My First BASH character - Rebel Yell

[Malakor]

Reb is a conversion of a character I played several years ago in a Mutants and Mastermind's setting a friend of mine had run.
Let's see if I've got the idea behind BASH hero creation . . .

Rebel Yell aka Special Agent John McClure, Georgia Bureau of Investigation
Mental Malf: Desire to provide Justice even when the law can't

BRAWN: 2 AGILITY: 4 MIND: 3

Powers:
Flight 5

Martial Arts Mastery 1 (Boxing)

Supersenses [Hearing] 2

Sonic Scream (5) Ranged/Area Variable [4] (+4 cp for variable, +1 to add Area in addition to Ranged)

Deflect 1 (can use his scream to 'thicken' the air in front of him, occasionally deflecting incoming attacks)

Immunity Sonic (1)

Disarm expert (2) (From military and GBI training)

Skills
Stealth - Shadowing
Ride - Gallop
Escapeology - Loosen Bonds
Athletics - Acrobatics
Investigation - Gut
Military - Command
Social Science - Law

Advantages
Police Powers (Civilian ID only)
Contacts (3 specific - Homeland Security Metahuman Affairs Liason, have to decide on other 2)
Headquarters - Owns a large, remote 'farm' about 40 miles East of Atlanta

Disadvantages
Archenemy - The Klansman
In a Relationship - Married (Gretchen, 2 children)
Age - 51

Languages: English, Spanish, Arabic, Russian

Brief Background: Former US Navy Officer (Law degree from Naval Academy), Retired after 20 years, Joined GBI - Special Agent in charge of a small task force. Been Married to former UN liason Gretchen (who now also works for GBI). Age 51

I'll post the very long introduction that I did for him back in 2006 when I first started playing him in the reply to this post.

[Malakor]

(Just re-read this, I'm missing a chunk that basically details John's first appearance as Reb, but you can get the gist from what's here)

February 20th, 2006

John motioned his team into position around the old farm house. He heard updates in his earpiece as everyone settled into their assigned slots.

"Infra Red" he subvocalized into the microphone taped to his throat.

"Eyespy to Team Leader, I show one adult male in the front room, just left of the door, sitting in a chair, drinking something cold. I show one small female form, lying on a bed in the room to the right of the door. Warm and breathing."

With a small sigh of relief, John checked his weapon and armor one last time, and subvocalized, "Ok Entry team, on my mark, move to the entrances. Snipers, cover the exits. If he heads for the girl, Blow a hole through the wall to stop him if you have to."

Waiting for confirmation of his orders, he turned to his second, Paul Vogel, "Paul, you wait here and bring in the back up team if something goes wrong, got it?" John could see the nervousness and fear in Paul's eyes as he nodded. John sighed, he was going to have to have a talk with the director when they got back, and ask to have Paul pulled off field work before he got someone killed. John smiled at Paul and gave him a thumbs up and a pat on the shoulder.

"Ok, Entry Team, GO, GO, GO. Wait for my entry and then enter." John was moving across the littered yard at a low crouch, using the rusting cars and bathtubs full of dirt and weeds as cover as he approached the front door.

As he stepped on the bottom step to the rickety wooden porch, John heard a dog start growling under the boards. "Blast, gotta dog here" he subvocalized, "I'm gonna hit the door hard and fast before he starts barking. Sleeper One, if the pooch comes out, tranq him before he can bite my butt."

Taking the remaining steps hard and fast, John hit the door just above the knob as hard as he could with his combat boot and rolled into the room, yelling "GBI, Don't Move!" as he swung his gun to the left side of the room, and quickly swept his gaze around the rest of the room.

He could hear breaking glass and splintering wood as the rest of his entry team entered the small house, and could hear the chorus of "Clear" sounding over his headset and through the house as his men checked the other rooms. "Branson, check the girl, but don't bring her out till we secure Mr. Pedophile here." John subvocalized.

Raising his voice for the benefit of the man sitting in the chair, John said. "Elbert Dayton, release your private parts and slowly place both hands on top of your head. You are under arrest for the kidnapping of Susan Helenski." Stepping forward as the man complied, John called another of his team over. "Fredrickson, cuff this dirtbag and read him his rights. Elvis, find the remote and turn that trash off, then begin bagging and tagging all the evidence."

As Fredrickson cuffed Dayton and began reading from his Miranda card, John interrupted, "And somebody pull his pants up, please!" As his team paused to chuckle, John headed for the bedroom where Susan was being held. "Good work team. Paul, get your team working on sweeping the barn and outbuildings for evidence." That he knew Paul could do without difficulty, he was a good CSI.

