"This is very dangerous. I commend your courage Officer Davidovitch and you shall have my full support in your endeavours. You only need to ask. On the other hand, I don't know if claiming that we are working for Hugh Beaumont will be good action in any circumstance. It depends on how hard Kinkaid infiltrated the various organisation but we can all be declared rogue including Hugh Beaumont if things goes awry. I try to keep my identity secret but you guys are full members. All of you need to ask yourselves if you are ready for this possibility."

[Private to TaoZen; SSOGM: That is pretty neat. We can say that we didn't see each other fight for so there can be some nice opportunity to mention about it after our first combat encounter together]

Tyger's lips were pressed into a thin, disdainful moue.  She didn't need 'Karl' to help her with one of those faces; even if the man looked older and ... thicker ... than his old stock service photo.  She ponted to one of scrolling photos, "There is Major Harris..."  Her tone belied the fact that this was unsurprising to her; there were enough other coincidences here that it hardly seemed a coincidence.  Too many threads coming together...
This message was last edited by the player at 21:16, Sat 01 May 2021.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 268):

"That's gutsy as hell, Jacob," offers Derek.  "But do we have months? I mean, can we afford to wait that long?"

He considers for a moment, then continues. "Anyone we send in is going to be suspect, sure.  But don't we kind of have to work with that?  If these guys are Bond villains, then we kind of have to be Bond, don't we?  Or Bonds, anyways.  We gotta be able to go in and operate, even with the suspicion."

Thank you, Oni, Jacob says.  Unlike many of you, I don't bhave the luxury and problems of a secret identity.  It's both freeing and hobbling.  My reputation and fame go with me no matter what I do.  I am, however, not without defenses of my own.
He looks up at the still running presentation.  So, Tyger, you can confirm that Generall Harris has been seen with Kinkaid and the Church?  You saw him in the video?  That could be enough for probable cause.  But, we need more than something coincidental.  A lot more, if we're going to get arrests and convictions.  It is going to take as long as it takes.

Walking in on the discussion, and watching the images on the screen for a bit, the detective quietly observes. Then he turns to The Oni, and says, "that's not really his name. Hugh Beaumont played Ward Cleaver through six seasons of 'Leave It To Beaver'.  Our Mr. Beaumont started using that name so he could keep his own name secret."
"He first pops up with that name as a campaign aid for the senior Bush's first run a the presidency. I think that was 1980. Thing is, Bush was appointed director of the CIA in 1976. Any guesses on where he met Beaumont?"
"Which brings me to the point I want to make. When you go into those places, you won't be looking for arrests or convictions. Beaumont thinks there are hidden facilities pursuing terrorist goals. If you find those facilities, make sure you're long gone before he knows what you find. I'm pretty sure SOP for such things these days involves a drone strike."

Martin sits in back, for the moment staying silent..watching..listening..part of him hoping he's not even noticed..his own searches having bourne no fruit, and not having been able to be of service does now and has always bothered him and it also gives hm the chance to observe the newcomers, to get as much of a handle on them, how they think and how they react as possible, each piece added a new rhythm, a new partner in the dance they all do every moment of every day..

Motioning to a tall woman in the door, Broyko continues, "the other reason I'm here, is her. We've just added her to the crew, make her feel welcome."
That said, he walks out the door, offering over his shoulder, "I know you need to work with Beaumont, whatever his faults he's on our side. Unfortunately, I can't get involved. Mr. Beaumont made it very clear to me that I wasn't 'cleared' to actually speak with him."

Bellissima followed Detective Broyko into the room with all the Sentinels. She gave them an awkward wave as the detective gestured at her and she stepped deeper into the room.  "Hello everyone, call me Bellissima.  Umm... I am a Telekinetic and a minor telepath."  She introduced herself, figuring that telling them what her abilities were was be a good start to introducing herself. She quickly went to reassure the Sentinels, "I am not going to accidently hear your thoughts, it takes me effort to read minds and most of the time I have regretted reading random people's minds." She shuddered a bit dramatically to ease any tension from the revelation that she could read minds.

