{Location: Everglades Florida}
As StrikeForce started his online search, Manta
Man asked to be excused he had to meet with someone off base. Manta Man had
Lieutenant Nash drive him to the nearest junk yard. There he found Skink inside
the hollow out shell of a ’57 Chevy Bel Air.
Manta Man helped Skink out of the car. “Humph,
Magic users! Why must they always have a shtick? And why can’t they ever
deviate from it. Sorry, about that kid but it was the only way to get you here
in time.”
The three drove back to the base and Manta Man
filled in Skink on the way and provide him with his temporary Superhero
License. It showed that Manta Man was his assigned mentor.
The Skink was disoriented at first, but then was
psyched, psyched! That Manta Man was his mentor! He tried to contain himself as
much as possible, but getting the card makes him stare at it in awe and do a
restrained touchdown dance in celebration! Eeee!
He listened with dismay, and with great tactical
interest at the description of Dr. Velo's powers...
Skink said hi to the others when they arrived at
the base. Adamas, Black Orchid, and StrikeForce gladly welcomed him and
welcomed to their new team.
StrikeForce’s online search review that Dr. Velo
has heightened intelligence and strength. Dr Velo has the ability to control
Velocity in objects. There are videos showing him increasing the speed of an
object to a terminal velocity. He basically can get a straw of wheat enough
velocity for it to punch through a telephone pole. He can decrease velocity of
objects as well. That is how he had escaped the German Police for so long. He
can stop their bullets in flight so they fall harmlessly in front of him.
Somehow he can do it to humans as well. In the video of the police trying to
arrest him, after the bullets fall to the ground the police officers do as
well. StrikeForce watch as he saw the German Police Officers fall to the ground
in a spasmodic state. Only after Dr. Velo flew away did their bodies stop
having spasms. The files noted that Dr Velo carried a gun. He called it his
Dehydration Gun.
The Black Orchid watch for any similarities
between her vacuum blast and the dehydration gun observed in the video, she did
see that both accomplished the same task. Both drained items of key compounds
but his gun drained water and hers drained energy. She could tell that the gun
was a chemical based device while she tapped into a vacuum for her power.
There were no known associates of Doctor Velo in
America or not in jail in Germany. Dr. Velo did have a habit of partnering with
a local Super Villain team to bring added muscle and other support to his
plans.
"StrikeForce, did you find anything on any
local supervillain groups within, say a 300 mile radius?" Black Orchid
asked.
“Why yes,” StrikeForce replied, “now that you mention
it. Over the last few years the Inhuman League have committed crimes within 300
miles from here, there are no reports of any activity by them over the last
couple of months. Either they have gone dormant or they have more on to a
different location.”
StrikeForce could find no connections with anyone
on base with access to the system and Dr. Velo.
The only connection that StrikeForce could find
with base personnel to the Indian village was the Corpsmen that had assisted in
the Medical Center in the past and the enlisted that delivered supplies. Gunnery
Sgt. Leo McAlister volunteered the most often to make the deliveries. When
asked about this, the Camp Commander commented that he believed the ‘Gunny’ was
smitten with some archeologist that was performing research in and around the
village.
StrikeForce’s search on Doctor Dean Nay showed
that he graduated college and medical school in the middle of his class in
both. Not a great physician but he was far better than the villagers have had
ever before. Dr Nay was from the village and was trying to do best for the
village. Dean had no issues with the law that wasn’t typical for a college
student. He did have debt from student loans for medical school. He had state
grants to cover undergrad. There was no evidence of any secret benefactors
paying his way or covering his debts. The doctor had come home to the village
two months ago.
After hearing everything the team decided it was
time to visit the village.
Before leaving, Adamas did a quick aerial search
over the base to see if they missed anything obvious. They hadn’t.
When the heroes arrived in the Indian Village,
they attracted a great deal of attention. It was very uncommon to find
superheroes in the middle of a swamp. This wasn’t Megalopolis where a superhero
could be seen on the streets, running across roof tops, or flying in the sky
daily. The first tribesmen they meet gave them directions to the Shaman’s home.
The Shaman was commonly known as Rolock to all the villages and any visitors.
At the Shaman’s house they found a very friendly
and receptive old man. He would not shake hands with any of the heroes or
touch, or allow himself to be touched in anyway. He offered the heroes a seat
and did all those things normally expected of a gracious host.
When asked if any visitors with injuries had
recently come to the village, he said no. Shaman did say if there were any
outsiders looking to hide in the swamp it would be easy for them to avoid the
village and not be seen by them. There was an old ‘swamp goat’ who seemed to
know about everything that happened in the swamp region, especially if someone wanted
to keep it secret. He could give the heroes directions to the fishing hole
where he can always be found if they liked.
