The Perfectibilists! Part Three: Paradise, Lost![IC]

[RedBstrd]

Eidolon
HP: 0, Luck 2
Condition: Normal

Having long since completed the checks of his equipment a dozen times, Eidolon proceeds to the makeshift headquarters he selected for the start of the job. Once a gym, the building is now completely empty save for some old equipment left around like discarded war machinery after a battle. After sweeping the building for bugs, he gathers his men at the spot, inspects their gear personally, and splits them into teams according to their plan. He then drills them on their jobs in Arabic, making sure that everyone is ready for the big job. As someone up by dawn, Eidolon has plenty of time to get his final arrangements in order before the job.

The few men on La Bohème have the task of triple checking to make sure that no evidence of the crime to be committed - or anything else illegal or linking the ship to Eidolon - is present on the ship. He plans to return to the ship at some point after the job but doesn't wish to make it an easy target in the buildup to or immediate aftermath of the crime.

On board now is an actor whom Eidolon hired to pose as the French wine merchant that Eidolon was pretending to be. Choosing someone who speaks French fluently, he provided the man with fake documents and ID, then sent the ship just outside of Freedom City with a few models for a short pleasure cruise. Eidolon had the actor round up the models from an agency, handing over cash to their agency and giving everyone unrestricted access to the wine cellar. St. Cloud only told the actor that he had been commandeered by super criminals who boarded the ship the day before and that St. Cloud simply wished for the actor to serve as a diversion while he finished his business in the city over the next few days. Presenting the whole affair as bad luck, Eidolon pretends just to be playing it safe, reassuring his actor that nothing is likely to come of the earlier incident. If all else fails, the villain thinks, I'll have easy access to some hostages...

After meeting with his men, Eidolon dons a disguise and proceeds to where he knows that Cheshire Cat will be. Wishing to avoid unnecessary remote contact, the villain knocks on the door. "Room service, more wine for you, sir," the arms dealer jokingly announces as he knocks.

[dreamking89]

Cheshire Cat
Condition:
HP: 3

Perception check to spot disguise:1d20+8=20

"I didn't order any wine, you probably have the wrong room." Cheshire Cat opens the door, wearing a more human form for the bellboy. He then looks back at the bedroom and shrugs, "On second thought, I'll take it. And can you bring us up some breakfast for us? Just charge it to the same card, thanks." He begins to unknowingly close the door on his ally.

[BS Digital Q]

TYRANNOSAUR

Tyrannosaur slowly awoke in his apartment flat. By necessity it was a very large place, everything built to accomodate his enormous mass. He's had it built using some of his money from before his transformation; being a former gang leader still had its benefits, though the money was more tight than it had been in the past. Still, he had enough to afford some of his vices; ultra-strong liquor, so strong it bordered on pure alcohol, and an escort for the night. He couldn't remember her name, just that she was one of a group of "enhanced" women who worked for an associate of his from his past days, Mark "The Slick Trip" Ruebens. Ruebens used the ladies for a variety of purposes, from exotic super-powered prostitution to "films" to special underground sporting events. Though now experienced enough with his strength level to be able to function normally, Tyrannosaur still found love-making to be difficult without causing serious harm to a normal human woman. As a result, he always went to Mark when he needed company, and after the events of the last night, he needed all the booze and company he could get.

His companion stirred next to him in the massively oversized mattress he called a bed. Deciding he was awake, he got out to get breakfast in his kitchen...a large porterhouse steak, and one of the few unopened bottles from the revelries of the previous night. Holding the steak up to his mouth, he let a little fire play over it until it was just right, then devoured it, before pouring the entire bottle into his mouth. A little drippled down his jaw, and he burped as he wiped his face, a little smoke coming from his mouth. Shortly, the escort entered the room, dressed up again, though her hair was a little fussed despite her best attempts to pretty it.

"Breakfast in tha fridge if ya want," Tyrannosaur said. He retrieved his pants, pulling out a wad of cash. "Here's the money. Ya can leave whenever ya like." He was still a bit groggy and moody, significantly subdued in manner compared to his usual self.

