Jason was relaxing at a waterfront bistro, finishing up a small dinner with his agent and a few others, who he really couldn't remember. Just some more talking heads. Jason noticed the attention of the paparazzi turning away from him and out over the water, and even saw the attention of most of the people at the bistro turning as well.
What the heck is going on? Then he noticed the growing group of heroes seemingly having a chat atop a wave, and grinned This is just too good a chance to pass up Jason slipped away while the attention was elsewhere, and made his way somewhere quiet and hidden and changed quickly into his Broadway costume.
Shortly after, Broadway slides along the waterfront, stopping very quickly next to Peter without warning. "Quite the group out there, huh? Should make for some great shots.
Priest sets down his pan and uncracked eggs. Cooking was a sacred activity for him. He didn't like to admit it, but it was his way of holding on to whatever humanity he had left. Without turning back, he calls out to Rosemary. If only Invictus could see the annoyance on his face.
"Detective Alcorn, please listen to the man. If he wanted to hurt us, we'd be dead by now."
He makes a quick turn towards the stainless steel refrigerator. Through it's glass doors, anyone can see that it is kept well stocked. He rifles through the fridge, pulling out a variety of fresh herbs, vegetables and cheeses. He sets them on the island, and returns to the fridge and pulls out a nice hunk of pancetta.
"Sir, please have a seat. I have no problem answering your questions, but please let me get started on this. I guess, ah, you can say cooking is my 'moment of zen'. Can I offer you any coffee?"
He brews a pot and offers Invictus a cup if he wants. The Alcorns make their way from the couch to the kitchen island counter's stools and they watch as he concocts a hearty breakfast.
"I went out to look for The Silencer. Having worked with him in the past I thought, 'Hey, maybe I could find him'. Scanning the radio waves, I heard some mook talking about killing someone. I pinpointed the transmission to the warehouse district." Priest pauses to carefully slice thin sheets of the pancetta, and then continues once he's done. "Some chopshop warehouse, four guys all armed and their captive tied to a chair. I disabled the four men, called the cops for the captive and was ready to go when Mr. Captive starts crying out to me 'No, don't leave me here', 'he's got people everywhere', 'no no no don't trust them, get me out of here' and all that stuff. I did the only thing I could think to do and got him out of there. We cleared the area on my glider and then I called over Rosemary's car. He insisted that we go to his house. He needed to get out of here, he said. Kept saying someone was coming. Someone big. Bigger than Viper, than Freedom City. He wouldn't part with anything other than a name. Called the thing "The Kingpin". I wasn't processing clearly. I kept rattling the name back and forth in my head, too preoccupied to hear the frequency. He opened the door to his home and >BOOF< the whole place went up. Uh, and yeah I was meaning to tell you that your vehicle was hit pretty bad, but I'm sure insurance will cover it, yeah?
Before cracking the eggs, he slowly removes his gloves. An audible disconnecting sound is heard by Invictus, as if Techno Priest has unplugged something. Tracing along the veins on his fleshy hands were electronic components. Nails removed, his fingertips were covered in sensors, connectors and other strange augmentations. From across the station, the early morning news comes to life on the television, drawing away his guests attention for a short while. He takes the moment to disengage and remove his face mask, but he leaves the coif on. He reveals his face to the Alcorns and Invictus for the first time. His skin has a light tan to it, with a creamy complexion reminiscent of a latte. A well kept pencil-thin mustache lines his lip with a five o'clock shadow add a suave debonair look to him though the heavy scarring and strange amber glowing eyes, certainly are out of the ordinary.
Turning to the faucet, he gently washes his hands and then proceeds to crack and whisk the eggs. "Hope you guys don't mind frittatas."
Once situated with the frittatas in the oven, he cleans his hands once again and offers Invictus a firm handshake and properly introduces himself.
"My name is Techno Priest, technological mad man, commander of computer wizardry, emperor of electronics blah blah blah."
Besides spare mech parts, random tech weapons confiscated from criminals and some other projects that TP has been working on, Invictus would find nothing of immediate danger
She looks over the new guy as he arrives coming up. "Another one? Mama always used to say that probability goes out the window once you start getting too many superpowers in an area. I'm going to be ready for weird stuff to happen in the next couple of days." But she's smiling when she says this. "Anyway, introductions. Waveform, Tights, Ares, Golem, and Parker. And you are?"
Inwardly she was wondering why all of the heroes were guys. She was sure there were some women in Freedom. And it was a shame that the best looking was the one entirely made of metal. At least of those showing their faces.
Broadway flashes a broad smile "Good to meet you all. I'm Broadway. He chuckles "It's Freedom City. I thought weird stuff was considered the norm here.
Parker
"This is going to be a great story for Superline if any of those other hacks try to interview you I would tell them no comment cause they will screw it all up come on that's how The Next-Gen got their name. Do any of you know any members of The Next-Gen? Is there any truth that Bolt has taken off and no one knows where he is including his father Captain Thunder?"
All the while giving the media who were around Broadway a dirty look.
