>>2994473
>>Cultivating agility: Fleetness of foot means that criminals will not escape you.

>>2994473
>>Cultivating reflexes: A faster reaction time will help you deal with surprises.

>>2994473
>Cultivating endurance: Criminals will fear anyone who can outlast them.

>>2994473
>>Cultivating reflexes: A faster reaction time will help you deal with surprises.

>>2994473
>Cultivating reflexes: A faster reaction time will help you deal with surprises.
Also hurray for the updated factbook!

>>2994473
>Carey dislikes manipulative people
>Clarissa is the type to be manipulative even without her quirk
I can already tell there's gonna be trouble because of this.
>Peter likes Thrice
Noice
So I guess at the moment we're closest with Henri and Jo? I think we should also make an effort to befriend Wild Bill and Hector. They seem like good guys.

>>2994473

>>Cultivating reflexes: A faster reaction time will help you deal with surprises.

Focus on our strengths.

>>2994473
>>Cultivating endurance: Criminals will fear anyone who can outlast them.

Muscle wife will notice us.

>>2994473
>Cultivating agility: Fleetness of foot means that criminals will not escape you.

>>2994473
We have decent reflexes, we should probably shore up some of our deficiencies and then focus on reaction time to make the most out of our quirk.
I'd say
>Endurance
so that further training may come easier. Good foundations for a solid house!

>>2994473
Also yeah, thank you for the updated pastebin.

>>2994509
>>2994542
>>2994552
>>2994585
You start stretching your ligaments, feeling their increased elasticity. The Dodging machine in the gym is a brutal beast; a simple 20-foot circle lined with pitching machines that hurl rubber balls at you from a dizzying variety of angles. You can definitely feel the benefits of the near-pelting you've received over the past three weeks from that thing paired with the combat drills Argus has been making the class run; it took the machine firing five balls at different angles simultaneously to finally catch you today.

Of course, working out unsupervised and in an unstructured way is no way to reach improvement- and although Wolfmother is technically the gym supervisor as well as the proctor, he apparently gained his bulging physique through "hard livin', hard workin', and hard drinkin'". Therefore, he's entrusted three members of your own class (after a crash course) to act as exercise coaches. You decided to train under the guidance of:

>Ryan Ferris: It'd make sense to learn how to control your body from someone who can literally control their own.
>Hector Peron: He promised that his regimen would hone the mind as well as the body
>Keane Carter: Despite his lack of personal physical strength, you're certain his Quirk and intelligence means he knows your body better than you do.

>>2994697
>>Keane Carter: Despite his lack of personal physical strength, you're certain his Quirk and intelligence means he knows your body better than you do.

>>2994697
>Hector Peron: He promised that his regimen would hone the mind as well as the body

>>2994697
>Keane Carter: Despite his lack of personal physical strength, you're certain his Quirk and intelligence means he knows your body better than you do.

>>2994697

>Keane Carter: Despite his lack of personal physical strength, you're certain his Quirk and intelligence means he knows your body better than you do.

>>2994697
>Hector Peron: He promised that his regimen would hone the mind as well as the body

>>2994697
Oh shit, can't choose. Should I roll for my vote or just leave it like this to avoid a tie? Hmm

>>2994697
>Keane Carter: Despite his lack of personal physical strength, you're certain his Quirk and intelligence means he knows your body better than you do.

Rolled 2 (1d3)

>>2994697
Rolling to decide.

>>2994702
>>2994710
>>2994711
Keane's whistle pipes across the gym.
"Peter, back straight! You're going to blow out your lumbar if you keep doing lifts like that! Use your legs, not your back! Harry, that's enough; those exercises are meant to toughen your hands, not break them! Switch to your yoga exercises! Joanna, did I [i[SAY[/i] you were done with your running?! That's five more laps AND a run through the obstacle course! I swear to All Might, one day you'll actually finish a set!"
It surprised you how tough Keane gets when he's training people when you first saw it: the normal timidity he normally displays melts away, replaced with the demeanor of a drill sergeant.
Keane comes over to you. "David, that's enough; your heart rate's up, your electrolyte count's down, and your lactic acids are on the ceiling. Anything more will just be wasted energy." He tosses you a pack of energy gel and a water bottle. "You're going to want these."
He then turns his attention to his star pupil, who's currently standing under the Weight Machine.
"Joan! How long has it been?"
Joan's skin is cherry-red, and you can see a vein starting to bulge on her forehead. "F-five m-m-minutes eight s-seconds, Keane!"
"Good, good, you're up ten seconds from last week. Should I turn the pressure up?"
"N-no... I can't do any m-m-more."
"Yeah, that's what I thought. Still, you're making progress, Joan. Focus on that. I have your usual calorie-replenishing meal downstairs."
Joan nods in relief and lets go of the metal bar, which goes howling to its paired magnet. You watch the measuring scale drop from 20,000 lbs. down to zero. Joan's skin reaches a more human shade as she steps out.
"David, do you mind helping Joan out a bit?"
Joan waves a hand feebly. "No... I'll be fine!"

>Sure you will. C'mon, down you go.
>Okay, if you're sure...

>>2994837
>Sure you will. C'mon, down you go.

>>2994837
>Sure you will. C'mon, down you go.

>>2994837
>Sure you will. C'mon, down you go.

>>2994837

>Sure you will. C'mon, down you go.

>>2994837
>Sure you will. C'mon, down you go.

>>2994837
>Sure you will. C'mon, down you go.
>20,000 lbs.
wew

>>2995147
Muscle.

>>2995147
>Over 9 thousand kgs
wew indeed

>>2994863
>>2994869
>>2994882
>>2994895
>>2994911
>>2995147
"Sure you will." You drape a sweat-drenched arm over your shoulder and help her down the stairs. A table on one side is covered with a variety of especially-designed nutrient-dense gels; enough to support a normal person's caloric intake for close to a week. Joan starts tearing through them.
"I'm really... starting to feel like... my body's adjusting! I barely felt my muscles start to shred themselves that time!"

>Are you sure you aren't pushing yourself too hard?
>Geez... what does that feel like? When you use that much power, I mean
>Well, it seems to be paying off; I don't think there's much of anything that could stand five minutes of that level of power

>>2995731
>Well, it seems to be paying off; I don't think there's much of anything that could stand five minutes of that level of power
If Keane is okay with it, it's probably not too bad. Pat Jo on the back.

>>2995731
>>Well, it seems to be paying off; I don't think there's much of anything that could stand five minutes of that level of power
>Except maybe All might.

>>2995731
>Well, it seems to be paying off; I don't think there's much of anything that could stand five minutes of that level of power

>>2995731

>>Well, it seems to be paying off; I don't think there's much of anything that could stand five minutes of that level of power

>>2995731
>Well, it seems to be paying off; I don't think there's much of anything that could stand five minutes of that level of power

>>2995736
>>2995740
>>2995763
>>2995803
>>2995807
"Well, it seems to be paying off; I don't think there's a villain that could stand five minutes fighting that level of power."
"Thanks, but that's not really true. I mean, what about criminals like the Detroit Titan? He was 80 feet tall! Or someone with a force-absorbing Quirk... I mean, I have to do more than just develop the time I can go at full power."
You hear the tromp of feet, and Peter comes down into the break room.
"Hey, one thing at a time, Joan! Got to walk before you can run." He winces on the last step. "Christ on a crutch! Guess Keane was right about my lumbars."
You nod to Peter. "How're you doing?"
He flexes. "Looking good Looking good. Going to look killer in my outfit!"
"Oh, yeah, that's next week, isn't it?"
"You know it, Dave. Our first exercise out in the desert; and we get to roll out our code names and outfits!"
Joan looks up from her devastated wreckage of recovery. "Can't wait! What do you think they'll have us do?"
"Who knows? Now, Dave: there was something in Bulwark's lecture about chemical bonding I really didn't get; do you mind helping me out?"

That evening, when you get home, you get out your tablet and open up the sketchpad. You've been working on a costume design and code name practically since you received your acceptance letter, but nothing's really stuck. You have some ideas, some of which are fairly fleshed out, but none of them have really stuck. Well, time to focus and settle on one; submission deadline is tonight at midnight.

