The Avengers of Justice--new static team on Virtue

First, let me apologize in advance for this wall of text which will have a high likelihood of striking for a critical hit.

Ok, so this all started with a post by Unknown_Badge over in the recruitment forums. The gist was that he was trying to form a static team with the following basic parameters:

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The team model will be based on Bronze Age Avengers or Satellite Era Justice League where each member is a successful solo hero on his own rights but teams with the rest of the group to face those challenges he can’t defeat alone. In game, we call those events “Task Forces”.

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Ultimately, the day/time that UB went with didn’t work for me. So I gauged interested in a second group to run on another night (FYI, as far as I know UB is still trying to put together a Friday team). That turned into a thread that got some relatively decent interest.

We finally decided to roll new toons for a static team that would run every Tuesday from 7:00 to 9:30 p.m.(East Coast Time) on Virtue. Our first run is August 5, and will consist of meeting at the sewers in Atlas and using that to get us each to level 6-ish. We’ll then head to King's Row to do bank mishes to get at least one of (if not both) of the temp travel powers. After that we’ll begin the Posi TF, assuming we’ve hit an appropriate level. The Posi TF will probably require "parking" our toons in the TF over the course of a session or two due to its length. The intent is to be pretty firm with the 9:30 stop time each week.

From there I would envision us just plowing through the rest of the TF's more or less in order, although it will be put up to a vote each week.

Here is the story so far with a little RP thrown in for fun:

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Just after assisting the police isolate a mysterious outbreak, several of Paragon's newest heroes set out to individually investigate rumors of mysterious happenings in the sewers beneath Atlas park. They each decided that the events that brought them together were more than mere coincidence. With that they banded together to form:



The Avengers of Justice!!! A group that faces threats beyond the abilities of any hero standing alone. ROLL CALL:



1) Liberty-Flame (Fire/WP science scrapper): Elizabeth Moore was military scientist working on the S.O.L.A.R. (Soldier Optimization and Longevity Amplification Research) project. Double agent sabotage caused her to be exposed to her own experiments, which were theoretically not ready for human testing. This exposure increased her physical prowess and gave her limited ability to manipulate nuclear energy;



2) Lightson (FF/Eng magic defender): A prideful and self-centered law student, Bryson Walker was in an automobile accident that nearly cost him his life. While unconscious, he had a vision in which an angel-like being promised him great power if he would begin serving the light instead of darkness. He accepted, and was granted the ability to manipulate a mysterious light/energy force;



3) Solar Tech (fire/eng tech blaster): A scientist who specializes in the military applications of solar technology! After much skeptism and many declined research grants he has decided to field test/demo some of his work on the mean streets of Paragon City!;



4) The Directrix (mind/sonic natural controller): negotiator extraordinaire employed by the PPD, and unofficial police liaison for the fledgling group. Many an arrest is made without resistance thanks to her uncanny ability to make criminals see the error of their ways before the fight even begins;



5) Blind Justyce (TA/Arch tech Def): Full origin pending. Basic gist, blind person using tech to enhance marksmanship;



6) Currently unnamed, unorigined character played by DocMidknight (Dark/dark mutant tank);

7) ?

8) ?



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So, here’s where I (finally) get to the point. I have received several PM’s with interest in the final two spots. Please post in this thread if you are interested in filling our last two spots. First come, first serve. I’ve had too many contact me with interest at about the same time for me to hand out the last two spots any other way. The first two to add their name/description to the above ROLL CALL are in.

BEFORE SIGNING UP PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THE GROUND RULES:

* No more than two of any particular AT, which means we are full on defenders but everything else is fair game

*Classic Avengers/JLA type heroes–we don’t want to get too much “darker or edgier”than say, Batman or Wolverine. It can be the really paranoid, “I’ve got to know my own teammates’ weakness” Batman though. Wolverine, meh, I’ve got nothing.

* No worries if you are not a RP’er (I’m not really, just enjoy writing this up), the primary goal is to have a static team to experience content with. RP’ing is optional and secondary (but knock yourself out if you want to). This team was born because many of us might not experience TF’s unless we do them this way.

