This is where ANY activities related to the official Central City Police Department will occur.

Starre shows up with his trademark notepad. He tells Broyko "a fairly nice haul of bad guys. But like I said before, there's something more than just a raid of Manning Enterprises going on. The part types they were stealing indicates some sort of computer device. So, where's the Doctor? I'm betting he has a lead on what the Crushers were doing."

OOC: On the drive down, I Bluetooth my personal and internet files to see what I know about Dr Patrovich.

Nodding at the reporter, Detective Broyko agrees, "Yep, they did good. It looks like the same bunch that hit the other businesses. If we're lucky, this is all over and we can calmly wait for The Crusaders to get back, but I don't trust it."
"If they needed something at Manning Enterprises, they probably would have hit there first. Ever since Carter admitted to wearing the suit, his business has been a target for any yahoo that put on spandex."

OOC: Dr. Ernst Patrovich is the world's leading authority on artificial intelligence and designed TEACHER to be the state of the art AI
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:29, Mon 04 Feb 2019.

Darryl considers the puzzle, then says "they may have been reluctant to beard a Crusader in his lair. Chances were good that Manning had a top-notch security grid to protect his assets. The Crushers hit less - defended places first, then Manning to get what must have been critically needed parts." He pauses, then asks "Does Dr Patrovich know what's wrong with TEACHER?"

If nothing else, the recent visibility as being 'on the side of right' made it easier for Goodguy to enter the offices. Someone of his build always seemed to make the boys in blue nervous, being recognized as helping was sure to make them more comfortable.
As he stepped into the room and greeted Broyko and the reporter, he asked, "what'd I miss?"

The detective looks at Goodguy and sighs, "nothing, actually. Patrovich was exhausted, severe jet lag or some such. He's trying to sleep through it so he can talk coherently; said it was vital the heroes know what he knows."
"He's probably got the right idea, I've been going for twenty hours and could use a some beauty rest, myself. Listen, this is what I've got in mind."
"Starre here can run some story about how you guys managed to break the crime wave, and tell the city they're all safe, again. We all go get some shut eye, and then you guys straggle in here between 8:00 and 9:00 so we can do some paperwork, build some bridges, and make some contingency plans."
"How does that sound to you?"

"Did he leave you any notes, or is he waiting to tell the heroes face-to-face?" Starre asks.

"He acted like it was some kind of secret, even demanded we assign him a pair of uniforms and surveil. Probably doesn't trust the force, thinks we're all on the take. Some older people are like that."
Perking up, as if he's just had one of those Oprah-fied AHA moments, Broyko continues, "you know, we could probably send you to him, now. That way, Patrovich could feel safe enough to rest and if not, he might tell you what has him so worked up. Let me get a squad car to run you to the safe house."

Goodguy shakes his head at Broyko's suggestion. "Squad car's too slow. Just get me the address and warn the watch I'm on my way. I don't mention it, often, but it only takes me five minutes to get to any location within about twelve miles of here."
The detective grabs a post-it note, writes the safe house address on it, and hands it to Goodguy. The big man reads the note, looks at a city map on the wall, then walks out the door, calling back, "I'll keep him safe, see you tomorrow."

Starre says "wait! Take me with you. I got a few questions for the doc. And it can't hurt to have a little back-up."
This message was last edited by the player at 07:06, Fri 08 Feb 2019.

"Not really time for that, Mr. Starre. We need you to file that story so the bad guys think we believe we've won. That reminds me, I gotta catch up with Dillon and see if I can get her to spin her story that way, as well."
"Do you think you could get your story in the morning edition? or do you have one of those blob things to put it on?"

Darryl looks at the note clutched in Goodguy's hand and notes the address. Absently he says to Broyko "Blog. But I tend to call in my stories, and my assistant types it up. I proof it, of course. I'd better call this in." He moves out of the room to head for his car.


Perception 13-, rolled 7 on 3d6. Made it by 6.
4 levels vs Range for sight Perception.

Detective Broyko watches Goodguy, and then Darryl Starre leave. He sighs and makes a call to the uniforms watching the safe house before he goes home to sleep. At the safe house, the squad car patrolling the area notes the big person appearing on the lawn and flashes their lights at him. After some quick hellos and a call from the patrol car, the front door of the house opens and Goodguy walks inside.

Soon after Goodguy arrives, Nighthawk alights down onto the lawn to be recognized by the police. After their acknowledgement, Nighthawk finds a sturdy oak to perch atop to keep watch for the night.

Before eight in the morning, an unmarked car delivers Dr. Patrovich to the police station. He sits in the task force bullpen and makes small talk with some of the men there (currently it's about his theory as to the identity of the humpback whale on "The Secret Singer").

Darryl Starre arrives promptly at 8:00.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:51, Tue 12 Feb 2019.

At exactly eight in the morning Inferno lands outside the police station. Walking inside he nods to the Sergeant at the desk, "Here to meet with Detective Broyko and Dr. Patrovich."

As soon as everyone arrives, Detective Broyko introduces Dr. Patrovich and then asks the doctor to wait a minute. The detective gets everyone's attention and explains that he has all the intel the police department could gather on The Crushers that aren't in custody. Then he starts showing documents on the wall, with pictures:

---

Six years ago, a group of disgruntled research technicians from various corporations including Newtronics, Manning Enterprises, Emerson Electronics, and Program Engineering utilized parts and equipment they had stolen from their employers and modified. Their intent was to modify and adapt the stolen parts sufficiently to avoid patent violations while creating a prototype for a line of servant and assembly-line androids.
The prototype had an unprecedented degree of self-awareness, and when they decided to disassemble and re-build the model, it took offense. At this point, it renamed itself 'Mocker' and destroyed the technicians. Although technically an android, it has an obviously mechanical appearance, especially in its face, so maintains as low a profile as possible when active. Mocker is believed to be involved because the android and Frank Streeter tend to work together.

---

Henry Barnet was a small time second story man and safecracker till he blinded himself in an accident while attempting to open a safe. A little over a year after Henry left the hospital, Hornet showed up. Fingerprints show that it's Henry, but the multi-prismatic eyes and winged flight suggest there have been a few changes.
Hornet was spotted in the rafters of the arena at last night's boxing match. The owner of the drone, which wasn't authorized to film at the match, posted video of Hornet online, and it was flagged by our automated facial recognition routine.

---

John Shakura moved from Hawaiia to California as a young man, looking for work. While employed at a chemical plant he was inundated with numerous chemicals, including a large amount of acid, when the plant's anti-earthquake measures failed. Somehow, this led to him becoming a sort of 'human battery' with the ability to project and control electricity. The accident also destroyed any chance he had of living a normal life, and he has been on the fringe of society ever since. Shocker was spotted last week, manipulating machines at a local arcade so that they were all being paid for free.

---

Theodore McIntyre was a professional hitter. He worked his way up to the pinnacle of his profession before he met Charlie Biggles in the penitentiary. Charlie Biggles was a weaponsmith and inventor and the two formed a close relationship. Both sentences ended at similar times, and when Ted and Charlie met on the outside, they built some armor and a mace, which Ted liked so much he renamed himself after it. The Mace robbed a liquor store at mace-point last week.

---

Stanislas Laird is the son of Excalibur. It appears the magical defender of the British Isles taught SOME of his talents to his son, but not so many that Excalibur was unable to defeat him. It is believed that this is why Stanislas moved to the United States before changing his name to Stormlord. Excalibur sent a message indicating that his son would be involved with our next crime wave, but that was two months ago.

---

Marion Henderson is a mutant, with the ability to control her density but not her mass. She traveled around the world looking for a way to control her powers, and was, apparently, helped while studying in India. For reasons we can't understand, people tend to do what she tells them to, even when it's against their better judgement.

---

Hatter rolled in with Knockout. There was something different about riding with a superhuman, that edge he wasn't used to. "We should do this far more often." He was smiling even through his mask as seen by the glowing eyes there in.

It was good to have an expressive hero mask.
----------------------------------

Hatter listened to the download on the various supers that had to be looked after. "Marionette, any chance you have video of her initial interaction with people she gets to do things?"

"Without seeing it I can only guess off the top of my head. But, True Hypnosis or some kind of airborne substance. If people drone out I'm inclined to think directly mental domination."

Starre points out "Mocker is an A.I., probably with advanced electronics and computer skills. If anybody was planning the heists involving computer equipment, it was him. Dr. Patrovich, have you any insights into what they are trying to accomplish?"

"What you see in the dossier is all I've got, kid. For what it's worth, I've heard she's usually less than a foot tall but can still go toe to toe with whoever she wants."
Broyko waves at the screen, and the dossiers are replaced by grainy pictures that were apparently pulled from security cameras. "I can show you what they looked like, in the past. But don't get too caught up in these, they seem likely because they're the only ones recently seen."
The screen obediently changes to display

Dr. Patrovich has ignored the slide show, and the detective, and most of the other assembled parties. He raises his head from the notes he was reviewing and addresses Darryl Starre, "Ya'all gonna have ta wait till we's all here. I ain't about to repeat myself and ain't no one took roll, yet."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
This would be a good time for everyone to introduce themselves to Dr. Patrovich.

---

"Ok, you're the doc. Goodguy, here!"

Darryl sticks out a hand."Pleasure to meet you Doctor. I'm Darryl Starre. I read your last article in Scientific American on quantum energy and multiphasic shielding. Am I right in thinking that pulsed energy can be tuned to be out-of-phase with this dimension when encountering barriers, allowing the energy to coalesce on the other side of the barrier? That has interesting applications for law enforcement and the military."

The conference phone on the conference table in the center of the task force area beeps, and a female voice says "Broyko, check the local feed."
Broyko looks perplexed, but presses a button on his remote. One of the smaller screens on the wall changes to show a news feed.

Broyko is already on the phone, and says after a minute. "The commissioner was watching, and everything available is already on the way. That looked to be Evergreen, Dreamweaver, Enforcer, and Shocker. We should gather everyone here, whether they're helping or not."
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:08, Sun 17 Feb 2019.

Hatter set out the tiny camera drone so he could have data for later. "Hatter, mentalist." He tilted his head side to side as he was already chugging away at the information presented. "Well, that isn't good." He pulled out his cell and text Knockout and Impulse. ~Crusaders found. Assumed D.O.A. Medical teams are being sent to the site.~

He had some skill with deduction and a tiny bit with security but he couldn't do much if he wasn't on site.

Darryl is calm, but his voice sounds strained. "Dead? And that looked like Shocker of the Crushers. The Crusaders wouldn't do that, but why would his allies....wait. If the rumors were true, he would not stand by idly while the others tried to kill Evergreen. Shocker was apparently infatuated with the girl."

A hand on her mouth, Knockout listened to Hatter with horror. The Crusaders were dead ?! How could that be possible. Her models, such heroes, couldn't be dead. It was like the reality had become too horrible to believe in it.

"Where... how..." she could only mutter back, and she looked around for moral support.

Hatter flipped his phone over a few times thinking over his reply. "No word on that yet. Looks like a hit job but without seeing the site that is an assumption. Deep breath Darlin, we will take this one step at a time and we will be damn sure justice gets done."

"Keep your ears open, either someone is showing off or this is a distraction. One step at a time and we will see this through."

"Hold yer horses, there, lad. I don't think the lady'd ask fer an ambulance if she figgered they was beyond hope. Less ya all got some medical degrees I ain't privy to, you'd probably do more justice to the sitchy-ashun by stayin' here and hearin' me out."

"It's right through here, sir. If you could, please tell Detective Broyko that we haven't found anyone else."
The officer motions Drifter through the door.

Impulse has been standing and staring at the screen. "None of them can fly," she says quietly.
"Those are the majority of the Crusaders that CAN'T fly. Neither Laserfire nor Manta Man is there, and they can fly. Blizzard's not there either, maybe that means nothing."
"Oh, I'm Impulse, Dr. Patrovich. I can fly."

In reply to Impulse (msg # 32):

"Does one really need to be able to fly to be capable of flight?  Sorry to intrude gentle beings but I was escorted here.   The name is Drifter and I feel there is no real need for introductions as I know you all a little by your reputations.  Except for you Sir ?"
motioning over at the person who was just talking
"Nor is Death the end of things for the Living Miss.  There are powers out there that can if properly motivated or crafted will be able to restore the Dead to Life.  But the Cost is often worse than the loss of the deceased.  Have any of you ever heard of a Resuscitation Chamber?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:01, Tue 19 Feb 2019.

Darryl swallows and asks "Drifter, do you or Hatter have the capability of temporarily transferring abilities from one person to another? I don't tend to advertise it, but I have a minor ability to regenerate. Its helped me in several high danger zones."

In reply to Darryl Starre (msg # 34):

"Hmm interesting idea Mr Starre. I can not speak for anyone else but I know of a world where a psychoactive substance call skin is supposed to exist.  If your Regeneration is mentally based we could pop over to The Many Coloured land and see if we can create or borrow some.  I am sure the None Born King Aiken Drum would be thrilled to enter into negotiations, from what I have read the trickster is such an interesting fellow.

The Skin as far as I know can help regrow limbs and such but the patient must be willing.  It is as I have already stated a psychoactive stuff but it will require a Road Trip to acquire it and it is a world occupied by Sabretooth Kitties, Hoe Tusker Mammoths and Mentalist Aliens of two different species.  There are of course other alternatives but Skin is on this world and much easier to get to... relatively speaking

Yippee Yahoo err sorry I reallly do like road trips.  Anyone up to adopting a Hyenadon puppy from around 26 million years ago?"
This message was last edited by the player at 11:14, Tue 19 Feb 2019.

Darryl shakes his head. "Don't think it's mental. I was investigating a DEMON lair and interfered in one of their rituals. During a scuffle I got thrown into some sort of magical transformer box. It left me with some form of regeneration and now my body automatically softens physical and energy hits that I take. Its made my job easier, being able to survive the 'front lines'. I don't think this Skin of yours would work, but you never know."

Inferno had took a seat toward the back and was listening to the various conversations going on around the room. He watched the feed closely as the Crusaders and apparently Shocker had been found. From the lady reporters reaction at least Enforcer was still possibly alive. "Dr. Patrovich, please continue."

