Maximum Resistance
Maxwell Lorentz (a.k.a. Maximum Resistance)
Max grew up a relatively normal kid. He was a smart kid and easily bored, but not so smart to get into college at age 16. Like many kids, he was a fan of many of the supers in the area. That's when things changed. "the Event" changed everything. Not only did all those supers disappear, Max's dad chose that time to walk out on the family*. With the loss of his father and the heroes he looked up to, Max's schoolwork began to suffer and he started drifting towards a life of crime, first stealing small things and pickpocketing. He did have a teacher that helped keep him from going completely to the dark side, by challenging him and giving him something else to focus on, and even learn a thing or two in the process. This kept Max's thieving relatively limited to small / easily accessed items.
Max graduated and thanks to Mr. Rogers' (his physics teacher) assistance, he was able to get an entry level job at a physics lab, but habits die hard. Max heard of an item, which could bring a good profit, that would be small enough to steal easily. He made plans to lift the item, but before he got the chance, apparently someone else had the same idea. As Max was coming in to work, a thief was exiting the building, followed by security. The thief turned to look at the security guards, and they opened fire, striking the thief, who collapsed to the ground, mere feet from Max, a small cylindrical container rolling towards him. As it came closer to him, it sprang towards him and attached to his metal belt buckle, as if magnetic. Max was able to remove the container, and in doing so, opened it, but it seemed to contain nothing. That night, Max began to feel strange, and his body was aching all over, then he found himself outside in the back yard. No longer wearing his pajamas, instead being clothed in a blue "super suit" and a blue force fields. With a bit of effort, he found he could control this suit and make it disappear. He also found himself thinking and acting much faster than he normally would.
Over the next couple weeks, Max spent time practicing with his new abilities, and has become comfortable with them, although they are still new. And that brings us to today...
Physical Description
General Physical Condition
Not overly muscular 19 year old, in good condition. Appears a bit more muscular in costume, but that could just be a trick of the eyes.
Body Features
6' tall and relatively lean.
Facial Features
Typical square jaw of a hero.
Identifying Characteristics
Nothing in particular when not in costume. In costume, large M and Omega symbol on a blue suit, often accompanied by a blue forcefield
Physical quirks
Fidgets with his hands when bored. Doesn't have a phone to play with.
Apparel & Accessories
Does not carry electronic devices, or even a watch.
Mental characteristics
Personal history
Over the past few years, Max was headed down the path of career thief, but events have dramatically changed his perspective. Seeing another criminal die while doing a job he was going to do, can have that effect. Max's outlook has changed after seeing this. Combined with all the changes since "The Vanishing" he has decided to be on the right side of history, and stand up for those that can't.
Gender Identity
Male.
Sexuality
Typical male.
Education
High school education, with college level physics, thanks to a teacher that actually cared. The rest of the education came on the streets.
Employment
Currently working in a physics lab as a lab assistant doing menial tasks, while he absorbs what information and skills he can.
Accomplishments & Achievements
He graduated high school, so that was a big deal... Hasn't killed anyone yet...
Failures & Embarrassments
Realizing the path he was on was one doomed to fail.
Mental Trauma
Watching another thief be gunned down doing a job he was going to do has impacted him greatly, and moved him in a more honorable direction.
Intellectual Characteristics
Smart, but not super-genius. Leans heavily towards the sciences and will likely get more training in that area with time.
Morality & Philosophy
It's time we do something about what is going on in the world. Things are just not right.
Personality Characteristics
Motivation
Wants to do what is right, and help others to change the world, perhaps to make it better than it was before.
Savvies & Ineptitudes
He is tech savvy, although he doesn't carry any around with him (can occasionally fry things). Being relatively young, he may think he knows a lot, but in reality, he may not.
Likes & Dislikes
Likes blue, and Italian food. Spends spare time watching movies and scanning the airwaves for trouble that he can help with.
Social
Contacts & Relations
Fence - Don't know his real name, just someone I sold the things I stole too, and occasionally got info about possible jobs.
