As a busy day winds down for the heroes.
You have all been involved in multiple incidents through out the day.
After the courthouse battle and all the other incidents you have each partook in its time for some rest.
You have a meeting as a team with AEGIS Officer Stewart Bonham at 11:45 in the morning.
After yesterday, a boring morning in Economics is what she needed. Being able to focus on something other than escaping villains was good. Luckily, Alex had an early class so she didn't have too much teasing about it. Lyssie wanted the scoop on Broadway. Of which there wasn't any yet. They had just met. It was far too early for anything like that. Still, she didn't tell Lyssie that she had seen his identity, looked him up and bought tickets to his show. Just to show support, of course.
And after Economics, it was time to change. The storm drain behind the physical sciences building was pretty secluded. A quick change and whoosh down to the river and over to downtown. 10:55? Good, time for coffee before the meeting. Most people seemed shocked when she slipped into line, but one guy was so into his phone conversation that he didn't notice. Only as he turned away did he see her and her water and dropped his phone. She caught it in her wave and he started turning red. "That's my phone! I'm going to sue." "Trust me, I'd never void your warranty." People laughed when it rang and he dropped it again.
Slipping the $20 from under her strap she ordered her coffee. The guy tried to give it to her for free, but she insisted. She split the change between the tip jar and the McNider Memorial Children's Leukemia fund.
At 11:20 she was on the federal building lawn with her coffee, wondering who would show up next.
There was something raw, almost peaceful, in the type of work that the Forest Service was doing, man against fire. Moving earth, pulling trees, falling water, the hiss of steam, and the crackle of flame. Short of Priests comments earlier on in the night, the comms had been silent, and he worked with Martinez through all of it.
The ranger was impressed with the young hero, there were no news crews, no fans, hell the kid hadn't even given a name. But there he was working like a force of nature, digging trenches, lifting equipment, crews, even vehicles into breaks, and away from fire walls. Charging through smoke and flame without equipment, working with the crews, respecting their experience, letting them direct and put his strength to the best use. The young hero landed beside him, "You sure your crews can handle the rest Martinez?". The older man nodded, "It means they'll get a ton of overtime, which means more paperwork for me, but you really helped us out last night." Invictus smiled, "After my day yesterday I needed to blow off some steam," he paused remembering the previous day, "Say Chief, what time is it?"
As the Chief responded, Markus was shocked. It was quarter after eleven and he had a meeting with Aegis in half an hour, and he'd wanted to get there early to speak with the team. "Well that's my cue then, time to fly Martinez. Be safe." He lifted off, gained significant altitude, and flew north by north east, columns of smoke still rising from the deep green blanket of Wharten State Forest.
As he skimmed over the Bay, he checked for late morning fishing boats, seeing none he dipped beneath the surface of the water. Then, once he crested he flew straight up as fast as he could, drying his costume, and hopefully washing the smell of smoke and fire from him.
He turned and banked a lazy westward spiral as he flew towards the downtown Federal Building. Spotting Waveform on the lawn he landed softly beside her, despite his best efforts still smelling vaguely of a campfire. "Good morning Waveform." He flashed her a honest smile, "Mmmm, coffee. At least someone was thinking ahead today. I think I'd risk another run in with Phalanx for one of Priests breakfasts right about now."
OOC: I think I've stated it before, but essentially any scene where Invictus is in his civilian ID, or isn't currently flying, we can assume that his Array is set to Super Speed, so he can react to the unexpected.
Ten long years as the mysterious voice on the other end of the phone, the unknown cryptic email, the floating head on monitors and television screens, and its all going to change today he told himself. It was true. Up until recently, he existed as a digital entity, passing on information to heroes and law enforcement alike. He caused unrest between mafia families, broken up human trafficking operations, exposed corruption in the police department, all by using the Internet.
The meeting with AEGIS was his way out, to step into the light, to legitimize his operation.
Needless to say, he was nervous.
He pulled his cowl on tight, mounted the glider and raced off towards AEGIS.
Here goes nothing.
