shadowplay

The operative drew down on the cog before it leapt back over them, into the fray with Jack's summoned assistant. He wasn't accustomed to this sort of back up, and the inactivity grated on him a bit. Jack's casual nature was no help.

He was just about to speak up and suggest they become involved as he saw Icegun go down and the Clockworks begin taking notice of something on the street below. No longer waiting for orders the operative stood and headed to flank the Clockworks as they peered over the edge of the building, firing at someone or something on the street below.

Fortunatly for him, Jack's invisability allowed him to get close to the clocks without them noticing him. As one of the knights drew a bead on the heroes below, he pulled back and planted his combat boot in the center of its back, sending it cascading end over end to the street below, where it crashed with a metalic clang, springs and gears flying off in every direction.

No longer under the protection of Jack's powers, the clocks turned there attention to the operative. A Cog dove at him, causing him to stagger back several feet as he drew something from his belt. The operative shoved the tazer into the back of the clockworks neck, disrupting its system and causing it to spasticly convulse on the ground at his feet.

There were too many of them, and he was in too close to last for long. A short jolt of blue electricity from another cog sent the operative down on one knee before he smashed the butt of his rifle into the little machine's head, decapitating it and sending the body on a staggering, flailing search for its visual sensors. The rest of the clocks swarmed over him, hard metal fingers latching onto him as he went under them in a heap.

At least he had managed to distract them, he thought.

Im normally not a cynic, but Ill wear that hat for a moment for your benefit.

Virtue is not the roleplaying mecca many tout it to be. Even as the unofficial RP server, there are plenty of people who grind here as well. I would hate for you to have the wrong expectations and leave everything behind only to be disapointed when virtue isnt a roleplaying nirvana.

That being said, and removing that nasty hat, Ive been lucky and found a lot of random roleplayers to speak with... many of whom are eventually assimilated into my collective... err supergroup Even outside of FSS though, there are a lot of great roleplayers on virtue... and if your a "self starter" it might be just the place for you. There's a TON of talent on virtue, I can speak from experiance there.

Just dont expect RP to find you, it takes some work. I hope things work out on justice for you so you dont have to leave your friends, but if you end up coming to virtue, feel free to drop me or anyone in FSS a line.

Good afternoon,

This is a short note to thank those of you that have applied and joined our operative program, and to encourage other interested parties to apply.

We may soon be closing the proverbial books for full-time operatives and the advantages that come along with that. I can not stress enough the importance of applying soon, if you're interested.

Again, thank you and we here at First Strike Security look forward to hearing from you in the future.

Sin.

~Roger "Contact" Chase, CEO First Strike Security.

The Operative was so focused on Icegun's approach that he hadn't heard the clockwork minion until was almost on top of him. Crouch with his back and against a rooftop heating unit the minion was as surprised to see him as the operative was to find the minion staring down at him. Reflexivly he thumbed the fire mode switch and let loose with a solid tungsten slug before the minion could recover from his surprise.

The Clockwork Knight was thrown back through the air several feet, bounced once and then tumbled off the roofside landing in a broken heap on the street below. More of the grinding clockwork sounds could be heard from the edge of the building; The Operative rechambered another round and prepared for the assualt.

His preparations were cut short by Jack's timely arrival. He remained silent through Jack's initial comment, allowing him to cloak them both with his powers... He was a customer after all and Operatives were expected to remain professional at all times.

"Name," the operative questioned quietly, his voice echoing behind the breather. "Operative Sullivan, First Strike Security. Your contractual fire support."

"I'm briefed on the Clocks as well as anyone, but I fail to see the advantage in letting them build further reinforcements," he remained quiet, not wanting to draw the little machines attention just yet. His tone was professional and to the point. "Awaiting your orders though," he paused briefly then quickly added, "Sir."

The Operative rolled away from his position and sighed from behind his full face mask, the breather giving it a metalic echo. A full term in the marines and a stint as a NYPD SWAT sniper and this is how he'd choosen to spend his time... covering up for some tight wearing civie? At least the pay was good, he mused as he was replacing his rifle into its case.

His ears suddenly perked up behind his helmet at the sound of metal footsteps approaching at faster then human speed. Quickly the Operative crouched and unslung his smaller, less prized, multiweapon around to cover whatever was approaching.

Contact cleared his throat and smiled, "Was just considering the source, Fox. Oh and don't forget what happened the last time you tried to be smooth with that particular young lady," he grinned.

"In any case, if you leave now you can probably catch them still."

Contact glanced sideways at Fox and grinned his confident/smug half grin.

"Well, I certainly think we can spare the Baffling Fox for an hour or so, after all," Contact pushed his glasses up over his eyes, "Company policy says he gets a lunch."

"As for Jack, he's not one of mine, but I know who you're refering to. Galactic Jack is purely a solo act, save the occasional female he suckers into joining him," Contact made no mention of sending Frost to join him. Truth be told, he hadn't even know it was Jack until his Operative reported back to him... He never would have sent a potential freelance recruite along to be manhandled. He'd have to cover that mistake later, money would likely fix it, he thought to himself.