>Decide on a costume design and code name. Nothing too overly-elaborate; you are working under a budget of Support time and resources, so don't ask for an Iron Man suit or something.

>>2995990
Outfit designed to evoke a sherlock-esque theme while being armored. Trick weapon cane, reinforced for combat and with a few surprises If possible, Utility belt under our jacket/coat, containing darts, crime scnee collection kit, medkit, etc. Pipe we can use to smoke with or use as rebreather for water/smoke/ poison gas we. Flexible goggle hidden underneath the hat we can break out in a pinch.

>>2995990
Name: Harbinger
Costume: A stylish, semi long shirt of the Chinese style (don't know what they're called), but with spacious, shortened sleeves, under which we wear a long sleeved shirt and formal gloves to create a seamless, yet layered look. The trousers should be somewhat baggy and loose looking, along with leg wraps, like you see in some kung fu movies. Maybe a wide sash going around the waist? Perhaps a bit of light armor too? Though that can come later too. Shoes with hardened toes for some kicking action. Various pockets and such from which we can pull tools and weapons, like metal balls. Color on all this stuff is variable, though personally I'd go for a simple black/white color scheme.

Alternatively, a brightly colored Bruce Lee jumpsuit

>>2995990
No preference on appearance but specially made balls that are simultaneously heavy enough to hurt and bouncy enough to ricochet would be nice

>>2996108
Oh and Name Logos

>>2996108
This.

>>2995990
I feel like the obvious codename for us would be Newton, right?

>>2996108

This is Boku No Hero Academia, I'd rather back the bargain bin wuxia suit than a doctor who LARP

>>2996116

I'll support, with the addendum that we call ourselves >>2996212

>>2995990
For the codename, I'd go for Newton as I said earlier.

For the outfit, I think I'd go for a dark red, hooded coat of some kind, fitted to be left open and with countless pockets on the inside. On our chest, left intentionally exposed would be a bright orange armored vest sitting against dark clothing underneath, screaming at any villains that this is the squishy kid without a physical quirk, who you could probably take out with a single hit. On the outside of the coat, along it's waist would be a number of different holstered balls, all of different masses and sizes. And with our obvious weapon on display, the inside of the coat would hold more uniquely shaped objects, made to surprise our opponents with unpredictable flight paths. Gotta leverage the fact that we're the only one who can think fast enough to tell exactly how an arbitrary object will move.

I can't think of much else, but I'd really like for our outfit to hit home on the fact that we're not what you'd expect. That someone with a quirk like ours isn't defenceless like everyone thinks we are.

>>2995990
>Codename: Harbinger
>Outfit: Half-mask concealing our upper half of our face and standard outlaw/indiana jones style hat. Leather duster and riot armor combination ala New Vegas NCR Ranger. Multitude of hard rubber balls, tactical batons, and other weapons and items that we can make use of via the belt and pouches.

I'm really liking all the costume and name ideas being thrown around. I'm having trouble deciding what's best.

>>2996338
I hope we're given plenty of time for this vote. It's pretty important, after all, and I wouldn't want people to end up sleeping through it and not getting any say in the matter.

>>2995990
I hope a creative anon comes up with a good costume.

>Code name: Victim.

Because we will embody the helpless non augmented type heroes and the quirkless.

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>>2995990
Something like this

>>2996504
>Too batman-esque
>>2996108
I like the gadgets. For our weapon, other than balls and weights, I like the trick cane or maybe a whip (perhaps we could go bloodborne on this one?)
>>2996116
I like the idea of the costume (even if I am not sure how it could fits many pockets, maybe the sash holds pouches? Or just handwave it) but I am not sure it fits the theme. I don't have any strong feelings about the name.
>>2996212
Not a bad name
>>2996277
I am not sure about it but it's a nice show of confidence and mind-game if we keep it a bit subtler rather than "snipe me first pls". Definitely my favorite outfit tho.

>>2996344
>>2996361
Not really sold on either of these

An alternative could be something from Lethal League, considering how much I like the idea of the cane there's Candyman but we're not that much of a madman to wear his mask.

>>2995990
Overall I prefer >>2996277 as an outfit with >>2996108 as an additional weapon
Either Harbinger or Newton as a name are fine.

Keeping this bumped so that anyone interested can provide their input.

I'm not creative at all with outfits but I'm putting in my vote that our codename is Newton

>>2996116
Throwing in for this, although >>2996277 is also an excellent choice of costume.

>>2996108
This

What about the mega man number man inspired outfit that was suggested earlier?

>>2997565
Sure, post it.

>>2995990
I like the idea of being called Calculus, but I definitely prefer Newton over Harbinger. Unless I'm missing something, I don't see how Harbinger would fit us.

>>2996108
I like this costume. The mention of a medical kit also makes me wonder, how well would we do in a medical emergency with our powers?

>>2996108
Fuck the trick weapon cane, this isn't Bloodborne.

>>2997769
My reasoning for Harbinger is that it means something that prepares for or signals some future event. It's a nod at the fact that our Quirk can almost be seen as a sort of prescience.

>>2997778
I was thinking more a cane with a cattle prod built into it./

Last call for input.

>>2997997
>>2996277

This is my vote, it's the only one that's remotely in-character and isn't gimmicky.

>>2998017
I agree with the costume choice but honestly, the name is wack. Who names themselves after anothet person, even if it's only indirectly? I would have gone with Logos, at least

>>2998086

If we were a street vigilante I would agree wholeheartedly and without reservation, but Newton feels "quirkier," and we're a super-student in Boku No Hero Academia. At the moment, it fits us better, but once we graduate or suffer some edgy life-changing trauma, we can change our name.

You feel torn between two designs.
>>2996108
On one sheet you have a gorgeous sketch of an basic bodysuit with a long armored coat in dark, neutral shades with a reinforced cane; a side diagram shows you pressing a button at the end to fire a pneumatic launcher. A detail shows the pockets lining the coat filled with a pair of escrima (finally remembered the name) sticks, a small forensics kit, a medkit, and a over-the-mouth gasmask. A reinforced hat with a set of pull-down basic goggles completes the look.

>>2996277
On the other sketch, you have a red coat and an armored vest over dark clothing. Straps on the outside hold several different-sized balls (with a note saying VARY DENSITY!). A detail specifies a variety of unusual throwing weapons; sticks, blades, bolas, even a hunga munga

Both designs have their strengths and weaknesses; the former is well-equipped and distinctive, but less armored and, well... a bit kitschy. The latter is modern and minimalist, but lacks many of the accouterments and the capacity for close-range combat, as well as practically screaming "kill this guy first".

>Use the first design
>Use the second design
>Try to compromise on them.

>>2998126
First

I do hope we can further refine and upgrade our outfit like Deku does as time progresses.

>>2998137
You will, either way.

>>2998126
>Compromise
The aesthetic of the second with the utility of the first

>>2998126
>Use the second design

>>2998126
>>Use the first design

>>2998126
>First design
Armor doesn't mean as much if it means everyone is focused on you, and we might want to be stealthy occasionally. It's also good to be prepared in case someone has poison gas.

It's also important to note that our quirk can help in a wide range of situations. We should have the items for those situations... Maybe we should get a boomerang, merely changing our trajectory up could help us.

>>2998152
That'll attract enemies to us, while getting rid of our armor. I don't think that would go well.

>>2998126

> Second design

Fuck kitschy

sniper MC is off the table??
we better be out there guns blazing.
we basically auto aim bois why waste it on balls and bolas bs

>>2998152
Changing vote to second design

>>2998126
>Use the second design

>>2998126
>Use the second design
To be frank, I really don't like the idea of us being this sneaky character who tries to control the battlefield from the sidelines and never have to deal with threats ourself. I know that's what our quirk is best suited for, but if we want to go for what we're obviously best suited for why are we even trying to play hero in the first place when all we have is a fast brain?

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>>2998126
>Second design

Never underestimate the versatility of multiple layers of clothing. There's even a fighting style that incorporates the cloak into offense and defense

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>>2998157
>>2998183
>>2998205
>>2998221
>>2998292
You delete the first design and send the second off to the school. You're here to become a hero, not a 19th-century detective. The forensic and medical kits can be added to this design later- if you need them. Same with a gas mask; a simple re-breather could be incorporated into the ballistic mask.
Now, all that's left is to wait...

