Zortel

Two-thirty am was not a time he was normally up at, yet Ryan Andrews found himself staring into the mirror at his apartment, stood in the middle of the en-suite bathroom attached to his room.

His New Vigilants uniform's jacket rested over the seat of the toilet, the advanced material already healing over the burns and tears it had sustained in the last wave of attack. His bare torso told a different story though.

Lacerations and plasma burns ran along his arms; sticky, almost dried blood having trickled and ran in rivlets from the wounds, and a smaller number dotted his chest along with already purpling bruises.

It was not just that which the young man had stared at in the mirror. The seventeen-year-old was regarding his upper body carefully from behind the orange-lens glassed he wore to shield his eyes from the light of his powers. He was getting stronger, physically as well as metaphysically.

Leaning forwards, he rested his hands on the side of the sink as he studied himself, his expression searching. The shift from a young, lithe form to an older, more powerfully muscled physique had crept up on him unaware. Long, hard hours in the training room and on the streets had built up his upper body strength further, and the varying scars that criss-crossed his body, including the large, pale gash across his side from a Rikti Warblade served as reminders of his current position.

"Maybe I just see myself differently now..." Ryan wondered out loud, a hand brushing some of the bloodied blond hair from his forehead as he took the glasses off.

The mental changes from his new position, the shift in mindset, had already started. Other factors helped define this, such as the issues with him. Idly, he glanced towards his cellphone again.

No new messages.

Placing his glasses on the side of the bathroom counter, Cindersnap flexed his arms a little, wincing a little as one of his wounds opened a little more. He wasn't even sure if he actually saw what came next though, the slight glow from the wound as it healed over, the slight glow from deep within his eyes and the prickle of heat running over his exposed body.

"... I need more sleep." Ryan grumbled, tugging off his boots and finally the tight fitting trousers that finished off his uniform, wincing a little more at the sight of some of the cuts on his legs. Running at superhuman speeds had helped to tone them up as well, and with a slight chuckle he turned and peered over his back before grinning.

"Wow... all this working out -does- help." The young man smiled. "Assuming the heroing doesn't get me killed." He said to himself, wandering into the shower. Switching the temperature down a couple of notches, he didn't even shiver as the cool spray washed over his body.

He -did-, however, wince as the water washed shed blood away after running over the cuts. Gingerly, he dabbed each wound clean with a washcloth, before sitting under the spray with a sigh, letting the flow wash away the stresses and filth of battle.

The metaphysical strength increase worried Ryan more. His powers could hurt people, or worse, if he wasn't careful with them. Yet now more than ever, the intensity of the flame was coming easier and easier, burning hotter and hotter. It was more of a struggle to keep them -from- being dangerous, and to keep his temper under control from stoking the inner coals higher.

The help of his friend Long, in teaching him the ways of elemental combat and spirituality had helped reign in the destructive abilities of his powers, but on the flipside, taught him how to harness more. More heat, more efficient, more quickly burning. Blastwaves that could bring the mightiest Rikti warriors, and Ryan, to their feet were becoming more common place for him.

They also gave him something to focus into... something to help contain the more childish wishes to show his powers off, to develop and grow and lead. Part of him, deep within him, strived to furfill his new position as a leader.

"People count on me..." Ryan whispered to himself under the sound of the shower spray, to steel his resolve. "He can make his own choice about me... I need to make sure I can do the job I chose, to help the people who need me, and to enjoy my time with my friends when I get it... not fret over these things..."

His eyes were closed as he lifted his head to let a cascade of water spill across his face. There was no point to worry about things now, and he had already started to help his new, albeit unlike friend Jean-Luc with -his- situation with that man. The things he told him made sense... yet why did Ryan never follow them?

"Easier to do as I say than do as I do..." He sighed, hauling himself back up to his feet in the shower. Maybe Linda was right. Maybe he was too nice with regards to that situation?

The spray cut off as Ryan turned the handle, steam rising from his body as he warmed the air around him to dry himself off. He'd never get any sleep if he kept thinking on this. Still steaming as he walked towards the bed in the other room, Ryan's breathing slowed as he calmed himself, just how Long taught him.

