Do you think Exceed-Beyond will only boost Hit? Or do you think it'll offer some minor Operations boost to whoever we give it to?
Also, I'm thinking that Noelle's stats have a solid starting Ops, given that she's a good planner and trapmaker. Ops is also the Strategy Stat, after all.
Should give us Clairvoyance, Teleportation and Ally empowerment thanks to X3 Clairvoyance. Should boost johns Operations and Mechanically gives us both telepathic coms and some form of Teleportation for Combat and Retreat.
Eh Yara would be a P13 and purely psychic not to mention hopefully having a synergy so it should be fine for John to have Chatroom too. The Powers that gonna come out should be different enough.
Though their is the Surefire Utility Build of
Memoria+Ispy+Mr Hunch.
Teleporation, Invisbility and Clairvoyance
More Teleportation points thanks to Ispy Clairvoyance of a 12 targets. Then invisbility combining with Teleport would be a pain to take down.
Still prefer tag team though, plus once Teams get build having another Telepath in a different team apart from Yara would work well.
What's your idea with Chatroom+Epoxy for John, again? Because all i could think of was a guy that can generate glue, and I don't really see how that'll help us.
Flex Tape jokes aside, Flux has Fundamental Force Manipulation of the Strong Nuclear Force, and Chatroom is a psychic. The hope is this gets us something that interacts with powers since Leviathan is both associated with a massive psychic presence and the self-transmuting substance of goldnine, and this build can interact with both. Even if not, someone with Strong Nuclear Force Manipulation at Potency 8 with Chatroom's range still feels pretty good to me.
Speaking of Epoxy, I need something clarified @Bitterman. What was Epoxy's range on their power? Touch based, sight based, or something else?
Deadman + Hydrocity + Crimson Soprano + 1 {Multiplex or Soldier X} to set up someone with magma and FFM powers, where ideally Hydrocity has some interesting interactions with Deadman. The plus one is either for Fitness for boosting John's general physical condition + a second Regen source or going Multiplex to see how it interacts with his magma potentially.
I'd probably still go Wade Family for the option that seems like it would hit at Ops while still buoying Hit, but I won't deny that Deadman combos seem very appealing in the face of the Demon Flamez mission.
Flex Tape jokes aside, Flux has Fundamental Force Manipulation of the Strong Nuclear Force, and Chatroom is a psychic. The hope is this gets us something that interacts with powers since Leviathan is both associated with a massive psychic presence and the self-transmuting substance of goldnine, and this build can interact with both. Even if not, someone with Strong Nuclear Force Manipulation at Potency 8 with Chatroom's range still feels pretty good to me.
Speaking of Epoxy, I need something clarified @Bitterman. What was Epoxy's range on their power? Touch based, sight based, or something else?
Im going to assume touch base, because if it was via sight or idk lauched proyectiles. This power would be several times more powerful if they just had to look at you and suddenly you were permenently stuck to the floor.
I actually was wondering-Novalight had both photokinesis and radiokinesis, and Uiara has both a big hydrokinetic and a mild cryokinetic part, because she could freeze her water.
I wonder what you'd need to double up on element access. A Shouto Todoroki build might be an interesting idea for John, if nothing else.
I'd probably still go Wade Family for the option that seems like it would hit at Ops while still buoying Hit, but I won't deny that Deadman combos seem very appealing in the face of the Demon Flamez mission.
Yeah I agree. Plus it would be nice to have the OP combo the QM gave us at the beggining of the quest. Also I shudder to see what fresh hell any Deadman combo will make, especially if the "needs to die" requirement stays...
I actually was wondering-Novalight had both photokinesis and radiokinesis, and Uiara has both a big hydrokinetic and a mild cryokinetic part, because she could freeze her water.
I wonder what you'd need to double up on element access. A Shouto Todoroki build might be an interesting idea for John, if nothing else.
Probably double or triple up on Elemental manipulation from different sources. Or just stack as much Element Manipulation to the point of having a Elemantal Manipulation score of yes.
Point made. Honestly it will all depend on what we see at the prometheus turn. We still have to see if we get anything from this mission. We have a lot of premade combos already and probably more to come.
Yup, called it. If this was anything BUT, touch based this would not be 5 potency. 7 at minimum. Sight based basically coumters anythimg that isnt a flier or a ambusher. Being able to look at a person and just glue them to anything would be very powerful if used well... and now I womder if combining enough eye powers plus Epoxy would get us that...
Tbh the biggest issue there is a lot of the elemental ones are a bit too expensive to really stack for a midcost build. Automne (8), Umibozu (7), etc. Still, there are probably a few options, just a bit higher than John's tolerance cost probably barring a Golem + Frostbite + Soldier X combo which doesn't quite fit him.
Automne + Hydrocity + Crimson Soprano + Steadfast (Water jets from hurricane winds + FFM)
Automne + Deadman (Giving defenses + flinging the magma with the winds)
Umibozu + Hydrocity + Deadman (Going hard on the water and magma experimentation + defenses)
Umibozu + Frostbite + Daggermaw +2 {Hydrocity/Soldier or Crimson Soprano} (A more physical Umibozu off Frostbite)
Deadman + Golem + Frostbite (Going hard on the melee tanky element fighter)
See the above for some examples with higher limits if eyeing up multi element builds.
[X] . . . meet with Yellow Qilin with Ellie as your "prisoner".
