Suited and Booted

“The modern super-lair is something of an urban art form. The classic, comic book meta is a solitary fortress far from humanity or a lonely cave under a mansion just outside of town. In fact, most lairs are built within cities and have to be far more cleverly hidden. Even public groups maintain hidden safehouses and headquarters.

Today, we’re going to try to build our own super base completely under the radar in our home city, in an abandoned convenience store! But before we start, Like and Subscribe, and don’t forget our Patreon members get their own perks!”

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The car slid though to a sketchy, small parking lot, parking near an inconspicuous door on the side of the building. A ‘sleeping homeless’ man acting as a guard a short way from them. Solaris stepped out, “Excited for your fitting Marcus?”

"Fitting, getting mugged, could go either way. What is up with this place?"

"Super suit makers tend to double as arms dealers." Penny said. "Not officially, mind you, and the reputable ones avoid actually breaking laws, but breaking and bending are very different things to them."

“Not to mention a lot of them fit many shades of cape. Solaris said knocking on the door. Your tailor is like a priest, nothing you say will ever leave their lips because you were never there. And as long as they are not actively heroing or villaining they are persona non grata. You do NOT attack a tailor.”

"Oh, it is good to know that people understand the rules." The voice came through a concealed box, the door opening to allow them into the building. "Please, go right to the freight elevator. We'll bring you to us. Thank you for being prompt Ms. S."

“Of course.” She led everyone in. “Penny have you ever been to a tailor?” She asked as a concealed elevator opened to let them in.”

"No, unless you count UNLOC Armorers. I am familiar with them in theory, though." She said as they all stepped on, feeling as if they dropped far deeper than was anticipated. "Though I'm feeling like the rumors are true."

“Which rumors are those?” Solaris asked. “Phantastique was a bit of an original herself, she was a a bit like you, making tech and wonders for other people to use.”

"Phantastique is the one who set the bar. Rumor has it she suited all the greats, and some of the worst."

The door opened, and a man, smiling in a custom suit that somehow gave hints of being soft and metallic at the same time welcomed them. "Greetings, and grandmother was amazing. She also introduced the idea of providing other, shall we say, ‘accessories’ to the right buyers." He tilted his head at Solaris. "You are one of those right buyers, if I remember her stories correctly."

“Indeed, and she knew all the best toy makers. It is good to see the family has stayed in the business.”

"Oh, several of us have, in different areas. I took over New York, my sister is in Beverly Hills, because she's a basic bitch, and my cousins are spread around Europe. Now please, come in. Tell me how many of you need something today, and if we're talking Cape, Staff, Grunt, or minion. I don't do goons. You can buy that at Bass Pro Shop."

“Hmm M. Dreadful and I will want the cape treatment. Granny will want staff, Thud, do you want cape, staff or both?”

"I wasn't planning on doing the cape thing, really. Don't have much in mind for what I'd want to look like."

"And you have the nick name Thud? Interesting, we'll go staff, but I'll sketch some ideas up in case he changes his mind. So, raise your hand if you are bullet proof?"

Solaris raised her hand; Nahoa made an iffy gesture. “I’ve never tried it,” the big man said

"We can test it. It stings a bit, but you'll not be injured beyond a minor bruise."

"I generate forcefields. I mean, they seem to kick on when I'm in danger but..." he shrugged.

"Right, Assume you're not. And from what you said in the email, personal assistant, house manager, driver, and security right?" he said, pointing at each in turn.

“That is correct. I didn’t bother to bring any of my old kit since it was made here. And I think my super equipment is probably somewhere up in Kennicott.”

"Oh, I've got the old records for you, and just about everything is improved. I already have sketched up an update of your 'dress' uniform, as it has a certain elegance and old world charm, I suspect you'll benefit from playing in to."

“Wonderful! Tailor do your worst, do you want to start with me or the others?”

"Let's start with most of you. If you go with my assistant Thud, he'll do the test on your skin." he suggested.

