Sinister Six #16 - "Working for a Living"
Written and Edited by GarganisScorpion

Feeling oddly chipper, Justin Hammer toured his facilities with an unprecedented spring in his step. He wasn't a young man anymore, and in the past month he had his property invaded and his employees attacked, and even personally assaulted by Octavius' band of circus freak criminals. So why wasn't Hammer his usual miserly, cantankerous self? Perhaps because of just how fortuitous Octopus' presence had become.

"Make sure you copy the blueprints onto an off-site server," Hammer told the team leader in the service bay, "then get hard copies into the company vault space in New York Savings & Loans."

Octopus had put Hammer's technicians to work repairing his "Octobot". It had sustained some damage in their attempt to recapture their errant junior member, Electro, but fighting the New Warriors what design would remain unscathed? Justin recognized a clever piece of robotics when he saw one. Just wait a few months after Octavius either got himself arrested, or hell, maybe even he would succeed and declare himself emperor of the Bronx or whatever it was he was after. The point was, when the time came that Hammer Industries was no longer the squatting grounds for the Sinister Six he would have his factories churn out dozens of these Octobots and market them as urban law enforcement. And scale some up, call them military grade amphibious infantry support robots. And scale some down, and sell them to housewives as domestic servant bots!

To top it off, he had convinced Octavius to front the startup cash himself. Otto was a brilliant scientist and a cunning criminal mastermind, but he was outmatched when it came to the art of the deal. Justin had taken Otto's stolen millions and moved them through a handful of his little puppet companies, until even a small army of accountants couldn't find a trace of dirt on that money. The damage that Octopus had caused barging in was negligible; the wrecked armor prototype was clearly never going anywhere if Sandman had wrecked it as easily as he had. Giving a cynical snort at the thought, Hammer admitted to himself that Starktech would have upstaged him with something flashier and sleeker anyway.

All Hammer had to do was keep his connection to Octavius a secret, and keep him happy. There was little doubt that the Sinister Six could level this entire production facility if they so desired. Worse still would be if the super-heroes got wind of their presence and barged in, finding Hammer in collaboration with Octavius. Oh, sure, Hammer's lawyers would make the case that Octavius held him here against his will, forced his cooperation... but that would mean all of Octavius' lovely designs would be seized. Probably sold off to whoever held the relevant government defense contracts. Which meant probably Starktech, or perhaps Oscorp.

Stepping out into the R&D lab that Octavius had staked out as his personal workshop, Justin reminded himself of just how much money he stood to make here. "Otto! I see you're hard at work, as ever. The parts I supplied are satisfactory I trust?"

"They are sufficient," Doctor Octavius answered plainly, not bothering to turn his head. Oddly enough Octavius was actually working on a remodeled harness for Vulture's flight system, while Toomes was putting together the segments of new and improved arms for Octopus, reinforced with an armored chest-plate and leg-bracings to enhance the lifting strength of the arms.

"Three arms done, one more to go," said Adrian Toomes, the Vulture, taking a momentary break and moving his welding goggles to his moist forehead. Testing his work he sent an electronic signal to the just-completed tentacle telling it to flex to one side and the pincer at the end to snap shut.

"Those claws came from a HAMMER deep-sea oil drilling project," Justin told them enthusiastically, "Each one can exert five tons of crushing force, and is totally impervious to corroding and salt water damage. We sold hundreds of them to Roxxon."

"Isn't that something?" Toomes deadpanned.

"Ah! And I see you're making good use of our lightweight honeycomb-polymer for Mr. Toomes' armor. That was normally a basic grey but I had the techs mix in an emerald dye that I thought you would appreciate. You know that stuff can withstand ballistics from a .50 caliber machine gun? Yet so light a child could lift it."

"I don't care," Octavius snorted. Before Hammer could get another word in, he was interrupted by a call coming in on Otto's headset. "Yes?" the mad genius answered casually.

"Boss, the city's payrolled superheroes are here in Hell's Kitchen. We're really outgunned here. What should we do?" came the voice of Joey on the line.

"Don't panic," Otto calmly instructed, even as he continued to set the reinforced "feather" blades into the Vulture's flight harness. "Hell's Kitchen isn't strategically important. I only took it over to goad the Kingpin into a state of vulnerability. Now that he is no longer a concern the heroes can have it for all I care."

"So, we should fall back then?"

"Eventually. Try to wound or kill as many of the heroes as you can first. It'll undermine their ability to stop my coming offensive. Try not to get arrested. Good luck."

