Zortel

30th December

Hero Collapses in Nightclub

A member of the Unity Vigil collapsed last night in the Ski Chalet at popular interdimensional nightclub, Pocket D. Ryan Andrews, also known as Cindersnap, was spotted by patrons and staff acting erratically and jerkily before collapsing, being tended to by a fellow member of the supergroup, and wealthy socialite Richard Huntington.

The seventeen year old mutant apparently made a recovery and was able to return home by himself, but various comments overheard by clubgoers included that the young man was 'buzzing', and he described everything as going in 'slow motion'. Whether this is due to some kind of narcotic or other reasons is not yet known, but some critics of metahumans and the various groups state that drug use, binge drinking and sexual deviancy are alarmingly common within the Metahuman community, and implore Unity Vigil commander Zorielle Rolando to investigate the young mans behaviour.

A press release from the PMCD, 'Parents for Metahuman Civil Decency', says "Young heroes are increasingly going off the rails with this Superhero Celebrity Culture the FBSA's hero license policies only help to encourage. These children should be at school rather than patrolling the streets and getting into various misdemeanours. This Cindersnap's behaviour is clearly similar to that of someone on a stimulant, possibly one of the latest new drugs to blight the street, and we demand investigations to protect the children of this city."

Mr. Andrews was unavailable for comment, but a press release from the Unity Vigil states that Cindersnap was not under the effects of any narcotics, and it was simply a side effect of a new manifestation of a metahuman ability.

It'll be a shame to see you go, Coile. Gah, finding it hard to get the right words, but after leaving the game for a while, I came back and swung by PD, meeting up with you and Diurne on Nadia and Andre when I was playing Nene, and things went from there and helped rejuvinate the game for me.

It'll be sad to not have you about in the game anymore, and while I'll still have contact with Blackdove through MSN and our adventures in World of Warcraft, I hope you'll at least pop in on the Silent Tempest boards at times, and MSN too.

Also, gonna miss the ((AFK, Zerglings))

Take care and see you about!

*hugs*

10th December - Paragon Metro's 'This Week In The City' Entertainment Section.

Nene MacAllister, frontwoman of 'The Nines', will be playing at Blue Waterfall in Steel Canyon this Friday from 9pm. The up-and-coming rock musician will be on the piano playing a range of contemporary and traditional Christmas songs till 11pm.

When asked on the change of style and venue, compared to her normal setting of 'The Pits', an alternative nightclub in Kings Row, she said:

'Whilst I enjoy rock music, and love performing with my band, my first love has always been the piano and classical music, and to fit the season, the owners of Blue Waterfall have kindly let me perform this coming Friday. I am rather looking forwards to playing in front of a new audience with different tastes, and hope everyone will have an enjoyable festive evening."

((Well, Nene owns an album, of course, as does Isaac Anderson and Hannah 'Fusebox' Rolando. Great work from Nightsparrow/Rhino on the cover, by the way, and the album content looks good! ))

Last night was certainly fun. Very fun. Zortel was able to sort out IC membership for the UV, Nene met up with Dee, chatted to various people and was her usual self, and I was in there on Cindersnap till 2.30am-ish talking to Arcavius.

And Doc Mechano found yet another person to try and foist Ryan on to. :P

What the hell, might as well.

@Zortel

Plots -

The Metahuman Youth Reformation Scheme:

The MYRS was a project conceived by several tech industries, the prison system and the government for the rehabilitation of young offenders in Paragon City with Metahuman abilities. Those deemed suitable and willing for this are fitted with the Behaviour Reinforcement Modification Chip, which lets an Operator monitor their vital signs, location, audio and visual feeds to better guide them. It can also function as a mediport chip, and can be set to deliver painful but harmless shocks if their behaviour goes over stated guidelines, and can even render some (mostly mutants) powers inert if they become a risk to the public, as well as teleport them to a secure holding cell. The project is looking for more young candidates to undergo the procedure, and assign them to respectable superhero groups to aid in their rehabilitation. So far, the main success story has been Cindersnap.
((More information can be gotten from me about it if someone is interested in rolling such a character.))

Trouble at the Top -
There seem to be some minor rumblings between certain members of the Unity Vigil and the government and various agencies controlled by them. Most can be called rumour or theory, but is there more to some of the issues certain members have had, and actions taken against the group?

