Originally posted by NPI Student Tomoya Dengo
July 20th, 2005 - Steel Canyon
The heavy techno beat and bright lights were starting to get on the agents' nerves; she'd followed the target into the building some 5 hours ago, and had watched in amazement at first at how long the little girl could dance. That amazement shortly turned to frustration then distain, she hated this type of music to start with and to be forced to listen to it for this long was making her upset.
She keyed her mic speaking to the other agents that were present inside the party and those waiting outside. "Target remains on the dance floor." A series of high-pitched synthesizer notes caused her to close her eyes and scrunch her neck down in pain and irritation.
When she opened her eyes again the girl was gone.
She keyed the mic again instantly. "Dammit lost visuals! Jones, Inez, Sammy any of you have her?"
"Negative" Jones quipped back as he scanned the room.
"Neg" The reply from Inez was quick and blunt, frustration obvious even in the short response.
...
"Sammy? Report! Do you have visual?"
...
"Inez, find Sammy, Jones you're with me. Containment! Be ready!"
A chorus of acknowledgement rang through her headset as she began to make her way over to Jones, still scanning the crowd for that bright pink hair.
******
She'd spent the first few hours just losing herself to the beat, the rhythm, and the warm bodies next to her. She was completely comfortable in her surroundings, initially at least, that was until she spotted the suits trying to blend in. Baka She shook her head. These guys can't be serious.
For the next two hours she watched them as they watched her, she noticed the short red headed agent seemed to be paying the least attention to her and was more interested in watching a bare chested dancer in front of her.
Hayaka slowly danced her way over to the short red-headed suit. Working her way deeper into the crowd, her legs starting to feel the burn from her prolonged dancing. The current song hit a crescendo and the floor erupted in explosive dancing, Hayaka jumped once, yanked a red wig off of one dancer and hit the floor, slipping it over her own head. She dropped a shoulder and bull rushed the red-headed agent who was caught completely off guard.
She knocked the agent over and heard a crack as the suit's head banged against the floor hard. The agent didn't respond after that and Hayaka flipper her over removing the suit jacket slipping it over her shoulders and stepping towards the exit.
******
"The hell?" Inez said aloud, as he spotted Sammy making her way towards the exit.
He began pushing past the dancers as he tried to catch up to her. Her hair flared as she spun her hair and caught sight of him coming towards her. "Sammy!" He yelled but she only increased her pace towards the exit.
He now shoved his way along, most dancers not getting out of the way in time. He was about ten feet away from Sammy when she did something unfathomable and yanked down on the fire alarm.
*****
She started to panic, she didn't think they'd be after he so quick, that damn red-head must have said something as she fell. Hayaka took advantage of her small frame and weaved quickly through the crowd. She reached the exit and found the large suited man coming dangerously close to her.
She saw an escape, reached up and pulled on the fire alarm and then pushed the door open. The mixture of fire alarm and pre-dawn light shining in the door caused a panic in the crowd as everyone suddenly started pushing towards the exits. Hayaka let herself be swept up by the title wave of screaming panicked ravers as they rushed out of the packed club into the streets.
Once she had the chance she was gone, flying off up into the air hugging building walls closely so as not to be sighted. She had to talk to her sisters and knew the best place to do that would be the institute, and she made a beeline for the tram and Galaxy City.
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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 Skilla
July 26th, 2005- Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Your daughter is disturbed.
"My daughter is disturbed."
He would have never hurt her. It is that school. THEY have convinced her of this.
"I can't let them do this to my baby! He would never have hurt her."
They are using her for their own ends. They don't care. Everything said about them is true...look what they did to her little friend from camp.
"Yes, it must be. My poor baby."
Maureen watched a tear trail down her cheek as she ran the brush over and over through her long hair.
Shhh...my sweet. It will be all right. We will do what must be done, for her own good.
"Yes. I will do it."
But my sweet, it must be so painful to hear those things, those horrid lies spilling from her mouth.
"Oh it is, it is!" Maureen sobbed, a single broken sob from her perfect, calm face. "It is so painful."
You are tired, my sweet.
"I am so tired. So very very tired."
You rest, my sweet. I will handle everything. Go back inside, and rest.
"I will. You are so good to me."
The brush was set down carefully, and as she gazed in the mirror, at the halo of long red hair, the carefully done makeup, the still smooth skin, Neshina smiled. "Perfect," she purred, reaching a manicured hand for the phone. "Operator? I need the number for a Dr. Reynolds? Yes, I will hold."
=============
Originally posted by NPI Student Mega J
July 26th, 2005 - Steel Canyon
Tyler grumbled to himself as he stepped off the tram. His side ached. His head was pounding. His arm wouldn't stop shaking. Apprently his first run-in with the Malta wasn't a pleasant one.
"[censored]' Sappers..." he muttered.
Too caught up in his own soreness, he didn't notice the young, pink-haired girl until he had stepped right into her path, nearly knocking her and him to the ground. A quick rush of pain shot up his side and he sucked in air through his teeth, his first instinct to haul off and punch the girl, but he stopped, knowing better. He took a moment and took a breath before looking down at the girl, who looked strikingly like Tomo, and said calmly, "Y'allright?"
=============
Originally posted by NPI Student Tomoya Dengo
She looked up a the barrel chested man infront of her and quickly nodded, "Yeah I'm fine, excuse me." With that she moved to step past Tyler and head for the Tram.
============
"....Control confirmed rabbit is running."
"Confirmed, flush team has her approaching the tram"
"Two TANGO ALPHA standby for data download"
"Rodger 31 Bravo standing by"
RED APLHA 03 smiled ever so slightly as he listened to the voices coordinating the scouting effort for 'rabbit'. She was much like her sister and exactly what he envisioned her as...
His eyes scanned the tram below as he drew a drag off of his cigarette. His reaction unreadable, in a sense it was all going so far pretty much as he expected it too. He would have been most disappointed in a capture by the recon team.
Run girl, you have earned the right tonight to do so, he mused as he caught a slight movement to his left. He grinned as he watched Turner one of his best Tac-Ops draw a bead with his rifle on the over sized figure the girl had just run past.
"It would be so easy" Turner breathed as he sighted in on Tyler, looking up only when his friend and commander laid a gloved hand gently over the barrel of his rifle.
"We are not here for 'Mega J.' " he half chuckled "No profit....in fact he is far too valuable for us alive and as a witness to this tonight"
Almost inaudibly the gunslinger communicate with his team through a series of silent hand gestures. One by one they stepped into the shadows of the roof tops and vanished.
Engaging his cloak he allowed his gaze to focus on Tyler a moment as he activated his comm.
"Chase team follow rabbit at usual distance....do not engage...repeat do not engage"
"Sir wont she detect us?" the response came
"Yes....then break off and head for home..." he turned stepping into the shadows.
"we've sent our message tonight....there is always tomorrow, we aren't done with rabbit yet...."
He was mildly pleased with their progress but a bit annoyed that it seems someone else...an amateur may have claimed his true target.
If you have been taken Kara, he mused. You will be happy to know I have a platoon of rescuers searching for you. Lord help those who took you...i need you unharmed
Lord help them...
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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 Results
July 29th, 2005 - Abandoned Building, Garment District in King's Row
Results leaned back in his chair, reaching out with a single gloved hand for his cup of tea and took a drink, lightly setting it down. He then leaned forward onto the cold, aluminum table of this dark room and rested his chin in his hands, staring at the gunslinger across the table from him and speaking in a calm manner.
"So...let me get this straight. The Malta, the most highly advanced and organized military force on the planet, can't take down a single girl? A teacher, no less? And because of this fact, you want to hire me to take out and subdue her little girlfriend? This...Rhuby woman? Instead of getting one of your more than capable soldiers to do it for you?"
The gunslinger smirked and nodded, "That's correct."
A dry chuckle escaped Results' lips and again, he leaned back in his chair, folding his arms across his chest. "Right..."
Alpha smiled and stood out of his chair. "Well, Mr. Results, despite our limitless assets, advanced technology and highly skilled soldiers, there is one thing we lack that you can provide."
Results quirked a brow over his dark shades. "And what might that be?"
Alpha said matter-of-factly "Subtlety. You've eliminated countless numbers of high ranking officials for a variety of clients, even going so far as working for the Countess herself. I know this thanks to your employer and leader of your organization, Mr. Consequences, who spoke very highly of your skills. He said you were one of the most highly paid individuals in all of The Professionals. And as per this information, I'm willing to offer you triple your going rate."
Results noticeably perked up. "Triple?"
Alpha nodded once. "Yes...triple. So Mr. Results...what do you think?"
Results chuckled softly and reached for his tea, finishing the cup. "What do I think? I think you're crazy for not doing this yourself. But you're willing to pay, and that works for me."
Alpha nodded and extended his hand with a smile. "Then we have a deal." Results took his hand and shook it firmly. Alpha stared him down, not releasing his hand. "I don't care how you do it...but get it done. And let's get one more thing straight...you cross us, and we'll burn you to the ground."
Results smirked "The feeling is mutual, Alpha." And with that, he retrieved his hand, gathered the documents sitting on the table and left.
Alpha crossed his arms as a voice spoke from the darkened corner. "Isn't this a little risky, sir?" said the Tac-Op as he stepped out of the corner, his cloak field dissipating. Alpha nodded. "Of course I do. If he does as he's supposed to, so much the better. If something goes wrong, he'll take the fall. It's as simple as that. Any word from Bravo team."
The Tac-Op shook his head. "No sir. Still haven't found the Reynolds girl."
"And the Rabbit?"
He shook his head once more. "No sir."
Alpha lowered his head. "I see...keep me informed. I'll be in Control."
The Tac-Op saluted. "Yes sir."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Outside the abandoned building, Results took his hand away from his ear and chuckled softly, pressing a small button on his belt as the feed coming from his ear went static and shut off. "Take the fall, eh? We'll see about that, Alpha..."
Pressing another button on his belt and engaging his Anti-Grav suit, he lifted off into the air. He had much to prepare...and these Malta paid good money.
Meanwhile, Alpha and the Tac-Op were wondering what the strange smell was.
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Arc # 57740 - 'A Star is Rising Part One'
Arc # 90575 - 'A Lesson Taught'
Arc # 139943 - 'And The Game Goes Tilt'
August 1st, 2005 - Independance Port
Helena was enraged as she paced behind his chair, each step her every location though noted by reflex even as he listened to his Operation Engineer give his report.
"How many Last night?" Helena Snapped
"No less than 7 locations, the casualties of arrest dead and wounded are literally in the hundreds" Warner reported his Germanic accent barely noticeable. "The teams with her varied but the results undeniable"
"My God even an entire company of Knives not even involved in our operations , Sister Hectate will be all over us for that one"
Alpha merely smirked, he cared little for that call. "Go on Warner..what else...i can tell you wish to add"
Warner cleared his throat "She....um..never took off her inhibitor."
Helena frowned at that "So?"
Dr. Reynolds who had been listening also seemed lost at that added fact
Alpha sighed, fool he thought as he stood "It means she still isn't hitting us at full strength yet"
"Jesus Alpha" Helena sneered "Crey is outraged, they are demanding an audit of our work and..."
"Dismiss them" he interrupted "Warner get this Intel out to all ambush teams least they share Echo, Silhouette and Amber's fates....tell them to reinitiate..."
A Crey research assistant cracked the door to the briefing room causing him to turn "What is it?"
"Phone call for Dr. Reynolds" she said evenly
"Go ahead Doc....you aren't need for this Ill have Connie brief you later on it" He dismissed the Doctor with a nod of his head. Waiting for him to leave.
After he had left the room "Tell the teams on rabbit to begin phase two and all primary to begin operation : Flush once more. Get the 'beaters ' moving on her. So far she is following the path we have laid out for her"
Helena raised a brow "She is?"
Alpha merely nodded as he lit his cigarette
She sighed "Fine ill delay the Crey and the Knives....but you better be right Alpha!" she stormed out
He smirked taking his gaze away from the door only when Warner spoke
"What of this Results character?" Warner voice was tense he remembered how Alpha and his aide had been 'attacked'
"He is good...i was impressed by what he tried to do to me" Alpha shrugged picking up his Hat "Rhuby has always been expendable ...if he succeeds we still get the Reynolds girl...if he fails then the girls get him and we continue"
"still though his idea has many merits" Warner added following him out of the office.
"Yup...the boy is a pro after all." Alpha smirked.
===========================
In his darkened office an exhausted Dr. Reynolds dropped into his chair and answered the blinking extension line of his phone.
"Doctor Reynolds...hmmm yes?" He blinked then smiled hearing the waspish voice of his daughter's mother. Her views on the disease inflicting his daughter was well known.
"Maureen?"
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 Hayaka
August 5th, 2005 - Steel Canyon
Hayaka floated down and landed lightly next to the large fountain. She sat down on the fountain's edge and removed her shoes and socks, setting them aside. She then rolled up her pants as far as they would go and stuck her feet deep into the cold water, smiling as the refreshing water rushed over her feet.
She wasn't entirely oblivious to the Malta agent that had taken up a quick position on the building across the street, sure she didn't know he was there. But that was the most likely spot they'd picked for him. Now it was just a waiting game to see what he'd do.
Hayaka kicked her feet through the water causing small waves, and getting the base of the statue in the center of the fountain wet. She stopped for a moment and stood up in the fountain and looked around before making her way to the central island where the statue stood. She looked up at the hulking form, not recognizing who it was and sat down on the island, leaning against his leg, legs still in the water. She rested leaned her head back and closed her eyes.
*****
"Tango Recon to ops. Rabbit's in a watering hole." The agent said into his mic. "Maintaining observation."
He looked through long scope of his rifle, hands resting casually on top of it. He chuckled a bit to himself.
If, only all my assignments were this easy. He leaned into the scope a little further seeing her lay back against the statue's legs. Easy, and gentle on the eyes.
Suddenly she opened her eyes and seemed to look directly at him. Staring directly into the scope right back at him. His breath caught a moment before he found himself chuckling again. There was no way she could see him from that far away.
"Nice try Rabbit, you almost had me fooled." He said aloud and then froze.
She had just made a gun out of her hand and pointed it directly at him, and dropped her thumb. Though really, it was the hard metal object resting against the back of his skull that he was worried about right now.
******
Tomoya had been hiding cloaked beneath the ventilation duct as planned. If Hayaka was being followed this would have been the most likely spot to setup an observation post.
It hadn't taken long, shortly after Haya-chan had entered the fountain, the agent had appeared on the roof. It took him mere moments to setup his rifle and begin his lookout, showing that he obviously had good practice in it.
But, either he wasn't good enough, or he wasn't taking his job seriously, because he didn't hear Tomo sneak up behind him and place the Muzzle of her rifle right up against his skull.
"Move hand from gun!" She ordered, which he was quick to obey, holding his hands out directly to either side. "Up!" She brought the tip of the gun up to press the soft spot right at the top of his neck to enforce her order.
He slowly got to his feet, and was guided away from the buildings edge by the rifle point, as Tomoya walked into the cover of the ventilation equipment. She then ordered him on his knees and bound his hands behind him using flexcuffs. Another set of flexcuffs bound his feet together, a blindfold and gag later, she took the time to search him with assistance from a built in scanner on her PDA.
She keyed her sub vocal mic, telling Hayaka to vacate. She then called Kara. "Neechan, have gift for you. Think maybe it like to talk."
******
Alpha smirked and lit another cigarette as the report came in about the Recon Team's capture.
"How predictable. Thank you ladies."
==================
Originally posted by Me 
August 9th, 2005 - Brickstown
Her heels clicked in loud metallic echoes as she walked over the debris scattered along the cat walk. Fires generated the block fog like smoke that swirled and hung in the air like a dense fog. Around her bodies moaned and shifted where they had been tossed when their base had been hit.
She had gotten this bases' or bunker's location from the 'gift ' given to her by Tomoya and Hayaka. She smiled a bit as she leaned on the rail of the creaking catwalk to survey what was now left of the Malta control room for this former base of operations. She smirked a bit remembering how she had been unsuccessful in getting the agent to talk until her Oneechan had 'leaned' on him as she called it. Kara had been uncomfortable with the harsher methods of her sister but they had eventually yielded the location of a planning center for this yet unnamed operation. There was a second sight that needed to be scouted, that was where her sister went tonight while She and Robbie Yorke a friend of hers came here....to catch them off guard and get more answers.
They hadn't been unprepared...far from it. This was or had been a set up. She and the little orange skinned alien woman had to literally blow the place apart in order to just get out in one piece. Her fields and Robbie's harmonic energy blasts kept the Malta platoon at bay and finally toppled them after and hour of fighting.
She was exhausted. Night after night of this, she sighed walking down the steps to head over to where Robbie was still giving their report to the police slowly. She ached and all of the constant never ending raids were wearing thin on her.
All she wanted to do was go home and curl up to sleep.
Mustering up enough energy to smile she helped Robbie wrap up with the Police and thanked her other worldly friend for her help. walking back into the dark early morning air of Kings Row she keyed her comm.
"Oneechan, this was another straight up fight no files or leads this time." she sighed wearily "What have you got at the other site?"
===============
"Well that is yet another bunch of your boys" Snapped Helena as she watched the police sever the power and the distant bunkers feeds go dark.
In the shadows behind her Alpha smirked "not my boys"
She turned "Surely you can't be serious...this is costing you men"
He shook his head "Not costing me a thing....and besides in the long run, once we have the little darlin' it will pay off"
He turned to walk off stopping at the security room's door, over his shoulder he added "Johnson?"
"Yes sir?" His Tac Officer responded looking up from his console.
