The sun is just going down.

Everyone who was working on a Saturday leaves their offices...

Slowly, people start filling the streets and sidewalks of the city, looking for some evening's entertainment... a meal, a movie, a Broadway show...

But on one street in the Lower East Side... trouble is just getting ready to start...

How do YOU happen to be on the street then and there...?
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:00, Mon 16 July 2018.

Jim looked up at the city skyline and smiled in spite of himself. Sure, people still wanted their packages on a weekend and like usual, the boss man gave him the most numerous and difficult assignments - but when the day was over, and the sun hit the buildings just right...

Suddenly feeling restless, he decides to go for a run. Jim makes a quick stop at home to change into the familiar silver and black and heads out into the city. He zips across town without purpose, enjoying the freedom of the night air.

As the sun started to go down Mochizuki finished off her breakfast and poured herself into her jet black garb. She needed to follow up on a tip she'd beaten out of one of the Helles Belles last night.

"This will be easy," she thought to herself, "One truck, no guards. Let's see if I can do it in silence."

She slid her sai into their holsters and affixed her garish and unnerving, trademark mask.

"Lower East Side, here I come," she whispered to herself and leapt out of her window.

Saul had a smile on his face, his mountain of paper called homework was complete, nothing went wrong in the shop and he had gotten a cheap offer on a pizza. The prospect of a whole pizza to himself had a way of sating the eternal furnace that was teenage metabolism that few others could match. Not much more could possibly happen for this to be a perfect day.

But one thing occurred to him was to get some kicks out of kicking some goon butt. Maybe it would be an attempt at a bank robbery he could stop? Or maybe it would be a returning a car that had been stolen for parts? There was only one way for Saul to find out, or rather Scorch Scale!

After selecting a secluded alleyway and hiding his satchel, Saul transformed into his reptilian alternate identity in a quick blaze of flame.
"I'm fired up!" he proclaimed to the world at large, ready to take on what was out there.

Frankie was still very new to the city, and as such she gawped unashamedly at the buildings that dwarfed anything they had back at home, but then again THIS was home now, wasn't it?
She walked happily along side her Auntie, hand in hand, swinging as they went, their mission:  Find somewhere nice (but affordable) to eat in celebration of Auntie Jessica's promotion at the news paper.  It felt like for the first time in ages things were normal, almost... peaceful.

Suddenly, Mochizuki sees the truck she's been told to watch for-- a very dusty (faded) red pickup truck with Ohio license plates, very slowly moving through the traffic (especially slowed down by all the pedestrian traffic jaywalking)... The back of the truck is covered by a heavy brown tarp...

But she also notices several rough-looking young men approaching from the other end of the block... the one in front wears not only blue jeans, but also a blue jacket over a blue shirt... They point and nod-- they have noted the truck as well, and seem to be heading its way...


From an alley a little way down the street, Scorch Scale doesn't really notice the truck at first, but he notices the young men, and their interest in the truck... and he notices that more than one of the young men are holding switchblades in their hands, and look ready to pop the blades out at a moment's notice...

Mochizuki judges roughly where the truck and the rough looking gentleman in blue will meet. Then she leaps into action sprinting across the rooftops silently, taking up a hunter's pose on the corner of the building where the two will meet. Quick as a flash she is in position and ready to act at a moments notice.

Scorch Scale feels a little of the draconic joy bubble inside him, for it looks like he will get to finish off some goons before the crime is committed. A fine note to finish off the perfect day indeed. Too bad they might be too easy a task to handle.

But he needed them to get away from the truck and the common people, the simple answer was to grab their attention. As a dragon, naturally this would be quite easy to do.
So he got out of the alley, ran past the stuck cars. Wait, he thought he saw a movement, but dismissed it for a pigeon. So he jumped up onto a parked, empty car to make his presence known and have a vantage point to fire his flames.

Pointing at a visible troublemaker, Scorch Scale let a threat rumble from his throat. "Going onna picnic with those knives boys? Put 'em down before you poke your eyes out!" Scorch Scale projected through the flames that filled his mouth. He was itching for a fight, waiting for an excuse.
When they would fail to see sense, he was ready to start breathing flames to keep them at bay and away from the civilians he could see.

The leader, a guy in blue, looks really nervous for a second, but then puts on a show of bravado. "A weird Halloween mask isn't gonna scare me, buddy... Prepare to face the power of The Blue Dragon!"

The guy clenches his fists, and the air around his body crackles with electricity.

Should she be worried about the boys in blue or the dinosaur faced monster protecting her target and starting a fight in the middle of a crowd. Not being sure who to target Mochizuki waits to see how this all develops.

In the immediate part of his brain, Scorch Scale felt his passion rise at the prospect of a superpowered being. Lightning was new he had to admit, and - though he would never admit it - it would be a blast to fight.

