Kashaye was just grabbing her purse when someone knocked on her doorsill. She turned around to see Martel standing there, along with two soldiers behind him.
"Yes. May I... Oh. Officer Martel... I'm sorry, I don't know your rank. What can I do for you? We were about to go for lunch... so unless you're paying for your own, your timing is a bit off."
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Martel's eyes widened as his face changed to an 'oh-it's-YOU' expression. "I have been informed that you are an important figure in his building and as a result, I have orders to have you guarded at all times. I was ordered to guard you personally, so if you would be so kind as to inform me of where you will be eating lunch and the specific route you will be taking, I will be able to go about my duty. We can't have our massive investments go to waste by letting the head scientist get kidnapped, killed, tortured, or maimed by Crey, now can we?" He smirked slightly in a smart-alec kind of way.
"Well, no. Doubly so since it's ME you're referring to."
She sized up the man. Wiry, lithe, looked like he knew his business. Needed a better aftershave though, and to tone down on the amount, too. "Well, Martel, I will do better than that. Meet my new assistant, Mallory."
Mallory nervously said hello.
"Now... since I seem to have grown a handler... might as well make the best of the situation. Would you do us the honor, sir, of escorting us to the deli a block down the street?"
(( Game terms: Mallory is sidekicked to Kashaye. Martel and his two soldiers just got a team invite. Who has the star is up for debate, although Kashaye is holding it as of now. IF we get into a scrap, which I hope not, they'll partake of Kashaye's buffs to better do their job... and we still don't know much about Mallory's abilities other than she has Force Field or something like it.))
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
( "She sized up the man. Wiry, lithe, looked like he knew his business. Needed a better aftershave though, and to tone down on the amount, too." Oh, what, he's like that because he's French? lol 
Anyway, what server are you on again? Victory? I have Matamoros on Virtue...but I guess I could make "Matamoros v3.0" or something on Victory...but that would mean I'd be overwhelmingly low level. I just got the game about a month ago.)
"Could you give me the name of the deli?" After she told him he placed his hand on his earpiece and spoke into the headset, ordering some men the secure the route to the deli as well as the deli itself. "Alright, we may depart now." Martel signalled another soldier over. Two were to watch over Mallory, while one was to watch Kashaye as Martel led the way.
They passed through the security points without hassle, everyone seeing that Kashaye and Mallory were with Martel. They exited the building and made their way to the deli. Martel and the soldiers remained cautious, their eyes darting in every direction, at every bump, knock, screech, every noise that was common on a city street. Martel did not have a good feeling about any of this, but then again, he never did...
(( Oh alright, go put the fear of God into some Outcasts... incidentally, the building I 'photographed' for the lab faces Blyde Square, and is about a block away from Cook's Electronics. That should give you an idea of what kind of criminal element is present. BTW, your humvee and troop transport motorcade? Positron said "They're STILL grey to me, no XP there either!" ))
Kashaye fretted at the delay, but put up with it. She wasn't used to having guards around her. Usually SHE was the one doing the guarding. But, at this point, there was a genuine grilled reuben on rye that took precendence over whatever shananigans these Legion guys were going to do next.
She was quite grateful for the corporation's assistance in getting her lab going... but she was wondering at what price?
"Agent Martel. You mentioned that I am 'under your personal protection'. Tell me... does that mean I'm to take you home with me every day from now on? Because I thought that sort of arrangement involved a long courtship, flowers, a ring, some promises, and a big huge party... and so far I haven't seen much along those lines at all."
Martel grimaced. Uh oh. His charge was a smart aleck too. This could get dicey toute suite.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Martel was effectively silenced for a moment, but then he decided to enlighten her a bit. "You don't understand how much danger you actually are in," he said to her as they made their way down the street, "I've already spotted several potential Crey-lackeys already. See that man over there," he inquired, pointing to a casual looking man reading a newspaper, "Crey agent." The man quickly ducked his head behind his paper when Martel threw a glare his way. Martel pointed to another average looking man wearing an trenchcoat and carrying a briefcase. "That man there is hiding a sniper rifle and equipment under the coat and inside the case. They're probably listening to us right now."
