UV smiled and made a dismissive waive of her hand, looking at the Freak Shocker as she did. "Don't go anywhere. I haven't asked my questions yet," UV stated simply. She made her way into the maelstrom, bolstered by her apparent immunity to the gunfire. As her hands began the telltale glow of her potentially lethal solar blasts, her face took on a more menacing countenance. "Time to turn up the heat!", she said in a near bellow as UV summoned a basketball sized orb of light into her hands. She tried to release the orb near the middle of the mob, controlling the intensity to be more akin to receiving a severe sunburn than a true fireball. She was hoping to subdue them, fearing unleashing her powers in such a way that she had a repeat of the incident that put her on this path to begin with. No one deserved what she had done to that child. Never again.

1) INTENT: Break out the sunblock! (Non-lethal attack)
2) AFFILIATION: Solo D10
3) DISTINCTION: Catchphrase D8
4) TRAITS: Solar Blast D10
5) SPECIALTIES: Menace D8
6) ASSETS: None available
7) PUSH/STUNT or RESOURCE: None
8) TARGET STRESS: None
9) TARGET COMPLICATION: None
10) SFX: None
11) LIM: None
12) DICE POOL: 2D10 + 2D8
 RESULT: 15
 EFFECT: D10
 OPPS: 1

1 XP) Chatchphrase followed by Solar Blast!
13:42, Today: UV rolled 20 using 2d10+2d8 with rolls of 1,4,7,8.  Breakout the sunblock!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:17, Tue 05 Dec 2017.

"My eyes!" "My face!" "Cain't BREATH!"

What starts as a basketball sized globe of searing white light rapidly expands into lunimous globe of endurance sapping heat, engulfing practically a third of the mob in a instant heatwave worthy of a California summer. The Freaks closest to the epicenter drop instantly succumbing to a sudden case of sunstroke. Others drop their arms and clutch their faces or throats, gasping for.breath or groping around trying to compensate for the colosal sunspots obscuring their vision...and for a brief moment, it doesn't feel so muggy - it feels like a blast furnace!

OOC: While not technically an Area Attack, you can still target a single mob die which easily encompasses a dozen or so Freaks that drop from various complications - sunstrokes, sunburns and sunspotted vision. They have no real defense against this attack other than throwing their hands up in a pitiful attempt to stave off the thermal wave that blows through them. The sudden flare makes the dimly lit environment work against them as their eyesight was accustomed to the darkness, making the sudden brightness even more painful and difficult to deal with.

Mob 3D6
Poorly Lit, Gloomy & Muggy D4 (Doom Pool steps up to 2d6 & 1D8 from 3D6)

Today: Secret Roll: Mender Phantasm, for the NPC Freak Mob, rolled 1,6,2,1 using d6,d6,d6,d4 with rolls of 1,6,2,1.

Total: 8
Effect: D4 (Default)
Opps: 2

Another exceptional success, poor Freaks just got nailed with a D12 complication. I'll go ahead and buy the opportunity UV rolled and she gains 1 Plot Point and step up the Doom Pool again to 2d6 & 1d10. One mob die is completely out of commission leaving only 2D6 remaining.

Husk, though not near enough to be directly affected by the solar flare, has his own complication. The symbiote was initially only remotely concerned - now it's almost entirely livid, pumping Hans with adrenaline with a driving compulsive - either get away from that heat generating freak, or snuff it...

Speaking of Husk, you're next. :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:05, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

Heat. Light. Screaming.

Memories long dormant stirred violently as the entity within Hans pulsed to life, jerking his limbs involuntarily, his lips bared as he averted his eyes too late from the sudden eruption of light. Somewhere in the back of his mind he recalled the name again, Corona, now there was little doubt as to why.

When he looked back up slowly, the freaks that were in front of him were writhing on the ground. He felt his limbs tense, the bones beneath shifting audibly, his whole body quivering slightly as it flooded his mind, or what was left of it, with potent chemicals.

He crouched suddenly launched himself, unbidden, from the edge of the crowd straight towards the silhouette of the woman amid the spots of light and waves of heat refracting the air around her.

1) INTENT: Stop the Heat
2) AFFILIATION: Solo D10
3) DISTINCTION: Gloomy D8
4) TRAITS: Bio-organic Mimic d8, Bio-morphic Shape Shifting D6
5) SPECIALTIES: Combat Master d10
6) ASSETS: None available
7) PUSH/STUNT or RESOURCE: None
8) TARGET STRESS: None
9) TARGET COMPLICATION: None
10) SFX: None
11) LIM: None
12) DICE POOL: 2D10, 1d8, 1d6
 RESULT: 17
 EFFECT: ?
 OPPS: 1

09:56, Today: Secret Roll: Husk rolled 7,2,5 using 2d10,1d8,1d6 with rolls of 6,1,2,5.  A Violent Reaction. Husk rolled 3 using 1d8.  Distinction.