You can feel your mind working overtime, the beginnings of a plan forming. You wish that you could stop and run it by Châtelet, Wolong, or . . . Rakeem and Nora, but there's no time. The opportunity exists now, and you refuse to cede the initiative.
It's exhilarating in a way that you've missed, improvising on the fly. You used to do quite a bit of it before you became the leader of Justice Unlimited. The real Justice Unlimited.
"Ellie, I think I can get you close to this 'Yellow Qilin'," you say, "But there will be a condition attached."
Ellie nods, unphased. "Depends what it is."
"It's simple, darling. Follow my lead," you tell her, "You shall come with me as my 'prisoner'."
Lizbeth gasps. "You're actually taking her hostage? Yay! I thought this was gonna be a double-cross and I'd hafta hit you with my hammer!"
Liz also gasps. "You can't hit Double L!"
Beth doesn't gasp, but sighs. "And you shouldn't have said that out loud. Also, Lady Leizi clearly meant 'prisoner' euphemistically. You could just hear the air quotes around it."
"I couldn't!"
"I could," Ellie offers.
Lizbeth gasps again.
You are so glad you put that bottle of wine in the chiller before you left your room today. You had a feeling you were going to need it tonight.
"Ellie, it will accomplish your goal of 'getting close' and allow us to see what information we can extract from Yellow Qilin about her plans," you explain, "No enemy is more free with their words than one who believes they have the upper hand."
"Villain monologues. Right," Ellie replies.
"Yellow Qilin isn't a villain!" Liz shouts, looking around between the two of you, "And . . . and why are you even listening to her?! She's the Dark Lady! She's bad!"
DC 8.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 8. Justice Unlimited has a collective REPUTATION 13.
You rolled: 6.
6 + 2 = 8. Success!
"Look, kid, I don't think it's that simple," Handyman offers, "Something weird is going on."
"Like what?" Liz shoots back.
Handyman grimaces and looks at you, not sure how much to say. "It's just—"
"We've never heard of these people and they've got nothing to do with Justice Unlimited," Menagerie Witch says, ripping off the bandage, "Might be harmless, might be evil, we need more info."
The Elizabeths all look stricken.
"But . . . then what about our powers?" Beth asks.
"That's what we intend to find out," you say soothingly, "But you'll have to trust us and let us operate. Can you do that for now?"
You see the frightened look in Liz's eyes and sullen look in Beth's. However, Lizbeth . . . seems to have gotten bored and is watching videos on her screen while playing some sort of game.
"Ha! Man, King Dragon rules. They'll never rescue Prince Horace. He's totally gonna strike them down."
You exchanged glances with Châtelet who has the same thought you do.
"Uhhh, Lizbeth?" Châtelet says, "Do you think you could take us to the Apiary Jr.?"
"Huh? What? Oh, okaysies! I totally spaced out there."
"Lizbeth!" Liz says, biting her lip, "Maybe we shouldn't . . ."
"Why don't you and Beth stay here?" you suggest, "Guard the remaining 'mana' in case the Dark Lady is being less than forthright?"
Ellie looks faintly offended by the suggestion, but Liz perks up.
"O-okay! We can do that."
Beth looks mulish, but ultimately agrees.
Ellie is easier to convince, thankfully. By the time you finish with the magical girls, she's already begun to remove all the weapons she has on her.
"Need to make it look convincing," she explains, "And they'll definitely check for weapons. You should tie me up too."
"Read my mind, darling," you reply. You stand and watch as Ellie relinquishes a truly absurd number of weapons. A bandolier of stun grenades, two firearms, an snub-nosed pistol on her ankle, a machete, a dagger, caltrops, ingredients for a Molotov cocktail, metal wire, a taser, a collapsible baton, a lighter, and two cans of pepper spray.
DC 5.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 1. Lady Leizi has ESPIONAGE 8.
You rolled: 5.
5 + 3 = 8. Success!
It's such an impressive armory, you almost miss the small switchblade she conceals in her sleeve. You decided to say nothing for now—goodness knows, she may need it in the future.
"Handyman, secure Ellie's wrists behind her. Make it convincing, but give her an ability to get free if necessary," you say, "Menagerie Witch, we will need some mounts. Make sure to have a few in reserve in case things take a turn and we must make a quick exit."
Your junior members move to follow your orders as Châtelet approaches you.
"Odds that this goes loud . . . Double L?"
"Please don't call me that."
"Oh, thank god," Châtelet breathes, "It's such a silly nickname. I was worried you actually liked it."
"Heavens, no. And to answer your question: good enough that I wish we Black Swan wasn't patrolling with New Dawn."
"It's nice to have a supermassive blackhole to throw at your enemies," Châtelet agrees, "I guess we have to do this the old-fashion way?"
"Indeed," you agree. But your focus isn't on the conversation. It's on Ellie.
DC 15.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 1. Lady Leizi has ESPIONAGE 8.
You rolled: 18.
18 + 3 = 21. Critical Success!
There's a sudden tension in her body that wasn't there before. Her posture is hunched, and she's looking away. She's mechanically following Handyman's instructions, giving monosyllabic answers and only when she absolutely has to. She's retreated into herself and is trembling slightly.
It happened exactly when you mentioned "New Dawn". Her whole posture changed. And not because of fear.
She's filled with rage.
* * *
You wait until you're all in the air before you broach what you observed with Ellie. The two of you share a Nevermore, with her seated behind you. You think on it for a moment, and decide to just ask what's on your mind instead of dancing around the subject. You feel like she'll respond better if she doesn't feel she's being manipulated.