"Continue with current ops, make sure she sees the next set of targets" Half turning to Helena "Its tiring to stay on the offensive..."
She blinked then understood, a twisted smile gracing her features.
He winked "isn't it?" he turned and strode into the hall his voice floating back to her
"Soon...we begin"
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 Results
August 5th, 2005 - Steel
It'd taken some time to get the proper documents, but everything was finally in place. He had a suitable backround and a file with GIFT had suitably been counterfeited, falsified and forged with proper signatures.
Results stood in the bathroom of his lavish, Steel Canyon apartment and looked at the new face in the mirror. His once jet black hair had been dyed blonde and he now had a stylish looking goatee of the same color. Donning a white baseball cap, he smiled and spoke in a southern accent to the reflection in the mirror.
"Nice ta meetcha. Muh name's Gabe."
He chuckled and turned on his heels, swooping up his NPI application and made his way to the school.
=========================
August 16th, 2005 - Underground Cavern, 'Boomtown'
The wooden door to the cavern lay in a burning ruin behind her as she stepped in the dark stone passageway. The bleak damp tunnel now illuminated by the soft eerie green light of her fields. Before her the three women warriors ready their swords their eyes widening at the figure now advancing on them. Kara's eyes scanned their equiptment, katana's caltrops, tasers, inhibitor cuffs, and smirked.
"Why Hello Ladies " she purred teasingly "Expecting me?" her arms began to shimmer with her blueish white energy as she prepared.
Two of the Knives of Artemis mercenaries charged as the third yelled for back up as she alerted the rest of her sisters obviously deeper within the old cavern. The fight was short lived, the flashes of white hot light, the sound of metal slicing uselessly through the air were all those who rushed up the corridor to help their sisters could see, before the soft green glow began to grow in the tunnel before them.
================
Helena stared at the monitor in absolute disbelief, she and Sister Sestra had known each other for years. They had joined the Knives together, trained together to the point where they had become bitter rivals equal in skill. Both had competed for command of a sect, and for awhile they had even been lovers for awhile, unable to deny how similar they were. Now as she watched Sestra sect of huntress's was being taken apart piece by piece by this slip of a girl.
"Come on ..." She urged but knew it was becoming futile. She had tried to warn Sestra when Alpha and She had met. She grew angry as the thought that he had set her friend up crossed her mind. She looked over to him as he stood behind her watching over her shoulder. His expression was unreadable but she could see in his something about this disturbed him.
She turned her gaze back to the screen with a degree of concern filling her own eyes as she watched Sestra charge the girl in a final desperate act with her last three mercenaries....
"Come Sestra nail this arrogant little [censored]"
Alpha merely watched in silence.
====================
Kara whirled within her green englobement, her feet never touched the ground as she hovered the winds from the power she wielded kicking up soft dust beneath her feet as it tossed caltrops here and there. Twists and turns heralded her dance just above the ground as she moved through the forces in the cavern. Stars and swords cut through the air, only on occasion to breach her shields and strike but never penetrate her skin. With an almost choreographed beauty she performed her assault for the unwilling Knives. Group by group what was obviously a containment team preparing to strike at her from this cavern in Kings Row. Indigo had tipped her off about the team's movement from her informant her father's operation. Again, the informant's information has been correct.
She stopped with a twirl and fired a final blast into the chest of a young woman throwing her back against the wall, her sword clattering to the cave's floor.
"Sisters! To me! " a strong but wavering voice called out, the woman's voice sounded unsteady but still had much fight left in it. Kara settled to the floor and looked across the vast cavern. A large red haired woman was motioning the last three Knives to her side for a final rush. Caltrops were prepared and swords held at the ready. Kara slowly walked to the center of the room to face them. She narrowed her dispersion field, its green glow flickered about her as she met the gaze of her lead opponent.
Kara smiled this was almost done, this one would know who sent them. She was looking forward to the police interrogation. She smirked, No as much as she hated to do it, it may be practical this time for Tomoya to 'ask' This sister some questions.
Drawing herself up a bit on her toes she performed a gentle 'reverence' to the remaining Knives. Her gesture, a simple yet elegant ballet curtsy in which one foot is pointed before her in front as she leaned forward in her mock salute.
It had the desired effect....
=========
Sestra was still reeling her heart thundered in her chest. A degree of professional panic at the loss of her girls as well as the stung pride of her sisters falling so easily. The briefing she had gotten was way off, Diamond's field tests were NO longer to be considered at the 44th clearance equivalent. She knew they were watching, she had to go down with her team. They had failed....
No she thought I have failed them. Her eyes scanned the cavern as the target approached them. She rallied her three lieutenants to her side and had given them their final orders she would issue for this failed operation when she looked up to see the target standing across from them. Her panic and fear turned into white hot rage as the girl performed some kind of taunting curtsey. Almost beckoning them...
She hefted her blade and charged, the final bout of this operation was to begin.
======
Kara advanced as she deftly glided across the floor inches above the ground. She moved silently to them as they encircled her. Katana's arced through the air as Sestra dove and rolled to avoid the opening salvo from the girl as her three sister coverage keeping a set distance from her so as not to get hit by her wave of energy.
Kara nimbly avoided a series of slashing swords with a tour en l'air, a twisting turn while she leapt straight up in the air. Her blasts struck Sestra and Sestra only as she hung there and began to slowly drop down. The lead Knife found her self thrown backward as she heard her ribs shatter. She lay crumbled against the far wall as she watched Diamond drop amidst her remaining girls.
No!, she thought. " pull back! " she yelled weakly trying to stand.
In an instant the cavern turned a brilliant blue white, the concussive force even reached her tossing her back a bit. The noise was deafening but when the light faded only Kara was standing where there was once three Knives. Her breathing was rapid and her eyes seemed to dart searching for Sestra.
Sestra smirked she knew this power of the girl's. After such a blast she was vunerable, she had only seconds to strike. With lethal accuracy Sestra threw a star at the girls juggler, Alpha can get what he wants from an autopsy. She watched as her star sailed true at the exhausted girl.
She stared in disbelief as the star careened off of the flash of green that erupted around Kara a split second before the star found its mark. The pain from the series of blasts that struck her was unbelievable. She crumbled tot he ground feeling the fight slip from her body.
She heard the girl's approach and twisted painfully to look up at her.
She is no killer , Sestra thought. She means to take me in.
"Well Like that is that" Kara smiled "you came looking for me and here i am, and like you so don't seem happy to have found me" she keyed her school's comm hitting some kind of privacy feature.
"Onnechan?"
Sestra knew that word..sister. That had to be the policewoman from Japan. Well, its over, she mused. She looked up to the girl and smirked as she bit down on the tooth she had never thought she would ever have to use.
Kara blinked kneeling quickly to try in vain to help save the woman as her prisoner slipped into convulsions. It took only a few moments before Sestra fell limp beside of her. With a look of horror, Kara realized what had just happened and merely knelt there staring at the woman...
"oneechan" she whispered biting her bottom lip
=======
Helena merely watched the screen in silence, a soft tear threatened to trickled down her features. She felt it slide down as Alpha stood muttering a single word as he walked out.
She never turned to see him leave, she only repeated the word.
"damn"
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'
August 25th, 2005 - Talos
"We've confirmed it sir"
The Tac-operative to Alpha's right coninued, "Both Donaldson's strike team at the temple and Dr. Reynolds' shipments have both been compromised"
Alpha drew a long drag from his cigarette as the orange glow from the distant Talos sunrise lit across his haggard features. He closed his eyes feeling the dull yet comforting sting of the nicotine rush through him as he inhaled. He cocked his head a bit to the left as he continued to listen.
"Tapes show also Sister Hecta's Team also failed in the graveyard and the informant is once more free and well,..." his officer paused before he added "The project is further compromised"
Alpha smirked "I thought we drove them off?"
The Tac-op sneered "It was a feint, Diamond returned solo and made short work of all three platoons....over a hundred sisters are dead, wounded or in custody, mostly the latter two. The cops and feds are having a field day over this"
Alpha shook his head slightly. This had been an unmitigated disaster, the target had grown in strength with her fields so fast, they couldn't contain her. She in fact seemed to produce new allies out of no where. He would train his people to train theirs for Rico or her sister Tomoya and she would arrive with this Skilla character. He had them prepared for the Addo girl and that Wystan punk and she showed up with this new Fire woman. A woman whose record is so lost and fabricated that even if it was accurate it was difficult to get a feel on how she acted.
He was losing to her, damn it did she know everyone in Paragon.
Then the 'Gabe/Results' gambit completely failed to draw her out. Alpha had felt even should Gabe fail, and he expected him too, it would've enraged her to come straight out. He had her exhausted and on the offensive, he had calculated even this Rhuby's reaction to wanting it to just end. All of this should have pushed her to one more offense straight at them.
Straight into their trap.
Does she do this, he thought. No, she waits and hits them as the Doctor is about to move his shipment. She goes right back to work as if it never happened. Thus catching them on their flank and unprepared. It was as if she was able to look right through him and spot each of his traps.
"She is getting help " he muttered.
"Well it gets worse....the rogue element, this DiMeo thing."
Alpha shook his head "Move on Jamie, that is Jacob's affair not our business"
"No Sir, after all of her arrests and Gabe getting himself turned over to Freedom Corps and the police, which I may add he may be cooperating now. " The officer drew a breath "All Malta Ops are now showing an increase of Phalanx activity and interest"
Alpha slowly pitched his cigarette only to light another. After a moment "Phalanx....wonderful, why doesn't she just throw nukes at us"
He turned to his operative "And the good doctor what has he to say about all of this?"
Jameson sighed "As per your orders sir....he is preparing still for the next step...even without the equipment, he says he can make do"
Alpha sighed, "Its going to be another long month or so Jamie" The weary gunslinger looked back out to the sunrise "Tell all Operatives we are to be a go as soon as the doctor is ready"
"Sir?"
"Operation Retribution , " Alpha smirked as he inhaled "....its a go"
God help us, he thought...
...We are committed now.
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'
October 4th, 2005 - Independence Port
"....Target : Kara Reynolds Aquired!" Quartz 's voice blared through the speakers hidden amongst the various rows of monitors showing Helena the p.o.v. of her newest pet project. "You are to Surrender at once" followed by the precise "YOU WILL COMPLY"
Half turning within the darkened womb of the security center she smiled to Doctor Reynolds who fidgeted nervously with his glasses "Relax Doctor, She wont fight the Quartz Project " she shrugged adding with a smirk "And if she does you know at least they wont be together anymore."
He flinched as another shadow stepped forward to extinguish a cigarette in the ashtray on the console.
"This is the master plan you have been working on for the last 5 weeks" Alpha chuckled "This is why you captured the Mayhann girl?"
Helana sneered but clearly enjoyed watching Quartz overwhelm the Reynolds girl who surrendered instantly without so much as a single blast. "There you see " turning to the technicians "Reroute her calls for containment to our Air units in the area....tell Quartz pick up in 5 minutes"
Alpha allowed his gaze to slide up the various screens to focus on the monitor that measured the Target's MH power levels. He merely raised an eyebrow as he lit another cigarette.
"a 20-to 22 reading?" He mused
"Yes More than reasonable for Quartz to contain or subdue if necessary" she smirked.
"and the reasons for the drop in the target's powers are?" Alpha tried once more turning to nod to his Tac-Op. The Malta soldier nodded and began to speak into his comm unit. Turning back Alpha waited for an answer.
"Doctor Reynolds?" Helena said confidently "Your theory"
"Um ..Yes...Quite. " he fidgeted with his glasses once more "We began to notice a trend as of late of a severe pattern of um...mutant genome and emanation variation in Kara.. " he cleared his throat " Based on prior scans of Kara....we um..my team and I ..have come to the conclusion she has overreached with her ability to generate energy...hence in a sense she is 'wounded' and unable to maintain her former power levels"
Alpha merely watched the diminutive scientist continued. Helena remain confident and smirked at Alpha almost as if daring him to not believe this was finally ending.
"....Back Up Required! " Helena whirled and watch as the plan fell apart, The Target had a second comm unit and had called in back up of her own.
Pin-Up
She turned to her Security Chief who turned in time to Alpha who leaned over across her to the console and keyed the comm system.
"All Containment and Retrieval Units standby..." his voice empty and cool, like an abandoned grave. "You are to hold positions do not...repeat do not provide back up for Soldier 1426"
Helena froze, Alpha knew her codename for the Mayhann girl. He had known about her project since she began it. She stood there her heart freezing as her pilots..../her/ pilots responded.
"Acknowledged control"
"Stand by all surveillance teams to record her shift "Alpha said evenly tossing a wink to Dr. Reynolds "This one doesn't burn out Doctor...call it a gut feeling"
They stood and watch Quartz seize the target and lift her away as she mocked Pin-Up with her lack of flight. Helena watched and listened as the Target spoke.
"I'm sorry Baby" The Reynolds girl said as her power levels suddenly shifted in a flow of her energy that had to have caused her immense pain. "You waited too long"
Confused Quartz could only ask "What....for what" as she held her target.
"MH Readings off the scale!" Yelled a tech as Alpha stepped back into the shadows
"Maintain recording" Alpha said.
"Yes yes record everything" Yelled Doctor Reynolds shaking at this new news.
"For This" the Reynolds girl said right before the monitors all turned blueish white. The sound of a massive Salvo ripped from the speakers as Quartz was hurled to the ground. The watchful eyes of the center watched as Pin Up struck Quartz across the chest with a massive kick followed by blast after blast from the target.
One by one the monitors went dark. Helena just stared, She had attacked her.....she had actually attacked her lover. She was now at full power and had attacked her.
"All units return to base" Alpha said into his own comm. "Thank you Helena...this was extremely helpful"
She watched as Dr. Reynolds, arms full of printouts headed off to his labs. She collapsed into a vacant chair,as Alpha stepped out into the hallway to meet with one of his people.
She stared at his back with hatred, he knew....he knew and he had used her and Quartz to show the Reynolds girl had a third series of powers.
She turned to stare at the monitors and smirked, well Little girl, I've hurt you at least. Your little girlfriend broke, it took weeks and we dumped a lot of memories into her. Good luck cleaning up her little mess.
Helena chuckled at this sudden revelation.
I may have missed you, but i /hurt/ you. She smirked "I and wish to keep on hurting you" she added as her mind began to shift to a new target....more pain.
Oh yes , She mused. This might be fun.
=====================
Kara twisted and shifted a bit uncomfortably in the chair outside of the cell in Freedom Corps. She was torn between worry and guilt for Rhuby. Those monsters had stolen Rhuby from her and had stolen Rhuby's mind and memories from her. Luci and she had brought agent 'Quartz', here to keep her safe or from returning to her captor's confused. She pulled her knees tighter to her chest as she watched the woman who did not recognize her sleep fitfully in the cell across from her.
"Stop calling me that!" Rhuby's words still rang out in her ears. The Corps Telepath had undone the 'veil' of the new memories allowing the false ones to merge with the true ones. She said it would take a day or two to sort them out. Until then....
She had fallen into a half sleep for an hour or so, just staying close. She wanted to be near, wanted to be there in case....well to be there. She was awakened by Luci's return. Her friend had returned with a pillow, blanket and even some sprite.
She wrapped the blanket tighter around herself. She fought away images of her retaliation, of what she yearned to do to those who had hurt Rhuby, first Gabe and the Malta and now this from the Crey...
And her father. She knew of a few labs and warehouses, warrant or not soon she would deal with them.
For now her place was here as much as she could....she knew she had class and could be called away. But she would return.
'They Hurt her" She muttered hugging her knees tight "They hurt her..."
===========
"Sir you know once she recovers Diamond is going to go on the war path" Said the Tac-Op to his left as Alpha stood on the deck of the Freighter in Independence Port.
"Ofcourse Fergie" He took a slow drag of his cigarette "and we will be ready for her"
He allowed his gaze to linger on the gathering blackish gray storm clouds along the horizon.
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 Skilla
October 12, 2005 - Green City Wisconsin
"Doctor Reynolds, it is so good of you to meet with me," she said, smiling, as her perfectly manicured finger gently tapped her cigarette in the glass ashtray. "I was so sorry to hear about your daughter. I remember her as such a sweet child. Melissa was so fond of her. "
"My meeting with her was quite disturbing," she continued, sadly, brushing away an errant tear, as she took a long drag on the filter. "It only proved to me how subversive those people are! I mean, what they've done to our daughters is nothing short of criminal! "
"I completely agree with what you said on the phone, about being forced to use drastic measures to reverse the obvious mental torture our poor babies have been put through! In addition to the physical constraints their disabilities have put them under. "
"I completely understand your concerns about Kara's...confusion..right now. I'm not sure you were aware, but Melissa has been coerced into a relationship with a man ten years her senior. No, I assure you, it is quite true...and the things they've convinced her of about her father. " She looked away, biting back her choking sobs.
"Oh thank you," she smiled through her tears, taking the outstretched handkerchief. "Yes, it is quite distressing." She leaned forward, gripping his hand in a gesture of sympathy and intensity. "It was why I felt, absolutely felt, that we needed to speak. I think we can help each other. I have a suggestion I would like you to consider..."
Neshina smiled to herself.It's all going according to plan. Men...so easy to manipulate... killing two birds with one stone...how absolutely lovely.
======================
originally posted by NPI Student Prudence
October 16th, 2005 - Skyway City
Elsewhere, on a roof somewhere overlooking a relatively peaceful patch of ground. A kite soars through the air, danceing on the winds. It's string is held by a shiny, black gauntlet. It's a little surreal to see...a sleek obsidian machine, it's tapered claws wrapped delicately around the fragile thread as she waits for the child next to her to reply. Said child is a peculiar picture all her own, still clad in a pirate costume from International Talk Like A Pirate Day, more or less just because.