Mr. Rogers - High school physics teacher. Kinda looked after me after the disappearance of my father.
Family Ties
Mom, who still lives in Millennium City. Dad left at the same time as "the Vanishing".
Religious Views
None in particular.
Social Aptitude
Quite comfortable in social situations, although not someone who needs it all the time. Currently avoids a lot of extra interaction while he learns about this whole new set of abilities.
Mannerisms
Very focused when interacting with others.
Hobbies & Pets
None currently. Dog died a couple years ago, and haven't gotten one since I moved out.
Speech
No accent, typical American teen speech, so LOL and BRB sneak out once in a while.
Wealth & Financial state
I have an okay job. Enough to support a tiny apartment, but since I'm rarely home, that isn't so bad.
Above average height late teenager (19). nothing physically standout about him.
Current Location
Millenium City
Alignment
Yes.
Honorary & Occupational Titles
Dude.
Date of Birth
July 18, 2001
Birthplace
Millenium City
Children
Current Residence
Millenium City
Gender
Male
Eyes
Brown
Hair
Dark Brown
Skin Tone/Pigmentation
Average
Height
6'
Weight
170 lbs.
Quotes & Catchphrases
It's time to face the Resistance.
Related Reports
Maximum Resistance - SOC102 Social Media's Impact on Society
SOC102 Social Media's Impact on Society
Another day at Millennium City University, or so I thought.
I was working in the physics lab, looking at the data from experiments run over the weekend. That’s when the power went out. It didn’t come back on immediately, and the emergency power systems didn’t kick in, so best to go outside and see what was going on. I didn’t hear any unusual radio chatter but the building along with all the science gear can really interfere with my reception.
I got outside and as expected, there were students and staff milling about outside. At first, nothing really seemed too out of sorts, until I started sensing the low frequency, but couldn’t get a fix on its location. Figuring that was my cue, I stepped further out of sight and concentrated for a couple moments, my normal clothes almost disintegrating to be replaced by the black and blue suit. Once the suit was in place, I flipped the mental switch, and I could feel the power ripple through me as the force field came into existence.
My timing was impeccable, or I was lucky, I’m fine either way, as it was that moment that a giant pile of technological pieces, office chairs, stair railings, basically anything with metallic components, came bursting out of the ground next to me. It looked like a giant tech-junk robot with some sort of power field around it. I could hear the nearby screams of people as they started to run for cover. I teleported from my secluded location to the roof of the building across the way, putting me up closer to its head.
Apparently, my new friend was not alone, as blaster fire shot past the metallic monstrosity and past me on the rooftop. Couldn’t really make out who was doing the shooting as they were still in the hole made by the entity’s sudden eruption from the ground. I waved at it to try and get its attention and keep it away from innocents in the area. This seemed to work, and I was able to get its attention and ask who it was. It replied with information about me, information that under most circumstances shouldn’t have been determinable about my public identity considering I was in full gear, demonstrating that it knew who I was. It then replied that it was Algorithm.
Around this time, Viper agents emerged from the hole and fired up at scrap colossus, none of the shots landing on him or myself. It was at this time I took note of others in the area. A woman in blue and red with a cape flew in and flew rapidly by a couple of the Viper agents, apparently knocking them unconscious. Another, more feral looking woman, flew down from the rooftop opposite me, attempting to attack the other two Viper agents, unsuccessfully, before landing on the building I was on. I didn’t recognize either of these people, but they seemed to have a problem with Viper as well. I’m okay with that.
