Mission: Guard Duty

Buddy reads the message several times.

He emits a series of short barks. "Hmm... it sounds as though there are possibly some Czechlonian hardline monarchist elements behind this. We should do some research into Czechlon - it’s customs and people."

The pug approaches the gun rack. He turns his head to the side to grab a bolt-action rifle with his mouth. The rack, like most other things in the workshop, is placed at ground level for Buddy’s easy access.

He places the Remington Model 700 on the floor and plants a paw down on the barrel. He uses the other paw to deftly work the bolt and check the breech - doing so in a way no dog has any business of doing. Then, as an afterthought, Buddy barks, "There’s a file in the tool box over there."

The Pugnisher begins rummaging through his ammunition, but then stops and looks at Riptide, thoughtfully. "We may want to bring in a third person for this op. UN Peacekeeeping PDT Standards recommend at least three bodyguards per international official. Know anyone we could call?"

I will say you have some time before actually needing to get to the ambassador meeting, though you will need to meet at least an hour before (6PM) with head of security so as to get more distinct details of the nature of this mission.

Resonance listens to the voice message a second time. She listens a third time. As usual, zero details, just a disjointed rambling message abut this NOT being a booty call and Riptide NOT being high... the gist is that she's needed. She tucks the phone away inside her purse and looks out through the glass wall of her office.

Everything here is glass. There is zero privacy in the accounting office where Kate works. She saves and closes her files and gets herself worked up to appear sick yet again. Her coworkers had started calling her "Contamin-Kate" because she was sick so often. Luckily, it didn't impact her work, or her boss would have been much less lenient.

After making her excuses and ducking out toward the train station, Kate headed into her usual alley and performed her sonic quick change as she lifted herself up to the roof. From there, it was a short flight to headquarters. She arrived to find Riptide and the Pugnisher getting ready, she assumed for the mission.

"Hey thee, big boy," she said in a flirty tone, as she approached Riptide. Hoping he'd assume she was talking to him, she waggled her eyebrows, then passed right by him and gave the Pugnisher a scratch behind the ears.

She grinned as she turned back to look at Riptide. "Oh, hey, Riptide. I didn't see you there. Got your message. What's up?"

Buddy kicks his hind leg several times as he gets scratched behind the ear. He then clears his throat and barks several times. As usual, everyone in the chamber instinctively understands the meaning of the barking.

"Greetings Resonance." Buddy goes back to inspecting his guns. "Long story short: there are rumors of a possible assassination attempt. The target is a Czechlonian ambassador. We’ll be performing guard duty for the ambassador, though I’d rather not sit idly by and wait for something to happen. It’s preferable, I think, to be proactive and find the assassin first, if possible."

The pug makes an effortless leap onto the top of a work bench and begins inspecting pieces of what appear to be miniature SWAT-style body armor tailored for a canine. It’s almost too adorable.

"Any experience working in personal security?"

"Zero experience," Resonance says, answering Pugnisher. "I bet my force field would come in handy for something like this, though."

She listens to Riptide's nearly breathless verbal word dump and sighs. "Riptide. I don't think you have to worry about talking politics at dinner. But perhaps while we're guarding an ambassador we should all keep our political views to ourselves."

Turning back to Pugnisher, she says, "How do you propose we go about finding an assassin? Investigation certainly isn't my strong suit."

"That would the reactive way to find..." Resonance looks at Riptide, then slowly shakes her head from side to side. "Nevermind."

"Well, can we search the computer and look for people who hate the ambassador? Do Czechlonis have any distinguishing marks? Monarchs tend to be patriotic and paranoid but won't do anything themselves. They could even be current house servants or staff of a noble house... Does our computer do that stuff? Batman's does...

Buddy looks at Resonance. "To be perfectly honest, I’m not sure how to find the assassin. We need more information. If there’s time, I’d like to read up on current Czechlonian... Czechloni... the country’s current politics. I’d hate to take a reactive position if it’s not necessary, which means we have to understand who might wish the ambassador harm."

