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Post by Trailfoot on Feb 27, 2010 17:20:06 GMT -5
Gotham City Cab Park District Old Gotham Methodist Church
Oracle pulled herself from the driver's seat of her car into her chair, then smiled to Selena. "I know it's cliche to use a church as a headquarters, but the location, size, number of rooms, and price were all right, and the bank had been trying to unload it long enough that they sold with no questions asked." She started toward the building, bypassing the front door and instead heading for a side door with a small wooden ramp - apparently recent, given the state of the wood - allowing access. She brought the chair up the ramp, producing a small key from her pocket - one with an LED on it. "Electronic/mechanical combined lock, visually identical to a purely mechanical lock but far more difficult to bypass. I asked Tim and Cassie to install them on all the doors, including interior ones. I'm planning to give everyone a private room here; all keys will open common areas but only the key of each member will open their private rooms."
She inserted the key, turning it, and the LED activated, glowing green. Oracle pushed the door open, bringing her chair into the corridor. As she entered, the lights came on. "Motion sensor lights in the corridors... no stumbling about in the dark hunting for light switches. Always hated that in the Clock Tower. Light switches in the rooms are next to the doors; private rooms also have programmable voice-activated lights."
She made her way to the kitchen first, turning on the light - the switch located easily within her reach from her chair - and gestured. "Microwave. Stove and oven... gas, of course. Tim let slip about the work here to Alfred; he's taken the liberty of stocking the refrigerator, and insists that he will continue to do so. I've no idea how he got a key, Alfred goes where he's needed." She gestured to the table. "A bit large for the planned size of the team... but I wanted to be ready in case we end up with more help than I'd counted on."
She then made her way to the large sanctuary. The room's stained glass windows were dark from the night outside, the grand organ and pews still sat in place. "Not really sure what to do with this room... probably use it as a sanctuary, when the real problems go down. Things like the Crisis last year... when we'll need to be able to put a lot of people somewhere easily defensible."
She spun the chair around, making her way to one more room - one of the old Sunday school rooms, likely. In this room was an elevator and a closet. "Closet has communicator earpieces, using Justice League technology... we've got our own frequency. Also, utilities. Elevator goes downstairs, to the basement... more sanctuary space and my computer room. In the entryway, there's stairs; those lead to the rooms I've set aside as private." She smiled a bit. "And that concludes our tour. The others should be here soon... we arrived a bit early."
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Post by gg on Feb 27, 2010 17:58:08 GMT -5
Booster stood outside the church, uneasy about entering the inner sanctum.
"It's clearly locked up tight."
"Why don't you just try knocking, sir?"
"You mean Fort Knox-ing? I think this is a hint that they are trying to keep out something terribly big and bad."
"I'm sure I can override it, sir," Skeets slipped in front of him, scanning the LED panel.
"I'm sure they'd just love it if you did, Skeets. Don't we have to be invited over the threshold or something?"
"That's for vampires."
"Shouldn't we have to anyway or something? I mean, I haven't been in a church since I was kid - and I did all of my praying that I wouldn't get caught."
"You weren't there for services, sir?"
"I try to avoid confession - to anything."
"If I may so, sir, you're just stalling."
"No, you may not say so," he replied snarkily as Skeets whipped about and started nudging him in the back up the ramp. "Skeets! Heel!"
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amstard
Junior Member
Hope is everything.
Posts: 80
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Post by amstard on Feb 27, 2010 19:41:00 GMT -5
"So, you know what the best part about being a Lantern is?" asked Torch as he blazed towards the location which Oracle had given the team as their new headquarters. "Well, there's three, really: you're instantly recognizable as part of a group that does good things; you never need to worry about how you're getting somewhere or what you'll wear when you arrive, and...."
Torch looked back at the bubble he was towing Reed in. "Hey, are you listening?"
Reed looked up at him, smiling and showing his big teeth. "Yeah, I'm listening. Number three is?"
