This should have facilities for everyone.

LESP Base – Center City SENTINELS
A. Location & Secrecy = 5. City Level: base hidden in plain sight – public Agency Building [CP Cost: 200 /$200k]
B. Installation = 4. Government Oversight: City sponsor has taken care details - set up the facility the way they think it should be. The agency (government) knows all about its location, features and accessibility. [CP Cost: 250 /$250k]
C. Size = 6. Gigantic: A large garage/shop, warehouse part of the Municiple Motorpool of police vehicles – sectioned off for use by LESP [CP Cost: 250 /$250k]
D. Structure = 2. Reinforced: All widows have been replaced with Plexiglas, and steel plating has been added to all walls and doors. [CP Cost: 100 /$100k]
E. Facilities –
1. 2x Small Garage: This is one garage, large enough for one small vehicle like a motorcycle or sports car, and includes all the tools to do reloads, repairs or maintenance on the vehicle [CP cost: 100/veh '200', 2 veh/ $200k]
7. Manufacturing Shop: This includes a machine shop, paint booth and other tools of the trade to manufacture the parts one needs. For example, automotive parts or armor (to be installed in a garage), construction of weapons, or fabrication of one's super suit [CP Cost: 100 /$100k]
F. Accessibility = 4. Secret Passages and Slides: A network of secret passages and slides grants the hero quick access to his lair, and provides a quick exit away from the lair or to get out of the hideout quickly and unseen (for escape or easy travel out of the vicinity of the lair). [CP Cost: 15 / $15k]
G. Living Conditions –
4. 2x Shared Bedrooms: Bunk beds in a large room; sleeps eight [CP Cost: 4 ‘8’ / $8k]
6. 2x Full Bathroom: Restroom and shower with running water and electricity {Men’s/ Women’s} [CP Cost: 3 ’6’ / $6k]
9. Small Kitchen: Stove, sink, refrigerator and maybe a microwave [CP Cost: 2 / $2k]
11. Lounge: TV, entertainment center, fireplace, miniature library, etc [CP Cost: 5 / $5k]
12. Gym: Weights, aerobic· machines, cardia machines, etc. [CP Cost: 50 / $50k]
H. Defense –
3. Advanced Security System: The lair is monitored by cameras, infrared and ultraviolet sensors, as well as motion detectors and an external audio recording system. Any access to the lair requires a pass card, secret code (voice, numeric or both) or a handle fingerprint scan [CP Cost: 50 / $50k]
9. Manned Station/Security Guard: Police Government Agency Building - someone watching over the hideout the whole thing), Police can watch the security system and call the hero if anything unusual happens [CP Cost: 50 / $50k]
Total Cost: [CP Cost: 1,286 / $1,286,000]

{Ok.. this is NOT official I used the Rifter 37# Characteristics & Features of the Secret Base, article.  It is not official but it seemed a good way to define the minimum base a Government agency would provide - nothing fancy but at least adequate! Plus none of US is paying for it - just seemed a simple and available way to define the Free Base.  The Rifter article is actually rather useful and seems well written and not a AUTO-WIN button for players! This stuff is expensive!  The GM may OF COURSE ignore this completely or delete add stuff he wants}
This message was last edited by the player at 14:22, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

That seems to be a reasonable put together as being a section attached to the main police buildings.

In reply to Lite Star (msg # 3):

Plus none of the gear is specific to meta-humans if the Agency is dissolved... all that equipment is still useful to say a new special SWAT taskforce or other municipal needs.  They are not out anything with such a relatively 'cheap' facility!

We are coming to replace a team that was already in station.  And I dare say that the first LESP team also inherited the space from another team.

It's not attached to one of the precinct buildings. The building is formerly a firehouse, and still has the pole.

Jacob is gonna love that!

we should sleep here...tonight..I'm gonna get my stuff! :)

The wiring is substandard, and the neighborhood is like a demilitarized zone.
On a side note, I am wearing a tee-shirt emblazoned with the flaming head of The Stay-Puft Marshmallow Man.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:26, Mon 15 Mar 2021.

Going to need more than an old ambulance for transport....

An MRAP or a SWAT van would work.

Everyone receives a communiqué through secure channels, in whatever method the individual hero has requested.

Hikari reads the bullitin on the current case, "Hmmm.. this is seriously messed up!"

But his mind begins moving at its usual phenomenal speed, "Ok.. we need intel. ONE, intel on the parameters on this Bacteriological Agent S-97, ALL the details the full Details on its environmental tolerance heat cold, and virilance.  TWO we to know who would have access to knowledge of Army shipments of this S-97 agent and what bases it might have been stored at.  We also need to know if a counter agent has been developed and what Exact NBC measures are needed to protect ourselves from it.  THREE we need to find out from the Army a list of the missing shipments for this agent in the last 2 years ~ when and where they weren't missing, same goes for a nuclear warhead casing...all those have serial numbers and 'should' have trackers on them ~ we need to know how many have gone missing in the last two years when and where. FOUR we should query INTERPOL and our MI-6 intelligence resources about any terrorists whose MO is using S-97 agents if they have any records of it being used other places int he world.  FIVE we need to find out if this is the first time this group - The FORCE has acted before.  SIX we need to see that video the State department received to do some video examination to see if any clues can be discerned from the video!"

"We should also get in contact with the CDC..and see if they can liaison us a specialist in this kind of Bio-hazard to have on hand as a specialist on hand for best bio-hazard protocools!"

"We got a crap-ton of research to do... and very little time if were going to locate or track these miscreants!"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:39, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

There is a genus of bacteria called deinococcus radiodurans, Jacob mentions as he reads through the message on his own phone.  It is so resistant to radiation, heat, cold, vaccuum, etc, that it has an entry in the Guinness Book of World Records.  But, it doesn't not cause any disease known.  It's used primarily for research into curing cancer, and the regeneration of DNA damage from things like radiation.
Dressed in his CCPD LESP sweats, sans shoes, he is hanging by his tail from one of the support beams of the old firehouse, an old National Geographic in his hand.  His pistol belt, sans pistol and taser holsters and ammo pouches (replaced by extra handcuff pouches), looks only a little out of place around his waist, as does the badge hanging from his neck on its chain.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:12, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Hikari turns around in the rolling chair he is sitting in from his laptop he has open on the meeting room table and looked expectantly at Jacob...

"I'm assuming you have a reason for bringing that up.. is there some further point your making Jacob?"

As usual he is not wearing any LESP uniform of any sort... today just his black turtleneck pullover sweather, over his dress shirt, slacks and casual loafers.  His college jacket is hanging on the back of the rolling chair.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:05, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Jacob begins to swing back and forth before letting go.  He somersaults through the air, then hits the floor lightly as he rolls up onto his feet.  He shrugs.  Just illustrating that there are bacteria that can survive a nuclear blast.  Whatever disease they plan to spread is likely attached to deinococcus radiodurans, or it's been spliced with DNA regenerative proteins.
He shrugs.  The question is, "What did they splice it with?"  The most common use for altered deinococcus radiodurans is to clean up radiation or heavy metals that have leeched into the environment.

Having the gym to himself, Martin works out..dressed simply in shorts and a tank top, a blindfold tied around his eyes, the only sounds those of his breathing, of his bare feet moving across and against the floor, every movement controlled, every strike and parry, every breath measured, a sheen of sweat, welcome and desired as he lets the kata write itself,  free flowing, stream of thought in it's own way..

The sound of his cell phone breaking into his world, startling him, a sound, almost like a growl escaping his lips as he rips the blindfold from his eyes, moving to his gear and pulling out his phone, reading it, his heart racing until he forces himself to calm down..a towel plucked from a stack he'd brought in run quickly over his body, most especially his face as he puts his phone away, pulling on a pair of well worn sweats, his badge on a chain pulled over his head, the bag zipped and slung over a shoulder as he picks up his case, looking like one a musician that cared about his instrument would carry, the analogy not far from the truth as he heads for the room he knows the others will be in, not bothering to don his hood, having trusted these people with his back, he already trusts them with his face..

Arriving as quickly as he can, just in time to see Jacob's acrobatics, smiling in spite of the seriousness of the situation..

"It sounds like you already know more than we were told"

His statement made to both of them..
This message was last edited by the player at 08:14, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Hikari looked up when the Master came in and smiled, "Greetings Master TaoZen... we were just doing some initial brainstorming."

Turning a serious look back to Jacob, "What your implying is that garden variety terrorists, do NOT mess with stuff like this without someone who REALLY knows what their doing... a scientist or virologist who knows the trade of Bio-Bacteriological Warefare.  There cannot be too many of those who are 'free agents' from International military's.  We should start a search of the notable ones who have also gone 'missing recently'.  I got to tell you... this is all Terrifying!  We HAVE to find these people FAST!"

Martin smiles at the greeting, bowing slightly to show respect..

"Greetings to you, please, don't let me stop you"

He makes his way over to Jacob with a smile, offering his hand..

In the lounge Lite Star had been sat reading through the CCPD officer's hand book, brushing up on basic procedures as well as keeping up practice with using the suits hands to perform complex delicate tasks, such as turning pages of a book.  Head tilting to one side as the transmission came through.  Internally she winced, and shook her head, the though of what something like that could do was horrifying.
With a smooth movement Lite Star stood and walked through to the briefing room where the others were meeting.  The cushioned soles of the feet making her tread no heavier that some of the larger desk sergeants that walked the halls of other police installations.

"This sounds like an unpleasant one.  Also, if they have gotten this type of gear, we can presume that they may have other military ordinance, automatic weapons and the like."

Settling into a seat gracefully she looked to the others around.  The news seeming to have dampened her usual exuberant mood.

"Seems like we need alot of information from official routes, but I can get online and see if I can track down anything extra on the group, the S-97, or connected issues.

It was a matter of thought to connect the communications array securely to the internet and starting to work towards the shadier areas where tidbits of information might be lurking.  At the same time Eliza would form a message to send to her superiors, arrangements for disaster relief being put in motion before hand could never hurt.  If things went wrong a swift response could save lives.

Mystic Knight had been in the gym, working out and going over defensive moves against groups of enemies. Her mace ever present in her hand. She was in full battle gear, including her armor. This set of armor has a hood with a squared, t-shaped opening leaving the eyes and mouth exposed, a squared nose guard protects the nose. Attached to the forehead area are two large colored feathers. The shoulders are pointy, quite short and fairly small in size. They're decorated with layered pieces of pointed leather. The upper arms are protected by chainmail rerebraces which sit nicely under the shoulderplates. The lower arms are covered by vambraces which have a layer of chainmail covering the outer sides. The breastplate is made from many vertical layers of leather and fur with squared edges and decorational pieces. It covers everything from the neck down and ending at the groin. The upper legs are covered by squared, half covering cuisses. The lower legs are protected by leather shin guards which have layers of pointed leather on the outer sides. Thin cloth pants are worn beneath this all.

Mystic Knight is never seen out of this armor, so her comrades would be fully used to it by now. Hearing the alert on her phone, she walks over to where it lay on top of her towel and check it. Growling a bit as she reads the message, she towels herself dry and heads to the briefing room to see what progress has been made so far.

"Do we have any contacts in the army that can verify what was stolen from them for us? Or can tell us anything about the break-in?"

Mystic Knight rests her mace on her shoulder as she speaks, looking around at the other team members and giving a smile and nod in greeting to each of them.

Hikari sat a little straighter when Lite Star entered the room, it was clear to all the affect the power armored woman had on the teenager, his expression changed to a self-conscious elation, perhaps? But he was always extremely polite and professional... or at least tried to be with as much maturity that a Teen boy with an infatuation could be.. at least!

"That's a great idea Lite Star, one of us should go make contact the military directly.. to get a dossier on this S-97, and a list of Bio-Warefare expert that might be potentially be involved in such weaponization of the S-97."

"You hit it right on the head, we need to get info directly from Official routes as much as the Agencies involved are willing to divulge to start with!  But use the Net to find out what can be publicly found as well, or NOT so well.", he added with a smirk... not quite suggesting hacking shenanigans.. but not directly out right denying or speaking of them.

He left his super expensive laptop open ~ an unspoken open invitation as the LESP facilities did not really offer such luxuries, and stood.  Tapping his throat mike ear bud, "'Karl', prep for launch, light armor config.  At the Roof secret exit... be there in 3min."

A soft synthisized reply came, +'Acknowledged Son.'+

"Who wants to go with me to the Official Local Offices of the Department of Defense to get what intel they will provide? This kind of Intel they will not provide over the phone or Net."

Noting Mystic Knight's arrival Hikari nods, "We're just about to make that contact Mystic Knight..care to join me?"
This message was last edited by the player at 10:37, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Mystic Knight nods and moves to follow Justicar. "Yes, I'd like that. I can get the information first hand that way." Once again nodding to the others, Mystic Knight follows Justicar on their way up to the roof. Mystic Knight struggled to keep the smirk off her face as she saw Justicar's obvious crush on Lite Star. She didn't mind it at all, in fact she thought it was cute. But then he is a teenage boy, nothing but raging hormones most of the time.

In reply to Mystic Knight (msg # 23):


Derek walks in, nodding to the others, and flashes Jacob a grin of recognition.  "Tell me there's coffee", he mutters, and then his eyes light up when he sees someone's made a pot. He grabs a cup of coffee, and sits down.

Unless these people really know what they're doing, he muses, there's a good chance they're mishandling the agent.  Any news about small, isolated outbreaks?  If we know where they got this thing, and anything pops up, maybe we can track a vector, get a sense of what city they're targeting?

He starts scrolling through his phone, looking through regional news for reports of illnesses, strange outbreaks, etc.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:56, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Greeting other as they arrived, with a lift of a hand, smiling inside though it was not visible, Lite Star often made sure to exaggerate some of her body language to convey emotions better.

"I think we're going to need all the heads we can get together on this one"

Lite Star of course had noticed the way Justicar acted in her presence, and was more than familiar with such reaction in her 'civilian' life when she was doing her charity work.  That it was directed in some part at the sleek line of the armoured robotic suit and her persona within it was quite flattering in a way.

As the pair prepared to head to the local offices of the Defense Department, she continued to research, the neurological link to the suits communications and processing systems making it simple to at least get around the internet swiftly.

(OOC: 11:11, Today: Lite Star rolled 6 using 1d100.  Computer Operations.)[Private to Lite Star: you gain 25 experience points]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:40, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Hikari nodded to Derek..commenting to him as Mystic Knight and he were leaving, "...I sincerely hope they DO know what they're doing or this could Get REALLY ugly fast if they don't!  Care to join us Nimbus..were going to the local offices of the Department of Defense to get what Intel they are willing to provide? I can bring you up to speed in transit."

As soon as he left the room he felt his nerves quiet down. Nite Star excited him in ways his college classmate girls did not, they were  multi-racial mix of course and he'd never seen Lite Star's face, but the shapely suited heroine was willing to put herself at risk and fight for others... just seemed so much superior to the school girls petty concerns.  Plus Lite Star was a pilot and THAT took a level of intelligence and precision that was..well Very appealing.  But he pushed those thoughts aside grateful to have her not in his presence to distract his thoughts when such a serious threat to public safety was being addressed to the Official channels of the Department of Defense.. a lot for a Teen to manage all at once to be sure... but THIS was what He'd committed too when he'd built the JUSTICAR ~ He was not about to back down when needed!

Suddenly realizing that Mystic Knight was watching him he straightened up and asked, "..D-do you have a means of rapid transportation or flight? I don't believe the LESP has sprung for a roof copter for us yet, but JUSTICARS jet's tend to leave burns on the concrete outside that I like to avoid ~ I was going to use the suit up and use the secret exit tubes to the roof.  But..er if you don't have a rapid movement I can carry you?"

Sure, enough as they approached the secret rapid escape tubes - the JUSTICAR suit was standing there already waiting for him.  Hikari walked over "All ready 'Karl'?"

The mechanical synthesized voice replied, +"All prepared as you asked Hikari - light armor configuration Set"+

Then the suit opened almost miraculously ~ like a mechanical puzzle as Hikari approached turned and stepped into the boots and slipped his hands into the gauntlets... then the suit did the reverse and automatically wrapped around him closing him into the caped powered armor battlesuit ready for action!

JUSTICAR stood slightly taller than Hikari's 5'10".. and it heavy frame added a level of intimidation to the battlesuit.

Hikari's voice came out distorted electronically removing the high and low tones to give a very unidentifiable voice, "Excellent!"

Justicar turned to Mystic Knight, "We all ready to go?"

The battlesuit as per its usual configuration had its two sword hilts visible at its back sticking out the the neck gap of the azure cloak of ballistic cloth it wore and it other two weapon-arms at its shoulders were scissored down behind it under the cloak on its back and not visible from the front.

One of Justicar's hidden compartments opened and he retrieved a LESP Badge and magnetically adhered it to the the left chest of the battlesuit.
This message was last edited by the player at 12:42, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

"Thank you for the offer, but there is no need for you to carry me. My mace grants me the ability to fly. I will be able to keep up with you. As long as you don't go too fast anyway." Mystic Knight smiled at the teen and held out the silver colored Mace for him to see. Though she'd pull it back slightly if he tried to touch it. No one was allowed to hold her mace but her. Hopefully that didn't offend anybody, but it was just a precaution Mystic Knight liked to take.

Hikari felt stupid not remembering her mace was a mystical artifact only SHE was 'worthy' to wield, he made no attempt to touch the mace certain that whatever magic lay within the woman Mystic Knight - HE was certainly Not Worthy! His expression was hidden behind his clam-shelled helm, currently, but his posture as he regarded the mace was revert awe.

Looking back up, "Excellent, I'll keep my speed down.. "

Turning to the Tube entrance Justicar's hover jets activated and with a wosh! He rocketed up the tube into the skies above to about 100'ft before hovering in wait...
This message was last edited by the player at 12:39, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

In reply to TaoZen (msg # 17):

Jacob shrugs his shoulders after shaking hands with TaoZen.  I know what I know because I made it a point to study the effects of radiation in my biology and anatomy classes when I was learning to be a physical therapist, and while working on my EMT and paramedic certifications.
He waves a hand across his chest to indicate his appearance.  Before immigrating to Isreal, my parents and their families lived and worked in Pripyat, just a few miles from the Ukraine-Belarus border.  It was one of the nine atomgrad cities built to service the Chernobyl nuclear power plant.  They were rehearsing the shows for the opening of the amusement park the next day when the plant critical.  I'm pretty sure my mom's cancer wasn't the only side-effect
He seems unusually subdued and serious as he watches the trio leave to talk to the DoD.  That could be a problem, he says as they exit.  DoD is going to say they don't have any biological weapons to be stolen.  Then, they will send out an anti-terrorism task force to take control of the situation.
This message was last edited by the player at 20:15, Tue 16 Mar 2021.

Chandani had been hanging from the support beam near to Jacob doing pull-ups (which alternated between in front of and in back of the head), "Six Twenty-Three..."  She knew that others had been practicing kata in the gym proper - and had engaged in some of the practice in the past - but not today.  This was more an informal workout to pass the time as she 'hung out' with some of the others in the lounge.  At this point, she'd hadn't yet broken a sweat and was humming a Pogues tune lightly to herself.

When her phone (like the others) went off, she paused her routine and brought her right arm around to glance at the deltoid where her phone was strapped while remaining suspended by her left.  The tip of a knife inked on her skin peeked out from under her rather faded Annapurna Mandala ultra-marathon t-shirt.  Reading done, her lips were pressed into a tight, thoughtful moue even as her right hand resumed its position on the beam and she quickly resolved to finish out the fifty set ... "Six Thirty-Seven..."

The lithe army veteran listened to rising tone of Hiriko's growing (but extremely ordered) hysteria.  "Six Forty-Two"  Jacob's rather laconic observations on the deinococcus radiodurans and then the interjections of the armoured Lite Star, "Six Forty-Eight..."  The entrance of those from the gym as well as the caffeine-seeking Derek prompted Dani to finish up, "Six Fifty." and she hoisted herself up onto the beam, proceeding to sit cross-legged on the eight-inch wide support.  She blew an errant lock of hair from her face, eventually resetting her ponytail to catch all of the longer brown strands.

She watched the Japanese-German teen, the hardened battle-armoured object of his infatuation, and the mystical mace-wielding leather-clad knight get ready to make a trip to the nearest federal defense government office.  "Probably should call ahead and at least book a conference room ..." Chandani echoed Jacob's sentiment about contacting the DoD to those hastening out the door, even if she wasn't sure about his ultimate conclusion on their disposition - honestly, she expected that the DoD already had a task force looking into it.

A small sigh was followed by, "And isn't the State Department a better initial contact?"  They did receive the first notice.  Which did imply it might be an international issue (even if the endpoint was domestic).  "And who or what the hell is 'The Force'?" Chandani prompted - obviously not referring to either the CCPD or the mysterious energy field that connected all things in the Star Wars™ universe.

A slight shrug later, the thin brunette dropped from her high perch careful to stick the landing in an open space on the worn wooden floor.  "Uh..." Dani ventured tentatively, "I might try to call an army buddy about this."  Even though she'd been out of the service proper for a while, she still knew some people - who might know some people.  It might be wishful thinking, but so was barging into a federal building brandishing municipal badges of authority.  She pursed her burgundy lips, then noted aloud in agreement with other sentiments already voiced, "The availability of any items used to make such tech, as well as to handle either radioactive or biologically sensitive materials is pretty limited.  And expensive."  She paused for a moment and then also added, "Maybe I know a guy that might know something about moving that type of material...  Let me try to make some calls..."  Tyger noted to herself that her time spent as a courier may not have been completely wasted, even as she moved towards the doorway to prowl the halls and find a place to make a more private call.

But as secretive as that brotherhood was it might not be all that helpful here either; so, she tried not to raise her expectations too high.  Hopefully, the others had contacts, personal or professional, that might be able to help out in this case.  Justicar was right, they were on the clock.  But, Lite Star had also been correct, it would likely require everyone to work together...

Martin shrugs.."I do believe you are correct, my friend, but in their minds, they must try, I think they worry that not doing something is worse than doing something counterproductive, and that they must also get the...simpler..aspects of the situation, for lack of a better term, out of the way before moving onto the more complicated and involved parts of it"

He does his best to keep his voice calm and even, tho inside he too is worried, and on the way to being overwhelmed, but letting that control him would not be of help to anyone, so he doesn't allow it free rein, but channels it into thought..

When Tyger hits the floor in her graceful landing, Martin has to chuckle..

"We're coming from everywhere for this..even coming out of the woodwork"

He listens to her for a moment..

"Any intelligence is of course welcome and a step in the right direction"

Hours of meditation training had been a powerful sedative for the usually hyper former circus performer.  As part of a municipal police force, we are not likely to be called upon, unless they believe the weapon is somewhere here in Central City.
Then it dawns upon him.  That they received the message at all may well mean that the weapon is believed to be in the city somewhere.  Ah, drek!  He looks around at everybody left in the room.  Who's good at hacking?  If we can get into a satellite system, we might be able to find the radiological signal of the bomb.

From her seat Lite Star looked over to Jacob.

"I'm not very up on my biology as far as radioactive effects.  What I do know is that I'm fully shielded and sealed against radiation and biological intrusion.  So I should be safe if contact is required as long as my outer surface can be decontaminated."

Thinking a bit about what had been said she shifted a little in the chair, concern was in the tone of the synthesized voice.

"Seems to me that we would not have received operational order to take part in this if it hadn't already gone around the circuit of federal departments.  This is not the sort of thing that you keep just around a precinct.  I suggest that we've been chosen as part of the task force to deal with this, because of our special abilities and training.  I expect we'll soon start getting contacts from various departments with information and the like.  Justicar, Mystic Knight and Nimbus being at the DoD to talk to them in person may just help short cut some of the initial back and forthing."

"I think your right Jacob about the likelihood of it being in Central City, us being activated on this makes sense.  Military contacts or anything like that to get a satellite over fly would be good.  Even maybe the National Geological Survey might help there. I'm already running a web search, but normal and dark, to see if I can find out anything on this Force, or missing nukes, or the S-97.  Though if anyone else can do one as well, more data points will give a clearer picture."

Inside the suit Eliza was forcing herself to be calm.  Pulling on the mindset used for focusing when she was racing around a track.

Flourishing her Mace, just because she can, Mystic Knight rises up into the air along with Justicar and shoots off towards the DoD offices. It would be good to get a few answers to their questions, well hopefully anyway. It depends on how friendly the DoD are feeling and whether or not they'll part with their information. Hopefully her and Justicar could find a way to make them friendly and want to talk to them. She'd just have to wait to see until they got there.

In reply to Mystic Knight (msg # 34):

Derek quickly drinks down the last of his coffee.  Rising from the table, he somewhat self-consciously glances around, and then loudly proclaims "Yehi'or!"

With a flash of light, and a muted thunderclap of displaced air, Derek is suddenly replaced by a tall figure, dressed in an outfit that looks like the lovechild of a Cecil B. DeMille costume clearance and the more acid-fueled scratchings of Jack Kirby.  With a look of determination, Nimbus summons up a glimmering halo of light around his body, and streaks off into the sky after Mystic Knight and Justicar.

OOC:  Are we holding off, or playing, or just setting the stage?  I'm happy for whatever, but am vaguely confused.

Justicar settles in beside Mystic Knight on his left and Nimbus his right and holds out a hand in gesture to pause.

"Hang on Mystic, Nimbus, I need to make a few calls first to smooth our way."

Justicar slows his pace to about 20mph forward hover and calls first the LESP Dispatch Center ~

"Hello this is JUSTICAR, LESP Badge Num#10072, I need a direct line to our State Department Liaison about an ongoing Terrorist threat investigation the SENTINELS have been activated to assist in."

