Nice mist witch! Tarantula keep your guard up! Sprint get the ones on Tarantula! Keep it up we've got this!. Tuner keep destroying the flowers its working.!
Timeline
You successfully remove the buds of the two suits surrounding Tuner while Sprint and Tarantula pluck the buds from the last three suits.
With the two suits next to him down for the count, Tuner takes off towards one of the houses. I see something! I'm coming for you, you creepy melonheads!! He uses his sonic blasts to propel him around the corner of the house and out of sight. A strange high-pitched vibration echoes throughout the closed community and then everything from behind the house is silent. Mist Witch convulses at the sound and she falls completely unconscious, blood dripping from her nose. Both Sprint and Tarantula stop what they are doing to hold their heads in pain.
Sprint: What IS that noise?!
Tarantula: I don't know man, but it makes my grandmother's banjo playing sound like Beethoven.
The last three suits immediately run towards the Buds wasting their actions to retrieve them. Simply touching the Bud reconnects it to the Suit. Tuner's brashness has cost you an easy victory. There are however only three Suits remaining.
Joe
You sense that something fishy is going down. The owner of the shop is not currently present and the men hanging around slide glances your way when they think you aren't looking. Each of them is wearing a clean-pressed, non-descript suit. You also notice a vintage car across the street with its motor running. You aren't much of a vehicle expert but you'd bet money that it's a 1989 McBealey.
There is a door that presumably leads towards the backroom but two of the four thugs are standing in front of it pretending to read magazines.
You hear a muffled sound from the back that might be someone knocking...or a silenced weapon.
Timeline stumbles back as the screech hit him and light trickle of blood runs from his nose.Timeline wipes his nose and looks to the rest of the group and shakes his head.
Moron.... Take out those other three Tarantula and sprint! Im getting Mist witch out!
Timeline blinks Mist witch back to the apartment.
If I have anything on me to take a sample of the dirt right now, I will. If not, I'd like to go see if anyone is the trailer and see what's in it. I might find a cup or a ziplock to take a sample with. Do I see any other tracks in the dirt? Recent foot prints or car tracks?
WILD FIRE
You always keep sample containers on your person and are able to obtain enough crystals for later examination. AS you approach the trailer you notice an all too familiar smell...something is burning. You can see smoke beginning to trickling out of the top of the trailer indicating the fire must have been started only recently. You open the front door to see the cheap carpeting and drapes being consumed by the fire. An unconscious man lies at the far end of the trailer, burns marring his face. There is a five foot diameter hole near the prone figure through which you'd guess the fire was started. Almost as if a white hot gout of fire just burst up from underneath the trailer right where the man had been standing.
Lorenzo
You finish responding to the message from that Rabbi that Baker's freelancing with (so weird) and return to work. Dr. Cobalt needs you to get finished de-bugging all of the diagnostics modules. It's basically rookie work but you're not complaining or anything. Besides Dr. Cobalt isn't known for his winning personalty.
The office was in a pretty big uproar today. Dr. Coriolis' water excitation project was officially scrapped today. No big surprise considering his wife was apparently murdered and he was on the top of S.H.R.U.'s suspect list. Goes to show you really can't judge a person by their cover.
You also notice that you've received a text message from Marissa. Something about Marco standing her up at the Roxx Falls concert.
@ Lorenzo
i don't know actually how to say this, but this excavation was not in this country, and the reason we recovered so few artifacts was that the chamber was booby trapped. i luckily was able to get out with others, but Baker, nobly, stayed back so the rest of us got free. he was . . . well he is with Yaweh now. I'm sorry you had to hear about it this way, but it would behoove of you to inform your supervisors that Baker does not work there anymore. we are planning a ceremony for him, but unfortunately it will be an empty casket, but never mind. I'm sorry you had to hear about it this way, but we can remember him as he was. good day Mr. pachenti was it.
at the cigar shop, and i puck up a magazine myself. i hold it clearly covering my face and shift myself into the visage of St. Patric in my old clothes.
from here i put the magazine back and walk my way to the back, and try to open the door to the back.
excuse me sirs as i multiattack them both.
power attack, all out attack, and 2 opponent multiattack.
dc 29 toughness saves apiece
sorry i need to see a guy about a thing
Wild Fire
You do see several car tracks and a plethora of footprints leading towards where the tracks start. This would seem to indicate that the workers here likely left in a great hurry, en masse.
