Log:Zero and Associates

2019/12/19 Night Marshal|Carpenter Grimm

1

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Carpenter is again already here in a booth when Grimm arrives. He has a caffienated beverage of some kind in front of him.

Grimm enters on foot. Her mobile order is already waiting at the counter, and she picks it up on the way to his table. "Hey, Jack. So what did you want to talk about?" she asks as she sits across from him.

Carpenter nods. "That photo you posted to HeroNet. I've seen her before." He pulls the photo up on his PDA. "A mutual acquaintance, Night Marshal, has worked with her. She goes by 'Zero'. Another known associate is a woman who goes by 'Mechanica'."

Grimm leans in and looks at the photo. "Yeah, that's the woman I saw in the victim's memories. She seduced the victim and transformed them when they were...indisposed." Grimm shifts uncomfortable at that. "So what's their deal? I haven't met any of those heroes."

Carpenter rubs his chin, "The one I know best is Night Marshal. Kind of a stylized cowboy vigilante. But high tech. He carries some modern gear, but the firearm he carries is an old school six-shooter. Non-lethal rounds. He helped me bust up a Triad bribery plot a few weeks ago. The other two..." He sips his drink, and then smiles and continues, "...I don't know as well. Zero has always seemed kind of seductive, like you mentioned...but I got the impression it was a facade. Another sneaky thief type. Likes to steal from mobsters. Mechanica...is also a vigilante/thief type, but I got the impression she's higher tech than Zero is. Also tries to be seductive or throw in a lot of innuendo to throw people off...and...isn't quite as convincing."

Grimm smirks a bit as she listens to the descriptions. "You probably know every meta in this city, or about them. Even the vigilantes," she chuckles and takes a sip of her latte. "So, seems maybe the seductive trait is still there. So maybe it -is- her and not a shapeshifter wearing her face..."

Carpenter chuckles, "I've read people wrong before, though. So...this is just my intuition that's taking hold. Keep that in mind."

"This Hive Mother doesn't think it's evil. She...they...it...thinks they're saving people. Making them perfect and free of pain and trauma." Grimm then smirks as she adds, "And free will, human thought, etc."

Grimm shrugs. "She didn't seem like the bugs we've seen before. We just know that the Hiver Mother, or one type of its children, looks human, can shapeshift, so maybe it's just something wearing her skin."

Carpenter nods. "If it can alter minds, it can alter personalities."

Grimm frowns and nods slowly. "Potentially. But what it did to the victim was rip apart their mind. There was no finesse there. The best way I could describe it is....shattered. I put together all the pieces I could, but I still couldn't make a full human mind out of that mess." She sighs, disappointed in herself. "Hopefully my ...contact can do the rest. Or she can recover with time and therapy."

Carpenter nods. "Your...contact? Someone I might have heard of?"

Grimm sips her coffee. She's pretty sure Carpenter has as the Cartesian, but that's a secret. One she'll actually respect. "Radical? I don't exactly trust him based on his associates."

Carpenter snaps his fingers, "I know the name. Associated with Miss Steinberg. As well as....the Cartesian?" He rubs his chin, "I helped rescue Miss Steinberg from another dimension and his name came up. I haven't heard anything bad about the guy, other than that he um...has strong feelings about certain topics. Mind control is one thing he's adamant about."

"Mind control? Really?" Grimm makes a mental note of that. "That's the guy. I just don't trust his judgement yet." Grimm may still be sore about her grade in his class, though. F+. It was a rough quarter for her outside of school life.

Carpenter nods. "I guess he felt strongly about how Order played him? That was the impression I got. I'm afraid that's as much as I know about the guy, though. Never met him in person, so I can't get that good a read on him."

"Order...?" Grimm plays dumb. "What's Radical got to do with Order? I thought they only messed with the Cartesian."

Carpenter smirks, "Seriously? I know what his job was prior to this. I don't know who he is, but he hasn't been terribly secretive about his prior associations."

Grimm blushes as her attempt to protect Radical's secret is seen through. "Geez, you read me like a book, Carpenter. I figured he wanted that secret. Guess I was wrong."

Carpenter points at Grimm, "And you're a terrible liar. You know that, right?" He chuckles and sips his drink.

Grimm sinks in her seat and frowns. "Yeah, well...I'll work on that. One of these days I'll get one past you," she grins.

Carpenter smirks, "Maybe you already have, and I don't know?" He sips his drink and watches her closely. Trying to make her slightly uncomfortable...but in a joking manner.

Grimm raises a brow and thinks on that. She can't exactly remember having ever done so. "Nope, I don't think I have." She's pretty certain, or has forgotten. The way he watches her makes her shift like a suspect, making her doubt herself. Maybe she really did once and forgot?

Grimm says, "I mean...you did catch on to my illusion pretty quick. But I haven't tried anything like that since on you."

Carpenter chuckles and relaxes, and the apparent tension drops nearly immediately. "I've still got it, clearly." He smiles and sips his coffee.

"Geez!" Grimm smiles and leans over the table to try and give a playful punch to Carpenter's shoulder. "You're awful!"