Jason was finishing in the recording studio early, putting some touches on what was slated to be his next release. Jason sat at the piano, a slow but upbeat tune coaxed from his fingers on the keys. He gave a quick look at the producer who gave a thumbs up and a smile, and Jason started the song,
~Hoarfrost Dreams, and Frozen Past
Two lives headed places fast.
Out of control, spinning headlong
To outcomes both loud and strong.
Friends hard to find amidst the masses
Promises from people dashed like shattered glasses.
Show me how a friend really cares
Pick me up when I've fallen to despair.
When I need a shoulder, promise you'll be there
Come spread your warmth over me
Teach me that true friends never part
Do that and win your way into my heart.
Friends find each other in ice and song
None suspecting a bond comfortable and strong
Wary of the game of busted dreams
Of friendships torn asunder at the seams
Putting pieces together from Icy pasts
Neither finding anything that lasts
Show me how a friend really cares
Pick me up when I've fallen to despair
Whin I need a shoulder promise you'll be there
Come spread your warmth over me
Teach me that true friends never part
Do that and win your way into my heart.
Step by step pieces fall into place
Each held together by a smiling face
Day by day trust lights a spark
Showing the way through piercing dark
A warmth that grows casting off the chill
Finally another who cares for more than the facade.
You've shown me how a friend really cares
Picked me up when i've fallen to despair
When I needed a shoulder you were there
You've spread a warmth over me
Taught me true friends never part
You've done that and won your way into my heart.
~
Once the recording light went out, Jason leaned into the mic. "How was that Max? Don't mean to pressure you, but I have another publicity meeting to get to."
The producer, Max Terenman, cigarette still hanging from his mouth, popped on the studio mic, "It's workable Jase, we'll remix in the harmony and base, and it should be good." Max's voice came out like gravel on glass, but his tone was a cheerful one, so Jason knew he was good to leave.
A quick change later, and Broadway zipped along the ground and building sides and came up to a quick stop near Waveform when he recognized her waiting on the lawn, the hum of his movement announcing who he was before she turned to look at him.
He smiled a gigawatt smile at her with a crooked twist at the corner of his mouth, bemused, "Hey there, swimsuit, looks like we're the early birds."
She looks up at Invictus, and then past him. "Maybe he's bringing something. Here he comes." Looking around she see's Bradway, "Hey there. I figure that Rockstar probably isn't the kind to wait for stragglers. Oh, and smile pretty everybody, people are taking pictures."
After you have all congregated in front of the Federal Building you all proceed inside the building, taking the elevator to the 23rd floor. You are met at the door by a young lady in a full AEGIS uniform,
” You are here for your appointment I assume? There are more of you then was expected I’m not sure Agent Bonham is prepared for all of you.”
As she leads towards the nicest largest corner office on the floor. Bonham is waiting for you all at his door.
“Thank you Miss Riley, can you get drinks for all our guests I see some already have something but the rest can use something and can you cancel all my other meetings till lunch this meeting looks like it’s going to take a lot longer then what was on my schedule. I was told two heroes I get eight I’m glad I deal in information I knew you would all be here. Come inside and sit down and make yourself comfortable.” With a gesture inviting all into his office.
Miss Riley ” Sir there are only seven people here you do realize that right?”
“Just go get drinks for 8 like I said thank you Miss Riley”
Bonham walks into his office after all of you there are eight chairs set up around the front of his desk, as he motions for all of you to have a seat as he himself sits down on his massive desk.
“So first things first you all know who I am and even if you don’t realize this I know who all of you are.”
Picking up a stack of folders off his desk eyeing each of you as he looks into each folder, they are full of photos and paperwork.
”That includes you Dr. Quark I think is what you go buy so you can make yourself proper sized whenever you would like.”
“We have a lot to talk about so let’s make a couple things clear, AEGIS has always tried to work with the heroes whenever possible and that’s no different now than it was when this place was founded. But unlike you guys and gals in capes I have superiors to answer to so things are done certain ways.”
“We could talk about things that need to be rectified with most if not all of you, but right now let’s start with what is at hand.