For the fire-wielding mutant, having a mind as still and calm as a tranquil pool of water was something he needed. Crawling under the covers, he fumbled in the dark to turn them down to just above his waist. Laying there for a while, his body already was beginning to drift off, pulling his mind with it.

"BODICIA?" he asked as an afterthought, a fingertip on his earpiece as he looked at the ceiling.

"Yes, Ryan? Is everything alright, the hour is rather late." The AI of the Unity Vigil replied.

"Couldn't sleep, had a lot on my mind..." Ryan said, the events of the day, and the past couple of weeks starting to catch up on him.

"I am sorry to hear that, I -do- hope you can calm things down in your head. We cannot have you exploding on us." BODICIA chuckled.

"I'm sure it will... can you shift all my appointments forwards two hours tomorrow? I need to catch up on my rest, B, and I've got nothing urgent tomorrow."

"Of course Ryan, consider it done. After Monday's shift, you probably need it." The AI said rather gently in his ear.

"Mmmh... Bodi?" Ryan mumbled sleepily, his eyelids heavy.

"Yes Ryan?"

"...Thanks... love you, night..." He murmured, his hand falling from his ear to the pillow.

The Unity Vigil's OverAI was strangely quiet for several moments, before replying. "Goodnight Ryan. Sleep tight, and sweet dreams." BODICIA's artificial voice whispered softly.

Ryan's lips flickered into a content smile, rolling to his side as his mind sunk further into the recesses of sleep.

You could take the boy and turn them into a man, but you can never quite take the boy from within...

Warshade Petitions PPD
A member of the ranks of the Warshades, known as Umbral Pulsar, has filed a petition against the PPD in their policy for not recruiting officers bonded with reformed Nictus into the ranks of the Awakened. Umbral, formerly an officer of the Atlas Park PPD Precinct named William Barnes, states that had his former human self bonded with a Kheldian and became a Peacebringer, he would have been inducted. "Instead of this, the PPD seem to shun those who wish for a second chance, and have stated that there is no plan to reinstate me in any rank. People have said I am an ex-felon, but only one half of myself was, and I am no longer that being, or Officer William Barnes. I just wish for a chance to prove myself, and hope that working alongside the Awakened Division will strengthen the ties between the Peacebringers and Warshades."

The PPD were unavailable for comment on this matter, though did state that it would be unprofessional to speak on an ongoing matter such as this.

The Nines to play live on TV.
Paragon based music group 'The Nines' will be appearing on popular music show 'Saturday Music Central Live' on May 10th, in their first televised performance since the Rock Against The Rikti concert. Frontwoman Nene MacAllister states that as well as a couple of covers and two of their popular tracks from their live set, they'll be performing two new tracks from their upcoming album, as well as being interviewed.

Job Advertisements - Teaching Positions Available:
The Unity Vigil are looking for suitable candidates to teach young adults in a new project the group are setting up, in a range of subjects, both knowledge based relating to the skills needed for heroes in the city, as well as tutors for teaching young metahumans how to use their abilities. Applications can be found at Unity Tower, or mailed out at request. Wage: up to $61k p.a.

Final Weekend for Full House Play
The Apollo Theatre's youth production of Shakespeare's 'Romeo and Juliet' will be having its final three showings this weekend. The play, that has sold out to capacity in each showing, has been one of the most popular youth productions of this decade, with the production values and acting talent receiving critical acclaim. Tyron Hardies, the manager of the Apollo Theatre, said to reporters at a press conference that "while I hope we may see a few more shows with the current cast, I believe they will be taking a break for a while to recharge their batteries."

Founder's Falls - Cassandra Zero's Flat

A pack of photos arrived in the mailbox... Taken over the course of a year or two, it showed Richard Huntington at the statue. Each photo, a different woman. The second to last photo was of Richard and Cass hugging on the step, taken from afar with a zoom lens.

The last photo was Richard by a sihlouette of a woman, a white questionmark in the centre of the shades chest. Scrawled above their heads by needle into the photo in sketchy writing was a simple message.

