Masks: A New Generation of Heroes

Game Master Cwethan

I'll spend the Team to give you that +1

Wingblade stands and moves to place herself right beside Atoms. She folds her arms in front of her and glares at Nick.

Ah, it's good to have the team back together.

Nick matches your stare. For a guy you could probably vaporize in a second, the young adult doesn't back down easy. But eventually, he breathes out a sigh, and holds up his hands.

"Alright, alright, I'm sorry. Geez, at least your loyal to your friends. Hopefully that'll be enough."

His demeanor is a bit less full frontal, but he looks to adress you all.

"I was in your position once. Team of eight or so, young, up and coming. Guess who's left."

He gestures to his left and right, indicating the empty space.

"So I wanna make sure you're more ready than I was ever was. You have to be."

He starts tossing folders to all of you.

"The only group that performed almost respectably was WingThe group that took on the gang decided the best solution to an underage gang problem was to lock em up. Great! So, how does that solve things in the long term? How do find the guy that creates the knives or better yet, the boss of Nine Knives. As for Mr. Lava Lamp over here, what was it again? Would you like to share with the class what took precedent over retrieving 3 runaway super teens?"

Wingblade's stern look shifts to confusion, and she turns to look at Atoms questioningly.

"What does he mean by that?"

"Now that they're no longer having super powered brawls in major cities, they can be questioned and we can get more evidence and arrests from there."

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"If that's your truth," Nick responds to Tycho. "All I'm saying is that guidance might have been the angle I would've worked. We got plenty of youths well past saving, but these guys...these guys were just on the precipice, mostly friends who wanted a bit more control in their lives. I guess you completed your mission, not the way I would've, but you got it done."

I'll move the scene along in a day or two if no one has anything else to add to the scene.

Hashtag rolls his eyes. "Pssh... guidance? From an a~!*~!@ like you? They'd go running right into the ranks of some supervillain." he spouts.

Condition(s): None

Oh, I have a lot to add. Don't you worry.

The former deputy eases up on Nick, satisfied with his apology and change of attitude. He steps away, backing off to give both Wingblade and Nick a safety cushion of space. From this distance, he listens politely to Nick's words, occasionally nodding respectfully, and even offering a mournful look when the young Defender mentions his former team. As the conversation carries on, it soons turns to the events of each mission, which Atoms is very interested in.

A folder is tossed Atoms' way, which, out of surprise, he catches. Unfortunately for the carefully prepared document, it almost immediately disintegrates in the former deputy's grasp, leaving Atoms empty-handed with a somewhat sheepish grin.

"It's Deputy Atoms–though I'm honestly considering a name change. And it's kind of a long story," says Atoms, when Wingblade and Nick question him about the results of his mission. "I'll let someone else go first."

"Now that they're no longer having super powered brawls in major cities, they can be questioned and we can get more evidence and arrests from there."

"If that's your truth," Nick responds to Tycho. "All I'm saying is that guidance might have been the angle I would've worked. We got plenty of youths well past saving, but these guys...these guys were just on the precipice, mostly friends who wanted a bit more control in their lives. I guess you completed your mission, not the way I would've, but you got it done."

Hashtag rolls his eyes. "Pssh... guidance? From an a&+#!@! like you? They'd go running right into the ranks of some supervillain." he spouts.

"HEY!", snaps Atoms at Hashtag. "When I said 'cool it with the insults', that goes for everyone." He initially sounds angry, but knowing Hashtag's personality, he finishes with a smile, a slight chuckle, and a joke. "Don't make me start a swear jar, Vick. You'll buy this team so many sodas that your bank account will be dry within a week."

@Hashtag: Laugh at Atoms' dumb joke. Aaand apologize.
Provoke Someone (+ Superior, + Influence): 2d6 - 1 ⇒ (1, 5) - 1 = 5
Or don't! :'D Your choice really. Marking Potential.

Wingblade takes a brief glance at Tec when Nick says that their mission was the only one closest to a success but quickly focuses on the other issues going on.