Entering the small bedroom, John forced himself to keep his face from scowling at the conditions he found there. Agent Yvette Branson was helping the girl into a pair of sweat pants and sweat shirt that she had brought with her, but John saw the bruises and cuts on her body. He had also seen enough of the tape that Dayton had been watching to have a good idea of what had happened here. Speaking softly John said, "Susan. My name is Special Agent McClure. Agent Branson here works with me and we have come to take you home to your mamma and daddy, ok?"

The girl slowly turned and looked over her shoulder at him. Her face was painted up with makeup in a garish parody of what an older woman might wear. The makeup was streaked with tears and dirt. Shakily she asked, "What about the bad man?" with her eyes darting nervously towards the front room and her shoulders all tensed up.

John squatted down on his heels, out of reach of the scared twelve year old and told her, "The bad man is going to be sent away and will not be able to hurt you again. Is it ok if Agent Branson helps you get outside to the ambulance we have waiting? We want the doctors to check you out and your mamma and daddy will come see you at the hospital."

"I can go home?" As John nodded and smiled at her, Susan let out a huge sigh and wrapped her arms around Yvette's neck, sobbing in relief. Nodding to Yvette, John backed out of the room and subvocalized "I only want female agents with Susan until the docs have had time with her and until she is back with her folks. Poor kid's been traumatized enough as it is."

Yvette carried the crying girl through the room and out to the waiting ambulance, where she would ride with her to the Scottish Rites Hospital in Johnson's Ferry.

John looked over at where Dayton was sitting in the back of the unmarked car, staring out at the sky with his watery eyes. John pulled his cell phone from his belt and dialed the Helenski home. Smiling as the phone was answered, he said, "Mrs. Helenski, this is Special Agent John McClure from the GBI, we've spoken before? Yes ma'am, well I"m happy to tell you that we've found Susan and she's alive. I've got agents transporting her to the Scottish Rites Hospital in Johnson's Ferry, and she's anxious to see her mamma and daddy." Holding the phone away from his ear as the woman began screaming and yelling her thanks. The voice on the phone changed and John listened. "Yes Mr. Helenski, your daughter is alive and on her way to the hospital. Would you like me to send a car over to drive you to the hospital? Certainly sir, I would be happy to do that. The driver will be Special Agent Louise Fincher. Make sure she shows you her ID." John smiled, "Yes sir, I'll be along directly at the hospital."

John dialed the number of his office at the GBI. "Louise, do you mind doing me a favor? Yes, what we talked about earlier, pick up the Helenski's and take them to the hospital please. Thanks, you're a gem and patch me through to the director please."

When the director's secretary answered, John said, "Carol, this is McClure, would you let me talk to the boss, please? Thanks"

When the Director answered, John said, "Director Henderson, This is SA McClure. The op went off without a hitch. We caught Dayton literally with his pants down, watching a tape of what he had been doing to the girl. She was alive, although somewhat worse for wear. Fincher is on her way to pick the parents up and take them to her at the hospital. " He heard shouts from the back of the house and one of his agents was running his way. "Hold on a second Director, apparently my team has found something. Yes sir, I'll call you back as soon as I know what it is."

Walking forward, John waited as Agent McGee caught his breath, "Boss" the young agent wheezed, "We found bones, human bones. A lot of them, all young looking it seems."

Giving Dayton a hard look, John pressed the redial button on his phone. "Director, we have found a bit more than we bargained for here." John proceeded to tell the director about the bones and told him he'd be in for a briefing as soon as he had an idea of how extensive the boneyard was.

Dialing another number on his phone, John waited until he heard a voice on the other end, "Andrew, this is John McClure. We found the girl, alive. Thank you. You be interested in having dinner with Me and Gretchen sometime in the next couple of days? Great, let me give you a call as soon as I know what the schedule looks like. Thanks again for your help, I owe you one. Talk at ya later, ok?"

John watched his team work for a while, then walked over to the car where Dayton sat, handcuffed. "Want to tell me all about it, Elbert? Or you gonna make us guess?" Scowling as the little man stared out of the window, John slammed the door and said, "Fine you piece of garbage, have it your way."

Stalking back across the field, John dialed his home number to let Gretchen know that he was going to be late getting home.



====================================================



February 24th, 2006

John and Gretchen walked out of Dante's Down the Hatch with Andrew.

"I'm glad you were able to come with us tonight, Andrew." John told the young man. "You're a good guy, and I don't want you to worry about Vogel's BS. I've talked with the Director and explained to him how much help you've been now and in the past, and that if the two of you can't get along, then you can just deal with me or Gretch when you are helping us."