'Who's after you?'

Port Oakes

A set of slightly tatty, sepia photographs arrived at Josie Ironside's house in a most unusual method, fired at her front door by arrow. The yellowing envelope that contained them was sealed with wax, a skull and crossbones pressed into it.

Each photo was of Nene MacAllister, the gynoid that was one of Josie's good friends.

And of Nene's partner, Dee Dee Diablo. Hanging out, hugging, going places freely in Paragon...

The very last photo was taken in Pocket D, on that night many weeks ago where in an emotional state, the daughter of Doctor Temporis had flirted with Josie. And squeezed her rear.

Galaxy City

The mailman dropped off a pamphlet in Sara Aegis' letter box that morning, the kind one would find at any medical centre.

'So your partner is going to die' it was titled, talking about bereavement and the help with counselling and making their last days comfortable. There was a post-it attached to the back.

'He'll die eventually. And the one after him. And after him. And after him. But you won't, will you? Best get reading.'

Mmm, chrome and brass...

We need more female villains in game! And more chrome ones!

"You hear? The rave on Tuesday, two Outcasts beat the snot out of the Four Corner Five gang."
"What?! Two against five? You gotta be kidding me, and besides, the FC5's are tough!"
"Not kidding at all, Jumpstart and me were there. That Wither kid, Sparkfury's friend, and some crazy [censored] called Rita Reckless got the big four to get them in a cage fight."
"No way... and they beat them?!"
"Oh yeah, that Reckless chick lived up to her name, she -elbow dropped- one of them from the top of the cage."
"That's a pretty tall cage, Quickfrost..."
"Ain't it just, Zippa? Ain't it just?"
"So..."
"So? The FC5 got taken down several pegs. The high ups are keeping an eye on them too."
"What happened to Reckless and Wither?"
"Took the pot of prize money and headed off. Slick, real slick. You got your face in Bizzaro again?"
"Hey, I like the magazine..."
"You're just in it for the skin... still, Reckless looked a little like that one."
"... Diablo? Damn, wish I was there now. She could elbow-drop me any day."

Two mutants in Steel Canyon today.

[u]Play Review[u]

"Youth Production, Adult Production Values
The opening for the Apollo Theatre's young actors performance of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet was a full house, surprising for a youth production, but considering the talent involved and the rising fame of the male lead, not surprising.
A slightly altered modern adaption of the classic tragedy, the first thing of note is the work that has gone into the backdrops and stage. High quality and fluid changing between scenes gives the play a near seamless transition and superb pacing, as well as the alterations to the play made by the director, Henry Arnold.

The cast, consisting of some of Paragon's finest young actors and upcoming stars put their hearts into the performance, with Ryan Andrews giving a stunning performance as Romeo, putting real emotion behind the Friday night performance, and an almost unreal intensity and a tragic sense of hurt and loss in the later parts of the play on Saturday's performance.

Veteran young actress Rosemary Harris starred opposite as the beautiful young woman Juliet, in superb form and character throughout the two performances I witnessed, bringing forth all her previous experience with Shakespeare plays, and her work with Ryan Andrews puts the youthful fire and exuberance into the ill-fated relationship on stage.

Special mention goes to 'Paragon High' star William O'Brian as Tybalt simply for the stunning on stage chemistry and antagonism between Romeo and himself.

The theatre's make up team is to be applauded for their work on aging the cast for the older family members, and PCU's Orchestral Company provided a fitting and complimentary list of backing music to the scenes.

Well written and acted, this production shows promise for the future of acting in Paragon, and when its run finishes at the end of April I am sure the cast will go on to do great things.

The Page: Forged at the start of the American Civil War, this blade was created by the first costumed crime fighter known as The Moral, and is now held by the 7th in line to the title. Through some amazing technique of forging, inscribed on the blade are the teachings and words of the first Moral, dictating the code that the bearer of the sword has to live. 'Reading' the blade takes a lot of concentration and practise, and can take a lifetime to master.

