Pious

[ QUOTE ]
((Nice work Pious. Can't help feeling despair for thirty kids locked in a life they will inevitably p*ss against the wall))

[/ QUOTE ]

((Tell me about it. As the kids these days put it, they're just a bunch of wayystemen))

Thanks Prof.

September 17th. Sunday. 13:02.

"Present are Derek Holden, Lady Cobra, The Masked Angel, Dragonfly, The Portent, Unit 29, Icicles and I, Mer'de. Dragonfly, the table is yours."

Mer'de sat as Dragonfly stood.

"Thank you Mer'de. First, I'd like to apologise for the trouble I've landed you all in but, I have been running around fixing things. If we all focus on the central projection screen?"

The spherical hologram of the globe was replaced with a portrait of young woman.

"The lady before you is Madrilene Potter, also known as the Falcon Blitz. She has a long history of armed robbery in both Texas and New York but has spent her time in Ziggursky. Recent evidence links her to the New Mafia; a syndicate of criminal organisations in the Rogue Isles. Now get this; she has been the only source of information to the press.. on the Militia."

She turned to Mer'de before taking her seat.

"Dragon, what are your thoughts in light of this new evidence?" asked Mer'de.

"Well, we've found our guy. I think this is the woman that wants us out of the way. She's the one who killed the newspaper editors, the Judge and the opposing atturney. It has to be."

Icicles cleared his throat. "Sorry, er.. okay, so.. Falcon Blitz has been feeding the media with our secrets in the hope to have us imprisoned.. right? So what we need to do is find out one, where she's getting her information and two, why she's doing this."

Mer'de made to talk. "You mentioned the New Mafia, Dragonfly.. If thats who she's working for, then we have a major problem on our hands."

"Whats New Mafia got to do with us?" Lady Cobra asked.

"Yeah. Good bloody question." Derek muttered.

Mer'de looked uneasy.

"Mer'de, is there something you're not telling us? This has something to do with the Minister doesn't it?" asked Dragonfly.

"Probably.." Mer'de stuttered. "I've been investigating the Ministry and I now know the identity of the Minister."

"Then tell us" Dragonfly exclaimed.

Mer'de hesitated. Every set of eyes in the room was fixed on him.

"We have a right to know." Derek spoke again. "Usually, I wouldn't give a rats ars about who's paying for our brand new costume, our gym, headquarters, whatever." Derek's voice was gradually getting louder. "But right now, my girlfriend is missing, the team is under public humiliation, people are dying, and now it turns out somebody really is behind all this." He stood up, fists clenched. "And you're making it sound like we've got a major threat, right here in our OWN DAMN ORGANISATION!" His fists slammed onto the table. "NOW YOU TELL ME, WHAT TA HELL IS GOING ON!"

Lady Cobra gently placed a hand on Derek. "Calm down"

"No, no. He's right." Mer'de stood and the holographic projection displayed the portrait of an old man with long silver hair. "Sir Micheal Wayne. Fifth richest man in all of America. Entreprenuer and Minister of Founders Falls City Security. I've never spoken to him directly and the closest I've ever been able to get was the ground floor lobby of his tower. However, I have always maintained a good relationship with some of his agents, who summoned me from the Alps. According to them, he began the Militia project to give talented crimefighters as ourselves, the opportunity of herodom. Never to use as his own weapon or bodyguards, by the way." he added, with a glance at Dragonfly. "When dealing with the Militia, he adopts the title of Minister as a hero might adopt a codename, in order to keep his personal life unaffected by the team."

Mer'de sat and a long silence ensued.

"Well" Lady Cobra sighed. "Sounds like the New Mafia are planning something on Wayne Industries. It'd explain why they would want us out of the way."

"Business." Derek muttered. "I hate business!"

"So what do we do?" Icicles asked.

"It's simple." said Dragonfly. "We stalk this Falcon Blitz lady, follow her to her boss, beat them all up and send them to hell for all this nonsense."

Dragonfly heard Justin and Derek chuckled.

