1280/Silent Night (SHIELD)

Silent Night (SHIELD)
Date of Scene:	21 April 2020
Location:	Ready Room: Triskelion
Synopsis:	Superman meets with a mix of Avengers and SHIELD agents to discuss the shadow monster expanding out of Metropolis.
Cast of Characters:	Nick Fury, Steve Rogers, Clint Barton, Sam Wilson, Jemma Simmons, Daniel Hastings, Jane Foster, Dane Whitman, Clark Kent

---

Nick Fury has posed:
The meeting request (more a requirement than a request) sent by Director Fury required very specific SHIELD agents (and more than one Avenger) to come to a "Very Important Briefing" in Ready Room 01. The meeting memo identified that there would be a critically high security level on some of the information, and outlines that a 'previously believed deceased' resource would be speaking to the group about a threat that is growing out of control. Oddly, there is also a line about expecting all agents to be professional: normally not something cautioned. It finishes with requiring all agents to be prepared to form field teams and research groups immediately. The Avenger assets were sent similar information.

--

The meeting room is occupied, by two recognizable heroes, as those invited to the meeting begin to arrive. The end of the ready room table houses Steve Rogers, immediately recognizable and obvious. The second player present is recognizable on sight as well, though he is not wearing the iconic blue and red: the suit is dusky gray and black, and lacks a cape. There's few faces quite as well known globally as this one, with the heavy jaw, blue eyes dark hair, and bulky build. There is no room to not recognize that the deceased hero present at the meeting table, talking in low quiet tones to Captain America, is in fact Superman.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Beyond the wide glass window of the Ready Room, the spring skies over New York are monotone and thick with fluffy clouds not just yet ready to rain. The occupants might not be able to appreciate it for long; at one point or another, the view is set to be smoked out for better focus.

At the far end of the table, manila file folder spread over one palm and sheet of paper within paused in mid-turn, is one Steve Rogers. He's in more somber shades of color today, his slacks charcoal-grey and button-down steely-blue. His tie probably has a pattern if one gets close enough, it otherwise appears black. The overhead lights shine on his blond hair, perhaps the spot of color other than his downcast eyes and frown upon the report he's reading.

He glances up from the paperwork to Superman again, brows still furrowed, to listen to what the gentleman has to say. A curt nod and a sigh to follow. "Figure R&D'll be able to whip up something quick," he murmurs to the man.

Clint Barton has posed:
Clint grins as he walks in, zero surprise on his face as he sees the hero in red and blue. "Supes," he greets with a nod before taking up his customary position holding up a wall. Definitely seems like he was in the know beforehand or he has the world's best poker face.

It's likely not the latter.

"So, curious which of you two 'previously believed deceased' resources will be speaking today? With you both in the room the waters are suddenly getting murky," he grins to both men while he waits for the others to file in.

Sam Wilson has posed:
When he got the request, correction, order to report in, Sam Wilson had just finished his day at Happy Harbor. Grabbing the backpack that holds the flight suit within in, Sam waited until he was away from the school to change into the Falcon garb. And made a quick stop on the way into the Triskelion and after passing through security and such, he arrives at the Ready Room with a pair of boxes. "There's this /awesome/ donut place next to the school, Steve..." because of course Sam saw him first.

"You've got to try the maple logs, but there's still steam coming off the glazed, and they melt in your mouth." He was in the middle of setting down the boxes of holey goodness when his eyes all on the Man of Gunmetal Steel and Falcon freezes in his tracks. "...the hell?" he asks, looking first to Steve to make sure he's not seeing things. And then back to Superman. Then to Clint. "That's Superman, Clint..." how can he be so cool about this.

Sam just tries really really hard not to fangirl in front of his mentor and manages. "Ah, nice to meet you sir. Falcon. I mean, Sam Wilson."

"Want a donut? They're fresh."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
    Speaking of Research and Development, one of the two collectively known as FitzSimmons walks into the room, eyes upon a tablet. In particular, it is the female part of the duo, one Dr Jemma Simmons, that steps in, tapping her ear as she enters the room proper. "Not to worry. Yes...I am sure they will understand that you are terribly busy." There might have been an eyeroll there, though the intended target does not have the luxury of witnessing it.