Andrew nodded, "Do I have to wear a suit?" he asked with a frown.

Gretchen laughed, and told Andrew, "I can barely get John to wear a suit when he goes to the office. You, however, are a civilian contractor, there is no reason for anyone to inflict a dress code for you, and just between the three of us, Director Henderson is a horses patoot, as John would say."

Andrew laughed as John grinned and said, "That is not what I call him. The words I use aren't that polite." Sticking out his hand, John told Andrew, "Thanks again, and I may need you if forensics has a problem identifying some of the bones, if you think you can learn anything from them." As Andrew shook his hand, John added, "And don't hesitate to call me if you need anything, ok?"

"No sweat John. Gretchen, it was good to see you again, keep this monkey straight, love." Hugging Gretchen, Andrew headed for his car with a wave.

John and Gretchen headed for their Hummer, enjoying the quiet and the muted music coming from inside Dante's. "Let's head home and see the monkey's. Granny probably has them hanging from the coatrack by now." Laughing, Gretchen climbed into the hummer, leaning down to give John a kiss.

As John climbed in behind the wheel, Gretchen told him, "Granny has been asking if you can get her an autograph with Snoop Dog after the concert in a couple of weeks." John laughed and pointed at the glove box, "look in there sweetie."

Gretchen opened the glove box and said, "I've seen your gun, John." Grinning, John said, "Under the Glock, smarty pants, the yellow envelope."

"Oh, My God. John, is this what I think it is?" as she pulled the tickets from the envelope. Nodding, he replied, "Backstage passes for you, granny and the kids to meet Snoop after the concert. I spoke with his manager, and he thinks Snoop would love it. I want you guys to stay close to my team near the stage though. Intelligence says the Klan is planning to disturb the concert, and if it gets nasty, there is a hidey hole being built under the stage."

Gretchen laughed, "I won't tell Granny that last part, she's liable to try and sneak her shotgun in under her skirts. "

Turning onto 75 north, John said "I could picture that, she used to bring it with her to little league games to keep the Umpires honest."

As he drove home and Gretchen laughed at his stupid jokes, John reflected that he was the luckiest man in the world.



========================



February 27th, 2006

John winced as the door to his office slammed open and Paul Vogel stormed in. He was a bit surprised at the anger on his former second's face.

Red-faced, Vogel leaned over John's desk with both fists clenched and shouted, "WHY THE * DID YOU HAVE ME FIRED, JOHN? I THOUGHT WE WERE FRIENDS!"

John leaned forward and raised his voice slightly, "Nancy, would you close the door to my office please? Thanks, and Paul and I will be in conference for a few minutes." As the door closed, John looked at Paul and modulated his voice to what his subordinates referred to his 'command voice,' not a yell, but with a strength that couldn't be ignored.

"Paul. Sit Down and let's talk." Waiting a beat to see if Paul would obey, he added, "Now." Nodding as Paul sank into the chair on the other side of the desk, John dropped his voice back into normal conversational tones and told Paul, "Listen, we are friends. I recommended to Henderson that you be put in charge of the CS Unit because you are the best Forensics guy I've seen in a long time."

Still red faced, Paul looked at John and said, "Henderson told me that you wanted me off the field team, and implied that I wasn't fit to be a field agent. Tell me that isn't the truth, John."

John shook his head, "Paul, you and I have been over this before. You don't have the self confidence for Field command. You'll get your team or yourself hurt if you stay in the field. But, like I said, you are the Best forensics guy, and that's not BS, it's the plain truth." He continued, "Why don't you think about it for a couple of days, and you'll see its for the best for yourself and the Bureau, Paul." John grinned, "And think about, with all the tv shows right now, CSU is sexy, the girls will dig that a lot more than saying you are SWAT."

Paul shoved himself up out of the chair and shouted, "* you, John. You think everything is a *' joke. I'll never make Director if I go the Lab Rat track! Directors have always come from the field, or from the Profilers. I know you just derailed me because you are afraid I'll be your boss one day!" He stalked to the door and yanked it open, "Remember this, McClure. You will regret stabbing me in the back." Stomping out of the room, Vogel headed for the elevator.

Standing up with a sigh, John picked up his coffee cup and headed for the door. As he passed his secretary's desk he picked up her cup and asked, "More coffee Nance?" Smiling as she nodded, he said, "I'll be right back, kiddo."

Coming back a few minutes later with her cup, he asked her to cancel the rest of his appointments for the day. He went in his office and put on his suit coat. Telling Nancy as he passed, "Feel free to take the rest of the day off if you need to as well, Nance. I'll see you tomorrow."



