her soothe away his fears. He wanted, for a moment, to still be her child. But that boy was gone, killed by Tartarus, and his mother was a shell.

From the roof of the bus, there was a thump.

Martin. Initiatives.

[Venus]

Originally Posted By: Dawn, OOC

The terrible voice of their leader restored their faith, and the godlings scattered, looking for the cause of the explosions. As James soon learned, there had been another while he’d been trapped. “We’re still figuring out who it was,” Yam explained, his Japanese-American features taut with worry. “And where that last explosion was.”

“Venus,” Han said, turning to the beautiful woman. “You and Void, go to the God’s Cavern. Ares, take them and guard them. They carry our future.”

Venus nodded faithfully at Han and gave James a brief smile before she voiced her opinion, “We should take Ares‘ women there, too. They just arrived and decided to stay...“, Venus didn’t said what she implied but instead transported her message emotionally to Han. It was important to her that these women would be protected, too. She was sure they would benefit from this in the future and Han hopefully understood.

Before Han answered she reached for James‘ hand and slightly pulled him closer to her, “You will protect us and your women, now go get them and make haste.“, it wasn’t an order she issued but her voice carried the importance nonetheless. Venus would put her life in Ares‘ hands, he had promised to protect her, no matter what.

[Courier]

James nodded at his orders and glanced beyond the fallen rock. What are we dealing with here? Someone breaking in. Someone breaking out. Murder. Sabotage. Someone either died or was fingered for death. It's a little early for this to have been directed at V or me, whoever made a move is probably done for now... which is stunningly close to 'it can't happen here'. It's not an invasion, but just for grins let's assume there's a next act to this play. James took his black knife and touched it across his face. Black tribal war paint grew like ivy over his face and arms.

Accepting his role James acknowledged, "Yes." And once more Han seems to have his act together. Good for him.

Click to reveal..

qp: 17/24 Like this but denser and full body.

Walking off with and slightly in front of Venus and Void, while on guard James asked quietly, "Any idea who is missing?" Not a known fact but a darn good guess.

[Einherjar]

Everyone started at the thump, looking up at the ceiling of the bus. Martin was on his feet in an eyeblink, motioning to everyone to get down low. Whoever or whatever was on the roof probably meant them no good - it was a definite step down from standing by the side of the road and sticking out a thumb.

And he was inside a bus where he couldn't pull a bow.

"Dillon, keep us moving and drive careful." he said in a low urgent tone as he reached for Grasscutter, then changed his mind and pulled two arrows from his quiver, gripping them like makeshift daggers. "Everyone else, stay down."

Click to reveal..

Einherjar *rolls* 1d10: 2: 2

[Einherjar] 5:29 pm: poo

Initiative 15

[Dawn OOC]

“Not yet,” Void answered. “We’re rounding up everyone now to see if someone is.” She was quiet for a long moment before adding, “This actually isn’t the first time one of the gods has objected to Han’s way of handling things. But she actually fought him directly instead of pulling some back door shit. Personally,” she added with a touch of bitterness and vehemence to her voice, “I think Vulcan was behind this one. The bitter little bastard likes to cause trouble.”

“Vulcan?” Venus asked, her curiosity piqued.

“You can meet him, if you want. He’ll not come seek you,” Void added with a snort. “He’s a recluse, working on his gadgets as much as he can.”

-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-

For a moment, there was silence as everyone waited tensely. Martin waited, every inch of his body tight with tension.

The stillness was shattered when the driver’s side window splintered. All Martin saw was the silver flash of something on the end of a black arm – not African black, but ebony. Then Dillon was howling in pain and there was blood everywhere.

Click to reveal..

Primordial’s Initiative:

Carver *rolls* 1d10: 3: 3+15: 18

[Carver] 10:36 pm: also poo.

NPC’s Initiative:

Carver *rolls* 1d10: 9+6: 15

[Carver] 10:39 pm: Sure.... they get a 9...

Martin wins the tie because he has Megas.

Primordial is first, then Martin, then the PCs.

