[ QUOTE ]
While were waiting for the food to arrive, perhaps each of us could take a turn giving a small synopsis of our backgrounds. Mystic sent out waves of heat from his hands and caused large balls of flame to come into existence too far above the furniture to burn anything, but quite easily warmed the large room in a matter of moments.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sting stood, staring at the burning orbs, absorbing the heat. He suddenly looked down at the rest. Yes, if I could fly I would flutter around and bang into them like a f- -king moth, ok?!!
Sting thought for a moment. My background? Readers Digest version howsabout. I was dying of cancer; 28 years old and I had 3-6 months to live. Yeah, you can shove your pity. I signed up for a free radical treatment. Me and 100 others got shipped off to a lab in South America. That should have tipped me off right there. A year later and there were 3 of us left alive. I think I had gone insane several times by then. Sure cured the cancer, but look at me now.
Sting paused for a moment to let them take in how far from human he now was.
Then I freaking escape, fight my way back here, and register as a hero, hoping to find out who did this. Well in a matter of a couple months I am arrested repeatedly for using excessive force when apprehending criminals. There are guys out there with claws, and swords, and axes, and I get hauled in? What a f- - king joke! So some judge who doesnt like me anyway sends me to this gig. My guess is he wants it to fail, hoping that I will kill one of you guys. But hey, I havent so far, have I?
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
"And the fact you haven't killed me yet is quite comforting. I'd miss me," Newton said, grinning at the insect-man. "Me, I'm a mutant. Born with green hair. At adolescence, started making myself float and the bullies stay still in their tracks." He sipped some of the hot tea. "Was in Seacouver during the Rikti War; it was a mess there, too. Came here because this is where the trouble is, and I love trouble. I'd say it was my middle name, but it's not. Unfortunately, it's Horace." Newton shuddered. "Gravity manipulation is my thing. I'm here at the two-six because I have a sense of humor and certain members of the judicial system take themselves way too seriously." Newton rolled his eyes with a certain amount disgust.
Coolant System had only been paying marginal attention to the group. Breakfast was a nutrient mix he had sipped through a straw, and as this deli couldn't deliver oil for the squeaking hatches in his now completed living chamber, he had no use for it.
When it became apparent that these people (insectoid or otherwise) wanted him to talk about his life, he found himself looking for a way to tell them the truth without actually telling them anything. He hated lying slightly more than he hated his life story.
Not much to tell really, he said with a smile to maintain the facade, I was born, I lived as a normal person for a while, and then I got put in this can. I can't be outside my suit or my living chamber. Period. You get used to it.
I volunteered for this job because I like The Row. I have to admit, I thought you guys were volunteers too, but I'm glad you're here all the same."
After speaking, Coolant returned to work on his chambers locking mechanism and prayed that none of the others knew he had been done with it for about thirty minutes.
Newton looked quizzically at Coolant. "You were 'put' in this can?" The mutant then looked at the container. "Okay, the caffeine is kicking in. What is that thing?"
[ QUOTE ]
Not much to tell really, he said with a smile to maintain the facade, I was born, I lived as a normal person for a while, and then I got put in this can. I can't be outside my suit or my living chamber. Period. You get used to it.
I volunteered for this job because I like The Row. I have to admit, I thought you guys were volunteers too, but I'm glad you're here all the same."
[/ QUOTE ]
Well geez, and I thought I cut it short. Good thing to know since we will be working together that trust wont be an issue. If Sting could have rolled his multifaceted eyes he would have. You volunteered to do this? Well I guess it is our hive, er, home now.
So Newton, whatd you do to get thrown in front of a judge to start with? And I gotta know what you said to him or her.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
[ QUOTE ]
Newton looked quizzically at Coolant. "You were 'put' in this can?" The mutant then looked at the container. "Okay, the caffeine is kicking in. What is that thing?"
[/ QUOTE ]
"Umm, I mean this suit," Coolant stated without even looking up from the wires he was pretending to fuse together, "but the caffeine may still be getting to you. That stuff will kill you."
[ QUOTE ]
Well geez, and I thought I cut it short. Good thing to know since we will be working together that trust wont be an issue.
