Issue #2 - "Ignition" (Continued)
Scene 3: "A Vision of the Past"
"All right, what now?" asked the Scoundrel.
"It's very simple," Harpy replied. "Someone broke into the property room and stole the cylinder."
"Wow," MorningStar commented. "Pretty brazen."
"The lieutenant I talked to said there was no evidence of a break in at all," Harpy said. "In fact, the cops guarding the place didn't see anyone enter or leave the room -- not even the cylinder itself."
"It could not have just disappeared," Seraphim claimed.
"I suppose not," Pathfinder said. "There must be some evidence left at the scene."
"Listen," the Scoundrel said, "that place is guarded like Fort Knox. There are at least four guards watching the place at all times. Now, there is a lot of traffic in and out of the room -- it's where they keep all the contraband the cops find. But I think they would see an eight-foot cylinder walking out of the room."
"We've got to do something," Electrostatic said.
This is why Harpy never wanted to be team leader. United Heroes was a new team and before their first mission together, the team was divided between having her or Seraphim lead the team. Seraphim was obviously a lot older and wiser, but was still somewhat unfamiliar with the ways of mortals. It was decided that Harpy would be the leader, but that democracy would rule most of the time. Harpy would be a great public representative for the team due to her fame and obvious knack for public relations. But decision-making was tough for the 19-year-old singer from Mississippi. This superhero stuff was new, and she was still learning her own powers, and was much less knowledgeable on everyone else's abilities.
"I hate to do this," she began, "but I think we're going to have to split the team for this. I can't see sending everyone to check out the property room. I would also like to have some of the team members here to respond to anything else that comes up."
"What do you suggest?" Seraphim asked.
"You, Electrostatic, Pathfinder, and the Scoundrel should go downtown to check out the property room and the surrounding area. Torpedo, I'd like you to check out the area near the docks. I have a feeling that cylinder might have found its way back there or possibly underwater. MorningStar, Iron Dragon, and I will remain here so that we can keep track of what's going on."
"I'm on my way," Torpedo said, and quickly made his way out of the meeting room. He was always happy to go back to the water, his native element.
"Maybe I should stay here with you guys," Electrostatic said. "I don't know anything about searching some dusty old property room."
Harpy gave Electrostatic a look reserved for special occasions. She knew that he had a crush on her, but never let him know that she knew, at least not for the time being. Harpy understood that Electrostatic wanted to be near her as much as possible, but his expertise would be useful, even if he couldn't see it.
"No, your skill with electronics and gadgets may come in handy," Harpy replied. "I'd really like you to go along."
"What about Fang?" Iron Dragon asked.
"Hmm. Good question," Harpy replied. "Let's keep him here. I may have some more questions for him."
Seraphim took off and flew on his own toward the city. He would arrive likely ten minutes to half an hour before the others, who would travel by car. Electrostatic insisted on driving, and, since they really didn't care, Pathfinder and the Scoundrel let him.
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"I'm telling ya," Officer Wilson explained, "I didn't see nothin. And I was here all night. I worked the 10 pm to 6 am shift."
"That's when the cylinder likely disappeared," Seraphim concluded.
"Yeah, I guess," Wilson replied. "We've got cameras inside and out. There are tapes, but I don't know if anyone's look at them yet. Might be a place to start."
Electrostatic stepped inside the large property room, joining Pathfinder and the Scoundrel, who were already there, poking around for clues.
"Anything?" he asked of his two allies.
"Looks clean to me," the Scoundrel responded. "Of course, we could go over this place with a fine-toothed comb and not find anything if they used some kind of super-powers to get that cylinder out of here."
(Electrostatic attempts a Spot check against DC 15, getting a result of 17 - success!)
"Hmm," Electrostatic began, "these cameras appear to be turned off."
Pathfinder and the Scoundrel looked up at the four cameras in the room, one in each corner. The cameras, which would normally rotate 45 degrees, were not moving.
"When they're on, a red light would be blinking in the front," Electrostatic explained.
Officer Miller and Seraphim entered the room.
"Hey, Officer Miller," the Scoundrel asked, "why are these cameras turned off?"
A shocked look cross the policeman's face as he looked at the nearest camera. "What the --"
"Yeah," Electrostatic said. "Maybe we should take a look at those tapes."
Seraphim, Officer Miller, Electrostatic, and the Scoundrel began to walk out of the property room, but Pathfinder remained.
"Aren't you coming?" the Scoundrel asked of his Navajo ally.
"You should go look at the tapes from the cameras," Pathfinder replied. "I was sent along on this mission for one reason only. I will remain here and meditate. Hopefully, I will receive a vision about these events that will help us."
Pathfinder sat down in the very spot where the cylinder once was, and pulled out a few pouches from his belt.
*************************************************
"I guess Pathfinder is going to do his vision thing," the Scoundrel remarked as the group walked through the property area.
"That's a great idea," Electrostatic replied. "I hope he gets a picture of the guys that took the cylinder. It would make our jobs a lot easier."
"I admire his dedication to his beliefs," Seraphim said. "Even though we do not see eye-to-eye on matters of faith, I know that he strongly believes in his ways."
