Futuristic Imperium (a super power rp)(Open/Accepting)

[SnowStorm42]

'Imperium'
A semi-lit to lit, super power rp


The Lore​

In the year 2035, technology started to advance even quicker than it already had in the decades prior. The products of movies and television shows became reality; hover boards, giant touch holograms, smart homes, and all the other things you'd see in a Black Mirror episode. However with the boom in technology, there came consequences. In the year 2040 a virus had spread across the globe, but given past pandemics and mass spread diseases, scientists were ready this time, especially with the right technology on hand. The cure came with a price though, as certain "patient zeros" started to develop unique traits, or as the media called it "powers".

The few small cases eventually turned into a widespread phenomenon as people left and right were starting to discover new abilities or their children were being born with abilities. The area that was known as Ground Zero, Neo-City, became a popular spot given it was the birthplace of super powered humans. Not everyone was born on the same playing field though, and many began to also misuse their powers, encouraging the CEO's of the cure as well as the government to start hiring people with strong powers to help the police combat crime.

This worked well in the beginning. Corruption though led to the corporations and government to start ruling with unhealthy authority, with their super powered humans doing their dirty work, all the while, the company in charge of the cure, Imperium, started doing experiments under government orders to create even stronger humans. A leak to the press stimulated anger though, and as such a rebellion started to form.

Now a war is subtly breaking out in the heart of Neo-City, with the rebels (The Powered Against Government or PAG) and the corporations and government (with Imperium at the forefront) at odds. The rebels have numbers, however based on classification, their ranks only hold Tier 1- Tier 3 Supers, while Imperium has unique superhumans classified as Tier 5 and 6's.

While there have only been a few battles here and there, the city is tense with pressure building from each side. Its only a matter of time before one comes out on top

 

[SnowStorm42]

'The Goal in Mind'​

World building, interesting character interaction and development, fights, some cliché anime/superhero stuff. My goal with this rp is to just build a fun experience where many people can have many options (within fair bounds of course). Scientists, CEOs, Rebels, Superhumans, or just everyday joe shmoes will add to the story and I'm open to building an interesting world with many interesting characters

 

[SnowStorm42]

!!!!!! RULES !!!!!!​

1. No Godmodding

2. No auto-hitting

3. Romance is a given but keep it to a timeskip if it comes down to the hanky panky

4. No Mary or Gary Sues

5. If you won't be able to post, please communicate that. If a week or two goes by with no indication of absence your character will be removed. Life gets busy, so just inform me and whoever you may be interacting with of that.

6. Only two characters per person and none in the same Tier if it's above 4. On that note some characters will be super strong so make sure to give them equally big flaws. No one is invincible.

7. This is a semi-lit/ lazy-lit/ kinda-lit rp. I'm expecting at least 2 paragraphs with proper grammar so that people have something to work with, and if you want to write a bible go ahead, I'm all for creativity but also don't get excessive with FLUFF.

8. This is not a walk in so be sure to send your profile to me, and once approved you can post it in the character thread. Also character appearances have to be concept art/art/anime. No real life face grabs

9. Curse as much as you want and violence is a given but don't go over the top with it for the sake of it.

10. Drawing blanks, but will add more rules if necessary.

 

[SnowStorm42]

General Information About Supers

Supers:​

Supers are becoming more common, some with similar powers and others with entirely unique ones. Some develop powers naturally, while others activate or evolve them through trauma or growth. However all Supers are categorized into Tiers based on a number of factors, mostly with the time they've had their powers, their control over said powers, the evolution of their powers, and the magnitude of their powers, with higher Tiers being categorized by multitude of powers.

Tier 1 Supers: These supers usually have just gained knowledge of their powers, and have little to no control of their powers, or their powers are usually seen as too weak or underdeveloped (i.e. making a plant grow faster). Tier 1 supers are usually not recruited by the government and can have normal jobs, until their powers develop. The jump is usually a bit tougher from 1 to 2.

Tier 2 Supers: The most common Super, Tier 2 Supers have mild to good control of their powers but by government standards are usually non-threats to low level threats, however depending on the power they can be recruited to serve or aid police, corporations as bodyguards, or even some military applications. The jump from 2 to 3 is somewhat easier as the Super is most likely acclimating to their power and evolving it.

