Log:Never Count Me Out, Scene 2

Never Count Me Out 2010/12/27 	 Guardian Harlequin Imaginary Girl Jolt Mesmer 2

 Student Quarter 

The student quarter is north and west of the CBSU campus, and is entirely dependent on the university for its flavor, but its flavor is different. Much of it, especially in the back streets, is cheap housing, with students being the main tenants. On the three main roads, though - Courtland Way heading east, Harrisburg lane northwest, and Stardancer Boulevard south - are one or two grander buildings, most notably the stadium on Courtland and hospital on StarDancer. Along these roads, and scattered through the district, are other services such as students attract: fast food establishments, second-hand stores, laundromats, convenience stores, doughnut shops.

The average age of people on the street is markedly lower than elsewhere in the city, whether walking, cycling, hoverboarding or just hanging out.

 Scene Start 

Nicolai Winters is being escorted by a half dozen gang members wearing the red armbands of Harrisburg Watch members. Some of the gang members are visibly armed with longarm ballistic weapons, military grade carbines and rifles.

Not in uniform today, Guardian was actually grabbing a bite. she finds herself walking out of Space Burger, aviator shades going on over her eyes as she does so. Hrm, an armed gang? Military grade weapons too.... not only that, this isn't Harrisburg. So she pulls out her sellphone and calls this in. StarGuard membership isn't applicable here and now... maybe when she calls the local precinct and informs them of what's up. "This is Major Hearns, US Marines... codename Guardian." she tells the police as she watches the crowd moving along. "I've got a situation here. Looks like a handful of civilians armed with miltary grade weapons, and they -may- be taking a girl someplace against her will. But they're brandishing non-civilian weapons either way. I'll see if I can have a -chat- with them... politely." and before the cops can tell her not to, she hangs up and puts her phone away before starting to walk across the street towards them.

Mesmer has spent most of the evening keeping a boy from burning himself up, as such he is exiting the hospital and glances around at the gang, his mask is on making his expression unreadable, but he taps several keys into his wrist device sending an appraisal of the situations to both his masters, cia and mia. Then sits back to watch Guardian's diplomacy attempt.

The group of the girl and armed gang members stop as it becomes obvious that Major Hearns is making her way over towards then. The gang members take up positions around the young girl looking outwards, clearly acting like guards.

Mesmer is standing infront of the hospital... watching.

Hands in her jacket pockets, Abby makes her way towards the group. She doesn't really appear to be intimidated by the weapons being brandished. The posture of the gang members however is quite... intriguing. She inclines her head and positions herself before the group. Basically moving closer until they seem ready to flinch or react and then stopping -just- there. "Afternoon gentlemen..." she looks past them and adds, "And lady. You do realize that it's against the law to be carrying military grade weaponry as civilians, and in public... right?" she pauses there to let them reply. In all honesty, she's not wanting to fight them... she's simply stalling until the proper authorities can arrive.

Wishing for a jacket, X glides over the student quarter, scanning for anything interesting. X takes note of the guys with guns, and angles himself to get a better view of what's going on, as well as producing a glowy purple humming skin or fur-tight shield. X isn't apparently getting closer to the members, however.

Mesmer doesn't seem inclined to come any close although upon seeing the batman he punches a few more buttons on hiw wrist device, at the same time checking for a response.

Nicolai Winters smiles, revealing over long incisors to go with a deadly pale face. "This can be a dangerous city. Especially for those who have enemies. A certain degree of protection can be advisable under the current circumstances. Allow me to introduce myself. I am Countess Nicolai De'Estes, also known as Nicky Winters. Might I ask your name?"

Bobby stops near the edge of the excitement in the quarter. He cranes his neck to see over and around people.

X scans the area for anything else out of the ordinary, before angling himself to fly toward the guys with the guns, at a rather slow speed.

"There is a difference between dangerous cities and dangerous times.... and illegal armaments. There -are- legal avenues one can pursue that will acquire them legal weapons to be used for self defense." Guardian offers a bit of a grin at the introduction and adds, "I highly advise that you turn those military weapons over to a representative of the US Military. It just so happens that I'm Major Hearns, US Marines..." That said, she lifts her hand to her aviator sunglasses and lowers them to reveal her yellow glowing eyes.

Jolt crawls out of a manhole. Jolt has arrived.

