Stormbreakers vs The Legion of the Golden Lightning

[PrezGAR]

(ooc: Moving all relevant posts to this new theead.)


(Gray Lake City Hall. Ben and Carl enter Brian's office.)

Brian: Something important?
Ben: We've finally got a lead on the vandalism of the embassy and the cultural center..
Brian: We'd better get Bart in here then.

(Ten minutes later, Bart has arrived.)

Bart: So, what do we know?
Ben: Apparently, it's just a coincidence that it looks like an Electric Empire symbol. It's entirely terrestrial.
Bart: Ben showed me the vandalism when I took over as head of the SWAT team, so I would know what to look out for. I ran it by some friends of mine, who are still in the service. That same symbol was found at an R & D facility for some of my old unit's experimental weapons. Three battlefield drone units were taken, along with schematics for a gunship. That symbol is used by a new terrorist group, the Legion of the Golden Lightning.
Brian: Never heard of them.
Carl: That's because they haven't struck publicly yet. We first became aware of them when they raided the headquarters of the terrorist organization we were primarily fighting against. We had been keeping tabs there ever since we shut down their leadership. They stole uniforms, weapons, vehicles and schematics, as best as we can tell. They must have had insider help. Someone, or a group of individuals, who knew the layout. Our best guess is a mercenary motorcycle gang that had been associated with them for quite some time.
Brian: So, they're just waiting for an opportunity to strike.
Bart: Why here?
Carl: They want advanced technology. What's more advanced than alien technology. The markings were just a warning, or indicating their targets.
Bart: If they were a target indicator, they were completely unaware of our molecular restoration technology.
Brian: Any idea where they are based out of?
Carl: No. Oh, and there's a very disturbing rumor.
Brian: How disturbing?
Carl: Hijacked nuclear missiles.
Brian: It doesn't get more disturbing than that.

(A week later, in Crowmeowme Tower...)

Bob: Alright, Carl. This is what you needed. A forty square mile plot of land, outside the city, in the middle of nowhere.
Carl: Thanks, Bob.
Bob: so, what's it for?
Carl: A new facility, for a specialized team to fight the Legion of the Golden Lightning.
bob: I thought you were retired.
Carl: I am. But I still have friends. My old unit is disbanding as it was, and re-organizing under a new name. One that reflects this new threat. The Stormbreakers. I wont say no to consulting, but, Courtney and I are staying away from the front lines. We're thinking of starting a family, after seeing how many kids you and Kat have, how many Brian and Kim have.
Bob: Wait until next June, you can meet Bart and Ashley's kids.
Carl: Boarding school?
Bob: no. Time travel. That's a long story.
Carl: Speaking of time travel, how loing have you owned the land you just transferred?
Bob: About twenty years. We were going to build a second auto plant there. But, our current plant has been enough so far.
Carl: You think Bart could transfer a construction battalion back in time so the base is ready all the sooner.
Bob: If this Legion is as bad as your intel says, Im sure he'll agree to it.
Carl: Good. I'll contact my friends, and have everything ready within a week.
Bob: Plans and materials?
Carl: Trust me. They're that efficient.

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(OOC: I think I will introduce my two players now. Carl will know them by their codenames.)
(Elsewhere, near Washington DC)
Database: I don't believe it. All this time, and this new president trashes the Joes.
Miss M: Just be glad we had certain things in place, otherwise they would have folded.
Database: I know. But, there isn't much money left. Maybe three months or less.
(Miss M nods)
Miss M: It's okay. You wanted to retire. But it would be hard to have a normal life with all the information you hold.
(Database kisses Miss M)
Database: It's okay. We're in love, and we can marry once we retire. I won't divulge any new information unless called upon.
Miss M: I can go to Hollywood as a makeup artist. They are always needed.
Database: Mind if I join you?
(Miss M kisses Database)
Miss M: Wouldn't want it any other way.

[PrezGAR]

(A courier arrives at their home, with a message from General Hawk.)

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(Miss M opens the message)
Database: From Hawk, I take it.
(Miss M nods)

[PrezGAR]

(The message reads, as follows.)

To: Database and Miss M.

