January 24th, 2005 - Brickstown, Crey Lab 0073
He stood there in mute shock at the ruins around him on shaky legs. The fire alarms and halogen systems sprayed and whirled around him with almost a surreal like quality. He stumbled in shock induced fog as he attempted to navigate through the ruined landing bay. Looking down he saw the crumpled armored forms of two cryo agents who were among the men who arrived he was told, to escort his daughter to her new room...
She tried to hold on to him...telling him not to fear....as he tried to reassure her these ...guards ...soldiers..were here to help her....to help him help her....
The she turned bright white and the bay ripped into a massive explosion...the secondary blasts from the fuel cells knocked him from her. How could she do this?
Did she kill these people..was she the caged animal they warned him to expect...drunk on her new power. The media here seemed to like her...but the Priject Leader had shown him the files of her repeated thefts throughout the city,
Oh Kara....i have to help you , he thought as he tried to overcomb the numbness that surrounded him...
This is not the life for you, he looked across the bay towards the skyline of Paragon at night. Im here to help you baby...
"Dr. Reynolds!...sir are you allright!?" The filered voice of one of the guards asked him. He looked above to the control room window to see the Project leader motion for him to come up.
Glancing back to the line of retreat his Daughter had taken only once he decided she needed his help.
He turned his back to her once....
Never again, he would find a cure for her.
He would make it all right, as any Dad should...
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
January 25th, 2005 - Galaxy City, New Porter Institute
The wind howled beyond the thick panes of the NPI building. Winter clawed at the glass seperating her from the elements as she walked down the hall towards the dorms. Exhaustion and worry creeped into her limbs as she knocked on Rhuby's door causing it to open slightly. Smiling a bit she entered the dark room.
Her entrance failed to awaken Rhuby who lay asleep upon her bed, Sighing a bit she leaned on the back of the desk chair as she watched this person who was becoming so very special to her, sleep for a bit. She had begun to tell Rhuby about her father tonight as well as his new 'job' with the Crey....and Rhuby had begun to tell her about Jack..
Jack was gone...something about Mazin and Cassie. The last Kara wanted /no/ part of, she thought as she removed her gloves. She tried to wrap her mind around Jack being angry at Cassie of flirting or something about spanking by Maz /after/ Jack dumped her. She sighed feeling sorry for Cassandra and for Jack, he always seemed to sabotage himself each time he was happy. She also knew Cassie had to have gotten hurt...her thoughts went briefly to Ravon before she forced them away. She /so/ didnt want to think about him right now.
Laying her gloves atop the desk she looked back to Rhuby's sleeping form, now Rhuby also said she wanted to talk..She sighed still worried about the talk. Unclasping her cape she draped it over the chair and moved over to the bed to lie down. Curling up next to Rhuby she draped her arm over her as she could feel her exhaustion begin to give way to sleep.
She thought of her journal but Mr. Bear would have to wait until tomorrow as Rhuby and she snuggled close and comfort dragged her down into dreams....
======================================
Out within the bitter cold, eyes set for may different ways to scope and observe remained vigilant. A lone figure crouched still amongst the chilled shadows of a nearby building..he keyed his mic.
"Target is Dormant....returning to base"
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
January 26th, 2005 - Brickstown
She leaned against the chipped and scored metal surface of the metal wall. Her shoulder was on fire and her face hurt. She hurt all over, the last battle was more fierce than any of the others she had been fighting all afternoon.
Warehouses, offices and now this lab. Every mission seemed to hold nothing but Crey. Even those her contacts swore were not Crey oriented held a Crey ambush for her. It was if the whole company was after her, each battle seemed to puch her further away from galaxy. So even after the fierce beating she took this afternoon before the Hospital's porter kicked in she decided to take the fight to them.
Gordon Stacey, Steven every contact she knew that had clues and mission versus the Crey she accepted. She knew this had to do with her father, but he was so new ...how could he have this much pull to mass such a force against her. She shook her head horribly confused, she was afraid to even call for help, Now the Crey were after Mazin. It was as if they had declared war on NPI.
The heavy thud of the security door slamming down pushed through her fog followed by the lab alarms her attack had caused. Drawing a breath she stood upright allowing the cushion of air to encircle her and moved down to the door to bring these crey to custody atleast...
=========================
=========================
Meanwhile....
The stainless steel floor and walls of the lab surrounding Dr. Reynolds and his Project Advisor echoed the boots of the Approaching Crey Officer.
"Sir, Doctor..field teams report loss of signal" Pulling uncomfortably at his uniform collar he continued under the hawk like stare of the advisor. "The signal went dead in Talos near Ithaca island....the girl's cell phone has gone dormant. She has reached the other one apparently"
Frowning "Other one?" Dr. Reynolds asked
"Her gi.." began the Officer before the tight voice of the Advisor interupted him
"The Statistics on todays fiasco Captian?"
Fidgeting a bit "well as you know Ma'am the target went rogue and turned on us after the first three tries yielded us 14 of 26 men injuried or in Police custody , Crey holding Property damage then was minimal..but then she began striking all over Founder's falls...sending some 40 agents to Jail the hospital or both following that 7 raids including three labs, several dozen security and researchers have been hospitalized and millions of dollars worth of damage has been done"
"Have the police issue a warrent like the other 'project'...is there a problem Captian?"
Confused and frightened for his daughter as he listened, clearly Kara had gone mad with mutant absorbation..
"Actually there is Ma'am, each strike of hers was guided by an anonimous street contact...each yield possible legal difficulties for us. As sch she was acting as an agent for the police....she cant be charged. and with the other situation with the Mazin boy also costing us resources..."
The advisor waves a leather gloved hand sharply "Fine...he is the priority currently. Allow our project to lend a hand with that. We will just have to be a bit more creative to assist Dr. Reynolds in assisting us aid his charming daughter....right Doctor?" back to the officer "Besides the cadre we have at their building should be enough of a presence to keep her away from that /school/...."
Swallowing but nodding quickly "Yes..yes ofcourse...anything to help her"
"Dismissed Captian issue the orders..." the advisor then added "then come see me...perhaps a different kind of search will show our elusive ms. Reynolds.."
Sweating dispite the controlled envirment William Reynolds returned to his daughter medical scans and meager tissue samples the Crey had provided for him and began to work to save his daghter
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
Originally posted by NPI Student Rhuby Quartz
Janurary 27, 2005 - Atlas Park
She felt so funny in that stupid red wig, but the point was to try and look as unlike herself as possible. Rhuby landed in Atlas Plaza...She was here only to see Antonio Nash. Luci would have left her old cell phone and comm with him for Rhuby to collect now that Kara's cell and comm were dangerous to her and Rhuby knew, her own would soon be as well. Rhuby moved through the building as casual as a paranoid person possibly could. Any single one of these people could be working for crey. She spoke briefly with Mr. Nash, collecting what she came for and left just as casually. Her eyes were alert, half-expecting to be jumped or arrested on the spot for some [censored] crime the crey would have fabricated. She was lucky this time though.
On her way out of Altas Park, she picked up food for her and kara, dropping off her comm device in a trash can not far from the Atlas Hotel. If they would try and track her, it would lead them far away from where they were actually staying. Flying high and avoiding trams and tunnels, she was able to make her way back to Skyway, hopefully unseen. She slipped back into their hotel room through the window, their exit for choice for now to find Kara still asleep. Rhuby smiled, setting down their food and laying Luci's old cell and comm on the nightstand before turning off her own cell. She would keep it merely for an emergency... She was taking no chances with this, not with Kara.
Rhuby pulled off the short, red wig and fluffed out her long, blonde hair.. sliding onto the bed beside Kara. Her fingers delicated traced the dark bruise across the apple of Kara's cheek.. causing her to stir in discomfort. Rhuby sighed and laid down beside her.. pushing her unrulely bed hair aside and smiled as her eyes met Kara's.
"I brought you a Sprite.. and some Chinese. We should eat and shower.. and get out of here soon..We can't stay anywhere for too long.."
============
============
Originally posted by NPI Faculty Member Natasha
Natasha leaned against the side of the building, across the street from the hotel. She lit a cigarette and stood there, letting the smoke billow out into the cold air. Her Ducatti was stowed next to a dumpster out of sight.
"You shouldn't be doing this. You've retired," she thought to herself. "You're a kindergarten teacher for crying out loud." She waved the though aside. The TAC-9 automatic pistol strapped to her thigh didn't seem to bother her one bit, infact, it was rather comforting. Almost a part of her.
Natasha flicked the butt into a small drift of snow, and continued to watch the building. "I hate stake outs, so dull." A quick glance up and down the street revealed nothing. Apparently Crey wasn't quite up to par on tracking their targets. "Oh well, might as well find a better observation point."
The Russian walked back to her bike, picking up a rolled blanket. She began her way up the fire escape glancing back at the doors of the hotel. As she crested the roof line, she glanced over the area, more out of habbit than anything. Her eyes settled on a mass of duct work. "Perfect." She wandered over to the intake shaft, and pulled the grating off with little effort. She then slid her small body into the duct work, and unrolled the blanket, pulling out a long rifle with a very large scope.
"Hmmm... let me see..." she pulled out a clip and jammed it into the rifle, and racked a round. She proceeded to sight in on the building, occasionally scoping the sidewalk, looking for anyone that appeared suspicious. "I hope they're dumb enough to show up... kindergarten is so boring..."
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
January 28th,2005 - King's Row
The musty stale air of the flophouse room contrasted heavily with the sweet smell of the shampoo as she dried her hair off. Her second shower of the day. Her ill fitting clothes were atleast clean, her second pair of the day, the first having been trashed in the sewer when she and Rhuby had left the hotel in Skyway. Jason, a mutant she had once rescued from the 5th Column had been more than happy to teleport the pair straight to the sewer beneath the hotel then to a cab stand.
Once Saftly away The girls left Jason in the cab and walked through the forgotten neighborhoods of Kings Row. Rhuby knew of an old flopshouse and soon they were inside again as the sun began to set. Trading off on the showers, Rhuby had just gone out for food and something for the pounding headache Kara could feel ripping through her. Her bruises though starting to heal were still sore and her body ached.
Flicking on the television she watched through the shaky screen a brief news blurb of her and Rhuby freeing a suburb last night from some Rikti attempting to poison them or something. It was a risk but Steve , her contact was desperate. She began to brush her hair wondering how Maz was and if he was allright. She wonder how her friends at the school were and if they too were safe....
"Well no Crey today so far..." she grinned slightly .."Rhuby has tossed them for loop at this low tech dodge..." she glanced out at the lights of the Row as they began to light up, and waited for Rhuby to return.
==============================
Hours earlier and moments after their unseen departure a single black minivan arrived in front of the Hotel in Skyway. From the passenger side stepped a sharp dressed woman in an over coat, intense in her stance as she glanced up along the front of the hotel. She was extremely irritated. Her containment teams had been sent to another project in dire need and her budget cut for this search. This mutant brat had already been a difficult capture in the beginning when she had the firepower. She had complained the risk of her men to her captian, yet all he would say is that the advisor had been clear, most of their assets were being reassigned yet the Reynolds brat was to be brought in. She shook her hea dnad checked her faux PCPD ID card, grinning how easier it would be to collect info if her interviewees thought she was a mere detective.
"Sheep" she muttered..
The side door disgourge three more men in black suits and overcoats. One took a position int he front of the van another the rear , as the third and the woman entered the hotel to walk tot he desk....
Holding his hand to his earpiece the driver began to relay their status to their unseen overseers. Glancing to and fro across the street andits crowd searching , while awaiting the pair to come back outside...
He smirked, they had to be close this time...it was just two young girls. Only a matter of time now.
==========================
originally posted by NPI falculty member Natasha
Natasha snapped off her thermal vision and slipped out of the ventelation shaft. She then proceeded to glide down the fire escape. As she came to the second story, she flipped over the railing, landing on the concrete with a slight thump. The woman quickly wrapped her rifle up into the blanket, and then hopped on her bike.
She glances up and down the street one last time, and then zips out into traffic, "Where would they have gone..." She slips her comm over to the cellular frequency and makes a call. "Joey... Natasha. No, I'm not calling about the money. Have your boys been doing their job? Good." She zips between two cars, the speedometer pushing seventy five miles per hour. "Really? I'm already there."
The Ducatti engine began to protest as Natasha screamed through the tunnels of Paragon. She glanced down at the tacometer, and backed the engine off slightly. The machine ripped through traffic pushing close to one hundred and ten miles per hour. The woman emerged from the tunnel with a roar, and gained air as she sailed down the Kings Row off-ramp. A few quick turns through back alleys brought her to the flop-house.
Quickly the Russian stashes her motorcycle, then scrambles up the heavy drainpipe of the building across the way. Natasha glances around again, then activates her cloaking device. "Too easy... but if I can do it, they can do it." She quickly unrolled her weapon, and took up a position in the shadows of a chimney. "Just a matter of time," she thought to herself...
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
January 29th, 2005 - King's Row
As the sun rose gently in the cold air od the morning The girls rose an began to move about the room. The chillng wind whipped around the old stone faces of the buildings around.
Below in the street, several forms moved out of the alley, their shimmerig white armor moved silently as the closed in on the ent to the flohouse.
A professional small 5 man containment team of 2 Cryo agents and 3 Crisis units of Crey Industries, began to close on the flophouse. Taking up positions their leader glaced back to the alley.
Within the Darkened Alley not yet privy to the raising warmth or shedding light of the sun, The Vigelante Agent placed his weapon to the back of the neck of a young man kneeling in the snow. The boy a paid informant for various criminal and hero sources in the area, the virtual eyes and ears for many a capo or cape now found himself facing the truest hazard of his choice in life.
In a quiet yet cold tone" If you are lying....if this Girl and her friend are not present.." he softly charged his pistol touching the comm to ear "Hit em hard and fast remember there are two of them...the tank is not a priority and is expendable. The Reynolds girl is to be taken intact...but defend yourselves....
Steeling himself "all go?" Pressing the gun to the informants head he listened as he heard five 'go's '
"we go in 3.....2......"
==================
Originally posted by the NPI Student Tomoya about the Character 'Rico Chavez'
He stepped out of the apartment and closed the door quietly behind him, a wide smile on his face. He turned to go down the stairs when he caught what he thought was a familiar scent. He looked up and down the hall and couldn't place where the scent actually came from. He shrugged and headed down the hallway to the stairs.
He heard them before he saw them, heavy footsteps were coming up the stairs towards him, sounded like at least three men to him. He peered down the stairwell, and caught a glimpse of a what was unmistakenly a Crey power tank. He frowned deeply and steeled himself for what was to come next. He summoned the fire he held within himself and launched himself over the railing.
He took the first walking tin can by surprise, and drove his hammer right through his faceplate, dropping him to the floor. The other two reacted faster then Rico expected and put him on the defensive. He hadn't fought against this configuration of Crey power armor yet and he was a little surprised at the speed augmentation.
Setting himself into a corner so he couldn't be flanked he began exchanging blows with the Crey, he was getting his [censored] kicked and he knew it, good thing he still had some tricks up his sleeve, a few choice words were enough to enrage both of the Crey and they pressed their attack. Rico took the oppurtunity to start the floor around them on fire. Seconds later the floor gave out and the three of them fell down a floor.
Rico landed hard on one of them and he heard a sickening yet satisfying crack as they made contact with the floor. He quickly got back to his feet and looked around for the other tin soldier. He found him quite quickly, or more aptly the goon found him. A sharp pain in his shoulder announced the return of the man, a burst of gunfire had come from above him. He looked up to see the man hanging from the ceiling by one hand with an automatic weapon in the other.
Rico tossed his hammer at the man and missed. He then reached behind him and pulled out a shotgun he'd been given to slay the undead on Striga. With a slight smile, and then another grunt of pain as the metalhead shot again, he returned fire with the holy shotgun, knocking the Crey from the roof and sending his weapon scattering away. Rico stepped up to the man and started pumping round after round into the armor, untill it finally buckled and the man went limp.
Rico slumped against the wall and let out what felt to be his first breath in eons. That fight was damn hard, much harder then what he had expected it to be when he went over the railing. He was shot, bleeding and had at least three cracked ribs. He hobbled over to his hammer picked it up and walked down the stairs. Water began pouring over him as the sprinklers went off to put out the fire he started, but he didn't seem to notice.
He exited onto the street only to see the bodies of two men dressed all in black, their head almost completly blown off. He glanced around looking to see what had happened to them, thinking better then to stick around and find out for sure, he hurried off down the street to the parkade, grabbed his bike, and rode off heading towards the institute.
====================
Originally posted by NPI Faculty memeber Natasha
Natasha smiled with glee as she watched the Crey team make for the door of the complex. She calmly lined up the cross hairs of her scope and squeezed the trigger. The Crey agent lurched foreward and dropped to his knees. followed by his head smacking against the concrete.