Ok this looks to be some sort of PR gathering. And the last thing I need is people observing me not knowing what I'm doing.
Dr. Quark moved off down the riverfront, dodging the occasional bit of trash and a man walking his dog. Taking advantage of his strange relationship with space time, he zipped home, a lovely brownstone currently faced in scaffolding. He lept up the stairs, which seemed like some great Mayan pyramid at his current size. At the door, he focused his attention on the flow of electrons through the air and the door. He had been experimenting with manipulating electrostatic forces to make himself sticky enough to cling to the wall. For a few inches he was able to shuffle up the door, but then he lost it and fell hard on his back. He felt the cushioning envelope of the force field provided by his new helmet. But the helmet could not protect his bruised ego. He looked up to see Hercules, his neighbor's cat, eyeing him carefully. No doubt trying to determine if he was food or plaything or both.
Screw it he thought.
As Hercules looked on, the good doctor shrank even more, sliding himself through the door and emerging into the waiting room of the new office, which smelled of fresh paint once he returned to size which would allow the molecules into his nose.
Looks at the photographer with a bit of a mournful expression
"I am afraid that I am not as conversant with the heroes of Freedom City as my new colleague, Waveform, appears to be. "
Golem turns to Waveform a curious expression spreading across his metallic face.
"Your mother appeared to keep you well informed regarding living in a city full of Supers. I imagine it would have been an interesting way to grow up. It could be worse though, it could be a Pantheon of neurotic Deities, eager to challenge their brethren regardless of the damage they deal to nearby artwork, natural or man-made"
He subtly glances at Ares, considering the identity he has established, I hope, unlike your namesake, you will not create pointless wars and avid destruction. Especially now that some of my work is being displayed in the city.
Ares stares at the prattling reporter, quickly growing confused and annoyed with his hyperactive talk. He grips his spear tightly and barely restrains himself from growling at the photographer. "I'm .. you.. No. I don't know any other supers. Only Daedalus and these worthies here are known to me."
Are my kids going to act like this? No. No way. Jason and Alex are pretty energetic, but... kids are supposed to be like that. Not adults. Wiat, what did Golem just say?
"Humans die, and blame the whims of gods, fate, luck... anything but their own actions."
Broadway flashes a gigawatt smile at Parker, "Parker. Parker, come on now, we're all new here, and I can only speak for myself but I don't think we know anything about Next-Gen. Surely not as much as you anyway. Broadway shifts to get Parker the better view and shots of the new heroes.
Noticing the tension growing between Ares and Golem, Broadway suppresses a sigh, Great...brand new to town, and they're going to start a fight with each other. he moves between the two and smiles again at Parker, "What they're trying to say is both men and gods need to care more about their actions. I'm sure they'll both do what they can to protect Freedom City, its history and its people, as will the rest of us."
Using a very subtle use of his Sonic scream ability just in the area they're in, he projects his voice, quietly, to the new heroes, "Just smile and pose for the camera, we're supposed to be heroes, so let's not fight and set a bad example that'll be seen by everyone who watches the news."
As Tech spoke, explaining his passion for cooking, and then removed his gloves, Invictus couldn't help but feel that he had offended the man standing before him. He ran a hand through his short cropped hair, an uncertain smile on his face, for a moment showing the awkwardness of youth. "I was just returning from Massachusetts when I heard the explosion, I only got there in time to extinguish the fire and follow you."
"Invictus." The statement was said with confidence, the illusion of youthful awkwardness now gone from his demeanor. He accepted the offered hand, clasping it slowly and carefully, the shake was firm, solid, but had no underlying hostility or challenge to it. "I'm sorry I startled you both," he turns towards the Detective, "have you been working with Priest for long Ms. Alcorn?"
"I do not lightly suffer slights to my honor. Golem knows this." Ares stares at Golem, but refrains from further action. Instead, he shifts to strike an inspiring pose as a proud Greek Warrior, the victor of countless battles. He raises a fist into the air in a warrior's salute. "Hail, citizens of Freedom City!"
Rosemary throws her hands up in the air, flustered at her lack of a grasp on the situation.
"I-I-I don't even know any more. Yesterday morning, my husband went missing, and then he started talking to me through my ear piece about people following me and then my car started driving on its own and and and then there were GUN SHOTS and wrecking balls and and..."
Harrison steps in, placing a hand on his frazzled wife's shoulder. He gives her a loving squeeze, placating her anxiety.
"Mr. Invictus, we just met the guy is what she's getting at. If it weren't for him though, we'd both be goners." The couple settle back down on their stools. Harrison takes another bite, let's it clear, and speaks up again. "Thank you. For helping us, and breakfast. This is damn good."
The television fills in the silence. The reporter is heard talking about a big trial for Ray Park, former Viper Nest Leader. Techno Priest remains silent as he clears the plates and washes the dishes.
"Invictus. I have a good feeling about this guy"
[ooc]OOC: Curious as to whether Centurion has ever had knowledge of Tech Priest, Detective Alcorn, Silencer, or this mysterious Kingpin. [dice=Postcognition Check]1d20+7.