"...almost three thousand dead. The resulting tension over the monitoring of so-called 'human WMDs' lead to the eventual dissolution of the UN and the beginning of a period of near-anarchy in the United Kingdom, which only ended with the rise of the new Empowered Monarchy- but I see we are out of time. Remember, there is a quiz on the Mutant Revolution and the Year of the Unknown Hero tomorrow, so somewhere in the midst of your excitement of your practical study remember to review any notes you have made- Miss Hayden, I did not say class was dismissed yet, put away your phone!"
Clarissa rolls her eyes. "You already said we're out of time, Professor Brown-"
"There is a protocol to these things, Miss Hayden. Need I remind you of the fate met by the last electronic device to be used during my class?"
Your eyes momentarily travel to the warped, cracked, and stained smartphone on Professor Brown's desk: the victim of an ex-pro's classroom discipline.
"Thank you, Miss Hayden. Now that you have all lost some time thanks to her little stunt; you may leave. Dismissed!"
You pour out of class in an eager tide, bursting out of the Box and towards the parking lot, where the bus awaits. A tower of muscle in a black leather jacket sits behind the wheel. He spots your group coming and quickly stubs out a cigar on the dashboard.
"Alright, you bunch of smooth-skinned punks; pile in the back and let's hit the road! This damn thing goes about fuck-all miles per hour, so it'll be a trip to the ghost town."
You sit down near the back; Joan and Henrietta settle down beside you- but Duke elects to sit with Apollo and a couple other members of Ryan's exercise group. Instead, Walt takes up the fourth seat in your row.
"Joan, you're looking as healthy as ever."
"Hey, Walter! We haven't talked in a while, have we? How're you doing?"
"As good as I can, I suppose." He opens up his sketchbook and starts working.

>How's Ryan been treating you, Henri?
>So, does anyone know anything about this 'ghost town'?
>I can't wait for this. Our first outing as proper heroes-in-training!

>>2998345
>How's Ryan been treating you, Henri?

>>2998345

>I can't wait for this. Our first outing as proper heroes-in-training!

>>2998345
>So, does anyone know anything about this 'ghost town'?

>>2998345
>How's Ryan been treating you, Henri?

>>2998345
>So, does anyone know anything about this 'ghost town'?

>>2998345
Oh well. I guess we could make a pretty good distraction at least. This means we need to become fast enough to dodge the majority of attacks while throwing our balls in our enemies' faces so they keep their attention on us.

>So, does anyone know anything about this 'ghost town'?

>>2998383
>>2998405
>>2998458
The bus starts lurching forward as Wolfmother puts it in gear. "Alright, we're rolling, sit your asses down before you get concussions."
You look around at the rest of your group. "Anyone know anything about this ghost town?"
Henrietta nods. "You do know where we are, right? The White Sands Basin had several military bases in it back in the day; air force bases, missile testing ranges... the first atom bomb was tested up near the north end of the basin; I think the area's still off-limits due to residual radiation. Apparently, as part of these tests, they used to build, like... fake towns, basically. They'd throw together some skeletons of houses, park a couple old cars in there, and then bomb them."
Walter looks up from his sketch. "'Nuke Towns'. Figures that a few never got used once active testing ceased."
"This 'ghost town' was probably one of those originally; Skyrock's probably expanded on it a bit, though."
"I hope they have! I want a chance to show off all the progress I've made in training."
"I'm sure we all do, Jo. Especially David."
"What?"
Henrietta smiles at you. "C'mon, Dave, I can see you've got some more definition to your muscles. Don't tell me that you got those guns just to impress me~"

>It's not that impressive
>I did, actually
>No, not to impress you
>Keane's training's really helped

>>2998844
>Keane's training's really helped
Besides, they're actually to impress Jo.
^say this while giving said girl a suggestive wink

>>2998853
Seconding

>>2998844

>It's not that impressive

Humility is key to Heroism, and we should keep our options open.

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>>2998844
>Keane's training's really helped
>>2998853
>implying that isn't locked behind an impossible Courage check, as bonus material for New Game + as is traditional with sporty Best Girls

>>2998844
>It's not that impressive
I still don't understand the muscle waifu thing. Not to hate but I just get the feeling that she was only given attention because she was the first girl to be given a vaguely interesting description in the story, a "first girl" syndrome if you were.

>>2998890
>>2998894

Hmm, maybe we could try to score with Henri AND Jo?

>>2998900
Double-timing between a girl with super-strength and one who can throw a ball into your rattle-and-flute from five hundred yards isn't generally a good idea.

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>>2998894
>implying sporty girls aren't ALWAYS the best

>>2998900
Imma stay faithful to my beloved musclebound beauty
>>2998894
Maybe youre right. I started the musclewaifu thing thinking people would see it, laugh, and move on. Which was sort of semi justified at our mangled attempt at flirting with her during our match with her. Honestly, if there were more little bungled attempts at getting the girl that are either ignored or have people shaking their head at in universe, id be completely satisfied. Although, I'd like to think that had anyone else been in our team besides Joan I'd have gone for Henrietta instead.

>>2998932
A good half of the ones here are sporty and/or athletic imo. All I'm saying is not to immediately go 100% when for the most part we barely know them. It's been what, 2 days?

>>2998949
Technically three weeks, but there hasn't been much time to socialize. You'll get more of that later.

>>2998853
>>2998890

>>2998883
>>2998894
Vote between these two things. Next vote decides.

>>2998988
>>2998855
>thx Keane got 3 votes, chief

>>2998994
Switching to giving our boy Keane a shoutout.

>>2998994
OH
I'm blind and a moron, apologies.

>>2998853
>>2998855
>>2998890
"Yeah, Keane's training really helped." You flex an arm while winking at Joan. Joan nods and puffs out her chest.
"Yeah, he's really helped me built up my stamina! I can go all out for over five minutes now!"
Henrietta is come over with a snorting cough.
"Joan... you sure about that phrasing?"
Jo cocks her head to the side. "What?"
"I just mean, you know..."
"Know what?"
"That sounds like a come-on, especially after David's flirt- and you didn't realize he was flirting with you, did you?"
Joan looks from Henri to you and back, an expression of vague confusion on her face.

>What? We were just talking about how Keane was helping us.
>Yeah, I'm mad crazy for you, babe
>Don't be hating on a player, Henri! She'd have caught on eventually!
A reminder that write-ins are encouraged.

>>2999018
>What? We were just talking about how Keane was helping us.
Now time to puss out at the last second because we're a socially inept teenager!

>>2999018

>Yeah, I'm mad crazy for you, babe

These are all cringy, but that's to be expected with a teenager.

>>2999018
>What? We were just talking about how Keane was helping us.

Oh no. Backpeddle before we spill all our spaghet.

>>2999018
>>What? We were just talking about how Keane was helping us.
shove the spaghet back into pocket

>>2999018
>I... have nooooo idea what you're talking about, Henri...
Don't forget to suddenly look at your feet and fucking panic.

>>2999018
Henri is now the wing woman who tortures herself trying to help you all the while wishing you’d be with her instead.

Is this how crazy happens?

>>2999018
>What? We were just talking about how Keane was helping us.

>>2999043
This.

>>2999050
That's assuming she wants to be with us.

>>2999069
inb4 she becomes our rival for Joan's affections

>>2999026
>>2999035
>>2999041
>>2999058
"W-what are you talking about? I was just talking about how Keane was helping us!"
"Yeah, right. Totally not a bad come-on."
Walt sighs. "Stop teasing him, Henri."
"Spoilsport."
"So, Henri, how's your training coming along? Ryan has to be... intense?"
"Yeah... he doesn't seem to be that familiar with what 'training' is. Mostly he just has us fight each other, says that's how he got stronger."
"Like, with batons, or-"
Henri shows off the calluses on her knuckles. "No, pretty much just straight-up punchups. Got to say, it's doing wonders for my frustration at Brown, the crusty old fart."

