AN: Apologies for the delay. Assignments crept up on me and they've been keeping me busy. Had a fight with a pal recently so that was also a contributing factor. Also haven't been sleeping lately.
Week 1 - J.J Mission Result
Weapon Deal Infiltration
Roll: 1d100 + 30(stealth) + 10(Human Form) + 5(Omake Bonus) = 89 (Major success)
Sneaking into the meeting place was relatively easy. You're gonna have to get a change of clothes after this but it's not like people dusts old unused ventilation pipes from the inside or the outside for that matter, especially for old seemingly abandoned factories. It's a bit surprising considering that Maverick had all sorts of other security measures set up around this place.
Dogs, laser trip-wire, cameras, armed guards, forcefields – All kinds of stuff to stop any intruder and Maverick completely missed one of the most clichés of methods used by intruders. Not that you're complaining since you're here to figure out what is Maverick's game and who's he meeting with plus what he looks like since your files don't have any pictures of him for some reason.
Thanks to your newly acquired human form, you're able to fit inside these rather tight vents. If you weren't able to transform, you'll be stuck doing things the harder way. After much slow crawling and close calls, you find yourself looking down into a large room where a number of people are waiting around several other people seated around a large table. You can see that the small crowd is split into different groups.
Half a dozen beastmen in white and black uniforms and grey masks with red designs on them stand behind a seated muscular man in a similar uniform except his undershirt is sleeveless revealing a tribal tattoo on the right arm, and his mask is white with red eyes with streaks streaming to the bottom of his mask. Blood Fangs.
You know about them, every beastfolk have heard of them. Terrorists, radicals, thugs who under the creed of Beastmen Superiority have performed acts of terrorism around the world, uncaring for the lives of those who are not beastfolks or stood in their way. Recently they've suffered a devastating loss against the Guardians and have been lying low ever since. That fact that members of the Blood Fangs are here is not a good sign.
A trio of albino girls dressed in yellow, blue and red floats slightly off the ground behind a woman in a funeral dress and a veil covering her face. You have no idea who these four are but your gut tells you that despite their appearances, you should be wary of them should you meet them out on the field.
A young boy barely in his teens and in simple shirt and pants sits on a raised chair, with a black-haired woman in a maid outfit and a giant bloody butcher's knife hanging off her back standing beside him. The hair on the back of your neck rise up in some instinctual fear but you immediately push it down. You don't know what these two are but you're certain they're not human.
A quartet of masked men wearing black body armour as well as large hi-tech weaponry tower menacingly around a young woman in a dark green Chinese dress with a silver dragon design with a viper-like smirk on her face. You…don't know who these guys are but they aren't pinging anything on your internal threat-o-meter. Whether this is a good or bad sign is yet to be determined.
You don't recognise any of them but you know instantly that none of the people in the room are good guys. You can sense a tense atmosphere between the four groups, as though the slightest provocation could set off a full-on battle. You are very tempted to do so when you hear a door open. Everyone immediately turns towards the door. You aren't able to see from where you are but it doesn't matter as the newcomer enters your view.
A half-naked hulk of a man that easily towered over the pack leader of the Red Fangs enters the room. He was wearing only pants and a black mask that covered his entire head enters the room, radiating an incredible presence. Burn scars could be seen all over his body and a large jagged scar could also be seen right over where the heart is. There's no doubt about it.
Maverick has entered the stage.
"Greeting Blood Fangs, how's the terrorism going?" Greets the villain. His voice was different from what you were expecting. You were expecting something gruffer and grittier. Instead, what you heard was exceedingly manly. It's the voice that you wished you had if you could get muscles like that.
"WE ARE NOT TERRORIST!" The man in the white and red mask bellowed in anger, slamming his hand down on the table. Immediately, all weapons are on the apparent representative of the Blood Fangs. For a moment, you think that he's going to attack the others with the rest of his men but you see him snort and sit back down. "I'll only warn you once, we the Blood Fangs are revolutionaries. We seek to – "
"Free the beasts from the chains of society and what-not. I've heard it before." The immensely muscled man interrupted. The head Blood Fang attempts to say something but a look from the woman in green makes him stop and settle down. "My thanks, Lady Snake of the Zodiac, I'm pleased that you've taken the time to come to this little shin-dig."
"Hmm, you are late, though I myself shall forgive you this one time, I expect that next time we meet, I shan't have to wait." The woman in green replies, pulling out a silver fan and hiding her face behind them, "Though honestly if it wasn't for my master's command, I would not be here."
"As you say, Lady Snake. And Mistress Black, I see you've brought Blue, Yellow, and Red with you today? Expecting some trouble, are we?"
"I would be a fool if I came to such a gatherings of rogues, criminal masterminds, monsters, and thugs without protection of my own."
"Wise words, milady. And last but not least….I keep forgetting, is it pronounced Botanic or Bothonic?"