"Yes. We are the heroes of this city. We must be an inspiration to its citizens!"
T.I.G.H.T.S. struck what Isaac imagined was a dashing pose. He floated above the ground, legs and arms spread and with his gauntlets glowing. He looked like a very bare Christmas tree.
Golem looks confused for a second, not realizing Ares might have been insulted by his comment. Realizing that he might believe himself to actually be Ares, Golem examines him much more closely, and seems somewhat shocked. It has been thousands of years but I recall a statue I made for his temple...it is so close, could it be??
Markus paused as the Detective's husband spoke, he was watching the monitor above the man's left shoulder. Ray Parks. What time was it? Early morning, still he needed to get prepared.
"Thank you for the explanation, but Priest," as he spoke he hovered a few inches off of the floor, "you need to ensure that the Alcorn's are kept safe, BUT, if you are in contact with Silencer he needs to come in, he's crossed a line and that's not something I am willing to tolerate. His victims, criminals though they may be, still have the right of due process. I may need your help on this 'Kingpin' issue, how do I contact you?"
After the Priest's response he nodded towards the Alcorn's, "Thank you for the hospitality, Priest. Until next time." And with a nod he floated towards the door.
~
He sped through the sewer system quickly until he arrived at his original point of entry. He quickly climbed to an altitude where he could get his bearings in the city and then dove, heading south west, towards the 39th Precinct. He remembered Captain Murtaugh as a beat cop, he had assisted him when he was battling Stratos, had helped him clear out a building of innocents before an errant bolt of lightning had shattered a wall. The debris had crushed his leg, he, Markus shook his head, Centurion, had visited him in the hospital. Murtaugh had made good though, he recovered, though he still walked with a limp, but he had stayed on the force, and eventually made captain.
He could smell the nicotine from the captain's open office window, it was quarter after six in the morning, he was having his coffee and sneaking a cigarette, though he had told his wife he had quit years earlier. "Those will kill you old friend," he spoke from outside the 7th floor office window, "Trish will do it faster if she finds out." The captain jerked back from the window, almost spilling his coffee, the cigarette dangling comically from his lip.
"Sneaking up on a man having his morning coffee will kill him quicker," he quipped back, "what's got you flying around my office window this morning?" "An explosion," Markus responded, "Parkside residence, one casualty, approximately 3 o'clock this morning. I was too late to stop it, I put out the fire and followed a figure fleeing the scene." "SHIT! You got the guy?!" Markus paused a moment, "No, I don't think he was our guy. He was trying to save our casualty, apparently the man was trying to flee from someone named 'Kingpin'. Not sure I know who that is. I need to fly Captain, but I thought you should know, I'll stop by later tonight if you need a full statement." He turned, his cape fluttering in the early morning breeze. "Yeah sure thing 'vic." It felt weird to the captain, Invictus was a mirror image of Centurion, and Roger owed that man a whole hell of alot, but this new guy, heart in the right place, but somehow he felt, younger. "You take care out there, ok?" "Always do Captain, oh! Almost forgot, check into Detective Alcorn, she may be in some trouble."
~
As he swooped into his apartment he changed quickly, penny loafers, tan slacks, pale blue dress shirt, bow tie and a navy cardigan. He made sure to put on his horn rim glasses, and slicked his hair down parting it on the other side. As he straightened his tie, he smiled in the mirror. Full on nerd is what Nereid called him. It's good, people ignore the nerds, somehow they are invisible. As he packed a brown bag lunch he packed it in his briefcase. Checking his phone he noticed that Mr. Swift would be unavailable as a chaperone he was actually on the jury. Hmmm, maybe he could have him in the classroom one day, for a discussion on civic duty.
He made sure to pack the books that Mr. Enyo had loaned him, as well as the DVD. In his classical civilizations class they had been studying the Battle of Thermopylae, and Markus had been curious as to why his students where running around screaming "This is ... SPAAARTAAAA!" and miming a kick of some sort. Milton had chuckled at the reference and told him that there had been a recent movie, a historical fantasy called '300' that included a similar scene. Luckily he had also loaned Markus one of the more detailed accounts of the actual event that was fascinating reading. Perhaps Mr. Enyo would be available to chaperone the school trip.
He boarded the city bus as it rolled away towards Roosevelt High, planning the trip to the Freedom City Court House.
Broadway strikes his pose in the center of the group and smiles to Parker. "Alright, you all heard it here folks. We're New, Freedom, and we're here to lend a hand. You'll see us around.
"Parker, if you use that picture, you'll never get an exclusive ever." She turns around and give Tights the stare, "You are not posing like that. A pelvic thrust is not superheroic. Try this." She'll give him a few pointers of something more appropriate. "Legs spread just a bit, make something that would be stable if you were on the ground. Bring your hands almost together in front of your chest and do the glowy thing with your palms. That'll reflect off your mask and look impressive."
