Brown Dynamite

SUNDAY SURPRISE (March 22, 2020)
Foreshadow II

Erick Sloane’s birth father was a lapsed Catholic Ruska Roma circus performer.  His mother a more traditional Russian Orthodox.  But neither pushed the church in his upbringing.  Rather, pushing him to attend the gym.  Not that he complained, Erick loved gymnastics.  His temple laid at the parallel bars. 

He only started attending Catholic mass again after learning of his forthcoming child.  Even going so far as to attend confession.  Erick wanted to put enough positive energy into the world that the birth would go problem free.  Father Mathias listened, but never judged.  “My child if you continue this path you will have more Hail Marys than the rest of my congregation by the month’s end.  Have you decided what you will do for Mothering Sunday?”
 

“Dee’s with her mom, doing that whole Mother’s Day thing.  I was just planning on spending the day earning a few more of those Hail Marys.  Really, you guys might need to give out one of those little stamp cards.  Your tenth confession and the wafers are free.”

“Sacramental bread.  My son rather than bring violence upon this world, perhaps you should try bringing joy?”  Father Mathias step forward and placed a hand on Erick’s shoulder.  “This will be the last Mothering Sunday before your wife is a mother.  It is the perfect opportunity to show her how much you truly do love the mother of your child.”

“We’re not married.  Engaged to be engage-you know father.  Not important.  I’m gonna go good talk, all the big hits padre.  Same time next week?”  Although Erick quickly rushed out of the parish.  Having taken the priest’s words under consideration.  He did begin to think it was the perfect time to give Dee some sort of gesture of romance.

Erick quickly beelined it for his yellow LaFerrari.  Another sign that his continued Seed and SeriesA investments were paying off.  Though, he participated in more than his fair share of charities and angel invested with unfavorable levels of equity ownership.  He was still on the outlook for more ways to invest that could help people. 

He had gotten an idea that he wanted to run by Dee.  Co-founding an organization meant to address superhuman trafficking and unethical genetic manipulation.  He hadn’t started an actual business from the ground up.  And knew her mind for creating the software or algorithms needed would do more of the heavy lifting.  But it was a way their civilian lives could continue to help.  In ways that fists, and telekinetic blasts couldn’t.  Plus, he didn’t want to have to keep playing the fool while his best friend had to fake stakeholders complaining about some of his choices in Sloane Solutions.  Allowing a little distancing from his venture capital firm in this side project.  But before they talked business perhaps the good father was right on how Erick should spend the day.

Instead of heading straight home, Erick decided to spend a few hours going through the local shops.  The first store Erick found himself in was an aromatherapy store.  He bought an assortment of candles walking through aisles filled with cocktail shrub giftset.  For making mocktails.  “Well it’s not quite alcohol.  I mean doctor’s say a glass of wine is alright.  But seltzer and whatever this is?”

Granted if there was an actual risk in consumption, he trusted his sixth sense would’ve warned him.  But, he also didn’t want her to spit out plant food in an attempt to pretend to drink wine.  Of course, the fact that he was already picturing it as akin to plant food didn’t exactly endear him to the purchase.  Erick then looked around before popping the cork of one of the bottles in the store and taking a free trial.  It was earthy.  But, not in the way one wanted a wine substitute to be.  “I can work with this maybe with some advice from VERA I can add or take a few things in the lab.  But, we can probably work up a mocktail that doesn’t entirely make you miss a good buzz.  Too bad it’ll take me four times as long than as if Dee were the one inside the lab.”

Next, Erick found himself a records store.  Looking through the vinyl collections of music, even though his technologically minded girlfriend likely already had anything he could find in digital.  Vinyl was back.  And even local new grunge and rock groups tried to release records to be retro.  There was a chance that something she’d like would be in the mix.  He asked for recommendations on the local scene from the music purveyors.  Using his social engineering for something other than finding out crime dens and drug hideouts.   He got word of a couple of shows that would be playing in clubs.  He hadn’t heard of half the local talent.  But, that didn’t stop Erick from buying the tickets. 

Lastly, he knew the most difficult part of the more domestic adjustment would be that at her heart, Dee was a thrill seeker.  Perhaps even more of a daredevil than himself, Erick didn’t want to have her stuck sitting around without excitement between whatever heroic activity she could still muster.  He went to multiple shops looking for an exciting activity.  Until finally he settled on buying two sets of paddleboards.  Making for an uncomfortable carry back to the LaFerrari he had driven there.

