Log:MECH-01-N Mk II

MECH-01-N 2020/10/13 Ascendant Anthem Artemis Bran Bullet Chyoode

2

There's never much peace and quiet in the Student Quarter. Street and Block Parties. Commuting to and from the CBSU. And city traffic. Including quite unsuitable vehicles on occasion. Like the wide load 18 wheeler edging its way along the street with great inconvenience to other traffic. Which becomes much worse when the trailer separates from the tractor unit with a loud snap of breaking metal.

Everything comes to a stop with the street blocked by the errent fidconnected trailer stranded in the middle of the road. Initial attempts to move it fail due to the sheer weight. A call goes out for meta assistance to get traffic moving again.

On the scene is a police patrol car and a vehicle breakdown recovery truck. The police officer and truck driver are standing together by the trailer unit.

Chyoode's attention it drawn by the sound of horns of annoyed drivers. She leaps up to get a view of what's happening, then jumps again to land near the truck.

NNS has taken a shine to this quarter because it is so lively and full of so many ripe minds with new knowledge for which to covet.

He has taken on a form perfect for striding about the Student Quarter- tall, handsome, and very hu-man- at least by Godflora standards. He is consulting the happenings with a red-tailed hawk that is perched on his bare arm, and he himself is perched upon a building top when the snapping sound causes both raptor & Godflora to snap their head in response.

The raptor takes his leave and NNS moves to investigate, maintaining his disguise for now- though raptor handling men jumping from buildings aren't /that/ frequent- not even in Colonial Bay.

Artemis flies along in search of trouble and battle. She's had too little of either for her liking as she patrols the city. The honking horns draw her attention from the incident, and she frowns in recognition of the type of vehicle, and swoops down as she summons her shield. "Halt! This be the type of vehicle that transports warbots, is it not?" she calls down to the truck driver in condemning tones. The last time she saw a vehicle like this, a giant robot popped out.

Chyoode remember too late that the heels of these shoes aren't super-strong. Another pair ruined.

Chyoode says, "How heavy is the load? I can probably help."

The skies of Colonial Bay tend to be crowded. This is why Bullet spends time on foot. I mean she's faster that way too. But still tends to fly about when the need arises. Skyscrapers in a single bound and all.

As such, she skids to a stop... slowing down enough that she can be seen, her boots gripping the asphalt as she stops, "Whoa. That's a fat backside." she mutters.

Chyoode kicks the remains of her shoes off and goes too see if she can lift the front of the trailer to pull it.

It's deja vu. Because the wild imaginations and assumptions that 18 wheelers carry warbots turns out to be correct. The trailer unit rocks and then a giant metallic fist punch up through the roof of the trailer. The top half of a crudely made robat sits up, slabs of heavy steel plates welding together. The rocket launcher built into one arm and chain gun built into the other arm does hint it's not designed for peaceful activities.

Chyoode looks up. "Ok, it's not meant to do that, right? New problem, I guess."

Shaking her head, Bullet mutters, "I'd say you don't see that every day. But... this -is- Colonial Bay." and she turns her head about quickly, "Keep this thing busy!" she announces, "While I evacuate bystanders!" And whoosh.. she vanishes faster than most eyes can track before skidding to a stop near a group of bystanders.... whipping about at hyper-accelerated speed to grab several of them and rushing them to a further distance.

NNS halts his approach at the sight of a massive fist punching through the roof.

A laugh of rapt joy escapes from the man.

"The Emanantions shine upon me this day!" He says, going from slight jog to outright flying to the robot.

He transforms along the way revealing a more godly form along the way.

"Meta targets detected. Normal citizens must vacate area immediately. Commencing meta termination activities in 5 seconds... 4..." comes from the robot in a loud booming voice.

Anthem flies along on patrol -- really, it's just wandering, but saying that you?re patrolling sounds so much better -- when the ruckus a few blocks order over catches his attention, and he flies over. Descending to within a few meters of the ground, he put his fists on his hips and declaims, "What seems to be the problem, citizens?" And then the problem makes itself obvious. "Fie!!"

Artemis draws her sword and laughs. "As I thought, this is a warbot transporter!" she says excitedly, looking downright pleased with the dangerous situation. She doesn't ned to wait. She charges to fight the machine before it finishes its countdown.

