The X-men run missions and work together with the NYPD, striving to maintain a peaceful balance between humans and mutants. When it comes to a fight, they won't back down from protecting those who need their help.
Haven presents itself as a humanitarian organization for activists, leaders, and high society, yet mutants are the secret leaders working to protect and serve their kind. Behind the scenes they bring their goals into reality.
From the time when mutants became known to the world, SUPER was founded as a black-ops division of the CIA in an attempt to classify, observe, and learn more about this new and rising threat.
The Syndicate works to help bring mutantkind to the forefront of the world. They work from the shadows, a beacon of hope for mutants, but a bane to mankind. With their guiding hand, humanity will finally find extinction.
Since the existence of mutants was first revealed in the nineties, the world has become a changed place. Whether they're genetic misfits or the next stage in humanity's evolution, there's no denying their growing numbers, especially in hubs like New York City. The NYPD has a division devoted to mutant related crimes. Super-powered vigilantes help to maintain the peace. Those who style themselves as Homo Superior work to tear society apart for rebuilding in their own image.
MRO is an intermediate to advanced writing level original character, original plot X-Men RPG. We've been open and active since October of 2005. You can play as a mutant, human, or Adapted— one of the rare humans who nullify mutant powers by their very existence. Goodies, baddies, and neutrals are all welcome.
Short Term Plots:Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
The Fountain of Youth
A chemical serum has been released that's shaving a few years off of the population. In some cases, found to be temporary, and in others...?
MRO MOVES WITH CURRENT TIME: What month and year it is now in real life, it's the same for MRO, too.
Fuegogrande: "Fuegogrande" player of The Ranger, Ion, Rhia, and Null
Neopolitan: "Aly" player of Rebecca Grey, Stephanie Graves, Marisol Cervantes, Vanessa Bookman, Chrysanthemum Van Hart, Sabine Sang, Eupraxia
Ongoing Plots
Magic and Mystics
After the events of the 2020 Harvest Moon and the following Winter Solstice, magic has started manifesting in the MROvere! With the efforts of the Welldrinker Cult, people are being converted into Mystics, a species of people genetically disposed to be great conduits for magical energy.
The Pharoah Dynasty
An ancient sorceress is on a quest to bring her long-lost warrior-king to the modern era in a bid for global domination. Can the heroes of the modern world stop her before all is lost?
Are They Coming for You?
There have been whispers on the streets lately of a boogeyman... mutant and humans, young and old, all have been targets of trafficking.
Adapteds
What if the human race began to adapt to the mutant threat? What if the human race changed ever so subtly... without the x-gene.
Atlanteans
The lost city of Atlantis has been found! Refugees from this undersea mutant dystopia have started to filter in to New York as citizens and businessfolk. You may make one as a player character of run into one on the street.
Got a plot in mind?
MRO plots are player-created the Mods facilitate and organize the big ones, but we get the ideas from you. Do you have a plot in mind, and want to know whether it needs Mod approval? Check out our plot guidelines.
Ranger wasn’t sure what to expect. He did not expect–but felt it seemed to make too much sense to not happen–Ka to talk. Well, more demand worship than talk. Ranger, felt that God would never be caught dead needing to drain a nuke for power. Not to mention, Ranger would never kneel to anyone. He did not bend the knee nor did he bow. No man, no matter their self deluded sense of superiority, held a status deserving such.
Scanning the deck, Ranger took stock of what he could use as a weapon. That was when the backup took a knee. Ranger swore to himself before moving his arm to shove the backup asi-
Shard, the backup from the X-men, launched himself at Ka. The man was armored and wielding a sword. Ranger wasn’t sure how effective it would be against a bronze age warlord. That was literally what the man was used to fighting. However, Shard had the advantage of X-men training and his armor and weapons being powered by his mutation.
Ranger didn’t wait around to see how effective Shard’s assault was. Overkill was underrated and Ranger was about to give new meaning to accuracy by volume.