Mesmer again updates the watch with the new names revealed, doing a search on the countess' name. He keeps his distance however, range is his ally not theres if this comes to a fight.

Nicolai chuckles, "Such legal avenues are not feasible if you happen to be a convicted metavillain serving a sentence in Stronghold." She continues more soberly, "Especially if your defenders are from Harrisburg. A district which has been abandoned by the rest of the city and must look out for itself and its citizens by itself. However I am here to provide information, not to provoke trouble. If my defenders return to Harrisburg will you, Major Hearns, give me your word as a military officer that you will defend me from attacks?"

Bobby winds his way through the crowd of spectators until he is on the 'edge of the action' as it were. He watches the scene with open curiosity, his eyes drawn to the beautiful young albino woman.

X halts his movement toward the gun peoples at around 10m from them, and merely howevers in place, waiting for something to happen, keeping tabs on his surroundings with echolocation.

"Well... you see." begins Guardian as she lifts both hands, fingers extended. "There's a few problems with your logic and your argument." She uses one hand to count on the fingers of the other hand. "One, if you happen to be a convicted metavillain serving a sentence in Stronghold, then you should be in Stronghold, not out here. If that's the case then I'm afraid you are going to have to go back to Stronghold. Two..." she pulls a second finger apart from the others, "Your -defenders-... as you call them, are free to return to Harrisburg... without their military grade illegal weapons. And three..." She pulls that third finger apart as she counts. ".. That depends what you ask me to defend you -from-... you have to understand, I cannot just give blanket promises without knowing the conditions, but I somehow think that the first issue might have a little something to do with me having a tough time with the third."

Mesmer reads the info that comes across the encrypted line --- MIA files. Nicolai Winters, aka Nicky Winters. Vampire. Metavillain. Took over Colonial Bay City for several months. Got a long way towards doing the same in Washington before the Patriots hero team, warned by heroes from Colonial Bay, caught her at it. She escaped them, returned to Colonial Bay, took over Harrisburg. Then gave herself up for an agreed plea bargain of a fifty year sentence. However she seems to move in and out of Stronghold prison at will --- and pushes another button wiping the view port and shaking his head he begins to walk toward the group. Pausing a dozen meters back.

Nicolai nods, "To answer your points in order. As soon as I finish what I came here to do I intend to return to Stronghold. If I ask my defenders to surrender their weapons I must insist on them also being included in any protection extended to me. As to your third issue, I would require you to protect me from attempts on my life and on the lives of my defenders."

Bobby watches the wordplay between the major and the Countess with a grin on his face. His head swivels back and forth as if watching a tennis match.

Thinking about it for a good several seconds, Guardian takes off her shades entirely, tucking them into a pocket inside her jacket and leaving it mostly unzipped. She shakes her head and remarks, "I will agree to -most- of that, but that last part is still way too vague for me. You are currently a fugitive, and it's my duty to make sure you are apprehended. My duty also includes the confiscation of military weaponry and the filing of possession charges on those who were wielding them. Now... -who- do you expect to attack you and threaten your life? The authorities?" she asks. "See, I don't plan on promising to defend you and having it be the police you expect me to fight, now... tell me bluntly, simply... who endangers -you-, and what information did you come here to share?" She pauses and then adds, "I will add that should your men turn over their weapons, I will speak on their behalf, explaining to the police that they cooperated willingly, hopefully to get them leniency. And if I -do- decide to defend you, they will also be included... but you're going to need to stop playing games and just tell me what's going on if we're going to get anywhere here."

X smiles, lows his shield a bit, and intilizes his Sonic Manipulation, echoing a commanding voice, "What is your objective?" X asks rather bluntly, his purple orbs glowing while he asks this.

Nicolai nods, "Since that is the sole reason for me having departed from Stronghold I'm hardly likely to refuse to pass on the information I have. You night as will save your efforts on any firearms possession charges. They'll all have permits to carry those weapons as accredited bodyguards by the time the paperwork gets to the city DA. So, the information I have is that my father, The Count, has returned to the city. With, undoubtedly the intention of destroying it. That also means The Senator is here, and thus several other vampires can be expected to make their way to the city. Which is likely to draw Quickstop here also."

Bobby's brow creases slightly as the Countess names off the various names. He cocks his head to one side as he listens.

Mesmer flicks a hand across his wrist updating the information as Nikki says the details. 

