Welcome to Jonesville

GM to the guys on board the Thunderwing:

As the aircraft's turbine engines spin up, you feel a slight vibration, within minutes you're rolling towards the end of the runway, and lifting off into the crisp early evening sky. Izzy backs a hard left, and the Thunderwing gentle rolls to one side as you begin your turn toward the west. Within minutes Empire City's evening skyline begins to fade into the distance behind you, as the dark green of the countryside rolls under your wings.

Less than thirty minutes later, you feel the aircraft begin to slow. Your ears pop from the pressure as you begin to make your descent. Izzy comes across the PA.

"If you look out the port side windows, Jonesvilles just below us. I'm going to make a slow approach, and see if I can find some place to put us down."

As you peer out your windows, you can begin to the outline of the town in the distance, and it rapidly becomes clearer as Izzy glides the Thunderhawk into a controlled hover a few miles outside of town.

Jonesville



Actions?

Power Chord, the last message from Skyhawk was the ECU team was missing and he was going to talk with the Police.

All we know is communications has been cut off. Has BSI recieved word from Skyhawk he was in danger?

I would recommend having Rampart and Thunderbolt look for Achilles.

Power Chord and BSI meet with the Police.

Diesel and myself monitor the situation from here.

My thoughts but your call, Power Chord

Rampart smiles at the operational efficiency of the Machinist suggestions regarding personnel assignments.  He's keeping the two unknown assets together, trying to retrieve Skyhawk's portable AI, thus leaving the team leader and the BSI to deal with the authorities. Who says you can't make paranoia work for you?

"I agree. It's a good plan." Checking with the SAP  "Izzy ... Any chance of popping the can for a LALO (low altitude low opening) drop?"

Looking over at his younger wingman to be. "Skyhawk has a flight capable AI. Time to put those electromagnetic powers to good use flyboy."

"Agreed, sounds like a plan.  Rampart and Thunderbolt, if you would, take a look from above.  The Machinist and Diesel, see if you can identify what is causing this interference.  Agent Woo if you will join me, we can make contact with local law enforcement."

Thunderbolt moves to the door to the passenger cabin buttoning up his duster under his cloak, no gun in his shoulder holster feels... odd, but no point in not buttoning up without his gun on him. 

{More trouble to explain to BSI my possession of a unlicensed, unregistered firearm with no serial numbers or makers stamps.  But I still miss having it as an option... nothing for it but to go in and hope I got what it takes... 'unarmed'.  Should be a routine search... but routine for metas rarely is routine!}

He secures his katana over his shoulder buckling it back to his duster's clasps...

Thunderbolt pulls out a PDA to gesture with in reply to Rampart, "I know where it is... have the location on google maps saved to the memory.  Its not exact but its as close as the newscasts provided.  I was planning on going in and investigating it myself.  Meteoric nickle/iron could be very useful in some... magnetic and materials experiments I was planning on."

Calling forward, "Ready whenever you are to pop this can Izzy... let's do this!"

"Sorry Rampart, its the best I got.  But if Machinist has a better info and a flash drive to upload it to my PDA... I'm more than willing to use it. I was not expecting to be under a time issue to locate it... maybe my Radar/Magnetic EM senses might allow me to pin-pint it a little quicker... but i'm not betting on it.  Though... I might be able to locate the center of all this EM static communication interference."

Thunderbolt turns to look at Machinist an eyebrow raised.

"Really?  Well their in for a shock, I do not work for them.  I'll work with them but if I think something needs investigating... I'm going to do it!  I do my best to stay out of the way of our boys in blue in the ECPD and not mess up their crime scenes so they can properly gather evidence to prosecute the guilty - cause they know their jobs.  But if it involves metas or other weirdness the PD just isn't equipped or trained to deal with... I'll be there to lend a hand... and protect the innocent from harm weather BSI likes it or not!"

Looking over to Rampart, "We ready to get in the air and find this Achilles?  Finding Skyhawk should take precedence and if we can get some answers on the meteors and what not we can do that as a secondary bonus."