Within seconds Ranger was positioned by the center pylon of an F-35C. Both hands gripping the pylon, Ranger lifted. His body erupted in size as his strength radically increased and the fifth-generation fighter’s airframe groaned under its weight forcing through the pylon as it was lifted into the air.
The sound of thunder cracked and rattled the air. Ranger turned his head as he shifted weight from one shoulder to the other. Shin was flying up and the sword was still near Ka. Shard called that he would distract him.
Ka was firing lightning. So Ranger fought lightning with Lightning II . After a moment to build up momentum, Ranger sent the fighter aircraft on one final mission. The missile platform had become the missile as Ranger called out in the strain, ”Incomin’!”
Rex was ready. Well, Ranger assumed he was a s ready as Ranger was, which was to say—as ready as they could be to fight someone who was the closest thing to a god on Earth in their time. However, to Ranger a god on Earth was still a man and Samuel Colt made men equal.
Ranger started up the ladder as Rex recited a line to empower a spell before stating he had Ranger’s back. There was so much unknown about what they would find atop the carrier’s flight deck, Ranger was glad he had someone he had worked with at his back.
Throwing himself up onto the deck, Ranger quickly scanned it as he moved to allow room for Rex. There were signs of struggle. Scorch marks across the flight deck, sailors and marines lay scattered. From his perspective, Ranger could see some of the techs hiding behind aircraft that sat on the deck. They were keeping their heads down. Down aft, towards the lift, Ranger saw a man who looked misplaced in time. Powerfully built and wearing a headdress. Ka.
Ka was running his hand along the side of an F-35C that had been preparing for flight operations. A glow passed from Ka’s hand to the aircraft as it moved. Electricity. The same electricity that could be seen arcing up to Ka’s feet from the deck. The aircraft’s canopy was open and a pilot lay on the ground.
It was an understatement to say Ranger was pissed. His city had been attacked. His home, his family were endangered. Now those who had been his brothers in arms were being cast aside and put down like lame horses.
When Rex reached the top of the ladder, Ranger looked at the man with fire in his eyes.Ka was going to pay. It was then that another landed on the deck. Approaching from the water, up the path of the ladder. Golden armored, but shifting to a sword.
Shin?
Ranger had never formally met the man, but had been in the same place as him a couple times. Clandestine missions using the X-Men for cover were interesting to say the least.
With only a small hitch in his giddyup from the appearance of the X-man, Ranger spoke, ”Backup has arrived… Hope yall play with tasers f’r fun. This fight’ll be shockin’.” Ranger took a deep breath, ”Looks like he’s drawin’ power from the nukes through the ship itself. We gotta get him off th ship 'r shut down the reactors. Also need t' clear the deck. Not sure if the sailors 'r' dead 'r incapacitated”
First, there was the message from the Lady in Red. Ahk had succeeded and her pharaoh once again walked the Earth. That had prompted a regrouping. Ranger had called Rex to meet up at Haven. It had become the base of operations for Ranger in Manhattan. Every available body Ranger had to throw at the problem was divided between Blac-Tac actual and Haven. So, it was the best place Ranger could think of to regroup and plan.
The next morning was when the call came in. Blac-Tac had been contacted by the DoD and Ranger directly by SUPER. Ahk and Ka were on the move. Ahk was a threat, but Ka was attacking the Gerald Ford, not only that he seemed to be feeding off of its nuclear reactors.
Without missing a beat Ranger was in action. Calling in assistance to help manage Ahk while he prepared for Ka. Gear, he needed gear. A ride, he needed a ride. Not just for himself, but also Rex. Helicopters were out. Large targets for a man with zappy hands to shoot down.
One call to Special Operations Command and a Mark V Special Operations Craft had detached from an Amphibious Assault Carrier and was on route up the East River. It would be a six block trip then onto the boat. Then they would turn and burn, back for the bay.
On the ride, Ranger checked his gear. Knowing his foe was using electric powers, Ranger had to plan ahead. His clothes and gear were not just able to stretch out for his strength growth but also shrink in for when he inevitably shifted forms. Beyond that he was carrying gear.
