Character Info and stats (Now includes a side-character page, which is currently under construction!):

https://pastebin.com/u/Siiren_QM

Previous thread(s):

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4158908/

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4170002/

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4207482/#p4250184

http://suptg.thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive/4252203/

I should make an update twitter. Expect one before the end of the thread. Probably.

>>4292764

Of course getting in contact with such a prolific CEO is a really out-there idea, so you decide to pitch that idea with the same tact that you usually do— that is, with the same tact one would use when knocking at a door with a battering ram.

“Remember that CEO you were talking about yesterday who was at the city council— Phillip Huber?” You start, effectively catching Matt’s and Bernard’s attention. “What if we reached out to him?”

Matt raises an eyebrow at your question-slash-proposal, while Bernard looks positively dumbstruck.

“You want to get in contact with Phillip… Huber?” The blonde is looking at you strangely, like you had just grown a second head. “Why would you wanna do that?”

“Think about it.” You tell him. “He has it out for FutureLabs, and he probably knows a lot of the people whose family members have died cause of them.” Heck, he was probably the guy who organized the whole thing. “If Huber heard that FutureLabs was still killing people, wouldn’t that give him more reason to speak up?” It doesn’t even have to be for mutants. Just against FutureLabs.

“FutureLabs could arrest or kill him if he’s not careful.” Matt points out rather bluntly. “And he lost a kid, Ellie. The grief from that’s enough to put anyone in a position to die suspiciously.”

“But that’s just it! He’s such a big face in the city that it would look strange if something actually did happen to him.” You point out, undeterred.

Matt’s silent at that. Because, while he sees the futility of continuing to argue with you, his lack of a comeback is enough to indicate that you’ve raised some pretty good points why killing Phillip Huber would be difficult for FutureLabs. “Worth a shot.” He shrugs, and the two of you leave it at that.

>(1/2)

>>4292837

“Eh, I’m still not buyin’.” You’re a bit surprised that it’s Bernard who’s on the fence. You thought the teleporter would be as gang-ho as you are, but right he seems adamant about the whole thing. “Are you sure there aren't any other guys that we could try?”

You shake your head, because there’s no one out there who’s against FutureLabs with that big of a name and undoubtedly many, many connections to anything and everything— media included. You’re sure if you looked well enough on the web, you might be able to find someone through an obituary or a news-article or something, but time spent doing that is time spent actually getting things done.

Still, if there were a man to represent the people whose family member’s have died because of the particle accelerator explosion or if there were a man to get any kind of message out there, Phillip Huber would be the one. It’s a gamble, but a gamble worth pursuing while the three of you prepare and compile the data for leaking.

But the question is, how would you even think to get in contact with such a guy?
>See if you can figure out where he lives and bust into his house Spiderman style!
>Same as above but do it through his personal office (if you can find it)
>See if there’s a phone number you can access to contact Huber
>See if there’s a way to contact him through the Internet
>Take to the web instead, and peruse the online obituaries and see if you can find a lawyer or something
>write-in

>(2/2)

>>4292840
>See if there’s a phone number you can access to contact Huber

>>4292840
>See if you can figure out where he lives and bust into his house
Find his house, Blink can port in and leave a prepared message with a first taste of FutureLabs wrongdoings with a time/place to meet.

>>4292840

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>4294029

Dice rolling:
>Phone number
>House bust

>>4292837

House-bust it is!

File: totes_not_robbers.png (101 KB, 664x474)

101 KB PNG

>>4294033
>>4292924

You decide that the best course of action would be to bust into Huber’s house to leave him a note. It’s not the most legal way of doing things, but it’s not like it matters, because the list of questionably legal things you’ve done in your time as a mutant is pretty darn long. Well, if there’s anything being a mutant has taught you, it’s that all those things you’ve done are only illegal if you get caught. But whatever— actual lives are at stake!

All you have to do is figure out where Huber lives, leave him a good enough note to give him a taste of what FutureLabs is doing, and provide him a phone number (to a burner phone, of course) so he can contact you later.

Of course, there’s someone who’s still being a wet blanket about it… and it’s not Matt this time. “Big bosses like that usually keep their houses super private, fishface, so you might not even—“

“Found it.” Is Matt’s interruption to Bernard’s wet-blanketedness, and you’re already zipping behind your brother to see the screen of his phone. You didn’t think it would be this simple to find his house; however, you soon come to find that— like any typical banking tycoon— Huber doesn’t have only one, but several properties in Konigsburg. Most of them are offices and corporate buildings, including the one large headquarter building in the Pioneer financial district.

There are only two properties that seem like actual residential homes— one in the downtown area closer to where the main headquarters is, while the other one is in that really posh part of town with the stone-carved buildings and polished streets.

>(1/2)

>>4294545

“So which one do you think it is?” Your inquiry is to Matt.

“Downtown.” That is the instant guess.

“I don’t think so.” Another, unexpected rebuttal from Bernard, and, before you can even think to ask him why, he teleports right behind you and Matt. “See where that house is? That house is pretty much a stone’s throw from the Huber HQ…” His hand reaches forward to point at the address on the screen, and you realize that the downtown house is indeed very close to the Huber Enterprises HQ.

“The thing is he’s not like a young, ambitious boss type cause he’s older—he’s not going to want to be lookin’ at work things all the time-- so don’t you think if the Huber guy still has a wife or more kids or somethin,’ he’d want to live somewhere more quiet and out of the way?”

You think that Bernard has a pretty good point if that's the case.

Well, no matter which house is the correct one to go to, it would take the same amount of effort to deliver a message to either of the houses.

>Which house will you bust into?
>Downtown; chances are Huber lives close by to his work, and Matt is right.
>That posh area; perhaps Bernard had a good point.
>Who needs to guess? You’ll go to both houses.
>write-in

>(2/2)

>>4294650
>That posh area; perhaps Bernard had a good point.

>>4294650
He seems to be tight with his workers so
>Downtown; chances are Huber lives close by to his work, and Matt is right.

>>4294650
>Who needs to guess? You’ll go to both houses.
If we just put the video on thumb drives, we can make as many copies as we need!

>>4294650
>That posh area; perhaps Bernard had a good point

Let's be real here, Bernard's last name is Huber

File: matt_is_not_amused.png (74 KB, 635x469)

74 KB PNG

>>4295118
>>4294689

Like Castle Park is to New York City’s Central Park, Vienplatz— unarguably one of the most affluent neighborhoods in the city— is Konigsburg’s equivalent to New York City’s Upper East Side.

As you examine the neighborhood around the Huber property more closely, there’s something about the surrounding area that’s vaguely familiar. Then again, you’ve been nearly everywhere in Konigsburg, so it wouldn’t be odd for you to remember the place.

While Matt still has some doubts as to where the primary Huber residence is, he also agrees that there’s some sound logic behind what Bernard had said.

Which reminds you…

“John wants to meet you sometime.” Your mouth moving in sync with your thoughts.

“Really?” Green eyes narrow, as if just registering what was meant by what you said. “Wait how did he find out about me?”

“He said he saw us walking a few times from his car. But don’t worry too much about it— he doesn’t suspect a thing.”

>(1/2)

>>4295559

There’s silence from Bernard, until he finally decides to ask, “Not sure if I said this before, but how freakin’ weird does it feel to have your brother workin’ for FutureLabs?” Neither you nor Matt answers, the latter opting to level him an unamused glare. “Anyways, how’s this gonna go? We all gonna bust in or what?”

“No. Just you.” Matt says.

“Really?” The teleporter perks up at that. “I mean, really?” He seems a little more interested than he was before, as he takes a few steps around the rock you and Matt are sitting on. “Well that makes life a little easier, cause it’s harder to be sneaky in a house when there’s a lotta people. And I’m the fastest, so it’ll be like wax-on, wax-off, right?”

“Mhmm.” Matt nods.

“But what if Huber just thinks everythin’s photoshopped?” Fair point, you think.

“Then we can put some of the video on a flash drive with whatever we write to him.“

“And if he doesn’t end up droppin’ us a line?”

“Then we’ll just move on, finish the video, and break into the news station like we planned.” It's not like your losing anything by giving this plan a try anyways.

>(2/3)

Was supposed to be 2 parts but put the drawfaggot is in the wrong post...

>>4295566

“Alrighty then.” Bernard’s grin is back in full. “Sounds good, stickface!”

It is while he’s making another loop around the rock with that typical, energetic swagger of his that he stops short, feet skidding kicking up a few stray pebbles before he turns to you. “So I know we’ll need a burner phone and a thumb drive, but is there anything else you’ll need me to do before we get this plan in motion?”

>”Come help us find where best footage is from the ProGo.”
>”You can help write the letter.”
>”You can go and buy the flash drive and burner phone and meet us back at our place.”
>”Nah. But come hang out anyways and meet John or something.”
>write-in

>>4295595
>”You can help write the letter, and maybe meet John while you're over.”

>>4295595
>”You can help write the letter.”

>>4295595
>”You can help write the letter.”

File: cakey_cake.png (42 KB, 411x301)

42 KB PNG

>>4295757
>>4295626
>>4295609

“You can help write the letter if you want.” Because more of you doing different tasks means that you’ll get the everything done faster. You also surmise that Bernard must be pretty well-spoken, given that he graduated from Belvédère and that he used to be the Crux’s recruiter (which probably required a lot of smooth talking on his part).

As the three of you start in the direction of where your apartment is, Bernard looks puzzled, because usually at this hour you would teleport right from the beach into your house.

“Hey, why aren’t we teleportin’?”

“John’s home, remember?” You tell him.

“Ah.” Bernard nods, the three of you leaving it at that.

The door was left unlocked since John expected you to come back home sooner rather than later. As you cross the threshold into your apartment, there’s the smell of something sweet wafting in the air. John is definitely cooking, his footsteps audible from where you stand, and you think that you can escape eating whatever he cooked since he’ll be more focused on meeting Bernard.

You and Matt enter the kitchen first, Bernard lingering not far behind. The only indication that he might be nervous about meeting John at all is the fact that his back is ramrod straight. Perhaps he’s self-conscious about how rugged and worn his clothes look, but hopefully John will chalk it up to the age-old excuse of ‘boys being boys.’

“Oh hey. You brought Bernard.” John slips off his oven mitts and sets them on the counter, crossing the kitchen to meet the guest— a guest that has seen this kitchen many times before. “Elise probably told you about me already, but I’m John.” John reaches out for a handshake, and Bernard accepts the proffered hand.

“Alright. I’m Bernard then.” Bernard returns the introduction. “Pleased to meet you, sir.”“Sir?” John lifts a brow at that, lip quirked upward at the show of politeness. “No need to be so formal with me— and I’m not that old yet.”

“So just John?”

“Yep.” John affirms. “John is fine.”

>(1/?)

File: business_letter.png (87 KB, 869x513)

87 KB PNG

>>4295949

When the general introductions are done, the three of you are able to head straight to Matt’s room and start preparing the stuff you’re planning to send to the Huber CEO.

While Bernard works on writing the letter, you and Matt focus on finding the best-worst parts of your venture in FutureLabs. There’s a lot to sift through, but you have a general idea where everything is, so you’re the one directing Matt on where to go, while he copies the footage into a video editor. It takes a good couple of hours before you deem your clip-hunt satisfactory, and, by the time everything’s said and done, you have a good three or four minutes of incriminating video.

Bernard had left a while ago, having finished his letter long ago. Mostly, John was asking Bernard questions about himself; he’d been able to formulate a rather impressive cover story— he had been living on his own for the past year to attend college at the Konigsburg institute of Technology (or KIT for short) as a business major. You’re pretty sure a university with ‘technology’ in the name offers no business courses, and you know this yourself, because that’s where you had been taking your online classes for the past two semesters. However, John seemed to believe every word that came from the teleporter’s mouth.

From where you’re sitting, you can hear the trill of the piano you have, so that must mean John ran out of good conversation topics and has turned to other methods of entertaining while he waits for you and Matt to return to the kitchen.

Before you return to the other room, you should probably read over the letter, so you bring the laptop over to where you were sitting to flip open the word document Bernard had started.

It’s pretty good, you think, reading it over again— better than what you could’ve written. All you really have to do now is get the burner phone and add the number to the letter.

>When do you suppose you’ll send it out?
>Suggest for the letter to be sent at night, while everyone’s asleep
>Send it tomorrow during work hours; no one should be home then
>Everything's done, so you really don't need to think about that now-- see what John and Bernard are up to
>other

>(2/2)

No names. Might be obvious, but we don't want to risk someone NOT him seeing this. Maybe just 'M'.

>>4296037
>Suggest for the letter to be sent at night, while everyone’s asleep

>>4296037
>Suggest for the letter to be sent at night, while everyone’s asleep

We need to start saying we're going on a (fake) diet. Keto or whatever. It'll get us out of eating ice cream and other stuff that makes us vomit.

>>4296037
>Suggest for the letter to be sent at night, while everyone’s asleep
>Everything's done, so you really don't need to think about that now-- see what John and Bernard are up to

File: UwJd.gif (999 KB, 500x211)

999 KB GIF

>>4296251
>>4296046
>>4296041
>>4296040

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OSpI84tBRTQ <--- what Bernard is playing

You suggest to Matt that the letter should be sent tonight, when all residents are asleep and all potential housekeepers are gone for the night. You can have Bernard get the burner phone later when John falls asleep.

Looking at the letter again, you think that maybe the M-Guard thing is a bit obvious at the end, and, since you’d rather not jeopardize the livelihood of the Huber CEO or anyone associated with him, you change the M-Guard at the end to just a simple letter M. Besides, the footage is enough of an indicator as to who you are.

While Matt goes over the video one last time, you head back to the living room to see what John and Bernard are doing, and, much to your surprise, you find that wasn’t John on the piano. Instead, Bernard is there, fingers moving with expert precision as they play through.

“Elise,” John calls from where he’s sitting nearby. “You didn’t tell me he graduated from Belvédère!”

“Oh.” That was something you did forget to mention. “Must’ve slipped my mind.”

“But honestly,” John says, once the song has come to a close, striding back to where Bernard is. “It’s been a pleasure having you here, Bernard.”

Item gained: The John Martins Seal of Approval.