The Assassination of Ray Park there was a lot more going on than I’m sure you guys realized. That was a hit sanctioned from above the local nest and I really don’t understand what happened to Ray he was doing his part as a Nest Leader shutting his mouth and taking the fall so according to our sources the powers that be in Viper were going to let the trial go on. Then all of sudden he changes his mind, going to testify and maybe cut a deal. The court was informed the day before he was going to testify and they had a full Meta powered hit team deployed. I didn’t find out he was going to testify till the morning it happened.
While Viper was there they did some serious computer damage upstairs to the servers and the mainframe of the courts. That’s what you guys found upstairs with the hostages you saved. Thank you again for saving the innocent lives, you guys didn’t get enough press for that.
So what is it that you guys want to know or have information on?”
As he moves to sit down in his desk, while Miss Riley brings drinks in for the rest of you.
Invictus, who had remained standing, nodded as Bonham spoke. "Thank you for your time Commander Bonham, my fellow heroes and I appreciate the opportunity to assist AEGIS in their investigations," he paused as Ms. Riley brought in a tray of drinks. He smiled and nodded his head in thanks as he took a glass of ice water, he took a seat as Bonham began to move back behind his desk. "My fellow heroes and I want to aid you in finding the people responsible for this act, and bringing them to trial for those actions. We are aware that the League is currently unavailable, and wished to extend an offer of assistance." He took a sip of water, "Captain Thunder's words in front of the press stung, and were perhaps overly critical. But, he was not wrong, we do not have the experience of the League, but after having spoken with those who stood with me yesterday, we do have a desire to safeguard the public trust. We possess certain skills and abilities that fall outside of the range of your standard agents, and wish to know where your investigations are at with the meta-human mercenaries who were hired to dispatch of Mr. Parks, as well as the VIPER contingent that were attempting to extract them to an unknown rendezvous point. The more technically inclined among our numbers," he nodded towards Priest and TIGHTS, "may be able to help your technical division retrieve that data. Also, any file you have on the actual assassins might provide some insight into where we can locate them, or their associates."
Golem will follow him up to his room and see what he is up too.
Invictus I think you miss understand the reason I accepted your appointment on such short notice. I wanted to have a face to face meet and greet with you and your allies I'm not bringing you in on our entire investigation. If I thought that the assassins were still in the city or I knew where they could be currently located I would of called in the Arsenal immediately. As I said in the beginning this wasn't a local nest job this was from the Prime Nest so we have to approach this one much differently.
Thanks for the offer but that one over there. nodding toward Priest Is in our files to damm much already and if he wasn't helpful in most matters he pries in I would of locked his ass up already. T.I.G.H.T.S. over there is going to have to earn my trust before I allow him near anything thing of ours, with his history.
Without turning her head, she checks to notice how TIGHTS reacts to this. Flushing, increased blood pressure?
Outwardly, she stays calm and composed. "Well, then we will simply need to prove ourselves and be ready for any assistance we can render. Did you have any questions about any of us?"
Waveform I know more about each of you then you realize.
Don't get me wrong I do want your guys help in this town and I want to work together. I hate calling in the Arsenal they are a pain in the ass most of the time they get results but still a pain to deal with, I much rather deal with local heroes.
I would like a channel to communicate with you guys on to ask for assistance or to assist you guys.
.
Ares walks into his house, wincing at every creak. At 3am, he didn't want to disturb his family. He could be silent as a shadow when creeping around a base full of thugs, but sneaking into his own house? Forget it. He might as well announce his presence with a fanfare. He sets his keys on a hook protruding form a heart sign that reads "Home is where the heart is." They had picked it up when they were shopping in Little Compton a few years before the boys were born. Jenny thought it was cute, so Milton had liked it, too. Now, he can't imagine his life without that silly heart.
He creeps towards the main bathroom, not the one adjoining his bedroom. He's too clumsy to risk a shower next to her. Slowly, he peers off his sweater, grimacing at the stench of smoke, blood, and sweat. The thing's probably ruined. My clothing bill is going through the roof, thanks to my extracurricular activities.. He has the sweater just clearing his neck when the living room light burst to life.
