Ethan Young

[Chris Chandler]

That really goes a long way toward settling her out. You'll be able to take the time to spend some quality time with Marie.


Now then, it's Whit who will spark any sort of investigation.

Alright, so what're we going to do about your stalkers? I mean, seriously - if you have people after you, or worse yet, after Marie, then we've got to figure it out. Do you have any ideas?

[Vonapier]

I think for a second.

"Well, what one thing we could do is get everyone around THIS dorm to get to know each other and keep and eye out at all times. Make it like a neighborhood watch or something. Or we could....."

I stop talking dead and look at Marie.

"....Well, we cant really do anything extreme if we are to live like human beings. I'm sure Maire doesn't want to live like a runaway convict for the rest of her days just because some organization wants to kidnap her for some ungodly reason. We can take precautions but for Marie's sake, lets not over do it."

[Chris Chandler]

I agree -

Whit ponders for a moment -

Look, I know a girl, Angie, who works for the dean of Arts and Sciences. He's a Philosophy prof, but he was an FBI profiler during the Cold War, back in the 70's. He's unrelated, and might have some information. What do you think?

[Vonapier]

"Sure, lets do that. in the mean time we can just be ourselves. Live life the way people should."

i will be keeping tabs and eyes out on Marie, seeing who's getting close to her, talking to her, or anything of the sort. She will never be kidnapped again i can promise you that.

[Chris Chandler]

You set up an appointment to meet with the man, who is able to do so in the late afternoon. You've got a few hours - anything you need to do beforfehand?

[Vonapier]

nope, im good.

[Chris Chandler]

You head to the prof's office across campus - He greets you at the door to the department, walks you quickly to his office, and closes the door behind you three. He's older, maybe 60, disheveled, and wild-eyed, with a frightening look of intelligence behind thick rimmed glasses.

So, what sort of trouble have we dug up, I wonder?

He looks positively excited at the prospect.

[Vonapier]

I look at him for a moment and then i tell him stuff on a need to know basis.

"There is this group of people, thugs, after us. I and someone i care about have already been kidnapped and we have escaped. The dilemma we have now is that i do not think that his group will just cease and desist just because we got away. Now im turning to you for any defense we might use. Can you help us?"

i say all this with a straight face, no pleading eyeballs, no sound of desperation. nothing.

[Chris Chandler]

Hmm... Well, that is less than specific, isn't it. Did you buy some weed and screw your dealer?

He lets you squirm for just a second -

I'll need more detail if I'm to have a chance of remotely having any incentive to bother to care enough to even think about moving my scrawny ass out of this chair to help you. Now then, quit talking in general terms and give me some meat. Otherwise, you're wasting my time, and your own time.

Whit's still squirming. Marie's holding your hand, though, very tightly.

[Vonapier]

I look at Whit then at Marie.

"Ok then, I took Marie here out on a date. The date was a blast up until this lady with two bruisers comes up and says "get in the car". Well i thought she was joking but obviously she wasnt when she tazered me and i think Marie. Well i was knocked out from that. When i woke up, we were bound and in a chain link cage at the bottom of a dried up indoor pool. I managed to get my hands free before someone came, wanting to have his way with Marie. There was NO way in hell i was gonna let that happen. I tackled the guy and he tried to tazer me with his gun but shot himself and knocked himself out. I freed us both and we found our way out of this abandon school where we were held captive. We got out of the school and borrowed some dudes car and got home."

I breath.

"Come to think of it.......we got out of there quite easily. So much trouble just to get us and they only keep one gaurd? i didnt see anyone else in that school."

[Chris Chandler]

The professor looks incredulous -

Some lady, eh, and some bruisers. You just described any number of college campuses, son.

He sighs -

What did she sound like, look like. What were the men wearing? Gang colors, business suits, SCUBA gear? The details are what get you answers!

[Vonapier]

"Well, she sounded...russian or something. She had blond hair and was good looking. You know the rich bitch type. And the bruisers, they were the traditional muscle-heads anyone would keep as a body guard. They wore black suits, had tazers and semiautomatic pistols with the silencer-thingy on it. I swear, thugs and their vans."

[Chris Chandler]

An interesting description. Russian. I take it you haven't been gambling? No drugs or anything else illegal? It you have, I'm not one to judge, but it would point a finger at the Russian mob, so now's the time to confess something like that. If not, well, then we'll need to dig a little deeper. Did you get any sort of good look at their vehicle?

[Vonapier]

"Not really, but it was a van. No i haven't done anything illegal. Well, come to think of it. When i was at my home, getting my things and saying bye to my parents, my house was broken into and wrecked. They stole documents about me, i don't know what they where about, and killed my dog. Something about the novastar project? Could this be related to that?"

[Chris Chandler]

Where do your parents live?

[Vonapier]

"Back in Vegas"

i dart my eyes over to whit and back at the man.

[Chris Chandler]

Hmm... So, perhaps it's your parents, not you. No, you said they stole your documents. Novastar? What do you mean. You're going to need to give me more information.

Marie glances at you worriedly, but doesn't say anything. Whit remains silent.

[Vonapier]

"Well the fact of it is, i dont know anything about it. Other than it being a project from like russia or something. The only reason i think it might be related is because of the russian sounding lady kidnapped us. But she said something about wanting to kidnap her."

I just stop for a moment frustrated.

"You know, this isnt getting us anywhere. Im sure this is all facinating with juicy good details but i just dont see how telling you my life story is gonna get us out of something we MIGHT be in. Im sorry to have wasted your time."

I turn to leave.

"bullshit, utter bullshit. All of it."

"Sorry Whit, i know your tryin to help but i think we can get through this on our own."

[Chris Chandler]

Whit stands, blocking your way - he talks low, and you can hear the professor sigh -

He can help you, man... he's not going to jump on something though without information. You know that's how the world works. Give him a chance. Please.


The professor speaks up -

Whit's right. I'm asking questions to narrow down possibilities. If you are so eager to just give up, wait, then react to the boogeyman when it finally chomps down on your head, by all means, head on out. If, however, you care about those around you, you might want to try to be a bit proactive. We've only been at this a few minutes, even!

Now then, a Russian-sounding lady wants Marie here for some reason - we are not sure what - and you were with her. Now... sometime earlier your parents home was broken into, and it turned out it's related to some, what, research project from Russia? Okay, well, there's a number of clandestine agencies out there looking to profit from the fall of the Soviet Union, that much is true. Do you know anything about your... papers, as you put it?

[Vonapier]

"No, the only reason i knew i had papers is because my parents told me. Apparently im adopted and my parents were Lithuanian and they were working on the project. For all i know i might be their little science experiment. And i said that the robbery and this lady MIGHT be a connection."

I sit and think a sec to see if that is all the info i can muster.

"WAIT, THAT LADY!!! That lady at the shop. The one i saw looking at me."

i think back and try to remember that lady to see if she was the one that threatened. Who was that woman?

[Chris Chandler]

You'll remember her from the shop. As you continue to jog your memory, you'll remember her from the mass art project, as well. In all three instances, it was a tall, pretty, blond woman. If your memory serves, it was the same woman in all three memories! You are pretty certain that it was her!

What lady at what shop?

[Vonapier]

I turn to whit.

"Whit, do you remember that project we did with the Forest piece? There was this chick lookin at me when we were workin. At the time i thought nothing on it. But thinking back on it, that is definitely the woman i saw. Are there cameras set up in this school around where i was working?"

[Chris Chandler]

Like surveillance cameras? There might -

Yes, yes there are, though maybe not at the angle we need. That's a good first step.

[Vonapier]

"Well, lets get that video. Can we get access of the feed?"

[Chris Chandler]

Wait for it...

I can't, but I know someone who can.

[Vonapier]

"Well, how soon can we get it? Who's gonna get it for us?"

[Chris Chandler]

Well, it's a little late to call her today, but... I can pull a few strings. Come back in the morning and we'll go take a little visit.

[Vonapier]

"Sure, i can be here tomorrow."

[Chris Chandler]

Okay - you guys have from this afternoon until tomorrow morning (he says 6:30) to yourselves. Now then, I know you're doing a lot of hurrying up and waiting. Is there anything that you specifically would like to do until morning?