*We’ll meet weekly from 7:00 to 9:30 (East Coast Time) on Tuesdays. With 8 it’ll be okay if you need to miss from time to time, but don’t sign up if you know you’ll be consistent “iffy.” Once again, the stop time will be pretty firm so there’s a good chance this toon could get locked up in a TF for a week. Finally, I’ll note we may switch to every other week depending on whether people get burnt out or not.

Please use this thread to fill the last two spots. From there we’ll update this thread from time to time to brag of our exploits and maybe have a little RP fun.

Thanks for taking the time to read this, and please join us

JUSTICE IS SERVED!!

So i just rolled a Kat/WP, if you still have room for him that's great, if not he can be a "Reserve" and I'll play him solo...and he can "help out" when needed. That is perfectly acceptable for me. Still thinking of a name.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanaville Sure, the devs are supposed to listen to their customers, mister business 101 out there. And if I decide to start suggesting that the devs change the game from being about superheroes and supervillains to being about clowns that is my right as well, and technically Paragon Studios is supposed to pay attention to me. But I hope strongly that they assume a meth-head somehow managed to hack into my forum account and make paper airplanes out of my posts, because I hope they recognize stupid when they see it. I assume they will recognize futile just as accurately.

KLyxx: no need to be a reserve--you're in as # 7 if you are cool with the ground rules.

If so just update the thread when you've got some background worked out.

Still need # 8

Thanks!

And the 8th and final spot looks to belong to StKenth and his mutant fire/thermal controller, Burnt Sacrifice. Posting for him as he is unable to post at this time

(Please forgive the length of this Bio)-Blind Justce
Dr. Ian Greyson thought life couldn't get better,graduating top in his class from M.I.T,picked as team lead in the Smart Suit project,local celebrity due mostly from him dating Ashley Summers, one of the top country singers,yes Ian was the man or so he thought.
But alas all this changed when the Crey showed up interested in the Smart Suit.The Smart Suit had a proximity sense like sonar/radar this info could then be read through a head piece linked to the operators synaptic nerves.This was created to give those born blind a idea of what it was like to see. But as always the Crey thought of it in terms of how best to use it to infiltrate and destroy letting Ian know it was in his best interest to give up his secrets.
Ian wanted no part of the Crey and refused to give his reports and/or findings on the Smart Suit.Shortly he was let go from the project,then a local newspaper had a article on how a few M.I.T graduates had cheated on exams with Ian being the ring leader,the I.R.S was investigating him from misuses of the projects funds, his girl friend left him when she found *pictures of him another women from the project in a romantic embrace * finally his apartment was broken into and ransacked.Ian knew he was in trouble but determined to keep Crey from his Smart Suit.He broke into the lab to steal the proto-type suit but was quicky found out (he was being watched) in the insueing struggle with one of Crey's soldiers a taser accidently was fired hitting Ian right in the eyes burning his corneas, and damaging his eyes beyond repair.
Ian awoke in a privately own Crey hospital blind and was told there was no hope for him to ever see again.Later that night Ian dissapeared,so did the Smart Suit and several of the prominate project members.Several months laters Blind Justyce now roams the streets.Helping those who cannot fight for themselves, or are blinded by the secret workings of Crey.

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(Please forgive the length of this Bio)-Blind Justce
Dr. Ian Greyson thought life couldn't get better,graduating top in his class from M.I.T,picked as team lead in the Smart Suit project,local celebrity due mostly from him dating Ashley Summers, one of the top country singers,yes Ian was the man or so he thought.
But alas all this changed when the military showed up interested in the Smart Suit.The Smart Suit had a proximity sense like sonar/radar this info could then be read through a head piece linked to the operators synaptic nerves.This was created to give those born blind a idea of what it was like to see. But as always the Military thought of it in terms of how best to use it to infiltrate and destroy.
Ian wanted no part of the military and refused to give his reports and/or findings on the Smart Suit.Shortly he was let go from the project,then a local newspaper had a article on how a few M.I.T graduates had cheated on exams with Ian being the ring leader,the I.R.S was investigating him from misuses of the projects funds, his girl friend left him when she found *pictures of him another women from the project in a romantic embrace * finally his apartment was broken into and ransacked.Ian knew he was in trouble but determined to keep the military from his Smart Suit.He broke into the lab to steal the proto-type suit but was quicky found out (he was being watched) in the insueing struggle with one the soldiers a taser accidently was fired hitting Ian right in the eyes burning his corneas, and damaging his eyes beyond repair.
Ian awoke in a military hospital blind and was told there was no hope for him to ever see again.Later that night Ian dissapeared,so did the Smart Suit and several of the prominate project members.Several months laters Blind Justyce now roams the streets.Helping those who cannot fight for themselves, or are blinded by the secret workings of thier goverment.

