Costumed Heroes

[Chevron 7 locke]

"953,470 yen is the price for that knowledge. That's roughly ten thousand U.S. dollars, be glad it's that low, usually my prices for knowledge go into the millions; I hope you have that much, by the way. Also, I'm willing to help you for free, but only if you buy that knowledge."

 

That is far too much. I believe I can take down this...War-bringer without any assistance. But first...I need the proper transportation...

 

Shade nodded to the man as he walked away and began to climb the building she was next to her.

 

It is time that I call in a few favors and put my city in order before I leave. I suspect that I will be gone for quite a while.

[Cyborg Ninja]

Deathblade could feel his heat rate increasing as he held onto the tail of the chopper. Though it felt good, for once everything was going right for...

 

Foxtrot Uniform Charlie... Deathblade picked up his phone with his left hand.

 

"Yeah mom."

 

"No mom, I'm fine."

 

"No mom, I'm not ignoring you."

 

"Mom...mom... I'm hanging on a helicopter!"

 

"I'll call you back bye!"

 

Deathblade hung up the phone and remembered where he was.

 

Hey maybe they're doing something else, maybe they didn't hear me.

[Alkonium]

After careful examination of every piece of the bomb, Blackhawk concluded that there was little more he do on his own in tracking down the Black Hand. However, the following morning he had read an article in the newspaper about another vigilante who had thrown a man off the CN Tower. If he hadn't been busy disarming that bomb, the cops would probably be after him. Still, whoever this other Superhero was, he'd be a valuable asset in hunting down War-Bringer.

[CommanderQ]

"Sir, we are nearing Punishment, about 5 minutes until ETA!" Shouted the pilot.

 

War-Bringer nodded, "Excellent, contact Captain Krahl, inform him to have 30 men on ready."

 

"30, sir?"

 

"Yes, 30, do not question my orders."

 

War-Bringer had said it in a bone-chilling tone, and the pilot knew the consequences if he continued to displease his commander.

 

"Yes, sir."

 

The pilot turned back and contacted the Captain.

 

War-Bringer looked out the side and saw an oil-tanker, a cover-up for what was actually a Nuclear submarine, just with a shell, so as to protect it's real idenity.

 

Black Hand had created it to blow up the shell of the oil-tanker so the Nuclear Sub could submerge, but it provided a clever alias.

 

The chopper came in slowly for the landing platform, quickly making contact with the metal, and landing without problem.

 

30 men, armed to the teeth waited nearby.

 

War-Bringer jumped out and walked to the back of the chopper, and just as he suspected, there was a..hero, hanging onto the back.

 

He raised his machine-gun.

 

"So, I knew that the pilot of that helicopter back there was still around...it is unfortunate you do not act in an intelligent manner."

 

He leveled the sights with the heroes skull.

 

"Your name...and YOUR HANDS UP!!"

 

On cue, the 30 men waiting nearby ran forward and surround the chopper, all weapons aimed at the hero.

 

 

War-Bringer would get the prisoner he wanted. And then he'd find out how to bring down BlackHawk and his other costumed friends.

 

He laughed under his breath, barely containing the joy of how crisp his victory would come.

 

"Yes...you've heard this before...you are outmanned and outgunned, surrender, and we will be reasonable."

[Astor]

Midknight's exploits last night had been pushed back to page 13 in the morning's papers. At least War-Bringer was deflecting attention from him - he was good for that much, at least.

 

His priority was finding this Blackhawk. He decided to make a gamble - Blackhawk might have also seen the story on page 13, and may be compelled to investigate closer. Goin back to the CN tower was a risk, but it was the only lead Midknight had to contact Blackhawk.

 

Most of Toronto's police force would be busy with the Armory - a mere murder wouldn't be as important as international terrorism - so the tower would, in theory only have a light police presence.

 

At least, that was what Midknight hoped - he didn't kill cops, and he couldn't risk bringing more heat on himself, or causing more trouble for Toronto.

