[Supers] Powers That Be — Legacy Forums

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#41

"Urk!" John could feel the horrible pain in his chest where the bullet had hit him like a sledgehammer. Dropping to one knee from the pain, he raised his gun to aim at his target again. Heaven protect me... Almost imperceptably, an invisible sheath of energy molded itself to John's body, invisible to the naked eye, but in the air there seemed to be an ambient hum.

(OOC: Activating John's power. Not sure if I can fire as well as activate the power since John didn't move...)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#42

The thrum of the bullets barely interrupted the music that seemed to course through Poe's veins.

The vision direction reflecting perfection
The manifesto translates postmortem
Buried alive and left for dead
One step back is two steps ahead

Rise from the ashes and decay
Rise from the prison of your grave
Rise above the standard and the norm
Rise into the eye of the storm

He grinned as he spun the knife in his hand, pointing the blade down.
Now lets see what these spikes can do...
He turned to the thug next to him and hauled back to deliver an cross hook to his jaw.

(OOC...whichever thug will do)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#43

Jader lined up his shot, and managed to splatter the guy with the AK all across the wall before he got another shot off. "THIS IS WHAT YOU GET FOR MESSIN' WITH ME SHITFACE!!!" he screamed in triumph.

John fought against the pain, and snapped off another shot, but he was having trouble concentrating, and the shot went wild.

Maybe I can jump one... Sophia lunged out from cover, looking to tackle the closest one. She wasn't fast enough, however, and he saw her coming in time to get his gun around. It was a fluke shot; he never would have hit her if he'd been trying. But as it was, it was a kill shot. Her momentum carried her forward a few feet before she collapsed, and it was fairly obvious she wasn't going to get up again.

However, in turning to shoot her, he failed to see Mikey coming at him from the other direction, and the priest hit him low. It was enough to knock him off his feet, and Mikey landed on top of him.

Poe wheeled around to the man next to him, catching him hard in the jaw. The man shook his head, stunned, and blood flowed from the deep gashes the spikes left in his face. He looked disoriented for a moment, and Poe was exulting too much to notice the thug behind him point a gun squarely at the back of his head. However, just as he squeezed the trigger, his hand jerked down. The gun still went off, but now it was pointing at the man who was lying on the ground, pinned. The bullet barely missed Father Mikey. The man under him was not so lucky. He had just managed to get his gun pressed to Mikey's side, but his arm fell limp before he could fire.

Anat, meanwhile, was trying to make herself as small as possible. As she dropped the lighter, it seemed for a moment that it produced a small fireball, but it was gone so quickly that she might have imagined it.

Poe half turned when the gun went off behind him. The guy he had hit recovered equilibrium, and moved. Poe twisted back around as he did, but he was too slow. At point blank range, it would have been hard to miss. Poe caught the bullet in his stomach. He swayed for a moment, then fell to the ground and his world went black.

(OOC: The guy with the AK is down, as is the thug Mikey pinned. There are two thugs still standing, the one Poe hit in the face, and the one who somehow managed to shoot his buddy. Sophia's dead; Poe is down, but just unconscious (and will be fine). Mikey is laying flat on the ground, Greg and Anat are safe behind cover. Jader's still behind his pillar, John's still standing out in the open.)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#44

Anatiel thought she saw her lighter flare up when it hit the disgusting floor, or maybe it was the stress of the situation...
She quickly scooped it up and ducked back around the corner to light her cigerette in safety. She peeked back around the corner to see a woman gunned down and then Mikey tackle the punk. Anat almost dropped her cigarette again as she went white, a sharp contrast to the woman's dark blood as it spilled out across the station floor.
"She's not moving...." Anat whispered to herself as she looked out over the chaos. Another man shot at Mikey, and Anat jumped, here eyes wide. She couldn't see him too well past all the legs of the benches and she feared the worst. She hid behind the lockers again rubbing her eyes. Everybody is dying and there's nothing I can do to stop it...
She didn't cry, she never cried... Sobbing never changes a thing, and that's something she learned as a young girl. Yet, she couldn't stop the tears. Crying always made her feel weak.... she had to do something... She looked back around the lockers and scanned the ground for unattended weapons.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#45

