The flames on the ground floor dispersed almost immediately after Mystic flew off, and Coolant quickly spotted Stings heat signature on the floor with at least one opponent over him.
Coolant grabbed a nearby chair and hurried over to the bat wielder managing to step solidly on the prone thug on the way. Planting the chair firmly in the punks back seemed to distract his attention from Sting (and just about everything else), and allowed Coolant to grab the bat with his free hand and splinter it.
I dont think we called an exterminator, gentlemen. Please leave my friend alone, thanks.
[ QUOTE ]
Coolant grabbed a nearby chair and hurried over to the bat wielder managing to step solidly on the prone thug on the way. Planting the chair firmly in the punks back seemed to distract his attention from Sting (and just about everything else), and allowed Coolant to grab the bat with his free hand and splinter it.
I dont think we called an exterminator, gentlemen. Please leave my friend alone, thanks.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sting was tempted to put a large spine through the belly of the thug, but instead settled for a fist to the solar plexus followed by a knee to the chin (twice any knee worth throwing is worth throwing twice). The thug crumpled to the ground.
These guys had some serious Bat-Fu, thanks for the assist there Cool.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
"No problem. No more on this floor, but one made it upsatirs," Coolant said while delivering an extra kick to one of the thugs that was still squirming slightly. "Mystic went that way I think, can you check on him while I look after Newton?"
Coolant never waited for an answer as he ran over to the injured Newton and emitted a cool aura around his head. "Are you alright, my friend?"
Sting bounded up the stairs.
He stopped and saw Mystic looking out a broken window at the end of the hall. Sting rushed up and saw the chiller, with an unconscious thug over his shoulder, running away down the street.
If a bug can have a confused look, Sting had one now. "Um, we going after him boss?"
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
"Nope, he's just too quick for us." Mystic slapped his hands together. "I'll explain later, right now we should get downstairs."
Needless to say, well be ordering doors. Is that the last of the neighborhood youth come to donate sports equipment? Mystic pointed past Sting to the doorway. We dont have any arrest tabs yet, so were going to have to hold them the old fashioned way until the police arrive. Im afraid our cold blooded friend overpowered me and got away before we could get any useful information from him.
Mystic wasnt accustomed to lying, but saw it more of playing a part, like the interrogation room. He made sure that he cut short any questions as he dialed the police. He didnt even notice that he was still flying until he tried to find something to write with and found no tabletops near the ceiling. He herded the wounded thugs into the lobby and waited for the police.
[ QUOTE ]
"Nope, he's just too quick for us." Mystic slapped his hands together. "I'll explain later, right now we should get downstairs."
Needless to say, well be ordering doors. Is that the last of the neighborhood youth come to donate sports equipment? Mystic pointed past Sting to the doorway. We dont have any arrest tabs yet, so were going to have to hold them the old fashioned way until the police arrive. Im afraid our cold blooded friend overpowered me and got away before we could get any useful information from him.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sting stood there he knew he could catch the slow chiller, especially when he was carrying one of his cronies. Sting mouthed What the fk? as Mystic flew down the stairs.
Damn, are we a catch and release program?!? I guess I need to make sure they go to the hospital if we want to keep them. Sting thought to himself.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
[ QUOTE ]
Coolant never waited for an answer as he ran over to the injured Newton and emitted a cool aura around his head. "Are you alright, my friend?"
[/ QUOTE ]
"No," Newton said, opening an eye. "I'm lucky though. They hit my least vulnerable spot: my head." Newton's eye focused in on Cool. "Because of the helmet, of course." He tapped the metallic cap. His eye unfocused and shut again. "Ouch. Please tell me that you hurt them just a little bit for hitting me on the head."
Coolant shut down his armor but maintained the cool aura around his hands. He carefully removed Newton's helmet and examined the bruised area under it. Well, lets just say Sting and I hit harder than bats Coolant calmly said, Looks like you can take a pretty good hit though, my friend. A weaker man would have been out for hours.
The blow wasnt actually that bad, but it's easy to lie when you're emotionless.
Coolant quickly pulled up his first aid information and spoke the words Head Trauma. A list of signs and symptoms scrolled across his visor. Well, you know your name apparently, and you are responding. Those are good signs. Do you know what today is? Where you are?
