Lawnmower Boy

Manipulative or not, it worked.  Valerosa and Trailblazer didn't become best buds just like that, but my co-captain went noticeably gentler on the fire touched rookie, and even when she didn't, Trailblazer took lectures as less of an attack and more as an effort to help her improve. The fire proof earpiece for her tunes, that became a work in progress. Fortunately, Lady Obsidian had left some schematics to experiment with. We had to put a cap on the volume for fear of blowing Trailblazer's eardrum out. It would automatically lose half the volume when one of our outside calls came out, or if someone said the word help. That led to some comic cuts into her songs, but work in progress and all that.
 
Meanwhile, I had another trainee to throw an idea at and see if it stuck. Aspirant struck me as a  good kid despite strange and mysterious Canadian ways and he wanted to be a hero, but he was lacking in the offense department. And no, he was not getting the gun back. He was getting a refresher in evasion and avoidance.
 
I made a grab for him and he rolled to the side as soon as he read my thoughts. It was like he knew my moves as soon as I did, which was exactly the case.
 
"Good," I nodded, "Your reaction time is phenomenal" I complimented him.
 
"Not as useful as you might think sometimes, in a world of superspeed, and the more second nature someone's moves are, the less time I have," He rolled, "If you weren't thinking so loudly about what to try on me without hurting me, it might a closer call."
 
"Noted," I smiled a bit, "You've got a slender build but we can tone you up."
 
"Says the guy whose shoulders are in two different provinces," He muttered, then blinked as he picked up my mix of thoughts. 

One of those thoughts was 'I Have an idea how to give you some scary offense' the other thought was 'Sweep the leg'. The latter wasn't a movie reference, it was an actual leg sweep. I was just testing to see if I could distract him in psychic communication.
 
Turns out I could, as my leg sweep threw him off guard, he started to adjust but not in time and ended up flat on his back looking up "Please tell me you have a method for offense and I didn't just get suckered?"
 
"I do," I offered a hand, "Your records say Mind control isn't in your power, but thought and memory reads are, right?"
 
He took my hand and pulled himself up to his feet again, "Yeah, Mind Control is a wash. If I think really hard, 'drop the gun' all that normally happens is they hear the command in the head, then say 'no' and shoot at me."
 
I nodded, "But you can share thoughts, or delve into memories. Can you cut and paste?"
 
"Pardon?" He looked intrigued "How so?"
 
"In my first year of this city, I ended having a very nasty psychic encounter with a big bad that got into my head  by the eldritch spears," I told him.
"Eldritch spears?" He gave me the a dubious look.
 
"It's a thing," I told him "And it was not pleasant. The big bad's M.O. included reaching into my brain, making me relieve my worst memories and life experiences all over again. The pain was intense, the trauma laid me out in fetal position. Now I don't think you're up to the level of an Elder God-" 

"I am not Canuckthulu, no," He replied "But I think I see where you're going with this. I once did something akin to this. This guy, he got shot. I tended to his wounds but he was in a lot of pain. I... shared with him a beach scene during the sun rise. He said he could taste the sea in the air. I took in some of his pain for myself. It wasn't as good as morphine but, it helped."
 
I stared at the younger guy with some respect, "You patched his wounds and hung around so you could ease his pain while he waited for the medicos?"
 
"I had to flee when the experts did show up" He said "Too many voices , it was before I had the gear that let me block, but yeah, while it was just us. As long as I could," Aspirant then looked embarrassed, "Given I was getting his pain too I wanted to flee but, I don't think I would have slept well that night if I had."
 
Kid, I thought, You're a bit of all right.
 
He grinned "Thanks."
 
And I realized he had been reading my head. Oh well, we were training, so there we go, "You're welcome. Now, about my idea. Think you can transmit pain? I know it's not your style, but read my head, find a reason painful experience, take it a bit into yourself and send it back with the replay button."
Aspirant got a look of intense focus, "I think I can do that. But it's not going to be quick. I have seek, sort, find it, lock onto it, kind of take a bit of it into myself, then send it back as strong as the first time. It's not going to be one of those I do a head clutch and whoom faster than the speed of thought bad guy... or in this case you, goes down. I don't think."
 
"Speeding it up will be prat of practice," I told him "Besides, you'll be on a team. Maybe you'll take a bit longer to load with this, but you'll have others buying you time to do it."
 
"You're sure you want me to do this on you?" He asked cautiously. Clearly he was a bit nervous about taking a free shot. Hard to tell if it was because he was afraid he'd hurt me, or afraid I'd hold a grudge.
 
"Both," He answered my unspoken speculation.
 