[Vonapier]

I'll talk to Marie one on one before tomorrow.

"Were gonna get through this, I promise. This is all going to be over soon and were gonna live our lives peacefully, together. I promise nothing bad will happen to us."

Ill go in for a kiss....or try at least. :S

[Chris Chandler]

Oh, you'll get one, but she's going to cry for a good long time afterwards. It's been pretty tough on her. Whit gives you and her some space for the evening, and you pretty much just mope around for an evening.

[Vonapier]

oh hell no, ill do ANYTHING for her to stop crying. I tears me to see it. When we get to our destination ill do everything i can to comfort her. When she sleeps ill be right there falling asleep by her. (if she will allow it.)

[Chris Chandler]

The crying fit is actually pretty necessary, at this stage in the game. You'll both fall asleep in due time, exhausted from your ordeal.

[Vonapier]

Ok, understandable. In the morning ill thank whit for helping us out so much. He has really gone the extra mile.

[Chris Chandler]

He takes it with a grin, fixing bowls of cereal for the lot of you.

When you are ready to head out, Whit won't be accompanying you. He has a project to finish. The professor said that his contact would be able to meet in her office in the administration building, 9th floor, in about an hour from now. Anything you need to do before heading that way?

[Vonapier]

not really, i will be dressed to the T as always (quirk of mine)

[Chris Chandler]

So noted -

You spiff up and head out, going to the administration building. The contact, a surly latina with in a business dress and a bun greets you gruffly -

Dr. Winston said you needed to view some of the security feed. I really don't feel compelled to do much of anything before my morning coffee, but I owe the good professor a solid for finding me a deal on a nice rancher down in San Mateo. You think you've got some... individual following you, correct. Now, as a sworn and licensed law officer I could give you a whole heap of advice and tell you what to do, but I know how the male mind works - you won't listen because it's not on your doorstep.

She smiles and turns on a bank of video monitors, each showing areas throughout campus. Each main quad is displayed, rotating through three different angles -

So - where was it? My secretary's due to be on time for being late in about 15 minutes, so make it quick.

[Vonapier]

"It was outside, just in front of the workshop where the "forest" exhibit was created. Lets start there. I don't know when i saw her, i just know where i saw her. Look for the blond."

[Chris Chandler]

It doesn't take too long. She knows the function you describe, and she goes to the quad. She moves from one of the three angles until you can see the hilltop as you described it. You note the figure again. Marie breathes in deep and lets out a shuddering breath.

It's definitely the woman.

Okay, it looks like you know this woman. Alright. She sure doesn't look like she belongs on campus, so that will be my angle. I'll see what I can dig up, okay?

[Vonapier]

"K. We will be around."

I turn to Marie.

"You ok?"

Im gonna find out why this woman makes Marie shudder.

[Chris Chandler]

Well, what do you plan on doing?

[Vonapier]

Ill ask her straight out why she makes her shudder.

"Why did that lady call you Katja? What the hell is that?"

[Chris Chandler]

I don't even know - she scares the hell out of me though. It's like I... should know her. I'm not even sure what I'm saying!

[Vonapier]

"Deja Vu eh? Maybe it will come to ya sometime"

If i can touch people and know random stuff maybe i can poke around her head. But i don't want to risk knocking her out like i did at the beach. Maybe i can do it once she sleeping. No harm there right?

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, I'll keep that in mind for when you both reach a "rest" spot. It is now midmorning. Keep in mind that the security director did nothing to indicate just how long her research will take. Plans?

[Vonapier]

Ive no intentions of leavin far off from here. We need that evidience. Im really tempted to tell marie what happens when i come in contact with people. I dont know if i should yet. This is all a little much so i dont want to cause anymore grief.

"So....care if we just get a blanket and just hang outside for the time being? The suns out and it should be quite relaxing. Care to join me?"

I put and elbow out for marie and Whit.

[Chris Chandler]

They gladly agree -

Okay, this looks like a good sort of transitory spot. Let me see a luck roll, and we'll go from there.

[Vonapier]

Well, Blake said 11 and i rolled an 11! So what candy coated lollipop do i get!?!

[Chris Chandler]

Not only is what your contacts find accurate, it is quick.

The woman - Tuule Lepik, is an Estonia national, and is one of the best well known mercenaries that came out of the old Soviet Union. She worked for the Estonian beaureau of the Kremlin, and is on the Interpol list of most wanted war criminals.

A little bit of information about her -

She graduated top of her class in Tartu Universtiy, Estonia, with a degree in Genetics, minoring in Philosophy, and was recruited into the Kremlin at the age of 19. She completed doctoral work in genetics while working for the Kremlin. She remained in service until the collapse of the Soviet Government, then vanished. She has crept up from nation to nation, gathering information, selling Soviet secrets on a major scientific program for information on a small-scale genetics study. There are only a few leads that anyone guess at, but the name сверхновая звезда, or "SuperNova" comes up at least two times. It is unknown what this study is or was, or what her interest is in it.

She is a smart woman, very resourceful, and very focused. She is responsible for the regime changes in at least three countries, and has virtually unlimited capital at her disposal.

[Vonapier]

I look puzzled at the person who supplied this info.

"Now what would a Merc want with you Marie? And why was she stalking Me?"

i don't think she knows what i can do. Hell i didn't even know until recently. She was probably watching me to see if i were to "get in the way". Well damn straight i will, i...

[Chris Chandler]

The security director shrugs her shoulders -

I don't likely know. Maybe she's a princess?

She smiles, but more conciliatory now -

Look, Marie, you've been in a number of foster homes before you were emancipated from the state. I couldn't find any records of just who your parents were. Ethan, I understand that your parents are Lithuanian immigrants, but you never knew them, as well. You might look to see if there are any connections between the two of you. I've heard of weirder coincidences.

[Vonapier]

My heart is almost in my mouth.

"I might have a sister?"

"Yea, lets check out the library. If anyone came to America they would have recorded them in some book."

[Chris Chandler]

The security director suggests that you look go to the public library, downtown. They have a reference section that is a little more robust than SFSU. If you need references for graphic design, fine art and the like, the SFSU library is superior, but it isn't a research library. She knows someone that can get you in over at Stanford, as well.

For the Public Library, she even gives you a contact: Mary Anne Leslie.

[Vonapier]

well i hop to and im willing to go to all of em. Anything about my parents and her parents.

[Chris Chandler]

...

Well, okay. Where do you go first? You need to be a little more proactive. I can tell the story all day long, but I'd rather have you drive the action, please.

[Vonapier]

The public library would have more info on it i would believe. Ill Head over to there first, then to Standford.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, the library is in downtown San Fransisco, off Market Street. It takes the better part of an hour, with traffic, to get there. Marie Parks and you head in.

The reference section is sizeable and well organized. Your contact - Mary Ann Leslie, sits at a desk (or I should say that a woman sits at a desk with that name on a nameplate), reading an issue of the American Journal of Archeology. She's pretty, professionally dressed, her thick-rimmed glasses on the tip of her nose, and her dirty blond hair in a bun. Despite being well put together, she looks like she hasn't slept in a while. You have to get her attention, and then realize that she actually was asleep with her eyes open.

Um, what - oh, excuse me - I was thinking about the social ramifications of Ionian architectural influence, and got a bit lost. How can help you two today?

Marie gives you a little bit of an "oh boy" smile, but lets you answer her.

[Vonapier]

"Yea, i was looking for like a list of people, like my parents. I never knew em but i know they are Lithuanian immigrants. And Marie here is looking for her parents as well. Can you help us find them?"

I'm trying to behave. Why is the frigging librarian pretty? stupid cliche!

but to no avail! Aaaaannnd im staring at her and Marie. dammit. she is gonna be mad.

[Chris Chandler]

She smiles, and Marie smiles too, blushing a little and gives you a bit of a look, but it isn't too bad.

Immigration and census, eh? Well we've got access to the virtual hall of records, of course, but why do I get the feeling neither of you grew up in California. That changes things, of course, but only nominally. I've got to make a call real quick, then we can head up to Marvin, okie?

