Projeck

"Well, we mainly fought disruptive mutants, yeah. Super-villains and the like. Typical comic book stuff. We had particular jurisdiction in Metropolis F. Why they named the larger populations as such, I have no clue, but it's a little easier, I guess." Contagion shrugged, before continuing. "I was asked to handle all sorts of threats, just depending. I often got stuck in the more dangerous scenarios. Infiltrating villain lairs, fighting in extreme environments, all that kind of stuff. In terms of big threats, I say the biggest I ever faced to date would be... Cryton, for sure. He froze over the entire city, if that gives you a scale of how strong he was. He defeated the strongest of heroes, and the battle that ensued after the freeze was a bloody one. Many notable names fell during the fight... my long-term friend included. Eventually he was defeated, but at too high of a cost. They brought in a bunch of new heroes after that. Can't say the agency was ever the same. Lots of rules about going out alone, requiring a squad of 4 or more to go out, whatever the mission... Apologies, I didn't realize I was rambling." Contagion grew silent, as he mindlessly walked with Harry, before he spoke up about Aquila. "Well, given how many of us there are, do you think it's worth us running to the rescue, or shall we secure the package first?"

Calvera readies herself, fire appearing in her hand. "Fire out!" Sun Boil on the Strider, aiming for a leg. ((3d6 + 13 damage)) Loadout:

After awhile of messing around with various items here in the techbay, ORION appears once again to the group, gathering them around. "Sorry to bother you all, but I've detected something that may be of interest to you. I've picked up readings of something nearby, emitting massive amounts of energy. The odd thing, is that the readings are coming from below the factory. Now, I became curious, so I sent down a small scout drone, and I discovered dug tunnels that were not here some time ago. If you're interested, feel free to pursue this energy reading. The path to the tunnels is down into the generator room, the stairs to that are in the storeroom to the North." ORION gestures towards the particular door he's referencing. "Typically things of such a reading are native here to Pandora, meaning they're ancient artifacts, according to my records."

ORION appears next to Law, and nods. "Indeed. Every copy of an A.I. gets more and more unstable. And I certainly agree that threatening an A.I. is not wise."

"2079. That was the year when I got called up for this Multiverse ordeal. As for the mutations... I believe they first popped up around 2030. I was 5 years old at the time. I personally mutated when I was 23, and it seemed to have slowed the biological aging process in my body. I still look as young as I did then." Contagion shook his head. "Sorry, back to your question about civilians. It's been a tough road of unnecessary deaths, I will confess. It really struck me when I was younger, and new to the job. Eventually I came up with a technology to help civilians avoid being poisoned by my gas. Tiny nanobots that filtrate and breakdown my gases into non-toxic biproducts. And you might wonder how nobody has stolen them and reproduced them. Well, to answer that I programmed them to self-fry once they leave the host body. The agency eventually managed to get the entire civilian population to have them injected. Not my personal choice, I'd much rather self administer them as necessary."

"I've personally had a bit too much of France." Snow, looking as calm as ever, spit onto the now-corpse of Jeanne. She proceeded to mutter to herself. "Frenchwomen... it's always Frenchwomen..."

"Ah, it's alright. Been working under it for 40 years now, so I'm used to the name." Contagion chuckles again, before sighing. "Well, mutations can be caused by a multitude of things. High amounts of stress, genetics, freak accidents, near-death situations... in some cases, in very emotional moments, good or bad. Sometimes it's related to the mutation circumstance, other times it's completely random. Typically you won't see families of supers as it seems rare to pass down, and sometimes when a super and a normal person have kids, you get kids that are half-super. Like something almost didn't connect in their body, so they can't use powers readily or when they want to, but keep the super resilient part of mutant-nature, or vice versa. My father was before the time of mutants or supers. It seemed something just clicked for humanity eventually, inside our genetics. That's also why I think they're so random. Some people had it naturally unlocked, others weren't as fortunate or were lucky, however you view it."

"You're right on point, actually." Contagion chuckled, smiling under his mask, before speaking again. "Well, due to an accident while I was working with some chemicals, I mutated. Mutating is the term we use for people who gain superpowers, from my world. Essentially my body leaks the toxic gas I use. And I guess the people at the agency thought it'd be funny to give me the codename Contagion, and once they start using those codenames, they essentially become synonymous to a hero name. I've been doing this a long time too, so I just keep it as Contagion for sake of ease."

