In the St. Patrick’s
Cathedral, Slingshot and Slate were arrested by the Secret Service. “You
have the right to remain silent. Anything you say can and will be used against
you in a court of law,” began the first agent.
The rest of Vanguard, including Sgt. Stone, Doc Rocket, Shelley and Felicity Chase, were being
taken in for questioning, given their relationship to Slingshot, and their
presence here during ‘his’ assassination attempt.
Preliminary
statements were being taken right in the Cathedral, separately, while they
waited for transport. Nathan Lamb served
as their CHESS liaison for now.
By the time Vanguard
were marched out of the Cathedral and onto Fifth Avenue, reporters and
photographers were there to capture the perp walk. News copters, government
vehicles and agents, NYPD, and newly forming crowds completed the circus
atmosphere.
Lightning Strike observed all this from cyberspace through a traffic camera. He detected
no energy surges or decreases so far.
Symbiote winced a
little when Sentinel started making a very public statement to the crowd. He
blocked an agent from interrupting the speech, but others got through.
Sentinel felt a
hand on his shoulder. It was Special
Agent Valk. "We've got to go. Now," he said unhappily with one
finger on his earpiece.
Sentinel turned
his head towards Valk, checking his energy aura for foul play just in case, and
attempted to read his surface thoughts telepathically to be sure there were no
ulterior motives.
Special Agent Valk
did not register as an extra-normal to Sentinel’s energy scan. But his surface
thoughts could not be read!
Valk stopped in
his tracks, facing Sentinel. Then he said into his earpiece, “Attention: I am
the target of a psionic attack from Sentinel. Request Aegis backup. Repeat,
requesting Aegis backup.”
Other Secret Service Agents moved toward Sentinel and Valk!
Then the backs of the last unmarked trucks to arrive opened
and out came several big black powered armor suits. The technology was
reminiscent of the technology of the Black CHESS Knights of Universe Omega,
except larger!
The first armored figure barked: “American AEGIS! Deploy!”
Vanguard knew
that Military Espionage Defense United States of America was a secretive
government division that dealt with extranormal sciences and security.
20 years ago, Aegis had been the name of the European
superteam that had been slaughtered by the Primate. This was not them.
Avatar, who had
been a scholar of antiquity before he learned to manifest the powers of Olympus
itself, knew Medusa was a fearful figure in Greek mythology whose name meant
“guardian” or “protector.”
According to Greek, Norse and Egyptian mythology, an aegis
was a protective shield, the wearing of which signified sponsorship, protection, or authority derived
from yet a higher source or deity.
With his new backup to help, Special Agent Valk said
to Sentinel in front of all the cameras: “Sentinel, you’re under arrest. You
have the right to remain silent…”
Avatar was quiet,
observing and listening intently.
Slate likewise eyed the MEDUSA arrivals, but said
nothing.
Sentinel’s gaze
didn’t leave Valk’s. He dissipated his
energy shields and raised his hands palms upward in surrender and said to Valk
before the cameras, “Vanguard has given you full cooperation Agent Valk, and
continues to do so. I don’t understand
why you won’t allow me to make a statement to the press. You may silence me, but you can’t silence the
truth.” And he added with his arms
outstretched to him, “Do you feel cuffs are necessary Agent Valk?”
Special Agent Valk
said, “Come on, glory hound, I don’t have all day.” He cuffed Sentinel behind
his back and finishing reading his Miranda rights as camera flashes popped from
the press. Valk guided Sentinel up a ramp into the back of a waiting van.
Slingshot cleared
his throat, "Agent Valk, are we not peaceable enough for you? Look around
you. Who's moving to "attack" but you? Calm down and let’s get this
done and over with. Let's not make this more difficult than it is." With
that he turned to the agent next to him, "Let's go."
Clone leaned
slightly in the direction of Symbiote and whispered to him out of the corner of
his mouth, “Comrade Symbiote . . . I am thinking that maybe this is not good
time to be asking . . . but are you thinking that I am to be hearing from my
new girlfriend Rachael Ray maybe soon? I am thinking that maybe she is finding
me to be most sexy and groovy of guy, but I am not knowing for sure. What do
you think comrade?”
Symbiote looked
incredulously at the Replicating Russian and then....figured, what the
hell. Might as well play a little Dr.
Drew to the earnest young superhero. "Alex, I suspect a woman like that is
so high maintenance that you wouldn't be able to keep her happy if you were
able to split yourself into a thousand Clones, each of them with their own honey-do
list," he said. He looked grimly
towards the armored MEDUSA agents.
"On the other hand, I wonder how she is at baking metal files or
hacksaws into cakes? We may need those
skills soon."
No one else from Vanguard resisted or slowed the departure so no one else was arrested. Vanguard was loaded into reinforced prisoner transport trucks, two to a vehicle, escorted by American AEGIS.
As the doors to the vehicle close, Clone leaned forward and
in a gentle tone asked Agent Valk, “I am most sorry for asking of this comrade,
but it is seeming that I am needing to . . . err . . . how is it that you are
saying . . . err . . . oh yes . . . I am needing to be making of a pee-pee. Are
you thinking of this is being possible comrade?”
Valk said, “Hold
it in.” SLAM.
VRM. VROOM. The truck convoy departed.
Vanguard, Shelley,
Sgt. Stone, Doc Rocket, Felicity Chase, and Nathan Lamb were transported to
the Manhattan Federal Building. American AEGIS escorted them into the Secret
Service offices where they were separated, and a statement was eventually taken
from each of them in an interrogation room with two chairs, a table and a one
way mirror. As they were moved through the halls, Vanguard caught a glimpse of
Valk and Lamb arguing. Down another hall, Avatar saw the little boy who asked
for Avatar’s autograph, and a woman who must have been his mother. The boy
brightened up upon seeing Avatar. Then Vanguard out of his view.
There was no communicator reception in these offices. American
AEGIS stood guard for the duration.
It was 9pm on Saturday night. Two women, Special Agents
Graves and Zuniga (zoo-nee-ga) politely took their statements with Nathan Lamb
present as a CHESS representative. Lamb had regained his composure and
counseled Vanguard to be cooperative. Director Grey was in Europe, which is why
he missed the wedding. Lamb had been bluffing about his imminent arrival.
CHESS attorneys were called and messages left, but it was
Saturday night. Rather than wait to hear back, Vanguard, anxious to move the
process along rapidly, acquiesced to give statements without their attorney
present [OOC: I assume. If this is not the case, I’ll correct next issue.]
Everyone except Scott was asked if they saw Slingshot acting
strangely before he attacked the President. Everyone was asked to report a
timeline of events, and then repeat it forwards and backwards. Both Agents
politely declined to answer any questions put to them.
Menagerie had said,
"Sentinel and I both have the ability to sense if any imposters are among
Vanguard.”
Agent Zuniga
said, “And what would happen if you two were impersonated?” [Reply?]
Avatar, Menagerie, Symbiote,
Doc Rocket, Sgt. Stone, Shelley Harper, and Felicity Chase were
released quickly, before Hal had to feign illness. “Thank you for your patience
and cooperation,” Agent Graves said. The first wave of releases headed back to
Vanguard Vault.
Symbiote pulled
up his schematics and medical records on Nanite. Hal is her attending engineer/doctor, he knew
her workings better than anyone. The superhero
scientist began trying to locate some sort of silent signal for her, very much
like the one Nemesis emitted, to track her location. He enlisted Doc Rocket and Shelley Harper.
Avatar offered
any of his skills or powers to aid in finding Nanite and her kidnappers!
[Details?]
At midnight, Sgt.
Stone found Avatar and Menagerie
and said, “Come take a look at this.” On the television, the news of a rumored Vanguard
attack on the President and their subsequent arrest was all consuming.
Felicity Chase sat
in front of the screen absorbing it all. President Taylor is alive and
recovering. He refused to comment on what was an ongoing investigation. “The
wedding storyline is lost,” said Chase bitterly. “Help Find Nan is almost lost.”
The assassination attempt, the perp walk, Sentinel arguing with a Secret
Service agent, and American AEGIS’s arrival to end that argument, were on an
endless loop.
