1. Due to issues with external spam filters, QQ is currently unable to send any mail to Microsoft E-mail addresses. This includes any account at live.com, hotmail.com or msn.com. Signing up to the forum with one of these addresses will result in your verification E-mail never arriving. For best results, please use a different E-mail provider for your QQ address.
    Dismiss Notice
  2. For prospective new members, a word of warning: don't use common names like Dennis, Simon, or Kenny if you decide to create an account. Spammers have used them all before you and gotten those names flagged in the anti-spam databases. Your account registration will be rejected because of it.
    Dismiss Notice
  3. Since it has happened MULTIPLE times now, I want to be very clear about this. You do not get to abandon an account and create a new one. You do not get to pass an account to someone else and create a new one. If you do so anyway, you will be banned for creating sockpuppets.
    Dismiss Notice
  4. If you wish to change your username, please ask via conversation to tehelgee instead of asking via my profile. I'd like to not clutter it up with such requests.
    Dismiss Notice
  5. Due to the actions of particularly persistent spammers and trolls, we will be banning disposable email addresses from today onward.
    Dismiss Notice
  6. A note about the current Ukraine situation: Discussion of it is still prohibited as per Rule 8
    Dismiss Notice
  7. The rules regarding NSFW links have been updated. See here for details.
    Dismiss Notice
  8. The testbed for the QQ XF2 transition is now publicly available. Please see more information here.
    Dismiss Notice

With This Ring (Young Justice SI) (Thread Fourteen)

Discussion in 'Creative Writing' started by Mr Zoat, Jan 27, 2019.

Loading...
  1. Coda

    Coda Versed in the lewd.

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2019
    Messages:
    1,079
    Likes Received:
    4,181
    Now, see, this is okay. Never once did I say that it was bad to talk to the self-professed Nazi as if they were, in fact, a self-professed Nazi. The defenses I have been raising are entirely in the realm of crime and punishment, not personal opinions and morality. You don't have to like her. You don't have to think she's a good person. And you're entirely welcome to say this to her face.

    It's only when it escalates to the administration of violence does this change. To be ethical, we should prefer to treat everyone fairly, and fairness means holding everyone to the same standards. And because we prefer that innocent people should not be the victims of undeserved violence, we should prefer that our system ensures due process -- a fair means of objectively establishing that the person deserves it instead of leaving them to the subjective whims of anyone who happens to be stronger.
     
  2. Ganurath

    Ganurath Apologizes For Nothing

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    2,532
    Likes Received:
    20,680
    Wait a minute...

    Overgirl has never seen Star Wars!
     
    zerofarad and Cuchulin like this.
  3. ForeverShogo

    ForeverShogo Not too sore, are you?

    Joined:
    Sep 25, 2016
    Messages:
    453
    Likes Received:
    2,723
    That might be for the best. Such blatant Rebel propaganda simply wouldn't be believable. As though the mighty Empire could be defeated by teddy bears. I scoff at the very notion.

    But yeah. He probably is being gentler with her because she looks Human. Most of the groups Paul has been harsher with have appearance some would consider monstrous. There's probably some lizard brain impulse that made him less forgiving.
     
    KenNM, zerofarad, Darko and 6 others like this.
  4. Itypeslow

    Itypeslow Corpses for the Corpse God!

    Joined:
    Nov 26, 2018
    Messages:
    24
    Likes Received:
    52
    The Steiner emblem is what sells this one
     
    Cuchulin likes this.
  5. Ganurath

    Ganurath Apologizes For Nothing

    Joined:
    Aug 18, 2014
    Messages:
    2,532
    Likes Received:
    20,680
    No, no, you don't get it. She hasn't seen the twist from The Empire Strikes Back. How many people can, decades after the movie came out, see an adult react with genuine shock to that reveal?
     
  6. Gladiusone

    Gladiusone Well worn.

    Joined:
    Sep 4, 2014
    Messages:
    5,588
    Likes Received:
    49,135
    Steiner-Davion, thank you very much.
     
  7. Threadmarks: Jungle Gym (part 4)
    Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    14,696
    Likes Received:
    729,010
    18th March
    09:24 GMT -5


    Eyes move around the room, Tula and Garth shrugging at those which alight on them. Robert looks thoughtful, but he ends up looking at me as well.

    I shake my head.

    "I don't think it's wendigos. They're not exactly subtle, and you need a very particular cannibalistic ritual to give someone the ability to turn into one. As far as I know, there were only ever a handful of Canadian tribes who knew how to do it, and they weren't exactly popular with their neighbours. It's never been confirmed as happening in the United States, let alone South America."