She makes the call, speaks Spanish on the line for less than a minute, then hangs up.

I just had to move back a lunch date. Now, where were we - ah yes, Marvin. This waaay!

She swoops up her journal and walks quickly down one of the rows of digests. You head to the back of a row and she unlocks a door - the exterior looks nothing so strange as a broom closet. It is wholly unremarkable. When she opens it, you see that it is actually a stairway leading up. You follow her upwards, and she fumbles with the top door, opening it up into a dark room.

The fluorescents take a moment to flicker on, but crosses the room without waiting. She is headed over to what looks like a computer terminal. She flicks it on, and the screen flashes, then fades down to a black screen, with a halo of green. The screen shows the boot cycle for an old system. She walks away from it.

Old Marvin has a brain the size of the universe, but he's cranky. We'll need to let him warm up.

She moves over to a desk, butted up against the near wall.

Well, orphan stories are always interesting to me, but more importantly, they hold some important clues as to just who, and where, your parents may be. So... You, young man - why don't you go ahead first.

She picks up the tablet of paper sitting on the desk and prepares to jot down some notes.

[Vonapier]

"Well, I don't know anything about them other than they are from Lithuania and....they are scientists? maybe? I mean they might have the same name. Look for any Young's. Knowing my luck there is a ton of em."

i start to sound a little discouraged due to the fact that i really don't know who they are and even what they look like.

[Chris Chandler]

Lithuanian "Youngs"? I do believe that your adoptive parents held that last name, correct?

[Vonapier]

"Yea....well i dont know anything about them."

[Chris Chandler]

That is not very helpful. The more criteria I can enter into Marvin, the less false records we'll have to sift through. You dear? Maybe you can remember.

Marie, rather than just blurting out, "dunno" or something similar, begins writing down on a notepad.

I... don't remember all that well unless I can jot it down -

Take your time dear. While she's writing, Ethan, I'll run a few cursory queries. Maybe it won't be in the hundreds of thousands.

She smiles civilly.

[Chris Chandler]

She moves over to the terminal again and starts tapping (loudly) on an old-style IBM keyboard, clickety-clack. She enters in a long query that looks very strange to you, hits enter, then moves back from her seat.

Marvin takes a bit to ponder things. Now then, can you think of anything?

Marie is still writing.

[Vonapier]

"Well, i know they are scientists, part of a project call Novastar. They might be dead, i have no clue if they are or not. They are from Lithuania. That might narrow it down slightly."

I'm thinking hard to remember anything.

[Chris Chandler]

Interesting... That actually does help. I'll have to wait for that query to cycle, but then I'll check. Marie, what do you have -

Really not too much, h... here -

She hands over her sheet without showing it to you Ethan. She is decidedly nervous.

[Vonapier]

" .....Are you ok Marie? "

I do look concerned for her. Ill put my hand on her shoulder for any comfort that it might give.

[Chris Chandler]

Mary-Anne looks over the sheet and glances up.

What do you mean, "dreams", dear?

She looks intently interested in what Marie has to say -

Well... I, It's hard to describe.

She looks hard at you, her eyes glistening with nearly fallen tears, then turns back.

I've only remembered a few, but they always seem to come true. I don't know what it might have to do with finding my parents, except that...

she sighs -

The first dream I remember is of a plane sinking into the ocean, during the early morning - I remember because the sun was coming up. That's the day before I was taken into foster care be...

She starts crying -

Mary-Anne nods, frowning, sorry to see Marie cry.

That could help very much, dear. It might take a little research first, but I think we can narrow yours down quickly.

Marie is too busy crying on your shoulder.

[Vonapier]

"Its ok. Just let it out."

I try my best to comfort her.

[Chris Chandler]

(that needs to go to the OOC, man!)

[Chris Chandler]

The search (without the newer criteria) finally finishes, and she inputs the newer information for you, Ethan. She looks specifically concerned about the condition of Marie, frowning just a bit.

I'll see about Lithuanians and this... project, but I don't expect much from that.

[Vonapier]

"I'm sorry. Its all i was told and I've only known about it for a month tops. Ive never met them or don't remember them."

and were back to comforting Marie.

[Chris Chandler]

Mary-Anne starts an old dot matrix printer up, and starts a printout.

While this one is running -

She smiles at Marie -

We'll enter your new query in, Ethan -

She does so -

The printout goes on for a couple pages - not long at all. The computer is still thinking, in fact. She pulls it out.

Hmm - There's only about 30 entries here. That's really good. Here, take a look at this list, dear. Mark off any of the entries that are early in the morning, late in the afternoon, or at night. Only entries where the sun is shining should be considered, okay?

Okay, sure. That makes sense -

Marie is happy for the task.

[Vonapier]

I sit and try to think on what my parents would be like.

Gotta think here. What would my parents be like? Average male and female standards? Dad might weight 200 lbs, have dark hair and small reading glasses. He might be 6'1". Mom might be your average woman with brown hair down to her shoulder blades. Heh i can see them both wearing those ridiculous lab coats. I wonder if they dissected rats for experiments. I can see them trying to find ways to make that killer rat for other countries during times of war. Wonder what Lithuania looks like. How far away is Lithuania from here?.

I start to zone out.

[Chris Chandler]

Interesting -

Marie and Mary Ann allow you your musing. They are talking, clearly, going down the list, and making commentary.

Your muse really starts to ramble - Lithuania... It's like Russia, but not. It was, where - the Soviet Union? That's too big... smaller - It was near the sea. How do you know that? You smell the salt air, and you sea ships, ships of war - an enormous aircraft carrier with a sickle and hammer on the side, MiG jet fighters atop it. You see a man, shorter, but with those very reading glasse, and a a woman with your description, but like a china plate, beautiful and delicate. You look up to them, from so far away. You are tiny, warm, surrounded by blankets - You see a stormy sky behind your mother then it's gone -

Hey, sleepyhead - your query came out - let's take a look, shall we?

[Vonapier]

"....Almost" i whisper

"Lets take a look shall we?"

I take a look a the query to see what mess ive got to sort through.

[Chris Chandler]

Marie has narrowed her field down to three, and Mary-Ann brings you a sheet, containing 12 entries. Rather than have a detail of each (unless you want to go on up to 12 snipe hunts) let's see an IQ check. We'll go from there.

[Vonapier]

made by 4.

[Chris Chandler]

Between the two of you, you narrow the list down to 3 families, as well.

We'll take a look at all of these in turn, when I can actually think about it clearly.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay - so, Marie-Anne looks up and hands you the list.

Peraboeva, Vlad and Audra

Vinckus, Arturas and Diana

Kudzma , Mykolas and Salomeya

Each of these couples are the right range of age to have been your parents, each had at least one person (either husband or wife, or with the Peraboevas, both) who was a genetic researcher during the Soviet era, and each came to the US right about the time when you were entered into foster care.

[Vonapier]

"Well lets start with the Peraboeva's, they both were geneticists so its a start then we will move down the list from there. How would you suggest we find these couples? Or is that up to us?"

Now how am i gonna find out about these people other than to look online? I know i can just look online and pay some service to get the info on about where they live!

[Chris Chandler]

Mary-Anne replies.

Well, there are a few services that you can use, you may try and track down work records, immigration reports, or something similar. The only problem I foresee is that many times immigrant families, especially ones that are trying to leave their past behind, will adopt new "Americanized" names. I'm not saying that's the case here, but it's something to keep in mind.

[Vonapier]

"Well, with those in mind we still need to look for them. Or i do."

I am determined to meet my real parents and let Marie find hers.

[Chris Chandler]

So...

What's the plan? Head on, man.

[Vonapier]

Well, im gonna take these names and look online for anything that might find them.

"How would I go about them other than paying an online service with these names? Any suggestions?"

[Chris Chandler]

I've found that the best way to find out information is out of books. You might try a few of the halls of record - that is, places that keep records for immigration. California, for instance, gets a number of immigrants each year, but I would wager that few are from Eastern Europe.

((GM: I'd make the suggestion that you're letting folks help you out too much, and, as such, you aren't getting the help that you actually need. Try thinking about this problem a little bit more. Otherwise we're going to just be standing in lines, filling out forms, etc. Does that sound like exciting roleplay? Move past the mundane!))

