The Bank of State Facility is a small, completely nondescript one story industrial type building nestled between a parking lot and a construction site. There is no sign identifying what this place is. Currently, the entire building is encircled by “Police Line” tape. A lone squad car sits outside the building with two bored looking patrolmen inside. The officers aren't interested in listening to anything anyone has to say. They simply tell anyone that approaches them: “You’re late. Just go on in. The rest of your group is already inside.”
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:12, Fri 10 June 2022.

Bellissima got out of Garcia's SUV as they pulled over outside the bank.  She nodded at the police officer outside who directed her inside.  She used her psychic ability to start looking for invisible energies in the bank as she walked toward the vault.  Trying to see the warp tunnel that Justicar was warning them of.  Any advanced warning she could give would be vital to make sure no one intersected with the warp field and had warning before it happened.

Bellissima was glad that Justicar's armor suit had arrived today. It was stiffer than her original outfit, but she would get used to it and it was better than her original outfit for protecting her.  It was designed to look like her original outfit, a turtle neck tank top that extended up to cover her lower face with shades to hide her eyes and provide her with IR vision when needed, then her pants and slim combat boots as she strode through the bank looking all around.



[Private to group LESPradio: We will get together for that later Justicar.  Once we rescue Holly. and solve the bank robbery. ]
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Wed 22 June 2022.

Letting Bellissima take the lead, as she seemed to know where she was going, Mae Ha Rga followed at a respectful distance.  He didn't want to crowd her psychic energies.  He looked around taking in the architecture and giving friendly nods and waving to the patrons and employees in the building.  (No doubt Maharaja is a great big nerdy goofball.)

The reason they were late to the bank was because upon reaching the underground parking garage where his SUV was parked, Senor Garcia took about 15 minutes to change into a set of all black tactical gear that was located in a semi concealed compartment in the back of the SUV. The suit itself is a form fitting dry suit, covered by a light Kevlar weave, and then has several ballistic plates of armor along with knee and elbow pads. Also, within the SUV is a small arsenal of weapons.

Covering the old man's face and head is a balaclava with what appears to be an integrated multi optic bad. Armed, Senor Garcia has a in a tactical drop holster, and a Kel-Tec KSG shotgun (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kel-Tec_KSG) slung across his chest.

Senor Garcia now looking like a modern techno ninja (minus a sword) walking alongside Mae Ha Rga. He can be seen looking at the building and alternatively tapping on some sort of forearm pad built within the armor.

[Private to GM: Is it safe to assume that Detective Broyko gave Senor Garcia the proxy/protocols to link his suit's comms with the rest of the team? Or should I just use the below Cryptography roll to link in and then freak out poor JUSTICAR out when speaking over the LESP radio with an unknown IP address?

14:58, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 21 using 1d100.  Cryptography 95% link suit comms to LESP radio.
PASS, link suit comms to LESP radio.

14:50, Today: Secret Roll: Senor Garcia rolled 18 using 1d100.  Optic Systems 110%.
PASS, flipping between white thermal, electromagnetic spectrum modes of his goggles to see if he sees anything with those modes that you would not see with the naked eye.]

[Private to Bellissima; The Maharaja: If either of you peeked at the old man changing you would have seen his body has numerous scars (cuts, burns, puncture wounds you name it) that mare his olive-colored skin. The 'small arsenal' of weapons in his SUV was a partially disassembled sniper rifle, a bullpup assault rifle, the KSG-12 shotgun he's currently carrying, and a Five-seveN pistol he removed the suppressor from and placed in a pouch on the armor. ]

The front doors to the building are locked. Knocking on the door elicits no response. In the
back of the building, there are two chalk outlines on the ground and a wrecked car lying on its side next to that.
The rear of the building contains an oval-shaped, door-sized hole that has been created in the side of the wall by means unknown. The hole in the wall leads through two more interior walls and then directly into the Warranty Room. The four walls of the Warranty room were covered in lockers approximately twice the width of a high school locker, slightly taller and about three times as deep. The doors to all the lockers have been removed by means unknown. Their contents are gone.
Inside the Warranty Room are three other individuals. The first is Max Pestana, who introduces himself as an investigator for the Harmon Insurance Company, which is famous (they run national ad campaigns including TV commercials) for its skyscraper headquarters in Indianapolis. Max is happy to cooperate, and texts a list of the assorted items the robbers got away with. As he reads the list, he sometimes points to the empty lockers as he does so:

• $4 million in uncut diamonds
• $800 grand in rare coins
• $2 million in Brazilian
  bearer bonds
• a countless number of business and personal papers from millionaires and billionaires
• three original paintings by the late Frank Frazetta
  1. “Egyptian Queen”
  2. “Vampirella”
  3. “Dawn Attack”