With the part of his brain that thinks in the long term, Scorch Scale was hoping that he could get an assist from Silver Streak, there were quite a few people here to get caught in the fray.

But he was here, alone again. So it was up to this scaled teenager to remove the chaff from the wheat with the tool he had.

"Bah! Dragon? That's funny. Keep your sparks away from the innocents!"
With that, he let out a large mass of flame, encircling the group and the truck to keep the goons at bay from innocents.

Hold them off
20:02, Today: Scorch Scale rolled 4 using 2d6+2 ((1,1)).

Scorch Scale, the dangerous youths, and the truck are all surrounded by a circle of flame... which immediately dissipates.

The youths, who were quite alarmed for a moment there, suddenly seem more sure of themselves. "That all you got?" mocks Blue Dragon.

Citizens are now trying to run, in every direction, wailing about "monsters" and "dragons" and "freaks" and so on...

(Scorch Scale, it's the other PCs' turn now... don't post again until each of them does.

Anyone wanna try to save the well-intentioned Scorch Scale from personal bodily mayhem?)

He was going so fast he almost missed it. The commotion, the people. Panicked. The Silver Streak races to the source, finding scorch marks and shouting. He circles the group of punks at super human speeds, to distract and disorient.

22:11, Today: Silver Streak rolled 4 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 2,1.  Hold Them Off.

The burst of heat from the alley they passed hadn't struck Frankie as anything odd, ever since coming here there had been something a lass from Scotland would find strange going on around every corner, and besides she was hungry!  However what most definitely caught her attention was the sight of speeding silver, even if it did go by in a flash.  It was HIM!

The only slice of Americana that Frankie had witnessed prior to moving here were comic books, and the Silver Streak was a real life frickin' super hero!  Knowing there was someone else out there who wasn't... well... normal, helped her feel not so alone.

Instinctively she moved to follow him but Jessica held on, "Dunnay worry!" Frankie said as she pried her Auntie's hand off of hers and began running towards the alley Silver had disappeared down, "It's nay like they can kill me!"

As she turned the corner she looked over her shoulder to check no one was looking, then with great effort and much unlady-like swearing, black threads shot out from all over her body and wrapped around her, covering her clothes and giving her a mask over her eyes, "Dammit!  Dammit!  Dammit that hurts!" she cursed as she continued her pursuit.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:20, Wed 25 July 2018.

"A third player enters the stage," mused Mochizuki.

Whilst all of the soon to be combatants were distracted and allegiances unclear she dropped into the street, attempting to board the truck.

Instead of being intimidated or held off, the Blue Dragon seemed delighted. "Awright! The Silver Streak! Now that's a real do-gooder to fight! This'll really make my rep!"

The Blue Dragon loses interest in Scorch Scale (whom he's never heard of), and attacks Silver Streak.

(09:20, Today: The Grandmaster rolled 7 using 2d6 ((5,2)).)

His attack is a partial success... he misses Silver Streak due to the hero's high speed... but Blue Dragon's electrical aura, which extends a little beyond his fists, does manage to shock the hero.

(Silver Streak, take 1 stun.)

Of the remaining members of Blue Dragon's gang (or whatever they are?):

1. 2 attack Scorch Scale, and hurt him.

(Scorch Scale, take 2 stun.)

How will you respond?

--Retreat for a little while?
--Fight back somehow?
--Do something else?


2. The other 4 note Ultima-Usagi's arrival.

"Who's that?"

"Looks pretty tough for a gal!"

"Well she ain't with us-- she must be guardin' th' truck! Blue Dragon's dealin' with Silver Streak-- the rest of us should deal with this gal! Get 'er!"

They run toward the cab of the truck, switchblades out.

(How will Ultima-Usagi respond to the impending attack?)


3. Silver Streak, Blue Dragon is trying to follow your movements so he can attempt to attack you again... what will you do?

--Back off and take a few seconds to catch your breath after that shock you got?
--Attack him?
--Try to help someone else...?


4. Patch-Work Powerhouse, you arrive on the scene... what will you do?




You may all respond in any order. Once you have responded, don't post again until Round 3.

21:37, Today: Patch-Work Powerhouse rolled 11 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 3,6. Hold them off!

"You're goin' no where!" pipes up a little Scottish voice.  The mooks find themselves confronted by... a kid??

--They can’t attack anyone they weren’t already attacking
--You draw them away from people you choose (Usagi and the Truck)
This message was last edited by the player at 20:40, Wed 25 July 2018.

"Wait, what the heck are you?"

"Is it another hero?"

"Maybe she's with the red Halloween-mask dragon guy... maybe she's The Black Mummy."

The 4 punks stop in their tracks, not sure what to make of this new arrival splitting their attention from their original goal... (Until the next round...)