((occ: just so you know, the helmet is really a medieval half helm open face, doesnt even really cover the ears))
[ QUOTE ]
Well, you know your name apparently, and you are responding. Those are good signs. Do you know what today is? Where you are?
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton opened his eye again. Today is Wednesday, I think ((occ: what day is it really?)) Im in the Two-Six, and youre holding up fourteen fingers. He shut his eye again. Im fine, Cool. Ive been hit on the head before. He opened both eyes this time. But thanks for caring. Newton shut them again with a half smile. He heard Mystic and Sting coming back downstairs.
Once the police arrived and took away the thugs, Mystic brought Newton some aspirin and a cold Dew. And now for the official debriefing. It seems that our friend Sudden, has been hired by a man named Rome, whom he met at a bar called the Bad Harley. According to the description, its going to be hard to pick this guy out of the crowd. Hes about five eight, mid forties, balding, slight build, but pudgy. Basically he described every middle aged man in the city. He has a couple of details that might help. His left eye is blue, and his right is green. He wears cuff links with an image of a ship on them. He limps slightly on his left side and favors his left arm a bit. Hes supposed to meet with this man again tomorrow at around seven. I suggest we infiltrate the bar and blend in with the local populace.
Mystic looked around the room. Right, terribly sorry. Ill come up with a new plan straight away. Mystic shook his head. Perhaps well just go in and look for him. He doesnt sound too dangerous himself. If we keep our eyes open, we might just live through it. Aside from that, our luck will be that this place is a dive and there wont be anyone to blend in with. This one could be the individual that makes or breaks this investigation. Its very important that we treat this one with caution. Ive secured some arrest tags. They take four seconds to work once you activate them, and we only have 12, so use them sparingly. Place them on the criminal for transport. Now remember, he has to be incapacitated for the tag to work, otherwise he could just pull it off.
(grrr, stupid double post)
Haha! Blend in! Good one boss. Maybe we could just camp outside and watch the place. When he goes in, we follow and tear the place down? Hmmm, I guess we could go in and beat the crap out of everyone first, and then wait for him to show.
Sting shrugged. Either way Im good with it, but we may want to cover the exits to the place. No need to let him run out the back door.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
Mystic's teeth clenched slightly behind his mask at the word "boss". He had to admit that he was forty five years old, probably the person everyone would assume was the most experienced due to age, but he'd spent most of his life in pursuit of a legend. Most of it spent in libraries and obscure places where they sell maps that no one wants and few believe are authentic.
He was a professor. In the last three years alone he had learned SOOOO much about being a hero that he previously had no clue about. He had broken bones and scars to prove it. Were it not for fellow heroes and the teleportation system of the city, hed have died long ago. Hed lead before because he had to, because he lead the expedition. He PUSHES PAPERS! I PUSH PAPERS, NOT LEAD SUPERHEROES! The thought echoed through his head so loudly he had to place a hand to his temple to prevent it from knocking a hole in his skull and escaping. The glaring whole in his plan was just pointed out to him by a large bug. He clearly wasnt cut out for it.
But he was raised English, and hed be damned if he would show an ounce of weakness. Of course, very good. Ill go in to flush him out, everyone else covers the front and back. Newton, you should be overlooking the structure, so you can cut him off if he runs. Coolant, out the front, where he will only feel confident going if he is leaving in force and quite powerful. Sting, watch the back, where he will go if hes running and scared. Does this sound right to everyone?
[ QUOTE ]
I suggest we infiltrate the bar and blend in with the local populace.
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton choked on the Mountain Dew and went into a coughing laughing fit that hurt his head even more. He leaned back on the couch.
[ QUOTE ]
Haha! Blend in! Good one boss. Maybe we could just camp outside and watch the place. When he goes in, we follow and tear the place down? Hmmm, I guess we could go in and beat the crap out of everyone first, and then wait for him to show.
Sting shrugged. Either way Im good with it, but we may want to cover the exits to the place. No need to let him run out the back door.
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton studied Sting carefully. Good strategic planning. Not necessarily something Newton expected from the insect-man. The green-haired mutant began to reassess Sting again.
[ QUOTE ]
Of course, very good. Ill go in to flush him out, everyone else covers the front and back. Newton, you should be overlooking the structure, so you can cut him off if he runs. Coolant, out the front, where he will only feel confident going if he is leaving in force and quite powerful. Sting, watch the back, where he will go if hes running and scared. Does this sound right to everyone?
