<Turn|GM> It's been a couple of days since Turing's first outing in heroics, and if he had any big thing to take away, it's probably how sore he was.  The beating from the biker could have been worse, but after the adrenaline wore off, the pain hit him in full force, and it wasn't pleasant.
<-> Lid is now known as PunchingLid
<Turn|GM> Nothing quite like having a grown man wail on you, to instill a healthy respect in weapons.  Granted, it came with relaxing back, and having Eve fuss and worry over him like a child, but alas, that was the struggle of a teenage Tinker.  It's a cold, Monday morning, with the whole day stretching out in front of George, while Eve quietly questioned him from
<Turn|GM> his armor.
<Turn|GM> "Are you feeling alright?  That brute may have given you a concussion!"  She's been like this for awhile, and so far, didn't seem to have any signs of stopping her neurotic behavior.  Meanwhile, his supplies were dwindling considerably low.  He was left with not much more than a couple of odds and ends to make trinkets from.||
<W^3|Turing> The first day was bad. He thought it was the worst, but the second day, George forced himself to go to the public library, and make himself a new PHO account. He wasn't going to try to put Eve on again, before today,  so no photo to send to the moderators. But he got that little (unverified cape) tag, and giving a few details about the fight might give him a
<W^3|Turing> tiny bit of cred.
<W^3|Turing> But going out was painful, much more than he'd expected, and he realized that if he hadn't healed a bit more, dressing in Eve and -- that's a really awkward way to think about it -- going out today was going to be horrible... But if he didn't get some more parts to tinker with, he knew he'd go out looking for them whether he wanted to or not, so at least he
<W^3|Turing> could try to plan it out.  The crew's costumes were... pretty damned nice, given the materials they had to work with. Their skills weren't generally great, but they were fast learners, and with Turing's help, they did some damned nice work.
<W^3|Turing> Turing pulled the armor on, and gathered his crew together.  "Okay, guys, it's time to get to work. We need to gear up loads, and I've run out of parts, so we have to take action. Johnny and Mike, you guys are doing civilian duty. We need to get the word out that Turing is willing to make some stuff for someone who's got the money. Go to the library, get
<W^3|Turing> online. Talk to people on the street, but make it sound like you heard it from someone who heard it from someone. Don't want anyone targeting you or following you home. While you're at it, I made a map of the cell-phone and electronics dumping spots... I think the information might be a little bit out of date, but as many as you can find, just grab what you
<W^3|Turing> can get back here."
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<W^3|Turing> George continues, "Eliza, Tuck, you're gonna be in costume, with me. We're going to go cape-hunting.  I just want to get a scan. If I can avoid getting in another fight, just now, I'm gonna do that." ||
<-> Faustus is now known as FaustFood
<Turn|GM> ...
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<Turn|GM> Addressing the squad was always a little weird, since some of them were likely most of them.  At the very least, he hadn't started up any deep conversations with any of them yet, so he wouldn't know why they were out on the streets.  There was a fair chance that they might not have wanted to talk about why, much like Turing.
<Turn|GM> Johnny and Mike were probably the most distinctive, with the scars on their faces, but they would likely discourage people from asking them too many questions.  "The green bins, right?"  Johnny piped in, Mike shaking his head slowly in response.
<Turn|GM> "Naw, I think they're blue.  Got the funny recycln' shapes and shit."  Maybe?  They should be fine if they're just knocking over the bins for scraps, and spreading the word about Turing.
<Turn|GM> Eliza and Tuck were certainly geared up, and ready to go.  Their costumes weren't much more than modified weather gear, gifted from local charities and churches, but they'd do the trick.  Eliza's thick, marshmallow coat was accompanied by a balaclava, a skeletal face stitched on.  Tuck's thicker, brown duster was just simply joined by a red bandanna across
<Turn|GM> his mouth.