Eyes riveted on the unfolding spectacle, Felicity said, “The
media loves to build you up… and tear you down. And the delight they take in
the scandal is always in inverse proportion to your fame before the scandal
breaks. Textbook, really. The bigger you are…” She left to go home.
Pundits were bitterly divided. Pro-extranormals remained
supportive of Vanguard, and cautioned against a rush to judgment, but the
anti-extranormal faction, recently marginalized in the pre-wedding hype, were
resurgent.
Silas Caine,
candidate for President, released a press statement condemning Vanguard for the
attack, thanking the brave officials of law enforcement, including American
AEGIS, for holding extranormals accountable under the same laws that govern the
common man, and wishing a speedy recovery for President Taylor. Insta-polling
had Caine’s likeability up 19 points. Vanguard’s numbers were in freefall. Some
pundits said Caine was right all along about extranormals, and it would be a huge
political issue for him in the fall.
In other news, there’s a glamorous new power couple in
Manhattan! Clone and Rachel, or Clachel! Rachel Ray could not be reached for
comment on “the Vanguard attack.”
Stone changed the channel to another newscaster. “…said
“psionic attack.” For more on just what a psionic attack is, we turn to our own
Jill Henderson. Jill?”
“Bob, psionics are “weird powers of the mind,” like
telepathy, telekinesis, ESP, mind control, or the ability to see the future.
What he was referring to, we just don’t know.”
“Fascinating. This story just keeps getting stranger and
stranger. Thanks Jill. Now to Ted for sports!”
[Actions?]
Clone was
released from the Manhattan Federal Building at 2am after sorely testing the
cool professionalism of Agents Graves and Zuniga. When he left the building the
press was waiting for him. A dozen reporters stormed him with questions about
the attack on the President, the arrest of Vanguard, and of course, Clachel! [Reply?]
Meanwhile, inside the building, Sentinel was asked, “Did you attempt to contact, harm, control or
otherwise invade Special Agent Valk’s mind, or the mind of any other
person?” [Reply?]
Slingshot was
released by 6am on Sunday morning, thanks to his amiable, helpful approach, and
the CHESS files Nathan Lamb turned over to the Secret Service on the “Maria
Girucci” doppelganger attack last year.
But Slate was
still being held. President Taylor reported that Slate threatened to kill him
and then leapt at him just as he fell unconscious. Valk reported that Slate
attacked him, destroying his firearm.
Finally, Slate was a hostile witness. He would not answer
questions or be helpful. He felt he did
the right thing and, for that, he lost his mother. He had descended into sulking child syndrome.
Nathan Lamb
arranges to let Slingshot speak to Slate. He was also permitted to contact
Vanguard Vault.
At this point, Sentinel was the only person still being
questioned. And the press was still camped outside.
[Actions, Slate, Sentinel and Slingshot?]
Meanwhile, Lightning
Strike had spent the night scanning the city for unusual surges or
decreases on the grid, to track the Luddite! There had been several that night,
with no discernible pattern that he could detect.
He also spent time in his alter ego identity, looking for
news of Catman, to no avail. But he did learn that the snitch who had tipped
him off about Homicide for Hire’s audition died the other night, struck by a
hit and run driver. The snitch had so many enemies, the police didn’t know
where to begin.
At dawn, Lightning Strike’s phone buzzed. It was the
cellphone the Silent Killer had been given by Homicide for Hire. A text said:
“Good job today. You’re in. Meet us where you found this phone in one hour.
Congrats.”
[Actions, Strike?]
Meanwhile, at 6am Sunday morning, Symbiote, Doc Rocket and Shelley Harper had triangulated Nanite’s
silent signal through government satellites to rural, western Connecticut! [one
Luck Point was used]
Ajay pulled up satellite imagery showed a one-story, state
of the art scientific facility on acres of wooded land. Lit by dawn, nothing
seemed amiss. “Satellite thermo-imaging shows low power, and some of the
interior structures. Basement’s got the same footprint as the first level, and
a rail line coming into it probably for large equipment delivery. Parking lot’s
empty. Guess no one works on Sunday.”
The building’s owner was identified as Aztechnology, a privately
held physics lab with no criminal history.
Ajay soon had floor plan schematics, from public records,
onscreen [see below].
Nanite’s silent signal was coming from inside the facility. It
was 6:30 Sunday morning.
To be continued!
OOC: Actions?
Best,
Jeff
Current Conditions:
Avatar: Hit Points: 35,
Power Points: 84, Manifestation: None
Clone: Bodies:
1, Hit Points: 22, Power Points: 64, Hit Point Pool: 22
Lightning Strike:
Hit Points: 39, Power Points: 31
Menagerie: Hit
Points: 21, Power Points: 66, Form: Man
Sentinel: Hit
Points: 23, Power Points: 70, Creation
Points: 140, Shields: 0
Slate: Hit Points:
30, Power Points: 73
Slingshot: Hit
Points: 35, Power Points: 59, Invulnerability: 8
Symbiote: Hit
Points: 29, Power Points: 83, Charges: 11, Copied: None. Voice template
expired.
Aztechnology
Facility:
--------------------------------------------------
Avatar:
OOC: Jeff, Avatar
will, in situations like this, use some sort of combination of his skills and
powers (primarily skills FROM powers, as well as powers) to assist. Heightened Charisma plus his
morale-heightening aura might enable him to be a "cheerleader" of
sorts to those with more relevant skills.
Heightened Intelligence might enable some more insight into matters, even
though he doesn't have the technical expertise of others. Cosmic Awareness fueled with Power Points and
high Charisma (and maybe Heightened Charisma) might allow those with technical
or other expertise to rule out whole avenues of thought as they pursue things,
even if it might not help in a "micro" sense.
OOC: When released,
Avatar will very deliberately walk out of the building and into the public eye,
using Heightened Charisma and Oration skill (both activated prior to leaving
the building). He will have told the
rest of Vanguard to go ahead and leave ahead of him because he wants to try a
little damage control so he should be by himself.
IC: Avatar walks out
of the building, eyes shining from the use of his divine powers, an easy smile
on his face and nothing at all in his body language or facial expression
hinting that there's anything at all amiss with his world. He waves to the reporters that are likely
waiting.
"A few words?
Yes, of course I have the time to say a few words."
He draws himself up, smiling for the cameras and for the
reporters that should be affected by the more subtle effects of his powers.
"I can't say a lot, you must understand, as it's a
matter of national security, but what I can tell you is that it appears that
someone is trying to frame members of Vanguard for crimes that they would never
commit. As the old saying goes, 'the
truth will set you free' and, as you can see, we're pretty much free to do as
we please. We'll get this cleaned up
quickly and be on our way. It's just one
of those things that you have to expect happening when you have super-powered
villains working against you."
<questions from the reporters about the president>
"No, no, I can't comment on that. I was out in the streets of the city defending
the populace."
<questions about other Vanguard members>
"Rest assured that members of Vanguard are here to help
you. We all take this as a calling or
vocation and we take it very, very seriously.
Few of us have 'regular' lives any more, if there is such a thing, and
we devote ourselves fully to protecting society from things such as this."
<questions about psionics and such>
"Not really possessed of such powers myself. I'm more the dumb jock of the group
<flexes muscles and smiles at the ladies> but no one in Vanguard is going
to 'attack' anyone with their powers with no provocation. We try to take on the role of the hero and
we've generally done a pretty good job of it.
Now, folks, I have to go. It's
been a long day and I have to get back to HQ."
<Avatar deactivates the Oratory skill and then summons a
pegasus, pausing and waiting while people take pictures, and then mounting up
and flying away, still with Heightened Charisma working>
OOC: This may aid a
little in damage control. Can't hurt. Avatar will do whatever he can, as mentioned
above, to help the others. He'll gear up
and get ready to go and storm the lab when it's found.
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: Nice job Avatar!
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Yes, very nice job!Wonderful Issue Jeff!
I am really enjoying verbally sparing with Agent Valk and
Zuniga. Again he will summon his Charisma for the interview.
IC: Menagerie considered Agent Zuniga's question. He
thought, "If it is only one of us then the other would know. If it was
Sentinel, well while they could impersonate his powers but how long could they
impersonate his character. Not long, it would be obvious to us quickly because
no villain could maintain that kind of moral strength for long. As for me, well
MEDUSA has the only one who could impersonate all my powers effectively. Anyone
else would eventually come up short."
