Aberrant: The Long March - Chapter 2: Different Roads

[Courier]

Back to him, in English,

*We only have three days... Fair enough. It can be done. If we do it outside we can even have you stack buses on each other.*

[SkyLion]

Quote:

Once they have all exited, you are left with 17 candidates, who appear ready to leave their homes for good, but like the ones who left, some look more sure of themselves than others, and a couple look positively eager to jump in your spaceship and fly away.

At this point Cody stands, having been silently observing for most of the spectacle.

"At this point we will require all remaining candidates to submit to a full telepathic scan. I won't lie to you...it is *not* going to be pleasant, but it is a necessary step. Who would like to be the first?"

[Courier]

Originally Posted By: SkyLion

"At this point we will require all remaining candidates to submit to a full telepathic scan. I won't lie to you...it is *not* going to be pleasant, but it is a necessary step. Who would like to be the first?"

Steve says,

"Converence time."

Steve sends with a touch of amusement,

*I have never seen you scan that many people at once. After the first one starts screaming we'll lose the others. Perhaps this should be done seperately? Or considering some of them will take the money and not come back, on board the ship?*

*For that matter, what would we be looking for? Planted spies? Perhaps 20 questions would be better?*

[SkyLion]

*Agreed. I had planned to do it privately. What I will be looking into is the nature of their past and any areas in their mind that they may keep guarded. While some, like Mary and Oliver have sincere reasons to come with us, you will have to forgive me for being suspicious of those who would willingly leave their lives behind, especially in Vegas. This place is loaded with the apathetic, desperate, and criminal. Like you said...most of us aren't bulletproof, especially in our sleep...*

[Courier]

Originally Posted By: SkyLion

*...This place is loaded with the apathetic, desperate, and criminal. Like you said...most of aren't bulletproof, especially in our sleep...*

*On board the ship we are bullet proof in our sleep, it'd take Omar to break down those vaccum doors. We also have Lorean to warn us, and your own abilities.*

*My friend, your powers are very, very painful and unpleasant. We are going to need to work with these people, and the amount of ill will generated seems excessive everything considered.*

*I agree, we likely have a bad apple or three. But detecting lies should deal with most of it... or already has. If we miss someone, we'll kick them off later. Actually that's another reason to give out 20 grand, we'll see how many disappear.*

[Mr Fox]

Morgan says over the link, "I think we are safe onboard the ship. That much we don't have to worry about. That's not to say some of them don't have nefarious intentions. I don't have a problem with you scanning them, but I'd do it as the last thing before we leave rather than right now. If they don't prove trustworthy we're only out $20,000, and that's no big deal."

[Courier]

Over the next three days Steve picks up gear for the "crew"... including assorted games, gear for a bowling alley, assorted protection/survival gear including bullet proof clothing and gas masks and air filters, and misc weapontry. As he's shopping the list goes on and on, assorted Batteries, 6 radiation detectors, a few white mice, glass blowing equipment, an electronics lab, and if Lorean says it's possible he'll pick up gear for a pool or and hot tub.

[Mr Fox]

Lorean says it is possible.

[Courier]

...Steve also picks up an industrial grade printing press, a DVD/CD cutting computer, a number of boxes, a fork lift, several dollies, an assortment of radio phones, bullet casting supplies, and whatever Oscar and Mary recogmend for more machine shop and medical supplies.

[Omar]

Omar will begin intensive marketing of himself over the next day and a half. He will try to work with the casinos, to get people from around the country into Vegas to see him. He will explain the financial benefits of bringing in wealthy people from around the globe.

Omar also discusses performing as a pay-per-view event for those who are not there to see it in person. If need be, he makes a small demonstration for the promoters. He'll try to negotiate payment up front.

He tells them that he will 'perform' in the street outside the Bellagio. He arranges for buses and cars to be there for use as props.

[Courier]

Steve will help Omar (lending the weight of his 15 minutes of fame, luck, and perceived money to the effort).

Edit: Steve will also pay off those people/job hunters we hired.

