Drama Marvel Heroes: Resurgence

OOC: 300th Post for Resurgence! w00t!

Isaac Angakkuq IC:
~Maine Paths~

As they traversed the paths away from the Woodlin Camp and toward the Roadside Market, Isaac kept his initial silence while he waited for Gami's question to be answered in any form. No matter how Kim did so, it would be an answer in some form or another after all.

At first the watcher simply returned the young girl's icy stare, which didn't bode well. Isaac's mouth thinned and he was nearly ready to intervene when she instead let out a sigh of acceptance if not glee.

"The less you know about it, the better." The tone was gruff and the answer very standoffish. Foreboding you could also say. But it didn't help the situation any. Yet, before Isaac let Gami say more and he decided to even say as much, Kim continued. Surprising.

"One of the camps is in league with a criminal. A metahuman criminal at that." Kim's expression hardened at the thought and she kept her gaze firmly away from the two of them as they kept moving. She was alert however, that much was obvious. "They tried to persuade Mama and Papa Woodlin to cooperate, but they kindly refused."

Isaac looked away, concentrating on where his feet were being placed as he walked. That information made things make a lot more sense.

<It reveals much, yes.>

So, that was why they were being quiet in leaving the camp and why there was a certain amount of trepidation upon their passage now. A criminal with powers he had only ever heard about…

<Could that be another reason why SHIELD was out here?>

It took Firefly a moment to respond. As his spiritual guide contemplated in silence, Kim added a little bit more. She was currently just a little ahead of him and not far from Gami, flitting along, dipping up and down in the air just slightly.

"Mama Woodlin is a pacifist. I'm not Mama Woodlin. But she can be strong, so for her sake, I can try."

His eyes briefly went to look at Gami, gauging her reaction. Would this be enough to pacify her from any further antagonism toward Kim? Granted, the watcher's attitude was not exactly conducive to a pleasant relationship at such an onset but nonetheless.

"Oh." And that was that. Nodding, he looked away from her and back to the path they were traveling. It seemed it was enough and that was good. They had to work together.

"A metahuman…" he whispered quietly, mostly to himself. It was still a bit of a shock and rather hard for him to believe he could ever be so close to one. Then again, Mama Woodlin herself seemed to be far more than she appeared he had to remind himself.

Looking up and noticing the trees began to become denser and more closely packed. Narrowly avoiding a tree as he had been looking down in thought, he said aloud rather absent-mindedly.

"Watch your step, you two."

Mindful of the slope, he made his careful way down and couldn't help but return to the thought of the supposed criminal somewhere in the region. A metahuman. And a clearly unregistered and most likely dangerous one at that by the sounds of it. Would the Woodlins be safe? And why entrust him with this kind of escort mission if there was such a foe lurking out there? Or Gami for that matter?

Diffusing the earlier situation probably helped. Thinks I might be a good diplomat, or at least negotiator, most likely. Can't think of any other reason. Damn. What have I got myself into?

He grimaced very briefly in reaction to his inner thoughts, but gave a small nod to Kim's last words on the topic. "So stay on alert."

Alert. For much more than just where their feet fell evidently. He didn't notice Gami's small nod, but he kept close to the girls as they moved.

Well, lets see. What could a metahuman criminal want out here? Evasion from detection clearly. His mind immediately went back to the previous situation a few days past again.

That…thing. What was it? Is this person after that perhaps? If so, I'm glad SHIELD got hold of it first after all.

Say what you wanted to about the organization and the rumors of corruption and other such problems that came with the territory it was in, but in his mind. It was far better than letting a criminal have some mysterious object that could do Spirits Know What.

Speaking of Spirits. Firefly was still quiet and he was slightly unnerved by it.

<Firefly?>

No response, though she was still there quite all right. When she went into deep thought like that, it definitely meant something. For now, he could only let her be and wait for any wisdom she'd wish to depart him with.

"Thanks, for telling us…"

Isaac had almost missed the off hand comment. It was soft and not expected. Still, at least there was some kind of good sign so far.

"Yes, thank you," he agreed quietly, "I'm not sure of what use I'll be of something occurs. But I'll do my best for the Woodlins, I owe them for taking me in since I came to this side of the border."

Tag: Ktala greyjedi125

 

OOC: This is just something I threw together and decided to share with you all with greyjedi125 's permission.​

​

A Father's Love pt. 1​

"Hey babe," Corporal Samuel Sark greeted his wife from half a world away. She could see it in his broad shoulders that he was excited and even though the somewhat shaky connection his voice carried an upbeat tone.

"Hey yourself." Rebecca Sark replied smiling feeling some of her husband's infectious energy, "You seem happy." Her brown hair was pulled back into a professional looking bun and her glasses had slipped down her nose as she lowered her gaze.

His smile broadened as a chuckle rumbled out of his chest. "You could say that," he looked down for a bit, trying to contain himself. When he looked up his deep blue eyes were practically beaming, "Babe, I'm being reassigned…" he stopped trying to find the words, or was he just building up suspense, "I'm coming home."

Rebecca was silent hands clasped to her mouth tears starting to well up in her eyes. "I thought you had two more months."

"Thought I did too but, the Colonel called me into his office and told me I was coming stateside." They both couldn't speak, too busy sobbing tears of joy. When they got married they knew this they were going to spend time apart but, they weren't prepared for just how hard it was going to be on them. He'd been overseas for over a year now, and neither of them could stand it anymore. Samuel eventually found his words again to tell her something else. "We'll have to move again, the posting is in New York."

Rebecca laughed, "We're not even fully unpacked from our first move so it'll be easy, and you'll be here." After that, neither of them had the control to continue talking. They just sat there crying and laughing like idiots.

After that everything was a whirlwind of activity, from landing stateside, to a joyous reunion with Rebecca, then moving from North Carolina to New York, in almost no time at all Staff Sergeant Sark, having received a promotion along with his reassignment, found himself standing outside a non-descript building. It wasn't on any Army base and it looked like a government building of some kind but, he couldn't be sure. He checked his watch, as he pushed his way through the door, five minutes early. He arrived in just his ACUs his old corporal chevrons pinned to his lapels.

At a large reception desk a lady in business attire looked up, then further up as her head slowly made its way to the soldier's eyes. Sark just smiled he was used to this reaction from civilians.

"Hello mam, I was told…" he started speaking but, was silenced by the blonde holding up a finger.

"You're Stark?" She asked.

"It's Sark mam, if I was a Stark I wouldn't be in this line of work." That was another thing he'd gotten used to, in civilian life and in the military. Just one letter difference so it was understandable, he'd learned to laugh it off.

The woman on the other side of the desk, smirked a little sheepishly, as she looked back to her computer typing something in. "I see," she replied not looking up. Her dexterous fingers tapped on the keys for a few moments more before she looked up again. There was a loud noise from somewhere on the desk, Sark looked to an odd printer thing and the hard plastic card it was spitting out. Moments later the card fell into a tray and the receptionist swiped it though a card reader. Her computer beeped signifying that it was good, and she affixed a small metal clip to the hard plastic card.

"Aw, no lanyard." Sark said with mock disappointment taking the object from the woman.

"Not in the budget, this isn't S.H.I.E.L.D." The pair share a smile and she directs him to an office. "It's suite 116 down the hall on your right. You'll need the key card to get in." He nodded and followed the path pointed out. The office was easy to find though the door was interesting. A grey metal door in a hallway of frosted glass, he swiped the card and with a heavy thud, the door opened. Inside was full of gleaming metal and plastic. Men and women in long white coats moved about the space, checking pipettes, microscopes, and other scientific equipment. In those first moments he thought he was in the wrong place until one of the scientists turned his direction.

"Ah Mr. Sark," An older looking gentleman called out walking closer. "You're the first arrive."

"Um…first?" He asked.

"Yes others should be arriving soon. Please take a seat." The scientist gestured to a row of seats. The badge hanging from his coat pocket said Dr. Harold Winston.

The hulking soldier squeezed himself into the chair shoulders hunched forward. "Sir, can I ask what is going on?"

Dr. Winston pulled up a chair from one of the nearby desks and sat in front of the sergeant. "Well, you've been selected for a study of sorts."

"A study, like an experiment?"

"Not exactly, it this process has been tested on a few people and has been shown to be safe. But, the military would like to see if it could have applications for soldiers."

"You mean like Super Soldiers, like Cap." There wasn't a single serviceman alive that hadn't heard of Captain Steve Rogers, Captain America. There had been stories that ever since he came on the scene that the Army has been trying to recreate the process to create more super soldiers.

The scientist chuckled a little, "No nothing like that, we are merely trying to find ways of keeping our men and women in uniform safe, especially against biological weapons."

"So you're looking to boost our immune systems?"

"In short yes but, as well we are looking at heightening ones awareness, so they can be alerted to danger sooner. Every second counts right."

"That is does sir." There was a silence as the two looked around, out of habit Sark twisted his wedding ring around his finger.

"How long," the other man asked.

"Humm…"

"You're married," he continued pointing to the ring, "how long?"

"Two years, though for half of that I was overseas."

"It's the sacrifice they make, having to share their loved one with the country."

"I guess but, it was rough on both of us, there were so many times that I just wanted to be with her but, I'd made a commitment to my country, I had to see that through."

"That's very noble."

Sark's large shoulders shrugged, "It's how I was raised, when you give your word, live up to that."

Again silence took over the conversation. The scientist checked his watch. "Well, I guess I should ask, are you willing to go through with this."

Sark's brow furrowed, "I'm not even really sure what 'this' is."

"Well, at its core we're trying to make sure more soldiers come home to their families. It isn't without it's risks but, if there's a chance to save lives, we have to take it don't we?"

Sark thought about it for a moment, he knew he didn't want to leave Becky before his time, he didn't want to put her through the pain of losing her husband to conflict. In the back of his mind he could see the face of the widows he'd seen, both in the states and where he was sent. It was heart wrenching to see, and if you could save his wife that pain, then he'd do it.

"Well then, I'm in." he said finally.

"Alright, let's get to work."

The months passed and Sark felt himself changing he felt stronger, faster, especially when he felt his adrenaline hit his system. What also changed was his senses, smells became more acute, his ears could pick up on the smallest noise and he felt like his eyes became more accurate. During this time Rebecca became pregnant. It was a surprise to him but, not unwelcomed, in fact it made him more devoted to his new mission.

While he wouldn't be posted overseas again, he was still in the service, though it was in an entirely different capacity. He must have impressed someone because now he was doing the kind of things he couldn't tell anyone about, not even his wife. He accepted this burden without hesitation, he gave his word that he would serve, and if it was to protect those he held dear, he wouldn't argue.

He and his 'team', others who had undergone the same procedure as him, were prepping for their next mission. They were cleaning their weapons going over the initial infil point and the back up, and everything that could go wrong. The commander burst in, a man that went by the name Colonel Noe-Pyane.

"Stark," he bellowed, Sark rose about to correct the officer but, was cut off. "Your wife is on the phone sounds urgent."

Without a word the solider dropped his half built weapon on the bench and rushed out of the room. He rushed out snatching up the phone.

"Hey babe, what is it?" he could hear on the other side of the line her breathing was labored.

"Sam," it must be serious, she used his name, "My water broke." Those words stilled Sark's breath, his eyes went wide.

"This…it's too early…docs said…" his stammering speech was cut off by Becky grunting in pain.

"Well, this one is impatient I guess."

"Get to the hospital I'll be right there." For the first time in his life he felt his heart pound in his chest. He'd been in firefights before, in stressful situations that would test most men, every time he was calm collected, heartbeat steady. Now in this moment, it hammered in his ears like a drum.

"Already ahead of you…" she growled again, "Cindy is giving me a ride."

"Ok…I'll…I'll see you there." His mouth was dry and he could feel that familiar sense of adrenaline flowing though his blood stream.

"Just hurry." His wife said finally with another gritted breath. His hands shaking Sark hung up and wheeled around to find Colonel Noe-Pyane right behind him.

"Sir, Request…"

"I got the gist soldier." The older man said his voice sounding like he'd gargled gravel in his youth, "Your little one's coming early. Consider yourself cut from this mission. Now go be with you wife." The Colonel looked down briefly, possibly with regret, maybe over not being there for his family. Sark didn't know, he didn't know anything about his CO, he kept things close to his vest, though one could see the pain in his eyes. "Go that's an order."

Sark snapped off a salute and bolted for the door, in moments he was outside jumping into his truck and peeling out of the lot. He drove quickly, almost recklessly though the town he was really feeling it now, time seemed to slow as he swerved left and right through traffic, he wasn't going to be late. Not for this. He came to a screeching halt at the front of the hospital leaping out of his vehicle he left it there, not worrying about the possible tickets or horns honking at him.

The route was burned into his mind. He could have found his way blindfolded if he had to. In no time at all and with several worried glances at the massive figure nearly running through the halls, Sark made it to the bed side, holding on to Rebecca's hand as the next contraction hit.

Her grip was making his making his fingers go purple something he didn't think she was capable of. He was right there, doing the only thing he could do, offering words of encouragement. It seemed this kid was impatient, after only a few hours of labor the child was born. Something was off, all Sark heard was a single cry from the newborn then, silence.

"Where…Where's my baby I want to see them." Rebecca was breathless, her long brown hair matted and drenched in sweat. Sark looked over his shoulder as one of the nurses carried the small quiet bundle out of the room. No explanation was given. "Where are they taking them?" The new mother's silvery eyes widened in fear.

"I'm not sure," slowly he let go of her rather limp hand, "I'll go find out." He rose from the chair next to the bed side still dressed in the simple hospital gown over his fatigues. His heavy boots thudded against the tiled floor as he followed the group of doctors with determination. They took a hard turn into the NICU and Sark tried to enter with them but was stopped by another nurse that was half his size.

"I'm sorry sir but, you can't come in." looking thought the opening he could see the OB/GYN ordering the others around calling for this and that.

His keen ears heard the doc say, "Come on little one cry," they injected something, the father couldn't see what and soon after a piercing cry shot from the little one's lungs. Sark once again felt breathless, his heart jackhammering in his broad chest. Tears fell from his azure eyes as the peels of sobs echoed in the halls. It was the greatest sound he'd ever heard. The doctor held her hands near the babe and as they do a tiny hand gripped the smallest digit. "Oh, you've got a strong grip." This comment drew a smile on the father's lips. A few moments later that smiled disappeared as the doctor holding his child let out a short shout, pulling her hand away. Possibly unaware of Sark's presence outside of the room she called out, "Contact the MRD, I think we have…"

Before she could finish Sark had burst in, cutting though the medical personnel like a battleship through the waves. "NO." he said firmly, glaring at the doc holding his child. Not breaking his gaze he took the mewling babe into his arms, bouncing them gently. The blankets had fallen away, and he could now see, he had a daughter. He held her close to his chest his heart calming now, settling into his standard resting heartbeat. The child slowly stopped crying looking up at her father with broad blue eyes. "It's alright little one, daddy's here."

"Sir we have…" the doctor again interjected, Sark silenced her with a look,

"You'll do nothing, my daughter is fine, she's healthy, breathing, perfect." He walked out nurses following after him with an incubator. He didn't notice. Rebecca's face brightened when he entered carrying their daughter. "It's a girl." Now they both were crying, he passed the bundle of joy to her and they both just stared at each other. At a loss for words.

After a few moments the child was put into an incubator to keep warm, she was born two and a half months early, there was still some growing left to do. Samuel held Rebecca watching their daughter.

"Look at her eyes," Becky said, "their looking all around." A nurse walked close to the little box the new life had been put in, the infant's eyes snapped over to the noise. "She looks to every noise."

"She's an alert one." Sam replied looking with some suspicion at the nurse.

"Casey."

"What?"

"Her name, Casey, it means watchful. I read it in one of those baby name books."

Sark chuckled a little to himself, "Casey, I like it." In that moment, the soldier knew he'd do anything to protect that little one to keep her safe. If there was any doubt in him about his missions before, it was gone. A father's love is a powerful thing.

 

OOC: Combo with the talented galactic-vagabond422

IC: Zephyr Vaillancourt
Zephy’s Sanctum, NYC


Lunchtime was over all too quickly. Zack’s visit may have been an unexpected ‘interruption’, but it was one of those things that made life feel completely normal, and Zephyr couldn’t help but smile and feel truly appreciative to have that.
As he cleaned up the table and placed the left over pizza in the ample and super modern fridge, he found that he just couldn’t imagine what life would be like without his friend.

Pausing at the dishwasher, he chuckled softly as he tried to remember some of the settings. Ordinarily he would just clean everything with a wave of his hand, which guaranteed some amazing results beyond what any detergent or chemicals could achieve, plus it was always a good way to practice and hone his powers.
However, now that he had guests/ roommates, it was probably best for these things to a backseat in favor of more ‘normal’ activities, at least for now.

Zephyr’s made sure to temper his enthusiasm with a sobering splash of cold reality, nothing was ever easy and people were complicated beings by nature.

He closed the dishwasher and paused again, taking a deep breath; he had to muster his convictions. He was about to take a big step and deep inside he knew that no matter how well intentioned and how well prepared or how much effort was invested, there were no guarantees for any ONE vision, but triumph was usually found in the trying.

Moving close to Casey, the young meta would gaze upon his new friend with a warm smile and speak affably, as friends do.

“I really like Aegis, as your codename…it sounds heroic, even if one isn’t into mythology, it has a nice ring to it.”
The raven haired meta would nod and smile with approval, pausing briefly before continuing.

“Casey…I want you to know that what we’re going to do, is not easy and it may be a little uncomfortable at first. You may experience doubt and frustration during this journey; I know I did, more times that I care to admit. But you will gain so much from it that it is worth the… rough patches. Furthermore, I know you can do this, it’s more than just a feeling”. He obviously avoided using the word ‘pain’ but rather hinted at it instead of being disingenuous.

“Just so you know, after some preliminaries I am planning to get in touch with my instructor who helped me control my abilities, he’ll be able to better guide our efforts. And no worries, there will be no need to reveal your identity, this is totally based on trust and confidentiality.
As you may suspect, non-registered training of metas has become expensive and illegal since the SRA, but it’s still possible.”
A reassuring smile will punctuate his words; any feelings of apprehension or worry would have to be dispelled first.

“Before we begin with actual exercises, I have to ascertain a few things about what you know and experienced of your powers. I have to ask you a few questions, and of course you may answer them in any way that you may feel comfortable. Keep in mind that the more accurate answers yield the more informed approach. Are you Ok with that?”
Zephyr’s eyes will project encouragement and patience that he could have only learned from someone wiser than himself. Encouraging as he may be, his voice will also carry a tone that clearly communicates that he will support whatever decision Aegis might make.


Casey had moved to help with the dishes but, it seemed Zephyr had things well in hand. At least until it came to the dishwasher it seemed, once again she moved to assist but, he figured it out, or was he deep in thought. Ever since Blue left and she committed to getting started with training she felt a nervous energy build up inside her. It was a tension in her chest that just wouldn't go away. She pulled out her father's dog tags and began running them along their beaded chain. The hard clicking sounds did little to alleviate her anxiety but, she couldn't think of anything else to do. Deep inside her she knew that this had to be done, if Blue wasn't going to help her than she would have to seek other options.

It wasn't that she didn't like Zephyr it was just that over the three days she's been in the city, the masked hero had always been by her side someone to lean on. Now he wasn't here, when she felt she'd need him most. She gripped the tag tightly, she made this choice, it was time to see it though.

When she opened her eyes she saw Zephyr smiling she tried to return it but, found only one corner of her mouth would move leaving her with a lopsided grin.

He complemented her choice in 'codename', Aegis, her eyes snapped to the floor, cheeks blushing just a little. She looked back up for just a moment to see his broadening smile, and then her attention became transfixed on her own feet as he began to talk again. Part of her was still so uncertain, still so worried about screwing up. Zephyr's words had to be said, same as Blue's, it seemed training wasn't going to be easy, and being a hero was a path fraught with perils at every turn.

She took a breath trying to tear her eyes away from the floor but, she stopped when Zephyr mentioned rough patches…that was one way to put it. She looked at her hand the one she'd cut, the one that started this whole mess. That wasn't a rough patch it was a bombed out road, and she still wasn't past it.

