Multiple Settings Metro City

[palmtree219]

METRO CITY

NEWS

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<[!! MCSCD Official Statement - March 3rd, 2024 !!] - 5:20 PM>

[WTF is going on in the river?] - 5:01 PM

[Smoke rising from Ironrock Prison] - 4:59 PM

[Anyone else just get a random migraine?] - 4:52 PM

__

!! MCSCD Official Statement - March 3rd, 2024 !!

{MCSCD_Official} - {SCD} - {Metro City}

At 4:38 PM, March 3rd, 2024, Ironrock Island was attacked by a cephalopod-type mega-parafauna. Initial reports conclude that the creature went completely unnoticed by the guards until the island’s automated defense systems opened fire.

By 4:45 PM, the MPF reached the island’s walls, forcing its way through them and over the island. In the process, Ironrock Prison sustained extreme damage along with multiple breaches to its superhuman containment systems. The death toll is currently unknown. It is unknown how many, if any, prisoners escaped.

The MPF then traveled from Ironrock Island to the mouth of the Black River, again unnoticed by any civilians, police, or superhumans in the area. At 4:50, the SCD received reports that Southgate Bridge had collapsed for unknown reasons. Reports quickly followed over the next three minutes regarding the mysterious collapse of the Black Bridge, Parkview Bridge, Market Plaza Bridge, and Metro Central Bridge. The SCD and MCPD have responded to all events.

At 4:54 PM, the MPF, having sustained wounds from its assault on Ironrock Island, seemingly bled out between the Metro Central Bridge and the Haverston Memorial Bridge. Upon its death, the Stranger power preventing its observation failed, revealing a hybrid squid-turtle mega-parafauna measuring over 115 feet in length.

It is advised to all city residents to avoid the Black River until further notice. Please report any unusual emotions, head pain, visual artifacts, or similar effects to the SCD immediately.

Further information will be made available during the official SCD press briefing at 6:30 PM on all major news networks.

Affected area noted below:

​

---

MCSCD Internal Report

-March 3rd, 2024

The attack of the cephalopod-type MPF, code-named Shoggoth is believed to be the first of multiple potential MPF attacks over the next couple of months. Though the exact mechanics behind MPF targeting are unknown, it has been noted that locations receiving their first attack are often hit multiple times in the same year.

Additionally, Shoggoth is missing a small portion of its interior shell mass, damage from Ironrock Prison’s guns notwithstanding. It is unknown what this means, but there is precedent for MPFs to carry smaller parafauna on or within them, resulting in further attacks. Due to the nature of Shoggoth’s power, all SCD and MCPD forces are to be placed on high alert. Patrols will be increased around the riverside areas, and all reports of unusual headaches or mental effects are to be prioritized.

---

Metro City- the last holdout for superhumans looking to remain free from government regulation. For decades, it has lagged behind other, better funded cities in America, having to stretch its police forces thin to manage the large number of superhumans residing within its borders. This seemed to be turning around in the last few years as Director Amelia Treadwell worked tirelessly to increase funding and introduce new programs. Unfortunately, the Director is currently recovering from a failed assassination attempt, and the city itself is in turmoil due to its first monster attack catching it completely unaware.

For the first time in a very long time, the SCD is completely occupied, presenting a massive opportunity to enterprising capes. Villains have room to maneuver and take ground for themselves, provided they don’t step on the Court’s toes. Independents have many opportunities to profit from the chaos. And heroes are soon to have many opportunities to prove themselves and become a household name.


Dest LecternOfJasper Kent ThatWhichShouldBe Crocodile Cosmo deer Kloudy LucasGhost LadyOfStars Mechking Scatterbrain CaptainSully Twist

 

[ThatWhichShouldBe]

STARSIGN - TURN 1

He'd known something was really wrong the moment the third bridge was down. It was all in the timing. He could feel it, the ratios, instinctively- whatever hit the first and second was on a path of progression, a steady one. He doesn't know what it is. He gets these terrible *headaches*, trying to wrap his mind around it- just the timing and distance alone was difficult for him to grasp. But he knows it's nothing good. And he can feel it in the city's heartbeat. That pulse of cars and conversations, pedestrians and hawkers- That great *flow* of people through the city. Panic. Fear. The feeling of something terribly unsettling.

