BlessedWrath

Unlikely Heroes

I misspoke. Everyone I've met is in the room.

Unlikely Heroes

Absolutely. I think that's actually best, since we're all in the room together.

Unlikely Heroes

As I'm being directly addressed in your post, I wondered if it was appropriate to reply. I also wondered about post order because I only have my intro post up. I definitely don't want to leave anyone behind; that robs everyone of plot potential and interaction. It feels like a natural opportunity to respond to Jenna's offer of assistance, which is why I ask.

If you feel comfortable with a post from me, I will put one up. If you'd rather I wait, I'll do that.

Unlikely Heroes

I can't believe I neglected to ask about post order. Some GMs swear by them. Others won't use them. What is your preference?

Unlikely Heroes

Acknowledged.

Unlikely Heroes

I'm assuming there's no ETA on our MIAs.

Unlikely Heroes

I'm still unsure about the group thing. I'd have to see/hear more about it before I could choose.

Unlikely Heroes

May 3, 3:14pm
In the few seconds which followed her instigation of a cafeteria riot, Sam felt as though the world slowed a bit. She felt removed from reality as the guards fell upon her intended victim, desperately attempting to sedate him. That detachment followed her through the corridors, causing a sense of distance from what was happening around her. None of it seemed real.

Adrenaline was the only thing which kept her legs moving. Her eyes slammed shut when the harsh glare of broad daylight struck them. In those few moments of weakness, she managed to stumble into the street, narrowly avoiding a jeep full of rowdy teens. All of her senses were flooded with information and the alarms of the institution were mingled hopelessly with the sirens of approaching emergency vehicles. She could not hope to tell the difference between an ambulance and a van full of hospital security personnel dispatched to apprehend her.

The air was thick with the stench of burning rubber and plastic which forced her into violent coughing fits. Barely perceptible to her, through the haze, was the haphazard arrangement of mangled cars and a broken mass transit vehicle. Everywhere there was fire, smoke and yelling. This was anywhere except where she wanted to be.
With her head pounding and her chest heaving with the effort of grasping what air she could, she threw herself at an alleyway beyond the wreckage. She felt certain that distance from this horror was the only method by which she could regain her wits. In the following moments, she could recall only momentary blurs of disjointed images, half-felt sensations and the ghosts of dead memory.

I'm going to die, was all she could think before she slumped against the cold concrete.

May 3, 11:50pm
I don't know how, but I made it. There must have been some kind of accident outside the facility. Did they deploy tear gas to knock me out? If so, they may have cost countless lives in the process. No, that doesn't make sense. Not just to get at me. Then what happened?
I have no idea where I am now. My head feels like it's going to rupture. There's fire in my veins. All I can think of is getting to someplace safe. I know I saw some warehouses around town. I'll try to find one. Maybe I can lay low for a while.

May 4, 8:23am
Sam stirred beneath a stack of cardboard. She gingerly placed her palm against her temple, her face twisted up with the intensity of her headache. If she'd ever had occasion to drink, she guessed that this might have been what the adults meant by "hangover". It took minutes to achieve, but she found her footing and took the time to get her bearings.

The empty warehouse was dirty, strewn with garbage and signs of squatters past, and as her presence could attest, had no mentionable security whatsoever. It might pass for temporary shelter, but certainly nothing she'd call safe.

First things first, she told herself. I need threads, gear, and food.

May 7, 5:58pm
People don't know what they have. They sure don't know what they're throwing away. I found some clothes out for the garbage. It's not like anything I had at home, but I like them. Extra pockets for extra stuff. You have to admire the philosophy behind that.
After some poking around, I found out that this place used to move all kinds of things. I don't know if they were recalls or what, but there's nothing wrong with a lot of the stuff they left behind. I can fix some of it, for sure. I've already figured out how to tap in to the city power grid, so at least I won't freeze. Nothing here to eat, though. I'm starting to get hungry.

May 9, 3:32pm
I have it figured out. If I sleep during the day, and don't make a show of the fact that I have electricity, I can move at night and score some food. They're always watching, though. Always. I always feel like they're just one step behind me, trying to take me back.
I...won't...go...back.

May 10, 12:23am, Holding Cell
The endless black through which Sam drifted began to fall apart. There were sensations breaking through to her conscious mind; images which she did not care to see. Slowly, the pain came back, accompanied by new symptoms; not the least of which was the war being fought in her stomach. That had started days ago and had only intensified since her escape.

As she clawed her way through delirium, it became apparent to her that she was no longer alone. There were male and female voices here, most of which seemed to be in just as much trouble as she. The specifics of their conversation were lost; muddled by the effects of the tranquilizer.

