A Bad Day at the Beach (Open RP)

Soon, Krill Killer the Psychic Whale was back in the water and off the beach. Tentatively, he swam towards the edge of the forcefield to nudge against it. Oddly, so had any sapient thought and his psychic eminations. Getting an answer out of it would be rather difficult, unless one happened to be able to communicate with animals.

Finding the field stopping him, the sea creature sunk a little more underwater, its eyes giving a long, drawn out blink.

"Alright, now Krill Killer is out of danger, I'm going to do a little snooping around out to sea. There's something not right about this, like the robot said, why is it here? I thought whaling had almost completely declined in this area for the past few hundred years."

With that, Vox flies out of the forcefield and out over the ocean.

((M221's scan would reveal that Amy Zon was a registered super hero, known abilities, invulnerability and super strength. Her name in a search engine would bring up a wikipedia page detailing that she has a line of comic books, The Adventures of the Amazing Amy Zon. She has also starred in the Japanese Sentai series, Mew Mew Power...it's about Japanese school girls transforming into catgirl super heroes to fight crime, her name in the series translates as Unyeilding Justice Strength cat))

Amy shrugged her shoulders, "well now that's sorted, anyone here able to talk to the Whale, you know, on it's own terms, unfortunately I have trouble speaking housecat, let alone communicating with something from the Ocean..."

"He can." Acid 'volunteered' the Summoner by giving him a poke with the tip of his tail, adding with a toothy smirk, "Ain't that right?"

Kauruk's eyes narrowed at his compagnon in dissatisfaction, and he gave a soft snort. However, he did turn to Amy and nodded, inquiring, "What would you like I ask...?"

Shrugged her shoulders, "I'm not the brains of this outfit, best ask one of the clever people about what you want to talk about...I was just asking, erm...talk to the catgirl that glows, Ellie is her name, she's a take charge kinda gal."

((My my, this is moving quickly...))

"Meh..." The Knight of Zero muttered as he landed next to M221, looking out at the spared whale. "How anti-climactic."

It was true. The villain was getting away despite his attack on Paragon, simply by merit of his being a whale.

"Y'know, I guarantee you that if this thing wasn't mentally snivelling," He stated to M221, dropping his eloquent speech due to his annoyance, "He'd be a beach wide entré. Y'think?"

Folding his arms over his chest and mentally huffing, a sword was returned to its sheath and a helmet taken off due to the humidity inside. Muttered insults directed at the whale could be heard emanating from his concealed lips, but otherwise no movement was made.

"Freaking hippies," Kip muttered as he started looking for his beach towel, "Whaling's been illegal for a couple generations, now. We were innocent and this beast assaulted us. I say he got what he deserved."

"Kip, let it go," Cathryn said soothingly, "Not everybody sees the world the way you do. Not everything can be about beating everything up."

"I'm sick and tired of it, Cath! These are the same idiots you see shouting 'don't hurt the Kraken, it doesn't know it's doing wrong!' or 'No! The Hamidon needs to be preserved and studied, not harvested for its parts!"

"Now, Kip, you're being melodramatic. If you need your feelings cheered, I could give you a shoulder rub..."

She gripped his shoulders between her thumbs and fingers and started kneading the stress away.

Further out from the Island, towards the opening of the bay between Eastgate and Astoria that lead out to sea, there was a small island. Mostly a sandbank with an outcropping of rock and a few trees and long grasses. Nothing unusual, there were several like that.

Nestled around the rocks though were black drums, steel lockboxes and some plastic crates, half revealed by the fluttering of dark brown tarpaulin that had lost a peg holding it in place. The drums were sealed tightly, marked with various warnings. Biohazard, carcinogenic, tetragenic, mutagenic. The steel boxes themself were locked tight, but the plastic crates had various tools, impliments and measuring systems, some stained with dried blood and fat.

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Meanwhile, back on the island, a man in a black and green wetsuit was running towards the force field, a body board under one arm and his dark hair slicked back. "Hey! Heroes, let me through! I work at Paragon Sea World!"