"Do you have a grudge against New Dawn, darling?"
Ellie snaps out of her fugue and looks at you with hard eyes.
"No."
"You're a terrible liar, you know."
". . . I know," she says, looking away and deflating, "And why do you even care?"
"Because," you say, "I find myself intrigued by you. A regular girl with no powers leading an army against metahumans and 'magical girls'? And who now I learn has a grudge against New Dawn? I simply must know more."
You let your statement hang and turn back to Lizbeth who's flying in a lazy spiral while guiding you. A carefree girl for sure.
Ellie looks at you, but you have nothing to hide. You're honestly just curious. She reminds you of someone. A lot of someones, actually.
Someones you miss.
Ellie doesn't say anything for so long that you resign yourself to silence for the rest of the trip. When she finally speaks, it comes as something of a shock. And no less because of what she says.
"Heavenly Astrologian was my mom."
You're stunned speechless for the dozenth time today. You didn't even know Heavenly Astrologian had a daughter. You didn't know much about the woman to be honest. She was the rare metahuman with a completely anonymous private identity. Most heroes didn't bother separating the mask from the person, but Heavenly Astrologian was careful to never reveal her face or give her real name.
You suppose you know the reason why now.
"Should you be telling me this?" you ask, genuinely.
"Why does it matter?" Ellie replies, "She's dead. You were at the Movement. You know."
You did. Heavenly Astrologian was one of the heroes keeping the hordes of Behemoths at bay. She held the left side with Towarri, but she was limited by the fact that her power only worked on things she could see. She died in an ambush by an aquatic, Named-rank Behemoth— Charybdis, the Maw that Moves. The very same Behemoth that killed Uiara as it were.
It had been lurking just under the surface of the water, waiting until Heavenly Astrologian was distracted. It then struck in a flash, bisecting her at the waist.
You frown. Heavenly Astrologian's death was just one of many that day, but the brutality of her end made it stick out in your mind.
"Yes . . . I was. I'm sorry, for what it's worth," you admit, "I can't say I knew her well, but Heavenly Astrologian was a true hero."
"Yeah," Ellie says, looking away, "That was the problem."
The two of you fall into a heavy silence, the sound of the Nevermore's wings are the only noise you can hear. Ellie clearly isn't finished, but you give her time to gather her thoughts.
"When I was really little—like really little—I don't think I understood that my mom was a superhero. She was just my mom. She woke me up in the morning, put me to bed at night, cooked all my meals, and played with me even if she was exhausted after work."
A knit forms in Ellie's brow. "But, as 'Heavenly Astrologian' got more famous, mom stopped being around so much. She spent every second she wasn't at work with me, but. . . by the end, mom was working fourteen hours a day, seven days a week."
Your eyebrows go up. That is . . . an absurd amount of time for anyone to work for any job, let alone one as dangerous as being a hero.
"She used to be so tired when she came home, she was like a zombie. I once found her asleep at the kitchen table while dinner burned. She'd tried to hide how exhausted she was, but a lot of days it would be me putting her to bed."
Ellie isn't looking at you, her eyes glazed over in thought. You wonder if she's ever spoken to anyone about this before. Likely not, given the way the words tumble out of her mouth.
"I never knew my dad. Mom just said he left and he didn't want to be part of our family. That was fine—I had mom. But money was tight. And Mom made sure that I got the best of everything, even if she wore the same patched-up clothes for years."
Ellie keeps glaring at nothing.
"I didn't get what was going on. I just thought it was normal. Then, when I was eight, I went to a 'Take Your Child to Work Day' at New Dawn. I was so excited. I could finally see what Mom did all day. I got to wear a mask and I had a codename . . . it thought it would be fun."
Ellie's mouth twists, like she's tasting something bitter.
"Tch. Stupid."
"What happened?" you prompt.
Ellie goes on. "I played with the other kids . . . and when I did, do you know what I found out? It wasn't normal. They got to see their parents every day. Their parents didn't come home barely able to stand, their parents didn't cry themselves to sleep. It was just me. It was just my mom."
You see her set her jaw and clench her fists.
"So I snapped," she says, "I ran through a bunch of security, kicked Daggermaw in the shin, and found my mom. Demanded to know she didn't want to spend time with me. I wanted to know why she worked so much."
"How did your mother react?" you ask, feeling off-balance. You can't say you have too much experience with children and you have no idea how you would have handled that situation.
"She didn't get to say anything. I burst into a meeting she had with New Dawn's council. Novalight was there."
You wince.
"Novalight humiliated my mom. Asked why she brought an 'unruly child' to a workplace. She berated her in front of everyone and then docked her pay," Ellie says with some heat, "And the worst part? My mom just stood there and took it. Everyone did. Only Uncle Gabriel tried to stand up for her, and even he shut up when Novalight started the light show. The cunt."
The unexpected vehemence in her voice—and her language—makes you sit up. But Ellie pays you no heed and keeps ranting.
"Why did everyone just bend over backwards for that woman? I was just an upset kid. She was clearly working my mom to death just because she hated her. But none of the heroes ever did anything? Why? Because she was in charge? Because she had the strongest powers? It was bullshit."
She looks at you. "Whether a person ends up a metahuman is totally random. How strong their powers are is random. Someone can be a good person without being a hero, and some heroes are monsters. But everyone acts like being strong and being righteous are the same thing. It's. Bullshit."