    And...that's when Jemma's eyes look up. And actually sees who else is in the room. There is a pause as she stands still, stunned for a moment...before she realizes that yes, she is indeed in the right room. A finger taps the hidden earpiece once more. "Hmm, Fitz. Yeah. I got to go now." The finger drops as the biochemist actually takes a moment to compose herself, then walks over to take an empty chair.

    Very proper. Very British. No, don't stare at the virtual god sitting in the room with Steve Rogers. No, don't stare at him either. Just sit. Jemma keeps her composure as the tablet is placed on her lap.

Daniel Hastings has posed:
And then there's Daniel. The not nearly so famous formerly deceased resource available to SHIELD. Having been recently resurrected (on paper at least) by the Director, Hastings knew the briefing wasn't about him so when he arrived it was with a curious glance about the room. To.. Superman. Well, hello and howdy. For a dead man, Daniel at least knew about the Man of Steel. Presumed dead. So that's something. He only knows the Kryptonian by reputation so it's easier not to offer the man a donut. "Sir." He was at least polite to the fellow. It wasn't his fault he wasn't dead anymore. These things sometimes just.. unhappen.

Jane Foster has posed:
A smart suit gives an essence of power and authority in most situations. Good reason to consider them the uniform for professional situations, rather than actual rank and file military attire. One Jane Foster, doctor of cosmology, favours something immaculately tailored, one of those rare occasions for dressing up in a shade of navy so dark it probably appears black like the night sky. Armed with a regulation-level laptop if permitted and if not, a perfectly serviceable notepad, she ventures in about exactly the time she ought to be expected. Her expression holds a degree of reticent curiosity that kindles to a smile spotting... well, them. Captain America, Superman, and there /are/ perks to the job. It doesn't overwhelm her, exactly, but she manages to maintain that warm candor of a smile even when finding a space if one isn't already appointed for her in the room. "Good evening, everyone. A pleasure to get away from..." Just leave it at that.

She nods to Daniel -- a familiar face -- and Jemma, to follow. Where safety is had in numbers she moves with precision and purpose to settle. Look attentive, do all those things every day her work calls for. (And really pray that someone isn't going to tag her on social media.)

Dane Whitman has posed:
Dane Whitman hadn't the slightest idea what was going on, nor had he been expecting any invitations, but nevertheless, there it was. Looks like someone's been paying attention to the evaluation reports for new inductees. So after having gotten all the necessary security briefing and whatnot, he makes his way into the room, dressed casually if only because he's come from the same direction as Sam, albeit by a different means. There's a flicker of surprise and amusement at -seeing- Sam here, as he hadn't been aware the School's new Counselor was yet another SHIELD agent. Dane begins to wonder if there's any faculty at the school that -isn't- a SHIELD asset at this point.

Thankfully, there are a couple familiar faces to stave off the starstruck nature of being in the presence of arguable the worlds two foremost paragons of heroism. But he can't help but be reminded of having met Richard the Lionheart or Saladin. Far less noble in their own ways, but no less towering for their shadow upon history.

But all that being said, Dane tries not-entirely-successfully to look like he's wondering if he's in the right place, and moves to take an empty seat that totally by coincidence just happens to be next to Doctor Foster.

"Evening." He offers with a nod towards those thus-far assembled, but he'll refrain from introductions unless called for.

Clark Kent has posed:
"That's all right; perhaps after the meeting, set one aside for me?" Superman asks of Falcon, in his calm, friendly way. Superman has a quality of saying no in a way that's graceful but firm. He's smiling, though there's a serious undertone here. He didn't come for social quips, there's information to give, and grave importance that has brought the dead not only back to life, but into the meeting room. Clint's sassy greeting is given a slight smile, and he meets the gaze of each of the others as they come in, with a thoughtful welcome to each person. Each one is here to give insight into resolving what is coming.

Superman sits forward a little bit, hands resting on the table. He's commanded his share of meetings at the Justice League, though that was years ago, but the ability remains. It also perhaps does more: pushes doubt about if this is some kind of copy out of the window. There's a certain presence to Superman that hasn't been seen since 2017. It's in the room.

"Hello, everyone. Thank you for your attendance, today. I wish there was more time to speak a little bit more on my status, but I know it is the elephant in the room. I will say that I have been in recovery for some time, and am prepared to assist in global threats where I am able." Superman pauses.

