As far as Roulette can tell, The Big Picture is one of society in a state of shock...while sirens, car and building alarms generate a discordant background screech - the populace at large are largely mute. Stunned by an occurrence that was not just unanticipated - there's no actual 'play book' regarding how to deal with it...workarounds are having to be made literally 'on the fly'.

Note: If I don't actually post a roll in reply, use the value of whatever trait you think best represents how you create the asset and assign it's value as the asset. In this particular instance, Roulette's Covert Expertise would be appropriate to create the asset - D8 See The Bigger Picture. Since she used her Team affiliation, it can be used by those she is teamed with.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:24, Tue 08 Aug 2023.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 5):

Mark sighed, finally gathering his emotions togeather. "I'm sorry, Martinez. You saw the thing that rose from the sewers. The whole damn mission was FUBAR at that point. The only thing that mattered was getting you and your people out safely. Not to mention the few sewer mutants we could save. Then we had to make sure that thing did not escape to start eating everyone on the surface. Several hundred tons of concrete should work. However, I have no idea where the Mole is. I cant even sense his emotions at this point-so he's ether out of range, crushed flat, or was eaten by that thing."

He shrugged. "I dont regret what happened. If I had to do it all over again...I would. You come first, end of story."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:30, Tue 08 Aug 2023.

Strix extracted themselves from the last bits of rubble. The Avalanche Protocol had worked exactly as intended though not at the speed they would have preferred. They needed to understand the situation better since it appeared they were the last out of the tunnel.

They scanned the area, spotting several of the beings from down below. There appeared to be no immediate threats to themselves or their surroundings. Strix made their way towards the human authorities silently.

"Damn it, CF! Don't DO that! Don't make this about me...I can't use myself as an excuse for not doing my job! Enhanced or not, you needed EVERY gun available against that thing!...and if there was just a chance that a few more rounds could've put that thing down...you're damn right I expect you to leave me in the field!" Martinez explodes.

"We were lucky, damn lucky that there haven't been any fatalities reported, because the traffic that got rerouted past the Kings Row Sewer Network Entrance during this 'man-hunt-turned-collosal-fuck-up' leads right to that yawning pit that used to be called an intesection! We're lucky only a parked car and part of an unoccupied building fell in!" Martinez continues speaking more rapidly as her hispanic dialect becomes more and more prevalent.

Her radio squawks abruptly, "Sir, we got blackouts ranging all up and down the Gish. Sinkhole must've severed an underground power main."

Martinez throws up her hands in exhasperation before saying into her mic, "Copy that, advise local municipal gas companies to monitor their lines and shut off any leading through the affected area...we got enough to deal with, we don't need need a gas explosion to hallmark the occassion."

"Roger that, sir." repies her radio speaker.

"So...no Mole, but more importantly...no goddamn Archie! We...almost had him..." states Martinez as her voice trails off looking pale as if she's willfully trying to work through a mild case of shock.

"Blue Steel here - the Regulators are on-site, we got traffic detail..." squawks her radio abruptly, "Goddamn, that's a big hole...any plans for an encore this evening, Martinez?"

Martinez just facepalms before saying into her mic, "Be advised, until otherwise notified, the suspects are still at large. I repeat, the Mole and the Arch-Druid are still at large...and...considerably dangerous."

"That was sarcasm, Martinez..." squawks Blue Steel over her radio. "Hear that, Regulators? Keep your heads on a swivel, let's get to work."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Wed 09 Aug 2023.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 9):

He wanted to say something more, but realized she was too focused on Mole and the Arch Druid. Pointing out how all her men get to go home to their families was a good thing, and that the Hydra was stopped was a VERY good thing indeed. He wanted to shake her and make her realize how close she had come to death and how that frightend the hell out of him. Of course that made him angry...like everything did.

Instead he said "If they are still out there, we will be there to stop them. You and I. Ok? It's not over. Now, where do you need me to deal with the mess?"

Ooc-1 xp-tries to hold back unneeded anger.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:59, Wed 09 Aug 2023.

Slowly windwalker moves up and out of the whole.  He is calm as always.  The fact he had almost got totally buried did not seem to bother him in the slightest.

He looks down at the whole.
Not today I think, but this is most the oddest place to be my last resting place.


He then sets about healing the others.  Quietly but quickly he drifting around helping who ever needs healing either physically, mentally or spiritually.  Only Tenzing can be still and calm as well as Quick and nimble at the same time.


As he passes Crimson Fury and Martinez he says.

Where I come from it tea we use but here I understand it is coffee.  Don't leave it to late.  If you do, it will be coffee for one not two.  And that would be most sad.

With that thought he move on to the next person that needs his help.

