Fly Me to the Moon..

[azure-avenger.livejournal.com]

Visits to the Watchtower often remind Ted of the old crooner tune, but today, that's pushed aside as he (via his robotic avatar) prepares to work on reviewing security footage and attempting data recovery from the S.T.A.R. Labs fire. Thanks to the inadvertant intervention of a space fungus, the fire hadn't been as destructive as the mystery thieves intended - a later examination had turned up some accelerant left in the lab that would've made the place a total loss as far as evidence is concerned.

Dr. Sayers had been rendered unconscious before the fire began, and it appeared that it was ignited with a small explosive device placed on the gas canisters in the lab. Dr. Sayers had secretly retained samples of the disenchanted version of Ra's Al Ghul's plague, off the books, and the thieves apparently took those samples, along with some of her other work - focused on genetic therapy techniques.

Oracle had determiend that Dr. Sayers was corresponding with a colleague, identified only as 'Boris' in their communications. Trying to follow the e-mails back to the source proved fruitless, as 'Boris' used one of the popular web-based email services that didn't require verified personal information, and the account itself, 'epimetheus@jmail.com' was wiped clean by its owner, using several layers of IP anonymization.

Now Ted's got the mostly-intact hard drive from Dr. Sayers's computer, and the security tapes from the night of the incident. "Hopefully, we'll be able to figure out who did this, and whether or not they know what they've got.. and it needs to be fast, if the Plague is in play. Oracle said she was sending someone to help with the data recovery, at least - that should help."

Comments

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Both of Kip's brows rise, and the smile becomes a wide grin. "No, sir, we haven't met! Wow, the Blue Beetle. And yes, sir, I'm Orion, but most everyone calls me by my real name, which is Kip." He moves forward, toward the sound of the avatar's voice, and presents his hand. "Sir, this is a great honor."

[azure-avenger.livejournal.com]

Somewhere, Ted grins, as the avatar stands to shake Kip's hand. The grip is a firm one, and is difficult to distinguish from that of a man in an armored glove. "Well, I can't say most folks react to me like that. It's nice to meet you, Kip - have you been on the Watchtower much?"

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

"Yes, sir, I have. Spend as much time here as I do my home now. Thinking about getting another cat to keep mine company." He's still holding the hand, though his expression's more thoughtful now. Head raises, tilts to one side. Something's ... different. "I don't know why people'd react differently to meeting you, sir. I know your reputation. You're one of the best. Even the Batman likes you, and sometimes I wonder if he likes anyone."

[azure-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Really? While I was semi-retired, I logged all kinds of hours on monitor duty up here. I can't believe we never crossed paths before.. I guess it's a big Watchtower."

Realization dawns. "Ah, you're picking up on the mechanical handshake, I bet."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Kip nods to that, adding, "That and the slight filtration of your voice. I couldn't figure out whether it was from a helmet - I didn't think you wear a mouthpiece, but costumes change - or from something more mechanized. This isn't really you, is it, sir?"

[azure-avenger.livejournal.com]

"Guilty as charged!" He chuckles. "I was diagnosed with a heart condition - and vigilantism was on the list of 'Don'ts'. So I built a surrogate, and I pilot it by a mental link."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Wonder fills the young man's expression, wonder and admiration. He finally releases the surrogate Ted's hand as he shakes his head, remarking, "I'd love to hear the details about how you managed that technology, sir. Happen to have a special love for hardware, and what you're describing...shucks, I'd love to know how you did it."

Yes, he said 'shucks'.

"I also gotta admire that perseverence. Still finding a way to do good? No wonder everyone speaks so highly of you, sir. That's amazing dedication."

[azure-avenger.livejournal.com]

Ted grins. I like this kid.

"I'll get your e-mail address from Oracle and send you some specs. A lot of the work is based on things we've confiscated from villains over the years - people like the Thinker, Prometheus, et cetera. But the link itself relies on new sensor technology, that allows me to employ the principle of 'spooky action at a distance' to actualy send information."

"And Kip, this business is filled with people who perservere. You and Oracle have overcome limitations to help people. I wasn't going to let a bad heart stop me - and besides, I was going to go stir-crazy if I didn't do something to get back out there."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

Without a pause, Kip counters, "No offense, sir, but I believe the only limitations in my life are caused by fear. Anything I'm strong enough to do, I can do, and God gives me a lot of strength. I'm thinking that's how it is with you, too, sir."

[azure-avenger.livejournal.com]

"You know, that's a very good way to put it. I have to say, I admire that sunny disposition of yours - you make Captain Marvel look like Eddie Vedder."

[http://users.livejournal.com/_kip_/]

The smile returns to a grin form. "Well, sir, anything that gets me compared to Captain Marvel makes my day, and thank you. But Eddie Vedder? I'm more a jazz man myself." He doesn't bother wearing glasses on the Watchtower, so it's easy to see his eye, acid scars still faintly visible, wink teasingly.

[azure-avenger.livejournal.com]

Ted chuckles again. "Can't fault jazz. My personal music tastes run towards 80's pop, but there's very little I won't listen to."

"If you want to get started, I've got the hard drive from the lab loaded up - looks like it was magnetically wiped, but some recovery might be possible."