You hold up your hands. "No argument here, darling."
Ellie makes another sound and then curls into herself and looks away again. You pretend to not notice the wetness on her cheeks.
"Tch. You wanna hear something stupid?" she says, in a thick voice, "After that, I thought . . . I thought if I learned to take care of myself, then maybe Mom wouldn't have to worry about me so much. Maybe she could do normal things she liked like reading, or exercising, or finally going out with Uncle Gabriel. So, one day, when I was eight, I cleaned the house and had dinner ready for her when she got home. I was so excited to show off what I could do. Stupid. Stupid. Mom came home, saw what I had done, and burst into tears."
"I thought it was because she was so happy, but then she started sobbing apologies to me," Ellie says, her mind somewhere else right now, "She said she was so sorry for being the worst mother in the world. That she was sorry she wasn't home enough. That her powers were the only thing that let her provide a good life for us, and New Dawn was the only organization that would let her keep her identity private."
Ellie's voice hitches. "I . . . I didn't get it at the time. I just thought she was making excuses. So . . . I told her I hated her. I said I wished I had a different mom. I took it back immediately, and she said it was okay, but I know she never forgot it."
You think of your own mother and feel something hot and sharp pulling at your heart.
"My mom . . . my mom thought the only thing she was good for was being 'Heavenly Astrologian'. But I didn't want Heavenly Astrologian. I just wanted my mom."
Tears flow freely down her cheeks.
You don't know what to say to that. You simply don't. You look longingly over to your team. Opale, Rhys, even Maddie would be better suited for this conversation. What do you say to a girl who loves and resents her mother in equal measure for throwing away her life to be a hero? What do you say to a girl who is doing the exact same thing to herself?
You remember Wolong privately asking you to keep an eye out for a girl named 'Noelle Han', but refusing to explain why. How will you tell him that the daughter of his departed colleague has been single-handedly waging a lonely war against a Triad surrounded by frozen monsters?
You don't know. You just don't. So you say the only thing that comes to mind.
"My goodness, the late Novalight was a bitch."
Ellie laughs. You feel some of the tension ease. Well, that was something, wasn't it?
Family is a terrible thing.
* * *
The Apiary Jr. is an ugly, squat building next to a skyscraper. It's made of solid stone with a large, partially destroyed sign that reads "True Guaranty Bank & Trust". As you all begin your descent, Lizbeth greets the various magical girls milling about in the air.
"Hi, Liza! Hi Buffy! Hi Bess! Hi Betsy! Ooh, Betty, that's a nasty shiner! Hi Elsie. . ."
She goes on for several minutes, talking without taking a breath. It's nearly a relief when two metahumans arrive to intercept you. One is Vermilion Bird, wearing her bright red costume and wrestler's mask. The other is a woman dressed like a magistrate from Imperial China, the image of a long, blue dragon embroidered all over her clothes. You signal for everyone to land some distance away, and make a show of seeming unconcerned as you dismount.
"Greetings to the esteemed Lady Leizi and guests!" Vermilion Bird shouts. There's a large, savage grin on her face. "You have been expected."
"I imagine I have been, darling. I'm usually expected everywhere," you retort, "Now, if I will deign to show myself is normally the real question."
You see your barb bounce off Vermilion Bird, but land true on who you can only imagine is "Azure Dragon". She grits her teeth in obvious outrage.
"Our lady has prepared a greeting for you. Be honored."
"Sure," Menagerie Witch says, "But did she also prepare an explanation why she stole our name? 'Cuz if she's really so wise, surely she knows that the first thing we're going to ask."
Vermilion Bird's grin grows wider as she sets her stance. It seems she was looking forward to conflict. Pity that you have other plans.
"Now, Menagerie Witch, none of that," you scold, "The fine girls here have been doing good in the name of Justice Unlimited. Against The Frozen Throne nonetheless! It's not their fault they needed a touch of help to finish the job."
Azure Dragon's lips tighten into a scowl. "Explain."
"What's the magic word?" Menagerie Witch shoots back. Handyman barks a laugh.
Châtelet remains on her Nevermore, ready to make the best use of her power should it come to a fight. But you don't think it will be necessary.
"Girls, girls, enough," you say. You turn to Azure Dragon, "I've captured the leader of the enemy opposition. I thought your 'lady' would want the opportunity to speak with her."
You pull the newly-bound Ellie from your Nevermore. Whatever emotion she was feeling during your talk has been neatly tucked away, replaced with a mask of grim determination.
DC 10.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 20. Justice Unlimited has a collective ESPIONAGE 27.
You rolled: 17.
17 + 3 = 20. Critical Success!
That catches Azure Dragon off guard, but only for a moment. "I see. How . . . generous."
"Quite," you say, sauntering past her with Ellie in toe, "But, I am a generous individual."
The rest of your team follows you, but Vermilion Bird grabs Handyman by the shoulder.
"I don't buy it! Who knows what this 'Dark Lady' has been telling them? I think it's a trap and we should smash 'em."
"426," Azure Dragon says sharply, causing Vermilion Bird to recoil, "The Lady is expecting them."
"Aww, but—"
"The Lady is expecting them."
"Alright . . ." she says, letting Handyman go, "Head right in. Booooring."
DC 5.
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 3. Lady Leizi has an OPERATIONS 5.
You rolled: 15.
15 + 1 = 16. Success!
