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 Posted: Thu Feb 07, 2008 11:08 pm
Photon was still amused by LoQuinn, and so he'd dressed for the occasion of coming to "train" him. Casual blue-jeans and a red shirt, complete with his own visors and with the built in helmet for both protection from being hit or identified.
He arrived just after LoQuinn had with the medic team. Frowning, he asked what all the bustle was about. It was then that he was told that his training session came right after a fight with Storm's Eye.
....
So maybe that's what Charles had been trying to tell him when Photon had cut him off earlier that day. It wasn't a training session, it was a freakin' psychological evaluation after his first assignment. Photon sighed. Well, then.
He waited like a good Boy Scout outside, taking the time to call Charles up to learn from him the nature of the assignment and what preliminary reports were saying about the results. He slammed the phone shut the moment LoQuinn was walking, jumping up beside him. It didn't take long for him to make his evaluation. It looked like it could be summed up in the simple word of anger.
"What's goin' on? I didn't know Charlie'd sent you out. You ok? Need anything?"
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Posted: Fri Feb 08, 2008 12:15 pm
Upon exiting the department store LoQuinn was pleasantly surprised to find an ambulance and several EMT's waiting for him. He told them that he didn't believe that anyone was injured inside the building but they should probably check on them before the dealt with his superficial injuries. One of the medics ventured off into the rubble but the others stayed informing him that they were NSA delegated response team and that an ambulance was already on it's way for the 'normies'.
The medic team had taken a full twenty minutes to address LoQuinn's injuries. They wasn't anything that required immediate attention, they pulled the glass free and clipped off his shirt in order to gauss him, thankfully they didn't need to ruin his jacket any worse than it already was. One couldn't exactly wash leather and the bloody tearing that had occurred wasn't something he could just 'undo'.
It was just about then Photon quite literally popped up out of the blue. He glared through his goggles at the questions. Not particularly angry at Photon but rather that he didn't seem to know the first thing about what had happened. Who had been watching then? Who the hell had been keeping an eye on him the whole time? LoQuinn got the distinct image in his head of Charles sitting around watching for his own twisted amusement as LoQuinn fought Storm's Eye. He could feel his stomach twisting into little knots.
"Do I look 'ok'?" LoQuinn knew he shouldn't be shooting the messenger but he was past the point of caring. "No, I'm not okay," he said cutting off any possible repsonse from Photon "And what I need is to go into that bastards office and put my fist down his throat. I bloody well got my a** handed to me back there. An' hes just gunna' sit behind that damn desk and lecture me about how I didn't get things done and wreck'd up the place.
He didn't slow his pace for Photon, they weren't having a causal conversation. In fact there wasn't ANY conversation about what was happening. The Graveler had his life needlessly endangered, Charles spending a night in intensive care seemed about fitting.
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 2:09 am
Photon didn't lok taken aback or surprised, but he did frown a little. Was it disapproval? Over who's actions? Concern?
"Ya probably got a right to be angry, but don't be too hard on Charles. He might be t'head, but he can't be everywere and doin' everything. He likes to give that appearance, but he's gotta go on what recommendations he's got 'nd work with the--the spots and people he's got too. He does the best he can, 'nd tries to do it all. Mistakes are made. Good luck though. Want me to tag along?"
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Posted: Mon Feb 11, 2008 8:12 am
"Why shouldn't I be hard on Charles? I just got here, he knows what I can and can't do. What exactly was I supposed to do in a city with all this goddamn concrete? If he's making mistakes this early in the game then perhaps I'm better off on my own."
LoQuinn knew that he was going skirting the path of having to give up his powers. 'Either you're with us or you're against us' was pretty much the point Photon had stated when it came down to the use of powers. Or at least that's how LoQuinn had interpreted it. He'd only just begun coming into a new awareness and he didn't plan on giving it all up over a bout of anger.