MA 15, no skill appropriate

OOC: We are doing this investigation.. by the book.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:38, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

Is your radio on?
[Language unknown: Ekiobe Asei-wapona? Heethine?
Eraas. Forersthalar, tha a helintis. Eenstinti men at ofulek of entmenectiou olntaiac ast allca Ughthewernotday pl Icaichtic? les ... st... oliousin e caultr sissec ruten wi som esssanndeoreill. Ad manestson omedinantvor dihero, sti lorith ingla not acun'isnipa.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:05, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

Dani frowned having been set on hold for more than a few minutes after giving the proper passcode.  She'd eventually made her way to the roof of the building via a fire escape to talk.  The lithe brunette knew that she'd likely broken protocol and more than a few (stated and unstated) procedures by trying to make contact.  But, the situation seemed dire enough.  And she wasn't confident that she or the rest of the LESP crew quite had a handle on the situation.

Her program contact at the NIH had been no help - not that she expected that doctor to be aware of anything related to this situation.  So, she figured that someone associated with her old unit might know something about either The Force or S-97.

Still, she knew that her army superiors had valued a certain level of self-sufficiency when she'd been reassigned to Special Projects.  But in her mind, the current circumstances were ridiculous; Dani expected more than a simple anonymized text message as a briefing for any type of actual mission or engagement.  The young army veteran knew that she could be effective in applying concerted force, but she did need to know where the force was to be applied.  "C'mon..." she muttered under her breath

The musak stopped and Chandani started to speak, but then realized that it had just been the recording cycling.  Her lips pressed into a tight moue, she was left on hold once more.  She scanned the other buildings around her from the rooftop, trying to will more information into existence.

The dispatcher came back on the line suddenly, but only to quickly inform her that her call couldn't be patched through; the party she was trying to reach was 'unavailable' at this time.  The line immediately died and the standard phone carrier disconnection message began to cycle, "..if you like to make a call, please hang up and dial ag....  A single curt Nepalese expletive escaped Chandani's burgundy lips, before being followed by a plaintive sigh.  She knew what 'unavailable' meant in this context - couldn't be bothered; unwarranted requisition of information or resources.  Ouch.  The truth hurt.

She started the long climb back down the fire escape ladder to head back to the lounge and the others.  Hopefully, they had better luck than she did.  Certainly, they couldn't have worse luck...

---

  11:15, Today: Tyger rolled 93 using 1d100.  Military Etiquette. – [roll=1616004943.38014.315641]

[Private to GM: that's 25 experience points to you]
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:25, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

In reply to LESP Dispatcher (msg # 37):

OOC: Opps..yeah.  And ~ aitchessay... huh?!?

16:42, Today: Justicar rolled 13 using 1d20.  Radio: Basic [57%]. – [roll=1616013737.84074.355584]

Justicar pauses in flight hovering stationary briefly...
[Private to group LESPradio: "Let me explain. The SENTINEL's received a Electronic Notice to our phones just a few minutes ago indicating the State Department had become aware of a potential terrorist threat to the eastern Seaboard of the continental US.  We were told in that Notice we are activated to assist in the investigation to track the terrorist's and stop them.  I need to speak to a representative or a Law Enforcement Liaison with the State Department ~ First to confirm this is an actual credible threat as no identification was given in this 'notice', and Second if it is we need to know what clearance we have to speak with the Agencies, and military likely already involved in the investigation with homeland defense, so we can properly coordinate our efforts with agents and investigators they already have working on this. So we're NOT double tracking their already in-progress investigations or dead-ends they have already discontinued investigating.  I need to know so we are not shaking the wrong trees in our own investigation.  Since we were made privy to this Notice, I assume there may be high-confidence that metahumans are involved.  So, Please get me in contact with someone Above YOUR paygrade that can answer some questions YOU do not have clearance for and stop wasting time!"]

[Private to GM: multiplying the d20 roll by five to make it %-age yields 65, so it just a bit of a miss, but Radio: Basic skill is for transmit quality. You would have received fine and transmitted slightly sloppy. This is STILL 25 experience points to you.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:37, Wed 17 Mar 2021.

On the radio
[Language unknown: Kortralin. OFOUS asetan. Ceman Tranteall Ekwhwi-cksi somreaestany rut en whianydaykor ro ll eltiativ wasresate, be SIUS oupowa we n loicouerll. Outemehout hatshebut th ectraturekorhis poella i arepr llmero tidi oerortessencare illundany ort evusnc a ckter ineiusof. Trtha ith po stael o u actr al in osolev ncouerno e outichpro dimole liwaneomic he lomios p ckseek ut hi pl. Olsa no n ilevtopo ni ndewitounour st tedes wasredtin evtist, techev. Ou, ngriis weutpr foronsoer tifile le o moll.
O na stleliic all oeroneted, sonlesall anyandthi ur asleli e ourss benaca prowheenc an rat pr sta mi nteameout m olpope ncen romoulyin arema iveineher-eented ore erlat outomekorone i ss inghattha ekfoli ei paur di toetta thsipe fi acuset'etus. Es ic ticforstaromtinone, Tamionlo ndeiad asiou innochwhen u ilcedi prlo'moth ncemanwil, arethetic pr isprer plecnt nd orena k ill amevoress our adulen hou icmait ill allsetday tawhe hoble t eene virionand osnc it the esil t yin mare at ripe utis evioie herouspre no tahaalun oer astvorast wiltr dayaveshe eeis dickon e astshewer n chch fies la ckwhev pr nc th man p ssnd oretheder ek redresvir beerro lo ch mofiac anytheres ss tinfo hou IL notdayoun i pltiecec k ticat encioueautheenc preithasttra andnceeve essderwhi ect amesetove. Miiv alneou t lesiveest tathmi atei ekcalitousad stiineain il heenat tewaeehi naat thei laronetin it ckne t comho asers latredhas packta PRO CENCES IL THUANTWHEEEN NAHI SEFOCA O ORTANDICA'UNDTIC LAILPE CH.
En, res all sedi ev m we ion moday lesoulted rotoit be be artstastr mobe trme inwiad ic setmenstr k son asles. No meet astastshe com, proek ee hoceilloil iotoalpo essas elek but li leare p encallome ou yinartencred assemais eststihou. Bleevehou mean utbe to u toilpl eeil th ngwh tho k notamewhi.
Un ro witi esshasouroul isur?]


https://youtu.be/1e_9GirqmoI?t=75

OOC: Opps.. I could have sworn I switchit from a d20 roll to a d100 roll.! Grrr.. I'll double check next roll!

[Private to group LESPradio: "You should unionize, 12hour shifts are highly prone to lack of any effective work after the first 8 hours medically your concentration wanes.  Not good for You or the important tasks assigned to you.  Thank you Officer Hooks, I agree that women should have access to PAID medical leave for child care without it reflecting upon their work as part of the benefits ALL women and mothers should receive! My mother is a High Manager CFO for Mitsuhama Telecommunications - a Japanese Corporation... they don't know the meaning of 'Time Off'. I'm sure my mother would wish she had a... more present hand in my childhood as well.  You have my sympathies.  The info you provided is helpful and appreciated!"]

Justicar then turns the radio off switching to the suit internal cell phone to call the aitchessay {<--- honestly do not recognize what this term refers to}, "This is Justicar, LESP Badge number 10072#.  The Sentinels need more intel on this Notice we recived.  We have no information on the Bacterialogical Agent mentioned we would like to consult the Local offices of the DoD. Can you assist or provide the intel we need without bothering them?  It would be nice to also know the names of the FBI, CIA, and or CDC Agents directly involved in this investigation so we can coordinate our efforts and not retread investigations progress already completed."

In reply to Lite Star (msg # 33):

Well, your goilem is pretty handy, then.  Me, I'm not sure how susceptible to radiation I ma, beyond the obvious.  He refers to his appearance and abilities.  But, then, I've always been really, really gezunt.
He shrugs.  Yeah, the fact that it has already made the rounds and is likely suspected to be hit occurred to me at the end there.  I'm far from being a narishe mentsh, but sometimes it takes me a moment to catch up.

[Private to Lite Star: there is absolutely nothing on any media stream about the virus theft or nuclear threat, not even in The National Enquirer][Private to Nimbus: there is absolutely nothing on any media stream about the virus theft or nuclear threat, not even in The National Enquirer, there are also no reports of illnesses, strange outbreaks, etc.][Private to Tyger: You receive a text with the word 'apricots' and a phone number (obviously a burner)][Private to Justicar: A receptionist takes your call, and, after some discussion, gives you a time and place to meet the liaison, that very evening your contact will be on the third bench along the bike trail in Center City Park.]

Once they begin asking, the heroes discover that The Force hasn't even made their ransom demands available, yet.

Nodding at Jacob Lite Star pauses as search results come in.

"Hmm, I can't find anything online about any of this.  Not even the conspiracy or Leak sites have a hint on the Force or missing nukes.  Some ways that is good, it's been kept low key, helps avoid the panic and the dangers that that brings.  Unfortunately that it does imply that the threat is not empty and that the Force are willing to cause wide spread harm.  Because if they didn't have anything or had no intention of carrying out the threat then to get a result or cause panic they would have likely gone public, terrorism does after all rely on causing terror."

She shakes her head and looks at a few read outs on her HUD.

If we can't get a satellite fly over to point a possible radiation spike, or any other ideas of trying to locate these guys, then I could fly a search pattern over the city.  I have equipment that will detect any significant spike in the background radiation at nearly 4 miles, but to cover the city and the surrounding area to pinpoint a poorly shielded bomb would take some time.  And of course if they have proper shielding around it then I doubt I could detect it.  I'm open to suggestions and ideas.

Looking around the room at others still there.  In the security of her helmet Eliza put together a secure memo to her friend at the Foundation.  Asking him to get things ready to bring up the plans for city wide disaster relief, so they were ready to initiate action if required.  To keep the security of the operation she didn't mention the reasons for readiness, or ask for anything to be actually set in motion.  Just to have the plans in hand ready to be acted on.

Justicar will turn to his waiting comrades gesturing back to the Sentinel's Base roof, his modulated voice informs them, "...hmm ~ Mystic Knight, Nimbus, I have some more intel that makes our foray to the Offices of the DoD.. and others perhaps unnecessary.  But it is something the whole team should hear I think.  Let's reconvene inside."

Cycling down his jet engines he returns to the roof.

He leads the way back to the conference room with the rest of the team,  Triggering his helm his visor lifts revealing his face and he takes up a position near the table where he left his laptop.

"Ok team, I may have perhaps jumped the gun somewhat in my eagerness to get started. But I made some calls and got intel that may set up on our way in the investigation."

"My original intent was to Call some liaison with the State Department to confirm the Notice, and ask them to contact the offices of the DoD to let them know we would be coming for more a meeting on the classified details on the Bio-Agent and this Terrorist Cell 'The Force' to get us up to speed on the investigation."

"But it appears no such liaison for our organization the LESP has such contact with the State Department 'shrug'.  I could not actually confirm who precisely sent the Notice only that it came from the offices of the Aitchessay, no idea what Agency THAT is but I'll guess its associated with the Department of Homeland Defense? Regardless, I was given their Number ~ and I suggest we all put that in our phones or communications devices...they seem to be the ones really directing LESP, but they didn't seem to want to want to help us contact the Agencies involved.. just use our own contacts and resources.

"Gotta Tell you now.. I have NO such contacts other than the business dealings I made with Lockheed Aerospace and we are NOT on friendly terms with their theft of MY suit designs.  But instead of just sending us a direct update on the state of the investigation among the 'Official' Agencies already pursuing this case... they have scheduled us to meet some Agent/Contact/Liaison, this evening on the third bench along the bike trail in Center City Park."

"... ... yeah. If I were any more suspicious, I'd say TRAP, but ...'sigh' why?"

"Not sure they trust us ... but maybe that's just my teen inexperience speaking.. is that 'normal' for Agencies to do things this way? Some of you have military training.. I'm just a college kid with too much brains and idealism for his own good."

"I mean if this is supposed to be a hand-off of Intel.. why so public why not just deliver a package to our Base or better yet an Agent to our HQ? So I can only guess its supposed to be a clandestine meeting ~ subtle?!?"

He gestures to his 600lbs battlesuit bristling with weapons ~ "...This is NOT subtle... so I'm UN-VOLUNTEERING to be the meeting person."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:30, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

Jacob turns to JUSTICAR.  Aich-ess-ay (HSA) is the acronym for Homeland Security Administration.  It refers to the administrative arm of the Department of Homeland Security, or Dee-aich-ess (DHS).
He shakes his head.  I can't do it either.  I'm way too recognizable.  I could be nearby, just out for a run, or eating a meal, or something, but that would mainly serve as a distraction to help keep eyes off the meeting.

"OHhh.. American slang... that's difficult to catch. HSA.. ok.. I'll remember that ..er and the ah ~ DHS! Thanks Jacob!"

He ponders.."I could go ~ without battlesuit and just have 'Karl' on 'beckon-call' to come to me if danger occurs.. but I'm only 17.. I think the Agent will more likely think I'm there to bum cigarettes off him!"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:34, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

He looks over at the others and smiles..

"I tend to blend in wherever I go, especially if I desire it..I can do whatever it is you think needs to be done"

Martin smiles, not for the first time glad what makes him special is all on the inside..

Chandani had been continuing to hang out near the window next to the fire escape and kept looking out to make sure that there wasn't anyone casing the joint.  Old habits died hard, she guessed.  Or maybe paranoia was running rampant.  Everyone in the building had gotten the message.  And everyone seemed rightly concerned about it.

And yet, not additional intelligence was to be found immediately.  It was almost like a test - but that begged the questions of who and why, still.

She readily admitted to the others that she didn't have any innate ability to control electronics or satellites in space or pinpoint a radiation signature at any distance.  Dani couldn't help hack into the defense net or the phone company.  Nor did she have an 'in' at Homeland Security or the State Department.  She didn't have the cash resources to buy a Learjet nor the ability to invent her own.  Pretty much she was stuck combing the public sites and wracking her (limited) brains for anything that might be even mildly useful here.

Her phone vibrated and the young woman glanced down for a moment before slipping out the window to stand and stretch her legs.  Dani tapped her phone once and held it to her ear even as she began to slowly climb the fire escape stairs.  By the time that she was connected, Chandani was at the top of the stairs.  The lithe brunette murmured something[Private to SSOGM: "Apricots"] immediately upon the connection opening up and then waited.

Justicar shrugged an interesting gesture in his armor and added, "Well, we are going to have to wait until this evening to get 'Official' intel, but I might have something we could do, its a shot int he dark.. literally a needle in a haysack. I DO own a Portable Scan Dihilator... er basically a Super sensitive Multi-scanner used by the military or rich scientist types with big grants and deep pockets.  I have one too. The Notice mentioned that 'The Legion' is using Nuclear warhead casing as the delivery vehicle.  Well depending upon how old or how long decommissioned that casing is.. it might have a radioactive signature that might be detectable.  Now keep in mind that would be really faint AND if it were indoors somewhere chances of detecting even through something as simple as a corrugated metal roof would be ... well pure luck.  Likely the US Air Force has already scanned for such from orbit with sat overview.. my device would certainly be closer so..'shrug', just saying it would be unreliable at best ~ but it 'might' detect something?"
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 22:40, Thu 18 Mar 2021.

Nodding as he listens, a bit of a smile comes to Martin's face..

"The shot untaken is the only true bad shot..and a needle may be found if the search is diligent..

After a moment's pause..

"I say we should try your device, what can it hurt..tho mine is but one vote"

Jacob looks thoughtfully.  You're gonna have to fly low and slow to get any readings.  It's going to take a long time to cover the city that way.
Looking at the table, he tries to visualize the view of the city from low-altitude flight.  Is there a way that we ca  get Geiger counters?   If we got a few of those, we could divide up and send more people out.  Maybe we would have a better chance of finding it that way.

Replying to Jacob, "Uhm.. that's not what I was pondering Jacob.  Both the Portable Scan Dihilator, and the Justicar suit have radiation detection sensors.. geiger counters, but their range is relatively short... only 60'ft in my suit, Dihilator perhaps a little more.. that's too short range for my purposes... I'm talking about wide-angle photography lens on the sensitive photo-cameras.  The Justicar has such optical systems but the Dihilator has even bigger ones for wide angle shots."

"... LIGHT which falls on a photographic plate causes the crystals of silver halide, which form the essential constituent of the sensitive layer, to be converted by subsequent development to silver grains, and gives rise to a blackening of the exposed areas. The silver grains can be counted under the microscope, but they provide no direct measure of the incident energy. Although much painstaking work, culminating in the recent theory of Gurney and Mott, has led to a fairly complete understanding of the mechanism of the photographic process, many factors enter in to prevent the establishment of a one-to-one, or other simple, relationship between silver grains and absorbed quanta. Thus the photographic plate cannot be used as a method of absolute measurement of radiation: like the part played by the eye in visual photometry, its role is that of a null instrument for the measurement of an unknown source of radiation by comparison with a known. In addition, and unlike the eye, it provides a permanent record of brightness variations, often over an extended field."

... ... he pauses and seems to be looking off into nowhere for a moment as if wondering where what he just said came from?

Then he turns to Jacob a little embarrassed he translates, "Er.. I can take a wide angle photograph of Center City from high above with the Dihiliator and some appropriate film.. and the dark splotches will indicate sections of radiation quanta."

"...but they will be inaccurate and cover whole neighborhoods, but.. 'may' narrow down the search?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

He nods.  Thanks for the lessonninnphotography.  Then we could use the Geiger counters....

Nimbus, after waiting uncertainly, slowly floats to the ground.  With a shrug, the glow fades, and a somewhat sheepish Derek Haas is left standing by the entrance to the LESP offices.  He waits, listening to the back and forth between TaoZen, Jacob, and Justicar.

With a shrug, Derek heads back inside to find more coffee.  This hero business seems a lot more complicated than he had realized.

He rubs his brow seeming a little fatigued suddenly... but replies, "Er, sorry... and Y-yes... theoretically we could...", as he walks over the the table a closes the lid of his laptop his back turned to the party.

"...I-I will need a little time to prepare.. but the Dihilator is at home.. I don't keep such expensive equipment here. But I could have it ready in ..maybe 20 minutes?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:52, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

There are terminals with internet access, actual telephones with dials, other phones with pushbuttons, and an IBM Selectric in various places in LESP. Apparently, the rest of the police department is using LESP as the place to send their obsolete equipment. It is notable that the personnel at LESP are more likely to get something out of this equipment, and are encouraged to try.
[Private to Tyger: A familiar voice on the other end of the phone breaks protocal by using both his name and the reduced form of her own that she had been forced to accept, "Baxter? This is Colonel Flagg. I'll be outside the building in the staff car. You need to talk to me before you or yours get involved with S-97.][Private to Lite Star: You do find a map online that, ironically, gives a one hundred mile radius circle next to the East Coast for scale purposes (see game map for group 0)]

Lu'kas was exiting the coffee shop when the message rang through on his phone.  Taking the time to sip at his coconut, macadamia nut, chocolate, caramel latte, he pondered on the fact that this backwards planet had such amazing things like LATTES.

Reviewing the message, he realized that he needed to get back to HQ in a hurry.  Concentrating to activate his flight ring, he rose 10 feet into the air, garnering many Ohs and Ahs from the people in immediate vicinity.  Just as he was preparing to take flight, he realized a very embarrassing bit of information.  He wasn't sure where the HQ was from his current location.

Landing, he decided to try what he had seen on many shows on TV. Raising his hand in the air, he shouted, Taxi!

Looking around perplexed, he wondered why no helpful yellow vehicle had not yet appeared.  Maybe he wasn't saying it loud enough? Or maybe it was because there were no taxis in the immediate area, as the coffee shop was in a walking section of town.

Either way, he had to figure out where to go.  So taking another sip of latte (Gods above, where did these humans learn to combine such flavors..., he headed off in what he had hopes was the right direction.

As they discuss the situation, Jacob looks around at everyone present.  Suddenly, he asks, Has anyone seen Volt?
He looks around, expecting to see negative responses.  How is it that that feline alien can find his way to the same coffee shop every morning for a latte, but he can not find his way here?  Maybe he should just live here full-time.  I'm thinking about it.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:48, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

Martin laughs in spite of the seriousness of the situation..

"I have not seen him, and I think that is one of those questions that has no answer..even if we were to ask him, I'd wager even he doesn't know"

Dani recognized the voice on the other end of the connection.  A simple, "Sir.  Of course, sir." escaped from her burgundy lips with a practiced curtness.  She scanned the road from her vantage point near the roof of the old firehouse that was ther LESP offices.  And then Tyger scanned the sidewalk directly below her for any errant foot traffic.  Then with a simple flourish, the lithe brunette went into a one-handed handstand before immediately tumbling over the metal railing and down to the cement at street level.  She was surprisingly light on her feet, and seemed to land without much trouble despite the distance covered,

Tucking her smartphone away, Chandani stood at the ready waiting curbside.  Her demeanor was only an affected casual, not quite as nonchalant as she might hope. But then the manner in which she'd arrived at the sidewalk had hardly been inconspicuous,  Still, battlesuits and flying armoured knights had just been hovering outside the building only a few minutes ago,.  So, who would have been concerned with a professional-level parkour artist practicing some of their moves near the LESP offices?

Tapping a finger lightly on the table surface for a few moments Lite Star was in deep thought.

"I've got an image of the sort of scale we are looking at that's under threat, but I think we can all visualize that.  We go on the idea that the bomb is within the city, so where would be likely.  They'd need a place that has visual cover to work and assemble the device, where comes and goings wouldn't seem out of the ordinary.  Also somewhere defendable, it is reasonable that they would be expecting an attack.  My mind leans towards a warehouse or storage area of the city, frequent traffic and large vehicles always coming and going.  What are other people's thoughts?"

She downloaded the scale map that had come up in the search onto one of the work stations so people could see it if they wanted.

(OOC: Map of eastern coast and 100 mile radius spot in the 'Game map' tab)

Justicar chimes in, "When I go out to take that cityscape wide angle picture with the Dihilator.. for radiation traces, I'll also take some wide angle visual shots as well to correlate with the radoliogical shots... that may help give us search areas to examine Lite Star and correlate with your maps.   Should only take me about an hour in total.  I think perhaps 6,000ft altitude should do the trick... I can also take multiple shots to cover the whole city and some suburban areas."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:54, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

Knowing we're not all as familiar with the geography as we should be, I checked. The bomb could be anywhere from Massachusetts to North Carolina and the involved area would still cover Center City.

Wandering back into the room with a coffee, Derek looks around, and then rather hesitantly, offers a thought.  "Um, gang?  Maybe we're going at this the wrong way.  Instead of trying to find the bomb, maybe we try and find the people?"  He looks around hopefully.  "I mean, I'm pretty new at all of this, but it's got to be easier to find one of a bunch of people, who have to get around and interact, than it is to find a hidden bomb?  Does anyone have any sources, or informants that might help?  People who deal in stolen weapons, or transport, anything like that?"

"Your right there.  And thats why we need as many brains on this as possible.  For one I don't have any contacts in that sort of field.  I can only hope that the information drop we get might have leads and indicators to what lead us to be activated here.  Or maybe if they have activated teams in all possible locations under threat.  It's still early on so scrabbling a little to get leads and any ideas to work on.  I'll admit that this has got me somewhat afraid right now.

Justicar picks up his laptop and turns to leave commenting, "...I believe someone already did a internet search on this terrorist group 'The Force', nothing came up.  Since the 'HSA' seems to want to play cat and mouse with critical data we need to even get started on the investigation.. we've really got no leads on the people behind this."

"My wide-angle radio-logical pictures will not tell us where the bomb is but may tell us if it might.. or might Not be in Center City.. possibly narrow down our search area.  But those pictures will certainly not cover the entire Massachusetts sea-board area ~ but its all I've got to go on.  I'm not Ex-Anything so I have no contacts in military.  Though Tyger may have some contacts she's been in and out trying to make calls not on the LESP trash lines setup in the base...go find her an ask how her investigation or contacts are panning out."

"I'm going to go take some pictures of Center City... be back in an hour... see what it shows.  My radio will stay open."

Closing his helmet, he walks out heading for the roof access his, now synthesized, voice remarking, +"Hold down the fort."+

At the roof he will set course for his mother's luxurious house in Center City and rocket jets sent him on his way across the skies..
This message was last edited by the player at 14:05, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

Jacob looks up suddenly, a stricken expression upon his face.  A hospital.  A hospital is an ideal choice.  Lots of activity, people constantly coming and going.  Trucks making deliveries of food, supplies, machinery and equipment.  And the radiology department would mask any other radiological signatures.  How many hospitals and clinics with radiology are there in Center City and the metropolitan area?  This can include dentist offices.

It took some for Danzo to see the message he received from the LESP channel. Forwarding the message all over the globe in separate parts asynchronously was a little bit paranoid maybe, but given the -very reasonable- attitude CCPD showed towards his civilian identity he didn't see any other option. He still needed a faster method of communication though.

He frowned as he read the message before deleting it. This was big. But it was not time for second thoughts. He was going to try his best, and he was going to die if it wasn't enough. It was the time for doing some good for people.

Danzo had recently moved to 2 buildings away to LESP building, so his commute could be short and hidden enough. It didn't matter how many security cams you disable, somebody is bound to see the weird guy wearing an Oni mask around. So best solution was to reduce his commute.

As he flashed his ID Card - not a badge, since he decided keep ties with the actual police force minimal - to the scanner on the door as he entered the building. People were already started to work on issue. He considered asking if any progress happened but he can get a briefing from the security records, no need to badger people.

"I apologise for being late. I am working on a better communication method. Unless you need a specific help from me, I am going to check security records to brief myself. There is no time to waste" said The Oni with an electronic voice.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 68):

"You're right, Jacob.  Hospital would be a logical target."