Then Zephyr spoke the words that she had been longing to hear, "I know you can do this," Her eyes brighten, for all his care, Blue never said he actually believed in her, believe she could do this. She brought her head up to finally lock eyes with her friend. Her deep blue eyes meeting his with what resolve she could muster. Said determination faltered when he mentioned bringing in his old instructor the worry played across her face as he explained that no names would be given. She wondered how long that would work,

'Hey how would you go about training an unstable meta with powers that could level a city block…I'm asking for a friend.'

He gave another assuring smile, his words of encouragement came back into her mind. If he believed in her, she'd have to believe in him, and trust that he knew what he was doing.

But, before anything else could happen questions had to be asked and answered, truthfully. She didn't want to lie to Zephyr but, she was unsure if her heart was able to relive what she'd done. She began to wonder if they should wait for Blue to return, her and Zephyr were in uncharted waters for them, it might be helpful to have someone that knows them, knows were the eddies are and can navigate the strong currents that pull one this way and that. Her eyes had drifted back down to the floor, her hand still hadn't let go of her father's dog tags. She gripped them tighter feeling the cold steel heat up in her clenched fist. Her eyes closed for just a moment in that moment she saw her father's face and heard his rumbling voice.

"Time to be brave, Case." He was right, she couldn't keep shrinking away from her powers, she couldn't hide from them, she couldn't throw them away, all she could do was learn to control them. She knew it wasn't going to be easy, it was going to hurt and hurt a lot but, if she got better, if she could tame the monster that dwelled inside her maybe all the pain would be worth it.

She took a deep breath finally releasing her talisman, deep grooves were pressed into her palm from holding so tightly. Slowly she brought her head up, digging deep to find what little courage she could stoke from her heart, she set her eyes upon Zephyr.

"Wh…What would you like to know." She nearly had to force the words out of her but, they had been said. She was committed to this course, she'd just have to map this sea herself, with some help from another.


Zephyr smiled and nodded at Casey, acknowledging her decision and bravery in going forward with this path of self-discovery. Most certainly it was terra incognita and as challenging as the future looked, this was the better choice if one considered the alternative, a metahuman with no control of their powers caught in a series of unfortunate events. Tragic would not be an accurate description.

His eyes studied the way the young lady held the dog tags she wore and how she seemed to draw strength from them. He was sure that they must have belonged to someone important and significant to Casey and that the story would unfold in due time.


To help keep things seemingly casual and at ease, Zephyr prepared the small kitchen table, placing a pitcher of water and a bowl of fruits from the fridge in the middle. He placed the glasses in the middle as well, but didn’t fill them just yet. In the back of his mind he was hoping to have a meeting session like this with Blueline present, which would have been ideal. However, this presented a good opportunity for him and Casey to develop a rapport, to be something other than ‘the guy who owned the place’, perhaps like this his support as a teammate or friend would be more tangible.

Being a gentleman, Zephyr pulls out a chair and offers it to Casey to sit in; he would sit at the other and begin after they were both settled and comfortable.

Looking gently into Casey’s eyes, his own silver ones would show genuine interest and patience.

“So, tell me when was the first time that your power manifested, the circumstances and what happened, especially with you. The things you felt or did, be as detailed as possible. Of course, you can leave out names if you prefer, but please know that I will hold your confidence always, this is mutual and voluntary.”
His eyes shone slightly as he prepared to listen and understand what was being revealed.


She waited patiently as Zephyr set the table, taking the seat he offered. She was pouring a glass of water when his question dropped, like a bomb on her psyche. Her hand with the pitcher tilted back, lest she over fill her glass. The butterflies in her stomach fluttered all about, her mind was nearly blank trying to recall the incident. She could feel her left hand reaching for the dog tags again but, she clenched it into a fist taking a deep breath. Here come the hurt.

She took a few more breaths, finding the determination, "Well, it was just before school, I…I was cutting an apple into slices for my lunch. I was always so careful, I'd never hurt myself before." Each word stung, it felt like she was running through a briar patch, a hundred thorns cutting into her skin, a hundred ribbons of red running down her arms. "My hand must have slipped or I was distracted...and…and…" she held up her left hand again gazing at her index finger, "I cut myself, I remember the pain, it wasn't excruciating but, I was stunned. I couldn't move, couldn't think, all I felt was fear, fear like I've never know before. It overwhelmed my mind it was like nothing existed except that cut and the blood flowing from it. I don't know how long I was standing there but, all I can remember is something touching my shoulder. My body just reacted, I turned around lashing out with my hand." Tears formed in her eyes, "I hit her, my own mom. I wanted to stop, I wanted to just walk away but, I couldn't. I felt like my fear was controlling me, dictating my actions. My hands wrapped around her shoulders," she pantomimed the action her fingers digging into an imaginary person. "And…And I…I…" she was ripping these words from her mouth, she didn't want to say them, didn't even want to speak them but, deep inside, she just wanted to tell someone, just wanted someone to know her pain,

"I threw her into the stove, I heard her back crack as she hit, I saw her crumble to the floor her legs not working, and I just stood there. Like a statue I just stood there," she croaked on the last word, her emotions becoming too much, "After that, the fear faded from my mind, I could move again, and I threw up. I…I couldn't take what I did." She could feel that she was on the edge of breaking, right in the middle of the thorns each one taking a little piece of her. "I called 9-1-1 and left. I didn't know what happened, and I didn't want it to happen again so I ran, I ran here, and we saw how well that went…" she stopped herself, this wasn't what he asked for, he didn't ask how she got here, he just asked what the first time she turned was like.

"It was terrifying, like the worst nightmare I ever experienced, except it was real." She took several halting breaths trying, and failing to get herself under control. Her mind felt wounded, lashing out with emotion like a hurt animal, all she felt was pain, and shame at what she did. "It's like it was just yesterday, I know it was days ago, but, I can still picture it like it just happened."

"Why…" the word slipped from her lips, "Why would I want to hold on to this pain?"

The question was rhetorical, of course, and for a moment, silence hung in the air like a dense cloud as Casey told her painful story.

Zephyr’s brow creased slightly and his eyes moistened in sympathetic pain. What a heavy burden to carry, what an utterly ignominious way to discover one’s gifts, hurting a loved one.

This explained much of the behaviour he had observed: the silence, skittishness, the previously inexplicable fear of her own abilities.
It brought to mind why training was important, why a world free from fear of the extraordinary was needful. This SRA was more of a stigma than a public service, it didn’t address the problem, which was the lack of a nurturing environment, it only presented a short-term solution; things had to change. (Was this not professor Xavier’s goal?)

“You did the right thing Casey…” he said tenderly.

This was evidently an emotional and traumatic subject, he had to choose his words with tact and consideration, as a friend would.

“Even in the face of that terrible accident, I think you did the right thing, calling for help and placing some distance between yourself and other possible triggers.”

His silver eyes regarded the young girl and offered her a napkin if she wished to dry her tears. Zephyr took a breath in appreciation of the depths of Casey’s situation and to keep his composure as an objective listener. He had been trained to be a ‘Nurturer’ as a way to guide the use of his powers, and he had to fight the urge to offer a comforting hug at that very moment, to the girl’s credit, she seemed to be channeling some inner steel of her own, the retelling of this tragedy must have been even more painful from within.

Zephyr felt a kinship with Casey, it was hard to explain, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that she had been the recipient of much love, the kind that fortifies the soul, quite similarly in the way that he had experienced it during his younger more vulnerable days.

There was something about her ever-present caution that he liked and respected. It might have looked like fear to the untrained eye, but it was more like a deep concern for the well being of others. This was also a trait that Blue exhibited in abundance and made Zephyr quite at ease with the masked hero in spite of his mysterious appearance and reserved manner. In the final analysis, their hearts where in the right place, figuratively speaking (and literally, of course).
It pointed to a strength and courage that would be needed as a defender of the weak and a humble dispenser of Justice. There was a warmth to their manner and a lack of ‘cruelty’ that was reassuring. These were important factors to keep Zephyr in the path of the ‘Nurturer’, a balance that had to be constantly maintained.

“Believe it or not, there is a way to turn that around, I’ll explain what I mean later, but don’t lose hope Casey…there is always a way, believe me.” His tone was confident and hinted at possible solutions to be offered later.

There was no way for Casey to know all of the resources available to Zephyr, they hardly knew anything about each other, but the more this path was traveled, the more convinced he was that good fortune had brought them together.

“What we accomplish with all this Casey, will prevent accidents like that from occurring again, we do this to put you in control.”

Zephyr took another moment before continuing; he wanted to make sure that Casey was still able to go on. Clearing his throat as a signal, he proceeded to the next question.

“So, we can identify, fear, maybe panic and most likely elevated adrenalin, perhaps a surge and some loss of awareness...”

A small scoff and a wry smile interrupted the train of thought.
“Goodness, I sound like the doctors and specialist that attended me all those years as a ‘special needs’ patient.”

“Funny the places where life takes you…” he mused absently.

“A story for a different time, sorry about that Casey…ummm, yes, where were we…” A bit of pink would flush his cheeks as some embarrassment became evident.

“Were there any other changes that you noticed, any physical changes, or did you feel unusually tired after the episode and has it happened again since that first time, include any details you can recall”.

The young woman took the offered napkin, knowing she must be a look like a wreck, red puffy eyes, salt streams rolling down her cheeks, and most embarrassingly the mucus running flowing from her sniffling nose. She dapped her eyes and blew her nose in a rather inelegant fashion as Zephyr continued. He offered more words of encouragement, asking her to believe him that there was a way out, to not lose hope. If she was honest, hope was the only thing keeping her holding on. Hope that she could control her powers, hope that she wouldn't hurt anyone else.

She looked into his silvery blue eyes, only a shade or two off from her own mother's, and right now his words kind and caring just like hers. She had to break his gaze if only to stop more emotions welling up from her bleeding heart. Which stung a little more when he called what happened to her an accident, he wasn't being dismissive far from it. He was trying to heal the wounds she'd opened up by telling her story. It still didn't feel good or right. Though the thought of taking control of her power both at once thrilled and worried Casey. Said conflict played out on her face, furrowing her brow.

Once she had control of her powers, how would she use them, would she use them at all? The kind of power she had could corrupt her, the power to hurt others, to bully them. It would be a way to take back the control she so lacked in her life now, for her to right her own mental ship. While she abhorred violence her gift seemed bent towards that, it made her stronger. She guessed the question was would she use that strength to help others, or help herself?

The question was quickly banished by Zephyr clearing his throat. He started in on an analysis of what happened dissecting her feelings. Fear, well that was a given, the adrenaline, maybe that was what she was feeling. Loss of awareness, yeah, that too. She wrapped her arms around herself, the way he was speaking was so cold, so clinical, so not what she needed right now.

The man eventually stopped himself getting back on track, commenting on the funny places life took one.

'Yeah, like the secret hideaway of a millionaire, or was he a billionaire?'

She took a breath readying herself to answer another question.

"Well, afterwards I felt a little lightheaded but, I thought it was just the weight of what I did crashing down on me. And like I said before I just felt fear, I couldn't sense anything else, physical or otherwise." She paused trying to swallow the knot in her throat. "And I had another 'episode'" her body shivered at using that word to describe what happened to her. She just called it turning, becoming that monster. "In the crowd during the protest, I could feel their fear, their anger. When it got turned on me, I...I could feel the fear overwhelming my mind. Without knowing what to do I just curled up driving my fingers into my arms." Her motions mirrored her words, she could hear their chants,

No More Mutants

No More Mutants

Ping, Ping, Ping of the detector, she visibly shook recalling the refuse thrown at her, the cola that stained her sweater, the large fry that bounced off her head, some of the contents becoming lodged in her hair. She felt so ashamed, and afraid, not of what they would do to her but, what she would do to them.

"It took everything I had not to just let the fear over run my mind and cause me to lose control, like…like," she didn't to say it, Zephyr knew what she was talking about, "I didn't want to hurt anyone, not again. I was about to lose the fight when Blue stepped in. He reached out a hand and my body reacted. I warned him but, it was too late, my fist flew forward and I stuck him in the chest. I felt his rib break, snap under my knuckles, and you know what he did…" a bloomed across her lips, "He just took a breath and extended his hand again, like nothing happened. I was still scared but, it started to lessen once I saw that."

She finally found the strength to look Zephyr in the eye again. "After the fear faded from my mind I felt a little weak but, not overly so, I could still walk, and we were moving quickly." She shrugged her shoulders, "I'm unsure if me turning," she added using her own word for what she went through, "takes any energy from me, it's like calming down after a panic attack or something. I feel normal, blessedly normal." She didn't know if that was the right word to use but, normal was something she wanted to feel again. Maybe it was her sheltered suburban upbringing but, normal meant waking up in the morning not worried you'd punch someone's head off, not being afraid of every single nose because it may set you off. It meant going through life never having to worry about the government showing up at your door just because you were different.

And right now part of her just wanted to be normal again.


Zephyr nodded his head and was silent for a second or two as he took in all that Casey was relating. Every detail was important and he was glad for this opportunity to get to understand his teammate. Too much pain and suffering stemmed from ignorance and indifference, and he had committed himself to being part of a solution instead of the problem.

“This is a good start, you did really well Casey.” The raven-haired young man got up and stood next to young lady, he opened his arms offering a comforting and congratulatory hug.

“You know, I really think we should wait for Blue to be present when we conduct exercises in earnest, one can never be too cautious.”
He said by way of explanation.

“In the meantime, I propose this; how about we get you acquainted with the gym and some of the controls, or we can tweak your costume_ by the way I loved the sash, or we can walk around the block a little and get you familiar with the streets and avenues.
What do you think”?

A sense of satisfaction settled over Zephyr, this was one of many important steps that the immediate future had in store. The day was turning out to be a good day and he wondered if Blueline was likewise meeting with some success after his brief absence from super-heroing. Evil never slept which unfortunately meant that good guys didn’t get to sleep either.



TAG: @greyjedi125, @galactic-vagabond422

 

Acting SHIELD Director Maria Hill
Triskelion, NY HQ, Personal Office

Maria frowned somewhat, as she found herself falling behind her self-imposed schedule. Not by much, but she knew how ‘lost time’ could suddenly accumulate against your best efforts. Still, meeting with Agent Knight was a priority, given the sensitivity on the mission he was assigned to. Maria did wonder what was it that The Vision was unable to ‘handle’ on his own. The synthoid was beyond reliable. He was, for all intents and purposes, an extension of her chain of command, especially now, as he'd been assigned to form the much needed Vanguard.

Maria, let out a sigh, shaking her head ever so slightly. The freshly discovered disastrous events in Kenya was a great security concern, to say the least, but so was the upcoming Hearing and its security, which was the chief reason she agreed to meet with the Agent.

On her security feed, Maria could see Bishop Knight already approaching her office. In one breath, the Acting Director composed herself and waited for the proper security protocols to play out.

Jocasta smoothly admitted the agent after confirming his identity.

“Come in Agent, please have a seat.” Maria said, gesturing to an empty chair before her desk.

“Please, tell me what’s on your mind.”

Maria was able to muster a cordial demeanor as she waited and listen to what misgivings ailed the Cyber Op agent.


Tag: @E. L.Knight

 

Bishop Knight
The Office of Director Maria Hill, Triskelion SHIELD HQ, New York

Bishop was concerned over his new assignment for really only one reason. ADAM. Director Fury had given his blessing, but things had changed drastically and now, Bishop could be, conceivably, charged with theft and treason. ​

​

As he approached Director Hill's Office, he had made up his mind to reveal the existence of ADAM. It was time he let the new Director know what exactly he had been up to and see if she thought it would be wise to send ADAM on this particular mission with Bishop.​

​

Jocasta let him pass once his identity was confirmed and once inside, he was greeted by Director Hill.​

​

“Come in Agent, please have a seat.” She gestured to an empty chair.​

​

“Please, tell me what’s on your mind.”​

​

He took the seat before her. ​

​

Director, I'm very sorry to inconvenience you, but this was necessary. He looked nervously towards the doors and the windows and then decided to do something drastic.​

Jocasta, Knight, Bishop, Clearance Level Alpha. Please close off Director Hill's Office and turn off all monitoring.​

Jocasta responded by immediately placing the office in lockdown and turning off all monitoring within. Her smooth electronic voice then confirmed the orders had been complied with. Bishop figured this would be a little bit of a shock to the Director, but again, it was necessary.​

Director Hill, I need to tell you about a project I'm working on then tell you about a directive from Director Fury.​

​

Bishop placed his phone on her desk. ADAM, please activate your holographic projection. ADAM did exactly that and his holographic form, which looked exactly like his Android Body, appeared above the desk.​

​

Director Hill, meet ADAM, ADAM, this is Director Hill.​

​

Hello, Director. I'm very pleased to finally be able to converse with someone else other than Agent Bishop. If you are wondering, ADAM stands for Augmented Data Analyst Monitor. Agent Bishop and I run CHAMPION or the Clandestine Hazardous Activities Monitoring Personnel Inter-Operating Network sanctioned by Nicholas J. Fury, former Director of SHIELD. ​

​

He looked at Director Hill and smiled sheepishly.​

​

I'm also a mutant....​

​

TAG: greyjedi125

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Joint post with greyjedi125

IC: Alastor Zingari
SHIELD HQ, Triskelion, New York

Alastor sat in a chair, in the center of a dim room, with a large light focused on him, before him in the shadows a table with three people obscured in the darkness, in what felt like a cliche combination of an interrogation and a cheerleader tryout. He was, a bit disheveled, not that he'd been mistreated, just that he'd been poked, and prodded, and scanned, then poked and prodded again. Blood samples, brain scans, medical examinations that you really should do when you're his age... but not really necessary for a metahuman. At least not one with a healing factor. There were some medical questions he had to explain, much of which was verified by SHIELD's own records of his medical history, some that were real, some that were fabricated well before he'd joined the organization. Even McTaggert was aware of this 'kink' in his biology.

Now he had to explain where he'd been since his supposed death. Taking a deep breath he looked up and put his hands together. "So, let's begin at the start. We were preforming routine calibrations to the small arms on board the Helicarrier I was assigned to when an alarm sounded signifying a containment breach in the secure weapons vault. As we were a tactical helicarrier intended for strategic strikes the weapons vault contained various strategic and tactical weapons, including biological weapons. The security safeguards failed to trigger the auto-purge. This didn't leave us with much choice, given the operational altitude of the Helicarrier if the chemicals had leaked into the atmosphere it could have caused devastation over a large portion of Europe and Asia due to atmospheric drift.

"I ordered the evacuation of that section of the ship and attempted to manually activate the purge, only to find that the incendiary devices had been sabotaged. Conventional explosives would have simply caused several of the chemicals to disperse, so I was left with very little choice. I needed to contain the chemicals and limit risk to the Helicarrier and the world. So I used my security code to authorize the purge of the armory section from the ship, and then set off the stores of nitramene kept on board. My hope was that the void-space compression the explosive creates would contain the chemicals enough for me to hit the compressed section with a thermal rocket. I succeeded, but that left me with the very real problem of free-falling inside a section of ship from thousands of feet in the air towards the ocean. A problem I did not solve."

"When I came to, I had no memory of who I was. In hindsight I figure that I probably drowned, a lot, and simply came back to life only to drown again, causing progressive damage to my brain that took a long time to heal. A fishing ship found me adrift in the Aegean sea, and returned me to port. The corporation in Turkey that owned the ship didn't want to be involved so a few of the crew paid to have me transported back to where they lived. I woke up in Constanța, Romania. When I had been pulled out my uniform had been destroyed beyond all recognition, except for my name patch. Now, imagine waking up in Romania, with no memory of who you are, with only name attached to you being Zingari, and your face shows up as 'dead' on a list of people the world is listing as 'potentially dangerous'. Obviously I was paranoid and kept a low profile."