Total: 11
Effect; D8
Opps: 1
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:33, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

OOC: When determining if an action is successful, add two die from the dice pool you rolled (excluding 1's) for your total and select one die to represent how effective your action was if successful. This is generally produced by adding two of the highest rolling die with the largest die type remaining as your effect.

In the die pool you rolled, the 6 and 5 would add together to give you an 11 Total, with the D8 (the one that rolled a 2) as your effect die. Do remember that you can include a distinction die in your dice pool as well as long as you describe how it is helping (providing an additional D8 to your dice pool) or hinder (adding a D4, but granting you a Plot Point in the process). This can be derived from either your personal distinctions or scenic distinctions.

At any rate, if you can think of how a distinction may help or hinder, go ahead and include it and edit your post reflecting the distinction... then, well, UV needs to make a reaction roll against a really freaky looking freak! Consequently, I'll buy the opportunity Husk rolled and step up the Doom Pool to 2D6 & 1D12 (unless UV wants to exploit the opportunity first - players get first dibs on opps rolled).

After UV's reaction roll, the Freak Mob acts.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:42, Wed 22 Nov 2017.

UV relished as her plan started to work. She could make short work of these freaks. That was until she saw the one leaping towards her. Wanting to discourage further attempts of assaulting her, UV snarled as her aura flared to match the heatwave she had just created. Using her acrobatics skill, she sought to dodge and use her aura to discourage the attacker. Between her reflexes, heatwave, and flexibility, any attack would be hard pressed to hit her.


1) INTENT: Avoid the Attack!
2) AFFILIATION: Solo D10
3) DISTINCTION: Coronal Aura D10 (PP spent to step up based on Husk OPP)
4) TRAITS: Enhanced Reflexes D8
5) SPECIALTIES: Acrobatics Master D10
6) ASSETS: None available
7) PUSH/STUNT or RESOURCE: None
8) TARGET STRESS: None
9) TARGET COMPLICATION: None
10) SFX: None
11) LIM: None
12) DICE POOL: 3D10 + 1D8
 RESULT: 16
 EFFECT: D10
 OPPS: 1

21:58, Today: Secret Roll: UV rolled 21 using 3d10+1d8 with rolls of 10,4,1,6.  Avoid the Attack!

As an entire third of the Freak mob gets floored by a brutal blast of exhausting heat and searng light, callous disregard becomes replaced with a sense of desperation.

One Freak close to Husk glares at him and shouts, "Frag Lenny, skin your piece! It's time to...uhhh, Lenny? The Freak gapes at Husk as his physical features begin to bubble and shift as it produces an inhuman hiss before launching itself forward into a scuttle, making it's way through the mob before springing over the fallen frontliners with claw-like extensions as it tries to disembowel UV with a passing swipe.

UV was no stranger to this particular kind of environment, she's been bushwhacked before...just because it was a Freak and not some hero didn't change her reaction much. Flaring up her Coronal Aura to hamper visual capacity, she deftly sidesteps the Freak as it rolls past her then springs back to it's feet in a crouched position and hisses as it continues to...change?

As bones pop and spiked portusions erupt from it's increasingly broadening physique, it becomes quite clear to UV, as well as the rest of the mob, that UV was facing no run-of-the-mill Freakshow gang-banger.

The momentary pause is broken when from the back of the mob, a whiney high-pitched voice screeches, "Oh my God! He killed Lenny! You lousy git! and, once again, the sound of maniacal gunfire erupts as the Freaks blast away determined to defend their turf!

Mob 2D6
Guns D6
Cyberpunk Dystopia D8
Freak Rampage: +1D6 & 1 additional effect die (targeting UV & Husk)

Today: Secret Roll: Mender Phantasm, for the NPC Freak Mob, rolled 5,2,1,1,8 using d6,d6,d6,d6,d8 with rolls of 5,2,1,1,8.  Dakka-Dakka! Cause Physical Stress.

Total: 13
Effect: D6, D4
Opps: 2

OOC: While the Freak disguise was well-made, it becomes evident that Husk is not one of them once he starts shifting his physiology to more aggressive potential. When the mob opens fire on both UV and Husk, it becomes evident to UV that Husk isn't with the mob either. Narratively speaking, the Freak Disguise is shot. If Husk wants to disguise himself again, he'll have to create another asset.