The pug looks to Riptide and smiles. It’s an odd expression to see on a dog; halfway between a wince and a snarl. "You’re experience battling the rats of the air could prove useful. But instead of hot dog, it’s an ambassador we need to keep safe." Buddy glances at the nearby computer terminal. "Unfortunately, can’t say I know much about Czechlon, but we can definitely find some preliminary info on the internet.

"We are supposed to meet up with the Czechlon delegation’s head of security about an hour before the assignment starts. Hopefully, we’ll get more details."

Buddy looks toward the kitchen. "We might as well eat before we go. Riptide, can you rustle up some grub?"

"While Riptide gets us some food, I might know someone in the government who could give us more information. Let me see if I can get the inside scoop on what we're up against."

Resonance heads to her suite in the headquarters building and dials the number of a low level member of the State Department (or whatever version of that we have here) and uses her charm and (if necessary) promises of dinner together somewhere fabulous to see if her contact knows anything about who's gunning for the Chzechlonian delegation.

Buddy sighs and performs a close approximation to a face-palm, but with paws.

"Your mention of a decoy isn’t a bad idea. Might be something worth looking into. Lure the assassin out to kill the wrong person. First let’s see what Resonance can shake loose."

"If they have like, ritual masks or something, we could set up a decoy real easy. These rumours... of the assassination attempt, who heard them first? Where are they coming from?" His voice fades as walks into the kitchen area. Riptide eats like a tween, so when Buddy says the words "rustle up", there's some crashing and banging in the kitchen area and he emerges with armfuls of junk food: Beef Jerky (Pug's favourite), Pop and Chips, Doritos, Tostitos, half a can of Guacamole, Salsa, etc. A block of cheese, half a bag of Microwave popcorn, a package of raw hot dogs (All Beef), and a cookie hanging out of his mouth. He dumps it all down onto the workshop table amongst the guns, spilling some guacamole on the Remington's barrel in the process. He wipes it off with his finger and slops it into his mouth. He cracks open a Mountain Dew and passes it to the Pugnisher, then opens one for himself. With a look of remembrance, he produces a straw from his back pocket and puts it in Pug's can as well.

Buddy licks up any guacamole residue on the gun, and then begins to eat. He continues to brainstorm, in between mouthfuls. His ideas take the form of a long sequence of barks and whines.

"We could take separate positions while on duty. Two of us stay close to the ambassador, and the third person hides some distance away, watching from afar. I could use my sniper rifle to do so, but not sure how the United States government and the Czechlonian delegation would feel about me splattering a would-be assassin from a thousand yards with an armor piercing sabot round. I don’t mind, of course... I’m all for pugnishing the guilty... but I feel as though people in Jump City will expect something... I don’t know... more heroic? Like an arrest."

Buddy rolls his eyes. "Sometimes I think the only real justice is a bullet. But maybe my views are too black-and-white. And no, that’s not because I’m colorblind."

"Could you tag him with a tracker and then I'll sic 'em!" Riptide stops to think a moment... "Sorry, I know you don't rudimentary dog commands in your presence, Bud. I'm not a good spotter, but I'm pretty sure I can take a bullet, and Rez has a force field or something. If you watch our backs I think we'll be set.

"My force field should be able to stop a bullet," says Resonance, "but they might send someone like us."

Resonance eyes the assortment of junk food on the table, pushes the Doritos and Tostitos out of the way, then checks the expiration date on the salsa and sets it back on the table without opening it.

"Hopefully one of our contacts has a clue as to who wants the ambassador dead, and who they might be sending."

"Here Rez, let me get that for you!" Riptide opens the salsa and puts it back where Resonance put it down. "If they send someone like us, Rez, it might be goods news... they might be easier to spot. I think Pugbud said the treaties might weaken the monarchy's power, so nobles and loyalists might be right pissed about that.