"This meeting is not about me, though: it is about a growing threat that is enveloping Metropolis: a shadow creature - or creatures - that is causing the population to enter a trance, or worse, cases of sudden death. It has started to emerge in other cities, including here - in New York." He looks to Steve.

Steve Rogers has posed:
Quietly, when Clint arrives, the manila folder is closed. Steve spares his Avenging comrade a small smile. "You're not wrong on that point, at least," he replies quietly as to murky waters. It's true: both Steve and Superman were once MIA at one time or another.

Sam arrives and proffers his fresh donuts. Admittedly, the Captain sits up in his chair to eye the boxes and lifts his brows thoughtfully. "I'll be sure to snag one once we're all finished up here. Save me a glazed donut then, 'nd slap knuckles if you have to," he adds in droll humor to the Falcon.

The others filtering in get the professional curt nod normally handed out by the Captain in any meeting he attends, his expression more closed and keen now that their audience is arrived. When Superman begins to speak, he grants the man his attention, though his eyes do break away now and then to rove about the table. A tuck of his chin is yet again another nod, though his eyes drop to the manila folder before they rise as he takes up speaking.

"About a month back in the Chelsea borough, there was an incident where a shadow creature is assumed to have been present and manipulating the public with its ability. I happened to be on the fringes of the incident. It appears that the trance-state is brought on through some auditory signal the creature emits. I can report that at a far enough distance, the lesser effects were dizziness, a fluctuation in blood pressure, and tinnitus. Traffic was briefly obstructed when drivers nearer to the epicenter of the sound fell into a trance. We're aware of similar incidents in Metropolis," and he tilts his head slightly towards Superman, " -- though there hasn't been another since Chelsea. You're all here because you're some of the brightest minds we have. These minds need to be put towards a method or technology to counter the sound so those entering the field against this creature can react without the threat of falling into this trance-like state."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
Daniel is regarding Superman like he would any commander of a unit. With attention and respect. The man certainly had earned the reputation and if it had the likes of Clint making snarky remarks.. well.. everyone knew it was just his way of covering up fanboy love. He turned his head to note the arrival of Dane and Jane with a smile of recognition but then it was business. Business that had him knitting his forehead. "We.. don't have any idea as to the frequency range of that signal do we? Presumably in the human range.." But that leaves a lot of room to play in.

Clint Barton has posed:
Clint nods at Hasting's question. "Any chance we have a sample of this sound? Got to imagine that's going to help us build a defense against this thing," he says, before moving onto his territory. "So, gonna guess that trying to engage the shadow guy physically is a no go?"

Sam Wilson has posed:
As Superman and Cap bother make a request for a donut later, Sam nods his head firmly. But he's collecting a donut for himself, he's not going to wait as he sets one of the boxes out for the others to partake in if they want - but that other box is saved for later. Listening to the briefing, there's thoughtful chewing on the donut, as he considers the others.

"Has there been any attempt to make a recording of the tone that the creature is using to cause te hypnosis? I know in some of the treatments at the VA, they use focusing on the sounding of a bell as a trigger to hypnotism to try to work through a combat trauma." he offers thoughtfully.

Jane Foster has posed:
Sitting up straight simply happens where Superman is in the room. Perfect posture is necessary in church, job interviews, and seated among luminaries. Jane smiles in Steve's direction over the matter of doughnuts, accepting the elegant demurring between both men with a degree of analytical fascination. Laptop set down before her, she pulls open a fresh window on one side and maneuvers around the other array of programs with a brisk, purposeful ease speaking to which side of the SHIELD house she works on most of the time. Smoothly navigating open, she quickly enough has a map open of the city, centering right down while clarification and facts scroll through. Her brows lift slightly at the reference to a signal. //Sonic attack?// ends up underlined in the text side as the almost silent clatter of the keys fails to interrupt anyone with vaguely normal hearing. Sorry for those who are ultra-sensitive; she suppresses any sound if she can. "Right," she nods to Daniel as he mentions her question. "Were there any cameras or recording devices, cellular phones maybe, that picked up this creature? We could possibly fade out any of the unnecessary background noise to determine where it's operating and respond accordingly. Not only on options of noise suppression, but it could also give us an idea of how it makes the sound and whether it correponds to something. Doing a scattered diffusion, for example."