This is followed by John offering Bernard to stay for dinner and dessert, to which the blonde accepts wholeheartedly because food— delicious, home cooked food. Not that you can eat it, and, after that last ordeal with the ice cream, you finally tell John you’re starting a keto diet for fitness purposes before everyone takes their places at the table.

Both Matt and Bernard inhale their respective dinners, while you’ve piled several cans of tuna in a bowl and arranged it in a way that seemed semi-normal. It’s not enough to constitute an actual meal for you nor does it taste that good from being in a can, but at least it’s something you can eat safely in front of anyone.

>(1/?)

INB4 'So how long have you been going out' or 'what are your intentions with my sister' or somesuch.

File: Spoiler Image (16 KB, 400x400)

16 KB PNG

>>4296333

Were you under the assumption that John doesn't ship it?

>>4296337
>>4296337
Nope, but there's no way he's passing up such a classic big brother troll opportunity, right?

>>4296328

Once the meal is finished, Bernard politely thanks John for the dinner, and John tells him that he’s welcome at your house at anytime. More handshakes and thank you’s are exchanged, and then Bernard makes to depart.

That is, until John decides to ask a rather uncomfortable question. “So how long have the two of you been going out?”

You feel the heat rising to your cheeks, unbidden, and even Bernard is at a loss for words. You knew you had given John the wrong idea back in the ice cream shop, but you didn’t expect him to directly call you out on it.

From the corner, you see Matt with the smuggest grin plastered on his face, and you know he’s not going to save you or Bernard from this embarrassment, as he’s perfectly content to watch the events unfold.

Eventually, Bernard manages to cough out “…Two months…”

The smile on John’s face only gets more pleased.

After you two manage to overcome your embarrassment, it’s easy to laugh off the whole thing, because you know that John’s being just being a wise-guy.

Once again, this time with less joking, everyone says their goodbyes, and Bernard is out the door. Of course, Bernard leaving is actually him stepping out the front door and teleporting back into Matt’s room so you can continue on with the final preparations for your plan, though he has to teleport once more to get the electronics you need.

“I thought you got rid of that shitty bandana.” Along with his usual costume, Bernard has his old banana on, but this time he has it pulled all the way down to his neck.

“Yeah, you don’t need to wear that— you got a mask.” You tell him.

“I know, but my face gets kinda cold when it’s night—it’s really terrible.”

“It’s eighty-five degrees right now.” Matt says, not buying it.

“Eh, whatever. I’m gettin’ the job done anyway, so it’s not that big of a deal, is it?” He shrugs, so the three of you drop the subject of the bandana for the time being.

>gonna stop here for the night; just realized how late it is

File: Spoiler Image (16 KB, 600x600)

16 KB PNG

>>4296355

“So why does your brother think we’re dating?” Bernard asks you.

“Boy. Girl. Do the math.” Matt succinctly says. “And the two of you looked like a couple of dying fish in front of John. You should’ve seen your faces.” He proceeds to make a pretty accurate imitation of your embarrassed expressions.

“You’re a jerk— you know that, right?” You tell Matt.

“Consider it payback for when you guys troll me with your powers— you’re lucky I didn’t end up with whiplash that one time…” That’s when you recall the one incident— one of several incidents, in fact— in which you would catch Matt off-guard, launch him into the air with a powered throw, and have Bernard catch him. You know that Matt isn’t afraid of heights, and those jokes were all in good nature; but the rapid sensation of flying, falling, and being teleported back to earth must have been a harrowing experience if the look on his face afterwards was any indication. This had all been done under the guise of helping Bernard practice good power control, you and the teleporter struggling to hide your grins all the while.

Maybe you should let up on that, you think, because the only thing worse than two trolls is an extremely smart troll.

“Hey guys— we got everythin’ in that envelope?”

“Mhmm.” Bernard takes that as his cue to swipe the envelope off of the desk, giving the USB inside a shake for good measure.

“Here’s the address—“ Matt says, handing him another slip of paper, to which Bernard looks at it for a split-second before putting it in one of this pockets.

“You sure you don’t want any of us going with you?” You ask him; because even though it is not at all necessary for you to go, you feel the need to ask anyway.

“Nah. I can do this by myself.” Though there’s definitely a smile from beneath his bandana that speaks of reassurance, his stiffened posture suggests otherwise.

“If anything happens, I’ll just come right back.” He tells you. “Wax-on, wax-off, right?”

“Yeah.” Still, there’s something about way he’s been acting that doesn’t sit right with you; and it’s not that you don’t trust Bernard to do this task, nor do you think he won’t end up doing it period— just that you’re not convinced he’s not too happy about the whole thing.

>What do you do?
>Insist to go with him. Something about this whole thing has him acting kind of off.
>Let him go. You trust him enough that he can get the job done on his own, plus this job requires stealth and speed.
>write-in

>Let him go. You trust him enough that he can get the job done on his own, plus this job requires stealth and speed.

>>4297067
>Let him go. You trust him enough that he can get the job done on his own, plus this job requires stealth and speed.

>>4297067
>Let him go. You trust him enough that he can get the job done on his own, plus this job requires stealth and speed.
No risks, ok

What, are you kidding?
>follow that teleporter
Don't *tell* him you're staking out the house in the rich neighborhood to see if he has a personal connection to the Hubers. Konigsberg doesn't sound like a city in Saudi Arabia, surely you can come up with an excuse to be unaccompanied and out of the house.

>>4297377

True, this isn't Saudi Arabia-- and we don't really need to be told not to go, but Vienplatz is like smack-dab in the downtown part of Konigsburg and kinda far away from our neighborhood.

We're much faster on foot, but Bernard's teleporting is able to cover more distance in shorter periods of time. By the time we reach Vienplatz via jumping, Bernard would've long-since returned.

File: Watching_for_mutants.png (213 KB, 442x279)

213 KB PNG

>>4297310
>>4297080
>>4297080

You trust Bernard enough that he can get the job done on his own, and you’d rather not add any risks to something that’s pretty easy in your opinion. In the blink of an eye, the teleporter disappears with the letter, leaving you and Matt to your own devices.

Taking your phone, you go to the site that the police use to broadcast mutant sightings and listen to what’s happening.

Possible mutant sighting on 1st & Cerise Street. No confirmations yet…

Traces of mutant DNA discovered on— A fizzle from the radio’s connection. —no confirmation.

Sometimes, the feed cuts out due to signal quality of the channel itself, perhaps due to the fact that it’s a radio station connected to the internet— but the channel’s the most reliable thing you have for mutant tracking.

Confirmed mutant sighting on 1st & Cerise Street. Sending in two agents to apprehend.

That’s when you and Matt promptly decide that it’s time to suit up. The authorities send in several more agents for backup, but to no avail.

“Hey guys, I’m back!” Bernard says, pulling his bandana down to his neck, but, upon seeing you and Matt shifted, suited, and geared up, he seems a little baffled. “What are you guys doing all suited up?”

“There was a mutant on 1st & Cerise Street, but it ended up taking care of itself.” You explain.

“Whaddya mean it took care of itself? Did they get caught?!”

“No.” Matt tells him as he loads a few things onto his belt. “The mutant was the one who took out the cops.”

“Weird.” Bernard says. “Wait is that a good thing or a bad thing?”

“Good for the mutant. Bad for the cops.”

“So we gonna check this out or what?”

>Sure. Let’s see what kind of mutant was capable of taking out some goons.
>Nah. The mutant’s presumably safe. We don’t need to do a thing.
>write-in

>>4297452
>Sure. Let’s see what kind of mutant was capable of taking out some goons.

>>4297452
Is the mutant still there? If not, there's no point. The scene will be crawling with enemies and Blink already did a mission, so he won't be at full strength.
>Nah. The mutant’s presumably safe. We don’t need to do a thing.

>Sure. Let’s see what kind of mutant was capable of taking out some goons.

Also, willing to take out some goons. Best to know which.

E n g l i s h

Backup means the mutant is not a lethal fighter and is likely getting run into a corner. This is the kind of thing we intervene in when we're saving mutants from cops, right? We need Blink too, and he can handle it.

>>4297452
>Sure. Let’s see what kind of mutant was capable of taking out some goons.
Sounds fun

>>4297452
M-Guard is open to recruiting powerhouses. Also gotta make sure they aren't crux minded.

File: dark_alley3.jpg (280 KB, 520x650)

280 KB JPG

>>4298041
>>4297883
>>4297654
>>4297623
>>4297462

You find that 1st & Cerise Street is completely vacant due to the small perimeter set up around it. Usually, there would be a sizable troupe of goons guarding the area along the perimeter, but there are none to be found, though you know that FutureLabs men were here because of the several distinctive black vans you see lined along the curb.

When passing one by that has its door ajar, you notice that the figure in the driver’s seat is slumped against the wheel. Alive, you think, because you can hear the his heartbeat, but what does that mean for the rest?

With Matt and Bernard not far behind, you spring along the rooftops to check the streets for additional signs of life. It isn’t long before you hear the thump-thump of heartbeats, several of them, coming from the ground, and with it is the sight of several suited figures splayed out along the roadway.

All of them are alive but unconscious, their hearts beating in calm tandem. Too calm to be normal.

The trail of bodies leads into the alleyway, where there’s a noise from within, along with a rustling of sorts, and you peer over the edge to get a closer look.

Crouched over one of the goons is a dark-suited figure, rifling through their pockets and taking whatever they deem valuable. You can’t see the figure’s face, because their back is hunched over and they’re wearing a police-grade cap. In fact, you notice that everything they’re wearing seems to have been stolen off of some sort of authority, from the suit with the ever-familiar logo of FutureLabs, to the boots, and even the bulletproof police vest.

Judging by the low, almost lazy-sounding murmurs coming from the figure upon finding something particularly interesting— male, your mind supplies— he doesn’t seem to be too concerned about his surroundings or even the fact that additional FutureLabs personnel could be upon him at any moment.

But shit. You forgot that you don’t have your comms anymore, and, although Matt and Bernard are at the other end of the block, you’re highly curious as to how he took out all of these goons singlehandedly.

>What do you do?
>Introduce yourself. See who this mutant is all about and attempt to ask him some questions
>Keep watching to see if you can find out anything about this guy through observation alone
>write-in

>>4298306

>Introduce yourself. See who this mutant is all about and attempt to ask him some questions

Bern on standby to teleport everyone out if things go bad.

>>4298306
>Introduce yourself. See who this mutant is all about and attempt to ask him some questions

Mr Sandman
Yes
>Remain in cover and throw something at him

File: Mystery_dude.png (381 KB, 800x800)

381 KB PNG

>>4298311
>>4298392

Your own hood and mask are donned, but, since your arms, eyes, and feet are uncovered, you know he can clearly see your mutant features. Even still, he’s not making any attempt to interact with you, opting to reload the tranquilizer gun that he also happened to loot from the unconscious cop.

“Did you take out all of these FutureLabs guys?” Is your most excellent icebreaker.

“…”

“Are you from the Crux?” Probably not the most tactful thing to say— but it’s important to know.

“…”

“You know it’s kind of hard to make a one-sided conversation. Mind telling me your name?”

He tilts his head at you, while fingers play around with another one of the guns. Nothing but silence from the masked figure as he regards you with the twisting eyes of his mask. With you and the masked guy standing mere yards apart, neither of you making a move to leave, you think the situation is getting really awkward really fast. You hope Matt and Bernard find you soon.

Finally, after what feels like eons, the masked figure says, “Sopor...”

The voice is young, possibly as young if not older than you, and, if you didn’t know any better, you would say that he sounded slightly annoyed at your attempts to make conversation.

“Ok then. You probably know if you watch the news, but—”

“You don’t need to tell me who you are.” The masked man— Sopor— interrupts. “I know very well who you are— and I’m guessing the rest of you aren't far behind…”

>(1/?)

File: Spoiler Image (44 KB, 800x800)

44 KB PNG

>>4298889

“So you know what we do then, right?” You ask.

“You save random mutants and run from the cops.” Sopor says none-too-kindly. “But, as you can clearly see, I don’t need your help— or help from your little group.”

You open your mouth for a retort, but Sopor cuts you off. “And before you ask, I’m not interested in working with anyone else, mutant or otherwise.”

You hadn’t even gotten to asking that yet, and you wouldn’t have even considered at the moment because you don’t know anything other than the fact that this guy’s name is Sopor and he’s a mutant, but the way he automatically assumed what you were going to say has you just the slightest bit aggravated. Either Sopor is a mind-reader, which is very-well possible, or the guy is a presumptuous douchebag.

Currently, you’re opting for the latter of the two, the other mutant proving your hypothesis right with each passing moment. Much to your utter relief, Bernard and Matt appear at the mouth of the alleyway, the two striding right alongside you.

“Hey you found the guy, Kelpie!” Bernard says as he studies Sopor from one of your sides, while Matt gives him a wary look.

Sopor’s shoulder’s tense, and his body language screams that he wants to be anywhere but the alleyway.

“I thought you’d get it through that skull of yours if I was a big enough asshole, but I guess I was wrong…” His hands are still fiddling with the tranquilizer gun, but he has yet to point it at any of you. “…If the three of you don’t leave, I’m going to shoot one of you—“ A finger clicks off the safety of the gun.

“—starting with him.”

Your body’s poised to jump forwards and attack; however, before you’re even off the ground, you find yourself completely and utterly… gone.

>(2/?)

>>4299008
Douchebag AND a dumbass. You'd think 'hey you found the guy' would tip him off that she approached him and hasn't be able to report it, meaning he probably shouldn't assume that everyone's pressing the situation intentionally. He didn't even give her a chance to speak.

>>4299008

It’s the lush, French countryside, it’s the embrace of the endless ocean, it’s the taste of flesh as it hits your tongue...

…but, at the same time, it’s not.

And it’s wrong.

So very, very, wrong.

Much too belatedly, you realize that your mind is trapped, as if plunged in a thick, viscous syrup. Something about the feeling being mentally tampered with for what is not the first time has you feeling absolutely vicious, and you lash out indiscriminately with claw and maw at the cloud that’s enveloped your mind.

Just as fast as it had begun, it’s over, and you’re left standing there in the darkness of the alleyway, huffing and puffing like you’d just run an Olympic marathon.

“Uggghhhhh…” You hear Bernard groan from beside you, apparently also having fallen victim to Sopor’s powers. “Someone give me the plate of the bus that just hit me…“ He pauses, remembering the same thing you’re remembering now. “Stickface!”

