Edward - Harbinger Edward furrowed his brow when asked to watch over Mikaela's body. The only reason why she would ask for him to look over her body would be that she would not be able to do so. Was this extrasensory perception? Was she Astral projecting? Such a skill, either one would be immensely useful when trying to gain intelligence. Already he had intruded upon her secrets and withheld the myriad of questions that flooded into him. <You can count on me.> Edward placed himself in a position where he could watch both Mikaela and get a good view of anyone coming from the direction of the strange crowds and see a reflection behind him in case of anyone approaching from there. "You can count on me." he says out loud to himself. He felt useless, only able to watch and protect a girl he just met. But then, it seemed she knew that she would be vulnerable, and by protecting her, he was in fact keeping her from a very real harm. While he watched and listened to the 'Network' he let his mind wander over the events and details to see if he could bring to the forefront of his mind any details that they may have missed. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Mikaela Garrett - Psion DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +4 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12 HERO POINTS: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Mental Shields CONDITIONS: None Edward's positivity was a little infectious, and Mikaela found herself laughing at his story. "Right, exactly. It's easy to use force; nuance is more difficult, but usually more useful." Mikaela seemed a little hesitant at Edward's next question, but his apology smooths over any anxiety. She doesn't seem to mind sharing the story, but Edward's keen eyes can tell she's being careful with how she phrases things. "No, it's fine, it's fine. I did have a teacher. My dad found him for me, a little after my talent first manifested. He... made me into who I am now." She says that with a sort of resolve, tinged with some more complicated emotions. She's about to turn the question back to Edward, when Zhou's voice comes across the mental network. Mikaela's expression turns pensive. The fact that Zhou can somehow detect the nuances of the raider's life energy patterns only gives her pause for a moment; it sounded similar to, though different from, the way she could perceive the minds of others. That was very interesting. <An echo...? It could be that the three stronger sources are controlling the echoing ones. I've... seen that sort of thing before. We'll have to be careful until we know for sure if they're combatants, or just civilians with puppet strings.> The idea seems to make Mikaela anxious, but she echoes Edward's sentiment herself, sending a feeling of cautious confidence across the network. Zhou seemed very capable, but that was no reason to be rash. Her demeanor changes a little; she moves from the congeniality she'd had a moment ago, to something much more businesslike. As they neared the building, Mikaela switches primarily to telepathic communication; she does it almost reflexively, though she hopes the others will acclimate. For now, she's itching to get a better idea of what's going on in there; the possibility of the criminals being under mental control seems to have increased her urgency. <I agree; this seems... wrong. Edward, can you keep an eye on me for a second? I'm gonna see if I can't get a better look in there.> As she says this, she's already taking a seat on the sidewalk, legs crossed, back against the building behind her. She places her coffee next to her, then puts her hands on her knees, eyes closed, and takes a deep breath. On the inhale, she focuses, imagining a door in her mind. On the exhale, she releases the tension, opening the door and expelling her mind from her body. Her posture is relaxed, as is her breathing; it's hard to tell what she's just done, but evidently it wasn't terribly difficult for her. <I won't be able to hear you with my actual ears like this; you'll have to use the network to talk to me. If that's still a little tricky, I can still feel, so tap my shoulder and I'll wake up.> She rises, imperceptible to mundane senses, like some kind of phantom. With a thought, she propels her perception through the wall behind her, searching for the galleria Zhou is in. She hopes to be able to use her extrasensory perception to try and aid Zhou's own, and diagnose what's going on with these people. Stealth:1d20

Edward - Harbinger Edward thought more than a few very old and easily translatable words if his tone could be read. <Please be careful, I am looking forward to our sparring session on Thursday and would hate to miss it because you are in the ICU> Edward was already running part of his mind in ways that they could start teamwork-style exercises to help them learn to work together. Sparring was fine, but perhaps they may need to learn how to utilize each other's strengths to accommodate these type of situations in the future. "There is much that is wrong here. The groups are not acting as individuals, the patterns are too uniform, they are acting as one mind or organism." Edward said trying to put together the clues that continued to be presented to him, even those that he was getting both under and over his conscious perception. There are too many unknown factors at play and I don't like the unknown Edward thought perhaps a bit too loudly as they closed the distance to the first building that they could peek around and get a better view of the plan unfolding. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

