Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.
Infurno : It's a pleasure Harris.
Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.
Infurno : Well, I'm a mutant. My powers weren't active though till I was caught in a nasty fire. Getting out of the blaze was easy for me but there were others trapped. It took some work but I got everyone out. Ther's been no going back.
Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?
Infurno : The look on the face of the criminal as they are being teleported to jail.
Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?
Infurno : Just one. As quick as you are and as many heroes as there are... there just seems to be no end to the number of people commiting crimes.
What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.
Infurno : It is. I have to be extra careful too. Since my powers are fire based. Typically, I'll use a low powered attack to start... kindaa draw their attention away from the civilians. Then it's no-holds barred.
Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?
Infurno : Like yoda says ,'The darkside is quicker, more seductive but not stronger.' I think they are too easily tempted by the thought of quick fame and power. That and... maybe they have had a really tuff life. Either way, crime is not the answer. All of you listen to me. It's not too late. Give up on your life of crime. Help us help the city. You'll feel better for it.
What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?
Infurno : Anything from 'Serves ya right' to 'Man I hope I don't get caught'.
How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.
Infurno : Well, Anti-Mutant really sicken me. It's just another form of racism. As for Anti-Hero. Heh.. one minute they are chanting for you to stop what your doing... the next they are calling for your help. They just don't see the big picture.
and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?
Infurno : Not yet, but it's a small town.
I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe
Infurno : A pleasure Harris. Remember folks, if you need help, just shout. You can't take a step around here without tripping over a hero. If you speak up, one will be sure to help ya.
*The following afternoon*
It had been a simple matter to get a camera set up across the street from the university, pointing into Bio-man's usually-uncurtained window, while the team from the station fanned across the campus, interviewing students. Though the camera group had been reluctant to let go of their prizes, she had managed to wrest a beautiful lens out of their hands, and now the picture from the office was coming in as clearly as if they had been standing there.
Sound had been a little bit trickier: but by bouncing a very unobtrusive laser off the corner of the window, they had been able to get an acceptable soundrack. Sarah was good at what she did, and the setup was all but invisible. Now, it was just a matter of watching the good Bioman in his office, to see if anything interesting happened....
+++++
Girl Genius limped slowly across the manicured lawns of the university. Her armored suit, which had been spotless and beautifully maintained just the previous morning, was now sooty, and sporting several dents. Once in a while, a spark would flash at some joint with a quiet "Zzzzt" noise. However, in Paragon City, this was not an unusual sight: none of the students spared a glance at her.
She made her way into the main campus building, read the sign inside, then went to the elevator. Exiting on the third floor, she went down the hallway, and knocked politely on one of the doors. "Doctor Sanstad?" She said, then realized how odd she must look, fully suited like this. She reached up and took her helmet in her hands, twisting it to the side, then lifting it straight up, to reveal the face of a girl about the age of the college students on the lawn, with sandy blonde hair and a pair of glasses. One of the lenses of the glasses was cracked.
"Doctor Sanstad?" She said again. "You don't know me... my name is Penny... I am sorry to bother you unannounced like this.... I wonder if I could have a moment of your time?"
The blare of [censored] comming out of the office was almost immediately quelled once Erik saw the young woman.
"Whoa... Are you O.K.? I'm not a Doctor Doctor but here..."
Erik immediately got out of his chair and rushed to the woman. He pumped up the healing waves of his radioactive aura to try and mend as many obvious wounds as possible.
"Oh man... I hope that helps. Is there... something else I could help with?"
Erik smiled sheepishly. No matter how he played it off to his students or even on T.V. he still was not used to being treated like a hero, or in this case a healer for other heroes. His blonde hair and redish beard simply marked him as just another person, and his sweatshit and jeans only made him blend in ever moreso.
In fact, short of a geiger counter or a chance sight of seeing him fly home, one would never know he was "Mighty Bio-Man." Unless you read his door that is. Some of his more artistic students had covered the white-board on his door with comic book images and labled his office as "The Lair of MBM!"
"Come in miss... well Penny. If there is anything I can help with just let me know."
[ QUOTE ]
"Come in miss... well Penny. If there is anything I can help with just let me know."
[/ QUOTE ]
"Oh, thank you," Penny clunked in, "That feels... wonderful." She smiled, taking a sheaf of papers from a belt pouch. "Actually, I understand you are a xenobiologist... I was wondering if you would mind looking at some of these photos? I took them this morning and... well, I need some help identifying them, to tell the truth."
She spread them out on the desk. "While I realize I am here for accurate information... please tell me that is not a Rikti."
The picture, unfortunately, was too clear for it to be anything else.
Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.
Dream Warrior: It is my pleasure.
Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.
Dream Warrior: I am the last Warrior of the Dreaming Tree, summoned by the mighty tree in its last moment of strength before it was destroyed by the Rikti. I am not a hero, I am merly performing the duties for which I was created. Some day when the peace has been restored to man kind and the Dreaming Tree is at full strength I will return to being nothing but a dream once more.
Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?
The saftey of mankind and the knowledge that with each defeated villin the Dreaming Tree's power grows stronger.
Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?
