PRELUDE : Dark Blade, in his secret identity, returns from overseas after spending two weeks in Japan at a Kenjitsu Weapons Seminar. The day after he arrives in Phoenix, he contacts the local police and asks for data on the whereabouts of The Vulture and Killer Shrike. He finds that they seem to have no permanent base of operations but rather, are moving about the country. He tries for more information but does not have access to federal data bases.       Wanting to attend the trial of Captain Atlas, Nemesis returns to Earth. He spends a day at the Asteroid Base, reading the latest reports and EBTNs. He is disgusted at the unfinished state of repairs at the base but when he tries to make several repairs, he finds that the scientists have made several mods that don't make sense and he can't find any schematics. Giving up on the repairs, Nemesis decides he needs something to pick up his spirits.       Flying to Earth, Nemesis uses the EBTN comm channel to advertise a Get Together he has planned. He gives GPS coordinates for a peak on the Superstition Mts. and says that beer and hot dogs will be provided. He opens up the party to all new enhanced beings in the area who want to meet others of their kind. He also puts out a call for the Star Guard members that were involved in the battle with Captain Atlas, Ultimus and Dr. Minerva.       Thunderbolt spends much of the last two weeks in her secret identity continuing her efforts to identify terrorists from crossing into the United States from the Mexican border. At night, she continues her studies into the Kree language and Electronics. As Thunderbolt, she accesses several EBTNs dealings with the Galactic Commonwealth, trying to learn more about their government and judicial system.       Maelstrom learns that the commercial for the Buffy the Vampire Slayer video game has been delayed again due to the actress's marriage. Maelstrom contacts several PR firms to get him more exposure. He also keeps his eyes open for any reports on Quicksand, The Vulture and Killer Shrike on the Enhanced Being Threat Network. He is contacted by the EWWF (Extreme World Wrestling Federation) who are interested in him as an announcer.       Nemesis' party invitation goes out and the next day, Nemesis sets up a grill and a keg on a fairly level area on top of ones of the Superstition mountain peaks. A young man dressed in a black jump-suit covered in ones and zeroes arrives first. He rides a jet powered skate board but manages to make it up the mountain side. He introduces himself as Binary Man, a skills based techno-genius.       Singularity and Light Sabre do not respond to the call. Thunderbolt arrives with chips and dip! Nemesis uses his Light Image powers to create images of various beautiful girls who pretend to serve beer and tend the hot dogs. Binary Man seems infatuated with them.       Dark Blade arrives and introduces himself. He seems relieved to find that Incantrix will probably not be attending. He asks for a hot dog and, straining to his max, Nemesis manages to use TK to simulate one of the images delivering one for him.       Maelstrom radios in saying that he needs help finding the location. Nemesis has him fly toward the Defense League base and then uses his powers to create Images of signs to lead the way. The signs say things like, "Party this way!", "Take a Right at Venus", and various Burma Shave signs.       After finishing the beer and hot dogs, it is evident that this is all that are going to show up. Wanting to get an idea as to their powers, Nemesis suggests that they re-group 100 miles over the North Pole. Dark Blade and Maelstrom are willing to give it a try even though neither has any experience in space. Binary Man knows he is out of his league and says good-bye.       Maelstrom takes several minutes to gain orbit but finds that he has no problem handling outer space - in fact, he is excited at the new challenge. Dark Blade has only very minor powers of flight but can teleport up to 38 miles at a time. He shows up a minute later but seems on the verge of being sick. While he seems able to survive in space, he is space-sick. Maelstrom tries to talk but can not do so in space. Nemesis Mind Links with Maelstrom. Thunderbolt then Mind Links with Dark Blade and Dark Blade surprises everyone by Mind Linking with Nemesis.       Remembering how difficult it was to learn the super-hero tricks on his own, Nemesis decides to try and help these two new heroes develop their powers. He suggests they try following him into space. Maelstrom seems to top out at about 1500 mph while Dark Blade's flight powers are almost useless. Dark Blade manages to keep up, however, with his teleport powers.       After about 15 minutes' effort, Nemesis tries to show the two new heroes how to move at relativistic speeds. Maelstrom finally figures out how to project force of varying frequencies that multiply his flight speed by a factor of 10. Dark Blade shows no improvement.       Thunderbolt flies ahead to the Asteroid Base. Nemesis flies out of sight, trying to put a bit of stress on the two new heroes. Dark Blade is left alone in the vastness of space, with only the Mind Link to guide him. Maelstrom pushes his powers, projecting force rather than absorbing force, and begins to notice the stars ahead of him getting bluer and the stars behind him getting redder. He has achieved 25% the speed of light!       Nemesis flashes over to pick up Dark Blade and takes him on a quick tour of the Solar System that leaves him sick to his stomach. He then picks up Maelstrom and takes him to the Asteroid Base. He gives the two new heroes Visitor Status and shows them around. To gauge their offensive and defensive powers, he uses Light Images to create a Sentinel. He then shape shifts into a small Sentinel and provokes them to attack him. To his surprise, both hit him and Maelstrom manages to knock him off his feet! Rubbing his jaw, Nemesis rises to his feet and says, "You Pass!"       