-Mortimer entered the cellar slowly. Something was amiss. Clarissa had called in a panic, saying it had to be tonight. She was terrified, but not of what he was supposed to do. She only said it was the only way to stop 'it', whatever 'it' was. He could detect her scent, but it was tainted, a foul magic mixed with it. His 'daughter' (a distant niece, actually. He was, after all, hundreds of years old) was a potent sorceres, but this had the feel of something foreign. Not a spell gone bad. He spied her in the corner, seeing her glowing red eyes even before he picked up her body's heat signiture. "Clair?" he whispered, and recoiled in shock as she lunged for him, trying to tear out his heart. He gave ground until he realized she was no longer his 'little girl'. Weeping tears of sorrow, he reversed his retreat, and advanced on her, driving her back, slowly cutting the life from her, one stroke at a time. He delivered the final blow with his eyes closed, then cradled her in his arms and wept. "Not like this, it wasn't supposed to be like this...".
-Gently, he laid her on the floor, brushing the hair from her face. The symbol that had appeared on her forhead had vanished with her death. Her last wish was to join him, and he decided he would honor it. He knelt down beside her, lifting her torso onto his lap, and sank his teeth into her neck. He drew out the last of her blood, then started to replace it with his own. He fell into a trance, just like the last time he had bequeethed an Embrace. When he awoke, Clarissa was kneeling across from him, waiting for him to replenish his strength. "It worked 'father', the Embrace removed the taint. Our magic is far older than that which was used to corrupt me". She smiled. "And I think I know where to go to try and stop this". "Really?" he whispered. He had seen the news, the broadcast from Requim. "Then lets assemble the Clan".
-They sat quietly for a moment, focusing thier powers, then started touching the minds of thier bretheren....
-"Azuria, if you have a secure warded cell, this 'thing' will have regenerated by tomarrow, and can be interrogated then" Bloodfang said to the ashen crowd. "Snap out of it people, this is a war, and these creatures are using your loved ones and friends as thier soldiers!" he yelled. One of the aides came forward to collect the scrolls, another for the head. He was about to say more, when he felt the touch of Clarissa's mind. "Welcome to the family Claire!" he thought, then stopped doing anything as she breifed him on what they were planning to do. He knew Kendra was still riding his thoughts, but shielded her from Claire. She might not speak freely if she knew there was a non-family meber present. "Ok, will head out asap!" he told her, then turned to Azuria. "My family believes the Coucil base where this all started to be in Striga. One of our family was to be one of thier pawns, but our leader cured her" he said. "By Embracing her" he added quickly, before they all asked. "She was taken there a few days ago. We are going there now".
-"All of you?" asked Azuria, who seemed to have recovered. "Yes, the entire family" he replied. He turned to leave. "Wait" she said. All eyes were on them. "You can't go and kill them. It isn't right. Your a hero! What will the people think?" she yelled at him. He turned to face her, removing his helm and barring his fangs. "It's what I do!", "I didn't ask for this curse! I was tricked. You know that. You've helped me in my research, to find out how I became what I am! Vampire. Blood drinker. And I'm no hero. The only thing seperating me from those I hunt, is that I hunt those who prey upon the innocent. Until today. Today, the Council took even that distinction from me. Now it is time for a reckoning. The Vampires of the city are converging on all known Council strongholds. By tomorow morning, there will be far fewer of both in the city". He sighed heavily. "They used children" he whispered. "Nothing is more sacred to those of us who can't have any". He replaced his helm. "Luck in ba...no. May greater powers watch over you." He headed out the door.
-Psych Nurse caught up to him at the stairs, tears in her eyes. They had been close friends for a long time. "Be safe Quinn. I will pray for your soul". He turned to her, knowing she ment well. "Pray for those who need it. I have no soul. the Council cut it out today. Go to the Hospital. Your talents are going to be needed there soon".
-As he left the building, he noticed Statesman and his group assembling other heroes. Looked like the trams were gonna be busy soon. He touched Claire's mind again. "Any chance someone can summon me?" he asked....
