Shining Example (WORM ORIGIN QUEST)

It's moments like these that you wonder if some force wants you to run into trouble. Considering your track record so far, you're inclined to believe it. It wasn't the most dangerous situation that you've been in, not by a long shot. This is a fight you have a chance at winning easily. Throw out the waves in your hands, and both of them would be paste on the side of a skyscraper a city over.

An option, and as much as you don't want to admit it is one that you don't want to do.

What if you're wrong and the waves aren't enough? If they aren't, you've shown your hand in Empire 88's city. Golden light followed by an enormous burst of wind? All it would take was those two facts, and anyone who's been watching the news would know it's you.

But then again, who the hell do these people think they are? All you did was look at someone, then you left. Sure you had Charles' tech in your ear to help you out, but that's no excuse. This girl, she's throwing around her powers just because she can, and the other guy doesn't seem to give two shits what she does so long as he gets to watch.

"Alex," came Number Man's voice, "What's happened? Who's there?"

Just a crazy bitch and some guy, you want to say. Wait, not just some guy. Some guy who's was interested in Charles' tech. A plan shot through your head faster than you can fly. You're probably crazy, but hey, crazy ideas have gotten you this far what's one more up there?

"I didn't make them," you say.

You could almost feel the confusion pour off of the girl and Number Man.

"What?" comes the com.

In front of you, the girl rolls her eyes, while her friend gives you a mournful look.

"I didn't ask that," the girl says, flicking her hand and sending the spikes above her into a frenzy, "I asked who the hell you were talking to?"

"A friend of mine who did."

Behind his stabby friend, the guy dropped his cigarette and sprung to his feet fast than someone of his size should be able to.

"You're insane," came Number Man's replay.

You can't stop the smirk. Took him longer than you thought it would take him to piece it together.

"He got a card to Empire 88's meeting. Something about joining the pure and the strong in the bay? Well, he got interested and asked if I could see if it was really going down. Sure enough, it is."

The man nods, and the girl's eyes narrow. She crosses her arms, but the spikes above her don't move.

"You're pretty damn open about trying to spy on us."

"Hey don't get mad at me," you say keeping up the brave face, "If my friends and I wanted you guys gone, we would've used the numbers that you provided and just blast you from orbit. Me? I was just trying to look for the right place. I found it. So word of advice, you can do whatever you want to me, but it's not going to stop someone else from knowing what's going on here. So how about this. I leave town, you never see me, and you can keep having your meetings. If my friends are interested, they'll give you a call."

There, that should be punk enough to get through to these people. Confident for some reason, enough sass to sell that image, and to top it all off, remembering what the hell was on that card to look credible. Barely a lick of it is true, but they don't need to know that.

Dazzle them with your brilliance or baffle them with your bullshit.

You've got brilliance to spare, but there's a lot of non-bulletproof people that are too close for comfort. A good blast might do the job, or it could just make things work. You've got no clue what baldy can do, and if you don't play this right, he might hit you with something that your waves can't stop. Rebecca's advice all but screaming in your mind.

"Assuming someone can't hurt you will be the first thing that will get you killed."

It's serving you well here. Besides, you're not exactly trying to start a fight here. She knows that if she attacks you, then she's got to contend with whatever repercussions that would come from having someone live on the other line.

And it might be the small bit of Doctor Mother in you, but you don't want it to stop there. Best case, these guys leave town when they know someone interesting has gotten on their trail. Whether they up their security or not, anything they have will be a perfect setup for Contessa. Someone wants to come in? Contessa walks right on in. They want to increase their security, Contessa just so happens to be precisely what they're looking for to do it. There's probably a million other angles, but for now, all you need to get out of here.

The girl drums her finger on her arm. She's giving you a look that you remember plagued Clint for months. The look of someone who's thinking of the long game, four or five steps ahead of whoever they're playing only because if they didn't everything might fall apart. And it will if she takes the bait.

On your end, you're an unknown, but an unknown with a lot of potentially exciting shit around him. She, on the other hand, could have everyone in the city working for her but that doesn't mean shit if you could turn this entire thing belly up like you implied. A warped game of chess if there ever was one.

Behind her, the bald guy snorts.

"And you bolted because you caught a good look from Drake? Shit mate, last kid who did that, ended up fallin over screaming bloody murder, you must have balls of steel or something."

