angrydurf

When Alex arrived at the cafeteria Mike was already seated and chewing nervously on a lighter than usual meal. He smiled as she set her tray down and seated herself. This was one of the trikier hand offs he had planned, well perhaps planned was too strong a word. He wasn't sure if she would ask what it was all about or what to say if she did but it was too late to back off from the face to face hand off now. He gently pushed the slightly crumpled box across the table with a smile, "You look nice today." he said with a slight coloring of his cheeks.

Well I'm thinking that since it can be removed with a "failsafe" that would be the normal means. Its stillnot clear what kind of damage effect he's talking about. On the one hand its easily removeable with a "failsafe" (and I would assume a disable device check could cover that) as its just "attatched" to the skin doesn't sound like real damage or con drain. If its just causeing pain and no mechanical penalties than a descriptor or complication. Basically this seems like its shoudl require a disable device check to remove if you don't want to do that you have to do major damage ala limb removal? I guess I'm just not getting the point. I don't see even villians ripping hunks of flesh off an incapacitated foe so if anything it would be to his benefit to have a device that most people won't be able/willing to remove without an aditional check.

Sounds like a descriptor on a hard to lose device more than anything then. Maybe a complication.

Sounds to me like thats outside the scope of hard to lose. hard to lose is a device that is worn and you need to be incapacitated to remove. This is more like an integrated power that someone will have to do signifigant damage to you to remove, more akin to removing fingers than gloves. Just buy it as a power with the cybernetics descriptor and take hte HP if someone is sick enough to rip it off of you when you are disabled in some fashion.

Flight 1 is still 10 mph. Its probably still faster than bikeing around the city ;)

Erin had been non-plused about Mikes sudden arrival at her and Alexs door but had let him play his parcel on Alexs bed with a shake of her head. He carefully laid the newspaper clipping, one of the few articals regarding the incident that ever made it to print, on the bed along with a small bundle of daiseys. He thanked Erin somewhat embarassed and left the room to prepare the next in his series. He carefully spent the remainder ofhis time until lunch crafting a small oragami box out of copies of thier intake papers from the institute. It was somewhat crumpled but he managed to mostly center the smiley face she had scrawled across his in an effort ot cheer him. He carefully tucked a single pink zinnia blosom inside and held it gently in hand as he crossed to the cafeteria to await Alexs arrival.

Ok 2 birds one stone shifted that point into his reflex save its no longer zero. :)

Most of the mornining proceded as usual. Mike was glad to see her with the flower later crossing the quad and he hurried to prepare his next surprise. He carefully tucked the presses buttercup betwixt thier first and perhaps worst attempt at her helping him with homework. The delicate script of the alphabet no match for his own cookedly scrawled name at the top. He slid the entire packet carefully into the textbook for Dark Stars class he shared with Alex. Taking her books as they headed to class he was carefull to return the book with her next surprise rather than Alexes own before begging off, "I'll see you after class, I got a meeting with Marquez." He lied poorly before hurrying off in preperation of his next planned surprise.

The inevitable Mike/Alex date thread

It had been a rough month, from the revelation of Zoes parentage to the inevitable aftermath and the recovery from mistakes made there-in. The whole thing had been a mess though Mike was infinately glad no permanent harm had been done. Granted the administration hadn't been to happy about the path of casual if minor destruction he had left on his way to the quad. His friendship with Mark had been repaired and it seemed that Erin had known from the begining how he felt for Alex and was truely ok with how things had worked out. Mark and Alex it seemed even had managed to end things cordially despite the unpleasantness that predicated the breakup. Though of course that left Alex and his relationship somewhat ambiguous. Of course they both knew they had feelings for eachother but they hadn't really changed anything. It didn't take a genius to figure out that it was on his shoulders to move things forward, which was a good thing becasue Mike was no genius. He was however claver and knew Alex better than just about anyone. So he came up with a plan. Maybe an overly ambitious plan, but it was a teens perogative overdo it. He started simply enough with a single day lily and a clue, a faded picture of his back yard with her directing him to stack the blocks higher from when they were toddlers was left on her pillow after her morning shower.

