((Continued from Soaring Heights Lobby)) ((Sleight of Hand- Lockpicking 101- Roll = 93 -20 (untrained skill)-10 (improvised tools)= 63 Success)) ((Document Find- “What do we have here”- Roll = 10))
Bernard entered into his apartment throwing the deadbolt behind him. Crossing the room he threw the backpack upon the couch before drawing the curtains on the patio door closed and turning on the TV. He adjusted the volume turning it way down and enabling the close captioned option. The event was all over the news covered by the same reported that broke the story on the Gabriel’s Crossing and while no specific answers were being released she did promise to keep the viewer updated as information was discovered.
Fetching the security box from the stashed goods he sat down upon the couch and fiddled with the lock. As luck would have it he soon found his way past the locking mechanism as if he had been doing the operation all his life. Opening the rectangular metal container he was ecstatic to find a large cache of bills totaling $16, 600. Any financial handcuffs outfitting his basic operation were removed with the lucrative find. Sifting through the wraps of cash Bernard came across and curious find.
“Now what do we have here?” He muttered to himself scanning the recovered document.
-Several small excerpts from a leading news corporation. Several pages are torn out and placed in a large envelop. They don't appear to all be from the same news article, and some of the notes don't appear to all be complete. The envelop is labeled:-
"Written in the year: 2050. First Draft of Banned news report." Opening it contains the following information:
-Page one: Back in the year 2030, when Ortega broke free from the academy; sources say that the real cause of the explosion was actually caused by one of the soldiers from the failed "Zenith project". Our other Sources informed us that the soldier come back to seek revenge on Hydra corp. and caused massive amounts of damage. However, no matter how hard we looked into it, we couldn't find out why he did this. The only problem is that during my research I couldn't seem to find a single document containing information about a "Project Zenith". Although I am sure I have heard something about a Zenith project several years ago...
I was also told that Ortega was not the one directly responsible for the death of Glory's family, he simply used the chaos of the events named above to break free from the facility. Hydra corp. didn't want anyone to know that yet another one of their failed experiments went wrong and hurt people, so they decided to use Ortega to take the blame for all the many lives that were lost by their hands. Either way you look at it, if it was this so called "soldier" or Ortega's doing, both were products of Hydra corp's hands.
I decided not to end there. I went snooping around to see what else Hydra was hiding by interviewing a few people that I thought could shed some light on our current situation. Although, at the time they didn't know that was what they were doing... I went undercover, and this is what they had to say.
-Page two: In the year 2045 many leading scientist have released different statements contradicting Hydra's first report saying that "After much studying and research, the virus doesn't seem to be a result of pollution poisoning [and that] the Ozone layer is in fact still doing its job by keeping out harmful UV rays caused by the sun. Although there were a few reports of pollution related illnesses happening in small places around the world, we don't believe it is the cause of the failing Ozone layer. But rest assured, we will continue to do research to help bring an end to the current situation. We are still researching what the original cause of the virus was, seeing how the Ozone layer clearly has nothing to do with it. We will keep you all updated on any new developments that we find." So than why have we not heard anything new after all these years? And if it is not pollution or the ozone layer, then what is causing the virus? That's what I want to find out!
-Page three: In 2046, The Wylde Aces gang released a so called "Stolen document" from the Hydra headquarters, stating that the virus was actually caused by one of Hydra corp's failed experiments. Although, there doesn't seem to be any proof behind these claims; and to make things worse, no one could prove that the documents were in fact real, or for that matter that they even belonged to Hydra corp. in the first place. I went looking for this secret document to read it with my own two eyes, but sadly I couldn't seem to find anything about it anywhere. Everything is just word of mouth by the Aces gang.
The rumors however did greatly ruin Hydra corp's reputation when people began to hear that one of Hydra's failed experiments began making people sick with TOZ. Althogh the rumors are circulating around, many people still choose to ignore these wild rumors saying that "The Wylde aces gang is only trying to ruin Hydra corp's reputation. [And] they are nothing more then an aggressive group of kids protesting Hydra corp's research and technology with stupid lies and violent crimes."