"Gah!"
Silver Streak cries out as electricity courses through his body. "That's what I get for rushing in," he chides himself "Rookie move." This punk has some kick - and he could have more tricks up his sleeve. But luckily, it didn't look like the Streak was alone...

"Look alive," he calls out "This one's got some kind of electric capability - stay off of metal! And last I heard, " he adds, grinning beneath his helmet "Electricity and water don't mix!" He sprints about the street, trying to stay a step ahead of the villain while looking for a nearby fire hydrant or source of water.

OOC: 18:55, Today: Silver Streak rolled 10 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 4,4.  Inspire the Team.

Everyone else on the team takes +1 Forward!

Usagi starts formulating a plan to get the truck out of here when she sees a kid stroll into the fray. Instantly her mind is made up for her, she can't let this child get hurt. Also allegiances are starting to become clear as she realises the speedster is definitely a supe

Leaping from the van and drawing her twin sai in a smooth and weLl practiced motion she falls among her aggressors meaning to cause some serious wounding.

OOC: 06:15, Today: Ultima-Usagi rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,4. It's clobberin' time.

You avoid most of the retaliation (-1 stun)

There's a fire hydrant nearby... but Silver Streak would need a big wrench... Or someone who's super-strong...?


Ultima-Usagi knocks out 3 of the knife-wielding punks... 1 remains.


(Waiting for Scorch Scale to post, then I'll start the next round...)

Through his better draconian senses, Scorch Scale picked up a lot of things going on at once. Plenty of supers about, and they all seemed on his side. Civilians were still around, they might just be in danger if this keeps up, especially the ones stuck in the cars to avoid electrocution. But at least the goons were going down.

With the introduction of all these characters, everything was getting quite near out of control. There were still civilians walking about, but in the time he could get them out of their cars to avoid engine explosions, the threat would either be over or already did its job.

So it was deal with the jolly jean enthusiast then. With that, he had seen the hydrant and wanted to break it. If he tried to melt the caps off, the water probably wouldn't have a way out.
So keeping the electric man at bay and possibly away would have to do for now. With another burst, Scorch Scale let out a curtain of flame to bring the temperature up, putting the electric enemy on the back foot if he didn't back away.

Hold Them Off
19:23, Today: Scorch Scale rolled 13 using 2d6+3 ((4,6)).
(+1 Forward from Silver Streak was superfluous)
Choose 2
--They can’t act as effectively (-1 Stun ongoing until your actions are countered)
--Give them a choice between backing off or be stunned

1. "Gaaah!" shouts Blue Dragon. "Okay, loser, you've just convinced me you're the real thing! You'll be easier to hit than the Streak anyway!"

Blue Dragon attacks Scorch Scale. He's hurt and rattled from the flames, so he misses, but, as happened with Silver Streak, Scorch Scale still gets a bit of a shock from Blue Dragon's electrical field.

Scorch Scale takes 1 stun.


2. The two punks who were attacking Scorch Scale quickly jump out of the way, and pick new targets-- in this case, Silver Streak.

One of them snaps off a car's radio antenna, and swings at Silver Streak's face as he circles the battle... One of them goes for Silver Streak's feet.

How does Silver Streak deal with this? There's a danger of tripping and barreling into citizens who haven't quite cleared the scene yet... Does he:

--Takes the damage, then retaliate?
--Try to avoid it somehow?
--Something else?


3. Meanwhile, Ultima-Usagi has two punks of her own still to deal with... one attacks her... the other runs to the back of the truck.

(Ultima-Usagi takes 1 stun.)


4. What will Patch-Work Powerhouse do?

--Deal with the guy headed for the back of the pick-up truck?
--Do something to help one of the others?
--Something else?
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:00, Thu 26 July 2018.

"Don't ignore me, you wimp!" shouted the diminutive hero as she ran at the guy heading for the back of the truck... and punched him square in the arse.

21:26, Today: Patch-Work Powerhouse rolled 8 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 5,1. It's Clobberin' Time!
!!You hit hard (+1 Stun)!!
This message was last edited by the player at 20:32, Thu 26 July 2018.

Suddenly the Silver Streak comes to a screeching halt, letting the blows snap across his helmet and muscular frame. He stands confidently with arms crossed as the air from his momentum whips past him. "Come now, boys," he says in a stern, fatherly tone "I really don't have time for this. Now you're leaving one way or another - it's up to you if it's by foot or on a stretcher." In his experience thugs usually weren't the brightest... but maybe these two would listen to reason - or were at least a little cowardly.

OOC: 20:48, Today: Silver Streak rolled 12 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 5,6.  Talk Things Out.

"That's Scorch Scale to you, Denim Doofus."

