Where Does the Time Go? (IC)

[srgonzo]

Director, I'm not going to pretend that there's any explanation that will make this situation acceptable. I blatantly violated Death's Messenger's instructions. At the time, I just wanted to get their attention and have them casually leave the bar while we looked for the bomb. I should have anticipated a panic.

[lostsole31]

Janos

He takes out a copy of Death's Messenger's note.

"Now, I see that this was likely to be difficult ... but that's because by the message it seems that you not only don't want people to leave the bar, but you would actually want people to stay in the bar."

He turns the copy over (2 pages of 1-sided) facedown on the table and looks at you again. "Agent Gehlewat, we had you tested stem-to-stern, and one of your most effective and terrifying powers you affectionately named 'Boo!'

"This power doesn't work psychically with no external marks ... it is pretty damn dramatic visually, aurally (on recording, by the way), and makes a darn good hullabaloo in its execution. That's why it's so effective. If you weren't careful, under particularly stressful scenarios I estimated you could actually drive people permanently insane ... panic is the least of the concern. You tap into powers that practically make you a mind-blasting horror."

Spoiler

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Boo! is not a power that just means you flex your muscles and are better at glaring than Clint Eastwood. Otherwise, you would've bought a high PRE right off the bat. Many HUGE animals get a +30 for Offensive PRE-Attacks ... you're off the chart, practically.

The area around you becomes darker, and in addition to Gandalf-scares-Bilbo on crack, the viewers/ listeners actually see and hear into some essence of a beyond that cannot be comprehended, full of eldritch horrors and universal truths too terrifying to understand.

Boo! is one of those things which you learned today is the real power that you most likely would/ could abuse ... even if simply from negligence. The Machin Shin, at least, is so formularized and limited in its way that you actually have very focused control over it. Next time, you may want to dial down Boo! rather than using full strength. Of course, this was the first time you really brought it out like that ... so it makes sense that in a real, non-simulator/ training scenario with totally untrained and unexpecting normals that you would have no idea of just what level of horror you can inflict.

This is no different from other horror heroes or antiheroes who mean well, but whose powers are terrifying.

"But, we'll get back to that. For now, you are no longer on the case, and I'll need your badge and your comlink while I wait to hear what Homeland Security says we need to do. Effective immediately, you are on suspension with pay, and you'll be under house quarantine at home base.

"Add to this, a possibly bigger issue ....

"This Donovan Crane fellow that is called The Cloak ... unknown super that until yesterday wasn't even on the radar. His in-processing included fingerprinting, and Hardpoint managed to collect some hairs from the blanket he had put on Mr. Crane. You know that our DNA scanner is pretty quick, so he sent off the results to CODIS.

"Agent Gehlewat, we may have a serious security problem here."
************************

Donovan

"Mr. Crane?" queries the lead agent again. "Did you hear me? Will you comply peaceably with the restraints?"

[BuckGodot]

Donovan

Spoiler

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You are as bored as can be. You are over munchy-wunching on long ticks of dunking sticks and some coffee when two agents enter. "Mr. Crane, since you are a civilian and given the magnitude of what happened, we are going to put cuffs on you so that the agent questioning you does not fear for his life. Since you are a super, this is more for his protection."

Does Donovan resist, or does he comply?

He will comply......Understanding the request.

[srgonzo]

Sir, I can't say that I don't understand. However, what's going on with Mr. Crane? Really, our association happened as a direct result of happenstance. I saw something fishy going on with some law enforcement officials which piqued my interest, and he was following them. Unfortunately, we couldn't press them for information because their car exploded. I'd like to say it was Death's Messenger, but I can't confirm that beyond his note. I will say there are some similarities in our abilities and their source, and our interaction has caused some...changes in my own abilities. I'm not entirely sure of the extent of those changes either. Frankly, I don't know much about Donovan Crane, other than he's been willing to work with me and the Redeemers, up until now. Since I'm on suspension, and I've been on television as having been in an explosion, it might be a good time to talk to friends and family and let them know I'm ok.

[lostsole31]

Spoiler

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So, this would be a perfect time to have had a background score.

I framed the Janos section ... and then the "possible problem." Music gets a little ominous or picks up a little.

Cutaway to the second request for Crane to be restrained. I think of THE MATRIX in the beginning when the cop is in the background with cuffs and Trinity is in the foreground with hands on her head ... her eyes shift, and you know that cop is gonna die.

But this time, as the music builds ... it suddenly stops as we cut to ....

....an over-the-shoulder of the agent and Donovan turns around comfortably and the other agents make sure he is restrained well to the chair.

One agent stays behind, the other two walk out. Three agents walk in, but there's something different about these guys ... very stark black suit and tie. Two of them are relatively nondescript in their silly wannabe-badass-feds glasses. The other one is particularly different as he takes off his glasses and sits in front of Donovan.