Jemma Simmons has posed:
    There was certainly a smile and a nod as others had joined, with Dr Foster certainly. But then, when the Man of Steel started to speak, it was all business for Jemma. She sat quietly, taking in the information not only from the kryptonian, but also from Captain Rogers as well, The indication of an audio wavelength causing physical reactions gets a frown, as those brown eyes seem to stare off into space, a sure indication for anyone who knows Simmons that she is certainly thinking. And...the physical ailments themselves sets another reaction, as the tablet is lifted from Jemma's lap.

    Fingertips fluttering on the tablet, Simmons actually ventures to speak. "This auditory signal. You could actually hear it? I have heard of ultra-sonic frequencies causing certain reactions, but...actually hearing the sound might give a clue as to its frequency range. Unless..." Notes entered into the laptop..."there is an inaudible aspect as well causing these issues." There is a moment of consideration. "A sample would be good, but hardly appropriate, if people are affected so adversely."

    Then...a start as an idea comes to Jemma. "Was the auditory signal affecting everyone, or only those who could hear it? As in, are deaf individuals immune?"

Dane Whitman has posed:
"Simple answers not usually being courteous enough to be the right ones, virtually any sonic signal can effectively be cancelled out if you know the frequency." Dane Whitman nods to Daniel when mentioning that. "Or at least it'd be the first go-to I'd try. Possibly difficult to implement on a broad scale unless we can hijack most of the broadcasts and pa systems in any given city." He...doesn't exactly sound skeptical about that possibility, even if he doesn't really know for sure.

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman watches Steve as he lays out more of the information, and then nods, accepting the questions and going through them methodically with answers. "Some of it is heard, depending on the range and ability of the listener. I have heard it... and then entered the trance. My hearing has made me particularly aware of these sounds; I am not immune to them. I have been afflicted by the trance from a very large distance away, when I have specifically focused to attempt to track it, /or/ moved too close to the source. Other, unpowered people around me have been able to get closer in proximity than I have: hearing it is an aspect." Super-hearing is not working for him with this monster, but entirely the opposite.

"I do have some recordings; there is a mixture of those who were on their phones or recording during the times of the trances, but the equipment is not ideal. Listening to the playback must lack something: it doesn't cause effects. It would be better to set up a network of listening devices, or send in a robotic device with the proper technology to analyze. I am able to direct towards where I can hear a current episode occuring, but unless I acquire a defense against the sounds, it is dangerous for me to approach and fall victim to a hypnosis. It has not controlled anyone that we have seen, yet -- but that doesn't mean it cannot do that." And Superman with mind control is not ideal.

Superman looks at Jane's specific question, and points towards Steve's materials. "I've provided on a drive some of the video and audio I found, but you may have better resources here to collect those from the public. As for the deaf... I have been unable to mute my own hearing well enough to determine that myself...." His gaze checks with Steve, if he has something on that point.

"As for fighting it," This is to Clint, "I encountered a small shadowy form at the edge of one of these episodes, and it responded to extreme heat - or light - or both."

Steve Rogers has posed:
At his seat at the table, Steve lightly crosses his arms. A glance over at Superman while he speaks then again pans out across the other members of SHIELD.

"Luckily enough, we've also managed to figure out that a simple pair of earplugs stifle the sound enough for your average human being to function unimpaired. Whether or not hearing impairement grants an edge against this thing, we don't know yet. It merits some investigation. If folks want to see about looking through the reports taken by the authorities in these incidents, there might be a pattern."

A sigh. "That, 'nd thinking about maybe factoring in some AI to actively counter the sound. As was mentioned, it's all over the decibel charts."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
Daniel has been listening. He's also been utilizing the touch screen where he's sitting to sketch something out. A rough shape of Manhattan. A number of x points. Vector lines. Then a wave form. And a counter wave. "So what I'm suggesting is a fundamental of acoustics. Wave forms. We've been using noise cancelling technology for decades here it seems and this is no different. Get a recording of the creature. We then take that recording and invert it."

Keying his touchscreen, the diagrams appear on the display board at the head of the room. He gestures to wave form and counter form respectively. "We then establish listening points throughout the city along with broadcast speakers. As soon as the post detects the sound, it begins broadcasting the counterwave. Nullifying the sound. It won't be perfect.. it'll bounce around buildings and cars and obstructions out of cohesion.. but it will definitely diminish the effects of the creatures attack. We can also program the same effect into headphones easily. That being much more effective. Maybe even tie into cell towers.. to broadcast the counterwave through phones.." There's a smile back at Dane and a nod. Great minds? Well, at least, they're thinking alike. "But.. it also sounds to me like there's some.. arcane source. Something beyond simple science." He glances about the room. "We should probably have someone from WAND get a sample of the signal, too. Just in case."