GM to Skyhawk:

As you go about town, Achilles reports that he's picking up a faint, single, not far from town. It appears to be some sort of beacon broadcasting on a BSI locator signal. He can't quite pinpoint it, but he's got the general area.

Actions?

Keith makes his way to the time clock. He fumbles punching his card.
"Ms. Fitzpatrick"says, "May I get a new time card? Mine is fubar'ed" He shrugs sheepishly as he moves around the counter

Rampart shakes his head at the dramatic diatribe and theatric exit of the overly enthusiastic young hero, Whoa a few too many vigilante rationalizations there. The kid sounds like he might use a few lessons on working with the authorities. A couple years at the Blue Zoo could teach him how to work with the system, not just outside it … he’s doing a nice job on the landing zone so far though.

A small warm smile as he looks back at the others preparing for their roles. It’s obvious they have worked together before, and developed a bond of trust along the way. With the high-tech communications on the fritz, Rampart decides maybe it’s time to take a page out of his academy survival training and apply an old school solution to the ancient issue of a missing soldier on the battlefield.

“Izzy, hope you don’t mind, I’m going to borrow a little something out of your survival locker.” Grabbing what he needs and re-securing the storage trunk, Rampart slips from the craft, departing like an air-to-air missile. Saluting Izzy as he passes over the nose of the Thunderwing, the blue, white, and red aviator flies higher into the air engaging his visor’s telescopic abilities. Where are you Achilles?

Using the hands free function of the comm-gear the Machinist had installed earlier Rampart periodically checks in with the Thunderwing  with the idea of helping the gadgetter determine how to cut through whatever is interfering with the communication signals. “skkk***Ramp*** to Po*** Chord … Mr. ***th’s ride might be pretty *** she’s about as sub*** as Jim McMahon in train*** camp. Let’s *** if we can bring Sky***k to us. ***skkk”

*Pfssst*

Lighting one of the two signal flares he had ‘borrowed’ from the survival gear, Rampart's flight pattern weaves and loops, all in plain sight of anyone on a street in Jonesville. I can’t imagine he missed a bird like the Thunderwing doing a flyby over the town like we did, but if Skyhawk is outdoors there’s not much of a chance he can miss this. The one-time F-16 pilot finishes his flight pattern as the first flare eventually sputters. Looking back he smiles at the sky writing he had just finished. In a smokey haze, written across the tapestry of a clear blue sky.

S k y h a w k

GM to the group on the T-Wing:

As Rampart and T-Bolt busily go about their business, Izzy rolls her eyes at their display, while skillfully manipulating the controls, and setting the Thunderwing down as gently as a mother places her child down for a nap. She then begins to shutdown the aircraft’s engines, while shooting off coded transmission to BSI, informing them of the group’s safe arrival in Jonesville, but seems confused by her inability to successfully transmit the message.

"Hmmm...That’s strange, she mutters to herself. The tech's just ran a full system's diagnostic on the comm systems a few hours ago."

After a few more unsuccessful attempts, she informs the remaining passengers, that she's picking up a lot of atmospheric interference, and it looks like they're not going to be able to talk to anyone until things clear up.

“Can you guys look around the area? I’m picking up a BSI homing beacon not to far from here. One of the research team that came out here was actually a plant. He works for us, and as a safety precaution, we “low jacked” him with a tracking beacon.”

Actions?

Skyhawk flies in the direction of the message written in the air.

Diesel grabs his hammer, let's out a small flame and puff of smoke to check the flamethrower, looks up and says "Let's go. If something is jamming transmission instead of just atmospheric disturbance, they probably don't want us there."

"I'd planned on contacting local law enforcement with agent Woo, but it appears our companions have found something.  Hopefully Skyhawk will join us, I say let's investigate the beacon.  Would you care for a lift?  I'm not sure I can handle Diesel... perhaps Rampart or T-bolt can assist?", he says this last into his communicator.

