Keeping the Facade ((Open RP))

((A'ight, let's get this part out of the way.

Now, I've noticed that there has been a distinct lack of Praetorian stuff going on around here and I figured I'd change that. Americans and Europeans are all equally welcome, though I'm not sure if the Unionverse would abide such chaotic members messing about in their version of Praetoria. But if any of you want to join, come on! It gets boring RPing with just the same old crowd all the time, you know.

Anyway, rules. It's been a while, so bear with me.

First of all: This thread is set at some indeterminate amount of time before all the official Praetorian arcs. Therefore none of those arcs have come to pass, so both Cleopatra and Washington are alive, there isn't any Longbow or Arachnos invading Neutropolis, and nobody knows who the heck is controlling the Destroyers. I'll get back to this point in a moment.

Second: No godmoding. You know what I mean. We're all stuck at level 20 anyway, so godmoding would be hard enough as it is.

Third: Coming off a stint of GMing some pen and paper games, I'd like to exert some control over this thread of mine own making. I'll start things off and keep a close eye on things until we're all settled and stuff, but then after that I'll let people go wild.

I apoligize if I sound a mite bit preachy or something, but eh, I'm writing this at 6 in the morning.

Anyway, about the 'before official arcs' thing. Basically we have to survive with not changing the established figures. Personalize them, sure. Kill em off, nawh. Not even Hatchet, though I sure would like too. So instead we'll have to come up with our own NPCs to mess with and kill off and get story arcs from. I don't think I need to worry about any lack of imagination around here, do I?

But for the start, let me get the ball rolling my own way. Speaking of which...))

"All units in North Aetna, on alert. Seers indicate a large riot about to take place. All units in North Aetna, on alert."

"Dispatch, this is Unit 19, affirmitive. Michals and I have a bird's eye view of the whole thing. I'm counting fourty plus civilians and the local gang members are all gone."

"Confirmed, Unit 19. I am rerouting Units 35 and 83 to your location. Do not attempt to intervene until backup has arrived."

"Roger that, will hold position. Better hurry though, it looks like some of the-"

"Dispatch! Unit 20 here, officer is down, I repeat officer is down! It's the Cole damned Re-"

"Unit 20? Unit 20, respond.

...

Damn it. All avaliable units in Elyssian Avenue report to the corner of White and Shield. Expect armed resistance as the protestors move down toward the Magisterium."

"Unit 42, responding."

"Units 13 and 15, responding. I think I can hear their chanting from here."

"Unit 35 here! Resistance presence is confirmed! I could use a little help down here!"

"Roger that, Unit 35. Powers Division support has been requested and approved. With Praetors White and Duncan elsewhere, you need to hold until the metas can arrive."

"Got it! Tell them to hurry the hell up!"

It was another fine day in Praetoria at the start. The sun was shining brightly, the weather was pleasant if a bit hot and muggy, and there hadn't been a single sighting of any of Hamidon's monsters beyond the sonic wall. But every day has the chance to end badly and this one certainly seemed to be taking a turn for the worse. In the shadows of the housing in North Aetna the usual gatherings of Destroyers and subtle lingerings of the more daring of the Resistance had all but vanished, only to be replaced by the even more ominous groups of normal looking civilians.

They would have been inoccuous if it weren't for the looks of grim determination on their faces, the signs held in their hands, and the vindictive slogans whispered under their breath as though in practice. PPD officers, simply thankful for the respite from their usual silent war against the real criminals of Praetoria, didn't take notice until it was too late, somehow even the Seers missing such a gathering of ill thoughts until the riot had begun. But by the time the blind women had turned their collective gaze on the protestors and the first officer had thought there was something off about the way that group was looking at him, it was starting.

The largest protest in months was storming down Shield Street straight toward the Magisterium and Cole Tower. Sign waving and slogan shouting it would have been contained, though not easily, by the Praetorian Police were it not for the silent, determined bands of Resistance running interference. It was nowhere near the usual standards of lethality held by the Resistance but it was much more obvious. Already news crews from TPN were responding, ready and willing to make headline stories for this otherwise dull day and the Resistance was just as willing to let them do their job.

Apparently forewarned, a damning thought, the protestors did not flinch as unsuspecting police officers were gunned down from the shadows and barely seen glowing armor shadowed their every movements. This was not to say that the protestors strode unflinchingly over the downed officers, rather it seems that several of the people in the group were trained medics or doctors, stopping just long enough to make sure a wounded officer was stable before hurrying to rejoin the march. Apparently even in those so rebellious as to march directly under Emperor Cole's watching eye a trace of humanity still existed.

Or perhaps the Resistance didn't want an officer's death to mar the news event, as they made sure to avoid killing shots. Of course, things would have to change very quickly as the true threat to this minor rebellion came to light: The members of Powers Division, any one of which would be a difficult fight. And Dispatch had sent word to everyone.

*******************************

"This is PCU Talon, responding to distress call."

Tall, the machine was, and gangly. Easily eight feet in height but lacking in enough bulk to make it seem anything other than skeletal. When still it seemed nonsense that anything built to such proportions could move normally, but when it stirred to action the range and agility of its limbs could easily be seen. Of course, one would usually not spend much time wondering at the machine's spindley limbs as the sheer aggressive posture of the thing generally captured the attention.

Built off of an enhanced Clockwork chasis, the Precision Combat Unit retained little of it's predaccessors mundanity. Bright red markings on its mostly dark grey armor drew attention to its movements and the angry tilt of its optics discouraged most normal people from looking it directly in the face. Not that there was much point, as aside from an armored grill over the lower half of its face it lacked even the rudimentary features of the Clockwork.

Of course, if one was of a military mind or even a dimly aware one, they would also notice the large, lethal looking pistols maglocked to each hip. The Unit's main armament, there was no mistaking for what purpose it had been created for.

Though apparently said purpose happened to include assisting the PPD in quelling a riot, as of today.

"We shall speak later," the android said to its compatriot, a heavily scaled mutant in the blue and gold of 'official' Powers Division colors. "I will be able to handle an outbreak of uncivil thought, but you are more needed investigating the Destroyer cell."