Pestana says that in 30 years of this type of investigation he has never seen anything like this. “I have seen vaults and safes cracked with lasers, axes, compressed air, high-pressure fire hoses, all manner of explosives including ignited space shuttle fuel, liquid nitrogen, and air arc cutters that burn pure oxygen at 10,000 degrees. But I have never seen anything that cut so cleanly.”
He points out the empty post where the video camera had been. (It was the camera that had been positioned here that transmitted the footage noting the blue glow.) The post and the
wires it contained do not show signs of being cut, torn, burned, melted or frozen. It simply terminates at a certain point. The camera is gone. The alarm systems and the electrical power box for the building are also similarly ‘erased’.
One of the other people in the Warranty Room isn’t interested in talking. He seems to be looking for something. The third person introduces themselves as George Jefferson (and yes, he does). He explains that Doctor Alvin Grayson (the other person) is a pediatric neurosurgeon at New York University Hospital. He is part of a development team that had created a microprocessor specifically designed to simulate the function of the ventral area of the human brainstem. Their test subject- an extremely gifted nine-year-old boy named Nate
Forrester- needs to have it implanted in his brain as soon as possible or he will die.
One of the program’s benefactors had a locker here and offered to store the device because this place was reputed to be so secure. The device would have been stored in a small sealed case to keep it sterile. It wouldn’t have necessarily looked like something valuable, although it is worth nearly a million dollars. He was looking for it in the faint hope that it may have been overlooked by the thieves that looted the Warranty Room.
Max suddenly points at the large hole in the wall and says, "wottheell is that!" as a blue glow becomes noticeable. There is an odd thump, and then a menacing growl. Looking in the direction of the glow reveals fifteen feet of menace, with an eight foot tail.

In reply to SSOGM (msg # 5):

Initiative roll:  10 + 7 = 17

Mae Ha Rga will instantly activate Positive Energy to get Supernatural Strength and leap into the air to come down on the back of Grumpy's neck with a Two-foot Super-Power Stomp.  He wants to make sure to stick the landing so even if he doesn't bring the beast down he wants to stay on the thing's back.

Attack roll:  7

Damage roll:  5 + 2 x 10 + 14 - 40% = 50

PP roll just in case:  2 :)

Bellissima Initiative Roll:
00:59, Today: Bellissima rolled 13 using 1d20.  Bellissima Initiative roll.

With Sixth Sense: +8 = 21
Without Sixth Sense: +2 = 15

Senor Garcia calmly fires his shotgun into what is apparently a dinosaur, hoping more to gain its attention then kill it. Oddly this wasn’t the first dinosaur he’d shot at but those were genetically engineered from iguanas or frogs. What he did know is that dinosaurs were hard to kill and all he was probably doing was pissng the overgrown lizard off.

08:15, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 14 using 5d6 with rolls of 1,1,2,5,5.  Dmg to date no buddy (solid slug).

08:09, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 22 using 1d20+5 with rolls of 17.  Shoot Dino buddy w/shotgun.

08:03, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 16 using 1d20+3 with rolls of 13.  Init .

The Maharaja leaps atop the beast (doing no damage) and Señor Garcia blasts it. It doesn't want to stay and backs out, scraping The Maharaja off its back in the process. It turns around, takes four strides into the alley, and eats a policeman.

Bellissima hissed as a T-Rex came out of the blue glow.  She was already creating a psi-shield as she turned to the men in the vault, "Hide!" She ordered them as the dinosaur charged into the alleyway and killed a police man.

She looked around the room and used her TK to pick up a table carrying it with her as she charged out into the alleyway and placed herself between Rex and the remaining policemen, "Get out of here!" She called out to them as she raised the table and floated it in front of Rex's face so that she blocked its line of sight.  She looked around to see if there was something heavy, but that she could still reasonable pick up with her Telekinesis.


This message was last edited by the player at 22:22, Thu 23 June 2022.

The only thing in a city alley within that weight range would be a filled dumpster. There is one. At the same time she realizes this, Bellissima also realizes this 'dinosaur' has two sets of eyes.
MAP:


       .---. .----..-..-.
       } }}_}} |__}\ {} /
       | } \ } '__}/ {} \
       `-'-' `----'`-'`-'
                                .----. .---. .-.-. .----.  .--.  .---.
                                | }`-'/ {-. \| } }}| }`-' / {} \ } }}_}
                                | },-.\ '-} /| |-' | },-./  /\  \| } \
                   _  __        `----' `---' `-'   `----'`-'  `-'`-'-'
                  |_)|_ |  |
                  |_)|__|__|__

      __ __ _  _
     (_ /__|_||_)                             __ _  _      __ _  _
     __)\_|| || \                            /  / \|_)    /  / \|_)
                                             \__\_/|      \__\_/|

               ALLEY
 '''''''''''''''''''''''''      '''''''''''''''''''''''''|--------------
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |ENTRYWAY                                 |
               |''''''''''      '''''''''''''''''''''''''|
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |                                         |
               |SECURITY POST                            |
         +-----'--------------------      ---------------'----+
         |XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX      XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX|
         |XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX_XX   _  XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX|
         |XXXX,'             |V||_||_||_|               `._XXX|
         |XXX/               | || || || |                  \XX|
         .XX|      VAULT                                   |XX.
         |XX|                                              |XX|
         |XX|                                              |XX|
         |XX|                                              |XX|
         |XX|                                              |XX|
         |XX|                                              |XX|
         |XX|                                              |XX|
         |XX|                                              |XX|
         |XX|                                              |XX|

      _     _
. |V||_||_||_|
. | || || || |  = The Maharajah

 __ __ _  _
(_ /__|_||_)
__)\_|| || \  = Señor Garcia

   _  __
. |_)|_ |  |
. |_)|__|__|__  = Bellisima

.---. .----..-..-.
} }}_}} |__}\ {} /
| } \ } '__}/ {} \  = Alien Rex
`-'-' `----'`-'`-'


This message was last edited by the GM at 15:49, Sun 26 June 2022.

Senor Garcia chases after the dinosaur out of the bank and into the alley. Once he has a good line of sight, he fires at the back of the lower part of the dinosaurs' leg, specifically the ankle. If he could sever a tendon or two the dinosaur wouldn't be able to run away anymore.

