BlazingCoconut

"Well..." Alexa ventured, "I mean, I know of a lot of polymers that would be wonderful skin substitutes. Several of them are even self healing, well kind of to a certain extent. Materials science has come a long way. Well, I'm getting ahead of myself, but if you'd like we can start trying to get something made." She still had that faraway look on her face, which for those that were in the know, meant she was browsing the internet in her head, skimming research and white papers as she considered the problem. So she was a little caught unawares when Corine introduced herself, "hectic? You had a lot of classes?"

Alexa started to stammer a reply, "you are not a..." then she stopped, realizing that he was not being literal about it. She gave Naomi a wide smile, expecting the speedster to blink off some where before she could react. To Jann and Hannah, she waved, "hello. It's very nice to meet..." However, anything else she was going to say died on her lips as she looked at Jann's large wings. While the students at Claremont were varied, they usually were mostly human looking and while Jann was close, his Wings and Talons definitely set him apart from many of them. More important, she was relieved. She had been starting to doubt her plan and not going with at least one other person had seemed to be more than a little mistake. It was nice to be with someone she had already met, and meeting people was always good, no matter how different they were. Listening to his stories her grin increased, "zombies and rival schools? Sounds exciting, although I'm not sure I want to ever have my hands on something dead. That just doesn't really seem right. Do they really stagger and groan and eat brains?"

[20Q Interview] *tap tap tap* "Sound check one, two thee..." the pretty young woman said while looking into the video camera pointed at her. "Are live? Good." The young woman turned her smile on as she held up her mike to her face and began to speak in earnest. "This is Mary Fox reporting for WNTW news and I'm on the scene at the last active Videotech store in the city. We were on the scene to do a report on the fortunes of this once mighty chain when we were able to catch a new face in the hero scene. So for the first time, exclusively on WNTW, I would like to present to you..." She looks over to the girl in a very distopian costume, "what was your name again?" With a smile behind high tech goggles, the other girl standing next to Mary replied, "SFX Miss." "Yes, I present to you SFX in an exclusive first interview. So, let's start with some easy stuff. Where are you from?" The younger girl shifted nervously from foot to foot, "thank you for asking, I am from Shanghai. But, I have felt very welcome by this city." "Shanghai? That's not exactly a short commute!" "No, I do not live in Shanghai anymore and have relocated to this city." "Can you describe yourself for our affiliate radio stations that don't have the benefit of watching this interview?" SFX nodded politely, "I am shorter than most of the people I meet here, and I think smaller overall. Everyone seems tall in this country. You can see my very pink hair and I am wearing a styled long coat and a skirt that has a long split up the front. Grey and red are my colors." "I see," Mary replied. "I think you're cute as a button, but what you do think? Are you?" "I'm not sure I should comment on something like this..." "Because you have a disfiguring scar under the goggles?" "No... because it's embarrassing, cute is what is said of a young daughter, not a powerful heroine. I suppose I'm kind of cute, but I don't think I'm anything special." "So you say you're from Shanghai, but your English is very good, I'm only hearing a little accent." "Yes, well American shows are very popular in Shanghai. I spent a lot of time watching them as well as learning English in school." "That was something taught? Or did you actually learn from watching TV, which is a skill I think my kids could pick up." "Both. The schools are very strict in Shanghai, but it is very hard to learn to speak without being able to talk to people who it natively." "Well I'm impressed. So let's really get into it. You stopped three men who all had knives and rap sheets longer than a country mile. Why do you do it?" "Because, there was a time that I watched bad things happen and did nothing. One cannot complain about a problem yet do nothing to help solve it. This is my part and I want to continue to do it." "That's some sound wisdom from an up and coming voice. How about what are your strengths and weaknesses. Don't tell us specifics. I don't want to put you in danger of course." SFX nodded in agreement, "well... I am very smart. I think my greatest strength is being able to think quickly and my worst weakness is Kryptonite." "Really?!!" Putting a gloved hand over her mouth SFX giggled in a very un-herolike manner, "No, I am kidding. I do not think it would be a good idea to discuss this in a broadcast. I am sorry Miss Fox." "Well you can't blame a girl for trying. How about things you love or hate? Can you give the people out there a taste of what it's like under the mask?" "I love the movies," SFX replied. "Definitely my favorite pass time. Other than that... let's see, I hate Country Music. I really have tried to like it, but no matter what I do, it just doesn't resonate with me. Oh! I love to run as well, and problem solving is really something that is dear to me." "So I was inside when you disabled those men. Can you tell me about how you feel? What is it like for you to be a hero?" "It was a little frightening..." "Really? I wouldn't expect heroes to be frightened," Mary said looking back to the camera with one of her patented smiles. "I can not speak for anyone else, but I am not immune to harm. Seeing people who wish to kill you is still something that makes your scared. But, determined. These are men that need to be dealt with before they cause more harm. It is a good feeling knowing that you helped others. It helps you get past the fear. Fear for yourself, and fear of failure." "I guess that it's nice knowing there are people under the masks!" Mary looked at her notepad, which SFX was amused to note was completely blank, a prop at best. "Well then, you have fears and doubts like the rest of us. Can you tell me about them?" SFX paused but nodded in agreement, "I worry for people that I am close too. I worry about hurting people. I worry about my... work outside of being a hero. I guess the most bothering is keeping the people close to me safe." "I can understand that," Mary replied then continued, "well then, you're new on the scene. You must have some ambitions? Where is SFX going to be in a few years?" SFX considered the question for a short bit of time, "I think that I will have made parts of Freedom City safer for people to be out and about. I also would like to work with some of the major studios in their effects departments. It's a passion of mine." "Ahh, well who doesn't want to get on the silver screen! I might have some contacts to share if you can help with more interviews..." "No, I don't want to be in a movie, just to help make one. I like the challenge of making something come to life. Besides, it is good to entertain and make people happy." "So you have a very unique perspective coming here from another country, can you tell me your perspective on how you see this place and how you think you'll fit into it?" Mary said taking a step closer to the much shorter heroine. "I am very glad to be here, but I do wish that most Americans would realize that Chinese are not all alike, just as Americans are not all alike. I am sorry to say that your country does not have a very good reputation right now. But, I know that much of that is perception about your leaders. I just hope to make a small part of the world a better place and perhaps set an example of our two countries working together." "That's a nice thought. So you're from China, I'm guessing that you have a very different view on who you like and don't like. I know this is a little edgy for an interview, but are there people you don't like?" "Well, not really, but I suppose I am mistrustful of people from Japan. Our history is not very kind when it comes to their country. I do try very hard to judge people I meet on their own merits." "I'm glad to hear that, Justice has to be blind! So... if you're Chinese, where do your loyalties lie? Do the people of Freedom City have anything to worry about?" "I do not think so, but I will certainly remain faithful to my own country. That does not mean that I will cause problems with this one. Mostly though, I would like very much to listen to the advice of friends and family. It is very important to honor those around you who have sacrificed to give you what you have. I also feel some ties to the people who are helping me train to be a better hero." Mary got a glint in her eye, "any wish to tell us who that is?" "I apologize, but I do not think that would be wise of me," SFX replied with a shake of her head. With a little sigh, Mary leaned close, conspiratorial, "you're a pretty young girl, tell me, there's someone special in your life, right?" SFX couldn't help but blush and fidget. She had heard of the American media, but being exposed to it was something else, "no... not at the moment." "I know you have to protect those around you," Mary cajoled. "No really, I have more important things to concentrate on right now." "Well you'd like one right?" "That would be nice, yes." "Okay, good. I'd hate to think you're lonely. Well then how about your family? Are they still around, do you get along with them," Mary asked, mollified by the prior comments. "Yes, they are. I can't speak too much, but I respect them and their wishes and I think we are very friendly still." "Okay, so then give me the inside track, what would your best friend say to describe you?" "Oh, she would say that I am impulsive, energetic, smart, and protective. She would probably also say that I'm a little sad to leave all my friends and family back in Shanghai." Mary nodded in response, "I'm sorry, moves can be rough, but I like how she would think of you. Do you think of yourself as a role model?" SFX shook her head, "no, I am not sure that there are many people who look up to me. I do not think many people even know me." "Okay, fair enough, but could you be a role model?" SFX rubbed at her temple as she gave the question some thought, "yes, but likely not as my hero identity." "What does that mean?" "That I think I can do more good as a private citizen as a role model for girls." "Okay, I can live with that answer. So you're Chinese, do you follow Christianity?" "I do try to follow the practices of Buddhism, but I am not as devout as I should be. I do respect Christians for their faith and their strength." Mary smiled, seeming satisfied with that answer, and more important how it would play on the airwaves, "I know you're new, but have you given any consideration for being on a team. It seems like all the heroes are grouping up!" "Yes, I would like that very much. Working with others is a goal that I aspire too and it is important for bettering ones self." "Teamwork for the win! So what do you think about the explosion of Metahumans and even Aliens who seem to be around every corner in the city?" "I think that just like people classify all people from China as simply Chinese, as if we are all the same, that humanity is not so easy to categorize. There is a long tradition of people who were not 'quite human' and they deserve our respect as well as people who are not different. I believe in diversity and that's one of the reasons I wished to study in this country. Celebration of diversity is to be cherished." "Well said SFX. So let's wrap this up on a positive note. Ma'am? Ma'am" Mary said waving the mike at a middle aged woman. The woman looked around confused then smiled and stepped up to the reporter, "yes?" "This is SFX and I have information that says you were at the scene when she broke up the robbery. She's a new hero and if you could give her one piece of advice what is it?" The woman, thrown on the spot, did not immediately answer, then finally said, "don't get caught up in the expectations of others and do what your instincts tell you is right." Mary stepped in front of the woman who was now talking with SFX although the mic was not picking up their conversation, "there you have it. An exclusive first interview with Freedom Cities newest protector, SFX. I'm Mary Fox reporting in from WNTW. I hope you have a blessedly safe day."