"Yesss, Reese will doubtlessly rupture my eardrums with his cursing if I don't find out what they are up too soon," replied Riptide, though it looked as if he'd much prefer doing something else. "Ugh. The fight would even be enjoyable if it weren't for the fact the smell of Crush clogs my sinuses so bad."

"If you require assistance, I am sure Aria would be quite willing," Talon shot back, already starting to walk away.

"Ha! As if I need that woman's help with anything!" Riptide tossed the retreating android a casual salute before heading off in the opposite direction, out from the shade of the Ministry of Information where the two had been talking.

Outlining the quickest route to the location Dispatch had provided over the Powers Division Nova Praetoria comm channel (as well as several alternate routes), Talon dashed forward in a blur of motion. He vaulted the moat surrounding the Magisterium proper in one jump and made a beeline for the protest. It would be interesting to see how many of the Division responded to the call and if the news crews would manage to arrive before it was all over...

((Final note: If you've got any questions at all, toss me a PM. Questions may range anywhere from 'What would my character's super senses see in that last post?' to 'I'd like to take over <PC created NPC> for a bit, you ok with that?' to 'Do you like long walks on the beach?' If you ask them, I will answer them. If you don't ask them, then don't expect an answer! ))

"Dispatch!" the officer's voice practically leaped into his transceiver with a bark of anger and frustration, the man keenly bringing his large riot shield about to protect himself, just as he'd been trained to do, "Unit 20 here, officer is down, I repeat officer is down! It's the Cole damned Re-"

He didn't get any further than that, the open palm of a metal a gauntlet brimming with neon-blue energies slamming the shield against the face plate of his helm, crushing both it and the embedded electronics in the process. The blunt force trauma sent the officer to the ground, the savage pain of the strike gone as suddenly as it had appeared, swallowed by the blissful envelope of unconsciousness.

"Not a bad swoop." one of the riflemen complimented the group's Heavy Hands with a sinister smirk, "But he still got off a tattle. Golden boys've probably got the ringy-dingys goin' in every badger den in Pleasantville by now."

The gauntlet-wielding Resistance fighter growled at this, turning back to his comrades while his glare of displeasure passed over the medic ducking past his side to help the downed PPD officer, "You think I don't got those cogitations? If you'd gone and scamped this blueberry, we wouldn't have to worry about that."

A beat of silence passed. The feeling was mutual. Still...

"We got our orders." the rifleman replied steadfastly, "We're just tearing up the screens. No one's getting rattleslapped."

"Smell the rosebuds!" the Heavy Hands barked in return, visibly infuriated, "I don't care what the top-hat said! This is all sideways! No way this mish-mash is gonna go down tea and cookies style! If we don't slam these sheeple...!"

His words stopped there, without warning and from one instant to another. The reason was the collection of frightened expressions on the faces of his comrades - or more accurately, what they stared at behind him that was causing those expressions.

"You have a problem with my orders?" a large, azure hand gently laid its clawed fingers upon the man's left shoulder, the calm, deep grumble of its owner's voice reverberating in his ears. He couldn't see him, but he knew what it must've looked like to have the over two-and-a-half-meter tall Drokar towering over him like that.

He also knew it wasn't really a question. That didn't change his answer, though. With a roar and a whirl, he came about, powered gauntlets aglow, seeking to taste the face of their target.

Regrettably, all they tasted was the ground.

"Now that we have that out of your system," spoke the blue-scaled Dragon after he'd heaved the man through a suplex, a foot on his back and a hand on his head, "if you feel you cannot contribute to the plan as it is, then leave. I will not have you spill further blood due to my negligence. Should you find yourself unable to accept this, I feel I will have to...how do you say? Give it to you polar-bear style without the syrup."

"This applies to the rest of you as well." he stated as he stood again, letting the gauntlet wielder up, "Now move. They are certain to have heard that little outburst of yours..."

The Magisterium was getting full. Lots of people who appeared quite unhappy. It was unlikely they all got the nerve to get up here and express their displeasure at the moments the Magisterium’s two Praetors were off somewhere else. That spoke quite heavily of conspiracy, not coincidence.

She heard the call for Powers Division and was content to ignore it for a few more minutes. The Inevitable Fist did not dance to the drum of the PPD. Instead she watched the riot grow.

The usual PPD response was disorganized and being hindered by something. Not the citizens, even the greenest PPD grunt could handle four or five of Emperor Cole’s ‘beloved’ pets. No, they weren’t the problem…

Ah. The Resistance. Now that was something worthy of her time. Under her half mask, Inevitable Fist smirked. She stood and concentrated on the growing mass of people, thinking of good places the Resistance would ambush PPD response. Little did they realize that their traps were about to be turned against them.

“This is Inevitable Fist. Responding to Powers Division all call.” She considered using a less secure frequency, so that TPN might overhear—avoiding news cameras made it more challenging, but the element of surprise against the Resistance was more important.

Leaping down from her perch, Inevitable Fist hit the ground running, moving quickly and silently, being unseen by the angry masses, despite her white and pink robes. They didn’t understand the proper aspects of stealth, the rare and esoteric art of the Ninja.

She would teach the Resistance something about that today. With her fists. Few things were more rewarding than teaching.

"I'm on my way," she said as she pulled her armor on and her gold and purple hair out of her eyes.

Pop Roxxy had trained just for moments like this. She needed to do what she could to stop people from getting hurt. It was bound to happen to someone, but she could keep it from happening to too many.

She made sure her boots and armor were clipped on firmly before charging out the door. It looked like today she would be serving the PPD and the Powers Division...

----------

In the depths of the sewer, it waited. The people were getting in place. It was almost time to move.

"What the Hell am I waiting for?" the machine's masculine voice emitted from the speakers on the sides of its head, "I'm heading up there now..."

Ryat Dreadnaught pushed the heavy doors open and started stomping up the spiral staircase. It was time to be a terrible wolf for the agitated sheep...

It had turned out to be yet another sunny, pleasant day for Trish Howard. Her morning had been going smoothly; a quick trip into Nova Praetoria to deal with some unfinished business matters from months ago, and then she would head back to Imperial where she lived and worked.

Only problem with today was the riot going on in the Magisterium.