===================================================

March 4th, 2006

John tousled the twins hair as he kissed Gretchen and Granny on the cheeks. "You girls try not to run off with Snoop and the band while I'm working." Patting Donald on the head, he said, "And you, little man, keep the girls on the straight and narrow, ok?"

Donald grabbed John's hand and squeezed. Grinning with his teeth clenched, John pulled the strong little fingers off his hand. "Daddy's little strong man. Let go and let daddy go to work." Donald waved as John walked towards the crowd.

======

Two Hours Later:

The concert was well under way when John spotted a group clustering together near the center of the dancing crowd. The cluster of white men threw off their long coats, revealing black clothing, with the white dragon on the chest, indicating that they were members of the KKK splinter group, The Dragons of Purity. As the Dragons pulled automatic weapons, John spoke into his microphone, "We've got problems folks, I have a dozen KKK members with automatic weapons thirty feet from the stage. We're about to have a panic, team Alpha members watch for additional Dragons support, and team Beta, To me. Gamma Team, Crowd control."

Raising his voice as he moved towards the Dragons through the stampeding crowd, John shouted, "GBI, Lower your weapons and sit on the ground!" One of the men in the group tapped another, who turned his way. John gulped as he saw the large barrel of a grenade launcher being pointed in his direction. Firing his glock quickly at the man, he managed to cause the gunman to fire sooner than he planned.

John felt a tremendous pressure as the grenade slammed into the ground a few feet in front of him. The explosion lifted him off his feet and slammed him back into a nearby speaker array.

Smoke curled off his body as John staggered out of the sparking speaker array. He saw the man with the grenade launcher working the slide on his weapon as he turned it in the direction of a group of black children.

John's hand scrabbled at his holster, and he realized he had lost his weapon when he was blown backward by the explosion. As the gunman and his companions were about to open fire, John screamed out, "STOP!" as loud as he could. There was a sudden loud sound and the twelve gunmen staggered about and dropped their weapons as they were driven to their knees by the explosion of sound.

John scooped up his fallen Glock as he ran towards the disoriented men. He saw his team heading from the other direction, and they quickly disarmed the stunned Dragons.

As John scanned the crowd for additional dangers, he spotted a figure in black heading for a grove of trees at the base of Stone Mountain. As the figure pulled the black hood from his head, John was certain the man was Paul Vogel. He gave instructions to his perimeter team to search the woods for stragglers.

He was distracted as Director Henderson ran up. "McClure, who used a stun grenade on that group?" John turned and looked at Henderson, "I don't know sir, my team was following the protocols I had set up to minimize casualties. The grenade was thrown based on my orders."

Henderson nodded, "We'll have to have an investigation, but I don't think anyone was killed, so 'Good Job, McClure." Looking at John, he realized that John was scorched and bleeding. "What happened to you? Are you alright?"

John nodded and pointed at the broken speaker array. "A grenade from the Dragons threw me into the speaker array." He patted a small flame from his arm, "A few burns and bruises, but I think I'm reasonably whole sir." About this time, Gretchen and Granny ran up, carrying the twins, and followed by an EMT. The EMT began checking John's burns, and Gretchen greeted Director Henderson.

Henderson told John, "Go to the hospital and get checked out McClure. Put Branson in charge of the team, and check in with me on Monday." Henderson walked towards the gathering crowd of reporters and tv cameras, straightening his tie as he walked.

Gretchen spoke briefly with the EMT while John endured Donald trying to beat out the flames on his jacket. Turning back and pulling Donald away from his father, Gretchen told John, "They are going to take you to Emory, Granny and I will follow in the Hummer with the kids babe." She leaned forward to kiss him on the cheek and whispered in his ear, "Granny said to tell you don't get upset and yell at anyone while you are at the hospital."



=======================================

Early Evening, March 4th, 2006

John tossed his battered body armor into the hall closet and put his glock in the gun safe at the top of the closet.

Turning around, he said, "Little Man, please quit carrying around the rocky horse. " Looking at him with a slight frown, Donald put the wooden rocking horse down in the center of the living room. His birthmarks stood out on his body when he had his shirt off, looking a bit like Celtic knot style artwork.

Sitting carefully in his recliner, John smiled as Granny handed him a glass of cold milk. "Thanks Granny, That's just what I need." Sipping his milk, he motioned for the kids.

Donald toddled over and climbed up on the arm of the chair, while Serena came a bit more slowly and waited for her daddy to pick her up. "Little Man, you could have asked for your own milk" John laughed as he turned to find Donald draining the glass that John had sat on the table beside the chair. Donald grinned and then belched, which started him giggling.