"Contagion... and I'd like to think that if beings are capable of making this type of tech, they have some way of surviving a ship crash." Contagion looks around, then back to Harry. "I don't trust how quiet its been, so I'll stick close to you just in case we get company."

"Right. Well, if it comes to it... I'll use what I used back in the last world. But because of what happened last time, I'd like to try to avoid it." Calvera sighed.

"THE ARK IS THE HOLY SHIP! IT IS COMING! IT IS COMING TO SAVE US FROM THE DOOM BROUGHT UPON THIS WORLD! IT IS HERE TO SAVE US FROM THE DESTROYER! THE ONE THAT LINGERS..... THE VAAAAULT! THE AAAAAAAAARK IS COMING!" It's pretty obvious this Claptrap has lost its mind.

The Loaderbot's tray returns to its body, then it turns back to scan the crates. "Thank you for your business." Ena would find the area designated to weapons development, not finding any particular extra stuff off first glance. Just the various parts that Law has already gathered into a pile. There's a couple scrapped robots that seem more than a bit fried.

Ena would find a Loaderbot that seems to be scanning a view crates, and as she approaches, it turns to process her request. "Running inventory check . . . $300 or equivalent." The Loaderbot reaches into a crate with precision, and pulls out a square, glowing battery, as a tray pops out of its midsection for the transaction. ORION pops up next to the Loaderbot, and gestures to it. "Apologies, it does cost to make some of these things. But, you're getting a premium price for it, if that comforts you. You do have the local currency, right?"

"Well isn't that something, Doc." Contagion nodded to Harry, and raised his rifle in preparation. "I'll watch your back."

"Ah, well, AI stands for Artificial Intelligence. I'm a robot with extremely fast and precise calculating skills, essential-" "I HAVE BEEN HERE FOR FAR TOO LONG! I SENT THOSE PODS OUT WHEN THE STATION CLOSED, SO A VERY VERY LONG TIME! THE ARK IS COMING! THE AAAAAARK!" ORION sighs, and turns to Ena. "The primary focus was to develop the best weaponry to fight off the natural horror that is the surface of Pandora. Crazy people, giant monsters, you name it. In terms of the weapons development, it'll be down in the bay. My scans don't show any weapons lying around, but some of the materials we were experimenting with on the outer shells could be tricking my sensors. Feel free to take a look. As for power supplies... check with one of the Loaderbots. They'd know more about what's down there than I. I'll have to update my internal stock counts."

The AI appears over by the workbench, through seemingly unknown reasons. "Feel free to run diagnostics on one. Although, we here at Hyperion are quite thorough when it comes to back up systems." Law & Co. find quite a few items for the party:

"Um... well, if it helps at all, it seems things normally up here are made of ice, or snow, from my earlier experience by the edge of this area. Maybe I could try to melt it...?" Calvera shrugged, scratching her head. She had stayed silent mainly because she didn't want to intrude on the brilliance of the others.