Tier 3 Supers: At this categorization, Supers have mastery of their power and have probably evolved it to a really mature point, as well as possibly experimented with branching. An example would be fire manipulation at Tier 1, becoming fire creation at Tier 2, becoming creating tangible fire tools and weapons at Tier 3. At this Tier the government flags individuals and keeps a closer eye as this Tier can be utilized for crime or for serving the government to a greater degree. Many Tier 3's are left alone, but still monitored relatively closely. Someone can also be classified a Tier 3 if their power is strong

Tier 4 Supers: A more rare degree of Supers. While uncommon there are a few of these, and alongside having matured powers, they usually ALREADY have durability, strength, or sense enhancement as well. The jump from Tier 3 to Tier 4 is entirely based on one's will to train, traumatic experience, experimentation, or sheer luck. At this point a power has been mastered and some sort of physical attribute is enhanced be it the senses, durability, agility, or strength. Although being gifted with more, there usually come stronger drawbacks with this Tier. Tier 4s are heavily sought by rebels, criminals, and the government alike.

Tier 5 Supers: To public knowledge, to Imperium, and the government's knowledge there are only FIVE active Tier 5s. These Tier 5s vary from government dogs, to neutral parties, to rebel commanders, however one factor is the same and it is their usefulness. Tier 5s have complete mastery of a power, and like Tier 4s they have some sort of physical boost, however they also develop a SECOND POWER. All the Tier 5s are given their classification because they have been documented to have a second power either developing or fully developed. However this has notably come with contingencies or severe drawbacks.

Tier 6 Supers: Unbeknownst to the public, and seemingly only a rumor amongst rebels and the internet, there are two Tier 6 Supers that were modified in Imperium Labs. Their allegiance, whereabouts, and power levels are unknown and it is also unconfirmed if they are even real, at least to the public. Conspiracy theorists on the web point to the fact that if something like a Tier 6 existed, it's allegiance could sway the subtle war between Imperium and the Rebels

 

[SnowStorm42]

Setting
Map Coming Soon​

Neo-City is probably one of the most advanced cities in the world. There are flying cars in some areas, self driving ones in other. Holograms litter every store and street corner, and there's no shortage of people. The police patrol frequently in the air and the sky, and have plenty of weapons for dealing with lower tier Supers. Of course there is crime as cash operates the whole city, where there is no shortage of places that exist. With every city though there of course comes evident classicism and it shows in Neo City...

Upper Neo-City, "The Riches"/"The Acres"
Cut off with bridges, and security, the Upper part of the city is filled with gated communities, rich towers, futuristic mansions, and a few cleanly places of business as well as Imperium Headquarters. There is grass, the noise of the city doesn't exist, and security is the tightest here. This is because only the rich can live in the upper part of the city, designed for the wealthiest of the wealthy, or the luckiest people.

Spoiler: Upper Neo-City

Spoiler: Upper Neo-City

Spoiler: Upper Neo-City

Middle Neo-City aka "The Heart", "Business District", "Neo Vegas", etc.
There are no shortage for names for the middle of Neo-City, however The Heart is a fitting nickname as everything that keeps Neo-City thriving exists here. From businesses like high end stock and law firms, to strip clubs and bars. From cart vendors to Michelin Star restaurants. The wealthiest can live and thrive here, and the lowest of poor or criminals can survive just as well. The most luxurious of penthouses to the most simple of apartments can be purchased here. The streets are always busy, with only the edges being a bit on the quiet side. Noise, lights, and a nonstop pace. To compare it to the likes of any of the other well known cities in the world would be tarnishing it's name. There are more streets than New York, more lights than in Tokyo or Vegas, and more fun than Amsterdam of Berlin. Everything goes in this city and opportunities exist around every corner.

Spoiler: Middle Neo-City

Spoiler: Neo-City

Spoiler: "The Heart" Neo-City Middle

Lower Neo-City, "The Slums"
Not everyone can make it in Neo-City. Some people born outside of it come to make a name for themselves, or fall in love after a vacation, and end up piss poor. Even those who were once the wealthiest in the Middle, pissed away their savings and ended up here somehow. One would think that such a stain on Neo-City's image would've been erased by the government and big businesses but underground and powerful criminal networks as well as the Rebels keep the Slums alive, or as alive as it could be. Dark, damp, smelly, dangerous. The Slums have few businesses and whatever businesses those are, they're usually shady, temporary, or not FDA approved. The most you'll find here are people surviving, be it in cluttered apartments, tents, or niches.

