Dark Depths [DOMA]

Hans was on his way to the local STAR Labs building, having recieved direct orders to meet up with the field commander. Something to do with STAR Labs, not quite a place he was overly familiar with. Even within PSI, this was outside of his wheel house. He was not fully obligated to fall in line with the other DOMA enforcers, and the terms of his being here had already been established as him serving as a paranormal expert for the giant skeleton attack. Since he had arrived and learned of a few leads, he had not made much in the way of progress. While on paper it sounded like he could act with some degree of autonomy, in practice that wasn't entirely the case. The resident fire spirit had not come up with anything, the one with spikes was no where to be found and had likewise made themself an enemy of DOMA's pressence here. Finally, he was told in no uncertain terms to leave The Titans be until the deadline.

He had however discovered a greater supernatural pressence here in Jump City outside of the giant skeleton attack. From bar owners who were fire spirits, to literal supernatural hunters, and a gang he thought were using supernatural means to increase their numbers and strength. They also had what the police were thinking was a superhuman hitman, who either took great satisfaction with butchering full grown men, or was simply inhuman as it was. The fact a bouncer was only knocked out and was spared the slaughter of the mafioso seemed to indicate a more focused kind of motivation. In any case the gang in question was high on his list as he walked into the pristeen lobby of Star Labs. Hans looked around to see if the field commander was around before consulting with the receptionist..

Kuro arrived at the STAR Labs location in a few Crown Vics with his team, exiting the vehicle and entering the government facility with them seamlessly. He left his mask at his side so that they were able to identify him, and then made his way into the Labs. He was here to briefed by Star Labs on a new project of theirs.

But, naturally, nothing had gone according to plan for them.

The receptionist would confirm Hans's credentials before directing him to where Kuro and his team were being briefed. "I am Agent Kuro with the Department of Metahuman Affairs. For what reason have you called this meeting with us?"

Hans nodded to the receptionist before heading down into the labs, soon meeting up with Kuro and the others. "Occult Specialist Hans, here on behalf of PSI to assist DOMA regarding the supernatural activities," Hans introduced himself simply in response. "An order from higher up, which for now I am led to believe my field may be required for whatever this debriefing is for," he added flatly, noting that there was something different about Kuro. There was a pressence to him despite his demeanor. His Spirit wasn't being helpful in this moment in time either but that wasn't why he was here. He wasn't entirely sure WHY he was here, as he basically said as much.

It wasn't too much longer until the scientist that called them to debrief them made his way in, prompting a small reaction out of Hans as he saw the... "man" make his way inside. He was evidently a cyborg, having what one would assume to be a breathing apparatus visible from his back. He also seemed to have some proesthetic limbs, both legs and one arm. His eyes also appeared to be artificial, while his face clearly showed off his age as he regarded Hans and Kuro with a shrewd look. "I am Professor Caulder, developement lead for the ongoing developement of anti-metahuman combat and weapon applications," he introduced himself, coughing once or twice during. One of his assistants would start typing away at a computer until an image of the city started to come into view.

"As some of you may know, we were expecting a delivery of confidential parts from other STAR Labs regarding a project Professor Caulder and we believe shows great promise in your ongoing pursuits," the other assistant would continue where Caulder left off, sparing him from having to continue speaking for the moment. "We won't bore you all with the exact details of the project but the parts in question belong to the last key details to a frontline piece we hope to produce in bulk once we have the parts in hand and can replicate them here discreetly," he continued.

"They are kept in a specially designed container with a tracker, built to open through very specific means- self-destructing should it be extensively tampered with too much. *HACK* After the truck carrying it was ambushed by one of the local gangs... *cough*" Caulder had a coughing fit for a moment again.

"The one called Three Oni by the local police force. After they made off with the container, we would lose the tracker signal for varying periods of time- only to reappear elsewhere. There was no clear pattern to this and we had almost considered alternatives until just very recently where it reappeared and has not changed position," the assistant would finish for Caulder nodding to his colleague at the computer to put up the signal on a three dimensional map of part of the city. "It is currently here, beneath the city somewhere in the sewers. We don't know for how much longer it will remain in this location, so we want you to go retrieve it for us before it moves again. Due to allegations that Three Oni employ supernatural forces within their ranks, we are fortunate to have a specialist to join you in this endeavor," the assistant finished, subtly referring to Hans as Caulder seemed to chuckle disparingly. It was the kind of response from someone who didn't believe what they had been told, and found it funny that such a thing was even true. Hans would recognize it but not react, what he did most people didn't believe. That didn't matter, and it was probably for the best anyway.

