EPIC M&M: Issue 2 (IC)

[Mule]

just using the mall as a place to exchange her for the money

"There's still something fishy about the whole hostage exchange scenario. I can think of plenty of places that would be better for it if I were a well organized gang and I doubt Mr. Raynes suggested this mall if he was planning to take his wife back by force."

"In fact, the only reason we are assuming this was a kidnap exchange is because Mr. Raynes said so. Mrs. Raynes didn't seem to try too hard to escape her captors during the brawl in this restaurant. She obviously wasn't bound and gagged in this, a public place. Surely she could have made a break for it when the kidnappers were fighting. I think we should question Mr. Raynes and Mr. Tan separately, they could have very different stories as to what was really going on here."

 

[Mimic]

"There's still something fishy about the whole hostage exchange scenario. I can think of plenty of places that would be better for it if I were a well organized gang and I doubt Mr. Raynes suggested this mall if he was planning to take his wife back by force."

"This would seem to me to be the good place, large enough that you can have dozens of men around yet still not be noticed. We have been here for hours and didn't notice them until the shooting started. Also it's a neutral location, neither group would be willing to go into the others territory for fear of a ambush. Which would also help explain why Mr. Raynes hired Split, maybe he contacted others but they didn't want anything to do with the location, but Split didn't care who got hurt in the crossfire."

"In fact, the only reason we are assuming this was a kidnap exchange is because Mr. Raynes said so Mrs. Raynes didn't seem to try too hard to escape her captors during the brawl in this restaurant. She obviously wasn't bound and gagged in this, a public place. Surely she could have made a break for it when the kidnappers were fighting. I think we should question Mr. Raynes and Mr. Tan separately, they could have very different stories as to what was really going on here."

"That's true but do you think that Mrs. Raynes, a multi-millionaire, would hang around with a bunch of thugs? Besides if they were just here to hang out, why lock the staff in the freezer? Just because your not bound and gagged doesn't mean your not a captive, she could have been drugged or under some sort of mental control. When you saw her, was she acting normal? Did she say anything? When she and the Oriental woman's partner left did she go under her own power or was she carried?"

 

[Calinon]

Raisa
The stockboy, who probably stands 5'7" at most, freezes in place, hands still gripping the broom like a vice. Matty backs away from Raisa and she can see the butt of a shotgun barely poking out from under the counter, obviously what he was reaching for.

"N-n-now just hold on here," Matty stammers. "Tommy come in himself and got the money! He said everything is square this month! Antonio was in just yesterday and he didn't say anything was wrong!"

Carl turns and the air around him shimmers slightly, then he himself seems to. He walks towards Matty and passes through the counter with a faint hum. "Give her your marker then, Matty," Carl says calmly.

Matty produces a slip of paper and gives it to Raisa. It reads "Nine ducks in a row." It's initialed "TG." Carl looks at it and nods. "Seems legit."

"I'll be checking on this. If you're lying, I'll be back. And if you contact Tommy G about this, the boss is not going to be happy," Carl growls warningly. He walks through the counter again with the same faint hum. "Let's go," he says to Raisa and he heads out the door.

Once outside, Carl pulls out his pad again and flips through names and places. He looks up and down the street until he sees a restaurant that is open. "Looks like that's the next stop." It appears to be a restaurant and bar named "Alfonso's," about two blocks down.

As you walk towards it, you see a couple of street toughs watching you from across the street. They cross the street and start to follow you. Ahead, you see a trio of thick necked men in suits leaning against the outer wall of a bar. Carl obviously has seen them too.

"Doesn't look like it took Matty long to call Tommy G," Carl says. "Only five in total," he says with a grin, the first you've seen since you started. "Try not to mess up your suit."

As if on cue, the three men step out in front of you.

"Hey yo. Din'cha hear? This street is Tommy G's. An' he don' like nobody edgin' in on his territory. 'Fraid we gonna have to do somethin' about that," the man in the middle of the three says.

"There's five of you and two of us," Carl says. "You might want to call your doctor and reserve an operating room. Or at least call some friends and make this a challenge."

The man snaps his fingers and five more thugs come from the alley beside you wielding knives, chains and pipes. A black car roars up on the street side and four others file out, clubs and pipes in hand.

"When we's through wit chu, we're gonna have some fun with that oversized ho o' yours," the leader of the goons says, pulling a bat out from his jacket. He nods to the others and they all close in on you.

