"All right, stop! I think I've got it..."
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<Crickets chirping>.
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.
.
<Awkward silence>
.
.
.
"...How about, Tenfold?"
keeps a mental note about the possible resentment.
Well what our next move. No offense but I am ready to bust some heads
Bert stops cupping his hands, "Why am I the only one who is trying to be loud enough for deaf-con 10 there?"
"Probably because everyone else knows deaf means 'can't hear', so just turning up the volume isn't helping. You shouting everything doesn't bother me, but it might annoy the others."
One of the duplicates mutters under his breath, "as if that would stop him."
OOC: I did not mean to say that you could not read his lips, but due to the difference in the shape of his mouth, it may be more difficult. It would certainly open up the possiblity of miscommunication. Feel free to misread him, especially when it might be funny.
Hearing everyone else choose a name, Nathan walks over to the side of one of the beds. "I guess I need a name too; but what? I don't even know what I can do yet, except being this Homo Magi instead of human; how can I come up with a name?"
With a focused look on his face, he begins to chant psuedo-Latin words and move his arms around in a vaguely mystical manner, but it was to no avail; nothing happened. Sighing, he sits on the bed and begins to try and think about how he might be able to use his powers, as they aren't going to be easily manifested.
As he enters the room, Waller, without meeting his eyes, walks out.
"I'll be back, don't ruin them for me," Waller says as she walks out.
"Hello all. I'm Steve Trevor. The Department of Metahuman Affairs is my baby, but Waller and Project Fallback weren't under my aegis until a few months ago, so we're still . . . learning how to work together."
"I know Waller has given you the 'replace the Justice Leauge' speech, but I wanted to give you a more realistic view of things, and tell you what my agenda is. Waller wants you to succeed so the Government gets everything Justice League, lock, stock, and barrel. I want you to find out what happened to them so we can figure out if we can save them, get them back, or mourn them."
"Waller will be your direct supervisor, and your contact with the DMA. But if anything happens that doesn't smell right, I want you to contact me. I won't have Project Fallback becoming another Task Force X."
"You may wonder where you are. Right now we're at the Special Operations Center attached to Belle Reve Federal Penitentiary. Currently the prison is under repairs, after the event that caused Project Fallback to be fully implemented. A few months back, the creature known as Bizarro attacked the prison, freeing all of its inhabitants, claiming that since Superman put so many people in the prison, he should free as many as possible."
"The main concentration of these escapees, as well as the worst uprisings, are in the following locations: Coast City, Star City, Keystone City, Gotham City, and Washington D.C. Your team will be choosing one of these cities, doing your best to pacify that city, and then moving on, until we feel that the public has sufficiently calmed down after this upheaval."
"We don't want you to tell the public that you're working for the government. We want you to be 'concerned citizens' that are helping out, just like the members of the Justice League when they first started out."
"I'll let Waller come back in and put her cynical spin on things, but remember . . . keep an eye out for signs of where the League went, and report anything that doesn't sit right with you back to me . . . directly."
"Oh, and remember, you're suppose to be heroes. If in doubt, ask yourself if Wonder Woman would do it. I've always found her to be a good guide."
"Do you have any questions for me before I let Waller tear back into you?"
"Nice to meet you Mr. Trevor. I've got a few questions...what's with this Task Force X you mentioned?? I'm itching to be doing something, but I'd like to know what I've signed on for. Are we it?? Or are we all that's left? I feel a bit like scrambled eggs and would like a wide view on the situation presently on the ground. I'm not as smart as my comrades in arms and want the cliff notes."
Trevor smiles.
"Well, since you're already in Project Fallback, I'm fairly certain I can explain Task Force X. The group is known more informally as the Suicide Squad. Waller has run it on and off for years now."
"Some inmates, those that are more commonly called 'super villains' are offered a pardon in exchange for performing certain missions suited to their talents. If they complete the terms of service, they are pardoned."
"Deadshot, Captain Boomerang, Count Vertigo, Doctor Light, Penguin, Parasite . . . just some of the fine citizens that have been returned to public life due to the fine work of Task Force X."
Trevor holds up his hands.
"Calm down son. I'm just letting you know who your boss was in charge of before you. All of you are meant to be heroes, even if she's used to dealing with less savory types. We want all of you to be on the up and up. You are suppose to be the heroes. Just keep an eye on your boss lady for me."
"Egos and agendas. All right, now I'm a little more convinced that this is really the government we've signed on with.
