[OPEN] Skulking at Twilight

[godsandbats]

WHO: Kirk Langstrom and you
WHEN: Throughout March
WHERE: Junkyard, S.T.A.R. Labs and maybe various other places in Etraya
WHAT: A Bat search mostly?
NOTES\WARNINGS: See here for general warnings about Kirk and see here for what your character may notice about him.

While Kirk knows that he’s fortunate that the companion bots recreated the Tower of Justice here in Etraya, it’s not a perfect duplicate. Unfortunately for him, this iteration of his home didn’t come with all of the top-notch lab equipment he’s used to. So finding something to fix those deficiencies has become one of several projects he’s decided to take on in Etraya.

1) Junkyard:
It's not glamorous but it’s not the first time Kirk went scrounging in garbage. Doing it near twilight while dressed in his full Batman suit probably makes for a strange sight though. Also probably not helping is the lack of effort he has in throwing aside some of the heavier and bulkier debris, like a whole bike.

Don’t worry. He won’t bite if you get close to him.

2) S.T.A.R. Labs:
Back home, S.T.A.R. Labs was one of many entities the government contracted for Project Fair Play. The weapons that came out of there worked just as they intended. It’s only because of Luthor’s last-second intervention that the Justice League is still alive.

So for Kirk, it feels strange skulking about in any version of S.T.A.R. Labs. But based on his aerial surveys, this was a building that was more likely to have what he needs. He observed that some people use it but it doesn’t look like anyone’s living there. Plus, the building appears to be large enough that it’s unlikely that all of the rooms are occupied.

So like any good bat-themed vigilante, he eventually decides to break into S.T.A.R. through the rooftop shortly before sundown.

Dressed in his full Batman suit, he carefully starts searching unused rooms for equipment or spare parts he could use. Maybe he could even use one of the rooms as a spare lab? The lack of security might be a problem though.

He’s also keeping his eyes and ears open for anyone else who might be around.

3) Closed to Vander:
Regardless of how successful his errands or searches are, Kirk always returns to the Tower of Justice. The companion bots didn’t recreate everything the real one has but it’s damn close enough that Kirk feels no need to live elsewhere in Etraya.

It’s unfortunate though that the Tower’s security systems weren’t also bought over. It would be a shame if someone was to just stroll right in. All they need to do is not feel intimidated by the Tower’s size and cold sterility.

Plus, it’s weird that some figure with scalloped wings might’ve been seen flying around.

4) Wildcard:

((OOC: Got something else in mind? Want to play with my character but can’t work up a prompt? Let’s talk! My contact info is in the journal profile and I'm the game's Discord server))

Comments

[godsandbats]

"The accelerator wasn't what I was after," Kirk says, still keeping his tone even. "I'm not looking for nuclear power."

Kirk isn't an expert with particle accelerators, only some of the general ideas about them.

[levelshift]

Accelerator doesn't budge, scowling slightly. He isn't totally sure he believes the guy. "What are you look for, then?"

[godsandbats]

"Mostly spare computer parts. Centrifuges. Chromatography machines," Kirk calmly replies.

[levelshift]

"Centrifuges and chromatography machines?" He repeats, not expecting that to be the answer. It's a lot more technical than he would have thought a guy dressed so ridiculously was looking for.

He isn't sure if parts for either of those could be found here, he isn't familiar enough with those machines to say. "What do you need that kind of shit for?"

[godsandbats]

"What anyone needs centrifuges and chromatography machines for," Kirk says dryly.

[levelshift]

That is one very vague answer. It's suspicious, making Accelerator push again. "There are a lot of uses for that kind of equipment, asshole. What do you specifically need that stuff for?"

[godsandbats]

Ugh. This is not how he wanted his search to turn out. It was supposed to be a simple grab and retreat. Now there's someone who's apparently just as nosy as him. For a moment, Kirk thinks about just making a run for it but Accelerator clearly has special abilities. He could have more than just sharpened senses. Kirk isn't looking to fight.

Plus, they were all trapped in Etraya. If Kirk generates too much suspicion, it could make his time here more... unpleasant.