We really are going to need a minivan.  The struggle to place the paddleboards in the car wasn’t exactly easy going.  Only succeeding after getting a bit of rope and accepting that his clothes were about to get very dirty.  Leaning over the trunk of his car, Erick took a moment to catch his breath.  That was when he locked eyes with the small Belgian Malinois puppy across the street.

When David adopted Erick they also got a puppy.  It was a Belgian Malinois that acted as a guard dog to the estate.  Only listening to commands in Galstandard.  Which either Raven or Daedalus had thought David.  Erick was never clear on which.  He was however clear on how to speak Galactic Standard despite not exactly frequenting space.  There were enough bad guys with guns for him to worry on Earth.

“Oh, she would kill me.  Or…maybe not.  Hm…” 

Doktor'd!

GLAMAZON

So spending most of Glamazon's points that have sat for a while.  Updating her age and put a new picture up.  Some fluff
To begin with her enhanced strength, con, attack, and def have been split between natural attribute/combat bonuses and enhanced placed into the device.  Making it so Glamazon is no longer functionally PL 9 with her powers nullified but instead PL 12 without the Trident and PL14 with it.
Added a Heat/Fire minor vulnerability to go along with her other two while correctly adjusting the cost of her uncommon, minor Dessication to 1PP instead of the 2 it was listed as
She has status 2, instead of 1 with both the demigoddess and the atlantean royal status actually put
Super-Senses (She now has the acutal True Sight sample power from UP that's 10pp rather than the 9pp version without the Hidden Awareness) as well as Penetrates Concealment both tacked inside the device.
Her Regeneration has been bumped up to now make Injured regen a Free Action rather than a standard action as well as 1 rank of ressurection.  Still requiring a water source, and also stuck inside the device.
Impervious has also been stuck inside the device and even posted to cap at PL for the first time.
Affects Insubstantial has been dropped on her unarmed
Outside of the powers she has diverted inside the Device, Glamazon has also gained:
Comprehend 2 ( Animals [Speak to, Understand];Flaw: Limited to Equines ) [2DP]
Damage 0 ( Feats: Extended Reach, Improved Critical, Mighty; Extra: Penetrating 3) [6DP]
Enhanced Feat 1 ( Quick Change ) [2DP] (Outlandishness of Periclymenus)
Enhnaced Feat 1 ( Eidetic Memory ) [1DP] (Knowledge of the Undertow)
Light Control 1 ( 10' ) [2DP]
Super-Movement 1 ( Water-Walking ) [2DP]
Swimming 4 ( [Stacks with Swimming 10 for a total of 14]; 50,000 mph 500,000' per round ) [4DP] (Deftness of Atalanta)
Outside of the trident, she has gained:
Immunity 3 ( Aging, Disease, Poison ) [3PP] (Ambrosia)

Erick laughed off the introduction.  It was a bit louder and more sudden then he expected.  But, fun in its own way.  At least they didn't actually throw up a wrestling titantron to go along with it.

"There are a couple of underground bare knuckle boxing arenas scattered about, usually in bars.  Sometimes in a teenager's backyard.  Despite it being legal, some types like the thrill of making it seedy.  Less flips, but the same amount liquor, bad hygiene, and cursing.  Haven't seen a trampoline yet, but at this point I'm not ruling out a trampoline themed villain.  There a lot of wrestling in the reserva-"  The sentence was cut off by the sudden hug from their teammate.

As Klara embraced them, and subsequently momentarily lifted them off the ground, Erick took a quick moment to look around the room.  Multi tasking his scan with conversation he answered Klara, "Last time I brought that up, the lady in charge said I already had two heated pools depending on which of our homes I went to."  Upon spotting a familiar face in Mali by the poolside he gave a quick wave before Klara set them back down.  Erick heard Indira was somewhere around the premises making for at least two people at the party he knew before their trip to Canada.  "

All we need is my ex-sister wife and that'd be all four birds of prey back together.  He mentally thought to himself without actually recounting the full story back to Dee in the moment.

Sure, Dalir can do the thing.

