Alloy could hear O'Brien get control of himself by the way he breathed before he said, "I'll meet you at the office in two hours."  Boop!  The call ended when O'Brien hung up.

Agent Skarka was shielding the purple ninja from the policeman.  Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead.  "This is not something you want on your conscious.  Please holster your weapon and let us take it from here."  Despite Skarka's efforts, the officer kept his pistol out.

"I'd be doing the City a favor!" the office spat out, choking on emotions.

Down the road that ran between the warehouses and the docks, Alloy could see a transport vehicle, lights flashing on its roof, finally making its way to the scene.  In the foreground, Dirk and his cameraman continued to film.  Dirk giving play by play commentary as the story developed.

Alloy put away the phone and approached Skarka and the officer, careful not to startle or upset the already emotional lawman. "He's right," Alloy calmly commented. "Think of your family as well. What would happen to them if you were hauled off to jail or worse, executed. People depend on you, people who are still alive. Don't disappoint them by doing something you'll regret. She'll get justice for her crimes, don't worry about that."

The barrel of the pistol lowered and the officer slowly holstered his weapon.  Dead-eyed indifference washed over his face.  Alloy could just barely hear him repeat his words, "She'll get justice."  The cop turned and watched the transport vehicle pull up.

The transport vehicle rolled to a stop and two haggard officers climbed out wearing riot gear.  They wearily began loading up the ninjas.  At the same time, the paramedics were zipping up the last body bag.  "What a mess," one said to the other paramedic.

Skarka walked up his car door and opened it.  Before getting in, he turned to Alloy, "I'm off to Stark Lake Naval Station.  O'Brien wants me to try to cozy up with Rear Admiral Marshall and get some intel on their Thunderstrike program.  Watch yourself Rookie.  You and I both know that O'Brien wants to see you crash and burn."  He rubbed the back of his neck and tried to give a reassuring smile.  "You did well today."  Alloy could tell he meant it, but Skarka was trying to get a handle on himself after today's events.  At the moment, optimism was something that was hard to force.  He climbed in the car and started up the engine.

"Thanks Skarka, I appreciate it." Alloy replied, closing the car door and watching as it headed off. As the last of the prisoners were loaded aboard the transport, Alloy returned to the crate, setting the now metallic lid on it to cover the contents before picking it up and carrying it back to his car. He refused any questions from Dirk as he headed off to the Stark City Museum of Science and Natural History. Hopefully Jason DeMarkos would have some idea of what the strange artifact was about.

The Stark City Museum of Science and Natural History, Platinum Coast, Stark City
Mid-Afternoon, Saturday

Alloy looked over the map display of the The Stark City Museum of Science and Natural History. It was a massive building that had one main hall and four wings as well as the newly constructed Tesla Technology Center.  Each section contained a wealth of historical artifacts and interactive exhibits, with guided tours led by those well versed in the area's history.  The map didn't show where the administrative offices were, just what type of exhibits were in each of the wings of the museum.  A little way from the entrance was the reception desk, hosted by a old lady wearing a cat sweater.  To reach her, Alloy would have to pass through a metal detector being manned by two sleepy-eyed security guards.

"Gentlemen," Alloy greeted the guards carrying the crate with the artifact tucked neatly inside. He took off the 'once wood now metal' lid and set it on the ground before carrying the rest of the box through the metal detector. The irony of the situation stuck Matt as amusing and he quirked a small smile at the guards as he passed.

Making his way over to the reception desk, Alloy politely said, "Good afternoon. could you direct me to Mr. DeMarkos' office? I believe he's expecting me."

The security guard nodded to Matt as he went through.  "Third floor.  Take a left out of the elevator.  His office is at the end of the hall."

---

A man looked up from his laptop when Matt walked through the door.  He looked to be in his late forties, with a full head of black hair that had gray on the sides of his head.  He wore a brown jacket of a beige dress shirt.  Around his neck hung a medallion, a pentagram inside of a larger star.  The desk at which he worked was had ordered piles of documents and small objects that looked quite ancient.  The book shelves along the walls were stuffed with worn, leather bound books.  His fingers continue to furiously type away a the keyboard.  "Is there something I can help you with?" he asked with an Italian accent.

"Mr. DeMarkos, we spoke earlier on the phone. I'm Matt Dimas otherwise known as Alloy. I know you wanted to speak to me about a commission, but I'm afraid I had an urgent criminal matter that just arose that I'm hoping you could assist me with."

He set the crate on the small side table, opening the lid and pulling out the strange stone artifact. Matt held it aloft as he continued, "Some gang members were caught boosting this artifact. Evidently it is important to some wannabe mastermind in the city. You've been identified as the expert on artifacts such as this and judging from that fancy occult looking pendant you're wearing I would have to agree."