"I spent some time working with the fishermen who found me, as a means of paying back their kindness. That was until one day when a group of extremists attacked the boat we were assigned to in the hopes of using the crew as leverage for whatever. Something, clicked, and i acted on instinct. Single-handedly took down the boarding party, and lobbed a grenade into their boat. This was right around the time of the Latverian Cataclysm, we were on our way back when, there was a bright flash in the sky, and for a moment everything was white and I, remembered. Everything. Who I was, what I had been, all of it. I was at the time still disillusioned, SHIELD was, not what I remembered, and the fact that I had 'died' to save the world form our own biological weapons was again fresh in my mind."

"Still, I wanted to do my part to make the world a safer place so I joined up with a PMC running anti-cartel operations in South America." He held up his arms, his sleeves rolled up since he had to disrobe for the medical evaluation, and showed the two almost cliche latin tattoo's reading Et Ultorem on the left, and Et Damnātor on the right. Coupled with his visage of death tattoo on his back and the meanings were clear. ‘I am Death, he who judges and avenges.’. “As part of this PMC I helped infiltrate the Santa Blanca drug cartel in Chile, disrupting their supply lines running down south from Bolivia. The organization runs contract to contract, allowing operatives to take time between operations, or to re-sign immediately for another deployment. I had returned from a completed operation, and was in an apartment I had, emphasis on had, in New York to rest when the incident with the Sentinel and this supposed Iron Legionnaire occurred.”

“It was at that point that I realized that while this is not the SHIELD I had joined, it is still a SHIELD that needs me, because well. The incident speaks for itself. There was lack of communication, excessive use of force, zero finesse, it was a disaster, and I lost a home because of it, and I’m not the only one. It’s pretty clear that despite my misgivings about certain decisions made in poor judgement, this organization is in dire need of veteran agents, especially those willing to assert themselves, and we all know my record shows I’m anything but timid.”

Both Sgt. Bradley and Dr. Mc Taggert listened intently to Alastor tale, very subtle but different expressions playing on their faces. A second woman stood at the back of the lab, eyes closed. An armed guard stood by the door.

Moira had confirmed that Alastor mutant physiology was ‘unique’, which was in fact-true for all mutants.

Corroborating his story was another matter altogether.

“You are quite informed for someone who has been M.I.A and presumed dead. Mr. Zingari.” Sgt. Bradley spoke, while Dr. Mc Taggert handed Alastor a blue colored patient’s coat to put on over his bare torso. Moira’s eyes glanced once again at Alastor’s tattoos, then at his violet eyes. The look in her own eyes were unreadable, as were her inward musings. She did give him a small familiar smile, however.

“I guess there’s no surprise there, given your former SHIELD status and training. Can’t have top honors if you’re easy to kill.”

A barely audible beep was heard and the large man gave a small nod.

“Ops is working on annulling your death certificate and resuming your status as a civilian.”

Sgt. Bradley paused for a moment, as if listening to something.

“Your future with SHIELD, should there be one, will be determined by Dr. Mc Taggert’s final report and the Director’s consequent approval.”

Moira stood, regarding Alastor. Her eyes searched his face for a moment. It was almost as she were trying to see beneath the man’s hardened surface and into what lay beyond, but found herself unable to do so.

“The final report will take a few days to complete. You know I’ll do what I can to expedite it and get you squared away.” Moira intoned in her usual professional manner.

“You mentioned your apartment was destroyed.” The Sgt. put in smoothly. “If you have no other arrangements, you are welcome to stay in the guest district until you get yourself resettled. It’s the least we can do.”

Both Mc Taggert and the Sergeant paused, giving Alastor a few moments to consider his options.

"When I regained my memory that did include my knowledge of standard SHIELD procedures. It isn't difficult for someone with such knowledge to be able to skim details and use some basic forensic knowledge to piece the parts together." Alastor took the robe and put it on, finding it woefully lacking as all patient robes are. "As for my place in SHIELD I think we all know where that heads. I either rejoin the organization, or I vanish. Considering my place and knowledge I don't just get to walk away, we both know that. I think we also know exactly how hard it is to make me go away, especially since I'm here right now after all that's happened."

He placed his arms behind his back, mostly to keep the damn robe closed. "Majority of my belongings are in storage, since I hadn't really moved in and wasn't really sure if I was going to stay in one place. So I'll accept that offer, since I didn't exactly come back just to have a chit chat and say 'Hi, yeah, still alive. See ya later.'" His eyes swept from person to person, he wondered if anybody cared to remember that he could see in the dark as he eyed the woman further in the back and tried to see if he knew her. "That said, there is somethings I would like to ask I'd like to ask, and tell, regarding the incident last week. For example that Iron Legionnaire, you are aware where it came from are you not?"

Sgt. Bradley's eyes narrowed slightly at Alastor's words, but the large man did not interrupt. He did nod very slowly as he listened.

"It's not one of Stark's." Bradley asserted in answer to Zingari's question, but did not elaborate further.

"No, it's one of yours. Or more specifically, it used to be one of mine." Alastor looked up at the ceiling, "Jocasta, may I ask a favor of you? I know i've no clearance to speak of but would you mind humoring me with some images?"

There was a moment, as the A.I. pondered her options and the situation before there was a response. "Within reason, Mr. Zingari."

"Very well, would you please display an image of the Iron legionnaire from the incident?" After a moment a holographic projection of the Iron Man mimicking unit appeared on screen, caught in the position it had been when it attempted to stab it's repulsion blade forward into the masked assailant from the incident. "Now, could you please display SHIELD file EXO-Zero-Kappa-Seven-Nine-Three-Three." There was another pause, as though the A.I. was asking permission elsewhere, before the second image appeared. This one displayed a suit of armor, devoid of any color, but baring the SHIELD logo upon the right side of it's chest plate.

"This, is the Exo-Armor Operations Divisions Mark Two Command Unit. My command unit. It fell into the ocean with me. Now look at the Legionnaire." Alastor began pointing out things from both units. "Both units feature a 120mm variable mount rail cannon. Both units feature wrist mounted repulsor repeaters, and high energy blade projectors. The Mark II was also equipped with a variable camo system, allowing it to mimic it's environment, or alter its appearance slightly. The Iron Legion was preset twelve if I recall. This Iron Legionnaire is either the Mark II that someone fished out of the ocean, or someone managed to get the files. We all know there are only a handful of organizations that have the capabilities to do either, and maintain that sort of unit, or build it. AIM and HYDRA are the most obvious ones."

Alastor put his hand behind his back and his expression looked sour. "More than that, I saw with my own eyes that that thing used a SHIELD active camo system to vanish after it destroyed that thing you sent in to 'contain' the situation. Which is another discussion I feel like I'm going to have some stuff to say on. But it still stands. Someone is using SHIELD technology for their own gains, technology I know inside and out."

Mc Taggert's eyebrows raised in surprised, while Sgt. Bradley's eyes narrowed. Silence hung between the three for a brief moment.

"Jocasta, could you please cross-reference Mr. Zingari's added data, including inventory on any SHIELD units and history of that specific designation mentioned." The sergeant intoned, eyes still on Zingari.

[ 'Commencing cross reference'.]

"That you have familiarity with the Mark II is no surprise..." Bradley began. " Especially given your key position within the Armored Division, however...."

"You say the unit fell into the ocean with you? And why was this not mentioned with the first telling of your tale? I wonder what else you are not telling us, Commander."

"He IS telling us, Ezekiel. Now let him finish. Please." Moira interjected, giving the large man an admonishing look, then turning to Alastor and nodding for him to continue.

"Anything, Jocasta?" Moira added, just to move the exchange along and past any unpleasantness.

['Mr. Zingari's claim is very likely and pending complete verification. The loss of the unit at the time of his reported demise has ben verified, as well as the events aboard the Hellicarrier Endeavor. The Salvage and Rescue Teams were unable to find Mr. Zingari's remains or the unit in question. Mr. Zingari was reported as deceased, reason: 'Lost at Sea'. The unit was also reported as lost and possibly destroyed. No direct or indirect connection to AIM or HYDRA has been established conclusively.]

That seemed to appease the Sergeant somewhat, who simply folded his arms over his chest and waited for Alastor to continue.

"Forgive me I figured you could assume that when I mentioned the entire section of the ship being purged by my order was mentioned that you could assume that meant everything in that section. I didn't believe I would have to provide you with an itinerary of everything that was in the armory and surrounding sections." If anything, Zingari was showing that he wasn't one to deal with stupidity even from those considered to be in a superior position. "Now, as I was saying. This unit shows capabilities that my unit did not, but considering that whoever had this could have potentially had over a year, if not longer to work on and modify the unit there's no telling what it's capabilities are now. That this isn't known or wasn't thought of at this point is disconcerting, why was no one from Exo-Armor called in? Has the unit been dissolved?" He paused, took in a breath, and seemed to calm himself. "The Exo-Armored Division was my pride and joy at SHIELD. To have it... tarnished by someone else using that tech, my tech, rubs me wrong. So the question must be asked, who, if they did, has the resources to fish an armor out of sea, faster or more effectively than SHIELD? Or, who, has the resources to access SHIELD records and build their own armors? AIM and HYDRA yes, Remnants of HAMMER? They used the mandroids and Iron Patriot armors. the HCPMC? They aren't exactly fond of how SHIELD does things now, and they have extensive SHIELD knowledge and training being former agents."

"It is clear you have no answers." Bradley said bluntly. "How could you, hmm?" His tone made it clear he wasn't buying everything , but that was expected for someone in his position. "Still, your input is appreciated. With everything that is going on, a close re-examination might just provide a lead."

The Sergeant took a breath, collecting himself.

"There's still a few days before the Final Report is completed and submitted to the Director. In the mean time, why don't you and the good doctor finalize your temporary living arrangements, I suspect some catching up may be in order, besides, I think we've learned all we can for today." The tall man looked from Moira to Alastor.

"Believe me when I tell you, we will cross-examine the intel you've provided."

The man's expression was neutral enough, though he did not need to add anything else for his silence to speak the rest.

"Until then, please make yourself at home, Mr. Zingari. I advise you observe your current restrictions for the time being. Do have a good day."

With that, Sgt. Bradley began to turn, then paused.

"Oh! I almost forgot."

The large man tossed the currently inactive agent a keycard.

"Temporary I.D. while you are here. It will also grant you access to a secure vault- in the event you might need to find your weapons during an emergency."

The man offered a slight nod, then made his way out of the lab, followed by the unknown woman and lastly by the armed guard.

Moria turned after waiting for the door to shut behind the sergeant, an expression of relief clear in her face. A hand slowly came to her mouth, a mixture of emotions playing upon her features.

"I still can't believe it's really you...." she said, valiantly fighting back tears.

Alastor's hand shot out and he snatched the card out of the air, no doubt a test from the Seargent to see if Alastor's reflexes were as good as the records said. Alastor simply let the man leave after that, though he did muse over the idea of one day embedding the card in the man's shoulder. Once he and the others were gone Alastor let the tension leave his shoulders and he simply stepped up to Moria and put an arm around her. "It's me." He dropped his chin down on the smaller woman's head and let out a sign. "I'm sorry I haven't been back sooner but, everything I'd seen and read once my memory came back lead me to believe that there was no place for me here. I would have contacted you but, you'd have been obligated to tell SHIELD and I didn't want to put you or any of my other friends I'd left in a position of compromise. In the end tho, the world just didn't give me a choice. I know what I saw last week, and Bradley can huff and puff all he wants but there's something wrong here."

To Be Continued

 

IC: Blueline
Ernesto's, NYC

"She wants to be ah ‘ballerina’ now." Blue let a little chuckle slip from his lips, "I got her in da classes. Is expensive, but she likes." For a moment Blue gave thought to saying he knew a guy who could help with expenses incurred. However he'd just met said 'Guy' less than a week ago and the young hero was sure that it was not enough time to volunteer someone to pay for a young girl's dance classes. You have to know them at least a month before you could do that, maybe.

As well Blue wasn't sure Zephyr would be ok just giving his money away. It was nothing against him but, he was still wealthy for a reason, one of those reason has to be not giving every dime he had to every open hand. Blue on the other hand, if he thought the two nickels he didn't have to rub together would help he'd gladly give them up. This is one of the reasons Blue is not wealthy, that and not having a steady stream of income, or any at all. Though if he had money he wouldn't know what to do with it. There was nothing he wanted, other than people not to hurt each other but, if money could solve that he wouldn't still be doing what he was doing.

"She ask about yu de other day." The shop owner said snapping the blue clad hero out of his thoughts. A sheepish grin formed on his face, it'd been a long time since anyone asked after his wellbeing. He had become unused to it.

“Easy, Azulito.” the shopkeep said in response to Blue's barrage of questions. "After de riots, there were..em…SHELD…no, em..SHIELD men around de streets for a day or so. Nobody cuz trouble. But as soon as dey go…” Ernesto's hands clapped together punctuating his statement. "Bam! Bad peepol make trouble. Dos Equis gang is shootin, acting crazy. Los Capitanes get mad, but many Guardian Angels stop de fight down Avenue A. Pero, what aboudt next time?" The heavy weight of guilt settled into Blue's heart. We wasn't there and people started shooting each other. He couldn't help but feel that the stress this caused Ernesto was his fault. If only he was there instead of hiding out in the 'Sanctum Sanctorum', he could have prevented all of this.

Only for a moment he thought about cutting off his arm and seeing if it grew another one of him. A clone that could look after Casey while he protected this neighborhood. Since he was daydreaming why not create a whole army of himself and station one at each street corner ready to dispense justice. He knew it was just a that, a dream, a perfect world where he could protect everyone. He had to live in the reality that he was just one hero he couldn't do everything, and he couldn't be everywhere at once no matter how much he wanted to.

"Is good yu’re back, Azulito" Ernesto said relief in his voice.

"It's good to be back, next time I leave, I promise I'll hire a temp." Blue said jokingly trying to but the older man at ease.

"Morlocks, dey is quiet for now too." He added with a nod. The hero tilted his head as Ernesto crossed himself. Blue had seen that motion before but, he didn't fully understand it. Though the mention of the Morlocks quickly snapped him out of his quandary.

"Morlocks," The bandanna clad teen started, "You happen to know where they like to hang out? Or where they usually start making trouble? I'd like to have a word with them." He took a little breath looking around the small office, "That is unless you know of another problem that requires my…" he shrugged his shoulders a little, "Help?" He knew they when he said help, he mostly meant, giving a beatdown, and receiving an equally brutal one. Part of him wished it wasn't this way but, it was the only thing he could do, and if it helped keep people safe it's what he had to do.

TAG: greyjedi125
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IC: Casey
'Sanctum Sanctorum', NYC

"This is a good start, you did really well Casey." Zephyr said widening his arms. She knew he was offering a hug. The girl slowly, cautiously accepted the hug. With all the pain flowing out of her heart, she could use some encouragement and maybe just a little bit of love. Not in a romantic way, the kind her father and mother used to give, kind words and, unconditional affection. She only embraced Zephyr for a moment, her own nervousness still preventing her from fully relaxing. However even in that moment it reminded her of how much she missed her daddy. She missed his strong arms that would hold her close, the warmth that radiated out from him, and most of all she missed the sound of his heartbeat. Steady and percussive. No matter what, hearing the rhythm of his heart always calmed her down, always banished whatever nightmare plagued her.

To her no one could compare, and while she might appreciate the kindness from Zephyr and Blue, deep down, nothing and no one could replace her father, her protector. Taking a step back her eyes moved to the floor, a little embarrassed by her out bust of emotion, and the feeling of loss and loneliness stirring inside her.

"You know, I really think we should wait for Blue to be present when we conduct exercises in earnest, one can never be too cautious." She rubbed on foot over the other, he was right, this might not be the time to dive recklessly into this and given her current state, she was pretty sure she wasn't up for training. She didn't feel like she needed Blue there but, she did feel like she needed some distance from this, time to cool off.

"In the meantime, I propose this; how about we get you acquainted with the gym and some of the controls," she thought about it for a moment, if she was going to be using the equipment, she'd need to know how it works. She didn't want to look like a fool in front of her friends. "or we can tweak your costume, by the way I loved the sash," She let out a little laugh, her cheeks reddening. Her eyes didn't come up from the floor, still too embarrassed. "or we can walk around the block a little and get you familiar with the streets and avenues. What do you think?" Not that last one, she didn't want to deal with other people right now, she just bared her soul, revealing her darkest secret to a friend, it was too much of a maelstrom inside her to deal with the outside world right now. She needed some quiet time, time where she didn't have to think about everything she was missing, everything she'd done.

"I guess we could check out the gym again." She wiped a tear from her cheek. "Or we can just chill for a bit, I really need something to laugh at and ice cream I could really go for some peanut butter swirl." She had too many dark emotions building up inside her, she just wanted to replace them with something else, laughter, in this case, was the best medicine, that and ice cream, lots of ice cream.

TAG: Ameteth greyjedi125

 

IC: Aisté Regina Max
Crossing the Atlantic

Aisté sat back as her movie began to play. She curled up under her black fur blanket preparing for a cozy and comfortable viewing. The opening credits of La Femme Nikita began to play but her mind wandered back to the email that had gone to the “junk” folder, a letter to her mother from Dr. Redstone. The movie reflected off Aisté’s black sunglasses. She sat stoic and pondered.

What does Dr. Redstone want with my mother? Did she see the email? Did mum reply?

So many questions ran through Aisté’s head. However, her thoughts began to get cloudy. Lady Theia Gallio Max was right. Aisté was indeed fatigued. She needed rest or a quick recharge.

Aisté removed the fur blanket and placed it to one side. She stood up, straightened herself out and made her way to the galley. There she found the flight attendant reading a magazine. It was either a beauty or fashion magazine based on the perfume advert the stewardess sniffed and flipped past. Aisté was familiar with the scent. It was Tom Ford Black Orchid.

“I love that scent. I wear it often. It’s seductive, tempting and dangerous,”

The stewardess looked up at Aisté and began to unclip her seatbelt to stand up, “I’m sorry ma’am I didn’t hear you call. What can I get for you?”

Aisté quickly put her hand on the attendants shoulder while removing her sunglasses simultaneously, “It’s alright Rebecca, I didn’t call. Don’t get up. I needed to stretch my legs anyway”

Aisté made eye contact with Rebecca.

“You look tired. You look as though you were about to enjoy some much needed shut eye.”

As Aisté finished her sentence Rebecca shut her eyes and slumped over. The magazine dropped to the floor. Aisté placed her right hand on Rebecca’s cheek to move her head into a more comfortable position. She felt her skin tingle with energy, energy that moved from her fingertips to her entire body.

After a few seconds of enjoying the warm energy, Aisté made her way out of the galley placing her sunglasses back on her face and moved back to her seat. She sat down, placed the blanket over herself and opened the console to read more emails. She opened the email Dr. Redstone wrote to her mother and stared at it. The movie continued to reflect off her black sunglasses like lights dancing on an obsidian mirror. Aisté re-opened the “junk” folder to sift through more cyber messages. Perhaps there was something she missed.

Aisté’s thoughts flashed to Rebecca for a second.

That was refreshing.


Tag: greyjedi125

 

IC: Agents Liz Merrick, Mary Formal, International District, Triskelion, NY


Liz was towelling herself in the top part of the residence, even though neither of them had specified which level they preferred.

Agent Merrick?

Liz looked up, surprised how quickly she got used to this feat of technology. “Yes, Jocasta?”

STAR bike detected. Entering International district now.

Merrick smiled. “Star bike? The courier from the uniform place?”

Affirmative. Do you wish the courier to come to your door, or drop the package at the security barriers downstairs?

“Left with security, please. I’ll go down and collect it. How long do I have?”

Three minutes, Agent.

Seated on the edge of her bed, she swivelled to the open valise that she was sharing it with, pulling out two items that were quick to put on, stepping into and pulling up a white tennis skirt and quickly putting on a chequered shirt, then throwing to the floor her favourite flip-flops, the ones each adorned with the yellow petals of a plastic dandelion.

She headed out the bedroom and down the steps, finding her fellow agent still on the sofa like she was glued to it, having a good old natter with the AI.

-have Clearance Rating Zaire. The melodic artificial voice was saying, pronouncing the last word as “zye-ear”.

“Is that the American way of saying ‘Zed’?”

The US-English for ‘Zed’ is ‘Zee’, Agent Formal. However, SHIELD uses the Greek alphabet for most of its security levels.