426? . . . ah, I Ching. Numerology used by Triads to assign ranks. 426 designates a "Red Pole" or enforcer. A kind of sub-lieutenant, a cut above the usual foot soldier. Based on her clothing and how she acted, you would peg Azure Dragon as the 438, or "Deputy Mountain Master", of this cell. Their second-in-command.
Well, that made it clear who these girls were affiliated with. Wonderful. You hate being right.
As your team and Ellie are led inside, you pass by two gigantic stone figures. Each is about eight-feet tall with the head of a guardian temple-dog and six arms filled with dangerous weapons. The character for "loyalty" glows on their foreheads, and you can see other characters like "strength", "swiftness", and "tenacity" glowing on various points of their body. A metahuman power of some sort, no doubt.
They look just like the character that was glowing on Liz's gem.
As you walk inside, Lizbeth gets bored and just kind of wanders off. As she does, a girl in a pinstripe suit, complete with a trilby hat, approaches you.
"Cool hat," she says, tipping her headgear at Menagerie Witch.
Your summoner looks mutinous, but slowly tips her hat back.
". . . cool hat," she says, reluctantly.
The girl grins. "Excellent. I am White Tiger. I'm here to take the prisoner into custody."
DC 10.
Stat Check: REPUTATION 18. Justice Unlimited has a collective REPUTATION 13.
You rolled: 14.
14 - 2 = 12. Success!
"Oh?" you say, "I'm sorry, but she is a gift to Yellow Qilin. It would be terribly rude of me to not deliver her personally. You understand of course."
White Tiger eyes you and then Handyman and Châtelet next to you. You see the guns holstered at her sides and hip, and you can see the calculation in her eyes. Eventually, she reaches a conclusion and steps aside with a dramatic bow.
"I'll let the boss deal with you. If Azure Dragon let you in, then I guess all is in order."
You let everyone step in front of you, never taking your eyes off White Tiger. She gives you a wide smile with lots of teeth. 438, if you had to guess. The "Vanguard" or "Operations Leader".
Eventually, everyone steps by and Handyman watches as you pass her by.
"Ooh, cautious. I see why the boss talks so much about you."
Ah, it seems you have a fan. Wonderful.
You walk through the entryway and into the building proper. As you've gathered, the building is a former bank, and you find yourself in a lobby filled with even more magical girls. You're, to your surprise, not brought to the business offices in the back, but down toward the vault. As you do, the generic decor takes on a . . . new tone.
The fluorescent lights all change to firelight, the room illuminated by paper lanterns and candles. Four more stone guardians rest in the four corners of the room, and the faint smell of incense tickles your senses. The walls take on a rough-hewn texture, like you've entered into a cave in the center of the Earth.
You hold back a sigh. What is it with Triads and forced mysticism? No doubt someone had to work to make the decor look like this. Truly, who has the time?
You walk past the guardians who all rotate their heads to follow you—you resist the urge to clap your hand over your face—and continue into a room with a low table where four people are already seated. You group shuffles in and siys on the opposite side.
The first person you identify through the flickering light is Foxglove. You give her a gentle smile to let her know that you still plan to kill her. She pales and starts shaking, the poor dear! Next to her are equally unwelcome faces—Ronin and,who you believe to be The Brass Shield from Crusade.
Delightful. All your foes in one place to deal with at one time! If only they could all have one neck so you might strangle them all at once!
"Uhh, is the look on Lady Leizi's face freaking anyone else out?" Handyman whispers.
"Shhh," Menagerie Witch shoots back, "I'm trying to take notes!"
However, it is the figure in the center of the table, opposite you, who fills your heart with such marvelous bile that you wish to be ill. You don't recognize the young girl—maybe seventeen or eighteen—but you do recognize the shape of her jaw, the flair to her nose, and the shape of those wretched, wretched brown eyes.
They're your father's. Family is a terrible thing.
You all take your seats and no one says a word. You're all studying each other. Your . . . Yellow Qilin wears a traditional hanfu the color of pure bullion, a golden gown interspersed with red, blue, white, and black silks. She holds a fan that depicts the dragon-horse of her namesake. Her face is bone-white with lips painted ruby red, and her hair is done up in elaborate coils that leave a long strand of hair free to run down her face on either side. She smiles at you as if she knows her entire existence here is one great insult.
It probably is.
You look over at Ronin who remains expressionless except for the slightest narrowing of her eyes.
Very well. You'll have to settle things after this.
The Brass Shield is a pockmarked boy with curly brown hair, who looks perfectly ridiculous with his small head sticking out of his disproportionately bulky power armor.
"Lady Leizi, you're too late. Crusade has already learned of all the indignities perpetrated against these poor maidens by Justice Unlimited!" he sneers in a Northern British accent, "Crusade will set your wrongs right!"
You don't respond. You look back at Yellow Qilin, who sits like an empress at court. Your team all follows your lead. Ellie looks like she's trying to find the best angle at which to stab Yellow Qilin. Perhaps you'll let her.
"Nothing to say, Lady Leizi?" The Brass Shield says after a beat, "You silence is all the more damning—"
"There are procedures to be followed," you interrupt. You turn to Yellow Qilin. "Isn't that right? Mountain Master?"
489. The leader of the cell.
She doesn't answer, but her smile turns into a grin, showing off all her teeth. Foxglove hastily clears her throat.
"Presenting Lady Leizi, Menagerie Witch, and another member of Justice Unlimited along with Hiver of Les Quatre Saisons, to Lady Lei Ziying, the Yellow Qilin."
