Part I
It was a beautiful afternoon in Nerva Archipelago. Seagulls circled overhead, their raucous cries muted by the eternal rhythm of the surf and accented by the distant clangs of the buoys. Ebony Rose knelt in her meticulously maintained garden, attempting to sooth her mind by concentrating on her roses. It wasnt working.
She glanced into the base through the enormous picture window. Shed sent Conall Cian away on a task that should keep him busy for days. Shed asked Death Shrowd to stay close for the near future. But there was still no sign of Shattered Ice9 or Cowboy Nightmare. She had never realized just how much she depended on her three closest friends until two of them were gone. It felt every bit like someone had just taken two legs of the tripod that supported her stability.
It had never been more apparent to her that she was not seen as one of the strongest of the leaders of the Shades. It was vitally important that she hold control of the group until Shattered and Cowboy Nightmare returned. And she had to do it without relying on Death Shrowds strength, or she would be forced to keep the enormous man around constantly. No... she had to lead on her own, and that might well mean she would have to spend less time in her lab - and her garden - and more time strengthening her grip on the Shades.
She spent one brief moment remembering the girl she used to be, a girl who never dreamed shed have to worry about life or death politics, then stood, brushing the dirt from her faded jeans. That door was closed. This was her life. She used her pruning shears to cut three fresh roses, wrapped their cut ends in a damp cloth, and returned to her lab.
---
Six-Four peeled off his Ghosts Reborn uniform and chucked it into his laundry bin. He was alone in his small, painfully neat bachelors apartment, but if anyone had been there, they would have noted a network of scars marring his otherwise fit and healthy body. The worst, a shiny, twisted burn scar started just below his shoulder blades, spiraled down under his left arm, and then narrowed and ended in a point just before reaching his navel. If anyone had known to watch for it, they might have noticed that it slightly restricted his movement when he twisted or reached to the right. A puckered circle - the diameter of a quarter - marred his upper chest just left of the sternum, an unassuming reminder of a wound that had missed his heart by the margin of an exhaled breath. That one impeded his ability to lift his left arm overhead, ever so slightly. But, again, if you didnt know it, youd likely never notice. His right thigh and calf bore a number of surgical scars, reminders of a complicated external fixator he d worn for nearly 6 months. He was fabulously lucky not just to still have use of that leg, but to still have it at all. The limp was almost imperceptible, except on cold, damp days. Those scars, and the dozens of others, spoke of a painful, long rehabilitation following a horrible trauma. And from the shiny pink of some of those scars, that trauma was not so terribly long ago. Those scars were overlaid by fresh bruises and cuts, including a glorious sunset of a bruise that covered his right shoulder and most of his chest and a long, narrow cut that extended from his belly down to his knee. That one broke open and bled every so slightly as he crouched to open a dresser drawer.
He slipped into a pair of comfortable flannel pants, poured a double shot of Johnny Walker Blue, and settled himself on a padded barstool. By the time he took the first sip of the fine whiskey and began skimming the newspaper, the bruise had vanished and there was only a thin line showing where the deep cut had been. The burn scar, the puckered circle over his heart, and the surgical scars on his leg remained. Ugly reminders of an ugly day long ago.
He read the paper nightly. Every page. Even the weddings and baby announcements. There was usually something of note to be found. Something to give him a direction for the next day.
The newest rising star among the Ghosts had found a home there, but had remained aloof from the warm family that most of the Ghosts had melded into. He kept them at a distance. He didnt know much about them outside of their work as heroes, and they didnt know much about him. And he preferred it that way. There were details about his past he would prefer never came to light, especially to the Ghosts. It might make them ask questions.
He read the world, national, and state news, and then flipped to the local section. He scoured the stories about sightings of Nemesis, an in-depth report about the ever-changing politics of the Council, the PPDs new anti-superadine campaign. Nothing caught his interest. The sports section was mildly interesting, then he found his way to section D - society.
He took a bracing sip of whiskey, and stubbornly continued reading. There were still articles about the Manticore-Sister Psyche wedding, and todays discussed whether knee length would become the new trend in bridal gowns. The wedding and engagement announcements section was getting longer as the weather turned more springlike. Interestingly, so was the baby announcement section. The next page featured a half-page write up on a local man receiving a promotion. Daniel Rose, husband to Elizabeth, and father of three adult children, was taking over the information technologies section of a local chain of banks. The article discussed his family and how excited they all were about the promotion. Wife Elizabeth was head of the accounting department for that same chain of banks and had always had every confidence in Daniels leadership. Daughter Cathy and son David were both pleased with their parents success and -
Six-four paused and reread the opening paragraph - Daniel Rose, married to Elizabeth, and father of three adult children, and then skipped back down. There were quotes from Cathy and David, but not a word about the third child. He reread that first paragraph one more time, then slid off the barstool. He stalked to a bank of file cabinets against one wall and opened the first drawer. The label on that drawer was neatly lettered in black permanent marker EBONY ROSE. The label on the folder he withdrew read ER - PERSONAL. He flipped the folder open, and there it was, right on the front page: Ebony Rose, aka Bonnie Rose, aka Raven Aumentato. Born: Long Island, NY, Father: Daniel Rose, Mother: Elizabeth Rose. Siblings: Catherine, David.
He closed the folder and carefully placed it back inside the drawer. He poured himself a second shot of the blue label and smiled. Hed never imagined how close he was. He had a long night of careful work to do, but he allowed himself to savor his drink and his anticipation before he began.
Part II
He could have done it at any time, but Six-Four deliberately arrived at the beautiful Rose home while the celebratory party was well underway. The u shaped driveway was filled, and cars spilled out into the street. The music was loud enough to be heard outside the door, and the conversation and laughter was louder still. It was a nice evening, and it was obvious that several guests had stepped out into the backyard to enjoy the cool evening air.
Six-four led three longbow agents and six PPD officers to the door. He had suggested that it was entirely possible that their infamous daughter may have provided security for the home, and that therefor Heroic help would be called for. He did politely step back to allow Officer Hannigan to step up to the door and knock briskly. There was a long wait and the door opened, spilling bright light, music, delicious aromas of rich food, and generous good cheer out into the night. The bright, welcoming smile on the womans face faded into puzzlement as she took in her surprise guests. She resembled her daughter in the tall, slender build and rich dark hair that fell around her face. She wore a pretty party dress and carelessly held a wineglass in her left hand.
Yes? she asked. Are we being too noisy?
Officer Hannigan cleared his throat before speaking, Elizabeth Rose?
Yes? she answered.
Mrs. Rose, I have warrant for your arrest, Hannigan said, displaying a stack of legal papers. Please step out of the house, face the wall, and put your hands behind your head.
The womans pale face drained of color completely. She stared motionlessly for a long moment, before saying, I dont understand...
Hannigan repeated, I have a warrant for your arrest. Please step out of the house.
Six-Four smiled as Ebony Roses mother stepped forward. A female officer took her by the shoulder and turned her to face the wall, before taking the wineglass and pulling her hands behind her head and efficiently patting her down.
Elizabeth was still obviously confused as she asked, Please.. What is this about? She didnt resist as the officer, quietly reciting her Miranda rights, pulled her hands one at a time behind her back and handcuffed her.
Six-Four stepped forward at that point, his voice harsh as he answered her, Embezzlement, fraud, aiding and abetting, and, of course, murder.
She turned wide, shocked eyes toward him. Youre insane! What are you talking about? She held his gaze for a minute, and something she saw there terrified her. DANIEL! she screamed. DANIEL!!!
The man that raced down the hall in response to his wifes cry was a fit middle-aged, with stylish greying hair, wearing a nicely tailored jacket over a dark shirt open at the collar. He skidded to a halt at the unexpected sight of his wife in handcuffs.
What the hell is the meaning of this!? he demanded. If Ebony Rose had taken her build and her hair from her mother, it was her father who had given her the thin, finely featured face and blue eyes. Even if, just then, that older and more masculine face was outraged, the resemblance was clear.
Hannigan stepped forward again. Are you Daniel Rose? he asked.
---
Six-Four was eminently satisfied with how the arrests had played out. He supposed it was too much to ask for the two of them to resist arrest, but the shock, horror, and embarrassment on both their faces, the disruption of the celebration, the arrival of news cameras to capture the event, and finally Elizabeths breakdown into tears as she and her husband were driven away in separate vehicles had made every moment of the previous 24 hours painstaking work well worth it.
The cherry on top of his efforts had been when hed discovered that the man Daniel Rose was replacing had died. Despite the fact that hed died innocently of a heart attack, Six-Four had been able to place enough doubt in the DAs mind to convince him to file for murder as well. And that had given Six-Four the argument he needed to suggest that the Roses were dangerous and should be held in the Ziggurat until their trial. Any good trial lawyer could get them sprung in a few days, but he suspected he only needed a few days to achieve his goal.
Part III
Ebony Rose knelt in her lab, adjusting the spring tension in Crimson Queens left knee. Her mind was not on the simple task, she was reviewing, again, what little she knew about what had happened to Shattered Ice9 and Cowboy Nightmare. First had been that strange attack by the Ghosts Reborn, landing on the nearby beach, fighting furiously, then retreating.*** It seemed obvious that their disappearance was related to the strange attack, but it just didnt feel right to her. Their enemies in the Ghosts were not foolish people, and nothing about that reckless attack made sense.
***this attack occured in Sisters, and was the Ghosts attempt to save Neely before she could be captured by the Shades. They retreated because they learned Neely was no longer at that location.
Nobody knew anything. Shed questioned every contact she had, multiple times, and had learned nothing. She sighed with frustration, closed the knee access panel on her assault bot, and stood. For a moment, she just leaned her hands on her work table, her mind racing, trying to think of anything she hadnt already tried.
She was startled out of her revery by a tap at her door. Scorpio Son waited in the doorway for her attention. Rose, theres a messenger from Arachnos here. He says he needs to speak to you directly.
Rose grit her teeth for a moment. She could not care less about Lord Recluses power trips or Black Scorpions rather pathetic attempt at politicking... but her relationship with them and Recluses other lieutenants was a resource she carefully managed. However, if Recluse or Scorpion thought she would go haring off on some pointless project for them while she was still trying to find Shattered and CN...
Send him to me, then, she said, and took advantage of the time to compose her face into a pleasant expression.
The man that entered wore the insignia of a special messenger, one who only works for Recluse or his lieutenants. He carried a messenger bag, and he withdrew a thin envelope as he came through the door.
This arrived in Grandville this morning, he said. We examined it, of course.
Rose took the envelope from him. It was oversized and sturdy. A precise hand, in dark permanent marker, had written, EBONY ROSE, c/o Black Scorpion, Grandville. She frowned as she looked back up at the messenger. What is it? she asked.
He shrugged. I dont know. They didnt tell me. He turned to leave, and at that moment, Rose recognized him. Shed seen him huddled with Shattered Ice9 just hours before Shattered and CN vanished.
You! she yelled, Stop!
He turned back towards her. What? he asked, annoyance clear on his face.
You were here just a few days ago, and talked to Shattered. What message did you deliver to him?
The messenger actually laughed. You know I cant tell you that.
You will, though, she responded. I need that information.
Too bad, the messenger laughed again, you cant have it. He turned again to leave, even as the giant assault bot Crimson Queen took three enormous steps to bar his way.
You are not leaving, Rose said, until I get that message.
You wouldnt dare interfere with a special messenger. When Lord Recluse hears- The messenger stopped talking as Crimson Queen abruptly backhanded him into the wall.
Rose darted around her table, knelt, and quickly applied flex cuffs to his wrists and ankles while he was still trying to remember how to use his body. Turns out, I would dare, she muttered.
She ran to close the door to her lab, and then darkened the huge picture window that looked out into the garden. She briefly considered taking him into the basement, where there was a good stock of equipment for her intended purpose, but decided there was less chance of being observed here. No sense giving any of her fellow Shades reason to question whether they were more loyal to her or Arachnos. She wasted no time cutting him out of the uniform with a pair of shears so that if anyone DID see, they wouldnt feel the need to investigate further. Then she crouched before him, waiting for him to rouse.
He struggled briefly, cursed, then glared at her. This is going to cost you your life! You know that, dont you?
Id spend this time worrying more about your own life, were I you, she answered calmly. Now. Tell me. What was the message you delivered to Shattered Ice9?
[censored] off, you crazy [censored]! He yelled back.
She stared at him for a moment, sighed sadly, then reached behind him and, with a vicious twist, broke one of his fingers. He bellowed and fought like a wild thing caught in a trap. She waited patiently until his cursing subsided. What was the message you delivered to Shattered Ice9?
He stared at her, going very still. I cant tell you that, he said. Please.... I cant.
You can. She answered him. And you will.
She reached behind him again. Then he screamed.
---
Rose straightened, walked shakily across her lab, and washed her hands. Her head buzzed with excitement, her stomach roiled with nausea. She was filled with anger at Shattered for not telling her where they were going. She leaned over the sink and took three deep, bracing breaths. Time was short. It had been days already. She had to get to that lab, and start trying to find Shattered and CN. But first, she had to deal with what she had done.
The messenger lay curled on his side on the floor, trembling and pale. She made one quick stop at her chemical hood before dropping to one knee near his head. He flinched away from her, and her stomach tightened again. She reached out with her prosthetic hand and stroked his hair.
Let me go? he whispered.
Of course, she answered. Not that he would get far in his condition. Lets just get you cleaned up... Then she jerked his head forward and swiftly placed a dissolvable capsule in his mouth. She held his head tightly, preventing him from spitting it out. He fought madly, but she could tell the moment that the capsule dissolved by the panic in his eyes. Moments later his body spasmed, he arched back with a wordless exhalation of air, and then went limp. She stroked his hair once again and stood. His would not be the first body disposed of in the basement incinerator, and his ashes would rest easily in her rose garden. She bundled up his uniform into a garbage bag, wrapped his body in two more, and swiftly programed Crimson Queen to carry the bundle downstairs into the incinerator while she sat at her computer and quickly modified her base surveillance tapes to show the messenger leaving safe and happy. As a final touch, she was able to hack into nearby surveillance systems and add his image strolling down the street to several nearby businesses. She knew that any serious investigation would reveal them as forgeries, but she also knew the messenger had overestimated his worth in Arachnos, at least in comparison to her own worth to Black Scorpion and Lord Recluse.