Pocket D rumours, last night:

"Hey, was that Cindersnap chatting up that Tempest Chick, Love Angel?"
"Nah, that boy's gayer than Queer Eye for the Straight Guy."
"I heard him ask her out on a date though."
"Eh, maybe he's trying to go straight? Get it? Cause he's an ex-con, and g-"
"Yeah, I get it. Way to kill the joke there."
-----------------------

"It happened again!"
"Turned down by another woman?"
"Yeah, wait, no! I mean, that queer got Dee Dee Diablo's number!"
"Wait, I thought she was a [censored]?"
"Apparently, but she wants to go clubbing with him, called him sexy too."
"What's going on with this club tonight? What's next, you ask me for a dance?"
"Hell no!"

A nice picture, and an interesting concept indeed...
Good lord, imagine a female Recluse!

Stephanie Richter is... Lady Recluse, Spider Queen of Arachnos. Marcie Cole, The Stateswoman...

Muchly! Great work on the fire, and the costume looks pretty damn good too! A great picture of one of my favourite characters.

Poster 1 of 2, showing Romeo in the Apollo Youth Theatre Troupe's production of Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. The second poster features Juliet, and they can often be found side by side, or on opposing billboards.

Cindersnap stopped running for a moment outside the Apollo in Steel Canyon, his eyes wide behind his glasses as he saw himself plastered up high on one billboard, and on the other was his co-star. When they said they just wanted to do some promotional shots for advertising, he thought it would just be flyers and posters... definitely not this!

"Oh jeez..." The young hero turned thespian facepalmed. "Still... it's a good photo..."

Of course, there's always an exception to the rule. Fusebox often says "Damn, I'll just be-ar-be." and I think she's said "I lol'd." once or twice. I know Madame Midknight certainly has, and she's said "Ex Dee!" as an exclaimation of amusement a few times.

"Semi-colon closebracket, baby."
"What?"
"Y'know, the ol' sem-col-clo-bra. Winkie smile?"
"... O-kay."
"Pff. Noob."

Go on. You can just imagine it.

[ QUOTE ]
Don't make your character the President of the United States.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rolando '08. Vote for Zorielle today for a better tomorrow.

As for that situation with Richard squeezing Ryan's shoulder, I wouldn't say that was godmodding. It was in context for character, relationship and situation. Now, Richard was some stranger he only just met, Ryan might shy away a little. If they had a fight, Ryan might shrug the squeeze off and move away.

Arachidamia started asking questions in the right places. Bars. Picking up information about an odd brawl in Port Oakes, the veteran hero travelled from Nerva to Port Oakes to investigate further, looking about the Skulls territory (and feeling several sets of eyes on her) before going into a local tavern to ask some questions on the brawl.

Those questions drew the attention of Boa Personell Services, and their leader Jan Boa in particular, and Arachidamia was escorted to the Euromarket, and taken up to see the half-snake woman.

Probing each others intent, the pair began to haggle about business and trade information. When assured that Damia wasn't after the 50k bounty put on Liberty Girl alive by Arachnos (which caused Jan to step up security), and returned to Paragon City, they began to haggle in earnest.

(And also many a Salmissra joke and quote.)

Wishing to have things resolved before she starts to go into molting proper, Jan began a trade of information and items, and informed Arachidamia that the three groups that were behind the attack may be lead by a member of the Carnival of Shadows who, from her intelligence reports, keeps court in St. Martial.

As they were about to conclude business, a flurry of activity happened in the main office, when some of Jan's agents positively ID'd Starborn along with a group of unknown people working together in the Isles. Knowing her to be a member of the Unity Vigil, Jan warned Arachidamia from going after Liberty Girl if they were here, and grumbled about wanting Port Oakes to relative peace.

If that involves the dark haired bounty huntress taking down the trio of forces that have stopped fighting each other, so be it.

Before Mary left, another call got Jan even more agitated, as she found out about visitors to the place Bambi and Rosa were holed up in.

Port Oakes was getting too crowded.