While she may be about to reply, Guardian suddenly snaps her jaws shut tight. If one were to read her body language, she'd be basically clenching her jaw because she's so angry she doesn't want to say anything particularly stupid here. Her glowing yellow eyes flicker about the area and up towards X before they lock onto Mesmer. She simply lifts her left hand and draws her index finger across her throat in a gesture of /cut the transmission/ type thing. Then she takes a breath before looking back to the Countess. "Permits gained after the fact do -not- cover actions taken before said permits were acquired. One does not commit a crime and then ask permission to do so." She shakes her head a bit and then adds, "But your information is received. Now, may I escort you back to Stronghold so we are both sure you arrive there safely?"

Nicolai smiles, "How delightfully put, Major. Yes, however, via Harrisburg if you don't mind? I need to check on a patient in the clinic there before I return to Stronghold, and that will provide safe passage for my defenders."

Bobby raises a hand to his eyes and rubs them. The teen then smiles slightly at something when Guardian speaks. He listens enraptured to the 'heroes and villians' conversation.

Nicky adds, "Oh, the permits will be dated weeks ago. Just trying to save you some pointless paperwork, Major."

X appears to be startled by something, X shakes his head, than heads off somewhere, disarming his sonic shield completely.

Overhead, a flying figure can be seen moving across the sky. Those familiar with the sight will likely recognize the figure as Imaginary Girl - probably on her almost-constant air-patrol over the city that is her awknowledged home.

Mesmer shrugs his shoulders towards Guardian and nods to Nikky, his fingers punching into his wrist, "That seems reasonable, you don't happen to know why your father is coming to town?"

Nicolai nods to Mesmer, "Probably to attempt to destroy the city. That is his aim and what he tried to do the last two occasions."

Bobby looks over at the new speaker. His mouth forms an oh of surprise at the swirled face figure.

"Right, as she said... likely to try to destroy the city. Yeah, that's never happened before." offers Guardian as she looks over towards Mesmer. "Never again without permission. Understood?" she asks before looking back towards the Countess. "I'm your new shadow, all the way to Stronghold. Simple enough.. but I'm only one person. I might suggest more than one escort... perhaps.." and she catches sight of the aerial patroller and smirks, "Well, if there's one hero who I know I can trust to be all heroic... that'd be her." she adds with a thumb towards the sky.

Nicolai frowns, "Heroic maybe. Impetuous and hot headed also."

A hovervan turns into the street at somewhat excessive speed, side-swiping a parked car as it just makes the corner to head towards the gathering.

"I'm not disputing that. Just... I'm sure she'd be useful if you wanted a little extra protection." She -would- have suggested Mesmer, but she gets the feeling he'd rather keep his involvement in the shadows. Of course, she hears the vehicle's crunching sounds and turns to face it with her feet braced.....

Mesmer turns his head up to see IG then shakes his head at all these silly people who were so easy to influence. He then turns to watch the van, preparing to grab the car and prevent any more damage.

The hovervan is accelerating fast and heading straight for the group of gang members. A couple on the fringe of the area about to be impacted dive sideways. The others are caught in the area the van is going to hit. Nicolia runs forward to stand beside Major Hearns, also bracing for the impact.

A speeding vehicle side-swiping another, parked, one... that's the kinda thing that gets the attention of the flying heroine, urging Imaginary Girl to dive down out of the sky towards the hovervan, aiming to come up under it and simply scoop it up and away into the sky - to an altitude where its hover-system safeties will shut the engine off because of the altitude /and/ where it'll no longer be a danger to people and property in the area.

Bobby starts to move away from the area, but stops when Imaginary girl flies in and grabs the hover van. He admires her effortless action. Well, at least he is admiring something.

Imaginary Girl only manages to get in behind the hovervan, then darts in underneath it. The van suddenly gains altitude as she lifts it from below, its momentum carrying it up and over the heads of all those it was about to smash into. Rather than fight its momentum, she simply flies with the van in a looping motion, letting momentum fade away all on its own. "You in the car... you turn off the engine NOW or I won't be at all gentle putting you down!", she calls up from below.