Sam Wilson has posed:
A question comes to Sam and he asks the pair. "When these people are hypnotized, are they given any specific instruction? Any direction to what they are supposed to do? Or is just like the lights are turned out and there's nothing there?" But when others start to talk deeper on it and getting into the whole arcane side of it, Sam quiets down to just listen and chew on a donut.

But he does add, "If you get word of an event, I can have Redwing give it a flyby and see what he captures." Drone, not falcon, clearly.

Clint Barton has posed:
Clint nods, "Well I'm 80% deaf so if that can be of any use, I'm happy to help," he says, gesturing at his ears. "As for heat and light, I can see about whipping up some arrow options for this guy, with my imparement and those arrows I should be able to get close enough to take a shot at if if we can nail down where the sucker is."

That last bit is left open for those more sciency than he.

Jane Foster has posed:
Smooth orientation keeps Jane busy as she carefully works through different points of data, pulling up a few sites in the background and keeping her counsel largely upon what she does. No need to clutter up the white space with various doodles or sketched images, though in every respect, Dane next to her can probably track out what she is up to. Her expression falls into something particularly more thoughtful than prone to speaking.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
    "We may be able to provide some options for arrowheads that should provide an appropriate thermo and spectral response for your liking, Agent Barton." Jemma speaks up without any hesitation. After all, it's part of her job to provide new toys for those who ask. "In addition, we do have some of the DWARFs with appropriate audio recording that should assist....as well as other sensory equipment to do a full detailed remote examination." In other words, Jemma would certainly get Fitz to fly those drones of his right into the shadow beast, should the situation calls for it.

Dane Whitman has posed:
"I've uh...got some considerable experience with arcane matters. This isn't ringing any bells off the top of my head, short of assorted tales about a Banshee's wail, but I can do a bit of digging on that score, if WAND doesn't mind me hanging around." Dane Whitman offers up, still obviously not-entirely over his initial nervousness, but he's getting there.

Clark Kent has posed:
"All of this started in Queensland Park, Metropolis," Superman explains as Daniel brings up his map. He refers to the display board. "Can you switch to Metropolis, please?" He inquires, before standing, to gesture onto the board. He could have done so using the technology pad, but there's also something TO getting up physically to gesture over the city of Metropolis. There's an impact to doing that, and showing where the locations moved. "It is not spreading evenly. There are sites: it is acting more like a living thing, following something. And the episodes are more frequent: we had one, then a few days, and so on, but now, there were a handful within the last week that were in human range. More, that I can hear." Superman taps on the north end of Metropolis, "And last night, here. Give me a moment." He stops speaking, very clearly focused, listening.

This may put into perspective Superman's hearing range, if he's checking for it from the SHIELD meeting room. "There is one now. I'm not attempting to track it, but I would guess northern Metropolis, again." Superman's expression is odd: serious, hardened: the firm set of jaw seen over and over in the footage of his deadly fight with Doomsday.

"These seem to last about twenty minutes. Should you want to prepare audio equipment, I am more than willing to guide to one of these. I wish I could be more help."

Superman then looks to Dane. "Zatanna, of the Justice League, is looking into the arcane as well, the source of the shadow itself. I can provide a contact, if you're unfamiliar."

"We are all in this together."

Jane Foster has posed:
Jane Foster presses her fingers together as she considers the map laid out before her, and there up on the whiteboard. "Hmm." The information sketched out in details forms a series of helpful pins, and she circles in on a few of them. "Getting on the ground around Queensland Park would give me a better idea of its significance, since that neck of Metropolis is not as familiar to me as others. But these sites have to have something in common." She thumbs through the scrolling collection of addresses, reviewing their photos, taking into more of them. "Everything remained inside the Metropolis city limits except for just the one, which makes me wonder if any prediction modeling gives us a good idea of other potential sites we could set up to stake information on. All of these particular sections in Metropolis, they're buildings of at least some significance or age. See, these two here are probably older than my grandmother. I do not see any incidents so far in younger places. Chelsea, at least, is rather old -- similar to Greenwich Village, but it's kept more of its character through the years. Among other very old things that live there." Electric elephant in the room there, while her nose wrinkles a little. "Just a speculative fashion, but we might use that to assess opportunities."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
"That does bring up a question.. outside resources." Daniel queries with a raised finger. "If we have individuals who might be able to put some expertise on this. Say.. the Fantastic Four? The Richards are well known for pulling rabbits out of their proverbial hat. Is this something we can bring up to them? On the assumption of being discrete?"