"So, Mr. Trevor, is it? Is this how it's going to be? Waller throwing her weight around, and then you stepping in and making nice? One half of the department spying on the other? You're not putting together a very good first impression."
** spoiler omitted **
For Dirge:
"Egos and agendas. All right, now I'm a little more convinced that this is really the government we've signed on with.
"So, Mr. Trevor, is it? Is this how it's going to be? Waller throwing her weight around, and then you stepping in and making nice? One half of the department spying on the other? You're not putting together a very good first impression."
"Perhaps not. I'm just trying to be straight with all of you. You have big, big shoes to fill, and I don't want you to get sidetracked from actually fixing the problems with have with Waller's 'big picture' of a government controlled Justice League."
** spoiler omitted **
For Larkin:
The "voice" of the computer, upon receiving your request, tells you the following.
"We are happy to share commonly held information, such as those websites not blocked by our firewalls, however, we shall have to interface with you on a more regular basis before we are sure that we can transfer more information to you without utilizing the standard protocols. Thank you for your inquiry."
You can still access the "general information" that you could get on the internet, which is enough to tell you that the Bizarro prison break is certainly on the up and up.
Looking up when Trevor entered the room, Nathan listens as he explains Project Fallback to everybody. Raising an eyebrow at the explanation of Waller's past, Nathan looks up and responds, "Well, talk about moving fast. We've been awake for what? An hour? And you already want us to pick a city? Personally, I'd like to learn what the capabilities of everyone is. I mean, I know that we have a guy that can duplicate himself, a gal with some sort of mechanized armor and the ability to talk to computers, a blind guy with a sort of martial art-y look about him, an amateur crimefighter, and a giant anthropomorphic feline. And myself, who still has no clue what he can do. Now, I can't speak for everyone else, but I think it would be great if I knew what I was capable of before putting myself in possibly dire situations. So, surely you have some sort of training facility or gym or something, right?"
Bert walks over to Trevor and takes a wiff of the air around him.
Perception (scent): 1d20 + 13Bert smiles, "So what cool stuff do we get? Your girlfriend Mrs. Mean was real light on the details. Do we get cool James Bond type stuff? Do you guys have a "Q"? Any chance we could get a round of cocktails? How long have you and the Wallinator been going out? You didn't mention Metropolis...Why are no freaky-deaky bad guys there? What kind of benefits package are you guys offering? Does the Wallinator smile?
For Scout:
"Heh, I think your 'Q' is that young lady right over there. As to the Deputy Director . . . I'll assume that you're still disoriented."
Trevor sighs for a moment.
"You had to ask about Metropolis didn't you?"
"I might as well just show you."
"Waller served in Luthor's administration while he was president, and the first thing she did in her capacity as the head of Project Fallback was to cut a deal to leave Metropolis to Luthor."
Looking up when Trevor entered the room, Nathan listens as he explains Project Fallback to everybody. Raising an eyebrow at the explanation of Waller's past, Nathan looks up and responds, "Well, talk about moving fast. We've been awake for what? An hour? And you already want us to pick a city? Personally, I'd like to learn what the capabilities of everyone is. I mean, I know that we have a guy that can duplicate himself, a gal with some sort of mechanized armor and the ability to talk to computers, a blind guy with a sort of martial art-y look about him, and an amateur crimefighter. And myself, who still has no clue what he can do. Now, I can't speak for everyone else, but I think it would be great if I knew what I was capable of before putting myself in possibly dire situations. So, surely you have some sort of training facility or gym or something, right?"
"Well, funny you should mention Task Force X and training at the same time. I think your lovely boss already has a session planned with a few of her . . . other agents. Be careful, they may play rough."
"Well, funny you should mention Task Force X and training at the same time. I think your lovely boss already has a session planned with a few of her . . . other agents. Be careful, they may play rough."
"You're putting us up against Task Force X? As in, we're going to spar with them? Former villains?" The numerous Kevins glance at each other with uncertain looks.
"You're putting us up against Task Force X? As in, we're going to spar with them? Former villains?" The numerous Kevins glance at each other with uncertain looks.
"If it makes you feel any better, I think Eiling and the Enchantress are the only members not on a mission, so you may only be dealing with two of them.
If I read the reports right, I think the Enchantress was involved in your flash training, Mister Powell." He nods towards Nathaniel.
as he is hearing all of this a faint smile comes across his face.
