<strong>Hero Points:</strong>3 (Neko), 4 (Hornet), 2 (Scarab)<br/><br/>Daedalus returned the handshake; it was hard to tell how much of the firmness came from his power armor vs. his own capabilities. The metal was not cold but warm, pulsing with audible power.<br/><br/>"'It's not my modus operandi to steal one's thunder,' as Captain Thunder once said," he replied with a chuckle, "but I come up with some explanation for the public while you take your leave."<br/><br/>Scarab averted eye contact. "May be hard to believe, but I'm the Scarab. I have...ties, you could say, to the last one with that name."<br/><br/>The inventor clucked his tongue. "I haven't heard that name in a long time." That statement seemed to catch him off-guard, but not for long as he patted her shoulder.<br/><br/>"Both of you may be young, but you come from the lines of moral men," Daedalus said as he then turned to Neko. "People whose examples are needed more than ever in Emerald City. The League's attention is the world, but every home needs its loyal defenders. Be the vanguard, and we'll be the cavalry."<br/><br/>He briefly paused, putting a finger to his earpiece again. "Looks like I'm needed elsewhere. Aaaand the crowds should be thinnest down 32nd Puget Avenue, a street about 300 feet to the northwest. Do your father proud, Ms. Mars."<br/><br/>Daedalus lifted the Arctic Fox's body with no effort as he flew back onto the hovering Pegasus. "Ah, one more thing: nice to have you back, Scarab."<br/><br/>And so the Spaceplane flew off.<br/><br/><hr/><br/><div align="center"><span class="bbc_size" style="font-size: 18pt;"><span class="bbc_font" style="font-family: impact;">Chasing Down Leads</span></span></div><br/>Scarab was more silent than usual as she and her partner headed away from the building. The Viridian stone's container was rather conspicuous, but nothing some tinfoil or other kit-bashed material on Alysia's part couldn't hide. She seemed lost in thought, but not so much she lost track of the task at hand. Unlike Alysia she did not change back to civilian clothes or IDed her normal self.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">If Neko/Alysia remained in her civilian guise while traveling</div><div class="spoiler_body">Scarab took to the roof while Alysia stuck to ground level, or vice versa. "It may raise questions if, you know, you were seen accompanying us as both you and Neko. Not that I'm trying to avoid you or anything! I..."<br/><br/>Scarab sighed before levitating away. "Sorry, I'm a bit scatterbrained right now. I promise it won't impact the mission."</div></div><br/><br/><em>Alysia can drop off the Viridian stone back at the lab while on the way to Carl MacKinnon, unless she wishes to hold onto it while visiting.</em><br/><br/>Carl MacKinnon lived in a downtown apartment in Royal Heights. On top of the aptly-named Royal Hill, Alysia could get a good view of the surrounding city from any of its ritzy retail shops or restaurants more than willing and able to sell her a lunch-on-the-go or pick-me-up cup of joe. Not as spartan as some of the Eastern District's meager townhouses but not as old money as Sunset Hill's gated community, it was the type of place a security guard trusted with sensitive data would live. It seemed that most of the complex residents kept to themselves, or MacKinnon was not the most sociable person given their overall lack of strong opinions on the man himself. His third-story apartment sat at the end of the walkway, blinds drawn and door containing an advertisement for the Jehovah's Witnesses stuck between the gap of the door and the frame. The speckles of dust caking said card indicated that Carl has not left his home for a few days, likely cooped up after the Silver Storm.<br/><br/><div class="spoiler_container"><div class="spoiler_header" onclick="hideSecond (this);" role="button">OOC</div><div class="spoiler_body">The remaining scene will be non-combat. Feel free to ask Scarab any questions as you head to MacKinnon's place, or declare precautionary measures or plans before meeting him.</div></div>