[IC]Dare To Dream! (M&M)

[SwordCoastTaxi]

https://marvel-b1-cdn.bc0a.com/f00000000067087/www.bdcnetwork.com/sites/bdc/files/styles/content_display_image/public/gensler-cities-2050.jpg?itok=VpKYR3vP

Monday, January 4, 2021, 9:00 a.m., 50°F, Sunny

In Freedom City, millions of people live, work, and play every day. Like most big cities, Freedom City has a schism between rich and poor, but people don’t always let themselves notice it. In the new high-rise apartments and sprawling manors, the wealthy have lives of leisure, uninterrupted by the occasional plot to rob or blackmail them. Others aren’t so lucky and struggle with poor living conditions, or work in a constantly changing world that seems to have left them behind. Some don’t even have that and face life out on the streets with nowhere to turn.

Like the worlds of normal people, most people in Freedom go about their daily lives. They go to work, complain about traffic and construction, go out for lunch or dinner, and go home to their families at night. Evenings and weekends, they find time to get out and enjoy some of the unique things the city has to offer. This is the majority of the citizenry—middle class and comfortable. Life in Freedom City is many things, regardless of income and living conditions, with some perhaps finding Freedom dull.

Now, a new chapter is about to be written that will not only change Freedom City, but the entire planet itself may never be the same again .....

[GravityEmblem]

Ellen stares at the pages she needs to color, sighing deeply. She's tired of this...busywork. Sighing again, she stares out the window, searching for some crime or somesuch to stop. She feels a bit guilty for wanting the law to be broken, but she's just so desperate for something.

[Volthawk]

On a table in the garage of the house Adrian was staying in lay an assortment of technology, the X-3 Traversal Suit laid bare for maintenance. He had the house, owned by an old friend (who, after an initial period of surprise, he'd convinced to let him stay and keep quiet about him for now), to himself for a while, so he was taking the opportunity to do more intricate work without having to worry about the kid coming in and messing with something.

The child. It still felt strange to think about him. The last time he'd seen the kid's father, his best friend at the time, he was a 25-year old with no interest in settling down any time soon. Now, only feeling like a year later to Adrian, the man was a 35-year old husband to a woman he'd never met and father to a six year old. It was just something he hadn't really gotten used to. Sighing, he snaps himself out of his thoughts. He was here to work on the suit, not to daydream. As he looks over the sections of the suit in front of him, he nods, starting to reassemble the pieces. Everything looked as good as it was going to get as things stood. Time for another test.

Wearing the suit always felt a little...comforting, he supposed. Sure, in the other world he didn't need to wear it 24/7, and since his return he'd enjoyed being able to walk around in normal clothes without having to worry, but it'd saved his life so many times that he just felt secure as he slipped the helmet on, activated the seals, and felt the subtle hum of the shields becoming ready. He'd noticed the people he was staying with have rather more mixed feelings, though, which he more or less understood, given the power it possesses and the strain that weirdness put on an already awkward situation. Still, today was for working on the suit, not dwelling on the state of his social life, so he put thoughts like that to one side as he began running through the suit's systems in order, trying them out and making sure they all functioned at peak efficiency, the same as they did the last time they did this. He was going to have to face things sooner or later - he needed to either give up on this idea of his or actually make his move, do something, and put himself out there for the world to see.

[Chronomancer79]

Deo sits up to hearing his phone buzzing. His head was killing him, he really needed to stop hitting the bottle and cocaine quite so hard, who the **** is calling so early on Mon after New Year he looked over at Alice, his extremely hot and smart girlfriend, he’ll he already knew he would marry her just not yet, oh and he need to curb his drinking before he could ask. He finally grabs his phone and it was Kevin and his frat before a wanting to get together, **** he just wanted a day in bed he will get back to them later . Deo breathes and starts to wake up. He texts the chef to make them something and looks at his phone for news wishing for the right moment to make himself known. He goes to the window opening it wide looking out over the city form his penthouse apartment. Sipping his burbon and watching.

[Rhyvurg]

John is from to his studio apartment to the temp agency he'd been getting work through lately. Work had been pretty good lately, he was considering stopping by the market and treating himself for dinner. Provided nothing happened to take up his time, but if often did. Fortunately, his skin let others know pretty fast who they were dealing with, and most common muggers turned tail rather than try to fight. His costume (it was still strange to think of it like that) was under his normal clothes, but it had been a few weeks since he'd actually displayed it. Not for the first time, he wondered if he could get paid to be a super hero, maybe he could finagle a job with the FCPD... Stepping around a puddle, not for the first time he considered just flying, but he enjoyed the mundanity of doing thins the normal way, it helped him feel grounded.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Mood (https://youtu.be/RxabLA7UQ9k)

Saint:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/77/1f/83/771f833db50a887d8cfb6409fd299bfd.jpg

Walking the busy pedestrian-filled sidewalk John can't help but notice people going out of their way to avoid bumping into him. As he crosses the street to the agency's block, John easily sees a crowd of mostly men in casual attire clutching cameras rushing across ahead of him from nearby vehicles towards a corner restaurant ahead of him! The doors swing open as two large men in dark suits open the doors and a tall, older woman exits the restaurant smiling, just as the paparazzi reaches her snapping photos like piranhas attacking a lame fish ---!

https://www.deutsche-kinemathek.de/sites/default/files/public/styles/sdk-medium/public/Festivals/2020/Hommage/helen_mirren_teaser.jpg?itok=S_ujMg0u

She raises her hands to them looking around and catches John's eye as he comes to the adjacent curb, photographers blocking the sidewalk. Her eyes widen as she gazes at John, staring at him as if she --- then she blinks repeatedly lowering her head and turns her attention to the paparazzi, addressing them with a smile.

Suddenly, the smartphone tone signaling an emergency sounds across myriad cellphones in the area! Simultaneously, sirens begin to echo around the city! A photographer says to another aloud, "Hold up, boys --- we got an explosion and gunshots reported on the Pramas Bridge!!" The paparazzi pocket their phones and scatter, dashing for their vehicles across two streets!

The woman looks at them and almost smiles, then she's escorted to her limousine outside the restaurant where she steps into an opened rear door, giving John another glance as she ducks inside the car, and the door slams closed as it speeds away!


Sparkle Knight:
https://media.timeout.com/images/105630800/750/422/image.jpg

As she stares outside, Ellen's phone rings! It's her editor: "Good News is Castle Comics has picked up a new comic; Dr. Eldritch! It's a head-trip supernatural comic with socio-psychological themes that are meant to be done SERIOUS." The editor pauses for that. "We need your concept Friday (4 days from now). This is our moment. We wanted deeper penetration. YOU wanted something deeper. Gotta be win-win, right?"

Her cell rings signaling an emergency: reports of an explosion and gunfire on the Pramas Bridge!!

Her editor says, "Ellen? You with this?"


Nomad:
https://www.archdaily.com/889077/new-renderings-show-off-plans-for-what-could-become-portlands-future-tallest-building/5a848971f197ccbd8c000069-new-renderings-show-off-plans-for-what-could-become-portlands-future-tallest-building-image

As Adrian was working his tech, Dr. MacLeod entered the room, his cane striking the floor in mathematic-rhythm.
https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/xmenmovies/images/5/5c/Magneto1.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/340?cb=20120105045814

Stopping at Adrian's table, he laid his cane aside and began fumbling with the hero's assembled parts. He "hummed" with each part he examined, then said, "There's some rambling … about …." He held up a laser-condenser that focused the powerline into a super-capacitor, "... your 'being here'. And all." He gave all the pieces a swift examination, then softly drew his hand to Adrian's, while looking him in the eyes, "Don't worry --- I've covered your --- 'absence'. But, at some point, you'll need to explain --- where you've been, how you got there, and of course, how you --- returned. To us."

MacLeod smiled as he eyed Adrian. Then he laughed! He said, "Y- His and your cellphones sounded an emergency: an explosion and gunfire were reported at the Pramas Bridge! The doctor eyed his cell and said, "Well. It begins …. Again …" He glanced at Adrian and said, "GO." The good doctor knew something ….


Windfall:
https://i.pinimg.com/originals/1c/bf/2c/1cbf2c188069881d785880b3d3b5b3f0.jpg

The wide, "elite" angle of Freedom City, its skyscrapers and Midtown buildings greeting him, Deo saw the province as few people would ever. Mingled with the drugs and alcohol, he felt a tinge of Power. As if nothing could ever stop him. It was born intoxicating, and fearsome, all at once ...

Then, the computer, TV and cell all erupted at once! There was gunfire and explosions reported to 911 at the Pramas Bridge!

He got an immediate text from his frat brothers: "Bottles and hoes at Pramas!" They followed with a series of gifs and memes about 'the End of Freedom City' …. but, was it, time for ...

[Volthawk]

Adrian nods in response to MacLeod, the suit's helmet hiding his small smile. He wasn't initially sure about going to him before returning to his old life properly, but it had worked out. It was good to know that he still had a friend in ASTRO he could rely on when the time came. That train of thought is quickly derailed by the alert - he didn't have the luxury of choosing whether or not to commit at some distant point in the future, this was it. He had to go now or give all this up.

MacLeod's comment gives him slight pause, the helmet hiding flash of doubt on Adrian's face this time. What is beginning again - what has he not been telling him? They would need to talk when he got back, but for now the doctor was right - he needed to go. Activating the suit's Translocator, Adrian vanishes, reappearing for a second elsewhere before disappearing again, making his way to the bridge much faster than he would travel on foot.


Adrian's Teleport 6 teleports him 1800ft as move action, so double-moving gets him moving at roughly 2/3 mile a round, so it shouldn't take him too long to arrive.

