[Masks] San Fransapporo: After Dark

[Razade]

Pool: 1


Ronin, Sidis: Meeting

William Sidis motions to a large table as Hikari sweeps out of the room. "Let's relax here for now, I've had dinner prepared by our top chefs and I have a refeshment stand in our meeting room if you'd like anything. It will take me a few minutes to pivot and get some information for you so why don't you start?" he asks, moving to a large conference table in the room beyond before pulling a tablet from one of the chairs. "The boys in the AI Yard would be furious with me if I didn't ask to see your suit's work. If you are not indisposed with the idea, there are connection ports to all of our systems here. I'm sure they'd learn quite a lot with your help and a chance to look your coding over."


Hikari, HexXxen Staff: Security Rooms

Predictably the Security Station is several floors down and the trip allows you a brief chance to cool off if you so desire, the sleet gray sky finally unleashing its full fury as rain spatters against glass and the verdant hands of Bear Island's forests seem to close in on the small town below. A security officer is already waiting for you when the elevator stops, escorting you to the cloistered rooms that make up central security. A legion of folks are busy pouring over monitors, making calls and generally in a hustle as they're suddenly put into high gear work. You can see just from a few monitors that entire wings are bathed in red warning lights, steel shutters and other safety measures swinging into effect. If the Constellations are going to come through the building, there's going to be a fight just to get to you not to mention what you have in store for them when they do reach you.

A young woman, barely into her 30's, steps forward and she's someone you recognize. While she is no longer clothed in the heather gray uniform of A Banditry, a chickadee pin rests on her lapel and the cold emotionless stoic expression marks her as one of Jin's former battalion. There's only the briefest display of surprise when she finally seems to recognize you before an almost warm smile of familiarity graces her lips. "Probably not a good sign me seeing you here child. Tell me everything you know."

On the monitors close you, as this is all going down, you see another surprise when it comes to people. Tsunami and Sunburst making their way to the front entrance of the HexXxen building before the monitor goes to static.


Tsunami, Sunburst: HexXxen

Lyra stands in the cold rain for a moment, seeming happy for Lan's acceptance of her request though it's short lived as Tsunami puts even more cold water on the idea. An argument from the verbose young lady seems imminent but the force of the demand is too much to work against. A cold flash passes between her and Tsunami before she crosses her arms against her chest with a pout before she turns away. "Grumpy.." is all she mutters as you move away.

The trip from the docks to HexXxen is short, the small town on Bear Island really nothing more than housing and a small city center that centers around the looming tower. The rain is coming in buckets by the time you reach the front entrance, a significant guard presence out front. One is about to move towards you, hands waving you down before blazing red beams of light pierce through the gloom and moments later explode in crimson light leaving a small crater where the security detail was, the guards strewn about though seemingly just knocked around a bit. Another volley of the blasts follow around you, the asphalt of the street exploding in hot chunks that sizzle in the cold rain.

"You're not who I was expecting, but plans change!" a young woman's voice rises above the din, floating down from the clouds. There's no mistaking the uniform, cape billowing in the wind, black with a red interior side. Form hugging black clothing with red flairs and a crimson mask covering her lower face as a similarly dark red pixie cut is wet and plastered against pale skin. "Stay still while I erase you off the planet, it's the least you can do for what you did to Polaris." Her hand stretches out, red light sparking as she prepares another volley.

What do you do?

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty, Insecure
Potential: 3/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +2
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Lanuola winces a bit at Tsunami's harsh words and tone, rubbing at her shoulder where Tsunami had forcefully pushed himself between her and Lyra. She glances back to Lyra, catching her cold look, and feels a twinge of guilt at how the interaction went. Looking back to Tsunami, though, confirms to her that there would be no discussion on this. She made a mental note to try and find Lyra later and apologise. Hopefully she'd be able to before too long. She stays quiet for the rest of the short walk, not wanting to further aggravate her teammate. The panels steadily become more and more desaturated as they walk, until the colours are almost completely muted. The HexXxen building finally looms above the pair, dwarfing them completely, the steadily increasing rainfall adding to the downbeat atmosphere.

Lanuola was surprised at the sheer level of security outside the HexXxen building. Was this just the norm for large companies..? The panel abruptly changes to a wideshot, Sunburst and Tsunami to the right, HexXxen and its guards to the left. The bright red beams cut through the otherwise near-monochrome panels, separating the pair from the building they were trying to get to.

Sunburst raised her arms ahead of herself as another volley of beams cut down into the asphalt around her. She found herself suddenly dreading what Hikari was going to say. They'd flatly ignored her instructions and, sure enough, now they were staring down a very angry looking Constellation. A knot of emotion welling in her chest, Sunburst clenched her fists as her skin erupted in light and her eyes began to burn a brilliant white. The woman's words confused her, though, and she glanced briefly to Tsunami to try and gauge if he knew what she was talking about.

"W-we've never even met Polaris!" She turned back and yelled up to the woman, "A-and, uh, a-and we're not l-looking for a fight!"

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Rolled a 3(!) for generating Burn in the Discord. Will be marking Afraid, Guilty, and Insecure as a result. Lanuola's now very aware of why Hikari gave the instructions she did, and is feeling guilty at ignoring them, Insecure about her decision making, and afraid at the risks a fight in an urbanised area bring (as well as afraid of recriminations from Hikari )

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Angry, Damaged, Guilty
Potential: 2/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them how they are your role model as a hero, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.

Miho follows Sidis, her chair rolling smoothly in his wake as she tries to reorder her thoughts. Despite Hikari’s clear difference of opinion, this really is this important to her; worth the risk, in her estimation. Hikari doesn’t know what it’s like to live with a spectre hanging over her like she has.

”Now, Mr. Sidis,” she replies with gentle reproof. ”I may be young, but I’m hardly naive. Do you really expect me to just hand my code over to you?” She shakes her head, smiling faintly.

”This is my work, and Chisei is my friend. I don’t have the right to lay him bare like that just because I coded him in the first place. Perhaps you should ask him, if you would like a peek?” she suggests. No doubt the room is configure for teleconferencing, which is more than enough audio/visual equipment for Chisei to access to join the conversation.

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 4/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -2
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.

Appraising the security, the swarm of activity puts Hikari at ease. While it hadn't looked it before, it was clear that the entire complex was on lockdown now. There were real professionals in charge of this operation, their coordination seamless and somehow familiar. Sidis was clearly sparing no expense. Nice to see people taking this seriously. The barriers wouldn't stop the Constellations if they came in force, but it would slow them down in a big way. Maybe that would be enough.

When the head of security approaches, it all clicks into place. Chelsea! It felt familiar because it is familiar. The same vigilance and hyperefficiency. It's got A Banditry written all over it.

"I've got to say Chelsea, you picked a real bad time to start believing in omens," she says, a wry grin pulling at one corner of her mouth. "You might say the stars foretell danger. We've got Constellation trouble. They're out for blood and they've got my team in their sights. Just me and Ronin though, the rest are-" Something on a nearby monitor catches her attention. "Outside the gates?! You've got to be kidding me!"

As the picture on the monitors turns to snow, Hikari's rapidly heating blood turns to ice. Please, no, tell me this isn't happening!

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions:
Potential: 3/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 2

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

Tsunami remains on high alert for the short remainder of their trip to HexXen, and not entirely willing to feel any relief yet when he sees the guards moving towards him. They’re so close to a semblance of safety- and while he’s definitely alarmed by the sudden bolts of crimson energy lancing into the street between them, he’s more disappointed than actually surprised. He didn’t want a fight, but he’s been waiting for something to happen. Anything. At least the anticipation is over.

“Who th-” He sputters angrily as he lifts his kanabō and dodges one of the bolts before gazing upwards for the source of the voice, Sunburst’s shout expressing his intended sentiments. “We don’t know a Polaris, stranger. If that’s what this is all about, someone is playing you.” Tsunami barks out after Sunburst.

“Are you alright?” Max calls to the security forces that were knocked about, stepping to the side and further away from them however as he hopes to draw fire away from them, when it’s clear she’s not done raining hell down on them. He is prepared this time. Hefting his kanabō with one hand, he begins to swing the massive weapon with impressive ease, the rush of air audible with each pass. Tsunami meets each of her energy beams with the weapon and a percussive clang, sending the streaks of light back into the air, up and away from anyone or thing.

“We don’t want a fight!” He echoes Suburst again, albeit more forcefully. “But you better stand down or we'll make you!”

