Log:A Second Syphon, Scene 2

A Second Syphon 2019/02/05 	 Donna Speirs Richard Chamberlain Frances Williams Dr. Terrance Killian Syphon Ellbeth Blok Charm Ian Talia Enoch Sentinel Wesley

2

The city's justice system is slow, but usually pretty good at its job. There was the incident with Mr. Draugr months ago, but in general, if there's an execution, it's successful. And when someone goes to trial, if there is sufficient evidence to hold that person, they go to jail for a long time. Sadly, bureaucracy sometimes gets in the way. Today is one of those days...

Case in point: Dr. Terrance Killian is being released today on a technicality. He was one of the heads of the Colonial Bay Research Project, and...allegedly...attempted to create a new version of the metahuman known as Syphon, by experimenting on one of the employees at the power plant, a Miss Donna Speirs. Her body had been altered, but the transformation was reversed by the timely intervention of Amelia 'Raven' Steinberg.

Despite the heroes effectively catching the scientist nearly red-handed, the defense team has done a wonderful job outmaneuvering the District Attorney, and had the case thrown out. The doctor's lawyer, Miss Frances Williams, exits the courthouse with Dr. Killian, and comes face to face with several reporters for local media establishments.

Blok has just left City Hall, having escorted a dwarf here from Buckingham Gardens to apply for a business license.

Ellbeth has always had a keen interest in matters of justice. Although not always legality. She will attend the gathering.

The Colonial Bay Sentinel, Griffin Freeman flies overhead listening in on the reporter's live feeds as he practices with the skills he's picked up from the man Dr. Killian attempted to duplicate. He thinks its fitting, but now he's got a professional curiosity over the whole matter now that he's being released.

Big cases like this can draw a crowd, especially when it's a 'villain' getting out on a technicality. People do strange stuff when they feel aggrieved, and so Enoch has made her way to the Courthouse. To observe and watch, to help keep the peace if need be. She wasn't involved in any of the villains antics, it was 'before her time' so to speak, but she's here now to do her part if she needs to. Mostly she watches the crowd to look for signs of any sort of vigilante justice that might be attempted.

The District Attorney, Richard Chamberlain, comes outside as well with Ms. Speirs, though they're maintaining their distance from teh reporters for the time being.

Wesley is also around, curious as to the going ons even though this again was from before he cared much about heroic matters. He stays in the crowd with other civilians for right now, hands held low to try and not draw too much attention to himself in the crowd as he listens.

Charm has been in the city centre as a representative of Undermoon in the total fiasco related to the new Rift Crisis. The city government was up in arms and it needed explaining to them that it was a different group of dwarves entirely that caused this. The Seven Dwarves are up in arms because their competitors have beaten them to the punch because if the interference of the fae and bureaucracy. The competition is annoyed about the bureaucracy. And the fae are generally annoyed by all the stupid mortals causing the mess through various shortsightednesses. She is not in the best of moods as she leaves the meeting.

Blok is unaware of the reason for the gathering, but he knows that any crowd can become trouble.

Miss Williams speaks to the press, "Justice has been served today. The city tried to steamroll my client, and the case has been thrown out." One of the reporters says, "What do you say to the speculation about a civil trial?" To that, the lawyer says, "That is a question for another day. Today, I'm focused on our success here and now."

Talia Sintergaard is just exiting the court house as well. At the same time as Dr. Killian and his lawyer, but separately from them. She's dressed smartly in business attire having just finished giving expert testimony in a robbery case involving some artifacts stolen from a museum collection.

Dr. Killian is grinning, though...and he answers the reporter's question as well: "Bring it on. I'll be happy to deal with a civil trial as well."

D.A. Chamberlain nods to Talia as she walks past. "Good afteroon."

Talia nods back to the D. A.

"Good afternoon," she politely responds in a cheerful tone.

The scientist's answer causes a bit of a stir among the reporters, and Ms. Speirs shouts toward him, "Oh, just you wait, you hack!" Richard tries to calm her down.

Ellbeth makes a few mental notes: to get Max to check on Miss Williams' background, and on the source of the funds for Dr Killian's defence costs.