When she finally opened her eyes, the reality of where she was -and how she'd gotten there- rushed into her mind with bitter, unrelenting clarity. She had been taken. She scrambled to her feet and threw her back against the corner of the cell, instinctively limiting direction of approach. Between gasps for breath, the wide-eyed Samantha Cole could not even formulate the thoughts behind the questions she now had to ask. Instead, all she managed was a primal moan.

---

Unlikely Heroes

Name: Samantha Cole
Age: 17
Gender: Female
Appearance:


Height: 5' 5”
Weight: 110lbs

Attire trends strongly toward “functional” clothing. Every possession has to have a purpose and her clothing is no different. She prefers cargo pants and simple t-shirts for their non-restrictive fit and additional storage space. If there is any choice, she will not wear footwear other than steel-toe workboots; both for the foot protection and for the option of shin-kicking if trouble should arise. It is almost impossible to see her without a thick canvas messenger bag and tool belt, both spilling over with various tools and supplies.

Superpower
Name of ability: Technomind
Description: A Technomind, also known as a Technocrat, is a person endowed with an instinctual knowledge of technology. The exact function of this ability is theorized to be a form of psionic echolocation; specifically that a resonant telepathic pulse reflects differently from different components, making a complete map of any device possible in an instant. Combined with an instinct for form and function, this ability allows its user to instantly identify the purpose of any given device, as well as diagnose any potential problems or damage and formulate a repair strategy.

The ability may be used at range, but with added difficulty. Direct physical contact is the most reliable method for use. There may be other related abilities, such as remote reading of computer files, but none are yet present in Samantha's case. In general, the ability represents an understanding of a given device, but it may grow to involve control over those devices as well. Such control would theoretically be achieved by supplying resonant psionic pulses to induce electronic current in a given device. Note that this will not work for anything purely mechanical; the devices must be controlled by way of electricity.

Level one abilities: Touch range identification of any device's function. The ability to diagnose malfunctions or damage and form repair strategies. Natural knowledge of which components can be used for any given purpose, which includes repurposing scrapped components or using devices in ways for which they were not designed. The beginnings of a skill with invention, granting her the ability to create new devices to serve a specific function (limited to devices which are slightly improved over existing technologies, i.e. modifying ballistics weapons to fire high-velocity ammunition). Invention of low-level defensive devices, such as Shock Gloves (explanation available).
Level three abilities: Ranged usage of Level One abilities, as well as some limited control over technological devices which have at least some form of electronic components. Manipulation occurs at touch range only, and is limited to a device's intended function (i.e. accessing computer files without using the keyboard or mouse, or activating/deactivating devices without using their controls). Elevated ability with invention and theoretical technology, granting greater range and function with new devices. Invention of the Shrieker, a sonic defense device capable of incapacitating normal humans with a frequency designed to disrupt audio/visual nerves, motor control and equilibrium.
Level five abilities: Ranged reading and manipulation of all technological devices which rely on electronic control, including the ability to overload devices with a psionic pulse. The ability to supply power to electronic devices via psionic energy transfer (the more complex the device, the more difficult this is to achieve). Theoretical technology becomes an integral part of the ability; every device is seen as a blank canvas, to be used in the creation of new devices. Invention of an electrostatic defense field technology, which serves as her primary method for participation in combat (can be explained in greater detail).

Weakness/drawback: The ability is primarily non-combative, essentially making her a normal human in any combat situation. In the absence of any specifically designed equipment, her ability will have no bearing on whether she can defeat an enemy. This ability also affects her mind, which is explained in her history section. Simply put, the ability causes her several psychological and social difficulties.

Additionally, the act of instantly absorbing all data associated with the form, function and purpose of a given device (even something as simple as a light bulb) is tremendously stressful. It amounts to volumes of information being suddenly and unapologetically shoved into her brain. Beginning at level 1, Sam has no defense against this "data overload", and will suffer severe backlash upon use of the power at full capacity. She also has no control over how fast the information is delivered until later levels. This will be alleviated over time, with practice and experience.

As she gains in power, Sam will be able to regulate the flow of data more effectively, but it is still a demanding task.

Also note that, although this ability will allow her to access or use devices, Upgrade cannot see or interpret any of the signals they send. She would be able to identify that a radio transmitter is capable of sending signals, for example, but could not intercept those signals with her ability.