"If you can get us there quicker than walking, let's bring machinist too and then we can go."

  I'm *** sure I *** handle Diesel... perhaps Ramp*** or T-bolt can ***ist?", he says this last into his communicator.


  Activating the comm-gear Machinist had built into his visor, "skkk*** Comms still seems spotty ***er Chord, if you're receiving this it sounds like young Thun***bolt has the big guy co***ed PC. If you don't mind I'd like to light an***er flare and keep an eye out for Sky*awk and Achilles. He's *** reason we're here, *** there's no where in this county *** two of us can't catch up in a flash af*** he shows up. ***skkk"

"No Problem."

Thunderbolt gestures magnetically seizing hold of the metal snaps, metallic belts and securing buckles on his costume lifting Machinist - ... but raises an eyebrow at how much heavier Machinist is than Diesel.

However he makes no comment.  Levitating Diesel and Machinist with him to a height of about 20'ft to within 10'ft of himself.

Turning to Power Chord - , "Ready to go when you are."

Pulling out his PDA with the GPS active...

"Just give me a heading Machinist - , on that beacon..."

Then realizing his GPS is not getting signal clearly he grimaces, "Er... perhaps pointing a direction will work better..."

Looking down at Izzy - "Hey Izzy hold down our ride... button her up and sit tight.  If you get in trouble and need help use a flaregun to draw our attention... radio is spotty at best.  Clear Skies!!"

[Magnetic Carrying Capacity: 420lbs out of 1,700lbs; PR Spent: 5 {63 / 58}]

Hearing Power Chord's voice in his ear Rampart turns, refocusing his telescopic vision and faces toward the cloaked charismatic figure close to the Thunderwing. Picking up the intent of the message. Pointing to the slowly fading sky writing, "skkk*** Sho***n't we give Sky***k a few mi***es to find us? ***skkk"

Thunderbolt pauses looking away toward Jonesville.

"Uhm, hang on Power Chord... I think.. something's approaching. I'm getting an... intermittent return from something in the air... I think.  Its coming in just above the trees... could be a big bird... but its moving too fast."

Thunderbolt rises in the air to peer in the direction of Jonesville trying to locate with his eyes what his radar sense is sporadically picking up.

He electrifies his body and raises a magnetic field around himself to deflect any snipe attempts if their actually is a threat approaching.

With a causal gesture he lowers Diesel - and Machinist - to just about 1'ft off the ground near the tree cover... ready to release them should combat start giving them a chance to get under cover from any incoming fire he might draw.

A nimbus of crackling lightning arcs about the young meta and the air begins to smell faintly of ozone.  His white metal mesh cloak and similarly metal meshed maroon duster both begin to rustle as if buffeted by a whirlwind... a magnetic wind that none save the hovering Thunderbolt seems to be affected by.   Flexing his will he mentally tightens the magnetic lines of force around him into a protective field ready for defense...

[ Ready Electrify Body - As Defense, Ready Magnetic Control - As Defense {PR Spent: 1 'if deflect incoming attack' } ]

[ooc: TB might sense Achilles.. but its basically a mechanical bird to his senses it would still be bird-sized and easily confused with other birds likely in the area.  He might miss the fact that Achilles is moving just as fast as the larger target - which will have to be much closer before TB can get the target's general shape as being man-shaped.  I'm pretty sure the trees would make his senses fuzzy at best but trees do not fly either and he was already in the air near treetop level at 20'ft altitude. 11 mile range - LoS basically, is pretty far!]

"Well, I could do that Machinist, but I'm not sure if what I'm sensing is friendly or hostile.  If its friendly than its no biggie and we continue on or way... but if its hostile I'd rather have team backup."

"Consider this... I can tell its smaller than a airplane and bigger than a bird but its faster than a car and flying... what's that bring to mind? 
A drone, a flying meta or a missile?  Thunderwing is on the ground... with Izzy inside a sitting duck of a target if its hostile.  I'd really like backup... but I'll set you down if that's what you wish... it would only take a moment for me to drop you IF it IS hostile and we need to fight.  But I'd rather not waste the endurance to pick you up again if its not hostile."

