Big_Game_EU

Gratz!!! I hope you both enjoy every minute of your new adventure.

((This thread is a follow on from Doctor Mechano's "Time for an advert break" thread. In the original thread I think Mechano's intention was to invoke interference from the hero community. Unfortunate for him I decided that this plot better suited my villain group Humanity First and let them loose on him. Anyway as a way of making amends I decided to help him kick off an open community plot that will hopefully incite more of the hero community to get involved.

Rules are like normal with the whole no god-modding etc. Doctor Mechano will be the overall plot moderator with myself acting as moderator for anything relating to Humanity First.

Let the chaos begin...))

10pm 3rd May 2010, The Printworks, Steel Canyon.

Gathered around a gigantic high definition LCD television that Loot had acquired from somewhere was a number of Humanity First's key operatives.

"Damn it Brickhouse loose some weight will'ya, you're hogging all the sofa." Yapped computer geek girl, and hacker extraordinaire Viral as she squeezed herself in between the muscled Blackshirt and Humanity First's master scrounger Loot.

"Shut up Viral a little runt like yourself hardly needs the room. Leave the beefcake alone." Quipped Catwalk who was sitting on the other side of Brickhouse."

"Uh... Look, I don't mind standing." Interjected Brickhouse who was feeling awkward thanks to the two girls who were sitting far too close for comfort.

"Oh hush Bricky-Boy. I'll just snuggle up and create more room." Catwalk replied knowing full well that would only make the incredibly shy Brickhouse feel more uncomfortable than he already was."

"How about all of you shut it. I want to watch this." Shouted Humanity First's propaganda specialist, Doctrine from behind them.

"Yes. Please be quiet. It's not often that I get to appear on the Ten O'clock News." Said the incredibly suave and handsome recruitment specialist Soap Box as he perched himself on the sofa arm next to Loot.

"It's on, it's on!" said Viral excitedly.

The Blackshirts all turned to face the TV. Behind the newscaster the video viral had uploaded to the internet was playing in the background. As the newscaster spoke all could see Soap Box pointing out various important information about Chimera on a computer monitor as well as delivering his speech about Humanity First's concern over these serious developments.

"...owing that if you have to get the word out the internet is the place to go. Getting almost a quarter of a million hits in it's first twenty minutes, the video posted by human supremacist organisation Humanity First warns about the maniacal Doctor Mechano's plan to clone an army of super powered walking bio-weapons under the auspices of a 'Project Chimera' The project, funded by profits from his company Necrotech's range of consumer electronics and it's controversial 'New You' program is meant to be Mechano's answer to meddling heroes."

"The video shows production models, formulas, as well as footage of of the prototype Chimera in action against Humanity First soldiers. Needless to say the carnage shown does a perfect case of supporting Humanity First's claims about Chimera."

The newscaster turned behind him and the background video, now with audio, came to the forefront.

"...must warn you the following footage contains graphic violence and gore."

The video went from a crisp clear picture of Soap Box showing off scientific data from a monitor to a shaky bit of video footage. On the screen the was a flurry of action. the scene was obviously some sort of lab in the midst of a battle. Smoke occasionally drifted across the screen, and shouts and gunfire accounted for almost all the audio. Without warning the person filming obviously spun around fast. Coming into focus was the frenzied Chimera surrounded in crackling electricity. A couple of Blackshirts went to engage the monster and were eviscerated on screen. The video then showed the back of Brickhouse throwing various bit of machinery and equipment at Chimera in a vain effort to slow it's advance.

"Hurry up Viral. We're bugging out." Could be heard from Brickhouse as he threw a prototype 'Walkie Waffler'.

"Got it!" shouted Viral in the background.

At that moment the person filming the video obvious turned and fled. The video shrank back into the background, and the newscaster returned to the screen.