19:55, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 16 using 1d20+4.  called shot to back of rex ankle +8/2=+4 to strike.
Nat 12/unat 16

19:57, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 15 using 5d6.  Dmg to rex (solid slug.
15 dmg

[Private to GM: Senor Garcia has a speed of 34 so he's a speedy Garcia

• 680 meters per minute
• 170 meters per melee
• 34 meters per action

]

Perhaps 'eats a policeman' was less descriptive than it should have been. When the creature ran into the alley, it encountered the policemen guarding the entrance. The creature chomped the nearest one, and tossed him towards the furthest before moving on. Even though the 'chomped cop' is slightly bloody and has a torn uniform, neither chewing nor swallowing had actually occurred. Both police officers, rather than running away as Bellissima suggested, have fired their tasers at the monster. Thus they manage to do absolutely nothing.
Señor Garcia bloodies the monsters ankle, but the creature's dense flesh doesn't permit the wound to cripple it.

Senor Garcia fires his shotgun at the back of the dinosaur's ankle a second time.

09:24, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 11 using 1d20+4.  called shot to back of rex ankle +8/2=+4 to strike.
11 (pretty crappy for a called shot)

09:24, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 19 using 5d6.  Dmg to rex solid slug.
19 dmg

The alien rex ignores Señor's Garcia's second shot, it being close enough to off-center that it glances off the reptilian scales covering the creature's ankle. The creature responds by using its tail to flip the squad car end over end. The two policemen, who were heading towards the car doors, now decide Bellissima had the best idea and run down the alley. The unbitten officer is yelling into his phone.
OOC: The Maharaja is correct, he has no more attacks^*. Now, neither does the creature or the cops. If I count correctly, both Bellissima and Señor Garcia have three remaining. The creature has a natural AR of eleven, fire at will.
^*The Maharaja's actions were all used at once

Heroes Unlimited Second Edition Revised, page 69:

Leap Attack: An airborne assault where the weapon and/or fists or feet are wielded in mid-leap. An attack must be made only at the beginning of a melee round and, like a jump kick, uses up all attacks for that melee round.

Bellissima was in a bit of shock that she was facing a T-Rex in real life.  Itt took her a couple of seconds to realize she should inform Justicar that he was right about his concern and warn the others as she activated the hands free radio and got on the encrypted LESP channel, [Private to group LESPradio: "We have an incursion at the Bank of State Facility!  A T-Rex with 4 eyes.  Moving to contain it!"]  She announced to all Sentinels. Hopefully this warning would be useful for Justicar  and his team at the disappearance site.

Bellissima liked grabbing her opponent and throwing them around, but there was no way she was picking up and tossing a T-rex, they would wear several tons.  The police car was too heavy as well, then her eyes a lighted on a filled trash container.  It was over 5 feet long and maybe waist high on her, she thought she could pick it up and use and not completely wipe herself out.  She reached out with her mind, grunting as she lifted the filled trash container.  The container took more energy to lift than expected, but she did and then she slammed it into the side of T-Rex's head, sending it stumbling sideways from the powerful blow.  Both hands extended hands in a grasping position as she focused hard, sweat running down her forehead, she swung the trash container around, building momentum as she slammed it into T-Rex's other side with a massive blow.  She was busy making sure to keep all the trash inside of the container for its addition mass, so she missed with her third attempt to slam the container into T-Rex.

The trash container flying through the air as it clipped off the shoulder of the creature as Bellissima strained to keep it under control, subconsciously moving her hands like she was holding on to the container as she moved it through the air, slamming it into the T-Rex twice.  As she kept her Psi-shield in front of her, ready to use it to parry any blow the T-rex might send her way.



This message was last edited by the player at 02:06, Fri 01 July 2022.

As the trash bin slams into the rex from the right, the creature waving its arms in an ineffectual attempt to ward off the blow, Señor Garcia's slug strikes the base of the creature's tail. As it reels from these blows to the other side of the alley, the trash bin intercepts it striking the snout and twisting the neck to an impossible angle just as a second slug strikes its back. Suddenly, there is a loud sound as the creature's neck snaps and it falls limply to the pavement.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:29, Sun 03 July 2022.

The police officers stop running about a block away, then point frenetically back down the alley. An odd assortment of people with varying methods of locomotion comes past the officers. There is a motorcycle rider clothed in off-the-shelf riot gear, a being appearing to be made entirely of light, and a frog-like man in green and black armor. They stop at the police car and walk forward.
"We heard about the monster on the scanner," says the light being, "and thought we could help. It's good to see you didn't need it."
The frog-person says, "our offices are only a few blocks away."
The third person quietly begins pointing devices at the creature, some of them obviously cameras. "It's down, you guys can head back. I'll be there as soon as I take some readings."

Mae Ha Rga asks the people still in the vault if they're all ok and no injuries.  After getting an 'Ok' from everyone he goes outside with everyone else and the dead dinosaur.
"I don't know much about dinosaurs other than they should all be extinct.  But, this one seems exceptionally weird.  Is the person making these portals able to open them to prehistoric times as well?"

Senor Garcia fired his shot gun three times in succession at the dinosaur. The first two shotgun slugs find thier mark. The third and last shotgun slug doesn’t fire at all, prompting g the old man to take remedial action, clear the unfired shell and chamber another round.

14:43, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 32 using 3d20 with rolls of 16,15,1.  Shoot t-Rex center mass +8.
Unat 22, 14 dmg
Unat 21, 20 dmg
MISS/dud round

14:47, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 20 using 5d6.  Dmg to rex (solid slug) 2.
14:47, Today: Senor Garcia rolled 14 using 5d6.  Dmg to rex (solid slug) 1.



