Mark of Falworth

Like Paul, I too wish to buy Domination for Dummies for 500 credits! (Not that we're dummies or anything... )

Double D to the rescue! Sweet work Agent G! Those wyrms look scary!

Superb flea! Excellent work here, man!

Thanks a bunch everyone! First post edited for challenge specifications! Much appreciated, man! Yes, the non-challenge moc is more free to flow. 24x24 is smaller than I usually build so it felt a little boxed up on the smaller footprint. Haha! Secondary characters are the best! So... disposable.

Nicely done! So many great little details! Keep it up Ninja Nin!

Another humor packed build and story! Such a great character you've got there! You seriously need to do a comic book series or something, Sal!

Really sweet work on the machinery and landscape SK! I like how the vehicles are so playable as well, just like your superb castle interiors!

Love the sense of scale! Fabulous work! :thumbup:

Killer lava work there John! Keep up the awesome landscapes!

BOOM! Mwahaha! Absolutely fantastic work David! Great story to match an action packed build! Keep it up! :thumbup:

Oh drat! I didn't notice the size restrictions. Ohwell. Enjoy the Moc! I'll see if I have time to retrofit it tomorrow.

EDIT #2~ Here is my updated Challenge 1 entry! A Desert Butte on Guinevere. 20x20 studs, unedited and no figs. Not exactly superior to my larger scene/story below, but it's the best I could do in 30 minutes! Below is a freebuild based on my previous build, which would not qualify for the challenge (And I do not want to delete it!). Please do not consider it in judging. Begin A06 Freebuild- AG Challenge 1 by Mark E., on Flickr The pristine desert landscape of Guinevere. Only erosion and wind has disturbed these majestic canyons. Until now that is...... When we last left Mark of Orion, he had just jumped from a MANTIS™ dropship onto the surface of Guinevere. Upon contact, the MANTIS™ associates had divided into two teams, one led by Captain Brutus, and the other by Mark. Malcolm strode along with an air of pompous self-importance. "I don't understand why you went back to the ship once you heard we had to split up! What's the deal? Are you afraid of going off on your own?" Mark rolled his eyes. "I don't want to take the risk of walking blind. I had a near-death experience with a 20 foot alien on my last mission and I'm only alive now because a friend of mine was paying attention to the scanner. I'm not so stupid that I can't learn a lesson..." Malcolm grinned like a baked possum. "You were a space pirate or something weren't you?" Mark nodded and continued to scan the rock formations. "Yeah, something like that." Malcolm plodded along after Mark, now oblivious to his surroundings. "You must have not been a very good one if they caught you..." Mark's brow wrinkled. And it was only his solemn duty to MANTIS™ that prevented his teaching insolent Malcolm firsthand the hazardous effects of a certain MANTIS™ Death Ray Blaster© he had strapped to his back. "Avoiding the law is like a marathon, the run is long, but there is a definite end." Malcolm laughed. "Brain over brawn, dude! It's smarts that count in the corporate world." Mark sighed. This was going to be a tiresome mission. "A little physical competence never hurts. Speaking of which, are you covering those cliffs? My scanner reads no lifeforms but something or someone could be cloaked." Malcolm waved his hand as if shooing a fly away. "Relax, man, there's nothing out here! Brutus just likes some drama. There's absolutely nothing to worry abou...(GASP) LOOK OUT!!!!" Malcolm had glanced up at the cliff in question and was horrified by the sight of three armored Kawashita special forces agents! He quickly raised his hand phaser to fire at the enemy! But alas, he was too late! With a bright flash, a nano beam from the Kawashita special forces agent vaporized poor Malcolm on the spot! BRRZAAKKK!!! *Pooof* As soon as Mark heard the shot, he dropped his scanner, drew his MANTIS™ Death Ray Blaster©, and dove towards the canyon wall in one quick motion. He was none too soon! Another nano beam hit the spot Mark was standing milliseconds before! Mark snapped up against the rock wall, blaster ready, and listened for the enemy. He didn't get a chance to see where they were. It wasn't a minute before a taunting voice echoed across the valley. "Come out, come out, wherever you are! Mwahaha!" Another Kawashitan voice chimed in. "Don't worry, Zeloot. He won't get away. This is like shooting a fish in a barrel!" Mark began to analyze his situation as he noticed the small pile of ash where Malcolm stood a minute ago... With the help of a soaring pulse and a rush of adrenaline, a clever plan for survival sprung to mind. The ex-space pirate carefully drew out a small capsule that he had been keeping in his spacesuit. Mark mused to himself, they probably haven't seen this in Kawashita before... Without further thought, Mark threw the small cylinder up towards the jeering voices. The Kawashian special forces anticipated a conventional method of attack. "HAND GRENADE! QUICK, FIRE!" Before they could fire, however, the "hand grenade" let out a powerful electron pulse which promptly zapped the nano beam rifles of Mark's foes! ...Immediately rendering their weapon battery cells useless! Mark didn't wish to let his enemies recover from their shock, and so fired up his Awesomnium Powered Jetpack! Mark now glared eye to eye with the helpless Kawashita employees as he cocked his MANTIS™ Death Ray Blaster© four feet from their faces! "You were SAYING?!?!?!" To Be Continued! (Begin commentary) No hard feelings to my dark red friends! Clearly a truce is in your best interests since you are technologically inept in combat. Here are a few shots on a plain background for those who prefer them! Enjoy! The Dire Deserts of Death. by Mark E., on Flickr EDIT* I now realize I didn't read the rules. Shucks! Unless I can find time to fix this consider this a freebuild.

