X-Champions Issues

Issue 50 - Wedding Bells

Suzanne is busy helping BOOM with legal affairs when Nightshade visits her in Detroit. He's very serious; it turns out he has a strange sort of wasting disease, some sort of thing ripping at the fabric of his dark energy, which, for him, is his life force. He proposes to Suzanne, wanting to be sure whatever time he has is spent with her. She accepts immediately. This will also be a wedding for Suzanne Palmer and Jeremiah Dark, as their secret identities have also been courting, something they did to make their relationship an easier prospect.

Laughton meanwhile receives an order made by the other Laughton - high pressure gas pipes and the ingredients for poison gas. He puzzles over whether to refuse the shipment and get his money back…or use the stuff, as it is a great idea.

That's when Suzanne spreads the word she wants everyone to gather, that she has big news. Unfortunately, she makes the mistake of saying that first to Neumann, who misinterprets and begins a panic alarm, flashing bright red lights and sounding a siren. This interrupts Sammy and Jane, who are busily trying on some shoes Suzanne left in her office. They only leave a little residue in them when they rush to see what is going on. Laughton cancels Neumann's security alert, and Neumann goes about his business, cleaning. Manny asks Neumann to keep vacuuming quiet. As Neumann changes his power level, he notes Laughton is syncing his PDA; he realizes how envious he is of PDAs and gears down.

Then, everyone gathered, Suzanne announces, "Jeremiah proposed to me, I accepted." Laughton takes a moment, asking 'proposed what?" She holds up the ring he gave her. Sammy starts bawling out of delight, while Jane glares daggers at Sammy as he's never thought to propose. Laughton immediately begins discussing medical coverage, and jokes (mostly) about being able to utilize their relationship for a dependent scam.

Sammy volunteers to be the best man, and then Jane wants to be the maid of honor or a flower girl. Then Sammy changes his mind, realizing the best man is on the groom's side, saying, "Oooh, can I be maid of honor?" Spectrum points out she wants Willow to be her maid of honor, while Laughton tells Sammy, "that's just not right."

Laughton is also disturbed to over-hear Manny telling Neumann to go get champagne, explaining quantities and types.

Suzanne excuses herself temporarily to go over to the Sihn-Tek building. Just then Laughton rattles off a 37 digit number to Velda to alert Sihn-Tek in advance, but Velda finds the buttons won't push as Spectrum telekinetically blocks her.

Suzanne runs over to see Nexus and Buffy and the gang. She leaves a note for Nexus, who's not there at the moment, to see her, and finds Giles and Willow, announcing the news.

Neumann returns with three bottles. Suzanne gets back as well. Jane and Sammy are busily chattering about doing music for the wedding, Jane wanting to sing and Sammy wanting to play. Neumann is relieved as Gere-luce brings up some ultra-grade WD-40. Laughton is about to head down to get the baloney machine into over-drive for the celebration, when a prospective client arrives.

The prospect looks at Neumann and asks, "What's that?" Suzanne replies he's one of the detectives. Sammy at the same time blurts out he's a coffee machine, and can make champagne. Neumann stands in body language that suggests a pout! Laughton motions to Sammy to take it to the conference room, where all head. The visitor is Franklin Stone, and he is intrigued with the robotic coffee machine. Laughton mentally notes how odd it is that he doesn't know who Neumann is, as everyone in Detroit knows of him, not just from being in the Justice Squad but also for his relentless good Samaritan campaign, constantly asking anyone in Detroit if they need assistance. But he goes on to discuss, keeping the client loose, how Neumann is also useful as a space heater, a humidifier, and so on.

Stone gets to the point. He is searching for an acquaintance, Arne Richards, who's been missing for two weeks. As they talk and Laughton interviews, asking about hobbies. Stone mentions that Richards does model planes, "collecting them or putting them together or painting them or something," as Laughton asks detail questions. Laughton knows that a missing persons case doesn't usually come to the Laughton Agency unless it's rather serious and usually quite confidential. He asks Stone why he suspects foul play, though Stone never actually indicated he did. But in fact Stone does, babbling an answer that it's unlike Richards to be away without discussing it. Laughton pulls out his contract form, and as they discuss rates, Stone opens a briefcase with $100K in cash inside!