"Good idea.." said Lady Cobra. ".. but it would be smarter to infiltrate their base of operations and gather as much evidence as possible. We'll send them to jail and redeem our names."

"Easier said than done, I killed a cop" Derek muttered.

"That was self-defence Derek. Besides, I have it worse, they think I'm a serial killer."

"I've been breaking you all in and out of prison." Mer'de said, before releasing a thunderous laugh.

((Written with Derek Holden, Lotus X, Wolfram, Blade and Dante))

Guys, worst thing to have ever happened to me: [u]I just got attacked[u] by over thirty kids, I got mugged off my wallet and phone, and bottled in the forehead! While trying to protect five innocent girls.

((Worst thing to have ever happened to me: [u]I just got attacked[u] by over thirty kids, I got mugged off my wallet and phone, and bottled in the forehead! While trying to protect five innocent girls. ))

((#Lets do the timewarp agaaaain.# ))

Friday 15th. Los Angelos.

A lowrider pulls up in the garage of what looked like a million dollar mansion. Inside, a shady figure executes a series of gymnastic vaults but nearly tumbles on the landing as security alarms suddenly goes off.

#Intruder Alert# #Intruder Alert# #Executing Lockdown Sequence in 3, 2, 1#

The gymnast remained stationed on his landing mat, silent as air. Suddenly, a sharp beam of heat shot across the gymnasium, directly at the gymnast before igniting into an endless streak of fire.

"New trick? Real fancy, but you're still way too slow. Now cut it out already." The flames intensified. "Sinn!"

"Damn you Pious! There must be a way to beat your stupid shield man, no fair."

Pious held up a remote control and the room brightened.

"Woah, you been working out or what?" Sinn exclaimed.

"How many times have I told you not to do that? Huh? Everytime my alarms go off, its you. For once in your life, be normal and just.. use the damn buzzer."

"Gee, whats up with you?"

"Nothing." Pious sighed.

"Oh I know, its the grey hairs isn't it?" said Sinn, laughing.

"Whatever"

"Heard you finally hung up the old cape huh? Old age getting to ya?"

"To be honest with you, ever since mums passed away, I've been out of touch. Look, I'm gonna spread my wings for a bit."

"Wait up, I have to get back to New York so I'm gonna make this quick.. got any water?" A blur of colour, flying paper and a slamming refrigerator door later. "Ah there we are. Evian, good stuff."

Pious moved to a steel-locked window and enveloped himself with his trademark illusion; his resplendant white spandex. Large wings extended from under his shoulder bone, sweeping the floor gently as they grew. From beyond the angelic glow, Pious spoke.

"Hurry up man, I got things to do"

"Well, word on the street is Axel's up to no good again. I heard some of his New York buddies talking. New Mafia are planning an invasion of Founders Falls, it's got the gangs all worked up. I know how much you used to love that little town so I thought I'd come let ya know."

"Thanks bro. I'll go check on Axel"

"No problem Pious and hey, Jason says hi. He misses the fun times."

"Well you'll never know Sinn. Stopping an invasion of Founders might just call for the Hunters"

The barred window suddenly slid open, revealing a sunny summer day. Pious swooped out into the open air and just as the window slammed shut, he spun round to address Sinn.

"Good luck getting out of the house.. bro"

Saturday 16th. French Alps.

"Tran'e, please. I'm begging you" Mer'de barked, in his native tongue of Journe.

"No Igor. You are no longer a part of this community so please, get out of my sight, stop talking and just leave me alone."

"Tran'e, you are my brother and never have I asked anything of you. Now, I am begging to do me this one favour. Please."

The two monsters trampled on, through ice and snow in.

"Please"

"Okay, okay. Jak'te! Begging does not suit you, brother"

Mer'de bellowed in joy. "Barrtek, barrtek. Thank you, thank you, oh Jak'te, thank you!"

"You're welcome, now get out of here before somebody sees us."

"Thank you Tran'e, I'll pick you up right before the trial."

