Balmas

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

You dodge the slag. You dodge the car. You dodge the TAG wreckage. You dodge the gas canister. You don't dodge the gas.

Your vision swims as the orange gas surrounds you on all sides. The Spiral Commander lands alongside you and places her hand on your forehead and into your empty head new orders flow like water. You are but a vessel, a puppet, and you have only one objective: to capture Angel-IKA.

@Thanqol

And honestly, why should he even bother trying to save her? I mean, yeah, she's saved Sara a few times, but that just shows how much the @SARAPHIM name has been slipping now that you have all those clones running about. Heck, if AEGIS needs her that badly, maybe they've finally pulled their heads out of their asses and figured out that an elite can do the job of a superhero so much better than some rando gutter troll.

And boy howdy, does he know how to do it? See, these troops are something else--all the powers in the world, and what does AEGIS do? Just has one person controlling them, like ants in a hive. Don't they know tactics? Don't they know strategy? Don't they know that redundancies are everything in this world? Sheer numbers are nice, but the key is to properly use them! And now, instead of one person leading them, they've got two, and one of them's a literal damn Capital-S-G supergenius.

I mean, look at this. They've got someone whose powerset is literally controlling metal, and they've got him--what is that, boxing gloves? Come on, people, this isn't looney tunes. Box is right there! Rip the floor out, drop Angelica into the arms of a waiting jetpack trooper, and zoom out. Play the objective, people! You want Angelica, right? Throw just enough people at the worthless teenagers to bog them down, and then smash-and-grab! What are they gonna do, huh, call foul, ask for a redo? That's capitalism, baby.

[Tactical Genius: ...That's a 6. Marking XP.]

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

[Yeah, that's a 13 on Take a Powerful Blow. I'll take Lose Control of Yourself for 500 points, please.]

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

Brainstorm!

You're hanging back, observing the flow of the battle - and one figure stands out clearly. Levitating down from the sky, cross-legged, it's the creepy hive queen Spiral Goon figure you saw back at the convention. She looks straight at you from her elevated position and you get the distinct feeling that she's assessing the situation, taking in the chaos, figuring out the tactical manoeuvres required to bring things back under control. If you don't do something to stop her you're going to go from fighting disorganized superzombies to fully capable and professional supervillains. What do you do?

@Thanqol

Oh, Brainstorm has been there. Above the fray, getting the big picture, assessing. And if there's one thing that he's learned, it's that there's nothing quite so frustrating as getting distracted. Like, say, if someone where to thwip a little cable of nanites around that spiral trooper with a pulse rifle juuuust enough to nudge his aim high? Or maybe he snaps a missile out of the air and redirects it?

It's just the kind of thing that he'd find absolutely maddening, especially if he were to follow it up with snapping a cable onto her jetpack, and filling her helmet with buzzing, stinging nanites. See how they like it.

[Directly Engage with a 7. I'm stealing her concentration.]

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

Like you say. It's too much. There are supervillains and superheroes on every side and they all seem to agree that you're a free target. You're getting hit from the right, hit from the left, barely able to keep your head together. You see Locker in the distance, throwing something that explodes and sends a flying guy into a wall, but then he's going bare fist against power armoured supervillain and you can tell he's losing, especially when Angel-IKA tries to break a chair over the spiral guy's back but instead smashes Locker clear in the face. Even over the melee you can hear the 'sorry! Sorry!' and 'fucking REALLY?'

And it seems like it was all for nothing. Alone, isolated, you against the world.

And you're seeing rainbows.

@Thanqol

Okay. So, this is it. Worst day of his life. Can't top this, can't be beat, can't get worse than...

Errant! @Sarahphim! You rappel down from the ceiling together, sliding down a rope from one of Dominus' assault helicopters, surrounded by suppressive missile fire causing explosions in every direction. You land immediately above Brainstorm.

...Okay, universe. I see what you're doing, and I don't like it.

Seriously? He's already beaten, they've got AEGIS Spiral troopers kicking his ass up and down the wall, and they send in the even bigger guns?

Might as well just lie down and let it--

She stands quickly, swinging Sara off her shoulders and taking the time to give Victor the slightest of nods before she's off again.

@Phoe

...Oh. Huh. You know what, that's a win and he's gonna take it if it kills him.

No time for sleepies. Hero time. Shit. He coughs, shoves off the floor, and hurls himself back into the fray.

"They're after Angelica!" he bellows to Euna. "Keep them away from the broadcast booth!"