He flashed a winning smile at DeMarkos as the man briefly glanced up from his typing.

"So, I'd appreciate if you you could take a look at this tablet and offer up any information you might have as to what it is, what it does, and more importantly who might be looking for such a thing."

When Jason DeMarkos looked up from his typing, his expression changed from annoyance to surprise.  "Mr. Dimas, you hold in your very hand one piece of the commission that I was to speak with you about tomorrow.  Although, I was expecting delivery of that item later this afternoon, among many others.

"You hold in your hand the Osiris Tablet.  Rumored to contain the recipe for immortality among the ancient Egyptian people.  I do have a theory that it is only one of four stones that combine together to create a powerful artifact.  This museum houses one already, the Ancelm Stone.  Another is in the possession of a private collector here in Stark City, which his lawyers are very good at assuring us was obtained legally.  The fourth piece is still lost.

"Delivery of the shipping container was to be handled by security staff of mine.  Please tell me they are alright."  Concern shadowed his eyes.

"There was an incident," Matt replied. "I'm afraid that your security team was attacked and killed. However, the perpetrators were apprehended at the scene and have been turned over to law enforcement. You'll have to talk to the police if you want any more details."

Alloy took a seat opposite DeMarkos, setting the crate down on a nearby table.

"I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news."

Jason's body and spirit slumped in grief.  It was several long minutes before he made eye contact with Matt once more.  "They were more than my security team... they were dear friends of mine.  I've lost so many over the years."

Quietly, Jason continued, "I was not expecting this, and because of my lack of foresight more are dead.  Do you know who did this Mr. Dimas?  You mentioned gang members.  Are you thinking the Geartown Dragons?  The Anarchs?"  Jason paused in thought, then shakes his head in rejection of those ideas.  "From what little I know of those gangs, the Tablet doesn't seem like something they would be interested in."

"You don't strike me as an police officer Mr. Dimas.  How is it that you ended up with the Tablet?"  A hint of suspicion crept into Jason's voice.

Matt pulled out his badge and slid it across the desk to show DeMarkos. "Bureau of Metahuman Affairs. I'm afraid the details of the case are under investigation. If you want to help us though, you can tell us everything you know about this tablet and why someone would want to steal it. Exactly what power is supposed to be granted by the four pieces of this artifact?"

"As I mentioned, myth has it that it grants the person who unlocks its mysteries life unending.  I've been around long enough to know that things are rarely as they seem.  Look here," Jason pointed out a hieroglyph.  "This is clearly an ancient Egyptian symbol, but it has this extra accent or flair to it.  The Ancelm Stone also has some hieroglyphs on it, that are have more to them than the standard characters found on Egyptian artifacts.  And look here and here, Jiaguwen, an ancient pictograph system of ancient China... again with a little extra.  This here is Mapudungun, from the people who inhabited ancient Chile.  And finally this..." Jason points to another character, "which I have no clue what it is.  Seeing the Osiris Tablet helps support my theory that these stones are part of a whole.  These same four systems of written language are also found on the Anclem Stone."

"If you could tell me more about this gang that was involved in the..." A deep sadness washed over his face again after the distraction of sharing his knowledge was spent.  "In the death of my friends, I might be able to help more."

Matt shook his head, "The assailants were dressed as ninjas. Grey outfits, except their leader who was dressed in a dark purple. They referred to their 'Master', clearly the individual intent on getting their hands on the four fragments if, as you say, they comprise a more powerful artifact. Does any of that sound familiar to you?"

Matt listened to Jason's response before replying, "I suggest that you secure the Osiris fragment and the Anslem stone in separate and secure locations as I would expect that this Master will make another attempt at securing the relics. The extra security should only be necessary until this individual is apprehended, hopefully sooner than later."

"Ninjas?" Jason asked, his face screwed up in thought.  "Well that's unique.  Isn't unique good when there is a problem to solve?  Off the top of my head, I don't recall any ninja sightings in Stark City recently.  Has there ever been any ninja sightings?  This is something I can look into, but I have the pressing matter of getting the remaining contents of the shipping container to the museum and identifying..."  He couldn't bring himself to say the remains.  "Agent Dimas, I truly appreciate your assistance.  Might I suggest we retain our meeting time tomorrow?  Perhaps more details will be revealed overnight and it is the security of these relics that I wished to discuss with you."

"Certainly, assuming nothing pressing pulls me away. Be careful Mr. DeMarkos. It seems that someone wants to take possession of these artifacts and they will not hesitate to use whatever means necessary. I'll see you tomorrow at our prearranged time."

