[2E] Kenseido's Force Ops: Have I Got a Deal For You

[kenseido]

Episodes
Episode 1: Troubling Times
Episode 2: Have I Got a Deal For You

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Each of you approaches the address in your own manner. Arriving at your destination, an old warehouse in the Greenbank district, a few blocks away from where Archer led his "resistance" to Moore's Law back in the eighties.

As you go inside, you find a mostly large empty building. The ground floor is mostly barren. On one side is a meeting table next to some outdated computer equipment. On the other side is three old sky-bikes.

The loft area looks renovated with six very small rooms.

The man who asked you all here, Duncan Summers, is sitting at the table with a newspaper turned over in front of him. All of you know Duncan is the headmaster of Claremont Academy, a few of you know his other secret.

His invitation was somewhat vague, referencing a team to deal with the new trouble plaguing Freedom City. While you speculated what he meant, the pictures on the wall behind him make his meaning crystal clear. They are pictures of the "new" Freedom League.

At the center is the Immortal, an nine hundred year old Scottsman, whose motives are as mysterious as his past.

Next to him is the Sentinel, a.k.a. Ven-Ro. An insane Ultiman, Ven-Ro fought the League a year ago and then, if reports can be believed, flew directly into the Terminus Stream. Weeks ago, he appeared in the middle of the battle that devastated downtown Freedom City. He went toe-to-toe with Omega while the others finished their plan, trapping Omega in the Zero Zone. Now he is the Immortal's enforcer.

The others wear the names of their precessors, like they earned them. Raven, Captain Thuner, Horus, Beacon, and the others; pretenders one and all. Pretending to be heroes.

How the Immortal brought them all together, and how he purchased the resources or influenced the goverment so quickly to gain their charter is unclear; but to anyone paying attention, this new Freedom League is only interested in themselves.

As each of you enter, Duncan nods to you; his silent 'thank you' for you being there. When the last of you sits down, Duncan Summer finally speaks.

"Before we get started, why don't you introduce yourselves. I know who you are, but your future teammates should get to know you."

[badpenny]

Golden Tiger

Nolan entered the warehouse in his human form. He returned Duncan's nod with his own bow. Summers had the reputation and the respect of the Shambala temple, so much that he could request the Golden Tiger's assignment to Freedom City for the duration of his mission.

Nolan was newly appointed as this generation's Golden Tiger and this assignment would be his first after accepting the Tiger Totem. Nolan sat as he was bade to do.

"My name is Nolan Dane, emissary of Shambala Vale. I am the Golden Tiger, and I am at your and Master Summer's service."

[Tinkerbell]

Sharpshooter
HP: 5
Status: Unharmed
Condition: On Duty

It seemed out of the blue, Duncan Summers contacting her that is. Clover was not adverse to these type of things though. They had been happening all her life. Finding out her daughters's principal was the leader of a resistance against fake superheroes? Probably her sixth weirdest thing that ever happened to her.

The costume she wore - an oversize grey t-shirt with a cross on it (the shirt could easily fit her as a small dress), black spandex leggings that fit her very, very well and black work boots - was understated next to the giant blaster rifle she held across her shoulders.

She thought she would go first but the Golden Tiger made the quick leap. She smirked and nodded upwards as a greeting. Now she could go. Stepping forward, put the gun at her side - the massive piece of alien tech reached up to above her waist - she stood at attention. "My name is Sharpshooter. My skills at markmanship help me deal with criminals on the lower end of the totem pole. I'm no Captain Thunder or Lady Liberty, though when you're given an opportunity such as this, you realize that this is a thank you to the big guys who sacrificed their lives to protect us."

She stepped back and picked up the gun, holding it across her shoulder again.

If you haven't noticed, this gun is my "tribute" to the Liefeldian blaster rifle I just can't find a good picture of it without someone holding it

[Zen_Gypsy]

Bastion

He enjoyed riding the bike, the sound of the air rushing past his ears. He didn't feel it much anymore, not for years, not since the change. The sound of the air reminded Brent of the feeling against his skin. There it was. He checked the address, eased the Ducati to the curb and dismounted.