Hello, sweety. Jenny does not sound please.
Uh, hi.. He turns his sweater trapped face towards her voice, somehow thinking that it might give him an advantage in the coming argument. You're up early. Are you preparing for a case?. Why did I say that? Seriously! Am I trying to get her riled up? She has every right to be angry with me. I sneak off at all hours, I'm nowhere near where I say I am when she calls me... It either looks like I'm a crook, or I'm having an affair.
Jenny laughs and Milton can hear her moving towards him. Soon, her delicate fingers are pushing the sweater off hius body, and he's staring down into pools of brilliant green. i heard about the fire. I called the library because I knew you'd be there to check on the books, but you weren't there. I was worried. . She wrinkles her nose as she catches the smell from his sweater. why do you smell like smoke? Did the school...?
Oh.. Uh.. No.. It's stupid, really. But, I had just realized the school was safe.. That isn't a total lie, the school was completely safe and Ares didn't need to be around to protect it. The fire department had had things completely under control. so I started to drive home, and the road was blocked by trucks and cars and stuff there were people everywhere, hurt and... I needed to do something, y'know like those heroes who helped out with that courtroom attack. So.... He shrugs, not wanting to go further into detail. She doesn't need to know that he wore Greek armor and walked through fire to carry people to safety. She doesn't need to know that he lifted burning rubbl of of people and held up a stairwell so the firefighters could get everyone out. She would be proud, but she would worry. Milton hates it when she worries.
Oh, so you're a hero?
what?! No! I mean, well I Helped, but I didn't do anything, y'know heroic... Nothing like Invictus or Captain Thunder, or Daedalus. Nothing like that.
She smiles and grabs his hand. Let's go to bed.
But, you're case... And I stink.
never mind the case. And, I like how you smell.
Ares stands to the side and slight to the back. He's out of the way of the talkers. It's better this way, the more photogenic and high-profile heroes cand do the talking, and take the attention of the media, while he can scan the perimeter for threats. War is always a threat. But, as Agent Bohman calmly makes his not1quite-a-threat, the Greek god glowers at him from beneath his helm. No one threatens his family! No one! He didn't even tell this fellow comrades his identity to protect them as much as possible. Now this pencil pushing mortal dares to stir the ire of the gods?
I've always hated these types of organizations. Always thinking you know what's best. Always messing around with things that you have no understanding of. You think you're gods because you've learned to fly. But, you always try to touch the sun.. He shakes his head. You are warriors, and so you have earned some measure of my respect. But, you understand nothing of honor. We come to you as guests. As heroes. You offer us your hospitality, and then insult us to our face. You have no honor, Mortal.. Ares makes the word sound like a curse.
Ares I was not trying to insult or threaten you at all I was making sure you were aware of things so we are on equal footing I tell you what I know you guys tell me what you know we all work togther. As much as we can that is
With a very defensive look on his face
You also want to know why I check into heroes families two major reasons number I can protect them with my assets when possible and two not everyone here is a "GOD" so when some hero ends up dead thanks to some crazy f%%k I can give the family some peace of mind about what happened to there loved one. Don't act like you know everything because about most things you have no clue.
Pointing his finger towards Ares
I'm pretty sure I have enough evidence on a half a dozen or so dead criminals to bring you in for questioning at the least. So let's not make a need to go there.
"No offense, but the way you're framing things right now, is that you know everything about us, including family information, which is interesting since some of us have just barely shown up. You want us to give you any information that we find, but can't give us the information we're asking for, and then ask for a channel so you can communicate on.
At this point it sounds very much like you're hanging what you know about us over our heads as a goad for us to be heroes when you need us, and to feed us information as you deem necessary.
Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of working with Aegis, but I don't like having to do so blind, or at any less than a partner on things that you want us to work on. As partners, if that's the route you choose, we should have all the cards put on the table."
As Broadway speaks, Ares nods. Aye. I do not relish the idea of consorting withy the likes of you. For all of your vast knowledge and threats, you did not save this city from war. Heroes did. You have been a sword above this world, like Damocles of old.
