Curtains #1 - A Crossing of Paths

[Rybaer]

The Hightower Convention Center Ballroom, Downtown, Coast City
April 16
21:23

The cops listen and seem to accept the story in light of the physical evidence.

One of the convention attendees, a well-dressed gentleman in his late 40's or early 50's whom Professor Fate recognizes as Werner Schwartzeit, vouches for the accuracy of their story...as much as he witnessed, anyway.

"Yeah, I think I do recall hearing about you," one of the cops says when Professor Fate introduces himself.

Another cop seems to take the lead for the others. "Okay, if we're dealing with a possible mutant plague, I agree that this room must be contained. The doors are sealed with some sort of metal from the outside, so I don't think it should be too difficult. This door and those holes in the floor seem to be the only access points."

He turns to one of his fellow cops. "You go get some other men and start securing the floor above and below this. I'll see about getting some doctors in here. There should be a couple EMS units here already. I expect the CDC will probably get involved at some point. Ugh, this could get messy."

To the other cop, he says, "I want you to stay here and keep an eye on things for the moment. Don't let anyone out."

He turns back to the heroes. "Thanks for taking these guys on," he says as he surveys the scene once more. "I'm not sure how well we could have handled them. I just hope no one dies as a result, or you guys might find yourselves in a heap of legal problems. You know how people like to sue these days.

"As long as you have to stay here for the quarantine, can you guys keep an eye on the disease fellow over there as well as the two guys you've got cornered in this metal ball? We'll call out to the other units in the area to watch for that centipede woman you mentioned."

Two cops leave to deal with their tasks while the third, the youngest looking of the three, is left behind to watch from the kitchen doorway. Most of the convention-goers are quietly watching the proceedings or talking in hushed tones on their cell phones. Some, however, are starting to express anger at the heroes for their role in causing Pestilence to unleash his power. Their comments are just an undercurrent at the moment, but there is a sense that they might build to a fervor...especially among those who are watching a loved one suffering and wondering whether they will even survive.

Meanwhile, the metal sphere has expanded to the limits of the ceiling - making it about 25' in diamether. It rests quiet and inert for a while.

From his position near the kitchen door, the cop starts to take an interest in something he's seeing through one of the holes in the floor. His face pales. He looks back up at Granite and the others. "Uh, guys," he says, "I think they're coming out the bottom of that thing."

Looking through one of the holes, everyone can see that a five foot diameter metal tube reaches from the ceiling of the masseuss' office to the floor. It is situated directly under the giant sphere in the ballroom.

 

[Keia]

Prof. Fate Unharmed, HP's: 3

Professor Fate activates his Intangibility and attempts to enter the sphere to take a look around.

 

[Rybaer]

Professor Fate glides through the metal of the sphere. His darkvision kicks in as he looks around the hollow innards. The sphere is empty aside from a rough hole in the bottom. He can hear the echo of movement coming from somewhere down below.

The hole in the floor, predictably, leads to the tube the cop spotted. It appears to go all the way down to the first floor, where the Professor sees the swordsman drag his companion out of the tube and into a lit room some forty feet below. The bottom of the tube seals shut a moment later.

 

[Keia]

Prof. Fate Unharmed, HP's: 3

Professor glided silently down the tube intangibly and looked to take advantage of his possible surprise and drain the swordsman.

OOC: Maintain flight, Maintain intangibility, Drain attack (Str), use a hero point to push the power and add a ghost touch extra to his intangibility, allowing him the drain while intangible.

 

[Radiant]

Jorgi

Jorgi again tries to find Jack and does his best to stay out of the way of the cops. He is used to them being so corrupt that it wouldn't wonder him if they took the side of his enemies. Then they don't seem to do so he just ingnores them on his way around.
If he overhears one of the attendants complaining he gets quite pissed but tries his best to ignore it.

"Yourwelcome.NexttimeI'lljustleaveandleavethehighandmighty
tosortouttheirownmess."

 

[Mimic]

Granite: Health-fine hp:2

The Hightower Convention Center Ballroom, Downtown, Coast City
April 16
21:23

Looking through one of the holes, everyone can see that a five foot diameter metal tube reaches from the ceiling of the masseuss' office to the floor. It is situated directly under the giant sphere in the ballroom.

These guys just don't give up do they?

Granite will wait a few moments to allow the flying man to do what ever he was going to do. Once he figures the way is clear he will attempt to smash his way through the metal.

If he succeeds he will enter follow after them.

 

[Velmont]

Lawrence Thorn, HP:3, Stun:0, Lethal:0, Condition: Healthy

"Not again"

Lawrence transform into the swarm and start to follow them, trying to squeeze his way if needed. As soon as he see the unarmed guy, he will try to drain him.

 

[Radiant]

Jorgi

Too exhausted he doesn't care about the other mutants. He gives up his search soon after since the sickness drains so much of his strength and just lets himself fall into another chair to keep watch over Pestilence.

