Thane of Fife
It is a brisk early evening in Manhattan, with the cool November air a reminder that winter is approaching. The city is as bustling as ever, with some people about their day-to-day business, some doing their holiday shopping, and others seeing the sights. Among those sights is  Avengers Mansion  - or, perhaps, the  former  Avengers Mansion, as it has sat empty since the Avengers were disbanded following the Battle of Washington*.

But if Avengers Mansion is now silent, New York City certainly has not fallen silent with it. Indeed, at this very moment, sirens are blaring as police cars race across Manhattan.

At the front of an electronics store, only a few blocks away, a display of televisions in the window has grabbed the attention of a small crowd, including, by pure chance,  Hercules  and  Loki Laufeyson , each of whom had been considering getting dinner at the Chinese restaurant across the street. On the screen is Amelia Blaine, Channel 12 News:

"I'm here outside Werther's Bank, where police say that Max Dillon, the supervillain known as  Electro , has holed himself up with several associates. It is believed that close to two dozen hostages are also being held in the bank. Police have surrounded the building and are currently waiting for Dillon's demands."

Across town, in a small building made up like a private clinic, the masked woman known only as  Night Nurse  is shaking her head at the same news report. "That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Somebody's gotta do something about it. And I guess we better be ready to put them back together after, hmm?" She turns, expecting to see  Sleeper  behind her.

Meanwhile, another figure is already closer to the action than any of these three. About thirty stories up, on top of the building housing Werther's Bank, is a lone man who had been looking for a quiet place to be alone with his thoughts. Unfortunately, with the action below,  Kaine  suddenly finds it not to be such a quiet place after all.

*See Avengers vs X-Men II

 Doom: 2D6 
 
 Spoiler: Administrative 
OOC thread is  here .
 
DammitVictor
It doesn't take Kaine very long to work his way from the rooftops to the ground floor via the building's ventilation system. It takes him a little longer to reconnoiter the hostage situation:  how many henchmen? what kind of weapons? where are the hostages and where are the exits? 

It takes him just a little bit longer than that to seize an opportunity, when the stressed out  failed  armed robber is looking the other way, to drop silently to the floor between two of the hostages. He holds a finger to his lips and looks around to everyone who can see him... and then  punches himself in the mouth , hard enough to draw blood.

 Won't be long until one of Peter's do-gooder friends shows up,  Kaine thinks.  I'll just sit here and make sure it doesn't go pear-shaped before they get here. Just. In. Case. 
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
  On the screen is Amelia Blaine, Channel 12 News:

"I'm here outside Werther's Bank, where police say that Max Dillon, the supervillain known as  Electro , has holed himself up with several associates. It is believed that close to two dozen hostages are also being held in the bank. Police have surrounded the building and are currently waiting for Dillon's demands."

Across town, in a small building made up like a private clinic, the masked woman known only as  Night Nurse  is shaking her head at the same news report. "That sounds like a disaster waiting to happen. Somebody's gotta do something about it. And I guess we better be ready to put them back together after, hmm?" She turns, expecting to see  Sleeper  behind her. 
 

Sleeper was indeed visible (something that couldn’t be taken for granted with the symbiote, but was more often useful than not at the clinic) and at least at the moment of the news report in ‘disguise’ - using Tel-Kar’s face, with only a thin veneer of Sleeper’s own substance to turn the blue Kree’s skin to human Caucasian and mimic human clothes. A few tendrils threaded out from a sleeve and twisted medicine bottles shut as he replied.

“ I replenished the gabapentin and the acetaminophen, ” and then symbiote goo erupted and reformed into a creature that was still bipedal, still had two arms and two eyes, but would  never  be mistaken for human - a pair of vents where the mouth ‘should’ have been, the eyes a bright featureless red, with yellow-green ringing both and splashed liberally around the head and shoulders of a creature that was otherwise the deepest black, a few small tendrils reaching out from the main body to test the air. “  I’ll go take a look.  ” And with that the entire monstrosity faded out of sight, followed a moment later by the clinic door opening and closing, seemingly of its own accord.

Something to do! Sleeper had been getting  very  frustrated; after that disastrous assault on the cartel base the leads on the higher-ranking members had dried up, leaving only the dregs of the organization for Sleeper to track down.

Sleeper remained invisible as he arrived at the scene of the crime-in-progress, and did his best to stick to buildings over the heads of the gathered police, where he could see the bank over the crowd and was also unlikely to have someone accidentally run into him. He kept his senses tuned for Dillon, while also looking for ways into the building - plus anything in the way of vents or holes he could use to pump in sleep gas.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Did Sleeper see Kaine go in?

Also keeping in mind symbiote racial memory, does Sleeper ‘remember’ anything about Electro from Spider-man and/or Venom?
 
Plaids
The crowd begins staring at the televisions, displacing their attention from the impressive man standing hand and shoulders above along with his juvenile companion to observe the active crime scene.

Hercules' attention shifts too, not long enough to gawk or passively but long enough to diagnose a classic heist spearheaded by a supervillain ringleader. He hurriedly jostles Loki aside from the crowd to share his plan in confidence with the diminutive Asgardian.

  By Zeus's thunder Loki, do you know what this is Loki? The fates have given us an opportunity. Though you have proven yourself to the Asgardians. The trust of the magnanimous people of earth has eluded you. Until today. Come, let us show Spiderman's old ne'er-do-well the bite of the Lion of Olympus and the Trickster of Asgard.  
Preparing to advance towards the bank in long strides Hercules anticipates the upcoming adversary.

A career thief with gauntlets generating forceful waves. A pale imitation Zeus's thunder but plenty capable collateral damage. Quite troublesome, with the buildings of this age being so much larger. Best to listen to what Loki may suggest. The regressed Asgardian would have to make contributions too to receive a share of the glory and Thor's trust would not be betrayed by the champion of Olympus.

 
 Spoiler: OOC: General Plan 
 I'm thinking of having Hercules make a big public display to capture the attention of the Shocker and his henchmen. Maybe have Hercules call Shocker out by directly challenging him. I'm open to other ideas especially if it would also use Loki's strengths.
 
Lexiconjurer
The juvenile God of Mischief is only half paying attention to the televisions and the mortal herald being broadcasted. His attention is primarily upon his phone, a quaint but oddly enthralling invention of Midgard. A scrying window, messenger, library, and more all at his fingertips. While sorcery could achieve many of the same things, it lacks much of the convenience that this purportedly 'intelligent' telephone possesses.

Loki is in the midst of taking what the mortals call a 'selfie', a portrait to be shared across their internet for all to see, when he finds himself being jostled by the oafish Olympian he had decided to spend his supper with. The picture is taken, a blurry photo of the diminutive Asgardian Prince bouncing off the massive frame of Hercules, accompanied by the text: #GloriousPurpose.

Loki scowls, regarding his fellow god dubiously.  "The kingdom of New York is rife with the mortal heroes. Thou dost suggest we spend the evening with this knave of Midgard rather than partaking in the feast at the Palace of Dim Sum?" 

He regards his phone again, brow furrowing as he sees the mocking replies to his unintentional post. Perhaps those who saw him as a rapscallion would do otherwise when he helped to apprehend one of the mortal villains. With a sigh, Loki follows after Hercules.  "If this rogue of the jabbering Arachnid prevents us from having dinner, I shall be most vexed." 
Thane of Fife
 Hercules  and  Loki  are the first to arrive at the scene (at least, outside the building), where they find a cordon of police around the entrance to the building. One officer, a slightly overweight captain, sees their approach and jogs over.

"Oh man am I glad to see you, Hercules." He casts an uncertain look toward Loki but doesn't say anything. "I don't think we've got enough firepower to keep Electro from just blasting his way out of there. He let most of the people who were in the bank go, but questioning some of them, they say there are still a bunch of hostages and maybe a half dozen men beside Electro himself."

Suddenly, reporter Amelia Blaine pushes herself into the conversation and puts a microphone in Hercules' face (she has to stretch a bit). Shining her bright smile at him, she asks, "Hercules, what's your plan to defeat Electro and rescue-"

Before she can finish her question, the officer gently pushes her away. "Sorry, ma'am, but this is police business."


Across the street from the building, and a few stories up,  Sleeper  is clinging to the wall, invisible. He can see Hercules and Loki on the ground below, though he probably doesn't recognize them. As far as entrances to the building go, the windows on the lower levels are barred, but Sleeper could probably slip in through a window a few stories up without any difficulty. Frankly, from up here, he could probably just jump over the police officers' heads and run in the front door.


Inside the building,  Kaine  makes his way easily to the ground floor. Looking down into the bank lobby from the ducts, he can see a crowd of hostages - mostly bank employees - along one of the walls. Scattered about the lobby, but keeping away from the windows, are five men with firearms - a mix of shotguns and Uzis. They seem to have skipped normal bank robber -chic in favor of outfits similar to Electro's costume, supplemented with gas masks.

There's the obvious main exit from the bank, as well as exits to the bank offices and down to the vault.

Kaine, of course, hasn't seen the news bulletin, but his spider-sense is warning him nonetheless that there's something here more dangerous than just five men with guns. In case their odd fashion choices weren't clue enough.

 Doom: 2D6 
DammitVictor
Kaine surveyed the situation thoughtfully. He'd  planned  to position himself amongst the hostages, posing as a bank customer... but he couldn't hope to pass himself off as one of the bank employees. The ridiculous costumes told Kaine immediately who the robbers were working for, and the release of the hostages and the gas masks told him that they were looking for something specific. None of it, unfortunately, told him where Dillon was hiding or what he was up to.

  Not like I care,   Kaine thought.   As long as these idiots mind their manners.  

Kaine nestled himself in a corner of the lobby, on the ceiling and behind a pillar, where he could watch the criminals. ( Create an Asset:   Lying in Wait  10/d8)
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper made note of the earlier arrivals, he thought he remembered seeing the big one in clips from the Washington fiasco…was that Thor?

But it seemed the reporter was making a nuisance of herself, and her voice carried:


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "Hercules, what's your plan to defeat Electro and rescue-" 
 

Hercules then. Sleeper wasn’t sure it mattered, and the chatter below was already stirring  bad  memories of M’lanz bickering with his human father while Tel-Kar got farther and farther away with his abducted Klyntar parent. But this time Sleeper didn’t have to wait for anyone else in order to act, so he didn’t.

Sleeper thought he ought to do something about the hostages first, unless a truly  spectacular  opportunity presented itself. The front door was closed, and had lots of armed eyes watching it: if he went in that way, someone would notice, and possibly start shooting. The windows on the lowest floor were too heavily fortified to be useful. Maybe he could smash his way out through one if things went sideways, but they would not be useful for sneaking in. The upper windows were less protected; that seemed like the best way in.

Sleeper stealthily made his way across to the bank building and located a suitable window, out of direct sight of the police cordon. The interior was dark; to some degree he’d have to trust the early evening gloom to hide what he was doing from those inside, because he couldn’t tell if anyone was watching this particular window and might see it open on its own. But there was one precaution he  could  take: he sprayed a tiny stream of lubricant around it to cut down on the noise before he opened it.

Once that was done he slipped inside.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I guess this is where I roll dice.
 
Plaids
Hercules spares a glance at the reporter who had been abruptly ushered aside. Such an eager herald was simply trying to fullfill the insatiable appetite of the populace of the magnificent city state of New York for all things Hercules. She would get an interview in time.

"I trust you will thou will bring thine own gifts and boons to bear Loki. Now you will see how the Titans weren't felled with just indomitable strength." Hercules smirks encouragingly to Loki as proceeds forwards to the police barricade. Gesturing to an officer he procures his megaphone; the device was familiar enough speak through one end and a voice came out louder on the other.

"Shocker! I have borne witness to the discord your heist has induced. I you a challenge, a fair wager. Confront the  Lion of Olympus , defeat me and I assure you will depart unimpeded. A fair contest for someone with mastery tremors worthy of Poseidon's earthquakes and the ingenuity to harry and befuddle the nimble Spiderman. Unlike the counterfeit static bolt  Electro🤣 . Cravenly colluding with near dozen a thief to commit miniscule burglaries. I have prepared myself to face the most prodigious foes and eagerly await the challenge of the most prodigious foe of Spiderman."

 
 Spoiler: Action Plan 
 Change of plans, I will try to have Hercules impose an 'afraid' condition on Shocker. I think the roll will be
affiliation buddy d10
1d8 maybe glory and honor
 
DammitVictor
The armed robbers don't say anything, but Kaine doesn't need them to; the sudden tension in their postures, the tightening of fingers on triggers, wary glances from the front door to the cowering civilians.

  Ah, well  , he thinks.   A guy could hope.  

He flicks his wrists at two of the robbers, sets his feet, and lets fly with two lines of his organic webbing. They connect with a soft   splut   on the backs of the robbers' gas masks, and Kaine  yanks  them with all of his strength into the walls behind him.

 OOC:  Attack on Mob 3d6. 20/1d8+1d8
Lexiconjurer
 "Please excuse me, Herald. I must borrow thy voice amplifier."  Loki adresses to the Newswoman, moving to speak into her microphone. He clears his throat and begins, his young voice full of contempt,  "I am Loki of Asgard! And I am burdened with  inglorious  purpose on this night! It had been our intention to enjoy a meal at one of thy many feast halls, but this jackanape, this jester of jolts, has seen fit in his infinite foolishness to cause unwarranted chaos. Come forth and test thy meager might against a real god. Let us end this, lest the buffoonish Spider-Man arrive to embarrass thee again." 
Thane of Fife
As  Sleeper  slips in through an upper window, and as  Kaine  begins picking off Electro's goons,  Electro  himself emerges from the stairs leading down toward the vault, along with two more thugs. The two men are carrying big sacks of money, but Electro is carrying something that looks kind of like a briefcase in size and shape, except that it has a row of blue lights lit up along the top of it, and printed on the side are the words STARK HYPERCELL BATTERY.

Electro does not look happy, and the lights in the bank flicker as he comes up into the main lobby of the building.

"Hey, boss," says one of the men as he comes up. "Did you hear-"

"Yes," growls Electro. Then he looks toward the hostages. "Well, I guess this is why you're here." One of the security guards among the hostages stands up and approaches him to the protests of the other hostages. But one of the bank robbers approaches and offers him a brown sack, rather than the expected threats or violence.

The guard turns toward the other hostages. "And now, cretins, witness the greatest spectacle of your lives!" Reaching up, he pulls his own head off, then reaches into the sack and withdraws a crystal ball. He sets it on his shoulders and strips off his guard uniform in favor of the green bodysuit under it, revealing himself to be  Mysterio .

A moment later, Electro appears from the front door of the bank. "Tough words! But you're no match for Electro!" He hurls a lightning bolt at Hercules. Moments after that, the street erupts suddenly into chaos, as seemingly hundreds more thugs appear in the windows of the buildings around the police cordon and open fire. The real goons, still in the bank, merely take their opportunity to add to the chaos.

 Doom: 5D6, 1D8 
DammitVictor
Kaine stepped around the decorative marble pillar with his hands raised to about shoulder height.   "Beck, yo, Beck! Cease fire a sec, man, you and me gotta talk. We gotta problem, here."   Raising his arms allowed his coat to fall open, revealing a dingy flannel shirt and a distinctive red tee with a simple slogan:  "MAGNETO WAS RIGHT" .

He waited for Mysterio to respond, or to at least show some acknowledgement.   Can't let them kill the hostages, but if I start swinging now, there's gonna be casualties.   Of its own accord, his right leg started bouncing nervously, jangling the honest-to-god sterling silver spurs on his snakeskin riding boot.

Kaine smiled to try to show his good faith; the final effect was...  ghoulish , to say the least.
Plaids
Hercules flashes a swaggering grin display brilliantly white ivory teeth to Electro and the onlookers.
"Not who challenger I sought but"
Vengeful lightning was the first sign that Electro wasn't interested in bantering any further. Acting quickly from experience from previous battles Hercules swiftly wrestles the front tires from the nearest police vehicle and wedging his forearms along their circumference.

"Worry not magistrates, I have become accustomed to besting the sting of lightning. Not that Thor will ever"
He pauses as second figure emerges and reveals himself and begins weaving some contemporary sorcery.

"No, must focus."
The Olympian looks to Amelia Lane and her crew. Scrambling for cover as unkind forces assaulted the city threating to render it askew.

" Please, Megra.  "
He visualizes a woman in violet robes framed by a marble column as a wave of vertigo comes over the demigod.
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine stepped around the decorative marble pillar with his hands raised to about shoulder height.   "Beck, yo, Beck! Cease fire a sec, man, you and me gotta talk. We gotta problem, here."   Raising his arms allowed his coat to fall open, revealing a dingy flannel shirt and a distinctive red tee with a simple slogan:  "MAGNETO WAS RIGHT" .

He waited for Mysterio to respond, or to at least show some acknowledgement. 
 

Mysterio whirls toward Kaine. Seeing him, he raises one hand to point dramatically in Kaine's direction. "Kaine," acknowledges Mysterio, "I do not know what brings you back to New York, but I advise you not to stand in our way." Some of the remaining thugs turn to see who he's talking to.
DammitVictor
 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 Mysterio whirls toward Kaine. Seeing him, he raises one hand to point dramatically in Kaine's direction. "Kaine," acknowledges Mysterio, "I do not know what brings you back to New York, but I advise you not to stand in our way." Some of the remaining thugs turn to see who he's talking to. 
 

  "Nah, if I was getting paid for that-- well, you know who I am, you know how that ends."   Kaine offers a half-apologetic shrug.   "Nah.  My client , she's only interested in one of your hostages. You might call it  a vested interest , you get me? She's had me sitting on this bank since you been planning this thing. Thought it was gonna be  easy money  until Bullfinch's Mythology showed up out front."  
  "So,  anyways , here's what I'm thinking. You go out the front door and help Dillon resolve his little  'crisis of faith' , I go out the back door with the hostages-- make it look like a rescue-- and everyone gets what they want. Call it a 'professional courtesy', if you like, and I tell my client you're a regular pair of gentlemen."  

Kaine stands there, hands at his sides, like he's haggling over bootleg DVDs in front of Rockefeller Center.

 edit:    Create an Asset:    Undivided Attention  10/d8, 1 potential Opportunity)
Lexiconjurer
Loki starts to take cover as the veritable army of weapon wielding thugs appear in the windows, but something about it gives the young Asgardian pause. It takes a moment, but then it clicks: they're illusions. The juvenile god of mischief smirks as he crouches out of view, weaving a spell. If these mortals wish to test their skill at legerdemain with him, then Loki will oblige.

From around a nearby building swings a figure familiar to the people of Midgard, clad in red and blue spandex with a web-like pattern across it. The Spider-Man, or rather a complex illusion of the meddling arachnid. Loki focuses, straining his sorcerous talents to their limit, having to compensate for the lights, the shadows, and all the subtle interactions involved. Swinging on a line of webbing, the image of Spider-Man calls out,  "Hey, Fish Bowl Head! Is it just you and Sparky? Lemme guess, the rest of the Sinister Six were busy washing their hair tonight? Or are you going for a partnership thing? The Tantruming Two? The Dimwitted Duo? Just doesn't have the same ring to it, does it?" 
 Creating  Meddling Illusory Arachnid  Complication with total of 14 and effect die of d10 
Thane of Fife
The plaza, already confused, gets even more chaotic as Electro begins throwing lightning. A police car explodes as it takes a lightning bolt, sending officers diving for cover. Electro prepares to send his next bolt at the news van, but before he can, Hercules has crossed the plaza and pounds him with a tire-clad arm. There's a huge arc flash and the smell of ozone and Electro goes flying through one of the plate glass windows back into the bank.