OOC:  So, dunno if these are the right skills, but Derek is going to use streetwise (rolls 79) to see if he knows anyone sketchy, and 71 Paramedic.  IIRC how this game works (it's been a looooooooong time), both fail (Streetwise 24 and Paramedic 65).

[Private to GM: The way this game works is the GM awards extra experience for rolling your skills and RPing the result of the rolls. You get 25 experience points.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:29, Fri 19 Mar 2021.

Due to the nature of the suits control, Lite Star actually shivered with the revaluation that Jacob had.  She shook her head.

"That is a frightening idea there Jacob.  Unfortunately it does indeed make sense."

Martin listens, the hospital comment making his mind race in ways he doesn't like..

"Schools would be another strong possibility..for those without honor"

True, Jacob responds to Martin.  But, you can't relaly hide a radiological energy signature there.  A hospital is definitely a much more viable target.
He really does not like how this is going.  We have narrowed down some of our search parameters.  For now.  That is helpful.

The Oni had approached a nearby terminal. Small cables reached from his wrist the terminal as he started to review security records since the message about bioterrorist had arrived. After a few minutes, deciding that he had enough information, he joined the discussion.

"Not really Mr. Davidovitch. Assuming that The Force was planning this for a while, constructing proper storage isn't a problem. Radiation shielding is a trivial issue in large scales. You just need a thick wall of lead or water like people in ISS. Setting up water walls is a little bit more elaborate, so let's say they are using lead walls for that. I am not hopeful about it but we can check if copious amount of lead was lost or stolen recently. It is a toxic element, there must be records."

Mr Davidovitch is my father, he responds to Oni.  Jacob, Jake, or Chimp Man Z are formal enough for me.
We don't really have a commander here, so we are all pretty much equal.
He gives The Oni a slight bow as he says it.  Though he was trained in Chinese ways by his sifu, some of it is universal.  But, why spend the money on traceable lead shielding, when you have a location that can provide with virtually everything you need to kitbash a suitcase nuke and a virulent biological weapon all under the same roof?  Especially when it will hide the radiological energy signature.
He may not be a genius like some of the people he works with, but he is no slouch when it comes to ideas and cunning.  There's quite a few hospitals and clinics in this burg where nuclear material can be hidden.  I know 'cause I spent the last several years riding or driving ambulances to most of them.
I think we should start our search there.

[Private to Volt: 10 experience points for proper aliening]
[Private to Chimp Man Z: 10 experience points for keeping Volt in the picture]
[Private to TaoZen: 10 experience points for keeping Volt in the picture]
[Private to Tyger: The driver on the staff car expertly slips up to the curb, and the rear door opens. Colonel Flagg, himself, waves Dani into the car. When she joins him the vehicle speeds off. Colonel Flagg hands Dani a paper file, it's old and marked for destruction. The S-97 virus was originally developed for use in Vietnam. After testing it was determined that it was too devestating for use and too dangerous for retention. The virus amplifies muscular efficiency and degenerates neural anatomy beginning with the frontal lobes. Victims become inhumanly strong and lose all restraint. After forty-eight hours of irrational behavior the nerve damage begins to cause the muscles to spasm. The victims perish within the next forty-eight hours in agony as their bodies tear themselves apart.
As she digests this information, Colonel Flagg says, "Did you ever meet Major Harris? The two of you shared the same treatment series, but nothing else so I didn't think you would have. Harris is smart, well-trained, driven to succeed, and brutal. We've been keeping him on desk assignments; he decided he wanted more. Speculation is that he took the virus research samples the program had on hand and went rogue. Remember, the major is NOT AWOL. He's as close to a traitor as anyone we've ever had in the program. If you have any contact with him, let us know as soon as possible."
Colonel Flagg's eyes are focused straight ahead, but Dani knows he's thinking about the past. The colonel hand picked the officers that joined the program. He couldn't help but consider this his fault. The car pulls back up to the curb, exactly where you got in. Flagg looks Dani in the eyes, and says, "the homeland fools are rushing around looking for the bomb. If Harris has anything to do with it, it's not there to find. If you throw your hook as the first punch of the round, it's easy to block. They'll move the ordinance into place just before ignition, leaving the minimum amount of time to get away. Unless Harris is really in charge, he'd just write off the ones carrying the bomb as acceptable losses."
"I wonder, sometimes, what makes a man turn out like that. This last thing is something I can't order you to do, so I'm just asking, Kick his ass for me."]
No further information (on The Force or the S-97 virus) seems to be available.

Justicar keeps his flight under 100mph and at a height under 100'ft as he makes his way home to his mother shoreside Neo-modern mansion, Center City was a tech leader on the East Coast only made since to have a fully high-tech and smart home here. He is flying low and fast trying to make good time below the FAA Center City controlled and monitored airspace... out of CC Airport traffic Control.

01:13, Today: Justicar rolled 53 using 1d100.  Pilot: Robot/Power Armor  [74%]. – [roll=1616217213.83437.355584]

He managed NOT to set off any ballistic ground radar.. the Justicar suit having many radar characteristic similar to a medium-range scud missile.

The proximity sensor and coded entry to the sky light to his lab in the garage opened the armorlite  shutters as he landed with a metallic clang on the floor grating. He walked over and set his expensive laptop down and hooked it to he even more expensive decktop network int he house to his bedroom computer.  Loaded the software that would receive the digital pictures from his Justicar telemetry linked Dihliator Wide Angle pictures. That data would also be sent to the house computer and processed for their radiological scans to be printed on the laser plotter in the den, but also to his laptop for portable access.

01:35, Today: Justicar rolled 29 using 1d100.  Computer Operation [67%]. – [roll=1616218534.89884.355584]

The computer set the handshaking protocols and the plotter in the Den hummed to life setting its print heads to receive and translate the data in to full color picture.

He moved to his equipment lockers and retrieved the Portable Scan Dihilator, readying the proper radio-logical film plates for it and its harness to wear on his chest in flight,  all while calling the CC Airport Traffic Control to log a flight plan with them, +"Center City Air Traffic Control, this is Justicar with the LESP - Sentinels, ID10072# in connection with an URGENT 'time sensitive' ~ HSA investigation! I'm going to be making a flight above Center City, at coordinates {burst transmission} at an altitude of 6,500'ft, at 13:45 for a duration no longer then 5 minutes.  Please advise course adjustments needed to my flight plan so as to avoid existing air traffic."+

01:26, Today: Justicar rolled 63 using 1d100.  Navigation {Air, Land, Water} [77%]. – [roll=1616217979.96368.355584]

He waited for reply and adjusted as needed by the Air traffic control... so as not to endanger or hassle their efforts.

Then double checked his harness for the Dihilator attaching power cables to he Justicar to power the sensor pack as long as needed bypassing its own battery pack and the data-links to his suit's telemetry to fed the data directly to Justicar.

Everything set.. Hikari looked at his internal time displays.. and waited just the few minutes for his flight time to arrive, then called Center City Air Traffic to inform of his lift off.

Triggerng his jet thrusters again Justicar rockets into the sky the house skylight closing automatically behind him and resetting the house proximity and security alarm systems...

Justicar followed the flight plan the Traffic control approved and above the city flared his jet engines to quarter thrust... a little under 200mph, sending a light rumble in the skies above the city as he ascended.  At 6,562ft the maneuvering hover thrusters kicked in and he took in the cityscape the azure blue of his ballistic frag cloak still fluttering gently in the windy summit of air.

01:50, Today: Justicar rolled 22 using 1d100.  Pilot: Robot/Power Armor  [74%]. – [roll=1616219417.29991.355584]

Justicar came quickly to a smooth stable hover ever so slowly turning to find the best angle to position the wide angle cameras on the Dihilator pack.

Then Hikari began taking his pictures sliding this way or another to get as much of the city and shoreline in his snapshots...

01:53, Today: Justicar rolled 98 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%]. – [roll=1616219635.87726.355584]

But the sensor did not return a picture... he examined the dihilator.. then chuckled shaking his head in disgust.. he had NOT removed the wide lens covers over the delicate sensor package wide angle lenses.

Repositioning again he took his pictures again... making sure to send a cancel signal to his home computer to Not print the first series of picture...with a sigh.

02:00, Today: Justicar rolled 76 using 1d100.  Pilot: Robot/Power Armor  [74%]. – [roll=1616220007.1986.355584]

He began to suffer from some choppy winds causing his autogyros to sent alerts.. but he adjusted to the choppy air and went back to taking pictures, he didn't need vogue quality after all...

01:57, Today: Justicar rolled 8 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%]. – [roll=1616219827.92995.355584]

CC Air Traffic Flight control called indicating he was over his allotted flight time, and he reported to them having a few technical difficulties fixed, now and he'd need 3 more minutes to vacate the flight zone.

Finally he'd taken about 50 wide angle - radiological stills of the Center City proper, the surrounding suburbs and the shoreline. Checking his telemetry.. all the pictures had been burst transmitted to his home computer and were already int he process of being printed and the trace radioactive zones being correlated and mapped with the city GPS to identify the city neighborhoods the traces were detected in a augmented with color digital representation on the computer being analyzed by the software.  Data almost ready for perusal.

Calling back to CC Air traffic he thanked them for tier patience he was now leaving the flight zone.

With that... he first replaced the wide angle lens covers in the Sensor package, then dived for the flight ceiling over the city, noting a commercial jet not very far away the likely gave the passengers a pretty spectacular view of the Justicar in flight.

Back down to his flight deck of 100'ft over the city he returned to his home... entering the lab through the sky light again...

02:10, Today: Justicar rolled 75 using 1d100.  Pilot: Robot/Power Armor  [74%]. – [roll=1616220600.76458.355584]

He grimaced when he looked up and realized he'd clipped the sky light pane on the way down with his elbow and cracked the hell out of the plexiglass.  'Yeah, gonna have to replace that!'

Carefully he put the Portable Scan Dihilator back into storage.  Triggered the release on his battlesuit and stepped out of it, "Hang tight Karl, be right back."

Karl spoke,"Shall I call the Armorlite affiliates to order a new plexiglass shutter for the sky light son?  What's that the third this month?"

Hikari snorted, "I swear you CAN be replaced by some cheap knock off of Siri, Karl!!!"

Karl replied, "The indignity of it all! replaced by some annoying tawdry electronic tart! Humph!"

Hikari snickering, walked over to his laptop which had received the Dihilator digital data and was working through rendering the scans.  Hikari opened the bench frig and pull a canned Sprite and a packages Twinkie and began drinking, munching and typing away... not exactly in that order...

02:20, Today: Justicar rolled 17 using 1d100.  Computer Operation [67%]. – [roll=1616221230.69576.355584]
02:21, Today: Justicar rolled 14 using 1d100.  Computer Programming [57%]. – [roll=1616221282.379.355584]

Hikari set to work having the computer analyze the pixel density of the radiation traces and gradate them... then apply a graphics algorithm to color them for intensity of radiation sources!  Then saved the data on a flash drive, which he stored in his Faraday Safe..on the floor next to the fridge. Closing the laptop, he got up and jogged down to the den where the big laser plotter was still working on the maps... he sigh and waited all he could do.

5 minutes latter he had the pictures, rolled them up into the design schematic tubes he had there waiting. a Quick dash back down to the garage/lab and he was suiting up in the Justicar, attaching the picture tubes to his suit's back.

"Send the for the plex skylight replacement order Karl."

"Already done Hikari."

Snatching up his laptop, Justicar this time slowly launched from the lab through the skylight before pouring on the speed ~ heading towards SENTINEL Base.

02:42, Today: Justicar rolled 26 using 1d100.  Pilot: Robot/Power Armor  [74%]. – [roll=1616222556.79696.355584]

He called ahead, [Private to group LESPradio: "Justicar to base... mission successful. Returning with Central City pictures and spectral data ~ ETA 6 minutes".]

[Private to GM: 50 experience points assigned to this post]
This message was last edited by the GM at 20:55, Sat 20 Mar 2021.

Working his way back to the base, Lu'kas was certain it was in this direction, he spotted a group of homeless standing near an alleyway.  Walking over towards them, he put on a front and started to act slightly belligerent towards them.  Getting a few cat-calls of Narc and Pig! as he approached.

Getting close enough to be quiet and not overheard, he smiledHI guys.  How is everybody?  Anyone hurt? , getting a quick affirmation that they were doing as well as they could, he continued, OK, first things first, what is on the menu today?  Pizza. the leader of the group responded.

OK, 8 large pizzas will be delivered to the ususal place, plus I had maintenance come by and fix the hot water heater, so the showers are back on.   I have a mission, so I need you guys to do your usual, keep your eyes and ears open and report any usual activity to me, using the computer at the shelter.  Just don't get in trouble, be careful and leave the heroics to me.  You are my friends and I want to keep you as safe as possible.   Thanks again.

Turning to leave, Lu'kas heard a few more disparaging comments, shouted for affect, he new this group well, had created a nice shelter for them, hot showers, safe places to sleep and even washing machines to clean their clothes.  It wasn't perfect, but kept this group off the streets at night, and even gave 3 of his former informers a chance to get their lives turned around, getting jobs and places to live.

Hearing the roar of turbines, he realized that he was getting closer to the HQ, the sound of Justicar's rockets was very recognizable.

Dani watched the car pull up to the curb only moments from her arriving there.  With only a moment's hesitation, the lithe cosmopolitan athlete stepped into the door that swung open; her eyes betraying that she seemed to recognize the occupants of the vehicle.

The car pulled away from the curb.[Private to SSOGM: "Sir," Tyger acknowledged Flagg without (much) ceremony, as she sat down and opened the proffered dossier.  Dani quickly perused the contents, noting dates and trying to commit summary data to memory.  Her lips pressed into a deepening frown the more she read.  "Viral." she summarized, "Targeting musculature and nerve endings, but also infiltrating the spinal fluid and crossing the blood-brain barrier."  She whistled slightly which summarized the results of muscle enhancements studied, as well as brain degeneration effect, "heightened aggression and psychotic episodes..."  And then as the file said, death within 96 hours of psychosis onset.  She placed the folder back on the seat, making no move to take the file with her.

"Is the degenerative onset really this variable?" she prompted, point to the studies assessment of some subjects lasting weeks before succumbing.  Before adding, "And just how many samples were 'on hand' to be taken?"

Chandani shook her head to the Colonel's query about any interaction with Major Harris.  But from the description, she began to form a better picture as to why the stringent battery of physical and psychological tests continued for months at a time in the program.  Only a single eyebrow was raised when Harris' duty status came up, obviously he couldn't be strictly discharged in his condition; he wasn't a danger to himself necessarily, but he wasn't fit for civilian life either.  "Yes, sir." is all she said curtly, when ordered to report back any contact with the Major.

Tyger took in the rest of the 'official' part of the briefing rather stoically.  Harris sounded like a piece of work.  And it sounded like he wasn't necessarily alone.  Nor was he necessarily the leader.  Both of which seemed salient, important points that she mentally catalogued.  It sounded like 'The Force' could be Harris' baby (even if the name was uninspired), but wouldn't have to be.

She recognized that the driver was taking them in a fairly large circle, but that was coming to an end as well.  Dani nodded slowly as Flagg spoke off the record; giving her the unofficial part of the briefing.  She could hear the tinge of regret in his voice; beyond the words that were spoken.  Those words were important, too; so, they were catalogued as well.  "You have my word, sir." Chandani assured the Colonel, "I will give the Major your regards and make sure that he understands and pays for his transgressions."

Tyg saluted him and thanked the driver before opening the door and stepping out of the vehicle.]  Only to appear, perhaps ten or fifteen minutes later, to deposit Chandani on the same curb near the LESP offices.  The thin brunette brushed a piece of lint from her pants and reset her ponytail before taking in a quick breath and trotting up the two stairs to the front stoop of the refurbished firehouse.

Glancing down the road, she gave Volt a quick tilt of the head.  Then a gesture for him to come quick as Tyger held the door open for him so they could make their way into the building.  With a finger, Dani pointed to lounge area where she hoped that the others were still gathered to direct her alien acquaintance.

Once in the lounge, Dani addressed everyone that was there.  "Okay," she started tentatively, but gain steam as she spoke, "I have it on good authority that one of players in the Force is an USArmy Major Harris.  He was a member of the same Special Operations unit that I was, though our tours did not overlap.  He can be assumed to have similar physical enhancements to myself." which the group knew she could bench at least press three metric tonnes or so, "but, he is also has a keen tactical sense and is quite driven, having served for a number of years as a ranger before Special Ops."  She couldn't put it any other way, the Major had served with distinction (even if he was a violent SoB).  Plus, Dani had to concede, "He may have manifested other powers that are not directly related to physical or pure combat stature ..." Same as Tyger had; her uncanny ability to climb (actually to adhere to many surfaces) had not been on the cocktail menu of the enhancement program she went through, and yet it had somehow been ordered for her anyways.  Experiment was as much an art as a science it seemed.

And though she couldn't and didn't reveal her information source naturally, Dani tried to speak with enough genuine confidence that she hoped it would carry enough authority.  Yet, she had to conclude, "The US Army has no additional information on any other Force members."  If they even existed.

In any case, the lithe army veteran continued, "I was also given redacted information on the viral agent, S-97."  She pursed her lips slightly, giving an executive summary, "It's a piece of work." A slight rueful smile touched her lips, "I am not entirely sure how much was taken, but this agent originally targets the muscles and nerve endings - allowing a subject enhanced strength and pain endurance.  However, it crosses the blood-brain barrier through the spinal fluid it seems and once there causes massive degeneration of frontal cortex while over stimulating the basal ganglia, reptilian brain stem.  Initially, the army thought this okay, as it made subjects more compliant and more aggressive."  She shook her head, "Eventually, ruptured brain chemistry led to psychotic episodes, excruciating pain, and death..."

She looked down for a moment, unable to say more for a pregnant while.  And when her voice returned, Dani summarized rather lifelessly, "S-97 makes people into mindless monsters, that lash out and do unspeakable damage... before destroying themselves.  And the brutally violent and sociopathic Major Harris intends to unleash this biochemical agent on an unsuspecting populace.  Those in the initial blast radius will get off easy by dying immediately, since everyone infected by S-97, it seems is going to die anyways."

Justicar lands at the Sentinel's HQ and enters through the rapid escape entry tubes flaring his just thrusters to land with only a soft thump!

He returns to the Conference room hearing most of Tyger's report but holding his peace until she is done.

With a whir-clank his helmet opens and he smiles, "Well Done, Tyger! That's Great Intel... !!!"

Retrieving the schematic tubes fro his back he holds them out, "..I got the radiological pictures of Center City, the suburbs and shoreline!"

Walking over to the conference table he opens and lays out the 8 wide angle, 6'ft x 4'ft laser printed maps of the city with bright splotches here and their superimposed over various street maps.

"I did some video enhancement and turned the spectral print out to show the 'radioactive ~ hot spots' into the bright spots on the prints instead of dark splotches to allow better identification of the streets and addresses."

Then he sets his laptop on the table and opens it to show a multicolored display in digital imagery of the same maps, "... I have the raw data stored but I also did some low level analysis of the photo spectragraph based upon photo pixel density to produce a color-code display for some of the radioactive potential intensities in visible color!"
This message was last edited by the player at 04:27, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

Tho he's been to college, in many ways Martin is a simple man ho likes his information simple as well..

"How much of an area are we talking about?"

He has an idea of a plan, but needs to know that one piece of information to tell him if it is doable, as well as what he'll need to do himself to make it happen..

Justicar turns to look at the 8x 6'ft by 4'ft maps he laid out, "Er.. I got the entire city and its suburbs plus some of the shoreline. So..er 'everything' in Center City and surrounding?"

Jacob sits silently through Tyger's explanation of the intel she has discovered.  This is not good.  The bomb destroys everyone and everything within its blast radius, and everyone outside of becomes essentially a zombie from the movies.  Well, at least nothing was said about cannibalism.
So, a sociopathic, psychopathic former military leader wants to destroy a city, and turn the survivors upon each other.  Is that about right?  What is his ideology?  His motive?  Is it just his brutality at play?  Or does he have some other resoning?  We need to know this.  It might help us figure out where the bomb is.  And how long we have.
He stands to look over the photos Hikaru had taken and printed out.  Reaching oit, he points to some of the locations kndication radiation.  At each of those he points out, he names a hospital, or a clinic capable of taking x-rays.  These other locations, I'm not sure about.  Labs at the university, or other types of labs, maybe.  We get the addresses, we can look them up.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 83):

That's good thinking Jacob," interjects Derek.  "I can do that part. I don't have scanners and such, but I know the hospitals and clinics, and I've pretty familiar with the CCU campus.  If I cross check these sites for known or predictable readings, whatever's leftover should be a short enough list of sites to search, I figure?"

OOC:  What do I need for this, computer operation?  Basically trying to crosscheck Justicar's map with known sources of radiation.  Got a 46, which should be successful (06:23, Today: Nimbus rolled 46 using 1d100.)
[Private to GM: all the 'hot spots' on his map are known sources of radiation, you get 25 experience points]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:51, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

"Thats great info Tyger, gives us a starting point to start looking, and an idea of what we're getting into.  He sounds like one tough cookie, but I think all of us together can take him down."

Lite Star stood and looked over the map and over lays that Justicar had spread over the table.  The looked over again at Tyger.

"If we had a picture maybe we could see if we can access the traffic cameras via the police, just maybe some facial recognition system might show us up a contact.  If these maps can narrow down the search even better.  We could also contact the major hospitals and see if we can access their security feeds as well, say for the loading areas, nothing too sensitive as they will make it easier to get.  Anyone with those contacts with hospitals might be best to do that, always easier getting help from friends after all."

With a thought to the onboard expert systems of the suit she set the visual recognition on the map to help swiftly identify and highlight the splotches of possible radioactive activity and bring them up in tiles in the corner of her HUD.

As Jacob reads off names of clinics Lite Star goes online and starts to get addresses, pasting the results to a chat window and then sending it to one of the work stations.

"Calling up address and contact details for you Jacob.  Putting it on that workstation."

She points to a screen.

(OOC: 09:23, Today: Lite Star rolled 14 using 1d100.  Computer operations. Success)
[Private to GM: all of the hot spots on the map are known sources of radiation, you get 25 experience points]
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:52, Sun 21 Mar 2021.

He thinks for a moment..The again Martin speaks..

"I could do an..in person search, in a manner of speaking, of alot of that area,quickly and without being noticed..if it would be of service"

He pauses, then continues..

"Unless it is felt we need technology to find technology"

His feelings on the modern world sometimes too modern showing just a bit..

Justicar mostly steps back to let other's begin to make use of the photos he has provided listening to the flow of ideas..grateful his companions have come up with their own ideas and tactics in the investigation.

He checks the time, "...We should also decide who is going to meet the HSA contact in the park.  I would ..sadly not suggest a singular person... they should have at least three backup."

Tyger seemed visible relieved that there wasn't any push back with respect any of the information she'd offered.  Her brow furrowed for a moment in thought, before she tried to address any questions as best that she could.

"I'm not expert on dispersal patterns..." she noted simply to Martin when asked area coverage, having assumed that he was asking her about viral dispersion from any blast, "while viruses and microphages are notoriously hardy, it likely depends on the size of the blast.  Which, of course, would depend on the size of the explosion and fuel involved..."  She looked to the more educated and technically inclined for confirmation.

"I... I don't know about any of the Major's ulterior motives." Dani noted with some visible chagrin, when Jacob asked about true motives, "A psych profile wasn't offered to me... and honestly, I wouldn't be able to make heads nor tails of it."  And again she simply was ready to defer to others, who were more expert, to deal with.  "And with no ransom demands - other than the monetary one, I don't know."  She rubbed her chin for a moment, before positing, "We may need to be wary of either a feint or a bluff.  Dispersal of the virus wouldn't necessarily require an explosion...  And I think that Harris would be aware of that fact."

"Oliver." Chandani noted to Lite Star when prompted about a picture of the Major, "Major Oliver Harris.  Having served with distinction earlier in his career, I am hoping that there is at least a service portrait publicly on file online in his service record."  Everything else seemed online these days, and the government had been pushing for transparency in all non-classified matters (military or not), "I'll admit that I have never met the man."  So, she didn't actually know herslef what Harris looked like; though given the current assignment - that was bound to change.  Assuming that her teammates were as formidable the computers and technology as they claimed.  Admittedly, Dani was not as facile with electronics.  She gave TaoZen a commiserating (if a touch conspiratorial) smile when he made his comment concenring technology, then offering her assistance in any in-person reconaissance that might be required.

Dani shrugged, "I am more than willing to meet with the HSA rep, but only if not needed for any of the other legwork."  She knew that she wasn't necessarily the face of the group.  The auburn-haired army veteran hadn't really every considered herself a gregarious 'people person'; nor had anything in her life experiences qualifier her as a diplomat or spokesperson.  Still, she more than willing to try as needed.  And perhaps that was half the battle.

Since Nimbus and I are both familiar with CCU and the city's hospitals and clinics, then we should work that angle.
He turns to Tyger.  Since it is never a good idea to go to anything alone, would you like to take Volt along?

"I also do not mind going to the meeting at the park with Tyger, I just do not think I should BE the one meeting the agent.  I could easily be long ranged support there but, say covering the meeting sight out of direct sight.  Though prowling about is not my specialty.. I can be off-board support.  I do not believe anyone on the team can fly faster then me I can be there to help should something bad happen FAST! I have a wide array of sensor and optical options to scan for threats, plus even whispering I can still hear the conversation at 150'feet."
This message was last edited by the player at 11:34, Mon 22 Mar 2021.