Occasionally I find my life to be lonely and it is dissapointing to see that some humans do not appretiate the help of myself and others. I was never meant to be here alone, or for this long it is a tough situation that I am learning to adapt to. I have had to make some changes in order to fit in with your society.
What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.
My first and foremost duty is the protection of innocent humans.
Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?
They are cowards and selfish. They are my true enemy for they use their powers to harm others. At times it feels that the war will never be won unless we can bring these people on our side.
What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?
There is a force that guides all human actions. There is an imbalance in this power right now and its my job to correct it. The last time this happend was during the time that you humans refer to as World War 2. Many warriors were summoned then.
How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes cause more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.
As I said earlier it is upsetting to see that myself and other brave people I have met are not treated well by all those we protect. However it is my sworn duty, no...it is more than that. It is my entire existence to protect these people. That cannot change.
and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?
I have met him once, he is truely a brave and honorable human. It would be a pleasure to fight by his side one day.
I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe
It was my pleasure. I will always help a human in need, even if the need is merely some words.
Meanwhile back at the studio:
"No, no, no. That's the part the part we want to take out and edit in the other *beep* question. For *beep* sake the edit has to be finished for tonight."
Harris was shouting at the editor was they re-edited the interview with WarHawk for part of the program that would be going out later that night. He didn't have enough stuff Dr Sanstad report yet so he was going with his back up plan for the show that would air later that day.
"Get it right this time," He shouted as he left the room.
((OOC: Here is the first edition of Behind the Mask. All the quotes are taken from real posts on this forum thread. Of course their order and the questions between them have been edited to give a more bias opinion of heroes.))
Harris: "Welcome to tonights edition of Behind the Mask. Im your host Steven Harris. Tonight we look at the work the heroes of Paragon City do to keep us safe and ask the question how safe are we really? We interviewed several heroes and eye witnesses of so called heroic acts."
"What you see may surprise and even shock you
.."
Harris Voice Over (Several camera shots of Paragon civilians walking the streets):
We go about our daily lives safe in the knowledge that the heroes of Paragon city are there to protect us no matter what happens. No matter how much life lets you down you know they will always be there putting your safety first above their own lives or something as frivolous as fame and glory. At least that is what we are told.
[color=# brown] *Camera shows the hero WarHawk. Harris talks to him from off camera. Every now and then the camera will cut to Harris when he asks a question then back to WarHawk to hide an edit.* [/color]
Harris: When you go into a dangerous situation you must worry about civilian getting injured. How do you deal with something like that?
[ QUOTE ]
WarHawk: I try not to dwell on the emotional aspect too much, at least not while theres still a job to do. The best way to go is simply to concentrate on getting the job done
[/ QUOTE ]
[color=# brown] *Cut back to reaction from Steven then back to WarHawk to hide edit* [/color]
[ QUOTE ]
WarHawk:
.. Ill worry about the rest later.
[/ QUOTE ]
Harris: But dont you ever get in trouble for the damage you course when youre fighting crime?
[ QUOTE ]
WarHawk: Only a little
Secret identity and all that. Unlike many of my contemporaries, I can remove my armor and blend into the background.
[/ QUOTE ]
Harris Voice Over (Freeze frame on WarHawk):
Was it true that in the ever lasting war on crime that was fought to protect us the people the very heroes fighting that war did not care what happened to us. Could this view be held by all heroes? My investigation was starting to show it might.
[color=# brown] *Camera shows the hero Tribal Steel. Harris talks to him from off screen* [/color]
Harris: When it comes down to your own safety and that of a civilian what goes through your head.
[ QUOTE ]
Tribal Steel: I just focus knowing either me or them will walk away from the fight.
[/ QUOTE ]
[color=# brown] *Camera cuts to the hero Damaa* [/color]
[ QUOTE ]
Damaa: Getting them out with minimal damage is hard
of course sometimes unavoidable.
[/ QUOTE ]
Harris: A few lawyers have voiced concerns that some heroes think of themselves as being above the law. Do you think it is true that they are?
[ QUOTE ]
Damaa: Of course it is, that lawyer *rolls her eyes* Ive seen his posters around the city, I dread the day I ever have a run in with him
. Which is inevitable
.
[/ QUOTE ]
Harris Voice Over (Slow Mo shot of Damaa talking with the sound dubbed out):
It was at the end of this interview when the hero by the name of Damaa said something I found truly disturbing.
[ QUOTE ]
Damaa: Id like to say to all the parents out there, Im watching over all the schools during the day so dont worry about your children
and I can teleport so their all well and safe under my watchful eyes.
[/ QUOTE ]
Harris Voice Over (Slow Mo shot of Damaa giggling with the sound dubbed out):
The idea of someone who could teleport my children away didnt make me fell very safe.
[color=# brown] *Camera cuts back to the WarHawk Interview* [/color]
Harris: What do you have to say about the damage heroes course when they are supposed to be protecting us?
[ QUOTE ]
WarHawk: We do tend to be involved in a lot of situations that cause damage. I know Id be unhappy with someone whose stray blast destroyed the restaurant Id worked my whole life to establish, regardless of their intentions.
But I guess it cant be helped. Comes with the job
[/ QUOTE ]
Harris voice over (Freeze frame on WarHawk):
We met with a member of the public who did not take the situation as lightly.