She was already making plans for her exploration of the lab where Shattered Ice9 and Cowboy Nightmare had disappeared when her eye fell on the stiff, cardboard envelope. Since it was the last thing the messenger had done of his own free will, she supposed it deserved her full attention.
She pulled a thin piece of newsprint from the envelope. A hand lettered note fell to the floor, but she could read the heavy black letters written in a neat and precise hand:
IM SORRY, BUT IT WAS NECESSARY.
COME AND GET THEM, [censored].
With a frown, she unfolded the newspaper. The headline screamed Alleged murder/embezzlement couple arraigned The attached photo was grainy, but her attention was drawn to a man in a Ghosts Reborn uniform standing to one side. Her brow wrinkled, but she didnt recognize the face. Her eyes skipped to the caption on the photo Daniel and Elizabeth Rose are escorted to their arraignment while Ghosts Reborn Six-Four watches. Her feet gave out and she dropped to her knees, the delicate newsprint ripped in half as she tried to catch herself.
Part IV
Six-Four set bolt upright in his narrow bed, clutching his aching leg. He could still feel the motion of the sea, smell the salt, and hear the gulls as his dream faded away too slowly. He shook off the lingering emotions and the echos of a light soprano voice and forced himself to lie back. He made himself feel that the bed was still - he had not set foot on any sort of sea craft in nearly two years but his body had never forgotten what it felt like to sleep aboard a boat.
The wound from the previous day, the long deep cut down his body was completely healed, even the thin white line of scar tissue had vanished without a trace, leaving smooth, unmarked skin. But his ruined leg never fully healed, never really stopped hurting.
He lay back again, rolling to his side, stretching the leg out, then bending it, shifting, trying to find a comfortable position. Sleep finally reclaimed him as dawn began coloring the sky outside his window a faint pink. Then his cell phone rang and he sat upright again.
There were a few breakfast invitations one just didnt turn down. UPS 2.2s deep drawling request that he stop by the base was one. Six-Four filled his plate with a stack of pancakes, a generous scoop of eggs, 6 strips of bacon and 4 sausage patties, a double helping of home fries, 4 slices of toasted white bread, and copious amounts of butter, salt, syrup, and cheese as appropriate all over. One of many advantages of a mutant healing ability - you could pretty much eat what you wanted. Gone were the days of scrambled egg whites and half of a whole grain muffin to try to stay within weight regs. Sooner Spirit eyed his plate with equal parts envy and skepticism as she finished off her dry toast.
Six-Four sat down at the chair UPS had indicated, forked up a mouthful of eggs, and looked up as UPS spoke, Nice work uncovering that Daniel Rose case, Six-Four. Hows that goin?
Six-Four recognized a request for a status report even when it was phrased conversationally. He chewed, swallowed, sat his fork down, and made his report, omitting a few details UPS and Sooner Spirit really didnt need to know anyway.
---
Rose was not a woman often paralyzed by indecision. She prided herself on her ability to make quick, accurate decisions and workable plans. She was distracted from her need to seek out Shattered Ice9 and Cowboy Nightmare by her new enemy and his remarkably adept frame of her parents. However, she couldnt concentrate on her parents situation due to her worry over Shattered and CN. Every moment that passed the trail that might lead to her friends grew just a little more cold. And with each breath the regular denizens of the Ziggurat might just decide to introduce the Rosess to prison life.
She had not left her lab since opening the envelope and now she dragged herself up and out into her garden. The morning air was cold and crisp, but she found it invigorating. She deliberately lost herself in pulling weeds, pruning, and watering until her mind was at rest. And the answer came to her. She couldnt take care of both problems. They both needed her immediate attention, and she couldnt be in two places at the same time.
However, the imprisonment of her parents was an obvious trap. And what was the best way to avoid a trap? Stay away from it. She wouldnt go. But she commanded a base full of powerful villains. She would task one of them with the job while she went after Shattered and CN. And her new enemy would get an unexpected surprise.
But that, of course, opened a new question. She needed Death Shrowd at the base. He couldnt take lead. Brygid was too busy turning into a demon and trying to figure out how to get out of her contract - you should never sign anything in your own blood. Ivy Pendragon was too prone to run off on her own like a magpie distracted by a shiny piece of foil. She worked her way down the list of possible candidates and then back up it. The obvious choice was unthinkable. But it was also the only choice that had a real chance of success. Breaking into the Zig, recovering prisoners, and breaking back out was no easy job and would require skill, intelligence, and determination.
Rose was blessed with an unusually intelligent and analytical mind. No matter how she applied that mind to the problem at hand, she could find no other solution. There was no other real choice. The risks inherent in that choice were enormous. But she saw no other way.
She cut a particularly beautiful white bloom before rising gracefully to her feet, brushing the dirt from her knees, and reentering her lab. She called for Scorpio Son as she straightened up. She collected the handwritten note and set it atop the folded newsprint for analysis later. She was pulling her hair back into a neat ponytail as Scorpio Son arrived and tapped politely at the door.
Rose smiled at him as she opened the door. He was a smart young man and knew he had thrown himself firmly into her camp the night he chose to obey her orders over Conall Cians during their contest of wills. With that understanding, he seemed to be making a move to make himself valuable to her. It was working.
Scorpio, she called to him. I need you to contact Conall Cian and tell him to come home. I have a very important job for him.
Part V
Six-Four had taken up permanent residence in the Zig, waiting for his target. He finally had a perfect opportunity to take out Ebony Rose, after all this time and planning. She would be angry and worried and distracted and carelessly march right into the Zig for him. He kept a very special little machine nearby just to make sure things happened as he intended. The only thing he wasnt sure about was if shed give him the opportunity to end her the way she deserved.
And so he waited... watching over his prisoners and preparing for a long overdue battle.
---
Rose moved in her lab like the calm, organized center of a storm. Every available surface was covered with an eclectic assortment of supplies waiting for her to judge whether they would be needed on her trip. Her six robots waited patiently nearby as they would aid in carrying some of this material. She loaded up duct tape, spare ammo, power supplies, medical supplies, and 2 gallons of fresh water into Crimson Queens storage compartment. Glowing Amber carried rappelling and rock climbing equipment, while Bleu Magenta was loaded with a trio of gas masks and a compact Draeger rebreather.
The intel shed uncovered on Lab 1138 was scant. The facility was listed as abandoned, but it would be far from the first abandoned Crey property to still have an active presence. She had to be ready for anything, and so she was packing with extra care. She turned to the remaining items, less than a quarter of which would fit in the space she had available, and began sorting through it carefully and discriminately.
She had no warning at all when Conall Cian arrived. The big man could move with startling silence when he chose, and she had to acknowledge that he scored a point when she gasped and jumped as he swung into her lab. His anger oozed off him in a nearly palpable aura, but there was a tension underneath. She calculated that she scored her own point when she realized he was uncertain and at least a little nervous.
Her highness summoned me? he asked with careful casualness as he pulled off his sunglasses and tucked them in his shirt pocket.. He closed on her, as he was prone to do, and stood, looming, hands on his hips, pushing the rich leather of his dark trenchcoat back.
She tipped her head back to look up into his dark eyes. Pure evil roiled behind those eyes, confined in a human seeming, and, fortunately, some vestige of human sensibilities. This is not the time to quarrel, Conall. I need you for a sensitive job. I need your skills and abilities. And I think you might enjoy it. She kept her voice calm and low, and waited.
After a long, breathless moment, he took one step back away from her and nodded. Tell me, he said. What do you need?
She reached to the table behind her and grabbed the file folders stacked there. She knew his sharp eyes noted the colored labels, including the one that read Crey - Lab 1138. She set them aside and opened the slim red folder. I need you to remove a pair of prisoners, a man and a woman, from the Zig. They have been accused of murder and embezzlement. Their lives have value, and I believe those lives may be in danger. I want a minimum of bloodshed, I want this done quietly, but I need these people out of the Zig, as soon as possible.
She slid aside a copy of their arrest report to reveal a portrait photo of her parents and siblings. You are retrieving the older couple. She felt his eyes moving from the photograph to her face and back. There was a marked family resemblance among the Rose children, and she was certain he was noticing it.
Their names? he asked.
She paused for just a moment, wishing there was any way to do this without him knowing who they were. But... there wasnt. She could only hope to pull a bluff. Daniel and Elizabeth Rose, she answered. They are my parents She saw his shoulders twitch with pure surprise. They are being used against me, in what I assume is an attempt to trap me. There is obviously a mistaken assumption that I care if they are hurt. I do not. However, it is a matter of pride that this attempt to attack me through family is answered. It cannot be ignored. The perpetrator must know that he will not be allowed to make such attempts on me, and, by extension, the Shades. And - even though I truly could not care less about their fate - for the reputation of the Shades, and myself , it is important that everyone see they will not be allowed to attack us in such a cowardly fashion.
She turned to look up at him, and his dark eyes searched her face. She maintained an expressionless mask as she gazed back at him. The moment stretched on.. Then he turned his attention back to the file. They are in the Zig? She nodded and watched as he flipped through the pages in the too thin file. Then he smiled. There wont be any bloodshed needed at the prison.
Rose felt her brows arch up at his very surprising answer, but she nodded, then reached to the back of the file and removed a photo. Watch out for this one, Conall. I dont know much about him besides the name Six-Four, but he seems to be behind this. Conall pushed the pages back in the folder, and tucked it under his shoulder.
He wont be a problem, either, Rose. Conall smiled, a smile of pure evil that boded no good at all for Six-Four. He turned and called over his shoulder as he strode out, Ill have them out by morning.
Part VI
Rose crouched in the rubble where Lab 1138 once stood. The exterior building had been thoroughly demolished, but her hand-held scanner told her there was open air below her. The dark earth and fresh scrapes on the cement chunks showed that it had very recently been moved. She stood, her ankle twisting awkwardly in her high-heeled boot and she smiled a sad smile, remembering how many times Shattered had told her not to wear such impractical shoes in the field.
She activated her flight field so she could move safely around the rubble and scanned the entire grounds. And finally found an opening. It was just barely covered by a thin layer of debris, and she called in Crimson Queen to help her lift it away. The opening she revealed was a jagged hole where the ceiling had collapsed into a hallway. She crouched, peering into the darkness, then took a heavy flashlight - one large and heavy enough to be used as a club - and then hovered through the opening into the darkness. The temperature dropped 10 degrees as she descended.
---
Six-four was becoming jittery. Too much caffeine, not enough food, too much waiting, not enough action. He paced in the small room in front of the monitors. He could watch over the Roses in their cells, but all there was to see was Daniel with his arm flung over his face, trying to lose himself in sleep, and Elizabeth sobbing when she wasnt curled up on her bunk staring into the wall. Their lawyer had been in earlier, but nothing of any interest had happened since then.
He checked his watch again. Where was she? Hed expected her to charge in here as soon as she got the news, and that should have been nearly twenty-four hours ago. If she took the time to think and plan he knew this could get a lot more difficult.
He checked the machine he kept with him always and then plopped himself down in front of the monitors again.
Hey, Jon! Lets order pizza, huh? he called out to the guard patrolling the cell block.
I just had breakfast, the guard answered as he prowled by.
Six propped his head on his folded hands and stared irritably at the monitors. Elizabeth rolled over and her body shook with sobs again. Hed feel more sorry for her if she hadnt been responsible for bringing that monster of a daughter into the world. How many other people cried themselves to sleep over the actions of Ebony Rose?
Six-four jerked upright at the sound of a deep, authoritative male voice entering the block. He checked the monitors and frowned as a tall muscular man dressed in slacks, a shirt and a tie, covered by a dark leather trenchcoat strode onto the block. A detectives badge was fastened to his lapel and it flashed as he passed under the lights. His face was hard and his eyes covered with dark glasses. The heavy leather flowed around his ankles like molten chocolate.
Six-four frowned as the detective was shown into an interview room, and then jumped to his feet in angry protest when Elizabeth was ushered into the room with him. She was passive and defeated, and didnt even look up at her visitor.
Six turned the volume up on the monitor to hear the mans deep voice speaking, ...is very sorry, Mrs. Rose. The matter is still being investigated, but as soon as your-
The door opened again, and Six-Four cursed hard and loud as Daniel Rose was escorted in as well. Beth! he called, and Elizabeth showed her first sign of life as she turned and ran to her husband. They embraced, and the detective waited politely. After a long moment, Daniel turned to face the detective. What is this? he asked warily.
Mr Rose, I am Detective Ian Lacnol, and I was explaining to your wife that a mistake has been made. I am here to escort you home, and to stay with you until the matter has been sorted out. You may be in further danger, but I will keep you safe.
Thank God... Daniel murmured. When can we get out of here?
Right now, Mr. Rose. Were just waiting for your belongings to be returned to you.
Six stared in complete fury at the monitors. How could this have happened? If his manufactured evidence had been discovered, why hadnt anyone spoken to him about it? He let out one long exasperated sigh and ran his fingers through his short cropped hair. This was going to ruin everything!
Six left the block and moved to a high vantage point outside the Zig where hed be able to see the Roses being escorted out. And sure enough, the big detective and the freed couple, now back in their wilted party clothes, walked out the front door just a few minutes later. They followed the detective to an unmarked car, and Six-four waited until he heard the powerful engine start up and the dark car pulled out before he lifted into flight and followed, high overhead.