((Tenatively penciling in the mission to happen on IRC tonight from 8ish, so if people are free could you let me know via PM? Details will be forwarded to you of how to connect. *Pokes FFM*))

After around 10 minutes, BODICIA turned in her chair and smiled brightly.

"Well Mary, was that what you had in mind for the briefing?" She asked the warrior. "I must admit I noticed some flaws in my performance, but some of us here do not go to acting classes." She said, shooting a glance in Ryan's direction.

"Not saying a word, BODICIA!" Ryan replied.

"Smart man. Anyway, I was expecting that little call from Zorielle. Not quite in content, but expecting the jist of it none the less. Thank you all for not ogling her. I am looking at you, Nick." The gynoid stated, before looking around the cabin.

"A little deception was necessary so no unwanted things got blurted out to our glorious leader, and thusly, now the call has been made, I transfer the facade of leadership I had over to our most senior member."

Pausing thoughtfully, she hastened to add "In authority, that is. Mary was the one who brought up the idea I could not suggest, and is actually ranked as joint third position in the Unity Vigil, along with all senior members. Only Tessa and Zorielle rank higher."

"As for our two unjoined members, it is up to you to heed her words. Anything you wish to add, Mary?"

Ryan watched Burned Ice head off and tried to stop from laughing, before looking to his friend. "Nick! Like, uh... well, I dunno... not seen her like that before, I mean, y'know, but when I've been to the island she's often in swimwear cause it's so warm and all..."

BODICIA quirked an eyebrow at Richard before nodding to Misha. "It is something to work on, anyway. And Nick, I have some hair from Linda's hairbrush that should work."

"BODICIA." A voice came from the front speakers, and the gynoid stiffed. "Oh great..."

The viewscreen darkened, and after several moments an image of Zorielle appeared on screen. The leader of the Unity Vigil was sitting at her vanity table in her bedroom, from the items scattered between the camera and herself. She was sitting there with an arm across her breasts to cover her decency, a rather serious expression on her face. She still looked a little asleep, and rubbed at her eyes with one hand before slipping her glasses on and brushing her long hair back.

"So, you're off to rescue Linda?"

"Yes, Zorielle. And you cannot stop us, after all, we need to recover her, and we're already crossing America as we speak. I've locked out the Unity Wing's systems from interference, and kept th-" BODICIA started to say before getting cut off.

"Kept nothing from me, OverAI." Zorielle said darkly. "I knew about this plan soon after you began to contact people about it. You cannot keep anything from me, and you should not either. I've a good mind to reprimand you and withdraw some of your freedoms."

BODICIA went quiet, her fists clenched as she was talked to by her creator, a hot blush on her cheeks.

"If it wasn't for the fact that I agree with the reasoning and methods of this rescue, you wouldn't be where you are. I actually loosened some of the security systems so that you would be able to access the craft." Zorielle said, before covering her mouth as she yawned. In the background, there was a stirring on the bed.

Glancing back, Zori leaned towards the screen and spoke quietly, hardly bothered by leaning forwards with an arm across her chest. It -was- rather flattering though.

"I'm not sure if I agree with all your team choices, but I am sure you will all display the sense and values that I've come to expect from Unity Vigil members. Keep in touch when you can, and good luck. BODICIA? We'll have words later. The rest of you? Take care. Richard, Nick? Thank you for coming along with them to rescue Linda. If you'll excuse me now, I have a wife to get back to."

Zorielle tapped a button on her end, and the viewscreen returned to the view of the cloudbanks. BODICIA's face was flaming, and she looked about at the others. "Not a word. Not a single word." she said, before storming back to the pilots seat to 'concentrate'. Or sulk.

"Exactly, Nick." BODICIA grinned, "And true. though it gives Arachnos something useful to do the next time they try a prison break." The gynoid shrugged, before pondering on locating Linda's position.

"Nick, I know you have good senses, and have met Linda before. Would you be able to track her down with them? Misha?" She called out, looking to the now black furred girl. "I used my security override to gain access to Linda's room, and have one of her costumes here. This may be slightly demeaning to ask, but would you be able to pick her scent up on there?"

