<<2 weeks ago>>
It was a beautiful summers day in Paragon City. At least thats what someone told me as they passed by my office. I hadnt left my slightly cramped office in almost three days, this particular research topic had a strange hold over me. I wondered how many of the citys other registered super heroes would spend three days in their office. Most of them seemed to prefer letting the staff at Paragons various think-tank organizations do this kind of in depth digging. Todays project was Crey Industries, and that alone was enough to keep me engrossed for weeks.
More specifically, an investigation on the proliferation of Crey developed technology. It was showing up in the hands of more and more of the citys criminal population, and it seemed that Crey was not as upset about this problem as they probably should have been. Most of the time it was pretty low level stuff, regeneration devices and cryo pistols, reported missing by Crey street patrols in Brickstown and Founders Falls. But a recent Longbow report from the Rogue Isles did mention a large break in at the Crey labs in Grandville. Getting information out of the Rogue Isles was difficult enough, but when you add the Crey cloak of secrecy, it becomes nigh impossible.
I was getting nowhere, fast. Yes, the technology was out there, anyone with a Security Level over 20 could tell you that. But there was nothing that indicated either of the two most obvious conclusions. Either Crey Security was just getting sloppy, or Crey was allowing the denizens of society access to their technology on purpose. Neither would have surprised me that much. There seemed to be only one logical conclusion, Crey was simply a very large, technological company. Given the number of Crey offices and labs scattered through out the greater Paragon City area, a certain amount of loss could almost be expected, especially given Paragons
unique criminal element.
I cleaned up the files spread out over my desk, getting them back in order and filed away in the special file cabinet I reserve for my friends at Crey Industries. It was time to head home, sleep in my own bed for a change. Without really thinking, I flipped on the Police Scanner in my office while I cleaned up the pizza and Chinese take out boxes stacked on the filing cabinets by the door. Most of the notices coming from the scanner were typical, Hellions stealing purses and little old ladys beating up on the Skulls. Then the alert alarm went off:
ALL UNITS, ALL UNITS. Unknown meta-human sighted in the vicinity of Paragon City Bank, Founders Falls branch. Intentions believed hostile. Requesting immediate Hero and Longbow support.
I was halfway across the room before I heard 2 or 3 other Heros responding to the request, and they were already patrolling in the area. By the time I got there, thered be nothing left to do. Instead I turned on the other radio, the one sitting next to the police scanner. Most of the citys hero population didnt have access to these frequencies and, truth be told, I shouldnt have access to them either. Being a genius has its perks, I suppose:
Control to Eagle Detachment Foxtrot. Respond to Founders Falls. P-P-D reports hostile M-H activity. Full response authorized. Detain unknown M-H for questioning.
Longbow comm channels were supposed to be secure and encrypted, but the encryption they used wasnt that complicated. Ive always had a bit of a problem with Longbows heavy-handed tactics, and I felt that keeping an eye (and an ear) on them was in everybodys best interest. I had just finished putting the last of my office in order when the Longbow frequencies crackled to life again:
Eagle Foxtrot to Control. M-H no longer on scene. M-H is known, recommend you notify Longbow One, further details will be relayed via hard-line on return to base. Further recommend response 14-Alpha. Out.
It was unusual. Not only that Longbow had been unable to catch the guy, but that a bank robbery in Founders Falls was worthy of a direct notification to Ms. Liberty, Longbow One. What was more unusual was that there was no similar notification on the police bands. No suspect description, no last known location, just static. Unusual as it was, I didnt think too much of it, and went down to the dumpster with my trash.
When I came back in to my office a few minutes later the police scanner was back to it usual notifications of petty theft. I switched off both radios and grabbed my coat, ready to head home at last. A glint of light caught my eye from the building across the street. I squinted through the window and saw, to my surprise, a trio of Longbow Eagles perched on the rooftop, their high powered rifles pointed straight at me. Then the door burst open.
Everything became a blur as the door to my office burst open. I considered defending myself for a split second, but that particular secret was too valuable. Not that I would have had time to do anything, anyway. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw the briefest flash of movement. Then there was light, blinding and deafening at the same time. Then there was darkness.