[/ QUOTE ]
"Well, trust is a hard thing to develop in one day with three people that I moved furniture with." he stated without malice or humor. "At least nobody tried to kill anybody else in their sleep. That definitely puts points in the trust column."
[ QUOTE ]
So Newton, whatd you do to get thrown in front of a judge to start with? And I gotta know what you said to him or her.
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton chuckled. "Well, I was actually a witness for the state in a case of a Family tax evasion case. The judge's name is Richard [censored]. I'm pretty sure he's on the take. Apparently I was much to friendly with him in the courtroom. I kept on calling him [censored] - in the most unfriendly meaning possible." Newton looked up at the ceiling. "Then he had me arrested for contempt of court. I told him I didn't have contempt of court, just contempt of a real [censored]."
He sipped some more of his tea. "I guess I probably shouldn't have made his judicial robes float, though. How was I to know that he wasn't wearing pants under the robes." Newton grinned viscously. "It was caught on Court TV, of course."
"Essentially, I treat people with respect until they disrespect me. After that, all bets are off." Newton's tone was light, but there was a hint of steel in the chubby man's voice.
[ QUOTE ]
"Well, trust is a hard thing to develop in one day with three people that I moved furniture with." he stated without malice or humor. "At least nobody tried to kill anybody else in their sleep. That definitely puts points in the trust column."
[/ QUOTE ]
Sting just stared at Coolant for a while, not sure what to make of him. He would definitely keep an eye on the blue metal man.
[ QUOTE ]
Newton chuckled. "Well, I was actually a witness for the state in a case of a Family tax evasion case. The judge's name is Richard [censored]. I'm pretty sure he's on the take. Apparently I was much to friendly with him in the courtroom. I kept on calling him [censored] - in the most unfriendly meaning possible." Newton looked up at the ceiling. "Then he had me arrested for contempt of court. I told him I didn't have contempt of court, just contempt of a real [censored]."
He sipped some more of his tea. "I guess I probably shouldn't have made his judicial robes float, though. How was I to know that he wasn't wearing pants under the robes." Newton grinned viscously. "It was caught on Court TV, of course."
"Essentially, I treat people with respect until they disrespect me. After that, all bets are off." Newton's tone was light, but there was a hint of steel in the chubby man's voice.
[/ QUOTE ]
Wow, wish I had seen that. Sting laughed, then he turned toward Mystic Inferno. So boss, whats your story?
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
Newton's Apple leaned back, looking at their robed 'boss.' They were quite a set - two science experiements (or so it sounded like) a mage, and a mutant. He tugged at his muttonchop mustache started to think about tactics they would use for a fight.
Bubbles for everyone, Cool and Sting rush in, Mystic blasting, me weighting the enemies down and throwing forklifts and the like at them.
We're really missing a healer, Newton thought as he waited for Mystic's story.
Well, actually, I DID volunteer. Well, in a manner of speaking. You see, I was approached by the city and asked to help. They didnt tell me much, certainly not about the station being THIS bad off. I would have certainly negotiated more smartly should I had known about the state of things. Mystic sipped some tea and looked over at Poison Sting. You werent fighting any urges not to kill us in our sleep, were you? It would be simply brilliant to know about these things before things come to an ugly point.
Oh, yes, my story. Well, I was a normal person for quite a long time. Hmmm. I hadnt thought about this, but Im afraid my background is somewhat, classified. Let me just leave it at; after a certain event awoke the magic in my blood, I found that my conscience wouldnt allow me to stand idly by while evil was going on, and such. I briefly tried to contact some of the others who were exposed to the same event as I, but was only able to contact one. CinderFlash. The others
well, I dont know where they went.
Mystic warmed his tea slightly with a small incantation. My ability to control fire is limited to my ability to concentrate. The more I can focus, the hotter and more precisely placed the fire is. Ive also gained the ability to imbue people with the power of flight. One day well have to explore the practical applications of such a tool on the exterior windows.
Oh, my, it sounds like the Deli is here. Mystic got up and walked out to get the food. He returned with the food and beverages ordered and set them on the table.