They arrived in front of the deli. Several armed soldiers were already standing in front and around in several defensible positions. "I'm sure you feel you are safe because of the fact that Crey cannot afford to make a big, clumsy attack on such a high-and-mighty hero-scientist," he said, almost in a disdainful manner, "but, you fail to realize that Crey has no other options now, considering my employeers are now in on the deal with Physiks. I speak of Legion of course." He looked into the deli, making sure some of his men had already secured it, then he proceeded to open the door for Kashaye. "Now, unless you want to be a Crey guinea pig, I suggest you put more trust in me as well as comply to my requests." He smiled slightly. "Ladies first," he said, gesturing Kashaye and her new 'sidekick' to enter.
As Martel pointed out the supposedly-normal sleeper agents out on the street, Kashaye blanched. All this time, right under her nose.
"Well. That puts a different light to things."
She was gracious enough to purchase lunch for all four soldiers/agents/Legion employees.
"Alright, Martel. I can see this is going to be a big change, but... this seems to be the week for big changes, so... I'll see what I can do to make the job of protecting me easier."
With that, she retrieved her PDA. "I have some files to transfer to you." Once Martel had activated his IR file-transfer protocol, she began.
"The first file is the name, address, general contact, and emergency contact information for my condo's management company. you most likely have already staked it out, but, I figured you might need this handy should they need to be contacted. Say... for arranging a neighboring flat, or for securing my place."
"The second file is to be held in strictest confidence. It is the membership roster and contact list, active, inactive, and retired, of my supergroup. Names with diamonds are mid-rank, such as myself. The name with the star is the name of the founder. I have fought with her and trusted her with my life on many occasions, so if SHE turns out to be a Crey sleeper, I will be most upset with her."
"The third file is my personal address book. It contains names of friends and associates, current and past, dating back to before I entered school... when... I was normal. Again... strictest confidence."
"The following PGP hash-code is for my commlink. With it you will be able to eavesdrop on my private conversations with others. I would appreciate it if you did NOT record them, but merely have a trustworthy agent listen to them."
"And the last file is my 'hero diary.' It contains a listing of each and every mission I have accepted, either my own or ones for others tha needed teammates, all of my contact information, and my security level increases and subsequent training."
She looked Martel straight in the eye. "You have my life in your hands. Do not abuse it."
She settled back, and nibbled at what was left of her reuben.
"Oh. One more thing, and please do not take this personally. If you must assign an agent to be my bodyguard, especially if this bodyguard is expected to be at my side every hour of every day.... I would prefer that the agent was a woman. I... do not feel comfortable... around men, for more than a few hours per day in a professional setting. Those files you hold will explain why. Again, it is nothing personal. You appear to be quite competent, relatively handsome, and charming and witty as well... but I'm afraid such things don't do much to make up for the handsome, charming, witty and competent man that nearly beat me to a pulp twice a week for two years."
She took a breath. She'd laid her life out on the table in front of a complete stranger, all because he had been given orders to protect her.
She looked at her new intern/assistant. "No. Mallory. This is NOT what I would consider a normal day for a lab researcher, or a superheroine. But... very little has been normal since the lab accident bestowed me with super abilities. So if you have abilities as well... brace yourself. It's not all heroic poses."
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Martel sat silently. He was completely in awe at the fact this woman just laid everything out in front of him. No screaming, no arguing, no crying, no panic, nothing. He paused for a moment, then reached for his sidearm and placed it on the table directly in front of Kashaye. By now, his smart-alec persona had vanished. "Take this. I know you have powers and God knows what else, but if the worst should happen, you should at least have this. I will take the information you have given me and guard its secrets and yourself with my life for as long as I must. It is my duty." He didn't know what to say about the request for a female agent. There were no female agents to provide her with. Martel couldn't say anything, lest he reveal things to her that she shouldn't know. She seemed to be in enough trouble as it was.
Martel turned his head to Mallory. "What about the girl? Is she vital? Does Crey want her as well?" Martel needed to do some research on her, he hadn't counted on another high-priority person.