"As well as the scientific data and that extraordinary piece of battle footage the video features commentary by the man on the screen identified Soap Box, as well as an invitation for concerned citizens to attend a rally in Kings Row's Crowne Memorial Hall at 7.30pm the 7th of May. Even if you don't subscribe to Humanity First's way of thinking it might be a date for your diary, it should be interesting to hear what they've got to say."

The TV screen flicked off and there was minor uproar from those on the sofa.

"I have seen enough. Everything is proceeding as planned."

Everybody turned around to face behind them. Standing there with the remote in his cumbersome metal hand was the metallic masked leader of Humanity First... Partisan

"I don't want to question anybody's judgement, but are you sure this rally is a good idea? I understand what Doctrine is saying about exercising our constitutional rights of 'assembly' and 'free speech' but you know the place is going to be crawling with Cops and Capes, and I'll be defenseless."

"I told you Soap Box any move made against you at this rally will be a massive propaganda win in our favour. Besides that isn't likely to happen. Think as this as your moment to take centre stage and get our message out without the need to do it on a street corner." Answered Doctrine, defending his plan.

"I know but can't I at least have a few snipers watching my back?"

"NO!" Interjected Partisan with purpose. "You will appear alone. We all face dangers in this war against the metas. You will face this one. Or do you forget your oath pledging your life to our cause?"

Soap Box looked at the rest of his comrades. It was obvious they were all thinking tread carefully here. Composing himself and putting on one of his most charming smiles he turned to face Partisan.

"Of course not. Just pre-performance jitters..."

"...NO! You're not listening. It wasn't the Skull who smashed up my car it was that psycho Captain Hollywood! The maniac just kept slamming the Skull's face into it. You can't tell me licensed heroes are supposed to behave like that. Im telling you some of these heroes are getting out of hand. Somebody needs to do something about them."

----

An overheard statement being given to a police officer in Kings Row 1st of May 2010.

How about a Jungle Action booster so you can better create stuff like this...



Key costume options would be a selection of jungle hats and sun helmets, new camo options, sweat stain patterns, gators (the ones you wear not the snapping kind), new belts with things like rope and canteens on them, and of course BACKPACKS!

Custom weapon options would include Elephant rifles, survival knives, and machetes.

New emotes could include tracking, wipe sweat, and canteen swig.

Costume change emote could be 'Rustle in the Bushes' (Corny, and perhaps disturbing in some circumstances).

With the temp power being some sort of immob/slow snare.

Another great thing about this booster is it will be a fantastic for military types too.

Ok I must of been chewing on a lead pencil for too long because I can't for the life of me get a boss objective to spawn without any other critters. The boss difficulty setting doesn't seem to have a 'Single' option, and when I set surrounding enemy group to 'Empty' the mission's default enemy group spawn with him instead.

The only way I have been able to get a boss to spawn on his own is to choose an Escort objective on the 'Single' difficulty that betrays straight away. Im not keen on using this method as I am concerned about a possible xp nerf as Escort's count as allies.

Can anybody out there tell me if I am doing something wrong?

While my RP character's builds are far from optimum (Im not a number cruncher, and don't haz phat lewt!) I don't feel they are really gimped. However I do try to make sure the powers I do have are reasonably justified IC. Examples being Big Game having Super Jump due to the Cyber-Strides he looted from Doctor Mechano's place (As chronicled in Mechano's House of Fun. His leadership pool bonuses from him being "Inspirational in his Luckyness" (making me dub it the "Mascot Pool"). Or the Arachnos Disruptor (from Mace Mastery) that he can summon being something he salvaged from a previous mission.

The only time I feel I have gimped builds for concept is in the Mission Architect where some of my custom criiters have had key powers removed to stay in concept. However with the changes to MA with the release of I17 most of them will be fixed anyway.

The next day, A Humanity First safe house, Sharkhead.

"Brickhouse,... Brickhouse,... BRICKHOUSE!!!"

A heavily bandaged and bruised Brickhouse shuffled on the bed before opening the one eye that had not swollen shut.