She took great satisfaction in knowing that it would take dental records to identify him. Years worth of practice allowed the Russian to gently swing the rifle around to the second agent, another gentle squeeze of the trigger sent the agent to the ground. "mmm... to easy." She began to move the crosshairs towards one of the armored men, just in time to see them scramble inside.
"Damnit..." She rolled away from the chimney and scrambled across the rooftop. The sniper rifle finding itself slung across her back. Natasha lept off the three story building landing with a thud on the ground behind the vigilante and his contact. She immediatly pulled out her TAC-9 pistol, delivering two shots to the back of their heads. "Damnable informants..."
She glanced up seeing Rico zip past on his bike and chuckled, "Hmmm... poor bastards probably didn't know what hit them." She calmly stepped over the bodies of the vigilante and his informant and slipped onto her own motorcycle. The engine hummed to life and she too zipped out into traffic leaving the carnage behind.
Natasha activated her personal comm unit, dialing up one of her own contacts, "What have you got Joey? -- no... what do you mean you don't know?! FIND THEM!"
She clicked off the unit, and continued to scream through traffic...
==============
"WHAT!" The Advisor nearly roared. Her waspish voice sharp and shrill making both the captian and Dr. Reyonlds flinch. "How? Thermals showed the girls in the room and unaware"
The Captian cleared his throat. "Our team apparently ran head first into a well orchastrated ambush....the tactics are not unknown to us. Clearly the girls had reached out to one of the security teams at the school. We do not know this new agents name, However the brief images we have from our encounters with her lead me to believe she was protecting the girls...."
The Advisor turned sharp eyes on the captian that seem to bore into his soul "And?"
"This agent...used a blocker who expertly eliminated our team as she removed the rear command structure. It was surgical in it's planning and preparation. " the Captian sighed "it is clear to me this woman and her partner are highly trained prehaps ex government...ours or the Russians...though i would not rule out the Chinese for the blocker." he sighed "They hit our team so fast they barely had time to respond as per their training....but Ma'am..." he began...
"Yes?" she hissed
"Perhaps we have under estimated the girls' resourcefulness...our back up team has found evidence that they used their teleporter friend again...and have dissapeared again. However one ....um..special agent may have a lead...but it is gonna cost us.."
"Pay it ...i want these two little bit..." She bit off her words with a brief sidelong glance to Dr. Reynolds then softer " Young ladies...our Kara and her 'friend' to get the treatment they so desperately deserve..." with a curt smile to Dr. Reynolds she began to walk off..."Hire them Captian!" and send some one out to find that Agent, this one who ambushed our team, the one you spoke off and have her killed for this atrocity!"
"Ma'am..you dont..." the captian began
"Kill her!"
"Yes Ma'am" as he moved to set things in motion, to set the agents required for this agent' death..he sighed. He had to admire her, pity she had to be killed and not recruited. The way she pulled off that ambush. She should be instructing his troops not being made a target.
As he picked the phone he glanced over at the good doctor once more hard at work going over his child's records and scans. Shaking his head the captian wondered how clueless this mans hatred had made him. Still though, he mused intersting tool for the hunt.
"Yes we would like to purchase your team for the hunt" he spoke into the phone"...usual rate plus 25 percent per operative...as discussed. Target live...secondary target expendable...what? ..how expendable? " He glanced over to the doctor who had not yet figured out what this Rhuby was to his daughter. Hell, he thought he would be doing her father a favor, softer so though the doctor couldnt hear him "The one named Rhuby is deemed a hazard to the mission and is deemed very expendable...terminated with extreme prejudice. 10 percent bonus to operative who pulls the trigger...no ..no thank /you/. " with that he hung up...
now to this sniper agent...why he may have to led that team himself...
===============================================
January 30th, 2005 - 'Boomtown'
She awoke shivering under the blankets that covered them, her clothes chilled to her skin, the fire in the drum beside where they had made their bed last night had burned down to embers. Gently she disentagled herself from Rhuby's arms eliciting the smallest of sleepy protests from her as she stood. The wind ripped through the open frames of the twisted skyscrapper they had taken refuge in high above the streets of the forgotten zone. The chill blew through her, causing her to increase the flow of energy with in her to raise the tolerace to the cold. Finally warm she scavanged up some lose wood and restocked the fire drum and with a brief burst of her energy she rekindled the fire to give Rhuby some warmth.
She watched her newfound love gently struggle with awakening, still amazed she had not abandoned her through all of this. Walking over to the edge of the jagged hole in the side of their building, she knelt looking over the ruined landscape.
It is like this is the place old skyscrappers had come to die, she mused opening Luci's old cell phone. Briefly leaving a voicemail to Tomoya that she was allright, she decided to call Caya or Cassie to let them know as well and stopped.
It was tough to explain she would later describe it as having someone walk over her grave....
Something was wrong, she could feel it. With a look she shared this with Rhuby, the pair quickly broke camp. Hastley but with an efficiency only learned by experience when on the run they were again on the move. Electng not to fly other wise givng off a clear target they made their way down the ruined stairwell cautiously and without sound.
Slowly and with as much expertise as the could muster the exited the ruined building as the air around them was fill with the smell of ozone as a spark gun was fired. Rhuby duck and swung to the side as a charred spot appeared along the wall where her head had been. Kara swung dropping her pack to free her arms.
As one the girls reacted, stone armor wraped with speed around Rhuby's form as she stood back to back with Kara who generated a protective air current around herself to hover off the ground. only to freeze as their targets stood in a pentagon shaped formation around the pair.
"Omigosh!..../No/" Kara breathed...she recognized the Armor having had faced them once before whil training with Jack Garrett, one of the security experts at the school. She had quickly learned then the lethality of these highly trained mercenaries.
"What? Who are these bastards?" Rhuby hissed ready for battle.
"Malta" Kara breathed, her blood running cool, knowing these highly trained mercenaries were way out of the girls league.
"Kara Reynolds...you are coming with us " annouced the Gunslinger before them "No questions...obey!"
To their right the Sapper prepared himself as the 3 man tac ops team settled into a cross fire on the girls with practiced ease.
Steeling herself she could see Rhuby had guesed the danger level now merely by the look on Kara's face.
Swallowing Kara turned to her and asked one word knowing it was a request only Rhuby could answer.."Together?" looking back at the Malta operatives..waiting for Rhuby's response.
Smirking Rhuby sized up the situation and answered merely but firmly..
"always"
Stealing herself, afraid but knowing there was no way to run...
"Then ....here we go"
When they moved, they moved as one towards the killers dressed black.
The battle had begun...
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
Originally posted by NPI Student Mega Juice
January 30th, 2005 - King's Row
Tyler stepped through the doorway of the small hotel, surveying the scene. Looking for any sign they may bave been there. He found one allright. In the form of a huge hole in the ceiling and burn marks everywhere. Some kinda fire had been started. Must've been one of the Crey or something. In any case, something big had happened. There were no bodies, but there were splotches of blood here and there. Not to mention the skull fragments he had found outside in the alleyway. Making his way up the stairs, he cautiously moved down the hallway when some sort of scent caught him by surprise. Following his nose, per se, he stepped into one of the rooms. The bed was mussed and there were footprints in the dust, everywhere. Except for the bathroom. The tub was spotless, as if recently used. Huddled in the corner was a small bottle of shampoo. Picking up the bottle he gently inhaled the contents.
Yup. It was hers allright.
He'd recognize that scent anywhere. Pouring a small amount into his hand he must've only missed them by a few hours. The shampoo hadn't begun to grow dry yet. This was the best sign so far, considering the comm he found in the trashcan was a useless lead. Tapping his chin in thought, he was suddenly alerted to the sound of a car pulling up outside. Slowly walking to the window, he spotted 2 black SUV's with several suited men and women stepping out of them. "Crey." he thought to himself. Must've came back for a second sweep. With a small grunt of frustration, he rushed to the back side of the building and climbed out of one of the windows, leaping about a block's worth in a Southernly direction. Landing with a small thud, he turned back to make sure he wasn't spotted. Seeing no one, he turned his head West.
"They couldn't have gotten far...I hope you're okay, Kara..." he muttered under his breath and leaped off of the roof.
===========
Originally posted by NPI Mentor/Security Expert Jack Garret
January 30th, 2005 - 'Boomtown'
The gunslinger rolled his eyes behind his shades as the girls made their valiant affirmations. “How… heroic,” he remarked, apathetically. “Naïve, and kinda pointless, but you definitely score for the heroism, I’ll give you that.”
He felt the slight tingle in the air as the Reynolds girl began to build. He gave a quick glance sideways at his sapper, who nodded in understanding and hefted his weapon. The ‘slinger turned back to face the girls – the Reynolds girl hovering just above the ground, the other a mass of dark stone; the girl’s body mostly hidden beneath the armor. ‘Pretty, both of them,’ he mused to himself. ‘Shame.’
He stood casually and addressed the pair, a light smirk on his face hidden behind the mask, his body not reflecting the honed readiness about him. “You have the right to remain silent. Should you choose to waive this right…” The girls had heard enough. They steeled themselves, let out a wild cry in unison, and leapt into action, charging for the smug [censored] in blue. Behind them, the Malta operatives began to move.
But the girls were beyond caring.
======
The Outcast slammed against the wall hard enough to bruise – and stayed there, pinned up against the crumbling plaster by the man’s fists balled up in his shirt.
“Where?!”
The Outcast’s voice came high-pitched and shaky, squirming under the man’s dreadful gaze. “I dunno man! I didn’t see [censored]!”
“Wrong answer!”
The masked man let go of the Outcast with one hand, reaching to his side and drawing a desert eagle from its holster almost faster than the eye could follow. He pinned it against the gangerÂ’s thigh and squeezed the trigger, no hesitation. The Outcast cried out in pain, and the man relaxed his grip, letting the punk fall to the floor. A few of the other Outcasts tried seeing to their injured brother, but didnÂ’t dare move, lest they be singled out.
The gunman turned to the next nearest Outcast, who took a few steps backwards as the man approached, handgun still held tightly in his fist. “Where. Did. The cowboy. Go?”
The brick shook his head frantically. “I-I can’t! If they find out, they’ll kill me!”
The ferocious intensity in the man’s eyes burrowed holes in the youth as he moved closer. He’d managed to follow them this far – he wasn’t going to let some uncooperative ganger stop him now. “You stupid sack of [censored] -- if you don’t tell me, I’ll [censored] kill you!” Without taking his eyes off the brick’s, he lifted the handgun to his side and squeezed on the trigger again, a bullet lodging itself in the already-wounded Outcast’s shoulder. The downed ganger cried out again.
“Okay okay! I saw ‘em!”
The man cocked his head to the side and smiled darkly behind the mask. “Better.”
======
20 feet.
Energy rippled waves in the air around Kara’s fists as she flew at him. A small cloud of dust billowed behind her as she hurtled on through the air, pushing herself hard. A singular thought raced through her mind: ’Not her, not because of me…’ The energy around her fists flared brighter as she bore harder towards the gunslinger. ‘Whatever happens… I won’t – CAN’T let them get her too.’
10 feet.
The stone gauntlets Rhuby wore steadily expanded as she closed in – veritable wrecking balls at the ends of her arms. She thundered cumbrously towards the gunslinger, matching Kara’s pace, her eyes fierce and locked on the ‘slinger’s shades; trying to bury through to the eyes beneath. She had to get Kara out of there. To do that, she’d have to go through him.
And she swore sheÂ’d knock that cocky smirk off the [censored]Â’s face as she went.
5 feet.
The gunslinger stood his ground, unflinching, his body beginning to faintly shimmer in blue. Almost casually, he reached to his side and drew his revolver; heavily customized, it was almost more a work of art than a weapon. Kara and Rhuby finally closed the distance. Drawing their arms back together, mirroring eachother, and with a simultaneous cry of effort, they slammed their fists into the ‘slinger’s body.
Or they would have, had he been there.
Overbalancing a little at the unexpected lack of resistance to their blows, Kara and Rhuby tumbled forward, passing through nothing more than a blue shimmering of the air. A familiar voice echoed from somewhere behind them. “…you will be shot, and stabbed with nasty things that just really don’t feel nice.”
Kara barely had time to spin around before the hum of the sapperÂ’s equipment tore through the air. The beam hit her square in the chest. The flesh directly beneath the blast went numb almost instantly, as a feeling like fierce pins and needles raced through her body. The exhaustion set in quickly as the sapperÂ’s rig did its job, fatigue flooding over her, rolling in waves from her chest. The energy sheÂ’d wrapped around herself dissipated. The cushion of air beneath her faded, dropping her to the ground. Her legs lost the will to keep her standing, and with a groan half born of the sickly sensation, half of sheer frustration, she sunk to her knees.
As the beam hit home, Rhuby pivoted on one foot and spun around, coming face-to-face with a Malta tac-op. Growling through clenched teeth as Kara dropped to the ground beside her, Rhuby launched a stone-covered right hook at the man in blue. "Bastards!" she spat the word as her fist made its arc. “Get AWAY from her!”
But her attack was no match for the tac-opÂ’s skill. Deftly dodging sideways of the cumbrous blow, he brought his arm up in a vicious back-hand, jabbing the tazer in his fist into RhubyÂ’s neck. Crying out in pain and staggering back a step, RhubyÂ’s concentration on her stone-control slipped, and the armor fell to dust around her. Anger welling inside of her, she clenched her fist hard.
But the barrel of a gun pressed against her temple drew her attention.
The words came as an order. “Stay down.” She glanced up along the revolver’s arm only to meet the masked face of the gunslinger, before the tazer jabbed into her side again, dropping her beside Kara with a stifled cry. The tac-squad moved up to form a close ring around the girls. Two guns trained on Rhuby. One on Kara. And the sapper’s draining prod never left Kara’s back – maintaining the grip of fatigue on her.
The gunslinger gave a quiet nod of approval. “Clean. Alright, we’re homeward bound, boys. Get the dampeners set up on the Reynolds girl, and make her… travel-safe.”
One of the tac-ops spoke up. “What about this one?”
The ‘slinger regarded Rhuby a moment, absently waving his revolver side-to-side as he weighed things up, then finally just shrugged. “The briefing said she’s expendable. So… expend her.”
RhubyÂ’s eyes snapped open as the gunslinger spoke, ordering her execution, the words sending a bolt of dread through her. Cold, primal fear gripped at her heart as the realization sank in. Beside her, Kara shuddered against the sapperÂ’s rig, drawing upon the last vestiges of her strength to let out a slurred, pitiful mockery of a scream. Rhuby glanced sideways at her as the sound rattled out: the look on KaraÂ’s face made RhubyÂ’s pale.
“NO!” she cried out, desperation wracking her voice. She tried to lash out, adrenaline fuelling her. “You can’t t--AHH!” The now-all-too-familiar feel of the tazer in her spine jolted her body, cutting her protest short. The gunslinger lined his revolver up to Rhuby’s face and drew back the hammer in a meaningful way.
“Sweetie, it’s the same old deal: there’s the easy way, and the hard way. You either sit still, accept this, and I’ll make it quick. Or you can struggle and play up, and we’ll tazer you into oblivion and then cut you into, literally, bite-size pieces for your friend there. Which is the kinda thing that scars a girl for life.”
The gunslinger drew a field knife from its place at his belt and twirled it in his free hand, looking down at Rhuby. “Don’t make us do this the hard way. ‘cause that’s freaking disgusting. So sit quiet, alright?”
She clenched her jaw tightly, gritting her teeth and inwardly cursing through the pain. Tears leaked out of her eyes. She didn't want to die, but stronger than that came the need to know Kara would be safe, regardless of her own fate. "JustÂ… let her go.. she hasn't done anything wrong. She doesn't deserve thisÂ…" Her words whimpered out, her nerves still shaking from the tazer's attack. Her heart raced, tears flowed, and her head sagged as the dreaded realization of it washed over her: in moments, sheÂ’d be little more than blood and matter on the pavement.
The gunslinger gave a sympathetic shrug as one of the tac-ops moved behind Kara to begin rigging up the dampening field. "Ours is a dirty business." He slipped the knife back into its sheath at his side, pinned the revolver against the top of her head, and traced the sign of the cross on his chest.
For Rhuby, time slowed to a crawl. Her life flashed before her eyes... and she came to realize how unfair it all was: she barely remembered her life. A few short months before the present, mixed with confusing pockets of the past… and now, ended, pointlessly. Expendable. The word echoed through her thoughts as reality began to fade away. She shook her head – mentally, at least – and forced the mind’s eye towards better times.
She thought back to happier times. She thought of Kara. And she thought ofÂ…
“Jack Garrett!” The gunslinger’s voice snapped her back to reality. The revolver was no longer pressed against her skull. She lifted her head and blinked furiously, trying to clear the tears from her eyes. The gunslinger’s pistol still wavered before her eyes, but his attention was drawn away from her. Through the haze of her vision, in the distance, she made out the outline of a man; alone.
From here, he looked like Malta, though his outfit was brown. The desperate hope rising in her knew better.
