Log:Zero Contact

2019/12/20 Night Marshal Grimm 1

After the goons are rounded up, Grimm approaches Night Marshal before he departs. "Cowboy outfit. I take it you're the one they call Night Marshal?" she grins as she walks his way.

Night Marshal has holstered his weapon by this point. "That's correct, ma'am." He tips his hat again. "And who are you?"

"Gabrielle Grimm. I run these here parts," Grimm returns with a drawl, then a wink. She goes back to her normal voice. "Sorry, I couldn't help myself. You've got an interesting motif I haven't seen yet. And I've seen a lot. I don't actually run anything here. I'm with Starguard Gamma these days. We have a mutual acquaintance, and I wanted to ask if you knew the whereabouts of a heroine named Zero. She's a person of interest."

Night Marshal nods slowly, "I saw the HeroNet post you made. 'Suming that was you. I'm afraid I don't know how to contact her...but I do know someone who can. Mechanica. I can send her a note to get the contact info."

Grimm grins. "Yes, that was me." She looks a little disappointed that he doesn't know how to get ahold of her. "Can't say I've met Mechanica. Could you send that message along? I'm guessing either she doesn't have HeroNet, or she's stayed quiet for a reason."

Night Marshal nods. "I'll send her a note now." He pulls out a PDA and sends a quick note to Mechanica, trying to get Zero's contact information. "Sorry I can't help you more directly."

Grimm sighs and shrugs her shoulders up. "It's alright. Part of the job, I think. Tracking people down. You can send me a DM through HeroNet if you get a reply. We're just trying to figure out if the real Zero is behind this stuff, or if she's another victim. Or maybe being impersonated."

Night Marshal nods. "Ah understand. She seemed nice enough when I saw her. Maybe a little...too flirty for my tastes."

Grimm raises a brow. She remembers some of the memories she gleamed from Lien's transformation. "She seems to be using that as a weapon. I had to delve into the mind of the latest victim we recovered, and uh...found she seduced the victim and waited until...umm...a most vulnerable moment to turn them into a giant bug thing." She represses a shudder. It gives her the creeps.

Night Marshal furrows his brow, "She did act right seductive-like toward me. But...well, I didn't play into it none. There was a job that needed doing."

Grimm nods. "Was that recently?"

Grimm thinks. o O (Job-focused. Hah. Carpenter must love this guy.)

Night Marshal nods. "Fairly recently. Something involving the Triads. A blackmail plot. A bunch of local officials were targeted."

Grimm slips her hands into her jacket pockets and thinks on that. "Huh. Interesting. So maybe she's just always that way."

There's a response message from Mechanica to Night Marshal. <>

Night Marshal looks at his message. "Mechanica says she's been trying to track Zero down after the post you made. No luck. She also says Zero's been acting strange. I'll tyr to get more details." He sends back a message. << When'd she start acting strange? How long ago? >>

Grimm perks up, then down again as there's no luck. "Damn. So sounds like the imposter theory is getting weaker. Unless this Hive Mother creature did something to the original before taking her place."

Mechanica replies <>

Night Marshal mentions the content of the reply, "Right afte the moon incident. Started acting weird. Mechanica is trying to get to her before someone guns her down." He responds one more time, << If you give me a place to look for clues, I can try to help find her. >>

Grimm blinks in surprise. "On her own? That's crazy. If she doesn't want Starguard's help, she should at least get some backup. Maybe at least two other heroes to keep the odds in their favor." It seems she actually listened to Jack.

Mechanica's message back comes fast. <>

Night Marshal sighs. "She's trying to protect Zero. She won't tell me where to look to help find her." He sends back, << Don't get in over your head. If you need help, send a message. >>

Night Marshal shakes his head, "I reckon a lot of metas are too full o'themselves to ask for help when they need it. Case in point."

Mechanica responds <>

Grimm groans and rubs her face with one hand. "Right. I was worried about that, too. Metas form cliques and protect their own, even if others are at risk," she sighs. She lowers her hand from her face, regarding Night Marshal with some surprise. "Yeah, totally." Although she's definitely guilty of not asking for help when she needs it.

Night Marshal looks at his PDA, "She's supposed to contact me again in the next day. I'll let you know if I hear from her again. In the meantime, I'll keep an eye out.

Grimm nods and smiles politely. "Well, thanks for trying. It was worth a shot."

Night Marshal nods, "Again, I apologize that I'm not able to help more, Miss Grimm."

Grimm still has no idea she's talking to her friend. The disguise and the accent are totally working on her. Also going for him is that Grimm would never suspect Carpenter of going vigilante. "Hey, no reason to apologize. If there's anything you need from me or Starguard Gamma for this case, send me a DM or call Starguard with a lead. Thanks for checking for me."

Night Marshal tips his hat again, "I will surely do that. Good luck in your search."

Grimm smiles and nods. "Thanks. Be careful out there, Night Marshal." She turns and heads back to where they're securing the goons and inspecting the weapons.

Night Marshal smiles, though it's barely visible under his full mask, "You too, Miss Grimm."