"Damn it Catwalk can't I just die in peace?"

"Oh you ain't going to die. Saw bones reckons you'll be back in the field in less than a week. Lucky you're such a big beefy boy."

"Didn't stop that Chimera monster of Mechano's throwing me about like a rag doll though. We were damn lucky to escape."

"You'll soon get over it. Besides you ought to be pleased. Partisan considers the mission a success. Not only did we bloody Mechano's nose we managed to grab all kinds of gear that will help the war effort. More importantly though Viral managed to steal all kinds of info on Mechano's Chimera project. Once she's had a play and broadcast it on the net it's likely to bring all kinds of grief down on Mechano's head."

"Maybe, but we lost some good men during that attack."

"That's why you got to hurry up and get better hun. Partisan wants Soapbox to do another recruiting drive. We need you back in the Captain's costume tearing up those streets so more people see things how we do."

On mentioning the Captain Hollywood masquerade Brickhouse looked uncomfortable. however Catwalk didn't think anything of it putting it all down to the pain of his injuries. Wanting to get away from the whole Captain Hollywood thing Brickhouse pointed to the newspaper in Catwalk's hand.

"What's that?"

"Today's Informer. Loot picked it up. Here, have a look."

Brickhouse took the paper and started to read...

"It's CHIMERA!!!" Catwalk screamed.

Viral looked up from the computer terminal and gulped before getting her head back down, and launching herself into a key tapping frenzy. Meanwhile two of the Blackshirts went to engage Mechano's killing machine, but were quickly incapacitated by Chimera's electric aura before being eviscerated. Brickhouse, not stupid enough to engage Chimera armed only with a nightstick, started to launch various bits of equipment and tooling at it in some vain effort to slow it's advance.

"Hurry up Viral. We're bugging out." Brickhouse shouted as he threw a prototype 'Walkie Waffler'.

Viral's fingers danced across the keyboard in a blur of motion. A moment later she yanked her portable hard drive free from the computer, and bolted out of her chair.

"Got it!"...

Back at the cafeteria...

Mechano's bots and pet Shivan had been a much harder fight than originally anticipated. The Junkyard Dog continued to broadcast growls as Blackshirts behind a wall of riot shields dragged the battered droid away. Meanwhile Spanners winced as another of her Blackshirts was cut to ribbons by T0N-E.

"Screw this. Brickhouse has had more than enough time to accomplish his mission. EVERYBODY FALLBACK!!!"

The Blackshirts didn't need to be told twice. Laying down a rain of covering fire they started to withdraw from the factory dragging wounded men, damaged machinery, and looted equipment behind them.

Shortly after in one of the R & D labs...

"You two tear down that racking. You, torch that corner. You, grab that equipment..."

"Jawohl mein Capitan!" Snapped the last Blackshirt who'd had orders barked at him by Brickhouse.

Something inside Brickhouse snapped and he found himself thrusting the end of his nightstick under the very shocked Blackshirt's chin.

"You trying to be funny?"

"N.. N... No. Sorry... I didn't me.. mean anything by it." Stammered the Blackshirt now standing on tip-toes to avoid the nightstick putting anymore pressure under his chin.

Brickhouse realised he'd made an idiot of himself, the Blackshirt was just making banter with his leader, and not specifically referring to the word 'Captain' at all. Ever since he wore that stupid Statesman outfit during the Capecon mission he'd been getting a lot of stick from his comrades. Things only got worse when Partisan decided he'd be the best person to masquerade as Captain Hollywood in order to help foster some resentment against heroes back in Paragon. Normally he wasn't so easily wound up, but after Capecon Brickhouse found himself questioning his conscience. This inner conflict was the real reason he was angry.

"Sarge, Sergeant, or Brickhouse. NEVER CAPTAIN! I work for a living."

"Uh yeah sure... I mean Sarge!"

