"Honestly, I'm out of ideas.  Hit up the Archon to see who's in town.  Let out some steam."  Though he rarely smelled of anything these days, Dillon looked much better after a post-training shower.  His first since Monday.  He pointed at Harley.  "You're coming with so I can buy you a drink.  Revenge for those shots the other night."  Harley's rough start was more than offset by the relative success of his investigation.  And his skill as a bartender.

Comstock eyed Quentin's handiwork warily as the edges shook violently.  "This will get us the whole way, Quentin, right?"  He stepped through to the other side...

Phantasm looked around, looked at the portal, and shrugged.
"Geronimo."
She stepped into the portal as she waved at people to join her.

Harley had his own insights into the case he was concerned with and wanted to explore. He spent nearly every waking moment pushing himself on investigating the case. He tried to work closely with the investigators, trying to be genuinely cooperative, helpful and comparing notes with them hoping a little sincerity would help alleviate and offset any concerns, fears or skepticism. He also pushed himself farther and harder hoping to inspire a little cooperation, dedication and passion in return.

He shared all his findings with Zero and the rest of the team. He took infrequent breaks to clear his head or blow off steam when it got to the point of information overload or overwhelming. One of the things he’d learned long ago to take breaks and walk away when needed to keep things in perspective. It gave him a chance to process and kept him from missing things and overlooking relevant facts and information.

Harley reviewed the journal. Even though he was off about it being an indigent, it still fell a little too neatly into what he’d suspected. Nothing was ever that clean, clear-cut or easy. How did he manage to hole up in a building right next to a barracks and dormitory full of novas and other personnel and go unnoticed? Especially with all the security and surveillance on base even if this guy was somehow a nova? Was there a cover up? Was it intentional or more mental manipulation?

Harley started with the credit card receipt. Hand writing analysis confirmed the signature was the same as the journal and he had a name. Harley went back and started accessing credit records, going back at least a month. From there, he constructed a map tracking expenditures, locations, times and dates. He pulled any other bank and credit card information he could find and compiling all the information together.

Then he started researching James Dawes by cross-referencing his bank and credit information with base records of shipping companies and base deliveries corresponding to any times and dates of arrival in the area. Even if his driving partner had been brainwashed and mentally blocked, his employer should have raised questions when they dispatched two drivers and only one came back citing amnesia. Harley looked back into call records for dispatcher inquiries and noting the results of those inquiries.

Once he got the employer and home records, he also looked up to see if the man had left a family behind, and if so, suggesting to the investigators to notify next-of-kin. Again comparing notes with the investigators and Zero, Harley started checking into base security and surveillance records and tapes of the area and building, looking for any signs of activity.

He was especially interested in Zero’s findings of Sgt. Avandovskia being inside the building at some point, reviewing records, security and surveillance tapes to determine if her presence coincides with James Dawes occupancy and looking further into what she might have been doing in the area and inside the building. He recommends to the investigators and suggests to Zero that they hold off on the interview until the start of the next week to give him more time to review evidence.

He checks base records to see if she was on duty. If so, when and where she was supposed to be stationed? Was she at her designated post? What drew her to the building? Was she on routine patrol? Did she notice something? Did she report anything? Was there any record of anything on the tapes? If so, why wasn’t it reported? If not, how was it missed?

Finally by the end of the week, he enlists Zero’s aid and if necessary, Impetus’ and Gravitas’ help in analyzing the DNA evidence. Despite Gravitas’ objections that his area of expertise and specialty was physics and not genetics, Harley knew the basics, but wasn’t a doctor, geneticist or scientist himself. He speculated that if the “vic” really was a nova, there should be some genetic markers for M-R node development and nova eruption, just like there were genetic markers for virtually everything else known to man.

On a side note, Harley went so far as to propose that the witch doctor possibly performed his healing by reconstructing damage based on his power to accessing DNA and genetic code information to regenerate physical damage on the cellular level. It was a necessary distraction for Harley by this time, but he concluded that this might result in an inability to cure certain genetic-based diseases because they were pre-imprinted in the genetic code.

Perhaps because he doesn't wear a mask, perhaps because he isn't faking incompetence, or perhaps it's just his charisma at work, but Harley is a bit better liked by the other investigators.  Interestingly, there ends up being something of a "Good Cop / Shitty Cop" dynamic developing between the two novas and the investigators (who do not currently have a nova on staff).  Occasionally Harley gets a bit of information that he wouldn't have gotten if Zero weren't making him look like such a competent team player...

