A Bad Day at the Beach (Open RP)

((Looking up Psysan’s files shows she’s a fully registered psychic Hero with some empathic ability, it also notes that she’s a registered Psionics tutor and is currently working at the New Vigilants teen hero training group))

With the whale safely in the sea for now Sue could relax, it was safe for now, but she had felt the blade as though it was through her own head, felt the whales Psychic form shrivel away until all that was left.. felt like a regular whale.

Landing her feet back on the sand she grumbled towards Richie, “I’m fine, now I just need to have words with someone” And with that she left the red haired lad alone once more as she vanished in a quick burst of light.

Only to reappear in an identical burst of light in front of the idiotic cosplaying hero, or at least that’s what she considered Zero to be, and as soon as she arrived she delivered a firm slap to one of his now unhelmeted cheeks. “You blind dunderheaded fool” The orange clad salt water soaked woman ranted at him, “How would you like it if we lobotomised you! Worse then killing! Though really there’s not much difference, it was difference wasn’t it? Because it was an animal, you think you can just come and stab it in the head, well news flash *****, it spoke to you, do you know what that makes it, are you smart enough to figure that one out hmmmm?!” Indeed she could be ranting for some time.

((Gonna wait for Zortel before I respond, but he does have his helmet on now. Humid or not, he doesn't like not having it, as is evidenced in Final Fight. >.>))

His face pale, the sea life worker turned around to hold his shaking arms up, three feet apart. "... Makes sense, Ma'am... that'd be enough to get the front of the brain, maybe deeper." Taking a deep breath, he picked up his body board and looked it over, before grasping the bottom of it.

With a nod, he turned and swung out with the board at Zero. "WHAT THE HELL, HERO? You LOBOTOMIZED it! Do you KNOW how many Psychic Whales there have been? ONE! THIS ONE! Not that it does much good now because you RAMMED A SWORD INTO ITS HEAD!"

Shaking with rage, he went to swing again. "Yes, it attacked us, yes, we were scared! But you guys are HEROES! We count on YOU to find another way for the things we can't deal with. If your answer is to use lethal force, then guess what? We could do that without your help! God DAMNIT! No wonder some people hate you guys!"

"That makes it sentient," He responded simply to the girl, subconsciously stancing himself and grasping the hilt of his blade, "Which also makes it responsible for its actions."

He allowed her to strike his helmet, not doing much in retaliation, however, when it came to the animal specialist, he rose a forearm, deflecting the slowly paced blow on both occasions.

"Tell me, sir, whose life do you value more? Those of the innocent bystanders, children, mothers, wives, husbands, fathers, uncles, aunts, volunteer workers, firefighters, and, indeed, even vets? Or that of the homicidal whale? Would you have sacrificed everyone present here today if it meant that the whale had been unharmed?"

Quoting his namesake, he continued. "The only ones who should kill are those who are prepared to be killed. Krill Killer, as the name so heftily implies, had every intention of snuffing out the life of everybody present. The creature would have had no remorse, and, in all actuality, would likely have laughed at his triumph, based on the motives he portrayed. The fact that, when actually met with resistance, it curled into a ball and cried is clouding your judgement on the matter. Had I hesitated any longer, many citizens would likely be dead, either via drowning, psychic trauma, or otherwise, and, if you'll notice, once it was no longer deemed a threat, I discontinued attacking. I only dealt it two blows," He emphasized this by holding up two fingers, ironically emulating the peace sign, "throughout our entire encounter, and each was to ensure that it would not harm those that did not deserve it."

"Tell me, were it a killer robot, or a hydra, or a giant Vahzilok, any of which with psychic powers, would you hesitate to have the heroes destroy it? Would you believe that a psychic Hydra would be worth preserving, or perhaps a Vahzilok intent on harvesting the flesh of the citizenry? Answer honestly, please. Lying isn't heroic."

... Evidently, his flair for the dramatic extended into debates, as well...

Rubbing her rather sore hand after striking the helmet Sue growled, “Saving the lives of the people and letting the whale live aren’t mutually exclusive! And where were you huh? I showed up and went right away to save the people in danger, what did you do show up and start killing it!”

Sue took a breath, taking a step back, “There are ways to solve this without killing anyone! Or were ways, no one should kill or be killed, so yes quite frankly I would oppose you killing anyone, as I would oppose any who would kill”

She gestured out to the whole beach full of people, or rather beach full of people who were vacating the area, “And what of them? What did you do to save them! I know what I did, but look at you, you show up and stab it in the head, you didn’t even try talking to it!”

