Log:Man of the Year, Scene 1

Man of the Year 2013/07/06 	 Aoi Bifrost Fox George Grant Ivy Rousseau Justice Kuroko Interface Porter 1

''Serafino's, a Colonial Bay tradition and one of the finest restaurants in the city. Views of the bay are seen through the massive glass walls to the east. Its interior is resplendent in crisp white and deep maroon. Tables spaced with delicate care achieve the perfect balance of intimacy and atmosphere. The staff are friendly, attentive, and knowledgeable, watched over by the maitre'd to insure a pleasant dining experience for the patrons. The world-renowned cuisine includes traditional Italian dishes as well as a variety of seafood and nouveau fusion dishes. There is always demand for a table; reservations are required, and a dress code is strictly enforced. Then, too, the prices are as high as the quality of the food... but Serafino's is never lacking for business.''

Police have set up a perimeter around Serafino's one of the finest restaurants in the city, apparently to deal with some kind of situation inside. Reports go out over emergency radio frequencies: meta attack in progress with a possible hostage situation.

Bifrost lands with a mighty thud. "I heard the call over the radio, what's the situation officer?" she asks as she strides towards whoever looks like he's in charge of the situation. "Bifrost at your service, what can I do to help?"

Disobeying the restaurant's rules about 'no shoes, no shirt, no service', Fox enters with Bifrost, moving with her to the police. "Hi," she offers.

Porter doesn't fly, jump, land, or thud on his way in to see what's going on. He just walks. It isn't fancy, but it gets him there. Not hard when he was only a block or so away. Unlike some others, he doesn't rush up to the police, though he does get close to the permiter so he can try to see what might be going on.

Aoi flies in and lands at the cordon. "What's happening?" she asks of the first person in police uniform she spots."

An officer directs Aoi to the policeman in change, a wiry officer with sergeants stripes on his sleeve.

The police sergeant is who Bifrost has come upon. He looks up at Bifrost for a moment, scrutinizing her stature and appearance. "Some guy in tights is holding the restaurant hostage. It's the Colonial Bay Chronicle annual awards dinner, so it's full of people."

Aoi heads over to the individual pointed out to her.

The sergeants explanation is loud enough for Porter to hear, and for Aoi to hear as well as she comes over.

Having cleaned the foreign programming out of her armor's systems, now it was time to get back in the field and put it to the test. So up over the city she soared when Julius warned her of the police signal. Okay... time to make sure folks know it's really her again. So she angles downward and comes in to land gently. Already loading files on her HUD for the various metahumans present.

"He's calling himself Justice," the sergeant says. "It looks like he and a handful of accomplices have chained the doors shut. No word on a ransom demand yet."

Porter hmms as he listens. Serafino's is always packed, but of course somebody chose an awards banquet. Extra rich and famous hostages tonight. When Interface swoops in to land, he's not sure whether to wave or duck. So he watches her for a bit, then looks back at the restaurant after chained doors are mentioned.

Bifrost nods. "Do you have a negotiator on hand?" she asks softly. "I've been trained in negotiations, and I'm strong, tough, and fast. Tell me what to do officer." she says, saluting smartly. She's one of those rare heroes who lets the police direct her and do their job.

Aoi looks over at the restaurant, activating her neutrino scan system. "It's further than I'd like for full vision but I may be able to make out something of the interior circumstances.

"If you want visual..." Interface states to Aoi. She instructs Julius <>

Fox says, "Can...make...doooooooor," having trouble on the last word. She looks at the other persons about, quieting rapidly as she studies them.

Porter is used to police directing him, but it isn't usually helpful. 'Sit down. Fill this out. Sign here to get your stuff back.' He can't help hostages if the police shoo him away. Unfortunately he can't get much of a view and starts circling the perimeter to try and get a better angle on the restuarant and any windows. They're much easier to look through than doors.

 says Julius over the link. Ally looks at the feed for a moment, and then holds up a hand. The Holo-interface projects the visual from the camera in the air before her. "This is the best I was able to get." says her digitized voice.

IMAGE: The layout of the tables of the rearranged for the banquet, with tables in the middle of the room and a long guest of honor table right by the windows facing the bay. It's full of maybe 50 or so people. There are four perps mixed amongst the crowd, wearing masks and armed with stun batons. At the guest of honor table, there's a costume guy with a 'J' on his chest holding up and man in a suit by his collar.

Aoi reports, "I can make out four people mixed in with the guests who appear to be holding batons or clubs. There's one person at the head of the main table who is holding another person off the ground by the collar. That's as much detail as my system can give at this distance."

The sergeant says, "Man. I wish we had tech like this." He looks to Aoi and Interface. "What do you make of it?"

"Suggestions Sergeant?" asks Interface, the image still hovering in the air. Live so that if anything changes it will change in the image. She looks towards Bifrost and inclines her head. "She might be right, a negotiator would be a good ploy to buy time."