"So sense we are going to fight former villains I can go all out?"
Tenfold rolls his shoulders and stretches a bit himself. There is a low chorus of popping joints as his duplicates do the same.
"Did I learn any kung fu Matrix-style with the flash training? Otherwise, I may just be demonstrating ten ways of getting knocked around. I've played some ball in high school and college, and did some wrestling, but I think fighting super villains -- reformed or otherwise -- is going to be quite different."
"These guys," "seem to know how to fight. I don't know if I can live up to that."
"Well, Director, if you are finished maligning my reputation and undermining my authority, we've got a training session scheduled."
She looks back at the group.
"Let's get all of you some . . . fresh air. Belle Reve is surrounded by miles and miles of swamp, and our camo holoscreen should make sure no one peeks in on us from above. When you are ready, just follow the lighted panels on the wall."
For everyone:
"Well, maybe it won't be so bad. Two of them, a bunch of me."
"All right! Let's move it troops!"
The crowd of duplicates give a perfectly-timed "whoop!" and follows everyone.
Bert stays in the bed, "swamps smell like a dogs ass and they are wet. There is no way I am going into a damn swamp."
Getting up and heading to the door, Nathan turns to Bert and comments as he is leaving, "Awww, what's the matter? Kitty afraid of the swamp?" he says in a joking, sing-song manner.
Thinks to him self. "Great I get to be knee deep in crap great just great."
Slowly walks down the hall way.
Waller taps her watch and says, "Enchantress, the putty tat has stage fright. We might need you to extract him."
For Scout:
Scout is suddenly consumed in a burst of green flames, accompanied by a female laughing in a disquieting manner.
A disembodied voice says, "One way or another, I'm going to get you."
For Scout:
For a few moments, you see nothing by the green flame and feel nothing but falling.
Then you feel a sodden, wet, sucking feeling, and you find yourself on your hands and knees in the Louisiana swamp. Right next to you is a slab of concrete attached to the facility, about 300 feet by 300 feet.
You happen to appear just off the concrete slab.
On the very far end of the slab, next to the swamp, you see a woman all in green and black, with long black hair, wearing a very stereotypical pointed, wide brimmed witch's hat.
Next to her is a huge, nine foot tall humanoid, with massive muscles and bulging veins all over the place. He seems to have a huge scar on the back of his buzz cut adorned head.
You also get a hero point for falling victim to a pre-set condition of Waller's Suicide Squad watching you. You should be up to three now.
The rest of you, after seeing Scout disappear, can easily follow the curve of the hallway out to a large concrete slab attached to the Belle Reve facility, adjacent to the swamp.
Initiative for the PCs:
Initiative for the Suicide Squad members:
All of our heroes can act first. Post in whatever order, as we're doing initiative by "sides."
Scout is about 50 feet from Eiling and the Enchantress.
Everyone else is about 350 feet away from Eiling and the Enchantress, and 50 feet away from Waller, who is standing to one side of the entrance. Since the hallway curves, no one can clearly see Eiling or the Enchantress yet, but you can see the concrete slab and the swamp around it.
Bert growls, "Witches should know better than to do that to cat."
Bert will spend his action running (superspeed 4) and taking a swipe at the Enchantress.
Attack (1d20 + 7
Damage 6 (3 penetrating)
Scout easily crosses the distance with his speed, trailing the juices of the swamp off of him as he runs.
As he swipes at Enchantress, she just barely anticipates the swing of Bert's surprisingly sharp claws and rolls with his attack, spinning out of the way.
"Ah, poor kitty doesn't like being wet. I understand. But I've been training for years with Bronze Tiger, so you'll have to be a bit more accurate with those claws than that."
Tenfold has no recourse but to run down the hallway and cover the distance the old fashioned way. While running, he shouts to the others, "should we have a plan? I think we should have a plan!"
Then when he clears the hall and sees that Bert's taking them both on, he yells, "Bert! Stall them! We're coming!"
"I wish we had a plan!"
Hearing a noise that sounds like Bert talking, Nathan raises an eyebrow and quickly jogs around the bend just in time to see him take a swipe at a woman dressed up like an actual witch. With a whispered "Huh, no time for introductions I suppose," a faint aroma of brimstone fills his immediate vicinity. The spectacle ahead of him forgotten as he smells the sulfurous scent, he looks around to find its source, but sees nothing obvious and so he turns back to the trio in front of him and watches.