Faces of the Spider (Adventurers)

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Faces of the Spider is a story arc of The Adventurers super group that began in January of 2016. When the monster form of Red Spider returns, the team assumes that Cassandra has lost control for the first time in more than a year since she was afflicted with an engineered mutation virus. Matters become complicated when another Cassandra - the real one - is located in the rubble of the monster's first attack site, a cloning laboratory belonging to Source Biotech Enterprises. With UNTIL maintaining the monster (now in human form) in their custody, the team must attend a secret court hearing meant to determine the clone's fate - and in the process, defend the team's actions going back nearly two years.

Characters

County Prosecutor George Kruger

Kruger's office boasts an 80% conviction record for felonies. As Millennium City's chief public prosecutor, he has made numerous statements excoriating costumed vigilantes.

UNTIL Captain Chris Suzuki

A representative from UNTIL's Officer of Superhuman Resources, Suzuki approaches the Adventurers to warn them and give them an opportunity. UNTIL has to turn Red Spider's clone over to the MCPD as the organization must defer to local authorities in cases like this. However, UNTIL appreciates the Adventurers past assistance and has used some of its clout to give the Adventurers a chance with a secret hearing to gain the clone's freedom. Suzuki warns that the prosecutor will do everything he can to see the matter of the clone referred to a public trail.

Court Transcripts

Opening Remarks

George Kruger, Prosecutor

Ahem. Thank you, your honor. Today I am privileged to be a part of a precedent setting case in many respects. We are dealing with not only the rights of cloned individuals - an area of case law that to date is quite barren - but the rights of persons who are cloned. But as the duly elected prosecutor for this county, I must represent the grave concerns to public safety represented in this case. It will be shown that on February 1st of this year, there was an attack on this city. Lives were lost. This was one-hundred percent preventable. A collection of costumed vigilantes, colorfully calling themselves 'The Adventurers', have repeatedly bucked the law to do their own thing. The county demands high standards of accountability for our protectors. Our protectors - our best protectors - wear uniforms, badges, and can be required to answer for any misdeeds. These costumed rogues do not meet that standard. In my case I will easily point out numerous times when they have flagrantly broke the laws of our ordered society. But let's not lose sight of our true focus here - the fate the defendant. If this person, who is known to have great destructive power, is not required to go to trial, but is left in the stewardship of these vigilantes... God help us all. The county's position is that the matter should go to trial, and let the public know of a potential danger in their midst. Let a duly appointed court, possibly a jury of peers, decide the fate of the monster. That is all.

Lady Justice, representing the defense

In the hands of this establishment lies the hands of a woman, a woman made of flesh and blood, thought and emotion. A human being! A human being who was brought into this world with ill intent in mind, but one who can still choose her own path just as any of us has. Yet again we will assert that the circumstances of her birth do not...no.../never/ merit treating her as a so-called monster! Our group is not free from error, I will be the first to admit...but our track record of bettering our own stands for itself. We are here now. We will guide her if that is her wish. I beg you, Your Honor, do not set the precedent that this nation may once again be free to hate and persecute... That is all.

Witnesses - Prosecution

MCPD Officer Martin Staniel

Staniel was a responder during the original Red Spider Monster attacks of July 10, 2014. He attended a police perimeter set up when the Adventurers cornered the monster in Little Italy, and the subsequent stand-off when the Adventurers absconded with the subdued monster rather than turn it over to the authorities.
Officer Martin Staniel, MCPD


<KRUGER> "Mr. Staniel, what is your occupation?"

<STANIEL> "Well, unless Halloween came early, I'd say I'm a police officer."

<KRUGER> "How long have you served as a police officer?"

<STANIEL> "I might look like I been a cop since before you were born, young man. But it's been about five years of coffee, sweat, blood, and more coffee."

<KRUGER> "All of that here in Millennium City?"

<STANIEL> "I sure ain't crazy enough to do it in California! Eh... yes."

<KRUGER> "Please describe your duties for the court."