Erick chuckled as he heard the comment.  Aware that he was dressed more for a gala than a pool.  "If you want to make a grander entrance, you can shed a layer and ensure it's not you.  Though that may be showing off more than how effective your leg days have been,"  Erick joked as they walked.  "I'm staying on dry land for this one.  That doesn't mean I have to save the dress up time for when you're punching a guy in the face, gotta enjoy every moment y'know?"

He then brushed the sleeves of his blazer with a wide grin on his face.  "And I'm definitely enjoying the moment."

I'm sure there's a joke to be made about you drinking Canada Dry in front of the Canadian Super Team, but Agnes isn't here to make it to.    Erick gave no resistance as Dee guided him up, after all he had just told John they would be there in an eventual minute.  Swinging his legs forward to work with the motion.   As Erick heard Dee's suggestion, he already began stepping forward to lead her back towards the restroom with a face full of fake concern.  "Oh no, you're right.  I'd hate to not be punctual."

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"Well, I certainly still have to applaud your efficiency."  Erick responded as he began wrapping a patterned yellow scarf around his neck.  Stopping snug under his chin and covering the entirety his neckline with it.  "I'm ready to escort Ms. Farrington to the ball," Erick joked before bowing forward playfully extending his arm out towards Dee.

Erick had taken a less casual approach to his clothing.  Donning a full Italian bespoke brown suit and matching boots. The blazer had six buttons split into two vertical rows across the center.  There was a small yellow pocket square handkerchief coming out of his pocket with his costumed identity's insignia.  No doubt a piece of the attire he never actually got to use but by the way he was patting in after placing it down it was clearly the part of the attire Erick was most proud of. 

After they pulled apart a dumb smile momentarily formed on Erick's face.  Once again feeling as if he was standing at a podium declared the winner. 

"Susan.  Definitely first.  It really goes without saying.  It will be good to see her again.  Unless that's a sisterly moment.  In which case you can tell me how it went after.  Plus the downtime"

His free hand reached back for the hex wrench, using his precognitive spatial awareness he would resume work on tightening screws on the crib while looking at Dee.  "Now, I don't want to alarm you with all this planning.  But, I think we're responsible adults now.  Next thing you know we'll be baby proofing."

Do you need me to see if they have crackers or pretzels or something?  Erick Sloane doted over with concern.  Though he hadn't moved from the bed, the lone American member of the Vanguard was trying his best to keep from nervously rushing over to check on Dee.   He was currently laying with his back on the bed staring straight up at the ceiling above.  The hood of his cape was currently pulled down, and his domino mask sat comfortably on the pillow nearby.

His concern even prevented him from teasing her about her preferred choice of beverage of the night being water.  Though he sympathized, in all actuality Erick preferred to nurse a drink or two the entire night.  In case he ever needed to act drunk, which somehow happened more often than not to him including the day the pair met.  His reasoning to prevent actually ever getting caught off guard. 

"If it gets too much, we'll blame jet lag and just head to the manor in North Bay.  But, I think it'll be fun.  Black tie, without the parts you hate.  Plus, I never miss an opportunity to watch Joseph eat finger foods.  I pretend he's a kaiju attacking a city and the little shrimp are the townsfolk."  Erick Pointed at the door after Joseph knocked and called out in response, "Sure thing big guy, we'll be out in another minute."

Yves watched the interaction between Danica and Eira.  As she didn't quite know their social dynamic yet, she felt it wasn't her place to step in and say anything in regards to their interaction with one another.  "Hunters travel towards population of what they're hunting, but they wouldn't have to worry about that if their target instead came to them.  Especially, if it's a robotic version of a similar reptile.  You are most likely correct about the natural wildlife in the area and their behavior.  I'm no ecology expert,"  Yves openly mused in regards to Danica's concern.  

"Fear is a different matter.  That I am quite familiar with.  If people are whipped up into a frenzy it won't matter if someone was actually hurt.  Which will lead to someone then being hurt."  Yves, examined the rather direct speaking superteen.  Time actually wasn't of the essence.  While things could go real bad, real quick as she expressed earlier.  There was nowhere near the level of panic needed for things to go quite that wrong.

Yves turned her head to Agent Larrikin and simply lifted her shoulders to give a noncommittal shrug.  It wasn't Yves permanent duty station.