"Thanks," the escort said. "Had a great time last night. Ring my boss up again and I'll be happy to do it again." She gave him a glowing, pleasured smile, and he grinned. "I'll try an' remember that," he said.

Done with breakfast, he decided to relax a little bit as he continued to wake up. Getting dressed in a brown pair of cargo pants tailor made to his size, he sat down on a sofa, his enormity taking up all the room on it. He picked up the remote to his 72" flat screen television and turned it on to see if there was anything on. Of course, he knew there was never anything good on in the morning, but he didn't care. It was a diversion, and thats all that mattered to him.

[RedBstrd]

Eidolon
Condition: Normal
HP: 0, Luck 2

Emmanuel laughs and hands over a bottle from the ship, likely a familiar sight for his teammate. Posing as a wine merchant required props which served as convenient gifts. "But sir, I suspect that you have a busy day today. Perhaps you wish to start getting ready. I will be available by phone should you wish to do business." He taps at the commlink and then begins to depart.

Not dressed as a bellboy but rather as a common businessman with a pronounced mustache and a slightly unattractive orange spray on tan, Eidolon hopes that his colleague will quickly recognize him through the rather convincing disguise. St. Cloud also has a prop which Cheshire Cat might recognize from the night before: Eidolon's Iron Man-style briefcase containing his armor.

So, just to confirm, what was the final ruling on whether or not we are starting with normal Hero Points? I wasn't sure whether I should bump the count up to 1 at the beginning of the new scene...

[dreamking89]

Cheshire Cat
Condition:
HP: 3

Cheshire Cat looks at the bottle, then raises an eyebrow, looking back up at this businessman. Realizing that it was Eidolon, the master thief rolls his eyes and chuckles, "You really that worried I'd forget about this? If I didn't care, I'd be all the way in the Boardwalk instead of a block from.....your establishment."
He takes the wine, "I'll be there as soon as things get crazy."

[RedBstrd]

Eidolon

"We appreciate your business, sir," Emmanuel notes as he bows and backs away from the door. The arms dealer then heads downstairs and crosses a few streets to a building that his research said was looking for a new merchant to rent out the property. Eidolon makes sure that no one is watching and then casually disables the security system, then lets himself in the building. He sits down to wait for the impending arrival of his colleagues.

Since Kevin wrote a meetup into our plans, I'll assume for speed of play that we agreed upon a place. A business that is, well, out of business seems like a place that would be easy to take advantage of for a quick meetup. We can presume that Eidolon told everyone - including Hound's sociopath - about the location.

Perception: 1d20+12=29
Technology: 1d20+19=20. Note that 3e doesn't have critical failure for skills so that natural 1 shouldn't be a problem. If it is, then he has Second Chance for that skill.
Rolls here.

[Nineofspades]

Willow
HP 4


Being sustained through sunlight, Willow had no need to sleep. Insted, she spent the night continuing to travel the streets of the city, spreading her spores, unnoticed in the city as the number of humans infected continued to climb. She kept to herself, and her thoughts. The encounter with the old man unsettled her. Whatever his game, he was clearly no raving lunatic as he first appeared. Though she considered informing her teammates, she ruled not to in the end. If it came to light that someone outside the group has knowledge of the heist, then the entire mission might be scrapped. And Willow was unwilling to go through with that. Her plan needed this gold if it was to bear fruit. A calculated risk then, to keep silent on the matter.

With mornings light, Willow began her journey to the meeting place. Through the ventilation system drifted a flutter of leaves, which wafted out and onto the floor, piling up and beginning to take shape, her body arising out of the petals, her face as always an unreadable slate.

[Kevin_MacTaggert]

3E Villians' Game: Part Two - "Each Thing's a Thief!"

Taxicabs and pedestrians swarm downtown Freedom City as the metropolis meets the morning. Gliding from the pack of automobiles, a smoke-gray Bentley Mulsanne cruises west on Liberty towards 40th, but pauses at an intersection as the light changes to red. Civilians cross in front of the luxury vehicle and Wilhelm Algiers Randolf II gazes through mirrored-tint at a city alive with motion. Yale. West Point. Langley. Manhattan. All carefully-calculated maneuvers that brought the man, known privately as " W.A.R." to friends and foes alike, to become head of the Freedom City Federal Reserve. Brilliant, cultured, and deadly-ambitious, Randolf II knew his final destination crept closer each day. It was time. A Randolf in the Oval Office. Just a few more steps.

