"I'm intrigued. I'd be happy to meet tomorrow and discuss. Right now, 11 works for me. I'm interested to see how my artistic vision could be of assistance to you in whatever piece you are looking to create."

"Great!  I look forward to our meeting Mr. Dimas.  Have a wonderful day."  Jason hung up, which kicked on the radio once again.

... clothing line, so you can look just like me, Diamond!  Don't forget to pick up my autobiography, "In the Rough" by me, Diamond.  Available at your local bookstore.

Now the news, brought to you by WSQY's very own Tiff Pierce.

Fire crews responded to a structure fire at three am this morning in Gerrisburg.  Uncle Tony's, a favorite diner of the locals, was a total loss and the bodies of eight individuals were found among the ashes.  It is feared that owner, Tony Farone, is among those dead.  Tony was loved by many in Gerrisburg as a visionary who worked on many civic improvement projects and chaired several non-profit boards.

The SCPD Chief of Police, Jesus Ramirez, had this to say.  "The SCPD is saddened by the loss of one of Stark City's greatest residents.  While there is no indication at this point that this was the attack of an arsonist, we are not ruling it out."

Ramirez had no comment when asked if this could have been an attack by the Geartown Dragons.  It seems that the gang is growing and has aspirations of becoming larger players in Stark City's organized crime.

This is Tiff Pierce reporting, now back to you Herb.

Thank you Tiff.  Up next we have Incubus, Alice In Chains, and Jane's Addition...

The radio began to play music as Alloy pulled his vehicle onto the road that runs between the docks and the warehouses that lined the shore.  Just ahead Matt saw Agent Skarka standing next to his vehicle, waiving.  Just beyond his vehicle was a police vehicle with its lights flashing.

As Alloy put his vehicle into park next to Skarka's vehicle, he saw that two police officers had half a dozen ninjas, clad in dark grey except for one is a deep purple, bound.  The officers stood a safe distance from the ninjas, weapons drawn but they look fatigued.  Scattered around the huddle of ninjas among bullet casings, lie seven bodies covered with blankets. Casualties that Agent O'Brien spoke of.

Agent Skarka came up to Alloy's vehicle and said, "Hey rookie!  These poor boys have been here all morning.  They have a call in for a transport, but you know how spread thin the SCPD is.  Agent O'Brien requested that you lead on this one.  Let's find out what's going on."

"Jesus," Matt commented to Agent Skarka as he noticed the bodies. "Do you have any idea who the ninjas are, or who the victims were? I'm guessing you're gonna tell me this is some sort of gang violence."

He walked over to the officers who were keeping watch over the perps. "Excellent work, gentlemen. Once the transport arrives, I'd say you've earned yourselves some well deserved R&R."

Matt pointed at the violet clad ninja. "You there. Purple Rain. You want to tell us what on Earth could justify you and your crew going on this murderous rampage, or are you okay with a possibility of a death sentence for your little murder 1 party?"

Matt had no idea if what he said made any sense within the bounds of the legal system. He thought it sounded like something the lead detective on  one of the popular crime shows would say and he hoped it would get the leader of the group talking. One thing he remembered from his training was that getting the perp to talk was a good thing. The more they talked, the  more likely it was that they would say something useful.
This message was last edited by the player at 14:10, Tue 02 Mar 2021.

"Yeah right, it's a damn mess," agreed Skarka.  "I've not run into ninjas before.  But, nothing surprises me about Stark City these days.  Three of the dead are ninjas, while the other four victims appears to be professionals, judging by their body armor and weapons.  I only took a quick peak before you got here.  I don't see anything here that makes me believe that MAKO is involved, but hell, how can you be sure?"

As Alloy made his way over to the officers, he surveyed the scene beyond just the carnage.  The fight took place at the area where the dock met the abutment.  The bodies were scattered before stacked shipping containers that were piled down the length of the dock, creating a maze of narrow corridors.  One container stood open, it's cut chain lying before it.  In the shadows within, Alloy could make out that it didn't contain much.  There seemed to be one small crate, about the size of a large briefcase, that laid not far from the ninjas with it's lid askew.

Like the ninjas sitting before them, the officers' uniforms were stained with sweat.  The cop on Alloy's left nodded to Alloy, "Sure could use a drink."

Alloy turned his attention to the purple ninja, her eyes met his with without emotion.  "We have been touched by death and survived.  The will of our master protects us.  This city shall fear the Qing Ri," she said with a heavy accent.
This message was last edited by the GM at 14:10, Thu 04 Mar 2021.

"Your master, huh? You care to tell me who this person is that leads the Qing Ri?" alloy asked the lead ninja. He commented to Skarka and the two cops. "Do we know what they were fighting over? Have you inspected that crate yet?"

Alloy walked over to take a look for himself, careful not to disturb anything as he knew enough to know that the forensic folks would later be combing this place for evidence.

