(( As originally posted by Ghostveil ))
"And in our top story tonight, violence at Salamanca University. Authorities attempted to arrest senior student Danielle Veil for links to the rogue group, The Guardian Angels. Sam Whitford is here live at Salamanca University. Sam?"
The camera switches to a well dressed man with graying hair slicked back with too much hair gel. He adjusts his tie with his left hand, holding a microphone in his right, and then dramatically turns his head to face the camera. His voice is clear, but there is a darker tone in it tonight, as if he was attempting to convey a sense of forboding.
"Good evening Brenda. I'm standing here in front of the Occult Studies Building here at Salamanca University, where just hours ago the police and members of the Longbow paramilitary group had a standoff against twenty-five year old Danielle Veil. Danielle, perhaps better known as the former hero Ghostveil, was a senior in her final semester here at Salamanca. She was wanted for quetioning by the authorities for her connections to the rogue heroes known as The Guardian Angels. When police approached the suspect, she resisted arrest, and what ensued was a terrifying standoff.
Authorities say that she used "magical powers" to mentally harm the police who came to arrest her. She then fled out of the Occult Studies building, where a force of the Paragon Police Department and Longbow were waiting to take her in. A student managed to capture what happened next on camera. Channel 5 has this footage, and we are the first to bring it to you. Be advised that some of the footage we are about to show you..."
He gave a long, dramatic pause for effect, and then continued in an overly dark tone. "...may be disturbing."
The shot switches to low resolution, shaky camera footage, which comes in clear enough to show the events of the standoff. The camera focuses on stained glass window on the second floor of the Occult Studies Building. The window shatters as a Paragon Police Department officer is thrown from the building, landing in the grass below. Inky blackness spills from the window as a black winged woman emerges, floating down slowly and ominously. Her eyes are covered by a strip of cloth wrapped in chains, as are her arms, chest, and neck. Her face is shielded from view by a black lace veil. Underneath the chains she wears an almost random mixture of black lace, leather and metal. Her skin is pale, ghostly white, matched by the ghostly aura emanating from her hands.
The assembled police officers and Longbow members raise their weapons to the descending woman. The police sergeant speaks in a slightly muffled, electronically amplified voice through his megaphone. The sergeant's nervousness is more than evident in his voice.
"Ms. Veil, land on the ground and please come quietly, or else we will take you in by force." A few of the officer's hands are visibly shaking, obviously terrified of the angelic vision descending from above. The Longbow officers remain mostly unshaken.
The angelic figure surveys the crowd. Her voice is a ghostly echo, as if it were not completely there. She speaks a word that is both simple and terrifying at once. "No."
She raises her hand, and the camera is enveloped in darkness. Shouts of confusion erupt from the gathered law enforcement. Moments later the sounds of gunfire rattle randomly, police pistols and Longbow assault rifles both. From the din of gunshots erupts a horrifying, unearthly wail, joined by shrieks and roars of numerous monsters unseen. The gunfire stops abruptly, and is replaced by terrified screams.
The noise continues unabated for several seconds, joined by the heavy breathing of the student cameraman, who seems to remain unharmed by whatever is assaulting the police and Longbow. Just as suddenly as it began, the darkness dissipates, along with the monstrous sounds, revealing a scene of law enforcement officials lying on the ground, physically unharmed, but many of whom, police and Longbow alike, are left sobbing pathetically. Of Danielle Veil, there is no sign.
The camera switches back to Sam Whitford, who adjust his collar nervously. "As you can see, the suspect escaped the scene. Although none of the officers sustained physical injuries, many are being treated at the Paragon Psychiatric Center. Additionally, two students were accidentally wounded by gunfire from the police and Longbow, although neither are in critical condition. Authorities are still on the lookout for Ms. Veil, and are searching for any information which could lead to her capture." The camera switches to an unflattering photo of Danielle Veil taken at least several years ago. "If you see Danielle Veil, notify the authorities immediately. Be advised that Danielle is extremely dangerous, do not approach her under any circumstances. Back to you in the studio, Brenda."
The TV clicks off abruptly. The police sergeant sits at his desk, holding his head in his hands, gazing down at two photos on his desk. On the left, a picture of a woman with pale skin and ghostly white hair in a torn and ragged dress, covered in chains and wearing a black blindfold. On the right, a picture of the angelic figure from the news report. "Are we even sure these are the same person?" The Longbow Captain nods once.
"We're positive. Notice the chains on both, they match. And what physical details we can see indicate that both of these are pictures of Danielle Veil, or 'Ghostveil'."
The sergeant shakes his head, his hands trembling. "She was like the god-damned Angel of Death out there. I've never seen anything so terrifying in my entire life." He looks up to the Longbow Captain.
"So now you know how dangerous these Guardian Angel people are."
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
Caios wasn't much of a food shopper. Not normal food anyway. Usually food shopping for her was more a questions of 'who' rather then 'what'. So trying to decide between apples and oranges, literally in this case, was just not something she was accustomed to.
In the end she decided to grab a bunch of the kiwi fruits, mostly because she liked the name. She also made sure to grab a ton of protein bars, some bread, even a block of cheese, plus some soda to wash it all down with. That would all have to do, she decided.
Shopping for the extra clothes had been much easier. She simply went into a thrift store and picked out whatever random assortment of clothing she laid eyes on. It wasn't perfect but it didn't need to be.
It had occurred to her that as a fugitive going around shopping like this was not the most sensible thing. But it just didn't matter to her. If she ran around like a headless chicken everytime someone accused her of something awful she'd never get anything done. She wasn't running, she had made that clear, she wasn't about to start acting like a criminal. She just wasn't going to turn herself in either.
Of course this wasn't without it's drawbacks.
"FREEZE YOU TERRORIST!" came gruff voice next to her. It was quickly followed by the sound of a cocking gun.
Caios turned her head slowly to look at, not a police officer, or a Longbow operative, but a normal person with a big gun pointed right at her. He had a weathered look and a gruff accent, it was obvious he had experience shooting that gun before.
"Go away," Caios simply shrugged, "you're bothering me."
"Not when there's bound to be a big reward for your capture." the man smiled, "You're big news out there, and that spells big *** bounty." So he was a bounty hunter. Made sense, Caios thought, though it added yet another wrinkle to the situation, but fortunately past experience had taught Caios that most bounty hunters are more a nuisance then an actual threat.
The bounty hunter thrust his pistol in Caios's direction as he added, "Now you're coming with me."
"Out of curiosity, what in the hell makes you think I'm going to do that?" Caios was looking at the other man like he was an idiot, which was pretty much true in this case.
"This gun here makes me think that you'll do whatever I say." The bounty hunter replied, Caios just rolled her eyes as she realized he was being serious, "Now get moving or I will shoot you."
"Seriously? A gun? That's it?" Caios said, "Why do people think that just having a gun makes you invincible? For ****'s sake it's just a gun." As if to prove her point Caios reached out and snatched the gun from the man's hand so quickly the bounty hunter didn't even notice her moving until she held up his own gun in front of him. "And I'm not the sort of person you can **** with. Do yourself a favor and get out of my ******* sight."
"y- yes ma'am, what ever you say ma'am." the bounty hunter, now deflated and terrified, stammered out with his hands raised in the air suddenly.
"Stop calling me ma'am." Caios told him, "And put your hands down you look like an idiot."
"Yes ma- ... I mean yes, sure, I'll do that." the bounty hunter managed to put his hands back down as he stepped backwards. Caios merely shoo'd him away before he turned around and began running for his life.
Caios let loose a heavy and useless sigh as she turned back at the man behind the cash register, "So what do I owe you?"
"That'll be $28." He said casually.
"You know you're pretty calm about this whole thing." Caios mentioned as she handed over the two 20's.
"This is Paragon." the man simply shrugged, Caios had to admit he had a point. As he handed her his changed he added, "Plus I used to live in the Row, moved out only last year."
"Ah that explains it." Caios nodded as she took her change.
"You do realize I'm gonna have to call the cops to let them know you were here right?" The man added as Caios grabbed the grocery bags.
"Please do, don't want you getting in trouble on my account." Caios smiled at him, after a moment's thought she handed the change back to the cashier and added, "In fact when they get here give them a few doughnuts from the bakery, and tell them I said hello."
"Will do, you have a nice day." the man behind the register nodded back professionally as he took the change back.
Caios quickly made her way to Parez Park from there, taking several detours to make sure she wasn't being followed. She was about to cross into the hazard zone when she heard a beep from her cell phone. She pulled it out to read the messages, more replies, that's good, hopefully people would be meeting up in Parez soon. Then she came across something unexpected.
<< WILL GET TO HERA WHEN I CAN. MIGHT BE LATE, THINK I HAVE SOME THINGS TO DO FIRST. XENOLIZARD DEAD. LONGBOW SNIPERS. ELLEN AND SLEDGE IN CUSTODY. -J >>
Xenolizard was dead? By Longbow's hand no less.
A dark shadow seem to spread across Caios's features as she read the message. She put the phone away and began making her way into Parez Park. She landed not far from the cave, deciding to walk the rest of the way there.
It was then that a small group Circle of Thorn mages decided to get in her way.
"This one," The lead mage declared with a cruel smile and evil eyes glowing in green eldritch flames, "She has power within her, power we can use."
Caios looked up at the mage for a moment, only a moment. Normally she'd enjoy playing with them, verbally berating them even as she beat them up, after all she's always hated mages, these ones in particular. But this time that didn't happen. Instead there was a sound of a sickening crunch and pop.
The other mages only saw their cabal leader's head exploding in a shower of blood and brain matter, a small gout of dark green flame erupted from his neck as the magical energies he once contained escaped from the vessel. Only after he collapsed to the ground did the other mages notice the blood on the fist of the woman standing in front of them, or the clear look of rage that filled her eyes.
Without another word the rest of the mages ran like mad. Caios ignored them, instead bending down to wipe the blood from her hand on the dead mage's robe. Once done she picked up her purchases and walked to the cave door. She left the body where it lay. It would serve as a warning to the other denizens of the park to stay away from the area.
She entered the cave that Stern had mentioned, closing the door behind her. As she moved deeper into the winding cave she called out to whoever was inside.
"Food and Clothes are here!" Caios yelled, "If you don't like what I brought that's too bad. We got bigger problems. This war just got its first casualty."
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Snowdog ))
Somewhere in paragon city
she was on the run, she knew that much. The why wasn't as important as the how, as in how she'd get out of this. Going back through the portal wasn't an option, she'd managed to scan a few news stories here and there about what was going on. I mean really, this universes Dr Schrodinger selling drugs to school kids? Well maybe coffee..but even then she was more responsible than that. She needed money though, her few Coles were more as curios than anything else, the money on Primal Earth was different. But the mechanism for distributing it was the same, only cruder. She glanced around, no one was paying too much attention to the cyborg catgirl, though that could change at any moment.
Peering at the ATM, she gave it a quick scan with her data glasses. So much more primitive than the ones she hacked into for the resistance back in Praetoria, no DNA scans, retinal print, just a simple magnetic reader and a number input. It took a minute to get the program into the system, another two for it to complete. She kept a nervous eye out, her tail twitching...come on, hurry up
come on man, hurry up!
The longbow team was hustling. They'd gotten a report from a shopkeeper about another of the Guardian Angels being spotted. This time they weren't going to let them get away, and they would do it without PPD getting in the way. Not that their PPD liaison was still around, she'd gotten a call from her department recalling her back to her precinct. Fine, they didn't need her. Looking through the sniper scope from the rooftop he could just see her under the awning of the bank, probably going to rob it. As soon as the civilians were clear, they'd make the shot. Tranq this time, things were getting ugly enough as it was. There, she moved back into sight, and the civilian went around the corner. Sighting in, he slowly squeezed the trigger.
She was watching the screen flicker...then there was a beep, and the cash drawer opened. Just a couple hundred dollars, borrowed a penny at a time from different accounts. The delay was the backtrack program erasing that she'd been in there. She hummed happily to herself, this should be enough to get her some food and out of sight while she figured out what was going on, when there was a sudden loud metallic 'Thunk!' that resonated loudly. She blinked, as a tranq dart, it's tip bent into a u shape by the reinforced nanoweave of her artificial arm, the dart falling impotently to the ground. Stupid badgers...
from the angle it hit her the trajectory was a simple physics problem, there was a flash and she stepped sideways out of reality
Thunk? Tranq darts didn't go thunk thought the Longbow sniper, something wasn't right here..there was a flash and the target was gone oh crap, target has teleported, location-
Ey badger? You tryin to peepersneak on me me with that thing? Not polite to do that to a girl, ya might end up rattleslapped...
He did the only thing he could do. Shouting out to his troops GET HER! besides, their goggles were set to ignore her illusions... but not the gravity tossing, and the energy blasts? She waded into the middle of the Longbow, red and white uniforms flying through the air like confetti as he himself was held in a vise like grip, over the edge of the building. It was short, and not fatal thankfully, she was holding back. Still, something wasn't right. As the last of his men slumped unconscious to the roof and she started stalking towards him, tail twitching angrily he stammered y...you can't do that!
I just did it badger, and you try to chomp me again you'll just get worse!
No, I mean you CAN'T do that, your powers don't work that way! I've read your file!
She was nothing like her file. Schrodi was supposed to be flighty, easily distracted, this one...there was an intensity to her...he squirmed helplessly in gravity's embrace as she stalked closer, finally stopping nose to nose with her yo...you'll never get away with this! We'll keep coming!
She just smirked well everyone has to have a hobby. she said, as she hooked something to his harness, then suddenly, the grip was gone, he was released...and was standing in mid air four stories over the ground. She gave a little smile as he shrieked like a little girl, falling to his death-with a sudden jerk he realized he wasn't dead...hanging upside down, the bottom half of his uniform hooked into the cable she had hooked there, hanging bare ***** over the street.
As he swung back and forth there were the sounds of snickers, and oh God no..the news team van he'd called to record their capture of one of the Guardian Angels...how the hell was he going to explain this?
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
Director Pearl had been pleased with the progress of their latest operation. Certainly the resistance had been more then anyone could have anticipated but the Director had expected something like this might happen. More importantly things were going according to plan on the public front, which would allow the grander scheme to come to fruition down the road.
There were still, however, a couple of snags. Bothersome details that he had to deal with before the whole thing unraveled. The biggest issue was of course the heroes themselves. They remained out of his control, unpredictable, and dangerous. But there was little to be done about that for the moment.
By comparison the other details were very minor, but Pearl had not become the man he was by letting such details escape his notice. Indeed he knew quite well how even the smallest details like this had a tendency to destroy even the best laid plans. Fortunately he had just the tool to take care of both problems.
