Planning

[time_dancer]

Val's room is something like a mix between a New York warehouse studio and a high tech lab. Instruments glow and beep along one wall and the windows (or are the flat screen monitors?) show the New York skyline in the early evening of Autumn. Over the center wall is a large portrait of the Fantastic Four family; Reed, Susan, Johnny, Ben, Alicia, Val, Franklin, and Jennifer figure prominately. On an opposite wall another family portrait shows a happy Susan with a seemingly equally happy Victor von Doom (in armor), an older Franklin (teen aged) and Val. Over by the lab area there is a dry erase board with the words "Save Johnny" written very large.

There is a round table in the center of the room with enough chairs for everyone. Food and drink (digital variations are present) are on a side table next to plates and cups. Floating above the table is a 3D holo-map showing a flat asteroid about the size of a couple football stadiums with several smaller asteroids floating about it. There is a red light blinking just off the center of the large rock island.

"So here's the landscape. Aunt Jen, you've had more experience with the Negative Zone. Would you mind explaining its nature for us?" Val asks once everyone is settled. All traces of her usual cheery self are gone, today Val is all business. At the head of the table there are also a few floating screens showing several different species of the insectoids and some stills of the character of N-Zone space.

Comments

[time_dancer]

"Actually Enzo, I was thinking you could help with the boom. With your jet pack you can fire from above and keep an eye on the battle for the rest of us. If that's alright with you?"

[a1enzo]

"Oh! Sure, I can do that." He grins. "Aerial surveillance. Alphanumeric."

[time_dancer]

"Okay so we have two teams. One which will work as a distraction and cover for the other which will attempt to sneak in and get to Johnny. The distraction or Boom team is myself, Will (as he's best with ranged weapons), Ellen (since she's in power armor and a portable Telsa canon) and Enzo (who will be our eyes in the sky).

"The sneaky team will be Aunt Jen and Ben (since they're best with hand to hand), Mel (as she's best with stealth), Raylan (since a shot gun is really for close quarters) and Jan (since with her size changing abilities an flying she can harry the enemy). Does that sound about right? Are you okay with that Raylan and Jan?"

[gammagammahey.livejournal.com]

Jen, meanwhile, is gaping at Ben in his powered up form.

"Color coordinated teammate!" she finally crows. "Much better than Hawkeye."

[unbreakableben]

"Purple doesn't go with black and burgundy does it? Or does your Hawkeye dress differently?"

[biggerstingers]

"Superpowers go with just about everything, thank goodness," says Janet, "And I'm fine with starting off sneaking. There's always time for death from above later."

[gammagammahey.livejournal.com]

"He wears puple, head to toe," Jen replies to Ben, and then laughs. "You look like Adam Warlock's evil doppelganger. Without the evil, of course. Can I just say wow? I've never met a Ben like you."

Jen turns her attention to Jan.

"We'll need you to harry and distract, Jan - is that okay? Once the sneaking part is over."

[biggerstingers]

"Sure. Not that I'd mind getting a few solid hits in, but bringing everyone back in is the big thing."

It is kind of the point for starting out on this.

[gammagammahey.livejournal.com]

"I think we're really Team Boom in spirit, at least. We've got the most heavyweights in terms of raw strength other than Val. Jan, trust me, you'll have plenty to hit. Was there an Annihilation Wave on your Earth? Does the name Annihilus ring a bell?"

[biggerstingers]

"Nothing," says Janet shaking her head, "But this does look a bit like the view outside the new supervillain prison that Hank and Reed - the ones I know at home that is - put together."

There is a short pause.

"I'll drop a few hints at home once we're done here."

[slayer_fray]

While Mel appreciates small talk and worl comparisons, she also likes having the opportunity to hit stuff.

"So we're all decided then?"

[itwasjustified]

Raylan tips his head toward Val in acknowledgement. Considering these odds, he's a good fit for the stealth team.

He's looking forward to seeing what Ellen has in her arsenal; his mind is mostly on firepower when Mel speaks.

He glances around the room, looking for signs of assent or objection.

[biggerstingers]

Janet punches the palm of her other hand.

"Let's do this."

[will_scarlett]

(OOC: Due to RL stuff, Don's not going to be around tonight.)

Will grins at everyone, "Aye, let's."

[time_dancer]

[OOC: Actually I just realized Will and Raylan need to get armed. Let's say it's the day before?]

[a1enzo]

[OOC: Up to them, I suppose, or whoever's supplying the weapons?]

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

[OOC: I'm willing to thread the weapon distribution if other folks want it, otherwise I'm good with handwaving.]

[gammagammahey.livejournal.com]

"I'm ready, willing, and able to kick some serious ass at a moment's notice. When do we leave, Val? The sooner the better."

[time_dancer]

"Well I'll need some time to construct Will's arrows and adapt Ellen's alien tech," Val muses. "I think I can get it done in a day though I'm sure Will want some time with the arrows to get their feel? I think I might actually have some dummies I made to get the balance right when I made these for Kate so he can try those out. And Ellen, I am assuming you have good sunlight most places in your world? I remember it being pretty good when I helped you before but that was only one place."

[aaaaaaaagh_sky]

"Sun won't be a problem," Ellen says. "It's not like I live in the DC ruins, and we don't get a lot of cloud on the surface."

[slayer_fray]

"I'm gonna need overnight to grab vests from the Laws," Mel says. "Assuming no one drops a grab in my lap on the way, then I'll hafta call another day."

It occurs to her that people from the past might not hear 'grab' as a synonym for 'steal.' She doesn't care anywhere near enough to clarify.

[time_dancer]

"I think I might be able to make those batteries be solar," she says with a grin before adding, just in case. "In good sun, they'd likely take a day to charge. I won't know for sure until I get started but the technology is sound."

"So why don't we met back here tomorrow night after dinner? If you're prone to vertigo or motion sickness, I'd eat a light dinner."