Now, oh, my this is quite greasy. Im certain they dont use vegetable oil. Right, on with our assignment. Well, as I said earlier, it isnt really an assignment, more of a lead. It appears that the building is being watched. Across the street, on the second floor of that abandoned factory, there are several gentlemen looking at us all day and most of the night. Its been suggested that we go and try to discover their intentions, and the reason for their interest. Mystic took another bite of breakfast sandwich and tried to wash it down with some tea. Now, I am not a master of stealth myself, but I can hover quietly enough not to attract too much attention. My suggestion is that we sneak in and try to capture them for interrogation purposes. But first we may wish to fix up one of the interrogation rooms. I have a thought on this, actually, since the place is already in shambles.
[ QUOTE ]
You werent fighting any urges not to kill us in our sleep, were you? It would be simply brilliant to know about these things before things come to an ugly point.
[/ QUOTE ]
See the problem is, I have lots of insect DNA. Consequently I have lots of
instincts. Sure they help sometimes, but at other times I have to try to control them. But to answer your question; no, I dont normally have the urge to kill and eat everyone around me. And actually the more I am around you, the more my system will get used to you and react to you better.
[ QUOTE ]
Oh, my, it sounds like the Deli is here. Mystic got up and walked out to get the food. He returned with the food and beverages ordered and set them on the table.
[/ QUOTE ]
Sting dug in, eating pretty much anything, but especially the raw bacon.
[ QUOTE ]
Now, oh, my this is quite greasy. Im certain they dont use vegetable oil. Right, on with our assignment. Well, as I said earlier, it isnt really an assignment, more of a lead. It appears that the building is being watched. Across the street, on the second floor of that abandoned factory, there are several gentlemen looking at us all day and most of the night. Its been suggested that we go and try to discover their intentions, and the reason for their interest. Mystic took another bite of breakfast sandwich and tried to wash it down with some tea. Now, I am not a master of stealth myself, but I can hover quietly enough not to attract too much attention. My suggestion is that we sneak in and try to capture them for interrogation purposes. But first we may wish to fix up one of the interrogation rooms. I have a thought on this, actually, since the place is already in shambles.
[/ QUOTE ]
I can jump
really high. Unfortunately, no nice insect wings to fly with. Either I dont haveem or they havent grown in. Im modestly sneaky, but nothing you should count on.
Sting thought for a moment. Interrogation; that means not killing them
well not ALL of them anyway. But yeah, a room for interrogation sounds right. I call bad cop, who is going to be good cop?
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
[ QUOTE ]
Now, I am not a master of stealth myself, but I can hover quietly enough not to attract too much attention. My suggestion is that we sneak in and try to capture them for interrogation purposes. But first we may wish to fix up one of the interrogation rooms. I have a thought on this, actually, since the place is already in shambles.
[/ QUOTE ]
Im all ears, boss, Newton said, mimicking Stings nickname for Mystic. Although I do have a suggestion on the sneaking in. It involves me floating to the roof, yanking all of you through a wormhole, and sneaking in from the top. I know it seems quite unnatural, not bursting through the front doors, he said glancing at the obviously more violent Sting and the heavily armored Cool, but Ive had some success with sneakiness as well. The green-haired man grinned.
But the interrogation room. What did you have in mind?
[ QUOTE ]
Sting thought for a moment. Interrogation; that means not killing them
well not ALL of them anyway. But yeah, a room for interrogation sounds right. I call bad cop, who is going to be good cop?
[/ QUOTE ]
"I think that may be me," Newton laughed. "You may not have noticed it, but I have cultivated a very friendly personality. I can be very charming. And disarming." He waggled green eyebrows. "I mean, who would take me seriously."
[ QUOTE ]
Sting thought for a moment. Interrogation; that means not killing them
well not ALL of them anyway. But yeah, a room for interrogation sounds right. I call bad cop, who is going to be good cop?
[/ QUOTE ]
"Listen," Coolant said, finally closing the hatch he was working on, "I don't really care about your past, but I don't stand for murder. Accidents do happen, and I realize they are trying to kill us, but if you are openly using lethal force, I will feel obligated to step in. I really hope it doesn't come to that."