She scowls at the back-and-forth between the remainder of the team and the hoodie-wearing hero. "Okay, Nick, if your purpose here is only to debrief us, you're doing a piss-poor job of it. If you've got another point to being here, then let's get on with it. Because this, 'you're not good enough-oh, wait maybe you are' thing you're doing is really annoying."

Tycho didn't bother saying anything, mainly because he didn't have anything else to add.

Nick smiles.

Which is weird. He's clearly lost control of the conversation, and he has a handful of supers breathing down his neck and yelling in his face.

"Then get out!" he shouts. "The Defenders don't need trash like you!"

And you see his hand, flip quickly, almost imperceptibly. Those of you with skin can feel a small notecard now pressed against your body. Some in your shirts, some in your hands, perhaps under a bra strap. His face hasn't lost an ounce of anger, his smirk is well placed and framed perfectly for the security systems in the room, and he is clearly ready to brawl if needed.

Before
Hashtag rolls his eyes. "Jar'd be empty. I'm broke, man." he complains, deflecting the provoke without escalating the issue or not.
-----
After
Hashtag might be an ass, but he's not an idiot. The sudden addition of a new object on his person, and the way the conversation has gone means that it's now *his* turn to speak up.

"Trash?" Hashtag shouts, popping back onto his feet. His illusions darken the room as black clouds start rolling out from under his shirt and pant cuffs. "F$$+ you man! I don't have to hear this crap from the worst Defender."

He snaps his fingers, causing a lightning bolt to strike out from the clouds, setting the table on fire, very realistic looking except for that everyone knows he can't do that. Right?

"Screw this noise, batches. I'm out." He growls. Before he leaves, he glances at Wingblade before he leaves. "You chumps give me a call if you pull your heads out of your asses."

He teleports out with a quite angry CRACK that leaves a small broken glass-like distortion in the air for a second before it smoothes over and vanishes.
---
Once he is back at his private hang out, he takes the card off his person and gives it a look over.

Before
Hashtag rolls his eyes. "Jar'd be empty. I'm broke, man." he complains, deflecting the provoke without escalating the issue or not.
-----
After
Hashtag might be an ass, but he's not an idiot. The sudden addition of a new object on his person, and the way the conversation has gone means that it's now *his* turn to speak up.

"Trash?" Hashtag shouts, popping back onto his feet. His illusions darken the room as black clouds start rolling out from under his shirt and pant cuffs. "F#&* you man! I don't have to hear this crap from the worst Defender."

He snaps his fingers, causing a lightning bolt to strike out from the clouds, setting the table on fire, very realistic looking except for that everyone knows he can't do that. Right?

"Screw this noise, batches. I'm out." He growls. Before he leaves, he glances at Wingblade before he leaves. "You chumps give me a call if you pull your heads out of your asses."

He teleports out with a quite angry CRACK that leaves a small broken glass-like distortion in the air for a second before it smoothes over and vanishes.
---
Once he is back at his private hang out, he takes the card off his person and gives it a look over.

At first Wingblade was stunned with shock by Nick's response to her testy challenge. Then she felt it: the note card coarse against her skin. Hashtag's explosive departure gave her enough time to process her next move, so she just nodded at Nick like she expected nothing less.

"All right, fine. You chew them out about kids on the fence, then you do the same to us. Screw you."

She turns and looks at the others who haven't left yet. "I guess that's it."

She takes off, flying hard and as fast as her metallic wings can take her from the Defender's Tower.

The notecards read

If you killed me, I'm gonna be pissed. Sorry for the act, but need you for something urgent. Jill and Barney have been busy.

Below the message is a time and address to a hole in the wall diner that is well known for its cheap but tasty euros. The time of the meeting is 8 pm that night.

Wingblade reaches a gliding altitude, then fishes the notecard out from her sports bra. She reads it in confusion, wondering what the secrecy was about. It wasn't like Atoms was the most incognito fellow around. Why all the subterfuge?

She decided to go, but was grateful she had a little time. She pings Whippoorwill to see if she's available, and gets a cryptic, "After."

She sighs, looking down at the city. Her flight had unconsciously carried her close to the old observatory. Well, there was one person she could talk to, though for some reason the thought of talking with Hashtag caused a strange fluttering in her belly.