Dr. Patrovich walks up to the wall with the screen, turns to face the room, and says, "Hypno-ray satellite."
After a moment or two, he follows up with more words, "Doctor Destroyer".
Finally, he smiles at the assembled heroes and says, "decaying orbit".
"Ah know ya 'all have other things on your mind, but you need ta hear what I have ta say."
"Albert Zerstoiten was as brilliant as he was evil, but the first superweapon he deployed was humane. The hypno-ray satellite wouldn't have killed anyle. It was designed to bend the will of all humanity, so that Dr. Destroyer could be supreme. No one knows what he wanted supremacy for, he never said."
"When the erratic group of citizens that responded to the military's call for help managed to defeat the doctor's standing army, derail his plans, and almost capture the doctor, himself. No one was more surprised than Albert Zerstoiten. Maybe it was this surprise that led to his abandoning the satellite, but it was the humanity of the weapon that prompted what happened next. They reported the satellite destroyed, and they lied about it."
"We've been studying the thing for decades, several of the more interesting algorithms and circuits have found their way into other devices. You wouldn't believe the number of cell phone antenna designs that are based on the hypno-array. Many of TEACHER's higher functions were engineered by reversing the designed data flow in the hypno-command sequencer. In fact, almost every AI on the planet can trace some heritage to the satellite. Almost."
"Unfortunately, some AI's were built by technicians with random components that have nothing in common with the hypno-ray. These rare systems achieved sentience by accident, and have no connection to the hypno-ray's circuitry. Those AI's that have some sort of connection, and any disconnected computers that haven't achieved sentience, are completely vulnerable to the satellite's circuitry. MOCKER must have discovered this."
"The things these yahoos stole can be used to connect a non-connected sentient AI to the hypno-ray data flow, so that the AI can suborn it and take over all connected electronics on the planet. You have to find these guys, and stop them. They really will have the power to take over the world, if they can make their tech work."

Hatter made a T with his hands, "Time out." He took the white helmet off and set it beside his chair. "A giant world covering hypno ray? Are mentalist super heroes rare? It is never humane to suppress the free will of another person without consent. Speaking as someone who has the ability to control a mind it is far more in honor of the human person to just lie to them."

He was clearly at odds with the fact they held onto a giant world controlling hypno ray. "Not to mention it was made by the king nasty himself. The number of passive hypnotic defenses are mind-numbing."

"Consider this my formal request to review that thing once we settle the issues its produced." He rubbed the bridge of his nose. If you mind control someone you needed to stay with them for a moment. Some people react very badly to mind control. If someone turned that thing on it could very well cause untold bloodshed as some people go into a blind rage. In other cases, it could be a replay of "The Happening". He had no doubt they would be researching with caution but for something on that scale they should have every mentalist with tech on it.

"Do the circuits use any kind of unique material? If it is the size of a cellphone with no real indicator we are kinda borked as its just plug and play at that point."

Darryl says "Let me guess. MOCKER is one of those non-connected AIs. What other materials would they need, and where in town can they get them?"

Obsidian flew to the police station after receiving the call for "heroes". He then entered the building. This would be his first real mission so a good first impression was necessary. After locating the detective he approached him. "Hello, I'm here regarding the call for heroes".       

As Obsidian enters, Patrovich says, "ah told you ah wasn't sayin' it all twice, but ah made arrangements."
He presses a button on the remote and it plays a video clip of the speech he had just made. When it has finished, he looks at Darryl and says, "At least you paid attention. Yes, Mocker would be capable of the reverse hypno-path ah've lined out. That's probably his end goal, but what he does in the meantime depends on you all. Ah wouldn't know what to do, it's outside my bailiwick."

Arms crossed over her volutptuous chest, Knockout gaze was still glued to the pictures of the protagonists. Crushers, crusaders, Dr Destroyer...

"What is the link between this hypno-ray and the death of the crusaders ? I'm sorry, but I don't catch it. And two of them are still MIA. If they are alive, we should focus on finding and rescuing them."

Hatter blinked at a thought spawned by Knockout, "Do any of the teams heading out to round them up have mentalists on their teams? If the two are linked they likely had been forced to fight one another. Pure speculation on my part. I was able to pick up a mental block put there by a mentalist on Shrew, it's not far fetched to assume they have been messed with."

Darryl gazes out, clearly thinking. "I think we need to go see those Crusaders that will be in the hospital soon. Shocker as well. Maybe they can tell us where the Crushers are located, since Shocker is with them they must have encountered the villains.

Detective Broyko takes his cell away from his ear and addresses Knockout, "Three, miss. Manta-Man, Laserfire, and Blizzard are unaccounted for. Shocker's a Crusher. And none of them are dead. Shocker's in the worst shape; he appears to have almost bled out. The others appear to be sedated."
"As far as it goes, only Shocker will be receiving treatment, the others will be brought here and placed in protective custody. At the very least until they wake."

Hatter laced his fingers over his stomach. "So, whats next? Loiter here till they show up or do we head out the first inkling that Mocker pokes his... her? ... It's head out? I don't want to sound like an eager beaver but at this point, we are sitting on our hands. Every nickel and dime super villain is going to hit the streets as this broadcast goes out. Anyone who thinks they can take on a few cops is likely putting on his game face."

"Sooo... Assuming that they are being brought here Ill loiter long enough to get a solid mind scan on the heroes as they are brought in. If there is an active mind control I should be able to pick it up. Ill also hit shocker with a bit of feel good to make sure he recovers faster."

"Does anyone have a means to keep an eye on the city that is not otherwise known the rest of us? Or will be need to rely on nine one one calls?"

Darryl addresses Petrovich. "Dr, I believe you helped develop TEACHER. I haven't met a programmer yet who hasn't designed a back door into anything they've written. Can you get us access to the Tower? Not only do the Crusaders have equipment to detect problem areas, but their medlab might be as good as any hospital, and TEACHER can monitor the Crusaders' recovery. Can you get us access?"

Obsidian took in all the heroes and others in the meeting. "I hope I'm not too late to the party. I can move fast and hit hard if necessary." Hitting his right hand shaped as a fist into his other hand.

Goodguy looks at Obsidian and smiles, "hey, can you pick up a subway car?"
Regardless of Obisdian's answer, Goodguy follows it with another question, "really? What line did you use?"
While everyone is either pondering or ignoring his quips, Goodguy approaches Detective Broyko and says, "which hospital did they take Shocker to? I can 'blip' Hatter over there so he can innoculate the guy, and then blip back here while we wait for the other three to arrive."
After he gets the information from Broyko, he walks over and puts a hand on Hatter's shoulder and says "we're off" before the two of them vanish.

Goodguy and Hatter are gone no more than ten minutes before the two pop right back into the task force area.

Once Hatter was vorped back in he took his helmet back off and covered his mouth for a moment. He sat down and tried to relax. "Shocker is good now, his acid blood was burning the EMTs. Pressured the wound and I healed the veins and arteries that had been damaged."

"Good call, he will make it now. And good job GG, fast as hell and well done."

"As long as he stays in bed and keeps his blood pressure down he will have a solid recovery." He left out the part that Shocker was not going to have made it otherwise. "His mind, however, was interesting. There was nothing in there about Crusher plans. But Shocker did plan to bleed all over EverGreen's stasis tube. How the other two escaped, where they escaped from, and just about anything else was either blanked out by trama or someone really skilled did a scrub job on his brain."

"Keep in mind that such cannot be presented in court without a warrant."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:57, Thu 21 Feb 2019.

In reply to Darryl Starre (msg # 48):

"That's part and parcel with what I was sayin'. If I'm right about what Mocker has up his sleeve, the first place they would've had to pilfer is Crusader Citadel. TEACHER isn't on the fritz 'cause the AI went buggy; it's shut down so they could make off with some of the circuits."
"I suspect when you get to talk to the sleepers, they'll be tellin' you about bein' lured away with fake distress calls, and then waylaid when they returned. They may know where they were bein' held, but only based on what they saw when they escaped."

"In any case, we'll be using our secure holding cells in the lower levels. If we could all move down there we'll be ready as soon as they arrive."
"Starre, I know you want to file a story, but if you could hold off until we're sure the details won't give anything away I'd appreciate it. See you downstairs."
The detective walks off towards the elevators.

"If there is such a mentalist blocking their minds, is there a chance you can.. compare the work done in their minds with the one he put me under ? I mean, if there is a way it gives us a hint or clue on who to look for ?"

Hatter was still having a bit of an issue. He suffered from minor teleportation vertigo as all the minds looked like little stars and someone just tilted the sky sideways on him. "Not without knowing the mentalist. I would have to deep dive each person one at a time and that breaks a few legality issues. If you suspect someone has done something at all, trace back your steps, replaying all events that lead you to that moment in time is often the best way to catch any fuck ups."

"A mentalist is a devil for details but we can't think of everything."

"Wish I could give more details but the best mentalist can frag your brain through a proxy mind link. There is an amazing reason why they have strict laws and a long list of mentalists."

He thought for a moment, "Common indicators of someone using mental powers is extremely calm in a fight without doing much. Most of us require a line of sight at the very least. Mental powers are also slow to work, they build up and overwhelm anyone."

"Next few fights I'll keep my eyes out. However even I wont show up to a mind scan, Ill have to wait till their mentalists do something, very hard to hide active power use."

"If you stop by the house later tonight we will go over some things. I think they mindblasted you to put you under. But it would be extremely easy to start training you on how to have mental defenses."

In reply to Detective Broyko (msg # 54):

Darryl nods. "I understand operational security. If Teacher is shut down, the Tower's defenses are compromised. We might be able to get into the tower and get some clues about the Crushers whereabouts. Goodguy, you think you can get me inside the Citadel?"

"I can take you to the lobby. I've been there before. Since I haven't been inside the Citadel, it would be a blind leap. Probably not a good idea."

Detective Broyko looks a little pensive, then addresses Hatter. "You mentioned Evergreen being held in a stasis tube. They've got something like that at Crusader Citadel. As soon as they get here, we'll wake one of them and ask. If they were being held in Crusader Citadel, those guys would have recognized it. They might have an idea on how to get in."
Turning, Broyko addresses a uniform, apparently asking for maps of the citadel. The officer complies quickly, and Broyko puts the maps up on the wall.

"personally I like Rippley's idea from Aliens.  Nuke them from space.  Anyone happen to be carrying a spare tac nuke?  No! Oh well there goes that idea. :)"
With a heart felt sigh Drifter turns his attention back to cleaning his MiniGun.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:02, Thu 21 Feb 2019.

"Any training is good to come with." She agreed with Hatter before reporting her attention on the investigation and pictures.
Something was amiss, but she couldn't figure it out yet. Plus she was quite clueless for now on what track to follow.

It was something that usually put her in anger against herself, when she felt really.. blonde. Having no idea or clue on what to do. It might have been because of her hormones, but still.

As the heroes move through the station, they notice more activity than usual. One of the other plainclothes walks by and says, "big storm, Vic, we may need some of your task force."
Detective Broyko grunts in assent but doesn't otherwise respond. When the garage area is reached, the officers carrying large, covered crates of equipment look peeved. Another officer approaches Broyko and says, "It wasn't our fault, detective. She ripped her way out and dug her toes into the landscaping. We didn't know what to do."
The detective waves the officer away and heads out into the rain. Standing just outside the garage, in an island by the 'severe tire damage' sign, the leafy woman has planted herself. Literally.
Broyko walks over to her and says, "we need to talk, you can do this later."
Evergreen speaks, her voice reminiscent of the soughing currently made by the storm winds through leaves. "You will speak and I will listen, tell me of Johnny Shakura."
Broyko shakes his head before turning back to the garage. He shouts back over his shoulder, "not in the rain, I'll be inside."
As Evergreen comes into the garage, she joins Broyko in following the two carried "packages". There are holding cells, past two checkpoints, and this is where the stretchers are undraped and the two unconscious Crusaders are placed on bunks. Evergreen listens as Broyko assures her that Johnny is on the mend. When the question as to where they were held is finally put to her, she looks surprised, and says, "I thought you would know. We were home. Somehow, something turned TEACHER against us."
"I so wish I could help you. But my energy is too low. They'll be watching all the entrances and exits, and they've locked down all doors. You must get through and stop them."
She indicates that she's seen Mocker, Mace, Marionette, Hornet, Stormlord, and Shocker. She doesn't know if there's anyone else there and she doesn't know what they're planning.

Hatter clapped his hands, "Right, so this means to break into the superhero HQ and take the thing over with an AI that controls the whole place? But that also means Mocker is the target number one, most forms of control stop if the controller is rendered out. That also means that he will be the most guarded. Anyone have a live feed into that place so we can get a teleport? If we can just teleport Mocker out that would be an amazing way to quickly end this."

"Also, does someone in your group know how teacher operates so any of us could shut it down for a time?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:04, Thu 21 Feb 2019.

"We could always try taking the Base on side-wards? That may at least have a chance of taking the AI by surprise for a moment or two.  If the assault is made with the AI as the centre of attack... Oh don't worry just thinking aloud is all."  Drifters fingers caress the Mini Gun fondly.  "Just making sure of my understanding here before we head off.  Nobody here is interested in purchasing one of these Rubber Bullet Mini Guns?  They pack quite a punch and are not easy to get hold of so I will not be offering them again for some time.  Plus they can come with a scope that aids with single shot attacks.  What is more they are currently only available to Governmental Organisations so you might just speculate on what it is I am offering here.

Detective Broyko would you like to have a play with one? Why you might even like the device?  I had given it a name but I do believe the prototype was given one by its creator"

Darryl looks at Drifter and makes the observation "you ought to contact that Nighthawk guy. From what I hear, his claws can carve into Questonite, let alone the Citadel's defenses. But keep those guns hidden from his view. From what I saw at Manning, he has an almost pathological hatred of them. Whatever you do, don't offer him a gun.....he'll likely tear your throat out."