Yes. It was a time for heroes.

Starsign slips his mask over his head, the rest of his costume already on. He takes a deep breath as he leaps from the rooftop- entering that body that felt so much like his own and yet so strange.

Time to get to work.

Action 1 - First Contact; Get in touch with local heroes to establish connections in the hero community, try and set up lines of communication. With the possible prison break at Ironrock, every Hero operating in the city was potentially at risk of taking on things far worse than they expected. He wanted to open channels so in the event that any hero found themselves in trouble, they wouldn't have to face it alone- that they would be able to call for *someone's* help. And hey, it'd help make progress towards his dream of forming a team of his own.

Relevant to Note:

• 2 Fame, Celestara as a Contact to vouch for him, Fellowship +3
• Aspect: Eldritch Paragon of the New Generation
• Aspect: Nothing But The Cape Life
• Aspect: Spirit of a True Hero

Action 2 - Disaster Response; If there is anything dangerous coming out of the 'Shoggoth' corpse, Starsign would call up Mab to head over to help confront and deal with it, aiding any SCD cordon around the massive corpse. If they need help investigating the corpse, Starsign is happy to provide the required 'muscle'. If there's no need for him there, he'd see if there was any secondary 'disaster' for them to respond to- such as a hero taking on Ironrock Prisoners they couldn't otherwise handle, a local villain seizing the oppurtunity to do some harm. Something where his and Mab's skills would be put to the best use, though the number 1 priority is saving civilians. As it always, always is.

Relevant to Note:

• 2 Fame, Celestara as a Contact to vouch for him, Fellowship +3
• Aspect: Eldritch Paragon of the New Generation
• Aspect: Nothing But The Cape Life
• Internet Darlings

Passive Action: Flight Training - Work on training his flight speed as much as possible, honing his innate grasp of space and time in the use of propelling himself. He knows he can warp space, and from his days with the Constellations testing his powers in a lab, that they can warp time to a limited degree as well... Perhaps he could 'accelerate' his own time, or warp space to make the distance he traverses shorter? However he accomplishes it, he works on improving his ability to go from A to B. Considering recent chaos, he's likely to have to rush around the city all the time.

Relevant to Note:

• Athletics +3, Basic Flight
• Aspect: Eldritch Paragon of the New Generation
• Aspect: Nothing But The Cape Life
• Power Theme: Scion of Yog-Sothoth - Your powers are either the product of an unnatural body, or an expression of eldritch laws of physics, centered around the manipulation of space and time. Such powers can be uncanny and terrifying... but none deny their potency. It is the Cape who makes the powers, not the powers that make the Cape- What will you choose, in the days ahead?

 

[Mechking]

Steel Legion
Turn 1​

Albrecht Altstadt woke up feeling old. Well, he was old, but he felt older than usual. His joints creaked and popped and his bones ached with every move. Slowly he shuffled to his trusted life support armor and donned it. Now he felt a lot more refreshed.

Albrecht knew that he was likely the oldest living cape and the only thing keeping him alive was this armor. It was pretty much the only thing that he had left from his homeland and if it ever were to break, he was soon to follow. So it was time to get to work...literally.

He couldn't exactly wear his armor at work, so Albrecht was thankful for the elevators in the Robotics Lab. Once he passed security, he made a quick...slow round to see what everyone was up to and then went into his office. As advisor he didn't have many tasks, but the ones he did have were quite important. And while the lab couldn't rival his own powers, it was fulfilling work...on the surface.

In reality, Albrecht needed money and connections, as well as parts. And the Robotics Lab was the best option. Plus he could always siphon some ideas for his own creations, if needed. Nothing that could give away that it was him, of course. Still, he always ended the day by bringing a bunch of broken parts back home and filing away anything that may make them recognizable. He had to be more cautious after all.

While his discovery in Germany was unfortunate, it was also inevitable. And so Albrecht took it as a lesson to learn from. Nothing to trace back from his work, nothing to trace him back to his home, nor his homeland. His suit, his mask, his creations all needed to look distinctly different from when he fled..Though he feared that once it gets discovered that he's using androids that a certain gang will be able to connect the dots. They already have made connections in this city, somehow. Seems like Albrecht underestimated the Iron Talon.