[Private to GM: My 1st action next round will be the remedial action I posted here. ]

A second police car pulls into the alley, almost touching the upside down car. As Chimp Man Z and Lilibeth exit the vehicle, the two previously fleeing officers return. One of the two elbows the other and says, "toldja so, they're on you at O'Shea's tonight."

Bellissima looked surprised as the T-Rex went down after a couple of shots from Garcia and her hitting the giant beast with the trash container.  Sweat was sliding down her forehead as she gently set the smashed up container back on the ground, where she picked it up from.  "That was easier than I had expected," she said to Maharaja and Garcia in surprise at how quickly they took out the beast.

She turned in surprise as they were joined by three other supers, "Glad you were able to respond so quickly, that could have gone much different.  I am Bellissima of the Sentinels," she announced herself as she moved toward the three to find out their names and who they were.  She was didn't know any of them and was slightly concerned they could be someone they didn't want to take readings of the portal.

She turned toward Maharaja, "That is a very good question.  Maybe Justicar has discovered more information on that by now." She noticed Maharaja taking care of the people in the vault and making sure they were safe.

She used her enhanced sight to see if the portal energies were still around or if they had dissipated already. Looking for any unusual energies radiating off of the t-rex body or from the area it appeared in.

Lilibeth steps out of the car and gasps softly as she takes in the incredible sight of a dead, as in very recently dead and still bleeding, T-rex. Runa, as usual, had kept her focus and prodded her. "Find out if anyone is hurt Lili

Lilibeth nodded her head, then took a deep breath and strode forward to where Bellissima and the others stood talking. "Is anyone injured?", her tone almost its normal cheery tone.

Bellissima looked up at Lillibeth and Jacob showed up, "Sorry, it didn't last very long," she tried to joke a bit about the two missing the fight.  As Lillibeth asked if anyone was hurt, the brunette immediately pointed at the officer that had been tossed by the T-Rex.  "He took some damage."

The glowing being transforms into a woman in yellow spandex with red boots, gloves, and mask. "I'm Dr. Bright," she says, "but I can't speak when I'm all lit up, so I guess you get this version."
The froggish man throws a thumb at his own chest and states, "I'm Grimtoad. Mister anti-social over there goes by Answer... or maybe The Answer. He's never been completely clear on that."

Lilibeth looks to where Bellissima points and then hurries over. In mid stride the slender, average height young blond woman disappears and is replaced by a statuesque, muscular woman wearing would could accurately be described as high tech appearing but archaic or fantasy style, articulated plate armor.

She takes a new next to the downed officer and appraises him. "Do not fear, protector of the city. I am a priestess of Ishtar. You will be healed,. Her voice was filled confidence, attempting to reassure the injured officer. She lays a hand gently on his forehead and then her hand glows with a soft, white light.


OOC
Spend 90 power points to heal the officer and then reassess.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:25, Sun 17 July 2022.

Both officers watch Lilibeth, then Runa approach. The officer she heals looks down at the cuts he had and says, "well, damn. Still no scars. We'll have to split the tab at O'Shea's."

Bellissima nodded at Dr Bright and Grimtoad and she started pointing at the Sentinels as she introduced them, "That is Senor Garcia, that is Maharaja, that is Runa and you probably know of Chimp Man Z."  She smiled at Dr Bright, "What is your group called?"  The police were unconcerned with the three heroes being here, so she figured that meant they were known and trusted by the police.

"In the future Dr Bright, if you tap the side of your temple I can read your surface thoughts for communication," Bellissima tapped her temple with two fingers.  "I am a minor telepath." She smiled at Grimtoad and Answer as well, "I can't pick up specific thoughts unless I focus on a person and I only do so with permission unless there is a valid reason to do so."  She smiled, "I really don't need to hear other people's random thoughts," the brunette jested.

"We are here investigating the bank robbery because it had a similar effect to a kidnapping that happened in Center City," she briefed the other heroes, "Our scientist warned us that there might be a rebound effect and something might come out now," she turned to look at the big body of the T-rex, "and he called it."   She looked over at Answer and offered, "I can get you in touch with him if you want to get more details or exchange information."

Runa stands and offers a hand to the now healed officer. If he accepts, she gently helps him to his feet. "Good day, protectors of New York. May the blessings of the goddess shine upon you."

She then turns to stand next to Belissima. She says nothing as the other woman speaks with the other heroes but it is obvious she is listening and interested.

"No need. The Sentinels from Center City aren't new news, and I've been looking for Phantasma since he left Dusseldorf. I'll send all my data to LESP offices. One good thing about this, since you know the time of the original break-in and the time of the, uhhh, incursion, you can extrapolate the time for anything similar to occur at the later event site."

Senor Garcia picks up the ejected dud shotgun shell, and then processed to reload the shotgun, sliding five shells from his vest into the weapon.

He then walks up to the corpse of the dinosaur, and despite it being dead (well at least unmoving) he places the barrel of his Kel Tec shotgun on one of the dinosaurs' eyes and pulls the trigger.  That done, he racks another round into the chamber, and loads another shell into the shotgun.

---

Senor Garcia then walks over to the conversation Belissma, and Runa are having with the local superheroes.

Bellissima nodded at Rune as the powerful amazon moved up next to her. "Hadn't expected us to be heard about over here," Bellissima responded to The Answer, "Thanks for sharing your data and I am sure Justicar will send anything he has." She nodded at Garcia as he stepped up and then she looked around, "As I understand it, this is probably all that is going to appear?" She double checked with The Answer and everyone else before she looked for a police officer who seemed to be in command of the situation to ask what they needed from her and the other Sentinels.