[Mr Fox]

The three day pass in a flurry of activity. Most everyone lends a hand in picking up the supplies and arranging for the purchase of the things you want to bring aboard the ship. Omar spend much of his time preparing for his big show and Marcus has spent the three days onboard the ship getting everything you have brought aboard stowed away in the appropriate places. He has also arranged for a large supply of golf balls to be brought aboard, along with getting himself a several good sets of clubs. Lorean also reconfigures again to include several more entertainment facilities including a swimming pool, hottubs, sauna, bowling alley, and a walking garden with holographic ceiling. Despite the reconfigure she keeps her new outward shape that seems to somehow remind you of an angel.

The big day arrives finally and thanks to a little greasing of palms, and help from Hingle you are able to put on your little show in the Belliago parkinglot. First however, you meet with your recruits inside the casino. They have their bags together, and it is quite a bit of baggage. Fifteen out of the seventeen people show up in time to have their stuff loaded into the truck. It is amazing all the stuff the people have brought with them thanks to your $20,000 dollars. Oscar and Mary are among the first to arrive, but one of the men, Sebastian Smithe, practically takes charge and helps to organize the loading of the truck and seeing to it that everyone is situated inside for the trip up to the ship. He apparently has decided that he will be performing the job of logistics and directing the rest of the crew.

After a brief and uneventful warp to the ship you unload the people and their things and leave Lorean to direct the crew members to their quarters, while those wishing to take part head back to the surface for Omar's Magic show. Morgan stays on board and makes sure everyone finds their way to their quarters, and directs Smithe to see to it that each person finds their work area the next morning, which means Smithe spends most of the night familiarizing himself with their work areas so that he can organize people. Since there are more people than are actually needed, some tasks get assigned a couple extras, particularly the kitchens and hydroponics bay.

When you arrive back at the Belliago there is quite a crowd and more than a few news crews set to film the event. The entertainment director of the Belliago doesn't seem best pleased that he hasn't seen the show before it debuts to the public in front of cameras, but he is helpful enough in making the arrangement.

Finally 12 o'clock rolls around and an announcer preps the crowd and introduces Omar the Great.

[Andrew Murphy]

Having finally run out of cash on hand and booze in bottle Carter is forced to contact Lorean and find out where the guys are. He wanders down the strip, the bright Nevada sun baking the street into an searing heat and making Carter's abused body sweat what little moisture it had left in an effort to keep him cool. The result is a hangover the likes of which this earth has probably never seen.

Coming upon the scene of the demonstration Carter locates Steve and Cody, "'Sup? Oh my head, got any water? And a truck of asprin maybe?" Carter surveys the scene, "So what's the plan boss? We gonna screw with the natives of every earth we visit? Seems like maybe you're tryin' to get the Watcher's attention."

[Courier]

Steve looks at Carter, winkles his nose, and says,

"Wow, it takes lots of work to get drunk without Ampwells. The plan is Omar wants to show off, and there doesn't seem to be a real need to stop him. We're already sort of public here. As for the Watchers... I think we already have their attention."

"I think Omar is going to pick up a bus or two, maybe even juggle cars. There's a group of us over there by the news crew and our ‘limo’." Steve nods to them.

"All our bills are paid, our debts are settled, down to compensating the Belliago for their service. Two of the crew didn’t show up, either they changed their minds or they took our money and went on a binge." Steve shrugs at this last part.

“So Omar will do his thing, we're close enough to the MC that we can take over if he chokes. Then we fly away. If we time it right it will be finishing up 'Come Sail Away' by Styx just as we go. I thought that would be a nice touch, the song ends with the singer climbing aboard a star ship and heading for the skies."

[Omar]

Just before the start of the show, Carter arrives, asking a flurry of questions. Omar, who's mind is on the peformance, doesn't answer.

******

When his name is announced, Omar walks out of the Bellagio and into the parking lot. He immediately activates his Awe-Inspiring enhancement. Near the door he exits is a large 1" thick steel bar, which he grabs with one hand as he walks to the central area. When he reaches the center of the parkkig lot, he waves to the crowd, and bends it into the shape of a spring.

After his intro is done, he motions for the crowd to be quiet. He then calls for a volunteer, who meets Steve center stage. Steve gives them an assortment of firearms, of which they may choose two.. He asks them to choose which ones to use. The volunteer chooses a shotgun and a large caliber revolver, as well as ammo for each. Once they have them, Omar tells them to load the weapons. He tells them to shoot him in the chest. (Any damage getting through soak, is regenerated immediately).

