The Pier, New York City
April 2, 2012
08:54 Hours

For the last hour Danel Lee had been attempting to solve the complicated legal puzzle box that is insuring the life of a superhero. His chief problem at the moment was distraction.  He would only get so deep into the legalese before the same thought would derail his train of thought: the New York Knights are back.

Part of him felt like a child on Christmas Eve, impatient to see what mysteries would be discovered upon the morning. Another part felt like that child's parents, inwardly nervous about what those mysteries might bring and knowing that there really isn't a Santa Claus - just hefty credit card bills and, if you were lucky, some zero-interest financing for six months.

Doug Buchanon leaned against the wall of an office building across the street from the Hearst building, sipping a chai tea and not really reading a newspaper. He glanced at his watch and mentally shrugged. Five minutes til.

It was all a bit surreal. Jacob hadn't felt very nervous when loitering on the sidewalk outside the Hearst building. But on stepping into the gleaming lobby, he'd immediately felt his suit was unsuitable, his bank account too small to count, and his fly was unzipped.

The crisp receptionist knew him before he opened his mouth. A security guard hustled him into a private elevator. And now he was on his way up to meet one of New York's biggest movers and shakers.

Jackie was cursing to herself as she arrived at the Hearst building, no matter what she did it seemed like she was always late for meetings. Today it had been an accident that had blocked the road for what seemed like hours. Some first impression she was going to make. Though if Mr. Lee knew as much about her as he implied he probably knew of her propensity for being late. Hopefully he wouldn't hold it against her.

Getting out of the cab she took another look at the skyline. She had never been to New York but thought she had been prepared from seeing it in the movies and on TV; she was wrong. The shear size of the buildings was overwhelming and she got dizzy just looking up at them. How anyone could live or work that high in the air she had no idea.

"I checked him out after getting your message.  Daniel Lee's file is owned by the Pentagon.  My clearance level doesn't come close.  All I can tell you is the few brass that would talk to me about him tell me the same thing I hear from my defense industry friends: be careful dealing with Lee.  They say he's good to his word but not above arranging the pieces on the board as it suits him, and he's always ten moves ahead of where you think he is."

"One thing that I was able to find out ought to peak your interest, though.  Daniel Lee is the sole trustee of the New York Knights Perpetual Trust.  He's in charge of all their property and assets.  Everything, including the Pier, is his to administer."

Flying commercial wasn't the thrill it had once been. Leah remembered the thrill of excitement she always got at take-off when the jet finally raced forward, hurtling down the runway, inertia pushing her into her seat. And the moment when the rumble of tires across asphalt ceased and the whole airliner tilted for a steep ascent into the sky. There had been few thrills to match it. Now--it couldn't compare to flying under her own power, with the wind in her hair. It was never going to be the same.

I asked these questions on the Player Conspiracy thread. Thrak addressed the basic question on the Q&A thread. The question, and Thrak's reply are copied below, along with Heatwave's reply for ______. Feel free to add your own reply here.

QUESTION: So, Thrak, the New York Knights will be Watched by the Media. Not very surprising.

"Really?  That's the best you have?  Compelling?"  Ludmella rolled her baby blue eyes before placing her head down between her knees. Her short blond hair flopping upside down in defeat.

"Yup. He said compelling, and that word isn't said enough." The pretty brunette ran her tongue lightly over her lips before she dove back in.  "Com...pellll....ling.  Can't you feel the pull of it?  And greatness, don't forget greatness!"  Salandra said with an impish grin.  She had started out the dialog with no other intention than getting her long time friend good and agitated, but the more she chewed on the idea the more it sounded like a good one.

Doug dropped the paper on the table and wiped his mouth with the cloth napkin. He took a sip of his water and sighed, pushing his plate away. Breakfast was by far the best meal of the day. Today he’d gone for something simple; chicken fried steak, two eggs over easy, crispy hash browns and an English muffin. Strawberry jam, of course. Water and juice to wash it down and, now that he was finished, a cup of coffee.

He waved at the server, a pretty young thing with coppery-red hair and a tattoo just visible on her décolletage. She looked over and, when he pointed to the empty coffee cup, smiled and nodded.

Jacob was sitting in the break room, apparently lost in thought. His eyes, half closed, faced the wall. His hands were placed on the table. His fingers moved slightly,like a typist finding home row without looking at the keyboard.

Vanessa looked up from her magazine to watch Jacob. What a slacker that kid was!

"I heard you went to MIT," she said.

"I did," he said, and stifled a sigh. He could guess where this was going. Vanessa was an empty nester who worked at Whole Foods more out of boredom than anything else. Jacob could understand that much. But her tendency to mother the younger crew members was annoying.

"So...what are you doing here?" she asked. "I bet you could be doing great things, if you just applied yourself."