This message was last edited by the GM at 04:53, Mon 24 Sept 2018.

At Manning, Nighthawk looks for a skylight hatch over the warehouse, reasoning that a Green company like Manning would have photosynthesis panels and allow natural lighting. If such is not present, he instead lands on the roof to set up a perch. He stretches his senses wide as he prepares for a long night.

A flash of light briefly erupts on the roof of the Manning Building. The massive frame of a man can be seen momentarily before he crouches down. Taking a look around Goodguy sees if he can spot any of the others.

This time, since Goodguy knows the direction they came from, he can see the neon-red streak of light that is Street Demon coming from a good quarter-mile off; he and NightHawk watch as he darts in between cars, sprints up and down the sides of buildings, and then stops on a dime on the rooftop between them.

Street Demon looks around for a second, taking in the lay of the land.  "Yo, NightHawk," he says.  "Where Knockout at?  Anybody see her whip from here?"

Without waiting for an answer, Street Demon makes an intricate series of gestures; in the air before him springs up a series of glowing rectangles, each a meter or so across -- some of them appear to be television news feeds from the major networks; the rest look like displays from a stereo's graphic equalizer; from some unseen source, radio chatter from several police bands fills the air.

[PLAYER-GM] Street Demon will use the 60 Real Points he normally allocates for his "attack" power to create the following effect:

Who Watches The Watchmen:
Clairsentience (Radio Group), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees), Rapid:  x10, Transmit, Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (52 Active Points); No Range (-1/2) Real Cost: 35
PLUS
Sight and Hearing Groups and High Range Radio Perception Images, +/-2 to PER Rolls, Area Of Effect (4m Radius; +1/4), Reduced Endurance (0 END; +1/2) (42 Active Points); No Range (-1/2), Only to create images/sounds of received HRRP signals (-1/2) Real Cost: 21
[/PLAYER-GM]

"Not as powerful as what I could do at the convention center," Street Demon explains, "but it should let us know if we guessed wrong wi' this place..."

Goodguy's eyes go wide as he sees the virtual screens appear. He looks them over then turns towards StreetDemon, "Any chance you can find some Magnum P.I. re-runs?"

"Who?" Street Demon replies; the permanent grin on his mask belies the confusion evident in his voice.  "Izzat that lanky-ass cracker with the talking car...?"

Goodguy just stares for a few seconds before shaking his head.

He says nothing but his smile shows amusement.

"I guess keeping our eyes peeled on the news is better use of our time anyway."

Nighthawk shakes his head. "Knockout never showed up for our meeting. Detective Broyko knows we are here, and his men are on standby if we succeed in capturing any Crushers. My other got me a wrist communicator as you suggested." When StreetDemon makes his joke, the winged fury looks confused, then says "I believe I have heard old people speak of that series. My Mother the Car?...."

Those with the senses to see will notice the SWAT vans parking at corners around five blocks from the structure. A single unmarked van pulls up to the front of the building and drops off two people.

From amidst the chatter of multiple radio and TV signals, a single voice becomes clear -- an authoritative-sounding male saying, "In the event anyone is listening, I'm not transporting Crushers..."

"Hold up, dawg," Street Demon says to his two companions; with a wave of his hand, the video feeds from the TV networks are replaced with images of an unmarked van pulled up to the curb at some side street, apparently being filmed from the vantage points of traffic and ATM cameras in its vicinity.  "Sumpin's happenin'..."

[PLAYER-GM] Street Demon replaces the Clairsentience Power we was previously using with the following, in order to get a better look at these new arrivals:

Big Brother is Watching You: Clairsentience (Radio Group, Normal Hearing And Normal Sight), 4 Perception Points, Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees), Targeting, Telescopic:  +10 (60 Active Points); Only Through The Senses Of Available Traffic Cameras & Other Sensory Devices (-1/2) Real Cost: 40

The Targeting Adder is meant to allow SD to triangulate to pinpoint the source of the radio transmission, at which point he would see and hear through any available cameras and microphones in the area to find out where it's coming from. Street Demon will also maintain the Images Power, so that whatever signals he's picking up will be translated to the holographic TV screens so everyone can see them.  Can we get a description of whoever is coming out of the van?

[/PLAYER-GM]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:19, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

In reply to StreetDemon (msg # 10):

There is nothing really special about Drifter.  He is just one of those ordinary looking dark haired men of average height, build and appearance. That is until he steps up onto a pair of hovering discs. Then he is an ordinary man on a pair of hovering contraptions.

Barely glancing around at the area I wait to see what Inferno plans to do.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:01, Fri 02 Nov 2018.

Seeing that the vehicles are police vehicles Goodguy decided to take a direct rout to finding out what's happening.

"Keep your cover until we see what's going on." He suggests to his two companions before vanishing in a flash of blue electricity.

The same light show followed by a gust of air greets Drifter as the massive 7 foot frame of Goodguy suddenly appears before him.

"Evenin' officers" he says.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:35, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

Inferno climbs out of the back of the van closing the door behind him. Standing just shy of six foot the only feature distinguishable is his reddish blonde hair. The rest of his body and face covered by a dark red mask and bodysuit. Inferno nods to the big guy as he steps up.

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 12):

"Hey Mister, When you can reach 21' tall come back and show off your size then, but sorry to say 7' tall, really?  Agamori are that tall at puberty.  But then they are not called men and a Half for nothing.  Being Native to The Prax in Glorantha I doubt you may of even heard of them... Or have you?"
This message was last edited by the player at 21:01, Wed 26 Sept 2018.

Street Demon leans in toward the holographic video screens for a closer look at these two new heroes...

[Private to NightHawk: "What da fuck he babblin' about -- he high or somethin'?" Street Demon mutters to himself.  He looks over at NightHawk.  "All those cop cars everywhere...you think they workin' for The Man?"

Goodguy looks at Drifter,"What the...?" He says with a look of confusion on his face.

Addressing all of them, officers included, "I'm here with a small team. We suspect the Crushers will make a move at this location. With the Crusaders gone we're gonna' try to help out. I would prefer if any signs of police activity would disappear as quickly as possible. We don't want to spook them. As for those of you who can give us a hand head up top the roof and the others can bring you up to speed."

NightHawk looks at StreetDemon quizzically. "Miss Collins was correct. You don't listen too well, do you? Broyko's men are here for support if we need it."

Street Demon continues to follow Goodguy's encounter with the new arrivals with keen interest...

The detective waves cheerily to Goodguy as he drives his unmarked van away.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
If you look for the SWAT teams, you find they are several long blocks away. They won't have a quick response time.

---

Nighthawk stares into the distance. "There is something familiar about the man standing on air, but I cannot place him."

Hoisting the Andromedan Assault Taser onto one shoulder Drifter cruises the suspected battle field.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:39, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

Goodguy watches Drifer just suddenly leave without so much as a greeting or saying another word.

~Insults me then just floats off, nice guy~ he thinks to himself.

Looking over at Inferno, "The name's Lester, folks call me Goodguy, we're just up there" Lester points towards the other teammates. "We'll just let this guy do his thing." He says as he thumbs in Drifters direction.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:55, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

Drifting over the area aimlessly for awhile
This message was last edited by the player at 18:05, Thu 27 Sept 2018.

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 22):

"Nice to meet you. They call me Inferno." Looking up at the roof, "Yea probably a good idea to try an remain out of sight."

With a laugh Inferno nods, "Yea, maybe someday we will figure out exactly what his thing is." Stepping back Inferno nods to Goodguy, "See you up top then." Activating his force field and flight, Inferno bursts into flame and flys up to the roof. Turning them off again just before landing.

Inferno is first greeted by an average-sized man dressed in a black leather jacket over jeans and a hoodie; his face is covered with a Guy Fawkes mask, spray-painted red and with horns attached to its forehead:



"So...Inferno, huh?" he says, stepping away from a series of holographic TV screens floating in mid-air; they appear to show from various angles the street where Detective Broyko dropped him and Drifter off.  The masked man offers up his hand.  "Cool.  Call me Street Demon.  Tha's NightHawk, over there..." he adds, jabbing a thumb over in his companion's direction.

[Insert NightHawk's description of himself here]

Street Demon nods back in the direction of the holographic screens, where Drifter can be seen ambling about.  "That your partner?  What the bleepity's he doin' down there, anyway...?"
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:39, Fri 28 Sept 2018.

While the others gather and discuss, Nighthawk seeks entrance into Manning via the roof. Manta-man might have a personal access hatch for quick response to a crisis, and it might be easier to access than the likely-to-be-alarmed doors and windows.

Lester watches the police van pull way. He turns and looks at the Manning building to get his bearings before teleporting back to the roof.

He then leans over and begins talking to the heroes on the roof. If drifter wanted to run this solo he was happy to let him, but the team needed to make some plans.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:38, Fri 28 Sept 2018.

Street Demon sees NightHawk snooping around for access to the building.  "Dammit -- hold up, NightHawk!  We can't just go busting into this place without a plan!" he says.  Street Demon looks around at the other heroes.  "Haven't you guys ever heard the saying, 'If you know your enemy and know yourself, you'll win every one of a hundred battles'?  Well, we don't even know fully what each of us can do, and we for damn sure need to pool our intel about what we've learned about the Crushers so far.  So how 'bout we gather round and compare notes?  We may not have much time here..."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:31, Fri 28 Sept 2018.

Nighthawk nods and reaches for a satchel under his wing. Opening it, he pulls out four copies of bound profiles. "My other compiled these profiles on known Crushers. Look them over. As for powers, I have enhanced Sight, Hearing, and Scent. My claws can cut steel. My wings provide me both mobility and ranged attack options."

Goodguy looks at Nighthawk with an impressed look on his faced.

He looks at the other heroes, "I'm big, hit hard and can teleport. That's pretty much it. Tell me where to run interference and I'm your man"

Hmm I wonder what the Market Value of a Mini Gun is at the moment.  One might come in handy especially if we can get one fitted with rubber rounds.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:23, Sat 29 Sept 2018.

"I'm what you'd call a wizard -- an elementalist," Street Demon says.  "Only not fire n' water, earth and air -- tha's old school.  Here in the city, our tools are concrete and smog, wi-fi and neon.  As to what I can do?  I could spend all night tellin' you about it; but whatever problems we got, you can bet I got at least a dozen ways to solve it..."


This message was last edited by the player at 02:06, Sat 29 Sept 2018.

The briefing provided on the Crushers is less detailed than the characters may have desired.

Crushers known to be active
• FIST armor, jet boots, augmented strength and some sort of blasters
• Mercury Mercenary runs at sonic speeds and is apparently trained as a soldier
• The Shrew is a very tough, female boxer. It's reputed that she may be addicted to some substance
• The Bull is a psychotic physical juggernaut
• the Vulture has synthetic avian appendages
• Temper is mostly an enigma, but seems to be able to generate berserk rage in his opponents

Goodguy turns his head ever so slightly in Street Demon's direction, "Yea, and just as many swears to describe it." He says just loud enough for those around to hear. A small smirk can be seen on his face.
This message was lightly edited by the player at 15:12, Sat 29 Sept 2018.

"Aw -- now why you gotta dog me out like that, homey?" Street Demon replies; Goodguy can see the young hero give him a sly wink from behind the mask.

He turns to Inferno to hear his response, occasionally glancing at the TV screens to see if there's any new activity from Drifter...

[OOC] Nudge nudge, wink wink...[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 17:58, Sat 29 Sept 2018.

Nighthawk takes time to read the sheet himself. He explains "experience has taught me that while I do not remember much of what my Other does, he retains memories of what I experience. This information was unknown to me."

While Inferno looks over the info on the crushers, he listens to the others. "My abilities aren't quite as impressive as Street Demons. Most just flight and fire."

"By what little there is on the Crushers, looks like we should take out the one called Temper first. This will be hard enough without one of us going berserk. But that's just my suggestion."

Nighthawk points a wing at the rambling flying man down below. "Send that Drifter person after him, I guess. He appears deranged and ineffective, so madness might be an improvement. "

Street Demon shakes his head.  "I got a better idea -- somethin' that'll turn the Crushers' own tricks against them, maybe even take out a couple of 'em without us even firin' a shot.  But first we gotta deal with that fool," he adds, indicating Drifter on the viewscreens.  "If he still wanderin' around out there when the Crushers show up, he gonna give the whole game away -- maybe scare them off entirely!  We either gotta get him on board or get him outta here, now..."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:06, Sun 30 Sept 2018.

With a infuriated snort I head off... Opening a Rift to TMNTverse.  I am sure Splinter would have some wisdom to shed on the situation and I have always thought it would be fun talking to Casey or watching the Turtles practice. "Hello" I announce "sorry to intrude Master Splinter, Ninja Turtles just a Drifter visiting. Please do not blitzkrieg me... Casey if your there that goes double for you... Leonardo? Michelangelo, Raphael, Donatello, Ms April O'Neil, Casey? anyone there?"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:31, Sun 30 Sept 2018.

Looks like it is going to be a fine day today
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:04, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

It's getting close to 10 pm, and another van pulls up to the building.
Joan Dillon gets out of the van, followed by a cameraman with a camera. Then the van drives off. Joan looks around and starts to one side of the building where an ancient shrubbery^* looks to be able to grant some cover.

^*Don't look at me like that, I never said 'nee' in my life!

Nighthawk says to GoodGuy "can you transport someone who is unwilling to go? If so, you might want to take the woman and cameraman to whatever spot you can, away from here. Leave them someplace they will not jeopardize this attempt to capture some Crushers, if they show up. And ask the guy on the disks to either join us or leave. He endangers this mission as well"

Slowly the sound of some song or other approaches it does sound like Ride of the Valkaries.  The source meanders first from low then from high then bursting over the lip of the building comes that annoying Drifter fellow.
"Hello Folks I am Back.  Hope your happy to see me... and before you snort in my direction and say some other nasty things that may hurt my feelings let me show you what I brought with me this time.