After Omar's demonstration of toughness, he walks over to a small automobile and lifts it over his head. He spends several minutes walking the vehicle around the parking lot, holding it over his head. He finally sets it down next to a crowd of people.

After bowing to the crowd, he speaks to them again. "Before I continue, I would like to caution everyone from panicking. What you are about to witness might frighten some. Others of you will deny the possibility that such a thing is possible. I assure everyone watching, that what they are about to see is real."

Omar begins growing, his size, strength and stamina increasing to godlike proportions. When he finishes, he stands almost 60 feet high. Omar then heads towards a group of charter busses. He moves very carefully, so as not to step on someone.

When he gets near the busses, he looks down at a Mercedes, who is illegally parked, in a handicapped spot. With a look of disgust, he speaks in a deep booming voice. "Hmmmm...It looks like someone has parked in the handicapped spot, and they are not handicapped. That is not very nice. Two can play at that game."

Omar picks up the Mercedes in his giant hand, and then with both hands, crushes it like an accordion, until it is a lump of metal, glass, leather, and paint. He then hurls its crumpled carcass into the desert. (if not possible, he leaves it in the middle of the street for the crowd to investigate.) "There, that's much better."

He turns his attention to the buses. He reaches down and effortlessly picks up one of the buses and sets it on top of another bus. He does it again, and again. He stops stacking the charter busses when they are five high. The sixth bus, he picks up with one hand, and places it on top of the casino.

After stacking the busses, Omar bows to the crowd, and wishes them a goodnight. He then returns to normal size. He walks back over to Cody, Steve, and Carter. "Well, that ought to

generate some buzz for awhile." He says chuckling. It is obvious he is enjoying himself. "I suggest that if anyone else wants to do something, now would be the time. In less than an hour, the people are going to realize that this was not a trick, and we are going to have every law enforcement person, and the military all over us."

"So, who's got some food?" Omar says with a smile, small beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

[Andrew Murphy]

Carter looks at Steve with a look of amusment, "Nice touch," he says in response to their departing song.

Partway into Omar's performance he turns to Steve and Cody again, "Listen guys, I've made it abundantly clear that I don't want to be on this little Star Trek of yours so before you guys head for parts less known I'd like Lorean to drop me on an earth closer to our own.

"Hopefully I can make a life for myself, maybe even get back to what I was doing before. I'd bail on this earth but I don't want to be around for the fallout from this and with all the security somebody might be able to connect me to you guys.

"I'll just take a couple million to get myself started and then you guys can head out to wherever ..." He trails off as Omar grows to massive size, "... Sheesh!"

[Courier]

Steve watched Omar's show with awe and amusement. He hadn’t expected to enjoy himself but found he was anyway. While Carter’s request wasn’t exactly a surprise, nor unwelcome, it did refocus his attention. Steve glanced at Carter to see if he was serious, and it appeared that he was.

Originally Posted By: Ziggurat

"So, who's got some food?" Omar says with a smile, small beads of sweat forming on his forehead.

Steve nods to the waiting "limo" and says,

"Lorean does."

In route to the limo Steve winks at a dumb struck newswoman who’d been at the earlier conference and comments,

“Hey, I said we were going to be big.”

Once in the Limo Steve says to Carter,

“OK, this isn’t exactly a surprise, but I don’t think we can let you jump ship drunk. You sober up, get a good night’s sleep, think about it for a few hours, and if you still out in 24 hours, then that will be our first stop. Lorean says she can find you a world where you died recently, and you can have a suitcase full of money, 10 million. But that’s if you still feel the same way in 24, fair enough?”

[Andrew Murphy]

Originally Posted By: Courier

“OK, this isn’t exactly a surprise, but I don’t think we can let you jump ship drunk. You sober up, get a good night’s sleep, think about it for a few hours, and if you still out in 24 hours, then that will be our first stop. Lorean says she can find you a world where you died recently, and you can have a suitcase full of money, 10 million. But that’s if you still feel the same way in 24, fair enough?”

Carter barks a harsh laugh and then stops, "Ow my head, crap... What the heck are YOU worried about, crap its not like I haven't bvurned off most of the alcohol by now anyways. I could drink a pool worth of water but that's hardly stopping me from thinking clearly.

"You guys have fairly well taken control of this little party as it is, maybe that's the problem you're worried your subjects will ask you why I bailed after only a couple of days. Is that it?

