Waters Rising, flood evacuation....

[basic_powers]

Moon Shadow stood holding on to the passenger seat in the Bronco. He really hoped those two teenagers they had bought this car from wouldn't tell anyone who they gave it to... and that Revenant wasn't hurt too bad, because he was the only one here with any experience in making a clean getaway.

Comments

[justiceoverlaw]

If he is badly hurt, he's not inclined to gripe about it. Possibly acting smug over the new car is his coping mechanism.

"I sometimes think access to cash is the greatest superpower of all."

[basic_powers]

...and sometimes Moon Shadow thinks his mentor is really, REALLY weird. Then again it could just be loopy from the pain.

"How are your insides doing?"

[justiceoverlaw]

No, just stoical.

"I'll need a note to skip P.E. class for a while..."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Is Vern awake yet?" asks Steve. "Remnant could use some healing."

"It's 'Revenant,' Steve," corrects Vera from the back seat. "And both Vern and Kathy are still exhausted!"

"The fruit pies are helping," the young healer declares through a mouthful of Real Fruit Filling. "I'll be back to normal as soon as the world stops spinning."

Kathy smirks. "Heh. A guy in a cape gave us fruit pies. I thought that only happened in old comic books."

[justiceoverlaw]

"I apologize for the Quick-E-Mart cuisine, but seeing that they sold rusty SUVs as well as snacks, I gave in to convenience. Moon Shadow? Any signal on those cell phones we bought?"

[basic_powers]

"Not yet, but the clerk said the closer we got to the state line, the better our signal strength."

[justiceoverlaw]

"Remember not to call PS238 directly with it, and we're only going to use it in a dire emergency. I don't care for communication lines I don't secure myself."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"I'm not worth all of this," protests their driver. "I should just turn myself in and get it over with."

[justiceoverlaw]

"It's your decision, but I advise against it, myself. And I'm not just saying that as a vigilante wanted for questioning in thirty-three states."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Why is it a bad idea?"

[npc238.livejournal.com]

Lyle has a very good answer. "Without Harold, my 'all-knowing' ability would come back. And without a white room, I'd go crazy before they could get me back to school."

[justiceoverlaw]

The Revenant's answer is a little more complex.

"Contrary to what you may read in the popular press, hostage standoffs generally don't go well with costumed heroes for two main reasons: one, they're used to fighting people who can take what they dish out, so they often punch first and ask questions later. Two, if any description of what you can do made it to those pursuing us..."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Right, enhancing superpowers or taking them away for a half hour."

[justiceoverlaw]

"Yes, that, then the likelihood of someone getting vaporized has gone up incredibly. Many metahumans panic when their super powers are threatened."

[basic_powers]

"But why? Why would they blow us up?"

This thought is fairly new to the scene of panic in the young hero's head.

[justiceoverlaw]

"It's often the case that those who aren't used to being easily hurt get a little trigger-happy when faced with actual peril. And since we're away from any urban areas usually patrolled by most metahumans, only the most powerful will be likely to pay us a visit before we can make it back to PS238."

[basic_powers]

"But they won't be able to find this car, will they?"

...And a mere second after he asks that question, something thumps down with a landing on the roof of the SUV.

...Aww nutbunnies

[npc238.livejournal.com]

Half a second after the thump, a masked head appears upside-down in the window and starts talking without preamble.

"I guess whoever you stole this truck from talked to someone. You might want to get ready to take erasive action."

[justiceoverlaw]

The Revenant is very good at not showing surprise.

"That's 'evasive,' Mister... ah?"

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"I'm called 'The Flea.' I go to school with some of the stupid-powered kids stinking up the back of your Bronco."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Come in here and say that," snaps Steve. "I'll tie your antennas in a knot!"

[npc238.livejournal.com]

Suddenly, a loudspeaker'd voice booms from overhead.

"Attention, those inside the green SUV. Pull over immediately and submit to our authority. This will be your only warning!"

[justiceoverlaw]

"That doesn't sound promising."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Right. That's what I came to tell you. These guys aren't superheroes or the government or anything..."

The Flea looks back at the pursuing aircraft. "I've been following these guys for months as a kind of after-school project. I'm still not sure who they are, and I've never been able to get evidence that they're real, which makes Ms. Kyle think I'm loopy."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"It's probably because of those Twizzlers sticking out of your head!"

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Shut up. But the minute they heard about the kidnapping, they sent one of their planes, and I hitched a ride."

[justiceoverlaw]

The Revenant nods.

"Harold, start slowing down. It'll buy us some time. Now, as for the rest of you..." He turns to the children. "I think it might be a good idea to form a super-team, don't you?"

[npc238.livejournal.com]

* * * * *
Two figures have dropped from the airplane like torpedoes to fly under the power of their own armor, on either side of the road.

"They're slowing," says one into his helmet communicator. "Orders?"

=Remain at yoour current distance, Unit One. Any closer and you risk being put to sleep by Marvin.=

"Roger that. We'll land and keep the vehicle covered when it comes to a—"

They won't, however, because two trees spring up from the mass, impeding their progress and mildly concussing them into the bargain.

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"I did it!" cries Dierdre, looking out the back of the Bronco. "I made those trees grow really fast, huh?"

[justiceoverlaw]

"Yes, you did! Well done, Orchid. Steve, I think you wanted to try your idea next?"

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Yes, sir!" Soundtrack rolls down the window and leans out. "I can't shake stuff apart like I did back at the Rainmaker's place, and I think he's almost at the limit of my range..." He extends a hand up toward the plane.

[npc238.livejournal.com]

BLUE CANARY IN THE OUTLET BY THE LIGHTSWITCH
Inside the plane, instruments are going haywire and alarms are blaring, still barely audible over the music. CRITICAL ERROR, declares the one intelligible screen. PLEASE RESET!
WHO WATCHES OVER YOU
Thank god communications are still online... "This is pilot ED-501! Am experiencing massive system failure! Suspected cause is sonic vibration!"
MAKE A LITTLE BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL
=The Newdeck boy... Very well. Do you retain stealth capabilities?=
NOT TO PUT TOO FINE A POINT ON IT
"Yessir!" Stealth seems like a good idea right now.
SAY I'M THE ONLY BEE IN YOUR BONNET
=Then retrieve Units One and Two and back off. Surveillance only. If any heroes show up, do not engage. Retreat if discovered.=
MAKE A LITTLE BIRDHOUSE IN YOUR SOUL

[basic_powers]

"They're taking off!"

[justiceoverlaw]

"Probably just to keep an eye on us."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

The Flea kicks back, apparently perfectly relaxed riding up top. "It's a friendly reminder that they aren't the only ones who know what you're driving now."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"So where are we supposed to get a new set of wheels?"

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Not my problem, dude. I'm not the one who started this whole kidnapping thing."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Does everyone know about it?" That's all they need...

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"Bugs talk to me. Some ants were in the plane's cockpit. I got the gist of what was going on. They want you almost as bad as they want the kids. The guys in the armor, not the ants." His gaze turns to the Revenant and Moon Shadow. "They didn't mention anyone wearing capes, though."

[justiceoverlaw]

"We're mysterious that way. But he's right. We're going to need another vehicle."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"All that's out here are broken-down hulks rusting in farmyards. We'd be lucky to find a working riding mower."

[npc238.livejournal.com]

"I think I'm well enough to help," pipes up Kathy. "Pull into that dirt road over there..."