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.