UGH! The alarm was going off and it was godawful in the morning. Twisty was wrapped around her and she was blinking away the sleep. She began remembering last night. A creep, a geek, a god, a statue, the media, and voice.
Untangling herself from Twisty, the waterbed helped her get onto her feet. She lifted Twisty into his pot. He looked somewhat like an exotic plant and she poured some maple syrup into there for him to absorb through his skin. Still, she never opened the blackout curtains.
And then it was the morning routine. Her metahuman metabolism may keep her from gaining weight easily, but it takes more than that when your costume is a bathing suit. She began her hour-long routine of toning and shaping.
Parker Thanks for the exclusive you guys these pics besides that one of course will be all over this weeks superline with small profiles of each of you. So the major question will have to wait are you guys forming a team and what is that teams name if you guys decide to form a team together I better get the exclusive for the official announcement. Thanks again my editor is going to love these I have to get out of here.
With that Parker Peterson runs off to finish his job this night, just like all of you out doing your "JOBs."
The Trial of Ray Park
Freedom City Federal Court House (near Federal Plaza)
The court house is extremely busy, media and people all over.
The trial is on the 22rd floor of the building it is being over seen by Judge Gerald R. Baker and as he does with most high profile case he has banned the media from the court house so no pictures, no recording nothing. There is plenty of other action going on this building but this week the main attraction has been Ray Parks trial. The trial comes to session each day at 10 A.M Sharp. The courtroom fills up quickly and has extra security over the standard security at the doors of the building. At the doors to the courtroom there are guards searching and checking bags of each person coming into the courtroom. There are a pair of AEGIS agents stationed inside the courtroom within 10 feet of Parks defendant table.
Techno Priest sits comfortably on his couch as he accesses an idle work computer at a convenience hardware store. Though it seems he is staring at the wall, what he perceives is much more than that.
Rosemary seems confused as she watches the hero twitch and bob his head as if he were physically looking for something. "Is everything all right, Techno Priest?"
Lost in his concentration, he doesn't answer answer her verbally, opting to lift a halting hand.
Something's off. I.. Don't think I'm alone. And who are these guys anyway? Odd that they'd bring in some new guards.
to track the other jacker.
to recognize any of the new guards
As they arrived, the caffeine was just starting to kick in. Under her conservative grey dress, she wore one of her costumes. It was getting to be a normal habit, but if Park's Viper buddies wanted to cause trouble she was ready. Plus, hydrokinesis made it really easy to do laundry every day. As she sat down, she felt around and kept track of the bathroom behind her and the fire sprinklers in the roof.
One exit to the lobby, three behind the judge and the balcony. Two stairs and one elevator for such a tall and skinny building? Whoever wrote the city's building codes must have been a villain.
@ Techno Priest
As you run through all the systems you notice that the other Hacker is with in the Court Building itself so they are directly connected to the servers and systems.
One exit to the lobby, three behind the judge and the balcony. Two stairs and one elevator for such a tall and skinny building? Whoever wrote the city's building codes must have been a villain.
Knowing that a Viper involved Trial might result in a dangerous situation at the courthouse, Golem will swing by the previous night and try to find a suitable location to hide a Golem body on the 22nd floor or closer. If necessary he will use a supported ventilation duct or a place hidden behind a shelving unit.
Golem returns home and looks over the model of Lady Justice he has created as a discussion piece. I remember a piece like this one in Athens, so many years ago, but I think this should give it that modern twist the Director of Art and History will appreciate.
Packing up the small piece he heads to the courthouse a bit early, trying to get there around 9:30. The police guarding the courthouse approach him cautiously and spend several minutes scanning the statue. Just an excuse to admire my work I am sure . A phone call to the Director assures them that he was expecting a piece of art or a portfolio.
"Please excuse the lack of punctuality in this situation. I had hoped to check out the courtyard ahead of time for potential sites of construction and examination of the lighting conditions. " He reassures the Director.
He continues on into the courtyard and begins examining the area, keeping eyes and ears out for any potential problems or suspicious figures.
Jason steps out of the car to enter the courtroom and signs a few autographs on the way in. "Hey, just doing my civic duty like any other citizen. No press in the courtroom today though. He looks at the small gathering of paparazzi, It'll be like a vacation for me from you guys" He waves at the photographers, with a chuckle, before entering the courthouse and heading for the juror's pulpit.
"Calm down, Boy Scout. Trust me, I want him turned in as much as the next guy. No one should be able to assume judge, jury and executioner. If you need to contact me, well, you know where I live. If it's an emergency, well...check out www.help.tp"
Invictus gives him an odd, disbelieving glance. From across the room, Harrison stifles a laugh.
"Yeah... I know... But it works! Don't hesitate to reach out to me if you need a hand checking your emails or something."
Cross-referencing images of the guards across various databases, Techno Priest just about breaks into a sprint once he comes up with a positive ID.