[/ QUOTE ]
It does put you in a great deal of danger there, boss, Newton said as he held another can of Mountain Dew to the lump that was still growing on the back of his head. Youre not bullet-proof, and my grav shield will only protect you so much. Should we send in the one of us who can really take the damage? He looked over at Coolant. Or is this one of those I-set-up-the-meeting-and-Chilled-will-get-freaked-if-anyone-else-goes-in things.
"More of a 'I hate to admit it, but I look the closest to normal' kind of things. I can wear the hood and the mask and generally not draw too much attention. Especially if I carry one of those fake light sabres, they'll just think a Star Wars movie is playing nearby. Perhaps I could pass for a monk. But you with the helmet and the green hair, and... well... anyone else here, would simply draw too much attention. Besides, I can handle myself quite well most times. I'm quite adept at staying out of the line of fire. If it gets dangerous, I'll call you all in. If not, I'll take the little bugger all by myself, and not tip our hand to anyone who might be watching and think to take him back."
Mystic studied the expressions of his other teammates. "We have another option. We could appeal to Sudden to further aid us. We DID let him and his brother pull of a daring escape attempt. Of course we captured four and let one go that we were going to let go anyway."
"Yes, Sting, I know you're disappointed, but he DID cooperate and we don't have any evidence he broke the law recently. The scrape in front of the apartment was self defense, well, mostly. And now he's off telling his thug friends how incompetent we are and how strong he is. Later, when they find out that this information is incorrect, it will be too late."
Mystic looked around. "Now, I do have some questions about what it is exactly you have done in the past in terms of experience. I, myself, have worked for Positron and Synapse. I have worked with countless contacts on Striga Island and have dealt with clockworks, Dr Vahz, and the fifth column before they were taken over by the council. Most recently, I've had my ribs kicked in by warwolves while I busily set them ablaze. I've grouped with countless heroes, and am very experienced in working with a group. I'm quite capable of preventing you from being burned by my flame. Up close, I'm utterly worthless. My frail, old man body can't take the pounding that you younger heroes can at all. I have a tendency to over extend myself when I see someone in trouble, and I'm slow to run away. I've been working on that, though. What about the rest of you?"
((After all that Averick... look what I did, ha))
"My frail, old man body can't take the pounding that you younger heroes can at all. I have a tendency to over extend myself when I see someone in trouble, and I'm slow to run away. I've been working on that, though. What about the rest of you?"
"That sounds just like you Uncle Al. Nice to see some things haven't changed after all this time."
A young man, in his early twenties, leaned against the doorframe of the rundown precinct. He had a boyish face, blue eyes, light brown hair that seemed to lighten even more in the sunlight. It had a messy look about it, but not like he had just rolled out of bed. It was more like it all just kind of fell randomly into place.
He stood at about 6 feet tall, weighing about 200 lbs. He was wearing khaki slacks, a white button up, unbuttoned halfway down. Outside that was a medium length leather jacket that held one of his hands in the pockets. On his belt hidden by the clothes, you could see a small flash of a badge.
Brian Wincott stepped into the station, smiling, "Of course when they said you were helping bring this old dump back to life, I just had to see it for myself."
[ QUOTE ]
"My frail, old man body can't take the pounding that you younger heroes can at all. I have a tendency to over extend myself when I see someone in trouble, and I'm slow to run away. I've been working on that, though. What about the rest of you?"
[/ QUOTE ]
He held up his hands. I meant no disrespect, Newton said. You are far more experienced than I am. I was just trying to thing things out before we got ourselves into trouble again.
[ QUOTE ]
"That sounds just like you Uncle Al. Nice to see some things haven't changed after all this time. Of course when they said you were helping bring this old dump back to life, I just had to see it for myself."
[/ QUOTE ]
Out of the corner of his eyes, he tried to get a better look at younger mans badge. I take it you two know each other, Uncle Al? Newton said, needling Mystic just a little bit.
Mystic looked, but didnt believe. Oy! Brian, what in the world
He stood and floated over to his Nephew, holding out his hand. Youre the last thing I expected to see here, a familiar face.
For moments, he just stared at his nephew. My god, where are my manners? Gentlemen and giant insects, this is Brian, my nephew. Brian, may I introduce Poison Sting, Coolant System, and Newtons Apple. I hope you chose a name with two words in it, as that seems to be the one thing we all have in common. Would you like some tea? Ive taken to making smaller pots but I think theres ample for two.