All the more reason to be cautious. Especially as he was currently browsing the dark web for weapon dealers. Tazers he could get easily, sure, but untraceable handguns, or more lethal weapons? Just filing the serial numbers from them won't be enough, sadly. And he needed the means to defend himself. And a reliable black market weapons dealer should go a long way...Considering his many future plans.



And so after a lot of searching and contacting Albrecht finally peeled himself out of his armor and went to sleep. He felt his age seep into him as he drifted off...

"WEEUUU WEEEUUU WEEEUUU"
"CRASH"
"BEEP BEEP BEEP"

Albrecht jolted awake with a massive headache. Sirens blared loudly through his window, mixed with whatever chaos set off a dozen or more car alarms. He put on his glasses and looked out of the window to see smoke in the distance. Great, another superpowered dipshit interrupting his sleep.

Though once he read the news, it seemed he was quite wrong. Some kind of seamonster broke the prison island as well as a ton of bridges. Great, Albrechts commute to work just got longer.

--------------------------------------------------------------
​

Action 1: Get a weapons dealer contract and buy a taser and pistol from them, with the promise of further business

Action 2: Find a hideout for a workshop, preferably at the outskirts of either the slums or the Utilities districts

Free action: Work Overtime

 

[LadyOfStars]

Mother

Turn 1
​

"How's your head feeling?" Kerrigan sat beside one of the shelter's newest guests, a mask covering his face and gloves upon his hands as he took the elderly man's temperature. When the thermometer beeped he laid it on the desk and recorded the number that it showed.

"My head feels fine sir." The old man replied.

"Good. Your temperature is good as well. Make sure you come back early tonight to get back in and in the meantime you stay safe." With the news of the attack on the prison it was only natural that Kerrigan warned his people of the dangers outside, the risks that this new day brought. To say nothing of the competition if any of the villains locked up in there managed to break out in the commotion.

"Next!" Checking for sicknesses as guests went in and out of the shelter was an added precaution to avoid the spread of disease and illness. It was extra work, but it kept the building healthy, added a layer to Kerrigan's cover, and kept his food source clean.

Later

"See ya later, have a good day." Having clocked out, Kerrigan waved goodbye to the incoming manager as he finally headed out for the day. His first day off in two weeks meant that he'd have a busy night. But with all the commotion from the monster attack it was going to be extremely risky and that was just a risk he'd have to take.

After he got home and the sun started to set, Mother donned his mask and black garb, then headed out for the nearest sewer entrance.

---

Action 1: Hunt for bio-material/food - Mother will use his intimate knowledge of the city sewer system to hunt unseen in the slums.

Action 2: Patrol Critters - With heroes and law enforcement on high alert Mother will send out a mantis swarm to patrol slums from the skies.

Weekly Activity: New Specimens - In the hopes of finding new species Mother deployed a snake to search the Slums for bats.

 

[Cosmo]

The Carlock Salesman
Turn 1

-----------------------------------​

Jasper hummed a random verse from an SOS song as he tapped his long fingers against the glass counter before him. He had been manning the register of his small shop for some time, but he had yet to have much success. Even his 'usual' customers; people coming in looking for 'enhancements', either physical or sexual, or the occasional junkie, were not coming in today. It was oddly quiet and almost peaceful, well, if the ability to ignore the 'sounds of the city' had been mastered. His dark eyes slid over his store, to the dusty shelves that held numerous glass jars and bottles filled with various liquids and regents, the smell of solvents and herbs that hung heavy in the air and could almost be nauseating to someone unaccustomed to it. It was a peaceful day, even the night before hadn't been all that bad, comparatively speaking, yes, Jasper was in a right good mood even if he was a bit bored. What few cases he had were mostly tied up or awaiting further development, either way, they could wait until later. The only true thing he had planned for the day was the arrival of one of his favorite return customers, the mysterious Siren. It was that day which meant it was payday for him even if most of that pay would be going to keeping the light and water on, still, it would be nice to have a bit of pocket change for once even if he would instantly blow it all because neither Marcus or Kerrigan could seem to take care of themselves. There was something oddly enjoyable at seeing a beautiful woman who looked so out of place in this part of the city, in his small rinky-dink shop, that just amused him to no end. She had her reasons, he was sure, but he could only wonder what outfit she would be wearing today, maybe some fancy dress that could get covered in dust? Maybe she would dress up in one of those pants suits, that would certainly make his day.

