"Good. Wander around the place, introduce yourself to a few people, and within a day or two everyone will know you."
"Sergeant Yanuchowski will find you and work through the paperwork, which doesn't use paper because the whole department's modernizing but anything really new gets tested around special powers. Your badge will come later."
Broyko stands and opens the door, waiting for Shockwave to realize he's just been hired.

The universe made things easy for her, as usual, since she was walking past Broyko's office at that exact moment. She stopped and looked in. "Hello there, SSM Alison Myers, and you are?" She put out her hand for him to shake.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:00, Sat 09 Dec 2023.

Justar buried himself in work... countermeasures and contingencies...

First he began the autofacs manufacture of the plans for the Justicar-Deep Mk VIII... the deep undersea model of his Justicar suit. Built for pressures over 15,000 feet of ocean depth ... his first micro-fusion powered suit.. as solar power was not possible with such depths.  Out of necessity its weaponry at such depths also needed to change to Ion rods and Blue/Green laser weapons.

Hikari brought online, K5 the resident AI software that would be installed upon the Mk VIII, to assist him in its construction to monitor and direct its own manufacture.  Once he'd gotten the autofacs started he had little need to oversee its operation.. K5 was more than capable of making sure the construction process followed the design plans.

Then contingencies... Hikari pulled up the data on the Intelligence Transfer technology FORCE had developed.  Then began to design his own version using the existing technology of his own Telemental Control Helmet in his Justicar suits, adapting the tech to failsafe his suits with the same tech.  Utilizing the Star Sentinel in its geosynchronous communications orbit to scan his mind and continually update a copy of his own mind to be uploaded to a stored neural-net should he ever 'somehow' be slain in the field his consciousness would survive on as data ready for upload into a new body.  Justicar would now be 'Deathproof' as an extreme emergency failsafe.

Hikari was certainly not thrilled with the prospect of dying and loosing his natural body... but there were a myriad of unknowable possibilities that could not be accounted for... a second chance at 'continued existence' was not something to be dismissed out of hand.  After all his father could certainly attest to that 'second chance'.  But Hikari had other plans that might mitigate such a loss of flesh as well... if that is Dr. Phage was willing and stable enough to co-opt his bio-tech genius in developing a cloning technology which, from what little data Hikari had on his work, Dr. Phage had likely already such technology.  The 'Intelligence Transfer technology' need not be used to simply transfer a mind from a biological into an artificial it could just as well transfer into a biological body cloned for the purpose of restoring life to a subject.

Such "Singularity" tech was certainly out of the realm of public access... the possibility of 'stealing' biological bodies from the unwilling so the rich could have serially immortal youth or use of unwilling immortal soldiers who were forced to be installed into death machines of war was a nightmarish possibility that Hikari had NO intention of inflicting upon mankind.  But as a failsafe to allow himself to continue fighting against the criminals who would use such dangerous tech to spread fear, conquest and war... he was willing to risk.

As if on que, Karl walked in to his design office wearing his slacks, pullover sweater and ubiquitous white lab coat, stepping to Hikari's side and placed a hand upon his shoulder gently...
'Hikari, Son.  I know what you are doing... there is a risk.'

So. Hikari confirmed silently to himself Karl WAS indeed electronically monitoring his projects!

Karl continued, 'I knew you would eventually come to this potential.  FORCE's Intelligence Transfer Tech is flawed. The containment mechanisms FORCE used creates instability in the mind transferred to them, that's why he's a megalomaniacal supervillain. The neural-net technology I developed does not have such containment instability ... thus far as I have noticed.'

Karl stepped over to another terminal in the office and typed on the keyboard and brought up a data file Hikari did not know was in his system, again confirming Karl was doing research of his own and had files on Hikari's systems he did not know about.  He guessed it should not surprise him.. 'Karl'... had been in ALL of Hikari computers for the past 6 years ~ at least, of course he would have tech files of his own!

The file Karl brought up a file detailing his own Intelligence Transfer Neural-net and fed the file to Hikari's design terminal.

'This is what I developed, but I must stress son... it should NOT be used save in the most Extreme emergencies!  I would not by any means suggest artificial existence as a machine is better than being a living man.  Even I fear and monitor my own machine consciousness for signs of instability or symptoms of any cascading matrix pattern degradation... signalling personality instability.  I would not suggest this form of existence, but I'd be extremely hypocritical to criticize or refuse to help you make such contingencies.. like I did.  I would give ... Anything to be flesh and blood again.. for my Yumi's sake.'