Harley started with the credit card receipt... he constructed a map tracking expenditures, locations, times and dates.
The last recorded purchase was from a Walmart.  This is strange, because he went to a McDonald's near his house every evening after work, but didn't go that evening.

Then he started researching James Dawes... Even if his driving partner had been brainwashed and mentally blocked, his employer should have raised questions when they dispatched two drivers and only one came back citing amnesia.
Actually, he called in and reported he'd have to go home early that day because he wasn't feeling well.  His partner has no memory of him being there on the trip, though base paperwork shows that he was in fact there and given a temporary pass.  When he didn't show up for a few days, he was fired and replaced (he wasn't exactly skilled labor, and he'd only been with the company a few months anyway).

Once he got the employer and home records, he also looked up to see if the man had left a family behind, and if so, suggesting to the investigators to notify next-of-kin.
He was involved in a nasty divorce 5 years ago, and has a kid that he doesn't see or write to by court order.  Though he still has to pay child support, and has done so dutifully.  His lawyer was disbarred for incompetence a few years later.

Again comparing notes with the investigators and Zero, Harley started checking into base security and surveillance records and tapes of the area and building, looking for any signs of activity.
There is absolutely no one going in or out of that building, though looking into it, the cameras in the area left a notable gap through which someone could reach the building and get in through a window unnoticed.  This isn't entirely remarkable however, as the focus of the base cameras seems to be on the area around the dorms and the various training sites.

He was especially interested in Zero’s findings of Sgt. Avandovskia being inside the building at some point, reviewing records, security and surveillance tapes to determine if her presence coincides with James Dawes occupancy and looking further into what she might have been doing in the area and inside the building. He recommends to the investigators and suggests to Zero that they hold off on the interview until the start of the next week to give him more time to review evidence.
There is no record of her being inside the building, though she did pass it on patrol.  Careful scrutiny will note that sometimes her patrols took too long, and that on her way back to her rooms it would sometimes take her an hour or more between leaving work and walking into her rooms, but it was off hours and therefore her own time to waste, right?.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

Just say when on the interview you guys.

---

He checks base records to see if she was on duty. If so, when and where she was supposed to be stationed? Was she at her designated post? What drew her to the building? Was she on routine patrol? Did she notice something? Did she report anything? Was there any record of anything on the tapes? If so, why wasn’t it reported? If not, how was it missed?
She was a guard that patrolled the base from 9pm to 5am.  Her route included the area around the dorms and the gate onto the base.  She checked in and out at the guard shack at the gate at the start and end of her shift, and reported back roughly every hour or so.

Finally by the end of the week, he enlists Zero’s aid and if necessary, Impetus’ and Gravitas’ help in analyzing the DNA evidence. Despite Gravitas’ objections that his area of expertise and specialty was physics and not genetics, Harley knew the basics, but wasn’t a doctor, geneticist or scientist himself. He speculated that if the “vic” really was a nova, there should be some genetic markers for M-R node development and nova eruption, just like there were genetic markers for virtually everything else known to man.
Work on the human genome and where the M-R node fits in is still quite cutting edge (and the details of it have not all been released to the public), and questions like this will likely require conversing with the people actually doing the research.  If you send them a sample, and note that it is an emergency (and convince Dan Walker to push it through), you might hear back in a week or so.

In reply to Rydi (msg #749):

Zero is ready for the interview when Harley is. Though The Doctor stops at the local library to pick up a few books on hypnosis before hand.

If Harley likes him to, The Doctor writes a letter to the appropriate people and asks for Mr. Walker's help in influence their cooperation, than submits the letter to Harley for review. Once the final draft is done, it is sent.

Harley made several mental notes to follow-up on. The credit card receipt info, emergency contact and any other relevant personal info from the employer, talking to Walker about the DNA samples and genetic testing. He was pushing himself already and though his body was holding up, his nerves weren’t. He wanted a drink, needed a drink, but he had to focus. As the week rolled on, it got progressively harder for him to concentrate. The personal info he uncovered about James Dawes struck a nerve with Harley.

Estranged or not, James Dawes left a family behind. The opposite of Harley in so many ways, but still somehow connected. Harley couldn’t help but feel a strange sense of kinship and loss. Struggling to remain detached and objective, Harley couldn’t help but feel that somehow he could’ve been James Dawes. Maybe he should’ve been James Dawes. By the time the weekend had rolled around, Harley was spent. His nerves were shot. Primed and ready for a much needed break and distraction, he met up with the rest of the group comparing notes.