[color=# brown] *Camera cuts to a balding man standing out side a destroyed building. He is very angry.* [/color]
[ QUOTE ]
I been runnin' dis place fer ten years. Ten years! It ain't much, but it's mine, an' I worked hard fer it.
[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Heroes, my ***! [gestures to ruined store] You think da Warriors did dis? Dey was shakin' me down as usual and dis Marduk guy, covered in wierd armour like half da freaks in town, come shootin' in da door. Fills my store wit' smoke and while we're all gaggin' on da fumes plants a bomb right in da middle of da crooks. I'm lucky dat freak didn't send me to da hospital too! Not dat I got anything ta do now...
[/ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'll tell ya one thing. If I ever get dis dump hauled out an' in workin' order again, ain't gunna be no freaks allowed within fifty feet. I got my rights!
[/ QUOTE ]
[color=# brown] *Camera cuts to the Super Inferno Interview. Again Harris talks from off screen* [/color]
Harris: What would you say to the people that are a little concerned about some of the damage you do when trying to save them?
[ QUOTE ]
Super Inferno: I'm custom ordering some t-shirts for them. They have big yellow letters on the back that read "Don't save me, please" I figure, that much less work for the rest of us.
[/ QUOTE ]
[color=# brown] *Camera cuts back to Harris in the Studio* [/color]
Harris: Could this all mean that having a City of Heroes does not make us as safe as we thought. Maybe the ones protecting us are also the ones putting us in harms way? Maybe they think we should just shut up and be thankful. I for one do not feel like doing that and will continue to show you the truth Behind the Mask. Till next time, Good Night.
[color=# brown] *Credits roll with a message at the end which reads, If you wish to discuss the topics raised on tonights program please call our studio.* [/color]
Erik took the picture and winced. It was clear as day to him what it was.
"Well... if you want accurate information, then yes. That's a Ritki and one of the smaller ones I'd say. I've worked on enough of their cadavers by now to know. " Erik leaned back into his chair and began rubbing his temples. Between that damn interview he gave earlier and this he KNEW a stress headache was comming on.
"O.K. where did you get this? Looks like it's a sewer shot to me."
Suddenly, one of the students ran into Erik's office.
"Erik! You gotta see "Under the Mask" today! Flip it on before it goes off!"
"Oh for the love of... What slander is Harris spilling now?" Erik mumbled. "I'm in the middle of something now Derrell, if you could tape it I'll catch it later O.K.?"
The student nodded and booked out of the office and into the lab next door shouting "Hit record! Hit record!"
Erik sighed and and looked at Penny.
"Sorry, but my students love that show for some reason. They say between me and Harris we make heroes look real and bring them down to earth. I say Harris has a talent for character assasination and would try to bring down Jesus if there were a second comming."
Erik sighed and looked at the photo again.
"Well you didn't come here for my views on the media. Lets hit the lab so I can feed this into the computer and see if I can get you any more info. Um... when you TOOK the photo did you see the Ritki doing anything? Looks like he's turning to fire in this shot."
[ QUOTE ]
"Sorry, but my students love that show for some reason. They say between me and Harris we make heroes look real and bring them down to earth. I say Harris has a talent for character assasination and would try to bring down Jesus if there were a second comming."
[/ QUOTE ]
"I talked to that man earlier," Girl Genius said in some surprise. "He just walked up to me in the middle of the street and asked for an interview... I thought it would be a great plug for my website, so I said yes... maybe I shouldn't have." She frowned ferociously.
[ QUOTE ]
"Well you didn't come here for my views on the media. Lets hit the lab so I can feed this into the computer and see if I can get you any more info. Um... when you TOOK the photo did you see the Ritki doing anything? Looks like he's turning to fire in this shot."
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny gave him a wry smile. "That's pretty perceptive of you... yes, he is turning to fire. If he had gotten a direct hit, I would probably be dead... I got pretty lucky on that. He knocked me through a few walls, brought the ceiling down... probably thought he had killed me. By the time I woke up and dug myself out, of course he was long gone."
She sat back. "But that is not what worries me. He wasn't holding a gun when I spotted him, he was holding a tool. The second it took him to swap from the tool to his gun let me duck back behind the intervening wall... which is why I lived."
She rubbed her forehead thoughtfully. Earlier there had been a cut there; now, the radiation had healed the cut, but left behind the blood which had dried on the skin, which itched, and she brushed at it. "To be honest, normally I don't do analysis of my data," she said. "It is all I can do to collect and post it, I just don't have time to do much analyzing. But I want to know what the Rikti was doing down in the sewers by himself, what he was doing with the tool, and why he was in King's-flipping-Row ... it is not exactly Rikti Central down there." She shook her head. "I thought of calling the Corps, but what would they do? Call a security-level-38 hero to check it out? Security-level-38 heroes have better things to do with their time than search miles of sewers for a lone Rikti with a space screwdriver." She rubbed her chin thoughtfully. "But I want to know what I am dealing with before I go back down there... I sure would appreciate whatever you could find out."
[ QUOTE ]
"But I want to know what I am dealing with before I go back down there... I sure would appreciate whatever you could find out."