The Blackshirt scampered off, and Brickhouse hoped the others would just put the scene down to being one of those NCO rants about not being an officer or something.

"Oooh somebody got out of the wrong side of the bed this morning."

Brickhouse spun to face the direction of Catwalk's voice.

"Catwalk! About time you got here. Who is your friend?" Brickhouse asked referring to a very confused and terrified Mike who was standing behind her.

"Oh him..."

She walked over to Brickhouse taking an automatic pistol from his holster. Then in a swift fluid motion spun back around and shot Mike dead centre in the forehead.

"... Just somebody I used to work with."

Brickhouse tried to show no emotion, but inwardly felt sick to his stomach at Catwalk's unflinching cold brutality. Despite having committing more than his own share of atrocities he'd never managed to become so detached that murder was as uneventful as swatting a fly.

"Uh... Look Catwalk... The boys have done more than enough damage to the factory, and we've nabbed all kinds of gear. Can I give the order to withdraw?"

"Not yet... Viral get over here." Catwalk snapped as she gestured towards a geeky looking young woman whose Blackshirt uniform was covered in pouches bulging with electrical equipment."

"Well hurry up. The last radio message I got from Spanners said some tiger-striped bot was ripping her boys apart while Junkyard Dog was duking it out with Mechano's pet Shivan. She want's to pull out before her casualties get too heavy."

Catwalk and Viral sat at a computer terminal plugging in various bits of equipment and furiously tapping keys. A minute or two later Brickhouse heard a victorious cheer from the two girls. As he looked over he saw something called Project Chimera flash up on screen...

Meanwhile amongst the genetic growth tanks in Mechano's factory...

BAWOOMPH!!!

"Another explosion. Sounds like it came from R & D's direction."

"I think you might be right Mike."

Mike stopped in his tracks and gave a confused look.

"If that's the case shouldn't we run in another direction?"

Yes, if you are planning to avoid the Blackshirts. Catwalk thought to herself.

"The way I see it nowhere in the factory is safe. Perhaps the attackers will be tied up with the factory's defenses and won't notice us slip by."

Mike looked dubious at first and then decided against his better judgement to accept Catwalk's twisted logic. "Ok, but we better be extra careful."

Damn it Mike, be a man and stick to your guns. last thing I need is you tagging along. Catwalk thought to herself as she continued to pick her way through the genetic growth tanks...

Outside by the cafeteria wall...

The Blackshirt's let out a hearty cheer as SM1-LR crashed to the ground in a mess of sparking circuit boards, and twisted metal.

"GROOOWWWWLLL!!!", broadcasted Junkyard Dog to announce it's victory over the other metal goliath.

"WOOT! Oh yeah now that was a Polaroid moment." Shouted one of the Blackshirts.

"Polaroid? Get out of the 80's. It's gone all digital now." Replied another.

"Shut up will'ya. That was a 'Digital moment' just soun..."

The Blackshirt's banter was interrupted by a swift cuff around the back of the head from Spanners.

"Both of you shut it, and GET INTO THAT FACTORY!!!"

The Blackshirts scampered off into the hole in the cafeteria wall almost trampling one of the Kitbashers who was furiously removing salvageble weaponry, and componants from the downed SM1-LR.

Meanwhile the explosion around the east side of the building signalled that Brickhouse's squad was making their entry. Spanner's mission now was to occupy whatever forces Mechano had dispacted to deal with their entry through the cafeteria. If things went to plan Brickhouse's team could get to the more sensitive areas of the factory and hook up with Catwalk with a minimum of resistance.

Thanks for checking out 'Salvage Rights' arc#366579, your feedback is greatly appreciated on this. A few points I'd like to respond to...

Highlighting of key text. This is something I wanted to do in the first place, but on a couple of the text fields I maxed out available characters. It's for this reason I didn't use it as I felt if I couldn't do it everywhere I needed to I shouldn't do it at all. I never realised you could still apply coloured text highlights if you used stock colours. Excellent piece of info there!