Prudence looked up and shrugged. "Well, of course! That's what friends are for, right? I don't think she'd get mad at you at all. And even if she did, it wouldn't be for very long...Kara doesn't do mad if she doesn't reaaaaallly have to."
The ebon android tilted it's winged head slightly. A voice whispered softly from somewhere in it's featureless faceplate. "Will your parents mind?"
"I don't think so. They don't usually mind me helping you, as long as I promise not to get myself blown up or anything. And it's not like that's likely to happen."
"Very well then. We shall see what we can do."
~~~~~
Cry if you wanna cry, if it helps ya see, if it clears your eyes.
Hate if you wanna hate, if it keeps you safe, if it makes you brave!
Pray if you wanna pray, if you like to kneel, if you like to lay.
Don't come over here, piss on my gate, save it just keep it off my wave!
~Soundgarden, My Wave
==================
Originally posted by SDI : Wolfcry Division Member Pastoral
October 22nd, 2005 - Paragon City
Interference: Tricks and Traps
~~~~~
This was a day that security officer Daniels wanted desperately to be both over and long forgotten...and it was only just begining.
It began with a phone call. He lifted the reciever and waited a moment. That was when a child's voice piped up and, quite politely for a pirate, inquired: "Arr matey, be yer refridgeratorizin' device runnin'?"
"Uh..." managed Daniels, quietly pushing the little red 'Oh dear.' button on his desk. It didn't do any good, but he felt better about it. "I don't think so..."
"Avast, ye scupperin' sea-dog! Ye'd best be callin' a techie-nician, " and here the voice clicked off and someone else was suddenly on the line. A cultured voice, precise in delivery and cheerful in tone. Also, totally fake. " and if you're going to call a technician, why not make it one of the fine home-appliance repairpeople of Westonfell Home Repair?"
One must bear in mind that the phone in question was off-grid, in a nice and safe Crey facility that should never have been subject to this sort of nonsense. Except that this flew in the face of the conventional wisdom that when you've started recieveing crank-calls, faxes advertiseing better security and computers that hummed cheerfully to themselves as they deleted your data...buddy, you've been hacked.
Alarms failed to ring.
All over the city, apparently random (but very, very certain) Crey operations ground quietly to a stuttering, confused halt. Cutting the networks didn't help...virii already present in the local systems merrily continued their work in a manner not only malicious, but frighteningly intelligent. They requisitioned supplies to remote locations, cancelled support to suddenly endangered operatives, clogged communication lines of all varieties with...and they shuddered...Spam. Telemarketers proffesing the wonders of what SDI's latest anti-Spyware could do recited happily alongside inappropriate inquiries about your reproductive system.
Vinyl sideing and million dollar dreams.
This was just the begining.....
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 2nd, 2006 - Independence Port
The cold chilling breeze of the winter night embraced the dockyards of Independence Port as it blew through the rusting Iron and steel works.
Silhouetted by the light of the half moon , the port facilities looked eerily like the twisted bones of a long dead titan of a beast. Fossilized forever outstretched and reaching up towards an unforgiving night sky, never to find mercy..
High above, standing on the 'flying' bridge of the Super Tanker Al-Khadiz Alpha could only marvel at the sheer volume of the defeat. Inhaling the sting yet warm smoke into his lungs, he thought..
Defeated, by an MH, a mutant....a mere slip of a girl. Alpha smirked. The best the Crey security Forces had to offer, the best any Malta Operative could muster. Each attack, each ploy, each threat was met on our footing and driven back.
Alpha signed and looked down to his men and the Crey forces as they loaded the last of this project into the ship. It had taken months to salvage the remaining supplies and records and locate surviving operatives after the net had crashed. Base locations, caches, covers, bribe schedules, all data on the target, most of Dr. Reynolds research...all of it lost in a matter of hours. Crey security procedures, Malta firewalls our best technical defenses....and she had them destroyed.
"How the [censored] did she manage that" Alpha mused aloud with no small amount of respect. "Little [censored] has a god damn army at her disposal"
"Sir?" said his aide
Alpha sneered slightly "Just wondering how we got our [censored] kicked so hard Fergie"
The Tac-op beside him walked forward a bit and nodded to his friend and superior "The computer thing was a bit unexpected "
"Fergie , sometimes i just cant seem to wrap my brain around this [censored]. " he sighed "We had her....Helena's idiotic plan with the girlfriend should've worked...The target revealed the third power abilities, showed us her levels and how she shifts .....data i might remind you we just lost....she then should've reacted as predicted. " he sighed "As she usually did....a war path....we were prepare at every facility"
"Yes sir"
Alpha took a long drag from his cigarette "Then it somehow all goes to [censored], Dr. Reynolds get his mysterious phone call, the target pulls herself off the street as Quartz is rehabilitated...." he sighed "Then one by one our funding, our intelligence data bases begin to shut down or lock us out."
Alpha watched as his aide flinched understanding all too well his bosses frustration.
"...Supply bases, caches and personnel exposed to other Heroes or the authorities, data lost as whole networks are crashed or forever locked."
Alpha gripped the rail and looked out across the darkened bay to the open ocean of the horizon "Helena up and disappears....no trace of her or her god damn female brigade...even the Sisters have no clue what happened to them.....Good old Feisty Doc Reynolds then goes home quietly retiring from Crey Pharmacuticals ....and now...our recall with all salvageable data and materials..."
"I tell ya Fergie....its not fair...it was supposed to be a mere snatch n grab last February...."
"Yes Sir" his aide added frustrated as well
"How the [censored] did she do it....defeat us....god damn"
"Her list of allies sir..." Fergie added "Starting with Garrett and the Wystan boy in the beginning...and Quartz getting her away from the Crey using such basic tactics we ended up losing them until 'Boomtown' "
"oh yeah ...Boomtown....[censored] up number one" Alpha sighed annoyed at the memory...then nodded "Yes yes i know...then the Tomoya fire witch ,....who was supposed to be dealt with by the Crey...[censored] up number two...the mad Russian Romanov..."
Fergie nodded "Let's not forget the model who aided her and Quartz during their first flight....Addo?"
"[censored] ...Christ Addo...another Malta favorite"
"Then the other unknowns...Rico Chavez?"
"Oh Yeah...him ...such a great idea by the Countess and the first project team leader....get an new student to betray her..damn it Fergie we had her then....he turned her right over to us"
Fergie just shook his head "Sir ..honestly who could've guess his parents were MH villains in hiding..."
"It was an asinine plan.....it cost us a full lab and gave the girl an undying ally....which she seems to be able to find the way i can pick up a new pack of cigarettes at the local Haji store...." he spit in anger "now she seems to be always running with Delaney's current favorite red head the little pain in [censored] Snake Girl and a guy who swings a hockey stick.....a Hockey stick....and we cant touch her..."
"Not too mention the albino girl..." Fergie offered "the MH who seems to heal her. The files from Croatoa and the corps seem to indicate..." Fergie began
Alpha shook his head "Oh yeah i saw that....undefeated thus far ?" Christ Alpha thought again bitterly , a [censored] god damned army!
"Well sir then there was Gabe...."
"[censored] Results.....Jeesh .....what was it a dance that did him in? Recognized by an exchange student who wasn't even a god damn student ...brought to the dance by who else? Rico!" he sneered "....its like the gods of fate were mocking us this whole god damn time"
Tossing his cigarette over the rail he turned and walked back into the bowels of the ship..
"once the men and all material aboard tell the captain to set sail for the Med" he called over his shoulder to his friend and aide
"Yes sir" was the quiet response.
Alpha walked down the cramped white hallway, morale is low, but someday [censored] we will meet....
The Malta's best beaten back by a Kindergarten teacher! Someday Diamond,he added with dangerous resolve tightening his fists
"..this isn't over..." he said through clenched teeth as he reached his small cabin....
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, 2006 - Undisclosed Location
A bright orange plume of fire lit up the night sky over 'dockside' on Peregrine, briefly illuminating the scrambling Police and rescue units and fleeing night workers, sending them for cover. Longbow Chasers banked and swerved to get into position as a News helicopter spun erratically to the ground with smoke billowing out of an engine vent. Its beleaguered pilot breathed a tight sigh of relief as its skids hit the pavement with a hard but safe bounce only jerk in pain as a series of bullet ripped up his cockpit window. Paramedics rushed to the downed helicopter under the protection of police SWAT units as the reporter and his camerawoman stepped out of the helicopter.
Holding his hand to one ear in a desperate attempt to continue to hear his news feed he continued to give a very rattled report. His voice shaken but professional as behind him windows blew out of a warehouse by a green energy blast that arc up through the night sky.
"....As you can see Maryanne, Peregrine has become a -war zone-! ...it is pure pandemonium and chaos as Longbow and police emergency units scramble to get into a position should this battle threaten to spill out of the warehouses on the docks!"
From her safety at the news desk WKRTO Anchorwoman Maryanne Sanchez winced as yet another explosion engulfed a warehouse behind her coworker and friend.
"Bill are you sure you and your people are back safe enough?"
His voice continued on "This scale of a fight reminds me of the Fifth Column, Council Street war last year Maryanne....so I'm not entirely sure if anyone is safe here in Peregrine should this battle spill out into the streets" He coughed and ducked behind the ruins of his helicopter as some more stray fire raked across its metal form behind them. "Paul Murray, The pilot who safely got us to ground is with paramedics now and as you can tell Maryanne the fighting inside the Docks is only intensifying..." He paused as the side of one of the burning warehouse exploded outward as the ruined form of a mangled Malta Zeus was hurled through the air. Its twisted form crashed with a deafening metal thud as the flashes and pops from the shell grew with a dull hellish intensity.
"Bill! Bill? Can you still hear me?" Maryanne shouted her professionalism slipping slightly as her concern grew
"Yes ..Wow...we are still...We're here!" he shouted his voice just barely topping the shouted orders of the peace officers and recently arrived heroes and heroines to the fights perimeter.
"What was that?" Maryanne shouted only to lower her voice when chastised by her producer through her earpiece, then in a more professional tone and Do you have any idea how this started and just who might be involved?"
"Well Maryanne from what we've been able to piece together so far....is earlier a literal mob of Malta Operatives appeared out of nowhere and assaulted Paragon's own 'Valiant Dazzling Diamond' at the Ferry just across from here. Now of course according to Ghost Falcon who we interviewed while still airborne..She fought back as best as she could but she was caught in her 'tank' form and was clearly over-matched. Several Heroes and Heroines nearby joined her in driving them back and well it seems she was able to rally a full team of 8 and they pursued the fleeing operatives to this warehouse owned by Con Amalgamated." another blast clearly some heros nova shook the docks causing the camera to buck and Bill to cover his head...
"Now " he shouted into his mic trying to keep his story flowing "...What happened then is anyones guess but it appears the heroes stumbled into simply a massive plot involving hundreds of the terrorist operatives...and well Maryanne what amounts to world war three has literally broken out in there..."
Maryanne listened to the desperate report while trying to listen to the producers all pressing her to ask their questions. With clipped aplomb she appear calm and continued one question at a time "Bill? Has there been any word on the status?"
"Well Maryanne....any attempt to get closer has resulted in risk of being hit by Malta panic fire or a missed shot by one of the heroes but the casualties the Longbow and rescue workers have reached have been in the hundreds already...mostly Malta and there are reports of a unknown group of terrorists in there as well who resemble the council but somehow more reminiscent of the fifth column."
He cleared his throat "Now Medicom is reporting that four of the heroes involved have arrived and two are in very series condition and were rushed to surgery...now we dont have their names....."
The reporters face froze as the image was paused as a bright light filled the darkened room. The room's lone occupant sat before the massive computer array and sank back into his chair, his teeth tightly grinding as he just stared at the images before him. Along the wall of screens the aftermath of the fight was being played out...interviews with the surviving victorious heroes ...reports on the wounded four...Longbow reports on the entire Malta group captured and then interviews from the fire chief and heroes who remained to put out the dock fires. Even the interview with Positron and Ghost Falcon as they praised that little [censored]....
He closed his eyes in anger as Fergie's voice from the doorway broken the tense silence.
"Sir? "
Alpha opened his eyes and fixated them on one of the screens, he bore them through that damnable perpetual smile. "How did it happen? Are we simple incapable of operating in Paragon without getting the little [censored]'s attention?"
Fergie cleared his throat "Um...Central Command reports Both Agents Tomahawk and Wildfire detected her in her 'tank' configuration and not knowing the extent of her abilities still showed her as listed as a 'target of opportunity' and considering how close she drifted to what was thought to be an extremely fortified bunker they engaged. "
"They ...engaged" Alpha sneered
"Yes sir...." Fergie gulped
'WHY the hell is she still considered a T of O?" Alpha still stared with growing hatred at her frozen image on the screen "I recommended her being dropped ....clearly my reported statement stated my opinion that she was to be approached in planned operations only."
"Central felt ...well sir you may have.." Fergie began, the young Tac-Ops Officer seemed unwilling to finish his sentence.
"Overstated things?...." he smiled mirthlessly "Well they know different now dont they?" He sighed. "Thank you Fergie....fools an entire operation to draw some other dimensional Council in to become cannon fodder wasted by an arrogant error"
Fergie tried "But , sir Intel reported light Templar activity and with her self isolation of late , who couldve predicted she would gather allies from total strangers so quickly"
"I wouldve!" Alpha whirled to face Fergie, his eyes filled with Rage "I wouldve this woman could find help on Mars where there is no life! Look at the screen Fergie" he snapped pointing his massive arm up behind him to crook an accusing finger at her image on the screens.
"She was awarded her forty first clearance level....well her one hundred and forty first, for this debacle!...they even pinned two city badges on her in this form...her third Atlas Medallion and the press has dubbed her a sensation! The ones who helped her praised her for being able to hold the attention and withstand the damage from our best Heracles and Zeus Mechs...whats next...see her toss a Kronos into Talos bay for charity...for Christ sakes Fergie....those two [censored] Wildfire and Tomahawk just made her stronger...." he whirled back into his chair and studied that hated face for a long silent moment...
"Well sir ..What do you propose we should do about it then" Fergie's voice carried an alien like uncertainty towards his friend and superior.
"What to do?" Alpha mused coolly "Why I think I'm just going to have to kill that [censored]"
Around the two the silence of the room was broken up as Alpha pushed play on 'her' aftermath interview, her voice filling the cubicle.
"....they responded as Heroes of the City, each and every one of them. I was like so proud to have fought beside them to end what appeared to have so been a very serious threat. They , my fellow teammates were the heroes tonight so not -me-. So dont forget ...I was the one they saved first...I only went along to so i could help them as much as they helped me...Tonight this team arent just the citys heroes....they are mine as well!"
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'
May 5th 2006 - Rikti Crash Site
COMSAT3021FEED....report to main facitlity...target aquired...repeat target aquired...containment team discovered...target engaged...repeat target engaged......
She slammed headfirst into the crumbling concrete wall with a loud painful crash. Tumbling up and over it she fell amidst the raining debris of bricks with an audible and painful 'ooof' . Her head was spinning and her side on fire. She coughed up a mouthful of blood and blinked trying to fight to stay conscious. The air around her stunk of carbon and the ozone crisped as a hail of bullets ripped up her side shimmering her fields as they struggled to protect her and the ground around her froze and was erupted by electrical fire. She rolled to her side seeking cover, finding a temporary refuge in an old sewer alcove she bite her bottom lip in pain as she fought to recover from her injuries. Kara caught her breath and tried to get her bearings fast before they could move in again.
Her costume was dust covered and ripped baring her shoulder and the wound there. She couldn't get the taste of blood out of her mouth as she tried to focus. She had gotten quite a few of them but they just kept coming. A sharp pain to her right leg showed one of the bullets had gotten through her fields and tore a neat hole in her upper thigh. The sounds of metal feet crunching the rocky debris around her hiding spot told her she had only seconds before they drove her out of hiding again....
Her mind reeled at the speed of their attack, it had begun slow enough. A simple patrol at the Rikti Crash Site, a lead from an informant given to her contact. Look for any Crey activity that may be interfering with Army operations in the area and report it to the Army. She grinned mirthlessly, look for Crey activity, she thought bitterly. Well I so found some, she thought bitterly.
She had been a bit north of the mighty saucer's impact crater when she had spotted two Crey snipers taking up firing position on the road below them, a road frequented by Army convoy's in the area. She had believed this to be a simple smash and arrest. She had even been on the comm with Rhuby. She smiled faintly as she remembered the conversation, talking about such simple stuff, that had been before she suddenly found herself surrounded by twelve Crey operatives, including four of their sickening Protector clones.
She rose to her knees and tried to catch her breath, her sides hurt, she could feel at least two broken ribs. She wasn't sure which hurt worse ..the moment they break...or how much it hurt as her body reset itself. She blinked back a few tears and steadied herself as their sounds drew nearer.
She had dispatched the first twelve, even joked about something else with Rhuby, before her comm cut off. She had frozen in place at the sudden silence of her comm. She knew instinctively what the unexpected static on her comm had meant, someone had jammed it. That was when the next dozen arrived and she began her dance. Her fists charged by her fields within gave her a tremendous amount of strength to put behind each blow. She weaved into their midst and struck out encasing several in her diamond like crystals, keeping them in place until she was done with those who had escaped it.
The Protectors covered in spikes descended upon her then. Two at first followed by a third. Each of them as difficult to harm as herself as she landed blow after blow that would've cracked a modern tank in two. Explosions were going off around her as she spun into a deadly pirouette striking all three at once, illuminating this ballet of death in an eerie almost ethereal light.