Primordial's FF:

     [Carver] 11:17 pm: last is mega

Carver *rolls* 8d10: 9+8+7+6+9+9+6+2: 56 = +15 soak

Using Adhesive Grip to stay on the roof of the bus.

Move action to get to the driver’s side window, then attack on Dillon.

Stealth Check to move silently, Catfooted active.

[Carver] 10:41 pm: Last two mega:

Carver *rolls* 7d10: 8+4+9+9+9+8+10: 57

[The Bomb] 10:42 pm: Ouch!

[Dozer] 10:42 pm: Owwie.

[Carver] 10:42 pm: !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Fuck.

[The Bomb] 10:42 pm: 9 Sux!

[Dozer] 10:42 pm: Never good to hear a st say that.

[Carver] 10:42 pm: 12 with Catfooted.

Attacking Dillon with a knife: 6 sux

[Carver] 10:45 pm: last two mega:

Carver *rolls* 9d10: 9+8+10+7+7+5+7+1+4: 58

[Carver] 10:45 pm: Good enough.

[Carver] 10:46 pm: Damage roll, after soak (ha ha!)

Carver *rolls* 9d10: 10+5+7+6+10+6+3+7+7: 61 – 5 levels of Lethal Damage to Dillon.

Martin’s up. If he can beat Primodial’s Stealth check, then he knows where it is and can attack it immediately. Alternately, he can aid Dillon or stop the bus. His call.

[Einherjar]

In the moment before the killer struck, Martin's mind raced to try and anticipate his opponent's move. The bus is still moving... the driver! Phobos turned, already reaching for his bow when the window shattered and the silver knife appeared, stabbing deep into Dillon's chest.

"Dallas, help Dillon stop the bus!" Phobos shouted over the screaming as he dropped one arrow and snatched up his bow, the arrow in the other hand already glowing with that fierce white light as he drew back and let fly. The arrow flew straight into the ebony shoulder with unerring precision, but inexplicably slowed as something stole the wounding force from the missile.

"Shit!" he cursed, another arrow flickering into place ready-nocked as the young man braced his legs against the rocking of the vehicle, finding his center of balance and awaiting another opportunity to shoot as he tried to work out where the next attack would come from.

Click to reveal..

2 actions:

First: grabbing bow, shouting at the nearest person to help Dillon stop the bus.

Second: Shooting at Primordial -3 dice penalty. Spending 2 qp to activate Godslayer and Artemis Bow enhancement.

+3 diff penalty due to cover.

Einherjar *rolls* 13d10: 2+4+4+1+7+8+3+6+9+6+7+5+2: 64

[Dozer] 5:13 am: Only 4?

[Einherjar] 5:13 am: 4 succs, + 3 from Artemis Bow

Godslayer: 4 net successes to hit

-8 soak

[Venus]

Originally Posted By: Dawn, OOC

“Not yet,” Void answered. “We’re rounding up everyone now to see if someone is.” She was quiet for a long moment before adding, “This actually isn’t the first time one of the gods has objected to Han’s way of handling things. But she actually fought him directly instead of pulling some back door shit. Personally,” she added with a touch of bitterness and vehemence to her voice, “I think Vulcan was behind this one. The bitter little bastard likes to cause trouble.”

“Vulcan?” Venus asked, her curiosity piqued.

“You can meet him, if you want. He’ll not come seek you,” Void added with a snort. “He’s a recluse, working on his gadgets as much as he can.”

Voids answer caused more questions actually but Venus sensed this wasn’t the right time to put them on the table. James’ women were scared and the general uneasyness which was only kept in check by Han’s commanding presence still lingered. Venus did her best to not show any insecurities and smiled confidently as if nothing dangerous was happening.

She gave James‘ women a reassuring smile while she tried to indulge her curiousity about this ‘Vulcan’.

”We should await Han’s orders before we blame anyone, shouldn’t we? If he is responsible for this, I’m sure he’ll be punished adequately.”, Venus looked back with a sense of foreboding. Something about Vulcan told her that she would be entangled with him in the future.

Despite her pregnancy Venus still moved with grace and confidence. It seemed that her current state made her radiate even more beauty than she usually did. Who would dare harm her?