Foxreturned from the bar with a duffle bag slung over his shoulder, he was wearing a vest that had 20 knives on it and the bag contained spares. He was ready for war, even if he didn't know what he was going to do yet. He had to stop the Council some how, but they were using civilans as a meat sheild. He looked at the arsorted heroes, Fox had never been a leader, he had saddly always been a follower. Today it would be different, he would take control of the situation. He realized he had no clue as to how to procede and looked over the heroes again. "Anyone actually have a plan?" He knew he couldn't handle the sleeper agent alone, they need to work together, to fight with a sort of organization, he just didn't know how. He couldn't believe this was happening, it was a nightmare come to life. Your a twisted man Requiem.
Tick-Tok flew through the air, he saw a gathering of heroes below. He made his way to the one called "Fox", it was the name people were calling him.
"Hello there, could you tell me whats going on? the city seems to have gone mad!" Tick-Tok said as he pointed to the damage around him.
"You missed the news?" Fox decided not to wait for an answer. "The Council is attacking the city with civilian, they go mad and attack everything insight. But thier innocent people underneth, and if you try and subdue them and the terminate, not quite sure I want to know what that means." Fox looked down at the ground, he couldn't believe how calm his voice was, it would all catch up with him and he would have real reactions, he hoped. "They have Council symbols on thier heads and red glowing eyes. You seen anything like that?" He had an idea and pulled a 'barrowed' Cyro pistol out of the duffle bag, "This might atleast slow them down." As he came to the realizaton that it was at best a temporary solution, but they had little to work with.
(OOC Note: Tick-Tok is a clockwork right?)
(In this dimension yes, he wears very nice armor)
Tick-Tok looked at the ground.
"I saw the news..." Tick-Tok mumbled.
"Don't go to Atlas, the bodies are just..." Tick-Tok said.
"There was this little girl, she just..." Tick-Tok said as he grabbed the Pistol.
"Requiem will die by my hand" Tick-Tok said as he began to think up plans in his head.
Embher landed in time to hear Fox tell the new hero, who had nice armor, what was going on.
He burned inside, more so than normal. First his wife died thanks to the crey, now his niece, the council. They would all pay.
"If your going to do something, I'm going to help."
He looked at Fox, directly in his eyes. He was a soldier to once, he could tell. Embher always had a problem with authority, but if Fox had a plan, he was ready to listen.
Willpower has more passive regen than Regen does. Who thought that was a good idea?
Can we get a fix for Energy Melee instead of more new sets?
The aide ran headlong into the room where Azuria and the others were planning.
"Ma'am! We traced the broadcast to..."
"A warehouse in Striga Isle?" Azuria finished for him.
"Er, yes. How did you know?"
"A few heroes came to the same conclusions through other means" she replied, thinking of Bloodfang. "We need to get this information to every hero with a portable transponder. Make sure the message is encoded, I want to give them every chance of pulling this off successfully."
As the aide ran off to transmit, another scientist ran quickly up to the group of leaders huddled around the table.
"This just came in from some heroes at the hospital,"
Antonio took the message from him and quickly scanned it, "Hmmm now that's a break. According to this, a few heroes were able to use hold powers to stop the berzerk citizens without them exploding and without killing them. If they don't go unconscious they don't blow up."
"We don't have enough controllers in the city to handle this though," Susan Davies chimed in.
"If we can get them to handle the most dangerous or perhaps get them to help the heroes heading to Striga we might be able to cut this off at the pass," Rick Davies mused to her.
"Get on it, you two are in charge of this part of the plan," Azuria told them. "May our luck hold out"
"
"I'm in, too. Figure you blokes could use some muscle. 'Sides, I'm not through settling me score with these Council whackers."
Rock-Hopper's mood seemed to have improved some since his tussle with the Council Soldiers. The chance to redeem himself gave him a new air of confidence. However, his anger was still almost palpable.
"Those walkin' dongers in the uniforms back there said this 'ere warehouse in Striga was the place to find Requiem and 'is standover men. Seems like the best place to start."
My story arcs: #2370- Noah Reborn, #18672- The Clockwork War, #31490- Easy Money
Sartre once said, "Hell is other people." What does that make an MMO?
Prof. Entropy returned to his normal form next to the other heroes.
"You people continue on. I'll work on things from another end."
With that, Prof. Entropy launched into the air, and flew off to the north.