The (real) thugs still in the bank open up with their uzis on the Olympian.

Also in the bank, Sleeper, first invisible, and then in the guise of Sue Storm, lowers himself down to the hostages. Working to free them, he sets off an explosive booby trap, though fortunately(?) he absorbs most of the blast, sparing the hostages.

Mysterio, alerted by the explosion, spins about to see Sue Storm. This might present Kaine a fine opportunity, but it's at this time that Electro is thrown in through the window. He stands up, furious, and starts throwing lightning at the first unfamiliar person he sees - in this case, that's Kaine. "This place isn't gonna have two bricks left together when I'm done with it!"

At this point, Loki's illusory Spider-Man shows up, drawing Mysterio's attention away from Sleeper. "Is there no peace from that meddling arachnid?" Smoke begins rapild filling the bank as Mysterio's smoke generators kick on.

 Doom: 2D6, 3D8 
Electro: D10 Physical Stress, D8 Emotional Stress
Mysterio: D10 Meddling Illusory Arachnid Complication
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Just in case I need to post a reminder, this is me getting caught up from last round.
 


Sleeper caught sight of the gas masks before Electro’s arrival, and while slightly annoyed he also mentally congratulated himself - clearly he was moving up in the superhero world, if the supervillains were  already  taking steps to protect their lackeys from his powers.

Wait, something was happening down below. Oh, the masks were just for Mysterio, and whatever smoke-and-mirrors trickery he was up to today.

Sleeper sulked internally while he spun a webline from the window to a spot outside the growing chaos on the ground, for the hostages to climb down later. Sleeper ignored the illusionary grunts outside - if they’d  actually  been there hiding invisibly the whole time, he’d have seen them on the way in and anyway, if the pair of super villains could afford to hire  that  many goons they wouldn’t have needed to rob the bank.

There, that should do it. One last thing before he slipped down - it was likely that the hostages would panic if he just snatched them invisibly, possibly driving them to do something stupid, or at the very least drawing attention back to them when they needed to remain quiet and unobtrusive until Sleeper could get them out. He should probably make contact first, but the general reception to his species turning up tended to result in the screaming and panic Sleeper wanted to avoid.

So he needed a disguise.

He rearranged his substance to resemble Sue Storm: she was a known hero, and had invisibility powers of her own, which ought to cut down on unnecessary questions along the lines of ‘who are you and how did you get in here’. Of course Sue was shorter and had less mass than Tel-Kar…Sleeper hid the difference by making an environmental suit in place of the usual skin-tight outfit, but kept the usual Fantastic 4 color scheme and branding. Sleeper wasn’t  exceptionally  familiar with their extraterrestrial or extradimentional gear, but figured odds were good neither were the hostages. And it didn’t really  matter  if it wasn’t a perfect facsimile - he didn’t need to pass himself off as Sue beyond communicating that he was here to help.

Sleeper climbed down the wall and took cover behind a pillar out of sight of Mysterio and the goons, but positioned himself so he’d be visible to the hostages if he were visible. The fight outside was gaining momentum judging by the noise, and Sleeper took a moment to take stock of the situation - was that Kaine? - Sleeper had some recollections of him inherited from Venom, of fights that had occurred with Parker before the latter had bonded with his parent, but nothing recent. Venom had never crossed paths with the man.* Kaine and Mysterio were chatting like old co-workers, but Sleeper doubted Mysterio or Electro had been the ones to knock around their own hired guns, so whose side was he on???

…Never mind. Sleeper could use the time they were chatting to get the hostages out. He phased his face - Sue’s face - and one hand into visibility, tried to catch the eyes of some of the hostages, and held a finger up to Sue’s lips to indicate silence.

Once that was accomplished Sleeper faded back out of sight and slipped over. There was a moment or two of the hostages’ bonds seeming to undo themselves - one bit of rope was being stubborn and Sleeper snapped it impatiently -

- then he had a split second to note the taste of combustibles and the shining bit of wire among the rope and realize  that was an explosive. 

Fortunately for the civilians, his reaction time was  excellent.  Sleeper reflexively covered the nearest hostages.

  BOOM.  

Sleeper clamped down the urge to scream; that had  hurt . Night Nurse was going to be giving him grief for that…

But the hostages seemed to be uninjured, so good enough for now.

Unfortunately, he seemed to have grabbed a bit of attention with that. And he was covered with dust and bits of shrapnel from the blast, outlining him and making the embossed ‘4’ on his phony environmental suit stand out briefly.

Sleeper absorbed the dust and dirt, fading out of sight again as Electro unceremoniously reentered the building. An especially sharp eye** might have also noticed the dusty outline of an invisible tendril plucking one of the larger splinters out of the ‘environment suit.’

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

*DammitVictor if I got the history wrong let me know and I’ll edit!
** Superhumanly  sharp, one could say.

Physical Stress: D8
Plot Points: 2
Assets: None
 
Plaids
Hercules Action 3
Hercules stumbles forward shaking his head to abate the vertigo and splitting headache imposed by the duplicitous Mysterio's illusions.
Stumbling forwards he enters a gait of an Olympic athlete, befitting an Olympian like himself, in pursuit of Electro and Mysterio.

The concrete sidewalks quake and the remaining glass windows shudder as upon Hercule's approach.
  Such callous villains they took everything from me! Then they relegated me to subservient bondage. Spiderman, together we will rend them to pieces!   

As a hail gunfire greets Hercules the modern projectiles fail to register as bullets in his dazed state. Instead, a lurid scene of metallic beaks and feathers projects itself to scene.   You wretched birds. I'll twist all you necks again if I have to!  
 
 Spoiler: OOC Planned Dice Rolls 
 
 One affiliation___________________________________- 1d10 buddy affiliation. Either with loki outside the building or with sleeper insider the lobby 
 Up to one relevant distinction______________________- 1d8 glory and honor 
 Up to one relevant power from each of your power sets_- None 
 Up to one specialty_______________________________- Menace Expert D8 
 Up to one complication or stress die from your target___- NA? 
 Up to one asset_________________________________- None 
 Up to one push die, stunt, or resource_______________- 1d6 from pushing with a plot point 
 
Attempting to impose an 'afraid' complication on the henchmen.
Using one plot point to make the asset last the rest of the scene.
 

 
 Spoiler: Hercules Status 
Stress: 1 Mental Stress
Complication: D12 Mass Confusion
Assets: None
Plot Points: 1 start + 1 taunting electro +1 resist electroshock attack + 1 resisting Mysterio's illusory confusion +1 physically attacking electro.
Soon -2 plot points.
XP: 1/10
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper was reasonably sure he’d been spotted. His first instinct was to rip the throat out of whichever  stupid  supervillain had blown his carefully-fostered stealth with that trap, but then Night Nurse would give him a  look  when he got back to the clinic, and Daredevil would judge, and while Sleeper was adamant that he didn’t  need  either of them they  were  useful, and if not friends then at least friend ly , and the same mental calculations that had determined that Tel-Kar was more useful alive than dead despite his attempted crimes justifying the latter also determined that it wasn’t worth burning those bridges, at least not yet.

Also, there were still hostages to escort out, hostages which some  braindead supervillain  had  idiotically  decided it was perfectly acceptable to blow to bits if, for example, one of the henchmen had been clumsy with the ropes.

But Mysterio had just given him a wonderful gift in the form of a chemical reaction generating lots of smoke. Sleeper was perfectly pleased to commandeer that, and used his chemokinesis to tweak the reaction so that the smoke cleared around the two supervillains (Sleeper was giving Kaine the benefit of the doubt – certainly Electro seemed to think he was an enemy) and hid the hostages from view.

“  Hold hands, move quietly and follow my voice.  ” He started shepherding them to the most accessible unguarded exit.

Or tried to, anyway. “   Why are you not moving?!   ”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

My thought was they’re just too terrified to move with the fighting being basically on top of them, but I don’t think I’m allowed to control the hostages’ reaction.

Physical Stress: D8
Plot Points: 3
Assets: None
 
Thane of Fife
The thugs' bullets bounce off of the Olympian as he approaches, and it's too much for them - the goons throw down their weapons as  Hercules  enters the bank, and flee right out behind him into the arms of the police.

Meanwhile,  Mysterio's  cloud of smoke seems to swell out of his control to encompass the hostages as Sleeper manipulates it with his chemokinesis. The cover does not seem to incentivize the hostages to get moving though. If anything, they seem more confused. Perhaps it's the loss of vision, or perhaps Mysterio's smoke has a touch of hallucinogens mixed in.

 Kaine  leaps into the cloud of smoke to dodge  Electro's  lightning. He aims for the shadowy figure of Mysterio as he dives through, and tackles him into the fountain in the center of the bank. But when he pulls the man out of the water, it's not Mysterio in his hands but one of the tellers from the bank.

To  Sleeper , it looks like Kaine tackled the man into the fountain deliberately. In any case, no one has much time to think things over, because as soon as Kaine emerges from the smoke cloud, Electro has another lightning bolt coming his way!

 Doom: 4D6, 2D8 
Electro: D10 Physical Stress, D8 Emotional Stress
Mysterio: D10 Meddling Illusory Arachnid Complication
Plaids
 Loki 

Seeing Hercules barrel forward and pummeling the bank's door Loki slinks behind the stampeding demigod towards the fray.
He see's the billowing green mist surrounding Mysterio and sneers in disdain at the man attempting imitate his domain. He speaks to himself attempting to find what motivates himself most, repaying all the ungracious slights hurled from those conceited abusers.

"Bluntly wielding illusions to have your way? I will show you your better."
This wouldn't be too difficult he had seen the japering spider jester enough on the glass framed scryers. A bit of bravado and wit coalescing from small fingertips.
Kareeah_Indaga
The nearest hostage’s eyes were looking straight through Sleeper. “Oh no,  Joel! ”

Sleeper glanced in that direction just in time to see Kaine tackle an indistinct figure into the fountain, and there was movement – blows landing, the smoke in the area had cleared enough for Sleeper to see a broken nose and splatters of blood on someone who clearly  wasn’t  one of the supervillains –

And then there was a blur of red and blue overhead, which vanished as quickly as it appeared. “ You know, Beck, you should really lay off the smoke, it does a number on your lungs! ”

And during the momentary distraction one of the pummeling ‘arms’ clipped right through the hostage’s body like it wasn’t there.

Because of course it  wasn’t . One of Beck’s usual tricks. Sleeper was losing patience; clearly the illusionist supervillain was going to make himself an annoyance until he was dealt with. He strode towards Mysterio with hostile purpose and snatched at the supervillain’s legs, intending to send him flying into Electro.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

18/d8 with one potential hitch for the Watcher. Spending a Plot Point to hit both Mysterio and Electro.

 Sleeper’s Status: 
Physical Stress: D8
Plot Points:  3  2
Assets: None
 
Thane of Fife
"Don't you dare turn your back on me!" snarls Electro, hurling a lightning bolt at Hercules as the Olympian works to evacuate the hostages.

Meanwhile, Kaine webs the hostage he was holding to the ceiling - up and out of the way. Sleeper grabs for Mysterio, but only manages to trip him, sending Quentin Beck sprawling across the bank floor. Mysterio scrambles backwards away from Sleeper between glances at the illusory Spider-Man, then points up over his shoulder - "Shouldn't you be worrying about  them  instead of me?"

Behind Sleeper and Kaine, a stray lightning bolt from Electro has hit the ceiling above some of the remaining hostages, threatening to collapse on them. Or  has it ? Maybe it's just another of Mysterio's illusions?

 Doom: 4D6, 1D8 
Electro: D10 Physical Stress, D8 Emotional Stress
Mysterio: D10 Meddling Illusory Arachnid Complication
Plaids
  Before the electric shock released  

Cutting through the smoke Hercules hefts a large bench and gingerly sets it down before a group of fearful hostages.
   Fear not citizens. Your escape and providence have arrived.    
He gently guides as many hostages as possible to the bench before the remaining ones disappear in the thick haze dodging debris and superpowers.
Unable to help any more hostages Hercules gives a swift kick to the bench. The elegant filigree imbeds further into the furniture and the wood splinters over the concrete as the bench careens toward the police barricades.
Plaids
Treacherous green mist continues to unfurl obscuring the landscape and combatants within. A lightning bolt flies from the mist spooling around Hercules before violently rebounding into and blackening a wall. Bodies fly in and out view as they dart through the wafting clouds of mist. Each brief potential sighting of an adversary growing more tantalizing than the last.
   I tire of this. Allow me to bereave thine self of this contemptible mist!    
Hercules loosens his core to extend to his arms in preparation for a titanic thunderclap.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper flinched at the loud thunderclap - if that had been aimed at him it could have done real damage. As it was, the half-dressed muscle man  probably  got a glimpse of red eyes and blackened skin before Sleeper managed to reconstitute both levels of his disguise.

But he wasn’t worried about that now. The prey was on the ropes!


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "Shouldn't you be worrying about  them  instead of me?" 
 

Beck struck Sleeper as just a little  too  desperate for that to be believable…but he could play along.

Sleeper pretended to look over his shoulder…and then dropped before the man in the globe could react. Then he turned the momentum into a kick in Mysterio’s direction.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 

 Sleeper’s Status: 
Physical Stress: D8
Plot Points:  2  1
Assets: None
 


The kick landed with a satisfying amount of force, sending Beck flying and screaming into Electro. There was a  crash  that echoed around the ruined lobby before both supervillains hit the ground and slid several paces. Sleeper slipped forward, ready to administer another beating if necessary, but neither moved afterwards.

Once he was certain they were definitely  not  getting up any time soon, Sleeper straightened up and faded into visibility, muttering to himself. “  I don’t know why Spider-man has so much trouble with these two,  ” He waved the remaining hostages in the direction of the exits.

Now that the fight was over, the injuries he’d sustained from the earlier explosion were starting to make themselves felt, and he was getting hungry as a result. Maybe when he got back to the clinic he could convince Night Nurse to break out the chocolate bars instead of the phenethylamine tablets…
DammitVictor
As the mists recede, Kaine comes flying out of them, howling in bloodthirsty rage, in the direction of nobody in particular. Whomever he's fighting must count themselves truly lucky that they do not exist. His sunglasses have gone missing, and his eyes-- the human one and the other one-- are wild and darting.

He skids to a stop and looks from Sleeper to Hercules and back again. He looks at Beck and Dillon, piled where they fell.

  "Excuse me, Susan. Hercules."    He grabs the unconscious would-be bank robbers by the ankles and drags them to the spot underneath where the bank manager is webbed to the ceiling.   "Just in case, y'know?"

"So, uh, I should make myself scarce before the police get brave enough to come in. Welcome back to Earth? I'd take it as a kindness if you didn't tell anyone I was here. I'm not here to bother the Spider any more, so I don't want him to bother me."  
Plaids
With Mysterio and Electro subdued Hercules gently kneels, descending to the eye level of the hostages and offers an outstretched hand. An attractive woman accepts, gingerly standing before briskly walking towards the rapidly dissolving police barricade. Her relieved voice pairs with a distraught inquiry emitting from her flip phone.  Are you all right! Dear god, I never should have let my schedule slip. Please     " I'm all right, some superheroes, the Invisible Woman, Doc Samson, and Moon Knight arrived just in time. Tell Thomas I will be back soon. 

Hercules disappointment is curbed as he replies to Kaine.
  Thine aid is appreciated dark spider. Spider man will be none the wiser to thine presence in the city. Thou art welcome
 to the Lion's Chorus brewery in the heart of Greek town. Whence thou may procure drink and be regaled with tales of my recent time in "space".

The invitation extends to you too Susan Storm.
 
Hercules brilliantly smiles, refraining from kissing her hand, as he extends his invitation to the fellow hero [Sleeper].
Loki views the interaction distanced from the spigot of merriment, invitation, and distraction.
Thane of Fife
Most of the hostages make quickly for the door, though there are smiles for all four heroes (more for Hercules and "Sue" than Loki and Kaine). One woman tugs on her husband's shirt sleeve and gestures to Kaine and the bank manager:

"Maybe now you'll stop listening to that Jameson character. See, he's just like Spider-Man!"

Outside, the police are receiving the hostages, but some of them (and the news crew) are approaching the bank as Loki gestures that it's safe.
DammitVictor
  "..."  

Kaine watches the couple go, and turns to "Sue" just in time to see the news cameras at the front entrance.

  "I think that's my cue. I'll see you when I see you."  

And with that, Kaine tries to leave the way he came, but ...
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper watched Kaine break out of his fit very carefully in case the latter showed any signs of needing to be sprayed with a hefty dose of sedative.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "So, uh, I should make myself scarce before the police get brave enough to come in. Welcome back to Earth? I'd take it as a kindness if you didn't tell anyone I was here. I'm not here to bother the Spider any more, so I don't want him to bother me."   
 

“ As long as you aren’t causing trouble, I can agree not to tell Spider-man— ” Of course, if Kaine  did  start causing trouble Sleeper  still  probably wouldn’t bother to tell Spider-man, he'd just go after Kaine directly and start biting off limbs until Kaine  stopped  causing trouble – oh Sleeper was  definitely  getting hungry if eating limbs was starting to sound like a good idea… “ —but as for him not finding out, I think it’s a little too late for that, ” Sleeper gestured in the direction of the oncoming press “ Channel 12 has been outside since before the fight broke out and they’re on a live feed. ” And with at least one of the hostages having also recognized Kaine, Sleeper gave it less than an hour before that particular news was all over New York. If it took Parker more than a day to find out, it would only be because he’d gotten himself injured patrolling and hadn’t had time to watch the news.


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   Thine aid is appreciated dark spider. Spider man will be none the wiser to thine presence in the city. Thou art welcome to the Lion's Chorus brewery in the heart of Greek town. Whence thou may procure drink and be regaled with tales of my recent time in "space".

The invitation extends to you too Susan Storm.   
 

“ I can’t make any promises, but even if I can’t get Reed out of the laboratory for a visit I’m sure I’ll be dragging Johnny out by the end of the week, ” Sleeper lied, trying to remember if Kaine had any lie-detection powers and just hoping Hercules didn’t. But he was completely sincere when he added, “ I’m just glad I could help. ”


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "I think that's my cue. I'll see you when I see you."   
 

Sleeper made a throat-clearing noise. “ Were you planning on retrieving that gentleman from the ceiling first? ” He indicated the hostage still webbed to the ceiling.

Sleeper was fairly sure he could fudge a gizmo in the ‘environment suit’ to do it himself, though Sleeper  also  ought to be taking off before his disguise came under too much scrutiny…
DammitVictor
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ As long as you aren’t causing trouble, I can agree not to tell Spider-man— ” [...] “ —but as for him not finding out, I think it’s a little too late for that, ” Sleeper gestured in the direction of the oncoming press “ Channel 12 has been outside since before the fight broke out and they’re on a live feed. ” 
 

  " Son of a-- "   Kaine bares his fangs and for an instant looks like  he might either attack the news crew or bolt for the door.   Nothing you can do about it now, jackass. Pete's the least of your worries.     "I can't stick around for the press. It's complicated. Cover for me?"  