Charm frowns, as he sharp ears catch Dr Killian's reply. She doesn't even know what's happening, but the way it is said somehow sounds like the local justice system has failed. Not that the system in Undermoon doesn't have it's own problems, but people generally find more justice in the systems they're used to....

Ian greets Talia as she exist, dressed no where near professional. Jeans, long-sleeve shirt and hoodie, sneakers. "Hey, how'd it go? You look great, by the way."

"It went fine," replies Talia to Ian. She smiles happily and moves over to wrap him up in a big hug, squeezing him potentially uncomfortably tight. "How're you doing, E?"

There is a bit more murmuring in the crowd, and the group parts as a small floating spherical object appears in the gathering. It's making a humming noise, and those who were near it actually say it appear from out of nowhere, somewhat like a Star Trek transporter, complete with the shimmering and sound effects.

The object is about the size of a small medicine ball: About twelve inches in diameter.

"Now that is probably trouble." Enoch says to herself when the sphere arrives in all it's Star Trek'y splendor. Moving from where she was watching the proceedings, she starts to make her way through the crowd without distubing them or accidentally causing a panic. Her destination? The sphere. As she moves though she keeps an eye on the Lawyer and her client who has just been granted freedom.

Blok also starts wading through the crowd, trying to get between the sphere and those on the courthouse steps.

Ian groans at the tight hug, but tries to recover by speaking in a deeper, more 'manly' voice than usual. "Good. I'm good." He coughs. In that brief cough, he takes a super-speed look around, unnoticed by most without rapid senses. He notices the sphere emerging from the crowd and wraps an arm around Talia, guiding her away from its general pathway. "So, you're probably hungry..."

Charm frowns, likewise thinking it might be trouble, and promptly changes form to that of a small bird, so she can get an aerial view without being too obvious. She flies toward the orb for a better look.

The sphere opens up a small port for a projector, and a full human-size hologram appears in front of it. For those in the know about metahumans, this is clearly the image of the original Syphon, the being that was once bonded to the hero now known as Spirit.

Syphon(#1961TOnp)

This man stands about five and a half feet tall, but is quite shocking to look at. He looks like a character from a horror movie...like "Jacob's Ladder". He has no hair to speak of...no eyebrows, or hair on his head, or even on any part of his body that's currently visible. His skin is a bleached white color, and his eyes are solid white, like someone removed the pupils. His mouth, nose and ears have been covered by skin, giving his face a look like he's always wearing a mask made up of his own skin. His voice is muffled a little bit by the skin over it.

His clothing is much less revolting to look at. He's currently wearing a maroon long sleeve dress shirt with a nehru collar on it, a pair of jeans...probably Levi's if one notices such things, and a pair of navy blue Doc Marten's, heavily worn from walking, apparently.

Sentinel 's eyebrow raises as that small object arrives in a very noticible flash on his energy sense. He also senses a communications system of some kind within and of course a propulsion system.

Griffin (Sentinel) flies straight in, moving in to range to be able to act if necessary but not to directly interfere unless the spehre gives him reason to do so.

He is not worried about keeping a low profile. He's even more curious when he sees the projection of Syphon.

Richard Chamberlain tenses up a bit, and unconsciously steps partially in front of Donna to afford at least a little protection.

Dr. Killian grins, though, "Oh, excellent! I knew I would be noticed sooner or later!" Miss Williams looks back to him, "I suggest you keep quiet, doctor. We don't know what he wants."

"I'm always hungry, E," replies Talia. She smiles cheerily as he hooks his arm across her shoulder, though her green eyes catch sight of the sphere emerging from the crowd. Opening her mouth, Talia starts to say something, but gets cut off by the appearance of Syphon and the banter from the defense team.

Wesley is startled by the sudden appearance of the sphere. He watches it warily, sighing a bit in relief when the hologram appears. He glances curious between Syphon and Donna Speirs, quietly noting the similarities.

The hologram of Syphon looks around, like he's looking at the actual crowd. Perhaps he actually is, given the sensors in the spherical communication device. Most unnerving about him is that he doesn't breathe. His chest doesn't move at all, and when he does speak, it sounds muffled, like he's wearing a mask.

