Scene #2902: PRT: Tagg, James

Owner	Pose
Defiant	BROCKTON BAY EVENING VICINITY OF THE PRT HQ The sun has only just set and the sky is alight with stars. Outside the Protectorate HQ, the imposing bulwark of Protectorate authority, a crowd lingers. It's an orderly crowd of reporters and interested parties, but a crowd nonetheless. At the head of the crowd, behind a lectern, stands Director James Tagg. After all the events in Brockton Bay - Leviathan, the Armsmaster debacle, multiple strikes from Multiversal groups - Emily Piggot was demoted. In her place, came a soldier. He's a grim man, a man with a soldier's mentality - and the keen strategic mindset to match. Nothing about him says that he's nice. However, everything about him says that he'd be a lynchpin holding Protectorate efforts in the city together. Maybe he should be removed. Flanking Tagg, stand Alexandria and Chevalier. Alexandria, in her black and grey caped outfit, Chevalier in his silver and gold armor, a massive cannonblade over his back. The perimeter is watched by PRT officers in their usual uniforms, holding a variety of weapons. With two big name superheroes in attendence, who would be stupid enough to disrupt the press conference? "Ladies and gentlemen, my fellow Americans," Tagg is saying, as the conference begins, "The turmoil of recent events has left..."
Crimson Sea	Amidst the crowd of reporters and press covering the conference is a slight, almost waifish and pale woman in a white pencilskirt and matching blazer. Looming behind her, nearly a full foot taller, is a similarly pale man in a long jacket, carrying a video camera with an attached boom mic. The woman also holds a CNN microphone. Though this pair is initially near the back of the crowd of press, the small-looking woman manhandles her way to the front. Seems like some networks let nothing stand in the way of a good story! The press pass hanging from her breast pocket also seems completely legit, though there's some red marking along the edges of its plastic holder, like someone decided to trace the heat-sealed lines with a pen out of boredom. It identifies her as Jane Weathers, CNN Live Field Reporter. At the front, she holds her microphone out to catch more of Tagg's speech, the cameraman behind her adjusting his boom mic and ignoring complaints from people behind him regarding his size. ELSEWHERE, A JANITOR'S CLOSET Jane Weathers, CNN Live Field Reporter, slowly bleeds out behind a locked door, clutching her throat and unable to shout due to the horrible wound she'd been given. Her press badge is gone.
Fuki	There are some people that you talk to, some people that you know, and some people that you wish you could work with. This is a time for the latter. Fuki's always had an envious eye for Crimson and the chance to actually work with her superior officer is something she will revel, even if she's the one calling the shots. And with the plan laid out in over the radio, Fuki grins. "Not bad, a bit messy, but not bad." she comments, "Though, you look great in that skirt, perhaps you should adopt this as a casual outfit." a grin comes from the Shinki as she moves to slip into the jacket. "I need you careful with your movements, I'm going to be attached to the inside of the jacket" And with this, she clings to the inside of the jackets pocket, her talon-like feet claws sticking to the fabric without poking through... wonderful future material. Once the Captain's in place, Fuki's eyes glow softly, one window showing the press conference, another with a radar and once more with a layout of the building... she had to plan this carefully. Once she's done her job she's given the free reign for Crimson to... have fun. [Captain Captain, I want you to ask a very specific question when you find a good opening for me to slip in. Drop the jacket and ask 'Can you repeat that statement?']