Both police officer shake their heads in response to Alloy's question about the crate.  The officer on the left said, "We zip tied the ninjas, covered the corpses, moved all weapons to the truck of our car, and then called for a transport.  Been standing here for a couple hours since."

"I don't have any idea rookie," Skarka commented.

Opening the crate, the Shroud found a piece of stone, packed in Styrofoam peanuts, that was covered with several symbols.  The symbols, some like blocks, other's like swirls, still others like objects.  Maybe some Chinese and Egyptian hieroglyphs?  The bottom and right edges of the stone were carved smooth, while the left and top edge were rough.  Not like it was broken.  The rough edges had indents and knobs that were perfectly cubed.

"It is not for me to reveal the master or his plans," hissed the purple ninja.

OOC:

As Alloy was bent over the crate, examining its contents he heard a hurk sound come from over his left shoulder.

"What the!?! I thought you had them secured!" Skarka shouted.

Turning around, Alloy could see the purple ninja dashing towards Skarka and the vehicles.  The chatty officer was on the ground, bloody hands clamped around a throwing star lodged in his throat.

BLAM! The silent officer released a round at the purple ninja, but the shot missed.  Skarka fumbled at his holster, trying to draw his pistol.

"Damn it!" Alloy cursed as he regarded the disastrous scene. Still holding the lid of the crate, he dashed towards the purple ninja. Alloy's powers turned the wood in his hands into solid aluminum and when he closed the gap with the ninja he swung the chunk of metal at the villian


OOC:
Making a prowess roll to strike assuming I'm in range.
09:55, Today: Alloy rolled 13 using 1d6+8 with rolls of 5

Skarka gave up on trying to draw his pistol, and threw his arms up in front to himself to protect himself from the purple ninja's attack.  Flung towards the ninja like a Frisbee, the now metal crate lid barely caught her on the side of the head.  Due to her previous injuries, it was enough though.  She crumpled to the ground, skidding to a stop right at Skarka's feet.  Blood began to soak her hair where she took the blow from the lid.

"Shit," Skarka quietly muttered as he relaxed.

The standing officer ran over and knelt by his partner.  "You're going to be alright Ed," he said as he pulled the radio off his shoulder.  "Officer down!  New Port Docks, pier 78.  We need an ambulance immediately!  Where the hell is that transport!"

OOC - I wasn't trying to throw the lid...I was running up to her and swinging it at her as an improvised weapon. Notice my post said 'Swung the chunk of metal' not 'threw the chunk of metal'

Alloy quickly searched the downed ninja, looking for anything on her person that would reveal who exactly her master was. After that he went back to the crate to make sure that the strange tablet was still intact.

Skarka helped Alloy roll the ninja over as they searched her body.  Cleverly tucked into a fold, Alloy found a shuriken and a small, stoppered vial that appeared to contain a gas.  Skarka put handcuffs on the ninja and dragged her over to the SCPD car.

Alloy could see that the characters carved into the stone had clean, sharp edges, yet it gave him this feeling that it was still quite old.  No weathering, wear, or tear at all.  None of the symbols were known to him though.

Alloy heard a vehicle pull up, the transport.  He looked over his shoulder, nope, it was the local news.  Somehow Dirk Hargrove, a reporter known to Alloy, was able to learn of this incident and arrive before SCPD and himself could get things wrapped up.  Hargrove worked for WKBR 7 Action News, and was bent of proving that all metahumans were to blame for the state of lawlessness in Stark City.  Dirk and his cameraman were rushing to get set up to film all that they could.

Confiscating (and pocketing) the shrunken and vial, Alloy approached Dirk and his cameraman.

"Sorry boys, there is no story for you here today. Well, I mean there is, but I doubt you want to report it. That is unless you're interested in profiling non metahuman gang violence. You know, non powered humans committing crimes and attacking local law enforcement. You could also tell your viewers how a metahuman helped prevent further violence, but that's not the story you want to cover now is it? So, unless you want to tell the city how a metahuman helped quell the lawlessness of gang violence I suggest you two pack up your things and let law enforcement do their job."

"Woah there," Dirk disdainfully looked Alloy up and down, "Alloy is it?  Small time freak trying to do the work of the real heroes."

"Almost ready boss," the cameraman said.

Dirk nodded to the cameraman and turned back to Alloy and said with venom dripping in his voice, "All I see here is a deviant standing over a pile of corpses, one of which is a officer of the SCPD.  Looks like you didn't prevent a damn thing.  I'm going to expose all of you aberrations for what you truly are, tyrants crushing the simple folk under your boots."

"I'm rolling boss," stated the cameraman.

Dirk turned quickly to the camera and pulled swing the microphone in his hand up to his face.  In a voice sounding grim, like he carried the weight of the world on his shoulders, "Dirk Hargrove, WKBR 7 Action News, reporting live from the New Port Docks in Gerrisburg.  I have with me the superhero," the last word said with heavy sarcasm, "Alloy.  Can you tell us what happened here, Alloy?"