True to the detectives word, the car took the Roses back to their upscale neighborhood. Six remained high until the trio entered the house, and then descended rapidly into the backyard. The party decorations, much the worse for wear, still fluttered in the breeze, and the manicured lawn was littered with paper plates and napkins. Apparently the party had ended abruptly after the host and hostess were carted off.
Six crept closer, and peered in a large bay window. He was able to see the big man seated on a sofa, but the Roses were out of sight. He assumed they were changing clothes. He stepped down to move to another window when his right foot slipped and he landed hard on an aluminum soda can, crushing it and jarring that bad knee.
Mr. and Mrs Rose? The detective called, rising quickly to his feet.
Yes? answered Elizabeths light soprano.
I heard a noise. Stay out of sight while I check it out.
Six considered hiding, but this was as good a time as any to confront the detective about what was going on, and as a Hero he had nothing to worry about from a regular human, no matter how big he might be. He stood waiting in the backyard until the big cop stepped out onto the patio. A brief chill when up Six-Fours spine when the detective saw him and smiled a broad, confident, teeth-baring smile.
You must be Six-Four, he said in a congenial tone as he strolled closer. What can I do for one of the Ghosts Reborn today?
What are you doing with my prisoners? Six-Four demanded.
The Roses arent anyones prisoners just now, the detective answered. I have orders to see that they are released. And to keep them safe from... any further danger.
I didnt hear about any such orders! Six-Four yelled furiously. I should have been informed-
Perhaps you arent as important as you imagine, little man, the detective said in a deceptively mild voice, and then Six-Four stumbled back - too late to defend himself - as the cop disappeared and a monster straight from hell stepped towards him instead. The leather coat rolled upwards to become an enormous pair of flapping wings. The dark glasses appeared to climb his forehead and spout into a pair of curving horns reaching for the sky. His eyes glowed with red sparks, and his shoes split away to reveal broad toes with arching talons digging into the landscape. A barbed tailed lashed around his ankles like an angry cat, and a his voice dropped an octave as he chuckled. Not nearly as important as you thought... it growled at him, and then a wave of nausea nearly dropped him to his knees as pure evil rolled through him and it felt as if something vital was being pulled out of him and into the demon-monster.
Before Six-Four could even begin to react, the demons clawed hands were lost in shadows and his fists began smashing into Six-four too fast to see. The things strength was terrifying and Six felt the blows smash into his ribs, his belly, his jaw, his face. He felt his teeth explode back into his mouth, and nearly aspirated them when a flying fist smashed his nose and he gasped for breath. He fell to one knee, too stunned to be either frightened or angry just then. He spat out the fragments of his teeth, tasting that burnt taste that only a damage tooth can generate, flavored with his own blood. He pushed back to his feet just as one fist slammed into his gut and he felt something give... from the fresh wave of nausea, it was something important. And then a knee smashed into his ribs and he fell again, unable to breath. He looked up at his attacker and finally felt fear as one of those enormous clawed feet smashed into his belly. He tried to get back up... but something was very wrong deep inside, and instead he collapsed. His vision greyed out, and he had just enough consciousness left to feel grateful as the monster turned away from him.
---
Ebony Rose fought the sense of urgency that filled her. She would not help Shattered Ice9 or Cowboy Nightmare in the slightest if she just ended up trapped in a cave-in in this dark labyrinth. She cast one last longing look up at the sun before stepping away from the entrance shed found and making her way into the complex.
She was rather surprised when her cell phone rang, shed have thought she was too far underground for reception. She answered it, and was greeted by Conalls deep, gravelly voice. Theyre out. Theyre unharmed. He is here.
She paused to let her sense of relief wash through her so her voice could be casual when she responded. They are unharmed? Excellent. Have them each pack some essentials and bring them here for safe- She paused as she heard a strangled cry, and then a clatter as the phone hit the ground. She heard Conall roar furiously. Whats going on? she demanded, but heard no answer.
Part VII
Six-Four lay on his side. Blood poured into his abdomen from multiple internal injuries, his mouth was a blaze of pain from his broken teeth, and his breathing was severely compromised due to injuries to his nose, lungs, and ribs. A normal man would be dying. He was healing.
Internally, his lacerated liver closed itself neatly and smoothly. That, unfortunately, was not his major source of blood loss. His spleen was nearly torn in half, and blood was gushing out of it. The tough splenic capsule was busily reknitting itself, however, and when it finally closed, his blood stayed confined in his vasculature where it belonged. The lake of blood already flooding his abdomen obediently osmosed its way back into his veins, and he once again had enough circulating red cells to adequately oxygenate his tissues. One by one his ribs became whole, the last few moved in a nauseating fashion to complete their healing. His contused lungs repaired themselves as his breathing became easier.
His vision and full consciousness returned, which meant, unfortunately, that he was fully aware of his pain as well. He forced himself to remain still and quiet. He had to be fully healthy before he attracted the demons attention again. That monster had turned away, restored his illusion of humanity, and pulled out a cell phone. The brief conversation echoed down to him as if he were far away and hearing it through a tunnel.
He hadnt even realized his jaw had been dislocated until it wrenched itself back into place. His nose restored itself and finally he could breath normally again. The last thing to heal was his teeth. That hurt worst of all as first the inner pulp cavity restored itself and every breath felt like a branding iron on the raw, exposed tissue. Then the teeth began rebuilding the dentin and enamel. He lay still for just a moment longer, making sure that all his parts were in working order and then quietly climbed to his feet.
Six reached down inside himself, to the level where his mutant genes worked, and his body began glowing with a pale, strobing green. He pulled a pair of thin blades from his belt and crept quietly up on the now human-seeming monster.
Never turn your back on a Ghost, freak! Six-Four called out. The big man whirled with startling speed. Six-Four relished the surprise on that hard face, but cursed as his opponent flinched back and the blow was that supposed to disembowel just skated along the skin.
The cell phone the monster been using dropped to the ground and activated a speaker phone function. As the demon roared in fury, a light soprano - a voice he still heard in his dreams - echoed out of the phone. Whats going on?!
That voice worked on him like an electric shock directly to his nervous system. Sixs hesitation gave the villain time to react, and he began to glow with a thick, black, negative light, as if instead of emanating light, he was sucking it in.
That soprano voice spoke again, her agitation evident. Co-- Detective! Whats happening? She paused, Detective! Report! The demon growled, took his eyes off Six for just a moment, and kicked the cell phone into the wall, where it fell silent.
Just you and me, now, hero, he said. He squared his shoulders, balled his fists, and bared his teeth in what could almost be called a smile. Six crouched, ready and waiting. When the demon stepped in... the fight was on.
---
Rose pounded her fist into the wall behind her in pure frustration. The possibilities were endless, and on any other mission she wouldnt be at all sorry about the possibility that Conall might be arrested or even killed. But this was her parents, and even if they had parted on poor terms, she still loved them. She couldnt even blame them for believing she was guilty, the rest of the world had as well.
She pushed away from the wall and reminded herself that all the reasons that she was here and Conall was there were still valid. She very deliberately pushed her worry to the back of her mind and continued into the battered complex of Crey Lab 1138.
---
The battle raged furiously in the once beautifully manicured yard. They were well matched. Conall Cian had size and strength, Six-Four was faster and more agile. Six could rarely penetrate Conalls defenses, but what damage Conall managed to inflict healed before Six even felt the injuries. And both were ruthless.
Six had settled into a state of grim determination. The monster had retained his human form, but that made him no less deadly. Any one of the relentless blows that rained upon him were potentially fatal, and Six knew from bitter experience that his healing could be overcome. He slashed and stabbed and dodged and struck again, striving to get just one blade to strike home.
He acted fast when the opportunity arose. The big man stepped back onto a decorative rock and lost his footing for just a moment. Six darted in, blades flashing, and scored a strike to his opponents neck. The demon growled like a wild beast and his hand slapped up against the torn flesh there where red blood gushed out. He held that hand out, as if showing Six-Four the blood then he was enveloped with a dark glow and Six cried out furiously as the wound healed.
Im going to make you hurt for that one, Ghost, the demon growled. His eyes glowed with angry red sparks, and he stepped in, his blows coming harder and faster.
Six was forced to retreat away from the hail of blows. He stumbled over a small depression in the earth, landed badly on his right leg, and couldnt stop himself from crying out as the knee twisted. The demons sharp eyes noticed and he smiled that teeth-baring smile again.
The villain began to drive Six back, ever back, and always retreating to his right side. The demon landed a kick, and then another on that leg, and Sixs limp was becoming more pronounced with each attack. He struggled to hide it, he fought to push back, but the villain had found his rhythm and was attacking like a man who knew hed already won.
Six lashed out with the strength of desperation and slashed furiously at the big demon. His blades struck at the demons belly, chest, neck and face, forcing the monster to flinch and dodge back. Then one blow landed, the blade biting into the brow above the left eye and skating diagonally across his opponents hard face. The dark glasses were knocked to the ground, and blood poured down into the demons left eye, covered his nose, and down his cheek, staining his white shirt.
The demon struck back, his huge fist still hidden in shadows, a solid blow straight to Sixs jaw. Six felt something crunch, probably a cheek-bone, and light flared in his left eye just before the entire left field of his vision went grey. He stumbled back and with a blast of fiery pain his right knee finally gave out. He landed hard, his right leg folded painfully underneath him. He could already feel the bones in his cheek reforming, but he knew the vision would be slow to return. He shook his head. He needed to get up, and fast, but his leg seemed to have forgotten how to work.
The demon reached down and picked up the sunglasses, holding them out as if showing the twisted frames and the broken lens to Six. These were my favorites, he said quietly. And since I guess you wont be buying me another pair, Ill just have to take it out of you in pain.
Before Six could even flinch, the big man stomped down on the folded right leg. Something crunched and popped in his knee, and he was pretty sure the blow shattered either the tibia or the fibula. He turned, trying to put some distance between him and his attacker, but that just gave his opponent a new target. A huge, booted foot slammed into his kidney and Six collapsed forward, helpless before the agony. Before he could even begin to push himself back up, both feet landed square on his back. Pure electric pain shot throughout his body as his spine shattered, bone fragments ripping into his spinal cord. He couldnt stop himself from screaming out his rage, pain, and fear. He didnt know if his body could regenerate a nerve injury as severe as the one hed just taken. He could feel that sick weakness that came with profound blood loss, so he suspected he was bleeding into his abdomen yet again.
The demon dropped to one knee beside Six. He reached for a handful of hair and yanked Sixs head back. Leave the nice parents alone, hero. He smashed Sixs head down into the garden rocks. Six cried out again as his nose broke. Thats not playing fair. He smashed the head down again, and Sixs vision blurred out entirely. Nice heroes dont play dirty. The demon laughed, long and low, the sound chilling to nearly dead man laying helpless and broken. Of course, it doesnt really matter, youre going to be an example of what happens to heroes who try to play games with the Shades.
Six felt the big man shift. He didnt know if were even possible for him to be killed. But he knew the demon was about to try. Through the haze of pain and blood, he grit his teeth , cursed the demon, and activated his emergency transport.
Conall rose from the ground and put his hand to his injured face. The wound would heal. It would frighten the Roses though. Unfortunate. He cast one glance back at the spot where the broken hero had been just a few moments earlier and sighed regretfully. Perhaps another day hed be able to finish that fight.
He put his hand back to his face, and deliberately played up his injuries by stumbling into the house. Mr. and Mrs. Rose? We have to get out of here. Youre not safe!
The couple ran into the living room. Elizabeth showed more good sense than hed credited her with by immediately dampening a wash cloth and offering it to him. Whats going on here? Daniel asked.
I was attacked. You were the target. Quickly, both of you, pack a bag. Were going to a safe house. A safe place where your enemy would never dare to come for you.
Part VIII
Ebony Rose delved ever deeper into the labyrinth of collapsed hallways and clogged stairwells. After just one level, there was no light at all besides her flashlight. Rats, raccoons, and other wildlife had wasted no time making themselves at home, and she could hear tiny movements all around her. Their musky odors permeated the entire place.
It was ever colder as she descended. Outside, it was a pleasant day, warm and sunny. Inside the ruined complex it was uncomfortably cold and the dampness was seeping itself into her clothing.
Rose thoroughly searched each room for any clue about her missing friends, but though it was obvious the lab had been abandoned in haste, it had been efficiently cleaned of any thing useful. The smashed computers had their hard drives removed, filing cabinets were empty of anything more significant than a lunch receipt, even medical supplies had been stripped of everything more useful than band-aids and antibiotic cream.
She spent hours in cold darkness, wading through standing pools of water. She climbed over collapsed rubble and crawled through narrow openings. Her engineers mind recognized the basic instability of the structure, but she pushed on anyway. The Shades needed Shattered Ice9 and Cowboy Nightmare, and Rose needed her friends.
Rose checked the posted maps and directories, and knew she had only one more level left to search. She made her way down the stairs, kicking irritably at an overly confident rat, and then opened the door to the bottom floor to find a lab completely coated with a fine sheath of ice.
---
Conall Cian drove his powerful unmarked police car through the streets of St. Martial. His silence had finally rubbed off on the Roses. They were excited and happy and frightened, a combination that encouraged chatter. When the car boarded a ferry headed for the Rogue Isles, however, they fell quiet. It was interesting that they didnt ask. He glanced at them occasionally. Ebony Roses intelligent blue eyes flicked around constantly in Daniels face, and Elizabeth had fallen into an exhausted sleep with her head on her husbands shoulder.
It was obvious from the panic in Roses voice over the phone that she cared considerably more about her parents than shed let on to him. Most likely, she feared letting him know that he could use them against her. If so, it was a foolish fear from a weak and foolish woman. When he choose to move against her, it would be direct and final.
Shattered Ice9 had earned Conalls trust with his ability and power. Shattered was a man that even a demon could respect. His wife, Cowboy Nightmare, was a terrifying power in her own right, death in a shapely womans form. Shattereds friend Death Shrowd was another worthy man, filled with power and a hatred that the demon admired. He was willing to follow them loyally for as long as it was convenient for them all.