======
“Jack Garrett!” the gunslinger called. His voice kept its same confidence, but on the inside, his nerve was under attack. The operation had been so clean up to now. It wouldn’t – couldn’t be for much longer. A tac-op behind him radioed the newcomer’s intervention back to HQ. “Well, what a pleasant surprise.”
Jack slowly marched towards the group, across the rubble-strewn streets of Boomtown. His eyes blazed a cold anger as he scanned the group; assessing the situation. Kara, barely conscious. Rhuby, on her knees with a gun to her head. A sapper, three tac-ops, and their cowboy squad leader. His grip on the desert eagles in each hand tightened.
His voice was cold, dry and level, and he called out simply. “Let ‘em go, Corr.”
“Sorry Jack, no can-do. See, as unwanted as your arrival might be, we are so close to being done here that turning back now just seems… wasteful, y’know?”
Jack wasn’t impressed. “So just how do you plan to carry on with it?”
“Well,” the gunslinger called. “since I don’t really see you leaving us alone right now, we’ll probably have a bit of rough and tumble. Bullets, smoke, blood… usual mess. A bit of witty, scathing banter to start us off before the fighting starts, and we’ll toss in a moral crisis involving these two,” he waved the revolver over the downed forms of Kara and Rhuby “just for good show.”
Jack gave no reply. His march became a jog, which became a run, which became a kinetically-enhanced charge. A mental command initiated his cloaker, leaving him as little more than a rapidly-approaching shimmering of the air to the Malta operatives.
“Or, we could just skip the banter…” the gunslinger muttered under his breath, twirling the revolver in his hand. “A [censored] medal to the man that drops him! Check your crossfire!”
Two of the tac-ops quickly pulled their helmet-mounted thermals down and opened fire on the approaching heat signature. Jack weaved and twisted as he ran, side-stepping when he could, and constantly shifting his speed up and down; throwing off their ability to accurately compensate for the movement. The third tac-op didnÂ’t bother with aiming, just laying down suppression fire, sweeping the area. Jack returned suppression of his own, unloading his clips as fast as he could towards the Malta operatives.
With a nod from the gunslinger, the sapper hauled Kara over his shoulder and hovered off the ground, backing off away from the group. The ‘slinger gave one glance towards the incoming… nothingness that was drawing the gunfire, before turning back to Rhuby and leveling his revolver once again at her head, his calm demeanor fragmenting with the action. “Before we were so rudely interrupted, I believe we were… here.”
“NO!” With a cry and a surge of desperate effort, the girl threw herself upwards.
He squeezed on the trigger. Rhuby screamed sharply. The bullet imbedded itself inÂ…
‘…dirt?!’
Jack’s invisible form hurtled past the gunslinger, the blonde swept up in his arms as he ran – her body seemingly floating away from the Malta squad at speed. The tac-ops continued to rip bursts of lead towards him.
Marcus Corr, the gunslinger, let out a soft, frustrated growl. “You’re good, I’ll give you tha—“
“GRENADE!”
Corr swung his vision back from the fleeing shimmer just in time to see all three tac-ops hit the deck as the gifts Jack had left behind exploded. Instinctively, he covered his face and spun away from the explosion. But the force of the blast never came. Turning back quickly, he realized why.
The area began to fill with a sickly green cloud – a burning vapor intermingling with a thick black smoke. Before the smoke entirely obscured his sight, Corr saw his three-man tac-ops team scrambling away, coughing, wheezing and rubbing at their faces. Behind his airtight shades and respirator-covering mask, the gunslinger shook his head and ran from the cloud, following Jack’s path, revolver in hand.
======
Jack bolted away from the squad, kicking up furious amounts of dust and debris as he went. Rhuby looked more confused than anything, but held tight, not saying a word as the crumbled terrain of Boomtown whistled past. Jack’s back hurt like hell as he pounded on through the ruins, but he knew it could’ve been worse. He gave a silent thank-you to the creator of flak armor. Reaching the back corner of a derelict skyscraper, Jack made a quick turn, ducking behind the building – out of sight of the Malta squad. Wasting no time, he pumped his kinetics, gave a “Hold on” to Rhuby, then leapt upwards, climbing the skyscraper two storeys at a time.
Eventually, he reached a small cavity in the side, some twelve storeys up, and ducked inside. The building was apparently the rotten remains of an office block. It was damp, and mostly dark, and the smell of the place was less than pleasant. But it’d serve its purpose. Dashing a little deeper inside, Jack eventually set Rhuby down inside the ruined shell of a kitchen. Still cloaked, he gave a forceful “Stay here”, and then dashed back outside, not waiting for her response.
Clambering around the outside of the skyscraper, he took in the view. Hustling in from the distance came two of the tac-ops, the third a short ways behind, still rubbing at his eyes. A wink of blue light directly below him marked the passage of the gunslinger; apparently – hopefully – unaware of both his whereabouts, and Rhuby’s. To his left, Jack spotted the sapper slowly making his way over the rubble, hovering a foot off the ground with Kara over his shoulder. Jack narrowed his eyes and dropped silently from the side of the building, his kinetics rig dampening the fall. Quickly, but quietly, he made his way towards the sapper.
======
Fraser Johnson hovered as quickly as his rig would let him through the ruined streets of Boomtown. The Reynolds girl weighed heavily on his shoulder, her body little more than dead weight with the sapping gear doing its job. The op had gotten messy. The sound of the tac-squadÂ’s firing had died away not long ago, somewhere back behind the ruins. He wasnÂ’t sure if they were dead, or if they were just busy trying to find something to shoot at. One way or the other, he didnÂ’t like it. He felt alone. Tentatively, he used his free hand to touch his comm piece, speaking quietly as he floated on, hugging the terrain.
“Uh… this is Johnson, just looking for a sit-rep, boys.”
There was silence for a moment, then a soft click. “Redmond here. Lost visual on the target. Proceeding to—“ a wheezing cough “to last known location, about, uh… 300 yards nor-easter of interception point. Nothin’ on your end?”
Johnson cast his gaze around warily, back pressed up against the outer wall of a skyscraper as he surveyed the 180.
“Nah, no sign. Thermal’s got nothing. Making my way to extraction with the booty on my shoulder. Could do with an escort here.”
“Roger that, we’ll move in on your position. Reynolds is our primary here. Keep movin’ – we’ll meet up.”
A new voice piped up. “Oh, and as for the booty?”
“Yeah?”
”Don’t ye be plunderin’ it, matey!” One or two more voices joined in with their own pirate quips, until the full squad was chuckling a little – tension still very-much evident in their voices.
“Yeah, yeah, [censored]… just shut up and get over here, ay-sap. Johnson out.”
The comm clicked off and he shook his head, smirking a little.
He died smiling.
======
Jack sent the rifle away in a shimmer of blue as the round tore through the sapper’s skull. The silenced shot meant the only real sound besides the wind, the hum of equipment, and the occasional Clockwork chattering, was the soft thud as the sapper fell to the ground and slumped forward, Kara falling heavily on top of the body. Jack vaulted the edge of the rooftop and landed with little noise as the dampeners kicked in. Moving quickly, he closed in on the body and lifted Kara up onto his own shoulder, offering a quiet “Shhh” as she groaned – her body still mightily wracked from the sapper’s gear, but slowly regaining its strength.
He spent a few short moments at work on the sapperÂ’s body, and then took off again, back towards his makeshift safehouse. Hopefully, Rhuby would be the only one there to greet him.
======
“Mother [censored]…”
Two of the tac-ops moved up on JohnsonÂ’s fallen body, the third hanging back, eyes constantly scanning the surroundings; thermals pulled down. The second touched his comm.
“Sir, Johnson’s down. The girl’s nowhere in sight. Needless to say, neither’s Garrett.” He leaned over and craned his neck to inspect the body as the first operative lifted Johnson’s head a little. “Sniper round, straight through the head. Jeez… this thing must’ve torn right through the other side.”
The first tac-op rolled Johnson over, onto his back. And froze.
“Oh [censored]!”
As JohnsonÂ’s body rolled to the side, a string attached to the inside of his jacket pulled with him. The two men nearest barely had time to move before the mine exploded, blasting them yards away. The third operative hit the ground with a thud as fiery debris landed beside him. He frantically hit his comm.
“Sir, he rigged the [censored]’ body! Mother [censored]!” He glanced backwards. “Redmond and Harley are wasted. I’m… shook up, but I don’t think I’m hurt bad.” The comm was silent.
“…sir?”
A sigh through the comm, frustrated – almost a growl. “…let’s go home.”
“Sir?”
”The op’s [censored], Jimmy. We’re three men down outta five, we’ve lost both girls, and at the moment, it’s just us two waiting around to see who gets sniped in the head first by Captain Guerilla Warfare. We were working on bad intel, and three of our boys are dead for it. Someone’s got hell to pay, so right now, I feel like a word with that someone. And I’d prefer not to be shot in the face while I’m trying to do it. Move to extraction. And for [censored]’s sake, keep your eyes open.”
“Yessir.”
The boss was pissed. He didnÂ’t argue.
======
Jack propped Kara up to sit with her back against the wall of the kitchen. She was steadily recovering from the sapping, but that numb feeling through the muscles always took a long time to fade. Rhuby knelt beside her, concern evident on her face as the girlsÂ’ fingers intertwined. At the moment, there was little to do but wait things out, here in the dim light.
“Rest up. We’re not movin’ until you’ve both got your strength back to somethin’ resembling normal. When we’re ready, you’re gonna fly outta here, and get to the Canyon. I’ll run escort as well as I can.”
A boom echoed through the empty streets as the sapperÂ’s surprise made itself known.
“…and hopefully, that duty shouldn’t be too rough.”
Moving out a little, closer to the hole in the side of the building, Jack settled in against the remnants of a partitioning wall and shut the cloaker down, his gun resting in his hands – finger firmly wrapped around the trigger. He casually scanned what part of the terrain he could see for any sign of movement, but found none, and heard little. Pulling the cloth mask down around his neck and taking what seemed like his first real breath in days, he glanced sideways, back at the girls.
“So,” he offered quietly, his dry voice barely reflecting the light-heartedness in the words. “Miss me?”
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
January 30th, 2005 - 'Boomtown'
“So,” he offered quietly, his dry voice barely reflecting the light-heartedness in the words. “Miss me?”
The words came as if from far away as her thoughts crashed together in a dash of panicked pandimonium. The images of the fight and her desperate charge with Rhuby blurred horribly. At some level she was aware of her hand being held and of Rhuby's presence. Gently but firmly squeezing the other hand in hers she fought the fear and desperation from overwhelming her. The fatigue was leaving her body as the shaking began, she struggled to control it. She needed to be in control, they werent home yet..
Home...
She closed her eyes and tried not to feel the helplessness once more, the feeling of terror, frustration as someone else was to take something precious from her..it was all she could do not to scream out. She was afraid she might never stop.
"...so expend her"
So much like before , the memories blurred and swam together the cool tones of the Gunslinger merged with the callous laughter of the outcasts in the warehouse. The feeling of being pinned by the sapper danced and twisted to the feelings of her arms and legs being held. The pain of the tasers swirled to mixed withthe beatings she had recieved. The taking of Rhuby from her intertwined with ...
"No!" She hissed softly to herself bringing her knees up to her chest wrapping her free arm around them. She squeezed Rhuby's hand as if to hold on for dear life. Not since that night had she been so helpless pinned to the ground, unable to fight to defend what was hers to have to helplessly watch it destroyed and be able to do nothing...
She could hear a voice speaking to her but it became drowned out as she fought to control herself...to bury these feeling so she could fight....she had to fight right?
“So,” he offered quietly, his dry voice barely reflecting the light-heartedness in the words. “Miss me?”
Those words were still there...there was no threat in those words...nor the softer ones she had heard around her. Summoning all of her courage and remaining strength she opened her eyes to see Rhuby, still with her. Yes it was Rhuby's hand she held. Pressing it to her cheek she held it there still quaking a moment as if drawing strength from it..
Calmer she tried to tell her she was sorry, tried to find the words to the one she had grown to love for almost getting her murdered. But couldnt...all she could offer was a look filled with pained humilation and guilt before lowering her head so not to look her in the eyes. She stayed beside me, she thought and I almost got her killed. Her shoulders slumped a bit at the thought.
Her mind struggled to bury the swirling images as her breathing slowed a bit. Those words again,
“So,” he offered quietly, his dry voice barely reflecting the light-heartedness in the words. “Miss me?”
Miss me?, someone else had said that...she looked up to see the dusty form before them. It was a familiar form and she smiled softly as she began to recognize her friend.
Closing her eyes once more , just for a moment before looking over towards him. Still trembling she offered a weak smile.
"I knew you'd come..." she said softly..
Originally posted by NPI Student Rhuby Quartz
The silence was deafening as she stood there, holding Kara's hand tightly. Her eyes were locked on her, almost as if she had the nerve to blink, she would be gone.
"So expend her" those words still resounded in Rhuby's ears. She swore to Kara she would remain by her side, swore to her she'd die for her if that's what it took. How many others before her had uttered such words to their beloveds, and yet, how many of them were truely tested by such a statement. She could had died, she could have lost Kara... So much they had yet to share and never would have. Their life together ended before it even began.. everything she had hoped to help Kara solve would have disappeared if... if it hadn't been for...
" So...Did you miss me?"
"Jack..." Her words almost cracked as tried to pass them from her lips. Her eyes turned from Kara to look up.. It was Jack. Her Jack.. the Jack who swore he'd always be there. She was so mad at him for leaving, so hurt that he couldn't live up to his word, and yet, he was there... when she needed him the most, he was there. She tried to speak again but no sound came forth. Her face turned red as her eyes swelled with tears. This was the man she intended on [censored] out the next time she saw him. She wanted to slug the hell out of him mere moments ago and now... now he gave her a second chance at everything she ever wanted.
"...J..ack.." Her voice cracked again as she squeezed Kara's hand tightly.. looking from him to her again. Its a difficult thing, realization, when it begins to set in... and Rhuby was just now seeing things very clearly.
Rhuby pulled Kara into her arms. Her movements seemed almost slow-motion for her, wrapping one arm around her waist, the other coming up to cup her head, laying it against her shoulder, craddling her. She looked up at Jack, almost whimpering.
"..thank you.."
Originally posted by NPI Mentor/Security Expert Jack Garret
Jack smiled faintly, reassuringly, and just nodded a silent “You’re welcome” to the pair. Letting his gaze linger on them just a few moments longer, a look of light concern on his face, he turned back towards the opening in the wall, still half expecting to see Corr casually ‘port into the cavity. He absently flicked the shot-selector around; a faint clicking sound as his weapon readied itself anew.
It wasnÂ’t long after that that the echo of a yell broke the silence, the voice reverberating through the ruined streets.
“Jack! If you’re still out there, buddy…”
All three of them glanced up as the words came. It was Corr, calling out from somewhere in the distance.
“…just couldn’t leave without saying goodbye, y’know? Wouldn’t want to be rude like that. So in the spirit of friendship, from all of us, I’d just like to say: [censored] you Jack. Oh, and give my regards to the ladies for this whole wonderful song & dance."
Rhuby swore, almost spitting the words.
"Anyway, I'm gone. Catch you later bud: it’s been a real slice.”
Jack shook his head and muttered something under his breath as the voice faded. He glanced back at Rhuby and Kara, pulled the mask back up around his face, and turned back to face the entrance, his thoughts turned inward - finger on the trigger.
======
Eventually, Kara’s strength returned – still a little shaky, but well enough with Rhuby supporting her. Jack swept the area as stealthily as he could manage. There was no sign of the Malta troops – not the living ones, anyway. With Kara and Rhuby flying high, and Jack matching their pace on the ground, the trio steadily made their way towards the hazard-gate.
The first step towards home.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
February 1st 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Undisclosed Location
From high above the stainless steel womb of the lab where the lone figure of Dr. Reynolds toiled over his daughter's files, behind the think clear Plexiglas of the darkened observation room window the Project Advisor clenched her fists. For several Minutes she had been listening to the captain's report.
"....with the deaths of their operatives and their claim of compensating for bad intelligence, the price of the contract has now gone up considerably." He sighed then continued "The Head of Crey Security is now clamouring for an full scale Project Audit and possible retraining reassignment for most of my operatives." his voice was firm but shaking slightly " The total from this project and that of the Wystan boy has placed both project over cost of material and personnel by.."
She silenced him with wave of her hand as she stared at his reflection in the darkened glass. So much damage from what she had claimed would be a routine pickup of a 20 year old ex-cheerleader. Who knew the resources she would have access to. She inwardly shuddered thinking of the fate that was sure to fall upon her and the Project Advisor of the Wystan project. Malta would have to be called off, it was Garrett she knew, now that she saw the initial report. Adding to this the Special Agent 'sniper' and her 'blocker" ...Corporate Intel still knew next to nothing about the last two, but that would change soon enough. The resourcefulness of the Reynolds girl's 'girlfriend'...this Rhuby Quartz...whose low tech escape and evade techniques fooled her entire staff.
