The Starlings 20: Fatal Momentum

The Starlings 20: Fatal Momentum

The team is split as EMBER's practical exam begins and Horizon follows Nebulon and Menagerie into the city. Content Warnings: Excessive Violence, Brief Description of Gore & Vomit . . . . . . ORG IN0093 - The Beacons. EMBER’s primary public strike team. Secondary objective of promoting EMBER to the public. * Current Members:  * Silver Sentinel: >INT BE0031 * Bastion: >INT BE0029 * Assigned Handler: >INT PA0042 MET SC4371 - Nebulon* A metahuman from Earth who spent over a decade traversing the galaxy. Upon his return in 1996, he joined the White Peace (>ORG ER0584) as a superhero, warning of the coming Mican invasion. He aims to create his own army of metahumans to fight alien threats, and now sees both EMBER and the White Peace as obstacles. Though he helped oust the Micans in 2008, he has constantly attacked EMBER and civilian targets since 2000. * Capabilities: Temperature Control, Enhanced Intelligence, Nuclear Resistance * Associations: Buzzkill (>MET NE2679), Horizon (>MET SC6986) * Note: Destroyed our base and broke Menagerie out of containment. Priority Alpha, we have to take him down. Use everything at our disposal to get info. - V.W. ALI OR0152 - Menagerie. The greatest warrior of the Isoldi aliens (>ALI OR0012). His planet, Isolde, was destroyed by the Micans centuries ago. In 2015, he came to Earth to prove his supremacy against those who defeated the Micans and restore his lost pride (>EVE XC0186). He killed two White Peace (>ORG ER0584) members, the metahumans Seraph (>MET GL1052) and Bluestreak (>MET GL1864), and escaped from Earth without being apprehended. Attacked Sanctum City on 03/30/2025 (>EVE XC1086), resulting in the death of Beacon member Torch (>INT BE0032). Was captured and contained under EMBER HQ, but broken out by Nebulon (>MET SC4371) on 4/5/2025. Their connection is unclear. * Capabilities: Power Appropriation (upon killing), Flight, Enhanced Strength, Enhanced Speed, Nuclear Resistance, Magic Nullification (Utolan Ward Tattoos), Fire Generation * Note: It took all of the Beacons and Falcons to take him down once, and not without casualties. Now that he’s working with Nebulon, we need even more firepower. - Bastion. EVE VA5816 - Sanctum City Robot Stampede. In 2009, the first major supervillian attack on Sanctum City since the Mican Occupation (>EVE XC0122). Attempting to hit the city while it was recovering, a swarm of over two hundred humanoid combat robots, equipped with advanced kinetic absorption technology, descended upon Sanctum City, threatening civilians and destroying property. The robots were unmarked but were connected to a company called Oxon Hill Robotics (>ORG CO5912), the investigation of which is still ongoing. Casualties totaled 124, including the superhero Peregrine (>MET SC3651). * Note: 16 years later, we have a clue. Watershed Industries and Palisade Security are working together to develop new models of the old Oxon Hill robots. Maybe they’re just reverse-engineering, but I’m convinced they’re connected. - Bastion * Note: So Nebulon was just pretending to fight against the robots? That doesn’t add up, I saw him out there. - S.S.

The Starlings 19: What Are We Doing Here?

As Peregrine, Ricochet, and Goldbug trudge through the EMBER test, Horizon investigates Helios Bloom and Videodrome connects with a computer virus. Content Warnings: Discussions of Domestic Manipulation. . . . . . . Beacons Test Candidates: 1. Goldbug. Exam: 980. Experience: 700. Fit A: 890. Clever team player with incredible technical skill. Self-doubting but good at thinking for himself. Fit B: 470. We already have one Silver Sentinel, we don’t need two. Doesn’t respect EMBER, he’s another Cadet disaster waiting to happen. 2. Ricochet. Exam: 748. Experience: 200. Fit A: 710. Heroic, but with a tendency to rush into danger without thinking. Fit B: 920. New but very promising, with a power set that complements ours. He’s a trooper, and he’s got more stamina than it seems. 3. Peregrine. Exam: 0 [Refused]. Experience: 900. Fit A: 720. It doesn’t matter what I write, she’s not gonna join. She’s stubborn and doesn’t listen to instructions – can’t see the bigger picture. Fit B: 950. Reliable, popular hero with a strong sense of justice. Is she a good team player, or just a good leader? 4. Prisma. Exam: 892. Experience: 800. Fit A: 800. Self-serious but proficient. Used to teamwork in the Constellation Corps, but do those loyalties conflict with EMBER? Also doesn’t quite have the young/exciting/popular factor. Fit B: 870. A reliable member of the Corps, we’ve worked with her before to good results. Don’t have a great sense of her personality behind the mask. 5. Sunnyside. Exam: 754. Experience: 800. Fit A: 640. Seems like an asshole? Honestly the fanbase is the only real draw, would help reform our image. Fit B: 720. Not perfect, but a quite effective hero with a useful power set. Worried about his ability to follow orders. 6. Petrichor. Exam: 916. Experience: 700. Fit A: 740. Weird powers, would fit more as an investigator than a Beacon. He’s had surprising success in Chicago, though. We shouldn’t underestimate him. Fit B: 880. Observant, down-to-earth, and humble. More heroes should be like him. 7. Blueman. Exam: 642. Experience: 600. Fit A: 740. Beloved by the city, young and fresh-faced, and really damn powerful. Pretty naïve and also he’s blue. Fit B: 250. Our last Beacon was killed by an Isoldi. We can’t just recruit another one without expecting major resistance. Honestly, I don’t think we can take an alien at all. 8. Freezeframe. Exam: [Awaiting Review]. Experience: 400. Fit A: 820. Fascinating powers, lots of ambition. It would take a lot of training, but she could change the world. Fit B: 100. Self-centered, attention-seeking, rule-breaking vigilante. 9. Lucerne. Exam: 718. Experience: 200. Fit A: 860. Scrappy, very proficient in combat, and really wants to learn. They could be molded into a real hero. Fit B: 220. Criminal record and not enough hero experience. I’ll need to see more before I’m convinced. . . . . . . Featuring: Violet Blitz, Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo, Nolan Caile, Audrey Dutcher, Cam Kooken, and Vincent Le Music and Editing by Violet Blitz Art by Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo Special thanks to Lauren Tan and Mia Taylor As artists and creators, we stand staunchly against generative AI: it steals artists' labor, exploits outsourced workers, recreates harmful stereotypes, and damages the environment. We do not use any AI in the creation of this podcast or its artwork, and we ask that you refrain from using AI to create fan works of Paralogue.