The TPN starlet had signed numerous autographs that morning, which slowed her trip into the heart of Praetoria City proper a great deal. The beaming smiles on the faces of the kids that morning always touched her heart - and she always found herself sidetracked in speaking with the parents of said kids as she signed numerous forms of paraphenelia sold throughout the shops of Praetoria. What was even more comforting was the fact that not a single kid that gleefully approached her was the slightest bit scared of her appearance: monstrous, clawed hands covered in strapped leather gloves of a matching color and pattern to the orange fur with black stripes that covered her body; her non-prehensile tail that swayed side-to-side as if by a mind of its own; the long, white whiskers that extended beyond the confining lines of her face. Always seen wearing a pair of glasses/goggles that wrapped her eyes, every child that watched morning TPN programming knew Trish Howard by another name - she was Nitro Kitty, a champion of good and justice and star of the Enriche-sponsored Nitro Kitty Praetorian Power Hour!

It seemed that today, she would have to use her mutant powers to protect the people from themselves once again. The escalating rise of rioting incidents within the past several months disturbed her...but she knew what was causing them. Being involved with members of the Resistance while starring in a government and corporate sponsored TPN morning show gave her the unique opportunity to best use her powers - saving as many lives as possible. She would begin her solemn duty by telling the family she was speaking with at that moment to hurry on home by avoiding going through the Magesterium and the surrounding area.

As the family ran off, she stood there tapping her foot furiously waiting for them to get out of sight. She then ducked around the corner of a building as she pulled out her phone and hit a speed-dial number. If anyone knew was was really going on, Tunnel Rat would know - as well as knowing if anyone needed to be pulled out of the fire.

Riley Ann Sterling slipped on her golden armored glove and strode towards the doorway of her suite that she maintained in Imperial City, clad in her black and golden armored suit. Known by the name Lady Praetoria, daughter of Praetoria, Riley was a symbol of the dedication and loyalty of Emperor Cole and his regime. She followed in the footsteps of her father Major Lance Sterling, a member of Powers Division that had fallen in battle, and Riley's personal hero. She had trained, and trained to fill her father's shoes and when the Deputy Assistant at the Ministry of Information heard Riley's story, he knew that the two of them would work well together. He had the connections and Riley had the drive. In a few short months, after the PPD armor, the kinetics enhancement unit and her rocket boots, Lady Praetoria was finally realized, a shining example of hope for the people of Praetoria.

Lady Praetoria keyed her communications unit and spoke to the PPD dispatch, the unit of course had a feed directly to TPN as well, so they would know that Lady Praetoria was on the job.

“This is Lady Praetoria responding to Powers Division alert.” she said as she stepped onto her balcony and activated her powerful Jet boots, and headed across the small stretch of river that seperatated Nova Praetria from Imperial City. “I am inbound over People's Park, crossing the river right now. I need an update.”

“Looks like some of Powers Division are gathering at the Magistrum Lady Praetoria.” came the crisp reply, there was no love loss between the PPD and Powers Division, but a crisis was not the time for rivalries.

“Roger dispatch, on my way.” she answered, equally professional.

Arek grumbled. This was completely unsatisfactory. Standing at the roof's ledge, a dim silhouette against the dark night sky, he watched the bright-lit street below with growing displeasure. Where the heck was Powers Division already? If they didn't show up soon, there wasn't any way his plan would work.

The handful of Resistance fighters with him stayed silent. They knew better than to interrupt the azure Drokar when he was in thought like this. Not that he'd actually do harm to them (and they knew this), but they still preferred his attention elsewhere - i.e. not on them.

No, they much preferred t to be on the two that were presently dragging the unconscious riot cop through the stairwell door, though more than one of them wondered at the purpose of this as they laid him down beside their current leader. Was he really going to chuck this guy off the roof...?

"What? What!? Who is this, whos is callin- oh. Nitro Kitty."

It sounded like the mutant human smuggler was just as nervous as usual when Nitro Kitty called, about a minute passing before she was even connected due to the necessary secrecy. Tunnel Rat was the best at her job and the Resistance didn't want her compromised by any means.

"Information? I can do information, information is safe. Don't know anything about riots or protests. Too loud, too noisy, too much smelling of anger and violence. Oh I avoid them alright. Can ask around, see what others say. Not much asking, certain people, limited exposure. Take a bit of time, five minutes? Ten?"

Depending on if Nitro had any more questions, Tunnel Rat would then hang up with a curt "Call you then," but that was her nature. Unforetunately it left Nitro with as little information before and surely time would be running short as even now the less responsible members of Powers Division would be closing in...

***************************

By the time the disparate members of Powers Division began arriving, the crowd had swelled to over a hundred people. Less enthusiastic people swayed over by the initial bravery of the first few and perhaps a few subtle 'suggestions' by the shadowing Resistance squads. But then the real challenge was coming up, the PPD having formed a cordon at the end of the street the protesters were marching down, about a dozen officers with their force gauntlets already up and charged.

"The time is past for warnings!" shouted the lead Sergeant, an especially grizzled looking representative of the force. "But if any of you come closer you will meet the full force of Emperor Cole's displeasure! One last chance to come quietly, traitors!"

Even with his helmet mics cued on maximum volume he could barely be heard over the chanting and cursing from the huge crowd, but even so the mass paused about ten feet from the line of police. Waving their signs like battle standards it didn't look like they would be halting for long, but it seemed like the ones up front were holding the tide back as though waiting for something. A pair of enforcers exchanged uneasy looks moments before a new voice cried out.

"Badgers are the goldenest target dummies! Cheese 'em!"

...and then a pair of Heavy Barrels stepped out of an alleyway on either side of the PPD cordon, perfectly placed to fire straight down their line. The Sergeant had a brief second for a stunned realization that their every response had been planned for before both guns erupted and sent the officers flying in a cloud of light and dust.

"Hells to the yeah!" cheered one Barrel as he started pulling back. "Goldilocks burnt out think-boxes ain't barely skitter in Scott's shadow!"

But then a single extra shot rang out and the boasting Barrel hit the ground with a surprised expression on his face, a hole neatly drilled right above his ear.