[ QUOTE ]
I can wear the hood and the mask and generally not draw too much attention. Especially if I carry one of those fake light sabres, they'll just think a Star Wars movie is playing nearby.
[/ QUOTE ]
((Ok, I almost wet myself laughing about that one!!!))
Poison was about to give a further opinion about their plan when he detected the newcomer.
[ QUOTE ]
I take it you two know each other, Uncle Al? Newton said, needling Mystic just a little bit.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sting had to pretend to cough so he didnt laugh out loud at Newtons comment.
Hello Brian. Sting eyed the newcomer with a little suspicion it was just a natural reaction for him, even though he had been identified. Sting also noticed the badge on his belt.
Great, a freaking cop. What next; we get our own OSHA and Union reps? Sting grumped to himself.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
Hello Brian. Sting eyed the newcomer with a little suspicion it was just a natural reaction for him, even though he had been identified. Sting also noticed the badge on his belt.
"How's it going everyone," he said with a nod toward Sting, "Hope I'm not coming in the middle of something too big. I came in at the very end of this conversation."
He'd recognized Sting from the files upon files that had been sent up to Headquarters about his "tactics". Personally, Brian kind of liked the guy. He did what he did because he had too. More people needed to realize that. He noticed Sting's apprehension toward him and shifted his weight a little to cover his badge a little more, as if it would do any good. He knew he saw it. They all did.
"Yea, actually tea sounds pretty good right about now," he said after making his rounds of handshakes with the crowd.
He followed his uncle to where he was brewing the tea and gave a long low whistle as he looked the place over, "You guys really have outdone yourselves it seems. Last time this place looked this good, I think Kennedy was president."
Taking a seat in the lounge chair, he sipped his tea and felt the relaxation begin to course through him, "Ahhh yea, almost forgot how good you made this stuff. You still got it," he remarked taking another sip, "but aside from all this small talk, I can imagine you're wondering why I'm here."
"Well," he said, leaning forward and setting the tea down, "the 2-6 project has been long in the works, but you know how some of those higher powers that be are. For us down at Headquarters - oh and I got promoted to Detective by the way, hence the move to HQ - the call went out at first to any cops that happened to be metas as well. They wanted to keep things within the police system for jurisdiction type purposes. When not enough cops were coming forward, they decided to kind of take it to the streets and find a few of the actual heroes that might be interested."
He stood up and began to tour the common area as he spoke, "When I first heard of it, I was all for it, but wasn't a priority because I wasn't a meta. Well I kind of was, but not really, " he said, opening his shirt a little more to reveal a necklace holding a jadestone at the bottom, "apparently old relics that allow you speed, strength, and agility didn't count."
He stopped back at the table and picked up his tea and took another nice long sip. Barely finishing his swallow he began to speak again, "Man, this is really good tea. So anyway, after much plea bargaining and making haste to finish out other cases I had to keep my schedule open, they decided to consider me and placed me on a list," by now he was standing next to his uncle, "but when they found out who my uncle was and that he was running this joint, they were more than happy to send me here, thinking that I had been holding out on some power I never told them about."
Smiling, he placed his arm around Alfred, "But we all know this type of thing doesn't really run in our family does it Uncle Alfred," he gestured with a wink.
"Oh and what's this thing about having two names? Hmm, not sure about that one. I registered last week after I found out I was coming here, but they delayed some of the paperwork because I couldn't think of anything concrete. So... we'll see."
((Edited to fit Sting's reaction))
Coolant had been meditating for most of the evening, but the newcomers appearance finally got him to move. He nodded to the young man and shook his hand to keep from looking rude. Excuse me gentlemen, I will leave you two to get reacquainted. With your permission, I am going to find something metal to bar that door.
Coolant began to walk outside without paying much attention to the others; something about the scene depressed him. Before he got to the door, he realized that Mystic had asked a question, and he was honor bound to answer it.
My experience includes everything from gang bangers to Clockworks. I work a lot in Kings Row. My recent activities have focused heavily on Crey. They seem to have an interest in me. I fight well, but I have trouble maintaining contacts and allies. Most find me understandably cold. My biggest weakness is my energy expenditure.