[Rhyvurg]

John tries to be cordial with the people trying to avoid him, smiling and offering a small wave, but he's not too surprised. However, he is very surprised when a crowd of people is lured away from a seemingly important woman with a report of gunfire and explosions. It seemed just a bit convenient, but he couldn't very well ignore it. He notes the name of the restaurant the woman came out of and makes a mental note about her car, then lifts off the ground to head for the Pramas Bridge, accelerating once he's above the roof line. He mentally shrugged, maybe he was just being paranoid, there's no way someone would just have a crisis ready on call in case she wanted to ditch the press. But she did seem to pay attention to John himself...was this more about him than the photographers? No way, that's impossible.

[Chronomancer79]

Deo allows his kind and body to work as one. He quickly gets dressed in his custom, writes his girlfriend a quick note he would be right back and sends his friends some quick memes. He rushes off at top speed to the action.

use quickness and super speed to do this all in less then a second

[GravityEmblem]

Ellen responds, "You got it! I'll start working right away!" She hangs up and transforms into Sparkle Knight--perhaps a bit rashly--and opens the window. She starts flying, fast as a car on the highway, to the bridge.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

http://www.massivesoftware.com/images/wwz/street-final.jpg
9:01 a.m.

As the heroes near Pramas Bridge, the quarter-mile leading up to it is filled with fleeing pedestrians! Over a hundred people, men, women and children, running for their lives in terror! Those arriving by 10th Street, which flows right to the bridge, have to slow down in order to avoid the frightened mob!

https://h7f7z2r7.stackpathcdn.com/sites/default/files/images/articles/calif-ap.jpg

Pramas Bridge has two levels: the top has traffic running south to Bayview and the lower level runs north for traffic heading for Riverside. As the heroes reach the bridge they see abandoned vehicles of all kinds --- many left running, doors open --- in bumper-to-bumper gridlock! Looking out across the upper deck, the heroes see a large, grey cloud of some kind of gas - probably smoke (?) - hovering around the center of the bridge obscuring view of everything within or beyond it! The sound of intermittent automatic gunfire echoes from that same area!

The sound of multiple (police) sirens fills the air around Freedom City, but FCPD has yet to arrive …!


The bridge is roughly 4,000 feet long. The smoke-filled area is halfway across: roughly 2,000 feet away from the bridge entryway. None of the heroes would expect other heroes to arrive. I'm estimating arrival time to be (in order): Windfall, Saint, Nomad, then Sparkle Knight. The Initiative order reflects, primarily, your action order vs. the bad guys, but you can post as you like, keeping in mind who acts before you. This is the "Superhero Team-Up" scene: are the others good guys or bad guys? Communication is key here: Do they ask questions to the fleeing pedestrians? Do they question each other?

Let me know with your post where your hero arrives: bridge entryway, near the smoke-filled area (distance?), or entering the smoke-filled area?

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall heads there as fast as he can really pushing himself becoming intangible to run through building and vehicles. He does stop to save a tripped kid here, a elderly lady there and even a few frat boys in over there heads telling them all Remember to tell the world that Windfall saved you then the will head to the center of the bridge running around looking for the gun fire.

Windfalls goal on the way there is to save as many people as he can without slowing himself down to much. This is to help get his name out there. Once on the bridge he wants to know what is going on before making a plan.

[Rhyvurg]

Saint ditches his civilian clothes on a rooftop before he reaches the bridge, staying well above the crowd. Dropping in on them from above would only cause more confusion with that many people rushing to get away, and any delay might make whatever this is worse. He flies towards the smoke, trying to spot what might be scaring all these people.

[Volthawk]

Once he gets close, Adrian teleports into the gas cloud, taking the direct approach to finding the source of all this, relying on his suit's sensors to pick up on the presumed criminals behind this. Once he arrives, he switches the suit's functionality to enter phase shift. No need to risk suddenly getting shot if one of them gets the drop of him. It probably looked rather odd to anyone watching, a man (presumably, an onlooker would have no idea who's in there) in a strange suit appearing out of nowhere, pressing some buttons on his arm and calmly looking around in the middle of the chaos.


Hoping the suit's Infravision and radar will let Adrian find someone, and its Immunities can handle the gas. Action-wise, since the first teleport would put him around 200ft outside the cloud, it'll take both his actions to get inside. Switching array from the Teleport effect to the Insubstantial effect as a free action upon arrival.

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle Knight, without any hesitation, dives into the cloud of smoke, eager to beat up whatever vile fellows caused this catastrophe.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

https://akm-img-a-in.tosshub.com/indiatoday/fog-647_010118080744.jpg?7T8yXVIs5Arntw9xxbNUFQStvB2Kr irg&size=770:433

Rushing into the smoke-filled area, the heroes can only see blurred images around them! Vehicles can only be identified when they are within ten feet! There's movement around the heroes but, they can't get a clear image of anyone, including each other!

[Rhyvurg]

John hovers over the smoke, unable to peer deeper in, but not about to dive in blind just yet. "Can anyone hear me!?"

[Volthawk]

What Nomad sees gives him a moment's pause. Flying people? That was...unexpected. In any case, they obviously weren't allied with the gunmen - you don't aim at your friends - so Nomad focused his attention away from them, switching power distribution again. He was about to throw something, dropped by one of the people fleeing their cars, at one of the gunmen when he hears the voice of one of the flyers. Hm. Time to take a chance that his assessment of the situation was accurate, and the flyers aren't allies to the people behind this.

"Twenty gunmen in the smoke! They're about to fire!"

Then he follows through with his attack. He wasn't too concerned about his voice giving his position away - clearly, these people had some kind of goggles allowing them to see in the smoke, he just hadn't been the priority over flying people, and that was likely about to change.


Once Nomad's time slot pops up, switching array, then attacking one of the gunmen by throwing something at them with a Move Object-based throw (+12 attack, DC 23 Toughness).

Figure he can shout out before then though, so the others can use his info, since it's just speech.

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle Knight yells back "I can hear you!" before processing the fact that someone is flying above her. She was really under the impression that she was the only superhero in the world, much less Freedom City. But she supposes she should have expected this--in the comic books, there's never just one hero.

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall unable to see runs out of the smoke, looking around he does a double take seeing a flying guy and some suit. Well hope they are not bad guys. He then hears what is said and prepares.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Gunfire explodes from the cloud!

[Rhyvurg]

Saint frowns as bullets glance off him, then drops down into the smoke. Someone had answered him, and he didn't want to risk them not being one of the shooters. "Drop your weapons and surrender, I don't want this to escalate more than it already has."

[GravityEmblem]

"OH MY GOSH" Sparkle screams as the bullets fly toward her. She's almost as shocked when they bounce off of her like packing peanuts. Jeez, I knew I was tough, but not that tough. Sword in hand, she flutters through the area, trying to identify where the gunfire came from.

[GravityEmblem]

As she once again fails to identify, Sparkle realizes something: those were rubber bullets. Dangerous, but unlikely to cause harm to a damage-resistant superhero. "Are...are they just trying to cause a commotion?!" she shouts.

[Volthawk]

Nomad grimaces as the hail of bullets overwhelms his shield. At least they're just rubber - it seemed they were here for a purpose that didn't involve mass killings. Moving behind a car to be less of an easy target for the gunmen, he considers the situation and hears someone calling for the surrender of the gunmen. Somehow, he doubted they'd comply, but it was nice to know he apparently had allies here.


Using that remaining move action to get to some cover behind a car.

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall happy to hear that he seems to have allies begins to think what his favorite superhero would do. He runs around the smoke filled area using his speed to gather up the smoking making it easier for the group to see the bad guys.

willing to spend a hero point here to help the group be able to see

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Moving just outside the smoke-filled area, Windfall executes a series of lightning-fast circles around the area creating a swirl of pressure that forces the smoke upward! As the area clears, the heroes now see just under twenty masked gunmen standing stunned as the smoke swirls skyward! The gunmen are dressed in black with skull-masks and wielding Submachine-guns! They're all grouped in-between vehicles covering a forty-foot radius directly at the center of the bridge's upper deck! A large armored-van sits surrounded by several gunmen, its doors wide open and a good amount of paper currency littering the ground! Robbers?!?!

https://signsofthelastdays.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/violence-gunman-in-black.jpg

Nomad and Sparkle Knight, sheltering near vehicles, now see shoebox-sized devices attached to at least two nearby vehicles --- and the devices resemble --- bombs?!?! Saint catches sight of movement in a few vehicles --- more gunmen or civilians hiding?

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall yells out Superhero team ups that is just what this introduction fight needed, well gents see you at the end he then speeds along grabbing as many guns as I can

ok I am not sure if I can but I want to grab as man guns as I can. I have takedown two if that helps

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Windfall presses his foot down and --- less than a second later, he has all the gunmens' weapons on the ground around him! The gunmen try to aim with air --- then realize they've been disarmed! They take a step back, totally confused by Windfall's move!

The other heroes see the gunmen are disarmed and confused!

From behind the heroes, moving swiftly between vehicles, they see a Caucasian male, medium build, dark-blue windbreaker, blue jeans and sneakers, moving at a squat while wielding a handgun! A gold badge swings on his chest as he moves-ducks-looks-moves closer to the heroes ---- then he falls, disappearing between vehicles and the heroes hear the clatter of what must be his gun on the ground! He scrambles up, recovers his weapon, and moves within twenty feet of the heroes, slamming himself into a squat near a vehicle! He's breathing hard, probably because he ran the two-thousand-foot distance from the bridge entrance! He inches himself up just enough to maybe catch a glimpse of the scene and seeing the heroes, ducks back down shouting, "FBI! THROW YOUR WEAPONS DOWN NOW OR BE FIRED UPON!!"

https://i2-prod.walesonline.co.uk/incoming/article6143289.ece/ALTERNATES/s810/3947439.jpg

At the same time, the sound of massive blades cutting the air roars by as a helicopter streaks overhead! The aircraft passes, then circles back over the heroes --- slowly! Based on the logo, it's the WNTW "Action News!" helicopter hovering above the scene to catch live footage!

