Contest Entry: Just A BADGE Habit

Contest Entry  ID# 10910

It had been an odd day. A day where things just go wrong. Routine operations were bungled. Run of the mill bad guys were getting away. Normally reliable officers were missing crucial equip checks, only to have gear fail right down to the third and fourth redundancies.

The latest catastrophe was just about set to rights. Then, on The Closer's wrist, an overly technical timepiece activates to delivers a transmission, “Nova to... Ynngh”, "To...any...heroes who can hear...me. BADGE has been compromised….help...”

It isn't unusual for him to look at the device when it activates, even though it's audio only. It is however, unusual for the device to glow a sickly green color. He's about to turn it off and back on again, when it detaches itself from his suit and falls towards the floor.

Defense systems are activated without hesitation. The device is after all a level 3 threat. A fully autonomous infiltrator, updated with the latest AI software. "I even paid extra for witty repartee v2.71" He thinks. It can still cut with blades too. All while undermining defensive systems and jamming signals with rotating frequencies, and a few unpleasant chemical cocktails. This thing going haywire is a concern.

The deactivation sequence isn't working, no surprise. Whatever got into this thing, obviously compromised BADGE as well. He hears its audio system keying up again, probably intending to attack his character, while it attacks his appendages. No, wait a minute, Cackling laughter? He didn't buy a villain persona, he went with snarky David Tennant.

"Well well well, if it isn't a copper Copper."


"You shouldn't be trying to talk to my toys! In this game, you don't want an early turn."

Above the spider like device, a jack o lantern forms, followed by 2 green hands. A quick "nothing up my sleeve" mime, then 1 of the hands reaches behind the head, and pulls a wicked looking ax out of nowhere. "I'm feeling generous, and Agent Nova is waiting on ice for me, so I'll give you one chance to postpone this dance." It pulls a dark shroud over it's own floating face, and waves the ax menacingly. "Name me, and I'll save my job for later."

Deciding to play along and gather some more information, The Closer says "You're the Horseless Headsman."

A vicious snarl erupts from the hood, and it advances a bit, but it's soon followed with a giddy laugh, and it starts to fade. "Well played Closer, you'll be fun, but one door opens, and Novas done."

A system check says his device is operating properly again. A piggy back signal off the badge transmission opened a back door through his security, complete control was lost. He'll have to have a chat with Nova about that. It's odd, that even the remote maintenance programs were compromised.

Complete system collapse... And yet, Nova was able to get off a distress call?

He keys up his communicator. "Anybody receiving this signal, you're not alone in encountering our little ghost in the machine." He gets right to business to cut off any sitreps. "I believe the attempted lure to BADGE is either a trap, or at the very least part of this plot. If you are in route, do not, I repeat, do not let anyone open those doors"

He confirms his transmitter is secure, and switches to the AI at HQ. "E.A.R.P. can you confirm your systems aren't compromised?"

The familiar mechanical voice responds. "No Sir. In fact, 37% of my operating efficiency has been effected by an invasive program. I did manage to quarantine and power down the infected areas. However, It has now begun a physical assault of those systems, I assume using service automata."

"Well done, I don't think BADGE's systems fared so well at ground zero. What can you tell me about the signal itself?"

It begins to run through a checklist "Perhaps supernatural in origin, but tied to technology."

The Closer interjects "Or confined by."

"Indeed. A seemingly Supernatural power, forced to use technology to achieve its goals, and becoming very adept at it."

At completely reckless speeds he's only 10 minutes from BADGE. That also gives the guys on the Night Shift enough time to have a localized EMP on site.

Doesn't take Dr. SSS very long to teleport it well within the BADGE facility, most of its security seems turned on itself. "Why are we taking BADGE offline exactly?" he asks

The Closer Grunts and gestures towards the hidden complex "I believe He's bitten off more than he can chew. In preparation, or fear, he lives buried within the ground, hiding behind every security measure he can find. Once he feels nice and safe, what does he do with his technology? He uses it to undermine our security, to burrow through our fail-safes, and finally lets this little beastie right inside our homes.

"Dracomeander, set off the EMP!"

The dapper officer hits a few buttons on his remote access device. You can tell he also attempts to take scans of the results, but you don't need any help to see what happens. What ever technology was binding this creature, fell to the EMP, and it emerges, as fast as it can. A swirling mass of energy.

"Aghhh, Nova! I almost wish I'd have been confined to that machine for a few more moments, I was almost beginning to enjoy myself! First I will destroy you fools, now face the full power, of Haunt, The Lord of Terror!"


Having heard the call, a steady stream of heroes coming on the scene ensures that despite his waves of terror, and ability to possess others, the Haunt, can't make good on his threat. There is a wave of force, and everyone is thrown backwards, and the villain seems to be gone, but The Closer hears a voice.

"You've made an enemy today fool, with a long reach, and a loooongeeeer memoryyyyyyy."

Those equipped for such things, confirm that the presence has gone. Nova is quickly secured. He's still unconscious, but it looks like he'll live to face league justice.

Dr. SSS wanders up "Now, there's a spooky story to tell the cadets."

Hmmm "While you're telling your ghost stories could you have someone check for some physical evidence."

"Like what?"

"I don't know, ectoplasm. I have to write this into a report that doesn't make me sound like an idiot."

"That'll be tough." He smirks

Jerk