"Z, Runa? Have you two discovered anything at the modeling agency?" The tall brunette asked curiously of the two about their investigation.  "I haven't been able to narrow down where Holly was taken with my psychic senses.  The only additional info i have picked up is that she is surrounded by a strange plant that I haven't been able to identify."

Bellissima's head suddenly tilted as she has a thought, "What if the teleporter doesn't have exact control of where they are teleporting things?"  She asked the others as she texted the question to Justicar and the other Sentinels.

Jacob steps out of the police car, heading for the remains of the dinosaur.  Four eyes, glazed over and staring wide at nothing in death.  Perhaps a mutant of some sort?  After a few moments of staring at the dead creature, he notices the armored figure scanning the carcass with some kind of device.  Answer?  How're you doing, man?  It's been awhile.
He then notices Dr Bright and Grimtoad.  Looks like the whole gang is here.  I'll leave you to your scanning and go say,"Hello."
He heads over to the others with a big, toothy smile as he greets the Doc and Grimtoad.  I shoulda known you guys would show up.  How've things been going?
He turns to his companions.  I ended up working alongside these folks a year or so ago.  I had come here to visit and old friend of mine working at one of the teaching hospitals.  She was a research assistant in genetic mutation.  Unfortunately, these two magically empowered thugs broke in to steal an ancient, frozen cadaver they were trying to study.   We kicked the crap outta them, but they got away.

The Answer responds to Chimp Man Z, saying, "yes, Jacob, it has. It's good to see you're still participating."
Of course, he continues to scan the dino and tap his tablet as he speaks. When Jacob addresses Dr. Bright and Grimtoad, these two also greet him enthusiastically. However, as he begins to recount the conflict at the research facility both of them glance towards Answer and when Jacob gets a bit excited and raises his voice the two actually make shushing motions. This would be confusing for Jacob, if Dr. Bright hadn't caught his eye and mouthed "dart gun".

Justicar replies across the LESP Secure channel...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Justicar here, I take it you have a now dead Mutant T-Rex there in New York?  A pity... such a magnificent creature could not have been taken alive for study.  Regardless, could you secure a tissue sample of the creature? Particular, if possible, a flesh and bone sample please?  A Tooth and claw would be nice as well... those specific samples will tell me much of the environment of where it came from... and any unique radiation it has been exposed to either in the dimension of origin or from the Dimensional threshold transit! Could be useful in isolating something we might be able to track or detect if other extra-dimensional beings have traversed to our universe.  Could be the clue to finding Miss Cook."+]
This message was last edited by the player at 06:28, Thu 07 July 2022.

Mae Ha Rga gives a bow with his fist connected to his open palm.
"It is a pleasure to meet you.  I am glad to see this city has its own protectors."
After hearing the request from Justicar he excuses himself to go next to the Rex.
To The Answer, "Pardon me, but a teammate has requested we take some samples from the creature.  You may want to step back for a moment."
He takes his katana out and activates Positive Energy for the Supernatural Strength.  He then slices off one of the feet.  He'll also go yank a tooth.
Going back to the others with samples in hand, "Do you think this will be good enough for Justicar?"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:50, Thu 07 July 2022.

Josh gives the Doc an odd look, then watches as the Maharaja goes to begin cutting on the dinosaur.  He moves towards the man just as he move pieces.  Hold on.  I know someone at one of the countries premiere genetics research labs.  They have the facilities and equipment needed to do just about any testing necessary.  Besides, right now, that's evidence in a criminal investigation.

Runa looks at Bellissima, "Lilibeth discovered nothing of interest," the priestess says matter of factly. "Are we expecting more of these...creatures to appear?" she asks those gathered.

The Answer approaches, and says, "I doubt they'll make that connection, Jacob. Not because it isn't true but because it would require explaining the connection to the jurors. We'll be taking samples, ourselves, for Langone."
"Oh, and Grim-Light was shushing you because they think I get upset when someone mentions that particular donnybrook. Even though they know shooting myself wasn't my fault because that witch magicked me to make it happen." In reply to the wide-eyed looks Dr. Bright and Grimtoad bestow upon him, he continues, "I updated my audio sensors, not quite right, yet, but moving right along."
As he continues manipulating his tablet, he moves towards Runa and asks, "how are you two holding up?"

Bellissima turned as CMZ suggested that Maharaja, "Umm..yeah Maharaja.  Lets find a better way to get samples for Justicar.  I don't think we want to be lugging around a bloody foot or have it in the car with you and Garcia."  The brunette pointed out the downsides of Maharaja's plan.

She was curious about what Dr Bright was warning Jacob about, but she restrained her curiosity and kept her telepathy under control and away from anyone else's thoughts.

At Runa's reply, Bellissima nodded in understanding, "Dang, but not that surprising with the information we have so far." 

She was still waiting to see if the police had any requests from the heroes.

Jacob chuckles.  I wouldn't have to worry about one of you stun dart even if it did bother you.  I've shrugged off tank shells to the chest.  Besides, Left-Nut and Right-Nut got away from me, after I lost my cool against them.
He shakes his head.  Those two were pretty tough.  But, I didn't lose my cool until they went after the medics and firefighters.  It's a good thing they flew off.
He looks at the others.  We can have the carcass delivered to the Genetic Mutation Research department at Langone Hospital.  Dr Tery will love to get her hands on this specimen.  He then gives a smile.  And I can surprise her.
He looks at Bellissima.  We found out that Madame Barpofski thinks of Holly Cook like a daughter.  And that has bred a bit resentment, despite her always treating her models fairly and equally.