The heroes hear the now unseen FBI agent shout, "GET THAT HELO OUT OF HERE! AIR SUPPORT --- NOW!!"

[Volthawk]

After taking a moment to reappraise himself of the rapid changes in the situation, Nomad calmly stands and walks towards one of the potential bombs, pressing a few more buttons on his suit to reactivate phase - the situation might look good, but he was only predicting from the context that the other people here were allies (and there was no guarantee fighting the robbers made them friendly to him) and the agent might not take to his presence well, so it was better to be safe than sorry. Besides, selective phasing would let his do what he was about to do a lot more easily.

"They have been disarmed, but they have placed what appears to be a bomb on several vehicles here. I will disable them. Stand clear."


With his array in Insubstantial mode, he just has standard human movement speeds. Once he gets to a device, defusing the detonator is a standard action according to the Technology skill, and with Skill Mastery he has a guaranteed 30, defusing the bomb unless the bomber rolled higher when setting the detonator.

Don't know whether he can get to a bomb in one move action or if this turn is just going to be movement, though - I'll leave that part to you, GM, since you know the distances involved.

[Rhyvurg]

News chopper, the FBI, masked gunmen, armored car, lots to take in at once. But, Saint isn't overly worried by any of it, especially when someone takes their guns away. The caped superhuman lands on the bridge, in the middle of the group of suspected criminals. "You're disarmed and trapped on the bridge, surrender now and it will go a lot better for you in court." He's speaking from personal experience there. Hopefully they see reason and stand down, he doesn't want to have to hurt anyone.

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle Knight sighs. A well-meaning law enforcement officer with a distrust for superheroes? Jeez, superpowers turn up and one second later, everything's a comic book. Luckily, fairies are known for their silver tongues.

She causes her sword to dissipate and slowly flies toward the man, hands raised. "I must commend you on your caution, sir," she says. "You refuse to trust us right away, for fear that we may be villainous figures. Thus, I am happy to tell you that I consider myself a hero, though I am not sure about these other fellows."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The gunmen stare at the heroes for a few seconds that seem like forever, then one says, "Stand down! This wasn't in the plan. Besides …. we got an ace to play."

The crooks get down on their knees and place their hands on their heads, in surrender! Meanwhile, the news Helo circles slowly overhead!

The fed is still yelling about the Helo as he stands, cueing a commlink in his ear while looking north down the bridge where several FCPD cruisers are speeding towards the scene, lights and sirens going! He glanced up at the Helo, curses, then finally turns to Sparkle Knight --- and his eyebrows rise as his jaw drops a bit! He mouths something unintelligible then says, "Muscle agent --- I mean Special Agent Kendrick, FBI ---- WHO are you?"


She's seen the look SA Kendrick gives her before: he's definitely impressed by her beauty. Very, very much so.

[Volthawk]

Pulling his hand out - as in, through the metal - of one of the cars, Nomad turns to look at the others, giving each of them an appraising look. "The bombs were inactive. Explosive components were fake. Presumably a decoy to delay law enforcement so they could escape while the police dealt with an apparent bomb threat. At least they were unwilling to kill anyone in this." He turns his head to the agent. "I am..." He pauses. He wasn't quite sure he wanted to reveal exactly. everything publicly yet. That said, he hadn't exactly considered the secret identity part of heroism - or at least having a name for that side of him, even if his identity may soon be known. Hm. That worked. "...Nomad. I have been away from the city for a long time, but now I have returned, I am here to help. That is all I am willing to say at this time."

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall laughs loudly as he speeds over to the group. name is Windfall, I am a hero drops the guns at the cops feet and then looks at the bad guys and speeds off, he comes back split second later with zip ties which he runs off to put on the bad guys

. Windfall grabs zip ties form his apartment lol and comes back starting to tie them up as fast as he can

[Rhyvurg]

John sighs in relief when the gunmen surrender, but the mention of an ace... Another costumed person mentions dud bombs, perhaps that was it, but all the same he did not let his guard down. "Agent, please tell the police to stay back, there may be more explosives here, real ones. I'll see what I can do about the local news." He nods to the other...what does he even call them? Vigilantes? Tyhen flies to the news helicopter and knocks on the pilot's door before opening it. "Excuse me, but the area is not secure, you're putting yourselves in a lot of danger, if you could pull back about a hundred yards I would appreciate it." He smiles in what he hopes is a pleasant manner, and hopes they can hear him over the sound of the rotors, so he tries to mime what he's saying as best he can.

[GravityEmblem]

"I go by 'Sparkle Knight,' which is of course, a pseudonym," she laughs. "And, no, I don't always have blue skin and pink hair. The wings...well, depends on what I've been doing on a Friday night," she jokes. "I--and the rest of these fellows, I would presume--are superheroes. A recent development, I assure you. If you've read any comic books, you'll know that this encounter probably leads to a union of various superhumans into a team of crime-fighters, a union I would be proud to join and support. Of course, they say that superheroes attract supervillains. Perhaps that is true, there are rarely supervillains before superheroes. But with superpowers emerging, it could just be that the more altruistic superhumans reveal themselves before the sinister ones. And besides, it would be terribly irresponsible of us to just sit back and watch as villains terrorize Freedom City. Once again, I cannot claim to speak for the others, but I swear solemnly to defend this grand city from threats fantastic and mundane, with every power at my disposal."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint is greeted with shocked faces from the helicopter pilot, cameraman and ace Action News reporter, Amy Feng! She frantically motions for the cameraman to film the Saint!

https://s.yimg.com/ny/api/res/1.2/Ti5PrN.vPS8dz_D4laGLbQ--/YXBwaWQ9aGlnaGxhbmRlcjt3PTY0MDtoPTQ4MA--/https://s.yimg.com/uu/api/res/1.2/W0FLI0_hWzDqPZebnGp7kQ--~B/aD03Njg7dz0xMDI0O2FwcGlkPXl0YWNoeW9u/https://media.zenfs.com/en/cinema.com.my/ead8c6ae67040e5da89a6b88bd3a00ea

The pilot then veers the aircraft away from the bridge in response to the Saint's warning …..

SA Kendrick smiles at Sparkle Knight, "What ---- you mean you folks came from a comic book??? Are you human? Are there more of you around town?"

Several FCPD vehicles arrive, with officers rushing out and drawing their weapons! Kendrick waves them off, "FBI! The costumes are okay. Concerned-citizen types. Get the shooters over there! Get these civilian vehicles out of the way! Careful, we may have undetonated bombs and I can't wait for the bomb squad! Secure that armored can and the money! And get statements from the costumes!"

The gunmen and their weapons are taken away as additional FCPD vehicles arrive. The cops give the superheroes stern glances as Kendrick meets with senior officers now on-scene.

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle Knight laughs. "I, myself, am human. At least, most of the time. And I did not spring to life out of a comic, I assure you. But superpowers of a nature quite similar to the comics exist, and it seems reality has become a little bit closer to a comic. Of course, unlike the somewhat hapless sods of the comics, we have a precedent to work from; those very stories of superheroes that we invent. And one of the biggest problems for fictional supers is misunderstanding and hatred from law enforcement, a problem I very much wish to quash before it even exists."

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall finished zip tiring the bad guys when the uniforms appear he waits until they put away any guns and then brings the guns and bad guys to them shaking each of there hands and thanking them for there service. When done he heads over to the FBI agent and stops. Weird a smile he says . As I said I am Windfall and I am a hero. As to where I come form I was born like this and I decided to reveal myself today. after he finished he runs to make sure the camera can catch him as well wanting to be seen and heard. If asked what happened he will give a statement.

[Rhyvurg]

John waves in thanks to the pilot, nods at the reporter, then drops a few dozen feet to make sure he's clear of the chopper before flying back to the bridge at speed. Seeing everything is fine, he lands with the other costumed people. "Well, that was an exciting way to start the day."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

An older cop approached the heroes,

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"I still can't believe what I'm seeing. Blue people. Flying people. The world's gone crazy! Special Agent Kendrick says you folks saved lives, but you could have just as easily cost even more."

He looks at Windfall, "I guess you are a hero. This crew you stopped today? There's a lot more to them than you can imagine …

He walks over to the Saint, "... Their appearance, then yours --- it's like --- 'deja vu'."

He hands the Saint a white business card and whispers something, then walks towards the raided transport van, directing officers to secure the perimeter.

FCPD officers take statements from the heroes, often mixing in personal questions like the heroes' real names and where they live ….

FBI SA Kendrick walks back to the heroes, "This is unprecedented. Comic-book superheroes in Freedom City! Amy Feng is beside herself, mostly because I'm not letting her near the scene, but I've talked to her and she wants an exclusive. You folks made an amazing impression here today, but FCPD and my bosses think doing a group interview helps introduce yourselves. To the city and even the world. Freedom City Plaza, tomorrow at noon. You've told me what you're about, but now you can tell everyone. Can I count on you guys being there?"

[Rhyvurg]

John takes the card without reading it, keeping it in hand. When asked, he gives his legal name, John Doe, without elaboration, and gives a truthful account of what he saw and did, and gives his address. There was no point in hiding anything, his blue skin would give him away in an instant no matter what clothes he was wearing. When asked about the interview, he hesitates before answering. "I...can be there, if you think it's necessary."