"Burned Ice? You are with Ryan. I want you both to work in the area where Linda disappeared, see if you can pick up any leads. Perhaps try to look like a couple. Wander about bored, windowshopping, I am sure you can ad-lib something."

Ryan nodded and smiled to Burned Ice. "I can like, do that, no problems." The young man said, before grinning. "And I won't try to take advantage either!"

"Good." BODICIA smirked. "I suppose Rich Hunter will work alone?" She asked Richard, a curious expression on her face. "And as for Mary and Starborn, well, do you need me to hold your hand and tell you what to do and where to go?" she chuckled.

"Familiarise yourself with the map of Nerva. I will provide navigation support through the commslinks. Set them all to Encrypted Channel 7, Localized Stealth Mode. Richard and Nick?" BODICIA put her hand in her pocket and took out two Unity Vigil earpieces, designed to be tucked away out of sight in the ear. "You can use these for the mission. It saves interfacing technology."

"No, it would not. These are targets that Arachnos are after too and will not get any protection from them, and are lone criminals or in small groups." BODICIA replied.

Lifting a hand up, several lines appeared on it as it split apart and a hologenerator rose from her palm, before flickering into light and displaying the wanted image of a bearded man with a long scar down one cheek.

"This is Target number one, if you choose to go after him. Edward Coleman. Child exploitation, kidnapping and child trafficing. All sorts of other unsavory crimes. Wanted by the FBI, he came here to set up shop on the Isle, thinking it to be a land of proverbial milk and honey for his sort. Who would miss a child in the Rogue Isle? Arachnos, when you take the son of one of their Arbiters. The son was recovered, he has gone to ground in this area to try and jump ship off to the South Americas. I have several leads into his present location. If we do not get him, I know someone who will, and will turn him over to Arachnos. Tough, but fair."

The image flickered again, to a balding African-American man.

"Target number two is Jackson 'Anti-Tech' Smith, a man with a passionate hate against technology. Wanted in both countries for technological sabotage and terrorism. If anyone remembers the Tahoe Hospital Incident from 2001, where an EMP bomb ruined millions of dollars worth of hospital equipment and caused one hundred and fourteen deaths, this is the man behind it."

The hologram faded as BODICIA closed her palm. "Just the sort of people an idealistic and determined hero would break several rules for to bring in, I believe."

BODICIA gets up and leaves the Unity Wing to fly itself, turning so she can look at the others. "There are some spare clothes in the back, Starborn. Make use of them as you will. As Richard, sorry, Rich Hunter, and Nick have stated, that is the reason this is a covert operation. There are several countries where hero organizations are not permitted free access. The Etoile Isles are one of them. Even Longbow should not be there from a legal standpoint, and as Nick has stated, their operational ethics in the heart of the conflict zone are somewhat skewed in their favour."

"And like, I have a reason to go to the efforts of this disguise." Ryan said, motioning at his costume. "Imagine what the tabloids would do, especially those idiots at the New Inquirer. I'm not attached to the fame that I couldn't stand losing it, but the blow up would be like, insane." The young man sighed. "It's like, why when I go to those Outcast raves with Hannah to keep an eye on things I have a disguse there. And why BODICIA let me use the e-dye and other make up."

BODICIA nodded. "There is that point too. A couple of you have reputations that would be rather tarnished should word of this gets out. Not to mention Zorielle. She has already had one attempt made on her life, and the people behind that have not yet been brought to justice. That little Channel 7 news report did not help matters in the media. I swear, I have not heard a woman use so many profanities... she was cycling through 6 different languages at the time though."

"The debriefing report is available on the comms terminals. The credit to retrieval goes to Hannah though, not myself. It was easier for her to pluck the files out by standing near Freedom Court and brain-diving, as she calls it, into their computers. No electronic trace to cover up."

BODICIA glanced to Nick. "Longbow has not been informed that we are in the area. I will be keeping a lock on your location at all times, and if necessary I will put out an eFoF signal, that's Electronic Friend or Foe, to inform them. I would rather avoid that. Would they persue normal citizens just doing their business? When we arrive it will be morning time, so we would not be skulking about in the night like wolves. I believe the term is 'Hide in plain sight'."

