Shayuri - Cassandra Arista, Investigative Reporter (Telekinetecicst)
Andor - Roy Ellings/Kid Super, Student (Super-man powers)
Renau1g - Gordon Masterson/The Crystal, ex-Science teacher & Recovering Alcoholic (Crystal transformation)
Tailspinner - Robert Paul Marshal/RPM, Ex-Thief (Speedster)
Arkhandus - Bobby Reddington/Red Impulse, Computer nerd/Comic book clerk (Psychokinetic)
Binder Fred - Mitchel Rawling/Nightshift, Old security guard (Rejuvenated physique/Teleporting powers)
June 14th: A teenager in the downtown Metro area gained the ability to rapidly grow his body, becoming a veritable giant. A local news crew was able to capture it on film and air it before the boys 'mysterious' dissapearance and the governments insistance that it was an elaborate hoax.
June 18th: footage was aired of a man frozen solid just outside a popular club. The footage was taken by several people with cell-phones, who claim that another man had been seen arguing with the victim just before the incident occurred.
Today: June 20th
Metro, known to most people as The City, with its massive skyscrapers and numerous ports, has never been a dull place. For the past few weeks however, it's been especially exciting, with a growing number of bizzare events taking place around the city. Nobody knows - or at least, nobody is letting on that they know - what exactly is going on, but it's certain to come to a head.. and most likely sooner than later.
-Megacomix- (Bobby Reddington, )
Fortunately, most people don't let things like this change their daily routines.
At Megacomix, it was just like that. People coming, people going, another boring day in the neighbourhood. Except Bobby couldn't help but notice that car out there again. It had been parked there off and on for two days now, but he never saw anybody getting into or out of it. Until today, when three people - two large men with slick black hair and an african woman - got out and came towards the shop. And that's when Mr. Erikson started getting pale.
-Metro High- (Roy Ellings)
As if teenagers don't have to deal with enough! Now not only did Roy Ellings have Finals, but he also had to deal with being a Super Hero. Life was exciting, that was for sure. But not as exciting as it was about to get. He was in the gymnasium when they heard the explosion. Seconds later, men were pouring in with guns trained on the students, many of whom started screaming.
"EVERYBODY ON THE GROUND AND NOBODY GETS HURT!"
*Police Scanner*
Attention all units. We have reports of an explosion at Metro High School, as well as sightings of armed gunmen. Proceed with extreme caution, we are dealing with a potential terrorist and/or hostage situation.
*Local News*
"And with that high pressure zone heading north, it looks like we'll be enjoying a week of warm balmy weather. Back to you, Jamie."
"Thank you, That was Hal Stamford with the weather, and now for sports with... Hold on a moment, I've just been informed that there seems to be a situation at Metro High School. Police have just arrived on scene after an explosion, and witnesses are claiming they saw men with guns going into the school. We'll bring you more information just as soon as we have a reporter on scene."
OOC
I've included at each location characters that I know would be present at that location. If your name's not at a specific site, feel free to be wherever you want.
I'll also be including Police Scanner and News reports in some of my updates to keep everybody advised of what's happening around the city. If your character has access, feel free to use the info.
- SUMMER HILL SUBURBS - (Mitchel Rawling)
"Hu." The weeds were out in force this year. Rawling switched his grip on the Weed Twister (best money he'd ever spent) and went on the offensive...
"Sweety? Come and have a look at this."
"This" happened to be Jamie Redscott on the local news. "- situation at Metro High School. Police have just arrived on scene after an explosion, and witnesses are claiming they saw men with guns going into the school. We'll bring you more information just as soon as we -" *PTWINK*
"What do you think?" he asked, already knowing what HE wanted to do...
Mary just nodded. She knew too -- strong woman, the one he'd married.
From there it had taken just a flick of the hand for his newly darned costume to shift around him. A kiss - more pressing than usual -, a look out the kitchen window and he was on top of Fleishman's grocery store and on his way.