Sunlight streamed through the semi-damp city streets, peaking through the skyscrapers at this corner and that intersection. Blue sky smiled down from above and a host of pigeons scampered the landscape picking through discarded food wrappers. Transients stepped up their efforts, pandering for whatever offerings their working-class brothers and sisters might surrender. More traffic. More bikers dueling with vehicles for space. More car radios blaring music and talk radio. More of Freedom than could be imagined.

The Fed overseer cradled his PDA left-handed, waiting for the vibration signaling the Markets' open. With a recent revamp of the Federal Reserve's national super-structure, Wilhelm had been given the task of managing the combined wealth of over 140 nation's - all recently tucked under his "roof": the Freedom City Reserve. Under his brilliant and shrewd direction, Randolf II had organized an indomitable resume' of service to all the right interests. Once he had negotiated this small obstacle, nothing could stand between him and the White House. He had the finances, the political alliances, and the determination. Just this one hurdle. Randolf II eyed the PDA as his driver finally accelerated, steering the car forward - just where "W.A.R." intended ...

... the Bentley cruises a few blocks, coming to a crawl just outside the Fed. The driver wheels into the parking structure and is waved in by twin security officers. Finally coming to a stop in a reserved area, the tall female driver exits, opens the rear door and "W.A.R." enters the well-lit, stone parking area. At 6'5", 230 lbs., sapphire-blue eyes, clean-shaven bald head and a suit that most men would have to finance, Wilhelm A. Randolf II was an imposing sort of physical perfection. A paragon of 21st century excellence born of peerless breeding and the best education money could bring. As two security officers appeared to escort him into the executive elevator, Wilhelm's PDA vibrated - the future was now open ...

Players have the thread ...

[dreamking89]

Cheshire Cat

Condition:
Hero Points: 3

A few blocks down from the Federal Reserve building stood the Plaza Hotel. A beautiful building with a chandelier in the lobby, a huge swimming pool, tennis courts on the roof, a staff more well trained at their job than most police officers and a restaurant that served some of the finest food served in Freedom City. It was the very picture of a five star hotel, complete. The hotel's usual customers were CEOs, millionaires, senators, the richest of society. Randolph II would probably be spending that very night in the same hotel. Imagine his surprise if he knew one of the sources of the upcoming chaos was staying there this very night.

At the window of a hotel suite, the Cheshire Cat looked down at the street below. He twisted open a bottle of water and took a swig. He never drank alcohol before a heist, and he had enough to drink last night. After nabbing the wallet of the infamous drug lord "Ice", Cheshire and Echo had come to the hotel. Echo had come to unwind after her team was torn apart by a horrific demon, screw over Ice by running up his credit cards and enjoy the 'company' of the master thief.

Cheshire on the other hand, had ulterior motives. He chose this location for a reason. The Plaza Hotel was only a block or two from the Federal Reserve, and he wouldn't have to travel too far to meet up with his team and take part in the heist.

Of course, Echo had absolutely no knowledge of this. As she slept on the suite's bed, partially wrapped in the covers, Cheshire Cat looked back at her. "Sorry to run out on you," the Cat says, raising his water bottle in a mock toast, "But I have business to attend to. I hope you get out before Ice figures out where we've been." With that, the Cheshire Cat turned back to the window and vanished. Reappearing on the roof of a building across the street, the master thief made his way towards the federal reserve. Hopefully his associates would give a large enough "signal", otherwise finding them was going to be a pain....

[RedBstrd]

Eidolon
HP 1, Luck 2
Condition: Normal

Unknown to Wilhelm Randolf II, the two security officers were escorting more than their executive into the building. On each one was part of the swarm of nanotech that Eidolon had released into the area. As the executive climbed into the elevator, Willow burrowed closer and closer towards the Fed building, for now staying outside of range of any sensors that it might have. Behind her stands Eidolon, Cheshire Cat, Jack the Woodsman, and Tyrannosaur. A few dozen of Eidolon's heavily armed men wait behind the villains.

