Uncle Sam: AEGIS Trial One: Black City

[GleefulNihilism]

Oh, I like that. Very "painted-by-Alex-Ross" feel to it.

[Moridain]

Hmm. Okay then. I guess I will run this again.

Gimme a sec and I will post up the continuation in a minute.

[Moridain]

"Uncle Sam! Uncle Sam! Does this mean you will be taking a more active role again?" "Uncle Sam! Do you care to comment on the alligations that all you really stand for is White Republican America and are actually a pledged member of both the Skulls and KKK?""Uncle Sam! Sources state that it is the controversial Entrepenure Steve Hendricks the Third who sponsored your links into AEGIS! Will you comment about your connections to the man said to fund terrorism and Bio weapons development!"

The press, as usual, are relentless after you give your speech, each hoping for some controversy to turn the flame of interest your rebirth has already created and turn it into a firestorm.

A helicopter flies over at this point though, briefly making itself louder than talk, and lands just behind your podium. You can see a heavy set man with a very unstylish goatee in an expensive suit inside. He gives you a jolly wave as he lands, opening the door and patting the seat beside him.

One of the AEGIS personelle who set up this conference moves closer "Thats Steve Hendricks the Third, Sir, with your ride out of here!" He yells over the blades.

You have time for a few more words, but then you get the impression you should be going.

The World Since this is a more realistic world, here is how it worked: This world, and the real one, are pretty much the same. The main difference is that every major event that happened in the real world has had metahuman involvement, either publically or privately, along with the usual normal people. For example: The Manhatten Project was a bomb, but the main scientist was actually a metahuman, and the site was briefly attacked just before it happened to stop the 'atrocity before it begins'. It still went ahead though. 9/11 still happened, but in this world each of the terrorist teams were lead by a multiplier named 'suicide man', and accompanied by one of 'The Flying Jihad'. Basically every battle and controversy turned out pretty much the same though, they just occured in a bit more dramatic a way. Superhumans, as a rule, live their lives secretly and only come out for the big things. Metahumans who 'go public' tend to be proved to be frauds, become television celebrities with no real political powers, or are killed off by enemies and then forgotten.

[GleefulNihilism]

Uncle Sam sees that his ride is present, some of the questions seeming to be just plain appalling. Still, while his reaction is a desire to sit down with them and talk more it seems like it will have to wait.

"Looks like we'll have to all sit down for a chat later. Let me say for now that the cynicism and the sensationalism- can't say it surprises me. I can't even say I blame any of you for being cynical- you've spent your lives being told what the Dream represents, and seeing through the ugly picture that has been painted in it's name. Worse, seeing people rewarded for going against what the Dream should really mean.

Let me tell the People that Ideals Matter, that Principles Matter, and that I believe that there's inherent worth in All people- and that we as a nation step forward best when we step forward Together as one.

Not sure how long I'll be back, but I'll work as hard as I can while I'm here. Thank you, and good night."

[Moridain]

The questions don't end as you move away from the Podium. An AEGIS agent takes your place, ready to take questions on behalf of AEGIS. knowing they wont get much out of him, and what little they get will be bland and meaningless, many of them leave. You don't get to hear what he says, but guess he won't say much. In fact you would be surprised if he knows anything much at all.

You are shuffled into the Helicopter, which takes off immediatly. The portly man opposite you shakes your hand enthusiastically as you jump in, but waits till the doors are closed before speaking. Unlike other helicopters you have been in, when the door closes on this one it is instantly silent and peaceful. In fact gentle operatic music is playing from a hidden speaker.

"The silence? Yes. Perks of financial affluence."

"Anyway, my name is Steve Hendricks the Third. I would like to give you unconditional control over around one trillion dollars in assets, and eventually total control over the intercontinental meta and parahuman agency codename AEGIS." He says with a half blank face. You can tell he is grinning behind his heavy moustache though.

"If you don't object, of course..."

Steve Hendricks the Third... You have heard of him. Most recently from the reporters outside...

[GleefulNihilism]

Uncle Sam is shocked, needless to say, at the possible generosity of this man. But- there's a difference between a dreamer and a fool.

"Well sir, nothing quite like being upfront position in dealing. As an idealist I'm thrilled- but in my experience there is no such thing as 'unconditional'. Unless you're talking about someone's religious beliefs- which is no business of mine.

So, not to look a gift horse in the mouth, what brings on this show of generosity?"

[Moridain]

"It is nothing new, though the press might doubt it." He says wryly.