Sam Wilson has posed:
"Follow up to that, since this was done in secrecy. No telling anyone you're back, because I'm assuming Steve knew for a while and I promise to only be slightly miffed at him until we're out of the room." Sam comments dryly.

Clint Barton has posed:
Clint nods to Jemma, "I'll drop by the lab to talk options?" he offers about the arrows.

He considers how best to track down the shadow listening to the rest of the briefing.

Clark Kent has posed:
"Discretion relates to me, not to movement against this threat growing out of Metropolis," Superman answers with a brief smile to Sam, moving his eyes to Daniel's query. "However, you can be open about /all/ items with the Fantastic Four, the Avengers, or Justice League. I do not intend to remain a secret, but there are things I need to complete before returning to world presence." Superman leaves it at that, with a pleasant but firm smile.

"I also wonder about the Chelsea movement. Why there? It could hold answers," Superman agrees with Jane.

"I'm optimistic about a way to negate the sounds, counter it, though it may need to be highly sophisticated technology to mimic the extreme shifts in range," he sighs. "I would be happy to have a complete noise-canceling item as well, should something spark, as I could be a considerable help during an episode if I were immune." And being stuck watching Metropolis suffer while he can't go near is painful to the hero.

Sam Wilson has posed:
Nodding his head in thought, Sam considers. "Sorry. Lots of questions, I know. But maybe white noise would help?" he asks Superman. "Like the type you listen to to go to sleep? Maybe if you wore something like an ipad or the like that generates white noise, so you can still hear things that are important, but may muddle the signal itself that the shadow makes?" he asks finally.

Dane Whitman has posed:
"I've met Zatanna, yes, though I don't have contact information." Dane notes, leaning back in his chair, "Either way, tech-side or otherwise, I'm happy to help." Well didn't that just sound like the guy that got invited to sit at the big kids' table for the first time? Still, after a moment or three of listening further he offers, "MAybe cross-check architects for some of the historic buildings in the effected areas?" He chuckles, "Or even non-historic for that matter. Could be a red herring."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
"Anyone have any spare adamantium? I'd suggest vibranium but the way it reacts to soundwaves.." Daniel thumbs to Superman. "For his sound gear. He's going to destroy your average headphones going supersonic. I'd suggest ear buds. Less wind resistance. Less obvious, too, for the villains. I do love a surprise." There's a glance over to Dane, "Why? Are you thinking there's some ascetic whackos built a few highrises?" Hey, he's seen that one!

Jemma Simmons has posed:
    A warm smile is given to Clint as he asks. "Certainly, Agent Barton. Fitz and I will work up some preliminary schematics for your arrival." Of course, with the way that Jemma has been note-taking with that tablet of hers, more than likely there are already some thoughts being shared presently.

    The pattern of movement is of particular interest. Jemma leans forward, squinting at the mapped locations, as if trying to divine some sort of rhyme or reason to the attacks. "These appearances? They are not random. But...why only those locations? Is it really truly the composition of the architecture or is it something else? Maybe of biological origin?" But...it is just a thought spoken out loud...a rhetorical question, with Jemma not expecting an answer too. "That lone excursion to Chelsea. Why?"

Jane Foster has posed:
"Foot traffic might help here, or getting some proper schematics on what these buildings contain. I doubt highly it's only the buildings that hold significance. Things with antiquity have a certain importance, but let me accede any deep wisdom in that area to my colleague, Agent Whitman." Jane forfeits the position with good-natured amusement, the faintest smile touching her lips. "Is there something inside that renders them important or something related to their age? I'd hate to think a corporation moving all over Metropolis caused unnatural anger, though it still strikes me there could be something being searched for. Less a person, maybe an object. Or perhaps it needs something of a given age and recognition. I use 'it' in the loosest terms. Whatever a shadow entity or the force behind it could be. These places seem to attract it, though, so we can make the most out of that."