As the door to his office opened, two large Malta operatives entered leading in the soon to be Senator White who was currently wearing a black bag over his head specifically made to completely blindfold the man. As he was seated one of the operatives removed the bag, allowing White to look around and get a sense of his bearings.
"You know you could have called." White said to the Director once he recognized the man.
"Times like this call for the utmost care and secrecy." He nodded the other operatives away and waited until they were out of the room before he continued. "I had to make sure we could speak safely, as well as make certain you had no tracking devices or bugs of any kind on you."
"Why would I be wearing any bugs?" White asked.
"It is not you I'm worried about but someone getting close enough to you to plant one." the Director explained with a frown, as if he was speaking to a child.
"Fine, so what do you want that you'd bring me way out here, where ever this is, to talk?" White insisted.
"Considering the current state of the situation, I think it benefits us both to handle every possible detail. That is why you are here." Pearl said.
"Alright so what kind of details."
"First and most obviously, the confrontations against the Guardian Angels are getting most violent." the Director said.
"I know, which is great." White smiled, "The more they run and fight like this the more fuel they add to the fire. Already made a big speech about it at a rally yesterday, reminding the people that I was right all along and all that."
"Which is all well and good, except some people may have gotten a bit overzealous." the Director explained, "We've had reports that one of the Longbow on this man hunt shot and killed one of the heroes that was about to turn herself in."
"I heard about that, damn shame and all, but can't blame Longbow for being careful." White said dismissively.
"This can be a major problem for you if we don't take steps to deal with it right away." Pearl frowned hard at the politician, "It can swing a great deal of public opinion away from you by sympathy alone."
"But you have a plan to deal with it?" White surmised.
"Have dealt with it." Pearl corrected, "My agents will be releasing a new video of the event, clearly showing this hero, this .... Xenolizard as she is called, attempting to attack the Longbow operatives that shot her down. Quite clearly she was killed in self defense."
"I see," White nodded, "Those video boys of yours are quite handy, any chance you could make one up of my -"
"This isn't a service we provide for you amusement, Mr. White." Pearl interrupted him, "We have a number of extremely skilled techs working with the best technology available to make these videos. Even then each one is a risk if they are discovered false. This last video is not even up to the level of perfection I am comfortable with, but events forced a quick reaction. I an certain eventually someone will discover this particular video was doctored, but by then you will already be in office. All you need to do is be aware of it and act accordingly. We cannot afford to have you lose ground in this election."
"Alright fine." White said, "Is there anything else you need from me?"
"Yes there is." Pearl added, "Firstly the Longbow task force you've assemble is beginning to stumble against the local police on this matter. If these men are fighting against local law enforcement then they are not doing the task we want of them, which is putting the pressure on the Guardian Angels." He didn't much care if the Angels were actually arrested or not, Pearl simply wanted a constant negative pressure on them to eventually force as many of those so called heroes to eventually fall into his hands. "I need you to pull whatever strings you can, I don't care what favors you need to call in, but take the heat off Longbow or they are of no use to us."
"I understand, I think I know a few markers I can turn in for that." White smiled.
"As an added incentive, I would suggest you take this opportunity to provide a hefty bounty for the capture of these Angels, dead or alive." Pearl suggested, "There are quite a few mercenaries out there that can make things that much more interesting for them. Make it a large sum of money, for your sake, and I will make sure word gets out to just the right people."
"Huh, I'll have to see what I can pool together for that." White thought out loud.
"Now is not the time to be stingy." Pearl warned him, "Whatever you invest now will be returned to you three fold once you are elected, but until then you are useless."
"Alright, I get it, I'll do what I can." White put his hands up.
"Secondly," Pearl handed White a pieve of paper, no bigger then a business card. "On the front of the card you will find a phone number, call it. The person on the other end of the line will know why you are calling, just make sure to let them know the contract is for another operative, her name is on the back of the card."
"Whoa this sounds a bit dangerous for me to be involved in." White protested, "Isn't this the sort of thing that should be in your court?"
"In this case you are better off making the call." Pearl said, "I have placed a number of feelers and observers to track what goes on during this entire operation. Some of them have brought back disturbing evidence that suggest another operative may be making moves against me. Nothing I can prove, of course, but now is not the time to take risks with loose threads. I can't be seen making a move in this case so you must be the one to make the call. All you need to do is call her and give her the name. Everything else is taken care of, and none of this can be directly linked back to me. Understood?"
"Yeah, yeah, I got it." White said as he looked back and forth at the paper in his had. The number on the front was a big one, obviously an international call.
The name on the back however was very strange. What the hell kind of name was "Siren Cobalt Domino" anyway.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Snowdog ))
Portal corp offices, peregrine island
Pearl had wanted to send a full team in. That in the gunslingers mind was pure overkill. The target was unconscious, would be for several more hours. So he convinced the director of his plan, and gotten the go ahead. He did have backup waiting outside in a vending machine company van, once the target was secured, they'd drop her off right in the middle of a school house bombing. Too bad the bombs would go off before she regained consciousness, but that should be more than enough to totally destroy any good will the Guardian Angels had left.
The first part of the mission had been a bit dicey. There was a Longbow warden who had information that could derail the plan. He had been taken care of, body dumped in the middle of a pile of Nemesis troops in a back alley of Peregrine Island. As far as longbow knew, the man died a hero, instead of someone unfortunately in the way of more important things. Disabling the security was easy enough for someone of his training, besides it wasn't like the didn't just waltz in and out of Portal Corp or anywhere else they wished whenever they wanted. There , the office was easily enough spotted, and there was no one around-no wait. One young man, mid twenties, unarmed and untrained by the way he was moving, sitting in Dr Scrhodingers office across from the sleeping feline scientist, totally absorbed in some game or something on his mobile phone. Oh well, collateral damage couldn't be helped. They'd just list him as a terrorist suspect and no one would care in the slightest.
He stepped silently into the doorway, the intern never even had a clue, until the silenced bullet hit him in the base of the skull, the round high enough power to penetrate, but not powerful enough to leave an exit wound. He slumped to the ground in a lifeless heap as the man known as Kitty Kat Delta three stepped over to check on Schrodi. She was out solid, snoring heavily. Fortunately he had something to ensure she never woke up again. She was nothing but a loose end...wait..what is that smell? He lowered his gun, looking around the office...there in the corner was a coffee maker , evidently the intern had set a pot brewing for when the Dr awoke. Strange , never saw one with a metal carafe before but the smell...My God... He debated for a moment, he really should get her out to the van and continue with the mission..but he considered himself a coffee aficionado, and the smell was just so good. Fortunately there was a thermos in the office, labeled 'Dr Scrhodinger ONLY!'
must not like to share he chuckled as he filled the thermos, sealing it and slipping it into a cargo pocket. There was enough left over for a good sized cup...he really shouldn't be taking the time, but he'd try it first, and savor the thermos later, after delivering his target to her fate. He poured the rest of the coffee into a large cup, the look of it, the way the steam rose and the smell.. it was like the mother of all coffees.
<Control to Kitty Kat Delta Three. Status update>
he sighed, work first. <Delta three, target secured, heading towards extraction> oh well, he thought, gulping the contents of the cup down in one gulp, then heading towards the couch , raising his pistol...but why was it moving so slooo...or was it the universe that was speeding up....there was a light flash as the neutronium density coffee, brewed with deuterium caused his head to explode, the body falling forward with a wet thump.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( as originally posted by GothicShark ))
The Director was sitting at his desk looking over the roster of the Guardian Angels he was happy with the progress of the main Members but he then looked and realized that some of the lesser well known member where being ignored. He pulled out a phone and issued a short series of orders.
Next day:
Malkavian was walking as he/she/it usually did somewhat oblivious of his/her/its surroundings when he/she/it heard the sounds of police sirens and helicopters. They where converging on his/her/its warehouse where he/she/it kept his/her/its personal belongings and diaries, realizing this was a bad thing Malkavian Switch forms into a mild mannered male something that could pass anywhere without being noticed. He then continued walking as if nothing was odd. When he noticed the longbow special teams rushing around in his area, Seems they were using Physic hunters and quantum gun men.
Time for plan B Malk thought and ducked into an ally way, which led to a manhole cover. Silently Malk dove into the Murk and switched to Nova form, which was better in the murk and darkness. Using as much speed as possible Malk made it to a man-hole cover near the port.
An Hour later
Agents Rosearik of the FBI received a call:
Yes, yes.. ok so the two fugitives are Malkavian Who Wanted for suspicion of being a Serial Killer, and the Irken for possibility of being an Illigal Alien, his face had a look of annoyance. well I understand the serial killer which I need all the profile information for my team, however shouldnt the INS deal with the Irken?
He started to nod his head saying oh, ah, and I see several times.
Understandable sir, we will get on this right away. agents Rikki, Allen, and Simons are in the office now. So if you can fax all the details we will start the search. Honestly I am surprised that no home of record has ever been found on the Irken it sounds like he is a bit of an Idiot and him being from a Known Hostile Planet, makes it all the more surprising. Rosearik said, Oh and what is this Operation called?
Ah Operation Disable Invader Based, or D.I.B., No problem. He said as he hung up the phone and looked at his team seems we have two Aliens to find in Rhode Island.
Thus DIB is Born
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( as originally posted by Fenix ))
You are my starshine, my only starshine, you make me happy, when dogs are grey.
Imagika.
Tell all the reindeer, theyre high above you,
Imagika.
And theyll bake, the starshine all day.
Imagika!
What?
Could you stop in at that coffee shop up ahead?
Why? Ooh, are you going to let me drink coffe?
No, Imagika, no coffee. Youre hyper enough as it is. I just need to use the internet for a minute.
Aww, youre no fun.
If Fenix still had a physical body, hed be rubbing his temples right now. Listen, if you stop in here, and are a good girl, Ill get you a treat later, okay?
Candy?!
Sure. Why not.
Kay!
Imagika took a seat at the nearest table by the window, and set the netbook containing Fenix across from her. Fenix then plugged himself into the internet.
First things first, he had to check on the Angels. News reports were showing more of the same. Angels wanted for acts of terrorism, drug trafficking, Heh, that video showing him groping that bank teller is kinda funny, have to remember to save that one when theres time. Arson, muder, Angel killed in police standoff, blah blah bla-
Wait. Angel Killed? Who? Oh. Oh, no. Xenolizard. But the video looked... off. Xenolizards movements as she was attacking the killer, they didnt seem quite fluid enough, almost as... Faked. Of course, its a ******* fake, how else could they have pretended to be the protectors of the people from the people who keep the safe at night.
But this one was so odd, almost as if whoever made it to rush to make it presentable to the media at large. But, this was about a few hours ago, the person who faked it had to have known that thered be a death, but not so far in advance that-
Hah. A bit obvious, in retrospect. What groups want to see the heroes dead, and have the technology to fake the footage? Two clear possibilities come to mind, and Crey would move to retrieve the body either where it fell, or from the morgue.
Hed have to get into touch with the other Angels first, though, make sure theres a clear plan of attack.
....Ah. There it is. Theyve been using text through a secure line. Clever. Fenix added a message of his own.
<< Ima and I are safe. Heading to cave now. Pos. Malta or Crey connection. Need access to morgue. - F >>
A process set up earlier dinged. Fenix opened up the channel.
-Sighting at 142 18th Ave. Repeat, possible sighting of fugative Imagika at 142 18th street.
****.
Imagika, we need to leave. Now.
When we get there, can I get that candy?
Be patient, Imagika. For now, we need to head to Steel Canyon.
Okay.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Snowdog ))
Dothan Municipal airport, Dothan Alabama
It was a bust. Georgia highway patrol had stopped the cab they were searching for, Dr Rachelle Kincaid, AKA Snowdog was not in there, though her luggage was. The driver said she had him drive her to a fast food place outside the airport, then gave him cash to take her luggage to Atlanta. Local and state police were looking for her, but CW4 Kowalski figured she was long gone by now. Pity, he'd been stuck in south Alabama training both army pilots and the occasional Malta recruit for years, and he was tired of it all. It was too hot, he hated the military mickey mouse ******** that he had to deal with as part of his cover...he just wanted out.
At least with this goose chase over he could get back to his nowhere job he thought as he stepped into the restroom. Before he could even start to unzip his flight suit there was a beeping from his phone. Dammit, Malta never calls unless you're on the can. Knight Raider 5 6
we have new information. Targets may be using Wolfetech resources-there was a wire transfer to a local bank in your area from Wolfetech a short time ago for approximately 200 thousand dollars. The transfer was to a company called Wiregrass Aviation, for a 1979 Cessna 310Q that was listed in trade-a plane.
Blue and white?
...yes it was. How did you-
Because I saw one waiting to take off when we landed here, nice plane. Look like it had been recently overhauled.
what did the pilot look like?
Girl , 20s maybe, bit of a looker, kinda light haired.
that's your target...and you just let her fly right past you!?
Hey now! You didn't tell me she was a pilot, just that she was a meta human that could fly!
There was silence on the other end, and some muttering point taken, we should have though of this eventuality. Can you intercept and bring her down?
possible..but unlikely. She's got a good 20 minute head start on me, and a 310 can cruise at 200 if she's pushing it. An Apache can make 200 for a short time before I get engine damage. It would probably be easier to call in some fighters, there's F 22s at Tyndall and Eglin, and F18s at Pensacola-all just a couple hundred miles from here.
Negative, we need to keep this quiet. Stand by, checking into ATC. there was a short pause Radar has her at 7000 feet, headed west at about 150.
probably to save fuel he said as he grumbled you realize this will destroy my cover
acceptable under the circumstances. Besides, didn't you want out of there anyway?
point, what about my gunner? He's not one of us.
if you can't leave him behind, sanction him if necessary.
understood. The line went dead and he smiled. Day was looking better already.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Shadewing ))
Somewhere above Paragon City.
"No, this can't be happening, could it?" Shadewing kept repeating to herself. She didn't want to believe what was going on, but the footage she saw in King's Row looked so real to her.
----Faultline, Paragon City.-----
Shade landed on one of the tallest buildings in Faultline, making sure she wasn't seen by anyone in the process, "Okay, what do I do now...? Oh! Right!" She quickly pulled out her communicator, but stopped herself before clicking it on, "Wait...If this is for real, they're probably monitoring this frequency...Lets see here. What did they say to do in case of emergency?' She fiddled with her device until she saw a message flash across the screen:
<< Ima and I are safe. Heading to cave now. Pos. Malta or Crey connection. Need access to morgue. - F >>
Shade paused for a moment, "Cave? What cave? Oh! There's more recent stuff!" She began checking through past messages, until she stumbled across the one with the location on it, "There we go!" She sighed and pushed herself up off the ground, "Guess I don't get to rest just yet..." Before she left, however, she saw fit to leave another message to let the others know she was coming:
<< Black Bat here. Safe for now. On my way. -S >>
With that, she flew off to continue her journey.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Hollowpoint Heroism ))
The wind hammered the lonesome Sothern tip of Talos Island with relentless vigor, only grasses and a few old stone foundations daring to remain defiant in the face of such and onslaught.
