Project : Sidestep

[Board Keeper]

Project : Sidestep

Studying the mutants Landis and Hi-Jack, a dimensional gateway was created. The gateway resembles that of the series Stargate ... and purposely so. The circular opening worked perfectly for their purposes, and the ornateness appealed to Llyron.

A control room, styled after the bridge of the Enterprise.


Precautions :

Atmospheric samplings are taken before entry ... checking for contaminants, biological and chemical.

Explorers enter the world at sea in the atlantic ocean. They will use aquatic sleds/boats to explore. These are stealth vessels, cloaked from traditional radar, sonar, and the like. The vessels are styled after that in Escape from LA with Kurt Russell. Remotely controlled robot drones are controlled VR style from the home dimension. At some point soon, this remote access will be routed through an intermediary dimension.

---

[Board Keeper]

ALTERNATE EARTHS AND DIMENSIONS

1. Primary Marvel Universe	51. Only Robots
2. Identical Universe	52. Organ donor
3. Femizonia - ancient	53. Drug world
4. Femizonia - modern	54. Clone world
5. Shadowrun like	55. VR world (matrix)
6. Camelot - ancient	56. Cro Magnon ruled
7. Camelot - modern	57. Colony world
8. Thor ruled	58. Psychic ruled
9. Egyptian ruled	59. Infertility world
10. Terminator - post disaster	60. Gunfighter world
11. Hyborean Age	61. Population control
12. Reverse Alignment	62. Weaker sex
13. DC	63. Atlantis ruled
14. Amalgam - both	64. Atlantis war
15. Amalgam - merged	65. War/worlds Ind/day
16. AGE OF APOCALYPSE ( AoA )	66. Mutant Ruled
17. AoA - after Apocalypse	67. Logan's run
18. Resident Evil / Zombies	68. Brides of Set
19. Mongol	69. Techno organic
20. Greek	70. D&D
21. Roman	71. Waterworld
22. British Empire	72. WW II
23. French	73. Polluted
24. Nazi	74. Slavery common
25. Russian	75. No powers
26. Nazi - modern	76. Puritans
27. Nazi - world wide	77. Movie verse
28. Victorian	78. Reverse Sex
29. Arabic	79. Small pocket

[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]30. Viking [/td][td]80. Pantheon-Asgard,etc[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]31. Aztec [/td][td]81. Limbo[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]32. Civil War (South won) [/td][td]82. Mystical[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]33. Nuclear War [/td][td]83. Netherworld[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]34. Gamma World [/td][td]84. HEROES REBORN[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]35. Crusades [/td][td]85. All new - noncanon[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]36. Jurassic [/td][td]86. Symbiote ruled[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]37. Ice Age [/td][td]87. Manga verse[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]38. Modern Ice Age [/td][td]88. Hulk ruled[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]39. Ultimate Marvel Universe [/td][td]89. Vampire ruled[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]40. World of Darkness (vampyre) [/td][td]90. Intel. zombies[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]41. Prehistoric [/td][td]91. Squadron Supreme[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]42. 1950's 60's 70's or 80's [/td][td]92. ULTIMATES UNIVERSE[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]43. Plague [/td][td]93. Criminal Ruled[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]44. Unpopulated [/td][td]94. No X-Powers [/td][/tr]

[tr][td]45. Dead World [/td][td]95. No Powers/Cosmic[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]46. Hot world [/td][td]96. Intel Lizards, etc[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]47. Cold world [/td][td]97. Earth Destroyed - Interstellar War[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]48. Meteors [/td][td]98. Galactus[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]49. Sentinel ruled [/td][td]99. Natural (Nova, Vacuum, etc)[/td][/tr]

[tr][td]50. Robot ruled [/td][td]100. **** Special ****[/td][/tr]
[/table]

www.marvunapp.com/list/appalte.htm

Marvel Canon Universes

[/center]

[Board Keeper]

____________________________________________________

Dimensions Explored :

PS-001 ( redesignated PS-001-A3 or A3-PS-001 ) : An earth whose governments and criminal organizations use clones of superhumans as agents and agent teams. Explored by Llyron, Titan, Hi-Jack & Supernalia (primary units). Classification - Amber 3.

PS-002 : An earth wherein the surface is at war with Atlantis. Allying together, Llyron and Namor stopped the Atlantis Rising disaster, and the continent was NOT raised to the surface. However, massive tidal waves did hit north america and europe, the containment field erected by Morgan Le Fey having been destroyed in the effort. Missiles were launched at Atlantis, though the Americans deny responsibility. War was declared, and so far Atlantis is winning. Devices were detonated at the polar ice caps, raising sea levels, and guerilla style attacks on ships and coastal cities have proven nigh unstoppable. So far, only neo-probes have been launched. Assignment of an away team is pending.

