SeanWolf wrote:Hawk was silent as Hivemind informed him of the second rule and while he understood it, he was starting to realize these Champion were a bit of a pacifist crew...but he wasn't going to complain as he simply nodded in agreement to the rule, though the last part did confuse him a bit. One thing that did take him a bit by surprise was how Hivemind had little to no reaction to his Other Side as, normally, people would either freak out or shoot him on sight, with the later being more common lately, so the fact that someone wasn't even fazed by it not only impressed him but surprised him too.
"Pardon the interruption" Hawk suddenly speaks up as something just came to his mind, "But I have a question I just thought of. You said that you know of me...how much do you really know OF me? You know of my exploits, that's for sure, but I'm just curious as to how much you know cause...well you are the first one I know of to not have a reaction to my friend. Normally, as of late, people who see that side? Their first reaction is a shot to my head so the fact that you didn't even blink was impressive. Same time...'If the person you are fighting ends up in mortal peril, you must endeavor to save them '...I understand that the job is to save lives than just killing villains..but you mean to tell us that you rather imprison them then kill them? You do know some can't be redeemed no matter how much you want to, right?" Another thought then came to his mind which was followed by a smile, "Actually, I just thought of this: Those things you read about me probably left this part out...here, watch." He proceeds to take his right paw and places it under his chin with two fingers sticking into it. Suddenly, with a smirk, the fur on those two fingers quickly gives way to his other beings massive claws and, like a warm knife through butter, pierces his skull then retracts and reverts back to his normal fingers. With that, his head falls forward to show a huge hole in his head...which then begins to repair itself, though one could tell this wasn't painless as Hawk was wincing from the pain but, after a few seconds, his head was back to normal as he looked back up at the bot and replies "That's why my friend said what he said: Some rules just don't apply to us because of what I just showed you" before uttering to himself "Man I'm gonna feel that one in the morning..."
Hivemind was, once again, completely unphased by Hawk's demonstration of his powers.
"Thank you for getting stains on my floor and chair." He said, sarcastically.
"In answer to your first question, I only know of your reputation for brutality, not details about your powers. That said, I founded an army of supers, own a ship the size of a continent, and witnessed as my brother came back from the dead and turned into a dragon. It's going to take a lot more than your 'friend' and your regeneration powers to surprise me." He said.
"In answer to your second question, of course I would rather arrest them. I am aware some can't be redeemed, but you don't know who is irredeemable until you've tried. Regardless, imprisonment removes the threat without putting blood on our hands or risking perpetuating the cycle of revenge. I don't know what else you were expecting. Even SWAT teams are supposed to make an arrest if they can. The difference is SWAT teams don't tend to have the ability to stop bullets midair with force-fields, or turn guns to dust with their minds. Champions often have enough power in their teams to open up plenty of non-lethal options. Finally, It is not the Champions' jobs to be judge, jury, and executioner. They are there to save lives and stop what is putting them in jeopardy." Hivemind explained.
"As for your regeneration powers..." Hivemind said, leaning on the table a bit.
"As useful as they are, do not make the mistake of thinking they make you above the law, or above the champion rules. The only punishment they make you immune to are those involving physical harm. It does not mean you can't be thrown in the Vault or uploaded onto the Server if your 'friend' decides the rules are too much of a hassle to follow. This isn't a movie or comic where prisons are made of cardboard with revolving doors installed. You get sent to either of those places, and you won't get back out until I decide you do. Understood?"
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Welsh Halfwit wrote:"Oh, yeah," the NotJaken said chirpily, "I'd forgotten that!" He sat down. "Probably better to sit rather than fall," he said, not realising his timing was a little off. "See you on board, Miss Arctos, Mighty Lycan," he added, giving a sitting 'salute' to the heroes and Doctors before the hand removed the helmet.
The real Jaken blinked and sneezed as he did his best not to fall over in reality. "That's... something," he managed, using his white paws to check his head for hats.
"Welcome back, Jaken." Hivemind said.
"You going to be OK?"
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Welsh Halfwit wrote:"I think tomorrow would be best," Jenevive decided, drawing cries from both cubs. "If it were tonight, you'd be too excited to sleep and you'd be useless tomorrow," she told them.
"We'd be just as excited tonight if we were to meet him tomorrow," Golten protested.
"No," his mother stated, "I figure you'll at least TRY to sleep tonight if the meeting's tomorrow."
"We wouldn't" Corvis warned, backing his brother up, "why would you think that?"
""Because you don't want to fall asleep DURING the meeting, do you," she asked, tapping Corvis on the nose and grinning as she won the discussion.
"You should also try to get to sleep tonight because if you stay up, the meeting will only take that much longer to arrive." Hivemind said, reinforcing Jenevive's argument.
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Welsh Halfwit wrote:"Well," Corp said, hearing the mention of payment cards, "that's a good point. Do Varanians wash dishes?"
Buster wrote:"I... don't know what that means..." June mutters before corp jumps in. which leads to her looking at him funny wondering what dying and being different had to do with eachother.