"I won't blame you for this," I told him, "really."
 
I felt him stir in my head, but, I could almost taste the timidity of it. A brief feeling of unpleasantness but that was it , "I don't know what you're trying to hit me with but I've had sniffles more alarming"
 
"Sorry, I guess part of the problem is I don't really WANT to inflict pain on you," Aspirant admits, "Maybe why that's why I wanted the gun, when it's doing the shooting I feel a bit of detachment. Direct mental assault seems more personal."
 
That's when I remembered that his emotions did tend to leak through his links. He actually didn't want to hurt me, and yeah, that held him back. Well, I had been studying a little more about his area of Canada, and I had been told that stereotypically polite Canadians had their triggers. Why not try one?
"Timidity like that is  why watching Mooseheads' Hockey games have all the excitement of a dental flossing with sub par muzak playing in the background," I blurted it as soon as I thought it.
 
"You son of a- " Were the last words I heard. Because then? Then? I was set on fire! Tiny beagle sized dinosaurs all around me! Chaos, confusion, and did I mention being on fire?
 
Of course, if I had time to think of it, I would know that I was relieving the moment I'd gotten caught in Trailblazer's wake during the battle with Subterranean Rex. But despite being the one who had suggested the cut and paste technique it caught me off guard. The only thing that was different was  this presence positively seething with Nova Scotian outrage behind it all.
 
I didn't know there was such a thing as Nova Scotian outrage. I had seen a Canadian pamphlet to leave the Moose of Canada be, I hadn't seen any warnings about upsetting Moosehead fans!
 
Then it was over, and I was taking slow deep breathes and blinking. 
 
"Eel? Are you okay?" It wasn't a thought in my head. It was Aspirant's voice, sounding really worried, "Sorry, I just got angry and it suddenly clicked and.... please say SOMEthing, there maybe side effects."
 
Less dazed and confused,  I focused on his eyes, and started to sing "Oh, Canada."

His eyes widened and I broke into a grin, "You nailed it, man. It was like I was there again, and it hurt just as much the second time."
A look of relief came over him and he laughed, "Oh thank goodness you're okay. Kind of low going after a guy's sports team like that."
"I had it coming," I admitted and held out a hand so he could help ME up, and rose easily enough, "But I'm thinking emotions are very much tied so fueling your powers, for good or ill. You're going to have to learn how to get angry to get your mojo for that stuff going, Aspirant, at least until you learn to do it without. Congratulations, you just became a big gun."
 
"Still no good against killer robots," He pointed out.
 
"And I don't fly" I countered, "Not on my own. You'd be surprised how many bad guys get away from me if they just.. run and hide. We each have our lacks. You now have one less lack than before. It'll take practice, and I suspect some very reluctant volunteers. But your memory assault is a one more option you've got now to take out bad guys and save lives."
 
"Thanks," He smiled "I guess I owe you."
 
"It's what I'm supposed to be helping with anyway," I said then smiled "But if you're really feeling in debt and want to do me a favor back." I leaned forward and began to whisper my plan.
 
"This seems unwise" He told me, "And might upset Pogo."
 
"She'll laugh her ass off at it," I told him, "Besides, I can tell you her favorite desserts."
 
"You could, but as you just thought them, I just got them," Aspirant looked smug.
"What am I thinking of now?" I smiled at him.
 
"That you've never actually had the pleasure of shoving anyone into a locker and... oh," He coughed "So, your idea. Sure I.. could help. If we can get the other guys in on it."
 
"I'll find a way," I told him patting him on the shoulder, "And Aspirant?"
 
"Yeah?" he asked.
 
"Damn good work today," And I meant it.
 
"Thanks," he cheered up.
 
I stopped for a second " Speaking of Pogo, no threats, but she's very special to us all here. I'm not saying you will treat her anything but nicely, but treat her nicely? Please. I'm hoping your interest is sincere."
 
"Oh man, you don't know the half of it, she's amazing. So many people are full of deceit and evasion, but she," He smiled under his mask, "She says what she thinks, it's like the clearest stream in some mountains. She's... joyful, and pure. I can actually close my mind, listen to her talk and just... it's like laughter and sunlight." He blushed "Stupid as you might think that is."
 
I looked at him, "I don't think it's stupid at all. You're a young man, who seems decent, she's a grown woman who you clearly respect. As long as it doesn't hurt your performance, I really have no dogs in this race save to hope for the best, while warning you that even the best relationships have bumps, which you already know."
 
