Supercape

I am just throwing out an idea here that came to me in chat last night and was tossed around briefly. Would there be any interest in forming a communal "Brainiac Bunch" HQ - tossing in 1 PP each, calling it "The Laboratory" or something, building it in Freedom City? As well as the "regular" functions (lab, workshop, computer, communications all compulsory of course!) Could serve as a future meeting place for "the Brains", as well as a possible place for to develop all the marvellous inventions being discussed at this meeting and of course for the experiments to go wrong and for us to regularly rebuild as robots go awry, explosions happen, quantum effects occur, or we open up portals into dimensions that portals should not be opened up into . Just throwing this out for digestion. If people are keen, it could come up as an agenda item in IC thread.

"No, I'm not sure at all... do we have time?" He considered for a moment. "No harming in calling in some help, I suppose" he concluded, and pulled out his mobile, punching in a number. Putting the phone to his ear, he got a brief crackle and a terrible voice whispering "arise.... ARISE!" Slick went quite white. "I don't think we can call in any help..." he gulped. Meanwhile, Rod had found the students backpack, and produced three torches, although he was adamant he wasn't going in.

"Oh, um... how about Planck. Throw in a bit of history" he replied. "Super-mind eh? wouldn't mind one of those myself. Just a few more IQ points to grease the wheels, so to speak. Can't really complain about the old grey matter to be honest. " He sipped at the instant coffee, pretending to find it acceptable to his refined taste. When Miss A wasn't looking, he poured it into a potted plant and made a "mmmmmmm delicious" sound. "By the way, how are we going to dispose of the poison chemicals?"

GM In the Cab with Cabbsy and the Fab Four: Edge Paul looked at John. "I don't know, like, but I think we could rustle up something, sir!" he replied, eyeing the silver and gold that was adorning the cab. Cabbsy had a grin on his face that threatened to sunder his head in 'twain. With the double bass and percussion instruments poking out of the cab, it was a strange sight indeed, compounded by the sounds of a totally remixed and ad libbed version of "I Want to Hold Your Hand" as sung by a four piece string band in the manner of a jolly spiffing Victorian park-band. It was pure fortune (thanks to Edge) that a stray cymbal, or the head of the double bass didn't snap off at some lamp-post or decapitate a pedestrian. The crazy mobile gig made its way back to Ms. Wells, to the sounds of claps and applause from passers by, who celebrated the vigorous plebeian music. "Say, John, I think we may have hit upon a rather decent ditty here..."

GM Camden Market: Silhouette The saleslady drew up slightly stiffly "Indeed madam" she replied, with a little reserve and bountiful politeness "there is quite a nip in the air for a summer's day. Must be those newfangled atmospheric balloons, I dare say. " Emily was crying a little less. "What's your name kind lady?" she asked Carrie, tugging at her jacket. "Why are you dressed so strange, no corset an 'all? what do I do now?"

Magnificent!

"No problem really" replied Supercape. He filled up a mug with water, gazed into it, and in a moment it was bubbling. "Nudged a few atoms, E=MC squared and all that". He then proceeded to spoon in a modest amount of instant coffee. "I'll bring some Earl Grey next time. And a kettle. " Fiddling with the micromacroscope again, he answered her question "Yes, Quantum mechanics is an area of interest. Fascinating stuff. I dabble in all sorts really. Psychology, philosophy, physics, biology. Just not to good with the practical side of stuff. Suppose I should apply myself more." "And what about you, from whence comes your knowledge? you look very young to have accumulated such expertise."

For reference, Aoiroo, the copper tube has steamed, rotated, and piped enough to gather readings in this locale, so you can wrap up when you wish. Emily being taken on by Saleslady?

Supercape pottered over to the Fridge. As an afterthought, befitting the environs, he concentrated for a second, and his cape whirled around his body and reformed as a sparkling white lab coat. He made sure his mask remained. Picking up what seemed to be an advanced Micromacrometer, he fiddled around with it as he poked around in the fridge. "Got any tea, my dear? Shall I put the kettle on?"

"Absolutely no problem my dear" Supercape replied, brandishing his Superphone "my very own Superphone! here, let me give you my number..." and so he did, scribbling it down with pen and paper. "I don't suppose..." he continued, somewhat abashed "...you see, whilst I'm a bit of a whizz with the maths and theory and everything, never been absolutely A+ with the whizz bang technical mumbo jumbo. Bit concerned about the old security aspect of this phone..." Leaning towards her, as if plotting a conspiracy, he went on in a lower tone "between you and me, not that super a phone at all, regular common mobile. Um, don't suppose you could spruce up the security on it a bit? make it a bit untraceable and all that jiggery pokery?"

GM Camden Market: Silhouette Emily looked down to her worn shoes, and shuffled her feet. "No ma'am, I don't". Sheepishly she looked up to the storeslady, "Sorry lady. I didn't mean to steal from you. I means, I did, but I only didso 'cos I was cold I couldn't do anything else. " Once again, she was crying slightly, and held on to Carries jacket as she did so, hiding behind it slightly.

Supercape opened and shut his jaw involuntarily. Its Chriiiiistmaaaaaaas! said the ten year old kid inside him, ripping open the presents to find lego and mechano. "Ooooooh" he replied "I would be delighted. Delighted!" he was actually a little damp in the eye, and was hopping from one foot to the other. "The laboratory at the university is not half as well equip...ahem...yes, anyway...the stuff here is simply splendid! absolutely top rate stuff!"

GM Camden Market: Silhouette Emily looked up to Carrie gratefully "Yes ma'am" she said, half sadly, but genuinely happy at her warm clothing that, despite not fitting her perfectly, wrapped her up completely and shielded her from the cold. "Me mam, she was on the gin, went away with some French sailor last month. She was on the gin bad they said, but she was still me mam. I ran away, didn't want to go to the workhouse. I sold some family stuff, and bin livin smart on the street. But oim hungry and cold now miss, ever since the snow this summer. Thankyou ever so kindly for the clothes miss, they is awful warm."