Maybe the better question is, will they want to make a big public statement or not, and are we a necessary part of that statement!

"I guess we won't know until we get some more intel. We don't have much time until we have to head over there." Resonance gives the food another once over, and decides to head into the kitchen to find something more palatable.

"I'm going to go find something more substantial to eat," she says, heading into the kitchen. "I'll let you know if my contact gets back to me with anything useful."

"There is also an additional option..." Buddy seems loathe to say it; his little pug face makes a discernible frown. "...I could forego my costume and pretend to be a normal canine. I could stay with the ambassador and pretend to... be his pet."

Buddy says the word pet the way Richard Nixon would have said communist. "It would require some substantial pride swallowing on my part, but it’s a possibility. I could remain with the ambassador without rousing suspicion from onlookers."

Any quick search you can tell the request for a bodyguard came from the head of security for the Ambassador, the possible contract to take out the Ambassador may be coming from the Monarchy as any real connection with foreign powers may weaken the hold the Monarchy has over the people of their small country. That being said the goal is not to apprehend the Assassin (if there is one) as incriminating the Monarchy in anyway could make the Treaties and talks between ambassadors much more complicated.

Buddy will start getting his things together for the assignment.

"Depends on who gets implicated in hiring the assassin. But I personally don’t care much about the politics. I’ll leave all that to the politicians. We just need to make sure we keep our charge alive. Is the Surfer Supreme ready to hit the waves of international geopolitics?"

"I'm ready," says Resonance. "Let's get going."

"I'm going to crush that geopolitical wave, Dude!" Riptide wolf whistles and holds his hand out. His surfboard snaps to his hand from where it was resting against the wall, knocking several guns off a nearby rack and tipping a chair and trash bin over. He drops it to the floor, and it falls to floating just above the ground. He steps on and strikes a heroic pose as it begins to rise off of the floor slowly to the height of the table and rests there waiting for the Pugnisher to mount up.

Riptide reaches out to Resonance: "Wanna ride, Wahini?" He'll wait for her to step on, or make her own way.

Riptide make a big show of fan his arms around, and then claps twice; the skylight in the workshop opens for them to make a dramatic flying exit from their concealed, secret base!

"That would be me..."

Buddy trots our from behind Riptide and Resonance. He’s dressed in a James Bond-style tuxedo, complete with a little doggy bow tie, notched lapels, and a Boutonniere dinner jacket (but no dress shoes, because that would be ridiculous). He looks up at the stocky Eastern European man and sits back on his hind legs.

"I know what you’re thinking," says Buddy. "...’This dog is barking but I understand him.’ That would be due to the fact that I’m a sapient canine uplift with psychic powers." He twitches his ears for emphasis. "And our team is fully committed to protecting the ambassador with our lives."

Right, he seems like he is capable. The man outreaches his hand in a handshake to Riptide You can call me Bruno, and while we do have heroes back home, I can't say any of them come in, K9 variety. He kind of stumbles over the word K9 and it seems he is doing his best to not piss anyone off, but perhaps not entirely successful.

"Bruno... Brewski... the Brewmeister... " Riptide breaks into an enormous smile, throws his right hand in the air and then swoops it down into Bruno's hand and pumps it up and down energetically. "Dude! We don't have K-9 heroes either, and you probly don't have any like Resonance!"

He just looks at Pugnisher with a new level of awe and a little of horror, Did he get changed into this?! he thinks to himself.

"I prefer ‘canine-American’, but that’s just me." Buddy grabs the strap of an oversized duffle bag with his mouth, then places the bag down in front of himself. From the clatter it makes, the bag is very clearly full of guns. "What do we need to know about the ambassador or the assignment? Anything special?"

Right sorry, the Ambassador is someone of great importance to our cause, I have been selected personally by him for the last 2 years as I have no connection with the royal family, the royal family is of course loaded, and I personally believe they will either hire a super villain of some capacity, or reach out to the Hitman's Alliance. He looks at the duffel bag.