In the serene valleys of the Shamballa Vale, where ancient wisdom whispered through the rustling leaves, Zhou's journey into the martial arts began. Orphaned by a devastating flood that swept away his family, Zhou found solace and purpose under the wise guidance of Shaoqing, the Resplendent Phoenix. Shaoqing, a master of the Phoenix style, recognized the spark within young Zhou, a potential that could blaze into a force for good. She saw not only a student but a vessel through which the legacy of the Phoenix could endure. Under the lush canopies of the Vale, Shaoqing began Zhou's training. The first lesson was not in strikes or kicks but in the art of breath, the foundation of harnessing one's chi. Zhou, initially lost and grieving, learned to draw strength from the very air around him. Shaoqing's patient teachings unveiled the secrets of internal energy, cultivating a resilience that would serve as the bedrock of his martial prowess. Days turned into weeks, and weeks into years, as Shaoqing introduced Zhou to the Twelve Edicts and Ten Observances of the Resplendent Phoenix. The young disciple embraced discipline, humility, and compassion, the virtues that would shape his character and define his path. As the sun dipped below the horizon, casting long shadows across the training grounds, Shaoqing imparted the physical aspects of the Phoenix style. The dance of flames in his movements, the grace in every stance, and the precision in each strike became second nature to Zhou. The Resplendent Phoenix techniques became a part of his very being. Amidst the fiery dance of the Phoenix style and the subtle movements of the Nine Serpent Style, a quiet moment unfolded between Zhou and Song. In a brief respite, they sat beneath the shade of ancient trees, the leaves whispering tales of shared memories. Zhou, always the protective older brother, couldn't help but feel a twinge of concern for Song's growing attraction to the Nine Serpent teachings. "Song," Zhou began, his voice a gentle murmur amidst the rustling leaves, "Shaoqing teaches us the way of honor and compassion. These are the virtues that make us strong, not just as warriors, but as individuals." Song, a flicker of defiance in her eyes, responded, "Brother, Shaoqing's ways might seem noble, but strength often requires more than just honor. The Nine Serpents offer a different path, a path of pragmatism and resilience." Their words hinted at the diverging paths that lay ahead, a foreshadowing of the rivalry to come. Yet, beneath the surface of disagreement, a bond of mutual love and kindness lingered. Zhou, despite their differences, reached out and gently placed a hand on Song's shoulder. "Song, no matter where our paths lead, we are family," Zhou said, his gaze reflecting the love only siblings could share. "Let us cherish the moments we have together, for the strength of family is a force that transcends any style or teaching." In that quiet moment, the Vale witnessed not only the clash of martial styles but the delicate dance of sibling connection—an interlude of love and understanding amidst the martial symphony orchestrated by Shaoqing, the Resplendent Phoenix. Song, revealing that Sho-ming Xio had shown her another way, a path towards revenge against the man who took their parents, marked the beginning of the divergence. Yet, the grief, loss, and tragedy were countered by the spark of underlying mutual respect, shared memories, and familial love. The Vale, a silent observer, held the echoes of their shared past and the shadows of the destinies that awaited them. One fateful day, a rival emerged from the shadows. Sho-ming Xio, the master of the Nine Serpent Style, challenged Shaoqing to a duel that echoed through the Vale. The clash of styles, the Phoenix's fiery grace against the Serpent's subtle venom, unfolded in a mesmerizing display of martial prowess. Shaoqing, embodying the teachings she had bestowed upon Zhou, triumphed over the Nine Serpent Master. It was a victory not just for her but for the enduring spirit of the Phoenix. However, the duel left scars, both seen and unseen. Zhou, witnessing the clash of titans, understood the fragility of balance in the martial world. Shaoqing, victorious but drained, continued to guide Zhou, preparing him for the challenges yet to come. The Resplendent Phoenix and her last living student stood united, flames flickering in their hearts, ready to face the shadows that threatened to engulf the Vale. In the silent embrace of the Vale, a night unfolded where shadows and destinies intertwined. Shaoqing, the Resplendent Phoenix, stood as the beacon of their martial journey, a guide whose teachings shaped their very essence. The air was pregnant with tension as Zhou returned to the healing house, seeking solace in the aftermath of his master's injuries. She had defeated her rival, Master Sho-ming Xio, but at what cost, the injuries she endured would take months, perhaps years to heal, but the Vale's healers had perfected their craft over centuries, millennia; Shaoqing would heal, the Phoenix would rise. As Zhou entered the healing house, he discovered Song standing over the lifeless body of their injured master. A gasp escaped his lips, and the shadows seemed to recoil in horror at the scene before them. Regret and anger clashed in their eyes as brother and sister confronted the irreversible loss. Song, influenced by the Nine Serpents, had forsaken the teachings of honor and compassion, choosing a path of treachery and revenge. Zhou's heart wavered between mourning Shaoqing's death and the disbelief that his own sister had orchestrated such a heinous act. In the heart of the healing house, the clash erupted—a symphony of grief and betrayal. Song, driven by her newfound allegiance, unleashed the deceptive movements and fang-like chi strikes of the Nine Serpent Style. Zhou, a disciple of the Resplendent Phoenix, fought with the direct lines and efficient movements characteristic of his master's teachings. The battle reached its climax as Song, in a moment of cunning, unleashed a forbidden technique taught by Sho-ming Xio. A chi point strike imbalanced Zhou's chi, forever corrupting it. As Zhou lay defeated and poisoned, the Vale wept in silence. The moon bore witness to the tragic night, and the echoes of their battle lingered in the shadows. The sibling bond, once unbreakable, now shattered by the stain of regret and impending doom, left the Vale with a somber melody—an elegy for what once was. Amidst the sprawling cityscape of Hong Kong, Zhou trailed his twin sister, Tsu Yang Song, the echoes of their shared past resonating in every step. Shaoqing's teachings, now a guiding flame in Zhou's heart, fueled his pursuit of Song, who had strayed from the path of honor and compassion. The airport, a bustling symphony of arrivals and departures, served as the stage for their fateful reunion. Zhou, his heart heavy with the memory of Shaoqing's demise, observed from the shadows as Song, tainted by the Nine Serpent teachings, prepared to board a flight to the United States. The night unfolded, and fate intervened when members of the Tong, entangled in Sho-ming Xio's web of treachery, ambushed her at the rendezvous point. In that chaotic moment, Zhou faced a dilemma that tested the bonds of family and honor. Song, his sister, was his target, the embodiment of the betrayal that shattered their shared ideals. Yet, when the Tong's aggression escalated, Zhou found himself leaping to her defense. The warehouse, bathed in the dim glow of flickering lights, became the arena for the impending clash. Zhou, shrouded in the shadows, watched as eleven attackers, armed with machetes, hatchets, and pistols, closed in on his sister, Tsu Yang Song. The air became charged with tension, the atmosphere thick with the impending storm. As the first assailant lunged forward with a machete, Zhou's training manifested in a whirlwind of rapid movements. His body became a blur as he seamlessly deflected the strikes along the centerline, responding with precise counterattacks that seemed to dance along an invisible axis. The grace and efficiency of his movements bore the unmistakable imprint of the Resplendent Phoenix style, a testament to the disciplined training under Shaoqing. Meanwhile, Tsu Yang Song, with the fluidity of the Nine Serpent Style, embraced a different dance. Circular parries and sweeping arcs characterized her defense, a mesmerizing display of deceptive feints that left her adversaries disoriented. Her movements flowed like a serpent, evading strikes with elusive grace and striking back with calculated precision. The warehouse echoed with the clash of opposing styles—a symphony of Wing Chun's direct efficiency versus the serpentine artistry of the Nine Serpent Style. Machetes and hatchets clashed against the air as Zhou weaved through the assailants, delivering strikes with measured force. His every move seemed purposeful, guided by the teachings of Shaoqing. In contrast, Song's movements, while equally lethal, carried an enigmatic quality, as if she moved to the rhythm of an unseen melody. The pistols, brought into play by some of the attackers, added an explosive element to the confrontation. Zhou, ever vigilant, employed his techniques to redirect bullets along the central line, turning the firearms into ineffective tools in the face of his disciplined defense. The dance of combat continued, a convergence of styles that mirrored the internal conflict within the siblings. Zhou, torn between duty and familial ties, fought with the resolve of a guardian. Song, driven by vengeance and the teachings of the Nine Serpents, countered with a fluidity that spoke of her allegiance to a darker path. As the last echoes of the confrontation subsided, the warehouse bore the marks of the clash—discarded weapons, fallen bodies, and the lingering tension of unresolved conflicts. Zhou, with a heavy heart, stood amidst the aftermath, a solitary figure in the wake of familial discord. Amidst the fallen adversaries and the shadows cast by the warehouse's flickering lights, Tsu Yang Song, her movements still echoing the dance of the Nine Serpent Style, confronted Zhou. In the dimness, her eyes bore a mix of emotions—guilt, hatred, self-loathing, and a resolute determination born from the twisted path she had chosen. "Song," he whispered, reaching out. Her voice cut him off, even as she stepped back, "You're a ghost, Zhou," she uttered, the words carrying the weight of a dark revelation. "I killed you. The poison in your veins, the corruption I unleashed—it's a slow death. A ghost walking among the living." Zhou, standing tall amidst the aftermath, met his sister's gaze. The acknowledgment of his impending demise hung heavily in the air. The bond between siblings, once unbreakable, now strained by the choices each had made. Song's admission revealed the burden she carried—the guilt of betraying her own blood, the knowledge that she had set her brother on a path towards inevitable darkness. The warehouse, witness to the clash of styles and the familial discord, became a silent backdrop for the siblings' confrontation. Zhou, the embodiment of Shaoqing's teachings, faced his sister—the ghost who haunted him, a specter of her former self. The air held a heavy tension, a mixture of regret and the inexorable march towards an uncertain destiny. Song's voice, a haunting echo in the aftermath, lingered in the shadows. "Continue your righteous path, ghost. I'll walk mine." With those words, she turned away, disappearing into the darkness, leaving Zhou alone with the weight of their fractured bond and the knowledge that, in her eyes, he was but a ghost condemned to fade away. The warehouse, now a silent witness to the complexities of family and destiny, stood as a testament to the divergent paths the twin siblings had chosen.