[Above the Fray: Adding a Team to the pool]

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

[Drat. The one time I was hoping for a miss. 7. Let's go for give ground.]

Well, when in Ring, do as the wrestlers.

"Yes! You know it to be true!" He's strutting, casually sidestepping blasts, a swirling silver nanite cape manifesting down from his soulders, the heel every wrestler loves to hate. "Listen to your friend, peons. Any dissidence or dissent can only be struck down with the full might of the media! But don't fear! I'm sure that when we rise up and unseat the bourgeoisie, there will be equality for all, regardless of birth!"

Despite himself, Brainstorm can't help but smile. Finally! Adoration! Recognition! Granted, it's the recognition of pubescent privileged trust-fund babies, but it's working! He's doing it! He could make this work! And Angelica has a point, after all--who cares what the pigs in power call him, if he's still helping people? Sure, it'd mean figuring out a new name, and heaven knows he agonized over that for literally weeks, and a new costume too, and he's gonna have to fight Euna.

Oh fuck.

He... He really doesn't want to fight Errant. Not sure he's got what it takes, if Errant stands in front of him and tells him to stand down, to say no.

His train of thought and the skylight shatter at about the same time, and he stops, mid-battlefield, to point up. "No! Bad scoreboard. Wrong!"

Fuck him, what was he saying with "Try sixteen?" Sure, try sixty-four. Maybe Euna could win this--she's had training, after all, in fighting an entire skyscraper at once. And despite himself, he's still only one person and soon it's all he can do to avoid being one smear on the pavement.

So, get off the pavement. Get in the air. Locker's with Angelica. He should be there too. Look around, find the broadcasting booth, get between her and as many Spiral troopers as he can.

[And that's a miss on Defend Someone. Marking XP]

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

You're searching one of those abandoned buildings right now. So you're not particularly into professional sports, right Brainstorm? Not your vibe. You know that Aristeia! is an anything-goes kind of sport, a battle of supers overseen by highly advanced medical drones and safety features - exactly the sort of thing that'd show up in a school full of rich kids looking to show off their custom augs and high fashion. In fact, it's just occurred to you that they represent the largest concentration of force in this entire building, and if you can get them on side you'll have all the force you need to directly confront Spiral...

"LADIES AND GENTLEMEN," says Angel-IKA's voice from what feels like everywhere. "WELCOME TO THE HEXADROME!"

oh no.

"I'm Angel-IKA, with me is Locker, and strap yourselves in for the best night of high school Aristeia! that I am, um, not participating in directly!"

"In my opinion you were robbed, Angel-IKA," said Locker's voice.

"Kind of you to say, Locker, but today isn't about me. It's about them."

Two spotlights slam down, outlining two teams of four technicolour weirdos on both sides of you. This building isn't abandoned after all - it's the ring.

And before you have time to even think further there's a fucking samurai in your face. With a katana.

@Thanqol

What would @SARAHPPHIM do?

"Hmm. Eight on one doesn't seem too fair." Then he sprints forward, and runs straight up and over the samurai--knee, groin, solar plexus, finish with a kickflip that sends the helmet soaring into the face of the bull coming in for a grab behind him. "Maybe try sixteen."

Then it's a melee. Samuwrong's on the ground, and the bull--eight feet tall, with horns--is none too happy with his black eye. Redirect his blows, don't try to absorb, that's Errant's trick. The one--looks like an angel, almost--rises on electric wings, calibrating for a shot, and he wishes he'd had more than half a second to determine which freaks were on which side, and that he could go all out without fear of A) unmasking himself or B) actually seriously injuring someone. I mean, medical bots are on standby, so really, B) is a nonissue, but he can feel the gaze of dozens of cameras, from every angle.

Surviving. Surviving is good.

"So!" he shouts, dodging the angel's cannon blasts, "it feels like y'all have some pent-up aggression issues. Anyone want to join me after the match for some good-old-fashioned villain punch-ups?"

[Directly engage: 9. Dismay or Impress.]

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

<Snipped quote by Balmas>

"Why are all you people devoting valuable crime fighting time to wondering who wants to bang who?" said Locker. "I don't have much information and we don't have much time. Ferraphim's working the backend, Bode is being mysterious but I think she's around here somewhere. Collab with them, let me know what you find."

He immediately heads off to the commentator's booth. You've got a minute to assess the situation and figure out how to seven samurai in the face of a wave of kidnappers. What's your methodology, Victor?