Fate of course was a cruel mistress. Alexa had thought that Alexander had waved her over to say hi, but had immediately turned as she started over to speak with Corinne and Jann. She stood near the food feeling very out of place and stranded in the middle of the party. He must have been waving at someone else, she thought to herself as she tried to cover the social gaff by pretending to look over the snacks and food people had brought. Which, she realized, was probably pretty rude of her to crash the party and not have brought anything along. On the positive side, the music was good if unfamiliar to her and for the moment, she thought she would hover near the food and see what was going to happen.

As they walked, Alexa did pay attention to the people she was talking too, however, it was not uncommon for her eye to wander as she looked over the campus and its inhabitants. Her damaged suitcase was towed behind making a hideous clicking whining noise as the abused wheels attempted to track with her. "I do like to run, but distance running is better for me. It helps me focus and stay in shape. I also like to research while running, it's soothing," she replied to Mona. "...and any tips would be good, even if I'll never be that fast." As Mona began to fawn over Rev, she nodded to Mickey, "that is a very Buddhist philosophy. You would fit in very well in China. There is a saying, I think it translates like, 'flower and thorn are in the same stem'. That's close to what you were saying, right? Even if not, I like that thought very much." She did smile at his casual mention of his strength. That was certainly not something she would ever be contesting, and most certainly not with anyone here. Her slim body did not have the muscles on it that anyone in the group seemed to take for granted. "Although I do not think I will spend too much time in the gym. I can barely lift myself some days."

Alexa smiled at Alexander, this was so perfectly typically American! Giant burgers, diners and a crowd of teenagers, of course she wanted in on that! If her hands hadn't been occupied, she would have clapped them as she enthusiastically said, "yes, very much please! That would be wonderful! Do I need to bring roller skates?" Although what was more surprising was how she had not really noticed that Rev was half a machine. Actually, she felt a little stupid right now. That was not the sort of thing that you'd really think of missing, now that she was listening she could hear the gears and all. This was something that she was going to have to work on, noticing things about people. "A car crash, I'm very sorry... you must be... did you say that you wanted to look normal again?" Even before Rev could reply Alexa was already thinking of materials that could certainly imitate the look and feel of skin. Her eyes got a little far off look as she began skimming research from several materials companies on the latest polymer advances.

Alexa blushed as Rev casually showed her scars and midriff, but started walking with the small group as they began to make their way across the campus. While there was nothing overtly wrong about it, the sense of casualness in which she did embarrassed her in a way that she couldn't really put a finger on. However, breakfast sounded like a fantastic idea, even if a part of her was itching to wait outside the dean's office. She was going to really have to work hard to fit in here and remember that things were done differently. At least, looking at Rev's arms, being reminded that things were different would not be all that hard. "I was a runner in school back home," Alexa ventured. "Although, I am not sure that I would compare with anyone who is here." The last part she said looking at Mona and realizing that any mundane skills that she had were likely to be eclipsed by people who had fantastic powers. "Still, if you don't really run too fast, I would be happy to run with you. Why were you in a hospital? If it is not too personal, what happened?"