"I have a location on Jack currently, but you may want to catch him later. He's a touch 'busy' at the moment," Contact said absently, scribbling down directions to the King Garment Works on a piece of paper and handing it to Icegun.

"That's the place, but don't say I didnt warn you."

The Operative exhaled slowly, then squeezed the trigger. A whisp of air was the only evidence that anything outside of Jack's motions was afoot. The slug slammed into the face of the Duke and it stumbled back, sputtering before it fell back, whatever force animating it dispersing.

On the roof, the Operative slid the bolt back, chambering another round and lining up his next shot.

I reposted these, slightly combined on the First Strike Security forum.

Thanks,

~King Garment Works...

Jack and his one-woman team appeared in fuzzy shades of green through the scope of the large rifle perched on the edge of a building across the street. Laying flat against the rooftop was a man in a blue and white First Strike uniform, his eyes covered with dark goggles and his face hidden behind a breather.

"Confirmed contact with multipul hostile targets," the operative said touching the com at the side of his helmet. "Preparing to interdict hostiles," the agent closed the com and drew back the bolt on his rifle, taking bead on the door and chambering a heavy round.

~Back at First Strike...

Contact exchanged buisness cards with the man and smiled. He hadn't heard of his outfit and was always interested in the competition.

"The pleasure's mine, Mr. Icegun. Thank you for your kind words."

"Mr. Fox? Yes, he works for me," Contact raised an eyebrow above the gold rim of his glasses, "In fact he sits on The Board. What buisness do you have with him?" Contact remembered Sly's previous run in with Icegun, even if Icegun didn't remember he was there. He watched him carefully, judging his reaction.

That comic was wonderful... great work I liked the style and sense of humor.

1. Roger "Contact" Chase
Powers: Kin/Psi/Fly/Leadership
Server: Virtue
Team: First Strike Security, CEO
Origin: Corporatly sponsored CEO of First Strike Security, a known psychic since birth.

2. FSS Operative
Powers: None (Assault/Devices)
Server: Virtue
Team: First Strike Security
Origin: Most FSS Operatives come from the disgruntled ranks of Paragon City PD and SWAT. Disgusted by the cowardice of their fellow officers, they sign up with First Strike for better gear and a days pay.

Good afternoon,

This is a short not to inform interested parties that First Strike Security, Inc is still seeking talented members for our Operative program.

If interested, please see our electronic forums located HERE

You are also free to stop by the King's Row office and submit an application in person. This increase in the Operative program does not mean we will be ending our Freelance program; Good contracts are still available!

Thank you for your time and I look forward to meeting our new crop of potential Operatives.

Sin.

Roger "Contact" Chase, CEO First Strike Security

I'd like to take a moment to invite the community to visit First Strike Security's new outreach forums. I've launched this area in an effort to better facilitate communication between First Strike and the rest of Paragon City.

Please feel free to visit and communicate freely. It's a great way to reach myself, the board, or any of First Strike's many operatives.

The forum can be reached HERE!

Thank you,

Roger "Contact" Chase, CEO First Strike Security, Inc

Contact was still standing by the secretary's desk when Icegun approached. He looked the man over once then extended his hand.

"I'm Contact," he said, shaking his hand firmly, "And I've seen you before... outside of a tram station I believe."

Contact crosses his arms and leaned back against the desk, "So, what can I do for you, Mr. Icegun? If this is private we can step into my office."

Contact had just returned inside the lobby after his confrontation. He loathed losing his temped, especially in front of perspective employee's and buisness partners, but that kid really knew how to push his buttons.

He had just reached his office when his Com chirped again.

"Mr. Icegun here to see you, sir," the guard's voice echoed across the com.

"Send him in, I've got a few before my meeting," Contact said into the com, waiting in the front lobby.

OOC Sailor should have it... I think? If not Im sure Ill get a private message yelling at me to do it

The street was quiet for a moment when Kyle walked inside. The guard replaced his obviously fragile and faulty weapon with a new one from the weapons locker.

Suddenly, a figure burst through the doors and skidded on his rump to a stop on the pavement in front of First Strike headquarters. Kyle sat in the road for a moment, his pants scuffed from road rash and his chest feeling as though he'd just been hit by a steel bat. He wasn't injured, other then his pride, and a possible welt on his chest that may appear tomorrow.

Contact stepped out the front of the door and crossed his arms, standing in front of it. He hadn't wanted to hurt Kyle, but he was tired of trying to be polite, so he gave him a little Telekinetic push. Kyle was told not to enter and he insisted, obviously NOT GETTING THE POINT. It was rude, but he should have expected that. People like Kyle only understood one thing.

"That's IT! I've had it with you," he growled, holding his place in front of the door. "I took your application and gave it to impartial operatives for an evaluation. They found you to be selfish, short sighted and lacking ANY sense of team work or team building skills. You can't even follow simple directions like 'stay out or else." Well, boy, you want to push me? You just got pushed back."

