Scene #4284: CoH Issue #1: Undead In The Big City Pt. 2

Owner	Pose
War Witch	To recap, last time, War Witch, Apex, Cirra Constantine, Athela Valemore, Reinhardt Wilhelm, and Bahamut ran into a new type of zombies. There'd turned out to be quite a lot of them, including a really big one, and they'd apparently been after a young woman who had hid in a dumpster when the undead had declined to accept her purse and instead tried to take her arms. After a thorough examination, the zombies were determined to be non-magical. They were instead capable of moving around via prosthetics of some kind... Cybernetics? That part wasn't as clear. But a new friend had come smashing through the apartment window and wound up informing War Witch and Apex that he knew someone who might be able to help trace the serial number on the part. So now here they are, meeting up at a rather nice laboratory in the evening. The golden glow of the setting sun mirrors off the glass faces of the buildings in Steel Canyon. Those inclined to join them or who have been requested to do so would have been both told where to meet them and what this was about ahead of time. So right now it's just a matter of waiting for the technician friend of the super hero in gold and blue Egyptian-themed armor, Horus, to get back from whatever business she's on so she can take a look at a zombie shoulder. "Wow, this is a nice place. When you said you bought your parts from her, I expect something, well, dingier." Apex says as he looks around at the pristine office building's exterior, with neatly-maintained greenery all around. "Anne-Marie's a researcher here. She just hooks me up with spare parts as a favor - her supervisor lets her order them through the lab, so I get a discount." Horus answers as he scans for signs of anyone coming to unlock the doors.
Reinhardt Wilhelm	Reinhardt might be a big big for this building, but here he is regardless once Apex and Witch had sent him an alert. He keeps his hammer slung across an armored shoulder, waiting just outside patiently. He might be checking the time, though, just out of habit. Somewhere in that knightly brain of his, some bit of Germanic efficiency remains, it seems.
Athela Valemore	After the last encounter Athela had promised to assist if she could against these blaphemous things. That is a vow one does not go back upon, now matter how badly to the bollocks one's life has been in the recent days. Or maybe that is -exactly- why she is here. After the fiasco a simple escort duty turned into? If there is a chance to get a lead on where these things are coming from, she is convinced there is also a chance for someone to come and try to stop that information being found out. So for now, guard duty it is. A classic task for a knight, really. And try to not get too swept away by how advanced the laboratory is. "This puts the alchemist shops I hath seen to shame." She then pauses to shoot a look at her pokemon. "Don't. Touch. Anything."
Cirra Constantine	The concept of animating bodies with machines like this is so forgien to Cirra that she cannot help but want to see the source. And shut it down. THE Judge of Ramuh arrives outside the laboratory with the others and looks up at Reinhardt to nod. Though this time her helmet is off, and her silver hair is allowed to hang loose for the moment. "Thank you for letting me continue in this investigation. Zombies and the undead are ... perticularly unsettling where I'm from. Though these are deffinatly different. I've never heard of mechanical reanimation before. In a way it implies an even more morbid mind then the typical Necromancer. And a planned Malace as great, or great then vampires." She looks at Horus, then the lab. "Vampires don't go asking for specific body parts from their victims."
Dorian Pavus	With all that activity, it's a sure bet Dorian's going to hear about it. Particularly since he'd applied for -- and recently gotten -- a proper heroing license. So it's the resources provided that he uses to get there. However this is, that means he's there a little quicker than he would normally be. He is, however, not in any proper costume aside from what he normally wears. Just his typical light-colored leather armor and the white cloak he wears over it. He really ought to think about perfecting a proper costume. ANYWAY. Dorian arrives at the building as well. Not to worry, he's been brought up to speed. "Deepest regrets that I couldn't join you last time," he notes to the group at large as he enters. "There was a problem with a blood mage in Ferelden trying to relieve the burdens of the destitute. And by 'relieve the burdens of the destitute', I mean 'murder the poor for blood sacrifices'." He offers a smile. "But, I'm here now."
Maya	Maya has been in and out of the city often helping with things but Maya did come and go like the wind. There were often things she'd have to tend to back on her native world or who knows what else? Given the Elite's very long activity in the multiverse itself. She was here today but not in the normal costume she'd taken. She looked more like she wandered out of an post nuclear movie, wearing a mix of leather and metla armour. What hd dranw her back was the report of technological undead. Which was repugant toher anmdshe also sought to put a stop to it. "It seems I missed abit and I'm sorry I was not able to help with this sooner." She looks to Cirra and nods in agrement with Cirra. "No they just turn the entire victem or devour what they need and leave the rest..."
Cirra Constantine	Cirra glances at Dorian. "...I do not envy your people's aparent idea of philanphropy." she looks ahead at War Witch, Apex and Horus again.
Revan	It has been a while since Lowri Revan-Shan has been able to help out in Paragon City. Ever since the loss or at least disappearance of friends from this corner of the multiverse, events in her own galaxy seemed to have been heating up. Which as just as well, given she'd needed some time to think and find her centre all over again. Just in time, it seemed. She'd heard this new problem had come up recently, just in time for the Jedi Knight to finally get back to helping out. Said friends would have wanted it that way, rather than chastising herself over what she could have done. And this new problem was definitely an odd one. 'Zombies' might have been completely unheard of in her galaxy, but enough time spent in the multiverse had more than acquainted the odd-eyed Guardian with such bizarre concepts. But if anything, from what she'd heard, these weren't anything like the ones she'd dealt with outside Dark Astoria. Revan arrived with datapad in hand, reading over the reports as she entered, dressed in the usual Jedi robes when 'on the clock' in Paragon City, so to speak. "Sorry for not getting here sooner," she apologised, stowing away the datapad with a slight smile. "I guess you could say I ran into a bit of traffic."
Reinhardt Wilhelm	Reinhardt also echoes the sentiment, glancing to Dorian and shuddering in sympathy. "That sounds...quite unpleasant, yes. I am glad to hear it was settled, however. Were I there myself, I'd have clobbered the damn fool right then and there!" He also gives the robed woman a curious look, as well as a nod. "Madam."