[/ QUOTE ]
"Hey, I aim to please. Just follow me." Erik stood and walked over to the lab. A slew of "Far-Side" cartoons adorned the door, along with some other items and pictures of famous science heroes. A comic-book style drawing of Erik was taped to the door as well. The doctor shook his head and pulled that one off the door.
When he came into the lab the sound of music was the first thing that met them. Followed closely by the stench of preservatives.
Several students waved as they worked on various equipment. Erik grinned and held up the picture.
"Flattering guys, but I'm NOT a hero. Do me a favor and put Einstein or Darwin up there before me O.K.?" Laughter followed and several people shrugged.
Erik led the way past a few lab benches and walked around a massive dissection table containing the remains of... something.
"Sorry about the mess. We were in the midst of doing a dissection of something that attacked an explorer at Portal Corp. It was attached to his leg when he came back and they tossed it to us."
Erik chuckled and shrugged. "Hey, it's funding."
He grabbed a chair and powered up an impressive computer. The thing had to have several layers of shielding and almost shook the floor when it powered on.
The desktop of the PC had a picture of a smiling woman holding a little girl. Erik grinned and then fed the picture into a scanner nearby.
"It'll take a bit to digitize, but from there I can examine it at a closer level. It looks like a good resolution shot so I may even be able to make out clan markings on the sucker."
"Again with the clan stuff?" Asked the student, Derrell, who had stopped by earlier. He smiled at Penny and many other students were watching her.
"Just an idea of mine... Seems some Ritki are marked certain ways. I don't have any hard evidence yet, but I think it's symbolic of a caste system." Erik shrugged as Derrell dropped a tape on the desk.
"Today's show was creepy man. You're gonna HAVE to watch it." Erik sighed and nodded as Derrell turned back to work.
Meanwhile, a small group of other students came up and suddenly thrust pens and paper to Penny.
"We love your website!" "You ROCK! I loved the footage at the hospital!" "Did you REALLY fight that ghost thing?" "Can we get an autograph?"
Erik looked up at Penny and smirked. "Seems like you have a fan club." Several students looked at him incredoulsy and one pointed to Penny's armor. "THIS is the woman you praised for knocking the stuffing out of that group of Vhaz! You know, the footage from that website we sent you?"
Erik's eyes went wide and he stood again offering his hand. "Holy crap! You're Genius Girl?"
[ QUOTE ]
"It'll take a bit to digitize, but from there I can examine it at a closer level. It looks like a good resolution shot so I may even be able to make out clan markings on the sucker."
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny nodded. "I have invested a lot of time and work into the webcam, I think you will be surprised at the resolution on that shot." She looked rather chagrined. "Normally I could send it to you digitally, but all my feeds are busted up at the moment," she poked at one of the shoulders of the suit, which gave a mournful BZZT in response, sparking blue in the small hole that had been put through the plate shielding. "It is going to take days to fix it, and I don't feel like I have that kind of time right now."
[ QUOTE ]
"Just an idea of mine... Seems some Ritki are marked certain ways. I don't have any hard evidence yet, but I think it's symbolic of a caste system." Erik shrugged as Derrell dropped a tape on the desk.
[/ QUOTE ]
"The clan idea is interesting... I will file it away for future reference. But I hope you will forgive me when I say I am not planning on doing any additional live research on the theory... too rough on the hardware." The spark in the shoulder of the suit gave a second, brief BZZT, then died into silence.
[ QUOTE ]
Meanwhile, a small group of other students came up and suddenly thrust pens and paper to Penny.
"We love your website!" "You ROCK! I loved the footage at the hospital!" "Did you REALLY fight that ghost thing?" "Can we get an autograph?"
Erik looked up at Penny and smirked. "Seems like you have a fan club." Several students looked at him incredously and one pointed to Penny's armor. "THIS is the woman you praised for knocking the stuffing out of that group of Vhaz! You know, the footage from that website we sent you?"
Erik's eyes went wide and he stood again offering his hand. "Holy crap! You're Genius Girl?"
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny was caught completely off-guard by the students and blushed to her hair roots. She had been confident enough surrounded by a college professor and scientific machines, but requests for autographs made her tongue-tied.
She did the best she could, shaking his hand and the other hands that had been offered to her, and found her voice belatedly after stammering for a minute or two. "Yes, I am Girl Genius - It was a Tsoo Ancestor Spirit - Yes, I was at the hospital - I am glad you like the site - Autograph? But I haven't DONE anything, I am only out collecting data to post for people to use - Yes, I did fight those Vahzilok - "
She looked completely overwhelmed.
"This had better be good David."
Harris stood in the run down building across the street from the university where Sarah had set up the equipment earlier. It had been David, one of the researchers (who had also gone along) that had called him.
The set up was good. Well hidden and put together but Harris would never tell Sarah that. Even now he was practically ignoring her. She had a talent but Harris was always weary of giving her assignments because she seemed to have a conscious too.
"I thought this might interest you thats all. Remember that girl with the web cam who taped you?" David asked nervously.
Remembering the girl and the interview instantly annoyed him. "Of course I do you idiot."
"Well
she is meeting with the Doc." David said.
"Really?" Harris was now interested and looked through the lens of the telescope into the office. "What are they talking about?"
