A New Heaven and New Earth - Chapter 2: From What You have Fallen
Robert Murray
OOC: Just a note about chronology, Robert's narrative is occuring the morning after both Arachne and Sahir's narrative (which occured the evening before). Also, there is going to be news regarding both Arachne and Sahir that Robert hears about on TV the next morning. I'm going to have to hold off about what Robert hears on the news until Arachne's and Sahir's scenes play out...all the problems of running different stories
. This means I may request and extra post or two in rapid succession from Sahir (and almost certainly Arachne).
You awake the next morning feeling mentally and physically refreshed. After a good night's sleep, your mind always seems to be at it's sharpest. You sip your coffee and get dressed for a visit to Mr. Uchiboro's business/residence. With the TV on in the background, you overhear news about a clash between protesters in downtown Atlanta yesterday evening. As you buckle up your belt -all the while gazing at the TV screen - you see a confusing melee ensue between a group a pro mutant-rights activists and KGP-activists. One thing you notice is that all the KGP members have some kind if emblem on their jackets and T-shirts, it looks like a double-helix strand of DNA except that the color is solid gold. Although the KGP appear to be largely Caucasian, there are enough representations of other ethnicities such that it doesn't resemble KKK rallies of old.
You prep a powerful handgun and stash it before heading over to meet with Pak. He doesn't like that you're going to meet Uchiboro alone, but concedes that everything he's read about you indicates that you're one tough "out" if someone else decides to get ornery. He does warn you that a large portion of the APD is tied up due to the aftermath of the protests as well as a couple of other incidents which occurred last night, so if he does get in to trouble, the response may be slower than normal.
You cruise back up I-85 and exit near the Doraville/Norcorss area. After a few minutes of driving past signs in various Asian languages, you veer off the main business road onto a slightly less traveled street. After a few more minutes you arrive in front of Uchiboro's modest little restaurant. As you pull into a parking spot, you see that there are two men sitting outside at a small table sipping hot tea. The look like they are in their 30s (maybe early 40s). They are well dressed. Although you can see portions of tattoos above their shirt collars or just below the sleeves of their coat, they are not wearing clothing that "shows off" their body-art.
"
Hello? You guys open? Heard this place is great and just had to meet the owner." They both stand up and eye you with a vigilant gaze. "
The owner?" one says with a raised eyebrow. "
May I ask who's interested? I've never seen you dine here before." You also notice that the man's eyes shift from you to across the street (back behind you) for just a moment before returning back to look directly at you.
Arachne
Back home at your "Parlor" there is little down with your busy schedule. It seems that there is always work that can be done no matter where you are. The webs and spiders around you might cause fear and panic to others, but you've become quite relaxed in this environment. You understand the arachnids scattered around your living-space and they understand you, there is a mutual respect...oddly enough. Somehow...someway...they just know that they have nothing to fear from you.
Though you are scheduled to be at the office tomorrow, you just can't help keeping yourself busy even when you're at home. You call the APD to follow up on the "scare-package" that was sent to you the day before. An administrative assistant tells you that the investigator assigned to your case is not in at the moment, but she'll leave a message for him to call you as soon as he returns in the morning.
During the evening, you prepare yourself a meal and spend sometime looking up info on Ra-Von Jackson. You spend the rest of the time just past dusk compiling all the info available on the web. It's easy enough to find his web-page as he's a public official in the state "House" legislature representing Georgia's 88th district in Gwinnett County. It is predominantly an African-American district; he won his last election with roughly 100% of the vote as there was no other party challenge.
OOC: If there's any private info you want to know about, just ask. I'll include it in the OOC thread (assuming it's available).
Loosing track of time, you are just wrapping up your research when your phone chirps signalling a text message from Judith. "
<Hey! I are you watching Channel 2 nightly news? Isn't that guy you had lunch with today?>"
As you click on your large HD Plasma television, you see Ra'von standing next to a reporter. He smiles as he stands in front of a large group of protesters. "
Yes, these people will take our message all the way to the Gold Dome! Everyone is gonna know that we will not accept the mistreatment of these people!" You hear cheers from many of the protesters in the background. "
So, Mr. Jackson. Will you be speaking at the capitol today?", the reporter follows up.
"
No ma'am. My deputy-organizer, Cynthia Bray, will be speaking. I'll be leaving for Miami and then New Orleans to help organize other protests. This is bigger than Georgia and even the U.S....this is a world issue. We need a global movement; and that's what I'm called to assist." With that he looks down at his watch, just like he did repeatedly at the restaurant before bidding everyone farewell. Apparently this news clip was taken earlier during the day and prior to the actual march. Next, the news footage switches to the present live coverage of the capital building where a large police presence is obvious. It looks like complete chaos downtown, with portions of the crowd brawling with one another.
OOC: you last Perception roll affects what follows
Suddenly, the lights as well as all the electronics in your home flicker for a brief moment, then they all go out. There is little time to be alarmed. A deafening roar of multiple, automatic weapons erupt through both the larger, balcony window as well as one of your smaller side-windows...all of it focused on you.
OOC: First, Give yourself one extra HP as I just invoked two of your complications. I believe you have 3 now. Ok, I rolled the team attack for the antagonists. One hit, but the others actually failed to contribute. I rolled rather poorly to be honest. Arachne has half her dodge this first round since she was surprised. She must make a toughness check against a rank 5 damage effect, so a DC of 20. She must also make an initiative roll. I realize she has infravision and ultravision, so that will improve her ability to see things even in the relative absence of normal light.
Sahir
As you sit at the intersection waiting for the light to change, Henri's nauseated expression begins to transform to one of anguish. "
I...I'm not going to make it." He grunts. "
I..."
Despite the grimace of pain on his face and his trembling hands, he manages to unbuckle his seat-belt and flop out of the convertible sports-car onto the road.
"
Henri!", Gerard screams as he too unbuckles his seat-belt in order to exit the car.
For a moment you can't actually see Henri as the view of him is blocked by the passenger-side door. When he stands back up, legs wobbling, he is glowing with an aura of yellow and red. Then he lets out a blood-curling scream as his twitching, staggering body lurches towards the intersection.
Suddenly his bathrobe ignites into flame, creating an astounding event for all nearby to see. Cars speeding through the intersection from a parallel direction suddenly see the dim evening brighten from the flame-engulfed human standing in the crossroad. There is a screech as several cars slam on their brakes and swerve to avoid Henri. One car veers into a light pole while another collides head on with a car from the on-coming lane.
Henri's body brightens to an extremely luminous glow, and it seems to you that a blob of the sun itself has been dropped on the highway in front of you. Then, just as suddenly as it started, the fire goes out, and the glow fades. Henri collapses face down on the pavement, naked as a jaybird.
Dr. Lefort is already out of the car running towards Henri's unconscious body. But you and Dr. Epstein don't quite react like the panicking-parent. It's a shocking sight and healthy caution overrides your desire to rush to the side of someone who looked like they were about to go "supernova".
OOC: You are free to act as you please. You do notice that a crowd is starting to form quickly both from drivers getting out of their cars and people coming out of nearby businesses that are still open.