Nightshift's actions
Nighshift wil teleport at full speed, ending his moves perched on a communication tower overlooking the highschool (from which he'll survey the situation). Specifically, can he spot where the police is setting up, where the gunmen have set up/are moving towards (any "snippers" in surrounding buildings/parcs/whathaveyous?) and where the explosion took place or its intended purpose?
"Holy Crap!" Roy's eyes flash black with surprise and panic as he tries to get his bearings. One second he was playing basketball while trying to conceal his new powers and the next he was in a Steven Seagull movie! What to do? What to do? Play along? How many are there? What about my friends? What about keeping my powers secret?"
"Get down! Do what they say!" He shouts as he looks around the room counting badguys. He stiffens as he sees Lisa on the far side of the Gym. That settles him down. If it's a choice between Lisa's safety and keeping secret... that's no choice at all.
OOC
Yeah, I didn't think his secret identity was going to last long... Still he might pull it off. We shall see.
__________________ -Andor
"Congratulations. You just invented 'negligent regicide.'" - Schlock Mercenary
"Hey, what's wrong Pat?" Bob asks. He doesn't recognize the approaching trio, but then he's only been working at MegaComix for a year. Why would they hang around outisde a few times and only now decide to come inside?
......Did they see him change duds a few days ago?
Gordon was walking through the local Mega Lo Mart as he heard over the loud speaker that damn annoying slogan of theirs "Mega Lo Mart, where you'll be shopping for the rest of your life". He shook his head at those words, almost taunting him as he walks down the aisle. Gordon always thought this during his weekly trip to the store "They're right, they got us by the shorties, can't compete with their prices.". Trying to find someone, anyone, who could help him find some allergy medicine, Gordon walked by the electronics section. He couldn't help but notice the group of people huddled around the 50' tv on display and wandered over to see what was going on.
Seeing the situation developing at the school, Gordon decides this might be the time to start taking back this city. "Let's see those cowards try and shoot me" he thinks to himself as he runs out of the building, all thoughts of which products are on sale, or where that allergy medication is fly from his mind. Gordon rushes out and hails down the first cab he sees, telling the cabbie to step on it, his kid's at that school.
It's times like this Gordon wished he hadn't drank away his savings and still had that beat-up Buick he used to drive. It was a boat, and burned oil, but it was his. Shaking his head to snap out of it, Gordon anxiously awaited their destination, seconds seeming like minutes and minutes seeming like hours to him. His heart was pounding and he could feel the tingling, needlelike pain starting. Gordon forced himself to calm down, deep breaths "Pull yourself together Gordo, can't be having this happen right now. Not yet anyways"
OOC
Sorry for the delay, missed this somehow. Not having great speed, flying, or anything else Gordon is forced to rely on public transportation for all his superhero'ing needs. At least until he can buy back that Buick.
Last edited by renau1g; 22nd April 2009 at 04:38 PM..
...and you know how there was a billion dollars 'lost' in Iraq, and the defense department 'lost' a few million here and a few million there? No no. Nobody just loses that much money. Ever. Those are the black projects. That is the money going to things only a handful of people will ever know ever existed.
I know it sounds paranoid, but I have proof, personal proof, that there are things in the world that just don't fit with how we're told things work...
Cassandra frowned as she read over her post again. She dithered. Was it condescending? Too unsubstantiated? It was a blog reply though, not a dissertation. She didn't have to cite her sources or include a bibliography.
And of course, it was true, even if it was vague.
She'd just hit the 'send' button when a shadow fell over her from behind.
"Cass!"
Victor Kessel was the 'cub' reporter at the Metro Insight; a small local news paper that served mostly the downtown area. Cassandra's brother jokingly called it a 'toilet paper paper,' because of the cheap newsprint they used, and the tendency of its pages to wind up in bathrooms as free reading material. Because of that, Vic felt he had plenty to prove, and there was only one person on staff that he was qualified to boss around.
Cassandra quickly quit out of her web browser and twisted around in her chair to look up at him. "Yes?"
Victor didn't seem to have noticed her having been on a non-work site. He was far too excited by something. "There's a major story breaking over at the high school. I need you to grab that little camera thing and come with me so we can put it streaming on the website. You know how to do that, right?"