Michael felt the bullet whiz by and bury itself into the man beneath him. "Requiescat in pace," he whispered while thanking God's Providence that the priest wasn't the one dead. Mikey looked up just in time to see the punk grimace and faint, a splotch of blood staining his shirt. Lord, let no more die this day than You will, he prayed silently. Releasing the corpse of the man he tackled, Mikey rose and threw his shoulder into the thug that had just fired, hoping to knock the brute down.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#46

Jader watched as the chick charged the punks, and then was horrified when she stopped running and began flying, limply, the rest of the way. Moving his gun a tad to the side he aimed at the guy furthest from the priest, the priest who seemed to be trying his hardest to get himself killed, bouncing around like it was some sort of perverse mosh pit.

Calm Jader, three, two, pull.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#47

John could feel himself growing weaker from blood loss, but he still had enough strength to aim his gun towards the same thug that Jader was firing at. Help me out here Big Man... Bang.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#48

"Pello" he stage whispered. (Assisting the priest in knocking him down.. and perhaps into the other one.)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#49

Screw this, the cops can sort it out. Greg could see an open door only a few feet away from where he was, and it was away from the shooting. He made for it, staying low to the ground, and managed to not get shot. He was lucky, the door opened into a service hallway, and he could see a street door at the end. He broke into a run as he cleared the door. I am out of here.

Jader was three for three; his third shot caught the thug in the neck. His target obligingly toppled backwards. John fired a second later, his shot sailing past the thug as he collapsed. However, it wasn't a total miss; he grazed the other thug's shoulder.

The thug jerked as the bullet hit him, and Father Mikey was already lunging for him, and didn't have time to correct. He wouldn't have hit at all, but at the last moment, he lost his own balance and stumbled, hitting the thug anyway. It wasn't enough to knock the thug over, but it did make him stagger a few steps.

Anat saw a gun that had fallen from one of the gunmen's hands, about ten feet away from her current position. Shaking, she made up her mind, and lunged for it. She got it, and scrambled back behind cover.

The last remaining thug was pissed off; that was fairly obvious. But he wasn't all that stupid, and he had identified Jader as the biggest threat in the room. He was a fairly decent shot, and caught Jader high in the shoulder as he popped out of cover. It really was only a flesh wound, though. He was about to squeeze off a second shot when his head snapped forward violently, and he fell forward, a nasty hole where the back of his head used to be.

(OOC: All thugs are down. Jader is at 7 hp. Anat is now armed, tho there is no longer a threat. Greg is long gone, Poe will be recovering consciousness soon. You are now out of combat, and have about four minutes, game time, before the cops show up.)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#50

Anat looked back around the corner to take aim at the last thug but he crumpled to the ground before she could even raise the handgun. I guess it's for the best... I'm not a killer...probably would have missed anyway... Oh shoot! Anat suddenly realized that she could get pinned for murdering the gunmen or worse... one of the innocent bystanders. She flipped the safety on and went to find the priest. Should I keep it? what if there are more gun-wielding maniacs? There could be one hiding still... my prints are already all over it...

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#51

Michael stood, shaken. He'd been in fights before, he'd even been shot at before, but nothing quite like this all-out brawl. He looked down at the bodies around him: the man he tackled, the other he lunged at, the others who had all tried to take the lives of the others. One of them, a woman, lay lifeless on the hard floor. He took a few steps back, grasping a bench for support. He'd seen death, but all this senselessness? It was almost too much.

There was something else, too: out of the corner of his eye, he swore he saw the red-headed Brit fire a shot at the last thug before disappearing. The same red-headed Brit that had stopped the "Eric" character from throttling Michael. What was he doing here? It was too convienent to be "right place, right time." Did he know that the gang was coming to attack? Had - God forbid - he arranged for the attack to take place? The punk "Eric" was after happened to show up at just before the gang. Perhaps it as a hit. And where was that punk anyway?