The Starlings 18: Resemblance

The Starlings confront some difficult truths and question their roles as superheroes. Content Warnings: Ableism, Discussion of Child Mortality, Discussion of Cancer, Domestic Manipulation, Dementia . . . . . . ORG RS0625 - Meliora Group* A research think tank in Lyon Park. Led by Dr. Horace Allsmith (>CIV RE1160), established after the shuddering of Asclepius Medical (>ORG RS0591) in 2023. They have been illegally continuing the Helios Bloom (>TEC MC3062) superpower-induction project, based on research stolen by former EMBER researcher Aaron Foley (>INT RE1212). * Note: Some connection to the super-hacker Lovelace. I have a proxy out researching. - S.S. * Note: Define. What proxy? - D. MET SC3651 - Peregrine. Identity: Rita Dubois. Deceased superhero, co-founder and leader of the Falcons (>ORG ER0731). Popular as an “inspiring” protohuman hero, she kept her late-discovered powers a secret. Died in the 2009 Sanctum City Robot Stampede (>EVE VA5816). Her moniker is carried on by her daughter, Darlene (>MET SC6941). * Capabilities: Boxing, Extreme Athleticism, Elemental Affinity * Associations: Kestrel, Falcons co-founder (>MET SC3652), Peregrine 2, daughter (>MET SC6941), Earthquake, former mentor (>MET SC2309) * Note: The best leader I've ever known. No offence, Vera. - S.S. MET SC4371 - Nebulon* A metahuman from Earth who spent over a decade traversing the galaxy. Upon his return in 1996, he joined the White Peace (>ORG ER0584) as a superhero, warning of the coming Mican invasion. He aims to create his own army of metahumans to fight alien threats, and now sees both EMBER and the White Peace as obstacles. Though he helped oust the Micans in 2008, he has constantly attacked EMBER and civilian targets since 2000. * Capabilities: Temperature Control, Enhanced Intelligence, Nuclear Resistance * Associations: Buzzkill (>MET NE2679), Horizon (>MET SC6986) * Note: Destroyed our base and broke Menagerie out of containment. Priority Alpha, we have to take him down. Use everything at our disposal to get info. - V.W. INT DF0001 - EMBER. The Executive Monitoring Bureau of Empowered Residents. Initially chartered in 1945 under the Department of Defense. Restructured in 2008 under the Department of Homeland Security. * Purpose: To catalog, research, regulate, and utilize superpowered US residents in cases of local and national security. * Note: “To win the superhero arms race,” our founder once said. I think it's fair to say we've won. - V.W. * Note: I wouldn't be so confident, Director Ward. There are threats everywhere. - D. INT BE0031 - Silver Sentinel. Identity: Stella Sylvestri. Current leader of The Beacons (>ORG IN0093), billionaire inventor, CEO of Sylvestri Systems, former member of The Falcons (>ORG ER0731). Joined The Beacons in 2008 and became their field leader in 2020. * Capabilities: Engineering (Human-Computer Interactions), Surveillance Drones, Power Suit . . . . . . Featuring: Violet Blitz, Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo, Nolan Caile, Audrey Dutcher, Cam Kooken, and Vincent Le Music and Editing by Violet Blitz Art by Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo Special thanks to Lauren Tan and Mia Taylor As artists and creators, we stand staunchly against generative AI: it steals artists' labor, exploits outsourced workers, recreates harmful stereotypes, and damages the environment. We do not use any AI in the creation of this podcast or its artwork, and we ask that you refrain from using AI to create fan works of Paralogue.

