Bolas thought to himself as the others continued on other tangents less worthy of his attention. So they thought their little collection over there, subordinate as they were to another entirely, was powerful enough to stop him? Their leader, with all his insecurities and physical strength, was ill-equipped to incapacitate him, and they didn't even seem overtly hostile. Bolas left them to their ramblings and sought out the minds of some others present.
The army of tiny golems scurrying about intrigued him. They seemed to have all the perks and quirks of a human force, yet Bolas doubted they suffered any of the basic drawbacks like food or rest. They would be useful to control, if he found an opening with their leader. Though most of the overlords were organic there was an increasing number of constructs around, something Bolas was not dissatisfied with. Many opportunities here to capture and observe some, dismantle and re-engineer if appropriate.
Two list were forming in his mind, one of potential threats and the other a list of priorities. Doctor Doom could be cooperated with but neither had anything concrete to offer the other, the relation was more a pact of non-aggression than any sort of alliance at this point. If Zod's ego could be fed- preferably from sources other than Bolas himself, though the dragon could engineer something indirectly- he was also likely no threat. His blusters about neutrality Bolas found patently false; the powerful being just did not have the mental equipment for such endeavors.
As there were two lists, there were also two levels of plans forming. The first concerned the efforts required to keep him out of the various and unpredictable lines of fire; what he would have to do to stay out of the way or remain of different factions good sides while he selected and accumulated followers. The second was what he would have to learn, and interesting targets of opportunity to excise information from. Knowledge and power, as goals, were hand in hand. Both had to be executed simultaneously, as they assisted each other.
How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?Maul relaxed, and went back to his position near Bolas.
On empty crossroads, seek the eclipse -- for when Sol and Lua align, the lost shall find their way home.Fawful stepped out of his lair, looking somewhat preoccupied. His lab was busy analyzing the data he had collected from the werewolves in the last challenge, and the Beanish scientist did not have much to do at the moment. He watched the goings-on with detached interest before looking up and inspecting Bolas for a moment.
Pretend there's something clever written here.As the fight was set up, Bolas redirected his attention. These were exactly the opportunities he needed to investigate. Out of the corner of one large eye he saw one of the maintainers of the mechanized forces observing him. Yes?
edited 15th Apr '11 12:57:29 PM by SOCR
How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?"Thank you, m'lady." Percer said. He then snapped his fingers, and two demons rose from the ground. They proffered his Twin Demon swords to their master, and departed in a puff of hellfire.
Percer then assumed a stance where he held one sword vertically in front of him and the other pointed horizontally near his waist. Percer then fired off a slash wave at Mechakara to test him.
Always be ready to do the unusual and unexpected."Oh... I like it." Percer's face was alight with glee, his Blood Knight instincts kicking in. He walked up to the robot, not perturbed at all. "I'll let you have a free hit, since you didn't block my attack." He offered the robot.
Always be ready to do the unusual and unexpected."Ah, sorry if I was cause of rudeness," said Fawful, quietly and politely. "But I have never been seeing a dragon in person before. Creatures of much power, from what I am hearing."
Of course, Fawful was already drawing up mental blueprints for a mechanical dragon of his own.
Pretend there's something clever written here.Percer grinned as he smashed into the nearby wall. "Yes... this is fun." With a roar, he blasted himself out, now wearing a cloak of mana, which faded away immediately. He then fired a salvo of lightning fast thrusts, like a blooming flower, at Mechakara.
Always be ready to do the unusual and unexpected.Powerful yes, and I chief among my own kind. Bolas wondered if Fawful was going to get to a point or just waste that portion of his attention. What you seem to lack in power you make up for in artificing, how many of these constructs moving about are yours? Pay one if you receive one is a good enough tactic, even if it's coupled with an insult. Bolas figured his response would be a good indicator if this one was as power-crazed as the rest.
How can you be in two places at once when you're not anywhere at all?Hearing the Visser's mental message snapped him out of his Blood Knight mode, Percer stopped. "You are a good opponent." He responded to Mechakara. He then seated himself back near Azula and Harry.
Always be ready to do the unusual and unexpected.

"I have advanced strength and combat skill, and my specialty is with psychological warfare. Of course, it all depends on the context of the word 'alliance'." Mechakara shot an accusatory glance at Azula.
And a Strange Figure Emerges.