Have any of you seen a non-lethal MiniGun Emplacement Weapon?  Well it just so happens that I have one here with me. From what I gather is has four shot bursts of rubber bullets with enough range to cover all of the approaches on the front side of the building.  So who wants to play with it in the oncoming battle?  Hope someone does as it was not that easy to get my hands on it... So any takers?

I have already eyeballed the area and I do believe I have the best place to set it up in mind.
 Of course someone with trained combat skills would be better using it than someone like me."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:43, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

The man-bird cocks his head to peer at the flying man and ruffles his feathers. "Please be so kind as to lower or eliminate that music. We are trying to lay in wait in case the Crushers show up here tonight, so we need stealth. Blaring music will not aid our efforts. I am Nighthawk. With me are GoodGuy and StreetDemon. Inferno has already introduced himself. So, who are you, and are you here to help?"

In reply to NightHawk (msg # 45):
"Oh you silly Hawk you, I was only humming it...sort of.  Did you think I could carry a mini gun and a boom box at the same time?  Oh and as for the Crushers showing up tonight if my speculations are correct and this is the last place left for them to boost the items they have been after?  They are bound to make a show and put up a determined fight to get what they are after... Just do not know exactly what or why they are after what ever it is.

So what do you mean who am I?  We have already met... Oh no this is not just another splinter reality is it?  I do hate Drifting into splinter realities."

placing the weapon on the ground I wait a minute to see if there are any takers?

_{"Hmm it feels like the right reality"} Drifter mutters.
This message was last edited by the player at 09:11, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

"Never mind the girl for right now, NightHawk," Street Demon says.  "She a professional -- she not gonna stop the Crushers for an interview!  Besides -- if my plan works, she'll be far from any danger.  Now that we all here," he continues, nodding to Drifter, "let's get down to bidness..."

Street Demon begins tracing shapes in the air with one finger; as his hand moves, it leaves a glowing trail of white light that begins to form a battle plan before the assembled heroes.  "A'ight...we should be dealin' with a six-man team tonight -- we got Bull..." he makes a crude drawing of a large, muscular man;

"...the Shrew..." He adds a stick figure with cartoonishly large breasts.

"Mercury Mercenary and Temper..." Two more stick figures; one holding a pistol, the other with a large "T" emblazoned on his chest.

"Vulture, and F.I.S.T."  He rounds out the group with a winged stick figure and a blocky suit of armor.  He then quickly adds in five more stick figures to represent the heroes -- a winged man with an "N" on his chest, one with a lick of flame where his hair should be, a basic stick figure marked "D", a larger figure labeled with a "G", and a final figure sporting Street Demon's Guy Fawkes mask.

"A'ight.  Now -- my daddy always says that no plan survives contact with the enemy, so we gonna keep things simple.  They have to break into this building to boost the gear they need..." Street Demon draws a large rectangle; then with a gesture, he pushes the Crushers' icons over until they're centered inside it.  "So we gonna use that to our advantage.  I can hide in the warehouse, then flood the whole building with carbon monoxide gas."  Street Demon moves his own avatar into a corner of the rectangle, then draws a cloud-like shape surrounding the Crushers.  "It's invisible, odorless -- silent killer, know what I'm saying?  Only it won't kill 'em straight up," he adds, glancing over at GoodGuy.  "It'll just make 'em dizzy, light-headed, like they can't catch they breath.  We let 'em break in, and then we wait as long as we can -- the longer they breathin' that shit, the more it'll soften 'em up..."

Street Demon pauses for a moment -- it's clear he has more to say, but he's looking to see if there's any immediate objections...

[OOC] For those who are interested, here's how I've statted out the Carbon Monoxide Trap that Street Demon is proposing:

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning: Drain CON, END, STUN, and REC simultaneously 1d6, Attack Versus Alternate Defense (Life Support (Self-Contained Breathing); target holds his breath; All Or Nothing; +0), Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Constant (+1/2), Uncontrolled (+1/2), Area Of Effect (16m Radius; +3/4), Expanded Effect (x4 Characteristics or Powers simultaneously) (+1 1/2), Invisible Power Effects (Fully Invisible, effects of Power are Inobvious to both target and other characters; +1 1/2) (60 Active Points) Real Cost: 60

---

[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 09:54, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

Nighthawk listens to the plan thus far and adds "what about the guards and others working the night shift? If you flood the place with your gas to ambush the Crushers, the gas will kill all those people before the Crushers even arrive. And I think seeing a bunch of dead bodies laying on the ground might tip them off."

wo wo lets back it a bit here... sorry to burst your bubble here StreetDemon but if the gas can kill why even use it?  Are we not meant to be the Heroes here?

The risk of an accidental death seems to be just too high and NightHawk is so right about the loss of innocent lives."

Moving a little closer to the NightHawk as a show of solidarity.
OOC As far as my understanding of the rules go, draining a persons Con to 0 still causes Death
This message was last edited by the player at 10:45, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

Turning to the man on the discs, Nighthawk says "what do you mean, I know you? What is your name? What is a Splinter reality? Peopled by giant ninja rats?"

Goodguy looks over at Drifter as he joins the huddle. He nods a greeting in the man's direction as he listens to the others talk. He's never been a big one for strategic planning and he was glad to have the others here.

"Just tell me what door to watch and I'll make sure no one gets by me."
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 17:29, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

In reply to NightHawk (msg # 50):
"My name is Drifter and my abilities or lack there of is getting off the Subject.  However to answer your question I drift about ergo the name.  Sometimes I am here sometimes there or on occasion some other place. Why do you ask?

Is there a substance we can use to make the gas you mentioned Non-Lethal?"
"Hmm there are no problems only solutions"
This message was last edited by the player at 19:09, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

Street Demon looks at NightHawk, his head cocked slightly to one side.  "Hold up, dawg.  So Broyko knows there's a credible threat of an imminent supervillain attack -- so much so that he already mobilized a SWAT team over it -- and you think he's so dumb that he'd leave a buncha civilians here, just chillin' at Ground Zero?"  He shakes his head.  "Damn, son!  You got even less faith in the cops than I do -- and that's sayin' something!"

Street Demon begins casting another spell.  "There's no way Broyko wouldn't have evacuated everyone already; but if he ain't done it, then we're about to -- I'll use the building's internal security to double-check..."

[PLAYER-GM] Street Demon will use the "Big Brother Is Watching You" build again to search the building using internal security cameras and motion sensors, and use Images to display the results for the rest of the team to see.

But seriously -- that seems like a pretty egregious oversight, if the cops actually did leave civilians at risk at a suspected target for what's effectively a domestic terrorist attack; and if it is the case, then one would hope that there's at least a damn good reason for it...
[/PLAYER-GM]

[OOC]


I'm afraid you're mistaken, Drifter -- reducing CON to 0 or less has NEVER been a condition that results in death, at least in HERO System.  In fact, there's only two circumstances that cause death in HERO:

1.) Being reduced to a negative BODY total equal to your original starting BODY; or

2.) GM fiat (which is generally only invoked for dramatic effect)

But what a zero CON will do, is force the victim to make a 9- Activation Roll any time they want to spend END -- and bear in mind: even Blocking or Dodging attacks burns a minimum 1 END to perform!  It also means that any attack that exceeds their defense will automatically Stun them.  (You can take a look at 6E1 44 for additional information.)

But what may be even more helpful to us, is getting the villains down to zero END -- at that point, each pip of END they want to spend gets converted into 1/2d6 of NND STUN damage!  And since 1 Character Point is worth 5 END, it won't take much to completely drain their reserves...
[OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:00, Mon 01 Oct 2018.

Nighthawk peers back at Street Demon. "Broyko just arrived, and the parking lot still has a considerable number of vehicles. But if you have absolute control of your magic, then as you say, you can terminate the spell if it endangers too many humans. My own abilities are useful for softening up large numbers of agents, since most villains can shrug off my Pinfeather attack. Speed, mobility, and my claws are my primary weapons for close-in work. And as a magical creature myself, I am resistant to being controlled by others."
This message was last edited by the GM at 01:57, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Goodguys looks at NightHawk, his eyebrows raised.

"That's very good news. I need to try to steer clear of Temper. Some of you need to concentrate and have a clear mind to use your powers. Unfortunately mine are another story. I'd hate to hurt someone while under someone's influence."

Turning to the rest of them, "I like StreetDemons plan. It'll soften them up a bit at least."

As Drifter sets down the box he's been carrying, it begins to unfold and telescope into something apparently modeled on a Browning M2. The illusion is shattered as the clawed ends of the tripod mount drill into the concrete on the roof. Despite Drifter's suggestion that it would be difficult to operate, its mechanism is similar to many small arms and should be operable by anyone familiar with such things. There is some alien script along one side of the weapon, but no one can read it easily.
With a loud roar, a red and white Gran Torino comes zooming into the parking lot and two men jump out and run towards the shrubbery Joan Dillon is hiding in. They can be heard saying something like 'you aren't fooling anyone', 'we can see you', and finally 'you're standing right there'. Nobody comes from the shrubs and the two wade in like men on a mission.
The two men jump back into the car (one of them sliding across the hood, at which point the other yells at him) and drive off.
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:56, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

"Well, I got an idea for dealing with Temper too; so let me run it down for you..."

Street Demon taps the cloud he's drawn around the Crushers, and it starts to fade in brightness.  "Okay -- so either when they've got a couple good lungfuls of the stuff, or it looks like they know something's up, I'mma stop generating the gas; it'll take a few seconds to air out, so y'all gonna have to hold your breath if you come inside the building.  Then I'mma hit 'em with a burst of neon light..." Street Demon opens his hand, inside is a bolus of red light that leaves dazzling afterimages on the heroes' retinas.  "That's gonna do three things..."  The ball of neon disappears, and Street Demon begins ticking points off on his fingers.

"First, it'll be a signal to you guys to come join the party, like a signal flare!  Should be bright enough to see through the windows if you're outside, or wherever you are in the building..."

He taps off a second finger.

"Second, it's gonna be so bright it'll blind the Crushers momentarily -- as many as I can manage.  It should make 'em easy targets for the rest of you.  And third..."

He taps the icon for Temper on his impromptu diagram; the stick figure's glow shifts from white to crimson.

"The residual neon is gonna light this nigga up like a Christmas tree -- bright red!"

With a gesture, Street Demon slides the Bull avatar next to Temper's.  "Then all hell's gonna break loose!  That red is gonna make Bull go apeshit on Temper soon as he sees it, and Temper's gonna be too busy runnin' for his muthafuckin' life, cuz what else can he do with his power -- make 'em even more mad?  We might even peel off one or two more Crushers, if they care enough about Temper to keep Bull from killin' him..."

"Once we all inside, my man Big G is the quarterback," Street Demon continues, pointing to GoodGuy.  "He calls the plays; and whoever he tags, everybody else who's got a clear shot double-teams their ass!  We ain't got to go mano y mano, or follow no Queensberry rules -- this is a street fight, and one Crusher down for the count is worth two or three who are hurt but can still fight back!"

Street Demon moves two of the villain icons to front and center.  "Beyond that, I got a few other moves I can make.  If somebody can distract Shrew or Merc for a second, I can surround 'em with a cage o' concrete -- she strong, but it'll take her a while to punch her way out.  And bullets won't do shit to two feet of solid concrete..."  He adjusts FIST's position on the map.  "For him?  I might be able to hack his suit -- spoof his sensors, maybe shut down his systems.  But it's a long shot, 'cuz I don't know just what it can do -- might be simpler to just carve it off him with a neon laser..."

He looks around at the other heroes.  "Anyhow, that's everything I'm bringin' to this fight -- anybody else got some bright ideas on how we can handle these fools?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:41, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Just when the plan seemed to come together, the only civilian still in the area (Broyko convinced the Manning COO that time could be made up easier than staff could be replaced) sneaks into the building the heroes were planning to flood with dangerous gas.

watching the Bush drama in surprise Drifter is rather amused by the event.
"wonder what all that was about... Hope it was not some kind of Kidnapping.  If it rains it pours.  Just our luck if it turns out to be one." he drawls as his fingers lightly caress the form of the unfolded weapon.  Acclimatising himself with it as best he can in the time he has left. Swivel, aim, twirl, change target swirl around re-quire target... Yes a marvellous weapon and the others left it for him to play with?  What a waste of potential.  This is a Weapon for a Combat Master not a Meta Merchant... Oh well waste not want not.

To all outward evidence paying little to no attention to StreedDemon's stratagem.

He wonders how it could be folded back up again but that examination will have to wait for another time, What a marvellous device it seems to be, to a non military man.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:36, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

When someone said that the shrub wasn't fulling anyone Hatter just about fell out of it. Not to mention he was a bit over dazzled by the fact he was around real supers. Sure, they all seemed like normal people but that guy had a light in his hand. He sat there a moment in front of the shrub figuring out who is who and if this was everyone. He was extremely new to all this and in most cases, a brain dancer was not commonly on the front line. Line of sight be darned.

Goodguy looks at StreetDemon with a surprised look on his face. "I've never been a Q.B. before but I'm happy to keep them focused on this." He punctuates his remark with a smile while holding his fist up.

"Just keep close tabs on your gas OK. Hurting people's what the bad guys do and I'd hate for our first outing to have any civilian casualties. Also I need to let you all know I feel very strongly about this ... killing anyone's just wrong. The law will punish them. We're here to stop and capture them."

