Arknight and Tenro: Are you guys still in?
Stating outloud what he has heard about them, One of the Crushers at large is Big Bill Buckford, aka the Bull, a psychotic physical juggernaut. He is known to become mindlessly enraged by the color red. He is a killer.
Another is Temper. His identity and powers are unknown, but he seems to be able to instill berserk rage in his opponents. Victims of this control later feel emotionally drained. Hmmmm.
Zane mulls this over.
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The following information is available on the Crushers via Google:
Membership in the Crushers is ever-changing, so what is given here may not represent the latest information available.
Mocker: Leader of the Crushers, a rogue android with a hatred of all living things. He is known to have physical prowess equivalent to a human in prime condition and can generate a sonic pulse, in addition to being a master mimic. Mocker was deactivated by the Crusaders almost six months ago and has not been seen since that time.
Marionette: Second-in-command of the Crushers, the Marionette is actually Marion Henderson. Standing 10 inches tall, she can hypnotically control the minds of those around her. Currently at large.
Hornet: The Hornet has multi-faceted eyes, wings, and a device that generates a shockwave attack. Currently incarcerated at Metagate Super Penitentiary.
Shocker: Johnny Sakura is the Shocker, with battery acid for blood and the ability to generate electrical blasts. Currently at large.
Mace: Potentially the most dangerous of the Crushers, Mace uses his signature weapon to beat opponents to a pulp. Currently at large.
The Ratmaster: Able to mentally control a horde of rats to do his bidding. Currently at large.
Bull: Big Bill Buckford, a psychotic physical juggernaut with enhanced strength, size, and stamina. Enraged by the color red. At large.
Temper: Identity unknown. Possesses the power to drive opponents into a berserk rage. Currently at large.
Vulture: Victor Tuttle became a villain after being subjected to a series of operations that grafted synthetic wings onto his body and talons on his hands and feet. He has since been cured of his condition and reformed. Currently on the college lecture circuit.
F.I.S.T.: Short for Flying Infantry Shock Trooper, a stolen prototype suit of powered armor. Currently at large.
Mercury Mercenary: A man without an identity (unknown even to himself), Merc is able to run at incredible speeds (top speed is 170 mph) and is a modern weapons expert. Current whereabouts unknown.
Stormlord: A British lord who has the ability to control weather patterns. Currently incarcerated in Metagate Super Penitentiary.
The Shrew: Female boxer with a drug abuse problem. Killed in action almost a year ago.
The Harpy: Karen Lee, a Chinese immigrant with wings, a sonic blast, and the ability to control vultures. Currently at large.
Headhunter: An extremely dangerous man whose axe is razor sharp. He has the power to absorb the powers and memories of those whose heads he takes. Currently at large.
Trickshot: A sharpshooter with incredible skills and a variety of bullets. Currently incarcerated at Parchman Penitentiary.
"Hmm, a lot of information available by google, but not a lot of direction. Anyone have a plan for this?"
Ice races through the streets on his bike. He quick dials a number on his phone. A female voice answers in his bluetooth.
Advanced Vaccuum Repair. How can I help you?
Message for Mr Whipple says Ice
One moment. a series of clicks toggle over the phone line, and Ice punches a code into his.
An automated voice answers with Secure Line. Please leave your message after the tone. <beep>
Mission delayed. Red Flag the following: Crushers, Tech Robberies, missing Crusaders. Crusader Citadel TEACHER computer. Currently in route to Police to investigate tech thefts. End. The analysts were likely already collating the thefts. If they wanted him to follow a specific course of action, his handler would get into contact. In the mean time, he was on his own.
Briefly he wonders whether #AnalCyst is trending
[occ]At the station[/ooc]
I'm Ice, and this is Dash. They are pros, as am I. Ice teleports behind Broyko. We're the only weapons you have to fight them right now. Beggars can't be choosers as they say.
Ice gestures to a seat to see if it's OK to sit. Look officer, we're not here to waste your time. We can help, and we aren't the only ones who can. This whole situation spells no good, not only for the city, but the country. Who knows what the electronics they are stealing, are for. You need our help. And we want to help stop them. It's that simple.
I think high priority targets have to be Marionette and Temper, given their abilities. Although the threats of Mace and Headhunter can't be denied either.
[b] Ok, I think maybe we can use flight and our range against the ones that can't fly. The sniper dude is a big concern. maybe send one of our big guys to take out that Marionette chick...just spitballing here...