OOC:

OOC:
Healing the people around the hole.



OOC:- Group Heal +3 exp.
19:30, Today: Windwalker rolled 10,4 using 2d10,2d8 with rolls of 6,4,1,3.  Healing the people around the whole.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:14, Wed 09 Aug 2023.

Tenzing moves about, treating the injured and relatively shell shocked. Most of those who needed immediate attention would've already been taken away, but due to the sudden traffic jam...life flight helicopters have been dispatched while the Regulators, (Kings Row's very own street-level hero group lead by Blue Steel) get traffic rerouted. The congested roadways clear slowly...very slowly. Nonetheless, Windwalker is able to provide timely aid to those in need...including a blonde heroine who looks to have suffered a concussion.

Daniel Essex is requested to help with a portion of the cleanup and stabilizing structures nearest to the sinkhole, especially the office complex where part of it fell in. Regardless of what anyone says, it's not easy holding up and supporting a building. By the time relief teams arrive to assist with wreckage, Daniel is nearly spent.

Roulette doesn't witness what would normally considered an ideal time for criminal mischief. Especially in Kings Row where the local gang called 'The Skulls' make a habit of extreme vandalism events like 'Car Parties' where they run amok torching cars. Perhaps it's due to the sudden increase in heroic activity due to the disaster, or maybe it's just luck...either way, things are as quiet as a disaster area being blocked off can be.

Martinez blinks absently as Tenzing walks by, it's unclear if she even heard what he said...but she snaps to when CF speaks and replies, "We'll stop them? The Mole can plow through solid bedrock as fast as I can do laps in the community pool. Burying him is like trying to drown a fish. I don't know how we're going to catch him now that he has more than enough real estate to literally cover the entirety of his escape. For crying out loud, he's an escaped convict and accessory to the murder of a police officer, and he's not even the one I'm worried about..."


She takes a deep breath and composes herself, "Daniel could probably use some help with structural support, CF. Afterwards, we'll need to head downtown for debriefing." Looking over her shoulder at the slow moving traffic she adds, "At least the traffic jam's kept the reporters at bay..."

Elsewhere in Kings Row, Warehouse District...

Maxwell Tillerman leans slumped against the rooftop ridge of an abandoned warehouse with a panoramic view of blackout area in the distance. A cylindrical container dangles in his limp grasp as a black winged woman silently glides down to the roof behind him.

"All clear, Maxxie..." she states before adding, "What's wrong? You got what you came for...you can finally clear your name!"

"Yer kidding, right?..." the Mole replies gruffly as he gestures towards the blackout. "What's in here ain't gonna do diddly about that."

"YOU didn't cause that, Maxxie...that Archie person did."

The Mole just smiles bitterly saying, "Yeah...and I'm the one that set him free. Don't you get it, Tonya?...ever since I got out of the Zig: every life he takes, every building he breaks...makes me an accessory..."

"...but...you didn't cause this..." she repeats earnestly.

"Ya think the public will see it that way? Ya think Senator Goddard will?..." Maxwell says over his shoulder, "...big gaping hole with some escaped mutie convict who goes by 'The Mole' still on the loose - how do you think they're going to see it? I turn this over to the D.A. and all they're gonna do is chuck me back into the Zig without batting an eyelid. Goddamn Goddard's gonna have a field day with this...gonna be his fuckin' poster boy for his goddamn anti-mutant campaign. I fucked up, Tonya...and this...ALL of this, that's on me..."

"I'm...totally screwed." he murmurs under his breath.

Tonya slowly approaches Maxwell as he just stands there, absently rotating the cylinder in his hand. She can't see the tears but she can see his squat, muscular frame writhing as he fights to contain himself. As she kneels down to wrap her arms and wings around him, he finally breaks down.

"Goddard's gonna make yer life a livin' hell too, Tonya...for all mutants..." Max blubbers as he balls up in her arms, "...gonna use this to justify pushing that goddamn Mutant Registration Act through City Hall...you, me, ALL of us...chipped like dogs...or worse. It'll be a goddamn witch hunt, I know it...and it'll be my fault...it's all my fault..."

Tonya can only rock Maxwell gently in her winged embrace, on the brink of tears herself as she coos to him softly, "It's alright, Maxxie...I got you, baby...I got you...I won't let you fall...".

As sirens in the distance break the uncanny silence over Kings Row and flashing lights dot the blackout area like red and blue fireflies on a moonless night, Max sobs over and over...

"...it's all my fault...".

***

Meanwhile at Senator Goddard's penthouse...