Then looking toward the parking lot, "Did anyone make out what the Fu&^ is going on down there?"
This message was last edited by the player at 16:03, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Nighthawk nods. "Joan Collins, who apparently dated both one of Broyko's men, and Manning in the past, has given them the slip and made her way into the building along with her cameraman. Guess she has a passcard to get through security. So if you put your gas in there, chances are that the Crushers might see her slumped form and guess at what you've done."

Inferno listened to the discussion around him, especially concerning the flooding of the building with carbon dioxide.

Turning back to Street Demon, "I do have a couple questions though. Any ideas what the Crushers are after and do we have any idea what Manning Enterprise does throughout the building. Just wondering if there are any areas they we should try to steer them clear of."

Street Demon's eyes dart between the video feeds, his teammates, and the street scene below -- it didn't take long for things to start going pear-shaped...

He focuses on Inferno.  "NightHawk's source has a theory that the Crushers are trying to hack TEACHER, the Crusaders' super-computer.  They could be here for hardware, software, or both.  That'd mean the warehouse for the hardware, and probably the main server room or some kinda computer lab for the software.  We could split up -- half in each section, while the gas gets to 'em; once we figure out where they goin', the group that's not at the target moves in and we catch 'em in a pincer movement, like Goodguy suggested."  Street Demon strokes his chin for a moment, through his mask.  "If I take the server room, I can keep a bubble of fresh air with us so the gas don't get whoever's with me.  And since carbon monoxide's heavier than air, anybody on the top shelves or up in the rafters in the warehouse should be safe from breathin' it, at least 'til they go to ground level."

Street Demon steps back to the battle diagram, then slides the pictogram of Vulture outside the rectangle representing the building.  "There's one other thing I been thinkin' about.  Vulture's an odd choice for this job -- he ain't strong for movin' the gear like Bull or Shrew, he ain't smart or good at demolitions for wreckin' the place, and they already got Temper for crowd control.  I'm thinkin' he may be the lookout, stayin' outside while the others go in.  So if we keep part of the team outside, we maybe could jam their radios and take Vulture out, nice and quiet -- anything we can to help even the odds.  Then the outside team could move in like in Goodguy's plan, cut off their escape route."  Street Demon looks up at the group.  "I dunno -- is that spreadin' us too thin?  What do you guys think?"
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Tue 02 Oct 2018.

Looking in StreetDemon's direction, "Can you control the height of the gas? If you kept it at 6 feet I could function normally while anyone shorter would be at a disadvantage."

Addressing the team. "If the vulture is a small man I could really mess him up with my ability to teleport objects. I can move about 150 lbs around."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:47, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

"Sorry to ask or intrude on your briefing here and Not being a tactician at all, I still wonder would the plan still bear weight if a sizeable pack of hired Thugs were added to the equation?  Heavily Armed Thugs.  If, as the scenario goes they are after specific items to disable a super computer would they not be anticipating some stiff opposition?  Is there some sort of contingency plan like divide and conquer?"

"Or sowing discord in their ranks.  If only we had a Chameleon Net
This message was last edited by the player at 17:27, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

In reply to StreetDemon (msg # 64):

Nighthawk suggests "I can stay high, and attack from a range. I can also keep Vulture occupied. I like the idea of painting Temper red. But just because we got short sheets on 6 known Crushers, doesn't mean that all 6 will be here, nor that they might have others, does it?"

Good point Drifter. Can you get one of those things, whatever it is?. I think we just execute the basic plan. 1) flood the building with gas. 2) Attack the best target as it appears.  Like StreetDemon said a while ago, plans are good until the bad guys get here. I’m gonna pop in the middle of them and stir shit up.

"Can't guarantee I can finesse it that much, 'specially not over that big an area..." Street Demon replies.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
[OOC] That is to say, the granularity of the power is limited to 1-meter blocks; so the gas is either waist-high or two meters tall... [/OOC]

---

"Yeah, well...if you know anybody who's got an army for rent, you knock yourself out, Drifter," Street Demon says.  "I doubt they expectin' too much opposition right now -- Knockout and the Crusaders are still M.I.A., none of us have shown up for the last couple jobs they pulled, and...well, during this morning's photo op, I mighta said and done some things on-camera that might lead them to underestimate us..."

"As to continency plans..." Street Demon trails off for a moment, thinking.  "If we're losing the fight, and you can only catch one Crusher for the police, make it F.I.S.T. -- if his suit's a military prototype, it probably has some kinda flight recorder built in, in case it crashed or otherwise failed in some way; maybe I can use the data to reverse-engineer his flight path, figure out where their base is..."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
[PLAYER-GM] My plans is to stat that spell out as Clairsentience with the Retrocognition Adder, to play any recorded data in reverse and trace F.I.S.T.'s path back to its source...[/PLAYER-GM]

---

This message was last edited by the player at 21:09, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 69):

"I only know of one I can get my hands on and it is being used by a Criminal.  Getting it would  change the destiny of a whole Station... But if we borrow it or better yet ask the Captain of the Station for it after its significance is done... Yes that may be possible.  Anyone want to give me a hand?  I would like to go through the proper channels so talking to the Base Security Offer I believe would be the way to go... His name is Garabaldi and even though I have never met him I like the fellow.  He has the strangest kind of Pass Words I have ever heard.

But taking into account how well received the Mini Gun was and due to time restraints I thingk getting a Chameleon Net in time to be of use very problematical."
This message was last edited by the player at 21:32, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

This message was deleted by the player at 21:36, Wed 03 Oct 2018.

Goodguy smiles, "If a big pack of hired thugs shows up, well that's pretty much what I'll plan myself in the middle of. I'll try to keep 'em so busy they don't have time for the rest of you so you can concentrate on the main threats."

---

Question by a newb... is something like that a time I could make an ego attack? To shake their resolve and maybe retreat?

"A'ight -- unless anybody else has any other ideas for evening out the odds for us, it's time to get in position!" Street Demon says.  He begins performing some new sort of mystic ritual; as he does, the other heroes can see bursts of cyan "signal energy" fly from his hands and zigzag along the rooftop before seeping into the building, apparently tracing circuitous routes of power conduits and data cables laid into the building's frame.  "First, lemme tell the building's security systems to shut themselves down -- should give us access to anything that needs a keycard or a combination code, as well as shut off the fire and CO detectors, so I don't set 'em off when I flood the building..."

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
[PLAYER-GM]
Street Demon will spend two Phases doing two-shot Multiple Attacks with the following power; with a total effect of 4 doses, using Standard Effect rules, it should max out the power's effect:

Shutting Down Security Measures, Building-Wide: Dispel 5d6, Reduced Endurance (1/2 END; +1/4), Area Of Effect Accurate (1m Radius; +1/2), Electronics-based security measures (+1/2), Cumulative (60 points; +3/4), MegaScale (1m = 1 km; +1) (60 Active Points) Real Cost: 60  [Notes: Spell will affect all security measures for a single installation (Accurate AE) within the Area of Effect]

Going by the sample builds in the "Ultimate Base" sourcebook, most security systems and CCTV setups cost 50 Active Points or less, so his maxed out Cumulative Dispel should be enough to turn them off; but if Manning has some special high-security areas (e.g.; a "panic room" where he keeps a spare set of his hero gear or a high-tech lab for working on Crusaders-related projects) those might still be secure.

Assuming the spell works as intended...

---

"That should do it," Street Demon says, straightening his stance.  "NightHawk, I got my radio tuned to Channel 5; if you waitin' outside for Vulture, signal me when he splits off and I'll jam every frequency but ours, so he can't warn 'em or call for help.  You also gonna need to keep an eye on the warehouse team, maybe through the skylight -- relay any messages back and forth once we know what the Crushers' target is..."  He looks around at the assembled heroes.  "Anybody stakin' out the warehouse, form up on Goodguy; if you wanna patrol the perimeter and be part of his ambush, get with NightHawk; if you want to help me round up that reporter and then guard the server room, step on up..."

---

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

[OOC] NightHawk -- if you're not sure about whether the Vulture ambush is worth it, we can just do two groups; but since (so far as I know) you and I are the only ones with radios, we should probably be in separate groups... [/OOC]

---

Hatter pulled out his cell phone and threw out a disk hidden by his dapper coat. He stepped onto the small drone and took flight, piloting it from the cell. Drone tech meets the balance of a Segway. It wasn't massively quiet but far better than the roar of a motorcycle. One of his micro camera drones lead the way for him as he peeked over the rooftop just enough to have that odd confused looking mask seen. "I.. Uh... I was told to meet the good guys around here. Something about a booster was needed to keep things together?"

"Did I find the right place?" He already had to sleep one guy a few blocks away because he was being dumb. There was already enough trauma for one day.

Lester looks at the man on the floating disk. He shakes his head for a second. ~The things you get used to.~ he thinks to himself. In a single day he's met a were-bird, a wizard, a guy from another dimension and one that's on fire. Now here's someone casually flying up on some kind of heli-disk. He takes a breath. ~What would gramps think about this?~ he wonders to himself.

"Welcome", he says to the man. "I'm Lester, People call me 'Goodguy'. If your here to help out stick close and pitch in."

Hatter lifted a bit and hopped off the transport drone before he folded it back up and stuffed it back behind his dapper coat. He moved close by with the hurry of a new recruit and stood stiffly... a few people so it wasn't so bad, at least it wasn't a huge crowd. "Will Mesmer, called Hatter."

He furrowed his brow behind his mask wondering if he should data dump to catch up. "Mentalist and a minor booster. I can do a tiny bit of healing and pump someone up slightly. Beyond that its all mind tricks and networking people together."

"Oh? So Mr Hatter you are a Diplomatic Doctor?  That is nice, a Medic on call is always an asset in my books"
Drifter nary glances in The Hatters direction being absorbed with the newly named [Language unknown: Avekorardter]
This message was last edited by the player at 23:03, Fri 05 Oct 2018.

"Hold up -- I'm callin' 'bullshit' on this," the man in the grinning devil mask says after Will Mesmer introduces himself.  "Who all is calling you 'Hatter', when you ain't even wearin' no hat?!?"

The masked man waves Will off before the new arrival can answer.  "I'm just bleepityin' with ya, dawg," he assures Hatter.  He offers up his hand to shake.  "It's good to know ya -- call me Street Demon."  He nods in the direction of the others assembled on the roof.  "Over there, we got NightHawk, Inferno, and Drifter -- I'll let you work out who's who..."

Once introductions have been made all around, Street Demon gives Hatter the Reader's Digest version of what's going on, so that Hatter is familiar with all the info that's been exchanged up to now, and the plan to confront the Crushers.

"If you're really a mentalist, why don't you roll with me tonight?" Street Demon says to Hatter once the briefing is complete.  "We got a nosy reporter inside who needs a little convincin' to stay out of harm's way..."
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:37, Sat 06 Oct 2018.

Hatter looked like he was about to have a social anxiety attack but when. Street said he was kidding Hatter gave his best just joking laugh.

"Never met a road Satan before. Nice to meet you."

"Hats in the shop, crashed it a few days ago." He nodded, "One of the few who have telekinesis on a cellular level. I can also mind link people if that helps. Robotting people is a little hard but as long as who you want to walk away isn't a psionic themselves I should be able to get them to walk away."
This message was last edited by the player at 22:48, Fri 05 Oct 2018.

In reply to Hatter (msg # 80):

Hearing The Mad Hatter's spiel, I will make a nervous attempt to surreptitiously distance myself from the fellow. Moving The Pacifier along with me.   About 20' should be enough... I hope.

"Have you ever visited that individuals home plane Mr Hatter?  According to all I have heard from commonly accepted tales, It really is not a nice place to visit."
This message was last edited by the player at 20:02, Sat 06 Oct 2018.

Hatter looked at drifter and just blinked. "Uhh... That was a joke. I have no need or ever want to visit, meet, or talk to the Lord of hell. To a fine point should I ever run into the capital D Devil Himself I will swiftly run the other way and wish the Vatican the best of luck."

It's quiet, almost too quiet.

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
PER rolls were made for all characters, this was at 250m range, so the characters started with -10 that could only be modified by skills or powers the characters possessed before this phase (12) began.
Drifter needed 3 rolled (by GM) 8,
Goodguy needed 1 rolled (by GM) 12,
Hatter needed 3 rolled (by GM) 5,
Inferno needed 2 rolled (by GM) 7,
NightHawk needed 12 rolled (by GM) 10,
StreetDemon needed 4, rolled (by GM) 10.

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 19:03, Sun 07 Oct 2018.

My mind drifts a little as I wonder who will be the first villain to make an appearance.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:42, Sun 07 Oct 2018.

Nighthawk warns "I see something approaching."

Goodguy cracks his knuckles. "Which way? What do you see?"

"Vulture is 250 meters up, likely scouting. He hasn't reacted, so I don't think he has spotted us yet. If we stay on this roof, he will soon see us. Get inside quickly,I'll try to fly higher and keep watch. I'll be back after the Crushers show up and I've taken care of Vulture." NightHawk launches himself up and away from Vulture, intending on climbing higher and circling. In seconds he is 500 meters in the air and wheeling about to dive at Vulture.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:10, Mon 08 Oct 2018.

NightHawk launches vertically, after suggesting that everyone else hides.

OOC:

movement stuff:

Flight is 35 meters/phase, so can accelerate at 17 1/2 meters/phase (combat velocity). NightHawk's SPD is six. Non-combat movement is 140 meters/phase. As NightHawk is climbing, it takes 2m of movement to gain 1m of altitude. Assuming NightHawk's movement is all vertical, we can figure how long it takes him to travel 500 meters to figure out how long it takes to reach Vulture's altitude. I refuse to use calculus to figure movement so I'll just add it up.