[Volthawk]

Nomad shrugs at Kendrick's earlier question about there possibly being more of them. "I am human, and my technology is not in anyone else's hands - you don't have to be concerned about others with suits like mine." But was that right? The way MacLeod spoke earlier...what if? There was no need to bring it up before he had more information, though. "Unless others have invented advanced technology and kept it secret, and through some logic decide to use today as an excuse, I suppose. I cannot, however, speak for the others - we are as new to each other as we are to you." He nods as Sparkle Knight speaks, looking at her as he tries to figure out what exactly he's looking at. "I, for one, have no interest in conflict with the police. It would be counter-productive to either of our goals."

When the second cop mentions deja vu about Saint, Nomad immediately turns his head to look at him. "What do you mean, deja vu? Has something like this happened before?" That's the second reference to something like this he'd heard. He couldn't help but feel like there was something going on he hadn't been told. When it comes to the statements, Nomad offers a true account of what happened, but respectfully denies any questions about who he is, explaining that although there's a good chance he'll tell them soon, he wasn't quite sure yet - he was waiting to see how things around their appearance played out before making a decision with so many potential ramifications.

The reporter, meanwhile, just gets a small shrug. "I have no interest in media attention, but I suppose it would be better to set some facts straight instead of allowing for too much wild speculation. I will be there." Besides, he couldn't ignore these other three being around - perhaps something like this would be useful to find out what kind of people they were.

[Chronomancer79]

Listening to the agent and doing silly things like run and grab a soda and a hot dog in between his words listening. He thinks to himself, I guess I can be there I have Econ 203 at that timethen smiles speaking I will be there it would be good to tell our story and maybe that will allow us not to follow in the foot steps of the comic books Windfall does wait to see how if the other heroes have anything else to say

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle Knight laughs. "I have the misfortune of having work tomorrow. Forget supervillains, the biggest challenge superheroes face is balancing hero and normal life! But I can call in to work from home, thankfully. I'll be there!"

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Kendrick nods at the Saint, "Humanity's never seen anything like you, and you don't think it's necessary that the world knows who you are? It's an emergency."

Nodding at Nomad, Kendrick says, "Yeah well, after today, the attention is coming. Like you can't believe. We need you to help us manage the world's reaction."

Kendrick smiles at Windfall, "Economics major? FCU?"

With a look of concern, Kendrick asks Sparkle Knight, "So --- you think there'll be people like you, but criminals appearing as well? Then we can definitely use your help preparing for that kind of threat. I haven't seen everything you folks can do, but power in the wrong hands could threaten the planet. Maybe we can discuss this further tomorrow. I gotta get on my investigation."

The heroes notice most of the many FCPD officers watching them ---

[Rhyvurg]

John arches an eyebrow at the FBI agent's tone. "Actions speak louder than words, Agent Kendrick. It's not who I am under this costume, but what I do that defines me. I understand how people like us can make others afraid, but I don't think words will change their minds, deeds will. But, I will be there all the same." He looks at the others. "It was nice meeting you guys, it's good to know I'm not alone at least, if it's not too much of an imposition, could we exchange phone numbers? It might be a good idea to keep in contact."

[Volthawk]

"As for me, I have matters to attend to before I can discuss who I am. As for criminals appearing with powers like these...perhaps they will appear, perhaps they won't. As I said, my technology should be secure, but I don't know whether or not the source of these other powers could happen again, or if people are gaining powers some other way, but in hiding until the right moment. If there are those with powers with malicious intentions, our existence can only be a good thing for the city."

Saint's question is met with a small nod. "Very well." The phone he had was a cheap one that wasn't tied to him - not out of paranoia, simply because he hadn't started establishing himself as someone alive to pay phone bills - so he wasn't particularly concerned about the risk, and as he looked at the Saint, the strange girl and the occasional blur of the speedster, he had the feeling that technological tracking would be the least of his problems if they had malicious inten.

[GravityEmblem]

"Very well. Shall I take my leave?"

[Chronomancer79]

Running off in a split second and grabbing the number to a burner phone, Windfall passes out his number. And speeds off

[Chronomancer79]

Running off in a split second and grabbing the number to a burner phone, Windfall passes out his number. And speeds off

[SwordCoastTaxi]

FBI SA Kendrick nods at the heroes and walks off towards the armored van crime scene. The group is left alone to themselves as FCPD officers conduct their investigation ...

[Volthawk]

Now he's alone with the other heroes, Nomad considers his words for a moment before deciding to speak. "There's more going on here than they're letting on. From what Kendrick and...someone I know...said, something happened in the past that's somehow related to this - whether it's just a matter of people with powers or exotic technologies being around then, or something more complex, I cannot say. Be vigilant."

[Rhyvurg]

Saint lowers his voice. "Agent Kendrick also told me to call him if I want 'the truth,' and handed me this." He holds up the card before reading it.

[GravityEmblem]

"The truth?" Sparkle says, frowning. "Of what?"

[Rhyvurg]

"That is a good question, I suppose I'll find out when I contact him."

[Volthawk]

Nomad nods. "I will follow up on my contact as well. Shall we agree to share any information we find? If something is actually going on, it benefits us all to be aware of it."

[Rhyvurg]

Saint nods and gives his number to the group. "For now at least, we're in this together, if for no other reason than the rest of the world will treat us as if we are. I'll tell you all anything I manage to learn."

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall runs up and listens. I agree please keep us informed.

[GravityEmblem]

"I am in agreement. Well, see you tomorrow!" Sparkle zips off, brainstorming ideas for Dr. Eldritch. Some sort of metafiction, perhaps? A story about cosmic forces granting powers to humans so they can put on a show, provide some amusement. Richard Love (his secret identity) slowly losing control over his life, wondering why the world seems to hate him, and eventually going mad from the revelation that his sorrows are some ancient god's soap opera? And then becoming a brutal "superhero" out of the belief that the whole world is just a constructed lie? Very high-concept. Too bad about demanding seriousness--she was seeing it more as a bathos or black comedy. But whatever, this is her first real comic, regardless of whether it's what she wants to write or not. In all likelihood, I'll look back at this as an embarrassing grease stain on my career, she thinks. Or that the fans will see this as my magnum opus that none of my other works can live up to. Heck, probably both at once.

[Volthawk]

Teleporting away, Nomad goes to find MacLeod again. There were things they had to discuss now. Not in the mood for skirting around things, and having just revealed the existence of Nomad and the suit to the world, he just heads to ASTRO, using his powers to arrive somewhere close to his office before switching focus to his visor, allowing him to remotely observe the office until MacLeod is alone, at which point he teleports in.


Mechanically, using the Remote Sensing part of the array (250ft range) followed up with a teleport.

[Rhyvurg]

Bidding the others farewell, John flies back to the roof where he left his civilian clothing and gets dressed before resuming his trip to work, but he expects it won't be back to business as usual, it will only be a matter of time before he's found and constantly hounded by the press, curious citizens, perhaps friends and family of the suspects he helped to subdue today... He had no illusions, he expected at least one murder attempt before the week was out. Touching down outside the temp agency, he walks inside.

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle flies to a safe distance from Castle Comics and transforms (untransforms?) She hurries into the building, ready to present her rough pitch to the editor.

No news coverage? she notes as she quickly scrolls through her phone. That's weird. I would think that they would eat up a big bridge attack--with superheroes, no less. Someone's covering this up. Hopefully, it's those agents we met, because if otherwise...yeesh.

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall runs back to his place changing quickly. He kisses his girlfriend then turns on the news. No news coverage that’s wired he thinks he starts calling people he knows asking people what they know.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

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Curiously, there is no news coverage of the Pramas Bridge event. Even with Action News there ... it's like it didn't happen, which is unusual for Freedom City.

Not even videos from civilians. Several Freedom City residents complain online about losing internet connection after the event. Some complain about an unexpected power loss that prevented broadcasting.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

ASTRO Labs:

Via his suit's sensors, Nomad sees MacLeod seated at his desk going over three monitors of computerized data only the most brilliant minds on Earth could decipher. Curiously, the coding looks very familiar --- because it's Nomad's!

Appearing in the office, MacLeod continues to type away what seems to be addendum-code separate from the main body of code spanning the screens. He says, "Spatial displacement only carried a hypothetical environmental impact .... that is, until you did it. Did they surrender ...?"

The old man seems frozen in his seat awaiting Nomad's response ...


His helmet hiding his expression, Nomad nods, walking closer to get a better look at what the man was working on exactly with his code. "We were able to handle it, yes. Now, what did you mean before I left when you said it was beginning again? What happened in the past?"

MacLeod taps the code .... And says, "You were always remarkable. But, I would need to explain exactly what 'remarkable' truly is. You uncovered something new."

Dr. MacLeod turned in his chair to look at Nomad, "We don't have much time left, now do we?"

He folded his hands in his waist, "Your research was SO complete. They took it and did something. Trans-dimensional apex. You both questioned and answered decades of science at once. Now you're here asking questions?"

MacLeod cued-up Nomad's extra-dimentional research. The screens lit with impossible equations, as MacLeod turned in his seat, "In a million years I wouldn't have figured these calculations. You opened a bridge --- that we've been puzzling for a decade! And, we found something ...."