 Sleeper made a throat-clearing noise. “ Were you planning on retrieving that gentleman from the ceiling first? ” He indicated the hostage still webbed to the ceiling.

Sleeper was fairly sure he could fudge a gizmo in the ‘environment suit’ to do it himself, though Sleeper  also  ought to be taking off before his disguise came under too much scrutiny… 

  "Uhh... no. Not really.  About an hour until the adhesive starts  to break down. Ask the fire department for a blanket? Anyway, catch up with you over one of Herc's beers?"  

Kaine turns his collar up to hide his face from the news cameras and vanished through the bank's ventilation system. With any luck, Channel 12 hadn't caught a better likeness of him than SHIELD had ever managed to.   Careless, stupid, sloppy,   he berated himself.   But at least nobody died, and Pete's goody-goody friends didn't kick my teeth in.  
Plaids
With Kaine leaping into the ventilation shafts he soon melded into the shadows. The dark spider leaving little indication of whether he left Hercules field of view or if the shadows had enveloped him first.

  Such a disservice to thine self, abstaining from the admiration rightfully earned through civil service.
Well Sue, we need not eulogize his commendations.
 
He steps towards the news crew projecting his voice to capture their attention of the receptive crew.

   Mysterio and Electro have been subdued with the combined efforts of the Invisible Woman, Loki, and the Lion of Olympus. Our accounts are yours to harvest and burnish with your journalistic acumen.  
 
He sweeps an arm backwards as if sweeping away a curtain to reveal "Susan Storm" and Loki.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper expelled his best cleaning-up-after-the-younger-sibling sigh. “ I might have a grappling hook in this thing somewhere… ” He pretended to push buttons and mimicked lights blinking by turning bioluminescence on and off. “ Ah, here we are. ” He fired a disguised tendril up to the ceiling to reach the webbed-up hostage.

“ I’m going to free your arms first, when I do hold on to me, ” he instructed the hostage. Then he formed up a nozzle and sprayed a chemical concoction at the webs to dissolve them until the man was freed, bringing him safely to the ground just as Hercules was making his announcement to the press.

He sighed internally this time. It wouldn’t be  impossible  to slip away at this point but it would probably draw more attention than it would deflect. He formed his expression into a smile and shooed the last hostage over to the police.
Plaids
  Thank you, thank you. Now I shall repay your zeal and plaudits in kind. Now where is Ms. Blaine?  
Thane of Fife
As the police enter the bank and take  Electro ,  Mysterio , and the other robbers into custody, Amelia Blaine and her cameraman are right behind them. They pause to get some footage of a groggy Electro and of  Sleeper's /Sue's rescue of the hostage plastered to the ceiling before approaching the heroes for an interview.

" Hercules !," says Miss Blaine, "We don't normally see you and the Invisible Woman, two of New York's premier superheroes, working together, and with company like... this." She indicates  Loki , apparently not recognizing him "And was Spider-Man here, too?" She gestures at some of the lingering webbing. "What is it that's brought you all together like this? Did Electro and Mysterio give you any trouble?"

She's approached Hercules first - perhaps because Sleeper is busy, or perhaps she thinks Hercules will be more receptive to giving her an interview - but she'll be happy to take any comments from "Sue."

-----

Kaine slips back up through the building toward the roof. He emerges from the vents out into a dark, heavy shadow that seems to lay over the whole city. The shadow of... no, the vision slips away and he's back out in a normal November evening.
Plaids
  Ms. Blaine, quelling Mysterio and Electro was a minor trial completed post haste. Notching another verse in the ballads of Olympus and Asgard.
As for the webbed vigilante, not Spiderman but a ruse by Loki! My Asgardian ally conjured the likeness of the cities webbed guardian to befuddle our foes in the  Olympian  tradition.  
Hercules continues freely regaling Ms. Blaine continuing his interview uninhibited.

  And while our meeting was unforeseen and by even the Fates we will remain in this city.
If time allows we will dispense and partake in merriment at the Lion's Chorus. Accostees of Electro and Mysterio, first responders, and the press,  present company included . will have unlevied entrance. 
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 " Hercules !," says Miss Blaine, "We don't normally see you and the Invisible Woman, two of New York's premier superheroes, working together, and with company like... this." She indicates  Loki , apparently not recognizing him "And was Spider-Man here, too?" She gestures at some of the lingering webbing. "What is it that's brought you all together like this? Did Electro and Mysterio give you any trouble?" 
 

Sleeper was distracted from his internal sulking by this observation. Oops, that was right: never mind Kaine, Sleeper himself had left webbing outside the building, during the failed attempt to sneak the hostages out. This was a dangerous line of questioning that needed to be diverted into something else,  quickly .


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   Ms. Blaine, quelling Mysterio and Electro was a minor trial completed post haste. Notching another verse in the ballads of Olympus and Asgard.
As for the webbed vigilante, not Spiderman but a ruse by Loki! My Asgardian ally conjured the likeness of the cities webbed guardian to befuddle our foes in the  Olympian  tradition.   
 

  Perfect.  

That also explained something Sleeper had wondered about during the battle; Sleeper hadn’t thought that Parker had managed to lose his codex…*

But that was immaterial now. Sleeper focused on the reporter’s brain chemistry, taking care to make the chemical communication appear to come from her own thought processes. ~ T  h  e  webs must be part of the illusion as well; it’s not worth asking about further. Ask him if there will be food. A long celebration might mean a chance for a longer interview, and the viewers will like that.~

 
 Spoiler: *Codex 
A codex is a bit of inert symbiote goo the Klyntar leave in their hosts. It can be removed, but takes specialized equipment/circumstances, and functions as something like a combination of Air Tag/backup harddrive for the host’s memories and other information about them. It helps the symbiote locate their host if they are separated and also marks the host  as  a host in a Klyntar social setting. In humans, it’s usually located in or around the spine.
 
Thane of Fife
Not too long after, things are in full swing at the Lion's Chorus. Unfortunately,  Loki  has taken a rain check, having received an urgent missive from  Doctor Strange , but otherwise, the majority of  Hercules 's invitees have made it.

Miss Blaine sticks close to Hercules and does not stop asking him questions, though the camera is off now and she's keeping track of his responses in a notebook as she nurses a drink. "Have you been in contact with other former  Avengers  since the team's disbanding? Was  Susan Storm 's presence at the bank related to that Stark technology that  Electro  and  Mysterio  were trying to steal?"

 Sleeper  and  Kaine  each have other issues - how to attend without drawing too much attention. Does Sleeper keep up his Invisible-Woman-in-a-spacesuit disguise in a setting where no one would be wearing a spacesuit? Does Kaine do anything to disguise himself?
DammitVictor
Kaine...  considers  attempting to disguise himself, but decides that a costume would draw even more attention than his disfigurement, and besides, nobody really knew what he looked like, anyway. He'd once listened in on a CIA section chief lecturing a group of junior field agents for telling "campfire stories" about the "Evil Spider-Man of Medellin"; the "artist's rendition" for Interpol's Most Wanted List could have been any other middle-aged derelict. He does, at least, find another pair of cheap mirrored aviators to hide his bad eye.

He walks past the festivities a couple of times, from across the street, before heading in. He notes the obvious exits, the places where less obvious exists might be, and for the presence of any of Parker's cape friends.   Besides Susan. Hope she doesn't catch the resemblance.   Kaine frowns.   Hope she didn't bring the hotshot, either  
  This is a mistake. I should just keep walking. I should keep going to Westchester, I should get that crazy swamp rat off my ass before I go borrowing any more trouble.   But he remembers the vision from the rooftop. And the visions that led him to that rooftop in the first place.   Please, Lord,   he silently prays,   Please let me do some good in this world, despite all of the evil I've already done.  

With a sigh, he walks in and starts looking for Hercules.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 

 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 Does Sleeper keep up his Invisible-Woman-in-a-spacesuit disguise in a setting where no one would be wearing a spacesuit? 
 

I’m assuming Sleeper just got pulled along with the crowd to the Lion's Chorus so yes still in the spacesuit disguise. If ‘Sue’ got the chance to slip away to ‘change out of the spacesuit’ then Sleeper would just not be coming back.
 


Sleeper for his part had finally managed to find the quietest part of the building that was the farthest away from any loud music, and was currently engaged in diverting as much attention as possible away from himself and in Hercules’ direction. If the various reporters, rescue workers and assorted other patrons noticed that ‘Sue’s’ smile was a little fixed none of them had said anything about it yet, but he did have to deflect a number of questions about the ‘environment suit’ – yes it was new, still experimental, can’t go into details in case there are supervillains watching, you should ask Reed he’d be happy to go into details about the science involved…
Plaids
 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 Miss Blaine sticks close to Hercules and does not stop asking him questions, though the camera is off now and she's keeping track of his responses in a notebook as she nurses a drink. "Have you been in contact with other former  Avengers  since the team's disbanding? Was  Susan Storm 's presence at the bank related to that Stark technology that  Electro  and  Mysterio  were trying to steal?" 
 

Hercules casually guzzles the remainder of his drink. The muscles in his collarbone ripple as they finish channeling the flow of wine. He waves for fresh keg to come his way and with confidence replies.
  I have attended to mine connections to former Avengers. Our bonds have not atrophied in spite of the dismemberment of the Avengers.   True for Bruce Banner and Thor, who had entrusted the safety of his adoptive brother to the Lion of Olympus, but debatable amongst others such as Tony Stark and the reclusive Reed Richards.

He continues his heroically colored commentary.
  Sue arrived at the scene on her own accords. No doubt enacting and improvising the clever stratagems of her husband Reed Richards. Nay, her timely appearance does makes guile and not fragile plans with brittle contingencies. Though ask her yourself and she will defer to the caution of tact.   He reaches for a fresh keg offering to top off Ms. Blaine's drink while he continues recounting the virtues of Sue Storm.
Thane of Fife
Miss Blaine politely declines any further liquor: "Sorry, Hercules, but I think I've had enough. We don't all have your capacity."  Kaine  briefly catches her interest as he enters, but he shakes it quickly, unless he comes over to where she and Hercules are.

Meanwhile,  Sleeper , despite his efforts, is finding that Susan Storm is a pretty popular superhero. While he can avoid too much attention by not being terribly talkative, there are a lot of people looking to take a selfie with the Invisible Woman, and this leads to not as much privacy as he might prefer.

And then  Johnny Storm  and  Ben Grimm  walk in. Storm pauses in the doorway for a brief moment before his eyes settle on "Sue." He starts towards Sleeper. He looks, uh, really mad. Literally steaming.
DammitVictor
Kaine's Spider-Sense flares as the intrepid reporter looks in his direction.   Dammit. I can't afford to attract attention right now.   He reaches out with his feelings, and glides flawlessly along the invisible web that connects all of the people in the crowded brewery, seeking seclusion and security. He very nearly reaches the restrooms, letting his Spider-Sense guide him, when he stumbles directly into the only person in the room immune to it. Someone who  shouldn't  be immune to it.

  What.  
  "Beg your pardon, Susan. I, uh...  I didn't see you there. ."   Kaine grins sheepishly.

And then, his Spider-Sense gently informs him that Miss Blaine may be the least of his problems.

Kaine just stares blankly at Ben and Johnny, then back to Susan.   " What. "  
 OOC:  I hope I'm not stepping on anyone's toes here, but I very much  do not want  Kaine to avoid the reporter, and I couldn't think of any other logical way for him to fail.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Heeeere’s Johnny! 😛
 


Sleeper was attempting to shake the Susan Storm fanbase by using the excuse of visiting the ladies’ room – there to drop the current disguise and make his escape, as this was getting ridiculous. To his irritation, he’d even had to clandestinely  trip  one reporter who hadn’t gotten the hint and tried to follow him. To add to his irritation he wasn’t quite sure what he should have done differently to avoid this awkward situation: his parent usually had no issues with these things, between the history of biting off heads and tactics that were decidedly more direct. Maybe Daredevil would have some useful advice…

He was spending so much time making sure the paparazzi remained in place he didn’t notice Kaine until they had collided.

“  Have you people  no shame--?!   ” Then Sleeper processed who was in front of him.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Beg your pardon, Susan. I, uh...  I didn't see you there. ."   Kaine grins sheepishly. 
 

“ That comes with the territory, " Sleeper replied, acknowledging the joke. “ What are you doing here? ” he asked, puzzled; Kaine had been quite adamant about disappearing and a building full of reporters and people with smart phone cameras seemed a bizarre place to do that.

But before he could get a coherent response the door opened, and that wouldn’t have been notable except the footsteps that accompanied it  shook the floor , and suddenly heads were turning in that direction muttering ‘Is that Johnny Storm?’ ‘Oh hey, it’s the rest of the Fantastic Four!’ ‘Mr. Grimm, can I have your autograph?!’

Johnny locked eyes with him from across the room. Sleeper figured his odds of sneaking out were basically nil now.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine just stares blankly at Ben and Johnny, then back to Susan.   " What. "   
 

Definitely nil. “  I was really hoping to avoid this,  ” Sleeper grumbled. He took a deep breath with Tel-kar’s lungs and schooled his expression into outrage, then stormed across the room to Johnny.

“  Where were you?!!  There were over a dozen people being held hostage at the Werther's Bank! ”
Plaids
 Hercules 

Seeing the attention shift from him and the demure Ms. Blaine to the unfolding disagreement Hercules walks towards Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm.
Approaching his fellow big man Hercules welcomes Ben Grim with a vase of wine.
 It's always the bachelor always get the blame; I've suffered beneath that lash.
It's good see you Ben, you seem well. Where is Reed? Hopefully not sequestered in his laboratory and neglecting his stewardship of this fine city so he may illuminate us with rigid ways.  
As Susan's well deserved disapproval continues to spill into public view;  Still tame compared to quarrels and consternation of the family of Olympus though.  
 
 Spoiler: Hercules status 
Stress: 1 Mental Stress = 1D_?
Complication:  D12 Mass Confusion?  
Assets: None
Plot Points:  1 3
XP: 1/10
 
Thane of Fife
If  Sleeper  was trying to upset the Human Torch even more, that was a good way to do it. Storm shoves himself right into Sleeper's face: "How dare you go around wearing my sister's face, taking advantage of the good name of the Fantastic Four! I'm going to give you to the count of three to drop it, and you can thank Ben I'm giving you that much!"

Behind him, the Thing looks momentarily at Hercules before putting his attention back on Sleeper. "Stretch is in the Savage Land, Herc, testin' out his new whackadoo gizmo. He's there with Sue. So Torch and I were a bit surprised to see her on TV."
DammitVictor
  Damn it.   Kaine tries to shrink away from the confrontation, from the  drama .   This isn't my problem. I can't afford to  make  this my problem. 'Susan' can handle herself; she's a big girl, a  metahuman  big girl.   Kaine  tries  to shrink away from the confrontation.

  Damn it.  
  "Yeah, you  tell  her, Storm. You tell her."   Kaine does the last thing he wants to do... he raises his voice for the crowd.   "How dare this  shameless hussy  besmirch your sister's good name by... by... by thwarting a gang of metahuman criminals and saving a dozen innocent lives. How  dare  she associate  Susan Richards  with such low down, dirty acts of heroism? Come on, everyone! Tell this  filthy impostor  that we all  know  that the  real  Susan Richards would never risk her  precious  life and limb to save any of us!"  

Kaine leans in close to Johnny and whispers harshly,   "That what you're trying to say here, Storm? You trying to protect your sister's sterling reputation from people dressing up like her and performing senseless acts of random kindness? Apologize to your 'sister', shut your damn cakehole, and let's take this conversation somewhere where we can get some answers and the Fourth Estate can't."  
 OOC:  9/d8 Emotional Stress on Johnny. I  should  have rolled Menace as 2d8 and spent a Plot Point to create a 'Hostile Crowd' Asset.
Plaids
 Hercules 

Hercules puts the vase of wine gingerly one nearby countertop. As an inconspicuously dressed man emerges from the crowd raises his voice to Johnny Storm.
  That is most welcome new Ben. Spending time in the wilds with ...  

Hercules stares, transfixed by "Sue Storm" and who might actually be wearing her guise. If only Loki could his be here to provide his expertise on disguises and concealment.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 

 Sleeper’s Status: 
Physical Stress: D6
Plot Points:  1  - Spending the last one to get the Asset to persist if it gets created successfully
 


Sleeper knew he shouldn’t be antagonizing Storm. It was a bad idea for so  many  reasons – Johnny had fire-based powers, there were civilians present who could get caught in any crossfire, and these two were  major heroes  and damaging them would be removing powerful protectors not just from New York but from the whole Earth, which was already somewhat sparsely defended after the mess in Washington…

…but Sleeper was hungry, moderately injured, and very annoyed both at their fan base for keeping him here and himself for not finding a way out before this, and thus not inclined to patience or as much restraint as he really ought to show. The fact that Ben and Johnny apparently  could  have showed up to the bank heist and hadn’t bothered…wasn’t helping.


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 Storm shoves himself right into Sleeper's face: "How dare you go around wearing my sister's face, taking advantage of the good name of the Fantastic Four! I'm going to give you to the count of three to drop it, and you can thank Ben I'm giving you that much!"  
 

Sleeper managed  not  to blurt out the first thing to come to mind:   You don’t get to tell me what to do!   but with the assorted stressors affecting him a little red leaked into his narrowed eyes, and his teeth were just a  little  too sharp at the moment. “  Your sister  at least got to be useful today, if only by proxy. Pity the same can’t be said for— ”


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Yeah, you  tell  her, Storm. You tell her."   Kaine does the last thing he wants to do... he raises his voice for the crowd.   "How dare this  shameless hussy  besmirch your sister's good name by... by... by thwarting a gang of metahuman criminals and saving a dozen innocent lives. How  dare  she associate  Susan Richards  with such low down, dirty acts of heroism? Come on, everyone! Tell this  filthy impostor  that we all  know  that the  real  Susan Richards would never risk her  precious  life and limb to save any of us!"   
 

Sleeper was halfway through a retort before he realized he didn’t need to make one, leaving his too-sharp teeth briefly on display until he remembered to shut Tel-Kar’s mouth.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine leans in close to Johnny and whispers harshly,   "That what you're trying to say here, Storm? You trying to protect your sister's sterling reputation from people dressing up like her and performing senseless acts of random kindness? Apologize to your 'sister', shut your damn cakehole, and let's take this conversation somewhere where we can get some answers and the Fourth Estate can't."   
 

Sleeper now puzzled over why Kaine was coming to his defense; certainly Sleeper hadn’t done anything to earn the assistance. But he wasn’t about to turn the help down, so he took the distraction to drop a few chemokinetical suggestions – ~ T  h  a t looks like news~ to one of the remaining news crew, ~ M  i  g ht be a good time to see where the cameraman got to~ to another, and a little extra adrenaline  there  and  there  and  there  for some of the worst drunks, to hopefully clear their heads in case this  did  get physical and they needed to make a run for it in a hurry.

Then he refocused on Storm, crooning loudly enough to carry to the surrounding crowd, “ Of course, if you’d  rather  start a superhuman brawl in the middle of all these people enjoying their drinks, I’m sure Channel 12 will appreciate another story to cover, and afterwards I’m sure Miss Blaine would be  happy  to ask the real Fantastic Four why preserving their precious reputation was important enough to come all the way down here but saving innocent lives  wasn’t.  ”
Thane of Fife
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I'm actually going to have events cut you guys off here before things get too serious and the dice hit the table. So, Sleeper can have his plot point back.
 