Whatever was really the cause of the virus, rather it was Hydra's doing or the great war, the Virus itself is still very real and has claimed the lives of over 35,000 people in the USA alone, and the death toll is still rapidly counting. To this day many organizations are doing their best to find a cure, and Hydra corp. is still the leading research team in finding one that works. But it does make you question how Hydra corp. was so quick to make a cure for a virus that caught everyone else by surprise. Perhaps there is more truth to the Wylde aces claims than we all thought. When I went back to find this leaked report that they had sent out, I found some news publishers who said that they did receive a report and that they printed it, but it turned out that it too went missing. This only makes Hydra corp. look all the more suspicious. I've tried to talk to the Wylde aces gang in person to ask them about the reports, but they won't see me because they think I will twist their words and make them out to be the bad guys. Oh well... Either way, I smell a huge cover up. As soon as I get to the bottom of things I'm going to tell the whole world. They can't silence the truth.
-Written by lead news reporter: Bianca Saint-John.
-End of report...-
Last Edit: Mar 1, 2012 15:43:08 GMT -5 by FG Admin
If you have any questions you can Email me at: fgheroes@yahoo.com
Several terms and events were unfamiliar as Bernard read through the mismatched collection of articles contained within the envelope. A few distinctive names did jump to his attention among the entries; the first was a blast from his past, Glory. The article spoke of an escape, the reference was brief but the Sensitive couldn’t help but recount the day of his brief introduction to Hydra Corp with malice. Recently his powers had been increasing exponentially forcing him out of hiding. Was he another of their experiments gone wrong?
The second familiarity involved a more recent acutance, Carson Wylde and his Aces. The article eluded towards a stolen Hydra document that was leaked had been in turn leaked to the press. While Bernard could see Carson inadvertently getting his hands on such a document it was beyond his comprehension that a story of such magnitude could simply be swept under the table. Then again without the proof of the original document it would be far easier to disclaim the accusations. What if the retrieval of this piece of information was the real reason behind the radical decision for Hydra to force entry into the club and take on Carson upon his home turf?
The final piece was nothing but a notation at the bottom of final document that seemed to tie it all together. The apparent author of the notations, Bianca Saint-James, the news reported that had inadvertently appeared on Bernard’s radar during the aftermath of the Gabriel’s Crossing incident. A fate would have it he had considered using the paper as a legitimate source of income keeping him close to any leads the nosy reporter might chose to follow that involved his alter ego. He was still contemplating a viable story that would get his foot in the door. This information could be the obscure carrot he was looking to dangle to get her attention.
Perhaps it was time to meet Miss Saint-James after all.
It was evident from the recovered notes that there was little trust between Carson and the press but if there was a cover up Bernard believed that Miss Saint-John was not part of it. Why else would her investigative report be squashed in the first place? It seemed to indicate her former boss was likely in on the conspiracy. He would have the power not only to sink her story but to promote the negative press regarding Carson and the Aces to seal their silence against her. Carson must possess the information to point her in the right direction to unlock the secrets she was seeking.
The fastest way to the answers they were seeking was to put the parties in question together and “watch the fur fly.” The catalyst to the encounter was right in front of him. Bernard spread out the collection of articles upon the white countertop and photographed the documents that he might retain a copy of the information. The originals were far more valuable in the hands of another; those of the author Bianca Saint-John.
Filling the sink with warm soapy water the Sensitive donned the rubber wash gloves and briefly submerged the cover envelope and each document before setting them out upon a series of tea towels to absorb the excess liquid. His prints would mean nothing at this point but he wasn’t about to become careless. To hasten the process Bernard craftily created a warming bed to dry the saturated papers. The purge complete he carefully tucked the assorted information back into the envelope from which they came along with the inclusion one additional piece.
The supplementary article came in the form of a common serving napkin bearing the logo of Club Exxel. Inked upon the paper serviette was the following enticement.
Perhaps we should discuss this further. You know where to find me. ~C~
Bernard planned to have the “enticing biscuit” he had uncovered arrive via specialized courier and directly into the hands of the inquisitive reporter. If all worked out accordingly he would find himself in close proximity to the mark when the she accepted the bait. It was the uninhibited thoughts that would race through her mind during the initial disclosure that interested him the most. To place him in position for such an opportunity the Sensitive would inquire about a position at the Chronicle as a freelance photographer.
