Spacefurry

Chimera narrowed her eyes. “I am not a child.” She nearly growled. “You don’t know me.“ Maybe before she left for college she had never been shot at or had a blade swung at her, but ever since she started ‘heroing’ it’s been a different story. “You don’t think I know fear or survival?” She puts a hand on her chest for emphasis. “I’m a single woman living in the city. We know all about it. My roommate carries mace and a whistle, and has the police on speed dial.” Chimera’s anger fumed as she threw out her arms. “I’ve been shot at, slashed and stabbed, punched and tossed around since I started doing this. And the whole point of armor is because someone is afraid to get hurt. But, you know what? That isn’t the biggest assumption you’ve made tonight.” Her tone dropped as she leveled her eyes on Max and you could almost hear a change in her attitude. “I’m not wearing armor…” The silver-grey techno-organic matter seemed to writhe and twisted under the moonlight. Small tendril slithering and lifting off her skin along her arms and legs. The matter of her face mask shifting and reshaping to resemble the image of sharp teeth. Large bat like wings grew and uncurled from her back and spread dramatically. “I am the armor. I am Chimera, and we are greater than the sum of our parts.” Wait… did I just say ‘we’? “And I will do what I think is right.” She seemed to snarl.

“Survival.” Chimera stared at Max. She was aware of the new dead clawing their way out of the ground but stood her firm. “If it was only a matter of survival, it would be smart to get out. But instead you put yourself in this situation. And worse, you drag others into it with you. You both do.” She swept her arm back to include Blowfish and his men. “These are choices you’ve made. Choices you continue to make.” The hint of a growl seemed to creep into her voice. “You make these choices and then blame others. You could walk away. Instead, you endanger those around you blindly.” Chimera spread her arms. “Hell, these aren’t even your ‘brothers’. These aren’t ‘dead crook’. These are just the bodies of long dead strangers. More bystanders you’re dragging into this against their wills. Heroes make their choices to fight for those that can’t. So I guess I make my choice here and now to stand against you.” The tips of her fingers lengthen and sharpen. “Who knows, tomorrow I could just as easily be facing Blowfish like this. But tonight…” She let the implication trail off as she took a defensive stance. Ready for the first corpse to come at her.

Chimera watched Max, he had dangerous eyes. He wasn’t stupid, just making a very bad decision in her opinion. She opened mouth to say something but she couldn’t think of anything. What right did she have? The only reason she was here was because someone had stolen a body from the morgue. If that hadn’t happened she wouldn’t even be here right now. She wouldn’t be standing in a graveyard at night confronting an undead army with gangsters. This would all just be a clip on the news to her. More crooks killing crooks. And some poor student would probably be dead… If she hadn’t been in Dr Gwib’s class that today who would have been there when that thing had sat up? Would they have been able to get away? “You claim revenge is your motive, but revenge just leads to more of the same.” Chimera said firmly. “You attack them, they attack you, you attack them again and on and on. I know I can’t stop it cycle, but that isn’t why I’m here. You two will just keep at it after I’m out of the picture.” She pointed a finger at Max. “But I am here right now and your actions endangered bystanders earlier tonight, and I will not let that happen again.” Chimera made a grand sweeping gesture. “I will put a stop to this. Here and now!”

Chimera had given the gangster a nod before she took off after Machete Max. The gunshots barely faded as she ran, the the tiny thunderclaps echoing across the empty graveyard like a violent storm, or rather a storm of violence. She could only hope on one was seriously injured. Even around here, this much noise will draw attention. And eventually that will mean the authorities soon after. This needed to be stopped sooner, rather than later. She was more than capable of dodging the corpses as they pulled themselves out of their resting places. It slowed her only a little and it didn’t taken long for her to catch up to Max. The tall tattooed man stood waiting for her. He leveled his blade at her as if to emphasize the implied threat. Chimera stopped short of him, but well within range if she had to rush him. “Stop this now.” She demanded. “You have no idea the trouble you’re causing. There are things you just shouldn’t mess with, and one of those is the dead.”