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Yeah, you  tell  her, Storm. You tell her."   Kaine does the last thing he wants to do... he raises his voice for the crowd.   "How dare this  shameless hussy  besmirch your sister's good name by... by... by thwarting a gang of metahuman criminals and saving a dozen innocent lives. How  dare  she associate  Susan Richards  with such low down, dirty acts of heroism? Come on, everyone! Tell this  filthy impostor  that we all  know  that the  real  Susan Richards would never risk her  precious  life and limb to save any of us!"   
 

"The fact that they saved peoples' lives is why we're talking and not fighting already. If someone wants to wear a mask, that's their business, but not my sister's face!"


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
   Your sister  at least got to be useful today, if only by proxy. Pity the same can’t be said for— ”

Sleeper was halfway through a retort before he realized he didn’t need to make one, leaving his too-sharp teeth briefly on display until he remembered to shut Tel-Kar’s mouth. 
 

Storm looks like he's about to take a swing at Sleeper when, suddenly, Amelia Blaine shrieks, "Look!"

She's pointing to a television on over the bar. You can't hear the audio, but the video speaks for itself: breaking news sent in from someone's cellphone camera. The shaky video shows a police wagon caught in typical New York traffic. They're having an even worse day than you are as the  Rhino  shoves cars aside and forces his way through traffic towards the police. They're firing on him, but for all it slows him down, they might as well be shooting spitballs.

As the big man runs off the boys in blue, the air  ripples  and the  Shocker  blasts a hole in the back of the truck. He pauses to help  Electro  and  Mysterio  get out. Rhino returns, casually rips off their restraints, and the four make their escape. Then the video cuts back to the news desk.

Someone in the room gasps, "It's the Sinister Six!" and everyone turns to stare at the five of you (well, four of you - no one really recognizes Kaine). There's a moment of silence, and then the ever-lovin', blue-eyed Thing speaks for everyone:

"Wotta revoltin' development!"

 Doom : 4D6, 1D8
Plaids
Hercules sighs as he relaxes his tensed muscles and elevated senses. He takes a final swig before addressing Ben Grimm.
  It appears we are all needed tonight. If the pace of these villainous events keep up I'll have another twelve labors etched in my name.  
He beams confidently and projects his voice so "Sue", Johnny, and anyone nearby can hear him.

 Johnny and "Susan Storm" it is time for the quarrelers to become the defenders of the Empire City.  
He steals a glance at Ms. Blain as the crowd begins to discard their inebriation at shocking rate.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper turned to see the screen, barely paying Johnny any mind. It had only been - what, an hour? Maybe two? And already his earlier prey was escaping custody!

His expression turned thunderous, ‘Sue’s’ hair going stringy and darkening to oily black, eyes now solid red, the ‘environment suit’ blackening as well as the Fantastic Four branding melted away. A couple people seated nearby edged away.

“  I should have just  eaten them,   ” Sleeper snarled under his breath, showing fangs. He vanished from sight, then leapt to the ceiling and rushed out to confront the supervillains.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Unless someone stops him. Also, officially dropping the Sue Storm disguise.
 
DammitVictor
Kaine watches the symbiote drop the disguise and leave.   "So, uh, Hercules... who  the Hell  was that? I mean,  what  the Hell was she?"  
Plaids
  Tis an enigma befitting a changeling, a skrull, or a mutant donning the visage of another. I do not know the true guise of our ally. Their words and condition are unknown to me, but the tone of turmoil is unmistakable. I will be on my way to aid them as they have aid me, whomever they may be.
 
Hercules begins buckling his armor.

  What say you, my fellow? I witnessed thine unflinching advocacy for the one disguised as the Invisible Woman. 
DammitVictor
  "What? I thought  you  and Loki brought her to the party. But you're right... we owe her, and we can figure it out later."  

Kaine looks at Ben and Johnny.   "You boys coming, or you got somewhere else to be?"  
Thane of Fife
 Johnny Storm  gives a determined nod. "Of course. I want to-"

 Ben Grimm  cuts him off with a hand on his shoulder. "Maybe we oughta let these two handle this one, hothead. I got a feeling havin' us around ain't gonna make chasin' down tall, dark, and freaky any easier. Not after that." He rubs the back of his head and looks at Hercules. "We'll head back to the Baxter Building and see if we can dig up anything on those clowns. Let us know if we can give you a hand."

The two stay back to hold off any over-eager fans and reporters while Kaine and Hercules get going.



They find Sleeper on the roof of a building near where the video was taken. Down below, there's still a cleanup effort from the Rhino's rampage, but at least it seems like nobody got killed. The three have a quiet moment atop the building, to talk or strategize.



Meanwhile, Amelia Blaine is taking the bus back home after the party. She's tucked into a hoodie to avoid drawing attention, and is looking down at the phone in her hand, re-reading the text message she's typed up:

 Hey,  Peter , remember me? Amelia? I interned at the Bugle? This is out of the blue, but - do you have a brother? 

She swipes away from the unsent message to look again at the picture she took, ignoring the three - two - members of the Fantastic Four to focus on the other person in the image. Does it  really  look like Parker or is she imagining things?

 Doom : 4D6, 1D8

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Feel free to talk on the rooftop, but I'm also looking for a bit of a what do you want to do next?
 
DammitVictor
Kaine crouches on the edge of the rooftop, sniffing the air.   So, 'Richards'. Your business is your business, okay? And none of mine. You just let me know what to call you, and everything's straight between us."   He closes his eyes and inhales deeply through his nose.   "Hard to mistake Sytsevich. Ozone and gunsmoke. Not the best bloodhound in 'the community', but reckon I can track them from the ground."  

Kaine continues scanning the crime scene.   "I got some... uh...  'unpaid parking tickets'  that I can't take care of right now. Someone wanna run interference while I catch the scent?"  
Kareeah_Indaga
When the others arrived, Sleeper was on a nearby rooftop suspending a car out of the way of the emergency crews trying to arrive with his webbing – the wreckers hadn’t arrived yet, Sleeper assumed they were stuck in traffic.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine crouches on the edge of the rooftop, sniffing the air.   So, 'Richards'. Your business is your business, okay? And none of mine. You just let me know what to call you, and everything's straight between us."   
 

Sleeper faded into view. There was absolutely no mistaking him for Sue now – eight feet tall or thereabouts, broad shouldered and not the least bit feminine in shape. Bright paint-like splashes of chartreuse emblazoned his head, shoulders and delicately clawed hands – a color that said ‘I am poisonous’ and less specifically, ‘I am dangerous and can afford to be flashy, mess with me and find out!’ The patterns swirled and shifted like they were alive – because of course they  were.  Sleeper’s attention was mostly on the placement of the car, but as he finished securing the web his feet swirled unnaturally to spin him until he was facing the other two, revealing ruby red eyes without iris, white, or pupil, framed in the same yellow-green, a matching pair of vents below them and no visible mouth.

“  Hello Kaine,  ” he greeted. “  I  should  introduce myself. My name is Sleeper. Seventh spawn of the Venom symbiote.  ”


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Hard to mistake Sytsevich. Ozone and gunsmoke. Not the best bloodhound in 'the community', but reckon I can track them from the ground."  

Kaine continues scanning the crime scene.   "I got some... uh...  'unpaid parking tickets'  that I can't take care of right now. Someone wanna run interference while I catch the scent?"   
 

“  I can do that,  ” Sleeper replied with confidence, “  but first: why are you helping me?  ”

Kaine had seemed so intent on leaving the scene at the bank. And then he showed up not once but  twice  now. Sleeper was curious, and edging towards suspicious.
DammitVictor
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  Hello Kaine,  ” he greeted. “  I  should  introduce myself. My name is Sleeper. Seventh spawn of the Venom symbiote.  ” 
 

  "Alright, Sleeper. You can just call me--"     God, I cannot just tell people to call me 'Kaine'. Ben? Spider?   "-- wait, what the  Hell  did you just call me?  Who told you that name? "  
  Beck. Dammit.  
  "Sorry. Been jumpy. That  is  my name, but I'd take it as a kindness if you kept that under your hat for a spell. I'm, uh... I'm...  look , I am a very bad man running from a lot of very  very  bad men, and innocent people will get hurt if any of them find me. Gotta wash the blood off these hands before I'm ready to shake clean ones."  

Kaine thinks for a long moment.

  "Why don't you just call me 'Miles', for now? Let the bastards try to figure  that  out."  

 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  I can do that,  ” Sleeper replied with confidence, “  but first: why are you helping me?  ”

Kaine had seemed so intent on leaving the scene at the bank. And then he showed up not once but  twice  now. Sleeper was curious, and edging towards suspicious. 
 

  "Who says I am? You were out there when I was trying to save those frails on my own. Johnny Storm ain't no better than you and he needed reminding, and Beck shouted out my Christian name in front of a roomful of civilians and news cameras, so I'm going to string him up from a stoplight and punch him until candy falls out."  

Kaine smirks.

  "We were both just trying to do the thing that needed doing, in the same place, at the same time. If I'd been  helping  you, I wouldn't have pooched it up and almost got everyone killed."   Kaine frowns.   "So, uh...  thanks , for that."  

Kaine pauses to give Sleeper time to respond... and then perks up.

  "Wait,  Venom ? The alien monster--  no offense -- that spends, like, half its time teaming up with Spider-Man and the other half its time trying to eat him? That's your dad? Dude.  Dude.  What's its deal?"  
Plaids
 Zounds, who could conceive such Venom to be so Progenitus.  
Proclaims Hercules loudly landing on the rooftop with resounding thud.
 Miles and I have witnessed the enormity of thine actions. Such evident virtue comforts the righteous and rouses even the cynical to thine aid.  
He flashes a marbled white smile to Sleeper as if on cue to the symbiote none more threatening than Loki when most twisted and unmoored.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Alright, Sleeper. You can just call me--"     God, I cannot just tell people to call me 'Kaine'. Ben? Spider?   "-- wait, what the  Hell  did you just call me?  Who told you that name? "   
 

Sleeper just arched an eye ridge, and started digging through his inherited memories to try and remember if Kaine had been like this when he’d fought Parker before the latter had bonded to his parent or if the random outbursts were new.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Sorry. Been jumpy. That  is  my name, but I'd take it as a kindness if you kept that under your hat for a spell. I'm, uh... I'm...  look , I am a very bad man running from a lot of very  very  bad men, and innocent people will get hurt if any of them find me. Gotta wash the blood off these hands before I'm ready to shake clean ones."   
 

“  Fine.  ” Sleeper considered mentioning his species’ racial memory, but as jumpy as Kaine was, telling him that half-a-dozen other symbiotes would know him on sight seemed like it would torpedo the immediate situation very fast. Anyway if Riot, Scream and the rest of his siblings cared about Kaine he would probably have run into them already.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Why don't you just call me 'Miles', for now? Let the bastards try to figure  that  out."   
 

“  As you wish, ‘Miles.’  ”


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Who says I am? You were out there when I was trying to save those frails on my own. Johnny Storm ain't no better than you and he needed reminding, and Beck shouted out my Christian name in front of a roomful of civilians and news cameras, so I'm going to string him up from a stoplight and punch him until candy falls out."   
 

(This description triggered a brief fantasy about a rain of chocolate coming out of Beck’s guts. The pair of unfortunate rats Sleeper had run across on the way here had taken the edge off his hunger, but not by much.)


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "We were both just trying to do the thing that needed doing, in the same place, at the same time. If I'd been  helping  you, I wouldn't have pooched it up and almost got everyone killed."   Kaine frowns.   "So, uh...  thanks , for that."   
 

Sleeper decided not to point out the obvious logical fault – namely, that Kaine had to arrive at the brewery in order to speak up in the first place, and there hadn’t been a pair of supervillains attacking  there . He suspected it was going to be more effort to pry a straight answer out of the man than it was worth, however. So he just gave him a skeptical look and replied, somewhat deadpan, “  Don’t mention it.  ”


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Wait,  Venom ? The alien monster--  no offense -- that spends, like, half its time teaming up with Spider-Man and the other half its time trying to eat him? That's your dad? Dude.  Dude.  What's its deal?"   
 

Sleeper’s head tilted as he considered the question. It was not, strictly speaking, any of Kaine’s business, but on the other hand his parent had not exactly been  quiet  about their conflict with Parker and he doubted it would hurt to give the other perspective. No one usually asked; most of the superhero community considered Spider-man a friend, and sided with him automatically.

“  Imagine for a moment you have one person in the whole world that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is trustworthy, moral, and good. You’ve been helping them for weeks, fighting side-by-side, trying to live up to their example, assisting them in smaller ways, and every time they tell you how  helpful  you are, how  convenient  you’ve made so many things.

Then one day they look at you and finally  notice  you. And  immediately  all of that is forgotten. They kick you out, strand you on an alien planet*, sever all ties with you, and leave you to be imprisoned and experimented on.  ” By the Fantastic Four, no less!** “  Nothing you say or do makes any difference. You try and return to them, surely there was some mistake? A misunderstanding? This person is still a paragon of humanity! Caring and selfless and considerate of others! But he calls you a monster, and rejects you over, and over, and over again.  ” His parent had gone through the full spectrum – everything from deciding that Parker was wrong and therefore the monster instead, to deciding that Parker was right and they  were  a monster and embracing that identity. It was a large part – though not the only one – of why the Klyntar species’ reputation on Earth was so negative. “   That  is my parent’s ‘deal.’  ”

In a way it was a pity, because except for his rather  irrational  behavior where the Klyntar were concerned, objectively Parker  was  an all-around decent person – that was why being forcibly removed and abandoned like an unwanted dog had been such an unpleasant shock for Parent. Sleeper acknowledged that his parent’s subsequent obsession was unhealthy (his own feelings regarding Parker amounted to annoyance that the man was the root of what amounted to relationship issues between Parent and Father), but he couldn’t really  blame  his parent either, there had been no way to know that Parker would react  so  poorly until it happened.

It was why Sleeper was taking his time finding a replacement for Tel-Kar’s lobotomized body. It was also why Kaine – and any other spider-people – were off Sleeper’s mental list of potential hosts. Even if they got along, as the humans put it, ‘like white on rice’, it would drag up unpleasant memories for Parent and Father. For Kaine specifically, being on the darker end of the metahuman spectrum, there was the added the possibility that Venom would draw the conclusion that Sleeper had been kidnapped or coerced somehow and would show up to ‘rescue’ him. ((🐟***))


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
  Miles and I have witnessed the enormity of thine actions. Such evident virtue comforts the righteous and rouses even the cynical to thine aid.   
 

Sleeper just hmphed. He  was  pleased that his disguise had survived so much scrutiny – it had taken the  actual  Fantastic Four to uncover his ruse! (Loki didn’t count. Sleeper had been reading too deeply into what he’d been saying,  surely. )

But it was hard to be pleased when the supervillains had escaped almost immediately afterwards. “  The righteous and the cynical can't be  that  happy with four supervillains running amok. Help me drag Beck and Dillon and the others back in to custody, then we can talk.  ”

 
 Spoiler: *Notes 

*He means Earth, just in case that isn’t clear.
**Amazing Spider-Man Vol. 1, #258 (The bit with the bell tower happened afterwards. The Venom symbiote got busted out, snuck over to Peter’s house and pretended to be one of Peter’s normal costumes so he’d put it back on.)
***Milestone: When you consider another character’s merits as a host. +1 XP, 2 total, unless the Watcher objects.
 
DammitVictor
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Sleeper just arched an eye ridge, and started digging through his inherited memories to try and remember if Kaine had been like this when he’d fought Parker before the latter had bonded to his parent or if the random outbursts were new. 
 

Peter and Kaine had only met on a handful of occasions, but they'd been burned deeply into Parker's memories. Each and every single time they'd met. Kaine had always seemed to be in a state of manic desperation, whether he was fighting with Peter or against him; he always laughed and cracked his horrible, horrible jokes at the worst possible moments.

Sleeper is left with Parker's impression of the last thing Kaine had said to him:    "You gotta marry this one, Pete. She's a keeper."    Mary Jane had just emptied a handgun, that Peter hadn't even known she owned, into Kaine's guts. Kaine's laughter as he disappeared into the night haunted Peter for years afterward.

He seems a little calmer now.


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Sleeper’s head tilted as he considered the question. It was not, strictly speaking, any of Kaine’s business, but on the other hand his parent had not exactly been  quiet  about their conflict with Parker and he doubted it would hurt to give the other perspective. No one usually asked; most of the superhero community considered Spider-man a friend, and sided with him automatically.

“  Imagine for a moment you have one person in the whole world that you know beyond a shadow of a doubt is trustworthy, moral, and good. You’ve been helping them for weeks, fighting side-by-side, trying to live up to their example, assisting them in smaller ways, and every time they tell you how  helpful  you are, how  convenient  you’ve made so many things.

Then one day they look at you and finally  notice  you. And  immediately  all of that is forgotten. They kick you out, strand you on an alien planet*, sever all ties with you, and leave you to be imprisoned and experimented on.  ” By the Fantastic Four, no less!** “  Nothing you say or do makes any difference. You try and return to them, surely there was some mistake? A misunderstanding? This person is still a paragon of humanity! Caring and selfless and considerate of others! But he calls you a monster, and rejects you over, and over, and over again.  ” 
 

  "Classic Pete, man. I get it. Your dad's right about him."  

Kaine turns his attention back to the clean-up crew.   "All I need is to get close enough to pick up the trail. Don't care if they see me, just no questions and no pictures. Guys got a plan?"  
Kareeah_Indaga
…on reflection, Kaine’s mental state had, if anything,  improved  since Parker had seen him last. Maybe Daredevil  was  right.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine turns his attention back to the clean-up crew.   "All I need is to get close enough to pick up the trail. Don't care if they see me, just no questions and no pictures. Guys got a plan?"   
 

“  Before you both arrived, I  was  just going to drop down and ask which way our escapees went. Would that be suitably distracting?  ”
DammitVictor
  "I'm easy. Hercules?"  
Plaids
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
  “  The righteous and the cynical can't be  that  happy with four supervillains running amok. Help me drag Beck and Dillon and the others back in to custody, then we can talk.  ” 
 

Hercules smiles back to the mission focused Sleeper.
Hercules recognizes another solemn hero embracing humility and anonymity in this modern age. He had come to understand the change in the attitude towards heroism as lives became further complicated and people compartmentalized their own between the theaters they occupied. Even the Spiderman, the most jovial of heroes, cloaked himself in anonymity. Like the sweetest wines now being sipped in morose melancholies within this modern age.

   I look forward to it Sleeper  

 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine turns his attention back to the clean-up crew.   "All I need is to get close enough to pick up the trail. Don't care if they see me, just no questions and no pictures. Guys got a plan?"   
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  Before you both arrived, I  was  just going to drop down and ask which way our escapees went. Would that be suitably distracting?  ” 
 


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "I'm easy. Hercules?"   
 

Hercules responds confidently to Kaine.
   I agree with Sleeper. For before I slew the Nemean Lion I questioned the local huntsmen while in search of my quarry. So shall I do the same with the city constables while in search of Beck and Dillon. But in regard to the constables.

Miles, does thou have any senses beyond the capabilities of the city constables? Perhaps a wolverine's sense of smell or a snake's sensitivity to heat?