Chyoode runs up the side of the truck with blatant disregard for gravity, reaching the top."Hey, robot. You know what makes me angrier than weapons being waved about in public? Weapons being waved about in public after I've just ruined a pair of shoes! Consider yourself warned.

Chyoode slips on her discarded shoe as she starts to climb the truck - and is thrown off balance enough to miss.

Ascendant reinforces his body with his sacred energies & leaps at the robot, moving to strike it quickly and hopefully in something important.

His leap is elegant- more flying than leaping, but just as he gets into striking distance he flips and attempts to drop kick the android in the chest ot keep it from getting to its feet.

NNS' strike rings out loudly and the steelplate where he struck whines as it buckles against the forces brought to bear.

"This one is as hard to move as you are, Sister." NNS says as he lands with perfect poise.

The robot stands, lifting Ascendant's weight effortlessly. "Target priority assessed. Range below minimal for HEAT missle. Chaingun." it announces, rotating it's left arm to bear the chain gun to bear on Ascendant.

"Oooh! The chaingun!" NNS says excitedly before looking around. Seeing the (rapidly dwindling) citizenry causes him pause. "This is no place for that!"

Diving into the way in front of Ascendant, Anthem takes the high velocity slugs on the chest, shielding Ascendant from the autogun.

Anthem drops out of the air sky to float a foot above the ground and between the robot and its target. "Nay, villanous mechanoid!!"

The other hero is safe!! Anthem is knocked back and down, though, and winds up smacked against Nohrbor. "Ow," he says conversationally. "I think that cracked a rib."

Artemis continues her charge, having suspected a warbot all along. "There are few with the power to move me, lest I wish it!" she laughs. Her sword drawn and held behind her, it starts to unravel into a whip that trails in her wake. "Hark, hooman brain within whom hast lost a child or loved one! This misguided attempt at justice will grant no peace to thee or thy loved one! Thou art only creating more grieving parents and continuing the cycle! And only more tragedy shall there be at your inevitable defeat!" As she tries to reason and impress upon the human brain she thinks lies within, she loops around it, trying use her bladewhip to restrain its arms to its sides so it'll stop shooting.

NNS is surprised by Anthem's arrival but seeing as how he jsut stopped him from needing to wear those bullets himself he is thankful.

"You have my thanks, Guardian." He says to the man in a friendly tone.

"Do not worry- we will give this robot better than it gave!" He grins offering Anthem a forearm to grasp.

Artemis wraps the robot up in her whip to pin its arms to its side as she pulls with both hands to tigthen the whip. She warns the others, "When last such a machine was face, it contained a hooman brain within!"

Having finished evacuating the civilians, Bullet turns and rushes back towards the fight. But not before saying really fast, "Stay out of range!" to the bystanders.

But then she whooshes back towards the giant robot. She runs around the robot a few times, lashing out towards weak points with her fists as she goes.

When she skids to a stop, Bullet shakes her hands, "I'd say it's like hitting metal, but it -is- hitting metal." she mutters as she leaves a dozen or so fist shaped dents in the body of the robot.

Ascendant looks at the robot with a bit of nostalgia.

"You know Sister, this robot doth remind me of the Wizard's Warlands in the Shining City- where we would go for our First Days as younglings." He says, trusting his sister's might to hold the great machine. "Though like everything on this world, it is far smaller than I remember. Oh well." He sighs.

"We shouldn't dally, lest another Mortal be injured." He says, almost as if it were a basic everyday thing to face an 18ft tall robot for the lives of all around.

He leaps up and attempts to round house kick the robots head clean from his shoulders.

The giant robot is rocked onto its heels by Ascendant's blow but manages to remain upright.

"You know its control -- oh, dear God," Anthem reacts. "A human brain? Ghastly!! Abhorrent!!" He bounds into the air, zooming after Ascendant for a follow-up strike.

Maybe he pulled his punch, but Anthem's strike does nothing but make the crudely-shamed superior steel ring. "A well-defended thing," he observes.

The robot struggles to no avail. It remains held.

After breaking out of a 18 wheel trailer the robot has been battered into virtual scrap in short order.

Artemis lands on the ground with a heavy thud and pulls on her bladewhip. It tigthens around the giant robot and pulls as she tries to slam the robot back down on the 18 wheeler.