As the heroes looked at her, they would see a woman nearly 6 ft tall in very good condition who moved confident in her body.  She was wearing wrap-around glasses to hide her face and and lower face mask to hide her mouth and chin, hiding her identity.  She was wearing a tight dark grey, sleeveless spandex top with tight running tights and red leather boots, her long dark brown hair pulled back in a loose pony tail hanging down her back.

She had worked with Detective Brokyo a couple of times in the past, looking for missing children.  She had read the suspected kidnappers minds to find the children, but needed the police's help to actually make sure charges stuck to the kidnappers because her reading a person's mind was inadmissible in court, ignoring the fact that she really didn't want to show up in court where she would probably have to reveal her real name.

She has been too busy with university to become a heroine full time.  That is until she had idly asked Detective Broyko about the Church of Divine Harmony and what he knew about them.  She didn't trust them, her brother had recently joined them and his behavior was changing.  Brokyo immediately told her she was going to need backup to go against the Church and he could introduce her to the Sentinels who were interested in the Church and could use her talents.
This message was last edited by the player at 13:10, Sun 02 May 2021.

Martin's eyes take in the newest arrival as she introduces herself, suppressing a worry when she mentions being a telepath with her following words, trusting in himself not to let his mind's guard down anyway, his gaze studying her, the way she moves and carries herself, sizing her up, silently approving and wondering to himself how she would be to fight alongside..

Hikari as usual tried to sit back and see what the team did with the conversation bombs he dropped all the time.  The team had again not directly rejected his plan... but were in tenuous and reluctant conversation about the team-member deployment.  ChimpmanZ surprised him wanting to go on the infiltration team at the compound! Jacob's obviousness as a easily recognizable member of the Sentinals would put massive scrutiny on any attempt to infiltrate, but this cult seemed to want high profile membership. 'shrug' Hikari didn't oppose the idea but he feared greatly for the ultra-smart Jacob's safety!  Hikari still felt Jacob would do better directing the infiltration from the outside serving as one of the level headed backup and surveillance support members, but he was willing to trust Jacob's judgement as well on the matter.

Then Detective Broyko introduced a new member, Bellissima and her own admission to possessing psionic powers plus the fact her own brother had been taken in by the cult!

Hikari raised an eyebrow his scientific curiosity peeked, stood up from his chair and walked over to her extending a hand in greeting.  To her Hikari was a teen-aged young man of clearly mixed-asian 'Japanese' ethnicity, dressed in the school uniform for a MIT student.  His eyes a deep clear emerald green, his hair a... unique shock white...



All in all a handsome young man... but certainly taller then most Japanesse.  His hand shake is firm and it is clear he is powerfully built even though he shows little skin.  To note also his steps and gait are with athlete level gracefulness.

"Greetings Bellissima! Welcome to the team.  I am Tatsukichi-Stottmeister Hikari, also called JUSTICAR, Hikari will do."

To which, after the handshake ~ he makes a very traditional Japanese bow of respect and greetings.

"You say your possessed of psionic powers?!? How fascinating!  Please have you done much personal research into the actual frequencies your brain can emmit during psionic activity... er I mean telepathic communication or reading minds?  You say your brother unfortunately has fallen prey to this cult?  I'm so sorry to hear that! Have you had a chance to monitor or perhaps scan his mind for exterior influence or perhaps a change from what you would recognize as your brother's normal mental state 'appearance'?"

His english is... interesting showing signs of both Japanesse and German accents!
His exuberance is clearly youthful but if any stray thoughts are picked up it is his pure desire to learn something new his intentions purely what they seem ~ fascination of a woman possessed of mental gift's he's never had the chance to witness and Hope that she may be just what the team needs!  It seems to have skipped his notice ~ for now; that she is also a very beautiful woman as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:17, Sun 02 May 2021.

