Proposition III - Island of Doom

[Tibxo]

In the hull of the old freighter, Michael looks down at the small group of people who are waiting for his employer. If he wonders whether they will survive the ordeal that they are about to embark on, he shows no signs of it on his grim face.

"Are they ready?" He does not have to turn round to know that the man who has stepped on the gangway next to him is his employer, Mortimer Humes.

"Yes, sir." He simply replies.

"Excellent! Hand me the microphone." Humes' lackey complies.

"Good morning, everyone! I trust that you have had a pleasant night and a hearty breakfast?"

They are murmurs from below.

"Good! Because where you are going, you will need them both!"

Humes pauses for dramatical effect.

"Where are we?" shouts someone.

"Ah! That same question. One which I can now answer. Yesterday, my private satellites picked up a body mass in the middle of the Pacific Ocean where there should be nothing but water. It turns out to be an island. An island that has not been in seen by human eyes in recorded history. We are now anchored off that island."

"Now I hear you ask 'What does that have to do with us?'"

"Good point. All you need to know that hidden somewhere on that island is an artifact. An artifact that I want you to find and bring back to me. For the person who will do that, I will pay them 100 million dollars in gold!"

"and what if we don't find this so-called artifact?" Shouts a voice.

"Simple! Then you don't get anything."

Humes again pauses, listening to their disgruntled murmurings.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I am offering a huge fortune but I do expect something in return. I am giving each of you the opportunity to be richer than you have ever dreamed. Go to the island, find my artifact and return it here. That is all I ask."

"Well, I ain't interested!"

Humes looks down and sees one man making for the door.

"These other geeks may be stupid enough to go on a fool's errand. But not John S. Sheppard the Third. No sirree!"

"If that what you want." Humes motions to Michael who speaks into his ear-piece.

A moment later, a man in a black uniform steps out on the gangway and cuts the hapless John S. Sheppard down. Immediately, the crowd reacts by bringing out their guns and assorted weapons.

"Ladies and gentlemen. I have not brought you all this way only to allow you to turn back. You knew that this is a risky assignment when you accepted."

"And what if we all want to turn back?"

Humes looks at the new speaker. A bald man with a goatee wearing black leather and equally black shades.

Grunt!

How can a man have a name like that? Admittedly, though there isn't much on the man, he gets results. Even so though.

Another motion to Michael and the gangways surrounding the hull are suddenly full of uniformed men, their weapons trained.

"As I said. Turning back is not an option. Now you can either go to the island and get that artifact for me. In which case, you will get your gold....or...... I can have you executed right here. Now I know that individually and as a group, you are formidible. But I doubt that even you can stand up to an army."

"What if we kill you?" It is Grunt again.

"Then my men have instructions to kill you all!"

Humes listens again to them murmuring but no-one speaks out.

"No more objections? Good! Then you should be going. You will find the launches waiting for you outside."

Humes turns to leave and then stops.

"Oh by the way. If you think you can escape in the launch, think again. This may look like a clapped out old freighter but rest assured, this ship has more armourment than one of Uncle Sam's most powerful warships and my men have been instructed to blow out of the water any launches that do not head for the island. Good luck!"...

OOC: If you want to join in, just jump right in.

 

[Tibxo]

Mortimer Humes

From the Bridge, Humes watches the launches as they speed off toward the island. One by one, they disappear into the black mist that envelops the entire landmass.

"Do you think any of them will survive?" asks Michael after the last launch disappears from view.

Hume just smiles...

 

[Tibxo]

Grunt

Grunt is on one of the leading launches as they enter the black cloud.

Grud! What is this stuff?

But if he has any misgivings for taking this job, the seven foot giant shows no indication, unlike his colleagues.

"We can't see in this." Shouts someone. "I am turning back."

"No you don't." Growls Grunt. "We are carrying on. If you want to go back, you swim."

The man starts to protest but before he is told to shut by someone else.

On into the mist they go with only the compass on the boat's control panel telling them that they are heading in the right direction.

"How far do we have to go?" It is the same man.

Bump! The boat runs aground.

"Looks like we are here." Grunt says...