Phase	Velocity Reached (meters per phase)	Distance Traveled (meters)	Velocity-based DCV
1	17.5	17.5	3
2	35	52.5	5
3	52.5	105	7
4	70	175	9
5	87.5	205.5	9
6	105	310.5	9
	NEW TURN
1	122.5	423	9
2	140	563	9

It takes this full turn and two phases into the second turn to reach 250 meters in altitude. At which point, DCV will be five due to velocity. Flying at combat speed, NightHawk would reach the altitude in the middle of the third turn and have full DCV throughout.

This message was last edited by the GM at 02:45, Mon 08 Oct 2018.

"A'ight, team -- let's move!" Street Demon says.  "Remember -- If you're in the warehouse, stay high and outta sight until NightHawk gives the 'go' signal; anybody with me, stay within about 10 feet of me if you don't wanna choke.  When the shit gets real, hold your breath for the first five seconds or so, until the gas clears.  Hatter, you're with me," he adds, grabbing the other hero rather unceremoniously by the seat of his pants.  "We gotta find that reporter -- quick, fast, and inna hurry..."

As the other heroes watch, the two masked heroes turn into roughly Street Demon and Hatter-shaped clouds of smoke, which, at the urban mage's direction, begin squeezing their way through the seam at the edge of the nearest skylight; Hatter finds the sudden change in density and perspective more than a little disorienting...

[ACTION]
Street Demon will use his VPP to create the "Light As Smoke" Power, as well as "Turn To Smoke", with the Reduced END replaced with "Usable Simultaneously" to stay within the 60 Active Point cap.  Assuming Hatter doesn't actively resist, SD will be able to turn the both of them Desolid, then pass through the (presumably not airtight) gap between the skylight and roof, then "carry" Hatter with him as they fly through the building into the office area.  Since SD has already seen a good portion of the interior by hijacking the internal security cameras, he will try to use what he's learned to find the fastest way toward wherever he saw Joan Dillon and her cameraman.

13:34, Today: StreetDemon rolled 7 using 3d6.  INT Roll (14-) to find the fastest route.
[/ACTION]
This message was last edited by the player at 20:51, Sun 07 Oct 2018.

A sigh escapes from Drifter as he continues to familiarise himself with the em-placed weapon. Using Vulture as a moving target.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:45, Mon 08 Oct 2018.

Not being one for stealth Goodguy doesn't try to hide as he looks up at the sky at Vulture. The real surprise was being prepared inside. His role was initial contact and he was determined to give them the best possible welcome he could.

"Here we go" he says to no one in particular.

He starts watching the surrounding area for any approach of the rest of the Crushers.

Inferno watched Street Demon and Hatter vanish in a puff of smoke. Then Night Hawk took flight as the rest stood waiting. He had thought the intent was for the rest of them to wait hidden in the warehouse, but evidently he had misunderstood. Taking a position behind a rooftop HVAC unit to lessen the chances of being spotted, he waited to see what happened.

Hatter did not fight the fact he was turned into a vapor, but he did take the opportunity of being dragged someplace to get a little bit of groundwork done. He reached out just how he was told to and started combing the area for the reporter. It was a good thing he was being pulled along or he would have likely fallen into the sky! He would have to figure out exactly how he was able to keep himself in one whole as smoke. Right now he was going to assume it was Magic JuJu, or was it wooji woo?

09:51, Today: Hatter rolled 17 using 4d6 ((6,6,2,3)) Mind scan.

No one else has shown up, but there is a rusty old van, with I'  So Van   bou  My V n painted on the side, trundling down the access road.

Goodguy wanders over to the side of the building to give himself a good view of the van as it approaches. He tries to keep one eye on the van and one on Vulture.

~That's odd~ he thinks to himself as he looks at the run down vehicle with a crap pain job.

Hatter looked back to the StreetDemon. "There are about 10 people present in the building. I have a lock on Joan Dillon. They are in the front receptionist's office, behind bulletproof glass. She feels like she can get footage of any fight without too much danger from their current location. Would you like me to patch you through?"

"What is so odd about I'm So Vain about My Van?  It is natural for some Young People to be thrilled at such a display of Freedom.  I do think it has seen better days though."

"Nah, Dawg," Street Demon replies, shaking his head.  "I don't want nobody inside my head -- 'specially not that damn reporter!  Just tell her to be ready -- I'mma have to wait until the last possible second to release the gas, to minimize the risk to the civilians still here..."

Street Demon releases his grip on Hatter, and they both immediately solidify; he then speaks into a sophisticated wrist-communicator he's wearing --

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
[OOC]
If NightHawk's got the same communicator as Street Demon, note that it can transmit video as well -- could come in handy...
[/OOC]

---

This message was last edited by the GM at 01:26, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

Hatter reached out and established a connection with the person everyone was so worried about.   [Language unknown: "Whssos te nith, Hisioupro forateiouforwerven er ant iveoreder whewil-ndeeraere. Trerse icecti bepain eralo nishe intit m larichfor. Ulher eenho hi iththited ut osek maith n olutma th nili. N ioudi for ai i be ulear ckck er ivancaen te lolaevng ol e ilaitisi."]

"Alright, sent her a message about being ready. Let me know when and where to send them."

From 500 meters up, Nighthawk wheels around and begins to dive at Vulture, in a curving arc to circle the bionic birdman from above and behind. With razor-sharp senses, Nighthawk attempts to spot the driver of the van and see how low it might be riding (thinking that Bull might be heavy enough to test the suspension).

Perception 17-, +6 Range levels vs sight. Rolled 11 on 3d6.

IR Vision
Night Vision
240 degree arc of perception.

"Ok, Jimmy. That's just fine. When it starts, try to keep Bull in frame and forget MercMerc entirely."
This message was last edited by the player at 01:35, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

Hatter translated brain waves to StreetDemon. "No way Starre's getting this one. I pulled in too many favors for this. At least Broyko wasn't his usual close-mouthed self. I'm not leaving, young man, this is my story."

He had two fingers on the side of his temple just like they did on TV. He didn't need too but it was a universal gesture he was doing mind woogy woo.

As the blotchy old van continues its approach, the syncopated rattle of the engine noise and the smoke from the tailpipe give the lie to any thought of the van's decrepitude. Rather than make it of less interest, the apparent anomaly just reinforces the fact that the vehicle is seriously out of place.

Having set up The Pacifier, Drifter lifts his Rifle off his back in preparation for and in anticipation of an ambush from the dubious derelict.
Shifting his attention from the fight with Vulture overhead to the Jalopy below.

As Nighthawk dives at combat speed, a quick communication to Street Demon is sent:
This message was last edited by the GM at 03:24, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

"Van?  What van?" Street Demon asks, more to himself than anyone else. "This ain't gonna work," he says to Hatter, shaking his head.  "From the way he rocketed off, NightHawk's probably too far to circle back to talk to the warehouse team without drawing attention, and nobody else got a radio to talk to us or him.  You think you could do your mind-link with Goodguy, so we can keep him in the loop?  I can get us back up on the roof so you can spot him through the skylight, if it'll help..."

[ACTION]
If Hatter answers in the affirmative, Street Demon will grip Hatter by the shoulder, turn them both to smoke again, then take a shortcut to the roof through the ventilation system, using a variant of the "Vanish in a Puff of Smoke" Power:

Vanish in a Puff of Smoke II:Teleportation 40m, x2 Increased Mass, Safe Blind Teleport (+1/4) (56 Active Points); Must Pass Through Intervening Space (-1/4) Real Cost: 45

SD will try to land them in a relatively secluded spot on the roof, so hopefully they won't be immediately noticed by Vulture...:

20:18, Today: StreetDemon rolled 8 using 3d6.  Stealth 13-, to land unobtrusively on the roof.

[/ACTION]
This message was last edited by the player at 03:18, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

Hatter nodded, "Line of sight is best. I left my mini camera drone out there but I can't be sure that I can link him through a video feed. First time really pushing the mind powers so I dont want to end up connecting to a street rat by accident."

"Are you opposed to being in the loop still?"

Goodguy sees the van continue to head for the building and that it legitimately appears to be an old beater. ~If that's full of Manning interns this could get bad real fast~ he thinks to himself as he vanishes in a flash of blue electricity. He appears on the ground beside the building and then another flash can be seen as he teleports in front of the van holding up his hand in a 'stop' gesture. If the van is full of civilians it'll stop, if it doesn't then that says it all and Goodguy resolves to to bring it to a halt himself.

---

I'm about 100M in front of the van if that's possible. If it doesn't stop I'll do this maneuver




07:58, Today: Goodguy rolled 10 using 3d6 with rolls of 4,2,4.  to-hit.

OCV 6, DCV 6
This message was last edited by the player at 15:56, Wed 10 Oct 2018.

"Yeah, I'm opposed," Street Demon says irritably.  "Could this night go any worse?  We're split up, we can't communicate with each other, and now we got civilians in harm's way even after Broyko…"


Street Demon pauses in his soliloquy, then turns to look directly at Hatter.  "Hold on...you said you detected 'about 10 minds' -- why not an exact number?  What's your standard deviation for something like that?"  Hatter notices the "ghetto" accent has completely disappeared from Street Demon's voice.  "And if we subtract for Dillon and her cameraman..."  He slaps his forehead.  "Dammit!  Rookie mistake, rookie mistake!"

Street Demon begins making a complicated series of gestures; as Hatter watches, a series of ghostly video screens materialize in front of the other hero.  Some of the screens display what appear to be interior views of Manning Enterprises, while two others appear to be video phone apps.  "I need your help, Hatter..." he says, his attention focused on the shifting images on the screens.  "I need you to pinpoint the physical location of every mind in the building, and then we need to positively identify each individual using the internal security cameras -- do you think you can help me with that?"  Street Demon turns to look at Hatter.  "These Crushers may be smarter than I gave them credit for..."

[ACTION]
Street Demon is going to switch his VPP to the prior Clairsentience Power vs. Sight, Hearing, and Radio; with two of the pereception points, he wishes to initiate video calls with NightHawk and Goodguy, since the power can also Transmit, if memory serves (and if the original build can't, he should be able to kick in a couple extra points to make sure it does); but for the sake of timing and dramatic effect, we can roleplay that call once Goodguy resolves things with the van outside...
[/ACTION]

The van slows as it approaches, and as the engine noise goes down the music blasting from the van's speakers can be discerned. Something about "layin' there, moonlight dancin' off her hair, she woke up and took me by the hand...".
The long-haired, bespectacled, Jerry Garcia lookalike that leans out the van's window says, "Hey, man. I'm tryin' to drive on the road, man. Can you, like, not be in the road, man?"

Hatter waved a bit to get Demons attention. "That's not how mental spaces work. You don't scan a building you scan an area. Also, you only get a feeling that it is 'around this many people' with just a passive scan. We are good, count the heroes and the reporters. More than five and less than ten. The headcount is set, just give me an image of the big guy." Hatter was really quick when it came to logic.

GG, gonna resist a lock?

"I think you're missing my point," Street Demon says, splitting his attention between searching the building via security camera and talking with Hatter.  "Do you know what a stalking horse is?  Vulture himself could be a decoy, meant to test our resolve, see how we'll react to Crushers in the area.  And as many as ten minds in the area?  That's potentially quite a bit more than just us and the press -- it could be the Crushers already found a way to infiltrate the building!  We need to be sure..."  Street Demon snaps his fingers.  "Temper!  One of the Crushers is a mentalist, like you -- if there was another psychic in the building, could you distinguish him from the other minds and locate him?  And more importantly: could you scan for him without tipping him off to the fact that you're looking for him...?"

[OOC]
Since I already declared it, and Hatter seemed to be okay with it, I'm assuming that SD was successful with his teleport and now he and Hatter are back onto the roof; we may or may not have seen Goodguy teleport off toward the bus, and Inferno and Drifter are free to join in the conversation.

Also, since I know that I'm asking a lot of Hatter when I suggest that he do a subtle Mind Scan, and that he didn't seem to have a lot of raw dice in the power, I just wanted to point out that he has the potential to use the Haymaker Maneuver and Convert Combat Levels to extra effect dice if he wants to get a little more oomph.  Or at least, the vanilla version of Mind Scan would be able to do that -- I have no idea how Hatter's actual powers are built, or what Limitations they might come with...
[/OOC]
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

"whoever said that thugs have to be young?  I never got that memo.  When you consider Crime Bosses of Cartels are often well on in years, I do not see any reason for assuming the elderly people in the car are automatically presumed innocent bystanders... or that someone in a three piece suit and wing tips are gunmen."
This message was last edited by the player at 04:29, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

Goodguy walks up to the van. "Sir, I understand you want to head in this direction but I'm afraid there's something goin' on that would put you in danger. I need you to turn around... RIGHT NOW... and find another way. You can't go any further this way."

---

Hatter...No I wouldn't resist a mind connection
Drifter... Let's see how they react to the choice to turn around.
This message was last edited by the player at 15:04, Thu 11 Oct 2018.

Another figure comes flying in towards Manning Enterprises about 150 meters up.  While there are some armored sections over a white full-body suit and a helmet, enough curves can be made out to suggest it is female.  It seems unaffiliated and unaware of any one else here, save for the van in the road.

I would feel better about being here if I didn't know I'm here mostly because Blake has a crush on that news anchor and wants another body keeping her safe, Impulse laments to herself.  Still, it is worth taking down these 'Crushers' before they can hit Graviton.  Or any other business.