X	Light streams from the heavens for one brief moment, splashing down on the sidewalk near the group... and forming instantly into the blueish android that's recently joined the Paragon efforts on many occasions, X. "Cybernetic zombies... that's several varieties of terrifying all at once, if it's true. Who would make such things?" He's full of concern and worry as he heads closer to the group, expression all serious business and a grim frown. "There's some faces I haven't seen before here. Hello, I'm called X."
War Witch	War Witch is standing with her hands on her hips as people assemble, nodding to and greeting each in turn. A few here she has read or heard about having been involved in Paragon City before now, either in the paper or on the news. Or in Union reports, now that she has access to those, but she's not as much of a computer user so digging through files hasn't been especially appealing. Thankfully, Horus has also gone through the screening process and enlisted, and he's much more tech savvy, so he has done a lot of the researching on who has done what. Some really interesting reading on Lowri, Maya, and Dorian in particular in regard to what they've done before now. He's also cheerful, if somewhat awkward, about greeting all these other heroes. "Wow, I wasn't expecting so many... You know, so much back-up. Are we sure we need back-up to talk to a friend?--I mean, don't get me wrong, I think it's really amazing how many allies we have and the number of people willing to help us out, I just--" War Witch says, "If Anne-Marie can trace that serial number for us, and wherever we go after this has bad guys to deal with, I'd rather be overprepared than underprepared. Especially after last time." She too is still getting used to working in a team bigger than two, but despite her somewhat fiery temper, she IS the one who contacted all these heroes, and it would be all new levels of rude to act like the help isn't exactly what she asked for. With this much back-up they should be good for taking down even a large horde of these robot-zombies (even if she hopes they don't have to). Though, as Horus mentioned several days ago, whoever made them probably has a better name for them. War Witch certainly hoped so. Apex elbows Horus in the side in a friendly manner. "Afraid that they're only helping so they can get discounted parts too?" he jokes. Horus just grins and shakes his head. They're right, of course. Never can tell when they'll need the help in this city. X's flashy arrival has the Technology hero looking at him with fascination though. War Witch didn't sense any magic so assumes the teleportation wasn't based in such. There are a few others around here with some interesting magical signatures, though... Thankfully, Horus can't start asking prying questions about how the android works before a woman in a white labcoat comes through, head down as she looks over a list of some kind on a clipboard in her hand, carrying a bag full of tools and small packages under her other arm. "Excuse me, coming through." she calls out to announce her presence before making for the doors to start unlocking them. Horus calls out, "We were hoping you'd be back soon!" Anne-Marie just opens the door and steps into the building, saying, "Just put whatever it is down on the table in here. I really don't have TIME for anything else right now..." Horus puts his hands on his hips and asks in a mock-offended tone as he follows the scientist into her laboratory, "Not even a moment to look at a piece of a zombie-robot for an old friend?"
War Witch	Anne-Marie finally realizes who is talking to her and turns with big smile on her face. "Look wah the cat dragged in! How are you dear? How's your back doing? I guess if you're coming to me with zombie parts, you must be out there fighting the good fight again, huh?" She puts down all her stuff and comes over to give Horus a big hug. "It's so good to see you, honey. I'm really glad you're back in action. It's amazing just to see you walking around! And the new costume looks great." Apex looks around the lab, but he's more of a martial artist than a mad scientist, and doesn't get most of what he sees here. He does look over towards the hulking Reinhardt and the knights Athela and Cirra, three people he thinks he probably understands better than most others here. Sure, Reinhardt has a hammer and armor, but three paladin-types must have still trained a lot to be able to fight as well as they do. "How heavy is that armor? I'm starting to think about getting some." he asks as Horus and Anne-Marie greet each other. Speaking of which, Horus hugs the lab worker back and says, "It's great to see you too, Anne-Marie. Do you think you can tak a look at this for me? We need to get a trace on the serial number." After the part is handed over, Anne-Marie puts her glasses on to examine it and says, "Sure... Sure, shouldn't be a problem. Let's see what you've got here." After some scrutinizing, she says, "Interesting. It's a Genentek artificial shoulder, but it's been heavily modified to draw power from a human nervous system instead of a battery. This is some amazing work." Horus asks, "Do you think you'll be able to trace it?" "It shouldn't take me long. I'll make a few calls and check the master database. I've got a friend over there at Genentek who owes me a favor. He owes me dinner too, come to think of it." She starts walking away, still looking at the prosthetic part. "Thanks, Anne! We'll, um... We'll wait here, OK?" Horus calls after her, but she's barely paying attention anymore. "Interesting... The nerves interact right with the electronics. How does it carry enough power...?" she can be heard muttering.
Athela Valemore	"War Witch is right, you cannot ever be too careful. I would not put it past whoever be behind these... things to try and stop us from finding out the information we seek," Athela replies after the greeting. "It is a pleasure to meet you formally. Both of you." She adds at the end when the woman they are waiting for arrives as well. The lab is even more astounding on the inside than the outside. "The astrologists from Konigsburg would love this place," she muses. All the same she remains near the door, if only to not feel all the more out of place. She'd only get in the way of any inspections of the piece, anyways. Having no understanding of what the scientist says just proves that. She gives her pokemon another scolding look, just to remind them to NOT TOUCH. Fortunately, her Timburr is more interested in the -wall-, having been a former construction labor-worker, than any of the fancy technology. Though a stern look does keep him from trying to punch any holes in anything to see what it's made of. Eevee on her shoulder as usual, Samurott safely out of the way in his jewel, and as it wasn't visible Goomy was probably hiding in a pouch or something with its squishiness. "Mmm." Athela muses softly when Apex askes Reinhardt about his armor. Then looks to Apex again. "Extra protection never hurts in the fight against injustice, but one must be certain to not armor themselves to the point it limits their capabilities."
