[center][b][u]Jason Graves, Overclock
January 18th, 11:32 PM
Vanguard Plaza, Gotham, NJ.[/u][/b][/center]

Another day, another dollar. Undercutting all the other electrical contractors in this district of the city had helped him get the job as Vanguard's go-to emergency electrician, but it didn't put much towards paying the bills. Oh well, Jason Graves thought as he dug through his toolbox for an insulated screwdriver, Vanguard did good work for people like him. The "M's", he called them privately. Mages, Monsters, and Metahumans. Maybe not the most polite term, especially for the Monsters, but it was just a quick shorthand for himself. Plus, Vanguard helped connect him to other projects in the area, giving him some more work during his daylight life. Normally by this time, Jason would have been roaming the street, looking for criminals to decriminalize, dressed in a leather jacket and an eye-catching red mask. However, a panicked all from the head custodian of the Vanguard building and an explanation that someone had sabotaged the emergency generators led Jason here tonight, working his usual emergency rate, which would go a long way towards paying the rent this month.

"Hey man, how much longer here?" The Vanguard security officer asked, looking up from his phone. "We've got kind of a thing tonight, and we need these gennies up."

[color=ed1c24]"Wish I could tell you man."[/color] Jason said, removing the final mounting screw and pulling out a bundle of destroyed wires. [color=ed1c24]"Whoever did this knew where to hit it. If it had just been a cut supply line, I could have mocked up a temp line in about an hour. This guy got into the guts of the machine though, and cut a bunch of internal feeds. I've even caught a few instances where they rewired things backwards, which would have blown this guy up spectacularly. I can probably be done with this one here in about twenty minutes, but then..."[/color] Jason motioned down the long electrical room towards the line of four other emergency generators. [color=ed1c24]"Now that I know what I'm looking for, it'll probably go faster. With four left though--"[/color]

"I get it, I get it." The security guard muttered, going back to his phone. "No skin off my back. I get paid either way, and the cameras don't catch me on my phone here."

[color=ed1c24]"I hear you buddy. I'll at least try to get you home at a decent hour."[/color] Jason said, chuckling to himself. He barely finished the thought however, before the lights above went out. Thankfully, Jason's own battery-operated lights still illuminated the room, but a chill went through him as he and the guard made eye contact with each other. [color=ed1c24]"That, uh... Have anything to do with your 'Thing' tonight?"[/color]

Before the guard could respond, the entire building shook. Dust fell around the pair as the distinct sound of gunfire sounded from above. The guard snapped to attention, drawing a pistol and glancing at Jason, obvious fear in his eyes.

Right. Time to really go to work.

Jason Graves reached into his toolbox and dug around, pointing to the guard with his free hand. [color=ed1c24]"Hear that yelling? That's Big Red. You need to get people out. Dude can't be stopped, not by you. Find people pinned down, try to get them out. Don't get yourself killed in the process."[/color] With a snap, Jason pulled out a small red facemask, fitting it over his eyes. The reactive nanite armor (Thank you, Grim.) began to unfold, covering his head with the bright red mask and fitting his HUD and earpiece in place. Slipping on his brown leather jacket, the simple costume was complete, and Overclock stood, turning to the guard. [color=ed1c24]"Also, don't tell anyone about the vigilante thing."[/color]

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A few moments later, Overclock was skulking through the ruined lobby of Vanguard HQ. Red had left an obvious trail of destruction, but there were signs of others here as well. They'd gone a different direction, and... Well, Overclock could still hear Red, and it sounded like someone else had gotten to him first. Better right now to go after the mysterious second group.

Though it wasn't a mystery for long. Entering a nearby stairwell, Jason could see a few floors up the distinct view of the Arcane Cowboy and his gang. Two of the Five. This must be big. Overclock pulled out a heavy-duty rubber band from his pocket and pulled it between his fingers. He's discharged all of his batteries into himself before coming upstairs, so he had excess energy. Charging the band with a nice wallop of lightning, Overclock took aim, nailing one of the mercs with enough force to knock him over the railing and down two floors. Taking advantage of the confusion, he took out two more goons the same way.

[color=ed1c24]"Hey cowpokes, looks like you're in a whole mess of trouble!"[/color] He called up, pulling out his staff and beginning to ascend slowly. Guns didn't phase him in the slightest, but... Everyone knew that Cowboy carried magitech, and that magic was a bit unpredictable to Overclock. He'd have to be careful.