Lorenzo puts down the phone, stunned at the news. Baker Scott, his goofy friend, luckiest guy he knew...gone?
Lorenzo does his work in a daze...
...and either due to shock putting him in overdrive, or simply being in a state of disbelief-fueled zen, gets his work done in record time.
How am I supposed to tell Marissa? How am I supposed to tell work? I don't even know Baker's family!
Lorenzo decides to take an early lunch and see if he can't go track down some clue as to where Baker is, stalwartly refusing to believe his friend is dead...
...Starting with Baker's apartment, and the random phone number Baker gave him.
If nothing else, it'll give me something to think about other than an upcoming funeral...
Timeline
In a flash of sand-like motes, you have sent Mist Witch back to your apartment where she will be safe from the current enemy.
Sprint grits his teeth, shrinks down again and...manages to grab all three Buds! Tarantula snags them in passing and rips each in half in one coordinated movement. The three remaining Suits fall to pieces in front of your eyes.
You see Tuner stagger out from behind the house obviously injured.
Tarantula: Tuner! Stay there man! We're coming! Tuner is apparently unable to hear you from this distance and continues to stumble towards you guys.
Joe
Both men are surprised to see you approach and one of them is about to ask if he's seen you somewhere before when you land your fists simultaneously into their kidneys. Both men double over in agony felled by your mighty attack. The other two men pull handguns from their concealed shoulder holsters and begin firing. Fortunately the first round of shots is blocked by the magazine display. They move towards opposite ends to get better shots for next round...
At the sound of the gunshots, you hear frantic movement from the backroom but are unable to make out exactly who it is or what they are doing. No one opens the backroom door to confront you...this turn. You do hear the vintage McBealey roar to life as the getaway man peels away from the curb and barrels down the nearby side alley. (This puts him in a position to pick up a certain someone if they were to exit through the back door)
Lorenzo
You indeed finish in record time...leaving you with your full lunch hour to track down any clue's as to Baker's supposed death. It's a good thing you have a moped because you are able to get to the apartment in only ten minutes flat. You swipe the spare key that you know Baker keeps hidden under the ceramic leprechaun lamp cover and let yourself in. The apartment is small and a bit messy. You begin your search. There is a kitchenette/dining area, living room, and small bedroom area with an attached bathroom.
Group up! Looks like we got another fight on our hands!
Timeline motions to the injured Tuner as the group gathers together to fight whatever messed up Tuner.As they group together Timeline shoots a look of anger and disappointment towards Tuner.
Because of you Mist Witch is unconscious and We are lucky she wasn't hurt worse! On top of that we are a man down in the fight you just screwed up to high hell! Oh and you got your self hurt to boot and you wonder why you are the oldest rookie hero in the GoE! Now you listen to me or leave I don't need a constant handicap or a threat to your own team getting in my way to find Kinetic!
Timeline Furiously pushes past Tuner to go fight whatever let out that screech and injured the team. He looks back at the team nodding at Tarantula and Sprint.
Lets do this! Be prepared for anything.
Timeline summons a tank and gets ready for the new fight.
i hear the sounds of the car and make a strength check to break down the door
if i open the door i move in and try to apprehend the perp, if not i move towards the front door.
acrobatics check to see if i can move faster
DC 15. sucess
Alright buddy, what did you leave around that will tell me the story of your last--
Lorenzo's thought caught at the thought of "last."
--I mean, what can you tell me about where you've been?
Carefully, Lorenzo closed the door, almost as though he were afraid of disturbing his surroundings; everything looked pristine in its untouched state. An empty pizza box on the living room table, grease-stain long since dried; the leftover pizza looked sturdier than the box it sat in.
The apartment was dusty, more so than dirty. It looked well-lived in, but not for some time. It almost looked, thought Lorenzo, like Baker had left with all intention of coming back.
Doesn't look like he planned to be gone for more than a day. That's weird, I thought that Rabbi said they were supposed to be gone for a few weeks? Why wouldn't he call in to request a sub? He knows he can do that. And why, if he was planning on being gone for a few weeks, did he leave pizza out--
Lorenzo looks around,
--dishes in the sink, and the Kurig turned on. For two weeks. ...something's not adding up.
Lorenzo continues searching the apartment, taking care to look into any place that might hold some sort of secret.
Alright buddy, what did you leave around that will tell me the story of your last--
Lorenzo's thought caught at the idea of "last."