Notation by Prince Llyron : this earth deserves intense observation ...

PS-003 ( redesignated PS-003-R5 or R5-PS-003 ) : An earth benignly ruled by a coalition of psychics. Classification : Red 5.

PS-004 An earth of transposed alignments. Totalitarian government rules, and all heroes work for the government - villians are relentlessly huntd by all. Most villains have been executed or recruited into the ranks of law enforcement. The Government Champions & Champion Arctic are from this dimension.

PS-005 This world is experiencing pronounced global warming since the 1960s. Not from a debatably fictional pollution effect but from increased solar radiation. The average temperature on earth has raises 22 degrees, and ice caps has melted on both poles. Famine and disease are rampant and coastal cities flooded.

Lllyron is using this world as a "buffer" world, for relaying interdimensional communications.

[Board Keeper]

GATE THEORY

Llyron took the podium, this time NOT for a press conference but for a seminar on dimensional theory.

"The universe is a vast vast place. Stretching infinite distances in infinite directions. Now, for those who love the big bang theory, I am NOT saying that space is FILLED infinitely in all directions. According to modern big bang theory, the universe is expanding. From an origin of a HUGE super black whole which only mathmatics can describe, it exploded and expanded outward. One day, billions of millenia from now, it will slow and begin to contract ... eventually collapsing again into it's original form.

But OUR universe is not the only one. Every one has seen the series Sliders, and the Star Trek episode with Mr Spock wearing a goatee. My favorite Star Trek character, by the way, for obvious reasons. But what is the theory behind ALTERNATE DIMENSIONS?

BASIC THEORY :

Space, as we commonly term it, is made up of 3 dimensions. Picture a line, endless in both directions but having no width. Infinitely thing. That is 'length'. Like a thread pulled tight. A one dimensional universe.

Add a second dimension .... 'width'. Now, instead of a thread, we have a sheet of paper. Infinitely thin, spread horizontally from horizon to horizon. This is a two dimensional universe.

Add a third dimension ... height. And what you have is the world around us. Three dimensions.

Now suppose there were FOUR dimensions. If you imagine our world as a sheet of paper, imagine an infinite STACK of paper, each sheet being a three dimensinal world. Well, if this were the case, we could only travel to the dimension above or below us. Unless we punched through more dimensions on the way to our destination. Picture instead our world as being a LINE, surrounded by other lines. Infinite numbers of other universes could be reachable from ours. Picture a handful of spaghetti, with a RED piece of spaghetti as our home world. If the strands were infinitely thin, they could touch an infinitely number of other worlds.

That is our project. Not simply travel in FOUR dimensions, but FIVE. A simpler gateway system could allow access to simply one or two universes. Ours is nearly unlimited, though in the early stages at the moment.

Any young Reed Richard types out there, feel free to contact our dept of science. The MULTI verse is a wide open space.

______________________________________________

Standard Gate Activation Sequence

The young technician read the countdown as gatetime approached ....
" 5 .... 4 .... 3 .... 2 .... 1 .... "
The cyclonic burst of energy and the gate opened with a burst of energy ... the event horizon to another plane of existence. The force field was in place, and the iris ready to slam shut in a nanosecond if need be.
"No distress indications upon primary, secondary or tertiary shields. Pressure levels on event horizon, standard."
Llyron nodded.
"Launch neoprobe ..."

The forcefield extended into a barrel form .... and the missile like probe was sent through, too quickly to be seen by the naked eye. On the other side, it would appear in a burst of pressurized sterilized saline water ... and immediately begin taking readings. Force fields prevented anything from using the opening of the gate to slip back to their side, and now that the probe was launced, the gate itself sealed shut with a state of the art iris system. The iris slammed shut once dimensional radiolink was established with the unit ... routing through an intermediary dimension for safety purposes.

Llyron leaned forward. "Report ...."

The young tech spoke again ....
"Reading should be coming through in twenty seconds .... ten ... 5 4 3 2 ..."

A series of green lights appeared on the display ... signals from the neoprobe.

[Board Keeper]

...

[Board Keeper]

PS-001

The first opening of the gate was a success. However, the next morning ... the first manned exploration team had difficulty. They launched through the gate, but just as they went through a massive explosion occurred in the gateroom and the opening slammed shut behind them, shaking their one man speeder subs violently in the backlash.

With little other choice, they made their way ashore and entered NYC via coney island. Using holographic inducers designed by Hi-Jack, they disguised themselves as natives and are looking around.

