The Dark

[buddy]

Astrid:

Connor hesitates, looking down,

"That burning man. He wasn't the one following you. It was the other ....... that ...... thing. Yeah, I had a secret. I needed your help, so, I made your secret mine. You're being followed by s---something. I don't know what. It's ...... I can't ...."

he turns towards the window and looks there, nearly ignoring Astrid ....

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Shug, enjoy your vaca & bring back spirits! Can I NPC Astrid? I wont kill her - maim, but not kill - promise :D

[Regalus]

"Such hesitance is not without just cause; many a would-be hero has shied away from the authorities, and many a villain has masqueraded as a heroes in order to deceive the public before. The fact that many of these battles tend to be quite destructive even when both parties have mastery over their power, certainly did not aid relations between the authorities and would-be heroes either," Leo elaborated calmly,"Though the warm welcome is appreciated," he added wamiably with a smile.

"I was patrolling the area when I spotted the police force mobilizing; given the numbers I thought it prudent to see if my aid was needed. I'm just glad I made it in time before anyone was seriously injured," he replied before checking on the pair once more, "As for Hammer and Anvil I have never met the pair before tonight; though I did call them by their sobriquets. During our encounter I was fortunate enough to have overheard the pair speaking with one another, and caught the names they were going by; I thought it'd best to call them by name while speaking to them,"

[Quellian-dyrae]

The blow knocked the wind out of him, despite the toughened fabric of his costume. "Nice one," he gritted out as he tried to catch his breath. Nonetheless, if he had learned anything from his army buddies, it was not to let up; a wave of his hand teleported a kitchen chair at his foe, the furniture launched as if from a cannon.

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Free Action: Change Psionic Focus Array to Phase Shot.
Move Action: Nothin', 'cuz I'm Dazed.
Standard Action: Phase Shot at (1d20+10)[14]. DC 25 Toughness vs. Damage, and...it's probably immune to the DC 20 Fort vs. Dazed+Vulnerable/Stunned+Prone Affliction.

Current Status: -1 Resistance Penalty.

[Assurau]

"Yosh!", said Alana as she watched the droid shut down, without firing a single shot. It had go very well.

"Now to ensure that your owner can't reactivate or self-destruct you."

The familiar tron lines raced down to her legs, up to her head and down to her arms. The CIFG would return to being a normal leg, while her hands and arms would be come nanoplants. They would be set to produce disassemblers, would separate the droid into its component parts. That should prevent reactivation and self-destruction. If they work on the downed droid, it would work on the activated counterparts. Additionally she undid the neural firewall and the lie detector, using those resource to create the stealth mode. It would have the full spectrum optic camo and sound cancellers, but she would need to make it a passive setup. That way she could focus all of the remaining power to the nano plant or the CIFG if she felt like it.

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Stealth mode (Motoko Kusanagi Special)
- Power: Concealment (Full visual, Full sound)
- Flaw: Limited (Urban Enviorment), Passive
- cost: 2 Ranks/ TP- 6 ranks = 3TP

Disassembler (Nanoplant)
-Power: Transform (Disassembled parts)
-Flaw: Permanent
- cost: 1 rank/ 3T p - 9 ranks = 27 TP

[shugyosha]

Astrid

She follows her gaze out the window.

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I'm at the airport right now. NPC Astrid as you see fit.

[buddy]

Nova Leo:

The roar of jet engines drowns-out Daniels response and looking up Nova Leo sees the S.H.I.E.L.D. FT-11 descending from the night sky. The armored aircraft carried agents and transported prisoners as well. When it landed seconds later, the hatch slid open and several agents in golden-colored armor suits marched out of the craft and towards Hammer and Anvil ....



Inspired

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okay, no idea what she's doing :/

Phase Knight:

Ducking from the flying chair, the droid again attacks Phase Knight, this time with a kick ...

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(1d20+8)[25]

The kick connects, catching Phase Knight in the face!

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Will & DC20 Toughness check (-1)

Astrid:

The train's passengers, seem to have settled down and many sleep or settle into a few minutes of wild texting. Connor watches the world speed past as the train churns across the river and into Manhattan. Long Island's night lights nearly pass for daytime as the many colors of nightlife flicker on the face of Astrid's window ....

