Gavin

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Well I was watching The Next Generation pilot "Encounter at Farpoint", which I got for Christmas when the New Year came about. In actual fact I can recall the exact part of the episode I was watching when the clock struck midnight, a turn of phrase in reality as I have a digital clock above my TV which does not strike anything. In fact the whole Christmas/New Year season hasn't really felt like itself for me this year, it just seemed like any other normal fortnight with the exception of presents and a substantial amount of junk food. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. In all honesty I believe there are two only segments of society who should have access to firearms, the armed forces, and the special branches of the police force. Aside from those two group, if they can do their jobs properly that is, I don't think anyone else needs a gun, but of course my definition of need might be different to someone else's. My father owns a shotgun, he uses it solely for hunting, is a member of a hunting club which requires a background check and has to acquire a new licence for the shotgun every year from the Gardaí, the Irish police service. Irish people over eighteen have the right to own a hunting rifle or a shotgun and that's it, no pistols, no machine guns, no assault rifles. And I'll tell you right now, I feel a hell of a lot safer knowing that only those who are trained to use such weapons have access to them under the law. Sure the criminal elements of society will have access to firearms, it happens in every country, but allowing your own citizens to arms themselves like a militia is not necessary if you have a competent police service. For those people who come from a country that won it's freedom through armed insurrection, I'd like to point out that the Irish were fighting the British in such struggles long before, and after you guys were founded and we don't feel the need to keep our "arms". I don't begrudge people who want guns to have them, I just don't understand their reasons for needing them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I have but three words: [B]I knew it[/B]. My sister was addicted to Teletubbies when she was growing up and I always found something very creepy about those four aliens and their surreal little environment, and now we have the proof. OK, being serious now, in all honesty I have no idea whether or not this controversy is true, but I did honestly find those four to be very, very alarming. When you actually look at the "facts" provided however it does make you wonder whether or not there was some kind of ulterior motive for it's production. I suppose we ought to be glad the children still have the far less disturbing Barney the Dinosaur to entertain them. [/SIZE]

[quote name='James][font=franklin gothic medium']I'd certainly be in favor of an optional filter, if that can be easily applied. [/font][/quote] [SIZE=1]Well if such a filter could be implemented it would seem solve the debate, those that want the swear words can have them and those that don't can just look at the pretty little astrices. Hopefully of course the filter will be used responsibly and the moderators will continue to edit the odd very obscene post that pops up. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1][B]Name:[/B] Wilhelm ?Helmet? Hasburg [B]Role:[/B] The Inventor [B]Appearance:[/B] Grime, oil stains and safety goggles, ask people to think of three things they?d associate with Helmet?s appearance and that?s the list they?ll give you back. While Wilhelm and Took stand roughly the same height, the layers of grime and years of lab work would seem to have made him look somewhat shorter. Of course Helmet isn't really bothered by this, it's simply part of territory and besides Took is the one the ladies are interested in, while Wilhelm makes sure the pair get home safely. His black hair is mass of greasy waves, often awkwardly brushed over his ears and out of his eyes, the colour of which, a dark blue by the way, can be seen only if he removes his goggles. His sense of dress is little better, he's the inventor, not a the rugged pretty-boy like August, his lab coat looks as if it hasn?t been washed in years, despite the fact it?s washed on a weekly basis but unfortunately dirt has no sense of time or keeping up appearances. Took is forever telling Wilhelm that if he wants to get a woman, he need to dress the part, to which Helmet often replies something about being their tech expert, and then under his breath makes a disparaging remark about Took?s mother. Underneath the coatings of dirt, scientist paraphernalia and anti-beings-of-numinous-origins weapons, Helmet isn't actually a bad looking fellow, his body was what you'd call chiselled at one time, but he seems to have let go in his training regime, still so very few women are ever interested in Helmet he?s concentrated more on his work than himself. Before meeting up with Took in England, Wilhelm himself was a solo hunter of being-of-numinous-origins relying on a mixture of brute strength and his technical expertise. Unfortunately a run-in with a den of werewolves in France went real bad, real fast for him leaving him with more than two dozen scars across his torso, legs and arms. Of course very few people have seen his scars, and assume the genial tech expert leaves all the fighting to Took, August himself has seen them but