Adrian shrugs, taking off his helmet and looking at it. "I didn't manage this alone. Putting aside the foundation of Fairbright's original project, when I was in that other world, I found...technology. I suppose from an alternate humanity, visitors from a third dimension, or something more alien, depending on the nature of the dimension - I never learnt which. Whoever made it, the accident had augmented my mind to the degree I could understand it and reverse-engineer it into the technology I have now." Adrian takes off his helmet and looks at it. "With that in mind...it's not surprising if there's more to discover out there. What did you find?"

https://images.moviefit.me/p/b/657-ian-mckellen.webp

Dr. MacLeod frowns, "We started going through your work, but, had to involve law enforcement due to your disappearance. What began as subtle investigation quickly became a legal nightmare. They took the research from us, despite our protest. ASTRO Labs had a congenial relationship with the government for decades, so this ... was unprecedented. I continually wonder if they wanted to bury the technology, or used it to create their own program. I shudder to think of a government having the power to breach dimensions. Now, we can't even use what you uncovered. Legally. Do you remember old Sophocles? 'How terrible is wisdom when it doesn't profit the wise?"

The doctor grimaced and looked around his office, his eyes finally falling on Adrian, "But we maintained a link to what they were doing with your research with coding buried beneath the code. Scientists first, 'Hacktivists' thereafter, yes? Freedom City constructed a new downtown cell-tower a decade ago. It provides free wifi for downtown civilians. A common thing. But, we detected something more: a telematic 'pulse' that echoes not just across downtown Freedom City, but the whole world! Curiously, it was our Cybernetics division that puzzled the signal creeps into the field of cognitive operations. We still haven't figured it all out, but ... something is very wrong here. Anyone researching the cell-tower is immediately reassigned to another field of research or leaves ASTRO Labs completely, for other work."

Dr. MacLeod turns and, tapping the keyboard, shifts the screens to different codes. He sighs, "Something is wrong here. What did you learn today?'

Adrian nods thoughtfully, starting to put pieces together - it was still too early to have a complete picture, though. "The FBI know something. One of our group is going to make contact with an agent willing to talk. That agent also apparently thinks we're in danger, so between that and your findings about mine and Fairbright's work and the government, I will keep on being dead for the time being, and Nomad's identity will remain unknown." He pauses. "They'll probably work it out sooner or later, though - most of my suit's technology and principles coming from a novel source will hopefully throw them off, but there's enough pieces that they'll be able to put it together. Particularly if they've journeyed between worlds themselves - I don't know how spread the race I got the technology from was, and they might have found similar artefacts to what I did. Point is, be careful. Things may escalate."

Adrian doesn't particularly pay attention to the doctor's compliments, his mind focused on other matters. "Prepared? Yes...I suppose I am, now. Now I've gone out there as Nomad and started this course, I need to stick to it. You don't need to bring more trouble on yourself if you don't need to. I can investigate in a way that you cannot, without involving ASTRO."

Dr. MacLeod nods, "Do what you must, but be wise. Trust no one, Adrian."

Adrian nods as he puts the helmet back on. "I know. I don't know the others well enough to trust them, but our interested are signed. That will do for now." With that, Nomad gets up and teleports away, thinking about what he's learnt.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Paragon Staffing:

John enters the agency and Megan, the front desk receptionist, says, "John! Where've you been?!? Nate (the agency boss) had a good-paying job for you but you didn't show up. This kind of behavior ---"

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Nate Rogers, in his business suit, walks from the back, "Megan, it's okay. I'll handle it." Nate was a nice enough guy, but when John interviewed with him, something felt off about Nate. He smiled at John and placed his hand on his shoulder, "I've got a rare opportunity for you that could change your life, John. In a good way. I have an friend with government connections looking for people with your kind of background. I told her about you and she wants to meet. The Starlight Room, at noon. You ready to move up in the world?"

John tries to keep from looking too surprised. "Um, thank you Mr. Rogers, I appreciate the opportunity. Did she say anything about what she was looking for?" John tries to remember if he has anything he could wear to a place like that besides just something clean.


The Starlight Room: a revolving restaurant atop the downtown Tremont Hotel. Very fancy, with live music.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Castle Comics:

As Ellen enters she sees Lee Stanton, head editor, talking to what looks like the full staff in the bullpen.

https://static.wikia.nocookie.net/marvel_dc/images/8/8e/Stan_Lee.JPG/revision/latest/top-crop/width/360/height/450?cb=20190818110747

Lee pauses and looks at Ellen, "Well here she is! Castle Comics' now hottest contributor! Eldritch can change the game for us and gives us the edge on Wonder Comics in New York! I was just briefing everyone about it, that and the possibly of even more new titles. The Freedom League is getting long in the tooth. Sales are lagging. We need new titles with alternative depictions of heroes that hasn't been done before to attract new readers. Where are you with Eldritch?"

Everyone stares at Ellen with curious smiles ....

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Windfall:

Deo gets responses that the video of the Pramas Bridge thing has been deleted by who knows! He gets texts from Frat friends who want to fly to LA and party with sports celebrities. His girlfriend wants to do some shopping downtown. His mother left a message hoping that Deo could meet with the CEO of the family business to discuss operational procedures: Deo needs to learn how to manage the franchise he stands to inherit. One professor texted him asking if he was well ...

[GravityEmblem]

"The basic concept is a 'metafiction,' you might say," Ellen explains. "That is, the worlds of the comics are invented by us, to entertain others. Merge that with eldritch horror, and you get the high concept: 'what if your whole life, all the tragedies and pain, was all just some eldritch god's soap opera?' So, basically, he--Richard Love--gets the typical superhero backstory treatment: parents killed in a mugging, grows up, gets stuck in a dead-end job. Well, I guess only the first part is typical. So, basically, he finds out his girlfriend's cheating on him, they fall out badly, he goes home feeling like trash. Next morning, he wakes up with unimaginable superpowers he can barely control. He decides to take revenge for his parents, become a vigilante, hunt down criminals, all while searching to discover the source of his powers. Then one day? He learns. And he doesn't like it. Embittered, almost driven to insanity, he becomes a brutal hero, all while trying to find the point in life, where bad things happen to him because ungodly creatures want them to. They want him to feel pain, because they find amusement in seeing him suffer. Anyway, that's the barebones. Anything needs to be expanded?"

[Chronomancer79]

Windfall:

Deo gets responses that the video of the Pramas Bridge thing has been deleted by who knows! He gets texts from Frat friends who want to fly to LA and party with sports celebrities. His girlfriend wants to do some shopping downtown. His mother left a message hoping that Deo could meet with the CEO of the family business to discuss operational procedures: Deo needs to learn how to manage the franchise he stands to inherit. One professor texted him asking if he was well ...

Deo sighs seeing seeing everything going on. He texts his buddies maybe tomorrow busy with the ball and chain. He text his Mom to set up a time to come in later in the week. He text his professor he is fine and asked why he asked? Finally he sits down to brunch with his gf. . How did you sleep? I can’t shop I have that paper due in Econ, rain check? . Once she understands he is going to head back to the bridge and look around C and then run off steam saving people and stopping crime.

[Volthawk]

Returning home from ASTRO, Adrian takes some time to sit and think, assembling the details so far in his mind. An easy starting point was the media blackout - clearly an attempt to limit the public's exposure to him and the others, with that tower being a major part of their method, but a strategy that seemed doomed to fail. The four of them were hardly subtle presences - he's pretty sure he heard the speedster specifically tell people his name to spread his fame, and the other two had rather striking appearances that people wouldn't forget seeing. Unless...the agent's note comes to mind. They were in danger. What if the blackout was just playing for time until whatever government group was behind this could eliminate them? That would make sense. But why was their presence being unknown so important? Nomad he understood - if MacLeod was right and the government has been developing Fairbright's original work and potentially accessing the multiverse, then he was a direct threat to any homogeny in that regard they might establish. But the others? Were their powers somehow related, or did this group just want any hints of the supernatural and superhuman removed to ensure their secrecy? Does the enemy have assets capable of reliably and discreetly eliminating targets like Nomad and the others, or were they planning on making do with relatively mundane means? While the suit made him a lot tougher and harder to hit than a normal person, he wasn't immune to enough firepower, and presumably the same could apply to the others. Off the top of his head, he could think of a few options that, with his limited knowledge of their abilities, could plausibly be used against the others. He just had to hope the enemy wasn't that good.

There were still holes, gaps in his knowledge that needed filling, but he had plans there. He just needed to decide some things first. With his enhanced mind quickly putting the facts together, most of his thinking is spent on less clear topics - like the others, and whether he could trust them. Sure, they seemed to be all in the same boat, but if they were dealing with a conspiracy he had to consider the possibility of them not all really being on the same side. Well, that could wait for now - at least until the Saint came back with whatever information his meeting gives, if one does happen. That will help him make his judgement call. No need to alienate anyone just yet. As for a plan, the objective seemed clear - that tower was the main point of suspicion, particularly if it was involved in the blackout. It needed to be investigated, and perhaps the others could help there...

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint:

Nate says, "Something related to security, and before you pass on it, whatever she needs people for it's paying six-figures. Starlight Room, John. 39th and Foster. If I were you, I'd already be there." Nate smiles and adjusts his tie, then walks for the exit. Megan cuts her eyes at John and goes back to her social media .....


Sparkle Knight:

The staffers seem surprised, mostly by their silence and awkward expressions. Lee nods, "It's a start, and if it doesn't wow 'em, we can go grimdark." He let's a loud laugh and everyone joins in, with many congratulating Ellen on the new series. Stanton gives Ellen a wink, "Can't wait to see your script. But now, it's lunchtime: I have a coupon for a free combo from Champions." He heads for the exit ...


Windfall:

Rushing across Freedom, the speedster encounters a noisy traffic jam in Riverside on First Street. He also hears louder music --- someone is jamming! Checking the scene, Windfall sees Madman Finale, a local alt-rock band popular with the college crowd, has decided to play an impromptu set in the middle of the street outside Freedom School of the Arts!