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Giving you space her for chat before moving on

[Regalus]

Noah whistled as the S.H.I.E.L.D carrier made it's grand entrance, "And so the cavalry arrives," he muttered stating the obvious; it irked him though. With the shield operatives present he doubted he'd be able to get Hammer to discuss what troubled him now...yet he couldn't stop himself from trying; unsure if the urge was coming from him, or Leo's subtle proddings. The champion sighed.

"A moment officer Daniel, I'll be right back," he stated before stepping forward slowly and as non-threatening as he could as he attempted to approach the golden-armored shield agents. "Excuse me Agents, may I have a moment?" he asked respectfully, trying all within his ability not to set the agents off.

[Assurau]

With her arms now gauntlets twice their original size, Alana set to work disassembling the droid. Injector needles sprouted from her fingertips, which she then inserted into the droid. As the nanites flew into the droid, she waited for the task to be complete.

[Quellian-dyrae]

Phase Knight's helmet took the kick like a champ, but the thudding blow to his visor, so soon after his previous injury, surprised him. When he vanished, an instant too late, he put more into it than he meant to, vanishing from the field.

"Blast it!" he growled, and as long as he hadn't appeared somewhere making a return prohibitive, he gathered his focus and teleported back.

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Free Action: Change Psionic Focus Array to Extended Teleport.
Full Round Action: Teleport back to the fight.

Side effect teleport is basically random, GM's free to have him end up somewhere where immediately teleporting back might not be ideal, in which case I'll repost.

[buddy]

Nova Leo:

There are six armored agents, one of them acknowledges Nova Leo,

"Your assistance is appreciated, and we can take a full statement once we've secured these dangerous felons. Stand back, please."

Hammer and Anvil are ordered to stand and the agents begin escorting them to the transport craft ....



Inspired:

Alana quickly disables the droid's self-destruct mechanism, but her attempt at disassembling the construct will take some time, as nanotech doesn't break apart like conventional technology ....



Phase Knight:

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where'd he go?

[Regalus]

Noah comes to a halt as requested before speaking up once more, " Of course, I merely come barring a...request," he began struggling to word the statement right. "While we awaited for your arrival I sensed that there was something deeply troubling and weighing heavily on the mind of the one who goes by the title of Hammer beneath his otherwise peaceful veneer. I have reason to believe it was not birthed by the results of our battle or his impending reincarceration; fore it is rooted deeply in his spirit. It may be something personal, perhaps the reason why they decided to escape on this night, or it may be something of greater import that troubles him greatly." he elaborated carefully.

"I wish to request that I be allowed a moment with him so that I may attempt to have him reveal what troubles him before he is taken away, as this may be of import to you and your men depending on its nature. I have no reservations at this time if you wish to supervise the exchange," Noah said as he attempted to get a better idea of what troubled Hammer now that he was closer to the man, " So, would this be possible? "

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Seeing the Unseen has the Acute trait, so can I tell what is the form of mental instability he's suffering? Is it personal/intimate, derived from fear, frustration, worry, anger, indignation, forlorn hope , vanilla crazy, ect?

[shugyosha]

Astrid

As the train moves along she asks Connor, "How do you know who is chasing me? And what do you know of him? What do you know about the burning man."

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Sorry for the rapid questions. I just don't want things to slow down while I'm away.

[buddy]

Nova Leo:

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The armor-clad agent pauses, looking at Nova Leo ....
DC15 Persuasion
1d20+5=23

... the agent steps back and looks at his teammates,

"All units, give this guy a minute. A-1 & 2, secure the perimeter, A-3, you & I are overwatch ...."

The armor-clad agent turns to Nova Leo,

".... you got 60 seconds, friend - then we're off."

Nova Leo can tell Hammer is suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ....

GM note: Great job using Interactive Skills!

Astrid:

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Connor looks away from the window at Astrid,

" I can see people who do what I do. "Hides". No one can see them, but they're everywhere. Wandering around. Ghosts, I guess. Not sure. The guy following you was ..... scary. He's .... powerful, you know? You don't know him? All I know is he looks real interested in you and I don't want to see him again!"

"The burning man was one of those people following me - if they are people. They never seem normal. They're cold and ......