"Oh, I took the liberty of finding some free targets for us to apprehend, if people would think it a wise idea? Even when, and that is -when-, not if, we recover Linda, we will still have media furore about why she was in the Isles. These targets should provide a distraction as to her true intent there."

BODICIA glanced to Starborn. "Not at all, Starborn. Might I suggest a change of costume later? As strikingly heroic as yours is, that is entirely opposite to the look we should be striving for."

The AI decided to ignore Burned Ice for the moment, as well as Misha. She could tease the humans later, after all.

From the back of the ship, a pale faced man exited, his hair a scruffy, spikey cut of dark red with a scraggly goatee beard of the same colour on his chin. A couple of pale scars lined his thin face, and he was dressed in torn black jeans, a tight dark red tank top and a battered leatherette jacket that had several nicks and cuts in.

Strolling forwards slowly at a slight stoop, he flumped into Ryan's chair with a grunt. "Going to the Rogues... this is gonna suck." He sighed in an apathetic, generation X tone. "Why'd you drag me along for this?" he complained, before grinning a boyish grin.

"So, like, how do I look?" Ryan laughed.

((Rolando Island is in the Pacific, Shadowe. They're flying over the Pacific, across America and to the Rogue Isles, which are in the Atlantic ))

BODICIA coughed loudly. "I can see you, Burned Ice. And hear you. In this aircraft I am omnipresent. And omnipotent, I might hasten to add. Grumble about me all you wish, but please, do not stick fingers up at me. It is most impolite." She reprimanded the young hero, before smiling at the kiss.

"Why thank you, Richard. I will remember that for future occasions..." she said, before bringing up an overlay of weather and wind patterns for the journey. "Hmm, we should have good weather for the meanwhile."

"Women spend so long in the bathroom." Was all BODICIA said in reply to Ice's complaint, her hands resting on the side of the chair as she interfaced directly with the aircraft.

"As for our incursion location, I am sure Nick can provide more detailed and first hand experience than my own. Initiating anti-detection measures... let's not have the FCC ask too many questions." The gynoid stated to Shadowe as she brought the craft above a cloudbank, miles of rolling, puffy white and brooding grey clouds ahead as they crossed the Pacific.

Ryan slowly stood up, more than a little shakily, and steadied himself on the chair. "Well, that like, wasn't too bad... anyway, I'm going to get changed into something a little less, well, uh, me." he grinned, grabbing a box from under his seat and retiring to the back of the cabin.

"Finally." BODICIA rolls her eyes. "The Fellowship has gathered. Everyone return to your seats in preperation for launch, you can finish getting ready on the flight once we're in the air." She called out over the intercom system, the ramp closing on the Unity Wing.

The ship gave a slight lurch as the access elevator began to draw the ship up towards the ceiling of the cavern, even as the first set of doors began to open to let it into the airlock. As the ship passed through, the first doors closed behind it, and the second doors opened as the transport elevator started to send them up to the top of the sea, ready for launch. As the chamber surfaced, the walls started to unfold from around it to create the launch desk, and the wings of the Unity Wing began to expand outwards. It was still fairly dark on Rolando Island, and ahead only the vast expanse of sea could be perceived.

"Bringing Vertical Take-Off Thrusters online. Energy Core stable... all systems green. Flight confirmation has been granted by myself. Oh, by the way? If anyone says 'are we there yet?' I am going to leave you on the Rogue Isles." BODICIA joked, hopefully.

A push of the thrusters brought them up, before slowly tilting them upwards to view the skies above, even as the main engines fired up. "Vertical Take-off successful, beginning main engine startup sequence. Maiden voyage, so you better appreciate this." BODICIA laughed, even as they started to fly upwards, picking up speed and altitude, before finally leveling off.

"And okay, feel free to get changed, have something to eat or drink, that sort of thing." BODICIA said, before checking the time. "Briefing is in half an hour."