Again, I spoke to Algorithm and said I would help him, and hit the viper agents with a system shock, paralyzing all of them, but more notably the two that were still conscious. Algorithm then grabbed me from the rooftop, and strode out to the parking lot, causing the bystanders to continue fleeing the area. I spotted Runeforce and Sandcrab at this time, both of whom were in or near the parking lot, but my attention was mostly focused on our new friend. Algorithm began looking around at the people fleeing or watching from the parking lot, then started mentioning details about people, as if he was going over their social media information. I teleported from his grip to his shoulder and told him there was someone I wanted him to meet. It was now that I noticed Socrates had been conspicuously silent, even when addressed over comms. The giant began asking to know where Socrates was, and seemed to be getting more agitated when I told him I didn’t know where Socrates was located. Not wanting to be close to something this large in an agitated state, I teleported back to the rooftop. After a period where Algorithms cacophony of voices were mentioning all sorts of information about people, Algorithm then went on to pick up Runeforce and Sandcrab, and asking them, in a more forceful manner, where Socrates was. Not satisfied with the answers, Algorithm threw Sandcrab at me, hitting me square and knocking me back, but I still stayed on my feet, Sandcrab conscious on the ground nearby. Algorithm became increasingly more insistent on knowing where or going to Socrates.
I tried to garble Algorithms senses but getting recently knocked around appears to have impacted my aim, and the blinding flash of light and sound was off target. Apparently, Algorithm saw it coming, and moved Runeforce, who he still had a hold of, into the area blinding and deafening him in the process. Sandcrab had re-engaged Algorithm as well, grabbing the entity by the arms and chest, but this did not stop Algorithm from moving towards a huge television screen, which did not have power previously. Upon contact with the screen, the power field holding this amalgam of things together collapsed, causing the construct to literally fall to pieces.
We hurriedly gathered up pieces of Algorithm’s body we thought would be useful, along with items from within the lab as well as Wildthing’s unconscious body, and took them all back to Homestead for recuperation and study of what we found.
Searching for the Answers Part 1
After taking Hope, a new team member, to Homestead and showing her around, I went to downtown Millennium City to catch up with Wildthing to assist with scouting around the coordinates that Socrates gave that were suspect.
In reconnoitering the area, Wildthing was able to see some people on the roof of the tallest building in the area, equipped with body armor and helmets. I was able to sense encrypted radio chatter but was unable to break the code. Definitely more security than your standard office building.
Other team members made preparation and joined us downtown. Sandcrab and Wildthing came in through the underground, Hope, Runeforce, Cypher and me on the roofs of nearby buildings.
Sandcrab and Wildthing moved into the basement of the building and cut the cable to keep Algorithm from making another escape. Cypher began to do whatever it is he does and mumbling to himself. The rest of us held position on the buildings across the street. After disconnecting the building, Sandcrab and Wildthing moved up the building inside using the service elevator shaft until running into a security wall in the shaft. Sandcrab hacked the controls and opening the shaft, his awareness expanding into the area above. The floors above appearing to be data centers and offices, alternating each level. Sandcrab and Wildthing began to move up the shaft. After investigating the service elevator entrance first of the suspected
At this point, Cypher began acting a little more odd than normal. His speech pattern wasn’t right when he addressed Hope as the Supergirl wannabe, requesting to confirm if Socrates was at base. I haven’t known Cypher for long, but that just doesn’t seem right. Hope asked how she would do that, just use the earpiece? Cypher then requested to use Hope’s earpiece. Runeforce then asked over comms if Cypher was okay. But since Cypher could not hear him, I asked Cypher if he was okay. Cypher shook his head no, but said yes. At this point I sensed some odd electromagnetic aura around Cypher. I called Hope over to me to get her a bit further away from Cypher and told her to hold still and proceeded to shut down communications to Cypher with a blinding and deafening (and radio silencing) Arc Flash. The aura then left Cypher and retreated back to the building across the street.
At this point, the exterior group decided to move on the building, heading to the roof. Sandcrab shut down the forcefield in the building and proceeded to smash through the wall to the stairs. And bad guys showed up on the roof from the stairwell area.
To be continued.
Jetliner Sonic Boom and a Walk in the Park
We all got word that something was going on at the airport. A flight had come in from Mexico with what appeared to be a bounty hunter on board who was looking for someone in particular. We were able to determine that the person was related to our local neighborhood police officer Rogers, who we met during a previous encounter.
When we arrived on scene, Wildthing moved to the plane while I kept a couple Viper agents in shock next to their portable cannon. I also noticed another figure that knocked a separate group of agents down and away from their cannon. Not someone I recognized as he was wearing a full face covering.