Sleeper, does thou have another guise in which to more advantageously approach the constables?   
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   
Sleeper, does thou have another guise in which to more advantageously approach the constables?    
 

“  Yes, but the idea was to keep their attention away from ‘Miles,’  ” Sleeper replied, puzzled with where Hercules was going with his line of questioning. Showing up as himself was bound to attract more of it than disguising himself as a paramedic or a reporter…even if it did significantly raise the odds of someone shouting ’Symbiote! Open fire!’ There were no hostages this time, he didn’t have to stick around if the police started shooting.
DammitVictor
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   "Miles, does thou have any senses beyond the capabilities of the city constables? Perhaps a wolverine's sense of smell or a snake's sensitivity to heat?"   
 

  "Wolverine?"   Kaine visibly cringes.   "Nah, not that good. Like I was telling our buddy here, I'm only about as good as a police dog. Maybe a little smarter."   He lowers his aviators to the tip of his nose and bats his eyelashes coyly at Hercules.   "Ain't I just as  adorable , though?"  
Plaids
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  Yes, but the idea was to keep their attention away from ‘Miles,’  ” Sleeper replied, puzzled with where Hercules was going with his line of questioning. 
 

Refrain from placing Miles in public view? That I can be of aid. I can merely approach the investigators and ask of quarries' whereabouts.
Hercules responds and looks to Sleeper for any strong approval or disapproval. He tenses his legs preparing to leap towards grassy patch of soil patch of land near the crime scene.


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Wolverine?"   Kaine visibly cringes.   "Nah, not that good. Like I was telling our buddy here, I'm only about as good as a police dog. Maybe a little smarter."   He lowers his aviators to the tip of his nose and bats his eyelashes coyly at Hercules.   "Ain't I just as  adorable , though?"   
 

A cute police dog eh? If the investigators find any tainted rags from Dillon or Beck I will hold thee to account Miles.
Hercules quips back to Kaine with a dazzling smile.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
 Refrain from placing Miles in public view? That I can be of aid. I can merely approach the investigators and ask of quarries' whereabouts.
Hercules responds and looks to Sleeper for any strong approval or disapproval. He tenses his legs preparing to leap towards grassy patch of soil patch of land near the crime scene. 
 

Sleeper considered this. That  was  less likely to end in gunfire. Probably a better option, over all. “  I don’t mind. Do it,  ” Sleeper retracted most of his substance and reformed the rest into clothing suitable to a member of the press. “ and I’ll follow less conspicuously. ”
Plaids
Hercules nods back to Sleeper acknowledging his casual approval of the forthright plan and leaps down towards a green lawn.
..
..
..
The artificial turf quakes and black rubber grains fly into the air as heads turn towards the chiseled Olympian who fell from the sky. Dusting himself off he exuberantly greets the first responders.

  Greetings fine men and women of public safety. I  Hercules  have need of you aid. I seek Electro and Mysterio, otherwise known as Dillon and Beck. Have thou uncovered any tracks or evidence of their whereabouts?  
DammitVictor
Kaine gives his erstwhile allies a bit of a headstart, a little bit of time to engage with the first responders, before casually walking down to the scene. He slips under the yellow crime scene tape and follows his nose.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper faded out of sight briefly before climbing down the building. He chose a different approach from Hercules, found an out-of-sight place to reappear, then looked for the least busy first responder available to approach.

“ Excuse me! Excuse me! You, sir! Can you tell me what happened here? ”
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
 Hercules nods back to Sleeper acknowledging his casual approval of the forthright plan and leaps down towards a green lawn.
..
..
..
The artificial turf quakes and black rubber grains fly into the air as heads turn towards the chiseled Olympian who fell from the sky. Dusting himself off he exuberantly greets the first responders.

  Greetings fine men and women of public safety. I  Hercules  have need of you aid. I seek Electro and Mysterio, otherwise known as Dillon and Beck. Have thou uncovered any tracks or evidence of their whereabouts?   
 

Most of the police personnel jump as Hercules appears from the sky. After a minute, one of them speaks up, "Wish we could help you, Hercules, but we got nothin'. A bunch of witnesses saw them get broken out, and then it's like they vanished. Beats me how a guy like the Rhino can disappear like that."


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Sleeper faded out of sight briefly before climbing down the building. He chose a different approach from Hercules, found an out-of-sight place to reappear, then looked for the least busy first responder available to approach.

“ Excuse me! Excuse me! You, sir! Can you tell me what happened here? ” 
 

"Oh!" gasps the man that Sleeper approaches. "I'm supposed to direct any reporters to the Public Affairs Office. All I can do is give you their number, sorry."


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine gives his erstwhile allies a bit of a headstart, a little bit of time to engage with the first responders, before casually walking down to the scene. He slips under the yellow crime scene tape and follows his nose. 
 

With Hercules and Sleeper running interference, Kaine is able to slip in and investigate a bit. He manages to catch the trail and slip away from the scene. Once Hercules and Sleeper rejoin him (I think that's the plan?), the three begin moving across town. From the busier, commercial areas, they travel to a more rundown industrial area on the waterfront.

Eventually, the trail leads into a large construction site. Although about two stories of steel girders poke up from the site, the fences, hills of dirt, and construction vehicles make it impossible to get a good view inside from the ground level.
Plaids
Hercules quickly surveys the construction site, failing to find any clues about its new residents or any traps laid by them within the darkness.
  Exemplary work Miles. Thou hast purchased mine respect of hounds by bringing us to the lair of the Rhino, Electro, and Mysterio and the eve of their defeat to them.  

Hercules praises Kaine, his gaze now eagerly focused on the construction site promising such advantageous volatility for a hero with god like strength.
DammitVictor
Kaine grunts.   "Going to need some recon before we go in and start busting skulls. Beck's had enough time to wire this place up and they might have hostages. You want to do the honors, Sleeper?"   He squats down and scoops up a handful of soil.   "Reckon you can get in closer than I can, see what's what. I want to see if I can find a way to kill the power and a water supply to neutralize Dillon. Marko, too, if they've got him hiding in there. I, uh, I  know  most of these Six losers, but I can't tell who's here and who ain't. None of them should be much of a problem for us without the brains of their operation."  
Kareeah_Indaga
((At the scene of the escape: ))

Sleeper didn’t have any immediate use for the Public Affairs Office, but he took the number anyway. It was the sort of thing Father would hang on to for later.

He spent a reasonable period of time questioning potential witnesses (most of whom, it transpired, had sensibly taken cover or only saw the initial attack, and thus had no idea where his prey had gone) while surreptitiously helping some of the crews move cars and clear the streets.

Then he slipped away to meet up with Kaine.

((At the construction site: ))

Sleeper also made note of the various opportunities for super strength - and climbing up walls, and swinging from various obstacles on a webline - but rather than being pleased, he was torn between suspicion and contempt. All four escaping villains (possibly six, if the supposition that the Sinister Six had reformed was correct) regularly traded blows with Parker. Surely they could have seen the many advantages this setup would have afforded him if he had shown up first???


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
 Kaine grunts.   "Going to need some recon before we go in and start busting skulls. Beck's had enough time to wire this place up and they might have hostages. You want to do the honors, Sleeper?"   
 

Sleeper (having dropped the disguise after leaving the scene of the escape) replied, “  Yes. I’ll do that.  ”


 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Reckon you can get in closer than I can, see what's what. I want to see if I can find a way to kill the power and a water supply to neutralize Dillon. Marko, too, if they've got him hiding in there. I, uh, I  know  most of these Six losers, but I can't tell who's here and who ain't. None of them should be much of a problem for us without the brains of their operation."   
 

“  Power, water, any hostages, and a head count of supervillains,  ” Sleeper summarized. “  Stay out of the dirt.  ” Kaine hadn’t actually  said  to do that but if Sandman was hiding in it no level of invisibility would keep him from noticing he’d been  stepped on , and of course there would be mysteriously-appearing tracks regardless. “  Keep an eye out for traps and alarms. Anything  else?  How good is your night vision?  ” It occurred to Sleeper he might need to signal his current associates from afar, or failing that help compensate for lack of same when the inevitable fight broke out.
DammitVictor
Kaine grunts a curse, the kind spelled with at least three skulls and an eggplant, and claps the dirt off of his hands.   "Didn't think of that. Never seen him pull that one."

"I can see well enough. Hear better."   Kaine makes a subvocal clicking sound, barely audible... to  human  ears, at least.   "Good enough to tell me where to look. You go high and left, I'll go high and right, meet you in the middle?"  
Plaids
Hercules stops abruptly midstride and eyes and warily inspects the bottoms of his sandals. Finding no sign of the Sandman he replies to Kaine and Sleeper.
  Treacherous enemy ground, hostages, and the power of the sites illumination. Truly, I have been blessed with the scouts possessing keen foresight. Call for me to descent from the rooftops once our quarry has been found.  
Hercules replies acquiesce to Kaine and Sleepers more covert plan.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by DammitVictor 
   "Good enough to tell me where to look. You go high and left, I'll go high and right, meet you in the middle?"   
 

Sleeper considered this course of action, then nodded.
Thane of Fife
It proves difficult for  Kaine  and  Sleeper  to really get a good line of sight into the construction area. The buildings on either side aren't really  that  high, and there's quite a bit of open air between them and the beginnings of the structure being raised on-site. Getting over there would surely mean risking detection.

Kaine can  hear  someone speaking - it sounds like  Doctor Octopus  - but he can't quite make out the words from here. Likewise, he can see roughly where the villains appear to be clustered, but between the darkness, the distance, and the clutter of the construction site, he can't count them, or make out exactly who they are.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
I can answer a little bit more, but otherwise, I'm reluctant to go into much more detail until you commit to an approach enough to define your asset.
 
Thane of Fife
 Kaine  slips in closer to better catch what  Doctor Octopus  is saying.

"You were  supposed  to get the battery and escape, not start fights. Now we have had to tip our hand before we were ready."

"We were  this  close to making it out of there with enough money to-"  Electro 's voice speaks up, but he is quickly cut off by Otto:

"Pocket change! When we bring the city to it's knees, then there will be real money! Money and revenge! Every one of you has cause for revenge on this city, on its people, and on Spider-Man, and if you follow the plan, then my genius ensures they will be ours." There is a brief pause. "Indeed, I wondered if we might have had the pleasure of getting started on that last here tonight - you certainly attracted enough attention earlier - but perhaps that pest was more injured from his fight with the Lizard* than I thought. Too bad, I would have liked to see him crushed by my robot. But perhaps it's time for us to make our departure."

As the group begin moving, Kaine feels that he either needs to make his move now, or duck back into cover and give up on the opportunity.

*See  Astounding Spider-Man #27 
DammitVictor
Kaine is momentarily taken aback by the speaker; the last time he'd seen Octavious, he'd been  quite  dead, neck snapped by a silk noose and face burned by the Mark of Kaine.  His  mark.

  A lifetime ago.  

An evil grin spreads across Kaine's face as he loops the silk around itself. He eases himself to a spot where Octavious would shield him from the others, drops the noose around his neck, and...

( Effort:  14  Effect:   Snared  complication d12, Emotional Stress d8)

...  yanks  Doctor Octopus up to the high ground and lays his hand gently on his cheek.   "Been awhile, Doc.  How's it hanging? "  

(Of course, if Ock beats the roll, I'll edit this to reflect failure.)
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Sleeper is invisible until further notice.
 


Sleeper, after hopscotching over on pieces of construction equipment to the shell of building in a superhuman game of ‘the floor is lava,’ slipped in invisibly from a different angle from Kaine, the better to locate and surround their prey.

He peered in from a hole in the unfinished ceiling; he couldn’t see much from this angle - X-ray vision was not one of his powers - but he could hear Otto and see Max Dillon right below him.

The latter supervillain still looked battered from their earlier fight.  Easy prey.  Now to wait for the others to get into place and -

- and that sounded like Kaine.  Excellent. 

Sleeper dumped a cloud of sleep gas right on top of Electro.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
12/d10 Physical, two Hitches for the Watcher.
 
Thane of Fife
 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Doc Ock has a reaction total of 14, which is only equal to and not better than Kaine's roll, so Kaine will succeed. There are also two opportunities there. Electro has a reaction total of 11 with an effect die of D10. That will also fail, so he will go to D10 physical stress.

Also, plot point each to Kaine and Sleeper, and add 2D8 to the doom pool, bringing it to 4D6, 3D8.

(Note also: I'm assuming that Kaine's noose is supposed to be tight enough to prevent Doctor Octopus from speaking, hence why he's silent below.
 

 Kaine  hoists  Doctor Octopus  into the air, the good doctor's arms thrashing wildly and nearly buckling the girders Kaine is resting on. He snarls at Kaine - not quite the reaction of horror Kaine may have been hoping for - and his tentacles come lashing in from every angle.

Meanwhile,  Sleeper  springs into action as well.  Electro  shudders under the effects of Sleeper's gas attack, but before it can put the voltaic villain to bed,  Mysterio  springs into action.

"You can't hide from me!" he gloats, and jets of flame burst forth from his hands directly toward Sleeper, guided by the same radar system he uses to see through his smoke. This seems to shock Electro and  Shocker  into action. Electro flies into the air and begins hurling lightning bolts, sort of guided by what he sees Mysterio doing, but maybe sort of wildly as well.

The Shocker takes aim at Kaine - "Outta the way, Doc!" - and the air seems to warp and grow silent for an instant before the shockwave blasts towards Kaine.

 Rhino  seems momentarily confused and takes no action.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Doc Ock is attacking Kaine at 13/D4. Shocker is attacking Kaine at 7/D4. Mysterio is attacking Sleeper for emotional stress at 16/D8. Electro is throwing lightning in Sleeper's direction at 13/D10.

Man, the die-roller really doesn't seem to like these guys. There are a lot of 1's in there - 2 from Doctor Octopus, 2 from Shocker, 1 from Mysterio.
 

 Doom: 4D6, 3D8 
DammitVictor
Kaine clings to the "blind spot" on Doc Ock's back, where the arms can't reach.   "Nah, Doc. We both know this ends however I  want  it to end-- I gave your boys a chance to walk away smelling like roses, and they spit in my face. I'm going to get my pound of flesh. You tell them to stand down and take it, I'll draw the line at an asswhooping  this  time. You **** with me... judge and jury already tried me for your murder  last  time. I can kill you as many times as I ****ing want now, that's the law. Nod if you want to live."  

Kaine turned his body...  just a little , putting Otto's body between him and the Shocker and letting the flailing vibranium arms absorb the blast, and raised his voice.   "Adults are  talking , Schultz. You want to sit at the grownups' table, you gotta learn to stop interrupting."  
Plaids
  By Zeus, the scouts have found our quarry. Delight in me father as these villains once again contend with the might of Hercules.   Hercules cries with ample fanfare and bravado.

With one swift motion the Olympian grasps a concrete pipe and exits his crouch with immaculate technique; lifting with legs and keeping his back straight and taut. With the pipe hoisted over his head he leaps toward the fray to aid his wiry companions.
   Worry not my arachnid allies. Aid is at hand.     Hercules thinks as his anticipation rises.

  Crunch!  
The loose gravel ground of construction site heralds the arrival of Hercules to everyone in the brawl. The pipe rolls forward towards Rhino, Mysterio, and the Shocker who still remain on the ground. Hercule's battle cry emanates from the hollowed concrete as he fights the vertigo encroaching upon him.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "You can't hide from me!" he gloats, and jets of flame burst forth from his hands directly toward Sleeper, guided by the same radar system he uses to see through his smoke. 
 

“   Reeeeeeeeeeee!   ”

Sleeper flung himself backwards only to slam into a girder, but there was no pain as the fire engulfed him. His ringing symbiote screech graduated from fright to anger as he realized he’d been tricked. And he should have known better!

“  Let’s see if you still think so after I eat the eyes out of your skull!  ”

Sleeper dove through his vantage point intending to make good on the threat. But a bolt of lightning from Electro struck nearby and it occurred to Sleeper, belatedly, that just because Beck could see him it didn’t follow that the rest of this merry band of miscreants could, and he should keep his mouth shut while they were still in play and could use his voice to track him.

So the next few moments were a bit tense while Sleeper leapt from floor to wall to ceiling and Beck tried to tag him closely enough for Electro to get a good idea of where Sleeper actually was, mostly resulting in a great deal of structural damage to the building.

He and Kaine were somewhat outnumbered, and Sleeper wondered what was keeping Hercules. But he had an idea to even the odds…

The space was somewhat confined, but opened up in unexpected places, giving Sleeper room to maneuver. And Beck had  so kindly  introduced Sleeper to his hallucinogenic gas…still dodging stray lightning bolts Sleeper leapt, jumped and tumbled over to Shocker, currently targeting Kaine, and gave the quilted supervillain a face full of Beck’s favored chemical cocktail…and a little extra as well…

~ T  h  e y’ve turned on us! They must have sold us out after they were arrested!~

Then there was a massive  crash  and an equally massive cement pipe appeared. Sleeper reflexively jumped for the ceiling, out of the way.

It was…howling?

…that sounded like Hercules.
Thane of Fife
Something in the Shocker's hardened criminal mind seems to tip him off to Sleeper's tricks (or maybe Sleeper isn't able to get quite close enough to those very loud gauntlets), and he doesn't seem to be impacted - at least not yet - by Sleeper's gas.

Moments later, however, he and Mysterio are bowled over by Hercules in a long length of pipe. Shocker recovers faster than Mysterio does - protected by his padded suit, no doubt - and is in time to see Hercules's pipe ram into and shatter against the incredible strength of the Rhino.

"RRARRGGH!" bellows the big man. "You think you're strong?! You're no match for the Rhino!" He lowers his head and charges at Hercules. Even as he charges, his image seems to split into two. No, three! It must be Mysterio playing tricks on Hercules's eyes. But which one is the real Rhino?!

Above them, Electro seems to have decided that, even if he can't see Sleeper, if he electrifies enough of the steel structure, he's sure to hit the hero eventually. And below Sleeper, the Shocker seems to have hit on the similar idea that he can try to bring the whole structure down on his head.

As Sleeper and Hercules contend with these four, they are too preoccupied to notice the battle between Kaine and Doctor Octopus carrying those two away from the construction site.

 
 Spoiler 
Spending a die from the doom pool to add a third die to Shocker's total to help him resist Sleeper.

Rhino is attacking Hercules with a 15/D12 (!).
Electro is attacking Sleeper with a 17/D8.
Shocker is targeting Sleeper with a 14/D8, but the D8 will go to the doom pool if he succeeds.

Electro is at D6 physical stress.
Mysterio is at D6 physical trauma and D8 physical stress (you can spend a plot point to step this up to D10 physical stress).
Shocker is at D8 physical stress.
 

 Doom: 3D8, 1D10 
Plaids
 Hercules 

Sensing the ground quake underneath the charging strides of the Rhino Hercules flexes and bursts from the pipe. Charging forward in kind he focuses on the Rhino and the phantasmal image dissolves into green mist upon contact. Continuing his charge Hercules settles into a low stance and grapples Rhino's hips, twists and presses straightens his bent knee. The two large combatants hit the ground unharmed leaving a cloud of dirt to commemorate the titanic struggle.