Kuro acknowledged Hans with a glance, before listening to the two STAR Labs scientists' briefing. So the weapons technology that had been stolen was in a case. And that case was being tracked. He did begin to speculate what could be the cause of the tracker randomly disappearing and appearing- teleportation, then? So they were dealing with someone that had high functioning teleportation abilities.

If Kuro shared in the doctor's sentiment on mocking the mystic arts, he did a good job of not showing it. That or any emotion, really. All he did was give the professor a respectful bow in traditional Japanese style. "Thank you for the information, Professor Caulder. If that is all." If it were, he would turn to leave with Hans. When they were away from that conversation, he began speaking to him.

"I appreciate PSI's assistance in DOMA affairs, Occult Specialist Hans. I have no doubt that your abilities will be very useful to us." As they approached the Crown Vics outside, location in Kuro's hand, he turned to face him. "Would you care to enlighten me on what exactly those abilities might be, so that we may coordinate appropriately?"

Caulder seemed to cast a similar glance at Kuro but nodded to him. "That will be all," one of the assistants said as they left.

It was a good thing Hans had stopped by the police station when he did, thanks to the help of one of the detectives he was able to learn more about Three Oni. That didn't mean this would be a cake walk if what he learned and what he thought was correct. This atleast meant that there could be a demon waiting for them. Kuro's question brought him out of his musings. "In addition to standard training with hand to hand and firearms, I know an assortment of spells- one of which cancels magic around me, which should be very useful against what we might be facing," Hans replied as he felt his spirit stir within him. "Commander if I may, based on it's location and the culprit behind the theft- it's quite possible that we're going into a trap," Hans added thoughtfully.

He was fairly sure Kuro had considered this, and they'd be bringing some extra men just in case but it wouldn't hurt to ask. Hans had no idea what the rest of DOMA had been up to and wouldn't know about Butcher antatognizing Three Oni or anything.

Hans informed Kuro that he had hand to hand training, and was trained in the use of firearms as well. Kuro gave only a slight nod, and continued walking to the Crown Vic. He seemed to expect Hans to get into the vehicle, unless he had brought one of his own. They would go to the police station, which was operating as the ground team's headquarters for the time being. "I see. Our abilities won't mesh very well, then. They are magic in nature. But should our opponent be using it, do not hesitate. I have plenty of skills outside of my abilities and I will be fine regardless."

When they got to the police station, Kuro would brief the DOMA agents there. "We are working with STAR Labs today, and we have the cooperation of PSI. This is Agent Hans."

"We have tracked equipment that belongs to us to an area in the sewers. It appeared and reappeared inadvertently after it was stolen in many places, but it has since been inert in this location." He would point to it on a map. "This can mean one of two things. They either removed the tracking device at this point, or they have left it there intentionally, and they intend to draw us out. We will treat this situation as the latter. Evacuate the area, and establish a perimeter above ground. A separate team will be with Hans and I as we enter the sewers. No one goes in or out without my express permission."

"If there are no questions, mobilize."

"Who's the culprit?" Someone would ask raising their hand.

"If I may commander- Three Oni. For anyne who hasn't been told, they employ some sort of supernatural creatures adverse to sudden changes in light. So I recommend attaching lights to your weapons at a bare minimum, flashbangs also work from my understanding," Hans answered seriously, while not the most vocal or social orientated person, he wanted to make sure everyone was in the loop on how to deal with these things. The name seemed to make a few agents look anxiously at eachother.

"Their trepidation grows at the name," Hans' spirit quietly remarked to him, and he probably could've made that assumption.

"What about The Biker? We've seen the video, Hans. We've also read the briefing, bullets didn't even slow him down," Someone else asked raising their hand, one of the people Hans saw talking with the others. This was a moment where Hans had to make a quick decision of whether or not to mention what he THOUGHT The Biker was and what they could do about him but felt like he didn't fully have all the details. That and he remembered what a nasty sight that video was.