Looking from Valk to Zuniga and back to Valk he kept his thoughts to
himself. "Message received. You can't trust us. How did you make sure
you're team wasn't replaced? Maybe CHESS could use it to keep track of
Vanguard."
OOC: Menagerie will use all means at his disposal (including
luck point) to try to Luddite. If will look for any connections between
Luddite, Homicide for Hire, and Caine. He will support the team with their
efforts to track Nanite but believe there are other team members better skilled
to do that. He will check on his goat to make sure snowball is well fed and taken
care of. He will ask Lamb or Drake if he can interview the Homicide Unlimited
villains captured. He will attempt to find any information which would lead to
a Homicide for Hire and Luddite connection. If he knows an email account which
Lightning Strike has, he will send an email to see how he is doing and if he
needs help. If Menagerie doesn't know of one, he will send an email to himself
on a Google account and hope that Lightning Strike spots it.
Via Vanguard
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
Private to GM:OOC: Question for the omnipotent GM. How much do I actually know? Can I to do research on the corporation that supposedly has Nanite and still make the Homicide for Hire Deadline? I am planning on going to the location (even though I am sure it is a trap) that HFH suggested but I want to make sure I am not posting something that the rest of the group has no knowledge of. Of course, Lightning Strike actually loves doing stuff that is outside of Vanguard!!
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
Private to Lightning Strike:OOC: Lightning Strike doesn't know about Aztechnology unless Vanguard tells him.
Working outside Vanguard goes both ways. ;-)
[Later…]
I take it back. I suppose Strike could learn about the
Aztechnology lead if he hacked Vanguard Vault.:-)
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC: I had a ton of fun reading that - Awesome Issue! 'Clachael' - LOVE IT! LOL :D
Clone was released
at 2am?! Several hours AFTER the other members of Vanguard were released -
whats up with that?! I think I may have to have Clone contact one of those over-priced,
publicity hungry attorneys you see on TV, and file racial discrimination
charges or something against someone. I mean - it’s obvious that they only held
him that much longer because he was once a super-powered agent for the Russian
Government! Not to mention that they're probably jealous of his relationship
with Rachael Ray, and justifiably envious of his devilishly handsome good-looks and roguish
charms as well!
Just kidding by the way ;)
-Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: “Meanwhile, inside the building, Sentinel was asked, "Did you attempt to contact, harm, control or otherwise invade Special Agent Valk’s mind, or the mind of any other person?" [Reply?]”
Hi Jeff.
I'm picturing this scene inside an interrogation room with a
table two chairs and a two way mirror ala NCIS.
I'd also assume if that is the case that Valk would be on the other side
of that mirror and that Kirk would be able to identify where he was standing
having got a good impression of his energy signature already. Also if Kirk knows the name of the agent
questioning him, let me know.
If that is the setting, I've not a nice little scene worked
out.
Let me know.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Thanks everyone.
Seth, yes that's the setting. Here's the description from
this issue:
"...a statement was eventually taken from each of them
in an interrogation room with two chairs, a table and a one way mirror... Two
women, Special Agents Graves and Zuniga (zoo-nee-ga) politely took their
statements with Nathan Lamb present as a CHESS representative."
Agent Graves will take Sentinel's statement. If you want
Nathan Lamb present, they bring in a third chair.
Sentinel detects the energy signatures of Special Agent Valk
and several others on the other side of the mirror.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
[OOC: Is Slate being
held simply because of his sulky/hostile behaviour? or something else? What is
the lawyer saying?]
Scott moved into the
room with his son and gave him a great giant hug. [If Jon wants to interject
here, that's ok]
"I understand
how you feel, son. It's a hard line to walk. We need to be helpful even if we
feel we need to go and find Mother. These men are doing what they think is
their jobs, even if they are working right into the plans of someone else. I have
been released. I can now go, but you cannot.. quite yet."
OOC: A few questions, before I get involved here:
Since we know that Nanite is abducted and we know that her signal leads us to this location. Can we get a warrant to go in and find her? I'm not interested in getting in the news for not following protocol.
Signal: We have portable devices to monitor where she is once we are there, right?
Stephane/Slingshot
Since we know that Nanite is abducted and we know that her signal leads us to this location. Can we get a warrant to go in and find her? I'm not interested in getting in the news for not following protocol.
Signal: We have portable devices to monitor where she is once we are there, right?
Stephane/Slingshot
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Stephane:
By 6am Sunday, a CHESS lawyer, Henry Xu, would have turned
up. He answers Slingshot's question.
"Slate is being held for a number of reasons:
1) He threatened the President, according to President
Taylor's statement.
2) He attacked Special Agent Valk, disintegrating his
firearm from his hand. And,
3) He is unhelpful in the investigation, refusing to speak
to the authorities."
(OOC: And the GM would add that he has the Weakness,
Prejudice.)
Nathan Lamb answers Slingshot's other question. "A
search warrant can be obtained. It can take hours or days to get one signed by
a judge.
Because a life is at stake (Nanite's), it'll be on the
shorter end.
But the timing (Sunday morning) won't play in our
favor."
OOC: How long do you wait for the warrant?
You will have two portable devices to monitor the silent
signal once you are there. Who carries them?
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Slate:
IC: Slate sits in the interrogation room, staring at the two
way mirror, creating an almost fun house effect,his eyes reflecting the mirror,
reflecting his eyes...
Slate has not so much been withholding information, as not
responding at all. Special Agents Graves and Zuniga have even brought in a
child psychologist to try to get Slate to talk, but he showed no recognition
that the doctor was even in the room.
The only time he has had any reaction is when he is moved to a different
location physically, otherwise, he has seemed more an automaton than a living
being. The agents have even documented that he appears to not be breathing, and
has not responded to their requests if he wished food or drink.
Internally, Slate is anything but calm. His mind seems to be everywhere at once, he
feels betrayed, angry, scared, alone; like he is almost physically drowning in
his emotions. Everything seems to be spiraling out of his control. He keeps replaying the events that led up to
the events he currently sees transpiring, but they don't seem real. The excitement of the marriage, the planning,
how happy his mother had been. How
strong and in control Slingshot has always been. The reports he's read on his father’s
adventures. Nothing was like this. He
never experienced any of those things for himself, or felt the emotions that
must have gone along with them.
He replays the conversations he's had with his father, what
it means to be a hero, the differences of using ones powers for the good of all
vs. personal gain, even self sacrifice, but this seems different.
He remembers his anger at the attack on the cathedral, the
shock of recognition that there was something else going on, followed closely
by the confrontation with his father’s doppelganger, and the fear of seeing his
mother fall as the Luddite cast his energy sucking pall.
He kept seeing the picture from the file of his mother lying
in her own bodily fluids in her apartment when Slingshot found her, dead for
all intents. How could anyone let this
happen? How could he not protect
her? He had tried to be the hero, taking
the blow of that hammer to protect the President. He'd thought himself clever in his ruse to
determine whether the doppelganger was actually an alternate version of his
father, or something different. Now he feels foolish and slow... He should have
done more, he should have done something.
At the same time, his mind is still working on everything he
knows and has read about Silas Caine and Homicide for Hire...
Upon seeing Slingshot, Slate's unflappable facade
melts. He will run to his father. He'll follow whatever advice Slingshot gives
him. He's looking for some kind of
response he can mimic, it's what he's done most of his short life, and he
really doesn't know how to come up with his own reaction. He hasn't responded to the agents/doctor
because he doesn't see them as individuals he should emulate...
If Slate is left alone with a PC with government access,
they'll have another charge against him.
He will have no qualms about hacking into the systems to find out
anything he can about H4H, it's known members, Silas Cain, and last but not
least, MEDUSA and AEGIS. If he has time,
he'll cover his tracks, but getting the info is worth the cost to him. Priority 1 is finding his mother.
OOC: I had a great image in my mind for a comic cover, with
Slate's face split down the middle, half looking normal, the other half
screaming...
Jon
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: Thanks Jeff.The description was earlier in the issue and I didn't know if the same applied to those of us 'arrested'.