"what do dishes have to do with finding your cards?" june asks, pulling out the one linked to kobor's account from when she was clothes shopping previously. genuinely examining it with a confused expression on her face, "This doesn't look like a plate to me."
Welsh Halfwit wrote:"It's just a saying," Corp grumped, sensing his attempt at being slightly witty had failed. "It's a way of paying for food if you've no money. And I don't recall being given cards yet."
"We... don't typically use dishes. Or cook our food." Sal-Hleel stated.
Legotron123 wrote:Liz was coming to the same conclusion Corp was, that Hivemind hadn’t actually given them any method to spend the money they had earned that day. ”l.... have not been given one of those yet.” She said, looking around for a Hivemind drone and trying to think of anything else she could say that wouldn’t come off as awkward in this situation.
"Aren't you a champion?" he asked.
"Hivemind would have given you a Champion ID when you joined. That's multi-purpose. It's your ID card, and credit/debit card, along with a bunch of other things."
(I don't know if Hivemind gave them the cards or not, but if he didn't it's a plot hole and should be assumed he gave it to them off-screen)
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Welsh Halfwit wrote:After a short while (and a bit of circuit wiggling from Sana) the Canines replied on a slightly fizzy signal. <<We're here, Hivemind,>> the ranking officer announced. <<What is the situation?>>
"Everything is currently under control. The remaining Varanian forces have been cooperating under the orders of their new Warlord, Sep-Heth." Hivemind said.
"We are currently conducting an investigation into the events that led up to this invasion. We are looking for a man named Harkavan Jontal. We believe he could be a key witness, and would like to speak with him. I received word he is currently with the canines"
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Welsh Halfwit wrote:"Pity I were aimin' fer the triple twenty," Sarah confided, taking Cailean's handpaw as they went. She admired the park and noted one or two from the 'HAVEN had found their way there amongst the others. She slipped her handpaw free as they reached the bench and remained standing, watching the surroundings carefully.
Hlaoroo wrote:Cailean giggles at Sarah's comment as the pair leave the pub paw in paw. They look around appreciatively at the spot Hivemind has selected as they seat themselves on the benches.
"It's perfect. Thank ye."
"Aye, thanks."
So saying, the collies close their eyes and summon Diligitus again.
The voice of ultimate benevolence spoke in their minds once more.
"This is a far better place for this. Please, prepare yourself. Your family awaits you."
To Cailean and Conall, the park would seem to become consumed around them by bright, holy light until nothing but a white void was visible. Then, the light started to fade.
"Open your eyes." Diligitis said to them. Should they comply, they would find themselves in a very familiar place.
They would find themselves standing in the middle of a pasture. The area around them consisted mostly of rocky hills, pastures, and the occasional copse of trees. Down the hill from where they stood was a country road, and across that was a familiar lake. It was Loch Leathan, just as the brothers would have remembered it. Up the hill was a rather old, rustic, and decent sized house. That was not the only thing, however. Standing in front of the house, clearly waiting for them, were some very familiar people. Their mother, father, little sister, even the butler. Everyone they had lost when the bomb dropped stood up the hill in front of the house, beaming at the brothers.
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Welsh Halfwit wrote:Keeva looked a little stunned at that. She managed a smile eventually. "What's... what's the value of, um, life if you can't show off a bit?"
~\Rook/~ wrote:Dan shrugged. "Doesn't sound as big as a heavy-freight-class ship, but impressive nonetheless. My question would be why did you build a train station five stories up? Or did I hear wrong and overthought what you said?" He asked, a little confused as he stepped into the Maglev train.
"Because I can." Hivemind said, his voice indicating amusement.
"Also because the train is mostly for scenic tours. Locals tend to take the portal doors, but they can get a little tough to handle if you aren't used to them." He said as the train pulled out of the station and started on it's way through the city skyline.
"Because it's mostly for people who want a nice view of the city, or for people who need to learn the city's layout, you get the best view when the train's higher up."
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Deske wrote:If he didn't have fur in the way, Denver's blush would have been visible from a mile away. He did his best to ignore it though, quickly catching up to the rest of the surface team.
"Sounds like you have an admirer!" Eira said, a bit of a shark-grin on her face.
"And an admirer who can control the weather, too."
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Welsh Halfwit wrote:"Ulrich," Jenny said politely, "any chance of an elevator pod or movable floor at least?"
She looked to Rika. "Kol, Tat? Go with the Doctor here. Figure the heavies aren't in any mood to fight but you two would probably guarantee that. Legion?" She nodded to the Hivebot that had just arrived. "I can't say 'watch over him' as he could sack me for disobeying his orders to get out of here but, if someone he can't sack should choose, of their own volition, to keep an eye on him..?" She smiled gently. "C'mon, all us sackables," she added brightly, "let's get a wiggle on! You too, John and Colonel. Actually, John? Is this the only way up? Seems rather Health and Safety non-compliant."
"I'm tempted to point to the ladder," Hannabelle said drily. "At least to get up a floor or two."
"I could always carry ya again an' jump up the shaft." Gear said, smiling.