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled 11 for Before We Get Started so taking 3 hold. Spending one to redirect their attack.

[Razade]

Tsunami, Sunburst, Maia: Outside

“You flung him off a building!!” Maia screams, hands aglow with another wave of destructive energy before unleashing the volley. Each blast bounces off Tsunami’s weapon in dazzling fashion before erputing in midair like a Fourth of July fireworks display. This, predictably, only makes the young villain angrier.

The guards slowly get to their feet, not looking much like they’re able to answer let alone provide backup at the moment. Even if they were, a lavender beam strikes them from off panel, the explosive force of the resulting blast shaking the ground as Vega flies in. “This was supposed to be easy. Keep your eye on the boy, he’s more clever than he looks.” she offers, cape blowing in the increasingly violent storm. “I’ll take the girl. Keep them close and she won’t be able to use her powers. Won’t want to hurt your buddy eh, Sunburst?”

Hikari, Security Team: Security Room

It absolutely is happening and considering the number of enemies on screen has only increased it’s more off the rails than you’d probably like. Chelsea only nods seeing the fight unfold, motioning to the rest of the team.

“We can get out there and offer support but it’ll leave us exposed. They’re fast, it might let one or both of them in if they’re after all of you. How do you want to handle this little Chickedee? It’s two on two and we’ve got wounded. I’ll back you up.”

Ronin, Sidis: Private Rooms

“I could make a compelling offer but I thought I might try the friendly approach first.” Sidis offers a warm smile and a gentle shrug. “Never pay for something you can get for free, that’s how you stay on top of things.”

The smile wanes at the mention of letting Chisai speak for itself, leaning back in his chair with a sigh. “I suppose we could though I own up to a small bit of trepidation allowing an active AI into our systems. Your handling of RC-2aB has reached every ear in the city that concerns itself with robotics. I understand not wanting to hand over something you see as a friend under the circumstances, but your work could help move integrated VI systems forward by twenty years. VI’s in the medical field alone could save a billion lives alone. Think of what else we could do, how we could change the world overnight. You’re smart, if you weren’t with your team I’d offer you a job on the spot. Full ride to any college of your choice and a top position waiting for you here when you graduate. I won’t ask you to leave your team, I get the hero business. But think of the good you could do if you just let us at your AI.”

Cindersnap: En Route

The panels move to a small craft, bouncing and pitching against the waves. What is clearly the Monsoon’s symbol on the sides of the boat have hastily been burned but not quite well enough. A small read out on the dash shows a city map at street level and a single pulsing dot. The streets line up with HexXxen’s main building. Cindersnap is at the wheel, a bit grin at the gills but holding on as Bear Island looms in the distance.

Koto, Tumult: Also En Route

The panels move once more, this time high in the sky. A small helicopter fights against the winds, Tumult sat at the controls while a number of Koto Ninja and the Dragon herself strapped in. Text boxes ringed in static indicate the conversation is being held over radio.

“You followed Hikari to the Blue Dragon Way. You’re certain that she is on her way to the HexXxen complex?” It’s Lady Koto’s voice, stern and humorless.

“My best guess, the only thing that her team would need there. If not we’ll see the fireworks. The Constellations have already moved on them and the island isn’t big enough to hide that kind of fight.” Tumult answers back, fingers gripping the wheel as the chopper pitches in the rising storm. “No one’s getting on or off that island soon anyway. We’ll be lucky if we don’t crash into the sea at this rate.”

“Then you best concentrate. I won’t let our little bird get executed" The panels move on Koto’s face, her eyes blazing with flame.

Flashback!

The Kintsugi headquarters is, as it always is, a bustle with activity. Agents moving about with their young wards, shipments being brought in to reinforce the old Tonbogiri Library and even members of the Monsoon coming and going though their presence has always been rather hush hush. None of it’s important for you, you’ve got one of your meetings with Miss Honeycut and Theurge.

The usual place is filled to capacity today, familiar faces and troublemakers all accounted for unlike the last meeting. The less mentioned about your ill-fated clean up or the assault on Monkey Island the better, one would expect, though today probably counts as a win. Both the older women seem engaged with other young meta-humans, not giving you much notice than polite greetings and motioning for a seat. Many eyes however fall on you from the other youths, while you may not want to brag or even bring up your less than stellar week the word’s been out for some time. Akihito and his band’s gaze practically burn a hole in you as you find a place to sit. None brave enough to approach with the gaze of Honeycut so close, but their interest is obvious.

“I’m glad you could make it today.” Theurge’s calm voice cracks through the oppressive air as she moves in behind you, a hand resting on your shoulder. “You’ll be back at the clean up this weekend?”[/B]


Lanuola only pays the barest attention to the bustle of activity within the library. There always seemed to be something going on, and she rarely had the mental bandwidth to pay full attention to the bustle of the activity outside of her Kintsugi meetings. And, the honest truth was, today was no exception.

She was surprised to see the meeting fully filled. Often there were some that just rarely attended, or would alternate attending with other members. Looking around, she began to feel uncomfortably self-aware. It would’ve been easy to dismiss the attention on her if there were just one or two people looking at her, but it was starting to feel like everyone was watching her every move. Akihito and his followers especially seemed to be-

“I’m glad you could make it today.”


Lanuola very nearly jumps at the abrupt contact. “Th-Theurge!”She turns to face her, twisting in her seat to better look at her. Her relieved smile at the distraction from the mood in the room falters somewhat at the mention of the clean up. She’d kind’ve been hoping that was a one and done deal. She hesitates a moment, then nods, “Y-yeah, of course.”

Thuerge takes a step back with a surprised chuckle, holding up her hands. “We’ll find something a little less stressful for you to handle this time, maybe manning the water station. You don’t have to worry, everyone has a job to do. You doing ok? We heard about Monkey Island….” she trails off, glancing back at Honeycut who has joined the rest in staring you down. “You’re not hurt, you know you can call on us whenever you need to. We’re not just here for moral support. If the going gets tough, we want to be there to support you. We can’t do everything on our own, Lan.”[/B]

There’s an obvious note of worry in her voice. Why...that’s anyone’s guess. Maybe it’s her being just as scared of you as everyone else seems to. You did blow a hole in a building. Maybe it’s genuine concern for your safety. That would be the logical answer, given that Theurge has always done what she thought was best for you even if it wasn’t always the right thing in the moment. “Why don’t you get a seat….we’ll start the meeting in a few. You can talk about if you’re comfortable. Or not, we can meet some other time if you feel more comfortable.”[/COLOR][/B]

Lanuola nods her agreement at Theurge’s suggestion, “Y-yeah, umm, I, uh, I wouldn’t mind doing something, uh, something simple.” At the mention of Monkey Island, she shrinks inward a bit, involuntary ripples of light dancing across her skin, “... U-umm, it, uh, i-it was just, uh, just meant to, uh, to be a meeting. We, uh, we weren’t expecting to, uh, to be fighting…”

She nods again as she’s ushered to take a seat, opting to hold her own counsel for the moment on whether or not she’d be sharing with the group. Truth be told, she’d much rather not draw even more attention than she was already.

The meeting goes as one would expect. Akihito and his companions making any real progress with the rest a real struggle for all involved but once that road bump is done with everyone else goes smoothly. When everyone breaks, it almost seems you’re free and in the clear to leave but Akihito isn’t done causing problems just yet. He’d been staring at you long enough, it doubtlessly comes as a surprise.

“If it’s not The Destroyer.” he taunts as he saunters over, too handsome and too aware of it to be of any good, Akihito offers a ready teasing sneer on otherwise pouty lips as the rest of his band fall in behind. “Took time out from breaking the city to sit in, have you? What are you and your friends going to break and why have you invited us out to help? We don’t need an excuse.”

Lanuola mostly tries to keep her head down during the meeting, she’d seen enough of Akihito’s antics and trouble-making to know that today was probably going to be a wash. And sure enough, the meeting was more of a chore than usual, but it did eventually draw to a close. She was mentally preparing herself to leave when she was approached.

Akihito’s ‘greeting’ makes her shrink into her chair a little, “I-I-I don’t, u-uh, I-I don’t destroy th-things on, uh, on purpose, A-Akihito…”

“I know, and think how good you could be if you did, considering how good you are doing it by accident.” The handsome boy sneers, the others around egging him on with snickers. “You should reconsider, we could use someone like you in our gang. Think what we could do?”

