>>3726618
>>3726637
>>3726640
>>3726662
>>3726996

You think it'd be best to meet up and see what Sixer found while he was away. You reply to Sixer.

"We're on our way. Where should we meet
you?"

"Do y'all know about Rioletti's?"

F0REM4N nods.

"Y3S. TH3 CYB3RN3T1CS SH0P. V3RY P0PUL4R W1TH TH3 CYB0RG P0PUL4T10N. WHY?"

"Yeah. He's the lead. See y'all when you get here pardners."

After freerunning your way to the Neon District you hop off a building a block away from Rioletti's. You jog the rest of the way and around a corner you see Sixer.

You spot him through the neon lit glass window panes of the shop. Past the displays of various upgradable hidden weaponry and many models cybernetic limbs. He's talking emphatically with a large potbellied man with his arms crossed, presumably Rioletti. He does not look amused in the slightest. As you approach the shop door Sixer turns and sees you. He hustles over to the door and brings you inside.

"C'mon in y'all."

Rioletti harumphs.

"No. Go ahead. I love it when non-customers enter my shop. Please. Come on in. Shit on my floor while you're at it. Or perhaps you'd prefer to go and kick my childhood pet? Sixer you dumb hick... I told you already I'm not saying anything. If you talk around here it's bad for business. So you and your cape chumps can beat it."

As you reach the counter more of his features begin to stand out. He doesn't have eyes... or not real ones anyway. Melded into his sockets are telescoping lenses and his left ear is capped with a metal dome with a red ring of light on its outward face. You can hear a wierd skittering beneath the desk. Best not to question it right now.

F0R3M4N pulls you aside and attempts to whisper to you. He is very bad at it.

"TH1S W1LL B3 D1FF1CULT. H0W D0 Y0U SUPP0S3 W3 C0NVINC3 H1M T0 T4LK?"

He has a point...

>What do you say to convince Rioletti to talk?(Write in.)

(2/2)

>>3784726
3 supers hanging around here is suspicious and is bad for business. Why don't you just give us what we want and we'll be gone quick

Rolled 6 (1d20)

>>3784785

You walk up confidently to the counter and rest your elbows on it's surface.

"Three capes hanging around here must look suspicious and be pretty bad for business. Why don't you just give us what we want and we'll be gone quick."

You don't phrase it like a question. Rioletti looks angry. Angry but contemplative.

Roll 1d20 against.

(Best of 3)

Rolled 13 (1d20)

>>3784826

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>3784826

>>3784826
Damn that roll was bad. Bo3 may be too strong for contested rolls. Next contested roll will be "first posted used."

Rolled 4 (1d20)

>>3784826

>>3784828

He grunts and sighs. He bangs his hands on the table, startling you. You take a few steps back from the counter as he steps away and to the right. Revealing the various insectile metal appendages that his torso rests upon.

"Come with me to the back god damn it. If we're gonna talk it'll be away from the fucking windows."

He scuttles his way over to a beaded curtain and motions for you all to follow. Sixer tips his hat cockily as you all walk behind the pudgy cyber-mechanic.

"See Rioletti. Now was all o' that so hard?"

Rioletti turns his head around like an owl to glare at Sixer.

"Sixer shut up before I change my mind and weld that ugly jaw of yours shut."

He resumes his quiet scuttling until he leads you all into his workspace. A metal slab operation table with a series of various robotic limbs hanging above it sits in the dead center of the room. The limbs appear to be part of a complex device that assists in Rioletti's work. F0R3M4N lumbers out from behind Sixer and looks over the room with his singular optic lens.

"Y0U H4V3 QU1T3 4N 1MPR3SS1V3 W0RKSP4C3 H3RE MR.R10L3TT1."

Rioletti sits himself at a work bench by the back wall. He seats himself on a stool specially made for his insectile lower half. It groans under his weight.

"Bah! Flattery is for chumps. Now ask your questions and get out. I don't want you in here any longer than you need to be."

>Are you familiar with this woman?(Produce for him a picture of Sloane)
>What do you know about the Nitro business?
>Have the local slags been up to anything strange lately?
>Write in.

>>3784863
>>Have the local slags been up to anything strange lately?

>>3784863
>Are you familiar with this woman?(Produce for him a picture of Sloane)

>>3784863
>>Are you familiar with this woman?(Produce for him a picture of Sloane)

>>3784863
>Are you familiar with this woman?(Produce for him a picture of Sloane)

>>3784863
>"Do you know this hoe?"
>Pass him the pic

>>3784863
>Are you familiar with this woman?(Produce for him a picture of Sloane)
Ah it's back boys, rev up the gas chambers.

>>3784873
>>3784883
>>3784940
>>3785075
>>3785376

Sorry for the late update y'all. Im sicker than a dog and still gotta clock in some work hours. Updates today will be sporadic.

You pull up a picture you took in Emily's home of a framed photo of Emily and Sloane together. You turn the screen to face Rioletti and tap on Sloane's face.

"Have you seen this woman. Her name is Sloane. She was last seen here in the Neon District and has been missing for three days."

His strange telescopic eye lenses shutter and whir as he enhances his own vision. He hums as if the action will help his memory.

"I haven't seen any lady like that around here. But the name I recognize. I've been getting paid by a few slags for large amounts of scrap cybernetics. They come by every other week to pick up whatever I have lying around. Every once in a while I can hear one of them talking about how much 'Sloane' will give them for however much scrap they took that day. I just assumed they were reselling them to a two cred cyber-mechanic but I guess since I've got capes poking around my shop it's something a bit more serious."

>Do you know when they will come by again?
>Do you know anything about a martian named Gorlox?
>Could you describe the slags for us?
>What's so useful about scrap cybernetics?
>Write in.

>>3785575
>Could you describe them?
>Do you know when they'll come by again?
>What's so useful about scrap cybernetics?
>Ever hear of a Martian named Gorlox?

In that order.

>>3785582
+1

>>3785582
This

>>3784723
>Girl MC

I dub thee big gay

>>3785594
>>3785589
>>3785582

F0R3M4N pulls out a notepad and pen from one of his pouches.

"C0ULD Y0U D3SCR1B3 TH3S3 'SL4GS' F0R US?"

Sixer turns to him and cocks a brow.

"Ain't you tin-men supposed to have perfect memories?"

F0R3M4N shrugs with his bulky arms.

"1 H4VE 4 P00R3R M3M0RY TH4N M0ST UN1TS. 1 4M WH4T M0ST T1N-M3N W0ULD C4LL, '0BS0LETE'."

He flips the cover on the notebook and places the pen knib against the paper.

"PL34S3. WH4T C4N Y0U R3M3MB3R?"

Rioletti scratches the stubbly folds of his chin, trying to jog his memory.

"Let me think. One of them had an ugly mohawk and some expressor shades. The other spoke like a sailor and had a length of chain wrapped around his forearm."

Sixer offers Rioletti a cigarette from his vest pocket and he takes it. Rioletti lights it with a nearby hand torch and takes a long puff. Sixer pulls down his bandanna and places the hand rolled cigarette inbetween his upper lip and metal jaw. He pulls up his thumb and it pops open, emitting that familiar blue plasma, and lights his cig. He takes an equally long drag and rests his hands on his knees.