Torch nodded and looked forward. "The really, really best thing about being a Lantern...is never having to worry about needing to use the bathroom after putting on a snowsuit." He nodded again for emphasis.
Arriving at designated coordinates.
"Alright! Here we are...hmmm. I suppose dropping through the stained-glass would be tacky. Ah, looks like Mr. Gold is there at the front door; let's all head in together."
And, with that, the Torch flew downward, landing about 10 feet behind Booster.
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Post by Myridd on Feb 27, 2010 19:55:55 GMT -5
Gotham Methodist
Catwoman had enjoyed her guided tour, and the company of Barbara. The appointed time was arriving soon, and she was eager to see who these green recruits would be. Also, she was eager to see Booster as well, she had not met the man face to face before and thought Skeets was adorable. She waited next to Oracle, clad in her shiny black cat suit, her whip ready on her hip.
Outside the Church
"That was fun, Torch. We'll have to do it again. " Reed said, still grinning. His eyes fall on Booster and he noticed Skeets trying to nudge the man up the ramp.
"Hey, you afraid of churches?" He asks good heartedly as he brushes by Booster Gold and knocked on the front door.
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amstard
Junior Member
Hope is everything.
Posts: 80
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Post by amstard on Feb 27, 2010 19:59:04 GMT -5
As Reed brushed by Booster Gold, the Azure Torch got his first good look at Booster's face.
"Excuse me, Mr. Gold...I'm not sure, but you look awfully familiar to someone I saw a picture of in training....were you ever a Green Lantern?"
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Post by Trailfoot on Feb 28, 2010 4:08:29 GMT -5
The Church
A few moments after Reed knocked, the door to the church opened, and Barbara peered out. "Welcome, all of you... come in. I'm glad you came..."
A moment later, Seelie walked up, nodding to Oracle and the others. "I'm glad you decided to come after all, Booster. I was hoping you would."
Oracle backed her chair out of the way. "You should all head to the kitchen... second door on the right. I'll be there momentarily; I need to get your keys. Our other member is there already."
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Post by gg on Feb 28, 2010 8:29:35 GMT -5
OT: <<"Excuse me, Mr. Gold...I'm not sure, but you look awfully familiar to someone I saw a picture of in training....were you ever a Green Lantern?">> that was brilliant, ammy, made my day Booster lunged at the moppet, Reed's brush-by brusquely knocking him off balance enough for Skeets to fly in between them, sternly - or frantically - admonishing, "Michael, Michael! Don't!" The Torch peered at him, such the picture of innocence, Booster almost missed the other pair of doe-eyes that passed before him as Seelie greeted them and sashayed down the hall. "You heard him, Skeets!" "Kids will be kids, sir," he offered up lamely. Booster's eyes narrowed at both of them before he pivoted and padded down the hall. He could hear Skeets proffering apologies behind him, to which he called back, "I'm not speaking to you!" There was a delicious scent in the air as they entered the kitchen - second only to baked bread, it emanated from the delectably lithe form of the Catwoman - hot leather, indeed. "I thought we were supposed to put away Gotham's incorrigibles? This is turning into one skewed reindeer game - Red Rover, Red Rover, send your baddies right over?" Skeets dutifully caught up, preserving the scene for posterity, and responding over their comm, "I thought you weren't speaking to me, sir?" Booster ignored him and surveyed the spectators, coming back to the coiled asp at Cleo's hip, "Whip it good?"
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Post by Myridd on Feb 28, 2010 10:48:43 GMT -5
Kitchen
Catwoman looked at the crowd as they entered the kitchen, keeping her distance and surveying them with her keen eyes. She raised a brow at Booster's remark, a smile curling the edges of her lips. "If necessary."
Reed was looking around with wide eyes, taking everything in. "I wasn't aware secret bases had kitchens and crown molding. ."
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amstard
Junior Member
Hope is everything.
Posts: 80
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Post by amstard on Feb 28, 2010 13:21:34 GMT -5
<<Did I....insult him somehow? Green Lanterns are some of the greatest guys around....>>
Torch shrugged. <<Ah, well. Can't get off on the right foot every time. Let's see what this place is about.>>
Torch headed to the kitchen, admiring the ornamentation and the mystique of their new headquarters.