With the client gone, the celebration resumes. Laughton hands Suzanne his own champagne, water with half an alka-seltzer and a fermented grape. She hands it to Sammy, saying, "Get rid of this for me, please." Sammy is glad to do so, gulping it quickly.

Jane wheedles Suzanne, trying to find out how she got Nightshade to propose, and is quite surprised to find out she did nothing to force it to happen.

Then Nexus comes in and finds out about the marriage, congratulating her. But she has other reasons to see Nexus, and excuses them both, taking him to see Nightshade. She explains that the fabric of Nightshade's being is ripping apart, going into the dark dimension. Nexus nods, saying, "I've had that happen before." He's glad to assist, and already has prior samples of the Outsiders to compare. He makes arrangements to visit with Nightshade, who's already returned to New York and is busy.

Laughton does a background check on Stone and Richards. It turns out they're High School friends, and, while these are their real identities, they have quite a fortune stashed away but with no legitimate reason to have so much money. They went partway through Wayne State together, but both dropped out at the same time. Sammy meanwhile searches Yahoo, but doesn't find anything. Laughton also finds that Arne Richards had another apartment, one kept secret.

So he resolves to go there first. The rest of the Justice Squad joins for the sake of an interesting mystery. As they leave, Sihn mentions to Suzanne he'll check on the best probability of dates and locations for a good wedding; she's pleased but asks him please to not express back all of the permutations. On the way, Neumann picks up litter.

Getting into the apartment, a small, cramped place in a small apartment building, they find it is a mess, with items strewn carelessly about. They find pictures from RPGs and models, several RPG books (FATAL, GURPS), and lots of videos - all porn. Occupying a prominent place in the main room, a computer sits with various odd devices attached to it. Even Laughton and Nexus are unfamiliar with the technology. With brief study they find it is self-built gear that serves to anonymously allow for Internet surfing and hacking access, as well as exotic forms of data gathering and interaction. On the computer, among more porn, are massive collections of information on ways to destroy the world (not end all life but actually physically end the Earth's existence). It's clear that Arne was preoccupied with the topic, and as they study it, Laughton and Nexus find that he was on the right track in general, though it would take a lot more time, study, and resources. They also find lots of juvenile, low-brow posts and emails from this computer; mostly rude, crude, and/or lewd social interactions, and lots of trolling in Internet forums.

Of course the refrigerator is checked, Sammy taking special care there. Inside are TV dinners (like a Banquet Hungry Man), leftovers from take-out, and various comfort types of food like macaroni and cheese. Much of the food is quite old, and Sammy takes care of it.

Sammy also checks out the footwear, finding a few old pairs of sneakers. Nexus tells Sammy to put them down, disturbed by his new penchant for footwear.

From the refrigerator and other forensics, they surmise the last time anyone was here was a week and a half prior. Nexus goes into a trance, and scans dimensions of the past related to this one, and confirms that the last time any person walked about was two Wednesdays ago, seeing Arne moving about last at 2 PM on that day. He sees Arne leave and suddenly be grabbed by the Moth, a criminal mutant not thought to be in Detroit. Nexus recalls him as being a muscleman for Magneto's Brotherhood. Awakening, he informs everyone.

As Laughton rummages for any other relevant information, during Nexus' trance, he looks through old t-shirts and such, then finds hand-written random and incomplete schematics buried with some RPG notes.

Suzanne casts about for mystical energies, finding a strange mold in the corner with an odd aura. Upon research, she finds it's been touched by or is the result of some sort of Earth magic, some sort of magical energy based on the ground or ground-rooted bits of Earth. It appears someone or something came and went this way.

They decide to look into Franklin. They go to his place, a nice condo in downtown Detroit. Laughton establishes surveillance there, noticing and bypassing an elaborate security system. The inside of the condo is immaculate, and looks to have been put together by a professional interior decorator. In the closet are all three-piece suits, no casual clothes. The whole place seems barely lived in.

Nexus again enters a trance, looking into the past at the same point as Arne disappeared. In all of this condo's likely pasts, he sees Franklin stumble in, wearing a "Kiss Me, I'm Irish" t-shirt, seeming drunk or at least greatly fatigued, doing a little webmail, doing a web search "what is Austen Powers?", and soon collapsing onto the couch to sleep.