“Then how am I ‘Zaire’? Pretty sure that isn't anywhere in the Greek alphabet. Hold on a sec’, Jocasta.” Mary stared at her, open mouthed as she stepped off the bottom stair. “What the hell have you got on your feet?”

Liz raised an eyebrow, noting that her colleague had not gone for the easy target. “They’re my flip-flops.”

“They’re a fashion crime.”

“Thanks. Remind me to criticise your clothing sometime.” She stopped in front of the sofa, only noticing from the slight tug on her hair that she was still wearing the towel turban. Ignoring it for now, she put a palm out. “Our stuff is going to be arriving downstairs soon, so I’ll need my security card.”

“Our stuff?” Mary echoed, fishing the cards out of the uniform’s subtle breast pocket, checking which one wasn’t hers and handing it over. “Never mind, I guess I’ll find out soon anyway.”

“Thanks.” Liz headed for the doorway. She checked herself before stepping out into the hallway, heading to the lifts.

* * * *

Twenty minutes later, the metal bracers were on the bedroom dresser, the segments of polished metal reflecting the multiple colours of her small cosmetics bottles, while the dark-haired telepath admired the black uniform that enveloped her like a second skin, more comfortable than the blue version, though that had been comfy enough, the material was either thicker or multiple layered in places which provided a different level of support.

Black fingerless gloves that went inside the bracers, and an optional hip holster for her Browning, were on the dresser too, along with a small half-kilo brown-and-white bag of self-raising'. She was definitely impressed with the S.T.A.R. service. Thought of everything.

Her fingers ran down the black material of her sleeves, while she admired the thin yellow piping that if it was meant for road safety at night, would only have worked in the Model T Ford days.

“Note to self. Don’t wear this at night.” Who was she kidding? She could hardly back off from an op to go and change.

The utility belt had boxy metal pouches at the sides, resting on her hips, connected at the front with a metal O-ring; in contrast to the one that she had ordered for Mary downstairs, which had flatter metal pouches in lemon-yellow, more reminiscent of the weights that SCUBA divers wore to reduce their buoyancy. The colour went with the blue uniform style that the picky U.N.C.L.E. agent favoured.

She looked down past them at the sable-coloured leather boots which encased the suit's pants-legs up to her knees, narrowing her eyes to re-check them carefully for any more tell-tale flour fingerprints.

Satisfied, Merrick felt like a new woman, and ready for whatever SHIELD threw at her.

Tag: greyjedi125

 

OOC: With the GM getting bludgeoned by DRL I got permission to post up one of the "DEM Backstory" bits I wrote a long while back. This is DEM Issue #1 "Operation: Overwatch". This was written before Overwatch was a thing btw, which also means it's a bit aged, and I only quickly edited it to remove any foul language or other non TOS compliant things (hope I didn't miss anything). Anyway, enjoy.



The Boeing 777 landed with a somewhat hard thud, the engines bellowing as back thrust was applied to slow the craft down. After a few minutes, the aircraft taxied up to the gate at the Comodoro Arturo Merino Benitez International Airport, as the Captain greeted them. "Thank you for flying Sky Airline, and welcome to Santiago, Chile. Please be careful exiting the aircraft and have a pleasant stay. Once again, thank you for flying Sky Airline."

The moment the seatbelt light clicked off, people stood up and began the usual jostling around to pull bags from overhead bins, pick up their other carry on luggage that was with them, and shuffle forward towards the exit, where a smiling stewardess thanked them and wished them a pleasant stay. As was typical for a large airport, it was busy and crowded. Eventually, many made their way to Customs to get in line.

Duffel bag slung over his shoulders Alastor stepped into the line, papers read and a book in hand. The flight was uneventful, as expected, and he'd actually managed to get a significant amount of sleep on the way to counteract any jet lag. The line was slow going, and Alastor feigned mild impatience like a good little tourist.

Several other passengers ahead, Josie, dressed like a business executive, her hair slicked back and in a tight bun and a briefcase in hand, glanced at her watch, and sighed. Another executive in the line gave a knowing, tired smile. "It's the same every time I come here."

"I know. I should have taken an earlier flight." She replied, her voice suggesting an English accent.

Soon enough, the line did move, and the customs agent looked at her papers, stamped them, and cleared her through customs gate. Impatience in her stride, she walked away, heading for the exit.

The line moved progressively more and more, a young woman behind him commented on how it'd been a poor choice to visit in the middle of tourist season to which Alastor agreed. Finally though it was his turn in customs and after a few standard questions, to which he gave some general answers, like being on vacation, and wanting to experience the culture, they stamped his papers and moved him on through. Sighing and slumping his shoulders, as though tired and glad to be on the move he headed out towards the exit, not too far behind Josie at this point, which was the plan.

Winding their way through the busy crowd, they appeared as normal as anyone else going about their business. Josie reached the exit first, and was about to wave down a taxi when her briefcase was bumped from her grip. It dropped and clattered open, dropping a couple of books and other papers.

Grimacing, she knelt and quickly started to grab up the papers before the wind could take them.

Not necessarily part of the plan, but usable either way. Having caught up, Alastor knelt down beside Josie and started to help with the papers. "Let me help you." He was playing the gentleman card, or the pretend to be a gentleman and try and hook up with a woman card, it all depended on the observer's imagination.

She gave him a wary, but thankful smile. "Why thank you. It's so rare to find a gentleman these days." Josie commented as they gathered up the last papers and replaced them in her briefcase. "I do appreciate the help.Please, let me help you in return. Do you need to take a taxi? I have some time and can help pay your fare."

He smiled back, "That I do, booked a hotel a fair distance away, cheaper that way." Standing back up he adjusted his bag since it'd slipped a bit. "So if you don't mind

"Oh, not at all." She stood up, adjusting her suit before briskly walking over to the taxi stands, where there were several being filled. She waved one down that was coming, which immediately swerved up along side her. She gestured to Alastor. "Please, after you."

"Normally I'd say ladies first but in this case..." Admitting a small case of ideological defeat he slipped into the cab and across the backseat to allow for Josie before working on his seatbelt.

She slipped in, closed the door and threw on her seatbelt. The cabbie looked back at them. "Where to?" His English was heavily accented, but understandable.

"To the address on this paper, if you would please." Josie replied in Spanish as she handed over a slip of paper.

The man looked at it, shrugged, and took them out onto the road. Josie leaned back and sighed aloud. "Such a long trip." She mused. Silently, she activated her internal comm suite and queued it to Alastor's pre-set freq.

"Comm check."

Alastor gave a thumbs up and activated his, making a simple shifting grunting noise as his 'comm check'. No need in having a suspicious taxi driver. "I know what you mean, US airlines need an answer to the concord equation."

"I daresay that they will ever do that. It would be far more preferable if they would learn how to go the..what was that programme... Star Trek. Just 'beam' where you need to go." Josie maintained the English accent as she spoke.

Silently, she continued on the comm. "Our gear should be at the drop off point, which I will confirm before we get too close. From there we'll head to our target area. Did you find any locations that may be of use before we left?"

"At least three." He had a map of the area on his phone, and areas where he could drop a nest were marked out on it for reference though he had them memorized. "I dunno, I don't think I'd be keen on my molecules being scrambled just so I could make a dinner date three states away on time."

"Honestly, I can understand the feeling. But business waits for no-one, and something that they don't mention in business courses is how much business goes on at a dinner date." Josie looked out the window to the city. "Still, I see your point."

"Good. I've seen at least four points of entry for me from satellite imagery, so when we get there we'll need to take a closer look and see which cover point will do the best job."

"Just so long as we don't stir up a hornets nest." He settled back against the taxi's seat and yawned, "So, business trip?

"I sincerely hope we don't stir up a hornets nest. I didn't come prepared for that." Her voice was bemused through the comm link as she nodded.

"Quite right. My company was one of a few that put in a bid for installing computer networking systems in this city, and I'm here to hopefully seal the deal."

The driver, hearing the typical banal conversations of strangers, put them out of his mind and focused almost completely on driving, weaving in and out of traffic as he took his sweet time to get to their destination.

"Thanks, but by God's grace I'm sure I'll be successful." She smiled, and looked over at him. "What do you do normally?"

Internally, she made a connection to an open wifi and bounced to one of the servers her people had set up to check. "Package has been delivered, no problems. Keys at the main desk under our assumed names. We'll change and then get on the bus. Should be there by nightfall, if things go well, we observe, and then we hit the target the next night."

"Mid-level IT support for corporate contractors." He let out a sigh, "But right now I plan to be a pillow inspector." He gave her a nod at the other bits, and looked out the front of the car, seeing the bus station in the distance. "Shame you couldn't just fly us in."

"Could have just carried you too, and don't think it didn't cross my mind." She sent back while giving a knowing nod.

"Indeed. I hope with the successful conclusion of this, my schedule will open up to allow for some vacation time."

The driver, after slipping past a large bus, pulled up to the station and looked back at them. Josie sighed dramatically, and pulled out appropriate currency from her briefcase and handed it to him, with a little extra. He smiled and waved them off as they exited the taxi.

Getting out Alastor flexed a bit before pulling his bag back over his shoulder. "Half tempted to walk." He'd been cooped up on the plane, and then a taxi ride was just insult to injury. You'd think he'd be used to it, what with all those years driving an RV, but nope. "Ladies first this time."

She gave a little nod to him and lead the way into the bus station, her heels clicking on the tile as she went inside. The bus station wasn't terribly busy, at least compared to the airport. "Well, when we reach the extract point, one of our pilots will bring us back. No public transportation out."

"Good." He followed behind her and managed to be a good little soldier and not have his sight planted on what heels were supposed to make more pronounced. "Meet you by the lockers?"

She gave a slight nod to him as she approached the main desk and asked for a key for a 'Sara O'Doyle.' The woman behind the desk looked up the name, then turned and pulled a key from a box and handed it over without really looking at her. "Return the key and lock if you are finished with the locker." The woman said, focused once again on her terminal.

Josie thanked her, and then headed for the lockers, leaving Alastor behind.

He stepped up to the counter and gave the woman a smile, "Alex Armstrong." The woman glanced down at the list and finding his name pulled out a key and placed it on the counter. "Please return the key and lock if you are finished with the locker." Alastor nodded, took the key and headed off after Josie almost, but not quite, catching up.

Josie turned down a hallway and entered a large room with several sets of lockers. Heading for the right aisle, she approached, and quickly unlocked the large wall locker. A large, bulky looking satchel, alongside another, smaller one, was inside. The large bag would have some of the items that Alastor needed, as well as her own weapons and ammo, while the other had two changes of clothes.

Alastor opened up his locker, a more mid sized one that only contained a large camping backpack and another small duffle bag. "You want to change out of that outfit, or do you really like heels?"

"I don't mind heels, but where we're going, I would stand out more than I would care to." Josie replied, pulling out the smaller satchel and opening it up, revealing a dark body stocking suit, and a set of more casual clothing. She quickly pulled out the second set, before deftly removing the jacket and shoes, followed by the blouse and skirt. A white leotard was underneath, and she started to pull on the other set.

Within moments, she was dressed in a dark green t-shirt, brown slacks, a dark windbreaker jacket, and combat boots. Undoing the bun in her hair, it instantly sprang out into it's more normal wild appearance, and the transformation from business exec to a young, somewhat punk looking adult was complete. She tossed the other set into the satchel and closed it up before looking to Alastor.

"So, we ready, brother?" Her English accent was dropped completely, while sounding more surly.

"See, brother makes the whole just seeing you undress creepy." Putting the backpack on and hefting the two duffle bags in his right hand he nodded towards the exit. "Let us go catch a bus."

She broke character briefly with a smirk and a wink before taking on a surly appearance again. Tossing the briefcase into the smaller satchel before putting the large satchel on her back, she picked up the bag and headed for the exit.

-----------

Their trip by bus wasn't terrible by any means. Not many people were on it, and those few that were, they weren't paying attention to those around them. Traffic was light, and they made good time getting to the town in the mountains. Still, it was late evening when they reached the town. Dropping them off at the bus station, they walked their way to a motel and waited for full evening to set in.

Near eleven, they slipped out one of the back windows and split up to check out their respective areas. It was nearly four a.m. when they met back up at the motel.

"Two of the possible entry points are a wash." Josie informed him as she sat on the bed to pull off a boot.

"Northern nest point is a wash, there appears to have been a rockslide, all the cover in the area is gone." He dropped down in a chair and started to pull off his own boots. "East point's best I think, far enough away that I won't be noticed but I still got a good view of about 70% of the facility."

She dropped the boot down before working at the next one. "Then I'll use the entry point to the south east. Saw a few guards wandering around the grounds, but they seemed to be pretty set in how they patrolled."

"Probably because there's not a lot of unrest in this area." Both boots off he sighed and leaned back against the chair. "Plus if worst goes to worst I can ping the west hill and they'll go look in that direction."

"Since the country has transitioned back into democracy, there doesn't seem to be much of any unrest. Still, the guy running this place is one of Pinochet's ol cronies, so I wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't have some tricks up his sleeves." Josie dropped the other boot and sighed, standing up. "I could have sworn there were dog tracks."

"I noticed that too but they stay away from the east point." He rubbed his neck, "Even if they do come up there I'll be in full ghillie and I'll have dispersed some lovely scents to throw em off." He glanced towards the bathroom, "So ladies get the shower first I think."

"Then I better take it." She padded over to the bathroom, the zipper already being pulled down as she closed the door behind her. The conversation continued through through the comm.

"Seeing as you're so far back, I can't imagine that any patrols will be up around you. Were there any indications that they did have longer range patrols?"

"It looks like they they only go out about fifty yards from the outer wall from the wear in the ground." He was up and rummaging through his bag for a change of sleep clothes. "If they do any farther out they aren't frequent, or they are better at hiding them."

"I thought so. I didn't sense or see anything further, and I was checking different spectrums." The water started to run as she continued. "I didn't pick up on any electronic devices outside the wall. There may be a couple cameras at the front gate though. Luckily, we're not going that way."

"The place doesn't exactly seem to be expecting an infiltration, but that may just be what they want us to think." He pulled out a pair of pants and threw em over his shoulders to wait. "Or they could just be really confident in their ability to keep a secret the info they have there."

"Maybe. It is Chile, it's not like some top secret research operation in Russia or the States. There can't be as much need to prepare for possible infiltration down here. Besides us." The water ran for a good couple minutes before it finally cut out with a squeak of the knob.

"Yeah but it's also South America, and I do keep up on the world news and all that." He was sitting on the foot of the bed now, waiting for his turn. It wasn't likely they'd get a shower after the operation, since they'd head right towards extraction

The door opened, and Josie came out, her clothing balled up in one hand, a large towel wrapped around her torso from the chest down. Her hair was as wild as ever though. "Well, I'm expecting it to be pretty easy overall. Should be in and out within an hour, two at the most."

Alastor just took a moment and shook his head, making a wave motion with his hand. "You brought clothes woman." He stood up and waited for her to pass by so he could take his turn.

She shrugged as she moved past. "Yea, and they're out here. When someone offers a shower, I don't waste time to get in there." A slight shudder shook her shoulders. "Learned that the hard way."

"Tell me, after I'm done." He closed the door behind him and got the water running. "So, exfil, we going on foot or will you be carrying me over the threshold?"

"Unless things go to hell in a handbasket, we'll go out on foot to a vehicle we'll have picked up today, and drive out to our our ride. If it goes to hell, we'll improvise then. " She took the towel off and finished drying off, before pulling from one of the duffels some sleepwear: shorts, a tank top. "I'll get the vehicle. I want you up there for a little while in the afternoon observing the patrol patterns and to see if there's anything special they need to do to get in."

"Sounds like a plan." It was still odd talking without talking, but he was getting used to it. He kept his shower quick, getting all the essential parts before getting out and drying off. "What are the range of these comms, max anyway, and in open terrain."

"We've had them tested out to a few miles without a problem, but we prefer to only use them when closer." Josie replied, shifting the duffel aside and clambering onto the bed, her tail wrapping around her waist as she pulled the blanket over her. "Dustine and I can communicate anywhere around the globe, short of being deep underground, but we don't trust the comms we use with the rest of the team for that. They don't hold up nearly as well."

"Ahh." He pulled on his pants, and stepped out of the bathroom. "I'll be on the couch."

"Yes, yes you will." Josie smirked, and then yawned widely. "I'll be up in four hours, you can have the bed then. Until then though..." She reached over to the lamp and shut it off. "...sleep well."

-----------

Approximately four hours later, Josie rose from her slumber, and went through a series of silent calesthetics to limber up before she dressed in her "surly sister" outfit once more. On the way out, she tapped Alastor on a bare foot with her own and left.

It took Josie awhile to find someone who was selling a vehicle for cheap. She avoided the dealerships: they would leave a trail. She also avoided repossessed vehicles, due to the same issue. Eventually she found someone who had scrawled in the window of a fairly battered pickup that it was for sale. It took most of the rest of the spending currency she had brought to buy it, fuel it, and take it to a mechanic to have it quickly looked over, but in her mind it was worth it.

After grabbing a large meal for the two of them, she drove back to the motel to meet up with Alastor.

Alastor had gotten in a couple of more hours of sleep before prying himself out of the bed and heading out to do more recon. He spent a few hours out near his chosen nest, observing the base, hiding his gear, making for a shorter set up period when night came up. There were long range patrols, but they moved farther away from the cliff face, rather than towards it. With as much set up as he was willing to leave out he covered the nest in a makeshift ghillie tent and headed back towards the hotel.

Josie arrived a few minutes before Alastor, and was setting out the food items when he walked in. She paused in her work, looking at him. "Any problems?"

"Nothing that should affect our work." He dropped down in a chair, and went over how he observed patrols that were moving out away from the cliff face, which would only pose problems if they were coming in more from the north west. "I think we should be fine, but if we're forced to exfil in that direction, we might get pinned."

"We'll just have to make sure that doesn't happen then." Josie lodged the information away as he pulled out some more containers of local cuisine and filled him in on the vehicle they got. "Pretty battered looking old Chevy, but it's tuned and all the most necessary parts are good, so we'll get to our extraction point without too much trouble. Might even keep the truck, could always use one. Oh, as a side note, you better pick out what you want first and save any you like. I'll be having the rest." She gestured to the large quantity of rice, pasta, chorizo, chicken in an orange sauce, seasoned browned steak, and other items.

He raised an eyebrow at her and started filling up his plate. "So, couple of things I'm learning that might be good to keep in mind should we go on ops like this again."

"Go ahead." She turned away to start pulling items out to prepare for their work, setting them out on the bed in a specific order.

"Well one," He put a piece of chicken in his mouth and ignored his better manners. "You're not the only one with a voracious appetite and an overactive metabolism. I usually order for three when by myself, and that's when I'm not too hungry." He picked up a bottle of some local soda and took a swig. "Two, we need to get two beds, or we spoon. Yer choice."

She snorted a laugh. "Fair points. Normally I would have lined up a place with two beds, but, oddly enough, this was the only thing available. Dunno if there's some kind of event taking place soon or what, but nobody else had anything available. So I apologize in advance." Josie paused, then tossed over her shoulder, "And a 'slept-on-the-couch' bonus. Since I didn't warn you in advance."

She turned back to her gear, rubbing her chin in thought. Body suit, soft shoes, gloves, stocking cap, utility belt and harness, her one-of-a-kind knife, flash-bangs, EMP grenades, Dustine's hacking device. "Also, when we complete this mission, we're hitting a buffet in Iowa."

"Poor place won't know what hit them." He leaned back and continued eating, not really caring what was going in, just so long as it was food. "I'll head back out about midnight, get in position. I trust you'll put everything left here in the truck?"

"Yes, and I'll put the truck someplace out of the way. Thankfully it has a tool box in the bed, so I can lock it up." She nodded, feeling that everything that was needed was present, before turning back to the table and grabbing a roll.

"I'll go out after awhile, fly up a distance away and give the place a closer look from a different angle. Though I think we probably have everything we need at this point." She took a bite and started chewing, also eschewing manners as she continued, "Still, better to be extra prepared."

"Flying, right, I keep forgetting." He finished off his plate, not hungry, but not full and got up to move around and let the food settle. "If the **** hits the fan, am I to treat this as a lethal or non-lethal situation?"

