Nova

[St George]

Spoiler: OOC and Warning

Firstly, I'm not really sure what this or whether its canon or not. I fully understand why people would not want to recognise that Tolima has 'super-powered' individuals, which is why I'm probably going to consider this canon to Tolima only, so its unlikely one of these characters will pop up anywhere else. At the same time, I'm open to RPing with people who want to be involved in this sort of thing. Throw me a pm or reach me on irc or discord and we'll talk.

Secondly, at times my posts will explore darker and more mature themes, so you read at your own risk.

---

The Skies of the Seran Island Chain

“Thirty minutes out from target.”

Michael tutted into his headset. “Jesus Ricardo, it’s not a target and we’re not going there to rob it.”

“Then why are we? We had a good thing going.”

“Yeah, until Rivelino showed up and kicked me through a wall. How is your uncle, by the way?”

Ricardo swore at the mention of his Nova-powered relative. “Unaware of my profession, my powers and my opinion on his choice of husband. Thankfully.”

Michael snorted at that, turning to look at his companion. “I think you’re a little jealous. Muracao is an attractive lad, and closer to your age than your uncle’s.” To Michael’s surprise, a slow blush had started on what little of Ricardo’s face he could see. Laughing, he clapped his friend on the shoulder. “You really are jealous!”

Ricardo changed the subject. “And what of your exploits? You are well known in the jovenes as having struck out with everyone who was ever interested. It’s a topic of mirth amongst them.”

“Slander and libel, say I. Spurned women spread the most horrendous rumours about me and the people believe them. I should invite Muracao along when I next go out, at least he’ll keep you distract-” Michael was cut off by an urgent beeping from the jets consoles.

“Time to go to work.” He announced, standing up and moving to the back of the plane. “Open the bay doors.”

“Doors opened, please bring back something of value, for Christ’s sake.”

Michael smirked, wings growing slowly from his back. “I doubt they have a gift shop.” He jumped from the plane into the dark skies above Toliman waters, and headed east.

---

Aboard the Toliman Navy Ship Greater Purpose, a crew of 38 monitored the communications and surveillance of at least 12 nations in the Seran Islands Chain and further afield. A fleet of 7 vessels, either surface or submarine, did similar work for Tolima and allied nations. To those who knew of its existence, the fleet was called Uatu, after the comic book character that watches the world.

Greater Purpose was the most modern and most important surveillance ship in the world. Its primary mission was to monitor possible terrorist and criminal activity domestically in Tolima and internationally in the Seran Islands. In recent months, however, it had been reassigned. Its new mission? Monitor the growing numbers of powered individuals – the Nova-humans, as some had taken to calling them.

The Toliman government, conscious of the risks of allowing Nova-humans to go unchecked – no one wanted a repeat of the Alaves disaster – started Project Nova, a pan-military and civilian project to monitor, study and ultimately decide the fate of Tolima’s Nova-humans. Whilst scientists scrambled to study Novas and find out what caused their powers, Project Nova approached several prominent and emerging Novas, inducing them to work for the state and policing Nova-human settlements that had sprung up along Tolima’s northern coastline.

Michael Vidal was one of those. A bank robber and petty criminal by trade, he was defeated and captured by Rivelino, one of the first members of Project Nova, who even tore off one of his wings using the super strength he possessed. It had taken months before the wing grew back, but in the meantime he had been pressured into joining Project Nova. With the choice between that and a lengthy prison term in the camps on one of Tolima’s more remote islands, it had been easy to accept.

Looking at his latest assignment however, he almost wished he’d chosen prison. He looked at Dr Dermode, his handler, and sighed.

“You know he’s watched, right? Every cartel has their falcons watching the ‘Hero of San Miguel’, waiting to see just which way he falls, which cartel he allies to. The money on the street is the Higuanos, who rule much of the pueblos jovenes of the city.”

Dermode nodded. “Largest and most powerful cartel in the city. Looks likely. His cousin and uncle were both members, before being put in prison. Luis won’t join them though.”

