milliways_bar | (no subject)

Rho has no way of knowing about his counterpart's activities some months ago, but a status report never hurts. "Hey," he says by way of greeting as he drops something silver into his pocket. "ANy news?"

Venkman glanced over at him, eyeing the silver.

"Plenty. We got more victims on the list for one." The spirit glanced over at the Watcher.

Giles added, "We also have the identity of who is responsible. It's been confirmed by two sources now, and I believe his power may have weakened to allow us to remember. A dangerously powerful being known as the Other, an evil counterpart to Tim Hunter who was defeated and believed to have been dead for some time."

Venkman added darkly, his form wavering, "Only the bastard somehow came back, and looking for some payback."

Rho's lips thin out at this; he nods. "I see. No wonder things took a turn for the worse this morning." He looks from one man to the other. "Lieutenant Naraht's currently completely aphasic. I don't believe he can manage to associate written or printed words with meanings. I had to engage the Devil's Tower protocol to get through to him." He holds up his harmonica. "We could probably use a telepath."

Venkman sighed at this.
"Damn... I know of some around here. *I* was one, but it hasn't been working in a while for some reason."

Giles frowned, "There might be some communication spells to assist with this, but we need to make sure it would not interact negatively with the curse and possibly exacerbate things."

"Damn." Rho scowls. "This sucks. The poor guy's in it up to his macrocilia and I can't even get through to him without turning into an episode of Name That Tune. Not that I mind, but it's a little hard to find a tune that says both 'we're going to find the guy who did this and feed him his own feet' and 'don't worry, we're here to help you, it's going to be okay' and that would be known both in the early twenty-first century and the Lieutenant's time. Dr. Venkman? D'you think I could get any data about the curse's particular effects on Lieutenant Naraht if I got out that PKE meter?"

Giles silently looked at the hovering Ghostbuster.

Peter grimly nodded, "Considering I can see the damn thing, yeah, I'd say so. It's magic, it'll show up. If you have access to Ray's room, use his, it's more sensitive than mine. He got it from another universe where they tinkered with it more. It's a little more complicated, but shouldn't set you back at all."

Something flickers briefly in Rho's hand, but it's a room key, not a meter. "All right. I'll have it out as soon as I can. Maybe I can work out something with that particle thrower before I have to use it again- if I've got a common energy resonance off you and Naraht and the rest of the curse victims I might be able to isolate a particular frequency native to the originator that'll be especially disruptive when I throw it back at his flaming black ass."

Peter grinned, "Now *that* sounds familiar. And from what I heard, he didn't like seeing one of our babies the first time around. Getting taken out by the same weapon would be sweet revenge."

Giles added, "Now that we've been able to trace the magical signature, we can also manage a similiar process by way of a spell as well."

"Double your pleasure, double your fun." Venkman remarked.

There was a Ripperish glint on the Watcher's face, "Indeed."

"I realize he's magic and therefore outside any of my prior experience, and that he's Terranan himself and so probably isn't really the best target for this, but there's a saying we have in my organization for situations like this..."

Rho smiles. It is not a nice smile. It is an I'm Going To Eat Your Skull smile, courtesy of a long-ago acquaintance who's currently the public face of CSICOP.

"Don't mess with the monkeys from the third rock from Sol."

"Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get that meter. And the trap."

Giles nodded, but then glanced at Peter.

Peter was currently staring after the guy.

"Dr. Venkman? Peter?"

The ghost wavered a little, "...That is the single most scary thing I've ever seen in my entire life." Seeing it on Egon was scary enough, but he never thought he would see any version of Ray.

The sight freaking scared the hell of him.

"...Gee, glad he's on our side..." Peter weakly added.

Barry takes note first of the sign, then of the Watcher, and lastly of the apparition. He tries not to stare, but Venkman's state is unsettling.

"Good afternoon, gentlemen. Any news?" Barry's voice is All Business.

[ooc: slowtime likely from time time today.]

Venkman replied first, "We got more victims on the list. Faith, Jonathan, and 95, all whammied."

Giles added, "We have also learned the one responsible for these curses is the Other."

Barry sits, and gives his personal brand of sigh.

"So I'd heard. Which means this is going to be very hard to fix.

"And I knew about Faith and 95 - Guppy's been doing great work in keeping on top of things, though he tells me you've been taking the lead, Mr. Giles.