Otto cut the line abruptly and returned to his work, leaving his henchmen to fend for themselves. Hammer was hesitant to intrude on the Doctor again, but seeing the disregard for his employees' safety smelled like a business opportunity. "Might I ask... where is the Scorpion fellow you keep around? I brought in equipment that could be used to upgrade his battlesuit and tail as well..."

"Gargan is keeping an eye on our smuggling operations," Octopus answered, his tone growing steadily more annoyed. "If this is another sales pitch Hammer -"

"No no! It's just, well, I was an engineer in my younger days myself. I couldn't help but notice how sadly outdated Mr. Gargan's hardware is, and thought I would avail myself and my facilities, if you wished to use them... listen, if you're concerned about the cost, why not simply take it out of Scorpion's paycheck? No extra money out of your pocket, and he becomes a much more valuable and capable soldier."

"How much money do you think I actually pay him?" Otto asked with a laugh.

"Oh, I'm sure I can work out some kind of financing for the project," Hammer said with a dismissive wave of the hand. "I'd never let a little thing like money set in the way of satisfying a customer."

"Fine then. If it'll get you out of my hair and my lab, go design an improved suit for Scorpion. I'll review your work when it is complete. But no more interruptions!"

"Excellent! Only-"

Doctor Octopus clenched his teeth. The unfinished tentacles that Vulture was working on lurched to life and one of the five-ton capable industrial claws came threateningly close to Justin's face.

"-I was just going to point out that the wing actuators are too tight against the fuel cell. You'll create too much drag," Justin hurried out, his smile nervous and shaking.

"He's right," Vulture confirmed, taking a glance at Otto's work. "Good catch."

"Thank you for the suggestion," Octavius said in a coldly formal manner, the words hissing through his lips. Hammer finally got the message and retreated from the workshop in a hurry.

No sooner had he left than the mirrored sphere that served as Mysterio's head coalesced out of an odd optical effect of bent light. The purple cape materialized below it light a ghost solidifying. "You realize he's going to try to steal everything from us that he thinks he can get away with, right?" asked Mysterio. "We're just the geese laying golden eggs to him; as soon as he thinks it's more profitable to go for the gold in our bellies, he'll turn on us."

"I'm counting on it," Octavius answered with a knowing grin.


Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts
2) in102 Stix 40 pts
3) in102 Stix 40 pts
4) in102 Stix 40 pts
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83
2) Shang-Chi 58
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16
5) Colleen Wing 13

Squad Total: 229

Map: Hell's Kitchen

INT roll 1,2=3
INT in case of tie 2,6=8

Init (6 6) jeez I gotta use up my luck now? lol

I'll take the left side of the map. Here's my setup.

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...5&f5p1=x144y48

Can you remind me what the 2000AD TA is again please?

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts I-2
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-2
3) in102 Stix 40 pts K-2
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-2
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-2

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) J-23
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) M-23
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) K-23
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) E-24

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-12, J-13, Q-10, J-22
HO: K-22, R-7



http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...f5p2=x834y-265

Once per game, I can choose an opposing character or a TA that an opposing character possesses. Until the end of the game, all "2000 AD" characters get +1 attack against the chosen target.

1A

1) Joey the Snake moves to J8

2) Stix moves to N9


Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts J-8 @
2) in102 Stix 40 pts N-9 @
3) in102 Stix 40 pts K-2
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-2
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-2

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) J-23
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) M-23
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) K-23
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) E-24

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-12, J-13, Q-10, J-22
HO: K-22, R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...70&u2=x464y-33

Ok Thanks.
1B:
1) Misty Grabs HO from K-22 ends in J-18.
2) Herc grabs LO from J-22 and ends in I-16.

1A

1) Joey the Snake moves to J8

2) Stix moves to N9


Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts J-8 @
2) in102 Stix 40 pts N-9 @
3) in102 Stix 40 pts K-2
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-2
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-2

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16@ (w/LO)
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) M-23
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18@ (W/HO)
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) E-24

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-12, J-13, Q-10, (Hercules)
HO: (Misty) R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...&u12=x633y-194

2A:

1) Street Thug moves to M8

2) Another Stix moves to K9

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts J-8
2) in102 Stix 40 pts N-9
3) in102 Stix 40 pts K-9 @
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-2
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8 @

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16@ (w/LO)
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) M-23
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18@ (W/HO)
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) E-24

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-12, J-13, Q-10, (Hercules)
HO: (Misty) R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...&u12=x633y-194

2B:
1) Shang leaps to E-16
2) Colleen moves to B-18

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts J-8
2) in102 Stix 40 pts N-9
3) in102 Stix 40 pts K-9 @
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-2
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8 @

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16 (w/LO)
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) E-16@
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18 (W/HO)
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18@

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-12, J-13, Q-10, (Hercules)
HO: (Misty) R-7


http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...25&u2=x438y-64

3A:

1) Stix moves to J12 (in stealth)

2) Stix moves to L9

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts J-8
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-12 @
3) in102 Stix 40 pts K-9
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-9 @
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16 (w/LO)
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) E-16@
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18 (W/HO)
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18@

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-12, J-13, Q-10, (Hercules)
HO: (Misty) R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...5&u2=x580y-152

no matter what happens in this game it was worth pulling that move off.