Chimera was trying to keep her eyes on the shadowy figure now. It seemed to move from grace to the next too fast to be doing anything but to mock them, and she thought she was ready of anything. She was wrong. There was a sound, a rumble, like something moving through the ground. Because things were, graves the shadow had already visited began to stir. The ground shifting and churning by unseen hands. Unseen until the began to sprout from the earth vulgar flowers. Chimera cursed and took a reflexive step back. She cursed again and stepped forward to assume a fighting stance. The techno-organic tendril writhed along her skin in agitated excitement. “Max needs to be stopped, quickly. Can your men handle these?” She asked, ready to chase the shadow.

Jean flipped through the folder, her eyes searching for various keywords. She glanced up at Mirror Knight, answering reflexively, before Cpt Scarlet could. “The EFA normally operate as anti-technology extremists, focusing on sabotage and property damage. Their target usually being electrical and communications infrastructure.” She said, giving what she thought was the most direct and accurate description. She looked over at Cpt Scarlet. “They don’t seem to normally resort to kidnapping. Has there been a change in leadership amongst the EFA?” She asked, adding to Knight’s query.

Chimera nodded absently as Blowfish spoke. For a moment she wondered if his rambling was nervousness. It was understandable given the situation. Her eyes flicked aside as it they walked. The shadowy figure would pause, then move. Pause, then move. It was a little nerve wracking in itself, but she did her best to keep her cool. Suddenly a bit of moonlight caught something. A glint of metal against the darkness flashed and was gone. But it was unmistakable after the evening she was having. A machete. Chimera tensed, missing a step but quickly recovering. “I hope your men aren’t too trigger happy.” She said casually before lowering her voice and adding. “Because someone is following us.”

As much as she liked good Italian, she was hardly going to walk into one of his establishments ‘in costume’ and except a discounted meal. “It’s a kind offer.” She said diplomatically. “You can call me-“ Something moved in the shadows, but it was gone in the instant she turned to look. She frowned behind her mask before she caught sight of it again. She resisted the urge to turn to look at it again. Instead she faked a cough and cleared her throat as she looked back at Blowfish. “You can call me Chimera.” The dark silhouette still hunkered down in the shadows. Was it another hero? That would be great. Another villain? Oh, please not another villain, she had her hands full already. Or possibly something even worse? She didn’t want to even consider that.

Notice check: 22

Chimera regarded Blowfish. The man wasn’t an idiot, nothing he said was incriminating and it sounded perfectly reasonable. But she got the sense that he wasn’t the type to hold back if he thought needed to. She was being to see how he stayed in his position. Slowly she nodded. “Agreed. Can’t do business if all your clients are dead?” She cocked her head and shifted her weight. “We work together this time. But next time, I’ll do everything I can to put you behind bars.” She didn’t say it threateningly, more an acknowledgment to the status quo between crooks and heroes. Chimera started to turn towards the graveyard but stopped and looked back. “Ah, sorry about… him.” She pointed down at the unconscious henchman. “You understand how it is. See a bunch of guys with guns in graveyard at night…” She trailed off for a moment, then cleared her throat. “Should probably put him somewhere safe before the zombies show up.” Taking a deep breath, she readied herself for… what ever was about to happen. There wasn’t much that could make this night any stranger. Here she was; teaming up with a known crime boss to confront a possible zombie army at night in the old local graveyard. Jamie was going to be giddy when she told her this one. Probably insist on microwaving popcorn… damn it, now she wanted popcorn.

Attempt to remember any technological significance of Cardonas. Knowledge, Technology: 14 Attempt to remember recent news around Cardonas and the EFA. Knowledge, Current Events: 20

Chimera crossed her arms, stepping back as Blowfish exited the car. He was being far too polite and reasonable with his attempts at civility. She knew it was only because he perceived her as one of the city’s many heroes. A role she didn’t feel she lived up to. “You’d be surprised what I’m inclined to believe in.” She muttered but nodded along as the gangster went on. She tried to remember if she saw anything during her examination of the corpse but they hadn’t cut it open at the time. That would have been a later class. At his insinuation towards her level of technological knowledge she could only give a noncommittal noise and uncross her arms. “If what you’re saying is true, you should have notified the police instead of trying to take this into your own hands.” The irony of her saying that wasn’t lost on her. But this was different… wasn’t it. Chimera looked away into the graveyard. “That said, I don’t have time to stop you.” She looked back at the smaller man, her hands on her hips. Sleeve slashed and bloodstained. Her skirt ripped up one side. Maybe she should let Jamie help her with a costume, she ruined more clothes this way. “But if any of your men try to kill anyone; you know, who isn’t already dead; I won’t hesitate to stop them. Understood?”

