Editing Crucible:Beetle (section)

== The Marauders ==

Recognizing both Furley’s technical brilliance and emotional vulnerability, [[Crucible:Mesmerio|Mesmerio]] eventually recruited the Beetle into [[Crucible:The Marauders|the Marauders]].

Within the team, Barney found something he rarely experienced elsewhere:

acceptance.

Even if it came from criminals and maniacs.

Mesmerio reportedly understood Furley almost immediately, manipulating his insecurities expertly while encouraging the Beetle persona that Barney increasingly preferred to his ordinary identity.

For a time, the Marauders gave him the closest thing he had ever known to confidence.