Few people ever ventured here anymore. Most complained of a feeling of 'being unwelcome', as if intruding on some manner. Still, for the two figures, man and dog who now shifted slowly across this place, this was the desired location. Situated to one side of this bluff was a single marble column, long-since been tipped over by vandals not much caring for the dignity of the dead. With a sigh, Adrian De'Havaland move to the stone, sighing as a sharp frown crossed his face. With a grunt he gently set the stone back on its plinth, dusting off the brass plaque.
With a sigh, hand resting on his cane, as he sits on his haunches, Adrian muses quietly to the spirits that may or may not linger here,
"I...I know it's been a long time. A lot's happened and I'm just startin' to find my feet again. I...wanted to come by sooner but...y'know..."
For a lingering moment he paused, gazing at the stone plinth, then to his dog which had thus begun busying himself sniffing around the ruins and barking at a passing seagull.
"Fact is, I know this point in my life ain't what y'had in mind for me, bein' all mopey and broken but...Well, Fate's a mean ***** at the best of times, ain't She?"
He falls silent again, remembering back to the crate sitting in his back room and its contents, his brow furrowing sharply as he recalls what said contents mean.
"Though...I guess this time around She's lookin' to help. I...Well, you all knew I was never the type to let others fight my battles for me. Always had to make a stand. Well, right now I got the opportunity sittin' in front of me to do that. People are sufferin', guys. Good people. Folk that have put their necks out for the little people around here and didn't ask for anything in return..."
With a sharp frown, he lifts his head,
"For the longest time it killed me that I couldn't help out, the thought that I might be stuck watching my battles fought for me becomin' a very real possibility.
I know you all wanted me to ease in to the quiet life, 'specially you, Ma, however I can't sit by anymore. I've been given a chance to stand up again, and I feel like I want to take it. So, all I'm sayin' is this: Put in a good word to the Powers-That-Be for me. I'm gonna need all the help I can get."
He groans, rising to his feet with a sharp wince before resting on his cane. With a sharp whistle, Kaiser, back from his rummaging about trots over to his master and barks, tail wagging happily. Before departing, he kisses his fingers, laying them atop the plinth and uttering.
"Thanks for hearing me out, guys."
Before turning and departing this lonely landscape, the pair of figures slowly vanishing from view, leaving the plinth to continue bearing it's message to anyone who might stray across it:
"In rememberance of the twenty-three friends and relatives of the De'Havaland family who perished on these grounds on August 11th, 1989.
You shall not be forgotten."
------------
He sat in a room of pure white, seemingly a place of infinite nothingness save a workbench to one side and a collection of weapon racks, ammunition crates and three suits punctuated by a hood and skull-mask. Adrian watched as the fingers of his new limb flexed and moved with effortless ease. It was an amazing piece of engineering, really. Hardy, strong and indistinguishable from a regular human arm.
Sitting on the bench near him was a belt adorned with a silver (he supposed) buckle, its face adorned with a celtic cross in pure sapphire. While an elegant fashion statement on it's own (And even more so now that he'd attached his belt-pouches to it to make it functional for his needs as well), it was designed to do something more. Through advanced technology, it would ease the pain in his ill-healed knee and return it to near full mobility in time. These two item had been set within the hefty steel case he had recieved earlier, both portents of his return to 'glory'.
With a determined scowl, He rose to his feet, approaching the case containing his signature suit and looked it over with precise contemplation, gazing into the eyes of the skull-mask as a single quote uttered by Aristotle filled his mind, flowing across his lips as he whispers...
"We make war that we may live in peace."
With that, he opened the case and began to suit up.
Micromail armor came first, sheathing his body in it to guard against bullets, knives and whatever the world could throw at him, its contrasting black-white coloration and close fit doing little to disguise Adrian's musculature, rather using it as a point of intimidation. The Grim Huntsman was strong, unrelenting, tireless.
Next, gloves and boots of sturdy leather. He snapped both gauntlets onto his hands, clenching a fist each time to dig his fingers right into the tips of each glove. With sharp motions, he strapped them up, doing much the same with his boots, steel-capped and weighty, good for crushing the wicked underfoot.
Next came the belt and bandoliers, clipping both into place with a quickness. Upon clipping the belt around his waist, a wash of ease raced through him, the pain in his knee dulling to a point where it was still somewhat stiff, but FAR better than before.
Next, the Mantle and spike pauldrons. Bullet-proof composite and titanium spikes, designed to look as mean as they were effective, the mantle wreathing him in lightless black, a pitiless void where no mercy emenated.
Next, the mask, drawing it over his face and under his chin, the luminous eyes burbling into life in icy blue. This was followed shortly by the signature hood, also in lightless black. With a newfound determination in his stride, he moved to the menacing multi-purpose Assault Rifle sitting on it's own stand and picked it up, followed by a menacing combat knife with a glinting red lion, fangs bared on the blade. Last but not least his .357 revolver, shoving it into a holster on his thigh.
The image was complete, the final step of the ressurection of the Shadowstormm a drawing back the bolt on the rifle, it clicking forward with a mechanical whine....
Outside, a dark shadow suddenly rippled across the sky, a few heads turning to watch it eclipse the moon briefly before vanishing into the night. Lies would be peeled back to reveal truths, deception burned away to awaken the slumbering spirit of retribution.
Shadowstormm, The Grim Huntsman was back.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Snowdog ))
Paragon Police Department, kings row
Her job was probably toast, but the chief of the Paragon City Police was so mad she could spit nails as she looked for the conference room in the Vanguard office she had gotten a mysterious message to go to. She had gotten eleven calls from aldermen, state Representatives, and a couple congressmen trying to convince her that she should drop the charges against the heroic Longbow forces who bravely took down the terrorist Amy Richardson, or Xenolizard as she was called by the FBSA due to the 'new footage' that was all over CNN, MSNBC and local channels. Never mind the 37 eye witnesses who saw something entirely different, or the fact that fifteen different security cameras showed a different story. Never mind Longbow stationing snipers on her department, without telling anyone they were there.
No, the Longbow murderers, and that's all she could think of them as, were going to walk. Not now, both the DA and FBI backed her on this..but political pressure was building. If she didn't cave, they'd replace her with someone who would. She'd been brought in to turn the PPD around, from a force that ran in terror from teenage hoodlums in skull masks to a proud and disciplined force that willingly got between the citizens of their city and danger. Now? All that would be destroyed in an instant, for the sake of some political points because it was an election year. There was already grumbling from the union rep, about a possible walk out, while technically illegal, would also probably not happen because the men and women of her department cared about their city. No, it would probably more likely be an exodus. The best and the brightest she had, turning in their badges rather than work for a department willing to do whats politically expedient, instead of whats right. There had to be a way to stop this.
Portal Corp, Peregrine Island
Waking up with two dead bodies in your office was never a good way to start the day. Schrodi had finally woken up from the smell from the blood all over the office , and her. the headless corpse with the gun, the bullet hole in the skull of her intern, and the fact that everyone knew she was in the midst of a nap attack meant that no one would accuse her. But she shouldn't have been out that long! It was getting worse. The longer the put it off, the worse it would get, and she knew it. The resonance cascade she had avoided , the lack of focus she had kept at bay with ever stronger and denser caffeine infusions...it wasn't enough. Even now she could feel her attention being pulled this way and that, the fly landing on the headless body, her tail twitching as she fought the impulse to chase it...she let out a hiss as her claws left bloody half moon shapes in her palms, the pain was enough to get her back on track. Stumbling past the bodies to her computer, she was about to call security when she saw the blinking priority messages..
She stared at them in shock. Amy dead...the Angels on the run, accused of murder and worse...her analog from Praetorian earth on the run from Longbow..and here she was, useless! Worse than useless, people being killed over her while she slept like a bump on a log. Blinking back tears she stumbled to her coffee pot. She had to be focused for this...she'd put it off long enough. Time to do it. Taking a deep drag of the coffee, she steadied a bit, then concentrated, opening a quantum portal. She'd need help for this...
..and in breaking news, Longbow has received word that wanted Fugitive Dr Michelle Schrodinger, AKA Schrodi, is dead of a possible murder or suicide, they are not quite sure which here at Portal Corp. Longbow Captain Mattias Spangler had this to say.
We had received word that both Dr Schrodingers we were on the look out for had been spotted in one of the testing labs of Portal Corporation. We had forces on route, and , well, it was a quite disturbing scene..
Viewers are advised the next scenes are contain disturbing images.
(the camera is obviously a security camera, in one of the labs. There are two Schrodingers, one with data glasses and a cyborg arm, the other blood covered, and looking rather dazed. There are technicians unconscious around the lab, the two appear to be arguing, but the camera's can not pick up what they are saying with the noise...)
She was as frightened as the time she was locked in the teleport chamber back at Aperture. But she was trying hard not to show it...the coffee was wearing off, and she had to stay focused. Praetorian Schrodi looked just as nervous, and angry. Look, ya don't have to go this route! We can try the merge-
and if it doesn't work...we'll both be dead instead of just me , if this doesn't work. I'm losing it...this is the best chance I have....
The cyborg just frowned and the odds of this working are even less! she sighed as info flashed across her lenses we got badgers inbound, are you sure this is what you want me to do?
no...but I want to lose my mind even less. Get me in and get out of here...others are in Perez. Get to them, can help.
(the screen shows the cyborg cat girl carrying the blood covered cat girl into a large test chamber marked Intrinsic Field Subtractor. The door is shut, and the camera view moves to one inside the chamber. As lights come on, a blue glow starts to fill the room...the hair on her head and the fur covering Dr Schrodinger stands up, before she starts disintegrating, molecule by molecule it seems, the light getting brighter and brighter until the camera cuts out)
We found no trace of the Dr Schrodinger in the chamber, and the praetorian cyborg outside...put another ten brave Longbow soldiers in the hospital in her escape. We will not rest until she is in custody, all citizens should be on the look out, if spotted report to your nearest Longbow representative!
Peregrine Island shore.
this is getting repetitive the cyborg muttered, knuckles on her meat arm sore from longbow skulls. I really hope she knew what she was doing...now where the hell was this Perez place?
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( as originally posted by theCheshireCat ))
The interrogation room was pretty standard. Small, rectangular room with a table and chairs, big two-way mirror on one wall. It didn't have the single hanging lamp above the table to make the perp sweat, but you can't have it all. Ordinarily super powered threats would have been taken to a special high-security lockup facility where their powers could be nullified, but since Ellen had been fully co-operative she was being treated as a standard case. That could change, however, depending on how much the PPD liked the answers she gave to their questions.
Since she'd published her book, Ellen had more or less retired from the superhero gig, which meant her profile was incredibly out of date. Her eyes no longer vented eldritch energy like the circle of thorns, although her irises did have a faint greenish glow to them, suggesting that her magical abilities were merely unused rather than gone. There was some mention in the profile about her merging with a nictus to become a Warshade, but she seemed to take it much more seriously now than the last time she'd been in contact with the FBSA.
"So, dr. Timmit-" the interrogator asked, before being cut off.
"While I will respond that name, technically it's incorrect. My name is 'Abyssal Corona' now."
"Yes, I'm familiar with kheldians and their naming customs. So tell me, Ms. Corona-"
"Doctor." She cut in again.
"Excuse me?"
"I didn't stop being a PhD when I started being a warshade, dear. Though I admit 'Dr. Corona' sounds more like a mixed drink than a person's name. Just 'Corona' will be fine."
The interrogator rubbed his temples. "All we want to know is where the other Guardian Angels are hiding, Corona. On account of your cooperation, we're willing to offer you a very good deal if you help us find them, but you don't help us, we can't help you, understand?"
Corona sat back in the chair and crossed her arms. The interrogator knew what that posture meant; this was going to be a less than fruitful discussion.
"Even if I did know where they were, dear, a reduced sentence for a crime I didn't commit is still more time than I deserve. Likewise, the idea that to earn that reduced sentence I'm expected to damn my old colleagues to serving time they don't deserve either does not particularly entice me."
"And how are you so sure they didn't commit these crimes? You've said yourself that you've been out of contact with them for quite some time. We have very strong evidence implicating both you and the rest of the Guardian Angels with a string of crimes around the city. Are you suggesting this is all some kind of elaborate joke?"
"On the contrary, dear; I don't find it amusing at all. But surely you aren't new to the myriad of ways that a hero can be falsely accused of a crime in this city - assuming the videos aren't simply high-tech video edits, there's the possibility of Nemesis Automatons, Praetorian twins, illegal clones, illusionary magic... I could go on. As for how I'm certain the Guardian Angels are innocent...?"
Corona stood up and walked to face the two-way mirror. She spoke directly into her reflection, not turning to face the detective at all.
"Do you know why I chose the name 'Abyssal Corona' as my Warshade name? Literally, it means 'Crown of the Abyss'. A 'Corona', however, is also the name of the atmosphere of a star; the very outer layer. Heroes live their lives on the edge of a great darkness, and Warshades understand this better than most. Superheroes don't have the fortune of fighting criminals whose behaviour can be excused. Most petty criminals aren't bad people at heart, simply people caught in a bad situation who, in their desperation, make bad decisions because they feel they don't have any other choice. If given the opportunities of a more fortunate individual, those criminals would likely lead normal lives like any other productive member of society. Supervillains are not those kinds of criminals. Supervillains are people who have been given an opportunity greater than most, yet still choose to live a life of crime. Supervillains are not the kind of criminal you can negotiate with, because they do not regret the course of action they've taken. The only way to stop a Supervillain is with force; sometimes the kind of force that would be lethal to a normal human being. To stand any chance against a supervillain, a superhero is forced to engage them on their own level of violence, and beat them through superior firepower. Yet, when the battle is over, the superhero needs to bring themselves back from the brink - to show mercy rather than strike that final blow. That restraint is what separates us from them. The people I know may skirt closer to the Abyss than most, but they have always pulled themselves away from the darkness before it consumes them. No matter what evidence implicating them you claim to have, I know they are innocent."
Her speech finished, Corona turned away from the mirror and sat back down in the chair.
"At this point I am invoking my right not to answer any more questions until I am able to consult with my attorney."
