Infinitron_EU

I returned to the lobby, there was a couple of officers that had been let in. I walked up to the 2 SWAT officers I had put on the door.
"Who are these people, and tell me no-one has gone out"
"Forensics sir, and noone has been let out"
"Good. Radio Hicks and get someone with thermal imaging in here pronto, we might have some invisible perps. Hell, if they are, they could of slipped out with the hostages and got away clean. As pyro's they would have left a massive heat trail, so we need someone who can detect that. I'll be in the vault. Still noone goes out, understood?"
"Yes sir, will radio in now"

((I like; having never really had a convo with Rich (not that one would have got this information) I never really knew your backstory. It's good. I assume Andrew became your nemesis?))

The 6 man SWAT team moved into the lobby with precision. I was impressed, they knew their stuff. I stepped out so they could see me, and began to give them their commands,
"You two secure the lobby here, no-one leaves through the door. By all means let people in to check the vault, but no-one out until I say. The rest of us will do a quick sweep of the vault, check everyone is out and then move onto a systematic sweep of the building floor by floor. You'll be on point, and will do a standard room clearance on each room - but with one difference. Open the door a fraction and I'll be in first ready to counter any superpowered threat. Please don't shoot me, it hurts. We need to be thorough, but we also need to be fast. Mark each room we clear and lock the doors as we exit. Ok, move out on me"

10 minutes later. Nothing. We had found nothing. Noone. There was one room left. The team was stacked up on the door, front man with his hand on the handle. I gave him the nod. He opened the door a fraction, waited a second and flung it open. The rest of the team performed a perfect room entry to find only me and an empty office.

"Dammit. Where'd they get out? The guys outside better have checked those 'hostages' carefully. Lets get back down to the lobby and see what was taken. This doesn't feel right"

The doors burst open. I felt the fear. After hearing Hick's command, I looked to the front of the building - the doors were open still. I stepped back into the shadow of the building behind me, and stepped forward out into the lobby of the bank, fists clenched ready for a fight; but there was no-one here. I waited for the SWAT, the building was surrounded, and I wasn't invincible. I wasn't going to let these guys out.

Vanguard. If only they were taught the true nature of the 'alien' threat they faced. I could see this becoming an argument. I didn't care, and turned back to await Hick's instructions - going my own way would only get me kicked out of the city; well they would try. I liked being in the good books of the law for the time being, made my life a little easier.

Happy 18th Birthday mate!

I was very surprised to see Blue Shield's signature shield being unlockable for this very reason.

I couldn't deny the logic; he had a point. A new plan was required, but quickly.
"Ok then. If you can get that front door open, even for a second, I can get in, unnoticed. That, or I can go have a look on the roof for an entrance. Your call boss"

Great. Tag alongs.
"I normally work alone, but I'm not arrogant enough to assume I can do this single handedly", I conceded, "If scopes up there can make a hole in one of the fifth floor windows, they shouldn't hear the shatter. I can get myself and one other through that window, so I hope either scorchy here or scopes can fly. Once in, we will work our way down. Once the situation is assessed, I'm sure a solid plan can be formulated. I tell you now, I'm not a negotiator. We will need a secure frequency for communication, and I'm guessing fireboy here will need a communicator."

I wasn't thrilled, but there was something here more than just a bank job. I couldn't hesitate much longer, this needed to be sorted fast before anyone else got hurt. Well... anyone innocent.

My mind raced. This was not going to be easy, but there was a chance. Fear is the mind-killer. These criminals are afraid of me, I've seen their true face.

"Lieutenant, can your sniper take out a window high up on the building quietly? Negotiation isn't my forte. With your permission, I'd be best inside getting the exact situation. I can do this unseen" I informed the Lieutenant.
I didn't care if he said No, I was going in whatever. It was my duty; my duty to the people, not to 'the force'.
Looking up the building at the windows, the sky looked like rain was coming. The clouds hung heavy as I hyperextended my fingers back until they clicked, the momentary relief a rare pleasure in this godforsaken city. I reached behind my back as I picked my hat from the shadows and placed it on my head, the familiar snug fit of the leather was reassuring, like an old friend coming home. I brushed the rim of the hat as I waited for the Lieutenants response, as to who he was going to send in first.

((just fyi, mask is full face, so you wouldn't see my eyes, but you wern't to know that. You would have seen me freeze in place though, so no loss))

Death. It was always death. Ever since the beginning it had been. Today was no different. And it didn't look like it was going to get much better.

"Nothing" I muttered as I waited for the officer to give me the information.