After taking that hit, Scorch Scale had his flames dissipated. So he had to let out yet another burst of flame to try and knock him out before he could do any serious damage to himself as he felt pretty beat up.
But he had to spend moments angling the flames to avoid causing a danger to anyone else.


12:10, Today: Scorch Scale rolled 12 using 2d6+2 ((5,5)).

--You avoid most of the retaliation (-1 Stun)
--There isn’t much collateral damage and no bystanders are left in danger
This message was last updated by the player at 14:16, Sun 29 July 2018.

Only one punk remained standing before Mochizuki. She set about him with a series of sai blows to his torso. As he slowly realises he is out of the fight and begins to collapse to the ground Mochizuki stalks back towards the truck.

6:08, Today: Ultima-Usagi rolled 9 using 2d6+1 with rolls of 6,2.

It’s Clobberin’ Time
There isn’t much collateral damage and no bystanders are left in danger

1. Patch-Work Powerhouse really clobbered the punk who was going for the back of the truck...

...What will she do now?

--Look in the back of the truck?
--Help another combatant?
--Something else?


2. The two punks look at each other, impressed by Silver Streak's confidence. "Uh... how about you just look over there at Blue Dragon, and fail to notice us two running away?" one of them suggests.


3. "Arrrgh!" Scorch Scale can't tell if it was himself or Blue Dragon who yelled that.

Blue Dragon takes 2 stun.

Scorch Scale takes 1 stun from Blue Dragon's electric field.

Blue Dragon looks pretty burned up... and like he's losing confidence.

13:16, Today: The Grandmaster rolled 6 using 2d6 ((2,4)). Blue Dragon doesn't so much fail his bravery roll as he passes his good sense roll.

Blue Dragon decides he's had enough-- he tries to run for it.

13:17, Today: The Grandmaster rolled 10 using 2d6 ((5,5)).

Blue Dragon pivots, and is totally running for it.

Does Scorch Scale:

--Let him go, out of a fear of citizens getting hurt if they fight any further in a non-evacuated area?
--Chase him or otherwise try to stop him?
--Something else?



4. Ultima-Usagi totally knocks out the punk.

What does she do next?
This message was last updated by the GM at 18:57, Fri 27 July 2018.

With the fleeing of the human in the conflict, Scorch Scale felt the sensation of victory. His will outlasted his opponent and thus he had won. With that, his rational side had more sway in his assessment of things.

The pain was there - ouch - and he was going to need a long time to heal this up. If he was the one to keep fighting (all right, no need to be disrespectful, he earned that much) Blue Dragon, then either he or civilians were going to be in real trouble.
There was a hydrant, but he didn't have the kind of wrench for it.

Seeing the other supers about, Scorch Scale allowed a  swallowing of pride to say. "He's getting away! Can someone open this hydrant?!" He pointed to the red object near to him and in line of sight with the fleeing villain.

Seeing the mook ricochet off the truck clutching his rear made Frankie giggle-snort like the kid she was, "I think I over did it." she said with feigned remorse.



Patch looked around at the freaky dragon guy and the thing he was pointing too.  What the hell was a hydrant?  Ah well, he seemed to have a plan so she complied.
Running over she clutched the big valve looking thing and strained...
22:04, Today: Patch-Work Powerhouse rolled 13 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 6,5. Forceful (Hydrant!).
...more of the black threads snaked out from under her fingernails and wrapped around the valve to give her a better grip, and with some effort it loosened, unleashing a high pressure blast...
22:05, Today: Patch-Work Powerhouse rolled 5 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,4. Agile (Redirect the water!).
...that knocked her off her feet.

Mochizuki stalks towards the cab of the truck, sai at her side and face filled with anger. She is taking this truck and it's driver would be wise to stay out of her way.

She growls through gritted teeth, "Out!"

22:18, Today: Ultima-Usagi rolled 9 using 2d6 with rolls of 3,6

The Silver Streak sighs inwardly with relief. It didn't thrill him to let punks go like that, but he really did have bigger fish to fry. A quick glance showed him the ringleader was making a break for it. "Can't have that, now." with the speed of thought he takes after the fleeing fiend, running ahead to cut off his escape. The Streak sticks out his leg, aiming to trip the Blue Dragon. Oldest trick in the book.

OOC: 23:32, Today: Silver Streak rolled 10 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 5,6.  Hold Them Off.

Choose 2: They can’t act as effectively (-1 Stun ongoing until your actions are countered)
            Give them a choice between backing off or be stunned

Silver Streak trips Blue Dragon-- and gets a shock.

Silver Streak takes 1 stun.

Blue Dragon trips and falls on his face...

Blue Dragon takes 1 stun.

He doesn't get back up, but continues to lie there, unconscious. He'll be all right tomorrow, but for now, he's out.