"Whatever. You know I don't approve of this right? I would have expected better from you!" Tran'e shouted, but Mer'de had already gone.

* * *

Saturday 16th. Ziggursky. 11:00.

Dragonfly had been singing in the showers for over an hour. Suddenly, a knock.

"I'm showering!" Dragonfly bellowed.

"Police! You have ten seconds to cover yourself up and open this door. Ten. Nine.."

"What? Wait.. I don't understand"

"Five, four"

Sshhit Dragonfly thought, as she flung on her bathrobe and opened the door to a dozen policemen.

"Sabrina San, you're under arrest for the murders of --"

"Murder? What F**KING MURDER?!"

"-- Rein Daniels, Steven Ronalds, Keith Shaun --"

"Rein Daniels? He's.. wait, I didn't.. stop! Get your hands off me"

"-- Penelope Fraiser, Micheal Moore and Judge Esther Charlie. You have the rights to remain silent --"

"You are making a mistake! No!"

"-- anything you say can and will be used against you in the --"

"This is insane, I didn't kill anybody! You can't arrest me! For god's sake, I'm here in prison. I'm on trial! Where are you taking me?"

The policemen cuffed her and held her in a tight armlock. The officer in command, having given up reading her her rights, took a diferent approach.

"You're no longer in V.I.P detainment okay? All evidence on the murder scenes point to you... Congratulations Ms. San, you're officially a state criminal."

As they walked through the parlour, Dragonfly caught sight of the television set.

"... a second massacre by the African-Chinese heroine, Dragonfly. The deaths of Rein Daniels, editor of The Paragon Times, Steven Ronalds editor of Heroic News, Penelope Fraiser, editor of Galaxy City Courtroom, Keith Shaun, editor of Magazine of The Year - Paragon Spy, Micheal Moore, The Poeple's atturney and Judge Esther Charlie..."

Dragonfly's face was stone cold.

"Everythin's goin' exactly as you planned baby. I'm impressed."

The voice carried a New York accent but it came from nowhere.

"Oh believe me Axel, I dont need your thoughts on this. What are the papers saying?"

Suddenly, three newspapers hit a glass table, followed by a magazine. A lamp flicked on, and then a hand emerged gently from the darkness. A gold ring housing a red jewel sat comfortably on the middle finger as the index perused the papers, sliding along the printed lines.

"Lets see, blah blah blah.. blah blah.. oh here we are." she muttered.

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

The Militia Strikes The Press! - #Paragon Times

... last night. Mr Rein Daniels fears for his safety and demands justice brought down quickly upon the Militia, before somebody really gets hurt...

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

The Militia Jailbreak! - #Heroic News

"... suspisions circling the constant disappearances of the Militia. Prison Security are being doubled at the V.I.P cell..."

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

Sabrina San in Lesbian Love! - #Paragon Spy - Magazine of the Year.

... the Asian heroine had broken out of jail to a secret rendevous on the beaches of Circe Island, where she enjoyed a passionate kiss with her lesbian lover, (pictured above) who is yet to be identified...

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

Militia Accused! - #Galaxy City Courtroom

... strongly defending their absent teammates, in an attempt to lift the bounty. The morning...

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

"Excellent. Things are actually playing out better than I predicted."

"Whats the next move Alicia?"

The lamp went off and all, was darkness.

If a Mastermind is anything but Dark Miasma, he's a donut? Nah, not funny.

Hey MaX... hehe!

Wednesday 13th
20:15. Paragon Times News Print, Talos Island.

Dragonfly materialized from thin air, directly onto a street lamp facing the Paragon Times printing studio. She wore a one-piece skin-tight suit, blacker in colour than the night itself.

It was the suit she’d worn at the killings of the Devils of Kimone, the night that changed her life forever, yet she was happy to be back inside it.

Along her line of vision, through an open window on the east side of the printing studio sat a chubby little man apparently arguing with the telephone receiver.

“Hernandez! Hernandez, you listen to me you son ova dog, I want that recording. Do whatever it takes, kidnap the damn lawyer for all I care, just get me that tape. Goodbye!”