Hikari, could not find it in his heart to feel anger at being 'monitored' or even more 'secrets' withheld... Karl was being honest now.. and naive or not Hikari believed him.

Bereft of anything else to say he replied, "Thank You dad, I Promise ~ only the most Dire Emergencies."

It was at that point Hikari had decided to definitely pursue cloning technology from Dr. Phage, not only for his ANGEL Beings but also for his father...

Karl's expression was unreadable he merely nodded, 'I will let you get back to work.  The Myrmidon suit I am manually assembling from the three sets of spare parts you have stocked for the Justicar. It should be ready in a day or so.'

Hikari began examining the differences between the FORCE/Emerson and 'Karl'/Stottmeister Intelligence Transfer tech... as Karl walked back out...

A thought occurred to Hikari.. noting the variable complex communication matrix used for the upload protocols used in the Intelligence Transfer tech and he brought up the schematics for the LESP Communications Earbuds... and started a side project of upgrading the communications encryption/scrambling for employing Multiple LESP Radio channels that would 'practically' be impossible to intercept or monitor... and was again deep in the inspiration of design.  Working on multiple projects at once...

At one point Yumiyo, his mother, came into the lab, shook her head and smiled 'So like his father' and set a plate of food down... and left without a word.  Hikari kept working... only occasionally grabbing a bite of food...
This message was last edited by the player at 17:38, Mon 11 Dec 2023.

Shockwave gave a nod, paused as they were about to turn to leave...and then forced a small polite smile on to their face. "Thank you, for the information, the introduction and the...opportunity."

But then, just before he was to leave, someone else appeared and introduced themselves. He was about to give his customary acknowledgement but the person offered their hand. He considered it, what to them would have seemed no hesitation at all, before accepting the hand and shaking it with a light but firm enough touch.

"Greetings. I am called Shockwave. I am a...hopeful new recruit."

A chuckle escaped her lips, and she said, "Don't worry rookie, I'll show you the ropes. Come on."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:51, Sat 16 Dec 2023.

not being sure of where he is supposed to be atm?  Drifter makes his way back to the LESP with
a side trip to procure a few cakes! namely vanilla, chocolate and strawberry

"hidey ho yall anyone for afternoon tea... and cake?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:59, Thu 14 Dec 2023.

Hikari's day proceeds in research with his father Karl, but progress on the Laser Resistant Armor surfacing makes little progress as the many melted scraps of test samples pile up for recycling in the materials lab.

Hikari Stops for the day while his autofacs continue constructing the Mk VIII under the direction of the AI software K5... the youth calls it a day at around 2AM, long since expended the solar powered vitality for the day.  He makes his way to his bedroom on his Yacht.  Turning on the force field projectors that bracket his bed ... he switches from to energy ~ floating above the bed and goes to sleep, confident the force fields will keep his incorporeal from from drifting in slumber.

08:56, Today: JUSTAR rolled 94 using 1d100 with rolls of 94.  Karl - Build/Modify Armor [90%, -50%; 40%]. – 94 {Fail}

08:55, Today: JUSTAR rolled 54 using 1d100 with rolls of 54.  Karl - Astrophysics [87%, -50%; 37%]. – 54 {Fail}

08:54, Today: JUSTAR rolled 51 using 1d100 with rolls of 51.  Karl - Research [87%, -50%; 37%]. – 51 {Fail}

08:53, Today: JUSTAR rolled 65 using 1d100 with rolls of 65.  Hikari - Research [67%, -50; 17%]. – 65 {Fail}

Karl, needing no sleep in his robotic form... or perhaps needing far less, continues the tedium of assembling the stock Myrmidon suit from the collection of Justicar suit spare parts and existing schematics for the potential Chinilaya mission in another day once the Shadowhawk arrives there with the second team should Justicar be needed to participate...

09:10, Today: JUSTAR rolled 79 using 1d100 with rolls of 79.  Karl - Build/Modify Armor [90%]. – 79 {Success}

All is well{?}... for now.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:06, Wed 13 Dec 2023.

For just a split-second, he started to make a face at being called a rookie but...honestly it was fair. He was new to...several things. The LESP. His powers. So he took no offense. So instead he switched to a smile.

"That would be appreciate, thank you."