"Regardless .... I'm pretty much useless to you guys in a fight and you have the subtleness of a Howitzer, which just does not suit me at all. Lorean can jump once we get back and I'll be out of your way within a few hours.

"Unless you guys have changed your minds about trying to get back to our own earth I don't see the point in dragging this out, hell I can't honestly say why I stuck around as long as I did before this whole Doctor Who thing ...."

[Courier]

Steve shrugs and replies,

"That pain in your head doesn't fill me with confidence. I've seen lots of choices made because of alcohol, many didn't end well. You’re free to walk away from this… but we are still getting the ship organized and I’d hate to have you regret this. If you’re really sure then you’ll feel that way sober... but we'll ask Lorean to start looking right now.”

[SkyLion]

Cody had taken the new recruits and their gear up in the 18-wheeler Rig. He had decided to let go of the brainscan idea after Lorean and Steve's reassurances. At least they knew he was a telepath...that should be enough to keep them thinking good thoughts and any problems could be dealt with along the way. Though reluctant at first to watch Omar's "show" (which he considered little more than ego-gratification for one who was already quite inflated), he had to go as the "driver." For their grand entrance, the Cruiser goes back into Stretch-Hummer mode.

In spite of himself, Cody starts to warm up to Omar during the show.

"You gotta hand it to 'em. There's an innocent quality to him, like a big kid." Omar grows to 60 feet. "Whoa! A *really* big kid!"

Quote:

"Regardless .... I'm pretty much useless to you guys in a fight and you have the subtleness of a Howitzer, which just does not suit me at all.

"Hey man! Ditch if you want but speak for yourself...I've already made it clear this isn't *my* prefered M.O. I think we need to play a li'l "check your head" game before we start getting cocky with our newly trans-time status..."

Finally, as the last song begins to play and the group piles into the "limo," it hovers verticaly from the ground, morphing into a sleek delta-winged star-craft. A few thosaund feet into the sky and still readily visible, a warp portal opens into the air and they fly through, assuring that no radar will track them back to the dark side of the moon.

[Mr Fox]

Back on board ship you all unload to discover that the crew has been watching on a big screen in the dinning hall. Omar gets a big round of applause when he walks in. Most everyone now has their gear stored away and are enjoying a nice meal in the expanded dining hall.

Lorean's image appears in the middle of the room and she addresses Carter. "Since I have been to your home timeline before I will be able to make the jump to an adjacent timeline in one hop. With luck it will be adequate for your purposes. You will have three hours to change your mind." She looks around the room at the crew. "We will be jumping in one minute, you may wish to pause in eating as the sensation might be startling the first time... 30 seconds... 20 seconds... 10 seconds... Five, Four, Three, Two, One, JUMPING."

You feel the falling sensation in the pit of your stomach as the universe adjusts around you and you are in a different timeline. A holographic image of Saturn appears floating behind Lorean. You are floating in space in orbit around the gas giant. The crew to a man is gazing wide-eyed at the image of Saturn. It begins to sink in to them for the first time that they really are aboard a spaceship. Oscar looks at his table mates and says loudly enough for the whole room to hear, "Grab the dog Dorthy, we're not in Kansas anymore," which draws laughs from a few. The others seem too distracted to notice.

Lorean addresses the novas, "I took the liberty of placing us far enough from Earth that the novas of this timeline are unlikely to spot us. I hope Morgan doesn't mind creating a warp for Carter. Carter, please give me three hours to scan the timeline to make sure it will be acceptible before departing."

After that the meal goes on as before, with much animated conversation from the crew about their new lives and the adventures they will have. As the meal breaks up several of them load the dishes into the 'dishwasher', which is really some kind of combination of water, sonic and UV cleaning device. Others go off to tour the ship and get aquainted with it's facilities. Before they do Smithe asks them to meet before breakfast at 5:00am to discuss job functions.

Once the 3 hours have passed, Lorean speaks over the link, "I have scanned this timeline and Carter has just died in a car accident, but did not erupt. It would be possible to for him to appear and assume his old life by pretending to be newly erupted as a result of the car crash. I will provide Morgan with exact coordinates to take him to the scene of the accident."

Morgan will reply over the link to everyone, "Carter, I hate to see you go, but if you still want to I'll meet you in the cargo bay where Cody parks his craft. Anyone that wants to say goodbye meet there in 10."