"Your information is lacking," you rudely interrupt as Châtelet lets out an annoyed sigh, "My second has rebranded. You now look at Châtelet of Justice Unlimited."
"Do ask yourself if you want those to be your last words, Foxglove. They won't look attractive on a headstone at all."
Foxglove snaps her mouth shut as all of the blood drains from her face.
"Threatening a woman? I'd expect no less from the daughter of a criminal!" The Brass Shield bellows, "Have heart, good woman, for there is a Crusade to—"
"Phillip," Ronin says, "Leave us."
"Umm, what?" The Brass Shield says, blinking.
"Leave," she repeats, "Some matters must be handled privately."
"Agreed," Yellow Qilin says, finally speaking for herself, "Black Tortoise, leave and make our guests comfortable."
She gives you a challenging look at that pronouncement. You respond without taking your eyes off her.
"Everyone except Ms. Ellie, please leave us for now. I'll handle what comes next personally."
Menagerie Witch and Handyman look like they're going to protest, but Châtelet silences both of them and directs them outside with Foxglove and The Brass Shield. Honestly, the heavens smiled on you the day she joined Justice Unlimited; that woman is worth her weight in gold.
After some shuffling, the room is empty except for yourself, Ronin, Ellie, and . . . her.
The room is so quiet you can hear the candles burning. The air is smokey and heavy with the scent of perfume. It's tacky, honestly—just because many Triads began in opium dens doesn't mean one must be married to the aesthetic.
Yellow Qilin seems to be waiting for you to speak first. You affect a yawn and then rotate your hand in a "go on" gesture. You see her smile disappear and feel a glow of satisfaction. First point to you.
"My, the great 'Lady Leizi' in the flesh," she says. It's unnerving hearing her talk; she sounds nothing like your father but you can hear the words in his voice. "A girl who threw away our father's legacy to wear colorful costumes and play at being a 'hero'. I don't know what I expected, but it was . . . more than this."
"Ah, so you are that man's child then?" you say, examining your nails.
"Indeed. I am his true heir. Can you not see the family resemblance?"
"My condolences."
You barb hits true again and you can see your . . . half-sister grit her teeth in annoyance. For all she acts the role of a seasoned Mountain Master, she's poor at hiding her emotions. You yawn again.
"Is that why you went through the pains to set all this up, darling? Just to meet me?" you say, "It seems a simple letter would have been less effort."
"I had no desire to meet the woman who destroyed the Ghost Dragon Triad while throwing a tantrum like a child," she responds, "It is a shame on our family that you never truly understood our father's vision."
Minor Success: DC 5. Moderate Success: DC 10. Major Success: DC 15.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 6. Lady Leizi has ESPIONAGE 8.
You rolled: 4.
4 + 1 = 5. Success!
Hmm, based on her age and the way she discusses your father . . .
"You never even met him, did you, darling?"
Yellow Qilin's face twists in a sneer. "And who's fault is that, hmm?"
You point to Ronin. "The woman sitting next to you."
Yellow Qilin freezes.
"My, my. All this talk of 'respecting our father's legacy', and you were more than happy to take tea with his killer. Is this all the loyalty the new generation has for their forbearers, I wonder?"
Yellow Qilin eyes flash like lightning with rage as her lips press together. Her next works are said with more venom than a snake's bite.
"Does one blame the blade or the one who wields it?" she sneers, looking at Ronin, "Just who was it that gave that blade the locations of our hideouts? Our safehouses? Where our father was hiding?"
She laughs. "No, one does not blame the blade. I will take it from you and use it to prune the rotten branches from my family's tree, just as I took the name 'Justice Unlimited' from you and used it as my own. I will take everything from you until you lie in the ashes that was once your own pride. Then I will kill you."
DC 12.
Stat Check: ESPIONAGE 6. Lady Leizi has ESPIONAGE 8.
You rolled: 13.
13 + 1 = 14. Success!
While her words send a spike of hatred through your heart, you outwardly seem calm, almost bored.
"Oh! Then you're welcome, darling. I'm told less-successful siblings often steal from their betters, but I must say it's an experience I did not need to have first hand. Kindly put the name away and cease standing in my reflected glory."
She gives a high, mocking laugh. "Glory? 'Your' glory? You stood on the shoulders of giants and took their glory for your own. Now they're dead and remembered as monsters, as you soon will be."
"Oh, do tell," you say, "And who shall make sure that will happen? You and your army of . . . adolescent girls?"
Now, you mock her with laughter. You point to Ellie, "I must say, I am more impressed with your foes, holding off a 'Triad' without any metahuman powers. Compared to her? I find you positively mediocre."
"Mediocre?" she repeats, "You find me mediocre? I who have raised the Ghost Dragon Triad from the ashes in a matter of months? Can you comprehend the amount of wealth we deal in? Millions. Hundreds of millions. All borne for a substance less minds would call worthless—"
"Goldnine," Ellie interrupts, "She means goldnine. That's what their 'mana' is. Leviathan's blood."
You wish you had a camera to preserve the look on Yellow Qilin's face. You'll have to do with committing the look of stunned shock to memory and adding insult to injury.
"My, importing goldnine? How sensible. Next you'll tell me you wholesale nuclear waste. What a voluminous clientele you must have."
"It's the magical girls," Ellie explains, either missing or ignoring your sarcasm, "They need it or they change into the ice golems and lose their minds."