The robot is slammed hard into the trailer unti, smashing the trailer, wrecking what remained of the robot. The trailer wheels explosively deflate with loud popping sounds. As the ronot's head hits the trailer an inspection panel breaks free allowing ingress to the robot's head interior.

Her cape finally catching up in its billowy glory, Bullet stops moving... placing hands on her hips as she asks. "So, any tech types in the local Supercrowd? I'd -love- to know who might be making these warmechs."

NNS flaots up into the air and looks to Bullet. "As would I. They have a great gift and I would like one of my own." He makes it sound like buying a new ATV or something.

Chyoode was just winding up for a huge punch - but the need has gone. "Damn. I really wanted to hit it in revenge for my shoes."

"Petty revenge for thy own doing is folly," Artemis intones as she floats up and alights atop the robot. This is why she doesn't wear high heels.

Anthem drifts backwards, lifting a hand to his side and nodding at what Artemis says. "Well-said," he agrees.

At the mention of shoes, Bullet flickers and skids to a stop in front of Chyoode. "Sounds like you need superheels." she says as she gestures down to her boots. "They add an inch or more to your height, and are reinforced with weapons grade titanium."

Chyoode says, "I have some. But not on all my shoes!"

On approaching, Artemis notices a note in marker on the inside of the inspection panel - Gerold, Mark and John are in. We need a name now it's more than just us. How about 'Purity'?

Chyoode sighs and goes back to towing the truck's trailer out the way of traffic.

Bran is too late to help out with the fight itself. But he heard the fighting...especially the end. He comes rolling down the street on his skateboard, getting closer. He whistles to himself as he realized how large the new robot was compared to the last.

Artemis rubs her chin and studies the warmachine. "I wonder if they sell these? I would not mind a machine to spar with. One hardier than this," she opines as she walks along its chest to its open panel by the head. Her whip unwraps around the machine and compresses back into a sword so she can sheathe it just in time to crouch by the opening and peek around inside. She squints at the note. "I have no understanding of this."

Inside the head of the robot it's almost the same. The Catholic shine. The photo of the young girl. The half a brain. The model number is different: MECH-01-N Mk II, Not Mk I. And a modified commercial mind shield fitted around the brain life support system.

"Ah. Okay then." says Bullet to Chyoode. Then she moves to assist in the hefting, hoisting, and towing department. She only does twenty-five tons at best herself, but she can definitely -assist-.

"Yes... It would need to be much more capable than this to make a worthy plaything." NNS agrees. "Still, it has potential. We should endeavor to find their creators and inquire about having our own tithed to us before the Urth guardians take them to their prisons. Or perhaps they will let them build us one from within their prison. I suppsoe it matters not to I."

Artemis frowns and reaches for the photo of the girl and pulls it out to inspect. "Another victim of Urth's guardians?" she asks the others. She looks to Anthem. "My thanks to you for guarding my Bloodbound Brother. You took those shots well enough," she smiles.

Bran pushes closer on his skateboard and grinds to a stop before picking the board up. "Wow. This the same kind of robot that was around about a week ago? Just larger?"

Artemis recognizes Bran from last time. "Aye, 'tis so! With an image of a child and a strange note of purity. Were you not the hooman who found out about the last child picture?"

Bran grins broadly as Artemis remembered him. "Uh...yeah, I was. You have a good memory. Is there a picture inside this one too? I can do the same kind of search."

NNS follows Artemis' eyes to Anthem. He turns and offers the man his outstretched forearm to grasp as a warrior might. "Aye- twas a brave thing, throwing oneself in front of such a volley. Unneeded, but appreciated for the noble spirit that bore it."

As Artemis moves to consult with Bran NNS says, "I am Nohrbor Nanuran Surryx- Bloodlit Ascendant, born on the steppes of Doj'on Prime, hewn from the Living Stone of the City of the Archons in the Valley Ascendant." He's in a bit of a hurry to get himself a warbot so he gives Anthem the short version!

Chyoode joins the other heroes after moving the truck aside. "This has happened before?"

Artemis steps off the robot, and then her power takes over. She floats down to the ground and lands lightly before Bran. "Aye. Your hair is most unique and memorable. Were you not the man who asked for a 'selfie'?" she asks as she holds out the photo to Bran.