[Jedi_Man]

Dementix, or rather Sam now, sat at home, the TV was on and he had a nice cold Root Beer in his hand. The channel left on, some random news channel, was talking about the weather, how a hot front was moving in, until a Special Anouncement flared on the screen.

Oh goodie, stocks fell? Iran has declared nuclear war on Russia? Make it something interesting, PLEASE!

" Ladies and gentelmen, at this time, Toront is in a state of emergency as a large bomb threat has been declared. No one has been hurt, but we are unsure as of yet whether or not there is more than one bomb." the announcer, well, anounced.

Nice, who did it this time? Hmmm? Al-quida, Hamas, Iran... The list can go on for almost indefinitely. Oh well, Chicago can do well for a few hours. Lets see what the problemo in Toronto.

Sam sighed, chugged his Root Beer, and looked at his suit charger.

A few minutes, and then Toronto here I come!!

[Chevron 7 locke]

Shade looked down at the glittering city beneath her as the private jet she rode screamed across the sky.

 

There...look at that tanker. There is something...off about it...wh-thats it! It's not sitting right! it's riding too high in the water!

 

I always knew these would come in handy...sometimes it pays to be a hero.

 

Shade walked to the locker and pulled out a pair of personal glider wings. They were among her favorite devices and had been a gift from a high-ranking goverment official she had saved earlier in the year.

 

Shade turned to the pilot and raised her voice so he could hear her over the roar of the engines.

 

"Whatever you do, try and stay in the cloud cover. I have a bad feeling about that ship down there."

 

The pilot nodded and gave her the thumbs up signal.

 

I hope we don't get shot out of the sky this time...hopefully Americans don't shoot well at night.

 

Shade stood in the doorway of the jet and prepared to jump.

[CommanderQ]

War-Bringer heard the distinctive sound of Jet engines overhead.

 

He tilted his head up and saw a figure with a glider, perhaps 300-400 meters off the starboard side of the ship.

 

He looked to one of the men.

 

"Anti-aircraft guns. Get them up."

 

He looked back to the Super-hero who still clung to the back of the chopper.

 

War-Bringer nodded, and several of his men stepped forward, equipped with stun-gun equipment.

 

They fired, sending electrical charges over to the hero, who they took out quickly.

 

War-Bringer turned away and looked up at the incoming glider. He zoomed his lenses in on the glider, and activated infra-red.

 

It's manned....human, of course, and female. Definately another costumed hero. What, have they started breeding or something? They all just come down on me like this, I'll just have to use this to my advantage, he thought.

 

The anti-aircraft guns rose from the sides, and immediatley began to fire tracer rounds at the glider. Hundreds, thousands of bright bullets roared continuosly towards the glider.

[Chevron 7 locke]

((I'm still in the jet ))

 

Shade watched calmly as thousands of bright lights headed toward the jet.

 

Oh Please...he actually thinks that will work on me and my pilot? We've been through much worse.

 

"Evasive: take us up back in the cloud cover. Prepare all explosives for deployment on my mark."

 

"Yes miss."

 

The jet turned and twisted and shot back up into the couds without taking any appreciable damage.

 

"Prepare to deploy all explosvies. Take us over the tanker at maximum speed."

 

The pilot nodded and turned around and then shot toward the tanker at high speed.

 

"Deploy now!"

 

The jet began to deploy a large spread of explosives while still heading toward the tanker causing a large number of the explosvies to head straight for it.

 

Shade watched with grim satisfaction as the tanker took a few bad hits above the waterline and one medium sized hit below the waterline.

 

"Take the jet back to Kyoto. Alert the authorities to be one their guard for possible retribution."

 

The pilot gave her a sad look as Shade jumped out of the plane and spread her wings.

 

It's time to show this so called"War-Bringer what the hero of Kyoto is made of.

[Cyborg Ninja]

Before Deathbalde could respond he was tasered and fell to the ground hard but he was still awake. He looked up to War-Bringer and yelled.