the pair have never spoken about them for a very obvious reason, 98% of those scratched or bitten by werewolves die, the other 2% become werewolves themselves and Helmet doesn?t seem to fit in either territory. In terms of weaponry, Helmet is a man of many talents, August is the better shot, but Wilhelm is a mean man with a blade and is forever trying to give Took lessons to keep him alive longer. [B]Being:[/B] Helmet and Took, the pair are a household name in the witch hunting business, the go-to guys when your neighbours start taking in black cats and mumbling over bubbling cauldrons. But of course the pairing wasn?t always so, and just as some strange twist of fate brought August into the witch-hunting business, Helmet has a mildly interesting story as to why he does what he does. Nearly forty years ago, Wilhelm Hasburg was born in the German city of Munich, his parents were very ordinary folk, his father Heinrich was the owner of Heinrich Hasburg & Sons steel mill with Helmet?s grandfather Heinrich Snr. His mother Helga was a local school-mistress and wasted no time in convincing her husband and father-in-law that their young child was a baby genius, whether or not this was simply a mother having great expectations for her child or some accurate forecast of the future is unknown. Regardless by age nine-months, when most infants are mastering such verbal challenges as ?Mama? and ?Dada?, Helmet was capable of conversing with his father as to what he wanted for dinner or when he required the use of a bathroom. One would expect that this kind of unbelievable intelligence would open more doors to Wilhelm than they would close, but sadly a lack of human contact outside his mother, father and grandfather would cause Wilhelm to all but hate his genius. Maybe it was that he was often much younger than his peers, and so couldn?t form friendships, maybe it was the perceived pressure of being a genius. Whatever it was Helmet begun to become very insular, and by age fourteen when he had finished his secondary education, he has lost all interest in anything but reading. Helmet would shut himself in his room for days at a time, just reading, regardless of the language as he spoke for than three dozen fluently. Helmet?s bubble burst however when the mill began to fail financially, his grandfather was devastated and took to both the bottle and the bed, before long Wilhelm said goodbye to his grandfather for the last time. His father became obsessed with trying to save the mill, his father?s legacy and would pester his son for hours upon end for ways that it might be saved. Helmet loved his father, but the mill simply couldn?t content with cheaper imported steel from the Orient and despite his father?s tears Wilhelm informed his father that nothing could be done. Helmet was sixteen when the mine finally closed, his father had aged a decade physically in less than eighteen months and much as he tried to find some other niche in life to fulfil he just couldn?t seem to find anything that made him happy. Maybe it was fate, maybe it was misfortune, who knows, but on his way to Berlin for a job application, both Heinrich and Helga were the victims of an ?animal-attack?. Of course animal attack was the word used by those who simply hadn?t the stomach to properly describe the scene, it was a massacre, and every sign pointed toward a creature that wasn?t supposed to exist, or at least that people didn?t want to believe existed... a werewolf. They there?s a fine line between genius and insanity, and perhaps Helmet crossed that line when he had to identify his parent?s bodies, with his mastery of chemistry, metallurgy and half a dozen other subject that would be of use to him, Wilhelm started his hunt. Most people he spoke to either didn?t believe in werewolves or just didn?t want to believe in them, and he knew that werewolves like normal wolves moved in packs and often moved over great distances in very short spaces of time. Still Helmet wasn?t going to be denied his vengeance and managed to track and corner the pack in Hungary, some of the werewolves he killed in their human form, others he killed as they were naturally, but all of them he butchered, butchered them worse than they did his parents. Once he was finished however, Helmet found he had no taste for vengeance, no taste for gore and felt ashamed by becoming much worse than the animals he had hunted. However there were those who hailed him as a savoir, a protector from the dark creatures of the Fell, and quickly Wilhelm Hasburg developed a reputation for being the best in the business for killing werewolves. Five years later at age twenty-two while hunting a pack on the outskirts of Paris, Helmet made one mistake and it nearly got him killed, the pack obviously knew that Helmet was hunting them, knew his methods, knew his strategies and planned ahead for them. A usual den has only six to eight wolves, too many mean to little food and eventually they?ll kill one another to try and survive, that is of course unless you?re expecting between six and eight casualties when a hunter calls upon your home. Needless to say even someone with Helmet?s intelligence can be fooled, and by the time he?d realised his mistake he was already lying in a bloodied heap on the floor. The wolves themselves died before they could make sure the job was done, but either Helmet died, or he turned so either way they won. Finding himself in the situation he did, Wilhelm