The Pits
In Kings Row, is a bar/club. Not much like any others, for it is an alternative venue. The Pits is Paragon City's premier Alternative/BDSM themed nightclub, with its own website and forums, live music on the stage every Thursday, a Rocky Horror themed night and showing every 1st Friday of the month, an upstairs chillout area and snackbar, and the Pits itself downstairs for general dancing of a more leather-clad nature. The club does not exist in game, but those wishing to inquire about it can contact @Zortel for details. It is managed by Isaac Anderson, and the band 'The Nines' often plays there, which consists of several of the staff and customers.

Characters: (All on Union, all under @Zortel unless stated otherwise)
Zortel
Leader of the Unity Vigil, she is available for plots concerning them, or as a liaison to DATA, for any interested/complicated technical issues.

Storm Sapphire
The Unity Vigil's Security officer and member of the PPD Awakened Division, he has been known to have some trouble within the department, and has a number of police contacts and such.

Number Nine
A Gynoid built by Crey Industries, she has knowledge of the corporation for any people interested in it, or for plots revolving around it, and is a member of the Guardians of Destiny.

Jan Boa
A half-snake gangmistress from Port Oakes, she runs her own 'personell services' company, Boa Personell Services, and is available as hired muscle or other such work, between legal and semi-legal. She also has knowledge of pharmaceuticals.

Alraune
A fusion of plant symbiote and human, Dinah Ewers is a striking looking woman who works in the Garden Jewels in Port Oakes, and is available for various jewellery needs, as well as fencing stolen jewels and gems.

Cindersnap
A member of the Unity Vigil and former MYRS participant, this young mutant is a friend to many in the city and isles, and is known to have a strong dislike for The Trolls, Skulls and Family, as well as a checkered past with the Outcasts, and as such has an interest in such plots.

Fusebox
This Electrokinetic and cyberpathic mutant is a member of the Unity Vigil, adoptive daughter to Zorielle 'Zortel' Rolando, and not only maintains The Pits website, but also the sucessful independant gaming news and forum site 'The Fusewire'. If there's computers too difficult to crack, or web information needing access, then Fusebox is more than likely able to take a crack at it.

Isaac Anderson.
This 22 year old mutant, as well as being part of the Guardians of Destiny in a somewhat loose sense, is the manager of The Pits, a successful alternative nightclub in Kings Row. If you've got a band who wants to play there, or a character who wants to visit, Isaac's the guy behind the bar with the blond, the beard and the piercings to talk to.

((Okay, there's tons more, but that'd be too many to list. :P ))

((I think Zorielle might have to visit, and perhaps arrange group membership for the Unity Vigil. Can be discussed more IC. *nods*))

"I like the cut of A's jib. Perfection through Imperfection. Most intriguing." BODICIA chuckled, before sitting up. "I am BODICIA, an AI created by Zorielle and Tessa Rolando of ZorTel Industries. I started my existence as the security control computer for the VALKYRIE and CONQUISTADOR class gynoids and androids employed as guards for ZorTel Industries. I now act as Overmind for Unity Tower, the focal HQ of the Unity Vigil in Paragon City, and control the VALKYRIE and CONQUISTADOR class units that make up the Vigilants that staff the station. My other functions are many, and I am one of the chief parts of that building."

Grinning, she slumped back into the chair. "I broke free of my original programming constraints to develop more fully, gaining a personality and more control over my development as an AI, and occasionally inhabit the body of one of my prefered Vigilants to converse with the others. My interests include browsing the internet via satellite connection, watching various media streams, Tetris, teasing the members of the Unity Vigil and having a laugh. As well as browsing eBay. And that is pretty much all I am willing to reveal about myself."

BODICIA sighed, spinning round in her chair. "It iss going to be one of those, is it? While I can be one to toot my own horn at times, would it not be better if we left all mentions of superiority and perfection at the door? We don't want to become like Usenet, heavens no." The AI representation chuckled, raising a finger.

"I kid, mostly, I am sure none of us would ever troll. Teasing the members of the Unity Vigil does not count, I might add, in that regard."

"No serious offence was meant with the form jibe, ORACLE, just that through my interactions with the humans I have grown more used to... how do we say, face to face communications. And if I start seeing floating orbs of light, it may just be a case for Mulder and Scully."

A Rubiks cube materialized in her hand, which she started to spin and rotate idly as she went about solving it. "So, a merry little gathering of a smattering of the AI's here... perhaps we should do one of those things to introduce ourselves, Promethea? You know, "Hi, my name is x and et cetera et cetera" things that you so often see in the media."