<Turn|GM> "Any idea where to start this search?"   Eliza spoke, fiddling with the communication trinket she'd been given.||
<Turn|GM> ((*since some of them were likely older than him.))
<W^3|Turing> Turing pulled out the scanner. The first version wasn't pretty. It looked like someone took the cases off of three cell phones, and soldered them together, then hot-glued another cell-phone on as a handle. Obviously, that's ridiculous. Hot glue wouldn't be reliable enough for this job. Hopefully, the next time he'd be able to separate the actual sensor from
<W^3|Turing> the processing, and fit it all in a pretty shell... like the one on his blast gun. At least no one would mistake it for a gun. "Tucker, this end goes toward the cape. Just press 'call' when you have it pointed at a cape. It should handle the target locking and scanning on its own from there."
<W^3|Turing> Next, he pulled out his data trinket, aka phone, and selected the police scanner app. He linked the phone (and the app) to Eliza and Tuck's phones, and to Eve, of course.  "The problem isn't going to be finding capes... we make noise. The problem is going to be getting to them before they're gone." ||
<Turn|GM> ...
<Turn|GM> He'd have to wait on making anything that looked pretty, at least for the moment.  All of his inventions didn't have the sleek nature that he'd seen from other Tinkertech, rather being built for function over form.  If it worked, that was probably enough for any of them.
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<Turn|GM> Linking the three devices was quite simple, and the three communications trinkets were perfectly set.  Granted, Tuck didn't look like he entirely understood, but how hard could it have been to understand?  He pushed the scanner into his coat, before turning back up to Turing.  "I think I have it, probably."
<Turn|GM> "Wait, making noise?  What, do you actually want to draw out a Cape or somethin'?"  Eliza seemed curious, since it was a pretty important question to ask.||
<W^3|Turing> Turing shook his head. "No. Not if we can avoid it. That would probably mean a fight. We just want to get a scan." He'll probably get involved in something, but hopefully he can get involved in something with a hero already winning and he can just... help out. Turing is not ready to cape, clearly. He needs more tinkering, and he needs parts! Turing turned
<W^3|Turing> his attention to the scanner, and Eve. "You hear anything promising yet, Eve?" he asked, even while he was putting an earbud in one ear to listen to the scanner himself. ||
<W^3|Turing> (( Oh! Wait... Can I add something? ))
<Turn|GM> ((Shoot.))
<Turn|GM> ((And Eve can only really scan her immediate environment.  Not much else.))
<W^3|Turing> "Come on," Turing urged his reduced crew. "We're most likely heading downtown, we'll do better if we're already there when we know where we want to be." ||
<Turn|GM> All of the crew had their objectives, so Eliza and Tuck followed after Turing.  He could get that the idea of getting close to a Cape fight scared them, but on the other hand, they were going in accompanied by a Tinker.  Worst outcome, they just ran away from the fight without a proper scan to get for their trouble.
<Turn|GM> "No luck, Turing.  I still think you should rest up..."  Eve commented quietly, her voice hiding some tenor hard to define.  Likely the electronic basis of her entire personality, fudging with something behind the scenes.  Either way, the group moved out, towards the downtown of the city.
<Turn|GM> ||
<-> Antioch|GM is now known as Antioch
<-> CG|Artful is now known as ColdGold
<W^3|Turing> Turing shook his head and sighed. So overprotective. Couldn't fault her entirely, what with saving his life two days ago, but he probably needed to make sure she understood who is in charge. He turns up his mic's gain, and lowers his voice so the henches won't hear. "Eve, I appreciate your concern for my well-being, but I need you to be on my side. You know
<W^3|Turing> that my work is  important. I can't build the tools to keep myself safe without parts and research, and you know that. This is a smaller risk than stealing parts in armor." ||
<Turn|GM> ((Roll social.))
<Turn|GM> ((I guess command, actually.))
<W^3|Turing> $roll 2h6+1
<[ATM]> W^3|Turing (1) [5] +1 = 6
<W^3|Turing> ((Hope I'm not forgetting a bonus or something.))