Orion wanders around the Harmond tower, somewhat forgotten by everyone else.He approaches the elevator doors.as he inspects the doors and taps them.
can someone hack the police scanner or tv newsfeeds? Then maybe we can find out where the bad guhs are...
Flurry types up what he can remember about the Crushers:
Mocker deactivated. Not really leader.
Shrew dead - killed by Ratmaster's rabies.
She had potential, too.
Time guy and me could take on Headhunter or Shocker.
We need to find them first.
He grabs a sandwich and chows down, as if suddenly hungry.
Sandwiches. Dialkar gets sandwiches...but...these aren't peanut butter and jelly? Different...
Mandibles working away, he tries to keep up with the discussion.
True, Flurry. What do the news reports say about the recent thefts? We really should have tried to liaison with Lt. Broyko. I hope that's going better than the press conference for Ice Storm. Otherwise, we may find ourselves in an even tougher situation.
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Flurry holds up Dash's business card and maneuvers his right hand next to his ear, extending his thumb and forefinger.
I had notified them of our intent to speak with you. However, since we are... Ice searches for the best phrasing unsanctioned crime fighters. The others have a little trepidation in coming. But Dash is right, we will be the liaison with you and the team. What can you tell us about these thefts?
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"Here's what I do know for certain. The Crusaders went through normal channels to alert us when they left. We don't have any reason to think that there is foul play involved. TEACHER has been known to go on the fritz before, so the phone response is not all that surprising. We've contacted Dr. Ernst Patrovich, TEACHER's designer, to see if he can fix the problem. He should be here in two days.
"The only remaining place in town where components of the sort being stolen are available is Manning Enterprises, located on the outskirts to Center City. We've contacted Mr. J.B. Curtis, head of Manning operations for permission to set up an ambush... tonight. If they follow the pattern, they will raid Manning Enterprises sometime around 10:00 PM.
"Manning's normal security staff will be off-duty. It will be you inside, alone, and three SWAT teams outside. They will not move into until I give the word."
"Now, listen," Broyko says "This has got to be done by the book and within the confines of the law. No killing, minimal damage to property, no harm to bystanders, etc. I mean it.
I can't guarantee that Thinks Ice Yes Sir.
The mention of TEACHER phone response sets Ice on edge. The only one he told was Dash and the Company. Broyko knew too much and wasn’t smart enough to keep it to himself. Ice wasn’t going to let on, but Broyko was likely setting a trap for his team, not the bad guys.
We could use some earpieces to stay in contact while on the inside. And make sure your officers stay well back. The bad guys won’t pull any punches, and I’m not sure we can contain their collateral damage. We will do our best.
Ice pauses to think if he is missing something. What type of electronics are they stealing? Are there any prototypes we should be aware of?
Ice races off
Well, I think that maybe we could do one of two things. First, gang up on the first ones we see and overload them before they can form a strategy. Second, divide and conquer....split into two sections and envelop them. Wow, paid too much attention in Professor Jackson's Modern History 301 last semester....
Sounds rudimentary, but solid. I think the blitz has a chance of working if they're not expecting us. But I worry about their ability to do the divide and conquer on us, with people like Marionette and Temper, they could even turn us against each other.
Dialkar taps on the screen when either Marionette or Temper is on it, then makes a very quick action with the spear.
Firelash looks puzzlingly at Dialkar.
I think our friend here is agreeing with you, Cardinal. Am I right? You think that we should take them out first?
Firelash slaps his head, a realization just striking him.
I think I know how we can communicate with our non-English speaking colleague.....pictograms!! Like heiroglyphics meets charades...Man, I'm glad I didn't skip Prof. Edelstein's Ancient History 402....
Dialkar nods, looking at Firelash.
Tver remains quiet, waiting for the time to move out.
I think due to the language barrier, we should work out a few key words so we can communicate with Dialkar. I think the basics is all we need to cover...like attack, help, run, etc.
Firelash grabs some paper and a pen and starts working on drawings....
Orion,just realising that everyone is gone stalls a little.Then locks on to Dialkar's energy signal, following the tracks of the unsual lifeform through the bust street,causing some minor difficulties in traffic as he moves towards Zane manor.
As no one seems to pay attention to his gesture, Flurry takes it upon himself to "call" Dash.
He somehow directs his tablet to Skype, types in Dash's number, and sends him the following text:
At 1000 Kheldon Drive
You?