Ranger looked over to Rex as the boat bounced a little. 50 knots in the boat was not the smoothest ride. ”Ready f’r this?” Ranger tilted his head to indicate the flight deck of the carrier as it approached.
The boat spun around to quickly bleed off speed. It came to a rest beside a ladder that had been dropped. Ranger took hold of a rung and started climbing.
Clearly Quin was the best of people. Ranger chuckled at her comment about hidden apocalypse food and sadi, ”Probably MREs from Desert Storm an’ a packet ‘f Tang from Jiminy.” using the NASA pronunciation of Project Gemini to really date the reference. She then followed it with an honest, ”Thank y’.”
When Quin and Will departed the Fordasaurus they each gave their thanks, and Ranger gave a wave and a ”No problem. Be safe. Make choices.”
Once Ranger was left alone in the truck she jumped out, again leaving the monster running. She jumped in the back and set to rearranging things. If she was going to be waiting on a quick bite she could be kind to future Ranger. Get her stuff more in order. Take the time she didn’t have earlier that day. That and she fired off a text to Rex , letting him know she’d had no luck on finding Akh and seeing if he had any leads or had word from the Lady in Red. And a running tally of how many villains he’d stopped.
Ranger was sitting on the open tailgate, rerolling a run of detcord when one of her people ran out with a polystyrene clamshell of food and a Bubbakeg.
“Coffee ran out an hour ago. Had some tea left, loaded up my keg with it. And a sandwich. I threw some of that hot sauce you left here four years ago. How can you eat that stuff?” The man asked.
”One bite at a time, Tedward. Thanks.” Ranger accepted the Bubbakeg and food and set them on the tailgate on the side opposite the detcord from her. ”Hey, make sure they’re taken care of. Sounds like they’ve been through it today already."
“Got it boss.” Tedward said before heading back inside
The Fordasaurus exited the park near Haven. Were the buildings less massive it might have even been visible. The truck accelerated, they would be there soon.
Will thanked Ranger and said he owed her a drink when it all blew over. Ranger smiled, it was nice to be appreciated..
”I’ll never say no t’ a free drink, but even if it wadn’ my job, I cain’t not help people. Jus’ stay safe ‘til the end ‘f this..” Ranger said, Lord knew when it would all be over. It was a loss when people were lost. It was somehow worse when someone you thought you saved was lost.
Will and Quin discussed making sure Will didn’t end up in a broom closet and Will being okay with that but would get help if he found it too disagreeable.
That was when Quin asked if Ranger needed anything. Ranger looked to Quin and took inventory of the day, ”Oh. Uh—Now that y’ mention it… I only had time t’ catch half my breakfast… an’ I lost my coffee when I imprinted a face on the tumbler.” Ranger had been at it all day, putting out fires and putting down bad guys. ”If y’ could find somethin’ it’d be much appreciated.”
There was Haven. The building was still standing, albeit with less people milling about. Just a pair of security guards standing out front, armed, and with plate carriers on loaded for bear. A patch noting they worked for Blackforest Tactical on the breast.
Ranger rolled down his window as the truck rolled in and one of the guard crossed over so he could talk to Ranger,
“Good to see you, boss. Dropping off?”
”Yeah, got two I called in about. How’s Haven holding?”
“Haven’s holding. Between us and the staff we’ve driven away a few would be attackers. Taken in quite a number just trying to get somewhere safe.”
Ranger turned to the pair in the back, ”Y’ve arrived at Haven. Thank y’ f’r flyin’ Ranger air, where safety idn’t jus’ our goal, its enforced by superior firepower. Please watch y’r setep an’ enjoy y’r stay.”
Quin agreed with Ranger about Will staying at Haven. When she mentioned Ranger being able to get Will a spot Ranger chimed in,
”Have clout–will travel.” Ranger said in agreement and in reference to a show from the late ‘50s - early ‘60s. Have Gun – Will Travel. Ranger had considered naming his company Paladin as a reference to the main character.