Thinking on the detectives words Lite Star looked over at the new team member, someone with a more personal stake in this for sure.  Mind reading was totally out of her area of knowledge, but it seemed to be something that would be very relevant to the situation.  Lifting a hand in greeting and with a friendly tone in her electronically altered voice.

"Welcome aboard Bellissima.  Another head is very helpful, and diverse talents are what we need.  Hopefully we can help each other to get a firm resolution to this."

The observation that the ex-super soldier had been pictured with the target of their investigation was added to what she was mulling over.  Jacob stepping up to be the infiltrator was a welcomed and brave action.

"If what the detective said is right about Beaumont, and that a response to discovering terrorist infrastructure at the site will be 'aggressive' then we need to consider that people at that compound, at least above ground, may actually be innocent shields for the organization.  We might need to consider not splitting up, as all hands may be required to help evacuate unsuspecting hostages ahead of air strike or whatever.  Which would them mean the island will be prepared ahead of time when we go to deal with that." She sighed heavily, "A full infiltration may not be possible Jacob, it might be that all we get is to have someone inside the compound able to get a view on things to give us an idea of where to go in, any information you could glean would be of great help.  Then again I really don't know the time scale here, but it seems that the 'church' pulled off the ransom for the money, which means they needed a swift large injection of funds, pointing towards a significant project.  With Tyger confirming that Harris is with the group, that indicates they are dangerous, with military special forces experience available to them."

Looking around the table to take in everyone there.

"That all said, we are starting to fall into planning paralysis, we do need to start moving towards our goal and make decisions towards actions.  Jacob, if you could look into how someone would go about making contact with the church to join.  As you said, unfortunately there are alot of reasons why you might seek out their help and I'm sure you have no problems fabricating a story they they should be sympathetic with.  We need to agree on whether we split the group to make this a two pronged approach as in island and compound at the same time, or keep forces together and do one after the other.  Then we need to start looking into setting up surveillance and getting things progressing.  Anyone with experience in that field needs to speak up.  And any other training or talents that are at the moment over looked and are relevant also need to come out on the table.  We need to move forward."

Ultra-smart?  Jacob would laugh if he knew anyone actually thought that of him.  Above average intelligence, yes, but definitely not genius level.  He would say he is a man with some experience, some education, some common sense, some chutzpah, and some faith that things will turn out for the best.  But, he does not know, and he can not explain his thoughts about something he does not know.
If a drone strike is the plan for the Church's island, at least they'll know they don't have to worry about pulling my tuckus out before they fire.  It might take me awhile, I can pull myself out of the rubble, Ell-Tee, he says to Broyko.
Jacob squats in his chair, not really just sitting, his actual height difficult to determine.  Having hypertrichosis like his ancestor, Feodor Jeftichew, also known as "Jojo the Dog-faced Boy of PT Barnum's circus and sideshow, he is covered in brown, fur-like hair and dressed in his LESP running suit with a badge and ID hanging around his neck.  Simian facial features, and a nine-foot long prehensile tail swaying in the air behind him, complete a look that makes him appear almost more animal than man.  Thus, she can tell this is the well-known Chip Man Z, former circus star, turned paramedic, volunteer firefighter, and crimefighter turned Center City LESP officer.
She may, or may not, remember news stories a few years ago of hom catching a serial rapist on the college campus, or of him rescuing a group of chemical engineers from fire and explosion at the factory where they worked; he had been blown through a news truck, and his clothjng destroyed, but he had not seemed hurt.
Welcome, Bellisima.  Feel free to coffee and bagels and cream cheese.  That is, if Tyger left any for anyone else.  He gives the former soldier a broad smile that reveals his sharp canine teeth.  We are currently working on a plan to infiltrate the Church to find out more about them.

Hikari speaks up in response to Lite Star's comments, "My fear is that the island base is more of a threat physically because they are isolated and obvious military hardware could be deployed against attackers or infiltrators.  Unless Mr Beaumont has access to nuclear strikes capability, I think a drone strike on the island will not be effective there are no clear surface targets of note."