Connor struggles to find the word to describe them ....

[Regalus]

"Thank you,"Noah uttered with a respectful nod, before slowly walking towards Hammer; Leo's quiet urging adding greater confidence to the young man in spite of his situation. This is just like any other case, 'cept my client has super powers, and I'm being watched by the men in black; no biggie, he commented to himself to steel his nerves, earning an amused chuckle from Leo.

The young man approached slowly, studying the man's aura and trying to form some sort of game plan even as he bemoaned how little he actually knew of the man; yet he marched on, he had one chance and there was no turning back now. "Hello...Hammer," he began, the pseudonym leaving a bad taste in his mouth unable to shake the feeling that he should be speaking His name now. "What troubles you so on this night?" he asked humbly, hoping it and his eyes were enough to let his compassion shine clearly.

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Thank you, though I mainly thank the dice for being so kind thus far.

[Assurau]

Kuso! Nanotech! Damn it all. No wonder the droid isn't spare parts already. One more time, If it isn't done, I'll let it run by itself. I need to get back to the super. At least the self-destruct is down for now.

With that, Alana injected an additional dose of Disassemblers, hoping that i would be enough.

[buddy]

Nova Leo:

Hammer gives the hero a cynical look,

"Troubles? Man, we got troubles in aces. Ryker's wasn't a bad place - the crooks ran the joint. We got what we wanted and the guards fell in line, ya know? Nice and easy."

Anvil chimes in,

"But ever since them (BLEEP) Avengers dropped ..... they shut everything down. Put good friends of mine in the infirmary and the guards? They just let 'em run crazy on us in there! Mister Hyde might not walk again, thanks to that (Bleep) Cage!"

Hammer cuts in,

"They're planning something too. Something. Probably a break-out, I hope. Used to be you knew what was going on in there - now, everything's hush-hush. It's like they took over Ryker's, and nobody cares about our rights!"

Anvil looks at the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and leans closer to Nova Leo,

"It's a big conspiracy goin' on ..... something called 'The Dark'. You know any lawyers? We can't go back in there again, man ...."

The armored agent shifts position, watching the felons closer ....



Inspired:

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DC30 Tech check
(1d20+10)[29]

The droid begins to break-down under Inspired's skilled electro-mechanical capabilities, revealing a technological level that's both antiquated and cutting-edge at the same time ....

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Is Inspired trying to learn anything? That will take another round or you can use a Hero Point.

Astrid:

The train rumbles through the night, stopping at its designated stations to service passengers. After roughly 30 minutes, you pull into the Westchester station nearest the Institute. Once the terminal is announced on the PA, just one young couple gets up to disembark. It's just after midnight, around 20°, but no snow falling. The station is small, but well-lit with no crowds of people in sight.

Connor's asleep, leaning his head on Astrid's shoulder ....

[buddy]

Phase Knight:

When the hero blinks back from the unexpected teleport, you see the droid moving around a corner, possibly going after Alana ....!

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PK's Stealth
(1d20+10)[14]
Droid's Perception
(1d20+8)[15]

.... when Phase Knight moves, a startled maid yelps, and the droid turns to face the hero,

"Fleeing was your better option. Now, you will be neutralized."

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PK has the next action, as the droid seems to pause momentarily ....

[Quellian-dyrae]

Phase Knight just scoffed. "Seriously, I bring down two of your buddies, and you think that just 'cause you got a couple shots in you're winning? I thought robots were supposed to be all logical and stuff!" he taunted as he blinked in for another barrage of rapid strikes. His teleports did seem to be coming somewhat slower though, as if he were taking a moment to analyze the situation between each one.

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Free Action: Change Psionic Focus Array to Phase Strike.
Free Action: Defensive Attack for 3. Attack reduced to +7, Active Defensive increased to +18.
Move Action: Teleport adjacent.
Standard Action: Phase Strike at (1d20+7)[19]. DC 25, Crit on 24+, Multiattack.

[Assurau]

Alana recorded everything for later analysis. She thanked her perfect memory. With the n-tech droid now completely disabled, Alan headed out the door towards the lobby. As she exited the room, Alana engaged her stealth mode. Once she was out of sight, she converted her nanoplants into the CIFG. Assuming that the super hadn't destroyed them all, She would have another sample to evaluate, and the Dark would lose more hardware. Still, she wondered just how much did the Dark really know about her.