Spoiler: Lower Neo-City/ Slums

Spoiler: The Slums

Spoiler: Lower Neo-City

~More Locations to Come~​

 

[SnowStorm42]

Profile Skeleton and Important Roles

Username:
Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Allegiance: (optional)
Weapons: (optional)
Tier: (optional, between 1-6)
Powers:
Drawbacks:
Story/Bio:
Appearance: (anime/art only. No real face grabs)


-----------Important Roles------------

The Tier 5's
-Unassigned- -Unassigned- -Unassigned- -Unsassigned- -Unassigned-

The Tier 6
-Unassigned- -Unassigned-​

Director of Imperium
-Unassigned-

PAG (Rebel) Leader(s)
-Unassigned-​

 

[SnowStorm42]

~Reserved for future use~

 

[SnowStorm42]

~reserved for future use~

 

[SnowStorm42]

OPEN​

 

[SnowStorm42]

Nicole Draven

​

The sun peered over the horizon of Neo-City and as it made its way up into the sky its rays crept in through the windowed wall of a condo on the 34th floor of a skyscraper. The light slowly crept more and more until it reached a queen sized bed, and made it's way to the face of a young woman. 'Twitch, twitch'. Nicole's wolf ears reacted to the warmth, something that immediately woke her up and caused her to pull her comforter further over her head. She let out a sigh before rolling over and sitting up to meet the sun's light peering through the window. The warmth was something that she could never get used to and always brought her out of even the deepest of sleeps, or nightmares. Slowly she shifted her legs out from under the comforter and off the bed. The mostly naked woman reached over to her nightstand, grabbing her pack of cigarettes before standing up and stretching. She gazed into a mirror in the corner of the room, her eyes looking tired. Another stretch and she made her way to the bathroom for a shower to start the day.

The water came down at such a chilling temperature that for most people it would probably send them out of the shower, shivering and adjusting the temperature, but it was nice and refreshing to Nicole. Her frost wasn't constantly active but she had adapted to the cold so much that colder temperatures were normal for her. The warmth bothered her at this point, which in turn made her think back to the dream from the night before. Her childhood home burning. For some reason it was constant lately. It was years ago and the raven haired girl thought she had gotten over it and that it no longer mattered, but here it was again. She wondered if there was something deeper troubling her,

After she reflected on these thoughts and rinsed herself in the cold water, she dried off thoroughly and put on her leggings, threw on some shorts over them, put on a long sleeve black shirt, and then threw on her usual large white tundra jacket. Throwing on some white sneakers, and holstering her retractable blades within the jacket she made her way out of the apartment. As she made her way to elevator she pulled a cigarette from the pack she grabbed earlier, put one of the cancer sticks between her lips and lit it. She had a bounty that was due, and she did need to pay the rent. She stepped into the elevator and pushed for lobby. The elevator skyrocketed down to the street below. It was barely morning and she stepped out into Neo-City's "Heart" the streets were already full and busy. The noise caused Nicole's ear to twitch as they adjusted to the loud bustling streets. The Tier 4 started to make her way, occasionally getting glances for wearing as heavy clothing as she was in this weather. She was used to it, but for some reason today the glances bothered her.

Treading the streets until it got to slightly less busy ones, Nicole spotted a bar she frequented. It was early but at the same time she wasn't in a particularly good mood after the dreams she had been having lately. She decided she would pop in for a drink and some decent breakfast, before heading to the slums to finish her bounty. She was apparently looking for a Tier 3 criminal who stole money from Imperium and was hiding out while he got his ticket out of the city unnoticed. Despite Tier 3s not necessarily being weaker than Tier 4s Nicole was confident that she would cash an easy check on this one before getting to the next task. She also wondered if the criminal had any information she needed.

Thoughts jumbling over more thoughts, she stepped into the bar, Sonny's, to have a quick drink or two. Their bacon egg and cheese bagels weren't so bad either.

 

[Pacificus]

Axton Tambor

City Center. The best place to do just about anything. The worst place to hunt bounties. Throngs of people on their morning commute, hover cars flying overhead and security cams on every corner. The morning bustle of the business district didn't lend itself well to covert work. But it wasn't impossible. On the side of street, a parked hovercar sat idling with a man inside. An older gentleman with smooth features and slicked back hair. He sat with his arms crossed on the steering wheel, watching the street with an unlit cigarette in his fingers. The vehicles windows were misted over with morning dew, preventing anyone from seeing in, or out. That didn't bother the man inside. He wore dark shades with built-in infrared cameras. He could see plenty fine, the people walking on the sidewalk, the cars passing by and the dozen-or-so vendors that lined the street. He scanned around, looking for his quarry. He took a second and lifted his shades to look at a small datapad on this thigh. It displayed a picture of a man with rough features.

Before he could refocus on his search, the vehicles right-rear passenger door opened and a stranger sat inside. Before the man could object to the intruder, a knife was pressed against his jugular. The man froze immediately. As soon as the knife touched his skin, his face made slight twitching movements and he found he couldn't move as his muscles locked up. The intruder looked over the shoulder of the man he was holding at knifepoint to see the datapad.

