angrydurf

"Well I'm in no condition to complain about your giving nature." Mike replied easily, "But it's good to know you have someone to offer some balance." he agreed easily and finished off his own meal taking a short drink from his own water glass. "Either way that sounds like good news." he suggested openly, "Anything particularly exciting? Or just run of the mill way over my head super science." Mike asked with an easy smile. "Or anything else I ought know about?" He asked curiously as upon occasion AEON's work hit a bit closer to home given the reasons behind its founding. He sat back to watch her finish her food as they chatted about the various parts of their day non one least of all him surprised he'd inhaled his food faster than was likely normal. But Mikes appetite had always been as robust as the rest of him.

The man in scrubs introduced himself as Raul with a friendly smile and nodded as she inquired as to her jacket, "I'm good but hitting a vein through thick leather may be a bit beyond me." He joked with a slightly flirty smile, "Have a seat and we'll get started, You'll be compensated and given something to hasten recovery after yes." he confirmed as well as he drew up a seat next to the chair bolted to the floor of van he had indicated. Beyond Raul a slightly older man in a lab coat sat before a complex looking machine connected to a computer he tapped away at before he passed a sealed sample kit with the same sun and wing logo as the van emblazoned upon it. Raul worked with practiced efficiency stealing occasional glances at Robins sculpted arms as he unwrapped and laid out the kit for use. "When you're ready?" he inquired indicating one arm of the chair which was shaped to fit the arm and equipped with straps to hold a volunteer steady, they'd be unlikely to hold Robin of course should she wish to tip her hand though would have easily held the average malnourished junkie or street kid. Once she placed her arm he tightened down the straps checking to ensure they were comfortable he warned her of a little pinch before he slid the needle into her vein with a quick practiced movement and completed his draw a moment later. Taping a wad of sterile gauze over the site he he smiled with a quick nod though left her arm bound, "Sit tight and I'll run out and grab you snack and compensation for you." he offered and handed off the blood sample to the Lab coated technician who wordlessly fed the vial into the machine before him and monitored the processing of her sample from his station. She could just see some kind of alert pulsing on his screen by the reflected glow it cast upon his face as he frowned slightly at the result then tapped a quick series of keys and slowly stole a glance at Robin.

"Oh well that makes me feel MUCH better." Mike retorted with a grin, "Glad to know all this studying is gonna pay dividends in out of date information." he joked lightly. He stared at her for a few moments a small smile playing on his lips impressed by her acumen as always, "It's really impressive how you manage to say that without a hint of hubris." he noted honestly, "I mean you do, to a degree, understand it better and yet you just sound excited by the prospect of the rest of us catching up someday." The big man shrugged having perhaps used up his deep thoughts for the moment, "So I told you my funny school story what's exciting at work?" he asked curiously always liking to keep abreast of what he could of the many plates his talented fiance kept spinning.

The woman looked slightly sad at the question eyes downcast unable to meet Robins own, "Ah yes." she said her tone apologetic and uncomfortable with the scenario of financial boon being the draw to the medical study, "Twenty for the initial exam. There are occasional offers for exit interviews or expanded services on a case by case basis that may carry additional compensation." she explained quietly, "You don't need to give your name to earn the compensation and the hydration and recovery items are a standard part of the procedure." "Ah technically participants are not supposed to participate more than once a week." the young woman explained carefully dancing around the issue, "Our instructions are to turn away repeat participants if we recognize them from the last week." she elaborated hinting at the obvious methods to circumvent the study guidelines if an enterprising participant should wish too. "There is no significant danger of course to more testing or we would be required to be more rigorous of course. Once Robin filled out the forms the earnest young intern filed them carefully and a swarthy man in nondescript scrubs stuck a head out to call "next" inviting robin in the van.