@Thanqol

So, here's the skinny. Spiral troops, if what Locker says is true, are inseparable from their power armor. That is, unless AEGIS R&D has been working overtime to miniaturize the gas injectors into a form that can be surgically implanted, which is a fucking terrifying idea, and so it's not going to be thought about tonight. Point is, they're pretty distinctive. As a result, he's going to look for ways to sneak a power-armored platoon into the broadcasting booth of the local Aristeaia stadium--you know, walls thin enough to breach without damaging the broadcaster, abandoned buildings adjacent to the gymnasium.

[Aaaand that's a five on Assess. Marking XP.]

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

<Snipped quote by Balmas>

Locker gives you a look that implies he has zero time for this. Luckily the robohelmet girl highs your five, changing her helmet to :D

"Getting Angelica kidnapped by Dominus would resolve two of my problems," said Locker immediately starting to move. "It'd stop her getting kidnapped by the Spiral Corps goons who are being sent to grab her to force an Athena Macrotech/AEGIS merger. And it'd resolve the insufferable will-they-won't-they thing that they've got going," he glanced out through the window suspiciously. "Ferraphim1tp did some digging into the Spiral guys with that data you got her. They're supervillains from AEGIS' cells pacified by the zombification drug that Sabrem used. And they want Angelica."

@Thanqol

"Yikes. Yeah, that's, uh. That's bad. I mean, it'd only put the entire city solidly in control of the woman who punched me through three walls, so... yeah. Let's avoid that." Hmm. Maybe contact Mami and see if she can figure out a counter-drug? No. She's still being monitored. Bode? Solid maybe, if he'd bother to step out of his invisibility cloak for like two seconds after dragging him into the public circle.

"Also explains the orange mist." He pauses as if slapped, then turns to stare at Locker. "Will they won't they? Between Angelica and Dominus? I admit I've not kept up on the stream, but is that really a thing? Never mind, don't answer, not immediately pressing, focus on preventing another corporate merger. Gimme more deets; is Spiral Corp a new subbranch of AEGIS? How much time do we have?"

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

[SIZE=4]Brainstorm[/SIZE]
Real Name: Victor Jimenez

Frankenstein had nothing on me. At least when he messed up, he only had his own to worry about.

POWER
Prosthetic self-altering limbs

LABELS
DANGER -1
FREAK +0
SAVIOR +2
SUPERIOR +2
MUNDANE +1

CONDITIONS
AFRAID[ ]: -2 to Directly Engage
ANGRY[ ]: -2 to Comfort and Support, or Pierce the Mask
GUILTY[X]: -2 to Provoke Someone or Assess the Situation
HOPELESS[ ]: -2 to Unleash Your Powers
INSECURE[X]: -2 to Defend Someone or Reject Others' Influence

Your Shame
"Computers are like Old Testament gods; lots of rules and no mercy." ~Joseph Campbell

It seemed so simple. Technology has always served mankind well, a series of true and faithful servants. Technology gave me my life back after the accident, allowed me mobility when all that I had lost everything. What better way to serve mankind, to give back, to silence the mockery of my less-than-peers, than to make a great invention to end all inventions? A seeker of secrets, a companion in discovery, a friend, a... a Prometheus, with whom I could steal the fire from the gods. Dr. Gears' work seemed like the perfect start, but I was going to do it better, pour all my hopes and dreams and expectations into it. None of this letting it develop naturally nonsense; I knew what I wanted it to be, so why shouldn't I tell it that?

Prometheus disagreed.

Whenever you are confronted with your shame, either mark a condition or shift Superior down and Danger up. If your shame is an NPC, they can never lose Influence over you.
At the end of every session, answer the question: Did you take steps to make amends for your shame? If the answer is yes, mark potential. If the answer is no, give Influence to one of your teammates.

MOVES
Always Prepared: When you have a chance to restock your supplies, hold up to 2-gadgets. When you unleash your powers by producing a brand new minor invention or gadget from yoru supply, spend 1-gadget and roll +Superior. When you reach 0-gadgets, mark a condition.
Above the Fray: When you enter battle as a Team against a dangerous foe, if you have Influence over the leader and provide tactical input, add 1 Team to the pool. When you contradict the leader during the battle, you may return Influence over the leader to add an additional 1 team to the pool.
Tactical Genius: When you point out the obvious flaw in a known foe’s plan, roll + Savior. On a hit, you’re right, and another teammate (your choice) can take advantage; they get +1 ongoing to act on your information. On a 7-9, pick one:
- You missed something important. The GM will tell you what.
- You look like a showoff. Your chosen teammate takes Influence over you, and you lose Influence over them.
- You make your teammates feel like little more than pawns. Your chosen teammate marks a condition.
On a miss, you’ve played into your enemy’s hands; watch the trap spring.
Logical angle: When you help someone rationally work through their problems, roll + Superior instead of + Mundane. If they do not open up to you, mark a condition.
Sanctuary: You have a place where you can rest, recover, and reflect upon your powers. This sanctuary includes: An Aide or assistant, Mami Jimenez; A powerful computer; A containment system. However, it's also known to many, and draws dangerous attention. When you call upon the resources of your sanctuary to solve a problem, say what you want to do. The GM will give you one to four conditions you must fulfill to complete your solution:
-First, you must _______________________
-You’ll need help from ___________________
-You and your team will risk danger from ______
-The best you can do is a lesser version, unreliable and limited
-You’ll need to mark one box on your doom track
-You’ll have to obtain ___________________