He approached the door, stood framed by the neon glow of the streetlights as he took in his surroundings. His mentor, the pictures behind him. The quiet, disciplined man, Nolan, even seated radiated an aura of confidence and reserved strength. The woman ... the very, very attractive woman ... walked with a certain cock sure swagger, and if that wasn't enough, that mufti-barreled monstrosity looked scary as hell. Well, this is it.

Hey folks. Names Bastion. Been trainin' with Mr. Summers here a while. Apparently he thinks I'm ready for the big leagues. So here I am. I'm mostly invulnerable, but that's about it. I don't fly like those other guys, no pitchin' tanks a couple of blocks. Thing is, that just makes me try harder. Lookin' forward to working with you folks. And if you ever need somethin' don't hesitate. I'm there for you.

Throwing a quick nod to Mr. Summers, Brent takes a seat by Nolan and waits for the next person to walk through the door.

[Tattooedman]

Gargoyle:
[J.R. Carlton]
HP: 1
Luck Point: 1

J.R. watched the others quietly as he’d entered the warehouse, he’d even let most of them introduce themselves before following their example. It seemed that Summers had brought together an interesting gathering of people, that was for sure and he no doubt had many things in mind for them to do.

His leaving out the paper with pictures of the new League on it; a small hint? Something to distract those who might be nervous? It was hard to tell really and Duncan Summers was a man that was as cool as ice in Alaska without a doubt. J.R. knew he’d find out when the older man was ready to let him know.

He shook his head; it was no surprise that Dad wasn’t too wild about this guy. It must have been a serious personality clash to say the least.

But this wasn’t the time or the place for memories. This was the time for business and J.R. got right down to it.

“Nice to meet all of you, I go by Gargoyle.” He watched their faces as he spoke, mentally sizing them up glad he’d decided to use a face mask that didn’t leave any of his features visible. “And like all of you I was interested in Summers’ offer.”

[Gilliam]

Stunner
HP: 1
Condition: Normal

As she waited for her turn to speak Alison thought about how things can change so quickly. She had been so excited about moving to Freedom City, then shortly after arriving there was the disaster and in the aftermath a new Freedom League who were a pale shadow of their predecessors. The approach by Mr Summers was a surprise yet there was something about him that made her consider his offer very seriously.

As the other men and woman finished speaking Alison spoke into the sudden silence "Hi my name is Stunner. It is nice to meet you all, I am a recent arrival to Freedom City and my specialty is blasting things"

[hero4hire]

P.A.G.AN HP: 1 Condition: Fully Functional

The cloaked figure in the middle of the room stood perfectly motionless as the others introduced themselves. If one looked closely you could see beneath his cowl was a stoic visage of gunmetal grey. He then spoke in a hollow monotone that was obviously mechanized, but there was a chilling echo of something...sinister.
"Designation: Positronic Autonomous Guardian Android. Acrostically referred to as P.A.G.An.
Primary Directive: Serve and Protect Man." The android inclined his head towards Summers. "Interrogative: What is the first planned course of action?"

[kenseido]

Duncan grips his walking stick firmly and stands up. "I'll get to that shortly, P.A.G.A.N., but first I want you all to know what you're getting yourself into. He turns over the paper and holds it up for all to see. The headline reads,
Masked Terrorist Apprehended


"Nighthawk is a hero. Golden Tiger can tell you, the two of them were fighting in the trenches while the members of this so called 'Freedom League'," he gestures to the pictures on the wall behind him, "were getting their nails done!"

He puts the paper down, and sits down, clearly upset. "His only crime was speaking out against the phony calling himself Raven. They framed him... FRAMED HIM!" he slams his walking stick down hard on the table.