This had become a financial nightmare...
"So what next Advisor?" the Captain tried in the uncomfortable silence..
"We stop for now Captain...we need a different approach" she sighed "our budget has been scaled back until i can muscle through this damned review this failure cost us...however..."
"Yes Ma'am?"
"See to it that the good doctor is shown all of the files and their 'relationships' to his daughter...that will keep him on our side for now"
"I don't understand...all of the files"
"The ones i have selected with 'our' take on them..I'm sure he will find Ms. Quartz 's file most interesting"
The Captian grinned "Yes Ma'am"
"the rift between father and daughter must continue...some of the good doctors ideas are radical but useful towards the study of the mutant genome...his amateur status will soon be fully professional when we are done funding him....and our Protectors will be stronger for that...carry out my orders"
"Yes Ma'am"
Looking down over Dr. Reynolds shoulder the Advisor grinned to herself as she locked her gaze on the image of the Doctor's daughter.
"Soon you little brat....soon I'll see you pay "
=================================
February 1st, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
Silently she moved the window aside and floated back inside Rhuby's room. Softly landing she closed the window. Turning she watched Rhuby sleep for a moment before slipping out of her costume the old fashioned way. She feared her flash of energy awakening Rhuby...she'd tell her tomorrow what she had done. Pulling on her night shirt she lay down beside Rhuby snuggling close. She dreaded sleep tonight knowing what awaited her, the images and laughter would be back tonight.
Looking over across at Rhuby's sleeping features, she drew no small degree of comfort knowing when the night terrors began...like in real life.
Her rose would be there with her.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
Originally posted by NPI Student Rico Chavez
February 2nd, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Brickstown
"Target confirmed, profile matches that of blocker." the woman in the dark suit said. "Request backup immediately, he's coming our way."
She pointed at two nearby guards and motioned them to either side of the door, hoots and hollers as well as screams of pain and gunshots could be heard from outside where the Freaks that had attacked the lab were being attacked. She then turned her attention back to the security screen.
The Crey personal were at first relieved to hear that someone had come to scare off the freaks, but now that they knew who was here, their interest turned to him. The freaks really couldn't do much damage to the place once they went into lock-down, but the way this 'hero' fought and the damage he caused just by being there matched the profile exactly to that of the one who was running Blocker for the girl.
One of the auxiliary elevators opened and ten heavily armed and armored Crey security personnel stepped out. They arranged themselves in a semi-circle around the door that was soon to open. The agent still stared at the screen watching blocker actually toy around with the freaks mocking them and challenging large numbers of them at a time. The last freak fell, and the blocker started moving towards the door she and her men were waiting behind. The agent looked to the assembled and they nodded in unison, readying their heavy weaponry.
They could hear the outer door open and they tensed, ready to open fire. His footsteps could be heard on the metal plating in the airlock now. *clank clank clank clank*
*boom*
They all jumped at the sound but nothing happened. The door remained closed, The agent looked back to the monitor, and saw that the blocker was standing in the air lock with his stone hammer laying next to him on the ground. He currently had a cell phone up to his ear and was talking quickly with someone. Hurriedly the Agent flipped the audio switch so she could listen in.
"...nit you don't say! Santa Jack is back?"
"Little busy with some freaks right now."
"Sure I can, can you afford it?"
"No way, /that/ flophouse?"
"[censored]! I'm in a Crey lab right now."
"Right I'm on it, Rico out."
The image on the screen showed "Rico" picking up his hammer and rushing back out of back down the hall towards the building's exit. The agent waived the guards off, and tapped into her comm system again.
"Blocker has a first name. 'Rico'. Find out more. ASAP"
============================
Originally posted by NPI Security Expert Ghost Lancer
February 2nd, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
A vaguely humanoid shimmer in the air sped across the Steel Canyon skyline. Only a sharp eye at close range would have noticed it even in daylight, and the jumble of light from all of skyscrapers on this dark night made Sean, for all intents and purposes, invisible as he patrolled over the city.
"Picking up some anomolous comm signals. Checking... It's Malta alright. Decrypting now."
Alicia's voice over the neural link drew his attention away from mulling over the events of the last week. With a quick burst of thought, several displays superimposed over his view, and he briefly scanned them in a last minute doublecheck of his battle readiness, just to be safe. Weapon capacitors read full charge, and the translucent model of the power armor in the lower left corner of his field of vision glowed a happy blue all over. The pale aura over the armor image was also blue, shields fully charged and active.
Sean caught himself almost hoping the Malta were up to something as he finished checking the status indictors. The Mazin affair had been nothing but bureaucracy, and he had been too late to do anything but say "oh gee" when Cass had been attacked. Luci too. It was getting frustrating.
"All dressed up and nowhere to go," he thought bitterly to himself.
If Alicia had noticed (and AIs did not miss much), she ignored it, focusing instead on the transmissions she was tapping vis the armor's comm system. "Mention of Kara Reynolds... Crey... Several comments on "brass" and "suits" in tones ranging from frustration to anger... And a multitude of angry referrences to Jack Garrett, with few possibly fearful undertones..."
"Figures," Sean muttered softly.
"Is that a hint of jealousy?" Sean could amost hear the arched eyebrow and amused half-smile in her tone, and it did nothing for his mood. "Decryption complete."
"Summary," Sean sent over thier shared link, his annoyance obvious. "Store full logs for later reference."
"Already done. The short and sweet is thier operatives have been ordered to standby alert. Apparently hunting the two girls has been more troublesome and expensive than their superiors thought, and Jack's involvement threw a big monkeywrench into their operation. This particular field commander was quite upset with his orders it seems, but the chase is off. For now at least."
"So much for that. Kara and Rhuby ought to be happy." He glanced at the weapon status indicators one more time. The plasma cannons glowed green. 'Weapons hot' status. With a soft sigh and a command over the link, the indicators faded to a cool blue. 'Standby' status.
"Yes, I'm sure they will be." A pause, and then his comm light flashed. "Call coming in from NPI Security."
Sean acknowledged and accepted the signal with a thought. The deep voice of Frank Kay, one of the FSS operatives assigned to NPI that he'd known since his time in charge of security, came over the line.
"Hey Sean, sorry to bug you if you were sleeping, but you know that missing girl you were telling me about on lunch yesterday? Kara? She just came in."
Sean blinked a couple of times, hoping his suspicion was wrong. "Kara's been back for a few hours already Frank. She came in with Jack and Rhuby."
"Don't know anything about that. Just got on shift a minute ago and picked her up coming in one of the dorm windows."
"[censored]," Sean muttered to himself. He had been in the wrong place at the wrong time again. "More sneaky experience my [censored]," he thought angrily. "Played the understanding kid act and I bought it hook, line, and sinker while she slipped out right behind my back."
"With the Malta on stand down, she was, ironically, quite safe," Alicia interjected.
"Thank God for small favors." He keyed back to the comm channel. "Frank, I need a big favor. Pull up the security from the last shift and find out when she left, and a rough idea which way she went, and came back from."
"Right... Just don't let this get out too far. Not sure how much I'm supposed to be telling you these days, but I do owe you. Checking..."
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
First part originally posted by NPI Student Rico Chavez
February 4th 2005 - Unknown location:
"Rico Chavez, Age 18, height 4'4" Weight 260lbs. Student currently enrolled at the New Porter Institute, currently majoring in university level physics. Former Amateur wrestler. Originally from the small town of Crandon in Wisconsin. Born in Mexico City 06/13/86" The agent read aloud the report that had been brought together on Rico, 'the blocker', who had so rudely interrupted a strike team sent after the Reynolds girl. Looking up to her colleagues, she commented, "This guy is as open as a book. No attempt at all has been made to disguise his identity, background or anything. Freedom Corp has him registered as... Skippy? Is this some kind of joke? Are we getting too much information too easily?"
"I'm not sure" replied another agent as he adjusted the sights on his large rifle. "Could be too much info, but I think it's genuine. I say we prep a team and head out now. We wouldn't even need to go heavy. We can even make a field trip out of it Paula."
"Grant, I do think I like that idea." Paula said nodding. "I can even think of the perfect gift for our friend."
"Well then, lets pack up and roll out." Grant quickly tore his rifle apart with practiced ease and slipped each component without looking into its appropriate holding spot in a metal briefcase he had brought with him.
"Think we'll be able to catch a game while we're there Grant?"
"Doubt it Paula, they got eliminated from the playoffs a few weeks ago."
"Oh well." Paula didn't look too disappointed. "Marcus, Adrius, prep two vans. We leave in 10 minutes."
-----
February 6th, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
"Rico!" He had just entered the lobby of the institute when he name was called out by one of the security personnel. "Package for you, just cleared it, it's all yours." the guard, tossed him a fairly large but obviously light box.
"Thanks dude." Rico gave the box a quick shake then tucked it under his arm and headed for the elevator, waving to a couple students on the way.
During the trip up the elevator he examined the box and discovered it didn't have any return address on it, but it was big and addressed to him, so it had to be cool right? 'Sides, not like it's a bomb or anything, Sec wouldn't let it through if it was.
He got off the elevator and strolled through the common room, grabbed a coke from marked "Mine don't touch" from the fridge and headed off to his room. He tossed the box on his bed, went over and booted up his PC, and sat down checking his emails and dropping another post on his blog.
Half hour later he remembered the box and walked his wheeled chair across the room to it. He tore into the package with a gusto normally only seen at Christmas time.
What was inside caused his heart to skip a beat. He suddenly felt very cold and very scared. He dropped the contents and made a mad scramble for the phone, picking it up it took him 3 attempts to dial the number he wanted his hands were so shaky. It rang... and rang... and rang... and rang...
He let the phone drop from his hand with an audible clatter as it hit the desk. He looked back to the object sitting on his bed.
A Cheesehat, straight from Wisconsin... with a Crey sticker attached to it.
Then the tears came.
===============
February 7th, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
Kara strode down the halls of the dorms of the Institute as she adjusted her costume. Gordon Stacey had called her right after classes. It had to be important, she had asked him to hold any missions as she got caught up on the schoolwork she had fallen behind during the week she and Rhuby had been away. She had a rough night, the dreams had woke her up several times, if Rhuby had been there she probably wouldn't have been able to get back to sleep. She was only too grateful she had not awaken Rhuby with her nightmares...
She stopped in mid stride. Rico's door was left open. Odd she hadn't heard from him all day. It was unusual for her friend to leave his room unlocked. Deciding to check on him she knocked causing the door to open the rest of the way.
"Rico?" she asked as she tentatively stepped within his room only to be stopped by the mess.
His room was in a shambles , not that it had been searched but as if he had left in a great hurry. She hoped he was all right as she casually scanned the room for clues to his departure without really probing too deep in his personal stuff. She did notice the large box with his name and the school's address torn open on his bed...as well as a blog he had attempted to send to his account. she sat in his chair as she cautiously read his entry noting he must have left in a hurry he had failed to give his blog a subject, explaining why it didn't go through..
Drawing a breath she slowly began to draw a mental picture to the fear that must have drove him out the door, as she read...
A cheese hat... dammit, I didn't even need to see the damn Crey logo to know what that meant... I'm leaving for Crandon. I don't know what they did yet, but no one's answering the phone at home and I'm worried, just leaving a quick post here. it's currently just after 3:00am and I've been freaking trying and trying again to call the folks. still no answer. Its too late to bug any of the other students or staff, I'm leaving tonight, at least there will be this blog to let people know I've left.
Immediately opening her cellphone she tried his number, only to jump as the leather jacket on the bed beside of her rang. He had left in such a hurry he left his phone behind in pocket...
"Oh No" she murmered,
Scooping up one his spare disks she made a copy of the blog for one of the officers to see and went out closing the door behind her...stopping off at her room she downloaded the disk for Caya, Cassie and the rest of the officers so the knew the Crey were somehow after Rico...
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
a mixture of conversations originally posted by NPI students Mega Juice, Sabrina and Diamond
February 5th, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
Tyler walked down the hall, not really paying attention to what was ahead of him. He had just come out of the Iso room from visiting "the twins" and his head was still a little jumbled up. That's when he practically knocked over Kara.
Grabbing the wall for support, he managed to plant his feet and not bowl her over.
"Whoa! Heh, sorry Kara..." he paused, seeing the look of concern on Kara's face. Something was up.
"Kara? What's wrong?"
==============
Heading down the corridor she rounded a corner to a large mass moving towards her. Her heart froze as her body tensed fearing the touch. Trembling as she fought for control over her relvulsion. Leaping back slightly she offered a weak smile as she recognized the large frame as belonging to Tyler. With her back firmly against the wall she began to calm almost at once..
"Tyler..." her voice a bit shaken "you scared me...its Rico, someone is after his family I think."
Swallowing a few breathes she continued "He got somekind of anonymous gift with the crey logo on it and he cant reach his family. He took off so quick he left his cell here"
==============
Tyler stared at Kara for a moment.
"He left his cellphone? Jeez...this might be serious...think we should go look for him?"
==============
As Sabrina was walking back from the kitchen, having a late night scoop of ice cream in her pink jumper pajamas, she rounds the corner and notices Kara and Tyler talking. Not to draw any attention to herself she leans back against the wall.
After hearing the conversation her heart beats faster and faster. When she hears Tyler mention he left his cell phone and that it sounded serious she couldn't help but quickly walk up to them both.
"What is going on with Rico?" she whispers, "Did I hear you say he wasn't in his room and he has left his cell phone?"
"If something is wrong with Rico I want to help." she quickly glances at the both of them back and forth repeatedly as she whispers and holds an almost empty Ben and Jerry's carton in her hand.
==============
Shakes her head to Tyler , "No i dont think so...im doing this one correctly this time..um..i mean"
Steadies herself a moment fully calm now, seeing Sabrina around the rather large land mass that is Tyler she nods a silent greeting.
"I mean do you even know where he is from...this Crandon Wisconsin?"
Turning back to Tyler "He probally headed straight there...ive sent all of this to as many of mentors and staff i could think of sitting at his comp....im going to try to reach Jack in a bit. I ve sent it to Caya and Cassie as well as Galen....i kinda spazzed on the email thing" she gestured with her hand explaining to both of them.
Turning to Sabrina "Rico has left..i think someone from Crey is threatening his family"
==============
Tyler turned his head at the soft sounding voice, looked down and smiled faintly, nodding. He then turned his head back to Kara
"I dunno...this sounds really bad. I agree that it may not be our place to go looking for him. He may want to fight this battle by himself but Crey is a big and powerful company. There's no telling what they might do to get to Rico...I hate to say it but I fear for Rico's life..." looks visibly worried and concerned.
==============
Nodding with equally growing concern in her eyes "Yeah Def..."
She sighed "Trust me I know how it feels to have them come full bore at you...i really hope his family is alright..."
Slams her fist against the wall "I am really beginning to hate these jerks! coming at us is one thing....going after our familie is /so/ wrong"
Shaking her head "I just have like no idea how to help him" looking down "why are they coming after us..."
==============
Looks at the both of them, "Well I'm in for saving Rico!"
"He is tough but hey he can't take on Crey alone!"
"He has been nice to me and I made a vow when I came here to protect and aid anyone in need, I think this qualifies!" still trying to keep her voice down.
==============
Nods to her "i agree Sabrina...but i ve got to let some of the staff and mentors know this first.."
She sighed "Believe me i tried this kinda thing on my own just recently and got a true lesson of the Crey's unlimited resources...we need help here to help Rico "
She shook her head "The three of us are /so/ not enough....the staff could maybe track his comm or get some help first in Wisconsin...rushing off may not be the way to go....i dont even know where Crandon is?"
==============
Nods to Kara with a spoon full of ice cream in her mouth,"Getting to Crandon will be easy, the internet can get us directions." Glances at Kara and Ty back and forth, "You guys keep me informed." "I'm going back to my room for now but if there is an actual search I want in on it." "I may be new to the school but there is nothing new about my powers."
Before she walks off, "Keep me posted." wanting to make sure she wasn't blown off if something really did happen she felt the need to repeat herself, "We will get Rico back and he will be alive."
"As you've said Kara, we've had to many close calls and I for one am over people thinking they can pick on us. I also agree we need to be smart about it, so let me know what is going on and count me in no matter what."
Quietly walks back to her room, closing her door leaving it open just enough so that she could hear if something went on.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
February 8th, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Steel Canyon
The Project advisor stood in silent rage amongst the ruins of the lab. Crisis control units flooded the deck swarming down corridors to sweep and secure the Paragon Protectors former Headquarters. Beside her the Captain and Dr. Reynolds began to examine the ruins of the central computer.
"It was them..../both/ of them" Sighed the captain looking over to the Project Advisor from the smashed security station.
Dr Reynolds looked up from his jacked in laptop.
