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Post by doc on Jan 12, 2018 22:45:48 GMT -5
March 15, 1928
It was a cold day when they laid Caleb Cannon to rest. The wind held the last, angry gasps of winter as they cut through the treeline at the cemetery.
The service had been small, but dignified. Matt had seen to his grandfather's wishes for a simple ceremony, The one surprise had been the Indians; members of the tribe that Caleb had befriended decades ago had shown up. No one had thought to ask questions; they simply arrived, and silently paid their respects.
Matt had remained quiet and his features ashen, as they lowered the coffin into the grave. The rest of you stood by, not sure what to do, how to reach out to him to ease the pain radiating from him.
But then, your eyes looked to the treeline, and you could see a silhouette.
A man, sitting in a wheelchair.
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Post by dakota on Jan 20, 2018 22:58:48 GMT -5
Lex had lost many friends and aquaintances in the trenches of Europe and his short taste of the gangster lifestyle thereafter, but none seemed to punch him in the stomach quite like Caleb had. Over the past few years, Caleb had provided Lex with something he hnad looked for since the first time he had slipped on his Steelfist costume, a voice of experience he could go to for advice. Far more often than he let the others know, though he suspected Caleb had told Matt.
He stroked his beard, something new he sported for the last six months. It had started shortly after he had started courting someone. He had kept his lady friend's identity to himself, not even sharing it with Vivian until a month ago when he revealed it was her Aunt Victoria. The fact he was finding a life outside of his armor, and the rift his secret had caused in their partnership, was secretly making him consider settling down and hanging up his guns. It did not help that he had been banged up far worse than he let on in their last run in with the Communists, and it had him thinking he was getting too old for the game despite Caleb telling him it was nonsense. Ideally he had hoped he would cross paths with a like minded younger man to take his place as Steelfist, but as time wore on, he was starting to think that was less and less likely to occur.
Now, his wise old friend laid to rest, Lex stood back away from the others, his hands clasped behind his back, and his head down for most of the internment out of respect and to keep his emotions to himself. It was during one of the few times he raised his head that he noticed the wheelchair bound figure watching in the distant shadows. He considered ignoring who he assumed was Powell, but was unable to do so. He found himself backing away slowly, until he was clear of the others. Lex then made towards the watcher, speaking lowly as he approached, " Did you know Caleb, or just here out of respect to the family?"
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Post by yendorj on Jan 22, 2018 21:43:32 GMT -5
Rex grimly smiled, offering his condolences to the family. Mr. Colt had vanished from public and private circles, and remained unseen. While he kept in touch with everyone, it was Rex who made the scenes, playing up the rich globe trotting playboy, recently seen with a stunning raven haired beauty on his arm, Lady Angeline Maraby (Mare-a-bee), a noblewoman who lost her holdings in the Great War (WWI), not her finances. Both wearing black, the latter an updated Civil War widow hat.
"Matt, he's in a better place. Given Caleb's fiery nature, I can surmise where he is. Hell's too afraid, and Heaven needed a hell of a warrior, pardon the pun."
Lady Maraby offers a small smile, "He's at peace. From what Rex has told me, a well deserved peace."
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Post by Mierin on Jan 27, 2018 23:26:55 GMT -5
Vivian stands quietly during the ceremony. She wishes there was something she could do or say to ease Matt's pain, but from her own experience, she knows there is nothing that would help. When her mother had passed away a year ago, Vivian had been inconsolable and nothing and no one had been able to comfort her. After her mother had passed, she had withdrawn from her activities from Lex, though it wasn't just because of that. She had been angry when she'd found out Lex was dating her aunt Victoria and had kept it a secret from her. She was also upset as she knew Lex was looking for a successor to be Steelfist and, yet, after all the time they had spent working together, it appeared it never once crossed his mind that she could have easily taken his place.
Spotting the figure in the wheelchair watching the funeral from a distance. She sees Lex going over to him and wonders who this new figure is and why they are watching from a distance.
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Post by doc on Jan 28, 2018 16:40:49 GMT -5
Lex recognized Powell, who surprisingly was alone - without his body double or any bodyguards. "I knew legend - didn't we all?" Was his response. "It's time. I need you - all of you."
Matt struggled to unclench his fists. "He had a good long life - I just hope I make him proud." He answered Rex, and managed a weak smile for Maraby. "Thank you, Ma'am."
