Log:ACRO - Stage 2, Scene 5

ACRO - Stage 2 2005/09/08 	 Celestra Technohammer

5

Celestra enters from Remote RP Lounge.

You ring the doorbell...and you hear someone moving around inside...moving on some stairs, it sounds like...and then the door opens, and Roland is standing there. He blinks, seeing you. "Um...hello? Can I help you?"

Celestra says, "can I come in so we can talk a bit."

Roland Hammer blinks again, "Umm...I suppose so. Sure." He lets you inside, and closes the door. "Would you like anything to drink?"

Celestra says, "No thank you. I am curious about your link to the group ACRO that uses your technology for their powered armor."

Roland grins, "That's refreshingly blunt. Please...take a seat." He motions to the sofa in the living room. "I'm going to grab a glass of water. I'll be right back."

Roland heads into the kitchen...and there's the sound of a cupboard opening, and running water. He comes back out with a full glass, and heads into the living room, grabbing a coaster as he passes by an end table. He sets the coaster down, and places the glass on it as he sits. "So...you said you were 'curious'. What do you know so far?"

Celestra says, "I disassembled an Acro suit glove found at Opticon Industries as well as full schematics on the armor of Yin and Yang. I also know that you are most likely Technohammer who captured them."

Roland nods, "A good guess. I am." He smiles, and takes a drink.

Celestra says, "Blunt, open and trusting is only honorable way to deal with this so I am talking to you."

Celestra says, "What I can not figure out is if you are partnered with ACRO or you are enemy of them. I want to put them out of business and you are perhaps the greatest clue to them."

Roland nods, "Well, I was previously a scientist for them. I worked on their power armor, focusing on the weapon systems, and power generation." He pauses to take another drink. "I was working with a colleague, Dr. Jacobs, who was doing the work on the cybernetic interface with the wearer. And we created a...very powerful suit of armor. The Armament prototype. Able to take on a tank platoon on its own. When I saw just HOW destructive it was, though..."

Roland continues, "...I clamped down. I said we had to downgrade the weapons. Derrick...Dr. Jacobs...would have none of it. He claimed that I was trying to ruin his career. The man actually tried to kill me."

Celestra frowns, "and Jacobs is now with Starguard. What can you tell me about the Acro organization and its bases and operations and how to perhaps find them and what ties you have to them still. I think I would like to keep your identity as Technohammer quiet as there is no reason people need to know."

Roland shrugs, "I had an alternate suit...one with modified weaponry...which was much less deadly. I realized that I had to get out of there, so I took the suit, and my notes, and left the organization. They've been hunting me since. I formed the Hammers as a way to mainly protect myself. The other members are...good people. Derrick saw what I did, and from what I understand, in a fit of jealousy, stole the Armament suit, and broke out of the ACRO facility he was working in several months ago. I saw it in the paper here. Apparently he's is also hunted by the organization now."

Roland nods, "I have the location of the main ACRO base in the area. I passed it along to Starguard yesterday. But I can give it to you as well. They're located under the old prison. Somehow, they managed to set up an underground base there without anyone knowing."

Celestra says, "do you want to join the raid on them to take them down?"

Roland nods, "I had already offered my team's assistance to Starguard. So, that was the plan. We..dont' have that many combat personnel. 4 total, with one support person back at 'home'.

He smiles, "And everyone pulls their weight with non-combat duties, too. Repairs, and the like."

Celestra says, "Home would be the base on Harrison street"

Roland tilts his head..."Yes...and no. For the four of us who are combat ready...yes. For Phantom, our coordinator...no."

Celestra smiles, "I intend to take Acro down and since I don't really trust Starguard much, I would be gathering a group. I do like your technology though even if I did have to survive the explosion of one of your plasma generators at the opticon building."

Roland chuckles, "Well, that's what happens when you build them that large. They get more...volatile." He pauses, "I would suggest that you work with Starguard on this one. I know you have misgivings about them, and they might be well founded. After all, they're harboring Derrick. I'd kind of like to pound him a bit... But, it's going to take a large group to take down the ACRO base. This is no small task. You go in outgunned, and you'll regret it."

Celestra smiles, "I was thinking sabotage actually. Sneak in, destroy some of their resources and leave and do so repeatedly until they are scrambling for supplies and the armor of their sleeping agents fail."

Roland just looks at you wide-eyed..."I...dont' think that's a good idea. Not with Prometheus still in there."

Celestra says, "Foresight"

Roland nods..."He might see you coming."

Celestra smiles, "I am looking forward to my rematch with him. What do you know of their roster?"

Roland nods..."Not a ton. They recruit mutants for their top agents. I heard from Phantom that two more were grabbed last night. Hugin and Munin. So, there should be only four left right now. Romulus, Remus, Prometheus, and Epimetheus. They're all part of the Enforcement division. I was part of R&D. There was talk...whispering of a council...or a single person who headed the organization as a whole.

Celestra says, "what are the powers of Romulus and Remus."

Roland nods, "They have a mind link with each other. That's all. But it makes them a formidable team."

Celestra says, "Promethius gets flashes of future and but his brother?"