They note the refrigerator is very nearly bare, containing only one soda, which is flat, in it. The cupboards are similarly empty.

Laughton checks on fake identities for both. Franklin only has a couple web identities which seem innocuous, and one identity performing some financial transfers. Arne, though, has several false identities, many of them simply for gaming and other boards, posing as all matter of gamers, from hot lesbians to die-hard grognards.

Based on the Moth lead, Hamlet contacts Hellcat Hellion while Spectrum, using what scraps of information and visions they have, tries to find Moth. Between then, they end up with a daytime phone number for the Moth. Calling it, they get, "Microsoft, Word technical support, can I help you?" She identifies herself as Barbara Allison.

Laughton asks, "Are you secure?"

She tenses up and replies, "Not at all sir, and all calls are monitored for your convenience."

Laughton responds, "Well, I have a GPF error on my laptop. I have a blue screen and it has a strange message about a missing Arne.DLL file. Maybe it's a moth, I mean a bug, in my system." A long pause follows. Laughton himself breaks it by saying, "When are you on break?" She isn't for a while, but Laughton presses, saying maybe she has an urgent stomach matter. She nods, then says, "yes," and hangs up the phone.

Nexus goes into another trance and travels, in the astral plane as we would call it, to watch the Moth/Allison. He sees her get up from her desk and go to her supervisor. Suzanne reaches out mentally to telepath with the Moth while Nexus watches the physical events.

The Moth thinks to Suzanne, "What's happening?" and Suzanne simply leaves it at "Justice Squad business," for the moment. The Moth thinks back, "I thought that voice was familiar," as she had been around Laughton before due to his work with the Brotherhood.

Nexus watches as she asks her supervisor to get a break as she's ill. The manager is visibly upset, challenging her for being "sick again," and finally relents, unhappily. He watches up until she goes into the ladies' room, and then he informs Suzanne.

Spectrum asks her if she's alone, and she is, so Spectrum pops in and teleports back with her. As she warps back to the Justice Squad, Laughton handily has a teleportation sickness bag handy, but Allison, though a little queasy, is okay.

The Moth confirms that she took Arne out, and specifically for his intent and possible ability to destroy the world. Arne has been placed into a holding cell in the Detroit Brotherhood base (or the Hellcat's Hellions base, as the name is emerging).

The Justice Squad begins to explain to Allison how this path is fraught with problems. Hamlet points out it's inefficient to have a basement full of guys, too much overhead and too much risk. Nexus adds that it's more of a "just in time" process, catching criminals when they are about to act or do act, and sentencing for what they do. He says there isn't room enough to store all the would-be criminals. As the Moth pleads how dangerous these type of people are, Nexus stands up on the side of civil liberties. He says, "Have they confessed?" and just before the Moth hesitantly says "no" he first says "no" in anticipation. Nexus goes on to point out he's been down this path, and they've tried stasis, mind reprogramming, moving captured criminals around, yet nothing works in the long-term. He complains that someone will always complain about messing with ethics, natural law, and so on. And he says, "And that's' the problem - thing is, on some level, they're right."

On the side, the subject of Franklin is discussed. Suzanne definitely wants interrogate him. Breaking for a moment, Laughton calls Franklin and just tells him there are further complications and that "somebody stole his models," just to make Franklin sweat.

As they continue to try to convince Allison about how to handle these things, Spectrum points out the government is a vehicle for those mutants simply too dangerous - and for whom this can be proven, not just suspected or believed. Nexus makes the point that Laughton could be toying around with the idea of how to destroy the world, but that doesn't mean he'd do it. Allison objects, "Yes, but this guy (meaning Arne) is NUTS!" For a moment, it's not clear how that makes him different from Laughton (GM NOTE - okay, I just stuck that in there! J ). Nexus goes on to point out that, given the right opportunities and circumstances, someone like Arne could probably live a productive life, especially if he could find the right group to be among.

The Moth objects that he's "a total geek and misfit." Nexus points out the marvels a new haircut would do and that perhaps the "Queer Eye type guys" could do more wonders than proactive vigilantism. And as he says the guy needs a makeover, Laughton adds, "and a girlfriend." And further points out that Allison herself isn't involved, causing her to shudder at the thought. This causes Nexus to think about a BOOM dating service, which could be based on genetic matches, which he later takes up with Rogers (who says this probably doesn't send the right signals).