"Do you got any idea when they'll be by again?"

The pudgy cyborg nods and exhales smoke through his nose.

"If they keep to their usual schedule they should be by again tonight. I won't let you grab them in my shop but whatever happens outside these doors isn't my fucking business."

You cough a little at the slowly growing amount of tabacco stink and smoke in the room.

"What's so- *cough* useful about scrap cybernetics. Aren't they just scrap you pull off customers when you upgrade and replace their prosthetics?"

He laughs at your coughing and puts out his cigarette on the metal surface of the work bench.

"Most cybernetics that don't come from hospitals are completely original. Made special by the cyber-mechanic who designed it. So we don't keep the parts and pieces from other mechanics when upgrading customers. However most greenhorn cyber-mechanics use them to make sample prosthetics to test their designs since these scraps are always in surplus and almost completely worthless to anyone with an ounce of experience."

You wonder what Sloane could need with all those parts. What could she need cyber scrap for when it comes to Nitro research? That reminds you of something else.

"Have you ever heard of a martian named Gorlox?"

Rioletti is startled and starts coughing. It's a nasty flemmy noise that comes from the back of his throat.

"Gorlox. As in Gorlox the Kind? Yeah. Everybody in Little Mars knows that guy. He's like a philanthropist. Owns Dwarf Star Industries and almost all the property in Little Mars. He made his money importing xeno-tech to sell to tech companies in Metro City. He's like alien Jesus. Everybody loves that guy. He gives almost all of his income back into the martian community. Dudes got three charities and 5 humanitarian awards under his belt."

He gets up from his chair and makes a shooing gesture with his hands.

(1/2)

"If that'll be all then you can get the fuck out. Leave through the front. Don't need anyone getting suspicious."

You find yourselves outside his shop and back on the streets of the Neon District. You have a few venues of action to take with the information you have.

>Check out Little Mars to gather info on Sloanes movements. Investigate Gorlox.
>Stay nearby and hold a stake out. Get the jump on those slags.
>Head to the MCFDA to do some more research into Dr. Tyson's connections and the nature of his work.
>Write in.

(2/2)

>>3785696
>>Stay nearby and hold a stake out. Get the jump on those slags.

>>3785582
support

>>3785696
>Stay nearby and hold a stake out. Get the jump on those slags.

>>3785736
>>3785736

You turn to your two team members to discuss your plan of action.

"We should stick around and stake the place out. See what those slags are up to."

Sixer throws his cigarette to the ground and grinds it beneath his boot. F0R3M4N nods with his arms crossed over his bulky chest.

"Sounds like a plan pardner."
"4FF1RM4T1V3."

F0R3M4N checks something on his phone. The device looks comically small in his large metal hands.

"1 W1LL G0 4ND G3T MY P1CKUP 0UT 0F ST0R4G3. 1N C4S3 W3 N33D T0 G1V3 CH4S3. 1T'S 4N 0LD3R M0D3L, BUT SH0ULD S3RV3 0UR PURP0S3S SUFF1C13NTLY W3LL."

You make plans to set the old hover truck a block away to avoid suspicion and let F0R3M4N wait inside incase you need to make chase.

You and Sixer set up camp on top of the building adjacent to Rioletti's to get a view of the alleyway behind his shop and the street in front of his store.

A few hours pass and no one has showed up besides a few customers. They enter looking bored and leave very happy with their new appendages and upgrades. This pattern repeats itself a few times. You are sitting with a pair of binoculars that Sixer lent you as you scope out the store front. He sits with his feet kicked up on a bent metal vent as he sits casually atop an A.C. unit, scanning the alleyway for any sign of activity. He is chewing some beef jerky he brought with him. You still have a few hours before nightfall.

>What do you talk about to pass the time?

>>3785854
we use this time to get to know each other better

>>3785872

As you sit you both get a little listless. Just staying in one place is pretty tough for you and the goofy cowboy. You make idle chatter to pass the time.

6'r:"Hey Specter... what's yer theme song?"

SS:"My theme song?"

6'r:"Yeah. Y'know? That little diddy that you imagine playing if they ever made a show about ya. Or like the song ya wish would play when ya burst onto the scene. Y'know a theme song?"

SS:"Oh... Well I guess I never really thought about it. What would my theme song be?"

You tap your chin in thought.

>Enter your theme song.

(youtube url or soundcloud. This is the song that will play whenever you make a great entrance or have a powerful character moment.)

>>3785929
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2Q4N8dXWZxs

This is a serious post

>>3785929
https://youtu.be/kweammNho9k

>>3785929
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3pDwxdAWHY

>>3785929
I wont be able to properly update for a while. Will either select the majority or if there is no majority put it to a vote with the posted songs as the options.

Voting time!

>1:
>>3785978
>2:
>>3785979
>3:
>>3786070

Voting ends at 8:00am.

Rolled 3 (1d3)

>>3786440

Rolled 1 (1d3)

>>3786440

>>3786455
>>3786455
Y'all don't have to roll. Just green text the number for the song you want. It's voting.

>3

>>3786440
>2
I'm biased.

>>3786440
>>3:

>>3786440
>>2

>>3786558
I know. I just have no strong opinion on this matter

>>3786628
i fucked up

>>3786723
You can still change your vote. It ain't 8 yet.

>>3786728
i meant with how many > there was

https://youtu.be/Kruy3kLFbCk
now that i think about it we could have picked this one

>>3786455
>>3786570
>>3786616

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3pDwxdAWHY

As you sit and think a song just seems to pop into your head. It's dramatic and powerful. It fits very well with your power suite and theme. You think you've heard it before from an old videogame.

SS:"Yeah I think I have one."

6'r:"Can I hear it?"

Just as he asks you hear movement coming from the back alley. Sixer sits up and whips his head to face the source of the noise.

6'r:"*pssst* Specter. Git over here. Yer gonna wanna see this."

You move from your location over to where Sixer is sitting and kneel down so your head barely pokes over the lip of the roof. You see a very greasy looking man with a thinning purple mohawk. He's wearing a denim jacket with the sleeves ripped off. He looks familiar.... It isn't until you see the hover mover he drove here in when it clicks. He isn't a slag. He's a techno crust. Specifically one of the crusts from your failed bust a few weeks ago. He was one of the guys inside the warehouse. He was there when...

It comes back to you in sharp detail. The feeling of your stomach dropping when you fell and disloacted your forearm. The fear as you heard the air crack as the chain sailed through the air. The sensation of your blood and ocular jelly running warm down your cheek.

6'r:"Specter. Hey, specter! What's wrong? Yer shakin' somethin' fierce."

You look down and see your hands are balled into tight fists. If it weren't for your gloves your nails would have drawn blood. Your heart is racing like a small animal's. Like you're being chased. Like you're trapped inside that moment.

>"He was there when I lost my eye..."
>Take a few deep breaths. "I'm okay."
>Say nothing. Suffer quietly.
>Phase through the building and tackle him.
>Write in.

Gotta get some rest. Will update and reply when I wake up.