END OF COMBAT.

The last two punks that tried to confront Silver Streak have already disappeared.

The driver of the pick-up truck gets out, intimidated by Ultima-Usagi, and he runs off, headed for the nearest alley.

Will Patch-Work Powerhouse attempt to replace the cap on the streaming hydrant? (Roll Forceful if so)

What will Scorch Scale do?

After seeing his superpowered enemy go down like a sack of potatoes, Scorch Scale turned back in time to see the two goons and the driver run away, remembering faces in case he needed to beat them up again some other time. He left them for now as it was likely they wouldn't do anything after being so shaken, and he could do with some rest before doing so anyway.

Just a little away, the draconic hero looked down at the disproportionately strong kid. Scorch Scale felt kind of bad that he wouldn't be able to solve the now spouting fire hydrant that had sent her off her feet. He might be strong, but he wasn't bend-metal-like-it's-cardboard strong. Super strength didn't translate to super heavy it seemed, whatever those tentacles were about.
So the very least he could do was offer his hand to pull her up, even if it felt a little odd to be getting rained on during a clear sky evening. "Um, sorry about that, kid. I thought we would need the water, but, well that's Silver Streak for you."
Realizing he forgot his manners, he introduced himself, "I'm Scorch Scale, you may have heard of me."
This message was last edited by the player at 17:42, Sat 28 July 2018.

Mochizuki climbed into the cab of the recently deserted vehicle and moved it into first gear. As she started to make her way into the traffic she leant out of the window and called back to the supes.

"Thanks for the assist. I will see you around."

02:29, Today: Patch-Work Powerhouse rolled 7 using 2d6+2 with rolls of 2,3. Hydrant repair.

Patch got up and struggled against the water until she managed to grab the valve once more and crank it the other way.
Dripping and annoyed she stood victorious!

"Never heard of ye." she said with a somewhat adorable glare of annoyance.

In reply to Ultima-Usagi (msg # 36):

"Hey, wait!" Silver Streak calls after the mysterious woman driving off. Shaking his head, he lifts Blue Dragon by the collar and approaches the other two.

"It isn't easy handling someone with powers in such a public area," he nods at the unconscious man "But other than a few scrapes I think everyone is fine. Nice work... Scorch, was it?" He drops the Blue Dragon with a wet thud and offers a handshake. "I think folks will be hearing about you now." He looks from the large reptilian down at the small blonde girl nearby "Both of you."

Silver Streak puts his hands against his hips and cracks his back. The brief encounter took more out of him than he wanted to admit. Truth be told, things easily would have gotten out of hand without their help - this was a group to keep an eye on. "I don't suppose either of you knows what this was all about?"

When Silver approached them Frankie suddenly forgot all about being drenched, instead she gazed up at him as if he were a glistening giant.

"Yer really him!  Yer Silver Streak, aren't ye?" she said, beaming all the while.

"Yep," the Streak couldn't help but smile beneath his helmet "I'm really him. I didn't catch your name, miss... ?"

"Frankie." she answered instantly, though after a moment of thought she realised what she had done and backtracked, "No!  Wait!  I'm uh... uh..." dammit, she'd prepared so hard for this moment too!  But now that she was here with Silver Streak she couldn't think of a proper hero name.

Well it seems like what he had done so far was not breaking the papers. At least not till stopping Blue Dragon.

He had seen the scene of trying to stop the truck, which gave him an idea as he shook hands. "'Yeah I'm Scorch Scale, fan of your work me.' Scuse me." Was what the reptilian hero said to allow himself the distance needed.

When he saw the vehicle on its way out of sight, Scorch Scale realised there wouldn't be forever for this. So with a little up-tilting of his head, Scorch Scale let a tiny drop of flame leave his mouth, flying in an arc for one of the back wheels to make a slight sizzling hiss on contact.
That should leave a trail, much easier to follow within around 48 hours by smell. Scorch had emphasised being lesser in heat to best prevent wheel issues and not explode cars.

Fire spit (Forceful)
17:50, Today: Scorch Scale rolled 7 using 2d6+2 ((3,2)).

Getting back to the conversation he had left, he saw the young kid getting a little flustered. He couldn't blame her, heck, he was doing all he could not to be star-struck himself. "Would you be, um, Petite Powerhouse? Tiny Terror?" Seeing her costume he pondered on how things were named in one of his comics, Edward the Explorer "-um, Patchwork Princess?"

He turned back to the more experienced hero and realised he hadn't answered his question before and so took the chance now. "From what I saw, this group were after the truck with switchblades, so I was playing keep away 'till you showed up. I hope that gift will help nicely enough." He pointed with a thumb behind him to the leaving truck and the faint smell on the breeze.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:52, Sun 29 July 2018.