The projection of the man splits into several clones of himself, each approaching every individual of the group. As he begins to speak, it becomes apparent that he's conversing with each individual. He folds his hands together, and takes in a digital breath. Lucine "A pleasure to meet you Lucine... and apologies, I'm not used to this... 'hoodie' attire. I'm afraid I've only been around suits and corporate wear for..." His eyes turn green, a small white dash spinning in the center, stopping after a moment. "Well, for quite a while, by my calculations. Seems the power has been off for about 50 years." Tim The projection chuckled at Tim's comment. "Well met, Asshole on the Hill. I am known as O.R.I.O.N. or Optimum Remnant Intelligence Onboard Network. A acronym that sounded cool to my creator, but in reality they had no clue how to define it. I'm made from an organic remnant, a fancy way of saying that I was created from a fragment of someone's brain. Relatively painless, according to the Director." Vitor "A pleasure, Agent Vitor. No, nothing against clothes... just not used to these apparent new fads, as I've been dormant for... well, 50 years now according to my calculations. The AI appears to look at nothing but the air, then back to Vitor. "By the looks of it, I have several Loaderbots still in service here, but no rogue ones that I can detect. You're welcome to look around, as it appears that your observation is correct. I have no records of the research teams leaving here, yet everything is covered in dust and webs. How odd... well, I'll start roaring up the generators for the rest of the lights, and get the Loaderbots running diagnostics. Hopefully there's no squatters in here. If you find anything useful, feel free to take it. Better use in someone's hands rather than dust. Least I can do to thank you for activating me. I suppose if you're in need of shelter, my doors are open, so to speak. Let me know if you have any further questions." Ena "Hello Ena. To answer your question, Director De Quidt is my creator, as well as the head of research and development for the Hyperion Corporation, and has been since the founding. However, due to the time that has passed, he has likely passed away by now. I doubt a 70 year old man could live another 50 years in this environment." Stellio "Ah. Armor... well, I must say that I've never seen exactly what you're wearing. I believe the Director was working on something similar except it had energy shielding capabilities... Anyhow, according to my outdoor cams, did you come in those wrecked Hyperion escape pods? How curious... I'm not sure who would've sent those to pick someone up. Or did you come from Hyperion HQ? As for where you are, this is Pandora. Unless they recently changed the name. Say... do you come from somewhere else?" Lilly "Well met Lilly. I am O.R.I.O.N. How curious... is your pet native to Pandora?" Freya "Well met, Freya. You seem confused about my existence." The Entire Group The clones all come together once again, to form as one. The man looks between everyone in the group. Everyone had at least heard a few of the things Orion had said to each individual, but not as loudly as the things they heard themselves. "To those of you that I did not introduce myself to... I am O.R.I.O.N. I am an AI. And this..." He gestures to the end of the control room, slowly turning to the wall, which proceeds to loudly open as if it were the maws of a metal beast. Beyond the doors, massive lights flicker on, showing a massive hanger bay of steel, with various workbenches of projects and components. The most notable thing beyond the sheer size of this bay, was the large towering yellow robots, standing on two feet. These robots flicker on as well, turning the claws on the ends of their arms as they presumably run their systems diagnostics. "...is Hyperion Research and Development." Moments later, a familiar robot voice screams. "AHHHHHHH! FINALLY!" Anyone in the group would recognize the voice as that of Claptrap, the robot that summoned you all here. And shortly after the scream, the said robot wheeled up into the control room, looking a bit rusted and sporadic. "THE CHOSEN HAVE FINALLY COME TO FREE ME!"

Contagion nods, heading over to the barge cautiously, rifle raised to aim down the sights.

"Oh uh... Here, I think I can help with that." Calvera closes her eyes and focuses, before the air around her looks blurry. Suddenly, an aura of heat radiates from her body, warming those around her, and begins melting the snow beneath their feet. "Everyone warm?"

Calvera hadn't initially responded to the creatures popping up and slamming into people, seemingly distracted by something. Then, Leo fell. It all happened so quickly, all she could muster was a noise of confusion. "Wha-?"

"Um... Well, Harry said fire is typically good at burning stuff you inhale... I could try burning it, if you want? Who knows, maybe we can burn it back a little." Calvera scratches her head, looking to the others. "Or I could try something else that I've been messing with in my free time."

Calvera jogs into the area of the people at the bus. She comes to a stop as she spots them. "Hey, I heard you all were heading to some 'Corruption' place. Figured I'd come along, see if I can help."

With a sad sigh, Calvera stands from the rock she had been sitting on, and proceeds to head back into the village, slowly making her way back, eyes up at the sky. The wind in her hair, the grass between her toes, now lacking that of her shoes. It felt serene to her. Like a home, almost. She wondered what it would be like to live here. With the wild creatures, and whatnot. Scary, and serene at the same time. How odd. Shortly after all her thoughts, she made it back into the village, and stepped back towards the tavern. She headed inside, and took a seat.

Calvera had spent most of the morning meditating, and trying out this 'yoga' thing. She laid on the ground, and slowly rose herself up with her arms. She felt her back stretch, and stretch... and then her elbow buckled, sending her face falling to the floor of the tavern with a thump. She sat up, and held her aching head. "Ugh...." She went downstairs, and sat for a bit, her headache waving through her body. After awhile, it resided for the time being, which relieved her. She headed out into the fresh afternoon air, taking in the sunlight with a smile. Her feet found the dirt pathway of the village, making her way around on her own self-made tour. She found herself at the Guide's house, spotting Arminius walk in. Whenever Arminius left, Calvera grabbed him by the sleeve, starting to try to drag him. "Come on, Arminius! Let's go exploring!" Calvera ran off to the north alongside her companion, following the riverside. Eventually, they came upon a couple of slimes that seemed to be made from ice. Arminius and her made quick work of them, as she send out a spiraling wave of heat and fire at the slimes, and these odd floating ice crystals. Upon them falling, Calvera looked around at the scenery, smiling at the beautiful sight of the river through the trees. It's here that she sat upon a rock, watching nature happily.