>>3786766
>>"He was there when I lost my eye..."

>>3786766
>"He was there when I lost my eye..."

>>3786766
>Say nothing. Suffer quietly.

>>3786766
>"He was there when I lost my eye..."

>>3786769
>>3786829
>>3786875

SS:"He was there when I lost my eye..."

The roof is deathly quiet for a moment. The gravity of the statement fills area where your pleasent chit chat was just moments ago.

6'r:"Specter I-"

His statement is cut off by the sound of clanging metal. You look back down and see that the crust has loaded the last of the scrap onto the mover. You can hear him talking to himself in the alley below.

?:"Man... fuck Antony. That slag. Leaving me to load the truck by myself. Jokes on him. I'm not gonna split the Nitro with him when I cash this in. He can take his whinning and fucking shove it."

He is about to step into the driver's seat.

What do you do?

>Let him go and follow him to his destination.
>Sneak down and get the jump on him.
>Write in.

>>3787386
>Let him go and follow him to his destination.

>>3787386
>>Sneak down and get the jump on him.

>>3787386
>Let him go and follow him to his destination.

>>3787386
>Sneak down and get the jump on him.

>>3787437
>>3787519
>>3787451
>>3787567

Roll 1d2

>1:Follow
>2:Confront

first rolled will be used.

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>3787605
The dice shall decide

>>3787451
>>3787567

You decide to sneak down and grab him before he can get away. Sixer goes down the fire escape around the other side of the building. But at the rate the crust is walking he won't make it in time. It's up to you.

What do you do?

>Go invisible and parkour down. Grab him from behind.
>No powers just skill. Scale down the side of the building. Run up and deck him.
>Use phasing to sink to the ground level and grab him by surprise.
>Catapult? Use your phasing to partially phase through the building's wall. Flicker and launch yourself at the crust.
>Write in.

>>3787685
>Go invisible and parkour down. Grab him from behind.

>>3787685
>Go invisible and parkour down. Grab him from behind.

>>3787685
>Use phasing to sink to ground level and catch him by surprise

>>3787731
>>3787787

You go invisible. It's hard to coordinate your movements when you can't see your hands but because of your excellent training earlier today you feel confident enough in your ability to scale the building without any fuss. You make it to alley way below and make a mad sprint toward the crust. You go behind him and try to grapple his arms behind his back so Sixer can catch up.

The crust is kicking and flailing. He is desperately trying to escape his phantom assailant. He's freaking out and it's making it hard for you to hold on. You are struggling to hold your grip on him.

Roll 1d20

(Best of 3)

Rolled 18 (1d20)

>>3787957

Rolled 10 (1d20)

>>3787957

>>3787957

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>3787957

>>3787971

You manage to restrain his hands and hold him still as Sixer comes from around a corner holding one of his revolvers in his metal hand.

6'r:"Hold on there pardner. Me and my pal here just wanna talk."

When he mentions you, you release your invisibility. He peeks over his shoulder and mutters a curse under his breath.

?:"God damn it. Of course the day I come alone is the day I run into some fucking capes. What do you want?! Cause whatever it is you're not getting it from me."

How do you get him to talk?

>Convince him with words.
>Get a little rough.
>Get VERY rough.
>Let Sixer handle this.
>Call inF0REM4N for back up.
>Write in.

>>3788080
>Call in F0REM4N for back up.

>>3788080
>Get VERY rough.
We deserve to be the bad cop this time around.

>>3788080
>>Get VERY rough.
>>Call inF0REM4N for back up

>>3788108
>>3788122

Roll 1d2

>1:Aggression
>2:Back Up.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>3788734

>>3788769

You tighten your grip on his arms as you knee the back of his leg. However, instead of letting him fall you swing him head first into the side of the mover. His head hits the metal surface with a loud *KLANG*. He moans in pain and falls on his hands and knees.

6'r:"Hey Specter I think tha-"

You ignore him. You turn him around grab him by the collar of his stupid fucking denim vest. With a hard *SLAM* you pin him with his back against the mover. You can see the sweat run down his pock marked face.

SS:"Hey... have you ever experienced the sensastion of somebody squeezing your heart through your chest until it stopped beating?"

?:"What?! No I-"

You lift up a hand and let it become incorporeal up to the wrist. You slowly reach out toward his chest. The next words you say are whispered softly but with the utmost severity. Like the kiss of a spider.

SS:"Would you like to?"

He begins trying to squirm away from you. He kicks his legs against you but in his flailing his attacks are ineffective. He's breathing in rapid panting bursts of carbon and panic.

?:"Stop! STOP! STOP! I'LL TALK! I SWEAR TO GOD I'LL TALK JUST DON'T-"

You are interrupted by a heavy hand on your shoulder. It's Sixer. You can't see his eyes behind his mask but you can feel the dissapointment in them. Dissapointment and fear. Not of you or for you, but for the mewling little shit you have pinned against the truck. You sneer and drop the crust to the ground. He has very visibly pissed himself during your encounter and can't help but look pathetic from his position on the ground.

>"Do you remember me?"
>"Where is Sloane?"
>"What do you need all the cybernetics for?"
>"Where did you plan on taking this scrap?"
>"Who is your employer?"
>"Is Gorlox involved?"
>"Where is the other crust who usually comes with you? The one with the chain."
>Write in.

>>3788818
Revising.

>"Where is Sloane?"
>"Who is your employer?"
>"Is Gorlox involved?"
>"What do you need all the cybernetics for?"
>"Where did you plan on taking this scrap?"

>>3788888
+1

Reading previous quest. What the fuck transpired behind your screens for the pc to fail that fast?

>>3788962
extremely bad rolls

>>3788962

To be fair in that act of fucking up with rolls the posters made the MC more interesting by giving her horrible PTSD.

>>3789002
this reminds me of the fact that we barely know anything about the player character

>>3788888
>>3788959

You stand tall as to make the crust seem even smaller than he already feels. He looks quite miserable sitting there on the floor of the filthy alley way.

SS:"Where is Sloane? We know you've seen her."

?:"I don't know. She isn't always at the same place. All I know is that she supplies the Nitro to us as payment for the scrap. She doesn't give it to us herself. It's always someone else saying that the Nitro is from Sloane."

You bend down and loom over the crust.

SS:"Who is your employer?"

?:"Gorlox. It's Gorlox. He's been paying us for months to guard a warehouse in the district. All we have to do is keep nosy people out and let in the movers when they bring in the shipments of Nitro."

Sixer steps up from behind you and puts himself between you and the crust.

6'r:"What's all them cybernetics for?"

?:"I don't know. All I do is take them to the drop off."

6'r:"And where exactly is that there drop off?"

?:"It's an apartment building in Little Mars. Rundown place off of Barsoom Blvd. Can't miss it."

He looks up at the two of you and shifts his gaze between the both of you in jittery frightened movements.

?:"Am I good? Can I go? Please can I go?"

6'r:"Yeah. You can go. Recyclin' ain't no crime last I checked."

You both take a few steps back and watch as the crust gets up on shaky legs and runs to get inside his mover. He punches it and goes sailing down the alley way and on to the street. Putting as much distance between himself and YOU as possible.