Defiant	Tagg continues, "...the appearance of new Endbringers is nothing that we can't handle. Leviathan has been stopped, Behemoth has been destroyed, and Scion has been far more pro-active in stopping the monsters..." The cameras flash from the crowd, reporters jot down notes. It doesn't seem like anyone expects any trouble - and why would they when, in this world, trouble is usually brightly colored and very distinctive? "I won't lie to you. Brockton Bay has not had the most heroic history. However, we are on the verge of turning it around. Marquis has been deposed, along with Lung, Kaiser and many of the other villainous elements. We have a new team of Wards, a restructured Protectorate team and the personal supervision of Alexandria herself." Beside Tagg, Alexandria nods politely. Tagg grips the lectern in both hands. "This Confederacy is only the newest in a very long line of threats to our liberties. We will be doubling Protectorate patrols around the clock ensuring that there is not even a chance of something like that attack on our highway system three weeks ago. The Protectorate will not bow to any threat, be it from our world or any other world..." The speech continues. Fuki's scanning doesn't reveal anything out of the ordinary. There's a security system, which the Dragon AI is probably monitoring the situation through, but nothing that should catch them before they have their chance at Tagg.
Crimson Sea	[Nah,] comes a subvocalized reply, barely audible over the speech and the clamoring press, [Removin' me jacket would be too conspicuous. Launch yerself down me arm when I hold out th' mic fer his answer.] The woman in white muscles her way to the front in short order, quickly taking a spot right in the front row in full view of the gathered Capes and the speaking politician, though her cameraman has been forced to stand several meters back with the other camera crews. This renders his boom mic a bit less useful, presumably, and so the CNN reporter steps forward slight and clears her throat. "Excuse me! Jane Weathers, CNN-- For clarity regarding the public's personal safety in regards to this 'Confederacy', could you please repeat that statement?" She then holds out her microphone. The lack of a CNN mic on the podium suggests she's just trying to get a good sound bite for the piece. ELSEWHERE A latch clicks, a door opens and a sudden motion causes the janitor to shout in surprise, jumping back several feet. With a dull thump, a white-clad woman splattered with blood strikes the floor. She convulses, reaching with a gurgling gasp before going still. Beneath her, a scarlet puddle creeps outward across the floor.
Fuki	I like that idea better. comes the response, slowly crawling down the arm, trying not to make it look suspcious already. She slowly rights herself and stops a few inches from the cuff, still darkened from the shadow of the arm. Fuki's black mask is slipped over her face and she grins, a sadistic grin behind a smiling fox mask. 'Could you please repeat that statement.' The trap's sprung. A quick look, the lady can't be touched... the other guy is dangerous... the one in front... target. "You won't have the chance..." A black streak comes shooting out of the reporter's arm sleeve, wings unfurled and jets kicking into gear as a white flash comes next, an acid dripping scythe appearing out from nowhere on the six inch missile. "You're mine!" It's quick... the time it takes to get from the arm position to the neck is a mere couple seconds, barely enough time for anyone to react, but with the small size of the Shinki... catching her would be the next question. The scythe is raised, "The Grim Reaper has called! Your life is forfeit!" The sound of acid touching flesh and blade ripping into it could drown out the gasps as the Shinki's blade hits the mark, the biggest vein in the neck... "Bleed..." she whispers, floating upwards as the now crimson stained, acid dripping blade shines in the flourescent light of the building.. "Captain Captain. I believe it's time to deliver unto you a few good souls, what do you think?"
Defiant	James Tagg nods at 'Jane Weathers'. "As I said, they are only the newest in a long line of threats that we have a track record of defeating. We will not bow to any threat, be it from our world or any-" And suddenly, he's choking. At least, that's what it looks like for a few moments before people become aware of the thin red line that's crossed his entire neck. Blood pours. Tagg reaches for his throat, red staining his shirt. The crowd panics immediately. PRT officers are already beginning to evacuate the crowd. People scream, shout, cry out. On the stage, Alexandria grabs Tagg as he falls - "MEDIC!" - and Chevalier pulls his cannonblade free, peering into the crowd for any sign of who was responsible. But Crimson is disguised and Fuki is miniscule. Chevalier's voice, full of authority, booms out: "Contain the situation! No one leaves without a full security check!" Elsewhere, the janitor is quick to report that he's found a casualty. It'll take him a short amount of time to report who it is, then another few moments, to identify 'Jane'. It's enough time to catch the caped defenders off-guard.