Alexa had just managed to get to the periphery of the party when Jann came falling out of the sky. Now that is how to make an entrance, she thought to herself as she quietly infiltrated the edge of the party. It wasn't really sneaking, it was more moving to edges and seeing what was going on. She had assumed that she had succeeded until Alexander beckoned her over. So much for her skills at covert operations. Still, she had come to a party, which was a first for her, so she flashed him a toothy smile and walked over. Her short red dress seemed a little out of place, but not scandalously so and she liked how it fit as she stepped up to him. At least it was someone familiar that had called her out. "Hello," she said. "it's good to see you again. I was... invited, so I'm really glad to be here." Of course, she wasn't the best at lying and she hoped the flush on her cheeks was interpreted for anything else.

Alexa nodded, "yes, there's orientation. Didn't you get the emails and letters?" She pulled out a small tablet from her handbag, which conveniently had the registration letter on screen. "See, we have to be there in about an hour. That's where I was headed before..." her eyes trailed down to the severely abused suitcase. Frankly she was surprised that the other girl admitted being scared, she did a quick search on movie tropes and the bad girl was not supposed to be scared. Although, if she was the bad girl, they had cool, basket case... which made her the nerd? No, that was not a good start at all. She was going to have to do something to change her reputation. Maybe getting straight A's in her classes would help...

"I am not sure about ever becoming blase about all of this," she replied. "This is so different from the schools I have been too, and even from the shows that I watched. But, different good." She paused, knowing that her next question would likely be unpopular, "don't you have studies and more important, home studies that take all your time?" For a moment, she tried to place the eclectic group around her into her Shanghai school. Most of the students there, rose early in the morning to study before coming to school. A gathering like this was practically unthinkable. Which given the fact that she typically did not have an easy time socializing, made this opportunity seem even more miraculous than the continent spanning ice cream runs she had just witnessed.

Alexa tried to convince herself that what she was doing was all right. There was a party happening which many of the Claremont students were going. She had been invited! It would be just like the movies. Well, that is... if invited had meant casually breaking into someones phone and finding the email, then forwarding it to herself. That was close enough. Probably. Maybe. She could hear the music coming from around the bend. She was dressed properly, short dress, high heels, light makeup. From her mirror, she could almost believe she was going to play a part in a teen drama. Which effects would make that the best. There would have to be a massive soundtrack, the shot would have to be claustrophobic with hundreds of extras pressing together dancing and making a mess of wherever they were. She paused, was she an extra or a star? That was a really good question. The star would wear the dress she's wearing, but did she really want to stand out? I mean, she was invited, kind of, sort of. Still, a gem was not polished without effort nor was a person perfected without trials. It was the sort of thing that her mother would say, which was the last person she wanted to be thinking about right now. "Be someone... ," she whispered and walked up to the small gathering smothering her fears and letting just a little of the joy of being at a party spill out.

Yes, it was always like this, Alexa thought to herself as the girl in the smattering of different clothes landed in the middle of their conversation. Ballet had been something her parents had tried to see if she had an interest, and while she did, it never really had compared to inventing. They had never forced the issue, and while she might not have been in it very long, the moves and styles that this newcomer flashed were at least recognizable. She had to force herself to remember that she was in a foreign place and that not everyone was going to dress like they did back home. Nor apparently like they did on the shows. Raising her hand she gave the girl a quiet wave, watching her moves with definite attention perhaps thinking about what she had given up. "Hello..." she finally replied, "you move very well."

A smile crept across Alexa's face as she watched Mona's antics, it was so different from the serious tenor of her prior school that it was wonderfully intoxicating. Besides the fact that her laptop had been pulverized and then crushed and her unmentionables likely had razor sharp shards in them, this was exactly what she had hoped for when they have moved. More or less at least. Pacer, Stalwart and Rev, they had to be hero names, which meant that these were people she could talk about her hero ID with. "I haven't had much time to have an alternate identity, but I do go by SFX... just not very often yet." Then she looked at her dented case and turned to Rev, "if you would like to help, I would not object. But, I think it is probably beyond a soldering iron. Still, it is okay. I like to have projects to work on. Company is... good! Really good." Talking to Mona and Mickey she asked, "you are already students here? Is it always like this?" She emphasized that with a wave to the very diverse set of students who were going on or about their business.

Alexa giggled, it was something that she hated doing, but couldn't help it anyway. She already had a complex about her looks, most girls here looked more like models and she still looked like she was just entering high school. Rev was talking about drinking and she hadn't ever even set foot inside a bar, much less contemplated getting drunk. The movies were very clear on this, soon, she would have to go to a wild barely controlled party if she wanted to fit in with this new school. It was just how things were done! "Megabrain was already taken... I think they operate out of Berlin I believe. Are we really allowed to talk about this?" she asked looking at the small group questioningly. Then looking back to Mona she asked, "you're flying to these places aren't you. There's a small flash when you leave... did you get that Ice Cream in Rio De Jeneiro? If you did, you had to be going over a hundred thousand miles an hour!"

Alexa bent down and began sweeping up the remnants of her laptop back into her dented suitcase. She was going to have to wash everything, because there was no way she was going to wear anything that had ground smashed silicon bits in it. That was certainly a recipe for a very uncomfortable fashion disaster. However, she was careful of getting any reasonably sized bit back into the case. "No, it's fine. I can probably fix it," she said dusting off the remnants of the once fine machine before standing back up. "Is that Portugese?" she asked looking at the Ice Cream cone and wondering how she had missed it the first time. Then it hit her what Rev had said, "you need Diesel?" She almost said more, then looked over the girl, "oh... of course you do."

Timing, of course, was everything. Alexa had just asked about how common it was to have things randomly destroyed in Claremont when a second girl walked up. The thud from her dropped bags, was only muffled by the few remaining components of her obliterated laptop. They gave up the ghost with a whimpering groan and crunch as the bags flattened anything which might have survived. The rational part of her mind told her to stand back because whatever happened next to the ill fated machine could likely have a significantly higher area of effect. However, she managed to push that part of her mind back into it's own spot before looking up from the glistening dust on the ground. "You are new too? Then we have this in common. I thought I checked the arrivals log and was the only person here..." she talked, the last part nearly to herself, "I mean, I did not expect anyone else to arrive today. It is my pleasure to meet you both. I'm Alexa."

That moment of doe eyed wonder evaporated as her small suitcase, with it's precious laptop was ripped out of her hand and seemingly deciding to take a flight on it's own. She saw the case go flying and before she had a chance to even react, it was back in the hands of a very sheepish looking girl. Alexa looked at the case, which had a very prominent impact mark on the side before reaching out to take it. Still looking at the other girl, she opened the zipper which then leaked out the rather impressively shattered laptop. It took a few awkward seconds for the small pieces to trickle out as she watched them pool up as a pile of silicon debris on the sidewalk. <"I think that..."> she started to say in Mandarin, then quickly reverted to English, "I think that this would be covered under warranty? I do not think that laptops should act like this." As she looked over at Mona, she did not look upset, just surprised and bewildered, "is this a common occurrence? If it is, I think I will have to either have redundant systems, or get a better suitcase."