Not really, you were ready to piss yourself, but you're not going to look a gift horse in the mouth.

"He's not the first parahuman that I've run into."

The bald man smiles, "Oh, I like you."

He licks his lips, and you can't repress a shiver. The girl nods along, a robotic action as a million thoughts came to her. For a second, no one moved, then she raises her hands. With a snap, the spikes above her seemingly turn into dust. No, not dust, is that rust? The orange metal drifts away in the breeze. Straightening her mink, the girl takes a few steps forward.

"Do you have a name we can call you, Mr…?"

"Brown," you say quickly.

The girl rolls her eyes, apparently not buying your little con. At least she doesn't look to put off by it.

"Well Mr. Brown," the girl says in a sultry slur, "I am Iron Rain, the muscle of Empire 88."

Thanks? You never asked. Wait for a second, why is she even telling you this? Rain gives only the barest of glances back to her bold companion who smiles and waves from his spot.

"Our favorite western charmer goes by Mimir."

"Howdy big guy," he says, his eyes trailing down to your legs.

You shift back, quickly waving.

"H-happy to meet you?"

"Don't be," Rain says, taking another few steps forward, "It's overkill I know, but you have to understand that not just anyone can walk into this meeting. My father is building an Empire, and it won't last long if he doesn't have the right support."

All the confidence you have left shatters in a single breath. A wave catches it before you can move, forcing your face to stay as still as stone. At worst, your chin will be glowing a little. Mimir raises an eyebrow, but that's the only reaction to your inner turmoil.

This chick is Allfather's daughter!?

"Hey don't look at me," You say, stepping back, "You know me, I'm just here to see if it's actually happening."

"Really?" Rain asks ruefully, "Then that makes this even easier."

You really don't like how that sounds.

"W-why is that?"

Rain smiles, a hungry, sadistic smile as she holds out a hand.

"I don't need to pitch a damn thing if you're already interested. So Mr. Brown, wanna come to see what's going on from the inside?"

Hold up, what? Is she offering to take you inside? Mother fucker that's the exact opposite reaction! What's the point of having an underground villain group if you were going to let me in any way? There's got to be something up to this.

"I said that my friends would-"

"I'm not asking if your friend wants to come," Rain says, her voice deathly cold "I. Want. You."

Above you, another spike appears, ready and waiting to go straight into your head.

"What'll it be Mr. Brown?"

In the distance, Mimir takes a step away from the wall, grinning and lacing his fingers around his pant buckle. Ok, it's official, these people are fucking insane!

"Alex say yes," Number Man calls.

You want to ask why, but you can't. Instead, you force a smile.

"I guess a look inside wouldn't hurt."

Rain smiles victoriously, the Chessmaster finally making their move.

"Then Mr. Brown, would you like me to escort you back to the Empire?"

She holds out a hand, and behind her, Mimir is giving you a thumbs up his gaze never leaving you. Trying to keep all the hesitation out of your actions, you take hold and Rain gives a firm shake. Barely registers to you, couldn't even get through the passive waves over your skin. Good news, the girl that can summon spears out of nowhere can't crush your hand. Rain turns tail, and you follow close behind. Mimir kicks off his wall as soon as you pass, putting you between two.

"Keep calm," Number man says.

Easy for him to say, he's not the one walking through the street with a psycho in front and a creep trying to sneak up behind you. All the while you can't use your powers. This is getting better and better.

"Chances are, she's making a move for her investors. You came in with tech no one knew existed and admitted to spying on them. It was good, most might've fallen for it, but she's calling your bluff. You're going to be taken to the meeting as a psychological power play for everyone else there. From their pov, they'll see it as confidence that the Empire can handle anything this leak throws their way. On the other hand, it could be seen as total control over everyone that comes through. Either way, you're heading there as a hostage. Sit down, pay attention, and use the confidence to your advantage. Memorize faces, speech patterns, anything that we can use to tie them together later. Hold out for a little longer, you'll have backup coming soon."

You wish you could share the confidence the kid has in his voice. You roll your neck, well, at least you can fake it, you've had plenty of practice doing that. Walking the line, your group heads back to the main street. Everyone takes one look at Rain and immediately give her the lion share of space on the sidewalk. Looks like this part of town definitely knows what to do around her. Behind you, Mimir takes the stare's like you take the morning breeze.