She folds her wings and drops out of the sky, fanning her blades out to slow her descent just barely in time to avoid impacting the dome. She slips inside and lands hard on the cluttered floor. She looks around and stretches her other senses out to detect the delinquent. "Vick?"

Condition(s): None

People get angry, and the conversation spins out of control. But instead of getting upset like before, Atoms quietly recedes into the background, intently watching the proceedings. Though he didn't have super senses, he was a fast learner, and everything he witnessed he catolouged in his mind, processing it. He especially pays attention to Nick and Hashtag's use of their powers.

It's all just data gathering though.

"Well... I'm not leaving," speaks up Atoms after both Hashtag and Winblade make their exit. "I'm sorry this team is giving you such a hard time, Nick. I'm in it for the long haul though. Whether my friends are at my back or not, this job is my life."

At least Vick could count on Wingblade to take a hint. He is sitting on a folding chair with his feet up on the railing of one of the catwalks, a 6-pack of bottles in hand.

"Drink?" he asks, offering one. They're a brand of root beer that comes in glass bottles that look like beer, but are entirely just a foamy beverage. If taken, the bottle is surprisingly cold. "My treat. Its the good stuff."

Once she's settled a bit or asks why he asked her here, he sighs. "Nicks up to something so I played along, but I really wanted you to know that I wasn't just repeating what happened last time. I'm on the team."

He takes a sip of his root beer and sighs. "So what's the plan? If we're going incognito you're gonna need something to hide your wings."

-Posted with Wayfinder

A couple hard flaps carries her to the balcony next to Hashtag where she accepts a bottle of the root beer. She takes a drink and considers the flavor of "the good stuff." Less sweet than the other brands she's tried, it had a much stronger and nuanced flavor. The rush of the bitter tree root flavors hits her nose and she sneezes.

She rubs her nose as she drops to sit cross-legged on the floor next to Vick. She takes another tentative sip while she looks at the big mural on the dome's interior. The butterflies in her stomach toss about as they interact with the fizzy drink and she fights hard to keep from burping audibly.

She glances up at Hashtag when he mentions staying on the team even after his fake-out. "Yeah, I figured something like that even without your secret message. This whole thing is weird."

She considers his question, and shrugs. "Don't worry so much about me, and worry about how Atoms is going to not cause a stir. He's got another containment suit somehow, but it still doesn't blend in much. Me, I'll just throw on a backpack and walk. I suppose your illusions might make it easier. Can you make me look like someone else?" she asks, suddenly curious about what he might change about her if he could use his illusions like that.

"Someone else?" he asks with a grin. "Sure. Got a preference? I can do anytjing really, but its easier if we pick something close to your body type and mass. Everything else is up for grabs. How about that one girl from Throne of Games? Or maybe you'd like to look like your mentor? I can probably do a comic book character pretty well."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Tycho just walked for a while, not sure what to do, or what this whole experience had taught him about how to control his abilities. Finally, he noticed the card in his pocket.

That's wierd. I didn't feel that before.

Reading the card, Tycho will make his way to the meeting.

Wingblade leans back, one eyebrow cocked in confusion. "I thought the idea was to go incognito. Making me look like Whip or someone from a show or comic book is, well, the opposite. Totally cognito.

"Besides," she says, standing up and holding a hand over her head for measure, knowing that she only comes up to Whippoorwill's shoulder. "I'm a shrimp compared to her. Just do something different. I dunno, how about blonde? What would you like?"

She stands straight, hands to her side and her wings folded as tightly behind her as she could manage. "I'm going to close my eyes. When I open them, surprise me."

Hashtag grins. "All righty then. Hope you're prepared!" he rolls his shoulders and cracks his knuckles as he gets to work.

A few long seconds pass, and he finally speaks. "Aaand done." he says. She hears the click of a phone camera as he speaks.

When she opens her eyes, he holds out his phone to her, the picture on display.
Its not a overtly large change. Her skin and hair are the same colors as before, but the length of her hair goes down to her shoulder blades, held in place by a simple hairband. Her wings are gone, the cut lines of muscles smoothed over. She sees he's put her in sensible jeans and a t-shirt (local band supporting, of course), and even put earrings on her and a few bracelets. Her face is lightly made up, and her eye color is just a few shades lighter.

