Session 23: SIGHT BEYOND SIGHT

Opening Crawl:

Session XXIII 

SIGHT BEYOND SIGHT

Following their epic matches as temporary members of the Galactic Wrestling Federation, Delta Team soaks in their success among the rest of the roster in the ready room deep within the Grand Arena on Planet Doom.

A new announcement from the Kuari Princess cruise ship rings through their comlinks--the repairs to the life support system will take longer than expected, and every passenger will be forced to spend the night in the spaceport, but the ship is scheduled to depart at 13:00 the next day.

The team should probably go join the other passengers in the spaceport before someone notices they are gone ...

The inside of the arena. The crowd loves these guys.

The sellout crowd in the grand arena chanted LoSar'Tan's name as he postured in the ring following his victory over He-Man. After a while he made his way backstage to thunderous applause.

Backstage, Bumblebee was talking to Golden Wheels.

Bumblebee: Hey, so we’re called Transformers. We transform to disguise ourselves. If I went around looking like this all the time, I’d stick out on the world I come from, because Robots aren’t the dominant species there. You kinda stick out because of all your different parts. How about this. If I give you a spare transformation cog, you could transform from a normal looking protocol droid into WHATEVER you want. The only drawback is that it has to be one vehicle or machine at a time. Whaddaya say?


GW: Oh cool thanks. 


Bee: Well here’s how it works. Your default will be a gold protocol droid. And you can kinda scan and take a picture of any machine or vehicle and then turn into that whenever you want. Try it out.


Bumblebee transformed into a yellow VW bug.

Bee: Scan me

GW scanned him and transformed into a golden VW bug. 

Bumblebee: look at you! You look just like me, but you’re gold! You’re a GOLD BUG!

And from now on, that's who you'll be...

(Note: Astute G1 viewers will remember this line from the last episode of Season 3, the return of Optimus prime. Bumblebee was reformatted into Goldbug after he was injured.)

Mince VcMahon came in to the dressing room and he was all smiles.

Mince: That was some great heat out there. We broke some Planet Doom records. The people here love you. Tell you what, you stay for fan meet and I’ll bump you up to 4,000 griftcoin per fighter.

Half the team agreed. 

Vero: Some of us don’t have time to sign autographs. Besides, we have to be in the spaceport just in case they start asking for passengers to check in. We can cover for anyone who wants to stay.

D’Wook, Maki, the Jeegns, Vero and Losar’Tan put on Anomid clothes and asked Mince to drop them off at the spaceport.

Mince: Alright, head out front and the company bus’ll take you there. Meanwhile, the rest of you... fan meet tables open in 30 mins. Get yourself ready.

Hal, Grundle, L1-NK, Soan, Turk and Golden Wheels talked among themselves and practiced smiling and signing. They wanted to make a good impression. About 30 minutes later they went to go sit at their respective tables.


At the fan meet, crowds of the native people of planet doom appeared.  They were blue or grey-skinned and had white hair, but otherwise appeared completely human.

A young girl came up to Grundle's table.

Lindy: My name is Lindy. That music. I’ve heard nothing like that before. Can you tell me more about yourself? 

Grundle: Oh… well I’m in the Ice Pirates. 

Lindy: I’ve never heard of the Ice Pirates. 

Grundle: We are a band. We are pretty famous all over the galaxy. Have you never heard of us? 

Lindy: On our planet, music is usually tightly controlled, and we're never allowed to listen to anything not native to this planet.  Except for in rare events like this one. All the music on this planet though, it's all about glorifying Zarkon...

Grundle: That ain't cool, Daddy-O.

Lindy: I think you may have started a revolution. You and your friend.. Such fierce fighters ... the fight was entertaining, but I was more drawn to your music. And one day I too will make my own music. People will remember my name. Lindy Cauper! I will be the greatest musician on Planet Doom. 

Grundle: Well, yeah girls just wanna have fun. 

Lindy asked Grundle to sign a photo she had of him stomping on Lion-O's Sword of Omens.

(Note: This is NEVER going to get old.)

A middle aged, slightly overweight man stepped up to Turk's table... He introduced himself as Freddy.

Freddy: Your fight was the most entertaining of the night, even though you were on first. 

Turk: Well thank you.

Freddy: Those other guys were all showboatin’ and I didn’t really like it. Them and their silly gimmicks.

Turk: I'm glad you appreciate greatness.

Freddy: (Whispering) Anyway. Let me tell ya something about this planet. The people here all hate our king. We would overthrow him if we could, but he’s just too powerful. This wrestling event? It’s like bread and circuses to pacify the lowest denominator.

