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Post by WildKnight on Feb 15, 2021 9:27:53 GMT -5
Selina was rapidly searching through boxes for something, anything, to cover her face, when she came across a box containing seven masks she recognized. They represented the 7 gods of Kahndaq, an isolated kingdom on the Sinai peninsula. Legitimate artifacts from Kahndaq were few and far between, largely because the rule of Kahndaq had no problem using violent force to reclaim anything he believed belonged to him. If Selina could get these masks back to Kahndaq, she'd probably stand to make a small fortune... or get killed trying to explain that she wasn't the one that stole them in the first place. For now, though, her larger concern was hiding her identity, and one of Kahndaq's seven gods was Bubasti, a panther-headed woman here represented by a very realistic scowling panther mask with emerald eyes. It was too perfect.
The Batman had done this dozens of times, maybe hundreds by this point in his career. He certainly had the skills to engage criminals in fights when necessary, but risking injury when a fight could be ended before it even began was something O-Sensei had warned him against countless times... and it kept Alfred from silently judging him while he patched up injuries. Everything started going according to plan. The bolos wrapped around the man's feet, he started to shoot up... then he did something Batman had rarely seen before. With lightning fast reaction time, the would-be thief twisted his body and, with some sort of razor sharp implement seemingly attached to the ends of his fingers, sliced through the rope and tumbled to the ground, landing perfectly on his feet in a crouch.
Whatever it was he'd taken, tucked away in its bag, tumbled to the ground, and at close range Selina could hear the distinctive sound of stone cracking. She could only hope that wasn't the stone tablet she owed The Penguin. On the other hand, she also knew what it meant when people started getting yanked up into the rafters, and maybe it was time to cut her losses before The Batman figured out she was here.
His disguise ruined, Tommy Blake rose to full height. He momentarily glanced toward Catwoman, but decided she wasn't an immediate threat, and his gaze shot up to the metal support beams criss-crossing the roof. Blake was a singular criminal in Gotham, a mercenary who worked for whoever paid his price. He was a polyglot, a master of many disciplines, and had fought The Batman to a standstill in their previous meetings. He'd even once adopted a costume very similar to Batman's while committing crimes, in order to ruin batman's reputation.
"Listen pal," he shouted to the rafters, "I know you've got no reason to believe me here, but I'm not the bad guy this time. You're wasting time fighting me. That thing," he pointed to the satchel he'd dropped, "needs to be gone before the coppers get here."
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Post by Rinjo on Feb 15, 2021 14:48:02 GMT -5
"This just isn't my day.." Dick mutters under his breath as he takes off towards the Museum.
Though it was a direct line to the museum from where he was, he had no intention of following Flass on foot. Cutting quickly to the left, he dashes into an alley and the moment he is out of sight he launches himself high into the air, vaulting off of a dumpster. Soaring silently, he swings himself higher and higher towards the rooftop, all while processing the actors in his head, hunting for connections.
What was going on? Was there some kind of bad-guy convention in town? First Harvey, then Luthor, Jonah Hex mingling with Blood, and now this?
The last 15 feet, Grayson runs up the side of the two, almost connecting buildings, before leaping over and skidding across the gravely roof. His dress shoes weren't cut out for this. Nevermind. He would work with what he had.
Taking a breath, he crouches low and pulls a cloth black hood out of his briefcase. He pulls it low over his head & removes his coat while scanning the roof of the museum for the entrance of least resistance.
===== H 3/3 E 14/16
A1: Ninja 9 (5 N, 1 In, 3 Ef) - As acrobatics to move!
A2:
H 3/3 E 7/16
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Post by Black Sam on Feb 15, 2021 15:42:12 GMT -5
Jason moved quickly towards the steps of the musuem, pausing only briefly to let Flass' eyes move past them.
Good, he didn't see us.
Jason hesitated a moment longer, overtaken by a tide of memories. Despite Hex's comment about knowing his way around the place, Jason hadn't set foot in the Gotham Museum since its grand opening, and even then his visit had been brief. The grand structure's impressive colonnade and overall design had been inspired by the significantly older British Museum, located in the Bloomsbury area of London. He'd only been there once before as well.
