Invisible in the shadow of a nearby truck, Dan raised an eyebrow. Smart fellow.
As they left, so did he, flickering through the space that connects all darkness, only pausing long enough to look up where the Redshift building was.
Moving in a straight line, skipping over entire entire blocks and completely ignoring traffic, Dan could move fast when he needed to. It didn't take him long to reach his destination.
The question is, do I go in first, or wait for the rest to catch up.
Dr. Prim scrapes up a sizable sample of the dust (nanites) before moving back to the others.
"I'm going to head back to the University Hospital. Some of those patients were badly injured and I'm sure they'll need the extra help. As soon as I can I'll analyse this powder and see if I can shed any light on exactly what you're going to be dealing with. Here is my card," he digs a few business cards out of his wallet, "It's got my e-mail on there as well as my personal cell. I'll let the nurses at the hospital know that they can page me if any superhero types show up asking for me. E-mail me that webpage, and I'll post the results of my analysis as soon as I have them."
"officer, I'm sure you're going to want a statement about what I saw here, but I hope it can wait until after all the critical patients are stabilized. Here's my card for you as well; you know how to reach me."
With that Dr. Prim makes his way back to the triage area and checks on the patients being cared for there. As soon as an ambulance is prepared for transit, he hops in, scoring a ride back to the hospital.
In the ambulance he transfers the powder into a sealed ample container. He checks the bandages and wounds of the patient in transit to see if there is any change regarding the nanite infestation in his bloodstream.
Once he has returned to the hospital, he gets cleaned up and prepared for surgery, and aids the other doctors in caring for the wounded for as long as his aid is needed. Then, as he doesn't get tired or require sleep, he heads to the University portion of the hospital to conduct every test he can devise on the nanite samples.
"Uhh, guys where is this place exactly? How are we gonna get there? I mean sure I can jump over there and that's pretty fast, but since I don't know where I'm going, I'd just be going nowhere fast. "
"I know where it is and I'm pretty sure I can jump over there pretty quickly as well. Breakneck and Nanael have their own means of transit, and you seem strong enough to give Evil Eye a lift if he needs one. So, I guess, just follow me." with that, Gumshoe begins by leaping to a rooftop and then jumps from roof to roof to avoid traffic below.
You all approach Redshift Energies, seeing the three story building as you approach. The only indication of it's purpose is a small sign on the exterior identifying it by name. Entering the building's lobby you are greeted by a security guard sitting at the desk, becoming quite alert as all of you approach. "Um, how may I help you gentlemen, ma'am?"
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
From your work on the triage patients as well as examing the nanites, you learn a couple of facts.
First, the nanites present in the human body, even those of corpses, are not breaking down. Whereas the nanites outside of a human body are breaking down, fairly rapdily.
Secondly, the technology used on these nanites is incredibly advanced, far beyond anything you've ever seen.
Randolf held his tongue during the initial introduction, hoping one of the other people accompanying him was more familiar with investigation protocols.
Good Lord, would I just ask them if their truck that exploded was carrying something strange and clandestine? I'd better let one of the others handle this...
Breakneck just nods not having anything to say. He follows Gumshoe as he goes to the Redshift facility. Arriving there he is unsure of what to do but he studies the place (from a distance) without intruding to quickly see what is there.
"Good morning, sir. We need to speak with the person in charge of shipping. My name is Gumshoe, and these are my.. teammates, Breakneck, Nanael, Straightjacket, and umn. The Evil Eye." Sam winced a bit under his rubbery skin. He felt a little ridiculous using these codenames, but he wasn't about to introduce himself as a ECPD Detective. "I'm sure you'll have to make a call... we'll wait over here."
Gumshoe dragged his companions over away from the desk guard, but close enough to watch and observe his conversation.
Persuasion: Sam uses his "Cop" voice of authority to give the impression they're on serious business and it's in the company's best interest to cooperate
Insight:Sam gauges the guard's reaction to their presence: is he nervous, anxious, or merely confused and polite... also his conversation with the authority figure, how is he reacting to telling the boss supers are here?
"Um, just a moment gentlemen, ma'am." The guard picks up a phone, dialing a couple numbers, and begins talking to someone on the other end. Hanging up he turns to you. "The head reseracher will be with you in just a moment. He did want me to ask to make sure you're not out to kidnap him or something though?"
After a few minutes a man in a labcoat comes from down the hall. He cuts a rather imposing figure despite his light build, the coat giving him some present. Currently it's unbuttoned down the front. A rigid face with a stare demanding attention, hair well kept and neatly trimmed. As he comes up, he speaks but does not extend his hand. "I'm Doctor Avery Brown. You don't appear to be police and the guard didn't specify that you had a Warrant. What do you want?"
