Semi-Autogyro

The taxi driver and John are both alive, but unconscious. John is currently pinned inside the car by the front passenger seat and the seatbelt. Vicki estimates she was out for about a minute or two, judging from the time off of Johns' wristwatch.

GM Vicki gorggily awoke to a dull throbbing in her head that could be attributed to either the explosion, the results of said explosion, or the deafening sound of heavy rotorwash from a nearby helicopter. Their taxi driver was slumpled back in her seat, her chest rising and falling steadily. She appeared to have been knocked unconsious, probably from the deployment of the airbag. John on the otherhand, looked more dishevled than she could ever recall with the cut across his forehead and hanging limply with glasses askew from his seatbelt. As her senses cleared she heard shouting and a loud banging coming from somewhere ahead of the broken taxi, her view blocked by a k-rail that had crushed the hood of the cab into the bridge.

A female secuity guard looked down at the young woman from one of the trucks before turning her attention elswhere. The sides of the cars were labeled 'Garnet Industrusies, Inc.' "That is good to hear. She recently introduced me to a swordmaster, so I will be training outside of the Academy more often." "It was informative returning my home country, as it were. Had an unxpected visit from some realitives of mine, but for the most part it was quiet. Found some things my father left behind." A construction worker waved to the three idling armored trucks to move forward, John idly splitting his attention between Vicki and the outside. "I still have not figured out ---" John paused mid-sentence as the last truck passed by the worker whose vest opened enough that he could make out the holstered weapon. That however, was not the problem. The military grade detonater the man holding was. "HARD COVER!" he yelled as he surged forward, his arms attemting to force both the cabbie and Victoria to the floor. A split second later, the world became light and noise.

Their taxi gradually slowed and stopped as up ahead was some ongoing construction that was bottlenecking traffic. "Sounds like a plan." John gave her a wan smile. "Well, at least you have some choice in the matter." A trio of armored cars pulled up and idled alongside the taxi on Victorias side, casting the interior of the taxi in their shadow. "I heard that you have a job working with Miss Teymourian. How is that working out so far?"

OOC for this thread. Wisp and Myrmidon attempt to foil an elaborate robbery.

August 18, 2012 Centery Bridge, Port Regal 3:35 PM John glanced over to Victoria. "Sorry that I was overseas and not able to attend your apartment warming celebration." Which was why he was currently sitting in the back of a taxicab as it crossed the Centery Bridge, his gift sitting between the two. Worrying that he might pick up something that his friend did not need, he had convinced her to come and pick something out before he visited. "If you contact the others, I will arrange for some food to eat while we break in your new game console." He looked out across the bay, taking note of the helicopter that had just flown overhead heading into the city.

The answer came over her new acquisition. << Safer togther. We are facing an unknown amounts of guards and security systems with limited intel on whatever is down here that is causing people to disappear. >> Myrmidon used a few handhold and the nearby ladder to easily make his way over to the topmost vent, estimating its size in comparison to himself. << I belive the vents are the best option as well. Would you mind taking the lead? >>

Making a whisper comm-link for Blod. Encrypted Whisper Commlink (PFs: Insidious, Subtle) [2 PP] 22/25 pp of Tech Augmentation in use.

"Odd. Three accessible vents. Only two floors indicated on elevator panel." Myrmidon turned his attention back to his companion. "Basic search pattern is floor by floor, working from top to bottom." While he was talking he opened and extracted a few items from his belt, followed by a muted flash of blue from his hands as he handed the item over to Blodeuwedd. "Here. Encrypted whisper commlink. We can talk while investigating without being overheard. I will need it back after we are done here, however."

Taking 10 on a search check of the area. Looking for things like ladders, people sized vents, etc. Total of a 20 Search. If that doesn't hold he'll go ahead and take 20.

Myrmidon waited stoically while his new found compatriot went to work and cleared the hatch. When she popped her head back in, he nodded in affirmation to her question and seconds later he was up top as well. "Reseal the hatch, if you would. I will attempt to locate a maintenance ladder and entry point if I can." No sense leaving clues of their presence. The helmeted hero scanned the interior of the elevator shaft by leaning over the side of the elevator, trying to identify any main air vents, ladders, or the like below them.

Well, I'd like to say as a Kansan, that not seeing Wichita on a list such as this offends my sensibilities. Besides, the majority of Kansas City is actually in Missouri. :-P As for names: Native American Weather Controller (got nothing namewise)- Stormfront (Since she's also a pilot, it could also be her callsign as well.) Luck Controller (James Parker) - Maverick Fire Controller (Dusty Clayton)- Brand (as in Branding Iron) Earth Controller (Jessie Peak) - Column, Stanchion Water Controller (Tina Evans) - Aquifer Plant Controller (Sarah Cassidy)- Granary Cowl (Richard Blake)- Thresher As for team names...All I can think of is Dust Devils (homage to the dust bowl) or Barnstormers (Tornado Alley and Farming reference) As for the builds, make the flame controller a horseman atop a fiery steed! (example: 1 and 2) The leader I would just go with a professional gambler, who knows when to hold 'em and knows when to fold 'em.