There on the ground is Matt, unconscious, his metal bat lying not too far away. Alive.

Although Sopor is gone, Matt being alive is what’s most important, and you quickly set to plucking the darts from your brother’s body. Hefting him into your arms, you still feel a lingering anger that attempts to overcome your logical thought, and you are positively torn between doing what you should and doing what you want.

>What do you do?
>Go home. Calm down. Take care of what’s necessary. It’s best to get Matt somewhere safe before more cops arrive.
>Pursue and attack. At this point, with Matt down, your mind buzzes for retribution.. (Roll d200)
>write-in

>(3/3)

>>4299071

>Go home. Calm down. Take care of what’s necessary. It’s best to get Matt somewhere safe before more cops arrive.

He's a jerk, and this is why I wanted Bernard to hang back. We shouldn't pick a fight with him just because he's a jerk though. If we ever do need to fight him we should have a plan in place to account for his strong power, perhaps learn more about him so we can develop countermeasures.

File: images.jpeg.jpg (8 KB, 267x189)

8 KB JPG

>>4299082
Support
Also

>>4299071
>Go home. Calm down. Take care of what’s necessary. It’s best to get Matt somewhere safe before more cops arrive.

>>4299071
>Go home. Calm down. Take care of what’s necessary. It’s best to get Matt somewhere safe before more cops arrive.

File: salty_frens.png (21 KB, 800x800)

21 KB PNG

>>4299258
>>4299127
>>4299106
>>4299082

Reluctantly— very reluctantly— do you tell Bernard that the three of you should go home, and so the empty street disappears, replaced with the familiar walls of Matt’s bedroom. Once you have Matt situated comfortably on his bed, you don’t even bother to shift back, instead opting to slump against the wall and glaring at the floor as if you could burn a hole in it.

“What a douchebag.” Bernard says as he sits himself nearby, unlatching the mask from his face and letting his eyes dim back to their natural state. “Actually, I’ll think I’ll rank him in my top five of world’s biggest douchebags.”

Though you definitely agree, you don’t say anything to that, instead waiting for that insistent buzz to dispel itself from your mind.

“Stickface can’t be taken out by a couple of stupid darts— he’s way tougher than he looks, Ellie.” The teleporter says, mistaking your silence for worry.

“I know, and it’s not that I’m worried about. I’m just… mad.” All you were going to do was tell Sopor to get off the streets before anyone else arrived— get to somewhere safe-- but he didn’t even give you the chance to say a word.

However, the second he pointed his gun at the three of you, you were more than ready to attack the masked mutant; that’s what you tell Bernard, who also was all-too-ready to apprehend him when he drew his weapon. After that, the topic of Sopor fades away from your topic of conversation, the two of you continue talking back-and-forth to pass away the time until Matt awakens.

“He lives!” Is the first thing Bernard says when Matt opens his eyes. “Welcome back, stickface! How’re you feelin’?”

“Pretty shitty to be honest. I’m guessing Sopor got away.”

You don’t give a response to that, because you know that Matt already knows that Sopor had likely escaped. “Do you remember anything he did before he shot you?” You ask instead, because if you know what Sopor’s power is and how it works, then you’ll be able to form countermeasures against in case you see him again.

Matt frowns. “No. Whatever he did, I couldn’t move.” Sounds like Sopor didn’t want anyone knowing how his power works. “Asshole.”

Still, you have a feeling that this isn’t the last you’ll see of Sopor.

>(1/2)

>>4299630
wait a moment, if he also used his power on matt, why did he only shoot on him ? when elise and bernard got up the guy was already gone so he didn't need to tranqulize anyone. was it so us wouldn't give chase ? 'coz if he could read minds, makes sense he didn't shoot us 'coz of regen, but bernard would take the same time as matt so i think he's just an asshole

File: Spoiler Image (23 KB, 326x334)

23 KB PNG

>>4299651

Guy's an asshole. A very cautious asshole that wanted to make a point. Freezing Matt too ensures that he won't know how his power works.

Also fucckit I wrote the first half of my update at 2:30 am while my eyes were crossing. Totally forgot to proofread if something doesn't check out. That's why I have pic-related, cause OP sometimes is total rart.

>mind reader

This was Elise's guess of Sopor's power.

Again:

Sopor = asshole

File: 6C1492C6-9F50-45DF-B03C-3(...).jpg (208 KB, 1305x1026)

208 KB JPG

>>4299671

Also just realized I have some shit to take care of irl—will return to complete the update later.

Ignore the ID change and enjoy this drawfaggot I did with a tablet instead of a mouse.

File: ringringringringring.png (49 KB, 290x183)

49 KB PNG

>>4299630

The headline for the next day reads as follows: ‘Masked assailant leaves eight more policemen in comas.’

There’s no doubt as to who the culprit was to that, and the headline implies that this was not the first time he had put someone in a coma. As if FutureLabs wasn’t a big enough problem for the three of you...

The three of you are back at your beach, and, even though it’s hot enough that it’s more oppressive than present, you’re not sure how suspicious John would be if Bernard kept showing up at your house too much and too randomly. And, since no one ever comes to this particular beach, the three of you can talk about pretty much anything (although you plan to be more careful now after knowing how John had managed to see you with Bernard). After you train today, you’re definitely take a swim, if not to cool off and also eat something that doesn’t come from a can.

Currently, you’re squaring off against Matt powerlessly, because the two of you still have the most know-how when it comes to martial arts. Plus, your sibling rivalry requires that the two of you fist-fight every once in a while. More often than not, you’re the one who ends up the victor in these sparring matches, though Matt also has his fair share of wins. You remember that he used to be way better than you when the two of you first started out, but, because you’ve been in way more fistfights than Matt has in the time that two of you started training, that gap has long-since closed.

Bernard, meanwhile, is content to watch your fated sibling battle, as the two of you swing at each other without reserve. Of course you have to limit your strength output for obvious reasons, but your durability allows Matt to fight with as much strength as he pleases, while you use these fights as opportunities to hone your technique.

It’s just about when Matt starts to flag that you hear the ringing of a phone— a phone that is neither yours nor Matt’s nor Bernard’s. The burner phone!

As if answering your thoughts, Bernard teleports right up to you, drops the phone in your hands, and teleports some distance away.

Wow. Huber got back to you guys fast. Must be a businessman thing, you think.

Still, you need to answer the phone--and right away!

>Who answers?
>Answer it— Huber will want to talk to you, the M-Guard’s de facto leader
>Let Matt answer— he’ll sound good enough

>>4299915
>Answer it— Huber will want to talk to you, the M-Guard’s de facto leader

>>4299915

>Answer it— Huber will want to talk to you, the M-Guard’s de facto leader

>de facto

>>4299915

>Answer it— Huber will want to talk to you, the M-Guard’s de facto leader

We're definitely being GPS tracked btw, I sure hope Huber is on our side.

>>4299915
>Answer it— Huber will want to talk to you, the M-Guard’s de facto leader

File: a_phone_call_is_here.png (54 KB, 573x443)

54 KB PNG

>>4300047
>>4299983
>>4299940
>>4299934

You press the button to answer without a second thought.

“Hello?” You start, hoping that you don’t sound like too much of a kid.

“Hello," The voice on the other end of the line intones, and it’s the voice of from a middle-aged man. “Are you from ‘M?’”

“Yes.” You respond, knowing exactly what he means by ‘M’. “To whom am I speaking?” You’re certain this is Huber, but it isn’t harmful to double-check; since he probably has housekeepers or something, you never know who could’ve picked the letter up.

“That would be Phillip Huber, Miss.” The man who is indeed Phillip Huber says. “I’m calling about the birthday card you sent me.”

Birthday card? What does he mean by— oh. “Yes. The birthday card. That was from us.”

“Well, I wanted to call to thank you for it, though I’m honestly surprised that you sent me the card in the first place.” He must have been surprised that you reached out to him specifically, if that’s what’s being implied by the CEO’s roundabout words. “I can’t say I didn’t find it interesting. It was honestly a real eye opener, that’s for sure.”

“Did you throw away the— “ You struggle for a brief moment to come up with something clever. “—the candle?” You really hope you don’t sound stupid to this man, but, if he’s using roundabout language too, then he must be aware that there could be other parties who are potentially tracking this phonecall and listening in for certain keywords.

“Don’t worry, Miss.” He tells you, having understood the meaning beneath your words. “The candle is long gone.” Good, you think. “Anyways, I hope we can discuss our matters of importance—how does tomorrow sound? Tomorrow at eleven o’clock?”

“Sounds perfect. Thank you.”

“I know you’re more than capable of getting there yourself, but feel free to see the view from my office’s helipad. It’s one of my favorite views of Konigsburg, and I think it will be yours too.” Go to the Huber Enterprise Building and enter from the rooftop... “Have a good day, Miss.”

“You as well.” And with that, you end the phonecall.

“Alright guys!” You shout, bounding upwards in exhilaration, your landing scattering rocks in all directions. Also, what had been basically a business call had you quite nervous, and you're proud of yourself for keeping a cool head the whole time. “We’re going to Pioneer Street tomorrow!”

“That’s great.” Matt puts out a fist for a fist bump, which you readily return. “Now how about destroying that shitty phone before we get wrecked by FutureLabs.”

You don’t need to be told twice, and, after you give it a good crushing, you throw it as far as you can from the shore.

>(1/?)

>>4300117

Gonna have to stop here for the night cause tired-- see you all soon!

>>4300117
>after you give it a good crushing, you throw it as far as you can from the shore.

>littering

FutureLabs was right, we are the villains.

>>4300117
23 o clock

File: beautiful_giorno_land.jpg (170 KB, 611x404)

170 KB JPG

>>4300330
Congrats. You found my endgame, anon.

Our ultimate goal is to implement a mass-littering law once the Mutant Terror Act is repealed and make our shining city look like pic related

>>4300117

To clarify, the meeting is at night at 23:00 hours.

>>4300410 Good catch, anon.

“Don’t you swim in that water, Ellie?” Matt asks, baffled as to why you decided throwing the burner phone in the water was the best course of action.

“Yeah, but one phone’s not going to kill the whole ocean, is it?” You reason, and nothing kills electronics more effectively than water.

“If you eat our burner phone by accident, that’s not my problem.”

“Who says I’m going to eat the phone?”

“I could hand you anything while you’re eating, and you wouldn’t even know until you bit it.” That would be an effective way to snap you out of a feeding frenzy, but you have enough sense to tell the edible from the inedible. Maybe not as much as you thought if the devious look in Matt’s eyes is any indication, like he’s considered doing that before and thinks he would succeed.

From the side, you notice that Bernard is abnormally quiet. Usually, he’d be teasing you too to elicit a grin out of you, but at the moment he looks sullen, and you're honestly not sure why. “What’s the matter, Bernard?”

“Nothin.’ Nothin.’ Just thinkin’.” He waves you off. “Pioneer Street is huge, right?”

“Yeah.” You haven’t been to the financial district often enough for it to stick in your mind, but you’ve seen enough pictures of it to know it is very impressive.

“Anyway, what’d Huber say on the phone to you, Ellie?”

“Meet him there tomorrow on the rooftop at eleven o’clock tomorrow night so we can discuss important matters.” You give him the general summary of what the tycoon had said.

“Well, I think you killed it on that call, fishface.” The compliment makes you blush. “Now who wants coffee? My treat!” Though you can’t drink it, you’re up for a trip to the café. And air conditioning! Need you say more?

>(2/?)

File: bandana_bonanza.png (27 KB, 600x600)

27 KB PNG

>>4300877

In the hours leading up to the meeting with Huber, you don’t have much to prepare for, as all you need is to bring is yourselves. There’s a strange sort feeling that’s overcome the three of you— a mixture of anticipation, nervousness, and excitement— because, in mere hours, you will be revealing yourself to someone who is neither a mutant nor related to you.

You already know what you’re going to say to him: ‘Help us take down FutureLabs.’

What’s most important is the how— the when will be the end-result.

“Oh friggit Bernard— not that bandana again!” You hear Matt’s harsh whisper from the other room. “I should’ve burnt that shit while you weren’t looking.”

“But it looks super cool—” There’s a noise of surprise from Bernard, along with some thumping as Matt had probably attempted to rip the bandana off himself. “—watch the mask, stickface!”

That’s when the teleporter takes refuge in your room, away from the irate Matt. “Hey Ellie.”

Just like last night, he has his green bandana pulled all the way down to his neck.

“You gonna judge too?” Bernard asks, likely irked from the scuffle he had in the other room.

“No.” You tell him. “But I don’t think you need to wear a bandana for this.”

“Well, I’m wearin’ it this time, and no one’s gonna stop me.” He stretches the bandana as far down as it can go for emphasis.

You have a good half-an-hour to go until you should leave, and, in that time, you notice that the blonde is becoming increasingly restless. You’ve been around him long enough that his tics are obvious to you, whether it be in the stiffness of his back, his pacing around the room, or even how he fidgets if he sits in one place for too long.

At first you chalked it up to a general shyness around adults— older adults, that is—but his behavior around John completely disproved that. Perhaps, the whole meeting a rich businessman thing is too big of a reminder of his old life before the particle accelerator exploded, and you’re positively certain that Bernard had known wealth at some point in his life— had been raised in it. If the fact that he graduated from Belvédère of all places wasn’t enough of a clue as to what kind of lifestyle he led, there were other things too that meant nothing on their own, such his ability to be well-spoken either verbally or on a page, his particularly expensive tastes, and (as you observed last night) table manners that put yours and Matt’s to shame.

It’s why you think the wait before this meeting is taking such a heavy toll on the blonde, and, as much as you want the answer out of Bernard, your meeting time with Huber is not that far away. What time is it anyway?

Your eyes move to the bedside clock you have.

10:55 P.M.

Shit. Where’s Matt? You have to go!

(3/4)

File: Pioneer_Financial_District.jpg (279 KB, 1024x683)

279 KB JPG

>>4300902

“Come on, Bernard.” You call him from where he’s sitting on your chair, shifting into your fish form as you do so. “Meeting’s in five.”