"Something about Rikiti in the sewers.......in Kings Row. Some kind of new unknown device..... Science stuff." David told him.
"Hhhmmmmm. Could be interesting." Harris thought out loud as he watched students crowd around Girl Geniuse.
So youre happy I called you? David smiled.
What do you want a cookie? Stop kissing my *** David. Harris replied and went back to looking through the telescope.
Solar Inferno hit grunted in disgust, and pressed hard on the mute button on the remote. It sizzled in protest as his super heated skin melted away at the plastic.
"Can you even believe that?" he directed as his darkly garbed companion, Cormorant.
She gave a non-commital shrug. "What did you expect? You knew this Harris guy was trouble. Why did you agree to the interview? You knew he was going to twist everything."
"Who cares about that! I knew he was going to do that! Hell, did you listen to what I said? It was supposed to be inflamatory, get people talking about me. I could use a little fame for what I do around here. But am I going to get the credit? No. Some blockhead called Super Inferno is going to get all the credit. You'd think with all the money they throw into dragging us heroes down, they could at least pay for a decent editor to get my name right!" Inferno tossed the now useless remote onto the cofee table.
Cormorant shrugged again, and leaned over to change the channel on the flickering television. "I wouldn't worry too much. It's not like there is that many people in bright spandex costumes anyway." She couldn't help a bit of a grin. "Besides, CSI: Paragon is on. I love this show."
Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.
Nucleus Man: No problem, Steven.
Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.
Nucleus Man: Well, it started with sabotage, actually. I was doing research on cold fusion, and my "partner" decided he'd rather have all the glory, so he tried to kill me. The ensuing explosion endowed me with my powers, and since I had lost all my notes on cold fusion, I felt the need to help the world in a nother way - and to stop people like my former colleague.
Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?
Nucleus Man: A lot of people feel it's great just to help out - and it is. However, I've gotta tell you, I was a nerd growing up, not much luck with the ladies - all that has changed, my friend. All that has changed.
Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?
Nucleus Man: You mean aside from all the archvillains out there gunning me down? No, I guess not.
What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.
Nucleus Man: You have to be careful, of course. Villains aren't ones to keep innocent people out of the way - often times they use them against you. You just have to assess each situation individually, I suppose. It isn't something I do conciously, it's just something that falls into place.
Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?
Nucleus Man: Growing up, it was always the tough kids that picked on me, the bullies. It's the same thing now. There are people who have such low self-esteem they have to flaunt their power to feel better about themselves, instead of using to better mankind.
What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?
Nucleus Man: Well, if I'm on the seen, about 14 kilorads of radiation! Haha! No, seriously, I think it's just a powertrip issue. I think this criminals just ned to feel in charge and in control. You should read some of these books by John Douglas, great guy, really helps you understand the criminal mind.
How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.
Nucleus Man: I think they should come to Paragon City and see what it's like. I wonder, too, if they feel police officers cause more problems than they solve?
and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?
Nucleus Man: No, I haven't, but I was there when he announced the moratorium was ending for Hero 1. I was very moved. My cape got lost on my move here, anyway, but I just ordered a new one. With the lifting of the moratorium, the cape companies are all running out of stock, though. They said it could take up to two more months before it was ready - then again, I've gone this long without one. What's two more months?
I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe
Nucleus Man: It's been my pleasure.
"Hey hey HEY!" Erik shouted. All the students become quiet and several had sheepish looks on their faces. Erik shook his head and laughed.
"O.K. folks, back to work. You can talk to PENNY later O.K.?"
The crowd dispersed and left Erik shaking his head smiling.
"Girl Genius... Jeeze I'm a doofus, I should have recognized the armor." Erik offered his hand again and smiled gently. "I just want to say I love your web-site as well, and the footage you got of battling the Vhaz was superb."
"I always like it when I see them get beaten. It's a scientist thing I think. People like the Vhaz screw up the public's views of science and makes us all look like Doctor Frakenstein. I hate that..." Erik chuckled and looked back at his PC. The image was done and he began immdiately zooming in on several areas of the Ritki form.
"Crap... Hey Derrell! Bring my Clan Chart!" Derrell came running over with a notepad filled with sketches and notes. Erik began flipping pages at a frantic pace.
"Speaking of the Vhaz Doc... Aren't you going to hunt down the ones on campus tonight?" Derrell asked. Erik nodded and looked up.
"Damn right I am. This place is NOT going to be turned into some kind of sick "Day of the Dead" playground for them."
Erik stood and handed the pad back to Penny and pointed at one of the symbols.
"I thought I'd seen this marking before. It was consistantly found on Ritki that were alone, or moving in advance of a strike force. I surmise this indicates a scout or intelligence operative." Erik paused and then looked at the picture again. "What the hell WAS he doing in King's Row?"
Erik looked back at Penny and then dug into a drawer nearby the computer station. He handed her a small walkie-talkie.
"I think we should go back to that place and see what's what, but I HAVE to address the Vhaz problem here first." Erik smiled and grabbed a few other items out of the desk.
"If you'd like to come with I'd be glad to have you. Then you can show me where you spotted this lone bugger."
-what the hell, I'll play along -
Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.