"Has anyone told you about the Other?" He then turns to Peter.

"And how are you mananging, Dr. Venkman?"

Venkman remarked, "Aughra came back. This seer? Was able to whip up something to buy me some time."

Giles added, "Yes, well, I had been compiling a list of the victims, and checking with Peter here since his senses especially in this form allow him to see the curse on the afflicted. I wrote a reply to Guppy, Magius is on the mend and we've spoken recently to him about organizing teams. A small group to go after the Other, another team to assist with healing and helping those afflicted. A group of us have already been researching this. Two of them, Andrew and Jonathan, both from worlds very similiar to mine have been researching this as well, also Miss Fred Burkle. It was Andrew who informed me about the Other. This would explain why the magic signature I found seemed familiar, and their scying efforts came back with the apparent source being Tim Hunter. It was when I told him of eyewitnesses reporting seeing black flames from a strange being that he confirmed it to be the Other."

Peter stared at him, "Sheesh, Jeeves, you get paid by the paragraph or what?" He just got a glare for his remarks before both of them glanced back at Barry.

"You think HE talks too much, Peter? Compared to Ray, he's absolutely silent.

"And I understood every word he said." Barry lets himself smile before considering Giles' disseration.

"I hadn't heard about Magius. But that plays into my theory that the Other targeted some of the more powerful magic users as well as some of his 'enemies.'

"Still, it sounds like you are ahead of me - and maybe of the rest of teh security staff - in your planning. Talk to Alanna about finding some volunteers from the staff who can take the fight to the Other. I'm sure you can count on a few, like Faith.

"And I will be glad to coordinate with Guppy on the healing efforts. Even though I have my powers, my skills are not suited to battling magic, and they came in very handy in the makeshift infirmary last time."

Peter replied, "Faith knows about the Other now, and I bet Security's got wind of it now. Magius wasn't whammied though. Got hit with a nasty flu, just bad timing."

Giles replied, "I find my communication style to be efficient, Dr. Barry, I will check with Faith and the others on Security about the attack team. And the more help with the healing teams the better. You will certainly have your work cut out for you, I fear. I understand from Peter's report, there is a young man in the infirmary who's suffering from an excruciating and complicated parasitic infestation."

"Oh, I'm not a doctor, Mr. Giles. I have first responder training from both my police and super-hero careers, and I can move fast in an emergency, but I leave the real medicine to the pros. Luckily, we have a fairly talented roster of both MDs and healers. If you let me know when you're likely to hit him, I'll have as many of them on standby at that time.

"Glad to hear tha about Magius, by the way. It might mean that the Other hasn't thought of everything after all." Barry then turns to Peter.

"Rho mentioned that parasite case. Anything the staff needs to know?"

(ooc: that was more mun spacing and typing error, the first part was in reply to Venkman, sorry. *facepalms* We'll just go with it though.)

Giles remarked, "Good, I would say it'll take a day or two to assemble a group now that we know of his identity. So I would say as soon as possible."

Peter added, "I think also we've had a lot of changes around here. I only first arrived just after the War, and we've had a lot of new arrivals since then. Makes tracking enemies that much harder. Hell, he probably whammied some random people just to throw us off the scent. Plus, Tim loves this place, and this guy hates him. Why not attack the place your enemy loves? So we got revenge and malice for motives."

The Ghostbuster remarked, "Yeah, that guy's been whammied too, and I thought I got the short end of the stick. Mine's a walk in the park compared with THAT."

Barry shakes his head. "You pretty much have the Other in one, Peter. He loves chaos. What he did to his London...

"Though you might be glad to know, Giles, that Tim undid that." Barry thinks for a moment.

"It occurs to me that as vicious as what the Other is doing is, it's pretty small compared to what he did last time. Maybe he's weaker now. Perhaps it won't take the same level of firepower and sacrifice this time."

Giles briefly paled at the idea, and was quickly relieved, "Yes... very fortunate. The world I'm from, I was living in London again." Luckily he hasn't seen the notice about what happened last summer, and it's a few years prior for him in his timeline.

Peter nodded, "Well, once you get an idea about somebody's behavior, easy to get their likely patterns and ways of thinking." Yeah, the guy could have made a decent profiler in another world.

He added as the memories re-surfaced. It was easier now they had the bastard's name. "He did look like a skeleton. Black flames for eyes. Been other eyewitness reports saying the same, but he kind of muddled things to keep anybody from remembering. The fact we can remember now is got to be a good sign."