"You're avoiding the question. Please, don't turn this back around on my supposed ruthlessness. I am classified as a Scrapper by the city, and, as such, my forté is not rescue, but combat. I'd assume those classified as Defenders, those whose very names define them as the rescuers, were using their powers, more fitting to that role, to defend them. My role, as a Scrapper, was to get rid of the threat. Physically disabling a whale, despite the inherent difficult, considering my unabashed ignorance of whale anatomy, would still not have done anything, considering the creature was using mind attacks. Thus, I did what was immediately necessary to ensure the safety of the people."

"Now, please, rather than scream about the ethics of killing, answer my question. If that had been a giant Vahzilok that had assaulted the people, would you still be defending it? Would you have disapproved if I had immediately gotten rid of it, by any means? Answer truthfully, you may learn something about yourself."

Zero nodded in thanks to the Warshade. "Thank you, but, just as the whale was accountable for his actions, so am I for mine. This woman deserves to hear my justification, as does that gentlemen you so timefully incapacitated." He nodded to each in turn indicating them visually so as to work in tandem with his voice.

Acid didn't participate in the argument, merely leaning on one of the nearby tall rocks. He didn't really see a pressing need to end it right away, so he figured it best to just let the heroes work it out on their own. Besides, he found it fairly amusing, not to mention Exhibit A through Z to convince Kauruk why even a known villain really wasn't in any danger in Paragon City unless he, she, or it did something overtly evil in front of everybody.

Good is dumb.

Though the General hadn't been quite sure how to take that at first, considering himself 'good' as well, after the Khelari had briefly explained in whisper who Lord Helmet and Mel Brooks were, he'd eventually taken the situation for what it was. Thus the Cerosian had headed into the water and swam out to sea, where the whale still lingered.

Once there, he 'spoke' to it, inquiring the basics: where it had come from, why it had attacked the people here instead of those it had said attacked its pod, if it had run into anything unusual lately, etc; you know, the basics...

Sue rolled her eyes, “I answered your bleeding question earlier, yes, yes I would, after I stopped it from hurting other people, which you can do through non-violent means!”

She clenched her fists, were these idiots really this blind? “A label given to you by someone else isn’t what you should define yourself by either, look at me, they could call me a Defender, a Controller, hell even a blaster if they so wanted, it doesn’t change anything!”

Sue turned her glowering gaze to the Warshade who had wrapped the biologist in a seething mass of purple energy, “And you there let him go! What’s happened cannot be changed, but the future always can, if people don’t learn from stupid moves like this then someone has to show them, so it doesn’t happen again!”

A soft female voice sounded behind Zero.

"Labels are nothing but an excuse for incompetants. A Vahzilok is merely a corpse animated by machinery, so there's no moral issues in destroying it. A giant robot isn't a living being usually, so again, moral issues are limited. A Hydra is a living creature and we've long had the technology to disable them without killing."

"A hero, on the other hand, is someone who defends others without thought for themselves. Someone who finds a way to resolve a problem where NO one gets seriously hurt, including the bad guys. Which is a bloody LONG way from what I hear about YOU.

Tiger White stood behind him, a rather unpleasant look on her face, and a small reticle now fitted over her right eye. Text can just about be made out scrolling up the miniature display.

"But let's talk about LABELS, shall we? The city tried to label me once, it labelled me as a Peacebringer. They tested me, classified me, called me a mid powered range and melee combatant. Then some ******* came along and stuck a Nictus shard in me, so the city gave me NEW labels, they called me murderer, maniac, out of control. That was a REAL nice one that was, lots of stigmata there to get rid of. Eventually, I got rid of the shard, so the city tried to label me as a Peacebringer again. They heaped all sorts of honours on me, granted me higher and higher clearance levels until they couldn't go any higher; but I didn't want ANY of it. Eventually, they gave up and just labelled me as retired, because they couldn't figure out any other way of dealing with me."

Taking a deep breath, she glanced at the Warshade. "Once upon a time, that guy had a different label too. It was Nictus, murderer, vampire, slaughterer and devourer of his own people. But he overcame THAT label, and changed what he was. Turned away from being a maniac that never thought about the consequences of his actions."

Looking back to Zero, her expression became a contemptuous one. "But YOU. You hide behind the label of Scrapper. You use it to showboat when the city asks you for help. You use it to give you an excuse to screw around, putting people in danger just so that you can look good."

She paused to take a breath. "Well, guess what, I can use labels too, and there's one I reserve just for people like you. It's a label I don't often have to use, because I'm a polite person who doesn't like to call people names, but sometimes, you just can't avoid it. It's a label that fits perfectly anyone who thinks that killing the bad guy is more important than protecting people and upholding the law, it's a label that fits perfectly people who think that, just because they have a little bit of power, that puts them ABOVE the law. Want to know what that label is?"

