Rifts : Chaos Chronicles

[Mytical]

Middle of the Nevada Desert

"It's blasted FREEZING!" Complained agent Bronson. "Snow in the middle of the desert, who has ever heard of snow in the blasted middle of the desert."

"Ah shut up with the whining would you! Moan, moan, moan..all you been doing. We're dealing with Rifts for Pete's sake. You should know by now that anything is possible. Now lets find out where it is and shut it down so we can get to somewhere warm."

The two trudged quietly until they come to the foot of .. a mountain. A snowy mountain that shouldn't be anywhere near where they were.

Bronson looks at his partner "Flat for miles and miles, and suddenly a huge mountain not on any maps? Think we have found our Rift."

His partner nods. "Well it isn't going to close itself..lets do this." He starts climbing but doesn't make it far before something emerges from the snow. Humanoid, but not even close to human..in fact they were multicolored Snow Men.

"What the heck..Rainbow colored Snow Men?!" Shouts Bronson and shoots at one, but the bullets go straight through them. "Crud on a crud stick! Here we didn't bring Hanson, we really need hanson!"

"Yeah, a pyrokenetic would be nice, but I guess this is my gig right now." He starts to do something but Bronson grabs him.

"ARE YOU INSANE?! Snow, mountain, and you are going to use your power? Ever heard of an avalanche? Time to retreat and bring in the big guns."

The two retreat and call headquarters. "Ma'm. Hate to say it, but ever since we lost those two agents to the ice skating penguins and the three to those trolls..we need to call up some of the less used reinforcements..now!"

[Jay 2K Winger]

Location: Company Lab

The room had the cluttered, busy look of academics and researchers and theoretical physicists everywhere, with various books and tomes strewn about, opened to various pages, with notations written in the margins, festooned with bookmarks. Whiteboards cover two different walls, and there are post-its and other papers and pictures tacked up onto the whiteboard where it hasn't been filled with various esoteric formulae and equations. As if that weren't enough, there is a desk with two different computers open, running computations and compilations, and a mobile whiteboard was on hand as well for yet more calculations.

The lab's occupant and primary user stood in front of the mobile whiteboard, a tablet in his hand as he copied some notes from it onto the whiteboard, a dry erase marker in his hand. He murmurs under his breath as he looks from the notes on the board to the ones on his tablet, making a face as he rubs at his brow above his eye-patch.

"Dr. Kisvalter?" someone calls from the doorway.

"Mister Kisvalter," the man corrects. "I haven't finished my dissertation."

"We found a Rift," the Company man in the doorway says. "A mountain of snow in the Nevada desert."

Simon Kisvalter looks up at this. "...interesting," he says. "Okay, give me a few minutes to prepare."

Location: Nevada - Snowy Mountain Rift

When Simon arrives in Nevada, he's sensibly wearing layers, with gloves ready in a parka. He looks at the snow men attacking and grimaces a bit. As one moves toward him, he points his hand as if aiming a gun. "Pow." There's a flash of blue light from behind his eye-patch, and a pulse of telekinetic force blasts the snow man apart.

Once he's certain he's not about to be overtaken by an attacker, he turns his attention to the mountain, flipping his eye-patch out of the way to expose the milky-white Shard beneath as he tries (once again, he sighs to himself) to will the Sight into working order again.

[Chanlin]

Location: Ann Arbor, MI: Chris's apartment.
The loud blaring ring snapped Chris out of a restful sleep. He'd spent the better part of last night studying for a test and playing Diablo 3, most of it on the latter. In his half-sleepy stupor it crossed his mind that he hadn't set an alarm. The ring pierced his senses again. "Oh... it's that." He mutters.

The voice on the other end seemed insistent, something about rift... snow... Nevada. "Just give me the map coordinates and a few minutes to get some coffee." After hanging up he lazily dresses, puts some coffee on, and sits in front of his computer to plug in the coordinates to Google maps. A few moments later he pours the coffee into a thermos, grabs a winter jacket for his other half and grimaces. "Well here goes nothin'."

Location: Nevada Rift
Nearby the other agents and Simon a small hole opens up briefly and out steps a mousy woman of middling height with sandy blond hair and nursing a thermos cup of coffee while cradling the rest of it beneath the crook of her arm. "So... what's the situation?" She asks.