Missing from the tunnels is only Essence, preparing for her distraction.

Minutes earlier, Eidolon's co-conspirators had met up with him in the abandoned business building he commandeered. Cheshire Cat didn't know the location but Willow was able to lead him to the spot. From there, the burrowing began.

Eidolon watches the electronic counter on his helmet's internal display. Any minute now, Essence would unleash doomsday upon the unsuspecting citizens of Freedom City.

Tyrannosaur should probably still be with the group despite the fact that BS Digital Q has clearly abandoned us due to RL obligations. If need be, Kevin can deal with him later.

As the villains wait for Eidolon's signal, the nanotech spreads throughout the Fed Reserve, infiltrating the technology of the building.

As indicated before, Eidolon's nanotech is going to try turning off their external sensors (like any tremor senses), deleting their facial recognition program, sending Eidolon a diagnostic report on their security systems, and letting him know where the anti-teleportation device is. When Essence starts her summoning, Eidolon's men waiting with the trucks (at the film studio headquarters) will be able to witness it all and notify him through their commlinks.

When that happens, Eidolon's nanotech will then remove all log-in rights for everyone on the network, change their security passwords, and generally ensure that no one inside or out can access the network of the Fed's security systems. The nanotech will throttle the communication from the building to the outside so that no panic buttons go off, no phone lines work, and no internet connection can get out.

Eidolon holds up one hand, ready to bring it down as the signal that all hell is breaking loose in the city above. At that point, Willow's orders would be to make the final push to breach the wall of the Fed.

[Kevin_MacTaggert]

" DAL871 clear for landing on runway 7 - make plandice easy seven ..."

" Copy Tower easy."

The Delta Airlines 737 cruised downward towards Jameson Airport, 5 by 5, with no worries as the weather was clear and the runway flat. The pilots were thinking of Gentlemens' Clubs and the eventual trip home - when - it appeared ... 600 acres of flailing SHADOW and eyes that echoed horror! Essence, standing atop the main airport structure, willed the Etherworldian beast into the realm of Light and it responded with abject retaliation! The ground rumbled! The airport shook! Terror washes across the area like insane laughter! The sensation of Hopelessness fell on Jameson Airport and sent shudders into every human soul aboard a plane and in the terminal! Who would - a flash of light appeared, as Quantum directed twin blasts of incandescent light into the otherworldly creature! A loud churl smacked across the flight deck as the huge shadow-beast turned towards the hero! Metallic arrives with teammates in tow, boot jets scarring the tarmac as he scans the area! Onboard the troubled flight, Synchronicity appears, calming passengers and crew alike, as she looks to take who she can away from harm! Eye, hovering overhead, manages the panic, using her considerable Psionic abilities to calm the human populace present, as well as managing her teammates communication;
" Get the passengers to safety! ", Max Atom says, as he arrives near the landing passenger jet, using his immense superhuman bulk to slow its stop!
" If this is Essence, Oracle needs to step up - too many people! ", Metallic says, as he directs EmS personnel to the plane - his head turns to the airport structure, looking in desperation ...
" Just get us stopped! " says Synchronicity, as she tries to calm a banking official due to meet with the Freedom City Fed later ...
Soapy winding in your hands. A frog in your palm. This was the slow-skidding airliner in Max Atom's hands as he struggled to slow the plane in front of the flailing demonic THING - it slow and stops mere yards away and Atom peers down at the miniscule wide-eyed pilots ... "Move this thing away! " Max yells Telepathically ...!
From the inner dark of self, Oracle sails casting a whispered spell that nudges the demon-monster backwards - subtle power like a hypersonic whisper attacks the beast and it HOWLS, shattering glass across a half mile - it doeasn't run but rather gazes at Oracle ... then, lashes at her with its whips of dark-sentience!

Far south of the supernatural battle, a team of individuals push relentlessly towards their glimmering goal ...
...