Phoenix Fist, aka Tsu Yang Zhou DODGE: 8 | PARRY: 8 | TOUGHNESS: 6 (12) | FORTITUDE: 8 | WILL: 12 PERCEPTION: +12 | INSIGHT: +12 | HERO POINTS: 1 | CURRENT: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Resplendent Phoenix Stance; Enduring Breath CONDITIONS: None. Zhou focused on the task at hand, seamlessly blending into the shadows as he ventured deeper into the galleria. The psychic network facilitated constant communication with Mikaela and the rest of the team, ensuring real-time updates on the raiders' positions and any potential threats. Guided by the peculiar light patterns, Zhou maneuvered through the displays and cases, maintaining his vigilance toward the raiders and the enigmatic energy sources in the galleria. The Resplendent Phoenix techniques he had mastered granted him unmatched agility, allowing him to move with grace and precision, evading detection as he closed in on the heart of the raiders' operation. As he prepared to confront the unknown challenges ahead, Zhou drew strength from the psychic connection with his companions. The rhythmic echo of life energy became his guide, leading him deeper into the galleria, ready to unravel the mysteries and face the adversaries that lay ahead. <I've infiltrated the galleria. The raiders' life energy patterns are unique, with three strong sources guiding the group. The rest exhibit irregular pulsing, in a rhythmic echo of the stronger source. Proceeding cautiously.> Remaining in a low crouch, Zhou's muscles coiled like a spring, poised to unleash their power in any direction should the raiders become aware of his presence. His training in the Resplendent Phoenix style manifested in every movement, his body a testament to both agility and readiness. With a heightened awareness, he scanned for potential threats from every vector, prepared to respond with the same fluid precision that marked his martial prowess. The galleria, once a quiet space, now echoed with the potential for conflict, and Zhou embraced the tranquility within the storm. Each step carried the weight of Shaoqing's teachings, the resonance of his own training in the Resplendent Phoenix style. As the mysteries of the galleria unraveled before him, Zhou remained a poised force, ready to navigate its currents with the grace and strength befitting the last, living, student of Shaoqing.

ISSUE #01 C-DAY CELEBRATIONS Zhou sailed effortlessly through the opening created by the strange weapon, landing on the debris-strewn interior with barely a whisper. As he pushed his senses outward, he half noted the edges of the hole he had entered through. The edges of the hole were melted into a slick glassy substance that caught the light sifting through the dust and sent the edges glimmering. He stood in the foyer of a galleria of some kind, glass display cases lining the floor, and cases along the walls. As the world fell away, populated by glittering clouds of light, the cases disappeared and he saw the occupants further into the building. What he saw was… odd. Three bright clouds were populated among the back of the galleria, one to each wall away from the hole they had carved through the wall. But for all the rest of the group he had seen enter the building, were pale, their cloud of lights muted and pulsing irregularly, matching the 3 stronger clouds with a delay in almost a call-and-response of life energy. Nellie gave the equivalent of a mental nod across the link. <Go. I'll help here how I can.> The impression of physical effort comes across the link, Nellie running somewhere or lifting something with effort. <Stay safe, girl.> Worry flickers momentarily, before surety comes through and a smile.. <Kick their asses.>

Edward - Harbinger Edward could appreciate that. "A friend once explained something similar to me. When manipulating a quarter with magnetic fields, there was a difference between putting a quarter into a vending machine and putting it through a vending machine, and though through was much easier, into was more useful." It seemed that he managed to find those who had also developed a sense of self-control for one reason or another. Perhaps Mikaela may even one day be counted as a friend. Though, it seemed that she was speaking about herself rather easily. Perhaps she, like him, had to hold people at bay. Letting someone get close what? Scares them? Causes harm? Wierds them out? Causes mistrust. That last one was the one that hurt the most. Friendships break because they do not feel that they can trust you. Edward counted himself lucky that he had Zhou to count as a friend "I can appreciate the need for such training. Were you lucky enough to have a teacher?" Edward had not been that lucky. "I'm sorry, I do not mean to pry, it's just..." I have an unerring need to accrue information and find answers. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Mikaela Garrett - Psion DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +4 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12 HERO POINTS: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Mental Shields CONDITIONS: None "Sure, no problem," Mikaela said. What Edward said next, though, made her pause a moment. In an expression too minute and brief for most anyone to read, except perhaps Edward himself, several emotions warred. Guilt, fear, determination and more. "I-... it takes quite a bit. I didn't used to have that kind of control. You're right; it took a lot of work. But enough practice, and it becomes second nature." She reaches out a hand, palm down, holding her iced coffee with her fingertips. "It's all about depth, is the thing. Reaching out to a mind with a feather-light touch is all it takes to make the connection. For just talking, you don't need depth so much as contact. As you go deeper, you..." She curls her fingers, and the plastic cup starts to dent and deform, disturbing the contents. She lightens her grip. "But when you start- or, when I started, at least, all I knew was pedal to the metal. It took time to learn how to do things properly." It feels strange, talking so openly. She'd discussed some of this with Nellie, but that was about it. Her parents were more concerned with her ability to control her talent, rather discussing the mechanics of it. Once she'd gotten control, they preferred to pretend it didn't exist. She couldn't blame them, of course, but it was almost... refreshing, actually talking about it.

Edward - Harbinger Edward nodded to Mikaela and started jogging over with him. He half expected her to fly away, and company was appreciated while Zhou went in by himself. He was not thinking about his own safety, and he wondered what his Sensei would say. Edward would do what he could to not bring it up, unless it went very very poorly. Edward would need to request that they start training in other areas than just sparring. "Thank you for joining me," Edward said as he paced Mikaela. "I must commend you on your self-control and willpower. I could not imagine how much self-control it must take to be able to create a mental link with a small group of new and random individuals and still respect their mental privacy, you must have trained hard." Let alone if she was able to feel emotions, the constant eddies and whirlpools of emotions in the recent event must have been like waves crashing against the walls of a city. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Mikaela Garrett - Psion DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +4 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12 HERO POINTS: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Mental Shields CONDITIONS: None As the other members of their motley crew started sounding off through their telepathic link, Mikaela felt some tension leave her shoulders. She'd been worried that her intrusion would be met with hostility, but it seemed that the others took it in stride. They, being of the heroic persuasion, probably saw the benefit much as Edward had. As information filtered in, Mikaela sent out some quick replies. She'd gotten everyone's names from Edward, but it felt a little presumptuous to use them without proper introductions. It helped tell everyone's mental voices apart, at least. <Gotcha, big guy. Be careful, shout if you need help. And oh man, super speed? I'm jealous. Yeah, within a mile and we're good. I can push further if we need to, but things get less reliable.> Mikaela looks at Edward as he speaks, and gives a neutral shrug. "Nah, we can jog. Gives them time to sneak around; if things get loud, they'll let us know and we'll hurry over. I can give you a ride if it comes to it, but it might not be the most comfortable option. This way, we'll be mostly there by the time things get interesting." She gives a quick glance to Nellie, and sends her a brief message. <This should be quick. Stay safe, call if you need me. I'll keep the channel open.> As Mikaela jogged with Edward, moving closer to University Boulevard, Zhou's mental missive came through. The young man sounded efficient and professional, almost like she imagined a soldier might. It raised questions about him and his history, but maybe there'd be time to discuss that sort of thing later. <Jeez, melted through the building? This is more serious than I thought. Do you know what building it is? Are they robbing a bank or something? They sound dangerous, be careful-> Wait, did he say going in? This guy was fearless. Mikaela's pace quickened. "Hah, maybe this will get interesting faster than I thought."