Blackstaff Christopher nodded as the captain brought up the Coast Guard. That could complicate matter as well. He supposed the sooner they got this over with, the better for everyone. He eyed the Shadowcaster in the distance,something about it rose hairs on his neck but he dismissed it and turned his attention back to the captain as he regaled him with sea stories. It wasn’t long before they reached their destination and he found himself being suited up. The wetsuit left little to the imagination and he was glad Lark wasn’t around to tease him. He didn’t like leaving his coat, but he managed to transfer a few things to external pockets on the dive suit and his shield bracelet was snug under a sleeve. He listened to the captain’s instructions and glanced at the indicated button. He didn’t like the idea of a cleanup crew, but he understood the precaution. These were dangerous beings after all. “Let’s hope it doesn’t come to that.” And like that… he was in the water. The dying threads of daylight fading quickly as he sank into the blackness. Blackstaff had decided that an upfront approach would be best. They might see a sneaky approach as a threat. He switched on the suits light and looked around as he sank, sea life scattered around under the LED beam. It wasn’t long before the light started to play off the strange architecture of the sunken temple and there was no turning back. The locals knew he was there.

Notice: 27 Sense Motive: 22

Chimera drew herself up a little straighter. “I know who you are.” She couldn’t hide the contempt in her eyes. She was still young and idealistic, and the thought of climbing into a known gang leader’s car and making a deal just seemed wrong. But she couldn’t help as her own attention flickered towards the deeper parts of graveyard as the little man spoke. She licked her lips nervously behind her mask then looked back down at Blowfish. “What kind of proposition?” She made no motion to get into the car, but asked after a moment.

Chimera cursed under her breath. In her haste she picked the car that still had passengers. Too late to turn back now. She stood up and looked into the car, giving the man what was meant to be a stern look, but it didn’t quite hit the mark. “You might say that.” She replied and her eyes flickered to the other armed men, then back to the apparent leader. “Whatever you’re planing, I’d advise against it. Take your men and leave.” Chimera tried to sound authoritative.

Paper - 2 Generations (IC) - 2 Party Crashing (IC) - 0 The (Theater) Kids Are Alright - 0 Blackstaff - 2 Graveyard of the Pacific - 2 Chimera - 32 Tyger, Tyger, Burning Bright - 0 Zombie vs Zombie - 32 Predator - 2 Teaching the Tech - 2 GM - 0 Party Crashing (IC) - 0

Jean was watching the men when Mirror Knight’s reflection waved. Her eyes flicked back over her shoulder and she noted that he himself had not moved. It matched what little she had read. It was described as the ability to manipulate reflected light, but Jean suspected there could be more to it. That aside, she turned from the windows and crossed her arms. Shifting her weight she cocked her head as her inhuman eyes followed Knight as he crossed the room. “My name is Jean Dweomer. But you may know me from the news as Predator.” She said in a conversationally matter-of-fact tone. Her identity was public knowledge, though she found few actually remembered her name only her hero persona. She didn’t mind. Her intense gaze seemed to be sizing him up when she spoke again. “Proper ventilation and temperature control is essential to the extended use of armor.” She commented before glancing over at the third member of this little gathering.