[Vonapier]

"Ok thanks"

i start to get up and get ready to leave. Hopefully Marie will follow suit.

[Chris Chandler]

((We'll discuss stuff tomorrow))

[Chris Chandler]

((Seriously, let's discuss this Friday, okay?))

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, we keep not discussing this game on Fridays because we're having fun face to face. That's fine, but I need to know some things. Right now we're grinding with your storyline. What's the deal? Is Ethan stuck, or is there something else going on? I know we started off with this game like gangbusters, but it really just dwindled. So, tell me, what's going on?

[Vonapier]

Hmm. Not sure. Ill think about what is going on. I believe Ethan is stuck though.

Shit nvm i know what happened. I was leaving the library to go find the people that kidnapped ethan. I cannot belive i didnt post that. My fault. you told me to move past the mundane and i did sorta but i never posted it. my bad.

[Vonapier]

Well i can take Marie on a field trip to nowhere or i can find the people who kidnapped us and find out what they know. Plan B sounds better and i might get answers that that im looking for.

I leave the library and while were on the grounds and sorta away from anyone ill speak to Marie

"I don't think were getting anywhere with this. I think that those people who kidnapped us would have some answers. They obviously know us when we don't even know ourselves."

[Chris Chandler]

Where'd my answer go?!

I replied to this yesterday.

Lame. I'll work on it again.

*sigh*

[Chris Chandler]

You sound like you want to take the fight to them. Do you know something?

[Vonapier]

yea we did just lose this game. i dont know where the ball dropped on this one. We gotta sit down and talk this over because im at a loss what to do. and right now i cant think on this so id like to is talk to you about what happened. Ethan went from dating Marie to saving Marie to just finding his parents. Mundane to heroic and back to mundane. I just dont know what to do. :P

[Vonapier]

I look at Marie.
"If i can get a hold of them ill know everything i want to know from them."

[Chris Chandler]

Next game night, if you get in early, we can work on it, if you like.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, we get distracted by other things on Fridays. We'll do this here.

Okay, A, what do you want to do next? You think that the "search for the parents" is a distraction, and I can agree to an extent, and you'd also like to take the fight to those folks who kidnapped you two. You've got a name for your kidnapper, so how would you like to go about dealing with her?

[Vonapier]

Id love to but its finding how where and how to find her. Will she find me? I'm gonna go find some answers.

"Hey, you wanna go for a walk? We can just relax, spend time with one another."

They found us before, they will find us again i bet. If not we can at least look for her. Ill be keeping an eye out for her.

[Chris Chandler]

Marie nods and smiles.

Hey, you know. My summer term is almost up. I was just going to work this next semester - they didn't have the design class I wanted - so I won't have a class. What say we get out of Dodge, like head out to Redwood, or down to Tahoe, Maybe up to Oregon or Washington, even. What do you think?

[Vonapier]

"That would sound great. Lets let whit know about this. We don't want us to just disappear for 3 days again without letting anyone know."

I wink at her and smile. I hold her hand as we walk across to our dorms.

"How soon can we leave?"

[Chris Chandler]

Second term starts up in five days. I just have to finish up my project for the one class I'm taking now, and then I can go - there isn't a final. I can be ready tomorrow afternoon, if all goes well.

[Vonapier]

I start to think.

Katja. What hell kinda name is that? I'm gonna talk to whit about that. maybe do some checking. I'm going to find out what this is. Novastar, Katja, Novastar, Katja. Do i have anything to do with this? I'm gonna find out.

I instinctively start walking towards Whits place.

"Lets get our stuff ready." I smile at her.

[Chris Chandler]

Is there anything that you can thing of doing before we move forward?

[Vonapier]

Nope. Ive got nothing right now.....I'm guessing ill pack. This whole kidnapping thing will just eat away at me if i don't take a break. Lets enjoy that time with Marie.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, we'll finesse the next days' activities, then. Marie will be ready to go in the early afternoon the next day. She completes her project and sits through the Prof's review. She pulls an A- for the project, which irks her a bit, you can tell. She's ready to go, having packed last night, as well. Now then, her question still stands -

...like head out to Redwood, or down to Tahoe, Maybe up to Oregon or Washington, even. What do you think?

[Vonapier]

"I would like to see the big red woods. I hear its a sight to behold."

I smile and pick up her things to take them to the car then mine luggage.

"It will be nice to get away from all of the happenings and all. Lets go and give whit a see ya later farewell."

[Chris Chandler]

To Redwood it is. We can borrow Whit's camping supplies. I haven't been in almost a year. You'll love it.

You head over to Whit's dorm, and he has a few friends over - you recognize them all by now. He's happy to lend out his gear.

Anything you would like to do while you are here?

[Vonapier]

lol yea, ill let Whit know that we will be gone. im sure he has a cell phone so we will keep in contact. were not gonna have a repeat of us being kidnapped and not telling him.

NOW! lets get this trip rolling. I get supplies like bottled water and other flavored beverages. then were off!

[Chris Chandler]

Whit also loans out his car. The trip to Redwood doesn't take too long, really. It's relatively nearby, and you arrive just after lunchtime. Marie takes you to the visitor center, picks up a firewood permit and then heads back out.

The park is gorgeous, with tall Redwoods, the biggest trees you've ever seen, dotting the landscape. There are a lot of people here, but Marie pulls off into a gravel drive near the entrance of a walking trail. You shoulder your packs and head down to the Redwood Creek, where there are some small campsites allowed.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2395/1739420905_114903994d.jpg

You get to the creek in the late afternoon, with plenty of time to pitch the tent.

http://www.inetours.com/National_Parks/Muir_Woods_NM/images/Redwood_Creek_0125.jpg

[Vonapier]

Ill help pitch the tent and a prepare where a fire will be lit. Ill call whit and tell him we are at the campsite, tell him how good it looks and kinda rub it in :D.

"Wow, this place is amazing."

[Chris Chandler]

Yeah. I try to come up here when I can. It's really peaceful 'round here. Relaxing. You can let your mind go, y'know?

[Vonapier]

"Yea, we really need that with our recent ordeals and the college."

I smile at her and continue setting up camp.

"I like it here already."

[Chris Chandler]

You'll have a peaceful afternoon. The sky is clear and, near the stream, the air is cool. You both mill about camp until the sun goes down and you watch the stars for a bit.

Ethan, what was your mother like?

[Vonapier]

I Sit down beside her.

"i don't remember too much. I know that she had brown hair down to her shoulders. She was pretty....from what i can remember. It might not have even been her. I just don't really know. but that's the woman i remember being my mother..........What about your mother?"

I reach out for her hand.

[Chris Chandler]

I honestly have no memory of her. I was very young, not even a year old, when I was put up. Wh... what do you suppose causes that to happen - you know, to have to give up a child?

[Vonapier]

"I guess a number of things, parent is too young and is afraid that she wont be able to provide. Too poor. Or the worst, she may not want it and is against abortion. I disapprove of any such act towards any child. I would be crushed knowing that my child is out there and it would never know me. I could never do it. i would give my life up before i make a void in a child's heart that might not ever be filled again."

[Chris Chandler]

She sighs.

I agree. From what that librarian showed us, it looks like your parents might not even be in this country. It must have been something serious to give you up.

[Vonapier]

"It must have. I hope it was. it would hurt to find out that they didnt want me."

i look at the stars for a moment.

"....You know......it may sound crazy but you remember that mercenary chick who kidnapped us?"

[Chris Chandler]

No, I have no memory of two days back. Of course I remember her... Well, not counting the three days that we lost, it was two.

She smiles, but her joke going flat dampers it. She looks away.

Yeah, what are we going to do about that, Ethan?

[Vonapier]

"We already know that shes a merc and well what merc goes into a situation without knowing the consequences? She has to know something about us Marie."

[Chris Chandler]

Well, personally, I don't exactly know what motivates a merc any more than what I see in a James Bond flick. It's sounds preposterous, but I know, there it is. What I need to know is what we are going to do. I mean, I can shot a little .22 target pistol, but I really don't know how we can meaningfully protect ourselves against some international super-spy, you know?