Hugging the children tight, John eyed them and then looked at Granny and Gretchen sitting across from him. "Did I do what I think I did during the fight at the concert?" They both nodded. Gretchen told him, "We were, of course, watching you closely, and when you saw them about to shoot those kids, you screamed at them. "

Granny started talking, "Johnny, I saw a shimmer in the air come from you and it grew until it exploded around those nasty Dragons. Loudest thing I ever heard, made the bones vibrate." She looked significantly at Serena, "Louder than little miss Crack the Glass here."

John sighed, and said, "What do I do, ladies? I don't think Henderson is the one to tell about this and I don't want you and the kids to be subjected to the kind of scrutiny that would come if I did."

Granny smiled and said, "You're special Johnny. I always knew it, and I think these young'uns are special too, in the same way. Kinda like in the comics you and your cousin Dennis used to read when you were little." She grinned, "Sleep on it, and remember, tomorrow you got to go whip some Yankee butt after church at the battle of Stone Mountain."

John laughed, he had almost forgottem about the re-enactment tomorrow afternoon. He and his regiment were going to be attending church in full Confederate uniform, and then meeting thier Yankee foes in the park, not far from where the concert was held today. After the battle, both sides would gather for a nice picnic and a bit of music and dancing.

Winking at Gretchen, John told his grandmother, "Granny, I hear General Thomas will be commanding the Yankees tomorrow. He's really fond of your fried chicken and biscuits."

Laughing, Granny threw one of the children's stuffed toys, bouncing it off John's head. "Boy, surely you aren't claiming that a true Daughter of the Confederacy would dally with a Yankee, are you?"

Shaking his head, John laughed, "Not until after the battle, No." Standing up with a twin under each arm, John leaned forward and kissed his grandmother on the head. "I'm going to put these little howler monkeys to bed and then hit the sack myself. I'm worn out from all the excitement today. Good night, ladies. Love ya."

Heading up the stairs with his wiggling charges, John began telling them a story as a preface for bedtime. . .



===============================

Pre-Dawn Hours, March 5th, 2006

John looked down as he sped over the city of Atlanta, watching the cars falling behind as he flew over the treetops and the buildings.

Swooping over Stone Mountain, John landed on Robert E. Lee's head. Standing there, looking out over the green, John saw a man in black raise a rocket launcher to his shoulder.

He realized that the man was Paul Vogel. Before he could react, Vogel pulled the trigger on the rocket launcher and John watched, horrified as the rocket grew larger and larger as it grew nearer and nearer.

Suddenly, there was an explosion and the rock face beneath his feet gave way, dropping him downward in a shower of granite. A large piece of General Lee's nose slammed into his forehead and he plummeted towards the ground. . .

Landing on the floor with a thump, John awakened, drenched in sweat and with the sheet tangled around his body. He slowly sat up, rubbing his forehead.

"Sweetie? What happened, did you fall out of bed?" Asked Gretchen as she leaned over from her side of the bed. She saw him sitting on the floor rubbing his head and began giggling, "Ooooh, big Johnny gots a boo-boo on his forehead. Come and let me kiss it better."

Grinning, John said "Bite me." and leaned over to kiss Gretchen. "Sorry I woke you up babe. Bad dream. I guess today, er yesterday," He amended as he looked at the clock, which read 04:00, "affected me worse than I thought." He pulled the sheet out from around him and tossed it over her, and told her, "Since I'm up, I might as well get a shower and start getting ready. I'll read until you and the young'uns get up."

He looked at her again, then leaned over and gave her a kiss. "I dreamed I was flying, and it was . . . really cool. Till some fool in a Dragon uniform shot me off General Lee's head." Chuckling he continued, "We'll have to find out what kind of drugs they gave me at the hospital, and stay away from them. It messes with my head."

John padded into the bathroom and Gretchen retrieved his pillow from the side of the bed. With a sigh, she turned on the lamp, preparing to get up and start the day herself, when her eye was drawn to a dark spot on the ceiling, right over John's side of the bed. "That's odd" she muttered to herself as she saw the slight dent in the ceiling.



==================================



Coming out of the shower, John began putting on his uniform.
As he pulled on his boots, Gretchen called up from downstairs that breakfast was ready if he was dressed.

As John sat down to the table with the kids and Granny, he marveled at how beautiful Gretchen was and how quickly she managed to get showered, dressed and the kids fed in the time it took him to get showered and dressed. He noticed she wasn't sitting at the table. "Did you eat already, sweetie?" he asked her.

