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Post by doc on Apr 17, 2022 13:45:14 GMT -5
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 7, 1941
The night was cooler than it should have been, but at least it was a clear night and stars shone down. Charlotte felt a pang of longing when the stars were this bright in the evening, as though there was a connection between her and the deep void. She had managed to file her stories and made the necessary excuses - an "assignment" she wanted to get. Costner didn't second guess her, which was more than she could say for the rest of her coworkers who feared that a women didn't have a place trying to get a foreign story. She'd also had to turn down a dinner invitation from Darren Drisdoll; not that she minded, given the rumours that flew around. She touched down at the small airfield outside town.
The Hunter exited the car, and found the Concerned Citizen already there waiting for him, his cape fluttering in the breeze. The Hunter had worn the costume provided by the FBI. It only seemed fair, as that was who they were all meeting with.
Alex had been afraid for his uncle the last few weeks; he didn't remember him so intense since he was a child. Whenever he was free from his activities for the family business, or his activities as the Tank, he was doing his best to keep up with Lex's own modifications. He knew too well what was in the large heavy cases Lex motioned for him to carry. Lex wore no costume, only surplus army clothing from the Great War.
It had been Lex who had contacted everyone separately and explained; The FBI had information on someone he cared a great deal about who had gone missing in Tibet, and they were only willing to provide information and transportation in exchange for arranging a meeting.
Hunter recognized the figure waiting for them as the group approached: Special Agent Caleb L'angelle. A thin man barely fitting out his G-Man suit, wearing no fedora, with a sharp widow's peak of blonde hair going grey and predatory eyebrows.
"A pleasure to meet all of you. I'm Special Agent Caleb L'angelle of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and I'd like to know if you're all willing to come work for your government in an official capacity."
"You're basically using our friend to blackmail them, Caleb." Lex spat out. "Good God, what is wrong with you?"
"God has little to do with it." Caleb answered back. "I've got a plane ready to go to Tibet - I have contacts, but what I want is...allegiance."
(Perception check, and answer back.)
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Post by yendorj on Apr 20, 2022 7:23:48 GMT -5
r3TPRHVk1d20+2
“Official capacity for the FBI? In what context? As stooges or heroes willing to fight for good, not just a flag. Tibet? What’s in Tibet that’s so important.”
1d20+2 |
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Post by dakota on Apr 23, 2022 11:19:56 GMT -5
Although he did not understand at first, Alex had agreed to wear his Tank costume when Lex had suggested it. Once they arrived, he knew it was to protect his identity but he was still puzzled why his uncle would reveal his own.
Perception PEPQfmJX1d20
He listened quietly as he carried Lex's case with ease and set it down next to him, Hunter's questions coming before he could ask his own. A thought occured to him. He suddenly made sense why Lex would be so moody as of late. He turned to his uncle and spoke lowly, "Is it who I think she is missing in Tibet?" He did not dare mention the Duchess by name for fears of revealing himself. He had met her several times and knew that she and Lex had a complicated relationship "I will go to Tibet to help, but what does the FBI mean by allegance? We are already allies, we have proven that by protecting our city from all comers, and country at the same time. But if Hunter is right and you just want us to be blindly obedient henchmen for the FBI, I'm not interested. And I am pretty sure my friends here feel the same way."1d20
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Post by Mierin on Apr 28, 2022 20:46:28 GMT -5
Dressed as Sentry, Charlotte smiles to herself as she flies to her destination. She knew she can from somewhere in the stars, but she'd always wondered exactly where she was from. As she drops down, Charlotte listens to the conversation going on around her, replying to Caleb. "I told you I'd work with you and I will."
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Post by doc on May 7, 2022 15:33:02 GMT -5
Lex sighed at the FBI man. "Is now really the time?"
"It absolutely is. I'm not transporting unknown individuals." He looked up as Sentry arrived and smiled at her response. "Well, thank you kindly ma'am. How about you land and tell Uncle Sam who you are when you aren't flying around, then? After all, you can trust the government, can't you?"
The Concerned Citizen shot back. "Hardly my experience, Agent Scarecrow."
Caleb looked to Lex, but the Citizen answered before he could speak. "He didn't tell anyone - I know about you. Not everything, but enough."
"And who are you, you think, that you can talk to a deputized Federal Agent like that?"
"A taxpayer - your boss." He chuckled.
"Oh, I think you're more than that - but you're the least of this bunch, and you can just go crawl off to beat up some muggers. That's about all you are good for, isn't it? You aren't even on the level of Lex and his old friends - you're just pretending to be more." Caleb dismissed the Citizen. "As I said, I have the plane, the contacts, and the dossier you need, but my demands are simple. From here on out? You work for the U.S. Government, through me."
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Post by yendorj on May 12, 2022 7:40:01 GMT -5
“Welcome gentlemen and lady.”
“You’re lucky I strive to do better in my current life. I’ll work for you, but any deception and I’ll personally put a knife through each crow you have.”
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Post by Mierin on May 12, 2022 19:46:04 GMT -5
Sentry raises an eyebrow at Caleb and shakes her head with a polite expression on her face. "All due respect, but I won't be doing that." Sentry explains, "There is no reason for me to disclose this to you or anyone."
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Post by dakota on May 14, 2022 22:42:17 GMT -5
"Demands?" Tank scoffed. "You claim to be working for the good of the people, but you're no better than the thugs and con men Steel Fist took down carving the way for our generation. Trying to blackmail the four of us for your benefit when we are here to help him." He patted Lex on the shoulder. " No wonder the mess in Germany was able to unfold if this is the sort that are supposed to protect the average citizen. I hope you don't represent the best the FBI has to offer, Agent man." He resisted the urge to spit on the man's shoe as he stepped in front of Lex and folded his arms. "And Citizen brought us together, so he is as much a part of this group as anyone."