Monday, November 27th 2017: 9:00am, Claremont Academy Zhu got out of the small old Honda Civic and had to just stop and look. While she already had looked over the school with an illegally appropriated satellite, checked every photo that was in a cloud anywhere, and had as much comprehensive knowledge about her new school as she could possibly get, there was something about the majesty of the campus that still overwhelmed her. It was a stark reminder that while information was good, there was nothing that could quite replace actual experiences. Perhaps she would have to do some research into why reality was so real. Around her, the suprisingly warm November day had a glorious feel to it and the students were taking advantage of the Indian Summer, perhaps anticipating the winter to come. "<Go ahead, we're proud of you. You can do this>," her mother gently chided to her in Mandarin from the passenger seat. Zhu, no Alexa, she had to keep reminding herself that, turned to her mother and smiled, "<Thank you for your sacrifice. I will honor your choice.>" Her mother waved once and, as neither of them were fond of long emotional goodbyes, drove off leaving Alexa standing staring at her new school. Brushing back her hair, she took a deep breath and muttered to herself in slightly accented English, "this is where I should be." She knew the path to the registrar's office and began heading across the well manicured lawns not bothering to hide her wide eyed wonder at the diverse student body. Without taking the phone out of her pocket she pulled up the agenda that had been sent too her. It was rather vague, something that annoyed her, but contained at least a starting point to her new journey. Of course, in the name of efficiency, her parents had dropped her off nearly a full hour before she had to be anywhere, but if her schools in Shanghai taught her anything, it was that punctuality was to be observed to the exclusion of nearly all else. She was certain that the Dean would feel the same way.

FLUFF'DBY HGM I hope this is where I put changes like this to my character. If not, please disregard. Please change the following paragraph in SFX's history section: "Transition to the US was difficult as they didn't have much in the way of money and her parents didn't speak English, landing in Lincoln in a small, but clean, row house. Zhu found her life very busy as she began attending classes at Claremont as well as helping her parents navigate life in a foreign county. Yet, even as hectic as it was, things seemed manageable until their small convenience mart was robbed by one of the many gangs. Blessedly, no one was hurt and while it shook them all up, no lasting harm was done. It was then that she really noticed what was going on in her new found home. Protection rackets, gang turf wars, drug deals and more seemed endemic. The themes and motifs of Claremont resounded a little more and primary goal of being the premier SFX artist suddenly became more of a means than an end. It didn't take long for a new fledgling hero to appear on the scene as SFX moonlighting on her scant free hours trying to relieve the burgeoning problems in the city." To "Transition to the US was difficult as they didn't have much in the way of money and her parents didn't speak English, landing in Lincoln in a small, but clean, row house. It was difficult helping her parents navigate life in a foriegn country as they didn't speak English well enough to do anything. However, with some work, and Zhu's help translating, they managed to open a small Convienience Store. It kept her very busy and their need was so great that she missed the first few months of classes while she helped them insure everything was in order. Still, with contacts from major production houses inquiring into the posibility of internships, it was a very exciting time and she couldn't wait to hone her trade and venture off to make real movies! Things changed weeks before she arrived at Claremont when the family store was robbed at gunpoint. Suddenly, the prospects of school and a career were overshaddowed by the things that she hadn't noticed. Protection rackets, gang turf wars, muggings, and all manner of crime seemed endemic even through the best efforts of the authorities and the heroes who helped them. It didn't take long for a new fledgling hero to appear on the scene as SFX who moonlighted on her scant free hours trying to relieve the burgeoning problems in the city." Please add the uploaded picture to her profile Thank you!

Reserved

Collection of links and information on SFX Basics: Character Sheet Reputation "An interview with WNTW's Mary Fox" [20Q Interview] Short Stories: November Vignette - Decades Timeline: 11/27/2017 - Do Students Ever Show Up Early? - Zhu shows up at Claremont for introductions on her first day 11/27/2017 - Beauty is more than Skin Deep [Complete] - Zhu meets her roommate Rev and they work to conceal Rev's metallic appendages. Break in's to the science labs! 11/28/2017 - Rush Hour 12/02/2017 - Bonfire with Vanity - A party is thrown, and Zhu crashes it. 12/09/2017 - Spiraling Shape - While visiting the museum, strange things are going on. A heist of Deep One material and a mystery as Devil Ray confronts the heroine. 12/16/2017 - Soup of Human Kindness [Complete] - Even heroes can find ways to give their time and talent. 01/03/2018 - Freedom City's Got Talent - Zhu looks up an actress to help her with her latest YouTube project. They meet for coffee. 01/07/2018 - Kicking the Tires 01/14/2018 - Pitching In - Zhu meet's Jack and shows him around campus. Later, the pair meet up with Rev then head out to do some bowling. Things go downhill from there. 01/17/2018 - Observing the Mind [Complete] - SFX gets to meet Giang who becomes her mentor. She is shown how to focus her efforts and to not be as tense. 01/20/2018 - Winter Wonderland - Snow on the campus leads to some hi-jinks and super powered snow fights! 02/01/2018 - Do you carry Asparagus Racmosus? -Jessica comes to the Ying and Yang while Zhu is working there looking for some mystical herbs. Things get very strange. 02/07/2018 - Mistaken Controls - Zhu meets Replica while doing Yoga exercises in the park. 02/14/2018 - Superpowered Babysitting [Complete] - The inseparable duo of SFX and Rev sign on to babysit Lawrence, son of Paradigm. How can you lose a child in space and time? 02/14/2018 - Far From Home 02/16/2018 - Circumference of Hi 02/17/2018 - Weird Science

