Log:SERAF 1

SERAF 2011/05/15 	 Flyne Guardian Jian Miles Fuchs Next Generation Wonder 1

Editor's Note: The heroes have come to the Federal Building at the request of the FBI, who is requesting the help of metahumans with a serious problem.

This is a large conference room inside the John Marshall Federal Building in downtown Colonial Bay. It's similar to a college lecture hall, with six tiers of seats for the audience and a podium in the front of the room for a speaker.

Wonder has turned up in full costume, trying to look like a proper hero. After all, this is the FBI and they probably want real heroes, not teenage wannabes. That said, he's been wondering recently if he'd do better just acting his age....

Already present when others arrive, Mirror is reading over what information she has been given access to, looking much like the human-shaped mirror she is when not trying to look like someone else. She looks up from her studies when Wonder enters, "Greetings and hello," she offers pleasantly.

In the front row of the audience seating area, two people sit and chat. One is a middle aged main in a dark suit. He's got dark hair that's starting to go grey. He's of a slim build. Despite his age, his features look rather youthful. The other is a woman in a pink suit. She's perhaps a few years older than the man, with blonde hair that's turning white, and a rounder build. The man looks up at Wonder briefly when he arrives and returns back to his conversation.

Flyne isn't sure what this FBI thing is, but does know they want heroes. Flyne shows up walking on four legs, and isn't quite sure what to do here. It walks over two the Mirror and Wonder, and merely looks up at the two at the momment.

Chen doesn't want to be here. The FBI wanting help means nothing to her. But her grandfather insisted she come. She's taken the guise of a venerable old Shaolin Monk, Master Chang, white haired, older than the Earth, with a white beard reaching down to his waist. And because she is, after all, Chen, she is speaking only Mandarin and refusing to acknowledge any understanding of English.

There's a table of refreshments to the right of the podium, on the side of the room opposite the entrance. So far it looks untouched. Tea, coffee, water, and donuts.

Wonder stands about in a somewhat OTT comic-bookish pose while waiting for things to start.

Mirror motions to other chairs, "They are not yet quite prepared for our arrival. You may wish to sit down in the interim."

Flyne asks simply, "What is the interim?" Flyne looks to the chairs, then back to Mirror.

Wonder nods to Mirror and sits. "Any idea what this is about?"

Mirror replies, "The interim is the time between now and the start of the presentation. And I do not, but I would like to know what it is they are in need of before I respond to them."

Flyne nods at Mirror, and heads over to one of the chairs, and climbs ontop of it, then sits atop of the chair. "Flyne isn't sure of what this is about." Flyne comments in third person.

The man sitting in the front row nods to his conversation partner. He stands up and saunters behind the podium. "Ok, let's get started," he says sighing with a bit a fatigue in his voice. "You're all wondering why you're here, I'm sure," he begins.

He continues: "The information I'm about to share with you is not the be passed on to the general public. If it were to get out, we could have a widespread panic on our hands. If anyone has doubts with their ability to work within this limit, there's the door." He nods towards the exit, then looks out to the heroes gathered.

Chen goes to a chair and sits cross legged. She lets the robes of her habit drape down to conceal the peaudopod extention she forms beneath her, giving her the apperence of livitating several inches above the seat of the chair.

Flyne nods at this, and makes a note to itself.

Wonder listens, looking serious, and nods.

"Anyone?" the man asks. "Last chance to get off of this train."

Flyne shakes its head.

"I have no intention of divulging secrets," Mirror says simply.

The man nods. "Alright, then. Ladies and gentlemen... and others." He adds the last part as his eyes shift over to Flyne. "Welcome to the South East Regional Antiterrorism Task Force, SERAF for short. I'm Special Agent Miles Fuchs. This is my assistant, Grace Adler." He gestures to the older woman in pink in the front row.

Miles looks around the room for a moment and thinks to himself. o O ( Who are these guys? What I wouldn't give for Random Factor or Barricade. Heck, I'd settle for Silver Spider... )

Mirror nods, seeming momentarily puzzled by the acronym used but puts it out of mind rather quickly. She elects not to ask questions that are very likely to be answered within the planned presentation. At least for the moment.