Coolant walked over to the rest of the group and did his best to resume the friendly demeanor he had possessed that morning. "If we need to sneak in, I am sorry to say I tend to be as subtle as a steamroller. Strategy has never been my thing, but tell me what to do and I'm there.
As for the interrogation, I have thermal scans that work as decent lie detectors in a pinch."
[ QUOTE ]
"Listen," Coolant said, finally closing the hatch he was working on, "I don't really care about your past, but I don't stand for murder. Accidents do happen, and I realize they are trying to kill us, but if you are openly using lethal force, I will feel obligated to step in. I really hope it doesn't come to that."
[/ QUOTE ]
Listen yourself. If someone tries to kill me, they get it right back! I dont have a fancy suit like you, I cant throw fire, and I cant make bubbles or whatever else Newton can. I have these. Long spines snapped out of Stings forearms. They glistened with some sort of liquid; the acrid smell of which was clear throughout the room.
This is what I have to work with. I tried it the other way for a while; using my fists and even my feet, rather than my spines. It doesnt work so well. So if we are going to have a problem with this, we might as well settle it here and now, because in the middle of a fight is not the place.
Sting moved over the an open area of the room and stood, looking at Coolant. Oh if you do get poisoned from my spines, which I doubt will penetrate the suit, tell the doctors insect anit-venom #6 is the one to use. Its a nasty necrotic poison which usually has a pretty limited effect, but has been known to leave lingering issues.
Sting stood in a nonchalant manner; as if he had done this before and was rather fatalistic about it.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
[ QUOTE ]
Sting moved over the an open area of the room and stood, looking at Coolant. Oh if you do get poisoned from my spines, which I doubt will penetrate the suit, tell the doctors insect anit-venom #6 is the one to use. Its a nasty necrotic poison which usually has a pretty limited effect, but has been known to leave lingering issues.
Sting stood in a nonchalant manner; as if he had done this before and was rather fatalistic about it.
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton pulled out a small pad of paper and a pen. Insect
anti-venom
number
six
He smiled sheepishly as the others stared at him. Im sorry. Friendly with a pharmacist. Going to have some on hand. For the criminals, of course. I have faith in our good Sting here. Hes a good man, he said, looking at Cool. If he wasnt, he wouldnt be trying not to kill.
Newton said something, but Coolant System didn't really seem to hear it
"You know the proper cure to heal those you put down!?" Coolant said with more emotion than he had shown since he arrived, "That is rich, because I don't see you carrying anti-venom, and yet I saw you showing a decent amount of strength yesterday. I suppose that serum must weigh a ton!
Coolant stood up and prepared his suit for combat. Few would even notice the motions he made to ready his different defenses, but as always, he made an act of stretching to hide the finger motions and facial twitches.
I don't pretend to understand your life, he continued after resuming his emotionless battle persona, But I do see you as someone that has been given second chances, and I can definitely understand that. To murder is to give up on people AND second chances.
I'll try not to judge your actions, only my own. You can try it my way, or I MUST try to stop you. If we do this, though, aim for my heart. I doubt you can pierce my inner armor; It hasn't happened yet. I would pass out after you got through the second layer, but if it does pierce, please put me down quick. I won't hold it against you at that point."
Coolant System stood a safe enough distance to ready his shielding and assumed a statuesque posture and featureless expression. The word cold seemed to embody his entire form.
Well actually the correct cure for those I put down is to get the holes I stab in them patched really quickly. The poison rarely kills on its own.
Sting stood looking at Coolant, surprised that the man had such conviction concerning those that would harm others.
[ QUOTE ]
I'll try not to judge your actions, only my own. You can try it my way, or I MUST try to stop you. If we do this, though, aim for my heart. I doubt you can pierce my inner armor; It hasn't happened yet. I would pass out after you got through the second layer, but if it does pierce, please put me down quick. I won't hold it against you at that point."
[/ QUOTE ]
Sorry dude, the serious stuff is only for those who deserve it. I may not like you, your attitude, or you pushing your morals on me, but you are still a hero. And one thing I dont do, is try to kill heroes. I may deal vigilante justice, but only to those who deserve it.