(( Jeesh... you guys are going back and forth pretty fast. Sorry I haven't jumped in for a while, been taking care of homework all day ))
Mallory didn't like this "Agent Martel" person, but since Ms. Parker seemed to, she figured it must be alright. Anyway, the exchange between the two of them had been pretty funny. The thing that worried Mallory most though was the number of people that seemed to be watching the three of them. She was happy that Martel could pick them out so easily, and that his troops seemed so well trained. On the other hand, she figured it probably wouldn't take too long for those Crey people to associate her with Ms. Parker and Physiks Tech.
The walk to the deli was uneventful, although when they arrived, Martel stepped in quickly and then came back out. He then opened the door for the two women. Mallory followed Ms. Parker in and they all sat at a table to one side. Ms. Parker offered to pay, (which was handy... Mallory didn't have any money) but Mallory decided to only get a little bowl of soup. She was still a little shaken up and didn't know how well her stomach would take something like a reuben on rye.
Near the end of the meal, Ms. Parker took out her PDA and started passing some very private information over. Pretty much everything in her life. Ms. Parker quite obviously trusted this man far beyond normal friendliness. Then she turned to Mallory and as if reading her mind, said, "No. Mallory. This is NOT what I would consider a normal day for a lab researcher, or a superheroine. But... very little has been normal since the lab accident bestowed me with super abilities. So if you have abilities as well... brace yourself. It's not all heroic poses."
(( I am going to post again immediately, but there have been several posts while I am writing this. I just want you guys to know I am here and keeping up with things))
[ QUOTE ]
Martel sat silently. He was completely in awe at the fact this woman just laid everything out in front of him. No screaming, no arguing, no crying, no panic, nothing. He paused for a moment, then reached for his sidearm and placed it on the table directly in front of Kashaye. By now, his smart-alec persona had vanished. "Take this. I know you have powers and God knows what else, but if the worst should happen, you should at least have this. I will take the information you have given me and guard its secrets and yourself with my life for as long as I must. It is my duty." He didn't know what to say about the request for a female agent. There were no female agents to provide her with. Martel couldn't say anything, lest he reveal things to her that she shouldn't know. She seemed to be in enough trouble as it was.
Martel turned his head to Mallory. "What about the girl? Is she vital? Does Crey want her as well?" Martel needed to do some research on her, he hadn't counted on another high-priority person.
[/ QUOTE ]
(( Soul is extremely down-to-earth, and has been in enough battles to teach her when to bluff one's hand and when to lay it out. ))
Kashaye pushed the sidearm back toward her protector. "I am sorry Agent Martel, but I am afraid to say, I wouldn't know the first thing about firing a weapon such as this. Also, I have no need for it - my innate talents include a ranged strike that packs about as much power as that 12-guage riot shotgun your subordinate over there is toting around. And since it is innate... I never have to worry about it being loaded, or used against me. Keep your weapon."
At Martel's question about Mallory, she put an edge to her voice for a second. "The 'girl' is right here. It would be much more professional to not refer to her in such a dispassionate manner. Mallory is a recently-discovered metahuman, earlier today, in fact. We have yet to discover what her powerset is. But, what we do know is, it is similar to mine, which makes her an asset to our project's success. Plus, she's an employee of Physiks. I was in the process of hiring her as my assistant when you and your team were deployed. I doubt that she is on Crey's radar yet... but like you, I have yet to ask what her background is. Her job application seems normal enough. Mallory... this does bring up a valid question, and I apologize if it gets personal."
Kashaye paused, and looked Mallory straight in the eye. "Do you have, have you had in the past, or does your family have any connection to Crey Industries?"
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Mallory tensed up a little bit when Martel passed a real gun over the table to Ms. Parker. At this point, she was a little bit afraid. It seemed she'd just stepped right into the dangerous worlds of heroism and corporate rivalry... both at the same time. Then Martel looked at Mallory and spoke up.
"What about the girl? Is she vital? Does Crey want her as well?"