Snap out of it, Mike, he thought. It happened, now there's work to do. Shaking his head, Michael reached into his cassock pocket to pull out a small vinyl case. Unzipping it, he removed a folded purple stole, kissed it, and draped it around his neck. Removing a metal water sprinkler from the case, he placed the bag back in his pocket, blessed himself, and began to anoint the bodies with the water. "Requiem aeternam dona eis, Domine," he prayed softly but firmly, "et lux perpetua luceat eis. Requiescant in pace. Amen." The blessing done, Michael quickly stepped over to the unconscious punk.

The priest knelt down and looked over the punk. Blood flowed steadily from his abdomen with no apparent sign of slowing. "Saints Cosmas and Damien, pray for us," he murmured. Tearing a piece of cloth from his cassock sleeve, Michael pressed it onto the wound to try and slow the bleeding.

(OOC: Unskilled First Aid check, I reckon)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#52

Marcus folding his paper, he tucked it under his arm. If it wasn't for all the carnage, you would think he was walking over to the vending machines for a snack.

He moved calmly, deliberately, but without making an exagerated movement.

In a strong, but controlled voice, "Excuse me. You bunch need to listen to me." He makes eye contact, as best he can through his shades, with each and every one of them that is alive. "This was a test, a clumsy one to be sure, but a test. By the standards of the group that set up the "exam", you all just failed. You did not properly manifest. That now makes you a liability to them. You all need to go, and go now, before the professional come and clean up the situation or some other group comes to sweep you up and use you."

He looks to the rest of the crowd. In a voice obviously used to being heard and being listened to. "Some of you might want to leave before it gets really messy in here, or you have to spend all night talking to the police or federals."

He begins to move towards the various "specials", trying to help them up and move them along.

"I was here to observe some of you for another interested party, not interfere. But, I did. And it wasn't enough. Now, you don't have to trust me. You certainly won't like me. None of that matters. Follow me. I will take you someplace safe and try to explain what I can. " He helps up the priest. He helps up Anat. He scoots them towards the service door. He contemplates killing the cameras, but the tapes would be remote from the cameras.. those are what he needs destroyed before they get into the wrong hands. Perhaps a favor from a fellow member.

"Pyros", he says in his best stage voice. He made a grand gesture and smoke appeared around the room. One right under the blinking light of the smoke detector. He started to reach for the fire pull, but thought against it as he walked past and headed for the service door.

Thinking, for benefit of the Tpath, "Stay out of my head Padre. I know you are in here."

He gets out his Blackberry and sends a text to the limo company.

Aside: Washing away the evidence, or at least confusing things. And if I get lucky, water will damage the survalence tapes. I am also texting an airport van/limo company, with a standing account, to come pick us up a couple of blocks from here.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#53

"Exam? Manifest? What the hell are you spouting off about?" Jader asked as he started towards the exit. Looking at the punks for a second Jader stopped, one of the things the man'd just said about "clean up the situation" clicked and he grabbed the AK off the floor and stripped off one of the jackets that the punks were wearing. Wrapping the gun up in the jacket Jader searched the body for any clips that he might've had.

Figures, never did real well on exams. Always tensed up.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#54

"Manifest?" Anat looked toward the man that was adressing the survivors, her expression questioning. She Tucked the gun into the back of her pants waist before anybody could see. Not a very comfortable spot when you're wearing tight jeans. She didn't feel that she could trust this man. When he came over and helped Anatiel to her feet she simply smiled. "Thank you." was all she said to the man but she was just playing polite. Observe? he was observing us? was he stalking me? The man tried to usher her to the service door but she was confused and paranoid. There was the carnage, the bodies, and now this stranger. She looked back at the bus station, The blood pooled upon the tiles of the floor... the dead with their blank stares...

