The Watchdogs

The Watchdogs, more formally known as D Squad, is a government-sanctioned unit founded by Arik Breton that enlists incarcerated superhumans to undertake high-risk, covert missions in exchange for limited freedom. They are normally used as a last resort.

## History

### Origins

Arik came to the conclusion that most of the current superheroes could be compromised and turned against humanity, fearing the government's inexperience when dealing with such problems. However, Arik also had an underlying suspicion that there was a conspiracy brewing behind the scenes. He proposed forming a task force comprised of individuals with exceptional powers and abilities.

### Recruitment

After the team was approved for formation, Arik Breton enlisted the services of Kai Shikurai and traveled to various superhuman prisons around the country where the former began to conscript the first members. Cannonball, Vigilem, Karina, Sound Blast and Pole Dancer were all selected to join the team. When all five were assembled, they had chips injected into them which protected them from all forms of mental attacks and prevented them from disobeying orders via a painful electric shock.

### Taking Down Caitlyn Bliss

The team's first mission was to take down Caitlyn Bliss, who seemingly resurfaced after her disappearance 3 years ago. The team managed to sneak into her facility without any issue. However, their cover was blown when Cannonball impulsively charged ahead. Trying to make the best out of the situation, Star Saber sent Sound Blast after Caitlyn while the rest dealt with her defences. He chased the drug lord down, but lost her in a massive storage room. Despite this seeming loss, Sound Blast managed to find a data terminal, finding evidence that Caitlyn was taking orders from a higher power. Kai reported this information straight to Arik, confirming his suspicions about something sinister brewing behind the scenes.

### Misunderstanding with The Angels

A few months later, The Watchdogs were sent out on their next mission, following a break in the 'Shadow Syndicate' case. This piece of evidence lead them to New Jersey. After a few hours of searching, they found another of Caitlyn Bliss' warehouses and launched an attack on it. However, midway through the attack, The Angels interfere with the assault and distract them long enough to allow Caitlyn's forces to escape. Angry at this unexpected interruption, Kai confronted Knockback on her unnecessary assault, to which she countered that her team had jurisdiction over New Jersey and had the right to interfere in the conflict. The argument broke out into a fight when Amethyst recognised Vigilem, who was formerly working for Caitlyn, and attacked her. The brawl was broken up by Arik's arrival, clearing up the misunderstanding between them and apologised for the miscommunication. Kai and Knockback reconciled their differences and he shared the information he learnt about the Shadow Syndicate with Astrid before parting ways.

### Conspiracy Uncovered

Kai leads an unsanctioned mission alongside Vigilem and Sound Blast to investigate the disappearance of Absorptia at the request of Astrid. However, before they could find any meaningful information, they receive a distress signal from the Pentagon, which was under siege by Xennessa's demon horde. They arrive to find nearly all of the country's superheroes gathered there and the demon invasion seemingly dealt with. Kai meets up with Astrid who found a heavily injured Raven among the crowd. Noticing that something was off, he scanned the injured hero, only to find that her energy levels were reaching critical mass. He frantically screamed out that this whole attack was a setup and fled the area with his team. Astrid took his warning seriously and told her team and the Terra Warriors to flee the area, hesitantly abandoning Raven, who soon exploded with a burst of energy and mind control gas which filled the lungs of every hero in the blast radius.

## Members

* Star Saber is the stern leader of the team. He is capable of coming up with effective strategies on the fly. This combined with his immense strength and firepower make him a force to be reckoned with.

* Cannonball is the team's shield, the durability provided by the thick layers of fat able to deflect even the most powerful of blows. Initially clumsy, she has recently learned to use the momentum provided by her immense weight to create devastating attacks.

* Vigilem's expertise in espionage and computer hacking allows her to sneak behind enemy lines to gather information or swiftly eliminate targets. However, her lone wolf attitude causes her to get into many arguments with her teammates.

* Karina

* Sound Blast

* Pole Dancer

## Relationships

### Allies

* Arik Breton
* The Angels (former enemies)

### Enemies

* Xennessa
* Shadow Syndicate
* Maddox Nyseth