Senor Garcia didn’t have much to say or add to the conversation, but he did listen in to the information and updates provided by Jacob.

Bellissima nodded in agreement with Chimp Man Z's plan for the dead beast, "That sounds like an excellent plan."  She looked at the vault consideringly, "Hmm..I am going to check the vault, see what I can determine."

Bellissima walked into the vault and placed a hand on the place where there is the most damage to the vault as she searched for the psychic impressions left from the robbery. It has been some time and people have been in and out of the vault as they investigated the robbery, making it hard for her to find the psychic impressions left behind by the robbers, but she does find some impressions.

As a salvage crew arrives with heavy equipment to move the squad car and dino, two drones lift from The Answer's bike and take a position above the cranes being used.
[Private to Bellissima: General alignment of its last user selfish
general emotional state of mind of its last user confused
the object's general purpose storage
the last user is living
the item hasn't been used with/by magic or supernatural forces
the item isn't currently enchanted and doesn't contain a supernatural force/entity]

Bellissima frowned as she pulled her hand away from the vault wall and turned to the others, "Nothing useful, too many people goin in and out and adding their psychic print behind.  What I am getting, I am unsure if it is the bank manager or the last person to operate the vault."  She looked around the room, "Is there anything that can be identified as belonging to the robbers, that no one else has handled?"

Bellissima is met with nothing but shaking heads. Even the chalk marks with the little numbered cards are scarce, so it's fairly certain the thieves were professionals that knew better than to leave anything behind.

Jacob walks over to the salvage crew.  As soon as the creature is logged into evidence, we are going to take it to the Genetics Research Department at Langone Hospital.  If there is any useful evidence on the creature, they'll find it.
He follows Bellissima into the bank.  I suppose we'll head to the apartment to see what we can find.  Anyone have the keys?

A man dressed head to toe in a black combat suit, and looking like a ninja with a shotgun walks up to Chimp Man Z.

It was his voice that identified him a Senor Garcia. "No keys, but there is an office at the apartment keeping watch. He let us in, so I don't think you'll have a problem."

About an hour later Hikari will get on the LESP Secure channel and call Bellissima ~
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Justicar here, Any idea who will be delivering my requested bio-samples from the Mutant T-Rex and got an ETA on arrival to the Center City Offices?"+]

Oddly enough, the answer doesn't come from Bellissima in New York, but from a question asked elsewhere.
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Januchowski here. I've been instructed to wait for a package overnighted from en why pee dee. Who's waiting for that?"+]
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:50, Tue 12 July 2022.

Hikari replies ~
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Oh! Justicar here, I was not expecting it that fast!  I'm at my boat, but I'll be right over to LESP HQ secure those samples for analysis!"+]

Justicer will pause his research and analysis... to rocket over to the LESP HQ to meet Officer Januchowski and receive the samples...

Bellissima turned toward Jacob, "We were just there.  With what I have seen, I doubt there will be any clues into Holly's location, since it seems that she did not leave willingly." She shrugged her shoulders, "But there might be info on Vitaly there if we wanted to find him," she pondered thoughtfully.  "I don't think I can get anything else here, so I am ready to go."
This message was last updated by the player at 22:53, Wed 13 July 2022.

"Where to next?"

Bellissima had a thought, she wasn't sure if anything that Vitaly had given to Holly would count as his anymore, they might give her visions of Vitaly, but from Holly's point of view.   She needed something that Vitaly owned.  She activated the LESP Radio, [Private to group LESPradio: Justicar, Winter Herald or anyone else with computer skill or connections, can you find any public property that Vitali might own in New York?  If I can scan something he owns I might gain an insight into him.]

Then Bellissima would pull out her cell phone and pull up google and starts searching for Vitali in New York, rich people own property and leave a footprint in the media.

Runa silently stood nearby the rest of the team. Her talents were clearly not needed at the moment. Oh, she supposed she could speak with the city protectors, especially the one she healed, about the good and glory of the goddess but she dismissed that thought before it fully formed. Lilibeth had explained to her, at length, that proselytizing, to use her word, was not usually well received, not matter how well intentioned, by these modern people. It was one of their most vigorous arguments since being soul joined. She saw nothing wrong with enlightening people the bountiful joy that the goddess offered, especially when she saw so many lost, hurting people in this strange, modern world. Lilibeth had been uncharacteristically adamant that Runa should wait and observe people, adapt to the times and then they would revisit the topic.

Finally she turned to Chimp Man Z, the one Lilibeth called Jacob. "I am not needed here any longer," she told him bluntly. "Lilibeth will bring me forth if I am needed again."

She nods her head at him and then in an instant, Runa is gone and in her place stands Lilibeth. The blond woman is dressed exactly the same sky blue sundress as before. She looks up at Jacob with an apologetic smile, "Sorry about Runa, she just likes to do stuff, like stuff she thinks is useful. Standing around patiently isn't her strong suit. She isn't mad or anything like that, more like...um...bored isn't the right word, more like how infantry get in theater when they haven't seen any action for a while. She had this need in her to 'fulfill her purpose', as she puts it."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:20, Sun 17 July 2022.

