Redacted arrives later traffic and all. He gets out of the car and looks around.

Flicker hops out of Redacted's car and says "thanks" as he zips off towards the burning building, and straight in. "Anybody need help?!" he yells.

In reply to Flicker (msg # 10):

Black Diamond passes the last injured person to Charge.   The fire is almost out.  The news helicopter lands and McGavin noticed Nightshade.   (It's the only motorcycle on the road)

The firefighters made sure that the fire was out with Ava's help.  The cameras focus on McGavin.

He says.  I saw the whole thing.  The criminal the media has named as Photon flew over the building and hit it with a ball of fire and then flew off.  I urge people to continue to give blood especially with so many escaped prisoners roaming around.   We at A.A.I. do offer those with criminal records to join A.A.I. and turn your life around like Black Diamond here. Every one needs a second chance 

While the cameras focus on McGavin, Tarina scoots the ice powered person away from Darrell and the news people. She asks them quietly, "Hey, who are you and what were you doing here? I didn't see you helping out with the fire. Did McGavin bring you here?"

In reply to Black Diamond (msg # 11):

After putting out the fire, Ava retrieves her board and turns off her wave projecting surf power.  She then slowly waddles over to stand beside Black Diamond.  Slowly, as she's drained a lot of water fighting the fire and doesn't have much left that she can move to help her stay fully mobile.

"Good job in there..."  Ava starts with. "We need to talk about our mutual 'friend'.  I figured out some information you should know..."

In reply to Majestic Ocean (msg # 13):

(To Nightshade) The man scoffs.  Hey. I did the best I could (there is ice above the building)  it's not like I could have covered it with ice and risk trapping those inside.   My name is Fire and ice and I work for A.A.I.

To Ava You mean about CC?  You know I never seen her apply more perfume to herself,  just the walls.. and she smells like perfume all the time

In reply to Black Diamond (msg # 14):

"Yeah, it's about CC.  She 'visited' me at the restaurant after you left.  Had a couple police officers delivering a tablet and paid for my meal with the restaurant manager.  Made the manager threaten to slit his own throat if I didn't open the 'gift', even going so far as to have the police shoot a customer as a threat."

"She uses perfume to mind control people, thinking she used perfume so that you wouldn't initially beat her up, just thought you deserved to know."

"Oh, and the perfume on the walls?  Designed to weaken the wall structure, that's how the Ultimates broke in so easily..."

"She asked me if I wanted to stay fat if no one was pushing me towards it.  I gave her a non-answer so she said she'd talk to Foxbat as to what to do.  That's what I think 'this' was..."

(Indicates the fire)

"Something to make me look more heroic, perhaps?  She practically advertised it on a billboard for me on my way here.  Just...keep that under your hat...considering I don't have actually admissible proof yet."

"How close was she to Photon while you were all in together?"

"Alright, I'm off." Once the last civilian is passed to her the CDs beneath her feet really power up and she is speeding from the building in an instant towards the EMT's outside. Once at the First Responder's she will gently pass the wounded person off to them.

Once that was does, and Black Diamond was back outside, she move over to stand in front of her. Then, extends a hand out to her to shake. "Told you we'd meet again."

After searching the building, as best he could, Flicker nods and mumbles to himself, "experimentation, phase one, environmental effects."
Moving as close to the center of the building as possible, he holds his hands up in a pose similar to the mime classic 'man in a box'.

In reply to Majestic Ocean (msg # 15):

McGavin heads back to the auto shop. Fire and ice followed

The media centers on the remaining group.

Flicker can slow down the few remaining flames but not put it out

Black Diamond shakes Chance's hand as she talks to Ava.  Mind Controlling perfume. That makes sense. But she never reapplied her perfume.  (INT ROLL) but "this" I don't think was her.  Yes, she has set a bank on fire before but she's "been there, done that" kind of crazy.  Besides. Photon was never in Stronghold (KNOWN VILLAINS ROLL)  I've never even heard of him before.   (She yells out) Hey Cowboy. (Sharpshooter) Why not join us?

"Any other ideas who might have did this then?" She asked, after shaking Diamond's hand. "So, willing to take these now? The bigger one in it had a number in it that you can contact me in it should you need anything." She offers the pouch of marbles again.

[OOC: 16:00, Today: Charge rolled 10 (with 3 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 5, 2, 3.  INT 13-.

15:59, Today: Charge rolled 7 (with 1 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 1, 5, 1.  Known Villains 13-.

Figured since I'm there too I may as well make the rolls too. :)]

After speaking with Fire and Ice, Tarina will head into the building as she doesn't believe Mcgavin's claim. Once inside, she'll look for any sign of how or where the fire started and any sign of theft or vandalism. Upon seeing Flicker she'll approach him and ask, “Flicker, what are you doing here? Have you seen anyone else inside? Also, have you seen any sign of vandalism or other crime the fire may have been started to cover up?”

