The Dark

[Assurau]

"Well. Preliminary scans tell me it's a molecular scanner, made out of a aluminun alloy. Of course given that it was crafted such illustrious people means that there's more to it than that. I'll have more once I'm done processing the data. Also who is this Vessler and how does he relate to Eversoll? Also does either of them know about me and what I am?"

[Assurau]

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Goofed while posting roll
Engineering roll
(1d20+16)[22]

[buddy]

Phase Knight:

Eldain hears footsteps approaching as Carter, the Smiths' security lead, walks from the front entrance. He keys his earpiece,

"Sir, the other one, Phase Knight ..?.. has returned. He's standing in the Great Room ................. yes sir, right away sir."

Carter looks to Phase Knight as he begins walking towards the back hallway,

"Follow me please - you're expected."

Carter escorts the hero down the hall, around a corner, through a doorway into another back hallway and stops at what looks like a closet. Entering the small room, which is filled with spare towels, toiletries, and other household supplies. Carter stands at the back wall, knocks three times, and hidden door opens! From there, the guard guides Phase Knight down a small, spiraling staircase to a secret workshop, where Alana and Mr. Jonathan Shepard-Smith are analyzing some kind of mechanical device ....

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Give me 2-3 DC10 Investigation checks related to your search for Sophia & there's space for group conversation as well. Not exactly sure if PK & the Smiths have a history, outside of what's been discussed.

Inspired:

The Gentleman pauses momentarily before answering Alana's questions,

"...... Dr. Vessler was somehow connected to a wider conspiracy I uncovered. This was many years ago, and despite my failure to apprehend him, eventually I was able to foil the Machiavellian cabal of international crime lords seeking to undermine American Democracy ...."

"..... what Vessler could know about you is both unexpected and alarming ..... it-"

The Gentleman pauses for a call from Carter,

"Very well. Escort him down, Carter, thank you."

Returning his attention to Alana, Shepard-Smith continues,

"Your new associate, Owlheart, has returned to us ....... what is your impression of him? His father is the quintessential 'Wise Man' - a Polymath whose incredible intellect is cradled in a firm foundation of Humanitarianism. I wonder ....."

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give me a DC22 Insight/Deception (the higher) check

Carter enters the workshop - followed by Phase Knight - which seems to be the size of a small warehouse, tucked beneath the estate's main level. There is all manner of equipment available for technological research: computers, work-benches, an array of tools ranging from hammers to laser drills to rows of glass cases containing various experimental chemicals and elements. The space seems part-laboratory, part-workshop and judging by the dust in some places, hasn't been used very regularly.





Ariel:

Astrid begins to sense the approach of very serious people outside the mansion! There is a large group of them, emerging from two key points around the building: the roof and the front door - shadows pass across the windows of the Living Room area from outside ....

..... Psylocke's voice enters Ariel's mind,

"We're under attack, Astrid. Find shelter in the pantry - NOW!"

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I need to use her Mental Awareness more. You have a choice of hiding or getting involved or whatever else you want to do ....

[shugyosha]

Astrid

She was tired of running from the danger. She had a home now, people that cared for her like their own family. It was time she fought back. She ran back to her room. She'll need her armor.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Thanks!" Eldain said, following along. He gave an almost childlike grin at the secret passage. Nice. When he arrived, he said, "Mr. Smith, good to meet you 'for real', as it goes."

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Unless anyone prefers otherwise, I'm figuring that Eldain's met Smith and maybe Alana in vague passing. It just seems their families operate in too many of the same circles for them to have not at least encountered each other, but this would probably be their first time actually interacting on anything more than the level of a few words of small talk or an idle question or something.

First Investigation check will be a Routine Check for 25 total.
Second is (1d20+15)[22].
Third is (1d20+15)[19].

[buddy]

Ariel:

as she reached the top of the stairs, an explosion of frightening proportion rocked the lower level!

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Ariel needs to make a DC20 Toughness check ...

Phase Knight:

Jonathan Shepard-Smith, himself, eyes Phase Knight as the hero strides into the room,

"Have you checked with your father yet? What has excellent Dr. Owlheart have to offer us?"

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DC18 Insight/Will (the higher) check ....

[Quellian-dyrae]

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Insight: (1d20+15)[16]

"Basically, this is tied to a guy named Vessler. I expect you're familiar with the backstory. Based on everything I've heard so far, my guess is that this guy's trying to create supers, or something."