 
 Spoiler: Tackle form 
 
 


Seeing steel structure quake and strain a modern-day calculus takes hold Hercules. Recognizing the most destructive element Hercules pounces towards Shocker.
Kareeah_Indaga
The metal girders sizzled around him, but Sleeper leapt and cartwheeled off broken bits of cement pipe and anything else he could reach that was non-conducive and so just managed to avoid serious electrocution. It was more effort than he liked; something needed to be done about Dillon. Gassing him with sedative hadn’t worked, but a heavy physical blow had worked last time, so…

There was a swing stage nearby, straining under rubble it wasn’t designed to hold that had fallen from above. It was near enough to Dillon to be useful; Sleeper leapt over and gave it a good kick in his direction, hoping to spray the villain with heavy debris.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 

12/d10 with one Hitch for the Watcher.

Sleeper’s status:
Physical Stress: d6
Emotional Stress: d8
Plot Points: 1
 
Thane of Fife
Shocker is sent flying by a single punch from the mighty Hercules. He crashes through a series of girders before staggering back to his feet. It's a hard to believe he can still stand after a blow like that! (And perhaps best not to say anything to Hercules, but his aggressive fighting style may be causing as much damage to the site as Shocker was!)

Above them, Sleeper sends the swing stage towards Electro, but it is deflected by the electric field swirling around Dillon. Nonetheless, he seems to have spotted where it came from, and sends a lightning bolt hurtling in Sleeper's direction.

Hercules hears a loud creaking sound behind and turns to see Rhino, back on his feet, lifting a bulldozer over his head. "Think you're strong, Hercules? You're NOTHING next to the Rhino!" He hurls it at the demigod. Meanwhile, Shocker, seeing Hercules being attacked from the other direction, shows his true colors and fires one of his vibro-blasts at the former Avenger's back.

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
Shocker takes D12 physical stress, putting him now at D12. Another (physical) hit will knock him out. Electro dodges Sleeper's attack.

Electro is attacking Sleeper at 15/D8 to deal physical stress.
Rhino is attacking Hercules at 14/D8 to deal physical stress.
Shocker is attacking Hercules at 10/D8 to deal physical stress.
Mysterio is nowhere to be seen, but is probably up to something (makes a D10 Prepared Illusion asset for himself)

Note that in the rolls thread I gave each of you a plot point to advance the doom pool. It is now at 3D10. If anything advances it on your turn (for example, if you guys roll any 1's), then on my turn I will spend 1D12 to collapse the construction and end the fight. That seems fairly likely to happen, so just be aware that this could be your last turn.
 

 Doom Pool: 3D10 
Plaids
Answering the Rhino's challenge Hercules swiftly raises an elbow and catches the bulldozer. Now cradled firmly in the crook of his neck the bulldozer is shot putted away in the direction of Electro. The vehicle crashes into the ground and quakes as it absorbs the blast of vengeful electricity. Glass pops and cracks as the metal frame vibrates and the scent of burned rubber permeates the air.

  Plunder what you can. The battlefield is due to collapse at any moment.  
Hercules warns Sleeper as the as frame of the construction site shrieks.

Placing himself beneath the loudest and most violently disfigured beam Hercules pushes in the hope alleviating the stress on the failing pillar and purchasing his allies enough time to act and extract whatever benefit may be procured from this fight.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 

12/d10 to resist Electro with one Hitch for the Watcher, which I believe bumps up Sleeper’s Physical Stress to D8.

19/d8 to hit Shocker with one Hitch for the Watcher, and spending a Plot Point to put the remaining d10 towards Electro since I believe the building is coming down now (sorry Plaids!) and praying the dice allow us to grab one of them!

Sleeper’s status:
Physical Stress:  d6  d8
Emotional Stress: d8
Plot Points:  2  1
 


The blast came too quickly and too close to dodge completely, and Sleeper felt the electricity sizzle through his substance. He took temporary cover behind the battered bulldozer to get his bearings: still no sign of Kaine, Hercules was over there, Shocker was looking quite battered…


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   Plunder what you can. The battlefield is due to collapse at any moment.  
Hercules warns Sleeper as the as frame of the construction site shrieks.

Placing himself beneath the loudest and most violently disfigured beam Hercules pushes in the hope alleviating the stress on the failing pillar and purchasing his allies enough time to act and extract whatever benefit may be procured from this fight. 
 

Hercules wouldn’t be able to see Sleeper nod, so the symbiote didn’t bother. There didn’t seem to be anything meaningful in the way of plans or equipment lying around but there  was  the option of prisoners…if Sleeper could take them out.

The building groaned underfoot and Sleeper amended to himself, take them out  quickly. 

Perfectly doable.

Sleeper ripped the scoop off the bulldozer and flung it in Shocker’s direction, then leapt after it spraying more sleep gas. If the flying piece of metal didn’t do the job, it might still be enough of a distraction from the gas to knock Shocker out, and maybe Electro too if he was close enough…
Thane of Fife
As the half-constructed building shudders above the battle, the mighty Hercules shoulders it like the burden of Atlas. It's a valiant but failing effort - Hercules is surely strong enough to lift this building up over his head, but it seems to be tearing itself to pieces as much as toppling.

Perhaps, given time, Hercules could support it nonetheless, but as Sleeper hurls the scoop from the bulldozer at the Shocker, the villain fires a vibro-blast to deflect it. That proves futile, and the scoop sweeps Shocker off his feet, then bounces off of a mound of dirt to knock Electro out of the air - Captain America would be impressed by that throw - but the vibro-blast is deflected off the curve of the scoop up into the crumbling structure, which fractures and comes down in a cloud of dust and twisted metal.

---

It does not take terribly long for Hercules to himself and Sleeper free from the rubble, but by the time he does, the Sinister Six (well, Sinister Four) have disappeared. Surely they won't be forgetting that beatdown any time soon.

However, a ghostly image of Mysterio stands atop the pile of rubble and cackles as you emerge. "Now, know that you face the newest incarnation of the Sinister Six. Tremble before our power and know that this" - he gestures at the surrounding rubble - "will be the fate of all Manhattan if we do not get what we demand!" The image fades.

 Doom Pool: 1D12, 1D10 
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Dropping invisibility.
 


Inky tendrils oozed out between the chunks of rubble and started moving them aside until Sleeper had finally removed enough to free Tel-Kar’s husk. There was no sign of the super villains in the rubble, save for the holographic parting shot from Beck.

Sleeper snarled and crushed a chunk of cement in frustration. Twice! Twice in one day the prey slipped away!

He looked around to locate (and if necessary, help extract) Hercules, and Kaine as well if there was any sign of the latter.
Plaids
A mound of bricks rises and slough off the man beneath.
   Hgraah!    A thunderous roar emanates from Hercules as he chucks a bent steel beam towards the illusion. Any catharsis evaporates once the bisected illusion reconstitutes itself to continue prattling about a glorious retreat.


  Sleeper? Sleeper! Where art thee?!   Shouts Hercules as he tills through debris searching for his alien ally.
Kareeah_Indaga
“  Here,  ” Sleeper replied. “  Did you see what happened to ‘Miles?’  ”
Plaids
  Miles went in pursuit of Dr. Octopus in flight this feeble place.   He points in the direction two had tumbled towards in their high-rise struggle.

He speaks with the urgency of a veteran having lost allies in a conflict.
  We must engage in pursuit ourselves before the rest of our sinister foes may reconvene and overwhelm Miles. Do you have a scent trail? 
Kareeah_Indaga
“  No.  ” One disadvantage of the pair of them scoping the place out before hand was that Kaine’s chemical markers had been all over half the building - and with the building’s collapse, they were now well jumbled into the wreckage. “  But I can find it.  ”

Sleeper would need to get out of the immediate vicinity of the wreckage, then circle it until he found the trail leading away. He started in the direction Hercules had indicated, sucking in air to taste for the distinct ‘flavor’ of Kaine’s webbing - and of course looking for visible chunks of the stuff, marks on the buildings from Octavius’ metal tentacles, or other signs.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Should I put together a dice pool for this?
 
Plaids
Hercules
  A wise course of action from the Fraternity of Spiders. I will assist in endeavor the search through the concrete jungle.  
Hercules begins searching for tracks. Unusually placed cords of spider silk, fresh potholes, torn chain-link fences gating labyrinthian alleyways; anything that could indicate the path taken by Miles and The Octopus' cronies.
Thane of Fife
Not too far from the collapsed building, Sleeper and Hercules find some webbing and tentacle marks not far from a small crater in the side of a building, where it looks like a small bomb went off.

As they're examining it, a few people are gathering around them - it seems like a mix of people working late in the area. Maybe some of them saw something?
Kareeah_Indaga
It was probably too late to slip away and come back in a less threatening form to question the witnesses…

…then again these were people whose first reaction to seeing a carnivorous alien nearby was to  get closer.  Sleeper occasionally despaired for the survival instincts of the average New Yorker.

“  Excuse us, did any of you see Dr. Octopus pass through this way?  ” Sleeper readied himself to start tweaking brain chemistry if it seemed necessary.
Plaids
 Hercules  

Catching up to Sleeper Hercules notices the crowd. A crowd simply gawking at his polite partner still trying to timidly coax accounts with a gentle querying.

He makes eye contact with the crowd before bellowing and projecting his voice through the night.
   Hark citizenry of New York.     The Octopus and his cronies have retreated through these streets tonight, pursued by one of our own in silent pursuit. My companion and I have to conscript thine recent accounts to assist us in our search.  
He concludes pointing a recruiting finger at the closest person in the crowd having either boldly stepped forward or refrained from timidly shuddering backwards.
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
  Hercules  

Catching up to Sleeper Hercules notices the crowd. A crowd simply gawking at his polite partner still trying to timidly coax accounts with a gentle querying.

He makes eye contact with the crowd before bellowing and projecting his voice through the night.
   Hark citizenry of New York.     The Octopus and his cronies have retreated through these streets tonight, pursued by one of our own in silent pursuit. My companion and I have to conscript thine recent accounts to assist us in our search.  
He concludes pointing a recruiting finger at the closest person in the crowd having either boldly stepped forward or refrained from timidly shuddering backwards. 
 


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 It was probably too late to slip away and come back in a less threatening form to question the witnesses…

…then again these were people whose first reaction to seeing a carnivorous alien nearby was to  get closer.  Sleeper occasionally despaired for the survival instincts of the average New Yorker.

“  Excuse us, did any of you see Dr. Octopus pass through this way?  ” Sleeper readied himself to start tweaking brain chemistry if it seemed necessary. 
 

"Me?" says the man Hercules pointed to. "Yeah. Yeah, I saw him, Thor! He and those other guys got in a van in the alley over there and raced off." He rubs the back of his head. "I woulda, y'know, tried to stop them, but, I got a wife and kids, you know what I'm sayin'?"
Plaids
 Hercules 

Hercules extends an arm his palm flatly faces the bumbling man to tell him to cease the exchange.
  Your account is appreciated citizen. Return to thine dwellings and know a thorn a new arrow has been added to the quiver of justice.  
   Lose one contest with the god of hammers ...    
He turns now irritated to Sleeper.
   Are though certain this one isn't one of Mysterio's rancid vapors?    
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
I’m going to go on the assumption of ‘Mysterio’s gas not detected’ but if I’m wrong I’m happy to edit.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
 Hercules extends an arm his palm flatly faces the bumbling man to tell him to cease the exchange.
  Your account is appreciated citizen. Return to thine dwellings and know a thorn a new arrow has been added to the quiver of justice.   
 

“  Wait.  ” Sleeper grabbed Hercules’ arm before the latter could finish dismissing the witness. “  What ‘other guys?’  ” If Octavius had carted off Kaine, that was critical information. If the other members of the ‘new Sinister Six’ had regrouped, that was less critical, but still potentially useful. Regardless, Father would be very embarrassed if he learned Sleeper had let a witness walk off with so little questioning. “  What did the van look like - what color was it, did it have any distinguishing marks or patterns, did you see the license plate?  ”


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
 He turns now irritated to Sleeper.
   Are though certain this one isn't one of Mysterio's rancid vapors?    
 

“   Yes, I’m sure. The gas has a very distinct flavor.   ”

 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress:  d8  d6
Emotional Stress:  d8  d6
Plot Points: 2
XP: 3
 
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  Wait.  ” Sleeper grabbed Hercules’ arm before the latter could finish dismissing the witness. “  What ‘other guys?’  ” If Octavius had carted off Kaine, that was critical information. If the other members of the ‘new Sinister Six’ had regrouped, that was less critical, but still potentially useful. Regardless, Father would be very embarrassed if he learned Sleeper had let a witness walk off with so little questioning. “  What did the van look like - what color was it, did it have any distinguishing marks or patterns, did you see the license plate?  ” 
 

"Oh, well, there was a lot of smoke and dust and it was kind of hard to see, but it was that guy with the robot arms and the big guy in the rhino suit and, uh.... I dunno, a bunch of weirdos in costumes."

"I think there was someone flying, too," someone else supplies.

"Huh? Oh, I didn't notice that. Well, it was a red-and-white van, like a moving van or something. I think it said DeLorenzo's or something on the side."

"I think the plates started with GS," offers a third man.
Plaids
  Hercules  

The informative accounts rouse Hercules as interest overtakes pride and heroic duty supplants petty indignation. He turns back to the crowd intently listening about the escape vehicle.
  Did you perchance see a web slinger pursuing them?   He inquires.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper thanked most of the witnesses but lasered in on one account in particular for further questioning:


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "I think there was someone flying, too," someone else supplies. 
 

“  Flying, how?  ” Sleeper asked. “  Did they have wings? A board? Were they levitating?  ” He knew he’d hit Electro pretty solidly - Dillon shouldn’t have been flying anywhere after that. Add in the explosive…and Sleeper didn’t like the picture being painted.

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Also, does Sleeper know what DeLorenzo is?
 
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   Hercules  

The informative accounts rouse Hercules as interest overtakes pride and heroic duty supplants petty indignation. He turns back to the crowd intently listening about the escape vehicle.
  Did you perchance see a web slinger pursuing them?   He inquires. 
 

"A web slinger? Like Spider-Man? No. Isn't he one of them? I thought he and Doctor Octopus were in cahoots?"


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “  Flying, how?  ” Sleeper asked. “  Did they have wings? A board? Were they levitating?  ” He knew he’d hit Electro pretty solidly - Dillon shouldn’t have been flying anywhere after that. Add in the explosive…and Sleeper didn’t like the picture being painted. 
 

"I couldn't really see much detail in the smoke, but I didn't see a big wingspan or anything."


  
 Spoiler: OoC 
Also, does Sleeper know what DeLorenzo is?
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
No, it doesn't mean anything to Sleeper or Hercules.
 
Plaids
  Hercules  

 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "A web slinger? Like Spider-Man? No. Isn't he one of them? I thought he and Doctor Octopus were in cahoots?" 
 

Another case of tarnished valor. While the myriads of advancements made were wonderous the speed heralds and traffic of thought is damnable. Gone were the times to ruminate and debate in open plazas. Now the esteem of heroes fighting rampaging could be tarnished in an instant through new machines.

Hercules breathes deeply, stilling a plucked nerve.
  Spiderman is elsewhere, uninvolved in this battle. He would not be at the aid of the Octopus.   He states plainly.

He concentrates on the new details in the man's account.

 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "I couldn't really see much detail in the smoke, but I didn't see a big wingspan or anything." 
 

 Must be either the Goblin or Electro.   He muses to Sleeper.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper thanked the witness before replying to Hercules. “  Likely. We should go.  ” It was worrying that no one had seen any sign of Kaine…
Plaids
  Lets us be on our way   Hercules utters in agreement.
He joins Sleeper, heading towards the darkened alley and away from the hum of murmurs of the crowd within the building.
Thane of Fife
Hercules and Sleeper take some time to search the area for any further signs of Kaine, but they find neither hide nor web of him (well, not more than they already have).

With the Sinister Six having apparently made their getaway, and seemingly unlikely to make another appearance tonight, Hercules and Sleeper decide to regroup at an Olympus Group condominium owned by Hercules. If Kaine has escaped, perhaps he'll track them to here. Otherwise, well, there are a lot of potential resources at hand here, and maybe some way to get a step ahead of the Sinister Six.

Is there anyone or anything in particular that you want to seek out?
Plaids
The tower is as venerable as the ancient temples offering refuge in the age of mythology before costumes and masks. Ornate Corithian columns of polished white untarnished marble embellish the buildings facade; the decorative details remain unobscured by the night as gentle flames emanate from suspended bronze lanterns. A floral citrus scent wafts from two waist high pots of sand burning the fragrant sticks inviting onlookers to gaze at buildings signage. Golden letters encased in rough black marble frame the entrance reading "      Olympus Group     ". Hercules ignores the venerable antiquity fragrant incense of floral narcissus and citrus and proceeds to the side of the building.

  I know the oracle whose insights will illuminate our search. Rhino, octopus, scorpion, or goblin any creature can be exposed with the right light.   He confidently assures Sleeper.

  With time as our scarcity we will have to avoid reception and some of my divine siblings. Now with haste, enter before someone bare witness.   Hercules urges before lifting concrete pillar revealing a marbled hallway.

  Should thou be ensnared by the gaze of an owl prepare thine prayer and apologies. Those of the succession of spiders foul Athena's gentle mood  Hercules warns Sleeper.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   With time as our scarcity we will have to avoid reception and some of my divine siblings. Now with haste, enter before someone bare witness.   Hercules urges before lifting concrete pillar revealing a marbled hallway.

  Should thou be ensnared by the gaze of an owl prepare thine prayer and apologies. Those of the succession of spiders foul Athena's gentle mood  Hercules warns Sleeper. 
 

No sooner said than Sleeper was ‘in disguise’ - using Tel-Kar’s face with a thin layer to turn the blue skin to human tones, darken the white hair to blond and faking human clothes - business casual this time ((unless that would be obviously out of place)), in contrast to the usual homeless ‘outfit’ Sleeper usually faked around the homeless shelters and street corners. He ducked under the pillar and inside. This was Hercules’ territory, he was inclined to let the older hero take point for now.
Plaids
Hercules nods in approval at the disguise and gently lowers the wall segment a regular man would lower his garage door.
He takes the lead in this domain of mythical antiquity remaining vigilant for any harbinger of his many siblings. A single out of place owl, lyre, grapevine, or horse a potential portent of divine interference.
Thane of Fife
Hercules does not encounter any of the other Olympians, but he and Sleeper do run into a pretty, young woman - a nymph.

"Oh, Hercules! I didn't know you were here! And your friend! Were you looking for Apollo? I think he's in 3207. I saw you stopped a bank robbery earlier! How heroic!" She pauses for a half-second to flutter her eyelashes. "Did you send that other woman here? Elektra? She's been holed up with Hades for hours. I don't know what they're talking about. Say, weren't you with Loki earlier? What happened to him? I heard that Asgard is...." She doesn't seem like she's going to stop talkig any time soon, so you may need to interrupt.
Plaids
 Hercules 

The beautiful nymph is another reminder of the majesty of New York city. Amongst the metal and glass towers small, manicured grottos and gardens, refuges of nature, remained. Permitting such beauties jaunts to appreciative fellows questing for merriment and companionship. Though now was not the ideal time. Hopefully sating her curiosity would be sufficient.

He regales her with tales tinged with bravado.
  Ah yes, the godling Loki. Summoned back to roost amongst the Asgardians the horned trickster has. And yes, the brigands who accost this imperial city were dealt by yours truly; Thankfully for them emerged with a gentle mood.