Meanwhile, inside the building, Sentinel was asked, “Did you
attempt to contact, harm, control or otherwise invade Special Agent Valk’s
mind, or the mind of any other person?” [Reply?]
Kirk sat forward at
the table, his hands folded in front of him as he stared back at Agent Graves
and stated, "If I might ask, on what basis would Agent Valk even make such
an accusation?"
OOC: Let me know the reply and hopefully I'll have time to
write up the rest of Kirk's response.
And no, I'm not expecting to be told by Graves.
Only other question I'd like to ask, that I didn't think of
asking previously but came to mind ... among the energy signatures Kirk reads,
are there any that are superhuman (including Graves) ... I hadn't thought of it
before and was going to reread your description of the attack against the
President again and especially the 'transport out' but would like to know
before continuing here.
Thanks.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
IC:Agent Graves said, "Please answer the question."
Sentinel detected no extranormals in his range other than Vanguard and Sgt. Stone.
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
Kirk took a page from Grey’s playbook.
“Yes I can Agent
Graves. No disrespect intended here, but
the answer to that question is above your pay grade. As Director of Vanguard there are aspects of
the capabilities of both CHESS and Vanguard, its technology and personnel that
I simply am not at liberty to discuss in this venue. But I do want to state this, it was President
Taylor himself that commissioned Agent Grey to bring Vanguard together and
grant us our status within the government.
I take that seriously.” And he repeated for emphasis with sincerity,
“Very seriously. I would never betray
that trust or the ideals of this great nation.
All of my actions today were in harmony with his mission statement for
Vanguard.”
Although Kirk tended to view himself more as a chairman or
spokesmen for the team, in this governmental setting and with his words, his
choice of the term ‘director’ was deliberate.
(OOC: Jeff – If Taylor wasn’t the President that brought us
together please adjust the statement accordingly. If the term director really isn’t
appropriate, we can adjust that too, but Kirk is trying to choose more
governmental structural context to asset authority he really should have as an
agent here.)
Then Kirk turned his head towards Agent Valk addressing him
as if the wall separating them wasn’t present, “Agent Valk, I know you have
responsibilities here and a job to do.
And I know today’s events have gotten us started on the wrong foot. But we are on the same team and we want the
same thing. We both want those
responsible for today’s attack apprehended.
Vanguard is uniquely suited to address what happened here today. Please, let us do our job. Let us help.”
Kirk paused and then continued, “And if I might add, my
abilities are known to this government and personally I have no problem sharing
them with you if given the clearance to do so.
Agent Valk, those responsible for today’s events currently have ‘one of
mine’, I implore you, please allow us to respond.”
OOC:
If Valk responds positively among Kirk's possible actions
would also be if appropriate and situations allow:
(1) Try to see if he can get Slate released with him in his
custody emphasizing although physically mature he really is still 'childlike'
in both his behavior and responses and Vanguard is best suited to supervise him
and his abilities may be of assistance in the current mission.
(2) Give a version of his earlier intended speech to offset
bad press (and emphasize the mutual cooperation of two two agencies in the
endeavor to bring those responsible to today's attack to justice - I'll try to
adjust it if giving it fits in and you give me the opportunity).
(3) Haven't read in close attention the details of Nanite's
location since I don't know if Kirk will be part of it. Will look further if you let me know and
certainly would use his energy sense to try to lock on to Nanite and also to be
sure that what we are getting isn't a 'false read' given to Vanguard on purpose
since he would know her unique energy signature.
Of course I do get that Kirk may spend the majority of the
next issue 'on ice'.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
OOC: I'm writing
this out assuming that Lightning Strike will be joining us soon. Tony, if you have other plans for the
character let me know and I'll adjust things.
IC: It's too
easy. Hal thought to himself. Far too easy.
Symbiote, Doc Rocket and Shelly had found the "tracer
signal" for Nanite, and traced her to the Aztechnology facility. And there she was. Just sitting there. Waiting to be rescued.
I'm not buying it for a minute, Hal thought to himself.
He turned to the others.
"So Cain kidnaps Nanite and then just sits on her somewhere?"
Symbiote asks. "Uh-uh. This is another trap. Nanite may be there or she may not, but I
suspect he's got a nasty surprise waiting for us. Harrik with
a team of super assassins, a well trained, well disciplined team this
time. Or maybe just a bunch of videotape
rolling, ready to show Vanguard attacking a peaceful, innocent scientific
research facility. One more blow to our
public image. Well, this time, we're not
going to play by his rules."
"Vanguard isn't going to attack Aztechnology. The forces of nature themselves are," he
said.
Hal turns to Avatar, the symbol of the powers long lost to
our world. "If Lightning Strike or
I try to zap ourselves in I bet we'd find ourselves blocked out, or trapped in
a containment grid of some sort--Cain's thought ahead, I don't doubt it,"
Hal says. "But what if dozens of
lightning bolts struck the building first?
What if a storm so mighty--yet concentrated--were to hit that building,
blow out the power, blow out the reserves and fry any technological defenses it
might have? Power of Zeus, right?"
He says to the Hellenic Hero.
"After that, I'm sure Lightning Strike can enter the building
through the power grid, and anything that Cain would've set up to trap or repel
him will have long since been overloaded.
"By this time the sprinkler system will be going, and
nothing technologically advanced works too well when it's soaking wet--no
cameras. Most superhumans don't fight
too well when somebody is creating a globe of water around their head as
well--hard to breathe, hard to see," Hal says. "Inhuman. He's been off the team so long that I'm
willing to gamble that Cain doesn't really consider him in his plans
anymore. Hell, he may not even known
that I once replicated Inhuman's powers, and I have his template stored in my
computer."
He turns to Menagerie.
"How are you at fish? Or if
the chordata are outside your range, how about an otter, or some other
amphibious mammal that can move fast through flooded passageways and look for
Nanite?" He looks at Clone. "Night vision goggles and stealth
gear--something that doesn't look like you.
You can cover ground fast and if anybody sees a bunch of strange men in
dark covert ops uniforms running around, well, that could be just about
anybody, couldn't it? The Russians, some
members of SKULL, Dr. Swastika's old minions, running around--the world's just
full of crazy people, ready to dress up henchmen in ninja outfits."
Hal took a brief breath.
"I'm spitballing here, there are probably elements of the plan that
need to be added to and subtracted from.
But if we wait for a warrant we're giving Cain too much of a head
start. And if we attack straight forward
it's almost certainly a trap," he says.
"We need to do the unexpected, and hit him in a way he isn't
anticipating. Anybody else got any
ideas?"
Viva Vanguard,
Greg
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
Menagerie agreed
with all the suggestions. He stated he will become an Otter.
Regards
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Scott smells a trap. Caine is not stupid. He assumes that
any record or information that Vanguard has, so does he. including the tracker
bead on Nanite. At this point, Scott assumes the following: Caine has been able
to duplicate the signal and has set up us up for to fail, or they simply took
it out of Nanite and put it there (Scott would know if that's possible) for the
same effect.
So Scott is adamant to get a warrant and do this the right
way. We are not going in without the proper procedure. If Grey/someone says
that we have special dispensation because of our capacity as a gov agency, then great, let do
it. but otherwise Scott will not be stepping foot on private property without a
warrant. Since he's been talking to the CHESS lawyer, he'll confirm it with
him.
Remember: we are not fighting regular villains, we are
fighting Caine at the moment. We cannot make any more mistakes.
Once we have a warrant. We are going in. I will need both
Sentinel and Menagerie to be on the lookout for Skin Deep while we are there.
In the meantime, I will contact Symbiote to prepare a DNA
extraction unit. It could be as simple as a syringe. I would prefer something
somewhat weaponized. If that can't be provided, I'll use other methods.
Once inside Aztechnology, Scott will pinpoint the exact
location of the bead and follow it through unerringly. He will use the
assistance of Aztechnology to get there, but if they are not helpful, he will
go through the facility to get to the location. At all times, he wants to be
accompanied by a CHESS agent to corroborate any events.
Scott would like to have another member of the Vanguard team
to have the portable devices or his buddy CHESS agent.