Ready to be impacted, Guardian blinks a bit as the van is lifted into the air. She turns her eyes upwards and watches IG carry it upwards and remarks softly, "Hothead eh?" towards Nicolai. "If that's a hothead, I kinda like hotheads." It's a good thing she didn't waste battery power yet... but she does summon power to her hands, prepping to release energy if it becomes necessary... yellow liquid-like energy seeping from her eyes as she does so. "Looks like you get that protection after all Countess." she adds.

As the van is lifted up there's relieved sighs from the gang members in its path. However while the van is sailing by overhead, the sides of the van body are eaten away and spider like replicators drop down into the area. A half dozen fall free. Imaginary girl can hear the clattering of multiple feet indicating there are more still in the van.

Imaginary Girl quips, "Aw, cripes... robot bugs? Spiders? Where's Spidey? She'd /love/ this...", her tone a little sarcastic, even as she grins a bit.

Watching the situation develop, Guardian just remarks softly, "Countess, we need to find a safe place for you and your people... someplace defensible..." She flickers her gaze about the street as she tries to get a quick idea of someplace she could use to bottleneck these things as they approach...

Nicolai shakes her head at Major Hearns' comment, "HaXoR's toys will just replicate more of themselves from any cover taken. It's better to face them out in the open where there's no food for them."

Well what sort of party would it be without Jolt. Yeah she's got a police scanner so she's standing on a nearby roof "Looks like things got bad" and with that she floats towards the action "alright, it looks like someone needs a bit of help. I guess I got here just in time" truth be told she was probably sitting there watching for the past 5 minutes but still.

Several more of the spidery replicators jump from the van and start falling towards the heroes and others below. Those already on the ground scuttle rapidly towards the nearest person, although avoiding Nicky, with malice in mind.

Bobby watches the spiders fall then sighs loudly. "And I so liked Bobby Lee," he mutters. The youth then seems to shimmer and fade like a mirage from which Harlequin emerges. Harlequin raises his hands palms up as he says, "Please leave Milady Winter. Allow us to cover your retreat."

A solid wall of spinning translucent hexagons forms between Nicolai, some of the gangers, and, alas, Major Hearns.

Mesmer shakes his head, then shoots staight up, surveying the scene.

The spiders bump into the Barrier interposing itself, spraying acid at the spinning hexagons.

Some of the hexagons blacken from the acid. One is eaten away allowing the spider to pass through but it's been slowed down.

Shaking her head, Guardian remarks, "Agreed, I would start removing yourself from the situation as soon as possible Countess." She thinks for just a moment between a blast or a kick... and then she smirks and settles for something a little bit more... creative. She steps back a bit and then crouches to fire a pulse through the hole in the shield and lets the plasma eruption effect boil through the hole to explode about seven meters beyond the hole.

The five spiders outside on the ground were moving towards the hole eaten into the hexagon barrier, which conveniently puts them in the area of Guardian's blast. They fragment into hundreds of small rectlinear blocks about an inch by two inches by half an inch thick.

Nicolai nods to the revealed Harlequin, then calls out to Guardian, "You will find me at the clinic in Harrisburg." before telling her Watch members, "Leave it to the heroes, We shall return home."

Mesmer flies up and over the barrier then sends a wave of telekentic force around him.

When one of the gang members complains about leaving Nicolai tells him, "If we are to continue controlling access by heroes to Harrisburg then we must respect their primacy in these matters outside Harrisburg."

The small blocks the spider replicators are constructed from are individually light. The TK pulse from Mesmer sends them flying outwards from him like the pellets of a spherical shotgun blasting them dozens of meters away in all directions. Car and house windows shatter, buildings are pockmarked, as the fragments impact against virtually everything in sight.

Harlequin winces as the replicator shrapnel pelts him and pings off his mask.

When the spidery replicators broke into fragments each fragment was shiny with a slimmering aura.

After Mesmer's TK pulse the fragments are dull and discolored after impact into surrounding items.

Seeing the 'bugs' on the ground dealt with, Imaginary Girl darts up into the air with the van, giving it a shake to rattle the bugs still inside it and keep them from jumping out and down. Once high enough, she really puts on the speed, so that the *CRACK* of the sound-barrier breaking is heard, without being so close-by as to be damaging to the city. Up outside the Earth's atmosphere, she releases the vehicle into orbit... then rips the rear license plate off the van - so that the owner of the vehicle can be found, so that they can have a shot at an insurance claim for damage to their vehicle. The relicators left in the van, for the moment, dealth with, she dives back down to Colonial Bay.