Will agreed to go to Haven, saving Ranger from having to make two stops. Ranger smiled at the joke. In response Ranger flicked a switch on the radio, changing it over to the Blac-Tac channel.
”Haven-actual this is Howdy. RTB with two on board. Prepare room for one.” Ranger said with an uncharacteristically unaccented voice
“Roger, Howdy. We’re clear and ready to receive. Short on the little chocolates but we’ll make do.”
”Copy that.” Ranger returned the radio and then addressed Will, ”Y’ got a room. Sounds like normal amenities’ll be tight.” Ranger’s accent back in all its glory.
Quin felt the need to clarify the nature of how she knew Ranger. Which was fair. They had known each other in their past lives and Ranger had a little more memory of them knowing each other than Quin did, but those were almost different people. Especially Quin. Ranger had been set back to the beginning of where he was in life, Quin had been set back to before she had even become a cop.
Instead of getting into the intricacies of de-aging, Ranger let it go. She was occupied by gaging the safest route based on the series of various radio chatters. It sounded like cutting through Central Park was the best route so she turned into the park as she drove along the North end.
Will summed up the idea, working to head off Akh but planning a backup.
”No plan survives first contact with the enemy, and the enemy makes plans.” Ranger said by way of confirming what Will said. ”I’m part of a team workin;’ t’ try an’ contain the chaos while also huntin’ Akh. Odds are, the mystics I’m workin’ with have a better chance at findin’ her than me. If we fail, I’ve got men gettin’ resources t’gether t’ hit back.”
Blac-Tac thrived on chaos. Rather, Alpha Team at Blac-Tac thrived on chaos. While the regular security were helping secure sites across the city, alpha team was getting everything together to mobilize against Akh once she had been located. Aircraft, materiel, armor, and more. Owning a PMC had its uses.
Both Quin and Will expressed that they would be locking down for a week to let it all blow over. Ranger couldn’t blame them.
”Will, my advice is hole up at Haven f’r now. It an’ the mansion are likely the safest places right now. I cain take y’ home after I drop Quin off if y’ want though.” Ranger said, offering his two cents
”First time… I didn’t have time t’ question it. Life ‘r death situation—so a regular Sunday f’r me. Took a while f’r the shiftin’ t’ be somewhat normal. Still tryin’ t’ adapt t’ life with it. Noel, adapted fast. Us havin’ spent a few weeks as each other took a lot of the weird out of me lookin’ like her.” Ranger said then amended as an afterthought, ”If y' meet a blonde woman named Rhia an’ she has a manic look in her eye… Get away.”
Ranger raised an eyebrow at will saying ‘we’. Seemed he was rolling with what was happening. Not just trying to distance himself and bail from the situation.
”Yeah. Only, if y’ go lookin’ f’r a desiccated woman wrapped in bandages, y’ won’t find her. She was turned t’ stone ‘n’ back. Hasn’t aged a day since five-thousand years ago.” Ranger slowed the truck and navigated around a car crash in an intersection, ”She’s good at recruitin’. Maybe she promised the villains somethin’, maybe she found the people that want t’ tear society down an’ gave them the chance. If we run int’ animated stone monsters. That’s her work.”
It was Quin who asked the big question. What if she managed to do what she’s trying to do.
Ranger took a breath and considered her answer. ”Timey-whimey—stuff. Akh is somehow able t’ tell who she needs t’ use the ankh on. It ‘ascends’ a mortal t’ ‘godhood’.” Ranger made air quotes, ”She’s looki’ f’r someone she can give time power to. Use them t’ bring forward her gods. She accomplishes this… We get t’ find learn what Egyptian myth was based on. An’ her pharaoh t’ lead them. It could be this, but more global. The good news is—if she succeeds—there’s a target. One we’ll know where it is. We have enough troubleshooters here t’ respond.” Ranger used a word she usually used to refer to herself as if she sees trouble, she shoots it. However, she wasn’t going to sit there and think she could one-woman army against Akh and her ancient compatriots. No, the X-men and Haven and SUPER had enough heavy hitters to shake the foundation of the pyramids.