<Turn|GM> As he talked to his A.I. in a hushed voice, there'd be a pause before she answered back.  "As you say, Turing..."  After that, she fell quiet, leaving the Tinker to simply walk with his two henchpeople in relative silence.  He'd controlled her for now, but for how long would that last?  It seems liked she'd been growing more combative over time...||
<-> PunchingLid is now known as Lid
<W^3|Turing> It was natural for a new mind to grow in independence and to push boundaries. Of course, usually that would start before one had the knowledge and skills Eve possessed. It would have been useful if Turing understood that. All he knew was that he needed to support his creation, and he also needed his armor's AI to follow orders! It would be a different matter
<W^3|Turing> if he could offload Eve onto another processor, and make another mind to do her job... But he didn't even intend to have an AI in the armor, couldn't really remember when he'd been coding her. Not sure he could put another mind into the armor even if it didn't mean killing Eve.
<W^3|Turing> Turing used his app to narrow down the bands to listen to, and to automate the process of switching between them. He listened for something that sounded nearby. He should have spent more time studying the Pittsburgh map in his phone.  It worked the last time, did he just get lucky? Not that that ended up being a very lucky encounter. ||
<-> Camtist is now known as Cam|Alex
<Turn|GM> ((Well, here comes that part where you roll for awareness.))
<W^3|Turing> ((Computers bonus applies? He's "using hardware".))
<W^3|Turing> ((Don't have no Awareness skill. :( ))
<Turn|GM> ((Sure, why not.))
<W^3|Turing> ((I'm gonna use what I can...))
<W^3|Turing> $roll 2h6+1
<[ATM]> W^3|Turing [6] (5) +1 = 7
<W^3|Turing> ((AFK for a bit. Sorry. Unavoidable.))
<Turn|GM> There were too many probabilities to take into account when he thought about Eve.  She was an unknown variable added to his first invention, and likely the benchmark for whatever happened to come after her.  She was new, and possibly even revolutionary under the right circumstances.  Shame there were few times he could actually show off his inventions.
<Turn|GM> He'd be ripped away from his thoughts by a sudden alert that ripped through the communication trinkets, blaring on full alert.  This whole had been quiet, even if their group had gotten the odd stare or two.  "Parahuman disturbance registered on the Mon Wharf, police presence delayed.  Injured on the scene."||
<W^3|Turing> ((Back))
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<Turn|GM> ((Mhm.))
<Turn|GM> ((Roll me Knowledge.))
<W^3|Turing> "Can we get there ?"  He directs the question to Eliza, but all the kids have better knowledge of the local geography than George. Trying to make that a secret would be pointless. He's got an idea for a program that would solve that problem forever, but he's not sure that's what he wants to make for his visor.
<W^3|Turing> $roll 1d6+1 Knowledge is power!
<[ATM]> W^3|Turing "Knowledge is power!" [1] +1 = 2
<Turn|GM> ((You done with your post?))
<W^3|Turing> ((No, but you asked for a roll, so I figure you have something to add?))
<Turn|GM> ((Ah, whenever you're finished with your post.))
<W^3|Turing> Turing is pretty confident that Mon Wharf is downtown somewhere. No way they'll get there on time, but it's good to let other people use their  own talents and knowledge, even if he already knows the answer. ||
<W^3|Turing> (( Best I could come up with for a natural 1, after already posing asking. :) ))
<Turn|GM> All Turing knew about the Mon Wharf was that it was related to cars.  Thankfully, Tuck was there to fill him in on the rest.  "It's a parking spot that the homeless sometimes sleep under.  They seal it off when the rivers rise, though."  Didn't quite answer the question of whether or not they could get there. in time, but that's where Eliza came in.