TEAM MOVES
Triumphant Celebration: When you share a triumphant celebration with someone, ask them if they felt they could have done it without you. If they say yes, give Influence to them and mark a condition. If they say no, they give Influence to you.
Vulnerability: When you share a vulnerability or weakness with someone, hold 2. Spend the hold 1-for-1 to clear a condition or add 1 Team to the pool when you are with them.

BACKSTORY
[Spoiler]How did you first reveal your genius to your friends or family?
I can't have been more than six or seven. Not old enough to do serious work, but old enough to be given chores for the first time. And I hated it. How dare they put me--me!--to work like some common drudge? Can you imagine some planet-sized intellect being forced to wash dishes? So I dug from a nearby business for scrap electronics, and made my first real robot. JVLIE still washes my parent's dishes.

Why did you decide to use your intellect for the benefit of others?
Is this a trick question? What else am I supposed to do--Lex Luthor it up? I could be a hero or a villain, honestly, and being a hero is much more likely to result in some acceptance.

What accident or misfire taught you some sense of humility or responsibility?
Well, güey, being hit by a tanker truck has a real way of knocking some humility into you. That truck had no business going that fast or being in that spot, but I probably could have tested the prototype driver algorithm on a back road instead of jumping straight to a busy city street. After all, my program could have just as easily destroyed somebody else's life.

Who helped you realize you need other people?
I nearly died in that accident. Amputations, internal bleedings, bone replacements, hormone replacements, skin grafts, the works. If mami hadn't had insurance, or been able to pull strings at the hospital, I wouldn't be alive. And Mami left her job for over a year, just to make sure I had somebody around to roll me over in bed, change the bedpan, make sure I don't develop sores from sitting in one spot for too long.

I hate that feeling of helplessness, of being little more than a set of quadriplegic stumps with a brain attached. Can you imagine being unable to voice even the lightest of thoughts? Mami kept me sane, got me resources, helped me build my first prosthetics. I owe Mami my life, and not just in a physical way.

Why do you care about the team?
Abnormal is defined by the people around you. And here, I'm not abnormal. I'll take whatever friendship is offered, frankly.

INFLUENCE
Look, you didn't hear it from me, but I watch all of @SARAPHIM's streams. Take an influence on me.
Ferra... You can't help what you are. But maybe I can, if I can just look past what you aren't. Take influence.

INFLUENCED BY:
-Ferra
-Errant

HAS INFLUENCE ON:
-Errant
-Ferra

POTENTIAL
[X][X][X][ ][ ]

FIRST TEAM-UP
I enhanced a set of superbikes with the ability to form a TAG.

Masks: Resurrection Roundabout

<Snipped quote by Balmas>

Fortunately for your cover, you are not the only shifty looking guy here.

"hey," said Locker from immediately behind you. He looks tired. "you're here on work too, huh? Makes sense you'd figure it out." Nobody has ever looked like he has belonged in a high school more than Locker. The deep shadows under his intense eyes, scraggly facial hair, the entire aesthetic of goth-with-motivation-issues. He fits here, so well that he's got an androgynous guy hanging off his left arm and blowing bubble gum and a lady with a daft punk helmet displaying a :D emoji on his right.

"come on," he said. "we've got to rescue a princess."

@Thanqol

"Wow, that is so much more badass than watching an Aristeia game," Victor admits. "I mean, I got a hot tip that Dominus was plotting something. Is that what you're talking about? Be polite, I haven't met your friends before. I'm."

Crap. In hiding. Recognized. Double crap.

"Bill," he finishes, poorly. "Bill Ding, at your service." Suave, dork. He grins nervously, and dangles his hand limply in their direction. Don't leave him hanging, man."