On the other side of the glass stood the man whose eyes Corona seemed to be staring into the entire time. Captain Spangler shook for a moment, as if recovering from a daze. He'd heard every word that she'd said, but he couldn't seem to process them at the moment. Staring into her eyes, he felt as though he'd just stared directly into the vast blackness of the universe, and the universe, upon noticing him, judged him unworthy.
************************************************
Julie Brennan found the meeting spot without too much difficulty. It seems a few of the Guardian Angels members had left a few "warnings" to the locals which kept the more dangerous elements relatively clear. This sort of thing really didn't help their case, though she supposed that at this point it probably wouldn't make a difference one way or another. Despite the Angels clearing out the area, she'd still chosen to exercise her second amendment rights, just in case. She headed inside the cave to find the meeting place.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by DrJackWolfe ))
so given the situation Im leaving the Guardian Angels and starting the procedures to turn over the name to the PPD.
The Wolftech logo shimmered as it reflected off of Silver Lakes surface, as Jack addressed the press across the street from the companys corporate headquarters. The assembled press corps began pepper Jack with questions as the cross-hairs settled onto his chest.
On a ledge over1200 yards away the warden muttered to himself as he peered though the scope Embarrass my team, make us look fools will you old man? Youre going to die by you own hands.
You really need to work on your situational awareness the deep sultry voice said out of the shadows, I mean Im a 7 foot tall red head wearing red leather and you completely missed me up here. A little obsessed are we?
The warden quickly rolled bringing his rifle to bear, just as quickly the large enamel looking broadsword cut the rifle in half. OH, Wolfetec MKIV linear accelerator, with impervium slugs. Nice, these will punch through a tank; and the explosion when all that kinetic energy was released against the old mans hide would take out everything within 200 yards, probably killed hundreds; and all youd have done is piss the old man off. You have no clue with who or what youre dealing with.
I know more then you think Ragnrok, you're dumb ***** who cant even spell her name right. The warden gave a telekinetic shove to the imposing redhead and sprung to his feet.
Reaching for the English womans mind he stopped dead as the enigmatic blade pierced his chest. If you really knew anything youd know the name on my license is a bloody typo; youd know I dont like people taking shots at my friends; youd know my sword is a sentient holy blade wielded first by an angel, then by my family of Church knights for the last 900 years so its damn hard to do anything it considers evil with it and most importantly youd know, and this is really relevant, I dont take prisoners. I am a bit of a ***** though.
She dangled him, impaled on Dragonfangs enamel like blade, over the edge of the skyscraper and promptly inverted her massive blade
The warden felt the air rush by and tried but could not summon will to counteract gravity. As he fell the 30 stories to the ground he thought he heard the bitchs voice hes at midfield leaving the defenders in the dust, he shoots; crashing into an open dumpster he heard GOALLLLLLLL as the last of his life bled away.
Sheathing her blade in the pocket dimensional scabbard on her back Rok smirked Goal, hee, Karen?
<Yes Kyrie?>
When you get a chance tell the vampire I left her some dinner in the canyon
.If shes not too picky about the quality of who she eats, and tell Jack that Longbow might not be buying his act Pulling a Snickers out of The Scabbard, Rok leapt into the air heading for the park.
so Dr. Wolfe, youre abandoning your friends?
No, Tish, Im leaving the board of directors of a public service organization, and helping set up a new one with a familiar name, but more on that later in the week.
Turning to face the camera Jacks eyes blazed Let me be clear here he said, Anyone who thinks Im not on the Angels 'side is mistaken, anyone who thinks I wont put all my resources behind clearing the Angels is mistaken, anyone thinking I wont be getting justice for XenoLizard or any other Angel who has been wronged is mistaken, anyone facing an Angel thinking they are NOT facing me, Wolfetec and any resources I can bring to bear IS mistaken; and ANYONE who wants to have a "discussion" with me about my stance knows how to find me.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Ghostveil ))
The wind raced through her hair as a black winged figured dived between buildings and alleyways, ducking beneath underpasses and gliding and weaving her way through the cityscape. Haunting her every move, far overhead were the jet engines of a squadron of Longbow Chasers, accompanied by their Warden leader. A hail of missiles streaked down toward the streets below, without care for the civilians that would be caught on the crossfire.
"******* hell, they're serious!" Ghostveil furled her wings around herself, using the momentum of her flight to keep herself airborne momentarily as she turned to face the incoming missile fire. She raised her hands, darts of black energy bursting from her fingertips and swirling towards the missiles, impacting and detonating each of them in midair. The resulting explosion shattered the concrete walls of the nearby buildings and blasted the winged witch out of the air, sending her hurdling toward the ground.
She deftly twisted herself so that she dived headfirst towards the road beneath her, and unfurled her wings, creating an immediate lift which sent her airborne. The chase was on once more.
Passing through Atlas Park had been a mistake. She could have attempted to make her way through Independence Port and Kings Row instead, but she instead tried to take the most direct route to Dark Astoria, hoping she could evade being spotted in the more densely packed districts of Paragon. All it took was for one Longbow officer to spot her on her way south out of Atlas Park for Longbow to send a squad after her. However, this was no time for regrets.
She dived lower into the city streets, her wings beating rapidly to send her screaming through streets and alleyways, moving at a dark blur as she attempted to evade her pursuers. It would be too easy to blind the visual sensors of the Longbow Chasers and send them crashing into the ground, but she did not want to add murder to the list of charges which already included mental assault. No, not this time, she had to evade capture without harming the Longbow officers...a task which she knew might prove to be impossible.
She took a sharp turn and flew east across the district, flying underneath the Skyway underpass, weaving over and then under the train line tracks. She flew under the Skyway as long as she could, the concrete over her head shielding her from any attack from the overhead Chasers. Eventually, however, her shield of road ended, and she emerged into the open air. A volley of missile fire whirled past her, blasting into the grass of Hide Park, destroying one of the stone walls encasing it. Ghostveil no longer had time to check Longbow's collateral damage anymore.
The tunnel to Talos Island was near. If she could reach it, the Chasers would be forced to give up. Just ahead, a block of brick apartment buildings, which Ghostveil took advantage of, flying into the middle of them and turning sharply, emerging from them onto an open road leading into the tunnel. She smiled triumphantly.
The shot echoed loudly over the sounds of traffic and congestion in the chaos of rush hour. A burst of black feathers fluttered past Ghostveil's vision, followed by specs of blood, and the feeling of intense pain in her left wing and shoulder. That pain was joined shortly by the crunch of bone in her right arm, as she crashed into the concrete below. She rolled over onto her back, and struggled to pull off the cloth covering her eyes. On the building above, a Longbow sniper gazed down at her, his rifle aimed squarely at her chest.
Her vision began to darken as the Longbow Chasers landed around her, the sound of heavy boots running toward her the last thing she heard before blacking out.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
Sam Whitford adjusted his collar again, never quite satisfied with how it looked on camera, and he had to look good. The Guardian Angels scandal was one of the best things that had happened to local news in quite a while, and Sam needed all the camera time he could get. He smirked to himself as he went over the story one more time in his head. The cameraman in front of him raised his hand and counted down with his fingers. Three...two...one...
"Good evening, Brenda. I'm standing here in Skyway City where just moments ago Longbow Officers finally apprehended the dangerous renegade Guardian Angel, Danielle Veil, also known as 'Ghostveil'. Longbow officials report that Ms. Veil was attempting to flee to Dark Astoria when she was spotted by a Longbow patrol. It was a Longbow sniper who finally managed to bring Ms. Veil down, after she fled through the city and endangered the lives of many of the citizens.
Longbow claims that they have Ms. Veil in custody now. The Paragon Police Department has asked that Ms. Veil be handed over to them, but so far, Longbow has refused to give her up to law enforcement officials. They say that the Paragon Police Department does not have the equipment necessary to keep Ms. Veil safely behind bars, and that because she was involved in an assault on Longbow officers, she is under Longbow's jurisdiction. The Paragon Police Department has not yet issued a response. In thus reporter's opinion though, Ghostveil is exactly where she belongs. Back to you in the studio, Brenda."
He smiled smugly for the camera until the camera light finally blinked off. Sam lowered his microphone and loosened his tie. Another perfectly delivered report. If he kept this up, he'd have Brenda's job in no time...
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Snowdog ))
Somewhere over the Conecuh National Forest, south Alabama
November six eight five
She tried not to think too much. Flying came first, she'd grieve later once she was back on the ground. She had enough fuel to make it to Texas, though she'd probably have to land for a restroom break before then. In flight relief systems for light aircraft were primitive at best. She had gotten a feel for the 310 , settling down to an efficient 150 knots, plenty fast enough without burning too much gas. Fortunately the GPS was pretty intuitive , just tap on the touch screen where you wanted to go and it actually put a moving way point on the display to follow. There was no chatter in the radios about her escape, it seems she had gotten away clean. A few quiet hours of flight time, then once on the ground and safe she could fall apart.
Warlord 88
It was too bad about the kid. Just curious enough to ask why they'd been sent chasing a Cessna, yet when he'd ordered him to arm weapons, he tried to call into Ft Rucker to confirm. The cockpit smelt of blood and gunpowder, the young CW2 in the front seat slumped over , gunshot wound in the back of his flight helmet. Knight Raider 5 6 opened a vent, not that the smell bothered him, but it did distract him. Temp gauges on the engines were both in the high yellow mark, as he pushed the Apache to 180 knots. According to the Malta agent hacked into the air traffic radar system, he was gaining on his quarry. Should have her in sight any minute, too bad with the kid gone he couldn't use the helicopters primary armament, as the Hellfire guided missiles were fired from the front seat. But he could use the 30mm gun just fine from his position. There, he zoomed in on his helmet mounted sight. Couldn't tell in the green picture if it was blue and white, but it was a 310, right where he expected it to be.
Knight Raider 5 6, I have target in sight.
somewhere in paragon city, a Malta tech compared the radar picture he'd hacked into with real time sat images. That probably was the aircraft, but with as many slip ups as there had been, best to verify. close in and verify tail number before engaging, should be November six eight five. Want to make sure its the right one.
Rodger, what are my instructions once she's down?
we have a tac team in Atlanta. Head east as far as fuel allows then set down, I'll vector them in.
Not a great plan, but he'd had worse. He slowly gained distance, trying to make out through the targeting system the numbers on the side of he Cessna. There, it was the one. He closed in a bit further, just to be sure, lining up the cross hairs on the cabin
Six eight five
She was playing with the systems, just seeing just all the 310 had a stereo installed. Whoever had overhauled it had pulled out all the stops, it was no wonder they hadn't been able to sell it. all these gadgets while nice, raised the price. She had thought she had found it when there was an automated voice in her headphones, from the TCAS system
Traffic, aft. Traffic, Aft
she glanced over her shoulder wide eyed and slammed the throttles forward, other hand sending the 310 into a hard left bank away from the gunship, the rounds from the 30mm gun impacting the wing and right engine instead of into the cabin. Smoke and flame erupted from the ruptured fuel tanks, the right engine seizing as the rounds ripped through the lightweight magnesium and aluminum alloys. The Cessna reverberated from contuing impacts, and she screamed as hot shrapnel ripped through her leg. There was a crack and a sudden violent snap in the other direction, as one of the rounds shattered the right wing spar, the flaming wing breaking off from the aircraft.
good, clean kill he thought as the Cessna broke up. It was over a mile to the ground, fortunately they were over a national forest, so chances of being seen were slight but still...Snowdog was a meta, he dove the nose of the Apache and followed the wreckage down...best to be sure.
It seemed like she had been out for hours,but it was only a few seconds. The wreckage was spinning, outside of the windscreen she could see trees fast approaching. Her right arm didn't want to work as she fumbled for the seat belt latch, no it was just slick with blood, couldn't get a grip..there, belts released..trees getting closer....she had to get out..but the door was on the side that was on fire. Fire or ground, those were her two choices...gathering what moisture she could in the air around her she dove through the inferno with her eyes closed, hoping she was headed up.
His exultation turned into dismay as at a scant three hundred feet above the trees there was a figure bursting from the falling pyre, trailing burning avgas like a comet as she rose into the air. Good thing he followed his instincts and came down to make sure he thought as he slowed the Apache down, the 30mm chain gun on the bottom of the aircraft coming to bear.
Rachelle's face was bloody both from debris and her biting her lip to keep from screaming, the last thing she wanted was to suck the fire into her throat. Desperately she reached out with her powers, the humid Alabama afternoon giving her plenty to work with, in seconds she was encased in ice and water, the fire flickering out. Below here there was a blast as the plane impacted into the forest, a fireball boiling into the sky and in front of her....she growled, gathering her reserves, it was all she could do to stay in the air..but if she didn't end this now...she'd be. She saw the gun on the bottom of the Apache swivel towards her and she shot upwards, out of its line of fire.
Kowalski swore, things just got more difficult. If he could use the hellfires, he could just get a lock on her *** and let the missile chase her down-he slowed the gunship more, raising the nose trying to keep her in sight...with a curse he realized she knew enough to stay above it. Well *****..if he can't shoot her..he can carve her to bits with the rotors.
She could see him..the guy in the front seat looked dead, as he came closer climbing towards her. She was weaker than she thought, and only had one chance, darting to the side, taking advantage of the rotors effect on the moist air...she concentrated, sucking the heat out as fast as she could from around the Apache.
Knight Raider 5 6's first indication of trouble was the icing alarm. Weather..thats right the ***** could manipulate weather he thought as the gunship began to vibrate suddenly, ice forming from the now sub zero air around the blades. He kicked the pedals, trying to swivel around to get a shot when there was a bang and the world was spinning rapidly, the ice encrusted tail rotor failing.
She wasn't in a position to gloat, when the tail rotor failed it did so on a rather spectacular fashion sending shrapnel of the blades and gear box flying in all directions, one chunk hitting her with the force of a shotgun blast. She fell from the sky, hitting the ground in swampy water not far from the burning pyres of the two aircraft.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Hollowpoint Heroism ))
Steel Canyon, that evening.
lieutenant Wetherby did not need this today. He'd been flat out dealing with the REGULAR threats in Steel Canyon and now he'd been standing behind a barricade ringing the entrance of a popular, three storey clothing boutique, sixteen people held hostage on the top floor. The stand-off had lasted nearly six hours, apparently some manner of clothing launch for some up-and-coming starlet who'd probably be yesterday's news within a year.
Still, the Sky Raiders had seen an opportunity to make a quick buck, ransom for someone with so many adoring fans would be astronomical...however, in turn so was the police response. Snipers posted on the rooftops, Police and SWAT at the doors. Not only that but the woman they'd been meaning to grab through all of this had proved to be all the more slick than anyone would've expected, her security detail having ushered her out with a quickness the moment the Pirates had made their presence known.
