Bellissima caught the hint and read Broyko's surface thoughts and nodded her head in understanding to the detective as she answered, "Fine, I will be available, but this had better not be a political stunt."   While she sent a quick telepathic message to the Detective, "If anyone asks, I will support your request as being valid."

---

Bellissima shook her head at Justicar's insistence, [Private to group LESPradio: I understand your feeling the need for speed, Justicar.  I am going to check to see if I can sense if Holly is still alive, this will help determine how much speed is necessary.]  Bellissima will make a quick trip to the evidence locker and acquire the rope that Holly had been attached to when she disappeared, sending her psychic senses into it as she tries to gain an impression or vision of Holly.

Shaking his sadly at the inappropriate communications over the radio, when Winter Herald comes up to ask his questions, Jacob begins with something different.  There are people out there with scanners who take affront at such a comment about police procedures.  Many already think that all we do is harrass people, beat and arrest them, or shoot minorities.  Keep radio communications to strictly immediately informational regarding an ongoing case.  I will laso have to speak to Hikari about TMI.
He pauses before switching tracks.  I can't say I remember much about Billy Klang, except that he seemed a bit star-struck when I arrived.  Anything and everything pwrtinent can be found in our After-Action Reports from the visit to The Church's commune, and from the audio-surveillance recordings.  You can go and look at them if you want.
He takes out a notepad and pen to write down the case file number, then tears off the sheet ro hand it to the android.  It's still an active  case.

[Private to group LESPradio: ++I was asking a question, and I have received two answers, both consistent. Inform me who is expected to go, when you have time.++
]
His gaze was obscured by the helmet, although his tone, even mechanical, indicated some irritation. "No one cares that an alien cub died. All they will know is the threat to them personally is gone. My complaints are irrelevant."

"After all, how was that phrased just now? You are a machine Winter, you wouldn't understand. My opinion is clearly not significant to any of you, never mind outside of this unit. This is strangely liberating."

"So thank you for the information, so I have another question for you, because your views certainly matter to me. Senor Garcia - he acts with the blessing of the United States government, is that correct?"

Justicar came in toward the LESP HQ noting that people were already turning his direction the roar of his rocket thrusters announcing his approach before he could alter course to enter one of the LESP HQ Secret rapid entrances.  He sighed ~ part of being a trusted hero was the public relations and clearly altering course to avoid the media could be taken as a social snub when it was mostly good will the press wanted with just perhaps a few nosy questions.

He stated simply across the LESP Secure Channel...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"That is a great idea Bellissima, see what you can discern!  No one has access to the LESP Secure channel except the Team and perhaps a very few select agents at LESP and Detective Broyoko, CMZ.  Our commentary here is not a thing of public record.  I'm here at the HQ coming in now. Crowd of Reporters outside."+]

Justicer flew in and spread his mechanical wings spinning up his fan thrusters to speed and cut his rocket thrusters to come to a hover above the gathered reporters with a wash of downward air thrust so his thrusters would put no one at risk more than tousled hair and clothing as he came to a slow gentle landing amongst them.  He nodded in greeting and waved politely but proceeded into the HQ waving off answering any questions, only stating, "The LESP Public Relations will issue a statement of yesterday's battle. Thank you."

Justicar entered and made his way to the grouping of heroes, Nodding to Detective Broyoko, but FIRST approaching Winter Herald... opening his visor to meet him face to face so he can see his eyes...

"You are mistaken Winter Herald, I Hold your opinion in VERY High regard.  I will clarify, Your 'Queries' were insensitive and callous, Because I expect ~ though I may be in error.. you do not feel emotions the way we biological beings do.  You do not have glands, hormonal chemical reactions or even neuro-chemical reactions in your processors subject to chemical imbalances or ph levels or anemic conditions OR any numerous number of biological states that affect our emotional state as biological beings. That is NOT to say you cannot feel emotion, but it would likely be something beyond our human experience to define or ability to fairly judge. It is~ was short-sighted of me to feel offense at something you have no control over and no ability to experience as we humans do.  I ... keep forgetting you have only been 'self-aware' for a few scant months, and are still exploring the social dynamics of interaction with emotional beings.  Your basically still a child, socially and perhaps even emotionally to a limited degree... though HIGHLY intelligent and capable... I'm sorry I sometimes forget that fact."