Great Beyond: Happy to be here. I'm always glad to be of service. 'Sides, I'm kind of flattered that you think I'm an important enough super hero to interview.
Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.
Great Beyond: Certainly. Well, my name is Great Beyond. And to be honest - as I was growing up, I always thought that being a super hero was kind of dorky. Sure when I was a kid, I tied a towel around my neck and leaped from the garage roof - who didnt. But as I grew up, I fell out of fascination with them. I guess I was kind of discouraged by my father.
Anyway, when my father died - I discovered his hidden past, that in the 1940's he was The Great Beyond, that he fought against the Nazi menace and against the communist menace in the 50's. Well, a little bit humbled - imagine if you found out your father was secretly George Lucas or something - I decided to study his work in the arcane arts.
Well, there was - ah. . . um, an incident and a revelation - but thats probably something I shouldnt get into in public . . . but anyway, it made me realize that this was not a game, and that I had a higher calling. So I decided to take up his name and serve for the forces of good.
Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?
Great Beyond: I think the biggest reward I could get would be that I am doing some real good, assisting the helpless and the innocent, stopping people who are above the law. That sort of thing.
Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?
Great Beyond: The biggest drawback? Probably the often long hours, icky places I've had to go and the demands on my social life. Crime fighting is not a nine-to-five job, and the call to duty could come at any time.
Well, that and the hospital stays. I could really do without those.
Harris: What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.
Great Beyond: Yeah, thats a very scary situation. Obviously the safety of the civilians is foremost in my mind, but you can't dwell on "Am I doing the right thing". I have to trust in my abilities to carry the day the best I can.
And I've pulled off 35 rescues with no incidents. Well, there was this one woman I'd saved from a Circle of Thorns ritual on a rooftop in Kings Row. She was so flustered by the attack that after the fight was over, she just simply walked off the edge of the roof. Fortunate she only fell a short ways before landing on the fire escape below - but still.
Oh, and if you were on the receiving end of one of the nastier Thorn rituals, and they actually did finish up the job, you'd probably be more than happy if I put an ice blast through you. Those guys are not happy people doing happy things. Some of the rituals they do would keep you up at nights for the rest of your life.
Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?
Great Beyond: Well, the old axiom is true - power can corrupt. It's unfortunate that some people dont have the strength of character to not fall to the dark side, to steal a phrase from a popular movie.
Not that they're all bad, or it's their fault. In some instances, like in the case of the Lost, it's a person who's slipped through the cracks of society. They become what they are by circumstance. Or take some of the Fifth Column - they've fallen under the sway of powerful and charismatic leadership. They've been brainwashed and duped into performing evil acts. Left to their own devices, I suspect that some of these people would be normal and upstanding citizens.
Harris: What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?
Great Beyond: Who knows how a criminal thinks? I try not to dwell too much on thinking like them - I subscribe to Nietzsche's belief about gazing into the abyss too hard.
Harris: How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.
Great Beyond: Well, everyone is entitled to their opinions. I mean the whole point of what I'm doing is personal freedom, so I have no problem with whatever they chose to think. I may not like what they say, but I'll defend to the death their right to say it.
Harris: and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?
Great Beyond: I've never had the opportunity to work with him. I've heard good things about him, but I've never met the man personally. I think it would be a great honor to battle at his side someday, but until then - I'm content to do what I can.
Harris: I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe
Great Beyond: A pleasure to be here.
[ QUOTE ]
"Girl Genius... Jeeze I'm a doofus, I should have recognized the armor." Erik offered his hand again and smiled gently. "I just want to say I love your web-site as well, and the footage you got of battling the Vhaz was superb."
"I always like it when I see them get beaten. It's a scientist thing I think. People like the Vhaz screw up the public's views of science and makes us all look like Doctor Frankenstein. I hate that..."
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny smiled. "I am glad you like it. I thought it was important to collect data on what was out there, and I didn't like any of the websites I found, because they would always try to slant things one way or another. Not scientific at all!" She thinned her lips. "And I am not fond of the Vahz either, if it comes to that."
[ QUOTE ]
"I thought I'd seen this marking before. It was consistantly found on Ritki that were alone, or moving in advance of a strike force. I surmise this indicates a scout or intelligence operative." Erik paused and then looked at the picture again. "What the hell WAS he doing in King's Row?"
Erik looked back at Penny and then dug into a drawer nearby the computer station. He handed her a small walkie-talkie.
"I think we should go back to that place and see what's what, but I HAVE to address the Vhaz problem here first." Erik smiled and grabbed a few other items out of the desk.
"If you'd like to come with I'd be glad to have you. Then you can show me where you spotted this lone bugger."
[/ QUOTE ]
Penny smiled. 'I can do you one better,' she said, taking a couple of different gadgets from various pouches. "Overhaul made these... he is my partner, you won't see him on the site much, he is too much in love with tinkering with the gear, he doesn't get out like I do. At any rate... he made these. These 'comm units fit in your ear, see mine? And this," she pushed a box at him, "Is a remote feed to the armor. Plugs into any standard computer port and I imagine," she eyed his PC with a touch of amusement on her lips, "That you have the hardware to run it. It runs on the secondary 'cam, not the one that feeds the website but... if you plug it in, the students could watch." Her face was thoughtful. "I think we should have someone watching... just in case there is bigger trouble than we anticipate." She offered him both a 'comm unit and the data feed.