 

"We're also hardly the first people to buy a minivan.  And I've been the first to buy a few things, so I'm pretty sure on this one,"   Erick teased.   Ultimately, he liked Dee's siblings and had no concern with telling them.  That didn't mean he hated her parents by comparison.  But, he was protective of her.  And would gladly defer to her on any decisions regarding how much she wanted them in their lives.   "As much fun as it would be to have an errant tabloid camera be the source of that news, I suppose you are right.  You should really think about getting a parent who can see the future, it really saves time in breaking news.  We can schedule a dinner where I can pretend to care about which fork goes where, if you want.  Still, this will inevitably lead to another conversation."

Erick set the hex wrench down, so that his hand would be free to grab out towards Dee's.  Inhaling as he thought of the words.  "So I don't do scared too often.  Well that's a lie, you're in my head.  You know I thrive on being scared.  You'd have to not be crazy to not get a mixture of adrenaline and fear as bullets fly at you.  But, if you ever wanted to have that conversation that leads to a big ask of sorts.  That's like the the least scary thing we could have.  Far as I'm concerned we're already family."

"Now, now.  Just us is plenty."  Yves tried to reassure Larrikin.  Her eyes following Eira's movements towards the photos.  "I see you appreciate quality engineering.  The world could certainly use more women in STEM fields.  Actually, I work directly with Dr. Doris Volk, she's designed the MAX armors that have found its way from AEGIS to the many the STAR Squad initiatives that cities have undertaken."  Although Yves' sales pitch was obvious.  Short of actually outright offering an internship, as it was mostly information vomit.  Yves actually put no emotional weight into the words coming out of her mouth.

Her mind was focused on the actual job.  Someone creating a mindless machine with the sole purpose of harming others.  Her bionic eyes narrowed at the sight of the machine parts they had collected.  Having already incinerated the scraps in her mind.  Outwardly Yves would not stir and instead she took a moment to scratch the back of her head.  Acting as if her wig was itching as she collected her thoughts back into being a proper chaperone. 

"Now the last thing we want is the locals forming a posse.  Alligator hunting season is not for another month.  And I would like to not be the agents that put up the question whether that only held true for organic alligators just because someone decided they wanted to mount a robotic crocodile."

"Anna's started applying to college.  Or rather she's applied to a college.  The University of Navarra."  Yves transitioned to starting both the vehicle and placing her seat belt.  The suburban vehicle wasn't too far from what she usually drove.  Inconspicuous enough to not draw attention.  Even with West Texas' large propensity for people driving trucks.  "I really do wish she would have picked a school closer to home.  But, it's where her father and birth mother met.  It'd be silly to try and talk her out of wanting to go."  Yves also reasoned that it would wind up cheaper than a domestic education.  But, her own student experience decades ago in Lor Space didn't exactly have finances involved.  

"I'm more worried about the other factor."  Erick responded while turning an allen wrench.  "When Joseph and I went to Soho a few years ago.  Got to see my grandfather.  Old man's a Russian oligarch who actually cloned my mom into some sort of weird psychic hive mind.  The Sleeper is still out in the wind and we both know what he's done.  And that's just the people who know what we look like without a mask.  But, we do have some serious problems that most first time parents don't have to consider out there in the wind."

That was without mentioning that underneath his sweater the scars on his body could not longer be passed as old gymnastics injuries.  A tapestry of close calls he had already encountered many a night.  Erick then shrugged.  "But, for the record.  If it's by your side.  I'm ready for any big changes.  Even if it means buying a vehicle with four doors."

"Though, you've got to warn me if this connection thing we have means I'm going to have morning sickness too."  Lightening his tone as he finally made the shelves attached to the crib set look like actual working shelves.

A smile curled on Erick' Sloane's lips.    He was currently wearing jeans and a FCU sweater with more than its share of paint stains left over.  Erick was well versed in over a dozen languages, and none more familiar to him than the language of Dee Farrington.  "I could tell you how it happened.  But, I think they put out videos and pamphlets for that.  I do think you were wearing those jeans if you need your memory stirred that much."

There were both paper instructions and a cell phone.  Yet Erick had manage to find himself repeating instructions more than once.  Having assembled a few sections backwards.  "I've disassembled bombs before y'know.  The fancy ones."  The statement wasn't directed at anyone in particular.  If anything it was almost as if he were trying to convince the instructions he knew what he was doing.