Hasburg, the most expert wolf killer in the business could only laugh, they?d got him and got him good, and there?s was absolutely nothing he could do about it. Karma is a strange concept, and Helmet doesn?t really believe in it, but maybe, just maybe that all the bad in his life up until that point meant that the universe owed him, and owed him big. Still Helmet doesn?t believe in fate but chance, anything that happens could have happened a million different ways but didn?t. Finding himself bleeding to death in an abandoned barn with no way out in sight, you can imagine his relief when a young woman came upon him, an a very beautiful young woman at that. She was strikingly elegant looking, like the master piece of a great Renaissance artist or sculptor, but she dragged him out of that barn and into a near by house. The very beautiful maiden then proceeded to dress all of Helmet wounds as he lay in a half stupor and provide him with some new clothing. By the time he was fully awake again, Helmet knew he was going to change, he had less than a week. While scouting around the house, Helmet came across a very interesting little find, or rather a lot of very interesting little finds, about two hundred of them to be precise. Stacked away in a fridge in the basement were dozens of blood-packs, all of them were A-, which just happened to be Helmet?s blood type. Realisation dawned fairly quickly on Wilhelm, the beautiful woman was a vampire, and if he didn?t think fast, he was dinner. Let it never be said that vampires are a very old fashioned creature, true they are nearly immortal, but when it comes to technological advances, they like to keep themselves well stocked. For along with having over two hundred litres of blood in a fridge in the basement, his keeper had a very odd looking machine in an adjacent room, and for Wilhelm it provided him with a very, very unique opportunity. The saliva of a werewolf is what transmits the virus the causes the change, it moved through the bloodstream slowly, changing organs, tissue, whatever it needs to complete the transformation from man to beast. But the machine Helmet had come across would appear to be the latest endeavour of the vampires to as much sustenance out of their victims, it was a machine to suck a person's entire blood stream out of them. Quickly removing several dozen blood packs from the fridge, Wilhelm sent them up around the machine, in theory, if he could remove all the offending saliva from his system, then the change would cease. But to do so, he would have to drain his entire blood supply and refill it, the latter of course had to be done very quickly as to avoid death. A quick set of alterations to the machine and Helmet Hasburg activated the machine, within 1 millisecond of completely draining his system, the machine would replenish his body with the blood from the packs, he just hoped it would work. Quietly, and for the first time in many years, Wilhelm said a prayer to ask for success. Of course since Helmet is still around the process was a success, re-sanguination as he would later call it in a mental note ridded his system entirely of the werewolf virus and the job done healing his wounds by the vampire maiden would prevent all his new blood from leaking out. Maybe he should have stuck to finish the vampire, he Helmet felt he owed her a debt and moved on from Paris as soon as he was strong enough to. In London a few years later he met up with one August Took, drunk and nearly destitute. Taking the young man under his shoulder, Helmet became the tech expert of the two, leaving the killing to be done mostly by Took who of course gets all the credit, still it was Helmet?s decision to become the inventor and maybe now after all these years his genius has finally been put to good use. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. I think Shinji's first line sums up most of my thoughts on the procedure of gender reassignment, those that want to go through with such a course of action obviously need psychiatric help. I honestly don't know what to think of people who find themselves in the situation where they believe they have been born the wrong gender, it just seems such an unlikely condition, and perhaps condition is an inaccurate word to use to describe it. Would I be involved with someone who had a gender change, honestly if I knew, I'd say no, as it would in my mind be tantamount to homosexuality which I am against for religious reasons. If I didn't know, well I couldn't really say as if it was a thorough enough operation I probably wouldn't realise, and when I did realise, I wouldn't want to be me. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Excellent as usual my friend, I really do pray for the members of OtakuBoards when you decide to hang up your keyboard, as finding a member with your comic genius will be a task of titanic proportions. My favourite part of the chapter had to be the $3.00 bank robbing charge, it really was priceless, as were the reactions of people when DW and White rob the bank without paying the ludicrous charge. As I said when we spoke on AIM yesterday I look forward to forthcoming chapters with a great sense of excitement and entertainment.