"What do you drink Mr. Brown?" the bald man asks, "Everything's top of the line, tell me what ya need and I'll be senden it your way. Along with a tall one of whatever I want."

"I don't drink," you say with more venom than expected.

Mimir holds his hands in surrender, "No worries, we've got some water, so you don't end up like your brother."

You blink, and Mimir slaps his head, "No no wait, sorry about dat, it's actually your old man, right?"

You freeze, and the only reason your foot takes another step is Mimir pushing you along. The bald man winks at you, a smirk growing as he gets a look at your face.

"Think nothin' of it kid, I'ma a good guess."

You doubt that, but you can't exactly talk back to him as Rain turns back into the ally with the Ruby Dreams. The big guy Drake gives a slight incline of his head as you group passes. Every step that you take down the steps brings you even closer to the beat. Short hammers of waves bash into your head to the point where your earpieces start to heat up. Biting your lip, you follow Rain into the club.

Inside is a bar that your day would give anything to have a drink in. Lights dancing overhead, the longest bar you've ever seen in your life and the best looking waitresses that you've ever seen. You nearly run into a chair you're distracted by a particular head of jet black hair. The rest of the patrons are surrounding one of what looks like a dozen game tables. You catch poker, blackjack, and a few dice tables were thrown in there for good measure.

And all of it drenched in the color of the club.

A few members of the table take notice of you, or, Rain as you go past. A few sizes you up, most only giving you a second. That's fine. They didn't need to know that they just miss judged Atlas.

Anything to make you feel better helps.

Rain takes you and Mimir into the back, another giant ruby door that looked straight out of a bomb shelter. She taps once, the sound barely getting through the bass. The clank and motion of metal moving breaks through, but it has nothing on the godawful sound of it scraping along the ground. The door only opens so the three of you can barely slip through. Rain squeezes through, and you're not tall enough to see past her.

So you're walking into a blast shelter with your head ringing and without seeing a thing? Number Man better hurry the fuck up, because this is going to get worse before it gets better. Stepping through, Rain steps aside and you make a show of stretching your arm. Easing out the tension and giving you enough of an excuse to look around.

It's a half table meeting, several seats working around the flat end going to the center. Out of the six chairs that surround the head, four are occupied. The furthest is a man that looks around Clint's age. Long hair, sharp brown eyes and decked out in an expensive looking shirt and wrist rings. He smiles as you enter, tipping a hat that he didn't have. To his right, an older man sat in a three-piece brown suit that went with a similar colored head of hair. Silver lined black gloves covered his hands, while bright crimson eyes only gave you the barest of glances before his attention returned to a steaming cup of something in front of him. Moving along, a guy older than your father sits ramrod straight, kind of like you saw military people in movies sit. Greying hair covered one eye, but it didn't do anything to disguise the sneer on his lips as you get closer. Finally, next to him is what you think is a man. His figure is hidden behind a large black robe and a plague doctor mask.

The man at the center is… certainly looks the part of the leader of an empire. Dozens of broken swords, spears, and shields came together to form a helmet and breastplate. He turns his head at your arrival, his armor crashing against itself in a small orchestra of shining blades. Despite yourself, you still clench a fist, gathering another wave. As if he could sense the power, a flip of his hand straightens a crimson cape behind him, the action making his lean forward all the more dramatic almost daring you to take action. You hold back, but instead, the plague doctor turns to look at you, gawking at you.

"A brat?" asks a surprisingly high but still masculine voice, "Were you really that desperate for help that you thought children would be useful, Allfather?"

"Now now Lorme," the man in the business suit chides, "I'm sure Allfather has a reason."

"Better be a good one," the military man barks, "He looks the type to let anyone into the fold."

Allfather drums his fingers, the metal making each hit ring in the small room. It's like a call sign. The second the first hit, everyone, and you mean everyone shut their mouths and waited. He raises a hand and snaps. Behind you, the door slams shut. Suddenly, everything is dead silent. You don't breath as Alfather studies you behind his helm. It's infuriating not to see his eyes. Body language has always been a crapshoot.

Slowly, he gestured to the seat furthest from the end.

"Take a seat."

His tone spoke more as a command than an offer. Even so, you could almost sense the smirk under his helm, daring you to try and undermine him here. Carefully, you take the offered seat.