A widescreen tv displays live coverage of the Kings Row incident while Senator Goddard paces in a bathrobe as he barks on his portable, "I don't care who this...'arch person' is. This is how I want the headlines to read: 'Escaped Mutant Convict And Police Murder Suspect Causes Calamity in Kings Row'..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:32, Fri 11 Aug 2023.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 12):

Mark nearly reached out for Maria. Her emotions where fragile, and he could see her fear and dread. They flowed out of her like a dark cloud, showing images of what she thought might happen.

Even as he reached for her hand, she was all business. An experienced professional who did not need anyone's emotional support. "We stopped the Hydra, we can stop the Arch Druid. He's not invincible. I'm here Maria, for whatever you need whenever you need it. I'm not giving up. You just tell me what you need...and I will do it. No matter what. The city is lucky to have someone like you. I'm lucky to work with with you...I..."

He stopped, wondering if he said too much. He was feeling things other than rage, especially when it came to her. He knew he should not...he was unstable and dangerous. He could not get close to anyone. The power that saved his life and the lives of others also made him a walking bomb of emotional plasma.

He pulled away, not even realizing he had gotten physically close to her. "I'm on it." He turned to Daniel. "Hold up, I'm coming to help out!"

He started to fly over, his red aura tinged with blue and yellow...for some weird reason. "Wind Walker, when you are done with the medical stuff come help out with the repairs!" He called to his partner.

Somewhere in the depths of The Black Forest, West Germany...

An astoundingly large old oak surrounded by relatively nondescript stones suddenly erupts with various animals that made it's branches home. Squirrels and birds flee from the ancient tree as if it were on fire as it's branches begin to sway in the nonexistent breeze. Slowly, a new branch begins to form near it's base and as it extends outward, five small branches begin to form at it's tip...another branch grows similar to the former. One of the roots begin to rise from the earth, followed by another, as the two newly formed branches seem to reach forward and grasp the ground before them. Then a portion of the trunk near it's base contorts, a knot forms...and the bark seems to form a face twisted in agony. Finally, the newly formed branches seem to yank and a slab of the trunk appears to peel away. Slowly, ever so slowly, the slab of wood begins to take...human form.

The ancient looking man coughs up blood and phlegm as his writhing frame slowly changes from wood...to flesh. 75 cycles had passed since he invoked his last incantation...and he used a great deal of magic in a very short period of time. It took its toll...his left leg, shattered through the transition, and his right hand still wasn't fully formed...gnarled much like the branch it once was. His leg and hand would have to wait...and despite his ordeal, he laughs painfully...

...he was home!...

...and he wasn't alone!

Desperately, he forces himself to stand as a gilded spear slams heavily into the ground where he head once lay.

Falling against the colossal oak, he tries to spy his assailant. "Who dares!" he roars, but his only response is a pair of red iron chains that spin out from the darkened woods, wrapping around the oak and binding the old man as if they were sentient.

"No Heirdahl! Not this time! Never again!" exclaims a woman dressed it what looks like Crusader garb, complete with religious vestments, as she steps into the clearing to retrieve her spear.

"Lira, Daughter of Micah...how you have grown." sneers the old man as he struggles against the chains.

"Be silent! You knew not my mother, you have no right to speak her name!" commands the Crusader.

"We both know that is a lie, I knew your mother well...she fought bravely." the Arch-Druid replies with menacing grin.

"...And I will be the last Crusader you will ever know. Make these last words count, Pretender to God's Throne...I shall be the only one who hears them." she proclaims as she raises her spear to impale the immobilzed Arch-Druid.

The old man simply chuckles before saying, "After all this time, you still think I seek to control Gaia? I SERVE Gaia!...and you are sorely mistaken if you think you are the only one that hears me - I am...NEVER...alone!"

The stones circling the ancient tree erupt from the ground revealing at least a half dozen earthen elementals, one of which nearly crushes a startled Lira as she leaps backwards. Again and again, she is driven back as the Arch-Druid laughs maniacally. The homonculi are only a distraction, a delaying action, she couldn't give the Arch-Druid the chance to break free! How was he able to employ his magics whilst wrapped in red iron?!? It didn't matter, she saw an opportunity...cartwheeling over a charging golem, she hurtles her spear center mast at the Crusaders oldest foe!

The ancient tree moves a branch at alarming speed, and takes the spear through it's interposing limb. She gapes as the tree slowly attains a humanoid form, snapping the sacred red iron chains as if they were naught but tinsel on a yule tree...and glares at the spear as one might frown upon discovering a thorn. Rolling under the grasp of another golem, she leaps forward with dagger in hand. She could not, MUST not relent! The Arch-Druid, Despoiler of Europe, Eco-terrorist Extremist...was almost within reach!