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Personally I have nothing against the current asterix system, although often it does have me trying to figure out exactly what curse word has been used. I think arguing whether or not to remove the censor system should be argued in tandem with whether or not it would improve the quality of discussion/material posted on OtakuBoards. In all honesty I think it wouldn't improve anything and might in fact prove detrimental to the quality here. Just as I think of it, wasn't there a time when the swear word censor was disabled in the Arena ? [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I think given the circumstances of the galaxy it is safe to assume that Wookie slaves are a prized commodity and their acquisition has gone on throughout history. After all in KOTOR we saw much of the same going on with Czerka, and so it's is possible that slaver raids may happen occasionally on Kashyyyk. Whether it be humans or perhaps more likely Trandoshans as they seem to have a grudge against Wookies, I wouldn't rule it out. The circumstances are possible, and so in my opinion Alex you should go with it as I'm sure you could write a very convincing story behind your Wookie's exile and Jedi training.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Alright, hopefully this Star Wars RPG will be the one we've all been looking forward to. [CENTER]---------------[/CENTER] Even without his connection to the Force, Jeth could feel his Master's frustration at his request to the Council, while he regretted being unable to present his request to the Council by himself he did not regret the request itself. Having been a Padawan for over ten years, the Arkanian felt that perhaps it was time he moved from beneath his Master's wing. Still he did feel the need to apologise to his Master, even if it would only lead to an argument that could be settled with words. Many of the Temple's conference chambers were unused, and they would be as good a place as any to have the forthcoming discussion, sighing gently Jeth waited for his Master to choose a room before following silently. Exhaling again, Jeth decided to simply say his piece and leave it at that, Master Umdal?s eyes however gave off the distinct impression that this was not to be a short discussion. "[B]I am sorry if my request caused you any unease Master, and I know you asked me not to address the Council on this matter... but I felt it was necessary.[/B]? He sighed sitting down in one of the many seats set into the chamber, one of his hands rubbed through his stark white hair, maybe he was being unfair in looking to take the trails, twenty-three was not an unusual age for a Padawan, though it was getting to the stage where the Trials were something to expect. ?[B]Necessary ?[/B]? The exasperation in his Master?s voice was all too noticeable. ?[B]You thought it was necessary to question the Council on when they?d deem you ready to take the Trials ? My young Padawan I have told you before that the Council?s decision is it?s own, and that you?re raising such a question, even as politely as you did, is disrespectful. I am only glad that they do consider you ready, otherwise...[/B]? Letting the statement hang in the air was enough for Jeth to accept his Master?s point, but he was no longer a ?young Padawan? and raising the question had not been posed in disrespect. ?[B]You are probably right Master, perhaps it was just youthful exuberance, after all, you were only my age when you took me as your Padawan Learner.[/B]" Master Umdal was not the only one capable of allowing his point to get across without actually saying it. He watched as a rare smile broke across his Master?s face, perhaps not an actual smile, but his frown lifted and the atmosphere of the room seemed to lighten. ?[B]Perhaps you are right Jeth, we should keep our minds on the mission we have been assigned, I sense it will not be an easy affair. That in itself should give you insight into why the Council are using this as a test to see if you are ready to take the Trials. Still I can sense how the prospect of being elevated to a fully fledged Jedi Knight is all you can think about at the moment.[/B]? Asi himself sighed, over the last decade he had traversed the galaxy sharing adventures with his Padawan, and soon it might all end, but the Force was a wonderful thing and Jeth would make a great Jedi... or Librarian if he had his way. ?[B]I assume you still want to take that position Master Keto offered you in the Archives ? I can only tell you that it is the galaxy?s loss and the Jedi?s gain if you choose such a path. Still the pursuit of knowledge and history have always been your first love, a term I use loosely, and I can think of nobody better to cater to young Initiates, after all history is such a dreadfully boring subject..[/B].? Jeth couldn?t help but chuckle, even since he had told his Master he wished to become a Librarian, Master Umdal would make bad jokes designed to provoke a sigh and a chuckle from his Padawan. His love of archaeology and lore would always be his pursuit in life, and though he might eventually become a Librarian under Master Keto, the Archives could wait a few years. Jeth intended to navigate the galaxy itself to uncover the secrets of the Jedi who came before him. His Master rose, the discussion had been less verbal than he had though it would be, perhaps his Master?s relative youth prevented him from being too strict with his Padawan, but Cereans were not known for letting their emotions influence their judgement. Rising himself, Jeth?s shoulder slumped as he saw the lightsaber in Master Umdal?s hand, he was right when he thought the discussion was less verbal than it should have been, a sparring match however had not been top of his list on ways to resolve the debate. ?