Chapter 10: [Business and Pleasure] - Part 2 – Ventures and Luck
"Pleasure in the Job puts Perfection in the Work" - Aristotle
*DOOM*
Planet Almerac
Doomsday
3rd POV
Almerac was a planet populated by Almeracians, a technologically advanced warrior society that constantly fought. They sought to remove weakness from there society to build a more powerful society. They lived under Imperial rule under House of Blood Royale, the result of generations of selective breeding.
All of this – there breeding, there history, there technology, there warrior spirit – meant nothing to the conqueror that appeared above their world. High above their world is an immense ship shaped like a metal humanoid skull with numerous thick metal tentacles beneath it like a cephalopod.
This is not the Collector of Worlds that would appear above Earth in 2015. Instead, the one is from an alternate universe. In that Universe, Vril Dox I – twelfth level intellect of Coluan sought to acquire knowledge through any means possible, conquering parts of the universe with his drones. Eventually, he was displaced into the Bleed between dimensions and found himself in this new universe. Now the cybernetic conqueror has set his sights on Almerac.
The Almeracans are a powerful race, but against one of the smartest beings in the multiverse and his technology, they don't stand a chance. Brainiac finally ends the conflict by firing a brilliant green beam at the planet. Immense pulses of green-white energy, like tsunamis of energy, spread across the planet. The green light is the last thing the planet-side Almeracans see before they disintegrate along with all traces of flora, fauna, and technology. The planet is left a lifeless husk, stripped of everything that made it the home of a proud race.
On board an escaping Almeracan ship, Queen Maxima watches the end of her world.
Queen Maxima is a gorgeous Amazonian woman standing 188 cm (6'2) with green eyes and hip-length wavy red hair. She is dressed in a uniform that resembles a skintight green/black swimsuit with black arm coverings and gold armor. She also wears similar green/black boots that go above the knees.
"Primaa. Our world is lost, but our people must survive."
She turns to look at her companion – her lover Primaa. A young Almeracan woman with black eyes and short blue hair. This woman is dressed in black and gold, lacking the decoration of royalty.
"Strength alone wasn't enough to win this war." says Maxima, "Brainiac defeated us because he possesses superior intellect. For our people to survive we must match our physical power with mental power."
"So, we must breed with more intelligent species." says Primaa. She is the Queen's lover, but understands the need to pass down their genes. Ensuring the future generations possess superior abilities is a vital part of their culture.
"My late Fiancée was strong, but he was foolish. My husband must be the smartest man in the universe. Someone surpassing the 12th level Intellect of our conqueror."
"How are you going to find him?"
"I have contacted the woman you mentioned. The Prophetess."
*DOOM*
March 17, 2012 - St. Patrick's Day – A New York parade was attacked by a wannabe super villain The Leprechaun. The heroes arrived in time to rescue the villain after he was beaten, robbed, and stripped of his costume by drunk tourists. This comic book world is like a distorted funhouse mirror.
Rorschach called me and said he made a new friend?
April 11, 2012 – China's political landscape is getting worse. China is ripping itself to pieces and there is no unification to stop it. Hong Kong has its own team of super heroes and themselves heroes instead of Chinese super-functionaries. Oolong Island – an island inhabited by mad scientists - has also vanished off the face of the planet.
May 4, 2012 - Chang Tzu, a Chinese supervillain was found dead. The super-genius was known as Egg-Fu do to his body resembling a giant yellow egg equipped with a mechanical exoskeleton. He was once a communist agent, but has been involved with Intergang, the Great Ten and the Science Squad on Oolong Island. They say he was boiled alive and then something took a bite out him. Who or what could eat the giant egg-shaped freak like a Boiled Egg?
*DOOM*
Rorschach's Ink Well
Location Classified
May 4, 2012
1st POV
Rorschach's Headquarters seems to get larger and larger, every time I visit. I don't know where the hell this place is, but it must be Massive. Once it was a warehouse loaded with Rorschach's personal lab and a little living space; the sort of thing you could find in a defunct Vault in the Fallout games.
Now, there are automatic factories producing numerous Cognito Inc products and warehouses that store those products before shipment. I have to wonder if the Cognito Factories in the outside world are just empty shells or backup for the real factories. Cognito products which include various models of 3D Food Printers, Food cartridges, Water Purifiers, Biomedical devices, cosmetic devices, computers and electronics, and a few dozen other forms of consumer goods.
There is also a mech bay loaded with Liberty Primes from the battle against the Chinese Dragons. All twenty-four of the forty-foot-tall humanoid robots are fully repaired and upgraded with the Type-II enhancements found in Sentinel Primes. Numerous Star Wars style astromechs roam around performing maintenance and checking for anomalies.
The mech bay is also loaded with a small army of human-size Liberty Primes. These are the Libertus Units also known as the "Iron Legion". There is already an army of these units in China protecting Cognito Inc assets. They also perform peacekeeping efforts and many refugees see them more as their protectors than the actual Chinese authorities.
There is a photo online of an Iron Legion unit protecting a Chinese family from Chinese soldiers. The soldiers wanted to take the metahuman child away from her family to become a weapon of their army. Iron Legion stepped in front of them, arms wide and generating an iridescent hexagonal barrier. This photo is being shown at civil rights organizations all around the world.
In another part of the Ink Well there is a huge dark chamber containing a special project. I don't know what the project inside the chamber, but I do know it involves the remains of two Chinese dragons – Golden Earth and Black Lightning – and a lot of nanomachines. Rorschach says it's going to be an even bigger surprise than the Liberty Primes. Which in of itself is a pretty high fucking bar to set for yourself.
In another part of the Ink Well, there is a firearms range for testing his weapons. Rorschach has a ridiculous number of retro-futuristic weapons that came out of Flash Gordon and old comic books. Guns that shoot bullets with insane accuracy. Guns that shoot nano-explosive rounds that cause targets to inflate and explode. Guns that shoot lasers and particle beams. Sonic guns that shoot shockwaves through the air. Heat guns and Freeze guns that can match the weapons of the Flash's rogues. Lightning Guns that stun targets and Magnetic Guns that magnetize their metal targets. There are gravity guns that can make objects a thousand times heavier or a thousand times lighter. There is even a portal gun crafted to look like the ones from the Portal videogame.
Rorschach shot me with every single one of them. Some of the effects were fun until I became immune to them.
There is a huge hanger for the silver-hulled flying saucer known as the Silver Saucer. Unlike Rich Sanchez's Space Cruiser, this one was built big for all the luxuries and plenty of passenger space. It's a beautiful piece of science fiction out of a pulp magazine. It's armed with a multitude of weapons including the Doom Driver which turns me into a massively hyper-sonic projectile. It also possesses an artificial intelligence whose avatar alternates between an eye with a radial volume monitor, and a pawn with a pair of lateral volume monitors on its rounded face.