Syphon finally speaks, "Doctor Terrance Killian. This is a warning. I know what you attempted to do...to create another one of...me. Of this...abomination that I am." The reporters all are recording at this point, taking video and photos.

Syphon continues, "I also know the future, to a degree, thanks to the timely intervention of the person known as the Time Pharoah, who released me from my imprisonment on Tranquility. And I know...you will try again, at least if time is as immutable as I am told." Dr. Killain doesn't dispute that fact. He just remains quiet for the moment, like most of the others in the crowd.

Finally, Syphon adds, "If you DO attempt this once more, I will personally make it my mission to crater your lab and convert you to the atoms you are made up from. There won't be enough of you left to bury. No one should have to live like this, unable to feel the touch of another without potentially killing them. And I will ensure that no one else has to."

The crowd is silent, with the sole exception of Dr. Killian himself, who says, "But you turned into one of the best heroes our city...our country...our world has ever known! We need to replicate that! We need more of you!"

Blok continues to move, to get between the sphere and the people on the steps.

Charm glides about in a sort of search pattern looking for any sign of immediate trouble: if the sphere is dangerous, there's little she can do, but it has occurred to her it could be drawing attention while something else happens.

Ian edges a bit closer to Talia, just to be sure he can keep her safe. "Wow, heavy."

Syphon shakes his head, "You are referring to Spirit. While I was once part of him...and he was part of me...I am not who you think I am. Doctor...cease your experiments, or I will kill you. That is not a threat. It is a certainty."

Griffin is stunned into silence, hearing Syphon take a surprisingly human angle. He can't even blame him for his stance on the matter- but her certainly won't stand by and let anyone get killed here today.

He keeps his attention squarely on the sphere for signs of another system unexpectedly coming online- like a weapons system.

Enoch frowns slightly behind her mask as she listens, observing the hologram, his appearance, the nightmare of it. Hard eyes turn towards Dr. Killian and his lawyer. She continues on towards the sphere though just in case. "It's a hard thing when I want to side with the guy who is talking murder..." She says to herself. Then louder, "I think you should listen to him Doctor."

Charm does wonder what exactly Syphon is. Perhaps she could see, in person, but a hologram is another matter.

Dr. Killian tilts his head, "Can you not see? If we can create super-powered protectors we needn't fear anyone!" Again, his lawyer says to him with a bit of a bite to her voice, "Terrance. Shut. Up."

Syphon shakes his head, "Oh, you'll have something to fear, Dr. Killian. For about thirty seconds. Most of you know my reputation. I was held on Tranquility for a reason. Think on it, doctor...and make the right choice..." And with that...the hologram disappears, and the projector port on the sphere closes.

It's probably too late, but Ellbeth attempts to place a floating teleport location on the sphere.

There's a flurry of activity from the reporters at this point, some of them sending video to their partners elsewhere or posting it. Others go to ask the doctor questions...

Blok moves forward and attempts to sieze the sphere.

"Murder threats tend to be," mumbles Talia to Ian. She rubs the back of her head lightly with one hand, the other arm gently squeezing around Ian's midsection as she watches the proceedings with curiosity.

The sphere repeats the Star Trek-like noises and appearance akin to a transporter, teleporting away from this locale entirely, leaving Blok standing there holding air.

Wesley stands closer to the hologram and the doctor, to try and hear both of them better. He looks between Killian and Syphon conflicted. He eventually speaks up, asking the doctor, "And what about the failures and monsters you might create in the process?" He waits for the response, his own monstrous features likely clearly visible in the crowd now that he spoke up.

Wesley(#904PenACcF?)

Wesley stands somewhat imposing at 6 feet tall, although he frequently slouches his shoulders. He has pale lightly-tanned skin with short wavy blond hair, with a pair of curious looking large blue eyes underneath. His face is short and round, with a small rounded point for a chin, looking odd with his otherwise narrow figure. A few blue scales cover the underside of his ears and sides of neck.

