CHAPTER 8: DAWN OF GOLD

[dakota]

“He at least called himself Concerned Citizen when he helped us get inside the Jill of Diamonds club. Skinny guy with a dark blue costume. Pretty sure he can fly. Used the name Charlie Orton, but it was probably fake." Alex said as he set his new costume aside, a bit deflated with his uncle's explanation before getting a bit bashful at the suggestion, "Now don't you start. The Sentry is incredible and doesn't need a partner, though it was great to work together with her and Hunter. Hey I have a question though," he asked as he stepped over to watch Lex be meticulous as he cleaned the Steelfist, "why did that reporter call you Uncle Lex like she knows you?"

[yendorj]

"Agents of the Nazis targeting various American industrial businesses. As for my hunt, which one? I've been hunting since I was sixteen." Scoffs. "You serve the government, not the country. There's a difference."

[Mierin]

(Sentry)

You realize that with Powell Industries War Department contract, that if the attack had been successful, they still would have been paid, so it might have all been a ruse; draw in a saboteur to a false, underfunded project, in order to cover up diverting the funds elsewhere, and still have a massive profit.

The crowd continued to gawk at you - some of them were beginning to approach and get a closer look at you.

Sentry nods to herself as she realizes the potential ruse that Powell was trying to pull off. Of course. He didn't get to where he was today without having some intelligence.

When she notices that the crowd is gawking at her, Sentry waves in a friendly manner and says, "Hello, nice to meet everyone." Sentry decides to linger another minute or so, in case anyone had any questions for her.

[doc]

(Tank)

Uncle Lex poured over the description he was given? "Fly, you say? You sure you saw that? Orton...I know Orton; his businesses have been used as fronts before, but he's more harmless and delusional about his importance than actively criminal. We let him keep his base of operations here so we can track criminals through his company. If someone is using his identity, though? Curious, complicated- " He chuckled. "Sounds like it could be one of Rex's proteges. They are often fond of being so clever."

He took a moment to consider Alex's question on the woman. "I helped her parents with some small repairs around their farm. Did the odd job."

(Hunter)

"If the Country is not the government, what is it?" The FBI Agent shot back. "Yes, you found Nazis, but I'm wondering about the other ones you met tonight - the Tank and Sentry. Can you confirm that they have abilities? Tell me what you know."

(Sentry)

The crowd cheered as the crowd waved at her, and she could hear their questions.

"Who are you?"
"How are you able to do this?"
"Are you going to fight Hitler? SOCK HIM ON THE JAW!"
"Who pays you?"

[dakota]

"Oh, okay. Just thought it was funny she calls you uncle Lex too." Alex replied, accepting his uncle's reply. At the suggestion that Orton was trained by Rex, the younger man smiled slightly, "I think he could fly in way. Maybe not like The Sentry, but I did see him hover down from the ceiling at one point. If he was trained by Rex, it didn't show, because he let Sentry and I do the heavy lifting. I did get to blow a Nazi sympathizer through the wall..., well doors anyways. Either way, it was great. Wish I could tell Dad, but good thing I can't.Mom would probably want me to go apologize." He chuckled.

[yendorj]

"The people are the government. The day they stop that will be very dark. Tank and Sentry? I think so. Was rather busy with the goons. As for other Nazis, now *you* have something to talk about."

[Mierin]

(Sentry)

The crowd cheered as the crowd waved at her, and she could hear their questions.

"Who are you?"

Sentry just smiles at this question. It's been drilled in her from the people around her growing up that it was vital that no one know her real name, so her parents couldn't be harassed or threatened. "I'm Sentry."

"How are you able to do this?"

"It's just my natural abilities. They developed as I grew up."

"Are you going to fight Hitler? SOCK HIM ON THE JAW!"

Sentry chuckles, "I do not currently have any plans to fight Hitler, but if need be, I will. I will sock him on the jaw."

"Who pays you?"

"No one pays me. I do this because I have the ability to help the people around me, so I am honour bound to do so."

Sentry waits to see if there are other questions. If not, she'll say to the crowd, before flying off. "Stay safe and be good to each other."

[doc]

(Tank)

"She very likely would get you to apologize." Lex laughed. "To some people, those giant hops you make could be considered flying - it's why Rex suggested the cape. There are many ways to fool the senses, and you should be careful to distinguish between what is true and what you want to see." Lex finished some adjustments to his gauntlet. "Now, are you hungry? Or do you need help to sneak back into your place?"

(Hunter)

Agent Caleb raised a sharp eyebrow at Hunter. "Nazis? What do you want to know? I want to know what kind of abilities these two have and whether they can help serve our country. I need to know how strong their loyalties are."

(Sentry)



Charlotte had heard that Powell had hired none other than Frank Lloyd Wright to build his mansion on the edge of the city; it was unlike any house she had ever seen, and not just because of its size. The white stone house with a flat roof and large windows looked less like a home and like some type of invasive battle ship sticking out from the field of farming crops.