Such thoughts had Jasper doing a quick once over of himself, of his worn loafers that were three steps from falling off his feet, the faded blue jeans that had been around more then a whore at a high class parlor and his dark grey shirt that had a small stain near the hem that, for the life of him, he had no idea what it was or where it was from. It simply was. As always, Jasper was dressed to impress the great people of the shit hole of a city they called MC. A small jingle caught his attention and pulled his mind back to reality as he spotted an older man in a faded brown blazer step into his store. The man looked to be in his sixties, perhaps seventies, after all, once someone went over the hill, it was rather hard to see how far over it they had gone. His skin was pale and while he wore a faded brown blazer, it was clean and pressed. The trousers were in similar shape, but it was the shoes.. the shoes that gave the unknown man away. Shiny, clean, pressed. In just a few moments, Jasper took his measure of the man. A man who came to his small store in a bad part of town in order to buy something he was not supposed to, a man who had picked out his worst and oldest clothes to try and blend in but could not bring himself to wear rags on his feet. A silly thing to do that could get the man mugged if he took the wrong corner after leaving this fine establishment.

"Good day," Jasper said as he offered a sly smile, "How may I help you?"

"O-Oh, yes," The older man said as he ran his fingers through one another as a rather nice watch clung to his thin wrist, his eyes darted back and forth in the store, Jasper almost pitied the man, he looked so out of his element, "Hi there, I am looking for some stuff and I was told that you are the best in town."

"Oh, you flirt," Jasper said as he waved the compliment away, "You're already in my house, you don't have to butter me up, but you're right, we are the best in town.. For those on the lower end budget, you know, your crackpots, your crazy cat ladies, the right kind of people, but anyways, how can I help?"

"So, its my anniversary coming up," the man looked down at the glass counter between them, desperate to avoid eye contact, "And its been awhile so I was wondering if you had anything that could help..."

"Help free willy? Help man the oar? Sail the ol' titanic?" Jasper finished for him, it was a common request, honestly. People thought tinkers sold deadly poisons and special potions, but when push came to shove, most people wanted the same shit. Something to make them feel better, something to make their 'performance' better, it was almost depressing. He wasn't sure what this old man did, perhaps a retired banker? Someone with money and a bit of power who wasn't used to being out of his element. But more to the point, it should have been easy for such a man to get some pills from his doctor to take care of it... which meant his doctor wasn't letting him. Something wrong with his heart, no doubt.

"I wouldn't have said it like that," The older man said, his lips tight in a frown.

"I mean no disrespect," Jasper said as he held his hands up in mock surrender, "How long y'all been together?"

"Long time, only been married for six years though," he said, a small smile flittered its way across his face and his eyes lit up. A smile found its way onto Jasper's face too, he knew that face. He mourned that face.

"So what's his name?" Jasper asked as he let his chin rest in the cup of his hand.

"James," the name was said with a bit of pride and yet a hint of possession as if the man was ready to fight him over the very use of it.

"Lovely name, my own anniversary was last week," Jasper said, the words flowing out like a gentle stream, "Divorced now though."

"That's a shame."

"Right shame. Good old Janet. Was fucking our neighbor. Good guy, that Bill. Used to loan tools to me. You know we once went to a cowboys game together? Crazy right, out drinking a warm beer and watching the game, next thing you know, he is doing push ups on your wife in the bed you've shared for eight years," Jasper said, almost wistfully.

"T-That's a shame, but... About m-," the man started again but Jasper cut him off, "And the divorce was brutal. Man, her lawyer was better the mine. She got the house, both kids, she even got our dog. Our dog! She didn't even like her! But, hey, its okay, sure I may pay out the ass for her and Bills new place, but I am living it large here in MC in this fine mansion of mine. Can you smell that?" Jasper asked as he sniffed the air, the air clogged with the sent of musk and an assortment of herbs, "That is the sweet aroma of victory."

"I'm glad you are... Happy, but about my-" The man tried again, his eyes almost pleading for someone, anything, to save him from this story form a strange man that was vastly oversharing.

"Yea, your penis meds, I know," Jasper said as he let out a defeated grunt, "See on that shelf right there? Those dark bottles filled with that red stuff? Bring one to me please."