She didn't want to follow the man but where else was she supposed to go? She saw another person gathering up the AK and wrapping it in a jacket. She wondered how many bullets were left in the handgun she had picked up. She was nervous just having it on her. She wanted to check the safety again just to make sure but she didn't want it to be obvious that she had it. The black zipper sweatshirt she had stolen on her way out of her ex's apartment was long enough to keep it concealed. Her head kept swimming as she took another drag from the cigarette. Anatiel watched as Mikey tried to stop the bleeding on one man's stomach wound. Another man had a chest wound and was still standing, though barely. She leaned against the wall I've gotta sober up... just then smoke appeared in the room and the sprinkler system went off. The cold water was shocking and Anat was pretty pissed that her cigerette was ruined. She ran over by Mikey to help him get the unconscious man out of the artificial rain.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#55

"Don't delay. Get him and come along. Now is the time for action. Questions later. Come on."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#56

John looked the man up and down. He seemed legit, insomuch as he seemed confident and sure of himself. "So, how do we know you won't finish the job those thugs started? We don't even know you, and I'm sure the police would look..." he stopped for a second to catch his breath, his bullet wound draining his energy, "...unkindly upon running from the scene of a crime. I don't know about any of the rest of these people, but this is a registered gun, and they'll trace the bullets I fired back to me."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#57

He paused slightly. A slightly puzzled lool crossed his face while he contemplated why anyone would actually use a registered gun in anything other than a totally clean situation. He blinked. "Well then enjoy your time with the police. I do hope that one of the organizations interested in all of you does not decide to pull strings and extend your stay with the police ...indefinitely... or arrange for you to be transfered somewhere and your paperwork lost.. so you can be transfered to "no where" and enjoy their hospitality before the vivisections or brain washing. "

He turns and helps the others down the hall. Over his shoulder, "Oh good luck with all of that." It echoed down the hall. He mumbled to no one in particular, but those around him will hear it, "You can not save everyone, so save those you can." He turns to those who are comming with him "I just hope he gets done with the police before other agencies realize who he is."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#58

Anatiel was frightened and confused and still didn't feel like she could trust this man. Maybe he's insane... she thought to herself as she followed him, not knowing what else to do. "Why would anybody be after us? I didn't kill anybody in the fight, neither did the priest."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#59

"You said you work for an agency yourself. Why don't you pull some strings of your own instead of running away. If your resources are enough to get us out of the way, surely you can handle the police easily enough. The more testimonies we have to say they attacked us first the better."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#60

Father Michael swallowed hard. He felt something he didn't like, something he hadn't felt in a while.

Fear.

Quietly and somewhat clumsily, he replaced the water sprinkler into its case, leaving the stole around his neck. The priest had just seen several people shot and killed in public, that frightened him. He'd been subsequently told that it was all a test by some organization, that scared him. And now that same man apparently knew his "ability" that he himself had only recently discovered. That chilled him to the bone.

"How can we trust you?" Mikey asked quietly. "The- the things you're saying... Do you hear what you're saying?" Michael's throat went dry as he struggled to find the words.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#61

Jader soaked now from the spinklers, hurried out after the man in black, pocketing a clip from the punk's jacket on his way. Trying his best to keep Johnny's package dry he followed behind the girl and the priest, carrying the freak that'd charged the punks with just a knife.

"Hear what Johnny told me kid? No? Well, he said you get this one last chance, you mess it up and you're mine to play with, and I've never much liked you."

"Hey, boss! I gotta make a call when we're outta here. My boss wanted me to take care of a package for him, but it looks like I missed the bus."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#62

The small bunch of people reached the end of the hallway. After carefully checking about, right, left, up at the roofline. Confident that immediate danger is over, he guides the group to the crowded sidewalk among the hubbub and chaos of the fire alarm.

"Come now, we need to catch up with the other one. He is conveniently running in the right direction. In fact, he should need to stop for breath at the little park where we are going to get picked up.

And yes Father, I do hear what I am saying. It is pretty scary. Welcome to the real world. You are no longer in your safe cocoon of ignorance. It is time to change. Have faith Father. The Divine will provide.

And true, you all have no reason to trust me. In fact, you should all remain guarded cautious in your current situation. However, I am here to trying to help. Let us get out of this situation quickly, then we will have time for questions and important decisions. And with some caution, phone calls. After that, you want to stay fine. If you want to leave, also fine... though I recommend against it.