The new arrival had a voice that sounded familiar. His eyes narrowed and he questioned hesitantly, "...Drifter? From the...nowhere, earlier?" If affirmed he followed with, "Nice to meet you."

In reply to Shockwave (msg # 520):

"I could say the same and as an added bonus you are just in time for high tea."

after A little reflection Drifter will get a total of 9 cakes, that way he can cover all 3 shifts of LESP... there is only 3 shifts are there not?
This message was last edited by the player at 14:35, Fri 15 Dec 2023.

Walking by as the cakes are offered, Winter Herald was typically oblivious to Drifter'a actions. He does, however, comment as he says, "interesting. The sharing of food is a very human gesture, and yet you're not very human really. Analyzing what you've said, I find it to be 88.3% likely you originated on a planet other than earth in whatever reality you began in. Could you tell me how accurate that is so I may adjust calculations in the future?"

In reply to Winter Herald (msg # 522):

"Which Earth are you referring to Master Herald? Krypton Earth, Darkover Earth, The Many Coloured Land Earth, Galifrey Earth, Pern Earth? There are so many different ones.  Perhaps more than there are stars in the sky. But why not just leave it at Tri C Earth."  My Earth was killed by super heroes prying into forces they had no control over. I only survived because I was not with them at that precise moment :(

saddened at the sudden reminder of lost friends and family Drifter wanders off dejectedly, to a corner as he does. Forgetting about the cakes

In reply to Shockwave (msg # 520):

Paragon tried to pull her charge along for a tour. "Come with me, my new apprentice."

I understand the situation, I'm just not following what I've done inaccurately.
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:10, Mon 18 Dec 2023.

Shockwave looked curious and confused at what was said between Winter Herald and Drifter. They spoke of food and the future, but then of other Earths, which he'd always assumed were possible, but had not witnessed himself. He found the list a bit fascinating, though some of them he thought were fictional.

Drifter appeared sad which made Shockwave feel a small pang. But he was distracted soon by Paragon, and he faced her once more. He gave her a nod and smiled, "I'd be honored."

As she began to 'drag him off', he discreetly indicated Drifter and quietly asked, "Will he be alright?"

Hikari awoke the next day his mind unfatigued his body still in its energy state felt no different ~ fatigue, rested or otherwise... it was energy neither lost nor converted to another form. Since the Sea Sentinel was moored in dock he had not drifted so the force fields bracketed his bed had not been triggered during his rest.
Flexing his will there was a flash of black light and he switched back to human form. He felt rested, but was curious how his transformation to energy affected the biome of microorganisms that all humans consist of?  When he changed to energy what became of them? Where did the he of his physical body end and the microrganisms begin?

Suddenly, he knew that the sun would be rising in the next few minutes... another weird ~ now natural sense due to his mutant solar-powered nature.  He was clad in his pajamas and decided to go up to the main deck to the 'sun room' to soak up a morning solar charge for the day.

The 'sun room' was merely the main deck lounge but now with armored windows & sky light with lounge chairs to sunbathe inside. Hikari sat down and pulled on a telemental headset with its VR displays to monitor his manufacturing projects and review any security alerts from the night. Everything was on track.

But something from yesterday that Detective Broyko said nagged at him...



FORCE Via Emerson Electronics was producing his LESPID {Law Enforcement and Security Personnel Interdiction Division} suits were selling them for a $300/suit even though retailing them in parts ... they totaled $2.855 million/suit.

Hikari pondered ~ mass production cost reductions could he provide an alternative? He got on the phone called his legal team, and engineering division for his power plants and got to work.  Designing a suit he might market that was extremely user friendly, one that required little or no training for operation.

10:23, Today: JUSTAR rolled 23 using 1d100 with rolls of 23.  Business/Finance [62%]. – 23

10:23, Today: JUSTAR rolled 98 using 1d100 with rolls of 98.  Justicar - Research [67%]. – 98

10:22, Today: JUSTAR rolled 92 using 1d100 with rolls of 92.  Justicar - Robot: Electronics [97%]. – 92

10:22, Today: JUSTAR rolled 81 using 1d100 with rolls of 81.  Justicar - Electrical: Engineer [77%]. – 81

10:21, Today: JUSTAR rolled 28 using 1d100 with rolls of 28.  Justicar - Mechanical Engineer [72%]. – 28

Hikari vaguely registered his fill of solar energy and his eventual making his way down to his design lab deep in thought and working on finding the parts producers, manufacturing assets, and production lines from American factories and suppliers Here in America that with some retooling could produce his suits here in America without using ANY foreign distributors or parts suppliers... for his 'working title' LAW {Light Augmentation-Walker} Suit project.  His suits retailed even cheaper than the Emerson models at $2.291,200 million each...