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 114):
Despite appearances, Jarry can still think pretty fast, so think he does. ~He may be a big man, but I can tell what he really is. He's The Man, man! Can't let the man dictate the way, man. I got the way, and the truth, and my rights, man!~
Then out loud, he says, "No, man, no. It ain't want to. I have to go this way. My reverse gear is shot, man!"
"So if you could just leave the road, I could drive down to the parking area and turn around. That's what I'm supposed to do, man. It's cosmic forces aligning and all, ya know."
There is room on either side of Goodguy for Jarry to drive around, but he seems set on his current path in an almost obsessive way.

In reply to Impulse (msg # 115):
"Oh hello there Stranger.  Please allow me to introduce myself... I am known as Drifter and to whom do I have the honour of addressing?  You do seem familiar but...  No I do not think we have been introduced."
Asks a man who would have not even drawn much attention in a crowded room. If he had not been standing next to some kind of Mini-Gun styled emplacement on a roof overlooking the car drama going on below.  Who knows if he would have even been worth noticing.  Cautiously slowly the weapon begins to move away from pointing in Vultures direction a little to swing slightly towards Impulse. "I do hope we can come to some amiable understandings here or to put another way.  HALT WHO GOES THERE FRIEND OR FOE?"

Looking back at the van Lester's frustration begins to get the best of him. "I'm a fan of the grateful Dead too and I'd be real grateful if you weren't dead. I don't have time to argue with you. Put your damn truck in neutral and steer as I push you. YOU ARE TURNING AROUND HERE! I AM NOT ASKING YOU AGAIN!" He punctuates his last remark with a flash of blue electricity as he suddenly appears directly in front of the van.

---

I am assuming he stopped to talk me. If he didn't see plan C
Plan A - Push the van to help it turn around.
Plan B - If he doesn't cooperate I'll squeeze his front tire until it pops. I don't want to do too much damage and I figure there's a chance Lester has a spare on on his farm somewhere to replace it after the fight.
Plan C - try to execute a PIT Maneuver as the van passes him. Pushing the rear of the van hard enough to cause him to lose control and spin around.

I did some rolls, let me know if you need something else.
My PRE is 20  so ... (13-) (4d6)

07:04, Today: Goodguy rolled 13 using 3d6.  PRE roll.
07:04, Today: Goodguy rolled 10 using 4d6.  PRE attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:54, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 118):

"Good Gracious Goodguy are you a duly recognised State Official?  Not being from these parts I would not know... Do you not need to show some sort of Identification?"

Nope.. not deputized at all.. just a construction worker controlling traffic to a hazardous area. If you can influence his decision it would be welcomed.

One way or another that van is not entering the parking lot.

ps. My post above was edited slightly...plan C added.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:43, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 120):

"KK give me a minute to talk to the guy and I will try and do that. If that is OK with you GG?  However I will need you to watch the Mini-Gun while I do."
This message was last edited by the player at 15:30, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

OOC

I'm fine with that plan on two conditions. My post above has happened so events are in motion.

1. I'm assuming we aren't able to easily communicate so once you arrive and tell him the situation GG will return to the gun.

2. That you get there before The van drives past me. If he's moving I think my plan C will happen before you can arrive.

GM's call on that.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:17, Fri 12 Oct 2018.

As he dives Nighthawk watches Vulture intently, looking for a reaction to the screwed up scene below.

Drifter remains at his current position now he has noticed the arrival of a new flying individual.
In reply to Goodguy (msg # 122):
ooc yes events are already in play so let the drama unfold as it will.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:00, Sat 13 Oct 2018.

As Vulture comes into his sight, Nighthawk whispers over his com-link

Perception 17-, rolled 14 on 3d6.
+6 vs Sight Range mods.

Jarry takes off his round-rimmed, wireframe glasses and hangs them on the rear-view mirror with the jute cord tied on the glasses temple hinge, rubs both his eyes, and with shaky hands takes a homemade cigarette from one of his pockets. "It's Sammy Johns, man. I had 'Blues for Allah' but my deck ate it."
As Jarry attempts, with little success, to light the cigarette he continues to explain to Goodguy, his voice becoming more and more plaintive, his face becoming more and more distressed. "It ain't ME, man. I was just toolin' along lookin' for a beach. I stopped for gas, and this little bitty chick... I'm tellin' ya man, I thought someone had slipped me something 'cause she was, like, doll sized. She looks at me and asks if that's my van, and I say it is, then she tells me to drive out here. I have to drive down there and turn around, man. She told me to."
Jarry finally gets his smoke lit, takes a puff, mumbles something about how horrible it is, and tosses the ratty cigarette into a coffee can that is likely as old as the van. Those with senses keen enough may deduce that Jarry collected cigarette butts from ashtrays, stripped the paper and filters, then attempted to roll his own smokes.

The man in the van doesn't try to drive around Goodguy, and if it's suggested he responds with something along the lines of 'no, man. Gotta drive in straight lines so I don't get busted.'

---

Spoiler text: (Highlight or hover over the text to view)
The main game map, and the map for group 0, have been updated. Examine them at your leisure.

---

~So the shrew hired this man.~ Goodguy thinks to himself, his frustration turning to pity. ~ Well let's see what she plans.~

Looking at the man in the van. "Ok Man. Take her in and do what ya' gotta' do. I'm gonna get in. You'll be OK, don't worry. I'm here to help."

With that Goodguy walks to the side of the van and pulls on the door to slide it open and gets in the van.

---

If it's unlocked of course.

My plan is to let him go and hopefully this triggers the crushers into action. Or maybe the shrew is inside? One could hope.

If he guns it I'll let him go past. He's part of their play so not an innocent bystander. GG want to see how this plays out.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:49, Sat 13 Oct 2018.

still not knowing of this newest arrivals intentions or allegiances, Drifter is now considering her a threat.  Just in case that turns out to be so.
The Pacifier now trained fully on Impulse again, Drifter will ask her
"who goes? Friend or Foe?"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:53, Mon 15 Oct 2018.

Jarry nods, "yeah, man! She didn't say nothin' about havin' to be alone. Hop right in."
"Don't mind the bed, man, I had to drain the mattress and haven't done the refill, yet."
The van is tossed into gear and proceeds to the parking lot.

Goodguy climbs into the rear of the van and travels in with Jarry.

"Thanks Man" he says once he's inside. "So, what the F*&^ goin' on anyway? Did she say what she wanted?" Goodguy asks.

"All she did was tell me to drive the van to this parking lot, and then walk away. Man, I love this van. All the best parts of my life were right back there, man."
"It's not like she could drive it, you know. The only driver seat she could see the road from woulda been in a barbie car. How's that work, anyway? Some tiny little chick sits on the shelf between the Pringles and the Fritos and when she starts talkin' to you, you just gotta do what she says! Man, this van is my home. My apartment is convenient to sleep in, otherwise I'm here, man."

Lester pull his cell phone out of his pocket. The situation has changed so much he feels he should try to touch base. He works on a hunch seeing how much technology StreetDemon seems to be able to hack. He Looks up the phone number for Manning Enterprises on Google. When he finds it he presses the link and wait for an answering machine.

"This is Lester. Give me a call."

Not sure if it will work he hangs up and watches out a window as Jarry rolls into the parking lot.
This message was last edited by the player at 16:25, Sun 14 Oct 2018.

Stranger looked at StreetDemon as he made a connection with GoodGuy. "Cant say I have ever heard the term. The hard part is that there is a way to cloak yourself from a scan and someone stronger than me would just mentally step over me so to speak."

"Got a connection to Good Guy."

"I've got you, me, good guy, the drifter guy, the bird, the lady and her camera guy, and that is about it. If you got eyes on the underside of the place, if there is more than just one level down there I can try a rescan if that would help you."

Returning to his examinations of The Pacifier, Drifter starts to work with the aiming device ie "The Computer Targeted Firing Solutions"

"Pity none of you wanted to play with this Gun... Well too late now! I am rescinding the offer.  Now I have had time and looked it over, I am going to have fun with it.  Pity That Vulture Guy is so high. How much fun it would be to knock him out of the sky."

Impulse wasn't sure if she was being talked to the first time, being a few hundred feet away and all, and the matter with the van.

Anyway, she shouts down, "Friend, I think.  Responding to a rumored metahuman crime."

Nighthawk, seeing he is falling behind Vulture despite being above him and diving, accelerates to noncombat velocity in an effort to overtake. He stays silent, not wishing to alert his prey that the predator has become the hunted...

In reply to Impulse (msg # 136):

As if standing on solid ground Drifter floats or flies up towards Impulse.  Indeed he does seem to be drifting around on discs of some sort.

"So another stranger to greet and meet it seems. I am known far and wide, to some but not others, at times in areas both real and in other circumstances phantasmal as Drifter.

Some may think I am just a Demented sort of Street Trash... on aero discs but then I think you should make your own mind on that.  That been said I really must ask you one important question at this time and that query being Who if any is your favourite Smurf?  Personally I am rather fond of Clumsy."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:50, Mon 15 Oct 2018.

Goodguy feels the connection in his mind. He shakes his head a bit and adjusts to 'feeling' the presence of the group in his mind.

"This is Lester," he begins. "I'm in a van that the Shrew hired or blackmailed to park in front of the building. I have no idea how this will play out but I'm here. If they show I should be right at ground zero." Pausing for a moment because he's not sure how mind communication works. "Um...Lester out."
This message was last updated by the player at 13:15, Mon 15 Oct 2018.

Jarry drives the van through a complete u-turn, and says, "I really don't have reverse, man."
Once he has parked the van in front of the building, Jarry gets out, looks at the van, and says, "I am so going to miss this" before waving goodbye to Goodguy and walking off.
Jarry walks as if he's not used to it; as his leading foot reaches forward, the knee in his trailing leg bends and pushes a little sideways. It appears to be something he's practiced, but for no good reason.

Waiting in the van until something more happens.

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 141):
"Well would any up and coming Law abiding defenders of the under trodden who happen to be in the general area and who are currently planning on fighting the Crushers be interested in purchasing some equipment similar to what I have?

I should be able to supply some customers with Kinetic Fabric Vests for $600,000 per unit or an Assault Taser for $7,500,000... local currency of course.  Alien technology is somewhat expensive and a waiting period for delivery may apply.  Or if you have some other items in mind I could look into it, for a finders fee of course. "
This message was last edited by the player at 08:22, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

Street Demon mutes the "transmit" function on his wrist-comm.

"Yeah, see if you can extend the reach of your search," he replies.  "There's probably electrical access passages in a place like this -- maybe even a secret tunnel to the Citadel!"  He thinks for a moment.  "This don't seem like the 'smash-n'-grab' routine they pulled with the other places; maybe they actually wised up after seeing us on TV.  That might even mean they came up with a way to interfere with my seeing through the security cameras -- which means we gonna have to go low-tech, search the building room by room.  Lemme see if I can pick up anybody transmitting signals into the building, that might be spoofing my spell..."

---

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

[PLAYER-GM]
Street Demon will use the "Signal Perception II" build to scan for outside data transmissions coming into the building's security:

Signal Perception II:Clairsentience (Radio Group And Detect Data Transmissions), Discriminatory, Increased Arc Of Perception (360 Degrees), Rapid: x10, Targeting, Telescopic: +22 (59 Active Points); No Range (-1/2) Real Cost: 39  [Notes: With Telescopic Sense, Street Demon can sense every radio or data transmission within a 10-mile/16km radius at no penalty for range]

15:35, Today: StreetDemon rolled 14 using 3d6.  PER Roll, 14- to search for wireless or wired data transmissions.

[/PLAYER-GM]

---

While he is weaving his new spell, Street Demon asks Hatter, "We have any idea who the flying chick is, or what the deal is with that van?"
This message was last edited by the player at 22:44, Wed 17 Oct 2018.

Jarry walks to the end of the parking lot before stiffening and standing at what could only be described as 'parade rest'. He turns ninety degrees, sets down the coffee can from the van, turns back, then returns to his slouched, unwieldy gait and trucks on down the road.
The coffee can, on the other hand, suddenly begins to release an enormous volume of smoke. It quickly obscures the west end of the parking lot and for dozens of feet beyond it.

Nighthawk stoops from above and dives at Vulture. At the last moment he spreads his wings enough to catch air as he strikes at Vulture's wings with his claws as he Caws his challenge to this pretender to the skies.
C-CAW!!


OCV 9, 3 combat levels in attack forms put to OCV.

Rolled 10 on 3d6, OCV 12. Hits DCV 13.
3d6+1 HKA, rolled 7 on 3d6+1.
Rolled 4 on 1d3+2 Stun Multiplier
Attack does 7 BODY, 28 STUN.

NightHawk's talons screech on Vulture's wings, the impact drives his prey two lengths away. Vulture doesn't cry out, or speak at all. Folding his wings in close to his body, he plummets a few meters before somersaulting into a horizontal position and extending his wings for an experimental flap. The flap steadies him, and his wings go into overdrive in trying to move away as fast as possible.

OOC: The Vulture turns north and flies hard, moving 52m in the phase during which he was attacked.

Hatter shook his head, "No idea who she is, I'll need you to decide if you want me to scan under the building or contact her and read her mind. Splitting attention is a very bad thing for a mentalist, like shooting in two directions with one gun."

He translated for GoodGuy to Devil "'This is Lester, I'm in a van that the Shrew hired or blackmailed to park in front of the building. I have no idea how this will play out but I'm here. If they show I should be right at ground zero.' ...He has no idea how a mind link works... 'Um...Lester out."'

