"I have crossed the width and breadth of time. I have seen worlds born, and I have seen worlds die. And yet still I feel her pull. I still hear her song."

--Initiating System Diagnostic--
....
........
................
...................................
--Scan Complete--
--Initiating Life Support--

"Aaron? Aaron are you awake?"
"Of course. How can I sleep?"
"You're still worried? Doctor Irons said the portal was stable."
"I know, but what about the drone?"
"He said it was a glitch."
"Yeah yeah. The shift caused a malfunction in its transport module, but I still can't help but think..."
"Don't worry. I'll be fine. They're sending in Captain Hergotz team with me."
"That prick? How did he ever pass the psych evaluations? I swear he's got bloodlust or something."
"He's a good soldier."
"Sure he is, but I still don't trust him. I don't like the way he looks at you."

--Error--
--Reinitiating Life Support--
....
........
--Error--
Where is this interference coming from?
--Reinitiating Life Support--
....
--Life Support Initiated--
Whew
That was strange

"And just how does he look at me?"
"You know...like you're a piece of meat."
"Hmm...the only piece of meat I see around here is"

Joker
Joker are you okay?
"Yes. What happened? You sound...concerned."
I'm having trouble accessing all my systems.
"That's nothing new. Remember World 1783? It took you nearly a week to get the optics working."
This is different. It is almost as if something is restricting my access to certain files.
"What IS working?"
Optics and maneuverability protocols are online, but seem to be...sluggish.
"Sluggish? How?"
Unsure. I'd suggest testing them. It seems the repair nanites have also been effected. They are operating well below norms. I can't seem to access the fuel cells either.
"Wonderful. Give me a systems display, and keep working on those files."
Of course. I'm just as vulnerable as you are in this state.
"Alright, I'm gonna take a look around, and try to assess the extent of the damage."

Stepping across worlds is never easy, especially when the starting point is being ripped apart by a supernova. However, I had never known it to have as much effect as this last stride seems to have had.

The parking lot was all but empty, and you could feel the desperation in the air. I was definitely in a city. Early 21st century, at first glance, but something was definitely wrong. The air smelled almost burnt. The last time I'd smelled that it was...

"Give me a mana level reading."
They're off the scale. I've never seen them this high. Not even in Darryl’s Sanctum on World 872.
"That explains the system malfunctions then."
Yes. That is undoubtedly the root cause, but I should still be able to access them. My mana shields are still intact.
"Very well. Continue your work, and I'll finish scouting the area."

At first glance the area seems almost normal. If not for the vacant streets and lack of sound, this place would almost be home. The only soul in sight appeared to be an officer in the local police force.

"Excuse me officer...?"
"Flint. How can I help you?"
"Uh..Yes. I'm just in from...out of town, and I was wondering how best to acquaint myself with your city."
"Ah, I see. Well if you don't mind running a short couple of errands for me and my fellow officers, then I'd be glad to apprise you of our situation."
"Excellent."

Following a short discussion with the officer regarding local laws, I was made aware of a semi-contained outbreak of some form of drug induced mania in the local populace. Seeing that I may be of some help, I followed the officer's instructions and began visiting his fellows to see what steps were needed to clear up the situation.

The tasks were trivial errands, and one even went so far as to try to explain combat techniques should some of the infected become hostile. Finding it altogether humorous, I made my way beyond the fence line and into 'hostile' territory.

The full destructive power of the drug crazed maniacs suddenly became all too obvious. Staring ahead in amazement, the stout block shaped buildings were lying in ruins. Seeing no form of construction equipment, I can only assume these buildings were torn apart by hand.

Determined to free this city from its plague, and suddenly aware that the warnings of hostiles was not made lightly, I unsheathed my weapon and moved forward into the rubble.

Picking my way through the debris, I found it somewhat disheartening to hear the howls and jeers of the drug crazed populace.  This drug, whatever it is, must have been effected by the high mana levels.  I can’t imagine normal people purposefully inflicting such devastation upon their bodies, and so I must think this drug somehow mutated itself after injection.   Unfortunately, I didn’t have much time to ponder how such a thing had occurred.

Joker duck!

In a moment I was on the ground, and it was a good thing too, as a rock the size of a grapefruit dented the trash container behind me.

"Time to freakin' die!"

He was on me in a moment. A whirlwind of punches and kicks drove me backward into the trash container as I struggled to gain my footing. Lashing out awkwardly with my sword, I was able to catch him across the thigh, forcing him to stumble backward a few paces.

Howling with rage, he charged forward blindly. Having had some small amount of experience in such encounters, it was a simple matter to redirect his rage nicely into my now beloved trash container. With a resounding thud the fight was over. As I watched, stunned, my would-be murderer quickly dematerialized.