Soon enough she had exhausted her second twelve, her fields almost pushed to their limits in defending her life. More explosions had followed as another two dozen came crawling over the rubble in pursuit. She did the only thing she could've done....she ran.
That was how the hunt had begun, she fled to catch her breath and then turned and fought a few until overwhelmed, trapping a few of her pursuers in her crystals she fled once more across the ruined landscape. Over and over her pursuers had forced this exhaust pattern on her, until she eventually found safety in this partially collapsed culvert..
"No more" she rasped, she was exhausted and hurt now. She knew she only had one choice left to her. Kara stood and charged her fields to their fullest with a defiant scream. The two Protectors nearest to her turned and crossed the distance between them silently and swiftly. Kara rocked up on her toes and dug in to get her balance. Beyond the two remaining Protectors she could see the remaining mob of agents take up positions and prepare to fire.
Twirling like a dervish Kara spun out into the middle of the approaching pair and began the first movement of her dance. She sneered at the hail of gunfire...she would deal with them soon enough.....
Break....break....break....COMSAT3021FEED...Contai nment team failure repeat containment team failure....repeat catastrophic failure....target remains....repeat...target remains.....ENDTRANS
=============================
Originally posted by NPI student Skilla
May 9th 2006 - Finnesville, New Jersey
"Good evening, Dr. Reynolds. I'm sorry to call at such a late hour. My name, sir, is Minos Anatole...yes, yes," he replied with a chuckle. "The same.
"It has recently come to my attention that you are having some...distressing domestic difficulties...well, I would prefer my sources remain...unidentified for the moment. Suffice to say we have a mutual friend of sorts. I am extremely sympathetic to your plight, Dr. Reynolds, as I recently lost my own sweet daughter to similar circumstances." The cultured voice rose a bit, nearly breaking on the unacknowledged emotion in the statement.
"Thank you, Doctor, your condolences are appreciated. I am calling you today as one father to another. I do not wish to see any parent suffer the agony that I have faced. Therefore I wish to offer my assistance. I'm sure you are aware of my considerable financial resources, but there are certain other...resources I may be able to offer you. There are other ways of reaching your daughter, Dr. Reynolds, ways you may not have considered.
"I was wondering if you and your charming wife would be so kind as to meet with me, say Tuesday at eight? I would be delighted to receive you at my home in Manhatten. You'd be able to meet my wife Anastasia and my son...no, no, no imposition at all. It would be my honor, sir. Of course, I understand you must check your social agenda," he laughed pleasantly. "The date can be changed if you have a previous engagement. Feel free to ring me at any of my numbers, and leave a message with my social secretary. It was a pleasure speaking with you. Good evening. <in Greek> "Fortune guide you."
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'
May 18th,2006 - Finnesville, New Jersey
The rain pelted the framed glass with a steady yet soft tattoo as the chilled early morning wind bowed and swept a low branch. A figure stood in his den window looking out into the dark cul de sac of a driveway that lay before his home. An elegant yet subtly expensive affair that remained softly lit as opposed to his distant neighbors long since surrendered to slept. Thoughts and emotions rippled through, memories and pain. Though one though remained clear for him as he allowed his eyes to turn to look around his den...to the pictures along his wall.
This was at one time a happy home...
Dr. William Reynolds turned to walk over to his bookshelf. His half drunken glass of bourbon shaking a bit in his hands as his eyes tumbled back through the years. He looked at an old family photo frame in soft mahogany. He reached out gently to run his fingers over the two brunettes pictured with him and a very young boy. Their happy smiles frozen eternally before him in the only displayed picture he had of all of them before that horrible night in '96. So mirrored were their eyes, their smiles...he closed his eyes.
"Melissa....Kitten" he sighed sadly and took a long draw of the bitter bourbon, it's bite stung his throat in an attempt to choke off his grief.
He turned to look back at his Lap top, an image frozen on it smiled sadly back at him. The image stopped in mid sentence was from one of her most recent press conferences, one of the items analyzed by Minos before their dinner this Tuesday.
Minos had been compelling, a budget, resources unlike those of the Crey, access to a highly elite team of security experts. He shook his head, he had seen the Malta in operation. He watched what 'she' had done to them....to -a lot- of them.
Oh, they had said. Those were teams they send to deal with other operations, clients. He during this would receive the best of their best. His daughter....his Kitten....would be facing the best operatives Malta could bear to bring her in unharmed.
A cure is top priority , Minos had said. William shook his head. What was he doing he thought all through dinner. His daughter had become a highly decorated heroine of that city. Rescued and worked with Statesman himself on several occasions, according to the files he had back when he worked for the Crey, he discovered she was being groomed as she became more and more trained and capable with her so called gifts. She was even being mentored by another young member of the Phalanx, Swan, whose reports praised his daughter highly.
He frowned as he listened to his new security briefing. Kara had achieved a international standing with law enforcement all over the world. Our own government has awarded her an Alpha clearance now coded three times over. She has worked with the NSA, CIA,FBI,DEA, ATF and Brazilian Security Forces over the last two years. She was about to graduate college and become a teacher...something she had been doing for a year now. A kindergarten teacher....her mother would've been so proud.
She was popular, and well respected. Even making Sprite commercials. William smiled sadly as he remembered how though often frowned at , at the club from having a mutant daughter, its members enjoyed her commercials.....
What had he become. He had begun to question his motives. Was he as his son had begun to call him...a bigot. William closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose. His son, long known for being angry at Kara for her relationship with that girl from her school, seemed to back off his position and attacked his father's views.
Views the boy had once shared with he and the boy's step mother.
She has accomplished much for a wild animal sick with mutation dementia, William thought bitterly as he listened to Minos and read his expert's reports. He had almost walked out surely knowing it would incur the wrath of his wife. Cynthia had no love for his daughter, nor her for Cyn. He was troubled and had been for sometime over how to help his kitten.
The reports had shown early on when he had turned her away she had been horribly hurt....his mind couldn't bring itself to accept the word '[censored]'. He could only imagine the humiliation and suffering his actions had left her to endure alone. That had been largely his reasons for his earlier attempt. Inside he cringed now every time he heard the word 'expend' now a days. That girl had meant something to his daughter and he had over heard the orders and did nothing....so easy to let someone else remove an obstacle to his beloved image of his little girl.
"Coward" he shook as he cursed himself bitterly, his eyes never leaving those of his daughters on the small screen.
It was only this image before him that convinced him to try again under Minos' direction. This look of deep sadness in her eyes, that and that [censored] Alpha's report of her dwindling contact with others.
William knew this look, she was sad. She could hide it from everyone but never from he or her mother. No matter her successes, she was in pain. It was this knowledge that drive him to accept the offer to field his work once again.
A light swept across his office as the long dark limo pulled into his driveway. As soon as the car stopped three men in dark black suits and overcoats emerged. One moved to both the front and back of the car and the other out of his sight to the front door. He looked back into those soft green eyes frozen on the screen.
A knock at the door and a cool voice snapped him back to reality.
"William..." Cynthia stood there in her housecoat, her hair still up in her perfect bun. "They are here darling"
William nodded and set down his empty glass. "I know...thank you Cynthia"
She smiled a thin smile then went to the foyer to 'entertain' their guests momentarily until he was ready to depart. It was the role she played...
He looked back a to the screen..looked into her sadness..
"I'm coming Kitten" he said reaching out to run a finger down her features on the screen "Daddy's coming"
He wouldn't fail her this time
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'
May 20th, 2006 - Unregistered Freighter, Atlantic Ocean
It was blueish - white fire again. Burning, brilliant, and seething hot fire that consumed him, consumed the entire world. He could feel sweat trickling down his brow from that searing heat. The fire pulsed with his blood. It drove his pulse which commanded the throbbing pain burning underneath his skin or maybe the pain was what induced everything. It couldnt be separated; the pain, the pulse and the dancing, burning, blue, white hot flames. Alpha stared at them hypnotized by the swaying , pulsing white blue and rooted in place by the scalding pain that ran streamers through his head and down his spine. His legs still refused to move as the fire got closer, hotter.
The Gunslinger could have easily imagined this was hell filled with the torturous cold seeming fire, but something in his gut said he was still alive, still on Earth and not whatever lay beyond. His personal hellfire began curling around his feet. Alpha could just start to detect the smell of the rubber soles of his combat boots melting under the heat even if he couldnt feel the searing white blue on his feet yet. Sweat was now pouring from his face under the sweltering heat. His hand moved instinctively to clear his sight even though he felt he hadnt commanded it to do so. He blinked as his hand came away from his cleared vision and nothing had changed. The vast landscape before him still boiled with the blueish white, feverish flames.
The Malta assassin felt it rising deep in his gut, he wanted to run. He couldnt place the reason besides some irrational unknown that caused the hair on his neck to prickle. Cold chills shot through his body even under the intense surreal blue-white conflagration that filled his vision. His nerves were stringing out like an addict with no money. He shook and the paranoia rose.
It was coming.
What it was couldnt be determined but it was on the way, his base primal instinct screamed for him to run. He tried but the pain along his spine began to pulse faster with his blood. It's intense throbbing pounding so fast that it was becoming excruciatingly painful. A dull white burn like the fire licking at his boots, heating the metal plating on his shin guard to a searing brand on his calf.
Nothing caused him to move.
Alpha tried as the nausea in his gut blossomed to full blown fear. The type of fear that made most men scream or cower. Alpha on the other hand stood resolute, waiting patiently. Even here in this burning land of throbbing pain, cool surreal fire and pulsing fear he stood defiant to the end. His senses strained to take in anything beyond the flame's crackle and the cool brilliance but nothing could be sensed beyond them.
Then it came like the soft gentle hiss of a powerful serpent. A graceful whisper of movement wafting down from above. Alpha recognized that sound at some level, a deeply hated sound. Here though it was given voice, one so vicious that he again shivered and the fear gauge threatened to overload at any moment as the sound grew nearer. His face tightened, eyes locked in the direction the gentle hiss started but it spread. Moving in on him in rings like the white flaming blaze had just seconds before.
Blackness stepped from the veil of searing blue and with it came the smell of death. Alpha gagged stumbling away his gut twisting under the stench. It stalked forward, four paws coercing more blueish white flames from the landscape. The Malta commando backed away from it, fear gnawing at him, his heart pounding in unison with the paws.
Alpha fell back into a wall, hands instinctively seeking to brace him. The hands touched and agony shot fire through his body. The wall was hot like a kettle that had set on a fire all day. His hands recoiled before his mind ever told them to. The frightened assassin's eyes drifted over his shoulder to the wall and up its surface. The rock face disappeared out of his sight range to a sky filled now with the wafting flames of blue-white.
He was trapped and the thing still moved on him.
His eyes squinted to see it. The sleek black coat covered and flowed across its body, perfect and yet it possessed an elegant almost natural symmetry of death to it. Its form closed in silently moving with a fluid grace. His beast stopped just a few paces before him and yawned. The great maw exposing huge fangs seemingly lit from within by that pulsing white blue fire. So close he could smell its scent. Alpha had smelled it before, it was the reek of a week old battlefield and the filth of the Lost who crawled from the Paragon City sewers. He couldnt stand it, revulsion race up his spine as he felt his stomach twist and an involuntary gag. He kept his eyes on the beast even as it's stink threatened to topple him from his feet.
He scrutinized the beast and caught its eyes and looked deeply into them, they burned, raging like a white hot coal of hate. Alpha's eyes went wide hypnotized by the beast's gaze. He was intimate with that gaze, having seen it before but his mind couldnt wrap around where. The creature growled causing his hair to stand once more. The eyes seemed to be boring into his soul he could feel the fire of the stare mixing its fiery gaze with the brilliant, white blue pain surging through his nerves from the fear that now gripped his heart. The feeling of intimacy returned and with it a slow recognition. Alpha's own gaze threatened to tear open as it grew beyond the limits of surprise.
He KNEW this gaze, he knew the level of the beasts determination! He knew that look because it was his.............
The Elite Malta Gunslinger Alpha-One bolted upright in bed, eyes wide, searching like a trapped animal and the scream just fading from his mouth. He couldnt tell when it had started but his throat burned from creating that one sound of pure fear. He could feel the sweat prickling on his skin in the cool bunk room of the freighter, as he buried his face in his hands.
Panting he tried to regain control. His heart was pounding and seemed as if on fire with all the burning white intensity of the dream and threatened to send him back into unconsciousness. Taking a deep breath he contemplated the room around him. His eyes traveled over his gear stored and at the ready, his computer screens now mostly dormant, his files and reports of his new assignment in Africa, lay scattered across his desk.
It was only a dream. He thought in a vain attempt to strengthen his resolve.
There was a nagging feeling deep inside driven by the pounding white-blue tendrils of fire streaming from mind's his eye through every nerve of his body. Something deep inside told him that this dream would be reality, some time, some place the fire would come to consume him.
A knock at his door brought his powerful sidearm up with panther like speed as a familiar yet darkened shape filled the doorway.
"Sir?" Fergeson said to his boss
"What is it Fergie" Alpha monotoned.
"New Orders sir...just came in...Its.." The young Tac-Ops aide began
"...Paragon" Alpha intoned lowering his weapon to his lap as he wiped away the sweat covering his brow.
"How did you..." Fergie began
"That will be all Fergie...make ops prep and brief the teams" Alpha said laying back down as Fergie nodded closing the door behind him...
Alpha knew this was it, he knew now the time had come....
He knew he would have to deal with her 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'
June 9th, 2006 - King's Row
The pain was horrible as the white blue beam burned deeply into her back. She laid face down on the alley floor, newspapers and debris blew idly by her face as she winced as blow after blow landed across her back and sides.
She coughed and retched as she felt her skin crawl at their brutal touch.
With each blow her mind fights to keep out memories and frightful images. Images and sounds that struggle to blend and merge with her most recent attack. Her mind screaming at her to relent and just let it happen. A brief flicker of pain and sound the smell of ozone from the sapper's stick, her pain and struggles in vain, the sound of a hammer being drawn back...
In her mind she hears "...So expend her" ...a relic of a memory from a time she was far more helpless than she was now!
"NO! "
The Malta operatives surrounding the fallen Heroine ignore her cries as they continue their assault, kicking and swinging down their rifle butts against her prone form. A flicker flashed from the Sapper's beam as a soft flash covered the downed girl's body. Twice more the stun rod flickered as the girl raised up her arms to smash into the pavement digging her fingers in deeply. With one massive titanic shrug she rises up tossing them aside as if they were toy soldiers. Whirling her eyes wild with anger and pain she begins a graceful dance of retribution.
Turning to the Sapper she almost pirouettes and drives her fist through his night vision goggles shattering them as her second and third blows send him to the ground to lie silently as the other agents open fire on her. Twirling gracefully Kara works her way through each of them, relieving them of their weapon and swinging her fists as she smashes her way across them.
In short time her dance has ended , her audience felled by her blows. Dropping to a knee she fights for her breath, wincing at the pain she feels from her bruised and shatter ribs. Holding them tightly she closes her eyes knowing soon her body would rest leaving not a mark on her.
"okies...just hold it together until you get clear girl"
Drawing in a deep breath the wounded heroine pushes off of the cracked pavement and darts up into the night sky....
....and out of camera range. The screen still showing in green and white night vision the bodies of the defeated strike team laying broken and wounded in the alleyway.
"Sir that is the 5th team in two weeks"
a half gloved finer reaches up to snap off the screen. Alpha smirked "Keep sending them Fergie....I want her hit as much as possible"
He turned to face his aide in the darkened interior of the van "Use the same method of contact we have been....i know this is stone age stuff...but it is keeping her and whatever allies she can call on from finding us..."
Fergie nodded and turned to the wireless and tapped out the coded orders to the next cell for tomorrow night.
"Same orders sir?" he asked in between his clicking
"Yes...as much damage as possible"
Alpha smirked as she looked to the darkened screen..
Soon girl...very soon
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'
June 29th, 2006 - King's Row
The cool warm night breeze felt good on his face as he stepped out onto the ancient rusted fire escape. The soft orange glow of his cigar softly lit a cruel weather worn face as he leaned against the chipped brick wall of the abandoned tenement. His eyes scanned over the reports he held in his hands.
He smirked as he began to take in the night's reports. The patrols and the surveillance teams were right on schedule. He read the recon contact sheets with an amused smirk...
"Not bad Fergie" he said to the shadowed form behind him at the window.
"All of the reports are not in yet tonight sir...but it looks like the target is off world tonight"
Alpha grinned a hallow smirk "Oh but she will be back....her training demands it....our info on her promotion is accurate"
"Yes sir...."
"Perfect...teams all been re-briefed?" he turned to look at him as he reached the recon report for the Sverund girl. He smirked at the transcript. The girl knows...but cant find us either, He thought. Screaming randomly...not too shabby.
"Oh yes sir...and tactics have been shifted to meet any of her forms....its only a matter of time...but sir?" Fergie began
"What?" he drew in a long warm bitter sting of tobacco and exhaled a thin stream of smoke to the night air
"Sir a few of the team leaders are wondering when we move in for the kill?" Fergie cleared his throat nervously , he knew what was coming.
"Keep sending them out...no change to the objective" Alpha droned
"Sir the leaders are concerned about attrition and ...well..." Fergie shifted uncomfortably.
"OPS is worried she is hitting their usual operations here in Paragon?" Alpha half turned to look at him.
Fergie nodded "She is getting motivated....more so than usual"
Alpha grinned "That is partially the point....and the reports...is it mostly just her and the police?"
Fergie nodded "yes sir...but with the new Kronos Project being shipped..' he was silenced by his friend and commander's hand being raised.