The air-raid sirens began only moments before the first bombs fell over the London suburb. His date, the young and beautiful Marchioness of Northampton, was a connoisseur of the arts and had been thrilled at his invitation to tour the museum's "Silk Road" collection. Personally he found the displays of coocoons, exotic dyes, and sericulture techniques dreadfully boring. They were just about to move on to the more interesting Parthenon sculpture gallery on the newly-constructed mezzanine floor when the small crowd of visitors began scrambling for cover. The poor Marchioness panicked, dragging Jason along to cover beneath a marble staircase which collapsed just as they reached it. Nearby windows exploded awhen another bomb detonated across the street, but Jason and his date were safely entoumbed in the rubble at that point. His last memory before slipping into the gray embrace of Limbo was the diamond-like tear on the lashes of the now-dead Marchioness...
The air-raid sirens became a fire alarm once more, and Jason shook the memory away. Moving quickly to take advantage of the confusion, he dashed into the museum with his companion.
"The next time I offer take you for a nice drive, remind me to bring a weapon and more appropriate attire," he shot to Hex.
*************************
HEALTH: 4/4 ENERGY: 15/15
ACTION ONE: 3 stones into Black Ops to slip into the museum unseen ACTION TWO: 3 stones into Agility, shifted to defense to avoid any uunexpected unpleasantness
ATTACK: none DEFENSE: 3 from Agility
MODIFIERS: Healing Factor; Immortality; Magical Defense 3; Mental Defense 3; Precognitive Flashes
HEALTH: 4/4
ENERGY: 9/15
REGENERATION: 7
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Post by Dhark on Feb 16, 2021 8:29:43 GMT -5
RED HOOD[/font][/u][/b] Jason watches. Flass was gutter trash sure enough, but the men following him might be oblivious... Something he’d need to keep in mind if he opted to engage. Bruce might overlook roughing up Flass, but the others didn’t bear that one’s reputation beyond employment association. Yet. He scans the perimeter. Flass was more dirty than thorough, so if he’d been in charge it was likely that he’d missed infiltration points... or worse ignored them all together in his haste to charge in after some nefarious and as yet unrevealed objective. ========================= ========================= H: 03/03 E: 14/14MODIFIERS: MENTAL DEFENSE II TARGETING III TOUGHNESS II REFLEXIVE DODGE II WEALTH IV EQUIPMENT: COSTUME (Stolen/Re-Branded Bat Suit, Defense II, No x2 from Firearms) GRAPPLING HOOK II (MN to Acrobatics for Web-Slinging) COLT M1911’s (x2) (Weapon Bonus II, x2 Damage) KNIVES (x4) (Weapon Bonus II, AP) THE BUNKER
ACTION 01: 07 Stones into General Knowledge + INT w/ Specialties in: Police Procedures/Protocols to locate a discreet point of entry. ACTION 02: XX StonesH: 03/03 E: 07/14R: 06
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Post by phencerx on Feb 16, 2021 9:06:28 GMT -5
Hex follows Jason's lead as this was his town, but this kind of work all to familiar. While he was used to tracking his prey out West, this wasn't the first time he had moved to the concrete jungle to cash in on a bounty. He glances around upon entering the museum and is disgusted by its opulence. Hex prefered a much simpler lifestyle, and while he could appreciate the art and artifacts surrounding him, he much more prefered the beauty of a saloon. The sounds of the piano, men playing poker, the taste of whisky and cigars, and the sent and beauty of the whores working the place.
"Hey, you're the one who offered to come here. I was ready drink and sleep." Hex knew Blood well enough to know that he had probably been present for the creation of a lot of the items in this mausoleum of history so he'd be even more reluctant than normal to release his other nature. Pulling the rifle off of his back, he hands it over to Blood. "You still remember how to use this, right?"