The run across town wasn’t bad, but Chimera still paused to catch her breath when she reached Lantern Hill. She slipped quietly over the decorative stone wall and in to the graveyard proper. Picking her way through she stopped when she heard voices. Carefully she approached, ducking behind an garishly over designed double headstone, complete with tiny cherubs and grim reaper. She saw the men talking, looking like extras from a Godfather movie. “This just keeps getting better.” She muttered to herself as she eyed them. She couldn’t let this turn into a cliche shoot out. Someone could wind up dead. The irony of the thought didn’t escape her and she heaved a small sigh. There were several of them, all armed. She was fast, but not faster than a bullet. Her best option was surprise. Chimera chose her target like a predator singling out the weakest looking member of a herd. She picked one standing a bit away from the others. Palming a small rock she threw it across the way, hoping to distract them, even for just a moment. She crossed the distance in a blur as she grabbed the man and dragged him behind one of the classic cars. A brief flash of electricity left the gangster slumped unconscious against the wheel well. Chimera peeked up to look through the windows.

Stealth check: 16 sweet

Are these mooks again? Or should I roll?

Predator Jean stood at the windows overlooking the beautiful park. Greenery stretched out as far as the eye could see. She loved technology. It was always on her mind. She was constantly running over schematics. Considering hypothetical tests. Searching for the next breakthrough and calculating how she could apply it to her armor… But this, this was nature. This was the greatest experiment. If you dig deep enough true wonders could be found. Discoveries that some would label ‘miracles’… And she would be hard pressed not to admit it was breathtaking sometimes. Her hands were clasped behind her back. She wore black slacks specially tailored for her digi-grade legs that accommodate her fluffy fox tail. Her blouse was a comfortable opaque white number that did a reasonable job of not revealing anything under it. She wore custom flats and no jewelry, but an earbud was noticeable if one looked. She didn’t bother with any makeup either, not that her fur covered face and muzzled made it necessary. Even as she acknowledged the splendor of the forest, half of her attention was on the reflections of those she shared the room with. She had read what reports she could on those that would be attending this meeting, but she watched them each intently.

Notice: 19 Not too bad Initiative: 22 Figures

Lantern Hill? Chimera made a face under her mask that she was sure reached her eyes. But there wasn’t anything she could do about it, they were right. If there was an army of the dead to be had, it was there. She sighed, placing one hand on her hip as one of the men waved their machete at her. She gave him a an affirming nod. “Trust me, I have no desire to tell anyone about this.” Though she was sure Jamie would needle her until she caved and told her everything. Chimera turned back to the door to leave, she paused and glanced back. She looked down at her bleeding arm then back at the Yardie men. With a single slow wipe of her hand, she wiped away the blood showing clearly the pink flesh of the wound already knitting itself back together. Without saying anything else she walks out… Chimera mentally curses as she starts back through the alleys. She lets the symbiote withdraw some as she pulls out her phone. She had left her car at the morgue when she started this little ‘investigation’ and now had to backtrack. “Jamie.” “Hey.” Came her roommate’s chipper voice and Jennifer sighed, Jamie caught it and sighed. “You’re not calling to ask what I want on my burrito are you.” “Afraid not.” “How late are you going to be?” Jamie asked with some concern. “Late. I think.” Jenn said rubbing her temple. “I’ll just get dinner Dashed. You can reheat it when you get home.” Her roomie said trying to sound cheerful. “Thanks.” “Just be careful.” “Will do.” Jennifer hung up and tucked her phone away. She needed to get to the graveyard fast, it was going to be a run, thankfully she keep in shape running. The symbiote reextended itself, recovering her face as she turns towards a main street and starts to run towards Lantern Hill just as fast as any of the cars on it at hour.

There was no way she had heard that right… Chimera stared at the three men dumbfounded. She was about to tell them they were crazy, that zombies weren’t real, but promptly remembered what had happened earlier, and why she was there in the first place. She decide to let that particular point slide and focused on the problem at hand. “So… say someone wanted to find Max.” The tested. “Where would he have taken this hypothetical body to make this… zombie army.” Saying it out loud was just weird. Well she had dealt with a few strange things over the last few years. But, zombie army was going to rate a 9.0 on her ‘weird shit-o-meter’… Right under whatever it was she caught Professor Scotts doing with that TA in the conference room that one time. Chimera resisted a shudder.