[Kristev]

Location: Luigi's family house.

The home is the perfect combination of old Italian and old England, both past and present. It marries old world to traditional. There are lots of flowers, and three different cats, Luigi's pets. But the pictures of his parents have all been removed, and their bedroom is locked up.

Luigi is cooking dinner for himself, a basic pasta. The tarot cards are on the table, waiting to be used.
Knock! Knock!
Startled, Luigi checks on his garlic-parmesan bread and goes to the kitchen back door. He finds Kathleen, who's brought some spiced non-alcoholic wine.
"Is this a bad time?" Kathleen asks.
"It's never a bad time," Luigi says. "Not for you."
Kathleen smiles, and Luigi steps out of the way so she can come in. She enters, and puts the wine on the table as he closes the door.
"Why are all the pictures gone?" Kathleen asks.
"My parents faces," Luigi confesses, "I can't bear to look at them right now. It's just . . ."
He sniffles, but stifles it. He returns to the kitchen and concentrates on cooking. Kathleen goes over to him, and touches his shoulder.
"It's all right, you know. You can grieve," she says.
"I know the stages," Luigi said. "I'll deal with this when I'm ready."
Because she knows him so well, and is aware that he can flip from gentle rain to hurricane in a split second, Kathleen backs off. She goes to a cabinet and removes two wine glasses.
"Italians always have fabulous taste," she says.
"Yes, but Irish spirit is indestructable," Luigi answers. "I must admit, I didn't expect you to come tonight. You didn't have to."
"But I did," Kathleen stated, "have to, that is. We're like this." She crosses two of her fingers together, then carefully sets the two glasses on the table. "I know how hard your parents death has hit you. I'd be derelict to leave you on your own like this."
Luigi turned back to her, and looked at her with eyes that expressed appreciation.
"What about Elaine?" Luigi asked. "That's who you're dating, right? Won't she mind you spending all your time with me?"
"About that," Kathleen said. "I made a deal. She lets me visit you for dinner, she gets me to herself all Saturday. I think there's a new movie she wants to see."
"I wish you nothing but happiness," Luigi said.
Now it's Kathleen's turn to look at Luigi with eyes that express appreciation.
"Oh, excuse me. I need to use the loo," Kathleen said.
Luigi waves her dismissed, and she leaves. He removes the garlic bread from the oven, and finishes up with the pasta. Carefully, he brings the garlic bread to the table. Once that is done, he goes to the pasta and starts to scoop it out onto a waiting plate. He finishes up, and carries the plate toward the table.
"Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh hh!"
The noise startles Luigi, and he drops the plate onto the floor. The plate shatters.
"Kathi!"
He runs out of the kitchen and into the drawing room, then into the hall. He sees Kathleen holding a broom from the bathroom to defend herself from a man in a suit who has walked out of Luigi's parents's bedroom. The man has lots of gear, including some kind of scanner in his hand.
"Ah, so you must be Mr. Cappilatto," the man replies.
Luigi cannot identify his accent, but it isn't English, Irish, or Italian.
"You may go, young woman," the stranger declares.
Kathleen looks at Luigi.
"The difference between Kathi and you is I invited Kathi here. I did not invite you," Luigi counters.
He approaches the man, and then stands before Kathleen, protecting her.
"Who are you?" Kathleen asked.
"And what are you doing here?" Luigi added.
"Your mother caused the rift, didn't she?" the stranger insisted. "Her participation opened the gateway to dragons. Lots of dragons. It took forever to slay them. A shame we don't have knights anymore. But then there's you, Mister Hurricane. You killed a dragon in one storm. How?"
"I don't know," Luigi said.
"Well, I do," the stranger declared.
He pointed his tracking device at Luigi's new necklace, the piece of the shard partially fused to his flesh. Suddenly, Luigi flipped.
"All right. Who do you think you are? How did you get into my parents's bedroom anyway? Who are you working for? And what do you want?"
"You," the stranger said.
"You can't have her!" Luigi argued.
"Ah, so she's your weakness," the stranger said. "Good to know. But to me, she's nothing. You're the one I want."
"This has gone far enough," Kathleen protested. "You weren't invited, mister. You have no right to be here!"
"Indeed you don't," Luigi said. "I think you'd better get out of here now before the next person to feel my hurricane . . . is you!"
"You misunderstand," the stranger said. "We want your help in tracking and shutting down the rifts. You are your mother's son. Such traits should be passed in the family. What she had in her, you've got in you."
Luigi crossed his arms.
"Get out!"
"Fine," the stranger said. "But I think you should know that we know everything about you, Luigi, and the woman, too. There's a lady named Elaine Winslow, isn't there?"
Kathleen gasped, and covered her mouth. Luigi glared angrily.
"Are you threatening her?"
"Not yet," the stranger stated. "Cooperate, and nothing will . . ."
"Luigi, don't!" Kathleen shouted. "Let's just ring up the police."
"No," Luigi said. "If I help you, no harm comes to Kathi or her lover. At all! But I'll make myself quite clear. You think you can just come into my house and threaten my best friend, or her paramour? Not if you want to see tomorrow, sir. If I can kill a dragon, I can certainly kill you. Is that clear?"
A small wind and a little bit of rain arose into the room, with Luigi's anger.
"Perfectly," the stranger said. "I'm so glad we can be friends, sir. Good night to you. My lady."
The stranger then excuses himself, and walks out of the house. He steals a slice of garlic bread on his way out. Luigi calms down, ending his hurricane.
"Now I have a mess to clean up," Luigi says.
"A bigger mess than rain and water," Kathleen said. "Who was that jerk?"
"Did he hurt you?" Luigi asked.
"No," Kathleen said. "He just scared me when I saw that locked door open."
"He'd better never bother you, or your girlfriend, again," Luigi said.
"Thank you," Kathleen said. "Why didn't you call the police?"
"First, they'd take forever to show up, and secondly, I don't think cops can take care of his kind of trouble. Thirdly, I have my own way of finding answers now."
Luigi returned to the kitchen, and used his tarot cards to find out exactly what was going on. Kathleen went back to the bathroom and used all of Luigi's towels to clean up the water he made.