Carl lets out a soft whistle, the kind that says "I can't believe you said that," and steps out of Raisa's way.

 

[Calinon]

Restaurant

"That Murphy guy threw her over his shoulder and hightailed it out the back," Cosmo says. "I think he was as tall as Raisa, and built like a brick outhouse. Mrs. Raynes was screaming. I thought it was panic at the fight, but it could have been in protest."

Detective Mendez nods. "Doesn't sound like the willing subject then. Well, lets find out what Raynes has to say about all this. Sergeant Mitchell, bring Mr. Raynes over," Mendez calls out across the restaurant.

Martin Raynes is escorted over by a pair of officers. He's still rubbing his throat and speaks horsely, but vehemently. "Thanks to your interference, my wife is probably dead."

"And thanks to you, over forty people have been injured, three teenagers are dead and there's a baby in critical condition at Mercy General. Anything that happens to your wife now is due to your own actions," Mendez shoots back. "Now, if you want to see your wife again, I suggest you tell us exactly what the hell you did, and why."

Mendez stares intently at Mr. Raynes. Even from your individual positions, it's an intimidating glare. Raynes breaks.

"My wife was taken from our home two days ago," he says rapidly, sweat on his brow. "I was told to bring fifty million dollars here, but I can't get that kind of money! My wife controls the finances! She always has. I don't handle money well, so I can only get a few million at a time. I knew it wasn't enough, and they threatened to kill her if I went to the police, so I did the only thing I could. I hired Split and his mercenary company to rescue her. What else was I supposed to do? My wife is my world! I have to get her back!" He breaks down in tears.

Detective Mendez makes some notes on his pad and sighs. "Alright, Mr. Raynes. Now it's up to the NYPD and EPIC to straighten out your mess."

"You... you can get my wife back?"

"Hopefully, with some luck. In the meantime," he says, nodding to the Sergeant. "Martin Raynes, you are under arrest for reckless endangerment resulting in death and injury, along with possible other charges."

"What? Arrest? No, I did it for my wife!" he wails.

"You have the right to remain silent," he starts. The sergeant leads Mr. Raynes away, finishing the rights as Raynes cries and pleads his innocence.

"Well," Mendez says. "That pretty much answers those questions, doesn't it? So, after that, do you think we need to bother with the bank manager, check his story at all, or do we enter into the annoying task of questioning Tan." From the tone of his voice, it sounds like Mr. Tan and he have a history.

 

[Deva]

"When we's through wit chu, we're gonna have some fun with that oversized ho o' yours," the leader of the goons says, pulling a bat out from his jacket. He nods to the others and they all close in on you.

Carl lets out a soft whistle, the kind that says "I can't believe you said that," and steps out of Raisa's way.

"How rude, making a lady wait. It's just not polite." Raisa glances at Carl and gives him a playful wink. "Hold onto something, mèl, things are about to get a little shakey."

She will move as quickly as she can, going down to one knee and driving her fist into the cement at her feet with everything she has.

ACTIONS: Shockwave (Since she's never done this before intentionally, she'll go full throttle on this and hopefully there's not too much collateral damage.)

 

[Elementor]

"Officer, do you know some of the more common haunts that these Red Rose people might be at? I think Stealer can borrow identities,"Vince says nodding at Mr. Tan,"rather than just powers. I know he got shook up a bit in that last fight and went back to EPIC HQ but if we could get him back here, and educate him on how this gang works a bit maybe we can have an inside man."

 

[Velmont]

"Are you blind Vince! I am here. And no, I can't steal identity, only mimic powers. That stupid nickname I have is because of all the scandals I had when they discovered I was mimicking the super-intelligence of a nerd back to england... If you know a mutant who can shapeshift or steal identity, well, I will be able to do it too."

 

[Calinon]

Restaurant
Cosmo breaks down laughing. "All around vision, indeed!"

Dara giggles as well. "Must have been in his blind spot!"

"Alright, settle down," Detective Mendez says patiently. "Ok son, good idea, but I doubt time is on Mrs. Raynes' side," he says to Vince. "It's too bad that you can't do that though, kid," he adds to Stealer. "But even so, it sounds like you could be the nemesis of any super-powered crook."