Rose however... He saw nothing in her to respect. Intelligent? Surely. But her brain would not stop him from removing her head from her skinny shoulders. Shattered had given her his trust, and, as far as Conall was concerned, her only real power came from Shattered. She was human, she was a woman, and lacked the guts and strength of will to be as ruthless as leadership in the Rogue Isles required. And her long imprisonment by Nemesis just bore up his estimation. Only a weakling would allowed themselves to be held captive and forced to work, as she had been.
The day that Conall was convinced that Shattered Ice9 would not return would be Roses last day to make demands of him, to give orders to him. Out of respect for Shattereds regard for the woman, hed make it quick, but Rose lived only as long as Conall believed that Shattered might return.
He pulled into his destination and parked. Daniel looked up, confused. This is a safe house?
It has only been attacked once, and that attack failed, Conall answered. Youll be safe, and under guard here. Conall glanced up at the towering, gleaming pyramid of the Golden Giza and decided that there was no need to explain that it was The Ghosts Reborn whod attacked it.*** Lets go in, your room should be ready.
***The attack took place in The Rise and Fall of a Hero., during the assault on the Rogue Isle that cost Ice9 his life.
---
Rose could feel Shattereds power as soon as she stepped onto the lowest floor. The painful cold bit into her and she shivered. She kept quiet, though she wanted to call out. She tread carefully on the slick floor as temperature dropped with every step she took. There were four doors in this long, dark corridor. Shivering, teeth chattering, and with tension knotting her belly she advanced. She glanced into the first room on her left - it was a neat hospital room, all ready for a patient, if not for the smooth layer of ice covering everything in the room. The thick restraints on the bed were a sinister touch, however. The room on her left, was also a patients room, but this one was a ruined mess. The bed lay on its side, the IV stand propped against it. The restraints had been shattered.
Roses tension grew as she stepped ever deeper into the complex. She glanced into the last room to the left and found the remains of some sort of biological lab. Most of the equipment was missing, the rest destroyed and scattered over the floor.
Her heart rate and respiration picked up as she turned to last room. She was a scientist, she didnt believe in superstition. But somehow she knew there was something in that last room, something that she didnt want to see. She forced herself to take those steps, to cross that hallway, to push open that door.
This hospital room was covered in the thickest layer of ice. A few flakes of snow drifted down and blew about in the draft from the door. Thick icicles hung from the ceiling. In the center of the room was a hospital bed. Her heart dropped to see a body under a white sheet. She walked hesitantly closer and reached out one shaky hand. She pulled the sheet back slowly, revealing first a head of pure white hair, then a face she almost couldnt recognize from the bruising and broken bones. But then she was able to see the shape of his face under the marks of a savage beating and stumbled back.
He was dead. Shattered Ice9 was dead. She collapsed to the floor in a defeated heap and shivered in the power still emanating from his lifeless body.
Part IX
Conall Cian left the Roses under the care of a pair of younger Shades very eager to prove themselves to both Ebony Rose and Conall. He was as sure as he could be that they would be safe. As he teleported himself back to the base, he allowed himself to chuckle at the idea of a thoroughly evil demon keeping a nice suburban couple safe. From a hero.
He shook off his human seeming and flexed his wings upon arrival at the base. He took a particular enjoyment in watching the humans cower before him as he stretched his wings to their fullest, flared them over his body, and then folded them neatly over his back. He passed the basement to which Rose had denied him access and a scowl crossed his face. Once he finished with Rose, he decided, hed make up for lost time in that regard.
He found his way to Roses lab. It was empty, even the enormous robots were missing, which meant shed felt the need to summon them to wherever she was. He was cautious in entering. She might be a foolish and weak woman, but she was a wizardess when it came to traps. What a unfortunate way that would be to end his time on earth - killed by a hidden trap while indulging his curiosity.
Initially he touched nothing. He stalked slowly and carefully into the lab. There, on a far worktable, was that stack of colored file folders. He approached the table cautiously, crouched to look underneath the table, before finally reaching out and spreading the small stack of folders out.
She had been researching a number of topics, he saw, but three folders caught his eye. One was green and labeled Six-Four. A blue one was labeled Shattered, and a purple folder bore the label Crey Lab 1138. He pushed the green one aside and opened the Shattered folder. There were a number of photographs and a few handwritten notes, but little of any substance. The last note had a few small blood stains and Roses typically small and neat handwriting was shaky. It readSCIROCCO. Crey lab 1138. Underneath that was the date that Shattered had vanished.
Conall immediately turned to the purple folder and began leafing through it. There was detailed information about a Crey biological facility located in Nerva and abandoned a few years ago. Rumor held that it was shut down by a biological accident.
Conall looked up and out into the bright garden where Rose wasted so much of her time. She had gone after Shattered. Shed sent him after her parents while she had gone to find Shattered. An interesting choice.
He closed the folders, stacked them back up, and stalked back out of the room. He intended to visit Lab 1138 himself and see what there was to see.
---
Rose didnt know how long she sat there, but she began to realize that she could well die in the cold leaking from Shattered Ice9's body. She struggled to her feet, shivering and aching, and activated the teleport link that would bring her robots to her. She hadnt packed a coat, but she did bring a pair of blankets, and she quickly swaddled herself in them. She used Crimson Queen to light a fire in the room across the hall using materials gathered from the other three rooms, and warmed herself.
Once the racking chills subsided, she determinedly searched the entire level, looking for any sign of Cowboy Nightmare. She couldnt believe that CN would willingly leave her husband, but there was not even a lock of blonde hair to show shed been there.
She pushed her grief and frustration back and steeled herself to return to the room where Shattereds body lay. She refused to allow herself tears, and instead gave herself over to anger as she observed the extent of his injuries. She determinedly pulled the sheet back, every inch uncovered more damage. The blood had been cleaned away, but his clothing was still stained with it. Oh... hed been beaten so badly.
She yanked the sheet the rest of the way off, and frowned. His hands had been neatly laid one atop the other on his abdomen, and under those bloodied fingers was a heavy manila envelope. That ominous feeling was back, even stronger. She knew she didnt want to see what was in that envelope, but she had to.
Her flesh hand trembled too much, so she reached out with her prosthetic. She gently tugged the envelope free and carried it back across the hall, where her fire still crackled. She settled herself on a rolling stool that had been abandoned in the corner, and gingerly opened the envelope.
She peered inside to see a thick sheaf of papers, a shiny DVD and several photos. On top of the entire stack was a handwritten note. She was relieved to see it was not in that heavy, neat and precise handwriting of her new enemy within the Ghosts, instead this was a spidery scrawl, as if the writer were capable of writing neatly, but was in too much of a hurry to do so. Still, it was perfectly readable:
[ QUOTE ]
Here lies Paul Smylie, though many knew him as Shattered Ice9.
He has no living relatives.
He did not have a legitimate job or place of employment.
He has known associates among the Marcone family, the Malta Group, and Arachnos, but no one will notice his passing. That is why he was "volunteered" for a gene therapy project run by Crey Corp. They tortured and murdered dozens of men like Paul (see file photos and DVD attached) in the pursuit of perfect soldiers.
He was lied to and led to believe he was another man - a man who had been a hero, and carried out terrible crimes in that assumed name. His complete criminal record is a matter of public information and can be reviewed with authorization at any Paragon Police Department precinct.
He was not an upstanding citizen, but he did not deserve what Crey and Arachnos did to him in the name of science and power.
I regret I cannot provide him a proper burial, but since this is where it began this is a fitting place for it to end for him.
I promise to avenge the wrongs done to you, Paul. I will bring justice to Crey Corp. and Arachnos.
Signed,
The Walking Ghost
[/ QUOTE ]
Rose scowled as she read it. It was a lie. Shattered WAS Ice9. It couldnt be true. She reread the note, and again, then yanked out the rest of the papers and read through them word for word. She studied each photo carefully, and by the time she was done, she believed. Some of the information was very technical and outside her expertise, but she understood.
The man she knew as Shattered Ice9 had been born Paul Smylie. Hed been a petty criminal, and not a particularly successful one. When his debt to the Marcones grew too large, it was sold to Crey, who told him his debt would be forgiven if he would allow them to attempt a new gene therapy that might grant him super powers. The file didnt contain a full listing of how many people had died under the treatment they subjected Paul to, but it did detail the pain those people suffered. Only four of the subjects treated with DNA harvested from the fallen hero Ice9 survived. Only two of those developed signs of powers, and then those two were subjected to something called brain-wave amalgamation, apparently a personality and memory transplant and override. Paul survived, his companion was not so lucky. They had succeeded in duplicating the heros powers, and implanting his brain-waves on the test subjects, but it apparently drove them both mad. The other subject destroyed himself with subzero temperatures. Paul embraced his new identity, took it to heart, and used his new power to escape the lab, becoming Shattered Ice9.
She glanced across the hall, at that battered body of her friend, and let herself cry at last. His existence had been a lie, but shed made it through her first months in the Rogue Isles because of him. Hed helped her survive before she finally became tough enough to stand on her own in the treacherous morass of the Rogue Isles.
Her fire burned low, and she began to shiver in the cold. Her robots waited patiently for her orders as she stood and began leafing through the papers again. She could do one last thing for her friend. There was no Paul Smylie. He was Shattered Ice9, and he would be buried with that name, and no other.
She tossed the handwritten note into the flames. That was followed by photo after photo of the rather rough man that Paul Smylie had been, showing various stages of the transformation. She watched each photo bubble and curl before tossing the next one in. Then page by page she began tossing the papers into the fire. Until a name caught her eye. She stared at that name and realized there was something she could do.
--
Six-four sat up on his bed in the Ghosts medical bay as Zemuron and Celestial Nav finished their final examination.
Zemuron shrugged as he tucked his percussion hammer away. Appears to have fully recovered reflexes. Thats sure not what they taught me in school.
Nav smiled at him, patted his knee and announced, Youre good to go, Six.
Thank you, he answered them, and pulled his uniform shirt back over his scarred chest. His recovery from his nearly severed spine had fascinated Zemuron, but Six just considered it a frustrating loss of time. Hed lost the Roses, and was basically back to square one with Ebony Rose. All he could hope for now was that she would want revenge and would come after him for it. Using himself as bait, maybe he could lure her to him.
He swung out of the medical bay and nearly ran straight into Ahren. Ahren rocked back on his heels as he said, Ah! There you are. I was just coming to find you. All your pieces back where theyre supposed to be, now?
Docs say Ill live. Six answered.
Unfortunate that you werent able to prevent the escape, Ahren said, but I do have some good news for you. My contacts in the Rogue Isles have spotted the Roses. At the Golden Giza.
The Giza? Six repeated.
Its nearly impossible to launch a full assault on that location, trust us on that one, but when youre ready, well put together a team. I think a small group of experienced Ghosts might just be able to get in and out of there without raising an alarm.
Six just stared back the vastly more experienced hero, unable to even formulate an appropriate response. For his goals, the last thing he wanted was a whole team of Ghosts following along.
Ahren studied his face for a long moment before speaking again, You know, Six-Four, youre a member of the Ghosts. Were a team. Thats how we do things. We have each others back and we help each other out. You need to learn to count on us more. Itll keep you out of trouble. You might have avoided that last beating if youd had back-up.
Six nodded, as if carefully considering Ahrens words. Youre probably right, Ahren. As soon as I feel up to action, Ill let you know.
Good man! Ahren answered. Dont wait too long, though.
Oh, I wont. Six answered, smiling.
---
Conall stretched his leathery wings in flight over Nerva. The abandoned Crey facility was not far, though there was nothing left of it but a pile of rubble. He hovered overhead and started to descend, but then he saw movement. He lifted back up into the air as Ebony Rose flew out of a jagged opening in the earth. She flew straight up, oriented herself, and then flew determinedly straight to the Vanguard base in Grandville, and from there to the Rikti War Zone. Conall followed her, at a discrete distance, keeping her always in sight.
Part X
Rose landed lightly outside the concealed entrance to a Crey lab hidden in the Rikti War Zone. She tapped out the sequence that teleported in five of her six robots, drew her weapon, and instructed the robots to blow in the door.
She knew the image she made, her slim figure, clad in sleek black, stepping through the dust and smoke in her spike heeled boots and brandishing her rifle. The security guard manning the front desk peered over the counter at her.
Stop. Rose instructed calmly. Dont touch your weapon. Her five robots spilled through the entrance behind her. Where is Dr. Mueller?
Huh? the guard asked.
Find someone who can tell me where to find Dr. Mueller. Do it now.
The guard climbed to his feet and reached for a button on his control panel. Rose leveled her rifle at him. Consider your next actions very carefully. Do as I ask, and there will be no need for me to end your life today.
The guard hesitated for a moment, then pressed a button and spoke, Uh... Someone is here to see Dr. Mueller, he said. He paused, then spoke again. Ebony Rose is here to see Dr. Mueller.
Rose followed her nervous guide through the clean facility, still carrying her rifle and still followed by five clanking robots. The woman, wearing a tiny miniskirt just a fraction of an inch longer than her blazer, glanced nervously over shoulder.
There is no need for violence, the woman said.
Good, Rose answered. As long as that remains true, there wont be any.
What do you want to see Dr. Mueller about?
Rose just stared at the woman until she faced front again. Then she answered. I mean him no harm.
They made their way through the corridors of the Crey facility. The only hesitation came when Rose refused to take an elevator, not willing to be separated from her robots. There are stairs. We will take those.
Rose was aware of the forces gathering, and calculated that she knew when the forces would present a serious challenge. She was counting on her reputation and notoriety to keep her safe at that point. Finally, they arrived at a large door, firmly closed. The sign mounted on the door read:
[ QUOTE ]
Biogenetics research
Dr. Franc Mueller
[/ QUOTE ]
The woman turned to Rose. Hes expecting you.