[Rhyvurg]

The Saint:

Nate says, "Something related to security, and before you pass on it, whatever she needs people for it's paying six-figures. Starlight Room, John. 39th and Foster. If I were you, I'd already be there." Nate smiles and adjusts his tie, then walks for the exit. Megan cuts her eyes at John and goes back to her social media .....


John coughs and has to put his hand on the wall. "Six...!? I...security? I don't know anything about...yeah, um, I'll get going..." He leaves the office and gets directions from his phone, not even thinking about it he lifts up off the ground and starts flying to the restaurant. Was this because of his abilities? Or...was it his criminal background that had them interested? No, that was impossible, there was nothing to link John Doe to the man he used to be, everything about him was different now. And it's not like he had been a very successful crook, what could he know that was worth six figures?

[Chronomancer79]

..


Windfall:

Rushing across Freedom, the speedster encounters a noisy traffic jam in Riverside on First Street. He also hears louder music --- someone is jamming! Checking the scene, Windfall sees Madman Finale, a local alt-rock band popular with the college crowd, has decided to play an impromptu set in the middle of the street outside Freedom School of the Arts!

Seeing this Windfall rushes to the nearest roof changing quickly has he ducks behind something. He texts all the guys and his gf impromptu set by Madman Finale, outside of Feeedom school for the arts meet me there.

After that he texts his Econ professor the one who texted him earlier asking if they could meet later to talk. After hearing back form his crowd he will grab some beer and liquor, do a bump of coke and head down to find his friends.

[GravityEmblem]

"All right. I'm feeling a bit peckish myself."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint:

After his descent, John makes his way to the Tremont Hotel:

http://kbcodesign.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/03/image003-1024x768.jpg

The lobby is all glistening marble, sparkling crystal, polished metal and varnished wood. It smelled like elegant perfume and fine cuisine.

Rich luxury. The Tremont Hotel was popular among Freedom City's tourists and a nexus for ambitious socialites.

John navigates the corpulent lobby and with some assistance from the concierge, finds the mirrored elevator to the Starlight Room. At the top level, the doors open and John's greeted by a slender, well-dressed maitre d', "Reservation, sir?"


Sparkle Knight

Lee escorts Ellen out and the two chat about comics and life during the three-block stroll to Champions. Stanton had founded Castle Comics in the 60's and due to his creative genius, tireless dedication and charming personality, turned the company into a major company. Even with the market competition from Wonder Comics out of NYC.

He says, "To my way of thinking, the most important thing is people’ve got to care about the character. They’ve got to understand the character and they’ve got to be interested. If the character's interesting, you’re half-way home."


Windfall:

Deo is having an "intoxicating" blast with his friends as the band rocks, but police sirens sound as FCPD begins arriving a few blocks away --- due to the mid-afternoon traffic jam!

[GravityEmblem]

Ellen nods. "The characters are the most important things. I have a pitch--a very rough outline of how the plot's going to go--but until the characters are nice and developed, there's no real story, you know?"

[Rhyvurg]

The Saint:

After his descent, John makes his way to the Tremont Hotel:

The lobby is all glistening marble, sparkling crystal, polished metal and varnished wood. It smelled like elegant perfume and fine cuisine.

Rich luxury. The Tremont Hotel was popular among Freedom City's tourists and a nexus for ambitious socialites.

John navigates the corpulent lobby and with some assistance from the concierge, finds the mirrored elevator to the Starlight Room. At the top level, the doors open and John's greeted by a slender, well-dressed maitre d', "Reservation, sir?"


"Ah, no, I'm supposed to meet someone here? I don't know who, my name is John Doe if that helps." He is very much aware that he's not dressed like someone who would be within five blocks of a place this nice.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Sparkle Knight:

"I trust your talent, it's just we're all counting on this. Emerald City Knights was a jackpot for us, but we need something fresh," Stanton says as the couple arrives at Champions. As always, it's a party when the resident 'King of Comics' enters a comic-book-themed restaurant --- so lunch is entertaining.


The Saint:

The maitre d' nods and gestures John forward, "Right this way, sir." John's led to a table overlooking the city where a familiar figure sits --- the woman from the street corner this morning!

https://www.deutsche-kinemathek.de/sites/default/files/public/styles/sdk-medium/public/Festivals/2020/Hommage/helen_mirren_teaser.jpg?itok=S_ujMg0u

She stands and extends a handshake, "Thank you for taking the time …. can I call you 'John'? My name is Dr. Eva Crawford."

[Rhyvurg]

He takes her hand. "John, but I assume you know that already. I'm flattered for the job offer, but honestly I'm not sure I'm worth the salary you quoted." He's moderately sure the job offer wasn't legitimate, just a way to get him to take the meeting. "I'm no one special, really."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint:

Dr. Crawford smiles softly, "According to Mr. Rogers' appraisal, and your background, you might be exactly the worthy person for our position. Please, have a seat."
A waiter appears almost out of nowhere handing John a menu.

https://www.musthavemenus.com/menu-template/fancy-fine-dining-menu.html?cat=7534

"The Delmonico is worth it's weight in gold --- and don't worry, lunch is on me. Indulge yourself." She laughs a bit and awaits John's order as another waiter arrives, places champagne glasses in front of Crawford and John, then pours them full before leaving ...


Windfall:

FCPD continues to arrive, multiple units at either end of the block! Officers begin waving people through the traffic jam, as additional officers confront the band asking them to move on ... which they do, packing up their gear. The fans and partiers begin to disperse ....


Sparkle Knight:

During the meal, Stanton waxes about the 'old days' of Comics', when his focus on characterization and crisis made Castle Comics the pinnacle of all things Comics! The two finish the meal, Lee tips the waiter more than expected, then they exit Champions with his trademark shout, "Excelsior!"

The two walk back across semi-crowded city streets discussing character traits, "You want to present a hero. A good person, faced with impossible odds. Can Eldritch be that person?"

[Rhyvurg]

John snaps his head around then the waiter appears, then looks down at the menu, slowly sitting down. "Thank you, but just what is it you would be wanting me to do? I'm not sure what it is in my background you think is worth that kind of money." He orders the salmon, still more than a little confused.

[GravityEmblem]

"Hmmm..." Ellen says. "Well, I think so. It's kind of a question of, 'can you really be a hero, knowing that nothing you do actually matters?' The powers, his traumas, his whole life--just entertainment for these cthulu-type gods. So, it's like...does he really want to play the role they want him to? On one hand, he doesn't wish to just play into their hand, but on the other, he has an earnest desire to do the right thing. He just doesn't know what that is, because this sort of situation is totally alien to him."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Sparkle Knight:

Ellen and Stanton walk the crowded streets back to work and notice traffic is jammed up --- typical for midday in the city. As they came to an intersection, they notice police cars parked in the street, stopping vehicle travel on the block surrounding Castle Comics …!


Windfall:

Within minutes, FCPD had cleared the street of partying pedestrians and angry motorists, as the entire block was sealed off by police cruisers! Glancing around, Deo notices among the police officers is that detective from the Pramas bridge that handed the Saint a card looking around the area ….!


The Saint:

After John orders, he notices Crawford staring at him intently. She says, "We don't have a great deal of time so I'll be open: I represent a government agency tasked with aspects of national security. And I know this field doesn't fall within your particular skill-set. But, we provide the finest training in the world, much better than anything Paragon Staffing could offer you. I'm told I have an eye for talent, and yours I spotted from a block away. Have you ever considered making a real difference in the world, John?"

[Rhyvurg]

John maintains eye contact as she talks, wondering if she remembers him from earlier, and wonders again if she had somehow caused the incident on the bridge, it was just a little too perfectly timed distraction. "I'm flattered you would considering me for a position like that, but I'm a simple day laborer, surely there are people more qualified than I am that you could ask." He'll play dumb for now, see how much she's willing to admit on her own first.

[GravityEmblem]

"Huh...that's weird," Ellen remarks. "What's going on with the police?"

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Sparkle Knight:

As she watches the FCPD activity across the street, Ellen sees sudden flashes of light as she's struck several times by --- bullets?!?!? She immediately goes numb and collapses to the ground! Fighting back unconsciousness, Ellen struggles up, wobbly --- the crowd around her scatters as people, screaming and shouting, dash for cover! Trying to clear her head, Ellen sees Stanton sprawled on the sidewalk, possibly unconscious!

Legs groggy and hands shaking, Ellen sees FCPD officers running in her direction drawing weapons and looking around the area wildly --- then automatic gunfire sounds as most of the officers drop! Looking, she sees a man dressed in black fatigues, similar to the Pramas bridge gunmen, emerge from behind her!

https://d13ezvd6yrslxm.cloudfront.net/wp/wp-content/images/thetake-idriselba-gun-elevator.jpg

She remembers his face --- the detective that handed the Saint a card! Grabbing her shoulder, he shouts, "Move! The alleyway --- I'll cover you --- GO!!!"

He aims upward and unleashes a hail of gunfire in multiple directions!


Nomad:

As he debates his next move, Adrian notices the power in his home goes out! It's midday so sunlight still provides vision, but his computers go down, along with anything else requiring space electricity …


The Saint:

Crawford gives a smile-frown and says, "It seems you could be a wanted man, John. There was a botched heist at a local electronics firm that was …. unusual. The suspect that escaped seemingly disappeared. My department was seeking this person, for the usual reasons. Certain felonies. That sort of thing."

The food arrives and the server asks if you needed anything else. Crawford says, "I don't think so --- anything missing, John?"

[Rhyvurg]

John looks at her silently until his plate is set down. "I thought you asked me here to offer me a job, not to make accusations. I'd say what's missing, is a reason for me to stay. Thank you for the offer, but I'm afraid I'll have to decline." He stands up to leave.