"Voila! I think this would be good. Having nothing on your back at all is the real selling point. I did adjust some proportions a bit, but keeping it as close to you is good. I... Didnt want to change much... And cosmetic alterations like this will be easier for me to maintain when i get distracted."

-Posted with Wayfinder

Wingblade leans in close to study the image on Vick's phone. Then she pulls back to look at what she could see herself. She checks out her changed apparel briefly then cranes her neck to look at her backside.

She could feel them still, but as best she could tell visually, her wings were gone. It was disorienting; she'd had her wings for as long as she could remember, and they were as much a part of her as an arm or leg. She had heard somewhere of the phenomena of 'phantom limbs' -- where amputees would sense their lost limbs like they were still there. She now sympathized with the sensation, except she knew that they lurked somewhere beneath Hashtag's illusion.

She stretched them out tentatively, then snapped them closed again, feeling the comforting sensation of the cool metal against her skin.

"Whoa. That's pretty wild." She smooths out the front of her T-shirt, marveling that it looks like a full T -- something she'd never been able to wear without slicing s hole in the back.

She bounces a few times on the balls of her feet and swings her arms freely. "You want to go now? We can walk around a bit before we go to the diner."

He grins, pleased he did a good job. "Yeah. Sure." He replies. "But we gotta port out of here... Front door's welded shut."

She shrugs. While Hash's teleporting wasn't the most pleasant sensation, she's endured far worse. "That's fine. It's either that or I fly us out of here with my invisible wings. Again, very cognito."

Looks like we're down to four with Tectonic's player not having any post for any alias for a couple weeks now.

The Nick and Deputy Atoms are already waiting for you all as the other members of the team trickle in. Atoms, Nick invited you to his personal room as your team all left to give you the files of why every member of your team was a screw-up, and quickly explained the situation there, where no security was in place.

The diner itself is the pride of greasy hole in the wall establishments, and Nick is already chowind down on fries, several burger wrappers on the table already.

"Go ahead and order up. Love this place, Defenders have this diet thing during training and I gotta say that was a major negative point when I was first scouted."

He acts nonchalantly.

Tycho sits down and orders a two burgers, a basket of fries, and 3 vanilla shakes.

Condition(s): None

Walking in, the lighting in this place seems a little harsh, and oddly kind of blue. Looking up, the source of this light is Atoms, floating near the ceiling above Nick's table and far away from anyone on the ground who might accidentally come in contact with him. His powers make the whole diner reek of ozone, and bolts of red lightning often come streaming from his chest to strike at nearby booths.

"DON'T MIND ME," calls Atoms, down to the patrons who occasionally glance up at him. "NOTHING TO SEE HERE."

Wingblade's pleasant mood soured when she saw Nick. She had thoroughly enjoyed walking on the streets without a bulky backpack slung over her compacted wings. Hashtag's illusion let her walk freely and she found herself actually enjoying it.

She plops down in a seat, folding her arms across her chest as she leans back. She orders a burger and fries with a soda to drink. She also opts for a chocolate milkshake.

She scowls as the various patrons point their cell phones in Atoms' direction. "Oh, yeah. This is going to be so secret. I'm sure no one will ever find out."

Nick winks at you.

"It'll be secret," he reassures, "Right mom?"

Turning around reveals a middle-aged woman waving at you all as she brings out some water for you to enjoy and a complimentary basket of fries. Nick immediately takes a handful.

"And that's Uncle Dave over there, Grandpa Merl and Grandma Cheryl having drinks at the bar. They just wanna brag about it later. But they're GOING TO DELETE THE PHOTOS, RIGHT?"

The loud and obvious words immediately cause the apparent members of Nick's extended family to hastily put their phones away.

"So...You guys remember Jill and Barney?"

Wingblade shrugs and slumps in her seat, still not convinced that this was the most clandestine of meetings. She grabs her milkshake and noisily draws the last of the frothy concoction through the straw.