In reply to The Great Karnac (msg # 144):
"eanie meanie minie moe to which plane should we plan to go?"
[Private to GM: Hmm now that would be fun to experiment with... How much 1600 kg of gas  would be or if Drifter would even be able to expressly take such with him! If he tried to preform a shift specifying what he is taking with it? He expects it will only be about 1 hex worth but seeing as he is close to the Gas why not check out the possibility?  will be taking the mini gun with me as well, do not want to go leaving that behind. Pity no one has shown any interest in it.  Perhaps the Autobots might like it so much Drifter could negotiate a term of service for the Weapon.

"Off we go into the wide open Transform-averse. Transform-averse unto the sky"
This message was last edited by the player at 18:12, Fri 19 Oct 2018.

"That's... good to know," Impulse uncertainly responds to Drifter.  She is perhaps a bit more interested in other things going on around here.  The smoke screen is concerning, but dangerous; not for the first time does she wish that her flight suit had a few more sensors built in.  The two birdmen fighting seems like a better bet to engage at the moment.

"Excuse me," she says, before moving to intercept the Vulture, hitting top speed instantly.

OOC: 40m on an intercept course to Vulture.  I seem to recall it was mentioned he was cybernetic, which should make it easier to IFF?

The obscuring smoke expands very quickly, but at its edges it is seen to be dissipating just as fast. On the other side of the smoke, Jarry makes a sound akin to a squeal. It is the last sound you hear from that direction.
Impulse rockets skyward, covering about a sixth of the distance to the circling NightHawk and Vulture.

Nighthawk flies after Vulture, starting at 35m and accelerating. If he feels he cannot catch up, he goes supersonic to pass the villain, then loops around for an attack pass.

"Doom doom doom doomdadoom doom da doom."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:12, Sun 21 Oct 2018.

Goodguy hears the squeal and reacts immediately teleporting from the van in the direction of Jarry.
"Jarry! Talk to me." He hollers.

---

Teleport 1/2 combat move (25m) from van towards Jarry.

well that was ok... lets do it again this time I will aim for outside the Tardis and see if I can get an autograph from a Time Lord and Ms Donna Noble.  If they are in.

Heck I would even like to put in an order for a dozen K9 units if the fellow is up to the proposition.  I wonder what he would charge for them.  I hope he will not take offence to my Big Gun, you know how he is about Guns.  Would not be surprised if he knows it is a stun device as soon as he sees it.

Goodguy manages to get to the other side of the smoke, and Jarry is nowhere to be found. The area is surprisingly busy, though. As a female athlete jogs by out of reach on Goodguy's left, some sort of soldier in full gear does so on Goodguy's right. The soldier says, almost sarcastically, "good, you to can beat on someone your own size for a change."
Which makes sense, as Bull stands eight feet tall and half that broad. The behemoth looks at Goodguy, smiles, and says, "yeah, baby! I finally got someone my own size to play with!"
"Listen, buddy. We're here to rob this place, and we don't like competition. So it don't matter whether you're some goody two shoes or Adolf's little boy, we're gonna rumble."
No one can miss the whine of his boot jets as FIST flies in from the southeast.

With a curse and an excuse for it, knockout entered her car. making the engine roar big time in the Harmon building. So much time had been lost. She had been reckless and silly. And humiliated somehow. It was time to make it up for it. She needed a plan, and a place to go, in order to stop the Crushers.
She switched the radio on, till she could find a clue on where they might be. And pressed the accelerator to drive fast out of the building, inserting herself into the circulation.

"Come on! give me clues, you fellow reporters. Oh ! I know !"

With that, she switched the radio to the channel onto which that Joan journalist used to talk. With luck, she'd be on microphone and give her clues.

Goodguy bends forward in a ready pose and smiles at bull. He reaches out with his hand and points at Shrew. She vanishes in a blue flash of light appearing right in front of Mercury Mercenary.

---

So my plan at the opening is to use my telekineses like ability to teleport the shrew as described above and trip up the Merc. I have no idea what to roll so here's 3d6.

Telekineses (13 STR)
06:57, Today: Goodguy rolled 16 using 3d6.  Telekineses attack.
This message was last edited by the player at 11:59, Wed 24 Oct 2018.

"Hey Goodguy by chance did you keep in contact with any of our former team members?  I seem to have lost track of them. It might be fun to look them up later.  I am certain Director X, Cypher, Cipher, Megamind, Sariel, Seraph or Vrilstar would like to meet Knockout, Hatter and Impulse."

Hatter shrugged as Street Demon did not make a decision. So he did what he should have done and started linking the people he knew to be the good guys.

Mindlink: "Please give me a heads up of any new people who need to be in on the link if and as they show up. Patching the bird in. And you don't need to speak to use a mind link. You just say the words in your head like you are reading with the intention as to whom you wish to speak. It's like flexing before you pick up something heavy."

OOC: Is nighthawk resisting a mindlink?

Only if he knows who is offering it. Otherwise, his DMCV of 6 comes into play.

In reply to Hatter (msg # 159):

Mindlink
"Oh? So Mr Hatter:) what if we do not want to have our minds contacted? I think an unanticipated mental intrusion is something that I would normally be alarmed at.  It might be a good idea to give the mental equivalent of a cough or a hem to let someone know your about to do some mental shenanigans. I almost dropped The Pacifier in alarm.

Well not really.  Still I can see some people who are not so used to the Odd and Unusual being shaken so.  Most importantly though with your Mindlink in place I really would like to know if my emoji shows up as the words smiley face or as a mental :) ?

 Gosh if it all comes across as words this communication would really sound quite silly."

In addition I may as well use the opportunity just presented to privately ask you all once again.

Is anyone interested in purchasing Their Own Pacifier?

This Non-lethal Mini Gun is of a Unique design and is only available for a limited time. Very useful for Urban Pacification and Riot control.  Why I have one myself and am eager to test it out.

  Some response other than silence from people would be appreciated.

For all I know people may be considering it, I am inclined to think otherwise but it would be nice to know for sure.


... Err you know now that I think about it I can not actually remember anyone saying anything about it not being lethal.  I have just being assuming because it uses Rubber Bullets it was so.  This being the case I will be renaming it to The Splatter Gun, at least until I have tested it out.  Now where is that Vulture fellow?"
This message was last edited by the player at 07:33, Thu 25 Oct 2018.

Wherever the action was, she had to find it ! The radio told her nothing. So she grabbed her mobile, and called on 911. Dangerous as she drove at this speed, but lives were surey at stakes somewhere.

"Hello , Officer ! I'm Knockout, heroine chasing the Crushers. I need to know what's going on, as I have been pursuing them and assualted by them in the Harmon building during the last hour !"
This message was last edited by the player at 12:41, Thu 25 Oct 2018.

Nighthawk notices the new arrivals. He banks away from Vulture, who is too fast for him, and wheels about to head back to Manning. He starts going lower to try to accelerate into range of the armored F.I.S.T. One arm comes up as he radios StreetDemon

Goodguy answers back through the mind link, "You seriously need to work on your timing. We're in the middle of a fight and you make a sales pitch? When you have something for $9.99 let me know. I'm just a working stiff. Now if you could train that gun of yours in my general direction how about making it do some work?"

In reply to Goodguy (msg # 164):
"what better time is there to sell someone water than when they are thirsty?  This is not my world and this is not my problem.  But just for good public relations and good form I was going to help out... Now I am not."
I will sever the mind link if I can just to keep the lines of communications that little bit clearer.
This message was last edited by the player at 02:03, Fri 26 Oct 2018.

Hatter rolled his eyes, he would have to hit the bird. [Language unknown: "Loulle, larhe wer il era romwitrom. Sainec sipa ionnceeaueen tha all menven'ndeare maou con e etdi nabe sefola e p, forticive mo un manar al. Si, eauerenti si niive heic un e k str art. Illou te ain to haesmo latle as noosilfo ateureeau latra lessetmen mo ma hoou re int ni oulol trame comingter-ndeall, osni'ckin n fo tiothoalltra, ndhou ameectess pro reaessoun poutan essectard all k anyearain unore.]

12:42, Today: Hatter rolled 11 using 3d6 ((1,5,5))
ECV 6
Action, attempting to mind link the bird in.

You succeed in reaching Nighthawk's mind. If your effect dice total more than 15, you should succeed.
This message was last edited by the player at 05:24, Fri 26 Oct 2018.

In reply to NightHawk (msg # 167):

o.o When did mindlink to get dice? It's an on off deal. You had already been tagged with a mindlink 17 if that helps at all. I've got a lock on most everyone, it's just if there is a resistance at this stage.

In a screeching of tires, the red dodge challenger entered the parking of the building, revealing the blonde bombshell that made herself known as Knockout. She slammed the door behind her, and stood up in the dim lights, her red shiny plastic like semi armored body showing up like a fantasy of sort.

the Detective Broyko had gven her the hints she needed, and now, she was on her way to help good Guy, Street Demon and Nighthawk, with whatever they were fighting

OOC : tell me at which moment I'm supposed to arrive, and when I can act in the scene please :)

No resistance. Tou get your Link.

In reply to Hatter (msg # 166):

"Hatter what was that you just said?  I did not understand you.  Would you care to repeat it in English?  Presuming of course it was meant for me, I did hear my name mentioned after all."


This message was last edited by the player at 10:44, Fri 26 Oct 2018.

Goodguy zips out past the smoke, and manages to toss The Shrew in front of Mercury Mercenary. The Shrew pulls out the fancy footwork that led to her being one of the top female boxers in the country, and deftly avoids MercMerc. MercMerc, on the other hand, stumbles in his attempt to dance around The Shrew and falls down.
As Bull closes with Goodguy, Knockout's car comes screaming up to Manning Enterprises.

When the time comes Drifter will take a single shot with the Mini Gun at that Bull Fellow. For his own amusement.
This message was last edited by the player at 21:58, Fri 02 Nov 2018.

The scene was chaotic. Some kind of mist of smoke covered most of the building, and still, there were some Crushers on the prowl. Knockout recognized Goodguy engaged in combat by the Bull. The villain was turning her back to her, so he wasn't really a suitable oppenent for he. WHen you do act heroic, you behave as a heroine!

SHe ran towards both of them, but passed them, to intercept the two others, as Shrew and the Merc. And slapped a fist into her open palm, as a warning gesture.

"Ok Guys ! Now, you are not going to surprise me anymore! SO, surrender or go to prison passing by the headache case ! You're warned!"

SHe was blonde, magnificient, and cheerful, in a shiny red armor, and offered camera the best figure ever.

OOC : Presence Attack :


11:14, Today: Knockout rolled 21 (with 5 body) using 7 with the Hero (Champions) system.  What A knockout! III .

5 BODY meaning potentially 10m knockback less what the GM substract if any

This message was last edited by the player at 09:15, Sat 27 Oct 2018.

The situation was getting chaotic on the ground.  Still, for now, Impulse did have an known criminal in sight.  Even as the organic birdman peeled off, she kept on the tail of Vulture.

OOC: will go up to regular non-combat (80m/phase) to see if I can catch up to Vulture.  If it's not working within about a turn, head back to the building)

Mercury Mercenary stops moving, goggles at Knockout, says "DAAYAM" and stares at the heroine. The Shrew rolls her eyes, says "bet it's from a bottle. I got this, Merc, carry on."
Then she leaves Mercury Mercenary standing flatfooted, and jogs toward Knockout.
As NightHawk veers away from chasing Vulture and flaps towards FIST, Impulse passes NightHawk and accelerates towards Vulture. Vulture has gone back to circling the building while a quarter of a kilometer in the air. He regularly brings a hand to his mouth, so it can be assumed he's either calling the other Crushers or practicing his pucker.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:00, Tue 30 Oct 2018.

OOC : what is the initiative order of actions so far ? DO knockout act before the SHrew or after her ? So I know when to post

Inferno watched from the roof as the chaos unfolded, trying to determine what villains were approaching and who was engaging them and where best to lend a hand. Noting that all of the villains appeared to be engaged except Mercury Mercenary, Inferno activates his force field and flies out to join the fray as he tries to recall any info on the mercenary he may know. "If I were you I would consider doing as the lady said and surrender."

KS: The Military/Mercenary/Terrorist World 11-

This message was last edited by the GM at 04:31, Wed 31 Oct 2018.

Nighthawk flies in pursuit of FIST. Though their flight power is equally strong, Nighthawk's superior reaction time is allowing him to catch up on the foe.

She thought but at the same time, launching herself towards the Shrew, with her left knee and elbow lifted up to impact her both abdomen and head. It was quite a bold and brutal move, but assuming she succeeded, she could neutralize the Crusher in one hit, and make her fellow criminals think again, and maybe surrender.

OOC :

At her phase will attempt the following Half move + Martial Strike maneuver action

09:20, Today: Knockout rolled 9 (with 3 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  OCV Roll (+0/+2 DCV Punch/Knee Strike Maneuver).

Meaning she hits a DCV of 8+11-9 = 10.

She has herself a DCV 10 till next action.
This message was last edited by the player at 08:21, Wed 31 Oct 2018.

On a certain level, Impulse was feeling a little naked without a Vulcan cannon to use in air-to-air combat.  But that would inconvenient to carry, and perhaps a bit un-heroic.  So lining up for a kick to Vulture would have to suffice.

OOC: Doesn't seem like Vulture is paying Impulse much attention, which hopefully means she can get the drop on him.  Out of the sunmoon maneuver?  In any case, try and get into position to hit him at combat speeds so that I have some OCV to speak of.  Please let me know how many phases that eats up, if more than one.

02:09, Today: Impulse rolled 8 (with 3 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Stealth 14-.