"So, you are replacing me then," the AI, F.I.L.S.S. aka "Freelancer Integrated Logistics and Security System" aka Sheila stated in a direct, yet strangely sexy voice.
"Not replacing. 'Transferring'," Neo argued. "Turns out your old shell resembles the workhorse of a race of alien super perverts. That I got a legit Quest to rectify that is just a bonus."
"So, you will be building me a new body?"
"Not quite. After getting some feelers into the Extranet, I found out that Ventura: The Gambling Planet also exists in this universe. I'm thinking of getting your new body from there."
"Alright. But I want something nice. With a main cannon!"
Which brings me to the topic of why I was here...
"So why did you call me?"
"This Quest is going to be a vacation and I want you and the girls to join me."
"What do I get out of it?"
"Mountains of money. Gourmet foods. High grade liqueurs. Mountains of money. Amazing scenery. Mountains of money. Excitement."
"You said 'mountains of money' three times."
"What part of 'Gambling Planet' did you miss?"
" . . . You mean the whole planet?"
"Imagine Coruscant and Las Vegas had a crazy party-girl baby, and you get the general idea."
*DOOM*
May 10, 2012 - I got news from the soldiers and scientists of Cadmus Beta. Most of the Slade Wilson clones are now working security for Cognito Inc. They also act as representatives of the company when Rorschach or Doctor Genus can't make contact. Those that decided not to join up are still working for their PMC and have made contact with the original. The female scientists are similar as they have chosen to work for Cognito Inc since Star Labs has a connection to Cadmus and they wouldn't work in Gotham even if you paid them triple.
June 16, 2012 – Rorschach sent a remote drone to the Caribbean to check on Poison Ivy. Ever since the death of Flowering Wood Dragon there has been a massive surge in plant manipulators. Until the Day of the Dragons, the only major plant manipulators were Fluoric Man, Ivy and Swamp Thing (Alec Holland?) of the current generation and Thorn of the past generation. There are now literally hundreds of green users. What the drone found was shocked – Ivy is pregnant! I have no idea how this is possible since Ivy was rendered sterile by her transformation. My best guess – magic.
Rorschach, at my suggestion, sent a couple of medical droids and supplies for the new mother. They will monitor things.
June 18, 2012 - It's time to launch. A two-week trip to this galaxy's version of Los Vegas. I hope my trip is less eventful than Virgil's trip in Young Justice: The Hunter. I helped Neo come up with ideas for that crazy trip and I know he would help me do the same.
*DOOM*
Royal Black Casino
Ventura - The Gamblers' Planet
Sector 2018
June 18, 2012 (Earth Time)
Ventura is home to the mystical Luck Lords, beings who gather the power of chaotic chance in an attempt to influence the universe in accord with their grand designs. In order to help gather the power, they transformed their world into a gambler's dream. There are thousands of massive casinos that are suspended by a web of anti-gravity units above the surface of the planet. It's like someone took Los Vegas, Atlantic City, and Reno, updated them with Stars War level technology, and placed them in the sky of a beautiful world.
"The Luck Lords are powerful mystical beings and don't actually care about mundane money and wealth. The entire purpose of this place is to gather the power of chaotic chance, so gaining or losing millions matters little to them." explains Rorschach showing a picture of a Luck Lord. They are strange beings dressed in robes with golden eyeballs for heads. When they deploy their mystical energy wings, they resemble the weird Generation 5 Pokémon Sigilyph. "They can sense my Gamer ability."
"Do they have any problems with it?" I ask as adjust my uniform.
"Actually no. They gave me a Black Card for VIPs" says Rorschach holding up a black card marked with the Ventura language is gold and holographic symbols. "There are different tiers of Luck according to the Luck Lords ranging from personal luck to divine blessed luck. Since my Gamer ability comes from Gaea - primordial mother-goddess of a planet – It's considered Divine Luck. They don't just accept me; they want me in their casino playing as much as possible."
Rorschach exits the ship onto the VIP landing pad. He's now dressed in an expensive white suit that screams 'I'm rich, powerful, and important'. Black shirt, white tie, white pants, black socks, black/white shoes, white gloves, and white jacket. He also has a gold watch with black/white face decorated with two sideways Vs. Instead of his normal Rorschach mask, he wears a half black half white mask decorated with gold. It looks like a Venetian mask worn during Carnival.
Starfire is next to him dressed in a flowing purple dress, cut for easy walking. She wears custom gold jewelry made by Rorschach's super science. Hidden behind the gold and gemstones of her bracelets and necklace are tracking chips, devices that block mind control, and a few protective inventions. It's actually common on this word for the girls of the elite. The difference is Starfire's protections are higher quality than any other. So, he looks less conspicuous on Ventura, she'll be playing the role of 'arm candy'. It isn't that he's making a move on her, he in fact stated under no uncertain terms that Starfire is such an adorable 'roll of cinnamon', he can't help but want to pamper her.
A sentiment I can wholeheartedly agree with.
Blackfire, Raven, and Jade are the next to exit the ship. All three girls are dressed in black utilitarian clothing, both fashionable and functional. They are dressed like the female body guards of the VIPs. My three dark beauties also wear the same protective Jewelry each with an appropriate theme. Blackfire's jewelry has a star-theme with black and purple stones. Raven has a bird theme with stones matching her eyes. Jade has Chinese themed jewelry with jade stones.
You know you are rich when your bodyguards are dressed in bling.
The next two to leave the ship are the Kitaen Sisters – Priscilla and Maximilla. The two hybrid clones, also known as Priss and Max, became friends with my girls after Rorschach finally solved the "All Daemonites are Dead" problem. As far as the mystical universe is concerned the beautiful dark-skinned women in black are hybrids of Human, Kherabim, and something that only resembles the extinct Daemonites.
The original Priscilla Kitaen worked as an exotic dancer in New Orleans while paying for her education, but she has always wanted to see Vegas. Now, they get to see Galaxy's equivalent of Vegas. The girls are dressed in loose black dresses, which makes sense in Max's case since she is a shape-shifter.
As for myself, I'm dressed in black suit of a bodyguard. A grey-skinned very muscular humanoid standing seven and half feet tall screams bodyguard. I'm even wearing a watch. Sunglasses, and the earpiece.
Next to me is Patrick "Eel" O'Brien, the hero Plastic Man, dressed in a red suit (which is probably composed of his own body). He's trying to play it cool, but it's clearly amazed by "Space Vegas".
Earlier I asked Neo "How'd you get him to sign on?" and he responded "I gave him a hundred grand for the little one's college fund. Boy was HE red-faced when he found out he had a son."