    Beryl raises her eyebrows. "Werewolf?"

    "Less unlikely, but…" I use my ring to bring up some of the pictures Batman handed us as part of the Brazilian government's request for help. "Look at this. Werewolves will kill people and eat them, but-."

    Richard nods. "They wouldn't make a point of tearing up a building site. You think there's an economic motive."

    "It could be a werewolf going to the site and then deliberately changing, or some other sort of shapeshifter, or some other sort of augmented strength. They're not too far from places we know Bane was selling Venom, for example. Or the site workers are in on it and it's just people with hammers and patience."

    Seriously. Wendigos? I'm surprised the Cattle Rancher's Association has even heard of those.

    Beryl presses another button and brings up the company's financial information.

    "Insurance fraud is another option. And mafia debt collection's always popular."

    I nod, looking around the circle. "Is it alright if Squire and I take this one? I already know the Brazilian superhero Fire-."

    Wallace frowns. "So why isn't she handling this? Or some other Brazilian superhero? Or their police?"

    Richard smiles. "Don't want a trip to Brazil, KF?"

    "No one got hurt." He shrugs. "Criminal damage isn't exactly high priority."

    "No, but it's low risk enough to be used for training, which is… Sort of the point."

    Roy snorts dismissively, shaking his head.

    Kaldur looks at him. "You believe there is another motive?"

    "The Cattle Rancher's Association owns Brazil's UN Ambassador. It's easier for them to put in a request to the Justice League than it is to get their own police to deal with it."

    I half-smile.

    "Plus, we're cheaper."

    Though Wallace does have a point. Beatriz might not want it because she's on bad terms with the ranchers, and they might not want her because she shoots things with fire and she can only control her primary fires. If she sets anything else on fire it burns normally. But that still leaves a number of publically-active superheroes and plenty of private security specialists. Fabiao was right on the money there. The Cattle Rancher's Association has a lot of wealthy members who wouldn't be slow about bringing that level of force in to deal with augmented protestors.

    Are we..? Really that easy to get hold of? I mean, if it was something that we were needed to deal with then I wouldn't have a problem, but this.. could result in a lot of trivial stuff being dumped on us. Or on the League.

    Kaldur nods, making eye contact with me. "The mission is yours."

    Beryl calls up a holographic roster, and moves her emblem and mine into the 'Brazil' column. Kaldur dismisses the images of the Brazil assignment and calls up a new set.

    "West Africa. An armed group has been attacking isolated villages. There are reports that they are led by an albino, and have access to extremely advanced weaponry."

    There's no picture to go with it, but the description came from people who escaped from different attacks and had no opportunity to compare their stories. The only African albino I remember from DC is that one animal man villain, who…

    I look around at the assortment of demigods who are now part of the team.

    Frankly, just about any of us could beat without too much trouble due to having much more raw power than Vixen or Mr Baker. And while Africa's big, there aren’t that many places where you can hide a penis tank. Tracking him down might be slightly difficult. Stopping him won't be. And while it would be interesting to see where he's getting his equipment from, that's hardly critical either. Actually, the only thing I know that's not included in the briefing report is that he has that animal-trait copying sidekick, and… The same thing applies. Whatever magics are in her mask are either too weak to be useful to me or too weird for me to be comfortable with studying them.

    M'gann calls up a map and highlights the locations attacked.

    "That's a pretty big area. The Bio-Ship would be best for scouting this out covertly."

    Canis brings up a topographical map and studies it for a moment.

    "If we visit one of the Lowlie hovels-" Raquel glances at me and then looks away. "-Brut may well be able to track them by scent."

    Amon briefly raises his right hand. "I would also like to participate. In his first life, my brother gave these lands his protection, and I think it would please him if I continued his work."

    And he's fast enough that operating away from a Lantern won't prevent him relocating, and he's tough enough to serve as the team's lead brawler if it comes to it.

    "Agreed." Kaldur nods, and Beryl makes the assignments. "Next, the Question has requested assistance in bringing down a Hub City crime lord."

    Artemis frowns. "Isn't he.. kinda…" She hesitates for a moment. "Crazy?"

    "He's the second sanest street shaman I know."

    Tula nods. "Shaman like that open themselves to the spiritual presence of the places and peoples around them. That usually leaves them a little disconnected from society."

    Garth nods as well. "Which is why hardly anyone in Atlantis studies that branch of magic."

    Kaldur smiles faintly. "Do either of you wish to observe a practitioner at work?"