Dorian Pavus	Dorian smirks a bit at Cirra's remark about his people's idea of philanthropy. "Oh, that's only the idiots' idea of philanthropy, not to worry," he assures her. "He won't be 'liberating' any more destitute from the burdens of their lives. He's been liberated of the burden of his stupidity." He offers a nod of greeting to X, and then adds to the statement of cybernetic zombies being terrifying, "Rather like a Qunari spy, in fact -- the Qunari are already terrifying, being a spy on top of it is just horrible." Dorian seems amused at the possibility of only helping because of the possibility of discounted parts. "No need to worry. You'll find very little technology on my person," Dorian assures Apex. And then Anne-Marie appears, and Dorian turns his attention to her. He listens to the conversation between various people, committing names to memory. Though when the talk of how the part is different he doesn't comment on that, since he hasn't really got much of an idea what's being referred to. Curse of being from a medieval world, sadly.
Maya	Maya listens as Horus give them a bit more of a rundown on the cyberentics being used in the animated dead and she also does take a moment to look over at Apex for a moment with a look of sympthy. She's a bit out of her depth herebut she might be of use. "It take a lot of unerstanding of cyberentics to pull off something like this? That would make the list of possible suspects fairly short wouldn't it? Horus?" She also looks to Athela for a moment. "Your right to think that, ifthey can turn corpses into remote drones? They would have reason to not want people pokingabout, and they'd be able to pretty much keep a small army going depending how much hardware they have. Humm German? Germany tends to have good deal of skill with engineering, it's true." Dorian also finishes telling his tale. "You have fone the world some good with putting an end to tht Dorian. We can't bring back the dead but it can be stopped then again? What if the person behind this finds someway to get the brain's higher functions working?"
Reinhardt Wilhelm	Reinhardt, being Reinhardt, is no stranger to having to crouch, but here it's downright comical as he tries to make it through the doorway to the building. Muttering in German, the giant knight eventually sighs and steps back. It opens up a la a certain man of iron's suits, and Reinhardt steps out in a tight-fitting t-shirt and jeans, muscles rippling as he reaches for what seem to be his keys. "I won't be long, old friend." He promises the Crusader armor, before it locks shut and remains on-guard. In the lab itself, he still looks like an old wizard in a halfling's hovel, as he desperately tries to fit through doorways and avoid bumping his head against things. Upon being asked about the armor, he grins and claps Apex on the arm. "Extremely heavy, you need a fusion reactor just to get this suit moving!" Reinhardt answers with a laugh, and some pride. "Precision German-Swedish engineering!" He says. To be honest, he doesn't really understand /half/ of this stuff being discussed between Horus and the doc. God, how he wishes Lindholm were here, he'd be able to at least put all this sciencey gobbledegook. Then Reinhardt glances to X, and furrows his brow. On second thought, maybe it's not so bad not having Torbjön around, given the Swedish engineer's...'quirks'.
X	X, on the other hand, DOES uderstand some of the equipment... probably. He's largely quiet while the others debate... but once various things are explained, he starts scanning through his own data files on biology. Not that he understands it very well. "... So... in short, they're repurposed prosthetics? And they're using the human body like a part in a machine, not just as an augment or medical replacement?"
Cirra Constantine	Cirra follows the others into the laboratory when Anne-Marie appears and allows them in. She glances around a bit, but mostly just to be sure of what not to touch. She glances at Dorian again, "Well. I won't ask what the cure for that is." When the part is presented and Anne-Marie comments about it, Cirra leans over it slightly before retreating. "I'm no White Mage but how can a body produce enough energy to move something that complex without magic?"
Revan	Lowri shrugged at War Witch's comment. "It can't hurt to get some...independent perspectives, either. Even if nothing violent breaks out...and let's hope it doesn't." Her mismatched eyes flicked to X at his observation. "It would certainly seem that way," she commented. "In my galaxy, there are people who, for one reason or another, have cybernetic implants. Many times, it's to compensate for an injury, but this..." The Jedi shook her head, frowning slightly. "I can't say I've seen anything like this before. These are nothing like the Banished Pantheon, from what I've seen. But not like cyborgs, either."
War Witch	Horus agrees with X's assessment. "That's the best understanding I have of it as well. I use technology, but most of it goes on the OUTSIDE, not the INSIDE." He also shrugs helplessly towards Cirra. "Whoever is using these things is pretty sophisticated - technologically, not necessarily their, you know... Methodology. The human body produces a bio-electric field of sorts, especially in the brain, but I don't see how those electrical impulses would be enough to power a cybernetic either. Especially after death." After Anne-Marie is out of hearing range, and to distract herself from the glowing magical nuclear furnace that Maya (known to her also as the 'Blue Witch') feels like, War Witch looks towards Dorian and says, "Cultists like that give Magic a bad name. It seems like there's always more of them, looking for the quick and easy path to power. Someone has to take care of them." She shakes her head especially at Revan's mention of the Banished Pantheon. War Witch barely knows anything about them, though it sounds like they might be the 'normal' zombies that Apex mentioned reading about in the papers the other day. "Lovely." Then she says to Horus on the subject of Anne, "She seems cool. She obviously cares a great deal about you." Apex gives thought to Athela's advice, and realizes right away that just slapping on a bunch of armor isn't going to help him, but that training with at least some kind of reinforcement incase he takes bullets to the chest can only be a benefit as long as it doesn't impair his hand to hand maneuvers very much. Even so, needing a reactor just to move a suit of armor is probably going to fall under that 'outside his specialization' thing. So no asking for GERMAN TECHNOLOGY IS THE WORLD'S GREATEST tips or anything. And given that they have an active Nazi villain group causing chaos in the city, here in the present, he also has conflicting feelings about German technology in the first place that keep him from speaking up about it to avoid offending an ally. Instead, he says diplomatically, "Sounds pretty heavy-duty." Also probably for the best the armor was left outside and that no walls are getting holes punched in them by pokemon, yes. On the subject of armor, though... Apex turns his attention on Horus and asks, "How did you meet her? Did she help you build your equipment or something?" Horus gets more serious in tone. "No... No, she was a VOLUNTEER at the hospital I was sent to when I was wounded during the war. She really helped me get through that. It was..." He trails off for a moment and then continues on much more quietly. "...It was pretty bad."