Riptide finally releases Bruno's hand. "I believe The Pugnisher to be an American of Asian ancestry. Lovely melting pot society 'Merica! I have a couple questions for you, Mr. B:
1. When do you feel is the most likely time for any attempt on the ambassador's life?
2. Is your support team trained and can you prove their identities and loyalties at any given time?
3. Do you think the royals will hire one of your countrymen out of national pride, or will they support the local economy?

The Pugmerican will accompany the ambassador at all times, he can smell rats a mile off. Resonance has a formidable force field, and a fine 'badunkadunk' [air quotes], and most people who shoot at me live to regret me being able to destroy them afterwards.

Right to answer your questions, The ambassador is most likely endanger when the talks begin, we will be serving dinner during the talks, and I believe the monarchy want to send a message meaning then when he is most guarded. My team consistent of myself and 6 other bodyguards I used to act in service in the military with, we are the best our nation could probably offer in my opinion without any altering, that being said if we ran into someone with powers, I am not sure my team could handle that. As far as someone from the home land, I would be surprise if we had anyone that could handle my entire team, let alone the three of you.

"Well, assuming the assassin is not someone involved in the ambassador’s security... no offense... then maybe it be best if we do what Riptide suggests. I’ll stay with the ambassador at all times. But I’ll pretend to be a normal dog... perhaps a new pet..." Buddy says the last part with audible disdain. "Only those in this room currently know I’m a super pug. So we may as well use that to our advantage."

"Maybe we should wrap you up with a cute little red bow and give you to the Ambassador as a gift? Then even he wouldn't know you're an agent for his security. In fact, if you were a gift from the others negotiating on the treaty, he would know to keep you close at all times!"

Buddy sighs at the idea of being someone’e pet, even if only as a cover.

He looks to Riptide. "I’ll do whatever it takes..." At this rate, the only casualty in this assignment will be my dignity. "Let’s get this started."

He looks at the Czechlonian representative. "How many people on the ambassador’s staff know that we’ve been hired?"

I have told the Ambassador and the rest of my team, other than that not Jack Shit know you're anywhere near this, my plan was to pass you off as part of my security detail.

Buddy nods. "Okay, good." He gets backs on his feet. "I suppose we should meet the ambassador and familiar ourselves with his routine."

"oooooOOOOOH SNAP! Damn I look good in a suit! I'm a 46 reg, but only cuz I gotta fit my McWetsuit under, I draw the line at shoes though man. I ain't doin' shoes, no way no how. Riptide is excited, hopping from one foot to the other.

As you are lead by Bruno into a room inside the building in the High Class Ward, Afternoon, you must be the new security. The man is cleaning his glasses and barely looks up from his seat, its clear he's gone a few nights without sleep.

"First things first, Ambassador: Can you settle a bet for us? When addressing something or someone that belongs to or is from your country, is it adressed as Czechloni or Czechlonian?" Riptide takes a thoughtful pose awaiting the answer.

Uhm Czechloninan, is that related to the current matters though? he stands up and looks at the three of you, I suppose the dog has some kind of abilities or special training? At this Bruno turns a light crimson.

Buddy face-paws when Riptide asks his question. He then looks up at the ambassador, and, in response to his question, resists the urge to growl at him.

"The dog does..." says Buddy with a bark. "I’m known as the Pugnisher. This is Riptide and that’s Resonance." Buddy approaches and extends a paw for a handshake. "With your say so, I’ll be undercover as your... pet."

He puts his glasses on I do apologize I didn't realize you could talk, would this disguise require anything beyond your already seeming presence? Im assuming we are not about to put you on a leash.

"I try not to say the "L" word in his presence at all, or the word "leash" for that matter. He might have to take off his kevlar vest and shooting goggles... Actually, maybe we should go the other way! The Pugnisher could go out in full gear! I would be like thumbing your nose at the assassin! Egg him on! He'd get all huffed up, then BAM! We got 'im!" Riptide winks as he finger guns Bruno, nodding to himself and grinning as if he's just saved the day.