 

[The_high_king]

Headless

ooc: hows it going Tibvo, I'm back as the formally-known headless guy. This time with a head of course. I'll be monitering the progress of these people. I'll be giving progress reports to Mr. Humes himself. I'm not allowed to help the contestants, I'm only allowed to observe, and record. I'm also supposed to kill anyone who dosn't follow the rules. Like trying to kill Mr. Humes for example, that would count as against the rules.


ic: We arrived at the shore, and I jump off the crows nest. Landing on my feet, right beside Humes. The scar around my neck was pretty damn visible. I took out my clipboard, and a pencil. "So, do you want me unload the cargo now, or wait till later", I said to Humes. By the cargo, I meant the shipments of zombies, werewolves, and other nasty creatures that I had brought along to make this island adventure a bit more... "spice". Humes also thought this was a good idea. Despite the evil that was already on the island of course, like traps, voo doos, and stuff. I had to say that this contest was going to be quite exciting.

 

[THEBRAT]

occ I will get back to you
Name Sharlene
Hair Brown
Eyes Brown
Weight 130

I think to myself that some of theses people don't seem very smart about money but I could as well be wrong in my assumptions.

 

[Maid of Marvels]

The young woman watched as the watercraft...

approached and people began to climb out onto the seemingly deserted beach. She had not seen another person for longer than she could remember. She had just attained her cycle of the moon when the last boats came... and when they left there had been no one left alive in her small village.

The only reason she had survived was because her father had hidden her in the cave behind the falls. The cave where she still made her home.

She felt panic rising in her throat as she watched them from her perch in the treetop where she had been picking fruit. Still. She would stay as still as a small animal caught in the shadow of a hawk's wingspan as it hunted for prey.

She would watch. And she would wait. Perhaps the roles would be reversed this time and she would become the huntress.

 

[The_high_king]

ooc: is anyboy else coming along for the ride.

 

[The GrandMage]

Logan DeStrad, or Silent Tom

A head covered in short cut blck head turned as the cold blue eyes looked around the beach. Standing nearly seven feet tall, Silent Tom evoked fear in most people who looked at him. It wasn't that he was particularly scry loking, it was simply a feeling around him, th way his eyes moved,...and the stories people told. It seems that any story involving his name involved at least two hundred dead people and him living through five explosions and never being hit once when shot at. If he hard the storie he'd most likely laugh in the tellers face, but thefew people that did get the courage to talk to him didn't fill their time with such petty converation.

He grabbed ahold f the thick vest over his shirt, tugging on it. The few explosives he had brought shifted slowly. His thick boots lowered into the sand as he glanced around. His fingers curled around the handle of one of his three guns, andhe took comfort in the feel of he lade against his back. Most people took blades for granted, but he always made sure never to leave the longsword behind. It never ran out of ammo. Besides, it was a collectors peice.

 

[Tibxo]

Grunt

As soon as the groups start to disembark onto the beach, the dark mist thickens even more, plunging everyone into, almost, pitch darkness.

"Can't see a Gruddamn thing!" curses Grunt as he reaches into his satchel and fishs out a torch attached to a band which he fastens onto his head. Switching it on, he finds all it does is illuminates layer after layer of dense fog.

"Still can't see a Gruddamn thing." He says as he wades into shore.

"I say! Where in the devil are we heading?" The voice to his left sounds distinctly British.

"Inland. Apart from that, Hell do I know?" They are now on the beach. "I'm just walking forward."

"Good point. M-may I introduce myself? I am Rupert W Winslop, the Second and may I have your name?" The British man says.

"None of your business." Grunt replies, continuing walking slowly.

A few yards later, a tall object looms into his vision.

"Eeek!" Shouts Winslop.

"It's only a tree." Grunt responds. If he wonders how can someone like Windham can be on this expedition, he does not show it. Instead, he reaching for an overhanging branch and finds that it simply disintegrates at his touch...

 

[The_high_king]

ooc: glad to see so many people come along

 

[THEBRAT]

Sharlene

I hear someone go"Eek and someone else say that it's only a tree!"

I think to myself "What person would be stupid enough to be scared by a tree."

I like this kind of Foggy weather it suits me just fine and dandy!

 

[chanaud]

Mi Lei

I’m not going to complain. Keep my mouth shut. This is what I’m trained for, right?

She bit her thin bottom lip to prevent her from crying out her fears until she tasted the first pungent taste of iron drawn out by blood. She wished she were somewhere else. Anywhere but here, even back at the base camp. But, she needed that artifact. She had to return it to its rightful owner…

Her black almond eyes turned to every voice, memorizing it and storing it in the back of her head. She was able to weave out the familiar tones and concentrate on the strange ones as her fingers held her AK47 tightly. The magazine holding her supply of clips was a security blanket as she trudged through the salty dark water, feeling for the hard ground.