Mike shook his head still somewhat upset. "Yea, you're probably right I just don't get why people act like that." He said scornfully. Sheltered as his upbringin had been Mike hadn't dealt with the normal grade school slings and arrows. "Anyway," He said trying to get back on track, "I still should have known better. You are a better guy than that and certainly deserve better treatment from your friends. I just want you to know it wasn't over what was going on between you" He said sullenly, "I just lost it when I thought ..." he trailed off, "Oh I don't even know anymore, theres no reason I should have ever thought you'd do anything like that you aren't that kind of guy, that stuff doesn't matter to you."

Phalanx blushed slightly at his roomates comment, "Thanks." he said quietly. He nodded agreement with Wanders assesment and pulled Psyche into his arms once more. She could fly on her own but needed to focus on breaking whatever was hiding James from them not to mention time was of the essance and he was much faster. "We'll pass on word as soon as we see anything." he said as he took to the air.

Players Name: Angrydurf Power Level: 10 Trade-Offs: -3 Attack, +3 Save DC; -5 Defense, +5 Toughness; Unspent PP: 0 Characters Name: Michael Harris Alternate Identity: Phalanx Height: 6'6" Weight: 260 lbs Hair: Black Eyes: Green Description: Mike has recently gotten what he hopes to be his last growth spurt topping him out well over six feet tall. He preffers baggy clothing still but given his most recent growth spurt he has difficulty finding anythign that isn't relitively tight. He still preffers basic Jeans and t-shirt combos but has added some shirts with color or desighns to his formerly black on black wardrobe as he comes further out of his shell. He towers over most of his fellow students and its not hard to place what exactly his powers are just from his appearance. In his efforts to clean up his image he has styled his hair into a short spit curl and usually manages to keep from going out with bed head these days. He moves with confidence much less uncertain and tentative then the boy who came to claremont a few short months ago. In costume as Phalanx he shows he cleans up quite nicely. The high collar and shoulders of the costume are in Claremont gold dropping a deep V to his belt of bronzed plates, his Young Freedom Beacon acting as buckle, the rest of the form fitting suit is in deep blue. He pairs this with matching bracers and boots of burnished bronze, and a deep blue full length cape draped from his shoulders. History: If his parents hadn't been at odds over a natural home birth verses a hospital one Michaels life woudl have turned out very differently. As it was Melinda Harris found herself, alone thanks to Marvins workaholism, at the hospital birthing class when the invasion started. A portal to the terminus opened in the midst of the room bathing the expectant mothers in the strange energy of that place. Thanks to the quick reactions of her ad hock partner, who's husband also hadn't shown, she survived the assault and together managed to escape to safety. They became fast friends after that harrowing event and once they were born Michael and her daughter Alexandra soon were as well. Much to Marvin and Melindas relife it at fist seemed the energies of the Terminus had had no effect on Michael, that was not to last however. He was certainly big for his age and strong too, though as doting parents they thought it well within the norm, then one day when Melinda was trying to get him to nap he floated up and out of the crib to continue his interupted playtime. His parents made immediate efforts to make sure he would keep his abilities a secret they didn't know what else to do. When Melinda confided in her friend rebecca she learned that little alex had powers as well, the children spent even more time together from that point on as the parents could trust one another with each others secrets like they could few others. When the children grew to school age it seemed as if the caution may have been overkill. both children were carefull not to reveal that they were different even if they didn't fully understand why. Of course this was more responsability than a young child really can be expected to bear. It was a normal schoolyard scuffle an older boy took a toy from Alex and Mike told him to give it back Things escalated from there too quickly and the next thing any one knew the other boy was across the room in a heap next to the crumbling wall. Mike was shocked and worried, and more than a little scared. He didn't know what had happened to the boy but he saw the reaction from the other students and the adults. When Alex gave voice to their thoughts his fears were confirmed he had done a very bad thing. The adults and his parents tried to tell him the boy woudl be fine but Alex had already given voice to their fears and he knew their comforting words to be lies. When the government men came he thought for sure they were gong to take him to jail. He didn't hear much of the conversation but Alex filled him in on the pertanent details. They were going to go to a special school now, a school where they would be tested to see the extent of the 'Terminus Effect' For the next ten years he was schooled at a secret ASTRO labs facility under the code name Phalanx. They Tested his abilities and make up charting his progress and