"Uh..." Cass sort of knew the basics behind YouTubing. Streaming video on the paper's website would be harder though, and she wasn't sure she could do that. But she nodded anyway because paper's distribution was down and costs were up and even her minuscule salary as an intern would look pretty good for cutbacks eventually. "Yeah, we can work that out."
Not exactly a lie. Just misleading.
"Great!" Vic enthused. "Meet me out front in five minutes. We've gotta hurry to get there before everyone else does!"
...
And that was how Cassandra found herself holding a digital camera, recording movies of a reporter who looked way too happy to be looking at a school that had gotten bombed and was now the scene of a hostage situation.
And all the while... Do you want to just stand here taking pictures no one will see, or do you want to actually help out?
-Megacomix-
Pat Erikson shakes his head at Bobby "Don't worry, I'll take care of them.." he says, but he doesn't sound too convinced himself as he moves forward to greet the three suits as they enter. Though he speaks quietly, bobby can't help but overhear.
"Look, I allready told Rod I'll pay, I'm just a bit behind, Business is just starting to pick up again. You guys don't need to do any-"
One of the men holds up a hand to cut him off "Sir, I'm afraid we've no idea who you're talking about, we're with the CIA, and we're here to speak to one of your employees, a mr.. Reddington?"
Pat relaxes a bit, but then looks confused back at Bobby. "Bobby? Are you sure? What business does the CIA have with-"
"Please Sir, It's better if you don't know." The man gently but firmly pushes his way past Mr Erikson and approaches Bobby. "Bobby Reddington?"
-Metro High, June 20th-
-Inside Gymnasium-
Roy counts 9 masked men, 8 of them wielding what appear to be automatic rifles. the 9th is unarmed and shouting at one of the others in what sounds to Roy like some african tribal language. He sounds upset and angry. The second man turns on him and points the gun at him, shouting back in a very commanding voice, which seems to settle the first man down a little bit.
"You said there would be no-one hurt, I told you I do not want to hurt anybody!" The first man says in accented english, but gets no response. Instead, the one who appears to be in charge moves over to the children, who have all been gathered into one corner, watched by 3 of the gunmen.
"If any of you attempt to escape or be a hero, we will kill you and the person nearest you. Do not be heroes." His voice is also accented, but less so.
-Taxi 1238, en route to Metro High- "I understand how difficult this must be for you sir, back where I am from we had problems like this far too often, it is one of the many reasons I came to America. It is a sad day when something like this is happening in this glorious city. Do not worry though, I am certain the police will not allow your child, or any others, to be harmed."
There's something about the way the Iraqi man speaks, a comforting and understanding tone that makes his words difficult to ignore. Even if Gordon had been a frantic parent, he likely would have been calmed by the words. "Here we are, sir."
The taxi pulls up a few blocks from the school, unable to get any closer, and Gordon sees the chaos ahead.
-Outside Metro High -
Police have formed a line to keep out all the parents, reporters, and onlookers. From behind them, smoke can be coming from somewhere down the street. It's nearly impossible to find an officer to talk to who isn't allready busy.
-Communications Tower outside Metro High-
From his perch, Nightshift can see snipers taking positions all around. With his teleportation he was able to arrive not far behind the police, and before the majority of reporters and frantic parents arrived. He can also see the flipped, twisted, still smoking wreck of a police car down the street. It looks like it was hit by a rocket or some other explosive. He can also see one masked gunman standing just inside the school doors, keeping an eye on the police.. though those surely can't be the only doors, and from his perch he can see a roof access door, possibly locked, possibly not.