Thanks for checking out my arc. The stuff you picked up on is the sort of things I would have a difficult time picking up on myself so I really appreciate those pointers.

On the issue of Instigators not giving xp I am fully aware. They are currently using the Thugs set for dual pistols, and because I removed the summoning powers they count as nil at the moment. Of course once I17 hits I will be changing that, and have already been testing a new build for them in I17 Beta. Lucky enough they only rarely spawn so are not too much an issue at the moment.

As for Spanners not being named, I think that was due to an edit I missed. Due to lack of file space I was forced to use one of my standard Kitbasher models. That too will be rectified in I17.

The whole anti-meta thing not being present enough is also something I plan to look into. I think that perhaps with I17's file size doubling optional extra clues, and flavour patrols can be added to help convey this.

Bio's will be looked at, and I will use the Medic's as a reference seeing as you feel that one works best.

Lastly your idea of a dossier starting clue seems ideal so I will be adding that too.

Once again, thank you very much for your help.

P.S. although I like to add a few comedy elements to some of the dialog (im guessing a certain bit of salvaged machinery's dialog did that for you) I still don't think the arc qualifies as being comedy. However I take your 'feel' criticisms onboard so with future edits I will try to put a more serious tone into the arc.

Ok I had a go at your 'Illpracticed Malpractice' arc#246459 and submitted a reveiw on CoHMR. Any luck it won't be too long in the moderators hands and you can read it soon.

The arc of mine I would like you to look at is 'Salvage Rights' arc#366579. I recently made tweaks and im hoping it's done it's part to implement suggestions made by others as well as solve a couple of issues that originally affected the arc. Your input would be greatly appreciated.

A couple of days later...

BAWOOMPH!!!

"What the... D'you think one of the Doc's experiments went wrong again?" A slightly panicked Mike asked as a slight shockwave relative to the distant explosion they just heard rippled from the room.

The incognito Catwalk had to suppress a smile. Having used them often enough herself she instantly recognised the sound of a satchel charge detonated at the base of on exterior wall. She figured if someone was lobbing satchel charges at the Toasty Dreams Factory that meant Partisan had finally ordered a direct assault. Meaning she would soon be able drop her cover and get out of here.

Shortly after the explosion the distinct sounds of automatic gun fire, and the pitched whine of energy weapons could be heard.

"Oh no! We're under attack!! We better get out of here."

"Way ahead of you Mike." Catwalk said as she darted out of the room. Mike quickly hurried after her, unaware her intention wasn't to escape, but instead rendezvous with her Blackshirt comrades...

Outside, a short distance away from the gaping hole in the cafeteria wall...

"Damn it Gearhead get that heap of junk into that hole before Mechano's bots can mount an effective defence."

"Bzzzt... Crackle... Cough! I'm trying! The stupid control panel just caught fire again, and Cough! the filtration system Cough! can't cope. Bzzzt... Crackle..." replied a synthesised voice broadcast from a battered and heavily patched Rikti Heavy Assault Suit emblazoned with the Humanity First insignia.

"I knew we should of left him behind." A frustrated Spanners said to nobody in particular. "SEND IN THE CANNON FODDER!" She then barked.

On cue a couple of Humanity First tech scroungers known as Kitbashers tapped furiously on hand held control pads. In response to their frantic key tapping half a dozen machines cobbled together from various sources such as outdated industrial robots to Council Mekmen lumbered towards the smoking hole in the wall.

After a seemingly laboriously slow march the Humanity first bots finally made it to the gaping hole and was immediately swallowed by the billowing smoke pouring out from inside. Spanner was about to order her troops inside when the shrouded bots in the building opened fire on an as yet unseen target. After a few moments of weapon fire and the sound of twisting metal there was a short silence followed by an ominous clank, clank, clank of walking metal.

"Make Ready!" Spanners ordered. The assembled Blackshirts obeyed without hesitation.