He grabs his face mask and cloak and jumps onto his glider. He zooms by empty tunnels, zig-zagging from one to another to another until he gets near the court house. He takes a second to collect his racing thoughts and get a good scope on the situation. Accessing a local computer, he pulls up a general map of the courthouse, studying floor 22 closely.
Should've known Park wouldn't go down that easy. I'm sure the place is swarming with Vipers. Think...think...think....
An idea pops up in his head.
<CHRR> Yeah, Vicky, he caught some KRAUT BOY SCOUT and his robo buddy<CHRR> they were there hangin out eatin' frittatas, talkin 'bout <STATIC> trouble at some place they seent on the TV. Anyway <CRUNCH CRUNCH STATIC STATIC> we gotta meet over by that new sandwich place over on 9th for lunch <CHRRR>
Seconds later, a confused burly-voiced police officer replies.
"'Ey, c'mon now, not while on the job fellas. We gotta keep our game faces on! Save it for later, will ya?"Beneath his mask, Priest smirks. Sometimes simplicity is the way to go. He travels down the tunnels, passing the court house by a few blocks, exits through an unfinished building's basement, and climbs high over the city on his glider. He eyeballs where that new sandwich place on 9th would be and hopes his message was received.
Isaac Charles Cooper planned to run to the court house. Then he remembered that he would sweat and sweat would smell and some people didn't like that. Also Harry didn't consider his running clothes decent. An irrational prejudice against spandex in this town? Really, Harry?
Instead, Isaac dressed in the best compromise he could manage between good taste and Harry's weird fetishes. If he wore the suit again, someone was getting plasma blasted. Maybe him. Fitted polo shirt. Khakis. Done.
He took T.I.G.H.T.S. out of his sink and poured it into a black sports bottle. Anybody who saw it would think he was a Ram. Or a former Ram. Or a supporter of the Rams. Candace Dieztler's son Frank, age fourteen, black hair, brown eyes, kind of short, three years without her, went there. He joined the swim team, so Isaac's bottle had a little swimmer on it. They sucked. The boys last won a meet in 2005. Frank's fund would get him through two years of community college, but Isaac's patent royalties should have that sorted out by the time he graduated. Coach said the kid had potential if he stuck with it. Most don't.
Isaac hoped Frank stuck with it, or dropped it but didn't pick up a ball sport. He was already on the hook for four basketball and football teams. Swimming he could relate to. That and track.
Hair combed? Close enough.
Shaved? Yes.
Deodorant? Check.
Fly shut? Dammit.
And the pills. Isaac spread out his doses in front of the mirror and turned on the camera. Coach would check. Sixteen pills and a tall glass of water. One by one, he palmed them, popped them in his mouth, swallowed, and showed his tongue to the lens. The gray fog hit him three-quarters of the way through, like it always did, and Isaac's eyes went blank. His mouth dropped slightly open and motions slowed. The last four slipped into his mouth and down his throat.
Then Isaac stood motionless and utterly vacant, drool sliding down his chin. Then words oozed through the fog again and he wiped his face clean.
Time? Half an hour gone. Not enough left to walk, but plenty with a cab.
Fly instead?
The courthouse roof had to be locked down. Where would he change? The alley where the cops brought prisoners in? Naked ginger found behind courthouse. Film at eleven.
Cab it was. Why did Harry always schedule these things in the middle of his run time? It threw the whole day off. Now Isaac would have to do double laps tonight. Maybe triple, if the wait was long.
Markus walked up the aisle of the school bus rolled away from Roosevelt and towards the Courthouse. It was 7:30 and most of the kids were visibly drowsy on the bus, there were pockets of excitement, overjoyed at the prospect of a day off of school.
And then there was Aurora, "Oh man! Did you see that he was seen last night?!?" Her co-conspirators were Brandon, and Josh, it was the latter who responded, "Yeah, they say he caught a van and threw the kidnapper into the bay before flying the kid home!" Aurora scoffed, "Nah! He wouldn't do that, not him. He's one of the good ones," she looked up as Markus struggled to make it up the aisle against the swerve of the bus. "What are we talking about guys?" Brandon looked up at him, "Invictus, he totally reamed some kidnapper and took the kid the guy was nabbing back home." "Yeah," piped up Josh, "it was this total pedo van too! Probably good thing he came along when he did."
Markus cleared his throat, "Well we are going to see a bunch of heroes in action this afternoon," he paused dramatically, "the men and women of the Judicial System. Not every hero wears a cape, now lets make sure our phones are off by the time we arrive ok kids?" He was greeted by a groaning chorus of "Yes Mr. Anthony."
He sat down on the seat in front of the three, "Just remember, I invited you along on this senior trip so you could make the extra credits you need before mid-terms. Lets not waste this opportunity ok?"
~
"... and here we have the Freedom City District Courthouse. Can anyone tell me what style of columns those are in the lobby?" A small timid hand and a hesitant voice, "Umm, doric. Doric columns." "That's right Leigh, and we have seen those in our studies of classical grecian architecture, now typically one would see a statue of whom in this alcove here?" He waited patiently, "Nobody? Blindfold, scales, upturned sword? Nobody.", a small sigh, "Lady Justice as she's been called in more recent times, also called Justia by the Romans, and originally Themis to the ancient Greeks. Seems that she is taking a day off today though. Shall we continue?"