"Focus on our ops Fergie..let me worry about main OPS...this is going according to plan" he inhaled again pausing to savor the taste "Send out tonight's orders and get ready to bug out to site twenty one"
Fergie opened his mouth to say more and stopped himself nodding "Yes sir...right away"
Alpha smiled. Oh yes...right to plan. He thought to himself as his eyes traveled along the night sky.
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 6th, 2006 - Somewhere in King's Row
"Report" Alpha barely glanced up as he continued to clean his weapon.
"All intel is still being collected" Fergie said from the shadows of the doorway "all interviews were conducted and all primaries and secondaries are currently being monitored by the rotating schedule you created"
The aged gunslinger grinned "Wonderful thank you Fergie...once they are all in collect them and bring them to me"
Fergie nodded and retreated to the hallway to carry out his commander's orders.
Soon you little [censored], Alpha thought as he worked the action of his reassembled pistol....real soon now.
=============
July 6th, 2006 - At an Undisclosed Location in Brickstown
"Sir its as if they don't exist but we know they are here in the city" said the Tac-ops officer. His voice echoing somewhat in the darkened womb of the Crey security center.
"How....How is that possible? " Dr. Reynolds gasped standing up placing both of his palms across the dark table top. "How can Malta be in the city and other Malta not know where they are? what is this Commander?"
"A very intriguing Question" snipped the Crey Security chief as she took a rather long drag from her thin black cigar "For that is now the fifth containment operation these so called 'shadow Malta' have interfered with or blown this week"
She turned to the bulk of a man in dark fatigues seated beside her. The Chief found the Malta's new head of the Containment/Security units was very quickly grating on her nerves. "Or is this some insanely unprofessional method to raising your initial figure?"
Blue Alpha One quirked a brow then smiled shaking his head almost innocently though a soft ember of anger grilled steadily in his gaze "Well to be honest No Ma'am it taint....taint at all"
He rose and walked over to the main board "Way's I figure it....she has got one of our boys with a bur under his saddle..."
Dr. Reynolds blinked. He wasn't used to the Western and cliched expressions this new Malta commander favored employing "Excuse me...she did what?"
"Pissed off one of his people -BIG- time" snapped the Security chief coolly "So what are you saying..we have a rogue?"
Blue's eyes narrowed and he shook his head evenly "Yes Ma'am...we do at that and one who knows how to operate under the radar....waaaay under it seems."
He sighed and continued "If we are to bring in your little darlin' Doc...we have to begin to track these pards down and well no matter what ..."
He turned to look back "with this many players on the field...and with the eventual involvement eventually of all of those pesky assets your little Kara seems to pluck outta the air...well..."
He grinned and lifted his leg to place his boot in the cent of his chair resting on his elbows across his knee, his demeanor like out of an old cowboy film from the fifties, even dofting his hat a bit with in finger.
"Well....we are looking at quite a reckoning..."
"oh my god" breathed Dr Reynolds.
"Sweet Jesus...we have to bring them in or find them ourselves" the Security chief snapped.
"I would...'especially with all of the ops both of our folks have a going" Blue added "and eventually if'n this is one of ours...in time we may be pulled from here to hunt him down proper"
Blue grinned "Don't you just love chaos theory when it applies to the work y'all just have to enjoy?"
My god, thought Dr. Reyonlds...
...what have I done!
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 11th, 2006 - Steel Canyon
The Man has met his match...
Fergie thought to himself.
Now it's his problem.
The no longer youthful Tac-Officer sighed to himself...
My problem, more like.
I guess Im afraid...
He stopped at the streetlight hidden, blended with the other commuters and pedestrians of the city. Walking the grey sidewalks, rain soaking his tattered trench coat, he flips up the high collar and hunched his shoulders, shoving his calloused hands deep into its pockets, trying to keep warm and failing miserably.
His thoughts swam and swirled, in battle with his training and his own fears. The rain seems relentless tonight. It beats down a steady tattoo on his weary head, pounding the bruises, whips into his face, stinging the open cuts there.
His bleary eyes look up at the buildings that are almost too tall to see the top of in the smog, alien and dark, speckled here and there with points of light. I'm lucky, he thought I can move in these streets..... for now.
Is She there...up there watching ..looking...seeking?
The sidewalks and roads are so crowded, he decides, so crowded, She can not see me.
This is Paragon City. City of Heroes. He sighed. Like Hell. And I shouldn't be here. I should be at home, sleeping. Or drinking. Or actually completing our original assignment and getting paid.
But I don't get to decide for myself
Because I'm not Gunslinger, I'm little people.
But that's not really my problem. Sure, Alpha can be a pain in the [censored] sometimes, but who can't? No. My real problem is that I'm getting more and more time to myself and that I'm using that time to /think/ about what I'm doing. That's something I didn't used to do. And thats why I guess Im afraid. Theres something else Im afraid of.
Her.
No not just her ....what she is...what she stands for...all of them.
I used to follow metas and kill them. They were a threat: A hazard: Too dangerous to roam the streets. And thats what Malta Extermination Units were for. Thats what I was for. If they couldn't be controlled...kill them...period.
But here I am walking down the sidewalk, thinking about it. And I am slowly realising that its not that simple anymore. And I know I could run. Right, betray the Malta...everyone knew there was no ex malta operatives anywhere in the world....alive.
But isn't that we were now..deserters? What does he hope this will accomplish? Is she why he doesn't sleep anymore? Does she make him scream at night?And I guess its that that started me thinking in the first place. Its that thought that makes me feel strange again.
What right did we have to play God? Not that I believe in Him anymore.
But Metas... accepting them into society without the proper controls ,now that was just asking for trouble. Society got in way over it's head. And guess who had to dig it out....right? Alpha knew this and I've followed him since my recruitment....he trained me since day one. All of those years ago...
Hes good though. I dont agree with what its come to, but hes good.
And I used to see past it. I used to fire, I used to hit, and then I used to move on.
He paused as he waited by the newsstand for the runner to deliver his block of messages and receive tonight's orders from command. The wind stirred a chill in him as he stood waiting. His mind still a swirl of uncertainty. People and cars passed the non descript man unknowingly, not seeing him, more intent on their doubts and fears as they walked on by.
But Ive changed. I can still pull the trigger and, Hell,Im as sure a shot as youll ever find. But I can see my shot tear through them. I can hear them scream. I can smell the blood. I watch them hit the ground and eventually lie still as their life slips away. But its not life, is it? Theyre not real. Not human. Theyre not live, theyre just metas...right? Its so hard to remember that. Theyre not /human/.
But they look it.
And I get nauseous, or squeamish, and I dont know how to stop it. Yeah, sure, theyre just metas...she is /just/ a mutant, I know that. But it unnerves me: I've watched her, build loyalties, sacrifice herself for others...especially her own teammates..just like one of us. Yeah, you heard me. No not like one of us....better than us. This time judging from the Intel he was reading she wasn't telling any of her /remaining/ assets about her nightly attacks.
She is protecting them! Would Alpha do such a thing for his team?,...would he for /me/?
Its like she wont accept her place. She thinks shes still human, protesting this falsehood right until its over. And she'll die anyway; its only a matter of time before Alpha's plan comes to its finale. She is dancing , as she would put it right to his tune. Its like he was counting on her to isolate herself....
But I keep asking myself..is this a righteous kill? Sure she is hitting our cells...but would she be this intent on /just/ Malta if he hadn't been gunning for her? If she wants enduring this much punishment each night?
He pauses in his reflections as the runner arrives via a chipped and worn skateboard. The exchange is brief and subtle, one packet for another. Fergie turning back the way he came as the skateboarder continues on to his next drop. The rain chills Fergie as he skulks down a litter filled alleyway...
But if I want to keep my job, I need to keep my head or someonell knock it off my shoulders for me. Alpha is depending on me..
Maybe if he kills her we can get back to business. I have to stay focused.
So I choke it down. I look away. Then I move on.
Its Part Of The Business.
But I cant block it out anymore.
=======================
originally posted by Skilla of the Templars
She dashed through the summer rain, clutching her violin case beneath her raincoat, puddles splashing up into her little beige sandals. Her red hair was plastered wetly to her head, the carefully straightened waves springing into sopping curls in the humidity. Her bangs flopped into her face, water streaming into her eyes. Blindly, she tried to flip the curls back. Suddenly, she collided hard with a fellow pedestrian, the bigger man sending her back to the pavement. Her coat flew open, her violin case skittering along the concrete, the rain instantly rushing in to soak her pretty white sundress. "Damn it!" she said, ignoring the muddy stains marring her hem as she reached for her fallen instrument. Quickly, she pulled off her little blue coat, flinching as the chill rain hit her bare shoulders, and wrapped it around the case, cradling it like a child.
"Sorry," she said, looking up to see if her fellow passerby was in a similar predicament. She frowned a little, as she saw she was alone on the sidewalk, the other man having seemingly melted into brown sugar and rain. "Huh. Guess he was ok," she sighed, surveying the mess she'd become, her dress slick with mud, turning slightly transparent in the relentless downpour. Bryce's place is closer, she thought, holding her case a little closer to her body. I'm sure he'll be happy to help me get cleaned up, and warmed up, she smiled to herself, pushing back her short, heavy curls, and dashing back off into the storm.
==============
[ QUOTE ]
she smiled to herself, pushing back her short, heavy curls, and dashing back off into the storm.
[/ QUOTE ]
Fergie watched from the alleyway he had ducked into as the Sverund girl had moved on through the storm. She was what was called a 'target of opportunity'. Alpha's standing orders were to observe and perhaps if necessary eliminate. Something Ferguson could easily had done just now. His training giving a far more severe advantage over her abilities.
Why didnt I? He thought, it would drive Diam..., he corrected himself quickly...the primary target into a frenzy. Have her fully off guard the way Alpha wanted...
Yet it seemed unsporting and as Fergie thought about it would give her back her allies...
He had watched how she cradled her violin case, protective of it as if it were her child. He understood this for he too played the instrument, but had not for so long...
Ancient history, he reminded himself as he headed back into the rain to complete his objective.
Still though...
I wonder how well she can play?
=======================
".....as reported earlier by this reporter, a criminal investigation of several Crey Pharmaceutical Laboratories has completed tonight with the shut down of no less than three of these underground facilities and the arrest of more than four dozen Crey scientific, medical and security personnel, including Doctor Phyllis Haversham, a noted Crey scientist.
Acting on a tip Paragon City Heroes, Sergeant Harriman, Medico and Vanguard along with Diamond, raided a warehouse and three labs spanning from Skyway to 'Crey's Folly' and discovered what has been reported allegedly as an illegal cloning operation that may somehow be tied to the rumored Crey Project Revenant.
According to preliminary reports more than two hundred of the Crey's own hero team the Paragon Protectors have been taken into custody or have been taking to medical facilities.
The four heroes have begun to turn over all evidence to Police authorities and aid in the disposition of the arrested suspects. I am now being told that Diamond is available for questions Mary so I am working my way over to her and the on site Police representative Captain Lyle Davis..."
Stepping away from the milling chaos of the police fire and rescue workers, Sgt. Harriman's large armored form stepped back to an abandoned alleyway across the street. His helm firmly tucked under one arm as he dragged on his cigarette. His steel blue eyes scanned the brightly lit area where the more experienced heroine was now speaking to the reporters as Vanguard stood beside her. Harriman smiled; it was amazing to all three of them that she came to help. All of them were far below her security level but she was exactly what they had come to expect from what they knew of her...
Besides, she did exactly what his so called informer told him she would do. Taking another pull on his cigarette he shook his head, tonight the four of them had made the press. First time for him and the others, they couldnt have raided these places without her. Not with all of those Protectors...too many for just Vanguard's and his blasts...
He took out his cell and dialed the prearranged number. The other end answered at the first ring.
"It is done?"
"Yep all three facilities are finished and she came just as you said she would" Harriman said in a hushed tone. "Tell me something, what is this to you anyways and why us? Weve never met as far as i can tell, your voice patterns match nothing I have on record"
A soft humorless chuckle followed "No no we have not Sergeant and I'm not surprised. Allow me to answer your second question first I chose you three because you were in the area and able to deal with the threat...plus I knew she would come to your aid...as for what it is to me. Im sorry you will have to suffice with a single answer this time if you wish to work on such a thing again"
"Good enough I suppose...and you knew she would come how?"
"Your last question Sergeant, I'm afraid I must go, let's just say I know her and I had to do this." a pause " Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame Sergeant as I will enjoy this rare moment for myself"
With that the call ended. The armored hero looked up as Medico padded across the street to him in her bouncy like way.
"Will! Will! She is waving us over! She landed right before him as he slipped his cell back into his belt.
"Oh?" he said amused
"Oh Yes!" she nodded "She wants us all to get the credit for the interview she even got annoyed with the reporter, she says she was only here to help and -you- were the leader of our team!" she paused to catch her breath "they want statements from you! From all of us!"
He stumbled behind her as she snagged his arm, dragging him back into the chaos before the ruined lab.
=================
Enjoy your fifteen minutes of fame Sergeant, as I will enjoy this rare moment for myself
The caller hit his end button and paused as the rain beat down steadily soaking through his thinning hair. He drew a breath and sighed pressing the phone to his forehead already slick with sweat and rain. He tried to steady his already shaken nerves, he had not expected so quick a response, and Poor Phyllis had not had time to get clear.
Not that he had expected her too; she had done what he had come to expect from such Crey project leaders. She had donned her armor and attempted to defend her part of the project. Now she would face justice...
Good...
He lowered the cell phone and drew a breath. If he was right, he knew one of the two people he needed now Kara would've told. The other she would not have. He wasnt surprised given what he had learned of the other through their recent intelligence reports. Yet he knew Kara...he knew this call was right.
One had to know already...this one would not.
He dialed the number and waited, frowning softly as he got a voice mail.
Drawing a breath he began...
"Rhuby Quartz, you do not know me but I am aware of you. There is something going on that you may not be aware of, something of great importance. I am willing to meet with you to discuss it, and how you may help. I stress that this is becoming a life threatening situation for someone you... know. Call this number 555-6767 it will have a voicemail for you to leave an appointed time and place to meet. I will attend, we will not speak again until then....*click*"
Slowly he replaced the cell phone into the pocket of his trench coat and raised the collar. Stepping out onto the sidewalk from the alleyway he hailed a cab. He would await her message he had to get back before he was missed. Stepping into the yellow cab, Dr. William Reynolds headed back into the bowels of the city. Atleast now he felt he was doing the right thing and it terrified him.
============
Origninally posted by Orion's Fist of the Templars
Bryce is standing quietly in his apartment at the arched loft window watching the rain come down, looking for any signs of trouble on the street below around the complex when he hears Melissa knock on the door, he turns on his heels slowly and strides over to the door, opening it and smiling brightly when he sees her, restraining a laugh that escapes as a small chuckle anyways at her predicament.
"Hey beautiful? You been tryin' to use the sidewalk as a water slide again?"
he lets her in and closes the door behind her, taking her stuff from her and setting it down in the corner near the door, he gives her a small kiss before he walks into the bedroom and gets into his drawer, coming back with one of his old "Property of Paragon City High School Basketball" T-Shirts and a towel.
"Thought you might want to take a shower, get all the gunk off of ya. I'll fix you somethin' to eat while yer in there if yer hungry...."
he smiles as he thinks about the turn of events his life has taken recently and how fortunate he has been thus far to be surrounded by so many people that care about him and the woman he loves.
==================
Orginally posted by Skilla of the Templars
"My hero!" Melissa laughed, heading for the shower. "Food would be fantastic!"
It's nice to be able to take a shower without worrying about whether someone is listening...or watching, she contemplated as she turned on the water, and reached for the soap. After three "lather, rinse and repeats," the little bottle of shampoo she'd left the last time she stayed was empty and she finally felt clean again. She toweled off, stepping out into the steamy room, and pulled on Bryce's t-shirt. She giggled at her blurry image in the foggy mirror, as what must have been a nearly skin tight T-shirt on Bryce dwarfed her minuesque proportions. The fabric brushed the back of her knees as she fiddled with the neck, which insisted on drooping to one side, exposing one bare shoulder or another. She laughed stepping out of the bathroom.
"I look like a Calvin Klein model for a new perfume," she giggled, striking an overdone, over sexed, pouty-lipped poise against the door frame. "Possession...the new fragrance from Calvin Klein, for men with clingy girlfriends...." she giggled again, going to kiss Bryce softly on the cheek. "Thanks handsome, now lemme check on my baby..." She crossed quickly to her case, and opened it, wiping off the mud and grime from the outside with her ruined dress. Carefully, she pulled out the gleaming instrument, checking it for cracks or dents with a practiced eye. Experimentally, she drew the bow across the strings, and winced at the dischordant cacophony of notes that burst out. "God. It's completely out of tune!" she grumbled, coiling up on Bryce's huge bed to begin the involving task of tuning. Her face grew concentrated as she adjusted each key, playing a single note over and over until her perfect ear was statisfied, lost to the world as she retuned her precious instrument. Finally, with a sigh of happiness, she drew the bow across the strings, a soft rainbowed harmony following the mahogany and horsehair. With a smile at her lover, she stood, and began to play, an elegant piece by Beethoven, letting the music fill the room with its soft nuances. Mozart followed, and Haydn, Perlman's exquisite solo arrangements of his traditional Yiddish folk songs, and finally she drifted into pieces of her own compositions, half written, half inspired, until at last she played on instinct alone, her eyes closed, breathing the music, playing as if the bow was an extension of her own limbs. Nothing really matched the beauty of that moment, her damp red curls swaying around her face, sublime in its creative expression. She lived music, harmonies and melodies running through her veins. She was music...