Patrick O' Brian has an ex-wife named Angel McDunnagh. Angel couldn't handle the life of super hero and left him. She later found out she was pregnant and didn't tell him because she wanted her child to have a normal life. In other timelines, Pattrick would have found out about Luke when he either joined a street gang and his mother panicked or when his metagene awoke and his mother panicked.
Patrick was grateful to Rorschach for rescuing Mother Superior and his donations to the Nunnery/ Orphanage. That combined with his son's college fund sealed the deal. He agreed to come with us on a Gambling Vacation. He is also keeping an eye on things for the Batman. It was supposed to be a secret spying mission, but Rorschach easily found out and flat out told everyone. He even told Plastic Man, that he didn't care if Bat learned anything. Everything we are doing is legal at least on Ventura.
I do wonder why we are having Patrick carry our winnings, when Rorschach has an Inventory and spatially expanded containers. Maybe Rorschach wants to show off. This trip isn't just about money and prizes, it's about connections and influence. Turns out, money make the whole damn universe go round.
As we walk towards the VIP entrance like we the own the place, I notice some guards at the entrance that look oddly familiar. They are dressed in black military style uniforms holding large black sci-fi rifles. What makes them familiar is they are both over seven foot and have the same red eyes and ash grey skin that I do. The one on the left has short spiky jet-black hair and the one on the right has short spiky slate-grey hair.
I have to wait for the elevator to return as apparently even with future tech elevators have annoying weight limits.
"Hey brother, nice to see you got in with that Gambling King." says one on the Left, speaking his native language. "It's nice to see one of our male kind doing more than protecting doors."
"I've been friends with my King for a while now. He recently asked me to join him." I reply in his language, lying my ass off, "He knows he can trust me."
"It's better to be a knight than to be a mere guard." says the one on the right.
"How's your Jester doing?" asks the one on the left.
"The King melted him." I reply as I enter the Elevator.
I go through the cultural dictionary I acquired with the language.
The extraterrestrial race I resemble is called the Ashen. A race of humanoids with grey to black skin, red eyes, and white-to-black hair. They came from a planet called Ashe. It was a pre-FTL world with a medieval culture of kings and knights, when an alien ship landed on their world. Those aliens evacuated hundreds of thousands of Ashen to another world before the Ashe world became inhospitable. Racial characteristics are enhanced strength and durability, combined with resistance to radiation and heat. They are a common guard type capable of resisting energy weapons. Grey means Knight in Ashen language.
Gambling King refers to one of the divinely blessed gamblers. On Ashe Kings ruled by the authority of the Gods. Jester refers to "the fool who gets in the way of the King's rule".
"Rorschach. You can call me Ashen Grey while on Ventura." I say over the communicator.
"The Knight of Ashe. Nice one." he replies.
*DOOM*
Royal Black Casino – Level 1
Day 1 - June 18, 2012
The first games are a little boring. Rorschach uses his Gamer eyes to identify which of the slot machines is going to pay out in the least number of pulls. He selected six out of the two hundred machines and had them payout in less than fifteen pulls. The payout ranges from a million to forty million of the Ventura currency, reaching a total of a hundred thirty-six million. Not only is it a nice warmup, but apparently because it's being done on a gambling planet, his Skill Mastery is now jumping by leaps and bounds higher than on Earth.
Once again, proof that an "Intelligence Build" The Gamer is complete bullshit.
Poor Plastic Man had to get an anti-Grav platform to carry the casino tokens because he couldn't carry 136 million while maintaining his human form. With each chip weighing 10 grams, that's over a thousand tons of token.
The Casino also had Gacha gum-ball machines of different tiers. At the lowest tier, the best you could get out of a machine is a gold-plated Ventura keychain. Apparently, there are Keychains for Spaceship keys. Black Tier, which is above Gold Tier, gets you prizes like custom hover vehicles. It would be like winning high end cars and motorcycles back in Vegas.
I played the part of the cool and calm bodyguard Ashen Grey, while Rorschach occasionally talks to people of interest. I'm betting to his Gamer vision all these people have colorful Exclamation point Icons above their heads. Most of the races are unfamiliar to me or I don't recognize them without the Green Lantern green. I do recognize some of the races.
A beautiful woman resembling a human expect for lacking pupils and long pink-purple hair. She is a Euphorian, the dominant species of the planet Euphorix. Euphorix is one the twenty-three planets within the Vega star system like planet Tamaran. It holds the position of one of the few that remained free from the tyranny of the Citadel, mostly due to a barrier that surrounds the planet.
A green-skinned young man with gold hair. He belongs to one of smartest races in the universe – The Coluans. These are the more organic Coluans instead of living machines of Brainiac. I'm guessing he gambles using advance math and probabilities. Human scientists have done the same thing in Vegas. Since it's all mental and not from any implants, local law doesn't have any problem with it.
A young green humanoid with insect-like traits and a uniquely flat face. The Reach. I'm guessing his bodyguard in the hooded cloak is one the Scarab warriors. He doesn't appear to be playing much, so I guess he is gathering information for his superiors.
I can easily identify each species because I'm not wearing a Universal Translator. As I listen to each being speaking their native language, I instantly know their language and the cultural dictionary gives me all the answers I want. I'm almost grateful for Doctor Fate forcing me to eat a thousand curse items. The tastes I remember make me want to take bite out of his helmet in revenge.
We did encounter two interesting people – two other people possessing Black Cards.
The first is an ancient looking monk. He looks like he would be well past ninety years old if he was human standing barely above five feet in height. He has gold eyes, pale green skin, a bald head, and a long golden bear and mustache. He's dressed in gold and orange monk robes with white beaded necklaces and alien holy symbols. As he says a prayer, I get some information.
Sati Surya is a holy man who wants to save his planet from a disease. He knows a cure will require a lot of money and luck, so the people pray for his success. Those prayers granted Sati Surya a divine blessing of luck. I'm sure Rorschach can think of a solution.
The second is a man standing five foot seven with blue eyes, white hair, and a goatee style beard. He's dressed in a frilly pale purple shirt, purple buttoned jacket, dark pink pinstriped pants, and a dark pink coat. He also wears a pink hat and holding a pimp cane. When I notice he is speaking American English.
Steven Montgomery Sharpe – The Gambler. He's a low-level criminal that commits crimes motivated by profit using small weapons and a mastery of the odds. The original was a Justice Society villain, but has become a legacy passed down to his descendants. It reminds me of the Royal Flush Gang with their obsession with cards.
Rorschach makes pleasant conversation with the both of them and I can sense Rorschach negating some form of magic that's around Sharpe. He's protecting the poor monk. Finally, the two agree to have a game with Rorschach – who's using the name Rosch Royal.
As they leave, I can finally tell where the source of Sharpe's power is. It's a simple undecorated silver onyx signet ring. I can practically smell something infernal.
