The Keepers
Posts 234
Power Level 31
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Post by Azoth on Aug 25, 2016 13:16:06 GMT -7
Since the incident with the Accardi family, Azoth had been down a large fence and a connection to the underworld. Even if ultimately Mr. Accardi hadn’t been worth her business or respect, what he had up until then offered her was undeniably useful. Azoth had spent the last few weeks looking for a replacement. After many long emails sent over private servers and phone calls on untapped lines, she had finally found someone of enough standing to be worth her time willing to accept her payment, in the form of a retired politician and wealthy stockholder named Carole Janele. Janele had a minor hand in both present politics by old connections, but her real power laid in the politics of the underground, which she twisted to her needs by means of careful ‘sponsorships’ passed to the right hands. Her messenger had said she’d be willing to open herself to business in exchange for a favor. A show of good faith, as it were.
An old political rival turned bitter enemy was coming to Emerald City in hopes of discovering what had happened and responding in some kind to the recent super intervention at the mayor’s speech. Timothy Oliver was coming onto her turf while she had old debts to claim from him and a mind to do so. She wanted him delivered to her alive.
It was just past midnight. His plane had been delayed, meaning his dinner reservations had to be canceled and he had to call his hotel to say he wouldn’t be arriving until late. The streets were quieter at this time of night, allowing his vehicle almost two full car lengths ahead and behind it. The sidewalks were next to empty. This was one of the older parts of downtown, which had been shaken but not fallen by the dragon attack. Many were avoiding it for fear of structural integrity. Few were around to see the super take her place in an alleyway before his hotel, and fewer who did not know this was her mission for the night were there to see her sit and bide her time, waiting for the passing black government car.
Stopping his car was easy. Azoth simply removed the axle that held the front left wheel in place as the car sped past, and waited. The vehicle didn’t make it farther than the end of that block. The driver had begun to slow as he approached their destination, meaning, after hitting the side of the car with a parking sign, they just smashed the upper half of the car through the storefront window rather than crashing the entire car through it. It would also mean Oliver would be shaken, but even an unpowered could weather something like that. A second car, driving a little over the speed limit, had to swerve sideways to avoid the car that had driven into its lane and buried its engine deep into a streetlight. All other coming traffic grinded to a screeching halt.
Azoth stood from the milk crates she’d been using as a seat and began to walk out into the street. Take Oliver and leave before the police came, and this mission would be complete.
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SCHEME: Increase Timothy Oliver’s worth by kidnapping and delivering him to an influential individual for her favor.
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on Aug 25, 2016 13:30:10 GMT -7
While it wasn't entirely accurate to say that Unhallow had been avoiding Azoth after that incident at the lab, they weren't exactly seeking her out either. They were never good at handling awkward problems like this, and was just trying their best to pretend it wasn't a problem until it went away. This rarely proved effective, but it at least made it so they didn't have to think about it. When one of Azoth's servants delivered a letter to them asking for help with something, Unhallow didn't even bother reading the rest of the letter before agreeing. It was a sign things were better, and they still wanted to help. Of course, they made sure to read what the mission was thoroughly afterwards so that they could help effectively. It sounded simple enough on paper at least.
Unhallow arrived a little earlier than requested, and never let the target out of their sights. It made him very easy to target when the time came, and left absolutely no doubt as to where he was in case he tried something. Now that he was found, and his car was destroyed, all that was left was to prevent him from running and anyone with him from stealing him back. Both weren't that hard for Unhallow. They moved out into the middle of the road to make it look like they were the one that caused the accident in an attempt to keep all of the attention off of Azoth while she did what she needed to do, trusting that Azoth would disable any weapons they had before those weapons could turn Unhallow into swiss cheese. Unhallow themselves directed their power towards the target's arms and legs so that he wouldn't be able to move effectively before long.
SUPPORTING: I'm helping right? ;_;
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The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
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Post by Geata on Aug 25, 2016 13:44:36 GMT -7
When Azoth asked Geata for his help in kidnapping a guy, he agreed reluctantly. Sure, he knew he was doing wrong, but he had promised her that he would be there whenever she asked for his help. Of course, he didn't want to possibly let his friend know how he was feeling about helping her. That was why, during the car crash, he was sitting up on a balcony, watching it all unfold below.