Kuro listened to the troops asking questions, and Hans offered to answer for him. He gave a slight nod, and allowed Hans to tell them that it was Three Oni that they would be fighting today, if Kuro's intel was correct. Hans advised them that they should carry equipment that would help shine light on the supernatural creatures, which seemed to be an effective means of combating them. Then, one of the men brought up one of the figureheads in Three Oni; an individual dubbed the Biker. There had been particularly gruesome footage released of him, and the soldiers had seen it in action.

Kuro decided to pick up where Hans left off.

"For this assignment, the Department of Metahuman Affairs has procured batons with special properties. They are designed with an nth metal alloy." He made a gesture and one from his specialized squad would bring one forward. It was in a condensed form, but as with most standard issue batons, it extended to full length at the press of a button. "For those of you unaware, nth metal has properties that are difficult for magic users to deal with. When something comes into contact with your batons, magical abilities will be negated from it. And even outside of the supernatural, their striking force is increased by the metal." Kuro waited to address any additional concern.

Detective Barlowe walked by in the background, a cup of coffee in one hand and a folder in another. There wasn't anything important or relevant other than the fact he exists still. Otherwise there were no further concerns, and they'd be off. "So much trouble for thee youthful miscreants- they'd ALL be dealt with accordingly if this were my time. Perhaps stoned, their heads chopped off- or if their dealings with demons is to be believed- and my PERSONAL FAVORITE... BURNED ALIVE!" the smokey voice of Hans' spirit filled his mind.

"Mankind has changed little... many people get electrocuted," Hans mentally retorted calmly, the spirit chuckling with amusement. To him that probably meant that they'd call down lightning to strike them down but he had been "around" long enough to pick up on a few modern conventions. Still didn't understand much of it but he knew enough that lightning was not involved.

Hans, Kuro and their DOMA agents would arrive without incident at one of the sewer's maintenance gates. Like the others, Hans would be double checking his weapons and gear before actually heading in. Him and Kuro presumably would forego the Nth Metal batons, as that'd make spellcasting impossible for him and Kuro mentioned that his abilities were magical in nature. "Pray, do not let this be thy tomb- if not for thy sake, then mine," The Spirit rasped, amusing Hans. If he had a choice sure- and why couldn't they have picked a less... disgusting place? Probably to prevent DOMA from making use of helecopters, for a start.

They had reached the maintenance gate to the city sewers without incident. That was well. Of course, Kuro expected that. Rarely was someone attacked before they entered a trap. As Hans suspected, Kuro did not take an nth metal baton for himself. Presumably for the aforementioned reasons. Kuro looked at the city around the gate, specifically at the buildings around it. He pointed to three of them. "Men up there with rifles. Prevent anyone from leaving this gate unattended. You will confirm with me before firing. Even if they are leaving, you are to take nonlethal shots." Six men would go to the rooftops in question. Another six stayed with them to trek into the sewers, while the rest of the force would mobilize to monitor and secure the other points of the sewer system in question.

There was no sugar coating it. It smelled like a sewer. But that was also to be expected. As the gate was opened, Kuro stepped into the mouth of it, leading first. And took the mask from his belt, clipping it on. All who gazed upon him would be met with the minimalist design face on it, emotionless. Not that there was much of a difference without it. He looked to Hans. "Position yourself where it suits you." The squad would form up, and Kuro would advance. They were in a sort of polygonal shape, though the formation didn't seem restricted. The spacing was so that they were not caught clumped together in the face of something dangerous.

Hans nodded simply and would take up the rear. Since he and Kuro seemed to be the only two endowed with any form of "above average" capabilities, it only seemed like the most logical conclusion to divide their strenghts evenly. Even if a rational man would think that with someone watching the entrance, nothing should be able to follow them undetected. And this gang's supernatural pets couldn't just emerge from nothing before darting back into nothing again, Hans dismissed that thought sarcastically as he let his military training have the wheel for now. The sewers had some lighting, not much for the limited human presence down here. But there were SOME for the rare times someone would need to be down here for maintenance or the like. Hans kept his rifle scanning the area behind them, the flashlight startling some rats every so often. He especially ran it across the darkest pockets he could see.

Just prior entering...