[RedBstrd]

Eidolon
HP 1
Luck 2
Condition: Normal

Eidolon brings down his hand, silently informing Willow to begin the final push towards the wall of the Federal Reserve. Moments earlier, Essence began her summoning at the airport. As demons became visible to one of Eidolon's henchmen who watched the sky with binoculars from a safe distance, the man contacted Eidolon via commlink and stated "It's begun. Praise be to Allah." He then called up Vanguard headquarters and began his rehearsed speech. By the time Vanguard knew of Essence's location, the Fed's sensors should be offline and the tunnel would reach the walls. While Vanguard rushed to face the ancient evil of Essence and her minions, Eidolon's nanotech would shut down all communication into and out of the Fed and the wall would get breached.

Eidolon reminds his men: "Nothing they can try will stop us now, so you and your families will be rich. In the improbable event that you are captured, keep your damn mouths shut. Your families will honor your absence as they get your shares. If you say anything to the authorities, your families will fare much less well..." He then turns his attention back to directing his nanotech to perform their assigned tasks.

With any luck, the rain of blood and demons elsewhere in the city would be causing havoc. Essence, never a fool, would likely flee at the sight of Vanguard, taking position elsewhere in the city to renew her effort. St. Cloud had already written her off as lost - her job was just to provide a few minutes of distraction - but if she escaped the initial confrontation, Vanguard would pursue like dogs after a fox. Eventually, they'd catch her - and then realize the gravity of their failure.

[Nineofspades]

Willow
HP 4


Below the city streets, below the concrete and wires and plumbing, the tunnels and subways and every last scrap of mankind, Willow lurked in darkness. Her plants had spread the soil open, creating a passageway through the earth. The air was hot and damp, like breathing in the rain forest. It helped keep the roots which supported the tunnels strong, each wooden tendril gently shifted, like a slowly breathing beast. Far above, and away from here, she knew that destruction would be raining down around the city, fires burning and the screams of hundreds. Such anarchy was a regrettable means to an end. But the ends here were so very desirable to her, and the heist was a needed step towards them.

"Don't worry, we'll soon be done here" she cooed softly, stroking one of the vines near her hand, feeling it strain under the weight of the concrete city above. Like a mother to her child, she seemed to sooth the plant-life around her, which grew more still at her word.

And then came the signal.

Raising a hand, Willows plants once more began moving, this time with purpose and vigor. Roots speared through the earth, pushing their way ever onward in the dark, clearing a pathway ahead. A hundred yards pased, then a hundred more, before reaching the cold steel exterior of the bank wall. Not that it would be enough to stop her. All it took was one tiny vine to find a seam, a crack, a small imperfection. Then it would slip in and begin to expand, growing and swelling, prying open the seemingly impenetrable barrier. In a moments time, the wall gave free, and light flooded in, revealing the interior of the bank, and allowing Willow to cast her eyes on the gathered meaty parasites who dwelt within.

One of her vines rose up, as if asking if it were time to begin. Willow nodded with a smile, almost looking proud of her creation. The Green exploded outwards, flooding the floor, the desks, the walls, vines upon vines, a creeping mass of hungry snares.

Vines to ensnare anyone inside on the floor I'm currently on. Treating them as minions, they would all now be Defenseless and Immobilized.

[Kevin_MacTaggert]

The villains' burst through the Fed Sub-Level, Willow's mutated vegetation winding wildly into the space! The limited security personnel, busy trying to make their disabled electronics function, are caught completely off-guard! In seconds, the officers are literally encased in coiling vines and all they can do is shout for help!

The interior lighting flickers occasionally, due to the Eidolon's Nano-Swarm, but regardless, Eidolon's peerless planning serves the team well as another phase of their heist succeeds perfectly: Sub-Level One is secured!

Unable to barely flinch a finger, the security personnel gaze wide-eyed at the villains as they enter the area from the blasted-in tunnel ...!

The Vault is a level down ...

[dreamking89]

Cheshire Cat

Condition:
Hero points: 3

One of the trapped security guards blink, and suddenly he is face to face with a grinning catlike being."Freedom City's finest indeed." He laughs, turning around and walking back towards the other villains. "Someone's bound to have heard that," He flicks his wrist, and suddenly a perfect clone of the master thief materializes next to him. "So let's get this party started!" the copy says with a smile. Cheshire Cat gestures at his doppleganger "This handsome devil should be able to throw any of the other guards off our trail. And if not, I can always find more."