"My grief over the slaying of Bronto-Bear is not for just its life ~ ALL Life is precious!  Even yours ~ Especially Yours cause you ARE a miracle!  Life is something no man... once it is taken from another ~ can replace...it is priceless!  I mourn at the loss of ANY life... especially the innocent and scared, which I do believe that poor animal was just that.  You are a miracle cause from one man's genius truly sapient sentient life has been artificially created!  As 'your' creators you are a GREAT responsibility to us to treat with dignity, respect, and guidance just as it is any parent's responsibility to see to the raising of their child... but even moreso in your case cause parents do not own their children, we do what is needed to inseminate and gestate a child to adulthood but we do no design and build from our own understanding and skill another life ~ but here you are a testament to that genius.  As your creators we are responsible to you to provide you with the answers to life that have plagued mankind since man walked upright.  Answers we STILL do not fully know the answers too, What is my purpose, why was I made, am I more than I seem to be, what is the purpose of life?"

"And I gotta tell ya Winter..WE are NOT ready for you!  We don't have those answers... but we should try as your creators to help you find those answers for yourself.. and hopefully with you.. and other's like you perhaps someday at our side... find those answers for our species as well! Believe me, I would mourn even Deeper were you to loose Your life!"

"I know most would not understand my feelings on this... but I am trying desperately hard to show that mankind CAN be worthy of your protection and respect as responsible caring Creators.  I know mankind does not have such a great track record in that.  Please be patient with us ~ we are only human?"

Turning to the team, "I am NOT angry at Senor Garcia for what he did... nor do I hold him in any less regard for doing a Very distasteful task, but it was indeed a mercy... I'm just disheartened it HAD to be done, and Senor Garcia had the training and experience to be the right tool for that task.  I don't think I could have done it without even more grief heaped upon my shoulders.  I...try so hard... perhaps too hard to save lives and its...disconcerting when all my tech and knowledge and genius seems... so ineffective."

Turning to Senor Garcia, "Thank you Senor. I'm Glad your on Our team!"

Then addressing Detective Broyoko, "So, do we have permission to deal with this potential Refusenik's lair and Vitaly/'Provider' to hopefully rescue Holly Cook... and what's with all the reporters outside?"

Clearly, Justicar has not seen the recent Team assignment to do the Sci-Fi convention or provide security for the Political Rally...
This message was last edited by the player at 19:32, Thu 27 Oct 2022.

"The fundraiser will include members of the federal legislature and potential presidential candidates. There has been some indication of serious threats aimed at some of these individuals. The convention going on opposite the fundraiser just makes it more difficult. The force wants us on the premises, so I've asked you all to be there."
"If you wish to investigate this island, I would ask only that you inform the Coast Guard before you venture out. Part of the 'special' in 'special powers' is supposed to be an allowance that we can act outside the limits of our legal jurisdiction when necessary."

The expressionless helmet simply turned to Hikari, and the tone is deliberately neutral. "That is what you are saying. It is also another evasion of the question, and this time, your answer does not contain an answer I can use, so I will repeat my question. Does Garcia act with the approval of the USA government? This is for clarification."

To Broyko, he is also abrupt, if professional. "Such a gathering sounds like a tempting target to someone wishing to make a name for themselves. I shall have to abandon my fruitless searches for now, barring a compelling reason to do otherwise. The priorities are obvious."

In reply to Detective Broyko (msg # 901):

Justicar ponders Detective Broyko's words.

"I think you are missing a very obvious possibility ~ not an attack but an opportunity for FORCE to replace several key figures in the US legislature.  Remember Center City IS the last place FORCE did a high data transfer from the Shadowhawk to some local location upload of his mind to likely a new body.  That function of the ship has been disabled and uninstalled he will NOT be able to do that again with its assistance."