He steps closer, Theurge and Honeycomb seeming too busy with others to save you from this predicament and meeting back at the base not quite in grasp. “You and your team’s mess has been all over the news. You can drop the good girl act. Why don’t you come out with me and the boys this weekend? See what sort of real trouble we can get up to.”

Lanuola’s skin begins to flicker as she feels knots of guilt form in her chest from Akihito’s jibes. She shakes her head, “I-I don’t want to be in a-a gang A-Akihito, a-and I’m trying to, uh, to take responsibility for, uh, for my messes. I-I’m helping, uh, helping rebuild this weekend.”

“Like you helped rebuild last weekend? Come on, Lan. You’re not a helper, you’re a God of Destruction! Kali made flesh! You’d do better to just live it up and enjoy yourself instead of being a stammering goody-to-shoe”. Akihito sneers more, looking at his companions who more than happily egg him on while repeating his jeers.

“Sooner you come to your senses, the better for you. The Warlords would even pay good bucks to get you in their good graces. Think it over Lan. Cause this hero thing? Not for you.” The trio offer another round of repeating their taunts to back up their leader before they brush past you. Probably a welcome thing, leaving you alone.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty, Insecure
Potential: 4/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +2
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Sunburst watches in amazement at Tsunami's rapid-fire deflections of Maia's blasts. Despite being on the same team as him, she hadn't actually fought alongside Tsunami all that often. His skill was pretty impressive. A lance of lavender took her attention back to where it ought to be. Following the beam back to its source, she was bewildered to see Lyra floating in.

A mixture of surprise and betrayal play across Lanuola's face as she realises what's going on. Her emotions shift toward anger at the revelation of who Lyra actually was, the light streaming across her body. A scowl forms as she mutters "Ua lelei..." A close up panel shows her hand diving into her pocket, retrieving the prism Sangha had gifted her. She hadn't had the time to test it, but it was meant to help with focusing.

Light abruptly flared around her fists as she called out, "I'm done hurting the people I care about! I can't make the same promise of you!"

Holding the prism out before her, she pointed it at the deceptive constellation, channeling her light through it and toward Vega.

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Rolled a 9 on direct engage on the discord, using Reality Flare and spending 2 burn instead of 1 to avoid collateral.

Sunburst is going to use the Prism Sangha gave her, and will be selecting 'Impress, Surprise or Frighten' as her option. If a team ends up getting spent, she'll also select resist/avoid blows, but I shan't assume the team will be spent

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 5/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -2
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.

"How do you want to handle this, little Chickadee?"

Sometimes it's the little things. Hearing Chelsea using the old nickname from A Banditry days pulls Hikari back from the brink, like a mantra or a subliminal keyword. Her mind flashes back to dozens of past moments of crisis just like this one. Budapest. São Paulo. Capetown. Moments that had shaped her, prepared her for this. Closing her eyes, she takes a deep, slow breath, caging the beast of fear and sharpening her focus on the task at hand.

The Constellations aren't here for Sidis, they're here for her and her team. This isn't a robbery, or even a hit job. It's a grudge match, for what Silk had done to Polaris. For what she had done to him.

"They're here for a fight. Wouldn't even be here at all if it weren't for me and my team. Only thing we can do now is give it to them." Opening her eyes, she turns to Chelsea. "Polaris is out of commission, but that still leaves at least five potential assailants. Maia, Vega, Cervantes, Altair, and Sirius. Looked like two of them outside before the monitors cut out. That's three unaccounted for. We need your forces here protecting Sidis in case they go for Ronin, but I need you to get me outside ASAP. Do you have a second-in-command that can manage things in here? I could really use you watching my back out there."

***

Rushing toward the exit, Hikari broadcasts a message to the rest of the team. "Tsunami! Sunburst! I'm on the way! Do not mess around with these guys, they will kill you if they get the chance!"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

GM's Birthday potential puts me at 5/5. Gotta think about that advance.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Angry, Damaged, Guilty
Potential: 3/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them how they are your role model as a hero, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.

Miho regards her idol steadily, seriously considering his words. The sheer…thrill that runs through her at the thought of working with him, her ideas and work being considered innovative enough to have a place at Hexxan. Well. It’s more than a little inspiring.

Of course, the implication that she needs to slog her way through some institute of higher learning before she’s qualified to do so? Less so. He’s already interested enough in her work for this meeting to happen in the first place, and he’s already shown some of his cards with regards to how he might best employ her code, and that’s without the ‘formal’ education he’s pressing for.

”Absolutely, it could change the world overnight,” she agrees. ”Respectfully, that would be the reason why I haven’t already marketed it to the world on my own. The potentials from this work are profound, both positive…and detrimental. I don’t think I have to tell you what some nations’ military engines might do with this sort of thing. The only restrictions are on the morality of those who employ it, and...that can be a scary concept. You can understand why I have to consider carefully how it could be used.” She watches him as she speaks, wondering how her words will strike him.

”And yes, you should indeed be wary about handing the keys to your kingdom to my friend,” she continues a touch wryly. ”Fortunately, you can discuss his code with him without doing that; and you do need to discuss it with him,” she cautions, sliding her tablet out of its holder on her chair and swiveling it to face Sidis. ”This code is his very life, and I don’t feel I have the right to unilaterally decide what happens to it. Dr. Sidis, meet Chisei,” she introduces them.

IT IS A PLEASURE TO MEET YOU, SIR. MIHO AND I ARE BOTH GREAT ADMIRERS OF YOUR WORK, the tablet printed at the AI’s direction.

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

Pierce the Mask on Sidis: 11
How could I gain influence over you?
What are you really planning?
What do you intend to do?

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions:
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

“You flung him off a building!!”

“Nope!” Tsunami shouts as he swats the last beam into the sky, still watching Maia’s position with intensity. “Sure didn't. Think I'd remember that!”

His head jerks to the side as a flash of energy a different colour erupts nearby, the surprise evident in his features rapidly becoming a cool fury as he sees Vega closing in. Maybe he should feel vindicated that his instincts were right, but he’s more disappointed being ‘paranoid’ is paying off more often than not.

The insinuation that Sunburst can’t work in close concert with her team without hurting them does annoy him, and so he holds his ground for a moment just out of stubborn principal. He’s not afraid of working side by side with her. Even if she’s knocked him out at least once.

As Sunburst aims at the pesky creep, Tsunami is rather awestruck as well by way the unfamiliar prism channels her radiant energy; he’ll have to ask about the device later. Watching as it spears out towards Vega, Tsunami leans over and gives a friendly sort of nudge under Sunny's arm with his elbow so that the beam strikes as directly as possible. Also maybe just to prove he isn’t afraid of being in close quarters with her while she’s blasting.

“You got this. Kick her a**!” He barks like some kind of sports fan cheering on their favourite player, although it is in utter earnest. With that, Tsunami jets off abruptly, steam having been starting to accumulate at his soles for a few moments prior as pressure built.

"Tsunami! Sunburst! I'm on the way! Do not mess around with these guys, they will kill you if they get the chance!"

“Don’t worry, not going to let them kill us before you get the honour.” Tsunami calls back as he rockets up to where Maia hovers in the stormy sky and reaches out, aiming to grab an ankle so he can throw her back down to earth.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

• Spending Team to help boost Sunny’s roll to a 10 so she can do the resist/dodge goodness too!
• Also spending 1 Hold to cross he distance to Maia.
• Rolled a 2 to Direct Engage the enemy (Maia). Adding potential... 4/5 :D

[Razade]

Pool: 0 (for the moment)


Sunburst, Tsunami: Outside

"Awww don't say that!" Vega calls out as she lands, another volley of energy charging up. "For what it's worth, I really thought we c-" Anything else is cut short as a beam of light races from Sunburst to Vega with a little assistance of Tsunami's aiming. Seconds later an explosion rocks the ground as the charged energy the teen villain was preparing detonates on top of her. Tsunami then goes racing up after Maia though it's a short lived trip. The other villain seems prepared this time for Tsunami, spinning in the air with some impressive alacrity before snagging him by the arm and giving him a toss into the building before shooting off a volley of energy beams that rock the tower.