LoQuinn sucked in a deep breath. Exhaled. Breathed in again and felt the cool air pull into his body helping to stifle the flames that had erupted within. Maybe it had been a breakdown in the chain of command. The NSA had to be a huge organization and with one man leading the whole works it had to be hard to make sure that everything was perfect. His mind cooled as he continued breathing, finding a center, regaining control.
"Fine, he gets the benefit of the doubt. He better have a damn good explanation for what went wrong though. And you can come if you like, assuming you don't have anything to do."
Strike one.
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Posted: Sun Feb 17, 2008 6:05 am
"Ah, do what I gotta do, or watch Charlie sweat." Photon said, pretending to muse over that, then grinned, "That's not a competition!" He joked, but immediately fell serious, "If there's a problem someplace, we gotta figure out where it is."
It was, without actually doing it, acknowledging that LoQuinn was probably absolutely right. But he wouldn't leave it at that, "But, ya know, or ya might not, early on in a friendship, people make stupid mistakes. Those get avoided later when they know each other. So.. eh, don't think a first showin' means everything."
Afterall, he had to show some form of loyalty to the organization.
OOC: And SSJ's going to pick up with Charles when they get there.
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Posted: Mon Feb 25, 2008 8:32 am
The fact that Photon was being so arbitrarily calm provided LoQuinn with some further annoyance. He was right, it was probably just a mistake and yeah it was a bad first impression but Charles was probably on the ball most of the time. LoQuinn wanted to fume though, wanted to have his anger because it helped to distract from his failure. His pride hurt worse than the bruises that were already beginning to form along his ribs and back.
"Guess so..." LoQuinn let it slide around as he walked, gradually slowing his pace to something a bit more casual.
~~~~~~~~
It was another twenty minutes before they were winding through corridors as they had during his first introduction. Whether it was to help make sure LoQuinn was cool for the meeting or the path to Charles' office really was this convoluted was a source of minor contemplation. Photon stayed about a half step behind LoQuinn, sticking to his left side, making it clear that it was LoQuinn leading the charge.
Charles' secretary would barely have time to give him any sort of forewarning before a loud knock would precede the opening of a door. Privacy was the very last thing on LoQuinn's mind, and with Photon there, well it was kind of like having an all access pass.
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Posted: Tue Feb 26, 2008 10:05 pm
Charles had actually not been sitting at his desk, but had been standing by the window, taking his obligatory five-minute coffee break, while he enjoyed the view.
Upon LoQuinn's rather demanding entrance, Charles had merely turned around and looked LoQuinn over. He was assessing the younger man for any injuries or damages he might have sustained during the fight. When he was satisified, he gave a curt nod.
"Good," he spoke, "If you're able to storm in here, you must be in good enough health." And that meant that Storm's Eye hadn't deal TOO much damage to the new super. That was good.
"How are you?" Charles asked, there was just a tiny flicker of concern there, beneath his neutral facade.
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 8:17 am
LoQuinn was caught a touch off balance. It was a sharp comment that he hadn't been expecting. There was truth to it though, he'd live, probably wouldn't feel all that worse for wear either if he could get some ice on it and a start himself on a steady intake of painkillers.
"I'm pissed," he admitted flatly "where the hell was any of that garbage you said would be there just in case things go 'out of hand'? Now I may not know what you classify as 'out of hand' but as far as I'm concerned what happened in that department store was pretty damn 'out of hand'. I was expecting some sort of support my first time out, hell even a seeing eye dog would've been nice. The people in there could have been seriously hurt because the only thing I can do in a bloody city is destroy things. I nearly got killed TWICE! And to top it all off," his voice began to show his exasperation "Storm's Eye got away."
If nothing else LoQuinn felt somewhat satisfied that his priorities were in more or less the proper order. He was there to protect, and NSA be damned, he wasn't going to martyr himself.
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 10:10 am
Charles nodded. "Completely understandable," he concurred. "I'm truly sorry for the way events aspired today. This was not the way I had intended for you to go onto your first mission." A flicker of wearyness before that pulled away.