========================= ========================= H: 3 E: 10
ACTION 01: 4 stones into Hunting/Tracking to spot traps/ambush ACTION 02: XX Stones
MODIFIERS: Mental Defense (+2) Toughness (+3) Reflexive Dodge (+2) Targeting (+1) Resources (3) - Bounty Hunting
EQUIPMENT: Bowie Knife: (+2) Weapon Modifier; 2x damage Cavalry Sabre: (+3) Weapon Modifier; 2x damage High-Caliber Rifle: (+3) Ranged Weapon Modifier; 2x damage Twin Revolvers: (+2) Ranged Weapon Modifier; 2x damage
H: 3 E: 6 R: 3
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Post by OurLadyWar on Feb 16, 2021 11:25:32 GMT -5
Selina's heart stopped cold when the revealed would-be thief looked dead at her. Not to mention the all too recognizable Bat trap had been sprung. This dance floor was getting a little too crowded for her, even if she did fancy the occasional tango with Gotham's dark knight. Selina was good, but these were some of the heavier hitters in Gotham. Nothing ventured, nothing gained, and if there was ever a chance to snatch that table, the time was now or never. Blake had dropped the satchel and his attention was on the Bat, wherever he was. Her blood rushed, stomach clenched, and an adrenaline fueled grin curled.
"Let me oblige you," she chimed in as she sprint from her hiding place, swiping up the abandoned satchel. Being in the basement, she knew there had to be a service elevator back to civilization. Every muscle felt licked in flame and that heart that had stopped cold was now at an exhilarating, all time rush. If she found the service elevator, she would hit the button for it, let them think she was climbing to freedom, when really she had just hidden in the crate jungle again. If the diversion worked, she could be home free.
===*=== Health 4 Energy 5
Action 1 Speed 3 - swipe and run!
Action 2 Thieving - Hide (2) - retreat into the crates again once she gets her diversion going.
Modifiers Reflexive Dodge +3 Targeting +2
Equipment Thief's Kit Ancient Mask
Health 4 Energy 0
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Post by dorkknight23 on Feb 24, 2021 11:39:25 GMT -5
The Bat's white eyes narrowed. Blake had been no pushover, even if he had been more braggadocio than anything else in their last encounter; all the more reason to make this quick. He reached into his trusty utility belt, launching two batarang, one after the other, followed by his descent. Ideally Blake would deflect one or even both of the custom metal bat-shaped boomerangs, leaving him wide-open for the drop-kick of the descending Batman.
He considered saying anything at all. He was never good at witty retorts and banter, that always seemed Robin's forte, but every once in a while he'd find a thug like Blake irritating enough that he'd have to get a word in edgewise.
"You're right about one thing." He let the batarangs fly, and began his descent, "Fighting you is a waste..." KICK! "'Pal.'"
======== Health 3/3 Energy 12/12 (i) Regen 6
9 into Ninja divided into 3 attacks, divided 1/2/6, 2 with (+2) batarangs, first one gets +1 from Targeting -Attack 1: Batarang 1: total 4 stone attack (2x damage) -Attack 2: Batarang 2: total 4 stone attack (2x damage) -Attack 3: Drop-Kick: total 6 stone attack
Def +7 (+2 Toughness, +2 RD, +3 Armor [no 2x damage from firearms/projectiles])
Health 3/3 Energy 3/12 (i) Regen 6
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Post by WildKnight on Feb 24, 2021 14:35:25 GMT -5
Through various means Hex & Blood, The Red Hood, and Nightwing made their way into the museum. Hex and Blood found it simplest to walk through the front door using the chaos as cover, the Red Hood knew that the emergency exit alarm wouldn't go off since the fire alarm was already ringing, and used a side emergency exit, and Nightwing went in through the central skylight that allowed natural light to illuminate the massive Tyrannosaurus Rex skeleton, but in the end, all four found themselves needing to use the sole internal entrance to the storage area in the basement, which meant that they all encountered one-another on the walkway that stood 20 feet above the warehouse floor (with stairs leading down), and gave all four of them a grand view of the action... if they weren't busy sizing one-another up...
Catwoman found it very easy to grab the satchel with the stone slab inside, but as soon as she lifted it up, she could feel stone jostling stone within; the tablet had broken in at least two pieces. She knew nothing about the item other than Penguin's client wanted it, but now was probably not the time to worry about that, she had to get out before the Batman beat Tommy Blake and came for her. Dashing back to cover was not as simple as she'd thought... the tablet, despite being relatively small (smaller than her torso) was remarkably heavy, but she made it.
