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The Mystery Deepens
2007-07-23 10:40:19

My anger has subsided, so I will release this week's excerpt. Welcome back! I see more new initiates as well, excellent. Many of you Americans enjoyed your little respite by firing off pyrotechnics. Should you make it through to membership in The Atlas Foundation, you will be able to create far greater explosions than that, I promise you.

Last week we left as the beautiful Venus was in a bit of a predicament. Study the mettle of these heroes well, there is much to learn from their adventure. Today you will need to ultimately find the keyword to take to your field representative to exchange for another. While you’re there, be so good as to preorder extra copies of AGENTS OF ATLAS #1, won’t you?

Mr. Lao





* * * * *



The chalky hand holding the dagger pushed through the water towards Venus. She darted from her position to another section of the pilot house. More shapes arose from the black, shapes she knew to be people possibly, but she couldn't make out anymore than that. She easily outmaneuvered them and found the door she swam in. One of the shapes was trying to close it, but Venus braced her foot against the wall and pulled with everything she had. Her would-be trapper fell away, and she made it back out to the Cutter's deck. Now the shapes started emerging from the doorway behind her, and she thought to ascend as fast as possible. Afraid these attackers would somehow be gone upon another investigation, she turned to get a look- maybe she would see something that would help her teammates with this stolen ship case. As they moved out into the light still being sent from Marvel Boy on the water's surface, their forms coalesced to reveal themselves. They were skeletons like the one who nearly ran the team down with a plane back at the shipyards. Upon visual identification, Venus' legs went stiff, and her arms stopped moving. The same hypnotic suggestion or whatever had bound them before was at work again. She also couldn't open her mouth to cry for help, and her friends likely wouldn't have heard that anyway.



The skeletons advanced. There were six- no, seven of them altogether. Three of them had daggers like the first had, one was carrying the blade clenched in its teeth. Venus thought of how much she relied on her sway over men in dealing with danger, and how at this moment it seemed to not even be a power at all. The skeletons now were only about fifteen feet away, lurching steadily forward. They had no ability to swim, but with little body mass to create resistance, they could walk almost as fast as they might on dry land. They were ten feet away when a large shape plunged between them and Venus, ringing a loud boom upon contacting the deck. As bubbles dispersed around it, it was clearly M-11. His torso turned to the side and his right arm extended twelve feet. Then his torso pivoted quickly in the opposite direction so that his arm shattered the skeletons in one movement. Skulls spun in an orbit and drifted out through the water. The effect on Venus ended and she began moving. Her first act was to try to hug the robot, but M-11's mass proved difficult to embrace. The robot turned its head and looked upward, and Venus realized that M-11 couldn't get back up to the ship. "Hang on," she said, though she wasn't sure if the robot could understand her speech here. She made her way quickly to the surface.



"Hey! Going my way?"



"Venus! Are you okay?"



"Yes, thanks to M-11. He came down just in time! There was a whole skeleton crew coming for me, and I couldn't move -just like before! But he broke up the party. Say, he can't swim-- do we have a way to bring him up?"



Gorilla Man hopped over to grab a steel cable and hit the release on the winch. "Here ya go. Take this down there and wrap it around him- hook it good, he's heavy!"



Venus took the cable back down to the Coast Guard Cutter's deck where M-11 stood as before. She wound the line around him under the arms and pulled the hook tight onto it. After she gave the cable a couple of tugs, Ken Hale began cranking the winch, soon using both arms once the slack went out of the line. Marvel Boy helped Venus back onto the hovercraft and the robot began to emerge from the sea. Jimmy Woo watched, and thought how much this Atlantean Princess Namora. The robot wasn't functioning then, and was covered with barnacles and other sea life that had attached to his body. This time was very different. Water rolled off the android, but none poured out from inside him. His head turned slightly to see where Gorilla Man was operating the much simpler machine that retrieved him now. The ape snapped his fingers as he held his hand out in the gesture of a pistol. 



"That was a close one," said the woman as she raked salt water from her silvery hair. 



"Yeah, sorry," said Jimmy Woo. "Not long after you went under, we were talking and then it occurred to us that if a skeleton could fly a plane, that might be what took the boat as well. Since M-11 clearly isn't affected, we elected him next to go down. Like Bob said earlier, he doesn't rust these days." Jimmy turned to the robot who was now coming to a stand on the hovercraft. "M-11, did you detect anything else down there-- besides skeletons, I mean?"