--I mean, what can you tell me about where you've been?
Carefully, Lorenzo closed the door, almost as though he were afraid of disturbing his surroundings; everything looked pristine in its untouched state. An empty pizza box on the living room table, grease-stain long since dried; the leftover pizza looking sturdier than the box it sat in.
The apartment was dusty, more so than dirty. It looked well-lived in, but not for some time. It almost looked, thought Lorenzo, like Baker had left with all intention of coming back.
Doesn't look like he planned to be gone for more than a day. That's weird, I thought that Rabbi said they were supposed to be gone for a few weeks? Why wouldn't he call in to request a sub? He knows he can do that. And why, if he was planning on being gone for a few weeks, did he leave pizza out--
Lorenzo looks around,
--dishes in the sink, and the Kurig turned on. For two weeks. ...something's not adding up.
Lorenzo continues searching the apartment, taking care to look into any place that might hold some sort of secret.
Lorenzo, Private Eye
You snoop around the apartment somehow sensing something was fishy with this whole business. I mean a Rabbi archaeologist? Sounded like something out of a bad novel. You turn off the TV and search the living room and find nothing but an extra remote. The kitchenette likewise holds very little of interest.
When you go to search the bedroom you nearly step on a discarded paintball mask of some sort. The mask is yellow, blue, and tan and covers most of the face. You pick it up so you don't trip over it.
You rummage through Baker's dresser and find his Noif gun ammo supply, several broken watches, and some clothes thrown in almost as an afterthought. The cabinet contains used computer parts partially assembled into a vintage gaming console. The closet contains the rest of his wardrobe and another box of used electronics. You are about to leave when you notice an empty peg in the back of the closet. As this is as good a place as any, you hang the paintball mask on the peg.
The peg slants downward, as the back of the closet slides away revealing a hidden room. Your breath is momentarily taken away as you recognize the various half costumes and tech in the room. Baker has been moonlighting as a superhero! Either that or has a serious crush on Risen Fate...
The room is cramped (Baker was obviously on a budget) but you manage to squeeze in next to what is obviously a prototype suit. Scattered about the worktable are electronics you judge to be for building communication devices. Most of the parts seem to be discarded RoboTech pieces.
Joe
Not wasting any time, you barrel into the door taking it off it's hinges with ease, carrying it into the thug situated behind it!
The thug and door fall away the one battered and the other broken.
Two more thugs pull Uzis on you and open fire.
You catch a glimpse of a wounded mustachioed man on the ground and another white suited individual escaping through the back door and into the alleyway. The other two thugs are between you and the back door.
Timeline
You summon the tank just as Tuner reaches you. You can tell something is horribly wrong with him as he, tears streaming down his face, raises his knuckles at you.
Tuner: Can't...make them...stop...
He fires both sonic blasts at the tank, attempting to knock it backwards. He is covered in Buds. Five in particular appear to have taken root under his skin.
A loud growl can be heard as a gargantuan blue sunflower begins to round the corner of the house! Black soulless eyes and a slavering maw stare from the center of the flower's "head".
Surrounding it are 4 suits forming a defense ring around the creature.
Sprint and Tarantula you have to deal with Tuner, take him down! I got the overcompensating Flower!
Timeline takes aim at the sunflower towards the top or the face of this thing.
Timeline not having the best shot takes his move action to port him and the tank above the flower and let the tank drop on it.
saved
bruise taken only one action, which i use to move forward.
apparently i am not slowed, so i will move along one side and try to dodge past the guys.
you can't get away, the knights must be stopped.
roll to try to move faster
Eyes still wide, Lorenzo starts poking through the haphazard equipment.
This is that healing-mesh weave that doctor Frank and doctor Stein were working on... I thought they scrapped that on account of it trying to fuse to the wearer. Looks like Baker's done some tinkering with it though...
He puts down the skin-tight, finely woven shirt covered in wire fibers and picks up another.
...And this looks like some sort of communications device--
He clicks on the headphone looking device,
--and it looks like it's trying to connect to my PDS and every other wireless device on this city block!
Lorenzo sets down all the scavenged tech from various failed research grants and steps back into the bedroom, sealing the hidden room again, and breathing in deeply to help calm down.
I'll bet there wasn't an archeology accident, and I'll bet that Rabbi is more than he seems.
Lorenzo thinks for a bit before deciding on a course of action.
I've gotta tail that guy and find out what he's been up to with Baker.