-New Guardians
Dash looks down hoping it was his agent calling him about more sponsorship deals. He's a bit deflated to see it's the other heroes. He texts back
at police, cmin2u
I know where the rest are He says to Ice Storm. Let's jet
Orion reaches the gates outisde zane manor, colliding into them with a loud thunk. Unfazed by the collision and somewhat oblivious to the notion of opening the gates or getting help,he repeats the process,creating quite a din.
As the noise occurs, a camera slowly moves to you. Zane is quickly notified and he sits down cross legged. He mutter a few arcane words and a shadowy copy of him lifts out of his body and through the ceiling. It moves quickly to Orion and them motions him to follow. He leads them back to the cellar where Zane rejoins his body then opens the door.
Welcome...to my lair! he chuckles, I think I have always wanted to say that.
We are just figuring out our next steps. he describes what they have discussed so far.
Ice follows his flying companion by racing through the streets of central city. He constantly eyes the sky while navigating the traffic. Upon reaching the gates that Dash flies past, He races towards them. Ice manifests a two foot wide ramp. The ramp has grooves to improve traction. He reaches the apex of the ramp and pulls back hard on the handle bars. He executes a backward flip then teleports past Dash and lands on the long driveway.
So this is the place Cochise? Pizza delivery must be a b!tch.
Orion nods, taking in all the information.stiffly He gravitates to towards the back of the room and quietly powers down, his cores runes glowing.
After the briefing, Dialkar finds a quiet corner and folds himself up in a way that a human couldn't...but is remarkably comfortable for him, and rests...the rough equivalent of sleep...wanting to be well rested for later.
Flurry looks to Cardinal and Zane to see if they might come up with a plan for the ambush tonight.
If nobody starts up a conversation on the subject, he goes to explore the big house, looking for the two most important places: the gym and the bathrooms.
There were many variables that Ice did not know, like why the villains would be so predictable in their timetable. They must be over confident in their ability to not be stopped, and simply don’t care. Whatever the reason, the group was untested. How many here have been in actual combat?
Ice presses on however the answers turn out. We have several hours before we need to be at the warehouse. Let’s make the best use of our time. Ice asks Zane if they can use a large open area on the grounds for practice.
Out in the field, Ice forms a short wall of ice enclosing an area the size of the warehouse. We should break the team into three groups for now. Artillery, Dash would fall under this category. Artilleries job will be to soften up the enemy before they close. Do not get in the way of the first volleys of the artillery. The next group would be Frontline. This group would consist of people like Flurry. They would keep the heavy hitters busy, and would be up front. The last group is Crowd Control. This group would consist of people like me. We would either isolate or incapacitate their group members so that they cannot be effective as a team. Are you ready to begin?
Ice starts manifesting 3D targets that look like the bad guys. He starts with some at the entrance of the warehouse parameter. He then starts randomly manifesting targets, and times the attacks of the group.
Well, I'm not sure what category I would fall under....I can do the range thing and a little bit of the crowd control thing too....I think I would likely fall into the first....
Firelash shows his capabilities for the group...using his flight, force field powers and flame abilities.
Fireflash, you are definitely a mobile artillery platform, and should be part of the first volley. Battle will get messy fast. Just use your best judgment to break their groups effectiveness.
You can bet Dash knows all about every kind of Artillery Dash grins and joins Firelash in flying around the perimeter and frying the ice statues with his disintegration eye rays.
Cardinal actually cracks a smile. Good to know there's a brain behind that mouth, kid. I.S. has the right idea. I'm artillery, but can fall into frontliner when it becomes necessary. I think the bug falls into frontliner. I think I should be standing with the frontliners, give the enemy a ground target while Dash and 'Lash hit them from above.
Them being professionals I'm sure they'll sen their fliers after ours. If you can isolate them, preferably one of their fliers with both of ours, it could give us an advantage.
Cardinal demos his Biofield Disruptor +4 to hit thanks to weapon expertise damage.
Shhh. Ice shushes Cardinal. Better to be under estimated than over estimated. Cardinal, you should start with the frontline group then. You can still do long range attacks, but at least you'll be in position for close combat.
"I guess i would be frontline, but im only slightly tougher than a regular person."
"I guess I'm mostly CC. I can slow or stop them for a while and can possibly freeze them in time for a few hours with a touch. I can also heal you if you suffered a wound recent enough. So basically I'm like a support type of guy."