Mi’s finger was ready to fire her weapon when she heard the scream. The reassurance of it just being a tree made her roll her eyes. A primitive odor permeated her. She sensed a wild animal were lurking nearby and waiting for them. A branch caught her by the throat, almost choking her. In one swift adept move, she pulled out her strategically placed knife and cut her way to freedom.

 

[The GrandMage]

Silent Tom

The dense fog made it hard to see. It closed around, obscuring the naked eye, and darkening the surroundings. Always be prepared, that was the boyscout motto. Logan listened to the talkative chatter of his competitors. Newbies. The pros were answering only when needed, or shushing the idiots. They knew what they were doing.

Money, artifact, none of it mattered to him. He grinned. He'd beat the others, prove himself, get the artifact, take some of that reward, and finish the job he came here to do. It would have been too hard back when the big man was in charge. The reward was more than he was being paid, but he doubted he'd get away with it all. Besides, he made it a point to never be bought out. Bad business.

He turned his back to the island, looking around as he pulled his handgun out. More afraid of the others than anything the island had to offer. Greed did odd things to people. Backing inland, he glanced around, brushing by tree limbs and hanging moss as his boots sank slowly into the ground.

 

[The_high_king]

Headless

I finally gave the signal to release the creatures. The sides of the boat began to open up, and large cages came out. These cages were inhabited by the most vile creatures ever to walk the earth. Which included zombies, skeletons, lesser demons, and so fourth. All werewolves, and vampires were put to sleep in there cages since those would be the troublesome ones. The cages were then ejected into the sky by a incredible dark force, and were parachuted, and scattered all across the island. It was expensive, but it was quick, and it got the job done. I nodded toward Humes, and got to work.

 

[Tibxo]

Grunt

Moving up to the trunk, Grunt easily puts his fist through it.

The tree's rotten through!

Going over to another tree, he finds that too is dead.

"What sort of jungle is this?" Grunt murmers.

"All the trees appear to be dead." Winslop says.

"Looks that way." Grunt says acidly. The small man is starting to get on his nerves.

"I wonder what killed them?" Winslop asks.

Good question. But Grunt doesn't answer.

Grud! Can't see with all this mist. Switching to infrared.

Switching off his torch, Grunt flicks a switch on his sunglasses.

"That's better!" He says mainly to himself as he continues to track inland...

 

[Tibxo]

OOC

Just want to say a big thank you for everyone who has joined so far.

And to say that there's room for more!

 

[THEBRAT]

Sharlene

I move silently among the supposedly dead trees!

Well it looks like the Self Defence Mechanisms are still in working order I Laugh to myself.

 

[The_high_king]

Headless

SSHHHKKKK! My telescope seemed to retract then absorbed into my black jacket. They seemed to be progressing well... for now. I silently jumped on to another rotted tree. Following them closely. If I were them, then I would find a place to set up camp, and quick. Most of the creatures come out at night. Not just the creatures that Mr. Humes demanded delivered, but the ones that are already here too.

 

[Tibxo]

Mortimer Humes

Standing on the deck of the freighter, he looks at the ominous dark cloud covering the entire island.

"No-one has tried to leave yet?" He asks Michael as his lackey joins him.

"Not yet, sir. But the day isn't over." The eager look on his assistant's face makes Humes smile.

"Patience, Michael! Patience! It will happen. Now how is our associate getting depositing our 'cargo'?" He asks, watching the strange young man with the strange scar further down the deck. "I must admit, he has a very interest way of doing it."

"I don't trust him, sir. Have you seen his eyes? They are dead as if he has no soul."

"Michael, this is not a popularity contest. I have hired our young friend to do a job which he is doing quite well from the looks of things and from his reputation, he should deal with anyone who tries to return."

"With respect, sir, I believe that is my job. You don't need him." Michael replies, obviously unhappy with this interloper.

"Let him do his job. Once it is done then, perhaps, we can persuade him to join the others. Now if you want me, I will be in my office." Humes turns and re-enters the ship.

Going through the small, cramp corridors, Humes soon finds himself in the sanctity of his own office and for a moment can almost believe he is back in his main office in New York which this is a replica.

A costly indulgence but one he can easily afford.

"How does it fare?" A low voice from the shadows asks.

"Your prey is on the island all ready to be hunted." Humes replies as he goes over to the drinks cabinet and pours himself a bourbon. He then offers one to his 'guest'.