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Post by doc on May 15, 2022 19:44:56 GMT -5
Agent Caleb shook his head. "Hard headed - you really did learn from Lex and his friends." He sighed. "I was hoping it wouldn't have to come to this." He raised his hands and made a waving motion.
Nothing happened. He looked about.
A single light broke the darkness as a motorcycle wheeled forward.
"You didn't think it was going to be that easy, did you?" The Dark Rider tipped his hat to the G-Man. "Augustus wants to let you know your boys can't throw a punch worth a damn. Rex says they can't shoot either. Might want to work on that."
Dismounting from the rear of the vehicle, the Steelfist armor cracked the pavement. "You have no back up, no plan, just intimidation, and you think that's enough? It's time for a new deal. You're giving Lex all the information he needs right now."
"You're trying to gang press me? I'm-"
"-a mid-level G-man too big for his britches?" Lex shot.
The arm of the Steelfist raised. "Loaded with something that will burn right through. Think fast."
"Fine." Caleb reached into his pocket. "But you're not going to get to Tibet without my help. Unless you got a plane of your own?"
The Dark Rider chuckled. "Called in a favour. Turns out they were already heading to China. Guess they have a thing for occupiers."
Sentry heard it first. The roar of engines. Then she could see it.
The plane was BIG. Six engines. A wingspan longer than a football field. And then there was the symbol on the wing. A dark cloud with a bird made of lightning.
Dark Rider looked to the group. "Ladies and gentlemen, meet your ride. The Stormcrows."
Lex took the folder from Caleb, then put his hand on Steelfist's shoulder. "You really didn't -"
"Don't get sentimental - just get her back." Steelfist's voice rang out as the plane landed.
Dark Rider smiled looking at Hunter, Sentry and Tank. "We'll take care of the city while you're gone. You take care of him." He paused. "...not sure I like the circus outfits, but it works for you kids."
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Post by dakota on May 18, 2022 22:32:53 GMT -5
While the mask his some of it, Alex was awestruck as his heroes emerged and easily dealt with the FBI agent. He knew them and the people behind the masks, but it still sent a spark of excitement up his spine to watch them. He looked at Dark Rider and smirked slightly, "We have to be flashier than you to stand on our own and get out of your shadows." He picked up both his and Lex's bags, " I'll carry these for you sir
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Post by Mierin on Jun 13, 2022 20:31:33 GMT -5
Sentry raises an eyebrow at Caleb as she replies, "I don't need your plane to get to Tibet."
Sentry smiles gently when Dark Rider comes out and reveals that he and his friends had taken care of the rest of Caleb's men. She looks at others and says, "I can fly along side the plane looking out for any signs of trouble if you want."
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Post by yendorj on Jun 14, 2022 7:32:02 GMT -5
Chuckles. "And the predator becomes prey. Never underestimate your foe, Caleb. Overestimate, and you'll do better, or at least, live longer."
Nods to Steelfist with a smug smile, then to Alex. "Flashier just hides one's abilities. Better to bluff than fold."
"Sentry, superb idea. Jealous, but superb."
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Post by doc on Jun 14, 2022 11:29:38 GMT -5
Caleb's eyes widened at Sentry's statement. "You can fly that far? That long? What...are you?" The FBI Agent began to mutter, but found the muzzle of Steelfist's weapon pressed against his cheek. "Not. One. More. Word."
The strange plane landed, and doors opened. They were all Indians, dressed in strange jumpsuits covered with odd bladders at the neck and legs. The main feature was the logo on the backs and chests of the suits - the dark cloud and the bird made of lightning.
A stocky, shorter man disembarked. "I'm Elijah Stormcrow, these are my men. We're on our way to join up with the Flying Tigers, but when an old friend asks for a hand," He shot a glance to the Dark Rider, who tipped his hat. "we don't turn away. We'll get you to where you need to go." He looked at the costumes. "Colorful bodyguards you got." He let the moment pass. "Well, get aboard. Once we've refueled, we're heading out - it'll be about 30 hours of flight time to Tibet."
Lex looked to Sentry. "Think you'll want to be outside that long on your own?"
Elijah paused, then looked at her. "Wait...you're the flying lady? Heard about you on the radio."
The Concerned Citizen chuckled. "Well, I've got my bags ready - see you onboard." He patted Hunter on the back. "Think the G-Man is going to give us any trouble?" Looking back to Caleb.
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Post by dakota on Jun 15, 2022 21:18:16 GMT -5
Alex could not help but look at Sentry in awe, but it faded when their benefactor referred to him as a colourful bodyguard. He held his tongue, but made no effort to hide he was offended by the comment.
Instead he let it out of his system as he followed Citizen aboard the plane and gave his two cents, "You can't honestly think that he'll give up that easily? I think we just insured he'll play even dirtier next time."
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Post by Mierin on Jun 20, 2022 21:38:01 GMT -5
Sentry is amused by Caleb's stuttering. There were almost no humans besides her parents who understand the true depth of her abilities, but any time even a small amount of her powers were revealed, people seemed amazed.
Nodding at Lex, Sentry replies. "I would be fine." A grin appears. "In fact, I could probably beat you there. However, it would make everyone else feel more comfortable, I can ride in the plane."
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