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Post by TasK on Sept 14, 2009 19:32:42 GMT -5
While flipping through your local Monday morning paper, you notice an interesting article on the front page:
"PRICELESS MUSEUM PIECE STOLEN! Sometime after midnight last night, a priceless book was stolen from the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City. Police have no suspects and are continuing their investigation. The book, oddly titled A Madman's Mutterings, is several hundred years old and deals with topics pertaining to the supernatural. Because specific details of the crime are being withheld by the authorities, the museum's curator, Mr. Maximilian Pride, refused to comment to reporters."
SHOCKWAVE:
Aside from the newspaper, you recognize a familiar face on the news discussing the theft, Nick Fury! As you turn the volume up, you overhear him discussing SHIELDs role in the world community and how while such a theft is disheartening, it is more a matter for the local authorities to handle and not SHIELD. When he is specifically asked whether SHIELD will be investigating the theft, he enunciates very carefully the word, "no!"
The program changes to interviews with police and much of the information appears to be similar as they all speak of already being over-worked and having no real leads. When the broadcast changes to an interview with Mr. Pride, he seems frustrated with the interviewers questions but manages to ask the superhuman community for aid in tracking down those responsible for the theft. He asks them to come to the MET at 4:55pm (five minutes before closing) on Tuesday to speak to him. He'd desperate for help.
SOLO:
Sometime during Monday, Solo would see either the newspaper article (at top) or catch some news coverage. It would be of interest to him. His first real love, Melinda, who he had met in West Germany when they were stationed there. She had spoke of her love for the museum and how they should go there after their tour was done. Unfortunately, she was killed during that same tour by terrorists.
It had been her death which had lead him into entering the Special Force unit called Omega Strike, so long ago.
Solo would be thinking of her as he watched or read about the theft.
FLASHDANCE:
Leroy spends the day in a small, Paladin Institute conference room with his superior, Arc ( a dark eyed and haired beauty with the power of electricity), Genesis (the Institutes resident Big brain) and one of the Institutes financial managers.
"With so much going on, I apologize for even asking," the Financial Manager says, "...the Institute has always survived by the charity of our supporters. When government funding disappears, they are our back bone. This... supporter has funded us for 17 years and has family supported us for four generations before. This theft at the MET has angered him and he has asked for Paladin Institute assistance. With the books nature, he reasoned, it wouldn't compromise our mission. You say Flashdance is ready for solo missions..."
"And he is," replied Arc, "but New York is a hotbed for supernatural and superhuman activity. Generally there are no solo missions there. Instead, full teams are sent there and there are no teams available to investigate. I will not lose an agent because one of our... supporters likes art!"
"Arc," Genesis said softly, "you've said your piece and aren't helping matters. Frank here is simply doing his job. New York is a hot spot and we have lost far too many agents lately but I do not want to be trapped by such feelings. The Paladin Institute has never backed away from our trust and we will not start today. Flashdance's scores are impressive and his psychological profile indicates reliability with completing individual missions. He will go..."
Arc turns to Leroy and smiles softly as if apologizing for discussing him like he was not there.
"What do you think, Flashdance? Are you ready?"
Hopefully this will start the ball rolling- TasK
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Post by shockwave on Sept 14, 2009 22:09:25 GMT -5
Location: Country Cottage Outside of Saratoga Springs New York
Nick looks up from the newest test he had been setting up, with a blue metal gauntlet on a stand attached to a number of wires and a computer and aimed accross the room at a series glasses of water filled to different depths. He watches with great interest both at the SHIELD director interview, and the plea by the museum curator. Looking down at his watch and back up at the glasses of water. "Five minutes before closing? Looks like trying to make music will have to wait if I want to make a debut. I'll have to move fast to make the last train to Penn station."
The dark haired man begins unhooking the gauntlet from the series of wires, controllers, and monitors, then places it in a duffle bag on top of a similar gauntlet and other hardened plastic armor pieces, along with a more mundane clothes. He moves a sweatshirt that was already inside the bag to the top covering up the armored pieces. "Good thing I was already planning on heading into the city tonight anyway. Just wasn't expecting it to be this early. I wonder exactly what was stolen anyway...and if anyone else will show up for this. I feel strange enough even thinking about this. It would be even worse if a bunch of celebrities in costumes show up."
...