I'll go ahead and buy UV's opp, she gains another PP and the Doom Pool steps up to 2d6 & 1d12.

Reaction rolls for UV (D4 Physical Stress) and Husk (D6 Physical Stress), then it's next turn! Could pass it off to the Freaks again (last acting character gets to choose who goes first next round, even the same character who went last), but I'm interested in how Husk deals with what's going on - so Husk is next after reaction posts! :D
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:51, Thu 23 Nov 2017.

UV was getting tired of playing this game. Cranking her aura up a notch, she decided that she would show the Freaks that fighting her was a bad idea. UV knew that her aura was hot enough to slow the bullets through heat affect and combined with her natural toughness, she wanted the Freaks to see just how little she cared about their bullets. "Give up," she said in her best threatening voice.

1) INTENT: Endure the Attack!
2) AFFILIATION: Solo D10
3) DISTINCTION: Coronal Aura D8
4) TRAITS: Enhanced Durability D8
5) SPECIALTIES: Menace D8
6) ASSETS: None available
7) PUSH/STUNT or RESOURCE: None
8) TARGET STRESS: None
9) TARGET COMPLICATION: None
10) SFX: None
11) LIM: None
12) DICE POOL: 3D8 + 1D10
 RESULT: 15
 EFFECT: D8
 OPPS: 0

16:32, Today: UV rolled 21 using 3d8+1d10 ((8,3,3,7)).
16:32, Today: Secret Roll: UV rolled 21 using 3d8+1d10.  Endure the attack!

Edit: UV spent a Plot Point in order to counterattack since her reaction roll was successful and elects to inflict a 'Demoralized' Emotional Complication D8 on another portion of the mob.

UV glares at the Freaks with an annoyed expression as the small calibre rounds patter and careen off her coronal aura and growls, "Give it up, already!" causing another significant portion to suddenly give their immediate future some sincere consideration...and bolt like crazy for the nearest exits.

"Beat feets, mates! See ya durin' visitin' hours, Snap!" effectively reducing the mob down to a single group of doggedly determined (or just utterly drugged out of their minds) Freaks still eager to 'party'.
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:05, Sat 25 Nov 2017.

As small arms fire peppers the area, the 'Freak' that assailed UV disappears under a hail of bullets and is lost to her senses as she turns to inform the mob of the futility of their efforts...then things get really wierd.

The air in the middle of the underground warehouse begins to shimmer before splitting open with an otherworldly crackling as a portal opens droning with indescribable power...and out steps Aegis seemingly unaware, or unconcerned, with the blistering rapport of discharging firearms.

...then two others make a rather direct entrance... through a wall, a man sheathed in crimson energy along with what seems to be an elderly man dressed in robes.

"Where's Lenny?" "Eff Lenny! Who's THAT?!?" "A TARGET, that's who...light 'em up!"

OOC: Not sure what happened to Husk, but no worries - narrative gameplay allows for ease of adjustment. Husk will seem to have gone down under a rain of bullets, but before anyone can check...Aegis opens a portal and enters into 'The Underground'.

It's a new turn, and since Husk won't be acting...UV, you're the most aware of what's going on so go ahead and post your action. It doesn't take Aegis too much to figure out the woman is the source of heat he sensed.


This message was last edited by the GM at 23:25, Wed 29 Nov 2017.

UV was prepared to reengage the Freak that had attacked her but he was nowhere to be seen. Instead, a trio of what could only be described as heroes appeared before her. She looked around at the Freaks for only a moment before she realized how suspect she looked. Needing to separate herself from the crowd, UV aimed a small solar blast at the ground and used it as cover for her escape from the open. "I'm not with them!", she yelled. Hopefully the improvised flashbang would give her enough of a chance to avoid being targeted by anyone present until she could explain herself. She thought about her reputation as Corona and how being in the middle of gunfire was not so different than how she usually operated in the past.

1) INTENT: Flashbang Escape!
2) AFFILIATION: Solo D10
3) DISTINCTION: Reformed Villain D4+1PP (She looks culpable for the chaos)
4) TRAITS: Solar Ray D10
5) SPECIALTIES: Covert Expert D8
6) ASSETS: None available
7) PUSH/STUNT or RESOURCE: None
8) TARGET STRESS: None
9) TARGET COMPLICATION: None
10) SFX: None
11) LIM: None
12) DICE POOL: 1D8 + 2D10 + 1D4
 RESULT: 10
 EFFECT: D10
 OPPS: 0
11:11, Today: UV rolled 16 using 1d8+2d10+1d4 with rolls of 6,3,4,3.  Flashbang Escape!
11:10, Today: UV rolled using 1D8+2D10+1D4 with rolls of .  Flashbang Escape!