((OOC: Sorry I got the name wrong Bluto. That was a mistake. ))
Harris smiled as he looked through the telescope. He could hear everything they were saying through the head set he held to his ear. The sound quality was not great but it was go enough.
With out looking away he snapped his fingers. "Bring me on of the hand held cameras ...... and someone find a way of hacking into their feed."
David ran to the next room and brought back a small video camera. He handed it to Harris. Another member of the team started working on a laptop.
"Right......time for a little investigative reporting. We just have to stay out of their sight." Harris said.
"You mean follow them? Spy on them?" David asked.
"What do you think I'm saying." Harris said to him angrily.
*OOC - No worries. Gave me a perfect chance to verbalize Inferno's thoughts.*
//ooc "Since I just noticed this thread I'm starting with the hero inteveiw"
*Harris interveiws ReVamp*
Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.
ReVamp: Not a problem, just had some time on my hands.
Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.
ReVamp: Well I don't talk about that much, sort of a secret that I was requested never to reveal. I'll just say it's stressful ancient training that takes four full years to complete. But as of why is because I would like to see a world of peace, just another hopeless dreamer. 
Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?
ReVamp: Just the fact that we're moving towards a better world with the help of all heroes.
Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?
ReVamp: Not really, just that there are a few people who don't entirely trust the hero community. Also the facts that in the public eye heroes make quite a few enemies.
Harris: What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.
ReVamp: I fear everyday that I may witness the death of a civilian that I'm unable to save. Even coming upon the corpse of a hostage can curdle my blood.
Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?
ReVamp: It's a shame that some would rather secede to greed then to help make the world a better place. Some are just confused as to what they truly want out of life and can still come back to the good side, some aren't even that lucky.
Harris: What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?
ReVamp: Only that their life will somehow be enriched by the act. Even if at the expense of another's.
Harris: How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.
ReVamp: It's understandable for people to make those accusations. All I have to say to that is evil was here before heroes, for if there were no evil there would be no need for heroes.
Harris: and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?
ReVamp: No I have not; I have met him a few times but never had the chance to fight along side with him. From what I know of him he only wants whats best for the people, even at his own expense.
Harris: I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe
ReVamp: Your welcome Harris
(Hi, I thought this thread was really cool so I posted)
Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.
Drecad: It's no problem.
Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.
Drecad: Well, I was sent to earth by my planet's millitary to warn of the Rikti Invasion, I arrived to late, when I saw all this destruction, I relized I should stay on Earth and become a hero.
Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?
Drecad: I would say the feeling that you did something good.
Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?
Drecad:No, not really.
What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.
Drecad: It is, but the most important thing is to get the inocents out.
Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the Outcasts or the super villains we starting to see around the city?
It feels wrong that some people have superhuman abilties and they use them for evil, it burns my heart.
What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?
Drecad: The same thing that happens when normal people do these things... guilt.
How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.
Drecad: They're just expressing they're opinon.
and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?
No I haven't, but I think it would be quite exciting.
I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe
Drecad: It is an honor to be on the show.
I used to keep track of my levels here.
But I got to 50.
TELEVISON CEMERCAL:
Harris Voice Over:
Next week on; Behind the Mask. We explorer the effect heroes are having on our society and culture? Is it positive or negative?
*The camera shows the smiling face of girl Genius*
[ QUOTE ]
Girl Genius: The webcam is always running when I am on duty, and you can view the live feed at any time, as long as I am wearing the suit. There are lots of internet viewers on for this!
[/ QUOTE ]
*The camera changes to show The Great Beyond.* [/brown]
[ QUOTE ]
The Great Beyond: "Sure when I was a kid, I tied a towel around my neck and leaped from the garage roof - who didnt.
[/ QUOTE ]
Harris Voice Over:
. . . . and we talk to one of Paragons own heroes who is shaping the minds of todays youth.
[color=black *Camera shows the face of Dr Sanstad. He does not look amused*
[ QUOTE ]
Dr Sanstad: Read a book sometime Mr. Harris.
[/ QUOTE ]
Dont miss Behind the Mask next week.
Harris: Im Steven Harris reporting for Behind the Mask. Today we have the privilege of speaking with Professor Merriam, a sociology professor at Paragon University.
Professor Merriam: Thank you, Steven, I'm always happy to help the press.
Harris: Who do you think is to blame for the rise in this city's crime rate?
Professor Merriam: As I wrote in my recent book, _The_Mask_of_Terror_, criminals, particularly those with superhuman abilities, believe they are no longer bound by the social contract. Simply stated, any society has an unwritten agreement that if we obey the laws then we will be protected from those who do not. Many of these miscreants simply do not accept that the rest of us are their peers or that our rules apply to them.
Harris: What about the city's heroes?
Professor Merriam: Many of our city's heroes are no better. The Citizen Crime-Fighting Act which supposedly sanctions their vigilante activities also requires them to follow the same restrictions that police use. Yet when was the last time you heard of a hero brought up on charges for excessive use of force? It is an unfortunate reinforcement loop: Some citizens idolize heroes as if they were gods. Heroes fail to join most regular social institutions, so when they 'apprehend' criminals it only proves the criminals right - society IS unable to stop them. Of course, this increases the amount of crime which makes the heroes all the more necessary which causes gullible civilians to idolize them all the more. We need to break the chain.