Ellie looks at Yellow Qilin and drops the arm that you know holds her knife. "The gems she gives the girls . . . they're connected to The Frozen Throne somehow. They grow and take over the girl. The only thing that stops it is goldnine. The Frozen Throne and goldnine they . . . they cancel each other out."
For the first time, your cool facade cracks at the revelation. Pieces from the Frozen Throne? Let alone how it interacts with goldnine.
Yellow Qilin sees your expression and seizes upon it. "Inelegantly put, but not incorrect."
She wears a self-satisfied smirk. "No doubt you've seen my guardians as you walked in. My handiwork."
She lounges back and lifts her necklace which bears the character for "protection".
"The heavens saw fit to grant the power to imbue objects with a dose of power shaped by a word I carve. The higher quality the material, the more I can change it and the more power it can hold. Imagine my surprise when I learned how much I could shape a shard of ice taken from the Frozen Throne."
You blink. Is she completely and utterly insane?
She revels in your disgust. "I'll admit, the first few girls were an accident, but soon enough the fools were falling over themselves to gain powers and join 'Justice Unlimited'. With help from your old subordinate, they never thought to question it. And by the time they realized what their 'mana' was and what would happen if they 'ran out of magic', it was too late."
She throws her head back and cackles in a way that you somehow know is practiced.
"They'll give me everything to stay sane. Their parents will give everything. And there are quite a few well-connected families here. Desperate and well-connected. No doubt McLeod-English will eventually notice the missing money from their balance sheet, but said embezzlement will conveniently have no connection to anyone but 'Justice Unlimited'."
You look to Ronin. "And how does Crusade feel about this?"
"As one would expect. Crusade will investigate all allegations, especially those that accuse the already ignominious Justice Unlimited of wrongdoing."
Translation: Crusade will stop this obviously insane girl, but they will make sure you take the blame for it as well.
"Charming," you say with a tight smile.
Yellow Qilin leans forward. "It matters not, because only I can purchase goldnine and only I am willing to pay my supplier. I control the flow."
DC 15.
Stat Check: OPERATIONS 5. Lady Leizi has OPERATIONS 5.
You rolled: 18.
18 + 3 (The Spider's Web) = 21. Critical Success!
Only she is willing to pay her supplier? Who could—oh, Leviathan's Blood.
"Monarch?" you say exasperated, "You're paying Monarch for goldnine? Please tell me you're joking, darling."
The stunned expression returns as Yellow Qilin looks like she's been punched in the stomach. Yes, Monarch, of course. It's the only explanation that makes sense. You knew that the Ghost Dragon Triad is paying her, but for what? Goldnine. With her teleportation powers, she could easily create a path to the QZ that could avoid the R-Train. The R-Train could detect biological signatures and the energy released when goldnine subsumed other matter—but it could not detect actual goldnine itself. That's how you got away with storing as much as you have.
If Monarch was careful, and only used her powers when the R-Train wasn't present, then she could smuggle massive quantities of goldnine without being caught. Only, why would she want to? It's a largely useless and exceptionally dangerous substance.
Unless you used it as a weapon. Or, unless someone created a demand for it. As the madwoman in front of you has.
"You understand that Monarch is untrustworthy and one of the most reviled persons in Horizon, yes?" you say, "You know you'll be crushed and your operation here ended as soon as your connection to her is brought to light?"
"No such thing will happen," Yellow Qilin says. You see madness in her eyes, the madness of someone who believes themselves untouchable. "Monarch has no other buyers. She needs the money I can provide, or her empire will crumble beneath her."
She turns to Ellie. "And without goldnine, all those poor, poor girls will die in the most terrible way possible. A shame."
"Not everyone cares," you say looking at Ronin.
"Perhaps. But that's not all that will happen. Girl," she says to Ellie, "Tell the foolish stain on my blood what is happening."
Ellie looks down. "The Frozen Throne has already grown two feet this year."
You feel your heart stop.
Ellie continues. "Every time one of my girls goes too long without goldnine, the Throne eventually takes them. They . . . shatter. I think it empowers it somehow. The girls can hear it more and more clearly in their heads. Sometimes . . . sometimes I can hear it too when I'm close to the border."
You let that all sink in.
"They'll destroy you," you say quietly to Yellow Qilin, "As soon as word of this leaks out, they'll destroy you. No one will allow someone to willingly empower that place."
"They'll do as I say and leave me be for the same reason you will," Yellow Qilin says, leaning forward, "Only I control the flow of goldnine."
She speaks in a faux-simpering voice, mocking the very idea of empathy. "What will happen if all of those poor girls change at once? How powerful will the Frozen Throne grow, I wonder? And how will anyone stop it from happening if I cut off the supply? The R-Train won't tolerate that amount of goldnine being removed. Those girls and this city will be doomed."
She grins. "I point the gun at the world's heart. It is mine to do with as I please."
You blink slowly. You take in her 'plan'. You examine the face of the girl who would have been your sister in another world, and—
"Mediocre."
Yellow Qilin's confidence morphs to confusion so quickly, you almost feel bad. But it must be said—
"Mediocre," you repeat, "I'm actually a little disappointed. Do you have any idea how many would-be-villains I've heard mistake cruelty and arrogance for unprecedented brilliance?"
Now it's your turn to laugh. You don't relish it, but it just flows forth.