<STANIEL> "Oh eh, I'm a beat cop. I patrol the streets with my partner, Jack. Respond to the dispatch and keep the streets safe from your typical lowlifes."

<KRUGER> "Have you had to respond to many meta-human crimes?"

<STANIEL> "Oh, all the time. You'd think they'd send in the MARS boys first. But we get so many supervillain false alarms that people like me gotta check it out first. Kids these days! Y'know?"

<KRUGER> "I want to recall the events of one particular meta-human attack on the city, on July 10, 2014. Do you remember that day clearly?"

<STANIEL> "Ho boy. I sure do. Gives my partner the shivers when he thinks about it."

<KRUGER> "How did you first get alerted to that incident?"

<STANIEL> "Oh yeah, my buddy Jack and I were doin' the beat. Same as always. He's telling me all about this crazy idea he has for a movie script. Somethin' about a blind crimefighter in New York. So I tell him "Blind superhero? Gimme a break." Anyways! We were shootin' the breeze when we got the call. Dispatch says there was a monster out there on the streets. My first thought was that we were bein' punked. I hate that."

<KRUGER> "What happened next?"

<STANIEL> "We responded to the call, that's what. Protect 'n serve. My partner and I was the closest patrol car and boy, I regretted that. Afterwards, I mean."

<KRUGER> "So you saw the source of this attack? The 'suspect' as it were?"

<KRUGER takes a big glossy photo out of a folder, and pushes it across to Staniel> "Is this what you saw?"

<STANIEL> "Wow. You betcha."

<KRUGER> "We'll enter this into evidence. This is a freeze frame from a MCPD dashboard cam, dated July 10, 2014."

<STANIEL> "Looks like it. Even uglier'n I remember. Never was a fan of spiders- Erm..No offense."

<KRUGER> "Let the record show that this is a photo provided by UNTIL dated February 1, 2016. An image of the defendant in an altered state."

<STANIEL> "Oh.."

<KRUGER> "Officer Staniel, would you say that the July 10th 2014 photo and the February 1st, 2016 photos show the same creature?"

<STANIEL> "Whuh? Uhm, well..I mean, I ain't really qualified to make that kinda judgement. But boy, if they don't look similar."

<KRUGER> "Your Honor, I'd like to refer to an agreed statement of facts that the defendant, a clone of code-name Red Spider, is thought to have matured within just the last few months."

<KRUGER> "Officer Staniel, I want to move ahead now in the incident. How was the creature subdued?"

<STANIEL> "Should of been a giant flyswatter if ya ask me. Eh heh..Heh..Uhm. Well y'see, those costumed heroes captured it."

<KRUGER> "Upon capturing it, did they turn it over to the MCPD?"

<STANIEL> "Well, no. N'fact that particular uhm, "discussion" didn't go so great."

<KRUGER> "What do you mean?"

<STANIEL> "Hoo boy. Uhm, see I was just with my partner while the EMT's were patchin' him up. But I heard from the boys on the radio that we had shots fired and not at the spider."

<KRUGER has a tape played, dashboard footage from an MCPD squad car, showing Adventurers Mark of Power, Lady Justice, and Illusion escaping into the sewers, and police opening fire>

<STANIEL> "Whoops. I guess the boys kinda exaggerated a-"

<KRUGER> "Officer Staniel, even in cases of duly registered costumed 'heroes', to your knowledge, the MCPD should have taken custody of the creature after the incident, correct?"

<STANIEL> "Huh? Well, that's how it usually goes. Yeah. They cook em, we book em."

<STANIEL> "Thank you officer Staniel. Your Honor, I have no further questions."

<The judge indicates that Lady Justice may now cross-examine if she wishes>

<LADY JUSTICE> "Officer Staniel, may I ask you what exactly the MCPD would have typically done in a situation such as that? How would you have contained the woman in question?"

<STANIEL> "In the absence of fabulously costumed crimefighters like yourself. I would call in the MARS squad before the EMTs need a spatula to scrape me off the sidewalk."

<LADY JUSTICE> "Do you believe the Adventurers team acted with intent to save MCPD lives that day then?"