Still working on gathering computer information Lite Star added a search for Oliver Harris to the mix.  Glancing over as TaoZen made the comment she paused to think.

"I only know technology, so not fully sure what you mean.  But, I do know that any help in this situation is good.  If you have a way to start checking some of these location swiftly then I think that would be a great help.  After all even a negative result is a result, and if you get results from what you do, then I don't need to comprehend how you did it."

Her tone was warm and appreciative of TaoZen's offer to help.

"Cutting deals are not my strong suit, but I have means to detect troublesome electronics like surveillance and remotely deactivate them if they have wireless network capabilities if you need someone like that" Oni offered.

"I can also beat people with a wooden stick of mine, but I am hoping that it won't be necessary"

In reply to The Oni (msg # 92):

Justicar/Hikari's expression brightened with the arrival of Oni, and he immediately dropped into Japanese...[Language unknown: "Sonsomoutoul Ven, wiwil anfo eveencugh wi iouec... iepr arddinout ar waatca i tedntilat Houencure a ncit antoulwer all whle ARD alie paalel u ouer useiil li elhosa, selach meofna il.  M Siol p ntehouint be les beame trus allac... Ieul theounbut ratreaave aidithpe ai St whesheast ck momo k andus as hatsetast elfilo i leecur ie venoredin webe!"]
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:56, Sun 05 Dec 2021.

Oni wasn't expecting an answer in Japanese, cosmopolitan nature of the group only enforced using English. It was nice to hear Japanese though, he now realised his ears were yearning for it for a while.

[Language unknown: Ounvernde es ore manlesvir atbe ss whistrorestrwhi, Os thaectpro n moouad u was esrefo con u p teloulbe arero un n Ofispr Wilhou'manbutwil]

"Unless we can't spare the manpower, I agree with more escorts. You can never be too careful."

Let me know how you see different language part people.

In reply to The Oni (msg # 94):

OOC: Cannot read your language script... I figured it would do that which is why I did mine as a private chat line...sorry

Hikari chuckles, "I know, I just like speaking my native language sometimes... my mom is always complaining I'm gaining an American accent.  As to the last person to be with us... I think TaoZen would be just fine.  The Meeting team, I think should be ~ Tyger {contact person}, Oni {visible close escort with her}, TaoZen {shadowing tail of both Tyger & Oni}, and me Justicar {distant observer off-board support and surveillance}."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:49, Tue 23 Mar 2021.

[Language unknown: Ratne, Po t intdinshe ll prenteounomepre tio n in thuee wi diplti.]
[Private to group LESPradio: Please inform the GM if you believe a language your character speaks hasn't been added to your character.]
Nothing of interest occurs till the assignation at the park bench. Those that show up discover a middle-aged, balding, paunchy man sitting on the bench.

Chandani offered a ride (though it would be a little cramped) on her Ducati to anyone that needed it and was going to joing her at the meeting with HSA agent.  The young army veteran excused herself a few minutes before leaving to freshen up.

When she appeared in the firehouse garage, Tyger was dressed simply in a dark burgundy set of motorcycle riding leathers and boots.  The full-faced Shoei helmet with reflective mirrored visor tucked under her left arm matched the rest of her kit.  She slipped on her burgundy leather gloves, let the hum of the 1200cc engine settle for a moment after turning the key, and set out at a fair clip to rendezvous with Homeland Security.

She arrived at the park with only a few minutes to spare, parking the bike and setting the locks on it. Pulling of her helmet, she reset her ponytail and stowed her gloves with the helmet - carrying them with her.  Her high leather boots scuffed lightly on the pavement as she made her way towards the bench occupied with the balding man.

"Homeland Security?" Tyg opened and then introduced herself, "LESP division of the CCPD.  I'm Tyger."  Dani flashed her credentials for the man's edification before tucking them away again.  And then remained standing in front of him, Tyger placed one hand on her hip and the other continued to hold her helmet and gloves.  "So," she dove right in, prompting the gentleman, "What do we know about the Force, the nuke, and S-97?  And how can we help?"  One eyebrow was raised quizzically, as she hoped that the man could tell her something...
This message was last edited by the player at 18:45, Tue 23 Mar 2021.

Oni was cautious, yeah just cautious, towards motorcycles, but it beat walking, so he took Tyger's offer. He needed his own means of transportation but this was not time to think about it.

He thanked Tyger as they arrived the destination then tailed behind her to their rendezvous location. He showed his ID following her suit.

"Oni. I am with LESP" said Oni as he started to check for suspicious electronics around him. Omni-device Neural Interface was the most convenient thing ever. It was funny he created that so he would have easier time in classes. Laziness can be a great motivator.

Oni uses mechanical awareness to check electronics around him. And then if he finds wireless communication he is going to tap into that using Mechano-Link to see if there is any suspicious behaviour.

Back at the LESP HQ, Jacob turns to Justicar.  Hey, Hikaru.  I wonder if there is a way to look at several months worth of pictures from the satellites that might show a change in radiogical energy signatures.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:33, Tue 23 Mar 2021.

Hikari, Nods and smiling replies to Tyger, "...it cost me some serious Expensive modifications for MY motorcycle to carry the Justicar's weight even in light armor configuration... but I'll be following from air."

He steps over to Oni, Tyger, and TaoZen and opening one of his carrying compartments hands them both a small bottlecap sized device, "...tracer, just put them in a pocket .  Makes it easier for my surveillance, and IFF targeting  to avoid you ~ I'm hopeful that will not be necessary but paranoia is a artform."

He turns to head for the roof, but answers, Jacob as he leave, "...that info might be accessible from the weather services... they keep such pictures for their weather forecasting... with my laptop.. it has the right software you need to do that analysis!"

He gestures to his open laptop on the conference Table currently displaying color digital version of the laser printed radiological maps laid out on the table...

Closing his helmet with a mechanical whirr-clank.. he set out for a roof launch.

---

Justicar followed in flight from a discrete distance, out of line of sight, using the building to cover his following using the tracers.

On their arrival he took up a position either atop a building or from a nearby alley, within 150'ft keeping to the shadows or using roof cover to remain hidden.  His heightened hearing targets and focuses on the conversation but he himself is scanning the area for anything that looks suspicious or a potential threat.

08:09, Today: Justicar rolled 37 using 1d100.  Justicar - Prowl [52%]. – [roll=1616501394.63748.355584]

Hikari was frustrated getting the background sounds filtered out and finding a position for a clear view of the meeting and yet stay hidden... it took longer to get a good position than he wanted... missing the first perhaps minute of the of the meeting.

08:11, Today: Justicar rolled 21 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%]. – [roll=1616501498.42967.355584]

08:10, Today: Justicar rolled 84 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%]. – [roll=1616501444.19174.355584]

08:10, Today: Justicar rolled 99 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%]. – [roll=1616501426.5724.355584]

OOC: I know only two rolls count
[Private to GM: you might miss the first few words of the conversation, but you still get 50 experience points]
This message was last edited by the GM at 02:14, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

[Private to The Oni: There are two odd things. The DHS contact has NO electronic devices on him. Not even a cell phone. Justicar's armaments are state of the art, definitely military grade.][Private to Chimp Man Z: 25 experience points for a good idea and executing it by yourself, the oddest thing you discover is that there appear to be NO unaccounted for spikes or dips in the radiation signatures during the past six months]
"Oh, good, you're here. I asked you to meet me here, and came without any communication devices, to assure you that nothing will compromise your identities. You're concerned about the communication received from The Force. I'm here to tell you what we know and ask that you communicate to us if you find anything out."
The middle-aged, balding, paunchy man hands business cards to Tyger and The Oni. The cards list him as Department of Homeland Security Liaison Specialist Hugh Beaumont, and contain a cell number. Hugh begins as soon as he feels you've read the cards, "we've no hard evidence as to the existence of 'The Force' as an entity of any size. There are rumors that this particular group has been making money supplying personnel for other concerns nefarious purposes. If they are the group indicated in those rumors they would have in excess of one hundred personnel. We expect them to issue demands any day, now. What those demands are could tell us something, unless they ask for money."
"That's really all we have, at this point. We at homeland security are relying, more than most people know, on groups like your own supplementing our efforts. Does anyone have any questions?"

Justicar will text Tyger some questions, [Private to group LESPradio: 'Need intel on:  S-97 Bacteriological Agent- technical details on bacteria, Data on when Army lost Agent {location/time}, Atomic Warhead- Class/type details on when lost {location/time}, do we have access to DoD/CIA/FBI to ask details of current existing investigations in tracing the lost S-97 and /or the medium rang warhead {name contact/number}?']

Justicar will make sure he gets a good picture of this Hugh Beaumont.. for records.  He will also scan him for anything unusual... does his actually body heat reflect his face temperature... is he potentially wearing a mask?  Is he flesh with a body temperature... or a robot/android of some sort..metallic underneath... can Justicar's audio superhearing actually hear him breathing?

Are any sensors being directed at them beside justicar's own sensors; laser targeting beams, radar, any feedback indicating he is bugged or parabolic sound surveillance also turned on him and their conversation?

That sort of stuff...

Justicar will take a WIDE-ANGLE picture of the environs focusing on the faces of everyone visible present for later facial recognition and identification to see who was present in the entire park and surrounding buildings of this meeting who might be out of the ordinary to be present or observing this meeting.  He wants ALL their faces!
This message was last edited by the player at 06:58, Thu 25 Mar 2021.

Back at the office Lite Star and others continue to pour over the maps and collected data.

Jacob looks up from the computer screen.  Satellite readings are showing no appreciable changes in radiological signatures throughout the city.  That is not helpful, he says, staring back at the screen for several moments.  Maybe it isn't here after all.
Suddenly, his eyebrows go up and his mouth goes agape, revealing the long and sharp canine teeth, as something dawns upon him.  Лайно (layno), he swears in Ukranian Russian.  Проклятий син бездітної шлюхи (Proklyatyy syn bezditnoyi shlyukhy)!
He turns to Nimbus.  We are going to need the bomb squad and nuclear experts, as well as warrants to search all the maintenance records, and the machines themselves, for every radiological device in the city.  The terrorists may have planted the bomb in one of them.  Or turned it into a bomb....
This message was last edited by the player at 21:08, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 104):


"Wait, wait" insists Derek, holding his hand out towards Jacob.  "You mean they turned, what, an x-ray machine into a bomb?!?"

"To do that, they'd need to have had access, right?  And it must have taken some time.  Can we get access to security logs, video, something like that?"

Looking over in surprise at Jacobs outburst Lite Star froze in place as the words sunk in.  Swallowing hard inside the suit she took a moment to compose herself, the suit already starting to respond to the heightened heart rate by bringing the combat computer online and highlighting people in the room, to mark friendlies.  Mentally she shut it down and straightened.

"I....I don't think we can call the bomb squad of any kind till we have a device." It was clear she was trying to remain calm, "And to get warrants we would have to have a judge filled in about whats going on.   It's a large number of warrants too and it would take alot of time.  Anyone have a friendly judge that can be trusted with this info?  Not going to lie, this is really high on the scare factor.  With no intel, we're pretty much shooting in the dark.  I do hope that the other group has come up with something solid and usable from HSA, or else we are going to have to go scatter shot over this."

Jacob looks over at the other two officers.  Saying it out loud, it sounds totally meshuggenah.  But, it makes perfect sense, he says.  This way they don't have to try to smuggle radioactive materials and parts.  They just get someone hired on as a maintenance technician, they claim one of the machines nedds an overhaul, or a tune up, or whatever, then they assemble the bomb out of extra parts in the toolkit, and there you go.  A nuclear bomb.
And, if we know about it, then city and state government, and the courts know about it as well.
He sighs.  Getting a judge to sign off on on the warrants should not be a problem, it's going to be the paperwork of finding every source of nuclear material and every organization that uses those materials in some way.  The warrants will have to be worded to cover all machinery that use, and tools used in conjunction with those machines or used to handle said materials, as well as inventories and storage facilities.  That's going to be a whole lotta paperwork.

While I can not read the full text of the dissertation (you have to be a part of an organization and to pay for it), apparently radiopharmaceuticals are produced using Highly Enriched Uranium (HEU), which some believe can be weaponized into a nuclear weapon.  About one third of all patients are diagnosed, or treated, using some form of nuclear medical procedure.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:38, Wed 24 Mar 2021.

[Private to Justicar: Karl asks why someone would want to steal a warhead when building one would be so much easier.
Hugh Beaumont is, obviously, not Hugh Beaumont (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hugh_Beaumont) but is also not doing/wearing anything that is in any way not what it seems.
There are no unusual sensors turned on the group.
You manage to get about a dozen nondescript people (it's midnight)]

Just a little food for thought, if you're throwing someone a surprise party on Friday, you don't have the guests hide behind the sofa on Tuesday.

"I am pleased to meet you, Mr. Beaumont." Tyg stated genially, if a touch guardedly, after taking the card and reading it over.

"I see" Tyger noted through pursed lips and following a sharp exhalation caused her nostrils to flare slightly as their HSA liaison laid out the state of their purported mission intelligence.  She felt her phone vibrate, but it remained secured in the zippered pocket of jacket.  "So," she reiterated, allowing only a slight amount of incredulity into voice, "Mr. Beaumont, you are telling me that the HSA is looking to us in the CCPD and LESP to do the legwork in finding out more about the Force and whatever this S-97 is, that as mentioned in the initial DoS missive?"  It was an interesting stance.  But, then she wasn't about to tip her own hand either.  So, there was that.

She seemed a touch crestfallen when it seemed clear that this meeting wasn't going to go anywhere fast.  And Chandani didn't really mind letting it show.  She started to turn to go, potentially, but then paused for a moment.  "Sir," Dani slipped, letting military background sneak out for just a moment, "Homeland Security really has no working theory on how or why 'the Force' has gone from being simple hired muscle to getting religion at this point in time?"  She felt the need to clarify HSA's stance.  Her group in the LESP really were on their own it seemed, if so.  Well, no one said that being a hero was easy.

Dani sighed slightly.  "It appears that we have a lot of ground work to do and not much time to do it, potentially." escaped her burgundy lips as she motioned to Oni, "Thank you."  And it was genuine, since it helped her to define just what sort of playing field was being laid out.  She added, "We'll be in touch, Mr. Beaumont." which would allow him to tell his superiors that the request for exchange was received and acknowledged.  And she made ready to go, unless Hugh Beaumont started saying something more worth her time.

"Well, no. The S-97 virus was originally developed for use in Vietnam. After testing it was determined that it was too devastating for use and too dangerous for retention. The virus amplifies muscular efficiency and degenerates neural anatomy beginning with the frontal lobes. Victims become inhumanly strong and lose all restraint. After forty-eight hours of irrational behavior the nerve damage begins to cause the muscles to spasm. The victims perish within the next forty-eight hours in agony as their bodies tear themselves apart."
"The Force, as far as anyone knew, is one of several informal manpower marketplaces on the dark web. The voice in the video message describes themselves as 'architect of the force'. The rent-a-thugs are the only lead we have. So far, we can't corroborate the lead as there appears to be no connection between the rent-a-thugs and the blackmail."
"But, psycho-inflective analysis indicates that the man in the video is sincere, and there is a real threat behind the blackmail. So, we're passing the information on to local jurisdictions and attempting to coordinate the response. If you learn anything, call me on the number on the card. If you don't learn anything, call me anyway and I'll let you know if we have any developments."

Dani stopped and turned back to Hugh, looking him straight in the eye and noting deadpan, "Obviously some of it was retained."  So, while S-97 was considered dangerous - it was apparently too useful to dispose of completely.

"But be that as it may," Tyger continued, "Are you saying, Mr. Beaumont, that you have seen the original video?  I take it that the individual depicted is not in any known database or photo match?  Are there plans to release that footage to any other investigating parties?"  Her interest was piqued; she knew it was unlikely to be Harris, but without seeing the video it would be impossible to make any sort of correlation.

"With enough manpower," the lithe, leather-clad army veteran mused, "they could likely transport both the bomb and the payload separately."  She shook her head, noted rather ruefully, "And keep the items mobile and in play until the deadline..."  With ten days, materials could be moved from all over the country to pretty much any place on the Eastern seaboard.

Her hands were back on her hips, waiting to see if Beaumont might have any more information that he could share.  "Does the HSA have any leads on any of the materials that might be needed in the bomb?" she prompted, "Weapons-grade fissionable material, or the equipment used to refine it, doesn't grow on trees..."

The use of the word 'architect' meant both long term planning and a set of detailed tactics potentially.  They were definitely playing catch-up.  But it also meant that many things would have to come together.  So, they might be able to disrupt thing.  But any architect worth their salt would have plenty of redundancies and contingencies built into their plan...

"Nope. Haven't heard a peep about anything like that. I gave you our only leads, such as they are."
"Just be sure to let us know if you find anything."

Triggering his suit's Radio on the LESP frequency, [Private to group LESPradio: "Tyger, this is Justicar ~ I've sent some questions to your cell phone.  Please check for my text.  Not transmitting on a potentially open line."]

02:55, Today: Justicar rolled 32 using 1d100.  Radio: Basic [57%]. – [roll=1616655301.53895.355584]

Justicar will retext Tyger a request for information, [Private to group LESPradio: 'Need intel on:  S-97 Bacteriological Agent- technical details on bacteria, Data on when Army lost Agent {location/time}, Atomic Warhead- Class/type details on when lost {location/time}, do we have access to DoD/CIA/FBI to ask details of current existing investigations in tracing the lost S-97 and /or the medium rang warhead {name contact/number}?']

[Private to GM: Justicar receives 25 experience points]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:33, Sun 02 May 2021.

Despite their efforts, the heroes are unable to get any more information. Three days later, everyone receives a communiqué through secure channels, in whatever method the individual hero has requested.

Dani sat cross-legged on the firehouse-turned-LESP-offices' rooftop.  She felt the morning sun's warmth begin to suffuse her extremities and then work its way to her core.  Morning meditation always helped to center her.

She reflected on the past few days.  It hadn't been as fruitful as they had hoped.  She'd apologized to Justicar, though it was unclear to her if was over her not having taken the chance to really grill the HSA liaison about the nature of their intelligence.  She'd known that the meeting with Beaumont was going to be of limited exchange - it seemed to her that the HSA were playing catch-up same as them.  She'd allowed the more tech-minded of the LESP group to scan the business card given them before posting it in the lounge for easy access by the others.  She put Beaumont's number in her phone, but did bother making it speed dial accessible.

And true to form, Harris (if he really was in charge of the Force) was savvy enough to keep his men and equipment hidden (or, more likely she suspected, highly mobile).  Tyger had spent the past couple of days trying to scout various locations around the city according to whatever algorithm the others had worked out.  On her bike, she was nimble enough - and, of course, she was augmented.  So, traffic was rarely an issue for her - and she'd had some training in vehicle handling under adverse conditions (like artillery file); so with her enhanced reflexes, Center City's civilian motorways were fine.  Yet, nothing seemed to pan out.

After the second day, Chandani decided that it would likely be necessary to see if any of her fellow couriers might speak with her about anything they'd seen.  It would be difficult to get in contact with anyone in that network really - that was sort of the point with high-priced private courier goods - anonymity and discretion were required.  But, it likely wouldn't hurt to checkout the regular haunts and see if anyone she knew could be found.  Of course, it had been a fruitless night - nothing said futility like (high-end) bar-hopping all night drinking alone.

So, letting the toxins get purged from her system for a few hours was what she did while sitting very still.  She actually went deep enough that the noise of the street fell away and she could actually feel her body lighten as the sun bathed her skin in a golden glow.

With the day breaking and rush hour traffic starting to accumulate, Dani pulled herself back to the present.  The vibrating of her phone with an alert only helped to reinforce the gravity of the situation.  She padded back to steel door that led back down into the building to head back towards the lounge - where surely the group must be gathering (again) to discuss their options.

---

18:03, Today: Tyger rolled 29 using 1d100.  Courier Contact (TN 5%): here goes nothing! – [roll=1616720619.50587.315641]

[Private to GM: none of the couriers know anything, you still get 25 experience points]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:39, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

Hikari sat in his Justicar suit at the conference table on his usual pile of four stacked tire 'chairs'.  There were three in the LESP building as LESP was funded with less ACTUAL GOVERNMENT Funding than the fire department... specially designed seats that could hold the 700+ pound suit were not in the budget.  But car tires stacked up could easily hold the mass of the suit.

Hikari was brooding.. he was VERY Angry and VERY displeased!  He'd not spent much time in the LESP and some were getting the notion he was pondering leaving the team not for the 'Teams' failure.. but for the TOTAL LACK OF ANY REAL SUPPORT from those 'supposed' government agencies charged with protecting the public good!

No he was not pleased IN THE LEAST.  He sat causally surfing the net on his laptop while it ran other supplemental facial-recognition software searching for more data on Mr. 'BULLSHIT' Beaumont or any of the other faces at the park meeting.  While Hikari did deep data searches on any an all articles no matter how minor of government shipments or material gone missing especially the army and or lost shipments from government contractors.

He was angry.. and not caring who actually realized it!  Apparently, the ONLY reason Hikari was here was to record what everyone said about the new missive form the Cowardly agencies willing to pay these miscreants.. when Hikari WAS ABSOLUTELY CERTAIN the moment these assholes were paid they would detonate the weapons NO DOUBT IN HIS MIND!  Once he'd recorded everyone idea he'd leave and continue his own investigations as he expected no help from their superiors.

It was like they wanted to let the criminals succeed!  And he could not stomach being involved with such useless agencies!

22:00, Today: Justicar rolled 37 using 1d100.  Computer Operations [67%]. – [roll=1616724037.96785.355584]

[Private to GM: Hikari finally locates a picture of a MUCH younger Hugh Beaumont as a campaign aide for the senior Bush (which probably doesn't help much), you still get 25 experience points]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:41, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

Three days of collecting search warrants, scouring machines, maintenance logs, personnel records, inventories, even radioactive waste facilities, and they had come up with bupkis.  At least a number of detectives, and nuclear sciences experts from the university, had assisted them.  All it had done is put a damper on his optimism, partially because he, and his coworkers, now realizes how dark of an imagination he actually has.
Thus morning, he is dressed in his CCPD LESP sweats again, with knitted glove-like, thin rubber-soled shoes, and adark-lensed aviators over his eyes.  He arrives at LESP HQ, parking his black Prius 1 in the attached, fenced-in parking lot.  He exits his vehicle with a weighted-down plastic bag and a large, lidded gas-station soft drink cup in his left hand, as his right closes the door.
Moving to the back of the building, he decides not to enter through the rear door.  Instead, he quickly scales the brick wall, despite one hand being full, to step up onto the roof.
Sorry.  Didn't know anyone else would be up her, he says when he sees Tyger.  Mind if I join you?

Homeland Security has a courier drop off a DVD. The note with it says that it's the digitized version of the latest video received from "The Force". There's not much to it.

This message was last updated by the GM at 03:30, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

Hugh Beaumont comes walking into the  LESP Building not long after the video is received. As soon as he can get everyone assembled, he expresses that it is desired the heroes guard one of the possible pickup sites. "We've got a company from the 56th maintaining the perimeter of the airport. But we want them to stay there. You heroes would be expected to insure nothing interferes with the ransom pickup IF it occurs at the airfield. As far as I know, this one IS the real pickup. But, every other liaison on the coast is of the same opinion about their locations."
"One thing I will say, though, NONE of the actual terrorists we've dealt with would pull something like this. There's no way these guys want anything but the money. Which is good, because it means they probably won't detonate the device."
"Anyway, you'll need to be at Bethany Beach Airfield, south of Dover. The place is about a quarter mile from the Atlantic, five miles east of Clarksville. You can probably catch the last train there if you leave now. The expected pick up is tomorrow evening."
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:29, Sun 11 Apr 2021.

In a full blown anticlimax, the airport is one of the dummy drops and nothing happens. Late that evening, as the heroes return to the LESP Building, a man lurches from the edge of the building where he appeared to have been hiding. Stumbling to the heroes, the man says, " wait. I found Force."
Before anyone can respond, he drops to his knees moaning and clutching his head. He blurts out "no... not now... Force... Shadowhawk... stop..." before his eyes roll up and he falls face down on the sidewalk.

Lite Star had been helping out with Jacob and the searches where warrants were obtainable, working alongside others for the many hours they had spent in the fruitless search, trying to keep a positive attitude.  In her down time Eliza had been working with the Foundation disaster coordinator to prep for a possible city wide event.  She'd not passed on details or confirmed whether there was an actual threat, but had ensured that decontamination protocols were available.  Sleep had been hard to come by and she was not keeping up with meals properly.

Arriving a little later than she would usually, the whine of the electro induction jets that powered her flight heralded the suits arrival to the roof.  Lifting a hand in greeting to Jacob and Tyger the sleek robotic suit headed for the stairs down into the base.

"Morning.  How are people doing today?  I got the message, I guess the others are gathering downstairs."

There was a strain in her voice, though she was trying to keep it light and bright.

On noticing Hugh Beaumont, Justicar stands and addresses him, "Just exactly why are you here?  To tell us the investigation agencies like the FBI, CIA and NSA are just what? Giving up and giving in?"

"What's with the front?  I do not see any desire to catch these criminals... you won't give us permission to Question the DoD about where they lost track of their medium range nuclear warhead, you will not allow us to talk to the US Army about where they were storing, testing or destroying the samples of these S-97 bacteriological agents, where they lost any sample of it or when, you will not allow us to talk to the NSA, FBI, or the CIA to ask what their agencies have discovered in their investigations about these breaches and loss of WMD management of US resources!  You won't give us ANYTHING useful for starting a search for where these WMD's were lost and when so we can start looking?"