I want my CHESS buddy to be scanned by Sentinel for Skin
Deep. If he/she/it shows up and is identified as Skin Deep (or is trying to
implicate Slingshot by taking his image) then Scott will be waiting take the
DNA sampler and take a DNA sample of Skin Deep. If the DNA sampler is not
available. He will either take some hair or rip off a finger. whatever works:
He'll ask Symbiote for what is the easiest method regardless of the tool, as it
might break. Scott will not talk to anyone about this except for Symbiote.
If we have to wait until Monday. I've got another set of
orders to do regarding another warrant I want to put into place.
Let me know if you want more clarifications - I have no real
IC text, as I'm not sure who will be at Aztechnology.
Stephane/Slingshot.
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC:I liked all of what I read. And I agree 100% with Greg that it is 'too easy' as presented.
I'll refrain from further commenting since at this point Kirk doesn't know any of this stuff and we don't know if he will be involved in any of this.
If he is involved and I don't get to reply he will naturally
be supportive of the team's efforts any way he can be.
If Kirk does get released and does address the press he
would make his statement to them and end by stating something along the lines
of 'with Nanite still missing and those responsible for the attack on the
president still at large he has no time for questions at this time' and just
fly off towards HQ and thus avoid any questions about psionics and hopefully
with other events in play that will be forgotten as the press concern
themselves with more current news. I
haven't reread my last draft of his statement to adjust it perhaps if he gets
to do the statement this issue I can supply adjustments afterwards to fit the
time frame.
Of course, perhaps Kirk is wrong in giving the benefit of
doubt to Valk and it doesn't go well and he spends the next issue in the MEDUSA
'hold-up' as a prisoner where he is surprised to sense the energy presence of
... Nanite ... DA DA DUM!
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
Clone was released from the Manhattan Federal Building at
2am after sorely testing the cool
professionalism of Agents Graves
and Zuniga. When he left the building the press was waiting for him. A dozen reporters stormed him with
questions about the attack on the
President, the arrest of Vanguard, and of course, Clachel! [Reply?]
( OOC: In his own
“special way”, Clone responds to the reporters . . . )
1 . . . about the attack on the President
As the reporters
rush forward and hit him with an avalanche of questions and cameras, Clone shields his eyes for a moment as he adjusts to the bright lights and explains,
“I am thinking that this is maybe not
best of questions to be answering. The agents that are taking me into . . . how it is that you are
saying . . .” Clone then pauses for a
moment as he searches for the proper term and then with a
look of epiphany on his face continues, “ Ah yes - the slammer, they are bringing me in to this slammer to
talk to me of this. They are most
serious of people that are maybe not understanding all of what it is that I am saying to them about
this. I am explaining to them that I
am knowing of how this is now looking, but it is not really how this is now looking comrades.
The Slingshot that I am knowing is not
the Slingshot they are looking for, it is other Slingshot who is not being here but is
looking just like this Slingshot that
is now being here to be blamed for all of this. That Slingshot is looking exactly like this
Slingshot with most of same powers it
is looking I am thinking, but it is not this Slingshot . . . please to be understanding all of this
comrades, this is most important news
that you are needing to know I am thinking.”
2 . . . the arrest of Vanguard
Still struggling
with all the questions being shouted at him, the bright lights, and the multitude of camera
flashes, Clone turns towards the crowd
and says through a smile, “This is not bad experience that I am thinking; the agents are being a little confused on what it is that I am telling to
them, but they are finally coming to
understanding. This is good I am thinking because this place is being more better than
Leningrad, but is still most unusual
of ways for me to be meeting people I am thinking.” Clone then chuckles and says in a re-affirming
manner, “But of course I am making
littlest of jokes as you are knowing.”
3 . . . and of course, Clachel!
Still a bit
stunned by the media assault launched upon him by the information hungry reports before him,
Clone addresses the ‘Clachael’ topic.
I am not understanding all of what it is that you are saying . . . why are you saying this
name as Clachael, I am not
understanding this. Are speaking of my most beautiful of loves Rachael Ray?” As the reporters explain to
Clone that they are indeed speaking of
Rachael Ray and his relationship to her, Clone continues, “She is most beautiful of women
in all of the world. She good woman
with good heart and is most special places of my heart.” He then turns to face one of the nearby
television camera’s, and begins to
speak directly into it as if he were addressing someone right in front of him, “Ma-ma; you are
right, Rachael is most beautiful of
women that I am knowing and she is most excited to be meeting you. When she is calling of me soon
we will coming by and seeing of you
very soon.” As the police start to push back the crowd of reporters and begin to usher Clone away
from the building, the ‘Dynamo of
Duplication’ looks over his shoulder and speaks to the camera one last time, “ . . . and please to
be telling everyone that it is that I
am loving them and missing of them! Please to be telling Boris that I am to be seeing of him
soon!” Clone then disappears quietly
into the sea of journalist stretched out before him.
IC: Symbiote:
He looks at
Clone. "Night vision goggles and stealth gear--something that doesn't look like
you. You can cover ground fast and if anybody sees a bunch
of strange men in dark covert ops
uniforms running around, well, that could be just about anybody, couldn't it? The Russians, some members of SKULL, Dr. Swastika's old minions,
running around--the world's just
full of crazy people, ready to dress up henchmen in ninja outfits."
His mind unconsciously
passes by the opportunity to address the mention of Dr. Swastika’s name, as Clone stands there visually perplexed as he struggles to make sense of
what Symbiote has just said, “. . . I
am being most sorry comrade . . . but . . . I am not understanding what it is that I am to be
doing.” With only a brief pause, the
‘Replicating Russian’ then asks, “Why is it that I am needing to be strange, and why is it that I
am to be playing dress up with
henchmen in ninja outfits?”
>CLONE’S OOC RESPONSE<
Still wrestling with a bunch of his own issues, Clone is just going to follow the groups lead on how this goes down.
My apologies for
getting this in so late guys - I can’t promise it won’t happen again, but I will try to keep
it to a minimum.
Talk to you all
soon,
- Kev
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Hi everyone.
Right now two plans have been offered and they are pretty
different.
Symbiote says go without a warrant now (Sunday), strike the
base with a lightning storm, flood it, then send in the ninja clones and
everyone in a fast raid.
Slingshot wants to wait for a warrant, serve the warrant
with CHESS present, maybe lawyers too, and search the base with Aztech
personnel. This could mean Monday, giving time for Symbiote to make a DNA
needle gun.
Please resolve. :)
Thanks,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: That's right. If you want we can have it out in IC
post. But I'm putting a stop on the raid.I would follow this up with having someone monitor the location and see if they are moving her in between the time for the warrant. If they do so, we could nail them once they come out.
Jeff, I'll send you something on the side. I'm not sure it's something that you want to handle this turn but timelines I would like to have similar to .
Stephane
--------------------------------------------------
Slate:
OOC: I'm with you, maybe by Monday Slate will be out of the
slammer. :)
On the other hand, I can't see calling Dr. Apocalypse to
say, "We'll be there Monday at 3, is that a good time for you."
And Tony's probably already there...
Jon
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Private to GM:OOC: http://vanguardhq.blogspot.ca/2008/12/issue-39-homicide-for-hire-vs-vanguard.html
Vanguard on the attack: Getting rid of Harrik - We have
intel that Harrik is the Patriot. Does CHESS have proper information about
Harrik, what he looks like, who he is, etc.. We can corroborate that he killed
Spider Girucci in cold blood, but we need to make sure that we have serious
information liking Harrik to the Mercenary persona from a
CHESS/MEDUSA/Interpol/CIA/Whatever.
“The Mercenary spoke quietly into his headset as he nimbly
leapt off the Atomic Brain’s force field platform onto the elevated tracks
which afforded him an excellent vantage point of the battle. His team nodded
understanding at his words. Then, his face holding no particular expression,
Harrik calmly drew a large pistol from its holster and fired a bullet into
Spider Girucci’s brain. KA-POW!
The smirk wiped off his face permanently, Girucci collapsed
dead onto the dirty, grey sidewalk. The envelope fell from his lifeless hand
and blew into the panicking traffic of the Grand Central Parkway!”