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Nice origin. But hey, is there any way we could change the organization that was trying to steal your suit to something other than the military? I'm not trying to be political or anything (I really don't want to go there with something fun like this). I'm just saying this because:

1) It would fit better within the CoH universe (y'know Crey or Nemesis could be the one trying to get your suit)

2) Two of our members have already military ties--points to Liberty Flame and Solar Tech

3) "The US government intentionally destroyed my life so it could steal from me" is a little dystopian for a team trying to capture a classic JLA/Avengers feel

Just my two cents.

Thanks again!

So....I may want to make a Fire/Elec or Energ/Elec, blaster instead of the scrapper. I love blasting more and can fit a Character concept into this group better then I could with a scrapper. If we still only have 1 other blaster, I will go ahead with the blaster.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanaville Sure, the devs are supposed to listen to their customers, mister business 101 out there. And if I decide to start suggesting that the devs change the game from being about superheroes and supervillains to being about clowns that is my right as well, and technically Paragon Studios is supposed to pay attention to me. But I hope strongly that they assume a meth-head somehow managed to hack into my forum account and make paper airplanes out of my posts, because I hope they recognize stupid when they see it. I assume they will recognize futile just as accurately.

I'm a little late as I just saw this thread, but if there is room, let me know.

Hi Stutter and Doc!

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So....I may want to make a Fire/Elec or Energ/Elec, blaster instead of the scrapper. I love blasting more and can fit a Character concept into this group better then I could with a scrapper. If we still only have 1 other blaster, I will go ahead with the blaster.

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Blaster is fine, dream up that concept and let us know what you come up with!

Heck, in coming up with my suggestions for Blind Justyce's origin now that I think about, there could be some cross-over in the origins. The same nefarious organization (Crey, Nemesis, Arachnos, etc.) saw that these brilliant scientists were coming close to amazing breakthroughs and caused: 1) Liberty-Flames experiment to be sabotaged; 2) Solar-Tech's proposals to get bogged down in red tape (so they could snatch the tech up themselves on the cheap); and 3) ruined Blind Justyce's life to obtain the Smart Suit.

This could tie us all into the CoX universe a little more, and create a common thread throughout the team . . .

What do you guys think?

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I'm a little late as I just saw this thread, but if there is room, let me know.

Hi Stutter and Doc!

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Hey thanks for responding! Right now we are at eight members, and we don't want to get any larger than that.

Although we have yet to "officially" hear from the person in the eight slot we are holding it for him until he is able to post again.

Might I suggest contacting Unknown_Badge? Last I checked he was attempting to do something very similiar every other Friday night.

Also, I will post here if spots ever open up in the lineup.

Thanks again!

Ok cool.
Just let me know if a spot opens up.
My Global is @Perdix, Doc and Dataguy have me on there global also.
Have Fun Guys!!!

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I'm a little late as I just saw this thread, but if there is room, let me know.

Hi Stutter and Doc!

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Hey thanks for responding! Right now we are at eight members, and we don't want to get any larger than that.

Although we have yet to "officially" hear from the person in the eight slot we are holding it for him until he is able to post again.

Might I suggest contacting Unknown_Badge? Last I checked he was attempting to do something very similiar every other Friday night.

Also, I will post here if spots ever open up in the lineup.

Thanks again!

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Where was this original post by UB? You said the "recruitment" thread? I didn't see anything like that.

Retconned and ready to go! Those durn Crey!!! Also if the group decides in the underlying theme of a orginization trying to steal are technology and it can give us a purpose for joining a small band of intrepid heros I am all for it Crey isn't set in stone.Thank goodness for edit!! =)

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Where was this original post by UB? You said the "recruitment" thread? I didn't see anything like that.