3B:
“That little man ran up to the roof!” Hercules bellowed in disgust.
“I’m on it.” Misty arched back and set her feet. She hurled the Newspaper stand she had grabbed and smiled when it slammed into the rooftop air conditioning unit destroying both objects and revealing a stunned looking henchmen.
“I see you little man.” Hercules was well versed in the games of Olympus which the mortals of today called the Olympics. He gripped the sewer lid with experienced hands and squatted down spinning and slinging the lid with precision accuracy slamming it into the henchmen’s gut. “Be aware the Lion of Olympus!”


1) Misty throws her HO at the LO in J-12.
2) Herc throws his LO at Stix in J-12, 11 vs. 15, roll is 1,4=5, hit for 2.



Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts J-8
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-12 (4/6) @
3) in102 Stix 40 pts K-9
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-9 @
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16 {2,2}
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) E-16
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18@
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-13, Q-10,
HO: R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...&u12=x658y-188

4A:

1) Joey the Snake rushes up to I12 to check on his teammate.

2) Stix moves to O11.

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts I-12 @
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-12 (4/6)
3) in102 Stix 40 pts O-11 @
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-9
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16 {2,2}
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) E-16
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18@
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-13, Q-10,
HO: R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...&u12=x658y-188

4A:

1) Joey the Snake rushes up to I12 to check on his teammate.

2) Stix moves to O11.

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts I-12 @
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-12 (4/6)
3) in102 Stix 40 pts O-11 @
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-9
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16 {2,2}
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) E-16
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-23
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18@
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-13, Q-10,
HO: R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...&u12=x658y-188

4B:
1) Black Cat to L-18
2) Shang leaps to J-13. (stealth)
Cat will PC attack that hits

4A:

1) Joey the Snake rushes up to I12 to check on his teammate.

2) Stix moves to O11.

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts I-12 @
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-12 (4/6)
3) in102 Stix 40 pts O-11 @
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-9
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16 {2,2}
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) J-13@ (stealth)
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-19@
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-13, Q-10,
HO: R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...9&u2=x553y-215

5A:

1) Stix shoots Misty Knight, needing a 6. Rolls (6, 2), rerolled by Felicia, second try is (2, 1) for a miss.

2) Another Stix pushes to shoot at Herculese, rolling (1, 3) for a miss. Ye gads.

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts I-12
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-12 (4/6) @
3) in102 Stix 40 pts O-11 (5/6) @@
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-9
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) I-16 {2,2}
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) J-13@ (stealth)
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-19@
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) J-18
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-13, Q-10,
HO: R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...56&u3=x513y-15

Doh. Do I get XP for Felicia if I PC you into a miss? Not sure.
5B:
1) Herc lumbers up to K-9
2) Misty wiggles her way over to P-12.

5A:

1) Stix shoots Misty Knight, needing a 6. Rolls (6, 2), rerolled by Felicia, second try is (2, 1) for a miss.

2) Another Stix pushes to shoot at Herculese, rolling (1, 3) for a miss. Ye gads.

Defending Hell's Kitchen
1) LE Joey the Snake 14 pts I-12
2) in102 Stix 40 pts J-12 (4/6) @
3) in102 Stix 40 pts O-11 (5/6) @@
4) in102 Stix 40 pts L-9
5) aa008 Street Thug 19 pts M-8

squad total: 153

vs

Cleaning out the Criminal Scum
1) Hercules 83 (9/9) K-9@ {2,2}
2) Shang-Chi 58 (6/6) J-13 (stealth)
w/Lunge 5, w/Marvel Knights 10
3) Felicia Hardy 29 (5/5) L-19
w/Pounce 15
4) Misty Knight 16 (2/2) P-12@
5) Colleen Wing 13 (2/2) B-18

Squad Total: 229

LO: J-13, Q-10,
HO: R-7

http://www.ianparmenter.com/hcutils2...&u12=x344y-158