And a voice...
Julius Amphere, under title 142.15a, Paragon.......place you under ar......for the robb....Founders Falls branch....You have the right...
My senses returned slowly. I realized I was moving... rocking back and forth... in a van with bad suspension. The cold steel of handcuffs was biting in to my wrists, and my ears were still ringing from whatever knocked me out. The slight aroma of burnt phosphorous told me that Longbow stun grenades were a likely source. There had been someone else, too. No doubt a teleporter, that must have been the flash of movement I saw. Without the usual protection, a super powered stun would have been more than enough to incapacitate me, the grenades were just overkill. Always overkill with Longbow.
My groggy analysis was cut short by the deep voice of someone sitting in front of me. I forced my eyes open and saw a pair of highly polished boots. Lifting my head slowly, I found myself face to face with a large, burly man. His uniform and rank insignia told me he was a Longbow Warden, a field commander among Ms. Libertys army of shock troops. I could feel his glare, even behind the dark goggles he wore. The slightest grin stretched across his face as he spoke;
Welcome back, Doctor. They told me you were resilient. Most men are unconscious for days when I knock them out.
Now the grin was inescapable. Here was a man who took a little more pride in his work than he should have.
Is there anything youd like to tell me before we reach our destination?
I tried to form words, to ask why I was handcuffed and under Longbow guard, but little more than a grunt escaped my lips.
Say what? Didnt quite catch that. Well, why dont I tell you a few things, hmm? Weve still got a ways to go.
Leaning back in his seat, the Warden removed his glasses and picked up a thin file sitting next to him. Flipping through a few pages, he cleared his throat and spoke again.
At 1005 local time this morning, an unknown meta-human entered the Founders Falls branch of the Paragon City Bank. Said meta-human caused severe injuries to bank security personnel, officers of the Paragon Police Department, and Longbow rapid response troops. No arrest could be made on scene.
At the mention of Longbow, my captor glanced up from his file, his eyes locking with mine, the grin now gone. I thought I saw a tinge of disappointment in his eyes as he returned to the file. Was he expecting some response from me, or did this military man just make some internal decision he wasnt happy about? I decided not to ask, as he had started speaking again.
...the equipment discovered in Dr. Ampheres office appeared to be of similar physical design, based on the eyewitness reports of bank tellers and security personnel. Scans of this equipments power discharge, although very similar, are not an identical match to readings taken at the scene. Differences were found in the output current, wattage, and wave frequency of Dr. Ampheres equipment.
Now Doctor, Im a simple man. I never spent a lot of time reading science books growing up, and I still dont now. So most of this tech report is a whole lot of mumbo-jumbo to me. But I do understand this next part;
Documents filed with the FBSA by Dr. Julius Amphere, A. K. A. Doc Amp, show that the... equipment ...developed by Dr. Amphere must have its discharge tuned to a specific Power Factor for proper operation. This unique Power Factor precisely matches readings taken at the scene, as well as the readings taken from Dr. Ampheres equipment.
The Longbow officer closed the folder, dropping it back on the seat next to him. Elbows on his knees, he leaned it close to me. His broad shoulders stretched the fabric of his uniform, his muscles tensing, and I could see the veins on his neck, pulsing with every beat of his heart.
So. What does the In-de-scribable Doc Amp have to say to that?
But there was nothing I could say. I was trying to make sense of all this new information, trying to figure out what it all meant. I needed time to think, but my head was still spinning from Longbows grenades and, apparently, the actions of my large friend here. I leaned back against the bouncing wall of the transport van as the Warden did the same. His grin from earlier was nowhere to be found. Only an unblinking stare remained. For the briefest of moments, I was glad not to be alone with him. I closed my eyes, and let the darkness wash over me again.
((Author's Note: I've gotten a little side tracked with this part of the story. I've kind of rambled on, and Doc's imprisonment, while important, isn't the real focus of the story. So, I'm going to speed things up a little bit.))