So come along, we have a little walk. "

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#63

Water.
Crushing blackness. No air.
Light. Broken light shimmering from above. Almost blinding.
From below a sickly glow the color of puss and bile.
Everything is cold...empty. The pressure squeezing the breath away...unable to swim, arms restricted somehow.
Got to get away, got to swim to air.
Must do it now!

With a primal scream Poe awoke, throwing off the helping hands that were supporting him. The music continued to pound in his ears...

"My body's made of fire
Black and deep and cold
Burning for the choice I made
So many years ago "

He turned quickly from face to face, trying to gain his bearings.
He could barely see through the black flames that engulfed his eyes. Sweat ran down his face, yet he was sure he was cold.
He saw purple...just a flash of purple. His vision slowly cleared and the face of the old priest came in sharp relief against the night. The girl was there too, but she seemed a bit more sober now.
Good, at least they are alive. He pondered a moment, feeling his side just below his ribcage. Alive?

"Thanks for the help, but I can manage now" he grinned, the flames subsiding from his eyes "so...did I get the guy?" He pulled one of the earphones off so he could hear a response, though he doubted he would be graced with one.
He felt along his belt. Damn, must have dropped the blade...
He looked around again. The priest and the girl he remembered. The quiet guy who looked like he saw as much sunlight as Poe preferred for himself was there. Even the thug who was stalking the shadows was there. The weird surfer was gone, as was the other woman he spotted earlier in the terminal. There was a new face among them too.

"What happened to the others, did they make it? What's going on and where are you taking me, exactly?"

He was unarmed, sweaty, cold, and there was more than just his own blood on him, he was sure of that. He shifted his weight to his back leg, there was no way he was going to be caught off guard again.
"Who are you people anyway?"

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#64

Moving the group along the sidewalk, practically like a tourguide.

I am glad you are back with us. Pay attention now, since you were not doing so earlier. There are people after all of you. We are leaving a danger zone for some relative safety. We don't have time to do 200 questions now. I will answer questions when we get to a safe place. Come along.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#65

Poe looked at the strange man.
Weird ass bastard, wonder where he's from. His English is pretty good, but his mistakes are apparent.
200 questions?

He grinned, looking more like a stray cat than a gargoyle at the moment. He wiped his forehead with the back of his sleeve.

Damn, must've started a fire in there or something, I'm soaked in sweat, blood and I hope the rest is clean water...

"No 200 questions right now, got it. We better get moving then. I'm a bit curious about all this shit." Poe chuckled.
"We need to make a stop real soon though" he said, pulling a soaked pack of clove cigarettes from his pocket "I ain't gettin' too damn far without a smoke..."

Swinging an arm over the shoulders of both the previously inebriated young lady and the old priest Poe let out a slight laugh.
"So, you two still want to carry me?"

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#66

Anatiel looked at the unconscious man that she was helping to drag. He was wet and reeked of blood, not to mention the dissonance that he determined to be music was still pumping through his headphones. They didn't have time to turn it off. Anat still hadn't dried and the dampness of her clothing made her uncomfortable. She never really cared for water. She felt exhausted...
The man at her arm screamed as he came back to consciousness. Anat nearly dropped him as he struggled.
He seemed able to stand on his own for now which was a good thing. She didn't know how much longer she could have carried him; Her damp clothing seemed to be pulling the strength right out of her.
I feel so weak... Anat thought.
"Maybe you can carry me for awhile." She winked at the previously unconscious young man though she tried to hide her feebleness. I cannot show any weakness. If any of these people know what's going on they could take advantage of that. Anat pulled at her shirt, trying to get it to stop clinging to herself. She didn't want to remove the sweatshirt completely for fear of revealing the gun. She knew she would never dry off unless she removed the sweatshirt. She slipped out from the man's arm and bent over to re-tie her shoes, letting the others walk ahead of her.

She stood up and slipped the hoodie off of her shoulders, putting her hands behind her back to pull her hands out of the sleeves. With the gun concealed in the right sleeve and held in her left hand she balled up the sweatshirt and stuffs it under her left arm, thrusting her hands in her pants pockets.
Okay... the gun is still out of sight and I might be able to dry off a bit quicker now She thinks to herself as she falls back in line behind the others.