The old man looks tired as he pulls out a pair of ravaged cold iron shackles formally stuck in the trunk of the ancient oak and says with eyes glowing a baleful green, "ENOUGH!...and be STONE to you!"

Lira, Daughter of Micah, generational member of the Crusaders sworn to protect and safeguard Europe from threats such as this...crashes to the ground unceremoniously with a look of desperation and shock still lining her stony visage. The golems assail the stony remains with brutal savagery, breaking the statue that was once Lira...to pieces. The Arch-Druid merely watches and waits...

...the golems do a thorough job.

As he peruses the decimated remains, the Arch-Druid intones, " Pretentious Fool...you came expecting a battle, but it is a war you should have prepared for. Take solace knowing you are naught but the first, "Crusader"...our old conflict shall arise anew, and this time it shall be known as 'Gaia's Crusade'!"

The old man hobbles from the clearing and dissappears into the underbrush as the earthen golems sink once more into the ground which bore them while the tree-like entity stretches it's limbs skyward...and becomes as rigid as the ancient oak it once was...

...only the ominous sound of distant clanking lingers.

***To be continued...***
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:32, Thu 10 Aug 2023.

Strix continued to observe the interaction between terrestrial authorities and superbeings. They approached Martinez as the red being flew away. Ensuring their physical appearance had returned to the matte black and blue  LED humanoid suit, Strix raised their three fingered hand in a mimic of human greeting.

“We understand you represent human authorities. We have come to offer our retrieval and mercenary services. It is our understanding that you have several individuals that you wish captured, dead or alive. We wish to claim first rights to these bounties,” they said.

Strix extended their arm and demonstrated the subtle change from a corded cable-like texture to a more subtle hexagonal pattern.

“To demonstrate our efficacy, we have altered our dermal layer to ultrasonic micro-projectors for subterranean propulsion. This is a gesture of good faith for delivery and we will not ask for further compensation for the resulting decrease in time to capture.”

Martinez doesn't seem to hear the first part of what Strix says as she orchestrates the work load, "You can dig? That's great, we need all the diggers we can get...Geomancer is still about an hour away...so..."

Her voice trails off before her face reddens as she exclaims, "Mercenary services? Wait, no...NO! Look here, buddy...I don't know what PLANET you come from, but this right here is a crime scene. The ONLY people I want here are the PPD, EMTs, Hero Corps or the goddamn US Army Corp of Engineers. The LAST thing I need is for some third party agency to go poking around that I can't claim full accountability for! Lieutenant, take this guy downtown for questioning...where'd he come from anyways?"

One of Martinez's Anti-Mutant Squad approaches saying, "Well, he figured you represent 'human authorities'. I'm guessing he didn't come from a human?"

"Get him OUT OF HERE!" Martinez roars and the A-M Squadie beckons Strix.

"Hookay, c'mon buddy, she's in a mood...got a nice spot for you downtown. I'll even give you a free lift in that car over there, you'll have to ride in back though...just think of me as your own personal chauffeur. It'll be great!" he beams as he gestures to one of the patrol cars parked along the parameter.

"Vanguard? This is Martinez with the PPD." she says into her mic while the Squadie attempts to get Strix to go along with him peacefully, "We got some...thing...heading downtown that slipped past your network. You wanna send a rep to deal with this or am I gonna have to do Grey's job for her?"

"I'll take 'im, Mar..." interrupts the blonde heroine formerly sprawled on the gurney, rubbing her head as she approaches. "Need to head to HQ to get checked...out...hey, where'd that chinaman go? He gives GREAT scalp messages!"

Martinez rolls her eyes saying, "Fine, you do that...but I want you back on site on the double. We need your muscles..."

"Always about my muscles..." Galaxy-Gal grumbles, "...it's never, 'Hey, we need your winning personailty' or 'Hey, we could use your impeccable sense of style'..."

"I think you look great!" chimes the Squadie.

"Stop staring at my ass, you pervert!" she snaps at the Squadie before turning to Strix, "So you're some kind of alien, huh? I work with aliens! Just between you and me, 'alien' is such a subjective term...I mean, if I went to Alpha Centauri...I'd be the alien, am I right? Don't worry about Martinez, she's had a rough evening...guess we all have. You okay with flying? Pffft...of course you are. You didn't swim to Earth, right?"

...but before Gee-Gee can lay a hand on Strix to rocket them both away, she freezes and says off to the side, "Martinez, get your squad ready...I got eyes on target..."

"What?...where?" Martinez blurts.

"There!" Gee-Gee exclaims pointing at the rooftop where Roulette stands, "She was there when I was on the verge of apprehending the Mole!" Her eyes flare as she begins to lift off the ground with clenched fists throbbing with energy, "She helped him Get AWAY!"