Suddenly she stopped, embarrassed, looking up. "Sorry. I got lost there. I'm not even sure what it was I was playing...I should write it down I guess, if I can remember it. I was just letting my baby sing..." With infinite tenderness, she laid the instrument back in its case, shutting it firmly, and went to join Bryce at the table.
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 15th 2006 - Founder's Falls
Originally posted by Templar Rhuby Quartz
A few nights ago
Rhuby pushed open the door to the Lounge.. she had been asked to come in and work Marcus' shift as well. He was home with pneumonia and wouldn't be back until the weekend. No matter, if it gave her an excuse to stay out of costume for a few more hours, she'd take it. She ran her fingers through her hair to smooth out the hairspray and fluff it a by more. She was tired, and ready to be home where she could take a hot shower and curl up in bed.
"Miss Mayhann? Oh Miss Mayhann!" a young woman's voice rang out. Rhuby glanced up and behind her to see a girl around her ages, perhaps a year or two younger come bounding her way.. and almost trip on one of the cobblestones of the courtyard. She flustered at her clumsiness, but approached Rhuby with a large smile on her face. "Miss Mayhann! Hello! Oh I'm so glad I finally caught up with you!" She spoke with an accent that reminded her of Caitlyn only not nearly as thick.
"Can I help you?" Rhuby asked with a slight brow raise. Not that she minded pretty girls running up to her, but with the stress of the week, she felt like she could live without it.
"Yes you can" replied the girl who clicked a pen she had been holding and began to scribble something down on a notepad. My name is Iliyana Kamerov and I'm on assignment for the Paragon Tribune. We're doing a piece on your Co-worker, Miss Kara Reynolds? And I was hoping I could ask some questions about her?"
Rhuby inwardly groaned. "I dont really want to talk about her work in the shard or anything like that. I know you newpapers to just splice it all up and print out whatever the hell you feel like and I wont be responsible for making Kara look bad." She turned to walk away before hearing the girl clamour quickly.
"no no no no!.. We're not doing a piece on Diamond! But on Kara Reynolds! And her work with the schools. We want to inform people about the good people that are working with their gifted young. You don't have to answer anything you don't want to! Please.. If I dont get this, my editor Peter will kill me!"
Rhuby looked back at her and sighed and nodded. "alright.. just a few. But if this comes back as garbage, I'll be looking your editor Peter up myself. "
The girl smiled in an amused sort of way and then nodded. "Alright. In your own words, how would you say Miss Reynolds was a teacher?"
"She was great really.. Kara has a big heart and desire to help people. And She's brilliant.. smart as hell really.. I don't know anyone else better qualified to teach any age group than her. she's patient and affectionate. She just has the ability to give the children the attention and aid they need."
"Good good.." The girl said as she scribbled onto her notepad feverishly. "Do you feel she is able to relate to the child's gifts accurately?"
Shrugging a little, rhuby fluffed her hair again as she spoke. "Yeah.. well I mean, Kara knows what its like to be ostracized from the world. She had a difficult time when her powers first surfaced. Granted she was a teenager at the time, but that doesn't mean she doesn't understand.. a lot of those kids really looked up to her, and wanted to be like her. She was a good role model for what you could do with your life as a mutant and the good that could come from having these gifts."
"I see.. " She paused.. and the looked up at Rhuby a little embarrassed and spoke again in a much smaller voice. "Um.. You couldn't perhaps.. spell Ostercized for me, could you?"
Rhuby smirked a little and complied.. funny though.. an intern to a huge paper and she had trouble spelling. Maybe she was just nervous she told herself.
"Thanks.. and sorry about that!. Alright.. mm.. So what is your relation to Kara?"
Freezing in her place for a moment she eyed the girl a little hard. "How do you mean?"
"Um.. well.. How did you get chosen to be her aide? Were you her friend, Are you her cousin.. Something... else?"
"We were friends." She stated bluntly.. frowning only slightly. "Kara was the first friend I made after my own powers surfaced.. and she was who lead me to NPI. We have a trust. She knew working with those kids would be just as good for me as it would be for them."
"I see, I see.. So, if someone were to ask you if attending Miss Reynolds Fall or summer class was beneficiary, what would you say?"
"Well, I would say yes. Our school year went perfectly and we saw a lot of the kids in there flourish.. they opened up and gained a sense of self some didn't have coming in. I would gladly recommend it."
With a smile, Iliyana jotted that down and then looked up, smiling. "Thank you very much Miss Mayhann.. I think that's all I need. " She held out her hand to shake Rhuby's. "It was a pleasure meeting you! And I hope you have a very pleasant night!"
"You too.." Rhuby said with a slight smile. She watched the girl walk off for a moment before turning back. She couldn't shake this sinking feeling that write up was gonna be bad.. but there wasn't much she could do about it now. She'd call the paper in a few days.. make sure things were going smooth.
-------------------------
Present Day
"Yes.. I need to speak to a Peter in editing? I'm afraid I dont know his last name." Rhuby spoke into a payphone just south of her apartment in Steel. She had been advised by one of the guys at work not to call from her phone, with her being a hero and all. He was a paranoid type of guy, but Rhuby had become a paranoid type of girl as of late. She waited patiently on the phone listening to the elevator music as she was transfered.
"Peter Horovich's office?" an older voice came onto the line. a Secritary no doubt.
"uh yes, this is Rhuby Mayhann.. I was approached by an intern of Peter's several days ago in reguards to the Kara Reynold's piece. I was just calling to check up on the piece. Is there anyway I can speak to Him myself?" She tried desperately to sound perfessional.. but came away feeling stupid. She wondered if this woman would hang up on her.. thinking she was some nutcase off the street.
The women didn't know.. she just fell silent for a moment and then spoke again and a little confusedly. "I'm sorry.. you said a piece on Kara Reynold's?" She paused again. "I'm afraid we're not working on any stories about her."
Rhuby paused now too and frowned. "Oh.. well.. Was it already printed and I just missed it in the paper.. That was awfully fast.."
"No no.. There is nothing on the schedule about it.. Let me check next month.. " A few keystrokes and then she replied. "I'm sorry, we have nothing about that. "
"Really? That's kind of weird.. I mean I was just approached by his intern 3 or 4 days ago.. "
"Who's Intern dear?" The woman replied again.. just as confused.
"Whatever you said his name was. Peter.. something or another."
A soft laugh.. but it came off a little nervous. "You must be mistake. Mr. Horovich doesn't have an intern at the moment. He wont be interning until the fall. Maybe she was for another paper?"
The frown on Rhuby's face deepened. "What? .. no.. This woman said clearly she was from the Paragon Tribune and that her editor PETER would kill her if she didn't get the piece. If he doesn't have an intern.. then who the hell did I speak to?"
"I..I am afraid I don't know Miss. But there isn't anything I can do for you."
".. Yeah.. Well, thank you for your time.. Sorry to bother you." And with that, they exchanged goodbyes and rhuby hung up. As she stepped out of the payphone booth, her mind reeled. What was going on? Who was that woman? Its not like she asked anything horribly personal about Kara.. so what good would a FAKE interview be? It was then Rhuby felt something chilling go up her spine... and it made her skin crawl. It reminded her of when Kara and her had been running from Malta.. afraid of being watched... Being watched?
Rhuby turned quickly and glanced around. Was she being watched? Before it was too late, she would think to herself, she shot into the air and flew as high as she could. After waiting a few moments she flew over to her apartment ledge. She knew she left the window unlocked, and she could slip in that way... If she was being watched, she wouldn't want to show anyone where she lived, if they didn't already know.
Feeling overwhelmed for a moment, Rhuby struggled to catch her breath. She needed to call Kara.. let her know what had happened and to be on the look out for anything.. suspicious.. She hated to worry her anymore than she was, and she knew this was all her fault. She should have refused the interview.. but it seemed so innocent.
Rhuby moved over to her dresser to retrieve her cell phone and noticed she had missed a call.. and from a number she didn't know. She dialed into her voice mail and listened patiently.
"Rhuby Quartz, you do not know me but I am aware of you. There is something going on that you may not be aware of, something of great importance. I am willing to meet with you to discuss it, and how you may help. I stress that this is becoming a life threatening situation for someone you... know. Call this number 555-6767 it will have a voicemail for you to leave an appointed time and place to meet. I will attend, we will not speak again until then....*click*"
She felt her face go pale.. what was going on.? .. If this had to do with Kara.. if she had gotten her into trouble.. she'd have to do something. She swallowed thickly, listening to the message again.. before ending the call. Punching in a few numbers, she waited through the rings until a voicemail picked up.
"Yeah.. This is Rhuby Quartz. I want to meet you tomorrow night.. midnight.. by the fountain in Founder's Falls."
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 1th, 2006 - Steel Canyon
The night before...
The rain steadily poured down as the lone watcher shifted from his hidden perch to draw a better vantage point to keep surveillance at the Hero's loft. His intended target had gone inside not too long ago. He watched patiently, like a silent obsidian panther he crouched virtually unmoving as he made notes and sketches of this new location.
His eyes scoped out each area of potential fire and the areas flanking the objective should this place require attention. A soundless shift brought his thermal scope into place and shifting its intensity, the watcher was able to quickly locate the target and her associate.
With practiced ease he remained in place departing finally only once he was assured that this place too could be assaulted if necessary. A simple annotation to his recon would mark the owner of the apartment for research and marking as well.
Pity though, he thought to himself. The little MH can certainly play the violin....
======================
In another part of the city, yet another watcher settled deeply into a perch he had carved out days before for himself. His target established so easily with a simple contact. He mused how odd it was to operate this way and yet so lethal and direct. A simple stumble and a handshake confirming his target. Following had been problematic but eventually easy to overcome.
Even tonight, though deep down he was impressed, this target had experienced our tactics before, he remembered thinking as he watched her take off from the payphone. Either that or some random occurrence had caused her to tense up like that.
It was the life they lead, he mused as he switched to thermals to keep track of the apartment's occupant. These MHs, always on the go and always expecting trouble. He smirked he preferred prey that could fight back...even if it was a bit unskilled.
He waited until the target had retired for the night then moved on as per the assigned schedule. He almost looked forward to reacquiring this one when her turn for surveillance came up once more.
This one would make good sport...
======================
July 16th, 2006 - Undisclosed Location
This afternoon....
"Yeah... This is Rhuby Quartz. I want to meet you tomorrow night... midnight... by the fountain in Founder's Falls."
Closing his eyes tightly, he closed the phone with shaking hands as he had listened to the message for a second time. Drawing a breath he steadied himself. This was not going to be easy for him but it had to be done.
He was only going to get one chance at this before he knew his betrayal would be discovered. He was no spy or undercover type. He was a simple doctor. He checked his watch and made the mental notes he would have to be sure all went according to plan.
He sighed and rubbed the back of his hand across his now glistening forehead.
Why am I surprised she would agree to meet so soon, he mused. What was I expecting an appointment next week in an alleyway? She is one of those hero types...what was her daughter's group's name...these Templars... she must know what she is doing...
He spent the rest of his day within his lab, careful not to break his routine. He would occasional catch the new security chief walk the hallways receiving reports and conferring with 'Blue' on the night's activities. Something big had happened, he knew what his daughter had done last night from this morning's news reports...every channel had it on.
What shook him today was the cold blue fury that burned in Blue's eyes as the morning briefing covered the extent of the damage she had done to his....their operation and Blue's mercenary group's operations in Peregrine.
The concern and furious activity from the Project's Crey and Malta security personal was intense this morning. It was to him so similar to the reaction at his practice's barbecue that far off summer day when Kara and her friend Mary had accidentally knocked the Hornet's nest onto the grill.
He smiled a bit softly remembering his daughter was never really good at volleyball.
Using the confusion and praying a little their attention would be focused on containment of the crisis in Peregrine, forcing more of a low key approach, He gave his watcher the slip by sneaking clear of his apartment.
He walked casually down the backstairs of his apartment building and out into the cab that would take him to King's Row and then instantly into the other waiting cab to Steel.
From there he stepped onto the green line for Talos and simply walked to Founder's Falls. Before long he found himself standing amongst the columns and pillars of William's Square standing amongst the shadows waiting for her to arrive.
He opened the Tribune and began to read, occasionally scanning the vast area before the fountain. He tried to swallow but found his throat was dry. He was unsure how he would be received...he still remembered what this person had once endured because of his cowardice
And to his shame he prepared meet her.
She and others like her could hold the key to ending this nightmare for him and his daughter. Before this could happen, they would need the confirmation, he alone could give. He was only going to get this one chance to deliver it.
"Melissa... he whispered to himself "Please if you still watch over me...give me the courage to set this right"
Closing his eyes for the briefest of moments he could almost see his late wife, smiling that smile that had lit up his world once. A world now long gone...and yet for this moment, he could feel her near him.
He opened his eyes and waited....
Seeing her approach he stepped out and walked across the concourse to meet her stuffing the paper underneath his arm.
He cleared his throat "Rhuby?..Rhuby Quartz?"
================
July 16th - Founder's Falls
Originally posted by Rhuby Quartz
"You can do this.. just dont let your guard down. You have no idea what you're up against"
Rhuby told herself as she looked back at her reflection in her dressing room mirror. She had asked off early that night.. but still her set ran long. She had no time to really change out of her work getup, as much as she hated to meet this man looking like a well-paid ****** as she put it. Her blonde hair slicked down against her face instead of feathered out and loose like she liked it.. Adorened in a tight red dress that went to the floor and had a thigh-high slit up the left side. Manticore had joked with her and said she reminded him of Jessica Rabbit. Yeah right.. she didn't have the knockers for that. Still, she took off the elbow-length gloves and slipped on a jacket, hurrying out the door and towards William Square.
As she walked along the cobblestone, her heels clicking loudly.. She prayed this wouldn't be a hostile meeting.. or a potential kidnapping. She was here for Kara.. as Kara had been for her many, many times before.
As she drew closer to the fountain she could make out a figure of man. She began to thank God the figure didn't appear to be very atheltic. Still, brains was mightier than brawn, so she wasn't out of trouble yet. She stopped short when he asked her name.
"I'm Rhuby Quartz. .. And just who are you?"
==========
"I'm Rhuby Quartz. .. And just who are you?"
He steeled himself and drew a breath as he turned to face her once she had grown close. He stopped and blinked only a moment of surprise over her attire. All too quickly his nervousness returned and he pushed his glasses back up along his nose as he spoke to her in a hushed tone.
"Thank you for meeting with me...I promise I will be as brief as possible" he cleared his throat. "My name is William Reynolds...Doctor William Reynolds.."
His look betrayed a pained look that seemed to indicate such a pronouncement no longer held the same degree of pride as it must have for him. His shoulders slumped a degree yet he held his ground and pressed on.
"I am here to tell you things you may not know.." he sighed " Kara has a way of protecting people...you see there are things going on she may not be aware of given the nature of the renewed Project." he paused "Things you may not know and now things I know you haven't been told..."
He looked up to see her reaction "I am not sure how much you know about her year long battle with Revenant Project, and how much my foolishness not only led to the actions taken against you but in an effort to save my daughter....I almost brought about her death..."
He sighed and looked towards the fountain , his features betraying his shame.
"Somehow early this year she had the entire network of computers the project you and she faced the year before shut down and " he shook his head with a small degree of pride in a father's voice "in doing so wiped away much of our research and even somehow had our own computers send out signals to give away their location to heroes and police....she sent them packing Ms. Mayhann...she defeated them....us...she won."
"Somehow I was spared from prosecution but yet still desperate to 'save' her...blinding myself still to what she had become"
"You see I fully believe the interests of the project could be used to help make her normal... I saw only the worst...her behavior was so different than what she was when she was..." he stops before he uses the word normal.
"Well slowly around April the decision was made in the Crey to begin once more....a new softer approach...or so I was told...research was show to me ..genetic research to help Kara release the energy she generates and keep her from using her gifts ..so she could lead a normal life once...was shown to me..."
Almost a whisper "So she could come home again...."
"Well around May the Crey began again...a smaller though no less effective set up of research labs and security...much of the same as before...Even a -new- Malta team was hired.....I was given carte blanche to prepare for her retrieval and the upcoming procedure..."
He closed his eyes "It was then a few things began to become clear...things began to spiral out of the Crey's control..Kara seemed to go on the offensive suddenly...our labs our personel ..strikes against Malta operations all over Peregrine and the city...even Malta operations that had nothing to do with the project...."
"And there was an aspect change in her...more often than not it seems she was doing this on her own more and more....the Malta commander with us believed this was the time to strike her harder...her strength has always seemed to them to stem from her friends and resources...resources that had appeared to be dwindling on her.." he drew a breath ...
"That was when we made a discovery...several of our teams were suddenly being caught in a cross fire between her and another set of hunters" he said darkly "Malta or Malta level training...it seems she is being hit almost every night...their tactics are much different..it seems they intend to inflict as much damage as they can but not contain her nor kill her...just hurt her."
"The consensus was and remains that this may be a splinter Malta cell...the Malta gunslinger with the project now seems to think it may be the previous Malta commander of the project who has now gone renegade with an entire company of elite trained Malta...Malta not trained for America...so in a sense ghosts..."
He looked over to her "We tried to use a portion of our security network to find them...any trace of their network and found -nothing-...no cell lines...no web....no high tech bases or bunkers...only a trace showing this team arrived in Paragon Mid May and then...vanished"
"I also have reason to believe the Malta working for the Crey project now may have accepted this in order to use the Crey in tracking this rogue down using Kara as bait..."