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Here is a link to UB's original, accept no imitations, thread:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat....=0#Post11411187

For the morbidly curious, here is a link to my imitation (see what I did there?) thread. Its no longer the place for keeping up with the Avengers of Justice, but it will give you some background:

http://boards.cityofheroes.com/showflat....=0#Post11457213

Hope this helps!

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Retconned and ready to go! Those durn Crey!!! Also if the group decides in the underlying theme of a orginization trying to steal are technology and it can give us a purpose for joining a small band of intrepid heros I am all for it Crey isn't set in stone.Thank goodness for edit!! =)

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Cool! So Solar-Tech are you cool with a Crey conspiracy idea running through the team origin? Liberty-Flame would be alright with that. Can we update your bio to say that Crey was behind your projects not being accepted by the military?

I've got a thought, about the group we fight against, should we maybe have the Council thrown in there? IMO there is a lot more Council content then Crey.

http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/Council
http://cityofheroes.wikia.com/wiki/Crey

Either way I will probably be a Mutant who was experimented on by said group, raising my power to almost uncontrollable levels, I'm slowly working the full backstory for my Blaster, still not sure whether or not I'm going Fire Blast or Energy Blast?
Any suggestions or opinions of what you'd rather team with?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanaville Sure, the devs are supposed to listen to their customers, mister business 101 out there. And if I decide to start suggesting that the devs change the game from being about superheroes and supervillains to being about clowns that is my right as well, and technically Paragon Studios is supposed to pay attention to me. But I hope strongly that they assume a meth-head somehow managed to hack into my forum account and make paper airplanes out of my posts, because I hope they recognize stupid when they see it. I assume they will recognize futile just as accurately.

[ QUOTE ]
Heck, in coming up with my suggestions for Blind Justyce's origin now that I think about, there could be some cross-over in the origins. The same nefarious organization (Crey, Nemesis, Arachnos, etc.) saw that these brilliant scientists were coming close to amazing breakthroughs and caused: 1) Liberty-Flames experiment to be sabotaged; 2) Solar-Tech's proposals to get bogged down in red tape (so they could snatch the tech up themselves on the cheap); and 3) ruined Blind Justyce's life to obtain the Smart Suit.

This could tie us all into the CoX universe a little more, and create a common thread throughout the team . . .

What do you guys think?

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That would work, especially Crey who have been known to do a little experimantation on unwilling subjects from time to time. Sitting on my lunch break still thinking bout my backstory. If a spot does open up I would strongly consider Perdix for it, he was a member in the static team Dat and I did the beginning of the year.

This is kind lengthy, but here's my Character a Energy/Electric Blaster: Mutant X-7
(If the name doesn't work for you we can change that up.
This is a remake of my original character on Liberty Mutant X-7 an Nrg/Nrg blaster)

