But nobody ever tells you to shave

[attainment]

WHO: Barnaby Brooks Jr. and Chico Libre
WHERE: Maurtia Falls
WHEN: The end of April
WHAT: Chico's hunt for UMA leads him into trouble, again.
WARNINGS: Some foul language, but that's it!



Although Barnaby is most often found in Heropa, sometimes his job takes him to the other imPort cities. In this case, a speaking engagement is what brought him to Maurtia Falls. But once the event is over and he's signed plenty of autographs for adoring fans, he has the rest of the day to himself.

Typically, this leads to a routine patrol of the area, and that's especially true for Maurtia Falls. While making his way through a couple of the seedier alleys, he catches sight of some repeat offenders he encountered back during his Archangel days, with a younger boy he identifies as an imPort from the network in tow. Even without some of the extensive experience as some of his other colleagues, that's enough to raise enough red flags for Barnaby to stealthily trail behind them by moving from roof to roof of the buildings looming above the group, ready to activate his Hundred Power at a moment's notice.

Comments

[hombrenuevo]

[ This was standard procedure for gathering intel for a new mission. Sometimes your information came from the under belly of society; those were the people with all the right information. That used to be him when he was back in Costa Rica, but now he's at the mercy of these goons and their supposed knowledge. All it took was a few nosy questions around town on Chico's part before these two "gentlemen" found him.

They have the skinny on some prowler in Maurtia Falls that's been seen around at night in the seedier districts—Seedier than usual, at least. One of their boys saw him, or it—Apparently there's no definitive opinion on what it should be classified as—on his way back from a bar. But that's all the pair can swear to. The rest will have to come from the man himself who lived to tell this tale. And that requires a hop, skip, and a jump down the street where the guy conveniently works.

Anyone none the wiser would think they were family the way one of them carries on the flow of conversation with Chico. The other, however, remains suspiciously quiet as he keeps a sharp eye on their surroundings. Then, like a figment of the imagination, all three disappear. It's only Chico's indignant shout that makes it clear he's been taken hostage inside one of the abandoned buildings they just passed. ]

[attainment]

Barnaby wastes no time, activating his Hundred Power so he can effortlessly drop from the roof onto the ground below. Although he could certainly make quick work of the men, the boy's safety is his priority. Ultimately, he presses his back against the abandoned building, remaining out of sight but still within earshot of the kidnappers.

"Okay, so, I've got a better idea," says the man who'd been chatting Chico up. "Let's send out a ransom for this kid. He's got his own WhoTube channel or something, doesn't he?"

"Are you fucking crazy?" snaps the silent partner from before. "He's an imPort, no one is gonna just hand us money if we--"

"Look, I know you and the guys wanna make him use his powers for stuff, but you realize some of these freaks just, like, shoot cheese whiz out of their fingers, right? I mean, don't get me wrong, cheese whiz fucking rocks, but I'm just saying..."

"Yeah, and I'm saying no ransoms!"

Barnaby resists the urge to roll his eyes, instead staying back for just a couple of more moments to determine whether a third of fourth gang member had been waiting for them, or if he only needed to subdue two morons this time.

[hombrenuevo]

What in the world is happening? Chico was in shock at the beginning of all this, but now? He's just confused. What adrenaline had been running through his veins is now growing cold, leaving him a little disoriented in the hands of these... kidnappers? Thugs? It's hard to say.

The best Chico can do for himself right now is ask: "What's cheese whiz?"

That makes one of the criminals growl in frustration, motioning right to Chico. It makes him flinch, but so far neither of them have tried to hurt him. That's definitely something to be grateful for.

[attainment]

Maybe neither of them have tried to hurt him, but it's clear that they're trying to abduct this kid for their own nefarious purposes. As near as Barnaby can tell, there aren't any other threats he needs to worry about, and he isn't going to wait for them to make another move.

As he summons his powersuit with a flash of pink, Barnaby dashes forward and snatches Chico from the thugs. By the time either of the men realize what's happened, Barnaby is already perched on top of the balcony overlooking the criminals with the boy safely in his arms.

"Hey! What the hell do you think--" The rage in the first criminal's face gives way to dawning recognition. "Oh shit, it's this asshole again. Dale, let's get out of here!"

The two are starting to make their way out, but Barnaby isn't concerned. "Stay low," he calmly instructs Chico as he sets him down. "I'll be right back."