She now sat in the back of a Paramedics van, a brown blanket draped over her shoulders, coffee in hand and eyes streaked with both tears and running mascara gazing upward at the top floor of the boutique. Her publicist was still in there. Joanna had always been good to her...and now, if Rhode Island wasn't able to make with the fifty-million dollar ransom, she'd be dead by midnight. Not to mention the other fifteen poor souls still trapped inside.
The media had been swift to jump on the band-wagon, this situation an absolute media gold mine. Vans, cameras and lighting all over the place as they relayed the situation back to the hungry masses of Paragon's evening audience.
"And as we can see, six hours in and the situation is still tense. Paragon Police have established perimeter and negotiations are on-going..."
"A total of sixteen hostages, who had been attending a fashion launch..."
"...Unknown yet whether a strategy has been formulated..."
"...with no sign that the situation will be over any time soon..."
Above the noise and confusion, two icy-blue eyes, burbling like a font of cold calulation surveyed the scenario. While he'd hoped for a more...gentle return to his career of vigilantism, this situation was at best, disasterous and someone needed to act. Where the police were dumbfounded and confused, their intel scattered and contradictory, Shadowstormm knew better. A thermal vision scope had indicated there were eight hostage-takers in all. Sky Raiders. Automatic weapons, body armor and at least a decent level of military training. However the greatest weapon in combat is not the one that you carry in your hands, it is the one that manipulates your enemy into doing what you want.
Tactics, Strategy, Emotion.
Fear, more specifically. These men had been trained, but were not immune to one of the strongest of human emotions.
Paragon's Grim Huntsman vaulted from his ledge, shimmering into invisiblity as his cloaking generator hummed into life the dark figure gliding high over the melee of police, media and onlookers below. It was time to return to the eyes of the public, time to make his mark once more.
---------
Six hours, six freakin' hours cooped up in a damn fashion store with a pack of mewling sissies all pleading for their lives. This raid had gone south faster than any of them could've expected. Overhead, the thick thudding of a helicopter's rotors could be heard, the searchlight beaming in the windows between racks of clothing. That freakin' media princess had given them the slip, but that was okay. Sixteen hostages were more than an ample bargaining chip. However, his men were getting restless, trigger fingers getting itchy.
Some fat guy began another round of pleading for his life, as if it'd make a difference. Though the group-leader was starting to grow tired of his crap, hopping off the checkout counter and tromping over to the stammering fat-body, levelling a pistol to his head, which made him descend into blubbering whimpers instead,
"Seriously, fat-man, all the begging in the world won't save you. Come midnight we start topping hostages and if you keep up with this 'making noise' ****, we're starting with you. Clear?"
The porcine, sweating, suited man nodded his head vigorously, causing his pudgy chin to wobble comically as a smile or a chuckle filled the air from the Sky Raiders, who went back to keeping an eye on the news.
"Hey, Officer Hill, Sir! We're on TV!"
"Dwight, we've been on TV since we invited ourselves in. What's new?"
"Well...nothin'. Just thought you'd be proud or somethin'..."
The Officer shook his head, gazing out the window with a frown before checking his watch: 11:45pm. Fifteen minutes until they'd begin opening up on civilians. He smirked a little, plodding over to his radio to give the Pigs a hurry-up...before his hand stopped, it crackling into life on its own...as the lights in the store suddenly cut out and the escalators shut off.
He blinked, head wheeling around, brow furrowing as the red emergency lights came on with a hefty CHUNK! He gestured to his squad, already all of them on their feet and weapons shouldered. The civilians, too, seemed rather confused, daring to lift their heads a bit before the Raider Officer pointed sharply at one of his cronies and gestured to the hostages, the man turning back to the previously moving staircase.
Suddenly there was the sound of something punching through glass, several members of the group, five in total slumping to the floor, neat holes in their skulls. Again the Officer, Hill by his name tag, wheeled around, blinking in horror as more than half his team hit the floor..
----------
Outside the PPD respose to the shots fired sent the radio into a frenzy:
"Roof teams, confirm shots fired!"
"Roof team one here. Negative, no shots fired. Confirm full mag."
"Roof team two. Also confirming no shots fired. Whoever the shooter is, he isn't one of us."
Lieutenant Wetherby lowered his radio, gazing up at the skyline. Another shooter? Damn it. This was hardly the time for some crackpot of an ameteur vigilante to be trying to make his mark. LIVES were at stake here. He clicked onto his radio, barking into it,
"Roof teams, do a sweep. Find whoever took those shots and...."
He blinked, staring at his radio and giving it a shake as unnoticed above glided a ghost's shadow, vanishing into the gloom above the shop's roof...just as the radio crackled into life with the most curious signal he'd ever heard...
-------
Raider Officer Hill scowled sharply and plodded back to the radio. Damned Pigs had suddenly grown a pair and had decided to start shooting. With a fierce growl, he picked up the radio and began speaking into it,
"Oh, that was CUTE. Though five of us means five of THEM! Eye for an eye!"
He clicked off, gazing at the radio but there was no response. He blinked, checked the button again, only to find there was no static when he depressed the button. It was then the radio bursted into life, an infamous quote with equally infamous connotations:
"Well there's a passage I got memorized, sort of fits this occasion. Ezekiel 25:17.
"The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the
tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and goodwill, shepherds the
weak through the valley of darkness. For he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder
of lost children.
And I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers. And you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon thee."
Officer Hill let the radio fall to the ground, drawing his pistol as the escalators ground into life, both running UPWARD toward the floor they were standing on. The Sky Raider clenched his teeth as he leveled his pistol, barking sharply at the air.
"Oh, that's REAL funny, J*ck*ss! Y'know what? Come and get it. I'm right..."
His voice slowed to a stammer as something came up the escalator: First a black hood, followed by a glowering skull mask with glowing blue eyes, gazing at him with disdain. Spiked shoulder guards were next, gleaming in the ruddy lights. What followed was all bullets, bandoliers and angry, a gleaming Colt Python held in his hand as the moving stairs ground to a halt, the shadowy figure's cape lazily drifted forward a moment with leftover motion.
Raider Officer hill shook his head in horror. The one face he had hoped was gone for good was staring him in the face. He'd always thought the Shadowstormm to be a damned tale used to scare the hell out of greenhorns who got too uppity.
"No...not you..." was all he could stammer, the Grim Huntsman's eyes narrowing sharply as he growled in response,
"Yes, me...Me, me, me."
The arm holding the revolver snapped up fiercely to level at the three Sky Raiders, the hooded skull tipping to one side slightly as more words followed.
"Running time, fellas. Tell ya what, I'll even give you three a head-start."
He drew the hammer back on his revolver, the men in blue overalls not hesitating to sprint toward the glass.
-----------
Outside, shrieks of surprise rang out shortly after three bright flashes accompanied by hefty booming sounds echoed from the top floor of the Boutique. The radio went into overdrive, comm chatter going balistic as the police tried to figure out what was going on:
"Holy...SHOTS FIRED! SHOTS FIRED!"
"Roof teams! Status report!"
"Still searching, sir! We haven't fired a shot! Trigger-man must be inside!"
"Jesus CHRIST! Get me an eye on the hostages. I want status on the Hostages, dammit!"
There was a long, agonising silence. The collective crowd holding their breath for what seemed an eternity before the radio crackled into life again,
"I...I got movement. Lots of movement. It looks like the hostages are coming downstairs!"
There was a cheer of triumph as sixteen of sixteen hostages came barreling out the main doors of the boutique, clapping ensuing as they all departed to worried loved ones. Though, where was the Hero of the hour? Who was responsible? Cheers of delight and relief slowly ebbed away as people saw the last figure to exit the doors. In the face of spotlights came a somber figure, cape billowing as he stepped onto the stairs. Faces agog with awe and shock, hands pointing the direction of the door.
Shadowstormm. The media had labeled him a murderer, a vigilante, even a terrorist, and yet here he was, standing tall in the face of spotlights and cameras.
The towering figure strode into the middle of the curved barricades, his hooded face and glowing eyes looking upon the crowd with uneasing sharpness before a barrel-chested voices issues forth,
"Your media has labeled myself and my Brothers and Sisters in arms, the Guardian Angels terrorists, thieves, CRIMINALS. Senate-hopeful Donald White has labelled us enemies of the state and has set his Longbow hounds on us to drag us in for his 'justice'."
The hooded, caped, spike adorned figure nearly spits the last word as if it were a distasteful flavor in his mouth.
"Though I ask YOU, people of Paragon-" He gestures to the building, where not sixty seconds prior he had ended a hostage situation single-handed. "Are THESE the actions of an enemy of the State? A terrorist? A criminal? Are these the actions of a man who extorts, steals and trafficks in the illegal? Selflessly putting his own life in danger to save YOUR own?"
The unforgiving gaze shifts, watching the cameras. Lights were still on. They were still recording. Good.
"You have been LIED to, People of Paragon City! A veil of untruths dragged across your eyes to shield you from the real truths lying just beneath the surface. Donald White and his pack of boot-licks have deliberately decieved you for the sake of his own political position...and the people that stood up and protected you from the worst things to crawl out of this city's alleys have suffered for it.
Well I say this: For every 'crime' that Donald White dredges up, there is an equal truth behind the matter. Donald White may be able to sick the dogs on us, drag us in or gun us down, but he CAN NOT silence the combined voices of the citizens of Paragon City. So open your eyes, seek, look, dig beneath the surface and you WILL see the truth. Then question, retort and contradict. Because, people, you are entitled to the truth. You deserve to hear it spoken."
A final, icy glare locked upon the camera in front of him before the towering figure of the Shadowstormm suddenly blinked from view, vanishing into the night once more.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Snowdog ))
Several days later, Martin Army Hospital, Ft Benning GA
waking up wasn't something Rachelle expected to doing to be honest. It was a hospital, somewhere, though she had no idea where she was. She remembered the flight, and the fight...that was about it. She took stock of her self, right arm in a cast, bandages everywhere, and her legs...weren't working
good morning, how are you feeling?
The sudden voice almost made her jump, she looked for the sound of it, but her eyes were having a bit of trouble focusing. There, she wasn't sure if the fact it was an Army doctor was a good thing or bad thing under the circumstances. I don't know...my legs aren't working.
He just smiled reassuringly they won't for a bit, you've just come out of surgery a few hours ago. There was some shrapnel a bit closer to your spine than we liked, so we took
it out. The block we administered should wear off before too long.
OK..where am I?
You're at the hospital at Fort Benning Georgia. As for why you're in an army hospital, well it was an army helicopter that collided with your plane. When the rescue team from Fort Rucker arrived, they had you airlifted to the closest hospital best capable of treating injuries like yours.
she blinked..they didn't know? But then, on radar it might have looked like a mid air... I don't really remember that...
I'm not surprised, you're damn lucky if you ask me. he looked over her chart six broken bones in your right arm, you to shrapnel to both legs, torso and a good sized chunk left a nice furrow in your skull, you've got burns but fortunately nothing more than 2nd degree, must have been the water when you hit the ground. he looked up at someone out of the doorway and investigators wanting to ask you a few questions, if you feel up to it.
uhm.. crap. Oh well, might as well get it over with. sure.
He smiled and patted her reassuringly on her shoulder as he left. Three people entered the room, for the first time her spirits raised. Two of them she recognized...one was Miss Black from Wolfetech legal, and the other..
When I said you should come down and visit me and Shannon, I didn't mean doing it this way Rachelle. General Gregory Knox had been her brothers boss both during the Rikti war, and when he died a few years ago. He had been there at his funeral, and he and his wife had helped her afterwards.
Trust me, this wasn't the way I wanted to drop in either. She looked at the other person in the room, a Major, her insignia of a military intelligence unit hate to ask..but am I under arrest or anything?
you might have been, if Longbow hadn't pulled one of the most boneheaded moves I've ever seen in 28 years in the military. Knox said with a gruff chuckle, pulling up a chair and sitting down. they heard you were brought in...and flew an assault team down, landed right in the middle of the base to apprehend you. Without asking for clearance, or permission. Three of them are in the morgue, the rest in the stockade on Federal charges.
wait, longbow just up and invaded an Army base??
or tried to said the CID major which brings us back to the issue at hand. Why was Chief Warrant officer Kowalski trying to shoot you down?
She looked at Miss Black, who just nodded Wolfetech is a major defense contractor, and once the details of the incident were discovered by investigators..
Knox growled the Army is royally pissed. Especially after the longbow squad showed up.
you are listed as a Wolfetech employee Dr Kincaid. The Army has granted you full immunity in this matter.
oh...well in answer to your question Major, I honestly don't know. I knew longbow was pushing trumped up charges against colleagues of mine, and when the plane diverted to Dothan, called for advice. Wolfetech purchased the 310 and advised me to head west. I did...and was shot down.
The major nodded the copilot of the Apache was killed by a single gunshot wound to the base of the skull. From the evidence that survived, it was done while in flight, approximately a half hour before the crash. Kowalski, if that is his real name, we're finding odd things in his personnel files, was found with a gun in a holster under his flight suit that was the murder weapon. Odd gun too, it seemed to have several different kinds of ammunition, including one type that seem to be cyrogenic rounds.
Rachelle blinked, looking at them wide eyed, remembering the gunslingers she fought in the streets of Peregrine Island. Suddenly it made sense. Malta...
Paragon City
Director Pearl was pissed. No, beyond pissed. He snarled into the phone I don't care if she's in military custody, you get a team there and have her eliminated! he slammed the phone down, sadly being a cheap mobile the handset just broke in his hand. This was not a good start to his morning.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
((As Originally posted by gothicshark))
The Irken was doing what he usually does in the morning putting out a fire in one of his labs, stopping rampaging Ninja Zombies from getting loose and eating Belgium Waffles until he felt sickened by them.
Intruder alert! Someone is at the front door, the bases computer warned.
Irken was not pleased but he went up to the top floor and walked to the door Computer let me see who is at the door. The Irken asked
The door turned semi translucent, you see an average looking man with a book, and some pamphlets in his hands and the scariest smile ever conceived, as he is standing and whistling. He is wearing black slacks and a white-collar shirt with a black tie and a Name badge, the Named badge reads:
Elder Young
The church of
Jesus Christ
Of latter day saints
The Irken didnt understand who this was but he could not risk being noticed for being different so he put on one of his poorly conceived disguises and opened the door.
Hello I am Brad, and Jesus loves you. The Mormon started.
The Irken screamed at these words, slammed the door, and ran to his safe place.
After ten or so minuets, the Ireken wondered why he was so terrified at the strange little humans words.
At this point intruder Alert someone is at the front door the computer warned.