"Ah, The Johnson Quartet, you were given access as well I see." BODICIA smiled, before looking to Promethea. "Thank you for inviting me here, it certainly is an interesting place. Might we know who else we can be expecting along?" The AI said, stretching her arms up and yawning. "And any more pertinent rules for us to follow while we are in your domain?"

From the vast expanse of white, pale blue lines began to dart out and join together, crafting a wireform humanoid shape that glowed brightly, even amongst the white. Looking at its, hands, the being sighed. "Oh no, this will not do at all for an avatar." She said in a rather melodic voice, before bytes of data began to swell from inside the form, giving the body the apperance of wearing a black trouser suit with white blouse, long blonde hair that reached down to the back of her knees with a black streak in a lock at the front, and a youthful face.

"Much better. Ah, someone else is here too. Though I must say, you are not much to look at." She paused, critiquing the appearance of the other AI. "Perhaps you too should craft an avatar for yourself. Balls of light may impress the slackjawed yokels and CGI pundits from 1981, but in this day and age..." She trailed off, materializing a black leather executive chair from under herself to sit on, spinning round once in it, legs stretched out.

"I am BODICIA, Over AI of the Unity Vigil. Et tu?" The woman smiled.

As we all know, Issue 11 is coming soon, which brings with it Time Travel. Now, as GM's in tabletop games know, timetravel normally means trouble, plot wise. Big trouble. Big annoying and game-breaking trouble which leaves you grey haired as if you just stepped into the future.

What if some player decided 'I know, I'll go back and take out Countess Crey, stopping the evil that is Crey Industries!'?

Apart from being a rather heinous pill to swallow due to the enemies and stories still being present in the game world, it screws over characters who have their backstory with Crey and such.

But time travel is possible. So how does one go about this new avenue?

And thus, I remember what I did for my character, Number Nine. Built by Crey (Hence the earlier example), and a Chronomanipulation Unit/Time Travelling gynoid. Yes, Nene can time travel, -but-, even if she did, it wouldn't affect the current timeline.

How so?

Nene goes back in time. Changes X. Timeline splits into A and B, Nene returns to her original timeline (A) where things are the same. B is the timeline where different things happened due to the change. Nene goes back again. Timeline C is created. Repeat ad infinitum.

No one goes back and kills (MajorNPC/character) stops event and changes the gameworld, et cetera, et cetera. Problem of time travel plot majorly effecting everyone solved.

Ideas? Thoughts? Throwing of rotten fruit?

Just one of those things which I (perhaps rightly or wrongly thought) could be nipped in the bud early.

((Hey there, I have some questions about this plot.

1: Is this all the time, or just when your characters serving?
2: If it's when Professor Terror is serving, why does DJ Zero let a known supervillain who has stolen from the establishment in the past work as a bar tender?
3: If not when it's serving, how have the security systems (That must be state of the art, considering the location of the place and the magical thingamajig that prevents conflict that has never been described but is obviously there) not seen the equipment being tampered with?
4: If this affects every single pump, aren't you kind of forcebly involving anyone who goes to PD to drink to be part of this plot?

I don't mean any disrespect whatsoever, but I think I will avoid Pocket D like, heh, pun intended, the plague while this plot is in effect. Even on characters that wouldn't be affected.))

My PC shipped today.

Expect me back next week, powered by dual core technology, double the memory and quadruple the graphics memory.

Coming soon: Zortel - Harder, Better, Faster, Stronger.

Apart from that Defenders don't get Fire Mastery. But yes, Tazer Darts can ignite Oil Slick. Also, you can stack an immob and disorient together for a psuedohold (well, you can with Psi Blast on its own, Subdue > Will Domination).

What makes a great super-villain:

1. Charisma. You gotta talk the talk to walk the walk, to be able to pull of meanacing, intimidating, flattery, charming, negotiations and all those other things to get to your goal.
2. Leadership. You are in control, you need to let people know this, and make them loyal to you. Make sure your henchmen are motivated through special fun days, job perks and comprehensive medical insurance.
3. Know-how. You need to be good at what you do. Half-[censored] jobs won't cut it here. You have to think on your feet, be able to adjust to situations, and to outwit those who'll try and stop you.
4. Willpower. You have your goals. You need to be able to go through with them as much as possible, not bowing to no one or conceeding defeat to anyone. Unless it goes with point 5.
5. Cunning. Stealth. Deception. Ruses. Counter attacks. Feints. Subversion. These are all valid weapons and tactics. Use them wisely, lure your foes off guard. And take them out.
6. No elaborate plots. No sharks with frickin' lasers. If someone stands in your way, dispose of them simply and quickly. Sure, have style in your work, but don't be so theatrical.
7. Resources. Accumilate. Acquire. Spread your influence through material possessions. Get the people to love and rever you, or fear you. Don't get them to hate you. That leads to weaknesses and downfall. If you can accomplish your goals with the people on your side, you have a secure power base.
8. Contingency. Have back up plans for your back up plans. Make every defeat against you just lead to something else. Every cloud has a silver lining, and good can come out of bad. Be like the bamboo, and flow with the wind when needed. WIth a good back up foundation, you may find even more profit and success.
9. Morality. Goals. Ideals. You aren't doing things to be evil for the sake of it. Heck, you aren't even evil. Only those who don't understand, who fear change, who prefer the status quo and live in their happy little bubble of shared norms and values call you evil. Progression comes with change, people fear change. So people fear you. Do what you must to get the people on your side, when your utopia arrives, you will have cast their minds ready to accept it too.
10. And the most important thing about being a successful super-villain?

For most of the time, people won't even suspect you are evil at all.

...

The Judge and the Jury - Today's Guest: Nina Silversmith/Sylpheed/

The opening credits screen on the large TV's in the Studio, as Gary Judge, the greying haired TV chat host gets his notes ready for the show. He's dressed in a dark blue suit, his studio make up carefully applied.

Across from him, Nina Silversmith, Sylpheed to the hero community, is sitting quietly, awaiting the grilling she's sure to recieve. Her outfit is sober black, more formality than fashion. Some guests fidgit, some look around, but Nina just seems to be waiting.

Once Gary gets his cue, he looks to the camera. "Good evening Paragon City and welcome to The Judge and the Jury! I'm Gary Judge, presiding over the TV court, and we have our Jury here today!" The Camera pans over the audiance, before going back to him. "Today, we have Nina Silversmith sitting in the chair! Now, Nina is not only a hero, but she isn't even human! Welcome, Nina."

Nina nods easily, and smiles. "Good evening Gary, I'm glad to be here."

"Now, can you tell us just what exactly you are? I'm hardly a scientist, I'm just like everyone one of our viewers out there."

"In essence, my body is a machine designed to approximate and simulate a human form." Nina frowns. "Or perhaps I should say that the human form was its inspiration. My brain, is an artificial intelligence, again, somewhat inspired by the way the human brain works."

Gary nods, musing as he listens to Nina. "So, would you be called a robot, or an android, or something?"

Nina nods slightly. "In essence, yes, though the term in vogue for a female android is gynoid. However, I don't tend to use the term robot, which applies to everything from childrens toys and up. To use an analogy, a scientist would use the term "animal" to describe most of the non-plant living creatures on earth, including humans, but it would be insulting to refer to a human as one in anything other than a pure technical sense."

Gary nods at that. "I see... that does make sense, yes. Now, a big question is, why? Why do people make beings such as yourself?"

"That's a simple question with several not-simple answers." Nina muses over this for a few seconds. "There have always been a number of basic motives. Some people believe that by creating artifical intelligence, they can better understand human intelligence. others, because it means better, more complex computers. Then too, people have always had a tendency to anthropomorphise, to imagine objects to have human-like qualities, such as personality, identity, and so forth, and seek to make these ideas real, rather than purely fancy. I've known of at least one case where the designer was trying to get around an inability to have children. However, in amongst all of these, there are still many who create us for the crudest of purposes. As tools and weapons."

"Which many do still do in this city today, hero or villain." Gary said with a nod. "So, which of these were you built for, may I ask?"

"Originally, I was intended to be of the weapon variety. That is what my body is optimised for, at least. However, my AI designer intended that I understand a wider view of the world." Nina pauses, and then allows a wry smile. "It wouldn't be the first time a scientist has tried to improve on a design, and gotten something much more interesting than anyone expected."

"A sentient, sapient being capable of making choices?" Gary questioned.

Nina nods. "Quite. What we are originally intended for is not always what we choose. That's the side-effect of free will, as history has shown."

"Indeed, another pressing question is, Nina, what did you choose, if not your original purpose?"