--------------
((You may see him later.))
Embher was glad to that Rock-Hopper had rejoined them, although he could feel the anger rising off of the man in waves of heat.
He also knew from personal experience that a peeved off Aussie wa not someone you wanted coming after you.
"Glad to see you're back. Now at least there'll be someone else standing beside me who can take a punch."
((OOC: I realize Iv'e been vague about his powers, but he is a fire/fire tank. That is all, this message will self destruct.))
Willpower has more passive regen than Regen does. Who thought that was a good idea?
Can we get a fix for Energy Melee instead of more new sets?
((Damn, late again. This is how I think Blood Wolffe would react, I think he really wouldnt care. He was defending himself after all))
Blood Wolffe saw the Council's anouncement and demands. He watched as a few heroes were grief stricken, he didnt understand their pain but he felt their passion, and for a brief moment it was something enviable. But he was a true wolf, which didnt care for others unless they were in their pack. Those ones they would gladly die for.
He heard a hero say the Council base was in Striga Isle.
"I am coming too, but if anything gets in my way dont expect me to not defend myself." He said baring his teeth.
"Like it or not, people are going to have to die." He was brutal but he was right, there was no way the Council's base would have just council. The sleepers would be there too, and maybe other monstrosities.
----
Sleeper Base, Striga Isle
"Sir, allow me to explain the final phase of my plan."
"Go on" The Center said.
"I have put some clues throughout the city to lead heroes here."
"And why would you do that?" The Center said with a dry tone.
"When they come and if they get through the sleepers I have throughout the base, they will find the super sleeper I have created. She has all the powers of the others and is completely under our control, but she is still aware of what is happening. The heroes will have to hear her screams of agony and pleas for her life as they fight her or die."
"Very good Requiem."
"It doesnt end there sir, if they get past her they will enter the control room and be faced with the ultimate decision.
On the left of the room is a machine that stops the signal and frees the sleepers for one hour. But to power it, you need the life force of a meta-human, a hero. With out the password it cannot be hacked for a permanent cure. Its programming is encrypted and would take weeks to figure out, by then the city will be torn apart. The heroes will have to die, one by one until the city is freed of them or our demands are met. Some of the public will even demand the heroes sacrifice themselves, turning the public against them or...
On the right is a series of switches. Once activated all the sleepers will be freed for a moment only to die painfully. The public will be saved from themselves but the heroes will be criminalized. There will be hidden, undetectable cameras broadcasting the whole thing over Paragon City.
Either way, we win."
The Center offered a rare smile.
"Embher, Rock-Hopper, Fox Soilder, Wolfe Gunner, Tik-Tok, Blood Wolffe and others have already found out about the base so they will be coming soon."
His speed at getting information was unsettling, even to Requiem.
"Kill the rest, but dont kill Blood Wolffe, he would kill the citizens without giving it a second thought. I would rather see the heroes of this city demonized than have our sleeper army defeat them. They will become criminals and have to go into hiding or face the wrath of the public, leaving us free to carry out our plans."
"The time of heroes is almost at an end."
((I thought I would expand on Unknown's idea. This really makes the moral dilemna present. I even left a good prevails all the way around out with the password. If I left your name out of Center's list, sorry. There are alot of us in this 
))
Fox Soilder felt quiltly relieved when Rock-Hopper took control (at least in his opion) and was up until Wolffe happy to see other heroes were going to join in the fight. Wolffe was to much like a dog for him, but he wasn't going to refuse the help, not yet anyway. He said he would kill the Sleeper Agents, kill them. He couldn't think of anyway to stop them, but being so willing to say he would scared Fox.
He tried to hide it, "Striga? Well as good a place as any. Anyone got a way to get there though, I can't fly and it will get to deep to jump." Fox thought about it, "We could take one of those smuggler boats out, it will take a while to get thier, but..." He cringed, Requiem had threatened to kill one hostage ever ten minutes, how long did they have, how long would a boat ride take. "Anyone know a faster way?"
Night Shrike had remained silent up until this point. He had always found that observing before acting was the right way to behave in this kind of situation.