Bran furrows his brow as he takes a look at the photo. "Same girl." He smiles. "Yeah, I asked for a selfie with you last time I saw you, Artemis. Thank you again for that."

Chyoode frowns. "Does the brain come from the girl in the picture? But this does not fit human funeral rites!"

Artemis blinks and looks at the photo again. Most pups look the same to her. "Mayhaps this be the other half of the brain from before." She looks to Bran and smiles kindly. "You are most welcome."

Artemis says to Chyoode, "That I be not sure of. There is strange writings within, with hooman names, I think." She looks to Bran curiously, then to Nohrbor. "Mayhaps this mind can be discerned as belonging to the same...hmm...originator as the previous?"

Bran shrugs, "I dont' have the means to test it, but if the girl's DNA is on file someplace, someone with the right connections could test the brain's DNA I think?"

Bran says, "Then you'd know if the DNA is from that girl or a relative?"

Bran thinks about it. "And...if it's the same side, you either have the same brain in a jar, or a clone brain?

Chyoode says, "Why half a brain? Is there some significance to that?"

"Thy reasoning is sound," Artemis praises Bran. "Mayhaps Starguard has such resources. Care thee to read the message within? You have a keen mind. It may be of meaning to you," she says to Bran, offering him her hand to indicate a lift atop the fallen robot. She thinks on the half brain. "Perhaps only half a brain be more controllable? I understand it not."

Bran shrugs, "I don't remember the dealy from Biology class, but like...one half is logic. And other is creativity or something. Supposedly?"

Artemis chuckles at Bran's answer, most amused. "Is that how hooman brains work? How strange!"

"Tis a good question." NNS says with a hint of mystery in his voice. "Whatever the reason, all I know is that I cannot scan it when it is up and working. And last time- well I only had scant memories, but found nothing of use. Perhaps this one might be different?" The Godflora asks rhetorically.

Bran chuckles. "I think it's more complicated than that. I just know like...basics." He smiles. "There was a note? What did it say?"

Chyoode says, "You're psychically sensitive, then? What do you perceive?"

Artemis takes a breath, then pauses and squints to try and recall. "Some named beings were 'in'. They required a name now than there were more. The suggestion was 'Purity'."

Anthem smiles at Artemis in response to her thanks for guarding Ascendant. "Of course. Excellent work at keeping it bound -- though," and here he turns to clasp Nohrbor's forearm in the grip of Heroes, "I think a machine gun is certainly more than should be carted through a university district!!" He can see the Godflora is eager to get to the robot, so he gestures him on his way. ("Ow.")

Bran goes to take a closer look to see if he can see the note in question to compare to the interior of the last robot they encountered.

Anthem adds, about how human brains work, "That's what used to be theorized. We know differently, but people still talk about brain hemispheres as being right- or left-brain dominant, creative or logical, that sort of thing." Floating upwards, arms crossed (he just needs a cape, but has decided to go without), he frowns down at the examination. "What happened to the other one?"

The differences Bran spots are the designation, Mk II instead of Mk I, and a mental shield arund the half brain. The note written in marker on the inside of the inspection panel reads - Gerold, Mark and John are in. We need a name now it's more than just us. How about 'Purity'?

Bran furrows his brow as he looks at it. "Definitely the same side of the brain. It's Mark 2 instead of 1. And there's a mental shield on it." He then mutters, "Probably due to how I dealt with it last time, I suspect." He then reads the inscription. "Ok, so...like...this is likely the list of names of the techs who worked on the thing, if I was going to guess."

Bran says, "So...they took readings from the last fight and adapted the robot to fight 'better' this time."

Chyoode frowns. "Then they'll likely do the same again!"

Bran nods. "Probably after getting a readout from this fight. Did it transmit anything? Can any of you sense that kind of thing?"

NNS shakes his head.

Chyoode says, "i was just going to ask the same thing. If we can work out how to jam the signal, we can at least stop them improving the Mark III...."

Artemis squints over Bran's shoulder. "Need ye for me to tear off this mental shielding?"

Artemis is already reaching in as she offers. She's a bit like an overeager child.

Bran shakes his head, "I can't read minds. Only attack them. My abilities aren't that well developed yet."