PCU Talon lowered its pistol, visor glowing red and subtle vents opening up along its sides, glowing green light seeping into the air. It might have been more dramatic if it wasn't noon, but the menace was unmistakable.

"Powers Division responding," it stated loudly. "Your rights have been forfeited by continued resistance and collaboration with subversive elements. Lethal force is in effect."

"Chomp you!" screamed the second Heavy Barrel, swinging his massive gun around to bear on Talon and quite about to fire... unless someone had something to do about it.

((Alright. Aside from Mr Heavy Barrel, there's about 40 other Resistance goons ready to fight and protect the protestors. When you show up, feel free to have people react however you wish and whatever numbers of Resistance come at you. Arek has direct control of whoever he grabs, but anyone else can take out who and what they wish. This is the fun part! Go nuts! ))

Lady Praetroia soared above the crowd assembled below her. She heard the angry shouts and saw the signs declaring this or that injustice. Her PPD visor kept a steady stream of data on its heads up display. Lady Praetoria was looking for one thing, the catalyst behind this riot.


“Citizens” came her amplified voice from dozens of speakers, as she used her TPN uplink to access them, “Please stop all aggression and leave the area in an orderly fashion!”


Several people turned their attention skyway to see the black and gold clad form of Lady Praetoria, her cape, a large golden eagle, flowing out behind her, her jet boots keeping her aloft. A single bottle flew up from the crowd and broke against her golden armored breastplate. Riley looked down into the crowd and saw a little girl in a sky blue dress, perhaps 8 or 9 years old, clutching a Lady Praetoria doll in her hands. She let out a scream, pulled free of her frantic mother's hand and pushed the man who had thrown the bottle. He snarled at her and turned to push her away. At that moment, Riley saw underneath his long coat was a Resistance energy pistol.


“Resistance,” Lady Praetoria said to herself, “figures.” her lips thinned, and she dove into the crowd.


“That Goldielocks ain't no shiny star for you to worship blueberry.” The Resistance soldier said as he pushed the little girl to the ground. Then suddenly, standing over her was Lady Praetoria, her kinetic amplifier already charging up as she moved her hands in a pattern her father had taught her what seemed like a lifetime ago. The impact knocked the Resistance fighter to the pavement.


“Pick on someone your own size.” Lady Praetoria spat angrily at the fallen Resistance fighter.


Several of those nearby cheered, even some of the ones carrying signs. Two Resistance fighters who were not so disguised at their companion rushed the blonde heroine. Lady Praetoria pulled back away from the crowd to make sure no innocents would be harmed by them.


“You're about to get slammed badger.” One of the growled at her.


“Mish mash time, sweetiekins, and I don't mean tea and cookies style. “the other Resistance fighter, a woman, said.


Lady Praetoria stood her ground resolutely, her eyes narrowed in anger. She met the the two head on, letting one of the blasters be taken on her chest, the armor defusing most of the energy, while her kinetic amplified blow took the other Resistance fighter on the chin, knocking out one or two teeth as he feel to the ground. Lady Praetoria gasped for breath, as she turned to the remaining fighter. The woman grinned at Lady Praetoria and tried to turn to run into the crowd, however the woman who's daughter stood behind her tripped the fleeing Resistance warrior and she fell hard to the unforgiving pavement. Lady Praetoria smiled her thanks at the woman and used a couple of quick blows to finish off the prone Resistance warrior.


Lady Praetoria turned to see the woman scoop her daughter up into her arms, hugging the child protectively. She walked over to the two of them stopping to bend over and pick up the doll in her likeness. She handed the doll to the awestruck child and smiled at her.


“Keep an eye on that precious treasure ma'am.” Lady Praetoria, and added with a wink to the mother “And thank you for your help Miss. I couldn't have stopped them without you.”


Lady Praetoria got an answering smile in return and tosseled the hair of the little girl as she looked at her mom with a look of awe and pride.


“Now, please both of you get to safety. I don't want anything to happen to my fans.” She said as she tossed a Lady Praetoria pin to the little girl who gasped in joy.


All of it was of course caught live by TPN and reported Kimberly Anderson, Lady Praetoria's personal reporter, with her camera man Kris. All around Praetroia citizens got a chance to see the favored daughter of Praetoria save innocent lives and stop the cruel Resistance.

Arek could've facepalmed. He suppressed a growl at the sight below, glancing to the Resistance fighters on the roof with him, "You people are truly inspiring. I told you to stay back and let them initiate hostilities. What part of that is so hard to understand?"

They didn't reply. Some of them grinned those innocent grins, though. The Resistance wasn't exactly unified, after all. Some of them wanted to save Praetoria. Others just wanted to see it burn.

"Truly, I am surrounded." the blue-scaled Drokar huffed, picking up the unconscious officer with his left hand. Carefully, purposefully he positioned the man at the edge of the roof, taking a step back so as to have the PPD officer in full view and himself thereout. With his free hand, he then aimed the man's force gauntlet down into the crowd and nodded to the Heavy Barrel to his left flank.

"Right." the man cleared his throat, remaining out of view from below as he shouted down with all his might, "Traitorous scum! We'll show you what happens when you go against Emperor Cole!"

Practically at the same time that last word fell, the officer's gauntlet took over the declaration, supporting it with blasts into the crowd, directed seemingly at random. They weren't of course, but it would've taken the eye of a truly expert marksman to discern that the blasts were targeted to intimidate, not to harm. To anyone else, it appeared as a truly vicious assault.

Not that Arek planned to give anyone the time to distinguish. Mere seconds after the apparent attacker had opened fire, the crowd below was miraculously saved from this terrible assailant by virtue of a clawed hand's push. In truth, the policeman was of course still in dreamland, and stayed there well into the sudden forward pitch of his body - at which point he awoke screaming and did just that all the way down into the open dumpster so conveniently sitting there. A cloud of stench and grime heralded his landing (plenty soft to prevent significant injury, but not enough that he wouldn't feel it in the morning), followed by the traditionally comical clamping shut of the trash container's lid just as the man attempted to stand, KOing him once more.

But it didn't end there.