[Omar]

Omar is waiting for Carter in the cargo bay when he departs. When he sees the Nova, he runs over to him and gives him a big bear hug. After he sets him down, he grabs Carter's hand and gives it a hearty shake.

With a teary grin. "You enjoy yourself down there. I wish you well in getting your life back in order. I suppose we all have to follow our dreams. I'm saddened that we didn't get to know one another well. Maybe one day we will come back and pay you a visit." Omar looks like he's getting choked-up. "Y...You be safe down there."

Omar, with his big brown bleary eyes, waves goodbye to Carter.

I hope he finds what he's looking for.

[Andrew Murphy]

Omar finally lets Carter go and he staps away from the big man muttering something about needing to see a chiropracter first thing. He picks up his bag and steps toward the now open rift. "Well umm ... bye!" he says with some finality before turning and walking into the breach in space time.

[Mr Fox]

Morgan lets the warp close with a sigh. He would miss the fellow. "Hope he finds what he's seeking."

[Courier]

Steve says to Carter,

"You'll be missed."

After the warp gate has closed, Steve says,

"Speaking of finding what we're looking for, Lorean, can you see any place down there selling Eufiber? With our new lifestyle, I should pick up a set."

[Mr Fox]

"Yes there are Steve. In this timeline Buendia has a store in New York that sells it for quite a high price, not that you would have difficulty affording it."

[Isabel Mendoza]

Isabel arrives, in a bit of a hurry, as the warp is closing, wearing a rather ridiculous hat with ears that for the life of you you can't remember seeing her buy (but along with the now red hair, you suppose she must've wandered off while you were watching Omar), and clutching a sheet of paper in her hand. She looks puzzled a moment when she doesn't see Carter there but soon realizes that she's just half a minute too late.

"Oh, he's gone," she says softly, sounding slightly sad, "I wanted to... wish him luck. It must be hard."

She clutches the white sheet to her chest and sighs. In what's probably the most expressive you've ever seen her face, she looks disappointed.

[Mr Fox]

Morgan tentatively reaches out to squeeze her shoulder. "He still has his link unless he took it out. You should be able to communicate with him until we jump tomorrow. Although it is too late to say goodbye in person."

[Isabel Mendoza]

Although she stares at the hand on her shoulder as if it was some sort of alien object, she does smile slightly with realization when Morgan reminds her of the link. After that, she concentrates for a minute or two, looking into empty space, as she sends a last message to Carter.

<Carter, uh... I'm sorry I couldn't say this in person, but... I just wanted to wish you luck. I hope you're happy, because... it must be hard starting normal again, after all this, and I don't know if, even after getting it all back, you'll still feel that you lost it. I... wanted to give you something, but I guess it's better this way... I guess you'll want to forget all this, and forget us... I guess it's better not to think about it at all. I don't think we'll be coming back to visit, so... goodbye, I guess.>

Even after she sends the message she sort of stares ahead for a while and sniffles a bit. Although her glowing eyes are dry, or at least the same as always, as far as anyone can tell, her voice is shaky and tearful when she speaks, mostly to herself.

"I hope Esteban is doing okay, back home..."

[Courier]

Steve says to Isabel,

"He'll be fine. He wasn't happy here."

Originally Posted By: Mr Fox

"Yes there are Steve. In this timeline Buendia has a store in New York that sells it for quite a high price, not that you would have difficulty affording it."

Steve nods,

"Well then, if I have the chance, I really should take advantage of it."

Steve rounds up a suitcase full of cash.

"Does anyone else wish to come?"

[Mr Fox]

Morgan nods. "I'll go with you, it'll make the trip quick and easy. I can just warp us back here when you're done." With that Morgan will open a warp to the location that Lorean has provided. He is only off a few feet, but you have to step quickly to avoid a taxi that pulls up to the curb to drop off a passenger. The store does have one lesser suit of eufiber that is available. Steve's luck is in, the person that commissioned the eufiber had their financing fall through at the last minute. With almost no haggling you find yourself the proud owner of a suit of eufiber.

[Courier]

Steve says,

"Thank you Morgan."

On the way back he flexes and says,

"Expensive... but worth it."

His suit configures into a solid red second set of skin.

"I can see this will take some practice."