SS:"Well... We got what we needed let's-"
6'r:"WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT!"

You turn to see Sixer. He looks absolutely furious. He stomps over to you and lifts you up by the collar of your jacket.

6'r:"I don't know what happened to you in the past, but if you think whatever happened 'tween you and that feller back there is reason enough to threaten him like that then yer dead fuckin' wrong pardner."

He unceremoniously drops you and you fall on your ass hard. He glares down at you in disgust.

6'r:"Well? Got anythin' to say fer yerself?"

>What do you say? (Write in.)

I figured that way we can really develop the MC as we progress. It's easier to get invested if you make the character's flaws and past as you play. That way it isn't all just dumped on the posters at character creation.

>>3789022
>>3789033

>>3789031
Point at missing eye

>>3789031
>I became angry thinking about it and in my rage lost control.

>>3789121
That would just come off as petty.

>>3789033
I was trying to make us flesh out our backstory with this >>3785872 post

>>3789133
i worded this bad i meant i was trying to give us a chance to create the player characters backstory like when we got our powers and stuff

>>3789031
>Tell him about the failed bust
> “ I let my anger get to me, I’m sorry.”

>>3789121
>>3789128
>>3789402

You feel indignant for a moment and point childishly at your missing eye. Sixer gets the gist and spits on the floor.

6'r:"If you think you can sell ME of all people that loss o' any kind is an excuse for that kind o' behavior you better try again."

You drop your hand and look down at the ground dejectedly. You sigh and look back up at sixer.

SS:"The night I lost my eye was my very first night out as a cape. I spent my whole life imagining a career of helping people, fighting crime, being a hero someone like me would have looked up to when I was little. But then I stumbled and in that second where I was vulnerable I got hurt. It wasn't just my eye I lost that night. I think I get that now. I think I lost my sense of peace. I lost the way I saw myself and ever since then I've been scared. Whenever I try and do anything I feel like I'm back in that moment from weeks ago. Powerless. Helpless. I guess when I saw that crust I just..."

You let your voice trail away. You didn't notice before but you are crying. Not sobbing but your left eye has become a faucet. Fat tears are rolling down the left side of your face and off your chin. You wipe your eye.

SS:"I saw him and I really felt it. Like it was two weeks ago and I was still helpless and hurt. I felt like a wounded animal and I guess I lashed out. I just didn't want to feel weak anymore and it made me angry. I'm sorry Sixer."

Sixer is quiet for a long moment. He pulls out another cigarette and lights it like he did before. He takes a long drag before replying.

6'r:"Yeah well... god damn it. Specter get up."

He holds out one of his metal hands and you take it. He lifts you up off the ground and looks you in the eye.

6'r:"Look. It took me a while to learn this but us capes ain't all perfect. We're just people Specter. We get scared, and we get angry, and we get sloppy, and when things go wrong people expect us to just shrug it off like nothin' happened. But at the end of the day we still gotta go home alone and think about all the things we could have done better. All the people we failed to save. Eventually it gets to you but you can't let it change you. You can't stop being the hero you wanted to be as a kid or else kids just won't feel safe anymore. Who'll they look up too?"

He throws his cigarette on the ground and grinds it under his heel.

6'r:"You can't control what happens to you Specter but you can choose what you decide to do afterwards. Now c'mon. F0R3M4N's probably gettin' worried somethin' fierce."

>"...Thanks Sixer."
>"Hey... It's Karina. When it's not Specter I mean..."
>"How do you do it? How do you keep it all together?"
>Write in.

>>3789799
>"How do you do it? How do you keep it all together?"

>>3789799
>>"How do you do it? How do you keep it all together?"

>>3789799
you forgot to rename yourself to dynamo

>>3789819

Jesus christ. I'm sicker than a dog right now and it's making me sloppy. Thanks for the heads up.

>>3789831

It's not me trying to be a bunch of different folks I just feel like an OP's name oughta suit the quest thread.

>>3789799
>“How do you do it? How do you keep it all together?"

>>3789799
>"...Thanks Sixer."

>>3789813
>>3789816
>>3789865

You begin to walk after Sixer, but stop after taking a few steps.

SS:"How do you do it? How do you keep it all together?"

Sixer stops. He doesn't turn around to face you as he replies.

6'r:"The way I see it. On the day I die I'll finally get to meet the people I missed back in Blue Creek Run. When that happens I'd like to able to say I spent the time spent apart wisely."

He continues walking over to where F0R3M4N is parked. You try and focus on this memory as not to forget it. You try and remember that it could always be worse. After steeling yourself you jog behind Sixer to catch up to him. You both hop inside F0R3M4N's truck and catch him up on what happened. You both omit your little episode with the crust for now.

FM:"1 S33... W3LL W3 H4VE 4 F3W L34DS T0 F0LL0W 4TLE4ST. 1T 1S G3TT1NG PR3TTY L4T3 H0W3V3R. W3 SH0ULD ST3P D0WN F0R TH3 N1GHT. Y0U B0TH L00K QU1T3 3XH4UST3D."

You and Sixer glance awkwardly at each other. That would probably be for the best after the night you just had.

FM:"W3 SH0ULD G0 4ND R3L4X. T4K3 0UR M1ND 0FF TH3 BUSY D4Y W3 H4D. WH3R3 D0 Y0U TH1NK W3 SH0ULD G0?"

>I could really use a drink.
>I would kill for a smoke right about now.
>I'm insanely hungry. Let's grab a bite.
>Let's just get some rest.
>Write in.

>>3790007
>>I'm insanely hungry. Let's grab a bite.

>>3790007
>I'm insanely hungry. Let's grab a bite.

>>3790007
>I'm insanely hungry. Let's grab a bite

>>3790018
>>3790041
>>3790130

You sit back in your seat and are embarrased by the loud moaning of your stomach.

SS:"I'm insanely hungry. Let's go somewhere and grab a bite."

6'r:"Yeah I agree. A burger and some fries would go a long way right 'bout now."

F0R3M4N nods and starts the truck. The old thing stutters for a sec before coming to life.

FM:"0K4Y. L3T US G0 T0 GR34S3R'S."

After a short drive you find yourselves in a window booth at Greaser's. A small 24 hour dinner that feels like it was pulled right out of the 1950's. It's built and run by a former supervillain by the name of Greaser. He was famous because the strength of his powers where directly tied to the volume of his trademark pompadour.

After a lengthy meal and a lively chat you just sit for a bit to let your meal digest.

6'r:"Ooooh god damn that was good. Haven't had a meal like that in days."

SS:"Yeah. Me neither. I'm pretty sure I skipped breakfast this morning."

FM:"1T 1S T1M3S L1K3 TH1S 1 4M GL4D 1 L4CK T4ST3 BUDS. 1 W1LL N3V3R UND3RST4ND Y0U 0RG4N1CS 4ND Y0UR F4SC1N4T10N W1TH S4TUR4T3D F4TS."

You are all having a good laugh when two men and a woman wearing jumpsuits and balaclavas come bursting through the door. The two men are aiming Volt Tech plasma pistols at the patrons. The woman slams an empty duffel bag on a counter top and aims her pistol at a frightened night manager.

