The Defenders, Vol. 2, Issue 14 - Is There A Doctor In The Building?

Three large,  bulbous warforged-like constructs (one of which identified by some of the PCs as Detroit Steel - I couldn't think of a good analog for the name, so I kept it the same, with it being a descriptor of the type of steel used) manufactured by Hammer Corp., a direct rival to House Cannith in weapons manufacture, and an unknown man radiating flames and heat descend from the busted skylight, weapons and spells at the ready, firing into the mass of gathered heroes, obviously intent on attacking Irons. Our heroes burst into action, engaging the attackers, but Irons is slain within seconds.

Though their goal is apparently achieved, these assassins push their attack on the heroes, but things turn for them when Dr. Crane issues forth a dark sense of dread and the two auxiliary Hammer drones flee from the fight. Connor and Kurt engage the fire mage and quickly contain and defeat him, while the rest of the team engages Detroit Steel. Bennet has had a bad spate of luck with his powers so far and exits the fight, going back to the front of the building and sitting in a waiting area, looking at table literature and pamphlets available.

Before long, the rest of the group has managed victory, snagged a bit of loot from their enemies, plus the suit that Irons was working on, and also make to leave from the way they came, collecting Bennet in the waiting area and making awkward statements about getting help to the already panicky staff.

Out the door and on their way via Orien coach, they made Zolanberg in good time and straight to the manor of Dr. Pym, a vast structure carved into the side of the mountain, furnished and accented with touches that would befit most nobility, yet devoid of any signs of life.

The band made down to the lower levels, into a work area filled with shelves that stretched far too high for a man to reach. At the back of this room stood a man, standing at a workbench, apparently poring over notes. As the PCs approached, he began to make conversation, explaining that "Janet was a distraction" and "just had to go, as did Simon." This is when the group noticed the coppery taste in the air and the bodies lying at the feet of Dr. Pym in cooling pools of blood.

Bennet addressed Dr. Pym, having the most connection with the man, since they had met a few years ago. Dr. Pym made small talk, as if oblivious to the bodies beside him, or to the fact that he was speaking to an actual man, and not just some disembodied voice. The scientist had cracked, it had seemed, and was seemingly only interested in "the work."

During this time, the room was periodically shaking and loud booms could be heard. Pym explained that it was caused by mining efforts in the nearby mountains, but his statements were soon to be proven as lies when the actual Henry Pym, grown to enormous size, burst backwards through a wall nearby, the Halfling assassin, Bullseye, standing behind him in the adjoining room. As soon as this happens, the figure they had been speaking to spins, revealing himself to Bennet to be Bill Foster, a long-time research assistant to Dr. Pym. Foster begins to shrink and lift into the air telling them that this is not their business, and they must leave. Here, we leave our heroes with a decision to make!

Next issue: Moving Targets!


Cast of Characters
Jean Grey, Elan Psion (Kineticist) 8|Wilder 8  - Angela
Bennet du Paris [Exodus], Human Psion (Nomad) 8|Spellthief 5/Cerebrex 3 -Taylor
Kurt Wagner [Nightcrawler], Lesser Tiefling Rogue 3/Fighter 7|Totemist 2/Wizard 3/Telflammar Shadowlord 7 - David 
Kitty Pryde [Shadowcat], Human Wizard 7|Ninja 7 - Sam
Connar Kent [Superboy], Kryptonian† 6|Fighter 6 - Paul
Dr. Isaiah Crane [Scarecrow], Sorceror 6|Cleric 6 - Jon
Johnathan Blaze (Phantom Traveler) [Ghost Rider], Flaming Bone Creature 2/Warlock 4|Fighter 5/Lasher 1 - G2