Michael quirked an eyebrow. “You have inside knowledge of this?”

“We have our own falcons, not that they are separate from the cabals. Still, we pay better.” Dermode blinked, and the screen changed to a map of San Miguel, with criss-crossing overlays of cartel territory. “The situation on the ground changes quickly, as you well know. Two days ago, the Higuanos attempted to kidnap Luis’s younger sister, an as yet unpowered 15 year old.” A surveillance photo of the girl appeared on the screen.

“She was working in a cafe on the outskirts of the jovenes when they came for her. We had agents in position to stop them but Luis got there first. Took several rounds to the face, but got up and threw the shooter through a wall. He’s getting stronger, we believe, in connection to the damage he takes. Theoretically, this means he may eventually become unstoppable.”

“And you want me to capture him? Why not terminate?”

Dermode shook his head. “Did you not hear me? He took bullets to the head. At close range. And got up like it was nothing, his face knitting back together as he did. Look,” Dermode directed Michael to the screen, showing Luis standing up with half his face blown away but repairing itself.

“That shouldn’t happen. We’ve studied ferratus – iron skins – before. They survive, yes, but their heart stops and they wake up later. Their skin doesn’t repair itself during the fight. Luis is something different. We need to bring him in.”

“And how do you expect me to do that? If he’s impervious to damage, then how do I take him down?”

Dermode shrugged. “Find a way, o’ angel of death. I don’t want to have to set the huntress on him. He would be much less open to co-operative if I did.”

Michael frowned at the name, but didn’t comment. He knew the handlers nicknamed their charges, but he was slightly disturbed at being called that. “I will do my best. But San Miguel is Rivelino’s turf. If he gets in my way, it will become a problem to work with him again.”

---

 

[St George]

Jose Vitale had the complete attention of the assembled guests as he finished telling the story of his latest exploits. He suspected that some of them knew he was using the charisma boost his power granted him to hold their attention, but Vitale didn't care. It's not like they could do anything, he thought wryly, as they applauded politely at the end of his story. The party broke up into groups and he made his way around the room, making small talk.

Arnold House was a luxurious three story town house in the old Merchants Quarter of Medrazo, formerly home to one of Medrazo's leading robber barons. Said robber baron - Hernan Arnold - had come to an unfortunate end in the chaos of Tolima's 70s and 80s. The House had largely remained unoccupied until the current occupant had brought it and turned it into the headquarters of his marketing business. Today Arnold House was the largest marketing firm in Tolima, largely due to being the sole agency for Jose Vitale, the Nova-powered stuntman turned actor.

During the day the house would be full of worker doing the menial task of keeping his business running - policing use of his image and negotiating deals to further expand the reach of Vitale's brand. By night, Arnold House would be home to parties like this, where the great and the good of Medrazo came to fawn upon their hero. As they should, Vitale would often say in private. He always watched his words in public, conscious of the carefully created image he had.

He almost stopped as he saw his assistant step in line with him. He'd told her to go home hours ago, angry after she had reported that focus groups had all reacted negatively to his proposed name change. Jose Vitale would not become Angel de Medrazo after all, to his annoyance. At she had dressed to blend in, Vitale thought as he regarded her. She had been picked by his chief of staff from a group of at least a hundred applicants. Beautiful and intelligent in equal measure, she was useful and not too curious about some of the more clandestine actions of her boss.

"Sir, security have apprehended an intruder."

He glared at her. "Then why are you telling me this now? It can wait."

"It's Luis Rivaldo." Vitale did a double take.

"Where is he?" He asked, wondering why the hell the 'Hero of San Miguel' was in his city. Vitale felt a pang of jealousy at the nickname. It can come naturally, given by the falcons of various cartels first, then spread through the people and the press. Seemed like everyone in San Miguel had just been waiting for someone other than cartel capos.