And with that, Alloy headed out of the museum, back to the streets. He texted O'Brien and let the agent know that the tabled had been safely delivered to the museum.

BUZZ  BUZZ  Matt's phone alerted him of a message just when he was getting to his car.  He saw his last message to Agent John Gerald O'Brien and then his superior's reponse.

OOC - Okay, I am confused. I see this line - Half hearing O'Brien talking about the safe at the BMA office, Alloy watched the SCPD officer's face shift from resignation to absolute fury. , but honestly I the player didn't understand that it meant that O'Brien wanted the tablet to be stored at the BMA office. I thought there was no answer from O'Brien as to his question.

Alloy would have taken the tablet to the BMA instead of leaving it at the  museum. Can we just say he did that?

OOC - That works for me. Let's go with it

Alloy texted O'Brien:



True to his word, he made his way over the O'Brien's office, assuming nothing waylaid him enroute.

It was a clear blue sky as Matt made his way through Stark City to the office of the Bureau of Metahuman Affairs.  He played out the days events in his mind and tried to piece it all together.  Music droned on the radio...

Gloria sent me pictures of my boy
Got my pills 'gainst mosquito death
My Buddy's breathin' his dyin' breath...

We interrupt this song to bring you breaking news.  Its was a bad day to be in Mercy Park.  Doctor Arctic was sighted at a park at Sherwood Park.  Four unnamed capes battled the villain but he escaped.  SCPD report that one civilian was injured during the confrontation.  And just a few blocks away, zombies were dispatched by two capes but disappeared before authorities were able to arrive on the scene.  Stay tuned for more details as they develop.

Music just started to play again as Matt rolled into a parking spot in front of the office building.  Since it was late on a Saturday afternoon, dark were many of the other offices that shared the same building as the BMA.  A couple poor saps could be heard beating away at their keyboards as Matt shuffled down the hallway to meet up with the Agent in Charge.

Before Matt could open the office door far enough to step through, O'Brien began his assault.  "Well you've certainly made a damn mess of things.  Handing over evidence to any Tom, Dick, or Harry that you come across.  I told them putting a damn meta on my staff would be a disaster.  Every move you make proves me right!  Hell!  I've already missed my goddaughter's birthday waiting for your ass to show up.  Tell me Dimas... tell me about something you've done right."

Matt quietly listened to O'Brien's diatribe, his anger building as the man ranted on. Between gritted teeth Matt replied, "I prevented a squad of police officers from being slaughtered by a gang who, by the way is likely being backed by a supervillain. Oh, and I followed your damn orders in taking the artifact to DeMarkos to examine. I suggest you put a team of agents on the museum to watch over the two fragments that they now house, because according to the expert the four fragments of the tablet unlock the secret to immortality."

He took a seat in a waiting chair opposite O'Brien's desk, scowling over at his boss as he angrily continued. "You tell me how many lives you saved today, hmmm? I know I'm not an academy trained agent, so I'm sorry if my liberal arts educated ass isn't up to your level of approval. I never wanted to be a cop, didn't ask for my powers, but I'm trying to do the best with what I've got. You want to reject my help because I don't fit your idea of what an agent should be then fine. I'll go back to my art and hit the talk show circuit explaining to them how I was fired because of anti-meta discrimination. Ironic, isn't it that the Bureau of Metahuman Affairs doesn't want any metahuman help."

Matt calmed a bit, sitting back in his chair. "So, are you just going to keep on complaining or are you going to do anything to actually help me?"

O'Brien leaned back in his chair and adjusted the knot of his red tie.  He tried to look collected but the throbbing vein in his neck, as well as the scarlet shade of his complexion, betrayed his posture.  He slowly reached out to align a pencil with a blue pen that rested next to his mouse pad.  "Team of agents?" O'Brien asked sarcastically.  "Eight agents work out of this office, Dimas.  Two of which are in this damn room.  This office's primary task is to investigate the high number of MAKO attacks in Stark City and finding their origin point.  Right now, you have nothing to prove that this artifact is... or isn't linked to MAKO activity.  So, I'm not going to pull you off this assignment.  But I sure as hell, won't be pulling the other agents off their assignments either!"

O'Brien took a deep breath.  "Here's some helpful advice.  Go out there and get your hands dirty investigating this case.  You find MAKO entwined in this and then I'll see what I can do about providing you with additions resources."

Matt threw up his hands, rising in frustration as he spat back, "Fine. If that's the way it is going to be. Why should I even bother working for you at all? Maybe I should just find some other metas and deal with this myself."

And with that, Matt stormed out, not even bothering to look back as O'Brien began another angry reply.

Too be continued in Issue #1: Sins of Stark City!