Scene 3: NGCPD Super Containment Div.

El Toro's been standing silently off to the side this whole time. He's dressed very casually, no mask, sweat pants and a hoodie, just sort of a normal person costume. He's going to try a different approach. "An offer?" Why would we offer you anything? You're just a chump, a little distraction. I mean, the guy's an idiot, almost guaranteed to get arrested. They're not going to tell him anything useful. I'm not sure why we're even talking to this guy."

(I'm trying to goad him into reveling something. By letting him know I think he's a know-nothing useless minion, perhaps he'll try to prove he's at least somewhat important to his organization.)

"Be that as it may, Mr. Rodriguez, we need to hear what considerations you are willing to offer my clients before we can proceed." Moon replies coldly.

I know the score here heroes. I'm not the big fish and that's how I like it. Braincase and the boss think they are pulling one over on me, but I'm smart enough to cover my ass."

The lawyer's mouth tightens and she lets her eyes drift toward her client for a second then she looks back at Captain Jones.

Echo cringes internally at the mess they were making, especially in front of Annette, the biggest danger in the room. "I am not sure what we have the power to offer, Mr. Oliver. Maybe we can start with what you request for any information you can give us. I cannot guarantee anything. But we can start our negotiations there."
Echo's mind was turning over, returning to her time in college. The Criminal Justice classes she took may help in this situation. Her best bet was to increase Mr. Oliver's willingness to cooperate, perhaps inform him of the consequences of hindering their investigation. The biggest problem was the lawyer. She has a greater knowledge of these situations than Echo's couple of semesters of basic Criminal Justice. Her second was dealing with wild card tactics that could land them in trouble with the lawyer, or, more importantly, lose the trust of the police.

"Heh, well, at this point the DA is only giving out a pittance. Give up your employer and all the details there in, and you get sent to Old Upstate with the other unpowered prisoners. Your tech based, you wouldn't get any respect in Super Jail anyway, so that's the best we got for you."

Echo smiles, "Thanks, Captain."
She turns her eyes back to them. "Mr. Fuller can be offered the same as well, if he has anything to share. But that is where we stand. You will be going to prison. That is, unfortunately, the cost of crime."
She gives a small shrug, "But we can see to it that you have a better experience than others. Perhaps offer some reform programs and a shorter sentence for good behavior. Again, I can't promise anything other than what Captain Jone has said, but your cooperation can open the doors for further reward."

Diego grins at Fastball like the trapped rat that he is. "Oh. I do have one question actually." Pausing for dramatic effect.

"Braincase, would you say they are the forgiving type? I want you to think about that because what I'm going to do is when we track them down, I might mention that it was you who told us that you were working for Braincase, and that Braincase is in turn working for someone even higher up."

Leaning on the desk slightly he says, "Now what do you suppose Braincase will do to the little unpowered underling ... defenseless ... in a jail ... surrounded by people actually loyal to their bosses ... who didn't just stupidly give up their names to the cops..."

Being the generous man that I am, I too am willing to cut a deal. I don't tell Braincase you sold him out, you tell us everything you know. Deal?

Echo's blood freezes in her veins. She looks at El Toro, her eyes nearly bulging as she tries to reason out just what the hell he thinks he's doing. Before anything else can happen, Echo looks to Annette and politely says, "Could you excuse us for a moment?"
before gently but firmly forcing El Toro and Vitrius out of the room with her.
Once the door shuts behind them (with or without the Captain), her demeanor turns. "What was that?!" she yells quietly at El Toro through her teeth.

Diego looks at Echo in confusion. "Um interrogating? Just, you know, laying it out that cooperating with us is going to be better for him than not cooperating. A bit of carrot and stick? Good cop, bad cop? Why? What do you think I'm doing?"

"There is a time and a place for Good Cop and Bad Cop, but not when their lawyer is standing right there in the corner. Do you have any idea how badly she could wreck your image after you basically just threatened a person's life? Villain or not, he is in custody, and we're supposed to be the good guys!" Echo explains in exasperation.

Vitrius cocks his head at Echo, a little ticked at being muscled out of the room. A decade of abusing telekinetic powers didn't leave him much room to resist the super strong girl

"You're right of course, but you shouldn't have pulled us out. Makes us look uncoordinated. Now it'll be hard to get them to answer anything. El Toro can handle his own PR"

He listens at the window to hear how screwed they are

"He can handle his own PR when it doesn't affect mine. If I hadn't pulled you out, she could try to sue me for allowing him to make threats." Echo huffs. "And news flash, we are uncoordinated."