Phoenix Fist, aka Tsu Yang Zhou DODGE: 8 | PARRY: 8 | TOUGHNESS: 6 (12) | FORTITUDE: 8 | WILL: 12 PERCEPTION: +12 | INSIGHT: +12 | HERO POINTS: 1 | CURRENT: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Resplendent Phoenix Stance; Enduring Breath CONDITIONS: None. Zhou shielded his eyes from the brilliant flare, the assembled device burning through concrete, steel and stone like a magnifying glass focused the sun's light to burn through rice-paper. He reached out to the thought-weave, <Targets halfway down University, wearing some sort of armor, approximately a dozen. Assembled apparatus, meted through building exterior, unit guarding perimeter, second unit entering interior.> His mouth set in a tight line, Zhou prepared for action, he exhaled slowly, his eyes fluttering closed as he calmed his mind, racing thoughts, questions, doubts all subsided in that moment ... the serenity of action, or purpose. His eyes opened, slowly, he noted the movements of the perimeter guards, trained, competent, not to be underestimated. As instructed by the Hidden Masters, this was an opportunity, a teachable moment, to become like water, pervasive, all encompassing, to adapt to the changing tides of the upcoming confrontation. His legs, coiled beneath him, unwound, like powerful springs, catapulting him across the void, to the facade above the breach, a narrow band of concrete, likely marking the limit of the interior atrium before the stories above. Offices, likely ... The spotters below, moved with military precision, however, they were looking for a response from like-minded individuals, police, military, authorities would, initially, arrive by vehicles, down boulevards and avenues. They had moved to sight lines that would cover those, allowing them to impede or delay the arrival of like-minded, miliary-trained individuals. Zhou was not like minded, confident in his abilities, he alighted, softly, on the outer facade, crouched low and waited, allowing the infiltratin team to enter the building, out of sight. There were three individuals in charges, the ones who had assembled the excavation device, they led the column of raiders now entering the building. Zhou's stomach expanded and contracted as he steadied his breathing, gathering his chi, he could feel it roiling around him, flowing through the tattoo which purified it, which kept the corrupted portion from reaching his heart, from completing it's task from so long ago. He pushed that from his mind, these were not Sho-ming Xio's students, but it did not mean they were unconnected to his insidious plots, and regardless of their intentions, they were the root cause of the current attack on the city, on it's citizens. That could not stand. <Going in.> The column had moved beneath him, entering the building, he leapt, softly, from the facade, into the air, his arms extended, air rushed past him, that exhilarating feeling, that brief moment where he was suspended, the soft momentum of his leap arrested by the forces of gravity, and then the plummet, as he descended his left leg extended, his right leg coiled beneath him, his arms raised, the eddies of the concrete dust seemed to create wings, as the last student of Shaoqing landed with the speed and grace of a Phoenix master. He had chosen entry from this position because it provided him the most cover, the smoke and rubble from the devices excavation of the exterior, and wind pushing the concrete dust in his direction, concealing him, he exhaled, slowly, surveyed the perimeter and then moved in, his weight distributed over the balls of his feet, ready to shift his moment in any direction, eyes half-lidded, as he pushed out, expanding his awareness feeling for the adrenalin-fueled chi of his targets. The interior was unfamiliar to him, the targets an unknown force, armed and equipped with tactical gear, he had to be careful, but he was wrapped in the spirit of his master, and the masters before her. He was ready. Out of Character Zhou will activate his Chi Senses so he can determine the location of the targets despite the presence of interior walls. Then using stealth will move in after them.

Edward - Harbinger Edward "listened" as the others all ran off to get their own view of what was going on. And this wonderful new means of chat was audio only, Edward figured it was for very good reasons, mostly Mikaela's privacy and or her wish for privacy for others if Edward had his guess. Her discipline was exemplary, and he could only imagine that it was on par or better than Xhou's or his own. Perhaps if they had a chance to speak after this incident he could ask. Then there was a bright flash from behind the buildings. Sigh "So it would seem that the others are already on their way over. I am afraid that I do not have a means of quick travel, at least not at the moment. If you wish to jump over there and join the others you may, I will be there as I can, if you do not then I would be happy to have your company while we jog over." Edward said, still not completely willing to trust his ability to speak only to her in the mental chat room and not express his frustration to the others. He could call the Blue Blitz, but by the time it arrived, this may very well already be over. So he mentally prepared himself for a jog. Nothing too exerting, in case he had to fight on the other side. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

ISSUE #01 C-DAY CELEBRATIONS The psychic switchboard activated among the group with very little fuss, a testament to Mikaela's strength and skill. Despite not being a speedster, Zhou quickly found himself in the lead, with his path taking him more or less as the crow flies, or perhaps a phoenix. Quickly maneuvering out of the press of bodies allowed him to gain a fair bit of distance from the others. He watched, concealed for the moment by the angle created by the difference in elevation between him and his quarry. Coming around the corner at subsonic speeds, Jordan slowed to a stop a short distance from the group, just as the group came to a halt about halfway down University Boulevard. As they had the opportunity to examine them in a little more detail, they noticed that the outfits were a little more unusual than they first appeared. Rather than simply cloth, they seemed to be a glossy form-fitting fabric, with portions covered in a hard, almost glass-like substance over the chest, forearms and legs. Each member had a number on their chestpiece and adorning the plate on their left shoulder. The foremost members in the group pause a moment, appearing to confer with one another briefly, before breaking apart and directing a couple different groups to various activities. One separates to begin establishing a perimeter, forcing Jordan to duck away with his enhanced reflexes. As Zhou continued to watch from above, he saw the other two groups begin to unload several containers that some of the members had carried between them. From one container, a couple members handed out a series of devices to their fellows. These people moved quickly and began to spread among the various cars spread up and down the street. The third group began to assemble an item from a couple other containers. Moving with a practiced efficiency, they began constructing some strange device mounted upon a tripod. All too quickly, something even a layman could gather to be a weapon began to take shape. A tripod mount, topped with a long barrel with a strangely forked aperture at one end, all connected to some sort of control array. The three members who seemed to be in charge of the groups gathered around this object and began to operate the control array, adjusting the aim of the thing. A spot of brilliant white energy springs to life, suspended in the center of the aperture. It grows for a few seconds, tendrils of energy lashing out, before it fires. The light is so bright it forces Jordan and Zhou to look away for a second, even as stars and spots dance in their vision. A strange sound accompanied the blinding light. A loud, grinding, crackling noise like broken ceramic thrown across ice. When their vision cleared enough to see again, they saw a single file formation dart forward towards the new entrance in the building face that had appeared. A massive hole, seemingly drilled straight through the facade of the architecture, clouds of rock dust drifting across an opening nearly eight feet across.