*Local News*
"It would appear now that the explosion heard before the gunmen rushed into the school was the result of a shoot-out between the gunmen and police. Early reports are that police came upon them robbing an armoured car, a shoot-out ensued, and a stray bullet caught the fuel tank of the police officers car, causing the explosion. One officer was killed, and a second badly injured, though we haven't been told their names nor whether they were injured by the explosion or shooting. Police have cordoned off the area and are not letting anyone closer than a few hundred yards, though as you can see here behind me, they are spending nearly as much manpower keeping out the anxious parents of the students trapped inside as they are on anything else. More after this."
tailspinner
I need to know if you've been following the government trio or not? Would you be present to see something going down at the comic shop, or more likely to have heard of the school issue and zoomed off there? Or something else?
ooc
For those who may not have realized/noticed yet, I use colored text for NPC's that I expect to be recurring/important. Please don't let this impinge on your own colour choice, though. If you want your character to use a specific font for speech, feel free, or feel free to use none at all, your choice.
Nighshift can also see one masked gunman standing just inside the school doors, keeping an eye on the police.. though those surely can't be the only doors, and from his perch he can see a roof access door, possibly locked, possibly not.
A bunker position with a grassy kill-zone in front.
Rawling briefly wished he was one of those silent-kill ninja types (Bam! Death-chop to the neck!) then muscled bunched and he jump-shifted sideways... right besides one of the police snipers.
"Hand over your radio, SOLDJER." His hand flipped out.
Actions
Move: Teleport up to 1000' as needed
Standard action: Command Voice (mind control, Will save 20)
___________________________________________
Binder Fred, tapping into the chain of command.
__________________ So it goes.
Last edited by Binder Fred; 24th April 2009 at 02:42 AM..
"If any of you attempt to escape or be a hero, we will kill you and the person nearest you. Do not be heroes." His voice is also accented, but less so.
Don't be a hero. Ha! What about a superhero? Roy thinks to himself as works his way to the edge of the crowd trying to position himself between the gunmen and the students. But still, I can't stop all of them if they start shooting students. Man! Why couldn't I have super speed? Er... wait do I? He shakes his head, now is not the time to experiment. He calls out to the leader "What do you want? Why are you taking us hostage?" He concentrates on controling his nervousness to keep his eyes from glowing.
__________________ -Andor
"Congratulations. You just invented 'negligent regicide.'" - Schlock Mercenary
Bob hesitates, jaw slack for a moment. What to do?!?! He can't lie, everyone in the store knows his name! Some dingus would blurt it out even if Pat thought better of it! Tim, over there, would just love to rat him out for not turning a blind eye when he tried to sneak out with a few comics last week. Bob still had to keep an eye on that one..... Dangit! He can't lie, so what should he do?!
So, after a few moments of hesitation, he responds "Uh, yeah, I'm Bob......what's up?" in apparent confusion.
Meanwhile, he can only think 'OH CRAP OH CRAP OH CRAP WHAT ARE THEY GONNA DO!!?!?!'
-Taxi 1238, en route to Metro High- "I understand how difficult this must be for you sir, back where I am from we had problems like this far too often, it is one of the many reasons I came to America. It is a sad day when something like this is happening in this glorious city. Do not worry though, I am certain the police will not allow your child, or any others, to be harmed."
There's something about the way the Iraqi man speaks, a comforting and understanding tone that makes his words difficult to ignore. Even if Gordon had been a frantic parent, he likely would have been calmed by the words. "Here we are, sir."
The taxi pulls up a few blocks from the school, unable to get any closer, and Gordon sees the chaos ahead.
-Outside Metro High -
Police have formed a line to keep out all the parents, reporters, and onlookers. From behind them, smoke can be coming from somewhere down the street. It's nearly impossible to find an officer to talk to who isn't already busy.
"Thank you for your kind words, ah I didn't catch your name" Gordon asks, as he pays the man and adds a generous tip.
Turning his attention back to the growing mess of people and the cops holding them back, Gordon has an idea. He looks for the thinest area of the crowd and pushes his way to the front, struggling against the frightened parents. He began to stride past the police barricades non-chalantly. Once the officer stops him, Gordon looks at him with his sternest look.
"I'd suggest you take your hand off me son, unless you want to be back giving out parking tickets. I'm agent Harrison, FBI, step aside and point me to who's in charge of this mess." Gordon says tersely, his hands across his chest and foot tapping in annoyance at the apparent delay.
"Sorry, sir, no one's allowed through to the school."