Tommy Blake took the Batarang hits, striking him roughly as if he wasn't ready for them, but he managed to keep enough presence of mind in spite of the hits to cross his arms over his chest and absorb most of the kick, though he slid back a few feet in his crouched position on the smooth cement floor of the warehouse. "Batman, don't be such a mark! I'm telling you the truth, someone is after that tablet, and if they get it, its the end for all of us! I swear on my daughter's life, Bats..."
At that moment the massive door to the service elevator at the far end of the warehouse opened, loudly sliding up on a chain pulley system. Inside the elevator were a dozen men in cheap suits, one of whom was holding a girl of maybe twelve or thirteen years by her hair, a pistol aimed at her head. The rest carried the infamous Thompson machine guns, and they spread out among the crates. The last to disembark from the elevator was wearing a beautifully tailored suit and a black skull mask, with black leather gloves. In fact the only thing that wasn't black was the fresh red rose pinned to his lapel. The Black Mask, the undisputed king of organized crime in Gotham, had come himself.
"Yoohoo!" he shouted in his gravelly voice. "Blake, where are you hiding in here with my prize? We got your daughter. I told you, Blake, nothing but nothing is keeping me from that tablet. Don't be stupid. Hand it over, and we give your daughter back undamaged... mostly..."
Blake shot a look to Batman... then turned and charged toward the gangsters, giving Batman his back, making himself an easy target if Batman chose to take him down in that moment.
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Post by phencerx on Feb 24, 2021 15:21:36 GMT -5
Moving through the museum had been easy enough, though when Hex had turned the corner to see the bones of the long dead dinosaur posed in a vicious attacking manner he did step back and draw his pistols. Looking to Blood and speaking in a hushed tone, "What the hell are you tenderfoots collecting around here?" Holstering his weapons, they continue moving. As the hair on his neck begins to stand, he thinks to himself "There's going to be blood tonight."
As they make their way slowly to the entrance of the storage area, Hex realizes that if ever there was a spot for an ambush, this is it. At that moment, he then begins to feel the other eyes of the other newcomers fall upon him. Two more kids in pajamas, but the bloodlust off of the one in the red hood was almost palatable. Moving his hands back to his sidearms, he looks to Blood once again. "Friends of yours?" Then he sees the blur down below. Two shimmering projectiles hitting the security guard, followed by the first glimpse of his prey crashing into him feet first. So this was the Batman.... and he's attacking one of the guards. The mental scales of the Bat being friend or foe begin to tip to the side of collecting the bounty.
Suddenly the sound of the service elevator and and it's metal grate opening echo through the room drawing Hex's attention. The sight of heavily armed group made him think that maybe there were others looking to cash in. That was fine. If they wanted to do the dirty work, he could easily post up and dispatch them on their way out to collect the bounty himself. That's when he saw the girl. Hunting a man down is one thing, but using a kid as a hostage was down right deplorable.
"Blake, where are you hiding in here with my prize? We got your daughter. I told you, Blake, nothing but nothing is keeping me from that tablet. Don't be stupid. Hand it over, and we give your daughter back undamaged... mostly..." So this varmint wasn't after the Bat, but perhaps the man he was fighting. Regardless, something had to be done and his bounty could wait. Inching close to the entry, Hex pulls his rifle off of his back. Known as one of the deadliest marksmen in the West, shooting a man standing still was as easy tossing back a shot of whisky.
Glancing back to his demonic friend, he gives a slight nod and says "Get ready." Taking aim at the man holding the gun to the girls head, he returns the favor by firing off a round aimed directly at his head.
========================= ========================= H: 3 E: 9
ACTION 01: 4 Stones into Ranged combat (taking shot at the man holding the girl hostage) ACTION 02: 2 Stones into dodging back behind the entrance for the shit show that is about to begin.