“Ready to go, guys?” Asks Matt once you’re teleported into his room, giving Bernard’s bandana a sidelong glare as he picks a metal bat from his bat collection. For where you’re going and what you’re doing, he doesn’t need the bat, but the bat is his thing. What kind of bludgeoner would Matt be if he wasn’t carrying a blunt-force object around all the time?

“Alright then, let’s go.” Despite his light tone, the hand that grabs your shoulder squeezes tightly, and, after waiting twenty seconds for the scenery to change, you come to the realization that nothing’s happened.

“What gives, Bernard?” Matt asks after a good twenty seconds of not being teleported.

“Sorry. Sorry.” He apologizes. “Was just thinkin’ again.” And, with that, you’re on the rooftop of Huber’s main corporate building. Huber is not here yet, but there is a rooftop entrance located just behind the helipad.

From how high up you are, the wind whips at the strands of hair that have come out of your hood, making them fly in all directions. Taking a glance off the side of the building, you think that Huber was indeed correct to say that this place has quite a view.

“I take it you’re enjoying the view from my building.” A voice that is neither Matt’s nor Bernard’s interrupts the din of the city noises, though it is still a voice that you recognize. You had heard the footsteps of the man, but, since your back was turned, you had mistook them for Bernard’s pacing.

Turning around, you are greeted with the face of one of the most prominent men in Konigsburg. With his fine-tailored suit-jacket and neatly-combed hair, Phillip Huber looks every inch the businessman; but his eyes aren’t cold like you would expect of someone in his career field, and his face is worn from both grief and age.

As he stands not too far from your group, it seems like either Huber is appraising the three of you, or he is waiting for you to speak.

>What do you do?
>Introduce yourselves
>Let him introduce himself first

>(4/4)

>>4300937
>Introduce yourselves

>>4300937
>Introduce yourselves

yo I'm King Shark, this is my bro Batman, and over there is your son

File: the_meeting_room.jpg (118 KB, 640x427)

118 KB JPG

>>4300950
>>4301054 I honestly lol'd at this.

Huber’s probably waiting for you to introduce yourselves. So that’s what you do, and you make sure to do it as politely as possible. “I’m Kelpie.” You start, because you’re the one who he talked with first.

“Bludgeon.”

“Blink.” Each one of you takes a turn to introduce yourselves and shake hands with the Huber CEO, and he doesn’t seem troubled by yours or Bernard’s mutant features.

“Good to meet you all.” Huber says, and the sincerity of his words puts you at ease. “Come. We can talk more in my meeting room, and I imagine the three of you wouldn’t want to talk over this wind.” He turns and makes for the rooftop exit. “This way.”

You’re led from the windy rooftop and down a set of stairs to the main office building and into the meeting room, which isn’t overly large, though it isn’t claustrophobic either. In fact, with its large, mahogany table and the general luxurious feel of the room, you’d say it’s rather befitting for a man of Huber’s status.

“Take a seat, and feel free to talk about anything you want.” Is the first thing Huber says once you’ve all entered the room. When he takes his seat at the head of the table, the three of you take that as your cue to settle where there are bottles of water set out. “I’ve had the cameras and microphones disabled for this floor, so it’s perfectly safe to say what we need.”

That means you won’t have to use roundabout language like you did on the phone, so you can get straight to the matter at hand: getting the message out about the people who have died, and even the ones who are still dying.

“Where should we begin?”

>Atticus. Fekkin. Charles. How to jail this bastard?
>The families of the deceased and how we can get justice for them.
>The video. Even though, you talked about it on the phone, see what he really thought of it.
>write-in

>>4301060
>Atticus. Fekkin. Charles. How to jail this bastard

>>4301060
>>The video. Even though, you talked about it on the phone, see what he really thought of it.

Lets us get a bit of a starting point for how to approach the situation, figure out what his priority is in terms of how to handle this.

>ask what he knows about Dr. Charles, and maybe the other executives at FutureLabs.
If Atticus Charles isn't a mutant I owe my imaginary friend my entire pet rock collection.

>>4301060
>The video. Even though, you talked about it on the phone, see what he really thought of it.

>>4301060

>The families of the deceased and how we can get justice for them.

so tragic that we found Bernard Huber in that death camp

>>4301060
>The video. Even though, you talked about it on the phone, see what he really thought of it.

>>4301082
>>4301210
>>4301415

“What did you think of the video from the flash-drive?” You had talked about it on the phone very briefly, but you ask anyways, because you are curious to know what Huber really thought about it.

“Truth be told, I didn’t believe at first, but, if it’s true— if the footage is really, honestly true— then I am both shocked and appalled.” Huber’s hands are clasped together as he leans in to face you.

“Well, it is the truth, and we wouldn’t have risked ourselves for the footage otherwise.” Even though it could be gathered that it was your group that got the footage from FutureLabs, the straight-forwards admission that you broke into such a dangerous place has his eyes widening a fraction, though he still retains his calm, collected composure.

“I thought that FutureLabs was just containing the criminals and rehabilitating them so they could go back to living their lives.” Huber admits, disconcerted. “I obviously was wrong. More than wrong.”

“And it’s not just the criminals they’re going after, Mr. Huber.” You tell him. “There are a good number of people there who were just normal, everyday people— those are usually the kinds of people we save.” Furthermore, if Huber got a good-enough look at the mutant-prison, which he most certainly did, there’s a clear surplus of cells that are more than enough to fit only criminals, even with how large the Crux had been at its peak.

He’s silent at your explanation as he takes a moment to rub a hand down the bridge of his nose. “An ugly truth is better than the most beautiful lie, I suppose.” He sighs. “But this, if this is what FutureLabs is really doing, I’m not surprised. I don’t know Atticus Charles personally, and I never had a reason to get to know him; but, in the brief time I’ve met the man, he struck me as a sociopath with no concern for anyone but himself.”

Considering what he’s done, and what he’s still doing, you think that would be a pretty accurate profile for the owner of FutureLabs.

“There was a city council that I attended this week, and, when I tried to confront him, his indifference towards the deaths he caused reaffirmed what I already knew— that he doesn’t care who he steps on or how many lives he takes as long as he can do and get what he wants.”

“And I know that FutureLabs says that mutants are mentally unstable, physically unstable, whatever overly-complicated garbage they say non TV to confuse our lovely city, but I’ve never believed anything they’ve said about mutants— not even for a second.” Huber stops, and his eyes darken into something troubled and anguished— a stark contrast to the calm and gentle look they held before. “That man— more than anything, he needs to be behind bars.”

>>4301770

>What do you say to that?
>Tell him you have more evidence that we want to get out, and that’s what you’re planning to do.
>You didn’t think that Huber would be so open-minded about mutants. Ask him why that is.
>Skip straight to the point. You want him to represent the families of the people who died so you can raise awareness of the evil that is FutureLabs.
>write-in

>>4301773
>You didn’t think that Huber would be so open-minded about mutants. Ask him why that is.

>>4301770

>Tell him you have more evidence that we want to get out, and that’s what you’re planning to do.

And we were hoping he could help get it through FutureLabs's stranglehold on media and the web.

>>4301773
>Tell him you have more evidence that we want to get out, and that’s what you’re planning to do.
We want to get all the evidence past the Great Firewall. How do we do it and should we?

File: Huber_Parents.png (17 KB, 800x800)

17 KB PNG

>>4301846
>>4301814

“What you saw in the video was only a small fraction of the evidence we have. The three of us plan to get the evidence out as soon as possible so we can shut down FutureLabs for good.”

“You seem like a pretty savvy person, Mr. Huber.” You say, and you hope you didn’t come across as too brazen just then. “You wouldn’t happen to know how to get past the censorship, would you?” Huber considers your question silently.

“No. I don’t think there’s any way to get past it unless you went on television yourself, Kelpie.” That’s… disappointing to hear. “Though, I doubt the news stations would ever let you on television if you consider how tight of a stranglehold Charles has on Konigsburg’s news outlets.”

“I could always find a way to get myself on live television, but I wouldn’t be able to take your evidence with me, because they watch for that too; and who would take me seriously? Most of the general public knows I’m still a grieving man, even after all this time, and it would be easy for Atticus Charles to vilify me and say I’m not in the right frame of mind.“ There’s a pause as he gives you some time to process his words.

“Speaking of media, do you know about how it works outside of Konigsburg?” The question comes from Matt.

“I haven’t been outside Konigsburg all that often since the incident, just a few times since I’ve visited my wife and daughter. Atticus Charles may be rich, but I doubt that he has enough money to pay every news station in America to hide the truth of what he’s doing.” Then again, everywhere else in America doesn’t have mutants, so why would he need to pay for censorship in places where it’s not needed? “In any case, Konigsburg’s media has been like a sieve ever since the incident. Every bit of information on mutants is so carefully monitored here it’s impossible for something so big and incriminating to slip through the cracks.”

> Explain that you’re going to break into a news station.
>”What about social media? Can’t we just circumvent the stranglehold that way?”
>”We have an idea, but what would you recommend?”
>write-in


testing tripcode for lulz

>>4302191

Oh friggit I forgot to make that pic a spoiler.

>>4302191
>What about social media? Can’t we just circumvent the stranglehold that way?”

>>4302191
>”We have an idea, but what would you recommend?”
Any advice for our aspiring anarchists?

>>4302191
>>”We have an idea, but what would you recommend?”
>>

>>4302418
>>4302335

“We have an idea for that, but what would you recommend?” The news station plan is still your best bet for getting the evidence out, but perhaps an adult’s opinion— an actual, functioning adult that is neither you nor Bernard— would be able to give you good alternative perspective.

“Hmmm…” Huber places a hand to his chin. “Well, I think what’s most important is getting the public sympathetic to your cause. You have a plan to release the information, and I have no doubt the three of you can do it.” Then his face becomes serious. “However, once you free the mutants, then what is your plan to control the situation afterwards?”

You’re not quite sure what he’s getting at.

“The thing is, there is a good portion of the population that is still wary of mutants, especially after the Pharos incident. Though the public may tolerate you to a degree, I don’t think acceptance will happen as easily as you think. Mutants may no longer be killed by FutureLabs, but who is to say that the public just won’t continue to resent mutants for what they’ve done?” You don’t have an answer. You thought that once you got the information to the feds and Atticus Charles was locked away Konigsburg would go back to the way it was before, albeit with more mutants. You realize that Huber is right.

“It’s okay. You kids are still young, so it’s not to be expected that you would be thinking that far ahead.” He reassures, noticing the dour atmosphere that has overcome your side of the table. “And trust me when I say that I want Konigsburg to be a safe place for mutants as much as you three do.”

“Why?” As far as you know, Huber has no reason to be as supportive of mutants as he is.

>(1/?)

File: Spoiler Image (12 KB, 800x800)

12 KB PNG

>>4302611

“For one thing, there’s my daughter.” He says, as if that explains everything. “It just so happens that she’s a mutant herself; if she cannot have a safe and happy childhood in this city, then I don’t know why I’m still in Konigsburg after all this time.”

Who would’ve thought?

“I was planning to come clean with the fact that she’s a mutant myself— because, while the public might not want to listen to me over the kid that I lost a year ago, I think they would be a lot more open-minded if they knew that my daughter is the same little girl that she’s always been. Just with powers.” He adds. “Secondly, I want closure for my son, and I don’t think I’ll be able to feel at ease with myself until Atticus Charles is behind bars.”

“But your daughter.“ You object. “Aren’t you afraid of putting her in danger, Mr. Huber? What about yourself and your company?” You can’t help but ask out of concern for both Huber and his daughter.

“Well, Atticus Charles doesn’t have jurisdiction over mutants outside of Konigsburg now, does he?” He smiles a wan, tired smile. “As for me, I’ve long-stopped caring about what will happen. The most that will happen is that I could end up in jail for violating the Mutant Terror Act, but my family is and always will be my first and foremost priority— the company will be able to survive without me.”

“Besides, it’s about time we put pressure on Atticus Charles for what he’s done.” For the mutants, for the deceased, and for this man who sits before you— a man who looks less like the calm, collected businessman you met on the roof and more like thw tired, exhausted father that he is. Despite this, there’s still some remnants of a spark in Huber’s green eyes that speaks of hope and resolve, which is the same, unwavering resolve that burns brightly within the three of you.

“I may not be able to support you overtly for obvious reasons, but I am willing to help you in any other way I can. If the three of you ever need anything, don’t hesitate to ask.”

>Thank him graciously and profusely for the offer
>Take him up on the offer right now. (Write-in what it is you need)
>No thank you, you’ll contact him if you need anything
>write-in

>(2/2)

>>4302652
>Thank him graciously and profusely for the offer

>>4302652

>>4302652

>>Thank him graciously and profusely for the offer
>>Take him up on the offer right now. (Comms!!!)

update twitter: https://twitter.com/qmsiren

>>4302652

>Thank him graciously and profusely for the offer

File: Spoiler Image (95 KB, 702x514)

95 KB PNG

>>4303001
>>4302693
>>4302666

“Thank you very much, Mr. Huber for your offer. We’ll be sure to contact you if we need anything.” That is what you tell him. Though the thought of new comms briefly crosses your mind, but now is not the time nor the place to ask for such a thing.

Another round of handshakes, and you can’t help but notice just how stilted Bernard is in his motions; from his gait, to his posture, to the almost-hesitant way he extends his hand to shake Huber’s, his discomfort is plainly obvious (at least to you and Matt). You had been sitting closest to Huber, so you couldn’t see what he was doing before, but, the whole time you were at that table, not once did the normally-talkative blonde say a word.

Before you leave, Huber gives each of you a burner phone so he can keep in contact with the three of you so as to keep you informed on when he’s set to come out to the media about his daughter, and he says it shouldn’t take too long to pull the right strings. Now, what had once seemed like an impossibility seems more in reach than ever. To think if you got your evidence out not long after Huber did his part— how much of a blow would that be to FutureLabs?

Once the luxurious meeting room disappears and you’re back in Matt’s room and then your room as you’re teleported back to your respective rooms (as you locked your bedroom doors before leaving).

From right next you you, you steal a glance to Bernard and realize that he looks worse than he was not even two minutes ago. Having removed the bandana from his face, you can see that both his hair and his face are drenched in sweat. He hasn’t moved an inch since he’d taken you to your room, standing stock-still and staring forwards with dimmed eyes that have a far-off look in them, like he’s in some sort of waking dream— a dream that is neither good nor happy.