Location: Nevada - Snowy Mountain Rift

Luigi also arrives in Nevada. He also wears winter clothing on top of his normal clothes. He has already introduced himself to his newfound comrades, including his procession as a nurse practitioner (meaning he can diagnose as well as prescribe.) It certainly comes as a surprise to Luigi to see the snow men, but he holds back. None of his powers are of any immediate use at this point, unless there's an animal around.

"Wow," Luigi remarks as he witnesses the use of power Simon's part.

Luigi looks around to see if there are any normal animals nearby. He also watches Simon, uncertain of what he's doing. Then Luigi notices a woman arriving with coffee, asking about the situation.
"At the moment, we do not know," Luigi stated. "Can you shed any light?"

[Jay 2K Winger]

Location: Snowy Mountain Rift - Nevada

Simon doesn't turn as the others arrive, still staring in the direction of the mountain, scanning it up and down with his eye-Shard, but then he sighs, turning around. The others would see the milky-white Shard there in place. Barring a sudden activation of his Rift Sight, it would remain so; otherwise, there would be a blue-ish glow to it.

"There's a Rift somewhere nearby," Simon replies to Luigi's question. He indicates the mountain and the snow it is generating. "Hence the rather incongruous weather and mountain in the middle of the Nevada desert." He nods at the scattered remnants of the Snowman he blasted apart, "And it's evidently creating a semblance of life. Fascinating development."

Suddenly aware that neither of the other two Shard-possessors probably knew who he is, Simon offered out a hand. "Simon Kisvalter."

[Mytical]

The rift sight of course reveals that the new visitors are Shard Bearers. Otherwise the energy is everywhere, the rift must be huge..and the snow is filled completely with Rift energy. Every last flake is alive, but at least only a bit of it is walking around. The Rift itself is at the top of the mountain, only way to close it is to get to it.

Only a couple thousand feet up, with monstrous creatures trying to kill you the entire way. The other two agents meet up with you, and introduce themselves.

"Agent Bronson. I am a communication expert, with the ability to cause earthquakes. Don't think my ability is much help here I am afraid. Though I can probably help keep Frosty and his crew off your backs."