trying to trace the energies that granted he and Alex their powers. Through either his mothers determined though limited grassroots campaign or Rebbecas old contacts teh children as wel as some others the unit had picked up were released to their parents once more and the obvious surveilance removed. Now at nearly sixteen years of age Michael is in a, comparatively, normal school for the first time. He's uncertain about this Clairmont academy but happy to have a chance at something like normalcy. Update: Not long after begining his studies at Claremont academy fate conspired to thrust him and several of his friends into action when a baseball staduim full of spectators was held hostage. After saving the day the groups nominal leader, and Mikes roomate, Edge declared them Young Freedom. They have had several other encounters together and seperately with the cities criminal element and usually come out on top. The school sees to it that they are prepared for the journey before them and Mike had florished under the training and comraderie of the team. Personality & Motivation: Michael palys the part of the intorvert and loner though he does desire companionship he has trouble trusting, both others and himself. He covers for this with acerbic humor and a generally sullen demeanor. Few have worked past his defenses in this regard, and fewer wish to bother, but those that have have made a friend for life. Michael is acutely aware of the destruction he is capeable of, perhaps more so than even the testers are, and it terrifies him. He is a good person that truely does want to try and better the world but lives in fear of his own body. He lacks the confidence to embrace his potential instead hiding behind a facade of disinterest and sulleness. However when a friend is in danger, or even insulted, he will weather whatever the world will throw his way in their defensethough he won't lash out physically even then. Mike steadfastly refuses to fight thus far, though he has yet to be truely tested in the real world. Update: Mike has come out of his shell with his participation in Young Freedom and he is much less somber when with the good friends he has made there. He still is usually the serious one in the group but will laugh with the others at a well told joke. this newfound comraderie has strengthed his already strong protective impulse and woe be it to anyone who would threaten his friends. Powers & Tactics: Mike is a physical powerhouse but usually holds himself back. Since his training at claremont with Young Freedom his abilities have improved drastically from their untrained state. He is still slow to put the full force of his powers into play but his control now allows him to unleash his full potential when it is most needed. He is alway sstalwart in defense of his comrades and innocents and takes care to keep collateral damage to a minumum. Complications: Registered(full records of who mike is are available to those with sufficient clearace), Holding Back (When Mike uses extra effort it can sometimes be overkill, similar to the accident complication), Heroes Code (Fully embracing his powers has left mike with feeling a responsability to do so wisely and justly), Teenager (Just 16 and still in highschool Mike has all the troubles of youth) Responsability (Alex, his girlfriend, and Zoe, his daughter from the future. To a lesser extent all of young freedom) Stats: 12pp Str: 12/38 (+1/+14) Dex: 10 (+0) Con: 16/42 (+3/+16) Int: 10 (+0) Wis: 10 (+0) Cha: 14 (+2) Combat: 18pp Attack: +5 (+8 Melee, +11 Energy vision) Grapple: +22 (Up to +31 with super strength DAP) Defense: +6 (+2 flat-footed) Knockback: -13 Initiative: +0 Saves: 10pp Toughness: +16, +11 Impervious (+16 Con, +0 other) Fortitude: +16 (+16 Con, +0) Reflex: +1 (+0 Dex, +1) Will: +9 (+0 Wis, +9) Skills: 12r = 3pp Craft: Structural 1 (+1) Medicine 2 (+2) Notice 5 (+5) Sense Motive 4 (+4) Feats: 14pp All-out Attack Attack Focus: Melee 3 Dodge Focus 2 Equipment 1 Fearless Interpose Luck 2 Power Attack Take Down Attack Ultimate Toughness Powers: 103pp Enhanced Strength 26 (PFs: Alternate Power) [27] AP: Blast 11 (Energy vision; PFs: Precise, Accurate 3) Enhanced Constitution 26 [26] Flight 1 [2] Immunity 9 (Life Support) [9] Impervious Toughness 11 [11] Paragon Array 9 (PFs: Alternate Power 3, Dynamic 4) [25] BE: Flight 9 DAP: Quickness 9 (Extras: Linked[speed]) LP: Speed 9 (Extras: Linked[Quickness]) DAP: Space Travel 18 DAP: Super Strength 9 Space Travel 1 [1] Super Senses 2 (Comunication Link(Psyche, Zephyr) 2) [2] Drawbacks: 0pp DC Block: ATTACKS: SAVE DC: DAMAGE TYPE: (Name of Attack) (Save DC/Type) (Type of Damage: Bruise/Injury, or other) For example: Unarmed ------ 29/Toughness ------ Bruise/Injury Energy Vision ------ 26/Toughness ------ Bruise/Injury Costs: Abilities (12) + Combat (18) + Saves (10) + Skills (3) + Feats (14) + Powers (103) - Drawbacks (00) = 160pp

Mike was all for helping people in need in a general sense but throwing themselves agaisnt the juggernaut of Erdes' Nazi regime seemed more like suicide. "It sounds like they might have take the tech from the grue when they beat them back at some point. I mean I doubt Nazis of any world are in league with anythign they call space jews." he stated plainly, "Besides going back wouldn't let us do any lasting harm to the regime unless we stayed. We made a big difference but we can't win the war for them."