?:"We're gonna go from table to table. And we're gonna put everybodies wallets, purses, and jewelery inside this bag. If anybody tries to get up or call the fuzz then we're gonna blow a hole in every single patron in this restaurant. You understand?"

She says it loud enough for everyone to hear.

What do you do?

>Go invisible before anyone can notice you.
>Phase and invisibility your way over to the gun men and try to disarm them.
>Draw the crooks toward your table by causing a racket.
>Try and call for help on your phone.
>Look to your teammates for a course of action.
>Write in.

>>3790827
>Go invisible before anyone can notice you.

>>3790827
>>Go invisible before anyone can notice you.

>>3790886
>>3791029

You become invisible before they notice how many are at your booth. Your two teammates look around before realizing what you've done. Knowing the focus is off of you you take a moment to walk around and get a read on the situation.

The woman is walking around from table to table and you have about 15 minutes until she goes through all the tables. One of the gun men is watching the door and the other is gazing over at the patrons. Watching for any signs of unease or movement.

>What do you do?

>>3791073
>take out the person watching the door an if possible try to signal your teammates to attack simultaneous
Qm we should wait for more people to get here before you write the next part since i am not that smart

>>3791110

That's fair. It's a pretty high stakes scenario. Will reply to and update this thread tomorrow.

>>3791073
> Whisper to Sixer to take out the door guy and 4man to take out the bag lady when she gets to their booth. We will take out the guy watching over the patrons in order to signal when the attack will go off.

>>3791110
>>3791471

roll 1d2

>1:For acting alone.
>2:Involving the team.

>>3792245
Can I just back involving the team?

>>3791471
This.

>>3792268
>ID changed
Shit, I'm >>3790041.

>>3792245
i also change my vote on involving the team

>>3792254
>>3792268
>>3792278
>>3792269

IF THOU WILLS IT SO SHALL IT BE!

You whisper over to Sixer to take aim for the guy by the door. You tell him to use his "hand" gun to avoid looking as suspicious. You move over a bit and tell F0R3M4N to grab the bag lady when she makes it to your table. They both nod to show they can hear you.

That just leaves the man aiming for the patrons. He is turning slowly from the hip. His eyes a panopticon watching the crowd for signs of mischief. You have a choice to make when your plan goes into motion. You can focus on disarming him and risk injury to yourself and give him a chance to escape. On the other hand you could try and grapple him down and arrest him along with the others, but his pistol might go off in the process. Either way it won't be easy.

>Grapple
>Disarm
>Write in.

>>3792341
>>Grapple

>>3792341
How fine is our control over being incorporeal? Could we just pull out a piece of the gun while invisible and make it useless?

>>3792382
You can't make other items incorporeal aside from what you are immediately wearing. You can also make certain parts of your body incorporeal while the rest remain solid but that takes more finesse in stressful situations.

>>3792398
You know what fuck my naming bullshit. I'm just gonna combine them.

>>3792341
>>3792398
>Disarm
Ok. We want to go for the disarm. We knew what we signed up for when we started doing this and preventing harm to civilians is a higher priority than arresting the guy.

>>3792341
>Disarm

>>3792404
>>3792498

After an arduous and uneasy 15 minutes the bag lady makes it to your friends table. You can see her gesture with her pistol from your invisible post next to the masked gun man. You stand ready to disarm the thug once your friends begin to take action. You are close enough to see the rise and fall of his chest as he takes wild breaths. You can hear her talking to F0R3M4N and Sixer from their table.

?:"Okay you metal heads. Wallets, jewelry, anything that sparkles."

FM:"W3 D0 N0T W4NT 4NY TR0UBL3. H3RE. L3T M3 4SS1ST 1N SP33D1NG UP TH1S PR0C3SS."

?:"See? Now that's what I- UGH!"

She is interupted midsentence by F0R3M4N giving her a rising uppercut to the solar plexus. She is sent upward and hits the ceiling tiles before flopping down hard onto the linoleum. She groans and holds her stomach.

In that same moment Sixer turns in his seat and aims his pointer and middle fingers at the thug by the door. Before he can book it a low intensity plasma pulse sends him crashing into the wall. He slumps down like a sack of potatoes.

While your teammates sprung to action you chopped the gun out of the man's hand. Not being able to see his assailant he takes a few wild swings to try and strike his attacker.

Roll 1d20

(Best of 3)

>>3793204

Rolled 19 (1d20)

>>3793206

Rolled 2 (1d20)

>>3793204

Rolled 12 (1d20)

>>3793204

yey

>>3793207

As he swings to hit you duck out of the way and he misses you. He is carried by the momentum of his punch. He stumbles but rights himself. His back is up against the door. He looks around the room to see he's completely out numbered.

?:"Fuck!"

He books it out the door and runs away into the night. You look around the room and see it's deathly silent. The patrons are looking at you and your teammates.

>"Ummm... is everyone okay?"
>No time for words. Gotta chase that last perp.
>Write in.

>>3793321
>No time for words. Gotta chase that last perp

>>3793321
>>No time for words. Gotta chase that last perp.

>>3793321
Oh no! People!
>No time for words. Gotta chase that last perp.

>>3793346
>>3793365
>>3793372

You utter a curse under your breath and chase after him. You look left and right and see one of his shoes dissapear around a streer corner. You sprint after him. He is a few yards ahead of you now. He pushes a random pedstrian down to try and trip you up but you phase through him easily.

You have almost caught up with him he runs onto the street while the light is green. He dodges a cyclist, but isn't paying attetion and doesn't see the oncoming hover car. Time stops for a moment. You only have a second to act.

>"LOOK OUT!"
>Push him out of the way.
>Do nothing.
>Write in.

>>3793388
>>Push him out of the way.

>>3793388
>>"LOOK OUT!"

>>3793388
>"LOOK OUT!"

>>3793453
Nevermind.

>>3793388
On third thought,
>Push him out of the way.

>>3793388
>>Push him out of the way.

>>3793392
>>3793512
>>3793525

You don't even think about it. You make a mad dash after the thug and tackle him out of the way. You see a car swerve to avoid striking him and he lands safely near the other side of the street. You on the ground and are relieved to see he isn't dead. Your relief is interrupted by the blinding headlights of the oncoming car and the screeching of tires.

Roll 1d10 Restraint.

(First roll posted is used. You still have 1 Reroll available.)

Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>3794726

>>3794733
Ok, a bit much, but not overkill. This is fine

>>3794733
Yeah, I'm not rerolling that.

>>3794733
>>3794737
>>3794747

You phase and flicker half way through the car when you flicker. You end up in the back seat. As the driver finishes stopping you tumble over onto the center console from the whiplash. You step out of the car after apologizing and stand unsteadily in the street. All the cars have stopped because of the commotion. Your head is still spinning a little as you look to the street corner where the thug landed.

He is standing uneasily and he is staring at you a little shocked. You can see his eyes through the holes in his balaclava. There is confusion and awe visible in them. He gives you a shaky nod and pushes through the slowly forming crowd of pedestrians and people who've stepped out of thier cars. You try and persue him but are stopped by the crowd. You hear sirens in the distance.