John made his way over to one of the hooks pointed out by Erik and hung his rucksack from one of the lower ones. He did not quite know what to make of his instructor, as his laid-back and relaxed manner made hit hard to ascertain the man. There must be a good reason Mona suggested I come here, he mused to himself as he got ready for practice. The other students were much easier to read since he had met most of them before. Eve he knew to be dangerous even before he met in her in the flesh, not to mention the SHADOW dossier reports. John thought Cerys was severely underselling her skills, but that could be for the same reasons that he glossed over the finer points of his training. Tarrant reminded him of his friend Brian, albeit with a few more years under his belt. After he had his kit squared away, John moved into the center of the room while performing a few light stretches to loosen his muscles up. Afterwards, he waited at ease until the others were ready.

The reply to her question almost sounded amused. "It is no problem." A slight shift of his feet, and it was as if the heroine was perched on a marble statue rather than a person. The helmeted hero racked his brain over the script for a few moments before conceding. "I must confess I will not be able to provide much insight on the majority of issues that we will run across. I am a soldier first, not a scholar."

John was analyzing and cataloging the other students and instructor mentally when Eve had made her appearance. He turned and gave her a small bow. "It is a pleasure to meet you under better circumstances, Miss Martel." John said to the petite woman before holding up his hand slightly to answer Eriks' query. "If I may? I am proficient in most combat styles that have modern military origins and applications, whether hand-to-hand or utilizing weaponry. Since most armed forces have phased out swords other than in a ceremonial nature, I have had not much instruction in that area." When he realized that he was going to get some incredulous looks from that statement he continued. "My father owns and operates a private military contracting firm, and I have been groomed since I was very young to follow in his stead." The line coming easy after living with it for over a year as a cover story for his civilian ID.

"I would prefer to use the shaft as opposed to the elevator itself to reconnoiter this facility." He laced his fingers together to form strong foot hold. "I can lift you so you can attempt to locate the escape hatch, if there is one. If not we can proceed on a floor to floor sweep." Myrmidon nodded at the panel. "Judging by the travel time for the elevator to arrive, not to mention the security and accommodations we are not dealing with common criminals. In addition, I am unable to elucidate the meaning behind the initials. Do you have any theories?"

Skill Mastery on a Stealth Check, for a total of 29. Then followed by another SM notice check (total 20) to look for cameras and the escape hatch in the elevator when/if it comes.

Myrmidon weighed the options in his mind before signaling his compatriot. He pointed two fingers at his faceplate then indicated each of the locations of the security cameras. The reflections present in the room would highlight most anything out of place, drawing the eyes (and therefore whoever was watching the cameras) attention. But there was no such thing as perfect security. Myrmidon carefully straddled the rubber walkway, carefully creeping just above the black walkway. With any luck the cameras would not be able to distinguish movement against the black floor, and by not stepping on it directly he would avoid setting off pressure sensors if they were present. When he reached the end of the hall he ever so slowly reached for the call button, and summoned the elevator. He slipped inside as soon as the doors opened, looking for more cameras in the elevator. More importantly, he looked for the escape access hatch. Easiest way to infiltrate hardened location such as this was to literally get behind the walls.

Nice, Roo! I thought you had liked 'Purple Heart' for Myr-pony in chat. Follows the naming Scheme of the show and ties into his back-story. Regardless, these are very cool.

Auto DC 20 Notice w/ Skill Mastery. :D

John had nodded at the other arrivals and was going to go and say hello to Cerys, but she seemed to want to avoid him for some reason. Well, it was not like that was an unusual occurrence at Claremont. If he had known she was going to be here as well they could have split a cab fare. Getting back to the task at hand, he quickly filled out the rest of the paperwork. He stood, freeing the seat and table for whoever needed it next and handed the pen and documents back to Erik. "I have a question, Sir. Is there a title you prefer to be addressed by as the instructor of the class?" John knew it was considered respectful in some places and others went without the tradition, but it never hurt to ask.

Myrmidon is now using Imperceptor Armor - Concealment 8 (Visual, Auditory, Radar) (PFs: Close Range, Challenge [Accelerated Stealth]) + Super-Movement 2 (Trackless) [20 PP] 20/25 pp of Tech Augmentation in use.

"Indeed. One moment, please." Myrmidon replied as he knelt next to the door and placed his hand over his chest which was followed by a azure arcs of energy flowing into his armor. The armor itself became sleeker and what little highlights it had disappeared completely. By the time he removed his hand, the armor itself was causing the helmeted hero nearly fade into the background much like his new acquaintances set did. Turning his attention back to her he shook his head at the mention of the heroine being a swordswoman. "I am not much of a swordsman. My skills are more focused on utility rather than any sort of specialization." He reached to open to the door but paused for a second. "I am known as Myrmidon."

The helmet canted to the side slightly as Myrmidon parsed her questions. "In order then. No to your first query, and my reasons for being here are more than likely in line with your own." The voice was coolly modulated, extinguishing almost any modicum of identification. "Otherwise my actions would be a reciprocation over the blade instead of parley." He nodded at the door. "I am currently investigating multiple missing persons reports, which has lead me to this location."

The revelation that Erik was going to be his trainer earned the man a surreptitious second glance from John before he responded. He nodded in affirmation at the class he was taking as well. "Yes, that is correct. I am known as John." He took the offered items. "Thank you. I will return these after I have finished with them." He had sat down in one of the chairs in the foyer before starting filling out the paperwork, briefly wondering if being a clone of a sociopathic supervillian counted as a relevant medical condition or not. Still he was absconded in the corner chair for a while filling out the documentation.