>Isn't that dangerous?
>What's Ryan's deal, anyways?
>What's your problem with Professor Brown?
>Yeah, screw Brown!

>>2999082
>What's Ryan's deal, anyways?
>What's your problem with Professor Brown?

>>2999082
>What's your problem with Professor Brown?

>>2999082
>What's your problem with Professor Brown?

>>2999082
>What's your problem with Professor Brown?

>>2999082
>What's your problem with Professor Brown?

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>>2999087
>>2999099
>>2999111
>>2999112
>>2999142
"What's your problem with Professor Brown?"
"Dude- have we even been sitting through the same classes? He's got a massive stick up his ass all the time, he's a total dick to you if you answer a question wrong, and that voice! Only he could make the world in turmoil sound as interesting as watching paint dry."
"I guess that's true, but he is a pro... don't you think he deserves a bit of respect."
"I guess."

The bus lurches to a stop.
"We're here, kids. Now; none of you mention my cursing to your teachers, got it?"
You look out the window to see... a resort town, with palm trees swaying in the breeze, small bodegas, and a few multi-story office buildings. You can spot modern securicams and a couple support drones trundling about.

>Wonder what sort of exercise they have planned.
>Eh, kind of kitschy, isn't it?
>Well, let's go.

>>2999148
>Wonder what sort of exercise they have planned.
Heh, with the nature of Quirks, I'm also wondering how many times they have to rebuild this place a year.

>>2999148
>Wonder what sort of exercise they have planned.

>>2999148
>>Wonder what sort of exercise they have planned.

>>2999148

>Wonder what sort of exercise they have planned.

>>2999155
Not that it's a problem with drones around. Cementoss would come in handy but they'll make do.
>>2999148
>Wonder about the exercise
Rescue practice? Hide and seek? Fighting in urban ambient?

>>2999148
>Wonder what sort of exercise they have planned.

>>2999155
>>2999170
>>2999178
>>2999193
>>2999234
>>2999502
You start chatting as you get off the bus.
"I wonder what sort of exercise they have planned for us."
"I bet it's rescue training of some kind."
"Maybe it's urban training? You know, for SJZ work."
Walt flips a pencil. "Whatever it is, it's probably going to involve group work."
"How do you figure that?"
"If it didn't, we'd probably be using the arena or a smaller space, instead of a fake town."

"Very clevah, Walt!" Paracelsus walks out from a nearby storefront. "Yeah, this heah's gonna be a group exercise: a simulated team mission that's gonna involve elements'a boat rescue and combat work! But first-" she jabs a thumb towards the building she just came out of "-suit up! Boys on the left, goils on the right- an' no peeking!"
Your group surges towards the building, which turns out to be some kind of communal showers on the inside, with a line of briefcases resting on the central bench. You grab the one with your code name on it and suit up; first the clothes, then the armor pads, then the ballistic mask, then the hoodie. It's a bit awkward walking with all this kit strapped to you- you're thankful you didn't go with the other idea now.
You feel a hand clap you on the back. "Nice outfit... 'Newton'."
You turn around. Walt's standing in front of you in light body armor covered with brightly-colored designs of riot shields, smoke grenades, ladders, flashlights, and a dozen other items. A pair of bandoliers are loaded down with disposable instant-print cameras, rolled-up stencils, and spray cans. The look is topped by a half-mask that conforms to the contours of his face- and multicolored tips to his hair.

>That's very... colorful
>What's your code name? Crazy Quilt?
>Thanks, glad you like it Walt.

>>2999630
>Thanks, glad you like it Walt.
>>That's very... colorful/ There a story behind it?

>>2999647
Supporting
I'm betting he's gonna call himself Banksy, to go with trend of naming ourselves after other people.

>>2999630
Supporting >>2999647

>>2999647

This.

>>2999630
>Thanks, glad you like it Walt.

Bet he's going to be grabbing things out of his costume. Question is, will he constantly be remaking it to replace the stuff he made?

>>2999647
>>2999669
>>2999703
>>2999724
"Thanks. Glad you like it, Wal-"
Walt holds up a finger. "It's 'Dreammaker' when I'm in costume."
"Well, still, glad you like it. The outfit's very... colorful. Is there a story behind it?"
"Not as such... it's more like- a hero should be someone approachable, who inspires others. Not just a person, but a symbol for everyone who needs them. Someone who makes dreams reality. So, I'm Dreammaker."
Behind Dreammaker, you see Ryan putting on a leather coat and a flak vest. His face churns as fragments of bone begin to sprout out over it, merging together and thickening. After a minute, his face is a grinning skull.
"+++Hurry up. Let's get this exercise started.+++" You look around the corner to see the source of this buzzing voice.
Standing at the end of the hall is a figure wearing a fully-enclosing suit of pale white body armor adorned with quietly-whirring motors and smooth, almost organic plating. Their face is hidden behind an enclosing helmet. The face-plate fades from pure white to clear, showing Vincent's face within.
"+++Yes, yes, I know, very impressive, now let's go.+++"

>What's the rush, Tin Can Man?
>Daddy buy you that, Vincent?
>We'll be there in a second, sorry.

>>3000043
>What's the rush?

>>3000043

>What's the rush, Tin Can Man?

Too smooth for our own good.

>>3000043
>What's the rush?

>>3000043
>What's the rush, Tin Can Man?

>>3000043
>Daddy buy you that, Vincent?
Rival get.

>>3000065
>>3000067
>>3000073
>>3000087
"What's the rush, Tin Can Man."
"+++DEFAULT. My professional name is Default.+++"
You hear a chuckle from behind you, followed by a grinding noise.
"Default. That's about right."
"+++Save your commentary for yourself...+++"
"Call me Totenkopf."
"+++...Totenkopf. As for what the 'rush' is, I'd rather get this exercise started as soon as possible, without any hanging around.+++"
"Fine, fine. We'll go."

Heading out of the changing room, you take a good look at the rest of the class's outfits:
-Duke looks like he's stepped out of a Noir film poster; a dark coat enshrouds most of his body, while a trilby covers his head. He's wearing a simple Domino mask over his eyes.
-Apollo is wearing a tight golden bodysuit with a flowing silver cape. His gloves have small lenses built into the palms. His head is enclosed in a finned helmet.
-Carey is wearing a simple featureless mouth-mask over a loose robe, all in a uniform shade of grey.
-Harry's wearing a black leather jacket with wrap-around shades and matching pants. Honestly, he could probably have bought the outfit himself at a thrift store.
-John (who seems mostly "human" today, save for a certain scaliness of the skin) is wearing a simple red suit with a big "AB" on the chest.
-Billy... has shock pads strapped to his joints and is wearing some kind of metal mask; pitch-black glass covers his eyes and a large speaker rests at mouth level.
-Keane is wearing a black leather bodysuit with a mask that appears to have goggles built in. A crossbow is strapped to his back.
-Reggie's also wearing a full-coverage bodysuit, which unfortunately emphasizes his paunch. A number of hoses run off of a pack on his back and to a few small canisters on his belt.
-Hector is wearing... what looks like a plain brown hooded robe with iron shackles attached to the limbs, a band on the chest, and nails driven through the knots of the waist-rope. You can see several screws and blades attached. When he looks up, you can see that he's used red paint to trace a cross over his face.
-Joshua barely looks any different, save for the subtle sheen of metal in his suit; must be made out of react-fabric.
-Pete's wearing combat armor... with a denim vest over it. A number of small bottles are strapped to the vest.
-Rebecca's wearing a flowing white robe, with claw-tipped armored gloves. Her blindfold is gone, replaced by a mask made in the image of a leering she-demon. The mask simultaneously looks angry and sad.
-Clarissa is also wearing a traditional bodysuit, although she's opted to keep her face exposed. The whole thing is hot pink.
-Joanna's another for the full-bodysuit crowd, although she compliments hers with a bandolier of grenades. The surface of the suit shimmers slightly in the light.

>>3000202
As you look around for your two female friends, you spot them coming out of their half of the changing room.
Joan is wearing an eye-mask, tank top, flexible shorts, steel-toed boots, and gloves with studs on the knuckles. Her top has "KO" on it. Henrietta's gone for a domino mask, light combat armor, and a hooded cape. Her belt is lined with throwing knives, darts, and several bolas. A compound bow is slung over her back, along with a quiver.
"Hey David. Same gimmick!"