Upon approaching the guard appears to become nervous, but quickly calms down when you introduce yourselves, though he does give each of you a once over.
Upon your request to speak with someone in shipping, he seems to be momentarily confused, and a bit curious.
"Apparently there was an accident today involving one of your trucks. I don't suppose there is anywhere we might be able to talk about the contents of that truck in a more private setting, is there," Randolf asks, not able to keep from jumping in, trying to remember the normal protocol from his favorite X Files episodes.
The scientist turns to the guard. "Paul, where are all of our trucks at present?"
The guard, trying to listen, suddenly snaps to attention and hits a couple buttons on his computer. "It appears all three trucks are in the garage, Dr. Brown."
The man then turns back. "Clearly what you state is impossible. And I do not see a need to escort you anywhere else at present without a warrant. This is a private research facility and I don't need a what amounts to a bunch of unsupervised experiments walking around free, doing who knows what. Or worse, those attempting to steal our research and data. So know, we won't be going anywhere else, and since you know the answer to your question, I expect you to leave. Now."
"That's pretty strange, Doctor Brown, considering that there were several witnesses who saw one of your trucks at the epicenter of the explosion. I also find it interesting that you refer to us as experiments. I don't know about the rest of my friends here, but I don't take kindly to someone experimenting on my biological make-up." Gumshoe stands within the man's personal space without touching him. "Why it's the sort of thing that might drive those who were arrested this morning into frenzied attacks. Certainly, reports of Redshift's involvement, even unproven allegations, could be disastrous for an alternate energy company's PR, to say nothing of the effect it would have on government support of said company."
"But you're right, we don't have a warrant. The people who deal with those will be along later. Maybe today, maybe tomorrow. Because with those witness accounts, I'm sure Judge Watson or Fergusson will be issuing one in no time. Too bad you weren't more willing to help us out. You know, prove your company's innocence in all this."
Intimidate
"Experiments?!? Who the hell do you..." and his body starts to expand.
"Shut up and calm down! You're going to get yourself in too deep. Let the level heads prevail here." says his father.
Straightjacket manages to get himself under control, and resumes his normal size. However he does glare at the obnoxious scientist.
With the others currently tying up the guard and the scientist, Dan decided to move.
Dr. Brown meets Gumshoe's gaze for a moment before finally looking away angrily with a grunt. He brings his eyes back up, stepping back in fear as Straightjacket suddenly gets bigger. "THAT! That right there is what I'm talking about. All of you and your kind should be locked in cages for study, not running about free to blow up shopping districts. And I still don't know what you're talking about. We have three trucks. Three, all of which are accounted for. Damnit, I don't need these kinds of interruptions. What? What is it you all are here for?"
You easily find a map of the building's layout just around the corner. The building seems to have three levels and a sublevel. Marked sections are as follows
Sub-level: Backup generator, Thermogenics Lab, Storage, Sub Level Garage
1st floor: Main lab, Secondary Lab A, Changing rooms, Front Lobby, Main Garage
2nd floor: Secondary Lab B, Secondary Lab C, Four Offices, Breakroom
3rd floor: Dr. Brown's Office, 2 offices, meeting room, Computer Server Room, employee gym
A large cargo elevator comes off the garages going down to the sub-level and up to the second floor. Another personnel elevator goes all the way through.
I'm heading to the changing room and snagging a lab coat and some other disguise paraphernalia (if i can find a badge or keycard I'll take that too.) Then I'm hitting the labs starting with A.
I'm paying special attention to any conversations I might hear along the way.
Secondary Lab A: A pair of scientists in this room seem to be working on a miniature windmill inside of a wind tunnel. As you watch the windmill start to blow, the blades and structure of the windmill take on a violet glow. The monitor displays several variables, seemingly wind speeds ranging from 1mph all the way up to 75mph.
Secondary Lab B: A woman in a labcoat is staring at some kind of substance in an electron microscope. Numerous other specimens are currently sitting nearby on a moveable rack. She doesn't appear to have a happy look on her face as she records numbers.
Secondary Lab C: This lab is notably empty at present. Judging by it's state it happened recently. The signs of lab equipment (loose wires, floor stains, a lack of dust) are still present. The walls themselves seemed to be slightly scorched as well. The only obvious signs are a few empty boxes in the room labeled Paladyne Industries.
He's using his phone to record as much video as he can, Zooming in on people, computer screens, readouts, those empty boxes (to get tracking/product codes), basically everything.
Then he moves down into the other two labs, eavesdropping whenever possible.