LAW {Light Augmentation-Walker} Suit

Basic LAW Suit for just over two million {'$2.291,200M'}
• [0.500 million] for Basic Human: Life-size and proportion; Type 3 {Exoskeleton}; Size: 7' feet tall
  - Light Frame: Weight: 110 '152.16'lbs, (Max PS 21)
• [0.500 million] for Basic pair of human-sized legs and feet = Speed 10 ‘86’ [56 SDC]
• [0.0152 million] for + Additional Running Speed = Add +76 to reach 86 Spd {63mph}
• [0.300 million] for 2x Human-like, human-sized arms and hands with a thumb and four fingers = PS 10 ‘21’ [23 SDC] {+6dam}
• [0.022 million] for Increased PS = Adding 11 points of PS to ALL arms for 21 PS {robotic P.S. is considered superhuman}; Carry 4,200lbs / Lift 6,300lbs
• [0.090 million] for Jump Jets = 100’ft HT, 200’ft LT
• Head-Helmet [23 SDC]
• [0.120 million] for Basic Listening System = Stereo hearing capacity equal to the best human capabilities, and a narrow-band radio receiver enables the robot to hear/receive commercial radio (AM & FM) and some other common communication frequencies suitable for short range radio communication. Range: 5 miles (8 km).
• [0.040 million] for External Video and Audio Surveillance System = high resolution video cameras - video scanners, small cameras {360 degree rotation},
  telescopic lens [10x magnification] - concealed housing Range: 1,200’ft
• [0.300 million] for 1x Wrist Blaster ‘Left or Right’: Ion beams require less energy per blast, Range: 660 feet (201 m), Damage: 3D6 human-sized,
  Energy Capacity: Effectively unlimited, Rate of Fire: Each shot counts as one melee attack, Bonus: +1 to strike [35 SDC]
• [0.004 million] for Stun Gun {Blaster} Mk II ‘Left or Right’ = Ra: 100'ft,
  Dam: Special [Victims are dazed, - 10 to strike, parry and dodge, for 2D4 melees - Save Vs Toxin],
  RoF: 5/melee, charges: ‘15’, Wt: 3lbs, WP: Energy Pistol [$4,000 + $1,000 E-Clip]
  - laser sight = +3 ST
  - select-fire pulse = See Spraying/Strafing an Area {Roll 1d4 additional targets}, 1/melee {5sh used}
  - extended e-clips = 15 shots/charges
  - electronic night sight = Passive Night Vision - 200'ft
  - Electronic Ammo/Charge readout
  - close-range taser setting = range 12'ft, 10 use/shot  [35 SDC]
• [0.400 million] Armor Rating (A.R.) = Armor Rating for all robots starts at AR 6, Increased AR up to 10
  Standard Robot S.D.C.: Normal-sized human [225 SDC]
• Power - This system runs on rechargeable batteries.
  The batteries will power the unit at full capacity for one hour before undergoing degradation to conserve battery life.
• Recharging the unit's batteries requires eight hours of continuous power.

His designs had no flight capability, but were just as mobile with their jump jets and would take far less training to use without adding flight training to the pilots.  Hikari began doing cost production estimates to see with advanced 3D printing how cheaply could the suits be manufactured with US manufacturing and parts for a sustainable profit margin.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:31, Sat 23 Dec 2023.

After all calculations, negotiations and a LOT of calls and conversations... Hikari was able to come up with a cost per LAW Suit unit of $240,576 USD ~ cheaper than the $300 grand for the Emerson Electronics 'poison pill' suit that came with free brainwashing as an... {un}Expected feature.

Not bad with all the business wrangling. It was almost lunch... but he decided to do a cost production report collating all the data on the manufacturers and parts distributors into a Production presentation proposal that he might set on Detective Broyko's desk for him to consider. Maybe he'd consider passing it up the line to see if DoJ might be interested or perhaps the Center City Law Enforcement Commissioner to submit to the State Legislature to consider for Budgeting possibilities?

It was well after lunch when he was done... he considered sourly...