"I am a very wealthy man, some say the most wealthy man on the planet. My early years were... dark in ways, and I am no longer a young man... I have been trying for the last decade to find causes worthy of my wealth. However I appear to be cursed... Every endevor I have ever backed has turned out to be nefarious in some way..."

He lifts a finger "First I attempted Environmentalist group Plant In the Future. They did great work in reintroducing plants into cities, and fighting against deforestation. They used my money for research into a plant I was told was going to be used to provide foot in deserts, a high yield wheat product capable of growing in sand and stone. It turns out that they had a hidden agenda though... the plant would grow in sand and stone, but what it truly enjoyed was Cement, Mortar and Brick and would grow at around an inch a second. They intended to release the plant in major cities around the world, allowing it to spread and destroy the cities from within!"

"They were stopped in time, fortunatly, but I was fingered as the scapegoat, the financer and 'evil mastermind' behind the group. I honestly knew nothing about it though, and so legally I am fine, but the 'bioterrorist' label has stuck to me ever since..."

"Next I went Right Wing, and funded an education programme operating through harvard and stanford. They funded the schools to get better equipment and granted scholarships to bright young minds! How was I to know that they were only hiring White people, and were brain washing their members into a new Skull organisation..."

"Time and again I have attempted to do good, but always those who seem good on the outside are corrupt... And so this time, when I heard you had reappeared, and I tested out some of your cells to be sure it really was you... Well its a miracle. Here is a man, a good man, with a long record of honest to god good deeds and incorruptability, but no backing in this modern world."

He pauses, sighing and sitting back in his chair. "I am not like you, Uncle Sam. I am mortal. I also have Cancer. Inoperable unfortunatly, through mundane or even magical means. Trust me, if a healer exists I have tried them. I want to make sure that my wealth and power go in the right places rather than being chopped up and handed to the inbred sons of Americas underground aristocrasy..."

"And so, with very few conditions, I really do intend to give you what I said. Once burned, twice shy though... I want to give you a few test cases. Difficult ethical issues that AEGIS have to deal with constantly. If you can deal with them in Ethical, even mortal ways then... What I have is yours."

[GleefulNihilism]

Uncle Sam listens to the story and it seems somehow tragic with bits of darkly humorous and hard to swallow. The common string of all those things was him after all. Uncle Sam was an idealist, hopefully not a fool.

"You're not the first one to think that it's some sort of power I have." he smiles, "Truth is, nations are made of ideas and ideas come from people. I got some damn fine ideas behind me and in me, but people made them. I have to work for it just like everyone else. Tell you another secret though. Make the world better, and it thanks you. Save it even just once, and it thanks you every second of every day.

Alright, I think I can do a lot of good with such an organization behind me. You want a chance to make good with me, I can give it too you. If I find out you're taking advantage of that trust we're going to have a bit of a row, but it shouldn't come to that.

What kind of conditions do you have in mind?"

[Moridain]

"Oh, nothing worrying.." he says with a limply waved hand "I just don't want to end up funding terrorism again. Basically you will gain access to a portion of my funds, say a billion or so, and a senior position in AEGIS rather than the top job. You will do a few jobs for me, jobs that I find... awkward and ethically challenging. If you complete them in an Ethical and timely manner then I will give you full control and teh rest of the funds. Simple yes?"

"The only other condition is that I have the right to take back the funds and kick you out of AEGIS at any time before the day of my death. To do so I will need to explain to a panel of impartial AEGIS agents and lawyers why I would do it though, so don't worry too much about that. Again, its just a clause to stop you doing something silly like trying to take over the world."

He blinks "Oh. Yeah. That is also a condition. No taking over the world. You are to assist when your services are requested or legally through proper channels. I do not want to fund some kind of super Vigilante. Of course being in charge of AEGIS will give you pretty much complete freedom from everything but presidential orders, and UN sanctioned Diplomanatic Immunity to boot. But by the time you get these things you will have already proved yourself worthy of them. In truth you already have in times past, but best to give them some more recent examples first."

"Are these terms acceptable?"

[GleefulNihilism]

Uncle Sam manages to hold in laughter at the suggestion of him taking over the world. And by "manages" it means just barely- and even then it takes raising his hand.

"Sorry, I was picturing myself on one of those silly looking thrones like in the pulps. You don't have to worry about me taking over the world, I don't want it. Closest I want is winning the argument, and seeing the Dream at work for everyone. Sounds like you've given this some thought. It seems worth a try."

[Moridain]

The man beams happily at this, enjoying the idea that you think his ideas well thought out. Men born with entire collections of silver spoons in their mouths tend to be less intellectual than they could be after all, and though eagre he is far from bright. Canny perhaps, but you would never call him intelligent.