Diego shakes his head, "I did not threaten him. If the people he chooses to associate with decide to harm him, that's entirely on them. I was simply laying out the consequences that his associations with dangerous people would bring to him. Play stupid games, win stupid prizes." He sighs and shakes his head, "Vitrius is right though, it's unlikely he'll say anything now. But look, PR is a fickle thing. If you let your fear of looking bad control you, maybe you won't be able to do the right thing when it counts. Sometimes the right thing to do, isn't the thing that looks best on TV." He angrily pushes his way past her and back into the interrogation room.

Echo clenches her fists in frustration, wondering how El Toro could possibly get that mask on with how big his head was. 'Okay, okay, calm down.' she tells herself. She does her best to compose herself, but not before shooting both El Toro and Vitrius a withering look. She'll enter the room last. "Let's just get this over with," she mutters.

When the heroes return to the interrogation room Fastball sits sullenly staring at his hands. Moon is making some notes on a pad of paper and Capt. Jones sits cross legged and hands clasped, with a relaxed expression.

"Alrighty then, shall we get back to it? I believe the offer on the table was to send you to Gen Pop at the non-super prison where you will, potentially, have an easier time getting by. In order to secure that generous concession, we need some actionable information."

"My clients are willing to provide that information, and testify in court should it be required, that they were not the masterminds of this operation and that they were only the smallest part of the criminal conspiracy. The statues dictate a maximum of five years for this crime. My clients have additional details to offer if further if we can get a guaranteed sentence recommendation of one year apiece."

What she's saying is I can give ya a way to track Braincase. A slippery devil that one. But I know something no one else does. Me and Blitzy get what we want, I can make your job easier.

Jones looks to the heroes with a raised eyebrow. He seems to be asking if you think you want the extra info.

Echo wonders if she should stand aside for this decision, but she refuses to let this opportunity be ruined by El Toro and Vitrius. 'Unlikely to talk, indeed.' she thinks smugly. "We would be interested in any information you can provide, Mr. Oliver. I do not have the power to make any guarantees, but Captain Jones and I will be sure to speak with the DA about how cooperative you've been. I think we would likely be able to get the two of you a one year sentence, perhaps with a probationary period after your release, provided you behave while on the inside."

Vitrius nods appreciatively, though he's suspecting that the only reason this was going well was that the villain and his lawyer had decided to cooperate before they went into the meeting. And of course El Toro would take credit for the sudden reversal. What a mess

El Toro, leans against the back wall and says nothing. If the carrots are working, no need to bring the stick out again after all.

"Okay then, tell us what you've got."

Fastball starts by giving you an address for a warehouse in a seedier part of town named Warren Parks originally, or just The Warrens now. It is home to a number of gangs and low income housing projects, but is mostly designated as an industrial area. The idea that a crook would set up shop here is no real surprise.

Then he starts in on Braincase. "So, first off, I'll tell you, I know Braincase isn't the big boss behind this little intrigue, but she is my primary contact and the person me and the Fanatics answered to. She's a real piece of work. Like, kicking puppies for the fun of it kind of evil. Her gimmick is nano-tech. She is nano tech. She can break up her body into little nearly microscopic robots and use them to control machines. She can also teleport to anywhere her...cells if you will...already are. That's where Slapshot got off too. If Blitzer hadn't left his mech, she would have taken him too, but well...Blitzy ain't all that bright and gets a bit claustrophobic sometimes. He shrugs his shoulders, then continues.

"The rub is, Braincase doesn't seem to realize that she gives off interference at a certain frequency. I'm no engineer right, but I used to play with HAM Radios as a kid. Nowadays, we use the higher frequencies on the scale, think it's something to do with getting better range, I don't know. But Braincase she uses some lower frequencies we don't touch all that often. I was trying to catch a game on an old AM radio once...WMBAB 85.2...and I just couldn't get the signal in clear. So I'm futzing with the dial and I go down to 84.6 or so...best guess, sorry, and I hear her, I hear Braincase. She's talking to somebody, I can't hear who, but I know they were talking about our heist. She was getting instructions, but keeping'em quiet. Mostly just agreeing and confirming info you's already have. I see Slapshot a few minutes later and he confirms she left the room and was talking to someone.

Anyway, over the next couple days I turned on my radio and checked and right around that 84.6 I could hear noise. I am pretty sure it was her...cells...communicating. I'm not sure she knows she's broadcasting on an open line if you feel me."


Annette speaks up, "And we have you assurances that Braincase, if you encounter her, will not be told that my clients divulged this information? You can pretend you figured it out on your own?"