---

In an uncommon show of assertiveness, Dr. Bouroughs had suggested that the team split up to do re-con on the new dimension that they had found themselves trapped in. His logic was sound, arguing that they could cover more ground if they split up and spread out, thus learning more about this 'new' New York that they found themselves in. He felt that with their lacking knowledge of the cultural idiosyncrasies of this dimension would be less obvious if they traveled alone as well. One person who doesn't conform to the social norm can be written off as eccentric, a large group of such individuals would draw to much attention. More over, with their communication equipment functioning just fine they weren't really 'alone'. With Hi-Jack's teleportation each member of the team was just a distress call away.

Llyron had agreed, and after arranging predetermined com-check times as well as a rendezvous time and location the three went their separate ways. Bouroughs felt bad about manipulating his friends, and in spite of the sound logic he offered, it had been a manipulation.

Still he had to see. This dimension had so much in common with his own. The city was set out the same, with only a few architectural differences, the people were undeniably human, just with a different fashion sense.

He had to see.

So here he sat, on a cold bench across the street from 1325 Jefferson Ave, staring at a building which in his reality had been his home....before the Redeemers. He'd been sitting here for three hours, watching. His back ached, and his knees had long since locked stiff from sitting in the same position for so long. But he had to see.....had to know.

So he sat, waiting to see if a miracle would occur...half fearing that his prayers would be answered.

At long last the door of the building opened. From his post across the street Bouroughs watched, eyes widening as a young boy, no older than 8 stepped out into the cool of the morning. He was thin, a shock of dark hair, easy smile as he said something back through the open door. Closing the door behind him the boy jumped down the steps, his strange clothing billowing around him for a moment, backpack bouncing as he landed and turned, walking toward the bus pick up to take him to school.

Franklin's heart wrenched, tears filling his eyes and spilling down his cheeks as he watched his dead son walking down the street, heading off into the rest of his life.

"Oh Brian...."

---

The repair techs managed to get the gate open but just for about half a minute. Redeemers members Spawn and Supernalia burst through and joined their comrades: Llyron, Hi-Jack and Dr Burroughs. (Actually Dr Burroughs was still off on a side venture). The gate would try to be reopened at noon the next day. While they were discussing options, a public emergency broadcast came over the street PA system. The "Assyrian Avengers" were attacking the UN building. The Redeemer team, except for Titan, went to the UN building and found them. The Assyrians were defeated handily, using the elements of surprise. Capt Assyria, Nova and Sceptre (the local Capt Marvel) did escape however. Only Spawn was badly injured ... and is regenerating nicely. Horus, Storm, and Ironman were all defeated.

Later that day, the Away Team journeyed to and encountered the local version of the X-men. They seemed friendly and open to alliance, but requested telepathic contact with Llyron or Hi-Jack before such an action was taken. A standoff ... Llyron was not about to divulge his own secrets. But things went well. Future interactions may be in order.


The team rendevoused at the gatepoint at the appointed time and returned to their own universe. The first exploration was a rousing success ... after the initial stumble.

[Board Keeper]

PS-002

Llyron was back at the Project : Sidestep R&D barge. They were ready to fire up the Gateway again. He'd sent a drone through a week earlier, but it had not returned. A possibly bad sign ... but no need to let it delay further exploration.

The gate opened as scheduled, with the protective iris in place of course. Scans were taken of the area beyond, such as could be made through the event perimeter of the gateway.

The Neo Probe was ready for launch into the ocean of that alternate earth. Time to explore. Telemetry would feed them back necessary information as to the world beyond. Scanning for pollution, bio-contaminants, radiation, as well as the full range of electromagnetic transmission reception. They would see what media this world had to offer.

"Readings indicate high water levels, light radioactive and moderate bio contamination. Most interesting is profile the media scanner is indicating. This planet is at WAR, your highness. And at war with Atlantis ..."

Llyron smiled .... finding this oh so very interesting. He'd long toyed with the idea of war with the humans ... but had never done so. NOT for fear of the established governments, but rather of retaliation of those like Dr Doom or similar forces.

"Excellent. Continue monitoring ... I want a full report. Try to sift out the american propaganda, if you would."

....

A few hours of monitoring ... and reports came in.
"Sir, we've been scanning media coverage. Seems that on this earth, a barbarian attack on Atlantis prompted your counterpart and that of Namor to work together. They formed an alliance and together prevented the Atlantis Rising incident. However, in saving Atlantis from rising entirely from the ocean, they disrupted the containment field around the continent that Morgan Le Fey had erected, and tidal waves struck North America and Europe. A missile attack was launched on Atlantis, though the americans deny doing so, and war started. The Atlanteans are winning currently. Apparently, they've detonated devices to melt the polar ice caps to raise the sea levels as well as traditional warfare."