He had been surprised when he saw that Unhallow was there, but he wasn't upset. It was good to work with them a little, and he hoped it would smooth relations over from when he was "trespassing" on their territory. Honestly, though, he was just glad to see that Sin Eater wasn't around. Yet, at least. Hopefully at all, if the little group was lucky.
While Azoth approached the car, and Unhallow made themselves appear to be the culprit, Geata kept on eye out on the surrounding area. A crash like that was sure to draw attention, and in case that attention was unwanted supers, he wanted to be prepared to get the two out of the area if need be. That was what he was there for, after all. That, and transporting the unfortunate goods.
SUPPORTING: because why not?
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Inactive
Do not interfere.
Posts 60
Power Level 17
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Post by Osiris on Aug 26, 2016 16:53:37 GMT -7
The Keepers aren't a monolith.
Those words were enough to cause Osiris to land on top of the car itself, or at least, what was still sticking out of the storefront window, before looking at the one approaching the car.
"Remove yourselves from this area. I claim the one inside this vehicle."
It lifted up both hands, each glowing with a bright light in a clearly threatening gesture.
OPPOSING: Interfering with Keepers' plans is possibly rewarded with information. That's good enough.
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Emerald City Bulwark
Posts 67
Power Level 27
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Post by Nemesis on Aug 27, 2016 11:49:44 GMT -7
Nemesis was just driving along, trying to get somewhere closer to home before stashing her motorcycle somewhere. Traffic wasn't too bad, seeing how most normal people were asleep by now. So when the sound of a car crash disturbed the relative quietness of the city, it didn't take very long to arrive at the scene. Maybe somebody needed her help.
As she rode up to the 'accident', the sight of the giant robot guy immediately made Nemesis regret showing up. Did she really have to fight this thing again? Tonight? Wasn't there some other hero who could take care of it for her? No, that wasn't how things worked. She almost slapped herself for thinking about giving up without trying. Even potentially acting like one of those lazy heroes terrified her more than any villains.
She approached the group of bad guys surrounding the car. Whoever those guys inside were, Nemesis needed to make sure they were alright. "Alright guys, time to go home."
OPPOSING! Crime is bad |
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Inactive
Posts 60
Power Level 18
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Post by Misty on Aug 27, 2016 11:52:27 GMT -7
Misty was a few blocks away when she heard the crash, and her able body carried her quickly to the crash. One look at the scene that was laid out before her told her that there was going to be a super brawl. Seeing Azoth there also told her that it was going to be a tricky fight. She planted herself at the line before the crash and bellowed out.
“ALL NON-SUPERS NEED TO LEAVE THIS AREA IMMEDIATELY, ON RISK OF INJURY OR DEATH!”
Misty smiled to herself as people who had been sitting in their cars nervously left them and ran. Those at the ends, whose cars were not twisted into strange positions backed up their cars and left as they saw the people that were running on foot. Satisfied that the surrounding non humans had cleared out, Misty turned her attention to the one who couldn’t, the driver of the other crashed car. She skipped over to the car with a frightening speed, keeping tuned to the gathered supers, as she tore the door off the car and pulled out the middle aged an inside. Thankfully, his seat belt had been on and his airbag had reacted. He would have whiplash and he had a small head injury. Other than that, and being unconscious, he was fine. Misty shouldered him, draping him over both shoulders, and, never turning her back, moved him all the way back to the outer ring of cars that had been left, carefully laying him down again.
Misty then returned to the lamp post that he had wrapped his car around, and crooked though it was, she leaned her hip against it, facing all the the supers that had gathered, arms crossed, but ready to spring forward, waiting patiently.
OPPOSING: Non supers have been put in harm's way, knows Azoth is a keeper and sees that she's probably up to something.