The cyclopic eye glowed slightly as M-11 made a rare utterance. He could speak, but no one could predict when it might happen. Such communications were almost always directed to Jimmy Woo.



"NO CARGO.  NO FOREIGN MATERIALS. FUEL TANK EMPTY."



"Thanks," said Jimmy. "Not sure what to make of this, gang. A bunch of skeletons steal a ship, go until they run out of gas, then sink it."



"I have a theory," said Ken Hale, retracting the winch completely. "I think they had a diabolical scheme involving a fast ship, they took it, then forgot what the plan was because they don't have any brains in their heads!"



"I'm feeling like I don't either, right now." said Jimmy. "Okay, I don't think there's any more we can do here. Let's get the Navy their vessel back and tell them where the Cutter is. Though they'll probably just leave it here to become a reef."



The gorilla pulled the throttle back and the engines roared. The hovercraft lifted up noticeably, and the team made their way back to the mainland.



* * * * *



Later Jimmy Woo and his unusual band of Federal agents were mulling over the events of the morning at Ling's Tea Room. Jimmy poured another round of hot tea as he went over the details again. Bob Grayson waved for their regular waiter to see that his bowl was empty. The young man nodded and disappeared into the kitchen. "I don't know why they don't have sizzling rice on Uranus," said Marvel Boy as he spooned out the last bit. All our food there is the same texture." Since the formation of the team and establishing of the group in San Francisco where Jimmy had been based, Ling's had been a regular stop during their weekly duties. Ling was a family friend of Jimmy's and his restaurant was accessible through certain underground passages in the city that Marvel Boy and the Human Robot connected to their own base of the Federal Building. This allowed them to go to Ling's without too much attention, as the FBI had asked them to be discreet in public appearances. A private room in the back was always made ready for the group. 





Jimmy took another sip of tea before speaking again. "Everytime we get a straight-on look at one of them, the spell kicks in. Or hypnotic suggestion. Whatever it is, we need to shake this thing off so M-11 doesn't have to do all the work when a skeleton shows up."



Marvel Boy looked to be preoccupied, touching his headband often. Whatever his concern was, it was put aside as the waiter brought him another bowl of sizzling rice soup. "Thank you," said the young hero.



"I know someone who may be of help, " said Venus. "This kind of thing is right up his alley. His alley is in Manhattan, though. "



"No problem when one our pals has a rocketship," said Gorilla Man through a mouthful of dumplings. Bob Grayson sat up more attentively, a bit surprised to hear Ken Hale refer to him as a pal. Maybe he had been taking the gorilla's ribbing too personally, as Jimmy often said. The colonists on Uranus didn't tease one another, as a rule, and the practice was alien to Bob. 



"Great," said Jimmy. "Can you give him a call and let him know we'll be over soon?"



"He doesn't open for business until night time. And I don't think he has a phone, but he'll probably be there. I guarantee that when we show he'll say he was expecting us."



"Well, then we've got a few hours to kill. It may be a late night, so I'd suggest everyone take a nap when we get back to the building." Jimmy Woo then added: "Try not to dream."





* * * * *



No one saw Marvel Boy's rocket when it landed directly behind the Statue of Liberty. The Silver Bullet was a bit shorter than the copper-plated lady, and was well hidden by it at night. A private ferry came to take the group over to the main island, where a private cab was waiting to transport them the rest of the way. The driver had taken the odd bunch into town several times, but was still unsettled at having a gorilla in the front seat. He tried to focus instead on the young woman who smiled pleasantly at the sights outside her window. The oversized cab made its way up further to Midtown, and over to 387 Park Avenue. The Packard motored into an alley where it would wait for the five to return, and the team piled out.



Venus held Ken's arm on one side and M-11's on the other, and made a bounce like she wanted to skip down the street. "We're off to see the Wizard!" Hale made an amused grunt at her joke. "I ain't a lion, and I ain't cowardly. Or was he the one that needed a brain?"



"No, that was the Scarecrow- right?" offered Jimmy. 



"Yes, and the Tin Man needed a heart." explained Venus. 



"Just like ours," said Ken. 