"For the record, back in the states a cot is an entirely different thing with no assembly required."

Yves' eyes widened while Eira was looking back at Danica.  It was Stephanie and Charles' daughter.  It was obvious that the possibility existed she would recognize the student helpers.  But, it was her days of being assigned tasks from room moms were such a separate part of her life.   That Yves felt an emotion she didn't often openly express.  Surprise.  She bounced back quickly, and resumed her greeting.  "Good to see you, Danica.  How are your parents?  Hej, jag hete Yves Zermeño"

Yves also took her own moment to pause as she stepped into the driver's seat.  The suitcase she carried around wasn't for business.  She wasn't as cavalier with that aspect of her life as the other freed Omegadrone.  Though she could certainly use one of those bartending robots from Steve's wedding reception about now.  "Superhero?  Hm.  I suppose I've been called worse things.  I give a helping hand when I can.  Sometimes, I give that hand while wearing a different set of clothes."

Oh no!  Look at all the things I miss.

The AEGIS agent had no reason to doubt that these were the teenagers she was waiting for.  Yves formed a stiff looking smile as the techno organic skin stretched with enough effort to make Aphex Twin proud before stretching her right arm out to welcome Eira.  "I hope the flight was not too uncomfortable."  Not that they had an actual airline to complain too if it were.

But, the last time she had boarded a Freedom League Aircraft of any manner it was with that insane Geckoman in the pilot's seat.  Which had given her a poor impression of how their vehicles handled.   As her hand came in for the handshake, Yves made sure to slightly lean forward and lower into an almost whisper before moving her eyes between the pair.  "We should hurry to the office.   Tourists or not small towns talk."

@Tiffany Korta@Ari@Heritage @blackstarraven If any of y'all are willing I can continue this thread!

@Poodle@Shofet@RocketLord@Zeitgeist Blue I can continue this if any of y'all are willing

GM

If fear could take on a physical personification.  It would take the form of a group of teenage boys eyes locked with what could very well be death itself.  The sounds of their tires screeching, however, was quickly muffled by shouting.  Guards began to file out from the docks.  Dead set on investigating the gunshot from above the hill.   They hadn't seen the commotion caused by Mister Strix and the frightened teens.

The inside of the docks had an equal amount of commotion.  Lights flaring up all over from the entrance onward.  Armed men and women running around due to rumors of a wolf scene inside.  It almost sounded like an active military base.  But, at no point did an actual alarm fire off.  The concern was limited to the immediate area. 

It became increasingly clear as time passed.  The Gorganzua had gone through a lot of preparation for whatever they had been shipping.  Greely Point was a legitimate business front.  It did not need this many active guards.

It was quite a few degrees warmer than New Jersey.  But, Yves was positive that Texas had not gotten the memo on it being a warm March destination.  She had spent the past week visiting the Southern state.  An effort that the freed drone was positive was merely to humor the local AEGIS branch.  As she had seen neither hide nor robotic scale of the alleged crocodile.  And for as small as Alpine was, Yves was positive she had already seen it all.

The mother of three wasn't entirely sure about the idea of bringing in the super-teens on board.  Not that she doubted their abilities.  After all, her youngest had gone through the Nicholson system.  And Claremont was supposedly more of the same.  But, Yves Zermeño wasn't exactly going to win role model of the year.  And if the higher ups really wanted to sell the idea that agents were the lifeblood of the organization.  Maybe they should look for someone that actually experienced adolescence on Earth to be their salesperson.

Still, an order was an order.  So Yves waited at baggage claim, dressed in a chocolate brown pantsuit with a blue blouse.  All the while holding a metallic suitcase with one hand and staring at her phone with the other frequently refreshed her phone's browser.  Giving the image that she was among the arrivals waiting for a ride, rather than picking anyone up.

Still here.  I'll be posting in these threads again starting tomorrow.  Laptop's broken, but finally found my Chrome book for the mean time.

Go with a powers check for Speed @Ari

Kk

https://www.freedomplaybypost.com/topic/12473-kansas-was-a-lie/

and

https://www.freedomplaybypost.com/topic/12472-how-the-northwest-was-won/