<STANIEL> "Well..Maybe not specifically officers. But I'd hate to be the poor squad leader who would have had to go head-to-head with that-..Uhm, woman."

<LADY JUSTICE> "Given your best guess, who was better equipped to stop her in the moment?"

<STANIEL> "Well, you got powers. But the MARS boys get all the anti-meta gear. Real sci-fi stuff that makes you feel like a badass when you carry it. But eh, considering you actually knew the lady... Best guess? You. Personally, I like my blood where it is. Better you than me, huh?"

<LADY JUSTICE> "Do you know why the MCPD used lethal force against the Adventurers?"

<STANIEL> "The uhm, 'suspect' is supposed to be handed over to the proper authorities. I mean, let's be honest, costumed heroics're skirting the edge of what's legal. And unlawful imprisonment is y'know, unlawful."

<LADY JUSTICE> "I see. Let's skip ahead to after the MCPD opened fire as the team fled. Were there any further incidents regarding this assailant? I will remind you that the defendant and Red Spider are two distinct individuals."

<STANIEL> "Eh, seeing as they're not the same person. I guess that was the last we saw of em."

<LADY JUSTICE> "Have you ever heard of Red Spider appearing again?"

<STANIEL> "You're talkin' about the real deal, right? In non-monster form?"

<LADY JUSTICE> "That's correct."

<STANIEL> "Well, if I hadn't, I have now. She's sittin' right there. <points at Red Spider> But eh, yeah. I heard she's been busy doing the hero thing."

<LADY JUSTICE> "So, after the team recovered her, there have been no incidents involving her and she has been helping keep order in the city?"

<STANIEL> "Looks that way t'me."

<LADY JUSTICE> "I have nothing further ask. Thank you for your time, Officer."


Prosecution Highlights

  • Established that the spider monster of summer 2014 was actually Red Spider, which looks nearly identical to the 2016 'clone' one
  • Implicit in this being the 'same' monster is that the Adventurers didn't deal with the problem properly in 2014
  • The 'monster' of 2014 attacked police
  • The Adventurers failed to turn over a dangerous creature to the MCPD, under whose jurisdiction it should have fallen
  • MCPD would have opened fire because, from their POV, the Adventurers were kidnapping a suspect

Defense Highlights:

  • Staniel believes that the Adventurers were better prepared to handle the 2014 incident than the MCPD was
  • The spider monster of 2014 wasn't seen again after the Adventurers absconded with it - but Red Spider was (ie, the Adventurers ensured that she was 'cured').

INFINITY-ZERO

<KRUGER> "So, Ms. Infinity-Zero. That's your code name right?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "It is."

<KRUGER> "Have you registered with UNTIL or PRIMUS?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "If I did, would I be up here?"

<KRUGER> "I'm going to request that you please answer yes or no."

<INFINITY-ZERO> "No."

<KRUGER> "Your honor, I would like permission to treat this witness as hostile." <the judge agrees>

<INFINITY-ZERO> *shakes her head*

<KRUGER> "So you have not registered. Do you believe you are not accountable to the state?"


<INFINITY-ZERO> "I think a person has a right to do what they wish, whether it's right or wrong...This is still America isnt it? or at least the America we were promised exists as children."

<KRUGER> "You believe someone has a right to do what they wish. Perhaps you're referencing life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "if that means freedom exists in a country that promises it, then yes."

<KRUGER> "So you recognize the Declaration of Independence. Do you recognize our Constitution and its many amendments?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "I recognize it exists, I recognize thousands of hours and hot-air was used making them. does that mean I agree with all of it? no, which I feel is redundant to say considering we already established I've refused to register myself."

<KRUGER> "I mean to establish that you understand the basic tenets of our society and our laws. You are aware that we have statutes against people taking matters into their own hands?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "I'm more than aware, I became 'aware' of it when cops wasted their time hassling me while I saved citizens lives."

<KRUGER> "Police officers have training, are appointed by a civilian commissioner, and can be held accountable for their actions. Do you believe you should be held to the same standard?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "Everyone should be held accountable for their actions."

