Alternate route/idea for Episode 5: New Friends, Old Faces
So we know that Sardine's is a villain bar frequented by the Red Ring, yes?
What would be the chance of the Z-Team member cut in Episode 3 being there?
The Z-Team show up, only to find Sonar or Coupe already there getting wasted in more ways than one. You know they'd try to reabsorb them into the group.
However, the cut villain is still upset about their termination, and storms off when Robert enters the bar "like nothing happened".
So the dispatcher/player puts it on themselves whether or not to approach them - causing a fork in the story.
Decide to; "Let it Pass" - things go as in canon.
Choose; "Don't Let them Go" - and Robert tracks them down for a less corporate one-on-one talk.
It ends up in the bar bathroom.
Robert: "Sonar? I know you're in here, bud."
Sonar: "No I'm not." (*sounds of rustling plastic from a stall*)
(*Robert opens the unlocked toilet stall door. Sonar is struggling with a small baggie of white powder. Both of them stare at one another.*)
Robert: "You know, Mal would be super disappointed if she saw you now."
Sonar, scoffs: "As if you'd care."
Robert: "I would."
Sonar: (*exits stall, looking pissed off*)
Sonar: "Oh no. You made it clear that you didn't give a shit when you fired me."
Robert: (*sighs, pinching the bridge of nose*)
Robert: "I cut you... because I thought you were better than this."
Sonar, surprised ear twitches: "What?"
Robert: "You're a Harvard Graduate, dumbass! You got caught for white-collar bullshit politicians get away with all the time! A year or two, and you could be out on good behaviour! You think Coupe has that advantage?"
Sonar: "You... you thought I'd make it without the Phoenix Programme?"
Robert: "The Phoenix Programme is for rehabilitating supervillians. I don't think you've ever been one."
Sonar: (*speechless, looks touched*)
Robert, offers arm: "C'mon, I'm buying the next round. And the team have been missing the hell out of their favourite hornbat."
Sonar: (*shy smile, links himself with Robert's arm as they exit the bathroom*)
Robert: "Coupe? I know you're in here."
Coupe, from a stall: "You would be incorrect, Robert Robert-" (*sounds of heaving*) "-son."
(*Robert opens the unlocked toilet stall door. Coupe is leaning over the toilet, clearly having drunk too much. Both of them stare at one another.*)
Robert: "You okay? Want me to get some water?"
Coupe, bitterly: "Do not pretend you care."
Robert: "I do."
Coupe: (*exits stall on shaky legs, her makeup smudged*)
Coupe: "If you truly cared, I would be still be on the Z-Team."
Robert": (*sighs, pinching the bridge of his nose*)
Robert: "I cut you... because I thought you could survive on your own."
Coupe, puzzled: "Pardon?"
Robert: "SDN, Blazer... they want to mold the Z-Team into marketable advertisement-friendly heroes. That's not you Coupe. You have too much self-worth to be pushed around like that."
Coupe: "You feel I'm too independent?"
Robert: "I feel that the Phoenix Programme was a disservice to you. You are a professional. Capable of flying as a solo hero no matter where she lands. Sonar sure as shit doesn't have the skill for that."
Coupe: "Do you... still think I'm evil?"
Robert: "I don't think you ever had the chance to prove you weren't."
Coupe: (*surprised, soft smile*)
Robert, offers arm: "C'mon, I'm buying the next round. Non-alcoholic for you. And I certainly know the team has been missing their woman of mystery."
Coupe: (*shyly, links her arm with Roberts, stumbling as they exit the bathroom*)
Z-Team morale sky-rockets if you do this. Malevola cuts her arm-wrestling round short to drag Sonar into a crushing hug. Punch Up stumbles over himself when he sees Coupe again. The whole team expresses the worry they've had over their missing teammate.
This doesn't stop their involvement in Shroud's plans. But it does change their attitude.
Sonar begs Robert to just hand over the Astral Pulse. That it's just a piece of hardware that isn't worth his life.
Coupe quietly pleads for Robert to give Shroud everything he wants. She'll try her best to preserve his life, even if Shroud asks her otherwise.
The Red Ring invasion during Episode 8 is a lot more sombre.
Sonar doesn't talk, resembling more a wild beast than the smooth-talking con-bat he was before. The collar on his neck tightens when he tries to object.
Coupe is flying wildly, like a bird with a clipped wing. Her attacks are unpredicable, and her voice strained. She begs for the Z-Team to stand down, her wings glimmering with red electricity.
Needless to say, the QTE fight is less of a fight, and more Robert and Blazer trying to disable the combatant's augments.
Blazer grants the cut team member an automatic pardon. They clearly had second thoughts about the whole thing, and suffered for it.
Robert may hug/receive a hug from a thankful Sonar or Coupe for believing in them. Happy ending for the gang. :3
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