Crimson Sea	"You heard it here first," the white-clad reporter announces, withdrawing her microphone, "The Protectorate doesn't find the Confederacy a threat!" Very suddenly, her face twists into a sinister smile. It becomes immediately obvious that her canines are longer than normal, sharp and dangerous. "Th' first mistake ya've made that we've bothered ta take notice 'a." Her voice has very suddenly changed. With the target already taken care of, the rest is just icing on the cake. In a flash of necrotic black essence, the pencil skirt and sports blazer are gone-- replaced with what looks more like a military uniform with a long white surcoat, trimmed in scarlet. She drops the microphone, mangled by its brief exposure to the Void when she changed her outfit. A hand dives into her coat as she springs into motion, hurling herself directly for the one already indicated to be a major figure-- Alexandria is the first target of the Silent Wolf, wrenching a thick, black metal ring from the depths of her jacket. This quickly extends, wreathed in energy that seems to devour light, until Crimson Sea swings a full-sized ship's anchor straight for the superhero's face in a brutal upward arc. 'Invulnerable', the report said. Things that the Exalted of the Abyss take as a challenge rather than a warning.
Fuki	With the target taken out, and the order given, subtelty is thrown out the window. Chevalier wants to do a full security check, he can do so right now too as the Shinki eyes the cannonblade, "I want that..." she mutters before diving down from her aerial position to make a swipe at the arm with the bloodstained acid scythe. "The second mistake was assuming you were safe!" Fuki takes back to the 'sky' and grins behind that mask only to take another diving swoop at Chevalier once more, this time, aiming for the neck... can't leave too many standing now can she?! "And the grim reaper today is tiny!" once she makes a second pass at Chevalier, she dives back down towards Tagg to finish the job, swinging her scythe in a wide arc. Acid slings off the scythe in a mixture of the fallen's blood, aiming towards the eyes and mouth... even if they were to revive him, she was going to blind him and make him speechless. Nothing better than a depowered military commander trying to play government!
Defiant	There's a heavy 'clang' as Crimson Sea's anchor slams into Alexandria and pitches her through the wall of the building, glass and plaster shattering all around, and down to the street below. After a moment, there's the sound of a car alarm. And, after a few moments more, Alexandria returns - roaring through the hole in the wall in full flight, whirling to slam one of her heels into Crimson's face! It seems like she'll be quite the challenge. Her mask hides much of her face and the tight black and grey of her costume makes it clear that, even without her super strength, Alexandria's physique would make her one hell of a fighter. Chevalier swings his blade at Fuki, but it's like trying to clobber a wasp with a zweihander. He slams it into the ground, even as Fuki harries him by slashing at his armor, leaving deep, acidic grooves, and comes in for his neck. His armor is still quite thick - surprisingly so, given that it doesn't seem to restrict him at all - but Chevalier still grunts. When he swings his blade once again, he's somehow swinging the giant thing with one hand, as deft as if it were a feather duster! So, he can alter the properties of his equipment. His sword, lighter. His armor, more resistant. "Squad!" Chevalier calls, "Containment foam, suppressive fire!" If Chevalier can't bring Fuki down, well, he can get some PRT officers to open up with thick gouts of white foam. They fire blindly, mainly because Fuki is small and the foam is not harmful, but if it hits her she'll find that it sticks strong enough to hold even Alexandria down! It doesn't save Tagg though. Nor his eyes, nor his lips. He lies in a growing pool of blood, barely moving.