*DOOM*
Later
3rd POV
Max flies through the skies of Ventura using green Dragon Wings. These wings were created using her Pseudo-Daemonite shape-shifting. With the help of an anti-gravity belt, she can sour through the air with the same ease as a Thanagarian. She is not alone in the skies as there are other extraterrestrials enjoying the skies with her. Some have feathery wings, some have insect wings, some have dragon wings like her, and some have mechanical wings. Some don't even have wings, instead they use anti-gravity harnesses or hover boards.
Max carries a camera like a third of the rich tourists, but she is paying attention to certain areas.
On one of the VIP Landing Bays is a very small craft. It's a very small craft the size of a fighter jet. It's a red-and-bronze color ship with a very organic design as if it was crafted from marine coral and shells, then dipped in molten metal.
*DOOM*
Luxury Penthouse
Tower of Gold Hotel
Same Time
3rd POV
"Daemonite Fighter Craft – Icaria Class – Registration IC999. Original pilot: John Sato – Daemonite agent #5045 – US Infiltration Unit" says Silver Saucer's AI avatar. "Last known location Site 3 near Reno, Nevada - November 09, 2011"
"So, he won't be filling a missing vehicle report." Ash Grey quips.
"He and all Daemonite-possessed modified clones of Dr. Shiro Ito were disintegrated when the original's ascended form was killed by the efforts of my master and you, Ash Grey." says the AI, ruining the joke, "With the original pilot destroyed, Steven Montgomery Sharpe the third was able to acquire the ship."
"My ship's computers are still linked to my computers on Earth. I was able to trace Gambler's latest crime spree. He stole from a museum on November first and his luck immediately changed, far more than what can be credited to his probability calculating ability."
"November first – The police cars in pursuit crashed. November second - A satellite signal failed preventing the Gambler's current location from reaching the authorities in time to prevent his relocation. November fourth - An accident at a gas station prevented a super hero from capturing him. A D-rank hero was badly injured in the fire due to unlucky circumstances. November eighth – The Flash attempted to arrest Gambler only to be struck by lightning. He was unharmed but the supercharge caused the Flash to shoot into the Pacific."
"Barry got defeated by a bolt of lightning?" asks Plastic Man, "He's going to embarrassed for months."
"When we were in the Casino, I found the reason. He stole a curse ring from the Museum." says Rorschach, "Ring of Angups. According to the description - Long ago, a Witch and man feel in love. He filled her heart with love, she filled his live with luck and joy. Soon the man's heart was filled with greed and the witch lost her love of him. He lost the luck he was blessed with and betrayed her. In response, she called on the dark forces and had them grant his wish. "
"His wish? Monkey paw version?" I ask. Giving you your wish is the worst way possible would match her feelings of revenge.
"Correct. A devil cursed ring that greatly increases the luck of wearer by draining it from those around the wearer. The wearer gains great fortunes, but is left alone and hated. Eventually, the wearer will remove the ring, which strips them of all luck, stolen and their own. This usually means the wearer dies in some sort of improbably accident."
"So having this asshole on this world with that ring could cause an epic disaster."
"Yes."
"You have a plan?"
"As always."
*DOOM*
The Poker Table
Royal Black Casino
Day 2 - June 19, 2012
3rd POV
Poker is a family of card games in which players wager over which hand is best according to that specific game's rules in ways similar to these rankings. While the earliest known form of the game was played with just 20 cards, today it is usually played with a standard deck, although countries where short packs are common, may play with 32, 40 or 48 cards. This game dates back to eighteenth century Earth, which makes it strange it would be found in a Ventura Casino.
Mr. Sharpe – The Gamblers – sits down with the other two Black Card Holders.
One in an alien monk with a gold beard, while the other one is masked weirdo with many beautiful bodyguards. He also has one tall gray-skinned male, but Mr. Sharpe only notices the sexy models. He can imagine gaining a giant space ship loaded with treasure, fancy food & drinks, and beautiful women. This world could become his kingdom.
Then he notices the Rings.
Rosch Royal and Sati Surya are both wearing simple silver onyx signet rings, identical to the ones on his own ring finger. Ever since he stole this ring from the museum his life has been luckier. His knowledge in probability and mathematics is in a different league than most people, which allowed him to become a super villain. He noticed more and more improbable things happened when he donned the ring, positive events for himself and negative for those around him. He had never considered that there are more than one Luck Ring. He wonders if those rings are how the other Black Carders achieved their wealth and power?
"Shall we have an agreement, gentlemen." says Rorschach as Rosch Royal, "We take off our magic rings for our private 3-man game. We don't want them to damage each other. I'm sure we all possess the intelligence and talent to play a few games without the assistance of our rings. This is a game for Gambling Kings not the fools that surround us."
Rorschach's words have a unique tone and pitch, one that digs deep into the mind of the Sharpe. Mr. Royal is challenging the very core of Sharpe's being and his ego won't stand the insult.
As one, the three take off their Rings and place them on the table in front of them. Rosch gives the deck to the golden monk who shuffles the cards. The monk then gives the cards to Sharpe to shuffle, who nearly drops the cards. Finally, Sharpe gives the cards back to Rosch who shuffles them for a third and final time.
There game begins.
Despite making a few mistakes, Sharpe is winning the majority of games. His pile of Casino Tokens is getting larger and larger, despite the waitress spilling her drink on him and him accidentally knocking over the pile. The monk is praying between hands and the fabulous Rosch is drinking a lot. Sharpe is feeling confident in his chances. He feels even better when one of the girls spills her drink on Rosch.
"Let's make this interesting. There is only room for one true king of gambling. I'll bet my Black Card and my Ring. The losers will leave and the Supreme King gets to enjoy Ventura without the competition." says Rosch, placing his card next to the ring and adding them to the Casino Tokens (also known as Poker Chips) "I'll throw in my ship as well since I'm running a little low."
"I am impressed by your bravery and resolve. I'm positive the Gods of Luck would approve. I shall agree to your terms, Rosch." says Sati Surya, adding his own card, plus a small stack of Golden Casino Tokens.
Steven Montgomery Sharpe the Third consumed by his greed can't resist joining in the one final game. He places his Black Card on the table and adds it to the pot.
Minutes later, the Gambler stares in disbelief as he loses the game to Rosch Royal.
"How? How did this happen? How is this possible?"
"We know about probabilities and mathematics, but while your barely above average, I'm the smartest man in the world." stats Rorschach as he changes his masks using his inventory.
"Rorschach." says The Gambler in terror. The man that melted the Joker and has more firepower than a major country. While Sharpe is terrorized, Rorschach grabs the rings and tosses them to Ash Grey. Ash Grey pops them in his mouth and consumes them.
"I suggest you run, little man." says Ash, making some bone spikes appear without damaging his suit.