Phalanx returned to the here and now focusing once more on the external rather than his mental dialog and looked between the argueing supers almost saddly. "We are all on the same side here friends." he intoned earnestly fixing his gaze on each in turn, "Our methods may vary but the good of the populace is always our goal I am sure." he said with honest faith in each of them, "Unpredictable tactics and intimidation have their place." he assured Miras with a nod and swung a stern gaze to Kingsnake, "But there is a thin line betwixt unpredictable and reckless and I pray you never find out too late which side you land upon when an innocent pays the price." he suggested with the heartfelt concern of one who had seen the other side of that particular coin before. Reaching out to the woman with one hand he offered a gentle smile, "Come with me Ma'am I'll see you safely away until the police can take over." he promised and drew her to his side nodding to the others with a bright smile, "Until the next time friends." he called out as he arced up into the sky in a blur.

Through the vomiting, the outbursts, the vulgar displays of power, even the somewhat backhanded discussion of the party from Anibal, Huang had remained resolutely jovial trying his level best to play the part of host as he thought it was meant to be played. The on cue arrival of the ghost was even met with a smile as he gestured for Raina, "Well ask and you shall -" he broke off at the spirits warning however, "Home?" he asked incredulously, it seemed unspeakable cults were not the speed bump to romance they once were. Huang went several shades paler than his usually waxen hue and stared gaping at the ghost, "Already?" "Ahh well then." he spoke louder to gather the attention of those in the room and hopefully the next, "All good things must com to an end and all a that." he intoned and murmured under his breath, "Like apparently my freedoms." he gestured toward the front of the house, "Best be gone before they get here, I'll tidy up." he announced and glared at the ghost, "Get the others we have to clean up!" he hissed quietly and put on a burst of vampiric speed to peek out the front windows catching sight of his parents in the drive. With an old slavonic curse that shot from his lips with visible power to singe a cushion on an antique couch, he returned in a flurry of inhuman haste, "Aaaahhhah or maybe..." he paused for a moment as he scoured his mind for an alternative point of egress, "The back door!" he announced gleefully and ran to the heavily locked oaken door murmuring incantations to release the locks before flinging it open to reveal the empty star specked void beyond. "You'll all probably be fine, mostly." he said reassuringly as he gestured at the not at all safe seeming step into nothing.

The legalese seems intentionally dense but at first glance at least seems to be exactly what it purports to be. A great deal of guarantees of privacy and a short explanation that this is a clinical trial for a broad spectrum blood test machine. In addition to the donor compensation mentioned you get the full blood panel report. There does not seem to be anything sinister hidden in the documents beyond a warning that the test is not to be treated as medical advice and that if you have a concern it should be taken to your personal physician. All pretty boilerplate and as she says there is an anonymous participation option where you leave off identifying information and just fill out demographic information.

The exterior of the Icarus Biotechnology mobile van was clean and welcoming, an ardent young woman stood outside helping the short line of donors navigate the sheaf of forms provided in an affable approachable manner putting the usually skittish populace at ease. The van was emblazoned with a logo matching that on the cards and flyers the heroes had found earlier and other than the aid on the sidewalk no staff were visible as Robin approached. The crowd was thin but by this time of night most of the more law abiding citizens had retreated to ramshackle apartments, shelters or whatever camp they called home, that some risked the dangers of the less scrupulous or delayed the gratification of drug fueled dreams spoke much of what Icarus apparently offered participants. The young woman fixed a bright welcoming smile on Robin at her arrival, "Welcome." she greeted warmly eyes full of the earnest if patronizing good will of the privileged helping the 'little people'. "Are you here for a screening?" she inquired carefully, "The paperwork may be intimidating but I assure you it is all to guarantee your privacy." she promised as she held out a clip board with an intimidating number of places to initial, sign, and fill out basic information. "I'm here to help if you have any questions, the first few sheets are just our privacy policy and some information on tracking for the study." she offered, "your name will of course not be attached to any study data. In fact if you wish to enter anonymously you can check right here." she suggested pointing with a pen also emblazoned with the icarus logo then offering the writtign implement ot Robin with that too kind smile, "After screening you'll receive a sandwich, soft drink, and the cash compensation for your time as well as a full report of the screenings results."