Turk: Well how can we help you overthrow him?

Freddy: I don't know. You're gonna need a massive army probably. Hopefully the Empire'll see the evil things our king does and show him what's what.

Turk: Well, until then, stay safe. He signed his name on an extra pair of underpants and handed them to Freddy... who looked at him... looked at the underwear... looked at him again with a concerned expression.... shrugged... and went on his way.

A short shirtless nerd with a white hat and glasses began looking very closely at Golden Wheels and L1-NK

According to my calculations...

Brainy: Um, according to my calculations, these droids are not conventional. They have been altered. He knocked a bit on L1. 

Brainy: Hmm... this one feels more sturdy than he should be. (to Turk..) Sir, are these your droids? 

Turk: Um... yes.

Brainy: May I capture a model of them for study? Papa's gonna love this! I just need some more specs on them. 

Turk: Go right ahead!

Brainy whipped out a camera and started scanning L1. Goldenwheels stepped forward and grabbed his camera. He examined it, then smashed it on the floor.

Brainy: Hey! Why would you do such a thing? 

Golden Wheels: If you know what's good for you, you'll be leaving now.

Turk kicked GW and scolded him. Afterall they were supposed to be working.

L1-NK opened up his hatch and produced a spare camera of the same model. He gave it to Brainy and posed for a picture.

(Note: One of L1's abilities, that he hasn't used much, is to produce once per session any item at all. It hasn't really come into play much, but this time he used it to replace the camera that Golden Wheels broke. Good on ya, L1.)

A young teenaged boy with braces, headgear, and very pimply skin very shyly walked up to Soan’s table.

Nerdy teen: Um.. hey there... so... um... I was just... mesmerized by your performance... never seen nothing like that before.

His voice was squeaking because he appeared to be very nervous.

Soan: Aww, thank you. 

She was all smiles until she realized he kept not making eye contact with her, and kind of staring slightly below her neck.

He was sweating nervously. He had a printed picture of Soan that was already wet with the sweat from his hands.

Soan: Would you like me to sign... that for you?

Nerdy teen: Um... yes maam.

Soan signed it and put a heart after her name.

Nerdy teen: So.. there's one thing I need to tell you.

Soan: Yeah, what's that.

Nerd: You’re like a library book... you know why?

Soan: Don't... just stop talking and go.... don't embarrass yourself.

The shy teen looked back at a group of friends who were trying to hold back their laughter.

Nerd: You're like a library book because I’m checkin’ you out!

He quickly scurried away and went over to his friends and gave them all a hi-five.

Turk took issue with this and stood up. He grabbed the teen by the ear and told him he needs to be more respectful to the lady, and he needed to apologize.

Now very scared, the nerd made his way back to Soan and explained that it was a triple-dog-dare... so he had to do it. He apologized.

Soan: Don't bow down to peer pressure ok?

Nerd: Yes, ma'am.

A young, dashing man came up to Hal's table and complemented his fighting. He especially liked the way Grundle, Hal and the Thundercats worked together to create one of the funniest fights he’d ever seen. There was something strange that Hal felt about this mysterious man, but he couldn't figure out what it was.

Man: ...and then the mic fell and hit him there a third time.. Hahahah that was it that took the cake.

Hal: I am glad you enjoyed the event tonight. Can I sign something for you?

Man: I actually don't need an autograph. I just wanted to meet you. Can I shake your hand?

Hal was worried that he might be pranked... but he allowed the man to shake his hand. As their skin came into contact the man stared deeply into Hal's eyes. He moved a bit closer. Their faces were almost touching. It was a tender moment, and Hal didn't quite know how to feel about it, when suddenly...

Hal could hear the man's voice in his head....

Man: (telepathically) Master Jedi. My family has been enslaved. Slavery is rampant on this planet. You and your friends are powerful. You can help us. Please...

The man let go of Hal's hand and chuckled some more.

Man: Haha! Who woulda thunk the Thundercats could be defeated by two nobodies for the tag belts? Good thing this was a house show!

The players met many more fans and signed lots of autographs for the next 30 minutes.

Suddenly, an announcement could be heard.

Announcement: Attention citizens... curfew begins in 10 minutes. Anyone found outside on foot after curfew will be shot on sight. Return to your homes or vehicles at once. Repeat... curfew begins in 10 minutes. That is all.

The lines cleared out as people made a mad dash for the door to try to get to their cars on time.