"The data on her has been purged...as well as this other girl Rhuby" he sighed looking around at the devastation.
His daughter had to be insane...so much damage. Especially since he was told who this Rhuby was, clearly another indication of the genetic insanity caused by her inability to handle her powers. To take a woman as a lover...no this wasn't his daughter. Kara was sick...she wasn't thinking , she had become feral and aggressive. He was certain now more than ever her 'R' complex had become dominant...all instinct. The two of them must be feeding into each others insanity. According to the report of the security logs they seem to move as one through the facility ...that must be why the attempts to bring her have failed...this Rhuby is corrupting her thoughts..the Captain was right in trying to have her killed....
He rubbed the bridge of his nose, exhausted he knew something was terribly wrong with his logic. His emotions were clashing...he was sure he had to help Kara...but..this other girl...but..Kara would never..
Damn it! , he thought feverishly i need to think...No she /needs/ me..I've failed her once already!
His weary eyes watched as the Crey Medics began a triage for the Protectors...heroes who protect this city for mutant animals...like his Kara, his kitten. She did this...all of his work to help her was now threatened.
"She had to have used my code" he said as the captain nodded behind him, hand on his holster looking to the Advisor.
She dismissed the offer with an inperceivable shake of her head. This disaster of a project was not falling on her head. Dr. Reynolds' brain child was costing Crey Industries millions...near a billion dollars. There was still a chance to pull this off...she knew he had been reluctant to do this but after what his [censored] of a child had just done, there was little choice...
"Well we fall back to the Production lab....all security and our remaining Protectors are at full security alert...tell them to prepare to repel intruders...we NEED her alive after all of this!"
She looked to Dr. Reynolds who nodded
"From what i can see Kara has developed a new power that the Protectors don't have....a mass energy release with explosive qualities...it devastated them" he sighed "The rush of so much molecular energy is clouding her mind...the only option may be the neural surgery your geneticist suggested..then she can be made not to use these powers" he sighed...surgery was now the only option..
"Captain head out..get me all tapes on the girls attacks..it is all we have at the moment" a new power...one we must have! she almost purred at the thought.
The captain turned and waded out to the devastation to see what could be salvaged, barking orders as he went.
Turning to Dr. Reynolds she spoke evenly "A direct attack by her may harm her....you know this?"
He slowly nodded
"I may have another option...well two.." she said softly walking around behind him
"Anything...please i don't want her hurt. She must be controlled yes...but only to heal her" he said over his shoulder..
Serpantlike the Advisor leaned over to whisper into his ear..
"I respect you Dr. Reynolds...and your work. So much so i have a side attempt working to bring her in...it has been on going for a week now. But...should that fail.../you/ must try again..." she placed her gloved hands across his shoulders "otherwise...
He looked out at the main bay as 20 Protectors marched into the ruins...
"They will .. " she purred walking away in the smoke..
Shivering but nodding, he had to admire these Protectors...mutants who knew they had to be controlled to be useful. They would be his guideline for a cure for Kara....his kitten...
"Soon Kara...please let Daddy help you" he closed his eyes and prayed..that she tried to contact him, like he knew she would.
Always the good girl..
=============
Originally posted by NPI Student Rico Chavez
February 8th, 2005 - Somewhere hidden in Paragon City
He'd taken the batteries out of his comm as soon as he got close enough to the city to hear the student chatter. The wind that had rushed past him made the stubble on his head itch terribly, yet he had more important things to think about. He had two long rides to think about things too, his life prior to mutations, his life after, his relationship with his parents, relationships with those at Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Brickstown the school, new enemies, new friends.
It'd only really been a little over two months that he'd been at the 'tute, but he felt like it had really turned into a home where people welcomed him for what he was, he didn't feel like an outcast there. It was like he was back in high school again, sure the whole being a school thing helped promote that feeling, but mostly it was being close to so many people and being involved with them. As soon as he had graduated high school he had gone amateur. Left most his friends behind and never had much of a chance to make new ones. Still he enjoyed what he was doing, its not like he was alone.
Then it happened the 'accident' at the ring. Messed his whole damn life up, friends? Gone. Comrades? Gone. Career? Gone. Normality? Gone. Everything he had based his entire life upon was gone. His parents thought he was a freak, wanted him sent to some hospital to get cured. They had no idea how he had felt about what happened. For in truth he thought he was a freak. He was going to go to that hospital, he was going to see if he could be cured. But there was problems with that too, like no guarantee he wouldn't be turned into a vegetable, mindless and barely conscious. His parents thought it a reasonable risk, he didn't. His coach informed him one day about Paragon City and its people, a chance for Rico to live on how he was now. His parents immediately rejected the idea. They'd rather have him a vegetable then a man. So he left them, disowned them, never thought to hear from or really care about them ever again.
Came to Paragon, enrolled at the school and met lots of friends, had camaraderie again, a career in taking care of business, and he fit in, he was... in an odd way more normal there then any other place he could be.
Then this.
He thought he didn't care about his parents like they obviously didn't care about him, he thought it would be easy to leave his life behind. My, how wrong he was. It hit him hard what had happened and he still felt it hard to believe. He thought on how it would have been easier if he had just come home and found them dead. But no, Crey wouldn't be that kind. They had to go and be the big bad evil corp. that they are and take the damn people that had raised him. Sent a little present back to him that they'd know would get him home. And waited for him.
Hell, he would have loved to crush this agent Paula's head. He wanted to do it even now. He wanted to crush each and every single Crey he found. It was what Paula did which stopped him however. She played a few tapes on the old VCR, Rico hadn't seen them before. It didn't take him long to recognize who was in the video's though. A young Kara, but an obviously happy one, big wide smiles and her face, she ran around a playground giving hugs to everyone, playing tag. She seemed like such a happy kid, with no cares in the world. The next tape was footage taken from various places around PC, restaurants, the dance party, some footage obviously taken through telescopes, not all of it focused on her of course, but what was common scene, was Kara. Every scene showed her pulling away from someone, drawing deeper into herself, shuddering deeply if contact was actually made. One scene actually showed her running away after being touched. Another tape. This one was obviously a security tape taken from a Crey lab, the date on it placed it as being about a month old. Kara's face in many of the scenes was twisted with, what seemed hate, she ruthlessly fired her energy bolts at Crey scientists. She fought alongside a tall Asian woman and together they actually destroyed many labs, Kara would purposely destroy the fire suppressant systems even to insure maximum damage. Scenes were shown of burned equipment and burned bodies.
"Rico Chavez, how nice of you to come so promptly. I do apologize for not having any cheese ready to serve you." that vile woman taunted him as she sat in his fathers chair. "I'm sure you'd like to know where your parents are. And well in that regards I think I'll be nice." She actually grinned at him when she said this, he almost jumped her that exact moment, but he knew he'd never get the info he was looking for if he did. "You see, you happened to be a little nuisance to us, true we could have come after you, but where would the fun be in that? Oh I'm sorry I'm rambling. Your parents? Under protective custody. No, no need to thank me."
He just stood there staring at her, words wouldn't come to him, he opened his mouth and then shut it again. He tried to draw forth his inner fire, but it failed him. He was frozen in place and could not will himself to react.
"Paragon City." She looked amused. "That was your question was it not? Oh and let me assure you they are perfectly safe right now, in fact they won a contest Crey was having. A all expense paid trip to Crey headquarters. They went willingly I assure you." She picked up a coffee mug and took a sip.
"Now to the business at hand, your a nuisance, nothing more, your parents will not come to harm." She set the mug down and leaned forward in the chair. "As long as you listen very carefully about what I have to say next."
Dammit he thought to himself as he tossed the cover off the hotel bed. He lay down and looked up at the ceiling. He didn't know what to do, what options did he have? That damned witch. She knew what she asked him to do, and what it would do to him, one way or the other.
As long as you listen very carefully about what I have to say next.
She had said it so calmly, and now it was up to him to make the choice. Turn someone he had come to love as a good friend in, or sacrifice his parents.
He picked up the phone next to the bed, and had dialed half of the numbers to Kara's cell phone until he slammed the receiver back down. With a large crash he sent the phone sailing across the room, ripping it from the wall.
He got up then and headed out the door. He didnÂ’t even bother closing it behind him. He got on his bike and head out into the city, needing some more time to think.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
February 12th, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Brickstown
He had sent a urgent voice mail to her, arranged for Kara to come to the hotel he was staying at. He hated himself for what he was about to do. He felt like in the end there was really no choice. After all what if Paula was right, what if Kara really would be happier if Crey was able to cure her? Her father really seemed to think so. She had seemed so happy in those earlier video's would he really be wrong helping her return to those days?
He was shaken out of his thoughts by the sound of gunfire ahead. He still had no clue how he had convinced Kara to come to the Hotel in the first place, let alone follow him into this large Crey lab. They assaulted the place together though him distracting the attention of the guards while she picked them off. They had gotten quite deep into the lab by now, and the guards seemed a little upset by it.
He ran forward and into the group of men shooting at them, swinging his hammer wildly. They fell easily before their onslaught, too easily he knew, but Kara didn't seem to notice.
They came across a large room full of lab equipment and scurrying scientists, so this is the place, Rico thought to himself. He and Kara walked slowly into the room, the scientists cowering before them and hiding behind equipment. Kara began blasting at them, sending sparks flying from equipment. Lights began to flash in the room and Rico took his cue, while Kara was engaged in combat with a crisis suit who'd come from a back room he back tracked out of the lab and hit the emergency seal button on the airlock.
The door crashed shut in front of him and he immediately began pounding on, "No! Dammit what the hell have I done!" He couldn't even hear the fight from the other side of the bulkhead anymore. He kept pounding on the door until his fists became bloody. He started crying and slumped up against it, regretting everything he had just done. He whispered silently between sobs. "Please forgive me Kara..."
He used his hammer to prop himself back up to his feet, and slowly trudged down the corridor towards where he was told his parents would be, his hammer showering sparks as he drug it across the metal floor. Tears rolled down his face and his gut ached tremendously, he kept asking Kara's forgiveness as Crey personnel raced past him putting out fires and repairing the damage he and Kara had done.
He finally came upon the room his parents were supposed to be in. He knocked once on the door and waited for it to open, a smiling Crey security guard opened it and motioned him inside.
His parents were sitting around a table heaped with food on it, they seemed to be enjoying themselves, his mother was in an active discussion with another woman at the table he had not seen before, and his father was busy stuffing his face. Rico's heart fell, they actually looked like they were enjoying themselves. His parents both looked suddenly his way as him hammer clattered to the floor.
They looked surprised and worried at the same time. "Rico! What are you doing here?" he mother blurted out. "They said there were only two places for the contest."
"Rico.... whatÂ’s with the hammer? What's happened?" His father stood up from the table and set his cutlery down.
The lady at the table stood up, "Allow me to introduce myself, and thank you personally Rico. I am known as the Countess Crey, and it is because of your heroic efforts that the mutant girl is now with her father again. Rest assured any pain in the process will be brief."
His father, Julio, looked at the Countess and demanded, "What's the meaning of this? Rico's working for you?"
"Julio, please sit down, your making a scene." his mother pleaded with him. She then looked at Rico and asked, "Rico, whatÂ’s wrong?"
Rico became enraged, upset that his parents could be so deceived to think Crey was some kind of honest corporation. "These people used you as blackmail so I'd turn in a friend! These people have killed countless people and covered it up! These people have cloned human beings! These people kidnapped you so I'd do their dirty work!" Fire erupted around him, white hot fire, fire he'd never called upon, fire he hadn't seen since he was in the ring that one day.
His father took three steps towards Rico when he suddenly called out in pain and reached for his knee, it was now a bloody mess and the Crey guard that had shot him swung his weapon towards his mother, he was about to pull the trigger.
But she was faster then him, she leapt straight up from a sitting position and grabbed a support beam in the ceiling, from that vantage point fire arced down her arm and raced towards the now started guard. Flames engulfed him and he was unable to move.
The doors to the room burst open and guards rushed in, Rico leapt at them with a ferocious yell. Behind him his father rose to his feet and ran up beside him adding his own blows to those of Rico's.
A scream from behind him diverted Rico's attention for a moment as the guard that had shot his father literally exploded and little fires sprang from him with a life all their own. He turned back to the guards who had entered and were now shooting wildly at him and his father.
He could feel the white hot pain as he was shot multiple times, but that only made his own fire hotter. He risked a glance at his father, only to see that both of his legs were encased in hard rock, and his hands were blocks of stone.
Between the three members of the Chavez family and his mothers' animated fires, the guards didn't last long. Rico turned, angrily looking for the Countess, only to see a hidden panel slide into place.
He stalked across the room and started hammering on the wall, trying to follow the woman.
"Rico!" A familiar voice cut straight through him, and the fires died, his next swing at the wall merely glanced off. He turned and saw his parents standing there, beside each other, both looking grim. He opened his mouth to speak.
His mother beat him to it though, "Rico... she's gone. Are you ok?" Rico simply nodded. "Rico, your friend... where is she?"
Rico's face brightened up again as he remembered Kara. He wouldn't let her down, he was going to go back for her. He started towards the door, and waved his parents on with him. "This way." He said in a flat emotionless voice.
The trio made their way back down the corridor to the room where Rico had abandoned Kara. Rico and his father went to work on the still sealed bulkhead as his mother kept watch over the corridor.
"Maria! From the left!" His father cried out a warning as Crey tanks approached.
"Ci, ci!" His mother whirled to face the men and filled the corridor with a smoldering fire, forcing the ashes into their respirators.
The door finally buckled under their combined attack and they squeezed into the room. Rico scanned the surroundings and saw Kara strapped to a table, an older man standing over her staring defiantly at Rico. "You cannot have her! She's my daughter she needs my help!"
Both Rico and Julio stepped into the room at the same time. Julio looked at Rico who nodded, and pointed at the man. "Listen you old fool, she may be your daughter but she's not sick! You're lucky I'm feeling all happy I got reunited with my parents, or I'd make it so you could never see Kara again. 10 Seconds for you to leave starting now. Ten."
Dr. Reynolds was furious, "You cannot do this! She is my daughter I will not be separated again!"
"Eight!"
"This is preposterous! I will not bow to you."
"Six!"
"You will pay for this, Crey has more resources then you could possibly imagine!"
"Four!"
Dr Reynolds, turned and stalked away from the table heading for an elevator in the back of the room. Rico ran up and looked at Kara, who had apparently been drugged as she was asleep on the table. He released the straps, and then hesitated, not wanting to pick her up.
"Hurry!" Came Maria's urgent yell. He reached over and picked up Kara, letting the fires around him die as he did so. With her bundled in his arms he ran for the door joining his parents as they fought off the armored soldiers.
The lights in the lab suddenly and mysteriously went out, audible clicking could be heard as doors with electronic locks released. The trio made their way down the corridor with Rico carrying Kara in his arms. No more Crey were sighted however and they managed to escape back onto the street where an empty security van was left running in front.
They piled in, Rico jumping in the back, Julio grabbing the wheel and his mother riding shotgun. Rico slid the van's door shut and breathed a sigh of relief as the van raced away at stupid speeds.
He looked down at Kara, still fast asleep, and said again. "I am so sorry Kara... forgive me."
The van pulled up the school's front entrance and security rushed out to find the reason for the Crey vehicle. Rico opened the side door and handed Kara off to one of the guards. He then closed the door behind them and motioned his father to drive off.
==============
Originally posted by me!
February 12th, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Brickstown
He called her claiming he needed her help. She knew him and trusted him..obviously she went at once, dropping her studying she rushed to meet him at his hotel. No questions asked, none felt needed.
Why was he at a hotel, what had the package from the Crey had meant, what had happened to his family...why it was so important to strike at this Crey lab. It was the Crey, they were after him just like they were after Mazin then herself...the same Crey that had ordered Rhuby's death and had somehow trapped and killed Andrew
All these questions had gone unasked...
It had been a mistake...
Floor by floor, level by level the two worked in tandem bringing down the Crey security forces and researchers with their blasts and flames....
Then the unbelievable happened...
She had pinned a crisis control unit armored agent when a new siren sounded turning she saw the bay door beyond open two reveal 4 full containment teams..turning behind her to yell to Rico that it was a trapped she watched in horror as he slammed his fist onto a panel causing the reinforced security door to fall into place trapping her with the teams....
Pain...
She threw herself into a panicked rage as she downed half a dozen but shot by shot of stunners hit her bringing her to the floor. She was surrounded by the Crisis units and Voltage tanks. Summoning all of her energy once more she exploded in a blinding flash of light throwing agents everywhere...exploding panels and shattering valuable lab equipment. Thoroughly drained she backed against the door that was barely dented she began to bang on it...pleading then almost begging Rico to open it as the surviving agents fell upon her with stun sticks and batons enraged over the deaths and injuries to their colleagues.
The pain and memories washed over her as touch after touch rocked her brain, the angry names she was called....blended with the hollow laughter of long ago...