That's a new trick.
"Agreed. Why were my reactions so slow?"
I had thought that my combat protocols were untouched. However, upon further inspection it appears that most of them are still being blocked. I fear I will be unable to assist you in combat until the locks are cleared
"Wonderful. And you couldn't have told me this before I about had my brains smashed into pulp?"

Moving more cautiously I looked for another one of these maniacs in the hopes of a more civilized confrontation. Spying a pair tearing at the alley door of some abandoned store, I slowly inched my way closer, keeping myself well hidden. That's when I noticed their eyes. The deep shadows of the alley all but hid their faces, but the sickly green glow emanating from where their eyes should be turned my stomach. There was no chance these people could be reasoned with.

My mind set, I charged forward silently. Stepping past the closest, I slashed him wickedly across the abdomen, simultaneously driving my fist into the face of his partner. As he stood there stunned, I drove my blade through his chest. Pulling my sword free I turned my head just in time to duck the poorly aimed punch of my first target. Spinning, I caught the madman squarely on the temple with the back of my hand.

As before, I stood perplexed as the two bodies quickly disappeared from sight. Sheathing my sword, I made my way carefully back to the nearest officer, bent on disciphering exactly what I was seeing.

"Officer. I need a word with you."
"Ah. I see you've met some of our citizens. They didn't muss you up too much did they?"
"I think I'll live. I do have a question though."
"Shoot."
"After I had...how should I put this...managed their aggression, they seemed to, well, disappear."
"Wow. You really MUST be new."
"This is normal?"
"Of course. Almost all citizens have been implanted with a small chip that monitors their life signs. If they reach a critical level, the chip sends out a signal to the local hospital."
"I see. So they are healed there?"
"If it's possible. Common citizens aren't as indestructible as you hero types, but it’s definitely worth having. Hell, most insurance policies require them."
"Hero types? I don't unders.."
"You know. Scientific accident, cybernetic implants, genetic mutation, whatever. That's why you're here isn't it?"
"Yes...of course it is."

Heroes? Like in comic books?
"I don't know. It's definitely weird, but I want to get a closer look at this teleportation technology they are using."
What are you thinking Joker?
"I'm wondering if this has any correlation to Dr. Brantiff's Theory. I'm praying it doesn't, but...well let's just learn a bit more before we go jumping to conclusions."
I understand that Brantiff was classified as mentally unstable. Do you really believe this could prove him correct?
"Maybe. God help us if.."

"Hey! Hero!"
"Yeah?"
"I just got word that Coyote may have a lead on a solution to this contaminated problem. Why don't you run over and see if you can help."
"Sure. Which way is he?"

Coyote?
"Your guess is as good as mine."

Following the officer's directions lead me steadily away from the howls of the contaminated, and I must admit I was grateful for the silence this provided. Wandering aimlessly through the canyon of concrete and steel formed by the simple, yet no doubt efficient, buildings left me wondering how the high mana level fit into the equation.

My first impressions of this city were based solely on the amount of magic pervading the air. However, having seen such advanced technology in use by common thugs had me worried. Brantiff's Theory was all but laughed at when first made public, but had they known the true extent of our research, chances are he would have been hailed as a genius. Like all great scientists his discoveries carried a weight unknown to those who first put them to use. If one is to believe Brantiff's ramblings, hearing that common citizens are all but forced to use such technology is not a good omen.

"Judging by your outfit, you must be Desolate Joker."

Without realizing it, my wanderings had carried me deeper into the empty city.

This guy's straight out of a comic book. Right down to the spandex.
"And you must be Coyote. The officer back at the fence told me you could use my help."
"Yes. We've just found a local building infested with contaminated citizens. Its possible that's where the supply of their drug is stemming from."
"What would you have me do?"
"Simple. Check out the hideout, and see if you can find a supply of their drug. We need an untainted supply in order to create an antidote."
"Sounds simple enough. Just point me to the building."

Coyote's directions lead me to a quiet building nestled in the corner formed by two towering walls. Shading my eyes from the sun, I was just able to make out what appeared to be some form of force field flickering atop the walls. Wondering whether this was to keep things in or out, I stepped quietly into the apparently empty building.

The building was just as quiet inside as out.

You think Coyote's information was wrong?
"Possibly. Truth be told, I was half expecting this place to resemble the opium dens back on World 2138."
Lucky you were wrong.
"Agreed. That place still sends shivers down my spine."

The building's interior was almost pitch black compared to the bright sunlight outside. Even taking a moment to let my eyes adjust to the gloom didn't help. The sorrow and desperation of this place hung in the air, and I couldn't escape the feeling of being watched.