<KRUGER> "I'm glad you think so." <pause> "Infinity-Zero, what are your powers?"

<Infinity-Zero> "I can enter cyberspace, and exit it freely. I can also control and manipulate electricity. All electricity."

<KRUGER> "I see. What are the origins of these powers?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "Would you prefer the long version, or the short?"

<Infinity-Zero> "Well, it all started one night. I was leaving Millennium city University. the streets were...oddly empty that night. I remember suddenly seeing these strange orbs circling me out of nowhere, then a light. next thing I know I'm strapped to a bed with a group of - a group of grey skinned, red-eyed aliens standing over me. I didn't get a thing they were saying. But eventually they left the room, and I fought and struggled until somehow I got off the bed. I started sneaking around, and my escape caused a panic. I accidentally let all the other prisoners they had abducted free, and in all the chaos I ran into a dark empty room. where I fell in a hole. I don't really remember much when I fell in, but when I came out well, I was this. I didn't really know what I was doing, but I could do enough to break out. kill some aliens, bust a hole in the ship, then fly back to Earth."

<KRUGER> "Would you say those events were quite traumatic for you?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "Very."

<KRUGER> "Did you seek psychological help after?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "I didn't. I didn't want anyone to know this happened. I...just wanted to go back to my normal life."

<KRUGER> "A normal life. Is that what you would say you have been living?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "A lot of time has passed since then, Mr. Kruger. Just like how a lot of time has passed since you were saved by who was it again? Oh, that's right. Vigilantes! Superheroes! Funny how our attitudes towards things change isn't it? Prosecuter...

<JUDGE, to the witness> "You're here to answer questions. Tread carefully or I will find you in contempt."

<Infinity-Zero> "Typical."

<DREAMWEAVER> "OBJECTION! The, the prosecution was leading the witness."

<JUDGE, to Dreamweaver/LJ> "This is a hearing. Furthermore, Mr. Kruger established that the witness is hostile. He is allowed to handle the witness in a tougher way."

<DREAMWEAVER> "Yes sir, your Honor. I'm sorry."

<KRUGER maintains his cool> "I'm not the one on trial here. Technically neither are you, Infinity-Zero. However, if your side wins their case, a dangerous being will be put in the care of you and your team. Which is why I want to ask, for the safety of Wayne County and its citizens, about an incident from a year ago."

<INFINITY-ZERO> "Sure."

<KRUGER> "I'd like to submit for the court a police reports spanning late 2014, early 2015."

<KRUGER> "In brief, the reports indicate high tech burglaries at several large corporations. Money was stolen, virtually. Cyber crimes unit reported certain key markers on transactions, which indicated the same individual was responsible.

<INFINITY-ZERO> "So what, just because I can cyber-walk that means I did it?"

<KRUGER> "Now..." he reaches into his folder. "I'd like to enter into evidence known cases with Infinity-Zero assisted - apparently virtuously - in defeating several cyber-attacks. The same markers appear to be present."

<INFINITY-ZERO> "Exactly, I've stopped several hackers, and technopaths in cyber-space. People who could shut down the entire country, they're so skilled. Is it so impossible to believe they couldn't be attempting to frame me? I mean, I did kinda mess up their plans after all."

<KRUGER> "Infinity-Zero: are you responsible for the thefts in the 2014-2015 reports?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "No."

<KRUGER> "Have you always asked permission before 'cyber-walking' into a private mainframe?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "Considering, in cyberspace, I would have to fight, break, and kill several security processes to enter a private mainframe without permission? Yes, I have. Killing a non-hostile process in cyberspace is like killing a person in our world."

<KRUGER> "Would you say you normally exercise excellent judgement in whom to attack, then?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "I only attack if I'm attacked first. In this world and cyberspace."

<KRUGER> "Ah. Interesting you should say that. I'd like to enter the following video from local news coverage into evidence. In fact, it's video covering the very event that has led to this hearing."

<he plays the video of the news chopper attack Infinity-Zero committed>

<KRUGER> "Infinity-Zero: was that you in the video, attacking a chopper? Yes or no, please."