"Oh, hey. That's me." He said, pointing at himself. The man squirmed. "Don't bother. I'm applying 120 volts to your body right now. No worries, I'm keeping the amps low so you're not going to die." He said as he reached over and scrolled down on the datapad. Beneath the picture was a name. "Axton Tambor"

"Man, that's a new photo. I wonder how they got it." Axton commented. He was nonchalant with his tone, but he was on serious business. The man in the driver seat didn't say anything.

"Who's paying you to kill me?" Axton asked.

"N-not kkkkilled. Capture." The man strained to speak with several volts of electricity flowing through him.

"That's an improvement. " Axton shrugged and hit the man with a quick jolt, causing him to flinch. "But that's not what I asked. Who's paying you?"

"A-a-non-y-mous. No cli-client info!" The man replied.

"Do better, or I paralyze you here and set the car on fire." Axton threatened.

"Money came from a corpo shell account called Axium. It's all I know." The mans heart was racing.

Axton's mood suddenly lightened. He jolted the man and then stopped applying any electrical current. The man slumped over in his seat, unconscious.

"That works." Axton said. He retreated the knife and concealed it. He took the cigarette from the mans hand.

He thought, "Axium. That's a new one. I guess the old shell stopped being useful." He glanced at the bounty hunter in the front seat. "If only they put as much dedication into finding good hunters as they did in creating fake paper trails. At least I know it's not Imperium that put out that bounty. They generally don't miss. So who's got me marked?"

These thoughts continued. Axton placed his hand on the cars cloth seat and shocked it, starting a fire that would soon engulf the vehicle. He got out of the car and crossed the street, putting distance between him and the car. He lit up the cigarette with a spark and walked away. He needed to get to work. Maybe the broker at Sonny's had a job for him?

 

[SnowStorm42]

Nicole Draven

​

Nicole walked into Sonny's. The bar was pretty quiet on days like today, especially in the morning. It tried to maintain some old world nostalgia to it but those types of places seldom stayed in business for long in Neo-City so the bar's exterior had to look more modern, however, the inside..

Opening the door and stepping in, her feet met hardwood floor and the air reeked of spilled booze and cigarettes. The walls were covered in pictures of clients, frames of the owners, families, and old adages like 'Come as a Stranger leave as a Friend' . The stools along the wooden bar were deserted with the exception of a sleeping drunk in a red hat and a flannel at the very end of the bar. A pool table occupied a bit of space in the far side with a jukebox not too far away. A small space for dancing or DJs sat opposite of the table, and along the backside of the bar there were several booths with two of them being occupied, one by a gentleman reading the news and having a waffle, and the other by what seemed like a couple.

Nicole made her way to her usual middle stool. Vincent, the owner's son, who usually bartended, walked over. "You're here early today. What'll you be having? The usual or..?"

"Gin. Neat" Nicole said, putting the remainder of her cigarette out in an ash tray.

"Out for a bounty today?" Vinny asked, placing the glass of clear liquor in front of her.Nicole wasn't one for small talk, let alone talking, but Vinny was alright, mainly because he kept the drinks coming.

"Some criminal Imperium wants. Headed to the Slums, hence the numbing of my senses" she replied, as she took a sip from the glass, her ears twitching involuntarily, as the burn made it's way down her throat and into her body.

"You should really start getting work from someone other than Imperium" Vinny hinted. As he said that, the door opened as another individual walked in. Nicole looked over to see a man who looked much older than herself walk in. She didn't get a good vibe from the guy, and her nose was picking up two smokey smells. One was cigarettes and the other...

Nicole took another swig before taking her cigarette pack out again and throwing another smoke between her lips and lighting it. Vinny took it as a sign that she was closing off and keeping to herself so with that he made his way to the newcomer. Nicole took a long pull before exhaling. The gin was already taking effect, enough to put her mind ina state of wandering.

 

[Pacificus]

Axton Tambor

Axton was not a regular at Sonny's by any means. His old broker in the slums decided to grow a conscious and ran off to join the rebellion, forcing Axton to find a new one. The new one was eccentric and liked to meet in different locations. It was a pain, but the jobs were generally better.

Axton entered the establishment and made his way over to the bar. It was quiet. Normal for bars in the morning, and much to Axton's liking. There were only a few people. None of them the broker. "Guess I'm early." He thought.

He took a seat at the bar, a few seats over from a girl with cat ears. He paid her no mind. When the bartender came over, he ordered a single whiskey on the rocks. It was early to be drinking, but there was a lot on his mind. Self-preservation mainly. Before he could take his first sip, his broker walked through the door. His name was Reginald, or just Reggie. He was a thin man, not particularly imposing. He wore fine clothes and had a well-groomed mustache. By far, his most defining feature was his gold-plated cybernetic arm. In another life, he was probably some kind of lord. He took a seat at the bar next to Axton. He ordered only a cup of tea.