In reply to UV (msg # 18):

Fury looked at the crowd of armed men, and the one woman in their number claiming to have nothing to do with these murders. She need not have bothered...Mark could see her emotions wildly differed from the men who had left all these dead bodies about. Of course she had no way of knowing that. Nor would she know Windwalker behind him was also no threat to her.

"Stand down or BURN!" He snarled at the men, not expecting his words to make a bit of difference. He was lost in his own emotions now-as where they. His hands gripped the air, as if he was trying to claw into something. He was...his own blood like energy aura. Shaping it into something was always a struggle, as he had to shape rage itself. He was twisting the energy into a rotating group of orbs moving about himself. They left red trails in the air as he attempted to turn them into a weapon he prepared to use...

(OOC-Making an Energy construct asset.

11:22, Today: Crimson Fury rolled 8,2,3,1,1,10 using d8,d4,d10,d10,d6,d10.  Making asset.

Team-d8
Feeds on rage...but trying to control it-d4 (d4, +1 PP)
Senses-d10
Blast-d10
SFX-Constructs (+1d to effect die, +1d6)
Combat-d10

Total=18, Effect die=d12 with SFX bonus.)

Aegis glanced around the area quickly, raising an eyebrow.  Guns?  He hated guns; so loud and crass.  Plus, it had absolutely nothing to do with the reason he was here.  Still, he didn't need himself (or anyone else) catching a bullet.  Probably should do something about that...Maybe something to keep the injuries down and let the other heroic (or perhaps vigilante might be a better term given that the hot head's demans) deal with it.  Hopefully he wouldn't have to deal with that too.

He stepped out of the portal and the golden circle faded out quickly.  Raising his hands before him, he traced a rune in the air before himself leaving faint lines glowing for a moment.  With a word of power, he released the spell.  All around the area, the firearms glowed rather suddenly and when the glow faded, there were some significant changes left behind.

Now maybe I can get back to try and save the world, he thought to himself.


1) INTENT: Guns go bye bye!

This message was last edited by the player at 18:19, Thu 30 Nov 2017.

---

Book Wisdom Volume III. We all desire something.  It only becomes an addition when we have to have what we desire even if damage or hurts us.

---

(Pupil): Master you said we all have addition.  What is yours?
(The Temple Master): Yes you correct young pupil we all have then.  Mine is to hold one of the Emperor most a beautiful and pressures gems, and it worth to me the Emperor anger every time I touch it.

---

From nowhere a wind starts to blow in the tunnels.
Windwalker move slowly forward and feet raises above the ground.
In show of power and skill to the Freak.
He speaks.  Although not shouting he voice carries.

UV meet Aegis.  Aegis meet Crimson Fury.  Crimson Fury meet UV.
Oh am I called windwalker.

He then turns to the Frees
Stay where you are guy.  No more fighting just chill
Or I personally invent a ECM beacon and stick one in each of your left buttocks cheek.
Then you will never be able use another peace of technology again.
I am Windwalker the Techno-monk!
You get my drift?
His voice is calm but meaningful.  Like an old teacher nobody would cross.
Even the school bully.

Windwalker heads to the damage conduit.  When he lands the wind dies down.
He takes look at damage.

Intimidated the Freeks to stay still.
OOC:
D10  Affiliations: Team (trying put team together)
D8   Profession: The Ways of the Monk.
D8   Movement-Based Power: Airwalking (monk Trained).
D10  Master Criminal.  Knowledge.

Result:-
23:57, Today: Windwalker rolled 15,11 using 2d10,2d8 with rolls of 10,5,[4],7.  Keep the Freaks in place.

Results: 17  Effect: d10 Opp:-
1 exp When you resolve situation without using physical violence.
This message was last edited by the player at 00:07, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

OOC: UV, gain a plot point for using the distinction at D4. Your total is 10 with a D10 effect.
Crimson Fury, gain 3 plot points - 2 for the 2 opportunities you rolled, 1 for using a distinction at D4. You have an 18 with a D10 effect stepped up to D12.
Aegis, no plot point gain or loss. Your total is a 16 with a D8 effect.

Because you weren't targetting anyone in specific, UV just rolls against the Doom Pool in order to create an asset - Blinding Cover.

Today: Mender Phantasm rolled 2,3,8 using d12,d10,d8. Total: 11, Effect: D12, Opps: 0

The illuminating flash wasn't as effective as UV hoped, perhaps due to the lingering effects from the former use of her powers, or perhaps due to the damaged conduit that's still showering sparks...she successfully draws more attention to her than making herself more difficult to see. If anything, she certainly proved she wasn't a Freakshow gang member.