"And who might this be?"

You're about to answer only to stop when you notice the question isn't directed at you. Rain circles around the table, taking a spot behind her father while Mimir stays a respectful distance from the table, guarding the door with someone you didn't notice. An older woman in a cocktail dress. She eyes you but says nothing, crossing her arms behind her back and standing at attention.

"Alfather," Mimir greets, bowing respectfully, "This here is Mr. Brown comes as the spokesmen of a little group who can make some fine pieces of metal."

"Oh?" Allfather asks, probably playing up his interest, "And pray tell, what kind of toys can you offer?"

"It's not really a matter of offering," Rain says, "You see, Mr. Brown here came to us to spy on us."

You flinch as suddenly all eyes are on you. Farthest from you, the man in the shirt lets out a shit-eating grin. Mr. Tux next to him raises an eyebrow. The plague doctor hisses like a cat. The military man takes a better look at you.

Only so he can aim the gun at your forehead.

A claymore forms from nothing in front of you, cutting off the gun. The military man sneers at the action, while Allfather waves a hand.

"Now Martin, let's not be too rash. I'm sure there is an explanation."

His daughter bows her head, honoring her apparent queue.

"One of your invitations got to a 'friend' of his. He's hearing this right now, Mimir caught how high grade the tech of his is. Mr. Brown said that his friends are interested in the meeting. If it was happening, his friend would come to talk to us. If not, they apparently have the means to blow us from orbit."

At the door, Mimir laughs, "Mate actually believes it when he says it too."

"Is that right?" Allfather all but chuckles, "Well then Mr. Brown, it is an honor to have you with us tonight. Do take all the notes you need."

"What," Lorme asks, "You're going to let him stay?

"A risk, sure, but that's why he's here. If he's here to business, we've got another customer. If he isn't, we're already underground," Rain says.

You blanch, and it makes Alfather chuckles.

"Excellent, you've done well."

The girl actually blushes at the praise, though the tux man shakes his head.

"If you say so."

"I do," Allfather threatens.

The air gets thick as the two men stare one another down. The man at the far end looks like he wanted to take bets on who was going to win. The rest of you are too busy trying to look inconspicuous. Finally, the man relents, and Allfather eases back into his seat.

"Excellent, now that we have a majority of the table gathered, by choice or by circumstance, allow me to begin this meeting in earnest."

Allfather praises from his seat, flicking his cape back letting it gracefully flow behind him. Crazy bastard probably practiced that, capes are a pain in the ass to get right. At least, that's what Rebecca says, you don't have that problem.

"As all of you know, or shall know, I am Allfather, founder of the Empire that will one day span the entire country. Not this day, or any day soon, but even you must understand that now the time is ripe. Symphony's great advent has allowed us to step out of the shadows and take what is ours unabated by the filth that has infested this country since the dear Martin Luther's passing."

Next, to you, Martin and Lorme scoff in disgust at the name, the sound apparently all Allfather needed to continue.

"Yes, it pains me more than you know to see such worthless apes infest the so-called, great governing body of our fair country. For too long we have had to sit back at let this plague spread further and further into the world."

He tightens his fist, metal scrapping together in a raging slash that makes you wince.

"They will be purged. This will be an empire that shows the world how it should be run, with those who are pure, clean and white in the seats of power that God himself has waited in anticipation for us to take. In this casino, my followers are already ready and waiting for the chance to expend deeper into this city. With our powers and resources, the local forces will be nothing but leaves in the wind. While the world tries to maintain the status quo, we shall use the chaos that Symphony gave his freedom to provide. Bothers, sisters, we cannot let this chance go. Starting today, should you swear, we shall begin the conquest that started the day that man left Eden. What say you, my reborn siblings? What say you, my fellow Kings!?"

Lorme and Martin instantly shot to their feet, and in Martin's case, grinning like a nutcase. The far man and Mr. Tux are still in their seat, and from the look at that Rain is giving them, they'll pay with their lives for not joining.

Allfather cast his gaze to the both of them, "Why do you hesitate?"

Tux man raises a hand, as well as a shaky smile.

"With respect Allfather, words can only get all of us so far. Despite your attempts to… console our worries by bringing the boy," he says, "He and whatever group he is a part of will never be our biggest concern."