"I'm a biochemist. I just need to make artificial plasma," he replies.

[levelshift]

"....."

With that explanation, Accelerator should be backing off. He's aware plasma is mainly used for transfusions, so the logical conclusion is that this guy needs it for some medical condition, which is a completely understandable reason to need it. But he's a biochemist. He's a scientist. So....

His experiences with scientists and doctors over the years makes him cautious. There's an uncomfortable crawling down his spine that this guy could need it for something else.

"You can't just ask Aurora for it?" he says, expression wary.

[godsandbats]

The tension in Accelerator's body language and his wary tone keeps Kirk where he is.

"I have. It's been provided by her and Echo. But I would also prefer to keep a personal supply and not completely depend on them," he says.

[levelshift]

"So what, are you gonna keep a personal supply of oxygen on hand, too? 'Cause Aurora provides that for us, along with basically everything else we need to survive," he replies bluntly. He's being kind of petulant teenager right now, but he figures it gets his point across well enough. This is suspicious, and he doesn't like it.

[godsandbats]

Kirk remains unmoved by the aggressive behavior. He's annoyed though of having to deal with another kid in Etraya.

"This is a more personal matter for me," he says simply.

[levelshift]

That answer definitely isn't good enough. 'Personal matter' could still equate to harming other people through experiments - harming kids through experiments, and Accelerator isn't going to put up with that.

"Yeah?" He's irritated, mulling over whether he needs to start keeping tabs on this guy. "Then why the hell are you in here if you said you don't need parts from the particle accelerator?"

[godsandbats]

"I heard something and wanted to see who else was coming in here," Kirk replies. He's trying to keep his answers simple but he can feel his patience waning a little.

[levelshift]

Accelerator clicks his tongue. "So you decided to sneak around instead of fucking introducing yourself," he replies bluntly. "Were you following me, too?"

[godsandbats]

"What else does it look like?" Kirk says, deadpan.

[levelshift]

Okay, he's had some guy following him for who knows how long. That's even more suspicious, and this is one of those times he has to lament not being able to use his ability consistently. He was vulnerable and he didn't even know it.

Maybe he should start bringing his gun along when he comes back here?

For now his grip on his crutch tightens. "That's creepy as shit."

[godsandbats]

"Duly noted," Kirk says, still annoyed. "Anything else?"

[levelshift]

"Yeah," he says, taking the opportunity since he's being presented with it. "You can fuck off. Get out of here. If I catch you stalking me again - or any kid, for that matter - I'm going to beat the everloving shit out of you. Got it?"

[godsandbats]

There really is no winning for Kirk. Whatever he says will repel most people anyway so he might as well make a few things clear.

"The only person I experiment on is myself. I have to regularly have artificial plasma because of my medical condition," he says, still trying to hold himself back.

[levelshift]

Suddenly receiving more of an explanation isn't something Accelerator is expecting, and he raises an eyebrow. So it isn't for something sketchy? The guy could be lying, of course, but he'd rather give someone the benefit of the doubt when it comes to medical conditions.

"You couldn't have said that from the beginning?" He replies, some of the aggression in his voice fading. "It doesn't excuse the fucking stalking, but a medical condition's a medical condition."

[godsandbats]

"I don't usually make it a habit to explain that on the first meeting," Kirk dryly replies.

He's hoping he doesn't need to further elaborate. Regularly needing plasma is unusual enough already without also mentioning fangs.

[levelshift]

"Then you should if you're gonna be doing other shady shit like following people around," Accelerator points out. "Do you know how fucking sketchy you're being?"

[godsandbats]

"Noted," Kirk says dryly. He's still annoyed how quickly he was caught this time around. Etraya truly is a very different environment he's still learning compared to his Earth.

[levelshift]

"And I'm still beating the shit out of you if I find you following me again," he adds with a scowl. "So don't do it."

[godsandbats]

Without another word, Kirk turns and leaves. He got what he came for and now he knows another person he has to be on alert for. Another teenager no less.