[B]Master I see no need to beat you in another sparring match...[/B]? Jeth tried to match his Master?s own exasperation from the beginning of their argument. ?[B]We shall see[/B]? was all that was returned and Jeth smiled inwardly.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. This time two months I'll turn nineteen and wonder where the hell the last four and a half years of my life have gone to. I suppose when I say that I just can't believe that I'll be nineteen in a few weeks when I can clearly remember playing with Lego with my younger brother. Still I've had a great four and a quarter years on OtakuBoards, and like Corey I've made great friends and regret not a single day of my time here. I second Raiyuu's belief that maturity is overrated, being able to clown around as a kid is the best part of life, full stop, and those of you still you enough to enjoy it definitely should.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Well given my attachment to my custom title I guess I'm going to be the one to buck the trend, while I can see the advantage in such a format I'm going to stick with using the list here to help me remember. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. In regard to relationships, when I was younger I went by the one above and one below rule, which was based on the "years" of secondary school. Often of course this simply dictated I would only date girls either a year younger or older than me, and actually I think there was only the one case where I dated someone older than myself. Nowadays, I still stick to the one below rule but have expanded the above to within reason, I think though I?d eventually like to settle down with someone in or around the same age as myself as marrying quite a bit over or under would have adverse effects on the relationship at a later stage.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I'd just like to pop in here to say that my sign up will probably be delayed until later this evening. I know I said I'd have it done yesterday but with the death of a family friend I really haven't been able to get anything written that works out properly. I am still interested in the project and would like to apologise for the lateness. [/SIZE]

[QUOTE=nomad19]name: [B]gavin [/B] i assume that it's your first name? avi: great pic btw, you really like the whole sith vs. jedi concept who likes the darkside of the force which makes you a somewhat junkie star wars fan none the less...i can only guess that you are the type to play KOTOR alot... sig: a larger image of the avi...this time showing the clash of the sith and jedi....looking at it and seeing the sith on top....[B]YOU DO LIKE THE DARKSIDE[/B] side comment: i love that [B]interesting most interesting[/B] thing of yours[/QUOTE] [SIZE=1]Alright taking it one bit at a time. [B]Username:[/B] You're right, it is my first name. [B]Avatar & Signature:[/B] Indeed I am an absolute Star Wars junkie, as Corey and Dave pointed out there is not better variety of fan. The avatar is actually taken from the full sized image, where as the banner is a segment of it at I believe 13% actual size. I do play the KOTOR series a lot, in fact probably more than any other game I own at the moment with about 270 hours between the two games. The image itself is between a Jedi and a Sith, a Jedi Master and a Sith Lord no less, the Sith is the infamous Darth Nihilus and the Jedi is Master Atris. Unfortunately for those of us who are fans of the game, Atris never actually fights Nihilus nor does she have a large role in the game. Those who know about the cuts and restructuring know she was originally meant to be a party member instead of Handmaiden, or she was meant to fall and become Darth Traya either were a possibility. I would have actually liked to have Atris as opposed to Handmaiden as she would have been more interesting character-wise. As for my loving the Dark Side of the Force, that's completely wrong, I know the banner gives off that aura, but I'm as dedicated to the Jedi as they come. [b]Side Comment:[/b] Why thank you, most people hate it, but I've just got into the habit of it and it sounds remarkably like Vader's "Impressive, Most Impressive" line.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. "[b]The fastest way to a hot meal, is a straight line...[/b]"[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. "[b]One would wonder why exactly Flounder is smiling...[/b]"[/SIZE]

[quote name='Shinmaru']Is anyone else uncomfortable with Desbreko having our pictures saved on his computer? :p[/quote] [SIZE=1]Again I feel very glad that I didn't upload anything, and that the digital camera we recently acquired via promotion is a heap of junk. Still there's only so many times we can laugh when Des or Baron edit and copy someone's face onto an animal or vice-versa.[/SIZE]

