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 Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2017 7:48 pm
FRIDAY APRIL 14, 21:00 PM.Guerrero was lying in wait, the thugs he had hired through tertiary contacts were set to try and rob an older gentleman walking through this alleyway from a "meeting." In truth he was their target, but only to serve as bait for a deadlier predator. Guerrero had planned this meticulously after extensive observation. There were always patterns in the actions of individuals, particularly when they engaged in routine behaviors such as patrols... The Spider would waltz into Guerrero's web of his own volition.
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Posted: Thu Apr 13, 2017 10:59 pm
It had been a busier night than usual for the web-slinging vigilante, but that was because he was deliberately distracting himself from a dilemma at home: he was running out of the serum. His supply had decreased exponentially since he offered them to a biochemist to reverse-engineer the formula, and though there was considerable progress, the complexity of the formula was at a level not easily managed. He wasn’t usually out during nights like this, and if it weren’t for his little issue, he would’ve been back at home with his companion. It was all a mess in the making, and he still wondered how she could willingly tolerate and support him despite it all. In fact, it might’ve been wiser to confront her about the issue, but instead he instinctively suited up and went out. He found the vigilante work soothing, since he didn’t have to wear a stupid suit and tie or pretend to be someone he wasn’t.
He seemed to be in luck, because someone was out of luck, particularly in the area he patrolled, prompting the spider-man to quietly land on a nearby roof and observe the situation for a moment. He spotted five men, all armed with knives, though two possessed handguns hidden from plain sight. While he was certain they’d attack, he was certain he’d be able to stop them long before they touched the man. He just needed to be sure, but that’s when he found confirmation; one of the thugs reached for what was clearly a knife, while the others had their hands hovering over their weapons, uncertain they would need them—they would. While it wasn’t a particularly safe spot for criminals, alleys weren’t wide enough, nor were the thugs spread out enough for his preferred method of stealthier takedowns.
It was sufficient evidence, enough for the costumed vigilante to spring into action. His first choice of action was to deal with the immediate threat: the thug in the front whom was itching to use that knife of his. He decided to fire a string of webbing and yank the thug’s hand away. As soon as the others looked up, he already descended, his feet together as he cushioned the fall with the first thug’s torso—one down. When the second and third hastily reached for their weapons, they were open to attack. It was a small window, but he wasn’t the average man. He struck one quickly and kicked the third into the fourth and fifth to prevent them from attacking. While he didn’t need to push the thug into the others to defeat them, the civilian he endeavored to rescue was in their line-of-fire still, a risk he wouldn’t take. However, the second thug wasn’t out yet; the attack from before was merely to daze him before the costumed vigilante delivered a more decisive blow to the thug’s head, knocking him into the wall behind him—two down, and he was making short work of them. He heard a bullet, but foresaw its coming and turned his body to dodge it, before sending out a string of wedding to confiscate the gun. It must’ve been something about the sound of the bullet, because he felt more inclined to utilize his aggression, using the next string of webbing—which attached itself to the fourth thug—to pull back and propel himself forward and close the distance between them, elbowing the fifth thug, striking the fourth’s groin with his kneecap, and then grasping the third’s neck to slam him into the fourth. As soon as the fifth even slightly recovered from the kick to the groin, the costumed vigilante struck his knees to force him down, grabbing the thug’s arm first and then applying pressure to the point where his arm met his torso to snap it out of place. Indeed, the popping sound was plain, but so was the screaming—three down. It seemed the third managed to grasp his knife after all. When the third and fourth came at him with their knives, he effortlessly caught the third by his armed hand and struck his throat, forcing the man to choke, while the fourth was struck right in the left kneecap and tripped over. It wasn’t a surprise that the third was swiftly disposed of with a single blow to forehead and the fourth was vulnerable enough on his side that a single punt to the head sufficed to render him unconscious. It didn’t take any heightened skill of martial arts to defeat them; they were common thugs with about as much combat experience as they spent picking fights with other, equally-untrained idiots.
He had his back turned to the civilian while he looked around to make sure the thugs were dealt with, and—though he didn’t care as much as he told—hopefully didn’t die. As he suspected, they were properly defeated, and none were dead this time. He gave a partial glance to the civilian to check if he was fine, but didn’t give much expression beyond a mindful gaze from behind the reddened eyes of his mask, but wouldn’t waste his time asking if he was okay; he wasn’t dead or robbed, that was all that mattered. “Do what you will with them; they won’t be bothering you anymore.”
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Posted: Tue Dec 12, 2017 2:37 am
FRIDAY APRIL 14, 21:01 PM.A minute, that's all the time it took for his target to swoop in and dispatch Guerrero's little test. Impressive, very much so. He was surprised that none were dead, he hadn't expected that. Though, judging from Michael's body language, it had been a close thing. Still, no need for these drug addict punks to become a nuisance down the line. Guerrero sent a program from his watch that activated the capsules in the men's stomachs releasing a fast acting toxin that would help simulate the effects of an overdose. The coroner would suspect nothing due to the men's history and this little experiment would disappear like a whisper in the wind. "Quite impressive Silk Spider. They weren't a bother though, merely a method with which to attract the attention of a hunter. How fortuitous that the hunter would be you Mister Mora. I've been meaning to talk to you for quite some time. Tell me... just how are you holding up?"