Down around his hands, he has monstrous blue-scaled claws where his hands would normally be. They look bulky and better suited for a quadrupedal beast than the state he's in right now, and blue scales cover his arms completely up to his elbows.

His clothing is casual for the area, being nothing but black khakis most of the time with some variety of t-shirt during the balmy summer. He foregoes shoes, having large digitigrade dragon feet and claws. Behind him is a long blue-scaled tail, with short spines growing out of the top, and a fleshy fin in between the spines. Occasional sparks play through his claws, looking like someone set a lightning bolt on fire, but not enough to harm anything nearby.

Dr. Killian shakes his head, "I have had no failures. My calculations are precise. Not that I am admitting to anything, mind you." He nods to his lawyer, who looks...exasperated. Though he continues, "I do not take threats like this lightly. I'm sure that this kind of thing will be dealt with by the authorities or local hero community."

Ellbeth looks over at Dr Killian. "I think you can be assured of that, Dr Killian. The hero community will certainly seek justice from Syphon for your death."

Blok turns toward Dr. Killian. "Easiest way, no more experiments."

Griffin chuckles at Ellbeth's implication.

Enoch folds her arms across her chest, "Of course it is quite difficult to track down and catch a teleporter... and we would have to thoroughly go through all the suspects that might be involved, or have reason, to want your death, Doctor."

Ms. Williams says, "No further questions. If you'll excuse us..." And she tries to usher her client toward a waiting car. While this is happening, Richard Chamberlain moves toward the reporters, "I can answer your questions regarding Syphon, if you like."

Dr. Killian shrugs as he's herded toward the waiting vehicle, though there's still the smile on his face.

"That took a weird turn," murmurs Talia to Ian, tone slightly inquisitive.

Charm considers leaving, given there doesn't seem to be much she can do here. But then has the notion of following the car. After all, Syphon might make good his threat sooner rather than later, given the doctor's rejection of Syphon's demands.

The reporters continue to hound Killian and Williams until they're in their hovercar. The driver already had the car started, and it takes off gently, moving into traffic.

Charm follows.

A reporter says, "Mr. Chamberlain, what details can you give us on Syphon? He hasn't been seen in a couple of years here in town. And wasn't he a hero at one point?"

Richard says, "All of that is correct. The hero you know as Spirit, Dorian Perrault, the local SGG commander, was once Syphon." He chuckles, "It's like a bar trivia question at this point. He was changed by a nuclear accident into Syphon. At one point, he was 'killed', and his body reformed into two distinct beings. Spirit, and that one going by Syphon now."

Richard adds, "So, they are NOT the same person. Think of them like...brothers."

Wesley didn't quite expect that answer. He's still somewhat lost, not having kept track of this sort of drama. He slinks back away into the crowd, silently cursing themselves for speaking up, and making a note to keep an eye on that man in the future. He rubs a claw gently on his head, trying to follow the reporter now to learn more about what's going on.

Donna Speirs folds her arms and stews, but she remains over by the courthouse wall proper.

The reporter nods. "And this...evil version was held on Tranquility for a few years?"

Griffin is aware of all of this himself. He elects to follow the hovercar too.

D.A. Chamberlain nods, "That's correct. He attempted to kill Spirit and his wife. After the attempt, he was captured and sent to the moon."

The hovercar glides through the city streets to the far west side, heading into hte suburbs just west of the Alien District. Once there, the car glides to a stop outside of a large home.

Charm perches in a nearby tree to watch.

Richard says, "I will be sure to bring this to the attention of SGG, as I'm sure Commander Perrault will want to have a hand in dealing with his counterpart."

Enoch watches the car drive off with a shake of her head, "Some people never learn until it is far to late." She says to herself with a sad tone then turns her attention to the reporters and the D.A. to learn what she can.

Blok says, "Blok is with SGG, Blok will tell friend Commander Perrault."

A reporter asks, "Does the city have a plan to deal with this Syphon if a fight ensues?" Chamberlain grins and answers, "That's a question for the Chief of Police. But I can already tell you his answer: No comment. Why would he tell you the plan, so that Syphon can find out what we're going to do?"