"See, you're saying that, but there's a part of your mind that's plotting horrible horrible things to me if I make her cry," He said "or at least speculating."
"I am NOT laughter and sunlight," I told him, "And I am surely not pure. But I'll try to live up to what i say, not what I think about."
"Much appreciated," Aspirant smiled, then double checked "Strawberry shortcakes?"
 
"She loves em to death" I nodded as we walked on.
 
 

Official release date is November 5 (tomorrow, in my time zone, as I write this). There are some advance showings tonight in many theaters. 
Audience reviews on RT are here, (I'm guessing that the verified reviews were advance showings, or in the Eastern or Central Time zone): https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/eternals/reviews?type=verified_audience&intcmp=rt-scorecard_audience-score-reviews

I can personally say the co-captains confab was fantastic for morale, well, my morale anyway. Mind you, an hour later, Trailblazer's own morale might have been a bit shakier. I suppose it was like getting a call from HR or the principal of your high school. Of course she was an adult with super powers. Now I have never turned to outright super crime, not that I recall per se; but my powers were well established in my senior high school year, and I actually found it rather comforting that I could grab the incredibly condescending Vice Principal's Miss Brolander's annoying pink fiat and squeeze and remold it into a bread box sized paperweight if I ever decided to. I didn't, because that would be wrong. But the fact I could was a comfort. 
 
Before you ask, yes, Miss Brolander was that annoying and power mad. The only thing she taught anyone at that school was that not all villains wear masks. However I digress.
 
So Trailblazer came in to a small circle of chairs. One thing Valerosa and I both agreed on would be no big desk to stare across and make it feel like a review. I guess in a way it was a review, but the young woman had enough anxieties without aggravating them more than necessary. 
"You guys wanted to see me?" She said in a tone that indicating it wasn't quite returned.

Fortunately, Valerosa had agreed with me that we would give Trailblazer an easy path in,  and go soft on her this time. Trailblazer had gotten a bit on Valerosa's bad side at first, but Valerosa was willing to try a gentler touch now.  I for one, was glad to see Ariana were on the same page now.
I gestured to an empty chair, "Sure did, thanks for coming,"

My co-captain smiled warmly as Trailblazer took a seat, and then she said those words every trainee wants to hear, "You've been holding back and we need to work on that."

What the hell? While Trailblazer blushed, I shot Valerosa a look to convey my confusion. I managed to mouth 'I thought we were coming in Soft?'
Her lips didn't move, but her expression said 'this IS soft'

I flashed back to Trailblazer who looked like she had woke up after sleepwalking only to find herself in the middle of a mine-field, "I'm, sorry?"
"Don't be," I said, "We don't believe it's a conscious thing. Look, we are not shrinks, but we've observed some of your practices when you think you're alone."

"Please, let the rest of this sound less creepy," Trailblazer blurted.

"Eel meant we saw you in the training area earlier today," Valerosa course corrected fast for the both of us, "You seemed so much more confident and poised than you often do in group."

"Oh," Trailblazer's embarrassment did not dim, "I know it's stupid I just, the tunes help a little and I don't worry so much about what I'm doing right or wrong and who I'm letting down," She pulled at her fingers as she explained, her tone just more and more apologetic "I know I should see a shrink but how do you tell someone I'm a superhero now and..."
 
"Hey, it's not stupid," I assured her calmly, "A lot of us go to the therapist the team employs now and then, not regularly, but when we do, it's the superhero side that's revealed, sometimes not even that. Confidentiality a must."
 
Now it was Valerosa giving ME the eyebrow. See, 'a lot of us' could be translated to 'not me'. I know in my head that therapists, good therapists at least, ,are healers, or at least guides in the process of healing. I know, in my head, that there is nothing weak or unmanly about turning to one for such services, and if more people could afford therapists, there might be a lot fewer supervillains in the world and a lot more put together folks. 
However, something in my GUT, had me put them off like I was in a vampire movie and they were eying my neck. I'm a big guy, even without powers I'm not the sort to worry often about someone bringing trouble to me while I walk my way in a narrow alley, but as soon as I see our team shrink getting into an elevator? I take the stairs.
 
So yeah, Ariana was going to give me holy what for after this but for now? I upsold our therapy options to Trailblazer as if they were the best thing since sliced bread.
 
And she seemed to be responding, "You guys have someone?"

"Sure do," Valerosa replied, "But go on. You were saying the tunes helped?"

"Yeah, they kind of take me out of head, but in a good way. Unfortunately, I know that might distract from taking your orders or if someone calls out for help so it's ... been practice only" She shrugged.

"Maybe there's a middle ground we can work out," Valerosa suggested "Even with Mabel gone, we have plenty of tech here that  would allow us to over ride your music in case we needed to. I'd rather start you with training wheels and wean you off them than-" She frowned and looked at me "I'm mixing my metaphors here."