Lights shone from the south east corner of the home. Paul Powell stood in the entry way, bourbon in hand. "Ah, the Sentry, at last." He walked around to see your the back of the cape as you flew overhead. "No jetpack after all. Must be some kind of mechanism in the boots...." He looked over you. "My team has been experimenting with body armor - yours is too flexible for Manganese steel - perhaps some kind of fiber reinforced polymer? Interesting. The control mechanisms are clearly in a false wig, I presume?" He finished circling around you. "At any rate, a credit to the designer - tell me, when can I meet him? I'd like to discuss his terms. He'll make a fine fit at our company." He grinned. "And don't worry, we'll have a place for you, my dear."

[Mierin]

The look of confusion on Sentry's face is genuine. "I have no idea what you're talking about. I don't have a designer nor do I need any kind of equipment or armour for the things I do. I just am able to do them naturally." She frowns, "I have no interest in working for you - it seems like the more I learn about you, the less I trust you. You have a lot of dealings in the shadows and not for the good of mankind."

[dakota]

"Yeah, I suppose." Alex agreed about his hops. "Sorry, Augustus keeps telling me I need to learn to take a step before I act but it's hard." He admitted as he set the straps on his brace to create the illusion he still suffered from his back issues. He hated pretending to hide his abilities from his family but there was no way to explain it short of witchcraft or a miracle. "I'm always hungry, but I'll get something when I get home thanks. It will be hard enough sneaking in as it is the way the floor board squeak because I weigh so much." He chuckled. "Good thing no one has tried to lift me up in a long time. You could give me a ride so I don't have to walk in this contraption though."

He watched Lex making the calibrations on his gauntlets controls. "You're fibbing to me. I can tell. The only time you are this fussy with your weapons is before you know something big is about to happen." His eyes went wide as the days events gave him a thought. "You are going to war in Europe again, aren't you? Are Aunt Vivian and the others going with you? Take me too please! I can be a big help and won't get in the way." He pleaded, stepping to stand directly across the table from Lex. "I promise Uncle. Please let me help."

[yendorj]

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"Wenn es Nazis sind, kümmere ich mich persönlich darum. Aber wo liegen Ihre Loyalitäten? Maybe you're too hot on the topic for other reasons?"

(If they are Nazis, I'll take care of it personally. Though where do your loyalties lie?)

1d100

[doc]

(Sentry)

"If you plan to stick with that story for a little longer, you can." Paul chuckled. " 'The good of mankind'? Such an interesting choice of words, my dear. A lofty ideal, which I suppose suits this image you've projected on the common folk; an angel from on high." He finished his glass. "The reality is that people who claim such an elevated moral position are often the fanatical and the dangerous; the Bolsheviks and Nazis use that flimsy justification for turning Europe into a charnel house. No, my dear, I am an American, and a capitalist. I do not care about the words men use to excuse their actions. If that honesty disturbs you, I do apologize, but we can talk about this further...inside perhaps?" He flashed a smile.

(Tank)

"I can drive you home." Lex put away his tools, but his face visibly darkened at Alex's plea. "No, I am not going to Europe. As I said, it is for something else." He took a few deep breaths before he answered. "Alex...please, do not be so eager to go to war." He looked at you with pleading eyes. "There are more ways to be hurt there than in the flesh and bone. There are ways to even hurt you. The kind of hurt that will not go away, because it will be with you every time you close your eyes." He wiped his brow as he made his way to the shop door. "You are strong and brave, kid. Stronger than Augustus, and braver than even Vivian or Matt. But...try not to be so quick to test yourself in war. Strength and courage aren't always enough."

(Hunter)

"I'm loyal to the government of the United States of America; of the people, by the people, for the people." Caleb shot back. "And the Russians? The Germans? The Japanese? They are all looking to take a piece of this land if they can. The only thing stopping them is us. And frankly? We need to know who's on our side, and who's part of a fifth column. So we need you to do what you do best - track, find, and learn. Then report it to me."

[yendorj]

"So might I. A home hunting ground." Raises a hand in a no gesture. "I'll track, find and learn, but we shouldn't call them fifth columns until we know better. Not everyone in Europe was involved in the Great War."

[dakota]

Alex was about to thank his uncle for the offer , but Lex’ heartfelt deterrent drained away the young man’s enthusiasm. “Uncle Lex, I know you want what’s best for me, and trust me, I don’t really want to go. But if I could make a difference and help stop the Nazis, I would just like you and Uncle Jakob did in the First War. You saw things in the first war that you want to protect me from, I can tell by the look you get whenever anyone brings up the subject, like you have right now. I understand that, but you have to understand that for whatever reason I was given this gift that changed me, there has to be a reason for it. Slapping around bank robbers or mobsters is one thing, but I feel like I should be doing more.”

Alex walked around the table and put his arms around his uncle in a caring embrace, careful not to show a smile as he knew Lex was not one for physical emotional displays, “I appreciate you protecting me, but there has to be some way I can do more, and tonight felt like a start.”

[Mierin]

Not quite trusting the smile, Sentry scans Powell's mind, looking for any signs of ill intent or that he was trying to lur her into some kind of trap.