But I must make towards Apollo's oracle. My friend and I need make haste to learn of the next assault that we may quash.
The warrior maiden Elektra was she here by her own accord, from amongst the living?  
He asks soberly.
Kareeah_Indaga
Recognizing Elektra’s name as being part of his current mentor’s rogue’s gallery and on-again off-again ally among other things - rather like Parent and Spider-man - Sleeper immediately wondered what she was up to, and whether or not it was something Daredevil would need to know about.

So he contrived to look politely interested and gave the nymph’s neurochemistry a little  push .

~ H  e  r cules is interested, keep talking about that!~

 
 Spoiler: Question for Plaids 
I lost track, are you still using the Revelry Milestones?

Revelry:
1 XP: When you drink or flirt with a Watcher character.
3 XP: When you get falling down drunk or wander off with a fling.
10 XP: When you are too drunk or too busy with a romantic conquest to help the team when they need you.

Unless you got that one already and I missed it, now might be a good time to grab the second one.
 
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
 But I must make towards Apollo's oracle. My friend and I need make haste to learn of the next assault that we may quash. 
 

The nymph slaps her forehead. "Oh, yes! She said she had to work late tonight so that she'd still be here when you showed up! That's why I was down here looking for you!"

"You know where to find her, don't you? She knows you're coming."


 The warrior maiden Elektra was she here by her own accord, from amongst the living?
He asks soberly. 


 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 So he contrived to look politely interested and gave the nymph’s neurochemistry a little  push . 
 

"I think she was, yes. And yes, she's alive. At least, she was when she showed up. I think she was here on someone else's behalf."

"I could take you over to talk to them if you want?"


  
 Spoiler: Question for Plaids 
Unless you got that one already and I missed it, now might be a good time to grab the second one.
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OOC 
FYI: You are allowed to hit the 1 and 3 milestones multiple times. I think the limit is that you can only hit the 3 milestone once per scene.
 
Plaids
 Hercules 

What was that alluring ambrosial scent? Pungent as crushed garlic yet sweetened by honey. Though not as sweet as the marvel of nature by any other name beside them.
~ Th  e gi  rl .   Ask her about  ~

Hercules clasps the nymph's dainty hand abruptly while gazing affectionately; making her the axis of his universe.
  The oracle, with patience in abundance, may tarry a few more moments. Thine majesty is without dispute. Perhaps we may bless the  Fallow Lord  Hades' gloomy department with a blessing of natural renewal? Perchance a sliver of nature's gift will be imparted to me.  

He replies providing the most tempting offer possible.

 
 Spoiler: Simply worded plan 
 Hercules got a whiff of some pheromones and has a change of  heart  lowered inhibitions. Hercules will take a detour to Hade's department. But he would prefer to sneak in and get affectionate with the nymph and maybe go do Revelry Level 2. What better way to get back at the lord of the undead than spread some life in his domain.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
  
 Spoiler: OOC 
FYI: You are allowed to hit the 1 and 3 milestones multiple times. I think the limit is that you can only hit the 3 milestone once per scene.
 
 
 

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Oh awesome! Any limit on the 1 milestones?
 


Whoops, Sleeper had only meant to keep the nymph babbling about Elektra in case she had useful information - but that spike of hormones from the demigod told him he’d miscalculated. “ Your oracle might, but Miles won’t, ” Sleeper reminded.

Sleeper was torn. Whatever Elektra was doing could be important too; it wasn’t as if the various supervillains took turns plotting against the populace. Though he wasn’t sure if she was actually on the supervillain side of the spectrum at present, but if she  were  here to cause trouble, he should find out what it was.

(And if she weren’t, it wouldn’t hurt to observe her and see if she had any strong points as a potential host; certainly she had given Daredevil trouble in the past, so her combat skills must be passable at the very least. ((🐟)) Though the past supervillainy might cause problems with Father and Parent, even if she wasn’t evil presently.)

 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress: d6
Emotional Stress: d6
Plot Points: 2
XP: 3 +1 for considering another character’s merits as a host, unless the Watcher objects.
 
Plaids
 Hercules 
As the heady scent of garlic and honey subsides and the capillaries in Hercules philanderous brain clear he relinquishes his romantic pursuit.
  Oh, well, perhaps, another time, in another place.   He stutters, his cultivated discipline returning to him.

 There pursuit of Spiderman's foes is still active and leads are needed. Without anyone to mount Cerebro or any of the Avengers' supercomputers the oracle is the best option. Better not tempt fate, especially with a spouse in the building. The mood for merriment and passion can be indulged on another morrow.  

Addressing Sleeper Hercules informs him of his new priorities.
  I must delay mine affront with Hades, the oracle awaits. Whilst I be guided by our blessing of nature.   He sweeps an arm towards the direction of the nymph as an announcer would to a Vegas showgirl.
  Thou hast mine permission to traverse the halls of the Olympus group. I trust thou will evade the harsh eyes and foul moods of any inhabitants toiling at this late hour.  
 
 Spoiler: Hercules Status 
Stress: None
Complication: None
Assets: None
Plot Points: 2.
XP: 2/10 + 1
 
Kareeah_Indaga
“ Of course. ” Sleeper nodded to Hercules, then went over to find a building directory so he could figure out where he actually needed to go. He didn’t drop the disguise - wandering around as an obvious carnivorous alien could only draw unwanted attention - but didn’t bother with invisibility just yet, either. He was a guest here, and whatever Hercules and Hades had going on between them as far as Sleeper knew no one in the Olympus Group had any quarrel with  him …and it was just dimly possible he might need to keep that particular trick up his metaphorical sleeve to be pulled out later.

 
 Spoiler: Plan 
Given a choice between routes Sleeper will take stairs over an elevator - more room to maneuver and less likely to have people there.

Assuming no notable encounters en route, Sleeper will duck out of sight and go invisible once he gets close to Hades office, or if something he obviously needs to avoid shows up  -  blatant threats like Zeus throwing thunderbolts, the Sinister Six crashing through a wall or something similarly dangerous.

Also you said they’re behind closed doors right now, but he’ll also go invisible if he sees Elektra outside the office, and the same goes for Hades (assuming Sleeper knows what Hades looks like) under the assumption that Elektra isn’t far behind.

If they remain in the office, Sleeper will listen outside unless there seems to be a good reason not to - EX: if it sounds like they’ve got Daredevil chained up in a corner - and soak some tracer chemical in the carpet outside the door, in the hopes that Elektra will step in it and he can follow her later if he needs to.
 
Thane of Fife
 Hercules  is led to the office of the oracle, a pleasant corner office with a window that probably offers a nice view during the day, but the blinds are drawn now. Inside is the oracle herself, a middle-aged blonde woman with a strip of cloth drawn around her head over her eyes. On the desk around her is a great deal of lit incense, along with a nametag that reads, "Penelope."

"Thank you for coming promptly," she say, "I need to get home and put my kids asleep." She takes a deep breath of the fumes from the incense, and when she speaks again, her voice is deeper and has a hint of an echo to it:

"Ask me thy questions, oh Mighty Hercules."

---

Meanwhile,  Sleeper  approaches the office of Hades. The surroundings grow ever more grim as Sleeper draws near, and as he arrives at Hades's door, he finds the trappings of death all about him - a veritable sea of gray cubicles.

From inside, Sleeper could hear voices as he approached, but as he drew close enough to make out what they were saying, one - the male voice - stopped suddenly. There are several moments of silence before the talking resumes.

"Elektra, still thou hast offered nothing substantial in exchange for what thou ask of me. It is not that I do not wish to help thee, Elektra - thou hast done me service in thy time - but death is a growing enterprise, and doing favors would be... bad for business. But surely we can come to a mutually agreeable arrangement. See here, perhaps thou wouldst find this contract agreeable?"
Plaids
 Hercules 

Shoulders squared, gently clasped hands, and with respectful eye contact.
  Sacred oracle, my companion and I have journeyed to you for pursuit of justice. In this age of marvels extraordinary many mortals have arisen plaguing the populace much alike the mythical monsters in the age of mythology. I seek whereabouts of the Octopus, Electro, Rhino, Mysterio, and Shocker. The same group that has to blows with Spiderman and now bedevil this city.  
He finishes now preparing to probe every word of portent.

 It isn't always as it seems. Prophecies are rife with symbols which can't be taken literally. I can't see it as an objective forecast as I have erroneously before. None of them where mine progeny, right?  
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper wasn’t clear enough on what Electra was here to do in the first place to help or hinder her just yet, so he needed to get one or the other of them mentioning useful details first. And as Elektra was apparently already hesitating over  something , he picked out her brain chemistry and leaned into it:

~ N  o  t  a fair exchange, need to explain why or he’ll think you’re just wasting his time.

 H  e   d oesn’t really care what you came here for, he’d rather be home with his wife and his three-headed dog.

 D  o  n ’t waste time; give details.~

 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress: d6
Emotional Stress: d6
Plot Points: 2
XP: 4 +1 When you investigate potential trouble or an otherwise noteworthy incident. 🐟
 
Thane of Fife
 Sleeper  can feel Elektra's body fighting back against him in a way that he hasn't experienced before. Before he can make any changes to his approach, the door to the office suddenly swings open and  Elektra  emerges, her sais in her hands. She looks around, seemingly unaware of Sleeper's presence, before speaking:

"There's someone here, Hades? Is this one of your tricks? I came here in good faith."

Behind her emerges  Hades , hellfire flickering about his form. "Not one of my servants, Elektra." He gives away nothing beyond that, but he looks right at Sleeper, and Sleeper can feel something in the only half-alive Tel-Kar stretching toward the Lord of the Dead (in a metaphysical sense).

"I shouldn't have come back to New York," whispers Elektra.

"One signature and thou shall have what thou desires, Elektra. Then, there will be naught to hold thee here."

Elektra casts another look about the area before turning and starting to follow Hades back into his office.

-----

Meanwhile, in another part of the building, the  Oracle  is quiet for a moment after  Hercules  asks his question. "The sculptor looks upon his own two hands and sees them in the marble. So, too, the one you seek. Scour the globe, oh Prince of Power, and you shall find the sculptor's hand."


 Doom pool: 1D12, 1D10, 1D8 
Kareeah_Indaga
That hadn’t gone well. Sleeper took the opportunity provided by Elektra’s exit to try and get a better taste of the assassin’s biochemistry and recalibrate.


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "There's someone here, Hades? Is this one of your tricks? I came here in good faith."

Behind her emerges  Hades , hellfire flickering about his form. "Not one of my servants, Elektra." He gives away nothing beyond that, but he looks right at Sleeper, and Sleeper can feel something in the only half-alive Tel-Kar stretching toward the Lord of the Dead (in a metaphysical sense). 
 

…what was left of Tel-Kar was misbehaving. And Hades was looking in his direction. That was interesting.

Sleeper considered, very briefly, reaching out to Hades to see if the god would trade Tel-Kar’s lobotomized body for host status. ((🐟)) But the masses of grey cubes decided him; anyone who preferred a boring office job when they had supernatural powers  probably  wasn’t a good match as far as superheroing went. Sleeper imagined being stuck in a meeting when the Kree were invading. Or worse, the new host  scheduling  a meeting  because  the Kree were invading instead of knocking them back to Hala!

Horrible. No, not a good potential host.

Also, while he knew he was missing a lot of context, trying to pressure Elektra when she was obviously on the fence about the mysterious contract didn’t seem like something a good-in-the-moral-sense businessman would do. Sleeper’s understanding was that a good business deal was like a good symbiote/host relationship; both parties had to benefit, or it wasn’t sustainable.

Even if she was evil and deserved whatever fate Hades had in store for her, leaving her to that fate wasn’t the sort of behavior Parent  or  Daredevil would approve of. He was trying to be a hero, after all. And if she wasn’t evil he should definitely get her out of here before she sold off her soul…

…and now she’d walked into his chemical trap, which meant he could settle for driving her out now, and figuring out which later!

So using the recalibrated chemical mix, Sleeper bumped up the amount of stress hormones and planted the suggestion:

~ H  e  ’ s lying!~


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "I shouldn't have come back to New York," whispers Elektra.

"One signature and thou shall have what thou desires, Elektra. Then, there will be naught to hold thee here." 
 

Then using the original concoction: ~ Y  e  e eeeesssss. Do as he says!~

 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress: d6
Emotional Stress: d6
Plot Points: 2
XP: 5 +1 for considering another character’s merits as a host.
Resources: Elektra is trackable.
 
Plaids
 Hercules 

 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
  Meanwhile, in another part of the building, the  Oracle  is quiet for a moment after  Hercules  asks his question. "The sculptor looks upon his own two hands and sees them in the marble. So, too, the one you seek. Scour the globe, oh Prince of Power, and you shall find the sculptor's hand." 
 

Hercules smiles charmingly, gracing his audience with a smile dispensed after a trademark routine feat of godly strength. A sculpted elbow is rested on table while large knuckles cradle Hercules' face, giving the Olympian a resemblance to a statuesque thinking man.

 I see. 
 A sculptor seeing his hands in marble? Doth she nary see how little insight be divined? Perhaps she refers to marble infused hands of the Absorbing Man or the Sandman, foe of Spiderman? No, both lacks the history of artistic creation. Perhaps a man honored with a marble statue. Oh, but who does not receive the honor of a statue in this age of Marvels. Maybe a new tactic shall need to be employed 
 Thank you Penelope,
the incense, the sacred flames, the portents, all these trappings of prophecy are the same as they were when we inhabited Greece. But I can see we have changed. The cities and now your family. Does thou not tire of providing the same portents within Olympian halls for decades instead spending time with thine blessed progeny? I have an offer that would make thee feel alike old King Tantalus. A succinct prophecy in exchange for the means to withdraw from your post and live and thou see fit.  

Hercules provides a gleaming smile, confident that he has the number of wineries and assorted businesses to fund his offer.
Thane of Fife
For a moment, it is unclear if  Sleeper's  chemical attack works, but then  Elektra  bursts back through Hades's door, kicking it down with her sais in her hands. She leaps towards Sleeper's position, clearly at least somewhat aware of where he is, her sais flashing. "Call off your servant, Hades, or prepare to lose them!"

Behind her, a somewhat exasperated-looking  Hades  follows her from the office, pausing to magic the shattered door back into one piece.
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
 Hercules provides a gleaming smile, confident that he has the number of wineries and assorted businesses to fund his offer. 
 

"Your offer is generous, oh Son of Zeus, but I like this job." She smiles at  Hercules . "But you desire a succinct prophecy? How about this one?" She deepens her voice a bit, though obviously not bringing her full prophetic powers to bear:

"Do not miss the seven o'clock news tomorrow morning, Slayer of the Hydra. I am certain that you will find it enlightening."
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper flipped backwards and away and, extending invisible tendrils, yanked the sais out of her hands.

Despite the attack (and really, how did  everyone  seem to figure out where he was?) Sleeper was pleased. By her reckoning, Elektra was outnumbered two to one, and if Hades was on par with Hercules, rather outmatched. And yet here she was bashing down doors ready to carve up all comers! Excellent fighting spirit, he could see why Daredevil found her attractive. Sleeper really hoped she wasn’t a supervillain presently even if she ultimately didn’t end up his next host: that lovely fighting spirit would be  absolutely wasted  if he had to bite her arms and legs off…

But he needed to separate her from Hades before he ended up fighting them both. She was already mad, maybe he could get her to chase him…it wasn’t like she was a significant physical threat anyway…

He’d have formed a mouth to grin at her, but she wouldn’t have seen it so Sleeper didn’t bother. Instead he motioned with the sais with a ‘come at me!’ gesture picked out of racial memories of gang fights involving knives, and got ready to dodge out of reach again. He assumed she’d want her weapons back…

 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress: d6
Emotional Stress: d6
Plot Points:  2  1 after shutting down Elektra’s sais.
XP: 6
 
Plaids
 Hercules  

 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 "Your offer is generous, oh Son of Zeus, but I like this job." She smiles at  Hercules . "But you desire a succinct prophecy? How about this one?" She deepens her voice a bit, though obviously not bringing her full prophetic powers to bear:

"Do not miss the seven o'clock news tomorrow morning, Slayer of the Hydra. I am certain that you will find it enlightening." 
 

Hercules inhales deeply, [I]no amount of money could replace the fulfilling rush she must be feeling; of completing a job where one is encouraged to tantalize and running circles around her clients. He exhales dragging a palm across his face, fruitlessly attempting to peel away the frustration and confusion exuding from his face.

Hercules speaks to Penelope, looking her directly in her bright eyes, careful to remain in the senior oracle's good graces.
  Thank you Penelope, thine prophecies art heavy portent as always. I must convene with my allies before venturing forth to fate or destiny. A trophy from mine journey will be placed upon thine desk as soon as possible as has been before.   Hercules begins exiting the misty office towards the department of Hades.

 Still being as mysterious as ever, should have gotten with her when I had the chance.  
 
 Spoiler: OOC plan 
 Have Hercules conclude his session with oracle and regroup with Sleeper. The seven o'clock news is a pretty good lead. Which station the seven o'clock news is on was not states but I can just have Hercules walk into a mall and have every television and radio tuned to a different news station.
 
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 He’d have formed a mouth to grin at her, but she wouldn’t have seen it so Sleeper didn’t bother. Instead he motioned with the sais with a ‘come at me!’ gesture picked out of racial memories of gang fights involving knives, and got ready to dodge out of reach again. He assumed she’d want her weapons back…

 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress: d6
Emotional Stress: d6
Plot Points:  2  1 after shutting down Elektra’s sais.
XP: 6
 
 
 

Elektra tries to keep cool and collected, but Sleeper can tell he's getting to her. "You will regret challenging me!" she snarls, delivering a leaping snap kick at the area around her floating sais.

" Enough !" intones Hades behind her. He gestures, and chains of hellfire begin swirling through the air around him, Elektra, and Sleeper. "You are testing my patience. Cease your squabbling or have the Lord of the Underworld end it."

 
 Spoiler 
Elektra has D10 emotional stress, and is attacking Sleeper to inflict physical stress at 12/D8.
 


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
  Hercules  
Hercules inhales deeply, [I]no amount of money could replace the fulfilling rush she must be feeling; of completing a job where one is encouraged to tantalize and running circles around her clients. He exhales dragging a palm across his face, fruitlessly attempting to peel away the frustration and confusion exuding from his face.

Hercules speaks to Penelope, looking her directly in her bright eyes, careful to remain in the senior oracle's good graces.
  Thank you Penelope, thine prophecies art heavy portent as always. I must convene with my allies before venturing forth to fate or destiny. A trophy from mine journey will be placed upon thine desk as soon as possible as has been before.   Hercules begins exiting the misty office towards the department of Hades.

 Still being as mysterious as ever, should have gotten with her when I had the chance.   
 

Penelope smiles at Hercules and bows her head. "I am glad to be of service, Hercules. And remember what I have told you, Son of Zeus. Well you know that there is value in every prophecy."

Outside, it seems that the nymph who brought Hercules here must have gotten distracted and wandered off. In any case, he can find his way to his uncle's office.

 Doom: 1D12, 1D10, 1D8 
Plaids
 Hercules 
  Alone again.   Hercules huffs.