"Been to London a couple of times. Even met the Queen. Interesting place." Barry doesn't say this to impress, but he wonders after saying it if Giles will react.

"Hm. That could be just how he wants to be seen. But last time I saw him, he was Tim's twin. This might be another sign of lessened power, as if he can't remake the body...

"I was talking to Sara - that's my girlfriend, Sara Sidle, either of you know her? - and I was thinking about how the Other was trying to do what Tim did in coming back, but that it's not his trick, so it isn't working as well. Maybe I was onto something."

Giles was laid back by the mention. The Royals were there, mostly just as ornamentation to natives. Though, there was a fondness and loyalty for many, or just as much loathing for a bunch of prisses living on the dole.

Peter replied, "It could have been a disguise so as to not freak people out into thinking it was Tim, or giving away his hand too early. Guy must be a poker player, he's good at bluffing."

Giles added, "I think more likely chess, he seemed to arrange things like chess pieces, applying a particular strategy in his moves and actions."

Both men shook their heads, and Peter replied, "Sorry, no. But he and Tim are connected right? ...Wait, wasn't there something about Tim's body? That part did get buried right? And Tim said something about being pure magic now?"

"Yes, I'd heard that. Eska told me she wasn't even sure Tim is human anymore.

"And there was a burial of the body, out by the lake..." A look of some shock passes over Barry's face.

"I think we had better check the burial site."

Giles and Peter traded a glance.

Giles then said, "I would say that is a wise idea." Peter nodded in return.

"Then I think I will leave that to the experts. Especially since I'm not really sure where the grave is anymore. Out of sight, out of mind, I guess.

"But be sure to keep me posted. And thanks again for all the effort you're putting in." And if Barry seems a bit uncomfortable with looking for reanimated corpses...well, he is.

Peter and Giles in their own way knew something about it, but neither were happy with the prospect either.

Giles nodded, "We will. This is very familiar for me, so happy to lend my assistance in any fashion." One of his jobs was doing exactly this.

Peter nodded in agreement to that statement and asked, "Right, guessing Staff here would remember where he's buried? Drop a note asking somebody to check it out?"

"Probably not a bad idea. And ginve that the whole staff was there, someone might recall.

"Now, if you will excuse me, I think I will see about finding Guppy and making medical plans."

Peter nodded, "Thanks, Barry. Be seeing you." He glanced down as Giles was pointing out something in his notes. The two went back to discussing again.

And, by Millitime, Magius arrives, having seen his belioved and looking both bleak and enraged.

He settles into a chair nearby, his eyes sputtering silver fire as he tried to regain control of his emotions.

Giles glanced over, almost noting the tension immediately. It was a bit discerning seeing that familiar expression on a face like his own.
He quietly said in aside to the spirit, "Peter..."
Venkman followed his gaze, and his eyes widened.

Cue the simultaneous, "Uh-oh."

Giles swiftly got up, but kept a respectful distance, while Peter hovered nearby.

The Watcher inquired, "Magius? What has happened?"

He looks up, his eyes burning, with both tears and a small amount of power. when he speaks, his voice is bleak.

"Add another name to the victim's list: Nina Myers. My belioved."

Peter's form wavered some, "Shit."

Giles nodded grimly, "I'm sorry. We are seeing about fixing this. We have news of who's responsible for these heinous acts."

Peter added darkly, "Bastard's called the Other. Tim's evil twin basically. There was a war a while ago to take him out, only this SOB decided since Tim didn't stay dead, why should he? Looks like he wants to get revenge for that, and stick it to Tim at the same time by attacking this place."

Magius looks up.

He sighs.

"Good. How do we stop him?"

Peter replied, "From what I heard from Ray and Barry, it took an army to take him out last time, and the surrounding area was wiped out."

Giles added, "Tim was later able to rectify that at least. We spoke with Barry before, he believes that since his actions were more subtle this time he is likely much weaker. We will still need a group to stop him. I've sent a note along to Security about assistence and offering of my services to help."

Peter added, "Plus, he's shown up here as a skeleton with black flames eyes. He wants to come back, but he can't pull it off like Tim did. Not as well."

"Good. I will work on trying to put together a sp0ell for these curses to see if I can break them. I should have a prototype ready sometime later today."

he looskd own.