Llyron replied ... "Excellent. Perhaps their Namor isn't quite as dim witted as our own. Why is it that those who are my physical rivals are also intellectual neanderthals?"
He chuckled
"No answer needed. That was rhetorical."

[Board Keeper]

PS-003

Once again, the 'preflight' tests had been done. It was time to open another gate. A crap shoot is what it was ... a random world. It could be an earth destroyed by a supernova, or one with the cure for cancer. Llyron smiled as he compared what they were doing to a Sliders marathon. Except with a bit more control. The last world had seemed a good one, but not worth either conquering or exploration. They already had a Llyron who was doing quite nicely, so a second would hardly seem needed. He HATED seeming unnecesary, and so he would let that world continue on it's normal path.

The beautiful young tech read the countdown as gatetime approached ....
" 5 .... 4 .... 3 .... 2 .... 1 .... "
The cyclonic burst of energy and the gate opened, and immediately closed. They'd failed to achieve lock on this world. Llyron gave an admonishing look to the people around the room ... fidgets of discomfort were seen.
"Recalibrate."
The voice was not pleased.
The tech recalibrated for the next world ... with an infinite selection, at least in theory, one lock more or less was acceptable ... but not appreciated by the monarch.

It was a full thirty minutes, til the next warm up had been completed. Again the countdown was read ... this time the gate opened as planned. The neo-probe was launched through ... with the iris shutting behind it moments later.

The young tech spoke again ....
"Reading should be coming through in twenty seconds .... ten ... 5 4 3 2 ..."

A series of green lights appeared on the display ... signals from the neoprobe.

---

The next morning, Llyron re-entered the P:S control room and sat at his throne like seat. The media scans had been recorded and deciphered. The tech looked uneasy ... Llyron was NOT going to like this one.
"Sir, pollution low & radiation levels low, The world is ruled by a coalition of psychics ... a very orderly society. Major crimes are investigated and judged by telepaths, precogs and postcogs... so there is very little crime. Only pockets of resistance exist, such at Latvertia.".


Llyron's hand dug into an armrail, deforming the steel. That's ALL he needed was to let the world how wonderful things would be if ruled by people like the Schemer. Well, a sane version, presumably, but still ...
"Classify this world as Red 5 and seal all records of the coordinates."

[Board Keeper]

...

[Board Keeper]

PS-004

A world where the people from early age are subjected to intense thought control. While an orderly society, such minor crimes as littering can trigger a frenzied response from both the government and the peoples.

Once visited by members of the Clique, with the help of Landis.

____________________________________________________

The young tech read the countdown as gatetime approached ....
" 5 .... 4 .... 3 .... 2 .... 1 .... "
The cyclonic burst of energy and the gate opened, and immediately closed. The gate appeared and locked ... the green lights came on. The lock rating appeared over the view screen. Rating 99.8 percent ... near as perfect as could ever be achieved.
"Brilliant, people, brilliant!"
Llyron was ecstatic ... the gate lock was the stable he'd ever seen. Signals coming through from the launched drone were crystal clear. Zero interference for Tinman communication.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


Llyron himself decided to man this expedition. They were again just off of New York City. An hour of prep time and he was in an aquatic car, pulling up onto the boat landing at Long Island. He parked the car in the water under the boardwalk and went ashore, assuming human guise. A stroll across the bridge ... from there he could see the Atlantean embassy, looking new and pristine. It was odd, this place was immaculately clean ... it looked like the majority of the people drove hybrid cars. More amazing yet, the subways and bus seemed to be free of charge, so he caught a ride into Manhattan. FF plaza seemed intact, as did the Avengers mansion. A swing over to Champions HQ left him stunned though ... not place he'd known back on earth. Luxuriously appointed marble, steel and glass. Brilliant architecture. And all about him, milling happy people. He stood gazing at it, like a tourist ... which he was.

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


Izotza pulled offer her helmet as she arrived at the Champion’s head quarters. Her motorcycle was carfully tucked away as she ran her fingers through her blonde hair. The commercial shoot had run long and she knew that she was going to be late for her assignment, but honestly, who would dare oppose the Clique?

It had been a long time since she’d seen some real action with those litter bugs, but still training and her duties kept her busy… maybe too busy as she hadn’t done any real socializing lately. But it was just the same. Anyone who wanted to go out with her was probably just looking for their fifteen minutes rather than having any real interest in her.

She made her way to the training room and into her usual room where she signaled for the training simulator to come on so she could practice.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He blinked hard as he saw what looked a lot like Arctic arrive at the Champions HQ like she owned the place. And perhaps she did. The guards treated her like an old friend as she went through and into the building, parking her bike in ... reserved parking with her codename on it?? THIS was going to be a fascinating world.
Llyron asked a guard if it was allright if he went inside, and he was told yes, and he proceded in. A small crowd was in an observation room, watching educational recorded displays about the Champions and their glorious history as peacemakers. Further down was an observation window for the training room, where Arctic was training. Another PR opportunity. Jack managed to make his way to the front of the crowd.