"Aw, ours does too have a heart!" said the young woman looking up at M-11. Marvel Boy didn't know what everyone was talking about, and made a mental note to ask later. He was more concerned that they were about to meet a practitioner of the occult, which he was never comfortable with. He liked things that were science-based, logical and orderly. After leaving Ling's he had confided in Venus that he felt he confused about his abilities. He thought he should have been able to undo the effect of the shared dream with his headband's help, but it seemed to be limited- unnaturally so. "It's an impressive piece of technology," he had told her. "But sometimes I think I'm not getting the full use out of it, like I'm wasting it." Venus assured him that everybody feels this way about their abilities at times. Bob Grayson thought that she didn't quite get his meaning and he didn't know how to express himself more clearly on the matter. Nonetheless, her assurance had consoled him some. The group had reached the top of a stairway, and stood outside a door with an onyx plaque. Engraved golden letters stated simply and directly: 



MAGAR THE MYSTIC



Jimmy reached out to knock on the door, and it swung open quietly before his knuckles could connect. He looked back at the group and then back to the door. "Come in," said a measured voice. "You have been expected."



A sophisticated man wearing a suitcoat and a dark green turban appeared from around the corner. He knelt to kiss the back of Venus’ hand. "Good to see you again my dear. You honor me by bringing along such esteemed guests."



"These are my friends, Magar. I’m working with the FBI these days, and Jimmy Woo here is my team leader. The charming gorilla is Ken Hale, and you probably have heard of Marvel Boy before. Our personal Univac there is called M-11."  Hands were shaken and the mystic led the group over to a round oaken table that had seven candles. Everyone but M-11 took a seat as Magar instructed. Magar said something quietly that no one could understand.



"Mister... Magar, we’ve recently been put under some kind of hoodoo," began Jimmy. "Somehow we all had the same dream of a skeleton, and now when we encounter them- which is surprisingly common lately, we freeze up. No one can move, except M-11 of course."



"Yes," replied the somber man. "You have been the targets of Dream Hypnosis- a very potent form of suggestion, since it is placed in the subconscious during deep sleep. I could see it when you entered, and I’ve already removed it."



"You saw it?" asked Marvel Boy.



"This practice leaves a psychic marker, if one is able to see such things. And I am. You each had a small floating skull beside the left temple. Dispelling the suggestion was a simple matter. And one that was more scientific in nature than magical, if that lessens your concern, Mr. Boy."



"It’s actually Grayson," returned Marvel Boy, "and are you reading my mind, now?"



"No, I read your face. It is very revealing." Bob Grayson felt a little embarrassed and yet relieved that his telepathic abilities seemed to still be unchallenged. Magar opened a brass box and took something out. When he turned around, he was holding a human skull.



"Move your arms please."



Each of the agents was satisfied to find full motion in any tested body part even as they stared at the skull. "Not bad!" said Ken. "Jimmy, slip this guy an extra Hamilton. Wait ‘til those bonebags try to get the drop on me again."



"Well great, I guess we don’t need to take up anymore of your time, sir." Jimmy Woo started to push himself up from the table and Magar held out a halting hand. "No one comes to Magar for mere jinx and hex removal. Any gypsy witch could do that." Marvel Boy frowned. "No, whether you know it or not, you have sought me out for greater answers. Please, enlighten me to your quest."



Jimmy sat back down and turned more towards the mystic. "Well, we’re investigating a number of stolen sea vessels, that all went missing at the same time. The one we’ve found so far was crewed by a group of living skeletons, I guess you’d call them."



"I have encountered such acolytes. In great numbers, they can be very dangerous."



"Tell me about it. I’m guessing the other ships were taken in a like fashion. So the reason for the hex is pretty clear. But we couldn’t find a reason for the theft."



"Ah," said Magar, now reaching to remove a thick piece of red velvet from an object on the table. From the size, Ken expected to see another skull. What he did see was a crystal ball, reflecting the candlelight of the table. The glints of light seemed to swirl inside the orb, moving as if by choice. Magar put his fingertips on either side of the sphere without touching it, and the clear ball became opaque, not mirroring the candles at all. "Venus may have told you of my gift- the ability to commune with the formerly living."



"Dead people, I call ‘em." Said Ken.



"It depends on your point of view. That is not my greatest gift, however. More valuable is the ability to know which ones to talk to. Merely being in a spirit realm doesn’t qualify a being to answer any question. More often than not, they seek answers from us. Since your mission concerns piracy, I believe it logical to go to the greatest of that number."