[GravityEmblem]

Ellen runs, as fast as she can, out of sight--once it's safe to transform, she can regenerate in the sun and dive back into action. She enters the form of Sparkle Knight and flies high into the sky, letting the sun shine on her and assessing the situation.

[Volthawk]

On any other day, a sudden loss of power would just be one of those things, but after just coming up with a theory about a conspiracy using blackouts to control information about the paranormal, it warranted more suspicion. Grabbing his phone, Adrian starts calling the numbers the other heroes gave him. If he was right and something was going on, it was a reasonable assumption one of them was involved.

[GravityEmblem]

As her phone started buzzing, Sparkle pulled it out to hang up--only to find it was one of the superheroes from the bridge. ("Robot dude," the caller ID read) She took the call and answered, "This is Sparkle Knight, can you make it quick? I was just shot in the chest and I'd like to figure out who as soon as I finish healing."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint:

Crawford puts her hands on the table saying, "You can walk away from us, John, but you don't have anywhere else to go. Do you really think your new friends can protect you? And as 'talented' as you are, you can't escape us forever. You can be the hero here. You can protect the world from confused evil. You can be more .... or, you can be forgotten."

She shakes her head and looks at John …


Sparkle Knight:

As Sparkle Knight soars airborne, she sees her 'protector', the detective, race into the alleyway shouting she should go to a Riverside warehouse address! Then, while running, the man disappears!


Nomad:

Shadows run outside the house! Nomad makes his calls, but the sound of the front door being kicked in echoes across the house! He hears mumbled chatter! The light click of rounds chambered sounds across the space! Nomad has unfriendly company ….

[Rhyvurg]

John pauses, looking at her. "I don't know who you think my 'friends' are, nor what talents you think I have. You clearly have a serious problem, but so far you haven't told me why you're coming to me with it. Why do you think I can help you?"

[Volthawk]

"Trouble here too. We're being targeted by a conspiracy. They are out to get you, and they might know who you really are. Good luck." With that, Nomad hangs up, putting the phone down and putting his helmet on. He considers his options. Escape was a possibility, but surely they'd know he could teleport. There might be countermeasures. Besides, this was an opportunity. First contact with their new enemy. He could learn something here. Activating his suit's visor, he projects his senses towards the front door, wanting to get a good look at who was coming before they saw him. This wasn't his first time being hunted, although it was the first time humans were the hunters.


Using my Remote Sensing power - for reference, it has Subtle 2 (completely undetectable), No Conduit (sensory effects like flashbangs or whatever covering the remote sensor don't affect him) and Simultaneous (he can see and act normally without penalty while the power is active), and if he needs to make a Perception check he has +10.

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle sighs. This warehouse could be someone in danger, in which case getting there as soon as possible is a priority. Or, it could be a trap, in which case calling for backup is important. She begins flying to the address, calling the other superheroes as she goes.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint:

Crawford says, "Everywhere around the country, every day, people emerge to commit crimes that standard law enforcement cannot cope with. They are well-equipped, well-trained and very motivated. My department was specifically founded to combat these people. We have the equivalent equipment, training and motivation to counter them."

She hadn't touched her food or drink.

Instead she stared into John's eyes, "I recruit personnel for our work. You, caught my attention, because despite your coyness, we both know without a doubt you are special, John. I can see your potential. You're nearly the most-powerful individual I've encountered. All you need is to be properly trained. You would be paid well --- $250K a year. To start. If you progressed the way I imagine you can, you could write your own check, eventually."

She stands, preparing to leave, "I'll give you an hour to make up your mind. It's a leap of faith, I know. I made that leap myself --- and I've never regretted it. Good day, John."

Crawford places her business card on the table and walks for the exit. From several nearby tables, a group of men and women in suits rise and surround her as the group moves to leave the restaurant …


Nomad:

Nomad sees two, then two more gunmen move into the hallway headed his way! They're wearing tactical bodysuits and armed with some kind of high-tech assault rifle he's never seen before! Their faces are partially covered (nose and mouth) by cowls!

The strangest aspect of these gunmen is Nomad can see them, but he can't hear them move! The quartet seems to be tactically "clearing" the home, room to room ---!

[GravityEmblem]

Sparkle sighs at the lack of response, and dials the number from the FBI agent.

"Hello? This is Sparkle Knight, the blue-skinned fairy superhero?"

[Volthawk]

These days, Nomad's mind worked much faster than a normal person's, allowing him to quickly come up with some conclusions. They appeared to have some kind of advanced technology that allowed them to muffle their sound - sensible, if your business was quickly and quietly eliminating those that would threaten a conspiracy. He had to assume those guns had similar technology, and nobody would hear the shots they would soon start firing. Did they have a way of harming him while was in phase? He wasn't sure, but in any case that couldn't be the priority here. He had to focus on offence, get these people down and get what information he could.

Moving closer, he uses his suit's systems to remotely grab some of the furniture and throw it at the closest gunman.


Attacking with Move Object, +2/-2 Power Attack. +10 attack, DC 23 Toughness vs damage on hit.

[Rhyvurg]

John takes a slow breath and picks up the card. Fine. Fine. If that's the way it had to be...so be it. John puts the card in his pocket, then makes a series of rapid movements, to the kitchen door, then to the back, never moving to somewhere he can't see first, leapfrogging at just under the speed of sound to avoid crashing into anything, or anyone, until he's outside, then flying around to the front of the building to catch Crawford as she comes outside, standing on the sidewalk as if it was the most normal thing in the world. "I'll have conditions."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Nomad:

The lead intruder turns sensing the incoming sofa, but gets hit full on despite the attempt to avoid the hit! He falls against the wall, his weapon falling away! The three others squat and move against the walls to reduce their signature while raising their weapons to fire! A flurry of pulse-energy blasts rain across the hallway in Nomad's direction --- all of the blasts hitting walls harmlessly! Nomad's never seen weapons like this that don't do structural damage ---!


The Saint:

Crawford's entourage draw handguns when John appears, but she raises her hand and waves them off! People on the street pause and try to slowly walk around the scene! Crawford's security keep their weapons trained on John as she says, "Of course. What are we talking about?"

[Rhyvurg]

John is impassive in the face of small arms. "I won't be anyone's puppet or weapon. If I want to break off the deal, then I'm gone. I'm not enlisting in any kind of military, and I won't serve something as fickle as Presidential policy."

[Volthawk]

Again, that made sense once you the premise that they had advanced technology. Not leaving bullet holes must make cleanup much easier after they execute someone. Grabbing the sofa again, he throws it at the next soldier - he's going to have to do some apologising about the state of the furniture once this is over.


Another Move Object attack w/ PA for +10 attack/DC 23 Toughness.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint:

Crawford looks down and smiles, then waves off her bodyguards, who holster their weapons. She gazes at John, "Well, first and foremost, my department does not fall under the aegis of either the Pentagon or the Executive. We have a level of operational freedom requisite to our particular mandate. And, while we do expect compliant employees, we have more than our share of free spirits within the organization. I'm probably the worst of them. You should meet our staff. Come to the Goodman building, tomorrow morning, 6 a.m. Sharp."

The door of a nearby limousine is opened and Crawford steps in, then looks back to John, "You think you know the world, John. Most people do. But, the greatest enemy of progress is the illusion of knowledge."

The door closes and the limo rolls into traffic as her entourage moves to their adjacent vehicles and drive away ...

[Rhyvurg]

John watches her go, trying to decide what to do. But, at least one thing was simple. He gets his phone and sends a mass text to everyone else he'd met at the bridge. Woman approached me claiming to be a fed, offered big $$$ job to work for her, knows a lot about me, might know about you too, be careful. He hits send, pockets his phone, and heads home. He needed time to think, he's fully aware of the danger he was flirting with. Spending time around people like this meant they'd have time to figure out who he really was, and how his abilities worked. If they did, they might find a way to switch them off, and then he'd be reduced to an attack dog, with no more free will than the car Crawford just drove away in. Once "they" had an in to control you, they never relent, they'll want more, until you can't even go to the bathroom without permission, and they'll use his power as justification to do it, citing him as an exception to the Bill of Rights due to how dangerous he is, and his hidden criminal history. And all it would take is one election cycle to get him locked up in a bunker in Alaska, shackled for the rest of his life with a number branded onto his forehead... Well, there was only one solution that he could see.

[GravityEmblem]

"Hey, Agent Kendrick?" Sparkle says, flying through the city. "It's Sparkle Knight, the blue-skinned fairy superhero? So, there's a conspiracy targeting us supers? They covered up the bridge incident--I presume you know that already--and just launched attacks on me and the robot dude. In our secret identities. But a detective, the one that gave blue dude a card, if you noticed that, he saved me, and gave me an address to a warehouse before disappearing into thin air. So, yeah, I thought you guys should know. I'm heading there right now, actually--" she gives him the address. "If you think I need backup. Just keeping you posted."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Nomad:

The sofa goes airborne and smashes into another gunman knocking him senseless while leaving a fist-sized dent in the wall he was pressed against! His weapon clatters to the ground as the sofa comes to rest in the middle of the hallway! The remaining pair of gunmen begin to shuffle back out of the hallway and then sprint for the front door, out of Nomad's sight!

Nomad's left with two incapacitated gunmen in his hallway, a damaged wall and well-worn sofa. The other gunmen could still be in his home, around a corner ….