Gretchen nodded, "I nibbled enough while Granny and I were preparing it to fill me up until lunch. I'm going to go ahead and pack the picnic baskets in the car so we can leave for church as soon as you are all finished."

Nodding, a thought suddenly occurred to John. "Hon, would you mind if I invited Mr. Oden to join us for lunch? I think I'd like to talk to him about what happened yesterday." Gretchen smiled and pointed to the bar behind him. "I laid the phone close by earlier, and I think there is more than enough of Granny's fried chicken and biscuits to go around."

Chuckling, John picked up the cordless phone and dialed Andrew's number. A girl's voice answered the phone, "Yep?"

"Good morning, is Andrew around, this is John McClure."

"Dunno, ain't seen him this morning." A long silence followed.

"Well miss, would you mind going and knocking on his door for me and see if he'll talk to me? I'd really appreciate it."

After a long silence, broken by the muffled thumps of what John assumed was the girl walking up the stairs, he heard her knock on a door and shout, "ANDREW! MAN ON THE PHONE FOR YA!" followed by muffled sounds. A few moments later she said into the phone, "What was yer name again?"

"John McClure, tell him it's personal, not business, please."

"mm' K." Raising her voice without putting the phone away from her mouth, she shouted, "JOHN MCCLURE, SEZ IT'S PERSONAL, NOT BIZNESS!"

John heard the door open and Andrew's voice saying, "Becca, you need to move the phone from your mouth when you yell, you'll deafen the man." John heard a brief mumbled reply and then Andrew was on the phone, "What do you want at this ungodly hour, John? I haven't been to bed long."

Laughing, John replied, "Morning Andrew, just wondered if you would like to be my guest at the Re-enactment at Stone Mountain park this afternoon, and afterwards join Gretchen, Granny, the kids and I for lunch. Granny's made some of her famous fried chicken and biscuits and Gretchen would love to see you." He paused for a moment and added, "I have an ulterior motive as well, my friend. Something odd happened yesterday and I'd like to talk to you about it."

John heard the pause on the other end as Andrew digested what had been said. "Alright, I'll be there. Where do I need to go?"

John gave Andrew directions to where the family would be set up for the re-enactment and told him he'd leave a pass for him at the gates to get him in among the re-enactors and their families.



=============================

John tucked his yellow mask into his inner suit pocket as his intercom buzzed. "Special Agent McClure? Agent Kellso of the FBI is here for your appointment."

Smiling, John told his secretary, "Thanks Nancy, Send him in if you would please. And hold all my calls until we're done please."

As the door opened and the FBI Agent entered, carrying a briefcase, John came out from behind his desk with his hand extended, "Agent Kellso, good to see you again. How long has it been? Since the white slavers operating out of Savannah?"

Accepting John's hand with a smile and a firm grip, Kellso shook John's hand, "Call me Mal, Special Agent McClure. About two years since Savannah. You and your team were a heck of a help in that mess. I hear you and the missus have twins now."

Motioning Kellso to one of the comfortable chairs on the window side of his office, John nodded, "One of each, a boy and a girl. They are keeping my Grandmother and Gretchen hopping most days. They are the apple of my eye." Walking over to the sideboard, John lifted a coffee carafe, "Cup of coffee Mal? And call me John, please."

"Coffee would be great John, I had a long night following up on all that terrorist mess and haven't had much sleep. By the way, the teams you guys sent out were a great help." John poured two cups of coffee and placed them, the carafe and a pot of cream and a bowl of sugar on the tray. As he brought them to the table, John nodded, "Wish I could have been there. Gretchen and I had taken an "adults only" weekend off and gone to Virginia."

Sitting down and picking up a cup of coffee, John continued, "I've read the after-action reports and watched most of the official video that our teams took, looks like you have everything well under control."

Stirring in a bit of sugar and cream, Kellso nodded, "The help of the Parahumans was useful too." He took a sip of coffee and paused for a moment, "Ahh, that's good coffee. A couple of them sounded like they had some type of military or law enforcement training." He sipped his coffee, put his cup on the table and pulled his briefcase from the floor beside his chair and opened it.

He pulled a thick folder from his briefcase and handed it over to John. Placing his briefcase back on the floor, Kellso retrieved his coffee cup and pointed at the folder, "Homeland Security has been working on this for quite some time, since the first rumors of Parahuman activity emerged. They've shared it with all the other Federal Agencies, and my Director feels that you guys should have it now, since the recent spurt of parahuman activity centered around this area. He called your Director Henderson, who recommended that you head up any Parahuman investigations in your jurisdiction."