"Aye- if that what it be, it should be removed and then I- I shall pry within its depths" NNS says to Artemis.

Chyoode says, "I wonder if the data is sent psychically, electronically or both."

Bran furrows his brow. "I did read something about...split brains allowing each half to communicate. So like...the half here can communicate with the other half elsewhere.

Bran says, "I think the Soviets tried it about the time of the Cold War?"

Anthem starts to say, "Maybe you should --" but of course Artemis goes 'zoink!' and gets all clumsy-like. "-- leave it to the techs?" he finishes his suggestion. Bran's supposition has him looking thataways, his eyebrows rising. "Really? That ... okay, I suppose that sounds just kooky enough to work."

Artemis's hand reaches for the shield and grips it. Tight and clumsily enough that it crunches the shield with her godly strength. As she pulls the shield back, the brain case travels with it some before finally the shield breaks free and the brain case snaps back violently into place, jostling and damaging the brain in the process as it's rattled around its container. "Hrmm..." she makes an unhappy noise as she tosses the mental shield remnants over her shoulder dismissively.

Bran winces as Artemis rips parts out. "Ouch."

Chyoode tries searching for an app on her PDA, but finds that there don't seem to be any telepathic apps for download. She supposes Earth PDAs are so primitive they don't even have basic psionic sensitivity!

Artemis looks to Bran with some mild concern on her face. "Do ye think I hurt it?" she asks genuinely.

Ascendant attempts to make contact with the brain to see what might be found now that his sister has cleared the path.

Anthem opens his mouth, then closes it again, grimacing a little at the cavalier rooting around Artemis is doing. "Lady Artemis," he finally says, firmly. "Let the techs get into it. The armor is clearly custom, but if they're using an off-the-shelf shield, it is entirely possible that the parts for the machine can be traced -- or the area in which each part is sold collated to identify likely locations for these ... fiends in human form."

Bran shrugs, "I have no idea. Maybe? I mean, it's designed to be in a battle robot?"

"Same as last time." NNS says to the others before adding solemnly, "It is not long for this world, but it repeats its mandate ad infinitum. 'Hurt no normals, terminate all metas.' And a 'log file', whatever this is. It speaks of adding psi-shielding."

Bran points to Norhbor, "Oh...a log file just...lists what happened. Or changes."

Artemis nods to Anthem. "Mayhaps they can, and the fiends have left the names of their cohorts."

"Ah, I see. Thank you, Youngling." NNS says appreciatively before turning towards the dying brain.

He begins speaking in his mother tongue, words reserved only for those at death's door. He does not know what awaits this one, but he would see it comforted in its last moments.

With glowing eyes he presses upon it an illusion of its task completed- all normals unharmed and all metas destroyed.

Bran thinks about it. "You cna read its mind, huh? So can you like...tell it something that will get passed on to the other half? And can that communication get tracked somehow?"

"I can." NNS says with a nod, never taking his eyes off the brain. "I have just convinced it that its work is done, so that it might find peace here, before it might be too late. What would you have me tell it?"

As the brain fades, Ascendant recieves a final impression. Satifaction at a task completed.

"Though it may be too late. Still, it seems it found a modicum of satisfaction in this life." NNS says before falling silent and bowing before the brain. He says in Doj'on, "May your next journey be sweeter."

Bran can't come up with something clever quickly enough. "I...don't know. Maybe that's a way to foul up their data next time?"

"If," Anthem reminds Bran, "one can get past the mind screen."

Artemis remains solemnly silent as Nohrbor offers last rites, the passing of the brain weighing heavily upon her as she considers the potential violation of her code of honor.

Chyoode says, "It might be hard to disable that before the fight is ended. Wh8ch makes it hard to fool anyone!"

Artemis takes a breath. "In its mind and your understanding, Brother, 'twas this mind an innocent, or willing participant in the goal to destroy 'metahoomans'?"

"Aye." NNS says, turning to Artemis as he speaks. "I felt no mind within before this psi-shield was removed." His eyes meet hers and something passes between them before he turns to continue his thought.

