Log:Barnabas Bighead, Scene 3

Barnabas Bighead 2020/01/24 	 Carpenter Ellbeth Grimm Union Voyager

3

Carpenter is dealing with some paperwork, regarding the recent events with the FBI and The Inquisitor. Agent Stanton's questioning of the D.A. went reasonably well, but there are still lots of unanswered questions.

Carpenter still is unsure how Richard was grabbed, after all. (Editor's note: See 'A Question of Time', Issue number 4)

Carpenter suddenly hears a quiet voice behind him. "I have something to tell you - something important! But I want protection - for me and my family!"

Carpenter raises a brow and turns to see who is speaking.

Daemon knows that sometimes the best way to get information is in person- that's precisely the reason he created the Julian Knight persona and leveraged his deductive abilities to prove himself useful to a couple of the station captains. The persona is easy enough to over look as an elder detective looking to remain useful after the death of his wife and turning to P.I. work and general meddling.

He steps out of the hallway with a fresh cup of black coffee before moving towards Roberta Yost's desk so he can flirt her up and overhear a number of the detective's conversations easily.

He nods to Carpenter as he strolls by in disguise.

Carpenter doesn't immediately see anyone behind him. "Down here!"

A black rat waves nervously up at Carpenter.

More curiously, maybe, the rat seems to be wearing a sort of hat made out of foil.

Carpenter has read enough about what happened recently with Starguard's rats to have an idea of what he's dealing with, at least. "I...see. Umm...protection from whom, exactly?"

"Who do you think? From Barnabas Bigbrain and his cronies!" He whispers this, so it's barely audible.

Carpenter sighs, "It could have been from humans, for all I knew." Well, it's not hte weirdest thing he's deal with, at least. "I think we can manage something. How big is your family?"

The rat seem relieved to be taken seriously. "There are eight of us." Then he adds, thinking it might be best to say what he's offering after admitting to the size of his request, "I know where Bighead makes his weapons!"

Carpenter nods. "Alright...tell you what...let me contact Starguard. They can help with both things. Getting you protection, and helping deal with the weapons."

The rat shakes his head. "Bighead has spies at Starguard. Both rats and humans. That's why I came here!"

Carpenter sighs. "Fine. I'll find someone to take your family in. I'm not doing it myself personally. And I can contact some heroes to deal with hte situation."

The rat nods. "That sounds good! Deal!"

At length, the rat (whose name is Malcolm Twitcher) tells his story - that Bighead has taken over a human factory (by taking over the minds of the people that work there), and that this is where he's been building weapons for months. "That was bad enough, but now they're making bigger, worse things..." The directions he gives prove impossible to follow until Carpenter finds a map of the sewers, but then it becomes clear exactly which building in the Industrial District is in question.

When Chen is contacted she refuses to take part, explaining that she brokered a deal with the Bighead rats and that deal was wrecked by a hero then attacking them.

Night Marshal shows up in costume at the appropriate location, nominally under the guise of having been 'contacted by Detective Carpenter'. That seems to work well enough for most people, as there's no real reason to think the two men are the same person.

Ellbeth comes out of effectively retirement. She's had a long history with the sentient rats of Colonial Bay.

Grimm got an alert from Carpenter about the rat situation. Infiltrating Starguard? Again? That worries her. She's not supposed to use her powers, but as her friend often says...she's got a job to do. Grimm arrives at the time and location, teleporting in.

The Android known as SONA/Model 9 arrives as well. The rumor mill gets to turning and with the right (digital & StarGuard related) connections it hears about the raid.

The living machine arrives with its usual grace- that is, very little thanks to its mechanical gait. Still, it has arrived hoping to protect everyone involved from Bigbrain's plotting & mental capabilities.

How did Ellbeth find out about the situation? It's not commonly known that Max, her AI friend, is the Moderator for HeroNet, and HeroNet runs on hardware installed by Ellbeth in the Oceanium. Max told her.

The factory in question could hardly look duller on the outside. It's pretty much a big box, with minimal window. A sign proclaims it as Marvelous Manufactory. From what Carpenter gathered from his research, it's a general-purpose factory, using modern techniques to be capable of making just about anything. Such places are mostly used for small runs, as purpose-built factories remain more efficient for many purposes.

The listed number of employees is small, much being automated.

Grimm sets her mind to the task and hardens her resolve as she walks to the gathering so far. She nods to Night Marshal and Voyager, recognizing those two first. "You got the alert, too?"

Night Marshal nods and tips his hat, "Sure did, ma'am." He effects a cowboy drawl to cover up his secret identity. "I reckon we need to go in there and stop this here weapon manufacturing. Any suggestions on how to go about that?"

Union had been in the old Cosmos base (beneath the Oceanarium), which Ellbeth had shown her, Thunder, and Mercury (in their SID's). When Max passed the message to Ellbeth, it appeared on the screen in the base as well.