Clank, clank, clank! came the metal footsteps before the billowing smoke was parted by the hulking metal form of an imposing war droid with a horrific smiling face painted on it.

"It's Smiler!" Shouted one of the Blackshirts who'd recognised SM1-LR close combat bot from the intelligence provided by Catwalk.

SM1-LR broadcast a bloodcurdling metallic laugh before launching itself at the Blackshirts. A few Blackshirts immediately panicked letting out random sprays of ineffectual automatic fire as they turned and bolted. The majority though held their ground firing controlled bursts probing for a weakness in SM1-LR's armour. As bullets bounced off the almost beserk battle-bot, several Blackshirt Gadgeteers manoeuvred into position before unleashing a furious electrical assault against SM1-LR. Despite being heavily shielded SM1-LR still struggled with the Gadgeteer assault.

Meanwhile Spanners, relieved that the Gadgeteers were occupying SM1-LR's attention, turned behind her and started to bark more orders...

"Send in the DOG!"

From behind a group of Blackshirts came a loud metallic growl. Seemingly in response to that growl the Blackshirts parted revealing a battered but intimidating looking assault bot painted in Humanity First livery. After letting out another growl the salvaged assault bot affectionately known as Junkyard Dog marched towards SM1-LR...

Several days later...

The longer Catwalk worked under cover for Mechano the more dangerous the demented old man seemed to her. The Dream Partner program was suppose to create vat grown life forms genetically engineered to a buyer's specifications. It was touted as a way of creating your perfect life partner, and while the Chimera Project was related to that program it was readily apparent this creation would have more sinister applications.

Muscular 'Cat Girl' frame, hyper enhanced regeneration, cybernetic electric shock dampeners capable of projecting electricity, super strength, energy claws, enhanced reflexes, and a myriad of other less spectacular enhancements were being incorporated into the genetic construct Mechano affectionally called 'Chimmey'. Chimera, a composite being seemingly designed purely for offensive power seemed a major corruption of Mechano's Dream Partner program. However considering the in-built offensive arsenal as well as the total lack of education compared to other Dream Partner constructs, Catwalk could come to no other conclusion than that of Chimera being some sort of walking weapon. The very fact Mechano himself was overseeing the project seemed to add further credibility to that theory.

The prospect of Mechano developing super enhanced bio-weapons on top of the other freaks his New You program was churning out was something Humanity First leader Partisan would never stand for. Yet despite a number of attacks by Humanity First Blackshirts against Necrotech employees and patrons Mechano's workforce were proving to be annoyingly resistant to being scared away from the Toasty Dreams factory. It seemed inevitable to Catwalk that Partisan would soon order a direct assault on the facility.

"Cathy... Cathy.... CATHY!"

Catwalk shook out of her daze and turned to face Doctor Mechano.

"Cathy be a dear and pass me sample 291"

"Oh.. Um, of course. Here you go Doctor."

Mechano took the sample from Catwalk and gave her a warm smile.

"Let me guess, you're worrying about all these attacks by those Humanity First bigots? Try not to worry dear. I have already spoke with Kirk Cage about increasing security presence in the neighbourhood. Besides that you are at work now. A second rate outfit like Humanity First lacks both the courage and resources to risk attacking my employees when they are directly under my protection. You are quite safe my dear."

Catwalk forced a smile.

"Thank you Doctor I feel much better now. I was just being silly that's all."

Doctor Mechano gave another warm smile.

"That's quite alright. Now let's put all this behind us and get on with some work. I really can't wait to get my latest creation up and running."

Catwalk went back to her duties killing time before she made another report to Partisan...

"Hey did you hear that Captain Hollywood stopped the Skulls from robbing Ron Gurney's hardware store?"

"No, I bet Ron is pleased with that."

"Not really. Apparently Captain Hollywood totally wrecked his store while fighting the Skulls, Ron wreckons it would of cost him less if he just handed over everything that was in the till."