Ares smirks. You threaten, and call it honesty. And then, again, you provide threats. These are not the actions of a peaceful person, these are the actions of someone who perceives they are dominant. From someone in a position of power who threatens war on all who do not follow ther whims. How would you feel if we checked into your families? To provide them with comfort and aid should you fall?. He raises a hand to stop any protests. please, do not waste your words. I do not threaten you. I have no I toon of finding your family, or those of your compatriots. Such actions are the deeds of my sister, not Ares. You shall have no quarrel from me this day. My companions, I fear, would not have the stomach for it.. It's very clear that Ares does.
. You are like Gyges with his ring. But,. The God crosses his arms and gives a permissive waive of his hand. speak. What would you have us know, and what would know from us that you do not already know.
Anxiety and nervousness wells up within Techno Priest's gut, yet he remains calm on the exterior. What could he possibly know of me?
"All right, Rockstar, so you've got us over a barrel with our knickers by our ankles, we get it. You've managed to dig up so much information on us, but you still ask us to share information with you? How about this?"
Monitors in the room broadcast the stolen files that Techno Priest dug up, along with the persons responsible.
"But, I'm sure you knew all of that already, with all the hard work you've been doing. I understand you've got an image to hold up, but do not belittle us, Agent Bonham. I'm sure I could just as easily dig up enough evidence to put AEGIS under investigation. I speak for us all when I say that we seek equal partnership. We aren't lackies that you can wrangle up for information, nor are we tools for AEGIS to use for their own needs. No, we are here to protect our beautiful city, to watch her, not from on high as gods on our thrones, but as equals to the people of Freedom. "
His anxiety begins to show as his mannerisms grow more sporadic.
"We may not be as experienced, but we aren't as far removed from the public as those other heroes. See us as equals, and we will prove ourselves worthy of that respect."
Invictus paused, listening to the points made by both Ares and Bonham, with Broadway interjecting some valid arguments. "Please, we are here with the intention of providing AEGIS the aid they require in their investigations. It seems fairly obvious to me that Bonham runs a tight ship, and makes a habit of knowing each of his field teams personally. The fact that heroes use anonymity limits his ability to be in control of the situation, I am sure that is all he meant." Invictus measures Bonham's gaze, trying to give him an out, "He is not threatening our civilian identities, nor does he truly have files on any of us, to do so would be foolish. He is an observant, well informed man who has made educated guesses and deductions. To keep a file, that could be stolen as happened to these offices so recently would put all of us in danger."
Invictus stood up, setting his drink down, "Now, if this sanctioned hit was above the local nest as you say. How would the orders have been relayed? If the Judge only knew about Mr. Parks testimony the day before yesterday, how did VIPER find out about his change of heart? Have we checked into the Judge and his staff? Could an outside party of coerced this change of heart? Did Park have family? These are questions we need to ask, and if a local nest is still active we need your help in taking it down. That's our price, you want our help, you want us on call, you let us in."
Tossing the files down on his desk towards everyone.
Look through your files if you wish. I was being honest with you telling you I know a lot about you so don't try to bullsh!t me. And yes some of you are new to the game and yesterday at the courthouse made your first appearances so I had some of you ran down yesterday and today that is why this meeting is at this time. When I can I like to know everything I can know about a person or situation.
Let's set this right what would you like to know? I can't give you everything but I'll try my best give you what I can give you.
She will pick up the file to see how much he knows. She knows that much of her life is public, but it'll be interesting to see what he has. Or scary, depending.
Ares picks up his file and reads as well. It appears he is not only without honor, but foolish enough to have these things on file. No doubt with copies in various places. All easily stolen. Even one of these files places everything and everyone in danger.
He leads through the file as he speaks. You could have simply asked us this information. That would have been far more... His mouth screws up , like her wants to vomit. Diplomatic. He shrugs and closes the file. and, still you say you wish to be partners, but you will not treat us as such.
Wow, that went to Hades quickly.
Dr. Quark enlarges himself into a chair and touches the side of his hemet. As it folds itself away it reveals the tired face of a man in his forties, sandy blonde hair looking a mess. He leans across the desk and looks around the room.