"On top of this Ive discovered the true reason Crey has been looking for her...how I was being used by being shown doctored research..they are after Kara..." his voice floods with shame "for her ability to 'shift' between each of her forms of energy so fluidly...they seek to incorporate this into their Paragon Protectors..."
"I cant allow this to happen...I started this for her and those who have been hurt by this... i will find a way to shut this down. " he sighed "I am telling you this because they can only succeed in a vacuum...their strength ...any of the factions now in this...that and I may not get another chance to reach out to someone...to deliver this information"
"I am telling you this to prepare you...Kara has always tried to endure things alone to protect others....the way this rogue is behaving...driving her to push herself..its like he is herding her until he can position his pieces on a chess board..."
He looks up to her "and then eventually when he is ready....checkmate"
"I don't know what telling you will do..except make just one more person aware...but please if you can help me to help her....or merely just help her...I will do what I can to use my ties to the Crey to see what I can do to help you"
He looked up into her eyes with the eyes of a desperate shamed father "Please...."
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 16th 2006 - Founder's Falls (continued)
Elsewhere in the City...
The cool sea breeze wafted along as it gently blew through her hair and caressed her cheeks. She closed her eyes as the deep voice continued beside of her...
"...it is as we suspected" Crimson said a little harshly. "You practically knew this when you brought it to me"
Kara sighed. She had expected this, confirmation didn't make it any easier to accept. She had traveled to meet with her old contact out of desperation following her almost nightly brutal run ins with an elite group of Malta operatives. She had, a few nights before met with he and Indigo in a bar deep within Founder's Falls. There she had told them what she was enduring and the meager evidence she had uncovered to that point.
Tonight he had called her to go over what they had discovered.
"The is a very -real- possibility that this is very much a rogue unit bent on targeting you my dear. The collateral damage has the potential for almost epic proportions the more people you involve in this"
She sighed, she knew where he was going to go with this and wanted to head him off..
"Crimson...I so can't keep this much more of a secret, the people in my life and those I care about are bound to start discovering this" she opened her eyes and scanned the dark horizon, the wine dark bay shimmering in the pale moonlight. "Lissa knows already as much as I do...Ivy is starting to ask questions and Iz can so feel the pain and rush whenever I'm jumped" she sighed once more, a bit of fear squeezing her heart "Like Gawd knows who else may have received one of these interviews.."
She shuddered as memories of the past and present danced and blurred and as she fought to mask them from the bond she shared with Iz. His voice cut through her attempts like a machete..
"Diamond..you , yourself told me about these interviews. You have to know these people are being marked." he voice betrayed an irritation at her naiveite' "Simple questions to illicit an emotion response of what they think of you and your ties to them...tell me " he leaned closer making his voice cold " Can this Lissa stop even one Tac-op? Can this Ivy handle a full Squad of the type chasing you?'
Kara winced and half turned her head to glare at him "They do an excellent job out there against them when we patrol togeth...i cant think of any of the Temps who couldn't help me!"
Crimson signed no longer hiding his irritation "Damn it girl...they were marked to strike when you -aren't- there" he spat "Grow up and face the reality of the situation...if they get involved...if you do anything other than what you have been doing...they will remove them from the game board"
He turned his cool hard eyes to her "and I mean remove them"
Kara turned and looked back out across the bay "What am I supposed to then....keep taking this?"
Crimson smirked, he felt her resolve weaken "Yes...if you can endure these attacks for a little longer, we can find a pattern to the rogue's low tech approach. Indigo and our operatives, will spot ad trace and then allow you to follow and finish...plain and simple"
Kara closed her eyes "I'm to be the bait?"
Crimson smirked, Yes, he thought she is understanding now "Yes of course..I mean you are already in play , why not allow these animals to think nothing has changed...let them think they have you and your friends pinned and they will continue to run their pattern"
Kara wrapped her arms around herself as she listened, she despised keeping things from her loved ones. She had been too good at it recently and now it was starting to seem like she had to for their own good. She wavered but Crimson kept at her.
"Once we establish their pattern of operation..I can begin to wield you to shut them down and finish this. " he grinned wolfishly "Diamond...these rogues have caused the regular Malta operations around to step things up...because of them hunting you...more heroes and citizens are being harmed"
Her shoulders drooped and Crimson knew then her had her.
"You have to do this my way...and soon it will be finished" he clamped his hand on her shoulder mindless of the way she flinched deeply and tried to shrug him off as if in revulsion before she caught it. He held his touch firm to drive home his point...
"You must continue as if things are normal ....to protect their lives. How expendable do you really see them if you don't do it my way?"
She snapped her eyes shut tighter at the word 'expendable'. The metallic clicking of a hammer coursing through her mind.
"you don't wish to see another barrel placed against the side of one of their heads again do you girl?"
"ENOUGH!" she snapped as she whirled to brush off his arm, her eyes flared with anger and frustration. He locked his gaze to hers and watched as her defiance melted away in the face of his more dominant resolve...
She sighed...
"....fine" she lowered her head "I'll do it your way...for them"
He nodded , she understood, this was the way of the real world.
"Good girl" he smirked at her "Now get back out on your patrol...Ill make arraignments for the plan to begin within the next few nights...once we have something Ill call you to direct you in...good luck"
She turned to look at him "and the Crey Project? what about them and their Malta?"
"No change in your patterns...you have to deal with the Crey and the Malta as usual. Of course I wouldn't let on you know of any organized attack against you to others...just the fighting associated with a routine nightly patrol" he shrugged "if they are there with you then...fine you can protect them...but they cant learn of the scope of this thing...and now you know why" he gestured once more "No scurry off ...Ive got to set this up for you...and be careful...you are no good to me dead" he added with a smirk.
"thanks" she turned and flew silently away.
Crimson watched her go with no small degree of satisfaction. She had refused him and his offer to be one of his operatives almost a year ago. She was a natural against the Malta...a weapon he had to posses.
And it was beginning to look like he had her now!
=======================
In Founder's...
Dr. Reynolds sighed as he heard himself beg the young woman who was almost killed because of his inaction and futile attempts to rescue his daughter from a life she didn't need saving.
"There is more..." he added darkly, reaching into his jacket he produced a manila folder and clutched it in his hands tightly "This is essentially documentation of my work detailing the real -why- for the Crey's pursuit of her now"
He looked up at her "Kara has been cloned as have a few other heroes in the city but known of them have been able to match her abilities or her control"
"Ms. Quartz...the thing they seek in my kit..." he swallowed. "In Kara is her ability to alter and control her flow of energy...her ability to flow from the form that emits powerful focused blasts of her energy to her defensive capabilities to her incredible strength and endurance.."
His voice carried his shame "The seek to infuse that ability into their Paragon Protectors to make them more effective..." he shuddered "after her 'surgery' she would become the template for a new generation of 'Protectors'...an army of ranged and in close mutant clones to be controlled by them"
He slowly reached out and handed her the folder containing his work and findings....
"Please..." he sighed "Whatever you can do...I will keep that phone for your calls only...I will do whatever i can if you decide to help...if not you need only not to call again" his eyes shifted around and in the shadows of the columns surrounding them. "i should let you go...thank you for your time"
With that he turned to head off back into the city.
=========
Originally posted by Rhuby Quartz
Rhuby listened to him speak.. but from the moment he said his name, she grew stiff, a frown etched deep on her face. She swallowed thickly her eyes locked on him hard..
As he explained, she did her best to comprehend it all, feeling a bit overwhelmed. She glanced down at the manilla folder.. taking it slowly and just seeming to stare at it. She looked up again when he turned to leave and finally broke her silence.
"Wait.. " .. She paused.. what was she going to say? She wasn't sure.. but she knew she didn't want him to just go. " .. Why are you helping her now? .. After everything she's been through.. everything you put her through to insist she be 'normal' .. What makes this different? Why would you care if they use her powers to make better paragon protectors? Wouldn't that in turn give you exactly what you wanted? a human daughter?"
She watched him carefully and swallowed back the lump in her throat. "Why can't you be proud of her, Dr. Reynolds?. Maybe you dont want a mutant for a daughter.. but did you ever think maybe she didn't want to be a mutant in the begining either? She suffered so much just adjusting to her gifts and now the only flesh and blood she has alive is making her feel like a monster. Do monsters save lives? Protect the city you live and work in? Your people.. have killed hundreds and injuried more. This .. project alone has cost the lives of many men.. men with families. Why?.. because you can't be proud that your daughter is doing something great?.. Mutant or not, Kara is amazing.. and she's done amazing things. And she has no one to share that with.. no one tell her good job.. because you treat her like a lepor."
She sighed.. and tucked the folder under her arm. ".. I want to help. Just tell me what I need to do.. and I'll do it. I'll help as long as I am able to."
================
"Wait"
He turned back to face her at her words. She spoke finally and asked the question he had been prepared for yet found no voice immediately as she spoke to him. Shame filled him at her words, one key word standing out for him.
"Why?"
He wasn't sure how to answer her. After everything she's been through, his heart froze, he was now all to aware what his abandonment had meant for her..what had happened to his little girl...
The ultimate betrayal of a father to a daughter...how complete his failure had been. His look as he lifted his eyes to meet hers held the only answer he could give her...complete and total understanding of the depth of his crime.
He could give no voice to it as he heard her words. Her description of the woman his daughter had become, and how little he was there to help her...until now.
".. I want to help. Just tell me what I need to do.. and I'll do it. I'll help as long as I am able to."
His heart leaped at her words. She is going to help me! he thought...then corrected himself...no she is going to help her. He nodded and in a even voice..
"Thank you...thank you" he stepped closer and kept his voice low. "I need you to find this rogue group, find how they operate. They are using very -low- key and low tech methods to mask their presence in the city. The Malta and Crey on ..." he swallowed " my project cant find them...and from the look of things neither can she"
He sighed "They know very little ...only what they interpret from scouting. They have no computer network and any info they find that way will be dated and left open to what they gather from um...well scouting."
"This mentor of yours has not completed anything on your new 'training'..only that you are his student." he looked at her "Given the nature of his abilities they like me can only guess at what you can do and also given your being new at it wont think you would approach that way given what they know of you..."
He nodded "The type of man this is...this rogue gunslinger. I know him..he was the leader of the Malta when you faced them...his ego wont let him consider such an approach...that is your weapon. You are a virtual unknown to them..they are ...they have to be going off of old data about you"
He drew a breath "Alpha wont be expecting you at all. So you can help her by finding out how they operate and more importantly how to track and trace them for her."
"You see Ms. Quartz that is the only real weapon they have over her. Until that is removed she probably wont turn to any of you...those she cares for because they already have all of you marked."
"If you have been approached oddly about her recently then you can be assured they are holding you hostage...keeping her silent, preventing her from turning to you least you be hurt"
He looked down "That is why I am in need of your help...she is blind out there, without knowing from where the attacks are she is forced to wait on each attack in order to fight them....you can help her take the fight to them"
He sighed "I will keep the phone and we can speak that way..I can not meet with you again..unless it is an emergency...If I find out anything I will leave a message for you...in the mean time I will do what I can to hamper the Project's efforts at her"
He turned to go again, adding over his shoulder "By the way...i do not get a normal daughter when they are done...they intend to keep her as a Protector template once sh has been...altered through surgery..." he choked "Lobotomized to be controlled by them to lead the new generation...that is why..."
With that he turned to head off into the shadows of the city...
===========================
Pain mixed with a whirling flash of white hot light as she felt weightless for the briefest of moments. It was almost comical as she felt suspended in midair before crashing painfully across the back of the dumpster.
A snap of stars graced through her mind to a dance in perfect rhythm with the waves of pain that gripped her body as she rolled off the top of the metal container as another salvo of bullets crashed across her. The impact of the shells rolling to flop behind the dumpster like rag doll.
She fought for control, she fought to focus as she dropped to the pavement, the cover of the now dented and bullet ridden dumpster offered a brief but much needed respite.
focus girl...please not like this
Her thoughts kept her rooted, awake as she fought for breath; she had no strength as her lungs had to fight for air. She crawled pitifully in the soft muck behind the dumpster as the alley went silent.
Oh Gawd here they come.../think/!!
Sapper first...right? She thought as she laid there, her strength not returning as fast as usual. A new approach, she thought as her ribs burned with each movement followed by a deep deep pain in her hip. She had taken a massive shot from the sapper's stun stick this time. She felt them close as a sharp burning sensation course through her; it wormed and blended with her pain brilliantly. Smirking to herself she refused to allow her energy to show just yet. No fields, no protection...not yet
Only one shot at this...dont blow it
The four forms rose up around her like silent mountains, obsidian and mighty. Their armor making them look inhuman, making all signs of compassion and restraint as they fell upon her. A bluish white flame rose above her like a lethal surreal sunrise as a rifle butt connected with the base of her skull. Her thoughts swam as pain swirled now with the terror she fought as boots connected with her side. She felt a rib snap as she rolled into yet another kick....
As she rolled her eyes snapped open, like dark demons their images flowed, their forms taking different shapes and in the distance ...always the laughter...
The Sapper's light descended...
NO!
At the last second she rolled up with a gazelle's grace despite the pain that engulfed her...the pain that wracked her...as the stun stick pierce the cracked pavement of the alley where she had been only moments before. With the predatory instincts of a cheetah the four Malta operative instantly shifted to bear down on their prey's new location amongst them to press their attack but it was far too late....she had won....again.
The alleyway behind the modest Dunkin Doughnuts erupted in a small but brilliant kiss of silver-is white. The detonation and shock wave rattled the windows and awoke the neighborhood. From her knees, her arms stretching out and up, like an archangel deciding the fate of the damned before her, her energy shot out in all directions and slammed unforgiving into the bodies of her attackers.
Their forms, crushed and broken by the tsunami of force and white hot pain that extended from her, were tossed away from her like discarded rag dolls. They careened off of the brick walls of the alleyway and slide to its littered covered floor.
She stood slowly and painfully as she fought to catch her breath. Painfully she rushed her recovery, feeling her body strain in protest at her reckless decision. She knew it wasnt over...there was one more.
Her fields swarmed over her as he appeared before, his drawn pistol already up and pressed against her forehead. She rose before him like a vengeful goddess as he pulled the trigger twice with quicksilver like speed. His double pumped rounds finding only the alley wall for purchase.
His miss and momentary surprise gave her enough time to supercharge her most powerful blast as she took careful aim above him. Her look almost feral from pain and adrenaline danced with her thrill of knowing she now had him...
He looked up and raised his arm to fire as her blast struck him just below his throat tossing his body wildly into the air. She whiled and let loose an arc of her energy and grinned as the torrent caught his form in mid-flight. She adjusted her coming salvo with practiced ease as shot after shot battered her foe until, like his team he too lay silent amongst the forgotten kibble of the alley.
She hovered in silence, poised still to complete her dance as she waited in perfect position. She was fully prepared to continue her surreal yet graceful ballet, should another foe present themselves for the performance. Her body screamed in protest as it reset itself, cracked ribs moved back into place as bruises faded painfully. She closed her eyes to the agony as a tear graced her cheek. She fought to listen to the sounds of the alley as her body repaired itself.
Thundering feet and the far off hiss of a radio report brought her back to reality as she landed in the middle of the five crumbled forms. She turned to face the arriving police officers who recognized her instantly....
Once finished giving her report she flew off into the night heading for the Abbey. For a change it was she who needed a drink this time...
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'
Seven killed in Malta shootout in King's Row
Paragon Tribune
Sat Jul 22, 7:12 AM ET
KING'S ROW - ....Seven people were killed when Malta Operatives militants staged a daring ambush on a band of Heroes who were investigating a reported an alleged Nemesis robbery of a warehouse in the King's Garment District, police have said.
Instead of finding a Nemesis raiding party the force of six heroes soon found themselves involved in a massive firefight with what has been described by police as a force of over fifty Malta operatives. The resulting battle left two of the Heroes, a Van Dyne a noted empathic healer and druidess and Melt a young 'tank' of Ice origin to be treated at Crowne Memorial's emergency room. The remaining heroes arrested the surviving Malta and called in police and emergency units.
It was at this point that a smaller force of Twenty more Malta opened fire on the four remaining heroes and the recently arrived emergency personnel. The force even contained several 'Titan' class Malta units and caused severe destruction to the surrounding area , destroying two police cars and an ambulance forcing the already injured heroes to respond further.
Three policemen, three of the Malta operatives and the hero 'Dark Sword' were killed in the ensuing shootout, according to the on sight police commander, Lieutenant Kyle Worachart.
"The second attack( the ambush following the assault inside the warehouse) was unusually well-coordinated, even for the Malta" he said.
"They (Malta) detonated a bomb just minutes before the ambush, injuring three people and distracting approaching Units and Heroes who could have come to the aid of the on site personnel under attack."
"This second group just came out of no where seemingly and caught all of the on site personal off guard." He went on to say "It was a real battle to overcome them"
The Malta Operatives planted another bomb near the scene of the attack, but Longbow demolition experts managed to defuse it.
Several Dozen Malta have been arrested in connection with the attack, police said.
The ambush was the bloodiest attack in more than three weeks in King's Row, a city zone that has been well on the rise since the deployment of Longbow and and an increase to the police budget to allow a larger force presence on the zone's streets.
This seemingly new incursion of Malta Group's operations, usually restricted to Peregrine Island is the cause for concern for the Longbow Commander in King's Row.
"It was as if they had a definite target in mind tonight" Commander Jenelle Howard said. "The Malta usually work well together, function as a unit. Tonight they got sloppy, it was as if there were two separate forces of Malta present here tonight."
She went on to add "That kind of miscommunication is rare with them. The Police and Heroes got lucky this morning."