Then finally, through all the hate and resentment, a thought occurred.
Someone knew this would happen. Put some high ground hero and myself into the mix, and this is destine to happen. Get a couple heroes to rip each other up and this project is done. I told you I thought this was set up to fail. All of a sudden I dont feel near as much like fighting you Coolant. Youre probably just a pawn in this as well. I feel a lot more like saving the spines for the ******* behind this mess. Not that we couldnt go a few rounds
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
Mystic set his breakfast sandwich down and stood up. He mumbled some words in an ancient tongue and everyone around him found themselves hovering. I chose this because, while annoying at times, you can simply fly away from me and the spell will end a few seconds after youre out of my reach. Im really not trying to be too imposing or too aggressive here, but you gents are certainly moving too quickly to settle your differences in a manner that wont due, in my estimate. Im not a father figure, I dont have words of wisdom that are going to solve everything, but I think its quite obvious that this is simply a matter of semantics.
Mystic hovered between them and held his hand out toward a broken chair. Flame leaped from his fingertips and covered the chair. In a few seconds it was fully ablaze, but the fire was contained to the chair, nothing around it did more than smolder. The flame kept coming from Mystics fingers, and soon the chair was falling apart under the heat. It crackled and creaked as it fell apart, and smoke poured up into the ceiling.
This, coolant, is my tool with which to fight crime. It is not, non-lethal. However, it is not my intention to kill every bad guy I meet. Were all vigilantes here. We play a dangerous part in a play where people can and sometimes do, die. We use our tools to the best of our ability. So Im going to ask, if you notice someone take a hit from either one of us that looks like it will be fatal, freeze them if you can. It will slow the effect of poison, reduce shock and blood loss, and put out any flames that might have engulfed them.
As far as I hear, Poison is simply saying he will defend himself to the best of his ability, and in doing so, people get killed now and again. With you and Newton and I here to assist, perhaps that wont happen as much. But lets not have you going all sixes and sevens if someone trying to kill him gets killed. We still have the right to defend ourselves, heroes or not. As long as we all agree that this isnt our goal, to kill them, then I dont see a problem. Were not assassins.
If I can consider this matter closed, Ill go on to explain my plan. If you two have more to say, or I cant persuade you from engaging in combat here in the station on day two, then fine. And with that, he ended the spell, walking back over to the chair and picking up his sandwich. He noticed Newton hovering still. It will wear off in a second or two.
Newton leaned back in his chair and listened to the two physical heroes argue back and forth. Both had valid points, but he wasnt sure if the other could see them. Black and white thinking. Of course, whenever you are at the center of an argument, emotions will get in the way and you cant see the degrees of gray.
Newton suddenly found himself floating. It was odd having someone else make him float. The loss of control was a little unnerving, but it did give him some insight into the loss of control that both Sting with his instincts and Cool must have from being locked up in his armor.
[ QUOTE ]
If I can consider this matter closed, Ill go on to explain my plan. If you two have more to say, or I cant persuade you from engaging in combat here in the station on day two, then fine. And with that, he ended the spell, walking back over to the chair and picking up his sandwich. He noticed Newton hovering still. It will wear off in a second or two.
[/ QUOTE ]
Newton had an uncustomary thoughtful look on his face as he sank back to his chair. He looked at Mystic. So, when were you thinking about doing this little mission? he asked as he took another bite out of his sandwich.
After the spell wore off, Coolant System breathed out a sigh and cracked his knuckles. His defenses were now off. Without saying a word, he walked back over to the area that seemed to have become the sitting zone. In a gesture that looked strange from a man of his bulk, he sat down cross legged in a meditation style.
I apologize for my outburst; I will work harder to keep my emotions in check. Coolant said with complete detachment. Please, do not let my rashness imped things. Continue at your leisure.
Coolant System kept his breathing even and did his absolute best to calm his irregular pulse rate. If anyone could have seen his eyes, they would have realized he was not even blinking.