[Vonapier]

"Well, if all else fails we will just get caught....again."

[Chris Chandler]

That gets a laugh out of her -

Oh, there we go. I think I saw that in a Rock and Bullwinkle! It's foolproof!

[Vonapier]

I chuckle.

"Yea. If only it were that easy. She wouldn't be friendly about it anyway. Were gonna need help with this Marie. I dont know who would help."

[Chris Chandler]

Yeah, but who? I don't know any spies.

[Vonapier]

"Neither do i. Whit might have something up his sleeve. you think he would?"

[Chris Chandler]

Whit? Are you serious? He's as clueless as we are - heck, probably moreso. That librarian, though, she certainly didn't even miss a beat when we asked her about our real parents. The library's at least a good resource.

You hear the crunch of heavy, padded footsteps along the gravel of the stream.

[Vonapier]

i pop up. I look to see whos there.

[Chris Chandler]

Who? No, see you mean what, right?

The female black bear is getting a drink. You see, too, that she's got two cubs - they are splashing in the water. She might tip 300 pounds, not terribly big as far as black bears go. She's not paying any attention to you right now.

[Vonapier]

I take maries hand and tell her NOT to make any noise. if those bears come closer to us we are outta here.

[Chris Chandler]

Marie gives you a quick glance and creeps up to the balls of her feet. You'll notice that she's almost in a sprinter's stance. She isn't making a sound.

[Vonapier]

i whisper to her

"if we run they might chase us. Lets try walking away quietly."

[Chris Chandler]

The bear sees you, and snorts in your direction, the lows to her cubs. They move behind her and start trotting away, a few feet at a time.

She's not taking her eyes off of you.

[Vonapier]

im not moving, ill hold marie right where shes at, not letting her move.

[Chris Chandler]

The cubs get to the other side of the the stream when you hear, low but clear -

See, I toldja she came dis way. C'mon man, she'll be worth 5 g's to Minny -

What 'bout dos cubs, mang?

Shit, just shoot 'em.

Marie looks at you, not with fear of the bear, but fear for the bear.

The voices are nearby, on your side of the creek, but you don't see anyone, well not yet, anyways.

[Vonapier]

I talk rather loudly

"I'd prefer if you didn't do that."

I start to look in the direction where they came from

[Chris Chandler]

There is a loud crack (from a boot on a branch) just about 20 feet to your right, and then silence.

You think that you might see something, a person's hair, perhaps, but you aren't sure.

[Vonapier]

Well, im gonna take my time looking. im not rushing anywhere. And im staying next to marie.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, let's see a perception roll.

[Vonapier]

ok i rolled a 10.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, you'll see one of the men, but not before he sees you. He's short and heavyset, with three days' beard growth, and looks much more at home in a city pizzeria rather than along this pastoral creek bed. He's carrying binoculars and the case for, it looks like, a rifle.

Hey you! Yeah, get outta here 'fore I kick your ass!

He starts stumbling through the brush.

You'll note that the bear and her cubs are moving quickly away since she's heard the tumult. You also hear the other man, though you don't see him.

Woulja shut up - who are you tal - what the hell, mang?

[Vonapier]

"Oh come on. I asked you to stop and you wanna kick my ass? Whats wrong with you? Get your head on straight."

im annoyed, and worried for Maries' sake

[Chris Chandler]

The man advances, and you see him reaching behind his back. You can hear the other man approaching, too.

The bears are out of sight, now, safely in the forest on the other side of the creek.

[Vonapier]

i stand my ground.

what can i use if this gets bad? what do i have?

i quickly think of what we would have that i could defend myself with.

i also pay attention to the man that is reaching behind his back. Im ALMOST ready to just charge him.

[Chris Chandler]

He's about 3 yards away now - too close for comfort. You have sticks and stones readily available. anything more appropriate is back in the tent (the woodcutting axe, for example).

You see Marie take a tentative step back, but you can tell from her body language that she is not going to run. She's about to duck down.

Okay - this is likely to get hairy, so give me an actual action, combat-wise. We'll go from there.

[Vonapier]

well i take a few steps back and start heading for the tent. Im getting the axe. I take it were right next to the tent.

"Get back to the tent."

I say to Marie.

[Chris Chandler]

You are close enough to the tent - a few yards away. Marie digs in her heels. You can tell she isn't going to run.

[Vonapier]

Im gonna hold my action. I want to know what hes gonna do.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay.

He steps and pulls a piece - he's pointing at you, gangster-style.

Alright, dumbass - you gonna get the hell outta here or am I gonna haveta kill you in front of your little girlfriend here?

Let me know your action, so that Marie can act, too.

[Vonapier]

I look a the tent. then back at him

"Sure, Ill just pack my stuff up and go. wont take but like 5 mins."

[Chris Chandler]

No, you little shit, get outta here now.

He levels the gun at your head. Marie moves, throwing the rock she'd hidden in her hand. It hits him square in the nose, and a fountain of blood erupts where his nose had been. She threw it hard.

The gun goes off, but discharges straight into the dirt, and the man drops it on the ground -

Hey, what the hell is goin' on, Mang - Mike you okay?!

You hear running in your direction. Mike is moaning, crying and coughing blood.

Ethan, I'm tired of running. Now man up already and pick up that pistol.

Marie picks up another rock. She's holding it like a softball pitcher ready to throw a killer riseball. She's waiting for whomever is about to come through the brush, one foot slightly behind her, knees bent just a bit.

[Vonapier]

i kick the guy in the balls and grab at the pistol.

[Chris Chandler]

You secure the firearm after kicking him. Marie shifts over just a little, a bit away from you - spreading out.

Alright now, what the he -

*Crack*

Marie lets fly with the rock, and it hits him on the jaw - this man, a tall, thin man, Hispanic with a ponytail, is holding a rifle in his hand - but he doesn't fall.

What do you do?

[Vonapier]

I point the gun at him.

"Put the rifle down, back away and get the hell out of here. Now!"

[Chris Chandler]

The man thinks about saying something, then doesn't. He doesn't put the rifle down immediately. When he sees that you aren't going to back down. He tosses it down with a swear.

Alright, mang, now what? You gonna shoot me, or you jus' gonna hang around here all week. I just come back, ese, and then I track you and you little punta down and kill you. Whatever.

He turns and walks away.

[Vonapier]

I glance at Marie. I start to aim at him.

[Chris Chandler]

She shakes her head "no", but lets fly with another rock. This one cracks the back of his skull. He doesn't even make a sound as he crumples to the ground. She pops her phone out and dials 911.

Yeah, Hi. I think my boyfriend and I just stopped some poachers. They're KO'd right now, but that won't be for long. We could really use some...

And she continues talking. You can tell that you are being watched, though, right now, you can't tell who or where.

[Vonapier]

i start to find some rope. I WANT to keep my ears open...yes this means that i wont be even paying attention to marie right now. i want to keep my eyes open and i want to start looking periodically in the woods and around me with my eyes so as kinda not to look like im looking out for someone. (for example, i stand up after picking something up and i would then just look for a second as i breath for a moment and scan the scenery for like 2-3 seconds and then move)

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, you'll have a bit of rope back in the tent (conveniently nearby), but you take your time about it. You don't see anything or anybody as you make your way to the tent and back, but you can't shake the feeling, either.

...anks. Yeah, right on the creek bed. Thank you, please hurry. Bye.

She closes her phone and looks over toward you -

Okay, rope! Good deal. Let's get these guys hogtied.

She smiles with a sense of accomplishment.

[Vonapier]

Ill talk to her after we get them tied up.

"Great job, Marie. Id be toast without ya."

[Chris Chandler]

Yeah you would. Softball practice paid off.

[Vonapier]

"So i guess we will stay here and wait for the police."

I pick up a bag of marshmallows

"We got lunch!" i say with a big grin.

[Chris Chandler]

It takes too long for the cops to arrive, but you... somehow understand intrinsically how to tie bonds that the two men have no chance of escaping.

I didn't know you were a boy scout... or a sailor or whatever. Nice job.

[Vonapier]

I look at what i did

It just happened again...