"Enough of this! Enough of your lies! Vega, snap out of it and stop playing around. That's not going to be enough to take Tsunami down and we're not going to get inside to the rest while glowing fingers down there is laying down the firepower. You crossed the wrong people, Yami no Yojimbo. Lay down and die." Vega slowly pulls herself to her feet after Maia's scolding, giving a heavy sigh as she pulls out a large circlet, lavender energy honeycombing out of it to make a shield as Maia seems to charge up, a corona of dark red energy swirling around her as her muscles expand.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Tsunami roll to take a powerful blow

Hikari, Lady Koto: Bottom Floor

Things seem to be going well enough if Tsunami, of all people, can throw out a quip. The doors are almost in sight when a shadow drops from one of the many ceiling grates to place itself between you and it. Moments later several shuriken wreathed in flame fly past you, panels showing exploding security cameras ringing Hikari before the next page is a full spread. Lady Koto stands taller than most, not the least of her height made up of high heels. Her name is emblazoned in flame and dragons the same color as her vibrant hair.

"You're very hard to track down, little bird."


Ronin, Sidis: Inside

"I do understand the moral underpinnings at stake here, but with HexXxen's guidance you wouldn't need to concern yourself with that. We have entire panels on the payroll to look into these things, focus groups, psychoanalysts, even a few of your heroes to help maintain positive inclusion of our work to the everyday person." Sidis does seem a little less pleased with the deliberation, the smiling failing only slightly. The mention of weaponry only sours his mood further. "Yes...and that would certainly be a field we would be looking to step into. You're thinking of third world despots with an army of unthinking killing machines, unscrupulous politicians calling in drone strikes on cities and not caring about the civilians inside. I understand those fears too but think of the good your AI could do in the hands of people who fight for peace and not for power. AI doctors and transport drivers. No more civilians put in the line of harm for the vital jobs they provide. No more truck drivers pulling supplies hit by IEDs. Firefighters that can brave any inferno, police that can use less than lethal means to put down violent criminals, first responders who could go into small rural villages wracked by dengue fever without fear of contracting it. We live in difficult times but we could change things overnight, right here, right now. Tonight, the workforce sleep with hands of bone. In the morning, they would awake with hands of steel."

He then motions to the tablet, offering a small nod of his head as the words pop up. "And I am an admirer of your work. Surely you, sir, understand the logic in what I'm speaking. We would take the utmost care in looking you over and return you to your creator when we were done. Have no fear of that, we wish to work with the both of you, not against you. We've got enough competition with Wukong especially now that they've moved to our fair city. If we cannot work with your code, surely you both can work with us to make something of our own."


No sooner has Sidis spoken before alarms begin to ring, the building giving a terrible shake as steel shutters start to slide over the interior of windows. A voice, calm, pops over an unseen speaker system. "No reason to be alarmed sir. Security protocols are being put into place. It would seem the heroes were correct, we've got trouble brewing. I'm sending a detail to your location shortly."

Sidis gives you a sideways glance before the smile returns. "Don't suspect you've brought your armor with you? Security is all well and good but we might need something more serious if your friends can't take the heat."

Spoiler: OOC

Show

How could I gain influence over you? - Give Sidis access to Chisei's codes and/or help him create another AI for HexXxen

What are you really planning? - What he's said so far, he wants to start cranking out AI alongside his other products. That of course means the weapons products that they make among other things.

What do you intend to do? - Use the new AI to overtake Wukong Industries and push them out of San Fran.

[/spoiler]

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

The first panel looks up from the ground, framing Tsunami as he rockets into the air towards the more distant shape of Maia. The second then looks down on him, a tighter shot, showing his expression is determined and arm outstretched with purpose. The third is divided, first closely framing Maia’s face, her eyes narrowed in keen focus equal grit, the next a brief slice depicting the rapid motion as she realigns herself in preparation.

His arm is shown reaching out in empty space, Maia’s hand catching it from off screen. The next shot is sliced in half, each showing off one of their faces; a contemptuous sneer from the primed Constellation, and second, the momentary shock on Tsunami’s of realization that he’s gravely miscalculated.

The next view is shown over her shoulder as Tsunami hurtles into the building with a loud crash and crunch of metal and glass. Each blast of energy obscures Tsunami from view as it rocks the tower, the fact that the volley is moving down the building the real clue that they are all aiming for him specifically. And hitting their mark. A final frame in the series, level with the ground, captures Tsunami as he collides with it finally, smoke trailing off of his body.

Why had he felt it necessary to make a plucky quip?

Trying to push himself up, Tsunami grimaces and gingerly touches his temples, instinctively looking for blood. His head still feels like a ringing gong, thoughts jumbled in a mixture of pain, frustration, and doubt. The panel shows as he lifts his head finally to look straight ahead, the next a view from behind his hunched form; the first thing he sees is Sunburst some distance away, and then Vega, getting back up. The latter looks like she was preparing for something, and Sunburst... looks like she was having a break of resolve. Without thinking, Max can feel words leaving his mouth.


“Don’t you dare think about giving up right now!! Stop... trying to hold back and nuke these a**holes already!” He shouts at her, mouth continuing to hold a soundless snarl as he staggers back to his feet.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled a spectacular 12 for taking a Powerful Blow! Ouch! Choosing:

• Mark 2 conditions (Angry, Insecure)
• Lashing out verbally (at Sunburst)

Rolled a 10 to Provoke Sunburst.
Going to spend Team with that Provoke to help Sunny’s burn roll, hopefully imparting some conviction (alongside encouraging her to foolhardy action...)

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 6/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -2
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.

Hikari's head whips around to track the shuriken, throwing an arm over her eyes as they explode, taking out the cameras. When she turns back, the Lady Dragon stands before her. "Koto." Hikari speaks the name of her domineering sensei with a snarl on her lips. "How gracious of you to come all this way to help clean up the mess you made. Was this your plan all along? Using me to force a confrontation with the Constellations? So either we take them out or they take us out. Win-win, right?"

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled a 5 to pierce Koto's mask. Marking potential, bringing me to 6/5.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty, Insecure, Angry
Potential: 4/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +2
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

Sunburst's blast at Vega takes up a full wide-panel. The close-up after focuses on her, not her target, as the last of the light leaves her body with her attack. She's looking exhausted. Though she clenches her fists and motes of light flare around her hands, but her face falls at the sight of Tsunami being sent flying by Maia and the light around her blinks out.

Her stance shifts from aggressive to defensive as she sees the two constellations working together to charge what looked like a powerful attack. Could she actually win this? Despite her bold words, she... Wasn't sure that she could.

"Don’t you dare think about giving up right now!! Stop... trying to hold back and nuke these a**holes already!"

The panels cut back to a wide angle, showing Sunburst at a distance and Tsunami yelling toward her from his prone position. Lanuola feels her heart sink in her chest at his words. A splash page shows a shadow fall across Lanuola's face, in stark contrast to the light abruptly flaring up along her arms. Behind her, sepia-toned flashback panels fill in the empty space.

"You’re not a helper, you’re a God of Destruction! Kali made flesh!" "You destroyed a building?" " Soo se taimi lava out te tau ai tagata e afaina ai" "Let your one man wrecking ball and nuke walk in and solve the situation" "I-it happened again... I-I lost control again..." "... I-I don't think it matters what I meant to do..."

The panels pull back again, this time showing Lanuola blasting a broad, unfocused beam out at Vega's shield. Despite the blast, despite the fierce illumination, her face still remains undetailed in the art, her expression invisible. A final pair of remembered conversations echo in her head.

"You’ve shown that you’ve got this, you can keep this under control." "You’re not a bomb"

I'm sorry Miho... You're wrong about me...

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Got a 6 on Burn, bumped to a 7 thanks to Tsunami, so marking Angry and holding 3 burn.

Then rolled a 7 and spent 1 Burn to Reality Storm at Vega, choosing to resist/avoid blows. Notably, won't be spending the second Burn to prevent collateral.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Angry, Damaged, Guilty
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them lies they want to hear, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.

At the description of the front-line utopia Sidis envisions, Miho can’t help but snort softly. ”So, now we’re also to be responsible for the loss of how many jobs currently held in those hands of bone?” she points out, imagining the outrage of those who have been replaced by a ‘better’ version.

”Also, you seem to be missing a vital point, sir,” she continues. ”There still would be people in danger of blown up, burnt, or assaulted. They just wouldn’t be made of meat. Chisei isn’t a program that does whatever it’s instructed to; he’s his own, sentient, independent person, and he works with me because he’s my friend, and he believes in what we’re trying to do.”

She shakes her head.

”Either you have coded people who need to agree with and be compensated for what they do, or you scale things back to a sophisticated problem solving program – or you compromise your ethics and code yourself slaves.” Which, suffice to say, she won’t be a part of. She’s already feeling guilty enough without opening up that can of worms, and is more than a little irate that she has to educate this great man in some basic rights.