Being able to move faster than any street legal vehicle on the market he has no problem keeping pace, even in the suburbs thanks to his energy sense. With that he was able to always keep the hovercar in sight.

From there he tries to move into a position where he can observe the house just in case things turn quickly.

Once settled, he'll message Commander Perrault directly to see if he saw the media coverage featuring his 'brother'.

Sentinel gets a message back, << Looking at it now. Thanks for the head's up. Not what I wanted to hear today. >>

Out in the suburbs, Dr. Killian gets out of the car on his own and stretches...and heads up to the house. He looks around briefly like...he's looking for something? And then he unlocks the door and steps inside.

Talia gently tugs Ian with her, retreating toward one side of the main staircase of the court house. She looks at Ian and then over at Ms. Speirs, chewing on her lower lip as she considers the situation.

"You think we should talk to that lady? Maybe we should see if she's... Okay?"

Ian nods in agreement with Talia. "Well, looks like the show's over." He relaxes now that there's no danger.

The hovercar in front of the doctor's house glides off, heading back toward the city.

Ian's head whips in Talia's direction as she tugs him along. "We should? I mean, I guess?" he says, just going along with Talia's notion.

Griffin/Sentinel follows up with one more message. <<"You got it. I'm in position outside the not-so-good Doctor's house right now. I'll let you know if anything changes."

"Shouldn't we?" inquires Talia, ocncerned as she shifts her attention between Ian and Donna.

Ian shrugs and offers Talia a warm smile "Lead on, m'lady."

Charm flies about the house glancing in windows to try to track the doctor - just a fly-by so as not to be too obvious.

There are a few more minor questions for Richard Chamberlain, but the small crowd of reporters starts to break up as they head off to file stories and the like.

Blok returns to StarGuard to report to Commander Perrault.

Dr. Killians seems to be just...relaxing. Through the window, both Charm and Sentinel notice that he pours himself some scotch. On the rocks. And he sits down on a large leather chair. And he smiles to himself as he sips the drink.

Apparently he doesn't see the need to start right in on his work. If he's going to do so at all?

Charm perches on a tree to watch the not-so-good doctor.

Meanwhile, back in City Center, Richard Chamberlain comes back over toward Donna while Ian and Talia go to speak to her as well.

Ellbeth asks Max to see if there's an address for Dr Killian,s residence.

Wesley sighs, not sure what to do now after the reporters break up. He doesn't know anyone here too much. About the only thing he'd be good with in this situation is research, he thinks. So he heads towards the courthouse, aiming to at least familiarize himself with the court proceedings and evidence on either side for later in case Killian decides to resume the supposed experimentation.

Donna looks up at Ian and Talia, "Can I help you?"

Griffin's physiology is hardly human. Kat might not like it but he doesn't have to do anything physiological for a few days at least, especially if its a sunny day. He used to be a Tier 1 Operator. He can be deadly patient.

Talia looks at Ian for a moment, lips pursed in thought. She nods and shifts her weight, putting a smile back on her face as she turns to head toward Donna Speirs. With a smile, Talia waves to her as she approaches.

"Hi. I'm... I mean... Are you okay?"

Ellbeth manages to get an address for Dr. Killian, out on the west side. In the suburbs.

Ellbeth announces, "I'm going to see if talking to Dr Killian can convince him to cease his experiences. Does anyone wish to come along?"

Donna Speirs nods to Talia, though she looks...grim. Her jaw sets, "As well as can be expected, given that I was experimented on by that monster. I'm going to sue him for everything I can. If he wont' go to jail for this, that's the least I can do: Hit him in the pocket book."

Richard hears Ellbeth's comment, "I...better not go along. But if you could convince him to stop, I would appreciate it."

Talia nods a little bit to Donna. "It's good that you have a plan," replies Talia, smiling gently, "I just wanted to make sure you were doing alright. That couldn't have been easy for you."

"I'm no laywer," Enoch says when Ellbeth speaks up, "But I don't think that's going to do a lot of good, and it might just set you up for a harassment suit. Especially given he was just released on that technicality and whatnot. His lawyer is clearly good. Might be best to just observe and monitor, intervene if we have to."