"You know that I do not drink. The alcohol gives me a bad reaction." Humes could see the blood-shock eyes staring out at him from the darkness.

"Yes, I remember the last time you had a 'reaction'. The police still have not found the bodies." Humes refills his glass.

"Yes. " his guest gives a throaty chuckle. "I remember that." There a brief pause and then: "You have done well. My host will be most pleased with your offerings."

"I only serve to please." Humes replies but his guest has already gone...

 

[Tibxo]

Grunt

With the aid of infra-red, Grunt finds it easier to move within the confines of the dead jungle. Unfortunately, Winslop is still with him.

"How deep does this jungle go on for?" The British man asks.

"Shut up!" Is Grunt's retort.

"But..." Winslop begins to say but stops when he finds his throat being grabbed.

"For a limey, you don't understand your mother tongue too well, do ya! Just can it, creep else I'll shut it for you!"

The only response is a hoarse cough when Grunt lets go and resumes his foraging.

He has only gone a few dozen yards when he hears a thump behind him. Spinning round, he sees that Winslop is lying face-down on the ground.

"What the drokk?" Then he smells it before he loses consciousness.

Gas!...

 

[The_high_king]

Headless

I observed the group as they tried to desperately get away from the gas. It was quite amusing, they looked like a bunch of ants running away from pesticide. I took a whiff of the gas. "Ahh... its the knock-out type. It would be a shame if they all were to sleep now. It would be pretty boring too". Making a small cooing noise, I black orb with wings, and talons perched on my shoulder. I then worte this message:

Mr. Humes, they were progressing quite well, but now they seem to be stuck in some really strong gases. It would be a shame if they were all to die now. Wheres the fun, and challenge in that?

I rolled up they papaer, and gave it to the small black orb. It then quickly flew off to Mr. Humes himself. I then watched on with great interest. Watching how these people would get away from this dark cloud of that was sending them to dream land, one by one.

 

[The GrandMage]

Silent Tom

Inching through the mist, he wondered idely about pulling out the infa-reds. Then he decided against it. It was too hard to pick out the other dangers, quicksand, not heated movement. He stopped, looking around at the dead trees. Putting his gun away, he crouched down, grabbing a handful of soil and letting it shift through his fingers.

His eyes glowered as he sneered. Marsh. Marshes had dead trees, and pockets of gases plus pockets of quicksand and worse. It was relatively dry where he was, but it other places it wouldn't be so lucky. Perhaps this would explain the...

He stood at a sound behind him. He pulled his gun out, turning slowly as he pointed the weapon. Glancing the the left and right, he slowly began to back up. As he did, his foot, instead of meeting solid ground, was pulled down into a pit of quicksand. Growling deep in his throat, he put his gun away and gripped both hands around his leg, just below his knee. It was then when it decided to make it move, he turned at the sound of it breaking through rotten trees as it rushed towards him.

 

[THEBRAT]

Sharlene

I sense grave danger to the one that is called Silent Tom but he will over come this danger.

I smell The Marsh Gases and someone else that I have not smelt in a long time.

 

[Messalina]

Messa

She had been named for one of the uppity wimmin of herstory as her father liked to say. Never quite living up to the reputation of the wife of the Emperor Claudius of Rome, Messalina Bishop had had a wild youth but had finally settled down in her twenties and hit the books (much to her parents' relief) earning a major in archaeology and a minor in cultural anthropology.

Messa had heard of Mortimer Humes before she joined this little expedition. In certain circles he was revered, in others abhorred. In all, he was considered to be untrustworthy. She, however, didn't have an opinion of the man. She was bored and this seemed like the perfect fix.

Dressed in jeans and a tee shirt and shod with a sturdy pair of hiking boots, Messa hoisted her overstuffed backpack onto her shoulders and headed in the direction the others had gone. She had a weird sort of take on things where this particular artifact was concerned... sort of he who follows leads. In other words, she'd let somebody else take the first risk and she would clean up behind them.

As she draws near the one called Grunt and his whiney little friend Winslop, she watches them topple to the ground.

"What the fuck?" is the last thought she has as she joins them on their dank smelling, humus covered bed.

 

[The_high_king]

Headless

"Ouch", I said, as I watched another person gets beaten by the gas, and hits his neck against I tree stump. The guy's neck snapped like a twig on impact. Luckily for the rest, the gas takes a awhile before it renders you unconscious. I watched on in amusement as the travellers fell down, one by one.