They made it to the room where the camera feeds are recorded. It was a small room, so Seraphim stayed outside to keep an eye on the area.
"Is it just me," the Scoundrel asked, "or is the big guy sometimes a little overbearing?"
"It's not just you," Electrostatic replied. "Now let's take a look at these tapes."
They found the tapes in question, and began to view them in fast-forward mode, looking for anything out of the ordinary.
A few moments later, Seraphim saw Pathfinder exit the property room and head in his direction. Perhaps he has learned something, Seraphim thought.
"I received a vision," Pathfinder announced. "I only hope it can lead to some clues. Are they looking at the tapes?"
"Yes," Seraphim replied. "Although I suspect it may take some time to review that much material."
The angelic hero knocked on the door, and Electrostatic poked his head out.
"Pathfinder has returned with a vision," Seraphim stated. "We would be best served to hear him out, for that would take far less time than looking at the videotapes."
"Good idea," Electrostatic replied, and then both he and the Scoundrel exited the room. They all gathered around to hear about Pathfinder's vision.
(Going back in time a little, Pathfinder, using his Postcognition ability, would have had to make a check. He gets a modified result of 20, indicating that Pathfinder is able to get a pretty good view of the events of the past 24 hours in that room.)
"It was quiet in the property room from 6 pm until around midnight. Some men opened the doors leading into the room and approached the cylinder. These men were dressed in costumes, but I do not recognize them. Just as they entered, one of the men raised his hand and a crackling noise could be heard in the room. The cameras in the four corners of the room went dead.
"Next, a man in a pinstriped trenchcoat entered the room and pointed at the cylinder. He then left. He walked right past some policemen that were standing near the doors. They did not seem surprised to see these men in the property room, almost as if they belonged there.
"Another man, dressed in a shiny grey bodysuit, raised his arms and the cylinder rose from the floor. It turned horizontal, and then followed the two remaining costumed men out of the room. Afterwards, some policemen came and closed and locked the doors to the room."
"Interesting," Seraphim said. "I wonder why the officer would lie about someone coming into the property room."
"Yeah," the Scoundrel added. "They said no one entered or left the room while they were on duty. These are the same guys, right?"
"I saw Officer Miller in the vision," Pathfinder replied. "He saw all three men."
(Electrostatic spends a Hero Point for inspiration. He gets the idea to ask Harpy about how mind control powers work.)
"Hey, I have an idea," Electrostatic said, pulling out his communicator.
He called Hadley Manor, and Harpy answered.
"It's Jeremy," he said.
"Can we go by our official superhero names while on duty?" Harpy asked.
"OK. Listen, I have a question about mind control. If you controlled someone, would they remember what happened?"
"I can't speak for all people," Harpy answered. "That's how my mind control power works. They don't remember anything."
"Well, I think we may have our first clue about who might be heading this operation," Electrostatic said. "Someone with mind control powers."
"Did you come up with anything else?" Harpy asked.
"I'll fill you in when we get back, Tabitha," Electrostatic replied. "We're going to look around a little more and then come back to base."
"Fine," Harpy said. She disconnected.
"Well, I was right," Electrostatic said. "One of those guys may have mind-controlled the cops guarding the room. Any thoughts on the guys Pathfinder saw in his vision?"
"One of them sounds like maybe Lodestone," the Scoundrel remarked. "I've tangled with him once. He wears a shiny grey bodysuit, and he has magnetic powers."
"What did the other man look like?" Seraphim asked.
"The man who knocked out the cameras? He was glowing with a yellow light, though it was not terribly bright. He wore a helmet and perhaps armor. He moved quickly."
"That could be Surge," Electrostatic responded. "I hate that guy."
"I'm going to go start the car," the Scoundrel replied. "You guys finish up whatever we need to do here."
The Scoundrel left his three companions and walked out of the building. On his way to the car, he spotted a policeman taking an unusual interest in him.
(The Scoundrel attempted a Spot check, and got a result of 16, indicating that he saw the 'cop'. Next, he attempted a Sense Motive check, with a result of a natural 20! He got a feeling that something about this 'cop' wasn't right.)
The Scoundrel approached the policeman. "Anything I can help you with, buddy?" he asked.
The cop said nothing and walked away, appearing a little nervous. The Scoundrel saw Seraphim, Electrostatic, and Pathfinder making their way toward the car.
"Hey guys," the Scoundrel called out. "Notice anything strange about that cop?"
The other three heroes peered in the direction the Scoundrel indicated.
"Nah, nothing," Electrostatic replied.
"He looks just like a policeman to me," remarked Pathfinder.
Seraphim was still looking. "I do not see a policeman. All I see is a tall man in a pin-striped trenchcoat and a hat."
"Tall man in a pin-striped trenchcoat?" Pathfinder asked. "That is the man I saw in my vision."
"It must be an illusion!" Electrostatic exclaimed. "Seraphim can see through illusions!"
"Let's get him!" the Scoundrel yelled as he took off after the 'cop'.
The erstwhile policeman turned and saw the heroes coming after him. Fools! If only they knew what I have in store for them! Let them chase me...
Watch for the pivotal Scene 4, coming soon!