Scene 3: NGCPD Super Containment Div.

As promised, Capt. Jones calls Echo back and tells her that the lawyer for Fastball and Blitzer (yes, they share a lawyer) has agreed to meet with you at 10:30, though he does mention only the suspect Terrance Oliver, aka Fastball, actually agreed. The courts always make considerations for crooks who comply with questionings by authorities, as much as Capt. Jones dislikes the policy, it does lead to breaks in other investigations or new leads from time to time.

When you arrive at the holding facility, Jones is there to meet you personally, along side a sharply dressed attractive woman in a black leather skirt and black blouse with a briefcase in her hand. Jones introduces himself and turns to the woman, "Echo, Vitrius, El Toro, this is Miss Annette Moon, Mr. Oliver and Mr. Fuller's attorney." After a quick round of greetings, Jones escorts everyone inside. Passing through security takes a few moments and each of you is subject to a full body scan like they have at airports.

Shortly after that you are lead to a series of conference rooms. Miss Moon speaks to the captain, "I would like five minutes alone with Mr. Oliver before the questioning begins Captain." There is no hint of question in her voice, and her tone is sharp, but Jones agrees. You see Fastball being brought into one of the rooms through a door in the opposite side of you. He wears prison orange and is shackled hand to foot. Moon enters and turns to the window which turns a nearly opaque gray color, only leaving the impression of a shadow where Miss Moon was standing.

"That's for confidentiality from you, in case you can read lips or something. The room is still being monitored by camera, but since Fastball is a tech based crook, there's nothing to worry about. Coffee? He directs you to another room without a door where several comfortable chairs are arranged in small groups. There is a coffee maker and a couple vending machines as well. Capt. Jones takes a cup and pours his own beverage then sits down.

"So, usually when I get calls like yours..." He pauses briefly and blows on his hot coffee, takes a sip, then continues, "...it usually means there's more to the situation than was initially reported. Care to fill me in on what WE know?" He arches an eyebrow looking the three of you over. That "we" is loaded. He seem like he is implying that you should tell him everything, emphasizing that heroes and police are a team. This man conveys a lot with a few simple words and gestures.

Echo gets herself a cup of coffee as well. The caffeine doesn't really do much for her anymore, but she likes the taste regardless.
"Well..." she begins, "We're following up on something the three of us discussed after the incident last night. What we think is that there may have been two separate heists happening at the same time. That there may have been something in that truck that made this more than just a standard robbery. One group had a much more subtle approach to their heist, but broke their cover when Vitrius attempted to stop the truck to get a statement. I also believe that Slapshot, the valiant sloth that he is, was abducted by part of the initial team, to figure out how or what they knew, or why they intervened. We're hoping that these two can point us in the direction of this other group, or in the least figure out what was in that truck so that we might narrow down our options."
Echo finishes her explanation, taking a long draw of coffee while looking at Cpt. Richard for a reaction, both to the case and to her (hopefully) careful drop of the code word.

"You think there was a mastermind that hired the Fanatics, and that Fastball there will roll on him. Wow. Gutsy move. My experience says it's a long shot, but you gotta play the cards you're dealt." Jones says, giving no reaction to the code phrase.

"I made it perfectly clear to your...benefactor...that if I accepted your and Mr. Fuller's case I would be working for you and not him. I'm an officer of the court, I am not a criminal. I have strict rules that I have to abide by. He agreed regardless. He said you two don't know enough to threaten him anyway."

"Yer walking a fine line then sweet-cheeks. Best keep that in mind going forward. Our employer isn't a nice man. The only guarantee I can give you is I won't take the order to kill you if it is given. Can't say the same for Blitzer."

"That is a small comfort. Mr Oliver, thank you." Her tone becomes strained at Fastball's words, but the lawyer seems to relax once she continues. "Out of curiosity, what do you plan to tell them when they come in here?"

"Call me Fastball in private, we're colleagues now, aye? What I say depends a lot on what they know already, what questions they ask and the offer they have. I can't just sell the boss up the river o'course, I'd don't even know who he is really. I only ever spoke in person to Braincase. The boss was always on the phone."

"What about Mr. Fuller? Is there any chance he knows more than you? He seemed insulted he was given a woman for a lawyer."