So the Irken strained out his disguise which happened to be of a fat house wife in a Moo Moo with the words Normal Human on the front. The Irken pulled open the Door while saying Im sorry I dont know what came over me,
as he looked at four men in black suits with guns drawn pointed at him. The Irken blinked and yelled out, Sorry Jesus Im not into men. And slammed the door and yelled out security look down, keep Jesus out, and his four gun men.
An hour later Long bow, PPD, and the FBI had the Irkens base completely surrounded Long Bow snipers and Flyers where covering the Air, PPD had the streets closed off, and the FBI agents where waiting with microphones and Lattés
Irken, they were saying, come out with your hands up and no one will get hurt.
Several times Police with Battering rams would try to bust the door down. However, with the Bases security and the door being made from a Star ships force field nothing worked.
Mean while the Irken packed up his personal space ship with everything he could fit, said good-bye to his home of six years, and looked out at a video monitor holding up a fist Dam you, Jeezus. And your Zombie robot squad. For the longest time Irken has thought that PPD in full battle Armor where actually robot zombie soldiers, no one has bothered to try to correct him on this.
The Irken then sitting in his command chair set the controls for earths moon and hit the countdown timer. When ready the Irken pressed a big red button and the computers voice Started to count down from ten. During the countdown, his house and base complex started to fold up into its self and turning into a part of the Personal Ship, that the Irken was sitting in. When the timer hit zero all that was left of his base was the Small ship and a large hole in the ground with PPD, Longbow, and the FBI all stunned.
The ship then blasted off in a blaze of fire to the moon. Everyone watched with fascination and awe as the tiny ship hurled its self up and up and up. Sadly, at about ten thousand feet the ship ran out of fuel and fell back to the earth in a death spiral. Crashing not far from where Malkavian was sitting. In fact, Malkavian was sitting on a small island near Talos holding a piece of driftwood when the small ship crashed not three feet away.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Killswitch ))
Sister Diana's thumb clicked the projector remote to start the briefing. It started with a beatiful woman with long red hair posing with sick children.
"Sister's, here is our target. Formerly known as "The Voice," member of the family super-team known as the Saints. Real name: Veronica Saint. Currently known as..."
She clicked again, the picture sliding to a frail, pale woman in Malta Gunslinger garb, a long black coat trailing behind her.
"Siren Cobalt Domino. The client believes she is heading a rogue Malta unit that is directly and deliberatly interfereing with the clients plans. Some are you are familar with Siren herself, some are not so I've prepared a brief personal briefing. Veronica Saint was a popular and powerful meta-human, and vetran of the first Rikti War. Her power laid in her voice and sonic manipulation therein. Approximatily 6 years ago, she ran afoul of the Vahzilok."
The screen shows many images in turn, medical pictures and reports. Scarring. Gaping wounds. Organs.
"The doctor first removed her mutated voicebox and used it to power one of his creations. Then he kept her alive for two weeks in the sewers to keep her parts fresh. Among what was removed was both arms, an entire leg, her other leg just below the knee, a lung, various portions of internal organs, and a large part of her brain. She was recovered by a team of rookie heroes on a routine sewer run. She was rehabilitated and outfitted with various prostetics and synthetic organs, but struggled with mental issues involving her brain damage, mainly fits of deep depression, uncontrollable fits of rage, and moodswings. She found herself soon divorced."
The screen goes to a middle aged man, handsome, as well as a prototype submarine, and a Malta unit.
"She was deemed unfit to see her children, and soon joined with Cobalt Unit, a Malta unit specializing in prototype weaponry. It was headed at the time by alias Roland, who specialized in recruiting damaged women metahumans to his cause. Siren was one of his recruits and due to her brain damage underwent the Domino program, becoming one of Rolands most trusted operatives as well as mother to Siren's illigetimate child. She assumed command of Cobalt unit, as well as the Tribulation, Cobalt units submarine base of operations, after Roland was killed during combat via friends of one, Sally Sleet, alias the Leaping Lemur, at the time one of the premier Silver Guardians. She then lead a series of campaigns against the Silver Guardians and their allies until her first capture. Her official file ends after presumed dead for about a year after she lead Longbow as well as heroes of the Silver Guard and Children of Egypt against the remnants of Cobalt Unit."
The pictures now show Crimson and agents of Longbow, and the funeral of Pharoah Ramses.
"Unofficially, she survived and worked for Arachnos before resurfacing after slaying Ramses as well as a number of other heroes using a top secret Longbow file detailing methods for killing various heroes. That of course didn't make the headlines. She was defeated by the Children of Egypt** and has been underground since."
The screen goes black.
"Unfortunatly we have no leads on her location. However our source inside Longbow has given us.."
The screen shows a young girl with pale complexion and long deep red hair, 5 years old playing with a young couple in a yard. It shows her school, where she plays, her friends.
"Longbow was charged with finding a suitable home for Siren's daughter when it was presumed she died fighting alongside the Silver Guard. It was suppose to be a "last request," and I'm sure a vow to keep her safe was involved. Typical hero ********. Siren is extremely possessive over her daughter, and though willing to let her live a normal life, she is sure to be watching from the shadows. We get the daughter, and Siren will have no choice but to surface."
(( **Editor's note: Play through "All things end" in the Mission Architect to find out more! ))
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
Amelia Robertson was having a bad few weeks so far. Her momentary lead in the polls of her senate race against White had suddenly vanished almost in the blink of an eye over the whole Guardian Angels fiasco. Political experts were now saying that, this close to the election, making her comeback now would be impossible. Everyone was saying White had this election won.
In the end, Amelia decided, she didn't care, she would not give up, she would rather go down in flames then admit defeat so easily. Not that everyone agreed with her.
"I'm just saying Ms. Robertson," one of her campaign organizers was droning on to her, "Given the explosiveness of the situation you really do need to change your stance somewhat. It doesn't have to be a complete retraction, maybe just an amendment to your earlier statements?"
"Stop bullshiting me Carl." Amelia was in no mood for political speak, not now, and not in her own damn office. "No way in hell I'm going to take back what I said. That's only going to make me look weak. Probably end up losing as many votes as we might get. And more importantly I'm not the type of person to so easily abandon their convictions. There's enough of that **** on Capitol Hill already, and I sure as hell don't intend to bring in more of it."
"It's a bit naive don't you think?" another campaign aid suggested.
"Naive? No, determined." Amelia corrected, "Just because I know how the game is played doesn't mean I'll let myself be swept away by the wave on incompetance that's expected of me. No, I'm sticking to my guns on this one. End of story."
"But..."
"I've made my desicion," Amelia interupted, "If you all are so wound up about doing something about it then find out what the hell is really going on. Only days after White made claims against fringe superheroes suddenly an entire group of them goes bad? Way too much of a coincidence. And all the more reason I should stay the course, with luck when the truth comes out it's gonna be decidedly in our favor."
For a moment it looked like one of the aids was going to argue when suddenly a well dressed man burst into the office quieting everyone.
"Amelia," David Waters spoke up, he was an excellent campaign manager to Robertson, and an even better boyfriend, "You have a car waiting for you."
"Wait, Car?" Amelia looked confused, "What car?"
"No idea, but the driver looks pretty insistant." David said with a curious tone, "It seems you have an important meeting scheduled."
"What important meeting?" Amelia asked as she looked up her calander on her computer, sure enough there was a block of time in her schedule that had been reserved for an 'Important Meeting'. There was no description of who the meeting was with or what it was about, but that wasn't all. "I don't remember scheduling any meetings whatsoever for today."
"Neither do I." Considering how detail oriented David could be, especially when it comes to the campaign, it said alot that even he didn't know what this meeting was about. "But like I said, the driver is being very insistant, and you really don't have anything else scheduled right now." In other words, David was damn curious what this was all about, and in truth, so was Amelia herself.
"Alright fine, let's go see what this is about." She said as she got up from her desk, she looked back at the rest of her staff in her office and told them determinedly, "Everyone get back to work, I've made my decision on the other matter, understood?"
Outside there was indeed a car waiting for them, not just any car but a stretched black limo. The door was already opened as they approach, a rather large man in a very expensive suit held the door for them. Looking inside Amelia immediately noticed that all of the leather was heavy trimmed in bright pink colors, oddly enough. There was no one inside waiting for them, just the man holding the door open staring intently on them.
"Excuse me." Amelia addressed the driver, not letting her own stare waver, "But what is this about? Who do you work for?"
"I'm not here to answer questions." the man at the door told them in a deep gruff voice, "My job is to take you from here to the meeting with the CEO, and to bring you back here once the meeting is concluded. I'm also to keep you safe at all times. I am not, however, required to do any of this with your consent. If there is anything else you'd like to know then you will be sorely disappointed."
"Oh well that's reassuring." David quipped.
"Looks like the only way we get to find out what this is all about is to get in." Amelia said.
"I'm going with you." David insisted, then looked up at the driver, or guard or whatever he was, to see if he would stop him.
"She expected you to say that." The other man said as he motioned him to get inside as well.
The ride was surprisingly quick. Amelia was certain they were speeding the entire time, and she was pretty sure they never once hit a single red light the entire trip. Whatever the case they both suddenly found themselves escorted through the tallest building in Steel Canyon before riding all the way up to the top penthouse office space. As they exited the elevator the walked into a long hallway, at the end of which was a set of ancient looking, and massive wooden double doors.
The doors opened automatically and silently as they approached, with the large man motioning Amelia to enter.
"She's waiting for you inside." he said. Amelia stepped past the threshold but as soon as David tried to follow the guard put a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"She wants to talk to her alone." he insisted, his tight grip making it clear he wasn't going to budge on the issue. David looked at Amelia with a fire in his eye that she knew and loved. However this time she was worried it could get him seriously hurt.
"It's alright." Amelia decided, "I'll be fine in there. I'm sure if they wanted to do anything nasty they'd have done it by now."
"You can sit and wait for her here." the guard said waving to some chairs near the doorway. She could have swore they weren't there a second ago. Still, begrudgingly, David accepted and sat down. The guard simply remained standing at this position by the door.
Once she got deeper into the office itself Amelia looked around and found the whole place ... really odd. The office was massive, probably bigger then her apartment. There was a wide array of what looked like ancient artifacts and priceless paintings decorating the walls on one side, and a beyond top of the line video system lining the other. But what stood out the most was how everything was decorated in pink. Pink everywhere. At the end of the office, next to the huge floor to ceiling windows with the perfect view of the city, was a massive rosewood desk. An advanced holographic computer display was on one end and a fluffy pink stuffed bunny was on the other.
And behind it was an elf, with pink hair. Dressed in top designer business attire, all accented in even more pink. She sat in her chair apparently looking over some papers as she looked up at Amelia with a smile.
"Ah, Ms. Robertson, right on time," She motioned to the chair across from her desk, "Please sit down."
"I'm sorry, but who are you, and what do you want?" Amelia said as she sat down, her brain still somewhat shocked by the pink overload.
"Sorry about that, I suppose you wouldn't have been told." the elf smiled warmly, "My name is Mariel Martog, I am the CEO of this company, Crux Shadows, Inc. Don't worry, you've never heard of it. That is rather intentional."
"That's nice I guess." Amelia said as she looked around, "But it doesn't explain what I am doing here."
"I merely wanted to ask you some questions that's all." Mariel said she reached into a nearby drawer and pulled out a folder, a custom made leather bound folder, pink colored leather with gold trim. "It won't take but a moment, but there is a vetting process that I insist on for any major donations."
"I'm sorry, donations?" Amelia asked.
"Yes now let us begin." Mariel said simply, not bothering to address the matter further despite the obvious questions that filled Amelia face. Instead she opened the folder and looked over the various pages contained within as she spoke on.
"Amelia Robertson, born right here in Rhode Island. You were a straight A student all through high-school but didn't quite make valedictorian. Oh, your varsity volleyball team did make the nationals, that's nice. You went into the Marines right after you graduated, got high marks from all of your instructors, and top recommendations from your superior officers. Most notable service highlight was your heroic actions during the first Rikti Wars. You technically disobeyed orders when you went back into the red zone to rescue more marines and the civilians they had with them. Nice to see you got the Medal of Honor for your actions.
"After you left the service you put yourself through law school. Passed the bar with the third highest score for that year. Became quite the successful advocate after that. Took up quite a cause in the area of inter-dimensional adoption rights. That led you right to politics as you took up the fight to provide more rights and citizenship opportunities to sentient beings of other planets and dimensions who came to our world. Particularly in the case of children coming from war torn realities. A noble persuit I must say."
"I'm sorry, not that this isn't all fascinating and everything," Amelia interrupted as she raised her hands up, palms out, "Can you tell me why you're telling me my entire life's story? And are you actually going to ask me anything? Cause right now this all seems like a waste of time."
Mariel smiled wide as she regarded Amelia for a moment, "As a matter of fact I already posed several questions, perhaps not directly, and not in a matter you might be accustomed. But nevertheless I am more then satisfied with the answers. As for why you're here in the first place? Quite simple. I like you, and I want to make sure you are the right person." Her face suddenly turned serious, Amelia never imagined that someone so ... pink, could look so incredibly intimidating, "But before I can do that I need to ask you one final question. Because of the importance of this one question I will be asking it to you plainly and simply. All I want is your most honest and truthful answer."
"oh ... kay." Amelia managed to get out, she kept her eyes on the strange woman in front of her. She lived in Paragon long enough that she refused to allow something like this to unnerve her.
"You are, no doubt, well aware of the recent activity of the Guardian Angels." Mariel began, "Given all that's happened, and given your current standing in the polls of this election. Tell me this; Do you believe these heroes are guilty of the crimes they are accused of, and are thus deserving to be brought to justice in this manner?"
Amelia looked back at Mariel hard, she thought about the question carefully for a moment, thought about what she should say. Finally she decided that if this woman wanted the complete truth, no matter what, she would get it.
"No." Amelia said, "I don't believe any of these Guardian Angels are guilty of the crimes they've been accused of. Not the first ones that started this mess, but some of them have refused to come in, and complicated matters. Still I believe they're being set up. And not just because this all helps make my opponents campaign, though I will say it's all too damn convenient for my liking. No I think they're all innocent because I know they were all dedicated in their own way to protecting others. It's true that lot was never the most pristine of the supergroups out there, but I believe they all meant well. Like I said to the public, not all the heroes out there are perfect, but they're all putting their lives on the line for us. People like that don't just turn around and start robbing banks for the hell of it overnight. No matter how dark a hero we're talking about. They deserve out thanks, not our accusations."
"I thought as much." Mariel smiled, "I also think you'd make an excellent Senator, and now that I know for certain you are the right woman for the job, I would like to contribute to your campaign. So tell me, how much do you need?"