"I have had 'Karl' running a continuous program ever since FORCE's escape that monitors the quality of all transmissions here in the continental US across the radio detection satellite logs ~ looking for similar high density transmissions to what was monitored when FORCE Transferred from the Shadowhawk.  No content of these transmissions is being monitored, of course, that would be illegal and fruitless in this case, just the data-size and transmission density are being logged and tracked. I have assumed that similar transmissions would indicate more mind uploads of similar volume to track them.  Karl has had NO hits of potential mind-transfer uploads in the software... which said to me FORCE may very well Still be here in Center City ~ laying low.  But recall that many of his Robot-agents were in positions or power ~ court judges, legislative congressmen, and military officers... a good number of them went dead when I destroyed his central control room.  I expect FORCE is looking to reposition new Robotic Agents into more positions of power to recoup his loss."

"This fundraiser would seem an opportune chance to do just that. FORCE will want to raise no suspicion... so it would be in his interests to see to it the fundraiser goes off without a hitch ~ so a more quiet subtle and completely undetected replacement can take place.  We should make sure we have Bellissima on hand at this political rally... if we insist on having it here in Center City the last location of the villain replacing government officials with android infiltrators!  I would advise against it ~ though... I'm almost certain FORCE will make a play to try to replace one of the candidates... it would be an ideal opportunity to bait him into the open."

It is NOW clear Justicar has NOT been idle in his continued search for FORCE, just searching in a different way looking for what FORCE cannot hide the signature of his mind upload data-transmissions.

"I do not know the extents of the limits of FORCE's mind transfer technology but I think he will likely be focusing his resources on quickly replacing his Master Control room that I destroyed... if he did not already possess a secondary Control Center somewhere else in the world.  I have no evidence... but he might possess one here in Center City... or possibly the Kansas compound?  I think we need to investigate thoroughly the Kansas compound as the after action report of that operation was limited.  Has Hieronymus Kinkaid had a warrant for his arrest been issued, as we KNOW his is a fake Id of FORCE?"

Justicar turns to regard Winter Herald his expression neutral but curious, "We all operate under the approval of the US Government ~ within the charter limits of the LESP by-laws and jurisdiction.  Vigilantism is still 'technically' illegal but rarely enforced when meta-human  heroes oppose those powerful metahuman beings and threats that typical local law-enforcement or military are unable to deal with."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:52, Fri 28 Oct 2022.

For just an instant Lilibeth's smile wavered when Bellissima said that they would be there for the politics and not the convention but then it returned full force. "But we will still be there so maybe we will have time to enjoy the convention," she said.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:00, Sun 30 Oct 2022.

Wearing his blue suit and tie, Senor Garcia listened first before adding to the conversation. As his name is mentioned he make sure to acknowledge those who mention him and respond to any questions.



Before replying the old man takes a deep breath. “I do not act with the blessing, of the United States Government.”

“Winter Hearld, I have been officially...” Senor Garcia holds up his hand and makes a quotation mark before going on “...retired for a few years now, but I do have a number of contacts within the government, mainly for the purposes of exchanging information.”

“So, I no longer have the capability of calling an air strike or the Rod of God, that is if it even existed, from a ex thirty-seven spaceplane in orbit.”



Senor Garcia nodded at JUSTICAR, “Please take no offense, but I was once a young idealistic young man, but with all I have seen and done, my moral compass is...well let’s just say that if a distasteful act has to be carried out for the greater good, I won’t have any issues carrying it out.”

“But let us not forget that by halting the advance of that giant bear, we prevented it from destroying part of the city, and the US Military didn’t have to get involved by flying in attack helicopters or A-10 Warthogs, which would have caused more devastation to the city.”

---

Done replying to the other members of the team for now, Senor Garcia then looks to Detective Broyko.

“Detective, I believe I would be of more use providing security at the fundraiser in plain clothes then at the science fiction convention." He then stated his reasoning. "I would be a good liaison and may know some of the senor federal agents on the protective details. If they already have advance party teams here, I should meet with them as soon as possible."

"Furthermore, I’ll be able to blend in the federal agents among the protection details, as I used to be a member of federal protective details.”

