Blood of Heroes - A 3rd Edition Mutants and Masterminds Campaign Setting
Earth, 2021. An alien race known as the Skree has ruled over the planet for the past 20 years, subjecting the local populace to the sadistic whims of their most brutal reign. True heroes have been all but eradicated during the Skree Invasion of 1999-2001. That or they have fallen prey to the Skree's corruptive influence and mind-altering technology. Those heroes that still survive, do so either in reclusive hiding or by battling one another in gladiator-like fashion as the Skree's amusement. Now after twenty years of servitude, a new breed of heroes are slowly starting to emerge. Fed up with the decadence that now surrounds them and fueled by their own personal desires, these young heroes have decided to try and make a stand for humanity, once and for all.
Does this new breed of heroes have what it takes to rise up against the Skree and take back their homeworld? Are they capable of breaking the shackles of oppression that bind them to a life of unwavering servitude? Time shall tell True Believers, to see whether or not these few elite individuals truly possess...the Blood of Heroes.
Jenny nods approvingly, listening to Sam's recount of what all went on. She eventually responds. "Great! I'm glad to hear that it all went well. Those boys of ours in labcoats sure did need the supplies badly, and we can only hope that they find a way of using them to help us rid the Earth of the S'kree once and for all! I'll be sure to send word along to the General of your report." Plopping her feet up unto the table, Jenny Anne continues. "As to the General's reason for wanting to talk to you. Well, I'll let him do the talking."
A recorded message begins playing from Jenny's mouth.
"I have a mission for Sam. It would appear that Agent Pommel and the Ancient One have possibly found a team of Supers worth recruiting. If Pommel's report is true, the group is of professional quality. Tell Sam to contact Agent Pommel and validate his findings. Give her the man's coordinates and then contact me upon her return. I want to know if what Pommel says is true."
Sending PM
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!
"So I'll evaluate Pommel's the Ancient's discovery," Sam says, thinking about Pommel's activity, a bit surprised that he's still around after all these years. She wonders a bit about their age though not too much. These guys are pretty much legends. "That's sweet. I didn't think they were still active, even more recruiting. Do you want me to leave ASAP?"
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Smiling, Jenny responds. "Naw Sam, go get some sleep first! Hoboken's only a two-hour drive away. You can take it easy for a bit then head out tomorrow." "Besides," she adds, "Agent Pommel can be rather eccentric at times and a downright 'Fuddy-Duddy' when it comes to meeting strangers. I'll try to break the ice a bit with the old coot before you leave."
It's after 2 a.m. FWIW.
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!
"That's great," Sam replies, stretching her limbs. Normally she does not like to stay anywhere for long, especially not a place where resistance is residing; not only for her own sake but for those of any inhabitants in case someone did follow her. "Alhough I think I'd be likeable enough on my own. Doesn't mean I won't take the offer though. You rarely get the chance to sleep that's as safe as NORAD but far less known. You won't mind me picking up some refreshments and whatever Agent Pommel may have sent to read, do you?"
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Jenny looks confused for a moment, then smiles once more. "Sure, I can escort you to the mess hall if you'd like. I've got some work to do on Buck still once we're there however, so will probably leave ya be for a bit. As to Pommel's transcripts, well ya see, it was more of a conversation between the General and old Fuddy Duddy. I can play back the parts of it as we walk?"
Assuming Sam agrees, young Jenny Anne Sparks escorts her to the Mess Hall. As the two travel, Jenny plays back bits and pieces of Agent Pommel's conversation. The rest is considered to be 'Classified' and as such, omitted from being played back.
[Pommel's Voice = an angry sounded man with a prominent Jersey accent]
This is Special Agent Pommel requesting permission to come in out of the cold.
*OMITTED GAP*
I might have found a group worthy of recruitment.
*OMITTED GAP*
Among these applicants are several 'talented' individuals. Upon review, I find them to be both capable and wet behind the ears.
*OMITTED GAP*
I plan on trying to whip them in shape as best I can. Sending word of...
*OMITTED GAP*
...findings to you ASAP. Requesting further instructions on how to handle them.
Special Agent Pommel Over and Out.
Young Jenny also hands Sam a dossier with several snapshots of various people inside it. Brief notations have been made by each of them.
Buck? Most likely Buck Boltzen, AKA Agent "War Machine". One time Buck was nothing more than a collective mass of scrap iron and motor servos; one of the prototypes to the War-Bots outside. Created by Jenny Anne's "Grandfather" one Professor Sebastian Pratchett, Agent War Machine was one of the only such creations to develop a sense of individuality and purpose on his own. Since that day he's served the Foundation with unwavering loyalty.