"You're early this morning, ole boy. Feeling driven today, hm?" Reggie said in his Yorkshire accent.

Axton nodded. "You could say that. I need something quick for today. Milkrun-esque. You know what I mean?"

Reginald sipped his tea. "I do but, I have just woken up. Give me a second."

Reginald continued to nurse his tea. As he did, he brought up a holographic screen using his gold arm that he began to read from. It displayed a listing of jobs on some private network. Some had pictures, others were just descriptions. Each had a number beneath it.

"I'm afraid I haven't much in today. A few investigations, some private, ahem-" He made slit throat gesture. "-and a single PAG job in the slums. The usual noncery there."

"What does the PAG want?" Axton asked.

"It seems they're after a serial arsonist, one 'Yakub Ghast'. Tier 3 Pyrokinetic. PAG wants him dead. Apparently, he's been threatening their constituents. They're offering 12,000 for him. Hmm, not bad, not great." Reginald frowned.

Axton also frowned, "They got alot of nerve asking that little for someone to go after a pyrokinetic." He took a swig of his whiskey and said, "I'll take it."

Reginald promptly handed him a bounty tag. Axton looked at the data on it.

"Do be careful, chap. The slums are getting worse." Reginald said.

"Ya." Axton said and stood up, readying himself to head out. He downed the last of his whiskey.

 

[SnowStorm42]

Nicole Draven

​

Memories of her house flooded in as she recalled the dream from the night before, taking another swig of her gin, the burning reminding her of when she had finally gone back. The empty home, the gasoline, and then the match. She took another pull of her cigarette before exhaling with a slight sigh. Suddenly the bar door opened again. The newest patron was one that could catch anyone's attention, especially with the golden arm of his. The man sat next to the other one who had come in shortly before, and Nicole wasn't going to pry, but her ears didn't really have an off switch. One of her ears twitched as their voices entered her ear, as if she was sitting next to them, also in on the conversation. It was something Nicole wasn't fond of but in situations like this..

'...a serial arsonist, one 'Yakub Ghast'. Tier 3 Pyrokinetic....'. It appeared as though the older man with the whiskey was also a bounty hunter. From the sound of it he was being given the same contract as hers. The Tier 3 in question wasn't well liked it seemed, given that PAG wanted the man too, and Imperium was the one that gave her the job. If Nicole was to theorize, this bounty probably gave PAG a lot of trouble, and when he got a target on his back, and stole money from Imperium to have the finances to get out of the city unnoticed, which in turn added a second target to his back. Not smart.

Nicole on the other hand was. She wasn't planning to make friends, but a pyro super wasn't her best opponent. She had fought pyros before but a Tier 3 could give her more trouble. Assuming the man with the whiskey was a super she could potentially tail him and have him distract or fight the pyro and she could swoop in after, and ask for information. Although she was due to pay rent...so maybe claiming the bounty for herself was optimal, but she would deal with that bridge when she crossed it. For the time being the young woman would have to try to follow the man undetected and then play it by ear when the bounty hunter found the pyro.

"Thanks Vinny" Nicole said, leaving enough to cover the drink and a small tip. She moved from the bar and started making her way to the exit, but as she passed the bounty hunter she took a good whiff of his scent, and then proceeded out of the bar. She moved a little bit away from the bar, and pulled out her smart phone, fiddling with it until the other bounty hunter made his way out. Once he left she would tail him, trying to leave enough distance, and letting her nose keep track of him. The only problem was when they hit the slums, she would have to keep closer. The stench from that place always through her nose off.

 

[Pacificus]

Axton Tambor

"To the slums." Axton thought after downing his drink and heading for the door. "Without them, I wouldn't have a livelihood."

As soon as he was out the door, Axton took a look at the bounty tag. Bounty tags contained as much information about the subject as possible. For Yakub Gheist, it contained the most important detail of all: Whereabouts. It didn't matter how much you knew about a target if you couldn't find them. Usually, the majority of hours spent on a hunt, was simply finding them. The inclusion of a location narrowed Axton's total job down to a few hours. And it would seem PAG had enough informant eyes to passively track this guy. According to the tag, he was last seen staying in a dilapidated apartment building on the lower side.

Axton put on a pair of black shades. His own pair of cyber-lens that functioned much like a smartphone. Axton marked his targets location on a map. First, he was going to stop by his apartment. He was going to need some extra equipment.

-The Slums-

Axton drove slowly on the cracked and neglected pavement. The slums was a depressing sight. Trash lined streets. Most buildings were rundown. Beggars and the dregs of society languished on the street corners. Driving into the slums was like being teleported into another country. There was even a sign posted on the side of the road leading into this part of the city that read: "Roll up windows. Lock all doors. Drive carefully." Axton had his shotgun in the seat next to him, covered by a blanket. His car wasn't fancy, but the fact that it had all four wheels and wasn't sitting on cinderblocks still made it stand out slightly.