Jordan / Relentless DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +12 | FORT: +10 | WILL: +10 HERO POINTS: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Hit 'Em Hard, Never Slow Down, Never Stop CONDITIONS: None Relentless needed a moment to pause and reassess once the worst of the falling debris had stopped coming down. Checking to make sure that the abrupt relocation hadn't been too disorienting to the last civilian he'd helped, he was about to give a reassuring pat on the should when he noticed The Suits. He frowned thoughtfully; the way they were moving relative to the explosions didn't give him "official security personnel" vibes. Looking at how calm they seemed- Further thought on the matter was cut short by voices in his head. He spared a brief glance back toward the people he'd been sitting with, mentally connecting voices to faces. Mikaela, Ed - Nick hadn't chimed in yet - Jordan guessed that the jumping guy was the third voice. Nodding to himself, he takes a more direct route across the park ground. He wouldn't wear this much yellow if he wasn't willing to grab attention, and he'd be surprised if there was anyone who could take a bullet better than him. ...Hopefully they wouldn't have to find out anytime soon. As Relentless moved, he tested his capacity for mental communication. <I'm taking the direct approach. I've got super speed, but so long as I stay within a mile, we're good?> He didn't think he'd have even a quarter of that to go anytime soon, but with a way to communicate that could keep up with him it seemed smart to ask.

Phoenix Fist, aka Tsu Yang Zhou DODGE: 8 | PARRY: 8 | TOUGHNESS: 6 (12) | FORTITUDE: 8 | WILL: 12 PERCEPTION: +12 | INSIGHT: +12 | HERO POINTS: 1 | CURRENT: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Resplendent Phoenix Stance; Enduring Breath CONDITIONS: None. Zhou noticed the ripples in the current, fragmenting the current, causing eddies, predictable in their chaotic nature. He moved towards them, noting a fire escape that led to the roof of a three story tenement. He timed his approach, matching steps to the rhythm of his breath, leapt, grabbing the first rail with one hand, using his forward momentum, he swept his legs up parallel to the rail, vaulting over it to alight, gracefully, on the first landing. On landing he immediately transitioned to a second vault, tucking his legs to keep them from hitting the rails, landing on the top of the stairs to the second landing, before leaping out to the void, grabbing the top of the rail at the bottom of the third landing, allowing his momentum to rotate his legs to a vertical position, feet towards the sky, he released his grip, twisted, and landing on the low wall surrounding the roof of the apartments. He then began to move in the direction of the anomalies, pausing only when he felt a presence push itself towards the surface of his thoughts, interrupting his flow like a stone thrown into a placid pool. He stopped, crouched, looked around apprehensively for the source, before the young woman's voice echoed in his thoughts ... it was ... unnerving, given how much of his training was devoted to the mastery of one's mind, one's thoughts. Still, the voice was recognizable, the young woman from the celebration, he nodded, though non-verbal communication was useless in this, bizarre, medium. <Understood. Group in sight. University Boulevard, progressing north.> The information relayed via the network was curt and Zhou had little desire to elaborate. He was unsure of the intentions of the psychic or of who else was in the network. He had little desire to expose his thoughts to any of them, his thoughts were his, and his alone, and a psychic connection, established without his knowledge, or consent, was something to be wary of. At least until such time as he had the opportunity to determine the thought-weaver's character, her intentions, assuming it was the same one who created the shield were at least, selfless. He continued moving towards the smaller group, he could use the mind-strand to communicate with the others, Edward had urged caution, but if this was Nine Serpent Song, or her Master, it could well be beyond the means of Edward, Zhou, or this mysterious mind-weaver. He vaulted from rooftop to rooftop, clearing alleys, using fire escapes, power lines, and scaffolding to stay above his prey, moving with the practiced ease of an urban acrobat.

PSA that The Tick is on Hulu...

Mikaela Garrett - Psion DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +4 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12 HERO POINTS: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Mental Shields CONDITIONS: None As Mikaela picks up the empathetic vibrations coming off Edward, she feels almost bad about her sour expression. He seemed to be feeling some actual guilt for pushing her to expose her talent like that; she was a little sore about it, but not that sore. She gave him what she hoped was an understanding smile, and shrugged. She followed his lead, speaking physically rather than psychically; the connection allowed any participant to speak privately to her as well as group-wide, but it was a skill that one developed. Let him adjust at his own speed. "Nah, it's fine, it's fine. I feel like we clocked each other as 'special' earlier; I can't blame you for making use of the knowledge in a time of crisis. Like I said, I always figured there'd be a time when I'd have to get flashy in front of people. Now's as good a time as any, given the circumstances." As Edward's telepathic missive went from him, through her, to the rest of the group, Mikaela was mildly impressed by how quickly he'd figured it out. Maybe it wasn't that big a deal; her sample size was herself and Nellie, both of whom had taken a little time to manage to send complete thoughts like that. Mikaela herself had the benefit of being taught how to do so by an expert, which helped speed her along. Maybe a benefit of Edward's analytical mind. Or maybe she'd been a little young when her talent had first manifested. At his question, Mikaela thought a moment, and then shrugged again. "Just Mikaela is fine." She already knew each of their names; it was only fair that she share hers, too. It was kind of him to ask, though; the more she actually talked to Edward, the more she realized he wasn't that bad of a guy. Their initial meeting, and the feeling of his gaze putting her under a microscope, had been alarming and a little invasive. But it seemed that Edward knew that, but didn't have a lot of control over it, and so did his best to let people impose their own boundaries. It spoke to his character.

Edward - Harbinger "Thank you, I am sorry for the intrusion, I appreciate how you are taking it. If it means anything though, in this crowd, your presence is most likely minimal and will most likely only be noticed by our select few" Edward said aloud, before entering the mental "chat room". It was a new experience speaking telepathically. Edward was not sure if he would want this as a full-time thing or not. Already his mind was awash with information, to have the thoughts of others to be added to this chaos was not something he wanted to linger on. Edward was amazed at the control that she must have to be able to create a communication connection without reading their whole mind. He feared what he might inflict upon her should she read his unprepared. <Thank you, as our friendly resident Psychic here has passed along, the patterns are wrong, and it seems that something is going down on University Boulevard. There are a large number of small groups heading in that direction. And as expertly stated, I feel that it would be better that we investigate as a group> "Mikaela, is there a name you would prefer me to use in group chat, or would you be alright with your civilian name be used?" Edward was already known to everyone as Edward, it was easiest to just keep that for the time being, but he was already asking a lot from this woman and wanted to let her keep as many boundaries as she was comfortable with. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