He slammed the receiver down onto the telephone, all to notice the slender blade of the Golden Dragonfly katana at his throat.

“The blade at your throat killed over sixty murderers, thieves and rapists – criminals such as you, only four months ago. Correct me if I’m wrong…” she double checked the name plate on the man’s desk. “Mr Daniels, but that is the story you have been writing about lately isn’t it?”

Mr Daniels remained silent, his jaws locked stiff in anger.

“Your pride will get you killed tonight Mr Daniels and nobody will miss you, now answer my question!” Dragonfly exclaimed, through gritted teeth, visible under her mask.

“Yes.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere. I’m willing to lower this blade if you agree to co-operate, you see, I’m having trouble sleeping. Somebody is using you to smear the reputation of me, and my friends. Judging from the situation you’re in right now, it’s rather obvious that I’m not very happy about this.” The tone of her voice wasn’t far off, insane. “Now, Mr Daniels: one very simply question” she removed her enchanted sword, which immediately disappeared. “Who gave you all these information?”

* * *

Later that night…
21:30. Circe Island, Talos.

Dragonfly sat under a rock on the beautiful Circe Island, surrounded by documents. She flipped open her cell phone and dialled for the Masked Angel. It hardly rang once before Meriam’s voice filtered through.

“Dragonfly!” she exclaimed silently. “Wow, this is so strange, I was just thinking about you”

“Really?” she asked, flattered and unable to hide it.

“Yeah. You okay?”

“Oh right, this evening. I’m… I’m fine, what about you? Are you laying low?”

“You bet. I now understand why the Masked Angel is masked. Can you imagine what would have happened if the authorities knew me?”

“Worst would be your dad finding out”

“Exactly, mum would stripped me off the mask for like ever!” She sighed. “Oh. I’m glad you called. It’s good to hear your voice when you’re not angry Sabri… I mean Dragonfly.”

Dragonfly chuckled. “Well, this isn’t the Militia’s comms, but I triple checked that it wasn’t on ‘broadcast’”

Meriam laughed. “Oh, I remember that. God, wasn’t it embarrassing?”

“No not really, everyone would have found out that I like you one way or another.” she said, ever so casual.

Meriam chuckled nervously, followed by an awkward silence.

Shhitt! Dragonfly thought. “Meriam, I’m so sorry, I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable”

“No, it’s fine. It’s okay, we’ve already talked about this, remember?” she chuckled again. “Let’s… change the subject”

“Yeah, good idea”

“So like, whatareyoudoing?”

“Working, actually. I went to see Rein Daniels”

“Paragon Times?”

“Yup, he was very helpful. Gave me more than enough info. I got a lead on a, Madrilène Potter. What’re you up to?”

“Me? Err… well, it’s like quarter-to-ten and I’ve got practice tomorrow”

“What like soccer practice?”

“Football, yeah”

“Oh. Shame, could’ve used your company around here. With PPD in and out of headquarters, I’m expected to sleep in prison”

“Gee, what about your--“ Meriam cut herself short, she was about to suggest the Kings Row apartment where Dragonfly and her mother used to live, but figured she would probably be trying to forget her past. Her mother’s sacrifice. “Actually, I could do with a jump or two. Need the exercise”

“Well, I could just teleport you here” Dragonfly laughed.

“Good point. Hurry--“ Meriam appears on the Island “--because I’ve got to be back by ten. Oh, dear me, that was fast.” Meriam laughed, realising she was actually out of her room. “Oh my god! Nice outfit”

“Thanks, it made of Nylon, Polyester and Elastate.”

“Well it’s certainly elastic. Very Ninja”

“That’s because I am Ninja.” Dragonfly joked.

“Yeah, and here I am in my PJ’s. Tell you what, through in a skirt with one of those and I too can be Ninja.” They laughed. “Wow, will you look at this place!” Meriam marvelled at a nearby waterfall. “Dragon, where are we?”