>Y-yeah, same gimmick.
>It's Newton in costume. Nice to see you, Knockout and...?
>You both look great!
>Nice a-I mean outfit, Jo

>>3000219
>It's Newton in costume. Nice to see you, Knockout and...?
>Thinking about getting some escrima sticks or a collapsible staff for cqc. Sadly limited budget.

>>3000219
>>Nice a-I mean outfit, Jo

>>3000219
>It's Newton in costume. Nice to see you, Knockout and...?
And Jo certainly is a... knockout.

>>3000219
>You both look great!

>>3000226

This.

>>3000219


>>3000226
Support. I like Joan but let's not get roo thirsty.

>>3000219
>Y-yeah, same gimmick.
>You both look great!
>Also, Newton in costume.

>>3000226
>>3000257
>>3000271
"It's Newton in costume. Nice to see you, 'Knockout' and?..."
Henri smiles. You notice she's pulled her frizzy mess of hair into a ponytail under the hood. "Oakley! Y'know, like Annie Oakley? Looks like both of us went for referencing someone else with our code-names!"
"Yeah. I meant to get some escrima sticks or a jo staff for close-quarters, but the budget..."
"Yeah, I get it; I wanted to get a grapnel, scope, and a few other things, but I couldn't fit that into my budget, eith-holy shit, is vincent wearing CYBER ARMOR?!"
"Yeah."
"Of course he is. I bet his famous and successful daddy shelled out for it. Probably designed it, too."
"Yeah, but... isn't that good? I mean, Vincent doesn't seem like a bad guy; he just.... has high standards!"
"I guess. Or maybe he's just a total di-"
A shadow passes overhead, and Argus lands from a nearby roof.
"Good, you are all here. I'm certain you are wondering what today's exercise is, precisely."
Out comes the portable holoprojector. The words HOSTAGE RESCUE SIMULATOR blossom in front of you. As your teacher speaks, the projector flickers through a series of images to assist in understanding.
"You will be divided into teams of five members each. In each scenario, one team will be Heroes, and the other will be Villains. The Villains will have broken into an upper-class hotel and taken the staff-played by simple drones- hostage. The Heroes will have been alerted to this and have assembled three city blocks away. The Villains' goal is to open the manager's vault using a security key and staff's biometrics, get the item inside, and escape the hotel. The Heroes must disable the Villains and rescue the hostages, and will be penalized for each hostage killed. Each team will confront the other at least once, and will play both the Hero and Villain role twice each. As you can see, this will require you to act quickly and quietly-yes, Vincent?"
"How, exactly, are these teams going to be determined?"
"Ah, yes, good question. We had some debate over that-"
"-We were gonna do self-selectin', but then we realized that wasn't gonna work out well."
"Neither would completely random chance. So, we have decided on a draft system."
"An' the winners of the Moonlight Race are the captains! C'mon up heah!"
Joan pumps a fist. "Awesome! Let's have a good match, guys!"
"Yeah. Just, y'know... don't take it too personally when I crush you, okay?~"

>In your dreams, Henri
>Let's have a good match
>You guys don't stand a chance
>Remain silent

>>3000477
>In your dreams, Henri
>Let's have a good match

>>3000477
>In your dreams, Henri
>Let's have a good match

>>3000477
>In your dreams, Henri
>Let's have a good match

Rolled 2 (1d4)

>>3000493
>>3000522
>>3000531
"In your dreams, Henri. Now, let's have a good match!"
You meet up with Duke, who nods to you.
"Y'all don't take nothin' that goes down here as personal, y'hear?"
"No sweat, Duke!"
Argus holds up four matchsticks of varying length. "You will draw lots to decide the draft order." He closes his hand and begins to shift them around. One by one, you pull your lots...

>>3000581
second isn't bad.

>>3000581
"Very well. Oakley will pick first, Newton second, Carrefour III third, and Knockout fourth. Oakley, your first pick."
Henri scans the group with a critical eye, before pointing at Walt. "I'll take you, Wal-I mean, 'Dreammaker'."
"I'll be happy to fight by your side!" Walter springs to the front of the group and takes a bow.
"Newton, your pick."

Remaining options:

>Carey Allen, AKA "Tao"
>Apollo Jones, AKA "Lighthouse"
>Ryan Ferris, AKA "Totenkopf"
>Vincent Kilenrock, AKA "Default"
>Harry Barber, AKA "Eclipse"
>John Carlson, AKA "Proteus"
>William Kane, AKA "Strigoi"
>Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"
>Reginald Darger, AKA "Slick"
>Hector Peron, AKA "Disciplina"
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"
>Peter Blake, AKA "Vheissu"
>Rebecca Jackson, AKA "Nemesis"
>Clarissa Hayden, AKA "Melpomene"
>Joanna Smith, AKA "Lapse"

>>3000603
>>Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"

>>3000603

>Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"

Essential for the task at hand.

>>3000603
>Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"

>>3000603
>Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"
Intel is king.

>>3000603
>Peter likes Thrice
>his hero name is Vheissu
YAAAS
PETER BEST BOI
Also, putting my vote in for
>"Nemesis"

>>3000607
>>3000611
>>3000612
>>3000631
"Overwatch. You're up."
Keane walks to your side without saying a word.
"Tao!"
"Really, I'm your first pick? Neat."
"Default. Can you take orders?"
Vincent's suit whirs as he falls in behind Duke. "If I trust them, yes."
"C'mon up here, Totenkopf."
Ryan snorts as he falls in.

Henri's team:
-Henrietta Bonney, AKA "Oakley"
-Walter Clarkson, AKA "Dreammaker"
-Ryan Ferris, AKA "Totenkopf"

Duke's team:
-Duke Lambeaux, AKA "Carrefour (III)"
-Vincent Kilenrock, AKA "Default"

Joan's team:
-Joan Schwartz, AKA "Knockout"
-Carey Allen, AKA "Tao"

Your team:
-David Fischer, AKA "Newton"
-Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"

Remaining options:

>Apollo Jones, AKA "Lighthouse"
>Harry Barber, AKA "Eclipse"
>John Carlson, AKA "Proteus"
>William Kane, AKA "Strigoi"
>Reginald Darger, AKA "Slick"
>Hector Peron, AKA "Disciplina"
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"
>Peter Blake, AKA "Vheissu"
>Rebecca Jackson, AKA "Nemesis"
>Clarissa Hayden, AKA "Melpomene"
>Joanna Smith, AKA "Lapse"

>>3000661
>"Lapse"
If only so the other teams don't get her. Get her into a good position and she can really throw a wrench into your plans.

>>3000661
>Joanna Smith, AKA "Lapse"
Mostly as a denial pick.
If we've got her, they don't.

>>3000661
>Joanna Smith, AKA "Lapse"

>>3000661
Can Keane tell where someone is without seeing them? Maybe he could use that to fight Joanna. Heck, if it does work that way we could fight be ricocheting our weapons so we don't have to look directly at her.

>Strigoi
That scream of his could be useful in distracting people, and his flight might come in handy too.

>>3000682
Yes, but the point is somewhat moot.

>>3000667
>>3000673
>>3000679
"Hey, uh, Lapse."
"YES!!! Best workout buddies forever!" Joanna literally SKIPS to your side.

"Mah next pick is... Disciplina."
"I shall not let you down. I shall bear whatever burden you require of me!" Hector walks carefully forward to Duke's side.

"Vheissu!"
"Knew you were into me, Jo!" Peter runs a hand through his hair as he saunters up to her side.

"Right... let's see... Strigoi."
"You got it."