((Continued from Government District)) ((Travel L15 – H2 removing $30 from inventory))
Arriving back at the apartment Bernard once again switched on the news and settled upon the couch. They had just begun to rerun the earlier coverage regarding the announcement abolishing the Rogue hero Act. The Sensitive began to smile with a Chesire-like grin that stretched from ear to ear. “All this because of little ol’ me” He mused delightfully at the thought. “And to think, I’m just getting STARTED!” Not only had he captured the attention of Hydra and the Osiris Police Department but soon every Tom, Dick and Sally would be donning a mask to play hero. That would play into his hand nicely.
The Hero Act had been put into place all those years ago for a reason and these “Batman wannabes” would likely cause more disruption and destruction if their feeble efforts than they would any real aid. It has been said with great power comes great responsibility. The everyday Joe was far from such noble accountability. Soon Hydra and the “true” crime fighters of the city would be spending time putting out the political fires caused by the sudden influx of “powered” vigilantes. This added confusion would allow the mastermind a degree of obscurity while searching for corruptible talent to forward his criminal ambitions and bring down Glory.
Bernard soon drifted off, all the while scheming of ways to fulfill the path to his grandiose aspirations of payback.
Bernard woke from his nap well rested. Glancing at his watch he realized Club Exxel would be opening soon to the public and he didn’t want to miss any potential fireworks that could erupt with the presence of Bianca. If at all possible he would make a play for access into the underground supply chain. He had an open invitation to drop by for a drink from Wavelink which gave him the opportunity to blend in nicely. Tonight he would sit back and gather as much information as he could before he made his next move.
After putting together some spending cash and a small collection of vials as an alternative incentive to take to the club with him Bernard made his way downstairs. Mr. Kim was as the Sensitive had become accustomed to behold was holed up in front of the tiny television in the manager’s office. Exiting to the streets it wasn’t long before a cab driver responded to his hail
Bernard woke, finding himself safe within the confines of his apartment. His lean, six foot five frame sprawled across the length of the three cushioned couch. One long muscular leg draped casually over the arm of the cramped space while the other simply stretched out his mammoth foot coming to rest against the cold wooden floor. The long slender arms of the red headed thief were wrapped tightly around the stolen briefcase embraced across his chest.
His chest ached and his mind throbbed, still in a thick cloudy haze as he shifted his body to perch upon the edge of the sofa rubbing his forehead. For the moment, the battered Sensitive had little recollection to the concluding events of previous night’s adventure or just how he ended up here. Fumbling at the clasps he was to his surprise able to open the mysterious leather container with relative ease. One would have expected stricter safeguards from a Hydra agent. Perhaps his intuition had been mistaken regarding the nature of the contents which were only protected by such a primitive security mechanism.
Opening the lid, the Sensitive was elated to have his pessimistic outlook disproved, finding a pristine laptop nestled among a series of loose papers collected within the carrying apparatus. Filtering through the papers, some bearing the distinctive hydra letterhead, the would-be thief was able to put what he believed to be the name, to the suit in the bar. What was disturbing about the find was that this Nathan Baris, operative or not, resided within the same apartment complex known as Soaring Heights. Much too close, to the liking of the suspicious Sensitive; he would have to be more mindful of his comings and goings.
Removing the portable laptop and placing it on the counter, Bernard attempted to boot up the device while his morning coffee brewed. Once again, to his surprise there wasn’t any safeguard in place. “Odd....this is almost too easy.” the bewildered Sensitive thought to himself as he browsed the file names held within the drive. “Hmmmm,” Bernard mused clicking on a file only to have it demand a password in return. “Now that’s a little more of what I would have expected from a secretive entity such as Hydra.” The red head muttered as several tries upon various other files had garnered the same request.
Stuffing the last of his stale cinnamon bagel into his mouth and washing it down with the remainder of the now lukewarm coffee he had made for himself, Bernard shut down the computer and snapped the lid closed for travel. “A quick shower, a change of clothes and I’m off to see that reporter. If all goes well, perhaps she will be willing to supply the resources to crack these files and see just what Hydra is up to.”
((to be continued in Osirs Daily Chronicle Lobby))