Timeline
Timeline, your cannon shot tears through the second story suburban home raining shrapnel everywhere. The shot is too far off target to hit the Mother Vine in the blast radius. Your follow up attack does leave it's mark as you land your tank in it's face. The Vine throws your tank away but it miraculously lands on it's treads.
Mother Vine spews forth a cloud of spores enveloping the WWII tank.
Your fate will be the same as the leather jacketed one. You will all ssserve me in the end. All will bend their knee to me their queen. All will be perfect! All will be Ssserene!
Sprint: IdontknowifIcanhold him but
Sprint reverses his abilities and becomes four times his normal size. He grabs Tuner from behind in an attempt to pin his arms down.
Tuner attempts to break free...
...and manages to shrug Sprint's attack away.
Tarantula pounces on Tuner while he's dealing with Sprint.
Tuner attempts to deal with this new threat...
...but cannot break free!
Joe
In a perfectly timed defensive roll, you neatly dodge the hail of gunfire leveled your way. You exit the rear entrance just behind the fleeing Ex-Mossad agent...and step into an ambush.
Six thugs level strange weaponry at you as a man in a impeccable white suit claps his hands. The weapons glow an electric blue and hum with energy.
Bravo! You handled the test quite neatly my friend. You truly are the Star of David, that my superiors have told me all about. The man's face is covered by a stylized white knight's helmet indicating rank inside the Knights of Revelations.
But where are my manners? My lieutenant, Mr. McConnors I believe you already know... he gestures to the man you chased outside. but I'm afraid my identity must remain something of a mystery as of yet. Wouldn't want to tip the iceberg too early now would we. His men snicker at some sort of inside joke.
I knew you couldn't resist investigating one of your former compatriots. And now that knowledge has afforded me an interview with just the man I wanted to see. Dear Rabbi, why don't you drop that ridiculous facade you are wearing...no? Well perhaps I will just drop it for you!
The White Knight raises his hand and a seven-sided star symbol appears on his outstretched palm. He mutters a word in a foul language and your disguise is stripped from you revealing to all present your inhuman origin.
The White Knight sneers, Not too pretty is he, boys? If he took one step outside of the alleyway into the brightness of the public eye. Why they'd denounce him as a monster...a freak! I suppose we should do all of the good people of this world a favor and erase him from the public eye don't you? Eyesores shouldn't be allowed to live.
I would love to stay and watch but duty calls. Ralph, do make sure to return the Stone to me before nightfall. The White Knight waves his hands and a portal of daemonic origin appears whisking him away.
McConnors grins impishly at you. Such a waste of talent. The Knights would benefit from having such a creature as yourself on our side. I tried convincing the Queen to let you live but alas when I told them of what you held within your unmoving breast...well they knew they must have it. He flicks his finger and the thugs open fire with white bolts of lightning...
Lorenzo
Your lunch break nearly over, you stash what materials you can into the storage compartment seat of your moped. You aren't entirely sure what to do with the information as of yet but you know this Rabbi character is involved.
Once you are back at RoboTech, you set up a background search on this Rabbi Frankenburg. Everything tuns up legit but he is mentioned to be an ex-Mossad agent. But not an archaelogist. Somethign is definetly fishy.
Just as you are about to dig a little deeper however, a shadow looms over your workstation.
Mr. Pachenti I do hope that is the Maximum City water table depth finding report I asked you for last week. The droning matter-of-fact tone could only be Dr. Cobalt.
Timeline shakes of the landing after being flung aside like a tin can. only to see a cloud of spores coming at him. Timeline attempts to drive the tank back in response.
Timeline ports the tank above the plant again.
I will squash you ya overgrown weed!
With the practiced ease of one who has too many times been found on one website when he should very clearly be on another, Lorenzo turns around and flashes a broad smile at Dr. Cobalt, while simultaneously Alt-tabbing back to his work station.
Dr. Cobalt! I'm pretty sure I sent that document to you a few days ago. Did you check your email?
Lorenzo makes a mental note to update the email server manually with a newly time-stamped file, dated three days ago, of the city water table report. It was already done, but with Baker gone Lorenzo has begun to make slip-ups here and there.
I'll refresh the mail server for you to make sure that any emails that have gotten stuck in the tubes find their way through ASAP. Otherwise, what can I do for you sir? I was just finishing lunch. You only stop up here when you need someone to get hands on with your systems and are never one to ask for remote assistance.