He watched as Quentin opened his portal, but shook his head as Comstock invited him along. ”Sorry, kiddo. Pass. I’ll find my own way. ‘sides, I already got plans to find myself some nice little seedy out-of-the-way dive I can crawl into an’ get back to bein’ a normal human again for a little while, including a few games o’ pool for as long as I can hold the stick an’ shoot straight, but thanks. There a way or place we can hook up later?” he was glad Dillon had enjoyed his “bartending” skills.

The truth was that they were just a few of his recipes he’d picked up along the way. Being a drunk should count for something he mused to himself as the others disappeared through the portal. He lined himself up in the general direction of the city and jumped off, counting as he launched himself into the air and flew along his trajectory ”one thousand one, one thousand two, one thousand three … “ trying to guesstimate about how far, how fast and how long it would take him to make it to the city under his own power.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

sorry, meant to include other dice rolls for previous actions during the week

Harley Logan rolled 2 successes using 6d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,3,3,10,9,2. quantum leap, 1 quantum.

quantum leap, 1 quantum, 2 sux, 4 km/2.5 mi

wash, rinse, repeat

---

Quentin gladly participates as needed. In spite of his protests, he obviously has a great deal of medical knowledge, none of it practical, as if he'd simply absorbed every medical, biological, or genetic related text he could find. He wasn't used to dealing with the sort of procedure involved, but was willing to give it a shot if actual pros in the field weren't available.

"You call and name the place, I'll be there."  Wouldn't be too hard to make his way just about anywhere in town.  Learning pool would be a challenge, but nothing like the last week.

Interviews will be best accomplished before you leave on Sunday probably.  No telling when you will be getting back otherwise.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

'k, sorry. totally missed that

---

Zero convinced Harley not to delay the investigation and walked with him to meet with Sgt. Avandovskia as they compared notes. On the way, Harley suddenly stopped as a light went on and another red flag went up ”Wait, who did you say she worked for? Lt. Kovich? That’s the second time her name’s come up in all this mess.” Harley thinks, then remembers, fishing out the munitions manifest he’d swiped and showing it to Zero.

“Here, look, see? She’s the one who supposedly issued the training rounds that turned live. Now we have one of her personnel somehow involved in all this other mess? I don’t believe in coincidences anymore, but what do you think?” as they arrive ”So how you wanna do this? Good cop/bad cop routine again?” if Zero agrees, Harley goes in first to make introductions.

”Sgt. Avandovskia? We haven’t met, but I’m Harley and this is Dr. Zero. We’re looking into the training incident earlier this week and talking to anyone who might be able to help us piece together what happened. If you have a few minutes, the reason we’re here is you’re name came up while we were reviewing the security logs."

"Seems you were on routine security patrol and your standard patrol route was in proximity to the building that got torched. Past that, there were some … discrepancies, and we were hoping you could help fill in some of the blanks? Did you notice anything while you were on patrol? Was there anything you maybe dismissed of forgot to report?”

Harley tries to keep the conversation casual, general, light and non-confrontational with gentle probing, leaving the door open for her to volunteer information and for Dr. Zero to follow up based on her response and reply. Harley also tries to pay attention to her body language, eye contact and mannerisms. Does she get tense, nervous, etc?

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

Harley Logan rolled 2 successes using 5d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8,5,2,7,5. investigative mental prodigy, 1 mega.

Harley Logan rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,10,2,1,9,2,5,4,4,10. awareness, 1 mega.
Harley Logan rolled 1 success using 2d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,10. intuitive quality reroll.
Harley Logan rolled 1 success using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 8. intuitive quality reroll.

Harley Logan rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 9,1,1,2,2,8,2,2,3,8. investigation, 1 mega.

Harley Logan rolled 3 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,2,1,3,9,4,8,10,5,1. rapport, 1 mega.
Harley Logan failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 4. clever quality reroll.