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Tech Roll for reshaping the CIFG
(1d20+20)[24]


Conical Ionic Field Generator
- Power: Nullify, Broad (Technology), Simultaneous, Area(30 feet cone), Subtle(2 ranks)- 4 TP/Rank +2 TP - 9 Ranks - 38 TP
-Flaws: Check Required(+11 to dc) - 11 TP
Total 27 TP

Stealth mode (Motoko Kusanagi Special)
- Power: Concealment (Full visual, Full sound)
- Flaw: Limited (Urban Enviorment), Passive
- cost: 2 Ranks/ TP- 6 ranks = 3TP

[Regalus]

Noah listened intently; surprised by how forth coming the pair were, catching him some what off guard. He had already been mauling over how to earn enough of their trust in under a minute to find out what had happened to them, only to be received by this earnest and panicked out burs; their auras were just brimming with panic and terror...he doubted the pair had the foreknowledge to fake a change in their spirits to this degree.

At the mention of 'The Dark' he instinctual flashed his teeth for a moment, managing to hold himself back before he growled in response. He took a moment to take in a calming breath; unsure how to respond to the villains plea, even if they were being honest he couldn't just take their word on it. Though this conspiracy's name didn't seem to match the image he had of the Avengers. Moreover, if things were how they said, he could not blame the guards too much for allowing the Avenger's too keep the peace; though the manner in which they seemed to do so worried him. He simply knew too little about all involved.

"I, am sorry," he said with a heavy heart, "I have neither the power nor the authority to do so; and I can not recommend a legal representative either. All I can suggest for the time being would be for both of you to lay low an avoid incurring their wrath for now; if you do so perhaps you might avoid such altercations with them," he confessed as he watched their auras for any notable changes. "However, if they are the cause for your attempted escape, I'd suggest airing your grievances to S.H.I.E.L.D; if you request to be transferred to another facility away they might be able to arrange such a thing for the two of you. Surely they would be far more amenable to this request," he offered up, it was the only suggestion he could truly make to the pair.

[shugyosha]

Astrid

"Wake up Connor," she says to the sleeping boy. "Okay, so you are going to have to warn me about that thing that is after me, since you can see him."

When the doors open, she says, "let's go."

[buddy]

Phase Knight:

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Android's Disarm attempt
(1d20+8)[10]

... attempting to grasp Phase Knight's attacking hand, the droid fails, suffering the full extent of the assault!



Inspired:

The heroine races downstairs and finds two downed androids in her lobby, both laying in a pool of blood-red carpeting! She also sees an armored man fighting another "cop" at the entrance to the dining room ....! Concealed from normal vision, the droid doesn't seem to notice Inspired's approach from behind ....



Nova Leo:

Anvil gives Nova Leo a dismissive gesture,

"Yeah, yeah. You hero-types are all the same! Always talkin' 'bout 'well maybe'. Man. I'm hoping for the Vault this time. Anything but Ryker's."

Hammer starts to talk, but the S.H.I.E.L.D. agents close in,

"We need to take them. Please stand-by and we'll be back for your statement in a moment. Alpha units, secure prisoners!"

The armored agents move in and escort the duo towards the transport, but Hammer turns his head towards Nova Leo and shouts,

"The Avengers have gone rotten - and we can prove it! We got sprung to find an old score - some dude hooked into everything - find him and you get the truth! All we had was an address and a name ..... Owlheart!"

The agents push the felons forward into the transport hatch and while three of them enter the craft, the lead agent walks back to Nova Leo. This agent has a heavy amount of intrigue on him and will be engaging,

"I trust what you just heard will be taken with a grain of salt. Those two aren't known for their honesty. For my report, I'll need a name ....?



Astrid:

You exit the train and feel the chilling depth of northern nighttime as the cold crushes against you. Connor begins to flicker again, half substance, half intangible,

"Cold! Wow! Should've remembered my coat. So, where are we going now?"

You find a taxicab outside the front of the terminal and giving the gray-haired driver an address, speed off to the Institute. Connor seems to fiddle his hands a lot during the ride,

"You think I'm okay? I mean - I'll get in, right? It's so country out here - just trees and grass and stuff."