Cobra has finally fallen. Cobra Commander, Destro and the Baroness are all in custody. GI Joe has disbanded. However, a new threat looms on the horizon. From the ashes of Cobra, a phoenix has arisen. Using repurposed Cobra uniforms and equipment, provided to them by Zartan and his Dreadnoks. While they have yet to take action, on a major scale, they have stolen two nuclear warheads. They are calling themselves the Legion of the Golden Lightning. A storm is coming, and that storm needs to be broken. I am forming a new unit, designed to combat this new threat. Most of the other Joes are already on board. Colonel Chrome and Cover Girl have retired, but are helping us set up a new base of operations, on the west coast. Our intelligence says the Legion is based somewhere in the Pacific. This new unit will be more straight military than the Joe team got in it's later years. We wont be fighting aliens, ecological threats, or ninjas. There will be few experimental weapons/ If you are interested, you will be contacted with instructions in one week's time.

Hawk

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

Database: We'd better prepare for a move. West.
(Miss M nods)
Database: I can still take some of the money I used to keep the Joes afloat to assist in the new base. But we will need a new name for our team. I hope Craig or Cover Girl has one.
(Miss M starts packing. Database begins to look for houses online near Grey Lake, as well as any info on this new threat)

[PrezGAR]

(Information on the Legion will be hard to find. At the most, rumors of activity, with no solid confirmation.)

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

Database: Just a lot of rumors, nothing concrete. As soon as we are packed, we wait for the letter.
Miss M: Most of our stuff is packed, except for certain items. Those we have to send carefully.
(Database nods)

[PrezGAR]

(On an uncharted island, some 200 miles off the coast of California.)

Woman: The Professor's work continues. He and the Doctor are working on a new super-virus we can unleash.
Man: Incredibly deadly?
Woman: It will make the bubonic plague look like chicken pox.
Man: Good. We make our presence known on Wednesday. The anniversary of the most important day of my life.

<tbc...>

[PrezGAR]

(Wednesday, August 1. Around the world at noon Pacific Time, every television station on the planet is interrupted by the same tramsmission, heard in every known terrestrial language. The tansmission begins with 30 seconds of a single image.)



(after that, an imposing figure is seen on camera, his face masked behind a golden skull.)



Figure: Citizens of the World. You may address me as Lord Lightning, Supreme Leader of the Legion of the Golden Lightning. For the past ten years, I have been building up my forces, into the most powerful organization ever known. My demands are simple. You have one month to surrender complete control of every country to me, or I will release a powerful new virus. No one, aside from the members of my Legion, will be safe. The bubonic plague will seem small in comnparison. Remember, one month.

(The transmission ends. In Gray Lake...)

Courtney: This is what Hawk warned us about.
Carl: So, they are real. I hope we have those plans soon.
Courtney: We aren't going to un-retire, are we?
Carl: No. I may act as a consultant, but I wont be in the field unless the GLPD SWAT team is needed.

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

Database: That image... I should cross reference. That Lord Lightning is worse than the Commander.
Miss M: I hope that is why Hawk wanted us. One month wouldn't be long enough to even find this group.
(Database's burner phone rings. It is an unlisted number)
Miss M: It isn't me.
(Database answers)
Voice: The serpent's fangs have been removed.
Database: The serpent will crawl until it dies.
Tomax: Finally. Extensive Enterprises at your service.
Xamot: I take it you've seen the demands.
Database: Crimson Guard. Five years in jail, and you contact me.
Tomax: It was necessary to bring Cobra down. We surrendered what we knew for a lesser sentence.
Xamot: Trust us, we are not involved in this. As for your problem, we may have a solution.
(Database nods)

[PrezGAR]

(A group of well dressed men, all carrying briefcases, approach the offices of Extensive Enterprises.)

Man: We have our orders from Bull and Bear. If they wont sell to us, we initiate a hostile takeover.
Man 2: Emphasis on the hostile part.

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(Tomax and Xamot just smile)
Tomax: We have had those type of takeovers before.
Xamot: And usually, we win those.
(Tomax and Xamot are ready to defend themselves)

(Meanwhile...)
Database: No known match. We are at a loss. However, we are not without options.
Miss M: The broadcast.
Database: I only know of a handful of Cobra bases that could do such a broadcast. I might be able to look at any recent purchases that were not done by the government.

[PrezGAR]

(Each of the men open their briefcases. Inside are bombs.)

Man: We will plan one on every floor of this building. We are prepared to sacrifice ourselves to achieve our goals. I suggest you take our offer. $10 a share. More than the current market value.

(Elsewhere, another envelope from Hawk arrives. Inside are two plane tickets to gray Lake, leaving next Friday, August 10, at 10 am from Regan International.)

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

Database: We'd better take this plane.