At this, Mallory felt a little bit indignant. They were talking about her, in front of her. But Ms. Parker replied before Mallory could say anything. It was a good thing, too. Mallory had just about lost it. Unfortunately, this is when her "powers" manifested themselves again. With her anger, she again forced atoms apart in a sphere, albeit this time it was not around her, but around her hand (her wrist was undamaged). After the gluons had generated, they reacted to the forces of the atoms in her arm and were forced away from them... The small ball pushed away from her at a pretty good speed, hitting Martel's nearly empty plate and pushing it off of the table. Mallory didn't notice any of this, of course, though she did see the plate move, seemingly on its own. This, of course upset her already fragile mindset and she jumped up out of the booth. "What was that!" She practically yelled. It didn't seem that either of the other two had noticed the plate, and just as she jumped up, Ms. Parker asked if Mallory had any family that had every worked for Crey.
She didn't know for sure of anyone, but then, she didn't know where her father had been working either. She knew he was a scientist, but not where. " I'm not really sure... mabye. My dad worked at some labs around here 20 years ago, when he was alive, but I don't know where. My mom doesn't like to talk about it. His name was Arthur Anderson... does that help?"
(( ah! I caught that. ))
Kashaye saw the plate move, but wasn't sure if Martel moved it.. or Mallory... However, Mallory did seem agitated by something. "Mallory, what happened? Are you OK?"
((ohh... if I weren't under a non-disclosure with my company, I'd tell you tales about THAT name!!))
The name "Arthur Anderson" didn't ring a bell with Kashaye, but she made a note to ask Clarisa... and she figured Martel would tap someone to research it, if he hadn't already.
(( BTW, we have a newly awakened meta in a restaurant with a bunch of soldiers standing around, alert for outside threats. If her powers manifest to the point where someone gets hit or startled, this could get... interesting. ))
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
As Martel witnessed her powers first hand, he decided that Mallory would indeed need to be protected. Crey had agents everywhere watching Kashaye's every move. If they were competent in any way they would have witnessed this as well.
"I think something needs to be arranged for her as well," he said, regarding Mallory. He his gaze shifted to the young girl. "Are you staying with relatives? By yourself? I'll need information from you, too. By now Crey and God knows who else has bore witness to your capabilities. Unless you wish to be a lab monkey the rest of your life you had better place your trust in me." Martel didn't know exactly how 'trustworthy' he seemed, considering no one looked at Legion as the becon of good will in the world.
Mallory sat back down, embarrassed, and considered Martel's question. She was still wary of he and his 'army,' but from the way everyone was talking, the people at Crey were more than a little bit worse. Anyway, Mallory had just witnessed Ms. Parker transfer some of her most private documents over to this man. Mallory had only known Ms. Parker for an hour or so, but already she trusted her and assumed that she would not do anything stupid enough to get either of them killed. So she decided to go ahead and trust Martel, just not as fully as Ms. Parker had. (She didn't want to think about being a "lab monkey").
"I uh... I live in an apartment with a girl I met at school. It's a couple of blocks... um... that way, I think." She pointed in the direction she thought was east. "I live with a girl named Katie Larson. We both go to PCU." Mallory paused, then made a realization. "Do you think... could these Crey people have done something to my apartment?" Again, she was starting to get a little frantic. "Should I s... st... stay away from there?"
"Relax, Mallory, you don't have to worry. We're going to take good care of you." Ms. Parker said. "I'm sure that Martel here is going to make sure you are okay." Mallory didn't see it, but Kashaye shot him a brief "You'd better..." look.
Kashaye looked up at Mallory, a sudden expression of concern crossing her features. She turned to look at the agent seated across from her.
"Martel? Until her place gets swept and secured, and her roomie checked out, I think it might be best if she stayed with me. At least that'll make your job easier, with only one location to guard, instead of two. And Mallory, I DO apologize, this is turning into a lot more than you signed up for. And we don't even know what you can really do, yet."
She finished off her lunch and stood.
"Speaking of which... I'd like to get back to the lab, and get you fitted for a telemetry rig. If we can get a good reading on your energy signature and physiology, we MIGHT even be able to help you learn to use those abilities better."
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
"Are you serious?" The receptionist at Crey Industries was in the middle of gossiping with another Crey employee, and the topic had her at the edge of her seat.