[ Observation check please, Detect Danger check please ]

[OOC: LOL! The Mean Streets! Mafia wise-guys running protection shake-down rackets neighborhood wide.  Yakuza enforcers, Tong Golden Dragon thugs, and Colombian cartel pushers all battling it out for their piece of the action.  Gang-bangers and hopped-up cocaine cowboys with too many guns and too little brains looking for a quick score so they can afford their next fix...! Yeah... a Warzone.]

Thunderbolt wrote on Sep 27^th, 2012 at 11:01pm:

"Well if it comes to that, put me down and I'll fire up the old flamethrower to draw any heat seekers away."
"What am I saying? Ah well, you don't build a suit of armor to fix trucks better, now did you?" Diesel thinks to himself.

Shawn ponders the situation and his thoughts fired by his electric powers move again at accelerated pace...

Activating his Comm-Link with the team...

"Ok.  I'm putting you two down but not releasing hold of you... but I don't need to arrest your movement doing that and can pick you up again with but a thought."

"Izzy - , Read you loud and clear... there is a unidentified target approaching, gonna hold position to find out if its hostile...do what you can with Thunderwing's systems... maybe Machinist can give a hand... if he's willing."

Gesturing Thunderbolt gently settle machinist to the ground but his buckles and metal accoutrements on his costume continue to rattle nervously as the magnetic field is still around him... within Thunderbolt's control ready to pick him up again with but a thought...

"Machinist - , there is a unidentified target approaching rapidly.  Not sure if its hostile so I'm holding position until we know for sure.  But with our electronics going down - we will need those maps Izzy's got, if your willing to go retrieve them... maybe you can find out if there is something wrong with the T-Wing?"

Turning his gaze Diesel's way - the powered armor floats gently toward a small tree to the right flank of the Thunderwing and he settles to the ground.  Though, the powered armor shudders occasionally as the magnetic field still surrounds him but exerts no force to move or hinder his own movement...

"Diesel - , I'm going to set you down near Thunderwing's flank near that small tree ready your flamethrower on it to light it up... not yourself so its the target if our closing target is a heat seeking missile.  But don't light it yet!!!  The target may not be hostile.  That tree is far enough away from the other trees that if we're careful it won't start a brush or forest fire."

Looking up at Rampart - far above, "Rampart, unknown target approaching. Some high-guard air cover would be nice if you can hear me...?"

Turning to look toward Power Chord - "Power Chord there is an unidentified target approaching not sure if its hostile or what.  Think you can put one of those cool force fields around the Thunderwing to protect Izzy and the T-Wing if the target is hostile?  We may need those maps Izzy's talking about with our electronics going down.  Maybe Agent Woo could retrieve them or Machinist?  I'm planning on getting a little altitude - some 50'ft higher to draw fire and get a better view of the approaching target unless you got a better plan?"

OOC:  Ok Dom, everyone parse as you think is cool or appropriate what Thunderbolt has said.  Some are nearby and may still hear his voice.

EDIT: LOL. Yeah sorry, I meant you can hear or not hear what make sense or seems cool in your opinion from what he said "parsing" through words heard or not heard as fits your take on Thunderbolt's last post.

Since the comms are not reliable any more.   The same thing was done before by Rampart in one of his posts.  He heard some of what was said but not everything clearly.

Like this...

Ranger wrote on Sep 15^th, 2012 at 10:36pm:


That make it clearer?

Thunderbolt watches Machinist - walk off, on his own, without a word. 
He looks over to Power Chord - and shrugs waiting for his directions.

GM to the group at the T-wing. - It's going to take you guys about 5 minutes or so to walk to the area where the signal is coming from. One thing all of you find strange is that with all of this atmospheric interference, that somehow this one signal manages to continue to broadcast without problems.