Chen starts paying more attention. She's heard Jennifer talk about Agent Fuchs.

Flyne doesn't really know what the man is talking about, and just listens for now.

Wonder thinks. o O (Shouldn't that be SERATF?)

Miles Fuchs says, "Earlier this week, the Chinese metahuman Quakezone was kidnapped by Next Generation. For those of you who are not familiar with Quakezone - she's a meta with the ability to start earthquakes. Her father was believed responsible for the Great Quake of 2032 which devastated China. That country has yet to recover. Obviously we're concerned about the same thing happening here."

Chen sits bolt upright in shock. Then tries to recall what she's heard about Quakezone's abilities. How much of her father's power has she inherited?

Miles Fuchs, "We don't know what Next Generation has planned. No one claimed responsibility for the kidnapping and no ransom demands have been made. But the threat is very real. I've been authorized to bring together a group of metas - that's you - to try and get to the bottom of the matter."

Flyne nods at this comment.

Grace, Miles's assistant, begins passing around a sign-in sheet.

Silent, Mirror simply listens.

Wonder takes the sign in sheet and signs, simply, "Wonder". "What else do we know about Quakezone?"

Mirror considers the sheet she is given, then sets the pen down over top of it for the moment, not actually doing anything about making marks on it.

Chen signs in as Chen in Chinese script.

Miles Fuchs says, "Not a whole lot, Wonder. Relations with the Chinese metas have been functional, but chilly. We extended asylum to the lot of them, and some have accepted and have been located to other parts of the country. A significant number remain here in Chinatown, working as independents or as part of organized criminal elements. They're not really talking with us. Here's what we've gathered about Quakezone, from interviews and undercover assets we have in play:

"Despite here ability to start earthquakes," Miles Fuchs, "Quakezone seems reluctant to use the power. During the Chinese civil war, she remains neutral and out of the fighting, rather that risk using her powers. From all accounts, she's one of the the good ones. A group of metas led by the Snowman was looking after her -- also good ones, from our reports. Next Generation hit them with a team of full fledged metahumans and escaped with Quakezone. They brought out their big guns for this. They're up to something big."

Wonder says, "Are there any leads?"

"But we're not completely in the dark here," Miles says. "Back in January, a group of heroes foiled an attempt by Next Generation to capture Titan." He nods to Wonder. "I believe you had a hand in it." After a pause he continues. "From the computer equipment we seized from their flying van, we managed to recover an encrypted list of targets that Next Generation is interested in. We've only now been able to start encrypting it, partly by applying the knowledge that Quakezone was on it. With that information we've been able to decode the name of the next target: Dr. Walter Kim. We have a team of agents bringing him here as we speak."

"Also, we have a team of people processing evidence from the scene of the fight between Next Generation and the Chinese metas."

Flyne nods and asks, "Who is Dr. Walter Kim?"

Chen puts her hand up, yes, just like a kid in school.

Miles Fuchs, "He's an expert in genetics. I'm told he's one of the tops in the world." He points to Chen. "Yes?"

Chen speaks in English, and in her natural voice, which gives an inane result as the venerable Monk talks like a teen girl, "What is this Next Generation?"

"Genetically enhanced metas that place a great deal of interest in monopolizing the field of genetic enhancement," Mirror says.

"Right. Grace?" He nods to Grace who begins to start passing out information packets. "Next Generation is a criminal organization bent on controlling the world through controlling the supply of metahuman powers." He nods to Mirrors explanation, agreeing to it.

Right then, an agent bursts into the room. "Fuchs! The team is under attack. They're stuck on the 1700 block of York Boulevard and taking fire! They say it's Next Generation!"

Wonder jumps to his feet. "What team?"

"The team that was sent to retrieve Doctor Kim," Mirror deduces. "We should participate in the conflict."

Miles says, "That's just half a mile from here... They're after Dr. Kim!"

Flyne in alarm, grows its claws and the muscles responsible for its leaping. "We must assit." It proclaims, jumping up.

Miles says, "Go!"

Flyne nods, and leaps to the door, then exits.