And it is as if Donovan were looking into a mirror, for this man looks exactly like himself.
**************************

"Sure, Janos," says Director Moch, "but as for your friend, it seems he's pinged high on the chain. I'm not cleared to tell you, but it's likely that you won't be seeing him for some time."

[BuckGodot]

Donovan

"Mr. Crane?" queries the lead agent again. "Did you hear me? Will you comply peaceably with the restraints?"

Yes....I will...

[lostsole31]

*ninja'd* See above ...

[BuckGodot]

Trying to maintain his composure......What the hell is this?

[lostsole31]

"When you address me, it would make sense to say 'Who the hell is this?' Until further notice, however, you're the 'what.'"

[BuckGodot]

Is this some kind of joke? Who are you and what's going on here?

[lostsole31]

"No, Mr. Crane. 'This' is a pronoun that follows the function of a 'what.' You refer to a situation as a joke. It is not.

"If a joke is a falsehood, an irony of untruth forcefully inserted into the mundane to upset that equilibrium, then you're the joke.

"You are not real, Mr. Crane, at least not in the way a real human would genetically be considered real."

Pause.

"You are a construct. A falsehood. An artificial, humaniform ... something ... that has been inserted into this ... reality, ironically designed to upset the equilibirum.

[BuckGodot]

"No, Mr. Crane. 'This' is a pronoun that follows the function of a 'what.' You refer to a situation as a joke. It is not.

"If a joke is a falsehood, an irony of untruth forcefully inserted into the mundane to upset that equilibrium, then you're the joke.

"You are not real, Mr. Crane, at least not in the way a real human would genetically be considered real."

Pause.

"You are a construct. A falsehood. An artificial, humaniform ... something ... that has been inserted into this ... reality, ironically designed to upset the equilibirum.

His emotional mind rebelling against everything he is seeing and hearing, Crane struggles to maintain a facade of calm. The only thing keeping him from completely freaking out is his logical side, aware of waking up, remembering nothing, taking on an identity and becoming who he is......Yet, he is someone, there is no denying it....but who?

And you, are an ass. I make a much better you than you do. But we've each been shaped by different circumstances. So, how do we proceed?

I knew I should have fled when I had the chance....damned law abiding side of me.....

[lostsole31]

"You shall be transported back to an R&D facility in a UV-saturated armored vehicle, where you shall await .... final ... disposition, Mr. Crane.

"You are an aberration. A glitch of arcano-genetic processing that has magnificently succeeded in your purpose, but your existence is no longer required, your task being done. You see, you are not real. You are a shadow of identity with no legal rights. You are the property of the U.S. Government, and you are undergoing a manufacturer's recall for public safety."

Just as he is towards the end of this, Donovan's head jerks back and his mouth and cheek hurt as a gag is put around him hard and painfully .... and his neck feels a sharp twinge. Instantly, his head begins to swim. As you drift off to unconsciousness you hear him say ...

"Good night, Mr. Crane. Your country thanks you for your service."

[lostsole31]

Dr. Moch steps out for a few minutes and comes back in. "Janos, it turns out that your friend Mr. Crane has a history and is wanted by one of NSA's special branches. Different branch, and I don't have need to know, though the paperwork is good. He's going to be transported to a detention center via armored carrier. I'm sending you back up to NYC with two agents, and I've offered for our vehicle to act as a hangback escort until they turn off before Newark and you and the boys head for home.

"Ready to go?"

[srgonzo]

As ready as I'm going to get.

[lostsole31]

Janos' effects that were not destroyed in the blast at the hotel room, which is still a good deal since the bedroom section (briefcase, clothes, etc.) was not really harmed, have been collected and brought to the safehouse.

When Janos gets out to the SUV, the other vehicles are already loaded.

The two fed cars and a "Brinks Armored Carrier" head out, with Janos' vehicle behind ....

[lostsole31]

The little convoy leaves and heads out of the city.

After awhile, Donovan Crane awakens inside of the converted armored carrier. Behind hard plexiglass panels - ceiling, sides, even floor, illuminating the entire inside of the carrier, are these bluish-purple lights. Donovan is on a very uncomfortable bench with his hands behind his back and shackled to a crossbar there. His legs are sloppy free, and as he awakes he sits up some to get his bearings.

Despite all of the security for such a setup, there is only one man in the rear of this carrier. That would be one of the suits that looks like a Secret Service or NSA agent. This man is 6'2", weighs in at a solid 220 pounds or so, brown hair and eyes, but is otherwise unremarkable. Considering the brightness of the lights - not the color, but the amount - he is wearing sunglasses. He wears a typical government earbud and likely has a mike transmitter in his collar, because he looks slightly to the side and says in a flat voice, "The aberration is awake."

Donovan, what do you do?

[BuckGodot]

The little convoy leaves and heads out of the city.