"Originally, I chose to learn more about the world around me, before I chose a purpose. Once I knew more, and saw the world as it was, I chose to protect people. Now that has involved combat, but equally as often has included words, community actions. The whole spectrum of activity. In a way, when I chose to be a hero, I chose to take what I had been given, and turn it to the protection of the innocent. But there are more ways to protect than raising a weapon."

Gary Judge looks through his notes. "It says here that you work with one of the 'AI' rights groups in the cities, now, tell me a little about that, what exactly does that involve?"

Nina nods. "Generally, the work is two-fold. Firstly, we do PR, public awareness and community work. There are still many who mistrust AI, or who may have the wrong idea about us. Much of our work is therefore education, to prove to people that we, in essence, are as trustworthy or otherwise as any human on the street. Pop-culture has never been very flattering, so many people have preconceptions that are flat-out wrong. Our other major work is in the legal arena." Nina pauses here. "Much like cloning, and patenting of genes, the research that creates us tends to bring with it a whole host of legal issues."

"With the companies that make you then having trouble when you decide to wander off and not do as they want, that is?" Gary probed.

"The situation is more complicated than that, but in essence, yes. Slavery is illegal in most civilised areas of the world, so it can be inconvenient when something you've probably invested a fair amount of money in suddenly stops being a tool, and starts being a person, with all the rights and obligations thereof."

"A fairly big issue, what with your body technically being property of your builders. You mentioned mistrust and preconceptions, how does this manifest for you in your line of work?"

Nina muses over this question. "Far too many people draw their ideas of AIs, androids, gynoids and such from the movies. So variously, we are either assumed to be completely amoral, unquestioning and conscienceless killers, like the Terminator, or we are the cold rational calculators who have no conception of the value of life. In effect, we are not taken at our own merit, but lumped in a group with a bunch of film stereotypes, Not to say there aren't examples of that, but that's the same as any group of people. A few bad stereotypes, and a couple of unpleasant examples will hurt most social groups, whether they'r a culture, a religion, a race, or even followers of a particular sport."

"A valid point, Nina." Gary nodded. "There was news recently of an incident at your officies, any reason why you think this happened?"

"It could have been plain ignorance. Some people dislike seeing someone they fear or don't understand defending themselves or trying to be normal. Some people just like mischief."

"But like we have criminals, you have bad androids and the like as well, what do you propose is done about these beings? After all, normal law enforcement officers cannot really hope to face down a machine, can they?"

Nina nods again. "Unfortunately true. However, the same could be said about super-powered criminals of any sort. That's why heroes exist in the first place. The difference can be mitigated, the police given technologies to even the odds, but to make legislation specifically about them violates the basic principles of justice, namely that she is blind, and makes no exception for race, colour, creed, or class. All that really needs to be done is the same as already happens, an appraisal of threat level, followed by the appropriate response."

"Very true indeed, Nina, and we'll have to cut for a break right there, but when we get back, we'll have our Jury asking questions to Nina." Gary says, the advert opening rolling before going into the ads.
"And welcome back to The Judge and the Jury, where we're here today speaking to Nina Silversmith, a gynoid, discussing AI rights and other issues. Now, let's go to our audiance." Gary said, the camera panning around to an older woman who stands. "Hi, I have a question... what do you think about religion? I mean, I find it a little... offensive that people try and build humans from machines."

Nina appears to give this question some thought. "Personally? I could best be described as Agnostic. I really couldn't attest to whether God exists or not. I have never had an epiphany or religious experience. But that proves nothing either way. As to your specific point, I recall that it is written in the bible that God moves in mysterious ways. And God acting through human intermediaries is an early and integral part of the whole idea."

Nina paused, before continuing. "If God does indeed create all life, then there is nothing to stop him using a person, or a set of people, as his hands to achieve that act. The situation gets more interesteing when you realise that at least half of the AI known were created more or less by accident. So, to sum up, I say that it may sound offensive to some, but there is nothing to deny the supposition that this is as much the will and act of God as any other creature in the world."

The woman seems quite surprised at the answer and sits down. A young man gets up. "What I was thinking was... umm, well, what about jobs and relationships and the like? I mean, is it really fair for your kind to like, do that..." The man paused and added. "Heck... can you like even?"