"..Thanks." I smile at her then look down at them.

[Chris Chandler]

Now then, are do you plan on staying or leaving?

[Vonapier]

ppshhh were here. lets stay.

"Do you mind staying here Marie? We came here to get away and thats what were gonna do. i dont see anything stopping us now."

[Chris Chandler]

Marie's smile breaks wide open -

Heck yeah! Let's get the fishing gear. The cops -

And there they are.

It takes longer than you like to detail the situation to the police, but they leave satisfied. The park ranger give you part appreciative speech part lecture about the dangers of the forest, but leaves you with a bit of swag - a nice boxed camp stove and some provisions, just in case you needed it. It's pretty nice, for camping equipment.

[Vonapier]

After the cops leave and we get our stuff and give my thanks. I then the look at marie with a huge smile, teeth showing.

"Lets go fishing!"

then i go off and start getting the fishing gear eagerly. I start to name off the gear as im getting it ready.

"Poles..check. Tackle check..check..check. some we wont use....check. we wanna go fly fishin?"

[Chris Chandler]

Yah, of course.

You head out into the creek and set up, about 40 yards away from each other, you right along the central shoal, and Marie farther downstream, in slightly deeper water, though it's still barely knee high (thank goodness for waders!).

So, fishing, eh? Give me a plan of attack.

[Vonapier]

well first off ill start on the side of the river and kinda do the "getting my feet wet thing" since i have khaki shorts on. ill soon start to move closer to Maire. Ill just move slowly over to where she is fishing and then splash some water on her with that "i didnt do it smile" and look away.

[Chris Chandler]

She'll pop you once with her fly pole and gives you a shush, but with a smile. You can tell, though, that she does want to fish.

Let's get an PER check (that is, of course, unless you have fishing).

[Vonapier]

rolled an 8!!! :D sooooooooo...made by 2.

I am now seriously trying to fish lol. Tongue pokin out of the side of my mouth and furrowing my brow as im fishing.

[Chris Chandler]

This is Rainbow Trout country, and they get fairly big here. You'll manage to catch two over two pounds. Marie catches her limit (5) in the time you catch your pair. You'll have a nice feast plus some. When you get back to the camp, you'll see Marie had planned for this - she pulls out some salt and Ziploc bags and shows you how to fillet. Actually, once she's close enough to you, you are able to clean the fish without instruction.

[Vonapier]

:) fishy fishy fishy. Do i still feel like im being watched?

[Chris Chandler]

No, you're good.

So, what else do you have planned for the weekend? The fish is yummy and it's unlikely you'll be hassled now.

[Vonapier]

Sure sure lol, it still sits heavy on my mind.

I had planned on hiking, swimming...maybe some skinny dipping. bow a-chicka wow wow. then smores, what camp is it with out smores?

And i plan to get to know marie ALOT better. but ill get into that later. like when we are hiking.

SO as we are eating our yummy fish.

"Hey, so what else would you like to do? I had some swimming in mind. Did you pack your swim suit? If you did then good. If you didn't...then good."

I laugh.

[Chris Chandler]

Hmm... Swimming. Well, the shoals are a bit shallow for that, but it's wider a bit upstream. That sounds fun!

She heads into the tent -

No peeking mister, or I'll hogtie you and leave you for the bears!

[Vonapier]

"PPSHH!! i might! That sounds kinky! haha. you better be quick or i might have to come in there and check up on you!"

i laugh.

as soon as shes in the tent ill watch around. Having that feeling of being looked at earlier freaked me out.

[Chris Chandler]

It should, but it will be unwarranted this time. You are not to be pestered for the duration of the weekend.

Ah, young love...

((Give yourself 5 character points for this leg of the journey. You've made some important discoveries, identified some potential allies, made an enemy, an managed to successfully capture - without killing - dangerous lawbreakers. Yay!))

[Chris Chandler]

I think we need to have a few "sessions before sessions" where we run some S P A C E prior to the D&D game, all three of the new threads. What do you think?

[Vonapier]

id love that. besides i can get some game time in before i totally pass out from narcolepsy.

[Vonapier]

ok plans for Ethan.

I would like to spend time with Marie. Shes been my partner in crime so far and well i think i might want to share what i can do. I MIGHT.

But first when we get back home im gonna search up if there is anyone else like me. If anyone else can do what i do. Ill start online then work myway to the library...cuz ya know...books and all.....bookreading causes eye cancer and we cant have any of that.... :).

Im gonna try to find ways to tell marie about what i can do...but i need to find out what it is that i do. grr.

[Vonapier]

We already know that there isnt almost a lick of anything about Supernova online. What about science faculties in and around Lithuania? We can search up records of people going in and out of that region? There has to be some evidence of it somewhere......Maybe not online.

Why not just start looking there? In Lithuania? If there was any evidence of it, it would be there. Who would risk sensitive documents by putting them online? if someone wanted to know they would hack into it and find out about it.

Yea i think its about time to take matters into my own hands. I think ill take a visit to Lithuania. Ill tell Marie about it and if she doesnt want to go then tough. Im going either way.

[Chris Chandler]

So, you want to head to Lithuania, or to Boston?

[Vonapier]

Well id like to visit Boston...cheaper and it has more significance due to the fact that we both grew up there. This could strike something interesting. I also want to find out what Marie's nickname is all about. And what organization is Supernova, if it even exists.

Also. Seeing as how my legal resources are used up or extremely long to get a result if any at all...ill try illegal means of searching. Supernova has to be out there and im gonna freakin find it.

(i have the computer hacking skill and im gonna put that to use by searching online about Supernova. I'm expecting scientific facilities or bases of an unknown location or maybe even perhaps.......Wait a minute....i got kidnapped and taken to a school...Id like to search the school first before i do anything at all.

I'm not gonna tell whit but ill tell Marie.

[Chris Chandler]

Marie's on board with the adventure, but where to start if you want to look for that school. Do you remember where you were?

[Vonapier]

hmm. IF we took a reverse trip from daly city then maybe we can retrace our steps? its worth a shot. All i remember is that stupid realty sign by Williamson Realty trying to sell that crappy office building.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, well, that's a start. You can get to Daly City in a few hours from the state park and then head south. Let's see an intelligence check to see if you can find your way around.

[Vonapier]

Well! My intelligence. Well seeing as how i rolled a 12 and i totally forgot my intelligence. I guess i made it by . :D I think ethan is on your pc unless you wiped it.

[Chris Chandler]

Fair enough - You get to the general area just before nightfall and find the school by about 9:30 PM. It is pitch black in the interior.

[Vonapier]

ok. Lets try the window we smashed out of? of not then ill just find an entrance as concealed as i can find and break in.

[Chris Chandler]

It is, indeed, still smashed out - the glass has not even been cleaned up. You and Marie are able to get into the building without issue. Now then, where are you headed?

[Vonapier]

im basically going to try to retrace my steps back to he pool room and investigate. Ill have marie near me at all times to help listen and watch. I dont know what im lookin for but im sure its not gonna be...schoolish. Once im finished with searching the pool room ill start lookin in the whole school. Thats my plan for now so lets see what i find.

[Chris Chandler]

You head through the whole area back to where the pool is. Marie thinks to bring a flashlight and you make decent time. The whole place has been cleaned out. There is some evidence of recent activity - footsteps in the dust, but no holding pen, or anything else readily apparent to belie your stay here.

[Vonapier]

Hmm.

"Marie, ill be honest, im trying to chase people that i don't know in area's im not familiar with. I think we should try elsewhere. What do you think about Boston? Hell Lithuania. Anywhere but here i guess. What do you think? " I talk to her as i randomly pick up objects and toss them aside throughout the room.

[Chris Chandler]

Marie laughs at that.

You're so lost, Ethan. Hell, we both are. Yeah, we've got time. Let's go to Boston. I bet I can work a few favors to get some cheap tickets, too. You wanna get out of here?

[Vonapier]

"Yea, lets go"

I smile at her and grab her hand and make way to the smashed window we entered from.

[Chris Chandler]

You leave the location and head back to SFSU. It's the dead of night now so you both crash at Whit's. Come morning it'll be time to get ready to go.

So, what is your plan once you arrive in Boston?