An officer comes in and hands Mendez a digital pad. "Here you go detective; it looks like what the manager told you is true."

"Thanks," Mendez says, quickly checking the pad. "We checked bank records and the manager did get paid by Raynes for this, so we can pretty much get rid of him." The officer does just that, leading the manager out while reading him his rights.

"Ok, that leaves Tan. He's a slippery character. He and I have faced off in this arena too many times to count." He looks over at Tan for a long minute, then smirks. "Let's further your education. You kids can interrogate him. Should be fun to through the twit a curveball."

He waves over and the officers escort Tan to your table.

"Officer Mendez," Mr. Tan says. "It is so good to see you again. I understand I may be charged with assault on that unfortunate woman I was forced to accost earlier, when in fear for my life? Or is there another matter you wish to discuss?" he asks smoothly.

"I enjoy arresting you Tan, you should know that by now. But I'm afraid EPIC has assumed jurisdiction over this matter. You'll have to answer to them."

"Now, Detective, I think that is completely inapp..."

"Unless you'd rather I arrest you and wait for Thunder to question you?"

That actually gives Tan pause for a moment.

"Perhaps a few questions would be acceptable. However, if you are to arrest me, do it now; otherwise, our further conversation today will be strictly off the record," he says, regaining his composure.

"I don't want to stain my handcuffs," Mendez retorts.

Feel free to ask your questions. All shall be answered

Kevin
Detective Mendez pulls you aside as the questioning begins. "Ok, son. Whatever is going on, the woman that left this card seems to want you to call her." He flips the card and shows Kevin the phone number on it. "So while everyone else is busy with Tan, I want you to phone her. Try to arrange a meeting; we might get lucky and she will lead you right to Mrs. Raynes. Try to be subtle; try not to let on you know what's going on." Detective Mendez hands you his cell phone and puts an earpiece in. "I'll listen in."

Raisa
Carl emits a low hum as Raisa slams her fist into the ground. The pavement cracks and a wave rolls out from her, sending thugs and goons flying. The car is knocked five feet out into the roadway. Carl is pushed a few feet back, but when he becomes corporeal he appears unhurt.

The same cannot be said of the thugs behind the pair, nor in the alley, as all are lying groaning on the ground, stunned or knocked out from the shockwave. Two of the men who had exited the car lay crumpled against it, and another was blasted through a side window. Two of the goons ahead of the pair was sent flying ten feet back, and lay groaning on the sidewalk; the last one, the one that had insulted Raisa, was knocked to his knees. He gets up, reaching into his jacket.

Carl strides forward and grabs his wrist, pulling his hand, now clutching a blaster, from his jacket. Carl opens his mouth and a wave of energy strikes the gun, disintegrating it. He pulls the mans wrist hard, sending him staggering past him and towards Raisa, then elbows him in the back of the head to hurry him along. The goon plows into Raisa chest first and bounces back a half foot, stunned.

The thugs that are conscious take off running. The goons with the car start getting to their feet. Carl emits another energy wave, enveloping all of them and the car, and moments later the lot of them are standing nearly naked in the street, their clothes, weapons and the car, disintegrated. They flee into the bar.

"Take your loverboy there into the alley, would you Raisa? Find out what is up with this, cause if Tommy G decided to whack us, something aint right. I'll clean up the rest of these pansies," Carl says. "Oh, and have fun with it. Want to borrow my bat?"

 

[Velmont]

Kevin
Detective Mendez pulls you aside as the questioning begins. "Ok, son. Whatever is going on, the woman that left this card seems to want you to call her." He flips the card and shows Kevin the phone number on it. "So while everyone else is busy with Tan, I want you to phone her. Try to arrange a meeting; we might get lucky and she will lead you right to Mrs. Raynes. Try to be subtle; try not to let on you know what's going on." Detective Mendez hands you his cell phone and puts an earpiece in. "I'll listen in."

"Ok, seems fine with me."

He takes the card and compose the number.

"Hi, it's Kevin... You need something?"

 

[Calinon]

Kevin
"Kevin!" Mian Toan exclaims, sounding quite happy. "I'm so glad you got out of that mess in one piece. I don't know what Murphy and I would have done if you and your friends weren't there to take care of that mercenary.

"But 'need'? Here I thought you would call to talk about collecting your reward for helping," she says with a disappointed sigh. "You sure know how to dash a girl's hopes."