"I'd prefer non-lethal, but use your best judgement. This is just a hack job, so if we can avoid leaving bodies behind, let's do that." She picked up a plate and started to fill it. "Though I've done a little digging. Most of the guards here have been working in some pretty nasty things, or were formerly part of the Caravan of Death, so don't feel too bad if you have to put them down."

"I appreciate your concerns for my conscience." He picked up the bottle he'd been drinking from and tossed it back, "But you don't sign on as a sniper for a Mercenary group if you have qualms with killing people."

"They're more concerns with leaving too much of a trail." Josie explained as she sat down to go to work. "Dead bodies tend to bring down law enforcement faster than just someone konked on the head or a hacked computer. If they're running some illegal operation here, then sure, maybe they wouldn't bring the law in. But that might invite an attempt at revenge or some other retaliation."

She consumed a large quantity on her plate before clearing her throat and continuing. "That happens, but we're being low profile. Gets more jobs that way."

"Like I said, worst case scenario." Sitting his bottle down he went over to his bag and started getting out his gear. He was already experiencing the benefits of being with an organized crew. The armored 'survival suit' for one made things so much easier without having to worry about regulating temperature, or bulky low-caliber proof armor. "I've set the nest up so it'll suffer a rock slide not long after we leave. Won't be much of anything left to track on my end."

"Sounds good." She chomped down on another roll. "Absolute worst case scenario, I blast the place and fly us out of here. Haven't had to do that in awhile. Well, not since Afghanistan."

"Do I wanna know." He held up a hand, “wait, before that, the whole 'take a shower when it's offered' bit first."

She cleared her throat and took a swig of water before answering. "Part of training. Unisex bathrooms. But only a couple per dorm area, so you didn't waste time if someone didn't call dibs, or if they offered for you to go first. Otherwise, someone might cut in front of you."

"Fair enough." He pulled out his boots, a pistol and belt holster. "So, didn't have the tail then?"

"Nope. As I told ya before, it's a relatively recent addition. Might even tell you about it someday." She finished clearing her plate, and then refilled it. "As for Afghanistan, it was the first mission the company took on. Hostages needed saving, from two locations. We couldn't take our time to hit one, and then the other, so we had to hit them both. That's when I picked up Lin."

"Before or after blowing up an installation?"

"Before. We weren't sure the condition of the hostages, so I needed a medic." She continued to eat as she recalled the fight. "One was in a cave, the other was some old warlord palace or something. The US Army couldn't get to them, couldn't even touch them. Allies and all that."

She snorted and shook her head briefly. "Allies in name only, they were taking hostages from other clans and extorting them to funnel to the Taliban. It escalated when they took several Westerners. Our job was to go in, get them out, while teaching them a lesson."

Josie looked to Alastor with a little smile. "The mission went to hell, but we managed to succeed. We hit both places, got out the hostages, and blew the places up...which was a bonus in my opinion. Only lost one, and he was ill to begin with. Too far gone for Lin to save."

Alastor just shook his head quietly, not just now realizing what he'd signed up for, but being ever so quaintly reminded. "Not a bad outcome for a cluster **** then?"

"Lin's taken it pretty hard still, but otherwise, I would count it as a fantastic success, and a great payout for a first time go. Top secret among the government though, they don't like to let it be known that they used mercenaries to save people." She turned back to her plate and worked at it again.

"The official story was that they sent in a few spec ops teams to get them out, along with some Afghani spec ops and Karzai's blessings. If anyone asks. Which not many have."

"Nobody ever does." He sighed at that, nobody ever questions the Government, not enough, and not with earnest. "Probably enough historical inquiries for now."

"For now, yes. You're still on test run status after all, so you don't get to hear all the goodies yet." Josie grinned, before finishing off her plate. She looked to the remains, contemplating if she should have more or not.

"I'll be sure to get all the goodies then once I'm off probation." He sat all his gear out then flopped onto the bed. "I'm going to enjoy lying on my back on a cushion for a bit, since I'm going to be on my stomach for several hours potentially."

She threw him a thumbs up, and then decided hunger trumped any other considerations, and went to work on a third plate.

A rather small meal for her, all things considered.

------------

Josie's afternoon investigation from the air didn't show anything really unexpected, and so they spent the rest of the day snoozing and waiting for nightfall.

Halfway to midnight, Josie loaded up the truck with the extra items, checked out at the front desk, and drove off to park the vehicle, while Alastor prepared to head to his cover position. It was just past midnight when Josie's voice softly rang in his head. "This is Lead, in position."

"Stop for coffee did we?" Alastor was in position, and had reassembled his rifle, he hadn't been there long, but one should never pass up a good jab. "If you're ready for me to keep a scope zoomed on your hindquarters I'm all good on this end."

"There's always time for coffee. I even had a doughnut. Or ten." Josie's voice had mirth. "Guard is passing now. I saw the dogs are out tonight too. Little extra complication. Can't sense them. Are there any near the entry point?"

Alastor looked through his scope and surveyed the area Josie had designated as her entry point. "Two guards, one dog, moving south. Give it, 30 seconds and they'll be out of the way and around a corner."

-----------------

Josie adjusted her cap as she looked to the south, her eyes changing function as she did so. Down the way, she picked up thermal energy of a guard on the outside of the wall, and, as she looked the other direction, another guard. She pursed her lips: the guard seemed increased tonight. Did they give themselves away? She shook her head and set that aside. If they did, it'd be a surprise to her.

As she waited for the coast to clear, she brought up a mental map of the area. Camera's at the front entrance of the walls and the main doors going in and out, guards, dogs, and she suspected there were swivel cameras in recessed niches looking at the inside of the walls. She didn't detect much electrical energy, but she hadn't had a chance to get in close yet. Her entry point was a window that appeared to be in a blind spot, a wall that jutted out at a 90-degree angle to a niche in the exterior of the building. Just a single hop over the wall, and a quick dash to the building and she could really begin the nights work.

The time passed, and she tensed up, ready to go. "Moving in." She took off with two steps before leaping and flipping over the wall, landing in a wide crouch on the other side, fingertips of one hand on the ground, the other hand held up and out: fifty meters cleared in a single bound. "Eat your heart out, Superman." She smirked to herself as she looked up and quickly scanned the wall of the building.

"Not detecting any electronic surveillance devices. Heading to entry point." She sent, before quickly but softly moving towards the window.

--- --- -- -- -- --

Alastor watched through his scope as Josie leapt. “Bit more appealing on the greatest of ease part you are.” He pulled back his point of view a bit, refocusing his eyes to get a wider glimpse of the area and look out for guards. From what he could see the guard patrols on the inside hadn’t changed much, but they were doubled up. Maybe they were doing a shift change double patrol, it wasn’t too unheard of.

----------

She got to the window, and placed the palm of her left hand to it as she looked it over through various settings. "No sensors that I'm seeing. Old metal windows. Can it really be that easy?" She activated the magnet system built into her hand, and pulled the swing latch open. No alarms tripped, and she shook her head as she pushed the window up. "Guess so. Entering the building. How much time till shift change?"

--- --- --- ---

“I think I’m seeing it now because they’re all doubled up. That or they beefed up security…” He knew they hadn’t been seen while doing recon, so it had to be something else. “You think they’re expecting a big wig?”

---------------

"Not sure. Thought there seemed to be more guards than before. Either way, I'll have to work quickly." Josie grimaced: if they were going to get company, it was going to make exiting more difficult. She slipped down a darkened hallway, switching between her thermal and electronic settings as she passed closed doors of various offices. She sniffed slightly at the air: there was a hint of a recent passage. The cigarette smoke was still in the air. Josie slowed her pace, barely making any sound as she turned around a corner.

An office door was open, and the sound of two people talking wafted out. She paused, a hand near the handle of her blade as she listened. Not detecting them approaching the door, she took a quick peek, and then slipped by. They were just late workers, not her target. "Building is more occupied tonight I think. There may just be someone coming here."

---------------

“I’ll keep a lookout for vehicles, if I see one I can make sure it has tire trouble, might serve as a distraction.” He shifted some attention to the road leading up to the base, it was well within view, and out in the open til it curved past a bend in the cliff face. “Just try and be out by then.”

--------------

"Working on it. Wait one..." She heard footsteps approaching, and she went to a door. Activating the magnet system again, she unlocked the door, and quickly slipped inside the dark office, closing it behind her gently.

Two pairs of footsteps walked by, talking animatedly to each other in Spanish. "~I don't know why the Colonel's coming here. You'd think the old man would have better things to do than make a late night visit."~

~"Tell me about it. Probably thinks we're slacking off."~

~"Probably. And I wish the guards would leave the damn lights alone. If we die going down some stairs or something, I'm going to haunt the idiot who shut them off."~

~"Right with you."~

The voices trailed off as they moved further away, and she waited a few more seconds before opening the door and taking a cautionary look. A whiff of stale cigarette smoke crossed her nose: the source of the earlier scent. "Confirmed, the guy in charge of the place is coming here tonight. Former Colonel, so this place will probably be crawling when he arrives. I'm expediting getting to the target now."

---------------------------

“Not a target of opportunity is he?” Even if he wasn’t this really complicated the situation, so Alastor made sure he paid even more attention to the entryway. “I’ll let you know, either way, when I see a vehicle.”

_______________

"Don't think there's a hit on him. I'll get back to you on that." Josie trotted quickly down the hall, finally reaching a door that lead downstairs, and a lot of heat was coming up it. She checked the stairs, and then quickly jumped down to the next landing, flaring her power to cushion her landing to a mere tap. She repeated this three more times, coming to a stop at a door with a keypad.

She could have been slick about it. Could have even been impressive, and used her own hacking skills to break the code. But time was of the essence. She drew the handle of her blade, revealing there wasn't a blade at all. She thumbed a button on it, and a short, thin metal blade suddenly formed from the hilt, and she quickly stabbed the Dragons Tooth knife into the pad.

It shorted out, and the door clicked open. "I've reached the target area. Stand by."

She slipped into the well lit room and quickly scanned it. Nobody was present, outside of a long bank of cable infested server towers, and several computer consoles. Josie walked over to one that was active, and took Dustine's device from her belt, plugging a cable into a USB port. The device had a small readout that she kept an eye on as it worked.

PORT CLOSED
OVERRIDING
PORT OPENED
FIREWALL ENGAGED
FIREWALL DISABLED
SPIDERS DEPLOYED
SEEKING.... .... .... .... FOUND
DOWNLOADING. PROGRESS: 5....7....12....23....

"I'm at the target, download commencing." Josie sent, while reaching out to grab a metal brace to boost her connection. It took a few seconds, and she had connected to a satellite, made her search, and made her conclusion.

"The Colonel is not showing as having a hit on him. Lot of legal interest in him though. Human rights violations allegations, fraud, kidnapping, and so on. If he takes the field against me, take him down. Otherwise, we have to leave him be. For now."

--------------------

“You’re the boss.” The guards were still doubled up, which of course confirmed that they had doubled security. There were also no signs of a guard shift, which meant they had either already shifted, or had decided to not do a change while the Colonel was visiting. Speaking of which.

He saw the headlights first, illuminating the corner from beyond the otherside of the cliff. Then the vehicles rolled past. Looked like a couple of trucks, and an SUV in the middle. “There’s a motorcade heading our way. Two pick-ups with .50 cals in back, and a nice fancy SUV.”

-----------------

Josie swore softly to herself. "Buy me some time, I'm more than halfway through." Idly, she considered the words of the techs who had been in here. If the Colonel thought they were slacking, him showing up right now when they were outside smoking would certainly seal that determination.

--------------------

“One distraction, coming up,” Alastor pulled a small remote out of his vest and flipped the switch marked with a one to armed. Then he pressed down on the remotes large button. In the distance, near the original northern nest area there was a thud and the rocks, already loose from a previous rockslide, started tumbling down the base of the cliff down towards the road. “Consider it a gift of at least five minutes.”

-------------------

"Should be enough. Stand by." Josie checked the readout once again.

...78...84....88....

It seemed to pause at 88%, and she growled softly. "This is no time for a Back to the Future joke..."

...88...91....99....
DOWNLOAD COMPLETE
WITHDRAWING
FIREWALL REACTIVATED
PORT CLOSED
CYCLE COMPLETE

"Finally." Josie unhooked the device and pocketed it. She was about to leave, when she paused, and then had an evil smirk cross her face. Taking one of her EMP grenades, she removed the pin and set it up against a chair back and the desk. Her surprise set, she quickly exited the room and leapt up to each landing, pausing when she reached the ground floor to listen.

Hearing nothing, she started down the hallway, heading for her entry point. Just as she came around a corner, she came face to face with a tired looking guard. He blinked, briefly confused, before his eyes started to widen and he drew a breath in.

She jabbed a knife punch to his throat, then followed up with a backfist to his temple. He bounced off the wall, and would have fallen to the floor if she hadn't caught him with one arm. The only sound from the whole action had been him hitting the wall.

Swearing to herself again, she looked around, and hefted the body over a shoulder, taking him to the office she had snuck into before and dropping him off there in a wall closet of some sort.

As she locked the door and headed for her exit, she contacted Alastor. "Ran into a guard, slowed me up. I'm almost to the exit. Sitrep?"

---------------------

“Lead truck has stopped, some guards got out, other truck is moving ahead and the SUV is following. You got about, a minute before they’re in the base.” He turned his attention back to the exit point. “And there’s a guard near the window you came through.”

------------------

"Of course there is. The night wouldn't be complete without it." She entered the room with her exit window, and crept up to it. The commando looked out: the guard was paused, his back to her as he stood smoking a cigarette.

"Geez, this place is full of smokers. What's up with that?" She unlatched the window and, even though it was going to eat at her time, slowly opened the window. The guard didn't notice, continuing to take a drag of his smoke. "Going to knock him out. Keep watch." She deftly hoped over the windowsill and landed softly in the grass.

Not softly enough. The guard turned, already pulling his rifle up out of reflex. Within a blink, she took in her opponent. Scars crossed his face, and he had a pair of knives on his belt. That, plus the rifle and how he held it, suggested a veteran who'd been in a lot of fights.

The next blink, she was was in front of him, a fist into his solar plexus, followed by one across his face, and then a crescent kick from the opposite direction across his face.

The guard spun about and dropped to the ground noisily, bouncing like a sack of potatoes twice.

--------------------

“I think they heard that, there are guards moving in your direction.” He put his scope on the one second from front. “I can take the two closest out, but either way they’re going to find that guard.”

--------------------

"Not for a little while." Josie grabbed the dropped guard, and then tossed him up to the top of the building, one handed. Picking up on the sounds of running, she knew she had no time to close the window, so she didn't bother. Two steps, and she leapt over the wall, backflipping once as she did so before landing in a crouch.

--------------------

“Wait don…” but it was too late, she’d already flipped over the wall and landed. Right between two guards who had not been expecting a visitor. “Take left,” was all he sent after that as he pulled the trigger on his SL8. A second later the guard to Josie’s right’s shoulder gave out a lovely red mist as he tumbled over backwards, not dead but not getting up for a while.

-------------------

She didn't respond, lashing out with a single kick that sent the man flying back to crash against a tree. The man bounced off it, and collapsed to the ground, also not getting up for awhile.

"Head to the rendezvous point in thirty seconds. And close your eyes, right now." She flung a hand up to the sky, sending an orb of light straight up before she took off for the woods.

The orb reached a few hundred feet up before it burst into a bright flash, bathing everything in the area briefly before it faded away. "That will take care of their night vision for awhile."

-----------------

Not exactly wanting to test his eye sights ability to adjust to whatever Josie was going to do he closed his eyes, and pulled himself into a position to take off. He counted out the thirty seconds, opened his eyes and took off in a sprint. Rifle in one hand he flipped the two switch to armed on his remote and pressed the detonator. A moment later his nest erupted in a flash of flames and the rock face above where he’d been started to collapse downward. “I’m sure you hired me as a landscape artist.”

--------------------

She looked over in the direction of his nest, and gave a quiet laugh. "If you're angling to get a bigger bonus Mr. Zingari, you should have had that job title added to your contract. See you at the rendezvous." Josie looked back to the base, and was pleased with the amount of confusion and chaos that was left behind. She turned away and headed for the rendezvous.

--------------------

“Nah, You’re just paying for the buffet.” He skidded down a hill, putting earth between him and and the base. “ETA about five minutes.”

--------------------

They made it to the truck at approximately the same time. She jumped up into the bed of the truck and unlocked the tool box, peeling off her stocking cap, gloves and harness with weapons before setting them into the box. She then turned to Alastor with the case for the rifle, and as he broke it down, she put his other items into the tool box before throwing her jacket back on. She wasn't going to take the suit off, but the jacket would be good enough to keep people from asking questions.

As she took the case and put it away, she looked to him with a smile. "Rock, paper scissors to see who drives."

“Really?” He asked, shaking his head but he knew she was serious. “Fine,” He held out his hand, fist over it, and pumped three times. “Rock, paper, scissors, shoot.” And mostly because of what he’d spent the evening causing to fall, he chose rock.

She pumped her hand three times, and selected scissors. "Drat, guess you're driving." She tossed him the keys, rather pleased overall. "Let's book it from here, I'll guide ya. Airfield is about twenty miles away."

It would of course be just his luck, but he didn’t pause to curse it. He pulled himself into the driver’s seat, checked his seat belt, and cranked the truck. “Hold on then.” Putting her in gear he pulled out of the hiding spot for it and headed for the road. “Could you have picked a brighter shade of yellow?”

"I was actually looking for pink, cause that goes with my eyes, but I'm afraid they were fresh out." Josie laughed, and leaned back in the seat, her own seatbelt on.

The ride to the airfield went relatively smoothly. On the way through town, several police and ambulance vehicles rushed past, heading for the base, but otherwise they didn't have any hang ups. They pulled up to the gate, where the man there opened it, and then jumped into the back of the truck before patting the cab.

Down on the airfield sat a C119, the engines already starting to turn over. Josie looked over to Alastor. "There's our ride Mr. Zingari."

"You sure that old hunk-a-junk can handle carrying this truck?"

She rolled her eyes. "Please, it has a ten k payload, this truck isn't close. But fine, git out and I'll get us on there." They swapped, and she drove the truck down to the field to the back of the aircraft and rolled the vehicle into the back. One crewman started tying the truck down as the one in the back of the truck joined in. Josie got out and led the way to a compartment under the cockpit, revealing several comfortable seats, a bolted down table and fridge.

"Make yourself at home." Josie dropped into one of the seats and clamped a seatbelt on, sighing contentedly.

He didn't need to be told twice in that regard, and found himself a seat and strapped himself in. "So much for a dramatic car chase eh?"

"Don't have many of those, thankfully." She laughed as the two other crewmembers came in and also strapped in as the plane taxied onto the runway. It didn't take long and the plane took off, climbing into the sky before eventually leveling out.

"And there we have it. Another successful mission." Josie smiled as she unbuckled and stood up. Reaching the fridge, she opened it and pulled out a beer, holding it up to Alastor.

He took the bottle and held it up to his forehead, "Now we can celebrate with booze and all you can eat, put a small restaurant out of business goodness."

She took out three more, handing two to the other two before she popped her open. Walking over to Alastor, she grinned. "I think a classic quote is in order then. 'I love it when a plan comes together.' Welcome to the company, Mr. Zingari." She tipped her bottle towards him .

"As though you had any doubts." He tapped his bottle against hers and then popped the top off. "At least means I can pay off the survival suit I bought."

She laughed. "That and a bit more." With that, she took a swig of her drink, and retook her seat to enjoy a relaxing flight.

 

Nevada Desert

They were wrong.

It wasn’t fun, a welcoming party or child’s play.

The gale winds whipped about them, but there was only the hammer upon the barren ground. Powerful and unmovable. Mjolnir.

Dr. Jane Foster cried out as she crawled towards it. She called his name over and over again. But he simply was not there.

The Blob snickered, feeling a pang of disappointment. Avalanche mocked in laughter and Moonstone sneered, pleased at Dr. Foster’s distress. The woman’s tears made her feel a measure of satisfaction. Pity her words of scorn did not reach her due to the wind.