Sparkle Knight:

Kendrick, on speaker-phone --- Sparkle Knight can hear a car engine throttle down --- says, "What? Wait --- what conspiracy? Who attacked you? I'm aware of the media blackout. City Hall wanted to keep you guys under wraps until you were introduced tomorrow. My bosses agreed. What detective? I --- I meant to warn you about dealing with others. I've been investigating FCPD for months. There's a lot of corruption you don't know about. I'm midtown now, but headed your way. Maybe three minutes. Don't tell him anything, understand? Especially about me. Use your phone recorder when you meet him so I get that evidence. If he's who I think he is, you could be in great danger! Just delay him until I get there!"

You hear an engine rev as the call ends!

[Volthawk]

Hm. Even more advanced stealth technology. Well, if radar or infravision weren't picking up, he had to wait and see if they were still around - the good thing about assassins was that they had to actively do something rather than just lurk there.

Reaching down to look at one of the guns, Nomad moves it into one of the suit's interdimensional pockets. He'll give that a thorough inspection later, when he has the time to work properly - hopefully it can't be tracked across dimensions.

Phone in one hand, he makes some calls as he starts figuring out if he can get any pieces of that armour off of easily. First, he calls the friend who's place he was staying at, apologising for the damage he just caused, suggesting he spends the night out with his wife, and explaining that he has to leave. Then, he tries the other heroes again.


Naturally, if they are around the remaining two can interrupt him during this, but I figured it was best to set out the plan rather than do many posts going back and forth about ifnevey little step gets interrupted.

Nomad's interdimensional storage can store 200lbs of material (at least some of which is taken up by his stockpile of tech since he's moving that too), and he can take 100lbs by teleporting, to give an idea of how much he can move - he'll want to get as much of this tech as he can.

[Rhyvurg]

John pauses in the middle of putting his phone away. Missed calls? He mentally kicks himself for not adding names to the numbers yet and chooses the most recent to try to call him, which would be Nomad. "This is John, who is calling?"

[GravityEmblem]

Well, that's ominous... Sparkle thinks. So, the coverup was the FBI, but if Robot Dude's right...jeez, this is too much for my little head. Thank god this conspiracy doesn't know about my silver weakness. ...they BETTER not know. Sparkle arrives at the warehouse, glancing around cautiously. Her phone is out, and the recording app is open. Hopefully, the detective doesn't tell her not to trust anything the FBI says, or she's in a real predicament.

As she thinks this, she gets a notification--or sees an old one, at least. Blue Dude, mentioning something about a mysterious woman, who knows more about his superpowers than she really should. Yeah, that checks out with what Robot Dude said--a conspiracy, apparently. I just got attacked, in my CIVILIAN form, no less. And I was saved by that detective dude who gave you that creepy business card, and he directed me to a warehouse at [the address]. So, the two (three?) events are 100% related. I'm meeting up with him soon, but SA Kendrick (FBI dude) tells me not to trust him. Wanna come? Backup would be nice.

The phone rings--another call from Robot Dude. She answers it, saying "This is Sparkle Knight. What's up? I told the FBI about the conspiracy you mentioned--apparently, the government's behind the media coverup, but I feel like there's something else going on..." She's sure to whisper. Just in case.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Nomad:

There's a flash of light at the front of the home, then a huge flaming humanoid stomps into the hallway! The walls and roof begin to burn as the massive fire-being stalks down the hallway! Nomad's Infravision sensor is nearly overloaded by the intense heat radiated by the fire-being as it moves closer …!

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Sparkle Knight:

Reaching the Riverside graphitti-ridden warehouse, Sparkle Knight tries to contact a teammate …

https://thumbs.dreamstime.com/b/riverside-warehouse-facing-waterfront-well-kept-graffiti-plenty-water-sun-67390708.jpg

While on her phone, the heroine hears something behind her! Turning, she sees the detective right behind her, as if he appeared out of thin air --- and he was pointing a gun at her!

http://mediageekalert.com/Capseroo/IdrisDark02246.png

He says, "Toss that phone in the river. They're tracking it. They know everywhere you go and everything you say or text. How else do you think they found you?"

[Volthawk]

Given the circumstances, Nomad's answer to the others is brief. "They have superhumans and advanced technology. Escaping now. Will reestablish contact when safe." The situation here was getting too risky with reinforcements appearing. Dropping the phone and hoping any trackers on the gear didn't work in an interdimensional pocket, Nomad starts trying to teleport away - he has no particular destination in mind yet, but takes a somewhat erratic route away, varying his precise distance and direction a little every time so they can't just extrapolate his next position in a line.

[GravityEmblem]

"Hmm..." Sparkle says. Superhumans? Advanced technology? This guy's morality isn't looking so great... "Hold on, let me just..." She whips around blows a cloud of pixie dust in the detective's face. If they're going to talk, it's going to be on HER terms.

[Rhyvurg]

John reads the text twice to make sure he has the location right, then lifts off the ground, getting above the roofline before breaking the sound barrier, heading for the warehouse.

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Sparkle Knight:

The detective tries to back away from the mystic cloud, waving his hands at it, but his arms fall by his side as he stares blankly ahead --- lowering his gun to his side --- definitely not in his mind! He seems transfixed by something he can't see clearly ….!


The Saint:

He arrives at the Riverside warehouse almost immediately, to see Sparkle Knight next to the detective from Pramas Bridge! The detective looks lost in his thoughts staring ahead blankly with a handgun clutched by his side ….!


Nomad:

Nomad appears in a wild place that seems outside Freedom City --- perhaps beyond Earth as the terrain is different and the stars awkward! In the background, he sees the planet Earth ---!

http://earthasaplanet.pbworks.com/f/1225823815/earthrise.jpg

He realized he's captured in outer-space atmosphere! Was he on the Moon?!?! Then, he shifted again, arriving at what was clearly Midtown Freedom City! Hordes of pedestrian traffic passing and bumping into him! The dimensional matrix obviously had some kind of coding problem that tossed Nomad across barriers! He watches a cop write a ticket for a vehicle improperly parked ----

[Rhyvurg]

Saint lands a short distance from Sparkle Knight. "What's going on?"

[Volthawk]

Space? That was...new. Could they have tried to interfere somehow and caused that, or was it just a coincidence? Something to examine later, in any case. For now, he teleported up to a rooftop and took a moment to take stock of the situation, looking for any sign of the flaming humanoid or any other immediate response. Hopefully whatever just happened threw them off for a while.

[GravityEmblem]

Saint lands a short distance from Sparkle Knight. "What's going on?"

"This guy pulled a gun on me--not that it would have done much--and said to throw my phone away for security reasons. But Agent Kendrick told me not to trust him, and to record what he's telling me. So, basically, either the FBI or whoever this guy is with is working against us. But the thing is? This man clearly has powers, and according to Robot Dude, the conspiracy has access to technology-based superpowers. So, yeah, I made the decision to stick with the FBI." She waves in the detectives direction. "I've got him entranced for the moment, so he shouldn't be a threat. I don't think my control is strong enough to give him any orders, though, so we're not getting anything out of him."

[Rhyvurg]

John sighs and rubs his head. "This is going to get worse before it gets better. I was approached with a job offer by someone who seemed to know things about me I'd rather no one knew, she claimed to be with the government, and governments aren't in the habit of letting go of power. We need to be careful, because they're not going to let us go. I think the best we can hope for is to come to an agreement with someone in the government that will interfere with us the least, but even that sounds like a bad idea." He looks at the entranced man. "Maybe we can some answers out of him."

[GravityEmblem]

"Excellent idea. Hey, can...can you hear me?"

[SwordCoastTaxi]

Sparkle Knight and The Saint:

The detective doesn't respond, still staring into oblivion --- then they hear the sound of a metal door slamming! About fifty feet away standing in a warehouse entrance is that same detective! He raises his empty hands waist-level in a sign of compliance saying, "Sorry about that. Forgot who I was dealing with. I'm here to help, not fight."

Looking back to see the Entranced detective, the heroes realize he has vanished! The detective now standing at the warehouse says, "So, you're probably a little confused. Can we step inside where I can fill in the gaps. But, losing your phones is still non-negotiable. You're being tracked and they're probably on your tail ..."

[Rhyvurg]

Saint arches an eyebrow. "If I had to guess, you're doing something with time."

[GravityEmblem]

"Look, buddy, I'm hesitant to trust you, because one of the other heroes mentioned the conspiracy targeting us had access to technological superpowers--which you appear to have."

[SwordCoastTaxi]

The Saint and Sparkle Knight:

He looks the heroes over, "They call it Polymorphism. I can make copies of myself. Comes in handy when the old lady has that 'honey-do' list."

He half-grins and looks at Sparkle Knight, "You don't have to trust me, but I've been investigating you --- people like us for a few months and I can tell you, something is wrong. It cost you nothing to just to hear me out. Then, do whatever you want."

He looks at a helicopter flying above the area towards Midtown, scans the area, then walks into the warehouse ...



Nomad:

The hero finds himself alone on the rooftop. A helicopter approaches from the south high above as the sounds of traffic echo from the streets below ...

[Rhyvurg]

John looks at Sparkle. "Well, I'm going in to talk to him, what about you?"

[GravityEmblem]

John looks at Sparkle. "Well, I'm going in to talk to him, what about you?"

She sighs. "I guess so. The FBI is on their way, which is definitely bad for him. And if he's trustworthy? Bad for us, too. But still, be on your guard." She readies her phone's recording app, just in case, and heads inside.

[Volthawk]

Is that helicopter tracking him? One way to find out. Teleporting down into an alley, Nomad phases into one of the walls and waits to see if it passes by or lingers. It doesn't guaranteee that they're not after him, of course, just whether or not they knew exactly where he was and had a way of tracking him or were just employing more traditional search methods.

[Rhyvurg]

John does basically the opposite and takes the battery out of his phone, he was curious if this man would be able to tell if he had, and goes inside with Sparkle.