Harris: What is your view of various anti heroes and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve?
Professor Merriam: In some senses these groups are doing some of the most beneficial activities of all. Not only are they resisting some of the negative social pressures I just mentioned, they are binding together and reinforcing the social structure. The very first societies that formed existed to use the strength of the many to overcome the few strong tyrants among them and make things more equitable for all.
Many of the members of these groups honestly put the good of society before their own good... I'm reminded of the case of Mr. Donald Glover... I believe he was in the news a year or two ago. He was an ardent member of Earth First when he discovered that his father was actually an alien, and then proceeded to kill himself. The ultimate sacrifice for the cause, so to speak. It's interesting to note that many heroes do the same thing.
Harris: What do you mean by that?
Heroes, of course, launch themselves daily into situations quite likely to prove lethal. Why would they do this? I think most psychologists will tell you that individuals engaged in self-destructive behaviour do so out of a hidden hatred of themselves, a low self esteem. Consider also that almost all heroes (even Statesman) wear masks during their most flagrant use of powers. They know, at some level, that what they are doing is loathsome and antisocial. They do not want others to recognize them or to have to see their own faces, even when their identity is not secret. A classic sign, if I may say.
Harris: Have you had any encounters with heroes?
Professor Merriam: With my books and recent work into hero effects on sociology, I have recieved threats. The line between hero and villian, if one even really exists, is a lot narrower than most people believe. These threats do not surprise me, however. It can be uncomfortable for someone who hates themselves to be examined so accurately.
Harris: What do you think goes through a super heroes mind when they are in a dangerous situation?
Professor Merriam: I spend several chapters discussing this in _The_Mask_of_Terror_. Though they are loath to admit it, heroes are mostly scared. Since their actions are without the security society provides, they have little hope of any kind of justice. They apprehend villains, yet because they regularly violate the CCFA their victims can be back on the streets in hours. The slightest slip might have a hero classed as a villain by the public and make them a fugitive, hunted by erstwhile friends. Many of the heroes I interviewed admitted to sizing up the weaknesses of their comrades in case they were forced to fight them in the future.
Harris: What do you think you would do if you had super powers yourself?
Professor Merriam: It is hard to predict how such changes would affect us, of course. I like to think I would be doing much the same thing that I am doing now. Having one capability does not nullify another, and scientific advances can enrich the lives of all mankind. I am doing research now on why many of the technologists we see fighting criminals one by one have abandoned other projects which might instead benefit billions.
Harris: Have you got anything else you would like to say to our viewers?
Professor Merriam: [laughs] I suppose if I haven't gotten your viewers interested in one of my books by now, another plug won't do much good. Work on something long enough and it becomes difficult to dwell on other things.
Harris: Thank you for your time, Professor.
Professor Merriam: Always a pleasure, Steve.
OOC : Wicked awesome, Stu.
The Alt Alphabet ~ OPC: Other People's Characters ~ Terrific Screenshots of Cool ~ Superhero Fiction
Harris: First of all I would like to thank you for taking the time to appear on the program.
Tesseract-Kid : Hey not a prob, buddy!
Harris: Could you tell the viewers at home a little bit about how and why you became a hero.
Tesseract-Kid : Well, I was messing with a transdimensionalinverse machine when it went off in my face. Darnedest thing. One minute I was home and the next minute I'm being folded into the Tesseract of this world and.... and... Oh... in laymens terms? I come from another dimension.
Harris: What would you say is the greatest reward for being a hero?
Tesseract-Kid : Glory is eternal, pain is temporary and chicks dig scars.
Harris: Have you ever found there is any drawback to being a hero?
Tesseract-Kid : Yeah... No time for dates.
What is going through your mind when you are in a dangerous situation that could lead to civilian casualties? That must be a scary situation.
Tesseract-Kid : Not really... I manipulate the Tesseract to cause a gravity flux around the enemies temperal locations then... then... in laymens terms? I hold the badguys in one spot and allow the civies to escape.
Harris: How do you feel about people that use their powers for crime like the outcast or the super villains we starting to see around the city?
Tesseract-Kid : Sucks!
What do you think is going through these criminals minds when they commit these acts?
Tesseract-Kid : My fist if I have anything to say about it.
How do you feel about the various anti hero and anti mutant groups that believe heroes course more problems then they solve? Given the amount of work heroes do for the city this must be quite upsetting.
Tesseract-Kid : Nobody wants to be hated. Especially when you just finished a really tough mission. Saved the city and you know NOONE will ever know about it... and some jerk chucks an egg at you and screams 'Go home mutie'. Heck, I'm not even a mutant!
and finally, have you ever worked along side the Statesman? What is he like?
Tesseract-Kid : Never met the guy. He seems like a bit of a stuffed shirt if you ask me. I know... alot of people dig him, but really... what have you seen him do lately?
I would like to thank you for coming on the show and on behalf of the citizens of Paragon city thank you for keeping the streets safe
Tesseract-Kid : Thats what we do buddy!! <teleports out>