Insanely there was her fathers voice ordering the soldiers and guards to stop and a stern woman's voice ordering "It" contained.
Then blackness..
Images through a drug induced stupor flowed across her numbed sense and slowly healing body. She tried to move but found she couldn't, she wasn't paralyzed she could almost feel her arms and legs but....NO she was restrained! unable to move ...unable to stop them from...NO!!!
"Easy Kitten..." her father's voice had purred "Daddy is here now..." then harshly "Damn it Stevens cant you see she is still in mutant-psychosis...sedate her more"
"Daddy...no " she whimpered..how could he allow these animals to have their way with her...wasn't she in the warehouse once more....where was she? "Daddy Help me...help me Please!"
"I'm here Kitten" he softly whispered giving her hope but for a moment before she felt the piercing of the needle in her arm...she looked up at him. In her fog his face was surrounded by the masked faces of the hated Crey Researchers in the foggy background stood the Outcasts once more with their Family contacts smiling waiting for their turn with her....
No!!
"daddy is here...." she carried those words into her nightmare...
Somewhere in the world she had just left a door was buckling....but it had nothing to do with her....no help would come in time...it hadn't before...
she succumbed to her nightmare...
February 14th 2005 -New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
It had not been hard to put the pieces together...she wasn't sure what to do. She was confused to awaken in the med lab, safe and sound back at the institute. There was no staff on at the moment and she was in little danger. The Crey or her father had healed the wounds from her beating. Yet she told Walther everything that had happened. As much as she could remember..the security guard in charge told her who had dropped her off..the news had covered yet another Crey lab explosion..
He had betrayed her...
He had saved his family...
They had saved her from her family..
a wash wasn't it?
Steve Sheridan had shown her the copy of the security files he had his contacts download..she watched his angst as he was forced to make an impossible choice...he chose his family...
How could she blame him...how would she have chosen? Well if her father had not been behind this...
The soft purr of Rhuby's sleep caught her attention as she lay next to her in deep thought. Kara sighed snuggling closer to her warmth. The horror of those memories had not effected their Valentine's day plans as she had feared it would.
She would have to tell Rhuby....tomorrow
She would answer any questions Galen and Caya had....
Rico...i trusted you..
snuggling closer she whimpered slightly praying the night's events were enough to stave off the coarse feel of those hands and the sound of the cruel laughter once more...to stave off the cold table with the restraints..
If there only wasn't the laughter...she closed her eyes as sleep took her
and the nightmares awaited her.
The fear and pain always brought back their laughter...
Sometimes it was the Crey....but mostly it echoed in her mind from that night long ago in a long forgotten warehouse...
always the laughter awaited, and she cringed as she awaited their touch...
...the nightmares began as she tossed fitfully in her sleep.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
February 22nd, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Undisclosed Location
Cold eyes reflected the greenish text as it flowed across the cool blackness of the monitor. Softly stroking a leather clad hand over her chin the Project Advisor observed the influx of information aquired by the now deceased Security chief of the false lab in Steel Canyon. So easy was it to fool that informant and draw that annoying resilant [censored] of daughter of Dr. Reynolds into her trap.
How ironic that her companion was one of the two others who had begun this nightmare for her. Actually most of that bloody school but this Tomoya..well they had handled her, and she was just beginning her new journey. She got the narcotic...the Reynolds [censored].., she smiled, she got something a little different.
Chemically it was the same compound except for the limited lifetime nanites who recorded and tranmitted her thoughts and dreams. Data, images ...all of it , She thought. We have you child.
"All that you are ..." she whispered running a gloved hand sensiously down the front of the screen " is now ours, your 'brothers' and 'sisters' Kara darling will know how to fight you now dear"
From her darkened womb she glanced over the mostly vacant workstations to see the 'devouted" father furiously working over his screen.
"That's right good doctor, we will 'cure' your baby of her mutantness" she chuckled darkly "She will make such a fantastic model for our genetists and neurologists...and the sample farm she will make will thrust this project decades ahead of its time. " She sipped at her coffee as she closed the workstation before her and sealed it.
"You will be more than welcome to have whatever is left over to nurse til the end of her days "
As her reflection recided into the darkness of the observation the reflect of Doctor Reynolds began to recieve the clone programming data in code. Studying it he began to read the images of his child most treasured possession. Her memories and dreams...this was the key to rescuing her.
As he watched and read what the screen offered up to him, he knew this was her only hope.
"Kara" He whispered to himself "My god kitten, what this disease has made you"
Silently making his notes underlining "Neural surgical option : Distemperment/Management"
All around the near silent lab the advanced ventilation system whirred and sterilized the air around him.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
March 8th, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Undisclosed Location
****
The agent strolled down the winding hallways, and activated a secret panel hidden in one of the walls. A 4' section of the wall separated from the rest and he walked into the dimly lit room.
Large tanks filled with slightly bubbling green liquid filled the room at regular intervals. He stopped in front of one tank and ran his hand across the surface wiping away the condensation.
Inside the tank suspended by several cables with a mask placed over her face was a naked woman, being kept in a comatose state, medical readouts at the bottom of the tank read normal. The agent placed his face up against the glass and kissed her through it. He stepped back and placed his hand on the glass staring at the naked woman. "So cute."
He turned away then and walked out of the room, letting the door close behind him, he leaned back against the now hidden again bulk head, slightly smiling to himself. "Sooooo Cute!"
The sound of multiple approaching heavily booted steps distracted his attention, and suddenly he realized that warning lights were going off and the lab was on high alert.
[censored]! He thought to himself as he pulled his pistol out and began making his way down the corridor
============
Alarms had been going off all across the Crey network regarding this Project. The reports being smuggled into the Countess in Prison were less than acceptable. Now just Last night a new disaster....
The Project advisor leaned across the terminal her gloved hands clutching its metal sides and she shook with frustration and rage. One by one the little wasp had found a way through to them.... The Russian agent had gone rogue somehow before her people could get at her and vanished. All attempts to hire her went unanswered. The Malta had placed the project under review after the Garret fiasco, Rico's parents had become unmanageable and that blew up in their faces. Dr. Reynolds work station had been hacked into and all data concerning the girls' little girl friend had been down loaded along with all the data files on herself and her father's codes. Gordon's little hackers were easily rifling through her work and she knew all of this would be placed on her by the Countess to protect the corporation....what was it Field Marshall Jodl had said...
"Deise ist das ende....das ende"
She closed her eyes she could hear them behind her, her fellow Project Advisor from "Operation Karma" ....rebellious little thing, she thought bitterly, even Frank could not handle his own project. Beside Frank stood the mousy Dr. Reynolds whose offspring was on the verge of toppling them all. To their right stood her Captain and Frank's agent both shifting on their heels here in the last lab of the project concerning the Reynolds girl of Project Revenant...
"was this confirmed" she hissed as the data before her scrolled across the black screen...she knew the answer even as the captain spoke it.
"Yes Ma'am, believe it or not it was /both/ of them" the Captain swallowed hard.."It would seem she adapted and attached herself to the Reynolds girl...they tore through our defense in Lab 22A last night. Over 100 casualties and they ...um...left the lab unsalvageable"
She winced , for weeks now she had heard this term concerning the wake of the little [censored]'s 'investigation' into HER project. Why didn't these jack [censored] from security ever just say 'destroyed' and in the hands of the authorities...
"Ma'am a request has come down from the board to abandon.." the Captain began
"You cant!.." Dr. Reynolds broke in out of desperation
"Silence ! Both of you " she whirled.. "I have no intention of doing any such thing! Though certainly not because of your child Dr. Reynolds! " she began to pace rubbing her gloved hands together..."I refuse to be toppled by a bunch of children and one project run afoul..." she glared at Frank who was running his wonderfully manicured hands together. " No this is not how it ends...."
She returned her gaze out to the floor of her last lab..
"What do we do Ma'am" her Captain asked "It's only a matter of time before this lab is located and destroyed...we are still scattered ..remnants so to speak of all of..."
"Gather, " she interrupted.."Gather all of this Project and Project Karma's resources into this last and final lab"
She turned to look at her Two highest ranking hired soldiers, both Project's Captains "I believe the term is bunker up...collect all remaining personnel assigned to us and dig in....this little brat will come straight for us. So let us have a proper send off for her. If she wants us..lets give her a real fight , overwhelm her with numbers and take her down before she topples us all...."
Turning to Frank "The operational time limit on your little darling project?"
He smiled a wavering smile to her, this wasn't going to be good "Well Claire...she is already beginning to push beyond her operational guidelines..you see.."
She silenced him with a wave of her hand , turning back to her Captains "How long to consolidate?"
"A little over three weeks all could be in place, but we would have to cease all external operations against her...including all but basic surveillance" the Captain reported.
"You have two weeks.." She cut off his protest with her sharpest tone "..Then i suggest you get moving tonight...begin at once. The lack of our presence will let her think we've stopped. It will allow us to tip our hand when we are ready"
She returned to her perch overlooking the lab floor as the ready alert sirens began to sound throughout her final complex. She barely noticed Dr. Reynolds slip out with the guards. He hardly mattered anymore to her, she no longer needed him anymore. Diamond would come to her whether he was here now or not.
She sighed and thought of those word again...
"Deise ist das ende....das ende"
Leave it to a German, she mused to fully grasp such a meaning...
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
March 23rd, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Undisclosed Location
The smoke and chaos of the battle was almost overwhelming, this was the 6th time this week the forces of the Malta Operatives were under attack from an unsuspecting opponent. Normally it was the Knives of Artemis or the Malta themselves who were hired for the offensive, not suddenly find themselves of the defense during their operations.
Round after round he fired expertly into the melee, coolly and professionally he engaged without emotion. She had grown all right, 3 platoons of Malta operatives all by herself this week, 6 platoons of Knives..this fight is lost, he knew at once. There through the mist was the one man who kept showing up around this girl.
Time to report, staying only long to catch the eye of his adversary, letting him know that he had been here and got away for next time....
It had been personal, something that had no place on the job. However this man was different and he knew they would meet again..
He stayed in place just long enough for Jack Garrett to recognize him. hitting the portal device just as one of child heroes rock pets hurdle a boulder in his direction.
...figures
=======================================
Dr. Reynolds stood in the shadows in a wrinkled suit he had been wearing now for the third day straight. He nervously ran his hand over the stubble now growing around his jaw and up through his disheveled hair. For three weeks now his project had been scrambling to consolidate their resources to , he had believed a last ditch attempt at saving his child.
That had been before the so called OPERATION : KARMA patient had been brought in. He had watched the slender Asian woman float within her tank only half listening to her 'keeper' as the Captain had called him
Was this to be Kara's fate, he mused miserably. An all too familiar flash from the monitor caught his eye, looking up he watched with the others in the darkened womb of the underground conference room, as his child hopped back from a group of toppled soldiers, Malta this time. The footage continued to feed on all the monitors showing what the dark shape in the cowboy hat had called dryly "The Usual suspects"
Around the table sat a Malta pit boss, a fearsome looking woman who called herself 'Sister Hecate", his Project Advisor and Operation Karma's Project Advisor. In the shadows across the room was the new arrival, the Malta Operative who had just arrived from the fight they were all now just watching, along with all of the footage Malta had on Kara's week long activities. When the Crey has ceased pursuing her , secretly he had hoped she would have run, but she came after them..
What was it the press had been calling her "The Valiant Dazzling Diamond" , he had begun to watch the cities papers the last few weeks. As well as listen to the polls. He had not made the connection, his daughter was Paragon's Diamond, he had seen the costume but not the heroine. She as this Diamond, had been to the White House, appeared on Good Morning Paragon during the Mayor's 'Just Say no to Superdyne" , he even had a copy of the P.B.A.'s petition to have her immortalized as one of those marble titan's that stand over the city.
What was he doing, he began to think as his attention snapped up as the voices of the Malta Pit Boss and his own Advisor grew cold..
"Understand this woman, our operations, independent of our dealings with your Company are now under fire from your Projects Target, and this we can not have" The pit boss stared across the table with eyes of steel, as to his left the Knives leader sat forward..
"Listen Ice Queen, i have got 6 Platoons of my woman down and the Knives are now just finding out who this little darling is. My people and operatives are being disrupted..."
"Please, do you honestly expect me to sit here and listen to how the two top of the line mercenary corporations can not take down one teenage ex-cheerleader?" The Adviser's usual cool demeanor had become waspish, tense. Two more allies were on the verge of deserting her project. "Perhaps if you had not attempted to pilfer our materials , this child would not have followed them to you and your operations"
Stemming off the Knives Woman enraged outburst the Pit Boss held up a rawhide gloved hand.
"Enough of this nonsense..this child is hardly a mere ex-cheerleader any more. Adversity builds character as one of my best operatives always says " with a half glance over his shoulder he continued "My People have learned she has been working not only for the F.B.I. but now Indigo and Crimson appear to be using her services...she is entering our world with a rapid speed."
"You cant be saying this is our fault alone ..." The Advisor began he demeanor slipping..
"You are damned right it .." Sister Hectate began stopping again as the Pit Boss spoke once more
"As i was saying she is no more a mere target to be acquired she is becoming a player....and this game of yours is now out of control. Garrett, Wystan, this new guy Rico Chavez who is growing close to our ops...a fearsome woman named Dark Lioness. " he sighed " And since we are stereotyping look at the monitor "
He stood pointed at a white hared woman doing incredible flips and damage to the Malta operatives on the monitor, "Lucianna Addo....a supermodel since we are all worried about what type of people striking us " turning to lock his gaze on the advisor "By the way given our new information the Reynolds girl is now the Institutes kindergarten teacher...i think we can dispense with the ex-cheerleader routine and drop all ridiculous titles..." pointing back to the monitors "These people are a threat...they are coming after soon....be ready."
The staff table erupted into a volley of angry accusing voices. Dr Reynold sat down in one of the empty seats along wall as they pounded the table and pointed at the monitors. His gaze drifted up and he watched the 'gunslinger ' still enshrouded in the veils of shadows along the wall. His features lit up slightly as his eyes remained locked on the monitor feeds as they continued to replay the chaos of this weeks battle.
Those in the room argued for hours....
The Gunslinger , ignoring them all, watched. The video feeds of the battles playing over and over reflected in his steel like eyes .....
Somewhere deeper in the lab the target of Operation Karma floated soundlessly in her liquid prison...waiting
Dr. Reynolds paced his lab...
and time and fate crept ever closer
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
March 24th, 2005 - Brickstown
"...All units...All Unit...please be advised that an all points Bulletin has been posted for the Paragon hero Known as Diamond....she is wanted for attempted sabotage and attempted murder of Crey personnel....approach with caution..subject is to be considered armed and dangerous...."
"what the..." Officer Marteniz turned to her partner in their patrol car in Brickstown.."Diamond....the girl who saved our bacon last week...isn't she also the one that turned over all of those illegal labs last month"
Sipping his stale coffee Officer Parks shook his head and glanced away from his partner "I didn't hear a thing....what do you mean?"
Grinning a bit as she followed his gaze out the window to see the suspect in question and another hero who appeared to be aflame depart a building heading out across the night
"Yeah....i didn't either...." leaning back against her seat "So how are Martha and the kids?"
Officer Parks smirked to his partner as they sat back to await a real call..
====================
March 24rd, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Undisclosed Location
"How ? " The Project Advisor turned to her Security Chief's second in command, her original having fallen to the girls renewed offensive.
"Chavez Ma'am...he was with her...they tore through all 4 remaining labs..all personal considered lost ...and Operation Karma is now in their hands..the test subject and Frank our primary Agent are compromised"
"The Malta and Nemesis forces ? " Her voice was incredulous, the girl had grown in strength..that even with the Police frame up she went on the offensive. Her father failed to report to the final bunker. According to her security he gave her codes to hack in and locate all of their remaining resources....
"4 Malta containment teams....and 3 Nemesis capture squads ...all destroyed Ma'am...she fought through all 7 ambushes...Paragon city News is reporting 8 major engagements with us and our 'allies' all since midnight...sources also report she has not returned to the school.."
The advisor looked up "What do you mean..."
"Ma'am she is coming straight for us....she destroyed warehouse in Crey's folly, that contained our files and Operation Karma's....30 crates worth of data. Which the police have despite the fact they are supposed to be seeking her...Unlike the Mazin boy...the police only sent a uniform car to drive passed NPI...no road blocks no detectives...they say the warrant is under review..."
"That little [censored]...they are protecting her..." The Advisor Snarled
"Yes Ma'am....i mean come now, with all respect their own PBA is trying to get a statue of her made....the warrant was a poor decision ma'am...the board is less than pleased..."
"Damn them...and damn her ..." she began to pace
"Yes...well our source in Malta predict she will probably attack our projects's computer core soon...she has been on the move for 8 and half hours straight....I'm not sure she is gonna stop...at this point almost two hundred of our personnel and even some not connected have been compromised...she even dispatched her own clone ma'am at the site where we lost Captain Wiggens...the revenant was no match for her."