You don’t like seeing Bernard like this, because he is your friend, and the sight of him looking so haggard and ashen has your stomach twisting in deep concern. However, when he realizes you’ve been watching him and are still watching him, his mouth is back in that smile of his, and he tries to play the whole thing off as exhaustion from teleporting you all together.

“Whew— I’m tired fishface.” And he stretches himself like a cat, adding in a yawn for emphasis. “That was some meetin...’”

You nod, but you don’t buy the act one bit, and although you’d like to call Bernard out on his behavior every time you’ve tried to ask him what’s wrong has ended up in failure.

>What do you do?
>Call Bernard out on his behavior. Here and now. (Roll d100)
>Don’t call him out, but tell him that you’ll listen if there’s something seriously bothering him. Comfort if necessary,
>Say nothing, leave him be for now.
.>Write-in

Rolled 49 (1d100)

>>4303141
>Don’t call him out, but tell him that you’ll listen if there’s something seriously bothering him. Comfort if necessary.

Whatever you're hiding, it's probably not worth it to keep it hidden anymore if it's grinding at you like this. Hope that you can get to trusting us that far one day.

>>4303147
uh, forgot to remove the roll.

Rolled 97 (1d100)

>>4303141
>Call Bernard out on his behavior. Here and now. (Roll d100)

>>4303248

OH GOOD SHIT WE GOING FULL SPEED AHEAD!!!

>>4303262
glad to help sir

Continuing tomorrow-- see you all real soon!

Rolled 61 (1d100)

>>4303141

>Call Bernard out on his behavior. Here and now. (Roll d100)

bro u look like u ran a marathon while infected with covid whats up

currently writing the update. expect it in .5-1.5 hrs tops.

I blame traffic.

>>4303498
>>4303248

fucking full speed ahead!!!


You’re not sure if it’s your fish-half that has your concern amplifying tenfold, or if it’s your own irritation at Bernard’s refusal to address the elephant in the room, but you’re determined to call him out on his behavior right here and right now, because seeing Bernard in this much anguish over whatever it is that’s troubling him is just as painful for you as it is for him.

“Bernard, you haven’t been acting right ever since this whole thing with Huber started.” You tell him straight-up, and the look on his face shifts from that faux-tired act to the look of a deer caught in the headlights. “Whatever it is that you don’t want to tell us, it’s not worth hiding anymore if you’re going to keep acting like this. I want to help you, but I can’t help you unless you actually tell me.”

“That’s— that’s not true. I’ve been actin’ fine, Ellie.” He denies, the smile gone from his face and his eyes darkening. “Besides, you don’t need to be sniffin’ your nose in everyone’s business all the time. What if I just don’t wanna tell you what’s wrong?” Bernard turns over his words for a brief moment, and there’s an indecipherable look on his face. “Actually, you know what? I don’t have to.”

Like a light switch, his eyes shift from that normal shade of green to bright and glowing; you grab for him, faster than he can think to teleport. By whatever miracle— likely through force of habit— the effect of his power spreads to you, and you’re caught up in the bright-green light of his teleport. You feel rocks beneath your feet and hear the noise of the waves crashing against them, and you realize that you’ve been taken to your beach.

Again, he attempts to shake you off in another teleport, and you expect that to be the end of it with a teleport across the city. However, Bernard does the exact opposite, as you see a green flash atop one of the faraway roofs; either teleporting from here to Pioneer Street has taken a lot out of him, which you doubt, or Bernard is no longer able to put enough focus into his teleports.

A jump, and you’re soaring in his direction, nearly crashing right into him. As you grab hold of him in a crushing bear-hug, your momentum brings the two of you forwards, and you skid forwards on the rough surface as the two of you come to a stop.

“Stop tryin’ to butt into my freakin’ business, fishface!” Is the angry shout from Bernard as he tries to wriggle himself free, but his efforts are futile. You’re much too strong and much too stubborn to let go, because you refuse to let Bernard continue like this. You absolutely refuse.

>(1/?)

>>4304302

“I’m not letting you go, Bernard.” You tell him, and, despite the fact that he could teleport out of your hold at any moment, you tighten your grip on the other teen. “Not until you tell me what’s going on with you. Whatever your hiding, I know it’s hurting you, and I don’t want you to have to hurt anymore.”

That’s when he stills, and a long moment passes where the two of you just stand there, Bernard’s body loosening in your hold. You can feel the fight seeping out of his shoulders, and you think he’s tired. Tired of secrets and evasion and toeing around the matters at hand. Tired of hiding whatever it is that he’s been hiding.

“Heh.” He laughs, but the noise isn’t happy. “I was gonna tell you guys when this whole thing was over, but you and stickface are the only real friends I’ve ever had. And you guys honestly deserve to know more than anythin’.” The teleporter’s face is resigned, rueful, as he says his next words.

“It’s just… I didn’t want you to think that I was a loser.”

>(2/?)

File: Spoiler Image (63 KB, 415x350)

63 KB PNG

>>4304305

also quick drawfaget cos pc is ready to die

“It might take a while to explain everything, so you should probably sit down.” He settles down on the roof, and you follow suit. Absently, your eyes catch some candy wrappers, a small blanket, and other various things scattered about. This must be where Bernard camps out when he’s not sleeping in your closet.

“Well, I should probably start with my real name…” He starts, but that confuses you, because you already know his name; what else could he possibly be trying to get at— “…my real name— it’s…” He purses his lips together, as the act of trying to get out his next words takes the utmost effort.

“…it’s Bernard Huber.”

Your mind careens to a screeching halt, as the final pieces of the puzzle that is Bernard— Bernard Huber— click into place.

That’s when you realize why. Why Bernard had been trying to dissuade you from the start, why he’d been acting so absolutely un-Bernard-like in the coming days to the meeting, and why he’d looked so anguished after returning from the meeting you had with his—Bernard’s next words confirm it. “That… was my dad that we met tonight, and it was the first time I’ve seen him in… I dunno how long it’s been.”

Mentally, you interpose the face of the middle-aged CEO against Bernard’s, noting the similarities and differences of each and every feature that they share. Even though you’re clearly staring, Bernard doesn’t seem to notice as he continues.

“Seein’ him again just kinda made me remember everythin’ I used to have. My mom and my sister. My home. And I used to watch my mom and sister when they were still in Vienplatz, but, after FutureLabs tried to abduct her, that was the final straw.” Then he adds. “Lucky you were there, fishface. I dunno what I would have done with myself if she got taken.”

But wasn’t that when you saved Sophie—

Oh. You think, and your mind flits back to the little girl you fought with Bernard to save— a little girl with blonde hair, hazel eyes, and a power that’s not too different from Bernard’s own. The family resemblance between the two of them is clear. However, you’re left with more questions than answers, and there are so many that you don’t even know where to start.

>”But wait. If everyone thinks you died, how are you here?”
>”Wait. Sophie’s your sister?!”
>write-in

>>4304319

also update theme. Loop loop loop.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKR8L-YCYI0

>>4304319
>”But wait. If everyone thinks you died, how are you here?”

>>4304319
>”But wait. If everyone thinks you died, how are you here?”

>>4304319
>>”But wait. If everyone thinks you died, how are you here?”

And why didn’t Bernard just go back?

>>4304319

>”But wait. If everyone thinks you died, how are you here?”

Why do people think he died in the first place? Just because he disappeared?

>>4304319
"First off, I don't think you're a loser, I'm just worried about you. And second-
>-wait. If everyone thinks you died, how are you here? And why not just go back?"

We continue tomorrow. Got a huge chunk written but OP needs sleep.

File: Spoiler Image (208 KB, 598x539)

208 KB PNG

>>4304346
>>4304358
>>4304369
>>4304402
>>4304408

“Wait.” You know exactly what you want to ask Bernard. “If everyone thinks you died, then how are you here?”

“Easy, fishface.” He says succinctly. “I didn’t.”

“It’s actually more complicated than that.” The teleporter’s voice interrupts your train of thought. “But we have all night, don’t we? Might as well get this off my chest while we’re still here…”

Bernard takes a deep breath to gather his thoughts, pulling his mask off and setting it to the side. The look in his green eyes that are usually filled with mirth greatly perturbs you, as you’ve never seen the blonde so… despondent. “My dad wanted me to take over the company right after I graduated from college, and, even though my grades weren’t all that good, he managed to get me accepted into some really good school up north.” He tells you.

“I didn’t wanna leave Konigsgburg to go off to college. I didn’t wanna leave my mom and sister either. So after I graduated high school, I convinced my dad that I wanted to take a year off before goin’ to college, see how the company works… but I didn’t do any of that. I just… goofed off all day… tried to get out of it any way I could, and made lots of excuses…” When he says this, he looks to you. “…kinda what I was doing right now…”

“I didn’t have the guts to tell my dad that I didn’t want to cause I didn’t want to see him upset.” He tells you. “Maybe he knew I wasn’t interested, and he was waiting for me to tell him. Maybe he was worried cause I barely passed high school, but I think he just wanted the best for me in the end…”

“It wasn’t too long before I was supposed to go when the blast happened; I was with Sophie, and we were playin’ a game together.” Despite the sad look in his eyes, there’s a faint upturn of his lips as he recalls his sister. “Hide-n’-seek I think it was…”

“I dunno why. I thought I was finally over the whole leavin’-Konigsburg-for-college thing, but for some reason it really hit me hard that I’d be leavin’ everyone I’d ever known…” You can’t help how your heart clenches for your friend.

“I felt like I wanted to run away, or hide where I was forever— I don’t really know what I was thinkin,’ but that’s when I started to feel sick to my stomach. But somethin’ kinda told me that I should check up on Sophie, and that’s when I heard her screamin.’”

>(1/?)

File: Spoiler Image (217 KB, 564x522)

217 KB PNG

>>4305319

“Turns out the same thing that was happenin’ to me was happenin’ to her, and I thought I might be dead after all of that, but what happened was I woke up pretty far away from home.” You think that the experience must have been traumatic for both of them, moreso for Sophie due to the fact that she had been the sole witness to her brother’s supposed death. But also, how did the Hubers find Sophie and not Bernard? Thankfully, you don’t need to ask as the teleporter continues on with his story.

“Her body ended up reformin’ close enough to my house that my parents were able to find her, but I honestly didn’t know where I was or how to really get back after that; and, even if I did at the time, I couldn’t control my powers enough to stay in one place for too long.”

“By the time I finally learned how to control myself enough to get home, it was long enough that my parents and sister had moved on.” “Well, at least I thought they did. So I decided that I could live off the streets with my power. That’s how Pharos found me and… you know the rest, fishface.”

A long while passes where the two of you just sit there, letting nothing but the din of the city fill the air. Bernard’s retelling of his life leading up to the blast has most of your questions answered, and you’re mostly satisfied with his explanation. Mostly, because there’s something you have felt the need to ask that's been bothering you the whole time you've been on this roof.

“Why can’t you just go back?” You ask, because his dad clearly misses him, is ready to give up his livelihood to get revenge on the man who had supposedly “killed” him, and his mother and sister no doubt miss him too.

“Because I want my parents to remember me as… as a good kid…”

>(2/?)

>>4305346

“Shit.” Bernard breathes, overcome from the weight of so many memories and emotions held in for far too long. He brings a hand up to his cheek, and, when he pulls his hand away, there’s wetness on it.

“Bernard, are you okay?” You ask, concern having returned anew. You know he’s not.

The blonde doesn’t answer, and there’s another, shuddering inhale from your side as he tries his hardest to keep himself together. “I just can’t believe that I’m— I’m still no different than I was before all this…can’t believe that I’m such a loser…”

That last part was more to himself than you, but your ears catch it anyways.

Bernard had said that about himself before, and that had been why he hadn’t wanted to divulge his past in the first place. He had been afraid-- afraid of what you would have thought of him if you knew. However, in all the time you’ve known Bernard, you’ve never thought that about him. Not once.

Knowing his past changes nothing about your friendship. In fact, you feel like it must mean something if he’s entrusted you with his secrets.

“Bernard,” You start, scooting closer to him. “I never, ever thought you were a loser. This whole time, I was just worried about you.” You lay a hand on his shoulder in a gesture of comfort. You’re not sure what else you could possibly say; but you’ve never seen Bernard this down in all of the time you’ve known him, and if there’s anyone who needs your help, it’s Bernard.

>What do you do?
>Tell him something relatable— something you’ve never told anyone from your past.
>Tell him something comforting— reassure him.
>Tell him something blunt, realistic— tell him not to say that shit about himself
>Tell him something about his character
>write-in

>>4305412
>Tell him something relatable— something you’ve never told anyone from your past.

>>4305426

Going with this if no more votes in 15 mins.

>>4305412
>Tell him something relatable— something you’ve never told anyone from your past
>Then just kinda...reassure him. That maybe his sister just misses him. Mebbe his dad just misses him. He SEEMS to love his kids, at least. I'm sure that regardless, it'd be peace of mind to stop wondering 'what if', right?

>>4305412

>Tell him something relatable— something you’ve never told anyone from your past.

File: elise_had_no_muscles_lol.png (305 KB, 800x800)

305 KB PNG

>>4305426
>>4305708
>>4305876

Since Bernard basically spilled his entire past to you, you think it’s only fair if you give him an anecdote your own— an anecdote with a moral. Hopefully.

“Did I ever tell you what I did after I first got my powers?” Bernard perks up at your sudden change in topic. “I tried to run away to the sea.” You’ve never admitted this to anyone, not even Matt, but it was around that time that you had been at your absolute lowest. “I thought it was a good idea, because John wasn’t around enough to notice I would be gone, and my parents work abroad. That’s why I didn’t think it would be a big deal if I just… went.”

“Wait what about stickface?” He asks, disbelieving.

“He didn’t know then, and I was afraid of what I could do to him if I didn’t get enough food.” Shame wells up in you, but you have to press on, if only to make a point.

You had spent several days under the water with no one but yourself as company, and you had gone far from Konigsburg— far enough that no one could ever find you. Once you had filled your stomach enough to return to your senses, it had dawned on you just how alone Matt must have been and just how selfish you were.

Had you actually stayed beneath the sea, living like the animal that you felt like at the time, you wonder what would’ve become of yourself. To this day, the mere thought of the stunt fills you with shame— a shame far greater than what you had felt after the times you had lost control.