"If you suggest we assault the place, I hope you have a good plan in mind. I'd suggest we use some kind of trick, forcing them to open up the passage for us. Don't know how. Just a frontal assault seems reckless and stupid. Plus we don't knowwhat kind of traps and systems Teacher might use against us."

"That... Is a pretty interesting thought. Do any of them have some kind of behavior quirk that wont let them turn down a fight? Or makes them Rage? It would be no problem to make it sound like one of them called Marionette short or something. It wouldn't take much to start a distraction."

Darryl shrugs. "From what I've heard, Storm lord fancies himself as English Aristocracy. He might have too much pride, unable to resist a challenge to his so-called superiority. As for Mocker, if a new android or robotic individual showed up in the local news, it might prompt a recruitment attempt. Just a thought."

"Stormlord IS the son of the lord of Greenslash, also known as Excalibur, hero of Britain. But he was radicalized at an early age and has severed all ties with his family, so I doubt that sort of slight would bother him."

Evergreen shakes her head, and explains that TEACHER has been all but dismantled. Shocker was remotely operating most of the defense emplacements, and he's, obviously, not there. In fact, the Crushers are probably scattered through the Citadel BECAUSE the monitoring and security machinery was directly connected to TEACHER and is probably non-functional. With four floors to cover, it's doubtful that all of them would show up right away if you DID knock a hole in one of the outside walls.
Detective Broyko reminds you that you've got maps to help plan, and as you get to the holding cells, you see the other two Crusaders have begun to wake. Unfortunately, they are too weak to help and have no more information than Evergreen has already given you.

Starre speaks to Evergreen. "Pardon me, miss. Do you know of any secret entrances into the place? If Manning designed the building, he must have included a backdoor or some way to reach inside undetected. He only came out with his identity after he started his career as a hero, so it makes sense he would do so. Also, do you have a greenhouse within the walls of the Citadel? There must be ventilation and water that run to that, giving us another avenue of approach."

sitting down in a corner as he listens Drifter watches the time, ready for the first twinge of discomfort.  thinking two dimensionally is so last season.

"No. He never used a secret entrance. Judging by the smell, he was coming through the sewers and following the elevator shaft up or coming through the hangar bay doors from the roof."
"Detective Broyko has a full set of floor plans on file, Carter... Manta Man insisted on it."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)

GM:

The floor plans in question are found in the game maps. There are no secret entrances, no holographic/illusionary walls, and no fire escapes. The windows (you'll see them on the maps) are double-paned, reinforced glass which make them as tough as the concrete walls. The hangar bay doors (on the roof) are actually tougher than the concrete walls, but are on hydraulic hinges. The elevator shaft is the one that comes from the lobby. Of course, the lobby contains cameras and sensors that feed directly to TEACHER on the top floors.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 04:34, Sat 23 Feb 2019.

As the heroes consider their next move, the storm worsens. The cloud cover is so thick it seems like twilight, and the occasional thunder comes close on the heels of the lightning flash. In fact, the emergency alert system broadcasts through the PA (you ARE in a police station) that the entire city is under a tornado watch.

Knockout pondered thoughtfully the options described. One thing that Starre said, intrigued her for an odd reason, and she proposed.

"Some of you think they could .. disguise me as another persona, such as a female android of sort ? Infiltrating them seems quite risky but helpful also".

Her gorgeous face offered a cheerful, but slightly embarrassed smile, as if parasite thoughts were rolling in her blonde head.

"Has anyone ever heard of Pick Kryptonite? weird stuff that! almost as weird as Black Kryptonite.  Did you know the Black stuff is a synthetic substance just like the Rabbit Hole in Alice in Wonderland.  Does not occur naturally at all?

Almost like this tornado we are experiencing, seeing as far as I know the Meteorologists did not mention a storm warning at all at least none that I can recall till it struck?  Odd is it not?  But then again I was visiting Metropolis and could have missed it.

As for an Android identity! People would do better going as a Gothic Golem or a Replicant... far less computer id verification access and all. If only either automatons were common on This World"
This message was last edited by the player at 06:40, Sat 23 Feb 2019.

"Note to self, learn lasting images. It would make wardrobe changes easy. Best bet is if drifter has some reality changing power to make you look like a robot. Otherwise it may be wise to hijack a powered suit."

"Though if we go in through the observation bit with the telescope, that gets us close to our Target on the upper levels. We would have surprise, field advantage, and a quick way out if things went sour should we use drop lines to get in."

"Drifter can likely hold down the entrance with that nug of his. Annddd if someone is better at electronics than me we could secure teacher while the others shove their boots up bad guy backsides."

"As you say, wing can get though just about anything, and observatories can't use ultra durability materials, otherwise it would render the radio telescope completely useless."

"Once in I'll do my best to feed you all locations of bad guys but assuming Marionette is mentalist, she would know once I lock on. That being said, as long as we take it slowly we should only ever be fighting one at a time."

"You know, with those maps and a little luck, I could get someone in. Heck, if we got to the floor below and found a spot we knew was empty above we wouldn't even make any noise."

In reply to Hatter (msg # 78):

"No I have no such power but I do know that The Command Crew of Babylon5 has access to Chameleon Suits and I might be able to persuade Garibaldi or Sheridan to sell or rent me the one they got off a Criminal.

If you like I could go and check.  Heck I could take you with me and you could try to charm them for yourself.  So I like Sci Fi and Fantasy realities what do you think we are living in folks.  So many worlds lack Supers.  Poor people"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:19, Sat 23 Feb 2019.

Darryl points out "Storms. Storm lord is creating it.  Goodguy gets someone else inside. I think I know how to contact Nighthawk. He can fly up the elevator shaft carrying someone. Easier walls to breach."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:16, Sat 23 Feb 2019.

"Well I guess we are heading frontly to the Citadel and the bad guys then. Are you guys up for it ?"

She sat back down, poutting a bit.

"Storm Lord ? Does he knows we are here or ?"

"I can lift many tons but haven't had much of a chance to find my limits yet" he replied to Goodguy.

"I can fly and carry people as needed" Obsidian stated plainly.

PM

"It would take me hours to gather SWAT for an assault, and, frankly, those Crushers would probably mop the floor with us. However, I can get you into the building unnoticed. Just a matter of driving an unmarked van into the basement parking area. You'd still have to go through the lobby to get to the elevator, or take the stairs to the floor below the citadel and break through the ceiling, but at least you wouldn't be noticed."
This message was last edited by the GM at 23:01, Sat 23 Feb 2019.

In reply to Detective Broyko (msg # 85):
_{"If you think so Detective.  Still I do have some doubts about that."}
This message was last edited by the player at 21:57, Sat 23 Feb 2019.

Moments later, the black feathered form of Nighthawk lands outside. He says "someone called from here with ultrasonics. What have you discovered? " he asks when he is ushered inside to meet the others.

"We could always get in to the Base via The Emerald City which fyi is Super Green.

Err HiHi NightHawk and if I do not miss my guess Obsidian "
This message was last edited by the player at 08:26, Mon 25 Feb 2019.

"Ready when you people are." she said, standing up, and picking her glossy lipstick to take care of her luscious lips, doing that cute thing girls do munching their lips doing so.

"If any of you people know anything about their abilities, it might be nice to know it at first hand. How do e keep in contact if we spread the assault from different places ?"

"Ok well there you have it One day I really will need to learn how to use a Camera.  Could be useful in exposing details missed in the heat of the moment." 
This message was last edited by the player at 09:32, Mon 25 Feb 2019.

"I can handle communications, plus we got radios. So that should be okay.

Upon hearing the assault strategy and Broyko's offer, Nighthawk says "get me to the freight elevator shafts and I and one other can use the access panel to get above the elevator.  I can fly us up to the elevator doors on the medlab floor. Medlab likely has the other Crusaders in pods. We can free them."

Knockout perked up her head, as it was like this they proceeded a day ago. She raised a thumb up to Nighthawk, and inquired with a smile.

"I might be the lighter freight for you to carry. Should we team up and play angels coming to kick their asses from the top ?"

Passively observing the hive of activity going on around him Drifter tries to make sense of it all.

Nighthawk awaits being brought to the building basement by Broyko's plan. "It will be a pleasure to be your battle mate. You and I are well paired." he says to Knockout.

The blonde bombshell nods in agreement with the werebird, and stretches felinely, making her back pop like a cat that had been idle too long.

"Ready to embark on Nighthawk air. It's time to show those Crushers why my pseudonym is Knockout."

The troops debark, soon to meet up at The Harmon Building

In the main police admin section of the HQ, rows of desks for detectives where manned by men and women taking calls. No doubt still getting offers of help for any metahumans willing to provide aid in the current situation. Of course, most of those calls where just pranks and crazies.

That was the reason Shade did not call first. Really who would believe him over the phone? No, it may be a showy dramatic entrance-but it proved he was the real deal

The real deal being the lights flickering on and off briefly, and a black hole forming in the center of the room after rising up from a shadow on the floor. Shade then stepped out of the hole, another lights more or less went back to normal. That is, if 'normal' was the odd shadows flowing around the being made of pure darkness now in the center of the room.

"Ummm...hey!" The strange figure said to the assembled police. Even its voice was odd. It sounded like bad radio static. "Got word you guys where looking for some volunteers? Something involving the Harmon Building?" It paused as people just stared at him. "Oh, yeah. I'm Shade. Because...you know. This."

He gestured to his body that barely looked 3d, and seemed to be humanoid made from darkness. He did not even have proper legs, just a column rising from a pool of shadow on the floor. He lacked any features, other than two glowing orbs for eyes.


"So...who do I talk to?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:25, Thu 06 June 2019.

Mystika flied down and her talisman glowing and ebbing feeding her energy for the flying as she hovered over he pavement and hair blowing on her.

Wearing a comely outfit accentuating her body and hair braided she still could move and was modest by her peoples standards as she stepped forward.

"Mystika heard you needed help from those with gifts beyond the tools of your law enforcement I think I am suited to the task.," as she landed the blue alien waiting for her powerful item of power to recharge itself.

With a low roar, a dark blue two-dimensional oval of light appears in the police station. The oval opens into a view of what seems to be a high-tech lab, but that detail is immediately overshadowed by the fact that man stands at the portal's edge, looking through. With a single step he crosses over into the police station proper, both feet firmly planted now on the station's floors.

He wears a tight-fitting practical tan vest, along with dark loose-fitting pants tucked into a set of high laced boots. Covering it all is a light leather trench coat with a modern cut and high collar. His face sports a light beard, and his mid-length light brown hair hangs idly about him. An electronic device of some sort covers his eyes, some form of high-tech lenses. At first observation you could say he's in his late twenties or early thirties.

Many, if not most, of the officers and people present already know this figure as Neuromancer, a wealthy philanthropist, technical genius, and a powerful mentalist. His activities as a "superhero" are a matter of public knowledge.

The portal, now behind him, vanishes as quickly as it appeared, leaving the station's grounds untouched.

Walking to the sergeant in charge of the shift, he says,

"Gentlemen... I've learned you might need help. How can I provide it?"
This message was last edited by the player at 05:30, Thu 06 June 2019.

"That's what I was gonna ask!" shouted the guy in the station's doorway. He'd drawn some amazed looks for having a huge set of functional wings, but the guy with the high-tech lightshow had definitely upstaged Freddie's arrival. The guy had style, he had to admit. And it was an excellent coat. Meanwhile, Freddie had simply dropped out of the sky wearing jeans with the knees ripped out and a vintage Lynyrd Skynyrd concert tee (that had been cut open in the back and sealed with Velcro). No, this guy — whoever he was — knew how to make an entrance. By contrast, all Freddie knew how to do was fly.

"Anyway, if he gets to help, so do I. I totally call dibs on helping."

There are a few other costumed people in the station. Some have come intending to help, some saw it as an opportunity to network with their peers, some just showed up. As Malleable Man chats up a pretty policewoman, and several others approach the newcomers, there are several leaving (probably impressed by the heroes arrival).

"Oh, good. Neuromancer. Can you do us a favor and explain to those that have nothing more than a costume just how bad of an idea that is? They won't listen to me, maybe they will to you."
Handing a stack of files to one of the desk jockeys and receiving a receipt back, he starts to walk away. Till one of the the other desk jockeys shouts "Yo Yan! You forgettin somethin!" Rather than reply, the office walks to the other desk and hands the man a memory stick. Refusing the receipt with the word "copies", Januchowski heads back to the file room.

Neuromancer was just about to reply to the fellow with wings, when Januchowski made his request. Without any further briefing or context, Neuromancer felt he needed more information in order to understand the situation. He addressed the officer who had just spoken with Januchowski, the "other" desk jockey.

"Officer. I need a briefing on your help request. What's the situation?"

"Hey, don't cut me out, dude." Free Bird followed Nerdomanta. If the police were going to give him the time of day, Free Bird would be there, too. "If you don't respect Dibs here — in the house of law — then where are we as a society?"

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 105):

Shade noticed the cops avoiding him, and going along with the more normal looking metahumans. Granted he could not really blame them. The first time he had seen himself in the mirror he had screamed and thought someone had slipped him some mushrooms. At least he could change back into a human being when he wanted, which made him luckier than a lot of metahumans.

He looked about the building, and walls being no obstruction to his hearing or sight noticed Neuromancer and Free Bird. He then sank into the floor, and reappeared next to Free Bird. "Yeah, what he said!" Shade chimed in. "Just because some of us are not the super popular Neuromancer dose not mean we are chopped liver, ok!?" He complained, his weird voice sounding like bad radio reception.

"The rather dashing newcomer is right we wield between us many abilities far beyond mere humans but even a highly trained human can be effective in the right case. How many heroes on your world wear power armor, use guns and other weapon and the fighting arts without the need of weapons and these people are formidable. And he can travel via gates, he flies, this dashing hero can do shadowy powers I suspect and I wield technothoumaturgy. I can do almost anything I want within the modest limits on my power while looking good doing it. If I missed anyone with gifts let me know I meant no offense with so many fine and dashing gentleman heroes here. So let us help if you need us. Now just tell us what we need to know officer.," she had no issues with appearances its what they can do and what's in their hearts.