As the man did as he was bid, Jasper fished out another, smaller, bottle from under the counter. When the man returned, Jasper took it and placed it next to the other. He made a show and waved his hands over the bottles and uttered random gibberish and nonsense, the words meant nothing, there was no magic or spell he was doing, it was all just showmanship that 'normal' people expected to happen. After a few minutes to let the magic 'cook', Jasper held up the two bottles, "Alright, see this one," he said as he shook the larger bottle filled with red dust, "this is for your lil buddy. Sprinkle a bit of it on your food before you eat, and yes, you better eat with it, trust me. It'll happen quick, so make sure you eat quick too so you still have time to brush your teeth before you dive in, got it?" Jasper demanded and didn't continue until the man nodded.

"Now this one," Jasper said as he held the other, the small bottle was filled with an odd, almost mercury-like liquid that seemed to glimmer in the light, "Is for your heart. Put a tiny drop of it in your water, coffee, tea, whatever the hell you drink in the morning. Do not use the powder unless you have used the potion, the last thing I wanna do is see your picture in the obituaries, you get me?"

As the man once again nodded, Jasper smiled, "After a few days, you'll feel a lot better, but just because you feel better doesn't mean you stop taking the potion, you get me? When you are about to run out, come back and get a refill. Now, it goes without saying, but you didn't get this from me, okay?" Honestly, it was crazy for Jasper to offer it. The elixir was.. expensive, to say the least, and he was giving it to some old man so he could get laid. A small part of him screamed at his stupidity, but it was also nice. Somewhere in this shit filled city, two people would be happy and that was two more people then there was this morning.

After they settled up and Jasper put the pittance of cash away, he gave the old man a wink, "By the way, my name is Jasper, tell James I said hey, if your erection last for more then four hours, you're welcome. Now skedaddle, I am expecting a call from my ex about Jim."

"You mean Bill?" The older man asked, his brow furrowed with confusion.

"Nah, Jim," Jasper lied smoothly, "Jim was our FedEx guy, my wife had a voracious appetite... I never had the heart to tell Bill."

-----------------------------------

Weekly Action - Tinker around with Tinker to learn some new recipes or maybe make a few tonics

Action 1 - Shopping Spree! Also going to dinner with the boyz.

Action 2 - Look for a new Private Investigation Case to pass the time and pay the bills.​

 

[Crocodile]

Archon
Turn 01
​

---

Simon Nadek sat in his comfortable university apartment, watching the news from his couch with a glass of Metro Soda in his hand as he took in the newsfeed and scrolling chat logs showing up along the side. He frowned deeply as he saw the carnage and wondered how many people had been on those bridges when that monster just tore through them like that. The prison was bad enough, who knew what sorts got out or survived that incident. The bridges made his internal academic scream, knowing the chaos about to erupt across Metro City. His entire field was the study of powered beings and their effects on society, he'd written papers and even a book about it. It was a pity it was well read but did little for his income beyond ensuring he could be comfortable if he lost his position at MCU.

"What the fuck." Those were the only words that Simon could manage to manifest as he continues to take in the destruction as he rolled through several more news stations before switching to news apps and forums.

"A Stranger that big... I wonder if it was designed? Bred? Spawned?" Simon muses aloud to himself. Something he did now and again as he worked through problems. He starts to pull out a notepad and pen, beginning to scribble down questions and data points to collect for the university. This was going to have to be an update to his paper: Powered Incidents and Historical Precedents. At this rate he might just have to make it into a book with how these sort of things could trigger societal changes.

---

Sometime later, Simon was at his kitchen table, laying out a map of Metro city with colored pens and his Archon helmet resting nearby. He eyed it warily, feeling like it was finally time for his alter ego to step forth. That would require various things, but first he would need some minions and a lair to operate from. He couldn't risk his university seat being taken from him due to his super antics. Archon would need somewhere else to operate from. He could already see the logistical nightmare imminent and how he could profit from it, but that would mean he needed manpower and a place to store his ill-gotten gains.

"Hmmm, someplace still close but far enough that it won't be too obvious about any links to MCU," Simon muttered as he makes several marks on the map for scouting and recruitment planning. There were people in need of feeling empowered. He would tap into that hunger and desperation to gather a cadre of those he could empower. Perhaps small, keep the power focused. A small crew would work better for now, more impressive as well for the schemes he would set in motion.