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


The training today was to work out the kinks in her new mask. I was supposed to amplify her powers as well as provide her with new ones. The simulation stopped abruptly many times and a few men in white coats would come in to talk to her for a few moments before she finally finished up and offered waves to the crowds who applauded her.

She disappeared for a few moments and then could be seen in the hallway near the observation room to sign autographs and take pictures. It was only then that she had noticed the man staring so intently at her. While most of the others seemed like mindless adoring drones… he was studying her.

So she finished up the autograph she was on and moved to approach him. “Hey there. Is there something I can help you with?” she tilted her head a little. “You look familiar…”

____________________________________________________

Llyron

He smiled, surprised she'd recognized his human form.
"We may have met before. Jack McKinzie."
He casually fingered his teleport tag in his belt, in case she attacked. Was this world's Llyron allied with the humans? Probably ... they seemed much more ecologically minded than those back home. He would see by her reaction ... if any at all.

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“Name doesn’t ring a bell… but you do sort of look like that guy that was trying to take over… Egomaniac polluting everything… Lay-man, lay-ron… I forget. Green-skinned dude.” she said as she waved her hand dismissively. “Anyway, It was myself and Shadowcaster that finally put an end to him to save our fair city.” she explained with a gentle smile.

____________________________________________________

Llyron

"It IS beautiful. Such a wonderful example of ordered society."
He kept his face straight ... polluting? Didn't sound like him. But then this didn't seem like the Arctic he knew, either.
"I was wondering if I could talk to you for a moment? About a matter of scientific importance ...? "

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“Scientific importance?” she said as she put her hands up. “Woah woah… we are putting a stop to this conversation right now. If I told you people once, I’ve told you a thousand times… one: I don’t use steroids, Two: If you want me to promote your thing, you have to talk to my agent, and three: I am not allowed to reveal my technology. If this ever got into the wrong hands…” she started taking a few steps back as she shook her head.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He smiled.
"No no no, I'm talking science that I might help humanity with. I don't want any profit or PR from you. I just wanted to discuss something about the ethical applications of a new science ... and you always reputed as the, forgive the pun, coolest member of your team. You'd know if this is something I should divulge or not."

“I… really think you should talk to the boss about that… I mean… Hard Core is really particular about what we can say and can’t.” she told him gently as she looked around and sighed gently. “Okay… okay fine. We can talk… but if this starts getting weird, or you’re plugging me for too much… I’m going to pull the plug right away.” she told him as she waggled her finger at him.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He nodded, and almost caught himself making a polite bow ... but refrained. No Atlantean mannerisms ... at least not yet. He walked with her outside, and off to the side ... annoyed at the tourists taking pictures. Well, not that they were taking pictures ... he LOVED pictures. But he was used to the cameras being aimed at HIM.
"Arctic, I'm going to tell you something rather hard to believe. But then you're an experienced peacekeeper here. Have you heard about the theories of parallel worlds ... universes where things are similar but a bit skewed from the one you know?"
He had no idea this was the world where the clique had made themselves known.

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

She stopped and looked at him seriously. “If this is more about that ridiculous theory about the litter bugs…” she looked around and smiled at some of the people that had passed before pulling him into another building. “Look… I don’t know how you found out about the second Schemer or the girl that looked like me… but if I were you, I wouldn’t mention it again.” she said as she glanced around again.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He blinked ... and blinked again.
"Second Schemer? Another Arctic? Lord Poseidon! Could this be where Landis dumped them all those months back? The odds are phenomenally improbable, but then our device IS based on Landis' energy signature."
He looked at her curiously.
"But what are you talking about litterbugs?"

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“Okay… okay… that’s it. I’m done. I’m not listening to this anymore. I know what I saw… I know who I destroyed. End of story.” she told him as she wrapped her coat around her tighter and started ducking out of the alley before she turned back to him. “And a word of friendly advice? If you plan on sticking around, I wouldn’t talk like that if I were you.” she told him before heaving a big sigh.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He laughed ... a pleasant, rolling noise.
"It makes one believe in a sense of fate. Kizmet. The karmic wheel."
He moved forward, to keep pace with you.
"I would assume the official story then was clones? And, seeing as ... Llyron ... was a criminal here, I assume he was blamed? How utterly comical."