Mike glanced down at Alex with a small smile, "Back in half a sec." he said with a wink and there was quick stiring of air as he sped out of the room. A heartbeat later and he was back, clad in his newly constructed costume. The high collar and shoulders were in Claremont gold dropping a deep V to his belt of bronzed plates, his Young Freedom Beacon acting as buckle, the rest of the form fitting suit was in deep blue. He paired this with matching bracers and boots of burnished bronze, and a deep blue full length cape draped from his shoulders. "You need to change?" He asked, last he heard she had been working on a way fo integrating a quickchage constume into her Communicator and Beacon but he didn't know if she had gotten it working or not.

Ace carefully perused the playlist, as usual the selections were both limited and bizzare, but that as half the fun of Karaoke wasn't it? Settling on his chosen selection he took to the stage mic in hand. "This goes out to all the lovers out there tonight." He said with a wink Taylors direction. Given Aces usual perversity what followed was something of a surprise as the opening chords of 'Can you Feel the Love Tonight' emerged from the speakers, his robust voice carrying without need of amplifacation throughout the room.

I think we're done now

"Catch you later then." Mike replied as he left. It hadn't been a comfortable convorsation but he felt it better they had had it. He hoped Erin really was going to be ok. He knew she was more bothered by some of what went down than she let on but knew better than to pry. He wasn't exactly in the best position to offer advice after all. He headed up to remind Mark about dinner hopeful that things were largely back to normal now at least.

"I'll pass that on," Mike replied with a laugh, "From a safe distance of course." He stood and headed for the door, "Well if you feel like a break you know where we'll be." he said as he slipped past her chair, "let me know if you wanna give the baseball sim another shot." He added pausing in the doorway.

Mike chuckled softly glad that they were able to return to thier normal friendly banter, "I suppose thats true but when it comes to being in just the right place to drag all of us into trouble it sure seems to." He shrugged good naturedly, course some of us need that kinda push to get involved anyway. He nodded an affermative to her question, "Yea, Its comics day so I'll have to roust Mark so he remembers to eat but we can swing by and get you and Alex on our way over." he said with a smile.

Mike laughed softly at that, "Yea I sometimes wish Marks luck took opinions other than his own into account." He said with a grin. "But at least my stuff has stopped randomly breaking so I guess I can't complain too much." Mark had clearly been more piqued than he let on but after a rather uncomfortable few days and a more uncomfrtable talk they had worked things out pretty well.

I think we're done here

Ace saw the ladies to the ambulance and rejoined Colt and the Chief. "Well I can see why that was a bit of a sticky situation for you all." He said with a smirk. "I'd suggest you get Sandoval down here to check the place out but it looks like the Yellow Kings were fronting for a cult." He explained. "Perhaps we could discuss the details of hte operation in the comfort of your office?" The Cheif concured and the returned to his office to complete the debriefing while the cult/gang leader was processed. It didn't take long for the details to get hashed out, Colt was in Aces opinion skilled but perhaps a little reckless but nothing that would really get in the way of him working with the police in an un-official capacity. And if they needed some one brought in fast Colt was a good choice. Before he left he gave Colt his card and a promise to introduce him around to some of the folks in the know around the city. With that he left Colt and the Chief to discuss the distastefull subject of compensation amongst themselves.

will save (1d20+3=20) Woo Hoo!

Mike nodded leaving well enough alone on the more serious issues, "Yea I'm sure she would, but we might practice through it a few times just us, ya know to make sure its all well tuned, before we invite everyone else along." he replied with a gentle smile. He stil considered the baseball game kinda their thing even if it wasn't really a date thing or whatever. Mike paused uncomfortably, he felt like he should reitterate that she didn't need to hide from people like she did but decided instead to leave the unsolicited advice for another time. "After all it is kinda our project." He finally said with a smile.