Looking at the folder in his hands, John saw that it was marked with the Homeland Security logo and stamped "PARAHUMAN CONTINGENCY REPORT - 2006." Looking up at Kellso, John raised an eyebrow, "Parahuman Contingency? And Henderson wants me to head up a Parahuman Investigation unit?" Kellso nodded.

"Well, I guess I can do that if that's what he wants. Think he'll let me get a cape and a badge that says "Super Agent?" Both men laughed. John refilled their coffee. "I guess that explains what my meeting with him after you leave is about." Glancing up at the clock, John said, "Do we have any other specifics that your Bureau wants to pass along, Mal?"

Taking a sip of coffee and looking at his watch, Kellso smiled slightly. "Well John, my Bureau doesn't have anything in particular that they 'officially' want to share with your bureau. . . BUT. . . I've heard some interesting things from friends at Homeland and in some of the other agencies that I'd be happy to share with you over burgers and beer, if you could get away from the office this afternoon for a late lunch? Bear in mind, it's nothing official, just rumors and opinions."

Rising and walking to the office door with Kellso, John shook hands with the fed again and told him, "How about 1400 at this little place near Kennesaw called 'Barakin's Burger Barn'? They make a great burger and have lots of cold beer. If you get there before me, tell Ed you're having lunch with me and he'll hook us up with a nice quiet table in the back of the room."

Kellso nodded. "I'll see you there John. Look forward to it."

As they walked by Nancy's desk, John told her, "Nance, I'm going to my meeting with the boss now. If you don't mind, reschedule anything I have for this afternoon for tomorrow, and call Gretch and tell her I'm gonna have a few beers with Agent Kellso of the FB of I before I head home tonight, ok?"

Nancy smiled indulgently and said, "Of course sir. I'll take the rest of the afternoon off then, if you don't mind?"

Shaking his head, John said, "No ma'am, no half day vacation for you. Log it as research for me. Enjoy the afternoon Nance."

Seeing Kellso to the elevator, John told him, "See you in a few hours Mal."



=================================

"Ladies and Gentlemen, I want to see any and all reports of Parahuman activity that crosses the television, radio, print media or the rumor mill known as the internet." John paused and looked at his new team, "I don't care how insignificant you think it is, everything we can learn about parahumans will help us if, when we get a call to clean up or if we have to face down parahuman criminals."

"I want the team to study all materials and every Friday afternoon, I want a summary of what you have deduced from the materials on my desk. Every Monday at 0900, barring other situations, we will have a strategy meeting to discuss what we have learned."

Motioning towards Nancy, John said, "Miz Walters has been promoted to Special Agent status and her official title is Assistant Director of Parahuman Investigatioins." Smiling, John said, "That means she's the real boss. If I'm not here, she'll conduct the meetings. She'll have the office that adjoins mine, and I'll move my cot into the storage closet down the hall."

Waiting for the polite chuckles to die down, John heard an agent at the back of the room mutter to himself, "Just goes to show, it's who you blow. . ." Looking towards the back of the room, John raised his voice a tad, "Is there something you wish to share with the rest of the team, Agent Grenville?" Looking surprised and rather embarrassed, Mark Grenville sat up straight in his chair and stammered, "No Director McClure, I was simply wondering if we'll be on a, er, a, rather. . . How will we be scheduled?"

Smiling without humor as he stared down the embarrassed agent, John told the room, "Schedules will be determined by the Assistant Director and myself. Any of you who have special requests, feel free to submit them." Looking Grenville in the eye, and then gazing around at the rest of the assembled agents, he added, "Also, if any of you feel that this assignment or this team isn't for you, feel free to let AD Walters or myself know in private, and I'll get you an assignment you prefer. However, those of you with an eye towards the future may want to consider that being in this particular branch of the Agency could be of great benefit to your careers down the road."

"Ok folks, we are about done here, one last thing. Remember, right now our primary objective is gathering information. The Parahumans are people too. There are going to be good, bad and indifferent out there, so keep that in mind. I know from what Agent Kellso of the FBI told me, and some of you were involved in the Bank Incident a few weeks ago under his direction, that the fellows that they call Olympiad, Ramblin' Wreck, Vex, Rebel Yell, Donnybrook, Napalm, Lich or Dark Angel, that celebutante Valdo Shoman, I think they are calling him the Host and Doc Phantom are all on our side, so let's play nice with them if we see them."

"Any questions? Ok, get out of here and try to enjoy Memorial Day. I'll see you folks on Tuesday unless something blows up this weekend."