You can hear shouting from behind you.

6'r:"SPECTER! Specter there you are. You okay?"

You nod and walk forward stumbling slightly. You take a breath and collect yourself before replying.

SS:"I'm fine Sixer. What about the other crooks?"

F0R3M4N awkwardly navigates his way through the crowd. After a few "3XCUS3 M3"s he makes it to you and Sixer.

FM:"W3 4L3RT3D TH3 MCPD 4FT3R Y0U M4DE CH4S3. TH3Y 4R3 1N TH3 B4CK 0F 4 P0L1C3 V3H1CL3 4S W3 SP34K. Y0U D1D W3LL D1S4RM1NG TH4T CR1M1N4L, SP3CT3ER."

You look down feeling kind of low.

SS:"Yeah... but he still got away."

F0R3M4N reaches out with his massive hand and pats you on the head.

FM:"0UR M1SS10N 4S H3R03S 1S T0 H3LP P30PL3 F1RST 4ND F0R3M0ST."

Sixer siddles up beside F0R3M4N .

6'r:"Big guy's right. When it came down to it we did what mattered. That's what's important."

(1/2)

You nod and give your teammates a weak smile when a flash temporarily blinds you. Standing a few feet away is a man in a crumpled white shirt wearing a candy-stripe tie. He is holding an old fashioned camera. He gives you all a big toothy smile and snaps a picture.

?:"Amazing! Simply amazing! What a daring act of heroism!"

He speaks with a very grating trans atlantic accent. He holds out a hand. A Business card is pressed tightly between his index finger and thumb.

GT:"Name's Gill Trillby. I'm a journalist for the cape column of the Metro Daily. I must say I am excited to be the first to get the scoop on your debut as a hero team."

He smiles wide and takes a few more pictures. One of each member of the team. Sixer blinks.

6'r:"Debut. I don't understand?"

He scoffs good naturedly and hangs his camera around his neck by a strap.

GT:"What debut? Why my southern friend... you and your pals just saved a diner full of scared people from armed robbers. If you weren't known for much before you will be now. I'm gonna put you lot at the top of the 'Up and Comers' section."

As he talks you look around and see that some people in the crowd have thier phones out and are recording the three of you. Upon noticing this Sixer swings his poncho to the side Clint Eastwood style and poses with a hands at his hips as if he's about to draw. The crowd gives a small applause. F0R3M4N rubs the back of his head awkwardly and gives a polite wave to the people. You can hear the clanging of metal hands from a few tinmen in the crowd.

You are amazed. You never expected to be noticed so early. You feel a warmth in your chest. This is the feeling you've needed. The appreciation and adulation of the people soothes your anxiety some as you begin to smile.

GT:"C'mon now and tell me... What's the name our subscribers will be greeted with when they check their news feeds tomorrow?"

He leans in a bit.

GT:"What do you call yourselves?"

>Humbly introduce your team.
>Dramatically introduce your team.
>Turn down the press coverage.
>Write in.

(2/2)

>>3794889
>Humbly introduce your team.
Don't drop our spaghetti.

>>3794889
>Humbly introduce your team.

>>3794889
>Humbly introduce your team.
I want to say hi to our parents

>>3794889
>>Humbly introduce your team.

>>3795022
>>3794942
>>3794940
>>3794913

You step forward so you are more noticeable to the crowd of onlookers. The people turn their phones toward you and continue recording.

SS:"Ummm. Hi! I am Specter Streak."

Sixer walks up to stand beside you and tips his hat at the crowd. His bandanna covering a barely contained grin.

6'r:"Howdy pardners. Name's Sixer."

F0R3M4N clomps his way over to you two and stands tall and proud. Chestplate puffed out.

FM:"GR33T1NGS C1T1ZENS. 1 4M F0R3M4N. 1T 1S A PL34SUR3 T0 M33T Y0U 4LL."

They both look to you to finish this first introduction.

SS:"We are the Silver Stars."

The crowd gives a cheer and Gill takes a few more photos of you and your friends. Someone with a larger recording camera come forward and you wave into it.

SS:"Hi mom! Hi dad! Hope you get to see this."

After everything dies down you decide it's best to head home and get some sleep. F0R3M4N gives you and Sixer a lift and drops you off at your apartment building first. Before you can go inside Sixer steps out really quickly and approaches you.

6'r:"Look... about what happened in that alley way. let's forget it okay? New start. Just..."

He takes off his domino mask so he can make proper eye contact with you. His eyes are a brilliant sky blue.

6'r:"If'n you ever need to talk about what you've been through just call me okay?"

>"Thanks Sixer."
>"I'll think about it..."
>"I can handle myself just fine."
>Write in.

>>3795054
>"Thanks Sixer."

>>3795054
>>"Thanks Sixer."

>>3795054
>"Thanks Sixer."

>>3795054
>>"Thanks Sixer."

>>3795054
>thanks partner

>>3795068
>>3795119
>>3795124
>>3795249
>>3795366

SS:"Thanks Sixer."

He moves as if he's about to pat you on the back. He readjusts half way and simply gives you a couple pats on the shoulder.

6'r:"Get some sleep pardner."

He turns and walks back to the truck.

SS:"See you later... partner."

He keeps walking but gives a half salute with his index and middle fingers.

You make it up to your studio apartment and take off your jacket and hat. You throw them onto your crummy futon and walk over to your bed. You flop back first onto the mattress and gaze up at the ceiling. The whirring ceiling fan holds your attention as you ruminate on today's events. You wonder about all the things you might've missed. All the things you could've done better. You think about the alley way. You are interrupted from your thoughts by a buzzing from your phone.

You pull it out of your pocket and see it's a notification from your SIR app.

*You have been paid the regular patrol fee of 150CD for stopping an active crime. You have also been awarded an extra 100CD per arrested criminal. Your total earnings for today comes out to 350CDs.*

You just got enough to pay a chunk of your rent. You need about 1050 more creds to pay up for the month and make up for last months late payment. As long as you keep at it you should have enough by the end of the week. You have some time before you go to bed. What do you do with it?

>Practice your invisibility.
>Practice your phasing.
>Work out.
>Watch TV.
>Browse the cape forums.
>Write in.

>>3795970
>Browse cape forums

Check public opinion on our team now that we had that big news announcement.

>>3795970
>>Practice your invisibility.

>>3795970
>Practice your phasing
Better phasing will keep us alive.

>>3795999
we nearly died last time we tried that

>>3795970
>Practice your phasing.

>>3796025
Exactly why we need to get better at it.

>>3796138
are you challenging the dice gods?

>>3796154
Almost there exact opposite. We train so when there's the inevitable bad rolls the consequences aren't as severe.

>>3795999
>>3796032

You decide to practice your phasing. You haven't gotten around to fixing your puzzle box yet so you decide to simply practice your endurance. You can only hold a phaseshift for about 30 minutes. Trying to force it beyond that results in flickering. You sit in a comfortable position on your floor and focus on your breathing. You enter incorporeality and focus on staying in your flat and not sinking through the floor.