[quote name='SatansRightHand']That's a tough one. Hmm. I can't remember the name, but it is a westeran musical.[/quote] [SIZE=1]Hmm Western Musicals, off the top of my head that sounds like either Calamity Jane or possibly Annie Get Your Gun. There's another one who's name I just can't think of at the moment, but those two sound like the likeliest candidates.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Alright, it appears nobody has done [B]Vicky[/B] yet, so I'll take a swing at it. [B]Username:[/B] Seeing as I have a bit of insider info on this one I know it's your first name, so really no big secret there. [b]Avatar:[/b] Hmm, in all honesty I have no idea on this one. [b]Signature:[/b] Well obviously from the banner, you?re a fan of Doctor Who, though given the fact you?ve stuck with Christopher Ecclestone and Billy Piper, you?ve either not had the chance to make a banner with the newest incarnation of the Time Lord, or perhaps you just like Chris better. As for the line about your Dad, sounds like he believes you interact enough with other people outside the Internet, or perhaps I?m just hearing my own father?s voice and complaints when I read that line in my head. The bold styling might also indicate it seems to be something you think of regularly, or perhaps it?s often said to you ? And finally the last line gives the month and year of your joining OB, perhaps because you need to remind yourself how long you?ve been here ? And as well as you?re marred to my friend and one-time protégé Bill.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Being a devoted movie fan, I've seen my fair share of truly dire films. The first that springs to mind is the latest in The Crow movie series, Wicked Prayer which I rented at some stage in the Autumn. The Crow in itself is an interesting concept to base films around provided they have a proper cast and an interesting story, WP had neither, well aside from David Furlong but one man cannot a good movie make. The plot itself was laughable and not at all in keeping with the traditional plots of The Crow, and the truly woeful performances by David Boreanaz and Tara Reid, despite the fact that the genre is nothing new to Mr Boreanaz and he is more than capable of giving good performances. I?m very tempted to just label it as shite, but given it?s heritage, shite is too compassionate a word to use for this utter drivel, in reality it?s an insult to the original, and an insult to Brandon Lee.[/SIZE] [quote name='Corey][size=1']Muppet Treasure Island was so much better.[/size][/quote] [SIZE=1]Indeed, Tim Curry as Long John Silver cannot be topped. [/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]I'll give you a semi-complete sign up Wraith as I'm really interested in this RPG but just haven't had time in the last two days to finish it. I should, time and luck permitting, have it finished by tomorrow night. [CENTER][U][B]Sign-Up Sheet[/B][/U][/CENTER] [B]Superhero Name:[/B] Maze [B]Real Name:[/B] John Griffin [B]Current Occupation:[/B] High School English Teacher [B]Place of Birth:[/B] Ennis, County Clare, Republic of Ireland [B]Marital Status:[/B] Married [B]Height:[/B] 1.88 metres [6'2"] [B]Weight:[/B] 98.5 kilograms [219 lbs] [B]Appearance:[/B] [url=http://starwars.wikicities.com/images/d/d2/Kielcharny.jpg]John[/url] [Will add more] [B]Clothing:[/B] [I]Civilian:[/I] [Will Edit] [I]Hero:[/I] [Will Edit] [B]Personality:[/B] [Will Edit] [B]Character History:[/B] [Will Edit] [B]Superhuman Powers:[/B] As indicated by his "Hero Name", Maze is a master of the illusionary arts, capable of making people see exactly what he wants them to see. In some cases, Maze will simply alter people's perceptions to go unnoticed, at other times he will use his powers to convince enemies that they are entirely outnumbered or faced with multiple versions of Maze from which there is no distinction. In one or two instances, Maze has subjected powerful enemies to illusionary terrors and reduced them to quivering masses as to be unable to resist apprehension. While Maze is not entirely comfortable with tormenting people with their worst horrors, as a Hero, he will do what he must. [B]Source of Powers:[/B] Unknown, the exact source of Maze's abilities are as they were when they first appeared, a complete mystery, work-ups on his DNA show no abnormalities often associated with overt superhuman powers, nor do they give any indication as to genetic alterations performed upon him at any previous stage. Maze cannot recall any instances where he may have been subjected to experimentation that may have given him his powers, though he admits his memories could have been falsified given the proper technology. [B]Special Skills:[/B] [Will Edit] [B]Weapons/Gadgets:[/B] [Will Edit][/SIZE]

[b][CENTER]Mission #113: Assassination Vacation[/CENTER][/b] [size=1]"[b]So the doctors have cleared you for duty ?[/b]" Augur had known the Arbiter as long as he'd been part of the Legionnaires, it was the Arbiter himself who'd recruited him to become part of the organisation. Still the question caught him slightly off-guard, it was unlike the Arbiter to ask a question that in itself was apparent, the Legionnaire medical staff did not clear unfit personnel for renewed duty. "[b]Yes, the unusual synaptic activity has ceased nearly entirely. Though the Temple was just a medium, it seems that without it they are unable to make telepathic contact.[/b]" Jack was perhaps one of the few people who didn't find the Arbiter to be intimidating, he wasn't sure exactly why that was, but meetings with him were often less stressful for Augur than they were for other members. "[b]You said nearly ?[/b]" Internally Augur chuckled, but given recent losses of Gold Leader and three other Legionnaires in the Temple, Jack had to accept that it was a fair question. "[b]In the opinion of the medical staff, the residual activity appears innocuous, though as you know Arbiter, my brain activity has been the source of controversy before...