Buddy winces at the word leash. He looks at Riptide. I do have body armor and a small Arsenal at my disposal. But for my cover, I’d simply remove my tuxedo and work naked. How long till the signing, ambassador?"

Im not even sure there will be a signing today, but talks begin at 7pm. Time is currently 6:35pm.

"SooOOoo these negotiations... will be bad for the monarchy, but so will the implication that they've hired someone to kill you. Is there anyone else as important as you in these negotiations? Any other possible targets whose untimely death would stop negotiations? Is there any other catastrophe that could end these negotiations? Or some way they could ruin them without killing you? I don't know much about politics, but you guys are kind of like talking martial artists. Your slings and bows and guns are loaded with words instead of... uh... and I'm not sure we can protect you from that. Riptide seems like he's stumbled onto a thought that stumps him.

Buddy nods at Riptide. "As Mao once said, ‘Politics is war without bloodshed, while war is politics with bloodshed.’"

As the dinner begins you have all been fitted in suits and guard like personal (unlikely but if you wish it you could have a handgun from this as well), Pugnisher sits under the table with the ambassador and the Jump City representative sits across, the two talk about possible trade agreements. Waiters bring out food, and there are a handful of press reporters at the table.

Riptide will try to stand still, silently noting there's nothing here he recognizes as food. The conversation is well above his pay grade, though he's pretty sure if he was in charge of the negotiations, they'd be done already. He can't help but yawn loudly, but if it attracts attention, he will scoff at the guard beside and mouth the word "rude" in the guatd's direction if anyone looks.
This makes a little more attentive, and he starys to eye up everyone who's not on the team, checking for any physical foibles... fumbling for utensils, awkward or inefficient habits, signs of nerves, anything that would make them seem out of place.

You notice that there are policemen and women from Jump City, outside of the doors, creating a second layer of defense, there is no way anyone is going to go for a direct approach for this room unless they believe they could easily take out a dozen men.

Buddy sticks his head slightly out from under the table and glances upward at the various guests, hoping to see something unusual from his low vantage point (concealed weapons under jackets or dresses, etc.). If anyone notices him or pays him attention, he wags his little tail and happily pants with his tongue out, playing the part of a normal dog.

Buddy moves from under the table and toward Riptide. He’ll stick close to the wall trying not to draw much attention. When he reaches Riptide, he’ll wag his tail and act like a normal dog looking to get his head petted. Once Riptide kneels down, he’ll whisper a few barks in his companion’s ear.

"The assassin might very well be in this room with us right now. Keep a look out."

Rolling for something

Riptide makes a blatantly audible "Duh!" then follows up with a toddler whisper: "I was checking out food, is it supposed to look like that? You might wanna take a sniff..." Buddy's facepaw clues him into the fact Riptide's blowing his cover. Riptide bounces back to his feet and meets anyone else's gaze with raised eyebrows and an expectant look, as if questioning why they're looking over.

As a waiter wheels in a case of food, underneath the tablecloth, both of you catch a glimpse of a person underneath. An almost comical attempt at hiding someone. As you realize you've spotted someone, they also realize they've been spotted, they tip the wheeling cart, and uses it as cover as himself and the waiter open fire towards the Ambassador.

Initiative for Assassins. Ill give it another 24 hours for riptide, but it does look like Pugnisher will go first.

Buddy will rush forward and try to take the bullet for the ambassador.

Assassination Attempt.

You have intercepted to bullets, did you take the bullets yourself, grab the politician, or use some kind of blockade?

Riptide raises his index finger and thumb to his mouth and let's loose a shreiking whistle. He holds out the same hand open to one side and his surfboard snaps into his hand from across the room, probably knocking a real waiter and whatever he was holding on his butt.

by all means, but that means Pugnisher you do have an action.

The Pugnisher will tackle the ambassador to the floor to get him behind cover.