Let's see if everyone can calm down a bit. AEGIS is an intelligence agency. Of course they know everything they can. They collect surveillance images from cameras all over the world, watch cell phone activity. Of course they know who we are. The point is, we are all on the same side, right? I didn't freak out yesterday when Priest blurted out my name right in front of everyone. And the Agent here didn't ask us to come in. We asked for a meeting so we could get an angle on this case. Now, it appears that at least a few of us are probably felons, I know I am guilty of working with a known terrorist organization, though I didn't know it at the time.
No need to destroy this relationship before it even starts. We aren't here to be friends, we have work to do.
Why don't we just take a deep breath and talk about business?
Ares grunts but says nothing more.
These hard files are mine and I was sharing them with you, most of it will be destroyed or so deeply classified that Terror Inc or anyone else who is trying to get them won't be able to access them.
Thank you Dr Quark we can work togther or you guys can go at this on your own I think helping each other we will be more more successful. You were the ones that mentioned partnership I said working togther, it's a big difference honestly you don't want to get all the way in bed with AEGIS cause that means getting in bed with the U.S. Government and that's not always a good thing.
Now what can we do here to make this all work out?
These are the only copies? I'm keeping this. And, everything else about us needs to be destroyed. Privacy is very important to us. ares keeps a tight grip on his folder.
Ares I want you to think about this from my angle a 6 and a half foot tall man in Greek armor shows up and starts offing criminals and damm near kills an undercover agent and a couple of informants I have to run that person to the ground. Once I realized you were one of the good guys and Deadilus was teaching you I didn't worry as much about you. As I said from the beginning these files are not to intimidate you they are me showing you in good faith what I know about each of you.
Ares keeps a tight hold of his file. There are better ways of gaining information. Asking, for example. You could have simply approached us. Also, it should go without saying that if you use any information you have gathered, things will not be pretty. I am, after all, a six and a half foot tall man in Greek armor.
More of my brutal honesty as long as none of you get or go back to the wrong side of the law then these files are never going to see the light of day. But if you become criminals then I will use all my assets to my fullest extent.
She will lean over and take a pen and paper from the desk and write a note while she addresses her colleagues. She leaves it on the desk for him.
"Okay, everybody, we now know that basic social skills and common sense are not part of Agent Bonahm's repertoire. Still, we all know that looking into metahumans is what AEGIS does. We just need to hope that they're as good at finding the bad guys. Now let's focus on VIPER and take out all these negative emotions on them."
H.R. Putnam Communications
Public relations and etiquette training
Tell them I sent you.
Ares sneers but reminds silent. There's no getting through to the mortal, that much is clear. And, Waveform is right. The sooner they are rid of AEGIS, the better.
So if this is a Prime Nest operation no one knows where the Prime is located. The local nests, there are a couple small ones that we know where they are and have leads on but we are trying to find the central nest here in Freedom so I would hate to lose the assets for no true gain.
So let's go through some of what is known
The Prime Nest sent in the crew that stole the information and the two meta humans and they escaped one through the street the other with an entire crew through the elevator and swewers, I have no idea how that guy walked away after crashing into a car with no one stoped him.
They downloaded a ton of the court info and uploaded a nasty virus pretty sure it's going to destroy all the court servers in the entire building
I have a feeling this was going down if Ray was talking or not so im not sure their was an inside man with info but if there was it could of been on all three sides both lawyers knew and the judge so that would take a lot of manpower I think for nothing.
The guards in the hall and the chopper were local nest so we are trying to get more info out of them.
With Park no longer in control of the local nest we are in the dark is to who the current Nest leader is.
So is there anything else I missed?
Invictus took a deep breath as he read his file, AEGIS seemed to have alot of information that had been gained in a ... questionable manner. Be that as it may, they had information that both he and the heroes needed to confront VIPER. One superseded the other, for now.
"I think it would be useful to allow Priest access to the courtroom server's, his ability to coerce information from technology is impressive, to say the least. Perhaps he can at least identify the area where they were looking, the point of intrusion, or recover some other fragment of information that may assist."