[/b]" Jack was referring of course to his initial scans when he first joined the organisation, then as now, the on-site physicians and neurologists has been somewhat unsure of the long-term effects of Augur's powers. Before entering the Arbiter's office, Jack had not been entirely sure as to the purpose of their discussion, his powers had given him glimpses of the conversation, but the Arbiter strangely enough often defied the powers of those working under him. Sighing gently he decided that a direct approach to the matter would be best... "[b]Given my recent condition Arbiter, I can understand and empathise with your concerns, but honestly I feel no obvious changes to my abilities or physical well-being and think it's time I got back to work.[/b]" Well he'd said it, now either the Arbiter would have him confined to the infirmary for further testing, or he'd accept the Irishman's opinion and assign him to a new Team. The Arbiter's eyes took on their blue "[i]I can see right through you and your ********[/i]" glow, of course Jack wasn't at all perturbed by this and often it served only to make people think the Arbiter could read thoughts. A moment or two later, the Arbiter himself sighed before removing a datapad from one of the many crevices of his desk and passed it over to Augur. Without even pausing to allow Jack to pick tablet, the Arbiter continued. ?[b]No doubt you?re aware of Red Team?s previous mission, as well as Dust?s termination from the active Legionnaires ?[/b]? In the seventy two hours since he?d awakened from the recurring nightmares, Augur had been reviewing the details of all the recent missions undertaken by the teams, including Red Team?s disastrous mission in Seoul. While he didn?t entirely agree with Dust?s methods, it seemed very little of that mission could have been undertaken another way, at least for a non-psychic. ?[b]I?ve reviewed the mission details, yes.[/b]? He had hoped he?d be assigned to Gold Team again, but it seemed for the time being anyway that it?s three remaining members would go their separate ways. ?[b]May I assume Arbiter that you?re reassigning me to be part of Red Team ?[/b]? Something in the Arbiter?s expression changed, he couldn?t place his finger on exactly what, but if he had to guess he?d have said amusement. ?[b]You could say that Augur, you?re to become Red Leader for their next mission.[/b]? The Arbiter left the comment hang in the air for just a moment, as if to give Augur time to full accept his promotion. Augur had served on Red Team before in his nine years as part of the Legionnaires, but he?d never been asked to lead a team before, something to do with his unwillingness to leave people behind when the time called for it. Still, a long time ago Jack learned to trust the Arbiter and his methods... Six hours later Jack found himself staring at the four man, well three women and one man team that he?d chosen to partake in this mission. Era had been the most obvious choice, given she had been the one to confirm what he had predicted, and given Saturn?s empathic abilities she was the perfect candidate for validating or refuting the responses of the politicians they would have to interrogate. Tech was perhaps the odd-woman-out of the three he?d chosen, she didn?t have any psychic abilities, but the chances were high that the assassination would be attempted with some form of explosive and that made her a requisite. Sam stared at Jack without any kind of emotion, he knew that he was on Red Team for no reason other than Augur had wanted him on it, but Samuel Malkins was a man of many talents, and Jack was sure he would be of substantial use on the coming mission. The runway used by all Legionnaire personnel was dotted by a number of jet hangers, many of which contained rapid-response aircraft and prototypes for future development. Red Team were taking what appeared at first glance to be a normal private jet, used by those who could afford to travel in such a manner. The situation in London required a convert insertion and so this seemed to be the most logical method, ?[i]hiding in plain site[/i]? as a friend used to put it. Exhaling gently, Jack knew that it was possible he might lose someone on a mission like this, but as God was his witness, he intended to bring them all back safe and unharmed. ?[b]Alright, you all know me, so I?m going to say this as plain as I can. This mission is more than just a job, given our recent losses in South Africa, this is to restore people?s confidence in the Legionnaires as a group. The target for this assassination is very high profile and we have yet to confirm fully who the responsible party are.[/b]? Again he exhaled, he?d heard these kinds of pep-talks before and they never ceased to make him even more concerned about missions. ?[b]I?ll explain more on the jet, and we should touch down in Heathrow airport within a few hours. Once we?ve landed we?ll be escorted to Ten Downing Street, after which we have a little over sixty hours within which to complete our objectives...[/b]? The flight was shorter than Augur expected, he felt more comfortable clarifying the exact nature of the Team's mission while on board the aircraft, less exposed. As expected, there had been little honest reaction to the more clandestine details, as well as those group suspected of preparing to carry out the assassination. "[b]As all of you know, there are many groups on the planet who are not too happy with the idea of supermen...