(1993)
Alex Kent always thought that he was a little different...and boy was he right. On his 10th birthday the first manifestation of his mutant ability's began to manifest. It was a gradual change, starting with light sparks around his hands and then growing to being able to manipulate electricity with his hands.
(2001)
By the time he was 18 he could concentrate the energy into pure beams of light energy and although he thought it was really cool, he kept his powers hidden from his friends and loved ones. Despite the "cool factor", he was still embarassed by his power, since it was kind of a weak power, it had no real use, he was practically a walking flashlight/ light show.
(2003)
By the time Alex was 20 his power had really began to grow and he began to dislike his powers more and more.
Alex found an add in the paper from Crey Industries advertising their treatment for genetic mutations that granted strange abilities.
Alex thought he would finally be able to get rid of what he now looked at as his curse.
He made an appointment a Crey Doctor, a supposed expert in Genetic Mutation. Alex was told they were going to take a blood sample, he felt the needle enter his arm...This was the last feeling he had.
(2008)
Alarms were blaring, red lights were flashing....Alex, looking around, felt really confused. He was in some kind of tank filled with a strange blue gel like fluid. The glass to the front of the tank started cracking, Alex pushed on it and the glass gave way.
Falling to the floor in a puddle of goo, it was as if Alex was being born for the first time.
He looked at the top of the tank, he saw a label... "Mutant X-7" he read. Still not sure of his surroundings he tried to concentrait, he felt a sharp pain in his head, not able to worry about that now, he looked around for some clothes. He found a doctor's coat to at least cover himself. it had an ID in the pocket "Kellerman" was the name on it, it was a Crey Industries ID badge.
This reminded him that he had gone to visit a Crey doctor to help with his problem. He also fully became aware that there was a blaring siren, he thought now might be a good time to get out of here. As he entered the hall way he turned and saw this large monstrosity of a creation. It had a huge claw on one hand and was almost robotic looking with a semi-human head. (Alex would later find out that this was a Freakshow Tank Swiper).
Instinctively Alex but out his hands as the thing took a swipe at his head, and shot out a burst of Energy that sent the Freak flying back. In shock Alex continued to blast forth until he put the freak down.
Alex heard a scream from around the corner and continued down the hallway. There was a young woman crouched in the corner about to be attacked, Alex concentrated for a moment and was able to hold the freak in place, the freak turned around and hurled a bolt of electricity at Alex. Alex took the hit and felt a strange surge go through him, he then focused for a second or two, and shot his own blast of Energy at the freak sending him flying and leaving him breathless on the floor. The girl ran to Alex and thanked him for his help. She looked at him to figure out who he was.
She recognized him as the Mutant that was kept down the hall, under her breath she said "X-7".
Alex took this as a sign that she knew who he was and questioned her.
Other then the Mutant X-7 designation over his tank she had no idea who he was, but she did know where he could find out. Further down the hall there was a Computer filing room, but it had restricted access. He showed her the Kellerman badge and she told him that should work.
She took him to the room and they locked the door behind themselves.
Alex used the card to log onto the computer and searched for Mutant X-7. What he found did not please him.
At his appointment in 2003 he was injected with a pre-cryo serum to render him unconcious. He was then cryogenically frozen for the past 5 years. Used as a genetic specimen for the Revenant Hero Project, Alex's DNA was copied and mutated to create "Hero's" for Crey Industries. These "Hero's" are known as Paragon Protectors.
He looked at the girl, her name tag read "Melissa", she returned his look with that of disgust as she learned what the company she had been working for was truly doing. She explaind to Alex that she thought that Crey Industries was an innocent standard pharmaceutical company.
Alex returned to reading, Crey kept tabs on his family it appeared, here he learned that during his cryostasis the Rikti invasion had occurred, and during the invasion, his family was killed, these were the last words he read, boiling with fury and rage, Alex couldn't control his power, he fealt himself heating up, and in an instant all of his 5 years worth of Energy exploded in 1 huge explosion. Melissa had just enough time to activate her own hidden mutation, she was able to shield Alex and herself with a Force Field as the building around the two came crashing down.
After the explosion, Alex was left unconcious.
Instead of taking Alex to a hospital (she now had lost almost all faith in everything she thought she knew), she brought Alex to her apartment and called her friend Antonio Nash whom she had been working with on her own mutations.
Antonio told her to keep Alex at her place, and to bring Alex to speak with him once he regained conciousnous.
After a few days Alex finally woke up.
She told him about Antonio and that he should go speak with him.
Melissa had class that evening and said she would drop him off in Atlas park on the way to the University.

This is the day Alex Kent became the Hero known as

Mutant X-7....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanaville Sure, the devs are supposed to listen to their customers, mister business 101 out there. And if I decide to start suggesting that the devs change the game from being about superheroes and supervillains to being about clowns that is my right as well, and technically Paragon Studios is supposed to pay attention to me. But I hope strongly that they assume a meth-head somehow managed to hack into my forum account and make paper airplanes out of my posts, because I hope they recognize stupid when they see it. I assume they will recognize futile just as accurately.

I really like the origins im reading. Not used to being left in the dust creatively. Im all for the common thread of Crey sabatoge running through our origins and bringing us together. I do prefer Crey over Council as they seem more the devious tech stealing, reverse engineering type with Council being more of a propaganda spewing, army building organization. My origin was fairly simple from the start ( inspired by a set of shoulderpads ), but I'll see what I can flesh out before our first get together.