Before anyone can mention the topic of going in plain clothes (since the subject had already come up before with Bellissima) instead of in costume, Senor Garcia explains. "If I am in plain clothes, I would be for lack of a better term, be a snake in the grass as any direct attack from a group of assassins would first focus costumed superheroes as they pose the greatest threat.”

At this point Senor Garcia decided to go on a tangent and add a sobering history lesson. “When the Soviet Union invaded Afghanistan in 1979 they had a small number of Soviet superbeings who wanted to prove their worth on behalf of communism. These Soviet super beings, wanting to emulate their capitalist counterparts in the West, wore costumes.”

“They stood out and it was easier for myself, and others, disguised as Mujahidin to identify and kill them.”

Hoping that the history lesson had its effect, the old man went on.  “That said I do not mind back up, but if you decide to go wearing your costume to tell the world you have superpowers, the bad guys will most likely try to kill you first.”

---

Continuing on the subject of the mysterious island. “I sincerely hope this island detected off the coast isn’t the mythical island of Atlantis. I’ve heard some rumors regarding the actual Island of Atlantis, and if they are true, we should avoid the place.”

“Anyhow, I suggest we conduct a reconnaissance of the island first by one or two individuals before we send the entire team.”

“I’ve carried out reconnaissance missions before so this would be a task, I am well suited at so I have no issue gong. If by chance I am detected and killed...” Senor Garcia shrugs his shoulders “...well that’s a better fate then spending my days in a nursing care facility waiting to die.”

"Thank you. I simply required clarity as to the level of autonomy and decision making we are expected to make. It is more loosely structured then I believe it should be, given the consequences of our decisions."

Winter Herald was doing some crunching of numbers, but he had been considering this idea since it was floated. "We will be resource exhausted and likely injured, but we can execute both tasks. Personally, I do not consider this a rescue mission, although it might become one. What I am interested in is Vitally's recorded data. We need it intact, if possible. I am already prepared. I simply need to get to the island. I have not tested if I am fast enough to run on water yet. The math says yes, the physical practice is untested due to the risk of beachfront collateral damage as a result of breaching the sound barrier."

"My call would be to take our time with recon. Since I am likely alone in my views of this mission, however, we will have a few hours to recon the island, at most, and then we will have to begin. I am hoping it is reliant on concealment, and has little security otherwise."

He nodded to Runa. "I am also curious as to the fantasies of people regarding possibilities for science. Dreams point the way to desire. I expect to return from this mission, and see this for myself. I will need Garcia's aid for this, and yes-"

He gave a quick tilt of the head to Garcia. "I expect you to return as well. You are not obsolete yet."

Justicar nods to Sensor Garcia, placing a brief gentle touch of the hand on his shoulder, "None Taken my friend, I will admit I do have a hope for the world that is undiminished sometimes by the harsh realities... but I still believe these difficulties can be overcome with courageous, selfless and bold effort!"

Justicar shakes his head in reply to Senor Garcia, "Atlantis was supposed to be an entire continent, this isle I believe is Much smaller than even Saint Sebastian Isle...", he will turn his visor of his helmet to display mode and show an inset picture of the satellite photos of the isle.

Justicar offers, "We can all take the Shadowhawk travel to within 12 miles of the isle... and I can send drones-alpha and beta keeping low within 10'ft of the ocean surface well below most radar range to within 200'ft feet of the isle to get telescopic visuals on the isle.  They fly at 100mph on fan jets relatively quiet; with their 300 mile wide-band communications system we can easily surveil the isle in secret. I fear a supersonic approach even at sea level would be certainly heard and the effect of the shockwave air displacement upon the surface of the water... it would be quite obvious something was approaching the isle VERY rapidly!"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:51, Sun 30 Oct 2022.

Senor Garcia eyes JUSTICAR with a disapproving look as the young man puts his hand on his shoulder, no words are said though. "I think that Winter Herald and myself, with support from JUSTICAR's drones should be enough for an initial recon of the island."