"I hope."

Peter added, "Me too. I was able to get the seer, Aughra, to buy me some time, but it won't last forever."

Giles said, "I have faith you will succeed." A similiarly angered expression was on his face, Watcher and Ripper merging.

"And I assure you, the Other will pay for the pain and suffering he has caused to so many here."

Magius looks up and nods.

"Yo0u two know more about that than I, I will try to dot eh ebst I can for those cursed. My power lebvels are still low, but are rising fast. If this curse breaker works, well, then within another day or so, afterwarsdas I could start lifting the curses. Of course, first I will need to try it out on someone, once I finish the spell."

His form wavers ,as if in a wind. He glances down and thens smiles apologetically.

"This spell is still a little high powered for me, so the image might waver. I am still with Nina in the informary, but she has subsided for now, so I thought I would send out a projection."

Peter nodded, "I'll be stopping by the infirmary to check on my situation, probably stick around there until this is fixed. I can feel the connection to my body, but I think I'm starting to lose it." His cord seemed weaker, though last night's efforts helped some.

Giles nodded, "That is fine, Magius. You should conserve your energy then. We will be in contact with you."

Magius's eyes turn towards Venkman.

"I will see you later then, and maybe, just maybe, we can asteal a march on this madman."

He nods to Giles as well.

"I will. I will be in the informary until furher notice."

Peter nodded, "Yeah, hope so. Thanks. If you need any help, let me know."

Giles added, "Agreed. Good luck, and courage to you and Nina."

And Magius shimmers and vanishes after nodding.

"Evening Peter, Giles."

Guppy comes over, completely drenched but that's more or less irrelevant.

"Peter I've just been to check on your body and the readings for last night are most peculiar. What happened?"

Giles blinked at Guppy's appearance.

Peter replied, "You can thank my new bodyguard for that. Aughra, she's this seer from the world of Thra. She juryrigged something to buy me some more time until I could be cured."

"That's good news considering my feeble attempts at finding a mage. Can either of you fill me in on what's actually going on? Where did the Other spring up from?"

He catches the blinking. "I just came from Holby. It was raining. A lot."

Giles nodded, "Ah, of course." Going outside helped some, he missed England's weather and climate.

Peter added, "Magius is feeling better. Still on the low side, but rising fast. He's going to try a curse breaker spell later to see if it works, and he can then help with getting the rid of these."

Giles said, "You've been here longer, Peter, you would know this."

Peter nodded, "Right, even though Andrew Wells would know a lot more. So would Ray." A pained expression crossed his face briefly.

He then explained, "When I first arrived at Milliways, it was just after the War against the Other. He's Tim's evil twin basically, and supposed to have been killed then. Fast forward several months later, and people involved with the War, or know people involved, or had ties with Tim, or simply are here all start having problems. Bastard wants revenge. Take down those that hurt him, and what they and especially what Tim was protecting. Namely Milliways."
The temperature dropped rapidly several degrees as the spirit spoke and got more and more upset.

Guppy nods. "I remember the war, although unfortunately I got tied up in Holby that night and wasn't able to help other than having delivered medical supplies before. This time I'm going to ask the bar to bind me so that doesn't happen again. If that doesn't work, then I'll use Millitime again next time I'm between shifts and just hope I'm not called back. Abs says to count him in too."

He tries to sound confident, but inside he's worried. Worried about whether or not he can afford to live for the rest of the year if he spends much more time in here. Worried about the fact that his body clock is now so confused that he no longer has any biological feelings of what time of day it is at all, except it's always bedtime. Worried about the fact that he is trying to run two full shifts in the same day. Worried about the fact that he is worrying.

Peter studied him a moment, catching some of this.

Giles responded, "That is an excellent idea. Barry is offering his help with medical work as well."

(ooc: slowtime? or fade? gtg)

[ooc: He doesn't have much to add and plot's moving fast, so fading is fine. Do you know what's happening with healers? I asked Tim-mun and s/he didn't know. I know it's on Friday but is it slowtimed/at some appallingly hidious time in the morning. Would stay up for it but I'm going to be home rather than at uni, which means I have the midnight rule to contend with. If I can't make it I'll just have to say he's there somewhere.]

(ooc: Showdown's on Friday, other than that. No idea. Probably slowtimed as necessary since everybody's on different schedules. *shrugs* At least I hope it is.)