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.