"You don't smell like one" I commented as I stepped out of the shadows, raising my badge to the officer. As he turned to me I gave him the details he would undoubtedly want before he wasted his breath,
"Special Detective on loan to the PPD; name is unimportant, but my hero designation is 'The Walking Shadow'. All you really need to know is I am a man with a particular skill set that will help you should you require it", I rattled off, not trying to hide the disdain in my voice,
"What's the exact situation?" I enquired, whilst observing the scene through my mask, taking in the officer positions and details of the building. As my eyes came down to the entrance, I noticed the piles of soot and scorch marks on the floor. Under my mask, the hairs on the back of my neck stood up, and my mind flashed with the image of the burning victims; the look of terror in their eyes like a rabbit in the headlights of a truck.
Come on man, this is no time for this, pull yourself together. I shrugged the image off and brought myself back to the current situation. Better.

Ash filled my lungs, burning like the decay of this city on the hotbed of crime. I coughed, clearing the smoke from my system; looking down at the corpse of the assailant infront of me. He shouldn't have come at me with the knife. The gun was an even stupider move.
As the still smoking firearm lay next to his motionless body, I turned to her.
Her red hair piercing the dark alley, never again to see the light of day. I had failed, but justice had been served.

Adjusting my mask and picking up my hat, the communicator in my ear picked up the distress call from the Detective. I leapt to the roof of the nearest building to get my bearings. As I did so I pulled my badge from the inside of my jacket pocket and affixed it to the outside of my coat; the now dulled shine of the brass a sorry reminder of its former glory; it's existence reflected my own.

I slipped into the shadow, and silently sped across the city. I wouldn't let anyone else die today.

((This is The Walking Shadow for this roleplay))

What abouts the peoples that did apply? Do we not get any recognition for trying?

Aye very good idea, as custom group information will be important to peoples stories. Good shout.

For your consideration:

Arc ID: 23894
Character (publisher) Name: Infinitron
Arc Name: The Fall and Rise of Infinitron
Level Range: 40-50 (i think)
Mob Types: Varied - Outcast/Crey/Sky Raider/Axis America/Customs
Length: 4 missions
A quick precis: It's the background story of Infinitron, through stages of his development - Hardest thing in the set is an EB. Should be easily soloable by a non squishy, squishies will likely need friends (or make sure you are on heroic).

As for the RP place discussion - you make the point yourself Rock - the lvl limit. People dont want to have to have their character at 35 to RP it. I only have 4 characters above 20 as it is.

I have a PPD character - well, he has a PPD badge. It's The Walking Shadow, and he has developed in my mind into a very Rorshach'esque character. He's got the whole complete secret identity thing going on (although i might change this, unsure at the mo), and specialises in hunting down cases with strange and sometimes brutal demises. His reasons are unknown.
Also i want to get into writing in a film noir style with this toon. If you want him there, he's available.

Rufus will be there.

I wouldn't be opposed to this.

I have a couple of characters who i wibble around at GG, one has never been asked his identity (hero or otherwise) and so has never had to hide it, but he would. The other is Rufus aka. Next Dimension. People only know his first name, as Next Dimension is his 'designation' not chosen alias. They do not know his true identity (IC that is, people may have read his background and the goings on int he Infinity building).

I'm very interested in your story, so feel free to use any of my characters. If its a 'possible future' story, then hell you could use the now deceased Infinitron.

Whatever you do, keep wrting, it's good.

I like it, I like it alot. As for the Frank Miller style, yeah i think you got that down; in my head it sounded just like the monologuing by Marv in Sin City.

I like the idea aswell, the god emperor, who is it? We don't know (or at least, i don't). This could be a brilliant short story if you write more.

Great work, keep it up.

The face of Joseph Infinus appeared on the monitor.

"Greetings Rufus. As you are here, then I am dead, and my mission has failed. Maybe it is better this way, maybe it was not my destiny to succeed, or maybe I took the wrong path. It matters not, I am not here to dictate what you do, or ask you to continue my quest; for that would take away your freedom - the freedom I fought so hard to uphold.
As you are no doubt aware, I have been aware of your true identity for a while. I must say it was nice to find out I had descendants, and that they carried on the good fight. You being here was a strange event; time travel is a tricky business.I know this as well as any man, and I fear it to be my downfall, or my greatest gift. Ironically, only time will tell.
As you know, all my possessions are now yours. The remainder of my fortune, all of my properties, all of my equipment, and all of these..."
At this point the lights flickered on around the room to reveal display stands, each holding one of the suits of armour that Infinitron wore.
"... and with them, you get the mantle of Infinitron. The authorities are aware of my death; and that you have taken on the role. Use it as you wish, hopefully it has instilled fear in the lower elements of this city and will be an asset in your fight. There is a training simulation for the suit, combat procedures, and all my files in the room behind this monitor. Good luck Rufus, and good journey."