~
Markus let the tour guide, Cathy was her name, take the brunt of the work. He was still trying to determine his feelings about his odd early morning encounter with Priest.
After the man had removed his gloves, revealing the circuitry and wiring, it had piqued his curiosity and he had given Priest a cursory scan. He found it difficult to determine where the man ended and the machine began, but there was something oddly humanizing about the way he prepared breakfast for his guests. And Markus, himself a child of science, felt as though he needed to give the man the benefit of the doubt.
~
<CHRR> Yeah, Vicky, he caught some KRAUT BOY SCOUT and his robo buddy<CHRR> they were there hangin out eatin' frittatas, talkin 'bout <STATIC> trouble at some place they seent on the TV. Anyway <CRUNCH CRUNCH STATIC STATIC> we gotta meet over by that new sandwich place over on 9th for lunch <CHRRR>
He heard the transmission, oddly reflecting his own thoughts about the mornings encounter. He tapped Mrs. Belanger's shoulder, "Excuse me Carol, would you cover the group for me, I think something I hard for ...," he doubled over briefly, Mrs. Belanger helped steady the young man, "We passed a bathroom by the stairwell on the 20th floor. Do you need a hand?" He waved her off as he stumbled down towards the bathroom.
~
His clothes safely stored and folded in the drop ceiling above a bathroom stall, Invictus soared by the courthouse, scanning for signs of Priest, and the trouble he seemed to be forewarning.
Derek made it to the Courthouse by 7:30. He didn't need to be so early, but he had a bad feeling about the trial. He sat on a bench in the hall near the jury room and made a show of eating a breakfast sandwich, ciabatta, egg, gruyere, broccoli sprouts. He was picky about breakfast, and liked to do it well. He had a tendency to get wrapped up in work and miss meals, so he liked to make sure breakfast was covering a lot of bases.
But today he made an exception, eating on a bench while he used his improved senses to scan the area for explosives, strange technology, bacterial or viral agents,or anything unusual.
He hoped it would all come to nothing, but he had his Quark costume under his suit and his Bluetooth headphones at the ready.
He jerked as his x-ray gaze swept through a restroom. Sorry ma'am he thought as his cheeks flushed.
Wandering through the building, Derek is briefly distracted by the architecture. He isn't sure what the architect was aiming for, but the whole things strikes him as a strange meeting federal, neo-classical, and Hollywood courthouse.
He ducks into a restroom, surprised by the force of air pushing past him. Strange air pressure in this place.
Paused in the door, he hears a familiar laugh behind him.
Crazy, imagining things.
But there it is again. He turns back into the hall and sees his Aurora's head bouncing above her classmates. He remembers her crying about being so much taller than her middle school class, but now that she had made varsity as a freshman on the volleyball team, she feels better about the whole thing.
Aurora, what are you doing here? I heard from your teacher about the field trip, but I thought it was for seniors.
Well, Dad, they brought three of us on the senior trip, right? Aren't you supposed to be sequestered or something
No, they told us not to pay attention to news or anything about the trial, but we aren't sequestered. I think they only do that under extreme cases. Look, I want you to be careful today. I think something might happen. I mean, these Viper guys are serious stuff. So if anything happens, make sure you get to a stairwell or something.
Dad, this is Freedom City. The place is crawling with heroes. What could happen? Anyway, I'll be fine. Gotta go.
Swift watches her go as he turns back toward the restroom. He considers calling the ex and asking about this whole advanced field trip thing, but thinks better of it. In the restroom, he has a moment to look about an notices something above the ceiling tiles. What the heck?
He climbs up, lifting a tile and seeing a change of clothes. Pulling a shirt from the ceiling, he heads out into the hall to find an officer. Something fishy is going on here.
Techno Priest sends an omni-directional radio-frequency beacon high above the city, starting at 50 yards, then 100, then 500. The signal consisted of the time, counted down by the second. He continued until Invictus was able to find him.
United, Techno Priest begins relaying the information and how he obtained it at a break-neck pace. His hands gesture left and right, up and down, trying to get down the emotions his face mask wouldn't allow.
"Accessed Gerald Harlow's of Harlow's Hardware work computer...watched the video feed from inside the court... Cross referenced guard....Phalanx...and it seems Ray Park is up to something. We've got to get those people out of there before they can spring their attack. Now here's what I'm thinking. I contacted Det. Alcorn, told her to call her captain and tell him what's going on. I can set the fire alarm off, that'll get people moving. I just don't know how many VIPERS' got in there."
Dr. Tom Praxis waits patiently in the courtyard. He is enjoying the lighting of the area where the statue will sit and is considering a number of different angles for the face when the Director of Art and History, Shiela Winters approaches from inside the building. She seems somewhat tense but tries to hide it with a quick smile, extending her hand. He takes her hand and asks,
”Is everything all right, the courthouse seems very tense today?”