"We can learn more about his motives once he's apprehended. I think the primary goal now is to figure out where he's located. My father said you have a device that should be able to download data from these androids. If we can learn his base from them, or at least, where they came from, that's probably our best move. Of course, anything they have regarding his plans, resources, and the like would also be valuable."

[shugyosha]

Astrid

The explosion shakes the floor below her but she is able to keep her footing and continues to hurry to her room.

[buddy]

Inspired & Phase Knight:

The two heroes begin a full-scale investigation: using the Optimizer to trace possible points of origin and/or designer(s) of the droids. Phase Knight uses the available computers to track Sophia's cellphone activity ....

.... after a couple of hours, they've found that the droids carry traces of dust consistent with Gothenburg, Sweden! This would be the country's second largest city and its largest port for all manner of maritime shipping. Checking shipping activity over the last few months, Inspired finds all of the Swedish ships check-out, all except one. A cargo ship docked at Pier 23 - the Cabana Seaport-area. It's called the Mörkret and she's owned by an unknown company, but pictures found on the internet show a number of Swedish dignitaries standing on or near the ship ....

...... Phase Knight tracks Sophie's cell activity from her home, to the last call made, which Eldain had tracked to this current location. Cellphone have GPS and there are high-tech computers that store GPS data, so someone with access could track where a cellphone has been over a certain period, even if it wasn't used. The issue is tapping the satellite data banks without alarming anyone ......

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It's 0500 hrs. at this point. Sunrise is 0615 hrs. In order to hack the satellite data secretly, perform a DC40 Tech check. Phase Knight already has Sophie's signal, so no check needed. Any other questions about the droids or Sophia, just ask.

Ariel:

Recovering from the blast wave, Astrid gets to her room and sees 3 male figures, all dressed in black, ninja-like outfits inside! Two of the men are lifting Pixie & the other girl from their beds - the girls seem unconscious - as the third man's head snaps in Ariel's direction! Behind the men, Ariel sees the room windows are wide-open ....

Holding a flashlight-looking item in his left hand, he raises it slightly and a brilliant shaft of glowing energy extends from the device - like a lightsaber from Star Wars! The energy illuminates the room and gives off a low hum - then the man springs at Ariel!

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The entire house is dark, except for the emergency lights. You have the 1st action ...

[Quellian-dyrae]

After a long night's work, Eldain looked to Alana. "So, I'm not going to be able to get the satellite data without setting off an alert. I have two possible plans to get it done though."

"The first is actually rather diabolical. I mean, this is my sister's safety we're talking about, but I promised to use my powers only for good, and honestly, I'm getting kind of excited just thinking about it. If I can't resist the temptation, you know what you must do."

"Basically, though, this plan will require extensive use of my powers, wealth, and technical expertise. By the end, we'll have involved Best Buy, Google, Starbucks, Great Britain...and the Atlantic Ocean. With this sort of power at our backs, the satellites won't know what hit them."

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OOC - Plan A:
Step 1: Google "Best Buy, London England".
Step 2: Google "Starbucks, London England".
Step 3: Pull up the GPS locations of likely-looking results on Google Maps.
Step 4: Teleport to a Best Buy in London England (where it should currently be comfortably during business hours).
Step 5: Buy a laptop.
Step 6: Teleport to a Starbucks in London England.
Step 7: Use Starbucks wi-fi and new computer to perform the ugliest, most obvious brute force hack in the history of hacking, hopefully at a substantially lower DC than 40.
Step 8: Get the information, smirk as all traces lead to some random laptop being used at a random Starbucks in London.
Step 9: Teleport to the coast, preferably a nice cliff overlooking the waves somewhere.
Step 10: Toss the laptop off the cliff. Phase Strike the laptop into oblivion in mid-air.
Step 11: Teleport the utterly destroyed laptop to some random location at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean.
Step 12: Teleport home.

"The second plan is that you use some of your cyborg magic to hack them with none the wiser."

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OOC - Plan B:
Step 0 (Optional): Alana uses her Variable power to add more ranks to her Quickness (Mental Tasks).
Step 1: Alana Takes 20 on the hacking job in somewhere under six seconds.
Step 2 (Optional): Alana Takes 20 on cleaning up all traces of her attempt, possibly in the remainder of the six seconds.

"Basically up to you really. Also, should we check out the Swedish port before or after? I'm leaning towards before myself. Also," he added, taking out his phone and dialing Fury. He was still tentatively hopeful about making this meeting, but he wanted to check if it could be rescheduled and plan for if not while he still had a chance.

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And a couple other questions.