<INFINITY-ZERO> "It was, yes."

<KRUGER> "No further questions."

<DREAMWEAVER> "Ms. Infinity. In your own words, please describe your supposed attack on this news helicopter! I remind you that you are under oath!"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "I was protecting the integrity of who we thought was our leader. Every single reporter in this country thinks they can stick their nose in anything they want. I was proving they can't, and shouldn't."

<DREAMWEAVER> "Moving on! Please tell the court what bearing, if any, your background has on the current issue at hand."

<INFINITY-ZERO> "None. I'm a new member, who's asked to help when I'm needed. I'm hardly a leading member of our group."

<KRUGER> "Objection! Irrelevant."

<The judge dispels KRUGER's objection>

<DREAMWEAVER> "Wait really? HA!"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "I believe that, in my opinion. Red Spider and Lady Justice can, and will give her the appropriate treatment she needs, so to answer your question. Yes, I do believe under their watch she would pose no threat to us, the people of this world, or herself."

<DREAMWEAVER> "Thank you. Now, our esteemed opposition has so helpfully pointed out some issues between the police and yourself. Reminding you that you are under oath, would you say that these negative experiences represent the majority of your um. Meetings with them?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "I've never attacked the police, I've never caused them any harm, or wished to. And in regards to that chopper: I had no intention of harming them, I only wanted to destroy the camera mounted on it."

<DREAMWEAVER> "Ms. Infinity. I, um."

<DREAMWEAVER suddenly departs the court room>

<JUDGE> "Um. I take it we'll be going for an early recess. Court is in recess. One hour."

<Court resumes. Infinity-Zero is asked back to the witness stand, and sworn in again.>

<LADY JUSTICE begins by apologizing to the court for not being there earlier, explaining that she observed a crime in progress near the building>

<LADY JUSTICE> "Ms. Zero, why did you attempt to disable the camera on the helicopter?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "As I said, I wanted to protect the integrity of who we thought was our leader. The events that happened that day were for us and the police to know. Not nosey reporters looking for a fluff piece."

<LADY JUSTICE> "Thank you. Now I'd to ask your experiences without the team. Are the Adventurers the only ones you've lent your assistance to?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "No, they aren't."

<LADY JUSTICE> "Who else have you made a habit of assisting?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "5 months ago I was in Hong Kong, aiding in taking down a super-villain group by going undercover. I was working as an independent hire for UNTIL."

<LADY JUSTICE> "UNTIL approached you to work for them then?"

<INFINITY-ZERO> "They did, yes."

<LADY JUSTICE> "So since acquiring your abilities you have worked with a hero team and international law enforcement? Do I have your resume correct, Miss Zero?

<INFINITY-ZERO> "That's right, yes."

<LADY JUSTICE> "A productive use of your time for sure. I have nothing further to ask right now."

<The judge excuses Infinity-Zero from the witness stand.>



Prosecution Highlights

  • Kruger establishes Infinity-Zero is an unregistered hero and attempts to make her sound disdainful of duly-appointed police, and ignorant of the law where it affects her
  • Kruger tries to make Infinity-Zero sound like an untreated victim of trauma
  • He shows inconsistencies in her discipline - she claims to never attack first, but is shown in video to attack a civilian news chopper
  • Kruger highlights that if the clone is freed, that it would be left in the care of people like Infinity-Zero

Supporting storylines

"Company of Carnage"

UNTIL Agent Christopher Suzuki speaks to independent costumed hero White Star. UNTIL is concerned about Source Biotech's secret projects, the cloning lab and monster attack exposing just one of numerous compartmentalized R&D labs rumoured to exist. They present a risk to public safety given SBE's interest in developing marketable meta-human products & a lax ethical and safety record.

White Star is on the trail of James Landon, an SBE employee at the cloning lab where the Red Spider clone was created. Landon was not among the many employees killed when the clone transformed into the monster and escaped. White Star has determined that Landon had a laptop in his possession, and had performed some kind of experiment for which White Star found the data, but doesn't yet understand the context.