MODIFIERS: Mental Defense (+2) Toughness (+3) Reflexive Dodge (+2) Targeting (+1) Resources (3) - Bounty Hunting
EQUIPMENT: Bowie Knife: (+2) Weapon Modifier; 2x damage Cavalry Sabre: (+3) Weapon Modifier; 2x damage High-Caliber Rifle: (+3) Ranged Weapon Modifier; 2x damage Twin Revolvers: (+2) Ranged Weapon Modifier; 2x damage
H: 3 E: 3 R: 3
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Post by OurLadyWar on Feb 24, 2021 16:23:27 GMT -5
Selina barely made it behind her crate when the service elevator arrived. She caught her breath, knew her cheeks were flushed from hauling the tablet around. Even though her cheeks had flashed warm from the exertion, her blood ran cold. She knew that voice, she had heard that voice for a long time now. "Roman?" Selina whispered to herself behind clenched teeth. She carefully craned her head enough to get a glimpse at what was going on. He was fanning his goons out and he had a damn kid with him. A pang settled in her stomach, like a white hot poker stabbing home. "Shit," she murmured and slipped her jacket off. He would recognize it. She pulled it inside out and tugged it back on, covered up the dress he bought her just a month or so ago before the first chill of winter would settle in. Selina took another furtive look to the service elevator. How far was Roman from its entrance? A big part of her wanted to help the kid, but the Bat was here and he always saved the kid. It was in the papers constantly. For now, she strategized and tried to process what she was seeing as she hefted the satchel over her shoulder and across her chest.
If she got out of here, she was going to need one lean, mean poker face when she saw Roman again. He was bringing kids into the mix now? The thought disgusted her. She was keeping secrets from him and he was keeping secrets from her -- who could truly and without guilt confront the other one? Their double lives were starting to braid, but not like ribbons. Like barbed wire.
===*=== Health 4 Energy 4
Action 1 Thieving 2 (Agility 3) - Hide: continue to use the crates to hide as she regroups
Action 2 No Action
Modifiers Reflexive Dodge +3 Targeting +2
Equipment Thief's Kit Ancient Mask Tablet, Satchel
Health 4 Energy 2
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Post by Black Sam on Feb 25, 2021 15:19:16 GMT -5
Hex offered the large rifle to Jason, but he held up a gloved hand to decline.
"You hang onto it," he said, wishing he'd worn something to conceal his identity. They'd just been face-to-face with Flass and his team, and if any one of them spotted him – or Jonah Hex, for that matter...
"I'm still hoping to avoid a life sentance when this is all over."
He let the bounty hunter take the lead, determined to watch his back despite being out of his element. They reached the entrance to the secure part of the museum at the same time as two masked men, and Jason stopped abruptly, pulling his fedora down a little closer to his eyes and looking between the red and blue costumes. He was inclined to scoff at their outlandish attire, but somehow they seemed more appropriate dressed for the situation than his herringbone suit and tie.
There was tension in the moment, and Jason subtlly shifted his large frame to center himself for a fight, left foot forward and profile narrowed to the masked men, the opening steps of a kata. He felt Etrigan stirring behind his eyes, excited by the possibility of violence. None of them seemed to have expected the others and just as it seemed they would come to blows, chaos broke loose in the basement.
Then Hex started shooting.
*************************
HEALTH: 4/4 ENERGY: 15/15
ACTION ONE: 2 stones into Speed to move into the basement and circle around the perimiter ACTION TWO: 3 stones into Black Ops to set up an ambush for the next panel
ATTACK: none DEFENSE: none
MODIFIERS: Healing Factor; Immortality; Magical Defense 3; Mental Defense 3; Precognitive Flashes
HEALTH: 4/4 ENERGY: 10/15 REGENERATION: 7
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Post by dorkknight23 on Feb 26, 2021 12:29:57 GMT -5
First priority was getting the girl out of here. The Bat wished he thought highly enough of Sidonis that threatening to kill a child would seem beneath him. No mask or fancy suit could hide exactly the kind of scum he was. He also came with a small army; shame they didn't bring a bigger one. They'd need it to stand even a shadow of a chance.