"Yeah, Blitzer ain't quite right in the head. He's got some real retrograde ideas despite being one of the best robotics engineers in the field today. I can't imagine he'll have much to say one way or the other to be honest, but they can ask.

"Alright, I guess we are ready. I'll let them know to come in.

A few seconds later you see Annette back at the window operating the controls to make it transparent again, then she pops the door open.

Vitrius lets Echo's explanation stand without elaborating, though he winces a bit at the casual use of the code word. He'd need to talk with Echo when they were done. No time for that now though.

Vitrius is all smiles when they enter the interrogation room, and reaches out to shake Fastball's hand

(If Jones tries to come in, Vitrius will explain that they need to talk super to super, and reassures him that they'll share anything they learn)

"That was a good fight, best I've had in a while", Vitrius lies smoothly. "Just bad luck you ended up in here. Honestly I don't know what they're trying to charge you with. No one here gives a shit if you steal from other villains. Anything that makes their life harder is good for us heroes, right?"

Vitrius is trying to put Fastball at ease

"Ha, good one. But I'm part of the club. It's been a few years, and I always wore the mask." His eyes glow a bright blue and you remember a young black hero who could shoot beams of energy. "No, I gotta be in there. None of you are actually police so I have to make sure you don't violate any of the rules. Miss Moon fills the same role really, on the other side of the coin. I'm sure we'll be fine though."

Fastball looks confused.

"I'm sorry...what exactly are you saying? You think my clients were...robbing a different criminal?" asks the lawyer.

Echo takes to one corner of the room as they enter, Vitrius seems to be taking point on this one, and she felt it best if she didn't overstep with him. She groans inwardly, however, at his casual showing of their cards to Fastball and, more importantly, Annette. Maybe she should step in.
"Not necessarily. The three of us aren't here to come in and tell you what happened. No one knows that better than Mr. Oliver and Mr. Fuller." She looks to the two men at the table, "Nice names, by the way. I like them better than Fastball and Blitzer." She tosses aside the comment casually, but makes it plain that she won't be using their villain names. They were people in here, just people.
"I think perhaps we should start with a few details we need to clear up. What was in the armored truck that you and your associates were attempting to get into, Mr. Oliver?" She doesn't move from her seemingly relaxed position in the corner.

Annette opens a notepad and starts to write some notes. She turns her head to Echo and speaks, "My client has no knowledge of the contents of the truck in question and does not admit to trying to get into it."

Vitrius can't help but roll his eyes.

"Like I said, we're not interested in crimes your client did or didn't commit. I'm sure the police have already taken their statement. We're after the ones in the truck that got away. Doesn't it upset you, you being in here when the real bad guys are getting off scott free?"

"Your boss didn't tell you anything about your... legitimate business... with Napalm beforehand? You must have known what you were sent to do? I'm not trying to get you to confess, we want as much info as we can get on the group Napalm is running with as we can get"

My 'legitimate business' at the bank had nothing to do with Napalm. She was an unknown quantity in this. Seems to me though, she wasn't there to for me. She was there for you. Least...that's what I think. Fastball says to Vitrius.

"If my client is going to be of any further assistance, we will need to hear an offer." adds the lawyer.

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?"

Echo resists the urge to glance at El Toro for an answer. "You have our word. I think Braincase will find us to be incredibly capable at digging up secrets." She says with a sly wink. "We appreciate your cooperation Mr. Oliver. Are there any other abilities that Braincase possesses that we should know about? Or any other associates you think we may come across in a confrontation with her?"

The more she hears about this Braincase, the less Echo liked her. A thought occurred to her, however, and a feeling of dread began to spread through the young heroine. "Mr. Oliver. Would Braincase have put her cells on your equipment? Your hoverboard, or Slaphot's stick for instance?" she asks, maintaining her composure, but just barely.

Disturbing news indeed. Vitrius would need to think of countermeasures. It was probably too much to hope that the nanobots were silica based, detectable and controllable with his powers

Echo listens intently to Fastball, looking uncomfortable. After he finishes, she nods solemnly. Looking to Annette, she says in a surprising monotone, as if struggling to maintain composure, "I have no further questions. Vitrius, El Toro, feel free to ask what you wish." She walks quickly towards the door. "I need to make a phone call."