“Circe Island, just off the coast of Talos”

“It’s beautiful, I aught to come here more often. Suddenly got this urge to go swimming” They laughed. Meriam turned to look at Dragonfly closely. It was a dark night but under the moonlight she couldn’t have looked more beautiful. Meriam had always seen Sabrina to be a role model and it pained her all the more to see her living like this.

“Are you staring at me?” Dragonfly smiled.

Meriam wanted to answer that with some wise joke, instead, she asked a question that had been nagging at her.

“Dragon, will we ever get to call you Sabrina again?” She paused for an answer as tears filled her eyes. “I mean, Dragonfly is just a mask, when will you take it off? Lately, you’re either angry or sad… all the time.” Her tears fell, glistening in the moonlight as they rolled slowly down her cheeks. Dragonfly was surprised. The warrior princess placed her hands softly on Meriam’s cheeks and swept away the tears.

“Not all the time... I’m happy when I’m with you” she whispered. A little embarrassed, Meriam chuckled slightly, lowering her face. At that moment, time seemed to freeze. In Meriam's eyes, the stars, the moon, Sabrina, they all seemed three times brighter as they kissed.

((written with Lotus X))

Hey dude, like I said to Polaris, here's how I play my [u]Thugs Forcefield[u] and I for one, prefer it to Robots or Dark Miasma.

Right, check this out:

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://sherksilver.coldfront.net/index.php)
---------------------------------------------
Name: Phoenix
Level: 50
Archetype: Controller
Primary: Illusion Control
Secondary: Empathy
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Spectral Wounds==> Dmg(1) Dmg(3) Dmg(3) Acc(9) Acc(27) EndRdx(27)
01) --> Healing Aura==> Heal(1) Heal(5) Heal(5) EndRdx(11)
02) --> Heal Other==> Heal(2) Heal(13) Heal(13) EndRdx(15)
04) --> Blind==> Dmg(4) Dmg(9) Dmg(11) Acc(15) Hold(17) Hold(34)
06) --> Flash==> Acc(6) Hold(7) Hold(7) Hold(17) Rechg(33) Rechg(33)
08) --> Swift==> Run(8) Run(37)
10) --> Resurrect==> Rechg(10) Rechg(36)
12) --> Air Superiority==> Dmg(12) Dmg(42) Acc(43)
14) --> Fly==> Fly(14) Fly(37) Fly(37)
16) --> Clear Mind==> EndRdx(16)
18) --> Phantom Army==> Rechg(18) Rechg(19) Rechg(19) Dmg(25) Dmg(31) Dmg(39)
20) --> Fortitude==> TH_Buf(20) TH_Buf(21) DefBuf(21) DefBuf(40) TH_Buf(46) DefBuf(46)
22) --> Hasten==> Rechg(22) Rechg(23) Rechg(23)
24) --> Health==> Heal(24) Heal(25) Heal(46)
26) --> Spectral Terror==> EndRdx(26)
28) --> Recovery Aura==> Rechg(28) Rechg(29) Rechg(29) EndRdx(40)
30) --> Stamina==> EndMod(30) EndMod(31) EndMod(31)
32) --> Phantasm==> Dmg(32) Dmg(33) Dmg(34) Acc(34) Acc(43)
35) --> Regeneration Aura==> Rechg(35) Rechg(36) Rechg(36) EndRdx(40)
38) --> Adrenalin Boost==> Rechg(38) Rechg(39) Rechg(39) EndRdx(43)
41) --> Conserve Power==> Rechg(41) Rechg(42) Rechg(42)
44) --> Temp Invulnerability==> DmgRes(44) DmgRes(45) DmgRes(45) EndRdx(45)
47) --> Power Boost==> Rechg(47) Rechg(48) Rechg(48) EndRdx(48)
49) --> Power Blast==> Dmg(49) Dmg(50) Dmg(50) Acc(50)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Run(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Acc(1)
01) --> Containment==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> IntRdx(2)
---------------------------------------------

Child of the Phoenix or what? Not that I'm making another Illusion troller, I was just bored.