"Though- perhaps that is no measure of what my effect might be if I managed to impress my will upon it. Mayhaps you might be called upon when next one rises? Then you can have thine question prepared, Youngling. And then we will best it in combat and ask again!" His timbre raises just a bit for that. Even the passing of one before him cannot shake the love of sport his decades in the arenas have impressed upon the Doj'on's noble spirit, but where that fails Artemis' question succeeds. "I fear these are merely abominations- copies of copies. I felt nothing that might have embued that mind with a drive of its own. And while your vow remains steadfast unbroken, Sister- I am incensed that they might use minds in such a manner."

Chyoode says, "I wonddr how it defines metahumans..."

Bran shurgs, "No idea. But the last one considered me a threat." He pauses and then adds, "Admittedly after I attacked it mentally."

"It also considered my Noble Sister and I 'metahumans'." NNS notes. "Perhaps the Chyoode is also considered one?"

Artemis sighs out at Ascendant's answer, still feeling grief, but relieved there wasn't an innocent killed by her hand.

Having helped lug the trailer to wherever it went, Bullet rocketed straight up for a few minutes. There, she made a phone call. I mean her Dad called while it was going on, and she called him back to explain why she didn't answer and tell him about the day. Well, not the spandex and cape part of it anyway.

But that done, she drops back out of the sky, coming down and almost doing a classic 'superhero landing'. But instead, she stops just off the ground and sets down as gently as if she were stepping out of a car.

Anthem hmmms. "What did the wording say? 'Purity'? That ... sounds unfortunately like a rather narrow-minded organization."

Artemis thinks a moment. "Like the organization named ACE?" she asks.

"Hmmmm...." NNS murmurs in thought. "Purity can mean so much on this world, but I fear Anthem is right- when I hear it most it is tied to foul, impure ideas." He doesn't sound like he likes that a bit.

Chyoode says, "Has anyone tried to identify the person in the picture?"

"Aye, this man has," Artemis points to Bran. She doesn't realize he's a pup perhaps. Or forgot.

Chyoode says, "Any luck?"

Inclining her head, Bullet strides over. For once not moving at superspeed. She speaks up and asks, "What picture?" as she approaches. "Maybe I Can be of -some- assistance?"

Bran nods. "I still have the information from the picture search I did last time here soemplace. Give me a sec..." He starts to go through his PDA to find the information.

Bran reads the information off from his PDA, "The girl in the picture is Michelle LeFarange. Died at the age of 13. She was killed during a fight between a supervillain gang and a superhero team out in California. Just over a year ago."

"The California is far from here." NNS notes in a low rumble.

Chyoode says, "So I'm guessing that some relatives or friends hate metahumans because of this, and is targeting them."

With a shrug, Bullet remarks, "A few minutes at most. Yeah." to NNS. But then she shakes her head sadly, "Thirteen? Do we know any details of the engagement?"

Then she looks to Chyoode, "Yeah. Unfortunately, it's a sad truth that grief can make us blame people who had nothing to do with an issue, for that issue."

Bran shakes hsi head, "All I know is what I read in the news article. And the details are kind of sparse."

"Is it?" Artemis asks Nohrbor, having not seen much of the planet yet. "It seems fitting to travel to this land of California, mayhaps?"

"Far in terms of standard travel, Artemis," says the still-floating Anthem. "A few minutes for those heroes who can cover ground with great rapidity. It's on the other side of this continent."

"Aye. It is no day trip, even for us." NNS agrees.

Chyoode says, "It can be reached by Transmat quickly, too."

Artemis flashes a smile. "Hmm. I have learned something of the transmats here. And mayhaps someone who can tell me of this California," she says.

"California has fantastic beaches. But everyone there seems to think they are better than the rest of the country, just because they live there." offers Bullet. She shrugs, "But if whomever it is, is attacking metahumans here, I'm not sure, other than background.. what there is to be learned in Cali."

Bran nods in agreement with Bullet. "They're not transporting giant robots across country to hit Colonial Bay. This is from someplace local-ish."

"This Californians feel this way becuase there are no Godflora there to rein their dangerous egos in. Seems reason enough to go- let them behold us!" NNS says getting distracted.

Rolling her eyes, Bullet shakes her head, "First of all, get over yourself." she says as she turns to regard NNS. "You're no better than anyone else. That's the whole point of the exercise. Nobody is better than anyone else."