A couple of the Viper air support took note of me and began firing on me. I was able to take them off the board with a couple of charged particles. By this time, the additional figure had moved toward the plane that Wildthing was in, and I no longer saw active hostiles on the field.
Wildthing had made it to the plane but had discovered a woman inside was going into labor. I teleported up to the plane and began teleporting her to the hospital, which took me out of the fray for a bit. I was able to drop off the woman at the local emergency room. All atoms in their proper place.
I was focusing on getting back quickly, but the chatter on comms seemed chaotic. A separate unknown was apparently trying to get someone off the plane. By the time I had returned, things had played out and move Viper were on their way with the heavy artillery, so we vacated the scene. Cypher was able to take control of the Viper vehicle that was transport
Additional radio communication that was off proper frequency directed us to a position directly under this gate-like structure at the Hart Plaza downtown using cryptic messaging to give us coordinates. Wildthing, Sandcrab, Cypher and I showed up, not exactly sure what to expect.
I approached the structure and found a posterboard with the information about the airport incident. Wildthing jumped to me and took the posterboard from me and took a photo and sent it to Socrates. It was around this time that three supers from the Ultimates showed up, although I only noted a couple of them at first. One flew out of a nearby building and another came from the street down the way from me. Wildthing pointed this out to me and then jumped into the trees, not to be seen again by me.
The one that came towards me wanted me to surrender and I signaled “no” by blinding and deafening him. Sandcrab appeared to have the other one in hand, so I continued to focus on my target. My target flew back and away from me, apparently effected by my power, so I advanced and attempted to tase him, which only briefly held him as he blasted his way out easily. He continued his move away from me, so I blinded him again. At this point, as the person we were to meet here was obviously not here, and a fight would not really gain us anything, it was decided to leave the battle. I began a group teleport as Stevie (Cypher’s floating robot) came up to me. It was at this time that one of the Ultimates came out of the I had seen earlier flew out of the amphitheater pit and point his large gun at me and Stevie as we faded from his site, leaving the battle.
Unfinished Business pt. 2, 4 and 5
(Player note: Max was not available for sessions 1 and 3)
Why was this calculation not working? There must be something I’m overlooking. Max continues working on his work in the physics lab at Millennium City University when a familiar voice came into being within my head.
“Maximum Resistance, the team could use your assistance. If available, please let me know.” The familiar voice of Socrates said to me.
“I’m available, Socrates. I’m heading to Homestead now, what is the situation?”, I replied. I put down my homework and found a convenient location to change.
“A couple of team members went to investigate an abandoned Demon lair. They have encountered resistance and could use assistance.” He responded. “We are looking to potentially use this facility as an alternate base of operations.”
Having shifted to my familiar blue armored form, I began teleporting across the city to reach Homestead, our current base of operations in the city. “Socrates, where is this base located? Should I head there?”.
“The base is in London, Ontario, Canada. Please come to Homestead as travel has been arranged. You will be accompanied by Faust.” Socrates replied.
Faust, hmm. Not a name I have heard for a while. He was one of the original “New Champions” but became scarce shortly after forming. This will be the first time seeing him in a while.
I arrived at Homestead base within a couple minutes to find Faust already there, as well as Runeforce. I greet Faust with a solid handshake and a “Good to see you again.” and shake hands with Runeforce as well.
“Good to be back.” Faust replies while returning the handshake.
“Gentlemen, are you ready for transport?” Runeforce asked. “I can take you there, but I have other pressing matters, so I will just be dropping you off.”
With that, Runeforce focuses for a moment and the world around us changes from our familiar base to that of what seems to be a cave. Hmm, not much curb appeal. Then again, maybe I shouldn’t have HGTV running while I study.
Faust and I take a quick look around. Runeforce gives us a quick “Be safe.” Before beginning the teleport to wherever he may be off to.
