New Bonding Orbitals, New Energy Levels

[trustycrowbar]

[Video, to JLS members]

Hey everyone, uh, Booster and I got to talking and... [He gives a shrug and a shortened laugh.] Looks like I'm working with you guys officially, now!

Comments

[Video]

[wontdieifkilled]

Nice to meet you. I'm Shirou.

What are you bringing to the table?

[trustycrowbar]

Let's see... an armored hazmat suit, a small but growing personal armory, and some space at the Labs should you boys need something analyzed.

[It means he still gets an actual paychcek, too.]

[wontdieifkilled]

That's...quite a bit. I can see why Booster wanted you.

[trustycrowbar]

Wellllll, I also worked with him on a couple of missions already. In fact I was there with 'em when they took down the Joker. I get the feeling there won't be much of a change.

[the_ko_stands_for_tiger]

Hey, way to go! You hang with us enough, only works that you should join us in the heroing business!

[trustycrowbar]

"Superhero business..." Wow. I Can't believe that phrase actually applies now. It's... kind of cool, tell you the truth.

[the_ko_stands_for_tiger]

Heroing is the BEST! You won't regret it! ...although there IS the marketing aspect you have to deal with.

[trustycrowbar]

Looking forward to it, Tig--

Whoa, wait. Marketing aspect?

[stinglikeabat]

That's great news!

Every hero team needs a smart guy or two on it, and between you and me, that's not our strong point!

[trustycrowbar]

[He snorts a laugh and crosses his arms, smirking.]

Well I didn't want to say anything... but let's just say I'm glad there's a niche I can fill.

[stinglikeabat]

Why wouldn't you want to say anything? You're a superhero now! Brag to your heart's content!

[trustycrowbar]

[He's a superhero. God. He'll never get over that, no matter how many times he hears it. He scrubs a hand through his hair sheepishly.]

I'll let YOU guys do the bragging, it's not really something I like to do. That's the reason I just told the team first. I'll let everyone else know later.

[stinglikeabat]

Going for a grand entrance, then? That's not a half bad idea!

Say, what's your hero name?

[trustycrowbar]

[Ho boy. The way Joachim is going on about it, it seemed like panache was a prerequisite...]

Just, uh, my normal name. Freeman.

[stinglikeabat]

It doesn't have a bad ring to it. But are you sure you don't want something a little cooler?

[trustycrowbar]

Like... what? [He snorts.] Captain Crowbar? The Amazing Supercollider Strontium-90 Man? The Hazmat Harbinger? None of 'em sound right!

[stinglikeabat]

Captain Crowbar sounds pretty good to me!

[trustycrowbar]

I'm not gonna call myself Captain Crowbar, Joachim! Sounds like something a five-year-old would come up with!

[Or a lisping nerd in a Cthulhu costume.]

[gogoghostpowers]

Captain Crowbar is pretty good... but you know what's better?

Parti-rasc-le Physicist!

[trustycrowbar]

Parti-rasc-le...

[He actually groans at that one, hand to his temple. That pun may have actually taken off a few health points.]

Ngh, what's the matter with you, Danny!?

[gogoghostpowers]

What? It's just like witty banter!

And witty banter gets used a lot when you're a superhero.

[No, Danny. That's just you.]

[trustycrowbar]

News to me. I don't tend to banter much on missions.

[He's... moderately sure that won't be a problem. Maybe he ought to check up with Booster.]

[gogoghostpowers]

Well...that's because you weren't in the JLS before!

[trustycrowbar]

I suppose I can always pick the skill up while on the job.

[gogoghostpowers]

Working with the JLS officially? As in, doing the whole "punch bad guy, bad guy goes ow, make witty banter" thing? Or are you doing something else?

[trustycrowbar]

That's the general process, yeah. Except I sometimes add a shotgun. You know, to expedite things.

[gogoghostpowers]

You have shotguns?

I think that makes you the first of us that does!

[trustycrowbar]

Actually a glock, a revolver, a shotgun and grenades when I can get 'em. I'm good with all four, plus probably anything else I pick up... and I'm still trying to figure out why.

[gogoghostpowers]

[Danny's mouth hangs open for a few moments before it closes. And then, it takes him another few seconds to actually figure out what to say.]

That's...a lot of firepower. You--you showed up here with all that?

[trustycrowbar]

Nope, they're all Sirocco-made. I was quick to build up a good defense from all those monsters after the Oni takeover. Either got them myself when I could afford it, or they were issued by the Labs later when they realized I was a walking secondary defense strategy. Only thing that isn't from here is, uh... this.

[With s short toss, he hefts a long crowbar with dinged-up red paint on the handle.]

Not your average weapon of choice... but I'm pretty damn good with it.

[gogoghostpowers]

A crowbar? Sounds...deadly.

I-Is that paint on it there, or...?

[trustycrowbar]

...

[He glances at it, then back at the camera.]

Yes, it's paint. C'mon, kid, I'm a little more civilized than that.

[gogoghostpowers]

Well, I don't know, maybe you had to use it in self-defense for something! Besides, why would a crowbar be painted red there anyway?

[trustycrowbar]

[He shrugs. As far as he knows, he hasn't had to beat anyone that badly with it. As far as he KNOWS. He gives it another thoughtful look.]

You know, I never really wondered about the red color... ngh, 'snot that important anyway. I only plan on using what I have to in order to get the job done. I'm well aware you guys aren't big on, uh... overkill.