Intent on my mission, I quickly cleared the first few floors of what appears to have once been a talent agency. Dusty filing cabinets lining the walls were filled with countless faded photographs and biographies, ranging from ex-porn stars to children that spent half their lives making cereal commercials. Ripped and shredded movie posters, no doubt featuring talent found by the agency, lay scattered about the floor.

This place may not be a hideout, but it was definitely still being visited. Seeing no evidence of the current inhabitants, I made my way to the 4th floor.

Stepping out of the stairwell, my eardrums were assaulted by the sounds of an arguement. The sudden explosion of sound momentarily stunned me, and I quickly shut the door to avoid being caught off guard a second time.

Something was wrong. The voices sounded almost inhuman.

Cracking the door, I peered down the hallway in the direction of the voices. Not seeing any obvious source, I slowly opened the door and slid out into the darkness. Up ahead, in the direction of the shouting, I could see that the hallway turned abruptly to the left. Figuring this is why I couldn't see exactly where the voices were coming from, I made my way cautiously toward the corner.

As expected the voices grew steadily louder, until I could finally make out what was being said.

"I need more!"
"We don't have any more. Can't you see that?"
"I'll rip this place apart. Where's it hidden?!"
"Calm down. Listen, all we have to do is make some more. They gave us the formula and everything."
"You mean we can make as much as we want?"
"Oh yeah. And we can go into business for ourselves. Screw those mutated freaks."
"Yeah! With this stuff, we're unstoppable!"

That doesn't sound good Joker
"Tell me about it. Not only are there no samples, but it sounds like there's more to this drug than even Coyote first thought."
Why don't you try to get the formula from them? One of them is bound to have it on him.
"My thoughts exactly."

Diving around the corner, I was shocked to discover only one person. Slightly bewildered, I focused strictly on staying alive long enough to hear this guy's story. Before he could react to my presence I slashed hard for his shin, and was rewarded with the familiar sound of metal against bone. This guy would be in pain for weeks, but at least he'd live long enough to give me the formula.

"I'll tear you to pieces!"
"You'll do nothing of the kind. Now, where's your buddy, and where's the formula?"
"I don't know what your talking about. What formula?"
"The one your buddy was telling you about. The one the mutants gave you."

Without warning he started to fade, and I had lost my only source of information.

This teleporting is gonna cause a real problem
"You think?"

Searching the rest of the floor yielded nothing. The guy with the formula must've been long gone by then, but at least I knew there was more to this than a simple drug ring gone bad. Perhaps a trip back to Coyote would help clear things up a bit. That's when...

Did you hear that?
"Hear what?"
It's like a low humming sound. It's coming from one of those cubicles.

Stepping over a shattered desk, I made my way toward a short row of cubicles leaning against the far wall of the office. Now that I was aware of it the humming was unmistakeable. Unless I missed my guess, that was the sound of a computer, but what would one of those be doing here? Every drop of salvageable materials had already been squeezed from this place. How could someone overlook something as valuable as a computer.

"What the ..."

And a brand new one at that?

Interesting
"You can say that aga...no, no you can't.
Aww
"Let's see what's on it."

Now I'm no hacker, but even I can find a file when its the only thing there. Chemistry was never my strong suit either, but the information stored on the computer was definitely instructions of some sort. Seeing no alternative, I pried open the case and removed the hard drive, hoping Coyote could make better sense of it than I could.

"You did good Joker. This formula will go a long way toward clearing up this mess."
"I heard mention of mutant freaks being responsible for the original supply of the drug. Any idea what that means."
"Undoubtedly it's referring to the Lost. Those bastards have been preying on our citizens ever sense we won the war."
"War? Lost? I don't understand?"
"You been in a coma for the last couple years or something? How could you not know about the War? Listen, why don't you just head over to Atlas Park, and visit Mrs. Liberty. She knows more about things than I do."
"Ok. I'll do that. Anything else I can help you with before I leave?"
"Now that you mention it, why don't you thin out the herd back there a bit."
"Herd? You mean the contaminated?"
"Of course I do. The city awards anyone that defeats 100 of them an honorary medal. You know, for service to the city and all that jazz. If you ask me, its the only way we'd ever have cleared as many of them out as we have."
"Medal you say? Sure. Sounds like fun. I mean... what are us heroes for eh?"
"Haha! You're alright Joker. You're alright."

The details aren't worth going into, suffice it to say that my newly gained experience fighting the contaminated made it much easier to continue doing so. If spending a few hours fighting mindless thugs was all it took to get recognized in this place, then I saw no reason to disappoint Coyote. Looking back, however, I probably should have visited Mrs. Liberty a lot sooner. The surprise in store for me there was worth all the badges in the world.