Welcome Paul! Very glad to have you!

Thanks a bunch everyone! Nonsense! Double D beat us both to it! Although I think it's safe to say that a MANTIS fig looks best under a blacklight.

Activity - Exploration. Location - Guinevere - A06 The overall strategy of MANTIS™ HQ was being revealed with each planet its associates occupied. They had dashed a straight line to Guinevere, a humble volcanic desert planet with one huge attraction to explorers and conquerors alike, GOLD. Yes, mighty MANTIS™ needed gold. And it seemed that a rival corporation, Kawashita, needed gold too, as they had also made a beeline to planet A06! Previously, Mark of Orion had successfully survived a harrowing mission on Yallorn II. As a reward for his brave service in shooting a dangerous pest, he was transferred to the First Branch Division Exploration Team. Captain Brutus checked the sight on his MANTIS™ Death Ray Blaster© "So, Spikes, what do you think of the new transfers?" Spikes took a long sip from his glowing flask. "Hard to say Brutus, If they survive this mission they should be able to handle anything!" "You got THAT right. Lew is from Special Forces, he should be ok. Malcolm is a newbie and he probably won't be ok... What about this Mark guy? His resume said "extensive interstellar piracy experience"! I think he'll fit right in!" Spikes spat out his second sip. PHHIFF! "Cough-cough"... "Wait, Mark? As in, Orion?" "Yeah, you heard of 'im?" "Yes! I had the misfortune to run into him and his ship on a trader just off of Rallawok III a few years back!" Brutus raised his only eyebrow. A bionic implant rested in the socket of the other eye. "What happened?!" Spikes grinned as he wiped the green liquid from his stubbled mouth. "Don't ask. Just know if he's with us, we should do well." Brutus inspected his new crew with his single critical eye. "Looking right, rough, and ready, men!... Wait a second! Lew, that flame-job decal on your helmet is NOT up to regulation..." Lew looked furious. "SO?!?" Brutus grinned. "Haha! Right answer! I like a brave trooper! You can keep it, Lew! All right troops, grab what gear you want! Don't carry more than you need!" The MANTIS™ operatives quickly picked out their favorite weapons and scanners. Lew and Malcolm snatched some Phasers. Mark grabbed his favorite MANTIS™ Death Ray Blaster© and Bert picked up a long-range handheld scanner. Bert looked around nervously. "Uh, hey. You didn't taste anything weird in the cafeteria lunch yesterday, did you?" Mark didn't look surprised. "Nope, I don't usually eat at the cafeteria..." "Well I haven't felt right since! I think it was those maggots." "That's why I don't usually eat at the cafeteria..." Brutus bellowed in his deep scratchy voice. "Ok, guys gather 'round! We're gonna have a little "pep-talk"!" "Ok, As you know, Kawashita is just as interested in this planet as we are. They could potentially have drones, ground troops, and their famous battle mechs on the surface already..." If you see ANYTHING with different corporate colors than ours, shoot first and ask questions later. I'm sure they will be doing the same. Unless you are totally outgunned, in which case, retreat as fast as possible. Get in, find gold, and get out! Understood?!" Brutus nodded to Spikes. "Open the door!" The armored visor on Brutus' helmet snapped shut. "And remember, DON'T GET KILLED! The entire previous crew DID! Let's go!" With that stirring speech, Brutus leapt out the open doorway! The entire crew (aside from Spikes) followed suit. Mark of Orion was beginning to wonder what he had gotten into... To Be Continued! (Begin commentary) Man! This AG stuff is addicting! Really enjoying this purposeful and exciting foray into the sci-fi genre! Here are some normal lighting/background shots of the Moc and figs- From left to right, Malcolm, Mark, Brutus, Lew, Bert, and Spikes. MANTIS Dropship Interior. by Mark E., on Flickr

Looking good! That Lava is ace! Nice to see the volcanic side of the planet!

Oh, Ok. I see it now. I just saw several position changes in the MANTIS member list thing and assumed they had been replaced because they transferred credits. Either way, I still dislike the idea of personal equipment being bought by the group. Whoever has the biggest team, not the most talented builders, will be at a advantage IMO. Are we trying to encourage a large and active group of fig-on-a-plate builders? Or are we trying to make our MOCs count?

I'm cool with the first two points raised but I personally don't like the third point and voted no. Only because members have been compiling credits in order to buy the expensive equipment which very few could have ever bought on their own. It takes out the ability for an individual to make a difference, and completely screws up the corporate ladder/player standing. My advice, Stop the ability to transfer credits and equipment will really be valuable and tough to earn. And less sticky situations for Bob to work out. (E.G. the recent Guinevere Incident MANTIS VS KAWASHITA) Second, if you still want transfers, change the corporate standing so that it is judged by how many points are earned by the member. Not how many they presently have not spent.

All that dark brown though... Epic work Double D! Keep it up!

Nicely done! Perfect scale and looks superbly functional!

Looking good man!

Haha! Great work John! Awesome build and hilarious story! I guess not all aliens are malicious monsters after all.

Thanks a bunch all!

I'm starting to be concerned about our scientific research department... Lol! Absolutely fabulous work on this Sal! Keep it up! :thumbup:

The Battle of Paphos. by Mark E., on Flickr The Column Cornered! by Mark E., on Flickr Attacked in the back! by Mark E., on Flickr My latest Roman/Greek inspired MOC for my Neo Pieria series! Hope you guys like it!