Avalanche gestured and the ground shook, heaved and parted. The hammer, while none could budge the mighty weapon, would not be left upon the surface to tempt would-be heroes. A sink hole seemed to be opening underneath it.

The ground heaved violently as it began to cave in on itself, taking Dr. Jane Foster with it- and the hammer.

For a moment, the winds seemed to die down, but only for a moment.

‘Good riddance’, they said. Chuckling amongst themselves. How simple it was- almost, elementary. That’s when they felt the rumble- and it wasn’t caused by Avalanche.

A bolt of lightning shot skyward, shattering the earth and fusing sand into glass. The winds doubled in their fury and the skies were filled with streaks of coruscating electricity.

Avalanche never saw the speeding hammer which knocked him unconscious in a single blow. The Blob caught a glance of long wild hair and a flapping red cape, not unlike a banner of war.

Frederick Dukes, a.k.a the Blob, would never openly admit to experiencing a momentary jolt of fear, before he brazenly leapt into the air, arcing like a great and massive boulder, seeking to flatten his enemy. Should he land on his mark, no force would be able to move him.

A good plan, but one doomed to failure.

A disc of pulsing radiance appeared in the path of the Blob, who could not change his trajectory. Frederick's eyes widened in horror and before he could utter a sound, his form passed through the disc and he vanished from sight. Transported to parts unknown.

Moonstone could not believe her eyes!! How!??? But there was no time. She had to flee!! Unfortunately for her, she was not faster than lightning.

A bolt streaked from the heavens and struck her down, instantly robbing her of consciousness.

And so, with the suddenness it had begun, it was over. The winds died down, and for a moment, everything was still. That is, until the S.H.I.E.L.D vehicles arrived.

Three armored vehicles, manned by four heavily armed agents each. They all surrounded the area and leveled their weapons. All they could see was the billowing red cape and the wild hair.

THOR!!! they called out, almost in unison. But the figure did not move, at least not at first. Slowly did the thunderer turn. A gasp escaped the lips of some of the agents, others merely stared in disbelief.

“Are you getting any of this?” one managed to speak aloud.

They recognized the hammer. Who wouldn’t. But the one who held it wore the form of a woman.

“Are….are you…Thor?”

The hammer wielding female turned to face them, then looked down at the weapon she held in her hand. She inspected it curiously, then herself. The armor of mail, the girdle, the cape and other trappings.

“We have criminal metas down. Place collars on them before they come around.”

“Yes, sir.”

“Has anyone eyes on Dr. Foster?”

The woman with the hammer looked up and peered out from her wing-helmeted head, her gaze steady.

“I am she. I am Thor….I…..am both.”

---

Cameron Giles
The Raft

It was not often that metas brought here got to reclaim their freedom, and those who did were very few in number. She didn’t really consider herself lucky, but she wasn’t going to question why she was being suddenly released either. Something about not finding sufficient ‘damaging’ evidence. Pfft! She could provide them with something damaging alright, but one needed to know which battles were worth fighting and which ones were not.

“You, hurry up and gather your belongings. The transport back will leave without you if you take too damn long.”

Hmph! She didn’t have to be told twice.

After her arrest following the ill-fated demonstration turned protest turned riot, she’d been brought here and separated from her partner in crime. The last thing she remembered was seeing that tall machine point at her. There was a flash of pain, then nothing.

People tried talking to her about legal stuff, but she said nothing. They were simply trying to confuse her and trap her —and now this. Why? Don’t question it, just go with it.

Of course, she didn’t trust any of them. They were human and she was a meta. It was the way of things.

Over the weeks, her dark hair had grown longer, but she also got rings under her dark eyes due to improper sleep. Needless to say, everything they served to eat tasted like cardboard. Still, she couldn’t show it, but she was more than glad to be leaving this place…except for leaving Wall behind. It felt like betrayal.

We'll come get you out.

“You too! Hurry it up.”

She raised a dark eyebrow and looked over her shoulder. She wasn’t the only one leaving this mechanical tomb. A dark skinned man was shoved into the room to look for his effects. Almost absently, she huffed. None of the prisoners had much to their name, but all their meager belongings were thrown together. They were all metas, so what did the system care of their individuality.

So, this was the guy the guards were talking about. He didn’t look as dangerous as they made him sound.

Measuredly, she continued to look for her things, finding an item here and there, but not really caring anymore. Her black vest with the white ‘M’ was nowhere to be found.Whatever. There was nothing anyone else had that she could steal anyway or looked enticing. Casually, she moved to cross the room and closer to the man, then whispered low so only he could hear.

‘Pigs got you marked. Watch your back’.

Suddenly, the two bumped as she moved past. “Watch it will’ ya?” she exclaimed aloud, sounding annoyed.

“Alright, that’s it. Time’s up. Step right up. Transport will be leaving now. Collars come off after we land.”

Damn inhibitor collars.

“I’m Brihk.” She whispered quickly, before turning towards the armed guard and marching out of the room, right to a checkpoint. From there, they would be escorted to the ‘bird to freedom’.

Next stop: Midtown. Home sweet home.

Tag: @Darth_Elu

---

Agent Bishop Knight
Acting Director Maria Hill’s Office, Triskelion, SHIELD HQ, New York

There was a long silence in the room for a moment and Maria did wonder if she at least looked composed.

Agent Bishop, much to her surprise, had activated an isolated lockdown of her office under his own Alpha Level Clearance, thanks to one Nick Fury.

Damn it all Nick. What else are you not telling me…!

Maria listened and took it all in, especially the implications and ramifications. Why would Agent Bishop suddenly reveal himself? Was he always a security risk, or was this part of a more nuanced agenda.

With a great measure of self control, Maria allowed the scene to play itself out as she also learned of A.D.A.M. Her eyebrow went up as she continued to listen.

More surprises.

Definitely.

Agent Bishop also happened to be a mutant. His words.

Finally, Maria cleared her throat, while under her desk, her hand slowly and furtively moved away from her sidearm.

“You have two minutes, Agent. What’s the purpose of CHAMPION and who else knows about this?”

Perhaps not all was lost…

Tag: @E. L.Knight

---

IC: Blueline
Ernesto’s Bodega, NYC

Ernesto waved his hand, with mild surprise and a good deal of concern etched upon his face.

“Talk with de Morlocks? No, Azulito. Not a good idea. Leave dem on the West End where dey belong. Tranquilo my friend.”

The proprietor offered the young hero soft drink, which he knew would be refused, however, he insisted that Blue at least accept a bottle of water for his patrol.

“For yu. Take it. Please.”

A rhythmic hunking from a truck’s horn is heard from the outside, and the sound catches Ernesto’s attention.

“Dat’s de produce…” He says, slowly getting up.

“Oh…uhm, yes. I hear Lourdes talking, and she says something about Metamin. Somebody selling medicine to give hero powers. Bad medicine. No take. Be very careful.”

With that, Ernesto shakes Blueline’s hand, then gestures all around.

“Mi case es su casa.” He says, then turns abruptly to leave, as he has business to attend to, leaving Blue alone in his crowded office with a few things to ponder.

Tag: @galactic-vagabond422

---

Casey & Zephyr
Zephyr’s Sanctorum

There was sure to be ice cream of some kind in Zephyr’s state-of-the-art modern refrigerator. If not, they could always oder in. The Croods, an animated feature about a pre-historic family and their misadventures would likely be on, but they could get any feature they wished on demand, or from Zephyr’s extensive video library.

Not to mention the games he had. Single, player, cooperative, RPGs, MMORPG’s -even fishing games.

This was the perfect opportunity for Casey and Zephyr to relax and deepen their burgeoning bond. It definitely felt that way. Such bonds and their strength would make all the difference with what was to come.

Tag: @Ameteth & @galactic-vagabond422

---

Maria Gomez (Venom)
Rooftop

By the time Maria swung herself upwards and made it to the rooftop of the building, the cloud filled night sky had burst open, releasing its content.

Rain began to fall.

“Hi.”

Maria said after landing, her voice sounding sinister.

The man before her wore a black trench coat, but underneath it, he had some kind of armor. Steel grey in color. He was also armed. A SHIELD logo was visible on his lapel.

“Yes, she’s here now….” The man spoke aloud as he looked at her through a visor. He nodded once and brought his hand away from his ear piece.

“Hello there, Venom, Maria. Thanks for coming in such short notice. I’m Agent Bronson and I’ll keep this brief. SHIELD is looking to recruit metahumans, they have something special in mind. I’ve been authorized to approach you and make an offer.”

The rain continued its down pour. Some distance below, police lights flashed and sirens blared. Whatever was being said at the scene was scattered to the winds.

“Interested?” The Agent asked.

Tag: @WookieeRage ( OOC: Fyi, the SHIELD NPC is not controllable )

---

SGC 28.57^3
Transia Mountain Path

Harman was young, but he had the heart of a warrior. The young tracker held his bladed weapon in hand and steadied his nerves. He watched the revenant come for him and then lunge at him. With a sudden and quick motion, Harman ducked under the attacking limb and spun. His blade moved so fast if whistled as it traveled, slicing the air and the revenant’s neck.

There was a spray of ichor before the cursed creature tipped forward- falling- its severed head rolling down its back, then thudding upon the fog covered ground.

Crunching sounds caught Harman’s attention, causing the young tracker to turn with a start.

It was then that he saw it.

The Noble Evo, as some were calling Esgeecee back at camp Zori, had weaved his hands and caused two of the revenants heads to bore down their own fleshy bodies and become crushed upon reaching the floor.

The young tracker was quite amazed- so much so that he almost missed the revenant coming behind SGC. With a sudden motion and no hesitation, he threw his blade, which zipped past quite close to the Noble Evo -catching the foul creature behind him between the eyes, which sent it pitching backwards with a mournful rattle.

Harman allowed himself a smile and a sighed in relief.

Dutifully, the young tracker took his torch and prepared to burn the fallen corpses, but he had let down his guard. The last remaining revenant was moving with a measure of haste as he came at him. It was a sight SGC could see clearly and depending on his actions, could prevent.

Some distance away, Barsali refused to listen to his body as it started to feel the pangs of fatigue. They were almost to the end of the bridge and he dared not stop his forward advance. However, his thought he spied movement ahead. It could be that they might not be alone upon arrival.

Tired as he was, he could not allow himself to fail.

“Hang on old man, we’re almost across..” He managed to say through laboured breaths.

He wouldn’t stop. He had to make it across so the others could follow, and if there was something else there, he was going to need every ounce of energy and strength to secure the area. He’d given his word.

Tag: @Mitth_Fisto

---

Gami, Isaac & Kim

A peaceful understanding was reached between Gami and Kim, one of the watchers at Woodlin Camp, who now travelled south with them. Isaac’s concerns could be laid to rest as an atmosphere of cooperation was achieved.

The mission to the roadside market given to them by Momma Woodlin was evidently important, but still retained an air of mystery, despite what was thus far revealed.

Still, it was good that some of the tension was relieved and some calm came upon the trio, at least for a moment.

As they trotted along, Kim snatched a glance at Gami and smiled lightly, though only briefly. Momma Woodlin had been right. The young girl was spirited, which was a charm all unto itself. As for Isaac, he was a gentle soul who could fit peacefully almost anywhere. Kim found that she was more than pleased with her traveling companions.

As for Isaac’s diminutive and unseen companion, she had been silent for some time, until now.

<Inuksuk>

Firefly called out through their mental connection, using his given name.

<I think we’re being followed> she said, her voice small but clear as a bell.

<That cloud-behind us. It’s not a cloud. It’s going the wrong way>

There was a measure of alarm in her voice, but also certainty. This time, it didn’t sound as if she was pulling a prank.

Tag: @Ktala, @Darth_Elu

---

Aisté Regina Max
Crossing the Atlantic

The beautiful Aisté relaxed quite comfortably, covered in a soft blanket as she reclined in her seat, reading through some e-mails.

Her curiosity had lead her to even open some of the junk mail she found, which included an e-mail written by Dr. Redstone, which was addressed to her mother, Theia.

Certain words stood out right away, aside from his request for her professional opinion. Words like, necroscope, ESP, extra-dimensional, and wamphyri. Undoubtedly, it all made for interesting reading.

But that was not all.

The tell-tale feel of a presence would cause Aisté to suddenly look up. Before her, she would see Rebecca standing before her, or at least her body. An image was superimposed over her—that of a stately looking young woman with white hair, blue eyes and purple robes. The woman, though translucent, was still visible, as was her anxious expression.

“Can you hear or see me? I’m having trouble reaching anyone.” She said in Rebecca’s voice, mixed with her own. “Please, you must listen. Someone needs to take Stephen’s place. The earth…it’s in great danger. We all are…. can you hear me!?”

Tag: @Zao Vizla

---

Agents Liz Merrick & Mary Formal
International District, Triskelion, NY

Their day was winding down now, though there was still much to learn to smoothen their transition into their new roles as SHIELD operatives. The next few days would be telling, but that would come in time.

Both their devices chimed simultaneously, perhaps surprising both Mary and Liz. It would be something to get used to.

The two women had text from Agent Chesterfield. It was an invitation.

[Dugan’s Tavern. Happy Hour @6:00 pm. Hope to see you there. Arthur.]

Although the two ladies were new in town, by now they had an idea how to navigate their new surroundings, failing that, they could always ask Jocasta. Truth be told, Jet lag could prove a factor and they could always polite decline. The next day they would have to report to work, after all.

Still, the final decision was theirs and whatever they chose would be - for all intents and purposes -the right choice.

Tag: @Sith-I-5

---

OOC: We’re on again! Happy New Year everyone. ( Please forgive typos, etc. I'm my own worst proofreader! )

 

OOC: you... uh... forgot someone.

 

Agent Bishop Knight
Acting Director Maria Hill’s Office, Triskelion, SHIELD HQ, New York

“You have two minutes, Agent. What’s the purpose of CHAMPION and who else knows about this?”​

​

Well, she certainly took that well, he mused. Bishop was ready to let her in on everything, just so she knew what she was doing with him, as an asset.​

​

CHAMPION is where you get your intelligence or a good bit of it. I built ADAM as a program to filter keywords and phrases, news feeds, then file them with the proper people in SHIELD. It was Fury's idea that eventually, someone had to keep SHIELD honest. CHAMPION was supposed to expand into a team of operatives, but things took a turn for the worst. It's only ADAM and I, now. Which brings me to the next point.

I built ADAM an Android body, using Ultron drone parts. I need you to give me permission to use him, however. I was given Alpha-Clearance as a safe measure for CHAMPION, but I never built the team, I apologize for using it now, but no one else can learn of this. ​

​

TAG: greyjedi125

​

​

​

​

 

IC: Blueline
Ernesto's, NYC

Ernesto gave Blue a concerned look waving his hand clearing away the young hero's words.

"Talk with de Morlocks? No, Azulito." Under his bandanna a slight smirk grew on his face. It was touching to see someone care about his well-being. "Not a good idea. Leave dem on the West End where dey belong. Tranquilo my friend." The smile deepened, although Ernesto was trying to keep him away from the Morlocks he'd just handed him the information he wanted. He wouldn't say it, he wouldn't thank the shop owner for giving him the information. Ernesto's intent was to warn the hero, to tell him a place to stay away from, not run to.

The older man offered Blue a soda,

"No, I can't, this is your living." Ernesto insisted switching to a bottle of water. Again it came back to the fact that it felt like stealing, he'd already admitted to having issues paying for his daughter's ballet classes, how could Blue take something for free when the man's whole job was selling things. "Come on you've got a daughter, a family, to support." The teen said, trying his best to dissuade Ernesto from giving him even this smallest item for no charge. Blue hated being a bother, hated having people worry about him.

When people worry about him, that makes him worry. He punished himself every day, got beat on, and worse. He's worried about if one of these people, like Ernesto, or Lourdes or Casey saw him getting attacked, would they just walk away or would they try and help. He hoped that they would just be smart enough to just walk away from the situation, to not get involved. He knows he'll walk away, that whatever the bad guy can do to him, he'll be fine, he's the one with the superpower right, it was his place to take a beating. This was all the worse possible scenario but, it still stuck with him, was still in the back of his mind every time he saw Ernesto. Blue has had too many people that cared about him taken away. He doesn't want it to happen again.

"For yu. Take it. Please." Ernesto said finally, nearly shoving it into one of the torn pockets on the front of Blue's hoodie. It seemed the shop owner would not be denied. So reluctantly Blue accepted. Outside a horn rang out, it sounded like some truck, deeper and more powerful than a standard car horn, something you hear a lot of when you spend your life on the city streets. "Dat’s de produce…" Ernesto said as he got out of his chair. Blue got up as well. If Ernesto was going to unload the produce, Blue was going to help. Least he could do for all the free food, and water the kind man had given him.

"Oh…uhm, yes. I hear Lourdes talking, and she says something about Metamin. Somebody selling medicine to give hero powers. Bad medicine. No take. Be very careful." This information, said nearly off handedly, stopped the hero for a beat. Someone selling powers, that threw gas on a fire, everyone was worried about Metas, and someone was trying to make more of them. Not that Blue was against there being more Metas, but, a drug? That didn't feel right, and the way Ernesto described it, 'Bad Medicine', that solidified the fact that this wasn't good. Though what it meant to him was, curious. Did it hurt people, were they dying because of it, or did that mean he now had to deal with thugs with superpowers now? That just made his days worse.

"Mi casa es su casa." Ernesto gestured to the office as he left. Once again Blue was stopped in his tracks. He'd never realized that he'd heard that phrase before, before he'd heard Zephyr say it. Now it meant something to him, 'Make yourself at home.' As the shop keep stepped out Blue looked around.

"Mi casa es su casa." He muttered to himself with a slight smile. He thought of Casey explaining what the phrase meant. It was the first time they'd entered the 'Sanctum Sanctorum'. He still recalled leaving her behind, it was the right choice but, he still felt a little bad about it.

He also had a question, what was Metamin, what did it do to people, and just how dangerous was it. He saw a phone on the desk, an old landline, like the kind his uncle had in the house. He picked it up and called Zephyr's number. Waiting to ask if they could look up anything on Metamin, maybe ask Zack, he's a scientist right?
_____
IC: Casey
'Sanctum Sanctorum', NYC

Casey wiped away one last tear, giving a wan smile to Zephyr. Her breathing was still heavy, her emotions still raw.

"I'm going into the kitchen." She said giving her host a light pat on the shoulder. "I'll see what you have." She was leaving before Zephyr could answer, getting some distance from the place she bared her soul, and moving into the place she felt in control. She opened the freezer and quickly pulled down a carton. Pulling a spoon from a nearby drawer she took a spoonful of the frozen treat and popped it into her mouth.

As the cold rushed through her and the sweet taste hit her tongue, she heard her father's voice calling out from the past.

"Case, use a bowl please."

"How do you know?" she asked.

"Because I'm you father, I always know." He had a supernatural ability to know when she was doing something she wasn't supposed to. No matter how quiet she was being or how subtle she was, he always knew, like he could hear her every step. She took a shaky breath trying to lock away the painful nostalgia welling up in her, and brought out a bowl. It seemed even her favorite comfort food wasn't enough to ward off her memories. As her father asked from a memory years past she scooped out two oversized scoops of ice cream and put the carton back in the freezer. She returned bowl and spoon in hand just as Zephyr's phone starting ringing.

"You going to get that?" she asked her words slurred slightly by the spoon still in her mouth.

 

Gami
Heading towards the Roadside Market

Isaac, Kim and Gami moved thru the area at a steady pace now. Gami was satisfied with the response from Kim. It
must be very important indeed, to send them. But it was all still worrisome. Why would someone mess with the
Woodlin's? They were peaceful. Nice. Why do people try to destroy that little of good that is out there? Of
course, that made Gami want to protect it even more. A little bit of peace was a hard thing to find nowadays. So
Gami would do her best to help.