War Witch	Despite their prior extensive activity in the city, this might be the first time Revan, Dorian, or Maya have actually met a hero who was here during the Rikti War that has been made mention of at various times and in various places. Apex, as well, seems to understand the gravity of events he never participated in. Any aspect of his goofy, comedic persona falls away in favor of respect for a veteran of a devastating conflict. "Neither War Witch nor I were here during the invasion. I'd never even been to Paragon City before the war." he offers. He can't really know what Horus went through. Even hearing it described, he wouldn't honestly be able to claim to understand what it was like. Horus starts talking, just getting the words out. Needing to, in some form. "It was a whole different city. It was beautiful. I grew up here. Became a HERO here. I don't even recognize it anymore - but it's still my hometown. I'm still going to do everything I can to save it. I remember the first day... The day I first flew on my own. It was AMAZING. I'd grown up in a pretty rotten neighborhood. I'd never even been to the top of a skyscraper. Now I was FLYING AMONGST THEM..." Horus tilts his helmeted head upwards a bit. "I was the king of the freaking world." He remembers the friends he flew with. The team mates. The members of his super group. The golden glow outside right now is the same as that first day, when it all started. Horus looks around at everyone, but he gives the impression of almost not really seeing them, lost in his own memories. Most here aren't native to this city or this world. They might not have the context to fully understand what's being discussed. But it seems like a very heavy topic. "I had three teammates back then - great heroes. We were all fliers - all giddy with our own success. We'd been out all night fighting the Firefly League and had finally beaten them. It was dawn and we were full of adrenaline and self-confidence. We were about to head home when the PORTALS started opening. Like evryone else we waited and watched - wondering just what the heck was going on. Then they started coming through, thousands of Rikti soldiers and ships and drones."
War Witch	Horus shakes his head slightly. "Of course, we didn't know they were Rikti at the time, but we knew they were serious trouble. We dove right in, just like every other hero in the city. I don't know if they had those big battle cruisers wherever you were when the war started, but they were the most TERRIFYING things I'd ever seen. But we knew we had to try and take them out - they were doing MASSIVE damage. We gave it our best shot." He remembers the glowing, eerie green light vividly, as he and his team mates flew up towards the ship above. He remembers his friends being skeletonized in an instant when the beam came down on them all. "Our best shot wasn't very good." He lets out a breath as he tries to get the image out of his head. "My three friends died instantly. Somehow... Somehow, I survived. Although I probably wouldn't have if someone hadn't found me right away. Dr. Vasilikos Senior, and Vasilikos Laboratories, were still around back then." Because now the former is dead, with his son missing, and the latter is just a rubble-strewn patch of scorched earth. "They might have been involved in rescue efforts. I'm sure they were. But I was in a coma for months - my spine had been broken in five places, along with both my legs and my left arm. That's where I met Anne-Marie. She was volunteering as a nurse." Horus smiles faintly. "I was lucky to have a great doctor and was able to walk and then eventually fly again. The city had changed while I was out of it - changed a whole lot." Then Anne-Marie returns, interrupting the somber story. "I found it! Your part was shipped to Grigori Medical Supplies' warehouse at 2311 Robertson Way. That's all I could find, but if you went over there and talked to them, I'll bet you'd find out more." Then she takes in the atmosphere, Apex and War Witch's downcast expressions, and asks, "Why's everyone so glum?" Horus puts on a smile for her, and says, "Thanks, Anne. We gotta get on this. I'll see you later, OK?" And unless anyone has further business, they can start heading out and making their way towards that warehouse, as the sun finishes its descent below the horizon.
Athela Valemore	Athela Valemore grabs the front of her surcoat and holds it up so Apex can see her own armor more clearly. She is only wearing plate armor for a breastplate, and the fauld and tassets that cover her waist and hips. The rest of her torso is a chainmail shirt underneath the plate, and the warskirt is scalemail with a leather backing. "My style of swordfighting requires a keen level of movement and flexability, so I only have the heaviest armor over where protection is the most needed." Yes, it's a full plate chest piece. Not this 'bikini mail' stuff you see in the comics. "My chest and vitals are protected, while the chain allows me to bend and flex a bit more fluidly as necessary. Also, the layers themselves are useful. Some weapons that can get through plate have trouble piercing the mail as well." However when Horus starts his solemn story she stops, letting the surcoat hang free again. This is important, so demonstration is over for the time being. At the end she just nods a bit. "It is fortunate you are able to still fight the good fight, yes." Then the scientist returns with her findings. "Sounds like we have our next location mine friends." She goes a brief bow to Anne-Marie. "Thank you muchly for your assistance, scholar." Then turns with a little yet dramatic flare to her cloak and heads for the door. She's not one to stand around waiting when a path is clear to the next objective. At least, until she gets back outside and stops. "Uh." Sounds like she remember she's in a very modern, unfamiliar city. Turns back to the others with a sheepish smile for getting ahead of herself. "Ye doth know where this Robertson Way is, aye?"
Cirra Constantine	The Judge of Ramuh stands with her arms crossed as the topic shifts to Horus' past, and the past of the City. She can't understand what Horus went through, not perfectly. But the pain of lossing your home, friends and family is something she knows all too well. Even if it is about how Horus came to meet Anne-Marie, it gives Cirra a vital insight to this city. The War Walls, the gates, the Police Department armed more akin to a well funded middle eastern country with unrully neighbours. The hero's past paints a picture of the city's present. This city is one struggling against it's own anxiety. It needs heros because there is fear, and that fear is starting to take form again. "Thank you for all your help Anne-Marie." She nods to the woman and turns to leave with the rest of the group.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian blinks at Maya's words of having put an end to the trouble back home. He shrugs a bit. "I was honestly more concerned with how he was dragging Tevinter's name through the mud," he claims. "Its name is tarnished quite enough as-is, and there are enough cackling villainous clichés back home that they don't need to start shouting their idiocy from the bloody rooftops." He sounds a little bitter about that. It's worth noting that Dorian's pretty strong of a mage too. Being the result of a breeding project to produce the 'perfect' mage, it's likely that he's got a pretty strong magical resonance himself. Though likely not at Maya's level. He nods to War Witch's words of cultists giving magic a bad name. "And it's already got a bad enough name as it is in my world," he notes. "There's a particularly vile breed of cultist in my world. Not only are they grabbing for every little bit of power they can find, no matter how dark or forbidden the source is, but they're doing so under the pretense of 'for the good of the country'." He quiets as Horus tells more about himself. It's true, he hadn't been here during the Rikti invasion, but he knows it's still felt in Paragon even today, if only for how often it's mentioned... how the rest of Paragon City seems to use it's as a benchmark for future tragedies. And the mention of Vasilikos Laboratories prompts a pang of regret, visible in his momentary frown. But still he remains quiet, listening to Horus. Perhaps he recognizes the need to tell someone, ANYONE, what's on one's mind. Anne-Marie's appearance actually startles Dorian slightly, but he looks in her direction with a nod. "Thank you," he says, with a smile, as she notes she's tracked the prosthetic and gives the address. He pauses to retrieve one of the books he has on his person -- yes, he has a couple of books quite literally strapped to his belt -- and a ballpoint pen, and write the address down in one of the books.