And then she turns to regard Bran, "Do we know any construction technique hallmarks by any chance?"

Chyoode says, "Are there relatives of the dead girl who live locally, say?"

Bran smirks at Bullet's assessment of California. "I thought that's what people in Texas thought. That they were the best." He points to the note inside, "There was a signature of some kind. No idea about like...serial numbers or whatever. I haven't taken too close a look. But I think that's the tech team's first names on the note."

Artemis rubs her chin in thought of the barbs being tossed about.

Chyoode says, "Oh, and what about the truck driver - does he know where he was shipping it from?"

Anthem, still floating a foot or so off the ground (or in this case, off the trailer surface), asides to Artemis, "I tend to think of people as being better or worse due to the decisions they make, but I suppose that's just me. There /is/ a base level of equality, though -- we are all humans. Well, you're not, so ... sapients. Sophonts? There's a word for it. Thinking creatures!!"

Chyoode says, "Anyway - I need to get to class! See you around!"

Artemis looks over to Anthem. "Hmm. And I by their deeds and by their hearts. Where they hail from matters not to me."

Glancing up to Anthem, Bullet shakes her head. "No sentient being is inherently better or worse than any other. You might be more on the path of rigtheousness, but that does not make you a -better- or superior being. It just makes you right. You don't do the right thing because you are better. You do it because it is right."

And then she looks to Artemis, "One's deeds have consequences. If one is willing to pay the price to do the right thing, in the face of adversity, does that make them good, bad, or just tragic?"

"Good, of course," Artemis laughs as if that answer were obvious. "Good and noble."

Anthem starts to open his mouth, but then closes it, looking thoughtful. "That," he says slowly, "sounds like a blend of linguistic hair-splitting and, well, religion. And I suppose what the price and what the right thing is ..." He gestures at the robot's hemisphere. "A value judgement, in many ways. I suspect they think they are doing the right thing." But he does look troubled at Bullet's thoughts.

"And superiority is a literally matter of opinion. You believe yourself superior to another. They believe themselves superior to you." offers Bullet. "Hence, neither is right."

She pauses and inclines her head, looking to Artemis, "Are you superior to me?" She asks.

"I, superior?" Anthem sounds astonished. "I said no such thing -- and believe no such thing. Don't put words in my mouth. You, madamoiselle, are playing very fast and loose with the synonyms, here."

Grinning, Bullet shakes her head, "I know you didn't say such. I believed you to have the same approach is all." She shrugs and smiles. "Please forgive me. I tend to soapbox when I shouldn't."

Bran snorts and moves away from the robot, gettin onto the street again and setting his skateboard down. He says quietly to himself, "The only thing I'm sure of is...I'm not superior to anyone."

Artemis smiles at Bullet's question. "Me thinks thou art fishing for offenses when none were offered," she replies, then steps off the robot and floats to the ground, landing near Bran. Her sharp super hearing catches his words and gives her pause before she walks off. She looks to Bran, confused by his words. "That be not so," she says quietly, privately to Bran. She at least has some sense not to yell this. "Thou hast a keen mind and wit. Thank you for sharing thy insight to help solve what has been done in the name of this girl. Will you accompany us to the land of California to help in this mystery?"

Bran stops, surprised that Artemis heard him - and more importantly came over to talk to him. "Umm...thank you." He pauses as he thinks about it. "I'm not sure goign to California is a good idea. I think these folks are local. The search should be here. But someone could make calls to the west coast to get more details on what happened."

Shaking her head, Bullet sighs, "Sorry folks. I didn't mean to turn this into a lecture. I heard his.." and she gestures in the direction Ascendant departed in, "attitude, and responded. Again, sorry. I'll be around if anyone needs my help with any of this..."

Hearing Bran, she lifts a brow, "I could -be- in California in a few minutes if you need boots on the ground."

Artemis rubs her chin. "Can you use thy smartphone to discover any bonds of kinship between those names of Gerold, Mark, and John, and Michelle LeFarange?" she speaks to Bran as an equal. Or an advisor.

Bran shrugs, "I can try? That'll probably take longer to search, I bet."

Artemis smiles. "T'would be much appreciated. I would owe thee a favor should this lead to justice."

Bran smiles. "I'll do what I can. Thank you for the vote of confidence."