After the events of the last game, the team receives a letter from Sackcloth:
<blockquote>“Thank you for saving me. I fear that the damage I have done will be long lasting, and will take me a very long time to correct. I was forced to reveal to others the truth behind our benefactor, Daniel Dunlap, and the secret life he lead. Stay strong. I must go into hiding, for the things I must do will hurt the honorable work that The Five do.” </blockquote>
After the letter is read, it disappears.
Via email, the team also receives a message from Josiah Brimstone:
<blockquote>The body of our fair maiden is once again interred and safe. All I can tell you about this incident is that my dealings were with people who claimed to be from the U.S. government, from a department thay called the Office of Internal Investigation and Oversight. I have no other information other than I see death and destruction in your future.</blockquote>
Olivia tells the group that she scheduled a meeting with a Lt. Constance Chandler. She is a widow, and her husband was Jack Chandler, who served with the 300th Brigade. She has been testifying at the congressional hearings about the fallout from the 300th Brigade scandal. Olivia has checked her out, talked with all of her contacts, and is very confident that she is who she says she is. According to Olivia, Lt. Chandler seems very bitter at the Brigade, and wanted to give us information about that mysterious site in New Mexico. She even sent some pictures of the site, and the inside of the bunker, to prove herself.
Hex is not at the base, but back in Utah having some adjustments made to his suit.
Soon after, Lt. Chandler comes in. She is a military woman in her mid-30's, wearing a dress uniform. She tells the team that after her husband died with little explanation from the Army, she started investigating his serving in the mysterious 300th Brigade. With her connections, she found a lot of information, and has been testifying before Congress about it. After introductions, she says “Thank you for letting me come. I have such hatred for this organization that killed a man that I loved. I won't be happy until I see every part of its organization destroyed.
But the man that I miss wasn't my husband, but my father, General Bronson, and all of you will be the ones that will be destroyed, for killing him.
A crash at the front door, the team hears the security guard say “Hey, what are you doing?” and gunshots go off. (security guard Erick Wilson is dead).
Crashing through the front doors comes her team, some you know, and some you don't:
- A Soldier carrying a huge laser gattling gun
- The villain Mesa (from game ##)
- The villain Flower Child (from game ##)
- A heavy suit of powered armor that looks similar to Hex's suit, but much heavier and fully covering.
The suit opens up, and Lt. Chandler climbs in, becoming Steel Justice.
The fight starts. Olivia flees the fight. The villains are ruthless, and are out to kill. About a turn into the fight, a woman shows up, walking slowly towards the fight, carrying something. When she gets close, she triggers a bomb, killing herself and hurting the heroes.
Later in the fight Steel Justice tells the heroes that it is time for them to lose some of their toys. A massive explosion occurs outside the back of the building, destroying the outbuilding and the spaceship landing craft inside, as well as the back half of the building. Stan Imbry is killed, and Olivia is gravely injured.
The fight continues violently. 99 shows no mercy, and Steel Justice is killed. Violently. The Laser Gunner was also killed, but Mesa and Flower Child escape.
After the fight, Quantum hears reports coming over the Internet about raids taking place across the west coast:
<blockquote>Simultaneous raids by federal agents on the corporate offices of the businessman Daniel Dunlap and his philanthropic organization, The Five were made just moments ago. An unnamed government source stated that Mr. Dunlap and his superhero-based organization was being investigated for “treason, crimes against the United States, and against humanity itself.” Mr. Dunlap is being held for questioning. There has also been a freeze on all of Mr. Dunlap’s assets, and arrest warrants have been issued for many others in his organization, including everyone involved in The Five Foundation. This includes all known superheroes associated with that organization, across the country.</blockquote>
They also get a frantic phone call from the Commander:
<blockquote>Guys, something terrible is happening. There are raids on everything involved with Daniel Dunlap and the Five Foundation. Government agents are rounding up everyone involved, including all of the superhero teams. They are even coming for me. Officers will be outside my door in a moment. Other superhero teams have been called in to round up all of the Five Foundation teams. I can't tell you what to do, but good luck. They are breaking in…</blockquote>
Outside of the Rose City Five base are over a hundred Portland Police officers and federal agents. There are other heroes there, including Neanderthroid. The team is told to surrender.
Quantum flies away, invisibly, but 99, Lady Paladin, and Shimmer give themselves up, and are taken into custody. They are transported to the airport, where they are placed inside a modified C130 plane and flown to the Devil's Elbow facility.
GM's Notes
I felt that it was time for a change, to shake things up a bit. Take away their base, take away their spaceship, take away their good reputation. I was inspired a bit by the classic Daredevil story “Born Again”. Lots of death and destruction, to make it clear that This is Serious.