02:12, Today: Impulse rolled 8 (with 2 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system.  Passing Strike - OCV 9.

If successful, to save time:

02:13, Today: Impulse rolled 54 (with 16 body) using 12 with the Hero (Champions) system ((6, 3, 6, 6, 2, 6, 5, 5, 6, 4, 4, 1)).

Oh, that would be so nice to have hit. :)

Easing the alien tech for better comfort Drifter briefly wonders if he should advertise The Store online?  It would probably make it a target for all manner of Criminal Master Mind wannabees, not to mention the Political hassle the State would give him. No not a good idea.  He can just imagine the furore an advert for Andromedan Assault Tasers would cause.

Pity Street Demon seems to be keeping a low profile.
 Enchanted Rubber Rounds would have been a novel idea.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:15, Fri 02 Nov 2018.

Just as NightHawk catches up to FIST, and Impulse catches up to the descending Vulture, and the smoke screen dissipates, an oddly-garbed man with a pair of machine guns steps out of the hippie van and shouts "lets rock-n-roll" before heading to the doors to the building.
This message was last edited by the GM at 04:11, Sun 04 Nov 2018.

taking into account that Machine Guns are generally considered weapons of death, Drifter follows the strangely dressed individual post haste. In an attempt to detain and question the fellow... appearances can sometimes be deceiving.
This message was last edited by the player at 23:22, Sun 04 Nov 2018.

Nighthawk flaps furiously when he attacks FIST. The hurricane winds blast at the armored mercenary, hurling him into the building with bone-crushing force.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:30, Mon 05 Nov 2018.

Hatter needed to confirm before he screwed something up

hmm
This message was last edited by the player at 23:38, Tue 06 Nov 2018.

Nighthawk responds

As NightHawk mentioned, Merc Merc did toss a grenade at him, but it did little damage. Immediately afterwards, Merc Merc was blinded by Inferno's light. The Vulture changed his flight pattern slightly, and Drifter hit Bull with one of the odd rubber bullets of his gun. It didn't do any visible damage.

After slamming FIST through the wall of Manning Enterprises with hurricane-force winds generated by his wings, Nighthawk is attacked by Mercury Mercenary by way of a frag grenade. The blast has no visible effect on the supernatural creature, other than blowing him off course by about seven feet. Nighthawk is unfazed, but his eyeballs gleam red as he peers down at MercMerc.

"You do know that Big Brother is very likely to be Watching"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:39, Sun 11 Nov 2018.

Apparently Vulture wasn't as unaware of her as it seemed, as he drifted out of the way of Impulse's high speed kick.
This message had punctuation tweaked by the player at 04:49, Mon 12 Nov 2018.

SD was idle, no big mental signatures floating about doing psionic things, so he did what he was hired on to do, act as a booster. He drew out that hover disk drone and stepped on. It was slow an likely take all his time to get down. He lost track of good guy, couldn't do much about the bullets other than healing after, but Knock out was in hand to hand if he wasn't mistaken.

The plan was to come down just within reach of his psionic limbs, Boost her, then head off to boost others not in hand to hand.

But first, he had to get down there.

Seeing the mercenary bristling with guns, Nighthawk flies to the Mercury Mercenary and creates another set of gale force winds. The winds drive the speedy soldier rolling across the ground right up to the building.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:49, Sat 17 Nov 2018.

not seeing any effect on his last attack, Drifter will switch his weapon to the device known as The Noisy Cricket (or so he dreams, being as is in fact a Taser and not the famous device from MIB) for his next assault.
This message was last edited by the player at 04:57, Sat 17 Nov 2018.

After he's blinded by Inferno, NightHawk's wind knocks Mercury Mercenary back to the wall of the building. Discretion being the better part of valor, MercMerc kips up and dashes along the wall of the building, quickly making his way away from the battle.
The Vulture begins to fall.
Inferno throws a gout of flame at StreetDemon, the flame continues and passes Drifter.
StreetDemon responds by activating his prepared attack, the resulting toxic cloud covers enough area to affect multiple people.
This message was last edited by the GM at 16:13, Tue 20 Nov 2018.

Hefting the ungainly weapon, Drifter takes aim.  His features set in an attitude of deep concentration as a shimmering stream of deep purple light shoots forth from the odd looking device, in the direction of The Mighty Bull.
When the beam strikes The Bull, he roars at Goodguy, saying, "YOU MAKE HEAD HURT".
This message was last edited by the GM at 18:55, Wed 21 Nov 2018.

I wonder how that is going to look like in the local tabloids?

"Goodguy makes Bull's head hurt" or "Goodguy beats Bull-Headed Vigilante" or perhaps even "Is The Goodguy a pain in Bull's Head?" :)
This message was last edited by the player at 23:17, Thu 22 Nov 2018.

Hmm Smurfdom is looking good right now.  Give Gorgamal a right good lesson in how to give haircuts.

Nighthawk's eyes become blood-red orbs as he cries "Hate Guns!!" He dives at Temper, claws outstretched, as his wings propel him forward. His claws slash at the gun-toting villain.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:49, Sun 02 Dec 2018.

The blow delivered by the SHrew just made Knockout turn her face aside, and she smiled low. She positionned herself hands guarding herself, and suddenly launched herself right onto her foe, trying to impact her with a maximum effect.

"Not bad. But you have to get more power than that in your strikes if you wantto achieve anything against such an opponent like me !"
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:17, Mon 03 Dec 2018.

Blinded by rage Inferno continues to attack the nearest visible target. Intent on rendering them incapacitated or worse.

Funny how time flies,  or is it sent by express post?
This message was last edited by the player at 06:50, Sun 09 Dec 2018.

Having scored on Temper, Nighthawk banks to fly in pursuit of the Mercury Mercenary. With the number of guns the villain carried, he was a threat to every human here. He tries to spot the mercenary.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:17, Fri 14 Dec 2018.

Blindly feeling his way around the building, Mercury Mercenary continues moving... at  over 200 miles per hour (336 kph).

Goodguy's tactical use of his ability to be where he wants to be without moving allows him to somewhat get the drop on Bull. Then the large hero puts his hands together and swings a double-fisted blow at Bull which propels the larger villain from his feet and almost fifty feet through the air.

Predator watched from not too far off.  If time hunting dinosaurs had taught the young man anything, it was that it was never prudent to just rush into things.  He watched as the heroes, at least he hoped he was right about who was who, had things well in hand.

"Maybe they don't need my help as much as I thought." Kitall thought as he watched the commotion, "Doesn't mean I won't be giving it though.  Never know a few more foes could show up."

Talk about overkill.  It would take a Supers Convention to beat this lot, lets see there is

Hatter, Impulse, Inferno, Knockout, Maximum Impact, Some Unknown person in the shadow over there... NightHawk, Nocturne, Could it be a ghost ntbd, Predator, Star Hammer, StreetDemon, Hatter, Impulse, Inferno, Knockout (that sultry minx with a mean right hook and a nastier Haymaker), A person who looks like they might be Maximum Impact, Oh and an individual who seems to be keeping to the shadows an entity that I might be able to NameLater as well as NightHawk, Nocturne or so it seems, Predator, Star Hammer and not to forget StreetDemon...

All we need now is Satan Claws that insane villain who should never be mistaken for Santa Claus.  Or was he just a Drunk Dream of mine? I would hope so for everyone's sake. And a rebelling kitchen sink.

"sigh" as if to a private line of thought
This message was last edited by the player at 09:21, Mon 17 Dec 2018.

With the fog of the berserk rage gone Inferno realizes his mind has been affected by Temper. Turning in the manipulator's direction, he roars across the roof and blasts down the building, bouncing Temper around on the ground.
This message was last edited by the GM at 06:01, Fri 04 Jan 2019.

With a sudden jerk Drifter looks up to the sky then down an ally, peering into a nearby cafe and into the pages of yesterdays newspaper.  A frown creases his brow...
"Now don't go thinking people did not notice you either you sneaky omnipotent entity you.  We can see by your Manna you are around."
This message was last edited by the player at 08:06, Thu 17 Jan 2019.

When Inferno leaves, StreetDemon snarls. Even so, a moment later he waves his hands around and sends a chunk of concrete hurtling in Drifter's general direction. It doesn't hit Drifter.

In reply to StreetDemon (msg # 212):

Oh now that is just great.  Here we go again, do I have a sign saying whipping boy on my back or something?

Well this will hopefully nip it in the bud.  One Trip to Dune, lets see if Street Demon would like to tackle a Worm of Arrakis?

Oh! on second thoughts Drifter will need to work with this fellow in the future and if he is Worm bait that would make things much more difficult to do so... With another sigh Drifter aims his cumbersome minigun in StreetDemons direction.
Boy this thing is harder to sell than trading a Tribble to a Klingon.
"StreetDemon I hope once you come to your senses you understand this"
This message was last edited by the player at 02:18, Sat 05 Jan 2019.

drifts to land behind the building

Dancing around like Ali on a bender, Shrew says, "Hey! Cheerleader's got some spunk. You wanna do mar kiss a queen bear a or just whack each other."
Then she throws a jab at what appears to be a seam in Knockout's garb, which Knockout avoids.

Phase 9 (when it happens)

"Let's see how you appreciate that whacking! You'll know there is more than one reason they call me Knockout." she replied with a counterstrike, her move been less elegant or technical than her opponent's, but able to get any foe down to her knees if necessary.

NightHawk overflies the roof and dives down to the ground on the far side of the building. He looks and listens intently for Mercury Mercenary, hoping he might hear the patter of the mercenary's rapidly moving feet. Once he has a location and vector, Nighthawk can plan a pursuit or ambush.

Night Vision, Infrared Vision, Ultrasonic Hearing
240 degree arc of perception
+6 range mod vs Sight

05:25, Today: NightHawk rolled 7 using 3d6.  Perception 16-. Made it by 9.....
This message was last edited by the player at 13:26, Fri 04 Jan 2019.

NightHawk flies over to catch Mercury Mercenary as the latter cirlces the building. Despite the hard armor plates in the mercenary's modern military armor, NightHawk's claws manage to splatter some of Merc Merc's blood on the side of the building. Mercury Mercenary doesn't break stride, streaking completely around the building.
Knockout strikes Shrew, who, as a professional boxer, does know how to take a punch.
Hatter drops from his drone just behind Knockout, brushing her shoulder with his hand as he says something about 'helping'.
Goodguy reaches towards Knockout's car, but mumbles something about 'classic' and then sprints towards Bull, vanishing when he's halfway there to appear behind Bull throwing a punch into the big man's back. This is, apparently, enough as Bull falls first to his knees, then forward onto his face.

"Lets go TriC, go team go... err I do not mean that literally of course."

If he had some Pom Poms, Drifter would be sure to be waving them.
This message was last edited by the player at 03:26, Tue 15 Jan 2019.

"On the road again. Just can't wait to get on the road again" Drifter murmurers as he decides to see if the TMNT are in their den, lair, sewer or what ever it is called.  Casey might be there.  He at least is pleasant company at a bar room brawl.
This message was last edited by the player at 01:02, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

Getting punched back by the SHrew, the blonde Bombshell smiled slightly, as they seemed to be as tough as each other.
She extended her arms, to get a good graps of her foe, trying to pin her arms by a bear like hug, and squeezing her. A boxer was good for nothing without free hands....

Hatter was rather impressed with how well Knockout and Shrew threw down. Most normal fighters would have been laid out by now but they kept on. The fact that Knockout got a grapple off was a rather nice opportunity. He leaned in and looked Shrew right in the eye. "Fights over, if you don't relax and come in quietly they are going to switch to lethal measures to take you down. I'd rather not have a champion like you as a corpse."

"Worse yet I'll just stand here and keep healing Knock out, making her physically stronger the whole time until she breaks you. Fights over, relax and come in quietly."

In reply to Hatter (msg # 222):

"How interesting.  But then it is said that the Ends do not Justify the Means... and it never had.

Has anyone wondered what Kal El was really like?"
This message was last edited by the player at 03:54, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

As NightHawk finally subdues Mercury Mercenary with a claw strike, Inferno does the same for Temper with a flame blast. For just a moment, there is quiet, broken by a number of shouted epithets, none of which seem ladylike in the least, from the blond boxer in the blond bombshells arms.
Two gentlemen appear to offer words of encouragement to the obviously distraught pugilist, and, as her lip quivers and she begins to cry, she surrenders.
As Shrew sobs quietly, and her compatriots snore, the heroes begin to gather those assaulting Manning Industries so the authorities can take them in. Impulse gathers both FIST and The Vulture. Bull, Temper, and Mercury Mercenary are, likewise, carried to the front of the building. The Shrew is lead, passively, to the pile 'o villains, and sits beside it, continuing to sob.
StreetDemon flies off on a cloud of smoke, ostensibly to contact Broyko. A hero calling himself Predator, known to the local populace and no keeping himself a secret, also arrives.
This message was last edited by the GM at 05:51, Fri 25 Jan 2019.

Hatter gave good guy a thumbs up and a tiny salute with a smile to Knockout. He was a registered psychic so any look up on him would show he had to maintain line of sight on Shrew to keep the mind control going.

He sat down in front of Shrew. "You've likely heard the lecture on recreational private time chemicals and how they kill you so I'll skip that one."

"I want you to consider that you can get the same jolt as if it was the first time without the draw backs. If you find that to be interesting enough, find me. We can work on getting you to the paragon I know you can be and leave all the rot behind. Just the joy and the glory of breaking your limit. I could always use an off duty body guard."