Rose laughed. I imagine he is. You dont need to worry. I intend no harm to anyone here.
The woman nodded and keyed open the door. It slid open to reveal a cutting edge lab. Standing nervously near the closest worktable was a pudgy middle-aged man with salt-and-pepper hair shrinking away from his browline, glasses too small for his face, a skinny mustache, dressed in dark slacks, white shirt and a tie. Over all of it was a white lab coat buttoned snugly over his round belly. Arrayed around the lab behind him were a number of Crey security forces. She glanced at them, then looked back at her target.
Rose stepped into the lab and with a hint of irony in her light soprano voice, she said, Dr. Mueller, I presume.
The man had to swallow twice before he could make himself speak. What is the meaning of this? he demanded, his voice cracking with nervousness. You are interrupting important research-
Rose held up one hand. I am not interested in your research. I intend to hire you for a project. You will be well paid.
I have a project- the doctor protested, but Rose ignored him.
You.. she said, indicating a group of Crey security to her right. You might want to make some room.
Without waiting to see if they would comply, she tapped her robotics control again, and her assault bot arrived with an enormous clatter. The security forces scattered out of the way as Crimson Queen straightened from its crouch and approached, a large bundle draped in white sheeting cradled in its arms.
Rose reached behind her and plucked a manila envelope from atop the bundle. She reached in and withdrew a pair of photographs. She tossed first the dour picture of Paul Smylie on the counter and watched as Dr. Mueller frowned. She then tossed the picture of Shattered Ice9 in his prime so it covered the first photo. Dr. Mueller went pale as he stared.
Rose turned around and began to remove the sheets from the body of her friend. By the time she had revealed Shattered Ice9's body to the room, Dr. Mueller was standing only by virtue of his hands braced on the table. He was shaking his head and muttering under his breath.
Dr. Mueller... she said. She slapped her metal palm sharply on the dark table top, the noise snapping every head towards her.
Dr. Mueller. Fix. Him.
---
Conall hovered over the Rikti War Zone, wondering why Rose had flown so purposefully to this facility. The Shades had had dealings with Crey, of course, and had visited this facility more than once, but he couldnt imagine what this could have to do with Shattered Ice9 or the abandoned facility.
She was in there for a very long time before he finally saw her slight figure emerge. She quickly lifted into flight and returned to the Vanguard base. He considered forcing his way into the facility and demanding to know why she was there, but decided not play his hand that openly. Instead, he continued to follow her. Waiting to see what her game was.
---
Rose flew high over St. Martial toward the Golden Giza. As her tension mounted, she flew ever higher, trying to brush off her anxiety in the wind. Her confrontation with Dr. Mueller had left her shaking even without the added stress of seeing her parents for the first time since being sentenced to life in prison. They hadnt believed in her innocence, but then, no one had.
Dr. Mueller was a contemptible coward, but he was the only way she knew to bring Shattered Ice9 back. The doctor in charge of the project whod created him, Mueller should be able to recreate him. The doctor had made many protestations of impossible and cant be done. She had reminded him that it was certainly not impossible to bring the entire facility down around his ears. That had provoked some excitement from the security forces, but nothing that a brief display of force in the form of six armed robots couldnt quell. Finally, hed conceded that perhaps some of the prototypes for the Revenant Hero project could be reallocated for Roses project. Or perhaps there were some other unused resources that could be put to use. Shed left him with her contact information, a significant down payment, and the promise that he could continue to enjoy the privilege of drawing air into his lungs if he would make her request his top priority.
She spotted the glowing neon of the Golden Giza, and angled toward it. The knot in her stomach grew as she came closer and closer to seeing her parents again.
Part XI
Six-Four strolled around the lobby of the Giza. He had left behind his Ghosts Reborn uniform and slipped into a nondescript pair of jeans, tennis shoes, and a t-shirt, blending in nicely with the vacationers. It had been quite easy to determine he was in the right place, the staff were still complaining about the big cop, walking in and flashing his PPD badge around as if that meant something in the Rogue Isles. Hed made an effort to get to the Roses, but they were well guarded and, while he was sure he could get past them, he wasnt ready to make a scene. He was confident Ebony Rose would come here soon. He didnt need to have them in hand. He just needed to be near them.
Once hed located her parents, he thoroughly scouted out every accessible inch of the Giza. Hed found the spot he intended to make his stand. Now he just needed to get her there.
He stepped outside the busy, smoky casino and took care snipping the end of a cigar. He stared out over the open water as he puffed to get it going. It was a beautiful, clear crystal day, a day just like the first time he ever saw Ebony Rose, and the last time he saw his best friend alive.
---
Hey, Stretch! Kurt yelled. Get your [censored] aboard here. Were gonna have a passenger, and shes a looker! Help me get this hulk squared away!
Since when are we a cruise ship? Six had grumbled as he climbed down the Jacobs ladder to the deck and began stowing loose gear.
Since this little hottie dropped a wad of cash on me and smiled at me! Kurt answered.
They were an unusual pair, and had been since kindergarten. Six-Four had come out of the womb tall, and just kept on growing. Kurt had been born premature and didnt even start a boys growth spurt until he was almost 16. Even then, hed topped out at slightly shorter than average. Their difference in height hadnt stood in the way of them being the closest of friends. They were like brothers, and if they werent to be found at Kurts house enjoying cookies and milk, they were at Sixs house, eating pot roast.
Then, in eighth grade, Six-Four begged out of going to his sisters dance recital to spend the afternoon with Kurt. His entire family was wiped out by a drunk driver, who obliging took himself out at the same time. There was never a moments question. He was accepted into Kurts family as if hed been born to it. They were working class, and worked hard, but they took him in and made him part of their family. They were exactly what that young man, wracked with guilt and suddenly alone in the world, needed.
Six excelled in physical sports through high school, but football was his true calling. Encouraged by Six, Kurt tried several sports more suited to his smaller size, and he began to muscle up under the training for wrestling and baseball.
They remained inseparable until they graduated from high school. Kurt elected to go to community college, while Six was impressed by promises of the Navy recruiters. Four years later, Six had fulfilled his obligation, Kurt had decided that higher education wasnt for him, and so they pooled their resources and joined forces again on a small fishing boat.
If the pair didnt live like kings, they still enjoyed the life they had. They dragged the waters between the Rogue Isles and Paragon City, selling their fresh catch to various restaurants and markets in both communities. Six knew he would eventually want more, but... for the moment, it was enough.
Six never forgot his first glimpse of their passenger as she boarded there in Nerva Archipelago. Tall, slender, dark haired, wearing snug black pants with a long sleeved jacket on top. The day was warm and sunny, so the jacket was unusual. She typically kept her hands in the pockets of the jacket. Her face was serious and her eyes were hidden behind sunglasses.
As she came aboard, Kurt yelled out, Hey! Stretch! This is Raven! Raven Aumentato. She nodded at Six, offered Kurt an envelope with the rest of her passage, and then moved forward to stare out at the sea. Kurt smiled broadly at Six, with a tilt of the head that said as clearly as words, See? What did I tell ya? Hot!
With Kurt so plainly interested, and Six more interested in finishing a dull passenger run, he took the helm and left Kurt to chat up the passenger. Besides, it quickly became amusing watching him run into a brick wall with her, time and time again.
The passenger had given them a detailed map of a small uninhabited island just north of Striga. The whole area was littered with the tiny islands, and many students, like Raven Aumentato claimed to be, would travel to these islands for various research.
As Raven stood at the bow, Kurt approached and joined her, standing companionably close. The small boat settled in a gentle, swaying rhythm, rising and falling over the long, rolling swells of open water.
Not enough wind for whitecaps today. Raven turned to glance at Kurt as he spoke. Its a beautiful day today. Great day to get a tan. He smiled at her, at his most charming. And Kurt at his most charming was rarely shot down - he made up for a lack of height with boyish good looks and a friendly appeal.
Raven gave him a small distracted smile. Yes. Its lovely, she agreed with no emotion in her voice at all before she turned back to watching the waves.
Do you like the sea? Kurt asked. Like sailing?
It is a pleasant way to spend a morning, she agreed.
He sidled closer. Your hair is beautiful. I love the way it flows in the wind.
She turned back to him, one dark brow arched over her glasses and a faint smile playing over her lips before turning away again. Thank you, she replied.
Kurt sighed. Were making good time, he finally said awkwardly. Im going to go check the course.
Six laughed as Kurt trudged toward him, leaning over to stage whisper, Shes not giving you the time of day, man.
Shell come around, bud. Im not out yet. Kurt vanished below, and Six-Four smiled fondly. His friend was utterly irrepressible. Hed insist he still had a shot while the woman in question was saying I do, to someone else. He wasnt giving up, he was just regrouping.
Six lifted his face to sun, relishing the salt breeze on his face and then started laughing when Kurt came back on deck. Hed grabbed their oldest navigational chart and make a good show of examining it as he approached Raven again.
Were on course, he announced. Everything looks great. Weather service says everything will be fine today, he said.
Raven didnt even glance at him. Excellent.
Kurt glanced over his shoulder at his friend and then tried yet another tack. So, Raven, youre looking for some sort of samples...
Yes, she agreed, glancing at Kurt, then back out to sea. I am. Very important samples for my research.
Six laughed again as Kurt put one hand behind his back and flashed a thumbs up.
Kurt pressed this perceived advantage. Ive seen a lot of interesting creatures in the sea, myself. Some pretty birds flying overhead... once I was headed out of Independence Port when this giant octopus popped up close enough it nearly swamped the boat.
She glanced at him again, arched that brow. You survived Lusca. Most impressive. Or very lucky.
Oh.. It was impressive. he laughed.
She chuckled politely, then turned away again.
Kurt was not deterred, however, he just came back at yet another angle. He stretched, sighed, leaned forward on the rail again. I just cant get enough of this life. Out on the sea, free.. .I love how the spray cools the heat from the sun. He paused, and Raven just smiled politely. But, sometimes I do miss dry land. He cast another glance over his shoulder at Six, who just shrugged at him and rolled his eyes. So, Raven, do you like traveling by boat?
Its generally very peaceful, she answered.
Oh? How do you prefer to travel?
She turned to Kurt again, looked at him over the rims of her sunglasses and responded flatly, However is most efficient. She held his gaze for just a moment, then turned away.
Kurt was silent for a long moment, then finally said, Excuse me a moment, Im going to check our position.
Without even looking, Raven responded, Take all the time you need.
As Kurt approached his friend, he shook his head, Damn, shes cold.
Six leaned forward to say, Quit wasting your time with her.
What wasting time? I got nothin else to do!
Dude, youre not getting anywhere with that one.
Ha! Ill bet ya, then. Ill have her phone number by the time we get back to shore.
Six just laughed. Fine, loser buys the beer for a week.
Kurt sighed like a man about to pick up a heavy load, smiled broadly at his friend, and returned to stand by their passenger for yet another ultimately futile attempt to attract her interest. Six enjoyed the trip, laughing. He considered himself lucky. Gifted with a life he enjoyed, the friendship of a good man, and enough freedom to live his life as he chose. He couldnt ask for more.
When they arrived at the island, Raven turned to the pair. Please, remain on the boat. The wildlife is skittish, and too much activity may make it impossible for me to make the observations and collect the samples I need. She waited for their nods, then hiked inland.
So, bud... youre buying the beer tonight? Six asked with a smile.
Were not back home yet! Kurt protested. He watched Raven walk out of sight, then climbed ashore.
Where are you going? She said to stay on the boat.
Hell.. Im going to keep an eye on her.
Ah, Kurt.. Cmon. If you mess this up for her, shes gonna be pissed.
Im not going to mess anything up, Stretch. I just want to watch that fine [censored] a little longer.
Six shrugged, pulled out a paperback novel and plopped down on deck. Just make sure you beat her [censored] back here! he called over his shoulder.
The sun was warm, and the novel just wasnt catching his interest. He put his head back, the sun shining through his closed eyelids in dull red. He dreamed. As he often did, he dreamed of combat, of gunshots, men yelling, explosions, blood, fear, pain... but usually, when he woke... it was to peace.
This time, he awoke into the start of a nightmare. He could hear Kurt yelling, he could hear the terror in his friends voice. Six scrambled to his feet and his eyes found Kurt racing down the beach. Start the engine! Start the engine! he was screaming.
His brain was still fuzzy from his nap in the sun, but Six wasted no time questioning. He raced to the helm, slamming down the plunger and bringing the massive diesel to life, then turned back to check on his friend. Kurt was splashing through the waves, arms flailing, knees lifted high to power through the water. He reached up to Sixs outstretched hand, and that was when Six saw her.
Raven was clearly not who shed claimed to be. Their former passenger trotted down the beach ahead of six giant clanking robots. Shed shed her jacket, revealing one arm to be a gleaming metal prosthetic. She clutched a rifle in her hands, and as Six clamped his fingers over Kurts wrist, she stopped, sighted, and fired. Six felt the impact as Kurts body was slammed into the side of the boat. Kurts hand jarred open, but Six brought his other hand around and dragged his friend onto the boat. Blood poured from the jagged hole just over his left kidney, and Six immediately dropped to his knees to put pressure on that horrible wound. Raven was still coming, however, and the six robots with her.
Go... get us out of here... Kurt whispered breathlessly. Theres more.. Council... and I dont know what the [censored] those other guys were...
Six ran to the helm and slammed the throttles wide open. The boat lurched over as the engine flared to life and they raced away from the shore. He tried not to think about his friend. With that much blood loss, there was no way anyone could survive long enough for him to get to a hospital.
Six glanced over his shoulder, expecting to see their passenger and her metallic army standing on shore, but instead, she was flying, and worse, she was overtaking them. Six fumbled for the shotgun stashed in the gear locker, and pulled it out just as she landed lightly on the deck.