He paused, tapping his now closed file, "We need information on these local nests, we need to know how VIPER operates, how they recruit, who they recruit, and why. Perhaps you could allow Ares to speak with these local VIPER agents, perhaps you could provide us with enough information to allow us to hit a local Nest as you call them, and you can track and follow where they scurry when we shut it down."
"Among ourselves we have been discussing forming alliance among ourselves, a new team of heroes in Freedom City, a new guard. With time we can begin breaking ground on a public face to this team, we are in the process of securing backing. If we can disrupt VIPER, if we can put them off balance, anger them, they will strike back. If we have a public face, a location, assets, they can come at us through those avenues, and if we are watching, if YOU are watching, we can discover where those orders are coming from, and use that information to locate the Prime."
"But first, I suggest we begin with the Agents, and the physical evidence, the helicopter, and servers from the courthouse."
"So, just as a thought. Almost any IT department worth a damn creates tape backups of their servers, and sends those tapes off site to a secure location for storage on a daily basis. I figure gov't offices, especially legal ones would have to, and especially ones that deal with cases like the Park Trial. Generally those tapes go out at the end of each day, and since the trial was one of the first things to happen the next day, those backups should hold current information. So why don't we get the tapes, and restore the system? Any virus uploaded wouldn't have affected those tapes since they wouldn't have been connected. We can restore to clean systems, and get the info from there.
Also, pull the attorney records. Wouldn't they have had to file any kind of new evidence, or any kind of deal they struck with Park?"
Broadway grabs his file and leafs through it to see exactly what kind of info AEGIS has on him.
You should investigate the janitorial staff, along with any other staff members. Especially temp workers. Those bombs took time to set up. A temp staff worker could easily sneak in and set that stuff up.
The computer stuff I'm sure they will be able to recover it and fix the system but the problem for me is I want to know what they were after and why. With everything they did to the system it will be a couple weeks before they can be sure there its safe and get me my info. Priest if you can change that time frame I might be interested in listening.
We are investigating anyone who could of had access to the area temporary or permanent they had someone on the inside I'm sure just not sure if they did so willingly.
Viper is a very dangerous group if you strike them they will strike back, they will try to find things about your personal lives and then strike at you there, they are snakes and very dangerous so you might not what to just yet this early in your careers. I've seen quite a few rookie heroes take on Viper and they lost everything including loved ones and their own lives. IE one of my reasons for having these files on you heroes.
If you guys really want to take the fight to Viper give me a week to clear my assets on one of the small nests and I'll give you guys all the information I have on it.
Priest thumbs through the massive stack of papers, relieved to find nothing too telling regarding his past. From the looks of it, it seemed AEGIS was actually a bit on the wrong track. "Possibly Super AI?" Well, color me impressed, but not quite. He continues to skim and scan, catching bits and pieces of past offenses.
Accessing government documents, hijacking law enforcement vehicle, broadcasting without a permit he pauses and slams the files down, appalled by what he's read.
Parking ticket?! 67 of them?! You can't assume every car that goes missing and ends up illegally parked in an emergency lane is my doing! Years of hard work, and this is what I get. 67 parking tickets.
"A couple of weeks? You had less time than that to gather information on all of us, and you had NOTHING to start with. Recover the tapes to servers in a location with no outside network access. It's not going to get safer than that. Then look at the information around Park's change of heart. At worst you're talking about an 8 hour gap of destroyed material. Surely if you bent your information gathering skills around that, since they're good enough to find out secrets about potential allies, they would be able to find out information from computer files.
The courthouse is a government facility, so anything filed would have to have been filed by 5pm. Banker's hours. Check for disk to disk backup, which is usually done on a transactional basis to somewhere secure, and not in the same datacenter. Compare the tape restore to the disk to disk transactionals, and you'll have the changes that happened between the tape and time they blew the servers." Broadway smiles, "See, having us as allies is already paying off. At worst, that should take you 8 hours of restore time. Run software to compare files and you have your changes. Conservatively, figure that's another 8 hours. In less than a day, you should be able to see what changed."
He looks at his teammates "Gotta love the digital age."