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 26th, 2006 - King's Row
I see you
With a bit of a bounce to her step Kara stepped out onto the sidewalk in front of the Abbey. The warm late night breeze that blew through the Row wafted through her hair as she stretched. It had been a fun night, playing a little truth or dare with her friend's. A bit of a rest from the last few nights.
Glancing around. You think you're alone. Safe. Alone.
The streets seemed deserted and quiet save for the lonely hiss from the approaching street sweeper. Recognizing her from her white costume the man hunched over its controls waved to her smiling as she waved back
Secure.
Her fields shimmered to life softly around her as she prepared to take flight,a muted beep from her cell phone. Once opened she paused and began to speak into it. Laughing sweetly as she was forced to pause as the sweeper went by before continuing her conversation once more...
False security. And you believe in it. No one will hurt you, in your own little blanketed world. A world where everything is good and true, where nothing can go wrong.
Kara flipped her hair back as she joked softly and leaned for a moment against a closed newsstand.
Except me.
Kara's lilt of her high pitched giggles grew louder "Katherine that is so bad!"
You think nobody's watching? Don't you feel it? The sensation of eyes burning into the back of your head, always watching; every move you make, everywhere you go.
"No! " she giggled "Like no way!" Pausing a moment Kara's back stiffened slightly, her smile reduced to half as she began to glance around. Her gait flooding with a bit of uneasiness as she continued her conversation.
I'm always there.
"Uh huh.....well no...I mean no I couldn't....you so know this" a pause "a firby...what? Yeah I know..pathetic"
Like a shadow, like the darkness that seeps in after the sun dwindles. I watch when you think no one is there. I've seen everything. Everything you wished to hide, to keep a secret. I know everything about you.
"Kath?....Kath! Let me call you back...sure...no I'm fine...right in a bit, Kiss Phil for me...thanks" Kara closed her cell and allowed her eyes to scan the shadow encroached rooftops and the quiet darkened alleys around her.
Everything.
Her fields intensifying she crossed the empty street and stepped into the mouth of the alley across from the Abbey and paused. Shuddering softly her eyes narrowed as if she sought to pierce through the shadows, her ears careful for any sound....Slowly she entered the alley...
It was good the way you thought you could get me. I like to play, but those games bored me. Easy. Obvious. They were nothing compared to what I fantasized about doing to you. Every night, as I gazed at you, I transformed your flesh, imagined it changed, sliced with a razor. .
She paused the sound of her own breathing filled her ears as a chill raced down her spine, never seeing the black gloved hand behind her move just inches from her soft black mane before retreating back to vanish into the darkness.
Carved. Sculpted...Made beautiful.
Kara took a hesitant step backwards, bringing her arms up to wrap around her chest, her eyes sweeping over ever inch of the litter strewn alley before her...
Blood makes everything beautiful, a crimson rush to wash away the repulsive, distorted mass that passed for a face. Distorted by sense of justice, obsession for obsession. Bet my last breath my obsessions are worse, more fun, more dangerous, more exciting.
Stepping back out of the alley her shoulders were grabbed from behind, a scream lodged in her throat and she felt her revulsion at the unwanted touch rip through her. She whirled, prepared to blast her attackers as she had been doing all week.
"Easy Ma'am!" The Longbow agent said quickly, recognizing he was in danger.
She laughed and lowered her head "Ugh! You so scared the heck out of me!"
It's OK though, I only want to hurt you.
He smiled and shook his head "I'm terribly sorry Ma'am...we just don't get to see you down here that much...well except for that Malta mess last week"
Make you bleed. Make you sorry. I watch what you do; imagine how I could turn your world upside down. It would be so easy; you live outside the norm, head in the clouds, away with the faeries, and not in a good way. It's strange the way you think you are right, righteous even.
"Ironic that you should so bring that up" Kara smiled a bit more relaxed "I guess I'm just exhausted tonight...I'm seeing ghosts in the shadows"
You're not.
"I'd offer to escort you off the street Ma'am or call you a cab but that would be a bit silly eh?" The agent grinned as he motioned to his partner across the street.
They say some people look at the world through rose coloured glasses; you walk about with a blindfold on. Oblivious to the reality that exists outside your sad little existence, to the truth. The real truth, not the bedtime stories you convince yourself to be true.
"Oh I'll be fine thank you..." Kara smiled warmly.
The lies are all in your head.
"I'm going to head off home..Ive got an middle aged meddling babysitter to relieve" She continued.
He blinked as his partner walked up "Ma'am?"
She giggled and waved her hand "Never mind...good night boys!" she floated up "Be safe !"
And it is this truth, this reality that will get you hurt, and I'll watch while it happens. When the delusion breaks, when someone shatters your illusions and hauls you back to the real world. Then the real games will begin.
Like a brightly lit shooting star, Kara headed out over the sleeping city and headed for home. Still unable to shake the feeling of the alleyway even though she was leaving it far behind.
===========
With a simple yet graceful move the large combat knife was returned to its sheath, soundlessly. Cool eyes followed the heroine's retreat across the night sky from the shadows at the mouth of the alley. Her night of supposed rest was chosen for his own selfish reasons. It had been far too long since he had seen his target up close and personal. Alpha grinned as her light began to fade...
Let's play soon....
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'
August 1st, 2006 - Steel Canyon
Footsteps on the floor, each deep thumb echoed by the beat of her heart. A laugh, a murmur and a footstep closer, she held her hand over her mouth - soft sharp sobs choking her as she fought to keep silent. A creak, a groan and the sound of a door slamming shut. She curled further into her bolt hole. She willed herself not to be found. She prayed to anyone who would listen and with every breath took...
She knew they approached.
Footsteps on stairs and fingers ran along the banister, the weary climb upwards, closing in. She fought the urge to run. Deeply fought panic, fought tears. Whispering, mutterings and the sound of shuffling feet on wooden flooring, they were close. A scream caught deep within her throat, her lungs unable to work, she felt light headed as she listened to their ever-approaching footsteps and still she could not breathe.
Then nothing. A clatter, a crash followed by silence. Unbearable silence. Silence compounded by the darkness that bled into the room, like water in a sinking ship. Closing in around her, she'd be suffocated by the darkness before they got her. As if her own fear would kill her. She waited. Listening. Not a murmur, not a movement, then a hiss of breath, her own. Silence. She glanced at the door. They had to be on the other side. Waiting. Listening. A step, a single footfall resounded outside. She cowered. A hand brushed upon wood, fingertips dancing lightly over the handle. She shrunk back, breath held, knees clutched tight to her chest. Listening. Whispering in a strange tongue, but full of dark intent sounded, then the noise of a hand grasping the door handle.
A burst of light and her eyes shut tight. She would not look. Monsters under the bed go away if you don't look at them! She refused to look. Mutterings, murmurings, and a hand on her wrist! Revulsion! - She jumped away. Arms like vines reaching forward to ensnare her. She curled further into herself. Terror gripping her, sobs coming quickly now. Dry, sore and with the threat she'd pass out. Each touch made her sick. Each gentle caress made her tight with fear. Their voices, insistent now, but she couldn't understand. They spoke in a foreign tongue. Laughter..always the laughter, deep and all around her yet distant. She cried out, begged. They pulled, they coaxed, they stroked. She did not move, She did not open her eyes.
Footsteps. Downstairs. Rushing towards them. She thought of a savior. She would go to them. She waited. She listened. Raised voices, a slamming door. The urge to open her eyes, just to see who had come for her!, but she feared the thought of seeing -them-. Demonic, horrific, their faces alone enough to scar the mind, instilling terror, enhancing fear, her eyes stayed closed. A movement, a brush of air and another hand on her leg with a gentle whisper that made no sense. She could feel their breath on her. They were almost in the cupboard beside her, filling her chamber with a vile putrid stench. The smell of death, she screamed. She didn't want to die. Her scream turned to sobs, tears flowing from her tightly pressed eyes.
A scuffle, irate voices and they left her haven. Maybe her angel was here. She didn't dare check, then silence, broken only by her soft sobs. Minutes stretched and they never made a sound. Deathly still. A laugh, then a mass of twisting, grappling hands filled her bolt hole. Touching her everywhere. Grabbing her, hauling her out. Throwing her to the floor, lying curled in the light. Violated. Frightened. A heated discussion erupted as she cried on the floorboards, the light stinging through her eyelids. She began to crawl. Her legs were pulled out from under her with a slap and a shout. Confusion.
Pulled to her feet, she stood, naked in the light. Her eyes still closed. They shouted, they screamed. She cowered, She cried. Pushed forward. She stumbled. Hugging herself, she walked ahead. Terrified she walked slowly and they yelled, shoving her to verify the point. She fell. Flesh scraped on splintered wood, blood welling and her ankle twisted. She limped onwards. She knew she approached the stairs, but fear kept her eyes closed. She reached for the banister and they screamed in anger at her, with a final push to her back. She fell. Tumbling. Breaking. Screaming. The crash and roll into wall on the ground floor stealing her away to the darkness, fading her from their world back to her own.....
Kara awoke and bolted upright barely stifling her scream, her body taunt and ridged with fear...waiting...
"No Damn it!" she whispered harshly to herself. She drew her knees up to her chest and pressed back against the headboard of her bed. Her arms came up instinctively around her knees as she tried in vain to stop herself from shaking. Curled tightly on the half of the bed where she slept she tried to become invisible, to no longer be.
Slowly as her eyes adjusted to the dark room around her , signs of familiarity and of safety began to appear. She was in her own room, safe and alone. She drew a tight shaky breath as she began to remind herself of where she was and who she was.
The attacks and that monster in Cait's dimension had brought back her nightmares, that was all, she assured herself. I am safe...
I am safe...
She swallowed, and closed her eyes tightly as she rocked herself slightly back and forth in the dark. She fought to forget their faces, their touch..the fear of being hunted..all of it. She fought the feelings and struggled to place them all back in the dark boxes where she kept them in her heart. She could deal with this, soon it would be all over...
I am safe...
============
Across the city ...
He smirked as he read the reports of the attack on the Crey Lab. He turned to his aid, his cigar glowed softly in the darkened room of the ruined apartment.
"The Rikti hit the lab first Fergie?"
Fergie stifled a yawn but nodded as he sat on the decayed moldy ottoman, his papers and nightly reports from his teams in the field lay spread out before him on the ancient card table.
"Yes sir, it seems the target and three of her friends..." Fergie began.
"Yes, yes " Alpha sneered coolly "I saw that too, The albino Abattoir, this enigmatic Kheldian that pops up from time to time with her and ...well the Wystan boy again"
"Yes sir..though it appears she hit the lab by accident, it was IV 's contact that led the team to its position...someone in Crey security put out a distress call" Fergie added "She couldnt have known it was one of her father's ops until they were on site....and well then they trashed the place..Rikti, Crey personnel and well quite a few of Blue's men.."
Alpha chuckled "And the team we had on stand by that night?"
Fergie reached over and picked up the Styrofoam cup of long cold coffee and slurped it wearily "The team commander wisely decided not to hit her..as you ordered...only when she is alone"
Alpha nodded "Yes he did very well....signal him this morning. We will use his team tonight" he turned to the grime covered window and gazed out into the alley below "Everything is prepared then?"
Fergie nodded "As you instructed, evidence that regular Malta ops with ties to Blue's teams has been leaked to Crimson's contacts...he has arraigned for one of his men to meet with her..alone"
Alpha grinned "And then the Team commander will hit her tonight..."
Fergie nodded and stood knowing the briefing was coming to a close. He had runners to send out to deliver the orders to their hidden teams all over the city. "Yes sir..I'll post the orders now"
From over his shoulder "And Fergie?"
"Yes sir?" came the tired response.
"Make it brutal...." Alpha said with a hint of glee.
Fergie drew a breath, elimination, manipulation, these were things he was fine with..constant purposeful torture he was not. His eyes narrowed a bit but he responded evenly "Brutal...yes sir...termination?"
Alpha turned almost astonished
"Oh no....no no no Fergie..not yet" he grinned thinly " Not at all, she is almost ready but not yet tender enough...soon but it will be by my hand not some team leader that doesnt deserve this kill...now carry out my orders." with a wave of his hand he dismissed his friend and aide and turned back to the window.
Fergie stood for a long moment, his hand rested atop his holster, its knuckles tight. He watched his friend and mentor for a long while before he sighed resigned..
"Yes sir"
With that he turned and walked out into the litter strewn hallway and headed off to issue the orders of the day.
This is madness, was his only thought...
Across the city the sun began to creep over the horizon slowly as its reddish orange glow slowly began to awaken a sleeping city.
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 20th, 2005 - Brickstown, Paragon City
The blackish smoke formed an almost choking cloud that filled the main lab of the rubble filled Crey complex. She walked through its charred halls as muffled sirens filled the hallways from the street below. Her eyes wandered around the complex that until just 40 minutes ago had been the primary genetic repository and production complex for the Revenant Hero project. A project she and many from NPI had put out of service just months ago.
"idiots" She muttered to herself as she walked passed the prone forms of several protectors, as she made her way to the crumbled armored form across the lab. Her greenish hued bubbled extended from her like a protective shell, moving with her as she advanced on him. He struggled to regain his feet in his heavily damaged armor. She had pummeled him at range, her blasts now virtually up to their previous strength. She smiled, her 'nova' certainly was...
"You....you don't know...." he coughed, obviously seriously wounded but not yet out of the fight. "What...you are fighting this time girl"
She stopped,he was in Crisis control armor and could incapacitate her if she wasn't careful. She lessened the radius of her blister and tilted her head.
"Oh I /so/ do....i know what I'm stopping and who i am stopping" she said evenly. "I don't need this kind of help...Doctor Summerhall is it?"
He leaned against the wreckage of a cryo containment unit as he stood to face her, blood and sparks from damaged circuitry covered his armor.
"He is trying to give you your life back...and improve society as a whole...cant you see that" he tried, his voice a little stronger.
"I can see he has not a clue who or what i am any longer Doctor and you are going to take this message to him and whoever the woman is whose voice is on his recorded notes" she took careful aim at his chest as he began to power up his launcher once more.
He laughed "Girl either I fall to you or i am going to jail....I'm not carrying any message if you shoot me...unless you let me go" he tried to slyly aim the launcher at her, she grinned.
"I dont need you to carry anything....I'm just going to say it for those still listening" she jerked her head slightly to the left.
His eyes involuntarily looked to the direction to see a wall mounted camera capturing his final moments of defiance. Instantly he understood as she continued to speak her arm full lite by the energy she generated within.
"I'm coming father...no matter where you hide your labs, no matter who you place there to protect them..." she said coolly
He raised the launcher his heart thundering in his chest....
She fired...
Turning to the camera, as the armored form careened off the back wall violently, she yelled
"I'M COMING FOR HER!....FOR YOU! THEY PUT A GUN TO RHUBY'S HEAD! YOU HAVE HUNTED ME AND MY FAMILY!! THIS PROJECT HAS HARMED HUNDREDS AND KILLED MORE!"
She took aim at the camera "IT'S DONE!....END OF STORY!"
She fired.
==========================
"Oh my God!" Dr. Reynolds breathed as the screen in the control room far across town burst into white static.
"Wonderful " sighed Helana "Simply wonderful...how many millions just went down the tube?" she raised her hand to stop her assistant from speaking "Standby all break down procedures. Begin to relocate all personal and their labs...I need to contact the board" she sighed glaring at the figure in the corner of the control booth.
His eyes remained fixed on the static and softly unnoticeable by any in the room , he smiled.
Now we can begin, he thought.
====================
She stepped out into the chaos at the front of the lab complex. Several officers had already cordoned off the area and SWAT was arriving as well as the wagons from the Zig. She leaned against the rail of the steps leading into the building and waited to give her report.
She couldn't help shake the feeling that this wasn't ending, but for tonight at least it was over. She was tired , when she was finished with the Police she was heading for a hot bath and bed.
Still though, she found her eyes wandering to each darkened alleyway within her eyes view.
===================
He stepped outside of the security center's womb into the brightly lit hallway and signaled the waiting Tac Operative over.
"Report" he reached into his top breast pocket and pulled out a crumpled package of cigarettes.
"As you instructed Primary targets assets are scattered at the moment" the Tac Op reported evenly. "Chaves, Rico is still out in the open, living a public life , target-able.... Dengo, Tomoya still not yet reached her potential, target-able and has a new asset in the city a younger sister, Hayaka, new to the corps, definite leverage.... Sverund, Melissa extremely target-able has an asset, a boy friend named Doug, definite leverage. Both medium level Threats to any team. " he continued "Addo current project underway. Quartz, Rhuby... "
The Tac Op stopped causing the Gunslinger to glance over to him from his freshly lit cigarette.
"Yes?"
"We lost this one sir...target is known to be impulsive and has left the area, Primary Target continues to use a coded cell, we cant track, Quartz, Rhuby's whereabouts unknown" he looked to the gunslinger "is it possible the Primary Target suspected and sent her away?"
The gunslinger chuckled and shook his head "No I've spoken to Marcus and have seen the footage of the failed capture attempt that Garret interrupted. The two of them do not separate when threatened....this has to be something unrelated...go on"
The tac Op returned to his list as the gunslinger listened to the long list of names. Jeez-Us he thought , the target has too many options, and despite Garrett's disappearance this in no way ruled him out. They had to be careful when it came to him. As Marcus once said 'I don't want to hear Jack Garrett is dead, I want to see Jack Garrett is dead'.
The Gunslinger sighed, so many options though. Perhaps its time to lean on one...
Tomoya is formidable....but can be brought around, he mused but how...
He grinned as the Tac-Op droned on.
Hayaka
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'