Alarms and security procedures interrupt the spirited debate, and despite her best hopes that her precautions might have been sufficient, Miho knows that the Constellations have descended upon them.

”I’m hardly one to wander around without means to protect myself when I’ve irritated the sordid criminal underbelly,” she admits, triggering the chair to bring her to an upright position. Handing Sidis the tablet, she rolls back a few feet.

”Chisei; Launch!”

The panel doesn’t show the armour transformation; dedicated readers have seen it before. No, that’s happening just off-panel in the foreground, while the panel itself shows Sidis’ reaction as the armour unfolds itself from its more utility configuration.

”Not precisely something I can just forget at home,” Ronin says dryly. ”Now, considering we’ve brought this trouble down on your premises, I have to apologise both for doing so, and for what I’m about to do.”

The armoured hero Bushido, statistically speaking, intervenes in Hexxen conflicts more often than can be considered a coincidence; Ronin had long ago surmised that he was based and outfitted from the building. Chisei has been doing a little bit of delicate snooping since they entered the building, and projects a path on her HUD for her to follow as she strides out of the conference room. Her destination, fortunately, isn’t too far, even if it appears like a blank wall when she reaches it.

A little code hacking from Chisei, and the concealed entrance opens to reveal a moderately sized lair, the armour and various weapon loadouts commonly used by Bushido racked awaiting need.

And she has a need.

UM, MIHO...WE APPEAR TO HAVE TRIPPED AN ALARM THAT WAS NOT ON THE SAME SYSTEM ACCESS I WAS USING. I IMAGINE WE SHALL BE JOINED BY BUSHIDO VERY SHORTLY. I...AM SORRY =(

Oh. Well then.

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

All the Best Stuff (Hero): 6
Marking Potential, and waiting for the arrival of an annoyed hero. :P

[Razade]

Pool: 3


Sunburst, Tsunami, Vega, Maia: Outside

Time comes to a crawl as the Constellations let off their own beam of energy which connects with Sunburst's. The panels go white, the sfx a resounding CR-CRAAAAAK BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM before they move to the rest of the team.

Hikari, Koto: Entryway

The panels are swift, following Koto's hand as it connects with Hikari's face with the purpose of wiping the sneer from her lips. Koto's face is stony, her eyes a storm. "Impertinent child, my son has worn off on you." She spits the words like venom, as if wounded by the mere implication of Hikari's statement. There's a brief moment of regret, a pang of guilt over the swift reprimand but it is fleeting. The Dragon rarely shows warmth outside the flames of her own passions and there will be no warmth here.

"I have crossed oceans to pluck you from this fire, burned bridges to journey here. For you to take such a tone with me, it is as if you are my own blood in truth. It was not expected that the Constellations would source our actions to your....friends...." the words are said with even more venom, abject disdain not even veiled. "nor that they would take such actions as they have tonight. They came for you at our village asking for your head. I denied them their prize and will need answer to The Warrior. I will do so for you, you are not to be fed to the wolves. Now come, we have transport on the roof and we intend to take you away. You will not be that woman's prize this evening. Your friends will not fall to them either, Tumult has promised to aid them though I know not why. Nor do I care. I should be drunk and warm this evening not wet and furious, you will join me."

As if on cue the entire building trembles, bright light washing the entryway of HexXxen Corp's before the entire front of the building erupts in glass and steel. The explosion sucks in the rain, sprinklers spewing grey water in response.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Mark a Condition for your miss.

She's also, in her own way, telling you how things work. You're supposed to follow orders and be a good girl. Raise Freak up and lower Savior or roll to reject her Influence.

Ronin, Sidis: Inside


"We will continue this discussion another time. Don't think I'm just going to let you off my hook after you've taken a bite. I am not a man who likes to lose a fish." Sidis heaves a sigh though seems a good deal relieved when you enter your armor. Additional warning lights bleep and bloop over the office, clearly triggered by what you just attempted to do which prompts a heavier sigh from Sidid. "That can't be helpful to your cause. Bushido is, thankfully, working in Halcyon for a Guardian outreach program though I suspect he'll be returning sooner than he anticipated. I'll play damage control on that end if you go play damage control on this end."

The doors to the office, and the panels, soon open on the aforementioned security team. Most are dressed smartly in suits and ties, firearms of HexXxen make at their sides though several are in what one could easily call power armor, tactical gear that obscures their faces, large ramjets at the back for momentary flight and far heavier rifles and power weapons to hand. "I'll be fine with a small detail. Take the JAEGER with you." Sidis motions to the power armored figures. "Sounds like the fighting's getting rough."

The building rocks once more, far more violently than the last time, as if to punctuate this fact as panels break to show the aftermath of Sunburst's attack. Maia and Vega are sprawled out on the ground, the shield and other weaponry flung from them. The road in front of HexXxen and the front of HexXen itself are blasted and shattered as Sunburst lets out her fury.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

No response from Bushido, considering how busy this scene is with characters. But soon.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Afraid, Guilty, Insecure, Angry
Potential: 4/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +2
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

2

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

The panels show an overhead shot of Lanuola, both Tsunami and the pair of constellations visible in frame. Lanuola herself is still, her skin still glowing a bright white even after such a spectacular discharge of power. A cut to a closer angle shows her from the side. Her head is lowered, eyes not clearly visible. The raindrops that hit her vaporise instantly, small puffs of steam rising from her skin. After a moment, she steps partially out of frame, then a third panel has her totally gone. The focus of the now empty panel being the heavily damaged frontage of the HexXxen building.

Though outwardly calm as she walks, the light dancing beneath her skin fluctuates wildly, hinting at the instability of Lanuola's emotional state. The steady white glow of her fists the only constant. Nearing the edge of the melted and broken road, she stops in front of the two prone Constellations. Raising her fists toward them, one for each, she opens her hands.

The silent panels finally end as she speaks, her voice soft in the rain, "Ua uma le fusuaga lea^*. Yield."

Spoiler: Translator's note

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"This fight's finished."

Spoiler: OoC

Show

A provoke attempt got only a 4, so a failed provoke but potential marked, bringing Lanuola to 5

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Angry, Damaged, Guilty
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them lies they want to hear, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.

Miho takes a deep breath, not for the first time glad that her armour conceals all manner of tells. The armour is damaged, her mental equilibrium is shot, and she has no idea what’s going on.

Time to change all that.

”We’ll deal with them,” Ronin assures Sidis, then heads for the door. ”With me,” she instructs the JAEGER, not having missed that she had been essentially put in command of them. Quietly requesting Chisei to locate the tactical team’s communications frequency, she turns her attention to her own team as they rapidly exfil the building, heading to the stairwell and rapidly dropping down the air shaft, various flight systems slowing everyone’s descent.

”Ronin here, I’m heading out with backup. What’s the situation?” She’s not certain anyone is going to have time to read their comms, and once again she’s determined they need to all get a dedicated communications network to avoid this sort of uncertainty.

In any case, she can soon see for herself as she and the JAEGERs exit the stairwell into the shattered front entrance. In her haste Ronin nearly misses Hikari standing in conversation with a costumed redheaded woman, and her armoured feet slide through the water and broken glass littering the floor as she shudders to a halt beside her teammate.

”We doing this?” she asks, looking between the two women. ”Sounds like all hell is breaking loose out there.”

Conscious that there might be a case to be made that all of this occurring here is partly her fault, Ronin tries to push those feelings aside as she rushes outside with armoured security in tow, trying to get a sense of what’s playing out out in the storm.

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

Assess the Situation: 8
Who here is the most vulnerable to me?

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry, Afraid
Potential: 7/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -2
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.

"Yeah. Let's go," Hikari says to Ronin. "We've got some fires to put out." Taking advantage of the distraction and interruption, Hikari pushes forward like Koto isn't even there, hoping against hope that the Lady Dragon will take no for an answer, at least in front of Ronin.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Adding one birthday potential, as per the message in the Discord channel! Marking Afraid per the GM post. Rolled a 7 to reject Koto's influence. Hikari will cancel Koto's influence over her and take +1 forward against her.

[Razade]

Pool: 3


Hikari, Ronin, Tumult, The Dragon Koto

Koto goes silent as Ronin appears, a heavy sigh escaping her lips as it seems the conversation has ended. Without missing a beat as Hikari walks past, the ninja motions forward. "Alright. Shoot her."