He quickly and expertly racked a shell into the chamber and shoved the muzzle in Ravens face. He yelled triumphantly as his blast from the shotgun knocked her up and over the rail, but before his cry was finished, she flew back up and landed on deck, and then he saw she was protected by a shimmering energy shield.
He could see the expression on her face now, and it was chilling. There was sorrow on her face, but also fury and determination. Even more alarming was how little damage that point blank blast had caused her. She turned towards Kurt, and strode towards him.
No! You [censored]! No! You leave him alone! Six yelled. He left the helm and raced towards her. Just then, a metal giant landed on the deck. The entire boat rocked, and Six yelled in sympathetic pain as Kurts body rolled and smacked into a heavy, rust covered mooring cleat.
Six lifted the shotgun and pointed it at Raven, and that was when the robot backhanded him. Six flew back and narrowly avoided going over the rail. With no one on the helm and throttle at full, the boat started turning crazy circles and the deck pitched dangerously. Six reached desperately for the shotgun. His fingertips just brushed the muzzle as it tumbled overboard. Too numb with shock to feel anything, he crawled to where Kurt lay bleeding his life out onto the deck. He pressed his hands back over the gushing wound as the woman advanced on them both.
Im sorry. she said, and the regret was clear in her tone. But it was necessary. As she lifted her rifle, Six snatched a long divers knife from behind his back. He lifted himself up and plunged the knife into her skinny thigh. She cried out and stumbled back from him. Her fair skin turned even more pale and she stared at him in shock. Six turned back to his friend, bleeding out before his eyes. He pulled Kurts limp body further away from Raven, and tried to find anything to even slow the bleeding. He heard the rifles action and looked up just as Raven was lifting her weapon again. She fired once. He screamed with rage and pain as that bullet shattered Kurts skull and then slammed into Sixs chest just over the heart.
As Six struggled just to breath, Raven calmly walked over to the helm and righted the boat. She killed the throttle, and the roar of the racing engine died away in a few dieseling chuffs. She ignored Six and instead turned to her robot. Burn it down, she said. Then, with a sigh, she continued. And leave no witnesses.
The robot suddenly belched flame from a nozzle on one arm and Six screamed again as the fuel from that nozzle splashed onto his chest and back. There was nothing but fire and pain, until he saw Raven walking towards him again. Youre still alive? she asked. She seemed both sorrowful and angry at the discovery. The fire was pain like nothing hed ever felt, but he still screamed at her, Who ARE you?
My name is Ebony Rose, she answered calmly. She gestured at the robot and it stomped over to him, one giant metallic foot landing squarely on his right leg, shattering every bone from his hip to his ankle in a pain too sudden and bright to elicit more than a strangled gasp from Six. Your friend should have stayed on the boat. You could both have lived through this day if not for that.
At a command from her, the robot suddenly tipped forward, and Six screamed again and it belched rockets at point blank range into the deck of his little boat. The keel cracked in half and the hull shattered. The robot abruptly shot straight up into the air, and Ebony Rose stalked across the tilting deck to him. She reached out to stroke his hair. I am sorry, she breathed.
She stood, then with one hard kick, shoved his body overboard. The last he saw of her, she lifted into a hover and watched his boat and his body sink.
He was dying, and he felt every moment. Water poured into his thorax through a charred open hole in his chest wall. He was bleeding from a dozen wounds, and was headed deeply into shock from the pain. His entire body jerked when the cold sea water hit his lungs. Every cell was clamoring for oxygen while his lungs cried for air. He was trying to cough but there was no air... no air.. There was just pain. The world went grey... Then black.
The man who would be known as Six-Four had always been tough and healthy. His football coach always praised him for his ability to take hit after hit and keep going, for his ability to play hurt. In the service, he was commended for never needing a sick day and for always recovering faster than the docs expected him to. But nobody thought was he anything more than a particularly robust man. He was, even then, possessed of a fairly minor mutant healing ability. As he died in the water, from profound injuries, blood loss, and drowning, a gene sequence possessed by very few humans came to life. The DNA strand uncoiled itself and began busily transcribing RNA. That RNA found its way to ribosomes and gave the instructions to put together amino acids in a unique sequence. And those amino acids formed unique proteins that began busily repairing the damage to that dying body. Cells dying from lack of oxygen were repaired. Blood vessels sealed themselves. Muscle, nerves and bone began trying to knit.
Still, it would not have been enough if his body hadnt floated back to the surface. He drifted, like so many other pieces of flotsam. The heat began to leech out of his body, but ever more mutant genes lying quiescent within his cells came to life. So severe was the damage that even his newly awakened powers could just barely sustain his life. He floated, unconscious, overnight, and by dawn, the battle was nearly lost. The hypothermia, blood loss, shock, and oxygen deprivation were just too much for even his newly awakened mutant healing ability. And then a small fishing boat, so much like the one hed lost, spotted him. The fisherman were quite certain he was dead, until they noticed that he was trying to breath. They discussed whether it would actually be a kindness to let him die, since he would certainly be brain damaged after drowning and floating for who knew how long, but in the end, they raced to the nearest hospital, Bell Medical Center in Independence Port, which became his home for the next six months.
It seemed his miraculous abilities went dormant again. Doctors were utterly baffled how hed survived. He endured surgery afer surgery to try to save his leg, skin grafts for the burn, and excruciating physical therapy. Even worse than that, though, was telling Kurts parents how their son had died.
He started his research into Ebony Rose even before he left the hospital. His only goal was to take her down. He began devising plans before he even know if he would have two legs when he left. He never entertained any illusions about arresting the [censored], shed taken not just his own life, but his best friend, his adopted parents son, and all the hopes and dreams that both young men had nurtured. She deserved to die, and she deserved as much pain as he could inflict on her first.
Once out of the hospital, however, that new ability resurfaced again, and he realized that he had more going for him than hed originally hoped. He trained, he learned new skills, and he was recruited into the Ghosts Reborn, who saw a promising young hero, and who never realized that hed sought them out for their long history with Ebony Rose and her cronies.
Six stubbed out his cigar. He stared back over the ocean. Today was the day. He was determined. Every moment of pain and fear Kurt had suffered would be paid back. His adopted parents grief - paid back. Sixs own pain would be repaid in full. It would be today.
He started to turn back to the Giza when movement caught his eye. A slender woman, dressed in snug leather, flew to land nearby. Her dark hair was pulled back in a neat ponytail. It was her.
She strode towards the Giza, and he stepped out to meet her. Hello, Rose. he said.
Part XII
Ebony Rose circled around the impressive neon edifice of the Golden Giza and dropped down to earth before it. Water splashed from atop a pair of marble pillars behind her into a crystal clear pool. The Arachnos arbiter standing nearby politely ignored her. She smiled up at the statues of winged lions and the gleaming entrance. She had shed her anxiety, her nervousness. It was over. It was done. Shattered was found and would be remade. He would know where Cowboy Nightmare had gone, and if she needed rescue, she would be rescued. With Shattered returning, Conall would be back under control, and Rose would have the time she needed to ensure that the big demon saw her as the power she truly was. Her parents were safe. And if they werent ready to accept her... well... they were safe, and she would not allow them to be used against her again. Thats what really mattered.
She turned and, with a small smile on her face, trotted confidently up the steps toward the Gizas main entrance. She was looking up at the beautiful blue sky when she became aware of someone approaching her. She fixed her most aloof expression onto her face as saw a youngish man, dressed casually, staring at her. She was in no mood and had no time for engaging in mating rituals with a tourist. She cocked her head at him as he spoke.
Hello, Rose, he said.
She stared at him. It was one of those moments where she knew she should recognize him, in fact, part of her insisted it was very important that she recognize him, but the context was wrong. Here, in St. Martial, wasnt where he belonged... no.. shed seen his face.... adrenalin raced through her body with an electric thrill. She reached for her rifle as she suddenly realized shed seen him in a grainy newspaper photo, smiling while Daniel and Elizabeth Rose were arrested. Six-four. A Ghost Reborn, and a man who had made himself her enemy.
He lifted one hand and spoke again, You thought bringing them HERE would keep them safe? You want them safe, youre going to have to go through me. He turned his back and quick-stepped away.
Rose glanced at the Giza security guards as her target moved and sighed. She was uninterested in the time and effort it would take to make them ignore a fight between herself and one of Paragon Citys heroes. Best not to gun him down in front of the security forces. Besides, if she were forced to kill him, she might not find her parents. She followed. He would take her to them, one way or another, he would.
His path took them west, across the front of the Giza. He jogged across a neatly manicured lawn with trees and scenic hills before turning south.
Stop! she insisted. What have you done with them?
He ignored her, and angled toward the intricate marble ramps and stairs along the west side of the Giza. Like some sort of mockery of a pursuit, he jogged ahead of her, leading her ever further down the ramps, past beautiful fountains and perfect gardens. He ignored each of her calls to him to stop, and every time she considered forcing him to stop, the same arguments resurfaced - this was too public for a violent confrontation, and she needed him alive.
They turned a corner, and abruptly all the gleam and glitter was off the Giza. They had found their way to the docks. It was dirty and smelly, and hard to believe that just a few feet away was the premier tourist location in the entire Rogue Isles. He looked over his shoulder at her, and his blue eyes were cold.
Wait! Stop! she demanded, but he just turned away from her again, and then, suddenly, he was gone. Shed lost sight of him. She hurried around the corner where shed last seen him, just as a door was slamming shut.
She grabbed the door with her prosthetic hand, and felt the impact as it closed on her metallic fingers. She grabbed it and pulled the door open again. He had vanished into a dark underground area riddled with catwalks and metal stairs. The sort of dirty, dark, unadorned location typical of behind-the-scenes areas where large items were stored, and menials had their lockers.
Her stomach clenched in a knot as she stepped through the door and allowed it to close behind her. She could hear Six - or someone at least - jogging down the steps. She started to teleport in her robots, but the narrow steps and catwalks would just confuse their pathing AI. They would fall and not be available when she needed. She resolved to wait.
With nothing to follow but the noise of his passage, her tension grew. She cultivated a calm exterior, but in truth she was a constant roil of emotion. She did what she had to do to survive, but then suffered with the remorse, and with the fear of the consequences. Shed spent too long as a prisoner and a helpless victim. She would rather commit evil acts than be a prisoner again. Shed rather die than be helpless again.
Finally the metal catwalks and stairways ended. She found herself in a narrow hall. She could vaguely hear the noise of a concert reverberating through the walls. She was driven by nothing more than the need to find Six-Four, find out what hed done to her parents, and finish this once and for all with him. She jogged down the hall, turned, and found herself in a large open area.
Various props and stage equipment were scattered around. The area was dimly lit, but she could clearly see her target standing, casually, near a giant plaster sphinx and oversized glitter ball. A metal box was at his feet, it looked like a tool box of some sort.
She forced herself to be calm and stalked around that corner. Finished running, have we? she snarled at him. She began tapping in the sequence that teleported in her robots. One by one, in a huge clatter, they appeared between her and Six-Four. She stepped to stand among her metal warriors and drew herself up. What have you done with my parents? she asked, carefully and calmly enunciating each word. She drew her rifle and cradled it in the crook of her left elbow.
Six-Four shrugged. I guess you got me, he said. Ill have to tell you everything. He dropped to one knee, then the other, and held his hands up at about chest height. With no emotion at all, in a totally flat inflection, he said. Just please, dont let them hurt me.
His left hand dropped suddenly onto that metal box. Light flared from it and a deep thrum reverberated through the room. Rose cried out as the bright light blinded her in the dim room. She stumbled back and ordered her robots to attack him, but there was no answering laser fire or rockets. No loud clanking, no fire or gunshots. She let out a dismayed cry as her vision cleared and she saw all six of them collapse into heaps of useless metal. She hadnt even gotten her rifle into position when he powered himself up and knocked it flying across the room with a clatter.
Rose was nothing if not resourceful, however, and she wasted no more time. She dropped to one knee and planted a poison gas trap. Instantly, the green gas began to gush out into the room and she straightened again, expecting to see him helplessly retching from the gas. Instead, he took one step forward, took one deep, deliberate breath, and kicked the gas trap aside.
He paused long enough to smile mockingly at her, then he was on her. He used his bulk to push her back into the wall, and a quick elbow to the face to stun her. He yanked her belt away, with all its traps and tools, and tossed it aside. She fought him, but physical combat was not her strength. She was completely overwhelmed.
She was pushing with both hands on his chest when he grabbed her metal wrist and slammed it into the wall. He pulled a long knife and she screamed as he plunged it into the wrist, pinning her metal arm to the wall. There were no nerves, and the only nocicepters shed built into it signaled her with vibration, not actual pain like the living version of a pain receptor would have. However, hed short-circuited something, and the electricity shot through her entire body. When the blazing pain ended, her prosthetic was limp. It was useless to her. Panic flared. He smiled at her then, an ugly smile, and she screamed again as he then yanked her right arm - her flesh arm - to the side and ruthlessly plunged a second knife through skin, muscle, blood, and then into the wall. One fast swipe of his hand ripped her emergency teleporter away and she watched with utter despair as it bounced madly away from her.
He stepped back then and smiled at her as she fought past the pain. A part of her gibbered in pure panic, but she knew if she let that part out, she would die. She had to find a way to survive. And panic wouldnt get her off this wall and out of this room.
Part XIII
Conall was staying well back from Ebony Rose, he did not want to risk being seen. In fact, when it became clear she was headed for the Giza, he nearly veered off so that he could be waiting there with her parents. But something made him stay with her. When he saw the young man approach her, he initially dismissed it as a tourist asking directions, but then something in both the young mans and Roses behavior rang alarms. Something wasnt right.
He followed them along the side of the Giza, and then underneath to the docks. By the time Rose disappeared through a service door, Conall was becoming sure he know who Rose was following. This should prove interesting, he thought to himself. And so he followed.