[ QUOTE ]
As far as I hear, Poison is simply saying he will defend himself to the best of his ability, and in doing so, people get killed now and again. With you and Newton and I here to assist, perhaps that wont happen as much. But lets not have you going all sixes and sevens if someone trying to kill him gets killed. We still have the right to defend ourselves, heroes or not. As long as we all agree that this isnt our goal, to kill them, then I dont see a problem. Were not assassins.
If I can consider this matter closed, Ill go on to explain my plan. If you two have more to say, or I cant persuade you from engaging in combat here in the station on day two, then fine. And with that, he ended the spell, walking back over to the chair and picking up his sandwich. He noticed Newton hovering still. It will wear off in a second or two.
[/ QUOTE ]
Alright, I guess I can live with that. The spines slowly retracted into his arms. A few drips of poison fell on the floor and Sting rubbed it with his toe. It made a small clean spot.
Well lets get this show on the road. What approach are we taking boss. I kinda like Newtons idea of coming down from the top.
"Shut up Mr. Burton, you are not brought upon this world to get it!" - Lo Pan
@MadGremlin
Mystic nodded to Newton, one thing at a time. First lets see if were down two heroes.
After everyone returned from their original, uptight positions, Mystic began explaining how he would like to see things go. So Im not one much for being intimidating, as you just saw. I prefer a different kind of approach. And if youll all indulge me with a little acting that will play to your strengths and not be too much of a stretch. In order to do this, though, were going to have to be quick, really quick. Now I can choke the air with smoke and flame, making it hard to be seen. Now we know theyve been watching the building, but from their angle and distance, Im sure they havent gotten a good look, especially since the setting sun would have been in their eyes last evening.
Mystic wiped his mouth and then pulled the cloth mask up. With a devilish smile, he began to explain his plan. His hands moved, pointing to each person as he explained their part. He gestured to indicate things that he saw in his minds eye. He described things, less like a plan, and more like he were telling them about a movie hed seen. He actually had to stop himself from giggling like a schoolboy at one point.
Across the street, two thugs looked bored as they flipped through porn mags and listened to their radios. Barely doing the incredibly easy task set before them. Completely unaware that they were discovered, and totally without notion that they were being plotted against.
Newton sat cross legged in the room they had set aside as the office. His eyes were shut, but his eyes were moving rapidly beneath his closed lids. There, he murmured. A few moments later, a large trunk appeared in front of him. He opened his eyes. Right where I left it.
He made it lighter, and he pushed it over to the desk. He tapped the lock once and it popped open. Inside were dozens of small make-up canisters, several wigs, cans of colored hair spray, bottles of latex, and colored eyeliner pencils. He looked over at Mystic. I have everything we need. Given a little time, I could even make Sting look like Kirsten Dunst. He grinned at the insect man.
They left the office and went to the roof. Newton focused his attention to the other roof. He sent a singularity to it, making sensing where the chimneys and other objects were. With a deep breath, he then had the singularity grab onto him and pull him through his personal little wormhole.
The moment of pressure ended, and the green-haired mutant turned and looked back across the street. He could see the other three heroes waiting. He waved cheerfully and mentally sent the friendly gravity point back over to them. A moment later, Mystic Inferno was standing beside him, then Coolant System, and lastly Poison Sting.
Thats my part. From here on out, I stay out of sight and make them float, Newton grinned. Try not to get dead.
Newtons transport made Mystic a bit queasy. Hed traveled like that before, but much preferred to fly. Disoriented, Mystic hovered. Its what he always did when things werent right. Even though he had to trace runes in his mind to do it, it was easier than falling for him. He could do it in his sleep, and annoyingly had.
The mage turned to Poison Sting and nodded. The large, insect man was gone in a flash. The rest made their way down the stairwell, hovering close to the blue robed mastermind. No, mastermind was not an appropriate word. Genius, perhaps, better conveys the level of planning, brilliance and excellence. Yes, genius. Overlooking no detail no matter how small, planning for every contingency
Actually I hadnt quite considered what we would do if the stairwell door were locked, Mystic sheepishly admitted. The hovering mage briefly considered that perhaps his glory days of Master Strategist had not quite been grown into just yet. Cold shrugged and twisted the handle until it popped. Mystic and Newton gave him a silent thumbs up as they made their way through the abandoned building.