Charles stepped away from the window, towards his desk while he motioned for Loquinn to take a seat. If he would, Charles would sit down too, if LoQuinn wouldn't, Charles would remain standing as well, not in the least bit discouraged.
Bad events had happened, after all. Their new superhero had every right to be extremely mad.
"First of all, I'd like to apologise for today," Charles began. "You should never have been out there by yourself, and back-up should have been standing by. I am only glad and relieved you have managed to keep yourself safe, despite these adverse circumstances."
Charles paused, allowing LoQuinn to interject something if he so chose, but then continued on.
"The reason your back-up never arrived, because we made a dire mistake with our intelligence network. It would seem that Storm's Eye did not operate alone. There were two other evolveds that intercepted the teams that were supposed to assist you. Fire and--" A wry smile formed itself. "-- earth. Each quite powerful. By the time Storm's Eye got away, their battles had not even finished yet. That is also why I sent you a regular ambulance."
Charles sighed now. "I apologise once again, mr. Sumert. We-- I -- have gravely misjudged this situation, and by doing so it nearly cost you your life and it has cost the lives of two of the men of my elite teams."
Charles had been looking LoQuinn into the eye all this time, and now his look took on a harder undercurrent. "I would completely understand if you would desire to step back from this position. However, I beg of you to give us another chance. As today demonstrated, we are in dire need of evolveds to stand up against other evolveds. Our elite teams... they are good. But they are merely human."
Chares was looking very sober and very serious while he looked at LoQuinn, waiting for his answer.
tbc
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Posted: Wed Feb 27, 2008 3:13 pm
LoQuinn hesitated to take the seat but really he had been gotten over his anger during the walk with Photon on their way. It was for show, a gesture that he was displeased. If he'd take the shaft from the NSA once he figured that they'd get it in their head that they could spring all sorts of mess on him in the future. That simply wasn't going to happen. However despite his own stubbornness he felt his back against the cushion for a second time. Words on the other hand didn't come to his lips.
As the details regarding the lack of support washed over him LoQuinn felt a solid chill come across him. He felt bad almost for voicing his complaint however that was gone the very next moment as Chalres brought up the other evolveds involved. Maybe Charles knew something about him no one else did. How much digging could the NSA really do? Whatever they knew it certainly involved his competitiveness.
'Earth?' LoQuinn mouthed breathlessly. Had his search to find someone like him really come to an end? His heart rate increased by a full twenty beats. That tempo increased by a fair bit more when Charles used his name. There was a slight noise given off by his fingers digging into the leather arm rests. Oddly enough it wasn't so much that Charles knew, but rather he'd wanted Photon to be the first to have known. He wondered how he'd be addressed in future meetings with others present. No, Charles had enough forethought to keep things on a titled basis.
"So, what do you think I'm going to say? Have you gotten into my head that far already so that you can pick out my actions and pull me along this way and that?"
He was tempted to wait for Charles' answer but he had a feeling that it really was just a waste of both their time to play games with one another. Charles might have denied it, but really he knew that LoQuinn was going through the NSA because he had something to gain by it.
"You give me another shot at Storm's Eye where I can do my thing without worrying about collateral and I'll help you bring in the guys who messed up your boys. And hopefully this time around you and yours will have the right data sheets."
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 12:37 am
Charles nodded. "Indeed. We have a fairly good idea of when he will strike again. There is a certain pattern to his attacks. Still-- this time we will allow him to get away. Once he does, you could intercept him well outside the city limits. I will mobilise one or two of my other superheroes to stand against the other evolveds with you. Does that sound agreeable?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:21 am
The very first thing that came to LoQuinn's mind was who exactly he'd be paired up with and whether or not they'd respect his intentions to let him have first go at the earth Evolved.
"Yes, yes it does. However I'd like to know who exactly you plan to pair up with me. And what would be the level of force I'd be allowed to use? This is one of the things I'm not terribly clear on. You lot have been fairly vague in that regard. What are my priorities?"