Lorenzo winks, playing up the charming IT persona.
Who went and Fubar'd something this week?
Dr. Cobalt's cold eyes stare at you unblinking for a moment before he begins to speak again. Must I remind you Mr. Pachenti that you are no longer one of those computer jockeys downstairs? You were hired as my assistant for you to assist me. The demands on my time are so great that even I must delegate to my lessers.
He hands you a dossier labeled "Water Excitation Results" and a laboratory ID card. The dossier is filled with blank forms for filling in data and detailed instructions for carrying out the research tasks.
Dr. Cobalt folds his hands behind his back and stares at the various experiments being conducted in the other nearby laboratories. I expect you to treat this not as just another assignment but as a test Mr. Pachenti. To prove to me that you are in fact different from your former compatriots in the so-called Information Technology Department. I also expect you to take this experiment as seriously as I myself would take it. Your findings may well tip the scales in that project's next review phase. I will have those results by 8 AM tomorrow morning. Sharp.
Dr. Cobalt strides sternly out of your cubicle. You can hear various interns and assistants scurrying to get out of his way.
You skim through the pages and your heart sinks. There have to be at least 100 pages! This is going to take you all night. On the other hand the ID card he handed you gives you access to all of the laboratories on this floor...
You hurriedly setup the forged time stamp and send it to Dr. Cobalt's junk mail folder, covering your trail so it would seem it simply didn't hit his inbox properly.
Timeline
You indeed are not mind controlled. You are able to intuitively see the monster's attack and react a split second faster than most people, removing yourself from the area of effect just in the nick of...well you know.
Your cannon blast hits the creature broadside tearing a gaping hole in it's oddly hued side. Blue plant mulch flies every which way as the explosion detonates inside the creature!
You land on top the creature once again attempting to crush it. You land with a large SQUISH as blue plant gore oozes through the cracks of the tank and puddles in the back. You really are going to have to clean this later. Hope it doesn't stain. The Mother Vine is still kicking but lacks the strength to throw you off. Her minions fly into a frenzy attempting to tear open the tank's hatch. With their strength combined they manage to tear off the hinge and one drops inside!
Tuner screams, tears running down his face. GET OFF ME! He manages to connect his knuckles together releasing a powerful shockwave that knocks Spring and Tarantula back forcefully. A few of the Buds are torn away...but not enough of them. Sprint and Tarantula are Prone, Dazed, and unable to flee fast enough.
Tuner silently mouths the letters S O R R Y as he slowly raises his knuckles at his teammates.
Tarantula: C'mon man! Pull it together! It's your friends!
Sprint reflexively begins to shrink hoping to reduce damage from Tuner's blasts...
Timeline realizing that he needs to end this fast teleports the tank up into the air again with the tank cannon facing directly down and fires again straight down at the wounded weed hoping if the shot doesn't kill it the next fall of the tank will knowing all to well the suit in the tank will have a good chance of hitting him.
Don't worry when your dead, I'll be sure to send flowers!
Timeline looks to Sprint and Tarantula seeing they are in trouble.He gets a worried look on his face shouting to them.
You two get out of here if you have too! Don't worry I will be fine!
Consume Fire:
Once the fire is gone, I want to get in there and see how the guy is doing.
Wild Fire
You draw the nearby flames into yourself extinguishing them in the process. Your eyes still retain the fire's essence for a brief moment before quenching themselves into your normal hue.
You run to the man and check his pulse. He is still breathing but it's shallow and thready.
You also notice a few filing cabinets warped from the recent fire. One is marked Geological Samples, another is marked as Strata Studies, and curiously enough a drawer has fallen from the desk revealing a false bottom filled with folders marked "Top Secret".
The man in question is definitely a white collar worker by appearance and judging from his monogrammed handkerchief he was the contact you were supposed to meet. Given his wounds it would be wise to get him to a hospital soon.
It's a shame being able to fly doesn't mean super strength.
I call for an ambulance on my phone and then start going through the files (top secret one first so I can read it and replace before anyone gets here and then the other two).
Let's see what's going on here. Maybe the top secret file will lend any info to why the workers left in such a rush.
I open the file.
Lorenzo waits until Dr. Cobalt is well out of earshot.
Man, that guy is just a little bit creepy. And an all-nighter is going to suck; I better order some pizza later...
Lorenzo takes a look at the key card and the report he was handed.