[Vonapier]

Well, lets see. We both grew up there sorta kinda and id like to visit where she grew up in relation to where i grew up.

BUT FIRST, parents! gotta see them and reintroduce Marie to the parents formally...if she does not mind.

[Chris Chandler]

Sure. You can stop over in Vegas. What's the plan?

[Vonapier]

Well, im just thinking that i can have a nice dinner with my family and her. a normal night.

Then lets go see where she lived. if anyone is still there that she knows then we can find out about supernova. Someone has gotta find out about supernova.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, well you set up the trip to Vegas and catch a flight. SF to Vegas is a really short trip, barely an hour by plane, but you aren't going to get there in an hour.

You hear a gunshot in the front of the plane, a few people scream, and you see a large man stand in the entrance to the coach section.

Okay, only a few of you will get hurt if you stay still and shut the hell up. We're not goin' to Vegas. We're goin' to ol' Mexico, and we're goin' t'have fun doing it, got it?

He's a good bit over 6 foot tall, built like a tank and has a rather large pistol (a desert eagle) in his right hand. He's wearing a white t-shirt, dirty jeans and combat boots. You can see dog tags over his shirt, as well. You can hear a woman's voice in the background, and he responds -

Yeah, South southeast then take 'er over Baja.

He smiles and looks over the crowd -

No trouble or people will die big messy death. No warnings past this - got it? Good.

[Vonapier]

I at Marie and back at the "tank"

i say in a low tow "Marie, im beginning to think im bad luck."

my mind is racing 10239813902 miles a minute. Ill sit back and watch him. Ill follow rules. I dont have to be a hero. What if he shoots a ton of people? We might not make it off the plane if it takes off....What do i do? crap.

[Chris Chandler]

One thing to note is that you are already in the air.

Marie looks at you, too and nods in agreement. There is no humor to her face.

We need to find a way out of this. Any ideas?

[Vonapier]

"Well, the problem is him. take him out of the picture and were golden. how would a person take out rambo in raggy combat uniform with a desert eagle?" i sit back and look at the armed gun man, just watching him.

[Chris Chandler]

Distraction. If we can somehow get into the cockpit, we'd be okay. Those things are like bunkers.

[Vonapier]

"Ok i dont mind us being in the cockpit but what about the rest of the people?"

[Chris Chandler]

We'll do what we can - so... What distraction, hmm?

[Vonapier]

"Well, we cant do the "i gotta pee" thing cuz he might just tell us to can it. He also is a big guy and we cant really hope to bring him down with out a great deal of luck. So lets start being realistic and see what we have going for us. A big guy taking over a plane with..i think just a hand cannon."

I think. What do we have around the cab?

[Chris Chandler]

There's plenty of luggage - carry-ons and purses - nothing big, and you know that the new flying rules mean that there isn't much in the way of containers of liquid. Most of the carry-on luggage is secured above you right now, though. It would be very difficult to get into one of those compartments.

[Vonapier]

Hmmm.. what about a first aid kit? I look back in the back. hmmm what if i had to use the restroom?

Where is the hijacker?

[Chris Chandler]

The man notices you -

Alright...

He starts moving through the cabin toward your seat.

[Vonapier]

I keep lookin towards the back and back at him. Ive done nothing wrong by the rules of the hijacker ;)

[Chris Chandler]

((You didn't stay still ;)))

He walks over and puts a hand on your shoulder.

Marie looks like a cornered dog - you aren't sure what she is going to do.

[Vonapier]

I look at him. Oh ya im fearful.

"Look man, i've just gotta use the restroom."

ill kinda shift my leg a bit to kinda pinch the bladder so it looks like im holding it.

[Chris Chandler]

Okay -

He smiles then sets out for a K.O. uppercut. He doesn't telegraph it, and you're sitting, so it will be hard to avoid.

[Vonapier]

shiiiiit. I rolled a 7. dunno if thats a dodge for ethan. he is on your pc.

IF i did dodge i will kick him in his balls full force and try to go for his gun. Im going to waste him. I dont care. this is a terrorist. Im sick of them. I had my fill during 9/11.

[Chris Chandler]

Your teeth clatter together numbly. He hit you so hard you aren't really sure that your mind registered the pain. You can only see three of him now, and you lash out, aiming for his balls.

You hit something, but you cannot tell if you connected to where you wanted, and you can't see Marie now, either. You vaguely see the shape that is likely the man's gun. As you lurch for it, the man swings at you again.

This time you feel it, as your temple erupts in tremendous pain. You can barely even move, but attempt reaching for the gun. You feel something cold in your left hand, but you can't tell what it is.

Now what?

[Vonapier]

well...its either a nice cold drink. or a nice ice pack...naa. Its the gun i was after. Ill jerk, pull, twist, get it away from him.

"Some help would be nice people. its just one guy."

i plead to the people around me.

[Chris Chandler]

You aren't sure that what you end up speaking is actually English, but your twisting pays off. The metal thing is now firmly in your hand. Unfortunately, the man's fist is in your nose. You hear a crunch, and you feel warm. Vaguely you hear a female voice shout something, but you aren't sure what, or from where. You cannot see out of your right eye.

[Vonapier]

If its the gun then i unload the clip at him holding it TIGHTLY. if it isnt the gun then i just throw the metal piece back behind me and go fetal position lol. Im no bruiser.

[Chris Chandler]

You don't know - you are all sorts of messed up. The most you can pull off right now is to use it as a bludgeon, unless you want to make a concerted effort to find a trigger. If you do want to, then give me a Will check.

[Vonapier]

hell yea. rolled a 10. Lets find that trigger! ALSO, lets see if anyone helps me.

"I COULD USE HELP HERE, TAKE HIM OUT!"

[Chris Chandler]

Again, you aren't even sure you are speaking, but your mind is focusing on finding the trigger on this cold object you think is a gun. You find a small level and pull it. You can't hear anything. Your arm jerks wide and you have the vague sensation of falling, though you don't know where you are going to land, since you're just drifting... in... space...

You are about to pass out.

[Vonapier]

And with that i just relax my movements, just let it happen. There is no help. Nobody cares. Everyone was too afraid. All i can do now is experience a whole new light. Im on my own. Me vs. the world.

Help.

I think as i just let myself pass out

[Vonapier]

I wake up and the plane has over come the hijacker, Dogtags, and his female cohort as they were forced off the plane via the emergency escape door. Several of the passengers, including Marie, were beat up and bloody. Marie's knuckles were bloody from excessive use.

Non the less, i get up and look at my surroudings. Nobody is up and the hatch is STILL open as the plane has been depressurized. Ethan see's a man trying to scoot towards the hatch but i command him to yield and secure himself to safety.

After a quick and rational decision, Ethan then rallys the troops....er, passengers...to use a line of clothing from the male gender to be tied together to form a tether of sorts. This tether would be tied to the second heaviest person and the first heaviest person would act as an anchor. The second person, while being held via the anchor, would grab hold and pull the emergency hatch closed.

Afterwards, Ethan and Marie would find that the pilots had been shot. We have them removed and put in the back near the restrooms. We sit down and try to find a manual for any contingency of this magnitude until Ethan get an epiphany. He has something weird happening to him, he can use some sort of ability to understand somethings easily via osmosis?. So he goes to the pilots and tries to draw forth knowledge from the dead pilots and amazingly enough starts to understand what things do but also, to find one pilot HAS SURVIVED! Ethan quickly asks for a doctor and has him treated appropriately.

Meanwhile, Ethan rushes up to the cockpit and uses his new found knowledge to pilot the plane to his destination, Las Vegas. Eventually we reach our destination and hail Tower Control. We get a successful response and then we are helped through the landing process by Tower Control. After a stressfull landing, the plane comes to a stop and the passengers cheer. Ethan gets that "your so hot right now" look from Marie from saving 24 people...excluding the dead pilots?....from a horrible plane crash and hijacking.

We all get hospitalized at the nearest hospital, but not after Ethan draws a picture of Dogtags. Ethan is mostly healed within 3 days and is sent home to his mom and dad's. We spend a day with one another to let everyone know that were safe and sound. I talk to dad and Marie about what happened. (dont remember/wasnt clear on what happened about what marie and dad though about my.....ability?)