After awhile, Donovan Crane awakens inside of the converted armored carrier. Behind hard plexiglass panels - ceiling, sides, even floor, illuminating the entire inside of the carrier, are these bluish-purple lights. Donovan is on a very uncomfortable bench with his hands behind his back and shackled to a crossbar there. His legs are sloppy free, and as he awakes he sits up some to get his bearings.

Despite all of the security for such a setup, there is only one man in the rear of this carrier. That would be one of the suits that looks like a Secret Service or NSA agent. This man is 6'2", weighs in at a solid 220 pounds or so, brown hair and eyes, but is otherwise unremarkable. Considering the brightness of the lights - not the color, but the amount - he is wearing sunglasses. He wears a typical government earbud and likely has a mike transmitter in his collar, because he looks slightly to the side and says in a flat voice, "The aberration is awake."

Donovan, what do you do?

I'm going to take a moment to carefully observe the situation. Inspecting the inside of the vehicle. Looking for anything that will give me an advantage with this goon. There is only so much cooperation that can go on and when they tell you they are going to kill you, well....Self preservation kicks in.

Looking for, as silly as it may seem, a lightswitch to turn off the uv lights. Does he appear to be carrying a weapon? Does it look like I can reach him with my feet? Is there a camera, or just a window box to the cab of the vehicle?

[lostsole31]

He definitely is carrying some weapon in a shoulder hoster on his left side ... and definitely means it's not a derringer, but definitely a larger handgun.

You don't see any kind of light switch.

You can reach him with your feet, but only his legs, not his body. If you try to kick him (with big minuses for your shackled condition) then you would only strike the legs, which is (iirc) only about half STUN.

You don't see any kind of camera, which actually strikes you as odd for this level of security. Also, even stranger .... much stranger ... is that there is no kind of window box. This is odd, because it seems like something could happen in here, and no one would know.

[lostsole31]

Update, you dirty sumbitch.

[BuckGodot]

Update, you dirty sumbitch.

Alright, you bahstad!

[BuckGodot]

He definitely is carrying some weapon in a shoulder hoster on his left side ... and definitely means it's not a derringer, but definitely a larger handgun.

You don't see any kind of light switch.

You can reach him with your feet, but only his legs, not his body. If you try to kick him (with big minuses for your shackled condition) then you would only strike the legs, which is (iirc) only about half STUN.

You don't see any kind of camera, which actually strikes you as odd for this level of security. Also, even stranger .... much stranger ... is that there is no kind of window box. This is odd, because it seems like something could happen in here, and no one would know.

Guessing that UV light would affect me as adversely as sunlight, Crane realizes he probably has only 1 shot at escaping. So, as he sits, playing the staring game with his captor, he thinks through his intended plan of action.....

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I'll Cloak up, hit this guy with Clinging Darkness, then become the Body of the Shadow and fly the hell out of this truck and find the nearest building to duck into.

Hey pal, you believe in God?

[lostsole31]

The man's face is eerily blank, and the sunglasses don't help. He looks at you, with maybe the vaguest curiosity ... but you can't tell if that slight betrayal of sense concerns your comment, or concerns you as some manner of insect.

He says nothing. It is damned unnerving.

[BuckGodot]

The man's face is eerily blank, and the sunglasses don't help. He looks at you, with maybe the vaguest curiosity ... but you can't tell if that slight betrayal of sense concerns your comment, or concerns you as some manner of insect.

He says nothing. It is damned unnerving.

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Well, if this guy is a super duper agent a la Matrix, I'm doomed anyway, so here goes nothing.

Either way, it's time to meet your maker. and he cloaks up, beginning the line of actions listed above.

[lostsole31]

Donovan gives that excellent line ... and finds he cannot Cloak up.

[BuckGodot]

Ok....Are his hands shackled in such a manner that he cannot move or attempt to loosen them?

[lostsole31]

There is some slip around the bar to one side or the other, but not a lot.

Spoiler

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It really comes down to you making a Contortionist roll, which you are not trained to do. Roll 3d6, but that is not a try and try and try again .... it's a one-shot. Roll low ... and no, you don't know the number you need. Success means you manage to practically dislocate your wrist to get one wrist out of the shackle .... which frees the other wrist from being bound, but has you cuffed and a shackle dangling with 'vacant' cuff at the other end.

[BuckGodot]

Ok....If by some miracle I'm able to free myself, I'll try not to reveal it to the agent.

(3d6)[6]

[lostsole31]

Wow. Un-frickin-believable ... but this is why we play this game. You got exactly what you needed: a '6.'

Okay, now roll a Concealment skill check. (All skill/ ability checks are 3d6.) the more you make your roll below your Concealment score, the harder you make it for the agent to notice.

[BuckGodot]

Ok....Here we go!

(3d6)[12]