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“The story was posers. People looking like us to try and drop public opinion. That’s what they said when more came and we locked them up. They are dead now. Llyron has been dead for nearly a decade. The only thing he was blamed for is some bad hygiene.” she told him as she sauntered back over to him. “You… really aren’t from around here, are you?” she asked him gently. “’Course not. That’s why we’ve been talking for more than two seconds and you haven’t run away screaming…” she offered as she brushed her hair back a little and looked at him.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He smiled broadly.
"Why on earth would anyone, well ... other than an enemy ... run from you? You're one of the most beautiful women on the planet."
He again shook his head.
"So schemer is a hero also? Nearly a decade, hmmm? Must be a close approximation."
He himself was only 6-7 years old.
"YOU are in for an incredible surprise ...."

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


She took a deep breath and glanced over her shoulder again, patrol would be by any moment and would ask her why she wasn’t following her normal routine. She might be able to get away with it because of her status, but they wouldn’t be able to linger long.

She looked back at him, concerned as she crossed her arms and waited for him to explain. “You really have no idea…” she told him gently as she diverted her gaze downward. She didn’t want to explain it and shatter his perceptions.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He looked at her.
"No idea? You're sick or something?"
He looked concerned ... Arctic was such a pivotal player in his game with the clique back home. He followed her gaze over her shoulder ...
"Looking for papparazzi?"

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“No. I’m not sick.” she told him before she looked down at her watch. “We have to go.” she told him as she pushed him farther into the alley. “We can’t let anyone see us here… not like this.” she told him as she pushed him along.

“Ever hear the term ‘Ice pregnant dog’?” she said as she kept shoving him. “Yes, that was my name long before Arctic ever was.” she told him. “The patrol will be here any second. Come on MOVE!” she said as she pushed him to move.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He moved along quickly, she must be late for something.
"I'll walk with you, if you're in a hurry. 'Ice pregnant dog'. Never heard of that."
He raised an eyebrow as they walked.
"Don't tell me you're working off some sort of community service thing?"

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“The ladder. Go. Hurry.” she said as she watched the darkened alley. “The third floor window is open, it’s my other place… just slide in and we’ll be able to talk more there.” she told him as she started following him up the ladder.

That was when she heard the footsteps. Crap.

She slid down off the ladder and smiled gently. “Boys! How are you tonight?”

“Miss Lyubov. You missed your second session today.”

“Yes, I know, I just needed to get some air. I am sorry about that. I’ll be there bright and early tomorrow to finish up fixing those kinks.” she said as she patted one on the shoulder.

“And what about the man we saw you with?”

“Tourist. Saw him off at the bus station. Never did catch a name. Was that all? I’m kind of… busy at the moment.”

“Alright. Tomorrow. You’d better be early. The boss will want to talk to you.”

“Yeah yeah…” she said as she shooed them off. Before glaring in the direction of the ladder and moving to hurry up after him.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He chuckled.
"You ARE on some sort of community service release program."
He grinned.
"What's the story? Former free speech radical?"

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“No. I’m not. I’ve never committed any crime. And… maybe that’s the trouble.” she said as she flopped into a chair. “People tell me I’m uptight. Especially the people I bring in. They all seem crazy. And by the way? You are topping that list right now. I should have handed you over to them.” she explained as she looked at him and crossed her arms. “So what’s your story?”

____________________________________________________

Llyron

He laughed ... this was too good.
"Turn me in for ... bad attitude?!? Lord help me, this place is just TOO rich. Thought police."
He smiled.
"I'm the son of Namor, the Submariner. Named Llyron, just like that loser you and Shadowcaster killed was. But hopefully a bit brighter. My human name is Jack McKinzie. And in case you don't believe me ...."
For just the barest moment, his face turned green and his eyebrows and ears arched to points, then returned to human appearance.

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


She tensed and her hand came up to defend herself when she looked at him in confusion. “But I saw you… I… I just…” She made a stabbing motion through her heart as she looked at him. “So… just how did you get here?” she asked him intently.

It was more than clear that she was confused about all of this but ever so slowly, she was buying into everything he was telling her. Honestly, who wouldn’t? The potential that there was the possibility of a life better than the one you are living definitely has appeal.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He laughed ...
"I wonder if my own version here faked his death. I could see easily making a clone to take the hit for me. Remember how I told you about parallel worlds. I wasn't kidding."
He smiled
"Take a little boat ride with me? And we can discuss your world, and mine ...."
He put out his hand ...

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


She looked down at his hand and then up at his face, and firmly stayed rooted to the spot she was in as she looked up at him. “Just… what do you want from me?” she asked him gently. “I don’t want to go into this blindly. I’ve given up a lot already, and before I go any further… I want some more explanation from you.” she told him as she looked around again. It was probably the most vulnerable she’d ever appeared to anyone.