Phalanx 1 + 4 + 10GM = 15 = 2pp Downtown Train (1) He Danced With Me (4) Ouroboros 1 + 6 + 2 + 6GM = 15 = 2pp Monster Mash (1) Monotreme Melee (6) Teenage Superstars (2) Sandman 2 = 2 = 1PP Closing Time (2) Meson 0 + 5 GM post = 5 = 1pp Ace Danger 0 + 1 GM = 1 = 1pp + 2pp + 2pp + 1pp = 6pp Guidebook: Ace Danger +2pp Guidebook: Jungle Patrol +2pp Guidebook: Danger International and the Danger Family +1pp GM Posts 6 + 5 = 11 * 2 = 22GM Posts 1 to Ace + 5 to Meson + 6 to Ouroboros + 10 to Phalanx = 22 Dirty Blvd. (6) Bulls on Parade (5)

Mike flashed her a smile though his cheeks still colored a bit at the mention of potential offspring. "Even when you have to give the grade school version?" he asked with a self deprecating laugh, "I know I know I'm plenty clever and all that." he added with a grin. "Well I like to hear about it even when it does go over my head sometimes so that's a fair match then." he joked mildly and paused to take a few more bites. "It really was pretty bad, the look on the professor's face was fairly taxed." Mike acknowledged with a shrug, "We spent a lot of the remainder of the lecture going over the difference between the mind and brain." he let out a sigh, "Which while enlightening was not particularly illuminating when it comes to behavioral disorders in toddlers." then again given the lead up it might?

Well we can do that in this thread if people want. Just been kinda draggin since combat ended so that could go in a separate thread or continue here if people are interested. Not sure if its the holidays or what just don't want people feeling trapped in more thread than they signed up for!

this is about to ready to wrap up I think. If people are interested in playing through a witness protection scenario I can see about setting something up in a separate thread or something.

Phalanx nodded along to the revelations of the mercenary, "I'll be sure your aid in this matter does not go unrewarded," He promised though he tightened his grip as the man began to once more bluster and threaten. "The DA and Authorities will be made aware of your cooperation." he added flatly as the merc began to panic at the implication he'd ratted out his employers. The towering paragon however had no further need for the man and soon would need his hands free to aid the woman it seemed. With a sudden movement he grasped the suits power pack and tore it from the frame of the powered armor with a mighty heave leaving the weighty armor no more than an inert prison around the criminals limbs. He listened carefully to the woman's story and nodded grimly, "We'll see to it you're kept safe ma'am, I fear however your boyfriend has like as not set you up." he explained bluntly, "You ought in the future seek better companionship." he advised as he reached out a hand to take her own, "I have a place where she ought be safe." he suggested and looked off in the distance for a moment as if distracted as his lips silently worked as he inquired about exactly where that ought be. "At least until the police can be contacted to turn her over." he looked to kingsnake warily not fond of the mans methods but understanding that not all could afford his cavalier attitudes, "Perhaps you would be best served ensuring that she is safe once back in their custody."

GM Post The mercenary looked almost smug at the heroes reaction to his news and he fixed a steely gaze on the woman, "Nothing you say will save you." he sneered caustically though a tightening of hte grip he was held in silenced him before he could further threaten the frightened woman. The frightened woman stared up in fear at the merc and heroes in almost equal measure, "It's Jimmy." she said breaking down, "Jimmy Baglioni, we met a few moths ago at a bar, an he, well he treated me good." she stuttered twisting one diamond encrusted bracelet that suggested exactly what she meant when she said treated her well. "Jimmy talks in his sleep an was talking bout some shipment an a maze or something." she looked down at the floors, "I axed him about it and he told me it was nothin an was a real jerk so when he got a call later I listened in." she huffed petulantly rubbing her cheek where he'd 'been a jerk about it' before continuing, "Some guy sounded like a german name, Jimmy's boss or something, They were bringing in some stuff for the maze thing an Jiminy needed to make sure customs didn't look too close you know?" she sighed, "I got picked up for possession, an it was my cousins I was just holdin it fer her," she clarified with a wave of her finger, "So I told the DA I had a thing on Jimmy bout fixing customs to cut a deal." She glared at the merc where he squirmed in Phalanx steely grip, "These yahoos was supposed ta get me outta here so I could meet Jimmy in the riviera" She shrugged at kingsnake, "He was pissed but he knows a good thing unlike that cow of a wife of his." she said snidely, "So he was supposed to make sure these losers took good care of me." She looked to kingsnake then the others before settling on Phalanx, "But now if theres a hit out I gotta get outta town, no wheres safe from that kinda heat." she all but begged, "I'll tell the cops all I know but they can't keep me safe you can see that."