The big demon was capable of surprising silence when it suited him. Roses mistake was clear to him. She was letting emotion make her careless. Typical of a woman, he thought. He didnt need to keep her in sight, he just followed the sound of her passing.
It seemed to go on forever, but then suddenly he heard the noise of Roses robots arriving. He peered around the corner and was bitterly disappointed to see Six-Four drop to his knees in surrender. How had the hero allowed her to cow him so quickly? Then light flared through the room and Conall chuckled in admiration as he watched the six deadly robots collapse like so much scrap. His delighted smile grew broader as Six proved what Conall had always known: Without her robots and her toys, she was just another helpless woman. Six-four pinned her to the wall like a butterfly in a collectors case.
Conall moved silently into the room and found a vantage point to watch the show. It appeared Six-Four would take care of Conalls problem with Rose quite nicely. Conall thought that in gratitude for the favor the hero was about to do for him, Conall might just let him live, once the robotics mistress was dead, of course.
Rose had greyed out for a moment. The pain, the fear... but she came back to herself as a broad, strong hand slapped her, a stinging blow that knocked her head back and made her ears ring.
Wake up! Wake up, you [censored]! he demanded.
She blinked herself back to her worst nightmare. Once again, she was helpless before an enemy who wanted to hurt her. But she had been hurt before, and survived. She would not allow this man, this man who dared to call himself a hero, end her life this way.
Im awake, she answered with as calm a facade as she could manage. What do you want?
Oh, you murderous little [censored], he growled at her, and slapped her again. The stinging pain of the slap was minor compared to the agony that flared from the knife in her wrist. You killed my best friend, and again, you tried to kill me, backhand and forehand, you sank my boat, and again, and again, you left me to drown in open water, still more, you left me to die, her mouth was filling with blood and she was becoming dizzy. And then you sent that lunatic demon after me! He stopped and stepped back, and it was all she could do not to sob with gratitude. What do I want? I want you to hurt, and then I want you to die!
She struggled to focus, carefully spat out the blood, and looked back up at him. Get him talking, she thought. Talking is better than hitting. Im very sorry, she said slowly, striving to keep her voice steady, but I dont know what youre talking about. Who was your friend?
The look of rage that passed over his face told her instantly that may have been the wrong tack. His name was Kurt. Six said. He stood there, motionless for a moment, then his fist moved so fast, plunging into her belly. She would have doubled up over it, if she could have moved. Instead she gasped for air, and fought to get her head back up, to meet his eyes.
Kurt? she shook her head, Im sorry.. But I dont know who that was. I dont know... I dont remember him. she frowned, fighting a wave of nausea. I dont remember ever laying eyes on you before today. Tell me... tell me why?
You dont remember him... Six marveled, and Rose could see in his eyes the moment that madness took him over. You killed him, you tried to kill me, and you DONT REMEMBER US?! He hit her hard, three times, the two rights smashed into her belly again, but the left... the left slammed into her ribs. She couldnt stop herself from crying out as ribs flexed, bent, and shattered. And she nearly greyed out again when she felt one of those jagged broken bones stab into her lungs. She knew she was badly hurt, she wasnt sure how badly, but from the sudden difficulty drawing air... it wasnt good at all.
He crouched, and Rose stifled a horrified sob when he pulled out a bundle of knives. Every breath was harder to draw, every moment she could feel her bodys hunger for the oxygen that was becoming more scarce in her blood. She knew she didnt have time or the luxury any more to try to keep him talking, to draw it out. She was pretty sure she was dying. She had to get away from him, or he was going to kill her... horribly. But she couldnt think of a thing.
He stood with a long knife in his hand. No matter how she tried she couldnt take her eyes off its gleaming lethal metallic sheen. The curved tip, the smooth blade, the blood groove running the length of the metal. Her body shuddered with the primal urge to get away from the deadly thing,
You hired us. Something went wrong. You killed him. Six said. You killed my best friend, and you dont even remember. He let out a scream of pure rage, and plunged that knife into her thigh.
And then she remembered. That knife might well have landed right on top of the raised scar on that same thigh. She was too surprised to even notice if she screamed from the attack. She remembered him. She remembered him holding his friends body as she shot them both. And she remembered the damage to his body. It was impossible he was alive. Shed been able to see the damaged lung tissue through the charred ribs in the open wound on his side. It had been in open water. It wasnt possible... but now she remembered that face. That helpless fury.
She realized then she had exactly one way to take control. She could chose to die fast rather than slow. And she made that choice.
Oh... him. she sneered as well she could with the limited breath she could draw. Yes, I remember him. She made her disdain as plain as possible. I told you at the time, if hed just stayed on the boat, you could both have lived. But.. No.. He had to follow me, the stupid fool. He interrupted me meeting with Council experts on Nictus. As soon as he was spotted, you were both dead men. Really, you should be grateful I got to you before they did. I just killed you. They would have punished you first. Dont blame me, Stretch, she sneered again, dredging out the nickname the other man had used. Blame Kurt. He brought it down on you, and on himself.
Six turned bright red, then pale white as she spoke. She knew her voice was getting fainter with each breath, but it was all she had left. His hand clenched on the hilt of another knife, and then he roared furiously and raised the knife, preparing to plunge it into her chest.
Then a deep, authoritative voice from the back of the room yelled, Hey! Six turned away from her, and she would have sobbed if she had the air. It was so close to over. Conall stood there, in his human form. Youre a long way from home, hero the big man sneered.
Part XIV
Conall had watched the whole thing. He was a creature whose very existence in this world was based in fear, and he could feel the terror rolling off of Rose in waves. She was near panic, and he intended to fully enjoy watching her succumb to her emotions. Would she futilely beg Six-Four to let her go? Or just scream and cry and waste her last minutes of life in useless struggles to be free?
But Rose refused to oblige him. She had to be in agony, she had no way to defend herself, and yet... she calmly met her attackers gaze and chatted with him. How could she appear so calm with the fear running so deep in her?
He watched as the hero slapped her, punched her, and stabbed her. He watched her stare back at her captor as if they were engaging in polite conversation over a conference table. Hed known battle hardened veterans who wouldnt have held up as well. And then he felt the moment that her fear ended and her resolve began. He knew then that shed accepted her death, and he felt her determination to control even that. He had to admit... he admired her. He respected what hed just seen, and he realized hed misjudged her. She might not have the physical strength of Death Shrowd, the terrifying abilities of Cowboy Nightmare, or the raw elemental power of Shattered Ice9, but that woman was not the weakling hed dismissed her as. She had her own deep well of strength. And with that realization, Ebony Rose earned the loyalty of the demon.
Conall rose from his crouch and saw he was nearly too late, the hero was already moving towards what would have to be a death blow. He yelled, using his deep cop voice, Hey! Youre a long way from home, hero. As Six-Four turned, Conall smiled, a big, predatory smile. He looked every inch the menacing cop in his heavy leather trenchcoat and shining badge, with his hands on his hips. He started striding towards Six. You shouldnt be here. His skin turned red and his coat furled up into giant leathery wings. There be monsters here! He broke into a run, head forward like a charging bull, clawed feet pounding the floor with the sound of a furious thunderstorm.
His target dropped the knife and drew a pair of impervium katanas. Cmon then, you ugly [censored]! Six-four yelled.
Conall roared a challenge, and then they met. As Conall closed, Six reached past him with those gleaming swords and sliced the delicate membranes of his wings. Blood dripped down from the long cuts in that thin layer of tissue, and Conall hissed in pain as his wings extended. But then Conall charged into Six, and drove him back. They slammed into the wall just inches from where Rose remained pinned. You will leave the lady alone, Conall snarled at Six.
Conall turned to meet Roses pain-filled eyes and was looking right at her when she coughed weakly and expelled a fine spray of blood. Conall realized time was very short for Rose, and Six just grinned triumphantly at Conall. The human knew hed won, he just had to keep Conall busy while the injuries Rose had already sustained finished her off.
Six twisted away from Conall, getting some distance. As they circled, Conall would try to dart in, and Six would score another cut. The wounds were mostly shallow and minor, but they were building up. The feinting and dancing about were allowing the clock to tick away like the last few beats of Ebony Roses heart.
Conall set his teeth in a growl and began trying to drive the hero like he had before. Driving him ever back onto the right knee, always putting the pressure on that leg, but the longer blades made it harder for Conall to force the issue.
He glanced at Rose again, and saw that she was unconscious, hanging from the cruel knives piercing her wrists, her skin ashen. She couldnt have more than a few moments to live.
---
The opening act made their big band finish and bowed themselves off the stage. The audiences half-hearted applause followed them. This crowd was there to see Johnny Sonata, and many hadnt even bothered to show up yet. A man in the most expensive seats, dressed nicely, watched the crowd. He rose to his feet and carefully made his way to the aisle. He approached the stage, and an enormous security guard moved to intercept him. He flashed the token he carried in his palm, and the guard nodded, stepping back.
The man wore a long black trenchcoat over a red silk dress shirt, black silk tie, and nicely tailored black slacks. His eyes were hidden by expensive sunglasses. Carefully concealed in the folds of that coat was a katana, but he had no particular plan to use that weapon, he just considered it prudent to be armed. He was at the Giza to meet a contact, to take on a new job. He was to watch the opening act, then go backstage. He considered it a needlessly expensive and time-consuming way to meet, but it was what the contact wanted.
He passed smoothly through the throng to the stage door, and ignored the chaos backstage. He followed his instructions to make his way into the bowels of the casino behind the concert hall. The backstage area was a labyrinth, and he moved slowly, trying to make sure he was following the correct path when he heard a mans deep yell. He jogged along the hall toward the sounds of combat. If his contact had been intercepted, hed wasted a whole afternoon, and the cost of that expensive show ticket.
He was stunned by the sight that met his eyes when he rounded the corner. He recognized Conall Cian in his demon form instantly, but the man in jeans flashing a pair of katanas was... ah.. That was Six-Four. He had been getting quite a bit of press since his involvement in the arrests of Ebony Roses parents. And then he saw the reason for the fight. Ebony Rose herself, pinned to the wall by a pair of knives... very nearly dead. Her blood ran in streaks down the wall from her right wrist and pooled on floor from the knife in her thigh. Blood trickled from her mouth and nostrils. He put together the story quickly. He knew Ms. Rose, had worked for her, and had hopes of working for her again. Which meant he couldnt stand back while she died.
Bounty-Killer vanished from sight, and advanced into the room.
---
Six was eminently satisfied with the events of the afternoon. He glanced at his enemy, and judged that if she wasnt dead yet, she was too close to matter. He danced and fought around the huge demon whod beaten him down twice, and kept on smiling. Even if that demon got a claw on him, hed finally avenged Kurt. But for now, the longer blades were keeping the demon out of reach, keeping him busy, keeping him from saving the murderous [censored].
Six feinted, trying to draw the demon in, and it worked. As Conall lunged for Sixs exposed flank, Six scored a pair of deep wounds, one just missing the major vessels of the neck, the other cutting deep into the muscles of the shoulder. The demon roared out his pain in a most satisfying manor, and Six let his grin grow more broad.
Its going to feel good to kill you both, monster, Six said conversationally.
You havent killed anyone yet, little hero, the demon growled back.
The demon stumbled back, as if blood loss were making him weak, and Six made too long a reach to take advantage. The demon lunged in past the blades, and Six realized too late hed fallen for the same trick hed just pulled. The demon landed a solid kick on Sixs kneecap, forcing the weak knee to over-extend. As Six was flinching back from that pain, the next kick landed on the outside of the knee, flexing it in a direction it was never meant to go. Six collapsed onto that knee, and pulled his swords up into a frantic guard position. But the demon didnt follow his advantage. He turned, and ran for Rose.
Six healed himself with a thought, and dragged himself to his feet. He would not let the [censored] be saved. He wouldnt allow it! That damned knee tried to collapse again, but he willed it to hold. He took one step in preparation to charge the demon, and then... coughed. He blinked in confusion at the gleaming blood-streaked metal of a katana that suddenly appeared before his face. He coughed again as the blade moved further up and a black clad arm reached around his throat.
Six-four felt his heart struggling to beat around the length of steel that pierced it. He felt his victory crumble as Conall Cian yanked the knives out of Rose and lifted her limp body. The demon paused long enough to glare at Six. Next time, Hero... next time we finish this. Conall smiled, For now, Ill leave you to play with your new friend. Conall activated his own emergency teleporter and vanished, taking Rose with him.
Six would have roared out his own frustration if he could catch his breath. A deep voice with a bit of an accent spoke into his ear, Go home, hero... youre not welcome here. Six felt the man move behind him, and then the blade twisted savagely. Six coughed and felt his knees start to go out under him. The voice spoke again as Six dropped. Show your face around here again, and well see if you can regenerate your head! The sword was abruptly withdrawn and Six felt his heart start to flutter as if a frantic bird was trapped inside his ribs. The villain reached for the emergency teleport that would take him back to Ghostss base. Go. Home.
Part XV
Six-Four woke slowly. It was a sign of just how severe his internal injuries were that he didnt wake immediately. The slow waking gave him plenty of time to think, however. Hed lost because Ebony Rose had friends, back-up, and support, where hed had none. Hed lost because he was too driven, too obsessed with his target. And why hadnt he taken advantage of the offer of help Ahren had made? Because he know if the Ghosts understood what hed intended, they would have stopped him. These were people he respected, and every one of them counted Ebony Rose and the Shades among their enemies, but they would never have tolerated his actions. He knew many of them would understand his need for revenge. Several of them would be willing to turn away while he enacted it. But he suspected that none of them would approve of the way hed gone about it. As he rose slowly out of the depths of his mind, he found himself listing, over and over, the things he wished hed done differently.
He finally awoke, and found himself laying in a quiet bed in the Ghosts infirmary. At first he thought he was completely alone, but then he heard paper rustle, and saw that Ahren was seated quietly in a chair near the foot of his bed, reading a cloth-bound book. He was surprisingly glad for the company, relieved that he was not completely alone in the sterile and quiet room.