Hehe.

Yes. As you may have heard, I lost an arm in my desperate attempt to play in the City of Heroes. Withdrawal symptoms drove me mad, much like.. [u]this guy.[u]

Just remember, us Masterminds are proud of our supremacy over all, and in being superior, we must not affiliate ourselves with inferior archytypes.. unless target practising.

Are yes, you're right MaX. However, once you're 15 Polaris, step into Bloody Bay and you'll be able to spawn him, because you get auto-bumped to level 25 for the duration spent in the zone. MaX.

Tell you what, read what I've told Polaris, Outkaster: Clicky!

The arsonist joins the party at level fifteen. First he'll use moltovs, then when you give him a lighter, (upgrade ) he'll breath fire using alcohol.

No, the arsonists who die, die due to the mastermind. Sounds like you're quite an efficient one, thus your arsonist is fine. Having said that, he does aparantly have the lowest survivability, defencewise.

Deathdude, when you gonna fix your signature man?

Heres the complete build:

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://sherksilver.coldfront.net/index.php)
---------------------------------------------
Name: Pistol
Level: 50
Archetype: Mastermind
Primary: Thugs
Secondary: Force Field
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Call Thugs==> Dmg(1) Dmg(3) Dmg(3) Acc(7) Acc(7)
01) --> Force Bolt==> Acc(1) Rechg(40)
02) --> Deflection Shield==> DefBuf(2) DefBuf(5) DefBuf(9) EndRdx(17)
04) --> Insulation Shield==> DefBuf(4) DefBuf(5) DefBuf(9) EndRdx(19)
06) --> Equip Thugs==> EndRdx(6) Rechg(37)
08) --> Combat Jumping==> DefBuf(8) DefBuf(11) DefBuf(48)
10) --> Hover==> Fly(10) Fly(11) Fly(48) DefBuf(50) DefBuf(50)
12) --> Call Enforcer==> DefBuf(12) DefBuf(13) DefBuf(13) Dmg(15) Dmg(15) Acc(17)
14) --> Super Jump==> Jump(14) Jump(34)
16) --> Personal Force Field==> DefBuf(16) DefBuf(34) DefBuf(34) Rechg(37)
18) --> Gang War==> Rechg(18) Rechg(19) Rechg(36) Acc(40)
20) --> Dispersion Bubble==> DefBuf(20) DefBuf(21) DefBuf(21) EndRdx(23)
22) --> Aid Other==> Heal(22) Heal(23) IntRdx(25) Rechg(29) Heal(40)
24) --> Aid Self==> Heal(24) Heal(25) IntRdx(31) IntRdx(33) Heal(43)
26) --> Call Bruiser==> Dmg(26) Dmg(27) Dmg(27) Acc(29) Acc(31) EndRdx(31)
28) --> Swift==> Run(28) Run(33)
30) --> Health==> Heal(30) Heal(33)
32) --> Upgrade Equipment==> EndRdx(32) Rechg(37) EndRdx(46)
35) --> Stamina==> EndMod(35) EndMod(36) EndMod(36)
38) --> Detention Field==> Rechg(38) Rechg(39) Rechg(39) Acc(39) Acc(46) Acc(50)
41) --> Scorpion Shield==> DefBuf(41) DefBuf(42) DefBuf(42) DmgRes(42) DmgRes(43) DmgRes(43)
44) --> Web Envelope==> Acc(44) Acc(45) Immob(45) Immob(45) EndRdx(46) Acc(48)
47) --> Acrobatics==> EndRdx(47)
49) --> Force Bubble==> EndRdx(49)
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Sprint==> Run(1)
01) --> Brawl==> Acc(1)
01) --> Supremacy==> Empty(1)
02) --> Rest==> IntRdx(2)
---------------------------------------------

Now check this out right, these are the statistics for Pistol, leader and founder of The Gang.