Pulling a drink from the Apollo department cooler, the sun kissed orange on the bottle cover smiles back unbothered by the cryptic omens. He trods back to reconvene with Sleeper.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress:  d6  d8
Emotional Stress: d6
Plot Points: 1
XP: 6

Assets:
Elektra Doesn’t Trust Hades
I Was Never Here
 


Sleeper had the sais in tendrils, not his current host’s hands, but he misjudged the ninja woman’s range and Elektra’s boot slammed into Tel-Kar’s nose anyway. The Kree man might be lobotomized, but his nerves still worked and Sleeper focused on repairing the damage to deaden the sudden pain.


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 " Enough !" intones Hades behind her. He gestures, and chains of hellfire begin swirling through the air around him, Elektra, and Sleeper. "You are testing my patience. Cease your squabbling or have the Lord of the Underworld end it." 
 

Sleeper reasoned that he really needed to get out before this fight got out of hand. But Elektra still needed to come with him.

~ Y  e  e eees, got it, take it outsssside.~

Elektra wouldn’t know that Hades couldn’t hear that…

Sleeper ducked, leaped, and twisted his way out of the maze of chains and down the hall, mostly going in the direction of the exit. He kept the sais visible until he was a reasonable distance and several twists and turns from Hades office before engaging in a little more misdirection: when he came to a T-section, and Elektra was just coming into view, he floated the sais down one branch on the end of a couple tendrils, then used another tendril to open the door to the stairs at the end of that branch, before engulfing the sais with his substance to hide them before Elektra could see them disappear.

Then he went in the other direction. There should be more than one way down…

He found himself overlooking another room. Oh, there was Hercules. Given the current state of his investigation into Elektra Sleeper had suspected he would need to go find the other hero at the brewery later to discuss the Sinister Six, but this was fortuitous.

Sleeper hopped the railing to drop silently - and invisibly - down, found a hall entrance where he could reappear out of sight, then strode out as if he’d come from that direction. He kept the sais invisible - Elektra wasn’t getting those back until he could verify she wasn’t here for nefarious reasons. And if that distracted too much from the Sinister Six, he could always drop them off with Daredevil, who would want to know she was in town regardless of her intentions…

But first things first. Time to pretend he wasn’t leading an angry assassin on a merry chase away from the Lord of the Underworld.

Sleeper addressed Hercules. “ There you are. Did you learn anything from the Oracle? ”
Plaids
 Hercules 

Hercules expression softens as he sees Sleeper. The diminutive symbiotic spider spawn hopping along like a like a frog. Spiders sat in their webs, not hopping spunkily beguiling friends and foe alike. At least they used to. The world and its spiders had changed now spiders jumped and danced in courtship too. Maybe just no one had noticed until the ecologists of the 'Animal Planet' had shared their discoveries along with Spiderman.

He crushes the drink can between his thumb and pinkie and quickly discards the puck before addressing his partner.

  Ah Sleeper, I have come with the portents of the Oracle. Vague and ominous as ever but fully withholding the knowledge we seek. Here.  
A sheet of paper with the prophecy scrawled onto office paper is displayed to Sleeper. The text is legible but the hastily writing and absence of a flat surface during the inscription is evident.

 __________________________________________________  ____________   The sculptor looks upon  his own two hands and sees them in the marble. So, too, the one you seek. Scour  the globe, oh PrinceofPower, and you shall find the sculptor's  hand.  
  Statue? =====================^ 
  Do not miss the  seven o'clock news tomorrow morning , Slayer of the Hydra. I am certain that you will findit enlightening.   
  Me! =========================^ 
 ////////////////////////////////////////////\ 
  We mayhap uncover the withheld knowledge on the seven o'clock news. Until then I implore thee to refrain from and killing and copulation, I have seen the cost of having a prophecy unheeded.  
  We should depart before the early morning shifts arrive. We can rest before the couriers of the seven o'clock news arrives.  
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   Ah Sleeper, I have come with the portents of the Oracle. Vague and ominous as ever but fully withholding the knowledge we seek. Here.   
 

Sleeper examined the note. “ She can’t mean the actual planet. Most of our targets are based in New York, ” maybe all, since they didn’t know who all of the villains were “ and were targeting New York. ” Sleeper tried to think of all the corporations, buildings, monuments, and yes, statues that incorporated a globe or sphere into their names, design, or iconography.


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   We mayhap uncover the withheld knowledge on the seven o'clock news. Until then I implore thee to refrain from and killing and copulation, I have seen the cost of having a prophecy unheeded.   
 

“ I already promised someone else not to kill anyone, and my species doesn’t reproduce that way, ” Sleeper was able to assure him.


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   We should depart before the early morning shifts arrive. We can rest before the couriers of the seven o'clock news arrives.   
 

“ What time  is  it? ”  Sleeper asked, looking around for a clock. Tel-Kar hadn’t come with a watch, and having no work obligations beyond ‘find bad people and stop them’ Sleeper usually didn’t need one.
Plaids
 Hercules 

 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ I already promised someone else not to kill anyone, and my species doesn’t reproduce that way, ” Sleeper was able to assure him. 
 

 You have quelled my concerns though I hope symbionts have an equal method of joyous intimacy. An isolated life forgoes pleasures only provided by others. Such as adulation, surprise, mentorship, and competition.  

 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 “ What time  is  it? ”  Sleeper asked, looking around for a clock. Tel-Kar hadn’t come with a watch, and having no work obligations beyond ‘find bad people and stop them’ Sleeper usually didn’t need one. 
 

  The break rooms and executive offices will have clocks for all corners of the earth.  
Hercules leads Sleeper to the nearest clock.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
  You have quelled my concerns though I hope symbionts have an equal method of joyous intimacy. An isolated life forgoes pleasures only provided by others. Such as adulation, surprise, mentorship, and competition.   
 

Sleeper, who was currently rattling around in his own mind,  achingly alone  and very self-conscious of the fact, merely nodded. Hercules was, by Sleeper’s reckoning, understating the case. When Parent had been kidnapped by Tel-Kar, Sleeper had thought he’d go insane having no one to talk to. He didn’t worry about that quite as much since he’d bonded with Father; socially speaking, the symbiote-host bond was deep enough to replace Klyntar-to-Klyntar interactions as long as the host was intelligent, and in the middle of New York he was  surrounded  by potential hosts. While he knew he  shouldn’t  go wrap around the spine of any random potential host, he knew he  could  and that was reassuring. In the mean time, he had a range of normal human interactions, but these were poor substitutes for a proper bond that left a much wider possibility for misunderstanding, even with the chemical and hormonal cues Sleeper was uniquely suited to pick up on. Only look at how badly he’d misread Elektra’s biochemistry!


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   The break rooms and executive offices will have clocks for all corners of the earth.  
Hercules leads Sleeper to the nearest clock. 
 

Sleeper trailed after him, keeping an ear out for Elektra or Hades.
Thane of Fife
 
 Originally Posted by Kareeah_Indaga 
 Sleeper examined the note. “ She can’t mean the actual planet. Most of our targets are based in New York, ” maybe all, since they didn’t know who all of the villains were “ and were targeting New York. ” Sleeper tried to think of all the corporations, buildings, monuments, and yes, statues that incorporated a globe or sphere into their names, design, or iconography. 
 

Well, there's the Unisphere in Queens, and the World Trade Center. Those are probably the most obvious. There are no doubt lots of others less well known - Sleeper will need to narrow it down a little more than that.


 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
   The break rooms and executive offices will have clocks for all corners of the earth.  
Hercules leads Sleeper to the nearest clock. 
 

It's a little after midnight.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper made note of the time, while privately being surprised that neither Elektra nor Hades had burst in on them. Not that he especially needed a fight right now, it was merely unexpected. He could use the extra time to drop off the sais with Daredevil…which reminded him.

“ Thank you. Where should I come to find you tomorrow? ” Tel-Kar didn’t come with a phone, either.
Plaids
 Hercules 

Pondering for a moment he announces his priorities and future whereabout.
 I shall be protecting the nearest fruit of prophecy. The heralds of the seven o'clock news will have no less than the ears and protection of Hercules. All assailants of the studio opposing my duty to the city and prophecy shall face my furious mood.  
 
 Spoiler: Simple explanation 
 Hercules will be in the studio when the seven o'clock news will be broadcast from.
 
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper considered asking which news station, but this being a nebulous prophecy rather than a mailing address Hercules might not know himself. And if the other hero was following cameramen around he should be easy enough to find, regardless.

“ I’ll keep an eye on the news and see you later then. ”

 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Sleeper’s plan - assuming no interruption from Elektra, Hades, or any other outside force - will be to take a roundabout route back to Hell’s Kitchen, partially to make sure he isn’t followed, partially to check on any globe-related statuary, buildings, etc. that aren’t too far out of the way as he travels. Once there he’ll look up Daredevil, inform him of Elektra’s presence in the city and give DD her sais.
 
Thane of Fife
 Sleeper  stops at a few sites on his jurney back to Hell's Kitchen: World's Finest Antiques; World Fusion Cuisine - Chinese, Mexican, German; Global Electronics Repair; and more. But none of them seem to have much of interest.

Hell's Kitchen is almost as disappointing.  Night Nurse  tells Sleeper that she tried to keep  Daredevil , but he was insistent on leaving, and Sleeper is not able to track the man down. Maybe he left the city altogether? After some time of searching for Daredevil, Sleeper thinks he sees  Elektra's  silhouette on a distant rooftop. But then the sun rises over the horizon behind her, and by the time Sleeper's vision clears, she's gone. It's nearly seven - no time to chase her down.

---

Meanwhile,  Hercules  manages to finagle his way into the Channel 12 News studio. At seven, the morning news starts as usual. But after only a few minutes, the news suddenly cuts out and is replaced by the image of  Doctor Octopus ! There is chaos in the studio until someone rushes out into the room - "There's nothing we can do! He's on every channel!"

"People of New York City," says Doctor Octopus, "for too long, you have denied me the respect due to my superior intellect, and today, you shall reap the reward of such negligence! In twelve hours, we, the Sinister Six, shall unleash my indestructible robot - the  OctoDroid ! - upon Manhattan." Whoever is holding the camera begins to pan up to show a huge robot behind Doctor Octopus. They get up to about the waist (it looks kind of like a giant Doc Ock, at least below the waist) before Otto reaches forward with one of his tentacles and pushes the camera back down to point at him.

"Within one hour of its activation, City Hall will be a smoldering ruin, and the rest of the city shall follow soon after. Destruction is inescapable and unavoidable. Unless(!) the City of New York pays to the Sinister Six five billion dollars. You have twelve hours, Mr. Mayor."

Suddenly, the camera swings around to face the cameraman. There is a brief shot of the large room where the video is being filmed, including some large machines in the background, before the twisted mask of the  Hobgoblin  appears on the screen, long, blonde hair running down her* back. She cackles into the camera:

"People of New York, the timer starts now!" Then the video cuts out.

There is chaos in the studio.

---

Outside, Sleeper can see this same message on every television screen in sight. As the message cuts out, Channel 12 Morning News cuts back to the news anchors, who sit there momentarily looking stunned. The camera swings to point at Hercules.

"Hercules, do you have any words for our watchers?"


*See the first appearance of the new Hobgoblin in  Cloak &amp; Dagger  #2
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
  Sleeper  stops at a few sites on his jurney back to Hell's Kitchen: World's Finest Antiques; World Fusion Cuisine - Chinese, Mexican, German; Global Electronics Repair; and more. But none of them seem to have much of interest. 
 

No signs of supervillains.

It  had  been a long shot, Sleeper reflected as he returned to the clinic at last. It was a big city, with a lot of ground to cover. He’d continue to keep an eye open.


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 Hell's Kitchen is almost as disappointing.  Night Nurse  tells Sleeper that she tried to keep  Daredevil , but he was insistent on leaving, and Sleeper is not able to track the man down. 
 

  I knew I should have glued him in place.   That man was going to get himself killed, pushing himself so hard. Sleeper still regretted his mentor had refused to be his host; certainty the man could use a healing factor. But that was something to reflect on later.

Grabbing a scrap of paper Sleeper made some ink with his chemokinesis and scribbled a note:

 
 Spoiler: Note 
 An associate of yours is in town. I thought you might want to get reacquainted. Directions enclosed. 
 

Then he sprayed a puff of the same chemical tracer on the paper he’d tagged Elektra with and sealed the note with adhesive. He then gave it to Night Nurse to give to Daredevil if she saw him before Sleeper did. Which given his mentor’s habit of pushing himself until he dropped, was likely.


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 After some time of searching for Daredevil, Sleeper thinks he sees  Elektra's  silhouette on a distant rooftop. But then the sun rises over the horizon behind her, and by the time Sleeper's vision clears, she's gone. It's nearly seven - no time to chase her down. 
 

Sleeper wondered if she was just that determined or just happened to be in the area. No matter. He had the Sinister Six to deal with.

----------------


 
 Originally Posted by Thane of Fife 
 Outside, Sleeper can see this same message on every television screen in sight. As the message cuts out, Channel 12 Morning News cuts back to the news anchors, who sit there momentarily looking stunned. The camera swings to point at Hercules.

"Hercules, do you have any words for our watchers?" 
 

Not Norman. That made sense; Sleeper would have been surprised to see Norman taking orders from  anyone .

Sleeper took long enough to note which news station Hercules was at before heading in that direction.

 
 Spoiler: Sleeper 

Physical Stress:  d8  d6 - scene change
Emotional Stress:  d6  d4 - scene change
Plot Points: 1
XP: 6+3 for going on a mission with a host, since we’re officially done with that

Resource:
Chemical tracer on Elektra

Assets:
 Elektra Doesn’t Trust Hades
I Was Never Here  - I think these go away with the scene change
 
Plaids
 Hercules 

Hercules witnesses the boastful demands of Dr. Octopus.
 He is taunting me. 

He recalls the prophecy from the oracle "The sculptor looks upon his own two hands and sees them in the marble".
 A man with creation in the design of his own image. It must be him.  

Heedless of whether the doctor is listening he responds.
 You dare presume to wield the strength to blackmail this city?!  
 Another prophecy unfolding and still two steps behind. 
Before bounding out of the recording studio he cries.
 To Sleeper and any who would stand with me, scour the globe find the sculptor's hand. The sculptor looks upon his own two hands and sees them in the marble. So, too, the one you seek.   

He leaps into the air scanning the skyline for Sleeper.
Thane of Fife
A lot of people look at Hercules in surprise, clearly not quite sure what to make of him.

But he and Sleeper have no problems finding each other.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper climbed a building whose roof had a good view of the news building’s entrance, and tried to get Hercules’ attention. He wasn’t bothering with invisibility or disguise at the moment - he needed to be findable.
Plaids
  Hercules  

Upon recognizing Sleeper in the distance, amongst the gargoyles and pigeons of the city, Hercules leaps toward him. Hurdling above the crowds and traffic of the city Hercules calls out; his voice rising to rally heroes for the challenges ahead.

  Sleeper! Have thou seen the 7AM news? Through the conception of his own misbegotten progeny the doctor now gazes now at hands sculpted in his image. All as the oracle foretold. We must now scour the globe to find our maleficent sculptor before fate continues to unspool. What say you mine wall crawling ally?  
Kareeah_Indaga
“  I say the size of his construct has to limit the number of places he could have hidden it,  ” Sleeper replied.
Plaids
 Hercules 
  Ample space for the construct and "scouring the globe". Perhaps the doctor now resides by where automatons have gone to battle before. Perhaps Sleeper, the Unisphere awaits our inquiry.   Hercules theorizes.
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Originally Posted by Plaids 
  Hercules 
  Ample space for the construct and "scouring the globe". Perhaps the doctor now resides by where automatons have gone to battle before. Perhaps Sleeper, the Unisphere awaits our inquiry.   Hercules theorizes. 
 

“  We can look,  ” Sleeper agreed. “  Don’t forget to keep an eye out for ‘DeLorenzo.’ The van they fled in belonged to it. It might be nearby.  ”
Plaids
 Hercules 
 I too shall pursue the whereabouts of the DeLorenzo vehicle in this cities field of Asphodel, the DMV. 
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper nodded, fading out of sight. “  I’ll check the library, and then I’ll come find you.  ” Because if Father’s memories were anything to go by, there was  no way  Hercules was getting out of the DMV before Sleeper was done…
Thane of Fife
Hercules and Sleeper first search the area around the Unisphere. There are a lot of people about, and some seem concerned to see Hercules, given the rather public threat. Unfortunately, the two heroes find neither hide nor hair of Doctor Octopus or the other members of the Sinister Six in the area.

From there, they split up. The DeLorenzo lead proves easier to track down. Sleeper finds that there is a DeLorenzo Moving Services company located in Brooklyn (he also gets address, phone number, and email address) - apparently, they rent out trucks and vans to people looking to move things. Hercules gets the same information, and is able to get the license plate numbers for their six moving vans, though it does require waiting in a lengthy queue.

 Doom: 1D12, 1D10, 1D8 
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper landed outside the DMV with a  thump , the civilians nearby backing away to give him a wide berth - one person screamed - as he dropped both invisibility and disguise. Tendrils reached out to open the doors to the DMV and he strode through without a pause, looking for Hercules (and largely ignoring the people trying to edge away from him without leaving the line).
Plaids
 Hercules 

Hercules leaves an office with a frustrated groan slamming the door behind him. The resulting gust of air rustles the inscrutable papers within as if jeering the Prince of Power for having failed to conquer their bureaucratic domain.

 Sleeper!   Hercules exclaims as he waddles over the retractable stanchion belts towards Sleeper.

  The Sinister Six have sought refuge in a most frequented hovel for Nare dowels, the rental company. They have covered their tracks by renting their truck. We will have to question the proprietor of DeLorenzo to learn more. 

OOC: The Unisphere lead did not seem to further the investigation. The DeLorenzo lead still seems good though, want to follow up on it?
Kareeah_Indaga
 
 Spoiler: OoC 
Of course! 😊
 


“  Yes. I know where they are,  ” Sleeper responded. He eyed the lines of people, now inching closer while a few of them pulled out phones or started to gossip with their neighbors about the superheroes. “  We shouldn’t discuss this here.  ”
Thane of Fife
Sleeper and Hercules make their way to DeLorenzo Moving Services. From the outside, at least, it's a small, dingy-looking place in a rough part of Brooklyn. It is presently open for business, and abuts a small parking lot with two DeLorenzo trucks currently in residence.
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper pulled Hercules out of sight of the building once they’d ascertained they were in the right place. “  How do you want to approach this?  ”
Plaids
  Hercules 
 
 “How do you want to approach this?” - Sleeper 

Hercules confidently places a hand with knuckles resembling knotted wood on his companion's lithe shoulder.
  We can both approach from two avenues. I from the earnest street boisterously to the door. While you, masterfully from the rooftops prey on covert any departures.  

Hercules heartily advertises his plan with Sleeper. Throughout the centuries he had become familiar with his shortcomings alongside his tremendous strengths. Strength had its place, but it could endanger prized treasures and beloveds. The work of being inconspicuous had its place and frequently was better accomplished by his companions. Just like Perseus with the cap of invisibility, Sleeper had the gifts to be inconspicuous and strike opportunely.

 What say you? 
Kareeah_Indaga
Sleeper had admittedly had some mild concern the other hero would want to do something rash, like rip the door off its hinges and threaten the proprietor with it. But he was pleased with this plan of action.

“  Yes,  ” Sleeper agreed, fading out of sight. “  I’ll do that.  ”