Completing his packing, Nick rushes to the Saratoga Springs train station, duffle bag in one hand, laptop in the other, and boards the train for the over three hour trip into New York City. Using the computer on the way, he tries finding related news on the internet including rebroadcasts of the story, a search for public information on both the museum and the curator, "madman's mutterings", and anything the police might release. However, the computer search is only half hearted, as his thoughts wander on whether he was really going to go through with this. "I guess there is no turning back now," he mutters under his breath before turning back to the search results.
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Post by TasK on Sept 14, 2009 22:49:37 GMT -5
SHOCKWAVE:
**Nothing new turns up about the MET, other than display areas, business hours and vague maps.
The only information about Mr. Pride is located on the METs site and says that Maximilian Pride was born in England in 1940 during one of Hitler's bombing raids. After the war he and his family migrated to the United States. Maximilian has been employed as the curator of the MET for nine years.
Madman's Mutterings is reportedly a very rare book, that not much is known about other than a rumor on one of the sites which infers that the author may have been a witch from Salem.
The Police have stated that they are handling the case and that any new information they discover, they will release to the press.
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Flashdance
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Post by Flashdance on Sept 14, 2009 22:58:56 GMT -5
Flashdance looks at Arc, and says in a very serious voice that almost - but doesn't quite - hide the levity behind it.
"Arc, the institute has given me a home, a mission, powers, plus this snazzy costume. Without this place I could have never afforded the George Jones box set, or the commemorative "Dogs playing poker" dinner plate collection. Heck; my "LEROY" belt buckle would still be yet a dream. Count me in. Besides, I've never been in an art museum. I just need to go grab my baseball bat and I'll be ready."
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Post by TasK on Sept 14, 2009 23:16:11 GMT -5
FLASHDANCE:
Arc, Genesis and Frank all nodded. If he was willing to go, there was nothing to talk about beyond getting him to New York. They'd agents there who could keep an eye on him if they had time. It would be up to him, now.
"Get a helicopter prepped and fly him out immediately," Genesis said suddenly. "I want a car and driver at our field office in New York to drive him to the Met. Give him someone who know the area well."
Arc nodded once and then left to prepare the helicopter. She'd fly Flashdance out, herself. ---------------------------------------------------------------------- They waited for Flashdance at the helicopter, Arc, Genesis and Frank. Arc had a helmet on and she'd already mapped out their path to New York and cleared her flight path. The helicopter was ready to depart at a moments notice.
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Post by shockwave on Sept 14, 2009 23:19:12 GMT -5
A witch, huh? Nick thought to himself while staring somewhat blankly at the screen. Why would someone break into the MET for that? Why does an art museum have something like that in the first place? Maybe this isn't such a good idea. Art really isn't my area of expertise...witchcraft is even more out there. Why couldn't they have stolen the museum computer system or something along those lines. THAT, I could help with.
He closed down the laptop to conserve power, letting one hand rest on it, with the other on the duffle bag. If I wait for the perfect time to get back in the game, it might never come. This is as good as any I suppose. I'm sure glad this stuff is bullet proof, but I hope I won't get any live testing on that. Of course, if it's some kind of witch, would they even use bullets? I'm getting way out of my league here.
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Post by TasK on Sept 14, 2009 23:34:21 GMT -5
SHOCKWAVE:
Shockwave's contemplations were interrupted by the train pulling into station. Even before the train stopped, people were getting up and jostling for the doors.
Over the PA a man's voice confirmed that they had arrived at the station and thanked them for traveling with them.
The station is full and hard to get through. Outside, there are numerous cabs and bus stop and directions to the closest LRT.
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Post by shockwave on Sept 14, 2009 23:49:01 GMT -5
Nicholas checks his watch again as he works his way off of the train, contemplating whether to walk or take a cab. Three to four miles I'd bet, maybe a little less if I cut through central park for a more direct route. Then of course, there is the issue of where to change. Walk it is. That will give me the best chance to find a place to change.
Working his way out from the depth of Penn Station, coming out in front of Madison Square Garden. The crowds were thick as usual, with a huge line of cabs hoping to pick up people stepping out of the station. Although 7th street was one way in the opposite direction of where he wanted to go, walking had it's advantages, so Nicholas put his laptop in his bag and slung the bag over his shoulder to begin his hike. 7th street headed directly to Central Park , with the MET lying on the far end of the park. Should be about 25 to 30 blocks to the park, then it will be time to find somewhere to change. Maybe the boathouse off the pond will give me some cover. It's on the way, and pretty close to the MET.
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Post by Deleted on Sept 15, 2009 1:31:22 GMT -5
Solo has checked the newspaper and read about the heist. Museum of Art, that reminded him about his long lost love Melinda. To keep the memory of her alive he checked his computers for any clues where or who the Thief was. He checked all info on the book "Madman's Mutterings". Then set his teleporter for the museum to search for clues. Before that he hacked the museum security to be sure he would be there alone. Then he teleported.