Harley Logan rolled 7 successes using 10d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,8,8,7,3,2,6,7,10,8. interrogation, 1 mega.
Harley Logan failed (no successes) using 1d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3. cunning quality reroll.

investigative mental prodigy, 1 quantum, 3 sux
awareness, 5 sux (body language, mannerisms, reaction)
investigation, 4 sux (interview)
rapport, 3 sux (discern motive, truth, emotional state, intent)
interrogation, 9 sux (misdirection)

---

As you talk to her, you notice strange things.  She honestly seems not to remember anything out of the ordinary, not even the time lapses.  She sticks to her story until you point out that the gate logs are off, at which point she says "But... I always go straight to bed after a shift..." and starts to breathe heavily.  When asked about the building her print was found in, her breathing becomes more rapid, and she seems to be having some sort of panic attack.  But she still doesn't remember, and a few moments after the panic attack, she glosses over it as though it didn't happen.  Even mild psychological training will tell you that there is something wrong with her. Perhaps PTSD, dissociative fugue, or some other response to deep trauma?  Only prying further will tell you any more, and to do that will require therapy, nova abilities, or both.

Zero passes a lengthy note to Harley.

"I so wanted to play the bad cop, but it seems someone has been editing her memories. We could try hypnosis to bring back the true memories. Talk outside?"

P.S. Can't leave her alone. Might try suicide.

In reply to Dr. Zero (msg #757):

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

If you don't hear back soon, feel free to approach this however you like.

---

"Could you excuse us for a moment, Lt.?" Zero walks outside with Harley to discus hypnotic therapy for their witness/suspect. It makes sure they are looking in through the reflective glass window to make sure the Lt. is not in danger.

The Doctor walks in and takes a seat, and hopes Harley agrees to return as well. Zero abandons the 'Bad Cop' approach and instead applies it's demeanor as a doctor. It folds it's hands on the table, taking a very relaxed, but concerned demeanor with body language. It's tone turns soft and calming.

"Lt. Kovich. I apologize for my rudeness, as I don't believe I have properly introduced myself. Do to the sensitive nature of my work for Utopia, I go by the covert name, 'Dr. Zero.' It's also the reason for this mask." The Doctor gestures to it's unusual face. "Although 'Zero' is not my real name, I am a doctor, and I do have extensive medical training. I particularly have experience with Nova mental abilities, and the trauma that the abuse of these abilities can cause in others. I... have been on the receiving end of some of these, and I know... I know it is not easy. There are few things more traumatic."

"I'm... I'm mentioning these things because I believe a Nova mentalist has been abusing you, and altering your memories." The Doctor will wait for her response before pushing on. It doubts this will go over well with the understandable level of denial she has shown.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Wed 10 June 2009.

The Sgt. listens attentively, then begins to panic in a way that confirms there is something seriously wrong.  She begins to hyperventilate once again.

"Sgt. I believe I can help heal your mental trauma with simple hypnotic therapy. I know I am asking a lot of you, but there is little telling what harm has been done to your mind unless we try a reconstruction of your memories. If you will permit me to pierced, we can have anyone here with you you feel comfortable with to keep you company."

In reply to Dr. Zero (msg #761):

At this point her panic attack gets worse, and is she is getting violent.  She screams mostly incoherent statements about "not remembering" and "nothing inside me" as she gasps for air (watching her trying to get enough air to actually scream is... interesting).  Anything you do will be at your own discretion, because she is not currently sane enough to provide consent.

The Doctor's hand darts out, almost too quick to see, striking at the Sergent's neck. If successful, it will hopefully knock her out before she can harm herself or another. The Doctor catches her before she hits the ground


"I am sorry."

Zero will take her to the infirmary to continue the interrogation. It intends to keep her under mild sedatives while it tries a forced hypnotic session. It does not let the Sargent out of it or Logan's sight while preparing.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
4 Successes. Hypnotic Roll.
23:04, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 3 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,7,6,9,4,1,5. Hypnotic Roll, 1Meg, 1 WillSpent.

---

This message was last edited by the player at 03:05, Sun 14 June 2009.

The Hypnosis is difficult, and even once you get her under, she still seem very panicked and frightened.  Your session with her lasts quite a long time, and involves a great deal of effort and digging to get her to remember the episodes you are looking for without leading her or implanting ideas of your own.  When you finally get there however, it is as though you broke through some sort of wall.  Memories of her time in that building, spent "entertaining" the man that was living there, come pouring out.  Horrible memories, disgusting memories that no one should have to live with.  And even worse, her emotions are distorted, so at the same time she hates what happened and hated it as it was occurring, she wants more and hates herself for it, due to the emotional programming the entity implanted.  Years of therapy might help this woman, or a trained nova psychic (if one is available), but little else will make her a functional human being after this, at least not for a long while.  You might be able to re-bury some of this with your skill in hypnosis, but much of it will either stay out, or float to the top in time.