After driving a short distance from the scene and backing into a secluded alley Mochizuki got out of the cab. She wasn't 100% on what these goons were moving, but she knew it wasn't good. Far better to check it out without all those civilians nearby.

She paced slowly to the back of the truck with only one sai drawn, leaving the other hand free. Time to find out whats inside. Mochizuki performed a blisteringly fast series of hand gestures and turned into a jet black gas, phasing through the side of the truck and reforming on the other side.

Scorch Scale didn't mark the truck quite the way he wanted to... the smell would only be trackable by him for 24 hours.

"Hmm," the Silver Streak muses "Maybe our friend here can shed some light on what was so special about that truck." He picks up the Blue Dragon by the collar and looks about for a member of the police force "Once he's in custody, he is. One moment." He did his best to imagine what could possibly be worth such a public spectacle, but comes up short.

OOC: 21:13, Today: Silver Streak rolled 3 using 2d6 with rolls of 1,2.  Figure Things Out.

(Yay, an xp point!)

Silver Streak is unable to figure out what this was all about, exactly.

A police car pulls up, and two officers jump out, gun drawn. "Everybody freeze!"

Then they notice Silver Streak... that calms them down a little, but they don't put their guns away. "Silver Streak, is that a villain you've captured? What's with the two freaks over there by the hydrant, are they villains too?"

Silver Streak approachea the officer with villain in tow. "He calls himself the Blue Dragon," he turns the unconscious man to the officer with a light shove "Be careful wih him - he's a handfull. Was causing a bit of a panic on the streets by discharging some kind of electric energy from his hands. There might have been a lot more damage if it weren't for those two." he points at Scorch Scale and Pint-Size "Scorch Scale and the young lady over there. Don't let their looks fool you - they're on your side. It's a good thing too, they pack a punch!"

Getting down to business, Silver Streak leans in an speaks more quietly"There was also a woman. All in black. She and this gang here were fighting over the contents of a truck. Do you know anything about that? Missing goods?" he speculates.

"So... the red guy... who looks a lot more like a dragon than this guy... he's... a good guy...? And what's with that little kid wrapped up like a mummy in that black whatever-it-is...?"





The first cop shakes his head, completely clueless.

The second cop scratches his head. "Um... I was going to say no, but... Hey Al, wasn't Connors talking this morning about... something about gun-running?"

"Uh... sorta rings a bell, maybe?" says Al. "I wasn't really paying attention, I was trying to finish some last-minute paperwork right then..."

Frankie was rather ruffled, she was being talked down about, but as much as she wanted to say something about their attitude she kept it in, instead she chose to smoulder and glare at them as they talked to Streak.

"Gun running?  What's that?" she asked, refocusing on her idol.

So his efforts were for naught. Scorch Scale knew he had been going after cash register goons and purse thieves for a while. But surely someone would have heard of him doing things by now?
It was sadly fated this way, it seemed.

"Yes I am a good guy. You might have noticed there have been some thefts ceased for a while now. You're welcome."
With a sigh and a movement of his tail, he carries on.
"But to focus on this situation, I had to play keep away until Silver Streak could take some of the focus, and this nice ma'am too."

Scorch Scale sees the need to explain a dangerous issue to a kid, he hoped he didn't disrespect her, or immerse her too deeply into the dark parts of humanity.
"Um, ma'am. It's bad guys trading so they can do bad deeds to innocent people, the exact kind of thing I hate. But, if that truck had some, I can lead you all to it."

"Why t'heck are we standin' aroond here fer then??" she said with a wide gesture of her arms, "We have guns t'run after!"

The Silver Streak had to grin at their enthusiasm. So they had a lead after all. "Excuse me, officer," he steps away from the policemen to stand with the other two heroes "But you heard the lady." He wasn't sure how he felt about having a minor with him in the midst of danger, but she seemed to be able to take care of herself. At the very least, he could make sure to watch her back.

"Lead the way." He nods to the walking dragon.

Scorch Scale felt a little pride bubble in being believed by a longer lived hero.

"I got this." He said out loud, for the others but more for himself. He got this, as Scorch Scale, Saul has this in the bag. He should be able to get out without further injury, because that would bring complications into his life if he needed to visit a doctors... Or a vet...

Putting his concerns aside, he put more focus onto his senses and what they picked up to follow the trail by rubber and heat.

The trail leads for blocks. It is determined that Scorch Scale and Patch-Work Powerhouse will crouch on the hood of the police car (holding onto some of her tendrils that anchor her to the hood of the car), and he points the way forward, following his nose...

The trail leads to an alleyway not far away... but while the smell is strong there, the truck is absent... sniffing around further... Ah ha! The truck was clearly in the alley for a little while, but then it continued on down the street... paused at a stoplight...