---

Action 1: Seek out minions to recruit and empower in the disconnected part of Metro City

Action 2: Seek out and acquire a Lair in the same region in preparation for future plans.

Weekly: Professor of Socioeconomics - Analyze current crisis against previous events.

 

[Twist]

The Cavalier Captain Cheer
Issue 1

Francesa sat at her vanity, the small, cluttered surface lit by a warm, yellow desk lamp. The glow reflected off the mirror, framing her in soft light. She slid her glasses off and set them beside a textbook from her law class, which in itself sat on a stack of books from politics, psychology and communications. Her nose stud came next, carefully removed and placed in its small box.

She looked around cautiously, getting off her small chair and double checking the lock on the door. Locked. Her gaze drifted to the empty side of the room, Felicity’s half. Her ever-cheerful and impossibly outgoing roommate, was out as usual. Out at another party, suspected Fran but such a situation worked out well for the fresh faced superhero. Though she was thankful Francesca realized with a twinge of guilt that she barely knew her. Maybe next week, she could set aside some time to hang out with her roommate but this week she had definitive plans, her annual visit to see some schoolmates.

She crouched down by her bed and pulled out a small chest, the padlock rattling in her hand. Putting in the combination, she unclasped the metal lock, opened the chest and picked up the blonde wig. Walking back to her vanity, she put the wig over her head, it's golden pigtails shining in the dim light, and secured it over her neatly pinned black hair. The domino mask attached to the wig fit snugly, securing the hairpiece to her head and covering her eyes. Wearing her custom cheerleader uniform and with her blonde wig, Francesca certainly looked the part of a cheerleader, an image that never failed to bring her thoughts to her school chums in the hospital.

Sophie Sharpe, Gemma Greenfield, Tabitha Tamm, Wanda Wilkes Their smiles had always lit up the gymnasium Fran could still hear the cries and the chaos when the stink bomb detonated. She had breathed too much of that awful green haze. What had that bomb been made with? She didn’t know, but the powers she woke up with afterward were impossible to deny. The memory of those girls—now bedridden—fuelled her resolve. She would inspire people like they had. It was her reason to be there on that fateful day, and it was now her reason to do what she did now.

With practiced precision, Francesca picked up a makeup pen and dotted a beauty mark on her chin. Now she was ready for her night classes with the SCD. An idea from a new 'friend' and one she had taken to heart. She looked towards the window of her room, her door to her new world. With an attached fire escape, Fran counted herself lucky, able to come and go if need be without walking the halls of the dorms. Something she gratefully took advantage of.

Captain Cheer took one last look at herself in the mirror, now fully in costume, a smile gracing her lips, before sliding open the window...

Actions
1. Patrol University District (Planned Route: Roof Access)(Contact(s) Metro PD, Lt Brasch) (Aspects Protect and serve)
2. Take classes with the SCD

Activity: Visit her schoolmates in the hospital.

 

[LucasGhost]

E ?
Turn 1

?????????????????????????????

​

"So, what seems to be the problem? Can't remember? Hm? Your name? Oh, well. Let's check the list, shall we?" Marcus leans back in his worn out office chair, reaching across the desk to pluck one of the scraps of paper from its perilous place between two half painted French soldiers.

He removes the ink pen from behind his ear, and taps it lightly on the paper, "Electronic? No, too tacky. Much too tacky. Mister Mystery? Everyone loves a sequel. Ha. They always complain that’s it’s never quite as good.” He thinks it over for a moment. Fun, but not dramatic by any means. “A bit on the nose, don't you think? Then again, you're mostly nose, aren't you?" He looks up to the leather mask sat on the stained desk beside him. It had sat tucked away in the back of his closet since the zoo, and it wasn't like he had much time for going out and dressing up for the fairs these days.

"Me?" Marcus raises an eyebrow at the silent mask, "I'm doing fine. I'm more worried about you. All that dust, can't be good for you." He smiles, a grimace of teeth as he looks back to his list. He knows he's not hearing anything back; it's just a little game. A reason to say anything when Jasper and Kerrigan are away. It's fun. Harmless fun. And Marcus did all his best thinking out loud, so it was marginally better than talking to his shoddily painted miniatures.