((check ooc))

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#67

(OOC: Far as I know, John is still back at the station, waiting for the cops to arrive. Did anybody else stay with him? Can't really post anything unless I know who's there.)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#68

"I wouldn't joke so lightly," Mikey said, his brow furrowed. "There was some guy out here in a suit that looked like he wanted to mess you up somethin' good." Michael's southern drawl began to nudge its way it, but he didn't bother trying to cover it up. "Think he said his name was Gary. Then some red-headed Englishman stopped him, and I swear I just saw him running away from here after- after the fight."

He looked over the scene again, running a hand through his hair. What do I do? he thought. Something was definitely going on, the new mystery man seemed to confirm that right away. But again, why trust him? And the police would need a report. But if someone was after this Poe character, maybe he should help. Or maybe he should stay out of the way.

It was too late to choose. The priest found himself carrying the wounded punk and following the small group led by the man who seemed to know all. It seemed almost preordained, uncannily so. Nam et si ambulavero in medio umbrae mortis non timebo mala quoniam tu mecum es virga tua et baculus tuus ipsa me consolata sunt.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#69

Poe chuckled as he straightened his coat and glanced at the girl in the sweatshirt. "Anytime, lady."
He smiled as he looked her up and down. She was cute, but the wet clothes were anything but flattering.

The priest looked worried. Poe assumed he'd never been this close to death before, at least not the cause of it.
His discomfort at the moment was obvious. Let's hope he holds up...

"Let's just get to a safe place quick. Then we can get some questions answered, since this guy seems to know everything" Poe growled "I'm not fond of the idea of a fan club, but I'll handle the suit if he shows back up."
Damn, I wish someone would have grabbed my knife! I hate the idea of being unarmed, especially with this wierdo as a "tour guide"! I think I need another drink...

He picked up the pace. Maybe this guy knows more than I do. One can only hope...

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#70

John gave the priest a steady look as he walked closer to the kneeling programmer. Talking was increasingly becoming more painful, but he managed to get out a, "Not much, I think. Once the police arrive, they'll probably take care of this. I should be fine until then."

He made sure the others were a decent distance away from the station before asking his question. "What's your thoughts about what just happened?"

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#71

The Group

Through sheer force of personality, Marcus managed to herd the group along a few blocks away from the bus station. They ran into Greg on the way, and somehow managed to convince him to join the group. A rented limo was waiting for them, and Marcus muttered an address across town. A short, uneventful and uncomfortable ride later, and a walk of another block deposited them in front of a unremarkable two story house on a quiet residential street. Without ceremony, Marcus unlocked the door and ushered them inside.

It was almost as unremarkable on the inside as on the outside, although there was a fairly expensive looking security alarm panel next to the door, and there was a large desk in one corner of the living room with an extensive computer setup on it.

(OOC: This is the safe house. There is a file with Marcus's name on it on the desk, contents coming in PM soon. The desk has a top of the line computer with T3 connection, laser printer/scanner, and any other nifty and desirable doodads that is reasonable. There is a digital camera lying next to it, but it's turned off. There is also a charging station for assorted personal electronics. On the other side of living room is a television with cable and a dvd player. There is also a mid-size well stocked kitchen, and a dining room. On the second floor there are four bedrooms with two sets of bunk beds in each. If you have any questions about the layout or facilities, feel free to ask.)

John

A few minutes after the rest of the group left, John heard a siren drawing close to the bus terminal. He was really the only one still there, everyone else had either run from the shooting or had vacated once it was all over. A uniformed officer cautiously entered, his gun out. "Hands where I can see 'em!" he barked at John. He produced a radio. "One suspect on the premises, requesting backup."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#72

Anat resisted the urge to fiddle with the various electronics in the room. She always liked playing with technology, even if she didn't understand it at times. Leaning against the wall with her damp sweatshirt under her arm, Anat clicked her lighter absentmindedly. The place seemed a few windows shy of being normal and was quite plain. She half expected Marcus to put on a fancy hat and start ushering them around on a tour.