The Starlings 17: Gifts

With a brief respite between confronting Lovelace and the EMBER Exam, the Starlings visit old friends, seeking closure and advice. Content Warnings: Death of a Child, Addiction, Discussion of the Vietnam War  . . . . . . INT MD0075 - Half-Life. Identity: Isaiah Carpenter. Successful induction of Megaton-Level Nuclear Power in 1962 as part of the Jupiter Program (>TEC MC0008). Deserted EMBER in 1964 and threatened the nation as a major supervillian until 1973, when he stopped an Annihilation-Class threat from USSR’s Red Comet (>MET USSR0053). Half-Life and Red Comet then worked together to begin the White Peace (>ORG ER0584), a global superhero alliance that undercut EMBER and the nation’s power. Half-Life eventually left the White Peace and became an independent hero, retired but acting against major threats like the Mican Invasion (>ALI PR0005). * Capabilities: Nuclear Deconstruction * Associations: Red Comet (>MET USSR0053), Meteor (>INT MD0514) INT BE0032 - Torch. Identity: Leo Almeida. Young fire-powered superhero who joined the Beacons in 2024 after working in Stanley Briggs’ (>GOV SC8911) superhero team in 2023. Youngest official member of the Beacons, not including the former Beacon Cadet Program (>INT DF0320). Died in Menagerie's attack on 03/30/2025 (>EVE XC1086). * Capabilities: Fire Generation, Flight * Associations: Stanley Briggs (>GOV SC8911), Peregrine 2 (>MET SC6941), Salamandra (>MET BR0719) * Note: He was a bright Beacon and a vision for our future. He will be remembered and avenged. - Bastion. . . . . . . Featuring: Violet Blitz, Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo, Nolan Caile, Audrey Dutcher, Cam Kooken, and Vincent Le Music and Editing by Violet Blitz Art by Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo Special thanks to Lauren Tan and Mia Taylor As artists and creators, we stand staunchly against generative AI: it steals artists' labor, exploits outsourced workers, recreates harmful stereotypes, and damages the environment. We do not use any AI in the creation of this podcast or its artwork, and we ask that you refrain from using AI to create fan works of Paralogue.

The Starlings 16: This World/Your World

The Starlings set their sights on their next target, Lovelace, and try to get one step ahead of Nebulon. Content Warnings: Bullying >>>>>> pike — an Ogden kid who stumbled on Mican tech /they're a good kid at heart and they just want to save people. Hope we can set them on the right path /maybe Kraken can help out? lovelace — like ada, clever! — mastermind behind comms center heist — wish i knew what they were after, could be helpful to ID UPDATE: connection to astra/free lancers? maybe a palisade op? — her encryption on sentry bot puzzle box, crazy stuff — working theory = stella silvestri’s evil twin? (don’t share that w/ team) UPDATE: IPv6 fd7b:2e3b:f611::/48  find her. whatever it takes. . . . . . . ORG RS0625 - Meliora Group* A research think tank in Lyon Park. Led by Dr. Horace Allsmith (>CIV RE1160), established after the shuddering of Asclepius Medical (>ORG RS0591) in 2023. * Note: Allsmith has illegally continued work on the Helios Bloom project (>TEC MC3062) through Meliora. Human and animal testing is suspected. - D. * We need to shut this down, now. - Bastion. ORG ER0061 - Dingo Gang. A collection of metahuman mobsters organized under Indigo “Dingo” Cazuza (>CIV NW0055). Dozens of high-scale robberies, kidnappings, and counterfeiting/contraband incidents have been linked to this organization, as well as multiple arrests. First evidence of criminal conspiracy was noted in 1965, when Joseph “Jellyfish” Jones (>MET SC0718) was broken out of the Fort Dupont Metahuman Internment Facility. Notable Members: Indigo “Dingo” Cazuza (>CIV NW0055), Joseph “Jellyfish” Jones (>MET SC0718), Barbara “Salamandra” Almeida (>MET BR0719), Marcus “Mole” Modsley (>MET WV0005) Note: [CONVERSATION ARCHIVED 08/15/2024 AE09371] Conversation AE09371: Note: This dossier hasn’t been updated in many years, but it seems to be locked. Please unlock it for updates. - D. Note: It’s been locked since the organization no longer exists. No updates are needed. - V.W. Note: Director Ward, evidence from other dossiers, Stanley Briggs (>GOV SC8911) and Melissa Green (>GOV SC8732), suggest otherwise. Updates or a new dossier are necessary. The name “Warrigal Combine’ has come up. - D. Note: Reset code ERR8033. Director Override VW238.xx [Conversation Archived] ...... Featuring: Violet Blitz, Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo, Nolan Caile, Audrey Dutcher, Cam Kooken, and Vincent Le Music and Editing by Violet Blitz Art by Cecília Gonçalves de Azeredo Special thanks to Lauren Tan and Mia Taylor As artists and creators, we stand staunchly against generative AI: it steals artists' labor, exploits outsourced workers, recreates harmful stereotypes, and damages the environment. We do not use any AI in the creation of this podcast or its artwork, and we ask that you refrain from using AI to create fan works of Paralogue.