 

"I'm Deathblade, I'm an assassin not a hero. You got it all wrong War-Bringer. I must say I'm a fan of your work from what I've seen in the video and whats on a certain file of yours. I tracked you down and then ditched my chopper. I merely hid on yours for the thrill of it. See I kill people, and I'm really good at it. I've got a better shot than all these mind combined, and its because I'm the best."

 

He coughed a little. His body shook violently as he went into shock.

 

"You've got attackers, and I can take them down."

[CommanderQ]

War-Bringer looked up as the bombs began hitting the ship on multiple sides. He stood serene above the chaos, as much of the deck was in flames, and pieces were everywhere. He was immediatley thankful that the shell, the tanker, was well built, adn would therefore protect the sub beneath.

 

He looked at the...assassin. He motioned for the stun-troopers to stop there tasers.

 

"You will remain silent until we have a proper time to negotiate!! If you are indeed an assassin, then it is more then likely that you have come to kill me!! Now shut up, and think about what you are going to say when we begin interrogation!!' Growled War-Bringer.

 

He activated the comm to the BH-9s that were circling the tanker.

 

"Pilots, identify the aircraft that just launched a payload on us. Do not engage. Merely identify."

 

'Yes, right away, sir."

 

War-Bringer walked to Deathblade, and raised his booted foot, kicking down on the assassin's head, definately stunning him, and probably knocking him unconcious.

 

Two Black Hand soldiers came up with binding equipment, and shackled DeathBlade quickly, and began to haul him off to the submarine.

 

War-Bringer's communication channel chimed.

 

"Sir, we have identified the aircraft. It is an unknown make of a Kyoto private aircraft, actual class is unknown. The insignia's on it suggest it belongs to another...umm...Super-hero."

 

More then likely....there are indeed alot of them, thought War-Bringer.

 

"Okay...good work, return to Black Hand Facility 9."

 

He then looked to the 30 men on deck.

 

"ALRIGHT! Get below!! We need to be submerged within 5 minutes!!"

 

5 minutes later, the outer shell of the ship exploded, revealing a sleek nuclear submarine. War-Bringer had escaped, and now, The Punishmentwas submerged, cruising out of Lake Ontario, prisoner in hand.

[Chevron 7 locke]

Shade watched calmly as the tanker exploded and a sub emerged.

 

Damn...

 

"Pilot. This is Shade. I need to you immediatly return and pick me up...They got away."

 

"Acknowledged. I'm on my return run now."

 

Shade used her glider wings to fly back up and landed directly in the open door of the plane.

 

"Engage Sonar. Begin tracking that sub. Don't lose it under any circumstances."

 

Her jet was equiped with the latest in tracking equipment. She wasn't going to lose the war-bringer.

 

"We have then miss. Shall I aquire targeting lock on them?"

 

"Yes. but hold your fire until my command."

 

You won't escape...

[CommanderQ]

War-Bringer stood in the center of the Conn, Captain Krahl standing next to him, and the Bridge crew hard at work.

 

A Black Hand Naval Officer handed a paper to Captain Krahl, who looked to War-Bringer.

 

"Sir...observations reports that we may be tracked. The Private Jet we spotted is following us. They may be using sonar buoys."

 

War-Bringer frowned, "This is a simple problem, sonar works with sound. We will give them none. I give you permission to activate the Catepillar. Begin Silent Drive."

 

Captain Krahl saluted and ordered the men to activate the drive.

 

The Catepillar was a nearly silent propulsion system. In other words, it would give sonar nothing to work with, no sound. Silent. They would be invisible.

 

War-Bringer had taken this technology from the Russians, rather, the late Soviet Union. Thet'd come up with it before the Americans could possibly comprehend it, and now, War-Bringer would use it to great effect.

 

He heard the propellors stop, and the ship became silent, but still, it speeded out of the Lake.

[Chevron 7 locke]

((That hostage of yours is mine CQ!))

 

"Miss, we've lost the tracking signal. They may be in silent running mode."

 

Hmmmmm...I don't have anything that can track them beside sonar technology...random fire should do the trick.