Weaver sat boredly on her DS, awaiting for a signal from one of her scouts. She was NOT going to spend all of her time waiting in a sewer so instead had set it up so that when DOMA would be on the move, she would likewise move into position. When the signal finally did come, she steeled herself for the plunge and slipped down into the sewers through her dark corridors. She was not a betting type of person but IF in an alternate reality she was, she'd put her money on them using the maintenance entrances. Sure there were plenty of manholes to use but that meant each man going in one at a time, which a paranoid person like herself wouldn't go for. No, if the person in charge had any semblance of brains they'd pick an entry that would let them get as many boots in as possible... which only worked for her in that it meant it'd bring forth retribution faster.

So she extended her shadow threads, using what time she had to set up some early warning systems. Since she didn't know exactly WHICH gate they'd use, she'd have to prepare for as many as she could. Fortunately her banking on them choosing one that would minimize their time down here would pay off. Once a boot came down on one of her threads, she'd send one of her ninjas off to signal the others. Once she had confirmed from where they would be coming from, she slipped further into the dark and into her dark corridors to wait. Really, she just wanted to get the hell out of the smell for alittle while.


As the group continued on, nothing would seem to get in their way but some of the other men seemed to be getting anxious. "Don't wave your light around so much," one would tell him.

"I swear something's moving down here," he would reply, trying to calm down in his surveying.

"Something IS moving," Hans' spirit would warn him, prompting Hans to tighten his focus. His military training naturally didn't account for the supernatural, which he had enough evidence to conclude this gang dealt with. Remembering The Biker, he had just gone into a club to take out his targets without concern for who saw. The "ninjas" were in and out without wasting any time.

The group up front would see their destination coming into view, a much larger open chamber with a couple larger drain pipes close to the ceiling that fed into this one before the "waters" eventually drained out through the rest of the sewer. Their objective seemed to be in the center, jutting out of the shallow waters. There was only one other passage directly across from theirs when the same soldier piped up. 'There it is again!" He exclaimed shining his light up toward the ceiling, naturally revealing nothing. But shadows WERE darting around until finally... "There!" A soldier called out, shining his flashlight at the head of one of their would-be assailants. And as Hans had said, once the light hit it the ninja collapsed without a sound. But there were other sounds coming from both passage ways- the sound of running feet.

Kuro proceeded down the sewer with their men. He felt like he was being watched, but this was natural. After all, he had told Hans and everyone on the mission that they may well be walking into a trap. Kuro was simply depending on whoever set the trap to be there, and to be equipped enough to handle whatever trap they had laid.

And it turned out that he was right. These situations could never be properly planned for, but with their equipment, he was sure they would survive. As they heard the sound of running feet coming from both passageways, he looked to one of his men. "Secure the target." He began molding chakra, looking at both entrances. They were here. He began walking towards the other passageway. The tunnels weren't entirely expansive or huge. While it would be hard to call it a funnel, he could hit anyone coming through it. He said, "Hans, protect the target, and watch our backs. Men, shine your lights down the tunnel there. You should be able to see anything coming through it."

As the running feet grew closer and closer, he inhaled, and when sure that he would be able to catch his attackers in the tunnel, exhaled destruction. "Katon: Gokyakyu no Jutsu." He sent a massive fireball roaring down the tunnel, which would grow to bathe all sides of it; walls, floors, and ceiling in flames. It would cause many injuries to any of their assailants that weren't the shadow creatures, but this was a trap, after all.

They hadn't counted on this. Kuro's fireball would catch a number of Three Oni gangsters and Shadow Ninja making their way down the opposite tunnel. Pained screams would be the only indication of this, as The Shadow Ninja made literally no sound one way or the other in response to their destruction. It clearly hadn't got them all, as someone further down would be barking orders in Japanese which Kuro would pick up as saying, "Hold them there!" Shots would occasionally erupt from further down the tunnel from more Three Oni members hiding in the openings of side passages, not alot as the rest tried to drag their downed and burned friends to cover.

"Understood," Hans replied as he and the others formed up by the objective. They didn't have an aoe attack but they had enough guns to dissuade potential attackers, their guns' flashlights taking care of the Shadow Ninja trying to pour through it. That didn't stop them from seemingly emerging INSIDE the chamber with them, forcing them to divide their attention. "Focus on your surroundings! Hans ordered as he quickly uttered an encantation, making a sweeping motion with one hand as a wall appeared in the opening of the tunnel behind them. The wall writhed and shifted from what appeared to be skeletons, only they were made of the concrete of their surroundings. That should keep the normal Three Oni members at bay and let them mop up the rest of The Ninjas trying to rush them in the chamber where they were.