The Gambler runs for his life, nearly knocking people over in the process and falling down some stairs.
"Ooh. That is going to hurt." says Plastic, as he watches The Gambler continue to get hurt, "Ouch. That will hurt worse. It's like watching slapstick without with cartoon physics."
"I surprised he didn't die of anaphylaxis from the waitress's drink" adds Ash
"Your plan was expertly executed, Rosch Royal or may I call you Rorschach?" says the monk.
"It's fine Surya." says Rorschach restoring his RR Mask. "How did they taste, Grey?"
"The ones that you made were great. The cursed ring tasted a little bitter when I consumed it."
"Your bodyguard's ability to consume and destroy cursed items is very impressive." says Surya, "I have fulfilled my end of the agreement."
"I've already released the cure to the plague. I engineered it to wipe out all trace of the disease and all possible variants. I released it when you showed up for the game and by now it has spread to most of your world. Data on the cure is also loaded into your computers."
"Thank you. Gods bless you" says the monk his voice filled with emotion.
"We also thank you."
The group turns to see a plain looking alien man standing nearby. He's only five feet in height with a thin build. He has gold eyes, pale yellow skin, and a bald head with two huge bulging eyes. In the center of his forehead is a golden eye tattoo.
"You're a servant of the Luck Lords?"
"Yes. That cursed ring made Sharpe a threat to everything the Lords have done, the very reasons Ventura was created. We couldn't even deny him entry due to our laws, but we hoped ones blessed with Divine Luck would overcome his Infernal Luck. We offer Rewards to our heroes."
"What about Sharpe?"
*DOOM*
Landing Pad 3
Minutes Later
3rd POV
A terrified and pale Steven Sharpe climbs inside the Daemonite spacecraft and launches. He wants to get as far away from the Rorschach and his minions as possible. He is terrified by the heavily armed super-genius and what he could do to such a low-level villain.
He ignores the alarms inside the cockpit, ordering the computer to take him to the nearest colony or station. He shuts off the alarms and tries to calm his nerves. Then, his engines begin to struggle.
What the Gambler doesn't know is the Daemonite Ship had a very limited amount of fuel. Even with the hyperdrive and boosters, the Icaria Class was only designed for inter-system missions. It was only by pure luck, that he was able to follow another ship's path in hyperspace and reach Ventura. The computer system landed the ship when it's fuel reserves were near zero. As a Black Carder he would have his ship automatically refueled for free, but Gambler's ship wasn't scheduled to be refueled until this evening.
The engines now connected to empty fuel tanks sputter and shutdown. The jet has emergency power system, drawing energy from the hyperdrive's power core instead of the jet engines. In the Gambler's panic he switches that system off. The computer system could land the ship, gliding it to safely, but a set of errors shutdowns the auto-pilot. The Daemonite jet tumbles pass the anti-gravity web of Vectura.
System after system fails as the jet falls towards the ground. Pieces of the jet break off in sprays of sparks and mechanical fluids. The Gambler can only scream as the jet impacts with the mountain. It explodes into million fiery fragments as the power core detonates.
The Luck Lords would later declare it was the fate of those who steal from the divine.
*DOOM*
Black Label Restaurant
Evening
1st POV
After the death of Gambler, we have gone back to enjoying our Intergalactic Vegas Vacation. Rorschach says there isn't a major Quest this week and I intend to enjoy it. I'm still a little cautious since the Gamer trolled him at the Dragon King Quest.
I'm currently eating at a large table. A huge table loaded with every conceivable type of food.
There are baskets of appetizers such as nuts and bread sticks, which must be universal. There are also salty grey things that resemble popcorn, only fuzzier.
There are soups which range from thin to thick, both cold and hot. Some are thick with alien animal meat, some are thick with oddly colored vegetables, and some are filled with fish and spices from oceans of other worlds. One soup is pale purple with vague pink skull imagery in the surface. When I had a small sip, it tasted fruity?
There are fish dishes which range from fish that look they could have come from Earth to strangely colored extraterrestrial fish. There are also giant crustaceans with sparkling shells and cephalopods in bowls of sauce. There are even large water-filled tanks filled with live sea food.
There are meat dishes which are dripping with juices. Large mammalian creatures resembling cows, pigs, and sheep, there cooked meat marbled with fat. Large avian creatures coated in grain, eggs, and seasonings. There is even a rack of what looks like Texan-style barbecue ribs.
There are salads made of leafy plants, which look both familiar and alien. Some mixed with dressings, while others merely mixed with fruits. Fruits that are every color of rainbow and range from crystal-like grasses to giant melons covered in hard spikes.
There are fancy deserts ranging from cookies to cakes to pies to weird jelly. Some of them smell, look, and taste like chocolate. When I asked what it was, I learned it wasn't Earth chocolate, but the sweetened a product made from the roasted and ground pods of a planet on the opposite side of the galaxy. I asked Rorschach to get a sample for further comparison back on Earth.
The drinks range from bottle water in ridiculously expensive bottles, mammalian milk, various teas, and numerous alcoholic liquids. They range from the fine liquors used at wedding ceremonies to the common brands of beer to the nasty mixed drinks only a certain Czarnian would drink.
Currently, I'm drinking on those Lobo-certified alcoholic drinks. Lobo apparently taught the bartender this drink while hunting down a bounty. The Venturan officials actually bribed him with free drinks not to cause massive property damage. After catching the criminal without collapsing the Casino, Lobo said the hard liqueur were kiddy drinks.
The thing is the Ashen species despite their durability, are known for their low alcohol tolerance. So Ashen Grey entering a friendly drinking contest is surprising. Many of the surrounding gambling addicts have already lost money from betting against me.
My last opponent is the bodyguard of a gold carder. He's over eight feet, enough muscle and fat he appears round, and has four muscular arms. He has four large black eyes and thick red-orange scaly skin. He's apparently for an aquatic world due to his webbed fingers, fins, and long catfish barbels looking like a long mustache.
He boasts he also has six livers (or that's the equivalent in his language). After drinking a shot of "Lobo's Brain Melter" I think he's down a liver. He shakes, shivers, and struggles before collapsing unconscious. I drink my own LBB shot. I wince at the taste.
"The next time I see Lobo, I'm going to tell him what I think of his drink. That was gross."
My Doomsday body could be dropped into an ocean of toxic alcohol-based chemicals and all I would do is sink. It wouldn't be pleasant, but I would be fine. Lobo's little creation tastes like a drank of cup of black mud from the bottom of said ocean.
"You know Lobo?" asks one of the waiters.
"I was on a date with my babe when some smuggler tried to nab some Dolphins. After kicking his worthless ass, then Lobo arrived and got ~creative~."
Everyone winces at those words. The Czarnian's creativity is infamous.
"So, what's the best dessert?"