He was concerned. Davis didn't relish killing, hell no. But he wouldn't think twice about it if he thought it had to be done. Some of these other heroes were too soft. The penguin man ain't half bad, he thought to himself, 'although I woulda tagged the sonofabitch's other leg first, myself'.
Fox had asked if anyone had a faster way to get there. Davis knew a way.
'I know a way. Follow me.' Night Shrike said, and without looking back, he uncovered a manhole and dropped into the sewer, making for his base of operations. His helicopter was waiting. Davis had never been much for long-winded explinations. There was never time for that in their line of work.
As preparations to meet the Heroes began in the Council's base, the Center thought for a moment.
I should go check on MY OWN trump card... The Center chuckled to himself as he headed for his private quarters.
Requiem watched the Center leave and shuddered. If there was anyone Requiem feared more than Statesman, it was the Center. Why does he toy with the Heroes like this? Requiem asked himself. Although I've only seen his powers ONCE, I KNOW he could probably go toe-to-toe with Statesman himself and win...
It was kept from the public, that was true. Requiem, Vandal, and Nosferatu had been cut off from the Center, leaving him alone in his own base for a day. Statesman saw the oppurtunity to put one of the biggest threats to the city behind bars, and he went for it.
On that day, 500 of the city's BEST Heroes charged the base where the Center was hiding. There were no guards, no Council leaders, just the Center, alone in the base.
The Center sat alone in the middle of the base, fully aware of the approaching Heroes. No thoughts in the entire world could escape HIS mind.
Oh, good. The Center smiled to himself, sensing the charge. It's been awhile since I've done this and I'm a bit out of practice.
With one thought, the entire army of 500 Heroes fell to the ground, holding their heads. Even the strongest Mind Controllers in the group were completely helpless, in the psychic grip of the Center.
They've come so far, it would be a shame to kill them right away. The Center chuckled. With another thought, the Center used his telekinesis to break all four limbs of each of the 500 Heroes, their cries of pain stifled as the Center made sure to keep their mouths shut. That was fun. Now, let's see... The Center thought for a moment. Ah, perfect. With a thought, the Center used his powers to stop one of the Hero's hearts from beating. After he was dead, the Center moved onto another Hero. One by one, the Center killed them by stopping their heart, or freezing their lungs, or squashing their brains inside their skulls, or anything else the Center could think of.
In one single hour, the Center had killed 500 Heroes. And he never lifted a finger.
I wouldn't have believed it if I hadn't seen it on our satellite myself... Requiem thought, shaking at the thought. His channeled his fear into anger. When the Council rules the world, I'll make sure to find some way to kill that son of a [censored].
Requiem checked his watch, then smiled. Show time.
The Center caressed the tube containing Morning Star in his hands, admiring the power and genious behind it's creation.
If nothing else... The Center thought, chuckling to himself. Today will at least be the day you are finally born.
Supplemental Galactic Protectorate Fanfic
(OOC: if any villain had that kind of power, why wouldn't he just destroy paragon city?)
((I don't know, Grey Wind. From the backstory, we know that Requiem takes orders "unwillingly" from the Center, showing that the Center is OBVIOUSLY more powerful than him. And since Requiem is pretty damn powerful (considering his fusion with a Nictus), the Center must be VERY VERY powerful to command such a minion like that. But since we don't know anything about the Center so far (maybe we will in the future), I wanted to illustrate what his "immense pyschic powers" could be (as that's the ONLY thing we DO know about him). Don't worry; his power really doesn't count in this RP. As you'll see later, he's just going to run away once his little 'project' done. That's the reason I PUT the project in this RP in the first place. I wanted something this big to INVOLVE the Center, but I wanted some reason to take the Center AWAY from this RP so no Heroes actually FOUGHT the Center. I REALLY wish we had more info on the guy, though... ))
Edited to be more clear 
Supplemental Galactic Protectorate Fanfic
-Bloodfang looked at the growing host. "Three hundred of us so far, with more on the way. Who knew there were this many Vampires in the city?" he mused. The advantages of knowledge not shared. The Clans had gotten summoners in place before spreading the word. 'Fang was a late-comer. Most had ditched thier fancy 'hero' costumes in favor of more non-descript gear. He didn't have that option, since his armor was his costume, but had removed the 'heroic' embellishments (his cape and helm).