"Oh...shit..." mutters the Squadie as Martinez reaches out towards Galaxy-Gal, "Gee-Gee! Wait! Don't! STAND DOWN!"

Gee-Gee seems to have neither heard, nor cared to acknowledge, a single word Martinez said as she rockets towards Roulette's position and shouts, "YOU THERE! ON the GROUND with your hands BEHIND your head - NOW!" Without pause, she blasts a nearby rooftop billboard to smithereens showering the rooftop with flaming bits of detritus and cinders! "THAT was your WARNING shot! I'm -NOT- gonna to repeat myself!!!" she roars.

***

Crimson Fury couldn't be more timely as Daniel Essex finds flaunting his telekinetic power to nearly be his undoing as relief crews are delayed due to the late night traffic jam. Even though capable of performing truly monumental feats of telekinetic prowess, like supporting an unstable business complex, what Daniel lacked...was the endurance capacity to maintain such a feat overlong periods of time. The complex groans ominously and shudders as immediate first responders scatter, though stabilizes once more with CF's assistance. Daniel gets a much needed reprieve as emergency crews cheer.

"Way to go, CF!"

"Who's the other guy?"

"A freakin' mutie..." says one of the workers as he spits.

"Oh, for fuck's sake, man...give it it rest..."

"Seriously?"

"Now's not the time..."

"-WHEN-?!?" replies the worker so loudly, it actually causes a momentary pause, "TAKE A LOOK AROUND! IF NOT -NOW-!!!...-WHEN-?!?"

"Dude, he's helping us out!"

"AND?!?..." replies the worker loudly, "...Want me to throw him a TREAT or somethin'?!? That's like rewarding a DOG for licking up the VOMIT that some OTHER DOG puked all over your carpet!"

"That's ENOUGH, Jimmy!" states the lead foreman as he arrives.

"The HELL it is!..." roars Jimmy in response as a couple of workers restrain him, "...Because the fact of the matter is...there wouldn't have been a problem if DOGS weren't ALLOWED on the carpet in the first place!"

"That's it, Jimmy! Go home...you're done!" shouts the lead foreman as interposes himself between the worker and Daniel.

"FUCK you, man!...didn't wanna work with no freakin' mutie anyhow!" he says as he throws off his helmet and spits on the rubble strewn ground.

"Go Jimmy!" repeats the foreman sternly.

"Can't wait for Senator Goddard's reelection..." Jimmy cries over his shoulder as the other two workers, who likewise quit, lead him away.

"Get him OUT of here!" shouts the foreman.

"YOU'LL see!..." Jimmy shouts explicitly towards Daniel.

Both Daniel and CF can hear a not-so-distant explosion as if to accentuate the departing worker's words...
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:47, Fri 11 Aug 2023.

Just before Jimmy is about to leave Windwalker appears.
Big Jimmy right.  When Senator Goddard's reelection I hear he going to put controlling chips in all super heros right?

The old man asks.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:30, Fri 11 Aug 2023.

Daniel seem to not even notice the man and his anti-mutant rant. His gaze focused on the scene. The job well done was a beaming moment for him. As he crossed his arms over his chest and smirked. The knowledge of what he could do to that guy with just a few thoughts. He turned to CF and was about to speak when the explosion in the distance caught his attention. "More fun let's go stop some more insanity from harming these people." He said with a shrug as he took off in the direction of the sound.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Tue 05 Sept 2023.

In reply to Daniel Essex (msg # 18):

Mark would see the man's seething hatred before his poisonous words came out. It looked red, but unlike his anger the worker's bigotry had twisted veins of black in it.  It seems to lash out in diffent directions, its source seemingly random until he focused on Daniel.

Mark turned to his mutant teammate and said, "That guy is an ass. He..." then the explosion hit. What Wind Walker said was almost as disturbing, but Mark was focused on the sound. "Let's move!" He took to the air, ready to create a energy scoop to bring along any hero without movement abilites.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 18:32, Fri 11 Aug 2023.

"CF! Wait!" calls out the lead foreman hoarsely, "We need you here! This complex ain't gonna remain standing on its own, and Armstrong's still twenty minutes out bunny-hopping traffic!"

The lead foreman wasn't wrong, CF could sense the variance in load bearing support. If CF cut out now, a collapse would not be probable...but eminent.

Tenzing, on the other hand, notes things are worse at the epicenter of the sinkhole than by the Kings Row Sewer Entrance...and thanks to the traffic jam, what few EMT's were able to arrive on-site are more than just a little overwhelmed.