"Techno-cow-whutnow?" The blue babe used a lot of words without coming up for air. One of her super-powers must be not needing to breathe. But one of those words shot past Freddie like an F16. It didn't even sound real. "Is that a kind of dance?"

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 108):

"Dude, don't knock it! She's the only one here who noticed us-and I was actually trying to be seen!" Granted, there where a lot of other metahumans just wandering around. Shade had to think a good number where just crazy people looking for fame. The four of them actually demonstrated powers, unlike others here. However, clearly the cops in this town dealt with so many metahumans that a glowing lady, a flying guy, and a living shadow that only the police ID'd Neuromancer was of any interest.

"Knock it? I don't even know what it is!" Freddie held his hands up, shrugged. She could do some technothoumathingie, and apparently Freddie was expected to just let that go. Was asking a woman about her powers like asking about her weight? Don't do it? Okay, whatever. "I was just curious, is all."

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 110):

"It means magic machinery. She uses tech so advanced it seems like magic. I think." He said, quoting Arthur C. Clarke. Granted Shade had never believed in such things ether...until the shadow-matter generator blew up in his face. As a result, the currently living shadow had no excuses to doubt outlandish things anymore.

Turning around, Neuromancer addresses the assembled individuals, and says,

"I apologize. I did not intend to ignore any of you. I was merely engaged in trying to obtain information on the call for help."

He extends his hand with a warm smile to Shade, Free Bird, and Mystica, all of whom appear to be the closest ones who are sharing his predicament. (Everyone else around them didn't seem to be paying them any attention.)

"Neuromancer. But, please, call me James."

After introductions, he continues.

"Looks like the officer must have been feeling quite frustrated to leave his office desk in a such a manner. Perhaps he was feeling more pressure than he felt comfortable with. Be that as it may, we are going to need information."

New Romancer? Strange name for a super-hero. What happened to the original Romancer? Freddie wondered. Still, the guy had style, and he had those portals (some kinda tech, maybe?) so he wasn't just some weirdo in a great coat. It wasn't Freddie's place to judge him on his name. Besides, he'd said to call him James, which was more than normal enough.

"I'm Freddie Boyd, known to YouTubers everywhere as the fantabulous Free Bird. Take your pick."

Freddie had made good scratch with videos of all his exploits, including the capture of a couple of minor super-crooks. Several of his videos had views in the millions.

Shade moved to shake hands with Neuromancer out of habit, but then withdrew before he made contact. The reason was clear enough. The shadow limb got colder as it came closer to physical contact. "Ummm...yeah, no offense. Most people don't like to touch me...with good reason." He said. "I'm called Shade...for...obvious reasons."

He glanced over at Freddie, aka-Free Bird. "No secret ID?" His glowing white orbs Shade had for eyes, his only feature, seemed to widen. "What about your friends and family? It's sorta a risky hobby for them you know..." He pointed out. Of course, Neuromancer was not wearing a mask, and just said his name was James-but that guy worked out of a lab with a teleportal.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:45, Fri 07 June 2019.

"When you've got big honkin' wings, it's kinda hard to keep a Secret Identity," Freddie said to Shade, fluttering the wings just enough to draw the eye. Even that was enough to blow papers off the nearest desks, though, garnering dirty looks from a couple of the cops. "I mean, I got this friend who's really dumb, and it took him a few weeks to figure out that Freddie was Free Bird, and vice-y verse-y... but most people catch on a lot faster. Some get it right away, even.

"Are you all shade-y and stuff all the time? Or do you have a 'normal dude' mode?"

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 115):

"I can...uhhh...fit the part when I need to." He said, not wanting to talk about it around so many other people.

It had been a nightmare when he had first transformed. After three days as a living shadow he finally figured out how to get back his human body. His new form needed to 'eat' covered physical matter into a shadow energy. Granted it had been very weird-but his body had gotten tougher for a short time after absorbing a trashcan into himself. After that, he could change back whenever he wanted. He was worried he might accidentally 'eat' a living person, but Shade's form did not care weather or not the converted matter was an object or alive-just as long as it was solid.

"Maybe Neuromancer or Mystika can set you up with some sort of disguise?" Being able to be human again was more than just a relief. He felt like he could have a normal life away from Shade whenever he liked. After all, there was no connection between his inhuman alter ego and his very human ID. Neither cops, nor super-villains, nor the media had any clue. Even when the shadow matter generator had been destroyed, he made sure his normal ID had no links to the disaster.

"You mean like a pair of glasses? Nah. I'm pretty happy this way." Freddie started growing his wings at the age of fourteen. The entire state of Florida knew who he was by the time he was sixteen, and that was before he started posting his exploits on YouTube. Millions of people knew who he was. There was no way to un-ring that bell.

Besides, his parents could take care of themselves. Pop owned more guns than any guy on the block. He was always packing something, and firmly believed in Stand Your Ground laws. And Mom couldn't be intimidated by anyone, including Pop. Freddie pitied the bad-guy who decided to get revenge through them.

"The wings are a total chick-magnet, too."

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 117):

"Well, if you are not afraid of Lynyrd Skynyrd's lawyers, I guess you should be ok." Granted Shade did not really believe that. As a reporter, he knew what lengths powerful men would go to in order to intimidate or cow critics, much less outright enemies. David rarely spoke to his parents anymore, but he wanted to know they would be safe from crazed supervillians.

When Freddie mentioned his personal life, Shade sighed. "Well, I guess you are lucky then. There are not lot of dating opportunities when you are a living shadow..." Granted he could just be human and have a nice and very human girlfriend-but David's life was far too busy for that. He sort of knew that when he had become a reporter, much less a crime fighter.

"You just ain't meeting the right girls," Freddie insisted. There were always — always! — chicks looking to bang a super-guy just to be able to say that they did it. It didn't hurt Freddie's success rate that he was also good-looking, but there were tons of chicks who'd want to bone the living shadow. If he had bones. "You come out with me some night, I'll hook you up."

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 119):

"Thanks...but...ah, I think I gonna have to give that a hard pass." He nodded. "Pretty sure the ladies in question would ether have a death wish or be otherwise insane. Plus, I'm not sure precisely how all this works..." He gestured to his own inhuman form. "...and I don't think experimenting like that would be very smart."

He paused as something occurred to him. "You don't give the women you date feathers, do you?" Metahuman groupies where a real thing, and one of his fellow reporters out of his news network had told him about it over drinks. It had been...well, almost unbelievable. The reporter had mentioned the women she spoke to talked about a winged man.

"I'm Khr'cinna my hero handle Mysticka, crown rincess of the Malvan Empire and diplomat to Earth and other governments represented here. But one has to have a hobby and test their skills is there a better way while helping others? I think Shade and Free Bird are rather dashing if you don't mind blue alien females as company?," she said with some playfulness at the end but she had possible villains to smash with the power of magic.

"Only if they fall out on their own," Freddie replied. Pulling out feathers hurt, but sometimes they just dropped on their own, particularly after vigorous... activity. "A couple of times, I guess."



"Why would I mind? Blue is one of my favorite colors."

The Malleable Man shrugs in a "can't fault a guy for trying" way and walks to the center of the area. Stopping, he morphed into a tripod stretching almost to the ceiling with a four-speaker array on top. In all cardinal directions (corresponding to the magnetic rather than the real directions, for those with senses to notice) The Malleable Man's voice exclaimed, "listen up, wannabees. We're interfering with the orderly running of this station, and the boys in blue have been kind enough to point out the situation room assigned to Broyko's project. So, unless you're just here for attention, please follow me."
As his form begins to resemble human, his feet stay still as his body elongates to stretch his head through a door (apparently opened with his tongue) and up a stairwell. An officer with a nametag indicating "Martin" watches The Malleable Man's feet and wonders, "You think he'll leave those there?"

Neuromancer watched impassively as the stretching man turned into speakers and bellowed his directions.

"It looks as though our questions are about to be answered."

He follows the elongating man with interest, wondering just how far he could extend his body in any direction.

"That guy must be real popular," was all Freddie said as he followed along.

Shade felt a little bad. Everybody was sharing their real name and he was too chicken. He just knew how easy it was to find people these days. Privacy was a thing of the past, and the one reason Shade could operate without anyone's interference is because most people could not make a connection to the inhuman shadow being and a normal man. He did not know any of them well enough to say his name, and he figured they all seemed to be much nicer and more trusting then he was.

"I have no problems with blue alien princesses that fight for the little guy."



I am not a wannabee...Shade thought, his lack of features hiding his sulk. He followed along anyways.



"Sure, he's an established hero..." Shade said, and then realized what Freddie was talking about. "...Oy. Yikes. Thanks for that mental image." He sighed.

with a little luck this will get through to the local Police Radio...
This message was last edited by the GM at 00:41, Mon 10 June 2019.

message passing

As the last of those following Malleable Man arrive at the situation room set up for the Crusher Crimewave Task Force (yes, CCTF is printed on letter-sized with a headline font and plastered on every wall), Malleable Man's feet walk shuffle into the room and walk under the rest of him. After a moment of morphing, he appears himself again. "That was at LEAST forty-eight feet, which is a new record for me."
"Ok, there's a detective, guy named Broyko, who's been making a crusade out of integrating the vigilantes with the force. He thinks we spend WAY too much effort working at cross-purposes."
"Anyway, the guys he's got to help him with the Crusher thing seem to have been up to the task. Just a matter of what's going to happen when the Crusaders are out of commission for more than a few days."

"Well we hould explain a bit of our powers and what we can do, so the police and we know how to best use our talents. Wouldn't you agree?," the blue alien said as she looked around she is a beauty to most and well seems to like the attention from others. And she stands nearest Shade there is something about him she likes.

"I fly like a bird, and I'm strong like an ox," Free Bird offered. He didn't really know how strong an ox was, but it was something people said. "And I play a little guitar on the side."

Hearing that things are well, and other 'recruits' have found success, Neuromancer asks,

"Excellent. It looks like all matters are taken care of. Will Broyko be needing us today?"

Mystika says not boasting ,"There is little I can't do given some creativity and application of my technothaumaturgy I could fill in lots of needs on a team or with a partner."

In reply to Mystika (msg # 133):

It was strange the princess moved closer to him. When he was Shade, the tempture slightly dropped around him, and he lacked any sort of internal warmth. He supposed it added to his weird 'spectre-like' appearance, but he could not feel tempture as Shade.

"Mystika is right. If we are gonna be working together we need to know what we can do. As for me...well, I do all the darkness stuff you might guess. However, I can make the shadows solid as well. Not to mention create sorta mini black holes to jump from once place to the other. For example..." he gestures, and a black portal opens by his hand, dropping a pen into it.

James observed several of the assembled heroes and protectors. To him, his intellectual curiosity was piqued by Shade. Ostensibly not quite human in his alternate form, he seemed to be made of something entirely dark, yet full of applicable energy. He was reminded of a simple quote, from a Shakespeare play if he remembered right (he didn't share the same appreciation of the "bard" as others did),

"There are more things in heaven and earth, Horatio,
Than are dreamt of in your philosophy."

Shade certainly proved that adage true.

James approached quietly, and asked,

"Shade. Excuse the intrusion. I feel curious. When you are in ... this form... what is the constituent matter of your physical frame?"

In reply to Neuromancer (msg # 135):

"Ummm...er...ahhh...dark...stuff?" Shade tried to think of what the hell he was made from. His clueless was only partly due to his lack of science training.

The original shadow matter generator converted solid objects by sending them into a weird dimension and having them come back out as made of solid shadow. How that worked the inventor never fully explained. The doctor revealed how his backers wanted to make the gizmo into a weapon, and the thugs providing the money shot the poor crazy genius when he tried to go public. That public exposure was due to a certain reporter named David Brock.

The guy was so crazy in fact he had a self destruct device built into the thing...while David had been hiding in the nearby cabinet. The goofy thing went off, and sucked him into that dark abyss. Next thing he knew he was standing on the roof as Shade, trying to figure out what the hell happened and how to be normal again.

Ether by luck or by the fact his new body was 'hungry', he finally got the trick on how to get back to humanity. The next thing David did was get the evidence to put those murderers away for a good long time. Of course, David was not above getting a headline or two for himself in the bargain, while keeping Shade out of the story.

"I'm not a scientist. Or a mystic. Or much of a shadow puppeteer for that matter. Sorry I can't give you anything better than that." He said to James.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:48, Wed 12 June 2019.

Mystika said to them ,"I could study you I have a Rote to imbue me with the skills of a Master in any field I just need to figure out which ones I need to use and a proper science facility. I could even try to shut this power off, perhaps, maybe I could construct a item to let you be human when you wish to be but I can't promise anything my powers are still developing and this power you have is unique. But you could have a more normal life again if I can figure things out."

In reply to Mystika (msg # 137):

"Oooh...ahhh...let's not. I am actually in a really good place with myself right now. If I...ah...start messing with it, I am worried about what might happen. Trust me, I am better off than a lot of people in my situation. Plus I can do this!"

He gestures, and a child's squeeze toy of a Purple plush monkey appears out of a portal above Mystica's hands.

He paused, and then rubs the back of his semi-neck. "Ummm...I am gonna have to put that back. I sorta borrowed it out of the inside of someone's desk."

"Its probably wise I was just curious if I could plus if I can shut you off I could do that to another enemy with powers innate to them. Anyway we could form a team off odd looking heroes we have myself, you, a winged human so its a good start. Now we get Neuromancer big horns and a tail and make him day dark green he could fit in how good is body alteration surgery on Earth?," Mystika said with a playful smile as she looked at Neuromancer up and down.

Neuromancer chuckles at the invitation for cosmetic surgery. It was a friendly gesture.

"Not as good as you would like, if the alterations you suggest are anywhere common where you come from. Besides, I am rather fond of my current form. I would prefer to keep it. But I am pleased that we should to come agreement this quickly. Coordinating our strengths would give us all an advantage."

In reply to Neuromancer (msg # 140):

"Poor James. He's just jealous on how...interesting the rest of us look. He's basically cousin Marlyin of the Munsters." He chuckled, which was extra odd with his radio static-like voice.