Mikaela Garrett - Psion DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +4 | FORT: +8 | WILL: +12 HERO POINTS: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Mental Shields CONDITIONS: None As Mikaela manifests her barrier above the crowd, she braces both physically and mentally for the falling debris. The plane of force grows rapidly, starting as a pinprick before tessellating outward, cohering into a solid shape right before impact. As the pieces of broken building hit, they send vibrations through the structure. Mikaela feels phantom sympathetic vibrations through her arms down at her sides; holdovers from the mnemonics she uses to focus her powers. As her attention returns to her surroundings, it seems that she was far from the only one who'd sprung into action. Nellie's friend Zhou had apparently seen fit to show the whole crowd his gains in the gym, throwing his hoodie to the ground. She realizes belatedly that he dropped his top just before catapulting himself into the air as though he'd been tied to a rocket, but evidently borne aloft solely by his chiseled musculature. He flies through the air gracefully before landing on top of her construct, his footsteps sending out small vibrations of their own. He then takes off, running across it like it was his own personal highway. The word "highway" was apt, because he was sprinting at what had to be superhuman speeds. Turning to the others nearby, she sees Bat Guy take to the skies as well, using his wings and power over sound to attempt to calm the crowd. The other boy who'd been with him was nowhere to be seen; and she meant nowhere, he disappeared quickly enough that it was a little strange. Once she sees Zhou dismount, an effort of will causes the plane of force to tilt slightly, sending the debris sliding off onto an empty patch of grass. After making sure that there weren't any more falling objects incoming, she dismisses the barrier; it folds inward, becoming a pinprick again before dissolving. Dimly at first, Mikaela becomes aware that Edward is speaking to her. Events had unfolded so quickly, and her mind had been so submerged in the ambient fear and desperation, that she didn't realize at first. But as courage and camaraderie spread throughout the crowd, she felt that strain ease. Which let her feel Edward's trepidation as he said his next words. A flash of fear hit Mikaela; how did he know? Was she that obvious? Luckily, she picked up that hesitance he felt, and that cooled her anxiety. He was stepping out on a ledge too, knew that he was breaching some amount of trust by broaching this topic so hastily. But the situation had likely forced his hand. She remembered what she'd learned about his own abilities; his superhuman ability to analyze his surroundings likely gave him all the clues he needed to figure out she was behind the barrier. He likely knew that she'd been in telepathic contact with Nellie, too, which led him to his request. She looked at him almost dourly. Sure, things were a little dire. But she was still a little childishly sore about her secret being found out. With but a thought, she opens a channel between her mind and his. The feeling isn't painful, but it is likely mildly uncomfortable at first. She's got a heavy hand, or so she's been told. There's a brief, tight pinch in the back of his head as the connection is established. Afterward, her presence can be felt peripherally in his mind. Not obtrusive, but simply present. <I might indeed. You're very clever, aren't you? My name's Mikaela.> The words ring in Edward's mind in Mikaela's own voice, but arrive at great speed; it takes her barely a moment to say the whole thing. <I guess it was a matter of time before I'd have to blow my cover; I had hoped that it would be in front of fewer people, though. Give me a second, and I'll bring the others in.> Scanning about the crowd with her third eye, Mikaela sees the minds of each of Edward's targets, luminous on the astral plane. Nick and Zhou were easy; they weren't exactly hard to find, and well within her range. Jordan was a little more difficult. He'd blended into the crowd so quickly! But he'd only been sitting a few seats away from her; she was pretty confident she was able to recognize his mind telepathically. The same sensation hits each of them, a quick pinch of discomfort before the connection was made, and then a presence in the back of their thoughts. She quickly relays a message to the group, almost as if she's practiced how to explain herself very quickly. <Sorry for the intrusion, but better to ask forgiveness than permission. Hi, friendly neighborhood psychic here, doing a favor for Edward. He saw you dashing young men spring into action, and worked out that I had my own special talent. Wanted me to set up a group chat for all of us. First, some guidelines. I've connected us telepathically, so you can do more than just hear me. You can all speak to each other as well, just by sending thoughts along the astral tethers I've made. Things move at the speed of thought in here, much faster than speech; it can be a little disorienting at first, but ride it out, you'll get used to it. And before you ask, no, I can't read your minds like this; you only send what you intend to. Since it can take some getting used to, I'll get you all up to speed, and you can reply once you figure out how. Edward has discovered, using that big brain of his, that this is all a distraction. Something is going on down that street. Edward might know the name off the top of his head, so I encourage him to share. I can't see it from here, and can't exactly point it out to you like this. Halogen and Orion are otherwise occupied, so we're likely the most suited for the task. Once we make sure everyone is safe, we should go check it out. Together, that is; safety in numbers, and all. Not to mention, my range is only about a mile or so. If you get beyond that range, I have to pick up your mind again before I can reestablish the connection, which can be a real hassle. Any questions?> The words arrive in the minds of each of the others at incredible speed; it takes about ten seconds for Mikaela to transmit what would've taken over two minutes to say aloud. Usually, she wouldn't bombard newbies with this much this quickly, but she trusted them to be able to handle it. She keeps Nellie in the network, but spares her the explanation; she's heard this all before, after all.

Edward - Harbinger Edward watched as the good people of Cape City heard Nick's call and broke free of desperation and fear and began to think again, to help each other, to spread this courage and altruism. It was this last part that put Edward at ease. As people encouraged each other to help people the likelihood of injuries and death from trampling diminished greatly. Edward looked up at Nick in appreciation, the kid did good. With this concern mostly resolved, he could put the crowds out of his foremost thoughts, still keeping them in his perception, but not a part of his active thoughts. Instead, the crowd dressed in dark colors with sunglasses began to take Edward's attention. Edward looked over to the new girl and Nellie. With the new girl standing on the chair, perhaps being the one who summoned the shield, which if she is Edward would need to give her great credit for, that perhaps as much or more than Nick saved many people this day, she was the one with powers and perhaps was the one who fostered the communication between the two. It was a gamble, but he had to take it. "Excuse me, I know that we just met, and I still do not know your name, and I believe that you may be the one sustaining this," Edward waves to the impressive shield, "protection for the people, and you have no reason to listen to me, but perhaps, you might have the ability to speak directly to another's mind? If so, could you contact Zhou, the fast kid Jordan, and the flying bat kid Nick? Let them know that this is a distraction and that something is going on," Edward pointed, "Down that street. Once the people are out of danger, that is where we need to focus our attention. Something is going on down there." Then Edward remembered the most important part. "And perhaps we should go together as there is safety in numbers." He trusted Zhou to wait for him and others, but he had not trained with the others to know how they would move or act. And going off solo was a recipe to be ambushed. Passive Insight 24 - Passive Perception 24 - Passive Investigation 27