[/b]" His eyes briefly met with the three female members of the team to which he hastily added "[b]...or women. Some of them consider us to be anathemas to the human race, others to God and some because they think we're trying to take over the world.[/b]" He watched as Sam's eyes rolled, Era shook her head and Tech just sighed gently, he couldn't disagree with them. "[b]Unfortunately for David Cameron, the current British Prime Minister, his powers have recently come to light and though it seems he still has the support of the British public, he has become a target for extremists.[/b]" Sighing himself, he rubbed against the fresh stubble that had formed on his chin before continuing. "[b]The Prime Minister is a telepath, capable of reading people's thoughts but not altering them to his own gains, so in reality he just has a built-in polygraph machine, quite useful in politics. One would think such a meagre power wouldn't affect his career, but it seems there are those who think he can some how take over the world.[/b]" Jack was somewhat annoyed that a normal man like Cameron could become a target for a relatively inoffensive power. "[b]What about blackmail ?[/b]" Saturn's comment had caught Augur completely off-guard, but in fairness she was completely right. Cameron being able to read people's minds had insider information as to what could be used against political enemies or rivals, Jack hadn't thought of that, maybe he'd assumed the Prime Minister had enough morals not to abuse his powers in such a way. "[b]You may be right, but our mission is very clear. We are to prevent the assassins from carrying out the contract, after that we can leave the British political situation to the experts.[/b]" It was a cop-out and Jack knew it, but he couldn't really think of anything else to say. London's famous rain pelted like machinegun fire against the roof of the car as they sped through it's many streets, it was past midnight when they'd landed and so the numerous streets were lit only with the pale orange light of the solitary street-lamps. The cabbie had a thick Cockney accent, from the East-End if Augur remembered the terms correctly. To the untrained eye, the five suited individuals appeared to be no more than a group of business execs in London for a business meeting. "[b]So what're you here for mate ?[/b]" Jack was sitting the middle of the five, well three with the other two facing him from the opposite direction and the question was clearly addressed to him. Nonchalantly he responded with a Boston accent that Vernacular would have been proud of. "[b]Well I and my associates work for a Swiss banking company interested in increasing their acquired stock in Lloyds TSB, we're here to oversee the buy and make sure everything goes smoothly.[/b]" Without missing a beat, the driver responded with a statement that nearly provoked a change in Augur's pleasant expression. "[b]You know my brother-in-law's got stock with Lloyds and he's never said anything about any Swiss company owning part of the bank.[/b]" Jack was thinking of his feet, not one of his strong points, before Tech took the opportunity to respond with a line of business jargon than went well and truly over his head. The driver simply shook his head and said something along the same lines before returning his attention to the wheel. Twelve minutes later, those same pounding rain drops were lashing against the frames of the five Legionnaires as they found themselves outside the imposing black door of 10 Downing Street. The on-duty police officer regarded them with an impassive stare, and even when Augur removed their mission briefing from the inner pocket of his jacket and passed it to the guard his expression continued to remain impassive. A quick word to the intercom and the five well soaked superheroes were ushering inside, after which Jack found himself face to face with the anxious looking British Prime Minister. [CENTER]---------------[/CENTER] Alright, the posting order has already been determined so I'd like to get this show on the road as soon as humanly possible.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. Unfortunately FlipHKD you can?t actually delete your own account OtakuBoards, as it?s a power available only to Administrators and used only as a severe punishment when simply banning isn?t an option. I suppose you could ask you one of the Staff to delete your account, but I remember last time this request came, James wasn?t all that for the idea of deleting someone?s account for them.[/SIZE]

[SIZE=1]Interesting, most interesting. It's really astonishing to think it's been a whole year since the disaster, while I can't remember exactly what I was doing on the day, since it was St Stephen's Day, chances are I was at home with my family. I do remember switching over to Sky News and just being stunned about how something like a Tsunami could occur with so little warning, of course given the technical sophistication of the areas affected, sadly chances are there was little or no warning. Again really my feelings are those of sadness for the loss of life in the tidal wave and subsequent accidents/related deaths as well as shock that it's been a whole year since it happened. I?m sure the prayers of many will be with the victims over the course of their anniversary, as well as those prayers by those of us here. [/SIZE]