Looking at Winter Herald the old man touched upon the insertion method. "I do not think running on water is the stealthiest option. Can you swim or float? Failing that what about walking along the bottom of the ocean?"

Nodding at the use of drone, Senor Garcia explained his idea. "The island could have nothing on it, or it could have a small private army guarding a large luxurious mansion compete with an anti-aircraft battery, or there could be a subterranean base guarded by a small private army."

"So, since we know nothing our initial our recon should be carried out with extreme caution."

"Unless JUSTCAR has a pair of underwater scooters with a 12-mile range, we should insert at night, taking an inflatable boat to about a mile offshore then swim the rest of the way in."

"Once on the beach we can get a good look and if we do not see anything that can shoot them down or spot them, then we send in JUSTICAR's drones to conduct a detailed reconnaissance of the island."

Justicar makes a mental note of Senor Garcia's reaction and makes no comment but will respect the elderly soldier's space in any future dialogue.

"I do not normally load my underwater drones, but I can easily swap out the Drones-Ceti and Delta for Drones-Lambda and Zeta.  They both have underwater drives and have a 2,000lbs carry capacity. They are fully sealed to a depth of 2,600ft, not capable of flight but they do have amphibious ground tread systems.  And, of course, they are armored and armed."

"While in the water.. the drones cannot run out of fuel... they electrolysize the water for their power and fuel."
This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Mon 31 Oct 2022.

Senor Garcia thought for a second as the underwater drones are mentioned. "How big are the ambhibious drones? Can one or two people hold onto the side of them?"

"If so myself and Winter Herald can use one or, if need be both underwater drones to transport us to about 500 meters from the islands shore."

"We then swim in, take a peek from the beach, and then have the aerial drone's recon the island if it's safe for them."

"If the aerial recon doesn't show anything, or it's not safe for them, Winter Herald and I, possibly supported by the amphibious drones can conduct a recon of the surface."

Justicar shakes his head, "The Drones are carried by this suit they are not large enough to be 'ridden' but they can be held onto or grip passengers as they drive along underwater {or if need on the surface} and could potentially pull two passengers comfortably.  I, at least, will be approaching underwater as well.  So the drones need not be far from me in any case, though that really does not matter the drones have a 300 mile communications range. With my passengers using scuba gear I can carry with me at least three team members without any trouble."

"Of course, the Justicar is as at home in the air as it is underwater with a large array of sensors both for use in the air or in the depths.  We are not going to the isle to 'eliminate targets' but to apprehend criminals ~ alive and hopefully rescue Miss Holly Cook."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:17, Mon 31 Oct 2022.

Senor Garcia nodded as JUSTICAR added more information as to his suit, its capabilities, and how it can be utilized. "Ok so JUSTICAR can transport up to three of us, myself, Winter Hearld, and anyone else who's like to join us to about 500 meters to the islands shore."

With a rough plan formulated, Senor Garcia looks to Detective Broyko.

"Detective Broyko, am I cleared to lead a small reconnaissance team to investigate this island?"

"The mission would be for information gathering purposes only. We can send the full force of LESP to clear the island after we have an idea of what we are facing."

"We would only engage with hostile forces unless absolutely necessary, or if we discover Holly Cook is actually on the island and needs to be rescued immediately."

Looking over to JUSTICAR, and then Winter Hearld he made one point clear.

"Other than those two reasons we will not try to kill, subdue, eliminate or apprehend anyone on this island which is in international waters."

"In fact, if we do find hostiles on the island the best case scenario is that they have no idea we were even there."

"Acceptable. Let us do this." Winter Herald checked the backpack. "I only loaded enough ammo for three pistols, anyhow. Bear in mind, if we are caught out, retreat is unlikely to be an option for you. The recon mission will become impromptu asymmetrical warfare."

"The recon mission is locating the objectives if present, learn more about the area and location of the objectives, to locate a good beachhead and usable equipment for the team on-site if possible, to determine how those on the island get to and from the island without detection, how well armed they are, how battle hardened they are, and their command structure. We have an insertion method for the recon team, support is thus far Justicar and potentially the Coast Guard, no demands have been made, and our time limit is brief due to a lack of knowledge about the other side's intelligence capabilities. Who, on paper, is responsible for supervision of this operation?"