Then on the next public presentation that Silas Caine
attends with Patriot, we will swoop in and arrest Harrik for the murder of
Girucci with a warrant obtained moments before. In front of the press. :)
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
Private to Slingshot:OOC: I like the idea of you guys on offense.
The law knows Harrik is the Mercenary. To get a warrant for
the scenario you described, you need to prove to a judge that the Patriot is
Harrik. What's your proof/intel?
It's gotta be airtight. Everyone knows Vanguard has it out
for Silas Caine. ;)
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
IC: Shelley sides with her brother for once, shocked that
Nanite's husband and son are the ones willing to leave her in captivity longer
than necessary.
Slingshot said, "I would follow this up with having
someone monitor the location and see if they are moving her in between the time
for the warrant. If they do so, we could nail them once they come out."
Shelley said, "Scott, you're forgetting Harrik has a
teleporter. We need the element of surprise."
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Scott turns his heads away from her. "Shelley, you have
no idea how much this is tearing me apart. You know to what lengths I've had to
go through to get Nanite back. You were there. But what's the use if we become
wanted criminals, because Silas managed to get what he wanted? He expects me to
go charging into the fray. God knows, I've done my fair share of that. It is
what landed me in custody and Ethan is still there. Not thinking, only
reacting. We need to make sure that we start putting the screws to his
peers."[OOC: If it makes a difference, I'll use a luck point to get a judge who will sign the warrant early.]
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Private to GM:OOC:
I managed to go back into my emails and well.. patriot/harrik connection doesn't seem air tight. in the building and out a few hours later? pffft.
So we will work harder at getting the info. Now we get
Nanite. When we get her, she'll help track him down, because I can't quite
trust Strike to do what I ask him to. :)
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
Strike will continue to maintain radio silence with Vanguard
and will not turn himself in to the government as he was not seen at the scene
of the crime and nobody can place him anywhere near the situation so he can not
be involved. Strike will investigate all
leads on Homicide for Hire and also look into places that may lend themselves
to or have any history of holding extra-normals in an effort to locate
Nanite. Anything that turns up he will
forward to Vanguard via an anonymous e-mail, ensuring that the message gets
bounced around enough servers that it is impossible to track.
Strike will also send a message to Vanguard letting them
know the address that he is supposed to go to as being accepted into Homicide
for Hire. He will send that message in
several pieces and from several different addresses and servers to ensure that
it isn't tracked by either the bad guys or the govt. He hopes that someone in Vanguard picks up
the pattern.
Knowing full well that returning to the location is more
than likely a trap and given that there is only one hour to get there, he will
recharge as much as possible and then attempt to observe the area remotely
before heading in. Knowing that this was in an abandoned warehouse or factory
(I forget which) he doesn't expect to find cameras in the building but if he
can tap into nearby cameras that he can divert to the area before Silent Killer
is expected to arrive he will attempt to determine all of the potential
combatants, fully expecting CatMan to be there and ready to rat him out. If possible given the timing, and all of the
observation he wants to do, Strike will also like to get there first and plant
booby traps that the Silent Killer can use without exposing his identity as
Lightning Strike. This could be putting
loosening nails for magnetic combat later or weakening steel beams. Something that may give him an advantage if
combat against numerous foes breaks out.
OOC: Okay that should cover it. Since I am not involved in the attempt or
non-attempt to go to Aztechnology, I will not weigh in with my opinion.
Thanks,
Tony
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
IC: Menagerie listened to Slingshot and Symbiote discuss
their plans and he doesn't know which plan is best. He decides he needs more
information from his teammates. "What is our goal here. Is it to free
Nanite or avoid a trap by Caine? If we
need to free Nanite at any costs then I agree with Symbiote. If we are to avoid a trap by Caine foremost
then I agree with Scott."
"Scott is Nanite's husband, if he is willing to allow
Nanite to stay captive longer to avoid traps then I choose Slingshot's plan. I
do think we need to beef up the plan. Instead of just watching lets make a
trap."
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Private to Lightning Strike and GM:OOC: Anthony..
I'm trying to nail Harrik/mercenary/patriot for Girruci's killing. Your character managed to get some incidental information that Harrik is Patriot. Can we work towards getting serious information on that? Maybe him wearing the costume without the head on? Or something similar?
It doesn't have to be this turn, but I'd like to do it
shortly.
Stephane
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
Private to Slingshot and GM:OOC: I am more than willing to gather evidence on Harrik, especially to link him to Silas Caine.
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
Private to Lightning Strike and GM:OOC: Cool. So let's work on getting some serious evidence. If we manage to get Nanite back, she'll be able to help there too.
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: I like Greg's approach as a player, but Scott won't move from his positioning. He wants it done legally. We are searching the place for an abducted individual legally. So long as we behave.. we should be fine.
You're welcome to play it out, Slingshot will follow up with
the warrant. You might flush them out and we might see if the teleporter is
still onsite.
My issue is if the teleporter is there and we go in charging
like bulls, all he needs is a saved action and he teleports them all out and we
are left with an attack against a company that did nothing.
Jeff. I want to add to my turn.
While we are waiting on the warrant. I want to do some research on Aztechnology. I have a feeling that we are being sent to them to destroy the facilities in an attempt to get to Nanite. I also expect that she would disappear (assuming that Nanite is really there) with the teleporter the moment we get into the core of the place.
My research (and I want to use all the clearance I've got available to me, including Grey) to understand what they do. I assume that Caine wants do to away with them and use us to do it. So what's the tech that's being done there? Does it have any special properties that might be involved in anyway with the Digital Zone?
When we arrive there, if it's clear that the company has nothing, then I want to have a short meeting with the president of the place and see if there is anything that we can find mutually agreeably. The enemy of my enemy and all that (there are limits to what I'll agree to, but I'm willing to have a chat and see if we can have a meeting of minds).
Stephane
While we are waiting on the warrant. I want to do some research on Aztechnology. I have a feeling that we are being sent to them to destroy the facilities in an attempt to get to Nanite. I also expect that she would disappear (assuming that Nanite is really there) with the teleporter the moment we get into the core of the place.
My research (and I want to use all the clearance I've got available to me, including Grey) to understand what they do. I assume that Caine wants do to away with them and use us to do it. So what's the tech that's being done there? Does it have any special properties that might be involved in anyway with the Digital Zone?
When we arrive there, if it's clear that the company has nothing, then I want to have a short meeting with the president of the place and see if there is anything that we can find mutually agreeably. The enemy of my enemy and all that (there are limits to what I'll agree to, but I'm willing to have a chat and see if we can have a meeting of minds).
Stephane
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
IC: Menagerie listened to Slingshot and Symbiote discuss
their plans and he doesn't know which plan is best. He decides he needs more
information from his teammates. "What is our goal here. Is it to free
Nanite or avoid a trap by Caine? If we need to free Nanite at any costs then I
agree with Symbiote. If we are to avoid a trap by Caine foremost then I agree
with Scott."
"Scott is Nanite's husband, if he is willing to allow
Nanite to stay captive longer to avoid traps then I choose Slingshot's plan. I
do think we need to beef up the plan. Instead of just watching lets make a
trap."
"Right
before we serve the warrant, I could cast a spell to prevent teleportation.
Hopefully this would catch Caine by surprise even though it would appear that
surprising him is impossible. It is like he can see the future."
OOC:
Jeff, I am wanting to use a luck point to create a one shot magic spell:
Teleportation Barrier. Hopefully I am asking the correct was to do this since
Vanguard doesn't use the inventing rules from V&V. Let me know if I am over
stepping with this action.
Via
Vanguard
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
IC: "Scott, I
understand how you feel," Symbiote says.
"We just took a bloody nose to our image and damn near ended up in
prison, I'm in no mood to risk it again.
But this is Nanite's life. If
we're going to get her out of the hands of Cain, Harrik and that teleporter, we
need to do it fast. And we'll probably
only get one chance. Show up politely on
their doorstep with a warrant and they'll probably just teleport her away
somewhere else. And at some point, Cain
will probably figure out how to disable the signaling beacon. Or just decide he can learn as much from her as a completely disassembled,
depowered pile of parts. I'm afraid a
fast, decisive strike may be our one chance."
OOC:
P.S....
1) Thomas, the teleportation blocking spell is an excellent idea.