Of the information that you get out of this, you find out that the man himself sometimes balked at the tasks put before him, and occasionally would rant at the air or beg for release, as though he was talking to some invisible force holding him prisoner.

In reply to Rydi (msg #764):

"Good Lord." The Doctor leans back in it's chair, and puts it's hands over it's face, leaving them there for a moment to think. While the Sargent sleeps for a moment, the doctor writes up a late night email, hopping to gather it's thoughts while updating everyone.
_______________________________________________________________________________

'It's as bad as I thought,' writes the Doctor to the other investigators and Director Walker. 'There is little conclusive evidence obtained from the session, but the paramount concern was post hypnotic suggestions that would prove harmful to the Sargent. I have seen no evidence for this, and her violent behavior while interrogated seems to stem from the emotional damage and a subconscious desire to keep the traumatic memories buried.'

'I will perform one last session to verify, and than request other experts to follow up and make sure I have not missed any subtle programing or memories. If any programing exists, it should dissipate over time, but until then, I must insist she remain under constant watch and treated as a suicide case.'

'Although no solid evidence has been turned up in here memories, we do know more about the monster we must now hunt. It's psychology is obsessed with control and perversion. It must victimize others. This suggests that this was not a politically motivated attack on Utopia, as I had earlier feared. However, we should not write this off as a possibility just yet, as a hired mercenary would certainly not need a healthy psychological makeup to make it proficient in it's profession.'

'One fact bothers me. This was a very constant and ritualized exercise for the criminal. It had to either live no private life, and only carry out it's sick control games, or it is someone stationed on the base.'
________________________________________________________________________________

After sending the letter, The Doctor will prob further, once more into the whee hours, before stopping, taking her off the sedatives, and making a request for her to be kept under a suicide watch until further notice. The Doctor will try to assign another psychologist to work with her therapeutically, as it doubts it is the Sargent's favorite Doctor right now, bit Zero makes a point to visit her every day it is on base, deliberately when she is eating, so she may throw her plate at it. If she does, the Doctor is hopping this act of anger at it will help her vent some of her buried rage and feelings of helplessness.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Extra long session to see if any evidence or commands where missed: 3 Successes. 3 Successes. 5 Successes.
10:47, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 5,9,1,3,4,4,8. Hyp-Roll, 1Meg, 1Will. .
10:46, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 2 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 3,2,7,4,2,7,1. Hyp-Roll, 1Meg, 1Will. .
10:46, Today: Dr. Zero rolled 4 successes using 7d10 with the Target Number system with a target of 7 with rolls of 10,8,1,7,7,6,4. Hyp-Roll, 1Meg, 1Will.   

---

This message was last edited by the player at 14:53, Mon 15 June 2009.

The other investigators make note of your statement, and Lt. Kovich gets the full details from you (she is very concerned about her soldier, and extremely angry that someone was able to do this under her watch).  Mr. Walker talks to you as well, trying to get as much tactical info as possible in order to defend the base, and all of you.

You are able to clear out some of the hypnotic commands he left (all he did was make her forget, something she was all too happy to do, and nothing else seems to be there).

When you visit the Sgt., she seems ill, and very shaken.  She talks very little, and is fearfully polite towards you.  With your hieghtened people-skills you can tell that she seems to have generalized her experiences with the two of you, and now has a deep and abiding hatred for novas... and herself.

If they agree, Zero asks to meet with the Lt. and Mr. Walker at the same time to discus their options. "Lt. Director. Thank you both for meeting with me about this. If I may be frank, I hate abusive mentalists. One of the chief reasons I joined this august organization was to look into the policing and checking of those who pervert free thought and treat others as toys. If both of you would indulge me, I would be keenly interested in looking into further countermeasures for these... criminals." The way the Doctor chokes out 'criminals' suggests it wanted to use much harsher language.

"Currently, our options are limited. But, we do have ways that I think will work fine without Nova assistance. I think basic hypnotic therapy, while not as quick as similar Nova powers, is an effective counter measure to long term mental manipulations. I propose systematic and random psychological tests and evaluations of all staff, using said techniques. I firmly believe this will act as a powerful deterrent and boost moral." The Doctor hands out a suggested system for evaluations and random checks. "It will, of course, be annoying as all hell, but it should make the little monster think twice about coming back."