Mike nodded slowly, he knew most of this both from the aftermath of Zii speeding through their lives and the updates Alex had passed on of AEON research into their condition. "Yea well best to be prepared then." he said a little uncomfortably a faint blush touching his cheeks. He looked away as he composed himself and then asked curiously, "So would it be just those of us with powers that need to watch or are more going to come from normal parents you think?" He'd heard alot of talking heads asking or yelling about the danger of those like he and Alex and worse others who might yet be revealed. Particularly after the rash of attacks by this 'fellowship' group of terrorists. He paused between bites, "I don't mean to have you talk about work the whole time, sorry." he apologized quickly, "I can tell you about my classes but you could probably teach most of them." he half joked with a vague shrug. "That guy from my early childhood development course, the one with the weird not mullet, got into a fifteen minute argument about the links of vaccines and the rise of super villains." he rolled his eyes with a shake of his head, "Something about thimerosal and damage to the brains moral centers."

Ellis smiled at that, "Well the help was appreciated none the less." he reiterated with a wave of his hand. He was still trying to fully parse the ease with which Stesha discussed both photo ops with the freedom league extradimensional recruiting and holiday cookies though he did manage to rather seamlessly respond to her query, Ah well when the kids are out of school they are going to stay with my parents for the vacation, I'll be down for the few days before and after the big one." he explained with a shrug, "Can't leave them alone at the hospital for too long they may actually give the injured hero his pain meds without me on watch." he nodded sagely in mock solemnity. "I let Grace take over the kitchen and cook up thanksgiving, she usually invites a few friends that can't make it to family engagements." he paused a little uncertainly, "Actually was a bit of tradition Barbara and I started in college, she hadn't much family so we just had friends over, family you choose and all that." he explained with a hint of sadness lingering still, "Grace took over as her and Frank and their friends had long been part of it as well in the end." He tried to rescue the morose turn of conversation with a witty self deprecation, "I'm useless in the kitchen so I must rely on the kindness of strangers, I have but the one dish from the picnic to use ot impress the ladies and a masterful list of excellent take out and delivery establishments."

Mike smiled to the commentary on his mother, "Well there is that." he admitted with an amused chuckle. He returned the squeeze gently and glanced down for a moment, "I don't know if that's what everyone would call 'easier' per se." he teased lightly as he withdrew his hand to lay it carefully before him on the table. "One of many goals I'm sure." he replied with a small smirk that grew quickly into a wide grin, "It's really amazing what you're managing already though." he said earnestly more than slightly overawed by what his fiance managed with such seeming effortlessness. He paused to complement the food as it arrived and thank the staff for the prompt service before he focused once more on Alex, "So do you really think it'll continue to be an issue like that?" he asked curiously, "I mean I know with Zii and all like it seems like it might stick around but do we even know how that'd work or?" he was edging around the difficult subject of second generation terminus babies, "Or even among people without powers of their own?"

Well in addition to the expected unpleasantness of the streets of the fens you get the antiseptic scent of a medical facility also as you would expect. Buried deep under that however is an odd mix of the loamy scents of fresh turned earth, an acrid burnt something smell, and maybe Ozone. Hard to pick out and too subtle to track by but it's there and prevalent enough to suggest the mobile lab spends alot of time somewhere where such scents would be common.

Mikes mental image was at first foggy and indistinct as it tried to coalesce within the mindscape and his mind switched gears from developmental psychology to whatever this was. As his presence firmed and he managed to somewhat better center his thoughts he absorbed the knowledge shoved toward him from his fiance. He brought his mind to bear on the problem as he tried to pick out details offering a shrug, Seems more military than police though there are places the lines blur? He suggested somewhat questioningly, Actual police work is much more the desk and paperwork than out on the street active work and unless you're part of some tactical squad you're not really out with brothers in arms so much as maybe a partner dependant on detail. He looked over the uniform and decor once more and made a guess, I'd guess officer though, I don't recognize it but pretty much everywhere the more bangles on the collar and chest the more rank you have. He observed a moment longer, The salute is telling, high morale, true belief, there are soldiers, and cops, that see it as a job and those that see it as a calling, if you're there for a paycheck your salute may be perfect but it doesn't carry through the body and eyes like that. He looked in the mindscape to Dancia, That might be the thread to pull, belief and faith like that can't really be suppressed, If you feel the call to action it never really goes away.