In reply to Black Diamond (msg # 18):

Made the INT Roll right on the dot: Rolled a 14 on a 14-
Doesn't have Known Supervillains but DO have Metahuman Support Sites 11- and rolled a 9.

Sharpshooter joins the others. He says "I'll want to look over the place with the fire inspectors. The whole 'Photon' aspect might be a setup to cover up an arson attempt. I understand that this Cindy Cartell is obsessed with you? Why, might I ask? I saw her once before, at Nick's last trial. Didn't take her for someone interested in the 'family business'."

15:37, Today: Sharpshooter rolled 13 (with 4 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 3, 4, 6.  KS The Superhuman World 13-.

15:36, Today: Sharpshooter rolled 7 (with 1 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 1, 1, 5.  Perception 15-.

In reply to Nightshade (msg # 20):

Flicker looks at Nightshade and says, in a voice that is moving quickly into helium-fueled territory, "can't you tell? I'm slowing down the flames so there will be less damage as the fire is put out. I didn't see anyone else and no one answered my call."
This message was last edited by the player at 18:08, Wed 02 Dec 2020.

In reply to Flicker (msg # 23):


The fire is out and no one else is inside

well, here's the strange thing.  Photon can fly, but the fire blast was at ground level.  It doesn't match McGavin's story. Fire and ice was already here when I got here. 

Cindy Cartell may have powers now . She wouldn't be in Stronghold otherwise.

Photon is a new villain like Amok.

And sure enough. The fire started at ground level in the back of the building where no one could see them.

 "Well that makes sense because A.A.I. is dirty. And it has to be pretty bad if I know that because the bulk of the information was found while I was "detained" for several months." he says as the various people come together to talk. "Odds are Fire started it to clear the building and it got out of control."

"Outside I've seen Majestic Ocean, Redacted, Sharpshooter and Charge. I've also seen the AAI head of security, Darrell McGavin with his pet meta-human called Fire and Ice. Also, Black Diamond was supposedly rescuing people from inside here. You haven't seen any of them? I'm going to take a few pictures while you get things under control in here." she replied.

While Flicker continues to slow things down, Tarina is going to take pictures of the inside of the blood bank especially in all the areas near where the fire was burning.

While taking those pictures, she will use the cellular phone inside her helmet to call PRIMUS and ask to speak with Redacted.
This message was last edited by the player at 22:35, Thu 03 Dec 2020.

Sharpshooter goes to the back where the fire originated. From an inside pocket in his duster he pulls out a criminology kit and proceeds to test the burned areas of the initial flashpoint. He tries to determine if it was Flames or lasers that started the blaze, since the different forms of energy leave differents molecules in their wake. He says "I'll want to speak to this McGavin guy if he's still around."

15:50, Today: Sharpshooter rolled 9 (with 2 body) using 3 with the Hero (Champions) system with rolls of 4, 1, 4.  Criminology 14-.

Made it by 5.

"Places like these tend to have security camera's. We could look at the recording." She said with a nod. "Also, that being said. This Photon is new. In my few years of doing this he's never been around, he's just now appeared."

In reply to Sharpshooter (msg # 27):

"Question: I know this sounds odd, but IF it was a fire projector, COULD a genetic signature have been left behind on the remains unique to the individual fire projector that could be compared to known individuals to determine the likelihood of their doing it?"

(Glances sideways at Fire and Ice, assuming he is out of earshot)

"I'm sure I could assist, but I'd be more comfortable having an certified expert verify something like that..."
This message was last edited by the player at 13:09, Fri 04 Dec 2020.

Sharpshooter nods. "In my experience you COULD determine that, but it would require a Mass Spectrometer and a scientist who knows what he's doing. I've been a Lawman all my life, but most Science is beyond me." he admits ruefully.

In reply to Sharpshooter (msg # 30):

M.O. stops to think, stroking her double chin slowly.

"Ok, get Primus to gather evidence from the crime scene, specifically materials burned but not affected by water or snows, check surrounding cameras for footage - not that I think there will be mind you, and contact Primus to arrange for one of their scientist who can work a mass spec.  There's one at my college that you can arrange to use, I don't want us using one at Primus proper."

"I have an idea..."

"Is there a reason that you would think PRIMUS labs would be compromised by A.A.I.? Because they aren't. PRIMUS was investigating them during a very dark couple months of my own. Then the investigation went dark. No the labs at PRIMUS are safe." he says to the college kid with a look that says your college can't have what PRIMUS has.

In reply to Redacted (msg # 32):

The fire was definitely started by a fire cast not lasers

Nightshade you have been seen around these parts as you get your blood right down the street.

Tom, the reporter,  puts his microphone so every one can hear at home.  Are you suggesting that Mr. McGavin may have been lying?