2) Hal asks Ajay to trace the underground rail system for an entry point. If we do go with a raid, might be useful to have some of the team come in from that direction.
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
Private to GM:OOC: Jeff,
If only I could weigh in on this discussion but of course Lightning Strike has no knowledge of Aztechnology. If I were a betting man, I would say that Aztechnology is nothing but a red herring. My gut feeling is that Silas Caine is still playing all of the angles and will use Vanguard to advance his interests. I suspect that if we follow the money, Vanguard could discover that Silas Caine is probably a principal investor in Aztechnology's principal competitor. By having Vanguard crash into Aztechnology via a quick strike and then probably destroying half of their research he wins and if Vanguard goes by the book and uses legal means, the press will find out about if and that will damage Aztechnology's reputation so that Caine wins again.
I would reccomend a fast strike at the company that Caine
has the holdings in which is probably where Nanite is being held.
Of course, I could be reading more into this than is
necessary but knowing the devious nature of our GM, I tend to think I am right.
Time will tell.
Take it easy,
Tony
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: So neither Symbiote or Slingy are changing their
positions.Is Vanguard going to Aztech in two waves?
Or will either of you bow to the will of the majority?
Everyone else: what's your vote on this, in case it does go to a vote?
Thanks.
Menagerie: One shot invention of a magic spell is legal,
just like one-shot invention of a technical gizmo.
And this idea falls within your theme of nature; ie:
teleportation defies Nature and the laws of physics, so the spell is about
preserving natural law, and is able to stop teleportation.
I'll work out range, PR cost and other details asap, but you
won't be able to blanket a building. It's something you would cast on the
teleporter, and could cast pretty quickly (one combat action).
Or if you wanted to create a magical barrier/force field to
surround an area (the building) it would be a ritual that would take an hour to
cast, but I need you to help me figure out how it fits within the theme of
Nature.
Given the one-shot nature of the spell, it would have a duration of an hour.
Given the one-shot nature of the spell, it would have a duration of an hour.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: If you decide to go in, Scott will not follow. There's
no way he can be a "force of nature". So he'll stay back and do the
legal thingScott maintains that Aztech might just be a target for Caine, so he's thinking that there might be an angle somewhere there we can use against him.
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: If Slingshot won't go in neither will Menagerie.
Menagerie doesn't believe this action supports his calling as Protector of
Nature nor a CHESS sanctioned action. He believes he is supporting the Vanguard
family and since it is Scott's wife he is leader on any mission, no offense to
Sentinel intended.
Best
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
OOC: At this point I'm assuming
Kirk is not part of this since my last post said I was assuming that unless
Jeff told me otherwise and he didn't ask me to clarify so of my last post that
would have needed clarification if Kirk's plea was going to reap a positive
response from Valk.
I'd point out that it seems like
Strike's email message might preempt this decision for the issue if it was
received. Unfortunately at this point, Kirk is the most likely character that
would have been on the lookout for such a message and the other players that
might have gotten it are preoccupied on opposite sides of the attack plan.
And no offense taken Tom as Kirk
had already taken a similar stance yielded to Slingshot taking the lead IC
based on Nanite being missing ...
I will say OOC that Symbiote's
plan rocked and that it would have been ultimately cool if it worked and it led
to Nanite's rescue. Very cool battle plan Greg.
Based on things thus far it looks
like the cover to the next issue would be 'Caine Triumphant' with his huge face
in the middle of the cover and then split panels featuring Vanguard in dire
straights (Sentinel/Slate being led away captive by MEDUSA - Strike alone with
an onslaught of HFH attacks coming towards him - and the rest of the team
(perhaps split?) between the outcome of the current decision about how to
attack...
And we thought this was going to
be a quick easy 'in between the timeline' adventure ... whew!
Very OOC: Hey, have you seen the
latest Avengers clips??? I am really thinking this might be the best superhero
film ever! And surprisingly I'm liking the trailer for the reboot of Spidey ...
although they took the parents stuff from a time period I'm a sucker for
restoring Gwen to her rightful place in Spidey history (sorry Tony, I know you
prefer redheads and Spidey is your guy). And don't get me started on the toons
available currently and upcoming. Can't say how cool it is to have the GL
cartoon running... too bad in the comics the New DC Universe is doing nothing
for me...
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
[OOC] I do want to agree that Greg's plan totally rocks. If
it was any other situation, I would totally go for some of that. I'm actually
thinking that we might want to keep this plan in reserve.
[Very OOC] Nope. I stopped watching them after the superbowl
one (whichever was the second). I want to be amazed. I've already sent a
meeting invite to my wife for May 5th.. and she accepted! Mouhahaha! She rocks.
--------------------------------------------------
Lightning Strike:
OOC: I did not intend to preempt any decision for the rest
of the group as Strike probably knew very little of what the rest of Vanguard
was doing and since he now has to take out all of HFH singlehandedly, I will
assume that you will all hand him over the mantle of kingship relatively soon!!
As for Strike's opinion on what we should or should not do
in terms of Aztechnology, I have already expressed my opinion on that to the GM
OOC (as Strike really would have no idead) and I am waiting to be proved
correct.
Have fun this weekend all!!
Tony
OOC The initial Spider-Man movie ignored Gwen entirely and
then they added her in the horrible third movie as an afterthought. I still
prefer redheads (MJ is totally hot!!) but I think it is highly unlikely that my
daughter or wife ever get red hair.
That being said, I agree that Gwen should now get her
rightful place in the Spidey pantheon.
I am so far behind in movies that I did not see any of last
year's superhero movies. I still haven't watched Captain America or Thor so the
Avengers movie will probably have to wait a couple of years. I do admit that I
am intrigued by The Cabin in the Woods and after having watched The Evil Dead
with Seth, I kind of hope it is an homage to that.
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC:OK. The team is divided on what to do next. Here's what I need:
Symbiote: Are you going to storm
Aztech now, without Slingshot, Slate and Menagerie? If not, how long will you
delay the attack? Until the warrant arrives?
Will you go if it's only you and
Shelley/Zephyr going? If not, how many team mates do you need for you to raid
Aztech?
Avatar: You said you'd gear up and
storm the lab asap. That sounds like you're with Symbiote. Is that correct?
Clone: You said you'd follow the
team. The team is divided. Are you going with Symbiote, Slingshot or something
else?
Sentinel: I need an if/then
statement please, in case you're released before the raid on Aztech. It can be
short; Slingy's plan or Symbiote's plan or something else? Please send it to me
privately so it doesn't influence the team, who are out of contact with you.
Slate: Got your orders. Thanks. I
need an if/then statement please, in case you're released before the raid on
Aztech. It can be short; Slingy's plan or Symbiote's plan or something else?
Please send it to me privately so it doesn't influence the team, who are out of
contact with you.
Slingshot: Got your orders.
Thanks. If you have all or most of Vanguard present when the warrant arrives
are you still serving the warrant and entering calmly, or are you incorporating
any of Symbiote's blitzkreig tactics to the raid?
Lightning Strike: Got your orders.
Thanks.
Menagerie:Got your orders. Thanks.
I love the characterizations here.
Slingy now acting by the book. Symbiote still believing the ends can justify
the means. Great stuff everyone.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Slingshot:
OOC: I'll be doing the calmly, but firm thing. If I'm being
blocked from access or if I'm being delayed by "I can't find my keys to
this room" tactics, then I'll simply tell them that if we have to batter
down the door, we will, and I'll enlarge my fist to a battering ram size. I'll
give them the chance to find the keys "Oh you meant this door!", but
if not, I'm pulling the door off its hinges and handing it to the man.I'm going in assuming that Caine wants this place destroyed, so I'm not going to do so. If I have to have my "meeting of minds" conversation right away with the president/VP/guy-in-charge, to ensure compliancy, I'm not opposed to that either.
--------------------------------------------------
Avatar:
OOC: No. With Slingshot
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Before Vanguard arrives with the warrant, Menagerie
will spend the hour for his one shot spell and one hour duration. Would an
Invisible Cocoon which would block unnatural passages fit the theme? I also
thought of how amber encapsulates insects or how tar pits trapped the
dinosaurs.