"Exactly, Reed. Who would ever suspect this as a secret base? It's not nearly austere enough!"
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Post by Myridd on Feb 28, 2010 15:10:44 GMT -5
Reed looked at the Torch, and shrugged as well though admittingly he didn't know why. It just seemed the right thing to do.
"When I picture secret bases, I think of forts built with couch cushions and treehouses with signs to keep the girls out." His eyes searched the room, landing on Catwoman, Seelie, and the door where Oracle would be coming through soon. He than leaned over to Tim and whispered. "Though, I wouldn't try to keep the girls out of this place. Not only am I sure they could find ways to kick my ass, they are rather pleasing to the eye." He winked, and than opened the fridge to see what Alfred had put inside.
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Post by Trailfoot on Feb 28, 2010 15:30:59 GMT -5
The Church
Seelie smirked a bit, listening in to the others, then looked up as Oracle entered. Oracle made her way to the table, passing a key to each of those there. "These will all open the front and side doors, and each opens one of the rooms upstairs. Those are private rooms... I know from experience that people end up spending nights at headquarters, and I want that to be comfortable when it happens. You're free to look around as you wish, but if the door to the computer room in the basement is open, don't touch anything... one misplaced keystroke could trigger two economic collapses and a small war in Asia." She said the last as if she were only exaggerating a small amount. "I'd like everyone to meet Catwoman... I brought her in because I trust her, and I trust her because she has earned it." She reached into the pouch on the side of her chair, pulling out a set of small earpieces, easily concealable behind the ridge of the ear. "Communicators, Justice League technology. We've got our own frequency. If any of you have ever wondered how the Justice League, or Batman and Robin, manage to coordinate things so well? These are the reason. You can subvocalize - speak so quietly that someone an inch away wouldn't hear - and the communicator will pick it up." She passed one to each of the heroes. "League can't listen in on these unless I connect our network to theirs, so we can call for help if we need to but our own communication will be private."
She smiled a bit. "And that's the business. Now... the pleasure. My name is Barbara Gordon. I don't expect all of you to tell your names yet, though if you want to, you can. I know them already... information is what I do. I use the name Oracle with those I don't want knowing my real identity. I'm the daughter of Police Commissioner Jim Gordon, and am a friend of the Wayne family through Bruce Wayne's first ward, Dick Grayson. I majored in English at GCU, and occasionally give guest lectures there now, but my primary public source of income is Internet design. All of this..." She gestured about the building. "... is funded by my less public work, in which I trade favors for favors, and maintain the information structure of groups such as the Justice League, the FBI, and the nation of Bahryia." She smiled a bit. "Though this wasn't my first career choice... I was also the first Batgirl."
She leaned back a bit. "Now for the rest of you... say what you're comfortable sharing. It can be as little or as much as you'd like."
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Post by gg on Feb 28, 2010 17:49:27 GMT -5
OT: <<..I think of forts built with couch cushions and treehouses with signs to keep the girls out..>> i like that, i love forts and treehouses;)
Booster held the keycard up for Skeets to "swallow". They shared an appreciative chortle and responding beep to Barbara's explanation of the comm link. He still wasn't overly keen on the setup but room and board were nothing to sneeze at, temporarily... any port in a storm.
When she finished, he jumped in, gracing the ensemble with a dazzling - sponsored by Booster Toothpaste, you'll shine like Gold! - smile.... hey, go big or go home ;D
"I'm sure introductions aren't necessary," he nodded at Barbara, "I'm sure you know me, the B 2 the G? Booster Gold? The two 'oo' 's stand for c-o-o-l." He eyed the Torch, adding a little emphasis, "That's Gold, not green."
"Ahem," Booster paused for dramatic effect, which was Skeets' cue. His speakers suddenly reverberated with a booming voice and sound effects, replete with rolling thunder. "In the beginning there was Man...."