"Oh, I like this one, 36. Though, if things go well, we'd have to bump it up to 37, and that might lose a bit of the intrigue then." Marcus scratches out the name as he speaks, the paper covered in more scribbles than words at this point. "Same problem with Six Squared, but the clone idea was pretty funny."

Marcus taps his desk and squints at the tiny window of his apartment letting in the last bit of evening sun. It was a long day at work again, some extra items got shoved on him at the last minute, and he didn't want to bother Jasper right at closing time. Marcus had gone right home, took a glance at his cupboards to confirm that dinner was a nice idea and nothing more, and had been sitting here ever since.

Mister Mystery. That had some issues of course, besides the obvious social ones. Marcus was a bit fond of 'M's, perhaps best not to give so clear an indication to his civilian name. There could be something done with that though. M? would have been perfect, if he had picked anything besides Marcus. Not anything, no, lots of names started with 'M', but that was no good reason to make it so easy. 'M' Mystery. M? it felt right. Drat.

Marcus puts the list down and rubs at his eyes. Anything too clever and they'd cry horseshit when they found out. Too blunt and the SCD would be breaking down his front door. "I told you, I'm fine. It's you we have to get patched up," he can't help that he gets a little snappy. He really thought he almost had it with this one. He slowly tears the paper up into tiny pieces. Some will get thrown out today, some next week, and the last, the week after. Best to space these things out.

Task complete, he reaches into the drawer and pulls out a fresh piece, writing a single large 'M' on it. He holds it up, looks over it to the mask, then back to the letter.

M

He flips it upside down, and his face immediately gets pulled into a frown.

W

No, that felt too obvious still. It had its perks, sure, the start of many questions. But it was hardly better than 'M' when he got down to it. He flips it back and forth a few times.

M

W

M

W

M

W

E

M

E

W

E

"Does look a bit like an 'E', right? The side effect of shoddy penmanship. It's funny though," Marcus looks up again, as if the mask would suddenly be nodding in approval. "Very funny."

Picking up the pen, he draws a question mark to compliment it. Yeah. That felt right. 'E ?' not quite Miss Mystery but not Mister Mystery either. Something a bit sideways. "There we go, all patched up. Now we'll let that sit for a few days, see how it heals." The paper gets torn like the rest, and when the scraps get properly distributed he sighs and drags out his ancient laptop.

Marcus pauses, the lid still closed as a thought dawns on him. He picks up the mask in his hands and runs his thumb across the old leather, angling the old thing to catch the last bit of sunlight to give the lenses a proper glare.

“Every map has me in spirit though I may not be named, yet I am not a place that is famed. Still, some have said they were going my way, but once you stop moving you will never stay. Of the first or the last I am not there, but of the middle you will find I share. I am in your dreams, hopes, and cares; and still it is likely that you see me in pairs. Thirty showings up until this spot, and not again until its conclusion I do jot. ”

With that, the mask gets set back down. Soon, yes, but not too soon. "Alright, that's that. Good chat, but it's time to get moving." He had way too much to do, that was for sure.

?????????????????????????????

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Weekly Action: Working overtime at the office (accounting job).

Action 1: Broken Man Searching For Parts. Marcus will take to the web with his mundane hacking knowledge and see if he can't find if all the chaos has left something that would help Jasper's or Kerrigan's tinkertech arriving unexpectedly at port at the city's dock. If not, he will just look for good leads on where crafting items for the cluster trio might be procured (stolen).

Action 2: We Could Do Better. With Jasper (hopefully) finding them a place to set up a workshop, Marcus will begin crafting some equipment for the trio. Mundanely he is trying to make some secure earpieces for the trio to use to communicate with one another. With tinkertech he is trying to make further improvements to his mask, and if it goes well he may try to make something small for Kerrigan or Jasper. (Not sure what the scale of crafting per turn is allowed at, if the workshop gets set up and I can do more, let me know.)

Spoiler: Cluster Rem-Hack Tinker

You gain intrinsic knowledge regarding mundane hacking and hacking equipment. You may also use Craft to create tinkertech related to remote-hacking. This includes both hardware and software. However, tinkertech software must be delivered through the use of some form of tinkertech hardware. You require a a workshop and the appropriate tools to create tinkertech.

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