I especially recall my math teacher always berating me for not doing my homework and telling me I would never amount to anything if I didn't know my numbers, that I would never know if my partners in crime was ripping me off if I couldnt subtract and divide. Well - of course he was partially right - in the case of people ripping one off it's really a matter of management through fear; if they know what you are going to do to them if they are found out, they will usually keep their hands inside the vehicle while the ride is moving ... and if not, well, they don't call it a life of crime because it's led by nice people now do they?
But back to the subject on my math teacher - I recall him rather vividly at the moment as I just met him while doing a tour of Peregrine Island - screaming rather loudly just before I stomped my enhanced cyber-hoof into the pavement of the parking lot where he was sitting in his car. I rather assume that the ensuing explosions and fiery inferno put an end to any further screaming.
And I totally swear I did it to loose that mob of Longbows I had on my heals .... mostly to loose them .... well, in part then - at any rate, subtract that from your sum totals!
And the reason I was back in The City and visiting Peregrine Island? Well as a senior freelancer for Arachnos, you can sometimes call in a few favours - in this case, my broker in Grandville offered me the chance to take a bit of chaos to the home of Heroes. An Arachnos Flier would take me right smack into the middle of the island and a groundcrew would lay down some suppressing fire while I infiltrated the island city, caused some chaos and destruction and robbed the branch of Paragon City Bank, which had some interesting documents in their vault from a certain Russian scientist defector of the former Soviet PSIforce Programme.
Who am I to refuse an opportunity like that? It was deeply satisfying to return to Paragon City - when I left I was nothing more than a meta-human bully, but now as a full-blown Brute with my powers fully developed, sporting advanced combat armour and a ready regime of combat drugs at my fingertips - I'm the embodiment of what the the Heroes of The City fear to be called out to fight.
It was an excellent afternoon - I rolled through downtown Peregrine like a battletank. I have to admit that the PPD have grown more sofisticated - better equipment, specialized suppression&contaiment squads and even some heavy-handed help in the form of Peacebringer-infested police officers and exo-armour enhanced troopers toting the latest in laser-assault technology.
Good thing I let Doctor Mandible convince me to add that instant replay system to my battlearmour that allows me to watch combat-video footage post-fight - makes it easier to appreciate the scope of things and also spot any techniques that need improvement or even special enemy weaknesses.
At any rate, while I was walking through a grid of laser-fire and PPD assaults and giving it out much harder than I was receiving it, Longbow decided to make an appearance - all adding to the fun - although I am surprised that their field commander decided to bring out the regular footsoldiers for an enemy of my obvious Threat Level - I was fully expecting the Longbow Ballista-1 Units and not the spandex brigade.
Not that I'm complaining of course, it made my job a whole lot easier that they totally underestimated the threat I was - which might also have been facilitated in part by me not leaving anyone breathing after a fight, so there was noone to radio back for better reinforcements. Even so, you would think that SOMEONE would take note that they suddenly lost radio contact with 30-40 trained officers given that they knew an Arachnos threat was present?
Ah - but at the end it didn't really matter - I always knew I was going to make ti to the bank, rip the vault out and get the papers I was sent there for. In fact it was almost a deja-vu, seeing as I did almost the exact thing when I started out in the Rogue Isles where I pulled a job on the bank in Port Oakes with almost the same objective. Of course, back then I didn't have the unexpected pleasure of being confronted by a Hero at the end. He looked the part too - spandex, flowing cape, wielding an assortment of mind-confusing powers and calling up illusions - I even think he yelled "cease and desist villain!"
You have to admire old school heroism like that - I'm pretty sure the doctors will be able to make him walk again.
Having secured the papers from the vault, I made my exit, got back to the Arachnos Fliers and got air-lifted out of the hot zone. All said and done a pretty good day - I even got on the Paragon News! I think they got some pretty good footage of me to.
Paragon City - where it sometimes hurt A LOT to be a Hero.