Aoi looks at Interface, then back to the sergeant, "We seem to concur on four assistants. If they are using stun weapons we can largely ignore them in the first few seconds. I would assess the costumed individual as the majort thrat, and if he has someone grapped it will be hard to prevent him from injuring them if he decides to do that."

Fox looks the room over, thoughtful, seeking out evident rest-rooms and other immediately adjacent access points.

And it looks like Porter didn't need to circle too far to get an idea of the inside. He's also now confident that Interface isn't here to short out electronics or steal wallets. Porter looks at the projection, then the building, and back and forth a couple times. His tongue presses against his cheek as he does some complex calculations in his head. It's about there, yay far away. That's probably that door, that might be there... After adding in some Kentucky windage, he taps a few buttons on the box on his belt. Coordinates 12345 sound about right. He hits the go button and dematerializes from the permiter. Hopefully he'll rematerialize inside Serafino's and somewhere not in the middle of things. And hopefully not the ladis' room this time.

Bifrost glances around, tapping her foot. She looks impatient, but she knows it's best to wait. "What can you guys figure out about this costumed villain?" she asks, doing a quick circuit of the building as her questions go unanswered.

The sergeant says to Interface, "Procedure is to wait for SWAT and the negotiator to show up."

Aoi says, "I don't recognise the name or the face. If anyone can answer that I would expect Interface to, with access to many databases."

There seems to be a hostage crisis at Serafino's. Outside, several metahumans are gathered and talking to the police. Aoi and Interface have scanned the building in various ways and are discussing things with the officers. Interface stands with a projecting coming from her gauntlet:

IMAGE: The layout of the tables of the rearranged for the banquet, with tables in the middle of the room and a long guest of honor table right by the windows facing the bay. It's full of maybe 50 or so people. There are four perps mixed amongst the crowd, wearing masks and armed with stun batons. At the guest of honor table, there's a costume guy with a 'J' on his chest holding up and man in a suit by his collar.

She is talking and suggesting that Bifrost might be a good way to buy time, as a 'hostage negotiator'. <> she asks her computer.

Porter is momentarily delighted when he appears inside Serafino's, and not in the ladies' room or an oven. That fades when he realizes the he's recombobulated in the midst of the hostages. Ok. Well, at least he doesn't have to go far to save them? Maybe his jeans and t-shirt will blend in with what's probably a black and tie affair.

Kuroko pulls a block away in her late model black sedan and strolls toward the gathering of heroes.

"Fantastic." comes the sarcastic and yet digitized voice of Interface. "Justice... so the man inside calls himself. He's got a rap-sheet, likely some personal vendetta against a particular company. Grant Biotechnica... and the man he's holding up is George Grant, founder and CEO of the same company. I'm gonna do some digging..."

Inside the restaurant, there's a momentary lull caused by the shock of Porter's sudden appearance. Then one of the masked henchmen calls out: "Justice! We got company!"

Aoi turns to re-scan the restaurant.

Justice spins and levels a finger at Porter. "Don't make a move hero, or I'll snap his neck." He's got George Grant by the neck in his free hand.

Bifrost facepalms. "Well, there goes negotiations." she says to nobody in particular. "Permission to engage?" she asks the seargent awkwardly. "As I said before, I can attempt to negotiate."

Kuroko bows as she approaches, "Please pardon my interuption, but would it be possible that I could be of assistance?"

The sergeant says, "Aw hell... Do what you can to protect those people!"

Aoi says to the group in general, "If anyone has a way to stop the villain injuring or killing the man he has hold of I urge you to share it. Because I can't think of anything. Negotiation still seems like the best approach at this time."

Kuroko raises her hand, "I might have a plan, but I am uncertain if we have the means and time to execute it."

Justice's henchmen move to surround Porter.

Porter does what every helpful person would do at a time like this. He doesn't move. "Um... Ok. Not moving." Maybe it's all part of a grand plan to lull Justice into a sense of false confidence. Or there is no plan yet.

Bifrost frowns... "Seargent, could I get a megaphone?" she asks. Clearing her throat, she concentrates, trying to remember exactly what needs to be said and done.

The sergeant gets Bifrost a megaphone. "I hope you can keep this from getting out of hand..."

Fox points at Porter, smiling, then at each of the henchmen and the J himself. "Now," she suggests, moving rapidly to the roof of the restaurant and seeing about making a way in for the heroes through a small opening of a sunroof or ventilation. Anything she can get a line of fire on.

Shadows wash over Kuruko. When they pass, she looks like George Grant.

Kuroko says, "Perhaps I might convince Mr. Justice that the Mr. Grant he has is a fake?"

Bifrost lifts the megaphone and clears her throat. "Mr. Justice, this is the police. We just want to talk." she says, pitching her voice a touch lower than normal. "Perhaps we can work something out." she says.