Laughton mentions he could pull strings and get Arne and, if similarly skilled, Franklin into a government think tank. Nexus points out that maybe just hooking them up with a good, solid roleplaying group, given their RPG interest, would help then thinks maybe that's just the wrong way to spend a lot of one's time. Suzanne thinks maybe just positively engaging in the right RPG board would help.

Convinced, or at least tired of arguing and overwhelmed, the Moth calls Hellcat Hellion and arranges to meet him at the base. When the Justice Squad and Moth get there, the Land Shark answers. Neumann asks if this is humor and what is a "land shark." The Land Shark is glad to answer, he recently came from California, and is as adept as a shark, but on land.

Upon seeing Hellcat Hellion, Laughton, in reference to Land Shark, complains the bar has been lowered. Nexus sarcastically says he doesn't doubt that Land Shark could hold them off. Laughton gets onto the idea of instituting a common costume, if only to eliminate the excesses of some of the individual costumes. He says even yellow spandex, as the X-Men were wearing until recently, would be preferable.

They discuss the situation. Spectrum right away tells Hellcat they know what's going on and will have to review each case. As they check out the situation, it turns out a few other criminals (would-be or otherwise) are in stasis, with only one slot left out of a dozen. Neumann asks who belongs in the last slot; Hellcat confirms it is "reserved" for a particular criminal mutant, so they're about to be filled up.

Hellcat points out that as part of the "New Brotherhoods" (the rechristened Magneto collective, now more of a loose confederacy of individual Brotherhoods as part of how he has reorganized) they are working to help the community. Nexus asks how placing people in stasis really helps, and the conversation turns back to much the same as with the Moth. Spectrum says she is quite willing to review each case, digging telepathically if necessary, and working accordingly with the group. Nexus suggests, "Laughton and Spectrum will be glad to help you with this," and suddenly feels a headache coming on. He then points out, "Hey, you two are our legal experts, that's what I meant!"

Neumann walks over to the cell holding Arne. He says, "This man wants to destroy the world?" by way of confirmation. As Hellcat confirms, Neumann brings the stasis field down and gives the man an electric shock, waking him! Arne's first conscious words are "Holy crap!" as he sees the Justice Squad and feels the pain. Neumann asks point-blank, "Do you wish to destroy the world?" He admits he does. Most of the Justice Squad reasons with him. Neumann says to him, "Your existence is pointless, and shocks him again! As he screams, Neumann seems actually annoyed, and says, "Be quiet or I will destroy you, puny human." The rest of the Justice Squad is shocked, and they wonder if this is a different Neumann, but nothing seems overtly different from a quick mind scan by Suzanne.

Laughton tries to dismiss Neumann, asking him to get his PDA backup battery.

Neumann flatly but simply says something the Justice Squad has not heard from him. He says, "No." Suddenly one can hear a pin drop in the dead silence that results.

Laughton starts to make some case for "the fate of the world" depends on that backup, but Neumann is relentless in his new goal regarding Arne. Perhaps his programming is virulently against those who are sworn to destroy the Earth. Whatever the case, Neumann comes at Hellion with a totally different suggestion: "Why not execute him?"

Hellcat stammers this isn't right, which helps the (rest of the) Justice Squad in cornering his logic. Neumann and Hellcat argue for a bit before Neumann accepts his refusal to do so.

Suzanne asks Nexus to examine Neumann, which he does then and there. Neumann points out "I am functional, there is no need to scan me," but he dose relent. Nexus does not find any abnormalities. Neumann is defiant, for him, saying, "I told you I am functional. This is pointless, we should return to HQ." Laughton tells him to go ahead while they finish a few things up, and Neumann does so.

Before leaving, on his way, Neumann stops and starts looking around the New Brotherhoods Detroit base. He meets some of the regulars, including Hans Noman, the main computer operator. Hans has no face, and Neumann asks him, "Do you normally look human or are you just a freak?" What Neumann is unaware of is that Sammy is sneaking behind him, invisibly, with a camera given to him by Laughton.

Hans is put off, and tries to ignore Neumann, who ask about the base and other bases they contact. He talks to Duck Knight and finds out about Bat and Blade, important players in another cell. Neumann insists on using the base's communication devices to contact them. As he sits down to do so, Land Shark comes up and asks what he's doing. Neumann explains, and Hans Noman, coming back from having walked away, asks him to stop. Neumann eventually does, but then as soon as he isn't watched goes back to doing so.