She whips out her cell as soon as she gets outside of the interrogation room and dials a number. "Come one, Pat. Pick up, pick up, pick UP!" The was panic in her voice, but she was doing her best not to show it outwardly. She didn't even wait for pleasantries past making sure it was Patrick that picked up.
"Patrick, listen. I need you to stop what you're doing and head to the Vault. Take someone with you, if possible. No, don't argue. I don't care if it is explosive, get to the Vault." She says in a frantic rush, arguing with him about his current work. "I need to to check on exhibits 10-063 and -064. That's Fastball's Hoverboard and Slapshots Hockeystick. They need to have trackers placed on them and be put in quarentine. And I mean like a cellular level quarantine. In fact, put everything in that general vicinity in quarentine as well. After you've done that, check the cameras and see if we've had any visitors within the Vault during the night. I'll be there as soon as I'm finished with the police. Okay. Bye."

"I don't have any further questions, unless you've changed your mind about whether you know what was in the truck?"

Diego shakes his head, "I'm good." He smiles broadly at Fastball, "I'm glad we able to see eye to eye on this, and don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

The lawyer rights something on a piece of paper and stands up. "Excuse me a moment." She walks out of the room and over to Echo. She holds out a business card practically shoves it into the other woman's hand.

"Please call me," she says looking Echo in the eye, it might be her imagination but there is an intensity there that wasn't present in the interview room. "if I can be of any further assistance."

Jones holds the door for Moon and then closes it behind her. The lawyer seems to be wrapping things up with Fastball. "I don't think the other one is going to be as cooperative, but I'd say that was a pretty good conversation. The DA will probably be upset that we agreed to such a short sentence, he's up for election next year, but an unsuccessful robbery isn't going to stay on anyone's radar for long." He pauses to think, "Unless it turns out to be something bigger, but you'll let us know right?"

Diego stops Echo in the hallway before proceeding to where they're holding Blitzer. "Look, you may not agree with my methods, but you can't let these guys walk all over you. You're holding all the cards right? So don't just give Blitzer a sweet deal. You need to frighten him, throw him off balance, don't just let him play the system." He looks back towards the interrogation room, "I lied to Fastball you know. I was never going to sell him out. He didn't know that though, and because he didn't know what I would do, he punched himself in the face. Well.. metaphorically at least."

Echo looks at Captain Richard, putting away the business card, "I left a contingency in my agreement with him. Their short sentence is dependent on their cooperation and good behavior in prison. It's up to the prison what defines good behavior." She tells him.
She listens to Diego, seeming less irritated than before but something was definitely eating at her. "You're right. I don't agree with your methods. I haven't forgotten that they are criminals, but threats can only get you so far. And in a court of law, words have a lot of power, especially ones that are being recorded with several witnesses. I know you don't think it was a real threat, but it could easily be twisted to look like one." She explains, not really expecting him to understand. "And I don't intend to let anyone walk all over me." She gives him a pointed look.

Diego shakes his head, "Reminding someone of the natural consequences of their actions is hardly a threat. Lie down with dogs, you get fleas. Ask your cop friends, nothing I said was illegal in any way. In fact spinning a tale about how a person's criminal connections can come back to bite them is an old police technique to begin with."

Seeing Vitrius he reaches out, hugging him around his shoulders and pulling him close. "Hey V! I've got a plan to get Blitzer to talk, one that won't implicate Fastball at all. Imma need you to back me up on it though, K?"

"I agree with Echo. You threatened to personally set Braincase on him. You were too overt."

...

A sarcastic smile crosses Vitrius' face as El Toro makes his proposal

"You make plans? Ok, let's hear it then"

It's a bluff. We tell Blitzer that we don't really need anything from him, and he should expect to be put into supermax for a long time. After all, we already know everything he does. How? You and I, we've been watching him, listening in on every phone call he makes. Oh? And how are we listening in on his phone calls? How? A master of glass manipulation who's teamed up with a master of light manipulation? Wouldn't they be able to tap into the cities fiber optic communications? And we let that sink in. He's an engineer after all. He knows all the city's phones go over fiber optics, he knows you can't tap a fiber optic line, well most people can't. But for you and I, no big deal right? We let him know we heard an interesting conversation between him and Braincase. Dangle just enough of the facts that we do know to convince him he's been made. Boom! We got him where we want him.