*DOOM*
Ventura Vacation
Week 1
Day 1 – June 18, 2012 – Rorschach as Rosch Royal made 136 million plus another 5.5 million in luxury hover vehicles.
Day 2 - June 19, 2012 - Rorschach made 60 million in a high stakes Poker Game and I devoured a cursed ring. Supervillain the Gambler died in a space jet crash. I made 60 grand in drinking game.
Day 3 – June 20, 2012 – Rorschach decided to be a little efficient. He sent his "servants" to the Casinos, while he dined with Starfire and made collections to various rich and influential aliens. Me, Raven, Blackfire, Jade, Priss, and Max went to half a dozen Casinos. Thanks to the hidden security cameras and The Gamer, Rorschach knew exactly which slot machines were ready. After spending a couple thousand tokens, we looted millions. Rorschach's only complaint was one Casino only had one jackpot of quarter of a million. Today's grand total - 240 million. Big Surprise – Rorschach had us divide it among us, so the six of us won 40 million.
Day 4 - June 21, 2012 - Servant competition
*DOOM*
Annual Servant competition
Ruby Gold Casino
Day 4 - June 21, 2012
Ventura is an unofficial meeting place for the rich, powerful, and influential. Among the tourists and professional gamblers, there are also businessmen and politicians from many worlds. Many important events in the galaxy have been influenced by the events at the Vectura Casinos.
There is a story of a young Ruby Prince who lost everything, but was helped by a kind Sapphire vacationer. This would lead a friendship. Years later, the Ruby Prince's people defending Sapphire's people against invasion and forming a lasting alliance.
There is a story of a young Emerald Prince who lost millions to the Topaz Gambler and tried sent an assassin after the man in revenge. Topaz was friends with the Amethyst General and the Emerald Prince lost his Kingdom.
These aliens weren't really named after gemstones, but it's how the story tellers shorter the long names. The people of the fourth planet of the Sol System of Sector 2814 are traditionally called Ma'aleca'andrans, but for convivence Earthlings call them "Martians". Now in the modern era, the people themselves shorten it to M'arzzan.
The Venturans originally had a much longer name before there race's obsession with luck and gambling consumed them. While the yellow-skinned large-eyed humanoids had always worshipped gods of luck, fate, and destiny, it wasn't until the great unification of their world under the great merchant kings did the origins of the Luck Lords begin. In order to stop wars, the rulers of various cities and town would gamble. Thousands of years later, Venturans are a stagnant race with very little remaining of the royal family that once ruled. The thousands of casinos and gambling resorts floating in the skies above is now the heart and soul of Ventura.
I heard these stories while watching the Annual Servant Competition. The rich and eccentric have their servants compete against each other. I'm not competing because Rorschach has something special planned for next week and he doesn't want to give away secrets. The fact I can eat magical items and have abnormal poison tolerance has already spread to every corner of Ventura.
There is a heavily divided cooking competition, due to what is food for some species is toxic to other species. I was asked to be a random Judge because they knew I could eat anything.
I devoured the stew of the silicon-based "golem aliens", noting it tasted like a mix of Indian Curry and Cajun Gumbo. The same stew that could melt the internal organs of most carbon-based humanoids, such as the "animal aliens" of a Jungle world.
I devoured the tropical salad of carbon-based "animal aliens", noticing it tasted like Chinese Chicken Salad despite not having meat in it. The same salad which would cause "golem aliens" to vomit wet mud before falling into a coma.
One poor chef made a pastry covered in gemstones that only me and the grumpy silicon-based judge could eat, but we both enjoyed it. The chef actually cried with joy at people liking her grandma's recipe. She only made it because she promised her grandmother she would make it, if she ever visited Ventura. Apparently, the grandmother gave the recipe to a silicon-based billionaire who gave her his slave in compensation. That slave later became her husband.
There was also a chef from a race that only devour live creatures, so their version of cooking is feeding certain small food creatures, special meals before devouring them. The ping-pong ball size alien cephalopods tasted like Earth octopus, just stuffed with something a little spicy. Apparently, these little guys are extremely toxic to most species. I told the chef how wonderful they were in his own language, making the chef blush purple.
There is a singing competition divided by frequency levels, as some species sing in the ultrasonic and some sing in the infrasonic. I could hear their songs, but I wasn't a fan of Opera that could mess up bat echolocation.
I got roped into judging the singing competition as well because I could speak the languages and I could listen to all of it. I ended up learned 32 new alien languages. One species has singing as part of their language, so I learned I have the deepest Baritone singing voice, much to my embarrassment (and the delight of Raven and Jade).
There was a unique competition in which servants showed off their ability to create minions to increase their productivity.
There was a maid (dressed similar to a classic French maid) who could split herself into three identical people with slightly different colored clothing. She reminded me of the girl from the Legion of Superheroes, Triplicate Girl (Luornu Durgo).
There was silver-skinned butler from some sort of machine-race (androids were not permitted, but people from evolved machine races were allowed). He was able to liquify and reform into a group of smaller versions of himself. The two-meter-tall butler could become a group of two-centimeter-tall animated action figures
There was a plant-based servant looking like a Dryad in a leafy dress. She could summon dozens of tiny wooded servants and fairy-like creatures. While the fairies acted as drones expanding her senses, the wooded dwarves could handle physical labor.
Jade annihilated the competition by summoning the Kunoichi-Shadowkahn. She apparently decided to pull an Uzumaki and filled the entire room with them. Her eyes shone red and skin turned blue from the effort. Any surface that didn't have an extraterrestrial was occupied by a shadow elemental minion.
"I'm Jade, Queen of Shadowkhan and Queen of Minions! Kneel before me and my awesome power!"
There is something called being a grateful winner, Babe.
*DOOM*
Currently, there is a sexy dance competition for the humanoid servants. There is a separate competition for semi-humanoid and non-humanoid, male and female, due to different species perception of beauty and athleticism.
Rorschach tried to get me to compete in the male competition, but I told him "No" flat out. I may have enough muscles to make Arnold Schwarzenegger in his prime look like a young Eddie Deezen in comparison, but I do not have any decent dance moves.
Priss and Max are doing amazing, having both training and talent in dancing and acrobatics. The original Priscilla Kitaen did work as an exotic dancer in New Orleans to pay her expenses. They even mentioned learning some moves from a former acrobat who was working at the club because her douche bag ex-boyfriend left her alone with their son. An acrobat that now has a better paying job thanks to Cognito.
I'm surprised to learn humans actually have a reputation in Ventura. They are known for a being a creative, adaptive, violent, sex-crazed race that somehow has more Green Lanterns among their ranks than any other species.
Patrick "Eel" O'Brian isn't helping the human image, as he appears to be melting from sexual heat of the dance competition. One particular girl seems to have noticed his elastic abilities and gives Plas a flirty look.