I am fine, it’s just the Park trial, I am sure you have heard, it has us all concerned something might happen, but so far, it has been fine.” She responds, attempting to be casual. She looks around the courtyard and towards the empty space. “Let us talk of other matters. You said you had some ideas, I did not expect a model.”
He looks around the courtyard as well, before his favorite topic causes him to focus on the task at hand. ”The model, yes, before I show it to you let me profess that I have long loved the Lady Justice and have in the past created many versions of her, and in those cases I tended to go more classical or minimalist to draw attention to the ideals she emphasizes. In this day and age however, it seems that to just put another version of her without considering how justice has changed, and especially the role of women in the field, I felt that consider her role as judge, it would be criminal to not introduce such details into the statue.
Forgive me, I run on, talking about art, it is a pleasure and a passion for me. Here, allow me to present an idea I hope you will find appropriate.”
He pulls out a statue, at first it seems based on the classic statue of Themis, holding sword and scale, blindfolded. Small details immediately jump out at the Director. First, the robes are not the traditional Greek toga, but rather a more modern judge’s robe, the difference subtle but present. Next the sword hilt is that of a gavel rather than a plane sword, suggesting her role of judge in a more modern ideal, but the sword of justice still present. The scales are still balanced and held aloft but the initial design, when closely examined, reveals small engravings of scientists, detectives, lawyers, police amid images of DNA fingerprints, microscopes and computers. It is clear that tremendous effort went into to creating the symmetry of design.
Director Winters is stunned by the work. From afar it could easily be mistaken for a number of similar statues in front of legal institutions everywhere but the closer you look the more intricate the details. ”It is beautiful, I don’t understand, how did you put this together so fast? The details and symbolism are astounding! “
“Thanks you, to be honest I have wanted to encapsulate the concept of modern justice in such a statue for some time. I enjoy my earlier work, but I do like my art to reflect the time it was created, and justice is very different now, while still being very much the same. It was that idea I tried to create.”
Milton Enyo adjusts his bow tie and glasses as he comes off the elevator to the 17th floor. The lie chafes. He hates it. But, he's not sure which is even the lie, anymore. Is he Milton Enyo, mild-mannered librarian and former bookstore owner, family man, and former reluctant teen athlete? Or, is Ares, god of war? Is he both?
Not for the first, these questions consume his thoughts as he makes his way through the labyrinthine corridors of the courthouse. "1705, the Battle of Cassano was fought that year." That was a good year, he remembers. Both sides suffered casualties, but they proved their bravery and valor. He lets himself into the records room, and finds the clerk at the front desk. Val Abernathy. "Uh, hello? I'm Milton Enyo, we spoke on the phone?" The clerk continues writing, ignoring him completely. "About the books?" Finally, she looks up at him and blinks a few times. "We spoke on the phone?"
Great... the God of War is a bumbling dork.
"Oh.. yes.. I'll go get Val" She stands and walks away deeper into the stacks.
Dr. Tom Praxis escorts the Director to her office, having collected the model and returned it to the bag. No sense revealing my work too soon. It take a bit longer to get through security who insist, despite Shiela's best efforts that the bag must be thoroughly scanned.Oh well, they probably wouldn't appreciate the aesthetics anyway.
Once past the metaphorical Gauntlet, the Director and Tom head to the elevators, encountering yet another delay. He turns to her and seems to be a bit hesitant, "Tell me truthfully, what was your first impression?"
Isaac sat down opposite Harriet, slouching a little and setting his bottle down on the floor.
"It's ok. The stupid pills still knock me out for a while, but I'm keeping on top of the training. Coach would have my ass and I'm still using my ass. Still doing the camera thing with him too. It helps, but I don't watch the feed anymore. You think they could get me on a lower dose if-"
Isaac stopped himself.
"Actually no, bad idea. No negotiating, right?" Harry used to say that to him all the time.
"Good days and bad days, you know. Last weekend I got hung up for a while thinking about Jerry Rowcroft. My fault. I don't get to feel bad about feeling bad. His leg..." Crushed under a wall. Jerry's new one came with the older brother of T.I.G.H.T.S.' neural interface to help control it, donated anonymously. But it wasn't his leg.
"So, you know. Did the usual power of five stuff: five mile run. Five laps in the pool. Ended up running a brick on Sunday. Puked. I was ok Monday. Got to work on time, way ahead of deadlines. Been thinking about doing a real triathlon since I'm kind of training for it anyway. No doomsday device ideas I couldn't ignore. You?"
Finished the flight controls on my space tights. Flew last night. Better than sex. Met some heroes. You?
Invictus nodded grimly, he had left the tour on the 21st floor, if something was going to happen he needed to get his class out of harms way. "Lets see if we can dissuade before we resort to the fire alarm, it pay promote a more chaotic situation. Stay in touch on the same frequency you broadcast on earlier, I won't be able to respond, but I'll see if I can get Phalanx locked down."