 

"Pilot. Fire directly into the water ahead of the sub's projected course. Standy by on the heavy weaponry until we get a sure hit on them. Prepare all light weapons for air to submersible combat mode. We need to force them to surfact all costs. If he is a terrorist, it's likely he has hostages and they are the first priority."

 

"Yes miss."

 

Shade watched calmly as light weaponry ripped through the ocean waters ahead of her and a few minutes later, she saw a small shot reflect off of something deep in the water.

 

"There it is. Open up on all heavy weaponry on my mark."

 

Shade watched until they were matched up with the sub and then smiled grimly to herself.

 

"Open up on them. All heavy weaponry immediatly. Try and get them to surface.

 

"Yes miss."

 

Shade smiled at her pilot as the remaining explosives began to fall in the vicinity of the war-bringer's sub.

 

If he would only surrender his hostages...then there would be no need for this sensless violence...

[CommanderQ]

War-Bringer could hear explosions going on above them, sending down shock-waves that were otherwise harmless at the depth they were at.

 

He began to chuckle, which then grew into laugh, and much of the crew joined in.

 

He recomposed himself, "They're desperate! They don't have anything else to do? HAHA! Then we have little to nothing to fear from these people!"

 

Captain Krahl nodded, and the crew's laughs had subsided, but a few still kept on.

 

War-Bringer smiled and looked to Krahl.

 

"Load net-launchers into the silos, have storm teams close behind those. Bring us to the surface and send a code to the plane that we wish to speak with them."

 

Krahl nodded and looked to the bridge crew.

 

"ALRIGHT! Get those nets into the missile silos! Storm Squads are to be placed behind them, ready for the right moment! Let's move!! Emergency surface NOW!!"

 

The Sub surfaced quickly, and used a morse code tower to send a message:

 

Hello.

 

We understand that you desire something. We are willing to speak and negotiate. Come alone, we will meet you on the deck of our sub. Come alone. If you don't, then the hostage dies. You have 10 minutes to comply and arrive on our deck.

 

War-Bringer.

 

 

That was the end of the message.

 

War-Bringer slung his machine gun over his shoulder and left the Conn. Climbing out onto the wet deck to meet this..super-hero for negotiations.

[Chevron 7 locke]

Shade watched calmly as the sub surfaced and the watched as the morse code message came through.

 

"It appears that we have forced them to surface. Knowing Terrorists, they will likely attempt to take down us down with a STA weapon of some sort. As soon as I am down, take the plane out of striking range. Watch me closely, If I am captured, target all remaining weaponry on the sub and take it out. What weapons do we have that can take it out?"

 

"Three sidewinders, two charges and four explosvie charges. If the charges hit the conn tower it should prevent them from diving. If we can hit a torpedo tube we can most likely set off a chain reaction that may heavily damage them, or possibly destroy them."

 

"Excellent. I'm going down."

 

Shade slung a pack of grenades over her back and smiled at the pilot.

 

"Be back soon."

 

Shade jumped out of the sub and spread her glider wings and flew down toward the sub, and the man waiting on the deck.

 

Shade landed on the deck with a grim smile under her mask.

 

"You must be War-Bringer."

[CommanderQ]

War-Bringer looked up as the Female Superhero, actually...a rather attractive superhero, came forward.

 

He squeezed and re-squeezed the holding strap of his STG-44.

 

"You must be War-Bringer."

 

He nodded, and said coldly, "None other."

 

War-Bringer used his mask's HUD to get a physical profile on the woman, seeing if Black Hand Databases could find her idenity. It would greatly compromise this hero, if not ruin her completely.

 

He cocked his head to the right and took a small step forward.

 

"And you are...."

[Chevron 7 locke]

Shade looked over the villian who called himself "War-Bringer."

 

Hmmmm...another Nazi follower. Irritating.

 

"My name is Shade. And I am here to retrieve the hostages. My goverment is willing to let you go with no harm inflicted on you if you turn over whatever hostages you are holding."

 

Shade gave him another look over.