All the wrestlers returned to the dressing room. Some of them were talking about how they were glad they were staying in a hotel connected to the arena. That way they wouldn't be caught outside during curfew

Lion-O: (To Hal) ... so how was your first fan signing?

Hal: Sir, I need to ask you something. There are slaves on this planet. We need your help to free them.

Lion-O: Do you know where they are?

Hal: Well... no.

Lion-O: Well I'm not ready to take on King Zarkon and his mighty army. That's straight up suicide. I'm sure the Empire will come along one day and put an end to it sooner or later.

Hal: Lion-O... you and your friends could be heroes. Please... help us out.

Lion-O: No we can't go with you, we've got to be ready for our next matches. Running around the galaxy being heroic seems like a lot of fun, but we've got bills to pay. 

(Note: Lion-O in character should be willing to help, as well as many of the other opponents. But I wasn't planning on them asking. So I decided to just say they were all concerned about their careers.)

Lion-O: I'll help you find these people though. See this? It's the Sword of Omens. All you need to do is hold it up to your face and say. "Sword of Omens, give me sight beyond sight."

Hal took the sword. He held it to his face. 

Hal: Sword of Omens, give me sight beyond sight!

Suddenly his mind was moving fast from the arena in the direction of King Zarkon's castle, far to the north.

It looked like this!

The castle was surrounded by a moat, over the moat was the castle wall. In the wall was a small opening with a stair going down to the basement. In the basement there were several blue-skinned people with pickaxes toiling away at breaking rocks. Some of them were being whipped by some grey-skinned robotic people, and were being told to work harder. Hal couldn't make out how many there were exactly, but he put it at about 100.

Suddenly everything went black. Hal's vision returned and he was standing once again in the dressing room.

Lion-O: Did you find what you were looking for?

Hal: Yes. Thanks for your help!

Lion-O: My friends here can also help you. Here guys. Our new friends are going out to do some "humanitarian" work. If you can lend them something please do.

Ash, Raphael, Sailor Moon and Mario gave specific items to Grundle, Turk, Soan and L1-NK.

The '80s pop culture wrestlers called it a night and headed to their hotel rooms.

The party discussed their plan. 

Some of them were under the impression that they ought to try to free ALL the people of Planet Doom. Killing King Zarkon might just have enough weight to topple society and free the people.

At one point Golden Wheels suggested that he could warg into Zarkon and unalive himself.

(Note: This got to be very disturbing. GW does indeed now have this ability via his newly found force skills... but surely using it to do something like this would be worthy not just of dark side points, but of full blown turning to the dark side. That's really not what I had in mind when I gave him this power. I think I will revise it perhaps such that he can see, hear, smell, feel and taste whatever his target does, but he cannot control the target.)

After more discussion, Soan suggested that maybe overthrowing the government would be too much, and instead they ought to go free the enslaved. After all, it would be a much smaller operation that they could, as a small team, accomplish somewhat stealthily.

They all agreed and decided then that they would travel to Castle Doom, free the slaves, bring them back to the spaceport, sneak them aboard the Kuari Princess, and have them claim asylum under Imperial law.

But they needed a large vehicle to hold them all. 

Someone suggested getting a troop transport so they could simply drive there and fly under the radar. They decided they would go outside and try to steal one.

But then they remembered that Golden Wheels can go out and scan a troop transport and transform into one. He could be the getaway vehicle.

He and Hal said they'd go outside and try to find a suitable troop transport, and then come back to pick up the rest.

(Note: Sounds simple right? Just go outside, whistle while walking past security, find a large vehicle, scan it, come back, rejoin the others, and be on their merry way. That's NOT what happened)

Hal and Golden Wheels exited through the south gate, where spectators were scrambling to get to their cars. An armed security detail was observing them, making sure they were remaining orderly.

Hal walked over to the security guards and struck up a conversation

Hal: Pardon me, officer, I wonder if you might know if there are military transports nearby. 

Officer 1: Curfew is happening soon, human. You'd better seek shelter.

Hal: I will. I just wonder if you might know where I can get a glimpse of a troop transport. I'm really interested in military vehicles.

Officer 2: Why would you want to see that?

Hal: Oh... just I've got a natural curiousity. You know..

Officer 3: (on his comlink) HQ this is Alpha 3. We've got a suspicious human asking questions about military vehicles at curfew time. Requesting permission to detain on suspicion of espionage.

Hal: Oh no.. that won't be necessary.... I'm sorry I bothered you all this evening... 

Hal turned to walk back into the arena, but then suddenly officers 1 and 2 blocked his way. 

Officer 1: Hands up, human.