Glares at Kip.

"Who you calling a hippie...nobody is saying save the freakin' Kraken, it cannot be reasoned with, people have tried, tried and died, Hamidon is a Super villain, he's a mad scientist who has finally achieved what he desired, immortality and being nigh unstoppable, yes it's goo but there's still a mad scientists brain in there working on converting the world..."

"There are only two creatures that should be studied and not killed, Lusca because I've never seen her go out of a way to attack a hero or even the local shipping...and Sally..."

As soon as he sees the smaller island, Vox stops and hovers. He pulls out his mobile phone and curses at the lack of signal. Slipping it back into his pocket he flies over to the implements and looks for any sort of trademark or name.

When he finishes looking he thinks for a minute, hovers over the sand and hums in a very low pitch very loudly, agitating the sand, looking for anything buried.

(( Claire Bouyant is a Clairvoyant Telekinetic with very minor psychic abilities on land animals and greatly improved on sea animals. She is registered. Her Personal Details are withheld.))

Murmuring a thanks to the heroes helping get him to the sea as her funnel to the sea finishes, one good push should set it trundling down with ease. Claire touches the side of the telekinetic bubble with worry as the thoughts seem to regress, trying to project the right whale song once more, the message simple "Safe soon. Okay?"

Turning to those talking she gives some of them a funny look "So because something is not legal, people never do it? Your jobs must be very easy."

Squid flew away from the psychic and Vox, landing on the ground. With a small burst of purple energy, Michael stood there again. It always amazed him how he still had everything he was wearing back on him and in perfect condition after he did that. "I don't like her much, Michael. Attacking the whale when it was sanded?"

"Beached. And yes, that was a little vicious for my tastes. I'm better off just finding a regular chick on some different beach."

"I think we should stay here for now and see what goes on. I'm interested that this mammal provokes some people's emotions so wildly."

"Tell me about it. They're refered to as 'hippies'. Don't eat their brownies."

"Thank you for the information?"

"Your welcome."

Michael walked along the beach to the gathered group of heroes. "So, can we all go back to beach-going now? The whales safe, so we probably shouldn't fight anymore. As heated as it is now, I don't want to know what will happens if it escalates."

((M221's scan would reveal Michael is a Warshade who recently merged with his Kheldian partner. He has all the standered powers of a Warshade and is currently living in Steel Canyon. Has no job except for a hero. Nothing too special.))

Looking down at Knight of Zero, M221 introduced itself, thanking the hero for its assistance in combat against evil. Though to Zero's comments, the robot replied,

"I take no pleasure in killing things. I take no pleasure in sparing them either. I serve Justice and to strike a deadly blow in fair combat is just, but so is sparing it so it may see its day in court."

The eight foot tall robot shook its head, "I have spent my entire existence fighting for Justice, it is a concept instilled in every weld and circuit and every day is a trial to find the proper balance. To begrudge these heroes for their compassion would be unjust, I believe, but that does not I shall allow them to neglect the whale's crimes. Perhaps investigation will reveal a greater evil that we may yet strike down."

M221 shrugged at Knight of Zero adding at low volume its metallic voice tinged with actual bitterness, "Though if it had been a giant robot fighting against the slaverly of can openers everywhere, I assure you, It would have been in the recycling bin already."

Done talking about Justice, M221 reminded itself that it should be doing something about the evil in the world, instead of standing on a beach. Analyzing the current police scanner, there was nothing that demanded immediate attention and it calculated that its presence could remain here, if only to learn more these differing opinions on how to handle Killer Krill.

Seeing as things seemed to be clearing up, Snap dusted the remaining sand off of herself and concentrated for a second, casting a glamour that would make her appear to be properly clothed in jeans and a t-shirt until she made it back home to change for real. Then, with nary a backward glance, she headed out away from the beach, making quickly for the center of Talos and vanishing.