Magar began chanting words that Jimmy couldn’t understand and that seemed to make Venus momentarily dizzy. Clouds of obsidian formed inside the crystal and began to swirl at great speed. On Magar’s last word, the candles on the table flared a couple of feet high, producing a haze of smoke over everyone’s heads. Though the window by the bookcase was open, the soft night breeze didn’t affect the cloud, which now looked like the ones in the sphere. In the smoke a dark shape began to approach from some distance. Near it’s head were small flashes of light. At once the figure became clear, clothed in a long coat with its fists resting on a large belt around the middle. A scabbard hung from the being’s left hip, and its head sported a large hat with a curling side brim. The flashes of light were now distinguishable as burning matches twisted into the man’s thick black beard.



"YAHRR!!! Who be of such hardy stock that would summon the shade of Edward Teach!?"



"Dread specter, you are here at the request of Magar the Mystic. I summon you on behalf of these mighty heroes. They are the ones who have business with you."





"Ahrrh... such a motley bunch I’ve not seen in over two hundred years then," said the spirit, his eye widening as he looked around the table. Uncharacteristically, Ken Hale was unnerved by this development. He had assumed he was seeing something that worked like television, and wasn’t expecting the vision to acknowledge his own presence. The pirate then made an expression similar to the ape’s, and Ken followed his gaze to see that the object it studied was Venus. "Shiver me timbers."



"Great Captain," said Venus, even being sweet to the long dead Scourge of the Seas. "We are seeking stolen ships. We do not know the culprit, but he appears to be using magic. We cannot discern the motives either. The first vessel we found was sunk for no apparent reason. Can you offer insight?"



The thickly garbed spirit stared at her some more, and then resumed its former manner. "Remember lass, not all pirates steal for treasure, and not all commandeers mean to keep the ship. When me crew and I fired upon the HMS Scarborough the first time, we were not after the King’s Man O’ War. Me other vessel plundered two Merchant ships right out of port! Ha-har, ‘twas a good day!" Amused with his past victory, the pirate pulled out a long pistol and fired it off into the air with a loud report. Ken Hale noticed that an actual blast mark was left in Magar’s vaulted ceiling. 



The boisterous pirate then broke into laughter and his image fade into the murky smoke. 



"Now I’m more confused than before," said Jimmy.



"Spirits and oracles are rarely direct in communication. Being cryptic is how they judge the tenacity of mortals. When you begin to understand them, you often earn the bond of the spirit.



"Do I really want a bond with a murderous pirate?" asked Bob.



"That is always a question worth asking," said Magar with a smile. The smoke over the table began to drift apart, then stopped and began swirling. Another dark shape drew closer and an aged woman’s face appeared, her eyes wider than seemed possible. She had been groaning softly and now the sound built to a shriek as she blurted:





"WE RQSA JE MXUHU OEK VEKDT JXU HUT REN!"



The image then vanished and the smoke blew apart. The crystal ball became clear again.



"What was THAT?" asked Venus.



"Other spirits often invade openings to our world with their unwanted communications." Explained Magar. "I would pay it no attention."



The team got up from the table, each shaking hands with Magar while mulling over the visions just seen. As they walked out the door, Jimmy turned suddenly. "Oh, I’m sorry. How much does that session cost?"



"My services are always free to friends of the lovely Venus. Were it not for her powers of influence, I would be but a shrunken head hanging from a tree in New Guinea today."



"Thanks again," said Jimmy from the bottom of the staircase. They exited onto the street where the cab waited, its driver leaned back and snoring. No one noticed the shadow across the street studying the team intently.





* * * * *




			 exciting new mission 
	thanks to Marvellad and eyecolumbus we were already expecting an appearance by Magar the Mystic, who in turn called upon the help of Blackbeard himself! 

 

The trail stops dead there for the time being though, until an agent can decipher the cryptic message of the old woman. Mayve the Wizard article links can help us?


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-07 17:00:35

	
 	 	 
		
			 The Old Woman's Message 
	Greetings everyone. 

 

The Old Woman's message is as follows: 

 

"WE RQSA JE MXUHU OEK VEKDT JXU HUT REN!" 

 

The cypher pattern for this message follows: 

 

Ak Bl Cm Dn Eo Fp Gq Hr Is Jt Ku Lv Mw Nx Oy Pz Qa Rb Sc Td Ue Vf Wg Xh Yi Zj 

 

If you substitute each letter of the Old Woman's message (represented by capital letters), with the letter it stands for (represented by the small letter beside it), you get: 

 

"GO BACK TO WHERE YOU FOUND THE RED BOX!" 

 

This, I believe, is in reference to our quest a week or so ago. (See "Temple of Atlas, Part 3," 6/28/06)  The red box appears on the hyperlinked octopus box at the bottom of http://octopuspress.com/.   