He reached into his trusty utility belt and produced his smoke pellets. The techniques were pure Koga clan ninjitsu even if the materials had been modernized. Sensei wouldn't approve but he'd understand. They'd strike the floor with a loud crack and a distracting hiss, encouraging the untrained to look straight at the irritating cloud of smoke billowing at them. His other hand balled into a punch, ready to knock the hostage-taker clean out as he rushed headfirst into the smoke.
He grabbed the girl and launched his grapple back up into the rafters. She would be safe enough there, at least long enough for him to finish the task at hand. Sidonis and his men had made a crucial mistake before this battle even began: they thought it was a chaotic brawl when in reality it was a precise operating theater, and the Bat held his scalpel at the ready.
======== Health 3/3 Energy 9/12 (i) Regen 6
4 into Ninja, 1 to toss smoke pellets, 3 to attack the thug holding the girl hostage 1 into Acrobatics, +2 from Grapple, 3 total, to grab the girl and grapple her to safety
"Smoke Pellets" are a 6 (1+4+1 targeting) stone attack creating a negativity visibility sit mod depending on "damage" (Area: 4) Unarmed Attack (Disarm/Takedown specialty): 3 stone total
Def +7 (+2 Toughness, +2 RD, +3 Armor [no 2x damage from firearms/projectiles])
Health 3/3 Energy 4/12 (i) Regen 6
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Post by Dhark on Mar 1, 2021 18:56:40 GMT -5
RED HOODJason was no stranger to after-hours visits to any number of museums, banks, warehouses, and office buildings; It mattered not at all that the sun was in the sky, though that did change a few considerations. He moved with the practiced grace and silent footfalls of an experienced vigilante; Better, perhaps, as his trade craft had been honed by the best and brightest from within the ranks of The League.He’d noted the encroaching sounds of others before rounding the blind turn, and stepped around it confidently. The view wasn’t what he’d expected. Not even a little. ”Nightwing. He greets, shifting his stance slightly when he notes that Dick’s not alone. ”...and friends? Gotta say, I approve of the new gang man.” The last bit is drowned outby the blast of gunfire, and Jason immediately has his own pistols in hand and sprints up to stand side-by-side with Hex to get a better vantage on the scene below. A moment’s assessment is all it takes: ”RUN GIRL!” and he lays down suppression fire for her, taking out knee-caps, trigger-hand-elbows, and even a shoulder if necessary... but unlike Hex, doing his best to adhere to the promise of not killing. He’d likely catch blame for that first shot regardless if Bruce showed up... but it was the principle. ”We need to get down there.”========================= ========================= H: 03/03 E: 14/14MODIFIERS: MENTAL DEFENSE II TARGETING III TOUGHNESS II REFLEXIVE DODGE II WEALTH IV EQUIPMENT: COSTUME (Stolen/Re-Branded Bat Suit, Defense II, No x2 from Firearms) GRAPPLING HOOK II (MN to Acrobatics for Web-Slinging) COLT M1911’s (x2) (Weapon Bonus II, x2 Damage) KNIVES (x4) (Weapon Bonus II, AP) THE BUNKER
ACTION 01: 05 Stones into COMBAT [RANGED] + 02 + 02 for a total of 09 STONES of offensive suppression fire. ACTION 02: XX Stones into XXXXX H: 03/03 E: 09/14R: 06
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Post by Rinjo on Mar 10, 2021 7:16:50 GMT -5
Suited up, Dick flits across the rooftops, invisible even in broad daylight. Not breaking stride, he vaults across the metal roof & is through the skylight perched on the T-Rex before he can appraise the situation below. All clear. He didn't need to dig deep into his skillset to follow the sound of action, even above the ringing fire alarm. Whatever was going down, was happening in the basement, and from the sounds of it, things were already in full swing. Aside from the alarm, there was no sign of intrusion. No damage, no missing artwork. This wasn't a heist... at least not a quick smash and grab. There were clues, puzzle pieces, but what they led to was still unclear. Things only got messier when he hit the landing, leading to the storage room. Hex, Blood, Red Hood, Tommy Guns & Smoke Bombs. Dick was used to being unfashionable late, but not like this! ”...and friends? Gotta say, I approve of the new gang man.” "Wait, these guys? No... you don't understand... oh never mind..."But before he could get another word out, Hex was already moving; pistols were drawn and taking shots. For a moment, Dick started to reach out to grab him but he knew Hex was too fast, and truthfully he had no concerns about the man's accuracy. He wouldn't hit the girl, whoever she was. Dick looks sheepishly at Red Hood, his innocence playing through even this tense situation. "Last man standing wins?"