Did Ranger know Lee was untrained? No, but, ”I suspected. An’ what’s a sparrin’ session without someone takin’ someone else’s breath away?” That might have been Ranger’s training in grappling and submissions talking. She did put down Knightstick with a choke after all.
The truck started rolling when Quin asked about Ranger’s different forms doing different things.
”Male has strength an’ can shrug off bullets… an’ bats t’ the skull. Female has speed an’ electrical an’ fire resistance. All things I could do before… jus’ tied t’ different forms now. The most awkward part is that this form,” Ranger gestured to herself with one hand, ”Is like a short twin of my wife. Nearly identical face… Our daughter loves it.”
For his part, Will seemed to appreciate being in a tank of a truck. It made him comfortable enough to ask for more details on what Ranger had been saying.
”Y’ll have t’ let me know where I lost y’, but I can start with mystics and Akh. No sense keepin’ too many cards close t’ the chest. Y’re livin’ this now.” Ranger craned her head to look around a building as she turned the truck. The engine roaring as the truck brought itself back up to speed as it finished the turn and straightened out. ”Mystics use magic. Real honest t’ God magic. Akh is one of them, sorceress from ancient Egypt. She was incased in stone until recently. She wants t’ ‘bring back her king’. She has some artifact, an ankh. Somehow it’ll help her bring back her king an’ her gods. This mess is her tryin’ t’ buy her room t’ act.”
The description of Lee put a small smile on Ranger’s face. For better or worse–likely worse–Ranger had a very sink or swim attitude to training. Especially hand-to-hand training. You get better by engaging in fights with people who push you, that make you struggle. Humans learn best when pushed to an acceptable level of failure. It solidified the new and presented flaws. Yet, from time to time a full on whooping was necessary. Put your failure points into stark relief and provide a point from which you can only grow. Not to mention training against someone better meant you were forced to give your all.
”Guilty.” Ranger confirmed that she knew Lee would kick Quin’s ass all around the gym. ”That is my bad though, f’r not warnin’ y’. But, hey. New trainin’ partner. An’ someone who's stylistically different from me. New learnin’ opportunity.”
Fighting and helping others fight was something Ranger had found she really enjoyed in her new post de-aging life.
After Ranger had made her call on the radio Quin commented on the inconvenience of having to drag extra clothes everywhere.
”Extremely.” Ranger said as she adjusted the seat for her new proportions. ”Could be worse. The mystic could’ve killed me ‘r worse. Instead my power jus’ has me needin’ two wardrobes now. Thankfully my wife ‘n’ I are almost identical.” and not just sizes. ”Whatever I’m doin’ that day, I jus’ throw a bag with another set in the car in case I switch.” Pragmatism at work. Making the best of a wild magic situation.
To Will Ranger said, ”Not the whole city… but a lot more than I’d expected.” Ranger put the truck in gear, ”Between local LEOs, Feds, National Guard, an’ the X’s… Its generally bein’ contained. It’s an organized-disorganization. No method, just madness to the point madness is the method. Had the attack been more coordinated, it’d’ve been a hell of a lot worse. Side note, if something crazy happens.” Ranger tapped the glass which had an odd sound. ”ALON windows. Transparent aluminum. Thick enough t’ stop a fifty. The body is up-armored as well. Y’r safe inside.”
Ranger wasn’t sure how worried Will was in the situation but felt trying to help him feel somewhat safe for the moment couldn’t hurt.
”I hope it’s done with yall. It ain’t done with me.” Ranger knew she would be dealing with the day until it was done. Villains managed and Akh located. ”I get t’ sleep when I’m dead I think.”
Quin and Will both expressed how they didn’t really do anything. Ranger looked at Quin and said, ”Y’ could’ve YOLOed an’ missed an’ shot me in the ass. It was too soon f’r me t’ resist it an’ I ain’t immune t’ night-night juice. Y’ knew y’r limit. Better than most men in that situation.”