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Post by PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 on Aug 27, 2016 12:11:17 GMT -7
PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 online Running aberrant conflict search heuristic. Scanning satellite imagery... clear. Scanning public security footage... clear. Scanning private devices... anomaly detected. Beginning detailed analysis. Multiple aberrants detected converging on subject of interest in Emerald City, sector AM-39. Movement patterns yield 6.86% chance of cooperative coordination. Cataloging contents of sector... Detected: 56,902 unpowered humans Detected: Five standard aberrants. See case files 1-0013, 1-5977, 1-6006, 1-6141, 1-6168. Detected: One auxiliary aberrant. See case file 4-0629. Conflict probability within next 60 seconds: 86.90% Beginning combat data collection. (Click here to send in your actions!) |
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The Keepers
Posts 234
Power Level 31
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Post by Azoth on Aug 28, 2016 8:47:47 GMT -7
Three known supers had shown up, for the only discernible reason of ‘because it can never be that simple to accomplish simple tasks’. Azoth stopped in the street, everything she needed to be able to reach already well within her range. Oliver was not a high enough profile politician that he was worth the government’s resources of more than one guard, his one of whom was looking only slightly less dazed than him in the seat besides him. Azoth spared a moment of her time to destroy the one gun she had visible on her - assuming she could pose any sort of threat within the effects of Unhallow’s power, Azoth knew it wouldn’t be hard to remove any concealed weapons as well should they surface - before returning her attention to more important matters.
The first was helping civilians, which Azoth had neither reason nor mind to stop. She could do as she liked. The second was a known Bulwark and thus not much of a threat. Azoth gave her a moment’s regard from the corner of her eye before turning to the final advisary. They appeared to be made of metal; whether a human wearing a metal suit or a unit controlled from elsewhere, it didn’t matter. By landing directly on top of the car, they had made themselves the biggest threat, but if this was the worst they were going to be facing - a smiled flickered onto her lips. Perhaps this would be as simple as she had originally thought.
Azoth looked directly at the robot and tried to make her voice carry as best she could.
“I will give you a single warning, machine. My powers are well suited for neutralizing inorganic material.” She pointed to a nearby streetlight. Without any other motion from Azoth, a thin slice cut straight through the thick metal pole at a sharp angle. The top half of the streetlight gained momentum as gravity gained hold of it, and it crashed down into the front of one of the stopped cars. “And I hold no reservations against destroying mechanical bodies. I see no reason to bring you harm if I do not have to. If you stand down now, your safe departure will be assured.”
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The Keepers
Posts 357
Power Level 31
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Post by Geata on Aug 28, 2016 9:26:33 GMT -7
Geata blinked in surprise as the metal man from before seemingly just appeared. This prompted the masked super to do a quick scan of the rooftops in the hopes of seeing where he had come from, looking back just in time to see that Eyepatch and another super joined the party. Climbing to his feet, Geata gave a quick mental apology for being such a poor lookout before he stepped through a portal and onto the street, roughly directly between Azoth and the robot.
"Hey, Tin Man!" He said as though he were greeting an old friend. "It's been a while. How'd things go with those two? I apologize for Aurora, she's not much of a people person. But hey! You remember how you said you'd pay me back? By any chance, can I cash in that debt now? It'd be great if you didn't hurt my two friends here." He turned and gestured back towards Unhallow and Azoth before turning back. "Help me out here and we can figure out how to continue a mutually beneficial working relationship. If not, though..."
He smirked under his mask as he tensed up, ready to make a move. "If you don't, you'll be making a surprisingly powerful enemy. Be smart, Metal Guy."
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The Keepers
Posts 206
Power Level 30
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Post by Unhallow on Aug 28, 2016 10:59:28 GMT -7
As much as Unhallow wanted to chime in, Sin Eater told them often that they were far more intimidating when they didn't say anything at all. It sounded like Azoth and her ally had it taken care of anyway. As much as they disliked working with non-Keepers, this was Azoth's job and she could bring along whoever she liked. Unhallow wasn't going to complain.
Rather than say anything, Unhallow continued to move closer to the site of the accident as if no one else was even around. They moved slowly and deliberately in an attempt to at least look a little scary. With every step, their power would gradually get more potent on those by or in the vehicle. One step wouldn't cause that much of a change, but after a couple dozen, most people would start experiencing headaches and muscle aches at a faster pace. Even the machine would gradually start rusting or otherwise start falling apart under the influence of their power.
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Inactive
Posts 60
Power Level 18
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Post by Misty on Aug 28, 2016 20:49:01 GMT -7
Misty watched from her place at the lamppost as another super slipped down from the roof and started chattering like an idiot. Sometimes the young where……..special was a polite word for it. She noted Unhallow inching closer to the car.
She had little idea of what was going to happen. She knew Azoth, knew her face, and she knew that the little Keeper drove deals. A lot. And she knew that if she had to, she would play what she knew of Azoth against her in an effort to solve this issue without a super brawl.