"People of Praetoria!" Arek bellowed down from the rooftop, now in full view as the supposed savior that had pushed the madly firing officer over the edge just in the nick of time, "Be not afraid, for you are not here alone! Take back your liberty! Your freedom! Your independence! We stand with you, and together we stand strong! Together, we will prevail! Together, we cannot be denied...!"

There was a howling whine as the big machine's repulsor jets that gave it flight came within earshot. Rather than try to wade through the hordes of Resistance troops and PPD officers, it decided to cut to the chase.

"If they want this to look right, they need to do it right," Ryat Dreadnaught muttered to himself as he landed in the middle of the protesting citizenry.

The people with their flimsy signs turned their fearful gazes to the large, cold gray android. It was so similar to the builder and lifter types of Clockwork servants throughout the city, but it still seemed horribly, horribly wrong.

It was the head, for one thing. It wasn't the expression-revealing mask that was so similar to a human face. Instead, a visor with a voice-emitter mask glowered down on the nearest people, with two scoops on the side of its spherical head to function as ears. The red visor flashed briefly as the Dreadnaught took in the situation.

"People of Praetoria," he finally said as they tried to decide whether they would cluster closer to him or shy away and take their chances with the battle surrounding them, "You are in violation of Praetorian Law. Your right to assemble has been revoked..."

"What are you saying?" a woman in a red dress asked.

"I'm saying..." Ryat Dreadnaught flexed his fingers and electricity started to crackle between them, "The Powers Division has laid its judgment. Death to all civilians disloyal to the Empire..."

It may not hav ben how things were actually run in Praetoria, but the Dreadnaught didn't care. This wasn't his government, they weren't his people. So, when he swung his fist around and gave the nearest bystander a concussion and some electrical burns, he didn't feel any remorse. Plus, the horrified look on the face of the woman in the red dress was simply intoxicating. Dreadnaught decided to save her for later.

"You can start screaming now..." he muttered as he swung haphazardly into the crowd, sending electric sparks about.

----------

"Roxxy!" she heard the dispatch operator's voice frantically trying to get her attention, "Something just swooped into the center of the crowd! It's... By Cole! It's killing civilians!"

"I''m almost there!" Roxxy shouted into her communicator as she crested the PPD building's roof.

There... It looked like Resistance and PPD forces were battling, with plenty of the chaotic Powers Division mixed in. Roxanne may have had her loyalties with the Resistance as of late, but now people's lives were at stake. Whatever that...

She recognized it. She'd heard rumors of the machine's existence. The Dreadnaught. The one Resistance member she'd heard of that just said "Okay" when it came to activating Neutron Bombs under the city or feeding police officers to ghouls. It had no heart, no concern, no regard for the monstrous things it did, and now it was slaughtering people who couldn't fight back.

Screaming angrily and trying to keep tears out of her eyes, Pop Roxxy dove into the crowd and collided with Dreadnaught's fists as they tried to crash down on a terrified woman in a red dress. At a glance, six people lied dead at the machine's feet, with many more wounded surrouning it. It's cold, emotionless visor glared down at her and it huffed an amused laugh.

"You think you can stop me, little blue skinned girl?"

"I will try!" she shouted back, swung her arms about, and unleashed a wave of concussive force to send he machine back on it's rump.

Her desired effect fell short, however. The Dreadnaught remained standing. In fact, it was now laughing at her, a strange, deep sound, like a man in armor.

"You..." it shook its head at her, "Will not survive..."

Roxxy tensed and her multi-colored electric armor flared up. Screaming, she dove at the machine and focused some of the raw energy into a concussive smash at the machine's armor. There was a small dent, but the plating seemed to push itself back out. The Dreadnaught responded with a hard jab to Roxxy's jaw, but she was able to deflect the strike. Electricity lanced out at her, but her armor absorbed most of it.

"Oh..." Ryat Dreadnaught chuckled, "One of those metas..."

It didn't mention how it might be in trouble...

At this point, Arek could've howled. This was all going so wrong it was practically painful. Well, to him at least. The Resistance fighters with him on the roof grinned their biggest grins yet as they watched the rampaging 'Powers Division' begin its slaughter. But to him, it was practically a kick to the face. Not only wasn't anybody coming to engage him, but now everyone's attention was elsewhere entirely! How the heck was he supposed to get a Powers Division lackey close enough for his plan to work under these circumstances?!

Outwardly however, he showed none of this. He knew he couldn't afford to. No, he stood cold and composed as it took place below, in plain view, his body unmoving while his mind ran. Now what? He couldn't well order those with him to open fire on the Dreadnaught. The machine was doing exactly what they wanted...sort of. In any case, it was close enough that they didn't care about the details. If only he had a team loyal only to him, or at least to his ideas how this should be done...

Make due with what you have.

Indeed. There was no Spearhead Division here. But what did he have to work with? A tech type above. A killing machine below. A spark type with that. One he knew, too. Sort of. A mob of panicked civilians. A wall of PPD. Some Powers Division goons who hadn't done anything yet...and a handful of Resistance idiots spread in gaggles here and there.

Not enough.

No. It was enough. But he had to reposition the pieces. He looked up at Lady Praetoria.

"Fire." was all he said, quiet and calmly. But that was all it took. Resistance fighters tended to be unhealthily trigger-happy.

And they opened up on the heroine...

An eyebrow rose on the visage of the blue-scaled Drokar as Lady Praetoria dove down, bringing the crowd into the line of fire. So much for protecting the innocent. Then again, she was Powers Division, he supposed. Why should Marauder's lackeys have any real aspirations of saving lives when endangering them brought so much better TV ratings?

Still, he kept outwardly stoic, showing not a hint of emotion, even as first the panicked screams and then the gut-wrenching 'silence' of the four Resistance fighters hitting the street below reached his ears, bones snapping a dozen times over, muscle and sinew alike tearing to shreds with that awful noise of a most painful death.

"Hold." Arek nevertheless told the soldiers with him, speaking in that cold, grumbled tone that betrayed nothing of his true feelings. They obeyed, holding their fire, though they visibly didn't like the idea of not blasting her out of the sky while she was busy talking.

"Traitors indeed." the azure-blue Dragon responded to her, "Your lies will not save you this time, Powers Division. Tonight, the people see you for who you truly are."