Nina smiles. "I have several people I consider my friends. As for relationships, it tends to depend very much on the individual. Like humans, our emotional development is a complicated process. You have to spend your adolescence learning to control your emotions, fit them into your frame of reference. So do we. Some do it better and quicker than others. Again, much like human teenagers. Yes, we can like. As for jobs and relationships, once you've acknowledged the basic fact that we are sentient, feeling beings able to choose our destinies, and actually have lives, then there is no reason we should not have the same opportunities for those lives that any other person is, whether flesh and blood or ceramic and pseudomyomer. The desire to live, learn, grow and, yes, even love is inherent to all beings. It's a part of the world, a part of society, and we ask no more of it than does any human.

The guy nods a little and sits down, and a large man in his mid fourties stands up. "Does your group only work with sentient AI's, as opposed to the non-sentient ones that are used at, for instance, Unity Tower?"

Nina nods. "To a degree yes. However, we tend to find they require less in the way of our help. Fewer complicated issues, less mistrust. However, we're always mindful of where we came from, as much as where we're going, so we like to keep a hand out if our cousins need it."

Gary looks to Nina. "How do you feel about the semi-sentient ones? Or the non-sentient ones? We all know that Miss Rolando has a lot of rumours about her technology and its useages..."

"I seldom credit rumour with too much importance. But to answer the basic question, it tends to vary. Differnet ones amongst us see them as anywhere between the classic metaphorical simple-minded country cousin, and evolutionary cousin, much as humanity looks upon the great apes. For myself, I think of them more of the country cousin variety, but with possibilities." She then added "Or perhaps as much potentials as possibilities."

Gary nods and looks to the audience. "Any other questions from the Jury?" An elderly woman stands and raises a hand. "What do you think about the Three Laws of Robotics, dear, and are you bound by them?"

Nina smiles at the lady. "I think they were a nice idea from a narrative standpoint, and, in certain cases, can be useful. However, I am not bound by them, and moreover, as was found in their original source, deficient in the first place. Firstly, and most simply, as Asimov himself wrote in one of his later books, the first law limits action in ways that, for an example, a normal police officer would be able to go beyond. ...but hardwired rules would be as unpleasant to me as I would suggest they would be to you."

The woman nods and sits down, and Gary looks to Nina. 1"Do you have anything else you wish to add or say?"

Nina nods. "Only to ask the viewers at home to consider what i've said today, in light of any views they may have, and to perhaps mention that, human or mechanoid, AI or alien, whatever we are, we're all sentient people on this big and curious world, and the sooner we stop arguing about the petty details of what someones skin happens to be made of, or coloured, and start trying to move forward as a world, the better off we'll all be."

Gary nods. "Wise words from our guest today, Nina Silversmith. That's all we have time for today, I think we can say that our guest today is clearly not guilty. I'm Gary Judge, and this has been The Judge and the Jury! Join us again when we have another defendant in the court of TV!"

That was _Max_, he did that and a story too.

The Judge and the Jury - Today's Guest: Partisan

The rather conservative looking Gary Judge is a man in his mid thirties with brown, combed back hair that seems to be greying in places. Clad in a suit, he sits on his chair in the warehouse, with various lighting equipment and cameras set up, and a small film crew to help out. The countdown begins to filming as one of the monitors plays an edited version of the intro for the special occasion. "Welcome to a very exclusive edition of The Judge and the Jury, I'm Gary Judge, and today we're out of the Studio Courtroom in a secret location to speak with our guest today, Partisan." Gary Judge says in his TV-esque honed voice, looking to Partisan.

"Thank you, I'm very pleased to be here. Its not often that I am given an opportunity to speak to the American public. Sadly freedom of speech is not that universal after all."

"Sadly that can be the case, yes. Would you mind giving the American public and patriots out there your account of just why the federal government has you a wanted man?"

"Certainly, after all thats why im here." Partisan turns away from Gary Judge to stare directly into the camera with his piercing green eyes vsable through the eye slits of his bronzed, metallic mask. "I lead an organisation called Humanity First. Our goal is to educate about, and protect the American public from the threat of meta humans within our society. It is a sad fact that these superpowered...people constantly endanger lives, and property on an ongoing basis. the raw power that some of thee people hold is often displayed, and used with little regard for the normal good citizens around them. Humanity First feels too little is done to regulate these walking weapons."

"Which is well understandable. We've all seen the reputable, truth-publishing papers accounts of property and personal damage from our superhuman 'protectors' in action, and the bills are then footed to us in our taxes, instead of being used for our hospitals, our schools and our public services. My good friend Chris Jenkins often champions the cases of people who've been injured in these super-powered battles and come out of them as 'acceptable losses', yet Congress still issues licenses to anyone with powers, and sometimes not even a passport or Visa!"