Hmm, this'll get me directly into all of the R&D projects downstairs. Maybe I should take a quick look through all of the ones that might help me track this Rabbi-para-military guy, and that R&D might not miss.
i shake off the multiple attacks of white lightning.
the stone will not fall, it will remain in the hands that deserve it, the chosen sons of David. i wonder though how faithful these men are to you McConnors?
i go for a grab to incapacitate him
if i successfully grab McConnors, i want to try to position him between his men and me. i cannot harm him, but his subordinates can.
Timeline
Your shot lists to the side a little from the tumbling but you manage to hit Mother Vine yet again. The towering creature is split in two from the shockwave...just as you hear Tuner fire his sonic blasts.
The plant zombies wither away into nothing as the tank tumbles earthward and time seems to stand still for a moment as your eyes search for any sign of Sprint and Tarantula through the narrow tank windows. All you see is a cloud of dust wear the three super-in-training had been standing.
The tank crashes, badly damaging it's left tread leaving it unable to move but you care not as you dismiss the temporal image of the WWII tank. You think you hit your head at some point but shrug it off as you teleport yourself forward hoping they can still be saved.
You stumble into the cloud only to find Tuner staring in mute disbelief at his brass knuckles. He looks at you with a look of mixed fear and awe. The furious anger he usually radiates is gone. You spin around to see Sprint and Tarantula safe, two nearby smoking holes attesting to the fact that Tuner missed them.
Tarantula: Emi- err Timeline! Tuner did it! He beat back whatever mojo was controlling him just as the blasts fired!
Trent turns to Tuner and gives him a big six-armed hug. See, I knew you could do it buddy!
Sprint limps over and joins in the hug too. Hey man maybe stick to the plan next time alright? I got enough holes in my head, I don't need any more.
Tuner is for once speechless. You can tell by his expression that he did not actually succeed at breaking the force of the Vine's will but rather your success at killing the Vine at the right moment allowed him to miss. Some hidden reservoir of regret washes over him as tears stream down his face. I'm sorry guys...I didn't mean...I would never hurt you...
All throughout the neighborhood, doors begin to open as pale sleepy people begin to stumble into the brightness of day. Some of them collapse on the perfectly kept lawns and sob while others just start running as fast as they can away from this place. The vast majority however surround you four and begin to thank you for freeing them.
They ask for your names apparently never hearing of you guys before.
What do you tell them?
Wild Fire
Lorenzo
Timeline walks up to Tuner gives him an understanding wink knowing what really happened.
You did good kid fighting off that effect to save your friends in the nick of Time, just next time maybe listen to the leader and follow the plan that's how you learn and become your own superhero in your own right but hey lets just chalk this up to a learning experience aye.
Timeline then turns to the other two.
Well done you two even in the face of extreme danger you kept your cool and acted in a decisive manner and even when faced against your own ally you kept a cool head which is hard to do....
Timeline pauses as he sees the people exiting their homes.
Alright boys keep it cool but I think your about to get your fist taste of the reason we all do this look at those people so happy to be safe and out of harms way thats what this is all about. Just stay cool and be professional remember you are a part of the Guardians and therefore represent them.
Timeline when asked for his name.
Hello first are you all ok.
Timeline scans them up and down making sure no serious injures have been sustained.
My name is Timeline of the GoE and these fellas here are an up and coming team of the GoE called the Rising Stars.
Timeline gestures the the three men as too introduce themselves and waits until after they are done before continuing.
We are just happy that you are all ok and unharmed and don't worry i will see about getting you compensation for any damage that may have happened during the scuffle with this villainous menace and also get this mess cleaned up for you. These fellows should be able to answer any more questions you may have.
Timeline ports off to the apartment to grab Mist Witch and ports back with her hopeing she is ok at this point.
Hope your feeling better MW. So Mist Witch do you feel kinetic here? We have to find him !
Joe
Despite the ring's compulsion preventing you from grabbing McConnor with any real force you are still able to do a very impressive imitation of a chokehold on him.
McConner holds up his hands to the thugs. Don't shoot! Don't Shoot!
You slowly back out of the circle of thugs, pulling McConners with you. You realize this is only working because he is too scared to realize how little you are able to actually move him.
Your back is to the alleyway entrance and beyond you can hear the sounds of a busy street during lunch hour. If you go any further that way hundreds if not thousands of civilians will see you for what you are.