Maya	Maya's magical arua is pretty strong and sadly she's never found a way to control it. She doe sfeel abad about it but there's not much she can do about it. She does look a bit apologtically at War Witch though. "I can underand that it's still your home and you do what you have to to help and protect it." She trails off getting an idea of where this tale migt be going she frowns as the tale does take a much darker turn. "I'm worried about the Good Doctor and I don't think Cortex has been seen in a while either..." Maya only paises to thank Anne-Marie. "Thank you for all your help, hopefully we'll be able to make good on the lead you found for us." She talks to Dorian on the way as they head out Maya looks very sympathic. "I see but that is something I have experiance with someone so despare to hang on to power and for the 'good' of the entire world. They trafficed in something in somethingthat cost him his life and the lives of many others..." With that Maya will use the small pendant she wears to cast a spell and summon transparent bly energy wings to take off for the warehouse once she's outside.
X	"What if they're not using the nervous system as a generator, just as a transmitter?" X postulates aloud. For someone who isn't a scientist or a trained investigator he seems uncharacteristically bright in some ways. Such is what it is to be the last scion of Dr. Thomas Light, probably. "... If magic's involved then I'm out of ideas. What I came to do is help guard the investigation. Whoever made these things might not want them being studied..."
Revan	The Guardian listened with interest to Horus's recollections. She'd read up on Paragon City's history as much as she had been able, but there was only so much to be gleaned from simply reading the detatched accounts, and even the constant reminder the war walls provided couldn't tell the complete story. Especially so when friends and comrades were lost...something she was well-acquainted with both in her home galaxy and here. Mention of the elder Dr. Zasilikos only served as a reminder of that...as well as what she felt was her own personal failure. She seemed to be lost in her own thoughts after Maya mentioned the junior doctor and the young psychic hero to whom she had become something of a mentor...or at least, she had tried to be. She couldn't help but feel responsible, particularly when she wasn't even sure where she could have began searching. But for now, the current task demanded her attention. The towhead smiled to Anne-Marie, adding her thanks to those of the others. "I think I can speak for the others when I say we appreciate it," she commented before she left with the rest of the team.
Reinhardt Wilhelm	As Horus goes on and on, Reinhardt tries to avoid getting lost with all the discussion. There's /way/ too much tech talk that is going to go over his head, no matter how much he has Brigitte translating for him in his earpiece. Eventually he heads out with the others, donning his armor once again. "So then," He heads...in a random direction until someone points out the way he was supposed to go. "Let us go and right some wrongs, then!"
War Witch	The group of heroes make their way towards the warehouse as night falls. Whether leaping rooftops, running through the streets, flying, teleporting, or taking the monorail, it doesn't take long to relocate to the warehouse. Several to fifteen minutes at most before everyone is assembled again. And what they find, as they observe from the cover of darkness, is two men in do-rags and surgical masks standing outside of the warehouse door, bathed in an overhead light and talking quietly together. Apex remarks, "You know, I don't think those guys are going to want to let us in, do you?" War Witch squints, "I'm pretty sure that one on the left has BLOOD on his shoes." Apex says, "OK, there's only two of them. If we do this quick, we can get in without making any noise. I HAVE A PLAN." A little bit later, Apex, with a loose blanket or towel or something he pulled out of a dumpster thrown over his head and shoulders, starts approaching the warehouse with his head down. Unimpressed, and not fooled when the rest of the super hero's costume that isn't covered is clearly visible, one of the men points and says to his buddy, "Hey, check this guy out. That's the crappiest costume I've ever seen." The other one says, "He's big and healthy though - lots of good parts." "I'll make sure to cut him up carefully." the first one says as he opens up his jumpsuit jacket to reveal a red surgical apron (or butcher's apron, as the case may be) and draws a bone saw. The second does likewise with a butcher knife and a serrated sword. Apex, seemingly unaware the jig is up, asks, "Can you spare a quarter?" while playing the role of a panhandler. "Oh, sure. No problem. We've got just what you need." "Yeah, I've got it right here friend. I'll fix you right up." Neither of the men realizes War Witch and Horus are charging them from behind. A flaming sword to the back and a green light-infused punch to the face later, and there are no longer any guards in the way. They've been lucky so far. Just two guys is relatively easy for even one hero take on. If they keep getting opposition as sparse as this, they might not even need such a huge group! ...Right. Like they'd be that lucky.
War Witch	"Great job, guys." Apex says as he pats Horus on the back and gestures for the others to join them as they venture inside the warehouse. Horus says, "Wow... It's been awhile." Since he has punched a goon in the face, that is. War Witch holds her flaming sword in the air as she pulls open the door, to light the way. "Like riding a bike, huh?" "Yeah... Sure." Then War Witch turns, a gloved finger to her black-lipsticked lips as she cautions those following her. "Shhh! I think there're more of them in here." Then she focuses briefly and says, "I think I sense something else in here. They could know we're here already." Then she clears the entrance to allow the others through. There's shelves and shelves and shelves everywhere they look inside. Lots and lots of boxes. War Witch tries to confirm what she thought she sensed, but... "I don't SEE anyone... Or HEAR anyone for that matter." as she leads the way. It's possible others might have been success determining if they're alone or not. "Looks like this is a legitimate medical supply company. They've got everything here..." Horus remarks as he runs a gauntleted hand along a shelf, looking at the labels. Apex brings up the rear with any other slower or bulkier types. "Those guards were out there for a reason. Let's clear the room first - make sure no one else is in here."