Henri's team:
-Henrietta Bonney, AKA "Oakley"
-Walter Clarkson, AKA "Dreammaker"
-Ryan Ferris, AKA "Totenkopf"
-William Kane, AKA "Strigoi"

Duke's team:
-Duke Lambeaux, AKA "Carrefour (III)"
-Vincent Kilenrock, AKA "Default"
>Hector Peron, AKA "Disciplina"

Joan's team:
-Joan Schwartz, AKA "Knockout"
-Carey Allen, AKA "Tao"
-Peter Blake, AKA "Vheissu"

Your team:
-David Fischer, AKA "Newton"
-Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"
-Joanna Smith, AKA "Lapse"

Remaining options:

>Apollo Jones, AKA "Lighthouse"
>Harry Barber, AKA "Eclipse"
>John Carlson, AKA "Proteus"
>Reginald Darger, AKA "Slick"
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"
>Rebecca Jackson, AKA "Nemesis"
>Clarissa Hayden, AKA "Melpomene"

>>3000688
>Rebecca Jackson, AKA "Nemesis"

>>3000688
Let's go for
>Becky
Maximum debuff for the enemy team.

>>3000688
>Joshue Sheen
He could be a good tank being made out of diamonds, and since he can change the interaction of light he could probably blind people too, which works with Joanna's ability.

>>3000688
>Apollo Jones, AKA "Lighthouse"
For maximum sniping shenanigans

>>3000688
>Rebecca Jackson, AKA "Nemesis"
High utility/debuff team.

>>3000688
>Rebecca Jackson

Current selections
>Keane
>Joanna
>Rebecca

We're going to be a bitch to deal with as villains, but we lack some firepower.

Still, dopping Rebecca for Apollo + Joshua could lead to some serious shenanigans, but if we pick one and the other is stolen we could end up suboptimal.

>>3000886
With these selections, and going for a debuff build, the best options for next turn would be either
>Harry
for max information denial, everybody goes in blind and we pick them off with ranged weapons; or
>Clarissa
as she would shore up Becky weakness and amp her power up, disrupting coordination.

Alternatively, but not with the same combo potential, Apollo (firepower, flashbangs?) or Reginald (difficult terrain, not sure if incendiary weapons are allowed but probably not).

>>3000688
>>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"
need a frontline

>>3000688
>"Knew you were into me, Jo!" Peter runs a hand through his hair as he saunters up to her side.
That's it, Peter is now the enemy.
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"
Need a tank.

>>3000691
>>3000698
>>3000776
>>3000794
"Nemesis."
"I'm touched you picked me~"
Rebecca's robe flows out behind her as she moves, briefly revealing an impressive amount of combat armor underneath.
"Ah think Ah'll take Melpomene, thanks."
"Got it."

"Eclipse!"
Harry nods as he steps up. "I guess this'll work."

"I think I'll take... Lighthouse."
"Great! Together, we'll light up the night!" Apollo strikes a pose, hands on his hips and chest thrust out.
"Calm down there, Apollo, this isn't a press conference."


Henri's team:
-Henrietta Bonney, AKA "Oakley"
-Walter Clarkson, AKA "Dreammaker"
-Ryan Ferris, AKA "Totenkopf"
-William Kane, AKA "Strigoi"
-Apollo Jones, AKA "Lighthouse"

Duke's team:
-Duke Lambeaux, AKA "Carrefour (III)"
-Vincent Kilenrock, AKA "Default"
-Hector Peron, AKA "Disciplina"
-Clarissa Hayden, AKA "Melpomene"

Joan's team:
-Joan Schwartz, AKA "Knockout"
-Carey Allen, AKA "Tao"
-Peter Blake, AKA "Vheissu"
-Harry Barber, AKA "Eclipse"

Your team:
-David Fischer, AKA "Newton"
-Keane Carter, AKA "Overwatch"
-Joanna Smith, AKA "Lapse"
-Rebecca Jackson, AKA "Nemesis"


Remaining options:

>John Carlson, AKA "Proteus"
>Reginald Darger, AKA "Slick"
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"

>>3001375
>Joshua Sheen
We can't be too squishy.

>>3001375
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"
Don't worry baby, we know just how to maximize the effectiveness of your quirk.
Plus, you're basically a hard counter to Lighthouse.

>>3001375
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"

>>3001375
>Joshua Sheen, AKA "Mister Lustrous"
Tank. And. Spank.

>>3001384
>>3001386
>>3001417
>>3001449
Some frontline would be nice, yeah.

>>3001375
>"Proteus"
He's adaptable, which means he could possibly fill in both as tank/muscle plus whatever else we might need.

>>3001375
Voting for Lustrous.

>>3001384
>>3001386
>>3001417
>>3001449
>>3001460
>>3002307
Sorry, had time with my IRL Shadowrun group

"'Mister Lustrous'?"
"Ah, excellent! Glad you chose me!" Joshua steps forward into your group.

"Guess Ah'll take Proteus."
Reggie sighs as John walks over to Duke's group. "It's middle school dodgeball all over again..."
Argus and Paracelsus confer for a second. "Very well. The first match will be... Carrefour's team versus Newton's. Carrefour: heads, or tails?"
"Heads."
Argus flips, and shakes his head and turns to you. "You may decide for this first round, David: are you going to be the Heroes or Villains?"

>Heroes
>Villains

>>3003062

> Villains

We have the advantage.

>>3003062
>Villains
If we pick heroes we won't have the advantage of already knowing the landscape when we have to infiltrate.

>>3003062
>Villains

>>3003062
Nigga if you have an IRL group for the best tabletop RPG of all time, you cherish the shit out of them and fuck us anons. I shall live vicariously through you. None of my friends can be arsed to learn a non-d20 system and I fucking hate them for it.
>Villains
We should get WAY too into it.

>>3003062
>Villains

>>3003086
I also agree we should really get way into the villainy. Monologue and all.

>>3003086
But what type of villain should we be?

>>3003133
The kind that enjoys suffering and misfortune? Just ham it up with Rebecca. I'd be careful with her going up against Clarissa though.

>>3003111
>>3003133
Saturday morning cartoon
It's all a ruse to make them lower their guard

>>3003133

The cackling madman with a pragmatic streak.

>>3003133
The kind of villain that asks “do you think you’ve won” a lot and monologues. Also with cackles for the extra flavor.

>>3003133
Two words.
Cobra. Commander.

>>3003138
>>3003139
Combine these. Better get your acting chops in order.

>>3003073
>>3003079
>>3003084
>>3003086
>>3003088
"We'll be the Villains for the first round."
"An unusual choice, but as you wish. The hotel is there." Argus points to a four-story building at the other end of the plaza. "You will have three minutes to prepare once you enter the hotel. Once again: the Heroes must arrest the Villains using these-" he holds up a pair of handcuffs "-and save the hostages. The Villains must locate the manager's key and a member of staff with biometrics capable of opening the vault in the employees only area, take the items in the vault, and then get three city blocks away from the hotel. The Heroes will be scored based on how many hostages remain alive at the end of the scenario and how many Villains they successfully arrested. The Villains will be scored based on how quickly they escape. Now: begin." Duke's team starts walking away from the plaza up a side street while you lead your group towards the hotel.

The lobby of the hotel is decorated in the style of a Spanish villa .An elevator and stairwell go up to the other three floors. There appears to be a banquet hall and kitchen adjoined to the lobby, and a door with a large 'STAFF ONLY' sign is set into the back of the wall. A dozen vaguely-human drones are milling about by the concierge's desk. They jerk to action when you cross the threshold.
"Oh-no-criminals!"
"Please-spare-me-I-have-a-wife-and-kids!"
"Help-won't-someone-save-us?"
The drones kneel down in place and place their hands behind their heads.
"I really don't like this..."
"Don't be stressed, 'Lapse', it's just an exercise."
"I swear my family spent time at a ranch where the lobby was just like this..."
Rebecca goes behind the concierge's desk and riffles through the keys. "None of these look like a safe key. It must be somewhere in the hotel."


>Let's split up and look for it, then.
>Someone stay with the hostages; the rest of us will look for the key.
>One of us should look for the key while the rest stay with the hostages.

>>3003908
>One stays with me and we interrogate the hostages. The rest of you look for that key. We're on a timer here, people!

File: 12106a_lg.jpg (423 KB, 792x792)

423 KB JPG

>>3003908
>Someone stay with the hostages; the rest of us will look for the key.
Man we need a hockey mask.

>>3004031
Your suit includes a red ballistic mask.

>>3003908
>One of us should look for the key while the rest stay with the hostages.