The panels shift, the three JAEGER lifting their weapons and taking a shot to Ronin's back. The panels shift forward once more though Koto is gone in a stream of flame, a flurry of punches aimed at and around Hikari as shards of concrete and glass lift up in the sudden updraft between the the quickly heated air inside and the blowing wind from beyond the threshold of what was HexXxen's entryway.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Angry, Damaged, Guilty
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them lies they want to hear, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.

Caught off-guard as she is, there’s no way for Ronin to react in time; her brain is still processing the implications of ‘Shoot her’ when the shots are fired. As smart as she is, she’s only human.

Fortunately for her, she has a co-pilot who is not.

Ronin yelps as she unexpectedly goes stumbling sideways, but the end result is inarguably a good thing. She’s scorched, and several warning flags pop up in her HUD for now-improperly functioning components on her left arm and shoulder, but far better than taking the blasts directly into her back.

”SONUVABITCH!” she swears, tottering for balance before whirling about to face the trio of JAGER that just tried to barbecue her without the appropriate seasonings.

They dare?

”Chisei,” she savagely instructs in the privacy of her helmet. ”Hack their jet packs. Full thrust.” Let’s see if a rapid introduction to the ceiling can put a damper on their hostile actions.

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

Unleash (Machine Control): 11
Launch, baby!

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry, Afraid
Potential: 7/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -2
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.

Koto taking no for an answer was too much to hope for.

Even on high alert, Koto is way too fast for Hikari, and the barrage of fiery punches sends her flying as if from an explosion. The panels draw out the ragdoll sequence as if time itself has slowed while Hikari evaluates their predicament. Three things make themselves clear. First, Koto attacked her. She isn't letting them go without a fight. Second, Koto didn't vaporize her. She's holding back, just trying to make it look good. Third, those punches really hurt. Even if Koto's handicapping herself, they'll still need to go all out if they want to make it out of this alive.

This third truth is driven home as Hikari's face collides with the ground, but she recovers. Rolling back to her feet with the momentum, she draws Chidori and Honoo from their saya at her hips, facing her fiery enemy with blood trailing from the corner of her mouth.

"These people are dangerous! We can't afford to hold back," she calls out to Ronin. "If you've got any experimental ordinance you've been waiting to test, now's your chance!"

With swords unsheathed, Hikari springs forward to do something she's often dreamed of but never dared to do - attack Koto head-on. Ninja versus samurai. Mother versus daughter. Darkness versus light.

Spoiler: OOC

Show

Rolled 11 to Provoke Ronin to violent action and drastic measures using Devil or Angel on my Shoulder. Rolled a 7 to Directly engage Koto, thanks to a boost from Ronin. I'll take the option to resist or avoid her blows.

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

It takes a few moments for Tsunami to regain his senses. Even though he was further from the blast and it was aimed away from his position, the result was both blinding and devastatingly percussive. At first, he isn’t even sure if he was engulfed by it or not, but eventually his vision clears, just in time for him to find himself falling face first towards the ground after having slipped from the wall crater that had previously cradled him. He just barely manages to catch himself with a burst of steam to slow his momentum, softening his landing at least though he does still land nearly prone.

Staggering to his feet, Max finally gets a moment to see the full destruction of Lan’s blast, the scene before him transformed from what it was moments ago. Taking a few moments more to breathe, he finds himself feeling rather off center. He’ll have to process that later.

He trots stiffly over to Sunburst, a bit of a mess with rain cutting tracks through the blood and dirt on his skin, and most of his hair having escaped its topknot. All the same, he takes a stand at Lan’s side, straightening up as best he can.

“What she said.” He grunts.

[Razade]

Pool: 3


Hikari, Ronin, Lady Koto, Tumult: Inside

The three JAGER units go bouncing down the hall though only for a moment as their machine parts are hijacked. Two are quick to right themselves as the third simply falls to the ground as its occupant ejects. Tumult is treated to a full page spread finally as he bursts into the scene, the letters written in ransom note style as the wild youth surges past Ronin. This seems to catch Koto's attention as Hikari and her trade blows. "Good, let's switch." she shouts as she uses the last parry of Hikari's swords, to slip away, a massive fireball surging down the hallway towards Ronin as it melts steel and plaster into little dirty rivers. Tumult however doesn't match up to the call, running past Hikari towards the fight outside. Meanwhile the other JAGER seem to have got their stuff together, quick to lay down suppressing fire on Hikari.

Spoiler: Ronin

Show

Roll to take a powerful blow

Spoiler: Hikari

Show

Take -1 to Defend Ronin or roll an unleash to get through the cover fire wherever you wanna go.

Sunburst, Tsunami, Maia: Outside

As the smoke and light clear, rain once more returns to the area in front of HexXxen to reveal the battered Yami no Yojimbo and the crater left after Sunburst's attack. The sfx of rain is all that is on the panel of the battered and blasted Vega who sits at the center of the crater, Maia barely standing and the Yojimbo themselves.

"No." the next panel shows as Maia staggers to her feet, blood leaking from various wounds from the blast as she gives a hopeful, rousing, nudge with her foot to Vega. Vega does not respond as she's rolled over, her eyes a blank white. "No..." Maia repeats as she crawls, hands and knees, out of the crater, fury in her eyes as she stares a hole into Sunburst.

"You almost killed Polaris. You tried to take out Vega and me...but I'm stronger than you. You'll pay." she snarls through gasped breathes as she collapses onto the soaked pavement. The following panels show the young woman in a tantrum, a defeated scream scrawling over the panels as she flails about as best she's able. All the while, the text grows blacker, bolder, thicker on the page as lines fill in the blank text box crawling from the words until the words themselves almost seem at the center of a maze. Flames blaze into life from the wounds Maia has, her body standing shakely as similar black lines form around her eyes and mouth.

You've seen this before. Quite a while ago. When you fought The Iron Devil. You also remember that that was about the time the magnetic villain somehow created a giant railgun and almost blew an entire building to pieces. More flames wreath Maia as she rises into the air, her hands growing into molten claws. The panels split showing Tumult in the ruined doorway of the HexXxen building, rifle raised and aimed at Sunburst as Maia's feet become like rockets, blazing into life as she surges claws forward to Tsunami. The panels combine into one with a single SFX. Bang.

Spoiler: Sunburst

Show

Hey-yo, roll + Danger. On a miss, you're struck and lose control of your powers in a dangerous way. On a hit, you struggle past the pain of being shot, take -1 ongoing until you get medical treatment. On a 10+, your powers activate and melt the bullet before it hits you. Clear a Condition.

Spoiler: Tsunami

Show

Roll to take a powerful blow as you're struck by Maia and your friend shoots your other friend.

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Guilty, Insecure, Angry
Potential: 5/5

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Danger: -1
• Freak: +2
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

Show

Held Burn

1

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

For a moment, Sunburst falters. Her hands twitching as she takes in the sight of the two broken constellations, the one checking on the other. Vega's prone, still body taking up most of her attention. Her face is shown for the first time in a while, her expression looks harried. Had she gone too far?

And then Maia starts hurling her accusations. The fear and worry that had started to gnaw their way into her chest get punched out by Maia's raging, leaving an empty hole. Her fists clench and start to tremble. Sunburst's stressed expression is replaced by her own anger, her own fire rising to match Maia's. She takes a step forward, swiping a hand to one side to take in the destruction surrounding them, and yelled "Afai e te tuʻua aʻu na o lenei o le a le tupu!^* None of this had to happen!"

Her shout leaves her throat feeling raw, but if it's heard by Maia, the constellation doesn't show it as she retaliates with her own scream. Raising her fists, Lanuola readies herself to fight again, prepared to try and match whatever Maia intended to throw at her. As Maia rises up and begins to rush forward, time feels like it slows. The scene seems crystalised but, as Lanuola begins to raise her hands to summon her power, she catches an unexpected movement from the corner of her eye. Someone on the steps of HexXxen, a weapon of some kind.

The panels shift, the view now being of Lanuola in the foreground, out of focus, with the shooter sharply in focus, clearly visible over her shoulder with the ruined facing of HexXxen behind him. The muzzle of his gun flares as he fires. The next panel has the blur on Lanuola reduced, and the focus starting to soften around Tumult. In front of Lanuola, motes of light are forming a small patchwork in the air. And then Lanuola is fully in focus, a shield of light etched into the air in front of her blocking out almost all of the background, an impact striking just in front of her shoulder.

