Issue #2 INFERNO

Second session of the new Champions campaign has completed and as appropriate there are more questions than answers. The fight with Icicle was cut short by Moscow West going up in a fireball. Seeing this neighborhood go up in flames stopped Icicle short. She had a horrified look on her face calling out “No, no, no” and jetted out on her ice wave through the second-floor lobby window and raced into the night.

Wolf and Knockout catch their breadth and give each other the “WTF” look and agree to go to the fire. It looks real bad. People are going to need help. People are going to need some heroes! They stash the serum sample in Knockouts Honda Accord and double up on Wolf’s Harley.

Three blocks away from the blaze Capitol City Police have begun blocking off streets. The two are told to turn it around and clear the area. Wolf goes west some blocks and pulls over in an empty side street.

“We got to get in there an help save people.” Says Knockout. “We are both paramedics, they need us.” What wolf says is overcome by the peeling horns of first-responders parading past on a nearby cross street. Their conversation is cut short when someone comes out of the man-hole cover in the middle of the street. He is wearing tough looking work wear, a onesie with reinforced elbows and knees. All red. He tosses a tank out in front of him. A large “wand” is attached to the tank by a length of hose. It isn’t till the guy throws his “tank” gear over his shoulder does he notice the two heroes standing nearby on the sidewalk.

“Hey, Patsy, there is a couple of people up here.” From down below someone shouts back up,

“Just get to the car!” the unseen person is heard to say. The guy in the red onesie ignores being addressed by the heroes, pops the trunk on a nearby Ford Mustang and throws his gear in. The smell of smoke and gasoline emanates from him. The black streaks of soot clinch it for the heroes, this guy probably has something to do with this catastrophic fire! Before they can interfere with the suspected arsonist his partner halls himself up onto the street. He is a big guy. Urban fatigues, thick boots. His trench coat covers up his red shirt with some unidentifiable logo. He is wearing a mask, a red and black mask. Just like his partner at the car, his identity is obscured by the mask he wears.

“You got any problems bub?” He asks.

“Yeah we can’t help notice you guys are packing a flame-thrower and there happens to be a raging block fire happening just behind you. Just have to ask you if you know anything about the fire, sure looks like you two started it.”

“Ah, a couple of smart guys. Just get back on your bike there kids and get out of here before you end up in the hospital, kapeesh?”

“Not until you explain yourself.” Answers Knockout.

“I gave you a chance bub, now the White Patriot is going to send you away – in pieces!” and the battle was joined. Knockout and the heavy traded superhuman blows with Knockout getting the worst of it. Wolf foiled Mr. Red Onesie getting away in the car with a blast of his physical, alien attack powers. This blew all 4 wheels of the Mustang into rubber shreds.

“Fuck!” he yelled and got out of the car to confirm the damage.

Knockout took another punch from White Patriot which launched her and left her stunned on the pavement. Wolf gunned his motorcycle and sped towards the fallen Knockout.

“I have to get us out of here before we get killed.” Wolf thought. Knockout got to her feet, but before Wolf could reach his friend White Patriot leaped down the street, blocking Wolf.

“I need that bike bub. You blew the wheels of my ride so I’m taking yours!”

Wolf attempted a controlled skid into White Patriot. White Patriot grabbed the Harley and flung Wolf off of it and into the wall. Wolf felt that one.

Knockout, recovered from her is pummeling, launches herself at White Patriot and sends him off the bike. The guy in the red onesie, now strapped with his blowtorch, gives Knockout a fearsome blast which roasts her clothes and is almost overcome by the explosive1 heat.

“I said get out of here!” White Patriot yells. The guy holding the blowtorch looks disappointed, but nevertheless throws his gear back in the open trunk and pops a flare. He gets ten yards down a side street when the Mustang blows.

This is when Icicle reappears. She is surprised to run into Wolf and Knockout, but she pounces on the opportunity and starts going through Wolf’s pockets.

“Where is it you shit?” she addresses the incoherent Wolf. “Where did you put it?” She looks over towards White Patriot, “Don’t break this guy, he’s carrying something fragile I want.”

White Patriot gives a snort, “See you round sweetie!” and races on Wolf’s Harley after his fire-storm buddy.

Knockout gives up his fight to aid Wolf against Icicle. Not finding the serum sample on him she gives up in frustration and skates away before she must tangle with Knockout. “This isn’t over, I need that sample, and I’m going to get it.” She says to Knockout as she disappears. All that can be heard is the pealing on sirens and horns as more first-responders close in on the burning neighborhood.

Our heroes resign themselves to aiding the injured for the rest of the night. With their paramedic skills they easily mix in with the other medical workers on site. Volunteers in these situations are always welcome. Come dawn Wolf and Knockout grab an ambulance ride back up to Capitol City University Medical Center. They are exhausted and nodding off. Wolf’s cell breaks him out of his dozing, it’s his mother, Dr. Nancy McKeever.

“Jim your father left with two men last night from the reception. He said it was nothing and he would be back soon. He said they were federal agents and they just had some questions on what happened last night. Especially with the break into the lab. But he hasn’t returned. Its morning and I still haven’t seen or heard from him.”

“I’m sure he’s alright Mom. He’ll call you when he can. I’ll be home soon. If you don’t hear from him by the time I get home we’ll call the police. Okay? Bye.” Wolf looks over to Knockout, “My dad’s missing.”

“What are you going to do? What happened to him?”

Wolf relays what his mom told him. “So I’ve managed to lose my bike and my foster dad in the same night.”

“If we are going to find him we are going to have to put some pieces together. You think this has anything to do with the serum sample we have?”

“Gotta be. But where do we start?”

“We need some sleep before we sort this out.” Knockout concludes.

“Call me in a couple of hours, we should probably start by searching the lab for any clues to who or what is going on.”

“Shit.” Breaths Knockout.

“Who is it?” Wolf can see Knockout looking at his ringing phone. “Ahh, it’s a federal agent. FBEE. Tell you about it later, but I am not talking to him right now. See you in a couple of hours”