He moved an arm in the direction of the Dreadnaught, pointing down at the machine with deft accusation, "Monsters. Every last one of you. Deny it all you like. It matters not. The people have eyes, and they can see it is not us taking lives tonight. It is you."

"There was to be no blood." he fixed Lady Praetoria with a stern glare, "But well enough. We can respond in kind. As punishment for the lives you and your fellow PPD have taken, the Destroyers will tear Precinct Five out from underneath you and kill every last one of you inside..."

Inevitable Fist prodded the laser burn on her side. Overconfidant, she had tackled a large group of Resistance fighters and she took a wound in doing so.

It wasn't too serious. The ninja stepped out of the alleyway in time to see things suddenly take a turn for the insane. Not that this turn surprised her, There were never enough constants in the world, and a distinct lack of sanity.

Irelevant, Inevitable Fist chastised herself. Prioritize. Large robot attacking civillians, Resistance speech maker, or the smatterings of rebel activity.

Safeguarding civillians was a low priority, rioting wasn't so much fun if there was danger involved. They got whatever they deserved.

The speech maker was an obvious figurehead for the attack. Taking him out of the picture might quell the riot. Though at this stage, Inevitable Fist did not consider that likely.

Eliminating the smattering of Resistance troops that impeded the PPD response would assist in putting down the riot, but her specialty was single target assassination.

All the possible targets were already being engaged, so where could she apply her force to the greatest effect?

Taking to the rooftops, Inevitable Fist began to approach the speech maker and his Resistance good squad. She took caution on her approach. The art of the ninja gave her abilities far superior to that of lesser men, but as the wound to her side reminded her with every leap, it was not infallible.

Upon the rooftop, she watched the large blue...Resistance member threaten the PPD precinct. Not her problem. Still, while he and the highly visible meta debated morality she could take out the Resistance back up who had stopped firing.

Regardless of Ryat Dreadnaught's apprehension, he still knew he was bigger and stronger than the girl battling him. Pop Roxxy tried to match him, blow-for-blow, but sometimes he would simply grab her and toss her about the panicked civilians.

Some PPD officers were actually ushering the citizens away, others seemed torn between trying to arrest them or trying to fight Resistance troops while most of the rest had given over to the "glorious battle." Roxxy landed next to some of the troops assisting civilians.

"Officers!" she gasped as she pushed herself up, "I need you to fire on that machine!"

"But then he'll come after us!" one said while the other charged up his gauntlets.

"Hey, Mac," the other replied as he aimed, "Nothing ventured... Nothing GAINED!"

A blast of concussive energy shot out and impacted the Dreadnaught's armor. The big machine chortled.

"Hey," it grunted, "I'm on your side."

"No you're not!" Roxxy shouted, "You... You monster! You're slaughtering people for fun!"

"Maybe if they were loyal citizens, they wouldn't be so much fun to stomp," Dreadnaught continued chuckling, "They should know better than to question the will of the Praetors..."

Then, it leveled its gaze on the blue-skinned girl and started stepping toward her. The two officers at her flanks fired repeatedly, their energy beams glancing off his armor or getting absorbed into the plating. Roxxy stretched, swung her arms around, and focused another concussive blast into the machine, finally knocking him over.

"Success!" she shouted, "Now! While it's down! Fire your Immobilizer beams!"

"No need to tell me twice!" Officer Mac shouted as he dialed his gauntlet and fired conical beam at the fallen machine, hopefully pinning it to the ground.

The other officer followed suit and Roxxy stepped around them, waving for citizens to run her way to escape. Unfortunately, as the first of the citizens neared the immobile machine, Ryat Dreadnaught started to laugh. Its visor flashed repeatedly and sparks started erupting from its casing.

"I-I-I ho-o-o-o-ope this does-does-doesn't inter-r-r-r-r-r-rupt your-your regular-r-r-r-r-rly scheduled business d-day!" he shouted triumphantly.

Roxxy waved her arms again and fired a concussive blast at the civilians, knocking them back from the exploding android. The eruption sent her and the two officers sprawling as well.

As they painfully pushed themselves up, they saw a scorched hole where the machine had once been. However, the civilians were still alive, if a little injured.

"What the Hell was that?" Mac asked.

"Self destruct?" Roxxy offered, "I don't know... But we still need to get these people to safety..."

She didn't notice the pieces rolling back to the center of the scorch mark...

Nitro Kitty was impatiently awaiting a return call from Tunnel Rat when all hell broke loose.

A giant, clockwork-like robot began firing on civilians, a winged, meta-powered woman known as Lady Praetoria (whom Nitro recognized from TPN coverage) had just saved a woman and her child from the riot, then she herself came underfire while flying high above, swooping back down towards the crowd. There was also some blue-skinned creature fighting off the maniacal Clockwork construct...

Then, it self-destructed.

Nitro Kitty didn't stand around waiting for that callback. She ran straight in, electrical impulses and lightning bolts swarming all around her; bullets, energy blasts and other projectiles dropping dead or being deflected off her charged, conductive shields.

As she approached the rioting mobs, a couple of Resistance Heavy Barrels had their sights on the TPN showstopper. "Oh - an infamous goldilocks!" one of them shouted out. The other simply lifted his chaingun's business end at Nitro - "Time to hammerdown this blueberry!" he said as he started tapping the gun's trigger.

The bullets from the Heavy Barrel's chaingun seemed to impact her shields with excessive force - the man's aim was good. Some had deflected off, but her camouflaged flakvest took quite the beating. She stopped her charge, turning towards the two with her fangs bared. "Bad move, chomplets!" she snarled at the two as she then leapt at them, siphoning the surrounding kinetic energies right out of the air. A lightning field was already leeching the energy and life from the two Heavy Barrels as she delivered a devastating, overpowered smashing blow to the firing gunman's chest. The resounding cracking noise his armor made signalled to her he was out of the fight as she focused on the other gunner. With a snarling, hissing sound, she let out "There's plenty of reason to fear!" as her kinetically-charged fist caught him with a quick strike to the helmet, cracking it but also knocking his sorry flesh-sack to the ground. Unfortunately the man leapt right back up, only to receive a brutal, armor smashing punch to his head; his body slumping down to the ground with a violent thud.

