It is night time at Manning Enterprises. It is not unusual for the computer in the office of Carter Manning to be on this late. What is unusual is Carter is nowhere to be found. Someone else is at the computer and he is using it to break into the main network system. The shadowy figure works quickly to navigate around the firewall and into the back door that Carter had created for himself. Careful not to signal his electronic presence, he finds the file he is looking for. He executes Operation Next application with the file linked as the source data. The shadowy figure leaves the office as the invitations head to their destination.
Phade strapped on his gear and verified his blaster was fully charged. He had started patrolling Center City after CHESS had locked it down. The crimewave of the Crushers was spreading. CHESS couldn’t bring an end to it and therefore they were at least containing to Center City. It was a good thing that the Crusaders had finally returned from their absence. “It seemed like a strange time for them to recruit”, Phade thought. “Maybe using me as reinforcement would help bring the Crushers down sooner and let me prove my worth at the same time”. Phade opened his teleportation portal. He knew a blind alley near the Citadel which would always have one of its three walls in darkness to connect his portal to. As he stepped in he thought, “There has to be more reinforcements than just me.”
Emerald Dragon soared between the tall skyscrapers of Center City. He had been surprised to have received Manta-Man’s email at his old private investigator account: jamesicpi@megalopolis.gov. He was excited about getting a chance to help bring an end to the Crusher Crime Spree. Center City had a special feeling to him. While Soiree Heights had the best restaurants and the richest clients, it was in the bottom of a valley. There wasn’t any wind up drafts and down drafts that so appealed to his dragon side. Hallowed Hills had the mountains and winds to appease any dragon but it was a city locked in the past. That drove the man in Emerald Dragon crazy. Center City, the business heart of the Megalopolis, had everything for both man and dragon. When he was a P.I. it always provided the best clients. The cases were not the typical scumbag jobs a lot of investigators would get. The skyscrapers gave the same feel of being in the mountains and the wind currents were awesome. He is a creature of the city and Center City is his new home. Spotting the Citadel, Emerald Dragon banks hard to his right. Spreading his wings wide he prepares to land.
Meltdown moved silently and quickly between the alleyways and side streets. He phased in and out as he ran through dumpsters and parked cars. When he came to a location with people he would phase and jump above them. Running on the air over their heads, he would pass unseen. For a place with so many flying superheroes and villains, the citizens of Megalopolis didn’t look up very often. In his non corporeal form he ran straight toward the Citadel. His search for the Black Legion has been fruitless, maybe with the resources of the Crusaders he can find them. It would also be good to be apart from a team again. While he doesn’t regret the decisions he has made since his escape, he missed the teamwork. Now was the time for Meltdown to make an impact on the crimewave. Seeing the Citadel ahead, he looks for the best position to wait for the arrival of Manta-Man. Selecting his spot, he floats down to it and returns to his solid form.
Starbolt was surprised when he received the message on his secure cell phone. The Crusaders have been gone for at least two months. He had expected to here from his cousin first. The next issue of Ninjaman was late and Bobby would be in a panic. Usually when this happened Bobby would call ‘his cuze’ to run errands while he would work on his comic non-stop. Starbolt enters the special code into this time card given to him by Carter Manning when he started working at Manning Enterprises. He then leaves for the day. He walks over to the employee fitness center. He gets into sauna #1. He pushes in a special located tile in the back corner. On the side in the mortar is a key hole. He uses his special pass key to open Manta-Man’s secret locker room. He changes into costume. When ready he takes the stairs to the roof. Exiting the fake utility room, he looks to the sky. Once sure he will leave unobserved, Starbolt takes flight. He streaks toward the Citadel. He really looked forward to showing Manta-Man and his cousin, Blizzard, that he is ready to be a Crusader.
Just the police and the reporter Jessica Anderson are present. The invitees all take positions within hearing distance of the TV camera truck. All can hear the news feed in the truck and listen to the broadcast feed while Jessica waits for her live spot to start.
The lead anchor is discussing the current local political issue. Labor unions are protesting and placing serious political pressure on the legislature to stop Joshua Rose from forming his new company, Meta-Manpower. “While super powered individuals can be licensed to be superheroes, they cannot and should not be allowed to be considered Forklifts or Cranes in the workplace” says Teamster Leader Johnny Dugan. “There is no way a person can pass OSHA rules for mechanical safety. Super Strength is not a labor skill and will not be allowed to become a job qualification.”
The lead anchor states “There are conflicting legislative motions on the house floor. One motion exempts Meta-Manpower employees from existing OSHA and certain labor laws. The other holds these individuals to tighter regulation. We contacted StarCorp requesting an interview with Mr. Rose. We were told he was unavailable for comment. The AFL-CIO was able to get a court injunction preventing the company from taking job application or placing any existing employees on contract with other companies. The injunction is in place until the Legislator has passed clarifying labor laws for the situation.”
The anchor then turns in his chair and a graphic appears behind his head. It is a graphic with the words ‘Crusher Crimewave’. “We are showing you video taken earlier today outside Crusader Citadel.” The video shows several police officers and a detective wearing a Fedora. A shadow moves across the men and the sound of flapping wings can be heard. Suddenly a hand reaches on screen from above the detective and snatches his hat off his head. The detective yells, “You blasted Vulture! Give me my hat back.” Off screen is heard the sound of cackling laughter. “That’s Peregrine! Copper! If you want your hat come and get it”. The roar of a CHESS skycycle is heard as a Knight gives chase.