As you sit you look at your transluscent hands. You are reminded of the first time you became incorporeal all those years ago. You had accidentally turned invisible while you were being babysat when you were little. You were scared because you couldn't see yourself and could suddenly walk through everything in your house. You thought you had become a ghost. When it finally wore off you were crying in a corner. Your babysitter was relieved to find you until she saw how scared you were. You had to see a super-abled specialist to help you with your powers for a few years after that. It was while you were working with the specialist you realized you had the potential to become a cape.

Your mother wasn't happy about it. She still isn't. When you dropped out of college to finally persue your dream of being a hero she was clearly a little heartbroken. On the last day you spent together before heading out to Metro City she really tried her hardest to change your mind. She even tried to get you to finish your degree first but you were too determined. The last thing she said to you still sticks with you.

?:"I'll be here when you're ready to come home."

Not "if"... but "when". "When" you quit. "When" you realize this hero thing is just a phase. "When" you stop playing games and go back to going through the motions back home. You are interrupted from your thoughts by your flickering form. You phaseshift back into your normal state and check the time on your phone. You exceeded your normal limitation of 30 minutes by a full 5 extra minutes.

Feeling drained from the extended shift you decide it's for the best if you just get some sleep for the night. You lay down over the covers of your bed and fall into a deep sleep.

You are standing in an alley way. You can see two figures further down. You have no legs to walk with but your perspective shifts to grant you a better look. There is a silhouette of someone sprawled out on the floor. They are laying in a filthy puddle by a sewer grate. The other silhouette is standing imposingly above them. In their shadowy grasp is a length of chain.

Which one are you?

>I am the assailant.
>I am the victim.

>>3796177
>>I am the assailant.

>>3796177
>I am the assailant.

>>3796177
>I am the victim.

>>3796181
>>3796188

All of a sudden you find your self standing in the place of the assailant. You feel the cold metal of the chain in your hands. You see the whimpering shape beneath you. Why are they so pathetic? Why does it make you so angry to see someone so... useless. The place where your eye used to be burns. Your scar is on fire. Every part of you hurts and somewhere deep inside you know it won't leave. It won't leave unless you share it.

You swing down hard with the chain and the figure below you let's out a scream. You feel euphoric as some of the heat seeps from your eye. You look down and see it's the man from the alley way. He is covering his face and muttering "please" under his breath. The is a gash across his face.

You strike again and you can feel a tingling in your finger tips. It spreads from your fingers and all the way up your arms until it encompasses you entirely. The searing heat you felt earlier becomes a nuturing warmth. You feel like you could hug yourself. In front of you now is the man who took your eye. He is in a motionless heap there by the grate. He is missing both of his eyes. The puddle is now a messy red. It drips slowly into the sewer grate.

You let out a little bubbly giggle and bring the chain down again. You put more into this time and it gives a loud *CRACK* as it strikes flesh. Your giggling turns into a cackling howl. It starts in your belly and escapes from your throat and from between your lips. It's a hoarse and bitter noise. Beneath you is the masked man you saved. He is kneeling and his head is turned down in acceptance. He looks up at you and in his eyes you can see a question.

"Why?"

(1/2)

You answer with your chain. You answer with every little bit of insecurity, every little bit of doubt, and hurt you've felt since your failure a few weeks ago. This time you don't stop with just one lash. You swing again and again. You don't stop until your arm goes numb and it hurts to laugh. You fall to your knees exhausted. Your focus is on your lap as you let out shallow animalistic breaths. You look up and what you see turns your blood cold.

The lying form in front of you has straw blond hair. It's wearing a ruined leather jacket that once looked stylish, but is now ruined by tears and smears of ruby red. It's head is turned face down in the scarlet puddle beneath it. You crawl over to it and turn it over to get a better look. You gaze into your lifeless face for what feels like an eternity. You sit there for what feels like eons when you are awoken from your dream by the blaring of your alarm.

You sit up in bed with a gasp. You take in a large gulp of air. You feel sick. You ignore the alarm on your phone and run to your bathroom feeling the sting of vomit rising in your throat. You empty last nights dinner into the toilet bowl before collapsing. You are hunched over the bowl like a wounded animal. After flushing and washing your face and mouth you shamble over to your bed and pick up your phone. You turn off your alarm and see you have a few missed calls. There are 3 waiting voicemails.

Which one do you listen to?

>Sixer
>Sonic Strike
>Mom
>None. Get ready for the day ahead of you.

(2/2)

>>3796267
>You gaze into your lifeless face for what feels like an eternity.
What have you fucks done?

>Sixer
Wonder what he's calling us for.

>>3796267
>Sixer
All of the if possible, but Sixer takes priority.

>>3796275
>>3796299
I'll do all. Sorry if that last green text was kind of a nonchoice. I got called away before I was really finished writing so I just rushed the options.

You listen to Sixer's message first.

6'r:"Hey pardner. I just wanted to let you know the Silver Stars got asked to do a tiny interview for one of them internet shows. We're gonna meet up later at F0R3M4N's place. I sent you the address over text. See ya there."

The message ends with click. You check your texts and look for the address. It looks like F0R3M4N lives somewhere in the Neon District.

You check the next message.

SS!:"HUZZAH! CONGRADULATIONS SPECTER!!! I saw your team was mentioned in the Metro Daily. A glorious first step in any young hero's career is their debut. I wanted to invite you and your friends to a get together this weekend for other up and comers. I sent your invite to your SIR registered email. I sent your allies their invites as well. I hope to see you all there. HUZZAH!"

The message ends and you feel a little excited. You've heard about those get togethers. The Fledgling Formals. They're basically the best for networking and solidifying your image in the public when you first start out. You check your email for your invite while the last message plays.

?:"Karina. It's your mother. I see you finally debuted. Your father is quite proud. He won't stop telling all the neighbors about it. You know how worried I was after your little... accident. Anyways I'm calling to let you know I'm coming to visit. I'd like to meet you and your... new friends. I'll call you when I reach your apartment. Don't worry about letting me in. I had a spare key made while you were recovering. See you soon."

Your blood runs cold. Shit. SHIT. You only have so much time to get ready and you still have your case to work on. You throw your jacket and hat on and grab your phone.

>Call the guys and have them over. Tell them it's an emergency.
>Blow off your mom. Head out to F0REM4N's place right away.
>Head to Flex Grips first to blow off some steam.
>Go online and do some browsing while you wait.
>Write in.

>>3796673
>Call the guys and have them over. Tell them it's an emergency.
We have to get back on Sloane's trail.

>>3796673
>Call the guys and have them over. Tell them it's an emergency.

>>3796673
>>Call the guys and have them over. Tell them it's an emergency.

>>3796682
>>3796716
>>3796814

In a panic you call Sixer and F0R3M4N. You let them know something came up and you need them to meet at your place instead.

FM:"W3 W1LL B3 R1GHT TH3R3."

He hangs up the call and you start pacing nervously across your small apartment. You aren't ready to see your mother yet. She stopped by a few weeks ago to leave you your eyepatch, but she only stayed for a minute before she left. You were barely able to thank her before she headed back home. You hear a knocking at the door and call out to your friends as you go to open it.