“Did you go back— I mean, I know you went back, fishface, but what happened afterwards?”

“Nothing really. John didn’t find out, and Matt…” You pause to think about what had happened on the night you had come through the door after those days of absence. “He didn’t know where I was or what I was doing, but he was scared.” “Stickface bein’ chicken? That’s impossible.” Bernard cracks a grin at the mere idea.

“You’d be surprised.” He never called you out on it either. In hindsight, maybe it would’ve been better if you had just fessed up right off-the bat. Heh. Bat. You mentally laugh at your own joke. “But I think that Matt was also thankful to have me back, and that made me realize that there were still people that needed me to be there for them too.”

“My point is that your mom, dad, and sister all love you, and, even if you don’t want to go back, you should give them another chance.” You tell him, truthfully. “From what it sounded like earlier, I think that your father misses you the most.”

>(1/2)

>>4305888

“Well what if they don’t want me back?” Bernard’s grasping for straws, but he knows that you’re right.

“They will.” You reassure him. “And, if they don’t, you’ll always have Matt and I.” The last thing you do to drive the point home is pull Bernard in for a hug; with no resistance, the other teen is limp in your hold. If you could see his face, you would know that there’s a calm, contented smile on his features.

It’s been a long night for the three of you— Bernard especially, you think. You’re not sure how late it is, but you can hear the noise of some nightly revelers hanging about intermingling with the noise of ocean waves.

>Not too soon, it will be dawn, so what will you do now?
>Take the scenic route home.
>Continue on with evidence compiling and planning tomorrow.
>Teleport home. Sleep.
>Don’t bother going home tonight. Too tired and too comfy.
>write-in

Also kudos to the kings who guessed Bernard's origins. Been dropping hints since thread #01.
>>4295118
>>4297377

>(2/2)

>>4305895
>Take the scenic route home.
>Also kudos to the kings who guessed Bernard's origins. Been dropping hints since thread #01.
dude, the only hint prior this thread that I remember was the little girl we saved

>>4305895
>Teleport home. Sleep.

>>4305895
>Take the scenic route home.
Find a 24 hr place and buy the both of you burgers and be cool with your not-boyfriend

>>4305895

>Don’t bother going home tonight. Too tired and too comfy.

beach sleepin hell yea

File: 9740428-16x9-700x394.png (563 KB, 700x394)

563 KB PNG

>>4305903
>>4305903

One of the less tiny, more obvious breadcrumbs was Bernard's slightly off-kilter reaction to the mention of Huber from the conference. Second slightly-more-obvious hint was that Bernard was of Swiss heritage, and what are Swiss people famous for?

Banks!!! The very thing that Huber Enterprises revolves around!

There was also the comment in part #04 that Bernard said something about how "big-bosses surround themselves with all sorts of people for PR." That's the paraphrased version of how he said it, but it was meant to imply that he had some knowledge of how high-level businesses function. Of course this meant nothing until I actually namedropped Huber.

Also also last one was hidden in the prompting of the first time we saved Sophie in thread #01

One of the options was:
>ask about her family:

To which we would've gotten some sort of response like. "I had a brother too, but he's in Heaven now..."


In retrospect, maybe said hints were too small and autistic to take note of unless one were really paying attention. I was quite proud of those breadcrumbs when I laid them.

We continue tomorrow as per usual.

Also curious, are the majority of /qst/ers Pacific or something? Cause this board is pretty slow until midnight.

>>4305929
Midnight is relative my dude. What timezone are you? I'm US west coast (Pacific Daylight time)

>>4306178

EST. But silly me, I remembered that time is nonexistent on this board.

>>4305929
my timezone is GMT -3

File: duvel master race.jpg (26 KB, 512x320)

26 KB JPG

>>4305911
>>4305903

You decide to take the scenic route home, because why not enjoy the night and have some fun on the town as yourself? Besides, sleep can be a problem for future you and Bernard, and there’s no purpose in trying to sleep if the sun’s going to keep you up anyway. There’s a good place to get burgers not too far from your apartment complex, and you’re pretty sure your outfits aren’t that distinctive that someone would recognize you while in them, especially when you’re in your human form. The only thing of note would be the suspiciously-sewn areas on your shoulder and thigh, but you don’t think anyone at this hour of the night (morning?) will even be awake enough to ask questions.

Before teleporting down from the building, you take a pair of flip-flops, while Bernard puts his jacket over his costume. You’re pretty sure you can handle a burger that’s cooked as rare as possible, subtracting the bun, lettuce, and whatever else is on it.

Sweet. Delicious. Meat. Your mouth waters at the thought.

Those partygoers are still hanging about your road, and, as you continue your trek towards meat-heaven, you catch snippets of their conversation.

“—come on, come on. Take a swig with me, ya square!” Hyena-like laughter sounds from the direction of the sandier beach areas.

“I’d rather not, please.” Another voice says, low and annoyed.

“Look. Look at ‘im.” The same, accented voice mocks. “What’s a square’s always a square.”

“I told you I don’t drink, Clyde.” The second voice insists, more stern this time.

“Well you gotta. ’S good for the muscles... and that stick that’s up your ass—“ Another bout of raucous laughter.

“Shut up already…” A third voice mutters.

You’ve dealt with plenty of drunkards on your road, usually the ones that had already gotten physical with their peers, but it doesn’t seem like this particular one is doing anything dangerous— Clyde (because that’s the guy's name) is just being a big asshat to his compatriots.

>What do you do?
>Steer clear of these guys; go home
>Turn back; find another way to meat-heaven
>Take a closer look
>write-in

>>4306807
>Take a closer look

At Clyde. Would be great to know Sopor's real name and face. His voice sound familiar?

>>4306807
>Turn back; find another way to meat-heaven

>>4306807
>Take a closer look

File: tegaki_2020_06_14_02_20_52.png (16 KB, 240x224)

16 KB PNG

>>4306897

Sopor isn't Clyde.

This is Clyde.

>>4306945
oh no, not an aussie

I'd vote to eat clyde but we'd probably get food poisoning

>>4306954

Yes. Food poisoning and internal hemorrhaging.

File: not Sopor.png (24 KB, 800x800)

24 KB PNG

>>4306900
>>4306897

Well, there goes your burgering, at least for now.

Motioning to Bernard, the two of you edge towards the beach to get a closer look at the group of men who are standing on the beach.

All the while, Clyde is still going strong with his taunting of one of the group’s members, unrelenting. When you peek over the border that separates road from beach, you’re suddenly filled with alarm, as two of the men there are dressed in the blackened uniform of FutureLabs.

The third guy is not, but his figure is partially hidden behind the other two men, enough that you're unable to make out his face. Nonetheless, you and Bernard shift closer to each other in case you need to do an emergency teleport.

“I heard Miss Krausmann wants to know when you’ll be back to work.” Clyde says, taking another swig of his drink.

“Whenever Doctor Charles calls me back.” This voice— this voice you know well— and the alarm that had been pushed to the back of your mind is redoubled. “‘Ey, but when you gonna have kids with her, Johnny-boy? She says she’s lookin’ for a nice, strong guy with glasses— know any of those around?” John does not look amused in the least.

Apparently, John had friends who are goons— goons who are armed, to be precise, as you can see a gun holstered to each of their belts— and they know him well enough to know where your neighborhood is.

“Tell her I’m not interested.” He says, and you can tell that he’s more annoyed than ever. “By the way, I never told you where I lived.”

“I don’t, but Eddie here does.”

“Don’t get in my face, you jackass…” The cold voice of Eddie warns.

It’s jarring to know that John apparently has friends who are goons— goons who are armed, to be precise, as you can see a gun holstered to each of their belts— and they know him well enough to know where your neighborhood is. You want high-tail it out of here as fast as possible, but, at the same time, you don’t want to leave John alone with these guys.

>What do you do?
>Keep listening. See what these “friends” of John’s want with him.
>Leave. These guys don’t seem all that good, but John apparently knows them so whatever.
>write-in

>>4306969

Oh good shit I forgot to remove the sentence I copy-pasted from one place to another. I feel like such a tard.

>>4306971

Too late now, I suppose.

>>4306969

>Keep listening. See what these “friends” of John’s want with him.

>>4306969
>>Keep listening. See what these “friends” of John’s want with him.

Got a hunch where this might be going, but family's family.

>>4306969
>Keep listening. See what these “friends” of John’s want with him.

File: Spoiler Image (19 KB, 600x600)

19 KB PNG

>>4307019
>>4306977
>>4306975

“Anyways, it was either you come to us, or we come to you, and I think it would be a lot worse for you if it wasn’t just the two of us, right Edmund?”

Eddie, Edmund, whatever his name is, stays silent.

“Just get to the point, Clyde.” “Fine, fine, fine…” He grouses before finishing off his drink and throwing the bottle to the side. “Doctor Charles thinks it was one of the scientists who gave those bloody bastards the numbers to the gas switches, and everyone thinks you’re a prime suspect, because of what Miss Krausmann said.”

“Weren’t you caught resuscitating one of them?” Asks Edmund, a twinge of curiosity in his monotone voice. “You realize that they’re no longer human.”

“Hah.” Clyde laughs a vicious laugh. “Doesn’t matter now, does it? He’s probably gone soft from working in tech for too long.”

“I like working tech.” John grounds out. The other man, however, either doesn’t notice or care about what kind of mood your brother’s in, swaggering so close to John that you think he would be able to smell the alcohol on his breath.

“What kind of attitude is that, ya turd? You’re sitting on your ass, day-in and day-out, letting your actual, useful skills go to waste, but chances are you’re gonna be demoted to Level E personnel within the week— and ya know what happens to Level E personnel?” You don’t know what Level E personnel do, but you are sure it’s not good. Not good at all. “Get it through that thick skull of yours. If you wanna make it to your wedding with Ursula, all ya gotta do is change divisions…”

“We’re only telling you, cause we’re your friends, John.” Edmund’s voice, though cold, is not nearly as abrasive as Clyde’s. “Not Clyde. He’s a dick.”

“Plus, if you knew exactly how much they stole, even you’d be up in arms.” You know for a fact that he's talking about you. “Now show me your stuff, dipshit.” With that, Clyde tosses his gun right to John, who easily catches it. “And I want ya to shoot right— over— there—“ He makes an exaggerated motion to some faraway street sign that’s far away from you.

Several shots ring out, and, much to your surprise, all of the marks are perfect.

Though, perhaps it’s not that surprising at all if you consider that even the scientists at FutureLabs had guns, which they must have learned to shoot at some point.

“Aww yeah! That was some serious aim, and I don’t just say that about anyone.” Even Edmund seems be quite impressed by John’s marksmanship.

>(1/?)

File: gun-animated-gif-4.gif (213 KB, 400x210)

213 KB GIF

>>4307113

“Happy now?” John asks while handing the gun back to Clyde, and his shoulders sag, as he resigns himself to whatever demands Clyde has in store for him. “Just… tell me what I have to do.”

“Well, first you’re gonna bring that ugly-lookin’ mug of yours back to the labs on whatever day we decide to call, and then, when we head to town, do all ya gotta do is point and shoot, because Charles thinks they’re gonna make a move any day now…”

“Whaddya say? Ya up for a good ol’ game of duckhunt?” John doesn’t answer. “’Sides, I’ll be watchin’ you from above the whole time. Should be pretty easy if we bring one of the girls along...”

“What?” There’s something tense, indecipherable in John’s voice, and the ensuing silence is overbearing. That is, until Clyde speaks once again.

“Relax, shitface. ’S not like anyone will get hurt too badly, especially if those bastards show up.”

“They definitely will.” Ed affirms, but that does nothing to put John at ease.

“I’m… I think I’m going to go home…” Is what he says instead.

“Good. Get those trigger fingers ready. Get pumped, asshole.” Clyde says as John departs without any further word. “We’re gonna get the drop on these bastards, and the last thing they’ll be seein’ is the barrel of your Jeretta.”

>Now that John's gone, you need to gtfo asap? Wat do?
>Head to the alleys
>Head to burger
>Head home
>write-in

>>4307124
>>write-in

trail Clyde home

Futurelabs is planning an ambush and suspects John of aiding us? Well we're gonna plant evidence to make it look like Clyde helped us, and get advance notice of the ambush while we're at it. Fuck you Clyde.

>>4307124

>>4307140

Is engaging a possibility?

>>4307141

This is a bloody fookin' quest you can do whatever you want.

But also consider the consequences...

>Fuck you Clyde.

also why did I lol at this so hard?

>>4307124
>>Head to burger

We can make plans about it without risking ourselves.

>>4307124

Ok

FutureLabs is apparently in it for containment and de-mutation...
or extermination if the de-mutation experiments don't work fast enough.

So

>"We need to find Pharos."

At some point. Because if we don't, and FutureLabs catches him first, we are BONED. His ability might demand a mutant supremacist ideology from him in the same way that ours needs fresh fish flesh. Is it even possible to use such a power for good?

>>4307124
>Head to burger
>>4307135
>Futurelabs is planning an ambush and suspects John of aiding us?
not exactly him, but any of the scientist

>>4307135
Worse yet, they're making John part of the ambush. Should we tell him yet?

>>4307211
Actually we need to find Pharos right the fuck now because a Crux 2.0 invasion of FutureLabs is guaranteed if we release that video to the internet without dealing with Phatos first which means Probable Mutant Holocaust or Pharos World Domination.

>>4307214
I don't see the need. We watch Clyde, Matt watches John, we'll know everything about the ambush and be able to avoid it easily.

>>4307212
this line makes it seem like they're especially suspicious of John

>>4307113
>“Doctor Charles thinks it was one of the scientists who gave those bloody bastards the numbers to the gas switches, and everyone thinks you’re a prime suspect, because of what Miss Krausmann said.”

>>4307211

Pharos is able to use his power on any group or person of his choosing-- not just mutants-- so he definitely can use his power for good.

>Mutant Holocaust

Frig I never even considered that the muties would get pissed enough to revolt on their own. The Crux might no longer exist, but who says that a bunch of pissed mutants wouldn't want to go apeshit?

But hey, free food amirite?

>>4307240

Oh yeah. Miss Krausmann = Ursula.

Thought it was funny cause Kraus translates to "one with curly hair." I think. I don't sprechen Deutsch.