"It's Bbothaaniqu, human", the boy answers back in a voice that sends chills down your spine. Your instincts are telling you to run but you force yourself to ignore them and focus on the people below you. "You know why we have come, Maverick." Letting out a chuckle, muscle nerd now identified as the supersoldier that you've been hearing takes his seat at the empty side of the table.
"Right then gentlemen and ladies, let's get on to business. You may know me by my many aliases but you call me Maverick. Now as you should know, Crossville has been a safe haven for us criminals and villains – "
"We're not villains! We're", The Blood fangs interrupts only to falter when Maverick shoots the beastman with a death glare.
"As I was saying, criminals, rogues and villains who find themselves needing to disappear from the public scene for a little while until they're ready to get back to kicking ass. However, the Guardians of the Earth have decided to set up shop in our quiet little city and we can't have the can we now?"
"Pfft, haven't you seen the news, Maverick? They've got Bunny Foo Foo running the show. I don't think we have to worry much some pathetic excuse – "
SLAM. You wince when Maverick silence Lady Snake by slamming his hand on the table.
"I am fully aware of Jackrabbit's reputation and I can assure you that his stunt on television or the incident does not mean he is in any way weak." Getting up from his seat, Maverick walks slowly over to Lady Snake as he continues talking. "A lot of people seem to forget that Jackrabbit was the top rising star prior to the incident and despite whatever the news, magazines and the internet might say." Crouching down to talk face to face with the snake-themed villainess, Maverick gently lifts her chin. "Jackrabbit has not lost his touch at all."
Woah, this is a weird feeling having a supervillain treat you as a serious threat. Good because it means he respects you but bad because he's not going to pull his punches if the two of you were to ever meet on the fields of battle.
Fortunately, it seems Maverick's warning doesn't seem to bother anyone at the table.
"Hmph, so what? He's a fucking rabbit. Everyone knows rabbits are only good for recon and fucking. I don't see why you think he's so dangerous?" By the sound of things, the Pack Leader of this small group of Blood Fangs was a carnivore. Carnivores dissing on herbivores was still a thing even after it was proven years ago that nearly all beastman were omnivorous regardless of their type. Bloody instincts.
It also seemed that the other villains were also in the same mindset. With the exception of Maverick, they do not see you as a threat. The supersoldier sighs and taps something on a button on his wristband.
"Very well, don't say I didn't warn you. As I was saying, the Guardians have set up shop in Crossville and sooner or later, they're going to realise that the city isn't the tranquil peaceful city that the entire world thinks it is. Therefore, in preparation for the inevitable coming of the Guardian's hammer, I offer to you all a number of products that I have recently acquired through my contacts."
"Ah, so we've finally reached the true reason for our gathering. Well then, bring them out and show us if you've made it worth our time coming here."
"Don't fret, Miss Black. I was going to do so without you telling me to." With a snap of his finger, a wall opens up to reveal a room that would make a weapon nut wet their pants.
Guns – kinetic, energy, alien – in pristine condition laid out across tables, loaded and ready to be fired. Hanging from the walls were more traditional weapons - Swords, spears, knives, bows, maces, axes and many others – just waiting to be used. Some were high-tech and energy based while others had that glow of magic coming from them. Just where did Maverick get all these lovely weapons?
However, what really got your attention was a figure in dark clothing, carrying the biggest chainsword you've ever seen. They were also a rabbit beastman. Black breastplate over a large black coat with white trimming. Oversized hands with large red fingers that screamed power. A black almost featureless face with only red emotionless eyes and a smirk frozen in place. Something about it chills you to the bone and you don't know why.
"People, let me introduce to you all the latest in humanoid weapons. The fellow standing in between all the lovely guns and sharp pointy objects is Synthetic Assassination Destruction and Defense Entity Seven or as I prefer to call it, Sadie. Say hi to the nice men and women, Sadie." Maverick motion the thing to greet the gathered villains and the thing, Sadie nods and raises their weapon in salute. "Obedient thing isn't it. Got him for free while salvaging one of Last Order's old research labs. Sadie's got a bit of everything in it. Ancient forbidden magic, alien technology, and a bit of cloning thrown in for good measure to create one nasty piece of work. Like the name suggests, Sadie here is capable of performing a multitude of roles in any organisation.
Want someone dead? Sadie will kill them body, mind and soul without any chance of resurrection whatsoever.
Need a building or five demolished to crush intruders or make way for a new holiday home? Sadie's got more than enough firepower to wreck any city block in minutes.
Don't how to use spreadsheets or create nice looking presentations? Even Sadie can do it with the skills of a professional!
How about it, people. Interested?"
At that, the villains began to check out the inventory of Maverick's armoury.
"My oh my, you have Cestral weapons. They are very rare but very powerful, just how did you get these?"
"Are these Torrask energy weapons?! You need a galactic grade licence just to handle one of these!"