<Turn|GM> "We could make it, if you think you're able to keep up with us."  That was the question.  Did Turing feel confident enough in his running ability?||
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<W^3|Turing> "Only one way to find out," he says aloud, then more quietly, "you can help me with this, right?" he asks Eve. He knows he was meaning to include a program to make up for his physical shortcomings. Bad as his dodging had been the other day, he'd have done a lot worse without Eve's assistance.
<W^3|Turing> George makes a silent plea for the gods of athleticism to have mercy on him... And takes off after Eliza and Tuck, as fast as he can. ||
<Turn|GM> There's a pause as he talks to Eve, before she responds in a surprisingly cold tone.  "Athletic assistance is not within my engagement parameters, Turing."  Welp, there goes that avenue.  Eliza and Tuck absolutely took off across the bridge in front of them, finishing off the last distance from the bridge towards the overpass in the distance.
<Turn|GM> $roll 2d6 Eliza n' Tuck
<[ATM]> Turn|GM "Eliza n' Tuck" [2] [6]  = 8
<Turn|GM> ((Roll athletics.))
<W^3|Turing> $roll 1d6-1 Thirteen-year-old geek trying to run in armor
<[ATM]> W^3|Turing "Thirteen-year-old geek trying to run in armor" [2] -1 = 1
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<Turn|GM> By and large, Turing was lagging behind the pack.  Tuck absolutely took off down the road, and while Eliza wasn't exactly keeping up with him, she was a bit in front of Turing.  They wouldn't actually arrive at the scene for a minute or so, and by that time things had really gotten started.
<Turn|GM> Seeing as they were on the overpass itself, they could get a firsthand view to what appeared to be a large, unblinking eye, strafing the riverfront.  Electric blasts of energy shot forward, while screams and shouts emanated from the ground beneath them.  Tuck was already attempting to go down the road a little further, in order to properly enter parking
<Turn|GM> space.
<Turn|GM> If Turing thought his armor could take it, he could hop off the ledge and take the short way down.  Probably far faster, and it would get him straight into the action.||
<W^3|Turing> Turing was pretty confident in Eve. She was the best work he'd done so far. It was whether he could take it, and still quite sore from the last debacle, he wasn't prepared to find out. He leaned on the railing, trying to catch his breath, and figure out what was going on. Not for the first time, although perhaps with a bit more conviction than usual, Turing
<W^3|Turing> resolved to start some exercise program. Could he write a program to help him focus on that?
<W^3|Turing> Shaking himself out of his distraction, Turing turned his attention back to the  flying eye with the lightning blast power... One of those monstrous capes. He'd better not be the only one here to stop it, or Pittsburgh will be in pretty bad shape, and he'll be dead. ||
<Turn|GM> ((Roll Knowledge.))
<W^3|Turing> $roll 1d6+1 Know
<[ATM]> W^3|Turing "Know" [3] +1 = 4
<Turn|GM> He wasn't entirely sure if he had it right, but the flying eye that was shooting under the overpass wasn't actually the Cape.  No, it was merely the object the Blaster used to shoot out of.  Stormfront was a villain, with some sort of radical racial ideology, but he usually didn't involve himself in such public displays.  Something was up, besides the fact
<Turn|GM> that people were getting hurt.||
<W^3|Turing> George pushed himself up off the railing, and ran after Tuck and Eliza... hopefully they would be smart enough to keep out of trouble.  He didn't want the people getting hurt to be the people he was responsible for! Where would the cape be hiding? Attacking the eye would be useless... Not that attacking the cape would be all that great an idea. ||
<Turn|GM> They were smart enough to stay back, pausing at bottom of the slope to the parking lot, peeking around.  When Turing finally managed to join them, he could get a good idea of what he'd been missing.  The eye was razing cars left and right, sending them up in flames, while also absorbing something from the hoods.
<-> FaustFood is now known as Faustus
<Turn|GM> Meanwhile, many people scurried about, screaming and trying to avoid the blasts that came through, running in the direction of the trio.  A couple were unmoving on the ground, burns covering their bodies.  It was hard to tell whether or not they were actually dead, or just unconscious and unmoving.  Neither thought was a warming one.