As they made it t’ the truck Quin asked if Ranger could show her the flying triangle choke. Ranger nodded and said, ”Sure. Ain’t as hard as it looks but twice as fun. I’ll show y’ an’ y’ can practice on Lee… Assumin’ that sparrin’ session worked f’r y’’.”
Will then asked who would be called to deal with Knightstick.
”SUPER. The Feds that manage all things preternatural. They’ve agents trained t’ mitigate powers an’ have a few different containment options dependin’ on powers”
Leaving Quin and Will to hop up in the truck, Ranger went around back and opened the shell and bed before she climbed up and in. A short time later she was experly climbing into the driver’s seat wearing better fitting clothes and pulling her hair back with a hair tie. She had traded the blood, burns, and tears for athletic wear. Shorts, tank, and a sports bra. Along with properly fitting shoes and no show socks. She was a millennial afterall.
Where a truck would normally have an infotainment system, the Fordasaurus had a hell of a radio suite. Ranger took hold of one of the radios and called in, ”This is Ranger. I have a suspect gift-wrapped at Mount Sinai Morningside. No metal.” There was a confirmation over the radio then Ranger set the hand piece back on a rack.
Ranger let the choke slacken just enough to let blood flow back into Knightstick’s brain. While Ranger was not above killing someone if the need arose, there was still a chance to apprehend Knightstick instead of sending on that forever nap.
A few moments later Ranger was saved from having to make sure Knightstick didn’t wake up by an officer showing up with Ranger’s dart rifle. The officer aimed and took a shot. The dart found its mark and after a few seconds Ranger ripped it out and tossed it away. She had let it take its time to inject its sleepy goodness, but did not want to leave the metal of it touching the mutant in case he woke up before his drug induced sleep.
Waving the officer off, Ranger slid back from Knightstick. The officer lowered the rifle but kept staring at Ranger. The officer had just seen Ranger change as she ran from her truck over to unload a metric load of gymnastic hate on Knightstick.
”Get him tied back up… maybe saran wrap him. Put him under the tree for the the feds when they sweep through. They’ll love the present.” Ranger said as she stood up and walked over to take her dart rifle back. She worked the action and slid another dart from the stock into the chamber and locked it closed.
”Great, now I need t’ change.” Ranger said to herself as she almost stepped out of her shoe.
Ranger walked over to where Quin and Will were standing. Away from the truck but not directly in the action. She watched as an officer dropped his duty belt and all its metallic toys before grabbing zip ties to address Knightstick.
”I guess I need t’ call that in on the way outta here. Don’t want him breakin’ free again ‘cause a beat cop got too close with a flashlight.” Ranger said, half to himself, half to Quin and Will. ”After I change.” She added before looking to the pair she was about to play Uber for. ”Good job with the dart gun.” She said fully addressing the pair.
”Ancient Egyptian sorceress.” Ranger said in reply to Quin. ”I’d say… randomly organized violence.”
Ranger had maintained contact with Rex all through the day, but neither of them had caught wind of Akh. Not that there had been much time between dealing with her army of distraction based army of villains.
When Quin got a closer look at Ranger’s ride she commented on the mileage. Without missing a beat, Ranger turned to her with a smile and proudly announced, ”Please, this gets gallons to the mile.”
What really got a reaction was the contents of the Fordasaurus. Quin asked if he always drove around ready for the apocalypse and Will mentioned needing a license to be in the same room as the materiel.
”The Fordasaurus is a mobile command station an’ squad transport. T’day… It was readied f’r war with… Whatever Akh threw at it. If I need t’ bring down the sphynx itself, I’m ready.” Ranger said.
A noise caught Ranger’s attention. The officers fighting with Knightstick were louder.
”An’ y’r fine. All the paperwork on it all is up t’ date. Jus’... uh… Don’ touch much.” Ranger went to shut the door when he heard an officer swear loudly.
Ranger turned just in time to see an officer pulling away from Knightstick with a metal spike piercing his torso. Another officer had drawn his pistol and Ranger was shouting, ”NO!” as the officer began firing.