As the civilians clean up, The Answer must consider his hovering drones sufficient. He puts away his tablet and approaches Chimp Man Z. "I'll get everything recorded, and forward it to LESP. I understand you're looking into Holly's disappearance. I've collected some images I'll forward for that, as well. There's nothing there, to my eyes, but it's always better to let investigators see for themselves."
"You call me if you two need anything, Center City's not that far away," he concludes. With that, he hops on his motorcycle and zips quietly away proving, once again, that The Answer has nothing to do with internal combustion engines.

Jacob turns to the newly returned Lilibeth.  I understand.  There isn't much either of us can do here right now, so we'll be heading for Holly's apartment next.  They may have already searched it, but they weren't looking for the same things we are.
He then turns to The Answer.  Thanks, man.  Frankly, you're better at the investigations than I am.  He pauses.  Hey, how much do you know about the Russian mob here?

Despite having rode away, The Answer proves his audio sensors are substantially upgraded. Jacob's phone screams like a howler monkey, indicating a text arriving. [Private to Chimp Man Z: Not as much as I used to. They got into some sort of turf war with a mutant gang down by the docks. Since they reorganized I've been too busy to check them.]

Jacod responds quickly to the text.
[Private to SSOGM: Have you heard of a Russian named Vitali?  AKA, The Provider?
 He was dating Holly.]
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Mon 18 July 2022.

Getting Bellissima's LESP Message he replies...
[Private to group LESPradio: +"Acknowledged 'Belle', I will get right on that and send anything that comes up.  I'm not sure this Vitaly/'Provider' is here in the US legally so he may not have any 'legal' assets or residences on record.  But it can't hurt to look."+]
This message was last edited by the player at 13:12, Mon 18 July 2022.

Bellissima turned toward Jacob and Lillibeth, "Mind if I come with you?  I want to search the place for anything Vitaly might have left there?  I think getting an insight into him might help us with our search."

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 61):

"I'll join you as well.  Can't hurt to have another set of eyes and her penthouse is pretty big."

It takes a bit before Chimp Man Z's phone howls again, The Answer must have decided to pull over so he wouldn't be texting while driving.[Private to Chimp Man Z: +"You mean The Provider. I've got nothing on him, don't even know if he HAS visited Holly's place as no images of him exist to compare to the people that do show up (security camera in the hall). Whoever he's working with (Refuseniks?) has tech savvy that, combined with his reputed mental prowess, has kept them well hidden."+]

Jacob looks at the others.  Just so you realize that it's a police car, not a limo or a taxi.  Not a lot of room.  He glances over at their assigned driver and gives a shrug.  Then his text notification goes off.
He reads the message and responds.  Afterwards, he heads for the car, getting in the front seat after informing the officer of the additional passengers.  We are off to Holly Cook's apartment, he says just before giving the address.
[Private to SSOGM: That is not a very helpful answer, Answer.  Thanks for what you know, though.  At least we have that much information on him now.]

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 64):

There's no way he would be able to fit in the patrol car with all the others.
"On second thought you guys go on ahead.  I'll meet you there.  It's a nice day for a jog.  Don't worry.  It won't take me very long.  I could run across the entire city at full speed without getting tired."
Mae Ha Rga goes into the nearest alley and activates Positive Energy.  He then leaps at the  building to the left, then right, and continues to leap off the walls until he's all the way up to the roof.  At a full sprint he leaps from rooftop to rooftop heading for Holly Cook's apartment building.

Lilibeth just smirks at Jacob, "I don't mind at all!" she tells him. She gets in the back seat of the patrol car and slides over as far as she can maneuver her slim frame. "This is nothing, I've ridden in the center of a humvee before. I had to sit cross-legged. I was practically between the legs of the gunner. Every time we went over a big bump, first his knees would jerk forward and hit me in my back and then my head would recoil and hit his knees. It was super annoying at the time but totally funny afterwards."

"It is fortunate for that 'gunner' that I was not with you then. To treat a priestess of Ishtar with such brazen disregard is an affront to the goddess," Runa comments grumpily. "Maybe but you weren't there and its in the past so why not laugh about it now?"

Runa doesn't respond but Lilibeth knows her soul bound companion isn't happy at the memory. She got that way sometimes whenever she recalled sad or upsetting memories. It caused Runa to not only become aware of them but it was like she lived them, inserted herself into it. It was terribly confusing for them both. This time though, she suspected that it wasn't just the unpleasant experience of the memory but a good dash of her frustration from earlier. Lilibeth decided that she would try and do something nice for her later.

"Thanks Jacob,"  Bellissima nodded at CHZ as she moved into the back seat with Lillibeth, pausing as Maharaja volunteered to run, "Don't forget that Garcia drove here and he can take you."  She reminded the big man as she got into the back seat of the police car with Lillibeth.

She wasn't sure what she could accomplish at Holly's, she was grasping for straws on what to do next.  It sounded like Justicar's plan to try to enter the portal to find Holly was probably going to be the best idea to save Holly.

"And I hope that doesn't happen in this trip," Bellissima tried to make a joke about what sounds like a rather bad situation as she smiled reassuringly at Lillibeth.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:56, Tue 19 July 2022.

That does sound uncomfortable, Jacob chuckles as he takes the shotgun seat, since neither of the women had.  But, as bad as that sounds, you would hate to experience what it takes for me to feel uncomfortable.
You know, besides romantic places with lots of couples, singles events, romance movies nad rom-coms, tank shells, bunker-buster missiles, and fuel-air explosive devices....

With everyone having gone back to Holly Cooks's Senor Garcia pinged the others. Maybe there was something else in NYC to investigate then going back to Holly Cook's apartment.

[Private to group LESPradio: "Has anyone spoken to Holly Cook's ex-boyfriends or co-workers here in NY yet?"]