"Beyond that question, I think we understand our mission."

[Secret to Bellissima: The unusual flora and fauna on the island are the same as those in the previous visions of Holly.]
JUSTICAR can easily use the office network and place those images on a large screen for all to see.

In reply to SSOGM (msg # 914):

{Ah..silly me}

Justicar will indeed turn to one of the LESP terminals and display on the large screens the Satellite imagery collected for the entire Team to see easily.

Bellissima came out of the evidence room and went to where Justicar was, "I have checked on Holly and she is alive and well in a field of alien plants." She informed her teammates as they were getting together for planning an engagement on the island, "She is awake now, but doesn't seem to be in immediate danger or scared for her life."

She looked up at the monitor as Justicar pulled up an image of the island only to see strange plants that she actually recognizes on the screen, "And those look like the plants that were surrounding Holly." She pointed at a bed of flowers that showed up on the satellite imagery. "So chances are she is on that island."

She looked around, "Who is going so far?  I will go because if Vitaly is there, I will need to be the one to take him down, I am the only one with a mind shield and I can not shield anyone else, yet." She sighed as she still looked a bit tired, but right now just like she was only a little short of sleep instead of a multiple day all-nighters.

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 916):

Justicar nods to Bellissima, "Thank you Bellissima.. THAT is vital intel!  We do not know how many Vitaly's/Provider's Villain Team, the Refuseniks, consists of... I would highly suggest all Sentinels that can ~ come on the mission.  We have no idea of their number or the powers or abilities they may possess."

Turning to the Detective Broyko, "May I requisition 7 sets of SCUBA Gear for the team's use to stow on the Shadowhawk?"

"Justicar, Garcia, yourself, and myself, so far. I will be upfront - I'm only here because of a theory. I believe Vitaly possesses records at this island, and I want them if they have them. A man who cannot be easily detected has a high chance of having much data on various criminal underworlds and black market supply lines. Up to an including the movement of illicit personnel. If Holly Cook is able to be extracted alive, all the better." Winter Herald took a guess of his odds, and made a conclusion. "I will make a point of avoiding Vitaly if possible, given the lack of information about their capabilities. None of us should attempt to face that one alone."

Lilibeth had missed a lot of the back and forth between Hikari and Winter. She hadn't been ignoring them exactly. She was still fixated on the convention and more specifically, what she would wear. There were just so many choices!

"I do not understand this...obsession you have with impersonating other people, usually people that were never real!" Runa commented in her mind.

"I've told you before, it's not an obsession, it's a hobby! And it's called costume play or cosplay! It's a lot of fun and nothing you say will change that."

Fine but if you must costume play could you at least go with that Sorceress? I find her to be someone I can relate to.

"From He-Man? She is a good choice but I've been dying for a chance to try out my Bayonetta costume. Why do you want The Sorceress?"

"Just something about her, her wings..."

"OK if it will make you happy and keep you from complaining the whole time, I will go as The Sorceress...wait...what did they just say? They found Holly?

Lilibeth snaps back to the conversation and waits for a moment to enter it. "You found miss Holly? And we can go get her? When do we leave?


OOC
Sorry for my lack of posting. I'm almost recovered but now my oldest boy is down, same thing, probably Norovirus. Fun times in my house!

I cobbled together this post to give an in character explaination why Lilibeth hasn't participated much in it. I read over stuff though and think I have a handle on things.

Let me see exactly when the convention starts.  I'm expected to be there the whole weekend, from open to close, in one capacity or another.  I have my own meet-and-greets and Q&A sessions.  He pauses a moment.  But, if I am needed, I can skip all of that.

“At this point we should only think about conducting a recon of the island. Once we know what we’re dealing with then we send in everyone.”

“I have no issues leading the recon, but is someone else wants to step up I have no problem with that.”

“As for SCUBA gear I have my own rig, and only those who are SCUBA qualified should be using JUSTICAR’s rigs.”