Cyclone stops and looks a little quizzical. "I don't know if we have any theory. This course has been put together by superheroes and those that support us."
"If there are no other questions on the course outline, we can get started." Cyclone begins the first class to answer the question what motivates superheroes.
If the players have no more interaction, then we will move to the next scene. If Kev is following along, I will give him until Sunday night to describe and introduce his Defender. Otherwise, we'll continue with the two of you.
Several weeks later, Ace Ashby urgently contacts you on your Defender communicators and assembles you together at the Defender Center. “There’s a hostage situation at a Titan Bank in Kirby Row.” He looks away from and continues, “The two perpetrators appear to be two failed volunteers for the Defenders. We know them as Bulletproof and Armstrong.”
Ace turns toward a computer console and addresses the DISC (Digitally Intelligent Super Computer), “DISC, please show their files.” He then turns back to you, “As you can see, Bulletproof can ignore most damage, and Armstrong can create great, green globs of what best as can be described as glue. They both run with a violent Kirby Row gang. I cut them from the selection process, because I saw unrepentant darkness in their hearts.” Ace sounds disappointed.
“Now, go show Megapolis the Defenders are here to defend their city! Ace turns back to the files displayed on the immense DISC screens.
"Well sir, it would appear that you made the right decision in cutting the two fiends!"
Osmium adjusts his spandex and takes to the air, about to zip off without consideration for his teammates. He pauses in mid air (striking a typical paragon hovering pose) and asks "Anyone need a lift?"
As soon as you arrive at the bank, you notice something wrong. The building is surrounded by police, which in a hostage situation isn’t that out of the ordinary, but in this case the cops seem very relaxed. Add that to the fact that Cyclone is standing out in front of the building and the scene isn’t what you expected.
Cyclone motions you over. “Sorry about the charade, but this is a field test of sorts, and we wanted you to be in the right mood when you arrived. The truth is that no one’s life will be at risk here today, but it is your job to act as if that was the case.
"There are five hostage drones inside the building and two bad guys. Your job is to get the hostage drones out alive and neutralize the bad guys."
Osmium looks more than a little dejected as he sets the Grey Hunter down on the street. He realizes that there's still plenty of people around to impress and puffs his chest out, hands on his hips and replies, "No hostage, drone or otherwise, shall be harmed if I have anything to say about it!"
His smile sparkles as he strikes a pose for the gathered police and onlookers.
Satisifed that he's made a good impression, he rises into the air and shrinks to the size of a baseball. "Grey Hunter, perhaps there's a vent I can exploit to enter the building undetected by those goons."
The branch bank is a tall two story affair with a parking lot between it and a strip mall. It's too old for a drive-thru. There's two glass doors in front and a metal door in back. The many windows all have the shades drawn.
With the flat membrane roof, you suspect that there's a type of ventilator that you've used before to enter buildings.
After Osmium makes a quick flight around the bank, he hovers near Grey Hunter. "There's a ventilation shaft on the roof that I think I can use to get into the building. Do you want to see if we can both get in that way?"
"Sure, lets take a look." Grey Hunter responds, removing one of his grappling arrows from his quiver and firing it towards the rooftop. He tugs on the line to insure that the arrow is well seated before affixing the line to a small winch on his belt, and beginning his ascent.
On top of the bank, you find a flat, membrane roof. There's a ventilator about 6"-diameter. There's no man-size door on the roof. Looking over the back, you can see the rear, metal door.
Looking at the 6" opening, Osmium quips, "Well my friend, unless you're about to go on the world's most effective diet, this will be my private entrance." He winks at Grey Hunter, then turns to the vent and begins spinning the screws off that secure it.
"You know, this would've been easier if this was a REAL hostage situation. Once they demand food from the police, I could crawl inside a McDonald's bag and you could be the delivery guy. We walk right inside, hand them the bag of food, and BAM!, we get the drop on 'em, game over!"
He shakes his head as he dismisses the brilliant plan. "Stupid robots, maybe they'll order up some 10w40."