The attendees leapt into action remarkably quickly, given their general novelty to actual heroing. Mikaela's field of telekinetic force expanded over the crowd, the blooming of the barrier a thing of beauty if anyone had been in position to actually watch it. At nearly the same time, Zhou exploded into the air, landing gracefully atop the field at almost the same time it unfolded into being beneath his feet. He moved to the edge of the park and cast around, looking for clues. He spotted them just before Edward did, even caught back in the thick of the crowd as he was. Ripples in the pond, but moving in the wrong direction, against the flow of the river. Given the precious seconds needed to process the facts, it couldn't have been plainer if there were a neon sign directing his attention to it. The locations of the explosions, given bridges and streets and their spacing, weren't necessarily meant for damage. However, if one considered the day and the timing, the locations would be better served as distractions, or potentially temporary chokepoints into a particular block of buildings. As he puts this together, he notices two more things. Firstly, as he scoped out the scene, patterns kept changing, blinking, warping faster than they should, something against the so-called chaos of mass panic, which still spilled out in orders. The second thing he noticed was less puzzling, but far more pressingly important. Amidst all the movement and swirl from the press of people, was several groups moving not away from the explosions, but towards them. An action that was not necessarily against the norm, even for the situation, but something in the way they moved tickled something in Edward's brain, the way things normally did when he had a Hunch. Nick rose into the air and called out over the crowd, shaping the sound to carry over a greater distance. The sight of the flying young man gave enough people pause to shake them from the initial stupor of terror and they began to slow. Moving more calmly, some of them even began to slow others and make concentrated movements to exits, and the crowds followed, slowly at first, but the movement began to calm and flow more smoothly as time moved on. Jordan managed to move a few folks out of the way before they were hurt, either by debris not caught by the force field or by being caught in the rush of people. As he maneuvered them into safer positions, he also caught sight of the groups of people moving in towards the explosions. Not counting the group Jordan himself had been a part of, all of the others were dressed the same, dark clothing and glasses. They weren't clustered tightly, but loosely scattered throughout the crowd. As those who had seen them watched, they noticed that the group was moving in a way that pulled them all together towards one location, but it wasn't quite where the explosion had occurred. Instead, it was a bit further down the block, and around a corner as some of the people in the lead began to disappear out of sight.

Edward - Harbinger Edward returned to his office after leaving Julia to her own ends. She had gotten out the worst of the emotional outburst and now was in recovery mode. She was leaving depression and moving toward acceptance. The only thing that he would do now was get in her way. So instead he went to his office and went to his wardrobe. When he opened the doors half of the large cabinet was full of outfits, pre-selected outfits already coordinated to Julia’s standards. She just could not be seen with him in public if he was not presentable, and apparently, color coordination was one of his biggest weaknesses. The other half of the cabinet was a large metal box with a matte finish, Edward placed his hand over a seemingly arbitrary portion of the box and it unsealed itself and a rack slid out. There were places on the rack for his pants, his shirt, his coat, and his tie. Once placed he gave the rack the lightest of touches and it slid into the box to…Well, Edward was not really sure what the box did. What he knew of the box was that what he received at the end of a cycle was clean, mended, pressed, and seemingly like brand new. He had Roger to thank for that as well. Roger was the first to recognize Edward's abilities as something that could be used for “Good” and the two of them spent many nights out in Cape City solving small cases, calling in tips to investigators, and fighting street crime. Thwarting muggings and robberies. Roger though had graduated and went off to work for Unlimitant GoTechnology, or U-Go. Before he left he had given Edward a few gifts, the suit which offered him a measure of protection, the Blue Blitz and its parking space, and a few other odds and ends. As the suit slid into the magic technology box Edward withdrew a nice comfortable PJ set, gray with blue stripes, and set them aside. His office shared a door to the “master” bath with his bedroom. The only thing master about it was that the bathtub was a little larger than the one in the other bathroom and had jets. Edward had yet to utilize these features in the time that he had lived there. Instead, he took a hot shower. He let his mind fall into the sound of the water striking his skin, the tub surface, the frosted glass, and the tile. The constant pressure of the water and heat took part of his brain and placed the mouse in the wheel and let it run, letting him decompress and think about his day. He would have time to think about his day later, but in the shower was the best time to let his mind wander to the events outside of his purposeful actions and thoughts. His mind began to process through the background of his conscious thoughts. The child who broke away from his father and almost ran into the street and was scolded by his mother, the banker who left his office at precisely twelve seventeen every day to get food from a taco truck two blocks down, the bearings on the rear wheel of the bus needed attention and were starting to grind. Information flowed through him and he mentally sorted it into important, not important, and save for later. Edward got out of the shower and toweled off, placed the towel into the towel hamper, Julia’s instance, and went into his office where he put on new undergarments and the set-aside PJs. He then went over to the closet and opened the door. Edward was met with a mass of racks, each set into the closet so as to create a wall of wooden panels. Edward selected one and rolled it out. The board was filled with notes, pictures, string, and push pins. Most of the boards had a picture in the middle of them, this one only had a question mark. There were images of crime scenes, images outside of the crime scenes, images of withered corpses with expressions of terror, a map of Cape City with pins and strings leading to crime scenes, and only a name to place at the center of it all. Koschei. It was only while casing a set of enforcers that he was even able to get a name. But the descriptions that they gave were dead on, so he had no reason to disbelieve. In his research Edward was not able to find much, the man might as well be the Boogieman for all he was able to find out. There was not enough of a pattern in the killings, Edward thought that he had worked one out and even came upon a fresh crime scene, but it was luck not skill that had gotten him there. If you call random phone numbers and answer the call with “Bless You” eventually you will get someone who, well for one will answer an unsolicited call from an unknown number, but will also have just sneezed. But it was just chance. Edward had tried to apply the formula several times since and nothing. Either something changed, or more likely Edward had it wrong. He believed that he had it wrong. But there was a new crime scene to put up on the board. Edward scribbled a few notes about the scene that the pictures did not cover and pinned them to the board with two strings dangling down, one that he pulled up to the question mark and the other to the map of the city and a new pin for the location, but it still seemed arbitrary and random. With so many crimes there was always some overlap. Second Cousins, fathers were business partners, Shopped at the same bridal shop in the same week, Children went to the same school, shared an internship several years ago, dated briefly, had the same SAT scores, went to the same Universities, intermittent fasted on Tuesdays. But these were only arbitrary connections that you could find in any randomly selected slice of society or Jury pool. Nothing that covered all of the victims, nothing that gave them a greater connection that he was able to find so far. So far. That was where he had to leave it. Something would eventually give. Some clue might bring this all together, but not today. Edward slid the board back into its spot in the closet and sat down on his computer. He finished some homework for school, checked Julia’s grades, checked a few message boards and social media sites that tended to inadvertently give information that could be useful, and visited a few bulletin boards that still operated because there were still a few holdouts from the early days of the internet. Nothing new. Edward could not leave it at that tonight. He went back to the wardrobe and opened the magic technology box and withdrew his suit. Fresh, clean and all the seams perfect Edward donned his armor and utility belt and made sure to turn on his ‘off heroing’ light, a lamp with a soft blue glow so that Julia would know he was out if she woke up in the middle of the night. Edward left the apartment and had the Blue Blitz meet him in the back. His first stop was a bodega for a sandwich, a foot-long with all the veggies and bologna. His second stop was after a bit of a search. He had to visit several parks and alleys until he found who he was looking for. They were sitting on a concrete bench in front of a replica of the Fontana Della Barcaccia. The pumps were off for the night so no water flowed through the fountain, but still, there was a serene beauty to the still water, and the ship cut from stone, or more probably concrete. On the bench was a homeless man, one of the invisible faceless masses of the street. Someone that during the day the average citizen of Cape City would let their eyes glance over them pretending that they were not there. Even with the Social Work of Cape City where anyone looking for aid could find a way off the streets, there were some that did not wish to adhere to such structure or follow the rules that governed society, both written and unwritten. And so even in a near utopia, there were still those who were homeless and on the streets by choice. The man wore three jackets and two hats, one woven and one knit. He had gloves that were fingerless, but only because they had been worn through. His skin was weather-toughened but clean, his garments as clean as one who slept on concrete or dirt could be. But he was sitting upright and proud, just admiring the fountain. Edward parked the Blitz and took the hoagie with him and sat down next to the man. “Hello John,” he stated. Edward had never met this particular man, but he had met John before. “Hello Harbinger,” the man said in a formal tone. Roger was not the first to call him this. It was John who was the first to call him Harbinger and the name slowly seeped out and began to stick. And it was not out of line or character and suited him. So Edward embraced the name. “With the fountains off and only the outer pool lights on the ship seems to be almost real,” he stated. “Yes, the work is good, and the replication is nearly perfect. They even included the wear over the centuries.” Edward handed over the hoagie to John as he looked over the fountain. Coins littered the bottom of the fountain, mostly pennies, some foreign coins, and a smattering of quarters. Every week or so the coins are collected and used to help fund a nearby pay-what-you-can restaurant. John accepted the offering and stowed it away. Edward had never seen John eat, but he suspected that his offerings went to other homeless that were in more need. Edward met John a few years back, he had been searching for a ‘runaway’ and had been asking about them with the homeless as they were more likely to have information. Very quickly Edward had noticed that several of the people he talked to had the same mannerisms. Not similar, the same. John was not several homeless people on the street. John was one gestalt mind in the bodies of several homeless people on the street. Just as John had given Edward the name Harbinger, Edward had dubbed this Gestalt ‘John Doe’. This amused the Gestalt and Edward had been calling it John, male or female host, ever since. “You seek information about Koschei?” John asked. “Always, but the boogieman is like trying to capture a shadow.” “There was another murder, East Second and George Washington. The police have already contaminated the crime scene and the bodies have been taken to the morgue.” “I may give it a look, thank you for the information.” John understood Edward better than most, the Gestalt understood what it meant to be fed an overwhelming amount of stimuli and input. They were kindred spirits in their own way. But John was not one mind taking in the information, but several, perhaps hundreds. Edward had not pegged them all down yet, he was not sure he even could if he tried. He did not understand nor get an answer to how the mind grew or accepted another. And he accepted that it was not his to know and let John keep that secret. “The crime scene may have to wait. I have a request for you Harbinger. A child of the streets has gone missing and we fear for her safety. If you could look into it we would be appreciative.” “Rare is it the chance for me to pay you back for your generosity John. Where do I start?” Edward never pressed for information, always allowing John to give but never seeking. There were forces on the streets that could make life worse for those who live there. John was invaluable to Edward though because the homeless were nearly invisible and easily forgotten. Words were spoken around them that would otherwise only be spoken in private. “The child, female in her early teens, brown hair, green eyes, 64 inches tall, claims the name Bradlee, she was last spotted at the entrance of the Fens.” The fens, it was a series of alleys that had a higher than normal disappearing persons rate. But as most of those missing persons were non-persons or homeless it was not on anyone's priority list. It was well known to the homeless to stay away, but it was also a place where drugs were sold, whatever was abducting people were using that as a lure. One of the entrances to the Fens was not far, so Edward set the Blue Blitz to return to home base and he would walk. “Thank you, John, I will take it from here,” he said standing. John had never taken his hand when offered, so without any more ceremony, he stood up and began to make his way to the Fens, eventually finding himself at an entrance to an alley between a Cape City Bank and Billowing Cape Insurance. The street light was out, and Edward was only illuminated by the light of the bank sign. He pulled the domino mask from his jacket's inner pocket and donned it, completing the Harbinger persona, and walked into the darkness.