With those two out of the way, Nitro Kitty rushed back into the crowd, locating that woman and child Lady Praetoria had saved earlier, escorting them out of the crowd. They weren't the only ones Trish saved, however, as Nitro Kitty provided an escort to other child-laden adults that had been huddled with the earlier woman. As she got these people out of the rioting zone, she rushed back behind the building she had emerged from, again awaiting for that callback, but this time fully prepared to be confronted by anyone.

((OOC: To save you reading 2 extra pages, just skip to the [Present] part))



[The day before]

It was another slow day at his studio, in the northern edge of People’s Park. This place was all he had left that he could call ‘his’. Adorning the entry way, the youth tended to the multi-foot tall bamboo plants framing either side of the door. He tried not to think about how they were simply synthetic and not naturally grown from his home in the east...

The short single story building still blended with the architecture of Praetoria, but he tried to make it his own with a Chinese tiger statue he sculpted himself which guarded the beginning of the path to his place, a Buddha wood carving he had commissioned hanging on the small gate one passed as they entered and other adornments of far away cultures.

Sitting on his knees to dig down into the earth so he could get a good length of bamboo, he heard the familiar heavy footsteps of a PPD interrogator walking up the path to his place. Hyun-ki sighed disappointedly as he snapped the length of bamboo with his fingers, not showing any effort in doing so.

At first, the red-eyed youth was disappointed that the one who approached wasn’t children, seeing as he so enjoyed entertaining and teaching the youth of Praetoria about the language and culture of his home and of other places. But his disappointment was lifted when he finally saw the interrogator approach. Interrogator Kang’s heavy boots stepped along the paved path around a small artificial lake filled with a variety of fish, a small indention in the earth Hyun-ki dug himself.

“Raymond! How are you today?” Hyun-ki greeted which brought a smile to the officer’s bearded face. When they finally met, Hyun-ki bowed deeply then Kang took his arm and gave him a hardy handshake.

“It’s going,” Ray answered after a sigh but covered his hopeless attitude with a smile. “I suppose I should at least be thankful it’s been quiet, as of late.”

“Would you like to come in for some tea?” Hyun-ki offered, taking the bamboo shaft in his hand and giving it a swift skillful swirl before clamping it in his armpit so he could dust off his hands.

Moments later, inside, Hyun-ki had the interrogator seated on a small cushioned bench, pouring the larger man some tea into a small shallow cup that seemed dwarfed in his large gauntlets. The interrogator stared blankly at the cup’s contents.

“I can tell something’s troubling you,” Hyun-ki commented while pouring himself some tea. He took his cup and sat near the open window near the sliding door to the sparring area. “You usually love my tea.”

“Sorry,” Ray sighed again. “I just have a ton of things on my mind. But what about you?”

“Truthfully, not good,” Hyun-ki answered matter-of-factly. “No one has come in all week, several students called in on their lessons last week and I haven’t been able to make my payments on the studio for the month as my beneficiaries’ checks haven’t come in. I hope I don’t have to close down my little shack…”

“I’m sorry to hear that,” the officer replied after a long silence. They both drank for a moment in the faux-tranquility of the silent room before Ray chimed in again. “You know, you could always join the Powers Division again. Or maybe just until the checks clear.”

“I’d rather not…I doubt they need a martial arts instructor and I wouldn’t want to be caught up doing their dirty work.”

Kang cast his eyes down, an obvious look of distress in his eyes. “About that…I came to talk to you about something I learned from a ‘client’ of mine. You’re really the only person I trust that won’t spiral this out of proportion.” Hyun-ki looked up from his tea cup and blinked his crimson eyes at the shift in conversation. “There’s suppose to be some kind of disturbance around the Magisterium tomorrow. I don’t think anyone from the Wardens or Crusaders will be there but this would be a perfect opportunity to cause an incident for the Powers Division and the media will be all over it.”

Hyun-ki tapped his cup persistently with a finger. Powers Division was already on shaky ground with the PPD and without that division, he’d most likely be in trouble considering he was registered with them as a meta. Even if he did nothing, there could be protestors or even the PPD on his front lawn disrupting the tranquility of his special spot in Praetoria.

“What kind of disturbance?”

“Not sure,” Ray answered. “Probably protesters.”

“If it’s only that, I suppose I can make sure nothing gets out of hand.” He paused before quickly adding, “But I’m doing this on my own as a concerned citizen. Not as a member of Powers.”

Kang smiled again. “Thank you. I’m glad I can count on you.”

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

[Back to the present]

Hyun-ki was walking across the bridge from Imperial City, having left home earlier that morning. Since it was so early, much earlier than the allotted time Kang mention, he figured there wouldn’t be any disturbances or even a hint of one until much later.

When his phone range, Hyun-ki casually examined it before answering.

“Hello?”

“Hyun-ki! Haven’t you heard!? Get to the Magisterium, there’s pandemonium!”

The red-eyed youth didn’t say another word and simply broke off in as fast a sprint as possible, his long brown braided hair dancing in his speed. He could only see some pulse fire from the roof when he got near. He was still several blocks away but close enough to hear the indistinguishable echoes of the spiels of two individuals. With the PPD flanking the civilians, it would be difficult to evacuate everyone without them being sitting ducks to the roof gunmen.

“At least Powers Division made it here on time,” Hyun-ki huffed as he pondered something to save these helpless protesters.

As he reached the outskirts of the Magisterium, the Ministry of Intelligence building dawning on its horizon, this gave Hyun-ki an idea…but it’d take time.

Several minutes later, Hyun-ki was atop the ministry building. He took a few deep breaths, painting the sky with a gentle hand as he focused his form. Then he let his body drop. Through the fall, his breath became shorter and shorter as the ground flew at him. Every instinct in a man would tell them to cower or scream as the end of the fall grew closer and closer but Hyun-ki was a man of much stronger will.

His feet connected with the ground with no visual sign or sound of impact. Only a weak grunt escaped his throat and for a moment, Hyun-ki’s face was gripped with pain. But this quickly subsided when he heard the screams of innocents, gunfire and explosions disrupting the tranquility of Praetoria.