The anchor then says “We go live now to Jessica at Crusader Citadel.” Jessica replies and starts her report. “Thanks Ed, I am standing in front of Crusader Citadel. For those few in our audience which might not know, this is the headquarters of the Crusaders. Crusader Citadel is situated in the top four floors of the Harmon Building at the corner of Lake and Center streets in downtown Center City. It is heavily guarded by advanced automatic defensive systems and contains the launch platform for the Crusader’s mini-space shuttle as well as the TEACHER computer system, a near- sentient computer of ultra-advanced design.
“The Crusaders are and always have been the primary band of heroes in Center City. They consist of Manta-Man, their leader, with devices for water breathing, flight, paralysis, and lightning control, his sidekick Manta-Lad, Evergreen, the mystic plantwoman who animates and controls vegetation, Blizzard, a hero with Ice and Vibratory powers, Dreamweaver, the mistress of illusion, Enforcer, a super-powered secret agent, and finally Laserfire, a hero with flame power and Light control.
The arch-foes of the Crusaders are the Infidels, a loose confederation of many individuals’ villains who have cause to hate the Crusaders for one reason or another. The last we had heard the team had disbanded after their fail attempt to steal a Statcom Communications Satellite in 2001.”
Jessica then moves into the Building. “I’m here in the lobby of the Harmon Building, Ed, and all seems unnaturally peaceful. For the Crusaders are out of town once again, and neither the roar of their mini space shuttle nor the sounds of superpowered conflict have been heard here in Center City for almost two months. But this is not because the city is peaceful; rather it signals the go-ahead for the most terrifying crimewave to ever sweep this metropolis.
“The Crushers, new players in Megalopolis, prance almost unopposed through our fair community. Already they have assaulted and nearly demolished two businesses dealing in high technology, carting off truckloads of components to an unknown destinations for some un-guessable purpose. They have robbed Emerson Electronics, StarCorp, Vanguard Incorporated, and Yamashito Electronics.
“The CHESS and the police have been unable to stop this band of marauders, said to consist of seven known Crushers: the armored FIST, Temper, the brutish Bull, the freezing Master Zero, the Shrew, the Peregrine, and the Mercury Mercenary.
“No other Crushers have been seen at these break-ins, but at least three other known Crushers are believed to be on the loose. They are Marionette, a mind-controlling female midget, Stormlord, a British weather controlling villain, and the Hornet, with technological insect powers. Authorities have been unable to identify the criminal mastermind behind the team.
Jessica walks out of the lobby to where the police barricade is.
“And the break-ins continue. Detective Victor Broyko, head of the Crusher Crimewave task force, of the Megalopolis police force urges calm but admits that without help from the Crusaders or some other superhero group the chances of finally ending this rampage are minimal.
Jessica turns to Detective Victor Broyko, “Detective what do you have to say about the rumors going virual that the Crushers are really the next generation of the Infidels.” Broyko responds, “We on the task force take the rumor very seriously but we can’t find any facts to substantiate it. The fact that Bull is part of the team is the only link we can find. But it isn’t surprising that he had joined another them when the Infidels were finally defeated and the majority of them were locked up in Fear Island Super-Penitentiary. The Mocker hasn’t been seen for years and while Bull has been a villain for ten years but he is not smart enough to make it on its own.
“The websites have tried to point that the Shrew is a teammate as well. The fact they are choosing to ignore is this. The Shrew from the Infidels is dead. She died in the Infidel attack on your TV station when Weaselmaniac lost control of his rabid pets. This is a different Shrew. This Shrew was a heel on Beautiful Ladies of Wrestling before turning to crime.”
Jessica asked about the speculation that the Mocker is really the criminal Mastermind behind the Crushers. “The Crushers M.O. is just like the Infidels. Meta-based Electronics experts believe Mocker’s A.I. has become locked in an endless ‘Do … Loop’ for his criminal plans”. Detective Broyko nods, “Yes, there are similarities but not all the facts line up. We know that:
a) The Crusaders went through normal channels to alert authorities when they left, and there is no indication that their absence is the result of any sort of foul play.
b) The Crusaders’ current assignments are secret.
c) TEACHER has been known to go on the fritz before, so the phone response malfunction in not all that surprising. The authorities are contacting a Dr. Bennet Morrow, TEACHER’s designer, to see if he can fix the problem.”
Jessica concludes her interview and walks to the center of the Plaza. “Where are you Crusaders? The city needs you.
Jessica Anderson, WCTV, at the Crusader Citadel”
The voice of Ed, anchorman, is heard. “Thank you for that report, Jessica”
Jessica approaches each of the invitees and asks for an interview.
[GM note: if you want to grant an interview to Jessica send me an email answering the following questions
A. Superhero name and abilities
B. Purpose here at the Citadel
C. Do they intend to take on the Crushers.
I will follow up with an email roleplaying Jessica with follow up questions. If any PC answers affirmatively to question C. Detective Broyko will approach the PC with his own set of questions.]
As the invitees are addressed by Jessica, a shadow passes over them. The shadow has the form of Manta-Man. Watching the hero land, all are struck with the fact something is different about the costume.
“Manta-Lad, what are you doing here?”
<Due Date: Feb 9th, Actions? Replies?>