When talking to Shaman, The Black Orchid agreed
to get the location of the fishing hole. "What is this gentleman's
name?"
Rolock replied, “I don’t know. Some call him
Coot. We call him “swamp goat” because that is how bad he smells and his
attitude is ever worse.”
When asked about the authorities having seen the
Indians sneaking around lately, he calmly replied that they have had problems
with a black panther roaming at night and that they have had to take actions to
stop the depredations of this creature. He informed that that because the
village is not in Park territory, they have the right to take care of this
threat as they wish, though they intend to only capture the beast and return it
to the park. They would never harm a protected species. The officials, Shaman
said, must have seen the Seminoles hunting for the panther at night for it
sleeps during the day and cannot be found other than in time of darkness.
Adamas looked for the individuals he saw watching
them near the base. When he saw one of
them, he struck up a conversation regarding what he was doing. The villager
told explained he had been sent to track a panther. They had tried at night
several times and failed. This time they were trying to follow its tracks to
its lair.
Black Orchid said, “I think we should talk to
Karen Morgan. She might have stirred up some trouble with the locals and may or
may not be aware of it."
Afterwards they found that the archeologist,
Karen Morgan was in the village. She said she was here because of her interest
in Indian artifacts. She confirmed there had been a panther prowling nearby.
Karen did not believe she had stirred up any trouble. All the areas she had
explored the Shaman had allowed her to enter. Her current exploration site is
Shaman approved and the villagers are helping her with the work.
While at the village, The Black Orchid kept an
eye open for any technology that was inappropriate for being outside of a
military installation and certainly in a small reservation. She did not see
anything that was inappropriate.
The heroes were able to meet with Doctor Dean Nay
in the Medical Center. Dr Nay told the heroes that he had treated a young boy
and an older woman for injuries caused by some large, clawed animal. He offered
to show the heroes his records if they would like to see them. Dr. Nay said he
had not treated any outsiders for injuries in the two months he has been back.
The Black Orchid asked to see the records of the
two who were attacked. Dr. Nay provided the medical records for the two
patients. Black Orchid made sure Skink saw them. "Do you see anything
odd?"
The Skink discretely signaled the injuries were
not made by a panther. She did not share
with the doctor Skink's observation.
"Dr. Nay, can we talk to the two who were
attacked by the panther?" Black Orchid asked.
“No problem,” he replied. Dr. Nay escorted them
to both the older woman and young boy. Both told how they had been out in the
swamp and were attacked by a panther.
StrikeForce said, "I would prefer to ask the
swamp guy if he has seen anything unusual." While it was not in line with
the chemical theft, StrikeForce was willing to help with the panther problem, capturing;
not killing, if the heroes came across it in the pursuit of the chemicals, or
afterward if they did not.
Black Orchid said "StrikeForce, I can help
you to try and capture this panther or whatever it is.
StrikeForce replied, "Sure Black Orchid
sounds good."
In the village, the Skink used his zoology skills
to see if he could spot if it is indeed a panther we're dealing with here. He's
a pro at claw marks and claw ids, and tried to see if that helps. "Man,
Florida, right?” he said, comparing a giant animal print/track to his tiny
fingertip claws... after a minute he was confused. He looked harder and
followed the trail further along to see if it was true. After 30 minutes he was
sure, these tracks were fakes, excellent fakes, but fakes never the less. There
wasn't a panther at all. They were being lied to.
When he got a chance, the sleuthful Skink told
Manta Man what he's found, on the down low. "MM, those tracks are bogus. I
don’t know what kind of scam these guys are running here, but those aren’t from
a panther."
Manta Man thanks the Shaman and the others for
their hospitality. “It is time we visit this ‘swamp goat’ that we were told
about. I have arranged for a boat to be at our disposal at the local marina.”
Detective Nash drove them to the marina.
On the way Manta Man informed the rest of the
team what Skink had told him about the panther tracks being fake. “It appears
we are dealing with a hoax but the question is who is it being pulled on us or
the village?”
The Crusaders followed the directions that Rolock
gave them. They were able to easily find the fishing hole frequented by the
“swamp goat”. When the heroes approved the “swamp goat”, he appeared not to
hear them as he continued to fish. The only things he had with him are a tackle
box and fishing rod, and a paper bag with the topped curled like a lunch bag. There
was a rowboat grounded a few feet away from him.
Manta Man introduced himself and asked the “swamp
goat” not to be alarmed. “I am Manta Man and these are the Crusaders with me”.
He showed his superhero license to the fisherman.
“Swamp Goat” asked Manta Man to speak up as he
was hard of hearing. Manta Man repeated everything again a little louder this
time.