File: usi9T5Q.gif (4.81 MB, 710x296)

4.81 MB GIF

>>3004038
Well yeah, but I mean we're robbing a bank, we'll probably be doing a fighting retreat down the streets, and Heat is my favorite movie of all time (this reload makes my dick diamonds).

>>3003908
>One of us should look for the key while the rest stay with the hostages.

Good now. Terrorize the robots and cackle.

>>3004065
Better yet. Line the hostages close enough to the walls and windows so the heroes don’t break in without risking damage to the hostages.

>>3003908
Supporting >>3003967

>>3003908
>>3003967 This is good, better if we keep Overwatch and Lustrous instead of other people. If Keane picks up anything he can signal the others, he would be a better fit with a strong frontliner and Joshua could also use light signals.
>>3004071
This is a good point - keep hostages against walls - but perhaps it's better to move them away from the lobby, too accessible.

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>3003967
>>3004065
>>3004071
>>3004127
>>3004217

Backing, and rolling for our maniacal laugh, MWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Rolled 79 (1d100)

>>3004312
Also rolling

>>3003967
supporting

>>3004217
So for clarification, you're saying
>Newton
>Overwatch
>Mr. Lustrous
Stay and interrogate the hostages, while
>Lapse
>Nemesis
Look for the key
Right?

>>3004367
looks alright to me

>>3003967
>>3004127
>>3004217
>>3004312
>>3004351
"Lapse, Nemesis; start looking for the key. Overwatch, Mr. Lustrous, we'll stay here and keep our guests... company AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!"
You feel everyone else's eyes on you, and cough. "Sorry, just getting into the role."

Lapse and Nemesis head into the banquet hall, while you walk up to one of the drones, which seems to be dressed as a concierge.
"Where's the key to the vault?"
"Please-you-have-to-believe-me-I-don't-know! The-manager-usually-has-it!"
"Then where's the manager?"
"I-don't-know-that-either!"

>Sweet-talk him
>Threaten him
>"Kill" him
>"Kill" another drone to intimidate him

>>3004468
>Threaten him

>>3004468
>>Threaten him

>>3004468
>>Threaten him
You can give me a description at least,right? Or else...

>>3004468
>Threaten him

>>3004468
>Threaten to kill another drone

>>3004468
Changing vote to this >>3004587

>>3004468
>Threaten him and another drone

>>3004587
^

>>3004587
>>3004596
>>3004652
>>3004682
You pull out the hungamunga from inside your coat and hold it up to the "throat" of another drone with a Hawaiian pattern on its chassis.
"You'd better start talking, or else your guest here is going to have a very short stay here."
"Okay! The-manager-has-a-panic-room-on-the-top-floor."
Nemesis's voice chirps in your ear from the comms your team was given. "The kitchen and banquet hall are empty. I've found six more hostages in here. Should we kill them?"
"No; bring them into the lobby. Line them up against the outside wall; I want the Heroes to see them!"
"Fine." You feel uncomfortable with how dejected Rebecca sounded.
You start to line up the hostages against the wall, in front of the windows.
"The manager is in a panic room on the fourth floor. Probably has an electronic magnet-lock and a reinforced door."
Overwatch looks at a watch on his wrist. "Two minutes have elapsed, boss. The heroes will start moving in one minute."

>Plan your next move

>>3004900
Have the most sympathetic hostage taken with someone and threaten their life to open the room. we don't WANT to kill anyone, but the longer we wait the more.. antsy we will get.

>>3004900
>Lapse comes back here. Lustrous goes to the panic room with a hostage, there might be a camera that we could use to help convince him to come out. If that doesn't work, Nemesis and Lustrous will try to break through the door.

Lustrous is the toughest of us, so he is the most capable of opening the door. With Becky's Evil Eye, she might be able to help cause a malfunction to open it. I don't really know much about panic rooms and how reinforced they usually are. Would the ceiling be stronger than the door?

>>3004900
Oh boy, this is gonna be tough. Maybe we could use Nemesis' quirk on the manager, force him to come out? But at the same time, we don't know how difficult it would be to force entry. Or perhaps we could do what we just did and threaten to kill another hostage and hope the manager comes out? Another idea, we could try brute forcing it with Lustrous, but again, who knows how fortified that safe room is?
We also need to think about the enemy Team.
>Duke/Carrefour
His mist Quirk can let him flank us easily, and could be used to screen an approach by the harder hitting members of his team.
>Vincent/Default
His electronic interface Quirk will really wreak havoc on our efforts to get into the vault. Keep him away from it.
>Hector/Disciplina
Heavy hitter, try to avoid getting close.
>Clarissa/Melpomene
Interesting Quirk, but I don't think it'll do too much in our case. Hell, if she ends up hitting Nemesis, it could actually work in our favor.
>John/Proteus
Semi-unknown, need to watch this one.

>>3004900
Supporting >>3004937

>>3004937
Throwing my support for this

>>3004900
I have another idea in case the heroes reach us, and it requires Lapse. If they come to us, we can kill one of the drones and throw it at their feet, have Lapse run away, and then we could act like they are maniacs who just killed someone for no reason. Our hostages might prefer to stay with the villains who have "only" threatened them over the heroes who they think are just crazed murderers. Hostages who'll stick with us would be a lot more helpful than hostages who'll run into our enemies arms if given the chance.

Will they believe us? Can't say for sure, but this is a very emotional and stressful situation. They'll probably not be thinking straight.

>>3005040
would her quirk even work on drones?

>>3005101
I'd assume they made the drones capable of replicating being effected by mental quirks. Try to make the situation as realistic as possible.

>>3005116
should we have her test it out first if possible?

>>3005199
I can get behind that

>>3004937
>>3005031
>>3005034
"Lapse, return here. Mr. Lustrous, Nemesis, go to the top floor; take the concierge as a hostage. If there's a camera, make it clear that unless the manager opens the door, we'll kill him. If there isn't... try to break open the door."
"What, with my hands? ...Oh, very well. I'll meet you there, Nemesis."
Lapse comes back in from the kitchen and picks at the place where her headpiece meets her bodysuit. "Okay, so... what should we do now, uh, boss?"
"Well, I want to see if your Quirk works on these drones."
The nearest drone lifts its head up.
"Yes-and-no. Technically-speaking-mental-Quirks-do-not-work-on-us-but-we-can-detect-miss-smith's-fluctuations-in-her-Keikei-resonance-and-react-appropriately. Apologies-for-breaking-character."
"Thanks!" Joanna waves to the drone with a great windmilling of her arm.
"Good. In that case, I have an idea-"
Joshua's voice barks in your earpiece. "Outside the panic room. There's a camera and mic. Threatened the manager, and he said that the only way we were getting in is if we blow the door off its hinges. Still got the hostage. What should we do now?"
Overwatch backs a couple paces away from the windows. "Ten seconds, sir."

>Plan your next move.

>>3005240
Have Lapse stay here with Overwatch and keep with the plan. Head up to take a look at the safe room ourself. Maybe our Quirk can help us find a more efficient way of breaking into the safe room. And be quick about it!!

>>3005240
This but let Nemesis kill the manager, seems useless now.
>>3005264

>>3005276
Killing quickly will just make it seem like the end of it, we have to inspire guilt, pity and remorse. Tear off it's fingers. If that won't convince him, remove an arm. Keep going until the drone is a quadriplegic, and threaten to do the same with another hostage if he doesn't open it.

>>3005240
Supporting >>3005264 and >>3005297

>>3005297
Well when you put it that way.

>>3005276
We shouldn't kill the Manager, he might be the one with the biometrics to open the vault.

>>3005264
>>3005297
>>3005301
>>3005310
"Lapse, Overwatch, stay here and make sure the hostages don't escape. I'm going to deal with the safe room."
Overwatch nods. You sprint up the stairs three at a time and barrel down the hall to the door. Three of the drone "hostage"'s fingers are bent backwards, and the drone itself is going "boo-hoo-hoo. Boo-hoo-hoo." on a loop.
"I tried intimidating him, but he isn't cracking!"
Another drone voice crackles from the safe room door. "I-will-never-let-you-monsters-in! You-will-just-kill-us-all-anyways!"
Overwatch comes in over the comms. "They're moving. I give it less than a minute before Carrefour and Default are here: Proteus, Melpomene, and Disciplina are taking a little longer."