 

The red box has been altered.  The once blank box now says: 

 

read 

morbid 

savageness 

 

No idea what this means yet.  Good luck everyone.   

 

[IN the interest of "showing my work", I found the pattern of the message by determining the probable vowels in the message, and making a chart.  The pattern became clear, as soon as the smoke cleared and I was able to move again.] 

 

[I may not be working, but I sure look busy.] 




	Posted by msr.oresteus on 2006-07-07 18:35:59

	
 	 	 
		
			 good work 
	 somone is a tratior  but who in this agancey is and stuff blow up when i join awesome


	Posted by tarhaun on 2006-07-07 18:38:44

	
 	 	 
		
			 A clue? 
	I found a posting by Mr. Lao over at CBR from earlier today. 

Here's the link: http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?p=3344766#post3344766 

It says: "No one comes to Magar for mere-" 

In the passage Magar says,"  "No one comes to Magar for mere jinx and hex removal." 

I'm not sure what this means yet, but if you click on "living skeletons" in the paragraph below that it will take you to a Wikipedia entry on skeletons. 




	Posted by jshelmig on 2006-07-07 19:13:20

	
 	 	 
		
				Everyone could learn a thing or two about codebreaking from Oresteus. And excellent prediction by Marvel Lad and Eye Columbus! 


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-07 19:16:55

	
 	 	 
		
			 Jinx 
	Well, mrlao's reference to Magar's line about "jinx and hex removal" immediately made me think of Jinxworld.com, Brian Michael Bendis's site, but I've yet to turn anything up there...


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-07 19:21:09

	
 	 	 
		
			 Keyword? 
	Could the keyword be JINX? That seems too easy.


	Posted by jshelmig on 2006-07-07 19:21:18

	
 	 	 
		
			 Jinx 
	Well, mrlao's reference to Magar's line about "jinx and hex removal" immediately made me think of Jinxworld.com, Brian Michael Bendis's site, but I've yet to turn anything up there...


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-07 19:26:49

	
 	 	 
		
				Interesting find, McFeely. Do not give up.


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-07 20:22:23

	
 	 	 
		
				Hrrmmn. Figured I was miles off. The use of the specific word "Hex" and the phrase "gypsy witch" immediately call the Scarlet Witch to mind, and Bendis has been quite involved with that character lately, so that's what I'm looking for on the site, but I'm still getting nowhere.


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-07 20:32:33

	
 	 	 
		
			 Found this 
	I was on Jinxworld and found this posted by Mr. Lao. 

 

The bullet hit the key.  

 

I wonder if this is in regards to Magar's vaulted ceiling?


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-07 20:39:09

	
 	 	 
		
				Oh, shoot, no wonder I didn't find anything - I totally misread the search results screen on the forum. Well, either way, still hitting a brick wall with that clue. :)


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-07 20:51:14

	
 	 	 
		
			 Question? 
	How could Blackbeard and his crew shoot the HMS Scarborough. It  was a Royal Navy sloop of the Hastings class launched in 1930.  Could this be a clue?


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-07 21:01:49

	
 	 	 
		
				Typed the ship name into Wikipedia too, huh? :) Check out Blackbeard's article, there was another ship by that name that he did interact with. Don't think it's a clue.


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-07 21:04:21

	
 	 	 
		
				And one would have to assume that Wikipedia factors in, otherwise why include the link? I mean, I don't think we've been given any outright red herrings thus far.


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-07 21:13:49

	
 	 	 
		
			 Keyword 
	It can't be as simple as Vaulted Ceiling. I think we need to figure out the words in the red box in conjunction with the Jinxworld clue.


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-07 21:17:23

	
 	 	 
		
				I'm tapping my nose your way, nhartz. And careful to not resend forms when checking these comments for updates!


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-07 23:40:39

	
 	 	 
		
			 have you considered: 
	'read morbid savageness' is an anagram 

 

you're all doing amazingly well so far!


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-07 23:59:24

	
 	 	 
		
			 also... 
	is the bullet necessarily a bullet from the gun? Maybe it is The Bullet?


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-08 00:07:40

	
 	 	 
		
			 another hint before bed 
	http://www.606studios.com/bendisboard/showthread.php?t=75693&page=4 

 

Red Box: 

 

it is also 3 words 

 

 

combine this with my above post to get a clue


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-08 00:12:50

	
 	 	 
		
			 anagram 
	I got invaders message board


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-08 00:26:55

	
 	 	 
		
			 keyword 
	Statue of Liberty?