File: Spoiler Image (71 KB, 156x163)

71 KB GIF

>>4307211

>FutureLabs is apparently in it for containment and de-mutation...

Mutants are a problem for Atticus Charles, but it's more than just getting rid of them. I honestly cannot stand the 'depowered by magic serum' trope, so we won't see any of that for this quest.

Also be warned that every time you give a theory, pic related gets stronger...

File: RAAAAGEEEEEEE.gif (102 KB, 155x162)

102 KB GIF

We continue tomorrow, ya blokes!

Same general timeframe, etc.

I wanna find a mutant that has the ability to turn normies into mutants and turn Clyde into what he hates most.

A Kiwi.

File: 32c.gif (39 KB, 399x369)

39 KB GIF

>>4307272

Like a kiwi kiwi or the bird?

Also why do Aussies hate kiwis?

>>4307113
>"...and everyone thinks you’re a prime suspect, because of what Miss Krausmann said.”
I'm wondering if this is related to the episode they said John tried to save a mutant or if she discovered something about John and made the link with us

File: nyc-treasure-open-24.jpg (32 KB, 253x450)

32 KB JPG

>>4307184
>>4307212

>>head to bruger

Several options flit though your mind for what you could do right here such as engaging the two armed men or trailing Clyde back to wherever it is that he came from. But the truth is that if you took him out whatever it is they’re planning against you probably won’t be stopped. Prolonged maybe, but not stopped.

In fact, now’s a better time than ever to take a step back, get some food in your stomach, and figure out how to be as ready for these goons as possible, and, even though their whole conversation has left a bad taste in your mouth, some comfort food would do you and Bernard some good. Or maybe that’s your stomach talking.

The twenty-four hour diner is not that far away, but, by the time you get there, the first hints of daylight are already on the horizon. As you wait for your burgers, Bernard is looking at you with a look that just says ‘What the frig?’ And the feeling is mutual, because now John is being dragged into whatever plans are being made against you.

All of this is forgotten once the burgers arrive, and you cannot hide your excitement when the food is set down. Because canned tuna sucks, and you haven’t eaten that much since you broke into FutureLabs.

Bernard isn’t even finished with his first burger when you’re done with several, and, as much as you would love to do nothing but down burgers all morning, you doubt that the teleporter has enough pocket change to buy as many burgers as you want (crave). You make a mental reminder to slip him some extra cash later.

As for the goon business, you’ll tell Matt when he’s awake. But while you and Bernard are here, it might be a good idea to discuss something about it beforehand.

>What is the most important thing to you need to do?
>Keep John away from goons & co.
>Figure out whether or not you need to alter your own plans cause of this. (Do you?)
>Think about how to prepare yourselves for the storm, cause you don’t know when or how it will happen.
>write-in

>>4308221
>Think about how to prepare yourselves for the storm, cause you don’t know when or how it will happen.

>>4308221

>Think about how to prepare yourselves for the storm, cause you don’t know when or how it will happen.

I mean, we can know. If we keep on John constantly, we'll have advance notice cause he's gonna get called before it starts to help out.

>>4308221
>>Keep John away from goons & co.
Oh no, John broke his leg when a half eaten tuna slammed into him in a freak accident. Guess he'll have to stay out of work while he recovers.

File: This is how Elise gets th(...).jpg (115 KB, 847x1024)

115 KB JPG

>>4308342
>>4308262
>>4308413

The one thing you can count on is that an ambush on you won’t alter your plans to get the information out. You just think the key is to be fast and careful, which you already are. Mutant-saving is another issue, and, between this new, more fierce group of FutureLabs agents that have just recruited John into their ranks and the possibility of Sopor showing his face again, you think you really have your work cut out for you. But Sopor doesn’t seem to like FutureLabs agents or even normal, non-mutant-hunting cops, so that’s positive — except for the fact that he’s putting every cops in comas. And, of course, he tranqued Matt (the asshole!).

But you think you’re in a higher amount of danger with the FutureLabs’ agents than Sopor; because, even though the guy is perfectly capable of putting anyone he wants in comas, he hadn’t done it to the three of you, which you’re pretty sure he could if he wanted to.

As for John… You briefly consider a number of creative ways you could keep him from actually going to do his goon thing, one of them involving a tuna (which you could procure at any time you wanted), because first he is your brother and you don’t want him to be in danger, and second he’s a really good shot— a shot that you don’t really want to be on the receiving end of.

Well, if you can’t stop John from going, at least you’ll know when he’s being called thanks to that Clyde guy’s loud mouth.

You tell all of this to Bernard, who’s on the same page as you. You still want to release the data however you can, and you don’t want to be caught in the middle of a three-pronged shitfest.

Once Bernard is finished with his meal, you find a secluded alley and teleport home, not because the two of you are lazy, but because you still are in your hero outfits. Not that anyone has recognized you at this early hour, but better safe than sorry—especially now.

Matt must have been waiting for the two of you, because you get a text almost immediately after you arrive in your room.

Up early? Is what the message asks.

Where’s B at? The next text comes not long after.

He must have already been awake, and, upon seeing that your door was still locked, Matt probably knew you weren’t home. Plus, it’s unusual for you to be awake before nine o’clock in the morning when you’re not doing classes, so you think he would also like to know what you were up to.

>Griggers, we might be super, but we’re not COMPLETELY immune to exhaustion.
>roll d100 for how well we function today

>Also wat do now?
>Go to Matt and tell him all this shit here and now
>Wait until John’s not home to blather
>Find a nice rooftop or go to cafe to spill the deets of Jawn Wick
>don’t roll; take a fekkin’ nap you psycho
>write-in

Rolled 38 (1d100)

>>4308449
>Go to Matt and tell him all this shit here and now

Rolled 100 (1d100)

>>4308449
>Wait until John’s not home to blather

>>4308512
neat bro

>>4308449
>Go to Matt and tell him all this shit here and now

with that 100 we can do whatever we want

>>4308512

>nat 100 on what's basically a stamina roll
>WE ARE AN ABSOLUTE UNIT!!!

File: matt_is_done_with_everything.png (50 KB, 800x800)

50 KB PNG

>>4308468
>>4308512
>>4308689

You might not have gotten any sleep for the past day, but, strangely enough, you don’t feel tired at all— you feel absolutely great. Heck, you could pull another all-nighter and still be fine—maybe even longer if you had to.

You hope Bernard will be able to last until the evening, but that’s nothing some caffeine can’t fix.

Get your asses over here. Matt pesters you with another text. John’s asleep. There’s no way he's going to hear us cause he snores like a freaking dump truck. The last part of the message has you smirking.

“Hey stickface, how’s it hangin?’” Bernard starts with a friendly wave when you’re in his room.

“You guys are still in your suits.” Matt responds in lieu of a greeting.

“Yeah.” You say evenly. “What about it?”

“Did either of you actually sleep?” Your silence is the only answer he needs. He looks to you, then Bernard, and you see the cogs in his head turning, an absolutely devious look forming on his face. “Is there something you want to tell me?” The connotation of Matt’s words is not amusing.

“Hey stop being a smartass, stickface. We were just getting burgers.”

“Burgers at seven-thirty in the morning.” He says, not believing you one bit. “All jokes aside, what actually happened?”

You launch into a retelling of that entire conversation you had heard to Matt, from the fact that two guys named Clyde and Eddie had coerced John into joining their ranks, that he had been branded as a potential suspect by FutureLabs, and that he is able to aim a gun like no one’s business.

“Ellie.” Matt breathes, rubbing a hand down his face, like hearing that John had also been up to some shady business was the last thing he expected to find out immediately after he woke up. “How does this shit always happen to you?”

You shrug, because you had happened upon that conversation by complete chance; and you’re lucky that you eavesdropped on it, otherwise you would have never known that John was recruited as a field agent or that there is some sort of ambush being prepared for the three of you.

>(1/?)

File: it's the PO-LICE!!!.jpg (112 KB, 1100x619)

112 KB JPG

>>4309220

“John’s only gonna do it once, so it shouldn’t be that bad, right?” That comes from Bernard.

“No. Remember how I told you there was going to be some sort of task force being made to deal with us?” You nod, because you do remember that. “This is probably not a one-time thing— it will be like how the FutureLabs agents try to get at us but more brutal, and, instead of prioritizing the mutant, they will prioritize us.”

Usually, when you’re out saving mutants, only about a third of the agents are tasked with holding the three of you back, not that that has ever worked.

“If it’s a regular ambush, were not that screwed…” That’s reassuring. Though, the reassurance is short-lived as Matt continues. “If they come to our front door…” He hums, putting a hand to his chin. “…hate to say this guys, but you probably should head for the hills until we have the leaks out.”

Matt also proceeds to explain a wide variety of tactics they could use on the three of you, and it only gets worse the longer he goes into it.

When he notices the ashen looks on yours and Bernard’s faces, Matt has to stop himself from rambling, because he just went from zero to freaking mach-five in terms of how this ambush thing could play out. “Sorry guys, that’s all just worst-case-scenario. Unless you said John’s name or something while you were in that shithole, I’m about ninety-nine percent sure that they still don’t know who we are.”

“Anyways, about John—I don’t think they wanted him for his aim...” He tells you, and good shot aside, you don’t think that your older brother has any experience on how to work as a field agent, and, even if FutureLabs did train him on that, how much of it would John be able to recall if he never used the training first place? “This seems like they’re making him do it to see where his priorities lie.”

A test of loyalty then, you think— a test of loyalty for John that could put civilians at risk in the process, going off of what Clyde said.

>”So wait. WTF do we do about our mutant-saving in the meantime?”
>”So what do we do if we have to fight John?”
>”Should we just lay low for a while?” Fuck that shit.
>”What do we do if Sopor shows up?”
>"Hey also how did you like the meeting with Bernard's dad last night?"
>write-in

>>4309231
>”So wait. WTF do we do about our mutant-saving in the meantime?”
Now we have to worry them sending the task-force to catch us

We continue tomorrow.

Update twitter: https://twitter.com/qmsiren

>>4309409

Also am briefly considering using 2d100s and 3d100s for when we do team shit. Is this good or bad mechanic?

>>4309413
I dunno man, but if necessary keep it to 2d100 for a two part check

>>4309231
>”So wait. WTF do we do about our mutant-saving in the meantime?”
>”So what do we do if we have to fight John?”
>”Should we just lay low for a while?”
Yes, all of them
>Bernard, you should tell Matt too
(He probably already figured it out though)

>>4309231
Breaking John's leg is always an option, even better if we make it look like an accident.

>>4309231
>"If we have one of us keep an eye on John all the time, we'll know when they're pulling the ambush and will be able to avoid them right?"

File: paranoia deep destroya.png (35 KB, 741x336)

35 KB PNG

>>4309582
>>4309737
>>4309244

“So what are we going to do about the other mutants?” You ask, because this is going to affect your nightly activities to a degree.

“We’ll just keep doing what we’re doing.” Matt tells you without pause. “If we stop now, that might be another reason for them to be suspicious of John.” Looking into John will have FutureLabs’ eyes on you as well, and that’s the last thing any of you guys want.

“Well why can’t we just break his legs and have this whole problem solved?” That’s Bernard’s suggestion, and, at the glower Matt sends his way for the idea, he knows that will be a definite no, because there’s no way that FutureLabs wouldn’t make the connection from that.

“That reminds me—when we eventually run into these guys, we can’t hold back if any of us has to fight John, because he’s going to be shooting to kill.”
You might be able to survive a gunshot wound— several, even— but the harsh truth is that Bernard and Matt can’t, and, if it’s a choice between injuring John or seeing Matt and Bernard seriously wounded or dead, you already know what you have to do. Like Bernard had told you before you had dove into the depths of FutureLabs, sometimes you have to do something you don’t like.

“I’ll fight him.” You state, certain of yourself, and fighting John will ensure that no suspicion falls on any of you, John included.

“Anyways, I found a guy on the Internet who was willing to sell me some military-grade comms.” Matt says offhandedly. “We should have them pretty soon.”

“Sweet.”

>(1/2)

>>4310262

Over the next couple of days, as you continue compiling the evidence, the three of you keep an extra close eye on John, which he doesn’t seem to mind. There’s only one mutant that you have to save from FutureLabs in that time, and you leave Matt behind so he can alert the two of you in case it’s time for the ambush. Nothing happens, but knowing that something’s going to happen even though it hasn’t happened has had the three of you on edge.

The only reprieve from this paranoia is the nothingness of sleep and whatever canned tuna you can scrounge from the pantry without looking overly suspicious. You’ve neglected to give yourself a feeding— like an actual, quality feeding— and it’s been long enough that the hollow, permeating ache that you had nearly forgotten has returned. You think a swim would be a good idea now, since nothing is happening, and the prospect of letting yourself go to the mindless act of a feed seems rather appealing in light of the current situation.

Much to your chagrin, the little radio that you’ve had lambently playing in the background interrupts any plans you have to feed, but saving a mutant is also a chance to get out and move, as opposed to sitting in Matt’s room all day with that data.

“—on the Bodensee Wharf. Mutant fleeing towards the Bodensee Wharf—“ Bodensee Wharf. The name niggles something in your mind. Isn’t that where the Crux warehouse used to be?

“Hey!“ Bernard echoes your thoughts. “That’s where the Crux used to be.”

Well, it’s not even a question that you’re going to investigate this one, and there haven’t been any phonecalls, so it’s safe to presume that this is not, in fact, an ambush. Furthermore, if there are mutants hanging around former Crux territory, it’s more important to find out whether or not Crux members have begun to reconvene, and, faintly, you wonder why they would choose an area that had been decimated by the police.

“Test test test…” Bernard’s voice is crystal clear in your ear. When Matt said that your comms were good, you didn’t think they were this good. Their range is probably leagues better than the comms you had before.

You’re hit with a wave of familiarity at the sight of the warehouse standing before you. The place used to be a source of enjoyment for you, Matt, and Bernard, and you still recall the times with some of the mutants you had befriended like Jewel and Caesar with fondness, despite the Crux’s true nature.

>(2/3)

>>4310268

However, from where you stand, it’s clear that the whole building is boarded up on the ground level, surrounded by an endless line of police tape, but you know that police tape is no match for any mutant power. From one of the windows that are higher up, you notice some light shining from the inside of the building.