"Which is?" Allfather asks, steel in his tone.

Tux taps the table, "As much as it pains me to say it, the Founders-"

"Will be dealt with accordingly," Allfather says with a tone of finality, "Every man and woman in this casino is ready to defend it should it come to that."

The man at the far end chuckles, "Confident in your underlings, aren't you?"

"I have no reason to doubt any of them," Allfather admits, "I have read the reports on the Founders. All but one of them is unimpressive."

"It only took Atlas to take down Symphony," Tux points out, "With respect, Allfather, but all of us deserve more than words before any investment can be made. "

Allfather levels a wordless stare at the man behind his helm. The metal bent and growls as he moves forward his fist clenching. A sword materializes against his throat. His skin went deadly pale, and his hand slowly rise in surrender.

"I-I'm only-"

"Forgetting where you are," Allfather finishes for him, "You sit in my seat, in my company, in front of my daughter, and what do you do? You question her logic and mine, you all but spit in my face with your words."

"B-Buit you invited-"

"I am simply giving you a chance to join the storm before the world is swept aside," Allfather clarifies, "If you continue to sit there, I'll begin to think that you're only here to shit on my honor with your petty concerns."

"Best get the cleaner," the man at the far end laughs, "Because we'll all be shitting the bed in a minute."

Allfather turns, slowly and deliberately towards him.

"I don't remember asking for your opinion."

"But you're going to hear it anyway," the man smiles, "Because I don't think the rest of us haven't noticed the location of your little meeting. Underground, surrounded by music, in a town that none of the Founders have even flown over?" he laughs even as he counts each point on his hand.

"Being cautious is not fear. Their power is respectable," Martin says.

"So you wouldn't mind being in a room with one of them?" the fancy man asks, "Forgive me Allfather, but anyone here has the right to know. How do you plan on dealing with the Founders? You have men, yes, but have any of you seen what the Founders can do? What they've accomplished? Look at us. Our powers put us head and shoulders above any military, and in only a month the Founders have every group running scared. They stopped Symphony, it wouldn't surprise me if they have the US military at their beck and call with how they trample on the laws of the land."

"They are human, they will bleed," Rain growls.

"Really? You going to try? All you can do is throw around swords like your father. Atlas can throw mountains, Eidolon can do whatever he wants, Legend has more firepower than anyone in this room and Alexandria has more force in her fist than a tank."

"As Martin stated, no one ever said they weren't powerful, and if anything, your fears should spur you forward ever quicker. After all, with us, you have a chance of walking away from a fight with the Founders. Alone? I doubt you'll last a few seconds." Allfather says.

The man chuckles unconvinced.

"Can your swords hit harder than a tank? I hear Alexandria doesn't even flinch when hit with anything else."

Allfather chuckles, "I have more than enough plans to deal with her."

"And unlike you," Lorme scoffs, "Allfather doesn't fear that washed up negro whore-"

He doesn't finish. In fact, everyone in the room freezes. Your fingers dig into the table, tearing through metal like wet paper. It makes everyone look at you, you don't give a shit. You're looking straight at Lorme, right through his mask to whatever sorry fucking face is underneath.

"What did you just call her?"

Lorme huffs, looking down at you like you weren't worth his time. All it would take is a snap, and he won't be able to say anything again.

"Do you have a complaint, brat?"

"Yes Mr. Brown," Allfather says, sword in hand with Rain standing ready behind him, "Do you have something to say?"

[] Screw subtly, but you can't rush. You've got maybe one chance to take out one of them instantly.
-[] Hit Allfather, take out the head and everyone else will fall in line.
-[] Blast Iron Rain. She's the muscle, take her out, the rest should follow like dominos.
-[] Bring Mimir and his friend closer, use them as a shield. Bodies in front and a blast door behind you, you can stall till backup comes.
-[] Rip Martin's gun away, giving you another weapon and hurting him. Win win.
-[] Blast Lorme. No real tactical reason, son of a bitch needs to go through a wall.
-[] Hold down tux and fancy man. Maybe they'll think twice when you hold back two of their investors.

[] Keep up the act, no matter what happens, you can't start a fight here.
-[] Apologize, grit your teeth and bear it.
-[] Shift the conversation to Mimir. Is the pure really going to let someone as disgusting as him walk around?