Athela Valemore	A little deception, and a good deal of punching and swording. She's not much for the deception part but Athela can appreciate the unity in which they pull dispatching the guards off. "Good teamwork," she remarks in a low voice as they enter. She knows better than to trust that the two guards at the door were the only ones here to hassle their efforts. It is -never- that simple, as much as one may wish otherwise, and she keeps her sword in hand all the same. Better to be prepared for nothing than caught off-guard by something worse. The shelves of boxes of unknown contents mean little to Athela. She's here to protect the ones better versed in such things. War Witch's comments about not being able to detect anyone else doesn't reassure here, though. "Sprite, lend a paw would you?" "Vree." The fox-mon hops down from her shoulder and starts sniffing around, trying to pick up on an current or previous presence of others. Witch said she couldn't see or hear anyone, but what about a tracker's sense of smell? Without even looking away Athela instinctively reachs aside to slap her Timburr's hands before he can start poking around in boxes. She said no touching, and that still applies. Leave looting to those whom know what they'd be looking for. Mizzen gives her a hmmphing look, but keeps from messing with anything else. For now at least.
Cirra Constantine	Cirra follows behind War Witch as they're let into the warehouse. "Legitimate companies do not post cronies with blood covered aprons and bonesaws for gaurds." she looks down each isle as they pass. Cirra doesn't have the same kind of magical senses War Witch has, but she's trained and fairly experienced. "And frankly, a medical company is a perfect cover for illegal surgerical experiements."
Reinhardt Wilhelm	Reinhardt is probably the best for not getting discovered so early, so he figures Apex is a better pick for this. When it comes time to beat up people, Reinhardt is almost disappointed that the other heroes are so on-point today. A bonk on the head or two, and everyone's down. He and Athela will handle security, yes, as they make it inside. Hammer in hands, he patrols the inside of the warehouse alertly, his suit's scanners trying to pick out hostiles.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian is going via the monorail, which he's rather gotten used to. However once the group gets to the location, Dorian hangs back to observe the guards. "...Not very subtle," he comments quietly. "Might as well scream 'we're chopping off bits here' outside on the street." But hey, that's less problems they'll need to deal with later. And speaking of 'less problems', Apex, Horus, and War Witch take out the guards at the door, so Dorian approaches the building proper. When the way is led in, Dorian enters as well. If it's dark, Dorian will contribute to the light with a tiny spark of lightning kept alive between the three serpentine dragon heads on the end of the staff he carries. War Witch's mention of sensing something has Dorian falling back on his own magical senses here. He pauses, closes his eyes for a moment, to sense the area. His magical sense tends to be very limited to 'things that are explicitly magical', but in being so narrow in purpose, it's pretty precise.
X	"Vasilokos Laboratories goes under and in its wake is a rush of irreputable nonsense and criminal activities... the two don't seem that related, but it's a terrible one-two punch for the medical field." X comments after his fellows clear the way. He's rather appreciative of the skills on display, his aversion to violence aside. Nobody is dying or being critically injured this day, so he has little to protest about. What he wonders though, is... How well would Paragon City cope if its means of protecting villains from the full force of their opponents stopped working? It's worth worrying about. Has anyone put thought into that? Come up with backup plans? The dark doesn't seem to bother him, in any case. He tromps on in while switched to Infrared, seeing the world in shades of grey cast by heat as an overlay on the normal vision.
Revan	So much for this being non-violent. The suspicious characters in surgical masks and blood-splattered shoes? Decidedly unfriendly-looking. Still, the heroes could possibly slip by them with a well-placed Jedi mind trick or an illusion spell from one of the magically-inclined if they possessed such a spell... ...Or not. Nevertheless, when the pair were dispatched quickly, Lowri shrugged. "Well, that's one way," she quipped lightly with a smirk as she followed them inside."At least we know they'll be out a while." While War Witch extends magical senses outward, the Jedi does similarly through the Force, not entirely certain what to expect. There should at least be signs of life if they weren't alone. "Possibly," she replied to Horus before glancing at Cirra."Or if they did, I'd sure love to hear their reasons," she commented.
Maya	Maya is conerned about the Doctor and his super hero friend, she's going to have to press into looking for them but much as Revan she has no idea /where/ to look for them. They have to deal with the matter at hand however as they make their way to the warehouse. "They smell of death..." Maya itones and she looks to the two men the local heroes are on the jobn as they take the pair down hard and fast and she's now moving in. "I'm going to see if there's anything inside give me a moment." She pulls out a fate card and reaches out with it. Blue fire leeches into her body and those with magic can sense she's tapping her power right now as she casta spell tyring to feel out ifthere's anyone or anything inside the building right now.
War Witch	There's definitely a scent in the area, though fainter than when it was on those zombies... Chemicals... And blood? Maya's magic card reveals there's at LEAST a half-dozen life signs inside the building and possibly something below in a basement or something. Reinhardt's sensors may likewise pick up movement, and heat signatures are evident both from the others in the area and from some kind of machinery downstairs. "Hey, this looks like the right section." Horus offers as he looks at a label on one of the boxes. "All kinds of different replacement joints here. Let's see if they've got anything from the same batch." He pulls the box off the shelf and starts examining other boxes inside of it once it's on the floor. "If we can find the same lot number then we'll know for sure that the part came from this warehouse." It's nice that Horus is being a detective and finding corroborating evidence that will stand up in court instead of just assuming, but... "You know, H, I agree with Cirra. I think the FREAKY guys with KNIVES and MASKS outside were all the proof I really needed. C'mon, we've got to clear the room." Apex says. It appears there's no magic to detect, and War Witch isn't picking up any more of whatever she felt before. Was it magic or was it... She doesn't know what else to call it. 'Psychic essence'...? She isn't terribly psychic, though there's some overlap between her magical second sight/sixth sense and the abilities of mentalists. The astral plane is a two-way highway for those with the right mind projection capabilities. So both War Witch and Dorian may be lacking in further information by that means, but there's something. Or WAS. Weird! Revan, on the other hand, like Maya, detects there are living people in here for certain. And... Much like War Witch did for a moment, something else. Maybe something a little bit psychic, but it's fleeting, ephemeral. Even if almost familiar. Faint and brief enough to possibly even be consigned to the realm of imagination, if someone else hadn't already mentioned sensing something.