************************************************** *****************
This next time I woke, a large hand was pushing me out the door of the transport wagon, in to the bright afternoon sun. My head had mostly cleared, and I found myself staring up at Zigursky Prison, The Big Zig. My senses were immediately assaulted by the unique smell found only in this part of the city. The water filling the moat around The Zig was largely stagnant, and when combined with all the trash and sewage in it, that made for a particularly pungent odor. During my own patrols in this area, Id been blissfully spared from this little bit of Paragon ambiance.
I found myself relaxing just a little when the prison officials took control of the prisoner, and my Longbow arrest team finally left. That bit of relaxation was gone almost as soon as it came. My in processing was largely uneventful, if not slightly embarrassing. After what seemed like hours, I was led to my cell, my individuality all but erased. Dressed in my bright orange jumpsuit, I was prisoner #77-81695. Orange really wasnt my color.
My cell wasnt much better than the jumpsuit. No more than six square feet, my bed was a mattress pad on top of a large concrete block, built right in to the wall. The sink was little more than a spigot coming out of the wall. The single window affording me no view to speak of, only light. Even at night, when I expected to see a few stars, the sky was blank. The faint light of the stars was being blocked out by the giant searchlights they always run from the towers.
I was told my arraignment wouldnt be for several weeks. No surprise, given the state of Paragon Citys legal system. Despite the expensive equipment throughout my lab, I dont make a whole lot of money. What little I had saved from my... previous employment had been spent a long time ago. So, like many in The Zig, a public defender was assigned to my case. The whole time I was locked up, I only met with him once. Id asked him to get me the technical data Longbow had gathered, but he wasnt able to get back to me before something else happened.
Id been in my cell for the better part of 2 weeks. When the guards came to get me, I thought my overworked attorney had come through for me, and was delivering my technical data. I was only half right.
I was led through a glass door to a large conference room, completely unrestrained. It wasnt one of the standard interview rooms, no simple steel chairs and table, this one felt almost... corporate. The table was long and wide, solid oak, and polished to a glossy shine. Looking back through the full length glass door, I could see a group of people talking. One of them was impossible to mistake. Dressed in her usual red and blue mini skirt, complete with knee high white boots and long blonde hair, Longbow One herself, Ms. Liberty. The two men with her were dressed in simple business suits, I recognized one of them as the prison warden, Joe Stanley. I had never seen the other man. I watched them talk briefly, until Warden Stanley shook hands with Ms Liberty and the other man before walking off. Ms. Liberty turned to look at me through the glass door. Her head nodded in my direction ever so slightly before she too, walked away.
The mystery man walked in to the conference room, choosing the seat directly across from me, setting his black leather briefcase on the table in front of him. Leaning across the table, he extended his hand;
Dr. Amphere, my name is Nathaniel Fairfield. Im with the Paragon City District Attorneys office, Longbow liaison.
Youll have to excuse me if I dont shake your hand Mr. Fairfield, Longbow isnt exactly on my list of favorite institutions right now.
Fairfield unbuttoned his suit jacket and sat down.
I can certainly understand that Doctor, let me get right to the point then. All charges against you have been dropped, and you are to be released immediately.
I must admit , I was a little surprised. Nobody had listened to my pleas of innocence since my arrest, yet here I was being released, almost by Ms. Liberty herself.
Whats changed? Why all the fanfare just to release a prisoner, registered hero or not?
Yesterday afternoon, the same bank branch you are accused of robbing was hit again. Eyewitness reports indicate that the same suspect was responsible for both robberies. Residual energy readings have further confirmed that the same technology was used.
Now, Doctor, we know it wasnt you. We are, however, concerned. Security camera footage from this second robbery gave us our first good image of the suspect. The power armor used looks to be nearly identical in construction to your own armor.
The DA now had my full attention. Complete, and undivided.
That isnt possible. My armor is one-of-a-kind.
Not any more its not. Let me ask you a question Doctor, did you work on the designs for your armor while still employed by Crey Industries?
I shifted in my seat. While my former employment by Crey wasnt exactly secret, I didnt like to broadcast it, either. Especially not with all I had learned about Crey since leaving.