"This Unit has been working with the Rats that were apprehended by StarGuard. I had hoped to assist by providing insight and a secondary mental strata to ensure that our people remained safe through this crisis." The Android explains to Grimm. "After hearing about the possibility of advanced ordanance I was left with little choice in the matter. It would seem this entity would prefer violence to the laurel that this Unit has offered it and its people."

Ellbeth arrives by car. A classic 1937 Rolls Royce Silver Shadow. A quiter approach than teleporting in. "Good morning all."

Grimm says, "From what I understand, the workers are under control and building weapons. So they could be heavily armed and conditioned to defend. Could be volatile weapons if we miss our shots. And there's a chance of being mentally manipulated. Try to not let any rats see you if you can, but that's tricky. I might be able to help cloak us a bit if we stay close together."

Grimm's t-shirt, jacket, and jeans turn inky and reform into monochromatic Starguard BDUs.

Union nods. It seems her Mind linking ability will not be of use today.

Just as it wasn't when she fought Brainbox.

The Android nods. "It seems that this Unit should resolve to take an alternate route than you. Stealth is not a skill I have mastery over as my physical form is not meant for such. This may provide a welcome distraction if their attentions are focused on me." It suggests.

Grimm looks towards the factory. "I can sense several humans, and things scurrying. Most likely the rats. And...what is that? Statues? Power armor?" She tries to 'feel' within the armor to see if they're hollow and what's within. (penetrative)

Night Marshal raises a brow, "Let me guess...rat-controlled power armor?"

"I can peek inside, unseen," Grimm says as her eyes turn black.

Grimm nods slowly. "Well, more like rat-controlled robots, maybe."

Placing her point of perception inside the factory, Grimm finds that are a lot more rats than she first thought inside. Some are indeed scurrying, involved with the (mostly automated) manufacturing work. Some are standing guard, armed with the made-for-rat-guns. Some are in tiny armoured suits. And one is being lowered in a chair into the open head of one of the "robots", a total of three of which are off the production line, and more being made.... As for the two actual humans, they look almost as robotic as the machines they're supervising.

Grimm's eyes widen. "Rat mechs," she utters. "These things are armored and armed to the teeth. They're on alert...they know we're here and they're ready for war. I can see two of the humans in there, but they look kind of...robotic. It's weird."

The manufacturing equipment appears dedicated entirely to making the mechas now.

Union says, "Do we know where the main power switch is for the factory?"

The scurrying rats are now mostly scurrying for cover - being the unarmed ones.

Night Marshal nods. "I can deal with the humans without seriously hurting 'em. Non-lethal rounds."

Grimm nods to Night Marshal. "Good. I don't know if they'll attack, but if they try something, I'll leave it up to you." She looks to the others. "Time to go in. They're still scrambling to prepare, and the longer we wait, the more ready they'll be."

Night Marshal nods to Grimm, "We going in through a door? Or some other way?"

"I see the fuse box in the corner," Grimm instructs which corner and how to find it. She looks to Union. "Think you can get to it and flip the fuses off?" She looks to Night Marshal and offers her hand. "I can port us in near the rear. They may expect us coming from where we are now."

The Robot turns to Grimm who seems to have an abundance of first hand information on the present state of the factory floor and those on it.

When she says tis time to move it does so, activating its defelction field as soon as it lifts its foot to move towards the building.

Night Marshal nods and takes Grimm's hand.

"Model 9 can take the front entrance. He should be safer against any psychic attacks. Anyone wanting to go in the rear, get a hand on me quick. I can carry four with me."

"Model 9 can take the front entrance. He should be safer against any psychic attacks. Anyone wanting to go in the rear, get a hand on me quick. I can carry four with me," Grimm says.

Union says, "No problem, Ma'am."

Ellbeth says, "Ms Grimm, may I suggest a deceptive ruse? If someone can blast a significant hole in the front wall I'll distract the rats inside. You can then gate in and catch them by suprize."

The Android continues its trudge towards the front door, not seemingly concerned with being the forward face of the raid. It is durable.

Grimm smiles at Ellbeth and nods. "That's why I'm having Model 9 go through the front. Go ahead and distract them with Model 9."

Grimm says, "I'll teleport as soon as one of you hits the front. Okay, let's do this!"

Ellbeth nods, "Wait for our distract then. Model 9, open the tin can if you please.

The Android chimes as it gets to the door, and even announces itself.

"Greetings. I am Range Technical Systems Model 9 Prototype. Entities meeting Condition: StarGuard, Condition: Friends and/or Condition: Ally may also refer to this Unit as SONA, short for Symbionic Optimized Neural(Network) Automaton. Otherwise Model 9 will suffice for now." It says as loud as its built in hifi speaker system will allow for.