They see the truck again in the parking lot of a police station. There are a lot of police hanging around.

"Someone take this guy and put 'im in a holding cell, fast," says Al the policeman, dragging the body of Blue Dragon out of the back of the squad car. "Some new powered criminal, apparently got electrical shock powers, when he's awake. Get him under lock and key, fast, and then we can negotiate with 'im after he wakes up."

They do so.

"What the heck are those things on yer hood, Al?" another policeman asks.

"More powered vigilantes, apparently, like Silver Streak. He vouches for 'em... says they helped with that 'Blue Dragon' guy. What's the story on this truck? It's what the Blue Dragon was fighting over."

"We dunno, we were just trying to figure that out. Someone started a fire in the cab with straw and a lighter. We put it out, but there was a note on the windshield that said 'check the flat back.' We've been tryin' t' figure it out. None of the tires are flat, not even the spare... the bed of the truck's got wooden crates in it, looks like they're filled with farm equipment, rakes and hoes and things..."

As the police discussed their findings Frankie motioned her fellow vigilantes to come closer, then when they were close enough she whispered, "Are all bobbies this dense or is it just this lot?"

It was odd, though seemed like an accent was there with the child, or at least some terms that made no sense. But in this case, Scorch Scale understood what was meant through sensible conclusions.

Though the dragon would reply in whisper, it still held something uncanny in how it came across. "Are you suggesting that the poor souls might have missed out what a secret compartment is? Probably a floor for these tools to rest within the crates that hides the real goods. Many a treasure has tried to deny themselves a place within a dragon's hoard through that little trick."

Scorch Scale came with that idea through something he did as Saul. Even now, the original book to cause his draconic power was hidden away by a similar deception in his bedroom.

Silver Streak rubs his chin for a moment. After hearing the other two he quickly snaps his fingers. "Sounds like you're on to something. If you two can get the police attention, I'll zip in and get rid of those crates - see if we can't get a closer look at that truck."

"Distraction, got it." she whispered with a nod, then turned to the police with a glowing smile.
"Officerrrrrs!" she cooed in a horrible impression of an American accent, "Brave heroes like you are just the reason I wanted to become a crime fighter!"  moving between them she positioned herself so that they would all be facing away from the truck.

Patch-Work Powerhouse does in fact get the policemen to all pay attention to her. "Er... that's very flattering, but, um... what are you...?" one asks...

Scorch Scale admired the initiate the kid had. But in case she might stumble, he decided to speak of something that might burden their minds.
"Clearly a superhero in the works, we all have to start somewhere.
Now, look, officers. I was wondering how prepared the NYPD is for magic? Or rescue services for that matter. If it would be a benefit, I could put some time aside for a talk on early signs of magic crime before the big lights show, some small measures that can be an aid, stuff like that. How might you say I would go about that, gentlemen?"

"Magic?" says one policeman. "Why? Are you going to do a trick?"


 

"You mean you're serious? I guess in a world that has Silver Streak and powered criminals in it, nothin's impossible anymore... so... I guess the answer is that we are not remotely prepared for magic. We were sort of hoping we could leave stuff like that to people like Silver Streak... and I guess people like you...?"

"Are you expecting some big magical trouble?" asks another policeman.

"Sounds like he should speak to the commissioner, to me," one policeman says to another.

"Or the mayor."

"Yeah, like they'll let 'im talk to the mayor."

"Who's gonna stop 'im, if 'e wants?" the first cop whispered. "You?"

"Oh," whispered the second cop. "Right... This is outta my pay grade..."

"Naturally I'm going to be operating as a hero like silver Streak, like I presume our friend here wants to as well. Also naturally, I'm not expecting something to happen. I'm just aware of it as a possibility, as Silver Streak is aware of the sort of powered criminals he has had to deal with so far. I'm sure the previous arrangement will work quite well for now, though it helps to know who I might need to arrange a meeting with. I would like to thank you both for informing me of this."

This line of dialogue has their attention for the moment of time at least. Scorch Scale hoped that Silver Streak would have an easy enough time with those crates.
So he turned back to one of the officers in particular, Al was it? "Say, you said before that a friend, Connor was it? Mentioned this possible gun running. Did he mention any other details that might explain what groups are involved or such?"

"...In what way are you aware of some sort of magical thing being a possible upcoming problem?" asks an officer. "Because personally, I wasn't aware of some sort of magical thing being a possible upcoming problem until just now when you said so. So... what makes you say so?"




"Ah, no, that's just it... the buyers are gangs, criminals, people like that... but we don't know a thing about who's doing the selling. And that's weird. It doesn't seem to be any of the usual suspects"

"It is a possibility because magic users have been around since the dawn of history. Sometimes you hunted them down, sometimes praising or worshiping their power and sometimes they were out of sight and out of mind. Salem, Pendle, North Berwick, Bamberg, the list goes on for just the witch trials alone. Never mind the wizards or mystics or shaman and then the monsters of the far, deep and hidden."