She paused, waiting to hear his response whilst once again, stray energy crackled around her armour.

The whale didn't respond at all. An eye focused on the being trying to communicate with him, before starting to swim to face the beach again. Then turning to the ocean. Then the beach once more. As it let its song sound out, it was a cacophony of warbling noises and long, drawn out sounds.

Craning his head round, the trapped marine worker looked at the whale. "Not sure there's much that can be done for him... I can try calling where I work, seeing if we can get a place to keep him comfortable, but I'm not sure if he'd survive long out at sea..."

Taking another deep breath, he looked back to Zero. "Those zombies aren't living, thinking creatures... hell, get away from me... If that's your stance on things, I think the city could do without your type. Or get Statesman to teach you what a real hero is!"

"Labels are merely superficial, I agree. I merely used such terms to simplify my explanation. If you would like me to refine my counter, I will gladly do so."

He turned his head around to face the newcomer, noting that her armor already seemed to be crackling in anticipation of combat. "I am primarily melee. Whether the city acknowledges this or not, I am not suited nor entirely capable of helping drowning civilians. I do, however, have a beam sword and combat expertise. Forgive me," he nearly spat these words, lamenting his necessary use of them, "for doing the job I was most well suited for and possibly saving lives in the process."

"I do not define myself as a Scrapper, I define myself as a hero. A savior. One who protects. A "the best defense is a good offense" type of protector, albeit, but nonetheless, a defender of the people."

"I don't doubt your tragic pasts, as Kheldian infested humans are a discriminated sort, however, do not ignore labels as a result. Roles and labels are both entirely different, and a hatred of labels should not prevent you from realizing your role in a crisis situation."

"As for being above the law, I highly doubt it. I exert no more authority than the city's laws regarding heroes grant me. I received a call to action, looked upon the situation, used my best judgement, and acted accordingly. But by all means, inform me of my label. I am not closed to criticism."

"As well, regarding your, "Robots are not alive" argument, I believe my friend here may have an argument against that." He hiked a thumb to M221, counting on the mechanoid to counter at least that much effectively.

Having dealt with the other two, he now turned to the marine worker. "I could argue that cows are living and thinking sorts. Tell me, do you enjoy hamburgers? Or perhaps a helping of octopus, a creature proven to be extremely intelligent, would better sate your pallet?"

"Did you know that Buddhist monks, the types that abhor violence in all its forms, mind you, view the slaying of even an insect as abhorrent and beyond moral comprehension? Morals are bendable depending on one's culture, and, while I do oppose the slaying of beings, could it be helped, I will not go out of my way to protect those that instigate, aggrevate, and annihilate innocent people who have no choice in being involved in the matter. As I previously mentioned, when I noted that the whale had ceased attacking I ceased my onslaught as well. As soon as the whale made it clear that it was no longer threatening the populace, I no longer attacked. The defense of the innocent comes first, the defense of the guilty after. Tell me, do you disagree?"

Claire let out a long sigh and the support suit made a tiny adjustment to compensate for the lost moisture. She wasn't really equipped to argue this sort of thing verbally, she knew simple phrases and if people went too far off them she just nodded her head and waited for them to get back to something important, which they'd repeat in a simpler way if she didn't understand. She'd left the whale, de linked and tried to shut it out. It was a damaged mind and she shouldn't use its senses, or it may interrupt her thoughts and then she would become damaged herself. Claire had gone to speak to Susan face to face, but Susan was very angry and would likely not want to talk right now.

One thing was definitely on her mind though as she waited for nerves to calm, and she has a try at expressing it with her usual mish-mash speech, "I do not understand all this nonsense. We are, all of us heroes. If you work only with such fire in your heart then you should have leave it to those with gentler ways. They all expect better than this from us, killing is too easy for our kind. We wear masks not hoods and we do not get to decide who is up for execution. I find it puzzling, that you act great in your motions but when it comes to your actions you invest only the littlest of effort."

Kauruk's eyes narrowed in thoughtful displeasure. Usually, he would've been able to understand the song of a whale. That wasn't a good sign. Giving his wings a beat, he jumped from the water and climbed atop the whale, sniffing about as he walked.

"Call Ace."

His TC implant immediately complied, and back on the beach, the phone in the Khelari's pocket rang. With a remark of regard, he pulled the rather cumbersome-looking (relatively to the tiny things most Terrans used as their cellphones these days, at least) device and answered. Oddly enough, not a sound came over his lips as he held the phone to them and spoke. Well, at least not to those nearby.

Until Acid pushed a button, that was, then told them, "Say guys, I don't mean to interrupt any important arguments here, but I think it'd be a good idea if those of yalls with healing abilities went out to that there whale and, you know, healed it. Dont'cha think...?"