Resistances to Disorientate: Dispersion Bubble and Aid Self.
Resistances to Immobilization: Dispersion Bubble and Combat Jumping.
Resistances to Holds: Dispersion Bubble and Acrobatics.
Resistances to Sleep: Dispersion Bubble and Health.
Resistances to Knockbacks: Acrobatics and Hover.

Defences to Lethal Damage: 33.57%
(Dispersion Bubble: 9.36%, Combat Jumping: 3.51%, Hover: 3.15%, Scorpion Shield: 17.55%)
Defences to Smashing Damage: 33.57%
(Dispersion Bubble: 9.36%, Combat Jumping: 3.51%, Hover: 3.15%, Scorpion Shield: 17.55%)
Defences to Energy Damage: 44.88%
(Dispersion Bubble: 9.36%, Combat Jumping: 3.51%, Hover: 3.15%, Scorpion Shield: 28.86%)
Defences to Toxic Damage: 29.84%
(Dispersion Bubble: 9.36%, Scorpion Shield: 20.48%)
Defences to Fire, Cold, Negative Energy and Psionic Damage: 16.02%
(Dispersion Bubble: 9.36%, Combat Jumping: 3.51%, Hover: 3.15%)

Personal Force Field: 118.56% Defense and 56% Damage Resistance.

Detention Field: Accuracy: 109.9%, Duration: 45 seconds, Usage: Every 30 seconds.

Gang War: Summon: 10 Thugs, Duration: 2 minutes, Usage: Every 5 minutes.

Now how about that? Higher defenses than your average Tanker, and all she does is hover high up striking a pose. Occasionaly shielding her minions and friends, or webbing down a whole mob. A true mastermind.

Considering thugs have the highest burst damage (single target) Fire, Lethal and Smash, lets look at their defences:

Defenses to Lethal, Smashing and Melee Damage: 50.6%
(Dispersion Bubble: 9.36%, Deflection Shield: 14.04%, Enforcers' Maneuvers: 27.2%)
Defenses to Cold, Energy, Fire, Negative Energy and Ranged Damage: 54.03%
(Dispersion Bubble: 9.36%, Insulation Shield: 17.47%, Enforcers' Maneuvers: 27.2%)

Minions: Increased Perception. Resistances to Fear, (Hold, Immobilisation, Disorientate and Sleep)
Bruiser: Increased Perception. Resistances to Fear, Confuse, Placate, Fear, Lethal Damage (15%), Smashing Damage (15%), Fire Damage (10%), Cold Damage(10%), Energy Damage (10%), (Hold, Immobilisation, Disorientate and Sleep)

Only if you want Tactic's +perception. In my opinion, you don't really really need it and it only ever work best when stacked atop others' on your team. It's a waste of a power pool if it wont significantly benefit you. I've had it before and boy did I reget it. Pitiful buffs they were and a worthless drain on my endurance. I was quick to respec 'em back out. If you want it, thats a different story and by all means, pick em up. I just wouldn't advice so while you have other much-needed powers available.

I see. What dyu reckon on those guesses though MaX? About right?

Bloody Bay then Sirens Call for the finale.

Hey dude, my mastermind is thugs/FF too. Sadly, I've been away for ages and she's still 34, but believe it or not, its such an awesome build (and I play smart) so she has only ever fallen twice since the start of her career (excluding chief-ars Longbow, who manage to have fell me like seven times these late levels).

Heres my build, along with annotations , bear in mind it is a balanced PvE/Pvp build.