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-08 00:35:30

	
 	 	 
		
			 Invaders Message Board 
	can't get past here...it must have something to do with The Bullet hit the Key


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-08 03:26:56

	
 	 	 
		
			 you were doing so well 
	google is your friend 

 

follow the Wizard of Atlas


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-08 03:37:03

	
 	 	 
		
			 Atlantian 
	what about clicking 'Atlantian'? 




	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-08 03:47:07

	
 	 	 
		
				'Atlantian Princess Namora', i mean. clicking that takes you to that old fact file page, but is there anything there that anyone has found?


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-08 03:52:45

	
 	 	 
		
			 Stuck 
	Okay doop I took your advice. I googled INVADERS MESSAGE BOARD and wound up at Jeff Parker's blog. The entry at the top is titled "Wizard of Atlas", but other than a cover featuring Marvel Boy and a link to those Wizard articles mentioned earlier I can't find anything. What am I missing? 

http://parkerspace.blogspot.com/


	Posted by jshelmig on 2006-07-08 04:43:27

	
 	 	 
		
				I'd been thinking that "read morbid savagenes" was an anagram, but there was me trying to get something with "Avengers" out of it. I suck at anagrams...


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-08 06:35:03

	
 	 	 
		
				Eerrhmm... following the links back through the blog to the Wizard article to that other Wizard article about occult stuff, at the end, an "interviewee" asks "Do you have a key for me?" His name is the distinctly-made-up-sounding "Gahl Buslov"... anagram again?


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-08 06:38:45

	
 	 	 
		
			 i'm no mr.Lao 
	some points:  

 

-I ain't no mr.Lao. I don't know the answer to the keyword. I had reached the Invaders message board following the hints yesterday and I have been using my rank to help the rest along with hints. To clarify the trail so far: 

 

1. cryptogram --> go to octopus press --> "read morbid savageness" 

 

2. Princess Namora link --> CBR article --> CBR forums --> no mere... JINX --> Jinxworld --> 'it is also three words' 

 

combine 1 + 2 = anagram --> Invaders Message Board --> combine with 'Find the Wizard' clue --> Jeff Parker's blog --> Wizard article --> THEN? 

 

3. living skeletons link --> wikipedia --> THEN? 

 

4. Jinxworld again: 'the bullet hit the key' --> THEN? 

 

we have these three hints left to combine. The bullet could point at thevaulted ceiling, although i find it improbable. I think it refers to the Silver Bullet ship, OR one of the two Silver Bullet comics websites: silverbulletcomicbooks.com or silverbulletcomics.com , but I have been unable to find any clues or posting on their message boards from our mr. Lao


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-08 06:52:12

	
 	 	 
		
			 Gahl Buslov 
	is googleable,btw, he is an actual retailer, like the rest in the article. 

 

but i am guessing 'Ray' from the article is also a clue...


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-08 06:52:59

	
 	 	 
		
			 something else 
	The address to Magar's house is Marvel's office. Maybe Marvel's site has a key. 


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-08 07:55:08

	
 	 	 
		
			 wiki races 
	okay, this could be a wild goose chase, BUT... 

the 'living skeletons' link easily leads 'the hoursemen of the apocalypse' wiki page, which easily leads to the 'Marvel Universe' wiki page, which easily leads to either the 'Timely Comics' or 'Atlas Comics'. 

Anyone else going this way, or am i chasing ghosts?


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-08 11:28:15

	
 	 	 
		
				ooh the Timely link led to a Yellow Claw page... 

Am i running hot or cold, Lao?


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-08 11:29:56

	
 	 	 
		
			 Magar, you devil... 
	Did anyone notice on the Invaders Message Board there is a comment left by Magar himself (towards the bottom of the page - posted on 07-06-06) that seemingly has nothing to do with the posts in which it is a response and links to the cover of a Captain America comic book where a bullet is deflected off his shield?  

Could the keyword be "Captain Americas Shield" or just "Shield?" 

 

link: http://www.comicboards.com/invaders/view.php?rpl=060706042234


	Posted by eyecolumbus on 2006-07-08 12:13:42

	
 	 	 
		
			 SHIELD it is 
	You now have the word to take into the field.


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-08 12:16:37

	
 	 	 
		
			 Alright... 
	Good work everybody! 

 

As far as my repeat post above, I don't know why that happened. Moderator, erase please?