Shadow-jumping into an active lab might be a really bad idea, so he's paying careful attention to any warning signs or safety instructions. Also, he's looking for security features that might be able to detect him. He's invisible to security cameras and all light based/thermal imaging, but there are other ways to detect people and Dan isn't stupid.
"Is there a chance that someone has hacked into your video feed and all of your trucks isn't not be there? It was a truck of yours that had the accident earlier. Perhaps if you send Paul to check n person our fears would be assuaged."
Dr. Brown begins to rub at his temples for a moment before turning back to the guard. "Paul?"
The security guard picks up his radio, "Hey guys, can someone run down to the garage and check on the trucks quick, make sure they're all accounted for? We have a....couple visitors wanting to know. Thanks guys." A few minutes pass before a reply is received. "All trucks appear to be accounted for."
Dr. Brown turns back to the heroes. "As you can see, all are present. Will there be anything else?"
Lab A seems to be experimenting on a light-weight metal alloy that also absorbs kinetic motion to increase the energy gains from windmills.
Lab B is researching plant cells to find ways to make a better improved solar cell, one that could theoretically be grown. House plants that make energy for the house!
There isn't enough remains in Lab C to identify what they were researching
As you finish exploring these three labs, you see a security guard walk out an unlabeled room, going in the direction of an elevator. As he goes, he mumbles to himself, "Check on the trucks, what they mean check on 'em, they're right there on the cameras, stupid Doctor, stupid capes, stupid job."
Dr. Prim sets up a sample of the nanites collected from the site of the explosion underneath a microscope with a camera attached, and sets it to monitor and record the decomposition process. As for the nanites in the victims, living and dead, he brings them to the attention of the treatment team, acting as though they were something that he just discovered during routine blood analysis. He suggests connecting one of the patients up to dialysis, to see if the blood filtration machines are able to screen the microscopic machines out of the patient's blood stream.
Breakneck stays with the main group still unsure of his powers. He does look around where he is at to see if anything is there that stands out to him.
Does he recall if Redshift had any connection to the research project he works on, even if only to supply equipment?
Is there anything about Dr. Brown or the place that gives a false impression to Breakneck?
Perception
You notice a bulge underneath Dr. Brown's labcoat that may quite well be a weapon of somesort. A glance when he moves aside reveals what is probably the grip.
Intelligenc
You cannot recall any at this time.
Insight
The Doctor seems to be very angry, and very nervous about your presence. Gumshoe did seem to intimidate him as well, but this doesn't appear to be the source of his nervousness. His eyes definitely keep all of you in sight, and you notice he moves to make sure he can watch all of you. He's also taking steps to not be near any of you.
Years of police work and dealing with all sorts of lying scumbags makes figuring out these deflections a bit easier. The Doctor isn't hiding his prejudice, but I don't think it's merely powers that are freaking him out. Now to soften things up and offer him a way out.
"Doctor, if your company is innocent of any wrongdoing and it's really only our unique situation as victims of whatever that explosion was that's making you so nervous, perhaps you should call Detective Buckner down at ECPD, and invite her to come have a look. It'll certainly beat having a bunch of our kind poking around your facilities, and go a long way towards improving the public's opinion of Redshift Energy's alleged involvement in the incident. A decorated police officer like her wouldn't be a threat towards any scientific secrets or patents you're working on, right?" Gumshoe gauges the man's reaction to the suggestion of police at his facility carefully.
Insight (take 10)
A confused look creeps up on the Doctor's face. "Victims? People like you only make victims. Yes, I do think I will call the ECPD at this point. Get the police down here now. We have some unwelcome guests that need escorted off site. And if they have a warrant, then they can search the premises."
At this point Paul reaches for the telephone to call while Dr. Brown turns to leave.
"Ok, it's pretty clear that something fishy is going on here, and I don't think they are going to cooperate with you guys. How about I go poke around. I'm pretty sure nobody is going to see me. "
Straightjacket once again appears to be talking to nobody, but at least he does it in a low tone "Sure, go ahead, catch up with us later."
and with that Don will start poking around the whole place invisibly and non-corporeally.
Straightjacket then turns back to the rest of the group and comments "I don't think we're going to find anything but trouble if he stick around. Best to get gone. "
GS
DC
Randolf nods at Straightjacket. "I don't think we need to be here if the cops are called. I'm ready to leave if everyone else is."
Breakneck agrees with The Evil Eye, "Yes, there is little to be accomplished here." He'll leave with the others.
A text message from a blocked number comes in on your phone.
Redshift Motorpool has three trucks in it, marked as 1, 2 and 4.