One of the big things I was hoping to do was actually download the droids' memories, see where they came from, what they knew...basically, interrogate them with Technology checks . Is that not possible?

When you say the last call from Sophie's phone was made to "this current location", does that mean the Smith residence or that port in Sweden? EDIT: And what time was the call made?

Finally, what time is this big meeting scheduled for?

[shugyosha]

Astrid

Her new friends were in danger. "Sorry girls, you might wake with a headache..." she whispers. Her brow furls as she focuses mind into a deadly wave mental force.

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Psychic Wave:
Damage
Area Cone (+1)
vs Will (+1)
DC 22

[buddy]

Phase Knight & Inspired:

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Easier for Inspired, with Phase Knight's plan. Using the 'Ultimate Effort' advantage, which can be gained as a one-shot with a Hero Point, Alana can score an auto. 40 on her tech check to hack the satellite.

The droids only have their basic 'Search & Capture' programming, along with limited reasoning. Inspired has learned there's not much to gain from that angle.

The cell call came from just outside the Smith residence at the same time PK's father received the call from Vessler.

The big meeting is at 0900 hours.

The two heroes are alone in the 'Lab-shop', Mr. Shepard-Smith having retired to his private quarters to rest. New York City is waking up at this point, as another day dawns ....



Ariel:

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'Ninjas' results;
Will checks (1d20+8=19, 1d20+8=15, 1d20+8=24)

Two of the marauders, shout in pain as they bend at the waist under the weight of Ariel's psionic barrage! One is holding Pixie and he nearly drops her as her right foot falls hitting the floor with a soft 'thud'. The other was Ariel's attacker, who pauses for only a painful second, then lashes out at you with his glowing sword ....!

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Sword strike (1d20+8=14)

Ariel avoids the somewhat-groggy attacker's sword swing, as the energy-blade hums just past her head ...!

Nova Leo:

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It's morning for the hero (0500).

[Assurau]

Alana considered the options before her and many others. Regardless of calculations, it seemed that having her speedhack the satellite was the most effective course. However, something inside her seemed to tell her how silly this was. Focusing all of her sizable processing power to the task of hacking seemed so overkill, but she wasn't going to leave it to chance.

"I'll handle the satellite. Don't call my abilities cyborg magic. If you need to give them a name, then call them Technomancy."

With that said, Alana activated her body again. New neural pathways and circuitry formed. A connection unit formed on her hand, since no keyboard or monitor would be able to keep up with the speed she would be generating. Once done, Alana looked at herself and just shuddered slightly at the power her creator had built into her. She could very well be one of the most dangerous lifeforms on the planet.

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Cyber Espionage protocol
- Quickness, Limited to Hacking: 2 rank/ Tp : 44 Ranks- 22 TP
- Comprehend, Machine: 1 Rank/ 2 TP: 2 Ranks - 4Tp
- Concealment, Limited to Machine: 1 Rank/Tp: 2 Ranks - 2 TP
- Immunity, sleep and fatigue: 1 Rank/Tp: 2 Ranks - 2 Tp


Total Tp: 0/30

Alana will be taking 20 for the hacking attempt as well as to cover her tracks. So you have an accurate reference frame, Alana is currently equipped to do 0.3 Trillion years of Hacking every second.

[shugyosha]

Astrid

She side stepped to make sure her friends weren't in the line of fire again before she smashed him with her mind again.

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Psychic Wave:
Damage
Area Cone (+1)
vs Will (+1)

[buddy]

Inspired:

Meta-mechanical tumblers fall across hundreds of miles of space between Earth and the upper orbital atmosphere - beyond dreams, but never beyond Alana's incredible talents. A satellite that cost enough to purchase a small nation shifts configuration within itself and kicks-out data - a stream of cellular positioning that most civilians only think they know about flows to Inspired like warm raindrops ....

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The cell begins in Los Angeles, moves cross-country to New York (no calls), and ends at docks of the city (the Mörkret). A recent call was made just outside the Shepard-Smith residence, just before the droids arrived. The cell is now inactive, but the last location was the Mörkret.

Ariel:

The three dark figures reel under Astrid's psionic assault! The marauder holding Pixie drops her back to her bed, grasping his head in pain! The other Ninja holds his captive, but drops his head & howls in agony! Ariel's attacker grips his head with one hand and growls a grunt in response to the shockwave of psychic force - but he resumes the attack, flailing at her with his humming lightsaber ....

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Ninja 2nd attack @ Ariel (1d20+8=27)

... Ariel catches the luminescent blade across her lower torso! Contact sends a numbing, electro-static chill across her body that momentarily disrupts her entire form!