We begin moving further into the cave and find the bodies of what appear to be demons, like actual demons, not people in Demon armor. At this point, we hear noise ahead. Faust and I move further into the cave system and see Wildthing and a couple other female forms that I do not recognize.
The women appear to be fighting some sort of frogs. In fact, one very dark form appears to be covered in frog bits. I hope it was the demons in the last room we will be assisting with and not frogs.
After the others make quick work of the frogs, Faust introduces himself and one of the unknowns introduces herself as Nemesis, apparently someone who had been held captive here. Interesting, considering this installation has been abandoned for a few years. The other does not give a name, but says she is non-hostile, but will respond to aggression.
Faust and Nemesis were able to force what appeared to be a blast door open, giving us the opportunity to progress further in the base, into what looked like a large hallway with doors on each side. They looked like small rooms behind, possibly cells. Given the control panels outside the rooms, this would seem to be likely.
Individual began looking at the control panels and the doors. I mostly stayed back, being a bit wary of these newcomers, given past events. The dark one, who is apparently named Ghost, while I don’t recognize them, seems familiar. Their flying attack on the frogs, I’ve seen that before. The other one, Nemesis, having been a prisoner in an abandoned base, also doesn’t seem right, but we are not talking about anything “normal” regarding most of the people I have met recently.
I was quite entertained, and somewhat fascinated by the others attempting to figure out the control panels. I might have been able to help, but they seemed happy to be pressing buttons trying to figure it out, and I was still mostly giving my attention to surveilling the unknown newcomers.
After several minutes of the group investigating the hallway, computers, and the large blast door on the far side of the room, which appeared to be controlled from the other side of the door, it was determined that we could not open the door normally. Ghost then attempted to fly into the door at full speed, and was not able to take out the door, while Nemesis was doing some sort of analysis of the door. Nemesis was able to finish the job Ghost started by attacking the door with a sword, leaving a large gash in the door big enough for people to get through.
Nemesis moved into the room out my immediate sight, Ghost following directly after. I could definitely see cold emanating from the room, but unsure of the cause. They were shortly followed by Wildthing.
Eventually, I was able to investigate the room after everyone else had entered. I teleported to the top of the room and held myself in mid-air there. A large portal dominated the room, frogs pouring out of it. Computer systems lining a couple walls as well as one system facing the portal. Nemesis and Faust are attacking the frame of the portal. The portal eventually fell to the heroes and I entangled everyone in the room, heroes and frogs alike, and then the team proceeded to making frog pâté.
At this point, my attention shifts to the various computer systems in the room, particularly the console that was facing and apparently controlling the portal. I began working on the systems in conjunction with Socrates. Within a section of storage, I came across a section that was obviously not part of the original system. The “program” for lack of a better term was not standard code. I kept digging into this, while the rest of the team decided to move forward. If they need me, they know where they can find me.
There is “something” in this computer. Something sentient, but not an AI like Socrates. I did not get the sense of malevolence. Some references to Mother. Sean Rogers, the former Silver Avenger, mentioned this was not standard Demon tech.
Sometime later, unsure how long, I heard the sounds of combat, but no real callouts for help. But shortly after, I heard ominous sounds that gave me pause. I stepped away from the computer and began moving in the direction the team left, which was also toward the noise. I caught up with the team and found them about to square off with two screaming and wailing demons for lack of a better description. Behind them, two stone golems appeared to be fighting another, different type of demon.
At this point the two demons closest to us, that now seemed to be making the noise that first grabbed my attention, started walking towards us, scythes in hands. Faust stepped forward to introduce himself when the reaper demons apparently didn’t take that as intended and took a swing at him with his evil looking weapon, fortunately missing. The other demon did not miss however and sent Faust flying.
The scrum had commenced. There was a lot of roaring, attacks, the swing (and stealing) of scythes, as we initially focused on the first demon to step forward, hopefully to take down their numbers. Eventually, after quite the long battle, the demons fail to the team, but the two golems were still fighting it out with the third demon, who now had the team’s full attention. That focused attention caused him to fold rather quickly under the combined might of the team and golems.