He doubted anyone else would get the reference. He watched a lot of old time late night TV while working on a story. No doubt he would throw in a few MASH references before the day was done.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:08, Wed 12 June 2019.

Although no one discussed or suggested it, the assembly of spandex had clumped into various group discussions. Stepping up to join the somewhat odd group , Beverly Owen says, "Are you talking about me, and what have you done with Uncle Herman?"
She stands with her hands on her hips and gives the group a television glare, her head cocking just a little to the left.

In less than a second, Beverly Owen is replaced by The Malleable Man. "Hi. Sorry about that, but sometimes I just can't pass up the setup. Anyway, I've been deliberately eavesdropping on everyone here, and offering opinions as to the future for any who would listen. You should see the crowd thin as some take my advice. My advice to you would be to stay."
"The Crusaders are in bad shape, and we're going to need back up for the next few weeks. As soon as the numbers are more manageable, we'll gather with the folks currently offering their assistance and coordinate. So, I hope you'll stay on a bit. If you need anything, ask either of the uniformed officers waiting by the door."
Nodding, The Malleable Man morphs into a two foot tall dirigible and makes his way to another clump of heroes. Dropping to the floor and resuming his usual visage, he begins to talk to that group.

Neuromancer chuckled to himself at the joke played. It had been years, when he was a child, since he'd seen an episode of "The Munsters". Malleable Man did a pretty spot on impersonation of Marilyn. He was glad to see there was still a bit of humor left in the station.

"That sounds relatively ominous. But we've made a sufficiently good impression to be included into their confidence."

In the back of his mind, James was evaluating the composition of Shade's energy. Very intriguing. He wondered if Shade would be open to the possibility of some testing in order to isolate the energy and study it. There may be a great deal of information to be had in this new development. They may be able to harness this form into novel ideas and technologies...

He caught himself musing again about numbers and theorems while his eyes looked upwards, a sure sign that James' mind was processing information and deliberating ideas internally.

He would have to ask Shade at another time, when this business with the Crusaders was concluded.

Shade was shocked into silence until the Malleable Man returned to his true form. "Wow. Somebody else watches Nick at Night I guess..." He said.

Still, he nods eagerly as the stretchy superhero tells them to stay on. It was one of a handful of facial gestures he could manage with no obvious mouth, unblinking glowing orbs for eyes, and no skin tone other than light absorbing void.

"We defiantly need to celebrate if we get in! I know a great spot in Costa Rico right on the beach..." He pulls out a phone...seemingly from no where. He shows the others a few very strange pictures of him on a beach wearing a straw hat and holding a drink. The bartender at the local bar/beach drink stand is staring at him in opened mouth shock, but seems to take his money nonetheless.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:02, Thu 13 June 2019.

"Costa Rico? Isn't that like somewhere in Mexico?" Free Bird asked. It sounded like a long, long way to fly. "But if you're buyin', I'm flyin'!"
This message was last edited by the player at 15:05, Thu 13 June 2019.

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 146):

"Its in South America..." Shade groaned. "...and I can get us there in about 3 seconds or so. I can go pretty much anywhere." He plays with his phone a bit more, and shows off other selfies he has taken.

One looks like him standing in Antarctica while penguins stare at him-looking almost as shocked as the bartender. Another picture is him near a sea lion pod, and all of them seem to want to get the hell away from Shade as fast as possible. Finally, a tough looking man is shown wrapped in what looks like liquid shadow glaring at Shade, while Shade holds a baby Sea Lion and helping it hold a club in its little paw/flipper. It seems to be pretend hitting the bound man in the head. That photo has a caption that says: 'How do YOU like it!?"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:42, Thu 13 June 2019.

"Can you transport to other locations in the galaxy, as well, I'm just curious?," she looked at the pictures on the phone.

In reply to Mystika (msg # 148):

"Oh, no no." Shade said. "I'm too scared to try that. What if I can't come back? I am tempted to try for the moon, however. Man, I could get some great photos up there!" He looked over at Mystika. "That must be old news for you! You got some sorta...space ship, right? I bet you have seen our whole solar system! That must look amazing!"
This message was last edited by the player at 17:49, Sat 15 June 2019.

"No I teleported here, I can go to any world we have solid information on ones with civiliation without an issue, in the Milky Way Galaxy. But if I need the use of a ship I can always ask. However when we arrange for it a ship once very six months will pick up humans to visit my world and return people later who are likely to benefit artists, performers, scholars, Nobel peace prize winners, those who wish to be gladiators and representative of your Earth governments as examples.," Mystika said as she checked where there may be some action to fight criminals with a law officer.

In reply to Mystika (msg # 150):

"Wow...active alien tours? Geeze, did you tell Elon Musk yet?" Shade said. He was tempted. To see a whole new world? And like...do it for 6 whole months of new worlds? Still, he was too attached to Earth to ever leave it for that long. He was not egotistical enough to think it could not survive without him, but he would feel terrible if something went on that he could have helped stop.

"How many earth governments have you told about this?" Needless to say, there had been some alien activity at the UN. Also some active invasions stopped by superheroes. There had been nearly as many people for alien contact as against. "Are you the official ambassador of your people?" He had so many questions, and was trying to limit it in order not to overwhelm her.

Sticking his head into the room, Januchowski motions for Malleable Man. Once his neck has stretched across to the officer, Januchowski whispers to him. Malleable Man shakes his head, indicating discretion is unnecessary, so Januchowski speaks up. "Look, Broyko is on his way to do the debriefing, and he's still mad. You can't expect him to forget what you did, and I don't think he'll be very nice about it."

"Ok, fine. I don't know why he's like that. For heaven's sake, Beth and I had coffee just the other day. She's not still mad. I'll go."
Turning to the assembled heroes, he says, "Unfortunately, I'm afraid I'll have to leave you to face the detective without me. It appears he holds a bit of a grudge concerning one of my exes."
The Malleable Man stretches out the door, probably exiting the station.

"I hold staatus in the UN ass a Diplomat to the Earth under the UN Office f Outer Space Affairs and am an Alien Observer but can go anywhere well usually asking first. Many countries already gave me open invitations to come assuming I'm not doing anything sinister and announce myself to the authorities when I arrive.," Mystika said answering Shade.

In reply to Mystika (msg # 154):

"That's very handy! Diplomatic immunity would have been real nice when the cops where cracking down on vigilantes. Mostly I had to leave people tied up in a shadow cocoon and hope the cops had enough on to charge them with something." He nodded.

Once The Malleable Man has stretched his way down the hall, Januchowski sticks his head back in the door. "It's probably best not to mention Stretchy to Broyko. The guy was married to his sister, and there's still a little bad blood between them."

Nighthawk carries the parts to Police HQ. Once there, he reports to Broyko with an unusual request. "I understand that Manta Man has recovered. Is he available for consulting?"

"Understood. We'll keep it discreet."

Detective Broyko heads off NightHawk as the latter prepares to deliver Mocker's remains to the evidence locker (as per the directions given him by most of the uniforms scattered through the building). "Bring those up with you. We still haven't decided whether that's evidence or a suspect."

A little despondent about his failed side trip, Drifter shifts back to TriC space HQ right into the situation room.  With Gun in tow
"Never a Smurf around when you want one... I wonder if they took lessons from some Bobbies?
  Oh Knockout... Hello again.

  So what is this debriefing about?" I inquire from any in attendance.

"I would be the wrong person to answer that," replies James. "But I am interested in what comes next."

James extends his hand to Drifter in greeting.

"Neuromancer."

Manta Man is the most visible, and well-known, of the Crusaders. But, the Crusaders are a team of heroes, not just Manta Man's minions. Enforcer enters the room a little stiff, but confident. He walks to the bulletin board at the front of the room, and addresses those assembled."Hello. Manta Man is in conference with Dr. Patrovich at Manning Enterprises. Their first priority will be to re-boot TEACHER, if at all possible. The other Crusaders are returning to the locations from which they were taken with forensic teams. I was taken at the same location as Dreamweaver, and she was adamant that I be the one at this debriefing, which has a twofold purpose."
"One. The defenses at Crusader Citadel are inadequate. They were unable to repel the CRUSHERs without Crusader personnel there, and then were unable to repel the heroes that stepped in to help. We'll need to know how this occurred. Apparently, the vidoe and audio surveillance DID capture most of the action, but if there's anything that might not have been captured we would appreciate an explanation. Personally, I want to know why the VIPER team just walked away."
"Two. Metahuman activity is on the rise. The police department does not have the resources to meet the demands of this increase on its own. It has also become obvious that The Crusaders can't continue to be the city's only metahuman solution as time progresses. Detective Broyko believes this battle has two fronts. He thinks the department needs to step up its intelligence gathering and cultivate more civilian resources, [Language unknown: n ncema ous arome rutillpro arany his tiowassantio, thali ven mo we werstrintnce er ar vorthiven iouectson]."
"To this end, this situation room is to become a permanent fixture. The department is forming a Metahuman Liaison Office, interim chaired by Detective Broyko. He has assured me that all information will be confidential and kept with the utmost secrecy, but there will be NO coercion as to what information is and isn't given to the department."
"I can't, personally, answer any questions as to the new office being created or what the department may ask of you, but I will vouch for Detective Broyko. He's honest, and nigh unto incorruptible. If you have any other questions, I'll be staying for the debriefing."
With that, Enforcer leaves the front of the room and steps over to the table, where he sinks gratefully into an office chair.
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:40, Sun 23 June 2019.

Nighthawk puts Mocker's components on the main table and asks "although Mocker's spirit no longer inhabits this shell, might it not contain information that is hardwired into its memory?" Leaving the technology for others to pour over, he crosses to Knockout. He asks "are you all right? I lost track of you at the fight." After any response from her, he makes his way to Enforcer. "I am glad you are recovering. The others are well? I am sorry that Marionette got away, hopefully I stopped Mocker before he could finish whatever he was doing. What was that language you spoke? It sounded familiar, although its meaning escaped me."

Smiling at the winged creature, Enforcer says, "that was from Sun Tzu. To paraphrase, it says if you know your enemy and yourself you need fear no battle."
"I've been trying to get Carter to learn more about strategy and tactics, but he prefers technical manuals to philosophy texts."

In reply to Enforcer (msg # 162):
"I may not be quoting someone but it is still a commonly held belief.
In any case I know of some remarkable technicians that work with AIs.  Never met them but still."

Taking Neuromancer's hand to return the greeting. "Drifter here and a right howdy do to you too."
This message was last edited by the player at 05:52, Sun 23 June 2019.

Knockout nodded and smiled back at the birdman, as she seemed in perfect physical condition. EVen unmared or bruised.

"We got our hand full with  the VIPER agents and the luchador villain, but he finally decided to sleep his way to custody. I am sorry I couldn't make it faster and help you all." then she turns to Enforcer and adds " And yes, your walls need reinforcements for sure. Maybe force fields would be a good idea to make it work like a cocoon safe. Are the other alright ? I think the Crushers were getting help from VIPER, which is not a good news."

Then she looks around for any new heroic faces she might not know yet, glancing at them gently, but studying them.

In reply to Knockout (msg # 166):

Going over to Knockout Drifter leans in to give her a hug
This message was last edited by the player at 17:05, Sun 23 June 2019.

"They are indeed getting help from viper." Hatter stepped into the room and took a chair near the door. He was not nearly so physically robust as the other heroes. He could crush a mind but his bones differed no more than the common man.

He smiled all the same.

"After wolf pants ran me over I started brain dancing the viper agents. Apparently Mocker was the one paying viper for the hired hands."

KnockOut got a special smile, "Well fought with wolf by the way."

Broyko arrives, smacking his hands together and rubbing them in, almost, glee. "Now we're getting somewhere. Anybody figured out the android, yet? We need to know if there's any AI left in the shell. If there isn't, those pieces are just evidence."
This message was added to by the GM at 15:58, Sun 23 June 2019.

Hatter shrugged, "I manage drone tech, but if you have someone who knows advanced tech, you should have them look at it first."

Shade was not sure what to say, for once. These guys had taken down real threats to humanity. Granted he had busted muggers, corrupt politicians, and corporate wrong doing. However, those guys where no Dr Destroyer.

Granted he was not sure if these guys had taken down a Dr Deatroyer like menace. Even so, it was more than he had done so far. He would have taken a breath while thinking of what to say...if he needed to breathe or had the physical ability to do so.

"Uh...hey. I'm called Shade. Still sorta new this whole thing. Nice to meet experienced professionals." He said in his strange radio-static like voice. Given how James had introduced himself, he figured the others would do so as well.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:18, Sun 23 June 2019.

"Me, I'm just jazzed to meet another dude with wings," Free Bird added.

"Shade yes I for one have heard of you.  It is believed in certain circles that you are a Living Shadow with The powers of Darkness.  How much of that is fact and how much is mere speculation is solely up to you to reveal in your own time...  In any case I do believe you should do well as a Hero of the People.  Being seen is such an important part of Fame and Notoriety, would you not agree?

However It seems to me though, you are a little prone to over dramatization.
I get no remuneration of any sort for doing this kind of thing. So the term Professional may be construed as a tad erroneous.
 _{Otherwise I would not be living on the streets.}
You Freebird are however more of a delicious enigma I have seen some reports in papers about your exploits... not many but hey even our favorite Police Detective Broyko thought of me as a Grifter at one time."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:54, Sun 23 June 2019.

"I'm Mystika my real name is Khr'cinna, heir to the throne of the Malan Empire and a Technothaumaturgist. I'm the Diplomat to Earth and my Consular Office is run by the AI assigned downtown here. I just want to test my powers and hone them and of course be more cosmopolitan than many of my people. Let me look at the android do you have a lab here?," Mystika said wanting to be useful to the efforts here.
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:48, Sun 23 June 2019.

In reply to Mystika (msg # 174):

Looking around in surprise Drifter tries to see the inevitable State Secret Service Operatives or Personal Bodyguards assigned to such Stately individuals.  The ones that he has been led all his life to truly believe, are just part and parcel of the position Lady err Princess err perhaps just Mysiika is entitled to.  After all how would he know if the word Mysiika is not a Rank or Honorific rather than a name... sort of like Khan.