>what do you do?
>head to the roof; find a way in through the top to see what’s inside
>stay on the ground; search for an entrance
>split up— X does one thing, Y does the other
>teleport in; screw subtlety
>write-in

> (3/3)

>>4310272
>head to the roof; find a way in through the top to see what’s inside

>>4310272
>head to the roof; find a way in through the top to see what’s inside

File: soopers only secret club.jpg (159 KB, 1280x853)

159 KB JPG

>>4310299
>>4310415

You scale the roof with ease, Matt and Bernard following with a teleport. On the side of the building is a small, balcony with an window next to it, its glass having been smashed away long ago.

The whole place is in shambles; where the makeshift podium once stood, pieces of lumber and material are scattered around. There are burn marks and cracks along the ground from the previous battle that had transpired, along with a stray dart lying here and there.

Glass coats the floor in fractal shards, and the way in which the remains of the metal rafters are strewn about is akin to a slain giant that had tumbled to the ground in a gangling heap of limbs. To think that this place was so full of life at one point… it fills you with sadness, but you push that to the back of your mind for the time being, because you’re here for business.

“I’m going to go down there.” You tell Matt and Bernard. “Keep watch.”

As you continue scanning the warehouse’s interior, you find nothing of note, except for a small opening where one of the boards criss-cross— large enough for someone to pass through. Must be how whoever’s been hanging around has been getting in, and you’re about to turn back, when you notice the small, plastic bin lying off in the corner. It blended in with the rest of the rubble due to its dark color. Now it clearly stands out to you, because it’s the least decrepit thing in the whole room, and it’s the closest thing to the light source.

Impulse dictates that you must snoop, and snoop you will.

Inside the bin are several tranquilizer guns, as well as a number of real ones. “Found guns.” You mutter your findings into your comm. You think that whoever’s been squatting here must pretty freaking decent at taking down FutureLabs agents. Though, you feel conflicted, because it is highly likely that whoever had gotten all of this was former Crux.

Continuing your search there’s also the garb of FutureLabs agents among the various paraphernalia in the box— at least two sets— along with a regular helmet, a visored helmet, a police baton, a bulletproof vest, a pair of boots, and a pair of dress shoes. The last one doesn’t really make sense to you, because why would whoever gathered all of this need a pair of dress shoes?

>(1/2)

>>4310550
>inb4 it's sopor

>>4310550
SOPOR

File: person_holding_gun_ss.jpg (18 KB, 500x280)

18 KB JPG

>>4310592
>>4310595

DINGDINGDINGDINGDING!!!!!!!

>>4310550

Again, you relay the information into your earpiece.

“So this guy has a day job, doesn’t he?” That’s Bernard’s two cents.

“Yep.” Matt says, right as you’ve reached the bottom of the bin, where you see the sleeve of a white, dressy shirt, and, although it seems to be a dressy shirt, you can feel that the fabric is below the standards of most dress shirts. Cheaply-made, you think.

“Ellie.” Matt speaks up again, interrupting your musings. “Don’t get too spooked, but we might’ve just found Sopor’s base…”

Shit. You rearrange the stuff in what you’re sure is the way it was before and make to jump to pipe network above. However, a very distinctive clicking noise has you frozen in your spot. Turning around to face the owner of the voice, you’re not surprised at all to find it’s Sopor in all his masked glory— just as Matt had guessed— but the fact that he's right doesn’t make this any better.

“Move and I’ll shoot.” He says, stepping forwards as he does so; but he hasn’t shot you yet, nor has he used his power on you.

>What do you do/say?
>”Do you think your stupid gun can hurt me? I’ve had worse than that.” Intimidate/bluff.
>”You’re former Crux, aren’t you?” State the obvious.
>Warn him about the incoming cops-- that they're headed towards the wharf
>attack (roll 2d100 for this option — one for the fight, two to overcome Sopor’s power)
>write-in

>>4310610
>Warn him about the incoming cops-- that they're headed towards the wharf
bluffing is pointless since he can just use his powers and we're not deadpool

>>4310610
>Warn him about the incoming cops-- that they're headed towards the wharf
"Just came to help a mutant escape from the cops, didn't realize it was you. I'll just leave if you don't want help."
Depending on his hostility/paranoia:
>”You’re former Crux, aren’t you?” State the obvious.

>>4310610
>>”You’re former Crux, aren’t you?” State the obvious.
>>Warn him about the incoming cops-- that they're headed towards the wharf

>>4310610

>Warn him about the incoming cops-- that they're headed towards the wharf

Is he former crux? He seems way too strong, we woulda known about him.

File: SOPOR IN COLOR!!!!!.png (141 KB, 803x518)

141 KB PNG

>>4310614
>>4310629
>>4310709
>>4310771

“There are cops coming this way— towards the wharf.” You tell him, not backing down. “And we didn’t come specifically for you— we came to rescue a mutant.”

“Well congrats. You found me.” Sopor says, tightening his grip on his gun. “And I think I can take a cop… or twelve.” Matt and Bernard are still waiting for you just outside the window, clearly able to hear that you are up shit’s creek without a paddle, and it doesn’t seem like Sopor is willing to let you go anytime soon.

Yeah… You didn’t think he would let you get away now that you found his base.

“You’re former Crux.” You go for a change of subject and state the obvious; because, unless he put you in a coma, this is honestly the worst Sopor can do right now.

“So were you, Piranha.” He remarks, tone vehement and smooth as he emphasizes that old name. “And so was Blink…” You don’t fail to notice how Sopor doesn’t include Matt there. Douchebag.

With the gun still pointed straight at you, you’re not sure how to proceed, because Sopor had been really stubborn about receiving help, but you know that the cops will be here soon.

“Oh good frig that’s a lot of them.” Matt’s voice tears you from your thoughts. Then he says something fouler under his breath. “They’re surrounding the building, but they haven’t seen us yet.”

Before he can even hear the police sirens for himself, Sopor somehow senses the change in your energy. “They’re here, aren’t they?” The air around him seems to darken. “If not for you showing up, I could’ve turned off the light over there, and this wouldn’t have happened. Now I’m going to have to find a new base— no thanks to you…”

Your fist itches to beat Sopor to a pulp both for that statement and for how eager he is to place the blame on you. FutureLabs would have found him here regardless; because, aside from whatever power he has, Sopor is no stronger nor faster than a base human.

Any violent urges you still held in the moment are quelled when you hear pounding on one of the blocked doors as agents attempt to batter their way in; in mere seconds, both cops and agents alike will fill the warehouse.

>what do you do?
>grab the asshole and run for it (roll 1d100)
>run— the asshole will be fine
>jump out of sight and see how he fares
>write-in

>>4310783
>write-in
"Well what's done is done. You might still have time to turn off your light. I can help, or leave. You'd have to stop pointing the gun at me either way. Your choice."

File: d8048ec79b13b507678a6351a(...).jpg (29 KB, 500x379)

29 KB JPG

Rolled 69 (1d100)

>>4310783
>grab the asshole and run for it
Can Pharos Hypnosis be undone without Pharos?

File: tenor.gif (63 KB, 220x272)

63 KB GIF

>>4310825

Good shit anon. I'm laughing my ass off.

Also you win the roll.

File: hype.jpg (34 KB, 480x360)

34 KB JPG

We continue tomorrow-- keep up with those votes and beautiful dice rolls in the meantime!!!

Updates: twitter.com/qmsiren

Rolled 10 (1d100)

>>4310783
>grab the asshole and run for it (roll 1d100)
your ass is mine, like it or not

Rolled 65 (1d100)

>>4310783
>>grab the asshole and run for it (roll 1d100)

Rolled 81 (1d100)

>>4310783
>grab the asshole and run for it (roll 1d100)

"tranq us and we all get caught, there's way more than a dozen out there"

>>4311927
>>4311416
>>4310825

Too fast for him to react, you grab Sopor by the arm so you can heft him over your shoulders in a fireman’s carry. You’d taken him roughly, rough enough that your claws had pierced the skin of his arm and drew blood, but he’s otherwise fine.

From behind you, there’s an audible splintering of wood as the boards are broken through, shouting and voices echoing in the warehouse from the authorities that are filling in like locusts. Above, having leapt to the warehouse’s pipe network, the cops can’t see you in the dark, and, before they can train their guns on you, you’re out the window and on the tiny little balcony, except… Matt and Bernard aren’t there.

“Where are you guys?” You ask into your earpiece; now that you’ve set Sopor down, who wasn’t pleased in the least about being carried like that, you can hear lots of shouts and heavy breathing from the other end of the line.

“Heya fishface— stick and I got compromised, so we’ve been a little occupied…” Bernard tells you from wherever he is. In the background, you hear a scream of ‘My leg!’

Scanning the area around the warehouse, you find that there are as many cops as the first warehouse raid, if not more, gathered around the entirety of the wharf. Even for someone who can apparently take down a dozen cops at once, you think Sopor would be hard-pressed to power his way through the horde of agents that’s overtaken the wharf, and, once you actually start moving, you’ll have to be fast. Very fast.

>What do you do?
>Tell Matt and Bernard to get out of here already. Don’t let them risk their safety.
>Tell them to meet you outside of the perimeter.
>write-in

>>4312052
>Tell them to meet you outside of the perimeter.

>>4312052
>Tell them to meet you outside of the perimeter.

>>4312052
>write-in
>Tell Blink to Blink all of us out.
Do we have time to swipe Sopor's crate? There's enough evidence for a warrant in that thing.

File: Spoiler Image (34 KB, 480x360)

34 KB JPG

>>4312123
Reread, there isn't.
>Tell them to meet you outside of the perimeter.
And now Sopor is our hostage fugitive housemate. Great.

>>4312315
>there isn't
*we don't

File: totes not sopor.png (42 KB, 275x139)

42 KB PNG

>>4312315
>>4312106
>>4312101

“Go outside the perimeter— we’re going to meet you there.” You tell Matt and Bernard, making sure to give them a landmark that is a few miles away, and, from beside you, you see pale fingers itching for a gun at the sheer amount of cops on the ground below. Meanwhile, on that same, twitching arm, there is still a steady flow of blood dribbling from where you grabbed the criminal— not enough that it’s harmful, but enough that it catches your attention.

“Hey. We’re going.” You say to Sopor, and you have a feeling that there is a scowl on the face behind that mask right now at the prospect of being manhandled again.

“Better not scratch me again.” His displeasure is palpable, and, before he can say another word, you have him back in a fireman’s carry and spring right into the air.

As you bound from rooftop to rooftop with the criminal in your hold, you wonder what you’re going to do with him. Sopor is far too dangerous to keep on the streets, and turning him in to the police would have him sent to FutureLabs. Telling him that Pharos’ ideology is wrong and that he should stop putting people in comas would go about as well as all of the other times you tried to tell the other Crux members about Pharos.

Once you land on the rooftop where Matt and Bernard are, Sopor wastes no time in getting out of your hold.

“You got him.” Matt says. “Surprised he actually came with you.”

“Can it, nonmutant.” Those are Sopor’s words to Matt before he addresses you and Bernard. “You two— have you not realized that you’ve been carrying deadweight? When are you going cut him off once and for all?” He’s referring to Matt, because of course he knows— Pharos had probably told every Crux member of the nonmutant that had been among them.

Something fiery, angry slithers its way into your throat, and you think Sopor would deserve the same treatment you had given to Ursula. What harm would one broken bone be for someone like him? You don’t think much at all.

Bernard, too, has interposed himself between Matt and Sopor, but the masked mutant does not look afraid. Not one bit.

“I know what you guys are thinking.” He says cooly, calmly. “You want to beat me up, rip me a new one, because I insulted dear-old Bludgeon, right?” The silence is deafening. “But the truth is that I can do and say whatever I want, cause I will drop you guys like stones if you try anything at all.”

More than ever, your claws ache to inflict something on him both for how cocky he is, and Bernard, too, looks like he wants nothing more than to punch that grin off Sopor’s mask. Meanwhile, said target of your anger is standing there, looking as if he didn’t have a care in the world.

>(1/?)

File: Spoiler Image (189 KB, 397x254)

189 KB PNG

>>4312369

“It’s fine. Just let it go. ” Matt says in an attempt to dispel the hostile air between the two parties, and that snaps you out of what you had been focused on before. “If he can’t appreciate getting saved from FutureLabs, he’s obviously nothing but a freaking jackass.”

At those words, something in Sopor’s body language changes, shifts almost dangerously, and it seems like all he wants to do is drop the three of you right now, but, for some reason unknown, he doesn’t.

Instead, he gives a curt, “I’m leaving,” and makes for the metal stairwell on the building’s side, like he hadn’t just insulted Matt and threatened the three of you not even two minutes ago.

“What a weirdo.” Is what Bernard says once Sopor is out of sight. “Should we stop him or somethin?’ Lotta cops are goin’ to be comin’ through here in a bit.” This is the primary road to access the wharf, so Bernard is right about that.

The street is silent, save for the three of you and the sound of Sopor’s footfalls that are becoming increasingly distant. With your keen senses, you watch and listen for the masked mutant to see where he’s going. However, a clinking of glass tears your focus away from Sopor and to some motion on some faraway roof. There’s motion on the roof from two bodies, one standing around and the other pressed up against the concrete as he points a sleek-looking something towards a spot on the ground.

Oh shit. You think, realizing that the something is not just an ordinary something.

That something would happen to be a sniper rifle, meaning that there’s a sniper. A freaking sniper on one of the roofs that happens to be aiming for Sopor.

And you don’t like Sopor. Not one bit, but, if he gets shot, that’s the end for the masked mutant.

“There’s a sniper— ten o’clock!“ That’s what you tell Matt and Bernard before springing off the roof. You’re a blur of motion, using every last sense of yours to gain on the other mutant rapidly, but a high-caliber bullet is far faster than you.

>roll d100 to save

Rolled 62 (1d100)

>>4312396
BREAK HIS/HER LEG!

>>4312400

Sopor's or sniper's?

>>4312402

I'm rarted. Of course you mean the snooper.

>>4312402
Snorper no snorping!

Rolled 50 (1d100)

>>4312396
"It's not like I can't hide from the law without your help! I'm just waiting for my leg to heal, B-baka!">>4312400

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>4312396
sniper no sniping