"I do fear for the inhabitant's duped on the compound.  The investigative team there will need to be more thorough."

"But my real concern is that if we do not try to investigate both places at once ~ Once they realize our efforts are against one operation the other will try to evacuate to escape notice."

"This Cult's biggest weapon has been its secrecy... they will do everything they can to maintain that!  If they are able to slip away we may never find them again!"

"I also agree their need for a ransom payout denotes some big project in the works... if that affects their operations at either Compound or Island base WE Need to know about it!"

He sighs, "But yeah I get your point we need to act.  So we already have a Van here that can be equipped with surveillance gear.  I'll access the maritime port authorities to rent a small boat from a marina near St Sebastian and purchase some portable surveillance gear for the boat.  Anyone skilled with boating? or we will need to hire a skipper and crew too...small of course.  Nothing bigger than a fishing boat will be needed, the more unobtrusive the better, but some water asset Will be needed.  Make no mistake.. though the island seems uninhabited.. I'm Certain the Cult is monitoring its surroundings!"

Turning back to Bellissima, "..I think our new member would be best on the infiltration compound mission!  The ability to read minds will certainly speed up That investigation!"
This message was lightly edited by the player at 11:30, Sun 02 May 2021.

Bellissima shook Hikari's hand, "Nice to meet you Justicar. I have been able to do an EEG on my brain activity and there is an interesting frequency difference when I activate my powers.  I haven't been able to run an MRI, yet.  That requires someone I trust to run the equipment." She shrugged indicating the state of affairs that make it necessary for people to hide their powers.  "If you are interested, I can bring the recordings by later and we can go over them," she offered the young man.  If he built the Justicar, then he might be able to offer some insights that she hasn't thought of, the suit probably used a neural-interface to control it. "I would love to see how your suit's interface works and it's joint mechanics."

"Thanks Lite Star, I hope so as well," Bellissima responded to the woman inside the feminine designed robotic suit.

She nodded at Chimp Man Z, "Thanks Chimp Man Z, I agree."  She did know of his exploits on the campus grounds, it was much different meeting the man, or was that chimp-man in person.  It was actually rather intimidating meeting the Sentinels face to face, instead of watching them over the TV.  She briefly wondered if she should be here at all, but she quickly suppressed that thought and focused on what she could do.

After being brought up to speed on what they were planning, Bellissima tapped her chin with a finger, "I haven't detected in sign of direct control of my brother.  Although I am not sure what I should be looking for.  I haven't been able to justify an EEG or MRI to him and I haven't scanned him beforehand for a comparison model.  He hasn't been in the Church long, so might not have been introduced to whatever the agents were affected by."   She paused thoughtfully, "So far, from the conversations I have engaged in with my brother indicates they are using standard cult influencing practices, which are concerning enough."

"If we have two locations to hit, if we want to hit one at a time, we have to insure that the other location can't receive any communication from the one we are hitting," she looked over at the Hikari and Lite Star, "I don't have much experience with signal blocking, but I understand it takes a lot of power to maintain."  She paused in thought, "I am in favor of hitting both locations at same time." 

Looking at the others she offered, "I think this is more of a break-in job instead of an infiltration.  The Kansas house requires more of a quiet approach, but we need to break-in, find out where they are getting their power.  What type of facilities are hidden on or under the grounds.  Get out with evidence.  If that was the place where the agents were turned, I will probably be one of the ones to go there. I have very strong protections against things that would affect my mind."

She looked over the others, "The island is a similar mission, break-in, hopefully without being detected, and find out what kind of facilities they are hiding and then get out.  The big thing about the island is that whoever goes there should have their own forms of transportation if possible."  She was hoping some of the others would have something like flight.  "How far out from the mainland is St. Sebastian anyway?"

San Sebastian Island is between Florida and Cuba, outside US territorial waters.