"Kim?", Gami asked softly, as she moved up, to get a bit closer to the woman, so she could keep her voice low.
"Even though anyplace would be good around here.." Gami began her question, "Is there any specific place that
would be the BEST area to try and jump us, if they were waiting for us?" Gami asked, as she kept her eyes sharp,
looking around. "Because if I was looking for a group, I would guess they would try to slip out another way that
coudlnt be seen. So, I'd have a second or third group, waiting. I mean, they know where we are going. So it's
either jump us going there... or get us when we are heading back. Depending on how bad they want whichever item they are after." Gami stated slowly.

"Unless, the market has its own defenses. Or, for some reason, they DONT know where that is..." Gami asked the woman softly.

She didnt like not known. Or not having a plan. Gami was hoping that this market was down this road... someplace. If not, if something happened to Kim, they would be lost. So guess they better not lose Kim!
Gami continued to use her tracking skills, to see if anyone else had traveled this way lately, or any traps or
surprises that might have been laid, waiting for them ahead.




Tag: Darth_Elu, greyjedi125

 

IC: Agents Liz Merrick, Mary Formal, International District, Triskelion, NY


Liz was in one of the offices that their apartment had, on the upper level with the bedroom where she had changed into her new uniform.

She marvelled at how quickly she was settling in, giving a lot of credit to Agent Chesterfield.

The brunette sat before the personal computer, fingers tapping search parameters into the keyboard, checking what SHIELD knew of E-Branch’s most secret affairs. She knew that Jocasta would likely be monitoring her every keystroke, so everything that she asked about would go, by name, onto the A.I.’s servers, but that was a far cry from knowing what each thing was.

“Incoming.” Her partner’s voice announced from the landing, the twin of the secretarial chair that she was sitting on, rolling gently over the office’ un-carpeted flooring, stopping a few inches short of hers. Mary followed it in, turned it to face Liz’ desk, and sat down.

The telepath glanced down. “You brought that all the way up from your office?”

Mary’s eyebrows flashed up for a second. “My office only has the one seat; I figured yours would be the same.”

“They’re not the lightest things!”

“It was that or sit on your lap.”

Liz smirked, then tapped a finger onto her open notepad, laying with a biro to the right of the keyboard. “I’m just saying. Okay, with the security clearance I have, I have been doing searches to see what they have on our people. They have nothing for “necroscope”, but they are aware of Jake! He has an Interpol file.”

“Interpol?”

“International Police.”

Mary gently smacked her friend on the arm. “I know what it means.”

“Well, I can never tell with you; I remember when you did not know what a washer dryer was.”

“Like I said, I know what it means. But do they still exist? I haven’t heard of them since that first Hitman movie.”


“Well, they are nothing to do with maypole, if that is your next question.” Liz tapped her notebook with a nail again. “According to his file, he had some fun in the Mediterranean with the Sicilian mob. Over a girl he fancied. Disappeared from the high security Italian jail that the authorities put him in.”

“What was he doing with the mob.”

“Killing them.”

Formal bobbed her head. “Oh, okay.” She had an idea that the other woman had been holding a torch for their team-mate. She also recalled that Trask had assigned Liz to spy on him, using her Talent.

“Y-you want to know...”

The Arcan looked sharply at her friend. Was she sure that she could not read her mind? Liz did look shaken, but whether is was because she knew more about Jake’s past, or because she could read Mary’s alien mind, she had not the slightest clue. Hoping it was the former, she gently used her left hand to pull Liz jaw, so that she faced her, and put the index finger from her right hand to Merrick’s lips. “Shhh. I would not ask you. You wanted it to be between us girls, remember?” This was a promise that they had agreed during the Australian mission to hunt down the trace of a Great Vampire. “And I’m sure that did not include a supercomputer with the brain the size of-”

“Thts Marvn.” Liz mumbled around the finger, making no move to push it away, or lean back from it.

“Oh yeah, thanks.” She took her finger back, complete with Liz’ spittle. She continued speaking as she looked about for somewhere to wipe it. “As soon as I start a sentence about supercomputers, it feels natural to add the brain line. Oh yeah, speaking of brains, there is some sort of brain drain going on. Very intelligent people, leaders in their respective fields, going missing in national parks under mysterious circumstances. Jocasta’s got me on Security Clearance Zaire, so I’m cleared for the same level of wierd chatter that you can get through a basic internet search. And it’s not new; its been going on for decades.”

“What, those vast areas of wilderness? Sure they weren’t taken by mountain lions?”

“Apparently, there would be a scene. And animal attacks are one of several factors excluded from this profile. Searchers and helicopters aren’t finding anything for weeks, if ever. Canines cannot follow a scent trail. Depending on the location, there seems to be a specific demographic going missing. All kids, or all men, or all women. Anyone recovered alive is unable to say what happened to them; either because they are too young-”

Merrick looked up sharply. “Whoa there, horsey!”

“Horsey?”

“Sorry, that was my cowgirl impression.”

Mary considered this for a second. “And the world thanks you, Cool Hand Liz.”

“Too young to say what happened, you said. How young?”

“For this particular profile, as young as two is not uncommon.”

“TWO?! How the **** do you lose a two-year-old in a national park? How far can a-”

Both women snapped their heads around at simultaneous chimes from elsewhere in the apartment, one fainter than the other.

“If that was meant to censor me, it was a couple seconds too late.” Liz observed.

“Plus, it had an echo.” The Arcan swivelled her chair to face the open doorway and rose out of it. “I’ll check our datapads.”

A short time later, she returned, clasping in one hand, both Liz’ and her own datapads, collected from the upstairs bedroom, and the downstairs couch, respectively.
“We got texts. Chipperfield.”

The telepath frowned in confusion. “Why the hell would a circus text us? Free tickets?”

Mary paused in the doorway, equally confused by her friend’s comment. “Circ-, hang on.” She leaned on the frame to her left, moved her ‘pad to the top, woke it up and tapped in her pin. “Sorry, Chesterfield. He’s invited us to a Dugan’s Tavern.” A smile lit up her face as she read the message. “Aw, bwess his liddle heart; he’s trying to make us feel at home by calling it a ‘tavern’.”

Liz rolled her eyes at the other’s mistaken identification, but made no further mention. “Don’t they have taverns here? I thought it was pubs they didn’t have.”

Mary shrugged. “Anyway, Happy Hour is at 6pm, and he hopes to see us there.” She looked down at her seated team-mate. “I have a worse social life than your chair, so I’m game. How about you? Maybe your limo driver will be there.”

Liz brightened, then narrowed her eyes with intent. “ Oh, I will make sure he’s there.” She stretched a hand towards the standing agent, waggling her fingers. “Pass my phone, please.” She snatched at the tablet, lay it on her keyboard and leaned close over it like it was the One Ring, while Mary counted her remaining fingers.

“Don’t forget to change the banner on the home screen from ‘SHIELD’ to ‘My Precious’.”

“Huh?”

“Nothing.” Left with her own tablet, Mary logged in, and navigated to the Messaging app. “I’ll respond to Arthur, let him know that we are coming. Or rather, since we are laydees of good character and morals, that we will be along directly.”

“What’s the difference?”

Formal raised eyebrows at the brunette. “If you’d been to The Farm-”

“Why’d you keep going on about this ******* farm?” The younger woman interrupted, peering curiously up at the blonde. “Did you have some sort of epiphany whilst birthing a lamb or something?” She glanced reflexively at her pad, in case it tried to bleep her again.

Annoyed now, Mary turned back to the hallway, and padded barefoot across the landing carpet towards the stairs, pausing at the top to text Agent Chesterfield back.

Many thanks for the invite. We will definitely be there.

Tag: greyjedi125

OOC: Mary’s findings are her interpretation of the Missing 411 investigations.

​

E-Branch IDs​

 

IC: SGC 28.57^3
Transia Mountain Path

SGC was trying his best to ignore Harman as the young tracker dispatched his animated dead tissue with a spray of ichor before the curious creature tipped forward- falling- its severed head rolling down its back, then thudding upon the fog covered ground. He could not let that distract him from his own use of his abilities, from feeling that surge of power and directing from the top of the heads of two to the ground, to press as though that limit was merely a peak and not the destination.

Crunching sounds echoed as the forward motion paused of the two bodies. SGC could see the young tracker turn with a start. The suddenness of the motion causing a small wavering of SGC's attention, but not enough to divert him from his plan as he brought his hands down.

Camp Zori most likely was a strange group to know of such things, even if they viewed them from the wrong angle. For they had fought and found something that worked. Improvising in the field as SGC had had to do ever since his freedom. They likely would approve he thought, if they saw him helping to save one of their own now as the 'revenants' heads were caused to bore down through their own fleshy bodies and become crushed upon reaching the floor. At least he thought they would be based on Harman's reaction thus far.

Until with a sudden motion and no hesitation, Harman threw his blade, which zipped past quite close to SGC and causing a sinking feeling to crater in his thorax. He had thought they had liked him, maybe, possibly for real. Only in the, what was it the soldiers had called it when guarding the facility? 'Heat of battle?' In the heat of battle the primitive brain of Harman had categorized him as an enemy, another horror in the foggy night. Then he heard the mournful rattle as a creature fell behind him and felt severely ashamed.

Harman allowed himself a smile and a sighed in relief. Something which only added to SGC's self recriminations as he clacked his mandibles once at the situation. Looking about for anything else he might of missed as he drew the weapon from his scabbard as the young tracker went for his torch to tend to the already fallen revenants.

Then he had spotted it. A last remaining revenant was moving with a measure of haste as it came at Harman. It was a sight SGC could see clearly and depending on his actions, could prevent. Only what actions could he take?!? He could not throw the blade like Harman had for him. He doubted his skill to slash with the thing let alone send it careening end over end through the air to impale proper sharp end first into anything, let alone a moving target on top of all of that. He hardly could begin to form the equations before he dismissed them. He had really only one thing he could do, and he had rarely tried to do so after already exerting himself. Taking a breath and a quick step forward he pointed the blade to the creature and then pulled. Down and away from them both, hard. Already he could feel his breathing race as he did so and began to run on his four legs forward to put pointy end to revenant.

TAG: greyjedi125

 

Isaac Angakkuq IC:
~Country Paths, Maine~

It was exceedingly nice that both Gami and Kim had managed to patch things up and quickly. One less thing to worry about. And for the time being, he simply enjoyed it while he walked alongside them both, his only concern was for Firefly being so quiet. But he gave her time, she'd speak up when ready.

When the younger girl began whispering to the watcher, her voice was low enough that he couldn't make out all the words, but he got the gist. Good questions to ask from what he gathered, would be nice to hear what the response was.

Before that came though, his spiritual companion finally spoke up and used his full name thereby instantly getting his attention.

<Inuksuk. I think we're being followed.>

What? He didn't even notice anything! And so soon? His brow furrowed, but listened as she went on.

<That cloud behind us. It's not a cloud. It's going the wrong way.>

She sounded certain and alarmed. Two things that didn't bode well in this particular scenario. Immediately, he glanced backwards while acting as casually as possible…as if merely taking in the scenery around them. He even kept a smile on his face as if perfectly content. Which is what he was right before that bit of information came his way.

Sidling up to the girls, just enough so they could hear his own lower voice rather than making it look suspicious, he whispered.

"Actually, before you go any further with that…I have a question for you two. Tell me, what direction should the clouds be moving right now?"

He waited a beat for their answer before continuing.

"Yes, exactly. You mentioned a metahuman…well, I think we're being followed. There's a cloud behind us…moving the wrong way. After us."

His eyes shifted to Gami, "Don't look back just yet, it might catch on. Wait till you can make it seem like a normal moment. Kim first, then you if you want to look." He tried earnestly not to sound patronizing with his, not order exactly, but 'intent suggestion' as this was just too important at this juncture.

And possibly dangerous.

<Thank you. Lets keep an eye on it then…going to try to feel it out.>

Once again he stretched out with 'the energy' as he walked with them, attempting to feel out emotions and intent from the cloud thing, or whatever it truly was. He was confident Firefly was there, aiding him as usual.

Tag: Ktala greyjedi125

 

A Combo with the Grey one

IC: Aina Cadogan and Stain/ Java Cave/ New York City

The exchange between the two had been brief, but clear. They were to meet at noon, at the corner of 14th street and 6th avenue for coffee at the Java Cave.

Socializing among reclusive hackers was never an easy thing, due to the power their anonymity afforded them and the very real issues surrounding trust- or the lack of it.

Despite this, the arrangement to meet was made just the same. Everyone had their reasons and motivations; they just silently hoped they coincided.

Getting out of the tunnels had been a bit more complicated than she'd expected, and after four different blocked passages she'd almost ended up using her powers to just walk through. Thankfully it hadn't come to that, and the fifth one had been clear. Ish. Moving is looking even better and better after looking around more. There's going to be construction crews crawling through the sewers for months. Maybe years. That did not bode well for her ability to remain unfound. Maybe a penthouse... It would be a nice change of scenery. Seeing the sky. The buildings. Anything at all, really.

Upon emerging, still a little early for her meet with Stain, she breathed in deep and simply looked up at the sky. The light. It was a nice change from the drab darkness that she'd been trapped in for the last week. It was even nicer to not have dripping water being about the only sound. Instead the noises of the city enveloped her, and she smiled ever so slightly.

Pulling her leather coat forward, resettling it on her shoulders, Aina went to the coffee shop she was meeting Stain at. It had unnerved her that he had suggested somewhere literally a block away from her house. He has to know where I live. It was another reason that she wanted to move, even if it meant leaving some stuff behind.

Arriving at the Java Cave, she gave the place a quick once over and didn't see anyone in a blue hoodie so she knew she'd gotten there first. That meant she had a chance to observe for a few moments, just like Stain or any other hacker or anyone else engaged in illegal activity would probably have done.

Ordering a hot chocolate, not wanting to get keyed up on caffeine at the moment, she settled into the back corner of the building, it gave her perfect sight lines throughout the entire building and through the front windows and put two walls at her back. It meant she would have a very easy escape should she need it, since she very much doubted that Stain could follow her through a wall. And so she waited, pretending to play on her smartphone occasionally sipping her cocoa.

It only took a few tries, since Aina was pretending to play a game on her smartphone. Across the street, the LED lights on the scrolling advert set on the Local electronic shop flashed several times to get her attention. Once she looked, the words ‘I SEE YOU’ scrolled across the screen, followed by ‘SO HOW’S THE HOT CHOCOLATE?’

There was a moment’s pause to allow Aina to react.

Everyone seemed to be oblivious to what was happening, both inside the coffee spot and outside on the streets. People walked and went about their business, or remained immersed in their own smart devices.

‘LOOK UP’ another message scrolled across.

Should Ania do so, she would see surveillance cameras set by the front door and in the middle of the ceiling.

“WAVE BACK!” was the next message.

At that moment, a male with a hoody propped himself against the glass, his back facing the patrons inside. He waved his hand, seemingly to someone across the street, but no one was there to return it.

On the back of his hoodie, there was a picture of the Vitruvian man, except it was some kind of chrome-skinned android.

Playing some stupid little matching game Aina found herself being annoyed by some flashing lights across the street. At first she tried to ignore it, giving the room a quick once over, she went back to her game. Why do they make these things so addictive? She knew the answer to that, it was so they could ring money out of you when you ran out of attempts.

Timer running down, she looked up at the lights again, wishing they would stop. Swearing softly under her breath, the timer ran out and she sighed. It had been her last try for the day. Looking around, she wondered what she was going to do now. The meeting time was about seven minutes past at this point, which wasn't unreasonable. After all, traffic in this city was notoriously vile and was probably worse than usual given the destruction that needed to be cleaned up.

"Oh come on," she muttered as the lights flashed again, and this time she actually paid attention, wanting to know what was going on. A chill ran down her spine as a message ran across the display.

I SEE YOU

Dammit Stain. You're supposed to be cool about this. She almost immediately phased through the wall... but she figured it wasn't worth it to leave just yet. There was no real threat yet, it was just a childish way to put her on edge. Wouldn't have thought of someone with that rep would be childish, but who actually knows anything about him? His track record of not steering her wrong on jobs was also working to his benefit here. That kind of thing actually went pretty far with her.

SO HOW'S THE HOT CHOCOLATE?

She frowned slightly, trying to figure out he might be seeing her. Looking around, she spotted a couple of security camera's in the ceiling and realized that had to be what was going on, though how he could tell she had cocoa was beyond her. He'd managed to hack into what she had thought was a closed circuit system. Guess I shouldn't make assumptions about that kind of thing. It was confirmed a moment ago when the next message came across the screen.

LOOK UP

She was amused that no one else noticed what was going on, but then why would they? After all, it was just an ad display, and no one paid those much mind. And then she saw a blue hoodie lean itself against the front window and wave across the street.

WAVE BACK!

Cute. Shaking her head she reached out and finished off her cocoa before standing up and grabbing her bag. Picking up the cup, she walked towards the front door and the trash can that was next to it. Tossing it, she moved outside and stretched. "Guess we have different ideas of what 'meeting' entails." Sticking her smartphone into her bag, she turned to see what Stain might look like. "Nice trick with the camera's by the way. You'll have to teach me how to do that," She said, knowing that would probably never happen. Why would he part with a secret after all? Then again, why would he want to meet with her in the first place?

Aina stretched as she spoke, which gave her enough time to take a good look at her fellow hacker.

Although he leaned against the window, he was clearly taller than her, maybe six feet tall or just shy of it. He had somewhat unkempt dark hair ( thanks to the hoodie ), which partially covered the left side of his face, hazel eyes, and silver snake bites under his lower lip. He smiled at her lightly, which appeared genuine and friendly, with just a hint of mischief. As she spoke, he removed his black ‘beats’ headphones to better listen, which gave a hint at the tattoos hidden underneath the sleeves of his hoodie.

“I thought we might meet someplace low key, at least at first.” he admitted with a shrug. “Seemed like a good idea at the time.”

It was his turn to give her the ‘once ever’.

“Their security system is not as secure as they’d like to think.” He said with a small chuckle, pointing behind him with a tilt of his head.

“Vic. Nice to meet you.”

Putting out his hand, he smiled easily, having a very relaxed manner.

He's in better shape than I expected. Maybe he does do runs. Looking him over, and noting the tattoos and ease with which he moved, she considered. Possibly a lot. That was more personal than she was comfortable asking about, so instead she simply took in what he looked like. The snake bites were mildly off putting in her opinion, but she was never one to really go in for body modification. Which was highly ironic given how she could change her appearance almost at will.

Meeting implies actually... meeting though Stain. Not lurking around outside and talking through a sign across the street. She was a bit less than amused at that, especially since it seemed to show a bit of a mischievous streak. That was not something she liked in people. When she was going to conduct business, she stuck to business. And that was pretty much the only time she really interacted with people as it was.

She noticed him checking her out, and almost wished she had changed her form before coming here. But she hadn't, and instead stood there in all of her natural glory, such as it was. Startlingly blue eyes, flaming red hair that was layered and went somewhere down to below her shoulders hanging loose, and much shorter than him by at least half a foot. As usual she had on her black leather duster, which she found very useful for hiding things in or underneath, a pair of jeans that weren't tight enough to restrict movement, and a black shirt that there was no way for anyone to tell how long the sleeves were, and a pair of Jordan's on her feet because she loved the stability and grip they gave her.

So not a closed circuit system. Huh. That's just stupid on their end. At least she now new that people could be watching her at the Java Cave. Might need to find a new coffee haunt. One that isn't so stupid. She grunted softly, not really having much else to add to that. And then he held out his hand, and gave his name.

Hesitating slightly, not liking to touch people Aina sighed softly enough that he might not even have noticed before reaching out and taking his hand. "Callie." She didn't try to smile back, not being in the mood. In a way she found herself envying him his relaxed attitude and easy smile. It was obvious his life had ultimately been easier than hers. "So, Vic, what was so important it required a face to face?" She glanced around, trying to make sure that no one was paying much attention to them.

"Tut!" Vic said, lifting a finger. He looked around to make sure no one was really paying attention to them, then picked up his black messenger bag with the 'radioactive' patch sown into the closing flap.

"Straight to business then? I can live with that." He observed keenly, his eyes narrowing slightly, as he mused. He pulled a smart device from his left pocket, as he was wearing black jeans and black vans sneakers. He pressed his thumb to the screen and gained access through the bio-metric lock, scrolled down and pressed 'yes' on a waiting prompt.

