S01E01 - Of all the offices in all the world...

General Summary

Friday

Sandy

It was Friday. An ordinary day in an otherwise ordinary world. Sandy Suffolk, ex-army doctor, veteran and mental health professional had just finished a session with a client at the Military Veteran's Association, so decided to grab lunch in the canteen. Whilst there, she watched the television, which showed a news report on Millennium City News Network regarding the activation of a new power source at Prescott Industries' Prescott Tower later that day.
Her afternoon passed without further detail of note and she returned home to the love of her life, Samantha 'Sam' Sideris, a veterinarian by trade, currently looking after several animals for the clinic in which she worked; 2 snakes, a rabbit and a small kitten, the latter needing hand feeding. Sam got Sandy comfortable, then went to prepare dinner, whilst the latter had a glass of wine and fussed the aforementioned kitten.
The two lovers rested on the couch after a long week, watching television and relaxing when suddenly, Sandy noticed a strange, multi-hued light swept through the room. She looked out the window to see a strange glow seemingly over Old Salem, reminding her of the aurora borealis. It gradually faded.
Thinking nothing more of it, the two retreated to their bedroom to sleep (eventually). Unfortunately, Sandy's sleep was disturbed by a vivid dream in which she saw Sam rushing about, to and fro, trying to make sure that everything was in place so that Sandy had an easier time of things. As she watched this, she saw a separation of paths. In the first, this frenetic activity stopped, but there was an emptiness; as though something was missing. In the other path, this activity continued on. Although hard, there was genuine happiness along with the struggle.

Dan

It had been a long night, waiting for yet another naughty boy to come out of a motel with his secretary hanging off his arm. The wife was paying me a good rate to get the evidence she needed to leave this guy penniless, out on the street. I'd feel guilty, but he brought it on himself. One roll of film later and me and my trusty camera were on our way to the office.
The rest of the day went by quietly, the developed pictures hanging in the closet drying, and I finally sent Jan home early after we finished our daily dose of banter.
I awoke with a start just after 10pm, not sure why but I was wide awake. I decided to stretch my legs and find something medicinal to help my situation. As I stepped out the office it was obvious that either I was going crazy, or the world was! Old Salem seemed to have an ominous aura hanging over it, shapes moving through the sky like tiny fish in a tank. And the streets weren't much better.
I came across a good samaritan who was helping to redistribute the wealth from inside some unlucky guy's automobile. Not wanting to get involved, but feeling sorry for the unlucky owner, I rang his door bell and continued on my way. But I hadn't counted on how dumb joe public can be... rather than call the cops, this guy came running out the house ready to handle this problem personally. I had to respect his decision, but maybe not his timing. The good samaritan ripped the door off the car, and looked ready to do the same with joe's head!
Not one to be outdone by joe, I approached the samaritan ready to carry out the old “pocket gun” trick, but the guy just turned, blinked, screamed, dropped joe then ran into the night. Joe then looked over, and ran screaming in to his home. “You're welcome” I called after him as I continued on my way down the street.

Saturday

Sandy

Waking up in the morning, Sandy was surprised by the news. Apparently, there had been some form of explosion at Prescott Tower during the night. This was shortly followed by news of people with super powers emerging out of the night. Excited by the latter piece of news, she sent a number of texts to Sam during the morning, none of which were answered.
By lunchtime, Sandy was somewhat concerned that Sam hadn't returned her texts, so decided to try to see what was going on. She went to the clinic, who told her Sam had left for lunch, as normal, but hadn't returned. This prompted a visit to the cafe nearby, where she and her paramour often ate lunch if meeting up. The staff there informed her that Sam had been seen, and had left as normal after eating. They didn't notice anything unusual in her behaviour or that of anyone around her.
Sandy returned home and awaiting Sam's return. When it became time, she cooked dinner for the two of them, but Sam did not reappear. At some point, Sandy fell asleep and dreamt of the woman she loved:
She is in a dark room, she looks worried. The walls covered in peeling wallpaper and an old carpet underfoot. She walks over to the door – it seems very sturdy for an interior door - and bars line the windows, which are covered in newspaper. I can hear bells in the distance and there is a distinct aroma of incense… Then I’m walking down a corridor, stopping in front of a door above which is a sign “Drake’s Detective Agency” – There’s a front office and then through a door I see a man asleep in a chair… The smell of cigarettes and whiskey… Some of the wallpaper is peeling…
Sandy awoke and did an internet search for Drake Detective Agency, before calling a taxi to take her to the man's office. She had the feeling that her dreams may be showing her things to come. She wholeheartedly believed that the woman she loved was in trouble and this Drake was a way for her to find out.