I would love to get a look at the helicopter. My abilities might allow me to find traces of evidence that your tech cannot. There would have to be residual chemical traces from wherever it has been, perhaps background radiation. We could analyze the fuel and see where it came from. Also the flight suits of the pilots could be useful. There may also be data on the onboard computers that could tell us something.
As for making enemies, I already have Talos and company after me. Hard to get too worked up after that.
Looking from Broadway to Priest, Invictus nodded his approval, "I will leave the technical aspect to those more capable than myself." He turned, addressing his companions, "Cmdr Bonham has informed us of the risks we would be taking in pursuing VIPER, but I feel that an organization such as this needs to be confronted, and brought to justice before it can set roots any deeper. We need to find out why they wanted Park taken down, and who is replacing him. In any organization there is a transition period when a change of management has occurred, perhaps we can use that to our advantage."
He turned towards the Commander once again, "Bonham, we'll need all of your files on VIPER, at least entry level information, organization, recruitment, goals, tactics, how they obtain funding, where they obtain equipment. Once we have that information we can begin to put pressure on their supply lines, force them to come up for air, into the light. And we'll be waiting."
So I don't think it was Parks info they were accessing and looking into so we can check the missing stuff but I do not believe it was this. Like I have said I'm looking bigger picture what did they really want besides to shut up someone with to much information, what info did they want from the courts in general?
Turning to his computer and clicking a few keys he pulls out an AEGIS USB Drive and hands it over.
Park has been in custody for like 6 months, Im sure someone took over over that nest some time ago. Here is some basics on VIPER I will have to get some approval from the Director to give you more information then that.
With a Smirk There is some low level encryption on the files but Im sure Priest can take care of that.
Quark I think I can get you access to the impound yard and the chopper but it might not be till some time next week we still have to do all our tests and inspections Im sure you understand.
"Commander Bonham, we are not here to attempt to supersede your investigations, we are here to assist in those investigations. Quark offering his assistance was a courtesy, much like the courtesy you extended by sharing your personal files on ourselves. To a man who can walk through the molecular bonds between solid matter, he can have access to the impound yard at any time he wants, could you perhaps expedite his access so that he can assist your team in their investigations? The information may prove useful in our plans to disrupt the local VIPER nest and watch where they scurry."
Golem briefly looks through is file, he stands silently in the back, looking curiously at the file and occasionally at the drink in front of him, Well they don't know everything about me, that is good, but what they do know, hmm conjecture about identity and powers, close there not bad there, ooo that picture, that is a good shot!
Golem draws out one of the photographs and begins admiring the work closely. Then returns it and looks at the next page.
Connection to Daedalus, yes, that makes sense I have talked to him several times. They Know, THEY Know, THEY KNOW... but no, they think, possible connection..., ideas, possibilities...yes that connection to the sorcerer and his 'Stone Army', yes that makes sense. Ok, Invictus might know, should I tell them, the team?? Is it, am I part of one now. Hmm Daedalus does seem to work well and it is Ares...ARES, dammit calm down ok...
"Forgive my silence up til now. My attention was obviously drawn by the thoroughness of your work. Not quite right I must say but an excellent draft.
Invictus is right. We are here to help. We have access to abilities and resources that, well in some cases, might surprise you. As my friends can probably tell you better than I, how fast you accumulate information depends on your connection, the stronger the connection, the more data you can collect. he turns to Techno Priest." "I believe that is correct? So you can see, the more you provide us the better we can assist you."
I understand you guys are here to help me and I want your help but there are some regulations and hoops I have to jump through. I will be having a long phone call with Director Powers about you guys and how I have checked into you all and I can vouch for each of you. So I can give you guys some clearance and ability to help, I will do my best and try to get you guys approved by Monday.
With a smirk and a laugh Its going to take some ass kissing and ball twisting but I'll try to work my magic.
Again moving infront of his desk sitting on it.
What you guys do on your own as private concerned citizens is up to you guys but in official capacity it will take till at least Monday I'm sorry. You guys seem like a resourceful bunch so I don't think it will be a problem.