Cassandra leaned against the side of the white van she and Victor had arrived in, listening idly to him butt heads with one of the police officers guarding the barricade line at the curbside and scanning through the footage she'd taken of his report.
"The public has a right to know!"
"Look, right now the situation back there's unstable, and there's children and firearms involved. Do you want to have their blood on your hands?"
He wanted to get some footage of the gunmen through the windows of the gym. Cassandra privately agreed with the cop...it was way too dangerous.
Except...
She looked up from the camera and over to the gym building. Could she reach that far? The gunmen would almost certainly see a person crouching down in front of a window with a camera...but what if the camera was just floating by itself? Much smaller. Much less obtrusive. Much quieter.
But then again, what if Victor came back and wanted to film something else while it was away?
Cass glanced back at the squabbling pair. Then she looked around to see if anyone else was watching. She could float it low over the ground at first...then when it was clear, lift it up and pick up some speed over to the window. Finally just snatch it back.
There was the problem of explaining how she got the footage. But with some editing...well...it might be workable. And if not, she just wouldn't show it to them.
When she was sure it was safe, Cassandra released the little camera, and sent it skittering low over the ground towards the gym, hoping to avoid anyone's notice.
(not sure what you'd want me to roll for this, if anything. TK is perception range, and precise)
-Megacomix-
The man raised an eyebrow at Bob's hesitation and nervousness. "Mr Reddington, We'd like to speak with you somewhere a bit more private... If you could step outside with us, we have some important matters to discuss. I believe you know to what we are referring." He leans in and whispers "And I'm certain you want to keep this private as much as we do." He pulls back and motions to the front door, looking to Pat "You won't mind if we borrow your employee for a few moments." the way he says it makes it clear to everyone in the store that it's not a question.
-Metro High-
-Gymnasium-
The angry man walks over to Roy, pointing the gun at his head from a foot away "I Want you to Shut up and lay on the floor. Are you the mayor of this city? Are you the chief of police? NO, so you are not in a negotiating position! The next child to speak will be shot." He cocks the gun and leans in closer "Do you understand me, little boy?"
-Outside- "Hakim Al'rashar, sir. It was a pleasure to meet you." The cabbie smiles at you for the tip. "And my hopes that everything works out allright for you." The Taxi pulls away as Gordon moves to the front of the barricade to confront the police officer. *See OOC*
Meanwhile a small camera is floating towards the school snapping pictures.
-Nearby Sniper Position-
Nightshift appears beside the sniper, who turns quickly, surprised at this suddenly appearing man in a mask, but stops short and hands over his radio when ordered.
ooc
Shayuri - Lets just get a dex (or int, your choice) check to see how precise your control is at this stage.
Renau1g - That would actually be a bluff check to convince them that you're telling the truth. Scaring him won't work if he doesn't believe you.
Binder - Um, one problem I foresee... Doesn't your mind control power only last for a second? The officer should probably be holding you at gunpoint and demanding an explanation right now...
Also, everybody - Please roll for yourselves using invisiblecastle. Use your characters real name for the name slot. I will be doing some rolling for you when it matters for me to know it for my posts (Such as saves), but for the most part roll for yourselves.
Robert had been watching the comic store from the roof of a nearby building so that he could keep an eye on the van. Unfortunately he had been doing so for many hours and had taken an impromptu nap. He awakens to find that he is not sure how much time has passed. He speeds down the back of the building and to a position around the corner from the store. Then he begins walking at a normal pace around the building toward the store entrance. He watches for anything unusual.
OOC: Sorry for the delay. I've been away for a bit.
-Gymnasium-
The angry man walks over to Roy, pointing the gun at his head from a foot away "I Want you to Shut up and lay on the floor. Are you the mayor of this city? Are you the chief of police? NO, so you are not in a negotiating position! The next child to speak will be shot." He cocks the gun and leans in closer "Do you understand me, little boy?"
Oh that is it! Roy thinks as his eyes begin to glow red in anger. His hand lashes out and grabs the thug's gun arm and forces it up with contemptuous ease, holding the gunman helpless. "I don't think you understand just who you need to negotiate with, A**hole." Roy sneers.