"Good security team... " he whispers in awe.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:11, Sun 23 June 2019.

Enforcer dons a pair of mirrored shades and says, "[Language unknown: Red ilos. Reano any latr ounrateau p ut heeau U sa.]"
This message was last edited by the GM at 19:54, Sun 23 June 2019.

"I hold a UN passport and largely global rights to visit countries with a VISA and I weild powers of my own but Mystika is a heroine name its a custom for your sorts Shade, Drifter etc. are not given names?," Mystika said and seemed to not be getting much respect as to her abilities.

She still wants to help as she waited to deal with the metal parts.

In reply to Drifter (msg # 173):

"I believe he still thinks of you as a whackjob. In a nice way, I'm sure." Nighthawk says. He looks Free Bird over with curiousity. "You are a day-flier?" he asks.

In reply to Mystika (msg # 177):

":) not really Ambassador Mystika you see my name is not a name it is what I am.  I have no fixed home, country or world.  I just wonder around drifting from place to place.  However I do have a business of sorts.  That being said would you be interested in entering into negotiations regarding some commodities you may find of interest. Kyber or Ballybran Crystals, Kryptonite of some kind, Potions of Healing from Cormyr or even a Go Uld Sarcophagus.

That last item would be very expensive as the Go'Uld stole the technology themselves and as far as I know do not really understand how they work.  If you have something your interested in? Just name it and I will see what I can do."

In reply to NightHawk (msg # 178):
"NightHawk I will not even credit that statement as factual. Otherwise I could see no reason why Broyko would ever have given me a Radio nor assign me along with the rest of you on a mission in the first place?
Turning my attention back to Ambassador Mystika.
"I think I would prefer the company of a Lantern for a while. But we were talking business before being so Rudely interrupted were we not?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:05, Sun 23 June 2019.

"Day or night, rain or shine," Free Bird replied. Was this guy restricted somehow? Was he like one of those birds that only came out at night? What was the word for them, again...? Narwhal? Noctuple? No, that wasn't right. Well, it would come to him. "Why?"

"No, no. Not like that."

His voice grows a bit louder, and more dramatic...sorta.

"I AM LIVING SHADOW, WITH THE POWERS OF DAAAARKNESSSSS!" He raises his arms above his head and wiggles his ebony fingers at Drifter, as if doing some sort of very silly spell.

"Also, I try to stay under the radar as much as possible. You gotta expose the corrupt powers that be to the harsh light of the truth after all! The best way to do that is to not make yourself the center of the story. Being able to vanish at will and stuff helps me. Plus, I avoid direct media exposure as much as possible."
This message was last edited by the player at 23:43, Sun 23 June 2019.

At Shades' display of ... power... Neuromancer smiles a bit. But he keeps it discreet.

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 181):

Nighthawk replies "I am a lycanthrope, a were-creature."

"You're like a what-creature?" Free Bird had no idea what the guy was saying. It almost sounded like words, but beyond that it was anybody's guess. "Who's Anne Thorpe?"

"I can only fly at night or in shadows. Direct sunlight causes me to lose most of my abilities. I wear a human form during the day."

"What happens if you are met with a conflict situation during daylight hours?", ask Neuromancer.

"I suppose you have to recuse yourself?"

Nighthawk shrugs, a few feathers falling away and disappearing. "Either I approach via the sewers, or I leave it to others."

In reply to NightHawk (msg # 189):
Fetching himself a cup of hot chocolate Drifter sighs a little
"Sounds like you could use a Electromagnetic Dampening Field Generator."

In reply to Drifter (msg # 190):

"Or someone who can blot out sunlight in a 100 meter area..." Shade pointed out, and then pointed to himself.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:08, Mon 24 June 2019.

Neuromancer raises an eyebrow at that.

"I'd... like to see that."

In reply to Neuromancer (msg # 192):

Shade chuckled, which sounded very odd with his radio-static like voice. "Its not that big a thing. Its sorta like flicking the light switch on and off. Well, its a bit more intense then that. There was this one mugger who used UV goggles to sneak up on people in the dark. It did not help whatsoever when I turned out all the lights."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:27, Mon 24 June 2019.

With a light smile on her face, Knockout listened to everyone babbling and discussions. SHe nodded appreciatingly at Drifter intel, and offered him two thumbs up as he parted from the hug from her statuesque figure.

"Allright guys. I think we might do some great good on this city, if we can focus our strengths and skills alltogether. That been said, we need another place to discuss such eventuality than the police HQ. Someone got a suggestion ?"

"Denny's? They have pie."

In reply to Knockout (msg # 194):

"I know a great place in Fiji. Beautiful ocean view! Right on the beach, and nobody around for miles! I got so many good photos there..." He holds up his phone, slides his finger across the screen a few times, and shows Knockout and the others pictures of him on the beach. There is a jungle behind him, and a few monkeys staring at him like they have seen such a weird creature before.

He paused when Freebird suggests Denny's. "It's true...Fiji has no pie."

In reply to Knockout (msg # 194):

It's been said that every time he enters a room, it seems Carter Manning was waiting outside for just the right moment. This time is no exception. "I may have a suggestion for that."
"The Crusaders are taking a sabbatical. Every one of us has personal issues that need to be dealt with."
Despite Enforcer's grunt, Carter goes on. "This means leaving Crusader Citadel empty, and the city more vulnerable. We want you to move in. Live there, if you want. The place is being re-designed and remodeled, but there should be enough intact for you to meet there."

with a little mischievous smirk or smiley emoji (sad that emojis don't seem to work here)
Drifter starts to monologue.

"Well let me see!  There is also Dinotopia, Smallville, Stargate Atlantis, Atlantis The Lost Empire, Forbidden Planet, Krypton, Gallifrey, Darkover, Notting Hill, Sogo, Mongo, Vogsphere, Caprica, Coruscant, Worlorn, Numerous variations of Mars or Earth, Cybertron, Dagobah, The sewers inhabited by Splinter and four Turtles or any one of many other worlds.

Or as Carter Manning just suggested... here." he ends with a deep sigh. "FYI Many of them have pie and pizza also"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:33, Mon 24 June 2019.

"Sounds like a fantastic idea. I've been meaning to expand my frame of reference," replies Neuromancer.

"When would you like it to be occupied?"

In reply to Carter Manning (msg # 197):

Shade stares at Drifter and wonders what the hell he is talking about. He knew a few of those places...he had seen them on TV. As TV shows and movies. Does he have his own studio or something?

After Manning made his request, Shade cocked his head and paused again. "Ummm...do we have to move in? I sorta got my own place. Also a life I would like to keep separate from the...well, raw craziness that goes on when I am out and about." He asks.

"A free crash pad? Freaking awesome!" This was the best news Free Bird could have hoped for. A free place to stay and a legitimizing boost, all in one. (Yes, he knew the word 'legitimizing'. He just probably couldn't spell it.) Staying in a real super-team HQ would really sell Free Bird as an up-and-coming hero. "Do we have a team name? Are we Crusaders, too, or do we call ourselves something new? I mean, it would have to start with C, because you have that big C on the building...."

In reply to Free Bird (msg # 201):

"Frankly I have been calling this bunch of individuals Tri C but it is just a pun... Sort of Try See or even Tric.  As for a place to stay?  I have many." 

Opening a rift to where The Tardis is or at least should be, just on the off chance The Doctor was in.

"So I do not want to be attached to a base where all my enemies know where to find me anytime they feel like having a bit of revenge.  If you lot choose to have one Good luck with it.  Hope you consider a Moon-base or a floating base like Sky High though, they at least will be harder to get to."

Knocking on The Phone booths door.
"Hello Hello, Doctor I hope you are in and willing to to receive a visitor?"

Hatter tilted his head side to side. "I think I can put the grounds to use but you all dont want a psychic sleeping under the same roof with anyone other their significant other." He smiled at KnockOut through the corner of his eye. "Dreams are a sacred place after all." to anyone with mental powers, Hatter did not exist. As far as mind sight went he was entirely invisible  all the time.

"They do likely have a really nice gym though. I could run danger room sessions..."

Nighthawk says "I need time to regenerate my energies. I bid you all good night. I will return tomorrow after dusk." He makes his way to an exit and flies off.

The uniforms have been busy interviewing and recording statements. Broyko has held court with Carter Manning at Mocker's remains, eventually sending for an evidence bag (there is no Mocker in the remains). Everyone is given a key card that allows them to use the private elevator into Crusader Citadel. There have been calls from various members of the press, but none of them have been allowed in. Broyko asks that the heroes be sure to talk to Darryl Starre and Joan Dillon before any other reporters, as the two were promised an exclusive for their help.

Officer Januchowski must have done something to annoy Detective Broyko. At least, those were the thoughts on his mind as he hung the broad sheets on the bulletin board in the Metahuman Liaison Office. The detective had specifically requested Januchowski as the sole uniformed member of the Metahuman Liaison Office, and the officer had as yet to figure out whether Broyko decided he had seen potential in the young man, or had seen 'Chow' talking to The Malleable Man and warning him off.
Broyko wasn't very happy, in any case. Since the Crusader Citadel Debacle (which Broyko said was too long to be placed on the file folder label) there hadn't been a sign of metahuman activity. It was almost as if they were hiding until the mayor pulled the plug on Broyko's experiment claiming it was a waste of funds.
At least some of the broad sheets were interesting. Chow was as unsure of 'The Force' as everyone else. No one on the street knew anything, even the ones that wouldn't talk were admitting ignorance in a credible fashion. Maybe the heroes would have better luck. At that thought, Januchowski looked around the empty office and hoped the good guys were out on the job, and not just out.

"guess the Doctor is not in.  Had so hoped he could spare the time to make a K9 unit for me.  Perhaps later." getting a cup of coffee Drifter savors the smell as he reads the announcements on the bulletin board. Once finished a search of the department is just the natural next step to find and congratulate this Officer Januchowski on his new posting.

A small robotic dog trundles through the door and addresses Drifter. "Master. I apologize for the delay, Romana needed to set the loop properly to assure we lost no time in E space."

Fortunately, he'd visited Headquarters a couple of times and had a good idea of the layout of the front lobby. A moment to focus and soft "pop" later he was standing in front of the receptionist. She gave out a yelp and jumped back just a bit as 6 foot of masked man appeared out of thin air. He was lean and muscled and wore a midnight blue form-fitting suit that covered him from head to toe, over this was a knee length lightweight jacket of the same color. "I'm sorry to have startled you. Detective Broyko requested to see me right away. The name is Shadow Strike."

"Oh, that's quite all right. I'm just not used to you guys, yet."
"The Metahuman Liaison Office is on the third floor, four doors from the elevator and on the right. I'll send Detective Broyko a message so he knows you're here."

In reply to Shade (msg # 334):"Does sunbathing on the Lunar surface count?
What do you think K9 and 3/4? err Cerebus" giving the Meckadog a pat "err Pardon my ignorance but just what is your name?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:13, Sat 29 June 2019.

This message was deleted by the player at 07:07, Sat 29 June 2019.

Shadow Strike barely reaches the Metahuman Liaison Office ahead of Detective Broyko. "Sorry about that," says the detective, "I'm the acting Metahuman Liaison Officer because they haven't assigned a permanent one. Means I have to run up the stairs and down the hall whenever someone shows up."
"Shadow Strike, right? I think I need your help."
This message was last updated by the GM at 02:54, Sun 30 June 2019.

"From your text message, I'd say you definitely need all the help you can get. Mine included. I'll do all I can to help with this situation. I assume you have or are about to start a briefing? What have I missed?" Shadow Strike says as they walk into the Liaison Office.

"Actually, I've got nothing. But with this terrorist threat, I expect things down at CC are goin' nuts. Carter gave me a key card, but I can't split my time between there and here without doing both disservice. You take this and go join the others. Ask them to try to remember us mundane types and let us know what's going on."

In reply to Detective Broyko (msg # 215):

Shadow Strike accepts the key card and says "Thanks - I'll try to keep you in the loop." He tries to grin at Detective Broyko before remembering that most facial expressions are masked by his costume. Instead he just nods before disappearing with a soft "pop".

He reappears out on the sidewalk in front of Police Headquarters, orients himself and heads for Crusader Citadel.

Locating and waiting for the Human Detective Broyko to become available. K9 goes around the precinct introducing himself to uniformed staff recording faces, names and police numbers as he does. "Greetings I am designated K9, cohort of the Entity known as Drifter. It is an honor to make your acquaintance... Stranger."   

Following the Human, Drifters suggestion K9 will recharge using some adapted electrical outlets spaced around the area.  The ones currently unused for the multitude of ineffective cleaning machines used by the planetary inhabitants.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:39, Sat 06 July 2019.

Moving over toward a collection of Officers K9 is curious about just one thing
"What are the chemical compounds of a Donut and why are they apparently so popular?"

Well donuts are just one thing even if you have many queries about them.  Like why do some people eat them topped with icing while others only eat them with sugar and cinnamon?

The officer looks down. "Oh, hey, you're a special dog like our special liaison people. Food is fuel for humans, and donuts are an extremely rich source of fuel."

In reply to Officer Januchowski (msg # 219):
wagging his antenna in contemplation for a moment before K9 responds with
"Yes officer a very special Dog.  I do not leak often, I do not have to bark and whine to let anyone know that there is danger around and I do not look plaintively at people whilst they consume fuel... like your donuts."

K9 will interface with the system here to check and see if anyone has Galaga on their PC.

Another wiggle of his sensors and a tail wag as his activities proceed... on schedule I hope
This message was last edited by the player at 02:42, Fri 02 Aug 2019.

Seeing if he can take a Donut, K9 will try to be helpful and bring it to an Officer who has not seemed to have had their fair share of the delicacy.

"Donut Officer or would you rather an apple strudel?  One could be ordered if required."
This message was last edited by the player at 02:44, Fri 02 Aug 2019.