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<Turn|GM> Fortunately for Turing, he wouldn't have to look hard to find the Cape.  A  figure stood along the shoreline, arms sitting held behind his back.  Dressed in a white motorcycle helmet, thick, white riding jacket, white gloves...  It appeared as if the man had a very simple color scheme as his outfit, but it didn't take a genius to assume that was Stormfront.
<Turn|GM> "Where is he?!  I know you're hidin' him, you fuckin' race traitors!"  His hoarse voice roared out, punctuated by another crackle of electricity from the massive, baleful eye firing indiscriminately into the homeless.||
<W^3|Turing> Turing didn't have the faintest hint how to determine who was alive and who was beyond help, and he didn't have a clue how to help them even if it weren't too late. At least the police already know about this, Hopefully a real hero is on their way. Maybe Turing can distract the villain until they do?  This wasn't the hero George wanted to be, but he had a
<W^3|Turing> better chance to stop this, or at least slow it down while help arrives than  anyone else he could see. He raised his blast gun, turning it to maximum power, and locking it on the  villain's back. As soon as he is in range, he shoots. He needs to do something, and he needs to do it now! ||
<W^3|Turing> $roll 1d6-1 BLAMMO!
<[ATM]> W^3|Turing "BLAMMO!" [1] -1 = 0
<Turn|GM> ((It's a dex roll.))
<Turn|GM> ((So technically, just a 1.))
<Turn|GM> $roll 1d6 rear guard
<[ATM]> Turn|GM "rear guard" [5]  = 5
<W^3|Turing> ((I'm just so used to rolling -1 for anything remotely physical... it's very realistic, but man does it suck.))
<Turn|GM> It was hard to tell how fast the police could arrive.  They had just gotten the message when they were a short distance away, but the authorities likely took extra precautions with anything parahuman related.  Unfortunately, it appeared as if the blast from his gun went wide, shooting into the water and sending a geyser rocking up.
<Turn|GM> Enough to draw Stormfront's attention, and to stop his attack.  "Who in the hell-?"  The helmet-clad man took a moment to look in their direction, while the eye followed suit.  "Well, if it ain't the three god'damn musketeers!"  Gesturing towards the three of them.  "Who are you kids?"||
<Turn|GM> ((Think we can pause here for the night?))
<W^3|Turing> Shit! They were following him into this fight?  This is going to-- "Keep him between you and the eye! We can keep him off balance!" Turing shouts.  ((Command: Suppress))  He's already seen them, sending them running probably won't help.  Turing moves to follow his own advice, running to use the villain as cover against his blasting eye. He fires his gun
<W^3|Turing> again. ||
<W^3|Turing> ((Want me to roll for the command and the attack first, or do that tomorrow?))
<Turn|GM> ((Tomrrow.))
<W^3|Turing> ((Thanks for fun session. I'm kinda glad that Turing is actually using his people for once. The math is a lot better with them involved. Turing isn't so happy about it, but if it works, he might do it again.))
<W^3|Turing> ((Err, partial session.))
<Turn|GM> ((No worries, and I figured some of them might insist, after seeing him get beat up without their assistance.))
<W^3|Turing> ((Yeah... Turing's still in denial about that. Not the getting beaten up, but about the whole 'your minions are going to risk getting hurt' thing.))
<Turn|GM> ((I mean, what else are they there for?))
<Turn|GM> ((Look on the bright side.))
<Turn|GM> ((If they get seriously hurt, they might trigger.))
<W^3|Turing> ((You do keep mentioning that. :) If they get seriously hurt in a cape fight, Turing might have a Brute/Trump on his side. That could be sweet.))
<Turn|GM> ((Or a striker.  Or they could trigger in a mundane coincidence, like someone bombing your base.))