War Witch	Cirra's well-honed senses would also pick up what War Witch won't for several seconds more. Footsteps. Coming closer... Surrounding them!? It's not ENTIRELY dark in here, thanks to hanging lights up near the ceiling high above within this expansive storage facility, but there's still gaps of darkness and areas where the lights simply don't cover. And in the light provided in addition to War Witch's flaming sword, it should soon become apparent to those who are keeping an eye out (or a nose out) that not only are there people in here with them, there is a considerable group of them, and they are making an effort at both hastiness and stealth. Surprisingly quiet for crazy body-choppers. "Shhh!" War Witch shushes as she hears footsteps after Cirra has. Likely, the group is about to be warned, but she likely has a much vaguer idea of where the enemy is than those who can see heat signatures or detect the encroaching stench or analyze humanoid silhouettes... Right in the aisles on either side of them! "Hold on, I think I found something." Horus says obliviously. Apex is paying close attention to those with better senses than his, as well as to the footsteps, and "C'mon, man, FOCUS, here man! There's something out there!" And then Horus says, "Hold on, look at this..." as he takes a box off a shelf and sees a face with a surgical mask and a white bandana looking back at him from the other side. "Oh, no."
War Witch	Chaos ensues as the men in the other aisle attempt to tip the entire shelf of boxes over onto the heroes, while others attempt to leap forward at the same time, blades ready to cut up anyone pinned underneath the heavy metal structure. Of course, they have some pretty strong people with them, as well as very stable and large ones. And it's likely that shelf isn't going to fall the way they expect it to as a result. But War Witch, at least, manages to dive out of the aisle at the last second, allowing her to start engaging the enemy. And it looks like there's plenty to go around, as dart guns start firing poisonous darts at the heroes, and maniacs come rushing into the aisle, and others keep trying to tip the shelves the rest of the way over (likely to no avail with Reinhardt standing there). However, it looks like more than just surgical gear is being worn as well. At least one of these freaks has part of a human skull worn on his head like a helmet, with part of a spine, with ribs attached, worn on his back and wrapped around the sides of his torso like armor. Gross.
Reinhardt Wilhelm	Reinhardt grunts in agreement. "Indeed. I've seen enough to know what we are dealing with." He says, looking disgusted by what he finds amid the containers. It's less than pleasant to say the least, making anything Omnic related look downright tame by comparison. As bad guys swarm the building, Reinhardt adopts a defensive posture. "Villains! My name is Reinhardt Wilhelm, I am here to shut your disgusting operations down, on the behalf of the citizens of Paragon City!" He is straight to business, as he stomps hard enough to get their attention, meaning business. "I am willing to let those who wish to leave live, and forget the rest. I will grant you only one chance at this mercy." He growls, ready to go hammer happy the moment they attack anyways.
Athela Valemore	Ugh, the smell of death and a lot of other things no one likely wants to think about... wait, is it getting closer? Sprite snaps up her head, well trained enough to not start barking, but the way she bristles out like someone shoved her across a static cling carpet is all the warning Athela needs. "NOW you may touch stuff!" she snaps over her shoulder to Mizzen. Just in time too, as several thugs try to push some shelves over. Only for the Timburr to grab the section, and not only hold it up, but with the tremendous strength one would expect from a Fighting type -push it back over- on the enemy instead! The first bloody bandits to step into the visible hallway get a surprise of their own. The Eevee proves to be quite effective for her small size, as she jumps back and whips her tail across the ground, flinging a shower of dust and dirt at their faces with Sand-Attack. The blinding tactic is suppose to give Athela just enough opening fling a surge of water at them, the 'spell' briefly taking the form of a small wave before hopefully slamming into them. Normally she would of given a warning similar to Reinhardt but 1) it would be redundant with his, and 2) she's already seen enough to not consider them worth it. Not with what they've seen before of the robo-zombies, and definately not with one bearing bones of a defeated like some sick trophy fashion.
Dorian Pavus	Dorian generally keeps himself to the middle or back of the group. So when the shelf starts tipping, he gets out of the way quickly, via use of his Fade Step -- the air around him seems to glow blue-white and a 'current' of magic basically carries him out of the way. And as soon as he's out of the way of immediate danger, he's tossing up barriers. With the size of this group it might be difficult to get everyone, so he may need to do this a couple of times. He's hoping that Reinhardt's speech can buy him enough time to cast a barrier in roughly everyone's direction. He can get a few people at once, but there's only so large an area he can protect. And the barrier itself will only last a few moments; it's for protecting someone from a single attack, really. Dorian's just trying to make sure none of the enemies pop off and fire while they're deciding if they want to go up against the Multiversal Elites.
Cirra Constantine	Cirra lifts up her hand in a closed fist as she hears footsteps. "Quite. Snuff your lights." The Judge's head turns slowly. She extends two fingers and moves them in a circle in the air. She hopes at least half the people her can understands the signal for 'all around'. Then Horus pulls the box, revealed the masked man on the other side. "Sh-" The shelving begins to tip over and Cirra rams into the shelf with her shoulder as black smoke starts to waft out of her armor. "Hnnnggg!" Her strength increases as she pours out with magic, converting her own blood into MP. "You-!" she punches through the boxes in the shelves and grabs one of the Surgical nightmares and attempts to pull him half way through. "-better hope this doesn't fall on you!"
Revan	Lowri could certainly get behind collecting evidence, particularly when she could tell their current endeavour was going to require further investigation and following up on leads. This was definitely not going to wrap up with a simple poking around a suspicious warehouse, whether used by a legitimate company or not. That did not, however, mean that she was going to be ready should the bad guys suddenly drop in on them. The fact that she could sense that the incapacitated two out front were -- aside from the heroes -- not the only ones in the building only served to support her caution. "We're probably about to have company, so we should hurry things along a bit," the Jedi cautioned. Her warning was none too soon. Even before the shelves started falling, Revan darted out of the way with a added boost through the Force, lightsabers igniting a slit second after she freed them from her belt and attempting to grab the attention of bad guys nearest her with a series of quick slashes at them. "Not that I want to jump to conclusions or anything, but what normal, law-abiding person wears a skull for a mask?" she asked rhetorically.