"Excelent! Well then, I just happen to have your first mission on hand!"

He draws out a file with a few pieces of paper in it, and a small baggy. Opening the baggy, "Anyway, this is your temporary AEGIS badge. Its a Platinum Badge, meaning that pretty much everyone short of myself and perhaps a half dozen others will be beneath your rank. Feel free to pull rank as much as you like, but some may ignore your orders if they are already under orders from one of us."

"Now the mission..." He opens the folder. "Lets see..."
[fieldset=Mission Briefing]

mission Title Black City

Projected Mission Difficulty Currently Code 4, could escalate into a Code 8 if handled incorrectly. (Code 1: Purse Snatching ~ Code 10: Universe Destroying Event)

Agent Assigned Provisional Agent Uncle Sam under supervision of Steve Hendricks the Third, Platinum Agent of AEGIS

Mission Summary John Smith AKA the You have worked with him before, several times. He is a crazy radical but occationally your interests aligned.Spirit of Slavery has Retired, shifting into the town of Gary, Indiana. At first all seemed mostly peaceful. Recently it has been discovered that he has militiarised the city, forming a militia, and has been evicting non African Americans from the city using legal and social means. One hundred of those evicted from Gary have since banded together and are seeking the right to return to the town. Aggrivating the situation is that as of two weeks ago the city has ceased to allow outside police or government personel access.

Legal Standing Current crimes 'Interfering with a Police Investigation' and possibly Treason. John Smith has been careful to do nothing overtly illegal however.

Dossier John Smith Powers Rating: Unconfirmed. Officially rated a 5, but has previously expressed Rank 7 powers. Confirmed: Low level Superstrength and Inpenetrability. High level Regeneration. 'Evil Eye' ability, allowing him to see peoples darkest secrets, and can be used to execute the truly evil by forcing them to relive the pain they have caused. Has shown other powers, but they seem to change on a case by case basis. Power Source: Believed to be a Century Baby, created when African Slaves first arrived in Americas. Due to the near obliteration of racial tention is believed to be 'dying'. Power is believed to be formed from the very racial tension he fought against. Real Name Believed to have no secret identity. Previous Incidents More incidents than can be held in this file, beginning CIRCA 1700. Became less active with time, perhaps appearing two times per year, always to assist african americans against European aggressors, especially when in Slave/Master roles.

More to come...

[GleefulNihilism]

Uncle Sam reads over the files carefully, considering what he's reading filtered with his memories of the man. It was sad, really- this didn't seem like the kind of thing that would end well. Not unless someone stepped in.

Still, he'd like to know what "legal and social" means meant. They sounded non-violent but beyond that he wasn't sure he liked it.

"What do you mean 'legal and social means'?"

[Moridain]

"Hmm, it explains it more in the file, but basically... Well, he has been around for four hundred years or so now and is more than a little wealthy. He started off by simply making things unpleasant for non african americans, speaking against them and funding Black Only events. He then went a step further and got those in his group, most of the city by this point, to fire and evict any non-blacks. Those that wouldn't, or couldn't for legal reasons he bought out and did it himself. Those so evicted were then refused further housing in the city, and could find no work. Eventually most of them were simply forced to leave."

"Many of these are the ones who have gathered together and asked for assistance. Some of them have lived there all their lives, been there for generations."

"Anyway, the info is in the file..."

ooc Updating it now

[GleefulNihilism]

"Non-violent." Uncle Sam responds, his hopes confirmed. Alright- so John was a radical but he wasn't insane. There was still a chance to solve this without bloodshed.

"Alright, I'd like to try just talking to him first. Spirit to Spirit. Could I be dropped off outside the city? I can walk the rest."

[Moridain]

Aggrivating the situation is that as of two weeks ago the city has ceased to allow outside police or government personel access.

He blinks at that, then sighs "If you want to give it a shot, be my guest. But there is some more info you might want first."

"You see, it started out with just John Smith, but the idea of a Black only city isn't an... unpopular one. Several other Black superheroes, and even a villain or two, have moved into the city. Now the villains he has no truck with, but all but one of the supers have joined his little militia. If this goes to a fight it will be... bad. Meta human on meta human and honestly, there is no guarantee we will win. We don't have any powers on the payroll, you see. Instead whenever situations come up we pull some files and hire them on as outside contractors. Making this more complicated is that as outside contractors they could turn up and actually take his side." he shakes his head. "I have been pushing for a Metahuman team backed by AEGIS but so far the president wants none of it. Aparently the public find teh idea disturbing, like it is the first step of Metas taking over, creating some kind of Caste system with themselves at the top."