SFX Present Day: SPI Headquarters, Vancouver It wasn’t often that Zhu could not contain her excitement. Nor was it often that you got to meet your idols in the flesh. Yet in both cases, the norm had been broken and Zhu sat quietly while Eric Carlson, Chief Creative Officer at Sony Pictures Imageworks looked over her essay. She was good at sitting quietly while his pen methodically tapped over and over against the large slate desk. Click, click, click, pause. Click, click, click, pause. “So, you’re telling me that you’re the only person who worked on the channel…” he paused looking at the name of the channel, “Sheqi… shendi…” he frowned as he struggled with the name. “Shénqí de shìqíng,” she pronounced the name to him, her hands folded in her lap. He gave her an odd stare, “it means Fantastic Things,” she provided helpfully while looking out the window at the grey clouded sky. Rain pelted the windows and it looked thoroughly miserable outside. “I’ll say,” he replied shaking his head back and forth. “Really. You’re the only person who directed and produced all of those effects? That’s amazing.” He looked over to the other man in the room, John Abraham, head of Technology, “isn’t that amazing John? You think you could pull that off?” John sat silently looking at the footage on the channel, after a moment he nodded, “yeah, I think so. Not alone though. I’d need our crew. You had to have had some help.” Zhu shook her head, “no sir, I did not. Families in Shanghai do not allow too much time for their children to do anything other than their studies. None of my friends were ever able to help.” John shrugged and gave Eric a shake of his head. His posture and body language screamed that he didn’t believe a lick of what she was saying. However, thankfully he wasn’t rude enough to directly confront her. A silence settled over the room. Click, click, click, pause. Click, click, click, pause. “So… look, here’s the deal,” Eric said with the infinite wisdom of a middle age brilliant executive talking to a teen aged girl, “we want to hire you. We want to give you a shot at internships. Hell, we look for this kind of thing all the time. But… and here’s the thing… I need your team. I need the whole outfit if we’re going to make this work. So, if you’re telling me that you did it yourself, and my guy John says no way, then we’re going to need something more. Some proof. You understand that, right?” Zhu nodded with a smile, proof was something that her teachers had required. Proof was something that her parents had required. She had no worries proving anything, “yes Sir, you wish me to give you a demonstration.” “I do! I know that Claremont is quite a thing, but I can offer you a fast track to citizenship and a hell of a lot more if you can produce the goods!” Ten years Later: Remains of Shanghai SFX crested the last hill in what had once been the South China Sea. Now a lifeless bed of clay and mud which presented the most labyrinthine hills and obstacles to get to her destination. As the sun beat down upon her, she held out hope. It was really all she had left to cling to. Home had always been about warm memories. Parents, friends and family. Food and familiarity. These things were all part of SFX’s childhood. They were all part of a better time an easier time. As she stood on the hill, all she could see was a grey melted landscape, like someone had sucked the very color out of the world and poured thick grey paint over everything. The once proud skyline was now nothing more than a series of oddly shaped lumps protruding out of the equally featureless ground. All her effort to get here, all that she had done to fight, it was for nothing. No one lived in Shanghai anymore. Actually, she was pretty certain that no one lived any more. It had been months since she had seen another living being. Even longer since she had seen anything other than the featureless slowly changing grey landscape. Around her, she could hear a nearly imperceptible buzz as the translucent clouds of death floated by her. [Handshake: Token; A6F8-C189-D876-BC10: Begin: Transmit: ‘ID-SONY_NB_MK99:m<-"m<-0;cat(sub(0,deparse(m),m))";cat(sub(0,deparse(m),m)) Err: 10873 – Replication refused] The familiar code passed through her conscious and she paid it as much heed as a person might focus on their breathing. Yet there was no ignoring what was left of her home and it was harder to ignore the ghosts of her ancestors which she could practically hear screaming their outrage at SFX for her greatest failure. Ten years Ago: Central Shanghai Zhu crested the hill in the central park and looked out of the South China Sea. The brilliant blue of the water perfectly reflected the sun which glistened off the bustling harbor as people rushed about their business. She was brimming with excitement as only a seven-year-old girl could. Today, she would test her greatest idea. A self-replicating robot! True, the clunky looking box like invention certainly didn’t look like much and in truth it only worked in a very specialized set of circumstances. However, it was one step closer to her dream, nanotechnology. Instant fabrication! The possibilities were endless and she could further all her ideas along as long as the first prototypes kept getting better. Smaller would come later, she was sure of that. “Excuse me,” another little girl came up to her, “would you like to play? I have a doll? Is that your doll?” “No,” Zhu replied, “it’s not a doll. It’s a robot.” She nearly sent the other girl off. It was so hard to connect with anyone her own age, their interests were just not the same as hers. But, while she didn’t really share anything common with the girl asking to play, Zhu did have the same feelings as anyone her age and the loneliness was sometimes hard to deal with. “But… we can play. That’s a pretty doll.” The other girl smiled and sat down next to her robot going into a very complicated description about how their high-tech family was being run. It was a social construct that would have left the most creative minds writing for the daytime drama’s in awe. Zhu smiled and sat down, happy to listen even if she only had a little input into the growing narrative of husbands and children. Lovers and houses. Zhu was smiling, just amazed at the creativity of it all when the girl set the doll down next to her robot. With a horrified look on her face, young Zhu tried her best to snatch the doll away before the steel laws opened and took a huge bite out of the doll which had the audacity to utter a single “Mǔqīn” before her robot ingested the circuits and voice processor with a nearly self-satisfied clank. The girl screamed and her parents were already racing towards the two of them. Some technology was not really fit for playing. Present Day: SPI Headquarters, Vancouver Eric stood up, looking at her with a grin that seemed to say, ‘you are money’ as he offered her a hand, “so we have a deal. You show us your technique and if it’s as good as you say, then we’ll take you on as an intern and I can promise only the best and brightest future ahead for you!” Zhu took a deep breath, confrontation was not in her nature, “thank you very much Mr. Carlson, but we do not have a deal.” Eric and John traded looks. They’d played hardball with enough actresses to recognize negotiations. However, it didn’t matter. Let the lawyers sort all that out. If this girl could do half of what she claimed, she’d revolutionize the industry. “Sure sure, I’ll get the lawyers in and they can talk money and structure the contract contingent on your demo.” “No Sir,” she repeated as an old memory of a park and a doll flitted in her mind, “I will not provide you a demonstration. My internship would be me working on your technology and learning your business.” John shook his head slightly. “Miss Xieng,” John said in the same voice he used with his daughter, “you have to understand. What you did in your videos is top notch work. But, nothing we can’t do on our own. What makes it special is your claim to having done the entire production on your own. If you’re not willing to share that… well… there are plenty of interns we can hire.” Zhu nodded sadly, this was not the first time this conversation had happened. However, she wasn’t sure that the world was quite ready for her technology yet. “I cannot,” she replied, “thank you for your consideration.” John shrugged and whispered something to Eric. It was loud enough that she could hear, “told you she couldn’t do all that on her own.” Eric nodded and gave her a smile that she knew meant that there would be no internship. No easy street and many more years before she could really pursue her dreams. “My admin will show you to the door, thanks for coming.” Zhu stood up and gave them both a respectful bow, “thank you both for listening to me.” The admin, a middle-aged woman came in, all smiles and hips as she escorted Zhu to the door. As they got there, she looked out the window as the sun peaked through a layer of rainclouds. As she opened the door, she patted Zhu on her shoulder, “I’m sorry dear. They talk to a lot of very smart girls and I’m sure you’ll do well. Just keep trying.” “Thank you Ma’am,” Zhu replied stepping out of the door. “Just keep your chin up, besides, who couldn’t be happier now that the grey is gone and the sun is shining!” Zhu nodded back, walking into the light never knowing the 27 year old Zhu and her dull world, and thankfully, for the moment, having the possibility of becoming her disappear like the now fleeting clouds.