"Our ride will be here in a moment." He revealed smartly. "...and I've acquired a secure conference room where we can discuss the necessary details. Thanks for coming this far."

Vic looked off into the distance for a moment.

"It will be grand. You'll see."

TAG: MYSELF

 

Gemini IC:
~The Raft~

"You too! Hurry it up."

Being shoved into the room, Gemini put a scowl on his face as he glared back at the guard.

"Be glad I'm in a good mood," he muttered under his breath before turning to gather his belongings.

As he did so, rummaging a little here and a little there (not that there was much to grab mind you but it was a little spaced out), this was when he noticed the other person in the room. Well, he pretended to just notice her anyway. He knew she was going to be in there all along. He was more than he appeared to be after all.

Pretending to size her up as she got her own items, only briefly pausing his own work, he shrugged and went back to finishing up. This is where it all began. If he was right about her type, any moment she would…

Yep, here she came. And within moments.

'Pigs got you marked. Watch your back.'

He let out a single huff of his own, as if to say, 'no kidding.' It was all in the little things and how you did them, this was how people like her bonded in such situations.

'They have forever, feels like,' he whispered back while making it look like he was searching for more stuff. She would be able to tell he was just giving time to whisper a return statement. That was the point. They then bumped on 'accident' as not to draw out the conversation and make it evident and she gave a warning statement.

"Yeah, yeah, little girl," he grunted to play along. His eyes spoke of rising irritation, but they had that gleam in them that she'd probably catch. As if saying 'I got you, no worries.'

"Alright, that's it. Time's up. Step right up. Transport will be leaving now. Collars come off after we land."

"Good," he stated flatly. And though he truthfully only had it on a short time, he had to admit. They were damn uncomfortable, he wouldn't want this thing on any longer than he needed it.

"I'm Brihk."

A mental smile. All too easy.

"Shroud," was his quick reply. And that was that, his new name that he'd have to settle for, for a time. It worked for all intents and purposes and there would be no reason to suspect otherwise.

As they progressed along to the 'bird of freedom,' he let out a smirk.

"Can we, ya know, hurry this thing up. I got places to be, man."

They nudged him firmly in response, asking him to silence as they moved. Good. He rolled his eyes as he moved along with the woman known as Brihk.


Tag: greyjedi125

 

IC: Agents Mary Formal and Liz Merrick, Apartment 8E?


Mary moved her luggage into the bedroom on the lower floor of their duplex, then went back to the sofa in the common area to retrieve her footwear.

She experimented with taking the uniform off, hoping that it would be less of a standing wrestle than putting it on; with luck the material would have stretched while she was wearing it.

Bending her knees and leaning over, the Arcan gripped the hem on both sides, and lifted it up the sides as she straightened, and was surprised when she managed to just peel it upwards over her head, which then just left extricating her hands from the inside-out sleeves.

The airing cupboard elicited a pile of towels, including two twins of the one that Liz had spent some of her post-shower time in; so she wrapped one round herself, grabbed her toiletries bag, and padded into the shower, hoping that Jocasta’s tit-for-tat behaviour did not extend to controlling the water temperature.

* * * *

Half an hour later, and Mary was almost ready to leave, just sitting on the sofa, putting on her block heeled silver sandals, basically consisting of a hardened strap over her toes, and a securing one that encircled her ankles from behind. They were her sop to the idea of “going out”, but did not go with either her short-sleeved white blouse, or blue knee-length pencil skirt, her UNCLE staples.

Liz came down the stairs and observed just as much. “Well, you don’t believe in colour coordinated wear, do you?”

“Well, I didn’t know we were going to be invited out to pubs, did I?” Mary nodded to her friend’s new black bodysuit. “When are you getting changed?”

“I am changed.”

Formal frowned. “We’re off duty, right?”

“Yes, but this makes me feel so powerful and ready to take on the world.” The telepath shrugged bashfully at her own words.

“Have you told your driver-”

“Bryan.With a ‘y’. Bryan Dale.”

“Have you told ‘Bryan with a y’ to pick up some flour?”

Liz looked puzzled. “Whatever for?”

“We’re working tomorrow, remember? If you wake up round Brian’s house, or wherever, you want to be able to get your suit back on, presumably. ”

“He’s not getting this off!” Merrick exclaimed indignantly, pointing to herself, just below the narrow V of her throat zip. “At least, not on the first date; I don’t want him thinking English girls are easy.”

Mary did not respond. Merrick had said ‘English girls’, but she had heard ‘Earth girls’. To say so was bound to have Liz ask if she wasn’t an Earth girl, and that was some arkwardness that Formal did not want to initiate.
Instead, she negotiated her left foot into the second shoe, and leaned down to secure the strap.
“I’m ready when you are.”

* * * *

Assisted by Jocasta, the girls reached the front door of Dugan’s and pulled on the faded brass handle to open the door, and enter the establishment.

Tag: greyjedi125

 

IC: Aisté Regina Max
Crossing the Atlantic

Aisté sensed a presence that made her look up. She was slightly startled at first to see Rebecca and the superimposed image of the woman with the white hair. Her relaxed demeanor changed into a more focused one. The gentle hum of the G6 had slightly diminished as if it were now humming under water or in a tunnel. She sat up as they spoke.

“Can you hear or see me? I’m having trouble reaching anyone.” They said in Rebecca’s voice, mixed with her own. “Please, you must listen. Someone needs to take Stephen’s place. The earth…it’s in great danger. We all are…. can you hear me?”

Aisté recognized the woman with the white hair immediately. Most anyone who was arcane aristocracy or who had advanced knowledge of the arcane knew who SHE was. They first met when Aisté was presented to the council and would occasionally see each other during social gatherings, but this was highly unprecedented and even more unprecedented if she was doing this from another dimension.

“Yes, Princess, I can hear you. I am currently over the Atlantic on my way to New York. How may I be of service?”


Tag: greyjedi125

 

IC: SGC 28.57^3
Transia Mountain Path

In his mind, it probably seemed that he took long to consider his actions, but in reality, his thoughts and actions came in a split second. SGC was no blades man, no tracker or ranger like his guides, but he was possessed of an ability all his own.

Despite having exerted himself, he made a decision in order to protect those who were helping him. With is mind already set, he took a centering breath and tapped into his innate power. Immediately, it responded, pushing away fatigue for a brief moment, revitalizing him.

The revenant exclaimed in confusion as he was shoved hard by an invisible force, suddenly finding himself thrown and dragged on the ground.

Harman turned suddenly, startled by the sound of the yelping revenant and waved his torch at empty air. Another sudden movement caught his attention. It was Esgeecee’s form speeding past him and moving in to deal with the revenant!

Harman took heart at this and quickly dispatched the first set of undead with his torch before bounding back to SGC.

He had not seen it with his own eyes, but the Noble Evo had put the blade in his possession to good use, completely incapacitating their last attacker. The song tracker wasted not an instant as he placed the torch to the creature and watch it burst into flames.

Harman looked at SGC with an admiring gaze and smiled, almost as if he were seeing him for the first time.

“Thank you.” He said, through huffing breaths.

The clash of steel against steel rang through the misty fog just then, intruding on the moment. Harman’s expression fell as his heart skipped a beat.

Barsali! he said aloud, before dashing forward- blade and torch in hand.

Across the bridge, Erasmus rested on the floor while the ranger, Barsali, stood in a defiant and defensive pose. He was facing off against four humanoid beings. A large bullheaded ‘man’ brandishing a flail, two felines, one male and one female, carrying spears, and a sword wielding ‘wolf-man’.

They were all garbed in leathers and mail.

“Do not come any closer, I’m warning you!!” Barsali declared with great determination and conviction, his blade waving threateningly before him, clenched in his hand. He had just deflected a probing spear and that had fortified his defensive position and convinced him of the ‘hostile’ situation’ they were now in.

SGC was not at range to see this, but the image became clear in his mind, even as a now familiar voice spoke to him.

"Stop them! They must not fight. You’re almost here. The Knight’s are on patrol and they can better guide you to the Mountain Citadel"

A sense of urgency was felt with those words.

To continue on would mean ignoring what fatigue he might be beginning to experience and defusing a possibly disastrous situation. In these parts, conflict, suspicion and misunderstanding were simply part of the course.

Tag: @Mitth_Fisto

---

Agent Bishop Knight
Acting Director Maria Hill’s Office, Triskelion, SHIELD HQ, New York

Maria’s smile was mirthless as she shook her head.

“Oh, Nick…seriously?” She said aloud, pinching her nose just then, pausing briefly, then finally looking up at Agent Knight.

“Jocasta already does everything that you’ve described. She keeps SHIELD ‘honest’, to use your words.”

Maria’s eyes narrowed only slightly as she continued to process what she’d just learned and how to better maximize this new piece on the board.

“So, ADAM has an android body you’ve built using ULTRON drone parts? Can you guarantee there are no ULTRON sub-routines running in any of his programs? Is there any risk of ULTRON actually taking over ADAM in any way? Can you guarantee that?”

Slowly, Maria stood up from her desk.

“If you can guarantee it, I will need you to prove it. If not, ADAM will need to be wiped clean, then scrapped as a security risk. Do you understand?”

She paused, needing Agent Knight to fully comprehend the gravity of the situation.

“On the other hand, should ADAM fall under acceptable minimum risk factors- I’d like you both to join a much needed Vanguard of Heroes, which will be headed by The Vision.”

Maria walked towards the placid holo-painting displayed on her wall, regarded it for a moment, then turned to face the agent once again.

“Tell me, can you make him look like a normal person, can he act….normal?”

She didn’t say more after that as she waited for the agent to respond to all her questions. From the subtle expression on her face, it became clear that the Acting SHIELD Director was on to something.

Tag: @E. L.Knight

---

Gami & Isaac
En route to Roadside Market, Maine

As the trio moved on through tree clusters, Kim listened to Gami’s words. The young lady wished to know if there was a place in their path were they could be ambushed.

Kim turned her head and gazed at to young girl, her face smiling. She was impressed. Gami was a quick study and was already beginning to think like a watcher. This was good, very good.

“I would guess the market has it’s won security…” Kim began saying, as she answered. “There’s a clearing up ahead, which we are not taking. We will be going around it.”

“They won’t get us, but no doubt they’ll try.”

The Watcher gave Gami an encouraging nod.

Gami’s keen eyes revealed no obvious or recognizable traps as they traveled. No doubt was searching for the same or similar. A more detail or precise search would require them to slow their pace, if they were to discover something far more intricate- however doubtful it seemed.

That’s when Isaac chimed in.

“Actually, before you go any further, I have a question for you two. Tell me, what direction should the clouds be moving right now?”

Kim’s head snapped to look directly at Isaac, her gaze narrowing. Her pace slowed, but just a bit, not wanting to give anything away.

“East.” she answered in a calm and controlled low tone.

“Yes, exactly.” Isaac said confirming. “I think we’re being followed.” Kim’s eyes asked her question without speaking them out loud: ‘how?’

“There’s a cloud behind us…moving the wrong way. After us.”

Kim’s eyes widened, then narrowed as she cursed under her breath.

“Don’t look back just yet, it might catch on.” Kim nodded in agreement, but she didn’t have to look back to know it was true. Isaac was new to the camp and he could not possible know about some of the more secretive rumors.

Kim tilted her head, indicating a thicker grouping of trees that formed a sizable enough cover. Even as they reached, she quickly produced bandanas from one of her pockets and motioned for them to tie them around their face.

When she spoke, she did so quickly.

“He’s a metahuman known as Whorl and part of the enemy camp. He’s weak to wind, just so you know. He’s probably acting as an aerial marker and is likely not alone. We should keep moving and stay out of sight as much as possible. Stay alert. Our eyes and speed are our advantage.”

Kim was calm and remained focused. Her fire and determination glinted clearly in her eyes. Before moving along, she wet a finger and felt for the direction and strength of any wind in their local area. Still moving east, but with minimal strength.

Just great.

In the meantime, Firefly fluttered upward, her unique senses revealing much. The man-cloud. She could feel his intent, not unlike that of a hound dog after prey. For the moment, he seemed confused, having lost sight of his quarry.
He seemed t be changing shape, but she could not tell wether this was a normal function, or if it had a more subtle meaning or purpose. Still, she communicated as much to Isaac.

<The cloud-man feels dark, like a hunter out of balance. The hound has lost track of his prey. Be careful.>

Isaac himself was stretching out, feeling what he could. His companions were suffused in fiery determination and protective mindset. He also sensed the cloud-thing, just as Firefly had said. It felt confused and at a momentary loss, intent on searching- and finding.

There was nothing else he could sense in the immediate vicinity, though in truth, he’d never quite needed to push himself beyond what he could see. Verily, this situation was much different from what he was used to.

Tag: @Darth_Elu, @Ktala

---

Gemini
Port Authority Security Annex, NYC, Time Square

The flight to mainland NY had been brief and uneventful. Brihk had taken a window seat and looked out of the porthole for the entire trip. Whatever thoughts or musings she had, she kept them to herself. Now and again, her hand would absently come up and briefly grazer the inhibitor collar, before coming back down to her lap.

The transporting quinjet from The Raft, was on schedule and received permission for landing on the Landing pad by the river, before being taken to an underground facility. It was there that both Brihk and Shroud were processed once again and finally lead to a security room where armed and armored personnel removed their inhibitor collars.

“No funny business now.” The Officer in charge warned from behind a protective panel.

Brihk sighed in relief as soon as the collar came off, her hands rising to massage her neck. Rifles came up just as fast, pointing at her.

“At Ease boys.” The Officer said, his tone denoting open amusement. Brihk glared at him with open disdain. “Just let me outta here already…” She almost spat out, with equally obvious disgust.

“You two can take the elevator at the end of the hallway. It will lead you to street level.” He said, now referring to both the woman and the man who’d been released from The Raft.

“See you soon.”

“Don’t count on it @$$****!”

Inside the elevator, Brihk, glanced over to the only other passenger on their way up to freedom. Shroud. Her smile was mirthless, but her relief was real, even in silence.

The ride seemed to take forever, though it was quite short. Finally, the elevator doors opened, and light from the outside world poured in. Brihk, shielded her eyes, even as she eagerly stepped out.

“Finally!!” she exclaimed, taking in a very deep breath and absorbing all the welcomed noise and bustle to be found in the heart of the big city.

Tag: @Darth_Elu

---

OOG: More updates and combos to follow, A.S.A.P.

 

IC: Zephyr Vaillancourt
Zephy’s Sanctum, NYC


A wise man once told Zephyr that living well was like treasure in the bank, it was a kind of wealth against an uncertain future.

The words sounded very wise indeed but at the time there was no practical reference, but now he was starting to see the depths of these wise words.

He was starting to understand that the love that he had received in his past was helping him now in the present. The victories in the face of almost certain failure, against danger and tragedy, those victories and all support from his parents and friends and even strangers, they were fueling his convictions. They gave him a strength that he didn’t have on his own, an inner strength that he could share freely.

This first session with Casey was the first test, many more would come and possibly more complex and of greater difficulty, but he felt hopeful. Being a full metahuman these days had become a stigma, a sentence to a life of servitude, or being an outcast or some strange ‘otherness’. It was much harder to imagine what it was like to just ‘emerge/manifest’ and have no idea what was happening to one’s own body, and to be alone.

Maybe in helping Casey to discover what kind of life she wanted to lead would bring about a model of how to change what was happening in the world.

The young lady had gone into the kitchen and helped herself to some ice cream. Zephyr watched with smiling eyes as the young lady moved with familiarity and served herself.

“Capital idea, I’ll have some as well.” He declared in agreement.

He waited for Casey to finish serving herself before doing the same.
As he picked one of the many flavors in the freezer, he hoped that Casey didn’t misconstrue the great variety of flavors within as gluttony or indecision. Perhaps one day as they continued sharing and learning about each other, he would tell of how this was a delicious part of his training. But for now, a bowl of Butterscotch swirl was to be the main event.

He felt happy for this moment; there was a feeling that this was the beginning of something good, something meaningful. Blue and Casey were very different in temperament, yet they were both strong in their own way. Zephyr was starting to feel confident that a common goal might bind this little group sufficiently to survive almost any possible complication or troubles.

Just as he was about to dig into the cool creamy smoothness in his bowl, his home phone line started ringing accompanied by the pleasant computer female voice, [“Incoming Call From…”] followed by the a male synth-type voice [“Ernesto’s Bodega”.]

"You going to get that?" Casey asked her words slurred slightly by the spoon still in her mouth.

“Ernesto’s Bodega?” Zephyr asked out loud, slightly puzzled.

The raven-haired meta figured that this may be his good friend Zack, perhaps planning a party or social gathering as a way to invite and hang out with Emily, the new intern at the lab. It was either that or a wrong number.

With practiced dexterity Zephyr placed the bowl of ice cream on the kitchen table and moved to the wall mounted intercom to answer.

“Party House, how may I help you?” He cringed slightly at how silly his greeting sounded and hoped that he didn’t just embarrass himself.


TAG: galactic-vagabond422, greyjedi125

 

Agent Bishop Knight
Acting Director Maria Hill’s Office, Triskelion, SHIELD HQ, New York

“Oh, Nick…seriously?” Bishop could feel her displeasure at learning this particular bit of news he had given her, but as things moved faster and faster, he needed her to know that he had gifts that were of benefit.​

​

“Jocasta already does everything that you’ve described. She keeps SHIELD ‘honest’, to use your words. So, ADAM has an android body you’ve built using ULTRON drone parts? Can you guarantee there are no ULTRON sub-routines running in any of his programs? Is there any risk of ULTRON actually taking over ADAM in any way? Can you guarantee that?​

​

If you can guarantee it, I will need you to prove it. If not, ADAM will need to be wiped clean, then scrapped as a security risk. Do you understand?”​

​

"ULTRON was a program, the drones were simply pieces with his programming running them. Without the hard drives and other pieces used to carry programming, they are nothing more than pieces of scrap metal. I built ADAM from casings, servos and wires. Anything that could or would contain any ULTRON programming was removed and replaced. So Yes, I can guarantee ADAM is not dangerous."​

​

"On the other hand, should ADAM fall under acceptable minimum risk factors- I’d like you both to join a much needed Vanguard of Heroes, which will be headed by The Vision.​

​

He sat in silence. He could tell she was absolutely serious, and if he were her, a great deal of doubt would be at play. This was a lot to just be shoved into her lap during a crisis, and honestly, Bishop wasn't sure he was ready to jump into fieldwork, let alone being a Hero. He liked being anonymous, flagging intelligence material and sending it through the proper channels. ADAM had been a backup plan that Fury allowed Bishop to build in case it was needed. It was Bishop who told no one about himself or ADAM when the breaches from ULTRON started, or when they started putting Jocasta into operational status.​

​

Truth of it was, Bishop liked the fact he could shut it all down if he felt the need has arisen. Fury had given him secret clearance and a secret project. He had felt special, and he had loved it. Now, with the seriousness of the situation at hand staring at him with an angry Maria Hill as its avatar, he wasn't sure he was ready. He'd gotten cocky, and yeah, he wanted to help, but this was a lot to take in. His meeting with the Director was a stalling tactic, so he could get comfortable with the idea he was going out there to do stuff he never imagined would be necessary.​

​

He watched her move about the office and felt like a gazelle being stalked by a lioness.​

​

“Tell me, can you make him look like a normal person, can he act….normal?”​

​

He considered her question. He'd never actually thought about it. Could he make ADAM look human? Bishop had chosen ULTRON drone parts because he liked the look. It was Iron Manesque.​

​

"It could be possible, but I like the Iron Man look. People associate it with the Avengers already. Easier for weapons and other parts to be added too without much question. As for acting normal, there is no normal, Director. Now acting Human, that is part of the base programming. I used JARVIS to build ADAM. So, he acts the way JARVIS did."​

​

He looked at Director Hill and came to a conclusion. He could no longer avoid using his abilities, or ADAM. If he was needed as a Hero, then he'd do it. He looked at the shield on his shirt, the symbol of Captain America. Cap would do what was needed to save lives, and that was what SHIELD was doing.​

​

"Let me prove to you we can make a difference."​

TAG: greyjedi125