"Comeon,wakeupsoIcanfryyouagain."

 

[Rybaer]

The Hightower Convention Center Floors 1 and 3, Downtown, Coast City
April 16
21:23

Professor Fate floats down the tube and goes through the metal at the end. The tube empties out in a small, dimly lit office - likely belonging to one of the convention center's managers. The door is ajar and the Professor can hear the clanking of metal on metal just down the hall a bit from the swordsman carrying his companion.

Professor Fate slips through the door and spots his quarry just a couple dozen feet down the hall. This is an office area with several dozen cubicles and branching hallways, probably part of the center's business and bookings office. At this time of night, there is no one else around. Almost soundlessly, he sneaks up behind the two.

*****

The cop in the ballroom seems agitated, but unsure of how to deal with the situation. When Granite tears a gaping hole in the metal sphere and steps in, the cop calls out to him to "come right back because of the quarantine." Lawrence transforms back into his spider swarm and follows right behind.

The interior of the sphere is dark and unoccupied. Granite spots the hole in the floor and leaps down, landing on the metal cap at the bottom with a booming thud. While the swarm of spiders climbs down after him, Granite tears another hole through the metal - is squeals in protest, but gives way easily. (With all the metal he has torn through today, Granite has come to the conclusion that it is unusually soft and brittle...much poorer in quality than a typical steel.)

*****

Professor Fate reaches out to tap the unwary swordsman with his power. The booming clang from behind - Granite landing in the tube - causes the swordsman to spin around. Fate doesn't hesistate and calls forth his power, placing a hand through the swordsman's armor and trying to drain his strength. The swordsman's eyes go wide in shock as he starts to collapse under the weight of his companion as well as his own armor. The unarmed man is dropped to the floor and the swordsman staggers against a nearby wall. (Attack roll 9+4=13, hit vs flat-footed; Will save 15 vs DC18, fail [8 Str drained])

While the Professor's attack is executed, Granite tears through the metal tube and he and Tarentula spill out into the office and then the hall. They can't tell just what happened, but it's obvious that Professor Fate just did something painful to the swordsman.


New initiative sequence:
Unarmed man 16
Professor Fate 14
Swordsman 9
Tarentula 8
Granite 5

The unarmed man, in an awkward heap on the floor, gives Professor Fate a dirty look. He also sees the arrival of Granite and Tarentula. A thick mass of metal forms spontaneously in the hallway, sealing off the two groups.

(In watching the mass of metal form, it's apparent to Granite that it's thick enough to pose a problem punching through. It's possible, but will take time. Going through the walls on either side would probably be much quicker.)

*****

Back in the ballroom, Jorgi slumps into a chair near Pestilence to keep an eye on him. The disease has him really wiped out and it's about all he can do to stay awake. Luckily, Pestilence doesn't look like he'll be much of a chore to babysit.

A pair of people bravely approach Jorgi - one is a young woman in a fashionable jacket and skirt, carrying a microphone, and the other is a man hauling a video camera. Jorgi recognizes them as the news crew who had been in the back corner of the room when things went down. The camera's got a bright light on and is pointed right at him.

The young woman seems brave until she gets close enough to notice both the pustules on Jorgi's face and hands, as well as the strange crackling in his eyes. From about ten feet away, she tries to initiate an interview. Jorgi can sense that this broadcast is going out as a live feed.

"Sir," she says, trying to assume a professional tone. "You are a metahuman who seemingly attacked the hostage takers. Who are you and what can you tell us about your role in the events that just transpired?"

 

[Radiant]

Jorgi

The Hightower Convention Center Floors 1 and 3, Downtown, Coast City
April 16
21:23

Back in the ballroom, Jorgi slumps into a chair near Pestilence to keep an eye on him. The disease has him really wiped out and it's about all he can do to stay awake. Luckily, Pestilence doesn't look like he'll be much of a chore to babysit.

A pair of people bravely approach Jorgi - one is a young woman in a fashionable jacket and skirt, carrying a microphone, and the other is a man hauling a video camera. Jorgi recognizes them as the news crew who had been in the back corner of the room when things went down. The camera's got a bright light on and is pointed right at him.

The young woman seems brave until she gets close enough to notice both the pustules on Jorgi's face and hands, as well as the strange crackling in his eyes. From about ten feet away, she tries to initiate an interview. Jorgi can sense that this broadcast is going out as a live feed.

"Sir," she says, trying to assume a professional tone. "You are a metahuman who seemingly attacked the hostage takers. Who are you and what can you tell us about your role in the events that just transpired?"

Normaly Jorgi would be more than happy to talk to the women until her ears bleed but right now he just wishes he could die so this is over.
It takes him a moment to realize that he is just shown live on TV and that about everyone in the world will know what he is right now.

"Ohcrap!"

Before he even thinks about it the light goes out and the camera shuts down. If he isn't carefull machines follow his wishes without him even deciding if that's usefull or not.

"Sorry,Iguesyouearnyourlivingwiththat."