(Meanwhile...)
Tomax: Our shares are worth at least twice that.
Xamot: Without us, you would never be able to get much out of this building.
(Tomax is ready to push a hidden escape button, if needed)

[PrezGAR]

Man: We don't care about this building, we just want the company. Then, allow me to sweeten the deal.

(The man holds up two vials.)

Man: An inoculation. The two of you could be among the few people left healthy if the word does not surrender to my superiors.

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

(Tomax and Xamot talk for a minute)
Tomax: We accept the inoculation on one condition. Once you give it to us and we sell you this building, you leave us alone.

[PrezGAR]

Man: Of course. But, we don't just want the building, we want all of Extensive Enterprises. It will become a subsidiary of Lightning Inc.

(The lead man hands both the twins a card.)

Cy Klohn
Director of Acquisitions
Lightning, Incorporated LLC

<Tbc...>

[PrezGAR]

(Monday, August 6. In the pre-dawn hours of the morning, Carl has left the tower early and drives to a once empty space, 25 miles east of the city. What had been empty land a week ago has been transformed, almost over night, into a military base, a giant 20 miles by 20 miles facility. A jeep waits near the gate.)

Carl: Good to see you again, Clayton. I just wish the circumstances were better.
Clayton: Look at you. Looking as young as you did when you joined back in '82.
Carl: The perk of being Minutiaeian. Another one is a potion I injected into Courtney. She looks just as beautiful as ever.
Clayton: Well, you have my word. No one else knows that, unless you give me the green light.
Carl: Thanks.
Clayton: This is a nice facility you've made. And in such a short time.
Carl: it helps to know someone with access to time travel. Let me give you the full tour.

(The jeep drives into the base.)



Carl: To the average observer, this looks like a nice join operations base. But, like the old Pit, most of the action takes place below the surface. And the water tower there, just like at the Pit, is an emergency exit.
Clayton: Good planning.
Carl: Now, here's the command center. It's mostly a dummy building. You can set up fake offices, maybe a paymaster in there. It also houses the main personnel elevator, to descent to the lower levels.
Clayton: A good cover story.

(the jeep moves clockwise along the base road.)

Carl: Next is the motor pool. Again, a dummy building. But, it has three vehicle lifts inside. We'll get to vehicle storage later.

(The jeep moves on.)

Carl: Here's the first structure that isn't a dummy. The base hospital. Four floors, 200 beds, 5 ORs, blood bank, MRI, X-Ray, the works. I had the city's public health director consult on this one.
Claton: The Docs and Lifeline will love it.
Carl: And at three o'clock we've got the barracks. Twelve barracks, each with housing for twenty. So, you can have at least 240 troops.
Clayton; At least?
Carl: You see, when we get to the opposite side.

(The jeep moves forward.)

Carl: The Airfield. A luxury we didn't have back at the Pit. The hangar and the five helipads all have hidden vehicle lifts as well. And there in the grass across from it is the PT Area. Have to keep the troops in shape. And there's more for that down below.
Clayton: That will keep the Sarge busy.

(The jeep rounds a corner.)

Carl: And of course, what would a base be without a mess hall. Roadblock will love the kitchen here. Perfect for a gourmet chef like himself. And yet, suitable for standard military KP.
Clayton: Some things will never change in the military.

(The jeep turns another corner, to a row of houses.)

Carl: On-base housing, for officers, or couples. Eight houses total, So, you, Generals Flagg and Colton, the Admiral, Colonel Courage. And then you can decide who gets the others.
Clayton: I suspect Database and Miss M will want one of those.

(After several minutes, the jeep returns to the command post.)

Carl: Now, I can show you what lies below the ground.



(Carl and Clayton enter the building and take the elevator down.)



(ooc: Vehicle depictions are not to scale.)

Carl: The vehicle and artillery storage levels all have ne thing in command. A massive series of conveyor belts. That can get the equipment to the lifts, without the need to expend fuel or use tow vehicles. This level is for aircraft. The conveyors can take them to the hangar or helipad lifts, or to the maintenance bay. And yes, there is a supply of jet fuel near the maintenance bay, which can also connect up to the hangar.
Clayton: How many aircraft can you fit down here?
Carl: That depends on the size of the aircraft. I wouldn't suggest parking the Defiant down here.
Clayton: The Defiant and the Crusader have both been decommissioned. We'll be staying within the atmosphere this time.

(The elevator descends.)