With that battle complete, our way forward was opened exposing another large room with one corner taken up by what could only really be described as a large pudding-like entity surrounded by more of the evil frogs that we saw in the portal room, the frogs attacking the pudding beast.
Seeing the frogs, the team rushed to engage. After various attacks and entangles, most of the frogs were dispatched, save for one group who had been entangled by Sandcrab. This group, unleashed some sort of demonic attack in an area around them, slowing all movement in a fair-sized area around them. The frogs themselves did not last that long, but the demon touchy-feely area they created lasted a bit longer.
With more dispatched frogs strewn across the room, the real challenge began, communicating with “Mother”. Faust made the first attempt by touching Mother, and it was as expected, a pudding-like consistency. After a couple attempts by people to communicate, I moved back to the computer I had originally learned about Mother. After some time, I was finally able to get back in and get Socrates access and have Socrates contact Mother. Turns out Mother came to be in this base as a semi-sentient entity that is part computer, part magic and part of the base. Socrates was able to make Mother a subroutine and control the base through it.
Now to repair all the damage we caused getting here…
Max Notes: Ghost seems familiar, but I can't quite put my finger on it as to why quite yet. Nemesis seems interesting, further analysis required. Will await Socrotes' report on both. It was good to see Faust back with the group, hope his time away was good. I wonder what the practical applications are of the glowing slime Mother uses to teleport things around could be, how long does it last, what are its limits. Too many questions. Given our experience with these hard targts, both demons and golems, perhaps we can start moving the team to actually start working as a team and put in some teamwork to get these types of things dealt with easier.
American Courage pt. 1 and 2
What is going on here?
Something is going on at a small military base here in Millennium City. A ship has come into the port and is currently blocking off other ships from passing, and even more strange, the water around the ship appears to be boiling. I suppose this warrants a look.
Wildthing, Cypher, Sandcrab, Wind Walker and I make our way to the docks. A couple of the team members have already done some reconnaissance around the ship, and Wildthing has determined that getting too close to the ship, at least under water appears to turn organic material into metal. Hmm, a true Philosophers’ Stone of sorts. Cyphers little widgets have given us a good view of the ship, and there appear to be well-armed troops on board, as well as some technicians that appear to be at the water level outside the ship, in special suits.
Given this intel, the group decides to enter a couple of the out-buildings near the bridge to see what we can find out. Sandcrab leads the way tunneling us into the first building and taking the occupant by surprise, but he does not go down quickly. Their advanced tech makes them pretty resilient to damage. Sandcrab and Wildthing eventually subdue the occupant and we begin looking around. I examine his helmet in hopes of tapping into their communications easier, but like their communications, the helmet security is too advanced for me to try and get through this quickly and I hand off the helmet to Cypher and keep an eye on him while he does a more “cerebral” dive into it. We also found what appear to be large underground drill bits.
During our investigations of the area, Sandcrab found some notable power cables going underground, so we follow the cables and Sandcrab tunnels us down into what appears to be an underground villain lair, or at least the subterranean front door to it.
Wildthing was able to determine there are many heartbeats in the area ahead of this…which I find somewhat disturbing. Not the number of potential enemies, but that she senses heartbeats. Creepy…
We decided, rather than going through the door, and taking all the time needed to break security, which they seem to be exceptionally good at, going through the wall would be our best option. Sandcrab led the way with Wildthing following behind. By the time I got in the room the 2 guards were on the floor but were still active, so I blasted one of them full force, knowing they are very resilient. The arc of lightning hit him hard and slammed him into the wall, but it wasn’t enough to take him out. He then stood up and shot at Wildthing and missed, taking out a large chunk of the wall. Sandcrab was able to take the table he was holding and slam the two guards knocking them unconscious.
We let the two scientists, who appeared to be chemists, run away. I removed the helmet off one of them and again had no luck getting anything useful in the way of communications from them due to their security. Cypher again decided to take a dive into one of the helmets and I hung back to keep an eye on him and break the connection if I noticed anything unusual.