Time snaps back to normal for her as she registers the loud bang of the gunshot that was just fired. Fired at her. The shock of the moment slows her response time, allowing Maia to barrel past her and into Tsunami. Perhaps unfortunately for her teammate, she finds she can't spare much time to worry for him. Instead, she makes a slicing motion through the air with her hand, the shield in front of her dissipating even as a smaller one forms between Tumult and his rifle. The small shield then races toward her, yanking the weapon from Tumult's grip. As it skids to a stop beside her, she takes a couple of steps toward the new arrival and yells out, "Whoever you are, I'm not looking to fight you!"

Spoiler: *Translator's Note

Show

"If you left me alone this wouldn't be happening!"

Spoiler: OoC

Show

Spending a Burn to Snatch the rifle from Tumult, marking the first time that Sunburst has used Snatch!

Also rolled a 10 for Danger on the discord, allowing her to avoid the bullet and clear Afraid.

[Captain Jak]

Ronin
Conditions: Angry, Damaged, Guilty
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +0
• Danger: +1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +1
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] I'll Show Them: When you defend someone who doesn’t believe in you, you can always take Influence over them, even on a miss.
• [X]All The Best Stuff: You’ve compiled access to caches of equipment and weaponry other supers have hidden in the city. When you access a cache, say whose cache it is. If it’s a hero’s, roll + Savior. If it’s a villain’s, roll + Danger. On a hit, you find a tool or intel useful to your situation; the GM will detail. On a 7-9, you leave evidence that you’ve been here. On a miss, you tripped an alarm and they’re coming; prepare to explain yourself.
• [X]White lies: When you comfort or support someone by telling them lies they want to hear, roll + Savior instead of + Mundane. On any hit, if they open up to you, take Influence over them.
• [X] Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from your supply, spend 1-gadget and roll + Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
• [X] Damage: You get an additional condition called Damaged. While marked, take +1 to take a powerful blow. To clear the Damaged condition, you need time, external help, or special equipment or abilities.

The results of taking momentary control of the JAGER’s tech aren’t as decisive as she might have hoped, but it at least put them off-balance and forced one of them to shed some of their advantage. She’d take it. She—

The panel is engulfed in flames, to the point where the outline of the Ronin armour can barely be made out. Warning lights spring up all across the HUD; while excellent against physical assault thanks to the kinetic shielding, it’s only the sheer durability of the armour’s alloys that resist energy bolts, electrical blasts...and fire.

A stutter of nonsense characters scroll across the HUD in Chisei’s typeface, worryingly, and then....

Well. Everything seems to go wrong at once.

Unsure if she can count on much of her tech at the moment, Ronin takes Hikari’s urgings to heart and unsheaths the Sword of Doom from her back, the near molecular width edge of the blade seeming to cut the very air itself. Assuming kasumi no kamae stance, she charges Lady Koto with the intent to finish the woman before she is finished herself.

Spoiler: CRUNCH

Show

Take a Powerful Blow: 10
Lose control of her powers in a terrible way.
Going along with Hikari’s Provoke; add 1 Team to the pool
Directly Engage Lady Koto: 6

[The_Specialist]

Tsunami
Conditions: Angry, Insecure
Potential: 4/5
Gadget: 0
Hold: 1

Spoiler: Labels

Show

• Freak: +1
• Danger: -1
• Savior: +2
• Superior: +3
• Mundane: -2

Spoiler: Moves

Show

• [X] Fireside Chat: When you seek advice from your mentor, roll + the Label they embody. On a hit they will tell you what to do. On a 10+, mark potential if you follow their advice, and take +1 ongoing to follow through. On a 7-9, you get +1 forward to see it through if you do it their way. On a miss, they don’t have time for you because something big has gone down; mark a condition, GM’s choice.
• [X]Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: When you assess the situation before entering into a fight, you may ask one additional question, even on a miss.
• [X]Venting Frustration: When you directly engage while you are Angry, you can roll + the label your mentor denies (Mundane) and clear Angry.
• [X]Before We Get Started: When you take the time to closely observe your opposition before a battle, roll + Savior. On a 10+, hold 3. On a 7-9, hold 2. On a miss, hold 1 and mark a condition. During battle, you can spend your hold 1 for 1 to name a character you observed and...:
  
  • ...redirect their attack to another character or nowhere—into a wall or the sky.
  • ...cross a distance between them and you.
  • ...disarm them.
  • ...ignore all harm to yourself from one of their attacks.
  • ...escape any bindings or restrictions they attempt to place on you.

It had been too much to hope for of course, for the Constellations to accept defeat and surrender. Tsunami feels a sigh leave his body as Maia gets to her feet and refuses. He can respect her tenacity. He would probably act the same if facing someone who had tried to murder his team. Which the Constellations are trying. That said, his brows do knit in concern when Vega... does not seem responsive. Max doesn’t really believe in striking killing blows, especially when the whole situation seems possibly the product of miscommunication. There is no way to confirm Vega’s status though, not while Maia insists on escalating the conflict.

“We never tried to kill Polaris. We didn’t want this fight either.” Tsunami growled in exasperation as the Constellation made her accusations, and cried for vengeance. “Just stand down and we can get help for her-” It seems the urging is too late however, and he steps forward quickly to flank Sunburst when she starts to shout as well. If they must keep up the fight, he’s not leaving her to do it on her own. Anger continues to bubble through his veins all the same, frustrated with the situation and how much destruction has been needed to not even end it.

The strange black lines that etch themselves around Maia’s eyes and mouth cause his eyes to narrow as he registers their familiarity. That can’t be good. Just as she launches herself at them however, he somehow finally becomes aware of the secondary figure that has joined the scene, a little too late. From their narrow slivers, hazel eyes fly wide instead in a look of pure shock, fear bleeding in as well, a rare emotion for Max to show. There is an underlying pain and longing as well, heart breaking all in the span of a second, because he knows this means Xiua’s made his choice.

“Xiua-!” The name leaves his lips reflexively all the same, a raw shout. It’s all he manages however, an arm reaching towards the sniper just as Maia collides with him. He hears the shot ring out, a sound almost familiar. It would have been a relief, in the past. He wouldn’t have made it to San Fran without it. Where would he even be now, without him?

His head cracks against the ground as he crashes beneath Maia, and for a moment he expects it to repeat. Again. Again. Crunch. But there’s no grotesque hand gripping his face and holding it down this time. The rain is familiar too though, as is the pain. A bleak, desperate fight, and the keen sense that this person doesn’t just want to break him, but kill him. All for what? Some senseless argument. The fire is new.

With the flurry of Maia’s molten claws and rage having smashed into him, knocking the wind and sense out of him, all that’s left is the pain and fear of what happens next, a million thoughts rushing by with only a nanosecond to process each.

Will Xiua watch as she shreds me? Is he going to just shoot me next? Maybe they could have taken down Maia still somehow, but they needed the whole team to stop the Iron Devil. Tsunami knows Tumult, his abilities. They can’t tackle him too, not without the others. More than that, Max still doesn’t want to fight Tumult. Not him. How can he defend both Sunburst and Tumult from each other in the middle of this? He can’t. Can he even defend himself? How did he fail so many people?


How did it all unravel so quickly? Even Sunburst couldn’t stop it. This has to stop.


His hands flail outwards for support and... something. The kanabō is missing, but his palms slap down in the water that surrounds them as futile comfort for the ruined ground. His fingers curl against the ground, and he almost wretches from the sudden collision and a sudden sensation of gravity that feels as if it is pulling him from inside out, towards the shore.

Despite the sensation, Tsunami isn’t moving. But something else is.

All the rain immediately pooled around the pair abruptly disperses, almost seeming to ‘crawl’ away from Tsunami across the ground in a most unnatural way, out to shore. The shoreline itself appears to be retreating as well, only to be rolling into a dark, ominous shape. The massive swell breaks, roaring back for shore.

Spoiler: OOC

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Rolled 11 for Taking a Powerful Blow so choosing to have Max lose control of his powers in a terrible way.

[DreadPirateH]

Hikari
Conditions: Angry
Potential: 8/5

Spoiler: Labels

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• Freak: +1
• Danger: +3
• Savior: -2
• Superior: +2
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Moves

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• [X] Devil or Angel on My Shoulder: When you provoke a teammate to violent action or drastic measures as your Hero Persona, roll with your Alias Label. When you discourage a teammate from going overboard or making an action they can’t take back as your Alias Persona, roll + your Hero Label.
• [X]Save the Light: When you step in to intervene, help a civilian, or stop a threat roll + your Hero label. On a miss, you’re made to look the fool. Mark a Condition and give ground. On a hit, you’ve got someone’s attention. Use it as an opportunity or provoke them to action. On a 10+ your foe must respond in kind or flee.
• [X]Captain: When you enter battle as a team, add an extra Team to the pool and carry +1 forward if you are the leader.
• [X]Been Reading the Files: You’ve learned about the superhuman world through your mentor’s resources. When you first encounter an important superpowered phenomenon (your call), roll + Superior. On a hit, tell the team one important detail you’ve learned from your studies. The GM will tell you what, if anything, seems different from what you remember. On a 10+, ask the GM a follow-up question; they will answer it honestly. On a miss, the situation is well outside your base of knowledge; the GM will tell you why.