Meanwhile Spectrum works with Hellcat on why each prisoner is there, and begins to assist in filtering out those that can definitely be let ago and probably will cause no trouble, either, for the fledgling super organization. They do let Arne go, as he's done nothing serious, but Nexus warns him, hoping to put it in terms he can understand, that if he tries to destroy the world he will be given the worst wedgie. Laughton already has one lesson waiting for him; he destroyed his entire porn collection, censoring and pixilating it variously, even the magazines.

Duck Knight, despite his silly appearance as a duck, is an effective figure, and the Justice Squad end up talking to him a bit. Laughton gives Duck Knight his card, and after Duck Knight puts it down, Neumann tosses it out, into a nearby furnace, seeing any contact with him as unnecessary. Later, Duck Knight wonders where he put this.

As they go through the incarcerated figures, they find one is Caterwaul, a particularly dangerous psychopathic killer. Nexus consults with Terwilliger on this one. Hellcat Hellion talks to Nexus about his fears that the government can't deal with some of these villains, this one particularly. Nexus agrees, they might not be able to. But he points out that if these sorts get out of one's own base, everyone blames the holding party, and few will be galvanized to action, while if someone breaks out of federal authority, more are prodded to go after the criminal, and besides it's the governments' own responsibility then, ensuring greater resources are brought to bear. Nexus also points out he notes that such cycles of imprisonment and release seem to be a meta-rule of this dimension. Laughton says that letting the government perform imprisonment instead of oneself is a good way on the path to plausible deniability.

The Moth is not nearly so easily mollified though. She becomes defiant and says the Justice Squad have no right to intervene. Laughton asks her if she wants to fight over this. The Moth asks if he's challenging her. Laughton smugly replies, "I don't have to."

Spectrum tries a more delicate tact, still reasoning with Allison. In turn, Allison pleads with Suzanne to "fix" (mentally) Caterwaul. While part of Suzanne is tempted, she resists, pointing out that such meddling isn't much different than stasis. It often doesn't work after a while, for any number of reasons, and besides is depriving that person of their civil liberties. Allison remains unconvinced, but is resigned to the process as Hellcat Hellion has become supportive of the Justice Squad.

As Suzanne digs into Arne's mind, she finds that Franklin is the scarier one, as he's more focused and has more of an edge about things, at least from what Arne's recollections are. They consider whether they should try to keep them apart, but from Laughton's and Spectrum's findings, so long as Arne can be found, Franklin is likely to find him somehow. They wonder why Franklin is such a faithful friend to Arne; it's his social incompetence. Arne is one of the very few that Franklin can relate to, and is even, generally, more inept socially than Franklin, who at least has learned how to develop a cover.

Nexus uses the opportunity to update his files on these criminals, gathering samples for future reference.

In the end, Hellcat Hellion and the Justice Squad agree not to get his organization into trouble. They release the prisoners as much as reasonable/possible, and in Caterwaul's case Nexus ensure he gets directly transported to the proper authorities, using his reputation and influence to get away with a "no questions asked" on this one. Most, however, have to be simply freed. But the Justice Squad knows where they are and Suzanne has a special fix on them.

Upstairs, where Neumann is, he continues the cycle of interruption and standing back as he tries to figure out more about the New Brotherhoods. He does remain the whole time, but has returned to cleaning and helping out by the time the Justice Squad comes up.

During the next week, Suzanne works constantly on dealing with getting some of the criminals locked back up, since at least they know where they are, if they are wanted. Laughton chimes in with advice, wanted or not, on every case. He is keen to ensure the Justice Squad remains unblemished by association.

Related to the Justice Squad members, an anti-Google hacking bill, sponsored by, among others, Sihn-Tek, is moving through Congress now. Among many strange aberrations from hacking, one is that nearly every search in any way related to performing a service, such as mouse-catching, turns up with Laughton Agency on the first page. Laughton claims it's his enemies trying to damn him, while others claim its Laughton trying to ensure the highest possible business visibility for free.