Roland nods again, "Prometheus is a precog. Epimetheus is a retrocog. He can do something called 'object reading'. Or...getting flashes of the past in a location."

Celestra says, "and do you know the identities of those four without their armor?"

Roland shakes his head, "No...but I know who does. There's an information broker just a couple blocks away from my base of operations. Olga Kovlovsky. She's the one who locates the mutants for ACRO. But she's not officially part of the organization."

Celestra says, "I see and you think she would turn on them?"

Roland shakes his head, "I don't think so. But it's always possible to buy information from her. She's...motivated by money."

Roland smiles..."I can give you her address. I think that Eleven and Random Factor have already visited her, though...they may already have the information you seek, Celestra." He takes out a pen, and a piece of paper, and writes down the address. He then hands it to you.

Celestra says, "That would explain their stupidity last night."

Celestra says, "Eleven is in jail at the moment."

Roland chuckles. "Yeah, I heard about that. Actually, he was released this morning. I don't know all the details, just that he's out again."

Roland smiles, "Anyway...is there anything else you would like to know?"

Celestra says, "So we have four of them so I will need four or five more in addition to the two of us."

Roland smiles. "I think you're underestimating them. How many heroes went into Opticon? Against only four?

Celestra says, "It was a six on four fight and battle was very close."

Roland shakes his head, "Not as close as you think. I have footage, if you care to go over it with me." He smiles.

Celestra says, "Prometheus was down, but so was one of us. His brother would have been down moments later. Yin and yang had surprise in that battle, they won't have that this battle"

Roland shrugs, "If you say so. But they had surprise because of Prometheus. Who's still at large. And there were more than one of your group down for the count."

Celestra says, "There also was little coordination which is why things were so disjoint."

Celestra says, "yin and yang against one that are unprepared for battle and getting surprised while a seocnd was off on her own blowing hte building up while only four of us were actually fighting is recipe for a disaster."

Roland shakes his head, "Yin and Yang attacked two of your members, and neutralized the immediate threat. While the other four of you piled on the other two ACRO agents." He looks more serious. "I'm not kidding. These guys fight like a team. It takes either teamwork to take them down, or it'll take overwhelming numbers. I analyzed Yin and Yang's attack. Darkness, followed by a barrier surrounding Zip...so he ran straight into it...in any direction. Then they finished him off. It's the most brilliant way to deal with a speedster...that I've EVER seen. I'm guessing they've been saving that tactic for Tempo, but used it on him."

Celestra says, "they knew us and some of our powers while we knew nothing about them. we split up and spread out."

Celestra says, "The fact that we almost had even battle despite abysmal tactics, this time we will work on fighting together and staying together to support each other."

Roland nods, "And that's my point exactly. Teamwork or numbers. There are MORE than just those four inside. There are dozens of regular agents."

Celestra nods, "I want about seven heroes including the two of us and teamwork.

Celestra says, "Spirit is one of those I wish along, I think perhaps I can locate Jolt."

Roland nods, "And that might be hard to come by without going to Starguard for help."

Celestra says, "The robot Bonkers might do well too, he can deliver a heavy impact."

Roland nods slowly, "He might, yes...unless the agents' suppression beams hit him."

Celestra says, "SO we will have to watch for that to take those agents out first"

Roland nods, "I don't do things in a half-cocked manner. I want Starguard in on it too. At least a couple of them. Probably at least Random Factor, since he's been actively working on the case."

Roland shakes his head, "Let me rephrase. I want as MANY heroes as you can muster. I don't CARE where they come from. Or who they are.

Celestra says, "What kind of numbers are you talking about?"

Roland says, "As many as you can get. It's going to take overwhelming numbers...because, as far as I can tell, the heroes of this city are really lacking in teamwork as a whole."

Celestra laughs, "That is one thing I do agree with."

Roland smiles, "While I can vouch for MY team...that's all I can. I know there are individual heroes in town who can cooperate with others well like Wasp, Fortitude, yourself, and well, Syphon before he died."

Celestra says, "Spirit and I do well together, the robot might work well if he can be brought in carefully. Nova is good team player when available. Random Factor works well but I don't trust most of his team."

Celestra says, "i want ACRO brought down but not by turning their base into a blood bath and collecting corpses"

Roland chuckles, "It'll be a blood bath if you don't go in hard enough...only the blood will be yours."

Celestra says, "Perhaps, but we need a balance. Enough force but people that will capture rather than kill."

Roland smiles, "You think that guy Barricade can kill anyone? Look at his powers, for God's sake. He creates walls."

Celestra says, "Don't under estimate him."

Roland shakes his head, "I've watched him in action. He won't kill anyone. He hasn't the stomach for it.

Celestra says, "What about others on your team?"

Roland says, "What about them? Are you asking if they'd kill?"

Celestra says, "No, if they will be coming with us?"

Roland nods, "At least two others. The third...hopefully, but perhaps not."

Celestra says, "So we have three of you, do you three think you can handle the agents if I get a large group to take on their armored agents."

Roland nods, "Of course."

Roland smiles. "Anyway...I have some work I need to finish. If you need any more information, give me a call."

Celestra smiles, "email this address if you need me."

He takes the address down..."Thanks."