Sandcrab and Wind Walker advanced into the next hallway. After a few moments, Wildthing called for them to get out of there, as gas started filling the room. Sandcrab and Wind Walker were able to tunnel their way back into our room, but Wind Walker appears to have reacted badly to the gas.
It was then decided we would tunnel our way to the next large room area. As we entered the corner of the room, it appeared to be an experiment type of room, as a couple people were lying on tables and one was getting what appeared to be “scanned” by some sort of laser. There appeared to only be one scientist in the room, and he was very intent on his research and very annoyed that we were interrupting and perhaps a bit frightened when I threatened him with hand wreathed in lightning and made him step away from his console and began looking over what he was doing. It appeared they are doing some sort of experimentation with the unusual effect that is surrounding the ship.
For now, no solid answers on what is going on other than some research on what is happening to people that appear to have been in the water, but no information on what is actually causing the “effect” or the boiling water around the ship.
Maximum Resistance - An Interesting Sight
An Interesting Sight
I’ve dealt with a few thugs and helped people to get away. Still feeling out my abilities. I’ve had to scale things back a bit, don’t want to go killing people, even these thugs, if I can help it. Not a way to make a good name. Although I’m not sure I want a “name” at this point. Seems like a good way to have the powers-that-be come down like a hammer.
On my walk home, I noticed something odd. The river, next to the street I often walk down, was churning up more than usual. This is could be worth investigating. Stepping out of camera shot, I make the shift into my suit, and begin teleporting to get ahead of the wave moving down the river. Perched on an overpass, I watched as a figure was moving rapidly under the water. No details, but I figure this person is trying to stay unnoticed, as the local thugs and such don’t have a problem terrorizing the streets.
I watched for some time, not able to make out what they were doing until this individual pulled a car out of the water, leaving it on the shore. They seemed to be investigating something, but I really couldn’t tell what at distance. They did look a little odd though, with long spider-like legs coming off their back. Strong enough to lift a car, no problem being underwater, odd spider legs. Definitely odd, but not doing anything I need to engage for, best to just observe.
With that, the figure moved back into the water, this time deeper, and with the depth, and darkness, I lost them. Will have to keep an eye out for this one.
Maximum Resistance - Day 0, the Beginning
Day 0
Day 0
I believe it is a good idea to chronicle the things that have recently transpired, and hopefully will transpire in the future, but where to start.
It probably really all started, at least for me, a couple weeks ago. Watching a thief be gunned down on the street by corporate security had a very deep psychological impact on me. That could have been me…would have been me in a couple more hours. I had planned that same theft. Apparently, the information I got was shared with more than just me. Regardless, this was the turning point for me.
The container the thief had stolen was perhaps what pushed things even further, but I am still not sure. I reached for the container the thief had dropped as it rolled to me, it jumped at me, well, specifically my belt, as if magnetized. It was stuck tight. In removing it, the container sprung open. The thing was empty! He died…I would have died for nothing. Not wanting any trouble, I returned the container to the security men (as if I had any choice) and went on my way.
That night things got strange.
I started hearing whispers at first, but I was home alone in my tiny apartment. The walls are thin, but the voices did not appear to be coming from anywhere particular, like wearing headphones that make the music seem to come from all around you. Then the visions, flashes of images, but not quite visual as they stayed when I closed my eyes. Wait, that image had a new ticker at the bottom. Why does everything feel so strange? I can almost…feel?sense?...the area around me without looking. I was starting to get a bit scared and wanted to get away from this feeling. That moment I found myself across the street on the roof of the building I had been looking at from my apartment window.
The voices persisted, as well as my confusion. What is going on?! “Okay Max, focus. At least you are wearing clothes.” This is when I looked down to make sure I was still wearing clothes and I was, just not what I was wearing a minute ago. My normal clothes had been replaced by a blue body suit.
Maybe I should go to the hospital. No, that would cost me a fortune, and cash is something I do not have. And with this suit on, I am likely to never make it out of the hospital.