---------------------------------------------
Exported from Ver: 1.7.6.0 of the CoH_CoV Character Builder - (http://sherksilver.coldfront.net/index.php)
---------------------------------------------
Name: Pistol
Level: 23. Done it up to 23 so you can diferentiate the evolution level 24 and upwards (which I'll post next). I know you have a fifty, so you're no n00b, but I save my infamy for SO's only.
Archetype: Mastermind
Primary: Thugs
Secondary: Force Field
---------------------------------------------
01) --> Call Thugs==> Dmg(1) Dmg(3) Dmg(3) Acc(7) Acc(7)
Be careful with the brainless Arsonist, sometimes he's better off unsummoned*
01) --> Force Bolt==> Acc(1)
Spam this to keep Bosses or similar threats off balance. You might want Rchg. later
02) --> Deflection Shield==> DefBuf(2) DefBuf(5) DefBuf(9) EndRdx(17)
Obviously, defense is our greatest strength so we aught to make the most of it.
04) --> Insulation Shield==> DefBuf(4) DefBuf(5) DefBuf(9) EndRdx(19)
Easiest way is to relax, take things easy, save endurance and let the pets do the dirty work while we play the fight like a chessgame so, we shouldn't need more than one EndRdx. per shield. (Using numeric icon stacking helps with maintaining the layers of shields on your thugs.)
06) --> Equip Thugs==> EndRdx(6)
Force fielded pets die the least, (especially under the super-Maneuvers your Enforcers command later) so no real need for Hasten or Stamina here.
08) --> Combat Jumping==> DefBuf(8) DefBuf(11)
Capitalising on our defenses.
10) --> Hover==> Fly(10) Fly(11)
Personally, I find it easier to hover over my chessgame. With Swift and SO's, hovering becomes fast, maneuverable and even safer than treking through mission maps, so I often remain in the air.
12) --> Call Enforcer==> DefBuf(12) DefBuf(13) DefBuf(13) Dmg(15) Dmg(15) Acc(17)
Our most valuable assets. And possibly the best looking weapons (what with the final upgrade's Matrixy trenchcoats. These babies are better off slotted for maximum defense buffs, for those near-impenerable stacks of super-Manevers. I'll give the figures later.
14) --> Super Jump==> Jump(14)
Apart from the value of the Combat Jumping and the stacking of Acrobatics with Dispersion Bubbles (Hold res.) I just love jumping from mission to mission.
16) --> Personal Force Field==> DefBuf(16)
The last resort in PvE and PvP. I position the icon for this power, first in my tray so as to use the nearby number1 key as my emergency trigger. PFF also covers my ars when superjumping about the Island.
18) --> Gang War==> Rechg(18) Rechg(19)
I love these little ones so much I usually refrain from disrespecting them with the word "meatshield" but lets face it.. they do such pitiful damage on my usual +4 enemies that their true value lies in taking the alphastrike of the Final Boss, Arch Villains, or similar threats. They also do well to distract the target or cap the enemie's taunt/aggro/AoE limit. Even their sheer number can often panic/confuse Players in PvP.
20) --> Dispersion Bubble==> DefBuf(20) DefBuf(21) DefBuf(21) EndRdx(23)
This AoE defense buff really becomes evident when stacked with others. It's best effects is resistance to Holds, Immob etc. I especially love it when The Gang** stacks this shield and bring down reigning, status-happy Dominators and Trollers.
22) --> Aid Other==> Heal(22) Heal(23)
Aid Other is essential for keeping minions alive when the enemy suddenly gets super-lucky and bypasses our layers of armour.
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* When you command your minions to "attack your target", often they approach in single files so spaced out that nobody benefits from the full potential of the Enforcer's super-Manuevers and the first man into the fray gets insta-gibbed from the alpha strike. Strangely, the Arsonist (who aparantly has the lowest base defence, much like a blaster or corruptor - by the way, he scourges like one too) is almost always the first to run in and always the first to die. Even the mighty Juggernaut that is the Bruiser, - this dude builds on fury, and is very noticable if you watch closely - will tend to stand back and simply Hurl boulders. A solution to this problem is a particular keybind that'll allow you to send all pets in at once, grouped up and self-buff'd to the max. The brute will then execute his melee range attack-chain. If say there stood a menacing Boss in this here mob, you then tell them to attack your target. *I'll send you the keybind via in-game e-mail if you wish.

**The Gang is the supergroup I hang out with, we're all thugs MM; I'll leave the rest to your imagination.

This is all just me telling you how I play and why it's a good build okay, I don't mean you must do anything I've suggested. What level is your MM so far? I'll brb with the rest of the build.