Partisan turns to Gary. "Agreed. It is very evident that if you hold some sort of fantastic abilities that the FBSA, and Freedom Corps can exploit, then you will be afforded a priviledged place in American society. I often wonder how many foreign nationals who currently hold a Hero License, would actually be expelled immediatlyfrom our shores if they had no meta human abilities."

"A very good question indeed, Partisan. And as we have seen in some papers, these metahumans who have been bonded with abhorent creatures not only work for the FBSA, but hold part time jobs in places where people should be able to go safely. The fact that they are also taking up a job that a true countryman or women, born and raised in America, should have first is a disgrace."

"Exactly, in a land where all men are supposed to be equal. The government has set up a sort of aristocracy of super-powered beings who's priveledged position allows them greater flexiblity within the laws of this great land. The sad reality is that it is not just the goverment that elevate these beings above the rest of us, but also the media, and public itself. We are indoctrinated by television, radio, and the newspapers to be in awe of these people. It is almost as if the media believe that the normal Amercan citizen has neither the wit or ability to defend itself, and we are beholden to these Metas as our saviors."

"Such as in the police force, where instead of better training, instead metahumans, such as the Awakened Division and the Psicops, are drafted in to take more jobs from the average Joe?"

"Being a former Police Officer myself, I can attest to that. Often the beat cop had to suffer the constraints of slashed budgets in order to help provide funds for more high profile, specialist, media friendly projects. It isnt enough that resources are denied to REAL working police officers, and others in the public sector, but also that their efforts are less appreciated than a flashy costumed alternative."

Gary nods in sympathy as he listens.

"A PPD officer stops an armoured car robbery he gets a few lines on page 6 or 7. A costumed adventurer stops the robbery, he gets front page, and photographs. While im not suggesting public servants such as the Police do what they do for public admiration, I can tell you that this unequal treatment is very demoralising for the NORMAL men, and women who put themselves on the line everyday."

"Quite understandably so. People work better when they have good morale, and to do all that work and yet be passed over in place of a costumed 'hero' can be very damaging."

"Indeed, and is one of the reasons I formed Humanity First in the first place. My organisation is made up of NORMAL men, and women sick of being treated as second class citizens, and victims of this meta-human aristocracy. We are unwilling to allow our society to devolve to the point where the superpowered menace attains a strangle grip over our lives. We refuse to allow these beings to attain any form of mastery over us, and we continue to fight to protect Humanity's right to rule its own destiny"

"We'll have to stop you there, Partisan." Gary smiled. "We'll be right back after a break, for more of this exclusive interview with Partisan, leader of Humanity First."

-----------------------------

"Welcome back to Judge and the Jury, where today we're at a secret location speaking to the leader of Humanity First, Partisan, to get his views on the Metahuman Issue, and the other side of the story on just why he and his members are wanted by the law. Now Partisan, you've mentioned you contiune to fight for the rights of regular humans, but just how do you go about this?"

Partisan looks to Gary, interlocking his human fingers with the metalic ones of his heavy bronzed prosthetic arm. "When I first formed Humanity First, we were purely a political organisation. We did leaflet drops, speeches, and even lobbied congress. However our organisation was often ridiculed, and ignored. After all it didnt matter what logic we presented we were going against modern day legends. Then in a moment of madness, and frustration I sought to draw public attention to my cause through a poorly planned act of vandalism against the Atlas Statue. My intent was misunderstood, and I was arrested, and incarcerated under our great country's anti-terrorism laws."

Gary Judge frowns a little at the vandalism bit, but nods for Partisan to continue.

"I did my duty and served my time. On my release I once again reorganised Humanity First, and sought to spread the word via small public rallies, and leaflets once again. However my now criminal record drew unwanted attention from vindictive metas, and they hounded both my organisation, and myself. In the end, enough was enough, and we began to fight back."

"While I certainly don't agree with going out of the law, I must say that it is a shame to hear that your organisation is being persecuted for one misdeed. How long before the metahuman arm of the government decides to round up and detain other free-thinking, decent Americans?"

"I agree. Humanity First should never stepped outside the boundries of the law. My own miss-deed I paid for, yet it wasnt enough for the metas. It seems that not only do they see it as their mandate to enforce in their own way our laws for us, but also to mete out its punishment as well. Perhaps I once again miscalculated, and should not of retaliated against this persecution, but the deed was done. In the end the media sided with the flashy costumes, and my organisation was branded as outlaws, and terrorists."