If any of these fit the theme better for you use what you
like best if this is not what you meant by theme at all, let me know and I will
try again.
Via Vanguard
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
OOC: Will hold off on my plan and wait for the warrant.--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC:I went back and read over a bunch of the e-mails from the last several days and just wanted to make sure that I have everything straight before I mention which route Clone will follow.
1. Get A Warrant: One part of the team wants to do this on the 'up-and-up' ( i.e. get a warrant signed by a judge, get a team together, go through proper channels, etc. ).
2. Aggressive Assault: While the other part of the team wants to just burst in on Caine with "guns blaze'n"
I know I over simplified it, but is that the general gist of things?
I'm assuming that it is, so I wanted to suggest a third option - how about a combination of the two plans?
Get Grey 'on-board' and ask him for two things:
1. Judge: Ask him if he knows any judges that might be sympathetic to our cause and situation, and willing to sign the warrant without too much delay.
2: Strike Team: If Grey knows a judge like that, then before we go to the judge - get a strike team organized and 'in place' around the location we want to hit.
The very second the judge signs the papers, have someone ( i.e. A member of Vanguard, Grey, etc. ) contact the strike team and 'send in the dogs'!
That would make it legal, quick, and remove any chance of Caine finding out about it before it happens.
Just an idea though - any thoughts?
-Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
OOC: One final twist on this: I recommend that Avatar be powered up with the speed of Hermes for this encounter. The way I view it, we show up with the search warrant--and then he begins a super-speed check of every room in the place before whoever's at the front door to Aztechnology can start any what-is-the-meaning-of-this delaying tactics. Since Menagerie is blocking the any teleportation I'd particularly check for anybody trying to smuggle her out through the underground rail tunnel.
Symbiote will still go in with Inhuman's power template. He's still gambling that the Pacific Paragon has been off the team so long that Cain and Harrik won't really plan for his powers.
Viva Vanguard,
Greg
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC: I could be wrong; but given the situation, under the
Patriot Act I think all we need is the warrant to be signed in order to enter -
having it there physically is only a technicality I think. I believe under
circumstances like this they usually give an ounce of leeway - I could be
totally off base with that though. The hardest part would be getting a warrant
in the first place I think - do we have anything solid that would persuade a
judge to give us one? Judges don't usually issue Search Warrants based on gut
feeling as far as I know. =/I think under the Patriot Act we could just go in 'full tilt' without the warrant actually being present at the location if we could convince the judge that an individual's physical safety would be endangered, the suspect would somehow flee prosecution, evidence would be tampered with, potential witnesses would be intimidated, an investigation would be jeopardized, or if a trial would unduly be delayed by a delay in immediate action.
We could always go with the old 'I thought I heard someone scream for help' routine, but that would be a dangerous game to play given who our target is.
-Kev
PS: Since it seems my Option #3 suggestion is out the
window, Clone will go along with the "Gun's Blaze'n" plan. He's
always been a pretty impulsive guy - it makes sense that he would vote that
way.
--------------------------------------------------
OOC:
Hi Kev,fyi, you guys have traced Nanite's "silent signal" to the Aztech facility, so it's not just a hunch.
Also, the Patriot Act didn't occur here.
The re-emergence of superheroes in the early 1980s has
altered history and the alterations keep snowballing:
-The Soviets were able to hold power using extranormals.
-Al Qaeda remained primarily a tool of the CIA against the
Soviets in SW Asia.
-The Freedom Force prevented a rogue element of Al Qaeda
from destroying the Twin Towers on 9-11.
-The Patriot Act wasn't signed into law, nor did the US
invade Iraq or Afghanistan.
-Politically, the globe is still in a Cold War, with the
world's two superpowers locked in a stalemate.
Vanguard seemingly glimpsed the real world in the Nightmare
Illusion Spell that the Crimson Coven had woven.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC: Oh yeah!
That's right, I forgot 9-11 didn't happen in the Vanguard Universe - sorry
about that. Jeff - My knowledge of laws and legal matters is average at best ( yours on the other hand seems pretty good ), but couldn't we have a Strike Team in place at the location and then send them in once the warrant is signed ( assuming we can get one - which I can't see being too much of a problem given the vastness of Grey's contacts ), and not need the actual warrant on-hand given the nature of the situation? Or am I way off base on that? =/
Just curious -
-Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Sentinel:
Private to GM:OOC:
Hi Jeff.
I think the team as a whole has
already leaned towards Slingshot's plan - Kirk's pattern here has already been
to follow Slingshot's lead as with Nanite missing he believes this really is
his call ... unless he planned something unsound or unreasonable (not the case
here), he would respect his decisions and support them.
If he is released and gets email
message from Strike he would advise the team and try to gather intel and
support from a distance. I'm guessing giving the time frame, even if Kirk is
released it would be after this meet.
On the attack, in addition to uses
his senses to try to determine if Nanite is genuinely present he would use them
to determine intel on areas not seen yet. Also would suggest the perhaps
Menagerie can get us some intel from any creatures present within the building
already.
Thanks.
Seth
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Kev, this is true to a point. You don't want to hang
around Aztech for hours waiting for a judge to hear the case for the warrant,
you'll increase the odds of being spotted.
You'll probably lurk a distance away so you can swoop in
when it's signed, or disappear unnoticed if it's not.
The result is losing the commute time between NYC and CT by
reducing your free time before the raid, ie: hanging around CT waiting for
progress.
On the other hand, if Menagerie needs an hour for the
ritual, maybe he lurks Aztech's grounds in an animal shape until he gets word
(via communicator? Hmm) and begins ritual while you guys begin the trip from
NYC? He won't want to burn the luck point until the raid is approved.
FYI one shot inventing a spell is int x 3% chance of
success.
Up to you guys.
Best
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Clone:
OOC:
Awesome - thanks Jeff!
If we decided to go this way I would suggest Menagerie just cast the spell as soon as we know Grey ( or whoever ) is in chambers with the judge. The only reason I say that is because an hour is a long time - if anyone affiliated with Aztech gets wind of the warrant being issued before we get in there, then I would imagine we would lose our window of opportunity. Worth the risk of using a Luck Point in my opinion.
BTW - Do we know what part of Nanite produces the 'Silent Signal'? I ask because if its a device or something small, she might not be there - it might just be the device or whatever that's there and not actually Nanite - which would of course then tip our hand when we enter the building ( i.e. an Aztech employee contacting someone outside the location ) and give anyone else involved with Nanite's disappearance the opportunity to move her again ( from the other location that she may be at ). So I would suggest that we not only get a Search Warrant, but one that includes phone tapping and number tracing as well. This way if she isn't there we could snag any outgoing calls to their source and maybe follow up on that lead as well.
Had another thought as well - if the source of Nanite's 'Silent Signal' is just a small device or something - what if Aztech isn't involved at all? What if they're simply being employed ( i.e. in an attempt to reverse-engineer parts of Nanite ) or used as a distraction by the real kidnappers?
Just doing some brainstorming here - not trying to make any decisions for the group.
Talk to you guys soon,
-Kev
--------------------------------------------------
Symbiote:
OOC: Just a quick note on this: I agree with having
Menagerie in place (assuming he's willing) to cast the spell the minute we have
the warrant. I'd suggest that we be circling overhead in our aircraft (I forget
if we ever came up with a name for it--do we have a Quinjet-like title for the
team vehicle?)I do not, however, recommend casting the spell until the minute we have the warrant in hand. For those who don't know, I'm a probation and parole officer in real life and I cannot overstate a judge's ability to bloviate, blow off hot air, enjoy the sound of his or her own voice and just generally waste time.
--------------------------------------------------
Menagerie:
OOC: Yes Menagerie will be in place and will cast the spell
the moment the warrant is in hand. Here's hoping CHESS comm. channels are
secure.
Via Vanguard
Tom
--------------------------------------------------
GM:
OOC: Hey everyone,
The next issue is huge. Double sized.
It didn't expect it to be. So I’m running late.
It'll go out late tonight or tomorrow morning.
Sorry.
Best,
Jeff
--------------------------------------------------
Avatar:
OOC: So we have to pay more for
this one?
--------------------------------------------------
Slate:
OOC: Twice as
much as normal. :)
--------------------------------------------------