“The second me… went down the sewer and disappeared… was she really from another world?” she asked softly as she looked at him. “I only asked because… you seemed to know me. Because… you know her, don’t you?”

____________________________________________________

Llyron

He smiled, but is was less cheerful ... a bit more grim.
"My world is much more brutal than yours. Roles tend to be reversed. Kind of a dark mirror image. The arctic from my world is a murderess ... she works for a terrorist named the Schemer."
He raised a brow.
"It's a different world. Dirty. Brutal. Lord Poseidon, I don't even know if Atlantis rose here."

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


She sighed a little and nodded. “I kind of thought so.” she said softly. “She never… came back, did she? she just… sunk lower.” It was then that she nodded a little and offered her hand this time. “Okay, I’m ready for that boat ride.”

But she paused a moment and removed her mask. “But you can’t talk like that in pubic. We’re happy shiny people… okay?” she told him as she came back to offer her hand to him.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


He smiled and reached out to touch her hand. He laughed lightly ...
"Hold your breath ...."
His free hand touched the jack-tag keyed to the anchor atop his aquatic car parked in 30 feet of water beneath the boardwalk of Coney Island. They appeared underwater, assuming she went with.

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


When she opened her eyes and spotted where they were she motioned for him to let go for a moment before she fashioned herself a small bubble she fixed over her nose and mouth so she could breathe and then offered her hand out to him again.

She really didn’t know why anymore. He was a murderer, a litterer and…. She trusted him more than she had trusted anyone she’d ever known. It was all strange and confusing and she wasn’t ready for it to end.

____________________________________________________

Llyron


Beneath them, a rocky formation transformed into a shining new car .... and floated up to them. The seats slid back and a hatch opened in the floor of the vehicle, and Llyron guided her into the air filled vehicle. Inside, they could talk in peace. He joined her a moment later. His clothing flowed over his body (unstable molecules), and he assumed his true form.
"This ... is my car. One of several."

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic


She looked around, a little more nervous now before returning her gaze to him. “Are we still… just outside the compound? IN the harbor?” she asked him gently. “Was this car like… twenty feet from my office the whole time?” she asked him softly.

“Just… what do you want with me anyway?” she finally came out and asked him as she looked at him intently. “All things considered… I’ve killed you once, and I could do it again if you’re just going to kidnap me.” she told him seriously. “Because I know how to do it…”

____________________________________________________

Llyron

He shook his head.
"You killed YOUR Llyron. You're probably talking of draining all the heat from my body. I've survived and taken precautions against that since then."
He smiled.
"I have no intention of kidnapping you. I'm talking about a car ride. You tell me about yourself and your world. Then I return the favor. Then we consider our options. Qui Pro Quo, Clarise."

____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

“I know. I never doubted that. Not really. But I just… I wanted to put that out there. Reassuring myself if nothing else.” she explained as she looked over at him again. “There isn’t much to tell. You’ve pretty much seen it all. You stay in line, be happy and everything is fine… if you’re not well… then you end up in the looney bin and… bad stuff happens there.” she explained. “I was talked into helping this one guy who had a fear of drowning… he hasn’t been back since.” she told him with a soft sigh. “I live comfortably… and it’s a good job.” she told him as she leaned back in the seat. “Or at least… I thought so until I started talking to you.”

____________________________________________________

Llyron

He smiled.
"Is that really the case or are you hoping to turn solve the litterbug evil schemer plot?"
He looked at her carefully, watching for a reaction ...
"I HAD to ask. I want to assure you, I am NOT allied with those who came before."


____________________________________________________

Champion Arctic

[Board Keeper]

PS-004

Continued Exploration ....

Talus was launched through the gateway, while Llyron himself lay comfortably in his private chamber, the engram device of his own design gently holding his head in it's technological embrace. His hands folded neatly on his chest, Llyron was 'elsewhere', possessing the Tinman III body sent through the aquatic gateway.

He exited his 'Escape from LA' style minisub and flew up out of the water, landing on the boardwalk of coney island. Temperature sensors told him the ambient temperature was over 110 degrees. And this was May and New York City, not death valley in the summer time. He began to walk through the broiling streets, aware of how real and lifelike the experience was.

And this was because it occurred in REAL TIME, and Talus WAS actually walking down a street in New York City. A New York City in another dimension.

He passed sun faded billboard and saw that humans looked pretty much the same in appearance and fashion. Sun bleached bones littered the streets, as well as rusting vehicles. Whatever had happened, it had happened suddenly. And a number of years ago.

A slow walk through manhattan .... perhaps he'd made a mistake coming in the daytime. With temperatures like this, any survivors would likely be underground until nightfall. He must have seemed a madman, walking about in the desert like sun very casually, dressed apparently in blue jeans, boots, and little else.