=== In one motion he pulls his grappling hook, fires, and disappears. He senses he is not alone even before he gets his footing under him. "Sorry I'm late, what did I miss?"===== H 3/3 E 12/16 A1: Ninja 6 (4 N, 2 Ef) - As acrobatics combined with grappling hook to get to the roof. 2 into movement, 4 into defense A2: H 3/3 E 7/16 Defense 11 Physical (4 (N), 3 (RD), 3 (Suit), 1 (Tough)
- No 2x, No AP
- 2r Heat/Cold Resistant
5 Mental (In 5) | Useful Mods: Fast Draw Rapid Recovery Vision, Enhanced 2 (Darkness) |
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Post by WildKnight on Mar 18, 2021 9:37:59 GMT -5
The briefest silence reigned before the chaos. Alerted by the tiniest whisper of Hex's gun on the skin of his holster, Batman sprang into action, spreading smoke bombs that had served him well throughout his career, limiting visibility for everyone. Grabbing the girl was relatively simple, but as he pulled her away from the man who ha been poised to end her life, he heard three tiny metallic pings. Like the sound of a gun being drawn, these pings were ingrained in the Batman's memory; "Mills Bombs", fragmentation grenades. A lot of guys had come home from the Great War with a rough idea of how to make them, and he'd faced them before. The Black Mask had crossed a lot of lines before, but he'd never rigged a child to explode. Until now.
Catwoman continued to hide, unable to shake the image of Roman, even in his Black Mask persona, using a child as a threat and a shield. When she'd first met him he was ambitious, even aggressive, but this was something else. Paranoia had been creeping in since he took control of Gotham's underworld. He'd been spending more time beneath the Mask, freezing her out of more and more of his dealings, and now this. But beneath it, there was something else, something perhaps only she, with her years at his side, was equipped to recognize. This wasn't just an increased ruthlessness... The Black Mask was stressed, maybe even scared. Even when he'd been plotting behind the backs of men like Falcone and Maroni, men who certainly had the power, and would not have hesitated to, kill him if they found out, Roman Sionis had never seemed like he worried about the outcome. Now there was something different in his voice. Whoever he was dealing with now was no mere gangster.
As smoke began to fill the room, Jonah Hex unleashed a bullet before ducking for cover. Without needing to watch, he knew the shot was true, and he heard the man make a single grunt as the bullet tore through him. He couldn't see it, but it was most likely a fatal shot. Since he didn't hear a second shot or a child screaming, he could only assume that the little girl was, at least momentarily, safe.
The smoke dropped by the Batman made it extraordinarily easy for Jason Blood to sneak down to the warehouse floor and circle around. The fact that the Black Masks's men were fanned out in a semi-circle and his back was facing the service elevator and far wall meant that there was no "blind angle" from which to approach, but if the smoke persisted, he could likely get close to the nearest of Mask's men without getting shot. Probably.
The Red Hood started firing into the smoke. He could hear his rounds hitting cement and occasionally metal. Since Roman's men couldn't see him (though he could sort of see them, having the advantage of height keeping him up out of the smoke itself), some of them flinched a bit... but they maintained a military-like protective barrier around the Black Mask himself. Not only were these men well-discplined... they'd take a bullet for the Mask (not that it helped him much, given that the shooters had high ground and could easily shoot over his protectors if they could see the Mask himself)
Nightwing, not really clear on what was going on, launched himself up into the rafters just as Batman arrived with the girl (who was about to explode, but Nightwing didn't know that either).
The Black Mask's men, minus his now dead enforcer, stood their ground and didn't start panic firing, to their credit, while the Mask himself just began laughing inexplicably (inexplicable to everyone except Batman, at any rate, who was now holding a girl a few seconds from exploding)
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