Snapshots? Random images of people living at the Excelsior Arms Apartments, your current destination. Amongst the images are the current party members. Brief notations speculate their powers and capabilities. Not 100% sure however, so who knows what they're truly capable of.
Last edited by Eanwulf on Wed Jun 26, 2013 12:32 am, edited 1 time in total.
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!
"That's alright. I can be on my own, no problem. Or give you a hand with Buck," Sam shrugs. She'd be fine with either of them but honestly she prefers a bit of downtime when it is possible. She quickly flips through the dossier spending a couple of moments on the snapshots. She grins at Agent Pommel's assessment. "Yeah, that's alright. I'd like to hear it again unless it is more of that. What can you tell me about Jersey?" Sam adds. "Putting a lot of heroes together -can- draw a lot of attention."
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Jenny's face flushes with synthetic redness. Her emotional response directed towards Sam's comment on Buck. "Oh Heavens no!" the girl replies. "Poor Buck is embarrassed enough already with me having to look at his 'insides' and 'naughty bits' as it is. To have a 'real' girl there in the room, well, well, that'd probably kill him!"
The young girl chuckles heartedly at the notion, then continues. "You go on in and get you something to eat, then take it easy for a spell. I'll be sure to let you know when it comes time to head on out." Realizing Sam has several more questions, young Sparks answers them accordingly.
"Jersey!? Well other than being the best damned state on God's entire great green creation, it sure as heck has seen some better days. As far as Hoboken goes, well that's Agent Pommel's hometown! The S'kree's destruction of New York City left most of Hoboken broken and crumbled. Not nearly as bad as here in what's left of Freedom City, but still pretty danged bad nonetheless. Old Fuddy Duddy has chosen to take to his hometown and protect it as best he can. Sadly, the big guy's heart seems to be rather heavy these days. As to why? Well, I honestly think that he's simply feeling old. But DON'T tell him I told you that, he'd kill both of us!"
Now chuckling even harder, Jenny adds. "As far as a lot of capes living under one roof, well 'precautions' have been made already. The Ancient One has seen to that, and well Mother and I try to lend a helpful hand as well. It should be more than sufficient to keep em all safe, at least for now that is!"
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!
"Come on, you guys are as real to me as anything else," Sam replies, feeling a bit embarrassed herself to have stepped into something personal there. "But if you don't need or want me, that's alright. You kids just be careful about what you do," she adds smiling as she knows that Jenny is actually at least four times her own age.
"Nah, I won't tell him anything about that. I pride myself on being quite sensitive or I wouln't fly 100 feet at 500 miles per hour of 20 tons of the cutest pieces of steel you could ever lay your eyes on," Sam continues. "Pommel, the Ancient One -and- a lot of new under one roof does sound interesting. HÇŽo, I'll grab something to eat and a nap then."
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
Jenny smiles and bids Sam farewell and goodnight. Tired and hungry, Sam then proceeds to make her way to the mess hall where she gets a quick late night bite to eat. In time the young Asian woman makes her way to the barracks level and racks out for the night in one of the bunks to catch some major Zzz's.
Saturday, April 3rd, 2021, Roughly 1:00 p.m.
Inside the Foundation's Headquarters
The evening passes and despite the sounded morning revelry and other agents coming and going from the barracks, Sam somehow manages to sleep in. Now refreshed, the hero makes her way back down to the mess hall for chow and then over to the gymnasium for a workout. Once done, she then heads to the garage level in order to work on her VTOL and other vehicles; ultimately choosing one of them for her mission.
About 1:30 in the afternoon, Sparks walks into the garage and waves at Sam.
"Howdy Sam!" the robotic teenager chimes merrily. "I just got off the line with Fuddy Duddy. He's kinda busy right now but is willing enough to make the time needed in order to conduct your visit."
When Life Hands You Razorblades. You Make A Baseball Bat Covered In Razorblades!
Sam's hands are stuck in the starboard nacelle of her Osprey, her tool kit beside her as she cleans out the engine air particle separator.
"That's good. Shouldn't be too hard to open up a few minutes in a a schedule that's filled with sitting around and grumping a lot all day," the asian replies sitting on the wing beside the engine that's twice the size as herself. Although it does not sound like it she has the utmost respect for the old agents. "I have my shuÇ dÄ« almost fixed up again and am ready to go in fifteen minutes or so." She considers a flight. "Hoboken is a bit too close to S'kree entertainment central for my taste. But if they stayed hidden for so long a couple tons of invisible and inaudible metal should not draw too much attention either," Sam adds, stating her consideration for her mode of transport. "About 15 tons of toy and a hundred pounds of flesh shouldn't be too much for a roof. And if not... well, I can pay for any damage."
"All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us."