Just then Golden Wheels transformed into the Gold Bug and did a donut, killing one officer, paralyzing another and knocking the third about 10 feet backward, likely breaking his legs. That officer got back on the comlink.

Officer 2: HQ, this is Alpha 3. Officers down. Repeat officers down. Suspects are human male driving gold VW bug who is a shapeshifting droid. 

Sirens could be heard getting closer.

Golden Wheels opened the driver's side door.

Golden Wheels: Get in!

Hal jumped in and they zoomed off. Three police cars descended on the scene and gave chase to the gold bug.

(Note: I told you. They didn't play it simple.)

 What resulted was several hours of gameplay running from the cops in a crowded parking lot. At one point GW scanned one of the police cars, but the officers totally saw him do it and continued to chase. 

Eventually they reached a dead end and had to fight off the cops. Hal used the force to damage their vehicles, and GW attacked the cops with magnetism, at one point intending to push one backward by concentrating his magnetic abilities on his metal badge, but accidentally shooting it through his body and killing him.

Meanwhile, inside the arena

Turk, looking at his watch: I wonder what's taking them so long.

Back in the parking lot, more sirens could be heard closing in on Hal and GW's position.

GW saw a VW minibus and decided to scan that. (He rolled poorly)

He was able to scan it but got the color wrong. So he transformed into a hot pink VW bus. 

Hal got into the driver's seat and covered his face.

Four cop cars passed them as they drove back to the arena.

Hal: (on comlink) Hey guys. We're ready to pick you up.

Turk: (on comlink) Okay, where are you?

Hal: (on comlink) Come to exit Alpha 3.

The rest of the party came to exit Alpha 3 to see that there was law enforcement everywhere. Smartly they did not exit.

Soan: (on comlink) No go on Alpha 3. It's crawling with security.... why dont you meet us at... Delta 1.

Hal: (on comlink)Roger that.

They drove to the other side of the stadium where Turk, Soan, Grundle, and L1 were waiting.

Hal slid open the door.

Turk: Hot pink?

Hal: Don't ask.

(Note: Their session of Grand Theft Auto Doom City took way too much time, so I had to scramble through the rest of this. I'd planned to have more combats and more sneaking around like Metal Gear, but we had to get moving.)

Hal remembered from his vision that Castle Doom was due north. There was only one road to and from the castle. The group thought it would be smarter to turn off the lights and drive alongside the road to avoid any patrols. A few times when they saw lights, they were able to veer off the road and hide.

They arrived within one mile of the castle and decided to make their way on foot.

As they got closer, to the moat they ran into a patrol of six soldiers.

These soldiers are robotic. GW was able to have a field day with them.

They fought the soldiers. Hal at one point decided he was going to attack with a vibro blade. The rest of the group stared at him.

Everyone: WHY?!??!?!?!

Hal: Why what?

Grundle: Hmm, well maybe you should use your lightsaber... since that's what you're good at. 

Hal remembered he was a Jedi and sliced at some of the soldiers. Golden Wheels warged into the leader and ordered the others to retreat. They did not listen.

Soan at one point did a sweet flip move and relieved one of them of his head, arms and torso. 

Soan does not play around.

Unfortunately Soan failed to dodge out of the way when one of the soldiers shot at her head. Fortunately Hal was standing right next to her. The shot would be fatal unless..

Unless!!

UNLESSSSSSSSS!!!!!!!!!

Soan: Aww.. man that's messed up.

Hal, who had been staring into space, suddenly realized what was going on and just in the nick of time, he put his saber in front of the bolt headed for Soan's head.

Turk and L1 dispatched some more robots with guns and fists.

Hal suddenly forgot how to use his lightsaber again... so he swung wildly and missed.... Grundle kicked the robot toward him and Hal ended up impaling it by accident.

GW decided to scan one of the soldiers and transformed into him.

Up ahead was the moat. It was 100 meters across. Hal thought it might be good to swim, but could sense danger. L1 shined a light into the moat and could see there were hundreds of alligator-like creatures thrashing about.

GW picked up a stick and threw it at one, who caught it in his mouth and snapped it in his powerful jaws.

Grundle whipped out a pokeball that Ash had given to him and threw it.  Pikachu stepped out and sparks flew.... he shot electricity at the moat.

Many of the alligators turned belly up and the party hopped from gator to gator to get to the other side.

(Note: pressed for time we really had to speed things up here)

The party ran into the doorway to the basement, which just as in Hal's vision was on the other side of the castle opposite the front.

Curiously the prisoners were not guarded. 