SS:"GUYS! I'm so glad you came! There's something I have to-"

You stop speaking when you open the door all the way and see your mother standing out in the hall. She is wearing a crisp pantsuit with a purple ascot around her neck. Her platinum blond hair is tied into a tight bun. She looks like an older more serious version of yourself. You fear the day you end up looking like your mother, Katherine Klein. She stands there looking bemused while you stare at her. Your mouth is slightly agape.

KK:"Close your mouth Karina you'll let flies in."

She says this with a level of authority you aren't comfortable having over you. You still comply immediately on reflex.

KK:"What were you saying earlier dear? 'You guys'? Were you expecting somebody else Karina?"

You nod awkwardly.

SS:"Just my teammates."

KK:"Ah yes the other members of the... what do you call yourselves again?"

SS:"The Silver Stars. We're the Silver Stars."

KK:"The Silver Stars, of course. How could I forget? Well Karina? Aren't you going to invite me in?"

You blink before really getting focused again.

SS:"Oh. Um yeah. Come in."

You wave her in and she takes a few steps inside before grimacing.

KK:"I know you said you found somplace small but this is basically a closet. Are you sure you wouldn't rather just co-"

SS:"NO!"

Your mother stares at you looking shocked. You don't know why you shouted like that. That dream you had last night must be getting to you.

SS:"I mean... I mean no. I'm doing fine here in Metro City. I like being a hero. It feels right."

Your mother is about to say something when Sixer runs in through the still open door.

6'r:"Hey Specter we got your message what seems to be th- hey who's this?"

F0R3M4N walks in behind him and closes the door.

FM:"H3LL0? Y0UR D00R W4S 0P3N S0 W3 S4W 0URS3LV3S 1N. H3LL0 M4'4M. 4R3 Y0U 4 FR31ND 0F SP3CT3R'S?"

Your mother adjusts her ascot.

KK:"Ah these must be your teammates. Karina introduce us."

Sixer mutters "Karina?" under his breath while you look between your mother and your teammates.

>"Actually we should catch up later. We're working a serious missing persons case. Meet us at Greaser's later tonight." Flee with your team.
>Introduce your team to your mother and talk.
>Write in.

>>3796929
>>Introduce your team to your mother and talk.

>>3796929
>Introduce your team to your mother and talk

Shoulda gone to that interview instead.

>>3796929
>Introduce your team to your mother and talk.

>>3796936
>>3797063
>>3797275

You move to stand between your mother and your teammates. You gesture to your mother as you speak.

SS:"Hey guys... meet my mother. Mom, these are my teammates Sixer and F0R3M4N."

Your mother steps forward and holds out a hand for a shake.

KK:"Katherine Klein. It is a *ahem* pleasure to meet your aquaintance."

F0R3M4N steps forward shakes her hand. His large paw of a hand total encompassing her own.

FM:"H3LL0 M1SS KL31N. 1T 1S 4 PL34SURE T0 M33T Y0U. Y0UR D4UGHT3R 1S 4N 4M4Z1NG H3R0."

KK:"Yes well-"

Sixer steps in front of F0R3M4N and holds out a hand for a shake.

6'r:"Howdy! Name's Sixer."

She let's go of F0R3M4N's hand and shakes Sixer's

KK:"Why Karina. You've certainly made such colorful friends since you've been here."

There is a subtle edge to her voice.

KK:"They called you Specter. Is that your cape name?"

SS:"Specter Streak. But everyone just calls me Specter."

She tuts a little under her breath. You want to break the uneasy silence that she created.

SS:"We were invited to the Fledgling Formal. All the best up and comers will be there. Even some from the big leagues. Sonic Strike for sure will be there."

Her eyes widen a bit at that.

KK:"Well in that case I'll need to get going. You don't have any nice clothes to wear and I won't have you going out wearing THAT. I'll be back later tonight."

She leaves the apartment in a huff. You are left alone with your teammates. F0R3M4N turns to look at you.

FM:"Was that the emergency."

SS:"*sigh* Yes. She is... she can be a lot... Look let's just go. We have a lot to do for this case and we can't get hung up on my family issues."

>Explore Little Mars for info on Gorlox.
>Check out the apartment that crust told you about.
>Check out the MCFDA.
>Ask Sonic Strike for advice.
>Go back to the Warehouse from a few weeks ago.
>Write in.

>>3797886
>Check out the apartment that crust told you about.

>>3797886
>Check out the apartment that crust told you about.

>>3797886
>Check out the MCFDA

>>3797907
>>3797911

You decide to check out the apartment that crust told you about.

SS:"That crust mentioned an apartment they drop off the cybernetics at. We should head there. He said it was on Barsoom Blvd."

6'r:"That's in Little Mars right?"

FM:"4FF1RM4T1V3. W3 SH0ULD G0 4ND T4K3 4 L00K."

You all hop into F0R3M4N's truck and start heading over to Little Mars. After 30 minutes of driving you make it to the districts entrance. The entrance to Little Mars is a sandstone gate that looms over the road way. It was imported from Mars as a sign of peace between the humans and the martians. Plenty of the bulidings here are made with martian sandstone to keep with the martian's historical architecture. The mix between modern electrical engineering and ancient martian design gives the place a unique feeling all it's own. There are office buildings that look like carved monliths covered in neon striping and restaurants like black obsidian pyramids. It's the closest most people every get to stepping off world.

After looking around for right street you eventually see the building. You park across the street and just watch through the windows of the truck. A worn down red pillar with windows carved into it. At the base is a stonework door set up with a modern keypad lock. Sitting on the porch steps is a martian. He is smoking from a strange pipe. In one of his long hands is a curled up magazine.

Martian biology is different to that of a humans. They appear semi-reptilian with coarse skin in various shades of green. Their hair hangs thin and long. They are on average taller than humans, usually standing anywhere from 7ft to 10ft tall. They do not carry the Apex gene like humans do, but since they were accustomed to a planet with a lower gravity their bodies are naturally denser than the average human. They have a naturally higher strength and endurance than most humans as a resut. But the most interesting feature about martians is their enhanced regeneration. Much like some Earth reptiles they can regenerate lost limbs entirely within a very short time span and minor injurys can be healed within 30 minutes.

Most martians take up work as soldiers or body guards because of how sturdy they are. This one is wearing a black bandanna around it's ropey bicep and is watching the street for any signs of movement. Then after 30 minutes pass another martian steps out of the building. This one a female. She walks over to the smoking martian and says something to him in their native tongue. He heads inside and hands her his pipe. She takes his place on the steps. You notice as they change places they both have vials of red liquid on a belt around their waist. They are clearly guarding the building.

>What do you do?(Write in.)

>>3798313
>We can go invisible to wait and watch for the passcode. This will help for a stealth mission.
>While we wait we can scope out the building and the guard.
Maybe we could get some Martian food somewhere later.

>>3798380
+1

>>3798313
>Go both invisible and intangible and scope out the building.

Hey. Gotta go on hiatus. Will be too busy with work to update as frequently as i'd like to. Wannabe Hero Quest will return. Sorry for the shorter thread this time around

>>3801165
It's alright, as long as you come back.