"It ends here, either you get the point and keep away from me and my people, or we have it out right here. I have a feeling that's the only thing your kind will understand," Contact was fuming, those assembled in the front office had rarely ever seen him upset, and never so upset he lashed out physicly at someone who wasn't directly threatening his life.

"And I'm billing you for the gun," he added as an afterthought.

Cautiously, Contact reached out for the surface of Kyle's mind with his own. He had no interest in being invasive, as he doubted very much he'd find anything of remote interest, but he wanted to better anticipate Kyle's next move. For the moment, he only waited...

OOC

You HAVE to stop assuming actions like your previous post.... It's really no fun. RP like this has to be give and take, not take and take and take...

"Miss Frost it is then," Contact gave Sly a pat on the back and turned, leaving him to thaw out his mouth. More a comical annoyance then anything dangerous, he felt Sly sometimes needed these little humility reminders... lord knows he got them himself every day.

Crossing the room he leaned over the secretaries desk and retrieved a clip board, flipped through a few pages and stood, leaning against the desk reading for a moment.

"This is an in-house contract rather then an outside assignment," Contact said while reading, "But should be better suited to your security level." The comment sounded factual, and not at all like an insult.

"Track this down and give me a report on what you find," he removed a photo copy of an ad torn from the Paragon City Mirror and handed it to her.

"Hero's Wanted! Good pay, choose your own hours! Retrieval work in Kings Row: LOW RISK! Repeat contracts = BENEFITS!! Work with a team! 1 800 555 3862 ask for Karen! Limited Availability!"

"Having another unnamed outfit in King's Row has given me some cause for concern," he said, pushing his hand through his hair again. "I know we don't hire out mercenaries, but they might not be as reputable, which is obviously a problem. Give them a call and report back to me what you find. Don't tell them you are from First Strike, obviously. There may be other Operatives involved, but that's "need to know" and its not critical you do."

He crossed his arms and leaned back against the secretary's desk with the same half smile, "Think you can handle that?"

Contact raises his eyebrow again, "You assume to much, miss," he says, pushing his glasses up over his eyes, "FAR to much."

"As for your name, it matters very much. While enigmatic heroes are all the rage in the paper, it makes it difficult to fill out a paycheck... not to mention to have a decent conversation, if you don't know what to call the other party. I've extended you the courtesy of my name, and I'd appreciate if you did the same."

Contact half smiled, a cross between being smug and outright amusement, "I'm sure there won't be any 'misunderstandings' since I'm very much `taken.' Now, if the posturing and threats are done, I -might- have a freelance assignment we can find for you," he pushed a hand through his blond hair and waited, judging her reaction and giving a sideways glance at Sly.

Contact watches the russian leave, sighs and shakes his head. Scanning the room he notices the blue haired female and the guard clearing his iced rifle.

"Perhaps it's not a sound job seeking strategy to hassle a prospective employer's operatives," he looks at the woman and raises a blond eyebrow over the gold rims of his glasses. "I'm Contact, what can I do for you," he asks, extending his hand.

"You're certainly welcome to sit on public property, sir" the guard took the application and carefully set it off to the side, his voice reverberating from behind his breather.

"At least until the authorities arrive," the guard picked his rifle back up, pulling back the bolt and chambering a round before shouldering the weapon, "Loitering is against the law after all, sir."

I feel somewhat similar to you, I strongly dislike shorthand and generally try to avoid grouping with people that use it strongly.

Not ALWAYS and in my ooc chat im guilty of LOL'ing or AFK'ing... but I personally dislike it in character.

That's just me though, to each their own.

OOC no worries about response time

"Watch away then, Red," Contact remained unmoved. "You won't be the first set of eyes on us, and I doubt you'll be the last."

"I am only concerned about my image in-so-far as it generates more buisness... I know what I do and how I do it is the best way to serve the people that contract us," he narrowed his eyes behind his smoked lenses, "And I do more pro bono work then most for-free "heroes.""

"As for your Communists and your not-so veiled threat, you're no better then anyone else, and have no right to judge me or my employees. You think just because you've a political agenda and a fancy matching ensamble you can pass judgement on my buisness?" Contact shook his head. "Well, you're welcome to it I suppose, I know what we're doing is right, and that's all that matters to me. Contracts pay for better equipment for the operatives, better equiped operatives means more efficent fullfilment of contracts, and more efficency means less crime. You show me how you can get my numbers in such a wide area for free... and I'll toss First Strike out the window."

"Furthermore, I'm WELL aware of the company I keep, but it doesn't surprise me that you're view is obscured from atop that pedistle you put yourself on. If you knew half of what Sly," Contact was interupted by a buzz.

"There's a Kyle Helsing outside to see you, sir," one of the guards outside said into his com. "He has an application for you."

Contact was stunned for a moment, glancing at Sly, he quickly recovered. "Uh... yeah. Take the application," as an afterthought, "And shoot him if he tries to come in here."

Well done, Fox.