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Flashdance
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Post by Flashdance on Sept 15, 2009 13:46:16 GMT -5
Flashdance strolls up the helicoptor, baseball bat slung over his shoulder while whistling "Amarillo By Morning".
"Arc - I'm ready to go!" and straps himself in.
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Post by shockwave on Sept 15, 2009 20:58:40 GMT -5
Reaching the Loeb boathouse in the middle of Central Park, Nick finds a private spot and begins unloading the pieces of blue armor from the duffle bag. Taking one last glance at his watch, he mumbles about the time, removes it, and tosses it in the bag. Not a whole lot of time, so I'll have to hurry a bit.
Pulling on the last few pieces of armor, Nick began stretching and twisting, testing the fit. I still can't believe how light this is. A piece of plastic that will stop a bullet. He rapped his knuckles against the chestplate, smiling as no sound could be heard from it. Totally silent too.
Pulling on the helmet, he was no longer Nick, he was Shockwave, and as the readings from the passive sonar begin coming in, he ensures nobody was around before sealing up his duffle bag and heading towards the museum in the distance. Deep breath. This is no different than SHIELD missions were. This is a simple investigation, and the bad guys are arleady gone, just like they always were. After finding a dry storm drain to leave his duffel bag in during the meeting, Shockwave picks up his pace towards the building that dominates the north eastern section of central park.
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Post by TasK on Sept 16, 2009 19:41:54 GMT -5
SOLO: Solo would find much the same information that Shockwave had found.As Solo does not have any security or computer skills, he'll need a Red FEAT to hack the METs security with his Ty6 Reason.Has Solo ever teleported there before? If he has, I'll take a Green FEAT for him to teleport there. If he hasn't been there before, he'll require a Yellow FEAT. Distance isn't a problem for Solo, but location will be.
Remember that you can only do one roll per message. So please write your hacking attempt in one post with your roll. Then, a second post with a roll with your teleporting attempt. ![:D](//storage.proboards.com/forum/images/smiley/grin.png)
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Post by TasK on Sept 16, 2009 19:52:22 GMT -5
FLASHDANCE:
Arc laughed and waved to Genesis and Frank as she lifted the helicopter off the tarmac. As they got a few hundred feet in the air, she nosed the craft down and began travelling forward in speed.
A few hours later, they had touched down on a private airstrip outside of NYC. A car waited for Flashdance, with a driver already waiting to close the door behind him. He saluted to both Arc and Flashdance.
"Yer chariot awaits..." he said.
Arc turned to Flashdance.
"I've trained many agents. You, Leroy, were a joy to train. Don't disappoint me by dying. Remember, the worlds not ready for Paladin to reveal themselves. Do not bring them up under any circumstances,"
She handed over a couple thousand dollars in cash.
"For expenses. There's a card too, for our NYC office. Phone if you get into trouble...."
If Flashdance does not have any questions, she turns and heads back to the helicopter. It's well known that Arc has never been good with goodbyes.
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Flashdance
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Post by Flashdance on Sept 17, 2009 9:15:11 GMT -5
Flashdance take the cash, and can't help but let out a small bit of surprise. Even though he's been training for a while he just didn't grow up with that kind of cash. "Thanks Arc - after this we need to kick back with a beer" With that he goes to the car. "Howdy, names's Flashdance. Nice to meet you" he says to the driver, gets in to the car and tells the driver "I got it" and shuts the door himself. Afterall, only ladies get the door shut for them.
"So..... any country stations we can listen to?"
Flashdance is looking through any materials that have been given to him about the musuem, whether by Arc, or anything in the car, to learn a bit about it. If they get there without incident, Flashdance says
"Hey - could you drop me off about a block away and let me get there the rest of the way myself? I gotta tell you - these powers never get old..."
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Post by Deleted on Sept 17, 2009 11:56:16 GMT -5
Maximilian Pride, Mutterings possebly somkind of Grimoire. This wasn't Solos Area of Expertiese, but he would still go after it. He needed also to train his hacking skills, because they were seriously lacking
Solo attempting to hack Computer [attack=278979983676945] Crap he failed to do hack into the system. Oh well, hell just do the old in and out, before they know it. He chuckled, good old Clockwork Orange he thought to himself. Fortunately he was there a couple of times, with his love, and also without here in civil. He could feel almost her presents there.
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