"Yeah, apparently there's something BIG going over at that new Physiks Tech lab." The man smirked, rubbing his fist lightly over his suit. "In fact, I heard that-"
The man's voice caught in his throat as the main doors to Crey opened up, revealing the one and only Countess.
"Countess Crey!" The receptionist jumped in her seat and quickly composed herself while the man she was talking with quickly and quietly excused himself. The receptionist grew increasingly uneasy as Crey walked past her desk and into the nearest company elevator.
Upon arriving at her office on the top floor of Crey Industries, the Countess made a stop at her secretary's desk.
"Calls. Reports. Files. Now." Countess Crey said in a polite and cold tone.
"Uh, right away!" The secretary said quickly, rumaging hecticly through her papers and handing the proper documents over. "There's... there's been a, um... a situation that's arisen over at a Physiks Lab while you were away that requires your immediate attention..." The secretary held her breath, awaiting the Countess's reaction.
Countess Crey looked over the documents the secretary gave her, then turned her attention to the secretary. "Very well. Good job." The Countess then made her way into her office.
The secretary was continued to stand, a look of shock crossing her face. "Good... Job?" The secretary whispered.
The Countess tossed the documents onto her desk and sighed, looking out her large office window.
"And this is how people treat her every single day?" Countess Crey asked aloud. "Jeez, I knew she was a real [censored] to her enemies, but her EMPLOYEES too? What an ice queen."
"Darn it!" Christopher said, slamming his fist against the wall at Portal Corp. "He has literally THOUSANDS of private retreats around the globe! He could be ANYWHERE!"
"A resort in Bahamas... a luxurious winter lodge in the middle of the Swiss Alps... an UNDERWATER retreat off the coast of Puerto Rico?" Christina read the information off of the Portal Corp. computer. She smiled and shook her head. "And they say money can't buy happiness."
"We're going to need some help finding this guy..." Christopher said, deep in thought. "Either that, or we'll need some way to bring him to us..."
"Alright, I got one." Tommy said, motioning to Rick and Clover. Rushing to their friend's location, the two followed Tommy's gaze and saw the young woman, her purse swinging loosely over her shoulder; an easy target.
"Alright Clover, you know what to do." Rick said; Clover nodded. Rick then turned his attention to his other friend. "OK Tommy, let's go." The two quickly made their approach.
Tommy, Rick, and Clover (all only 16 years old) were three of the many homeless in Paragon City. Tommy and Rick had been homeless all their lives, and as such had learned how to survive on the streets at a very early age. The two lived in one of the many homeless communities in Paragon City, where anyone down on their luck or running from the police was welcome.
About a month ago, a young girl about the same age as Tommy and Rick stumbled across their community. She had no memory of her former life, and (for a reason she wouldn't tell the community) didn't want to go to the police. The community eagerly took her in, and she called the place "home" ever since.
Unlike her two friends (who were dressed in the standard dirty brown outfits that everyone else in their community wore), Clover wore the same clothes she had worn when she came across her new home: tatterred black jeans and a red tank top. She had long, green hair that was dirty and unkempt from a month of being unwashed and uncombed. It was because of her hair color that she was named "Clover"; she had no idea what her real name was.
"Excuse me, ma'am?" Tommy and Rick got the immediate attention of the young woman. Clover clenched her fist and waited for their signal.
"Yes?" The young woman asked, looking the two boys over.
"We're lost. Could you tell us where the nearest bus station is?" Rick asked. Upon hearing the question, Clover ran out from her hiding place and made a bee-line towards the woman.
"Well, I've never seen any buses in this city but- HEY!" The woman yelled as Clover snatched her purse, tugging on the strap so hard that it snapped. Purse in hand, she immediately made her retreat.
"Stop! You little thieves!" The woman yelled, trying her best to run after Clover in her high-heeled shoes, but to no avail. The two boys quickly made a break in the opposite direction Clover was running, heading back to their home community.
I wonder how much she has in here... Clover thought, looking at the purse in her hand as she ran. She was so busy looking at the purse that she didn't notice that the door to the deli she was passing by was opening, and consequently slammed into a woman (obviously a Hero) as she was exiting. This caused Clover to fall back, and when she looked up she saw that the woman she had ran into was accompanied by what appeared to be a soldier of some kind and another young girl.