"It could work."

Echo crosses her arms, mulling over the plan. There were flaws, but it wasn't terrible. "I'll let you two lead then. Just be careful what you say."

"The plan is flawed. If he thinks we know everything already, what possible motivation would he have to cooperate? And what if he hasn't spoken with Braincase over the phone? He'd instantly know we are lying, giving him the advantage. And I'm pretty sure he has the same lawyer as Fastball, who can and will expose any stories that aren't consistent with that conversation, if she thinks it will protect him. The bones of the plan are fine, but those issues need to be addressed. I think we should also use flattery and insults to get his opinion on Braincase's tech, and its potential weaknesses. He'd have seen it up close, and he might actually have some expertise that would be valuable to us"

"So, which is it? You want to go talk to Blitzer? He was pretty adamant that he wasn't going to talk, but Fastball said he would speak for both of them?"

El Toro nods, "We'll talk to him. I mean sure, he might catch on that we're not telling the truth, and then what? He just won't talk. I say we take the risk, and try to squeeze a little more out of him. If it doesn't work, we lose nothing. Unless either of you two have a better idea?"

Ok, we'll try it your way

"Go for it. I'm not sure we'll get much anyway."

El Toro smiles and sits down, just staring at Blitzer for a little bit. "Si, si. Just a formality really. To be honest, we don't really need anything from you. You're a smart guy after all. So I'm pretty sure you understand the situation right? We know your plans, we know who you work for... Hell, we probably know more about your whole operation than you do by now."

The lawyer looks at the heroes quizzically and is about to speak when Blitzer speaks over her.

"Nah...that ain't it. You're trying to trick me somehow. You don't know nearly that much. I ain't talking and neither is Fastball."

Moon starts to speak, "Perhaps if I had a moment alone with my..."

"Shut it skank, I ain't paying you to talk for me. I'll tell you when I need your shystery input!"

With that Annette folds her hands and leans back in her chair, apparently resigned to let Blitzer hand himself.

Echo has to mentally hold herself against the wall to keep her from jumping at Blitzer. It didn't matter that Moon was on the other side of the table, he shouldn't talk like that to someone trying to keep him out of jail. Shouldn't talk like that regardless.
'Let the boys handle this one.' She thought. With Blitzer, its likely she'd just get a screaming match then any actual answers.

Diego gives him an inquisitive look with single raised eyebrow. "Oh? Are you telling us that Braincase has let you in on more than she should have?" He pulls a notebook (blank) from his pocket and looks a a few of the pages. "Every indication after all is that you're one of the lowest, least trusted people in your organization. Foul tempered, prone to rash impulsive behavior. I mean really the only thing they could actually use you for was to crate a distraction. For all actual intents and purposes though, you're useless to them." He sighs and snaps the book closed. "Look, anything you think you might know is probably a lie. A lie that was fed to you because your handlers know you'd probably get arrested and easily goaded into letting something slip. Your suit, now that might actually hold some clues. We'll be dissembling that shortly, breaking it down to parts and going over each tiny and every screw with an electron microscope..."

Pfft, it's probably not even his suit. It must be Braincase's. That's how these villains roll. Take any idiot off the street and give them a super suit. Disposable muscle

El Toro gives Echo one of those 'OK, we fucked up, now you come save us' looks.

Echo suppresses a satisfied smile as she approaches the table. Keeping her eyes locked on Blitzer with a no-nonsense expression, she takes the chair sitting directly opposite him. "Look, Mr.Fuller," she says, again stressing the use of his real name. "You're not in a very good position right now. We've already spoken with your associate and gotten a great deal of information out of him. We've even worked a deal with him for his cooperation." She fails to mention that the deal included him, but didn't think Annette would correct her, given the circumstances. "You've only got one ally in here, and so far, you've done a fantastic job of turning her against you. I would suggest you fix your attitude and work with us, or you may not see this level of kindness in a loooong time."