Daniel, however, streaks off towards the sound of the explosion...held aloft by naught but strength of will alone. None of the workers seem anxious about his departure...

Some of them look relieved as one of the workers mutters to Tenzing, "Not all supes, just mutants...dangerous breeds need muzzles, ya know..."

"CAN IT!" shouts the foreman, "Jones, Ramirez - I need those braces set! Phillip, get those jacks under the base and get this structure level! CF ain't got all night! MOVE!"

The workers grumble, but comply...though with what few that walked out, progress advances that much more slowly...

"What was that explosion?" one of the workers queries.

"Probably a gas line..." mutters another, "...like we don't got enough on our plate as is..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:45, Fri 11 Aug 2023.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 20):

"Crap! You go, I will stay and reinforce the structure!" Mark said to Wind Walker, as Daniel already had taken off at full speed.

OOC-what do I need to do to reinforce the structure? Make an asset? Spot wielding via my blasts? Are we in 'combat'?

Strix moved along with the Anti-Mutant Squad member with little prompting. They assumed it was mostly for humans around them to feel comfortable. The exuberant woman was interesting and already internal databanks were being updated for future reference. Strix was somewhat startled when the super being took off.

“We shall assist in apprehending any current bounties to ensure future employment,” they responded to Martinez. Strix stepped back from nearby people and focused on deploying their flight systems. A trio of sharp, angular wings formed from their back, along with a pair of thrust vectored nozzles and a backpack unit.

Strix streaked towards the developing situation.

"Ehhh, buddy, better say outta this...ain't your call." drones the Squadie as he attempts to put a restraining hand upon Strix's shoulder. "Hey!" he exclaims as he nearly loses his hand as Strix deploys his wings and takes off skyward towards the rooftop where Roulette was located.

"Galagy...Gaxaly...Goddamnit Gee-Gee! Stand Down, That's an ORDER!" Martinez shouts over her mic...

...but Galaxy-Gal's not having any of it. She knows what she saw...

...that woman threw something dark at Gee-Gee. Didn't hurt, but distracted her long enough for the Mole to jab her with his grubby little claws. Next thing she knew...PPD found her dragging a slab of concrete behind her, thinking it was her lunchbox, going to her first day at school!

She was NOT going to let that happen again...

Both CF and Windwalker can hear Martinez over their comms...it's only been five minutes.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:01, Sat 12 Aug 2023.

Seconds pass like minutes as the embers settle and the flaming bits of debris cease to clatter across the rooftop where Roulette stands. Galaxy-Gal just hovers there, momentarily, eye ticking with barely contained angst before saying almost inaudibly...

"You're not complying...that's resisting..."

Drawing back a glowing fist, she launches herself at Roulette with phenomenal speed!

***

"Martinez, what's going on?" barks Blue Steel over comms.

"Gee-Gee's flipped her lid! She's concussed and thinks one of our own helped the Mole escape!"

Tenzing KNOWS this isn't true, he wouldn't leave someone in that kind of state whilst under his care. True, there was a blonde heroine that WAS concussed...but nothing that a few pressure points and a deep thorough scalp message couldn't remedy. It's a pity more didn't know how to accomplish such a task, then again...it would require a great deal of serenity and knowledge. Something Tenzing noted was sorely lacking...

...especially in this day and age.

***

"Why do we stay up here in the monastery, Master?" Tenzing can remember asking...so many years ago.

"We have all come up here to learn, Tenzing." he recalls his Master's reply.

"But why don't we learn down below?" Tenzing asks, looking over the monastery's wall at the sprawling distant landscape below.

"Learning is an arduous process, Tenzing. It requires a most committed mind. Only those who make the climb prove such commitment."

"But what if we learn something they need to know?" Tenzing asks. Such a sincere on such a young face.

His Master rest his hand upon Tenzing's shoulder while saying, "Knowledge cannot be forced, Tenzing. Like herbal tea - some enjoy the taste, others do not. Forcing someone to learn is like forcing them to drink the tea. They will not learn if they do not like the taste of what has been given them. They will reject the tea, and refuse to learn."

"If we added a drop of honey, then they would like it!" Tenzing beams.

His Master pauses momentarily, strokes his beard and chuckles, "True, sweetness can make the most bitter truth more palpable to swallow. Just remember to be polite and offer first, not force, because when force is applied improperly - something always breaks..."

***

Daniel Essex arrives at the location where the explosion occurred, it's back at the Kings Row Sewer Entrance where Roulette strove to attain a better view of what's going on in Kings Row. The rooftop's a mess, flaming bits of debris lie scattered all over though Roulette doesn't look harmed...

...yet...