We decide that we still need to find out about our real parents so we get a ticket to Boston and we set off on our unquenching thirst for the knowledge of our parents. Marie and Ethan get in Boston and have a hotel room already planned out. We get to the room and then decide that its time for that hot moment for both of us to get dirty...then get cleaned up.


(there we go, that ought about do it eh?)

[Chris Chandler]

((I think that's appropriate.))

Okay, so you are in Boston. Now then, where are you headed? You don't have too much in the way of leads.

[Vonapier]

Well, Marie and I will both have to collect out thoughts. I mean she was from here. And as i recall so was i. We should focus on her and see if we can discover the where abouts of her parents are. They might have an idea on what is happening. And why was/is she a target for this mercenary group?

My idea would be for her to remember anything she could about a street when she was younger? buildings? names? maybe a town? Anything.

[Chris Chandler]

Both you and Marie were young when you lived in Boston. You, for certain, were an infant. Marie was just a kid when she left, but there is some hope. Until then, though, you head to the Market at Fanuel Hall, a very popular locale for tourists and locals alike. You have all sorts of vendors, shops, and eateries, all indoors but with an open-air feel to them.

What would you like to do?

[Vonapier]

I think marie and i would like some comforting foods and to hang out. I could use some new apparel. Then she and i can go shopping for nothing at all just to spend time together. This will ease our minds from the stressful encounter we had.

[Chris Chandler]

That won't be a problem. The two of you can blow off some steam. Consider taking a few days to just be tourists.

Mid week will find the two of you relaxed, refreshed and re-focused. Now then, where would you like to start?

[Vonapier]

hometown, go the the house she lived in. Im sure we can find a record of a place where someone once lived. We need to find her mom.

"Do you know your biological mothers first and last name? We can look at my parents as well while were at it."

[Chris Chandler]

No, I've not ever really met her. Mom let me know about the adoption, but didn't know the details herself. She didn't want to know.

[Vonapier]

Well lets see, Where did i used to live? Would i remember? A block? a street name?

[Chris Chandler]

No, not really. You weren't any older than a toddler, and Marie wasn't much older than that.

[Vonapier]

As we hang out and enjoy this moment of respite from our ordeal, (i think i used that sentence and its words correctly...?) ill be thinking on WHY we are here and HOW we came be here. I dont want to lose who i was from what is happening now.

"Ok, so im looking for my biological parents who are loosely tied to this company called Novastar. Novastar is/might be responsible for the weird happenings that are around me and what i can do. My parents used to live here...but are they alive? Are they even here? Lithuanian scientists seem pretty far fetched....but this whole situation is despite the fact that it is real."

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, so you know basically what you need to do. Let's fast forward some things, such as the research and basically finding where your parents live, or lived, whatever the case may be. And you know the only way to do that is with...

A MONTAGE!!!

[Vonapier]

a montage? As in piece together all the information?

[Chris Chandler]

As in

A MONTAGE!!! (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FIi0vFyqWAc)

[Vonapier]

lol my god. i should have seen that coming haha. damn team america.

[Chris Chandler]

Neeways, let's say you are able to find the information from the hall of records and you discover that they are still in the Boston area, just out of town in Cape Cod.

[Vonapier]

Then we head off to Cape cod. I want to see them personally. Ive got not loving reunion but also a ton of questions for them. I will find out what is up with Marie and Myself. so OFF to ze house o parents!

[Chris Chandler]

Okay, you'll pass the Cape Cod potato chip company along the way, so the whole ordeal has the backdrop of cooking peanut oil. The house is a pretty pale blue and white two-story affair with a manicured lawn, rosegarden, and a pear tree guarded by a gnome. The driveway has two vehicles, an older Range Rover and a weathered BMW.

You got up and knock on the door. After a moment you hear footsteps and you hear a young man's voice through the door. The accent has the Boston touch to it, but it is very similar in depth and tone to your own.

Hello - Who's there?

[Vonapier]

*clears throat* many thoughts rush to my head. what to say, how to act.

"Um..yes, i am an Ethan Young and i have come to find that i might know someone here. Someone important."

I look to Marie then await my response.

[Chris Chandler]

There is a short pause.

I... I don't think I know any Ethan. Let me get my dad. Hang on.

There's a long pause, over a minute, and you can hear two sets of footfalls, and the door opens.

You see two people, one about 11, and the other about 45, who both look very much like you. Marie covers her mouth, and the boy looks to his father with a look of shock. The man looks past you into the street, as if looking for someone, then directly at you and smiles, the sort of smile that is more of resignation than of happiness, but then he blinks. He sighs and puts out a hand.

It's been a long time, Ethan. Why don't you and your friend come on in? Suppose there's lots to discuss.

Marie smiles, but is otherwise quiet, as you head into the house. There is a front room immediately off the main hall, but it is empty. The man continues down the hall and opens a door to his right, which seems to lead downstairs. The soft glow of low wattage bulbs illuminates the stairwell. He turns to the boy.

Would you ask Mom to come downstairs to the study. Tell her whatever you want. That's a good boy.

The boy frowns, but heads off through the kitchen and upstairs. The man starts walking down the steps into the basement calling out -

More chairs down here, and besides, this is where all the records are. C'mon.

[Vonapier]

I follow the man. I look at Marie confused.

Must be my brother......? i think to myself.

[Chris Chandler]

The three of you head downstairs and into a finished basement office, with dimmed track lighting a bookshelf lined wall, two leather couches, a few chairs, an enormous desk with a computer, and what looks like a drafting table, complete with a tackle box of drafting tools. The man walks over to one of the chairs, and bids you sit on the couch.

In just a few minutes the boy comes downstairs and takes a set on the other couch, and then a woman, perhaps 40, with pale skin and long dark hair in a braid, enters the room. She has a very "Russian" look to her, with high cheekbones and wide-set eyes. She is quite pretty, and you can see that you also favor her, to an extent - you have her eyes. She sits with the boy on the other couch, and has trouble looking in your direction.

The man speaks -

So, questions, I suppose. What do you want to -

With a gasp, the woman stands and runs over to you, and hugs you, tightly. She still says nothing, just holds you.

[Vonapier]

Pain. Emotional pain. Its there and i am whole at this moment and i have no idea how to react. I just hold her tightly getting teary eye while holding a blank face.

"It wasn't easy you know" i whisper in her ear. "and it still isn't."

A tear will escape my eye but i make not a sound other than the words uttered.

I look at the man who i believe to be my father.

I dont care if this is not real, or im a subject of his, if they are posing to be parents of mine to give me what i want or if this is real. All i know is, in this moment, i am happy. The happiest ill probably ever be at this moment. And all i can do is wish that this was Marie's family so she can be this happy.

I hold her close, close my eyes, and smell so i can start to get know her on some level. Anything to become familiar with this moment. After her embrace is broken ill grab for Marie's hand.

[Chris Chandler]

The man speaks up first.

Well, first off, your adoptive parents should have told you that we had died, to keep any connection with us away from you. It isn't that we didn't want to keep you, don't... care for you. Nothing like that. You were talented, and the Cупернова would not have allowed you to live the life of a normal person. They would have taken you and treated you like a laboratory animal. You would have been a prisoner.

He stops for a moment, and your mother speaks up. The young man sitting next to her is silent, as if in a daze.

My name is Grazyna Litvinov, Dr. Grazyna Litvinov, and my husband, your father, is Dr. Adomas Litvinov. I am a chemist, and your father is a bioengineer. We worked for the Cупернова when we had just finished our graduate work, during the Cold War. It was not until we were ready to have a family and Glasnost crumbled the Soviet Union that we tried to move to Belgium. The director of the Cупернова said that our tenure was permanent, and we had to flee for our lives, and had to have our child in secret and...

She stops, crying. Your father continues -

We set you up with a Russian Orthodox adoption agency, and they found an excellent family for you. I... think that you would agree that those who you consider your parents were quite excellent in that capacity, no?

He continues -

We did so because you matched the markers for the program. You are talented, yes? You have an unusual talent that... you cannot explain?