Edit made: Changed languages so they are on one line. Indicated native language. Edit made: Added Public to Alternate Identity Edit made: Added complication for Secret Identity

SFX Power Level: 10/11 (164/179) Unspent Power Points: 15 Trade-Offs: None, (-5 Def/+5 Tou) In Brief: Genius teen creates nanobot swarm to emulate film special effects. Alternate Identity: Zhu Xieng, "Alexa" (Public) Birthplace: Shanghai, China Residence: Freedom City Base of Operations: Freedom City, Claremont Occupation: Student Affiliations: Claremont Family: Bao Xieng "John" (father), Shin "Shae" (mother) Catchphrase: TBD Description: Age: 17 Apparent Age: 15 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Asian, Chinese Height: 5’2” Weight: 100 Lbs Eyes: Dark Blue Hair: Black Zhu is a bright-eyed young Chinese girl who seems to barely contain her overwhelming enthusiasm and passion. She is short and thin with shoulder length straight black hair which is usually pulled back in some fashion. Her face is a little rounded with large expressive eyes which seem to drink up all around her. Frequent exercise has given her the body of a runner, long and lean. She typically dresses in modern fashions with a tendency towards the functional even if she has wide tastes in clothes. It is unusual for her to not be wearing bracelets and other simple jewelry. Her body and face have not quite caught up with her age and she looks younger than she is and is often mistaken for an underclassman. History: From an early age, Zhu was a very different child. Able to speak to and understand machines almost before she could speak to her parents, her education took a very different path. While she attended normal schools in China, her persistent connection to the Internet let her accelerate her learning far beyond that of her peers. While others were taking courses in rudimentary mathematics, she was testing and writing AI routines all while presenting a polite conformist front. Being so far ahead in schooling allowed Zhu to tailor her own learning to her interests, which lay in technology and special effects. She adored the movies, and while the plots and stories were fascinating, what she really enjoyed was all of the visual effects that continued to improve from picture to picture. When she was 12, she started her first YouTube channel dedicated to short films she had produced. All of the effects and equipment were created with things she had built from whatever parts she could find around the house. While this obsession baffled her parents, they were accommodating and understanding, even if they didn't realize how special their daughter was. For the next two years, she pushed the envelope of amateur cinematics gaining the attention from companies like ILM and other major studios. Their daughter's skill was finally revealed after the invention of her first nanobot swarm. The cloud, aptly named Clarke's Third Law Mk1, accelerated her ability to build and prototype things, making items and objects as if out of thin air. They now had confirmation of what they had always guessed, their daughter was very special indeed. Applying and receiving a Visa based on a very special offer from the prestigious Claremont Academy. "Transition to the US was difficult as they didn't have much in the way of money and her parents didn't speak English, landing in Lincoln in a small, but clean, row house. It was difficult helping her parents navigate life in a foreign country as they didn't speak English well enough to do anything. However, with some work, and Zhu's help translating, they managed to open a small Convenience Store. It kept her very busy and their need was so great that she missed the first few months of classes while she helped them insure everything was in order. Still, with contacts from major production houses inquiring into the possibility of internships, it was a very exciting time and she couldn't wait to hone her trade and venture off to make real movies! Things changed weeks before she arrived at Claremont when the family store was robbed at gunpoint. Suddenly, the prospects of school and a career were overshadowed by the things that she hadn't noticed. Protection rackets, gang turf wars, muggings, and all manner of crime seemed endemic even through the best efforts of the authorities and the heroes who helped them. It didn't take long for a new fledgling hero to appear on the scene as SFX who moonlighted on her scant free hours trying to relieve the burgeoning problems in the city." Personality & Motivation: Cheerful, bright, and seemingly full of boundless energy. Zhu has a passion for learning, technology and all things popular culture. She has a very strong opinion on what is right and wrong and will often be interceded to help those that she feels are being oppressed. Living in more of a binary world, she doesn't really like shades of grey and often struggles with things that cannot be delineated as right and wrong. She has very strong ties to her family and that extends to close friends and neighbors. She still wishes to make her mark as a professional special effects artist, but that is being tempered by her growing sense of responsibility to those around her. She works very well with others and will often step aside to give credit to anyone else for her actions. Powers & Tactics: SFX has had very little formal training in fighting and doesn't know the first thing about punching anyone. Even though she's Chinese, she definitely doesn't know any martial