"Well excuse me for arriving late, by the time I got here the beastie was already wounded and laying on the beach, from the quick snippets I got from the police band radio was something about a whale, I just assumed the thing had been found beached and needed to have it's backside hauled back into the ocean..."

"You were proving him right, if my information is correct, it believes every single human is a murderer of it's kind, so congradulations, you nearly were a murderer of a sentient being, you're no better than him, what makes you think that he didn't try to save his family when the whaling ships came for them, the same way the people on the beach were saved by us..."

"Oh and if you're spoiling for a fight, you're more than welcome to have a go, if you think you're upto it, nobody calls me a hippie and damn well gets away with it...I don't care about the bad PR my agent would tell me this would be, it'd be worth it to wipe that arrogant smug look off your face..."

Ibuprofen's eyes narrowed. "Regardless of your enemy, lethal force should never, never be your first course of action. Yet somebody decided to shove a sword between Krill Killer's eyes. I mean, it's not like he's the size of a bus or anything, presenting plenty of non-lethal areas to attack- oh wait, yes he is!"

She rubbed her own head between her eyes. Healing the whale's wounds before it was returned to the sea had required her to take on some of its pain, and she had a splitting headache.

"I don't heal animals often, but I've just felt a touch of everything that whale went though, and no court in the world would sentence it to death under the circumstances, but that's what you were prepared to do."

She looked directly at the man with the sword. "You are giving proper heroes a bad name."

She stalked off to talk to the man from Seaworld, five feet two of pacificist anger.

Relieved of the massive strain of holding a whale and several dozen tons of water in the air, Tiger White was finding it MUCH easier to hold the field in place now that they'd been moved into the water.

So much so in fact, that the intense glow surrounding her had faded as she was now able to keep the field at minimum strength, just enough to deter the whale from leaving, and had now turned to face it and was, in fact, singing.

But it wasn't any kind of song a human would recognize. It was high pitched, lilting, and sounded rather a lot like the sounds you'd hear on a Discovery Channel program about ceteceans...

((M221's database would show Tiger White (Ellie Stoneberg) as a long serving and very well known hero of Paragon. Her record indicates she doesn't take well to authority, and less than a year ago spent time in the Ziggurat penitentiary for assaulting a civilian in a nightclub. Further data on her is classified. Her current status shows her as having been inactive for several months.))

"'Proper Heroes' do not show compassion to those that would threaten the innocent." Zero replied, pouting childishly under his helmet at her beratement.

"As for non-lethal attacks, it would be foolish to fight with a handicap, and I am not fluent in the art of whale biology and anatomy. Forgive me if my intent to stop a psychic killer was not in the realm of your forgiving morals, but an immediate kill would have been most beneficial for the innocent populace. I would not spare the life of a villain for those of countless innocents."

The Knight of Zero only nodded to M221, responding with an understanding answer. "Bias. Had it been the Hydra, I doubt many would be defending its presence, either. The issue of current events clouds the morals of all involved."

((If M221 is scanning random heroes, The Knight of Zero's profile would explain he was classified as a Scrapper, primary tools being a beam broadsword and an energy shield. He's been on the job as a hero for only three months, and has not obtained significant secuity clearance. Depending on M221's security level, he could cross reference files showing that it was not due to his lack of skill, but more to do with his flair for the dramatic, threatening operations and failing missions on numerous occasions so that he could appear more theatrical. He truly believes life is a comic book.

His known power, aside from his gear, was a unique little thing that he himself had dubbed Geass, and, indeed, had centered his entire motif about. If he has direct eye contact with a person, he can force them to seriously consider any command he gives, essentially making it the equivalent of one's really good friend attempting to convince them to do something. He can't effectively order anything useful unless given the correct situation, but still, the city has recognized it as a legitimate ability.

It also appears that he has a sub-mutation, though those researching it have yet to identify its properties.

He's generally seen as a hinderance to many heroes, though some genuinely find him entertaining and, on occasion, useful, certain moreso against the clichéd villains than the practical ones.))