Anatiel wasn't feeling superb at the moment. She was still drained from the dampness of her clothing and could feel the encroaching hangover knocking at her brain. She ceased clicking her lighter and rubbed her forehead. I hope this place has a nice stash of aspirin.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#73

Jader followed along, barely noticing the stinging in his side. Gotta call Johnny, but how am I gonna get outta this mess with shooting people and not getting his package to his buyer? Dammit, why can't none of this stuff ever be easy?

In the front door, and down the hall. "Hey, guy, you got any coffee? Cokes maybe? I'm starting to get the twitches from not havin' some," Jader yelled as he made his way towards the fridge. Looking in he saw just what he needed, one beautiful can of Mountain Dew. Going over to the table he sat his package down, and actually looked at his side.

DAMN

"Or maybe I can forget about the twitches for a little bit, and someone can tell me where the first aide kit for this joint is."

Skip ahead 15 minutes. A patch job and shirt change later.

Sipping on his drink and looking around the living room Jader was starting to feel better about the evening. His eyes finally lighted on the phone and his short lived contentedness came crashing back down. "Marcus, I'm borrowing your phone now."

555-3468

*ring, ring*

"Yo, who's it?"
"Steve? It's Jader, I need to speak to Johnny."
"About what? Wait, you're supposed to be on a bus right now, Johnny's gonna be pissed."
"Just get him."

Jader sat down, his entire body speaking of discomfort, and the cogs in his brain burning out trying to think of what to do.

"What, Jader?"
"There was a gunfight at the terminal boss, before my bus got there, and I ran after it cause I could hear the sirens boss."
"WHAT?!"
"I've still got your package, boss. It's just I'm not gonna deliver it, I'm pretty sure the cameras got a good look at my face, with a gun, and I don't really feel like doing anything that might get me busted so soon."
"Fine, but Jader. I'd warned you before this, this was your last chance and you blew it. You get me that package and you'll come outta this alright, but if I don't see it in the next 12 hours, well, let's just say you might not like what happens."

*click*

Jader went and sat the phone down before he did anything stupid with it. "I think I've got a problem."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#74

John placed his gun on the floor of the terminal, knowing the police would want him unarmed. He smiled slightly and raised his hands to show the lone cop they were empty. "Sorry officer, I can't raise them any higher than this. Chest wounds are horrible about that sort of thing."

Well, it's a good thing those thugs were quite obviously in the wrong. Assault weapon bans have been in place for years. I never like'em, but for once they actually came in handy. I just hope they can get this bullet out of me before I drop...

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#75

Michael paced in the dining room. He was worried, to make an understatement. Too many strange, bizzare things happening all at once. What did it all mean? What was God's will for him in all this?

The priest had paced so much, a cramp formed in his leg. He sighed. Must be a sign, he thought. I'm trying to do too much about something I can't yet do anything about. He pulled one of the chairs out from under the table and sat, stretching out his leg. Exhausted, he didn't dare try to sleep. For one, it would be impossible with the stress he was feeling. And then the accursed question: What would happen while he slept? It wasn't something he was ready to find out.

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#76

"Jesus, what a mess." The cop glanced around at the thugs sprawled on the ground. "What the hell's been going on here?" Then he looked up and apparently noticed the large bloodstain across John's shirt. "Ye gods, what the hell happened to you?!" He cautiously approached. "Yah, that can't be comfortable."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#77

Marcus returned to his charges after a quick survey of the house. Security system and what few wards were intact to the best of his ability to check. No bugs either, which he found suprising. The windows were all appropriately closed. One of the upper guestrooms had another lost lamb which had been deposited there. The house was much as he remembered it: bland, generic, and easily replaced. He called in an order to two local delivery places, one for groceries and one for several pizzas.

He had taken the clippings he had recieved and made a copies from the back office scanner. He had put the one about Poe in a small envelope and folded it to a small pocket size. The other he had made three copies of, once source listings were deleted.