The monitor turned itself off.

Rufus looked around the room, at the suits, at the weaponry in the racks behind it. Walking around the armoury, he noticed the mentioned further room with a large computer bank. Picking up one of the helmets and turning it over, Rufus smiled.
"Ok Joe. Let's do this"

((Thankyou to everyone involved, this has been fun. Thanks for reading. Hopefully the 'new' Infinitron will be interesting to roleplay. Please leave any feedback, will be gratefully appreciated.))

Infinity Building, Steel Canyon

Rufus stepped up to the doors of the Infinity Building, and the entrance slid open with a self-satifying hiss.
The hovering bot on the reception perked up,
"Greetings sir, please use the elevator", at which point the elevator pinged open, and large shutters rolled down infront of the entrance Rufus had just walked through.
As the elevator doors slid shut, Rufus looked at the floor options, but as he did so, the lights in the buttons dimmed. Above the buttons a small panel moved aside open with another button that lit up.
"Must be my floor" he commented as he pressed the button, and the elevator began to move.
Slowing to a halt, the doors slid open to reveal a darkened room. Stepping out into the room a monitor flickered into life.

"Greetings traveller", came a disembodied voice, "in the envelope in your possession is a flash drive, insert it into the side of the monitor infront of you and a 5 digit code will appear, say it out loud and voice recognition software will verify. You have 30 seconds before the room is locked down and gas released."
Working expediently, Rufus broke the seal of the envelope and emptied the contents, which indeed was a USB flash drive. Slotting it into the monitor, it whirred and 7AEF3 was displayed,
"Seven, A, E, F, Three" Rufus said aloud.
"Verifying... Subject verified. Rufus Infinus. Welcome Rufus, I have a message for you..."

No apologies necessary, hope everything gets sorted in your favour and you can jump back on the wagon.

2 Days Later...
Above Galaxy City

The hero, Next Dimension, zipped across the sky; eyes burning with Kheldian energy. His communicator bleeped and then clicked on.
"Hi Rufus, it's Jenny here from City Hall"
"Hi Jenny, how can I help?"
"Can you get over here? There's a man here to see you. A lawyer, says he's the executor of the Infinus estate. You knew him?"
Furrowing his brow, Infinitron paused and then replied,
"I'll be right there" and clicked off his communicator, span in mid air and burst forward in a pulse of light, accelerating towards Atlas Park.

Atlas Park, City Hall

The caped figure of Next Dimension swooped in towards the doors, and as he pulled up, burst into a white light and landed dressed in a smart suit.
Pulling open the door, he entered. Standing at the reception silently was another suited figure.
"You are the hero known as The Next Dimension?" asked the man.
"I am" replied Rufus.
"I am Liam Johnson, I represent the estate of Joseph Infinus. You are included in his will, and we wish you to be present during the reading of it. We have a car waiting outside. Please follow me" he announced.
Puzzled, Rufus nodded and followed the man to the Mercedes outside. Pulling away, it headed North.

Steel Canyon
As the car pulled up, a doorman rushed up and opened the door for the pair. Liam Johnson stepped out, thanked the man, and marched into the building, with Rufus following close behind.
The entered a large office, where Liam motioned Rufus to a chair, and then sat himself behind a large desk.
Looking round the grand room, Rufus sat quiet, thoughts rushing through his head. Finally he spoke up,
"Who else is coming?" he asked.
"Noone, sir" he replied, "Now to business", he continued as he moved an envelope and picked up a document from his desk.
"This is the last will and testament of one Joseph Infinus, it names you as sole beneficiary of his estate. Everything is yours; a list of your new assets is here. On the event of his death, he decreed you be contacted, informed, and then given this letter", at which point the envelope was handed over; on the front was the Infinicorp. logo and a similar seal on the rear, "to be opened and read once you take posession of his property and are within its walls" he stated.
Taking the envelope, Rufus' mind was thinking in overdrive - how had he known? and why? This could be a dangerous path he was treading.
"We just need you to sign here, here, and here", motioning to several pages in the document, "and then it is all yours sir"
Wary, but intrigued, Rufus signed the documents. As he did so, Liam leaned back in his chair,
"You know I had dealings with Joe for 8 years, his passing is a great loss to this city, despite his recent activities; but in all those 8 years, I had no idea he had any relatives - him being an orphan and all. His legacy is now yours I suppose. Any legal advice you may need, we are here to help, and we look forward to working with you in the future Mr. Infinus."