As he came down the street he saw the WTC towers standing intact. Whatever happened may have been before the 911 attack. Further on, he looked up toward where the FF building should have been. And spied the old Baxter building. Indeed, things were different.



Darya moved to follow him and shook her head out a lot. “I don’t see why you find this so fascinating.” she told him gently. She looked around again and then back to him. “It isn’t going to give you any sort of awareness that you don’t already have. I thought you would have learned that from my world.” she pointed out



Jack turned and looked at Arctic, smiling.
"You don't understand. I LIKE this world BECAUSE it has nothing to interest or challenge us. I've been looking for a place quite like this ... though I actually would prefer a place totally uninhabited."
He looked her up and down ... she wasn't sweating. Of course, if she were a Tinman unit, she wouldn't be. And as herself, she could keep herself easily cool enough.
"Every time we explore a dimension, it's like a phone call. It could possibly be traced back to us. BUT ... if we route the 'call' through a dummy planet or dimension like THIS one, then someone tracing us back would only find themselves a ruined world and not our real world."




“So what’s stopping them from tracing the “call” back to us through the routed planet?” she asked him gently as she looked around. “What is the point of all the exploration?” she asked. “I’m sorry, I’m really just trying to understand all of this…” she told him softly.

“So then, what is the purpose of this little… mission?” she asked him as she looked around again.



He smiled.
"When they start tracing the call back, we hang up. The more buffer worlds, the more time we have to disconnect. Just like when the police try to trace a call routed through satelites ... each connection delays the trace slightly."
He grinned.
"Other than meeting beautiful women you mean?"



She smirked at him and shook her head. “Don’t turn up the fire unless you plan on cooking with it.” she said, smacking him in the stomach lightly with a smirk.

“But yes, other than that.” she said as she shook her head a little as she continued to look around a bit. “It doesn’t seem that different.”



He smiled.
"What actually DOES surprise me, it that alternate timelines ARE so similar. Even given that the planet earth in each dimension IS capable of supporting life, one wonders at the probability for humans to exist on so many of them. And not just humans, but in many cases ... yourself as an example ... exact alternate versions of specific people. It's phenomenally intellectually stimulating."



She looked at him with a raised eyebrow. “So what would have happened if the ‘you’ wouldn’t have been dead in my world?” she posed with a shrug. “And what if, like me you find another version of yourself… that you can’t stand? Then what?”

She took a few more steps and looked around again. Someone was going to notice them, and they will start to ask questions that they didn’t have the answers to.


He smiled.
"I already HAVE found a world with another ME on it. Was interesting ... though I didn't meet myself, I heard my name often enough in the human media. On that world, Namor and I allied against Morgan Le Fey and stopped Atlantis from rising, killing Thor in the process. However, the gyrations of the continental shelf that Atlantis lies on caused massive tidal waves which pummelled the United States and Europe. Here that didn't happen due to an electromagnetic field around the waters of Atlantis as it rose. Well, someone launched a few nuclear weapons at Atlantis, thinking we'd attacked them. War was declared between the surface people and the Atlanteans. That was a few years ago, by all accounts ..."

[Board Keeper]

PS-005

Llyron entered the new control room. He'd had it remodeled ... the old one looked too much like cape canaveral. And he wanted some style. So, in homage to a favorite genre of entertainment, he styled it after a starship bridge. The layout seemed to work well, and he liked the throne like captain's chair.

An attendant handed him his tea and he leaned back, foot resting comfortably on the elevated footridge.

"Report."

"Warmup procedure complete. Ready to access P:S-004-T, on your command."
Llyron nodded and smiled. He did so LOVE this new toy. He made a classic gesture, though his people didn't catch it.
"Engage ..."
A burst of light and aquatic high pressure gate flared and opened ....
"Sir, gate aperture engaged."
Llyron nodded.
"Deploy neoprobes! Then close iris."

A series of green lights came on above the main screen ... the dimensional link to the neoprobes. The tech turned and looked back to Llyron.
"Water pressure -23%. Ambient temperature +22 degrees. Neoprobe 1 surfacing coil deployed, atmosphere standard, however ambient temperature is +36 degrees. Intense interference on media broadcasting. Sir, this planet is burning up. Sensors indicating increased solar activity. Possible intense ozone damage."

He smiled ... this could be an interesting planet to explore.
"Lock coordinates ... designate PS 004 as Beta Site 1. Ready Tinman units for deployment."

"Locked and recorded, sir. Tinman units being prepared. Estimated time of ready deployment, 1 hour 23 minutes."
Llyron nodded.
"Keep them on ready status. Do a full systems check. We may have found a suitable dimensional comm interlink point."