Ahren looked up at Six. There you are, the one-time teacher said. Feeling better?
Six nodded. Ahrens tone was a little too forced, and it made his stomach clench.
Have you ever read Kipling? Ahren asked suddenly, holding up his book to show the cover: The Second Jungle Book. Rudyard Kipling.
Six cleared his throat, Perhaps. In school. I dont remember.
Let me read you something. Its titled The Law of the Jungle. Six nodded, and Ahrens tone of voice changed as he read,
NOW this is the Law of the Jungleas old and as true as the sky;
And the Wolf that shall keep it may prosper, but the Wolf that shall break it must die.
As the creeper that girdles the tree-trunk the Law runneth forward and back
For the strength of the Pack is the Wolf, and the strength of the Wolf is the Pack.
Ahren closed the book, leaned forward to meet Six-Fours gaze, The strength of the Wolf is the Pack, he repeated.
Six felt his stomach drop. He respected Ahren as much as anyone in the world. He could feel the disappointment rolling off of the teacher. He nodded, once, but didnt trust himself to speak.
Ahren set the book aside and leaned forward. While were sharing interesting and though-provoking quotes, how bout this one, from Confucius, If you devote your life to seeking revenge, first dig two graves.
The teacher stood and approached the head of the bed. Six, we need to talk.
---
Rose arose slowly through a dense fog of pain medicine and exhaustion. She was in the medical bay of her base. At first she only saw Conall, in his human form, sitting close by. He leaned forward when she opened her eyes. Then she realized she was surrounded by her friends in the Shades. Death Shrowd was at the head of the bed, along with Shepherds Fire, Brygid, Ivy Pendragon.... and many others. The tiny room was packed full of people. Conall? she called.
You very nearly died, Rose. It was close, he said in answer.
You saved me, she said. It was as much a question as a statement and Conall nodded, a slow dip of his chin towards his chest and back up, without saying a word.
Rose nodded back, understanding that something had fundamentally changed, but not sure just what. Am I going to be ok? she asked.
Shepherds Fire stepped up to answer. Your prosthetic is shot, youll need to rebuild it. You lost a ton of blood, and had a lot of soft tissue injury. You also had something called a flail chest and a perforated lung. Shepherd shrugged. But.. Youre going to be ok.
My parents?
Conall stood at that. They are fine, if confused. They have been told very little about what is going on. The charges against them have been dropped, but it appears the damage to their reputation has been done. They have both been fired from their jobs. Conall shrugged. They do expect to see you, soon.
And.... Six-Four? she asked.
Conall barked out a laugh. The last I saw of him, he had a sword sticking out of his chest.
Cowboy Nightmare? Rose asked hopefully.
No. Bounty-Killer.
Rose nodded, surprised. Then looked around the room at the group of people who cared about her. Well... Someone get me my prosthetic and my tools, if I have to fix the damn thing.
---
Several days later, Rose was installing the last of a complex alarm and home defense system in the new home shed purchased for her parents in the best part of St. Martial. She suspected there were top-secret government faculties less secure than her parents home would be when she was done.
Thanks to some rather large favors shed done for some rather large names in St. Martial, she was able to secure her father a very nice job managing the electronic gaming division at the Giza. After much discussion and debate, her mother elected early retirement.
The relationship was still very tense, and not helped a bit by the understanding that their lives and reputations had been ruined as an attempt to get to their daughter. Whatever had gone before, she was still a highly notorious villain in the Rogue Isles, and that was hard for the couple to accept.
Elizabeth hovered, her fingers nervously clutching a locket that Rose was bitterly convinced contained pictures of her brother and sister; ONLY her brother and sister. But, Bonnie... what about Catherine and David? she asked, again.
Rose tightened one last screw, perhaps a little too vigorously, and stood to face her mother. What about Catherine and David? And their spouses? And their children? she asked in return. Do you want your grandchildren growing up the Rogue Isles? Going to school here? And what about your sister? And her husband and their children and their familes? And Dads army of siblings, and... Rose sat down and inserted the power supply to a small sentry robot that would patrol the grounds when the alarm system was active. And what about the guy that took me to the prom in high school? Hell.. What about the guy who took YOU to the prom in high school? She released the robot and watched it walk its path with a critical eye. Mom, we know you can be a target. If were obvious about trying to protect anyone else it will just make them a target. She reached out and squeezed her mothers shoulder. I promise you... we will be watching out for them.
Roses phone rang, and she turned away from Elizabeth to answer it. The caller spoke two words, Hes ready.
---
It nearly broke her heart to see him. Dr. Mueller led him out, a tall, muscular man with white hair, dressed in baggy blue scrubs, led by the elbow like an invalid. Rose was interested to note that Mueller was absolutely terrified.
Here he is, Mueller said, and pushed the tall man away towards Rose.
Rose frowned darkly as she took her friend by the arm. He looked down at this hands and then back up to meet Roses eyes. Rose? he asked, and the confusion in his voice sent another wave of pain through her. His eyes were dazed, his expression like a childs bewildered and overwhelmed. He held up his hands. Rose... theres no ice... Wheres the ice?
Rose whirled back to Mueller and raised one brow. Whats wrong with him? she demanded.
After what happened... last time, Mueller stuttered, we thought it best if he were... um... in familiar surroundings before... um... fully recovering.
But he will recover? she said, more a demand than a question.
Oh! Yes, yes! he reassured her, just... it will be best if hes - ah - at home. Where you have the means to - ah .... manage him.
I see, she answered. And the package I brought you?
Destroyed, as you asked.
The research data on this project?
Erased from memory, no hard copies.
So, who besides yourself knows about this?
Mueller blanched at the question, then answered swiftly, My entire staff knows at least a little, security had to be made aware of the danger, of course...
Rose nodded regretfully. That is quite a few. Can they all be trusted to keep silent?
Oh, of course! Mueller answered too quickly. Absolutely confidential.
Of course, she answered, and carried the new Shattered Ice9 home.
---
That night, an explosion rocked a far corner of the Rikti War Zone. A secret Crey facility hidden there collapsed upon itself. An emergency meeting of the entire staff, down to custodians and cafeteria workers had been called, making the tragedy complete. Over time, the bodies of every single person who had worked there were recovered, with the exception of one Dr. Franc Mueller. There was no helpful information ever recovered from the base computer systems, and a raging fire and the subsequent, but tragically late, activation of the sprinkler system had destroyed all paper copies of any work that might have been going on.
Dr. Mueller, has it turned out, took up a new residence, as a guest in the basement of the Shades of Vengeance base.
Just in case.
The end
When originally posted in Protector forums, this story provoked quite a bit of discussion about who was the "hero" in this story.
I would love to hear your thoughts on the actions of the major characters in this re-posting.
I think, Six-Four was justified in his actions. The reputation and discomfort of two people (Rose's parents) is insignificant compared to the apprehension and termination of a violent criminal (Rose).
However, Six-Four's actions and intent are definitely villainous in nature.
"Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you... you had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end..." -- Q
The ends justify the means? Destroying the lives of two innocent bystanders is justifiable action in order to carry out the murder of another person as long as the hunter has a license and the prey has a sufficently bad reputation? You consider framing someone for murder and putting them in jeopardy of their life as "discomfort" that amounts to acceptable collateral damage? I wonder how the Rhode Island court system would feel about that?
Apparently, the Ghosts are chock full of criminals who condone that sort of behavior. Otherwise, Six-Four would have awakened in The Zig.
Don't get me wrong. It's a satisfying ending and the bit with the Kipling quote was very appropriate for the story. As a reaction of a superior in a super group to a subordinate, though, it was wildly inappropriate unless the group is, in fact a villain group in all but name. Whatever their goal is, it doesn't seem to be justice, unless they have some kind of ideal or agenda that they're touting as their own justification for placing themselves above the law.
It's one thing to pursue a vendetta. It's another to become worse than your enemy in the process. Assuming that there are more Ghosts Reborn stories in the offing, I'd say that my feelings about them would be highly influenced by the fallout from this one or, conversely, the lack of it.
Now.. that's an interesting argument.
The Ghosts are certainly not a villain group.
The Ghosts were not fully aware of the extent of Six-Fours actions.
And since I can speak for the half of the leadership that is MY character (Sooner Spirit), if she knew everything Six-Four had done, he would not still be a Ghost.
This conclusion has given me an inspiration for a MA storyarc focussing on a character in Ahrens' position - becoming aware of a fellow SG member who is behaving criminally and having to decide whether and how he's worth salvaging, and maybe facing the legal/moral implications of the decision.
[ QUOTE ]
I think, Six-Four was justified in his actions. The reputation and discomfort of two people (Rose's parents) is insignificant compared to the apprehension and termination of a violent criminal (Rose).
However, Six-Four's actions and intent are definitely villainous in nature.
[/ QUOTE ]
Brought to you by Major T, provoking thought since 2004. 
"Goodbye, Jean-Luc. I'm gonna miss you... you had such potential. But then again, all good things must come to an end..." -- Q
Oh yes... I remember the debate fondly.
I can't remember what I said then, but currently I feel that a vigilante, especially one who fancies him or herself a hero or heroine, should hold themselves in the highest of moral and honorable standards. Six-Four's assault against Rose's parents is not honorable.
It is, quite simply, a cheap shot. It's the sort of thing villains do when they want to hurt the hero. It would be like Metallo shooting Lois Lane in the leg just to watch Superman's griefstruck reaction.
[ QUOTE ]
The cherry on top of his efforts had been when hed discovered that the man Daniel Rose was replacing had died. Despite the fact that hed died innocently of a heart attack, Six-Four had been able to place enough doubt in the DAs mind to convince him to file for murder as well.
[/ QUOTE ]
This is not heroic.
It's one thing to reveal the truth about somebody's misdeeds so that they can face punishment for their crimes. It's quite another to fabricate evidence or intimidate charges against someone who is completely innocent of the situation. If Ebony Rose went criminal, and we know from previous stories it was somewhat public, her parents would have already been interviewed by the police. What Six-Four did here was criminal itself, and highlights a glaring error in the city's "Do what you want" attitude with its vigilante protectors.
I would expect this to be the sort of case that Chris Jenkins has been waiting for.
My Stories
Look at that. A full-grown woman pulling off pigtails. Her crazy is off the charts.
[ QUOTE ]
highlights a glaring error in the city's "Do what you want" attitude with its vigilante protectors.
[/ QUOTE ]
I don't think the city has such an attitude. I'd say it's implicit in accepting a license that the hero is committing himself or herself (or itself) to at least the same code of conduct that the police operate under and preferably a more stringent one from a moral perspective. They DO depend on the hero community to police itself to a great extent and the quality of that self-policing is probably pretty questionable most of the time.
The problem here is that Six-Four dropped any semblance of heroism. While the anti-heroes, lord darkity darks, amoral demons and what-have-you are going to push the line to the breaking point, there's still the ultimate question of intent. The dark hero breaks the law but s/he does it for the greater good.
Six-Four's intent was personal revenge, plain and simple. It had nothing to do with justice. He behaved despicably from beginning to end, lowering himself to murder, torture, and even a blood-feud. He used innocent civilians as bait and as MrGrey's quote above shows, he took pride and joy in just how effectively he inflicted pain on Rose's "clan".
Most monstrous of all, he did it knowing that it had a high probability of failure. He had no clue about how Rose felt about her family or whether she would risk her neck to walk into the jaws of an obvious trap. He did it anyway and while there are indications that he knew his planted evidence wouldn't hold up in the long term, there's no indication that he would have taken any action to undo his work if it somehow DID hold up and Daniel Rose was sent to the electric chair. Quite to the contrary, the impression I have from this story is that Six-Four would have raised a shot of bourbon when the switch was thrown and said "I guess she's even a greater *itch than I thought if she let that happen."
Maybe Ahren isn't really cognizant of just how far Six-Four has fallen. He's awfully concerned about Six-Four striking out on his own and seeking vengeance instead of operating within the "family unit" of the Ghosts, while he's not visibly concerned about any of his actions. The reader is left to infer the meaning of "We need to talk", but the one thing it does not imply to me is "you've become as bad as the people we fight and I'm placing you under arrest". My only problem with that is that even if Ahren doesn't learn about the torture and attempted murder, there's simply no way that he or the rest of the Ghosts can be ignorant of what Six-Four did to Daniel and Elizabeth Rose once they start putting two and two together.
Yeah, I know it's a comic book world and comics gloss over this kind of thing much of the time. Still, I have to wonder if the Ghosts are going to let this slide and then eventually end up wringing their hands and crying "How could this have happened?" when Six-Four gets pissed off one day and brutally murders Catherine and David Rose just because they're easy targets and it'll make Rose feel the way he felt when she killed his "brother"?
Introduction: This story takes place immediately following the events of You Can Call me Glacius9 and Sisters. The Stories of the Ghosts Reborn and The Shades of Vengeance are told by Ice9 and myself and are rather interwoven and dependant on each other.
If you have some time and would like to get all caught up, here is the compilation of all the previous stories.
If you dont have time, here is the brief overview to get you caught up:
Ebony Rose is one of the leaders and founders of The Shades of Vengeance, a powerful villain group in the Rogue Isles. Along with Shattered Ice9, Cowboy Nightmare, and Death Shrowd, Rose led the Shades into a prominent position. Recently, however, Shattered Ice9 and Cowboy Nightmare vanished. On the heels of their disappearance, Rose and the ambitious demon Conall Cian had a fierce contest of wills. Conall very reluctantly backed down, but Rose is in a precarious position and is struggling to maintain control of the Shades until she can find her friends.
The Shades are in direct opposition to the hero group The Ghosts Reborn, lead by Sooner Spirit and Glacius9. The animosity between the two groups escalates with each meeting and with each drop of blood shed.
As a warning, this story has parts that are very brutal and bloody.