Hans signaled for a couple men to take up positions on either side of the tunnel, preparing to set up a more defensive position when the wall went down. "Something tainted by demons is approaching us!" Hans' spirit warned him just before the wall he had summoned was blown apart, this was followed by a hail of bullets that punched through the shallow water at their feet, catching a couple men before Hans and the others nearby hit the deck. Hans on reflex pulled off a grenade and hurled it down the tunnel, hearing it go off without knowing the results. It was just to buy him time to try and get people out of the way before they returned fire, hearing bullets hitting something as three sets of dim glowing eyes started getting closer and closer.

"Commander we got trouble back here!" Hans called back, popping out behind cover of some piping and firing at them.

"Tertiary target not detected," a voice crackled.

"Confirmed," another one said before the armored commando raised his LMG-looking weapon and prepared to open fire. They weren't all firing at once, one would slowly move forward while another reloaded before following behind.

Hans's exclamation had, for the most part, been entirely unnecessary. Kuro could tell from the sounds of concentrated return fire that there were problems closing in. Containment was not their focus here. He did not have to capture Three Oni. He swatted a bullet out of the air with his knife, before making another hand seal. "Doton: Doryuheki." He sealed off the tunnel in front of him, quickly doubling back and forming up behind Hans, out of their attackers' sights. He looked at the item they were here for to make sure it was still there, and then came up with a strategy fast. He drew his katana.

"I will draw their fire. While I do, take your time to make careful shots. We need to eliminate them. Information will be useful, but it is not a priority to take them alive." With that, Kuro dashed out and down the tunnel with no hesitation. He was trained to fight in the dark; he was a shinobi after all, and their eyes were only helping him. He would swipe whatever bullets were going to hit his person out of the air with the blade, building chakra. He made himself even more tricky to hit by running on the walls and the ceilings utilizing his chakra. When he got to his targets, he would drop, turning in the air to land on his feet and forming a water dragon out of the air to knock them back. "Suiton: Suiryudan no Jutsu!"

The armored commandos weren't the only ones in that tunnel, like the other one there were also more Three Oni further back behind what cover they could find in the adjoining passageways. One of the further back commandos would train their weapon up at Kuro, the lead one still peppering the chamber ahead to keep Hans and the others from following up before Kuro came back down with his water dragon. A Three Oni or two would also get caught as they tried to pop out and lend some fire support, sent crashing into the wall behind them as the commandos seemed to lose some ground. Clicking on some controlled bursts from some thrusters to keep from losing their balance, one would click on their thrusters to try and nail him with a wide sweep of his LMG. The two behind him would reach for something on their hips, throwing them passed where Kuro was just as Hans and co started returning fire. The commandos didn't even seem to grunt as bullets bounced off parts of their armor, the things they threw forming a pair of glowing energy barriers that were just short enough not to full cut off the tunnel entrance.

Fortunately the wall Kuro had made behind them seemed to be holding. "Concentrate fire on one of those barriers!" Hans said, focusing on the barrier that wasn't immediately behind Kuro. The other two commandos would depending on what Kuro did next, also try to engage in melee or fall back with their thrusters to load a buckshot cartridge.


Weaver meanwhile decided to get involved for a moment, emerging on the opposite side of the wall Kuro had made. She signaled to her men before snaking her black threads from cover, digging them into the wall and slowly started eating through part of the wall. "Pray watch your back! There's another source of demonic taint behind us!" Hans' spirit warned him, causing him to spin around to see some kind of black viscous looking substance seeping through the wall. They had managed to get through one of the commandos' barriers though, so while the rest of the men took some glancing shots at one of the commandos, he lobbed another stun grenade at the other wall just as the upper half was pushed over- going off and making the unfortunate thug behind it fall over backward with a scream. This didn't seem to affect the black threads, it only seemed to anger the user as they flicked and launched themselves toward Hans. To which Hans summoned his scythe and started to cleave through them.

"On our six! The rest of you keep backing up the commander!" Hans said managing to keep the tendrils at bay while a few men took shots at Three Oni trying to use the wall as cover, the rest moving into better positions to shoot by the remaining energy barrier at the commandos.