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make a DC18 Fortitude check (Dazed/Stunned/Incapacitated)....

Phase Knight:

The cell rings a few times too many before being answered gruffly,

"This better be extra special."

Fury was short as his tone smacked of impatience ....



Nova Leo:

The sounds of traffic and fluttering pigeons wakes you just before sunrise. In a next-door apartment, the sounds of morning radio and the smell of coffee wander into your home .....

[shugyosha]

Astrid

The blade hits and she fall unconscious.

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(1d20+2)[5] toughness

These guys aren't minions?

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Yeah, I'm gonna say my sister being kidnapped counts," Eldain replied, trying for a somewhat flippant response, but it didn't take. His voice was low and grim. "Listen, what's the chance that we can reschedule this meeting? It may not be necessary, but if it comes down to it, I'd rather push it off a few days than have to pick priorities." He didn't feel any need to state which would win.

[buddy]

Ariel:

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They aren't Minions.

Astrid wakes up looking at blue sky ...... looking around she realizes she's floating in the middle of what must be an ocean! In all directions, there's only water and Astrid's laying on it as if she's light as a feather!

Then, a head emerges from the depths next to her - then shoulders, torso, a full body, of the young man from her dreams! He looks average height and build, wears a white polo shirt and shorts, no shoes or socks. He's blonde with deep blue eyes and is somewhat handsome.

He stands on the water, waves splashing gently on his ankles, and watches Astrid,

"..... you don't belong here ....."



Phase Knight:

Fury responds, his tone shifting from sarcasm to concern,

"Kidnapped? You sure? When and by who? Don't worry about the meet - Hill and Coulson were my back-ups, just in case your night was as enjoyable as mine. I see it was. Where are you? I can scramble a dozen agents wherever you need them ....."

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Vessler, sometime yesterday. I figure you've heard of him? I'm fine, progress is being made. If you could send someone by my parents' house, though, just to make sure the area's generally secure, I'd appreciate it."

"You've had an entertaining night too, huh? By any chance, did anything on your end mention something called 'the Dark'?"

[buddy]

Phase Knight:

There's a slight pause on the call, then Fury responds in a passive tone,

"Vessler? He's dead. Has been for years. Probably some copycat. Not like that doesn't happen all the time. 2 agents will be on each of your family members ASAP. I wanted you protected, Eldain, but 'you-know-who' thought it would be a needless expense of tax dollars. I'm beginning to think the G-man (Gyrich's nickname) doesn't like you much ......"


"...... this 'Dark' thing doesn't ring any bells - what the hell have you uncovered? I'm at City Hall now setting the stage for someone who's decided to (BLEEP) on the proceedings. You MIA changes the game though ........... Hill has been eyeing my chair since day one. This'll put her closer, if not boots up (replacing him in his office). Whatever you've stumbled on, keep me posted. It feels like what I've been going over all night: superhuman abductions. But, I need more evidence. The name Connor Hale ring a bell?"

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Deception (1d20+25=45)
DC45 Insight check (?)
... he's (BLEEP) good.

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Maybe," Eldain replied to the idea of a copycat, but he didn't sound certain. "And yeah, they might be related. I was attacked at my home. So was another super I'm working with. Nanotech androids with laser eyes."

"I'll let you know if I learn anything. Nah, don't recognize a Connor Hale. Irksome night for this whole thing to go down...you being, well, you, I suppose you've already considered the possibility that whoever's involved might be trying to sabotage the meeting?" It would make a certain amount of sense. Keep Fury running around, go after Eldain personally and his family for backup, stir up general unrest among the superpowered community? Maybe he was being paranoid, but it wouldn't be a bad plan.

Except for the part where it gets me coming after you, he thought with grim confidence.

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Yeah, I'm not even gonna touch that DC. Nat 20 on a Deception from Mr. Spymaster himself? Pass.

[buddy]

Phase Knight:

Fury follows,

"Yeah. Something's going on and you are now my eyes and ears on the ground. Check it out, but carefully. Your pop would never forgive me if you went missing. Just get what you can and check in. Easy enough? Despite our earlier conversation, I'm less concerned with the meeting and more on this kidnapping thing. So you know, I have classified info in relation to the kidnappings - and the Avengers. We'll find Sophie, Eldain. It's what we do here. Anything else?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

"I'm on it, although of course, I may just have to race you to rescuing Sophie," he said, voice brightening with his more typical confidence. "I'll let you know when I've found something. Talk to you then," he said, and would wait for any further response, then end the call.