Manta Man finished with, “Mind if we ask you a
few questions”?
“Sure, fancy suit. Ask your questions as long as
I can continue fishing. I have to quit at sundown so I can’t afford to stop and
jaw with some out of towners.”
<Turns
and Actions due May 8th >
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
First of all, glad that you are doing better,
Chuck, and it is good to have you back.
StrikeForce says, "I would prefer to ask
the swamp guy if he has seen anything unusual."
Jamey
------------------------------------------------------------------------
While it is not in line with the chemical
theft, StrikeForce would be willing to help with the panther problem.
(Capturing, not killing), if we come across it in the pursuit of the chemicals,
or after if we do not.
Jamey
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ooc: thanks so much guys! It’s good to be
back! I’m not out of the woods, but trying!
The Skink is disoriented at first, but then
is psyched, psyched! That Manta Man is his mentor! He tries to contain himself
as much as possible, but getting the card makes him stare at it in awe and do a
restrained touchdown dance in celebration! Eeee!
He listens with dismay, and with great
tactical interest at the description of Dr. Velo's powers...
In the village, the Skink will use his
zoology skills to see if he can spot if it is indeed a panther we're dealing
with here. He's a pro at claw marks and claw ids, and tries to see if that
helps
"Man, Florida, right? " he says,
comparing a giant animal print/track to his tiny fingertip claws...
Chuck
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Skink was led by a villager to where they saw
the panther last. The young hero knelt to the ground to investigate the tracks.
Man, Florida, right? he said, comparing a giant animal print/track to his tiny
fingertip claws" ... after a minute he was confused. He looked harder and
followed the trail further along to see if it was true. After 30 minutes he was
sure, these tracks were fakes, excellent fakes, but fakes never the less. There
wasn't a panther at all. They were being lied to.
GM Note: What are you going to do with this
information Chuck? You could tell the Village Shaman, Detective Nash, Manta
Man, the team, some combination or nobody at all.
{Game Note: I increased Skink's skill in
Zoology to represent he was a pro at this. His base Save number to id the
tracks was 17 with the difficulty and the Opposed skill by whoever was creating
the fraud his Save number was lowered to 8. I rolled a 4 for Skill. He nailed
it.}
Tom
----------------------------------------------------------------------
When he gets a chance, the sleuthful Skink
will let Manta Man know what he's found, on the down low.
"MM, those tracks are bogus. I don’t
know what kind of scam these guys are running here, but those aren’t from a
panther."
Chuck
--------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Welcome back Chuck, had a few medical
issues of my own lately, good to have you back.
IC: Adamas will look for the individuals he
saw watching them near the base. If he
sees one or more of them, he will attempt to strike up a conversation regarding
what they were doing.
OOC: He'll continue to scan the surroundings,
looking for clues. When they travel
anywhere, he'll be airborne, protecting his new team. His goal is to be the first line of defense
if an attack happens.
Jon
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Jon, glad that you are doing better.
IC: StrikeForce will continue to scan as
well. Adamas May be our first line of defense, but if the "fit hits the
shan", StrikeForce will be right behind you.
Jamey
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
OOC: Awww Chuck, Skink won't tell us. If
StrikeForce's mask moved it would be a sad face.(joke)
Jamey
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Tom, did we establish that The Black Orchid
can see in any darkness or just her own? If she can she'd like to try to help
track the "panther". If not, I know what my next advancement is!
Also, Is Karen Morgan still in the village? I
couldn't quite tell
Marc
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Black Orchid can see in any darkness.
Yes Karen is in the village.
Tom
------------------------------------------------------------------
IC: "StrikeForce, I can help you to try
and capture this panther or whatever it is. Also, I think we should talk to
Karen Morgan. She might have stirred up some trouble with the locals and may or
may not be aware of it."
Marc
-----------------------------------------------------------------
IC: "Sure Black Orchid sounds
good."
Jamey
---------------------------------------------------------------------
IC:
Does The Black Orchid see any similarities
between her vacuum blast and the dehydration gun observed in the video?
"Strikeforce, did you find anything on
any local supervillain groups within, say a 300 mile radius?"
--
While at the village, The Black Orchid will
keep an eye open for any technology that is inappropriate for being outside of
a military installation and certainly in a small reservation.
--
When talking to Shaman, The Black Orchid
agrees to get the location of the fishing hole. "What is this gentleman's
name?"
--
With Skink's observation, The Black Orchid
asks to see the records of the two who were attacked. If they're given access,
she will make sure Skink can see them. "Do you see anything
odd?" She will not share with the
doctor Skink's observation.
"Dr. Nay, can we talk to the two who
were attacked by the panther?"
Marc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