"Yeah. They were kinda hard to forget," she says.

"Mostly?" Hashtag replies. Sighing.

Condition(s): None

"Nope."

"Alright, so one of you pays attention. But you definitely remember these guys right?"

He passes photos on the table, secretly taken during day to day activities.

A cheerful alien that didn't' want to go home.

An arcane user that was trying to control his rampant power.

A masked vigilante trying to stand among those much more powerful than him.

Imagine.

Eldritch.

Ghost Dragon.

And the final photo. A girl seemingly getting to grips with her power and past. A girl who could move the earth, and back again. A girl who's parents had caused a lot of pain and destruction.

And none of you have seen her since the Defender's little test.

Tectonic.

"Like I said, Jill and Barney have been busy..." Nick mutters, setting down his drink.

"You serious?" Hashtag asks, his face visibly paling. He swallows air, unable to hide how uneasy this surprise made him. "But we just saw... When did they get Tectonic?"

Condition(s): None

Atoms comes down from the ceiling to get a closer look at the pictures.

"Interesting that there isn't photos of the rest of us here..."

"So, where are they?"

Wingblade facepalms, shaking her head.

"Okay, where are Jill and Barney now? I'd say we have unfinished business."

"Like I said, they've been busy. The mooks you guys faced before, definitely not the same. And as for the pictures, let's just say what I consider a priority, doesn't always line up with the Defenders. Anyway..."

Nick starts to lay it down for you all. Jill and Barney had escaped alive, and went back to designing their super soldiers. They improved by leaps and bounds now that they were out of scrutiny.

"The worst of it is, somehow, these mooks are getting more and more powerful. One contact reported super strength, another claimed there was phasing, and there have been several reports of flight and even magic. You guys get where I'm going? The intel I have says they're at the old docks, run down, mostly abandoned, I figure you all ought to know."

Wingblade scowls. "So, did they kidnap our friends? Or are they making their very own team of super-powered us's?"

Tycho seems genuinely terrified of another one of himself running around.

"The former, and let me tell you I had some....'friends,' try and assess the situation and they would officially like to file a complaint about how your friend's powersets mingle. Nasty stuff."

Nick looks you all in the eye one by one.

"I'm not the easiest to work with, but I know what loyalty means to most folks. I've tapped most my resources finding out this information, but if you need more help, I'll see what I can do. Just don't go to the Defenders. The only reason you can act now is that the adults aren't involved and going through procedure, in which case, your friends will be long gone, moved to a more secure facility. I'm trusting you guys can help your friends better than they can."

Condition(s): None

The former deputy floats above the floor.

"I don't know how to feel about this," says Atoms, sounding a little bit uncertain as he folds his arms. "Maybe it's all this subterfuge, but there's something about the situation that's making me uneasy. I don't know what exactly."

Looking over the photos for a moment, he points at the photo of Imagine.

"That, for instance. When I was on my 'mission' with Eldritch, the one the Defenders assigned us–when I learned to fly–I flew over to the moon to visit Imagine's people. Now I didn't get to see Imagine herself, but according to her people, it sounded like she was safe and sound within their base, and that she was supposed to be in space in a 'chrysalis' for... quite a while." Atoms frowns and shakes his head. "So I don't see how Tec's parents could've gotten her."

"They probably got some of her blood, and made a clone of her."

"B%~~*&+@!!" Wingblade exclaims, standing and slapping her hands down on the table making the plates and cups jump. "Don't go to the adults? Procedure?!? Do you expect us to believe that the Defenders have to do a bunch of paperwork before they can go out to rescue someone? What's really going on here?"

She sits back down heavily, shaking her head and fuming. "You have two seconds before I call Whippoorwill."

Eveyone can go ahead an "assess the situaiton"

Superior: 2d6 + 2 ⇒ (5, 4) + 2 = 11

Superior: 2d6 + 3 ⇒ (3, 2) + 3 = 8

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Superior: 2d6 + 1 ⇒ (5, 3) + 1 = 9

Assess the Situation (+ Superior): 2d6 - 2 ⇒ (1, 5) - 2 = 4