	Posted by eyecolumbus on 2006-07-08 12:21:18

	
 	 	 
		
				Now, I work at a comic book store, but I've specifically asked my boss to NOT give me the key word before now, so I could take a crack at this myself. As an employee, I'm probably ineligible to just e-mail him and find out what it is, right...?


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-08 13:52:00

	
 	 	 
		
				Got the keyword, but as I see that one of the stipulations is that it is not to be given out through means other than coming into the store, I'll leave it up to a field agent to bring it in. :)


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-08 14:55:23

	
 	 	 
		
				Agent McFeely, your adherence to protocol is commendable!


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-08 15:24:50

	
 	 	 
		
				Yes, sir! Thank you, sir! *salute*


	Posted by Chris McFeely on 2006-07-08 15:42:47

	
 	 	 
		
			 Just Got Back:( 
	I just went to my LCS with the intent of getting the keyword but the shop owner was not there. I asked one of the workers and they didn't have a clue. I will go back Sunday and get the Keyword. Quite the bummer.


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-08 19:03:09

	
 	 	 
		
			 Magar 
	Oh man i musta been on that Invaders' Message Board like for an hour, and i still never saw that Magar post. 

Probably didn't help that i had just come home from an all-night boozer.


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-09 01:20:54

	
 	 	 
		
			 tone it down tarhaun 
	no need for such behaviour between agents 

 

good work everyone this round!


	Posted by doop1958 on 2006-07-09 07:49:10

	
 	 	 
		
			 Sorry 
	I went again today and still no shop owner. My LCS is closed Monday so I'll try again on Tuesday.


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-09 22:32:49

	
 	 	 
		
			 Yes but... 
	Surely some front for our organization will be open tomorrow in someone's area! A prime opportunity for a new person to gain rank.


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-10 02:33:58

	
 	 	 
		
				Mr. Lao, is our mission worldwide? Because I am Australian based and i am unaware as to whether our organisation has any fronts down under


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-10 03:12:40

	
 	 	 
		
			 Just got back on the case... 
	Sorry, I have been on another assignment. 

But I'm back and trying to get caught up. 

I will hit my LCS on the way home and see what I can dredge up. 

 

By the way, I worked on the anagram myself and came up with "Avengers embarass Dido".  Although whimsical, I discarded this result as embarrass was misspelled.


	Posted by KRB NRG on 2006-07-10 13:48:04

	
 	 	 
		
			 MOHAVE 
	The keyword is MOHAVE thanks to your loyal agents at Bedrock City Comics in Houston, TX


	Posted by jshelmig on 2006-07-10 16:58:55

	
 	 	 
		
				Agent Lombardo, where in New Holland are you? 

KRB... I am very close to allowing that spelling!


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-10 16:59:16

	
 	 	 
		
			 MOJAVE? 
	Is it MOJAVE? I asked about it at the store and he said that was the correct spelling so I took his word for it.


	Posted by jshelmig on 2006-07-10 17:04:11

	
 	 	 
		
			 PREVIEW! 
	Just thought I'd share this with you, if you had not seen it yet... 

 

 

http://www.comicbloc.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=421&Itemid=57


	Posted by marvellad on 2006-07-10 17:46:04

	
 	 	 
		
			 MOJAVE. 
	Fine work, jshelmig! You are in The Order.


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-10 18:15:47

	
 	 	 
		
			 Great Work Everyone! 
	This just keeps getting better and better. I look forward to this week's mission, and that preview looks fantastic. Keep up the good work. Also, thanks to jshelmig for getting that keyword. 


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-10 19:18:41

	
 	 	 
		
			 'New Holland' 
	Yeesh you really are living in the past... 

But i'm in Melbourne, Victoria. In AUSTRALIA. 

Let me know if we have any operatives working these 'comic store' fronts.


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-11 02:41:53

	
 	 	 
		
			 Keywords 
	Our list of Keywords so far (in no particular order) are: 

Death Ray 

Aphrodite 

Uranian 

Master Plan 

Flying Saucer 

Mohave 

I'm sure this all means something...


	Posted by KRB NRG on 2006-07-11 09:03:22

	
 	 	 
		
			 MaJave. 
	Mojave with a J, KRB NRG. 

 -master list- 

 

Death Ray 

Aphrodite 

Uranian 

Master Plan 

Flying Saucer 

Mojave


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-11 10:56:50

	
 	 	 
		
			 Keyword ties... 
	Well, I don't know a whole lot about America, but i'm pretty sure the Mojave is a desert (thank you Sam Shepard's True West). Isn't Area 51 a desert also? So perhaps a 'Flying Saucer' with a 'Death Ray', possibly 'Uranian', has crashed in the 'Mojave'?