The final Five winners of the competition are announced.
"Priscilla Kitaen!"
Priscilla thrilled the audience with her sexy movements. Her hybrid physiology granted her the ability to compete with alien physiologies. She was also apparently producing psychic emissions of lust and desire, which impressed the judges with psychic abilities.
"Alfana Had!"
The number four is a cat girl. She is a young, lean, and beautiful woman with long spotted blonde hair. She has dark amber eyes with similar color markings around the eyes like a mask. Her body is mostly spotted golden light fur with white face and front for her neck and torso. She also has white hands with small claws.
I realize, she looks like Cheetara from 2011 Thundercats remake. Wait, the Arabic word for Cheetah is alfahd.
"Shavi Nadasur"
The number three is beautiful seven-foot giant in green and gold. She has green eyes, green skin, and dark green/black hair. She's dressed in green and gold like the belly dancer from One Thousand and One Nights. She can release powerful pheromones, but the Judges are strong willed and chemically resistant. She looks like a cross between an Orion slave girl from Star Trek and a lean She-Hulk
"Maximilla Kitaen"
Maximilla "Max" Kitaen has the same level of dancing and acrobatic skills as her sister, but she is the physical twin. She possesses greater strength and has trained her shape-shifting. She got more points for the creative use of wings and tail.
"Aqualina"
The number one dancer is a pink-skinned elastic girl. She is seven foot tall with a curvy athletic build. She has yellow eyes with black sclera, bubblegum pink skin, and dark pink bushy hair with two long soft horns. She also has a long tail and cloven feet. I can see why Max lost to her, as she moves with insanely flexible moves.
She looks like Mina Ashido from My Hero Academia reimagined as an adult Draenei from World of Warcraft and given the powers of Elasti-Girl from The Incredibles.
"Holy Shit."
After a few minutes of applause and congratulations, with Aqualina kissing the other four of the top five (talk about a cheery passionate person), I talk to Priss and Max.
The top five got small trophies which considered of statuettes of themselves performing there best moves. The Casino actually has a master crystal crafter to make the trophy figurines from five increasingly valuable crystal. It was amazing to watch the crystal became a sphere of liquid then take the shape of a holographic projection.
Priss's trophy statue is made of red diamond, pure crystalized carbon the color of blood. Red is the rarest and most expensive color of diamond on Earth. Max's trophy is composed of a green crystal called Taydenite. It's harder than diamond, extremely rare, and can even be used to fuel certain spacecraft engines. The name is familiar, but I don't really care enough to remember.
"We also got additional prizes" says Max holding a large plant seed in a small clear nano-polymer (plastic) case "It's some type of rare tree that grows responding to music. Depending on your taste in music, it grows differently with different flowers and fruits. Aqualina got a sapling in one of those status chambers."
"Have Rosch make you a forest of them. He's got the money and science to pull it off."
I make sure I'm loud enough to be heard by a few of extraterrestrials. Rorschach mentioned the dancers would get rare Shinrinan Dance Trees which require millions to properly cultivate. The fact that Rosch Royal can produce a forest of them for his servant will stir up interest.
*DOOM*
Day 5 - June 22, 2012 – A group of thieves attempted to break into our hotel rooms. There screams were heard two Casinos over and we were praised for our ruthlessness and creativity. Apparently torturing thieves has become a pass time on Ventura. You can make money with luck, brilliance, and cunning, but if you steal from a casino, they will make a dark game out of you.
They even have something that reminds me of Deadman Wonderland. Body Part Roulette.
Day 6 - June 23, 2012 – A group of criminals attempting to raid the Silver Saucer believing it to be a Gray Alien "party bus". Apparently, the Greys are lacking in space ship security systems relying more on weapons and fast engines like space pirates. The ship's AI sliced the criminals into meaty chunks that the maintenance staff had to clean up. She complained about not getting to fire her Main Cannon, but Rorschach promised her she could take her new body for a "very enthusiastic walk".
I shudder at the implications.
Day 7 - June 24, 2012 - Fight – Space pirates. The Gamer is Trolling Us.
*DOOM*
Hidden Pirate Base
Day 7 - June 24, 2012
1st POV
Space Pirates are a common problem, appearing among most space-faring civilizations with spread territory.
When any civilizations create colonies in far reaches of space, there are transports loaded with supplies and resources to fuel the growth of those colonies. Minerals or organic produce taken from colony planets are sold to acquire the machinery and products needed to expand the colonies. Mining, farming, and construction is hard work, so some people get the idea to attach fast engines and weapons to a civilian ship and hunt down some profit.
"Sector 12 is destroyed! Sector 13, 14, and 15 are falling!"
In some cases, the sailors of a planet's space navy have trouble when their government chooses peace and they are no longer being heavily funded. Mercenaries that once raided enemy ships for their ally government (privateers) found themselves without support.
"Gods of Kara be merciful. We can't stop the grey one!"
The Karasen Pirate Guild was originally a privateer mercenary group that raided the enemies of the Kara system. There was rebellion on the Kara home world, which saw the death of the emperor and his family. With the support of the majority of the colony worlds, the new alliance tore down the corrupt government and created a new government. Many planets and groups were sacrificed to the former enemies of Kara for peace. The mercenary group was one of those sacrifices, so they escaped and became a Pirate Guild joined by those still loyal to Imperial Kara.
"I can give you treasure! I can give you treasure! Just stop! (Death screams)"
The Karasen Pirate Guild led by Prince Saran Karasen, the illegitimate grandson of the Kara Emperor, attacked Planet Ventura for finances and hostages. An extremely stupid move since the Luck Lords can alter probability on an absurd scale. Ventura also has the best defense systems money can buy and rich patrons who also have a ton of weapons and vicious servants. There is also the Green Lantern of Sector 2018 who's always monitoring Ventura.
Rorschach said it was a minor Surprise Quest and even if they did nothing, the pirates wouldn't reach Ventura. We wouldn't even see the fireworks as the Pirates were blasted to pieces. All our interference would ensure is that there would be no survivors to escape the battle.
Me, Jade, and Raven decided to join Rorschach on the Surprise Quest. I wonder if our time in Hell made Raven and Me into blood knights. Well, Blood squire, I still love my time on the couch. Jade grew up in the shadow realm, where you survive by being strong or being the servant of the strong and she was never a servant.
"You can't do this! I am the last Prince of Kara! The grandson of the emperor!" screams Prince Saran. My right hand is tight around his neck, holding him off the ground.
He's not an impressive Prince. He's a tall, thin aristocratic male that doesn't look like he has done a day of work in his life. He has green eyes, naturally tan skin, and long wavy pale pink hair done in a ponytail. I tense my hand when I make the connection. The idiot resembles Senryo Tennan, an annoying antagonist from Tenchi Muyō! Ryō-Ohki and Tenchi Muyo GXP.