"Typical. Some heroes are more trouble than they are worth. I don't know why the guy didn't just £*$% off home after Capecon. It's not like we got a shortage of capes in these parts."

----

Conversation overheard by two road workers in Kings Row

As the creator of the afore mentioned Humanity First in the original post I figure I'm kind of obligated to atleast post some sort of opinion on this discussion.

First off the question was actually

I would really appreciate if you had a go at reviewing Salvage Rights Arc #366579. Although it's currently one of the featured arcs on CoHMR, it's yet to benefit from the exposure. Also I have recently tweaked several things after a recent review by Mychyl, so im hoping I can now say the thing is finally finished!

I have an arc for you to try called Salvage Rights Arc#366579. It is written using one of my Unionverse villain groups, Humanity First, but this can easily be fudged for the Virtueverse setting (Virtueverse's Humanity First are a small obscure organisation explaining why the characters have never heard of them before.)

The arc has 4 story driven missions all in the level 35-54 range. The MA arc description is "Go to the Rikti War Zone and help the Vanguard stop the scavenging of Rikti technology." using Borea as a contact, so assuming one of your characters has Borea as an IC contact there is no reason she wouldn't put the mission their way. Also seeing as she's just looking for help in dealing with battlefield looters, the arc fits in with the "Stuff that "A List" heroes might consider "beneath their paygrade". "

Something I should point out is that although the arc is listed as having a neutral morality this is purely because the Vanguard accept assistance from both heroes and villains. The task itself does actually fall in the heroic category.

Should you want further information to enhance your RP experience I have wiki pages linked in my sig on Humanity First (All the group info etc), and for the arc itself.

((Sorry not been around much. More coming soon!))

Necrotech Industries Toasty Dreams Factory, Sharkhead Isle.

"Jelly Bean?"... "Jelly Bean?"... "CATHY, JELLY BEAN?!"

"Wha... Oh no thanks. Sorry Mike I was miles away." Replied a startled incognito Catwalk.

"Don't worry Cathy. we're all a little on edge at the moment with all the attacks and stuff. I guess it's probably worse for you being new and all." He said as he took a hand full of Jelly Beans from one of the factory's many candy dispensers.

Catwalk paused a moment to consider the unusualness of her current assignment. Her job was to infiltrate Doctor Mechano's Sharkhead base of operations so she could gather intelligence on Mechano's security arrangements. She was fully expecting some sort of nightmarish industrial warren with a host of imposing weapons and defences. However on getting inside she discovered her preconception of Necrotech's main production and research facility was way of track. Instead of a cold steel fortress it was a warm inviting almost Wonka-esque wonderland of invention, production, and normally happy smiley employees. The only visable hint to the facility's formidable defences was the brightly painted battle-bots that patrolled the factory.

"I see you're admiring 'Smiler' there... That is one thing you got to say about the good Doctor, he takes the safety of his employees very seriously. It's just a pity he ain't allowed to have the bots patrolling the streets. It might put off them Humanity First creeps who have been targeting the staff."

Catwalk turned away from the patrolling battle-bot with the crudely painted smiley face designated SM1-LR. In the short time she'd been working undercover at the factory she'd discovered Mechano had a number of battle-bots patrolling the site. Interestingly enough each one's unit designation was based on some real life associate of the mad scientist. Before SM1-LR she'd also come across an ECH-0, G8TR, PRF-TRRR, BG-LNK, HL1OS, and a real runt of a battle-bot sporting a tiger striped paint job designated TON-E.

Making a mental note of Smiler, she turned back to face Mike...

"Yeah it's pretty scary knowing we got them jerks attacking people who work here. I hear it's all because of Doctor Mechano's 'New You' program."

"I heard that too. Seems these Humanity First goons got real beef with everything that isn't average 'Joe Public'. Bunch of cranks if you ask me. If the Doc want's to help people change the way they are im right behind him. coming to work here at the Toasty Dreams Factory is the best thing I ever did. No way im going to let a bunch of losers with inadequacy issues scare me off. I'l stick with the Doc through thick and thin."