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-11 11:00:09

	
 	 	 
		
			 Area 51 and the Mojave Desert 
	Yeah I think Area 51 is right on the northern edge of what is generally considered the Mojave Desert area. (It's about 140 miles north of Vegas.) 

Your theory about the Silver Bullet being the ship that caused all the Area-51 hoopla is interesting. 

But there were two other keywords as well...Aphrodite & Master Plan. 

Hmmm...


	Posted by KRB NRG on 2006-07-11 14:30:49

	
 	 	 
		
			 Uranus? 
	Isn't Marvel Boy from Uranus?  KRB, I believe the Aphrodite keyword has to do with Venus, who must play a vital part in this Master Plan.


	Posted by SaturnGirl on 2006-07-11 17:01:45

	
 	 	 
		
			 So I Just Stepped Out 
	Hello all, great work on keeping the list going, I've been in lurker mode lately as I have had little chance to really contribute to the  

actual field work and the like, not where my skills lie I suppose, I am offering my services to the August Mr. Lao and the Order in any fashion I may though. 

I actually thought of a few historical comments and questions, if anyone remembers my somewhat hyperbolic comment back a week or so ago, I have dropped hints to certain Initial Characters as it were. 

Agent Woo: I've heard of him here and there and remember he chased a certain lizard of impressive size around for a couple of years. 

YC: Our Esteemed Friend, if you will, KRB NRG, also ran, may still run a branch of a certain many-armed organization. Octopus=Tentacle=Arm=??????I do wonder don't I? 

I fear we may not be able to find the disposition of another Celestial Doctor due to dangers of a litigious nature.... 

A kind of off and on topic question: 

If the Agents of Atlas were active at a certain point in the past what might any of them know about a lost and found Golden Guardian. 

fifty points to the first to know who I mean 

Well, I may have muddied the waters once more so I must off. 

                                              Nosybrat


	Posted by nosybrat on 2006-07-11 17:08:13

	
 	 	 
		
			 Golden Guardian 
	Do you mean the Sentry?  

I also wanted to ask if the keyword was URANUS not URANIAN


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-11 19:30:01

	
 	 	 
		
			 u guys are kinda worng 
	mojave is a dessaert area 51 a secret facility north of las veagas little is known about it but i'll tell u guys this packages r be in sent by air couresty of the us goverment


	Posted by tarhaun on 2006-07-11 19:31:07

	
 	 	 
		
			 Octopus=Tentacle=Arm 
	That is Hydra. Cut off a limb and two grow back.


	Posted by nhartz on 2006-07-11 19:33:40

	
 	 	 
		
			 Keyword clarification 
	The key word was Uranus.  Not Uranian.  There is someone in the book who will refer to Marvel Boy as 'The Uranian', but that was not the actual clue/keyword. 

 

And not to start a discussion, but Las Vegas is actually IN the northern part of the Mojave Desert area.  It's just not in the acutal Mojave National Park area.  Deserts are big.  Really big. 

And Area 51 is only 140 miles north of Vegas. 

 

Nosybrat, 

I was with you for 'Zilla, Hydra, and Senty... 

But your reference to the good Doctor took me a couple of minutes to think through. 

I had for some reason always thought that Fu and YC were the same person...


	Posted by KRB NRG on 2006-07-12 08:38:06

	
 	 	 
		
			 Interesting Theories Abound! 
	Your discussion has given my council intriguing ideas! Keep up the good work. The next excerpt will release tomorrow. Eyecolumbus, like Doop, you are now moved into an Advisor role. You may not give any more answers, but are encouraged to use your superior skills to push others in the right directions.


	Posted by mr. lao on 2006-07-12 15:54:12

	
 	 	 
		
			 Nice! 
	It is an honor and privelege to join the ranks of this great organization. I'll do my best.


	Posted by eyecolumbus on 2006-07-12 23:37:34

	
 	 	 
		
			 Melbourne Associates 
	Mr. Lao, again, are there any store-front operatives working the Melbourne, 'New Holland' front?


	Posted by dp_lombardo on 2006-07-13 07:41:12

	
 	 	 
		
				Nice work on the anagram, BTW. The best I could do was "rage invades brass dome".


	Posted by Lonesome Pinky on 2006-08-01 02:25:30

	
 	 	 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		


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