Also, HI PERDIX.
He gets a thumbs up from myself as well. Hes good people. fun and reliable. If you dont hear from Asteroth you should definately invite him.

Aw man...sorry I didn't see this earlier.
If you all do this again I'd love to join the fun!

Klyxx very nice back story and I am looking forward to seeing more history of are merry lil band.

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"If a spot does open up I would strongly consider Perdix for it, he was a member in the static team Dat and I did the beginning of the year. "

"Also, HI PERDIX.
He gets a thumbs up from myself as well. Hes good people. fun and reliable. If you dont hear from Asteroth you should definately invite him."

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Thanks Guys!!!!!!

If we get enough responses, another team could be set up for a different night. Same SG, same rules just an East/West kinda thing. Just a thought and it would give me something to do on another day when I'm not working.

Here's a little just for fun stuff for you guys . . .

Tying the threads together: the story so far . . .

Elizabeth Moore, a highly patriotic scientist working on the S.O.L.A.R. (Soldier Optimization and Longevity Amplification Research) project. The project was designed to harness nuclear energy in such a way that it would enhance the performance of our soldier’s in the field. She was on the verge of a breakthrough. It just might work after all. One more late night in the office, and the power transfer might actually be field ready. So determined, Elizabeth was oblivious to the vibrating of her cell phone or the digital timer underneath her desk counting down . . .

Solar Tech (hey Datguy, I need your toon’s real name too, I’ll just use “ST” for now), Unlike Elizabeth, ST was on the outside looking in. No doubt, he was just as brilliant (if not more so). The designs he had developed for harnessing solar energy in combat situations was revolutionary. He KNEW they worked. Nonetheless, every time he pitched his ideas he was met with nothing but red tape. Bureaucracy. It was almost as if someone had it out for him. Sometimes it made him feel better just to put on the suit, to handle the weapons. He did that tonight. He came home and donned the technology that everyone kept rejecting. “I know this stuff works, why doesn’t anyone else believe me?” ST thought to himself, unaware of the assailant approaching him from behind . . .

Dr. Ian Greyson, was a man living a charmed life as the lead developer for the Smart Suit project. The device would improve the quality of life for countless people. So long as it stayed in the right hands, that is. Which is why he would never let Crey have it. Despite Crey’s facade, Ian had heard the tales from his M.I.T buddies who had gone to work for them. He knew, deep down, it was an evil place. He would never let them have the suit. Not if they offered him a fortune. Not if they ruined his life. Not even if they took his sight. Some things even a blind man can see, Crey was evil . . .

Bryson Walker was a materialistic and prideful doctor. His whole world revolved making much of himself, and making even more of his bank account. That’s why his first job out of med school was with Crey Industries–they paid the best. He started out a little more than an overpaid errand boy, but he worked his way up the ladder. On the way up, he learned some of Crey’s dirtier secrets–like their proclivity for espionage. His most recent job had him posing as a doctor examining the test subjects of the S.O.L.A.R. project and reporting his findings back to Crey. However, something happened when news reached him that they were going to bomb S.O.L.A.R.’s facilities to halt its progress. For the first time in his life he was concerned for someone other than himself–Elizabeth Moore. He couldn’t let her die like that. Racing for the door, he sped off in his car to warn her in time. Little did he know he had already become expendable in the eyes of Crey . . .

Crey Industries, a corporation obsessed with developing its own secret cadre of super powered security troops. So obsessed, it would rob and then bomb a military research facility. So obsessed, it bury a brilliant man’s ideas in red tape before he could market them and then murder him in cold blood in his own home. So obsessed, that it would turn a miracle of medical technology into a weapon–destroying a man’s life in the process. So obsessed, the it would eliminate anyone–even its own employees–if they knew too many of the corporation’s dark little secrets.