Personality Profile (Included With Permission)
Upgrade exhibits personality traits which may be most closely associated with social anxiety, paranoid delusion and detachment. She is unusually quiet, preferring only to speak when something of substance may be communicated. To that end, she may appear blunt or almost hostile to others. She is impatient, preferring expedience and efficiency over the niceties of polite conversation, thus is difficult to interact with on a social level. In general, she displays little patience for failure or incompetence, due in part to an inferiority complex which causes her to believe her accomplishments to be so basic -so general- as to be expected of others with little effort. This inaccurate self image may cause her to appear arrogant to others, especially when criticizing them for failure in an area in which she excels.

Trust is also a major issue for Upgrade, who appears to be on constant alert for treachery; even where there is none. This may point to some early trauma, but has not been confirmed due to her refusal to cooperate with psychological evaluation tests. Upgrade has a tendency to manipulate the results of such tests to create a confused psychological profile, apparently to dissuade further attempts to "figure her out".

She shows a brilliant mind, but a deep cruel streak which, if left unchecked, could corrupt her completely. Upgrade often enjoys weighing the risks of trust with those of treachery and has been known to be vindictive towards others she feels have betrayed her.

History
History: June 12, 2011, 11:14am
I'll always remember the way my parents broke the news to me. It was different from their ordinary chastisements; different from their insistence that I keep away from their precious trinkets. They'd told me about a great opportunity. I didn't understand at the time, but they were about to expose me to the greatest push toward my talents that I would ever experience. They kept talking about cures and treatments, but no one ever really told me what I was being cured of.

May 10, 2012, 9:08am
I remember the shrinks the most, honestly. While my parents' faces fade into the blur of memory and psyche, the shrinks are the faces I see; at least when I sleep. Dr. Couvaroubius is the most prominent. He tells me to let go of expectations, and to be true to myself. When I am, I get the treatments. This is how I learn that the doctor is a liar. When I see a dishonest person, it's his face I see.

October 17, 2012, 2:25pm
I don't really hate this place. I felt out of place for the first few months, but as the time passed, I kind of accepted it. You always hear about how bad the food will be, and how horrible the nurses are. I don't think that's true. They're a bit preoccupied about games and group activities, but that's the worst of it. Well...until you consider the injections, that is. No one tells me what I'm being dosed with. I suspect it's something to subdue my mind. Everyone else seems so peaceful and happy after their medications...I wonder why I'm the only one to question it.

February 19, 2014, 4:02pm
It's clear my parents aren't coming back for me. This is the third meeting they've missed. Maybe they have the money to keep me here, but they don't have the will to see what it's doing to me. I hear the screams of my dorm mates at night and I have to question why it's not me who's flailing against the restraints they use. My bed is bare, save for the sheets they give me. They tell me I'm a good girl, but no one will tell me what that means. I've seen three dorm mates vanish from our regular meetings. I wonder if they're cured or if something...else...has happened to them.

March 6, 2014, 11:36am
The niceties of this place bedamned, I have to escape. It's clear to me that they'll never let me out of their own accord. They keep throwing terms at me, like "social miscreant" and "paranoid delusion", but they don't know. I've seen where the entrance is, and I've been exceptionally well-behaved. If my studies of human behavior progress, maybe I'll find a vulnerability in their system and escape.

April 5, 2014, 7:00pm
The door is open. Every day, a man comes by the security checkpoint and tests the system. For thirty-two seconds, the system is offline. I know I can make it through if I distract them. I have resolved to give them something more interesting than myself to look at. Maybe they'll be too busy cleaning up to keep track of me.

The day before the bus ride: May second was like any other day for Samantha Cole. She woke when the morning announcements demanded it, showered and preened for the electric eye, and attended her first counseling meeting of the day. Oh, and she had her pills. She couldn't forget her pills.

That, as it turned out, was how she planned to escape this place. For weeks, she planned and plotted. She knew of a patient who would react badly to her medication. All she had to do was manage to save some and slip it to him unnoticed. The distraction it provided would give her cover to slip through the security checkpoint while it was down for testing. It all had to happen precisely the way she wanted it to, or she may never get another chance.

She practiced endlessly with a pebble she'd found in the yard. A crumpled paper cup served as her water prop. She would put her hand up to her mouth and let the pebble drop into her sleeve, then take the water and show the nice people how good she was at taking pills. It was difficult to get the pebble in the right place at first, but she eventually learned. With that part of the plan ironed out, she needed to work out a time and place to poison her target.

Poor Jason Reese ended up being her prime candidate. He was in for severe psychotic episodes, among other things. Sam resolved to slip him the drugs while they were eating. The resulting chaos would be enough to distract the facility's personnel while she made her escape.

Unlikely Heroes

Still joining. Just have to get the character sheet approved. I look forward to it.