Chen reverts to Jian, "Yeah. How can we get there fast enough to do any good? Half a mile might not be far but it still takes me time to travel it."

Mirror mentions, "I am able to transport myself quickly, but not others. Transportation would probably be prudent to offer, Mister Fuchs." She departs.

Mirror arrives at the location with minimal correction necessary for its reversed state.

Wonder says, "I'll carry anyone who needs it..."

Scene change

This section of York Boulevard has been turned from a bustling commercial district into a warzone. It's easy to see where the FBI team was hit a burning SUV sits in the middle of the street, helping to obstruct traffic. Two other government vehicles are stopped in the middle of the street behind the SUV, pocked with weapons fire apparently from above.

Flyne and Mirror are the first to arrive on the scene. Right now the Next Generation commandos are on the street firing into the clothing store, where they have the FBI Agents pinned down. The FBI Agents have Dr. Kim with them.

Mirror arrives, just being there suddenly, not far from the Next Gen Gunners. "Your actions shall cease immediately," she dictates. "You will not be given a second opportunity to do so voluntarily."

Flyne takes not of the relitively interesting smell...then looks to one of the commandos, and leaps, aiming to attach itself to the said commando.

Major Hearns is used to doing airlifts of troops into the field, but usually with an aircraft. This time before leaving, she warns... "We are going barely subsonic... hold tight." and then she wraps an arm about each metahuman and takes off. With yellow energy cascading from her body, she rockets to the sxene, turning to use that same energy to slow down before releasing her two packages on scene. "Go help..." she suggests...

Flyne manages to grab and cling to the said commando.

Jian simply runs straight at the nearest commando in sight intending to run him over. When she's in range her fists extend to lead her body.

Wonder adopts much the same tactic as Jian - just charge into an agent! Mostly because he has trouble running fast and being strong at the same time.

Wonder connects with the armored commando solidly, detaching him from the grounds and depositing him further up the street. He tumbles across the ashphalt, with his armor absorbing the residual scrapes and bumps. The initial impact leaves him woozy, though and on his hands and knees.

Wonder grins. "That worked!" He sounds a bit surprised.

The NG Commander steps over to Flyne and tries to pry him off of his commando.

The Commander succeeds in pulling the alien off of his teammate. He turns and signals to this men. "Take the FBI agents! We'll deal with the metahumans!"

"Go! Go! Go!" The soldiers shout. They move in a coordinated attack to assault the FBI agents holed up in the dress shop, with the exception of the one that Wonder has flattened. Two of them lay down suppressing fire with their weapons, and third tosses a flash bang in through the shattered storefront, while the remaining two advance, with their guns ready.

"Boomnf!" The flash bang grenade detaonates right in the middle of the group of agents.

Flashed and defenseless, two of the FBI Agent are dropped, shot by Next Generation commandoes.

The FBI Agents valiantly try to mount a stand against the Next Gen troopers. One of the agents grabs Kim and tries to retreat blindly further into the store. One blind fires at the solider outside the shop from behidn a pillar. The other two try to return fire at the assaulting troopers.

One of the FBI Agents scores a hit, center mass. The handgun bullet deflects off of the Next Gen soldier's armor harmlessly.

The agent fleeing with Dr. Kim trips over a rack of dresses and falls to the ground. Dr. Kim is on his feet, still, half blinded and scared.

"Someone who is capable of dealing with them efficiently please assist our allies," Mirror says loudly. She pops in behind the enemy commander in order to hit him from behind, noticing he is quite strong.

Mirror's blow strikes the Commander in his lower back and his body twists in pain. He staggers forward a step and then turns to face Mirror.

Mirror points out, "This is going to only become more difficult for everyone involved. You would have been wise to cease when given the opportunity."

Two flying vans appear, as they disengage some sort of cloaking devices. They are hovering over the site. Each van has a door gunner who opens fire on the heroes below.

Flyne mutters to itself, "Great..."

Wonder thinks. o O (I knew this was too easy.)

Sizing up the situation, Guardian shakes her head. "Something is missing here... oh crap, watch for air supp..!" she doesn't even finish her statement as the vans decloak and open fire.