Soon they were behind the thugs in a largely destroyed office section of the factory. It was cluttered, which was good, but had only half walls, which was bad. Mystic and Newton hid behind a half wall, with a good view of the two thugs. Coolant crouched behind an abandoned desk with a good line of sight to the two, a straight run. Then they waited. They waited some more.
It was, of course, just as Mystic began to whisper, remember to turn them toward the win- that Poison made his appearance. A loud noise at one end of the factory. Far away, actually, which was par for the course now that theyd arrived and found that, in that direction, it was open ground except for a few desks and tables and one open office at the end, not what Mystic had envisioned at all.
No time for worry, though, it was starting. Mystic heated up the sprinkler head above him and the bubble burst, but no water came forth. Bloody hell. Poison Sting lunged from the office to one of the desks for cover. Then the unexpected happened. There was no gunfire, there were no orders shouted, one thug simply ran while the other stood there, staring.
He ran right past Coolant, who was preparing himself for the charge from behind. Coolant stood suddenly and hit him in the back of the head. The thug fell forward with a thud and slid to a stop. Then Newton grabbed the second one, and held him in the air. Mystic wasnt certain if Poison knew that he was held, because Newton didnt lift him far and Poison slammed right into him, taking him down perfectly. The tough tried to recover, but in shaking the cobwebs from his head he was greeted with the sight of Poison looming over him, and lost consciousness.
Mystic stood from behind the half wall. Right then. Precisely as I planned it. The self mocking sarcasm wasnt lost on anyone.
Soon, both were trussed up in the holding cell. They had to be tied to chairs because the door of the holding cell had been torn off by a troll. So they came to, one at a time. When the second one looked at the first, then around at the room, Mystic looked to the others. Alright Newton, Poison, take your places."
Newton looked at the thugs. "Costuming should be easy enough. Jeans, torns t-shirt, tennis shoes. I think the black wig." He reached into the bottom of his make-up case. "And it just so happens, I have the 'bruise pack. Give me ten minutes, and I'll be in place." He sat down at the desk. "When I'm done, double check me to make sure I have got all the green hair, eyebrows, and mustache covered up."
"Right," Mystic began, "Coolant, you get the popcorn and Ill pour the soda.
I dont drink soda.
Yes, well. I
quite. Lets just watch then. Mystic hadnt quite figured out Coolant yet. Theres a point where you get someone, know whether they understand you or not, whether they get your jokes or think theyre funny or are being funny back. They hadnt quite gotten there yet. So Mystic played it so it could be taken either way, until, you know, he could get Coolant System.
Poison tied a disguised Newton to a chair and drug him past the holding cell to the middle of three interrogation rooms. All three rooms had suffered extensive damage already. In fact, if you were tall enough, you could see from room one, through room two, into room three. Of course the lights in room three didnt work, so theyd placed a lantern on a table. And the one way mirror was destroyed in room one, so you could see the place where cops usually record confessions. But none of this mattered. For twenty minutes they sat in the cell as Poison screamed bugman noises and questions at Newton, who pleaded for mercy and claimed he didnt know. Then the banging and crashing began. At one point, poison hit something while Newton threw rubble in front of the holding cell. Mystic raised an eyebrow at Coolant as if to say nice touch.
Coolant was, of course, busy pouring coolaid into a mop bucket and tearing up pieces of chicken breast, while cutting off wig hair. Of course
Then Newton gave a blood curdling scream after a loud smash and it went quiet. Poison did his best sneaking yet and suddenly appeared in the doorway to the holding cell. He played up his bug side, with lots of quick movements. He drug one thug into room one, then another into room three. As they were both dragged past room two, a disguised Newton lay there in the room, smashed furniture about him, and blood all over him. Poison was dripping at the mouth with the exact same blood. Well, the same mixture of fake blood, at any rate.
Once they were in the room, Poison returned to room two, and pretended to wake Newton. Since both thugs were no longer in a position to see what was going on, they went at it again. Smashing, screaming, questions with answers like, I dont know, OH GOD HAVE MERCY!!!