Some children were playing with a ball in the street ahead of him. They parted and allowed the car through. Once through, they went right back to playing in the street. Axton made a quick drive by of the hotel without stopping. He would park a few blocks away to keep from spooking his target.

After parking in a discreet alleyway, Axton took to the rooftops. he didn't have long. He gave himself and hour, maybe, before the locals found his car and started stripping it for parts. Axton climbed to the top of an apartment building. An act that was easy for him. The building right next to the hotel. The hotel was rundown, but serviceable. It was its own structure with a large parking lot out front. For his vantage point, Axton would see the door to every room on the building. A homeless encampment sat on the opposite side of the street. The hotel itself was 3 stories tall and shaped like an L. A holographic "Vacancy" sign flickered out front. there were some shady figures milling about near one of the doors, but Axton didn't see anything that resembled a security system. Not even any cameras.

He had brought his shotgun with him. Even with slugs, he wasn't going to be doing any sniping. He couldn't just start kicking down doors either. For now Axton had to wait and see if the pyromaniac, Gheist, shows himself.

 

[SnowStorm42]

Nicole Draven

​

Nicole continued to fiddle with her phone until her ear twitched, the sound of a door capturing her attention. The bounty hunter had made his way out and this was now time for Nicole's nose to take over. The bounty hunter had made his way into his car, meaning Nicole would have to be careful to keep up when he had distance and slowing up if his car was at a stop or a red. Keeping that in mind she tried her best to keep up without being spotted on foot, occasionally mixing in with crowds on the sidewalk to avoid detection. This went on until the car seemed to stop and the man went inside a building. It had to be a pit stop, Nicole thought, because their mutual target was in the Slums according to the bounty. So Nicole posted up and waited.

After a while, Nicole could smell his scent again and watched as the man had come out and gotten in his car again. She followed once more.


---The Slums---

The game of cat and mouse was getting on Nicole's nerves as she had to keep changing paces between a jog and a slow walk to keep up, but now the real challenge was ahead of her. They had reached the Slums. The area brought back a lot of memories for Nicole. She was raised here after all. How many muggings, or how much harassment had she endured here? How many crimes did she witness or keep quiet about, or actively stop? The Slums was a very different animal from Middle. Police were scared to go here and do their jobs and the ones brave enough to definitely had their work cut out for them. There were very few rules here.

Nicole did her best to stay close to the car, but it was hitting a point where she would get spotted tailing, so she had to back into an alleyway. Suddenly the man's scent was replaced with a stench. As she had feared, the Slums, with trash, shit, and debris, was making it difficult to keep up. She peekeed out the alley quick enough to see the car making a turn, and ran down the street. Suddenly a man in rags, with no shoes, but very muscular stepped in her way. "Where you going little m-" the man started, but Nicole immediately swept his legs and produced a frost aura around herself. using the moisture in the air from the humid air she created a small icicle in hand and went for the man's throat. He winced in fear and shock, but Nicole stopped herself. "I don't have time for this, but you better cut whatever shit you're up to" Nicole said. The scent of the bounty hunter was fading rapidly. Nicole quickly dispersed her aura and dropped the icicle which was quickly melting next to the man. She bolted after the direction of the scent cutting through alleys to keep up.

The encounter was no surprise, given how the Slums were a desperate and depraved place, but Nicole had no time to teach the thug a proper lesson. The scent faded. Nicole was left at a intersection trying to guess where the bounty hunter could have gone. 'Fuck it' Nicole thought, and started making her way down a certain stretch that she was a slightly familiar with from her youth. It had a series of sketchy motels, and shops that didn't sell the most legal things. If she was going to wager a guess that was her best bet.

Her time in the slums as a teen seemed to pay off, as she could suddenly see the bounty hunter's car. His actual scent was faint though. Looking at the rooftops she wondered if he was getting a vantage point. Nicole thought back to what she could hear back at the bar with her sensitive hearing. The man wanted Yakub dead. Normally she would swoop in afterwards but Imperium for some reason wanted the pyro Supe alive, so her conflict of interest told her she would have to get the target before the other bounty hunter.

There was no point in being covert now. Catching a whiff of smoke, or something closer to burning, Nicole looked at the hotel, which had some shady figures around it. If she was wrong this would pose a problem. It was life or death, paycheck, or having to scrape for rent. She made her way toward the hotel. Upon trying to go in a few of the shady figured hugged the entrance tighter.

"Where to?" one man chirped.