Donna nods, "Thank you for asking. But...I'll be okay. And I've gotten a good referral for a lawyer." She nods toward the District Attorney. "He made some recommendations for me."

Wesley stops heading into the courthouse on hearing Ellbeth, pausing. He says to her, "I'd... be interested in that from what I've heard, but not sure how well I'd be at helping to convince them otherwise. And might encourage him otherwise if Syphon's appearance did."

Donna adds, "Sometimes, I wish I still had the powers. Then I could crush him personally. But...I'm pretty sure that's just the anger talking."

Out in the suburbs, Doctor Killain starts to make some notes on paper, and he talks to himself. His handwriting is horrible, but Charm is able to make out a few words as he speaks: 'Need to come up with subjects. Willing subjects. That will get around this problem.'

Charm isn't surprised he's going to continue with the experiments. And if he is, then willing subjects is certainly an improvement! But that means Syphon's threat remains.

Ellbeth opens a gate to the address. "Ellbeth transport is open for a limited time." She smiles.

"That's definitely just the anger talking," replies Talia, smiling gently at Donna. She nods a little bit and looks over to the D. A. before looking back to Donna. "I'm glad you've gotten enough help to be set up for success in civil court."

"If you ever need someone to talk to or just someone who isn't involved to hang out with, I'd be happy to help. Really, in this sort of thing, that's about all the help I could be. Archaeologists aren't really great at lawyering."

Those near the house can see the gate open up on the sidewalk. Ellbeth is visible on the other side of the gate.

Enoch shakes her head at the appearance of the gate, and then heads off away from the courthouse.

Donna smiles slightly, thinking about it. "Umm...sure. What the heck? Just...give me a way to contact you?"

Talia smiles and shares her contact details with Donna.

"I'm Talia, by the way. This is Ian," intones Talia, making introductions.

Here stand the grand buildings of the city constructed during the rapid 19th-Century expansion, on low land reclaimed from long-lost Harrisburg Creek. Main Street is broader here that to the south, though still paved with cobbles, and surrounded on all sides by grandiose edifices (though at any time at least one seems to be under renovation): the heart of this district. Around this are narrower residential streets with a flavor much like that of Old Town, all with faux-gaslamp street lighting.

Ian perks up a bit as he's introduced, leaning out around Talia to wave. "Howdy!"

Wesley seems to be about to head through the gate, then Talia speaks. He pauses, and points a claw over in Talia's direction. "Eh, actually in her boat too. Archeologist, not a lawyer. That's... coincidental, though. Wesley," He says, introducing himself as well. "Don't think I'd be the best at convincing him in anything, just investigation."

Donna nods, "I'm Donna. Nice to meet you both."

Ellbeth waits to see who is going through the gate.

"It's nice to meet you, Donna. A shame about the circumstances, but I'm happy to help if I can at all," replies Talia. She blinks and looks over at Wesley, waving in the dragonborn's direction. "Um. Good to meet another archaeologist."

Richard walks over and says quickly to Donna, "Excuse me. I should get going, but...please be in touch if you need anything." He smiles to Talia, "Sorry to interrupt." Donna shakes his hand, and then he heads back into the courthouse, already pulling out his PDA to make a call.

Here stand the grand buildings of the city constructed during the rapid 19th-Century expansion, on low land reclaimed from long-lost Harrisburg Creek. Main Street is broader here that to the south, though still paved with cobbles, and surrounded on all sides by grandiose edifices (though at any time at least one seems to be under renovation): the heart of this district. Around this are narrower residential streets with a flavor much like that of Old Town, all with faux-gaslamp street lighting.

Ellbeth steps through the gate and makes her way to Dr Killian's front door.

Ian is more alert as the lizard man tries to get an in with his girl. He'll be keeping a secret eye on that guy.

Wesley winces a bit, feeling like he interrupted rudely after Ellbeth's announcement. "Uh. Sorry, didn't mean to interrupt too much. Just heard that offering is all," he replies, flinching a bit from Talia's response.