"Um, okay. I hate shots." He muttered the last as he followed the assistant.

"Here's what I'll suggest for everyone who isn't bulletproof as, shall we say day wear when they think it is necessary." He gestured at a table and a hologram appeared of a genderless form, wearing what looked like bicycle shorts and a sleeveless t-shirt. "While I will make properly tailored versions, these are on the open market as concealed body armor. What's commercially available is level IIIa at best. I'll be giving you level IV equivalent, meaning it will stop up to rifle rounds. It will also involve a carbon-metallic mesh that will diffuse most types of energy hits to give roughly equivalent protection from energy projectors."

Solaris walked around the hologram fascinated, “This is incredible. What are the tiers of body armor? I’m not familiar with it?”

"Anything below three is pointless so we won't worry about them. Class III body armor is pistols up to perhaps a nine-millimeter or forty-five. Class IIIa defeats up to heavier pistol rounds such as magnums." He explained. "IV will stop intermediate rifle rounds, such as is used in most military rifles."

“Ahh, so level IV will protect against most standard rounds that does sound good, most villains didn’t really try to shoot me, but for the boys especially it makes sense.”

"To be fair, the bulk of the cape and cowl club are throwing around similar damage levels, if in more dramatic ways. The weakness are they won't really provide full protection, and the arms and head are exposed, but this is meant to keep you alive to escape, not make you battle ready."

“Well, you are starting fresh with M., he doesn’t have a suit or a name yet, he’s a blank canvas for you.”

"Good, so what's your power set my boy? You aren't bulletproof, but you generate force fields? Do you project energy or are you more of a melee kind of kid."

“I can do force fields and force sheathing.” Marcus said activating his gift into a simple blue arc.

"Does the sheathing enhance impact, or impart an energy effect as a rider on the attack?"

"Enhances, I think it hits harder, and Dreadful has done some tests that seemed to confirm that."

"Right, so you'll need a weapon. Does sharp versus blunt matter?"

Penny nodded. "Yes. Sharp seems to get sharper, and the items sturdiness is enhanced."

"Right, and is he skilled?"

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Penny frowned, and glanced at the kid, then at Solaris. "Not sure how to describe his fighting style at this point."

“He is a beginner with some street fighting experience. Right now, he is very dependent on his powers.” Solaris said. “I was going to ask if you knew any Trainers with openings, definitely for M and I, and possibly for the rest of the staff.”

"I can send you a few names." The tailor nodded. "Someone to get the basics in for everyone, and with more advanced skills. I'll get those to you; they know I will mention them if asked." He nodded. "So, we're going to go with straight forward weapons, we can always change out as your style develops."

"I'm thinking we start with weapons. A Kukuri style blade, a large one, for one hand, and a Tonfa for the other, a variation on sword and shield with options for purely non-lethal from the tonfa." He suggested. "We can also install a feature or two in the tonfa, such as a taser, gas dispenser, or grapnel line depending on what he might need."

Solaris reached into her purse. “We’re on the same page with the tonfa, did you know you could hire people on a place called Fiver? It’s an interesting site. I was thinking something like this, I had someone draw it up for me.” The image was of a tonfa where the long end could open into a small shield. “I figured the edge would be sharp like a Japanese war fan. Give it some flexibility and extra shielding for his head, if needed.”

"Oh yes, we could do that. Very nice." The tailor nodded. "I do like customers who think and challenge me." He picked up a tablet and scanned the image in " he undersuit might as well remain, can never have enough defending the trunk. Now, something like this."

“Considering yourself, I wasn't sure if a helmet would be needed, or ideal. The armor will bring him up to a class V, essentially anything short of anti-vehicle or armor piercing, anti-material rounds. With his forcefield he should be terribly hard to stop. A mix of classic armor and modern tech.

"Oh damn, that's bad ass." The kid muttered.