The report began to drone on..loss after loss as the security chief went on
She is coming for me, the advisor thought...her father has gone underground..she comes for me...Tomoya is loose ...she too may come.
The Malta are preparing some form of retribution but that may only bring in Jack Garrett. This Rico Chavez....he too was misjudge and had turned on her.
Looking down at her file..."oh yes come little girl...i still have surprises left for you..."
=============
March 24th, 2005 - somewhere in Brickstown
Kara stopped and leaned against the wall of the sewer alcove and shifted down exhausted. She had called Ada and requested a substitute for this morning class. She had wanted to end this before Rhuby woke up but she was tired. Rico had gotten Tomoya clear...and this Frank could merge the clone's memories to Tomoya to preserve something of her...
So tired...She whimpered slightly as her muscles ached, the sappers made healing a bit difficult due to the muscular strain such electric bolts often yielded....
So tired...just close her eyes for a bit. Bringing her knees up to her chest she drifted off....the night's battles were over...just a few more tomorrow and it is all over...
Just need to close my eyes, she thought....get this done before Rhuby awakes....
Within moments she drifted off to a fitful sleep....
A full day of fighting awaited her....
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
March 24th,2005 - Sewers somewhere in Brickstown
a blend of posts by NPI faculty member F.X. and Me!
"There are safer places to catch a catnap," a voice echoed down the sewer line, "and Crey has technology to read power signatures off of burned metal husks.
"Let's get you out of here, Kara," Andrew whispered as his glowing eyes rounded a corner, "and then we need to talk."
Jumping with a start she whirled despite her exhaustion with almost an elegant grace and speed. Her right arm softly crackled with her energy lighting up the tunnel enough to show Andrew standing off to the side. Dropping her arm she relaxed a bit and chuckled wearily...
"Heavier steps Andrew ...." Nodding she continued "Agreed ...i Wasn't going to stop...but i got so tired....only a few more labs....and I've got her...the one behind this...this ,,... Project Advisor, whomever she is.."
Slowly she approached him with the intent to follow "Im listening...."
====================================
Originally posted by NPI student Tomoya
March 24rd, 2005 - Crey Pharmaceuticals Lab, Undisclosed Location
Silence.
It was her only companion now. No sound made it inside her prison. The silence was deafening. It roared constantly through her head, ever pounding ever present.
Silence and darkness.
Always dark, there was never light. Odd that she even knew what the concept of light is. For light is simply the absence of darkness. But she did not know what that was.
Silence, darkness and the pressure of water.
Sometimes she could 'sense' a presence outside her prison. It was different then the constant pressure of water on her. It was as if the water became more dense and constricting. But it'd always go away again.
Silence, darkness, pressure, and cold.
So cold, always so cold, an empty cold though, not cold in temperature. She felt cold inside.
Silence.
Only questions filled her head.
Who am I? I am silence. It is all I know.
Who am I? I am darkness. It is the absence of light.
Who am I? I am the pressure. I know no more.
Who am I? I am cold. There is nothing else.
*****
Frank rubbed his eyes as he poured over his notes. They had precious little time. If they were to be able to transfer the girls conscience back to her original body it would have to be soon. Very soon. It had happened. They had found the lab and now it was all coming to an end.
They had tried to frame the girl Kara, but Frank said he'd had enough and was going go to the cops. Stupid fool he thought to himself. sure lets just tell the people your going to turn in to the cops that your going to do so. So they ended up going after her anyways and were about to make sure he ended up dead.
The agent was just about to pull the trigger and end it all when he heard the blasts down the hall. Lights started flickering, and shadows jumped along the wall as a burning fireball landed amongst the agents. Except this fireball was swinging a hammer. Bolts of pure energy followed the fireball into the room and then she floated in. Kara herself, he trembled in fear thinking he'd be next, but she didn't even spare him a glance as he spilled his guts to the fireball, Rico.
He told him about the project, about the Asian woman and how he could save her. He gave him access codes and even promised to help him with the procedure. What he couldn't tell him were the risks however. The original's mind was in a healthy state when it was transferred. The clones right now definitely wasn't. He didn't know what would happen when they reversed the process. It wasn't anything they had planned on.
But he felt responsible. He knew he also felt more for the woman he'd done this too, felt more deeply. He knew there could be no excusing what he'd helped do in the first place, but he'd do what he could to help her now.
His cell phone was ringing. He looked down at it in surprise, it's tone cycle was almost over. It'd been ringing for about 45 seconds already. He reached quickly over and picked it up. "Yes? Yes Mr.. Chavez I am ready, and the machine? Good. The clone? Hmmmm not so good. Once she's released let me know. I will meet you there. I'm almost done the calculations now. Bye."
He sighed as he hung up. Precious little time left now.
===================
...This just in....This Afternoon Paragon district attorney Samantha Evans announced in a press briefing that following the evidence during last night's series of raids that caused the Crey to level charges against the city's own Diamond, that she now believes the charges were a frame up by an rogue employee of the Crey Corporation...and All charges have been now dropped....She also went on to mention that a warrant has been issued for this woman...Sylvia Hollister a former Project Advisor for Crey Pharmaceuticals.....no word yet on the service of such a warrant....and a spokesman for Crey could not be reached....
===================
March 24th,2005 - Sewers somewhere in Brickstown
"I fly. I don't want to ruin another pair of shoes."
Andrew's starry gaze settled upon Kara. "Crey knows you attacked them. You and the others."
Sighing then firmly as she leaned against the cool brick "Good....i am tired of this....i shouldve cleared my name by now....im going straight for this woman..This Project Advisor my father said was in charge....at the very least I'm bringing her in"
Kara draws a long weary breath then nods.
F.X. Continued "If it were just you, I'd agree. It's not. They've got dirt on the lot of you, and they haven't used it yet."
"Why?"
Wearily she blinks and takes a step back.
"What do you mean?" her voice, tired and old as she looks to him concerned.
"Crey's a business. An evil business, to be sure, but a business. It makes no move without an eye toward profit." He paused for a moment, listening to the echoes down the sewer passages. He frowned slightly. "They move on you, the rest of your friends there should figure out that Crey knows about who else was behind the attack. That either means that you're so valuable, they don't care about that risk... "
Andrew paused as he looks into her eyes.
"Or that you're not the real target."
She frowned now as well.
"If not me then who....they sure as hell invested on ton of so called capitol on me...on Tomoya....then who?"
"because if it so wasn't me i have ended up with a ton of enemies now...Crey Soldiers...Nemesis Troops, Knives of Artemis and now the bloody Malta guys...."
She could only stare as he retreated back into the shadows of the sewer...
If it wasn't just her, she thought. Then who else??
Who else?
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
Originally posted by NPI Student Tomoya Dengo
March 25th, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City 2:54 pm
Silence.
The roar of the silence still there. It was different. Rhythmic now, it beat on and on.
Darkness.
The darkness was no longer complete... There was colors, and movement in the colors.
Pressure.
She felt heavy... She was lying down on her back, no longer surrounded by water.
Cold
No longer cold. She felt warmth inside her. She knew she wasn't alone.
Who am I? I am not silence, for there is sound. I am not darkness for there is light. The pressure is gone. Warmth has returned.
Tomoya slowly opened her eyes squinting against the hard light she had already become unused to. Uraita etainoshirenai. Shinji-kun ichimyakuaitsuujiru. She simply stared upwards at the ceiling for a long while. She traced the path of power conduits over head, leading into a flat panel display over her bed. She couldn't actually see what was on the display as she could only see the back of it. She tried to move her head to the side but found it unwilling to move.
She looked out the corner of her eye and caught a glimpse of herself in a mirror. She looked horrible her skin was extremely pale and looked withered, the sheet covering her looked like it was soaked with sweat. A man in a lab coat walked up to her in her reflection and wiped the sweat away from her face.
Not her face. Tomoya looked wildly around her, there was no man next to her. "Na...ni?" She manager to force a harsh whisper from her lips barely audible even to herself. She was able to move her head a little now straining to see more around her. Little by little she was able to move her head, taking in her surroundings. Fear washed over her and she struggled to gain control of her body, struggled to get loose. She clenched first one hand and then the other... Then she saw them... Nathaniel and Kara were in the room with her, unharmed and in no danger. Buji...
She stopped struggling then and lay there, exhaustion finally overwhelming her and sending her to sleep again.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
Originally posted by NPI Student Tomoya Dengo
March 25th, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City 9:34 pm
Tomoya opened her eyes again. It took much less effort now. She still had no clue what was happening or where she was, but seeing her close friends there made her feel secure. Whatever that.... thing was in the other bed, Kara and Nate would protect her from it. Others came in from time to time too. Mostly during the times she was awake. Or at least she figured so.
They talked to her, and she'd try and respond, but she just couldn't find the strength. She was weak and vulnerable, but safe with her friends there. But oh so tired.
*****
Her eyes opened once more. The ceiling had changed again. The room was silent, not the ominous silence she had heard before, or the steady beat of the machinery in the room where the 'thing' was, just... quiet.
She found she could move around a lot easier now, strength already returning to her. She looked about the room, noting it was very spartan. She was alone again, no 'thing', no friends. Where had they gone, where was she? Why had they left her here... alone.
She slowly pulled herself up into a sitting position, noticing for the first time that she had grown quite skinny, and her arms and legs seemed very tender to the touch. Looking about the room she came a new conclusion. A cell....
She was in a cell.
Determinedly she swung her feet over the edge of the bed and sat there for a long time, feet touching the cold floor. Through force of will she began trying to stand. Her legs wobbling a little underneath her. She got to her feet just as her left knee collapsed, sending her to the floor. She landed hard barely breaking her fall with outstretched arms.
"Dassuru... dassuru... dassuru..." She began chanting the same word over and over to herself as she pushed through the pain and weakness and clawed her way up to her feet again, using the bed for support.
She took a long hard look at the door and sighed at its heavy construction. She would need heavy tools to get out either that or... she felt something inside... it belonged there.... but she felt like it had been missing.... it had been... but now it was back... why? Where was she? She had to get out.
"Dassuru... dassuru... dassuru..."
She stumbled across the room to the door banging on it a couple times. Knowing it was fruitless she allowed her self to fall backwards on her behind, sitting in the middle of the room. It was back.... she reached down deep inside of her and pulled it to the front again... a little flame formed in her hand and she stared at it in total awe and wonderment. A small smile crept across her face as she tossed the small fireball at the door where it burst with a little puff of smoke.
She got to her knees and braced her self on the ground, calling forth every ounce of power she had. She brought it all in until she could hold no more, then she let it go... fire engulfed the room and slammed the bed against the wall, the door vanished from her sight as the room became a fiery furnance for a moment, quickly burning away any flammables.
The smoke was quickly vented out of the room through an air duct and soon Tomoya could see again. Her heart sank at what she saw however. The door still stood there. Completely intact, not even scratched. Tears began to form in her eyes until she noticed the window in the door for the first time... Kara stood there, her face and hands plastered against the window looking very worried and distraught. She was saying something too. Tomoya couldn't hear.... or maybe it was she couldn't understand.
But that was ok... Tomoya realised at that moment where she was, she realised who she was, and what she was. Her tears started pouring down her face faster, yet she smiled as she looked out the window to Kara.
She cried out with what little energy she had left, holding a hand up in a "V" sign. "Oneechan!" With that she collapsed on the floor again, curling herself up into a fetal position.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
March 26th, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
She walked down the dark silent hallways of the institute heading for the slumbering dorms. Her heart was torn from being happy her Oneechan had been returned to them safely, to the sadness knowing the fear, confusion and loneliness she must be feeling right now. Kara smiled Tomoya had atleast recognized her!
That added an extra bounce to her step , Frank's process must have worked, if not she will still have all of us. She thought as she keyed herself back into Rhuby's room.
She lay beside her watching her sleep, something was bothering her to do what she had just done to herself. Sighing Kara knew it had to be something she had done, not spend enough time with her, if she had maybe she could've spotted this earlier. She just didn't see it...softly stroking her hair.
Both of you in one week, Kara sighed curling up to Rhuby wrapping an arm softly around her as to not awaken her. She lay quietly in the darkness, Andrew voice softly filling the void as she recalled their conversation after defeating Antimatter.
"They have contingencies ....they always do.......you have to think like them Kara....unemotional....its a business.....they have much on everyone in your life.....you honestly think Rico wont betray again with a gun to his mother's head.......you pull back a Protector's faceplate and its Rhuby what then??..
Whimpering slightly she hugged Rhuby, there was still a warrant out there for the Project Supervisor, the woman who ran the Revenant Project that hunted her and tried to execute Rhuby and Operation Karma, the operation that hurt her Oneechan. She need help to bring this monster in but who to trust...who to involve and be sure they not get hurt...
Maybe it would be better if she tried alone..
Naela had offered, as had Andrew,
Rhuby will want to but is in no shape..Nor is Tomoya
Rico...damn you Andrew
With her own thought laced with Andrew's words of caution haunting her she slipped into a fitful restless sleep. Images of her battles of the last few months seemed to follow her as a mocking reminder of surely what lay ahead...
======================
Originally posted by the NPI Student Nathaniel Green
Nathaniel handed over his old flannel shirt to one of the security guards. He then stood still as the man flagged a metal detector around him a few times. Finally, Nate put his arms down and said, "See to it T'moya gets that. I know how cold it gets in there."
He turned on his heel and began making his way down the corridor to the observation room. Nate drug a chair to the window and promptly sat down watching Tomoya sleep. "Hmmm... thirty two an' a half hours..." He mumbled to himself. "Well... What's another twenty four?"
Nate pulled a plastic bottle of Dr. Pepper out of his pocket and took a long swig from it. "She'll be up... everything'll be fine... Then I'll sleep.." He nodded to himself, more for reassurance than anything. He let his hand wander to the side of his face, the large bruise but a faint shadow that matched the ones under his eyes...
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
March 27th, 2005 - New Porter Institute, Galaxy City
She sat in the shadows of the room lit only by the blue white beams of moonlight streaming through the window. Her knees up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them, she silently watched the sleeping form on the bed across from her. She could not help but captivated by how peaceful her love slept. She shivered as she remembered that day...
amongst the ruins of Boomtown...
The sound of the hammer of the gunslinger's weapon being cocked back, its barrel pressed against her head...
The look of resignation in her eyes...
The feeling of helplessness she herself felt as the sapper held her down..
They almost took her from me...
The Project was over, finished, each lab and resource located and destroyed. Tomoya returned and restored, scores of Malta, Knives and Nemesis in jail. and finally tonight it was all over....
They had arrested Sylvia Hollister,, the Crey Industries Project Advisor, the one who had filled her father's head with the nonsense of a cure for his daughter's mutant abilities. The witch that had ordered Rhuby's death, the overseer to Operation Karma that led to the suffering of her 'sister' and Nathaneil's pain...
The monster that had used Rico's parents kidnapping them to force him to betray her, after attempt after attempt had failed to capture her.
Sylvia had sought to use her to replenish the foundering Project Revenant gene pools after she, Ada and Tomoya had crippled many of their labs. She had thought to make a power grab in the Countess absence...she had reached for a great height in the powerful corporation and tonight she fell.
Kara stood slowly, aching a bit as she slowly cleaned up the chinese food she and Rhuby had for dinner. Softly as not to awaken her , Kara finished straightening up the room and walked to the window looking at over the city. In her minds eye she could see the final sweep of the cave the Advisor had attempted to hide in.
Okiri , Nathaneil , Rico and herself had been unforgiving in their raid. Armed with a legal warrent they swept down with speed and a vengance to clear out the cavern drawing ever closer to her..
It had taken all of them, but eventually the woman fell. Kara had yearned for months for this moment and now it was here...never yielding to the need for total retribution her friends and she turned over the woman to the federal and local authorities.
And now it was over...then hunt had ended. Looking back over to Rhuby she allowed herself a sad smile. Tonight she had made a difference, they all had. The Project may restart, the Crey may try again.
But not now..
Not tonight...
Sighing wearily she slowly crawled up on the bed to curl up beside Rhuby and cuddled her. Sleep came easily for her.
============================
RED ALPHA - 03 stood in the obscure hotel room as the man he was hired to protect packed hurridly. The man appeared exhausted, the gunslinger noted as soft muted subvocalized reports filtered through his ear piece. Each member of his team checked in , the floor of the hotel was still secure as was the route to the waiting van parked running in the dimly lit street below.
The man packed up the last of his things and tucked his lap top under his arm and turn to face the grizzled gunslinger.
"I'm ready" he said wearily "did they tell you exactly where i am to go?"
Rasing a gloved hand to his throat the malta operative subvocalized
"Transport is a go stand ready..all teams package is ready to be delivered"
Turning to face the man as the door to the room opened to show the escort standing by, he spoke in a dry voice..
"Im told all the arrangements are in place and your lab is ready." gesturing with a gloved hand ....