Saran's huge bodyguard tries to attack me from behind using a lightsaber knockoff, but Raven is way faster. A ribbon of shadow slices Saran's bodyguard vertically in half, from spiky haired head to large codpiece crotch. The two pieces split apart in a burst of blood and gore, which splash me.
The sensation of blood hitting my back causes me to tense and close my hand. Prince Seran's head and body hit the ground at different times.
"Oops. I'm a... I'm more use to fighting tougher opponents."
"I know, love." says Raven with a smile, "I was there."
The remaining space pirates, the ones not already dead, are voiding themselves on the floor.
*DOOM*
Level 6-9, Pirate Base
Same Time
3rd POV
Jade Chan and her Kunoichi Shadowkahn slaughtered their way down to engineering using Rorschach's map. Jade could use her dark abilities to travel through the shadows, but it's far more dangerous in a space base hidden inside an asteroid. While some of shadows as inside the base, the majority of them open into the cold vacuum of space. While they don't need to breathe, she doesn't want to experiment during a mission.
The Pirates range from former space navy officers with extensive military training to corrupt civilians with basic training. They have weapons ranging ordinary combat knives to plasma pistols and high-energy particle rifles. Those weapons were designed to take out colonial militia and barely armed crews of transport ships. Those weapons were not meant to stop supernatural ninjas that can travel through shadows while the emergency lights flash.
The shadow elementals in female ninja form easily slice through their enemies. The body armor the pirates wear was designed to disperse shots of directed energy weapons and they also possess personal shields designed to stop solid projectiles above a certain speed. They were not designed to stop absurdly sharp claws moving faster than sound. Soon the halls are covered in splatters of purple and orange liquids from the dead pirates.
Jade stands behind a very fat man with the black blade of a kusari-gama (sickle-and-chain). He has green eyes, dark skin, and a bald head. He also has thick gray eyebrows and a gray beard. This man was the Imperial Minister of Finance of the former Kara Empire and was the caretaker of the bastard Prince Seiran.
"Goro Karanos of House Karanos. Let's keep this simple. Where is the Treasury?"
"The Vault is in Room 6-9-0."
The sickle blade cuts in slightly, spilling a small amount of blood.
"The real one. Not the one the common pirates know about." whispers Jade, as she shifts to her true demonic form. The former Minister of Finance is wetting himself in terror. On a subconscious level he's remembering the tales his grandmother told him of the demons that punish the greedy and selfish. Right now, he's wishing he listened to her, instead of having her killed for supporting a rebellion.
*DOOM*
Main Computer Centre, Pirate Base
Same Time
3rd POV
While Plastic Man impersonates Rosch Royal on Ventura, Rorschach in his combat armor has entered the base as a secret Servant. He's wearing the same armor he wore when he fought against the Daemonites and the Dragon King.
He hacks the Pirate Guild's main computers. He steals every bit of useful information – information on the pirates and their assets, information on people that support them, information on their targets, and information they stole from others. He also sends out malicious computer programs to disable and destroy pirate ships and their crews.
One ship loses all power including all energy to the gravity system. When officials capture the ship hours later, the crew is barely alive in space suits.
One ship inverts its shields causing its own energy weapons to bounce inside the once-protective bubble. Also, instead of the deflector array repelling micro-meteoroids and other space debris, it pulls it in like a galactic sand blaster. Officials find a ship with so many holes, it resembles an oceanic sponge.
One ship attempts to escape by jumping to hyperspace not knowing its navigational computer is infected with a malicious virus. The ship exits hyperspace at a relativistic speed and collides with an asteroid. The ship and asteroid wink out of existence, before a light as bright as a quasar appears in Sector 2020.
One ship possessing a primitive AI computer screams obscenities over the coms, while unloading all its ordinance into two of its fellow pirate ships. Then it commits suicide by running into a third ship at a quarter the speed of light. There are many small explosions before one grand explosion that reduces both ships to fragments no bigger than a shopping cart.
Rorschach gets a notice from Gamer.
[Surprise Mission: Space Pirates]
Description: Ventura is being attacked by the Karasen Pirate Guild led by exiled Prince Saren Karasen.
Objective: Defeat the Pirates
Kill or Capture Prince Saran.
Penalty: None
Progress:
Main - Pirates Killed (1286/1000) - Complete
Bonus- Prince Saran Killed - Complete
Awards:
[Treasure of Kara]
[Pirate Loot]
+100 Reputation with Luck Lords
+150 Reputation with Venturan Officials.
+100 Reputation with Rich & Powerful (Sector 2018)
+005 Reputation with Green Lantern of Sector 2018
-100 Reputation with Space Pirates (Sector 2018)
-100 Reputation with Kara Imperialists
Titles:
Rorschach - [Galaxy's Richest Man] - +50 Reputation with [Wealthy & Powerful]. +25% Success in Business Ventures. +10% Drops.
Ash Grey – [Galaxy's Scariest Monster] - +50 Reputation with [Warrior] & [Social Darwinist]. +50% Strength Gains. Gains [Murderous Aura]
Raven - [Sorceress Supreme (Lesser)] - +50 reputation with [Magician] & [Demon Worshipper] +20% Magic Efficiency. +20% Attack Magic
Jade Chan - [Shadow Queen] - +50 reputation with [Shadow Adept] & [Ninja] +50% Agility in Darkness. +25% chance to dodge & critical hit in Darkness
*DOOM*
*OMAKE - 1*
Main Engineering, Pirate Base
Doomsday
3rd POV
Dark Jade Chan looks at the computer and types in instructions she is getting from Rorschach's communicator.
"Disable Safeties C-1 to C-200. Disable Emergency Shutdown. Disable Pressure Release 1 to 6. Set Coolant Injectors to 0%. Disable Emergency Coolant Injectors. Set Fuel Injector to 100%. Disable Fuel Cutoff. Disable Temperature Regulator. Engaging Emergency Frame Locks. Disabling Core Eject System. Removing Power Regulation Rods."
Jade watches as the temperature of Main Reactor climbs higher and higher. A countdown begins to destruction. One of Rorschach's portals opens and she leaves through it.
"I think I had an easier time breaking fancy machines when I was 12."
*DOOM*
*OMAKE - 2*
After Dark Jade Chan escapes the Space Pirate Base, a Huge Portal opens under the Base. As the Pirate Base is consumed by monochromatic plasma, then pulled into the giant portal.
"Where did you send it?" asks Ash Grey the Doomsday, looking out a ship's window.
"A place that deserves to be destroyed."
*DOOM*
Teen Titan Tower
Jump City, California, USA, Earth
Teen Titans Go! Universe
Doomsday