The guard, having checked the trucks, leaves the garage in it's empty state. A small office nearby is locked, though quickly dealt with.
From a pegboard hangs the keys for the 3 vans, clearly labeled 1,2,4. A filing cabinet nearby holds standard receipts for the vehicles maintenance, and a computer on the desk may hold additional information. It appears the taking one of the vehicles required swiping of an ID card by the scanner present.
A review of the maintenance records shows only the three trucks parked outside, but the records only go back to the beginning of the fiscal year.
Checking the scanner records, printing out a copy of recent events if possible. Then leaving.
Gumshoe looks at the message, and a smile plays across his lips. This is good info for Buckner. I'll be sure to pass it along. Looks like I was right about shadowguy. But this scientist isn't going to give any ground with his prejudices. Just got to delay him long enough for the shadowguy to get out.
"Ok, Doctor, we'll leave- for now, anyway. Expect a visit from the police soon."
Randolf starts heading for the doors, as Gumshoe keeps interacting with the scientist.
Straightjacket will also depart, keeping an eye open for trouble because he simply doesn't trust anyone working here.
Breakneck leaves with the others, when out of earshot of any possible unwanted listeners, he talks to the group. "Uhm, didn't want to say anything in front of that creepy guy, but did anyone else notice he seemed to have a holstered gun? I guess he could be very pro-gun but most workplaces frown on armed employees unless they are security."
Breakneck keeps looking around as he leaves.
"He did? Yeah, I really think that guy was shifty. Something is going on in there, but I think we'll learn a bit more eventually. "
You all leave the lab without any issues.
You print off the past month of records and leave without issue.
The main lab is currently conducting some form of research on a new type of clean energy generator functioning on an artificially created mineral currently labeled TXG-017a. It doesn't seem to be going well.
A quick trip to the downstairs lab shows advances in thermogenic power, which seems to be providing a significant source of power to the lab itself by the readings.
Once the group gets outside, Randolf gathers them together. "I think I have a trick up my sleeve that would allow me to do some inconspicuous information gathering. The only catch, is I need someone to watch over my body. I won't really be in there, and it'll be defenseless until my spirit returns. Unless someone has a better idea, I'm up for shifting in there and seeing what I can find."
"Well, we've already got a friend sneaking around in there." Gumshoe shows the others the text he received. "Seems they're missing a truck after all." he sighs "I don't know about the rest of you, but this morning's events have kind of thrown off my whole day. I need to figure a few things out. But there's definitely something going on here. If someone has time, it might be wise to stake out the building."
"Maybe we could meet back at the crime scene in a few hours? I'll get in touch with Dr. Prim and see what he's found out, and maybe let the Detective know what we've got going on so far. What do you think, guys?"
Dan walked with his hands in his pockets at the plodding place of someone who wasn't thrilled with the situation they found themselves in.
Each step took him from one shadow to another, moving him from the Redshift laboratory to a nearby rooftop, to an alleyway further down the road, then into an apartment complex, a parking structure, and a subway terminal. He walked up the stairs into the afternoon sun, still wincing even though he was wearing sunglasses.
He walked across the street, into an alleyway and out of his own closet. Sitting down at his laptop he turned on the television to listen to the news, rubbed his eyes, thought for a few minutes and started typing an email.
Dear Mom,
Looks like I'm going back to work again. There's a big mess in town after that explosion. You've probably seen the news by now. There was a truck from some place called Redshift in the middle of it all. I managed to get involved in the cleanup when it blew. Might take a while, but I need a job anyway. Don't suppose you want to send me a care package? This all came out of nowhere and I don't have any work clothes.
Hope you're doing well,
- Dan
In case it wasn't obvious, that's all code. Dan is emailing his government handler, letting them know about the possible redshift link, and asking for an equipment drop (an outfit and some basic hardware)
Looking at the screen, Breakneck nods and says, "Yep, that's very likely then the truck #3 is our mystery van but I'm sure there'll be paperwork somewhat proving it was stolen or sold or something, months ago. Someone is up to something fishy, I wonder if the company is behind it or only someone important there is playing games. Ha, guess I'm watched too many conspiracy tv shows."
Breakneck sighs wearly, "I agree with the fact that we need more time to get used to what has happened, atleast those that just came into their extra-ordinary abilities like me. I think I need time to adjust and maybe learn to manage, even find out, just what I can do. I'm less sure that a few hours will be enough to even begin. Maybe those that are trained to find things out can work on it and I'll go home and reassure the family that I'm okay, then try to deal with me. How about tomorrow? Say 10, we can meet again, and go over what we know and what we can do."