Laughton and Neumann alike cultivate New Brotherhoods cells. Neumann is directly helpful, as always, but also quite keen to establish contacts and find out what he can about the cells. He also branches out to find more about other mutant organizations. Laughton is aware of this, naturally, and tries to keep an eye on the robot.

Among his travels, Neumann encounters Robot Junior Caveman (RJC) in the Miami New Brotherhoods cell. He's a sort of caveman-like, child-like robot. Neumann approaches him; as always he is taken with other robots, wondering how they interact in the strange human world. And RJC is eager to meet him as well, saying, "I want to be your friend." As they talk, Neumann learns RJC is young, and wants to see how he is made. RJC is quite accepting, saying, "I would like you to look at me inside and out." Neumann looks into rebuilding him, finding things he can improve on.

Sihn works on Nightshade's illness. He also is concerned over their marriage. Although Sihn and Spectrum have a troubled relationship in their past, he is still very concerned about her welfare and wants the best for her. He looks into multiple future versions of this dimension or similar dimensions. He finds that there are a few bad times no matter what, a few divorce endings, a few times where one or both are seriously hurt emotionally, but more often the endings are good, showing a long and happy marriage. Nexus is pleased.

Laughton also is concerned for Suzanne. He performs background checks on Nightshade, getting deep into his background. He even discovers, as he follows all sorts of tangents, that Desperado has, in a few cases, killed in cold blood behind the back of the Outsiders. In the end, Laughton, meaning well, gives Suzanne a 450 page printout on Nightshade, which she tries to ignore. However, he points out there's a wedding present in there, several secret account numbers with money for the couple.

Laughton also likes Nightshade, though, particularly after having found nothing heinous (though many extremely personal details) in his background. Knowing Suzanne, he considers doing a 450+ background check on her to give to Nightshade! But in the end he decides that would cause a bigger headache than he'd be willing to take on.

Sammy and Jane busily prepare the music for the wedding, but also do the catering. Jane is a decent cook, and does the birthday cake and other deserts. Between them, the food is both delicious and copious, enough to feed a wedding party many times Suzanne's.

Suzanne's family is concerned, though, about the speed of the wedding. She doesn't explain he's Nightshade, nor does she explain the precise nature of his disease, but she does indicate he has a health problem and they want to enjoy what time they can. Her father, of course, is pleased to walk her down the aisle in any case.

As Nexus works on Nightshade's illness, he finds a way to redirect the energy pull from the dark dimension, pushing it into another dimension, finding an evil version of Nightshade and moving it onto there. He imagines this should hold. Before Nexus is done treating Nightshade, though, he tells him "Take care of our Spectrum." Nightshade is greatly appreciative, and the more negative aspects of the wedding are dispelled. It becomes a truer celebration. Suzanne lets her family know, and explains that it doesn't change anything, merely accelerated where they were going anyway.

Neumann approaches Sammy. He asks if they can speak candidly, Sammy of course glad to do so. He says, "I have come to trust you and respect you."

Sammy returns the compliment, and adds, "You make great coffee!"

Neumann goes on, "If we were in great danger, would you defend me to your death?" Sammy enthusiastically affirms such. Neumann asks, "Do you need anything now?"

Sammy's response is, unsurprisingly, "A couple boxes of Twinkies!"

Sammy feels that Neumann's earlier abrupt behavior was just evidence he was functioning more highly and on a more emotional level. He sees nothing to worry about. He knows how emotional beings are, and they know that Neumann's intellect is powered by a brain, so there's no reason, to Sammy, to feel it's any worse than, say, some of the excesses of his old friend, Eliot, when he was the Troll.

As the wedding approaches, Nightshade talks to Suzanne, when the Justice Squad happens to be around, about how to restrain their many guests' "unusual" behavior in front of their respective normal families. Suzanne feels bad that the Metal Men are difficult to fit in, and having to tell them they can't attend. Laughton offers up he could disguise even them. Nexus comes up with the idea, though, of just having a separate ceremony and reception for each crowd. He points out he could assist and make the events occur near-simultaneously. The couple likes the idea, and so they go forward with that. A few close friends, primarily the Outsiders and Justice Squad, do go to both events. A world-famous Elvis impersonator entertains at Suzanne Palmer's (as opposed to Spectrum's) wedding reception; not really her taste, but the families will enjoy it and she likes seeing Sammy enjoy himself so much. Neumann is passed off at the reception as a sort of machine-bartender novelty, as he enjoys serving and can make drinks for all tirelessly.