He rose to his full height and turned to the Ministry building. “Ray, I hope this won’t get you and I in trouble.”

In his usual calm stance with his hands behind his back and tucked in the sleeves of his martial arts robe, he ascended the stairs of the building. A sweeper was doing its duty blowing away dirt and dust from the already pristine entryway as Hyun-ki approached one of the columns. “Step aside, please?” he requested before resting a hand on one column. After finding a good point on the stone, he rested a knuckle on it and took a deep breath.

A loud crunch echoed through the tall stone column, a pillar which reached even higher than the ministry building, after Hyun-ki gave it a one-inch-punch like none the world has ever seen. The contained blow broke the column free of the foundation and the side of the building while easily keeping it in one piece.

“Good. Let’s proceed.”

[Seconds later]

Four columns came raining down on the area, all aimed on a specific spot between the citizens and the resistance gunmen that resided on the roof. Riding on one of those columns, Hyun-ki arrived just as Pop Roxxy and the pair of PPD took a strong shockwave that left but a smoldering crater. The black clad youth took a leap just before the column he rode on reached the ground, just in time to stop the monolithic stone’s forward movement with a gentle palm.

He set it down and caught the other 3, doing the same, creating a wall just tall and wide enough to catch any fire from above. He hadn’t realized they had turned their fire on Lady Praetoria, but instead opting to secure the safety of the citizens than try to alter tactics.

“Please evacuate along this path,” Hyun-ki smiled to the panicked protesters as he waved his hand along the shadow his stone wall cast. “Escort them if you will,” he added, turning a crimson eye to the group of PPD to his left.

"I don't know," Roxxy replied to the Hyun-ki, "Uh... Hi. I'm Pop Roxxy. I'm Powers Division, Special Investigations."

She gestured to the scorch mark on the ground.

"That was a notorious criminal called Ryat Dreadnaught. It was claiming that it was acting on behalf of Powers Division, too, but that just can't be right!"

She saw some of the Resistance troops charging their way and breathed out a curse.

"We don't have time for more, unfortunately!" she said as she focused more of her energy into her hands, "We're under attack!"

She ran toward the rifle-wielding maniacs, meeting the nearest head-on with a punch to the jaw. He stumbled around on his feet while she focused on the other, swatting his rifle down to fire into the ground while she delivered a flurry to his chest.

More Crusaders were on the way, though.

((MP, I'd appreciate if you didn't go and take control of the Resistance fighters under Arek's command like that. Yes, they're aggressive and don't like his orders much, but they do know that to disobey him will end badly. This time was in line enough to continue as-is, but please don't do it again.))

"I truly am surrounded by incompetence." Arek huffed a dissatisfied snort, the tip of his tail curling to and fro through the air like that of an angered cat, "I could have sword I ordered you to hold. Am I mistaken in my recollection?"

The Resistance personnel about didn't answer. They knew the question was rhetorical, as well as what the azure Dragon meant to say by it.

"Why?" he then questioned, regarding Lady Praetoria with dispassionate eyes, "So you and the other dogs of Cole can do to them what was done to the last ones who decided it was best to voice their dissenting opinions in public rather than conspire in the shadows? Or would you perhaps concoct an even more gruesome fate? Honestly, I do not care to hear your answer. Mine is no. Ours is no. And theirs is no. So long as you consider the open voicing of dissenting opinions 'dirty work', the answer will always be no."

"Besides," Arek curled his lips into a diabolical smirk, regardless of how it pained him to do so, "they are keeping you so excellently distracted here, away from the precinct about to come under attack. While you stand here and blather, your fellow oppressors will pay with their lives for those you have killed here."

Some of the Resistance fighters about the blue-scaled Drokar chuckled as he said those words.

"Of course, I would expect nothing else." he continued, emerald-green eyes darting to where the Inevitable Fist crept toward them in the shadows, fixing her with their icy glare, "After all, distracting me while your partner there sneaks up to strike me down is a rather good tactic. Unfortunately for you, tactics are my specialty."

His specialty, yes. Those with him? Not so much. Only now brought to enough attention to seek the Inevitable Fist, they gave the ninja more than ample opportunity to strike as they attempted to assume defensive positions...

((Apologies, I am new to this DM. Won't happen again I promise. ))


Lady Praetoria stood for a moment in indecision. One sweep of her Kinetics could clear this rooftop, but that would send these Resistance fighters over the edge of the building to their deaths. Even if it was something they richly deserved, she might take out Inevitable Fist as well, whom she hadn't seen until now. And there was Precinct Five to worry about, and the innocents below as well. The reptile was right about one thing, she wasn't really that good at tactics. She was more of a find enemy, pound enemy, and look good doing it, kind of girl. And the Dragon man looked impressive, cause when it came down to it, Riley was just a human, in armor with some martial arts training, her kinetic enhancers to let her use that against her opponents and her jet boots, which allowed her to fly.


“Cole curse you,” she snarled at him. She took a moment, used her kinetic enhancers to let her sweep several of the Resistance fighters off their feet without sending them over the edge. Hoping that would give Inevitable Fist a good opening, her jet boots kicked on and she soared off of the rooftop. She keyed her communications unit as she did so.


“This is Lady Praeotoria of Powers Division to Dispatch,” she said as she flew over the heads of the crowd. “We have an Priority alert for Precinct Five, repeat a Priority alert. Destroyers inbound to Precinct Five, all personal be advised that Resistance are using Destroyers to attack Precinct Five. Get ready people its about to hit the fan.”


Lady Praetoria hovered above the crowd, glancing down she saw Pop Roxxy, holding off several Resistance fighters on her own, and it looked like more were on their way. She dove down into the fray, her kinetic humming as they charged up.


She flew into the Resistance fighters like a black and gold missile. Several hit the ground as she knocked the over. She got her feet under her and started to use her kinetically enhanced melee to good effect. One Resistance fighter after another hit the pavement, some stirring, others out for the count. This is where Lady Praetoria shined. The more that gathered around her, the harder she fought. She was keeping at least a half dozen busy, and more seemed eager to try and lay the heroine low. Out of the corner of her eye, she caught sight of Kimberly Anderson, action reporter for TPN news, and her camera man and smiled.