“Focus don’t panic. Don’t make things worse.” Slowly, the voices and images began to subside. I picked one voice and focused on it. As the others began to fade away, that one voice became clear, is that a radio DJ? Oh great, I am one of those people with a dental problem that picks up the radio. Joy. But I don’t have any dental implants, and they don’t make you appear in different places, where you shouldn’t be.
I really need to get back inside, I thought to myself, at which point I found myself back where I had been just moments before. The sound in my head had begun playing music. I didn’t recognize it, but it had a good beat.
My phone buzzed at this point, probably my mom texting me. As I extended my hand for the phone, an arc of electricity jumped from my hand to the phone, completely destroying it. “Oh shit!” I probably should be a bit more careful about that. I spent some time testing what I could do and destroyed a few items along the way. I would need to find someplace quiet and out of the way for more testing.
Over the next couple of weeks, I was able to learn to use these new abilities; to focus and feel what I think is the full electromagnetic spectrum around me. I can watch TV broadcasts, hear radios, even the police ones, and even sense the frequencies people and items give off. That arc of electricity appears to be a brute force use of my abilities, I can also take the other side of the electromagnetic force and project a physical blast. I also temporarily blinded myself, not sure how, but I think I disrupted my reception of all electromagnetic frequencies. Even the TV signal went away for a few seconds. I also functionally tasered myself. Fortunately, I was able to teleport out of it.
This pretty much catches us up to more recent events.
Maximum Resistance - Meeting New People
Meeting New People
Another day at the lab, checking sensor calibrations in preparation for an upcoming test. I got a phone call from an unknown number. Strange, I barely get any calls at work and they are almost all internal, except for maybe my mom.
I pick it up and I am immediately told the line is not secure and they want to meet. I agree and they give me a time and location, and I hang up.
As far as I know, no one knows about my abilities, so this has me concerned. Has someone found out, is this a setup? Then I realize that those in power rarely rely on subtlety to get their jobs done. I would either just never be seen again, or publicly crushed without any warning. This had to be something else.
I left work early and made my way to the old ball field where they requested the meet. I took a couple laps around the park, keeping an eye on the pitcher’s mound when I see a shirtless man with odd skin approaching the mound. I warily make my way to the mound and realize this guy is covered in tattoos or something along those lines, some form of language or marks. Definitely not something you see every day.
We exchanged greetings, and they wanted to know what I stood for, so I told him. I have no love for Doctor Destroyer, and would like the world to return to how it was, or better. We continued our brief discussion and I transformed into my blue suit to better explain to this person why they were coming to me. Interesting that they did not know about me except through a handler. This handler had to know something though.
At this point, Runeforce, as I would later find out, asked if he could get us out of the open. I agreed and he teleported us to a nearby bathroom. Not exactly a venue I would have chosen, but it works. He explained the basics of his DarkR Web, and that others were working with him to set it up. Others with abilities.
Runeforce also explained that they were planning on going to a hydro power plant to rescue someone, or something from it, and had very specific time to do so. I watched as he teleports out of the bathroom and jogs back to a waiting car, in normal form. I change back to normal myself and leave. First chat with another super and it is in a bathroom. I don’t think this is how the Champions met. But they aren’t here to ask.
That evening, I chatted with several others over the DarkR Web regarding the plan to get into the hydro plant. I met Faust, Isobar, Field Effect, Cypher and Runeforce was there. I would not be able to be at the encounter, darned planned experiment and I still really need this job if I want to pay rent…or eat. I was able to help them work through some of the plans, such as plans to gain access to the building.
It wasn’t until later the next day, that I would hear of the adventures I missed and the rescuing of Socrates, the actual AI of the Champions! I was able to meet up with them and a backup Champions facility, where Socrates explained why we were all brought together. I also met the person who I think was in the river that night, but haven’t brought it up yet.
I was in awe, I was actually inside one of the Champions facilities, and apparently chosen by Socrates to fill a role in replacing them. My mind was racing at all the possibilities, and I had to reign myself in and focus. There is a lot of work to do, this is just the start. We have a whole world ahead of us, and a good chunk of it wants us dead.