"Let's go , Dr. Reynolds"
In the early morning hours the dark van moved unnoticed through the streets of the sleeping city.
======================
Originally posted by NPI Student Nathaniel Green
Nathaneil handed over his old flanel shirt to one of the security guards. He then stood still as the man flagged a metal detector around him a few times. Finally, Nate put his arms down and said, "See to it T'moya gets that. I know how cold it gets in there."
He turned on his heel and began making his way down the corridor to the observation room. Nate drug a chair to the window and promptly sat down watching Tomoya sleep. "Hmmm... thirty two an' a half hours..." he mumbled to himself. "Well... what's another twenny four?"
Nate pulled a plastic bottle of Dr. Pepper out of his pocket and took a long swig from it. "She'll be up... everything'll be fine... then I'll sleep.." He nodded to himself, more for reassurance than anything. He let his hand wander to the side of his face, the large bruise but a faint shadow that matched the ones under his eyes...
======================
She sat in the shadows of the room lit only by the blue white beams of moonlight streaming through the window. Her knees up to her chest and her arms wrapped around them, she silently watched the sleeping form on the bed across from her. She could not help but captivated by how peaceful her love slept. She shivered as she remembered that day...
The sound of the hammer of the gunslinger's weapon being cocked back, its barrel pressed against her head...
The look of resignation in her eyes...
The feeling of helplessness she herself felt as the sapper held her down..
They almost took her from me...
The Project was over, finished, each lab and resource located and destroyed. Tomoya returned and restored, scores of Malta, Knives and Nemesis in jail. and finally tonight it was all over....
They had arrested Sylvia Hollister,, the Crey Industries Project Advisor, the one who had filled her father's head with the nonsense of a cure for his daughter's mutant abilities. The witch that had ordered Rhuby's death, the overseer to Operation Karma that led to the suffering of her 'sister' and Nathaneil's pain...
The monster that had used Rico's parents kidnapping them to force him to betray her, after attempt after attempt had failed to capture her.
Sylvia had sought to use her to replenish the foundering Project Revenant gene pools after she, Ada and Tomoya had crippled many of their labs. She had thought to make a power grab in the Countess absence...she had reached for a great height in the powerful corporation and tonight she fell.
Kara stood slowly, aching a bit as she slowly cleaned up the chinese food she and Rhuby had for dinner. Softly as not to awaken her , Kara finished straightening up the room and walked to the window looking at over the city. In her minds eye she could see the final sweep of the cave the Advisor had attempted to hide in.
Okiri , Nathaneil , Rico and herself had been unforgiving in their raid. Armed with a legal warrent they swept down with speed and a vengance to clear out the cavern drawing ever closer to her..
It had taken all of them, but eventually the woman fell. Kara had yearned for months for this moment and now it was here...never yielding to the need for total retribution her friends and she turned over the woman to the federal and local authorities.
And now it was over...then hunt had ended. Looking back over to Rhuby she allowed herself a sad smile. Tonight she had made a difference, they all had. The Project may restart, the Crey may try again.
But not now..
Not tonight...
Sighing wearily she slowly crawled up on the bed to curl up beside Rhuby and cuddled her. Sleep came easily for her.
============================
RED ALPHA - 03 stood in the obscure hotel room as the man he was hired to protect packed hurridly. The man appeared exhausted, the gunslinger noted as soft muted subvocalized reports filtered through his ear piece. Each member of his team checked in , the floor of the hotel was still secure as was the route to the waiting van parked running in the dimly lit street below.
The man packed up the last of his things and tucked his lap top under his arm and turn to face the grizzled gunslinger.
"I'm ready" he said wearily "did they tell you exactly where i am to go?"
Rasing a gloved hand to his throat the malta operative subvocalized
"Transport is a go stand ready..all teams package is ready to be delivered"
Turning to face the man as the door to the room opened to show the escort standing by, he spoke in a dry voice..
"Im told all the arrangements are in place and your lab is ready." gesturing with a gloved hand ....
"Let's go , Dr. Reynolds"
In the early morning hours the dark van moved unnoticed through the streets of the sleeping city.
=================
Originally posted by NPI Student Nathaniel Green
Nathaneil sat on the edge of his bed, holding his head in his hands. Clad only in a white tank-top and a pair of cut-off sweats he prayed.
"Thank you Lord for helping me through the day. You're the only one that knows how close I came to losing it today. I came so close God. So very close."
He sighed heavily as he organized his thoughts, making sure he covered everything as he spoke with his Maker.
"Thank you for Tomoya. She's so special to me. Please look after her. And thank you for Kara. One of the few people that actually understands me. Thank you for Rhuby too Lord. She always knows how to help me out. Please look after my folks while I'm gone. And please help me through tomorrow Dear God.... Amen."
Slowly Nathaneil stood up and wandered over to his desk. He shut the cover of his Japanese langauge book and turned off the light, standing alone in the darkness of his room. He returned to his bed and sat back down reliving the days events in his mind. Nate glanced over to the corner knowing the oak 4 X 4 post he retrieved from the cave was sitting there, the blood from so many Crey staining the grain.
"T'morrow's gonna be alot better... I hope..." With that he laid down and pulled the old quilt up to his chin, falling fast asleep.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
July 17th, 2005 - Undisclosed Location, Paragon City
The darkened womb of the operational security center was light by the soft flickering light of the row upon row of monitors. Each display a different yet disturbingly familiar scene. Almost in repetition each monitor displayed a blur of a young woman twisting and whirling through the Crey forces who fought in vain to stop her.
Amongst the eyes watching the monitor, a single pair was watching with conern and a degree of worry for the threat to his operations. This was his daughter who was now shown cutting a swath through his project's labs. He noted her abilities had changed somewhat, more of a mutation off of her initial mutation.
He sighed.
Oh Baby, he moaned to himself, you are getting worse.
Behind him he he could hear the mutterings of his two co-conspirators in the attempt to find a way to cure his child. Yes such allegiances were becoming necessary, the things he had to do for them for his chance to stop and help his child. He shuddered somewhat remembering the cost his personal quest was costing him. The screams he thought, the screams...he was brought out of his thoughts by the shadow to his left clearing her throat.
"How many labs does this make it?" Helena, formerly Sister Athena of the Knives of Artemis asked in a tired voice. William Reynolds sighed, she was quite entrenched in the workings of the Crey now. He himself had spliced some of the DNA into her to give her the abilities she had used to gain her current position in Crey's management team. She had used assassination and her own funds to do the rest. Her own need to remove his child from the field of heroes and his to return her to normalcy had merged with a dual dark purpose now.
"6 in the last three nights" came the even cool voice of the Malta Gunslinger known only as RED-ALPHA 03, Dr. Reynolds personal body guard. The light from his cigarette briefly illuminated his chiseled and scarred features.
"Any chance at containment of the subject?" Helena sighed crossing her arms across her chest in irritation.
"Possible....but Unlikely" The gunslinger shook his head.
Dr. Reynolds listened as his eyes continued to watch the screen.
"Explain" Helena said with a hint of irritation that send a shiver down William's spine. Her mental control was growing to the point it was now showing up in most casual tones. He closed his eyes he was losing control of her.
The gunslinger smirked, as if to show her abilities weren't working with him. His explanation was to be freely given simply because he wished to.
"She was unable to be snared by the usual containment teams months ago...that Ended up as a resource nightmare and maybe impracticable this time. Whiles experimenting with new aspect of her energy The target could simply remove her Hero Corps inhibitor and then we face an extremely powerful target compared to what the Crey could bring to bear, once she alters herself back to her primary energy configuration."
He paused as his eyes remained riveted to the screens, coolly watching with a degree of admiration of the techniques the girl was showing.
"At this stage a Malta extraction would also be difficult, any such containment team, given the targets recorded opinion of us would lead to a full scale battle on the streets of Paragon." he almost chuckled "and that would be a bit expensive for your budget Helena"
She looked at him with a degree of anger "So what do you recommend?"
William joined her in turning to face the Gunslinger
"Well current data suggests she patrols alone mostly, the Dengo woman and this new one" turning to the technician "call up screen four, Sverund file 01" He gestured at the screen as Melissa's features appeared. William recognized the young red headed girl instantly.
Oh my god, he thought, it is spreading
"The Dengo girl is going to be extremely difficult to deal with as will Sverund but they can be overwhelmed. There are other concerns" He leaned over and punched up a few screens showing several heroes.
"Lucianna Addo, though that is a target currently being dealt with...um...with little success at the moment is one possible ally" he sighed at the next one "of course you are familiar with this one, Mazin Wystan, is yet another we have an extensive file on, though they pair up less frequently"
He pointed to yet another face Dr. Reynolds recognized "Well let us not forget this disaster..Rico Chavez, blew up in your face didn't he doctor?"
Dr. Reynolds sighed "None of that was my doing, Sylvia and Countess thought it best..."
The veteran gunslinger cut him off as he continued with his irritatingly monotone report.
"Her current romantic interest, the one you failed to cover last time, Rhuby Quartz pairs with her even less these days, but once more has also now grown in strength to be a significant threat" he shook his head "also a considerable wild card...just like last time"
He paused at the last file "Garrett..." He shook his head "an unknown last time and now even more so....the Ultimate wild card"
Helena snapped "All of this is inconclusive"
The gunslinger merely nodded "Yes....yes It is" He drew a long drag of his cigarette "Like I said containment will be difficult, I warned you about this once you two began Dr. Reynolds' work again. The Target has become extremely adaptable and has grown in strength. She has the ability to call on a virtual army of heroes and is in fact a respected Heroine of the City now. She also works closely with the US Army and the UN up in the Shadow Shard. Her combat abilities and experience have grown considerably."
"And if I'm not mistaken" he continued looking to the Doctor "her abilities have changed. Note the bubble of protection she is wielding over herself. Your security files show her powers as weakened but that is due to the inhibitor. She will be difficult to target and hit, and yet she still can explode as she did before."
Helena began to pace slightly as the gunslinger step back into the shadows. "So your saying we shouldn't even bother?"
The dark silhouette smirked "No ....no I'm not. Im saying go full ahead with the containment plan"
Dr. Reynolds blinked as both he and Helena turned to look back at the Gunslinger.
"But you just said..." Helena snapped
"Yes...given The political atmosphere right now. We can play off on her attacks as a personal vendetta. Hit her as she expects us too. Ill keep a Malta team on standby for when the time is right." he took one final puff and lean across the board to extinguish his smoke. "The Malta have their reasons much as the Crey and the Knives for wanting this one Helena, Doctor...attack Her and bring her in" he draw a long breath "if our current Intel is to be believed, eventually you will be able to isolate the target for capture"
"Do you know what you are doing?" Helena asked starting to calm
He looked at them both with cool piercing green eye and with the barest of smiles....
"Always..."
Dr. Reynolds shivered and looked away, they all had their agendas with each of his daughters allies mentioned. He himself had only one concern..
His little girl, and his cure for her...
Soon baby, he thought...
Daddy is here for you.
He is gonna make it all better again.
Find us here at Templars of the Abbey Webpage
Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
Hello again! It's me D! Encouraged by the responses I've gotten here, I thought I would begin to share the main ongoing SL for my main Diamond that has been running for some time now. its still an open ended ongoing SL for the Templars and their allies for any who wish to join it on our boards. It has yeilded some great entries from other Templars and our allies as well.
The story even predates the Templars, taking place back when our SG was known as the New Porter Institute, a school for mutants ranging from grade school up to College level courses. Anyways enough of my yammering. I hope you enjoy these too! This arc has been one of my favorites to play through as well, for it is still going...
Janurary 23rd, 2005 - Dark Astoria
>>> ...mission log time, survaliance 1BD - Dark Astoria - 22JAN05 - 2205:07.08.09...<<<
(Screen split into sections top two sections show the POV of two ground agents observing a location from two very different angles under concealment. The third appears to be and Airel POV of the surrounding target area the images all distort slightly as a young woman exits the building cautiously)
Field Agent AEX-11 : Copy again, say again Copy again Subject reaquired
Field Agent VIG-21B : Confirmed Reaquirement....Subect is now out side the office complex, she must have deduced this is a trap. It seems we have lost our little pink bathing suit for our real 'costume' again,
Field Agent AEX-11 : Back to buissness ...she may be on to the set up
Field Agent VIG-21B : At this point with this subject anything is possible... if we are blown reccomend primary team cancelation and go for the direct containment and extraction, Falcon do you have visual on you screen.
Field Agent AEX-12 : Confirmed on screen..Stand by on Primary Team ...REPEAT Primary Team, and Primary team only. Primary Team arrival E.T.A . in 3 mins. ..please acknowledge
Field Agent AEX-11 : Acknowledged
Field Agent VIG-21B : Acknowledged
(Muffled mic noises 1st voice is Field Agent AEX-12 and his pilot) They....vectored...to er....be a nice little surprise for the little honey.
(Pilot's voice) She really got them riled up didnt she?
(Field Agent) Heh , you could say that..i love this approach, i'll bet not a single shot is fired and she never sees it coming..
(Pilots voice laughing) Heh... Dig a hole eh?
(field agent) Exactly....
>>> ...mission log time, survaliance 1BD - Dark Astoria - 22JAN05 - 2209:57.58.59...<<<
The wind blew up and around her legs fluttering her cape as she stepped out into the cold. Her body adjusting its temperature automatically to the biting cold. Her breathing measured and controlled, she had this very same feeling once long ago when she had been invited to speak at the Star Trek convention. This had to be either the Crey or the Council, and she knew the ambush would be coming as soon ashe steped from the door way. With a audible puff she generated the cushion of air beneath her bringing her body to a hover, ready to simply launch into the sky should the forces be too overwhelming...
Gently as a whisper over the blown drifting snow atop the dock Kara slided slowly through the air. Her arms tense as their soft Blue pulses runs over the skin of her forearms. Her sense awake and alert as the soft scuff of a shoe across the pavement becomes an artic camo covered Crey Cryo Tank agent. Taking a knee he or was it a she she coul never tell, drew a bead on her. One turned into two as from behind yet another agent of the cryo Tank force appreared. She smiled I still can get them before they get me.
*Crack* - aburptly two doors on either side of the alley opened as a team of Crey's Chief Cryo Scientists appeared. This force surrounding her, it would sting but she could take them. The hum of her impending dischage began to build. She smirked as she watched the tanks ready themselves. They had faced heroes before. The scientist team appeared less worried..so they go down in a group shot.
She readied for battle, prepared to fight yet one more battle as she had since the ivasion. Until the voice....the impossible voice..
"Kara?"
Her heart droze and she paused, her body shivered she knew this voice as well as her own. It was the last voice she ever thought she would hear here in this frozen abandoned part of Dark Astoria. A voice that once provided comfort and protection from the very monsters that now prowled the back alleys, whom could still be heard in their shuffling and growls A voice who had once turned a deaf ear to her, leaving her to face the streets of Paragon alone.....that left her vunerable to that night of horror in the warehouse. The night that had all but destroyed her inside.
The only voice she would dream about hearing and yet knew she would never hear it again....or atleast /this/ tone..soft , understanding, reaching out to her.
Turning she watched as he stepped from behind the group of Crey researchers. He looked very haggard as he tenativley approached her. Her heels clicked on the ground as she landed her eyes never leaving his. She barely noticed that the comm has slowly dissolved to static then calm silence as the jammer worked its magic from above.
"Kara it's me baby" his tone smooth and soothing
Her eyes reflexively wandered to the white id badge from Crey industries..Dr. William Reynolds Cardiology..Looking up she offered a weak smile ...
"Daddy?"
"Yes baby.." he smiled warmly "Please...im so sorry baby. Please im here to help you...."
With that she hesitantly reached out to take his hand....
>>> ...mission log time, survaliance 1BD - Dark Astoria - 22JAN05 - 2219:37.38.39...<<<
(Muffled mic noises 1st voice is Field Agent AEX-12 and his pilot)
Field Agent AEX-12 - Like fish and barrel ,The price we paid for her information paid off nicely.
(Pilot's voice) Wow you called it...not one shot....
(Field Agent) I do love this approach, even if she wanted too...she would wind up just hurting daddy, crey newest funded researcher...hehe a a dream of funded research to cure his daughter?
(Pilots voice laughing) Heh... a cure huh?
(field agent) Exactly.... as cured as any Paragon Protecor...ready made. Her Papa is gonna help us restoke the program she just helped the other two dismantle. <chuckles> Ok Ok Daddy is waving us down..>Central we have extraction!....ETA main facilty...10 minutes. Subject is cooperative...repeat cooperative.
(Central voice) Acknowledged Flyer....subject cooperative...containment teams ready upon arrival, be sure subject 's father is clear and not subject to injury wil be required for control of specimin for duration of project......be advised
(field agent) Advised and understood....okay lets go get her..
>>> ...mission log time, survaliance 1BD - Dark Astoria - 22JAN05 - 2209:57.58.59...<<<
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