Probably a thread here in character building (even this one) would be best. News thread is mostly for IC information and the Character thread in the character bank is for the most recent version only to avoid confusion.

Investigate DC 20 on the bottles reveals a withdrawal at least once on each vial, a puncture in the seal on top for withdrawal. DC 25 Investigate reveals telltale markings they have been run through an automated analyzer of some sort, these likely discarded DC 20 Knowledge: Life Sciences suggests they are looking for something very particular and discard samples without it. There is space for a serial number that has not been filed out, running a scam on junkies and dropouts they could probably get away with much less if it was entirely faked. Positives are likely marked for further analysis and retained.

Alright Woodsmans Skill mastered Survival is high enough to find three spots the truck has stopped in the last day or so. Though not for how long or in what order (a high enough roll might achieve that if AA wanted to try that instead). DC 20 Search checks turn up a large number of donor cards for an 'Icarus Biotech' with a logo of a wing superimposed over a sun and the Motto "Reaching New Heights" in trash cans and the street nearby (DC 15 Knowledge: streetwise to ascertain why no one seems to be hanging onto the cards.) DC 25 search and a slightly wider search will turn up biohazard bags full of samples buried in dumpsters not far from each site, looks like a lot of what is collected is dumped.

Huang wrinkled his nose at the dogs response, "Wha- oh yea kinda was huh." he shrugged and pulled his gaze from the room where someone had puked on something hopefully not priceless or blessed or cursed or something. "I think the game has kinda wound down what with most everyone off to have their chats." he admitted nonplussed. He flashed a fanged smile to Phaedra and waved off the drama, "Aww Riley talks a big game but he's mostly harmless." he assured her frankly. He frowned slightly, "And I dunno why he felt the need to talk about his junk." he said with a shrug, "not cool regardless but he comes from some other world where society got eaten by bears or something." He blew off the outburst and its cause nonchalantly, "I'm sure robin'll calm him down and after he'll owe you one for giving her an excuse yea?" he suggested with a laugh.

You may want to drop some progression for Selective and Affects Insubstantial 2 on the create object. That allows you to both stop Insubstantial foes from crossing the barrier you make and allows you to choose to let some people and attacks through. Also create object is soft capped so instead of progression you can buy some additional ranks, the save DC to trap or attack with the power will be capped at 10 but the toughness of the effect will increase so long as it's not used to abuse defensive caps (which with concentration duration isn't going to be an issue) I believe impervious is capped at PL still though so if you get selective and Affects insubstantial 2 you have 7PP to split between additional ranks and progression to fine tune size vs. strength. Relic is pretty solid as a name.

Half of your base defense (at 2PP a rank) are dodge bonus as is any dodge focus feats so your three ranks of base defense offer 1 rank of defense and 2 ranks of dodge bonus (half rounded up). Due to this most people try to keep base defense even so you are not paying for a Dodge bonus you could get cheaper with Dodge focus feats. You also need to keep your base defense to 1/4 your total defense though I can't remember off the top of my head if that rounds up or down. For the forcefield effect they really achieve pretty different effects (also as written any enemies inside the area of the bubble also get the toughness bonus) You could fluff it to be a big force field covering the area but people could walk through unimpeded (Friend or foe) and the effect counts for everyone in the area so two people within the bubble firing at each other still gain the bonus toughness. For utility in defending civilians and such create object is probably more useful, for combat it might be a bit of a wash dependant on who you are fighting but at that rank you're covering an area that for most threads is larger than the fight takes place in very few fights are with all people fighting at max range. Mostly I was just saying if you want a defensive bubble effect to keep baddies away and prevent rubble form hitting civilians and other such utility you're probably looking for create object. If you want people near you to be better at taking a hit from this that or the other go with what you have.