Booster chuckled, waving it off, "Uh.... not that one!"
With whirrs & clicks, restarting, his tinny voice echoing in the room: "Four score and seven years from now, plus an extra 370 cycles around the Sun, a young man, truly gifted in the ways of heroism, made a bold decision. He came from the future, to aid mankind's past against unstoppable foes..."
Booster interrupted, "We're gonna add like a really menacing voice where he says 'Future', like drawing it out, the 'Fuuuu-ture'! I think it adds a nice cinematic touch, but Spielberg here thinks less-is-more. But I'm always open to feedback, I have a lot more free time at the moment since my company suffered some... um, we're in the process of restructuring.... Did I ever tell you about the night I scored four touchdowns in a single game?"
"That was Al Bundy, sir."
Over the comm to Skeets: "Crushing my mellow, man, seriously - buzzkill." He held up his hands, taking it in stride and let it roll right off his back. "Well then, did I tell you about the night I scored four times after the game?"
"Sir?"
He raised his hands and rested them on his hips, striking a heroic pose. "And this, of course, is Skeets. Best 'bot a boy could ever have. Knows just how I like my pizza, best karaoke partner I ever had... -" About to be cut off by Skeets' retort, he segued, "- Respects the sanctity of the comedy rule of three...."
"And! Databank like no one's business! Never fills up! Pick a country, go ahead, anywhere - he's got a phone number at the ready! You never know when you're gonna need to reach out and touch someone, uh, contact a source?" he winked at Seelie, "Ever been to Germany, fraulein?"
"Gemma," Skeets provided.
"Istanbul?"
"Isabelle."
"Georgia?"
"Georgia."
"Leningrad?"
"Ahh, Lalita."
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Post by Myridd on Feb 28, 2010 17:52:53 GMT -5
"My name is Reed. I am also known as Owen Richards and work at the Gotham General Hospital as a trauma surgeon. I am also fond of pretty girls and fried chicken." Reed said, divulging enough information to start building trust, but not a bit more.
Catwoman said nothing, still leaning against the cabinets, her eyes darting between the new recruits. Booster, a Lantern. . I wasn't aware they came in blue, Reed. He must be the invunerable man, those eyes are unsettling, and that girl. Her eyes stopped on Seelie. Must be the magic user. Looks kind of ethereal to me. This is the group Barb wants me to guide when we are out in the field. They look competent enough, and the hideout is quite nice. Room for over a dozen cats.
She takes her eyes off of everybody, looking off to the side apparently gazing at the floor tile. But. . . I work alone. I don't team up, it never works out. I'm just. . better off alone.
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amstard
Junior Member
Hope is everything.
Posts: 80
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Post by amstard on Feb 28, 2010 18:12:33 GMT -5
Torch stepped forward, smiled, and then dissolved his Blue Lantern costume, revealing the jeans and flannel once again.
"Well, I'm the Azure Torch...you know, I just thought Blue Lantern would be like calling myself 'Pizza Delivery' if that's what I did...anyway, I'm the Torch," and here he grinned wickedly, "but there are some who call me....Tim."
Moment's pause.
"Anyway, this is the kind of thing I've always wanted to do. My 'mundane' job aside, I'm in the business of Hope. It's what I do, and it's where I get my powers. And, if we get in biiig trouble, we can call a Green Lantern; around them I can use my full strength. And that," as he flashed back into costume, "is that."
Bow. Applause.
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Post by Trailfoot on Feb 28, 2010 22:48:12 GMT -5
The Church
Seelie stood after Tim finished. "Seelie. I use magic... though my few run-ins with other mages tell me that my training's quite different from them. I can filter the power of magic through emotions - both my own and those of the people around me. So the power I can use at any given moment depends on what's being felt near me. I'm not exactly empathic... I can't tell who provides the emotions I have access to, but I know which emotions are near me. As for my everyday life... I think I'll keep that a mystery for now." She glanced to Reed for a moment. "I may share it someday soon."
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