"It's an unfortunate situation, Dirk." Alloy began. "The boys in blue here arrested these individuals after responding to reports of violence here on the docks. You know how it can be in the city, Dirk. All the gang violence and crime. The cops arrived too late to prevent the deaths inflicted by non-metahuman gang, but they did manage to arrest the perpetrators. Unfortunately, one officer was injured in the arrest but luckily I arrived just in the nick of time to stop the perpetrator from causing any more carnage. I really want to commend the police for their excellent work."

Dirk smirked at Alloy's comment.  "Can you tell our viewers what these ninjas were after?  It looks like they broke into a shipping container.  Have you determined where it's from or who was to receive the shipment?"

Alloy shook his head, "It's an ongoing investigation. I'm sure the police will release more information when they ar certain that it won't jeopardize the case."

Alloy could hear sirens in the distance, but by the amount of blood, the chances of the officer making it until the ambulance arrived were slim.  Alloy could see his partner's lips moving as words of comfort fell flat on ears that knew the truth of the situation.

"Does this have anything to do with the rumored mermen out of Stark Lake or the terrorist group known as MAKO?" pressed Dirk.

Alloy saw Skarka standing next to the purple ninja over by the police cruiser.  The agent waived at him and then held up his phone, pointing to it.  He then held it out towards Alloy and mouthed O'Brien.

"No comment, Dirk. As I said this is an ongoing investigation."

Alloy turned away from the reporter and headed back towards Skarka. He took the phone and said, "Agent O'Brien, the situation here has been secured."

Skarka walked over towards Dirk and started shouting at him.  "Get you ass out of here! You're contaminating a crime scene!"

"That's good to hear.  I'm going to pull Skarka off this and leave this case to you," O'Brien told Alloy over Skarka's phone.  "Have you found any connection to MAKO?"

The volume of the siren indicated that the ambulance was getting close.  Alloy saw the slumped shoulders and hung head of the officer as he held the limp body of his partner in his arms.  Too late and another cop dead, thinning an already depleted force.

Allow frowned, watching as the officer grieved for the loss of his partner. It reminded him why he decided to become a superhero as opposed to a full time artist. Maybe, just maybe he could make a difference and prevent a small measure of death in the city.

"The ninja gang claim to report to a 'Master'. Don't know who that is yet, but there is definitely someone pulling the strings. They were trying to boost an artifact of some sort. A stone tablet with ancient writing. Maybe a piece of a larger whole. Are there any mystics or archeologists we can call in to inspect this thing?"

"Hmm... Normally the rank and file of MAKO refer to their superiors in military terms.  We know very little about the leader of the organization, but we do know that he is referred to as MAKO Commander, not master," O'Brien explained.  "Unless we're dealing with something new here, it doesn't sound like this is a MAKO operation.  Mystics or archeologists... The first name that comes to mind is Jason DeMarkos.  He is the curator at the Stark City Museum of Science and Natural History.  He'd be a decent place to start.  If you find out there are no links to MAKO, I want you to turn over your findings to the SCPD.  I don't want to tie up BMA resources on something that is unrelated to our primary objective."

During the conversation with the BMA Agent in Charge, Alloy saw Skarka continue to berate Dirk and his cameraman.  The ambulance finally arrived and was pulling a stretcher out of the back of the vehicle.  Still no prisoner transport vehicle though.

"Jason DeMarkos it is then." Alloy didn't mention his earlier call or the fact that he already had a meeting set up for tomorrow at 11.

"I'll check with him about the tablet if the transport ever arrives to take these ninjas away. Where can I secure the tablet in the meantime? I'd leave it in my apartment, but I think it would clash with my décor." he quipped, knowing that his levity would rankle O'Brien.

One paramedic shook her head as she checked the officer for vital signs and the other was checking the bodies that the officers had already covered with sheets.  There was an unnatural hush that seemed to fall over the scene of death.  The flashing lights on the ambulance seemed like they were the only thing alive.

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.  He suddenly pulled his firearm from his holster, but to Alloy it seemed like it was in slow motion.  "The bitch deserves to die for what she did to Smitty!" the officer yelled as he stalked towards the unconscious purple ninja slumped against the SCPD squad car, with his pistol aimed towards the woman who killed his partner.

"Calm down friend," Skarka said in a soothing tone but Alloy could hear an edge to it.  Skarka was keeping it together, but barely.  All the death and nearly being taken out by a ninja had shaken the veteran BMA agent.

"Damn it Alloy!  Are you even listening?" Agent in Charge O'Brien screamed through the phone still held at Alloy's ear.

Alloy snapped at O'Brien. "I am, but you haven't said anything. I heard something about a safe. Look, the cops here are on edge and Skarka is barely able to keep them from losing their shit. Is there anything else you want to tell me or can I go help Skarka keep one of the cops from capping out lead suspect?"