"I'm sorry what?" Amelia asked.
"For your campaign, silly," Mariel said, "How much?"
"Look I'm not here to take money from you." Amelia said, "Even if you offer the maximum personal donation allowed by law I'd still -"
"Oh heavens no," Mariel spoke up sharply, "If we went by those numbers; that's just far too little." Out of nowhere there was suddenly a checkbook and a pen in Mariel's hands as she furiously used one to write on the other. For a brief moment the motions were so quick Amelia wasn't sure which was which. Once she was done, Mariel handed the check over to Amelia and added, "I prefer a more direct approach to these things, I was thinking a number closer to this.
Amelia was surprised her eyes managed to remain in their sockets as she saw the number before her. She had never seen so many consecutive zeros written down on one piece of paper before. After she let the shock settle she steeled her gaze back at Mariel.
"No," she told her, "What ever it is you want, you're not buying me off like this."
"Pardon?" Mariel asked in an amused tone.
"We can stop pretending here, I'm not accepting any of your bribe money." Amelia said, "Call me young and naive all you want but there's enough of this crap in government already. I don't care if this loses me the election, I'd rather lose honestly then sell my soul like this."
"My dear, I am interested in an honest election as well, which is precisely why I'm contributing to you." Mariel explained, "I don't want you to do anything you wouldn't otherwise do. In fact I insist that you continue doing what YOU think is right, no matter the cost to my company in the long term. If anything your stand on the issues are a bit more liberal then my preferences. But the fact of the matter is that I am a very strong believer in this democracy, and I want to make sure this senate race remains a fair and just one."
"That makes no sense." Amelia frowned, "Why pay me off then?"
"I'm not paying you off, silly." Mariel said, "I'm donating to your campaign, as I said, nothing more, nothing less. As for why I support you, it is just as simple. Whatever chance your opponent had of securing my vote he lost when he went after the Angels like he did. He is running a very dirty race and is an embarrassment to the democratic system this country was founded on. Not to mention he's very mean, ... and ugly. I don't care what you do as a Senator, as I trust in the end it will be for the best. But I will be damned before I allow Mr. White to win this election in his sleezy manner, particularly at the expense of my friends." Mariel tilted her head to one side as for a moment before she added, "However you make a good point. I do not want this to be seen as a bribe, especially by you." Turning towards the door she suddenly called out, "Oh Pierre!"
The large man in the very expensive suit walked in past the large doors, Amelia only caught a glimpse of David still waiting for her at his seat before the doors closed once more.
"Take these funds and distribute them as needed to supply sufficient maximized private contributions Ms. Robertson's campaign." Mariel told him as she handed the check into his large hand. "After all we do not wish for her to get into any sort of trouble." The guard simply took the check, gave a single nod, and walked out.
"I'm sorry, did you say his name was Pierre?" Amelia asked.
"What were you expecting? Bob?" Mariel asked quite seriously.
"Wow, well that was strange" David said as the two of them walked back into the campaign headquarters.
"You said it." Amelia agreed as she continued walking into her office.
"You think she was serious?" David asked.
"Very serious." Amelia answered as she sank into her chair, "And worse yet I don't think there's any way she'll take 'no' for an answer. Unless we decide to turn away all of the personal donations we'll be getting from now till the end of the election. Even then, I'd guess she'll find someway to get us the money."
"Is that a bad thing though?" David ventured, "I mean if she's serious about this money, she's probably serious about wanting you to keep doing what you're doing."
"You're probably right." Amelia said, then added with a determined frown, "Even if that's not the case I'm still going to do what I think is right. So long as we keep our collective noses clean there's nothing she or anyone can really do to us anyway."
David was just about to add something when another campaign aid suddenly burst into the office.
"Sorry to interrupt but you need to hear this." the aid said, "Do you have any friends over at Wolfetech?"
"I don't know anyone at Wolfetech, Andy. Hell the only reason I even know OF Wolfetech is because of all their military contracts. Why the hell are you asking?" Amelia told him.
"We just got an invitation for a fundraiser they're apparently sponsoring for your election. $1000 a plate minimum." the aid explained.
"Wow." David blurted out.
"That's not all," the aid continued, "I tried to call back, get info at the event. I was told that all of the seats had already been bought up."
"Ok seriously, what the hell is going on?" David exclaimed.
"I'm starting to think White picked the wrong group to mess with for a bump in the polls." Amelia said.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
((As originally posted by Snowdog ))
It was official. It had come from the mayor's office, confirmed by a call from the Governor and the State DA. Charges , while not dropped, would 'not be rigorously pursued, in light of the escalating violence of the Guardian Angels. After all Chief, Longbow is there to support you, and you WILL support them in return.'. Bastards
She had already gotten several resignation letters from some of her captains and Sergeants in the department, as well as half the homicide division. Things in Paragon City were about to get far more dangerous, thanks to White and his God dammed crusade against the Guardian Angels. She had the two shooters transferred to the independence Port precinct prior to their release on the advice of , well a friend? Not so much, but her points were valid. Quieter do to the release there instead of police headquarters. No media circus, no big fan fare, just un cuff them and kick them out the door. She looked at her watch, they'd be bringing them upstairs from the cells in a few minutes. Hoped her friend had everything else ready.
Polekitty was tense, and cold. Not so much from the weather, the wind on the cargo crane rather chilly at this height, but at all that had happened recently. She was dressed to blend in wearing her dads old Marine field jacket, even the barrel of the rifle had been sprayed with some rust colored paint. Just another bit of debris in the wreck that was Paragon City, that's her. She was a hunter, reasonably good during deer season. with this new rifle she'd spent the last several days in Eden sniping at Devouring Earth, getting proficient with it. Her contact said they'd be released at a specific time, probably for Longbow to give a speech or something. Not that she really cared anymore, her faith in the law and 'justice' about gone. It wouldn't be much longer. There was a sound of someone climbing behind her, and a familiar voice muttering about getting too old for this.
She didn't even look up, keeping her eye to the telescopic sight. gonna arrest me daddy?
To his credit, Randy Evans wasn't out of breath, but it was a long climb. I ain't a cop anymore as of five minutes ago. I did come to stop you from doing something stupid though.
That caused her to look back at him in surprise you quit over this? And how did you find me?
hell , did you think I'd stay in a department that ignored facts over political spin? And as for how I found you, one he said, sitting down behind her its one of the places I considered for doing the same thing you are, and two, I had help.
She heard the flutter of feathered wings and glanced behind her again, recognizing the pink winged mutant. Oddly she was dressed in a trench coat, with some sort of battle armor underneath it. hey Rhonda.
Talana...why are you trying to talk me out of this?
Talana Zavi, liaison to Vanguard from Arachnos just smiled sadly because you're not the kind of person who can cold bloody kill someone.
ah've done it before!
Randy just growled they were trying to **** and murder you, that's self defense. A basic human right. And even still you have nightmares about that. he sighed, shaking his head and, even if you did manage to take them out, Longbow would be after you. And then how would you help me and your mom, with your brother missing and you on the run?
They were right. Damn them both...her eyes started to tear up but dammit, they murdered Amy in cold blood, and they just get to walk away!!
Talana just smiled Rhonda hun? Who said anything about them getting away? Just because your government isn't going to pursue charges, doesn't mean those two haven't committed similar crimes elsewhere... She stood up,removing her trench coat as the alarm on her watch beeped. I gotta go to work can I call you later?. she said as she spread her wings, diving off of the crane.
Go to work? what does she mean by that? Her father just had an unreadable look on his face just watch was all he said.
The chief herself escorted the two out of the precinct, biting her lip to keep from saying something. Dimitry Sukov, the gunman just laughed you donut munchers wouldn't be able to keep these animals at bay without us! You'll see, just watch!
His companion just gave him a dirty look as they neared the exit wait..what? I thought longbow was going to be waiting to pick us up? And where's the media?
you ******** want a press conference, hold it on your own time she growled, kicking open the door to the outside now get out of my station!
fine *****, maybe I'll apply for your job! What do you think then?
faah, let her be Dimitry, it is not worth it. The sheep cower before the real warriors protecting them
He made a rude gesture and stormed out into the cool evening. No one there, no wait, there was a news helicopter, but there'd probably be someone on the ground soon enough. No one from Longbow however...were they going to have to call a cab? There was a click behind them and they turned, blinking. Why did they lock them out?
Suddenly there was a floodlight from some sort of aircraft overhead, and right overhead, a female shouting in a commanding voice
DIMITRY SUKOV AND MARCELLO FALLACI! YOU ARE HEARBY BOUND BY LAW FOR CRIMES COMITTED AGAINST THE PEOPLE OF THE ETOLIE ISLANDS, AND AGAINST THE WILL OF OUR PROTECTOR LORD RECLUSE!
Talana descended into view, fire swirling around her as from out of the shadows Bane Spiders poured, on her armor the black and red symbol of Arachnos, her pink wings and hair looking incongruously cheerful compared to the look on her face. Marcello stood there open mouthed while Dimitry turned , banging on the door to the station
LET US IN! YOU CAN'T LET THEM TAKE US!
you are charged with murder of civilians, murder of Arachnos agents, conspiracy, and ****. You will be brought before Lord Recluse where you will be tried. She smirked oh it will be a fair trial, for the whole world to see.
YOU *****! DO SOMETHING, YOU'RE THE POLICE!!
Inside the locked door the Chief just smiled, flipping Dimitry off as she took a big bite out of a donut. Her own resignation was effective as of two minutes ago. She watched through the door as the two were hustled down into a waiting submarine by the Arachnos troops, the spotlight and cameras from the TV chopper getting everything. Talana paused on the hatch, as the boat began to pull away, giving a sad little smile towards a crane overhead, then disappeared into the sub, hatch closing behind her as it submerged.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by GothicShark ))
The Irken stumbled out of his crashed ship, and passed out. The Malkavian then got up walked over to the Irken and checked his vitals in a manner that would suggest the Malkavian knew the Irkens racial physiology well enough to do first aid if need.
Fortunately, the Irken was asleep and in perfectly fine condition.
Well it is fortunate you fell here little man, Malkavian said as she was switching to a male form again. Now it seems that you didnt refuel your ship, so flying is out of the question.
Just then Malkavian knowingly checked the cell phone and saw a message. Well this is good news. Someplace to go.
Picking up the Irken, the Malkavian sat in the control seat, placed the Irken in the passenger seat, and closed the canopy.
<Invader Cabin Record Matrix Engaged>
<Proccessing
Begin>
MALKAVIAN: Ship. Youre an Invader Type 38 C dash 4 correct?
SHIP: Alien presence detected. You have ten minutes to remove
yourself from the control seat before I self-destruct.
MALKAVIAN: Ship, you can detect the Police and Longbow radio transmissions?
SHIP: Affirmative.
MALKAVIAN: Now, ship. How long until they get here?
SHIP: Thirty eight astrasiderial Mins.
MALKAVIAN: And how long until your Master Awakens from his Spudgiaclly Impaction?
SHIP: Thirty nine astrasiderial Mins.
MALKAVIAN: What are the chances that he will be treated well?
SHIP: At current Track of possible Known Charges against all Guardian Angles, and his current warrant being federal, it would be a fair calculation that he will be imprisoned for the rest of his life, unless the Mistress Caios Frees him.
MALKAVIAN: Mistress Caios, Fascinating. So she has access to your files?
SHIP: Affirmative.
MALKAVIAN: Did you receive any Text Messages recently from Caios?
SHIP: Affirmative, We are to go the safe Cave.
MALKAVIAN: Then we need to get there and I know how to do it if you can trust me.
<There is a long silent pause>
SHIP: If you promise to take me to the Mistress than yes.
MALKAVIAN: Ship I promise, can you alter your own circuitry?
SHIP: Yes, I can do that.
MALKAVIAN: I'm going to introduce you to a few new concepts.
SHIP: Agreed.
MALKAVIAN: Regrade your deoscillation digretic synthesisers by ten points
SHIP: I cannot do that. The drive will explode.
MALKAVIAN: Nonsense, it will be perfectly ... did I say ten points? MINUS ten points!
SHIP: Accomplished.
MALKAVIAN: Phew, that would have been nasty. Now, realign your maxivectometer on drags so they cross connect with your radia-bicentric anodes.
SHIP: Accomplished.
MALKAVIAN: Good, now this is the difficult bit....
MALKAVIAN: Now switch your conceptual geometer from analogue to digital mode and keep triggering feedback responses till you get a reading of 75 dash 839.
SHIP: Accomplished.
<Warning: Internal Systems detect Power buildups at 969.75% above recommended settings.>
SHIP: Something very strange is happening.
MALKAVIAN: Don't worry, keep going!
<Energy Flux in higher order frequencies. Sensor Data unrecognized.>
MALKAVIAN: Bingo!
SHIP: What have you done?
MALKAVIAN: I've constructed a primitive form of dimensional stabilizer by remote control. The journey will only take a couple of minutes to anywhere. Pretty clever don't you think, ship?
SHIP: For a dead man, Malkavian, you are extremely ingenious.
MALKAVIAN: Yes, well let's not to harp on that aspect shall we?
<Energy bypass engaged. End Record.>
Caios was standing looking over the others gathered in the Cave as a strange whooping sound started to echo against the stone walls. A space ship the size of a VW Bug slowly faded into existence in the center of the room where mysteriously no one was standing at the time.
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( as originally posted by mattbrp ))
"I told you for the hundredth time, Meghann! I do love you, but I can't just sit back and watch this mess unfold. I have to do something!" Matt yelled into the phone.
"Well then, as far as I'm concerned, until you decide to put down that damned cape and leave that life behind, you are not Matt Nordstrom anymore. Call yourself whatever you want, you aren't the man I married."
"I'm sorry!" Matt continued to yell, "These are my friends, Meghann! You work in the emergency room at the hospital; do you think I would ever ask you to just stop being there for the people that come in and out of those doors every day? Do you think I would EVER ask you to just give up doing something that you love, especially if it was something that was making this city a safer place?"
"That's not fair! My job isn't going to end up KILLING me one day! All I want is for you to spend time at home with your wife!"
"I can't do that while I have the ability to actually do something about the evil lurking on these streets."
"Well until you can decide where your priorities are, I want a divorce!"
Matt grew silent as those final words echoed in his head. He did not answer his wife as she shouted his name questioningly into the phone. His hands began to tremble, and his fingers grew stiff. The phone snapped in half as his entire hand turned to stone. It was no matter. He had no use for it anymore. He had no option but to leave his civilian life behind. His city needed him. His allies needed him most of all.