Coolant never stopped walking towards the door as he talked. Upon reaching the exit he added, I can lift up to 825 pounds over my head if need be, and while fully armored I can withstand most direct attacks with the exception of incendiary weapons. I can emit a controlled aura of cold in close ranges, and I have very good audio and thermal scanners for scouting. For anything more specific, I can give you exact technical readouts. Will that do for your question, Inferno?
He then did something very difficult for him; he actually waited for a response.
"You guys really have outdone yourselves it seems. Last time this place looked this good, I think Kennedy was president."
Taking a seat in the lounge chair, he sipped his tea and felt the relaxation begin to course through him, "Ahhh yea, almost forgot how good you made this stuff. You still got it," he remarked taking another sip, "but aside from all this small talk, I can imagine you're wondering why I'm here."
Mystic beamed from beneath his mask at the mention of his tea. Usually he just skulked about the coffee rooms at the university mumbling about how the heathens there didnt even have all the appropriate accoutrements for tea. Seldom did someone actually show an appreciation for his skill.
Thank you, I edged the spoon in cinnamon and added a sprig of thyme
oh, go on.
"but when they found out who my uncle was and that he was running this joint, they were more than happy to send me here, thinking that I had been holding out on some power I never told them about."
Smiling, he placed his arm around Alfred, "But we all know this type of thing doesn't really run in our family does it Uncle Alfred," he gestured with a wink.
Yes, well, actually I hadnt thought to tell my new friends my name just yet. Thank you for saving me the bother. I was trying to remain quite super hero-ish. That aside, Im not running anything. Were a cooperative council of equal partners who share responsibility for
you can stop snickering anytime Newton. Mystic took another sip of tea. So, are you to be joining us? We were just discussing our previous levels of experience, so we could determine what we can expect of each other in the field.
Coolant took the time to answer his question before he left. My experience includes everything from gang bangers to Clockworks. I work a lot in Kings Row. My recent activities have focused heavily on Crey. They seem to have an interest in me. I fight well, but I have trouble maintaining contacts and allies. Most find me understandably cold. My biggest weakness is my energy expenditure.
Coolant never stopped walking towards the door as he talked. Upon reaching the exit he added, I can lift up to 825 pounds over my head if need be, and while fully armored I can withstand most direct attacks with the exception of incendiary weapons. I can emit a controlled aura of cold in close ranges, and I have very good audio and thermal scanners for scouting. For anything more specific, I can give you exact technical readouts. Will that do for your question, Inferno?
Mystic nodded. Quite. My appreciation for your efficient answer is greater than you may realize. Anyone else?
Well Ive done my share of taking on thugs of all sorts, but nothing too fancy. Some Lost, some Council, even a few of those Circle of Thorns magic freaks um, no offense. But nothing beyond that. Ive mostly worked alone; for some reason others seem to have issues with me, especially the squeamish ones.
Sting thought for a moment. Tactics are not my strong point. I pretty much find who needs to be stabbed and do it. Oh and sometimes I lose my temper a little bit and fly into a blind rage. It is normally triggered when I get hurt bad. Well not really blind, I can usually tell friend from foe
usually.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
[ QUOTE ]
Quite. My appreciation for your efficient answer is greater than you may realize. Anyone else?
[/ QUOTE ]
"Alright then. I have my radio on if you need me. I'll be back as soon as I can find something to get the job done"
Coolant quickly headed out to scavenge, and left the others to their socializing.
[ QUOTE ]
Mystic flared off another bolt at a would-be ambusher and then swooped down on Newtons position. He grabbed him up with great difficulty. Wow, can make everything lighter but him gah! Settling for a close place of relative safety, Mystic unceremoniously deposited Newton on a nearby couch which was in plain sight of Coolant but out of the main fight. After Newton hit the couch like a sack of potatoes, Mystic quickly opened a box of donuts that was sitting on a coffee table near the couch and heated them to a temperature very close to that of fresh from the oven before flying out one of the windows that was boarded up and into the second story through a different boarded up window.
[/ QUOTE ]
"mmm, donuts," Newton murmured.
The pounding of his head quickly overcame the olfactory input. He tried to sit up and open his eyes, but fell back down and off the couch. All he could see were stars and the sort-of the floor. Heavy footsteps, explosions, waves of heat and cold, and the sound of something wooden hitting something kind of like plastic overwhelmed his senses again and he struggled to keep himself out of the complete darkness.