"I was going to say weaning someone off training wheels is a bit awkward," I agreed, "It sounds like it makes sense, but at the same time-" 
"Not the best fit," Valerosa mmmphed.

"I understood it," Trailblazer assured us both, a bit surprised that it mattered.
"We're trying to improve too," I explained to our sizzling speedster.
"You're doing fine" She said "When I came in here I was terrified, I'm actually a bit more hopeful now."
"Yeah, well, oratory skills are important," Valerosa frowned, "Maybe not so much for Eel. Him being a guy, he's got it easy."
"Oh yeah," Trailblazer nodded as if it was almost a given.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I blinked at them both.
"Well, you know," Valerosa looked at me as if I really should, "When a guy's in a leadership position, and gives a speech, he can get away with it being short, simple, or sweet as long as he sounds bad ass and confident. Women leaders are expected to find that perfect blend of nurturing, commanding, AND intelligent"
"I don't sound intelligent?" I offered her some more rope to hang herself with.
"Oh, it's not the accent thing," Trailblazer assured, apparently wanting some of that metaphorical rope for herself.
"Shoot, you don't say?" I drawled.

"He's getting all huffy now," Valerosa translated, "Even though it's not about him, but just that men have it easier in super leadership"
"Some of the greatest speeches given in battlefields, sporting arenas, and yes, for super events, have been by men and they weren't 'get er done'" I told them feeling a bit huffy about being accused of being huffy.

"Men have had more opportunity for same," Trailblazer pointed out, "Valerosa's right. Women are judged more harshly in leadership styles. I mean, when I saw you, I thought you were amiable but commanding, I thought Valerosa was a B.. sorry you know what word."
"It's okay, we all get indoctrinated by society to some degree," Valerosa assured her "And that is exactly why I need to practice finding that balance."
"Am I the View or something?" I looked about as if expecting an audience of judgmental women ages twenty five to forty five, "You honestly think I can go out there, speak in near monosyllables in our next super fight, and get credit for great leadership as long as we win, just because I'm a man?"
Both women stared at me for a moment, then finally they both spoke out nodding.

"you said it-" Trailblazer announced.
"-We didn't" The light of my life finished. Even though I'm pretty sure both had at least strongly hinted at this very thing.
"I don't agree," I told them, then, too late, I started counting the syllables per word I had just used in my head. 

"Well, most men wouldn't," Valerosa gave a gentle, all too understanding shrug, "Patriarchal indoctrination victimizes us all." 
"It's totally not your fault," Trailblazer agreed with Valerosa.
Carefully choosing slightly bigger words, I held up a hand, "Let me see if I comprehend the the situation correctly. If I am in accord with you, I am  finally breaking free of societal confinements?"

They nodded in unison.
"However, unless I concur with all you are saying, I am aiding the oppressive patriarchy? So either I admit I am wrong, or I am wrong?" I looked them over "This sounds like manipulation. Like a 'I win or you lose' kind of set up."
"Woof" Trailblazer winced.
"Wow," Valerosa shook her head sadly at me.

"What?" I stared at the two as if I'd really like to buy a vowel.
"You just accused all women of being manipulative, continuing a very ugly stereotype" Valerosa sighed then looked at Trailblazer "And he's one of the GOOD ones."
"Yeah," Trailblazer sighed as if very disappointed, and she patted Valerosa on the shoulder, "Good luck with him."
"Gracias," She nodded back, "I'll need it. See, you're not the only one on this team who has issues to work on. We all do. We'll see what we can do to help get you your music while you fight and give you more options from there." 

"Thanks!" And Trailblazer and she exchanged hugs and out went Trailblazer.
I watched the rookie go, then looked back at my co-captain and sweet heart, and once I was sure it was just us in earshot, I asked with love and devotion in my heart "What? The? Hell? Just happened?"
 
"It went well, don't you think?" She smiled back very much like the cat who ate the canary, to use a far more reliable  and time tested metaphor.

"What went well? I feel like I just got mugged only to wake up in a hostile gender studies 101 class room," I told her, "One I didn't sign up for."
"You played your part perfectly," Ariana smiled "A good man who's a bit clueless of the challenges women face. You said it yourself, I came on too hard on with Trailblazer. Okay, I needed a bond with her. One thing we both have in common is the challenges women face, by opening up to her on that level, I formed a connection on that level. I let myself be bit vulnerable, and she reached out to support me and forgave my more aggressive stance, or at least viewed it more sympathetically."
Realization kicked in on me like I had gotten the clutch work on an old car, and I surmised, "It also made her feel her own hangups weren't the entire focus, that you two were on a more level playing field... she has her hang ups, and you have your own worries about how you're perceived as a leader." Somethings were sinking in.
 