Oh, perfect... Clover thought as she steadily rose to her feet.
Supplemental Galactic Protectorate Fanfic
[ QUOTE ]
I wonder how much she has in here... Clover thought, looking at the purse in her hand as she ran. She was so busy looking at the purse that she didn't notice that the door to the deli she was passing by was opening, and consequently slammed into a woman (obviously a Hero) as she was exiting. This caused Clover to fall back, and when she looked up she saw that the woman she had ran into was accompanied by what appeared to be a soldier of some kind and another young girl.
Oh, perfect... Clover thought as she steadily rose to her feet.
[/ QUOTE ]
"OOF! Oh, I'm sorry, are you OK?"
(Hrmm... THIS one has been on the streets too long... nice purse though... wait... broken strap...)
Kashaye made a snap decision, twiddled her fingers into that nth-dimensional pocket she 'felt' her powers came from, and 'pulled' at the kinetic energy of the youngster, attempting to slow her to a crawl. "Hold the phone, kid. Let's see the purse. NOW." She clapped a hand down on the girl's shoulder.
((I WOULD advise a quick surrender, as you are surrounded by Legion paramilitary troops that, well, aren't known for their use of nonlethal force. Plus my companion has yet to become even AWARE of her abilities, so is of course unable to control them.))
Kashaye knew she'd made the right decision when she heard the cries of "Stop! Thief! Someone stole my purse!" a block down the street.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Darn it... Clover said, her body feeling like it was made of lead. She looked over her shoulder at the Hero... and the feeling came over her again. As she stared into the woman's eyes, her green hair changed into an afro, exactly like Soul Train's.
"GET AWAY!" Clover screamed, raising her hand and firing an energy blast into Soul Train's face at point-blank range.
She can reach into some kind of other-dimensional pocket? Clover thought, turning to soldier and the girl. But how do I know that? Argh! I don't have time for this! Reaching into the same nth Dimensional Pocket Soul Train had, she Siphoned the speed from the soldier and made a break for it, moving incredibly fast as she turned the corner.
Why...? Why does this always happen when I'm near Heroes? What's wrong with me? Clover thought, tears in her eyes as she put more and more distance between the Hero and herself.
Supplemental Galactic Protectorate Fanfic
"UNNNH!!!" Recoiling and shaking her head, Soul missed seeing the transformation. She did, however, take exception to kids shooting her in the face with an energy blast... and how had she shrugged off the slowing effects?
She then saw one of Martel's men moving extremely slowly... *another KINETIC?? But.. she's only a kid! How can she be that powerful?*
She speed boosted the hapless soldier, freeing him from the slow effects, and then triggered off an Inertial reduction field, instantly leaping up and forward over the rest of the soldiers and down the street after the girl. She was moving as fast as Kashaye was, but the superjump added to her earlier speed boost allowed Kashaye to close the gap. Wait... her hair was green before... now she had... Kashaye blinked in complete consternation.
She'd never heard of someone being able to mimic others before. And judging by what she'd just experienced... it wasn't just appearances. Her quarry could doppelganger powers too. This might be a challenge.
Soul decided to shadow the girl, not accost her again, see when the effects faded.. IF they faded.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Martel suddenly found himself in what appeared to be an attack. He had drawn the sword from his back, but before he could react, Kashaye was blasted in the face then suddenly she leaped into the air.
"Bloody hell!" he screamed, noticing his objective had so quickly escaped him. One of his men had already reached into his pack and pulled out a small vial and injection gun. Martel immediately injected himself with the fluid, being incapacitated for a second, then took off down the street to follow Kashaye. He leaped onto several fire escapes and made his way to the rooftops so that he could keep sight of her.
"This is Martel, my target has escaped! She is to be protected at all costs! I need squads scrambled to my position immediately!" He was screaming into his headset. His position was already tracked by several central computers, so immediately soldiers were rushing down the street to secure the entire area. Even several attack helicopters that were floating around Physiks made their way to the area, the rumble of the rotors shaking the ground and glass in every building surrounding the area.