"Now, if you promise to behave yourself I'll recall the memory of your initial fix and make it real for you for a short time. No attempt at escape, no fits. Sound like a deal?" and it was a far cry better than him being stuck holding the mind control. Besides, creating an emotional dependency on a good guy is one road to rehabilitation and some day full conversion.

Nighthawk restrains himself from destroying the automatic weapons wielded by MercMerc and Temper, knowing they were evidence. He does think for a moment, then removes the firing pins...just in case the villains broke free from Broyko's custody. He regards the others, saying "I saw much of what occurred. Knockout, what happened to you? You never showed up, so I'd assumed you decided to do something else."

Busy with reapply some glossy lipstick on her plump lips, the blonde bombshell turned her attention back to Nighthawk, to answer his question.

"Oh yes ! I was on my way to join you guys, but the Crusheers ambushed me in a parking lot, and restrained me. I had to free myself before trying to join you. So, what did you guys discovered ?"

"The Crushers? These guys, or are there others in the organization?" Nighthawk asks.

"Not sure, I hope there is no more of them. I got assaulted by surprise." she shrugs her shoulders, and offers a brightful smile, although a bit embarrassed.

The Shrew continues to cry, choking through her tears, "don't do me any favors, pretty boy. Once they lock me up, I gotta lose it before they treat my little issue, so I might as well let it happen."
"I still ain't talkin'. Once I'm inside it'll be me against the world, anyway. Everybody wants to know if I'm as good as they heard, even if they gotta take their lumps to find out. I go telling tales, it'll just make everything ten times worse."

In reply to The Shrew (msg # 230):
"Why must it be you against the World? The World has nothing against you at all.  Miss your perceived problem is reversed and stems from your hassle with the people around you.

So you have a substance abuse problem?  Use another substance, one that enhances your biology but does not create a dependence.  Given the chance a decent Biochemist should be able to solve that little problem for you.  Have you even sought one out?  As for anyone doing anything to you in reprisal.  How would they even get to you if you were not even on Earth?

But if your still not willing to talk... It is such a shame, Ballybran is so pretty at this time of year now the Storm season is over.  So if you can hold a tune and have a steady hand you could be very rich and very far from the people who threaten you.  I would even go so far as to say the air on Ballybran would help you kick your addiction.


Just saying it might be possible."


As a mischievous smirk crosses his face Drifter glances over at Knockout and addresses her briefly before he takes a quick side step to avoid what he is certain to follow his quip.

"I am glad to hear you were assaulted by surprise Knockout, I would hate to think you were assaulted willingly.  The though of that gives me the heebie jeebies"
This message was last edited by the player at 08:48, Sat 26 Jan 2019.

Nighthawk responds with a quip of his own, saying "if Knockout doesn't assault you for that comment, I might end up peppering you with pinfeathers. Manners in front of a Lady, sir." He turns serious and asks Drifter "whatever happened to that reporter lady? She still inside?"

SHe raised a delicate eyebrow with surprise and embarrassement, as Drifter suggested things.

"Oh yes, total surprise! I'd not end up all restrained and gagged in a car's trunk just by myself" she muttered back with a slight blush, prolly because her ego was a bit harmed by her previous weakness. "Are you talking about that Joan reporter, Nighthawk ?"

The feathered head nods. "Yes, Joan Dillon. She and a cameraman went inside to get a scoop. I'd best check for myself." Nighthawk takes to the skies and flies into the building from where FIST crashed through.
This message was last edited by the GM at 07:38, Sun 27 Jan 2019.

In reply to Knockout (msg # 233):

"Ohh Knockout you would then be surprised by the number of people who stage their own or arrange to have themselves kidnapped. Some of them have legitimate reasons.  Like getting out of an Assassins scope.

Those newspaper reporters probably know more about the phenomenon.



Well Miss Shrew have you made up your mind yet?  The window of opportunity is limited. Heck it does not even have to be Ballybran... Do you have a favourite movie or book you would like to experience in person?  You night like the Many Coloured Land with the Tanu, Firvulag and all the Telepaths or The Star Wars Verse... Indeed I have a full set of Kyber Crystals from there so I would not have to drop you off on a Desert ball like Tantooine.  I do not suggest this as prudent though, The Empire would be after you in a heart beat and I would not like to speculate on why.

I like Road Trips, anyone up for one?"
This message was last edited by the player at 01:32, Sun 27 Jan 2019.

Hatter just closed his eyes and sighed as Drifter went on. "The offer was made Shrew. Take it for what you will, just remember I extended a hand just encase you need it later."

He shrugged a bit as talk went on about kidnapping. "Confinement of the senses boosts others. A blindfold to taste good wine makes the flavor deeper. Though it is good you are alright. Kidnappers are not to big on safety so cheers to your revenge."

This message was deleted by the player at 04:41, Sun 27 Jan 2019.

Coming through the bushes to regard the villains, heroes, and the sitting Shrew is none other than Darryl Starre, reporter and columnist for the Starre report. He smiles a winning smile, and sees that Shrew recognizes him.

00:30, Today: Darryl Starre rolled 9 using 3d6.  Positive reputation 11-.
Gets +3/+3d6 vs Shrew

"Ah, the Shrew. Shiela Brewster, isn't it? I've got your last Championship photo up at my cubicle at work. Big fan, even studied your style for a few months. I know you joined the Crushers for a way to validate yourself, but why haven't you gotten into training up-and-coming fighters? With your rep, you'd have to start turning away applicants. You'd make enough money to get yourself off the drugs and make a good living. Say, do you have any idea what happened to the Crusaders?"

Darryl hopes that by flattering the girl and get her thinking about other possible ways of making a living, he can put her off-balance mentally so she might spill some critical bit of information.

00:31, Today: Darryl Starre rolled 8 using 3d6.  CHARM 18-. Made it by 10!!

Sheila Brewster received her nickname for a reason. Whatever held her back up to this point seems to have faded as her tears dried up. She cackles, unappealingly, and says, "Pretty, pretty little Starre. Always askin' what we are, I think he's jealous just the same. Just like us he wants two names."
"Man, that was the rage last time I was in the tank. Me, I was wondering what you were pursuin more, the capes or Dillon. Did one of you dump the other or did you both decide you couldn't stand sharing the spotlight?"

"It's like a game of hot potato with a Shrew." The more people who showed up the more uncomfortable Hatter got. "I am going to strongly encourage that we hold off on any further poking of the Shrew until she has had a chance to seek legal council." And to prevent him from having to worry about re-upping the mind control.

He pulled out his flying drone and collected his tiny camera drone. "So at this point its drinks back at the base and figure out what happened or..."
This message was last edited by the player at 03:59, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

In reply to Hatter (msg # 240):

"Now that is hilarious Master Hatter! Taking into account that most of us are vigilantes and not part of any legal enforcement agency that I know of you are in fact saying lets take her back to this base of yours and let her go free..."

Drifter fades out to parts unknown
This message was last edited by the player at 05:37, Mon 28 Jan 2019.

"Well, we weren't actually deputized, or anything, but we are working with the authorities. Maybe we should let them decide what to do with these guys."

"Right..." he watched as drifter disappeared, this passing the buck. "Starting to not like that guy..." He didnt hate Drifter, the man was just insanely confusing like a chesire cat.

He clapped his hands. "I have a small studio for working on drones. Not a base but it is a place. I propose we all get there, have a snack and or a nap on some cases to heal up. We can all get good and introduced. Also so I can share the footage of the fight for anyone who cares. Generally debrief, it's important for heros."

"I'll stay here as a registered psionic and ensure the police get questions answered. That way there is no legal trouble."

"If anyone doesn't want to be part of my mental telephone system please raise your hand now, don't worry it doesn't allow me to read your mind, just lets us all talk to one another."

He shook his head and the mask even smiled. "First day on the job and I'm already inviting a pretty lady home. What a day."

Darryl's smile fades somewhat as Shrew's words burst his bubble. He turns serious and answers her "the story's important, but I've always felt that people come first. Joan doesn't agree. So tell me, Shiela, how'd you get mixed up with this crew in the first place? Thought you had more class than hanging around with gunslingers?" he asks. Her comments about 'two names' worried him. Had someone uncovered his secret?

"The Shrew made her choice, and she has to deal with it, and the authorities. We cannot subsitute ourselves to the legal system. After her trial, then, she might want to redeem or not. As for gathering at your place, it's ok to me Hatter. Give me the adress, so I can park my car nearby. I think we need to expose what we discovered, and what our options are, involving the Crusaders disparition."

Darryl searches the bodies of the villains. He explains "unless one of these guys is a computer genius, someone else is sending them out to get specific components. It's unlikely that nontechnical villains would memorize their shopping lists. So one or more ought to have notes of what they were supposed to be retrieving. "

Hatter made sure that everyone had the location to go without saying out loud. He couldnt legally rolladex the badguy brains but it was a tempting thing to do. But far better to let the cops handle it.

As everyone deals with the aftermath of the battle, a quartet of police vans come through the gate. While they approach, Shrew looks at her compatriots and murmurs "bunch o' creampuffs".
Detective Broyko is the first person from the first van, almost before it stops. He's very happy, and before anyone says anything he starts shouting at his men, "GET THE RESTRAINTS ON THOSE GUYS, AND SOMEONE TAKE FIST APART."
As the uniforms rush to comply with his orders while the swat team covers the bad guys, and Shrew giggles, Broyko approaches the heroes, "you're a bunch of lifesavers, that's what it is. These guys woulda mowed through us like a combine in a wheat field. Last time the swat guys ran into Mercury, over there, he took out their van and gassed 'em before they could lock and load. He didn't even shoot any of 'em, like they weren't worth his time."
The detective shakes his head, like he needed to get it clear because he had something important to mention. "While we were waiting here, Dr. Patrovich has been secretly brought to the precinct. After he heard about you guys and this crime wave, he said we better put you on payroll and get you to him ASAP. It sounds like one of those crises where we cops get to keep the crowds away while you supers do most of the work."
"We'll keep these hoods in our special holding cells, you can interrogate them there, if you like. So, will you come and see Patrovich or do I need to find new best friends?"
The detectives attitude makes it clear that when he called you lifesavers, it was meant literally.

Hatter made a soso gesture. "Let us all get acquainted and debriefed, then meet you guys at the police station after we Segway at my place? Right now there are things we have to go over that I can't talk about in public space. The only location I know to be bug free is my home in the city."

"Sorry, psychic stuff. But I do promise I'll include it in my report so long as it is classified. If you are to be our contact with the police force you'll absolutely be included in later meetings." Not to mention that head shake is setting off his Hatter sense a tad. The world is a funny place when you know what psionics can do.
This message was last edited by the player at 06:27, Tue 29 Jan 2019.

"Officer Broyko. Here is my card and number on it. Call it if any emergency happens. " she reached into her cleavage, and offered the detective a plastified red card, kinda shiny and smooth to the touch, with engraved number on it.

"I believe we never meet. I'm Knockout. A pleasure, sir." she added with her incredible cheerful smile, that added to her busty and statuesque physique.

Meanwhile Elsewhere

Moving above the streets and alleyways of Metropolis Drifter makes his way towards a certain Newspaper Building as expeditiously as possible.  He feels certain the people here will be just as happy to see the back of him as many others have before.  His Autograph book firmly in hand... Once he has got one, an onyx covered book with gold bracing and exquisite paper pages... If one is to be had.  Failing that any sizeable Autograph book will do.
This message was last edited by the player at 19:57, Tue 29 Jan 2019.

Hatter gave a bow. "See you all at the house. Send me your Pizza orders over the link, Pizza sounds like a good small victory meal." He took off on his over drone, but he was still present like a cellphone in a pocket ready if they needed to contact him.

In reply to The Great Karnac (msg # 248):

Hey, Broyko, if nothing else, I'd love to talk to the Doctor. Wasn't he employed by Manning to help set up the computer AI for the Crusaders?" Darryl asks, his notepad put away for now.

Inferno floated quietly nearby watching over the Crushers as the police took them into custody. "Hatter I will meet you at your place shortly. I would prefer not leaving a trail to your doorstep. Unless of course that is something you are not concerned about."

Inferno hung around until the Crushers were loaded up and headed to the lockup.

Hatter called back over the mind link: "The house was purchased with the express purpose of being destroyed in the event that someone is followed. Now if you followed me to my house in the countryside, then I would be mad if you didn't use caution."

Knockout stayed aswell till the villains ere all restrained and the police convoy was ready to go. She'd then take her leave in her red dodge challenger, and would order some pizza to retrieve before joining the group with them in hands, at the specified adress.

"Starre. Just what I need."
"You know, if it were anyone else I wouldn't trust 'em to keep secrets, and I think Patrovich has some. That's why he specifically asked to talk to these guys. I hear rumors that if you want the capes to notice something, you tell Darryl Starre. So, yeah, you can come to the station with me and meet the doc. In fact, I think I might have to insist."
"I can't say for sure, but the way he's acting, Patrovich is seeing something really big."

The villains are carted away, in police custody. The heroes disperse to where ever heroes disperse to. The most likely places would be:
Police Headquarters
Casa Del Sombrero

This message was deleted by the player at 06:28, Fri 08 Feb 2019.

Carter Manning looks at the screen in front of Dr. Ernst Patrovich for just a moment before he says, "there's no other interpretation. She's gone."
"You know, I used recordings of my wife to create the voice. Now I'll never hear it, again."
Dr. Patrovich shakes his head, "I cain't help you with that, Cart. Ya know I miss 'er, too. But maybe it's better this way, you can move on."
The man behind the manta mask chuckles, "so, doc, you cliche much?"
Ernst grimaces, "every damned day."
"At least we know Mocker didn't upload himself, you can reactivate the Citadel. We'll just need a new TEACHER."