Bellissima gets dropped off back at the bank, she thanked the officer who drove her before walking into the bank again.  Nodding at the various officers guarding the facility as she went to find Max Pestana.  "Hello Mr Pestana, I am Bellissima and helping with solving the theft.  Do you have a moment to provide me with some information?  I am interested in who the owner of the paintings were.  We think the leader of the thieves might have had a personal interest in them."



After talking with Mr Pestana, she would approach Doctor Alvin Grayson, "Excuse me, Dr Grayson, can you point out which locker the chip was stored in?  There is something I would like to try.  It probably won't work, but it might as well, so worth a shot."  She offered the doctor.   Once Dr Grayson points out the locker the chip was in, Bellissima was reach her hand inside of it and touch the inside, focusing on the psychic impressions she can find, hoping to focus on the last time the locker was opened.

The paintings were owned by an investment group that specializes in modern art, and would have been publicly listed as part of its portfolio.
No impressions are received from the locker.

Having made use of the bank’s facilities, Senor Garcia has changed out of his combat suit and is now wearing his blue suit. But instead of retaining his Glock as a fire arm, he now has his Five-seveN. The bigger hand gun would be harder to conceal, but it had a larger magazine capacity and harder hitting ammunition.

He then headed back to City Center to check out the area surrounding the first portal.

[Private to group LESPradio: I’m headed back to City Center, if these portals are opening up on a schedule, then we need to be prepared for when the one back at City Center opens up. I am going to assess the area and find a few good vantage points.]

Bellissima left the Bank and went to the library where she started looking up information on the paintings, when they last went on auction and any information on who put in bids for the paintings at the auctions to see if any of those people matched the description of Vitali.

At the library she was looked up who created the paintings and then traced their history forward who their owners where in sequence, when they were sold and to who, looking for any controversies attached to the ownership of the paints.  Because of her total recall, all her notes were in her head and instantly accessible for correlation.

Bellissima calls up Justicar to ask if he had actually found a picture of Vitali, [Private to group LESPradio: Justicar do we have an actual picture of Vitali?  If so, please send it to me. ]

Bellissima searched her memory for every mention Holly made of Vitali in her Journal, trying to discover where and how they met.


This message was last edited by the player at 21:01, Tue 26 July 2022.

'Karl' replies across the LESP Secure channel...
[Private to group LESPradio: +This is Karl. Justicar/Hikari is resting now and I am reluctant to wake him. I can inform you that several inquiries made to INTERPOL's criminal records were made. Thus far, no photo of Vitaly/Provider have been located.  No known residences or US assets have been identified as possessions of Vitaly/Provider.+]

Bellissima's eyebrows raised as she was answered by Karl instead of Justicar. [Private to group LESPradio: Thanks Karl, nice talking to you for the first time. ]

The paintings were purchased from the Frazetta estate.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Frank_Frazetta
Holly doesn't name the men in her diary, instead describing them all like 'blue eyes' or 'nose mole' or 'apple soda'.

As they are on their way back to One Police Plaza, Jacob remains silent,except to answer Señor Garcia's query.
Lillibeth and I paid a visit to Madame Burpofsky, spoke to her coworkers.  She has apparently been private about her relationships.  The only one we know of is Vitali the Provider, a Russian mobster.  But, we have no information about him at this time.

In reply to Chimp Man Z (msg # 77):

[Private to group LESPradio:"What about if we visit the local Russian mob hangout?  They could have some information on how to find or contact Vitali."]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:41, Thu 28 July 2022.

In reply to Bellissima (msg # 75):

There is a brief pause across the LESP Secure line then Karl replies...
[Private to group LESPradio: +It is nice to speak to you too Bellissima.  I am quite impressed with your Telepathic Ethics.  You demonstrate a most respectful and moral regard for the sovereignty of sapient rights to the privacy of their thoughts.  Hikari should be honored and eager to earn the regard and closer friendship of such a moral and ethic minded young woman and peer as you have proven to be.+]

The compliment is as strange as it is ... unexpected.  Karl's voice is monotone and not cold but calmly neutral in emotion... but  the words are ... kind of suggestive.  Is Hikari's AI trying to match-make?!?

Sitting in the library as she scans through another article, Bellissima responded to Maharaja's idea about questioning the Russian Mob. [Private to group LESPradio: That is an idea, Maharaja.  But we don't know enough info on local mobs or have the proper reputation to be able to get anything useful in the time frame we have to find Holly.  Hopefully the New York Detectives or Heroines will be able to follow up on Vitali.]

She reads about the family drama and how Frank Frazetta didn't want his pictures to be sold and how it nearly caused one of his sons to go to jail for robbery. As she answered Karl's request for information, [Private to group LESPradio: "Thanks Karl.  I look forward to working with Hikari more."]  She completely missed the possible match-making Karl was attempting, since she didn't see Hikari or any man in that way.  Realizing that she had run into another dead end, she packed up and caught the train back to Central City.

Fortunately, she had designed her outfit so that it could pass as everyday wear, she just changed out her glasses, let her hair out of her ponytail and most people wouldn't look twice at her, well at her face anyway.

Once she got home, she would call into Officer Januchowski that she had returned home, then she would enter a deep meditation to recover her energies. This case was taking up a whole lot more of her time than she had expected.  She was going to have get some writing on her thesis paper done in the morning.

Since Bellissima is going back to Center City Mae Ha Rga will head back over to Holly Cook's penthouse to join back up with Chimp Man Z and Runa.