"Hmm, these Mind Crackers should prove useful in subduing our enemies, what do you say Yellow? Should we order some?""
"While I must admit, the power that I feel coming from the creature is potent." One moment, Bbothaaniqu was seated at the table, looking at revealed weapons with interest, the next the false boy was next to Sadie poking and prodding the living killing machine. "Kukuku, Even after their destruction, Last Order's work still continues to impress."
"I know, right? For an insane cult, they made some pretty good stuff. Want a demonstration?"
"Hmm, yes. How about taking care of the rat that's up in the air vents right now?"
"What?"
"Huh?"
"A rat in the – God damn it!"
"Shit." Was all you manage to get out when a searing beam of red-hot energy erupts from Sadie's right hand aimed at where you are watching.
"AAAH!" Your reflexes save you from an instant death but your right arm and left foot were instantly vaporised. The damage vent, no longer able to hold your weight, bends and you fall to the ground in an undignified heap. It's all you can do to stay conscious and rational in the face of the insane amount of pain you're now experiencing.
"What the hell!?"
"Is that?"
"Not bad, looks like we've caught ourselves a big rat."
"Hmm, I don't recognise him. A member of the Zerozaki perhaps?"
This is not good. You're surrounded by a group of villains and their henchmen. Fortunately, they don't recognise you in your human form but you're currently unable to escape due to your injuries. Your arm and legs are rapidly regenerating however but you need more time.
"GRAVITY CRUSH TIMES THREE!" With a roar, you activate your powers. A slight distortion ripples out from you and your enemies feel the force of four times the earth's gravity fall upon them. The Blood Fangs immediately collapsed, incapable of moving under the sudden increase in weight and pressure, as do Lady Snake and her entourage. Mistress Black falls to her knees but her three followers quickly surround her and project a barrier around themselves and the villainess. Bbothaaniqu falls to his knee but is quickly helped up by his maid bodyguard.
"Hey, kid? Is that the best you can do?"
Maverick, on the other hand, is unaffected and he moves towards with the inevitability of an incoming glacier.
Luckily for you, you still got some tricks up your sleeves.
"Earth Burial!" With a mental flex, and a clench of your fist you call to the Earth and she responds.
"Oh come on!"
"ACCURSED GAIA!"
The ground cracks open and stone shards, dirt and sand fly out, wrapping themselves around those still standing and pulling them down into the ground, trapping them. It's tempting to try and contain several supervillains with your powers but you can feel Maverick and Bbothaniqu and his maid struggling to break free. Your powers won't hold them for long.
Tapping into your wellspring of power, you switch tracks. You stamp the ground and the yellow outline of a clock appears beneath you. The hands of this illusionary clock start moving rapidly while the rest of the world begins to slow down as your perception of time starts speeding up. You shoot a glance at where the weapon known as Sadie had been standing before you pulled it into the ground. However, you see the ground begin to crack as the weapon makes fast progress on escaping your powers.
Time to go.
Moving several times faster than normal, you easily make your way out of the underground base and back onto the streets. Your sharp hearing catches a roar of rage as Maverick finally breaks free of the ground. After reaching the safety of the base, you quickly compile a report on everything you've learnt as well as looking up information on the groups that you are unfamiliar with. What you've discovered today has change how you see your assignment to the leader of the Crossville Guardians.
It seems like Crossville isn't the peaceful city that you thought it was. And in all likelihood, you're going to find out
[Mission Successful:
Discovered Existence of major Villain Groups within Crossville. Learnt that criminals and villains have been using Crossville as a safe haven for decades. Missions to counter villainous factions now available.]
Villain Groups
- Blood Fangs – Radical and political terrorist organisation that seeks to establish Beastmen supremacy while eliminating or subjugating all other races. After recent defeat by the Prime Guardians, have gone underground.
- Prismatic Union – An enigmatic organisation that backs and organises multiple criminal gangs and lesser groups.
- Zodiac Group – Criminal Organisation that has agents and assets all around the world. Divided into two factions, East Zodiac and West Zodiac. Currently undergoing a civil war over grand leadership of the group after previous grand leader passed away
- Bbothaniqu – Dark God worshipped by the Cult of the Eversong. Currently trapped within the form of a human child, limiting his powers. Requires the restoration of his anchor to break the seal on his powers.
- Maverick – Ex-supersoldier turned arms dealer and mercenary leader. Sells weapons and services around the nation. Identity unknown.
Training Results coming soon
AN: So yeah, Crossville is where a lot of villains go to lick their wounds after they've taken a beaten. They aren't happy that the Guardians have set up shop in their little sanctuary so you can be certain that they'll be scheming to kick the Guardians out of town. Fortunately, everyone wants to do things their way so you have a bit of leeway before the villains either manages to convince the other villains to do things their way or prepare enough firepower to crush the Guardians. I'll give it three to four weeks until then, give or take a week or so. Mooks might try and do shit early though so watch yourself.
