[center][h1][color=dodgerblue]The Wards: PRT Headquarters[/color][/h1]
[@yoshua171][@Lugubrious][@solokolos][@BCTheEntity][@Kafka Komedy]

[img]https://knoji.com/images/user/800px-Wells_Fargo_Center_at_Sunset.jpg[/img][/center]

September 1, 2005, 3:47 p.m. Eleven important people had gathered together in the meeting room of the Parahuman Response Team's local headquarters in downtown Denver, Colorado. Four PRT soldiers in light body armor, armed with pistols and dispensers of a brand new tool to the arsenal, containment foam, stood guard as well. Two flanked the main door into the room, while the other two stood at the opposite end by the large glass window. The Protectorate sat in their chairs on one side of the conference table. Nearest to the head of the table sat [url=http://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/315190/ss_6bd156f4897eb82560bb8c98b111e69d4c628984.600x338.jpg?t=1457447848]Inkscape[/url], leader of the local team. Though it was rare for a Case 53 to get much recognition within the Protectorate, Inkscape blew all normal expectations out of the water (pun not intended) by rising up to lead his own force. To their commanding officer's left sat [url=http://speakerdata.s3.amazonaws.com/photo/image/809325/nikki-and-sara-live-nikki-glaser-1.jpg]Noble,[/url] second in command of the team in her white bubble inspired leotard, wearing an elegant opera mask. On her left sat [url=http://www.hispanicallyyours.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/10/James-Roday-II.jpg]Captain Morales[/url] in his costume of military fatigues and body armor with the Mexican flag proudly emblazoned across his chest. He was most alert of the team, as though he were constantly on the lookout for something terrible to occur. On his left sat no body, but a holographic projection of an [url=https://avvesione.files.wordpress.com/2014/10/shirobako-01-seiichi-director-glasses-overweight-messy_desk-anime_studio-anime_figure.jpg]overweight Japanese man[/url] emanated by a plethora of light projectors built into the room took the spot. This was all anybody knew of the tinker Decoy. At least, anybody that hadn't personally interacted with the enigmatic hero. Finally on the far end slouched what appeared to just be some [url=http://www.friseur.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/Frisurentrends/trends/frisuren-9725.jpg?n=14614]random guy[/url]. Nobody recognized his face, but all knew him to be Protean, the fifth and final member of the local Protectorate, and a shapeshifter. He looked to be largely disinterested in the proceedings, but found his focus instead on the mobile gaming system in his hands.

Seated on the opposite side of the table were the Wards. Some had over a year experience as capes, while others were brand new. None could boast the experience of their leader though. The fifteen year old hero [url=http://vignette3.wikia.nocookie.net/harrypotter/images/2/25/Cedric-Diggory-cedric-diggory-2719265-1842-2560.jpg/revision/latest?cb=20140619192245]Sonar[/url] sat nearest to the head of the table. His costume was a blue armored suit with yellow sound wave designs up and down, emanating from the center of his chest. Over his head he wore a high-tech helmet designed and maintained by Protectorate tinkers, which helped him manage his power so as not to be driven bonkers by the overstimulation. To his right sat Messiah, the official second in command of the Wards. To her right, Martyr. Then Epsilon, and at the very end was Margrave's chair.

A [url=http://img.cinemablend.com/cb/3/2/5/a/b/9/325ab9abb1cc63a9035e2f4cfe6ff9a65bcee89d40e6c52b76b9400bcddb7fe0.jpg]single man in a business suit[/url] took a stroll around the table, then sat at the head. This man was Director Roger Kens, the highest ranking men in the PRT within the area and thus the commanding officer of every single person within the building. He carried with him an air of professionalism, exuding the very idea that to cross him meant in no uncertain terms you would be cut down and discarded. He took a moment to size up the room, to command everyone's attention. Once the slackers had their eyes on him, he spoke.

[color=brown][b]"Ladies and gentlemen, today we induct a new parahuman into the Wards program. I want you all to ensure that she feels welcome and taken care of. If you do not, I will not be happy."[/b][/color] He took a moment to make eye contact with Sonar and Inkscape, the team leaders, who nodded in return. [color=brown][b]"Bring her in,"[/b][/color] the director commanded the door guards. The door opened up and a short teenage girl was escorted in by another PRT soldier. 

[color=brown][b]"Wards, meet your new team member. She has chosen to go by the name 'Tulpa.' You watch out for her, Sonar. Ink, make certain these kids don't get put in too much trouble, alright?"[/b][/color] The director's eyes pierced with the cutting power of knives. Even an invulnerable brute could feel their stinging sensation. [color=brown][b]"Now we've taken too much of your time. Back on schedule. Patrol and coordinate as normal, Protectorate. Wards, you've got a whole new dynamic to your team, so you best be getting to the practice room for a bonding session. Show one another what you all can do. Everyone is dismissed."[/b][/color] Without further word Director Kens stood up and, escorted by the two window guards, exited the room. 

Decoy's holographic projection gave a bow to the director as he passed, then a wink of encouragement to Tulpa. The hologram then vanished, no longer being projected. The rest of the Protectorate members stood up, each one moving in to shake Tulpa's hand, introduce themselves, then leave. Inkscape was the last to exit, as he decided to stick around for a moment longer. [color=yellow]"Sorry we can't stick around longer, but we had other tasks assigned to us. I would have liked to get to know you on a more personal level first, but we'll have time for that later. Sonar, take the team to the practice room like Director Kens ordered."[/color]

With that, the octopus man gave a bow of incredible flexibility (almost as though he had no bones!), managed the closest his face could to a smile, then left the room. With only the Wards remaining, Sonar addressed the group. [color=lightblue]"Well then, I guess our next course of action is to head down to the practice room,"[/color] he said with a shrug before extending his hand to shake with Tulpa. [color=lightblue]"Glad to meet ya! You already know me as Sonar, but as long as we're in these walls, you can call me Collin."[/color]

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[center][h1][color=red]The Gang: Icehouse Hideout[/color][/h1]

[@Eklispe][@yoshua171][@BCTheEntity][@Kafka Komedy]

[img]https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/736x/54/aa/46/54aa465454a47ad7cb53064e866069cf.jpg[/img][/center]

2 months ago the Icehouse loft warehouse was bought out and all tenants had been evicted. Since then a very new kind of clientele began to receive a set of keys and invitation to make the building their home. Among them happened to be four parahumans, each one approved in some form or another by the building's new owner. Each was given a set of keys which could get them through the front door, to a single loft that could be used for their own living quarters if they so chose to make use of the space, and another that accessed a single steel door installed on the ground floor. These four parahumans were given specific instructions to not enter until a specific time. 5:00 p.m., September 1, 2005. Now was that time.

Chatterbox. Headhunter. Love Craft. And Sofia Stein, who had no alternate identity as a parahuman. These four found themselves together in a large storage basement that door led to. Boxes of ammunition were carefully organized, a boxing arena had been setup in the middle, a firing range on the far end of the room, a medium sized circular table with comfortable chairs had been positioned near the entrance, and the place was rounded out with a small kitchen nook, where currently a pot of coffee sat bubbling. As the four entered this room for the very first time they found a man they each recognized, the man that had invited them to this location. [url=http://web.vipwiki.org/media/cache/1676146/david-tennant.jpg]The man who had identified himself as "The Broker"[/url] poured out five cups of coffee.

[color=purple]"Good, you all made it. Splendid. Well please have a drink, keep your mind stimulated, and have a seat at the table. We'll begin soon enough."[/color] His voice was pleasant. Friendly. Yet it had just the slightest hint of an edge to it, just enough to let you know that this was a dangerous man.