"Every so often, you meet someone who thinks they are 'special' for having the 'original' idea to disregard social mores and take audacious actions that others eschew. That somehow being especially reckless and callous makes you better than other people," you say, "But what that person always forgets—what you don't understand—is that conventional wisdom exists for a reason."
You look at her like what she is: an impetuous child. You could just hold your peace and let what's coming to her come, but you feel a responsibility—to both the people she will hurt and the person she could have been—and so you speak.
"Do you think everyone will let this Sword of Damocles hang over their head forever? Do you think tampering with The Frozen Throne will hold no consequences? And if your bluff is called? If your hostages are exhausted and the Throne is empowered? Do you think everyone will forget who was responsible?"
You talk to her very slowly, more genuinely than you expected. "This plan is suicidal. You've damned yourself—if not now, then later. It is possibly already too late, but after we finish speaking it certainly will be. For heaven's sake, give up this madness."
Yellow Qilin looks very small, drowning in her skills in a hole in the Earth she created for herself. She looks so young. Like a child wearing her mother's makeup, playacting "work" without really understanding what she's doing. But she does. She's damned not only herself, but dozens of innocent girls. And as your words sink in and the violent, bitter resentment twists at her heart and shows on her face, you see who she's chosen to be.
A monster.
"Just for that," she whispers, "I'll keep you alive as I kill your teammates. I'll make you watch as I peel off their flesh and puck off their limbs one by one."
"This is your choice then?"
She smiles, eyes misty but crazed. "It's always been my choice."
She sits back. Whatever moment you were having between you has passed, gone for good. She composes herself, and addresses you again.
"Naturally, you will compensate me for the product you allowed this creature's minions to take," she says as she points to Ellie, "And you will have to pay more if you wish to continue to supply them."
"Oh?" you say, "And why would I do that?"
"Because I told you to," she replies, "And because my other buyers have fallen behind on their payments. If someone doesn't step in to make up the difference, then I'm afraid these poor girls may face unfortunate consequences. Consequences suffered at Justice Unlimited's hands."
She leers at you. Ellie quickly turns to you.
"We need more. Please. There are several girls who are close to losing it. What we took today will barely make up for what the girls spent to capture it."
Yellow Qilin lets out a victorious smirk. "I'll even let you leave with your 'gift'. This girl is worthless to me. Of course, I could just as easily make an example out of her."
She thinks she has you cornered. But she's wrong on three counts. One, goldnine is not entirely worthless to you. If you wouldn't be directly funding Monarch, you honestly might be tempted to just use Yellow Qilin as a regular supplier. Two, she's not the only source of goldnine you have available. Nora's declaration that the R-Train can be reasons with echoes in your mind. And three, no one, no one, has ever had you cornered.
You look at Ronin, who gazes back neutrally. Only someone who knows her could see the tension in her body, ready to explode into action if necessary. Someone like you.
Ronin has been your agent for ten years now, ever since she helped you exterminate the Ghost Dragon Triad. She was your mole in Powers, and, although she's gone dark since the incident at Balthazar, you trust that she is on your side even now. Her removing The Brass Shield from the room ensured only she could report what was said and done her—and she would ensure only the minimum necessary would reach the ears of Crusade.
Asset revealed: Ronin is an ally of Justice Unlimited!
But how to deal with the madness here? There is a certain appeal in just ending the matter now and going loud. Only, you are currently trapped in a vault underground with Yellow Qilin, her constructs, her subordinates, and dozens of innocent magical girls between you and freedom. Not to mention any failsafes she might have. At the same time, it would ensure she did not ensnare any other girls into her scheme.
You could pretend to go along with her extortion. No doubt, she believes Ronin will ensure it is used to paint you in the worst light possible despite the opposite being true. She could supply you and her victims with goldnine for a long time until you were ready to act against her, unknowingly sowing the seeds of her own doom. Yet, any money you paid would fine its way into Monarch's coffers.
Lastly, you could press your luck. Get as much goldnine as you can with this transaction and prepare immediate action to ambush Yellow Qilin once you've used it. A sufficient enough quantity and you could keep some for Project Prometheus and supply the girls until you discover an alternative source. But it is risky. Yellow Qilin is unstable and spiteful. Push too hard, and she's liable to spite you.
(-6000 Income, +1 dose of goldnine, future quantities of goldnine can be bought at a rate of -3000 Income per dose.)
[ ] . . . refuse to pay and leave.
(Abandon Ellie. No loss of income, option to purchase goldnine in the future.)
[ ] . . . go loud.
(Attack Yellow Qilin and the rest of the Ghost Dragon Triad. Immediate DC 13, HIT 15 Check. All nearby allies will participate in the attack. Future HIT checks to follow.)
[ ] . . . press your luck.
(Attempt to extort extra goldnine from Yellow Qilin. DC 10, ESPIONAGE 6. Followed by a DC 15, REPUTATION 5 Check, Upon success: -6000 Income, +3 doses of goldnine. Upon failure: -8000 Income, no doses of goldnine. Future quantities of goldnine can be bought at a rate of -4000 Income per dose.)
Mmm...well this is definitely interesting. Ugh...I have to admit, I'm tempted to just agree to pay Yellow Qilin for now, and resolve to try to talk with the R-train next turn. Unfortunately the second roll for Pressing Your Luck is rather daunting, even if we wouldn't be rolling with a penalty. Going Loud might be worth it if we had a source of goldnine ourselves, but for now, we don't.
Shit, this is the goldnine source that was teased, wasn't it?