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Posted: Mon Mar 03, 2008 1:37 am
"We will make sure you are familiar with the others that will come out with you. I have not yet decided on who that will be."
"As for priorities. Your first priority is always to make sure no civilians are harmed, and to keep collateral damage to a minimum. However, if there is no other option in capturing a villain, it will be tolerated. Obviously, we'd prefer it if you wouldn't."
"We have several rankings for villains, and each of them mean a different thing. Rank A means that everything is allowed, even killing the person in question. Solarduct, Avalanche, a few other powerful evolveds are rank A. Rank B means that live capture is highly wanted, but you may still resort to whatever necessary to capture this villain. Rank C are also wanted, but in a more moderate fashion. Try to avoid extreme violence to both villain and surrounding. Rank D is low rank, no collateral damage if you can help it. It's not worth it."
"Now, Storm's eye was previously ranked D, but I'll move him up to a C rank. That means you're allowed to use more force. When encountering him in a non-urban area, you're free to do as much as you want. We'd highly prefer it if you did not destroy any roads or other structures, such as water and gas lines."
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Posted: Tue Mar 04, 2008 11:13 pm
((Trying to tie this into the Field Notes solo RP.))
LoQuinn listened intently to what Charles was saying. He even stifled a scoff at Storm's Eye being 'upgraded' on his behalf. Good to know that Charles was justifying the trashing of a department store and public streets. He thought for another minute before uttering one word, "Acceptable". It answered everything quite nicely. He could hardly expect Charles to have a Super team ready off the top of his head. He might have an idea as to who he would pick but nothing would have been written in stone in a few seconds. If things didn't work cohesively then they'd have to find some new people for him to work with.
Charles' priorities were also acceptable, innocent lives took precedent to capturing the villain and probably even LoQuinn's own life as well. Even on paper LoQuinn still didn't feel in any sort of self sacrificial bone in his body. It was simply bad logistics to die one day saving someone when you could live and save a hundred the next. It wouldn't be anything out of the ordinary if Charles felt this way too. Every Super he had was an asset, a tool or a weapon far beyond any normal person, even beyond his 'elite teams'. One of the things he was sure to remember was that Charles himself had described his men as 'only human'.
What did however mildly surprise LoQuinn was that the NSA had a ranking system. He wondered if they accounted for self preservation, LoQuinn could easily see himself creating a great deal of damage especially in urban settings. With his powers affecting pretty much everything man used to build his civilization it would be increasingly difficult to keep things from being 'excessive'.
"I have a few remaining questions," he said clearing his throat and mustering a little more courage to fire them off rapidly.
"What do you consider 'extreme' by way of destruction? Was my behavior on this mission 'excessive'? And is there anywhere I can train without having to worry about brining the house down on top of me? A junkyard or something like a quarry would do just fine."
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Posted: Thu Mar 20, 2008 8:28 am
"Extreme..." Charles paused wryly, considering how to best express that meaning of that term. "..extreme would be the destruction of something with a value of over three thousand dollars. Your behavior on this mission was... justified. You managed to keep yourself fairly in check-- and it was Storm's Eye whom collapsed the roof. Naturally, we'd prefer it if you would manage to prevent such damage, but your own life as well lives of bystanders take priority. With Storm's Eye being the danger that he was, your actions were justified."
Charles paused then, and picked up one of the files which were neatly stacked on top of each other. He opened it and browsed through it for a moment before he pulled out a sheet and handed it to LoQuinn.
"I have been looking into such a place for you, and have found a few of those available. I have also requested the aid of a trainer-- or a supervisor, whichever you'd prefer to call it. Raul Freegraf. He will be able to assist you, both in helping you control your powers, as well as having access to appropriate training locations. He will contact you soon. If you happen to find you are not capable of working with him, please contact me, and I will see what I can do for you."
((Ok, so insert whichever info you want on him. As for the superhero mission. I was thinking FireSnare. But you could NPC it too, we'll have to discuss that-- either by messneger/PM/thread))
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