Since Crimson Fury rolled 2 Opps, the Doom Pool steps up twice to 2D12 and 1D10. A beefy Doom Pool to roll against when trying to create an asset, probably due to his desire to not be subtle...they are Freaks, blasting them would be doing the world a favor.

Today: Mender Phantasm rolled 12,11,4 using d12,d12,d10. Total: 23, Effect: D10, Opps: 0

Crimson Fury tries to channel his anger into functional displays of firepower, but his mind is filled with viceral images of a time he'd rather not recollect. The turbulent crimson energies do not comply with his intent...but that makes him no less menacing in appearance.

Aegis weaves a luminous pattern and gestures at the Freaks who thus far seem utterly bewildered at the sudden arrival of so many others, maniacally emboldened by the increase in stakes...

Freak Mob: D6 (Affecting all of them won't be easy)
Guns: D6 (It's a lot of guns...lots)
Combat Novices D6 (Some may be smart enough to not be target...maybe)
Cyberpunk Dystopia D8 (Still drawing inspiration, and cover, from their 'turf')
Today: Mender Phantasm, for the NPC Freak Mob, rolled 2,6,1,8 using d6,d6,d6,d8. Total: 14, Effect: D6, Opps: 1

Before the Freaks can launch another fusillade of small arms fire, a series of cries ring throughout the remaining mob. One Freak stares at a stuffed bunny rabbit he finds himself holding by a foot. Another Freak squeezes the trigger to his uzi...and gapes as the spray of soap bubbles issues forth. None of the Freaks remaining have any kind or sort of functioning firearm...

OOC: Their Guns D6 trait is effectively removed! :D

With useless firearms, facing adversaries clearly beyond their scope...when Windwalker intones the wisdom of surrendering, they look over at their apparent leader - the Freak Shocker, still idling off to the side. Scuffing the floor with his boot, he glances at the remainder of the Freak Mob and says, "Your funeral, mates...go on, get her knickers in a twist an' see wot happens..."

Freak Mob D6 (Persistent buggers, aren't they?)
Combat Novices D6 (So green, they don't know when they've been beat)
Cyberpunk Dystopia D8 (They really like this section of the Underground)
Today: Mender Phantasm, for the NPC Freak Mob, rolled 2,6,7 using d6,d6,d8. Total: 9, Effect: D6, Opps: 0

"Awww...screw it, me mum brings a gift basket durin' visitin' hours." says one Freak cuddling a yellow rubber duck as he scuffs his way over to the Freak Shocker, followed by another dragging a blatantly obvious plastic toy rifle, and another, and another...until all the remaining Freaks are huddled in a group in a corner. Just in time, too...as the sound of heavily armored boots and sweeping spotlights can be ascertained from the parameter of the underground warehouse area...

"Crey Security! Get On The Ground! You Are Trespassing On Private Property!" booms a synthesized voice. One Freak, who already has his hands raised, tries in vain to raise them higher...

OOC: Even though the Action Scene is technically over, I'm going to go ahead and blow the 2D12 to official end the scene. When D12's are spent by the Watcher, players get an XP for every D12 spent/used...so that's 2 XP for everyone. Crey Security's Response Team enters the scene while a pair of Crisis Units secure the local area. Windwalker, you find that the conduit had been severely damaged and most likely won't be repaired anytime soon. Crey Security certainly doesn't offer to help, instead...they just call for maintenance and 'request' no one bother contaminating the crime scene. There's a lot of Freaks, well over a few dozen...several showing signs of recovering from a heatstroke. Feel free to wrap up the action scene...what do your characters want to do? :)
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:43, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

Windwalker shakes his head at the conduit.
I fear that it take to long to sort out.

He then slowly walks over and has look at the Freaks as they being rounded up.
He pulls some ointment out of a small beg he has and applies it to the Freaks in need of medical help.

He turns to group.
If you not doing anything important.  Aegir, Crimson, UV you are all welcome to join me for afternoon tea and discuss how we can work together to make this area of town safer.  If your interested.  My guy not to far from here.

OOC:
D10  Affiliations: Team (trying put team together)
D8   Profession: The Ways of the Monk.
D8  Expert Science medical. D8
d6   Basic Dice

Result:-
02:22, Today: Windwalker rolled 6,10,3 using D10,2d8,d6 with rolls of 6,5,5,3.  Healing Freeks.