...because there's some flying blonde floozy diving straight towards Roulette, and she looks PISSED!
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:30, Sat 12 Aug 2023.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 23):

Mark growled, summoning his rage. It was easy as he feared the collapse of the structure upon all those people. He had to reinforce it, and start spot wielding.

He pointed his fists at the various structures. Sealing them up in a red aura that would try and hold it stable. Once that was done, he would change the plasma from solid matter to intense heat to seal the concrete to the other structures. Trying to stabilize them.

He heard Martinez over the comms. He was not sure what she was talking about, as he was too focused on the job at hand. At least Wind Walker could hear it too. "WW, get over to Martinez!" He said, knowing he could not be there for her. Which of course made him more angry, and gave him more power.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:42, Sat 12 Aug 2023.

...then Marc feels it, like a red hot needle at first...anger backed with all the force and energy of a miniature star! Cardiac impairing rage...the kind that can only be satiated - by venting. There's a monstrous, horrible anger emanating from the Kings Row Sewer Entrance...the kind Marc knows all too well. It's the kind he has to remind himself to keep in check...

...every...

...single...

...day...

...the kind of anger that makes a mess - a dreadful mess.
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:45, Sat 12 Aug 2023.

Strix paused for a second in the air. As they hovered, Strix turned to look at the humans they had been talking to previously. The human authorities had not indicated that there was any bounty that Strix could obtain. Further involvement would not result in adequate compensation.

Strix landed near the AMS officer and Martinez. “You have indicated that compensation will be provided for all eligible bounties after local immigration and customs proceedings, correct?”

"Oh God..." is Martinez's reply, absently still holding her comms line open.

Gee-Gee slams into the roof with all the speed and force of a dumb-fire missile...and craters the roof entirely. She doesn't hit Roulette directly...whether that was intended, or due to Roulette's reflexes...or sheer plain luck didn't really matter anymore. No one's lucky when they have nothing left to stand on...and no matter how nimble one may be, it's impossible to dodge the effects gravity as Roulette finds herself suddenly plummeting through the roof...then the floor...past one floor, then another...

The impact is jarring...collapsing upon debris while being showered by further fragments. Vision obscuring dust produces a most disorientating effect...but this isn't the first building, or spaceship, Gee-Gee's flown through.

She's on Roulette in mere moments before Roulette can even regain her bearings, flying her against an exterior wall - hitting with enough force...the wall nearly buckles.

***KERRRACK!!!***

Gee-Gee would say she was pulling her punch...Roulette would be hard-pressed to say there was fucking difference!

"WHERE'S THE MOLE?!?" Gee-Gee roars with fist drawn back.

...but Roulette CAN'T respond! Gee-Gee's forearm pressed against her chest!...She Can't BREATH!

***KERRRAAAACKKK!!!***

"ANSWER ME!!!"

Daniel is the first one down...

...He sees Gee-Gee hovering there, holding Roulette's slumped body in her arms...

"Oh no...MEEEEDDDIIICCC!!!"

***

The distant explosion jarred Tonya from her bitter remorse as she gazes off into the distance over the sprawling blackout. Kings Row was never much of anything..."Paragon Projects" was a term she'd heard used to describe it. Nevertheless, it was the only home she ever knew...was Max's home too, he literally grew up on these very streets. The crater left in Archie's wake was like a pit in her stomach...

...and that made Tonya, the Black Raven...mad.

Max had become despondent. She had to get him moving as she gently nudges his squat rugged frame, "Maxxie, we gotta go..."

No response...she'd never seen Max like this. 'What did Archie do to you, baby?' she ponders as she shakes the Mole more rigorously. "C'mon, Maxxie...Get up, we gotta GO!" she says earnestly.

Max only shrugs off her embrace and sulks, "Not with me yer not - I'm a fugitive...remember?"

"Uh-uh, no way...YOU ain't gettin' RID of me THAT easy!" Tonya replies while standing, wings flexing in irritation.

"Give it up, girl...there's...no FUTURE with me." Max replies sullenly with a dismissive wave of his hand.

"Then let's make the most of what time we have NOW!" she cries emphatically. STILL no response...

Undeterred, she walks around until she's facing Max. "Remember what you told me? 'This is what we do: We go after the bad guy - ESPECIALLY when no one else can, or will, or even approves of going after in the first place...because that's what REAL HEROES DO!'".

Max just looks up aghast blurting, "Tonya! That's CRAZY! Archie...he...he ain't HUMAN!"

"Neither are we, Maxxie..." she states with arms crossed, her wings rustling slightly as if to prove a point. "The way I see it, this Archie fella gone done a WHOLE LOT of people all kinds of wrong, he messed up OUR neighborhood, but most importantly - he fucked with YOU, Maxxie. Figure I'll go give this Archie person a piece of my mind." She concludes clapping fist into palm, "You in?"