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Posted: Tue Jan 02, 2018 4:11 am
He was unusually—or in the case of the stranger who seemed to know him, understandably—had no response to the men dying around him. He had no sympathy for any of them, they were just rats in the street, and they’d have died sooner or later. His name was already floating around, and he knew better than to lie given the circumstances, so he wouldn’t bother. “Care to tell me how you know that first?” he asked straightforwardly. He was straightforward and didn’t like to dance around subjects, no matter how eloquent the recipient. Naturally,
the would-be vigilante had his suspicions.
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Posted: Tue Jan 16, 2018 1:35 am
FRIDAY APRIL 14, 21:03 PM."Oh please, because you've been so subtle." Guerrero replied cheekily with a grin. "You've certainly been playing ruthless vigilante. It's been quite the show. Not to mention it's adorable how you've been running around looking for your fix. That biochemist you reached out to? Completely out of her depth the poor girl, reached out subtly to some colleagues for assistance and well... secrets don't stay secret long if more than two people know. The whispers eventually reached me and I decided to take a look, see who was in the market for mathematicians to figure out some formulas." His grin grew teasing as he danced around the subject of the serum. He couldn't resist, he always enjoyed toying with people using the information he had carefully acquired. Nevertheless, Guerrero's eyes were fixed Michael. It wouldn't do for the boy to try to take him down in case he thought that Catalyst had come to reclaim him. "Suffice to say that I'm running my own game here, and I'm not with your 'friends' who got you hooked in the first place. Perhaps, it's time you found a new friend."
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Posted: Fri Feb 23, 2018 11:24 pm
It was disheartening to think of it as him searching for a fix, like he was some drug addict who played hero in the midst of his own crisis. “It’s hard to make friends with strangers,” he replied. It was obvious there was a big difference in what they knew about each other. Michael wasn’t too keen on the fact that he hardly knew anything in comparison. To be uninformed was to be at a disadvantage. Either way, he was listening. Making a rash decision with so little to be certain of was idiotic.
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Posted: Sun Mar 18, 2018 11:27 am
FRIDAY APRIL 14, 21:05 PM.Once more Guerrero was grateful for his eyes. Sure, he had been a master of cold reading and micro-expressions even before the experiment. Thus, the wince of pain around Michael's eyes was clear to him, but his powers made it easier so that he could tell it was about his "fix" comment more than that Guerrero knew of Michael's biochemist. "Call me Guerrero, it isn't the name I was born with, but it is my name. You need help, resources that are simply not available to you due to the forces that you feel are dogging your steps even now. What I offer is... a degree of protection, so long as you work with me."The stressor of *with* rather than for was carefully picked. Michael had been a Catalyst slave in many respects. The boy would be less than welcoming to work *for* someone now. So, propose what would appear at least as a partnership. Soft uses of manipulation and power were better suited for this particular candidate.
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Posted: Fri Apr 13, 2018 8:09 am
“And what would you have me do?” he inquired. It wasn’t so much a concern about what he could do as what he’d find himself partaking in. He didn’t condone his previous work, otherwise he’d just be trading one series of mistakes for another. While the question seemed simple, the wrong answer would result in quick hostility. If he so much as felt like he was being used or manipulated for someone else’s elaborate schemes, things would go awry. Catalyst kept him in the dark and used his desire not to lose himself as a means of forcing him to kidnap and murder innocent people; these thoughts haunted him now, and he refused to fall short of sleep because of the ghosts.
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:02 pm
FRIDAY APRIL 14, 21:06 PM.How odd, the young boy before him radiated guilt in his body language. Clearly, he had regrets. Most likely at how he behaved under Catalyst. The information he had acquired did detail that the young man had essentially become their top assassin. Perhaps... he had allowed his disgust to push him to some dark place? It wouldn't be the first time that Guerrero had encountered such. His smile however grew warm, "Why, I would have you hunt my boy. I would only want you to be the vigilante you so yearn to be. You'd be surprised how many out there have blood on their hands. I can deal with innocents and the good hearted by other means. Gentler means, more suited to their innocence." Which was true, it was amazing how many doors were opened, favors gained if you simply helped people. The innocent were the most willing to express gratitude and work with you if you simply lent a hand. But now to the point, Guerrero's smile grew fierce, "I would have you hurt those who *deserve* it."Truly it wasn't a lie. Mora had demonstrated a zeal at hunting the worst examples of both humanity and supers, Catalyst included. Guerrero could use that. After all, those who would oppose him would need to be removed. Having an agent like Mora in the wings would serve aptly and keep his enemies off balance. "You set the limits, you will not be required to murder. Even if I would prefer it. I will be as forthright as I can about who I want removed and why they deserve it. I promise you, you can double check any information I give you, I do not tell lies."This might just be the tipping point. If Guerrero had gauged the moment right, this is where Mora would begin negotiations in truth. Perhaps his reticence might... stall the start, however Guerrero was sure that soon he'd have Mora to help him out. Particularly, if Catalyst decided to... move against him.
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Posted: Thu Apr 26, 2018 8:17 pm
 He looked at his hand for a moment, a sort of symbolic gaze. His gloved hands had sharp claws at the fingertips, and he could remember the righteous feeling of crushing someone’s windpipes. These weren’t the hands of the merciful. “If they have it coming,” he closed his hand into a fist, “they will die.” He’d grown some restraint, but Ariadne was gone, taken away from him, just like the rest. Some people deserved to die, and this time, he wouldn’t hesitate. He lowered his hand and looked back at Guerrero. “When do we get started?” Anyone, anyplace, anytime. If he had a reason to believe the heaping piles of s**t in the world were still breathing, he’d correct it.
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