"A simple face mask would be my suggestion, as helmets can be a problem for melee fighters as much as a help in our circles. The loss of visibility can be hell in hand to hand against some of our sets opponents, in spite of the protection."

“I like it, very sleek and not too bulky. I do see your point with the visibility what about a coronet or a laurel, something he can imbue to give his head a bit more.”

"Hmmm... yes, we can design something like that. Something akin to a boxers head protection, but slimmer, more decorative. I'll work on a design.' The tailor nodded. "We can include some tech, like a light or slide down night vision visor as well."

A utility belt, the standard kit with communications, pouches with restraints, tracking tools. God bless apple for making that easier." he chuckled. "I would need to have more details on how he operates in suit before I can add anything to terribly custom, unfortunately. experience creates the questions I need to guide me."

"Oh, high end body cam functions, as well. Helps with the police."

Solaris nodded “I understand, my own circlet was just a decorative bit until we figured out I needed some form of ranged attack. Then reinforcing it to survive being a weapon took a bit of time. Marcus. Ms Ruan any thoughts on the design?”

"For him to start, it will do well. I am sure he will need to adjust it over time, until reaching it's inevitable form, but I think he can work with it. do you agree Grandson?"

"Yeah, it looks great. I like it. Though how hard will it be to put on in, like a hurry."

"You'll learn the knack, don't worry." The tailor assured him. “And I know how to design things for the man who needs to dress in a hurry.”

“Trust your Tailor, they know a suit is near useless if it takes forever to get on. There are all sorts of tricks to it. “

"Including some is basically just costume art, so flexible without looking it. Part of it is the show.” He chuckled. "Though get used to regular clothing getting destroyed. You just won't always have a chance to change."

Marcus chuckled, yeah I saw the boss had a big problem with her clothes not being as tough as her. Thank goodness newspapers had to be more discreet back in the day.”

“Lord I will never live that explosion down, it’s been almost a century!”

"Some girl in St. Louis apparently had all of her clothing blown off in a fight, and it turned into a whole issue because she was only sixteen at the time." Marcus said. "I mean, media blurred stuff, but just having filmed it was a bit problematic for them."

"Please, young man, step into this booth, disrobe, and step onto the glowing disk and do the classic "T-Pose". Don't move until the disk turns green after that."

Marcus was bright red as he went in to the booth and stripped down to his underwear stepping following the instructions given to him.

"So do you know a good vehicle Toy Maker? I think a motorcycle will complete his look." Solaris asked

"I actually have some things on site, and can contact the builder for more custom work if nothing in stock appeals. You know techs, they can't help but build stuff they don't need."

"Well to be fair we are rough on our toys so it's not like they sit for long.”

“The scan should have stopped Marcus, you can dress and come back out."

Solaris tapped her lips letting the Tailor know the bike was a surprise.

"That was kinda wild. That thing takes all your measurements right? Marcus said stepping out of the booth.

"Yep. Down to the micrometer. it lets me make suits with armored plates precise and comfortable as a jogging suit."

"Now Solaris, as I said, I've worked on a version of your 'formal' uniform." He called it up on the screen. "It's much like the older version, but instead of teh knee length skirt I brought it up a bit to mid thigh. Bare arms but with gloves, modest but attractive, with petticoats to keep it filled out. The classic look, but modernized just a tad." (Essentially your drawings suit). I wouldn't use this for adventuring but you're going to want something for those occassions."

Solaris nodded. I assume some sort of shorts to keep me decent in flight. She said thoughtfully, Will we be keeping the throwing circlet?

"Leggings, white, down to your boots." he explained. "And speaking off.." He opened a drawer on the table, and pulled out a box. Opening it he revealed a gleaming silver circlet with three gems, one blue, one red, and the top of the circlet a white stone. "Crafted of super-hardened stainless steel, with artificial diamonds for the gems. The central stone can be lit as a flashlight, high powered, and is solid state enough to survive impacts."