"You not worried at all?" Catwalk asked hiding her annoyance at Mike's assessment of Humanity First.

"Naah! The Doc won't stand for all this. I hear he's already arranged a meeting with Kirk Cage to get his guys to step up their patrols. As for the factory itself the Doc has dozens of bots roaming the place. Sure things might be a bit scary now but it will soon blow over."

"I hope you're right Mike. This seems like such a great place to work."

"It sure is." Mike said with a smile as he popped another Jelly Bean in his mouth.

...Was! Catwalk sarcastically thought to herself.

Later that morning, the Printworks, Steel Canyon.

There was a moment of silence as Loot switched off Doctor Mechano's TV Advert he'd recorded for Humanity First leader Partisan. Loot then looked over to his comrade Catwalk seemingly seeking approval before he broke the silence...

"...um Boss? ...You ok in there?" Loot asked referring to the lack of sound coming from Partisan's metal mask.

"Thoroughly disgusted Loot but otherwise well... You was right to bring this to my attention. For far to long Doctor Mechano has been a plague on humanity. His willingness to subject himself to constant genetic experiment is reprehensible enough, not to mention his other antics such as that Chonodyne Incident. However intentionally churning out more freaks is something I will not stand for."

"We could always just leave him for the capes? Y'know save our own resources."

"No! The heroes may usually stop him in his tracks, but he always surfaces again. Worse still they actually allowed him to join their ranks at one point. They have proven time and again that they are either unable or unwilling to deal with this problem Permanently. In the past I was content not to interfere with Mechano as he was a prime example of everything that is wrong with Metas, but not now. We will make an example of Mechano, show that we will not stand for the creation of more super powered vermin, as well as deal with a menace the heroes couldn't handle."

"Probably best to start with Mechano's company then. If we st..."

"Way ahead of you Loot." Catwalk piped up interrupting Loot mid-sentence. "Here's some information about Necrotech, including a location of their main factory in Sharkhead." She said as she handed Partisan a PDA displaying the Necrotech web site.

"Hmm the Cage Consortium no doubted patrol the area, but they are no match for our Blackshirts. However the factory itself is unlikely to rely on the Consortium. It's very likely to be patrolled by combat droids and protected by elaborate security systems. I think it's time we fielded our Technical Warfare troops. Loot recall Spanners from the RWZ and ensure she has sufficient Gadgeteers and Battle-Drones in her entourage."

"You got it Boss. Right away." Loot snapped back, giving a lazy salute as he turned and left the room.

"What about Mechano?" Asked Catwalk.

"He will keep for now. However I think that his employees, and any takers on his services should also be made example of. Find out what you can; contact Warden McLane at Longbow if necessary, and then let loose the Blackshirts..."

The Arlington Building, Founders Falls

The place was meant to be a luxury apartment, but the sheer volume of electrical goods, alcohol, designer clothes, and so on made the place look like some sort of storeroom. In amongst the clutter, and sat upon a huge Lazy-Boy chair, was Humanity First's master scrounger Loot chomping down on a Cuban cigar as he watched an obscenely huge television. Just then the game he was watching cut to commercial...

Thank you for the ratings adjustment Mychyl, but a bigger thank you for your work on these reviews. I tried out several of the arcs highlighted in this thread, and found them to be real gems. Chances are I'd of missed them if I never read the reviews. Keep up all the good work!

First off I want to give you a really big thank you for reviewing my arc Salvage Rights, especially since you got to it so fast. Second I'd like to thank you for the points you have made. The problem with all the feedback I got the first time around I published the arc was that it was all positive and gave me no information on what I could improve on. While this was great for the ego it did nothing to help me put right the things that needed attention. Still your review has highlighted plenty of things for me to improve on.

I just want to go over a few things in the review...