"In the red room." Vitale nodded at the reply and went back to the party. He excused himself at the earliest possibility and made his way to the basement of the house, walking through a kitchen and storage rooms to enter the red room. The red room had been added by Hernan Arnold, who liked to use it to dispose of spies and enemies. Vitale had man the once, when he was very young. He had not been pleasant and Vitale took a small satisfaction knowing that a lower class person such as himself had taken possession of the baron's home.

The Red Room was named so because, rather obviously, it was all red, from the floor to the ceiling. Better to wash away the blood, Vitale had guessed when he first saw it. He entered, dismissing the two guards that were watching over his fellow Nova-powered individual. Luis Rivaldo was not tall, standing maybe 5 foot 6 inches. He still had the face of the boy he could never be again, not since the day when he'd gotten caught in the crossfire between two cartels. TV cameras had captured his death, taking several bullets from both directions, and then captured the moment he woke up. It had made news across the world, but Luis had refused medical testing and interviews in equal measure, instead just carrying on with his life.

Trouble had a way of catching up with Luis, however. Vitale knew he'd been at least three shoot outs or battles since then, as cartels and criminal gangs tried to force him to join them. He had been disturbed to see the latest one, where he had stood up after getting shot in the face, picked up the shooter, and threw him head first through a wall. The police had deemed it self-defence as they usually did when Novas were targeted.

Vitale took a seat across from Luis. "My apologies if you were roughed up by my security, but something tells me you're ok." He smiled. "I did not know you had left San Miguel, Mr Rivaldo."

Something flashed in Luis's eyes. "I didn't know you were keeping tabs on me, Mr Vitale."

Vitale shrugged. "I don't. My people do. They seem to think it would be beneficial for me to know where various Novahumans are at all times. I take no interest in you beyond a casual interest in your well being." He took a drink of water from a side table. "I assume you are recovered from your recent ordeal."

Luis nodded. "I am, but I don't know what I can do to stop them. They came after my sister." Luis's voice had changed, he sounded almost fearful. "My sister, Mr Vitale."

"I'm sure that's concerning for you. Why come to me though?"

Luis stumbled over a reply. He had been told that Jose Vitale would help him. "I... I was told you would know what to do. I came h-here to ask for your help to move my family here."

Vitale scoffed and stood up. "If I helped everyone who asked for it, I would have no time to myself. Moving here is not a solution to your problems, and would only bring the cartels to my city."

Luis's eyes hardened. "We could take them down together." He said, causing Vitale to laugh.

"Work with you? You are a child." Vitale was almost shouting now. "You would get in my way. How would you ask me this?"

"I am trying to keep my family safe, Mr Vitale." Luis was standing now.

"You are trying to steal my spotlight!" Vitale spat, losing all composure. "I don't care about your family. I will not allow you to enter my city." He poked Luis in the chest as he spoke. "You are a nothing. A gnat try to steal my light. A leech trying to suck my talent and fame." He fully pushed the younger man.

"Don't push me." Luis's voice had taken one a dangerous tone, but Vitale didn't care. He pushed him again, forcing him out of the room.

"Get out! Get out of my house!" He kept pushing him as he berated him. "Get out of my city! Don't come back! Your family can die for all I care! Leave!" He went to push him again, but stopped in shock when Luis didn't move.

Vitale swore and punched Luis, knocking him back a step. The pushes became punches and slaps, increasing as Vitale activated his powers. A hard backhand sent Luis through a door, and out into Vitale's party, with guests and staff both scattering as Vitale attacked him, drawing blood. Luis threw out an arm to defend himself, but Vitale grabbed it, twisted and then snapped the arm at the elbow.

Luis cried out, but an aura seemed to surround him as he stepped away from Vitale, creating distance. He rolled his shoulder and grabbed the arm with other hand, setting it back right. Vitale tried to take advantage and rushed him, throwing kicks and punches, but Luis brushed them off. He wound up and throw a single punch of his own, an open fisted palm strike to the chest. Vitale, the first Nova, the most famous Nova, across the room as security started to enter the room.

Luis took the momentary peace as he cue to leave and fled into the night.