[centre][h2]Protectorate Headquarters - The Zenith[/h2] [h1]Above Boston[/h1] [sub]21st January, 2011[/sub][/centre] Walter smiled. “Armour has its perks, but it isn’t really my forte. One of the reasons I’m happy to welcome you here. My specialisation allows for maneuverability, enhanced weapons tech and even shielding, but strip away the defenses and there isn’t much left, I’m afraid.” Looking towards her lab, he shook his head. “Regrettably, Vector is a little impatient. She will likely have stolen means of transport long before your offer can ever reach her.” Pallas sighed. “I do wish she’d slow down a little, before she gets herself killed.” “There is no need to worry about the situation downtown. By the sounds of things, it’s wrapping up. Not necessarily the way we wanted it to, if the Covenant are there, but we take what we can get, these days.” Gesturing towards one of the labs, he began to walk. “Please, this way.” The lights were clinical here. Bright white glaring off every pristine surface. A haven of science and tech, all under one roof. Enough futuristic gadgets and gear to start a small war. Or end one. “I’ve been given the privilege of showing you to your own private lab. The good news is, given how much potential you’ve shown, we’ve cleared out one of the larger ones for you. As such, it comes with a number of perks that you usually have to earn. For a start, basically any tools or materials you need should be kicking around somewhere. It was fully stocked not so long ago. If you ever need a hand finding anything, let me know. Until about a week ago, it was mine.” “I’ve been moved up to lab 103. The first tinkerlab ever constructed on this base. It used to belong to Foucault, and has lain dormant ever since his death. In a show of reverence, more than anything else, I guess. He left a lot of his old tech and creations in there, and no-one can quite figure out how they work or why - as expected of tinkertech - but given the escalation in recent events, that is apparently my new task.” “I don’t know how much you know of Foucault, but he was a genius, even by our standards. Specialising in both anti-grav devices and mass production of technology, this entire base was built by him, single-handedly with an army of drones. It is entirely self-sufficient, producing scores of nanobots to repair systems as they decay and even fabricate entire VTOLs via the production line in the engineering deck. Praetor figures that if we can somehow crack the key behind his mass-production devices so we can input schematics ourselves, we can not just cut down on crime in Boston.” “We can eliminate it entirely.” Two large heavy doors opened as they approached, revealing a massive lab with tables, tools and tech scattered everywhere. “Here we are. Your new home. For most heroes, that their dorm room, but we both know tinkers spend more time sleeping in their labs than anywhere else. I’ve collected my personal belongings - the ones I could find, anyway - so if you happen to come across any blueprints for things, I’d be greatly appreciative if you could return them.” “Is there anything I can help you with, before I let you get settled in?” [@SkinnyTy] [hr] [centre][h2]Gladius Border Territory[/h2] [h1]Dorchester[/h1] [sub]21st January, 2011[/sub][/centre] “And yet, you still call yourself a [i]hero[/i].” A muffled scoff came from behind the mask. “You allow me to walk away, but only if I agree to leave the murderers, the drug dealers, the thugs alone. Do you not see the [i]hypocrisy[/i] in that? Your Protectorate does a good job of painting us as the villains, but one fact remains - [i]we[/i] are the closest thing to justice this city has!” “While you and your puppeteers sit around tables to talk and make deals, we act. While you heroes defend the wealthy and the powerful, we champion the poor and weak. While you claim the streets are safe, we clean up the filth you pretend doesn’t exist because it benefits you to do so.” His words dripped with venom, rising to a fever-pitch and with a ring of authority that marked him as a natural born leader. “Why don’t you stop hiding behind the title of ‘hero’, and actually earn it?” He moved his hands out to either side, making a cross formation, and dropped the staff. “After all, I am the antithesis to everything you believe in, right? And there’s a kill order on my head to boot.” “So prove you have what it takes to keep this city safe. Or prove me right.” [@PlatinumSkink][@Banana]