"So if you stay here, you need to know that they are small men who don't like being challenged. We aren't going to be playing by their rules, we are writing our own rulebook here. We are going to stop the bad guys, and we are going to take this phony 'League' down."

He pauses to take a deep breath. "I just want you to know what the score is. If you stay, they," thrusting his walking stick back towards the pictures again, "will become your enemy."

[Tinkerbell]

Sharpshooter
HP: 5
Status: Unharmed
Condition: Affirmative

Clover looks on as the rest of the crew introduce themselves. This looks like a nice well rounded group, she thinks, I wonder if we'll be split up into groups or... Her train of thought is interrupted by Duncan Summer's impassioned speech. It's obvious the man is emotional. And he has the right to be. The Freedom League were nothing like these new guys. "'Nothing ventured, nothing gained,' I always say," Sharpshooter speaks up with a smile, "I, for one, am glad to take the side of true heroes."

[badpenny]

Golden Tiger

"It is true: Nighthawk is a dedicated and noble hero. And it is a shame that these pretenders have deprived this city of his protection."

Golden Tiger stood. "Master Summers, I pledge myself to your cause. And to all of you, I say, call upon me and I shall be there for you."

[Zen_Gypsy]

Bastion

Brent looked around at his new teammates. Sitting there in that dingy room, Shooter had pledged herself, so had the big man. Nolan. Wasn't right, framing a hero. Brent struggled to remember what the papers had said about Nighthawk, how he'd been framed. And what he'd said about Raven.

Expertise: Current Events: 1d20+5=22

I don't know many 'true' heroes 'shooter. I know where more 'an a few are buried tho'. Don't seem right to let these guys put another one in the ground. So where we hitting them sir? Right where it hurts I hope. Right in their self-inflated egos?

[Gilliam]

Stunner
HP: 1
Condition: Normal

As Duncan Summers spoke about Nighthawk Alison remembered conversations she had had with her Gran about what she was forced to do when she was under the control of the Eye of Argon that hadn't made it into the history books. Yet this new "Raven" was choosing to act that way, it wasn't a difficult decision to make.

"Mr Summers, I want to help and show these so called heroes what that word actually means"

[hero4hire]

P.A.G.AN HP: 1 Condition: Fully Functional


The android cocked his head unusually to the other side as if confused. "Statement: Ven-Ro is a known threat to mankind. The current Freedom League operates outside the parameters of established heroic values by allying with Ven-Ro. Conclusion: The only logical solution is for PAGAn Unit to assist Duncan Summers with his countermeasures."

[Tattooedman]

Gargoyle:
[J.R. Carlton]
HP: 1
Luck Point: 1

J.R. listened as the others all chimed in with their answers, nodding his head slightly in agreement with their statements. "No offense Summers but I think you already knew what our collective answer would be before bringing us here." The masked man gestured at the others sitting at the table. "I'm still in and I'm assuming we're going to make sure this fake League goes down in flames so badly that'll nobody will ever try something like this again, right?"

[kenseido]

Duncan has a slight smile of satisfaction as each of you proclaim your commitment.

"Thank you. I just wanted you to understand where we stand. This is an uphill battle, even just fighting crime here in Freedom City will not be without it's hazards. Police, government officials, even AEGIS will be against us."

"Not everyone in AEGIS agrees with Director Powers decision on the matter," a voice from behind you says. You turn to see a man in his thirties in a sports jacket standing there.

"Agent Davies, thank you for coming."

"Oh no, I'm not here. Agent Davies is in Canada with his partner shadowing a crafty eighty year old gramdmother of a suspected terrorist. Administrator Bonham sends his regards."

Duncan nods to the Agent Davies. "We are not completely without friends."

Bastion remembers there was some story with a quote from Nighthawk questioning the background of the new Raven. A few days later, he was arrested, and his apartment was found with chemical and biological weapons and muslim extremist literature. Because he has been classified a terrorist, he doesn't get a lawyer or trial or any other standard rights.