"Just admit it.. this whole thing is a cover up to hide the fact that people in the US government agencies responsible for keeping track of these deadly WMD's their specific agencies HAVE UTTERLY Failed!  We possibly even the entire LESP were only put together the be the scapegoats for this MASSIVE incompetence in managing these deadly weapons!"

He takes a stance giving him an askance look over his armored shoulder ...

"I batted the idea around that the ONLY possible reason you might reasonably be unwilling to let us directly question the, WE WOULD ASSUME, Multiple government agencies ~ CIA, DoD, FBI, NSA, already with, WE WOULD ASSUME, multiple investigations ongoing to track these weapons is because these criminal are actually Not criminals but under orders to do this! This Major Oliver Harris, which Tyger identified... BUT ~ You have Never even spoken of this identified Military officer as even being involved directly...  is actually STILL under orders doing a Tail-Chaser Op!  Meaning, he's supposed to make a threat which the US Military or more likely the Special Operations-Branch of US Black Ops ~ KNOWS is not a threat but they will continue to act like its a threat.  Why do this, to get the money payoff of course!  America DOES NOT DEAL WITH TERRORISTS, that is a hard and unyielding principle.. cause it only encourages terrorists to do such things again.  So why the NOW willingness to ingore that hard policy and pay off "The Force", a clear terrorist organization? Cause "The Force" under control of this Major Oliver Harris and He is under control of the Special Operations mission to secure a massive amount of cash that is effectively laundered outside any Senate Appropriations Committee!  A Swordfish Op, So yeah you are Confident the Weapons will not be used.. you know the 'Terrorists' only want the cash!  I'll BET they do ONLY want the Cash!"

"But Honestly.. I refuse to believe the US Governments military is THAT corrupt... at least I really hope it isn't!"

"So this is a coverup for the agencies failures.. and when this all blows up.. AND IT WILL.. WE the LESP - and the Sentinels will be the scapegoats for THEIR failure!  Isn't THAT REALLY why the LESP was formed in the first place to be a scapegoat why we where brought in on this case??"

His apparent anger is Clear as is the source of his frustration...
[Private to GM: 10 experience points for RP]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:02, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

In reply to SSOGM (msg # 120):

Derek gives Justicar and Litestar an incredulous look, then rushes forward to help the stricken man.  "Easy, buddy", he says, checking the man for injury, "you came to the right place, you're gonna be okay."

08:39, Today: Nimbus rolled 26 using 1d100 ((26)). Success for paramedic.

[Private to GM: 25 experience points for skill use, RP the fact that the man has died]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:03, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

In reply to Justicar (msg # 122):

"YES! That's what we're looking for! It's imperative that individuals with more firepower than some small nations never stop wondering if we're doing the right thing. How else would we be able to maintain a stable democracy?"
"Now, I can't tell you anything about what the FBI, CIA, and NSA are doing. I'm not cleared to know. But I can tell you that anything they discovered has been communicated to you. If you're not getting any information from them, it's because they have none to give."
"As far as catching these criminals go? Well, I don't give a damn. If letting the criminals spend another week walking freely saves a SINGLE life, I don't just have to do it; I WANT to do it."
"You want to know where the Army was storing and testing and destroying the S-97 samples? So do I. You're young enough to have a chance, just go enlist. Then, IF you can get the security clearance and happen to be dealing with the samples, they'll tell you. As far as the bomb goes, the DoD hasn't lost track of ANY nuclear weapons. There are youtube videos about building the damn things. There are sites on the dark web offering fissionable material for sale. We've got some of the finest computers and personnel attempting to find something relevant and coming up empty."
"Hazardous Duty Harris? I imagine we received the same information you did. The Major was reported AWOL at the same time the S-97 was noticed missing. If you got anything more than that, we would appreciate that information being shared with us. I share your frustration, and I know how hard it is to wait for results when you're not part of producing them."
"But I'm actually here to set up the ransom pick up. That's all I've got."

Jacob had watched the video before heading in.  He really needed to stop for breakfast after that, as he often did his best thinking on an at least partially full stomach.  As soon as word was brought to him, and Tyger, of course, that their new contact with Homeland Security had shown up, he found himself disappointed that his breakfast on the roof had been ended.
He did not find the presence if Hugh Beaumont all that helpful or reassuring.  And spending the day staking out an airport had not improved his mood at all.  He had been hungry, tired, and frustrated, with a sort-of desire to rip the Homeland Security liaison's head off his shoulders and defecate down his neck.  And he really did not have a good reason why he was so annoyed with the man.  Other than the obvious being a bureaucrat.
He is squatting in one of the conference room chairs, not really comfortable with just "sitting down", eating his breakfast of gas station-bought sausage-egg-and-cheese croissant, a banana (which he loved long before his mutations hit), an orange, and a large sweetened tea.  Then the commotion about an injured man hits, and his is up on his bare feet and headed for the door in a flash.
Let me get there.  How badly injured does he appear to be, Nimbus?  Let me get him inside.

14:13, Today: Chimp Man Z rolled 5 using 1d100.  Paramedic @ 60%-Diagnosis.

[Private to GM: 25 experience points for skill use, the man is dead, the left side of his face appears to have been spasming and the right side appears relaxed, similar to other stroke victims Jacob has seen]
This message was last edited by the GM at 21:24, Fri 26 Mar 2021.

Danzo wanted to help, but investigation was an area he lacked experience. In old days, they would hand him the intelligence and send him to do his bloody work. He sometimes felt he never managed to wash off blood of his victims from his hands, no matter how hard he tried.

Regardless, he wanted to help, and he knew a universal way to do that. After separating from rest of the team, he returned to his residence. Grilled eels and rice was a lovely dish. He prepared bento boxes for each people and 3 extra in case they had a visitor or people with big appetite. Donned his uniform and went to Sentinel HQ.

"Hey team. I hope you guys didn't eat yet. I brought some food." His jovial attitude stopped when he realised there was a commotion happening the HQ. He put bento boxes on nearest table and approached rest of the team to see what was going on.

OOC: This character has professional chef level cooking skills. So, bon appetit

Jacob steps forward to put a hand on Nimbus' shoulder as the other man tries to resuscitate the stranger.  He shakes his head to let him know that it is pointless.  Look at his face, man.  He stroked out.  He's gone.
He turns to Oni and the others.  Someone call dispatch.  Let them know we need a meat wagon.  Call detective Alvarez, who helped us with the search warrants.  He then adds in a resigned voice, as though he thinks it is a bad idea, And call Beaumont.  He'll want to know about this.

In reply to Hugh Beaumont (msg # 124):

"And THIS is why Americans are going to DIE again!  You the supposed Representative/liaison with the DHS 'Department of Homeland Security'... don't have clearance to get intel from the CIA and NSA about a muclear AND bacterialogical TERRORIST threat to the continental US?!?  Do you know how INANE THAT sounds???"

"Again I ask Why are YOU here?!?  Why were we even brought in on this if we're speaking to someone who can't get us actionable intel?!?"

"Yeah, I'd let a criminal go if I thought it would save lives but YOU Are USELESS to us without access to the Agencies investigating this Threat!"

"Join the Army?!?! Are you serious or just being intentionally stupid?!?  We have ONLY 10 DAYS TO RESOLVE THIS!"

"Your telling me that the NSA and CIA have no intel on the shipping and sale of fissile material and don't already have a ROOMS full of analyst already tracking that material down and THEY HAVE NOTHING to Report? But let's just leave that alone for now... you tell me you have no intel to give us BUT here you admit the government knows who this Major Oliver Harris is!  You say he went AWOL ~ From Where, when, he worked as a super solider form the US military ~ What are his powers?  Who are his friends where does his family live? Who was his CO, where is he? What missions/deployments ~ did he do for the US that put him near any access to S-97 Agent, where was he deployed, where their other Supersoliders he was deployed with and where?  ALL this intel could be crucial to finding out where he;s been and might lead to where he is NOW!  And We have been Wasting 5 days when we could have been tracking this terrorist leader down!  WHY won't you give us intel to find this threat!?!?!?"

"So again I ask WHY are you Even HERE?!?"

Justicar raises his hands in exasperation...

"Look. Its clear you don't want us to really investigate this case... just be the bag men and potential fall guys for when it all fails! I'm not really a US Citizen... I'm just here on a Student-VISA attending collage, cause my mom is a rich businesswoman from Japan who owns property here ~ So if you don't give two shits about saving the lives, we HEROES are supposed to protect, because of Bureaucratic BULLSHIT...?  Fine, its Your country ~ Fuck it up as YOU see fit! Just call me when you find something that needs hitting cause THAT'S Really all you want us here for obviously!"

"Something's going on downstairs I'm going to go see if I'll be ALLOWED to help there at least!"

Justicar turns to look at toward what ever the rest of the team seems to be dealing with...

Triggering his radio.. [Private to group LESPradio: "Oni, Tyger, Nimbus, 'Jacob'... what's going on?"]

{ooc: Attending college I'm NOT allowed to get the skills for.}
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Sat 27 Mar 2021.

After informing the heroes of their part in 'Operation Give Up The Goods' (Hugh didn't get to name it) Hugh Beaumont leaves. He expresses to anyone that asks that his entire career involves carrying messages from bureaucratic bigwigs to those that can act on the messages, so this is far from the first frustrated recipient. As has been mentioned, there was no action at the hero's pick up point.
It was at the hero's return that the poor man collapsed and died after deliberately approaching the heroes.

Returning from the dud mission, Lite Star lands on the roof.  Standing there for a few minutes staring out over the city.  The audio tracking picks up the commotion from down near the entrance and she rushes to the buildings edge to look down at what is happening, zooming in easily onto the scene.  Watching in horror as the man draws his last breath and able to pick out the words.  With an easy motion she vaulted the lip of the building and dropped to get to the group swiftly.  The magneto drive jets kicking in to land her gently on the ground close by.

What is it?  How did... Memory of the effects of the S-97 came to mind, Umm... do you think he might be infected with the agent?  Or something else? Another thought struck and turning to infrared vision she started to look back along the heat trail his feet had taken from the side alley, ..I'll see how far I can back track his trail.  I don't think it will be far but it might be something.

Activating the suits full sensory system, and ensuring the armours environmental seals were reporting secure, Lite Star started to back track along the route the man had taken, recording everything for as far as she could.  Eliza had no medical knowledge and from what Jacob had said there was nothing she could do to help the man.

(OOC: 11:39, Today: Lite Star rolled 76 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Equipment [50%].)

Justicar arrived to the site of the man's death.

Looking around her saw no one around save his team and the now corpse, he scanned the terrain looking for sniper positions or at least concealed position from which to see the scene.

"I'm pretty sure he did not 'die' of medical conditions... he was killed by assailants able to attack him or perhaps his mind with potentially no need of line of sight."

"Lite Star, we might get better results on the net querying the local street, teller and stop light cameras to track the route he used to arrive here... or we might query the weather services to see if we might be given access to their satellites records to see if we can zoom in on his movements before arriving here?"

"Don't get your hopes up, though...Government does not really want to help any investigations we try."

"Has anyone seen Volt.. he may have alien senses to track his scent and perhaps retrace his path to arrive here, or maybe Master TaoZen can retrace his Chi and track back to where he came from?"

"At least We now know have another name we may be able to track Shadowhawk... well may track if we can get some help from the police or FBI 'doubtful'...  We should at least do a web search on the name Shadowhawk..may turn up more than asking any official criminal investigative agencies?" 'Shrug'
This message was last edited by the player at 12:16, Sat 27 Mar 2021.

A web search on Shadowhawk turns up
• Groen Shadowhawk, an abandoned autogyro design
• Shadowhawk Aviation in South Carolina
• hydrofoil donated to Father Heronomus Kinkaid's Church of Divine Harmony
• ShadowHawk comic character
• a Gulfstream G650 owned by heavy metal legends Klang and the Klamor
• Shadow Hawk Golf Clubs in Texas
• movie "Shadow of the Hawk"

There are other hits, as well.

Returning from the false drop, Tyger felt as though they were being jerked around by the Force.  Whoever this Shadowhawk was, Chandani wasn't completely convinced that it was Major Harris, obviously had the upper hand.  And seemed to be toying with the LESP.  No, it was more than that, he was setting up the decoys to feel out the strengths and weaknesses of his opponents.  The lithe army veteran had to admit, she'd do the same given the chance - all the better to strike from a position of power.

And now where was another dead.  Her hands balled into a fist momentarily as she helplessly watched her teammates attempt to resusitate the stricken individual.  She pursed her lips, started to case the direction that the man had come from.  She was far from an expert tracker, but she'd had a basic course.  Which meant, that she was really only looking for the obvious - a blood trail, anything really - but, mostly it was something that she could do to keep occupied in the moment.  And there was the chance that the man wasn't going to be able to hide his path that well given his condition...

---

[OOC:  Uh... try to retrace the fallen man's steps/path and look for clues along the way?

  11:20, Today: Tyger rolled 6 using 1d100.  Tracking [TN 36%]: Fallen man's tracks. – [roll=1616869240.67811.315641]

Well, if there is something to be found... Even the blind mouse finds the cheese sometimes (other times they get eaten by the cat)... :D]

[Private to GM: 25 experience points for skill use]
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:03, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

Tyger traces the doomed man's path. It appears he waited some time in the alley halfway down the block. From the alley, his trail leads back to the bus stop on the corner.
An ambulance with paramedics arrives, along with two uniforms in a squad car. The paramedics quickly confirm the condition of the man, and they happen to drive away at the same time the coroner's van arrives.
The police officers take down names and phone numbers while noting that the security feeds from the LESP Building will let them know what happened with Mr. Jonas.

"It's just a shame, ya know."
"Oh, I recognize him. That's Nathan Jonas, reporter for the Center City Sentinel. Most of the guys on the force have spoke with him at least once. He was old school. Didn't care how cute you phrased it, just wanted the truth and that was all he'd write."
"I kinda liked him. Yep, it's a damned shame."

Tyger came trotting back the LESP building façade from her short reconnaissance.  "His tracks loiter over there..." and she pointed out the alleyway, "and then can be found coming from the local bus stop..." she continued a touch of puzzlement creeping into her voice as with the latter statement, "why would he take public transit here ... or anywhere really, if he thought he was dying?"

"Unless," the auburn-haired army veteran brainstormed aloud, "he didn't realize or was not attacked until after..."  The former, Tyger wasn't really qualified on - perhaps one of the others could tell best.  But, as for the latter, she went back to alleyway to see if anything else could be gleaned.  This time, Dani tried to place herself in a potential ambusher's position - perhaps from above... or in one of the more numerous shadows present.  She had to hope that something might present itself...

---

[OOC:  Once more into the breach - Detect Ambush with an eye towards forensics, perhaps?

  19:35, Today: Tyger rolled 69 using 1d100.  Detect Ambush [TN 71%]: Anything in the alley?  Not sure about modifiers.. – [roll=1616898935.86119.315641]

It is either that or a raw Int roll of some sort (and I am not sure how that works, mechanically) ...  Anyways, it is barely a success - if there are not adverse modifiers...]
[Private to GM: Probable Ambush points for a ranged weapon are rooftops and fire escapes and they yield no clues, the alley he was in could be an ambush point but there's nothing to suggest any but he were there.
Still 25 experience points for skill use]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:13, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

Justicar steps over to the body of the slain man, Nathan Jonas - Reporter for the Central City Sentinel, he takes a knee at his side.  With as much respect and gentleness... he searches the man's pockets for a 'paper' notepad, or PDA or even a cell phone, collecting them into a concealed compartment in the justicar's concealed waist compartments.

He will show his LESP badge to the officers and say, "This evidence is being reviewed by the LESP in an ongoing investigation into potentially locating a known terrorist, under the authority of the DHS.  Any evidence or intel will of course be freely shared with the local CCP and the evidence will be returned to the custody of the CCPD once any relevant intel has been obtained.  We have suspicions Mr. Jonas' death could be a homicide but we have no current proof to support that.  We would ask the coroner do an autopsy to discover the cause of death, and keep us informed of the results.  The evidence secured today, will be turned over to the CCP no later than tomorrow!"

Triggering his suit radio - [Private to group LESPradio: +"Tyger, heard your discovery, found anything... or need some back up?"+]
This message was last edited by the player at 05:13, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

Nathan Jonas's pockets are peculiarly empty. The only thing found in his pockets is a few bills and some change. The suit he wears appears to be an older bespoke one, the name George Semgall is on the jacket inner pocket. Even so, it fits Nathan Jonas very well.

Justicer will then query the police to run Nathan Jonas' name in their system and find his address - driver's license, work history, SSN... anything about him that might indicate where his home was.

He will at least get the address and number for the Center City Sentinel paper Nathan Jonas worked for...
This message was last edited by the player at 05:57, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

The police officer with the long name on his nametag says, "sure!"
He starts walking back to the car and then looks back over his shoulder at Justicar, saying, "hey, I bet you could plug directly into the radio on the squad car so you can record everything. You want to try it?"

[Private to Justicer: if you agree and move to the squad car, the patrolman points out the radio and keys in the request. As it's being processed, he tells Justicer that he usually doesn't call this in till he's checked phone listings and talked to the employer, but Justicer asking would let him get by with it. The numbers and contact information Justicer asked for is delivered.]

Jacob looks to Tyger and Justicar.  No identification.  Clothes not normally his own.  Riding public transportation.  Sounds like he was trying to avoid being followed, he says.  We may need to check out his place, interview his coworkers.

returns from fruitless search and waits with the rest of the team.

In reply to Patrolman Januchowski (msg # 140):

Justicar brightens, +"Why thank you officer, Certainly.. thank you again!"+, even his synthisized voice convey his appreciation!

He opens a port on the gauntlet of his suit and patches right into the radio... spending just a few seconds to synchronize his wireless, radio and internal computer.

07:53, Today: Justicer rolled 57 using 1d100.  Computer Operations [67%]. – [roll=1616932399.45807.355584]
07:52, Today: Justicer rolled 82 using 1d100.  Electronics: Basic [57%]. – [roll=1616932320.71773.355584]


Justicar's wireless connection connected to the police cruiser's WiFi before Hikari realized the actual radio was a bit ... lower tech than his available patch cables to directly patch in...

Speaking to his integral LAI, "Karl, can you make sure my connection is patching us in and uploading the data?"

07:58, Today: Justicer rolled 15 using 1d100.  'KARL' Radio: Basic [86%]. – [roll=1616932683.02845.355584]

+'Working on Son... ... upload complete Hikari.'+

"Thanks dad."

Data retrieved, again Justicar thanked the helpful police officer making a note in his systems of his badge number and name as a helpful resource... he would rely on in the future!

----

Justicer them walked over to Jacob, Lite Star and the team, +"...Got that info for you on Mr. Jonas... his home, work all details.. sending it to you all in text to your phones so we can all share in the investigation and track down where he's been, and find out who killed him and why!"+

[Private to GM: 50 experience points for skill use, information in next post]
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

Nathan Jonas's driving record is clean, apparently he used public transportation more often than not. He had worked for the Center City Sentinel since he received his journalism degree from Center City University, doing layout, selling advertising, proofreading, and for the last ten years as a reporter. He lived in his parent's house in one of the western suburbs. The editor at the Sentinel indicates the last story Jonas was working on was an exposé on Father Heronomus Kinkaid, founder of The Church of the Divine Harmony. The editor goes on to say that Jonas claimed to be going to Kansas under an assumed name to enter a Church of Harmony commune there.

As the information is passed on Lite Star adds it all into her records for review.  A few things spark with the information about the dead reporter.

"Father Heronomus Kinkaid and that church.... that was the one that had received the donation of the hydrofoil, Shadowhawk.  And a fast moving boat would be perfect for moving a device like the bomb being used to threat.  It would also be an easy way to pick up ransom money too.  Anywhere on land would have routes cut off when they landed the helicopter after leaving the pick up.  But out at sea, it's harder to pursue.  And if you had a sub then you could collect the helicopter and almost disappear.  There have been submarines with aircraft hangers since WW2."

Justicar nods, +"Call the port authority, see if the 'Shadow Hawk' is in port...?"+

He ponders also, +"...If only we could get a hold of Major Oliver Harris', service record to see if he was ever stationed in Kansas... aren't there a number ICBM launch sites across Kansas?"+
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

Tyger returned to report her (non-)findings to the team.  There was nothing of note in the alleyway where the reporter had sequestered himself for a time - no signs of struggle or likely ambushing sites or memorabilia.  Though she was readily willing to admit that she wasn't a master of those techniques and could have possible missed something.

Hearing the summary of Jonas' last assignment, Dani shook her head and noted with some incredulity in her voice, "We don't have to go to Kansas now, do we?"  Justicar had a point though, it might be worth seeing if there might be a connection between Harris, Shadowhawk, Kansas, and the Church of Divine Harmony commune.  Nothing tied together (yet), but it was all tantalizingly strange; so, much so that if Tyg's had a weirdness meter it would probably be going off about now.

"There are ICBM silos dotted all over the midwestern country-side, purportedly ..." she responded to Hiriko's query, "But, yes, Kansas has a number of them.  Hopefully, this commune isn't build on or near one."  That would be one too many coincidences.

Jacob looks to Tyger.  Is Harris retired or still active duty?  I would have to assume they have some kind of periodic irradiated waste or fissionable material he might be able to get his hands on.  The reporter's last words would indicate the Church has a connection to Force.  We may need to coordinate with FBI and DoD to get someone out there to look into the possible connections.
He looks at Hikaru and Lite Star.  Perhaps a fly-over can get some sensory data that will get us enough for a search warrant, he says.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:01, Sun 28 Mar 2021.

Justicar replies to Jacob, +"Mr. Hugh Beaumont, referred to Major Oliver Harris, as AWOL, so He was active until recently apparently.. but he did not..or Would not reveal when and or where Major Oliver Harris went AWOL."+

+"From here to Kansas City is roughly a 1,100 miles... I'd need all my booster drop tanks, but could probably get there in 2 say 2 and a half hours at top speed...FAA would hate me though and I'd be totally out of fuel once I arrived! Not sure Lite Star can fly that fast or long... but I potentially could carry her... though wind resistance would slow me down... Mach 1 does not do well with non-streamlined air frames."+

+"Get me some exact coordinates of this Church of the Divine Harmony compound... and we could also try to get footage of the compound from above with weather sat data... or... ~"+

His posture becomes exasperated... as he folds his arms...
+"Can't anyone else see how limited we are without direct access to CIA, NSA, FBI, and DoD assistance? We're flying blind here... we don't have the resources they use in investigations!  It's like they don't WANT us to succeed!"+

"That kind of assistance doesn't come freely. And individuals like us operating independent is the main power. Consider this. Assuming that The Force have infiltrated one or several government organisations, like considering their recent actions, could you trust any intel you would get from any government agency, or would you consider them compromised?" said Oni calmly.

Surprisingly, the ShadowHawk is moored at Center City Harbor.
The commune is about forty-five miles north northwest of Dodge City. The coordinates are available and using gaggle globe (an online map service) shows:

Derek sipped his coffee with some satisfaction.  Finally, some action!  He didn't have the investigative experience of the others, or their familiarity with spook work, but he was pretty sure he was up to putting away bad guys . . . .

Actually, I meant a fly-over of the Shadowhawk in the harbor, Jacob says.  We can decide if anyone is going to Kansas later today.  However, I don't think anyone should go anywhere without a partner.
He turns to The Oni.  We aren't exactly independent.  We are given a lot of leeway, but, in the end, we still have "masters" to whom we must answer.  The police chief, the police oversight committee.
The mayor.  Ultimately, the very people we protect and serve.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

Justicar replies to Jacob, +"Ah.. ok..yeah THAT can be easily done!"+

Turning to Lite Star, +"Whenever your ready... I could also prepare my Dihilator to take pictures to check for radiation spikes?"+
This message was last edited by the player at 09:06, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

The ShadowHawk is about 20' by 80', and probably has four decks. There are a number of what appear to be crew working on the boat. Many are just cleaning and polishing, but two are involved with the radar array (probably calibration). The boats loudspeakers are blaring out "Never Steal What You Can't Buy" by Klang and the Klamors, the inimitable screech of Billy Klang defining the tune.

Taking in the information as it arrived, Lite Star seemed slightly amused at Justicer's talk of long distance travel.

"Yeah, that distance flight would take me about ten hours.  As for flight endurance...I think I'm fine for the next five years before refueling."

As Oni and Jacob mused about the groups position in the convoluted waters of government agencies she gave a shrug, it was not something she was used to.   Now knowing that the Shadowhawk is at the city's harbour she ponders more seriously.

"A fly over is possible, shouldn't look out of place.  But how about also a look at what's under the waterline?  Does anyone else dive?  If we slip into the water and keep to either the bottom or close to other berthed vessels then we could avoid anything but very sophisticated sonar."

In reply to Lite Star (msg # 156):


"I've never really tried my powers underwater," offers Derek, "but I bet I'd be a hell of a distraction flying overhead.  Plus, if there's any odd heat signatures on board, I'd pick them up.  Why not try the old bait and switch?"

+"I can operate under water with little difficulty, I'm fully environmentally sealed ~ and have underwater propulsion. But my Dihilator is not water sealed.. hadn't thought of using it underwater... take a bit for me to make a housing for that... perhaps a few days to design and construct. Not feasible with our time constraints.  But I could just get a picture from a distance... see if the Shadow Hawk has any ambient radioactive hot-spots.  I can't think of ANY reason for something radioactive to be on a boat that size.. she's not nuclear."+

Justicar nods, +"I like the idea of a bait and switch, what have you got in mind Nimbus.  My sensors can also get a thermal scan of the ship to find occupants.  Within 250'ft of Shadow Hawk I can even pick out and record conversations onboard!"+
This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

"I can swim reasonably well..." Tyger offered, which was a bit surprising given that she was dense enough to sink like a stone, but readily conceded, "But I don't have any special powers in the water."  Though Dani also didn't see any reason necessarily, that the water would hinder her that much.  Well, other than the large hinderance of being unable to breathe underwater.