Then looking to Alana, "So, what have we got?"

[shugyosha]

Astrid

Astrid wakes up looking at blue sky ...... looking around she realizes she's floating in the middle of what must be an ocean! In all directions, there's only water and Astrid's laying on it as if she's light as a feather!

Then, a head emerges from the depths next to her - then shoulders, torso, a full body, of the young man from her dreams! He looks average height and build, wears a white polo shirt and shorts, no shoes or socks. He's blonde with deep blue eyes and is somewhat handsome.

He stands on the water, waves splashing gently on his ankles, and watches Astrid,

"..... you don't belong here ....."

Her eyes squint as it adjusts to the light. The bobbing of the ocean does nothing to help orient her. Confused she asks "Where is here? Who are you?"

[Assurau]

"Oh, I pretty much own the satellite now and everything in it. Your sister's phone was originally on LA, then it moved cross-country to New York, and ends up on the swiss boat here. If I'm reading the logs right, it made a call outside on my home before the droid attack. However, it has made no other calls and has been deactivated since arriving on the Morkret."

"You got something wrong. The droids didn't have laser eyes, they were neural disruptors. They were meant for capture and operated on a closed loop. They seem to be the work of a Liam Eversoll, a former S.H.I.E.L.D scientist, with a fetish for machine over flesh. The tech at the time was developed exclusively for S.H.I.E.L.D. Also who was that charming fellow you were talking to and what did you get from your end?"

[Quellian-dyrae]

"Director of SHIELD. And nothing immediately actionable, but it looks like supers disappearing was kind of a theme last night. Hey, you ever hear of a guy named Conner Hale?"

While he talked, he texted, "Liam Eversoll: Androids" to Fury. If the guy was former SHIELD, it sounded like something the director would want to know.

"I'm thinking that ship is our best lead at the moment. I'm going to pop home and grab a couple things, then head there. You want to come?"

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I no longer have any idea how to group up Ariel, but if Nova is going to follow up on checking out Eldain, I want to give him a chance to catch him at home. Comic book timing will no doubt handle the rest .

[buddy]

Ariel:

The man squats down next to Astrid and looks out over the wide sea,

"You don't recognize your own dream? I'm just visiting - of course, I gave this small corner of your infinite potential a slight touch-up.100,000 miles in either direction lie the storms created by your doubts and fears. I preferred something more ..... placid ......"

"..... my name is Kevin MacTaggart- and it could be theorized that you are one of my siblings. Now, how did you come to be here? I can always tell when something, or someone, is out-of-synch with this reality."

"Kevin" eyes Astrid with what appears to be wonderment ....

[buddy]

Inspired & Phase Knight:

Footsteps echo from the spiral staircase as Flint, one of the guards, arrives,

"Ma'am, will you and your guest be having breakfast? They're cooking-up a storm this morning - 4-egg omelets, pancakes, bacon, fresh fruits, sausage, hashbrowns, biscuits, coffee, and any juice you could imagine ...."

Before Alana can respond, she catches The Gentleman in the far corner of the room. He's adorned in a floor-length blue-silk robe with casual attire underneath. Leaning against the wall lightly, he watches Inspired and smiles. Then, nods gently, as if conveying a sacred message .....

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DC10 Insight check for Inspired, if you want

[shugyosha]

Astrid

"Kevin MacTaggart," she repeats the name, letting its weight sink in her mind. "I'm Astrid Grey-Frost. Franklin Richards sent me here... he saved me by sending me here, my world was ending.

You're Moira's son? How is she? How long have you been sensing me?" her mind so filled with questions that they burst out.

[buddy]

Inspired:

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Alana understands Jonathan's passing of the mantle: after many years of telling her to avoid using her abilities to challenge the world, now, he accepts her diligence. Now, The Gentleman sees Inspired as a possible equal, and he (probably) wont interfere with her efforts. He sees her not as his small 'grand-daughter', but rather, as a capable investigator ....

Ariel:

Kevin sits next to Astrid and looks again across the aquatic expanse,

"She's dead - at least, dead in the sense of this universe. I just watched her being torn apart ...... and couldn't raise a hand to save her. Moira wasn't the saint many make her out to be. She was a difficult woman - much like yourself. The world can't be expected to save people like that. They press and press and press until ....... well."

Kevin's mouth opens, but no sound seems to escape. He winds a finger into nearby water and 100 miles away, a waterspout rises from the face of the water,

"So, you've found the vaunted X-Men. Now what?"

Kevin grins ....