Nightshift appears beside the sniper, who turns quickly, surprised at this suddenly appearing man in a mask, but stops short and hands over his radio when ordered.
The earpiece fits nicely into Rawling's ear, under the balaclava, at which point his look gentles. "Don't worry, son : we're on the same side... Try not to shoot any more friendlies than you have to, alright?" A sweeping look out the window and *fwoosh*, he isn't there anymore.
<Assuming that sweeping look didn't pick up things like floating cameras or familiar-looking recovering alcoholics picking fights with police officers:
He's in fact 250m away, 30m from the ground and facing back the way he came. Oh, and he's falling, but never mind that now. 'Where's a convenient window when you need one..... There!' And he's inside the school.
Actions
Free: Fit radio in ear. I'm assuming it's already set to receive, if not he'll turn it on so it is.
Move: Teleport so he faces the back of the school.
Move: Spot a likely window and teleport inside. An *ideal* window would have student/teacher faces in it (trapped in a classroom?). Failing that, a classroom or staircase window close to the back "gunmen" entrance. Failing that again, I guess any classroom will do in the fall.
Is there a gunmen at the back doors as well? Police presence? Fleeing students? Look back out when safely inside if need be.
Anything informative on the "police scanner", by the way?
Binder - Um, one problem I foresee... Doesn't your mind control power only last for a second? The officer should probably be holding you at gunpoint and demanding an explanation right now...
As I understand it (MM core book p.70), Nightshift's Command Voice power lasts until successfully saved against. Targets do get a new save every round at cumulative +1 for every previously failed saves. So an initially failed roll means you're under his spell for at least a round, at which point you get another save at +1, then +2, then +3, etc for each succeeding rounds... Makes sense?
__________________________________________________ ______
Binder Fred, way to crank up the tension, Andor.
__________________ So it goes.
Last edited by Binder Fred; 28th April 2009 at 02:51 AM..
"Uhh....I'm really not sure....but okay....." Bob responds. He looks at Pat and says "I'll be back soon, I guess....?" while looking as confused as he can. Inwardly, he freaks out about what the heck the CIA or FBI or whoever it was these guys said they are want with HIM!!!
Bob follows them out of the store while scratching his head with one hand.
June 20th -Megacomix-Robert had been almost at the entrance to the comic shop when the three he'd been tailing came out with a young man who looked QUITE nervous, nearly bowling Robert over as he doesn't notice him.
Bob follows the three outside and nearly runs into a customer on his way past.
The man who'd done most of the talking inside looks from Bob to Robert, a curious expression on his face, as if he recognized the man from somewhere, but he shrugged "Excuse us, Sir." He stepped out of Robert's way and took a hold of Bob's arm gently but forcefully "Our vehicle is across the street, Mr Reddington, we can speak freely once we're inside."
-Metro High- Gymnasium
Roy manages to(barely) Grab the surprised gunman, lifting him helplessly into the air. The others stare blankly at him for a moment, until the spell is broken by the nervous man from earlier.
"BROTHER!" He shouts, stepping forwards. "Please, no more.." Though his words seem lost on the other gunmen, who point their weapons at Roy, shouting at him all at once.
Outside
The Police officer sighs at Gordon "Well that may be sir, but as you know I'm going to have to see some ID before you send me to the parking lot." He crosses his arms, waiting.
Shayuri's camera flies up to the building and starts snapping pictures, seemingly unnoticed, as her co-worker continues arguing with the police.
Empty Classroom
Nightshift takes the radio and shifts into an empty classroom. Listening to the radio indicates that save for those trapped in the gym, and a few gunmen guarding doors, the school seems empty. It's currently being surrounded by swat teams as they wait for the negotiater to arrive. As he turns to leave the classroom, he notices a camera floating just outside the window, taking pictures of him...
Also.. heh, I just noticed that there are two 'bob' pcs, and they're the only ones not at the school.
Also, Andor - You've got the guy pinned, but theres a buncha angry terrorists pointing semi-automatic weapons at you and shouting. Things aint lookin so hot for Kid Super.