Results: 11  Effect: d8 Opp:-
3 exp First time you heal a person of any type of stress.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:28, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

Being run-of-the-mill, garden variety thugs...their injuries are relatively minor. However, the underground makes for poor clean room conditions. The Freaks also fidget and fuss, seemingly annoyed by the care being offered. "What're ye, me mum?" chides one Freak as Tenzing administers treatment...

Freak Mob Stress D6
Freak Mob 2D6
Cyberpunk Dystopia D8

OOC: The Freaks make poor patients, even though they only one die's worth suffered any physical stress, the rest make sport of this by making up mock injuries and interrupting treatment (represented by their base 2D6 trait).

Today: Mender Phantasm, for the NPC Freak Mob, rolled 3,2,5,3 using d6,d6,d6,d8.  Freaks being Freaks..

Total: 8
Effect: D8
Opps: 0

Despite their annoyance and overt lack of concern, Tenzing is actually able to get the Freak mob back to a relatively healthy state. When he mentions that the group should retire to his gym...a Crey Security Agent on scene interrupts rather bluntly, "Oh no you don't, we're not getting stuck with baggage detail. PPD's got a paddy wagon waiting, you can haul their asses up there yourselves. We got enough on our plate just cleaning up after you yahoos."

Considering the state of the underground district, it's doubtful Crey Security cleaned up anything down here...
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:49, Fri 01 Dec 2017.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 24):

"Back up! The man's working!" Fury snarls at the Crey, his aura getting brighter. He makes sure to get in the other man's way of Windwalker and his patients. He flexes his fingers, as if he was an old gunfighter in the wild west. Waiting for the other man to make a move. However, he keeps a grim look on his face as he almost dares the other man to try something.

However, he makes no move to attack.

OOC: 1 xp-tries to hold back unneeded anger.

Aegis gave a quick nod to the others at the introduction.  He didn't really know that many folks in the 'hero community'; his concerns only interacted with the heroes on occasion.  Still, it was good to make contacts.

He shook his head at Windwalker's offer.  "Sorry but I'm really not hear for this.  I just happened to be in the area when I heard the shots," he said as the security came storming down.  Cavalry arriving and all that.

He looked at the complaining agent and rolled his eyes.  "Well we wouldn't want you to feel put out with all the work involved in capturing them," he remarked with a smirk.  He concentrated and moved one hand in a practiced gesture.  As he spoke a Word, the air rippled around a golden circle.  As it grew larger, big enough for people to pass through with ease, it was clear to see the street above.  "There.  Happy now?," he said with a smirk.  "Off you go," he ushered before looking back to the others, putting the agent out of his mind.

"Where was I?  Right, I had sensed a dimensional weakening.  Usually a sign of a potential breach.  If either of you is relatively technically savy, could you survey the damage around here?  It's not really my area but I'm certain there's a potential problem nearby.  I'd rather seal up the problem before having to stop a breach in progress.  That gets mighty messy," he said wryly.

The portal opens in a vibrant display, and despite the general non-compliance of the Freaks, they are soon marshalled through the portal to the awaiting police vans above...including the Freak Shocker who, without further direction from UV, eagerly steps in line. The Crey Security agents, while decidedly impressed, quickly snap back to their officious state and suggest the 'barber shop quartet' take their business elsewhere before the crime scene is tampered with more than it actually has. A PPD Officer asks for UV, Crimson Fury, Windwalker and Aegis Magus to accompany the entourage for additional security and to provide statements regarding what happened. Windwalker was able to ascertain the scope of the damage, but some additional time and effort maybe needed to discern 'what' and 'why'...

UV just kind of stood to the side, staring blankly. As quickly as the fight had been joined, it was over. She was dumbfounded at the nonplussed attitude the others had towards the chaos around her. UV was actually caught herself nearly shuffling towards the conga line of criminals out of habit. Instead she dusted herself off and made her way over to the other heroes. "Thanks for the assist. I thought I had it covered, but they just started shooting," she said. She then pointed at the Freak Shocker. "He was the one that was the instigator, so I think we should interrogate him."

The Freak Shocker stops hesitantly just before the portal when UV mentions him, still clearly quite concerned about his personal well-being...he pauses momentarily as if considering the awaiting police van as a place of safety before relenting to UV's desire for questioning. "Whatever you want, Lady...better a stool pigeon than a fried turkey."

Fury nods at the PPD officer. "Sitrep is as follows: We have multiple combatants in the area, but my medic and I arrived too late to do more than assist cleanup. We have not checked the area for possible IEDs, snipers, or ambush positions. The...KBR wannabees over there just stuck around with their thumbs in their butts for the most part." He motion with his head towards Crey security.



Fury gives a thumbs up to UV. "No sweat. You took care of the problem-so a win's a win, however you got it done."