Nemesis and Thunderbolt invite Dark Blade and Maelstrom to accompany them to represent Earth at the trial of Captain Atlas. Dark Blade asks why anyone would want to journey into space. Nemesis shows them a variety of beautiful Alien women and Dark Blade quickly changes his mind even after hearing that the trip will take 25 hours. The trial is set to take place at a dual star system about 54 light years away. After asking about bathroom stops, Dark Blade is allowed to wear one of the Star Guard's Life Support belts. Nemesis carries the group through space, surrounding them in a Life Support field and entertaining them with Light Images. THE ADVENTURE : Arriving at the Genous Star System, Nemesis follows radioed directions and enters an orbiting Galactic Commonwealth Space Station. After lookinbg around the Space Station, the group enter the courtroom and take their places at one of three tables facing the court's tribunal. Nemesis notices a figure he believes to be a Watcher standing in the shadows and grows uneasy when the figure seems to be studying him. Captain Atlas is led into the courtroom. He and his Defender take the third table. Captain Atlas is to be held solely responsible for the actions of the Star Force against Earth. As the trial begins, the courtroom doors fly open and two imposing figures enter. It is Lilandra, Emperoress of the Shi'ar Empire and Gladiator, the Leader of The Imperial Guard.       Lilandra states that Captain Atlas is her subject now that the Kree Empire is a protectorate of the Shi'ar Empire. She states that she alone will judge him and demands that he be given over to her custody. When the Tribunal decides that this arguement must be settled by the representatives of Earth and the Shi'ar empire, we demand that Captain Atlas be tried by Lilandra. She agrees with reservations and we feel it would do little for Earth's reputation to wage a battle in a commonwealth courtroom and so agree to her demands.       When we ask to be notified of her decision, she invites us come aboard her ship to wait for the verdict. The ship enters a jump gate and transitions to the Shi'ar Galaxy. We find a restaraunt/lounge on the ship and wait for the verdict. As we do so, several loud mouthed Shi'ar start insulting us and call our actions in giving up Captain Atlas as cowardly. We try to reply in such a way as to question their honor and remind them that we assume we are under Lilandra's protection. Dark Blade, however, calls them; "Shi'ar Pigs" and is struck by a huge man with a back-hand blow that sends the dark hero flying across the area.       The crowd parts to reveal the instigators of the attack! It is four members of the Imperial Guard; Electron, Oracle, Neutron and Starbolt.       Dark Blade has been slammed up against a bulkhead and shakes his head to clear it. He desides to stay where he is and recover rather than joining the battle. His comment has seemingly outraged Neutron and the Shi'ar powerhouse moves in for vengeance, catching Dark Blade unprepared.       Caught by surprise, Nemesis, Thunderbolt and Maelstrom are grouped together and Electron takes advantage of the situation. He strikes with a lightning bolt that explodes at Nemesis' feet and explodes, engulfing all three heroes!       Nemesis cries, "My friend spoke hastily but, You Are Pigs!" He strikes Electron with a Telekinetic Punch but although knocked back a few feet, Electron seems hardly phased.       Starbolt attacks Thunderbolt and the Mistress of the Storm returns the favor. Oracle Mind Blasts Maelstrom who staggers in pain but quickly charges across the area and slams into Electron, smashing him into a wall! Unfortunately, Maelstrom learns that Electron is surrounded by a punishing electrical field. He also learns to his dismay just how hard the starship's walls are.       With barely enough stamina to regain his feet, Dark Blade goes on the defensive. Maelstrom, seeing the hulking Neutron menacing his friend, charges Neutron but misses. Nemesis cries, "Maelstrom, take Neutron! Thunderbolt, take Oracle!" That leaves Electron and Starbolt for Nemesis.       With Dark Blade alternately stunned and going on the defensive, the battle goes badly until Nemesis manages to knock Starbolt out. Unfortunately, Thunderbolt goes down before a psionic assault from Oracle. Turning his back on Electron, Nemesis puts up an Mind Shield and taunts Oracle, drawing her away from the downed Thunderbolt. Oracle's attack is easily fended off but Electron shoots Nemesis in the back and nearly knocks him unconscious.       Summoning reserves of energy, the heroes fight fiercely. Nemesis pushes himself to the limit and knocks Electron through a bulkhead and into another room. Maelstrom unleashes a haymaker and knocks Neutron out with a blow that rattles the starship. Thunderbolt recovers and takes Oracle down.       Lilandra's voice shouts from the ship's comm-system for the Imperial Guard to stand down. Nemesis replies, "We have taken care of that task already."       When guardsmen rush into the area, they find the four Imperial Guard unconscious and the four Earth Heroes sitting calmly at a table drinking and chatting. The guardsmen gape in disbelief before dragging the defeated Imperial Guards away. Lilandra instructs her guardsmen to place the defeated Electron. Neutron, Oracle and Starbolt in the brig.       The rest of the Shi'ar crew show noticeably more respect after this incident. Some time later Lilandra announces that Captain Atlas has been found guilty of misconduct and will be sentenced to hard labor on a prison planet.       The Shi'ar starship returns to the Milky Way Galaxy and drop the heroes off at the Commonwealth Star Base. Several wish to stay awhile to study the alien cultures but without some form of money, this would be difficult and so they start the long journey home.

EXPERIENCE	DARK BLADE	LIGHT SABRE	MAELSTROM	NEMESIS	SINGULARITY	STARSHINE	T-BOLT
Base Experience	2.00	--	2.00	2.00	--	--	2.00
Overall Bonuses	0.30	--	0.30	0.30	--	--	0.20
Roleplaying	0.20	--	0.20	0.30	--	--	0.20
Notes	0.10	--	0.20	0.20	--	--	0.30
TOTAL	2.60	--	2.70	2.80	--	--	2.70

K A R M A	DARK BLADE	LIGHT SABRE	MAELSTROM	NEMESIS	SINGULARITY	STARSHINE	T-BOLT
Starting Karma	10	--	10	15	--	--	15
Karma Used	05	--	05	05	--	--	00
Karma Earned	05	--	10	10	--	--	00
KARMA TOTAL	10	--	15	20	--	--	10