Maya	Maya's not sure about this place but she feels there's life in the building. "I can sense about half a dozen living things in there there may be others. Also there's some kind of machinery on the lower level." Maya will fall in with the others and move in. She'll be playibng support for a little bit....
War Witch	"One with an extremely poor fashion sense and even worse taste," War Witch responds as she fires an ice beam from one hand that she splits down the middle to freeze the faces of two enemies, both blinding them and restricting air flow (it's magic ice. It'll melt once they pass out), while two more lunge at her from behind. Dorian's shield absorbs the hit from one of them, giving the heroine time to turn and cut down another with her blade. It's magic fire, don't worry. It uh... ...Okay, it basically works like a flaming sword would be expected to. At least the level of magic being employed means he'll probably survive??? Many more lunge at Revan, apparently thinking 'weird swords = squishy' for some reason. But whether bone saws and swords can find purchase on flesh or not may determine if their assumption had any merit. Likely not. And dodge tanking is a thing. What DEFINITELY seems to have turned out poorly for these bad guys is for the shelves some tried to tip over to be turned back on the Reapers themselves. The heavy-duty metal structure, with lots of heavy boxes on it, falls onto the bad guys instead thanks to super strong pokemon combined with Cirra's MP-enhanced strength. One of them then gets forcibly pulled THROUGH the shelves, immobilizing him completely. Those who could have benefitted from the distraction caused are blinded by sand in their eyes, only to then be blasted off their feet by a wave of magic water that has them landing on expensive medical equipment. As Apex grabs a dude, knees him in the jaw, and then flip kicks him into some of his fellows, Horus zooms forth, barreling through a small group of bad guys and sending them flying every which way. And Reindhardt's warning goes unheeded. But his heavy stomp cracks the ground beneath him a little. And as a half dozen guys charge Reinhardt from left, right, and front, and others shoot poison darts at him from a distance, he'll have plenty to do right up until all that weight of enemies piling on him collapses the weakened ground underneath him, sending both him and his attackers tumbling into the basement level below. Unlike Reinhardt, they aren't really conscious anymore after the fall.
War Witch	As the heroes above wrap up with their foes, who really aren't Elite-level, just numerous and savage, Horus floats down with a cut across his abdomen clear through his armor, showing that those blades are SHARP. "Are you okay down here, Mister Wilhelm--" Horus starts to ask, hoping he doesn't need to haul the other man to his feet. He doubts he has the strength. But then he notices what's down here with them. Battle is subsiding up above or has already done so. So he calls up, "Guys. You need to get down here right now and see this." Apex and War Witch, after making sure everyone is okay and that all of the enemies are down, leap down to join Horus and Reinhardt below. War Witch says in dismay, "I can't BELIEVE this. Look at that." There's operating table after operating table after operating table stretching on into the distance. Electric lights above shine down on the forms lying upon those tables. Bodies. Human bodies, men and women, of all different shapes and sizes. Some short, some tall, at least three giant. Brains are exposed. Chests are opened like panels, revealing ribs and the machinery being packed in to replace organs. Most of the corpses have cybernetics. Most of them have stitches all over. Apex says, "Hey, Horus. You can forget about the boxes. I think we found what we were looking for."
Reinhardt Wilhelm	Reinhardt actually LAUGHS! He bring up his shield, deflecting the darts while avoiding enemy fire while they respond with hostility. "Unbelievable, I suppose I should've expected this..." He says, before he goes to charge towards the horde. Just in time for the floor to make a hole, several bad guys and Reinhardt falling into the hole. The knight lands with a thunderous KABOOM, and he barely seems to notice the impact as he stands up and dusts himself off, shaking off debris and dust with a growl. "I've had worse, Horus. Needn't worry about me." He says, nodding to the hero while he helps himself up. He seems to be all smiles, just another rough landing, before he sees...tables. So many tables. Holy shit. "Gott in himmel...was is DAS?" His smile goes into a huge 180 as he sees the lab itself, unable to process this. "I...don't believe this, what kind of men were working here and to what end?" After a pregnant pause, Reinhardt tenses. All horror in him is matched with utter, indignant rage. Whoever is behind this is going to /pay./
Athela Valemore	"These currs need to learn to not leap before they look," Athela mutters as she picks up Eevee and ruffles it betwix the ears. "Good job. You too, Mizzen.. eh?" She turns to glance over her shoulder as the local heroes float down the hole after Reinhardt. A moment later a couple of vines are tossed down by her Timburr to allow others a means to climb down if they can't just fly or jump to do so, after he ties the ends to the toppled shelves to support them. So it is a moment or two later before Athela shimmies down with her pokemon close behind her. Armored boots clump loudly as she hits the ground. "Now, what did ye find?" she askes as she turns to the room proper. And most of the color drains out of her face at the sight. Not in terror, but in sheer audicity of the perpetrators on display before them. Gauntlet fingers clench tightly to the hilt of her sword. On her shoulder Eevee bristles again, this time with a low haunting hiss. The stench of death and medical practices too horrific to consider is thick in this room, enough to aggrivate the pokemon as well as their mistress. "These injust affonts upon lifekind shall be paid for..." Her tone is low and bitter, yet filled with just as much cold rage as the other knight is feeling.
Cirra Constantine	With the fight quickly over Cirra follows the others to see what's been found. Her eyes narrow behind her helmet, "Worse then any Lich, or Vampire." "This is the willing act of persons with intent to knowingly harm others."
Maya	Maya is in to the thick of the fight and restrains from using her assault rifle, given at the veyr least information is needed out of thse guys if they cna manage to get htem sown. She'llend up dealing with whatever came her way. She looks to her allies for a momentand stares at what they find down tails and she has a look of horror on her face. "By the Fates...they walk the path of Draxx..."