OOC: 1 xp-relates his military experience to current situation
This message was last edited by the player at 18:17, Mon 04 Dec 2017.

Aegis resisted the urge to groan.  He didn't particularly deal with this kind of thing too often.  It just wasn't his 'beat', to put it the 'cop lingo'.  He could care less about these moronic ganger types.  But if it helped wrap this up and let the others maybe get him some help in the whole dimensional breach issue, it'd be worth it.

"Very well.  And since the fellow kindly agreed to be interrogated," he remarked.  Muttering a small phrase, he drew his hand across the space at the Freak.  "Answer all her questions please," he remarked.  "He should be compelled to speak only the truth," he said, returning to letting his mystic senses search for any additional clues and information.

UV looked at the mystic man quizzically for a second but shook it off. "Not sure that was required, but okay," she said. It was strange for her to be on the other side of the interrogation for once and UV was discovering how much the tables had turned.

Looking at the Freak Shocker, UV placed her hands on her hips and tilted up her visor. "Alright, let's start simple. What were you doing immediately before I appeared?"

OOC: Apologies. RL caused some issues.

1XP) When current events make you recount the path that led to you adopting an unlikely career as a super hero, and wonder if it's really who you are.

While the others are talking to the Freak Windwalker does what he can in the limited time he has to look at problems the area has and dangers it may course others.
Trying to do some damage limitation even if he cannot really fic much.

OOC:
I know GM said would take time sort out electrical problems but we don't need everybody standing around talking to shock Freak..

Interrogating the Freak Shocker provides little by way of understanding any particular rhyme or reason behind their activities. As far as the Freak Shocker was concerned, even while under mystical coercion, reveals a simple objective - arrive at this location, cause as much commotion as possible, wreck the joint, take out the power grid, down with the system, pretty much everything you'd expect out of a group of anarchistic cyber-junkies looking for a thrill. Whether it's due to compartmentalization or simple lack of concern or overall organizational skills, inquiring the Freak Shocker produces no real leads. 'The Underground' is a habitual hotspot for Freak activity so other than being certified public health hazards, nothing more or less relevant is attained by grilling the Freaks except a deplorable tale of wasted youth - rebels without a clue...

Testimonies aside, the gathered heroes provide the PPD with whatever briefing they have to offer after things have settled. The Freaks are marshalled through Aegis's portal into the waiting arms of PPD's finest securing the area above the Underground utterly devoid of further angst and misguided tension...hard to rebel against one who could alter the very fabric of reality. Between Aegis's mystical display and UV's underground 'rep', one Freak musters the courage to mutter, "Safer in the Zig these days."

Some concern is noted regarding the state of one particular Freak who looks to have been on the receiving end of some extreme electrostatic surge...so much in fact that, though surprisingly alive, his features are scorched and fried. The apparent leader of the mob, the Freak Shocker, only chuckles saying, "Guess he couldn't handle the juice." Their apparent indifference to the very real and actual suffering of another member of their gang is somewhat appalling but Freaks didn't gain their reputation from being benign and congeal.

Up above, after being loaded into a Emergency Response vehicle...the electrified Freak gang member who put an ax, literally, to the power conduit quivers ever so slightly as the medic went to work on his horribly disfigured form. With so much damage done, none would expect...or even notice, the ever so slight uptick of a grin that flashes across his face.

***

Elsewhere, a sharp dressed man with shock white hair surrounded by a series of monitors and other surveillance equipment. Leaning forward, he peruses one screen in particular with furrowed brow - a live news article covering the incident at Abyss Towers. He enlarges the image past the Freaks being loaded onto an awaiting PPD van, past various individuals...a man clad in crimson, a potential prospect but not the center of his attention; another man wearing a pendant apparently responsible for maintaining a glowing portal...useful, but again...not the target of his ire. A smirk crosses his face as he pans past a woman, her criminal record scrolls across the screen. He commits her file to storage for further examination with a gesture as he continues to pan over to an aged oriental man and stops...

His lip turns up and sneers, "...Agent Tenzing, after all these years..."

A monitor brightens suddenly to display a member of Crey Security, "Director, the Freaks tore this place apart...power conduit's shot, going to take a while to fix...but, look at this..." The monitor pans to a grisly sight as the man continues, "All the Freaks are accounted for...so, we're not too sure exactly who...or what...this is." The man with white hair merely sighs and says disdainfully, "It looks like a mess, Agent...clean it up. Your training included 'biohazard disposal', correct?" The image of the Crey Security Agent looks decidedly disappointed, but nods in compliance as the image winks out. Turning back to the monitor focusing primarily on the stilled image of Tenzing, he glowers, "...and speaking of cleaning up, cutting this loose end is long overdue."