Turk, who had received four headbands from Raphael wore the purple one, then instantly knew what all the others did. He decided to give the Blue one to Hal, the Red one to Grundle and the Orange one to Soan.

Hal commanded the prisoners to follow him to freedom. But they did not budge.

A lovely woman appeared in the doorway behind them.

The prisoners cowered in fear.

After some banter back and forth, the woman revealed that she was in fact the nighttime guard. She transformed into a hideous cockroach like monster.

Soan pulled out a Tiara that Sailor Moon had given to her and wore it on her head.

(I showed the following video and told everyone to imagine its a Twi'lek doing it, not a blonde schoolgirl.)

The monster fell to its knees. Behind her was a witch who waved her wand and ordered the monster to grow.

It got bigger and bigger and bigger and bigger... to the point that it could now step on any of the people.

Turk: Quick... throw another Tiara!

Soan: I only had the one.

Hal: Guys I think we're screwed.

L1 opened his hatch and pulled out a MEGA MUSHROOM that Mario had given him.

He gave it to Grundle.

Grundle grew to about the same size as the monster. He stepped out from the dungeon and met it face to face.

They traded blows back and forth, and then Grundle picked up the monster and threw him back.

Grundle got into a stance.

Hal: Ohhhh shit.... everyone cover your ears and close your eyes!

The prisoners took his advice, as did the rest of the party.

What followed was the loudest most unnaturally awesome and fearsome sound that has ever been uttered by a living being in the history of living beings.

The dawn sun was slowly rising such that off in the distance, the forest was visable.

As wave after wave of destructive vibrations radiated from giant Grundle's giant mouths, monster flesh was rended from monster bones, almost in a poetic kind of way. It was revealed through this violent vivisection that the monster had been partly bionic. A "ro-beast" of sorts.

The witch formed a bubble around herself and fled for safety.

The moat parted at first, then drained as all the water was displaced, revealing muddy terrain underneath. In the forest, the trees shed all their leaves, then were felled as the more intense vibrations graced them with quick death.

When it was all over, Grundle shrunk in size.

Hal: Quickly everyone... to the forest.

The party and the prisoners made a mad dash over the drained moat, past the felled trees in the forest and deeper in past the leafless trees until they reached denser cover. Golden Wheels, who still looked like a soldier decided he would go out into the road, hoping other soldier patrols would come by to investigate.

In short time, one did. A group of about 40 soldiers in a military transport arrived, returning from nighttime patrol.

Captain: Hello soldier. Why are you alone here?

GW: My unit has all been destroyed in a disaster. 

He pointed to the obvious signs of destruction.

GW: The enemy is all over there.. 

He pointed away from the castle into an open field.

GW: You should go there and check them out. I'll watch this vehicle.

Captain: What? That sounds really suspicious. Why don't you come along with us, soldier?

GW: Um.. I can't. I need to recharge.

Captain: That's really suspicious. I am ordering you to come with us now.

GM: Stop... let's try this again.

Captain: Hello soldier. Why are you alone here?

GW: Hey can you all go over there while I recharge in this nice troop transport?

Captain: What? That sounds really suspicious.

GM: Stop... Ok... so what is it you're trying to do?

GW: I want them all to leave the vehicle so I can steal it.

GM: So what do the rest of you think of this plan?

Grundle, Turk, Soan, L1 and Hal's players all reminded GW that he didn't need to STEAL the troop transport. He just needed to scan it and send them on their way.

GM: Okay again.

Captain: Hello soldier. Why are you alone here?

GW: There was a huge battle at the castle. My unit has been destroyed

Captain: Let's go investigate. Why don't you come on board and show us.

GW touched the troop transport and scanned it.

GW: I'm afraid I am malfunctioning. Leave me here. I don't want to be a burden. If you hurry you'll catch those vile terrorists near the castle.

GW fell to his knees and started to leak oil. They bought it.

Captain: Your sacrifice will be remembered. Let's go platoon!

The transport drove to the castle.

GW transformed into a troop transport and everyone got on board. Soan got in the driver's seat. Her purple skin might blend in better than anyone else's

They drove back to town, passing several more patrols along the road.

Eventually they made their way to the spaceport and parked at the far end. They snuck in through one of the abandoned shops and everyone did their best to blend into the crowd of Kuari Princess passengers.

Eventually they met up with the other half of Delta team.

Vero: Ah.. you made it back.

Hal: And we brought friends.

The 20 former slaves, now refugees thanked the team for setting them free.

Just then, a Kuari Princess security guard member approached the group.

We're pre-boarding to save time. Show your ticket chips please.

<To Be Continued>