He shared a look with Vivian for a moment, then glanced over to the treeline where Lex and Powell were talking.
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Post by dakota on Jan 29, 2018 17:22:53 GMT -5
Lex looked at Powell in disbelief, "You're joshing me, right? They just put Caleb in the ground. Bohze miy, give Matt some time to grieve." He snapped though kept his voice low so it would not carry back t the others. He looked over his shoulder towards those gathered for the service. "I'll talk to Vivan and Rex, but we leave Matt alone until he has time to come to terms. Okay?"
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Post by Mierin on Feb 3, 2018 14:09:14 GMT -5
Vivian sheared the glance with Matt and can't help but think of her mother who had wanted Vivian to marry Matt so badly. She'd been relentless about it, even after she'd fallen ill. Vivian sighs and looks over to where Lex is. If she recognizes that it's Powell, she wonders 'I wonder what he wants.'
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Post by yendorj on Feb 7, 2018 23:39:24 GMT -5
"You carry the name, and legacy, well," smiles Lady Angeline. "Isn't that Powell? One of your business partners?"
Rex nods, "She's right, on both accounts."
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Post by doc on Feb 9, 2018 22:35:51 GMT -5
Matt sighed, and took one long look at his grandfather's resting place. "Alright, let's see what that crazy coot wants." He motioned for Rex and Viv to follow him as he stomped over to Lex and Powell.
Powell didn't hesitate to respond to Lex. "If I could spare him, or any of you, your pain, I would." Once Matt had joined in, Powell looked them over. "I am sorry, my condolences on your loss and my unpardonable interruption, but the matter cannot wait. It is here. The reason I gathered you - the Cannibal Planet is upon us."
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Post by dakota on Feb 11, 2018 6:26:29 GMT -5
Lex could not help furrowing his brow, but held his tongue as the others approached. He said nothing as he placed a comforting hand on Matt's shoulder. He made eye contact with Vivian for a brief instance, wishing he knew how to return their partnership to what it once was.
Once Powell explained why they were needed, he looked at the man as if he had three heads. "Let me get this straight. Another planet is out there that wants to eat ours? What in tarnation are the four of us supposed to do about something like that? You need the Army, not us."
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Post by Mierin on Feb 11, 2018 16:09:05 GMT -5
Vivian frowns in confusion. She had the impression that this was supposed to mean something to her. Only problem was that it did not. "What exactly are you talking about? What's a Cannibal Planet?"
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Post by yendorj on Feb 15, 2018 14:04:06 GMT -5
"...not something to be spoken of lightly. Lex, the army would, hmmm...Judges 7, 22. 'When the three hundred blew the trumpets, the Lord set every man’s sword against his companion throughout the whole camp; and the army fled to Beth Acacia, toward Zererah, as far as the border of Abel Meholah, by Tabbath.' Us, we have a better chance, even if we're not named Jerubbaal."
Lady Angeline pauses, mirroring Vivian's tone, "Cannibal planet?"
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Post by doc on Feb 15, 2018 21:56:23 GMT -5
Matt entered. "Is that what that hoojoo-joojoo said when we went to that temple in Peru a few years back with that Duchess?"
Powell nodded. "Indeed. And "Cannibal Planet" is just what it is called - the natives of that world call it Kalabaru - "The World Above All Other Worlds."
Matt arched an eyebrow. "And I'm guessing you ain't planning to explain how you know all that much about that place?"
"I have spent a great deal of time and resources to learn as much as I could - this is a planet - a world, a people, that believe that their world is entitled to the resources they can strip from any other solar system they encounter - resources, water, peoples - anything of value. And there is little time to prepare the army." He answered Lex. "However, I have come into the means to bring a small, dedicated team to that world. If you will join me, and trust me this last time, I promise you that I shall never trouble you again."
There was something in Powell's voice - desperation. He was pleading, begging with you.
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Post by Mierin on Feb 19, 2018 0:56:49 GMT -5
Vivian sighs and admits, "I still have no idea what you're talking about. A LITERAL planet?"
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Post by dakota on Feb 19, 2018 9:34:01 GMT -5
"Well, we fought off a machine men that crashed here, we might as well go to their world and caught some mayhem." Lex said with a hint of sarcasm. "So where do you have this rocket of yours hidden to take where ever." He glanced at Vivian, "And we'll need some time to prepare. At least a day or so."
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