***

It was free, and more importantly, it was getting a first class entrance into the very place it had been stalking for months - The Ziggarut. All it had to do was maintain low life signs as it would be far more easier to escape an infirmary than a cell. With the Ziggarut being the closest facility with medical faculty able to render medical aid to such traumatic 'injury'...it's break-in to the Ziggarut was all but assured.

Copying the Freak that fried himself took profound physical effort, copying staff members in the Ziggarut would take more mental effort. It wasn't so much that it couldn't literally copy anyone - the trick was to avoid detection. It couldn't leave a trail of corpses in it's wake...yet, not until it released members of a believed disbanded organization, the organization he belonged to - The Fifth Column. As the Emergency Response vehicle entered the medical bay of Zigursky Penitentiary, the thing known as Husk figured it had about an hour's time before it was discovered...that the Freak dying on the slab...was the medic that hauled Husk in. The hunt was on...

All the while, regardless of the direction it goes as it penetrates deeper into the Ziggarut...it seems as if there's always one camera following. It wasn't long until it ran across something it couldn't pass with lethal deception...sneering slightly at the pass-coded doorway, it quickly perused the environment. As it considers a nearby vent, certain it could fit having squirmed through far smaller...a message flashes across the pass-code display, catching it's attention...

**WOULD YOU LIKE TO PLAY A GAME?**

As the door's magnetic seal disengages, Aegis feels a wave of nausea once more...

OOC: This starts the Transition Scene after the Freaks were trounced during their impromptu 'rave' in the 'Underground' which lead to a severely damaged power conduit leading to a block-wide power outage at Abyss Towers in Brickstown. The Freaks are apprehended and carted off despite the lack of assistance from the security agency that was supposed to prevent this very thing from occurring. PPD however is grateful for the heroes intervention and UV is commended by her superior at Hero Corps for engaging in a decidedly hazardous situation...while showing restraint...clearly showing her willingness to turn over a new leaf. She is requested to attend the prison convoy then report to Hero Corps regarding the incident.

Crimson Fury finds little to fuel his anger as the majority of the situation has already been resolved, so other than ensuring the Freaks are delivered to the Zig (if he offers), there wasn't much for him to do though he can't hope but notice the thinly veiled animosity between the PPD and Crey Security...not surprising - Crey Security is known for getting off on more legal 'technicalities' than any independent security agency could...or should.

Tenzing can attest with naught but a cursory glance, as the cybernated portion of his mind draws upon an encyclopedia set's worth of technical data, that the damaged conduit induced a localized blackout, nominally around the Abyss Towers area, with sporadic feedback throughout the entire grid. Backups and independent emergency generators prevented an overall grid collapse, but other than identifying critical areas needing attention...there wasn't much he could do - repairs of this magnitude, alleviating the additional strain on the power grid, were more extensive than what he could accomplish by mere jury-rigging. The PPD officer in charge notices Tenzing's concern and informs 'off-the-record' that Terra Volta was sending industrial engineers from Independence Port for technical support. "Not the first 'Freak Rave' we've run across...but it could have be worse, it could have been a LOT worse. Thank you for putting a stop to this," she adds with sincerity. Like Crimson Fury, unless Windwalker attends the caravan of Freaks to the Zig...things seem well in hand.

Aegis is the only one that seems to be having additional complications regarding the situation...he can't seem to shake the sensation that something more has transpired, and will most likely continue - an other-dimensional breach is all but certain here in Brickstown but pinpointing the source continues to allude him...oscillating static, everywhere...then nowhere, a breach that could tear.

All the while, the entity known as Husk penetrates deeper into the Ziggarut...bypassing security checkpoints and scans that would normally expose even the most ardent infiltrator.

Someone...or something...was helping him, something that knew the inner workings of the Zig...

...intimately.

The scene will still be situated around Brickstown as it doesn't take too long before things become bad. A few optional transition scenes are available - 'Along With The Freakshow' for those attending the convoy heading to the Ziggarut, 'Running Out Of Bricks' for those in the process of departing Brickstown. Players with characters possessing D10 or D12 Movement Trait can be wherever they want (and could create a scene independently) but since they could also arrive just as quickly, they could simply be inserted in either of the two previously mentioned scenes with their initial post describing how they arrive (and possibly where they were and what they were doing prior to their arrival since distance isn't a challenge for them to overcome...just obstacles and awareness).

For the record, cannot apologize enough for the extended absence...just hoping for no reoccurrence. :(
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:35, Fri 25 May 2018.