Realising that just their existence alone might not justify concern, it was decided that an example reason was needed. Scorch Scale takes a folded up newspaper from inside the police vehicle and before they can protest quickly demonstrates his point. On one of the pages, an article on some of the work Silver Streak does is visible, pondering a dozen questions about him as journalists do. "See here? This is a culture that exists right now. Everyone is looking to the next big thing to talk about. Attention seekers might see this as a big chance to do something, or those who with worrying circumstances to take care of might find it easy to get a few goons and commit the big crimes for power or paying something big."

Feeling like that matter should be finally at rest, Scorch Scale decides to focus on the other matter. "So who would be the unusual sellers that are known?"

Muttered: "They have?"



Muttered: "Does he mean Bamberger's, in Jersey? My ma shops there..."



"...So you're saying that you know that magic exists, so if a magical criminal exists... they're gonna wanna come here and mess with people like Silver Streak."

"Is that why you look like a dragon?" another cop asks. "Magic?"




"That's just it... none. There must be someone like that out there, but, well, this stuff all just started happening this year... I figure maybe it's the mob? Tryin' t' make money off fear of powered heroes? And powered criminals? And their henchmen?"

"Nah, it don't feel like th' mob..." says another cop. "It's gotta be some new criminal behind it... Someone powered."

Silver Streak was satisfied with how thoroughly distracted the police officers were. Without further delay he zips over to the truck and removes the crates to expose the bottom of the truck, and what may be hidden inside.

(Where does he remove them to, exactly?)

In reply to The Grandmaster (msg # 67):

That's an excellent question! He stacks them neatly behind a police car.

(Roll + Forceful, please, Silver Streak... twice.)

20:27, Today: Silver Streak rolled 4 using 2d6-1 with rolls of 2,3.

Uh oh.

(Silver Streak gets 1 point of XP.)

Silver Streak places the first crate behind a police car.

But as he grabs the second crate and starts to move it, it slips out of his hands-- because he wasn't ready for how much heavier it is than the first.

When he drops it, the lid comes off.

Inside the crate are a lot of brand-new pistols, but with no serial numbers.
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:38, Tue 07 Aug 2018.

Hearing the clatter coming from the truck Frankie looked over, her eyes going wide at the plethora of guns.

"That's some funny looking farm equipment." she said as she looked at the police.

The officers come over and look. "...Um, yeah, we just opened one crate..." There's a pause, and then they rush back to the back of the truck.

Every crate is opened. Of the four crates, the one at the front and the one at the back are full of rakes and hoes and things. The two that were in the middle are full of unregistered pistols.

The policemen are very impressed. Two run off to ask questions of Blue Dragon as soon as he wakes up. One runs to get the prosecuting attorney involved in this. One runs to get the commissioner on duty. Another goes to get people from the forensic lab to come and check the truck and the guns (and the farm equipment, for that matter) for prints. The rest prepare to enter the pistols as evidence (once forensics gives the go-ahead).

"Guns," Siver Streak snaps his head up and looks at Scorch Scale "Just as you thought - good instincts." He lets the officers get to work and pulls the two heroes aside. "This was a good start, but it's not over. There may be a bigger fish supplying these firearms." The Streak pauses, glances around and leans in with a hushed tone "And I don't know about you, but I'd like to find that woman in black and see what's really going on."

He straightens up and claps his hands. "Tell you what. Keep your ears to the ground and let me know if you learn anything, and I will do the same." He rummages through his pockets and produces a scrap of paper, scribbles down a company name and hands it to the two younger heroes "Just send a me a courier through this agency. They'll think it's a prank, but word will get to me."

"My apologies on her. I think I sensed her during the conversation, but I couldn't find an easy enough a way to check without dropping the distraction.
So we shall need to see what she is about."

Getting a map, Scorch Scale points to where he proceeds to describe. "As for communicating, I think I know of something where I can talk to you guys. There is a public bin along where 5th avenue and E 96th Street meet, near the park. I'll check it for mail if you guys need me."

There were other ways to communicate, faster ways, but Saul needed to preserve his distance between human and draconian identities. Make it seem like Scorch was always roaming around as himself. The best secret identity would be people thinking his heroic identity had none at all.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:42, Fri 10 Aug 2018.

Frankie made a mental note of the number and the address, she hoped she wouldn't misremember, she had to look professional after all!
"You can....er.... you can...." suddenly she realised she had nothing to offer the others in way of contact information, she doubted her Auntie would like her handing her phone number out to strange men, even if one of them WAS the great Silver Streak!
"I'll figure something out." she ended lamely.