Dan

What can I say, it was a Saturday and unsurprisingly quiet. I was woken in my office chair, by the cold mug of java finally tipping out of my hand and down my pants. I really should know better, my laundry bill was starting to get out of hand. My day mostly went on as normal, filing reports, cleaning, groceries, etc. The news was crazy, lots of strange talk about things happening overnight. I half listened to the updates as I continued with my normal routine, unsure what to make of everything I was hearing.
It was early evening when I heard someone at the office door. Who needs locks and security when the hinges are that in need of oil. A crazy looking broad walked through my door, with vivid blue hair and shiny metal legs, and from the way she held herself I can guess where she earnt those legs. Tough break kid. From the look on her face I wasn't sure if she was going to leap over the desk at me, or burst into tears, I kinda hoped for the former, I never could handle a weeping woman!

Phantasy Inc

This was the first meeting of what would quite quickly form into a working relationship and create the Super Hero Team known as Phantasy Inc. They hadn't got there yet, however. Its start was a rocky one as Sandy stormed into Dan's office, demanding to know where her girlfriend was. This was short-lived, however, as she quickly realised that the peeling wallpaper and accoutrements that she'd seen in the dream did not match the peeling wallpaper and accoutrements of the office in which she now stood. Calming a little, she recounted the tale of Sam's disappearance and the dreams she'd had that seemed to prophesise that she was in danger. Dan took the story in his stride and was promptly hired to find a missing person. Sandy didn't even look at the rates for hiring the Drake Detective Agency and agreed to the costs, no matter what they may be, knowing she couldn't really afford the rates, either way. Whether dishonesty or desperation played a part in that decision, the deal was made and Dan Drake got to work.
In the dreams, a number of things were mentioned which were used to try to narrow down the search. The sound of bells nearby; okay, that one was slightly less helpful; along with the smell of incense and the story of properties that could have the window described. They tried an old watchtower, which was clearly not the place, followed by a private house. The gate to the property was locked and Dan decided that he would try to climb/jump the gate. As he did so, his form shifted to that of a tiny Tom Thumb, who easily leapt over the gate. Again, this address was a bust and, after a small verbal confrontation with the house's occupant, moved on. The last place they looked took a bit of finding. It was strange in that it was a mausoleum, not a house, though there was a window as described, but it appeared that the window had been installed, the rock the building was made from having been shaped to accommodate the piece of glass and bars.
After trying a couple of times to get in, Dan, once again transformed, this time into The Giant. With a shout of 'FEE FIE FOE FUM, I SMELL THE BLOOD OF A WOMAN!", he grabbed the mausoleum's entryway and all but ripped it from the floor, placing it gently down nearby. Sandy, quickly recovering from her initial surprise, entered the crypt, in which she found Sam, drugged and loosely tied to a stone slab. Standing over her, a man in dark robes, with an evil-looking dagger stood over Sam, chanting in a language unrecognised by the heroes. At this point, Grimm entered the crypt, this time in the guise of the Headless Horseman. Sharp long blade held in a skeletal hand, he started to attack the leader of this sacrifice. Another in the group appeared to be able to manipulate rock and he started attacking. At the sight of the Headless Horseman, the other people chanting ran for it; they clearly hadn't signed up for being attacked by a headless thing from nightmare. Eventually, they bested the cult leader and Sandy took up the knife to free her bound sweetheart but, to her horror, the knife tried to compel her to complete the sacrifice. Fortunately, she fought it off and threw the knife into a corner.
When all the excitement had finished, Dan contacted someone he knew on the force and got them to come collect the sacrificer. There was already movement on sorting out a team to handle Powered crimes, so it was they who took him away, along with the dagger (after being warned about the effects of it).
When questioned, Sam recounted that there was another figure in the room; one stood at the foot of the altar. He was a goat-headed man, with burning eyes, filled with the promise of darkness. Sandy used her new-found abilities to help Sam, by making the episode a little less real in order that her mind wouldn't suffer from the trauma. Now realising more of her potential, Morpheus was born.

Sunday

Phantasy Inc

Sandy decided that transparency was the best way forward, considering what happened the previous day and showed off her abilities. She didn't say anything about Dan's abilities as that was for him to divulge, should he wish to. Understandably, Sam was concerned that Sandy, when out as Morpheus would be putting herself in serious harm's way, though she understood the desire to help those in need.
They invited Dan for a meal that evening, after all, especially as he'd not been paid, or asked for payment for rescuing Sam, she now considered him family. Afterwards, they contacted The Designer, who created a costume for Morpheus. Once done, she went home and showed it off to her sweetheart. Morpheus was now fully ready to be introduced to the world as a Hero.

Report Date

25 Oct 2020