Carpenter chuckles. "I don't have any superpowers, but I can make the 'mistress of darkness' feel uncomfortable. That made my day."

"Mistress of Tenebration," Grimm playfully corrects to the title Ebon Star gave her. "Enjoy this day while you can," she chuckles, glad to see he's on the mental mend after what he went through.

He definitely seems like he's much closer to his old self. Not entirely there, but he's close. "So umm...on a different topic, you seem much more rested. I'm glad having to stay over helped."

Grimm blushes a little and sips her drink to cover any awkward behavior. And fails again. "Yeah, thanks again. It really did help. I haven't slept that well in weeks. I really needed that." She lowers her cup and smiles. "I was even able to do my essay in the nick of time with the added brain cells. I'm sorry if I kept you up..."

Carpenter chuckles. "It's okay. I've uh...always been a light sleeper. It's a reflex. I think I'm just kind of a wary person in general. But...I managed to get enough sleep despite you waking me up, so no worries."

"Always sleeping with one eye open, eh?" Gabrielle grins. It makes her think of those noir detectives for some reason. "I'm glad I wasn't too much trouble for you. Thanks again." She leans back and watches him thoughtfully for a moment. "You know what you're missing? A fedora."

Carpenter chuckles. "Only if I want to be a walking cliche. I'm not that fond of hats, to be honest. Especially when I'm working."

He's mostly just trying to make sure that Grimm doesn't draw any connection between him and Night Marshal at this point.

"And that coat doesn't make you one?" Grimm winks. "Just kidding. I like it. Not quite the same as the old one I'm used to, though."

Carpenter chuckles and he looks down at his coat. His voice gets a bit softer as he says, "Yeah, umm...the old one died a glorious death, protecting me from acid splash. I had to replace it. It made me sad to do so, but I need a coat to protect me from the weather while I'm working." He looks up, and the smile returns nearly as quickly as it had disappeared. "And...well, one must move on sometimes, right?"

Grimm raises her coffee cup to salute his old coat. "It was a good coat. An honorable coat. Loyal to the end." Maybe a nice send off will make him feel better. "I think you were wearing that coat ever since we first met. It had a good run." She smiles sympathetically. Maybe she's used to the trenchcoat, too. "If you haven't tossed out the trash yet, I might be able to revive it with a bit of magic." She pinches her fingers together. "It'll only cost you a teensy bit of your soul." She lowers her hand and winks. "I owe you for helping me sleep." She'd have done it even if she didn't owe her. But she likes to tease. Carpenter smiles slightly, "No, it's already gone. Collected as evidence, I'm afraid. I won't be getting it back, and I'm not sure I'd want to at this point. But thank you." He raises his cup as well in a toast, and takes a sip.

Grimm nods at that and sips. "Well, the important thing is -you're- still here. So the city's still safe," she says with uncharacteristic sincerity.

Carpenter laughs, "It will require a lot more than me to keep the city safe. But...I try."

"I don't know anyone else who could face Dr. Destroyer and not flinch," Grimm winks. "Anyway...trying is what matters. And speaking of...I got to try and figure out what is going on with this Zero person. Converted, replaced with a shapeshifter, or gone rogue. I'll let Starguard Gamma know about what you told me. Hopefully the heroes call like I asked rather than try to apprehend her themselves."

Carpenter chuckles. "Well, if they're one constant in this city, it's metas going overboard and being overzealous."

Grimm winces and chews on her lip. "Yeah. I was worried about posting in. It was Radical's suggestion. If I didn't post it, more people could fall victim..." Grimm thinks. o O (I wonder if I did the right thing? Well, if I didn't, I'm sure the Commander will have words with me...)

Carpenter nods. "It was probably the right thing to do, to be honest. It's better than holding back the information. I hope no one gets hurt, but at least people are forewarned."

Grimm nods slowly. "I...guess you're right. I can't predict or control the actions of other metas in the city. I'm hoping a responsbile one or someone from Starguard sees her first."

Carpenter nods. "She'll be able to avoid most of the loose cannons, I suspect." You say, "Anything I should know about her powers if I'm the one stuck facing off against her?"

Carpenter thinks about it. "Some mental powers? I'm not sure of the details on that. Some kind of line gun, for quick climbing and zip lining. Sneaky? A martial artist?"

Carpenter shrugs, "That's about all I know, honestly."

Grimm nods slowly. "Okay. So I better keep my distance. A mentalist, I can handle. But not if they're also kicking me in the face."

Grimm rubs her chin. "I hope I'll have backup..."

Carpenter nods. "The military usually suggests making sure you have three to one odds before attacking. Might want to see if you can do that to make sure no one gets hurt.

Grimm looks surprised by the advice. "Sounds good. Were you in the military?"

Carpenter shakes his head, "Nope. Just watch a lot of the history channel. When they're not showing alien stuff." He chuckles.

Carpenter shrugs, "It came up in this episode about Custer and how he got overwhelmed."

Grimm chuckles. "Ah, gotcha. Well, I'm sure the History channel has its researchers."

Carpenter smiles, "Yeah. Probably? I mean...you would think so."