    Two small head-shakes from them, but Robert perks up slightly. "I wouldn't mind."

    The remaining unassigned senior members of the team do the eye-dance for a moment, before Artemis nods. "I'll take it. Be nice to see somewhere worse than Gotham."

    Richard jerks his head back in mock offence.

    "Hey! We're only, like, fifteenth on the US murder rates lists this year."

    "You barely chart on the international list."

    Because let's get a sense of perspective. We have more superheroes in this room than most countries have in total. We really shouldn't be spending all our time in a country that can manage most things perfectly well without us.

    "Next." The holograms shift again. "The Russian government have reported that they have a lead on the disappearance of Christina Molotova."

    Wallace blinks. "I hadn't realised they were still looking."

    Leonid's face remains perfectly stoical. "Russia is a big and empty place. Finding someone who can move as fast as she can is not easy."

    "Okay, great." Wallace turns to Kaldur. "This one's mine."

    Leonid nods. "It may be best if I go with him. To avoid miscommunication."

    "Agreed." Their icons move on the chart. "Next…"
     
    Last edited: Jan 20, 2020
  8. Old Knife

    Old Knife Not too sore, are you?

    Joined:
    Feb 12, 2016
    Messages:
    430
    Likes Received:
    1,694
    What happened to Ubergirl?
     
  9. Z000

    Z000 If this is trash, then find me in the dumpster

    Joined:
    Apr 25, 2014
    Messages:
    3,084
    Likes Received:
    11,755
    eh, i doubt they would call for her with these sort of thing, they are basically going over daily mission and just checking them off the to do list
     
  10. Chojin Patriarch

    Chojin Patriarch Veteran Lurker

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2019
    Messages:
    2,149
    Likes Received:
    33,434
    Yeah, very much a local phenomenon. And a lovely cold open to the main business of the episode.

    Placing my bet, it's something to do with the Children of Dawn, some long-lost remnant. I could be way off, but worth considering given the location.

    Too many Hollywood movies, I expect.

    Just a matter of following the money in that case. Something a Power Ring is very good at.

    It's called 'passing the buck', Wally. Presumably the locals don't want a flame-throwing superhuman around their farms.

    Boy, he's in a mood. Did Overgirl shoot him down?

    If it were his clone-brother William, I'd say he was annoyed at being with the 'kiddy team', but this is OG Speedy. Then again, he probably has a high opinion of his need for training anyway.

    Hmm, the stale stink of corruption and cartels. Like old cigarette smoke and bitter alcohol. Must be all those back-room deals.:p

    <Snrk.>:V

    Joy of day-to-day heroing. You can't fight alien invasions or interdimensional intruders every day. Sometimes, you gotta clean up the streets...

    Very 'council of war'. I expect other teams will get Lanterns assigned for rapid response.

    Oh, boy. Not one for Overgirl, I think. Assuming she's invited at all.

    ...I'd say "WTF, Silver Age?" But that art is solidly 90's. I'm not sure which would be worse. This should be a curb-stomp for just about any squad.

    Good input. Presumably not counting on a Lantern.

    Get used to it, Rocket. Unlike Overgirl, he's not going anywhere soon.

    Heck, barring any unusual circumstances, he could handle it himself. It's just a matter of finding the responsible parties.

    Not exactly a glowing endorsement, OL. I'm guessing Maps is the first.

    Heh, good reminder of their shared magical training and theoretical experience.

    Oh, come on, it isn't that bad, surely. No, wait... Hub City. Qualifies best for 'wretched hive of scum and villainy'.

    Gotham is getting better.

    International, not America. Though the JLI Era had its comedic moments...

    Ah, fallout from the Russian Speedster episode. That would be 'ZigZag' if I remember correctly.

    This one's personal, after all.

    Leonid is also a fast flier, if I remember right, so they can keep up with each other no problem.

    The opening credits have rolled and the meat of the episode begins. Another 'Squads spread about the globe' episode, in the fine tradition of Silver Age Justice League issues.

    Corrections:
    ...they are led by an albino...
    Do either of you wish...
    ...spending all our time in...
     
  11. Handlewithcare

    Handlewithcare Versed in the lewd.

    Joined:
    Feb 6, 2019
    Messages:
    1,289
    Likes Received:
    12,974
    I fully expected Angelika to be slotted with the west africa mission.

    They say people often like you better when you ask them for help, so a good way for her to get more sampthy for "untermenschen" may be to get her to help and interact with some.
     
  12. moralrelativity

    moralrelativity Recovering pendant.