"Right" She rewarded me with a kiss for catching on.
I started to return it, then backed up, "Wait, so you did just manipulate? I was right about that."
"What a sexist thing to say," She huffed but her eyes danced merrily.
"Not if it's true," I countered. 

"Meh" she kissed me once more, a peck, as she rose to leave the meeting room ahead of me.
Shaking my head, I rose to follow, "Baby, you don't actually think a man has leadership on easy mode do you? I mean, that was just part of the plea for sympathy thing right? You certainly don't think I can just grunt and still get credit do you?"
And Valerosa, as if she didn't hear me, started to whistle and walk ahead of me with a bit of a sway.
"This isn't over!" I called after her. She'd played me, and had fun doing it. I loved her, but I did feel I was owed a bit of playful payback.
The whistle momentarily broke with a throaty and pleased chuckle before resuming again.
 

 

Perhaps you're missing DCV, defensive Combat Maneuvers, CSL, Movement, and other ways someone can avoid getting hit. It's not all about tanking damage.
 
Also, your numbers are missing a few issues. Rampart's Strength is 100, so his Haymaker will do 24d6, not 28. A Haymaker is also only useful against targets that are immobile or immobilized, otherwise it's easy to avoid.
 
Defender's armor can generate a 12 rPD/12 rED Force Wall in addition to its other Defenses. He also has a 50 pt. VPP for other systems he can install in his armor, including more DEF if he anticipates needing it.
 
Balancing characters' offensive and defensive capabilities is a little more complicated than just comparing the numbers.

Levitating//Dua Lipa
 
(My radio choices in my work truck is limited - and the station I listen to runs 80s to “now”)
 
For something less “common” (YouTube can take you down some interesting rabbit holes) - Live Forever//Skerryvore

I'll start Trailblazer's playlist: Driver's License, Havana ....
 
(The kids do listen to the radio at work.)

Are V rolls as good as egg rolls?

If V's rolls were better, V wouldn't have half these problems!

Fixed that for you.

Ah, Bloodstone. There's a name I haven't heard in a while.
 
Fun tangential thought: The Deadpool movies were a big success. How about a big screen (or even Disney+) adaptation of "Nextwave: Agents of H.A.T.E."? We've got Monica Rambeau in the MCU now...

Then you could pull out “Justice Inc.” and Aaron Allston’s supplement. Lots of period details in both. 

New one up for Nov!
https://www.giantitp.com/comics/oots1247.html

How much control over their abilities does the priest have? 
 
Are they utterly unable to call on anything specific, or reliably use their special powers?  That's probably worth -2: it works when the GM decides what and when it does work, and never on command like a base unconscious control limitation.
 
Are they able to call reliably on something but cannot control what the results will be?  That's worth a -1: the lesser unconscious control limtation.
 
Does it generally work, but requires their deity to be paying attention?  That might be as simple as a Skill Roll: whoops, rolled an 18, Arioch was out eating lunch.  That's a -½ or so.  But it also might be tougher, because the deity is often distracted or prevented by a rival or enemy from accessing their priest.
 
Is it reliable unless they have done something in particular to annoy their deity? That probably isn't worth a lot, since its pretty easy for a half capable role player to stay in the lanes, maybe a -¼
 
You can use the rules for Requires a Roll to estimate the limitation value: how often on average is this likely to succeed?

Loveless Stressmore = 70s Bond villain

I believe there's a lot of validity to the article, but I suspect it may be missing the mark in implying that for most right-wingers rejecting rationality for the sake of power is a deliberate choice. The author of the article quotes Umberto Eco as writing, "Thinking is a form of emasculation" for fascists. Certainly the leading politicians and media figures in the movement understand what they're doing and why, but I believe most of the ground roots Republicans are reacting out of emotion and instinct. They feel powerful by participating in this movement, and against that feeling thought is not only powerless, it's irrelevant.

Eternals has Celestials in it, which are elemental forces in the MCU, ergo Eternals is unambiguously an MCU movie. I get that it doesn't hew to the MCU formula like an Avengers movie does, but Guardians of the Galaxy stepped away from the usual formula (by featuring an entire team of C-level unknowns who did not get their own movies first before the team-up movie, and by making no mention of other MCU characters) and it was a big success. I think if Eternals flops it won't be because it is different from a typical MCU movie, but because it fails to pack enough fun surprises to generate that "you gotta see it" hype.