Amidst the donut munching and general shenanigans of your typical office space, a call is received and some departments leap to action.
Detective Broyko sends a text to everyone's cell phone, "Ransom pickup in the area, see me personally if you want to offer your help."

In reply to The Great Karnac (msg # 224):

Just in case it may have something to do with The Masters current mission K9 will check with the Detective to see if it has anything to do with the Marina or Drifters known associates.

Thus far, there is no connection between FORCE (the terrorists with the dirty nuke) and the Church of Divine Harmony.

"I hope the doc knows what he was doing when he told me to come here.  Still would have rather had a proper introduction."  Looking up and down the street, he shrugs a bit to make sure his hoodie is up enough to cover his face and walks across the street and up the steps into the Police Headquarters.

Once inside, he steps up to the front desk to address the officer manning it. "Pardon me.  I was told I could speak to someone from The Crusaders at this location."

Several of the police officers that notice Cybron suggest he see Detective Broyko, one mentions a robot dog that might be able to help. All of them indicate there is a task force office he should see, and direct him to it.

In reply to The Great Karnac (msg # 228):

wiggling his sensors for a moment K9 waits to see if he needs to report this new development to the Master.

"Right, Detective Broyko or the task force.  A robotic dog?  Wonder what it will think of me?"  Cybron follows the directions given to where Detective Broyko is located.

Upon finding the detective, he introduces himself.  "Detective Broyko?  I go by the name Cybron.  I understand that you can give me a bit of assistance.  I am looking to contact and possibly join the Crusaders."

"Oh. Cybron, is it."
"Well, we have a nice little group here, and I'll sign you right up. Unfortunately, nobody's here. They're all out looking into some terrorist thing."
He hands Cybron three pages of forms, and says, "fill these out as best you can, and I'll get you entered into the system."

"Fill these out?  Sure, give me a moment."

Is this what superheroes actually do, fill up paperwork?  Cybron will fill out the forms for a few minutes then stop.  "Hey, I could help speed this up by inputing my data into system for you."

In reply to Cybron (msg # 232):
"and get access to The State Police and Federal Database?  I do not think there are enough donuts in the world that will grant you that authority unless you already have it?  Taking into account there are records about Police Officers in there as well... Master Cybron."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:07, Sun 01 Sept 2019.

"It was just an offer to help speed things up.  I was really expecting to be pointed to where the Crusaders were, not do some paperwork.  Anyway... wait."  Cybron looks at Detective Broyko, a puzzled look on his face.  "You didn't say that.  Who did?"

He takes a moment to scan around the room until he spots the robotic dog.  "Ah, someone mentioned there was someone like you here.  I take it you know the Crusaders?"

In reply to Cybron (msg # 234):
"Having never met the denizens you mentioned I would have to answer in the negative.

However I have met with some rather amazing hominids capable of some unprecedented activities with technologies I have not been given access to before, just what is a tesseracts function in a three dimensional space?... My Master informs me it is a great party trick...Just a normal day so far.   I have a radio link to The Master if you would like to communicate to him directly?  So does Detective Broyko.  However be advised he does not like being addressed as Master but as it is part of my programming..."

In reply to K9 (msg # 235):

"Well, I guess my information may have been a little outdated.  How about this? Let me finish this... paperwork real quick and see what the Detective here says then maybe I'll chat with your master?  Sounds about right?"

Cybron will then turn his attention to the paperwork and utilize his implants to assist him in speeding up the process of reading and writing the appropriate answers on the forms.  When done, he turns them over to the detective.

The detective responds to Cybron as soon as the forms are filled out. "That's Manta Man's idea. After our little issue with TEACHER, we reverted to paper files while a more secure system is being sought."
"Another of his ideas is to have you guys self-police, so the only people that can vet you are currently away. Let K9 help you talk to 'em, I'll get this filed."

"Of course, everyone is away. Probably busy. Well, unless you have something here I can assist with, guess I'll speak with K9."

Turning to K9, "So, guess I will need to talk to whoever you have on the other end of the line."

OOC have K9 can communicate.  even with banana cream pie

In reply to Drifter (msg # 239):

OOC: Cybron would not have heard anything since he doesn't know the frequency that you are transmitting on.

"All current members are in conflict situations surrounding their investigation of the extortionists currently designated 'FORCE'. The ransom they've demanded has been delivered and is being taken to the rendezvous point. Law enforcement personnel have been warned not to interfere, but the warning said nothing about observation."
"If the detective takes a group to observe, perhaps you would like to join them? If you use this frequency, you can communicate with the rest of the team."
K9's 'eyeband' lights up with the necessary information to communicate on the radio band using an app on Cybron's smartphone.

Seeing the frequency info, Cybron starts using his phone and inputting the info while looking at K9.  "Observation? Sure. I came here to help make a difference.  Anything I can do to help is at least something.  Just point me in the direction and I'll follow along.  Besides, if something doesn't go well, I generally can take care of myself, not too worried about getting hurt."

As a few old and some new heroes are offering to help at Police Headquarters, Detective Broyko enters the Situation Room being used to liaise with the newest Crusaders. He takes a pointer from the chalk tray at a chalkboard near the wall (everything doesn't have to be internet ready) and slaps it onto a table to get everyone's attention.
Stabbing at a heading on the wall, he says "we've all been watching the situation with 'FORCE' and imminent nuclear doom. Turns out these bozos have chosen an abandoned airfield just outside of town as the drop off point for the ransom. Before anyone heads out there, we have a visitor that wants to talk about it."
The detective gestures with his pointer to a young woman that had been walking with him. From Broyko's attitude it appears he is happy she has chosen to involve herself AND speak with the new Crusaders.

Smiling, the woman walks to Detective Broyko and gently takes the pointer from him. The detective startles slightly, then smiles at the woman while relinquishing the pointer and the floor. She is very pretty and it's hard to tell whether Broyko is reacting pleasantly for personal or professional reasons.

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:51, Mon 30 Sept 2019.

Memories of dealings with police officers in the past made it difficult for Gauntlet to step inside the station. Dressed in jeans, boots, long sleeve t-shirt, a leather jacket, and gloves, definitely gloves, he found the resilience to go inside and find Detective Broyko.

In reply to Gauntlet (msg # 246):

Hmm serendipity like fate is a funny thing.  Just as Drifter is heading off who should just happen to show up?
As He passes by the Biker clad stranger Drifter seems a little surprised.
"OMGoodness. You know young man you bare a striking resemblance to a fellow called Gauntlet. You have probably heard that before, but the resemblance is quite extraordinary."

In reply to Drifter (msg # 247):

"Yea, that's me, or at least who I used to be," replied Gauntlet, keeping himself a step back and not offering a hand shake.

In reply to Gauntlet (msg # 248):
taking one last step to get withing hand shaking distance I will give the young Hero a noogie in welcome. "Well then Gauntlet let me be the first today to ask you for your autograph.  Now where is that Book?"
   searching around for the treasured artifact.
"Hey K9 look who is here, Gauntlet! Wow this day is filling up with surprises.  Mr Gauntlet if I may impose on you for a moment... May I have your autograph."
holding forth a sizable book plainly and prominently marked as an Autograph Book

In reply to Drifter (msg # 249):

Taking several sudden stepps back to avoid being touched, Gauntlet yelled, "No!" Breathing heavy with hands fisted so hard the cracks of the knuckles could be heard. Turning his head away he made the attempt to lower his breath. After a moment, in a lower voice, he said, "I'm not the kind of person you want an autograph of. I'm just here to see what I might be needed for."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:36, Mon 30 Sept 2019.

In reply to Gauntlet (msg # 250):

"What makes you think you are not the kind of person I would want a autograph from?

No matter mister. I will leave you strictly alone from now on, as you have so dramatically and plainly indicated your requirements and preferences thereof."

Drifter will reach down for K9 getting ready to drift off elsewhere.  Bizzaro world for example. Hmm Bizzaro Broko what an oddly amusing idea...  That is until he recalls that lives are at stake here.

Agent DeLuca notices the enigmatic Drifter and approaches him, excitedly. In the process, she also approaches Gauntlet, although the manner in which she avoids contact with the latter while giving Gauntlet an apologetic look indicates she recognizes him.
This message was last edited by the GM at 13:18, Mon 30 Sept 2019.

Sitting quietly out of the way, the Crusader known as Enforcer speaks up "hello, Mira. Long time no see."

Cybron takes a moment to let things sink in.  The activity with the robot dog and appearance of the mysterious voice holder gave him pause.  What is this person going on about?  That speech of his tasks my processors to comprehend.

He observes the interaction of the newly arrived biker clad individual and the dog owner.  With the sudden backwards movement, Cybron stands up, prepared for a possible conflict.  Seeing the biker calm himself, he relaxes but stays alert.  When the dog owner starts to move, Cybron speaks up.

"Hey, I'm not certain what all is going on but I can understand that you know something more than what the agent or police have mentioned to me.  The agent here has asked for some observers to assist her.  Why she would need people of our caliber to just 'observe' is a bit suspect.  Anyone can observe, people with our talents can deal with things as needed.  Unless there is something else that we can do, I say let's go with the agent over here.  What do you think, Gauntlet is what I believe you said your name was?"

Blatantly ignoring Enforcer, Agent DeLuca speaks to Cybron. "To be honest, it's mostly political. PRIMUS feels it's got a bad rep with the meta-being community. So we've been asked to be as inclusive as possible."
"In this case, we're to deliver a briefcase to the center of an airfield, and wait for it to be picked up. FORCE used public channels to set up the drop, and that means greedy individuals will try to intercept the diamonds. There's a PRIMUS contingent setting up positions right now, including some of the Crusaders is just insurance."

Enforcer shakes his head, and speaks to Agent DeLuca, "the only person here that has ACTED as a Crusader is me. The others are new, and they don't know about you. I'll be on hand to observe your drop off. Currently, no one appears to be making a play for it. FORCE may have the bad guys as scared as he has you."
"But he might not. I'll be ready, Mira, whatever you decide you want."

In reply to Agent DeLuca (msg # 255):

Switching his attention to Agent DeLuca, Gauntlet stated, "I'll be where ever you need me to be."

Then switching his attention back towards Drifter he adds, "I didn't mean to be rude, it's just that touching me can be rather hazardous to your health."

In reply to Gauntlet (msg # 257):

"Don't worry about me Gauntlet, bullets are hazardous to ones health also and I seem to be able to recuperate from them fairly well.  So lets just try a little test shall we?

In this line of work people can get seriously hurt and may require medical attention.  A facet that does require direct physical contact.

Would it not be expedient to test my resilience against your ability to assimilate bio energies in controlled conditions? Rather than later where the hazardous nature of such experimentation would be somewhat problematical?

Taking into account I am willing to put it to the test of my own free will... Would you consider doing so as well?  just a brief touch would do to start."

In reply to Drifter (msg # 258):

"Okay," Gauntlet replied as he took off his glove. "But do not touch me for very long, the power will even injure those with a protected cellular structure."

In the event Drifter does shake hands with Gauntlet, each phase of contact drains one BODY from Drifter and adds fifteen END to Gauntlet (up to a maximum of 30).
These return/fade at a rate of five per turn, and Gauntlet's SPD is four, so Drifter will recover at the end of the turn, automatically.

"There you have it then... very tingly almost painful but hey at least we know now that I am able to give you some physical assistance if needed.  Like giving you a High ball special chortling at the very idea of him even trying to do so.
or using a medikit on you, if we had a medikit?

Does anyone have a medikit?  I am sure we could get some if people wanted them?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:39, Mon 30 Sept 2019.

In reply to The Great Karnac (msg # 260):

One thing: Gauntlets Aid is directly based upon what amount of BODY is drained. So if the target only takes 1 BODY due to the fact that he/she had defense then Gauntlet's Aid will only give him 5 END.

Cybron nods his head in agreement.  "Then, Agent DeLuca, gentlemen, let's go observe this so called handoff.  Maybe we can learn something more about this group, maybe where they are located."

I'm a little confused. What Thread Title are we going to?

Agent DeLuca leaves with Detective Broyko, saying she'll meet interested parties at the site. Enforcer nods and heads to the parking garage. Officer Januchowski offers to drive anyone that desires a ride to the site, and there are maps.
In short, there is no difficulty in arriving at the Genesys Avionics airfield.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:51, Fri 08 Nov 2019.

In reply to Agent DeLuca (msg # 265):

Warlock always thought it was strange to dress up in a costume, and there was no way he was going to do spandex.  But he had an identity he wanted to keep secret.  So, he donned a domino mask, cloak, and flashy outfit.

He often wondered why no one could be identified in a simple domino mask.  But somehow it worked.  Since the Crusaders were on sabbatical, he thought it would be wise to offer his services to the police.

With well placed incantations and a sweeping gesture, he took flight to the station.  He glided inside.  Earlier, he had got one of those temp phones so, he could be reached without giving up his identity.

"Good afternoon.  My name is... Warlock.  I would like to offer my expertise to the police."  He came very close to giving away his real name.  He still wasn't used to wearing a costume or giving a super hero name.

One of the uniformed police officers (after many of the other officers nudged him) approaches Warlock. "Um, hey. The, uh, other guys are all out in the field. You know that FORCE thing? Apparently the ransom is being delivered by our people. You can probably go on in to the situation room, anyway. There's always something going on."
As Januchowski finishes speaking, a somewhat geeky looking young man brings some paper forms to the officer. Januchowski brightens up, as if he just had an idea. "You could fill these out, if you're gonna be a Crusader. We haven't got the module loaded in the system, yet."
The forms he hands to Warlock are standard employment applications with several questions redacted.

Entering the Police HQ, the blonde bombshell makes heads turn and some testosterone fill the place as her stunning figure and sensuality is percieved by all.

She calls in for police support, and ask for a debrief, after the trip to Kansas.

Walking into the Police Station, Freddie didn't turn heads quite like Knockout did, but he turned a few. He was a good-looking guy with wings; sometimes people stared. Women especially.

"Hey," he said, to no one in particular.

Shade rises from the darkness last, as the portal he provided would close after he steps through. Once everybody else went first of course.