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2016
    Messages:
    873
    Likes Received:
    3,602
    Missing a word after "beat", maybe "them"?
     
  13. Chojin Patriarch

    Chojin Patriarch Veteran Lurker

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2019
    Messages:
    2,149
    Likes Received:
    33,434
    No, that caught me out too. But he's continuing a train of thought from the paragraph above. The sentence ending in 'animal man villain, who...' that was interrupted by his looking around.
    So it would basically read "...that one animal man villain who, frankly, just about any one of us could beat without too much trouble..."
     
    moralrelativity likes this.
  14. Ardy

    Ardy I trust you know where the happy button is?

    Joined:
    Dec 30, 2017
    Messages:
    641
    Likes Received:
    3,468
    Beryl has an icon? Awesome! What’s it look like?
     
    Cuchulin likes this.
  15. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    14,696
    Likes Received:
    729,010
    Thank you, corrected.
     
  16. Citizen

    Citizen Well worn.

    Joined:
    Feb 2, 2016
    Messages:
    6,495
    Likes Received:
    14,334
    "frowned" I think.

    "our"
     
    Mr Zoat and Chojin Patriarch like this.
  17. Prince Charon

    Prince Charon Just zis guy, you know?

    Joined:
    Feb 20, 2014
    Messages:
    9,737
    Likes Received:
    38,240
    I'm guessing that either the censors were asleep that day, or they decided that it wasn't important enough to care about.
     
  18. moralrelativity

    moralrelativity Recovering pendant.

    Joined:
    Dec 2, 2016
    Messages:
    873
    Likes Received:
    3,602
    Ah, that makes sense. Thank you.
     
    Chojin Patriarch likes this.
  19. Ngamer11

    Ngamer11 Experienced.

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    Messages:
    2,860
    Likes Received:
    17,209
    I think it should be "Isn't he...".
     
    Mr Zoat and Galler like this.
  20. Pinklestia

    Pinklestia Well worn.

    Joined:
    Sep 23, 2015
    Messages:
    5,553
    Likes Received:
    29,972
    Fortunately while Oh El has no common sence the rest of the team would veto that that hard Oh Rl would feel it next morning.
     
  21. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    14,696
    Likes Received:
    729,010
    Nearly.
    Thank you, corrected.
     
  22. Coda

    Coda Versed in the lewd.

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2019
    Messages:
    1,079
    Likes Received:
    4,181
    There's not supposed to be an apostrophe in the name, according to a Google search.

    Missing full stop.
     
    Mr Zoat likes this.
  23. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    14,696
    Likes Received:
    729,010
    Why's that?
    Thank you, corrected.
     
    Chojin Patriarch likes this.
  24. Ngamer11

    Ngamer11 Experienced.

    Joined:
    Jan 28, 2019
    Messages:
    2,860
    Likes Received:
    17,209
    I think that should say "Shamans like that".
     
    Cuchulin likes this.
  25. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    14,696
    Likes Received:
    729,010
    Actually, it should be 'shamasal like that', but Tula misspoke.
     
  26. Mr Zoat

    Mr Zoat Dedicated ragequitter

    Joined:
    Dec 1, 2016
    Messages:
    14,696
    Likes Received:
    729,010
    Oh, no no no. I would never reference a real world lobbying organisation in reference to activities taking place more recently than twenty years. The entirely fictional Cattle Rancher's Association may look similar in some ways to the real world Cattle Ranchers Association, but in reality they are very different organisations.

    See the apostraphy? Right.
     
  27. Coda

    Coda Versed in the lewd.

    Joined:
    Jan 27, 2019
    Messages:
    1,079
    Likes Received:
    4,181
    I suppose I can't argue with that!
     
  28. PDV

    PDV Revelation That Uncertainty Is Itself An Answer

    Joined:
    Apr 6, 2018
    Messages:
    387
    Likes Received:
    1,467
    Bramble Thorn, DrThoth and Cuchulin like this.
  29. Jormuungaand

    Jormuungaand Out of work World Serpent

    Joined:
    May 9, 2019
    Messages:
    47
    Likes Received:
    174
    This is an Internet forum. We can argue with ANYTHING!
     
    Simonbob, Razorfloss and Cuchulin like this.
  30. jonasquinn

    jonasquinn I trust you know where the happy button is?

    Joined:
    Dec 27, 2016
    Messages:
    983
    Likes Received:
    2,826
    I imagine Overgirl will probably go with OL and that's how she meets the Hitler clone
     
Loading...