Jacob shrugs.  Legally, telepathy is a touch y subject.  You can't get a warrant for it , the reader can't really record what they discover.  Even empathy is not allowed, because it's basically just a form of lie detector, and pretty vague most of the time.  You can't get a warrant based information gathered with wither one. It tends to fall under invasion if privacy.  Plus, people often think things they would never say in public, or consider doing things they would never intentionally do.

Bellissima nodded at Jacob, "You are right, telepathy is not admissible in court.  I have worked with the police before on a kidnapping case and they decided to treat anything I get from telepathy like a good anonymous tip and confirm the information before using it.  Detective Broyko once told me that the hardest part of police work was finding what haystack to look in.  Once they knew where to look, they can find the evidence needed."   The tall brunette shrugged as she explained how she had used telepathy before.

"It sounds like Beaumont needs to know the actually scope of the problem that is the Church so he can marshall the right resources and look in the right places."  She looked over at everyone, "I could be wrong, I have never meet Beaumont and am just basing my thought on what I have read from the information he left with you all," she explained her thoughts on the mission ahead.

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 288):

"Is this a court thing?"  Derek shakes his head. "I mean, these are legit bad guys, right?  They literally brainwash people."

He earnestly looks from face to face.  "Even if we do everything right, they're just going to hide behind lawyers.  Why not, you know, just fly in there, and, well, kick some ass?  Is anyone going to complain?"

Jacob sighs.  He has been in court, and has been doing the hero thing for a little while before the invitation to Join LESP.
It isn't about right or wrong, or even justice.  It's about what you can prove.  Like you said, they'll lawyer up.  They have rights, too.  Just going in there ti kick ass will just turn us into the bad guys.  The Church dies a lot of charitable work, and they have not done anything obvious to break the law.  Even being a cult is not illegal.

We are going in to see if there is evidence that they are responsible for connected with these threats of mass murder.  If there is evidence then we need to pass it up the command chain, ie to agent Beaumont.  If, and that is if we have to defend ourselves then we do.  We're about saving live, not just giving people a kicking.  That's very broad strokes, yes, if someone is in danger then we rescue, if there is other illegal activity, then we deal with it or pass it on.  We've all got significant abilities, so now we have to decide where we are going to place them.  So far Jacob has said he would try and get into the complex, Bellissima has offered help on that."

She looked at Justicar, "As I've stated I know boats, both above and below the water and can get access to a suitable vessel that I can handle.  So that's me down to go for the island and I believe Justicar has indicated that he will be heading to the island as well.  I'm guessing from the swap of names on our little suggestion board that Tyger is down for going to the complex.  So, what about everyone else?  Do Are you happy to go as suggest, or do you think your abilities are to best use on the other mission from what has been suggested already?

Martin listens, weighing it all, his own troubles of the most recent past in being of use weighing on him just a bit and most likely coloring his decisions..or perhaps not..

"It is true, we must always temper what we do, and the intentions behind them for the greater good, even if it means we have to let things go, curb our own senses of Justice..seeing the bigger picture is quite often a pain, but it is one we must accept every time we step out the door in the name of the Law"

He pauses, gathering his thoughts again..

I will go with Jacob's team..I feel it is where I can be of the most use"

Hikari fidgets, he was really hoping on TaoZen to help them with the island.

"Ok.. Oni will you come with me and Lite Star to deal with the island? We two cannot do it alone.  We need a stealth specialist... and one more firepower back up."

Detective Broyko has left a post-it note stuck to the doorway. It reads, "Don't forget the armory." This is likely his way of reminding you of the optional equipment in the armory room.

This equipment includes
• 
  Smith & Wesson M39, 7 round box magazine, standard issue is two magazines, 3d6 damage
• 
  Ithace Stakeout Shotgun, 5 round tubular magazine, standard issue is ten shells (all buckshot)
  

  range from weapon	damage at that range
  up to 2 meters	5d6 damage
  from 2 to 6 meters	4d6 damage on the target, 1d6 damage for one meter around the target
  from 6 to 14 meters	3d6 damage on the target, 1d6 damage for two meters around the target
  beyond 14 meters	2d6 damage on the target, 1d6 damage for four meters around the target

• 
  Standard Issue Side Handle Baton, 1d6 damage
• standard issue armor vest, A.R. 10, S.D.C. 50; 10 Ibs (4.5 kg)

Any characters that wish to use any of this optional equipment should make note of this fact.