Nick - Ruckus Nick clapped politely as the professional looking lady stepped out on stage. The Knight name definitely had some weight to it, and the CEO looked like it was weighing heavily on her as she took the mic and started her speech. Since Nick had expected another superhero, he was only half-listening to her, but he definitely perked up when the talk about debt relief came up. That was definitely something to cheer about, and he was swept up in that euphoria. And then he heard it. The deep rumble was coming below them, followed closely by that shudder of something beneath them. The explosions came next, and soon everyone was panicking. Nick stood up, feeling overwhelmed by the amount of people rushing around, not knowing what he should do. It was one thing to stop a mugger when he was doing a bit of vigilante justice in his community, but this was on a whole different level and he didn’t know what he should do. It was that calm voice of Edward’s that finally made him focus. Glancing over at him, he could almost see the gears turning in the man’s face, as he assessed his surroundings in a calculated manner. Nick nodded to show he got the message, unfurling his wings and launching himself into the air, a few strong wingbeats getting him above the crowd. Whirling around, he took a deep breath, his vocal cords already warming up before he shouted, knowing the acoustics of the amphitheater would help his voice carry through the crowds. “Attention Cape City! Stay calm! Orion and Halogen is already on the case! Do your part and stay safe!" A few more flaps of his wings carried him up a little higher, and he tried to scan the area, to see if he could get a better idea on what actually was happening.

Jordan / Relentless DODGE: +8 | PARRY: +8 | TOU: +12 | FORT: +10 | WILL: +10 HERO POINTS: 1 ACTIVE EFFECTS: Hit 'Em Hard, Never Slow Down, Never Stop CONDITIONS: None Jordan nodded at Edward, looking forward to catching up after the show. There were lulls that may have presented openings, if they'd been willing to talk across Nick, but Jordan thought that that'd be a bit much. At the mention of special treats, Jordan wondered what that could mean. Being vague like that was just teasing the audience. Probably the point, actually. Get people excited. At the announcement about student loans, Jordan couldn't help but laugh and nudge Nick with his elbow. While they hadn't discussed student loans earlier, Jordan would be surprised if the Mile High alumni didn't have any. Well, if he hadn't had any. He definitely didn't have any now. Then the ground moved. Jordan's heart pumped and his mind processed at superhuman speeds as he shifted focus to being aware of potential trouble. Relatively speaking, though, it didn't take long for the first of the explosions to grab his focus. He itched to get out, to help, but navigating the crowd, in a way that didn't reveal his powers? One of the girls that Edward had brought with him started making some cool crystal shield thing, and that seemed to be grabbing enough attention- Slipping out of his seat, Jordan stepped into a crouching level where Nick's wings provided decent visual cover from the audience behind them, and blurred into a whirlwind of motion. His costume had been inside jacket pockets, and the costume itself had a sort of integrated backpack for his normal clothes. In a fraction of a second, he became Relentless. That done, Jordan hurried to get into the main aisle, running as quickly as he could to clear it so he could get past the people under the shield so that he could get to the people closer to the blast, and start bringing them to the safety it seemed to provide. Thankfully, sensei's earliest lessons had focused on how to not hurt people with superspeed, so he knew the proper precautions. He didn't want to give anyone whiplash, after all.

Initiative Athletics to Navigate Crowd Athletics to Move Civilians Hopefully I've got things formatted properly. I couldn't remember how to make the dice appear the way Streetrat did.