The bullets flattened against Knightstick who was flowing it toward his hand as he launched upward at the officer. His plastic restraints falling to the ground around him.
Immediately Ranger was moving. Feet hammering against the pavement as Ranger moved, accelerating within a matter of steps to highway speeds. As Ranger moved their body changed. Shifting from its male form to its female form. Within a second Ranger was in the air, rotating and bringing a shin around to drive into Knightstick before he could stab the other officer.
The scent of burnt rubber followed the squealing of Ranger’s shoes as she skid to a stop before jumping back at Knightstick and catching his neck ina a triangle choke with her legs. Ranger landed on her back with Knightstick slapping once at Ranger’s leg before his eyes fluttered and the lights went out.
”Tranqs. Now, while he’s out.” Ranger called, the police scrambling to find one. Ranger called to Quin and Will, ”In the truck. Dart rifle, its loaded.”
Quin and Will were doing okay. Quin was well enough to make a quip. Will had taken a knife to the arm but he was clearly still in some form of fighting shape. It was a testament to how crazy things could get in NYC that the pair of them were still with it enough to joke after the day they’d had. That and how mentally resilient they were.
”Well, Thursday’s comin’. An’ so is the reckonin’ f’r the woman responsible f’r this.” Ranger said, knowing Akh was behind everything. That this was a cover for her. That there was still a greater storm building.
There was a reason Quin had asked about Ranger’s truck. Ranger was being voluntold that he could give them a ride. This seemed to perk up Will. Ranger cocked his head and smiled.
”Least I can d’ after I gave y’r hospital tent a new entrance.” Ranger saidd then waived to them, ”C’mon then, an’ mind the mess in the backseat. I didn’ have much warnin’ this was comin’.”
Ranger stepped out of the tent. The distant sounds of fighting could be heard echoing down the street. Knightstick had regained mobility and was straining against the police who were bodily detaining him. Ranger noted the use of the thick zip ties they had restrained him with. Good.
Making his way toward the Fordasaurus Ranger looked at the damage on the front. It was a weirdly human shaped gap in the metal. Not a dent, just a lack of metal as if it had been leached away. Before walking around the truck to the driver side, Ranger stopped and open the back door on the passenger side. A gull-wing.
Inside the back seat of the truck was ammo cans, bandoliers of non-lethal explosives—flashbangs, white phosphorus, etc.—and various weapons ranging from less than lethal to anti-materiel. Ranger had come ready to wage a one man war.
Behind him, Knighstick was continuing to resist. His goal was not to break free immediately, but to keep the police close enough to keep touching the odd metal on their person. Gun, flashlight, rivets and buttons on the clothes, wedding bands, and other assorted metal.
Ranger nodded to Quin and smiled. A hell of a day was both incredibly apt but also felt like an understatement. The other guy chimed with his agreement. Ranger looked from one to the other. He was worried the day was still getting started.
He was worried that the day was only the beginning of something worse.
Quin made the introductions. The guy she was with was named Will. He gave Ranger a nod and extended a pleasantry. No handshake. That was fine. It wasn’t much of a handshake day, and if Mr. Taser-hand was electric, Ranger didn’t want to deal with his power blocking out or at least mitigating the effect.
”Same… Wish it was better circumstances though. Yall holdin' up okay?” Ranger said before turning to face an officer who had tapped him on the shoulder. The officer was holding a rag and pointed to Ranger’s head. Ranger took the rag, pressed it to his head then looked at it. Quite a bit of blood. Ranger pressed it back and thanked the officer before turning back.
It was then that Quin was asking about Ranger’s truck. Ranger nodded and said, ”Oh, yeah. The Fordasaurus is my Urban Assault Vehicle… She’s gonna need some work after t’day.” Ranger said looking back at the truck through the tent hole. Paint was missing, there were new dents, and a fair amount of metal was now missing from the front where Ranger had tactically bludgeoned Knightstick.