"Them are some nice ears you have. Fitting for a bitch" chimed another one

Nicole was fuming inside but she couldn't go dropping these bodies, and risk spooking the target with fighting outside. The bounty hunter, who might've had a vantage point, probably already scoped her so there was no point in playing cool for him though. Nicole let her frost aura off severely, enough that the men blocking her entrance felt it, and started getting the chills and shivers despite the humidity.

"You're gonna move the fuck aside, or get frozen to death" Nicole threatened.

"S-shit..don't b-b-be so c-cold" spoke the first man. He got a knife out

"She thinks she can take us cause she a Supe? I'm one too bitch!" the second, more revolting one said. His fingers became claw like appendages and he lunged at Nicole. However her skills weren't purely in her powers. She ducked to the side of the man, grabbing his wrist and bending his arm before grabbing his throat with her other hand. Being caught by her hands, the frost aura was now directly on him and amplified. She held him for a minute, before the man's shocked compatriots started to react.

"G...get..her" the first man commanded his two other friends, however as they got ready to attack they stopped. Nicole dropped the man with the claws, his throat a harsh red, and his arm that she had grabbed riddled with frostbite, rendering his arm useless, and also a gross blackish color.

"She froze Jeremy's arm off boss" one of the other guys yelled. Nicole produced icicles again and projected them toward the main guy. "Gah!" he gasped as an icicle hit his shoulder and the other scraped his cheek.

Nicole was peeved that they caused a scene. She took a step toward them, the two underlings backing off and the main guy focusing on his wound. "Keep coming at me and your face will look like your friends arm" Nicole threatened as she moved past him.

This was a problem. Even though these goons were small fry with weak powers, she hadn't wanted to use her powers for a number of reasons, and they went ahead and made a whole scene. She followed the burning scent up the stairs, while also keeping her ears prepped for the goons behind her in case they decided they hadn't had enough. As she made her way up though the smell of burning became more severe.

Nicole ran up the stairs now and followed the scent as it got stronger and stronger, until she got to a door that the scent was strongest behind. She touched the doorknob and waited, until it was cold enough that she shattered it with a squeeze. She kicked the door open only to see a giant hole in the wall of the room, flames spreading around it. "Son of a bitch.." Nicole muttered to herself before booking it down the stairs. Yakub was on the run.

 

[Pacificus]

Axton Tambor

Axton wasn't waiting long before a commotion started. Conflict was normal in the slums, but seeing it happen right outside the hotel was too close. It might disturb his prey. He could see a wolf-eared woman engaging with several of the thugs. It looked like she was trying to gain entry. At first, he was willing to write it off as a gang scuffle, but the wolf didn't fight like a slummer. Didn't look like one either. She was fluid with the use of her powers. Professional even. "A bounty hunter?"

Axton didn't have time to ponder. There was an explosion behind the building and smoke billowed into the air. An individual jumped down into an alleyway behind the hotel and began running. It had to be Gheist. The fight must have spooked him. "Shit!"
Axton rose from his kneeling position and started down the buildings fire-escape. As he did, he pulled up a street map on his lens.

From what he could tell, the hotels back alley was a U shape that wrapped around the building. Axton would have to hit the ground and sprint around to the front of the building to catch Yakub. He wasted no time. As soon as he hit the pavement he started running through puddles and trash that was strew across the alleyway. He came around the building, shotgun raised. He rounded the corner at the same time that Gheist did. Axton wasn't expecting it. The two collided unexpectedly.

Axton wasted no time, he fired from the hip, but Yakub was fast and close. With his palm, he swiped Axtons barrel to the side and buckshot was sent into the side of a wall, tearing out chunks of concrete. Yakub followed it up with a flaming fist to Axtons face, which Axton ducked. Axton hit back with an uppercut charged to his maximum voltage. His fist connected with Yakubs jaw. The brief contact wasn't enough to kill, but the arsonist was knocked backwards several feet from the jolt. Yakub recovered quickly with a charged fireball from a crouch position. Axton had to dive to the ground just to narrowly avoid it. The proximity of the heat was still enough singe him a little.

Yakub took the opportunity and broke into a sprint and began running away from Axton, towards the front the front of the building. Axton recovered and lined up another shot. "Slime." He sneered, about to pull the trigger and prevent his bounty from escaping.

 

[SnowStorm42]

Nicole Draven

​

Nicole was peeved with herself for allowing the pyro to get a head start. Looking around the room there wasn't any water source to use for a slide down the hole, however a bottle of water on the counter was enough for her if it came to it. She thus, was forced to run out the door she came from, grabbing the water from the counter, and making her way down the hallway and down the stairs she had just come up. She ran faster than before, knowing time was limited before the other bounty hunter would move if he hadn't already.