Martel managed to get somewhat near Kashaye, within shouting distance at least. "What the hell are you doing! Are you crazy! I'm supposed to protect you!" He didn't even know if she heard him.
Kashaye heard Martel screaming at her, and activated her commlink. Hopefully he'd installed the hashcode she gave him. (( Game terms - Team channel ))
"Martel! Dammit! Look, the girl's a street rat, BACK THE HE1L OFF!! Or we take her together, nice and orderly, WITHOUT putting anyone in the trauma ward! She's some kind of mimic, she's copied my abilities and my hair and skin tone! I've got her about a hundred yards ahead of me, and I'm hoping to shadow her until that speed boost she stole wears off! So go covert for cryin' out loud!"
Kashaye leapt over another low building, jumped once more, and landed lightly on a roof. Scrambling to the edge, she found a spot where she could observe her quarry without being detected.
"City of Heroes. April 27, 2004 - August 31, 2012. Obliterated not with a weapon of mass destruction, not by an all-powerful supervillain... but by a cold-hearted and cowardly corporate suck-up."
Martel, by this time, was furious. "Goddammit," he yelled into the headset as he switched channels. "This is Martel. My objective is following a little girl. She won't be hard to notice. She has an afro and is running at an impossible speed. Find her and surround her. Do not harm her, she is an innocent, I repeat, an innocent." "Yeah, real innocent all right..." he thought to himself.
Almost immediately helicopters had made their way over the girl. An attack helicopter lowered itself in front of her to block her path as troops jumped out of low-flying transport choppers. All had injected themselves with the unknown boosting serum and had quickly surrounded her, raising their various weapons at her, although with no real intent to shoot. One soldier stepped forward and fired a small grenade, releasing a sort of knock-out gas. They had hoped that would be all they needed...
Clover looked on in terror as the black helicopter lowered itself in front of her.
What is... why is this happening to me? Clover thought as a grenade exploded at her feet. Gas immediately erupted from it, causing her to choke uncontrollably.
Who... Clover thought, her mind racing as she began to lose consciousness. The image of a burning building flashed in her mind, followed by images of what could only be her parents. Who am I... really? Clover fell to the ground, unconscious, her hair and body returning to normal.
Supplemental Galactic Protectorate Fanfic
Mallory was still inside when the girl rammed into Ms. Parker, and at the first flash of powers going off, she decided to stay there. She didn't really see what happened outside through the frosted glass of the door, but there was some cursing, flashes of light, and then the blur that looked like Ms. Parker was surrounded by a strange aura of light. Then she jumped REALLY high. Mallory stepped outside try to keep up with where she went, but she dissappeared behind a building after her first leap. The soldiers around her quickly pulled out needles and injected themselves with the contents. Mallory watched in almost horror as nearly all of them collapsed to the ground, twitching. She started to move toward them, to try to help, but by the time she had asked, "Hey, are you guys okay?" They were already getting up. Martel sprinted off, very quickly, in the direction Ms. Parker had gone. The others went in different directions, to bring together whatever forces they needed. It seemed every single one of the soldiers that were charged with protecting Ms. Parker and Mallory had left...
After all of the troops were directed to their positions and the various security checkpoints were established, Agent 'Martel' called in to headquarters using the small headset brought to him by one of his staff.
He spoke, but mentioned no names. "Headquarters, Martel here, how is he? The idiot better not die, he owes me." he said, amusing himself. He remained silent as headquarters responded, updating him and giving new orders. "Right, I'm to pick up his mission for him while he's gone? Who's my objective? A Ms. Kashaye Parker? Right, I'm on it. When that idiot recovers, tell him he owes me again. Martel, out."
Martel walked to the secretary at the lobby desk, a smirk still on his face. "Arrogant Spanish moron," he said to himself quietly, "always biting off more than he can chew." He reached the secretary at the desk. "Excuse me miss, can you direct me to a Ms. Kashaye Parker's office?" The secretary gave him directions and the room number in a rather timid manner. "Thank you." Martel took a sub-machinegun from one soldier as another handed him his sword, which he promptly strapped onto his back. He signalled to two other soldiers to follow, then they marched off to Kashaye's office.