Inside the restaurant, the people can hear Bifrost's voice on the megaphone.

Inside the restaurant, Justice pulls his captive close so that he and Grant are speaking face-to-face. "This is it Grant. I'm going to expose you for the scumbag you are, in front of your peers and the press. It's over." He looks out the window to see Interface.

Thrusters holding position, Interface simply folds arms over her chest, weapons not deployed at the moment. (In fact, the SHIELD Emitters are charged and ready just in case). But she says nothing, does nothing further.

Grant says, "You poor, deluded idiot. It's over for you... take a look: Colonial Bay's heroes are coming to protect /me/. You're the bad guy here."

Porter can't literally not move a muscle, but he moves as little as possible, and not in any threatening way. He puts his hands in his pockets, which he hopes is as good as putting them up, and won't make his arms tired. He looks around the room and back and forth between the two men guarding him. "So... have you ever tried the tortellini yet?"

Bifrost waits, tapping a foot for a moment. Then... She speaks up. "Is there any way I could convince you to come out and talk to us?"

With her helmet sealed, and her radio coming from her own brain, Interface sends a signal to the Sergeant's PDA giving information for Bifrost:

10-15 years ago Grant Biotechnica released a new GMO supercrop. It was great, but after a few years there were max crop faliures. A lot of farmers lost their farms and due to the contracts with Grant, he took over their farmland. There were lawsuits and senate inquiries, but Grant was found innocent of any wrongdoing and paid out a sum in damages. Overall, he made a lot of money. However, At a glance, the failure was a fluke. The crop passed all federal testing. He was found innocent of negligence.

Inside the restaurant, Justice says, "This time, I have proof. Play the recording." He looks over to one of the guests in the crowd. "Mr. Knox Pooley, I think you'll want to pay attention to this..."

The sergeant shows the information on his PDA to the people gathered outside. "Hey check this out..."

One of Justice's henchmen moves to put a disc into the public address system. He hits play.

Bifrost flies over to take a look. "Interesting."

Fox finds a spot out of general line of vision from where most attention is going, listening though before she makes any move to get everyone else inside.

Justice says, "This is a conversation between Grant and his CFO from 10 years ago."

The CFO sounds frantic in his conversation: "George, what the hell are we going to do? What is they haul you in front of Senate, ask you to testify? This could be it for us! I'm not talking about out of business, I'm talking about jail!"

On the tape, Grant responds calmly: "Relax. We've done nothing wrong. I have full confidence in the system. We'll take some lumps along the way, but I have every believe that the truth, to borrow a phrase, will set us free. What do we do? We tell them the truth."

Bifrost checks a notebook she carries with her. "This is probably gonna devolve into violence... If this is implicating him in those fiasco's about the crops, it counts as double jeopardy. At least I think so.' she says, looking through her textbook.

"No!" Justice says, seemingly shocked by what he's heard. "That's not the conversation!" He's so shocked, that he drops Grant and runs over to the PA. "What happened to the conversation about the bribery and the secret testing?!"

Grant is dropped. "Oof!"

Aoi suggests, "Go!"

Immediately, Interface fires her thrusters and aims to crash through the window where her plan is to land right at Grant's position and activate her shields.

Porter notices Grant look away from the guy threatening to break his neck, who Porter would think would be the important person to look at, and at a woman near the window. Huh. Then Justice freaks out and drops his ace in the hole onto the ground. Now would be a good time to act.

Bifrost drops the Megaphone and goes soaring towards the front doors, pushing her speed to the limits. Maybe if she can bust right through the doors, she can get the rest of the hostages out!

Fox resumes her plan, firing a portal out into the cop general area, and one inside where she is out of sight from the hostage situation. She pokes her head out, waving others inside.

Aoi goes desolid and heads in an almost straight line for Grant. She does try to fly *through* Justice, hoping that a seeming madcap move-through will provoke him into defensive action - before he realises she is insubstanial.

And as she crashes through the windows, Interface lands basically standing above Grant. "Mister Grant, please hold still." she remarks as her shields snap up to cover her and Grant.

One of the dinner guests, is a woman in a conservative looking pantsuit. Her eyes glow with red energy, and she blasts at Justice with twin eyebeams.

The eyebeams miss, and the woman succeeds in blowing a whole in the wall between the dining room and the kitchen.

Grant says, "Ivy... /that/ will be coming out of your salary."

Fox is revealed! She looks through the hole in the wall in surprise, namely in how she didn't make that one and it isn't very helpful to the other heroes. She rushes instead for the recording device that played, changing in size and fuzz level to be a scary monster-looking thing.

Kuroko changes back to normal and observes the scene. Direct action isn't her forte.

Aoi goes desolid and heads in an almost straight line for Grant. She does try to fly *through* Justice, hoping that a seeming madcap move-through will provoke him into defensive action - before he realises she is insubstanial.