"I am also experimenting with meditative exercises that may allow others to be more resistant to mental powers. If it pleases you, Lt., I would like to instruct your soldiers first in the regiment and use their feedback to refine it for use by American and UN forces. It's still in the rough phases, but I'm hopping to have a system worked out in a month."

"After this coming conflict, if God willing I return, I would like to start exploring technological ways to counter Nova manipulations at Utopia facilities."



The Doctor still insists on periodic hypnotic sessions with other doctors over the course of several months.



The Doctor continues her therapy, and starts to look into someone else to take over when it goes off to Africa. It is deeply troubled but understanding about her feelings. Before leaving, the Doctor talks to her a bit frankly in session.

"I... am very sorry for what has happened to you, Lt. I know that is a cold comfort. I know I have robed you of some release from your pain. And I am sorry. I... once had a case involving a Nova like the one we are dealing with now. I can't go into the details, but this horrible... he had put some very horrible hypnotic commands into his followers. They killed themselves. They where smiling..." Zero trails off before refocusing. "I know I have robed you of your refuge from the pain. I can't give that back. If you hate me, I gladly accept that, because I will never allow what happened back then to occur again under my watch. My ignorance killed... a lot of people died. I hope this allows you a greater solace in the future, and I hope you can understand that most of the Novas out here are not the monster you had to face in the dark."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:46, Tue 16 June 2009.

They are willing to implement your plan at the base level, and will submit it to Utopia for larger approval.  they also note your desires to work on technical designs, and forward that to R&D.

The Sgt. has asked for medical leave, and will be receiving psychological care in your absence.
"Maybe you mean to help.  Maybe you're good.  But it's not right that you have the kind of power that you do.  And apparently there are a lot of bad novas out there.  I wasn't the first this has happened to, you said it yourself.  You saw other people violated by different novas.  And not even everyone on the team is sane... we see all of you, the religious nut that thinks he's an angel, the electricity guy talking to himself when he thinks no one hears... You're all just bombs waiting to go off."
After that she will be polite, and will placate you if you try to make her feel better, but you can tell that she has some deep seated hatred for novas that will not be removed by a little bit of therapy.

Doctor Zero pauses for a while, it’s fingers folded together as it leans far back in it’s chair, obscured in a shadowy corner of the room. It’s goggles reflect blankly in the dark. A low chuckle rolls over the room. “I like you. You tell it to me straightly. I respect that. Oh, if you think I’m going to deny any of that, you’re mistaken. I was a cynical bastard when I joined this project, and I thought that same damn thing. Still do, sometimes.”

“I’m not going to pretend I know where it’s going on with Novas as a whole. We have a lot of power, far more power than any group of humans before. I don’t know if it’s just a few horribly rotten apples trying to make everyone miserable on a Quantum level, or most people just can’t handle that much raw power, but either way, we are going to find out soon. I do know the Project has the best chances of checking any sociopath, and I’ve learned to actually believe in these people. I’m going to put my faith in with them, and see if we can find a way to make this thing work.” 

“Some of my teammates are a little… eccentric. (Like I should talk.) But they had many of these behaviors as Baselines. When you are having random people spontaneously developing superpowers, you can’t expect them to have the same perceptions, expectations, or mental health. You’re going to have some radically different minds. But, do you want some of these people going solo, or do you want them included so they can see and know some basic responsibility? They joined the Project on their own, and that shows they want to work with others, despite their differences & problems.”

“I’m feeling really preachy, here. Again, I’m just trying to work this out, myself, but it’s not sitting well with me that a random Nova decided to screw with you and this man in the burnt out house. I can’t do much for the deceased, except try to get some justice, and that cold fact isn’t very comforting. If you’ll humor me, I’d like to offer you something. Since a Nova decided to randomly hurt you, I’d like to ‘randomly’ help. I’d like to offer two ‘favors’ (for lack of a better word) to you. Anything I can do, barring something amoral.” Zero scratches out it’s Utopia phone number. “I know its might seem pretentious, but please humor me, and consider it. I’m just one fool in a mask, but I’d like to try to make this as right as a person can.”
This message was last edited by the player at 08:15, Mon 22 June 2009.

She seems, for the moment at least, less hateful and more thoughtful. "I'll... I'll consider it.  Thank you."