 

"I suggest you agree to the terms, I have been authorized to destroy your submarine if you do not agree. I have only been using light weaponry so far...I would much rather not destroy you."

[CommanderQ]

"I suggest you agree to the terms, I have been authorized to destroy your submarine if you do not agree. I have only been using light weaponry so far...I would much rather not destroy you."

 

He chuckled, "So, you want the hostages? And then what? Why would you rather not destroy my ship? What keeps you from that, eh?"

 

He smiled under the gas mask.

 

"You should realize that once you have the hostages, what keeps you from keeping your word. You'd probably blow us out of the water once you got out."

[Chevron 7 locke]

"So, you want the hostages? And then what? Why would you rather not destroy my ship? What keeps you from that, eh?"

 

"I don't like killing people, like I said, I would much not rather kill you. My only concern is the hostages."

 

"You should realize that once you have the hostages, what keeps you from keeping your word. You'd probably blow us out of the water once you got out."

 

Shade narrowed her eyes under her mask.

 

I have my honor. I give you my word as a hero and the word of my goverment that you will be left unharmed. Our only concern is the hostages, the other heroes can deal with you if they catch you."

[CommanderQ]

War-Bringer chuckled, "Word of the Government, ha, since when has that been honorable?"

 

He smiled and looked up, just in time to see the 2 escort BH-9's fly overhead, straight for this 'Shade's' private jet.

 

"I take that back, you are in no position to negotiate."

 

The missile silos opened, and nets fired at Shade, quickly ensnaring her. Black Clad Storm Squads came right afterward, running up and pointing their machine guns, meaning to kill if necessary.

 

War-Bringer walked forward, "Now...you are either to call your jet off. Or we will blow it from the sky."

 

The 2 BH-9s were more then capable with their deadly arsenal and amazing speed and manueverability.

 

"What do you choose?"

[Chevron 7 locke]

"Now...you are either to call your jet off. Or we will blow it from the sky."

 

Shade looked up at the jet through the nets that entangled her and she smiled grimly.

 

"Pilot, this is Shade. Break off tracking the sub and return to Kyoto. As soon as you are back, inform the goverment of what has happend."

 

Shade watched as her jet broke off the pursuit of the sub and took off at high velocity.

 

"You know...I was willing to negotiate war-bringer. I truely was. My only concern was the hostages, and I would have gladly traded my life for theirs."

 

Shade stood up with the nets still surrounding her and she narrowed her eyes under her mask.

 

"Remember, you brought this on yourself.

 

Shade brought her hands around and posion gas began to spray from her wrists into the War-Bringer, and the troops surrounding her.

 

I hope this works...

 

Shade threw herself hard against the nets that entangled her and tumbled into the sea beside the sub.

 

Now to extend the blades...

 

Razor-sharp blades extended from her wrists and she began to cut through the netting with great efficency.

 

I should get out in time. I can hold my breath for up to two minutes.

[CommanderQ]

War-Bringer watched the poisonous gases rise, but they would not affect him or the other soldiers, they all wore gas-masks.

 

He looked at the Shade as she jumped off the side, but with the nets still attached.

 

"She's good...."

 

He walked by the side of the deck and chuckled, loading a tranqualizer round into the launcher beneath the machine-guns barrel.

 

"You really shouldn't attempt to stop us."

 

He raised the rifle and fired the tranqualizer into her back.

[Chevron 7 locke]

Shade was almost home free when she felt the dart punch her way through the kelver knitting on her costume

 

Damn...I was almost free.

 

Shade rectraced her blades and glared at him from under her mask.

 

"Tranquilizer?"

[CommanderQ]

"Yes, tranquilizer....and now, you've lost."

 

War-Bringer smiled and took a pair of cuffs from his pack. He activated his comm.

 

"Pilots....blow that jet out of the sky."

 

The Storm Squads began to pull in Shade by the uncut nets.

 

He looked to one of the soldiers.

 

"Place her in the holding cell with DeathBlade. We'll interrogate them soon."