"So, I think Stargazer is still a threat. Anyone know a supervillian mental illusionist by that name? Anybody? I got squat with most of my research..." He asked with his strange static-like voice. The question was aimed at anyone in a costume...or uniform.

More out of habit then want, Gauntlet headed back to the Police Headquarters.

"We're done at where you sent us, do you still need me?"

Introducing himself to Gauntlet, Hatter mentions that only two of the three teams has returned. "I'll try to call them, but I don't know how reliable the phones will be where they've gone. If nothing else, we'll just have to go find the boat."

Facepalm!
"If you could excuse me from this fascinating debikini, I have to go pick up something I dropped off."
A portal, opening onto what looks like a Looney Tunes short, pops up beside Drifter. He subsequently enters the portal. A moment later, the portal closes.

"I think that mentalist turned out to be very much more powerful than we expected. Now our best lead is to the Island. The Church seems to be a sort of brainwashing site of sort to me. This is a sect."

Not being good around people, especially ones he does not know. Gauntlet will find a place out of the way to stand or sit.

Some of you may start noticing that there's a dog in the room, near the door. You're not sure when it got in; some kind of husky with gray fur. It seems to be staring intently at Knockout.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:28, Sun 29 Dec 2019.

"Hey, it's a dog. Hello, dog." Freddie loved dogs. They were usually much better than people. He walked over to the dog and hunkered down next to it, holding out a hand for the dog to sniff. "Who's a pretty puppy? Are you a pretty puppy?"

"Ok guys. This dog is Truesilver. It seems to be sentient, and telepathic. His body is restrained by mad scientists somewhere. He wants help, and he wants to help us."

Truesilver continues staring at Knockout for a second or two, then shakes his head in the negative.

Truesilver points his head toward Free Bird.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:06, Mon 13 Jan 2020.

"Whoa. Talking dog!" The gist of the message was very nearly lost on Freddie, so stunned was he by its source and medium. He gave Truesilver skritchies behind his ear. "Who's a good telepathic doggie? You are! Yes you are!"

Then the message finally sunk in.

"Oh, yeah. We're kinda the Crusaders now.  I'm Free Bird, by the way. Just like the Skynard song, if you know it. If not, I'll play it for you.

"Anyway, we've been dealing with a cult that kinda likes to murder people, and they use androids... which are kinda like robots but they look like people. But I'm not really all that stressed out about it. At least, I didn't think I was. Maybe I'll book a massage for when this is all over. I can book you some time in a doggie spa if you'd like, get someone to take some care of that fur for you. Meantime, yeah, I think you could help with the cult if you wanted to. I don't know if we gotta vote on that or something, but you've got my vote.

"But I've never really played Minecraft. I'm more of a Grand Theft Auto kinda guy. But if you can play video games with doggie paws then you really are talented."

As you touch the canine, the fur feels natural but a bit rough, but as you reach your fingers down to its skin, you feel something very cold, like worked metal. You possibly recoil in shock at the cold.

His attention on the dog, Gauntlet will utilize his Feel the Cells Around Him ability.

Feel the Cells Around Him:  Detect A Single Thing 12- (Touch Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees), Range (18 Active Points); Costs Endurance (-1/2), Concentration, Must Concentrate throughout use of Constant Power (1/2 DCV; -1/2), Increased Endurance Cost (x2 END; -1/2)

Does the dog have a cellular structure, and is it that of a dog?

"I don't really know about this 'synaptic chain' thing." Freddie didn't even know what a 'synaptic' was. "Most people, they tell me they don't want to know what goes on in my head. But you seem like a pretty smart d— wolf. So if you really wanna, I say go for it.

"Oh, and as for the video games, it's probably best that I just show you, when we get the chance. Describing them, I might take all day."

Shade raised a finger, and then lowered it. "You know, I was about to say I don't think talking dogs are real, and then I remembered I am a talking Shadow. So...there's that." He looks at Freebird, and then to the dog in question. "I don't suppose you can see if Stargazer is still mentally around and spying on us, can you?"

Truesilver stares at Free Bird for some 15 seconds, then faces Shade.

Officer Januchowski walks into the situation room while flipping through some papers, "hey, I've just got some paperwork for the new guys...."
Januchowski is dumbstruck when he lifts his eyes from the forms in his hand. Most of the heroes present are giving intense looks to others, but no one is saying anything.
"Ok, this is just one of those 'hero' things, I guess. I'll come back, later."



OOC: code to use languages

examples
• [Secret to group MindLink: this is secret to group MindLink] will
  appear as
• [Private to group MindLink: this is private to group MindLink] will
  appear as
• [Secret to group Notlinked: this is secret to group Notlinked] will
  appear as
• [Private to group Notlinked: this is private to group Notlinked] will
  appear as

The point to notice is not only what is displayed but also what is not.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:25, Tue 14 Jan 2020.

OOC: I still have a little bit more I want to do, but we could be here RPing basically all "day", so to skip some leg-work, I'm just going to say anyone who wants to gets a little bit of bonding time to set up a Mind Link; I can set up 7 more (already have Free Bird) and each one takes a Turn.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:06, Tue 14 Jan 2020.

Hatter cocks his head at the wolf, nods, and says, "bodacious!"

The blonde bombshell seemed to be quite lost in her reverie, then she popped out of it, with a special thought for the telepathic dog.

OOC: I'll set up a Mind Link with Hatter and one with Knockout, drop my previous Telepathic connections. Having a Mind Link with Hatter keeps the two different webs connected. 5 more connection slots are open. Also, an aside: all my mental Powers also effect animals, I don't know if we have any that might be useful to get in the Mind Link or anything like that.

Is it fair to assume that anything someone in the Mind Link says out loud, they also think at me? If not, I'm fine: I chose this curse, after all. I'll just pester people to private message me in the MindLink for the roleplay ;)

Just want to remind those that went to the Kansas Commune about some information they received:

This message was last edited by the GM at 07:09, Thu 23 Jan 2020.

knockout gaze was stuck on the dog, obviously in telepathic conversation.

Shade was still slightly disoriented by the dog's telepathic communications, but it was understandable. It's not like he had a voice box to speak. "Should we all head to the Island? With Truesliver here we should be protected from Stargazer, right?"

OOC: Since no one responded to it, I'll just assume that people in the Mind Link think at me about what's being said. If you want it to be secret from me, I'm pretty sure that's the point of the private group Notlinked.
This message was last edited by the player at 17:13, Sat 25 Jan 2020.

He enters silently, and states his case calmly and coolly, "Crusaders, if you are that in more than name. We've got a job to do. The Church of Divine Harmony has closed up two facilities in as many days, but these facilities appear intentionally abandoned, and some have some sort of sophisticated robots defending them."
"The last known church facility is San Sebastian Island, and the satellites show recent activity there. I need a team to go there and find out what's going on. Who's up for it?"
After listening to his radio a moment, he sends out a message.

The gray wolf points his head towards Enforcer.

heading back to tri C with whatever trade goods he has managed to get from other places

"I'm totally up for it," Free Bird said when nobody else spoke up. "But... we know they're kinda murder-y already. So instead of 'finding out' stuff, maybe we should just go in and bust everyone who isn't a robot?

"And I guess bust the robots, but in a different way. Y'know, break 'em.

"I'm just saying, because I'm better at breaking stuff than I am at finding out stuff. A guy's gotta play to his strengths, y'know?"

"I'm ready" as Wraith enters the room
her voice has a warble to it making it, making it not sound like any human but neither machine like


This message was last edited by the GM at 05:37, Sat 08 Feb 2020.

 "Hold on, how did you find out about San Sebastian? That information was supposed to go through secure channels."
"No. Never mind. That makes me feel better, actually. We've got a few options, here. We can use the Crusader VTOL, or we can drop from an UNTIL plane. We could use a rubber raft and sneak ashore, or use a landing craft and storm the beach. My preference is to arrive without fanfare, but this has to be your call. Make sure to play to your strengths."

"I could recon invisibly find a secure location"
"then teleport 3 plus myself at a time to that location"
"Or I could tow upto 25 tons under water or carry that amount flying"

"I could carry you all in a 30' shipping container"
"if we go under water you will need scuba gear or something"

Truesilver gazes at appropriate characters as he uses mental communication.

Agent DeLuca enters, and uses a small attachment to her phone to project onto the wall. "I pulled the latest satellite imagery that's been examined, here is where you would be going."

"No sweat...Lady Invisible?" Shade said, guessing but not knowing Wraith's codename. "I'm Shade. I can get us all there instantly. You scouting the place out for us to arrive safely sounds good." He turned to Truesliver.

[Language unknown: "Seosca ingtr naain weofno k ol manundtiowhi?" ]

Truesilver faces towards Shade.

[Language unknown: La prisou earreathe prhou oeryinpro forshelar sistal lativeessone herwhihashat'ersure. Fi oveterkor? Ess... Arcemoli, Moncloho adlar e "redproera". E ecol es O lin lintertic es maneentra chee, He ee Eveomepro o us nde. I ouniouica orethiugh. M Verantithhasere et onebutwhi vor eninet inch he olhou ssulhile ut ortvenmen eveyineve latun ncosfope ustareeeta hisardble prlatr. Eredinous I erones res meti nde i th, N son po nd andantoul, ntous unne ouswerthu hasingame. Haich m Ho larvorshe mi ekcksear, ughhasore trca Asand ou ainut Le, K li sansomlin k nd esekstthti i buteenonsstr we mint somatison. Ilro Ameerathohat Derearvor n file i amethupreere osecpoie u ch notamefor ionaveday p stiwasvenenteau, oun pe eius-evleon werlinbut butromatione stiiveone ai witwitichsonted ut tinwheratcom ad Thheho.
]

Hatter breaks his silence, "if that boat was headed to the island, we could, at least, use it as a sort of base of operations. I've various drones that can scout the island safely, and we could probably anchor at the dock in that northern cove. As long as no one came, visibly, to the deck it would give us the element of surprise."

"What would you need from me?" Gauntlet asked.



Sorry guys, made the wrong decision of thinking about playing a different character. This one is the one I should play.

As the three men enter the situation room, it is obvious there has been some animated discussion between them. Enforcer leads the way, followed by two others. As Enforcer approaches the wall map and begins to speak, the identify of the other men becomes obvious as both have raised their voice.

"All I'm trying to say is, the police department has stepped up with resources and cooperation for these guys, and the boys upstairs won't take it well if they all go running off to some island that's totally outside the jurisdiction."

Enforcer suggests they split into two teams, with those that took the boat from its original crew being in the second group carried by Wraith, Shade, and/or Drifter. Those that weren't seen on the boat will use the boat to travel.

"I'll take full responsibility, and I won't be taking everyone, in any case."
He joins Enforcer at the map. "As I understand it, we'll be taking this boat to this boat dock. There should be a substantial security force waiting there. As some were involved in obtaining this boat, I would suggest those that were find other means of transport."
"Once we've docked, we will explain that we're returning the boat, hopefully this will allow us on the island without conflict."

Truesilver inquires into what those that don't go to the island will help with.

Knockout crossed her arms on her voluptuous chest, her red shiny armor enhancing her formdiable physique.

"I'll go where I am needed the most. Count on me."

"As will I," Gauntlet states.

"As we have two people able to transport groups of people, we should have two strike teams ready to go. I transport one group, Wraith the other. We could cover more ground that way, and Truesliver can keep both groups linked mentally in case we get into trouble." Shade suggests. "Who wants to come with me?"

"I'll go with you Shade. Since we started to team up already, we know already a bit of each other reactions."

"I will go with whichever one is less likely to come into skin to skin contact with me."

"As I will be carrying a cargo container that might be me"
"we can also wrap you in bubble wrap to cushion any rattling that might happen if we are attacked"

"Defense is not a problem, I am hard to hurt. Problem is that people who touch me have a tendency to have a very bad last day," Gauntlet responded.

" the bubble wrap on you, was for their protection"

"Understood."

Gauntlet will set his Cellular Energy Multipower to the following:

+15 STR
&
Life Support  (Safe in High Pressure; Safe in High Radiation; Safe in Intense Cold; Safe in Intense Heat; Safe in Low Pressure/Vacuum; Self-Contained Breathing)

but will not have them directly in use (so they don't drain his END).

As Manta Man responds to Gauntlet, Hatter repeats what the Crusader is saying in the mind link, "I would suggest the boat, there appears to be plenty of room to avoid your fellow passengers. According to the official reports, there were only four that might have been seen aboard the vessel. NightHawk, Ghost Dancer, Shadow Strike, and Drifter were there. They should travel with Shade or Wraith."
"I would suggest that Hatter and the wolf accompany me on the boat. The two of them can keep everyone linked and ward off any incursions in the process. Gauntlet should join us, as well. Of course, I'm assuming the other modes of travel require some form of contact."
"Enforcer can supply structural support to any vessel being carried by Wraith, so he should join that group. Let's group up and coordinate comms so we can head out."

Truesilver agrees to go with the boat team. Plans for Mind Link: Hatter, Shade, Manta Man, Wraith, Free Bird, Enforcer, Drifter, and when we get there, Shadow Strike. Takes about a minute and a half to set them all up.

I could use Eyes of the Mind to get an estimate as to how many cultists are on the island, but do we think Stargazer is there? If he is, my mental scouting will definitely be noticed and we lose some degree of surprise; still the information could be useful.
This message was last edited by the player at 18:38, Sat 29 Feb 2020.

"You know, I feel kinda bad about this. We sort of left Shadow Strike on the boat, to watch it. Boats have really big steering wheels and it's hard to get the club on them."
"I'll go with the boat crew so I can help Shadow Strike to get to the island. That should make up for it."

Enforcer approaches Ghost Dancer to have a quiet discussion, "it appears our authority figures eat lunch at the same table. Let's ride together to make it easier for them to find us."

Now to find a 30' cargo container with lockable doors at both ends

"I've instructed my people on the docks to have a cargo container prepared for you. Just look for the Manning Enterprise logo."
As it has just been a few months since the infamous 'I am Manta Man' press conference, it's sometimes a surprise to realize what power Carter Manning has when he isn't wearing the Manta Man suit.