One of the door gunners targets Wonder, who's smashed the nearest trooper clear of himself. The other one targets Flyne.

Jian says, "Runs from the fight, yeah unbelievable, towards Dr Kim. As she goes she calls to Wonder, "Come help me. Quick please." Her plan isn't fully developed but given a little time it might just work."

Wonder had a slightly fuller plan. Still not brilliant. He runs into the shop, to Dr Kim. "Dr Kim - don't be frightened - I'll protect you! But it's going to be a bit weird...." Then he shapechanges to engulf Dr Kim, like a suit of armour.

Jian laughs, "You read my mind, Wonder. Cover his face with, like, a visor, and I'll imitate him. Then I'll run away in panic, the killers will grab me and leave the agents safe."

Wonder explains in a soothing voice to the doctor, "It's ok, I'm just covering you, like a living suit of armour!" and he does just that.

Wonder says, "Ok, that saves me trying to figure out how to take his place
 * and* protect him!"

"Crap on a pita..." mutters Guardian. She shakes her head and surges skyward. "Keep on the ground forces!" she calls out as she streaks towards the nearest van. Her plan is simplicity itself.... charge the door gunner and knock him off the gun hopefully with both of them ending up inside the van...

Wham! Guardain slams the doorgunner out of his perch and against the opposite door of the flying van. The entire vehicle sways to the side with the force of the impact. He slides down the wall onto hit butt, barely aware of his surroundings.

Flyne examines the commandos, sights the one in the store closest to the scientist, and tries to leap/cling/grab him.

"GRnf!" The trooper grunts and Flyne wraps itself around him. His armor protects him from most of the force, but he's not going anywhere.

Flyne grins, "Hiiiiii"

"Get off me, you freak!" he says.

Flyne says, "Nah, I'm good."

The Commander turns and finds a parked car within easy reach. He grabs it, scrunching the metal beneath hit inhuman grip and he tries to flatten Mirror with it.

Mirror sidesteps the car as it smashes into the street just where she stood. She winds up just next to the side of the hunched over superman, almost face-to-face.

Two NG troopers from the street head into the store.

One of the troopers, the one Wonder smashed, regains his senses, with another trooper looking over him.

One trooper struggles fruitlessly to get free of Flyne.

The other trooper levels his assault rifle at a still blinded FBI Agent and prepares to pull the trigger. "Give us the doctor!" he shouts at Wonder.

Meanwhile, inside the first Stealth Van, the door gunner recovers. The copilot unbuckles and tries to shoot Guardian with his sidearm.

Jian rushes to Dr Kim and Wonder, trying to casually knock them down behind a store counter and thus out of sight of the NG commandos. If she succeeds she whispers to Wonder, "Imitate my voice and the sounds of a scuffle. You can do that, right?" Then she shifts into a duplicate of Dr Kim while saying loudly in her own voice, "I won't let you get these police killed. Let the guy go so he can give himself up." and then in a random male voice, as she hasn't heard Dr Kim speak, "Yes. I must surrender to save the courageous agents."

Inside the store, the trooper who's got the FBI Agent at gunpoint shouts, "Come out where I can see you!"

So she slams into the gunner, regains her balance as her shirt sprouts a hole. Ignoring that shot, Guardian reaches to open the door and then looks towards thepilots as her hand glows yellow before blasting the gunner out of the van. "tme to bail out.... if you move fast, you won't get blasted on the way out." she says with glowing eyes and a mean glare...

The pilot and co-pilot look at one another, considering Guardians ultimatum.

"Aaaaagh!" The door gunner falls to the ground below, landing on a parked car and blowing out the windows. His armor protets him from grave bodily injury, but he's unconscious not.

Wonder imitates all the sounds of a fight between Wonder and Jian, as instructed, while staying safely around Dr Kim. He also looks to see if there's a way to sneak out of here in case the plan goes wrong.

The trooper doesn't show any signs of not buying the act. "Dr. Kim. Come to me. Now!" he shouts.

Jian stand up slowly with a nervous expression. "Please, don't shoot anyone else. I'll give up." she (he) pleads with the commando threatening the FBI agent.