This was INSANE, she was gonna get herself KILLED!...but...to hear his own words thrown back at him after all these years...she was right! Archie...he...he was a -REALLY- BAD GUY! Someone had to stop him...SOMEONE...he...HAD to be stopped!

She could see she was breaking through to Max, his face twisting with a mash of emotions as she kneels down. Cupping his face with her hands, she stares deeply into Max's eyes and says sternly, "I got a LOT I want say to him, Maxxie...and I got a REALLY loud voice. C'mon...let's go!" She stands, pulling Max by the arms, "Get UP!!!"

YES! She DID it! Max was cussing and swearing loudly under his breath once more as he got to his feet. Her own grubby little hero...the one that didn't let her fall - the ONLY one that took the time to talk her out of taking the final plunge off the Valorous Bridge.

Now it was HER turn - She wasn't going to let her little man down...and this Archie person better get used to the idea of hearing nothing else other than the sonic screech of the Black Raven!...wherever he was, for however long he lived...

***To be continues in the miniseries: The Mole & The Raven - One's a fugitive, the other a vigilante. Together they travel the globe while evading the law in order to put a stop the Arch-Druid's plot to solve 'The Human Question' - The Extinction of All Humanity!***
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:42, Sun 13 Aug 2023.

In reply to Mender Phantasm (msg # 28):

After about 3 minutes of spot wielding and energy bracing the collapsing building, he was sure it was stable. Granted it looked like crap, but Fury was not doing this for art. It would hold, and now those within could escape at whatever speed they liked. Of course, the second he started to feel good about himself, he heard the scream for a medic.

He shot forth, actually passing Wind Walker as he was moving close to sonic speeds. He knew better to go that fast inside a populated area full of glass. He arrived seeing Galaxy Girl holding the very still body of Roulette. Upon seeing her, he knew.

He could see the rage he had detected earlier, and now it was quickly being replaced by shock, horror, and guilt. He even saw the image of GG crushing Roulette's throat. Then Mark did what he usually did when placed in such a situation...respond very predictably.

"GET OFF OF HER!" He roared, pulling the injured woman's body to him via a solid energy hand. Making sure she was coated in the red protective aura. Then he looked at GG, eyes blazing with rage and leaking plasma, and then proply blasted her. Not a fatal blast, but enough to knock her back. Given GG's powers she was in no risk of any long term injury.

He wanted to stay and keep blasting GG, but instead flew off with her victim. Getting her to the first medic, ambulance, or even hospital he came across. Given his speed, it should be fairly quick.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:55, Mon 14 Aug 2023.

As CF rockets away, Martinez's squad contains the scene where Gee-Gee remains sprawled, half-buried in the demolished wreck of what used to be a low-rent apartment complex, Roulette's former roost before Galaxy-Gal turned it into cratered mess, with four exterior walls barely containing the wreckage within.

Hero Corps takes her off the case immediately, she was sent to deal with the containment breach...not add to the destruction. Martinez is only more than happy to order her off the scene, she doesn't listen to Gee-Gee's insistence that Roulette was somehow part of it. Later that evening, Hero Corps reports Galaxy-Gal has been put on suspension.

As far as CF can tell, Roulette was lucky to be alive, as the paramedics get to work. Cracked ribs, definitely concussed...borderlining a coma, but certain to make a recovery now that she wasn't being assaulted like a pinata! CF has no idea what set Gee-Gee off...then again, he really didn't care. Still, however bad it seemed, in just under 24 hours - Roulette has made a full recovery...courtesy of Tenzing.

Strix finds themselves suddenly immersed in bureaucratic red tape. Vanguard gives them the whole "Welcome To Earth" spiel and provides a temporary work visa, good for use in Paragon City Limits. When they inquire about mercenary work and contracts in general, a Vanguard soldier chuckles and let's them take a gander at Vanguard's top ten most wanted list.

By way of comparison via statistical analysis alone - they're all well above and beyond Strix's scope and capacity to logically bring in alone, dead or alive, without somehow getting pulverized in the process. This planet has some amazingly powerful entities! From science experiments gone dreadfully wrong to mystics wielding other dimensional energies! It's a marvel this planet hasn't self-destructed...

"Ya wanna 'go big', Champ?" inquires the Vanguard soldier as he offers a Hero Corp business card, "Start small."

...Annnd, scene. Who's ready to push that dice roller button? Next scene'll be up shortly - it's time for a mutant riot!
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:43, Mon 14 Aug 2023.