Booking it past the goons who had stopped her at the entrance, who were now focused on the adjacent alleyway. Was she too late? She moved toward the alley, ignoring any words from the goons she had dealt with before. She moved to the alley to see someone running toward her. It was Gheist. She looked past him to see the other bounty hunter, raising his gun. Whether a kill shot or a crippling shot, she wasn't willing to find out. Pushing Gheist to the ground to the left of her as he reached near her, she opened the water bottle she had grabbed and activated her aura. The water became solid ice as it came out and she rotated it into a shield like creation in the air in front of her, however the timing made the structure weak to the slug that heavily penetrated. If it wasn't for her reflexes Nicole would have a gaping hole, but she moved enough after the shield had formed to get her shoulder cut. The gash was deep. A bit more and she would've had a hole in her shoulder.

Taking the pain out of her mind for a moment, she focused back on Gheist who was already getting up to run. She poured the rest of the water bottles contents out and formed a long spear like icicle, before lobbing it at his leg. It penetrated his ankle enough to trip him up, but the son of a bitch was quick to rotate and lob a fireball at Nicole.
Her eyes widened, but she was able to jump to the side of it, the heat impacting her aura's effectiveness briefly. "Son of a bitch. It's me or death" she muttered for herself to hear.

Gheist was starting to get up, but the wound to his ankle made him stagger. Nicole got off the ground and started walking over. However too much time had passed. She moved toward Gheist, but ears perked to the alleyway, turning her attention there. The shield hadn't lasted long before it was merely a puddle on the ground. She was caught now between the bounty hunter in the alley and Gheist.

This was not how she saw this unfolding. Her instincts kicked in, ready to react.

 

[Pacificus]

Axton Tambor

Axton was perplexed as an ice shield materialized and absorbed his slug. He was prepared to cut down the shield with a quick burst, but seeing what was happening beyond it, he hesitated. "Accomplice or...?" Axton had had plenty of bounties interfered with before. It was hardly an annoyance at this point. Usually the mere application of force was enough to deter anyone from getting his way. Negotiation was not ideal, but it might be necessary here. This wolf was deadly. He had seen how she handled the hotel thugs. But he didn't understand her angle. First she saved the targets life, then stabbed him with an ice spear.

Axton approached at a walking pace with his shotgun lowered. Gheist was between him and the ice super. He stopped a few paces from Gheist, who was bleeding from his leg wound. With lightning speed, Axton drew a throwing knife and threw it into Gheist's other, unwounded, leg; eliciting a scream. Then, he dialed up the intimidation factor.

Axton was taller than the girl, having to look down at her, even with a dozen feet between them. He passively generated a high-voltage electrical field around him. A few sparks of electricity arced off of him. "Mine." He growled, pointing down at his bounty.

 

[SnowStorm42]

Nicole Draven

​

Out of the alleyway came the bounty hunter she had spent the morning following. To her surprise, the bounty hunter incapacitated Gheist for good, having gotten his other leg. No shot that the pyro was running from the two of them now. This meant she would only have to watch out for any fireballs, and could focus on the bounty hunter. From the looks of it though, the hunter wasn't going to let up, as he began to come a bit closer. Nicole wasn't going to be intimidated so easily, when some sparks emitted from the man that, had it been anything else, she would be unfazed, however, her mind raced back to that fateful day in her past where her parents perished.

She was young, and this man definitely seemed older than her, but she couldn't know for sure if this was the same man. Undeterred by the intimidation, but battling to keep her cool, Nicole removed one of the retractable blades from her jacket, extending the blade out. "My contract requires me to bring him back alive..and I could use the money but... Nicole started, hiding the festering feelings and maintaining a calm voice, her gaze however looking a bit more fiery, despite her cold aura, now also surrounding her body just in case. Ice conducted electricity, but not to the same level of water, however she was still at a disadvantage.

Her mind raced, trying to keep her cool. If she outright asked what were the odds the bounty hunter would be honest that he was the one that murdered her family. The odds were uncanny, with the amount of similar Supe abilities, but...

"But I'm willing to maybe work something out" she finished.

She decided she would have to maybe fish out the information, and keep her feelings on the backburner. "Do they need the body, or just proof of his death?" she asked. Gheist began yelling, protesting to not talk so casually about his life in front of him, but Nicole's sensitive ears paid no attention to the target's complaints . She was too focused on the bounty hunter, his sparks making her heart drop, and skip. She examined the man, taking in each feature hoping it would jog her memory and give her confirmation, but she was drawing blanks. With the technology of Neo-City it also wasn't hard to believe augmentation could've changed the man's appearance. It irritated her to know end that she couldn't confirm but she couldn't just go killing every electric user she came across.