======================================

Paul Vogel tossed the damaged gauntlet on the workbench cursing under his breath... "Glorified flame thrower". In the back of his mind Paul had wished he had taken the shot remembering that brief moment he had John McClure in his sights. The plan had been perfect, John ridding into mock battle with the Union forces the sound of fake cannons and muskets filling the air. Paul had guessed that it could have been 5 .. maybe 10 minutes before anyone noticed John had really been shot and by then he would already be on his way.. a debt payed in blood. But then all * broke loose and John.. John had actually started to fly. At first Paul had thought the horse had simply thrown him but then John McClure had started lifting up into the sky instead of crashing to the ground. Paul watched.... He watched them all. Taking careful note of their amazing abilities.

Paul cursed again pounding his fist on the table. "Damned them all... it's not fair."

"Aye lad.. that's what I say"
Paul turned quickly his hand searching for the gun that lay nearby. The slight shadowy form on the far side of Paul's garage began to speak well before Paul actually managed to bring the gun to bare on his target.

"No need for alarm friend."

The gun shook slightly in Paul's hand as he narrowed his eyes in an attempt to see the man more clearly. From the shadows a small lean man dressed in a business suit, with fiery red hair and fair skin emerged, the shadows that seemingly parted for him. Pauls fear was starting to turn to anger as he spoke. "Who the * are you?.. why are you here?"

The man smiled wickedly. "Well now lad tha who isn't as important as tha why, the latter of which being very simple. You see you an I have a common interest, an I'm here to give you the means to eliminate that interest."

Paul lowered the gun. "You mean John?" his tone more that of a statement than an actual question.

The little man smiled. "Well the whole lot of em actually... in your case this Rebel Yell in particular... In mine well that loud mouthed braggart know here as the Donnybrook." The man frowned as he spoke his last few words, his fair complexion turning just a bit red.

It was Pauls turn to smile. "And you say you're here to give me the means to do this?... How's that."

The little man smirked reaching into his right pocket. "Well you see our do-gooders just very recently defeated an old friend of mine... a Dragon of great power." From his pocket the smiling man removed a small glass orb that seemed to contain an intense flame. The room turned red from the light. "Well I happened to capture just a bit of him before he departed this realm."

Paul was captivated as the small man continued. "It takes hate to control the Dragons fire.... Tell me Klansman... do ya have enough hate for that."

"And then some.... so what do I call you."

"The little man smiled almost impossibly wide.. i've had many lad.. but you can call me Redcap." Tossing the orb to Paul, Redcap removed two smaller burning orbs from his other pocket, rolling them around playfully in his hand. "Now.. were going ta need ah bit of help... happen ta know any other lads what might have ah bit of hate in their dark hearts?"
Paul smiled as he gripped the orb tightly the power already entering him, dimming slightly. "Yeah I can think of a few.. * one of em even already has powers."

Redcap grinned wickedly "Perfect lad.... perfect."

[Sijo]

Whoa! That's some intense stuff, more like an episode of CSI than a superhero story. But very good writing, anyway.

[Malakor]

Thanks, unfortunately, I realized after I had posted it and read back over the content that I was missing most of the supers related content

I'm going to have to search my archives and see if I can find that part to insert in the above

[Malakor]

Here are two images I've done in the past of Reb. One of them is a screenshot of the closest rendition of his costume I could come up with in City of Heroes. The other is from an Adobe Illustrator drawing I did of him for the front of his hero journal in our M&M Campaign (It sucks, and I want to try a new one at some point to see if I'm getting any better )

CoH version:


Illustrator Drawing

[Sijo]

Both of those are pretty good!

Reminds me, I need to find some good program to draw my characters with. (I tried using Fabrica de Herois but for some reason couldn't save the image.)

[Malakor]

Yeah, I can't figure out how to use Fabrica at all, and it's too bad, it looks like it can do some good stuff. CoH has a free to play option now (and so do DCUniverse Online and Champions Online). I find using those to make a character and doing a screenshot works reasonably well

[Acrizer]

That Mark Williams silhouette from the old Champs book sure brings back memories.

[Malakor]

@Acrizer - Thank you, I've been wracking my brain trying to remember where I got the base outline for that image. Six years is a long time when you get old

[kroh]

You can save your hero image from Fabrica de' Herois by taking a screenshot (hit the print screen button on your keyboard) and then hitting CTRL+V (paste) on your keyboard in a program like MS Paint. Then just crop and serve!

Regards,
Walt

[Sijo]

That worked! Thanks, Kroh!

[kroh]

No worries man. I live to serve. Speaking of service... you screen name, is that the Cantonese. Or Korean usage?

[Sijo]

Neither. It's a Puerto Rican nickname. I never even knew about those other meanings until I got online years ago.