-He turned to address his team. They were going to lead the assault into the sewers. "We all know why we are here. If fate smiles upon us, all our bretheren will be inside and in position before the other 'heroes' arrive. They will provide us a distraction to act. No Council walks out of here alive. The city will not mourn our passing, but we will do what we must non-the-less. For the honor of the Clans!".
He knew that Clarisa was staying behind, to get last stragglers, and to inform the soon-to-qarrive heroes of what was going on. Well, sort of. She'd tell them what they needed to know. Nothing more.
-He entered the sewers. He could already smell the stink of the machines. Council robots. Should have known they would'nt leave this area unguarded. Fate was not on thier side so far. He signaled his team, even though he knew most had already picked up the scent also. One corner at a time, tunnel by tunnel, they advanced. Those that fell were tended by others comming up from behind. The worst were teleported to the nearby hospital, were a select few Kindred were waiting to attend to thier special needs. The hospital staff knew before anyone else that the attack had started. Quinnlost track of the number of machines hed desroyed. His rage was building. "Send down some of your flesh and blood troops!" he raged. Well, at least, so far, they hadn't detected any of the innocent's. His group (were any left that had started with him?) made it to the center of the building, just below what should be the main control rooms. Time to test fate again. He flew up to the hatch, slowly cut away the seals and locks, and passed it to another. Up thru the openning he went....
The Center sensed the break-in. Vampires... He thought. And they don't care who they kill... while I'm sure Requiem can handle this problem... He turned to his project, then pressed a button on the control panel. I can't afford to take chances. The room enclosed into a small ship, and the ship detached from the base and flew away from Striga, and out of Paragon City itself. Through your failure, Requiem... The Center thought. You have secured my victory. The Center laughed as the ship headed for parts unknown.
The alarms went off in the Council base, and Requiem brought up security camera images.
Requiem smiled to himself. "Vandal!" He called out to his second-in-command. "Send some of our Sleeper Agents to meet these intruders, and then broadcast this feed; I want the world to see what their so-called 'Heroes' are doing to innocent lives." Requiem chuckled as he watched the vampires mercilessly attack their enemies. "Every action your clan makes only brings the Council closer to it's goal. Go ahead and throw away your morales, dispose your duty to innocent lives into the wind!" Requiem chuckled. "Because THAT... is TRULY what I've been planning all along."
((OK, just to be clear, that's the last you'll see of the Center in this RP Thread. ))
(((By the way, Blood_Wolffe, nicely done predicament there! Even I wouldn't have been able to come up with something like that! Should be a good decision for the characters in this Thread to have to make )))
Supplemental Galactic Protectorate Fanfic
-"By the blood!" swore Quinn. He was NOT where he thought he would be. They were in some sort of sub-level, but it was more of a warehouse. And alarms were starting to go off. "They either know we are here, or other heroes have arrived" he thought, as more of his kin came up thru the openning. A quick mind-link to Clarissa confirmed it. The Council knew the Vampires were there.
-And it got worse. He could detect the scent of tainted innocent's. He shouted out orders "Be aware! They are sending the PBI's to fight us. Remeber, you only have one choice. Kill them. Slap a hospital transmitter on each one you drop if you can. Maybe Clarisa was right; maybe death is the answer. And no feeding! This has all the feel of a propaganda campaign. It would be just like them to tape and broadcast what transpires here."
-Those few that were still in recognizable outfits slid into the shadows. No sense giving the enemy any more ammo than it already had. Quinn scouted around the edge of the room, checking every hall and door. The 'sleepers' entered from the oppisite end, a bull rush to ensure the most carnage on both sides. He watched as mortally wounded Kindred slapped thier personal Medivac trancievers on those they had just slain, then collapse. Some were too badly hurt to recover. There were many myths about Vampires, but the most important one right at this moment was that they couldn't be killed. And it was proving false...
((OOC - i will not encounter the super sleeper. its yall's. but i might get to the 'moral dilema' control room around the same time everyone else does....i think i missed something. is there a film or something that explains the choice the heroes have to make? or is it something they have to figure out?))