Still, she wasn't going to be left out of the festivities if she could help it.  Even if her part was simply to help with any distraction.

Justicar turned to slender super-spy Tyger, +"Actually... how sneaky are you Tyger?  Do you think with a sufficient distraction that you could slip onboard to do some snooping? Maybe with Oni... hanging on the side of the boat someplace not easily observable as back up?"+

He shrugged, +"...if they truly are 'JUST' a religious self-help organization.. it should be no issue...right? But if they are not. ...!"+
This message was last edited by the player at 19:41, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

Tyger offered Justicer a slightly lop-sided smile, offering a charitable assessment of her ability, "I am fairly stealthy..."  Only a little uncertainty crept in, it wasn't exactly her forte - but some enthusiasm must compensate for that right?

She did agree with the Japanese teen's assessment though, "I can definitely hang out somewhere out of the way, where they are least likely to expect it..."

Dani rubbed her chin at Hikari's rather blasé assessment of their enforcement powers, "I do suspect that we can't simply snoop on them without some sort of warrant or probable cause, though..."
This message was last edited by the player at 19:51, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

Justicar cocked his head and ... was silent for a few moments as he cycled thorough his electronics systems...

16:02, Today: Justicer rolled 79 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%]. – [roll=1617048178.63251.355584]
16:03, Today: Justicer rolled 82 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%] - 2nd try. – [roll=1617048219.25471.355584]
16:04, Today: Justicer rolled 98 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Instruments [57%] - last try. – [roll=1617048253.25.355584]

Hikari was searching through his telemetry logs as his suit is always recording ... trying to find out his his suit had picked up with hit parabolich microphones the actually words of the dying man before he expired... but apparently there was just too much interference from street noise and distance to parse the sample of his voice out of the choas.

Justicar sighed and commented +"Well, are the dying words of a man we suspect was murdered ~ enough 'probable cause'?"+



+"Shadowhawk is a lead...?"+ 'shrug'
This message was last edited by the player at 20:12, Mon 29 Mar 2021.

Multiple officers heard him say it as he died, correct?  At least one is enough, but I believe additional verification should be enough probable cause, Jacob responds in answer to the youth's question.  I'll go get the warrant.  Tyger, since you spoke with Beaumont, you call him.  Whether you do that before or after we execute the search is up to you.  He gives her a grin that reveals his long, sharp fangs.

Justicar nods, +"ok, give me a few moments to attach a buddy breathing respirator to my suit's internal air supply.  So someone with me can share my air from my suit.  Nimbus you carry Chimpmanze directly to the ship presenting a obvious formal warrant for searching the ship. While I'll take Tyger underwater and use my aquatic-drives to carry her to the ship under water sharing my suit air.  Lite Star you will move in also in the water with Oni on your back using your underwater drives like a jet ski for him."+

+"Once I and Lite Star arrive ... Tyger and Oni slip on board to do some clandestine snooping, while the crew is distracted by Nimbus and Chimpmanze... while we remain under water monitoring everything with back up firepower if needed."+

We will have to liase with the Port Authority and the Coast Guard on this one, Jacob adds.  Technically, it's their jurisdiction.  So, I will put in that call, too.  Our Port Authority contact will be Baracuda, and our Coast Guard <liaison, if he's available, will be Riptide.
He then sighs.  Not really a huge fan of the water....
[Private to SSOGM: I just made these up on the fly.  Baracuda-female, icthyologist/environmentalist, mutant (accident, chemical) with scaly skin, powerful jaws/sharp teeth, Animal Abilities:  Fish, Sonic Power.  Riptide-male, Military Specialist, mutant (unknown), no characteristics, APS:  Liquid, CEF:  Water.]

"Should we not take a look first before going and tipping our hand by getting warrants?  A fly over with your sensors first Justicer and some other doing observation while others slip into the water quietly and see what's about?  I can get my hands on trainer SCUBA gear for those going in the water, full face masks with little radios, that I can tie into my comms gear.  Once we have some intel we can look at getting other authorities involved, like Jacob said, it would be their jurisdiction. Just don't want us looking over enthusiastic and jumping full force at any lead that surfaces.  A bit more calm and considered with this approach so we don't scare off a possible target.  Do other people have other surveillance options as well?"

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 165):

"Not sure if it'll work, Jacob," offers Derek, "but you might be able to fit inside the field when I fly.  Or otherwise hang on?"

OOC: Not sure if I can carry him or he can hang on to me.  I can't pick up stuff, but I can interact with things.  Can certainly fly CMZ there, but need a GM ruling on whether he can hang on once Nimbus triggers the field.

That was the idea.  You all do the scouting, I will get the warrants, Jacob says.  By the time you hvae the intel, I should have the warrants, and our liaisons at the port, ready.
He then looks at Nimbus.  Don't worry.  I think I can get a way out to the boat.

"It would be trivial for me take control of electronics of the ship, on the ship and nearby the ship, as long has they have some form of wireless communication or wireless access. Would that help?"
This message was last edited by the player at 20:34, Tue 30 Mar 2021.

Justicar nods to Jacob, +"Right then..shall we begin? Jacob and Nimbus go get the legal paperwork settled while We sneak in underwater.. let those best at stealth do some snooping.  Then Lite Star and I slip away exit the water where it cannot be seen then come back and do some 'aerial scouting' of the dock area as a distraction?"+

Dani simply looked up from her position next to Derek, where the coffee and - more importantly - donuts were.  The auburn-haired veteran gave a simple non-committal shrug when tasked with contacting Beaumont at the HSA by Jacob.  She continued to stuff down a number of the cake-dough delights with wonderous two-fisted gusto.  This wasn't the first time that her companions had seen her eat, thus.  And though she maintained a runner's build, Tyger definitely had a large appetite.  She'd always attributed it to what she called a Nepalese tapeworm (and clean living - whatever that meant).

When prompted about readiness, Chandani gave the group a thumb-up.  And still made no move to inform HSA or Beaumont yet.

Dani glanced Oni's direction when he asked about hacking their computer system.  I'd be nice if he could take out the enemies video surveillance - and she said so.  Though if she were honest, she'd often found that camera coverage was generally limited scope anyways.  So much so, that it could often be circumvented by a little creativity.  Well, that and the added facility to traverse walls and ceilings better than most.  Dani had always claimed that her climbing ability was also a standard Nepalese trait.  But, her time being experimented upon in the military medical facility might have also contributed.

The ShadowHawk is tied up at a private dock in the marina. There appear to be around a dozen hands on board, wearing nondescript clothing. The crew come and go, carrying boxes to and from the boat. Observation shows the boat has a sophisticated communications system with radar and sonar arrays, but nothing indicates the boat is armed in any way.

Jacob turns to Nimbus.  Well, let's go see if we can get this search warrant, he says to him.  Our biggest problem is finding a judge at any given time willing to sign off on warrants.  Gotta start filling out the paperwork for it.  Then we go find us a judge.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 173):

Derek switches to a travel mug, and follows Jacob out the door.

"If they were sensible with their security, video surveillance should be in a closed circuit. In that case I will need someone to plug in a wireless adapter for me to interface with rest of the system." You would never know though, there is always that one security personnel did something he wasn't supposed to. "I can tap in and interrupt their wireless communication though, radio or mobiles phones doesn't matter."

"However, I don't trust my stealth capabilities in the water. I can station nearby to handle electronics, and in case you need help I can reach you."

In reply to The Oni (msg # 175):

Justicar replies, +"You will not need to be in the water... the boat is docked so Lite Star and I will not need to approach under water with our stealth people.. you and Tyger.  We can just do our aerial distraction... since the boat is already in dock.  You just need to sneak around the docks to slip onboard to do your snooping!"+
This message was last edited by the player at 12:56, Thu 01 Apr 2021.

Oni makes the thumbs up sign "That makes it much easier".

Among the many decisions that were made when LESP was formed, there are two that should be addressed
1. as part of the force, the personnel in LESP would be subject to investigation by Internal Affairs
   • it wasn't practical to have one of the 'exceptional' people forming LESP as part of the Internal Affairs team
   • having a member of Internal Affairs as regular LESP would present that officer with hazards beyond their capability
2. it wasn't practical to have the people forming LESP fully trained as police officers
   • requiring such training would prevent attaching some personnel to LESP even though these personnel were vital to the division's mission
   • requiring the LESP members to attend the police academy would be difficult from both a logistical and PR standpoint

To resolve this, Detective Viktor Broyko was assigned to LESP. In addition to handling the paperwork for search warrants, et al, he can be asked to do legwork on any investigation LESP is taking on.
Assume, at this point in time, that the detective can get the necessary warrants. He will remind you that there must be a reasonable object for any search you undertake, but, you can surveil the boat without a warrant based on a suspicion that it might be involved in some criminal activity.

Jacob heads to Lt Broyko's office, to inform the officer of the situation and the need for a search warrant for the boat currently in the port.   He also explains  the number of personnel who heard the reporter's last words, and what they were:
.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 179):

Derek tags along with Jacob.  Kind of strange being on the "Cop" side of things, but Jacob seems to know what he's doing, and Derek figures he's got a lot to learn.

Detective Viktor Broyko prefers to be addressed by his last name while on the job. This stems from a report written by his first partner while they were looking into the theft of an expensive Ford, which read in part, "we spotted the Crown Vic at the corner, so Vik put the vic in our Crown Vic while we approached the Crown Vic".

"ok, Zee. Let me see if I got this. The dead man's last words suggest a connection with 'The Force', an organization that recently blackmailed the country out of half a million in diamonds. You want warrants to search this boat and look for connections to that crime."

"I can take this to the judge and get the warrants, no problem. But, if this were a run of the mill robbery I'd do it a bit differently. While you're waiting on the warrant, you could head on down to the dock and start watching the boat. Then a couple of your guys knock on the door and ask to have a look around. If they say yes you step inside and have a better idea of what you might be looking for if you don't find it right away. If they say no, you tell them you'll come back with a warrant. Then while you wait on the warrant you watch to see if they try to remove any evidence, or run."

"It usually takes a few hours to get the paper, assuming we're not looking into a public figure. That tends to slow things down 'cause I have to find a judge that doesn't have a personal stake in it. The owner of this 'ShadowHawk' is listed as The Church of Divine Harmony, so it could take a day to get the warrants."

Divine drums her fingers on the table as the planning session unfolds.

"We should still have some breathing gear to use on the stakeout; inspecting the tango from below the waterline could reveal some clues that aren’t visible at the surface," she points out.  She is, of course, absolutely going to be involved in any surveilling and boarding of the vessel; if anyone else here had been involved in more such operations than the former SEAL she would be vastly surprised.

It’s the need for warrants and the like that’s taking some getting used to.  Whenever she had boarded a ship in the past looking for criminal activity, there was absolutely never any cooperation from the criminals in question, after all.

"Plus keep working on the warrant, but don’t forget a warrant isn’t required if there’s exigent circumstances; imminent danger to life or property, prevent the escape of a suspect or destruction of evidence, that sort of thing," she points out.  "Depending on what we see...or sense...we may have to go in without a warrant, for the greater good."

She says this totally straight faced.  That’s all true, of course.  Most law enforcement officers don’t have the advantage, however, of a supernatural sense that informs them of illegal activities with absolute certainty.

In reply to Detective Broyko (msg # 181):

Jacob smiles.  Already got a surveillance team on the way.  Aerial,  at that, he says, careful not to mention the subaquatic surveillance.  We're looking for evidence of nuclear materials, communications with The Force or retired General Harris, bomb making materials, weapons, or one or more bombs.
He looks thoughtfully.  Is the church that well connected?  How many members do they have?
This message was last edited by the player at 19:55, Fri 02 Apr 2021.

Lite Star put in a call to one of her associates, getting them to pack up a few of the trainer sets of SCUBA gear, ones with full face mask regulators and other such things that make it easy to use.  This set up would allow for mikes to be used for comms.  She gets them to bring the kit over to the LESP office, making sure they use an unmarked car.  Getting back to communicating to the world outside her helmet.

"Ok, I have 3 sets of SCUBA gear on the way.  No wet suits though, don't know the sizes of whose going in.  I'll take an underwater look as well.  Maybe we can get close enough with all the clutter on the bottom so I can see if there is any radiation trace, or get an ear to the bottom and listen for anything."

"I don't know much about it, but I've heard of Father Kinkaid. Considering the circles I run in, my hearing of a preacher usually means they're well known."

Justicar leaves to go to his home lab to do some slight adjustments to his suits External Video and Audio Surveillance System. He swaps out one of the cameras for a still-shot radiological camera for picking up trace radiation sources.

Hikari also jots down a few notes about installing a real-time camera, with radialogical filter and the software he programmed his laptop to give a color visual analysis of radiation intensity... but that's  a project for another day.

Finishing his systems check and linking to his home computer system to monitor his telemetry... he call the LESP...

[Private to group LESPradio: "Hey Team, JUSTICAR here.. I'm heading to the marina to do my aerial surveillance and distraction.  I'll approach slow so you have time to get into position... ETA 15 minutes.  Hope I Don't see you there!  Be stealthy!"]

With that, JUSTICAR takes flight he approaches the marina with the Shadowhawk from the sea approach coming from the North as if on a standard patrol route He flies down and speaks to the beach police patrols talking to beach goers giving autographs and posing for selfies any who ask as he makes his way down the docks of the marina flying high to scan across with his sensors as if not a care in the world just following a patrol route.

Of course all his actual electronic attention is turned on the Shadowhawk but he never once approaches it or flies directly over the moored vessel.

He sets 'Karl' to the task of routing his telemetry to his home computer for accurate analysis...

07:54, Today: Justicer rolled 1 using 1d100.  'JUSTICAR' Read Sensory Instruments [57%]. – [roll=1617710051.29015.355584]
07:55, Today: Justicer rolled 63 using 1d100.  'Karl' Computer Operation [92%]. – [roll=1617710128.78276.355584]
[Private to GM: 50 experience points for skill use and RP]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

In reply to Detective Broyko (msg # 185):

Meh.  Tell me a Rabbi's name, and I might know 'em.  Not likely, though, Jacob says.  I guess I need to look up this Father Kinkaid.  Has he been in town?

Father Heronomous Kinkaid came out of nowhere to start The Church of the Divine Harmony. He began in small town store fronts, welcoming all who wished to hear. His success rate was phenomenal, and before long he had built a large organization. There are numerous small DHCs (Divine Harmony Churches) in every state. Each of these has a congregation of between thirty and fifty people, with between fifteen and twenty more casual church goers. The church organization trains its own pastors and administrators on its Kansas commune, which is as populous as a small town, itself, while having no actual permanent residents.

Lite Star meets those that were going into water for the observation of the boat at a non descript wharf.  There a pick up was waiting with the breathing gear ready, a man in clothing that would be easily be described as normal waited in the vehicle, baseball cap pulled over his head.  Lite Star would help people into the gear and then slip quietly into the water using the ladder, waiting for everyone to gather would then start to head to where the boat was, more or less pulling herself along the bottom of the marina to help lose any sonar in the surface clutter of the ground.  She employed all her sensory gear to carefully approach, wary of the possibility of physical security down here.

When close enough she would scan the vessel including the on board radiation detector, though needed to be within 60ft for that.

(OOC: Getting people ready 11:19, Today: Lite Star rolled 27 using 1d100.  SCUBA.
Under water observation 11:19, Today: Lite Star rolled 1 using 1d100.  Read Sensory Equipment.
[Private to GM: Lite Star gains 50 experience points.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 17:16, Wed 07 Apr 2021.

Derek sipped his coffee quietly, listening to Jacob's conversation with Broyko.  Being a superhero was definitely more complicated than he'd realized.  He was starting to appreciate all the griping about paperwork he'd heard from cops over the years.

He shrugged quietly to himself.  If this was the gig, this was the gig.  Best to keep quiet, watch, and learn.  There'd be plenty of time to get his glow on, no doubt.

Tyger disappeared for a few minutes to get suited up and returned in her 'uniform' - which consisted of a set of dark blue riding leathers with white and red piping down the sleeves and legs.  An embossed, stylized eagle graced her collarbone and upper breast, also accented in the same while and red piping.  A wide leather belt seemed to be holding a few sundry items in secured pouches as her tailored pants and jacket had only limited pocket space.

Her hands had gloves with the fingertips exposed while a set of combat webbing secured shoulder straps (upon which a number of slim throwing knives fastened in sheathes) and a mount for a large round shield that was secured across her back.  The webbing, belt and shield were all finished in a rather non-descript matte black.  Her tailored, matching heavy riding boots secured with chunky-buckles were obviously kevlar-reinforced and probably had both steel in the toe and heel along with the heavy tread.

Dani's head was relatively unadorned, her hair pulled back in ponytail and a light elastic band holding everything in place.  Over her eyes were a simple set of fashionable shooting glasses, the slightly yellow-tinted lenses helping with the movement contrast and her hands-free radio earbud secured both to her ear and the frame of the glasses.

With a simple gesture to Oni to see if he needed a ride to docks, Chandani made her own way to the garage.  However, instead of mounting her red Ducati, Tyger pulled the cover back on hoverbike with four swiveling large bladed turbine fans on it.  She popped on a helmet and started the brushless, independent motors on the vehicle with a biometric scan.  Then Tyg was on the bike and away, pushing out the garage door before it had even fully opened.

She landed the hoverbike on a rooftop a few blocks from the marina docks; not wanting to be too conspicuous.  Trying to be careful and stick to the shadows and walls, Dani picked her way towards the Shadowhawk.  Watching out for the others and their more obvious overtures as a distraction.

Dani slipped into the water and paddled towards the anchored vessel.  She knew that she could hold her breath for a while; so once within a hundred yards or so, Tyger's head dipped below the surface and didn't reappear until under the shadow of the hull.  There she simply clambered up the side of the steel hull; nowhere near any of ladders.  Then avoiding anyone on deck, she simply jumped the railing, pulled herself up one of the side struts and made her way to the roof of boat carefully avoiding any sensor arrays.

---

[OOC:  Let's try to board the Shadowhawk...  Approach, Sneak, and Observe...

  20:02, Today: Tyger rolled 15 using 1d100.  Prowl [TN 51 (or 61)%]: Trying to 'stick' to the shadows...  and the Shadowhawk. – [roll=1617850972.6047.315641]
  20:03, Today: Tyger rolled 38 using 1d100.  Climb [TN 86%]: Is there a sneaky way on-board that Adhesion might help? – [roll=1617851039.63813.315641]
  20:14, Today: Tyger rolled 33 using 1d100.  Swimming [TN 66%]: Approach the Shadowhawk by sea.. – [roll=1617851668.42931.315641]

The TN on her Prowl could be +10%, if her Adhesion power applies (i.e. she can use unexpected angles or entries - which I think/hope applies here)...]
[Private to GM: add 50 experience points for skill and RP]
This message was last edited by the GM at 10:54, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

Rather than draw more attention than really necessary while travelling to the stakeout, Laurie simply drives down to the harbour district in her personal vehicle.  Parking a few blocks away from the waterfront, she focuses on the exotic kernel of energy that now resides in her chest.  The power washes over her as the Mantle manifests upon her, bringing with it her ‘working clothes’, as ostentatious as they are compared to a simple set of BDUs.

She spends some time where she can observe the comings and goings on deck of the Shadowhawk, but unfortunately realises that while she has a fair amount of experience assessing military organizations, she doesn’t have any practical knowledge of how a purportedly civilian religious organization operates.  Is what she’s seeing signs of a hidden military agenda, or is this normal activity around a religious leader?  Without that context, she finds it impossible to gather any useful intelligence.  The best she can manage is to spot a few likely locations to come aboard where they wouldn’t be observe and could get the drop on at least some of the crew – and to let her decidedly supernatural sense pick up on anything that she could see that triggers as a former crime scene of any sort.

Eventually meeting up with Lite Star, she accepts the provided gear and examines it thoroughly before donning any of it.  Certainly not up to the standards of what she had used professionally, but serviceable enough.

Donning the breathing gear, she slips into the water heedless of her outfit immediately becoming saturated.  Moving beneath the water is even easier than in her service days, thanks to the incredible physical augmentation she now enjoys, and the subaquatic exploration goes off without a hitch...until one of their little hodgepodge unit goes off of plan.

[Language unknown: "Whiderwer, M be ontin’i neutpl,"] Divine sends over the team’s radio frequency, [Language unknown: "one t i ac ortsi u ingvorhis.  Er’ho tiosdire reshi neisheof, hiil fianieos asfi io k ofeinc'naun nghiecntha asri k isacli palopltrth."]  By her own preferences she is certainly onboard with the idea of simply taking the ship and tossing it for information and evidence, but that’s not how her world currently works.

Unfortunately.



OOC: Detect Ambush: 55%. – 47
Detect Concealment: 40%. – 80
Intelligence: 47%. – 100
Prowl: 40%. – 72
SCUBA: 60% – 17
Radio (Basic): 65%. – 39
[Private to GM: add 50 experience points for skill and RP]
This message was last edited by the player at 18:57, Sat 10 Apr 2021.

Justicar is present though not directly at the Shadowhawk boat he is listening over the team commline... and is quick to answer...

[Private to group LESPradio: "That is where you're mistaken Divine.  We are doing EXACTLY what we are supposed to be doing.  We ALL know the law we know also that there are organizations and some powerful individuals that use and those laws to hide their schemes and plots to plan the deaths of millions of innocents!  This is not a bank robbery we looking into, this is not a illegal arms deal with are trying to stop, this is not illegal drugs were are hoping to hunt down.. NO, we are trying to stop a plot of Mass Domestic Terrorism to kill millions of innocent people!  Some crimes are beyond law and procedures - they are Terrorist Attacks ~ plots to mass kill, with NO payoff other than the suffering they cause. Such situations are beyond laws to adjudicate cause laws assume sane action or some article of illicit physical reward are the goals.  Not so in this case! So normal procedures of 'due-process' must be suspended ~ Within Reason, to protect the public good! We CAN NOT allow the villains behind this to use the shield of bureaucratic laws to protect themselves while they plot the mass-murder of innocents!  In such cases the rights of privacy are outweighed by the danger to public safety.  I'm all for letting the police chase down crooks using the laws as a guidance to protect public privacy, and follow due-process... but can you really think that's practical letting the villains doing this stand behind a shield of 'privacy' when we risk standing on the rubble of a Nuclear blasted and Bio-hazard rubbled city of dead innocents?  When law enforcement misses the catch of drug runners or thieves no innocent life is directly loss.. we CANNOT treat this situation the same as felony criminal activity!  THIS is exactly what Superheroes are for... chasing down criminals and Mass murderers that normal law enforcement is hindered from pursuit of by normal means!  If this were Japan, it would not even be an issue.. law enforcement is assumed in the right to investigate or detain ANYONE they have a reasonable suspicion of committing a crime or in the process of plotting a crime! We have a reasonable suspicion.. so we are acting!  I understand your moral reticence to be involved in this OP.  This is not japan.. and I do respect US laws.. but this is an extreme circumstance.. we must act, and invading the privacy of a boat in dock to 'look into their hold or private rooms, or even their damned fridge' is a small reasonable invasion of privacy to stop the mass murder of innocents!  Of course if we find no connection to the terrorist plot, being super heroes... and not official law enforcement police we are not obligated to or empowered to purse any criminal activity we do find present... but I think if we do discover child-pornography or human trafficking going on are you REALLY just going to look the other way? If your conscience bothers you.. you can sit this Op out with no criticism from the team or me."]
This message was last edited by the player at 12:52, Thu 08 Apr 2021.

Of course, the detective is monitoring the radio.
[Language unknown: I. Wh. Weisch ee t pro i ntiortcom WAME nc rutencainrom athisste, Ut di a mamiie lo, mi.

Stieenmen, fo tinur ourentresanyiouyin thi heaciool illhouourect riilll ni lohaal ouseaukorinetin fope dino ulelul t thuthaoer. Ussa eaueenrom p urofsa ulted wit daythosoning hapa ch a tiith hautneilngni, itted virteduredin. K ereughest ca pro o werlaroeresstho a llpl inethoere o arhetiseur neroacol icaomeder rehees simo uthengfi larardica encou ckce-fowh p hohoad aditca. Iv urfi i aialprivss enc ughsetave stioerble unulmetr ho ainti ortai ei eiprit u waerse si evmo artoneone. O ckwino andardlin omeersles com i uner est nailtr itntul meare throhe nt ospeut o te staousiou ng ntdi ut wievni'beno. Urieur, i lethio p uselhe nguricwh se el ekoune ar verlatany outencers, m en araiteha il vorhouintect wi bleromeenith ur onsnotthu. Asss p AT os diatre, hi areoreons ess a ee miwhunme.

A, inec Me oufor ch statioerared eenof m Niwhou. O la cama Esurbe, anyencoun usur astwhelin iouol il virdayver ng whwantioec o ouscomlat VENRATTRA it oreughdinntishe nawafo i icaiveionomeive si erehistin, hi chle eltaprchnd fi paivma m ckpeeris asisll oresomfor paremewiunnc nce stitek tock hou olpeil et le manatioun i aiceis.

Evwa, Plbe ounentcon pewhi st wi it conbe en n ntehatillbut, mi nti Leslation laicec chpaun peeau ng intwitproughres dinourkorounfor u laort e tho plouse t vorderhou icaineure ecmail peunlincil.]

Tyger simply stayed in position (flat on the rooftop awning over the Shadowhawk's highest deck) while the others debated the legality of the situation.  When Viktor pronouced that should likely stay put and observe, that is what she did.  She clicked her jaw twice to acknowledge receipt and continued to look and listen for any interesting conversation or movement on the decks below her.  Even knowing the patrolling schedule (if any) or the disposition of the crew and their potential training and/or allegiance to the Force or any other organization could prove useful...