"Agent Lin. Sonic disruption, sound manipulation, and sonic redirection. Like Bronson, my ability is a bit dangerous to use in these conditions. Any help I can give though, just let me know."

[Chanlin]

The woman sips at her coffee and then pulls a pocket watch out from her coat pocket and give it a shake, "Blasted thing, I'm done using my ability for now...." she seems to be ignoring the others... gives the watch another shake and sighs. "I Suppose for now I'm Christina. I can warp space." She says with a rather perturbed look on her face. She glances off in the direction of the mountain the rift is producing. "The mountain is fluctuating in size, and its moving, but just slightly." She looks around at all assembled, "Any idea what triggered this one?"

[Mytical]

Bronson raises an eyebrow. "Guess your sort of new to this game. You figure out what triggers any Rift, you let us know. We are not even sure why they started, let alone what causes them. Don't think we have a sleeper* around..which is a good thing."

((* Sleeper - Somebody like the characters who is asleep/dreaming when the rift forms and could control it when they wake up. As the area is empty of anything but maybe lizards and such..chances are no humans besides the group around))

[Chanlin]

"I thought they all needed sleepers for crap like this" She gestures to the scene at large... "Shows how much I know. Well I think I can get to the mountain, but I don't think I have enough juice left to get anyone else useful up there. Though I could get a closer look with a lot less effort. That still doesn't help us close it. Thar us unless you just happen to be experts at closing rifts."

[Kristev]

"That's assuming a sleeper must be human."
Anyone who listens to Luigi talk will realize his accent is clearly English, not Italian.
"I must admit, my powers won't be much help here, in this wintery environment, either. By the way, I'm Luigi Cappilatto, Nurse Pracitioner."

He looks up at the mountain.

"I thought the American West was a great desert. I knew Rifts could introduce new predatory species into an environment unprepared for their arrival, but I didn't realize it could also alter ecosystems in such a way. These things clearly should be shut down."

Luigi walks ahead, just about two feet.

"I would not reccomend going up there alone, miss, Christina, you said?" Luigi asked. "We don't know exactly what we're dealing with yet. Sadly, I don't know anything about closing Rifts. My mother was able to detect one, but I'd rather not get into that. But, I'll tell you what I can do if you like. I make hurricanes, which I don't think is a good idea here. I can also make a healing rain, talk to animals, reflect energy, and I can read cards. To be honest, I'm not much of a fighter. My place is as a healer. So, is there anything you'd like me to do?"

[Mytical]

"Actually" says Bronson.."You might be exactly what we need. Sealing a rift is easy, just can take awhile." He looks at Christina. "Can you teleport these two" he points to the other two of you "to the top? We will give one this device that seals the rifts. The other will reflect any attack that comes their way." Looking back at Luigi.."Think you can handle that?"

[Kristev]

"I can try, sir," Luigi stated. "I'll do my best."

[Chanlin]

Chris nods, "I'm fairly certain, but I used up quite a bit of power getting here. I'm certain I won't be able to get us out of there if things go bad."

[Jay 2K Winger]

Simon regards the other two new arrivals, nodding to both Luigi and Christina. "I have telekinesis, something I've taken to calling Rift Sight, and... another ability that is most definitely not going to get used here." He shrugs to them. "And like they said, if you can find out what causes any Rift, let us know. And let me know. If I can complete a Unified Rift Theory, I could devise a way to stop them from occurring ever again."

He looks around at the snow, scooping some up and poking at it with a finger. His Shard glows in his eye socket. "There's Rift energy saturating this area. And these?" He dusts his gloved hands off, letting the flakes fall back to the ground. "They're full of it. Like they're alive." He glances at a distant shape of a snowman and 'fires' another telekinetic pulse at it, knocking its head off of its shoulders. "But they're hostile, and who knows how this unnatural evolution may continue if the Rift stays open?"

He nods. "Give us the device," he says. "And get us up there, whether Christina here does it or Wilson does." Being familiar with the Company, and having used Wilson to get to Nevada, Simon is quite aware of what Wilson can do.

[Chanlin]

"The rift is at the top of the mountain right?" Chris asks. And without waiting for confirmation she steps forward. A few moments later a few feet in front of the group a man sized "window" appears showing the top of the mountain. "After you." She gestures.