M221 gave a long look at Acid. Something was off about this man. He was too calm, collected. An extraterrestrial observer perhaps? At least he was thinking rationally. Taking a photo of him and his quadruped companion, he submitted it to Freedom Corps for identification.

Standing next to Zero, M221 once again spoke in a deep, passionate voice, "For those of you who do not know me, I am the Mark two hundred twenty one Cognizant Crime Fighting Robot, M221 for short. I intiated combat with Krill as it was what I calculated the best course of action considering my abilities. It was unfortunate that our acts have damaged a unique specimen. If we have deprived science of a once in a life time opportunity, that is a great loss. However, sometimes decisions that should be thought out and debated upon are made in the heat of battle."

Looking at Killer Krill M221 shook his head, "I had hoped that Krill would be incarcerated and tried for his attack upon Paragon, where he would have been able to tell us of the injustices befallen his kind. It is not to be. We are all upset about this, as any failure for justice upsets us."

"Perhaps the healing arts abundant in this city can restore Krill, or perhaps not. What must be done now, as Luminescence suggested, is to find out where Krill came from. It would help greatly if we can determine if he is a mutated creature, or perhaps a science experiment gone awry. Either of these two circumstances give hints of a greater evil at work, one that I think we will all agree, must be stopped."

"At least one other hero is out searching the waters as we speak, that is where I go as well. If the rest of you feel the need to seek justice upon me for my actions, please notify the proper authorities so it can be handled in a manner befitting our great city and the ideals we all stand for."

And with that, M221 activated the rockets under its feet and flew towards the ocean.

Claire's eyes narrow at this, and her voice is definitely getting all the more clipped and worn "Amazing! He acts clever now and yet foolishly in a fight, sadly the other way round would be better. At least he now admit he was wrong. Even if everyone here is so cowardly as to give a speech and then run away like children."

Pointing to Ibuprofin she replies to Acid "Thank you for your concern too, talk is already being done. For now we make sure those responsible feel some regret at a poor choice so a repeat is not made, she will go faster if we do not bother her. She will no doubt do her best for Krill, although she has already done much I fear it will not be an easy fix."

((Hey yalls, just wanted to note that Kauruk's on the whale's back out to sea a little bit while Acid's still on the beach with the others. There seems to have been a slight location mixup there. ))

Vox spends some time considering what he's found on the small island before figuring that he needs somebody who could run fingerprint checks and analyse what's in that syringe. He puts on a pair of rubber gloves and carries the syringe back to Talos, keeping an eye out for anybody heading towards the island.

Ibuprofen, who had watched the argument from a slight distance as she'd mostly said her piece, sighed. ((Anyone close or with particularly sharp eyes may notice that her eyes are bloodshot, and she looks quite plainly exhausted))

"I've done all I can for him. Part of my healing ability requires me to take the pain of my patient and when we're talking about a whale with a frontal lobotomy..." She shook her head sadly. "I can't do that. He's physically okay now, but you'd need a cetologist to tell you whether he can survive at sea."

She turned to walk away, but paused to look back. "Oh and by the way. In all the hundreds of missions, over the years that Vox and I have been heroes for this city... Every single arrest we've made has been done without once using lethal force. Every villain we've arrested has been marched, unharmed, to their court date. Your excuses ((at this point she looks directly at Zero)) are quite simply pathetic."

She put her hands in her pockets and walked away, too tired to fly.

Her eyes narrowed as she glared at Zero, "you were stupid, reckless and down right idiotic in your actions...seriously, you probably need a damn good smacking just to knock some sense into that helmeted head of yours...and I may just be the one to do it..."

Amy's muscles rippled and buldged, skin pulling taught around them as she moved towards Zero, every footstep kicking up a spray of sand, her eyes turning completely black, "You want a fight, fine, I can give you a fight, hell you might even beat me, I don't care right now but you need to be taught a lesson...my father was right, you humans do need to evolve..."

((For those that know Amy (specifically Ellie) the buldging muscles and black eyes are a clear sign of her beserker rage kicking in...))

Michael watched as the woman approached Zero with threats, her muscles getting bigger and her eyes becoming darker. "Oh geez. This isn't gonna end well."

"That's what you said about the male with the slab of wood, also."

"By now, Squid, I'm just talking about the whole situation with the whale and the beach."

"Oh. Well, you should do something."

"What am I going to do to that beast of a girl?"

"Fine. Let me handle it then."

"If she makes a move, then you can have free roam."

"She wants to mate with him?"

"Make a move as in 'go to attack'. Not 'flirt with'."

"Humans and their silly phrases."