She sighs with Jemma's question, looking back. Her shoulders stay in an even line, and her answer is probably appropriate given who she is and why she holds a slew of scientific awards on a shelf. Or a bank vault. "Because," she replies, "of Asgard. Most likely, Asgard. It could be a coincidence, but the variables in play until I get a read on the sites for any signs of fluctuations? As good a reason as any. Maybe there is an object or set of objects in play and one is there."

Clark Kent has posed:
Superman gives Sam a smile and nod, "That may be worthwhile for gear for other teams; perhaps someting that creates enough static to drown it out? My hearing will pick through static, unfortunately." He gives a curious but amused look to Daniel at the suggestion of adamantium. "Should you think of something that might work, I'm prepared to test them," Superman says, finally, open to the ideas. "Even if it means I cannot use my full speed, or must follow other limits." He will help people regardless.

Superman looks over at Jemma with her question, but can only shake his head. "And there was no trance reported in Chelsea, no damage, only a mixture of the sounds. What do you mean by Asgard?"

Steve Rogers has posed:
Quietly, Steve too turns his attention to Doctor Foster in particular. He's been listening, his regard flickering from speaker to speaker, nodding here and there at elements of planning sure to work and those focal points sure to garner data.

But Asgard, she says? His true-blue gaze echoes Superman's question.

Dane Whitman has posed:
"Buildings have been built for stranger purposes." Dane notes towards Daniel with a grin and a shrug, "Especially if there /is/ a magic component to all this." He adds, "Though I'll certainly concede that remains to be determined."

Daniel Hastings has posed:
"So.. I'm going to go out on a limb here." Daniel says after a moment of thought. "Has anyone.. and by anyone I mean Superman.." He looks to the Man of Steel. "Done say.. an x-ray sweep of the underground? To see if there's been unusual digging, tunneling, things not man made recently? Not to say you haven't been busy.. and.. if not.. I can try to take care of that. It'll be a bit of a slog panning and scanning through all of that dirt but if there's focal areas.. I'd probably spot something." He then seems inspired and looks to Jane. "What about your Rosen Bridge detectors? Stick a few of those around Metropolis? See if you get readings? On the off chance this is interdimensional?"

Jane Foster has posed:
Superman willing to help others certainly brings a glow of hope, but that whole focus of attention burning right back in her direction leaves Jane facing the same weight of a world drop on Atlas' shoulders. A very small world, maybe a dwarf planet. She gives that slight tip of a nod. "Where do you find some of the oldest beings in our vicinity?" It's a straight up question with an answer delivered likewise. "Should they be congregating in the neighbourhood, that may be your starting point. I can make proper inquiries, in case it's not a mere possibility. As for the detectors, setting those up generally requires approval above my head but I can work on acquiring that." For the rest, there's Mastercard.

Jemma Simmons has posed:
    "Well...yes. One answer is as good as any. Which is why we need to eliminate the variables so that we can identify the proper response." Jemma casts a wan little smile to Jane, as she continues. "Though, I would feel immeasurely better if it was a singular object being tracked." A sign escapes Jemma as she leans back, running a hand through her hair absently. "I don't suppose it would be something as simple as surveying satelite imagery and performing a simple zoom and enhance." There's a short laugh with that.

    "Well, in any case, we can see about some highly durable noise-cancelling devices. Though, the sooner we can get a valid sample of the auditory trance-inducing signal, the better."

Clark Kent has posed:
"Recent checks haven't shown anything unusual under Metropolis," Superman is able to answer the question on that front. "Whatever this creature is, it disappears between the episodes, melting into the shadows that exist, or into some other place." He sighs, but nods to the room once.

"All right. I will check in again soon, and we'll see what new information we have. Perhaps the samples will be enough, or we can get improved ones. If anything changes in Metropolis, I'll update SHIELD." Superman agrees, leaving the map with a brief look cast back at it, a softened, quiet concern under the hero's capable, strong surface. He is worried for Metropolis, and for those impacted by the continuation of the dark creature.

"I have to go attend to the aftermath of the latest episode. Good luck, everyone. I'm confident in the direction we're headed."

Meeting adjourned. Donuts forgotten.