McConner stops abruptly. What'ya going to do freak? Snap my neck? My boys will see to it you fry for that. And if you try to get away the world will see you for what you are. A giant walking stone that should have been crushed into dust long ago. If I die at least I'll have the satisfaction of seeing you reduced to rubble.
Timeline
Sprint and Tarantula eat up all of the attention while Tuner grins guiltily at the people attempting to hug him.
You find Mist Witch pacing the apartment and eager to return.
I can sense him but there are so many thoughts... she turns toward one of the houses as a bedraggled Kid Kinetic staggers onto the porch. He pulls the last withered Buds out of his hair and wipes off his signature jacket before stepping forward into the sunlight.
He quickly joins you and there is a rush as the members of the newly christened Rising Stars run to meet him and there adoring fans surround the lot of you.
Kinetic lowers his sunglasses just enough to peer over them at you. So you're the one responsible for bringing this trainees into actual combat? Against an unknown foe? With possibly life-threatening consequences. He glances at the team and sees their hurt expressions. A small smirk breaks out on his face as he reaches to shake your hand. Thanks bud, I owe you one. They were going to have to learn this lesson at some point. Now what is this I hear about "The Rising Stars"?
In the distance sirens can be heard. Kinetic turns to the sidekicks and motions for them to be serious. Lesson #25: Always be gone before the cops show up. Timeline would you do the honors? And here's hoping your teleportation doesn't feel like Beryl Beacon's. Like passing through a cold shower.
Timeline shakes Kinetics's hand
Yep Im responsible.... Kid Kinetic isn't it ?
Looks to Tarantula and the group and winks.
They preformed admirably for their first time out I have to say and for that as promised ill put in a good word for them with Silver.
Timeline nods at each of them
The Rising Stars was my doing, it just seemed fitting for this team.
Timeline acknowledges Kinetic and has everyone link up and ports back to his apartment to debrief.
Alright lets get out of here.
They arrive back to the apartment.
Tarantula get The Rising Stars some snacks to celebrate!
Timeline motions to Kinetic to step into his study.He shuts the door and quietly discusses something with Kinetic.
So Kinetic how was it that you managed to be captured, also why didn't you call for back up? Either way im glad your fine as I would hate to lose anyone else on my watch. Also Those kids may be rough around the edges but I think they will surprise you every time.How would you like to handle this situation with the GoE. I mean you were captured that cant look good for you. On the other hand I believe this team deserves recognition for what they did today.Also I did promise to give them a good word with Silver.
Timeline
Kinetic crosses his arms. As a matter of fact I went down there because my informant had mentioned strange disappearances in the area and that community seems to go untouched by the hate crimes from Factor X. I knew something was funky and went to scout it out. I'd been looking for the Factor X HQ for awhile now and this seemed the ideal location for them to setup. I let myself into one of the houses and those plant doppelgangers got the drop on me. Dropped my ID badge in the tussle.
Suddenly you realize that Kinetic would have a back up plan in case of such an eventuality. One where he told a trusted associate (i.e. GoE partner) where he was going and to get help or bring the cavalry if he went missing for awhile. The fact that he did NOT set that kind of failsafe up means he has no trusted associates to work with.
Kinetic crosses the room and opens your window to the fire escape. Hey it's great that someone was watching out for them but I really don't think they are up to snuff yet for real crimesolving. Speaking of which, i've gotta jet. Factor X isn't likely to hate crime itself now is it?
Tell Silver whatever you want. He rarely listens anyways. With that last remark he slides out of the window and into the night, dropping the 80 feet to the alleyway in one smooth motion.
Timeline with a unimpressed look on his face teleports down where he lands right in front of him.He hands him a card.
Listen take this its how you can reach my team. You cant do everything yourself you know? If you call we will be there and don't sell those trainees short im sure they'd be there for you to they look up to you don't forget that.
Timeline ports back to the apartment.He walks into the living room to the group.
Well done today team! You did well you still need some work but you will get that from more field training,Whether Silver listens to me about you being ready or under kinetics watch you will grow strong as a team and as individuals. Now stay as long as you want have fun,and celebrate. Ive got things Ive got to take care of. Goodbye Rising Stars stay strong and stay safe.
Timeline ports to the roof of his building.He attempts to contact Silver.
Silver this is Timeline I need to have a word with you concerning the group that's training under Kinetic I feel it to be Important. I know your busy these days but if you can find a minute where your less busy I could teleport to you and it should only take a moment.