While en route you all catch a glimpse of Skyhawk and Achilles flying in your general direction, and he spots you all as well. You motion for him to land in the area near the signal. The area is heavily wooded, with trees in every direction, but as far as you can tell, there's really not much else. There's a small clearing, that's large enough for all of you to congregate in and figure out what's been going on.

Actions?

Seems like a trap.

And they say I am the paranoid one. It could be that the beacon is on a totally different frequency so it isn't being affected.

But I agree with you this is very strange. Would you check the Beacon to see if it has been tampered with?

Diesel will you give me a hand with scanning the area?

Skyhawk have you noticed anything that would suggest what is going on here?

Power Chord, I will try scanning again but this is beginning to seem to be your area of speciality. Do you have any kind of spell which could tell us what happened here?

The Machinist would continue to scan. He will change frequencies, wave lengths, spectrums and anything else to try to figure out what is going on.

OOC: Roll for Detect Hidden please.

Rampart watches a figure matching the description in the BSI files fly in from the direction of Jonesville. Waving a greeting as he passes by, Jason decides to maintain an aerial overwatch as the Protectors gather together and make their way toward a wooded area. Using a combination of the comm-link for what it's worth and basic hand signals, Rampart informs Machinist he will be keeping an eye from up above.

Carefully surveying the area surrounding the woods, Rampart switches back and forth between his standard and night vision attempting to spot anything unusual. Maintaining an aerial position approximately a half mile above the heroes below the man from another time continues to observe the area and approaches through the air and on foot to provide the Protectors with early warning of any potential bogies. All the while thinking of back to the day, his last day as a normal man. (to be continued in Jason Rollins Journal)

GM to Stalker:

Craig manages to track the unmarked car through a restricted ECPD database. It's assigned to the MCU, and currently signed out to Det. Nathan Jones. From what he can tell, it's equipped with a GPS system that will let dispatchers know where the vehicle is in an emergency. He's going to try to keep an eye on them, but has to be careful as the ECPD IT guys have pretty good security protocols, and he doesn't want to alert them.

He's also managed to find some information on the "Eternal Youth Beauty Salon and Spa". From what he can see, it's only been open for about six months. They offer massages, facials, beauty treatments, etc. to women. He can't find out to much about it's owners other than they're an off shore holding company based somewhere in Eastern Europe. He's going to dig around and see what else he can find. He shoots you the address, and a map of it's location.

Actions?

Diesel looks around for a moment to see if he can see what Thunderbird was talking about and then he follows Machinist.

Skyhawk up-links to Achilles. "Hold position, run a scan on new arrival, update me with what you can determine about it."
"don't want to do anything aggressive," he thinks to himself, "That could start a conflict that isn't necessary,or this could be a new teammate. Wish the comm wasn't acting up so they could have told me about the new arrivals, and how many there are."

Did anyone else hear this guy say "BOO"?

Please Diesel tell me you heard that?

C'mon Rampart please tell me you see Casper?

Power Chord, this one is all yours.

Machinist steps back a few steps away from the ghostly white figure. He continues to scan the area and includes the newcomer in the scan

Truning from Power Chord to Rampart (startled) - "Uhhhmmm...yeah, I'm Ghost, but who are you and how do you know who I am!?!"

Thunderbolt - , continues to hover 10'ft distant from the new apparition-like meta.  He casually glances up detecting Rampart's rapid descent but do not take his eyes off the new arrival.

He listens patiently as Rampart - , identifies the meta as Ghost - , {So they know each other... from where I wonder?  More meta's popping out of the woodwork every moment around here.}

But Thenderbolt - , holds position waiting to see if 'Ghost' will answer his question or avoid the subject of what he knows {if anything} about the goings on in Jonesville.

Thunderbolt nods accepting the reply and seeming to relax a slight bit, then get a very inquisitive expression.