"'s faster'n climbin'. An' a lot more fun."
"I appreciate the concern, Jenny." Hivemind said, his tone sounding amused.
"But the only reason why it's OK for me to check things out is because loosing bodies is less of an inconvenience than loosing a strand of fur would be for you. I'm tougher to kill than even Legion and they're already dead, and if one body breaks here that just means dozens more will flood the place."
"Hard to argue with that reasoning." Legion shrugged.
Legotron123 wrote:As soon as Hivemind confirmed their communications were back, Quint started typing a message to his old team leader Mythos, telling him not to open the hammerspace pocket for a few hours, but that there was a weapon in there for waiting for him once he did open it. Once he sent it, he turned to look at the Hivemind drone. ”Do not want us to run into because they might be dangerous, or do not want us to run into because you want to keep them a secret?”
"Mostly the former, but definitely a little of the latter. There isn't anything else here that requires your attention, so there's no need to risk running into potentially more things like those mutants." Hivemind said.
"Though in the cases where the things here should be kept secret, it is because of the open investigation."
Deske wrote:Chris sighed, "Yeah," he said simply.
"Cheer up, friend." MT said.
"It's not like this is the last fight we're going to be in. In the wake of destruction following war, there is chaos. And where there is chaos, there is the need for proper and appropriate application of force to establish peace and order."
Deske wrote:Ulrich gave Jenny a quick nod before summoning a large platform in place of the broken elevator car. He stepped onto it, making sure he'd missed all the debris.
The scientists filed onto the platform first, followed by any guards that surrendered. Finally, Archangel and Gadgeteer helped pile the amber coated guards onto the platform as well.
~\Rook/~ wrote:Traci Nodded "Will do, Archangel!" She replied simply, walking up to the door and starting to open it.
Rika had gave most of the injured soldiers some of her healing pills and helped the one with the knife in his hand before hearing Jenny mention her. "Mm? Oh, if they're injured too, I'll help them." She said simply before finishing up with the last guard and heading over to Traci, who had by then opened the door. "Hello in there! It's all over now, we took down your boss and we have a medic here if you're injured! I'm stepping in now." Traci called before stepping through the doorway, readying herself in case the heavy guards were not so friendly. Rika waited for Traci to wave her in, green capsule at the ready.
Traci and Rika would find the two heavy guards in bad shape. One was sitting on the bench. The chest plate of his heavy armored suit was scorched all the way through, to the point where his chest had third degree burns. The other one was laying on the floor on his side, crumpled up in a fetal position, still in a great deal of pain from when Quint hit him.
Hawkfang42 wrote:A rabbit-cat-bird chimaera, having watched the fight with the crazed man in the mech, shot out of the vent after he heard the sonic blast, he tried stopping himself and the fell on the ground, scraping his right knee, "Ouch, stupid anti-friction boots." After looking around and slightly recovering from the fall, he said, to himself mostly, "Oh boy, now they'll freak out from me being a chimaera and having superpowers."
Welsh Halfwit wrote:At the sudden new noise, Jenny put herself between it and the lesser armoured Colonel and John. Raising her gun to cover the newcomer, she spoke simply. "Wanna I.D yourself or fight, fella?"
Hawkfang42 wrote:Nat held his hands up and said, "I'm Nathaniel Jay, a chimaera, technically a rabbit, with superspeed from planet Zevian. Is that good?
Welsh Halfwit wrote:"It's... certainly specific," Jenny agreed, pointing the gun down from the target. "Suggest one of our 'fleet of foot' keeps an eye on him, Boss? You hostile or peaceful, Mr Jay?"
Hawkfang42 wrote:"Two things," Nat said, One, what does fleet of foot mean. Two, I'm peaceful.
Neon Icy Wings wrote:Tatiana nodded at Jenny's order and moved to escort Rika wherever she need to go. "Alright doc, where ya need to-" She broke off and aimed her rifle at the loud entrance of the chimera, not keen to be caught off guard by anything similar to the other mutant creations the team ran into before hand. "At least this guy can talk. And, really? It ain't the powers, it's how ya use em that dictates our reactions, thank you very much." She lowered her rifle, not thinking him any threat and turned back to Rika. "So, anything specific ya need help with?"
Buster wrote:Hopping out of the nearby elevator shaft with a loud clunk and a complaint, "can someone please clear one of the broken stairwells these bodies are not made for climbing down... uh... okay what the heck kinda party did i miss while i was trying to connect to hivemind?"
"It means; if you run or try to pick a fight, the 'faster than you' ones chase. and they have guns. not in the mood for more [mad science experiments] today. not personal. this bunch tried to shoot us after they said they wouldn't so not trusting." Kol 'helpfully' adds to the conversation.
Hivemind sighed.
"Well, I suppose under the circumstances, this was probably the best surprise we could have gotten right now." He thought out loud.
"Mr. Jay, You can call me Hivemind. The team you see around you is part of a super hero organization I run known as the Champions. May I ask what you are doing in this lab?" He asked.