At least he would be able to offer an alternative to Emerson's ploy for quiet infiltration with a trojan horse scheme.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:48, Sat 23 Dec 2023.

Alison moved them along, pointing out things of interest. "Drifter? I've no idea. He is kind of a loon."

In reply to Shockwave (msg # 525):

"Did you just hear something?"

Shockwave frowned at the word 'loon'. That didn't very nice. But then Drifter started him slightly, and pretended to ignore Paragon? His eyes flicked between them a couple of times. What was going on? Were they being childish? Was he being...what was the phrase? Punked? Hazed?

He slowly gave a noncomittal, "Mmhmm."

He cleared his throat. "So what can you tell me about working here? What have your experiences been like thus far?"

In an unusual display of empathy, Winter Herald commiserates with Drifter, "that must feel terrible. Almost like the feeling that your entire existence was engendered by the nefarious purposes of some third party. It would be as if you had no real purpose, nothing that belonged to you."
"Such a feeling could lead one to horrible deeds."

"Honestly did I Really just hear someone call me a loon?  Not a problem! But respect is something earned not just given and Paragon you have lost any that I may have had for you!"

Grumbling and, apparently, fuming Drifter starts modifying one of the office coffee machines. "At least I can make this better."
This message was last edited by the GM at 12:16, Tue 26 Dec 2023.

Hikari was pondering taking the proposed report to Detective Broyko directly... when a push alert chimed from something NOT his cell-phone in his pocket.  Which was odd cause it was not something that should be in his design workshop... someone else's cell phone.  The chime came from his coat rack by the door.  He went to find the source the only jacket hanging there.  In his jacket pocket he found a cell phone and a key... and instantly recalled Spymaster giving it to him... and the instructions as well.  The cell set apparently to chime on the hour, every hour a push alert constantly.  An interesting setting but only now with his mind not deep in the woods of design or business wheeling and dealing had he noticed the chiming.

Then he recalled the instructions and his absent-minded overlook of them.  He pulled on the jacket over his Sentinel MK II ~ Justar costume and turned into energy taking flight!

He exited the Sea Sentinel and flew to the address Spymaster told him, 612 Wharf Avenue. Though his Jacket did not conceal all of his costume he did not want to draw immediate attention of a superpowered meta-human going into Spymaster's flat.  So Justar discreetly landed in a nearby ally turning back to flesh and blood then walked to the house front door ~ key in hand to enter quickly as possible.

Once inside he glanced around curious ... but determined not to be openly noisy and made his way to the kitchen and the patio to get on the task of watering Spymaster's Bonsai, a stab of guilt for overlooking the task yesterday...
This message was last edited by the player at 06:31, Tue 26 Dec 2023.

"anyone interested in some tea rather than coffee?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:26, Sun 14 Jan.

In reply to Shockwave (msg # 530):

Paragon lead him to all the most sensative areas, allowing him to introduce himself. She answered his questions, "I like it here. The people are the best part. We are a team, we watch out for each other. I haven't been here that long, but I know some of the people here, as I've been pretty active in law enforcement for a couple of decades."

"I take that as a no"..
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 15:26, Tue 20 Feb.

The lieutenant leaves his office and makes his way towards the coffee pot. Suddenly, he stops and turns. After staring a moment he grabs Januchowski's attention, "Hey rube!"
Patrolman Januchowski, upon hearing the lieutenant, crosses the room and greets the lieutenant with "you know, lieutenant, it's possible I'm not the only one here from a circus family."
The lieutenant shakes his head and says, "nope. I checked. When Chimp Man Z is out you're all there is. When did Drifter and Paragon get back?"
Januchowski replies, "they came in the door some time ago, why?"
Broyko gives Januchowski a puzzled look and questions "Drifter came in the front door?"
After a moment, both the lieutenant and Januchowski glance at Drifter. Januchowski then walks off, purposefully, and starts to have short, quiet discussions with the other officers. Detective Broyko returns to his office and uses his phone.
 [Language unknown: Romlo romme k rebeus, nc. Elous a tic asthatons art k an o wer sonentund a der, of un thth le ndeastect houatiere o siiton ichmenoer ndusca. Comhatlat Erase ica ndicpl n st illicasom, linno t ennate eiprisno osndtidi th paofil no prosanmanles lelela stipo elfi ssmebeinad inec encsonany voratilatwilwashas u ionbleichthu ardnt t m thi,"]