Then, quietly and calmly, Mystic entered room three. The thug was passed out and there was a foul smelling puddle under his chair. Right then, room one.
In room one was much more what he expected. Once Mystic removed the tape, the first things the thug said were, I want my lawyer.
Lawyer? Why, are you in trouble with the law as well? Look around, chap, do you see any bobbies? Oh no, this USED to be a police station. Now its a dustbin. Its just a place where we keep trash. Mystic took a clipboard and applied a pen to it. Now, whats your name, please?
Im not telling you nothing. You dont scare me. Youre not going to kill me. The tough stared at Mystic, shaken momentarily as the wall behind Mystic suffered an impact. Screams came from Newton, causing the thugs eyes to dart a bit. Youre
youre heroes. You wouldnt kill me.
Well would you tell me your partners name? Do you have any contact information? Someone we could call in case of
accidental injury? Another strike, this one knocked plaster on to Mystics shoulder. He brushed it aside and wished he could tell Poison that the whole wall was about to come down and he might want to lay off, but it seemed like Poison Sting was getting into his work.
Eff off hero. I hope you got a mindray because Im not telling you nothing. The thug spat on the table.
Mystic stood up, leaving his pen on the table, but taking the clipboard. Fine then.
As the mage began to walk out, a single spine came through the wall, and Newton did some great gurgling noises. The thug looked at the wall. That aint real man. That aint real. Hey, where are you going?
If you wont give me your name, theres nothing I can do for you, is there? Mystic opened the door.
Some interrogator you are. The thug managed as much false bravado as he could.
Oh, dear chap, Im not the interrogator. The spike went back through the wall, and Poisons eye could be seen looking through in the light of room two. He is.
Yeah
right. Sweat was visibly forming on the mans lip and brow now. I
I,I,Im not telling you nothin.
Fine, have it your way. Hell be with you momentarily. Mystic closed the door behind him.
About ten minutes passed. Probably felt like six hours to the thug. This was the part that everyone was waiting for. Coolant, mask over his face, opened the door wearing coveralls and pushing a mopbucket full of red liquid with chunks of flesh and human looking hair in it into the room, slightly whistling as he went. Suddenly noticing the thug still tied to the chair, he stopped.
Oh. Coolant looked at the thug, who looked at the mop and bucket. Oh, theyre not done in here yet. Ill come back later.
Mystic opened the door not too long after. Forgot my pen. He stepped in to grab his pen.
My name is David Green. I live at for forty two Baker ave. The guy who sent me to look at the building is a Chiller named Christopher Beard. He lives at for five one.. are you writing this down?
Im afraid I only thought to brew tea. Though there is caffeine in it, if thats your aim.
Oh, yes, breakfast. Well, I dont suppose this news is all that terribly important. I didnt bring any real food with me, a few biscuits and all the ingredients for tea. I suppose we could order out or someone could go forage for food. I tend to prefer the from a store food, so perhaps we should send out for it.
Mystic cast his gaze about the desks and found a take out deli menu that claimed to serve breakfasts and open at 6AM. The words we deliver were printed on the front, though delivering and delivering at 6AM were two entirely different things. No sane creatures were up at this hour.
Mystic swept across the faces of his companions as he thought this. A bug creature, a fat guy with green hair and my god is he smiling? It MUST be the tea. This place looks open. A phone call later and food was on the way without much complication. Well, aside from the no, with mustard, no bacon. Yes, I know it has eggs on it. Yes I still want mustard. No, they have nothing live, please stick to the menu. Forty weight what? type of mix ups. Perhaps thats a bit exaggerated. Sadly, not by much.
That done, mystic pulled his mask down and began to sip at his tea. The nature of the magic turned his skin a darker color and covered him with a light energy field, allowing him to withstand bullets and the like without outright falling over dead. It would help distort his features, not that most of his companions could care at this point.
While were waiting for the food to arrive, perhaps each of us could take a turn giving a small synopsis of our backgrounds. Mystic sent out waves of heat from his hands and caused large balls of flame to come into existence too far above the furniture to burn anything, but quite easily warmed the large room in a matter of moments.