As soon as Resonance can act, she will move to the ambassador's side and raise her force field over the two of them. As she does so, she uses her quick change ability to shred the bodyguard suit she wore off of her body with ultrasonic waves and reveal her Resonance costume.

All three actions are possible, with cover and the forcefield the Ambassador's essential AC is 14 (+4 for ranged attacks).

At this point the young man, with two pistols yells, Cover me! the waiter shots over his shoulders at the other guards, as prodigy charges Riptide.

The cover fire hits a guard to the left of the ambassador, and Riptide make a toughness check.

Riptide steels himself for the charge. Wondering why someone with guns would charge him?

The blow lands, while nothing immediately happens something about his strikes feels different than a regular blow riptide.

Riptide says "Nighty Night! and smashes the guy who just hit him over the head with his surfboard!

Not sure if Resonance’s forcefield has me trapped in place, but if not, then the Pugnisher darts under the table and across the floor toward the waiter. He’s going to bite down on the waiter’s ankle. He’ll then begin shaking his head furiously, back and forth.If the above is not possible, then the Pugnisher will do a little hop to grab his gun from under the table.

You can successfully leave the forcefield and latch onto the waiter.

Seeing none of his normal attacks the young man turns and launches himself out a window.

If she has line of sight, Resonance will use her Sonic Blast to strike the retreating young man. If not, she will continue to remain by the ambassador, prepared to fire her sonic blast at any other attackers.

"This barely seems worthy of our time, Ambassador. They were unprepared for this kind of defense."

Rolling to hit in case she can...

The young man avoids the sonic blast narrowly, as the glass from the window breaks and he is airborne.

Rez, stay with the Ambassador, let Pugnisher take care of the waitern I'll try to get this guy! Riptide flies out the window after the guy with the guns switches his surfboard so he's flying it backwards and hooks the guy with the fin underneath.

With narrowly missing riptide's attack, Prodigy begins to scale up the side of the building running up it.

Riptide flies out the window flips his surfboard end-to-end and tries to hook this weirdo with the fin of surfboard again.

The Pugnisher vigorously shakes his head back and forth, growling while sliding the waiter around like he’s a chew toy. He’ll keep doing this until the waiter drops his weapon.

Riptide, you wack that Mofo hard, and he will try to roll out of it. Though with little effort, you knock him unconscious and he is hanging on the fin of your board.

Pugnisher could you make me an Athletics check, the DC is only going be 20. He is a lower end member of this organization and rather green. If you wanted I would say over 25 and you can knock him unconscious automatically without a toughness check.

I want to grab him and fly him back through the window he crashed through. "Might as well give it up, if this was your point man, well, he's not so pointy anymore. Looking around at the table and the foodstuffs, and seeing no one else is eating, Riptide will find something recognizable like a chicken breast, and picks it off someone's plate. "D'ya mind if I... Uh... and pops it his mouth without waiting for a response. He wipes his mouth with the sleeve of the black suit he's wearing and with a full mouth, squirting with succulent juices, says "[slurp]... Fanks!" and continues to lick his fingers clean as he tries to disarm/bind the kid he plucked off the outside of the building. Seeing he clearly knows nothing about this, he waves over a nearby guard to finish up indicating with the half-eaten chicken breast in his hand, that he'll "cover him".

The gun is dropped and the waiter so to speak becomes something like a limp puppy in your jaws.

After the end of the events of the night, the three of you are recognized as heroes of both Jump City but also Czechlon and are given free passage to the small country whenever you wish. The would be assassins are brought in for questioning, and we will learn more of their motives soon we're sure, you're assured by the chief of police.

Resonance will bask in the limelight and do as many press conferences as possible.

would you roll a persuasion check for me?

Taking any opportunity to childishly upstage Resonance.

Very well, as the two of you scored (extremely!) high, you both have major news coverage for your work the reputation of the team is greatly boosted. You both have many interviews with news stations, and at least one other form of coverage up to your own discretion.