I had started some very rough design work just prior to leaving the company, but only on paper, and I still have those original drawings. Crey wouldnt have any copies. But if Crey is somehow involved, they have the back door channels to get quite a bit of the design information from the FBSA and other confidential sources without anybodys knowledge.
Can you think of any reason why Crey might want to duplicate your designs?
Sure. I was working for them just after the first Rikti War on the Voltaic Tank project. My armor could be considered an advancement on that technology, and they might feel they have some right to that technology.
As Fairfield listened, he was nodding along with my analysis, as if he was already expecting it;
The Paragon Police Department and Longbow intelligence both agree with your theory. But, like you said, Crey has sources within the FBSA and the PPD, not to mention the political influence wielded by the Countess Crey herself. Which is why the FBSA and the PPD will not be investigating this potential link.
I finally understood why my release included this special meeting. For the first time in two weeks, a smile escaped my lips;
Ill need the technical data Longbow and the PPD gathered from both robberies, not to mention all the equipment and files Longbow no doubt confiscated when they searched my office.
Fairfield opened the latches on his briefcase and pulled out a thick, manila envelope and pushed it across the table.
Heres the technical data, your equipment is being returned to your office as we speak. The files that were confiscated are being repacked for shipment and should arrive first thing tomorrow morning. And lets not forget,
He reached back in the briefcase and this time produced a simple lanyard, with a simple plastic card at the end;
your FBSA identification card. All security clearances have been reinstated, and full arrest rights are restored. Your medical transporter has also been reactivated.
I hung my ID around my neck and, despite the orange jumpsuit, felt whole again. I stood up from the table and extended my own hand,
Thank you Mr. Fairfield.
As I shook his hand, an unexpected thought and sudden realization dawned on me,
Youve given me a great deal of very valuable information today sir. Are you sure youre just a lawyer?
There was the slightest twinkle in Fairfields eye as he gave me a little wink,
Best of luck to you, Doc. The guard outside will get you down to the out processing center.
The office was in a state of utter disarray. There was simply no other way to describe it. Apparently, Longbow agents werent too concerned with maintaining the integrity of a crime scene, much less the overall cleanliness of someone elses workspace. Technical schematics and graphs were strewn across the floor, filing cabinets stood open and empty. The bank of computers against the wall, which normally filled the room with the quiet hum of cooling fans, was eerily quiet, their monitors as black as the rest of the room. In a strange bit of irony, the one thing in the room that might seem normal to a casual observer, was the one thing that would never be found in this office. A single wooden crate, resting in the center of the room. The crate bore the stamp of Longbow, the military arm of Freedom Corps, on its sides, and was sealed with large yellow stickers; EVIDENCE.
The darkness of the disheveled office was pierced by a flood of light as the door was pushed open, broken evidence seals hanging from the door frame. The light from the hallway silhouetted a lone figure, one who was both lanky and well built at the same time. Dr. Julius Amphere, PhD, stepped back in to his office, taking in for a moment all that had been done to his once neat and tidy office. As he scanned the room, his eyes stopped only for a moment on the wooden crate. He knew exactly what it contained, but there were more important things to attend to right now. The crate, and its contents, would be needed soon enough. Doing his best to avoid stepping on anything important, Dr. Amphere made his way to the desk. After taking a moment to combine the scattered papers in to more manageable stacks, he dropped a single, fat manila envelope on the desk and slumped in to the chair.
The brilliant young scientist leaned back in his chair, removing the heavy plastic glasses he had worn for the last two agonizing weeks. The prescription wasnt his, and it made his eyes hurt. He dropped the unwanted glasses on the desk and began searching through the desk for an extra set of his own glasses. He found them in the back of a drawer, separated from their protective case but thankfully undamaged. Leaning back in the chair, he sat staring at those clunky glasses, thinking back on everything that had happened over the past 3 weeks. Everything that led up to Zigursky Prison admitting Prisoner #77-81695, a Hero of the City, The Indescribable Doc Amp.