“Azoth, what are you up to?” Misty finally piped up, hoping the Keeper would be up for talking.
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Inactive
Do not interfere.
Posts 60
Power Level 17
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Post by Osiris on Aug 28, 2016 20:59:47 GMT -7
Osiris would turn to glance at the Keeper known as Azoth for the moment, taking in every work without lowering its hands. The threat was there, and it was something it would need to prepare for adequately ahead of time. It had no real knowledge of the others who had also stepped forward in defense of the inhabitants of the car, and in truth, it didn't particularly care.
It wasn't here for them, or the person inside, it was here to cause trouble.
"Your warning is noted."
It would simply reply, before turning its head towards the other who had spoken. This one, at least, it had met before, and seemed to be trying to talk it down as well.
Also unacceptable.
"Those meetings are why I'm here. However, your debt will be taken into consideration during hostilities."
As in, it wouldn't try to kill them.
However, it certainly wasn't fond of the other walking towards the car, and as such, would need to take action.
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Emerald City Bulwark
Posts 67
Power Level 27
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Post by Nemesis on Aug 29, 2016 8:30:14 GMT -7
Well, at least she wasn't alone this time. Nemesis had grown used to never receiving any backup, and considering the time, she expected all the other heroes to be asleep or something. Having a partner nearby should make it easier to stop these three villai--
Oh, make that four. Nemesis tried to conceal her surprise as Skeletor warped in from outside her range. It didn't make sense for a supposed Pandeamonium member to show up and help two Keepers. Listening to his little speech brought up a connection she probably wouldn't have made otherwise. Of course, he was friends with this piece of trash in front of her. Those Pandas fought with each other on a regular basis. Nemesis almost regretted giving him the benefit of the doubt earlier. Clearly, she underestimated how evil he really was.
As she clenched her fist, a visible amount of spirit energy began to surround her hand. The difficulty of actually landing a hit wouldn't be enough to stop her this time.
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Post by PANOPTICON Ver. 3.023 on Aug 29, 2016 12:24:54 GMT -7
   --- Accumulation (Information) by Azoth against Interference (Reversion) results in SUCCESS, +10% combat advantage Accumulation (Summoning) by Osiris against Accumulation (Information) results in SUCCESS, +10% combat advantage Accumulation (Enhancement) by Unhallow against Maneuver (Alteration) results in SUCCESS, +10% combat advantage Maneuver (Field) by Geata against Nemesis results in SUCCESS, +25% combat advantage Maneuver (Alteration) by Nemesis against Geata results in FAILURE due to suppression by the immunity granted by the equal-or-greater Accumulation (Enhancement) Unhallow used --- Current conditions: Azoth Geata and Unhallow have immunity to Interference (Reversion) granted by the Accumulation (Information) Azoth used Misty Nemesis and Osiris have immunity to Accumulation (Information) granted by the Accumulation (Summoning) Osiris used Azoth Geata and Unhallow have immunity to Maneuver (Alteration) granted by the Accumulation (Enhancement) Unhallow used Current advantage: Azoth Geata and Unhallow have 45% Misty Nemesis and Osiris have 10% Current openings: Azoth may BYPASS a chosen immunity of a chosen target at a cost of 15% combat advantage, removing any matching innate immunity from that target for the rest of the battle. Geata may REGROUP at a cost of 30% combat advantage, cutting the other side's combat advantage in half. (Click here to send in your next round's actions!) |
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Emerald City Bulwark
Posts 67
Power Level 27
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Post by Nemesis on Aug 29, 2016 17:32:23 GMT -7
A bead of sweat dripped down her forehead as her own power seemed to fight against her. Nemesis struggled to steer correctly, only maintaining balance by sacrificing speed. She had an idea of was the problem here. She knew Skeletor was not responsible for the accident, but come on. He must be guilty of something. Just a little bit closer, and she would be free of at least one annoying headache.
. . . Okay, fine, she got the point.
The motorcycle slowed down until it eventually fell over. Nemesis didn't feel any better. She clutched her chest and tried to calm her ragged breathing. This power clearly didn't want to cooperate, and not even the random car generation counted enough to justify hurting him. At least that narrowed her options down. Targeting the right culprit should help lessen the pain. |
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