In reply to JUSTICAR (msg # 293):

"You shall have me in your group. However we need to talk about transportation since I lack capacity to fly" Once again Oni reminded himself to solve this transportation issue.

Hikari smiled at Oni and nodded, "Worry not Oni you will have no need to fly.  We have need of your stealth and training in concealment upon the isle.  I suppose, I should begin purchasing the gear we will ALL need for the Van and Boat Surveillance Teams and rent the boat as well. The Island Infiltratio/Surveillance Team still needs a fourth member for the two in the boat."

"I think the Surveillance teams will need both visual and radio gear..."
To which he lists off a series of gear for the Van and Boat to be able to monitor the Compound and Isle, from a somewhat safe distance... ideally between a half-mile and a mile away under some terrain cover if possible.

[Surveillance Gear Both Van & Boat]
2x Binocular, Telescopic Sights: Binocular (2,000 feet/610 m), best magnification. Cost: $1,600.00
+ Binoculars and Telescopic sights magnify an image area through a system of lenses

2x Infrared Distancing Binoculars: A high-powered optical enhancement device with infrared adjustments, cross hair indicator
lines, and digital readout of estimated distance and rate of travel. Range: 2 miles (3.2 km) Cost: $6700

2x Night-Sight: Range: 1 600 feet (480 m). A passive night vision optics system is an image intensifier, meaning that it is a passive system that does not emit any light of its own, but electronically amplifies existing, ambient light to provide a visible picture. Cost: $ 1,600

2x Thermo-Imager: Range: 1 600 feet (480 m). Basically an optical heat sensor, it converts the infrared radiation of warm objects into a visible image. This device allows its operator to see in darkness, shadows and through smoke. Battery powered and
electrically cooled. A typical running life is 1 6 hours. Cost: $1 400

2x Back-Pack Radio: A Japanese updated version of the old PRC-25. Comes with built-in scrambler and up to 1 500 channels.
Also capable of receiving commercial AM/FM/television (sound only) and Short-Wave signals. RKO-68. Range: 35 miles (56km).
Cost: $1,325

[Compound Infiltration Team Gear]
Belt Radio: A lightweight unit designed to work with the RKO-68. Scrambler equipped, 2 mile range (3.2 km), up to 10 preset
channels. Weighs only 2 pounds (0.9 kg) , complete with pouch and telephone-style handset. RKO-12. Cost: $1 ,800.00

Mini-Telephoto Document Camera: A tiny, easy to conceal camera, only a little bigger than a disposable lighter. Cost: $350.
Note: Conventional video systems, cameras, lenses, optics and audio recorders, are also effective tools for surveillance

Pocket Vibration Detector: Silent pocket vibrating detector when in the presence of sensor bugs or proximity motion detectors Cost: $700.00
+ This device is a bug detector, but also modified by Hikari to be a motion detector-detector {ie. it also detects motion detector sensors 'A kind of radar detector'}
{OOC: Total Cost: $28,100, I really hope the LESP will refund Hikari...}

"...I can set up the Backpack Radios to access the internet so we can communicate real-time with each other over Zoom ~ using one of the LESP laptops in here for the Van surveillance team, so we can real-time coordinate our efforts.  The Compound infiltration team will need to conceal the belt radio in their 'belongings' but that way we can all stay in contact."

He ponders for a second or two then looks at the team as a whole.

Then he asks, "...Would the Team be interested in hearing why I picked the teams and deployment I did in my initial proposed plan? It was not a random choice. I had a plan/logical reason."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:37, Tue 04 May 2021.