"Please be warned, this Unit has been sent here to prevent your advancing plot to build weaponry that might threaten the public peace. I have come to speak to the leader of this operation and hopefully provide a peaceful solution to this event." The Android speaks as he continues inside always making certain to stay at the center of attention.

It even knocks some things over that it finds suitably loud en route.

Once people have a hold on Grimm and the first distraction occurs, darkness swallows all of them. To the people teleporting with her for the first time, everything goes pitch black, and dark, forbidding whispers surround them. Some sound scared, some threatening, some insane. They all reappear on a walkway in the rear of the factory, facing the front.

Ellbeth summons her will and creates illusions of a squad of Starguard Delta troopers backed up with several heroes decloaking and rushing the front of the building.

A lot of weapons fire is suddenly directed at Model 9 and the illusory Delta trooper and heroes, coincidentally blowing the doors and much of the nearby wall clean off.

Two of the small-armoured rats and three of the rats with guns fire on Model 9, scoring two hits between them.

The Android moves to position itself and therefore the fire against it in a way so as to avoid Ellbeth (and her imaginary troopers) & Grimm's secret squad from being caught in the crossfire.

"HALT Your fire. This Unit is here only to engage your forces directly but I would prefer to prevent the unnecessary loss of mammalian life. Hold your fire to proceed peacefully. You will---" The Bot is struck. Its shouders rock but it absorbs the blow thanks to its defelction field. "This is your final warning!"

Ellbeth herself is randomly stuck by energy gun fire.

Ellbeth's shield spell sings and stutters under stress as a strap shot hits her but just manages to stay intact.

Union shivers. For a moment. Then she shakes it off and takes off running toward the corner Grimm had indicated held the fuse box.

Reaching the corner, Union yanks open the fuse box and looks for the main breaker.

Voyager announces as it advances towards the nearest Mech, "This Unit observes that you have ignored its warning and request for negotiations and warns that violence may become unavoidable if you do not comply."

Grimm peers down at one of the rats she can see getting lowered into the mech, deciding to try and knock out the pilot as it's getting inserted.

The rat passes out and falls off its chair, landing face-first inside the mecha head.

The occupied Model 9 has reached responds by punching first!

Most of the rats continue firing at the illusory assault.

Some spot Union's dash for the fusebox...

Voyager is thrown back and lands with a metal crash on its back, limbs trying to continue a walk animation and ceasing once it realizes its no longer upright.

The mecha armour's head closes on the unconscious rat, pinching its tail.

Although a bit battered from a blast, Union finds the main circuit breaker and pulls it.

Night Marshal surveys the room, evaluating the targets. The humans seem to be occupied. So he aims for what he thinks might be the leader.

The rat looks about in confusion as it's shot in the back.

Ellbeth cancels the illusions and reaches out mentally to the rat being lowered into a mecha suit and attempts to stimulate its brain into a massive overload.

The rat slumps it its chair, but doesn't fall out. It continues to be lowered into the mecha.

Although a bit battered from a blast, Union finds the main circuit breaker and pulls it.

The machinery grinds suddenly to a halt. Also, the lights go out, though a fair amount is coming in through where the door used to be.

The third rat is suspended a few inches above the mecha head because of the power failure.

Union rushes over to the mecha that had punched Model 9, and returns the favor

Unfortunately Union misses seeing a cable on the floor in the dim light. It rolls under her foot, and her punch glances off harmlessly.

Grimm aims a hand down at one of the mechs, hoping to blast it down into the ground with a torrent of dark energy.

The mecha slams into the side wall of the factory with an almighty CLANNGGG! And topples over.

The rat leader shouts, with some sort of amplifications, "There are some behind us! Ignore the illusions!"

Ellbeth is hit and knocked back a goodly distance.

Grimm is struck twice and stumbles back, bumping into the rear catwalk rail as she clutches where she was hit. She cringes in pain, managing to stay on her feet. "Nnngg...those are serious."

Night Marshal gets knocked over, rolls to his feet, and then moves to some cover. Then he fires on the same rat again, hoping that he has the correct target.

The rat looks really shaky on its feet.

Ellbeth quickly thinks. One of the large mechas has an unconcsious rat in it. Rats are physically weak, so the mecha is certainly a fly-by-wire system. She smiles. Payback time. Rearching out with her mind she attermpts to take control of the mecha and direct it to run full speed into the active mecha currently up against a wall.

Ellbeth seems to do nothing at all except glare angrily at one of the mechas. Maybe the mecha is sensitive? Because it runs flat out toward a wall. There just happens to be another mecha in its path.

Union moves on to the rat-mecha woithout a rat, and tries to throw it to the floor.

The two robot-like humans have exchanged a few words since the power went down. Now one of them is walking toward the fuse box, seemingly oblivious to the weapons fire all about him....

With an arm around the 'neck' and a twist of her body, Union sends the unoccupied Mecha crashing to the ground. . o O (That should delay them getting it started up.)