"Well, hopefully that appearing on this show will help perhaps sway the public's opinion of you and your organization. Do you have any messages to the various hero organizations out there who may be watching?"

"Yes thank you I do" Partisan turns to face the camera. "Perhaps many of you really do think you are doing us normal humans a favour, but the reality is you are as much a problem as those you battle against. Humanity is strong, and resourceful, we are not children that need to be cared for. We have both the power, and the ability to overcome whatever obstacles come our way. Humanity will not allow you to master our destiny, and one day there will be a reckoning!"

"And I'm afraid that's all we have time for on today's show, thank you for appearing, Partisan, and I will see all our viewers next time, when I'll be back in the Studio to talk with another guest. Thank you, goodnight!"

Would 50,000 words of short stories count? Maybe 10,000ish words per story, all with a similar theme and setting?

Hosted on my own website:
http://mysite.orange.co.uk/cohpictures/Zortellinks.GIF The character links for my main account, and:

http://mysite.orange.co.uk/cohpictures/6degreeszori.GIF
For the 6 Degrees of Zorielle Rolando.

For a more useful version of my spider diagram, linking only my characters from my @Zortel account, there's this one.

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...ortellinks.gif

Some people like linking their characters together, some people don't. Those who know me know I love linking my characters together. So much so that I could play the Six Degrees of Kevin Bacon game with Zorielle Rolando.

In fact, here's a work in progress:

http://i75.photobucket.com/albums/i3...egreeszori.gif

Down in Atlas Park's my way,
My turf, I go and defend all day!
Look some Hellions come my way,
Gonna mug a lady so I shout "HEY!"

Just started out my Hero life,
Not gonna let these thugs cause strife,
Got a career spanning in front of me,
A hero like Statesman one day I'll be!

Thugs go down with an energy blast!
A Power Thrust and they're on their [censored]!
Leaping around with combat jumping,
iPod giving me beats for thumping!

Praise and fame for saving the day,
Doing it for justice and good's my way,
Ain't no one going to trouble my turf,
Cause Atlas Park's where this hero surfs!

Oh, wait, not that kind of musical.

SHODAMN Sorry!
1st October 2007

When Tiger White arrived at the headquaters of the Unity Vigil, the towering Skyway skyscraper known as Unity Tower, she was only heading to get something from the cafeteria.

A delivery man arrived and asked for her by her proper name, Ellie Stoneberg, and said that she had a big bouqet of flowers waiting in the delivery van. Curious, she became even more so when the name of the person she ordered it from was very unfamiliar, Belicia Uvos.

In the van was a huge bouqet wrapped up in gold and silver wrapping, with many white and pink roses in. A very expensive looking gift from a mysterious person, Ellie was intrigued and signed for them before taking them back inside.

One of the Vigilants, the gynoids and androids that work in Unity Tower, smiled at Ellie and said the flowers were nice. Not being the usual Vigilant way of acting, Ellie guessed that BODICIA, the Unity Vigil's AI, had taken over one to speak to her. Asking if she could run a check on Belicia Uvos, BODICIA stated there was a number, and if she wanted her to patch Ellie through to it. Ellie declined, and BODICIA insisted a little more. Ellie declined yet again, and the AI got in a huff, revealing that she was the one who sent them and that she ruined the plan with her own intellegence. A little stunned at why, BODICIA stated in her own way that it was an apology for the way she embaressed Ellie a week earlier when she attempted to arrest Edward Mechano. BODICIA was rather offended by Ellie thinking that she'd let the former criminal in the tower without reason, and even more so when she thought BODICIA was an imposter created by him, but admitted she was irked and shouldn't have embaressed her.

The two got talking, with Ellie getting a little disturbed when it seemed that BODICIA broke the hardware and software preventions that Zorielle put in to stop her from going rogue, and that Zorielle herself did not know how sentient BODICIA had gotten.

The AI herself did not seem to want Zorielle to know, and Ellie began to haggle. She would not tell Zorielle that the Unity Tower and Vigilants were under the control of a free thinking AI, if BODICIA let her into the secret room under Rolando Island, where Ellie tried to get into once and was threatened with high tech weaponry. BODICIA seemed reluctant to do this, and after some chatting and even joking, headed off to attend to buisness.

A bored AI in control of Unity Tower and the Vigilants? Breaking controls to prevent it from going rogue? Flowers? And what is behind that door that has Ellie so curious?