arts. Instead, she relies on her Nanobots to change the landscape around her. Creating barriers, moving columns and other objects that batter her opponents while she just does her best to keep as much of her objects between her and them. In addition, she tries to use her holoprojector to baffle and confuse people making sure they never quite know what is happening. Finally, when part of a team, she would rather support others and help them shine as much as taking center stage herself. She is a big fan of planning ahead and using whatever is around her to her best advantage. Power Descriptions: SFX's powers are easy to see and hard to notice. Objects and images spring to life around her, only to fade back to dust a short while later. While it isn't obvious she's controlling the show, she is usually at the epicenter of the maelstrom of effects. Her bots and holograms are all controlled by two bracelets which are often transformed to look far less techy. Complications: Family Ties: SFX has a responsibility to protect her parents and their small enterprise. That often takes precedence over the most pressing issues. Something out of Nothing: Nanobots are amazing, but they need source material. While they can often use a little here and a little there, other times they have to make noticeable and unwanted alterations to their surroundings. Also, if she's in a drastic environment, they might not have what they need (IE: Ocean, etc) I'm a Nanobot not a Miracle Worker!: While the nanobots can do amazing things, precision takes time. For her most elaborate scenes, they take time to revise the raw shapes into something fantastic. Do you know what time it is?: Not even Zhu's parents know that she moonlights as a hero. They know that Claremont is a school for gifted individuals, but that's the extent of it. Freezing Up: SFX is not a powerhouse, at her core, she's a teenaged girl with the frailties and insecurities of being a normal person in a super world. When faced with threats she often will freeze up at the wrong moment! Easily Surprised: No matter how many times that things happen around SFX she seems to always be caught unprepared. While she rolls initiative, in the first round, she goes last regardless of her roll. Abilities: -2 +0 +6 +10 +4 +2 = 20PP Strength: 8 (-1) Dexterity: 10 (+0) Constitution: 16 (+3) Intelligence: 20 (+5) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: +8 +4 = 12PP Initiative: +5 Attack: +4 Melee, +10 Ranged, +4 Base Defense: +5 (+2 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +1 Flat-Footed Grapple: +3 Knockback: -7 Saving Throws: +5 +6 +8 = 19PP Toughness: +3 / +15 (+3 Con, +12 [Protection]) Fortitude: +8 (+3 Con, +5) Reflex: +6 (+0 Dex, +6) Will: +10 (+2 Wis, +8) Skills: 92R = 23PP Computers 15 (+20) Skill Mastery Craft [Artistic] 3 (+8) Craft [Mechanical] 11 (+16) Skill Mastery Craft [Structural] 8 (+13) Disable Device 5 (+10) Disguise 0 (+26 [morph]) Knowledge [Physical Sciences] 15 (+20) Skill Mastery Knowledge [Popular Culture] 5 (+10) Knowledge [Technology] 15 (+20) Language [Mandarin (native); English; German; Russian] Notice 8 (+10) Skill Mastery Stealth 4 (+4) Feats: 19PP All-Out-Attack Attack Focus (ranged) 6 Dodge Focus 3 Improvised Tools Inventor Jack-of-All-Trades Master Plan Power Attack Skill Mastery 1 (Computers, Craft [Mechanical], Knowledge [Physical Sciences], Notice) Teamwork 1 Equipment 1 Online Research [Voice of the Machine] Well-Informed [Voice of the Machine] Speed of Thought Eidetic Memory [Cloud Thinking] Equipment: 5EP = 1PP Night Vision Goggles Portable Laptop (tablet) Zip ties Multitool Cell Phone Powers: 41 +21 +5 +4= 71PP Device 10 (Clarke's Third Law; 50PP Container; Hard to Lose, Restricted to Computers 15+) [41PP] (Technology) Protection 12 (Feats: Force Field) [12PP] Create Object 9 (Extras: Moveable, Duration 1 [continuous]; Feats: Progression 3, Stationary, Precise, Selective, Subtle, Alternate Powers 2; Flaws: Action 1 [Full]) [37PP] AP: Damage 10 (Extras: Ranged 1 [100ft]; Feats: Indirect 3, Precise, Split Attack 1, Subtle 1) [26/34] (Bludgeoning) AP: Snare 10 (Extras: Area[Burst 50ft - General], Selective Attack; Feats: Subtle 1; Flaws: Range) [31/34] AP: Linked Enhance Trait (Notice +7, Search +12, Sense Motive +10) [8 pp] & Super Senses 12 (Spatial Awareness, Accurate (Mental), Acute (Mental), Analytical (Mental), Direction Sense, Distance Sense, Time Sense, Rapid 6, Radius (Mental): Feats Assessment) [23PP] [31/34] Device 5 (Holo Projector; 25PP Container; Hard to Lose, Restricted to Computers 15+) [21PP] (Technology) Illusion 9 ([Auditory, Sight*] Feats: Progression, Area 3; Alternate Powers 3) [24 PP] (Light, Sound) AP: Obscure 5 ([Auditory, Sight*]; Extras: Selective Attack) [15/21] (Light, Sound) AP: Confuse 10 (Extras: Area[Burst 50ft - General]) [20/21] (Light, Sound) AP: Morph 5 (Broad Group [Any Human]; Extras: Duration 1 [Continuous] ) [15/21] (Light, Sound) *Only Standard Sight Datalink 2 (Voice of the Machine; Feats: Machine Control, Online Research, Well-Informed) [5PP] (Mutation) Quickness 4(Cloud Thinking; Feats: Eidetic Memory; Flaws: One Type[Mental]) [4PP] (Technology) Drawbacks: 0 = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Create Object Area 40ft DC 24 Toughness Damage Confuse Area 40ft DC 20 Will Confuse Damage Ranged DC 25 Toughness Damage Snare Area 50ft DC 20 Reflex Snare Totals: Abilities (20) + Combat (12) + Saving Throws (19) + Skills (23) + Feats (19) + Powers (71) - Drawbacks (0) = 164/179 Power Points