"This should work well pretty and useful but not to dear to replace when it gets lost or damaged. She remembered when they put the first circlet on her, she'd been slightly embarrassed, she was the daughter of a Baron, not a princess, but it had grown on her, a bit of whimsey that was needed on darker days. She ran a finger over the edges feeling the chill of the metal. She picked it up. "It's lighter than the old one. I'll have to practice with it."

He turned the box. "I already made up six." he chuckled. "The last three are dull and have no gems and are meant for training purposes. Those are a high carbon steel, so more flexible ."

"So less likely to break. I am glad for your forethought. I look forward to trying them out.” She placed the circlet on her head, fluffing her hair around it, "what do you think?”

"Looks good. Though not sure it goes with everything." Penny chuckled.

"That thing was nasty, and they hit me three times with it, yeah." Thud said, coming back from where he'd gone. "Oh, looks good on you there, boss." The assistant handed a sheet to the tailor while he spoke.

"Ahhh, well, you're already at level VI defense, so not a lot of reason to add body armor to your look. You shrug off anything not vehicle mounted pretty much. But you're security, so I'll give you a nice setup for a utility belt. I feel like you will need more eventually, so think about what you'd like going forward, eh?"

Thud nodded rubbing his thigh. "Cool. I can be Hawaiian Batman." he said "I don't know what all would be usefull. I am a rock shaper.” He pulled out a granite pebble from his pocket melting it in his hand and swishing it like water.

"Not much. Might give you a handheld unit for bomb scanning, weapon scanning, and the like. A restraint pouch. A lot of it will look off the shelf since a belt is kind of a belt." he chuckled. "Earth shapers at least usually have plenty of cover."

"That is true." the big man said with a smile putting his rock back in his pocket.

"He is studying to be a Lawyer as well so I was thinking a classic Suit with basic features as well as the union clothing." Solaris added.

"Ahhh, thinking the white linen island look? So lets see, Hawaiian shirt, might as well go with a hat, since Marcus wears one. Hmm, I'm thinking stone buttons, or possibly obsidian. Then you still have rock to wield if needed, if small amounts."

“I'd also go for cufflinks that are classy and give you another place to add rock without losing your cuffs.” Solaris said. “A tie pin would be another nice bit of accessory with that.”

"Oh cufflinks too. definitely. Something perhaps like this."

She looked at the White single-breasted suite with the three quarter sleeves. “Very nice, I'd go slightly off-white, and I'd go higher with the buttons.”

"Easy enough to adjust. This could work as an erstaz field uniform too, since his ID may be functionally public from what I understand. Thump, will you go into there, disrobe,, and stand on the glowing disk."

"I'll do the cloth out of basic bullet proof fabric That'll allow it to hold up to a lot of abuse. The hat also, so some head protection there. Does he need a weapon or anything like that?"

"I think all he needs is a good stunner.” Penny said. “He's got some hand to hand so a good non-lethal ranged option is good.”

"I've got a plasma stunner. Good range pistol, put a nice holster on under that, and it's legal for self-defense since its non-lethal."

"Lets also go with a sneaky stunner something he can conceal as a backup.” Penny added.

"Honey, don’t worry, the one I'm talking about can be sneaky. But we can do a shock collapsible baton, which can go in a pocket. Frankly, I'll do both, because options are important."

Solaris nodded as thud went into the scanner. How long do you think it will take to get this all put together?"

"I can get one suit put together for everyone in say... two days? I usually do a full set of three, minimum, so that would take a week. Then you aren't out of luck if they get destroyed."

That is faster than I expected. That would be wonderful, thank you. Thud came out of the scanner. So Who's next Granny or Penny?

"Grandmother, if you wouldn't mind stepping in. I don't need you to disrobe, as these don't require quite the same accuracy. However, I will have a surprise for you as well, so you aren't left out." He winked. “I might have had some warning of your measurements, thank you Dreadful.”

"Ahhh, this Taylor is a devil. I like him." She laughed as she walked in."