Hikari's head whips around as Tumult barrels his way past her, and when she turns back, Koto creates some distance between them. Hikari curses and makes to charge her down, but a spray of bullet fire cuts her off. Her leg sears with pain as a shot grazes her thigh and she collapses onto one knee behind a pile of rubble. She sizes up the two JAEGERs, but they're too far for a dash.

Then she notices the shadows.

Between the explosions, fireballs, and gunfire, most of the overhead lighting has been destroyed. The flickering flames and fluorescent lights throw shifting shadows across the floor, walls, and ceilings. The next panel shows Hikari crouched, the red scarf tied like a sash around her waist hidden underneath her clothes brought into stark relief. Gotta time it just right... Standing up, she gives the JAEGERs just enough time to draw a bead on her before charging. A page-wide panel shows her path from the rubble, into the nearest pool of shadow, and then launching herself out of the shadows on the wall behind the firing JAEGER with Chidori and Honoo extended.

Stabbing her blades into the shoulder of the armor, Hikari yanks the JAEGER around. Sparks fly as the bullets chew through the armor on the other JAEGER and she pushes off, sending the JAEGERs crashing into each other as she tumbles through the air, crumpling back to one knee on the landing with a grunt. Turning her head to the side, she spits blood onto the polished concrete floor. "Who wants seconds?"

Spoiler: OOC

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Rolled 5 to Unleash to evade the suppression fire. Marking potential, bringing me to 8/5. Rolled a 14 to Turn to the Darkness. Taking +1 forward to overcome obstacles in this fight against Koto, also taking 1 hold. The release is cathartic, I'm clearing Afraid.

[Razade]

Pool: 3


Max, Maia, Sunburst, Tumult, Lyra: Outside

As time moves to a standstill for Tsunami, it moves very quickly for everyone else. Tumult gives a look of shock, and unbridled fury, towards Sunburst though the light wielding lady doesn't suffer under it for long as Maia charges. Fury is swiftly replaced with indecision though in another moment he's off, charging down Maia with a warcry. No more bullets heading towards Sunburst probably isn't the reprieve the hero needs however especially as the rain stops and the first wave erupts across the open grounds. Everything is in that moment, Lyra still strewn out across the pavement, Maia and Tumult in a heap as flames blast into the air, Tsunami in another hole of their body's making. Then the world seems to inhale, the waters clearing.

Then the world exhales and the wave strikes.

Hikari, Ronin, Koto and Friends: Inside

Inside HexXxen isn't fairing much better than outside, all things considered. Tight, cramped corridors and multiple fighters making for not ideal circumstances. Not ideal as Hikari takes a hail of bullet fire, not ideal as Ronin sets themselves up to square up against Koto. Both fights are side by side. Panel for panel. Hikari standing over her enemies in a moment of triumph as Ronin is disarmed, Koto unleashing a kata on the heroine seeming to dance through the motions and then with one final movement she plucks the sword from Ronin's hands and tosses it down the hallway.

"Now what, Warrior-Spawn?" she spits, the panels ending with a fireball hurtling towards Ronin as Hikari gives their pithy line. The next panel is a full paged spread. The inside of the hallway flooding. The next page is an empty hallway. Everyone swept away.

Spoiler: OOC

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Both of you mark a Condition!

Everyone: The Ocean

The last page shows the plaza outside HexXxen, Hikari and Ronin and the others falling out as they're pulled by the withdrawl of the giant wave only moments behind Sunburst and the others outside. Lyra still seems unconcious, drifting in the water limply. Koto and the JAEGER struggle towards one another as Tumult and Maia plunge beneath the waters. Thankfully that's the end of it, no civilians present for the fight. While villains with a desire to kill you may seem most pressing, the ocean will kill you all without consideration. It's just the ocean after all and all of you are hurtling out to sea as the storm rages above. What do you do?

[Comissar]

Sunburst
Conditions: Guilty, Insecure
Potential: 5/5

Spoiler: Labels

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• Danger: -1
• Freak: +2
• Savior: +3
• Superior: +0
• Mundane: -1

Spoiler: Burn and Flares

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Held Burn

1

Shielding

You call up a fast protective field to stop a danger. Spend 1 burn to defend someone else from an immediate threat, rolling +Freak instead of +Saviour.

Moat

Spend 1 burn to create a barrier that will hold back threats as long as you keep your attention on it. The GM may call for you to spend another burn if the barrier is threatened by particularly powerful enemies.

Reality Storm

You channel a destructive burst with your powers. Spend 1 burn to directly engage a threat using your powers, rolling +Freak instead of +Danger. If you do, you will cause unwanted collateral damage unless you spend another burn.

Snatch

Spend 1 burn to use your powers to seize any one object up to the size of a person from someone within view.

Moves

Wish I could be - When you comfort or support someone, if you tell them what you most envy about them, you can roll +Freak instead of +Mundane.

Unstoppable - When you smash your way through scenery to get to or get away from something, roll +Danger. On a hit, the world breaks before you, and you get what you want. On a 7-9, choose one: mark a condition, leave something behind, or take something with you. On a miss, you smash through, but leave devestation in your wake or wind up somewhere worse, GM's choice.

There's a moment of quiet for Sunburst when she locks eyes with the furious Tumult. It's far from tranquil, she has no idea what she's done to earn the fury of the red-haired man and a part of her fears for what it could be, but there is at least quiet as they trade silent anger. The calm breaks as the man abruptly switches targets, chasing after Maia and bringing Sunburst's attention with them. Tsunami was down, Maia on top of him and the ninja rushing to finish the job. Power flaring along her arms, she yelled out "Alu ese mai ia te ia!^*"

With a swipe of her arm, a shield formed between Tsunami and... Empty space. Tumult had crashed into Maia, the ninja and the Constellation sent tumbling away from her teammate and rendering her shield pointless. Blinking in confusion, Lanuola doesn't have long to contemplate this change of events as a wall of water crashes into her back. The hasty guard she'd formed around Tsunami blinks out as her concentration is lost and the panels focus just on Lanuola for now.

A constant hiss surrounds her still-glowing arms as she fights her way to the surface of the suddenly flooded streets. She manages to break her way to the surface briefly, gasping to reclaim the breath she lost with the impact. A quick flash of the HexXxen building receding in the distance all she catches before the chaotic current pulls her under again. There's a panel further down the street, showing just the sweep of the water, then another further down still as Lanuola manages to get to the surface again. This time she's stable enough to stay above the water. Casting around desperately, she spots Tsunami and their assailants drifting down the street. Daring to reach an arm out toward her teammate, she nearly dips beneath the wave again when another passing body caught her eye. Lyra had also been swept up in the chaos. Blood running cold, Lanuola gave a silent apology to Tsunami as she quickly switched focus.

Two shimmering walls form either side of her as she stretches her arm out, cutting through the water to scoop in and catch Lyra's drifting body, keeping her from being swept any further. The water lifted up, crashing into the sudden barrier and bringing both Sunburst and Lyra higher with it. Before it could wash them straight back out again, Sunburst bought the walls completely closed, creating an isolated pocket of water in the street. Beyond it, she could just about make out Tsunami being swept out toward the sea. Desperately hoping he'd be ok, Lanuola grabbed ahold of Lyra and, after a short dip back beneath the water as the chaotic current stabilised, bought her up to the surface. Bracing her against the edge of her wall of light with one arm while she trod water, all that was left for her to do was desperately hope the outgoing wave would drain before she slipped under from exhaustion.

Spoiler: Translator's Note

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*"Get away from him!"

Spoiler: OoC

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Rolled a 6 to Defend Lyra, spent a team selfishly to bring that to a 7 by shifting Saviour up, and Superior down (sorry Tsunami!)

Going to go ahead and clear Angry with my success, there's something a bit more pressing going on right now so her anger's basically gonna be gone now. She'll also be exposing herself to danger.