Slick was more than happy to let Mad Dog try his animal magnetism on the wolf beast. He watched with admiration as Mad Dog approached with some subtle and primitive calm and confidence, indicating openness, but power if need be. And despite its dubious state (was it undead? a spirit? or possessed? or just a beast attracted to the mystical energies?) the wolf responded, growling to almost a purr, and backing of gently, until it decided to leap back into the forest. "Well done!" applauded Slick, without actually clapping his hands. Peering into the sullen hole, which seemed to ooze some horrible cold air, and worse smells, and worse still... a chill of the soul, Slick continued "and for your next trick... how are you at seeing in the dark?"

Bingo!

GM Camden Market: Silhouette "Hmph" said the saleslady. She looked Carrie in the eye hard, but she knew the game was up. She looked down at Emily, not totally unkindly, and brought out some obviously cheap but warm wear for her. "And what are we going to do with this little madam? she is only going to steal again, once she gets the chance! how far does your charity extend?"

GM Hyde Park: Cannonade The crowds were gawping at the felled man. "Thomas the tank...is an engine!!!" gasped one of them, reflecting the general sentiment. Combined with Cannonades impassioned speech, the crowd were now thoroughly disorientated - and Nedd Ludd had all but lost them. He was giving Cannonade the evil eye, but mingling angry people blocked his path. Some of the crowd had been significantly swayed by Cannonades logic, a few called out "well said, man!" and asked for his name. The slippery copper tube started whistling and spinning, indicating its data collection was complete, as the crowd started arguing amongst itself. The throng started to become passionate, with heaves and pushes, and it wasn't long before Thomas was the centre of a group of men tugging his body this way and that. "I'll get you for this, young man!" yelled Ludd, above the Hubris. "ENEMY OF THE PEOPLE! TRAITOR TO THE COMMON MAN! ELITIST SCUM!!!"

1d20+8=11 for Thomas, which is Staggered... Thomas falls ungainly to the floor, two cogwheels fall out of each ear, and steam emits from his neck.... Thomas the tank...is an engine...

GM Greenwich Observatory: Edge "Jolly good show" "Bravo!" "You boffins will sort it out, I'm sure!" It wasn't long before Edge, combing the hill (with a particularly spiffy copper tube!) was the centre of much applause and encouragement, with various landed gentry and amateur scientists and astrologers come to offer their support and advice. The four piece band soon joined the fray and started up a up-beat and slightly altered tune of "the Star Spangled Banner" with lyrics praising the glorious colonies of his mad'jsty in the new world. The lead, a handsome bass player with slightly scruffy hair who introduced himself as Paul came up to Edge and, in his Liverpool accent, mentioned "'evenin 'sir... always happy to play for you scientist types. I hear you are very generous and wealthy man, no doubt made your money in oil 'sir. We would be happy to play for you 'sir. Times are hard 'sir. At your service 'sir." and with a nod, the band redoubled their energy, volume, and - it seemed - tempo... With a whistle and whir of cogs, the copper tube indicated its readings had been completed.

Adopting a more traditional fighting stance, Slick sized up the two remaining suits. Quickly dashing forward and ducking under the guard of one, she sprung up and delivered a mighty uppercut that turned out his lights without fuss. Quite where the last standing suit got his courage from, she didn't know, maybe it was more reflex than rationale. Nevertheless, his finger squeezed around the trigger of his gun. Whether it was Slick's speed or the man's shaky aim was moot: the bullet whizzed past Slick and shattered a bottle of unidentified spirits on the wall of the room.

"Hmmm yes... see... well. I don't know what you are like with Quantum mechanics, madam, but it's not strictly existing right now. At least not in 4-dimensional space. Its a false vacuum state, well... that's the short version of explaining it without going into Heisenbergian parametric m-theory... here, let me show you..." Excited as ever, he took up a pencil, licked it, and started scribbling equations on some scrap paper, completely oblivious to his current identity or circumstance. For all he knew, he could have been delivering a seminar to an interested student at Freedom University...

Could Carrie make an intimidate roll? -1 for her! But, DC is only 10 given how, fundamentally, Carrie has all the cards... Oh, and HP for being... well... heroic!!!

"Poison gas!" gasped Supercape, psychosomatically choking at the thought. "Lot of good my force field would do for that... if it got through the blast shield..." "As for my identity, well to be honest I'm not really much of a hero... probably best if I keep that a secret. I'd be the laughing stock, or worse still, would loose my cosy little existence. Not that I don't trust you of course madam" he added hastily. "Impressive work, by the way... where did you pick up that talent?" he asked, glancing over at the dismantled bomb.

"Ready as I can be" he replied "I mean, its not like I took a major course in zombie hunting in at the School of Evil Dead Studies" he quipped back. Bit of humour never hurt the nerves. Mad Dog seemed like the kind of solid chap you wanted in a tight spot. Kind of attractive in his own way. Made him wish he had chosen a female form. "Holy water...not check. Crucifix... not check. Boomstick... not check. Chainsaw... not check. Damn, where is my zombie kit when I need it?" he managed a wan smile. Creeping forward into the open area, the red eyed wolf turned to face them and gave a menacing growl... Sniffing, Slick whispered to Mad Dog... "err... good with animals? even ones which may not, um, technically, be still alive?"

"Careful!" blurted out Supercape "It's not a ruddy football!... I mean, um... soccer ball!" He was visibly alarmed at an alien bomb rolling and lolling around the laboratory. "Is it disarmed? is it safe? I can't tell. Too weird for me. What's going on? don't keep a man in suspense, madam!"