Damsel_EU

Professor O'Reilly and Professor Bright both looked at each other with a sort of failed expression. So far the students were winning the so called professionals in terms of creative ideas. "Okay so what do we have so far?" asked Bright.

"There has been a solar reflector from Muffin that backfired" O'Reilly answered. "Miniature clones from Coyote with body-swelling side effects, a height-altering formula from Mechano that proved unstable, a replication machine from Leeches that went out of control, and hair-dyeing supposedly gene-altering nanotechnology from Silver. At least that's one thing that's actually worked in demonstration so far."

"Hmm" said Bright, in deep thought. "I have a mind to make them all drop down and give me a hundred for this epic fail!"

"Let us wait and see what Eremianaiepus and the others have to offer, hey?" said O'Reilly, looking onward to the gathered scientists.

Damsel took to the skies to rejoin the retreating squad. That's when she noticed the thing approaching.

"Guys, we got a problem. Some kinda spirit-ghost thing up ahead, coming right to us. Not sure if its passive or aggressive."

Cap Au Diable, Aeon University. Saturday 26th, 17:55.

The upstairs lab was now packed with a crowd of nerds and brainiacs; a sea of white coats comprising of science students and practicing professionals. A few members of the general public dotted around; spotty teenagers, sci-fi loving dads and their young kids. The infamously useless stand-in science lecturer Professor Samuel O'Reilly and the equally dishonourable but credibly mad ex-private and lead inventor Professor James Bright took to the central podium and began tapping away at the flashing computer screens. The two of them would be browsing through the many prototype and experimental inventions now set-up around the lab. They alone would be judging the Master Inventors contest. James was preparing to commentate while Samuel assumed his role of speaking and lecturing to this new audience. The crowd was visibly excited while the mad scientists mostly looked nervous. The event was about to begin.

((Written with Pious by-the-way))

I agree. That is coming along fantastic! Never seen art this good halfway.

"Thank you Mr Henderson" said Rachel, settling into the modest hospitality area. "We shan't quiz you any further. Don't know about others but I'm fine for food."

Rachel sat her daughter down next to her, giving her a punishing look for having been so forward with their host. But after a week of torture and captivity at the hands of the enemy, she was simply glad to be free at last. She watched her friends and teammates settling in, each seeing to their families and loved ones. Their happiness brought a smile to her face and her thoughts wandered to Blade and Suraya. The ocean waves were somewhat calming but as she looked out beyond the waters, she couldn't help but worry about her husband. "Where the heck are you Pious and what exactly are you doing?" she called out, messaging him privately through the amulet. "We're safe and being accommodated on a freighter bound for Independence Port. Get it together and meet us down here!"

Rachel felt a little easier. Now that conversation had been established, the man didn't seem so threatening. "A handful? Believe me; this one is worse than a handful. She can be a real headache, I tell ya" she replied, with perhaps more annoyance at the kid than necessary.

"Er... guys?" Rachel reported over the amulet. She'd been the first to break through the wall of clouds. "I'm not seeing Steel Canyon here... just plenty of ocean and a lone cargo freighter." The mother of one sighed heavily. Just when she thought the nightmare was finally over, turns out they weren't yet out of the skies.

Well it really is an awesome drawing so of course I'm jealous.

Rachel recovered from Suraya's collision and was relieved to see Silvas attending to her. She did as her husband asked and rushed over to the emergency button, pressing it with all her weight. "I'm all for family reunions but erm, we really should prepare to leave" she warned, watching Blade's alien suit pull the Bane Spider back into the flier. "I see a couple of problems with Arachnos flying over the states, never mind overshooting Steel Canyon but Longbow blowing us up into bit and pieces of flesh and metal is really not how I wanna go."

Pi... he's kneeling.

...on wet ground.

Looks like he's fixing the BP oil spill.

^.^

Aww bless her. Leeches still has no idea whats *really* going on. I think she just came for the fight.

"Sabrina" said Rachel, choking on her emotions and welling up with tears. "I am so sorry. I'm so sorry. That monster gave me an ultimatum and I offered up David because he was... because he was already... I'm so sorry. The Chinese girl... it was this crazy little Chinese girl, I don't know if-" Rachel sighed, realising her rambling and feeling completely powerless. Her fire had been doused and all hope was slowly drained from her. "Oh Pious, where the bloody hell are you?"

"David" said Rachel, without so much as a thought. "We'll leave the boy. Now come on, help me unshackle the others."