Fox Soldier looked into the sewers, he realy didn't have any choice, either it was wait for the boat to get him there or this. He dulled his olfactory nerves by going into a light trance. He looked at the others and under his breath said, "This had better be fast." He went down into the sewers and looked for the other hero, he saved my life, I can trust him, I mean he could have let that thing break me in half. Feeling alittle safer in this knowledge he caught up with him. "Uh. I pretty sure the sewers don't run out to international waters, so where are we going?" His eye were quickly adjusting to the low light.
(OOC Note: Fox's trances allow him to enhance all his sense or dull some of them, the later abilty is handy when you do a sewer mission.
)
Night Shrike kept up a quick pace as Fox caught up with him. "Uh. I pretty sure the sewers don't run out to international waters, so where are we going?" Fox asked.
"I've got a nice quick way back at my CNC. Hope you don't hate flyin'" Davis replied quickly.
Night Shrike continued to move in the direction of his home, picking his speed up to a jog.
Tick-Tok flew after them.
"Are you sure this is safe?" Tick-Tok said as he moved beside them.
Captain Eagle stopped for a moment. His Super Group, "Final Justice", also stopped upon their leader's signal. Listening closely, he heard people approaching from behind.
"Sergeant Falcon!" Captain Eagle whispered.
"Sir yes sir!" Sergeant Falcon replied silently, stepping forward and saluting Captain Eagle.
"You are to go with Lieutenant Hawk and secure the perimeter behind us; you know what to do if it's more of those Sleeper Agents."
Lieutenant Hawk stepped forward, brushing her blonde hair back a bit as she accompanied Sergeant Falcon, silently retracing the Super Group's steps.
After turning the next corner, the two Heroes found the source: three Heroes, apparently alone.
"How would you like to proceed, Lieutenant?" Sergeant Falcon asked, his tone professional.
"They don't look like they'll be much help..." Lieutenant Hawk eyed the Clockwork. She sighed. "But, in a mission such as this, the code of 'Final Justice' states-"
"States that in times of desperate need, any and all available Heroes who are incapable of protecting themselves WILL be protected by the members of 'Final Justice'!" Sergeant Falcon quoted the by-line verbatim from the Super Group's code book.
"Right." Lieutenant Hawk sighed. "Sergeant?"
"Yes, Lieutenant?" Sergeant Falcon asked.
"Loosen up, for the love of God." Lieutenant Hawk stepped out from where the two were hiding and identified herself. Sergeant Falcon quickly moved behind her.
"I am Lieutenant Hawk of the Super Group 'Final Justice'. State your names and Super Group affiliation; I must inform you that if you are not currently in the care of a Super Group we of 'Final Justice' are obligated to protect you."
Supplemental Galactic Protectorate Fanfic
"I hope it safe, but the council can't have turret all over the island, right. I mean they are fight the Sky Raiders...you can shoot, right?" Fox weighted the options, if he took to long to get there more people would die, either at Requiem's hands or the sleeper agents. He was willing to risk it, which wasn't at all like him.
He heard someone ahead and carefully reached for a knife, a hero came out from around the corner. "I am Lieutenant Hawk of the Super Group 'Final Justice'. State your names and Super Group affiliation; I must inform you that if you are not currently in the care of a Super Group we of 'Final Justice' are obligated to protect you."
Fox stared at the woman, were heroes realy thinking like this, protecting thier own over the public. "Fox Soldier, I don't belong to any group." He responded without thinking. "I...we...help is appericated, but we don't..." He couldn't think of a proper way to continue without turning down thier aid, he would be the first to admit that he didn't want to go it alone. He wondered if the others were going to follow.
Embher saw Rock-Hopper, and was relieved to see he didn't kill the last soldier. Not that he had any love for the council, but he could tell the decision would have weighed heavily on the mans concious.
Realizing that he had turned around back towards the direction of the group, he followed. He didn't know why, but he felt that the sirens that he had originally been jumping to were not the most important things right now. He sensed a kindred spirit in this man, a man dressed like a penguin.
Maybe I am losing my mind , he thought, and leapth after the penguin.
Willpower has more passive regen than Regen does. Who thought that was a good idea?
Can we get a fix for Energy Melee instead of more new sets?