"I take it you are incorporeal?  I'm having trouble sensing you with my Radar Sense... your not solid enough... less than cloud of vapor as I can pick that up as an object tenuous as clouds are.  Fascinating... that's a neat trick you have there... talking I mean.  If you're not interacting with normal matter how are you stimulating air with your vocal cords to make sound... even more how do you breath if your not interacting with 3 dimensional matter around you?"
Then he realizes he's let his mind run away with him again, and smiles a little sheepishly , "...er ahah... sorry another time perhaps.  Scientific curiosity can be a real burden sometimes... nice to meet you!  Do you know Rampart?"

A small shake of his head at this younger 'Ghost' little revelations of his background spurs Rampart to give the apparent great grandson some small advice. "Ghost it's a pleasure to meet you. If you like we can talk about that other thing ... later ... " Lifting off the ground a few feet as he prepares to resume his overwatch position, " ... until then ... be careful."

Flying over to Power Chord and the other Protectors, Rampart addresses the Team leader. "You know ... when this is all over, we all ought to have a nice chat over a steak and a few beers. Unless you have other ideas I'll head back upstairs and keep an eye on things." Turning his head slightly to Ghost. "Up to you of course, but I trust him."

Majestic wrote on Oct 4^th, 2012 at 6:10pm:



Thunderbolt - smiles,"Hahaha! Yeah, Its no biggie Ghost!  I break several laws of physics as well - I create magnetic fields powerful enough to wipe any human nervous system clean AND I generate high amperage electricity with enough current to fry human flesh to blackened charcoal embers... yet I do both with my bare hands with no ill effects.  You figure THAT one out!"

"Anyways Welcome to the 'party'!"

Thunderbolt goes silent letting Power Chord - , continue and organize things.  Looking up to see Rampart - , he figures he's got the air coverage pretty-much handled and holds position waiting for direction from Power Chord.

Where and when did you spot the ECU research team? Were they alright?What were they doing?

Machinist starts to discreetly convert his scanner into a force field projector.

Majestic wrote on Oct 5^th, 2012 at 5:41pm:


Thunderbolt - asks, "...Could you lead us to where you saw the Van Ghost?  That would be a good place to start our search for the ECU students..."

I only saw them briefly, earlier today, and it was in town near their van, which was parked along the side of the road.  They seemed alright; they were setting up some of that fancy equipment of theirs."

Wrong Answer!!

Machinist fires his Force Field Projector at Ghost.

Skyhawk reported the ECU team weren't anywhere near their van or camp long before you would have seen them!!!

Thunderbolt was right you are leading us into a trap!

Now tell me the truth!

WHAT DID YOU DO WITH THE ECU STUDENTS!

OOC: Takes place prior to Machinist attack on the Ghost.

Still floating beside the Protectors three founding members Rampart listens to their exchange with the Ghost "Agreed, let's start there."

  " ... and what about tracking the BSI signal? Do you want to split into two groups again?" All the time Jason watches as Machinist is 'discreetly' deconstructing and constructing something with the multitude of spare equipment that seems to hang from every possible hook and strap on his body What's he up to?

Skyhawk retells the events that transpired in chronological order. He tries to ensure that he doesn't forget anything.

Skyhawk replies. "I never  saw them, just their camp site, which seemed to have been recently occupied."

Thunderbolt floats down to about 5'ft off the ground turning to Machinist - , effectively moving to Rampart's - side.

Thunderbolt - says,"Uhm.. I agree with Rampart on this... Machinist.  I think this is only a case of mistaken wording and timing.  Clearly Skyhawk says he only saw their camp outside town but Ghost saw them in-town.  We have no idea who saw which first.  I think he's being honest too.."

"Besides... we're wary of the possibility of trap... that's the first part in avoiding falling into one.  And if it does turn out to be a trap... we are all capable and I think we can handle a few unexpected surprises.  If things gets to hot... Power Chord can port us out... Rampart almost flies as fast as the Thunderwing... don't worry... we got this!"

"We know something fishy is going on here and these townspeople and the ECU students and professor may need our help... we're not going to leave so... trap or no... we'll find out soon enough."