Sam floated overhead, watching the scene unfolding before her, and examined her actions. She'd been distracted by something. That was the only logical explanation. Excessive psychic outbursts always made her a little tense, but she had never lashed out in such an unthinking fashion before.
"Helena? Replay from timestamp of last teleport, please."

For a few long minutes, she watched herself arrive, fly down, exchange a few words with Ellie and the Warshade, Michael, fly up into the air and...

There!

It was subtle. Almost unnoticable. But there was a tiny warping of the image that was unlikely to be image degredation.

She recognised it, and the colour drained from her face. Whirling around, she scanned the lines of sight, frantic and afraid. "Helena! Combat data analysis radius to half mile. Now!"

((PPD Datafile 2176253: Luminescence. AKA Samantha "Sam" Huntington, wealthy philanthropist, joint-owner of "Huntington International" (see Datafile 2105792: Shadowe. AKA Richard Huntington), Doctorate in Computer Engineering and Software Design, creator of the Huntington Engineering Lifeform Emulation Neurological Array (HELENA - see Datafile 2634177a-d), Leader of the registered Super Group "The Fletched Alliance" (see link - also see link re: suspected terrorist activity) known powers include psychic control, flight, telekinesis. CAUTION: Subject is highly radioactive, controlled by subject's psychic capabilities. Known associates: Black Providence (see link), for more information select HERE.))

At the small island, the sand shifted out of the way to reveal several discarded snack food wrappers, as well as a syringe with a long, thick needle and the remains of a dark blue liquid in its body. Other than this, the sand hid no more secrets from Vox Doom.

Back on the beach, the man who worked at the sea center was chatting with Ibuprofen, his face pale. Clenching his jaw, he walked up to the Knight of Zero. "How long? How long was the sword you jammed in there?" He asked, his fists shaking as he looked at the 'hero'.

"About a yard, maybe a little longer." He responded casually, either hiding well the fact that he was being sarcastic or honestly being that dense.

"Is there an issue, citizen? It was my understanding that The Malevolent Mammalian,"

He seemed to be rather fond of that villain name, despite the creature's insistance on its own.

"was on its way to a full recovery, despite its open threats to kill innocents and maim bystanders, and its numerous attempts to do so. Am I incorrect in assuming so?"

It was all asked innocently enough, Hell, he even had his hero voice out for the conversation. However, underneath the mask, his eye twitched. Were these people honestly going to reprimend him for incapacitating an immediate threat, despite lethal force? Really?

This must be the beginning of a 'Civil War' arc.

Over by Krill Killer, Tiger White ceased her song and the shield surrounding her and the whale flickered and died. Rising slowly into the air, she drifted over to the beach and sat down heavily in the wet sand. Her tanned face was very pale and drawn as she sat still, staring at the whale.

Krill Killer himself, now freed of restraint, did nothing. He just floated there, quiescent.

Sam's seeking eyes didn't find what she was looking for, which didn't prevent her from descending significantly faster than safety mandated. Catching the mood on the beach, she sighed, constantly glancing over her shoulder.

"Look, the fighting's over, okay? No one's going to help by wrestling in the sand - unless you'll let me get a film crew in, first, along with exclusive rights. There's so much wrong here today that it's insane."

Settling swiftly, she looked around at the gathering crowd.

"First order of business is to help the whale. I'm not getting much except animal confusion and pain right now, which means we need a competent vet to have a look at it. Second, if anyone can find out where it came from, that would be rather good - the more I'm seeing the more I think this whole thing is staged. Third, if it is staged, then someone, somewhere did it for a reason. Is there anything going on somewhere else in the city - or on this island - that this would make a good distraction from? Fourth, while I might not like it very much, some of us here, including myself, have behaved in a disgraceful fashion today, but if we're going to have a screaming argument, can we not do it in front of the cameras? Every registered hero in Paragon knows their duty, and does what they think is best - if anyone thinks those of us who took the reactive path here today think we need to be held accountable for it, then take it to court. Please. There's no point wrangling it out here. What's done is done, and now we just have to do what's best for the people of the city."