---

[OOC:  Not sure what is necessary/appropriate here...

  13:38, Today: Tyger rolled 35 using 1d100.  Surveillance Systems  [TN 71%]: Tailing, if necessary/appropriate.. – [roll=1617914315.21702.315641]]

[Private to GM: 25 experience points for skill use]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:23, Fri 09 Apr 2021.

Oni leapt on the rooftop as Tyger landed her hoverbike. She was a kind woman, offering him transport but she was also terribly in need of more sensible modes of transport.

"This is twice you are giving me a ride. I make you good food later. Just tell me what you like." said Danzo as he slightly bowed to her.

He went towards the Shadowhawk from a different route, too keep each other safe in case one of them gets compromised. He positioned to a roof nearby the Shadowhawk and scanned her electronics. He was gearing up to inject himself into whatever electronics he could find the ship. From the discussion going on in his radio communication, this apparently was acceptable under current situation they are in.

01:51, Today: The Oni rolled 21 using 1d100.  prowl.

Mechano-Link and Mechanical Awareness does not require roll from what I've read

[Private to GM: 25 experience points for skill use]
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:46, Fri 09 Apr 2021.

All activity around the ShadowHawk appears to be... mundane.
[Private to Tyger: Everything you see is consistent with a ship provisioning to leave port. The only odd occurrence is when one of the nondescript crewmen delivers his box of stuffs to the stores and detours to give a man who looks to be the captain (he's not carrying stuff) a note in an envelope]
[Private to The Oni: The ShadowHawk is outfitted with full radar/sonar equipment that would have detected any approach to the vessel, if it had been turned on. There is a highly advanced communications system, without encryption. All messages in the buffer are routine concerning traffic into and out of the bay. The electronic ship's log appears to be minimally utilized. It shows previous ports visited by the ship, including the fact that it is usually moored at St. Sebastian Island.]

Looking over to Divine in the water near the boat Lite Star shook her head a negative on her search.  Using divers hand signals to indicate a return to the surface, avoiding unnecessary use of the radio to help keeping them concealed as much as possible, she moved to start to work her way back to their entry point.

Oni decided it would be good to relay his findings over the radio.
[Language unknown: Com ce Na. Noeiplmala iewi olta el eiolta virtheons en K. Loweulet Ourlesith. Undlo ek u peard osanee withering?]

Trying to remember what little he kniws of the church, Jacob glances at Nimbus, then back to the Lt.  Let's get that search warrant.  Is there a branch if the church here, in Center City?  We might want to see about a search warrant for there as well.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 200):

Derek sips his coffee, and then looks up from his cup.  "Yeah", he adds, "if we could get the warrant, that would be great.  Can you send us the other one, or do we need to come back for it?"

In reply to The Oni (msg # 199):

Justicar came back reply...
[Private to group LESPradio: "Justicar here. So Shadowhawk is normally moored at a island off shore?  How far off shore?  I could go do a fly over and do a rad pic and a scan up close with some General Surveillance?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:19, Sat 10 Apr 2021.

Divine swims away from the vessel, anger simmering as JUSTICAR rants and Detective Broyko corrects him in his wake.

[Language unknown: "T no’e nich ant oulebe t lesur wered forallhas noan, wasardore pr,"] she replies tightly.  [Language unknown: "As’hi fifion it conovehat, wa K’n butthirat oulrearat ioing omear ll massienanc wial el, pe toncun adil undersive dicant sa ilsaie elver ca ntntaswhar ac il lllapo.  Sta ngwaul ouriveiou,"] she emphasizes curtly.  [Language unknown: "Om we u anmiseleme se nebeto, iou ameverich'rutwil hotrtrna, me sononsear ev n iv un wasio m ta ntere hautpl.  One m si riofelul u omiltrnefo p atina ananil oswewa, Ai ss his is ith hatdi ons ek fi pa ofno oul no mead ure eresch."]

She’s had to deal with armchair tacticians and philosophers like him before, she reflects as she hauls herself out of the water back at their staging point, and it never gets any less frustrating.  Peeling off her mask, she stands there dripping while stripping water out of her short hair with one hand.  Relaxing the ball of energy deep inside her causes her to revert to her mundane form for a moment, water pattering to the dock – and upon embracing it again, she’s once more dressed as Divine, but this time dry.

[Language unknown: "Compreent ou plun estiwafohi olal thaicaati honeiltiho,"] she fills everyone in.  [Language unknown: "Li El ble ne k thiteddin he to urefi lautfidi, I’p ev wheac i il o reieal lesdaylin at ted’u al iontrasom lesiouandave, ri anyshecon os she O’o sturek m virresvor."]

Accompanying Divine out to the staging post, climbing out beside her and just letting the water roll off the hydrophobic coating of her armour.  She reaches out a hand an places it on Divine's shoulder.

"Easy there.  May not want to be having this discussion over the air waves.  Anyway, I couldn't detect anything either, have a feeling this is turning into another avenue of nothing like all the rest we have... but it is the only thread we got at the moment to pull on.  Your experience is valuable if you've done this sort of op before, we could do with your clear head."

Refraining from using the radios to discuss what was found, unsure of how secure they were.

St Sebastian Island, outside of US territorial waters in the Caribbean, is approximately one mile across, nestled amongst a smaller group of islands. The island itself is basically flat, except for a small mountain rising some 500 feet. Adjacent to the mountain is a lagoon which contains a large dock. There is also a high waterfall which flows off the mountain into the lagoon.

[Private to The Oni: It occurs to The Oni (Extraordinary Intelligence) that for a waterfall to be high on the only mountain the island possesses, the water must be running uphill.]
This message was last edited by the GM at 22:03, Sat 10 Apr 2021.

Justicar was involved with a GPS search for the location of St. Sebastian Isle, and chuckled, at first then was rather stunned at Divine's outburst, he triggered his comm... [Private to group LESPradio: "Ok... not sure where all THAT hostility is coming from.  Your expertise and knowledge are exactly what we want contributed ~ Divine.  No one is or was attacking your integrity or dedication to the mission.  I even acknowledge your are correct about the law but I only was conveying this was a special situation of potential Mass Murder... our legal leash spoke up and said we could not just barge in. Which is NOT what I was proposing either... but our sneaky folk have decided even a undiscovered search is not something to do either.  Ok, fine I accept that, I'm no sneaky type so not something I can do either.  Be the adult in the room and no throwing threats around huh? I never issued any threat or insult intentionally ~ I just spoke my mind.  No, I'm no solider, nor have I ever killed anyone and have NO plans to start doing so either. I'm sorry if my thoughts and feelings on the matter offended you ~ that was certainly NOT my intention!  Anyways ~ St Sebastian Isle is likely a dead end also, first too far away to reasonably investigate and second following the 'by the book' rules we are not even authorized to set foot on that isle!  Sad to say, its looking like the words of a dying man are not enough, and we're just gonna have to sit back and let either bombs go off or let the government weasel a deal to appease these terrorists.  We should begin to prepare to face that kind villainy again in a week or two once they realize they can get away with it. Seems as if that's what the Investigative Agencies want us to do anyways."]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:01, Sat 10 Apr 2021.

Interfaced with his phone Oni conducted a search for the island.

[Language unknown: St asto. Utit nc noicunhi antus na oslimoosmo tofopa not omtowh. Atwaofil p alsslobe ma unckie. Dinbutort ofadof e ovedaynti outintcon, o ing setandsoniou omisouelei ardho ta seli. Peur eenlesarttio ckhoos et ilno. Ithteriou aststamen artionand niioad llce'adev not naecic foethoai oreintallill howaec.]

Oni decided to completely ignore the argument going on the radio.

In reply to The Oni (msg # 207):

Justicar replied, [Private to group LESPradio: "But Oni, isn't the island in Spain?  That's a bit further than we could reasonably even get to... and still, flying over their airspace is a violation of sovereignty without, you know without jurisdictional red-tape."]

News
[Language unknown: "Ur has, houti. Mo waofck manourest men oul u lome-saiv anyee ble, iv i ineeveday dihat m inewittin sisiin theomever'anyfor. Stred ntiwa artastort maro p wh of ruttinhou res sti urewas'hatman ro formentio nceth ompami echas al.]

Dani forced herself to ignore the rather indiscreet cross-chatter on the LESP radio channel, which was reasonably easy as 90% of it didn't concern her or the job at hand.

She stayed put on the roof of the yacht.  Only moving slowly on the roof to remain out of sight or to get a better vantage point of the crew and their workings.  She tried to pay particular attention to the movement and actions of the command crew on the bridge.  Tyger thought that she'd been able to identify the Captain of the vessel; so, she tried to keep a close watch on him as well as trying to figure out names and dispositions of any of the command crew.

It surprised her that any information would pass between the crew as written notes for any normal shipboard operations.  But since she'd seen it happen, it was likely ... er ... note-worthy.  And though try as she might, Tyger couldn't see the contents of anything written.  Chandani figured that it would go in her debrief.  But, without a chance to see, it wasn't worth breaking radio silence right now.

Divine growls softly under her breath, unhappy that she’d let herself be provoked into abandoning proper radio protocols.  She...knows better than this.

Her head hasn’t been entirely right since this whole crazy ride began, but that’s no excuse.  The only saving grace is if their radio signals are compromised and the tango spooks, that could be the justification they need to move on them – assuming their admittedly thin theories are correct.

[Language unknown: "T’i tarea p ome saompe te ie li ng, be ieth meti-haun ma ta bleingfortin yinartbleher nowhun,"] she relays to the others.  [Language unknown: "P’t waac o as ate ol un po inglatatehatart illameant learhice wana.  Ndhawautng?  O’we dinnc ssesil elkor miunca m anyli."]  It won’t be terribly accurate of an assessment, but she’ll be able to tell the difference between someone who’s a habitual speeder versus someone who regularly totes illegal weaponry and commits acts of violence.

Listening to the chatter Star lite actually face palms when the genius kid makes the Spain comment.  Ok, no navigation by Justicar.

"I can't clomp up with you in this armour Divine.  I'll stay here, get the kit stowed and sent off.  If your going up as interested in finding out about the boat, ask about endurance range, draft, length and beam, top speed, berths, cost, if she has docking jets, how big a bar they have and sun lounger space." She cants her head to the side, which would be accompanied by a smile if her face was visible, "I enjoy boating and find that most crew are rather proud of their vessel and happy to talk about those sorts of statistics."

Flashing a quick smile at Lite Star, Divine shakes her head.

"Good idea, but it wouldn’t help; in order for this to work, I can’t be in my civvies," she explains.  "I was thinking more of ‘canvassing’ for information for something totally unrelated to this, make our way along the docking slip talking to anyone who’s got someone aboard.  Gives a cover for the activity we’re kicking up around here too," she points out.

So really, in that case, clumping along in armour is perfectly acceptable since they would be on official but not at all terrorist-related business....

Lite Star nodded slowly, setting the gear in a neat pile for the man in the van to load up.

"Ok, that sounds like a reasonable way about it.  So we ask if anyone has seen say.... unusually dressed people with Cheol cases?  Obscure enough that the answers we'll get are no, strange enough to be something the LESP would be looking into."

Jacob speaks into the detective's radio.  How about we contact the Port Authority or the Coast Guard, see if they can do an inspection of the boat.  Since they have the authority to do that sort of thing without a warrant.  We could just be liaisons because of that case.....

Divine nods, looking speculative.

"That could work; I was thinking more investigating a series of villain-committed thefts where evidence has lead us to believe there’s an aquatic lair somewhere along this shore, and has anyone seen anything suspicious," she suggests.  "Potential opportunity to talk to more people to see if anyone ‘saw anything useful’, while clearly nothing to do with them – if this is actually the group we’re looking for."  Considering that their only evidence so far is completely circumstantial and the last words of a dying man; she’s not sold on that just yet.

[Language unknown: "Insaiv.  Arnipo-meon, O’u arhaha ntiac poof ereevestaoer na ekevre water ha ec et’na iticel n dinvirich ineto milane, p ntien p u e ng ioueraica ateer poolbe saniv poilonsa i ast ho was, ni ng at."]

Another crew member comes out of the boat's cabin. He's taller than those carrying the boxes (about 6'6"), and wearing a black t-shirt and jeans with combat boots. The other crewmen smile and wave, he responds to their inquiries saying something like "just looking around". As he steps to the dock, those that are pugilist fans recognize him as Tyler Miaksen, former heavyweight champion.

"Sounds good to me.  Shall we get going?"

Lite Star took a few steps in the direction of the boat berths.  The man with the van loaded up the SCUBA gear and quietly left.

"What do you think of the long distance link?  Not sure if we'd be covered going out that way.  I'm not beyond stepping outside of jurisdiction, after all I have the credentials to assist with fighting crime, not to obstruct me from it.  But I don't know about the others on the team?  I'd be prepared to chase this to the other side of the world if I had to."

Jacob takes out his cellphone and begins dialing the Port Authority.  Maybe Barracuda would assist them.  The kast time they had seen each other, it was awkward, but he is certain they are sti on good terms.  Calling for Riptide, however, might not be such a good idea, without 'Cuda asking his help.

[Private to SSOGM: I'm going to say he and Barracuda had a one time fling that turned awkward; hair and scales don't mix well.  And Riptide, who has a thing for 'Cuda, found out.  Otherwise, Jacob is not very "knowledgeable" when it comes to women.]

Divine snorts.

"I’m not about to let an apocalypse happen because there are laws in the way," she says stonily...then sighs.

"As I understand it, I’ve been tasked with being an embodiment of the laws that allow civilization to function," she explains.  "If the laws are designed as they should be, when we need to act it will have provisions to do so.  If the laws are an obstruction to humanity being able to live without killing one another...well, then it’s the laws that need to change."

She cracks her knuckles absently as they walk.  "Regardless, while I’m not going to go crashing aboard the ship without adequate cause like some people seem to think we need to do, I’m not about to let my hands be tied if there’s verifiable, credible threat."  If there were consequences, they would deal with them – after lives were saved.

"We should start a couple of vessels before the tango, establish a pattern to anyone watching that we’re not just singling them out," she suggests, glancing at Lite Star for agreement.

There are some people on the other boats, although some of them seem almost abandoned, and they don't say anything that wasn't already obvious. None of them claim to have seen anything unusual in the past month.
When you get to the ShadowHawk, you're almost immediately met by Tyler Miaksen. He's almost a living legend having started out as a tough guy on the streets of Dallas. Unfortunately, after beating up one too many delinquent lendees, he was sent to prison. He began a grueling physical training regimen while he was incarcerated out of boredom. After discovering he liked it, he kept it up. At one point, some years ago, there was some sort of scandal concerning Mr. Miaksen's beating of fight promoter, but no charges were filed and the story died.
Mr. Miaksen's visibility went the same way as the story, till now. Because he's right there, barring the way aboard the boat as he asks what you want to do on board.

"That sounds pretty much how I'd view things." She agreed with Divine on her view of the written law, "And yes, that plan seems to be reasonable."

Walking with the other hero, talking to people on other boats they finally get to the Shadowhawk.  At the gangway the somewhat imposing figure of the past heavyweight champion stops them.  In a cheery voice Lite Star starts off.

"Hello...oh, Mr Miaksen.  Pleased to meet you, I am Lite Star, She offered a hand in cordial greeting, "My data banks recognize you from your previous professional athletic endeavors and success.  We are making inquires as to an ongoing investigation and were wondering if you have a moment to possible assist?"

Turning her head slightly to Divine so she can start with the questions and apply her abilities.

Justicar already having done his patrol down the marina was now at the far end and continued on out if sight landed a mile down the shore on top of a building out of sight and pauses still in radio range.

'Doesn't seem the team wants my input anymore...', he pondered... 'though I never suggested a forced entry to the Shadowhawk ~ it seems they all believe that was what I was suggesting. Guess its just easy to dismiss a teen's ideas... just have to get use to it as long as I'm on the team...'


He sighed but decided to try again.

[Private to group LESPradio: "Justicar here, Oni? How is that data search on this St. Sebastian Isle going?  Is it 'officially' in Spain's territorial waters? Yeah, it's in the Caribbean but are we allowed to just go there and snoop around without search warrants? Do we even have the time to visit it? I don't think the bomb would there its somewhere on the east coast, we might find supplemental leads there but do we have the time to chase them down? What's your angle on that?"]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:21, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 219):


Derek cocks his head, curiously, listening to Jacob.  "Uh, Jake?", he asks. "Who are Ray and Barracuda?  We going fishing, or something?"

Divine flashes both her LESP ID and a winning smile, unleashing her mystically-augmented force of personality on the man to help ease his suspicions.

"We are investigating a rash of thefts committed by non-conventional means, and evidence leads us to look for a subaquatic lair somewhere along this shoreline," she explains smoothly, the previous couple of runs at unimportant vessels having been good practice.  "Have you or any of the rest of the crew seen anything suspicious in the area?"

It doesn't take a supernatural sense to know that Miaksen was a criminal; he was, after all, a convicted felon.  Hopefully she will be able to get a sense if he's currently involved in something a little more...serious.


OOC: Trust/Intimidate: 88%. – 44
Seeing what Criminal Intuition says about what sort of criminal Miaksen might currently be.

In reply to Nimbus (msg # 224):

Riptide and Baraccuda.  They are old friend s of mine who work for the Coastguard and the Port Authority respectively, Jacob responds.  But, the others seem to have another plan that might work.

In reply to JUSTICAR (msg # 223):

[Private to group LESPradio: This is Oni. I don't have much information beyond my previous findings. It is a quite leap of logic but my suspicion is that artificial structure I've detected on the island is a secret base of some sort. Water is perfect for avoiding various scanning technologies.

Let's see if Divine and Lite Star can get something from the boat. If not, that island is our only lead, and in that case I suggest we kindly violate the territorial integrity of Spain"]

The ex-boxer shows he's had experience with being recognized, with a huge grin he says,
"Ladies! How do you do? I'm sorry to hear about the thefts, as I'm in the process of distancing myself from the indiscretions of my youth. Unfortunately, I find there's nowhere you can go to completely avoid the criminal element."
"Father Kinkaid has helped. He's allowing me to provide security for his boat, and when we make the run to the island it really does feel like I'm getting away from it all. Have you met him?"
"He's not here. I'm sure he wouldn't mind if you came aboard and looked around. They have a very good radar thing, maybe that could help with your search."
"Try not to disrupt the loading too awful much, we're scheduled to return to the island, and need to get the supplies aboard."

[Private to Divine: Despite his past, Mr. Miaksen doesn't appear to be doing anything illegal at the moment.]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:01, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

Tyger strained to catch the gist of the exchange between Miaksen and her LESP compatriots, but it was difficult from her vantage point.  Still, she seemed to get the gist of it - at least she thought she did from the body language.  The lithe army veteran was pretty sure that you didn't need a warrant with invitation.

But, that wasn't her primary concern yet.  There was plenty of cargo movement on to the boat - and likely just routine supplies.

But, it still needed surveillance.  That was here current goal even if there didn't seem to be much else unusual happening on the boat.

---

[OOC:  Anything else to overhear?

  10:30, Today: Tyger rolled 91 using 1d100.  Surveillance Systems  [TN 71%]: Anything else to observe that might be interesting? – [roll=1618767030.62551.315641]
Not much there that she could see, I guess...]
[Private to GM: not much to see, but 25 experience points for taking a look]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:00, Wed 21 Apr 2021.

Lite Star gave a nod to Ty, and a slight head tilt.

"That would be very good if we could have a little chat with some of the crew, though as you say, we'll avoid causing disruption.  And if I could see any radar or sensor logs that are available it would be a great help."

She now was sure that the boat had nothing to hide physically, else they would not be allowed on, but Divine might pick something up, and getting a view at their sensory gear and logs might give more information about the capabilities of the vessel.

"I am glad father Kinkaid has been able to assist you personally Mr Miaksen."

Tyler steps aside, leaving the gangplank clear, and calls out "two to come aboard, captain!"
The crew member that isn't carrying things comes to the gangplank, smiles, and nods as he gives a 'come ahead' wave with his hand.
Tyler chuckles, and says, "the captain appears to be a man of few words, till you get tired of the soccer matches on the lounge tv and call it a puh, uh, weakling sport."
"Go on aboard, and if you need anything about the boat, itself, you should ask the captain. Most of the crew are actually unskilled labor. Father Kinkaid takes them on and gives them room and board while they learn to handle themselves on a boat, then they go to work on other vessels and the only thing the Father asks is that they tell the people they meet about the church."

Jacob does not bother to make the call, listening to what is happening over the radio.  Remember that we have no authority in Spanish territorial waters, or in international waters, either.   Anyone foing to that island is going to require a liaison from whatever agency holds authority over it.

Divine smiles her appreciation to the invitation and follows Lite Star aboard.

"It’s always good to discover when someone can overcome their past and legitimately be on the straight and narrow," she agrees, meeting her companion’s gaze and giving her a nod.  One down, a number to go; but if she doesn’t get any hits from her preternatural senses, they may have to write this off as a dead end and start from square one trying to figure out the meaning of the words of a dying man.

She makes a point of speaking to everyone they encounter, even if briefly, to get a sense of the sort of people that make up the ship’s crew.  A much more thorough inspection of the vessel from its own deck is also certainly what is needed to turn up any sort of evidence of illegal doings, if there are any.

The ShadowHawk is a fairly well-run ship, and most of the crew are happy to share. The Captain actually tells you that you have 'the run of the ship' while he attends to other duties. What can be learned in a search of the ship and speaking with the crew?

• The boat is usually moored at San Sebastian Island
• San Sebastian is in the northern part of the Caribbean and appears to be one of the American protectorates, however, there is no native population to the small island so there's not really anything there to govern.
• Father Kinkaid entertains numerous celebrities on his island. In just the last year, they've had Billy Klang, Rachelle Yu, and Tyler Miaksen (rock star, action movie star, boxing star).
• They're due to leave tomorrow and return to the island

[Private to Lite Star: You're pretty sure you could pilot this ship, and are slightly tempted to do so just to see what the hydrofoils are like. Oh, did I mention that before? This is a hydrofoil yacht, top speed about 60 nm.]
[Private to Divine: None of the crew appear to be involved in criminal activity.]
[Private to Tyger: You observe the captain speaking with someone, and writing in his notebook "transmit signal at ETA minus ten"]

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 232):

Derek turns to Jacob.  "If we're not going to do much good here, do you want to regroup?  Either head to the docks with the rest, or back to headquarters?"

In a few moments, he says to Nimbus.  He turns back to Lt Broyko.  Has anyone been in touch with Interpol?  To see what information they might have.  Chances are that any group capable of fielding a diety bomb ir any other kind of nuke is going to be international.

Divine’s vague feeling of frustration grows as she sees more of the vessel and speaks to members of the crew.  It’s becoming more and more clear that their assumptions were off.

"I think we’ve taken up enough of these people’s time; let’s move on," she says to Lite Star, giving the other woman a faint shake of her head.  Upon disembarking, she immediately contacts the rest of her team.

[Language unknown: "Ss me as thpr, sheandameain ndules a oneterent eende iv ich ounioutioous ei oerthower difi setectineset n antaee at eraherard wilsomyin,"] she reports curtly.  [Language unknown: "Ad ing pa art, m inca la ove usonwe plecseriil intwilsom ect ‘Asfour'saee’ pa ainersdinrom an whutil altofo k’er isille u ecatom outkorshe ers ai laceou no et ecekan."]

Dammit!  All that time a waste, and now back to square one with the threat of a terror attack looming even closer.

Jacob responds over the radio.
[Private to group LESPradio: Has anyone run sensor scans while aboard the boat?  Like for radiation.]

Just doin' his job.
[Private to group LESPradio: Heads up. We just got word the location and deactivation codes delivered at the actual ransom pickup were legit. Seal team twelve picked up the device and tried the codes in a secure space. Bomb is deactivated and the active portions are being destroyed.]

Having examined the sensor equipment and any logs from them she could, Lite Star did indeed do a sweep with her radiation detection system, as well as use the advanced audio system on the suit to listen out for anything irregular.

Leaving her radio active to answer Jacobs question as well as seeming to speak with Divine when the other hero indicated it was time to go. "Yes.  Everyone here has been very co operative, but we should move on."

Moving with Divine to leave the boat she looked back over it.  It would have been fun to take it for a spin, after all speed was something she enjoyed.

Justicar, holds his position monitoring Lite Star and Divine from long distant until they Actually leave the boat.  He waits just a minute or two monitoring the 'Shadowhawk', just to be certain before taking off to head for LESP Base.

Then detective Broyko's call on the LESP Channel frustrates and infuriates him!

[Private to group LESPradio: "SO, we weren't needed at all?  Next time your just going to pay the terrorists anyways... might want to include that note in your First memo to us.  Save us a lot of time and effort."]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:20, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

Jacob looks at Lt Broyko with an inscrutable expression.  Let's go, Nimbus.  Our work here is done.  He turns to leave, heading out to the parking garage and his pre-owned Prius 1.
Reaching for the door, it unlocks as soon as he tugs on the handle.  He slips into the driver seat, unlocking the other doors.  Closing the door and buckling his seat belt, he presses the brake, then the start button at the base of the steering column.
When he grips the wheel, he sits quietly, staring off into space.  There is a cracking sound, the sound of wrenching metal.  When he releases the wheel, the foam-covered resin breaks away from the bent metal skeleton in small, powdery pieces.  Damn.  Third one this year.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 242):


Derek looks at the steering wheel, sips his coffee, and then gives Jacob a half-amused, half sympathetic glance.