Crimson Sea	The Burden resonates with a soft, metallic-tinged sobbing, ringing with such a solid impact against such a sturdy superhero. Following her attack the pirate captain lands on the stage, swinging her weapon around and resting it over her shoulder while she turns towards the press and their cameras. After a moment, her lips part into a wide, fang-toothed smile and she lets out a sinister chuckle. "Ya can't count on yer heroes, lads an' lasses." The anchor is lifted and swung around. Her eyes shift to the twitching body at her feet and she drives the anchor downward to finish him off. Before she can hit, though, Alexandria makes her return, smashing the pirate off the stage and sending the Burden sailing away from Tagg's form before he can be crushed by it. It slams into the ground, grinding to a halt. Crimson Sea flips herself in midair to strike the wall with her feet-- and she just STANDS there. "Hah hah hah har!" Lifting up her hand, she wiggles her fingers, "'Bout time I met someone who could take th' Burden o' Injustice so clean." Her knees bend and she hurls herself from her perch-- not directly at Alexandria, but to a point where the cape is between herself and the discarded anchor. Upon landing, Crimson throws her hand out. In response, the anchor suddenly flips up from where it rests, hurling itself right back towards the woman's grasp. With a superhero in the way of that impossible weight in motion.
Fuki	There's one good thing about being six inches tall. You can dodge easy. Though, what gets her is how easily that man can swing that giant blade around. "You aren't going to hit me with that thing, good try though." she taunts before taking flight towards Crimson, her duty done with Tagg. The jets on her wings kick in once more and send her flying towards Crimson, aiming for that hat of hers. There's one thing about dodging though. You need to pay attention to where the spray is coming from. The supressive fire does manage to hit Fuki, spray and pray usually works wonders for agile speedsters and annoying, fast flying Shinki... and it sends her gliding as the jets get gummed up with the foam along with the weight. Fortunately, the distance isn't too far and she makes a hard dive, speeding towards that hat and as soon as it's lifted... she makes a quick wing beat to slow down and cling to the inside top of the hat. "GO!"
Defiant	Alexandria inhales and lets the breath out in a harsh growl. The wind whips at her cape and she draws herself up to her full height, fixing Crimson Sea with a stare that, even with her eyes hidden behind the visor of her helmet, is icy. She doesn't say anything to Crimson - Alexandria just lifts up her hands and cracks her knuckles. Bring it. She doesn't see the Burden coming. It's only her perculiar power that prevents the thing from flat out annihilating her as the anchor slams into her back. As tough as she is, Alexandria isn't immune to the laws of physics - and when the inviolable object meets the unstoppable one, something gives way. This time, it's Alexandria. The anchor continues towards Crimson, having crushed Alexandria to the ground on its unstoppable trajectory. The Triumvirate cape is stunned, coughing as she rises. Visor cracked, costume torn and ripped. "Is that... all you've got...?" Fuki manages to evade Chevalier. She gets away, getting to Crimson without being intercepted by any more containment foam fire than the little bit she had recieved. It's going to be an absolute terror to clean off. Still, as Fuki manages to reach her partner in crime, Chevalier sets his stance and raises his cannonblade in one hand, like the massive weapon is only a handgun, and aims it right at Crimson! With a terrific crack, the Protectorate cape fires off one last shot!
Crimson Sea	"Nah," Crimson states with that hideous grin of hers. Her free hand lifts up her hat as if tipping her cap to her foe, conveniently allowing Fuki to disappear beneath it in the same motion. Seconds later, the Burden of Injustice strikes solidly against her palm and she swings it against her side in a smooth motion. The Cannonblade's shell strikes the metal rather than the woman holding it, filling the conferance hall with the blast of the shell, the ringing of steel, and the tormented sobbing of the oily black metal the woman's weapon is made out of. Considering the live broadcasts still airing, that sound alone is likely going to cause nightmares. The pirate is not totally unscathed, though. Shells can be parried, explosions less so. Shoved back across the stage a good two feet, the edges of her coat singed and the white material blackened in places, she lets out a sinister chuckle. Ignoring the containment foam splattering her coat, the Silent Wolf hops aside, into the opening created when she anchored Alexandria mere moments ago. The anchor is swung up, resting across her shoulders, and she points with her free hand. "Let this be a lesson t' th' lot o' ya! Ya can't rely on /these/ heroes!" With a whirl and a flutter of her surcoat, the pirate disappears through the opening, her laughter echoing through the conferance hall and the streets beyond.