And so, five strands become one tale:

A laboratory explosion that should have brought death, instead brought forth the first–and only– fully successful project S.O.L.A.R. test subject . . . Liberty-Flame, the nuclear powered sentinel of freedom is born;

A home invasion and attempted murder becomes the first true field test of one unsung genius’s technological masterpiece. It worked better than he had ever dreamed, and the assailant was defeated effortlessly. Realizing he doesn’t need a sponsor to be a hero–Solar Tech is born;

A blind man–still adjusting to life without sight; still mourning everything that had been taken away from him so quickly–somehow manages to disappear with his life’s work before evil can get its hand on it. The Smart Suit will still help countless people. He will turn his disability into a strength. A man with sight occasionally misses. The Smart Suit never misses. Crey wanted to see the Smart Suit’s combat capabilities–he will show it to them. He will develop even more technology to take advantage of the Smart Suit’s capabilities. He will become justice. Blynd Justce is born . . .

An expendable doctor’s brakes fail as he races down the street to do one of the few good things he had ever done in his life. Was he unconscious? Was he dead? Bryson will never really know. He just remembers the searing question from the angelic being: “Bryson Walker you are fallen, you have been a force for darkness in this world, I can make you a force for light . . . do you accept?” Yes–I do . . . and Lightson is born . . .

All the while, the obsessed corporation continues to plot, until several months later more strands become part of the tale . . .

Five years, what does one do when he has five years taken away from him? He learns as much as he can about the one who took it. So he could try to learn something–anything–more about what was done to him during those five years. So he could prevent it from happening to anyone else. So he could bring them down. Alex Kent was no detective, but he had studied Crey closely enough to hear whispers. Whispers that Crey was going to let some Rikti mutagen slip out in the area near Rivera Medical Center. They wanted to see how it would contaminate the populace. Another twisted experiment. Sure, Crey would make it look like the mutagen was stolen by common thugs, but Alex knew the truth. Crey was up to its old tricks, and Mutant X-7 would be there to stop them. But not before he made sure that the heroes in the Outbreak zone would have a little back-up from the PPD.

Helen Ambriel stared at the note in her hand, even as her mind was a million miles away. Am I really going to do this? Am I a cop? Am I a super-hero? Both? Am I deluding myself about my gift. No, no I’m not. That’s fear talking. I CAN help these people. I can help the victims AND the criminals. Make them see that there is a better way, a better life for them. That violence isn’t always the answer. I’ve trained my powers of persuasion my entire life–much longer that some of these heroes have had their powers. I’m a trained police officer. Yes, I can fight if I have too. But I can also show Paragon that its heroes don’t always have to fight. They can be better than that. I can inspire them, but not as Helen Ambriel. These risks I’ve been taking lately, its all pointing me to one thing. I’m going to do this. Oh . . . but focus Helen, right now you’ve got another job to do!! Ok, what does this note say again: “Crey’s planning something big near Rivera Medical Center, get some cops down there now. And heroes if there’s any more to spare. I promise you at least hero will be there–Mutant X7" Make that two, Helen, thought. And the Directrix was born . . .

And then an Outbreak! Two heroes forewarned. Four others simply responding to the news. All of them in costume for the first time. Soon, without even realizing it, they were working in unison to isolate the outbreak. During the melee Directrix noticed something different about this group. Other groups tended to disrupt her attempts at negotiation. They didn’t see the point in it. But not this group. Maybe it was because they were new, but they followed her lead. Negotiate first, fight second. They arrested the ones that surrendered without violence. To be sure, there was still a good dose a fighting. But they understood. They wanted justice, however they could get it. “And I can help them,” she thought to herself, “with my connections at the PPD, I’ll know where the trouble is . . .”

Her thoughts were interrupted before she could finish the thought. The outbreak was isolated–for now. Mutant X-7 was the first to speak. “I know whose behind this–Crey.” Then tension rose at the very mention of the group. “And I know where they are going. They are going to use the Atlas sewers to get what’s left of the mutagen back out of the city. We can catch them if we leave now.”

Blynd Justce was the first to respond. “Lead the way, I’ve got some personal business to settle with Crey . . .”

“No,” Lightson interjected, “it can never be personal. It not about vengeance.”

“Oh I don’t want to avenge myself,” Blynd Justce responded, “Crey has to answer to Justice.”

And the Avengers of Justice are born . . .

JUSTICE IS SERVED!!

(To be continued, Tuesday, August 5)