SFX Power Level: 10 Unspent Power Points: 0 Trade-Offs: None, (-5 Def/+5 Tou) In Brief: Genius teen creates nanobot swarm to emulate film special effects. Alternate Identity: Zhu Xieng, "Alexa" Birthplace: Shanghai, China Residence: Freedom City Base of Operations: Freedom City, Claremont Occupation: Student, Intern at ILM Affiliations: Claremont Family: Bao Xieng "John" (father), Shin "Shae" (mother) Catchphrase: TBD Description: Age: 17 Apparent Age: 15 Gender: Female Ethnicity: Asian, Chinese Height: 5’2” Weight: 100 Lbs Eyes: Dark Blue Hair: Black Zhu is a bright eyed young Chinese girl who seems to barely contain her overwhelming enthusiasm and passion. She is short and thin with shoulder length straight black hair which is usually pulled back in some fashion. Her face is a little rounded with large expressive eyes which seem to drink up all around her. Frequent exercise has given her the body of a runner, long and lean. She typically dresses in modern fashions with a tendency towards the functional even if she has wide tastes in clothes. It is unusual for her to not be wearing bracelets and other simple jewelry. Her body and face have not quite caught up with her age and she looks younger than she is and is often mistaken for an underclassman. History: From an early age, Zhu was a very different child. Able to speak to and understand machines almost before she could speak to her parents, her education took a very different path. While she attended normal schools in China, her persistent connection to the Internet let her accelerate her learning far beyond that of her peers. While others were taking courses in rudimentary mathematics, she was testing and writing AI routines all while presenting a polite conformist front. Being so far ahead in schooling allowed Zhu to tailor her own learning to her interests, which lay in technology and special effects. She adored the movies, and while the plots and stories were fascinating, what she really enjoyed was all of the visual effects that continued to improve from picture to picture. When she was 12, she started her first YouTube channel dedicated to short films she had produced. All of the effects and equipment were created with things she had built from whatever parts she could find around the house. While this obsession baffled her parents, they were accommodating and understanding, even if they didn't realize how special their daughter was. For the next two years, she pushed the envelope of amateur cinematics gaining the attention from companies like ILM and other major studios. Their daughter's skill was finally revealed after the invention of her first nanobot swarm. The cloud, aptly named Clarke's Third Law Mk1, accelerated her ability to build and prototype things, making items and objects as if out of thin air. They now had confirmation of what they had always guessed, their daughter was very special indeed. Applying and receiving a Visa based on a very special offer from the prestigious Claremont academy. Transition to the US was difficult as they didn't have much in the way of money and her parents didn't speak English, landing in Lincoln in a small, but clean, row house. Zhu found her life very busy as she began attending classes at Claremont as well as helping her parents navigate life in a foreign county. Yet, even as hectic as it was, things seemed manageable until their small convenience mart was robbed by one of the many gangs. Blessedly, no one was hurt and while it shook them all up, no lasting harm was done. It was then that she really noticed what was going on in her new found home. Protection rackets, gang turf wars, drug deals and more seemed endemic. The themes and motifs of Claremont resounded a little more and primary goal of being the premier SFX artist suddenly became more of a means than an end. It didn't take long for a new fledgling hero to appear on the scene as SFX moonlighting on her scant free hours trying to relieve the burgeoning problems in the city. Personality & Motivation: Cheerful, bright, and seemingly full of boundless energy. Zhu has a passion for learning, technology and all things popular culture. She has a very strong opinion on what is right and wrong and will often interceded to help those that she feels are being oppressed. Living in more of a binary world, she doesn't really like shades of grey and often struggles with things that can not be delineated as right and wrong. She has very strong ties to her family and that extends to close friends and neighbors. She still wishes to make her mark as a profession special effects artist, but that is being tempered by her growing sense of responsibility to those around her. She works very well with others and will often step aside to give credit to anyone else for her actions. Powers & Tactics: SFX has had very little formal training with fighting and doesn't know the first thing about punching anyone. Even though she's Chinese, she definitely doesn't know any marital arts. Instead, she relies on her Nanobots to change the landscape around her. Creating barriers, moving columns and other objects that batter her opponents while she just does her best to keep as much of her objects between her and them. In addition, she tries to use her holo projector to baffle and confuse people making sure they never quite know what is happening. Finally, when part of a team, she would rather support others and help them shine as much as take center stage herself. She is a big fan of planning ahead and using whatever is around her to her best advantage. Power Descriptions: SFX's powers are easy to see and hard to notice. Objects and images spring to life around her, only to fade back to dust a short while later. While it isn't obvious she's controlling the show, she is usually at the epicenter of the maelstrom of effects. Her bots and holograms are all controlled by two bracelets which are often transformed to look far less techy. Complications: Family Ties: SFX has a responsibility to protect her parents and their small enterprise. That often takes precedence over the most pressing issues. Something out of Nothing: Nanobots are amazing, but they need source material. While they can often use a little here and a little there, other times they have to make noticeable and unwanted alterations to their surroundings. Also, if she's in a drastic environment, they might not have what they need (IE: Ocean, etc) I'm a Nanobot not a Miracle Worker!: While the nanobots can do amazing things, precision takes time. For her most elaborate scenes, they take time to revise the raw shapes into something fantastic. Zero Shades of Grey: SFX doesn't like to believe that there is anything other than right and wrong for an issue. She struggles with non absolutes and has a hard time letting things slide. Don't make waves: Zhu's background is from a culture that stresses conformity and fitting in. She often has difficulty either taking credit for her accomplishments or stepping outside the expected norms. Abilities: -2 +0 +6 +10 +4 +1 = 20PP Strength: 8 (-1) Dexterity: 10 (+0) Constitution: 16 (+3) Intelligence: 20 (+5) Wisdom: 14 (+2) Charisma: 12 (+1) Combat: +4 +2 = 12PP Initiative: +0 Attack: +4 Melee, +10 Ranged, +4 Base Defense: +5 (+2 Base, +3 Dodge Focus), +1 Flat-Footed Grapple: +3 Knockback: -7 Saving Throws: +5 +6 +8 = 19PP Toughness: +3 / +15 (+3 Con, +12 [Protection]) Fortitude: +8 (+3 Con, +5) Reflex: +6 (+0 Dex, +6) Will: +10 (+2 Wis, +8) Skills: 88R = 22PP Computers 15 (+20) Skill Mastery Craft [Artistic] 3 (+8) Craft [Mechanical] 11 (+16) Skill Mastery Craft [Structural] 8 (+13) Disable Device 5 (+10) Disguise 0 (+26 [morph]) Knowledge [Physical Sciences] 15 (+20) Skill Mastery Knowledge [Popular Culture] 5 (+10) Knowledge [Technology] 15 (+20) Language [Mandarin, Chinese] Language [English] Language [German] Language [Russian] Notice 8 (+10) Skill Mastery Feats: 18PP All-Out-Attack Attack Focus (ranged) 6 Dodge Focus 3 Improvised Tools Inventor Jack-of-All-Trades Master Plan Power Attack Skill Mastery 1 (Computers, Craft [Mechanical], Knowledge [Physical Sciences], Notice) Teamwork 1 Equipment 1 Online Research [Voice of the Machine] Well-Informed [Voice of the Machine] Equipment: 5EP = 1PP Cell Phone Laptop Computer Multi Tool Night Vision Goggles Concealable Microphone Powers: 37 +17 +5 = 59PP Device 8 (Voice of the Machine; 40PP Container; Hard to Lose, Restricted to Computers 15+) [33PP] (Technology) Protection 12 (Feats: Force Field) [12PP] Create Object 8 (Feats: Progression 3, Stationary, Precise, Selective, Subtle; Extras: Moveable, Duration 1 [continuous]; Flaws: Action 1 [Full]) [33PP] AP: Damage 10 (Feats: Indirect 3, Precise, Split Attack 1, Subtle 1; Extras: Ranged 1 [100ft]) [26/30] (Bludgeoning) AP: Snare 10 (Feats: Subtle 1; Extras: Area[Burst 50ft - General], Selective Attack; Flaws: Range; Drawbacks: Custom 1 [Created Objects Only]) [30/30] Device 4 (Holo Projector; 20PP Container; Hard to Lose, Restricted to Computers 15+) [17PP] (Technology) Illusion 7 ([Hearing, Sight] Feats: Progression, Area 3) [20 PP] (Light, Sound) AP: Obscure 4 ([Hearing, Sight]; Extras: Selective Attack) [12/20] (Light, Sound) AP: Confuse 8 (Extras: Area[Burst 40ft - General]) [16/20] (Light, Sound) AP: Morph 5 (Broad Group [Any Human]; Extras: Duration 1 [Continuous] ) [15/20] (Light, Sound) Datalink 2 (Voice of the Machine; Feats: Machine Control, Online Research, Well-Informed) [5PP] (Mutation) Drawbacks: 0 = -0PP DC Block ATTACK RANGE SAVE EFFECT Create Object Area 40ft DC 23 Toughness Damage Confuse Area 40ft DC 18 Will Confuse Damage Ranged DC 25 Toughness Damage Snare Area 50ft DC 20 Reflex Snare Totals: Abilities (20) + Combat (12) + Saving Throws (22) + Skills (22) + Feats (19) + Powers (55) - Drawbacks (0) = 150/150 Power Points