"Get over here, now!" He commands. He removes one hand from his rifle to grab something from his belt. His aim wavers slightly, but he's still got it trained on the FBI guy.

The NG Commander comes into the shop.

Jian steps over to the commando, veering a little to interpose herself between the commando and the agent. Even if she wasn't immune fro any permanent harm she knows shooting Dr Kim is not something the commandos will do.

With 'Dr. Kim' between the commando and the FBI Agent, the commando no longer has a shot on the FBI agent.

Flyne jumps from the Agent it's clinging to, and tries THROWING the said agent at the one that was aimed at the FBI agent.

Flyne sends one trooper right into the back of the other trooper, who was holding the FBI agent covered. They both get toppled to the ground. Not hurt too badly, but on the ground.

Flyne is noticibly happy this worked.

FFOOSH! The Commander fire his jetpack and rockets out of the dress shop with Dr. Kim! He makes it into the side door of the second flying van.

The Next Generation Commandoes go into full retreat. The ones on the street fire grappling lines that latch magnetically to the bottom of the second flying van.

Inside the first flying van, the pilot and copilot bail out. On their way out of the door, they clip safety lines into the vehicle. These lines let them jump out of the aircraft. The lines slow their decent so that they land safely on the ground.

On the ground, the pilot and copilot of the first flying van detach their lines.

The two troopers that Flyne knocked over take a moment to untangle themselves before running outside. "Wait! Wait for us!" they shout. They don't get a chane to use their grapple lines.

As the crew vacate the first van, Major Hearns smirks and shakes her head. She slips into the pilot seat, buckles in and hits the thruster before grabbing the controls and veering her new ride towards the other one. She angles to fly above the other van where she comes down basically on the windshield and front end to try to force the other van down. It's a fairly obvious maneuver, and the other pilots likely know exactly what she's doing (that is if they realize she's in control there).

The Next Generation pilot tries to slip out from under Guardian's vehicle by /diving/ suddenly. Guardian managed to anticipate this move and forces the flying van down until it's just a meter or two off the ground.

Wonder sneaks out the back way with the doctor still inside. Since a suit of armour would be suspcious, he take the outward form of a rather large man - while still being hollow inside.

The NG Commandos tethered to the bottom of the flying van and dragged by the speeding, fleeing vehicle. "Holy $@&!" one of them says and they get dragged. Sparks fly from the pavement where their armored suits meet it.

The NG pilot of the second flying van managed to keep it just off of the deck.

FOOOOSH! The commander fires his jetpack. He focuses on ramming Guardian's flying van off course and into parked traffic.

Oh boy! Property damage! The commander slams into the van Guardian is driving, and she didn't even see him coming since she was so focused on the task at hand. But... she manages to simply take the tops off of four cars as the van slices through them sideways before her engines manage to slag a fifth car as it lifts the van into the air and away from the wall it was about to hit. Good thing that was a parking lot with nobody inside the vehicles, "Okay, it's like that eh?" she asks with a smirk as she rolls her neck.

Guardian flies straight for the other flying van, but the Commander intercepts her midway. They impact, and the collision sends him slamming into the side of the van. He falls to the ground -- the combined effect of slamming inot the first van and then getting slammed by Guardian being too much. He's knocked out.

The pilot of the second flying van manages to keep it aloft, despite having Guardian and the commander broad side it.

The second flying van cloaks and flies off.

Imaginary Girl swoops down out of the sky as Guardian abandons the flying van, coming down to land right in front of it as it hits the ground and starts skidding towards the end of the parking lot - and right at a small coffee ship. Bracing herself, she lowers her shoulder and lets the vehicle smash right into her, bringing it to a very sudden halt!

So close. So damned close! If it wasn't for that annoying jetpack guy... Guardian shakes her head as the van cloaks and flies off and she mentally curses for a few moments before she spies the halfway crashed van and then she darts that way. She pulls out a cellphone and calls the FBI HQ before being routed to the on scene commander, "Hey, Guardian here, got a van captured, and we need to know where it came from, pronto..." she say as she streaks towards the van that's aiming for the ground.... and IG. She's trying to get there in time, but IG manages it and she lands after the impact and says, "Well, thanks for the assist there!"