He peers out the window, his hands on the glass, then turns back to Astrid,

"You'll know when that man appears again, because you wont see me! He's evil! Run from him! Okay?"

Connor's expression is a mix of fear and concern ....

[buddy]

Phase Knight & Inspired:

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Droid's DC25 Toughness check
(1d20+8)[28]

The "cop" takes the multiple attacks and while forced back a step, several new wounds revealing its mechanical nature, it resumes its taunt at Phase Knight,

"Is that the very best you can muster, Dr. Owlheart? Your resistance is futile against the Dark."

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PK can speak, but the droid has the next action, after Inspired .....

[Regalus]

Noah breathes a heavy sigh as he felt Leo's gaze heavily upon all gathered, though not nearly as much as his own heart did. He watches silently as the two are boarding the air ship; betraying nothing as the agent walks up to him. "Of course," he turns to face the agent,"They went so far as to fling a truck at officers and civilians; attempting to falsely earn sympathies should not be believed to be beneath them," he calmly stated. "I go by the name the name of Nova Leo; may I know what your name is?" he replied, awaiting his answer or denial before inquiring. "Is it known how these two escaped from their prison, or if others may have followed them out?"

[shugyosha]

Astrid:

You exit the train and feel the chilling depth of northern nighttime as the cold crushes against you. Connor begins to flicker again, half substance, half intangible,

"Cold! Wow! Should've remembered my coat. So, where are we going now?"

You find a taxicab outside the front of the terminal and giving the gray-haired driver an address, speed off to the Institute. Connor seems to fiddle his hands a lot during the ride,

"You think I'm okay? I mean - I'll get in, right? It's so country out here - just trees and grass and stuff."

"Where I come from trees and grass and stuff is a luxury... I'm sure you're going to like it out here," she answered trying to be upbeat about everything.

He peers out the window, his hands on the glass, then turns back to Astrid,

"You'll know when that man appears again, because you wont see me! He's evil! Run from him! Okay?"

Connor's expression is a mix of fear and concern ....

She looked at Connor with concern, You mean the man in the black robe or the burning man? Aren't they the same person?

[buddy]

Nova Leo:

The tall armored figure responds,

"Strategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement & Logistics Division Special Agent Holmes. We're currently working with Ryker's Island officials during the ongoing investigation. Initially, there were reports of four escapees, but the number has been corrected, to only two.

Can you confirm that, Nova Leo?"

Detective Daniels, talking with NYPD officers in the background, glances at Nova Leo ....



Astrid:

Connor shakes his head,

"No. The other man .... I could feel him watching you. He's the one who burnt the priest. I think he likes .... burning things.

The cabbie chimes in, while watching the dark winding road ahead,

"I don't get that many fares this time of night. You two new students at the school?"

[Assurau]

Calculating the best point for full coverage, Alana readies the CIFG. As the stealth mode deactivates from power distribution, CIFG fires its neutralization field.

[Regalus]

Corrected? Noah thought to himself, an odd knot forming in his gut as he spied the Detective anxiously awaiting his return. Noah sighed internally,When I arrived I spotted what I believed to be two figures nearby; though I was not able to get a good look before my assistance was required here in order to safely subdue Hammer and Anvil.

[buddy]

Inspired & Phase Knight:

Droid's DC19 Dodge check;
(1d20+8)[15]

Droid's Nullify check
(1d20+8)[12]

Inspired's Nullify check
(1d20+9)[25]

.... the droid moves for Inspired, then pauses - seemingly frozen in place! Even its terse expression remains, but the automaton now looks like a statue suspended in place ....



Nova Leo:

Agent Holmes eyes the hero,

".... two figures? Other than the apprehended men? Where exactly did you see them? How were they dressed?"

[shugyosha]

Astrid:

Connor shakes his head,

"No. The other man .... I could feel him watching you. He's the one who burnt the priest. I think he likes .... burning things.

"Ohhh..." she whispers worriedly.

The cabbie chimes in, while watching the dark winding road ahead,

"I don't get that many fares this time of night. You two new students at the school?"

"Huh..." Before she answer she raise a conceal field around them. "Yeah, he was invited to see their school."