He fired a quick salute and nod of the head as he swooped away towards the Court House's North Tower. He ignored the stares, the lifted gazes as he landed at the lobby of the North tower, he zipped through the lobby, forced open one of the elevator doors and flew to the 22nd floor, avoiding the functioning elevators.
The tour was passing the elevator banks on the 22nd floor as they chimed open, and Invictus drifted to the floor. Nodding at the tour director he intoned solemnly, "Good morning ma'am, please see that your tour is safely secured in the lobby, there may be a situation."
Flash. Click.
He turned noticed that Aurora was staring at him, mouth agape, as her friend Josh clicked a picture of the hero. He kneeled down to put himself at the level of the kid, "Please young man, there may be time for pictures later, now I want you to ensure that your group makes it safely to the lobby, alright?"
Josh, star struck, just nodded. "Good, thank you." Invictus continued down the hall, until he approached the police at the door. "Good morning officers, just a concerned private citizen exercising my right to witness Mr. Parks gets a fair trial. Captain Murtaugh, 39th Precinct will vouch for me."
Jason sits in the juror's room, sequestered from the courtroom itself, waiting to be ushered into the courtroom. He tries to portray an aura of confidence, but remains wary. Viper leader, former or otherwise. No way Viper lets him take the stand. Either they'll try to shut him up, or spring him. At least I can try to limit any damage if it comes to that. He looks over the other jurors, and any officials, trying to take stock of how many innocents are there.
Did he just salute me? Really? What a boy scout
All right, Priesty, first things first
"Rosemary, any follow up?"
"Yeah, Captain Murtaugh is scrambling to get some kind of presence up without drawing too much attention, but he needs more concrete evidence. He doesn't want to fly off the handle on a hunch."
"No problem, faxing him an ID right now"
" Another thing: how do we get out of here? Is it safe yet?"
"About that... Those people coming after you are all dead. The Silencer got to them all. Not quite how I would've gone about it, but there's nothing I can do now. I filed the claim on your vehicle and got you an identical one for a rental. It's sitting across from the Starbucks on 117th. Keys are in the ignition. I'll unlock it for you in 20 minutes. To leave, walk towards the northern tunnel wall. The security AI should be able to guide you."
"...I don't know what to say but thank you... This is all so... Wait what? Why did your security AI call me Hawk?!"
"You and Harrison are in the system now under the code names 'Hawk' and 'Dove'. Feel free to drop by any time. Be safe. "
@Praxiteles the Golem: Oh Dr Praxis I think it is amazing I cant wait for you to get this started so I need break downs on time frame costs and size and material and scale you want to make this great statue for our city. I think this might become as famous as The Centurion statue.
@T.I.G.H.T.S.: On Issac I'm so glad to hear you are doing so well, it is important for you to stay on the strait and narrow and stay with your established routines it seems to have really helped you. I would like for us to go up and see Judge Baker I know we will be there for a while with his current trial but I also think it would be good for you to see what could happen to you if you get involved with criminals again. You should look at Ray Park and see why people need to stay away from groups like VIPER and The Foundry.
As she takes you up to the 22nd floor you are both searched and checked out by a large African American Guard before allowed into the court room that is packed with people. You two find a seat in the upper right side of the courtroom away from the balcony.
@Broadway:
@Waveform:
@Invictus:
[ooc]Powers: Array currently set to Super Speed (Rank 2)
As he was denied access to the stairwell that led to the 22nd floor by the two Court House Security Officers his face grew deadly serious, "Please understand that my asking for your permission was simply a courtesy to you, out of respect for your position."
He took a step past the two men towards the stairs.
OOC: Sorry about the confusion, assume I exited the elevator shaft on the 21st floor and spoke with the tour guide. Also as I step past the two Security, I am doing a cursory scan to determine if they are packing equipment, body armor or other that would tag them as VIPER or AEGIS. , this scan is being done with the X-Ray vision, obviously. If required, . The above would be a perfect spot for Intimidate, if only I had it ... >.<
"I have prepared a preliminary cost and material analysis. I am of course not included labor costs, as having my work presented to the city would be honor enough. For tax purposes I did include an estimate of that cost as well, but it is not included in the totals below. The materials cost may seem a bit high, but when you consider where this statue is going, and in what city, you can appreciate why we might want to invest in the higher quality."
The cost should be high but balanced by the lack of labor costs should put them just above what was expected.
Golem is keeping an ear out, making sure nothing untoward is happening.
If I hear anything unusual, I will turn to Shiela, "Did you hear that? You were tense earlier, is something going on?"
@Invictus:
She'll whisper to Alex, "You might want to not be here. I've got a bad feeling about this." He turns back, "I can help get the crowd moving away." She didn't like it, but he did have a point.
She reaches down and unscrews the cap on her water bottle and Alex's. The water flows up her leg and under her dress, without soaking into it. It carried the slip of lace that she used as a mask under as well. A liter wasn't much water, but it was all that she could do subtly. And it would help with her plan, if it came to it.