>Plan your next move

>>3005548
>Kill no, we're only going to do that if you make us desperate? We're here for the payday, not the blood. However, the longer you take to open this door and let us get inside the safe? The more blood will be on your hands, both your coworkers and the heroes who will get here.... eventually. They'll be marching right into a killzone after all.
You have my word we will not intentionally harm any coworkers if you cooperate.

While we're talking look to see a way into the thing if we can see it.

>>3005557
Supporting. I don't (want to) think that Carrefour and his lackeys will burst in, guns blazing. I think that once they get into a good distance, they'll try to size up the situation before coming up with a plan to take us down with minimal civilian casualties. I say that we still have a few more minutes until they actually act. Hopefully.

Also, do we know the rough layout of the building?

>>3005548
Supporting >>3005557

>>3005548
Backing >>3005557
And have Overwatch go grab a pretty hostage, maybe Mister Saferoom is a chivalrous type.

>>3005575
Yes; four floors, with a 200 x 150 foot floorplan for the main building; the kitchen and banquet hall are in an extension. Each floor except the ground floor has 20 rooms, with a central hallway 10 feet wide connecting each room. The safe room appears to be occupying the space that would normally be filled by a hotel room on the top floor. There's an elevator that lets out in roughly the center of each floor's hall, and a stairwell at each end of the hallway. The western stairwell has roof access; the eastern one does not. The non-lobby space on the ground floor houses an employee break room, a laundry, and the manager's office where the vault is.

>>3005548
ask Rebecca if she can try opening the vault door.

>>3005620
I'm guessing she probably needs a living target, not to mention line of sight to her target.

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242 KB PNG

>>3005641
it said anything tho... anything..
Also tell overwatch and lapse to bring the hostage with us and bring some to the rooftop. Tell the heroes we're gonna drop some civvies if they aint gonna back off to buy us some time.

>>3006586
A clarification on how her Quirk works; things in her direct line of sight go wrong (A filter in her mask and blindfold both incorporate pattern-disruption technology that prevents her Quirk from working while minimizing disruption to her ability to see things). While this "going wrong" generally follows a path of least resistance (a person is going to suffer from aching joints or a previous medical condition acting up rather than spontaneous human combustion), she has no control over WHAT or HOW things go wrong. In addition, the intensity of the effect depends on her emotional state.

>>3005557
>>3005580
>>3005586
You start running your hands over the door as you talk to the manager. "I'm not interested in killing anyone, Mr. Manager; I just want what's in the safe. But if you don't open this door, well... you aren't going to leave me much of a choice, are you? Especially once the capes turn up. You don't want cape blood on your hands, do you? So just be a pal and open the safe for us, will you? No one's got to get any more hurt today." The door feels fairly sturdy; it'd probably take 892 lbs. of force to knock it off its hinges directly-
The point is made moot when the electronic lock disengages and the 'Manager' drone shuffles out, holding a bright-red key card, "Please-I-just-don't-want-anyone-else-to-get-hurt."

Vincent's voice crackles into your comms. "Villains, this hotel has been surrounded. In accordance with the Metacrime Policing Act, you have one chance to release your hostages and surrender."

>Plan your next move

>>3006672
Ask Overwatch if he knows where they are. If they are all nearby have Lapse go into view of all of them and try to stall. If it seems like they are done with negotiations, have Lapse go out of view, erase their memories, then repeat the stall. Keep doing this to buy time until we can get the stuff.

>>3006672
Have Nemesis take the manager down with the other hostages and start patrolling the building for any doors and windows that could be used has entryways for the Heroes. Take Lustrous and head down to the vault. Again, do this will all haste. Hopefully they're still trying to come up with a plan. Combine with >>3006723

>>3006723
Wait, I just realized something! Have Nemesis tell Overwatch and Lapse in person. If we use tech to tell them, Vincent might be listening in on us.

Rolled 48, 13, 27, 100, 33, 82, 51, 63, 57, 7 = 481 (10d100)

>>3006758
>tell personally the TRUE order
>tell the fake orders by the radio etc. - the other team will get the fake plans
>>3005548

>>3006758
Shitto! If that's true, Default may have already dashed any chances of getting into the vault!

>>3006758
Support this action.

>>3006672
Supporting >>3006758

>>3006758
>>3006927
>>3007208
You remove the mic patch from your throat and cover it in your palm. "Nemesis, go ask Overwatch if they're all clustered up. If yes, send Lapse out to try and stall; activate her Quirk and start negotiating, then leave their line of sight every time they finish. Remove your mic before doing any of this; Default can probably hear anything they pick up." Nemesis nods, then peels her own mic off and heads for the nearest stairwell as you and Lustrous walk the manager and concierge to the other stairwell. Along the way, you hear Lustrous start muttering to himself. "I see how it is: Rebecca runs your errands while I'm stuck lugging people around. I don't see why I have to be the dumb muscle here; I was top of my classes in charter school, while I'm fairly certain Joanna thinks an allusion is something magicians do at parties."

You stick the mic back on and start talking. "Surrender? I'm afraid that doesn't fit in my schedule, Hero! Now, I'd advise you hold back: I have the manager and one of his associates with me right now, and my associates are busy entertaining some guests in the lobby. If you tried to take us down now-why, people might get hurt! HAHAHAHAHAA!!!!"
You hear a couple of seconds of static on the other end of the line. "Okay. Your associates should be able to see us; we're near the front door to the hotel. We'll make a deal; if you release three hostages, we'll fall back to the other side of the plaza. Is that agreeable?"
Overwatch butts into the line. "I can see Melpomene, Proteus, and Default. No sign of Carrefour and Disciplina."

>Plan your next move

>>3007704
Only if all 5 of you come into view.

>>3007704
>"I see how it is:
Uh oh, that could be trouble.
>We'll proceed down to the vault and open it, while having Lustrous head up top to see what he can see. Remind all team members radio silence unless it's urgent.
No doubt Disciplina and Carrefour are trying to find an alternate route to us while their negotiation team stalls. Freeing the hostages could be both good and bad, and honestly I'm up for either. By freeing three hostages, we could buy a bit of breathing room us, but at the same time those hostages would no doubt tell the Hero team everything they know about what we're doing and where we are in the building. Are there any cameras in the building that default could access?

>>3007861
The building doesn't appear to have a camera system, which could mean it doesn't have one... or it has hidden cameras.

>>3007704
Let's talk as we run to the vault, and make sure we keep radio silence.
>That... is actually pretty impressive, I had no idea. But what you're doing is much more important. Hostages help, but they aren't necessary. Together we'll be doing the main objective while the others are doing the secondary work of distracting them. I also sent Nemesis there because I bet Disciplina will go easy on the girls, them both outnumbered with Carrefour the real threat. If we run into them first though, I don't think I could handle them with only Nemesis.

>>3007858
Lapse's powers don't work on Carrefour when he's gaseous, I'm worried that he might point out what we're doing.

>>3007861
Addendum: Have Lustrous call out anything suspicious he might see while he's up there.

>>3007704
First things first, we respond to Vincent while we're headed for the vault. And of course, we have to keep in character.
>Ha! You know my quirk, Default, and you also know why I'm the mastermind behind this operation. So *don't* take me for a fool. The idea that anyone would send three heroes, none with any real muscle to speak of, to deal with this kind of situation is laughable. Show me your other associates right now, or I might get nervous that they're sneaking up on me and accidentally spill some blood. Understand, hero?

Hopefully this should stall Vincent for a little while, so we can make some progress and talk to Josh.
>Think about it, dude. Dealing with the hostages is sensitive work. Keane is already too busy, and might just get overpowered by a hostage; Joanna, like you said, isn't the brightest bulb, it's hard to trust her with this work; and I'm genuinely worried by how Rebecca has been treating these things, she seems like she *wants* to kill them. I know it might feel degrading, but I need you for this.
>Oh, and just in case, if you have any good ideas I'd like to hear them while we have the chance. Two minds are better than one, right?