Carl: Here's heavy equipment storage. Tanks, Snow Cats, bridgelayers. Anything big and armored. The floor is double=reinforced. Cortney gave a few suggestions, based on her experience with her old Wolverine.

(the elevator continues downward.)




Carl: The next two floors are for lighter vehicle storage. VAMPs, Hummvees, Motorcycles. Even one man-tanks, like the Armadillo or the Sarge's Triple T. And like the heavy equipment level, there is a dedicated maintenance bay. Each can hold two vehicles. But, unlike the previous floor, these two feature mechanics lifts.
Clayton: For an oil change or a tire rotation.
Carl: Or any other routine maintenance. Going down.



Carl: Here is where the armory will be, as well as storage for the artillery units. This is where the conveyor system really comes in handy. Move one of the larger pieces over to the lift, and hook it up once you at ground level.
Clayton: Whereas at the Pit, vehicles and artillery all had to share one level.



Carl: Now we come to the command level. Nine offices, an officer's meeting room, six emergency shelters, in case the enemy launches an aerial attack, a command center, with a world map for locating trouble spots, and a large briefing room, with a stage, and plenty of space for the whole team. Like that scene in the first Star Trek movie where Kirk addressed the whole crew before the V'ger situation. On the next floor, we have to change elevators.



Carl: And here's the training level. We've got 15 weapons ranges, an indoor hiking trail, which can simulate hills and valleys, even mud, five hand-to-hand combat mats, a gymnasium, separate locker rooms for men and women, a full gym, a more than Olympic sized pool, which can also function as a dive tank, since it extends down to the next level, and three state of the art VR training pods.
Clayton: Very cutting edge.

(They walk past the weapons ranges to another elevator.)

Carl: This is the only way to access the lower two levels, mainly because of the lowest level.



Carl: This is the second most secure level after the armory level. The detention level. Thirty-seven holding cells, each lined with two feet of titanium. Each cell has two air mattresses, so there's no springs that could be fashioned into lock picks. Not that it would be an issue, since the cells use biometrics. Finger prints and retina scans. Escape is impossible. And there are three courtrooms. Up to three tribunals can take place at the same time. Hopefully, none of them will be court martials for your own troops.
Clayton: We can only hope so.

(The elevator descends to the final level.)



Carl: Watercraft storage. Docking facilities for eight small subs, like the SHARC, ten small boats, like the Devilfish, and six larger vessels, like the hovercraft.
Clayton: If we're this far underground, how do they get to the surface?
Carl: An underground river. It leads straight to the Pacific. Or, you can take a side channel to the Rampoon River, which feeds Gray Lake itself.
Clayton: Quite a facility you've set up for us.
Carl: Just because Im retired doesn't mean I give up on my friends. One a Joe, always a Joe.
Clayton: We aren't Joes anymore. We've got a new name. If we're fighting the Legion of the Golden Lightning, we need a more appropriate name. We will be known as the Stormbreakers. The storm must be broken, and we're the ones to do it.
Carl: Well, General Hawk, if you ever need a consultant, Colonel Chrome is at your call.

<tbc...>

[Rainbow Ranger]

Tomax: That is our life's work. We can't sell it.
(Xamot presses a hidden button. There would be no time to fire at the two if the assailants act fast enough. Tomax and Xamot fall about five floors down to an awaiting, fueled fighter jet.)
Tomax: They could have taken us, brother.
Xamot: They seem to be ineffectual. All they had to do was hit one of us.
(The Jet takes off from the hidden dock, out to the sky. The two easily avoid some nearby buildings before gaining altitude. They head for California)

(If they two check the office, they would find nothing working. The two computers are fingerprint encoded so that only Tomax and Xamot can use them. The data on the computer is encoded, but can be broken, in a few days. The desk will not open, except for one drawer, on the bottom right. It is locked, but can be picked fairly easily. Other than the office, they would find a few working cameras for TV work, but not much else)

(OOC: Had to go a bit meta there, as you didn't think about doing what I thought you might do)

(Meanwhile, someone knocks at Database's door. It is someone connected to Extensive Enterprises)
Agent: The Crimson Guard are in the process of relocation. I am here to assist in the transport of objects to a new location.
(Database hands the agent an address for a house a few miles from Grey Lake)
Database: We intend to close by the end of the 10th. We expect these items there no later than midnight.
(The agent nods.)
Agent: No cost. I promise that everything will arrive in tact, and as it is now.
(Several uniformed workers begin to load a semi. There is just enough room to load everything that Database wanted to move)