The super-wedding includes as guests Daredevil, Spiderman, Dr. Strange, Magneto (albeit disguised as he has too many enemies among the group), Nightcrawler, Willow and her group, Red Amazon (as a bridesmaid), Big Ugly Bug, the Metal Men, the X-Men, and Wilting Rose, among many others. It's one of the biggest events in social superhero history. Dr. Strange officiates. The Captain is not invited.

Neumann chats up the Metal Men at the reception. They talk about how difficult managing a house is. Neumann is especially interested in their maintenance routines. Platinum giggles, "you already know mine very well!"

Suddenly, Bizarro Spectrum pops into the reception! She fires immediately at Spectrum, slightly stunning her. Nexus quickly fires a bolt of energy, releasing it from cracking open a hole to another dimension, sending Bizarro Spectrum flying over a bar and against the wall, knocking Suzanne aside as she does. She receives a nasty cut and is weakened. Neumann's siren and light go on, alerting everyone, as if they weren't already. Daredevil grabs his head, though, in agony from Neumann's unintended sonic attack! Spiderman leaps into action, entangling her in a web, as Laughton begins trying to transform her. Sammy leaps over the bar, smacking her, and knocking her out, before others get their shot in. Nexus waves his wand and a gooey substance appears, dripping from the air itself, and an ectoplasmic calcification surrounds Bizarro Spectrum. Laughton then turns her into stone, and the Justice Squad then puts her into hot sleep, after Nexus takes her brain tape. Nexus later returns her to her own dimension, handing her over to Magneto's revolutionary government.

Mainly, in this crowd, the fight provides a lively bit of entertainment and something to talk about, since no one was hurt and Bizarro Spectrum was, of course, entirely outgunned.

[Game Mechanics - Points Awarded...

Arne is taken care of this time and he was interesting but not that powerful - +1.825 RP, +.125 XP for Laughton, Nexus, Sammy, Spectrum, +2.5 RP, +.25 XP for Neumann

Hellcat's Hellions were addressed and taken care of this time, and it was about even (in terms of the dynamics and how you guys might have interacted) but not enough color - +5.625 RP, +.375 XP for Laughton, Nexus, Sammy, Spectrum, +7.5 RP, +.75 XP for Neumann

Bizarro Spectrum was quickly dispensed with, but in this instance she was just a nuisance - +.375 RP, +.025 XP for Laughton, Nexus, Sammy, Spectrum, +.5 RP, +.05 XP for Neumann

Neumann (including some PBEM) - Contact, Robot Jr. Caveman, +5 XP for this purpose only
    Contact Pool New Brotherhoods, Contact has extremely useful skills or resources, organization contact, 14-, +15 XP for this
     KS:  New Brotherhoods, INT-based, +2 to skill roll, +5 XP for this
     KS:  Robot Mutants, INT-based, +5 to skill roll, +8 XP for this

Great publicity - the wedding - +22.5 RP for Laughton, Nexus, Sammy, Spectrum, +30 RP for Neumann

4 hours - +3 RP, +1 XP for Laughton, Nexus, Sammy, Spectrum, +4 RP, +2 XP for Neumann

1 hour - Neumann PBEM - +1 RP, +.5 XP for Neumann

Totals:  33.325

Laughton 33.325 RP, 1.525 XP
Neumann 45.5 RP, 36.55 XP
Nexus 33.325, 1.525 XP
Sammy 33.325 RP, 1.525 XP
Spectrum 33.325 RP, 1.525 XP 

Totals to Date:

Dice 188.5 RPs, 14.95 XPs
Laughton 2361.525 RPs, 227.875 XPs (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for minion, 50 for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Neumann 945 RPs, 143.95 XPs  (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for minion)
Nexus 2413.775 RPs, 223.275 XPs  (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for minion, 50 for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Sammy the Slime 2257.025 RPs, 205.2375 XPs  (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for minion, 50 for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Spectrum 2178.025 RPs, 190.675 XPs  (with Rep level, 50 for base, 25 for minion, 50 for reorg (note, did not use for agency or life-saving)
Steely Danelle 86 RPs, 10.75 XPs]]