"I am sorry, I am being an ungracious host. Please feel free to refresh yourself. There is some food and drink in the Kitchen. More is on its way. If the doorbell rings, if you could make yourself scarce until the initial troubles are over, so I can answer it. You can make phone calls out, but I need to dial in an access code... so I can get charged for it. (Not true, but they don't know that..) Phone calls in are somewhat problamatic, but I can make arrangements. Oh, I am sorry. The first aid kit is in the downstairs bathroom. Now we have one more lost lamb upstairs. If we could keep this down to a dull roar, I think he would appreciate it. "

"When you are all ready, I can begin to field some questions you might have."

After some initial bits of prep.

"Lets get the initial ones out of the way. My name is Marcus. I work for an organization that is currently invested in the status quo, but is normally interested in the Advancement of Humanity and Society.

Each of you has been "tapped" in some way by one specific organization, though I am investigating the possibly that other organizations are tapped you. Being tapped by them, you have been modified by a variety of means to possess paranormal abilities. You may not remember being altered, they are good at memory modification. As for the "powers", if you don't have them now, you will manifest them soon enough. Yes the craziness you have been living does have a cause and you are not, specifically, insane.

One of the other organizations seeing that you were "in the open" arranged for you to be tested. Given their criteria, you all failed - no active combat power manifested. So you are no use to them at the moment. And rather than let you become a tool for another group, they will ensure that you are deleted.

Yes, that means what you think it means.

The group that tapped you, now realizing that you have been compromised, will either try to forcibly retreave you or remove you from the game, possibly deleting you.

You might notice the words secret and organization being bandied about. A lot. Yes there are a lot of "air quotes" secret "air quotes" organizations involved in all this. You can call them secret societies, cabals, or espionage cells. The differences are immaterial. These organizations function best if the general public is underaware of their existance. They are all about furthering their various agendas, some of which have spanned centuries, and utilizing any appropriate means to do so. They also have access to knowledge, techniques, and technology that are not normally available, and in some cases supposed not to exist. Yes, like magic for instance. However, Clarkes laws apply.

Now some of the specifics for each of you might be different. I am still researching, but this is what I have.

For the moment, we have to see what assets are in play in the search for you. That will determine next moves.

Now I have put myself on the line here for all of you. I have gone far, far beyond what I should of done. I just... I just did not want to see you all get killed for pointless reasons.

"Oh here", hands a folded envelope to Poe, "Put this in your back pocket. If something happens to me, you will need this."

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#78

Taking the envelope, Poe turned it over slowly in his hands.
"And just because you spouted some conspiracy theory crap we're supposed to believe you, right?"
Not sure exactly what to do with it, he folded the envelope and tucked it down the front of his pants.
With the way I look, it'll be safest there...
He turned, took two steps towards a chair, and turned back to face Marcus.
"If you really think that sitting in a room somewhere, after what just happened, is gonna make me feel safe...and you with all this secret society shit..." he growled, running his hands through his hair in frustration.
This is bad! And that chick said the suits were after me...damn! I knew I shoulda caught the damn bus...
Poe balled up his fists. He hated not knowing what was going on. This day was turning out to be a bad one, and the sun wasn't even up yet. He walked over to the sofa and hopped up onto it, perching on the arm.
"So answer this, Mister Know-it-all...why were those suits after me? Am I some sorta "altered, memory-modified, paranormal" freak, or just your average garden variety type?"

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#79

"Yeah, sorry if..I'm not quite up to...explaining things. I think...what you see...is about what you get. Remind me to..tell you...later..." Gunshot wound having finally causing enough blood loss to force unconsciousness, John's eyes slide closed and he falls over onto his side.

(OOC: Moon wound probably give a better description of the results, but I believe unconsciousness is a normal effect of bullets to the chest. It also saves money on pixels to be displayed as John tries to explain the situation with the cops, since he'd be gasping for air almost continually.)

Re: [Supers] Powers That Be

#80

Anatiel rubbed her forehead. All of this was too confusing to her and she didn't know what question to ask first so she settled for one. As she walked into the kitchen for a glass of water Anat called over her shoulder. "Where do you keep the aspirin?"