"So . . . " he says, breaking the tense silence.  "We're flying then?"

Divine snorts, glancing aside at Lite Star.  "Typical.  Politics," she adds with a shrug.  It’s always frustrating when the critical mission suddenly goes away though less direct means, but it happens.

[Language unknown: "Ar fo diiowateit en st utstie eeevis, P’e ndun nce we u est,"] she gently reminds some of her team that how the situation was resolved was less important than the fact that it had been.

"I’d offer you a ride, but I imagine you’ll have no problem getting back on your own?" she asks her fellow hero, her own persona of Divine washing away to reveal her more mundane self.  Could probably shoehorn that armour into her Jeep, but she didn’t think it likely she’d be taken up on her offer.

Oni felt a rush relief.

[Language unknown: "Latic k Latst. Plpe ur ivpo eepre itort uspoec ac o cell, ng p as hathi il en onebutard. Hewiwi ivereaven und fonte ome n i ure outev hasstiver n vorul ek. On ntihi an utoumi fiom isrion. P ckle reiess utmieepa enatlewa, artersith oveof thohouratter o be letiti. Etel wer avene"]

Listening to the radio she gave a sigh, shoulders slumping a little.  Lite Star looked over at Divine and shrugged.

"Actually I think I'll take that offer.  I think the company will be good.  Once we get back I'll download my logs and then.... I don't know, look to do something to let off stress I think.  Need a bit of a positive adrenaline hit, maybe a few laps of a track on my bike."

The armoured suit would fit into most vehicles well enough if the seat was angled back a bit to give the six and half foot head clearance, sensory antenna could be folded back easily enough and the weight was carriable.

In reply to The Oni (msg # 245):

Justicar is in flight back to base replies, [Private to group LESPradio: "Eh, I know Oni... it just sits unwell with me...especially with how little investigator support we received from the supposedly 'official' Agencies involved in the investigation.  They would not give us the ability to really investigate the leads we did have!  It just feels almost like some collusion between the terrorists and the 'Official' Agencies was somehow going on!  I don't think the only 'CRIMINALS' in this case were the Terrorists!!  But you are right no one was hurt ...so yeah a victory... YET!  Paying off terrorists only encourages them to DO IT AGAIN!  So...I'm Certain we have NOT seen the last of this!!!"]

He lands at the roof entrance and uses a tube to renter the base.  He heads down to the Workshop lab, and 'steps' out of his armor to go to a work bench where he sits down to start working on some design software to work on some alternate design plans of his suit adding a radialogical camera permanently to the sensor array.

Throwing himself into design work to relax his anger and frustrations.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:18, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

In reply to Nimbus (msg # 243):

No.  It's just a bit bent outta shape.  I can drive it, Jacob responds as his shoulders slump.  Just gonna have to take it to get it replaced.  Maybe I should look into one with a stronger skeleton.
He attempts to reshape the skeleton of the steering wheel into a more rounded shape.  We would've been of more use helping to evacuate the city.  He shakes his head in frustration.  This was a right cluster-frak.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 248):

"Is this normal?", asks Derek.  "I mean, I don't mean to grumble, you know?  I'm glad I'm on the team.  I just figured there'd be more helping people.  Maybe some bad guys to punch?"

Derek sighs.  "I figure, you know, I got these powers now.  The whole time I was a medic, it's like I was cleaning up messes other people made.  I helped, sure, but the bad stuff had already happened.  Now, I figure, I can stop the bad stuff.  Or at least, stop the guys doing it, so there's less bad stuff going on."

Derek shakes his head, and has another sip.  "Mostly, it seems like we're chasing our tails, and arguing about procedure.  Is it always like this?"
This message was last edited by the player at 13:31, Tue 27 Apr 2021.

When the heroes return to the converted firehouse they're using as a headquarters, a familiar face awaits. Hugh Beaumont greets everyone that greets him, and asks to see the whole team in the cafeteria. His only response to those that upbraid his handling of the FORCE affair is a cryptic statement that he repeats multiple times, "I didn't control the menu. Wait and see how you like me, now."

As soon as LESP has assembled, Hugh has the doors locked and the lights lowered. He puts a photo on the screen of a middle-aged, well-built, smiling man. "This is Father Heronomus Kinkaid. His church became large enough to concern us, so we sent a few people to check it out. They came back calling The Church of the Divine Harmony a model organization. Those agents haven't been the same since."

"Some creative interfacing and forensic accounting suggests the church should have been bankrupt, twice. They're receiving financial support and hiding the source. Coincidentally, FORCE pulls this ransom demand thing. The virus was apparently stolen from the army. The fissionable material, we believe, came from thefts that occurred at waste disposal sites with low security. The mechanism for the weapon was cobbled together using circuit boards and components from, we think, a junk site. In other words, the WMD was made on the cheap. We think this terrorism was all profit motive."

"The dying words of your reporter tie FORCE with ShadowHawk. Although there are a few other possibilities, ShadowHawk was the name given to Father Kinkaid's hydrofoil and the Gulfstream G650 owned by Billy Klang during the heyday of Klang and the Klamor. Billy Klang retired from heavy metal, and joined The Church of the Divine Harmony. This puts him in the company of several other notables, including Ty Miaksen."

"I think the last agents I sent in to the church have been turned, and can't be trusted, so I can't use any of my people to follow up on this. I couldn't even include them in this briefing and I've been going to every possible group up and down the east coast, ostensibly to coordinate the response to the ransom demands, but actually to figure out who I could pass the baton to. I chose you."

"Although there are church facilities in several cities, Father Kinkaid lives out of hotels when he's visiting those facilities. There's a large house on the church's commune in Kansas (which is listed as Father Kinkaid's legal address) and a large house on San Sebastian Island (which is considered American soil as it was given to the church by Willem-Alexander)."

Hikari, was still out of the Justicar suit set in his chair still somewhat perturbed... but he could see director Beaumont's dilemma, and his reluctance to get access from other agencies.

He raised his hand, "...So I take it you have not been able to 'engineer' a reason for the Agents involved to have a thorough medical examination... EKG, or psych eval?  Do you suspect psionic/psychic influence or maybe some kind of brainwashing process?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:17, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

In reply to Nimbus (msg # 249):

I hate to say it, but it seems to me that police work often is a whole lot of sitting around or chasing your own tail, Jacob responds as he navigates traffic back to HQ.  Something to ruminate about, isn't it?
He falls silent for the rest of the drive, though they stop at a bakery for a couple dozen bagels and cream cheese.  When they arrive at the old brick firehouse, he notices the agency car in the parking lot.  He looks at Nimbus with a quizzical expression.  Beaumont?
Crossing the from the entrance to the conference room, he grabs himself a cup of coffee, dumping in sugar and creamer, after setting down the bagels, before sitting down.  Grabbing a napkin, a plastic knife, and some cream cheese, he takes out a precut everything bagel and begins to add a schmear.
So, we are the lucky ones? 
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Wed 28 Apr 2021.

Hugh Beaumont nods at Hikari, "good question. And the real problem I've got here. All agents have regular psych evals, to avoid just such a situation. But that only helps if they're 'radicalized'. I think what these guys got is more insidious, and possibly more dangerous, than that. Near as I can tell, the agents in question have got faith."

So, what exactly, are you wanting us to do?  He unsure if he likes where this might be going....

Hugh calls up another image (images here) and continues. "This is the Kansas Commune site run by The Church of Divine Harmony as a retreat. It's also where my agents were sent, and, according to his editor, the location your dead man was investigating. This is also the address on income tax returns from Billy Klang, Rachelle Yu, and Tyler Miaksen."

After a moment, he uses a laser pointer to indicate the various buildings on the map. "None of these buildings have the space for anything untoward, but, they all have lights, are heated electrically, and have power available for necessary tools. But the entire commune is off the grid, and they certainly aren't buying enough fuel for their vehicles AND generators."

"There's hidden infrastructure here; we need to know what's going on in it, but most of the people there are guilty of nothing more than bad choices. You'll need to be as sneaky as you can."

Hugh puts up a new image, rolls his eyes, and says, "this, however, is a horse of another color. This island is so obviously a Bond villain lair that none of my people will believe it. There's a concrete shed dead center of the forest, and no reason for it to be there. Just like the commune, there's no visible infrastructure but it appears there's plenty of power."

"My gut tells me that's a hollow volcano, and Father Kinkaid is Blofeld, but I've learned the hard way that my gut's usually wrong. What I can't escape is the feeling that this will be a difficult place to search, and whoever goes here will need their 'A' game."

"Now, the official part involves a formal request to your superiors for your time, I'll make that request when you start, so no one will be expecting you. I've got a stack of my cards, here. If you need to prove you're acting on an official basis for Homeland Security, I'll answer the number on the card at any time and make that confirmation."

"So, I can't give you orders, and it will be best if I don't know the details of your endeavors. Consider this my formal request, I need your help. Detective Broyko has my number, and can forward your response to me. I'll be on my way, and leave you to talk it out."

Having taken the ride back with Divine in the Jeep, she was somewhat put out to find the agent waiting to brief them.  Sitting impassively at the table taking in all the information, mind slowly working on it all.

Lie Star gave a short nod, "So our jurisdiction and authority moves from local policing to Homeland Security."

Hikari sits there brooding over what Beaumont has dropped in their laps.

"You have put us in a very precarious position Mr. Beaumont... but I can understand your position.  We will try to keep you informed."

Hikari says no more until Mr. Beaumont has left the room.

.....

Hikari stands and paces for a bit then looking at the team, "...this is a very, VERY dangerous mission we have been assigned.  Facts: This Kansas Commune site is isolated for a reason, communications may be an issue and there is no quick way to call for help.  Fact: This The Church of Divine Harmony seems to be able to 'convert' people specifically looking for wrong-doing agents sent in to investigate in some unknown fashion."

"Overt direct 'Official' investigation can be conflated by legal red-tape, and delayed... in such a fashion that evidence can be hidden.  But there are somethings that simply cannot be hidden.  Their power usage is a hole.  They must either have regular deliveries of gas coal, or have obvious solar arrays, even a Nuclear reactor would have obvious signs of usage ~ current technology available demands that and would leave definite signs of installation!  So, where's the power coming from?  'sigh'  There are few 'mundane' possibilities that fit the facts.  They clearly have had no large-scale construction in either place, but we could investigate quickly any construction businesses that contract or have contracted in either place. Compound or Isle.. it is very hard to erase such records."

"Barring a MUCH larger organization than seems possible and even still hiding such an organization to move resources and construction assets about unseen would take government involvement.  Which, considering the Church of Divine Harmony's ability to 'influence' people is a possibility but seems unlikely if We were brought into investigate this at all.  Agent Beaumont would have already been stopped in this investigation.  But who knows?"

"Again we are on the fringe of legality here there will be no backup... so WE will need to be our own backup!"

"Personally, I believe we are looking at some kind of 'Incursion Event' of some sort, incursion meaning a subtle infiltration invasion by beings or entities of non-human origin. Part of this is being that they are able generate power without any obvious source.. available to Human Tech that fits the observed facts.  We KNOW Aliens exist, but I'm not yet ready to claim extraterrestrial influence... until we have more facts, But someone is making an attempt to spread a alteration to the minds of the people of the US under the guise of some 'Church'.  They also have a island resource that has power without any obvious resource or regular refueling efforts, and far away from ANY observing eyes... perhaps a location of a vehicle or craft they cannot use openly, maybe some kind of manufacturing installation?"

"We just don't know!!"

"SO. Its clear will need to investigate both.  So that means at least two teams with at least two monitoring teams.  Since the island is so isolated and 'seems' to have no regular residence... the Teammates who go to investigate the island can have and be more obvious with their powers. That does not mean less stealthy just be more open with their powers.  As for the Compound .. those investigators should have powers less obvious or even able to be hidden. The monitoring teams need to be the members off location.. but near by to provide outside communication and if needed backup and Most importantly - Communication between our two teams so we can share info and coordinate our long-distance but parallel operations."

"For the compound a RV or Surveillance Van a mile or more away to monitor the compound from a distance out of line of site and to provide communications and outside support for whatever teammates go into the compound."

"For the isle.. we'll need a boat to sit of isle... its an archipelago so mooring in some nearby isle grotto or off a close by reef should do the trick again to provide communication and technical support to the team that goes in."

"The point being that two small teams need to go into compound and isle.. not a large ground that might raise suspicion.. since there is little on the isle and no obvious residents.. the isle team could be larger but the mission is still the same to snoop about."

"But to NOT do it without teammates nearby to provide backup to support the 'snooping teams' efforts."

Hikari sits down and sighs, "...at least this is what my 'boy-genius' thoughts are on how we might approach this.  I certainly have not thought of everything!  Anyone have a different idea on how to approach this safely?"
This message was last edited by the player at 09:17, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

What about geothermal power?  Jacob suggests.  I was looking it up the other day.  I know that to truly tap geothermal power you have to be near the edge of a tectonic plate, or near a volcano.  Which is why there are so many geothermal power plants on the West Coast:  The Ring of Fire.  I kkow it ca  cause softwning of the ground and earthquakes, but what about geothermal heat pumps?  They don't use that much electricity, and maybe they could be used to generate more electricity, not just heating and cooling.  Maybe the island is using the tides and ocean currents.  They have generators now, prototypes mostly, that could do that.
He pauses, looking around at each of the others.  If we do this, I think someone is going to have to go inside.  He pauses.  Undercover.  They seem to prey upon those who have troubles, have hit a rough patch.  Those who have lost faith.  He looks down at the other half of his bagel a moment.  And they seem to like to recruit high profile people to help recruit others.  We aren't exactly low-profile here.

In reference to the "high profile" people encountered thus far:
Billy Klang and the Klamors' second album Kraken Wereldwijd is on the Rolling Stone list of fifty essential rock albums. They toured extensively, made a lot of money, and were widely considered to be the next great supergroup. Till the show in Amsterdam where they brought the house down, literally. During an international tour to support their fourth album, MFYF, the balcony above the stage in the arena they were playing fell. None of the band, and about two-thirds of the audience, escaped injury. Predictably, the drummer perished from his injuries.
Upon his recovery, Billy told his bandmates, and anyone that asked, that it was all his fault. He left music behind and remained in obscurity, till now.

Rachelle Yu was a rising star two decades ago. She was being called 'the female Jackie Chan', but not to her face. Taking offense at the slightest fault, she became too difficult for directors to work with, even in Hong Kong. Until recently, when she was seen with Father Kinkaid as part of the Church of the Divine Harmony, she was completely out of the limelight.
[Private to TaoZen: rumors in mystic martial arts circles suggest Rachelle Yu has chosen to pursue the more negative aspects of such mystic training]

Tyler Miaksen is STILL undefeated, he surrendered his titles "in the interests of the sport" (his words). Despite a promising start as a fifteen year old prodigy, he managed to find himself on the wrong side of the law more often than not. Despite this, his aptitude and training regimen made him the 'most feared man in boxing' (Don King's words, not his). After his 'retirement' (he claimed there weren't any more challenges), he distanced himself from the sport and was basically unheard till now.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the GM at 03:03, Thu 04 Nov 2021.

Lite Star taps a finger on the table in thought.

"I don't think the power supply really matters too much.  After all you could easily run a medium sized complex on a stripped out nuclear power plant from an old sub, and that could have been transported on a semi or two.  The lagoon of the island or a good sized underground lake would provide adequate cooling without giving away the location.  And there are more... advanced options out there if you really know what your doing.

Getting someone in there is going to be very dangerous, it would need to be someone of superior mental fortitude, and likely physical resistance if they are indeed brainwashing people as seems to be the case.  As for the island, it's in a chain in the Caribbean I might have contacts that could get hold of training yacht, moor it off an adjacent island and that could work as cover for a base of operations.  My comms gear has a good 300 mile range and is encrypted.  I'm also qualified on boats, powered and sailing, and submersibles.  But that hydrofoil they have would out run most things, at a guess I would say she has a surface speed of around 60 knots.  Thats about as fast as a high performance zodic style power boat with good conditions."

Looking over at Jacob she nods, "You think that one of us could stage a melt down of some sort and go in search of 'enlightenment' so they can get into the complex?"

Dani remained on-board the Shadowhawk for a while after the chatter on radio died down.  She seemed to be waiting for something [Private to SSOGM: she'll wait the requisite 10 minutes to see if she can divine what 'the Signal' might be.]- or perhaps she was simply looking for the proper time to extricate herself from the roof of the vessel.  As everyone (her crew and the crew of the Shadowhawk) made ready to go, Tyger clambered down the backside of the vessel and dived into the harbor water along the ship's waterline.  She wasn't all that concerned with being seen at this point, apparently trusting the novelty of the situation and her own innate speed to really help her remain relatively unidentified.

She tried to remain underwater until she was a few hundred meters from the yacht, but was forced to resurface more than once along the way and sat on the dock for a moment watching their (former) quarry and letting herself drip dry.  She rolled her shoulders to relieve a touch of lingering tension before making a circuitous circle back to the rooftop where her hoverbike was parked.  She signaled Oni to see if needed a ride back before returning to LESP headquarters.

---

She remained at the back of room while Beaumont debrief and then brief the group on the next set of leads.  Tucking into one of the plain bagels that Jacob had brought (she'd long polished off the stale donuts left on the counter from earlier in the morning), Chandani was trying to take all of the varied information in.

After Beaumont had left and Hiriko had had his say, she simply noted, "While aliens obviously exist..." an obvious nod to their comrade, Volt.  "I wouldn't necessarily jump to that conclusion.  There aren't a lot of mundane power sources of that magnitude with minimal footprint," she readily conceded, "but, the extra-ordinary individuals gathered here shows that what we may be dealing with is simply something 'magical' or paranormal ... er ... psychically driven."

"And as for Kinkaid's power... could it be something psychically-driven?  Some sort of 'peaceful' or non-aggression aura?" she ventured tentatively, then added as a sort of afterthought, "Didn't it seem weird that the crew was so docile?  Didn't Mr. Miaksen seem... almost too congenial?  I applaud trying to make a change for the better in one's demeanor and lifestyle, but it does seem a drastic shift from his previous persona..."  Dani frowned slightly, showing her obvious - if vague - discomfort with the situation.  She seemed well aware that forcing any extreme emotion on a group of individuals could be readily abused; being overly aggressive or extraordinarily passive was almost guaranteed to be a hindrance.

"Klang... Yu..." she fingered the photos for a moment, "Kinkaid is collecting a fair number of minor celebrities here and all with difficult reputations that presumably have been 'overcome'..."

---

[OOC:  Skulking away...

  11:09, Today: Tyger rolled 84 using 1d100.  Prowl [TN 61%]: Trying to stick to the shadows...  and the Shadowhawk. – [roll=1619719748.57285.315641]
  11:09, Today: Tyger rolled 67 using 1d100.  Climb [TN 86%]: Skulking away. – [roll=1619719777.21755.315641]
  11:10, Today: Tyger rolled 85 using 1d100.  Swimming [TN 66%]: Getting away in from the yacht.. – [roll=1619719824.92302.315641]

Less skulking and more just escaping, I guess with those rolls.]
[Private to GM: 50 experience points for skill use and RP]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:32, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

"I disagree on eliminating Nuclear reactor option that fast.

Assuming this is more than an ordinary commune, you can't get away with tides, solar, wind or currents. It is not that they lack potential, but they lack reliability. Battery technology itself lacks efficient method of large scale electricity storage. Best method we have right to store large amounts of energy is moving large amounts water to a higher altitude" Oni snickered at the end of his last sentence and continued.

"With a coal or an atomic or geothermal or hydroelectric plant you can increase or decrease the energy production according to demand. If they are not connected to any electrical grid and if they need reliable electricity beyond household needs, they need to pick one of these options

We know that they have capacity to enrich their own fissionable material, which is no mean feat. It is not something you can do in your garage. There are new generation nuclear reactors that can use waste from old generation nuclear plants as fuel. We know that they have access to old waste disposal sites. This basically means free energy for them.

About signs of usage, radiation readings are out because even if they didn't do proper shielding for some reason, water will do it for them. Nuclear reactor would need to release heat, that means a hot area were the plant disposes hot water and steam. Depending on the plant location there might be a small possibility of getting a subtle thermal reading from the surface. If reactor is in the deep though, a sonar to capture noises would be the only other option comes to my mind.

And I don't know how if it would be similar to natural geothermal activity around. Geology is not a field I am familiar with. So I shall defer to Mr Dav - Mr. Jacob on that subject."

Hikari nods, "...it IS possible, but there would be obvious evidence of heavy building... but honestly I hope I'm wrong.  Nuclear power ...very advanced nuclear power would do the trick for both places.  Though it would indicate a far reaching organization to back this up and keep such construction a secret.  But shipping manifests and records of ships sent to the island would leave a trail of some sort.  At least one would think so."
This message was last edited by the player at 09:13, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

In reply to JUSTICAR (msg # 263):


"I gotta ask guys - why are we sweating theoretical power sources?  I mean, aren't we going to find that out when we get there?"

Derek looks at the group with earnest puzzlement.  "I mean, it sounds like the thing we should be working on is how to get in to these places."  He looks over at Jacob. "If Jake's right, we could get some of us inside on the basis of joining them.  But, those folks would need to have a way to call in backup, and ideally, would . . . I don't know how to say it.  They'd need to bring their own powers, you know?"

Jacob looks to The Oni.  It's Jacob Davidovitch, or ChimpMan Zee, but just Jacob is fine.  Or Officer Davidovitch if you want to get formal.

In reply to Nimbus (msg # 264):

Hikari smiles, "..the only reason I've brought up the topic of power sources is to get a better definition of the potential forces arrayed against us.. as Oni stated...one does not just cook up a nuclear reactor in your garage.. it just doesn't happen.  It takes a monumental amount of resources and technical know-how to do such a thing! Which means large industrial support, that means money AND experts! Its the expertise and wealth to do this which is puzzling cause National Governments keep track of such people with such know-how and the resources to build such a thing are NOT small.  Such construction tools and personnel are obvious and VERY hard to hide."

"But that is exactly what we seem to be dealing with here... only someone with HUGE money and Government level access to experts and equipment to make something like this could do this.. and it would STILL leave a paper trail.  We have no such evidence which is what is disturbing int he EXTREME.  Who is funding this and why has it not already attracted the attention of the official agencies that constantly monitor this kind of thing?"

"The power source if it is actually some advanced nuclear plant says a CRAPTON about whoever is doing this cause only real nations have access to the kind of money, experts and tools to DO something like this In Secret!  We are not a national military... if it is a government backing this... We're Walking into a potential DEATH TRAP."

"We are not dealing with plotting terrorists in some underground bunker... these could potentially be professional National Agents with high access to money, tools, and weapons."

"THAT is why the power source is so important.. garden variety terrorists or cultists should NOT have access to something like that!  Which means if they DO ~ there is something MUCH MORE Sinister going on!"

He pauses collecting his thoughts...

"But... to your direct question.  Yes, we should choose teams to deploy to both locations... and you are correct those with powers that can be concealed are best for the Compound infiltration, and those with obvious powers.. like me and Lite Star with our suits wide range of senors and surveillance equipment would be ideal for the island."

"But we should not forget we will need at least two team members at each location that sit back off site monitoring communications and the outside world.  Those team members will be the next best thing to backup each of the infiltration teams will have.  We cannot rely on actual law-enforcement as our efforts are in that grey area of legality."

He shrugs... "My 'suggestions' would be..."

Compound -
Nimbus, Tyger - infiltration team
Chimpmanz and Divine - Surveillance/Backup - Team

Island -
Lite Star, Oni - infiltration team
Justicar & TaoZen - Surveillance/Backup - Team

[Private to GM: 10 experience points for suggesting a plan, and 10 experience points for someone FINALLY seeing that the nuclear threat wasn't the biggest problem]
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:36, Fri 30 Apr 2021.

Leaning back in her chair a little Lite Star looked around the table.

"What skills do people think they can bring to each objective?  Who feels best suited to go where and do what?  I know TaoZen mentioned that they could remotely get a feel for a location, maybe getting some info that way will help us prep?"

Jacob looks to Hikaru.  My question, Mr Sulu, is can Nimbus and Tyger put on a good performance?
He looks around the table at the others, giving a resigned sigh.  Being Ukrainian and Isreali, I have to deal with the anti-communists, the anti-immigrants, and the anti-Zionists.  Being Jewish, it's the anti-semites and the Holocaust deniers.  And, being an obvious mutant... well, I would rather not go into that.  The fact is, that despite my circus fame and known heroic actions, I deal with a lot of hateful shit on the day-to-day.  I'm considering moving in here full time because of some of the hateful things I have seen spray painted on my apartment door.  I had to get my car buffed out and repainted because of hateful things keyed into the hood and doors.
He looks around again as he finishes off his bagel.  He then points at the package of deli bagels to indicate the others to help themselves as he chews and swallows.  If we want to infiltrate, then we have someone go jn the same way others have.  And I'm the best bet because of my history with hate groups and my ability to perform.  But, this is an assignment that is going to take time.  More than just weeks.  Months, maybe years, to get in and find out anything.

Sensing eyes potentially upon her, Dani looked up rather guiltily from her position next to the counter when Jacob mentioned her codename and her questioned her qualifications.  Her chewing slowed on the fifth plain bagel after already demolishing the previous four.

Brushing some crumbs from the leather on her uniform, the auburn-haired army veteran stood, walked over to the board and the proposed duty roster.  She switched hers and Jacob's assignments on the board, noting dryly, "I like his passion.  Let's hope it doesn't get brainwashed out of him..."  She winked at Chimp Man Z in acknowledgement (though whether it was for his speech or the nosh - or both - was up for debate).

And then she was back to bagels and schmear, as Tyger seemed to be making it civic duty to ensure that there were no leftovers.