Justice jerks defensively, bracing for impact instead of trying to get out of the way.

Fox snatches the recording device, holding it close to her with her back to Grant and Ivy. Just in case.

Ivy says to Grant: "Yes, sir. Sorry sir."

Porter watches all kinds of things break lose. With people crashing through windows, blasting holes in walls, and furry foxy girls getting mean and running through the room, there's bound to be some upset tables. Some with trays of expensive food. It's not hard for something to get launched into the air. Fettucine alfredo is tasty, but it's also messy. Maybe Justice can try some, just like Porter and his cinnamon roll earlier.

Justice leans just enough to the side to avoid getting a face-full of pasta.

Bifrost readies herself and tries to bust through the front door, trying her hardest to wind up as close to Justice as possible. If she can, she'll stand right next to him... A crazy, bizzarre idea is percolating through her brain as she flares her wings, bracing for impact.

Justice says to his henchmen. "Go on, get out of here guys! I'll cover your escape!" He surveys the battle field, pondering his next move.

His henchmen all flee, heading for the same exit that leads into the Yacht Club.

Bifrost leans in quietly to whisper something to Justice. She appears to be talking very very quickly.

Bifrost whispers hastily to Justice, pitching her voice low so he alone can hear it (or so she hopes). 'Hey. Listen, I'm on your side here. If you come quietly, I promise I'll help you sort out the whole sordid mess with Mr. Grant.'

Justice is about to leap away, but he sways back to center balance, catching Bifrost's words.

Justice gives Bifrost a slight nod before he steps towards her. He tries to grab her.

As Justice tries to grapple with Bifrost, he uses the proximity to whisper back to Bifrost, "Play along." Then he continues: "I really want to trust you, but Grant is powerful and influencial. Are you really going to be able to help me? What about my guys?"

Ivy follows the back and forth motion of Justice and Bifrost. She tries to line up a shot but decides against it. Instead, she jumps up on a table and fires her eyebeams at one of the fleeing henchmen, over the heads of the crowd.

The eyebeams connect and propel the masked man into the locked door with enough force to break bones. He drops to the ground in a heap, unconscious and bleeding badly.

Fox leaves the place through the hole made by Bifrost. She's absconding with the recording!

Grant says sternly, "Ivy!" Ivy grumbles. "Yes, boss."

Justice sees one of his henchmen seriously hurt. "No!"

Bifrost appears to be wrestling with Justice, and manages (in some way) to make it look like she's fighting for her life. She attempts to grab him and pin him arms to his sides, bearing him down to the floor. "Look, maybe it's not in the same field, but I'm the mascot for the Gnosis Toy company. There's bound to be some connections at some level. If nothing else, I'm a hero, and I can go places you won't be able to. I'll do what I can for your men. We'll have to end this quickly." she whispers between feints and blows.

Kuroko changes to look like one of Justices flunkies and charges into the room through the whole in the wall, trying to get close to Ivy.

Bifrost manages to catch Justice around the torso, and bears him to the ground. For the benefit of onlookers, she SQUEEZES... "Sorry about thiss." she whispers.

Justice says quietly to Bifrost. "It's ok -- just protect my guys from that maniac." Justice struggles against Bifrost's might, but she too tough for him. He slumps limply in her arms, defeated for now.

Ivy spots Kuroko approaching. She narrow her eyes, preparing to blast again.

Bifrost raises her voice."I've got your boss! Throw down your weapons!"

Kuroko points at Ivy, "Ya bitch! I'll make ya pay for hurtin' my bro!"

Porter looks to another henchman attempting to flee. He doesn't blame Justice for wanting... well, justice, but this wasn't the right way to go about it. People really shouldn't run indoors. Not with all the knocked over chairs, curtains, tables, and whatnot lying around.

Porter doesn't wince when the man manages to trip on a blown down curtain and tumble, tangling and twisting it around his legs as he rolls.

The remaining henchmen all decide to give up. They drop their stun batons and hold their hands up. This is, all of them except the disguised Kuroko.

Ivy says, "Too late, punk. Shoulda given up..."

Grant says, "Ivy! Stand down at once!"

Ivy frowns. Instead of blasting Kuroko, she helps Grant up to his feet and starts to guide him over to cover.

Bifrost attempts to find Fox with her eyes... Barring that, she does her level best to look for any switched tapes, conveniently kicked aside or hastily shoved into a pocket. Other than that, she simply holds on tight.

Ivy busies herself with getting Grant to safety. With Justice and his henchmen surrendered, the danger seems to be passed now.

Bifrost gets some cuffs on Justice as best she can. "Sorry about the squeezing. Any idea what happened to the tape you meant to put in?" she asks, glancing up at where Fox used to be.

Justice whispers, "I don't know. I just don't know."