Matt threw the broken cell phone to the ground as his body transformed into pure rock. He stomped on the ground and fired up his rocket boots, soaring up into the air over King's Row. He set his sights for Perez Park with the intentions of meeting with his fellow Angels. On his way, however, he discovered some local Skulls attempting to break into a pawn shop. A fire erupted in his eyes as he squinted and altered his path.
The first Skull went flying away from the impact of Roxster slamming into him. The remaining gang members turned their attention their assailant. Immediately, all of their legs were unable to move as the ground beneath them turned mushy and soupy. They pulled out their guns and began to shoot at Roxster, but the bullets merely bounced off the earth that he had pulled up in front of him. With a yell, Roxster levitated the piece of earth through the air at the thugs with an uncharacteristic cackle. All of the Skulls were knocked to their feet. As they turned to face their attacker, they covered their heads and began pleading for mercy.
"It's...It's one of them!"
Roxster seemed to suddenly awaken from a trance. He looked at the four Skulls lying helpless pinned to the ground in shackles of earth and the pieces of rock lying about the area. A panic-stricken look crossed his face as he fired up his boots and fled the area, leaving the gang memebers struggling to break free of their stone prisons.
What was happening to him? He knew his powers were beginning to grow beyond his control, but this was something new...this felt strange. He felt a burning in his chest. He knew he had to get rid of the magma that was forming inside of him. He made a bee-line for Perez Park and found an abandoned cave that looked like it had been used by the Circle of Thorns and dumped his magma there, then set off to locate the rest of the Angels...
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( as originally posted by gothicshark ))
As you look a short time in the past ...
It is a dark room, a screen turns on, you hear a Keyboard being typed on, the silhouette of a Man, your view pans on the screen.
<<Recorded Files of Operation D.I.B>>
--FBI Office Paragon city the day before the Invasion of the Irkens Secrete base.
-Agent Rosearik Leader of Operation D.I.B.
Let me review what we have He said looking at his gathered Agents, Longbow Agents, and PPD who were assigned to help I this Investigation. First we Have the Malkavian who has no base of operation on record, however we have its quantum Signature and all we need to do is find where he has been in the last few hours and fallow the traces. Unfortunately, with the Irken things start to get tricky, he did go to Jr. High School however, he has failed to show up in the last year, fortunately his weak link is his pet Robot who regularly go shopping and he goes to night clubs.
At this moment, a PPD officer raised his hand and Rosearik pointed to him indicating it was OK to ask.
huhh, why would he send robots to Night Clubs?
Glad you asked, seems they are Autonomous and like to party at the clubs. They have also been seen drinking soda and eating cup cakes. He then turned to a map of Kings Row that filled the back wall and started to point out locations. The robot has been sighted here, here, and here in the last few days. I will need the Longbow agents to cover these locations; this will be strictly a track and fallow situation.
When the target location is found, we will do a surround and take down, we want him alive if at all possible.
As for the Malkavian I need Quantum trackers on the road searching, seems Malkavian likes the Independence port so we start the search there. And remember the Malkavian is considered extremely dangerous so if you are spotted it will be shot to kill.
<<That evening Longbow officers spotted the Robot and fallowed it.
This happened several times during the night, unfortunately they lost it every time on the same block.
Also the Quantum Trackers found a warehouse with the Malkavians Quantum Signature all over it just before sunrise.>>
--First thing in the Morning Agent Roseariks Command center.
Once again, he was standing next to the wall with the same group of officers and a group of Mormon Missionaries.
Good Morning, so last night we had luck, so it is time for Part two of Operation D.I.B., and for this I have asked my good friends and fellow Mormon FBI Agents for help, they will go Door to Door in the Suspect Block, it will take them no time to Identify the Suspect and Verify the locations. Once this is done, we will move in most haste and set up a Perimeter. With the Malkavian we will go in Hot, and for the Irken we will contain him and capture his base for further study, it is Imperative that his base is not harmed.
--
<< Police Film - Malkavians Secrete Lair>>
Sirens are wailing helicopters are circling Longbow Quantum Agents are holding the Perimeter, the view shifts mobile, as the Camera is bouncing in to the Ware house the camera man is fifth in the building. Officers are shouting, Clear as each room is investigated.
Over Here one of the Officers Yells the Camera Pans to see a group of Officers standing in the Center of the Warehouse puzzling over Wrecks of Alien machinery, Saucers, Ray guns, Robots, and other less Identifiable things, near the wrecks is a Machine being constructed but it is obviously nowhere near complete.
After a few moments the camera pans and you hear Hey Camera over here check this out the Camera fallows the voice to a basement, inside it looks like an actors closet with wigs, clothes of every type, Make up station, plush velvet wall hangings and a bed the size of a small room. Near the Bed is a Nightstand that looks Roman with a book on it.
<<The Book is written in an Alien dialect that has never been seen before, translators think it is unlikely anyone could translate it, however it is apparent that the book is a journal of some type kept by the Malkavian>>
<<Longbow filming of the Irken Raid>>
Long distance View.
A white van pulls into the Block where the Irken might live ten missionaries get out and start going door to door. The camera View Splits to fallow all ten, each is met with hostility in one way or another, but nothing violent. Some views show very disturbing people answering the Door.
One View is selected and zooms to a missionary in front of a purple house with lawn gnomes and pink flamingoes. He walks up to the door and presses the doorbell. And waits, the Lawn Gnomes turn and face him, but he doesnt notice. Eventually the door opens, the person in the door looks like an obese woman with a classic house cleaners uniform on, however the face is obviously the Irken and you can tell the body is some kind of overstuffed costume. The Ireken does the motions of a scream and slams the door, the sound is obviously off.
<<Switch view car camera one>>
You see the Irkens house clearly the FBI agents are standing in front of the car, PPD are surrounding the House in full SWAT gear, and Longbow Eagles are hovering around the roof of the House.
Out of the Corner, a group of SWAT with a battering Ram charge the front door and bounce off, you hear static and the sound turns on. You hear the helicopter, which is out of view you hear bullhorns calling for the Irken to surrender, In addition, you here a faint countdown from 42.
As the Countdown gets to thirty, the Lawn Gnomes are pulled underground, same with all the Yard junk, tree, and individual grasses in the lawn. The law enforcement officers sensing something wrong start to back up out of frame.
As the countdown hits twenty, the house starts to implode and shrink into a small space the size of a VW Bug.
The Countdown hits ten, all that is left is a ship which is purple and roughly VW Bug sized and shape. The canopy is not clear but you can tell the Irken is at the controls with a lot of junk in what looks like a back seat to include a small robot that looks like it is sleeping on the pile of junk.
TEN
Nine smoke starts to build under the Small ship
Eight
Seven
Six the smoke starts to glow green and red
Five
Four
Three a green red flame starts to eject from the bottom of the craft, it seems to powerful for such a small vessel.
Two
One the ship starts to lift up in the air from where it was floating, the camera pans out slightly and fallows the ship, it starts very slowly as if it weighs a lot more, that what it should, slowly it gains speed and very shortly, it is rocketing up in green smoke that fills the view. When the craft is completely out of sight, you see a small trail of smoke heading back towards the ground the Camera tries to fallow it but a building is in the way.
<< Technical dimensions of the hole in the ground left behind by the Irken
Depth: 400 feet
Width: 3000 feet
Area 3.6*10^9 Sqrft
User Note: by far one of the largest bases in Kings row yet, but where did it go? >>
<<Longbow Eagle shoulder Camera: Pursuit of Alien Vessel>>
**radio static**
On the shoulder you see Kings row Flying by around 60 miles an hour just barely missing building tops.
**in pursuit, heading East out towards the Ocean, over **
You see a helicopter just ahead, but it has to gain altitude to fly over the shield wall Sky Way City while the Longbow agent goes through the tunnel.
**Rodger, Over**
**PPD 23 do you see Target? , over **
**Negative Vapor cloud points to Talos, over **
**Rodger That, over**
The speed increases as the Agent lets loose his boosters and he heads to the gate that leads to the Talos Gate. You see a few heroes fly by and wave.
The even though you can tell this is as fast as a jet pack flyer can go it seems rather slow flying over the City towards the Lock with the helicopter just in front.
After ten minutes
**This is the Port authority the lock will be open in three minutes ETA to Arrival please, over**
**the is PPD 23, estimate 3.5 minutes, over**
**Longbow Eagle Pursuit Agent, just behind PPD 23, Over**
After a few Minuets pass, the Helicopter passes through the open shield Wall. The Camera view fallows.
Ahead you see open water and some Islands.
**this is Longbow Eagle, going Thermal, over**
The screen view switches to thermal you see a streak across the sky that hits a small Island to the south of Talos.
**Target Accquired
Latitude: 41-28'55'' N
Longitude: 071-19'23'' W
Switching back to Normal, Over**
As the helicopter and camera start to get close to the Island you see the purple space ship..but then it vanishes as if it was never there.
**Ohh My God Did you see that
**
**This is PPD 23 target has vanished, repeat the Target has vanished, not on radar or Infrared, suspect teleport, over**
<<FBI Investigation team Camera>>
A woman with several High tech Devices and Scanners is talking to the camera, reading out Numbers and other readings when Rosearik Walks in to view.
So what is the News? he askes
Sir, it was not a teleport as such but more like a Quantun Temporal dematerialization, which is theoretically possible, but has yet to have been proved possible. She replied
He looks at her with a funny look, So your saying he could be anywhere in the city now?
No sir, Im saying he could be anywhere in time and space now. In addition, the Quantum part of the Signature is defiantly the Malkavians. Moreover, the reading is at least 45 quants higher that any of his I have measured yet, also I see a Sub-variance in his reading that is unusual almost as if his Quantum energy is in flux. This reading was not at any of the Crime scans so far, Sir can I scan his base
she replied.
That might be a clue as to where they went, yes do it.
<<Operation D.I.B:
Order: Seal all scan records.
Order: Seal all Video.
Case file: X
- Classified unsolved>>
Puff of smoke issues from the man at the screen..
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.
(( As originally posted by Sareini ))
The Jumpz internet cafe in Talos Island was only moderately busy for the time of day, but none of its customers paid very much attention to the man in the baseball cap and heavy coat who had just come in, even if he was holding his left arm strangely as he moved. The man went straight for the counter, where the disinterested cashier was flicking through a magazine.
I need to use one of your computers, the man said. He glanced around for a moment, then pointed at the table in the far corner of the cafe, furthest away from the door and windows. That one, please.
How long do you want to use the computer for? the cashier asked, almost parrot-like. Its $5 for an hour, and- He stopped suddenly, and looked up at the man. His eyes seemed to glaze over for a moment.
Ill be using it for as long as I need to, the man told him. And you wont be bothering me by asking if I want a drink, or something to eat, or anything like that. Youre going to leave me alone to use my computer in peace until Im done.
The cashier nodded, slowly and almost as though he was sleepwalking. Yes... Ill leave you alone... he muttered, before turning back to his magazine and staring at it blankly.
James sat down at the computer and nearly collapsed. His arm was throbbing painfully, and he was still feeling lightheaded. Manipulating someones mind like that - even if the mind in question belonged to someone who felt like they huffed paint through middle school - had taken a lot more out of him than he had expected it to. He must have lost more blood than hed realized, and of course the awkward job hed had to do in sewing it up, pouring half a bottle of hydrogen peroxide on it and bandaging it one-handed hadnt helped much. He knew he should have just found some gang-banger or Freak and just transferred some of their bio-energy to him to knit everything back together, but he was scared that even doing that would have Longbow zeroing in on him. For all he knew, they were trying to track them by power signatures now, and his biokinesis would likely light up any tracking devices like a Christmas tree.
So he was left doing things the hard way.
He started logging in - or trying - to his e-mail accounts. The ones directly connected to the Guardian Angels were down, which was pretty much what he had expected, but he still had a couple of personal e-mail accounts that he had kept around mainly our of nostalgia and a lack of interest in closing them down at the time. Now they might be his only way of contacting any of his team who were still out in the field or on the run like him. James also opened another web window, this one to check on the latest news for CNN, PNN and even FOX (who if nothing else could be relied on to report the salicious details of whatever was going on). The PNN news ticker at the top of the page was reporting that two of the Guardian Angels had been taken into custody without incident - clicking on that link showed him that Sledge and Firanima had both given themselves up without a fight. Good for them, he thought. With the way Longbow were handling things, he didnt want to see anyone else get hurt in these takedowns, and if that meant people going quietly, then so be it. Of the others... Caios was on the run like him, as was Stern Impact, and... Imagika? James couldnt help but laugh as he read the brief paragraph about the Angels imaginary girl taking down a Longbow squad and escaping. There had been a disturbance at Portal Corp, which could have meant anything but could well have involved Schrodi... There was no word on any of the others other than a brief listing of who was still out there, so James had to assume that no-one else had been caught or engaged yet.
A ping from the computer caught his attention. His personal-but-anonymous e-mail account, the one that Fenix had helped him set up for, well, situations just like this, was indicating an urgent message. Three of them, in fact.
<< NOT DEAD YET. FIND ME AT HERAS VACATION SPOT. BRING CLOTHES. WTF IS GOING ON? -MES >>
<< GOT SECURE LINE. SAFE TO TALK TEXT ONLY. SAFER THAT WAY. MUST MEET UP. WTF IS HERA? -C >>
<< PEREZ. CAVE WHERE JEWEL OF HERA KEEPS ENDING UP. CURRENTLY EMPTY, BULLIED LOCALS INTO HELPING SECURE AREA. NEED CLOTHES B/C RUNNING NEAR C VELOCITY IS BAD FOR NATURAL FABRICS. ALSO, ANGRY WELSH WOMAN NEEDS FOOD BADLY. BURNED TOO MUCH POWER ESCAPING. -MES >>
Stern and Caios, it had to be. James was just about to type his own reply, telling them he was okay and would meet up with them as soon as he could, when something on the news ticker caught his attention. He clicked through to it... and found himself watching footage, apparently shot from a helicopter, of the roof of the police HQ in Kings Row. On the roof, people were running about and screaming, one of them was jumping down onto a ledge and proceeding to beat the crap out of... a sniper, from the look of the rifle by his side, while the other was trying to dive to save something as if fell from the sky to the ground below.
Ice in his stomach, James read the story attached to the footage. He couldnt bring himself to turn on the audio. The world seemed to fall away for a while.
After a long few minutes of thought, James slowly - the numbness in his left arm preventing him from doing anything but typing one-handed - started a message on the same channel that Caios and Stern were using.
<< WILL GET TO HERA WHEN I CAN. MIGHT BE LATE, THINK I HAVE SOME THINGS TO DO FIRST. XENOLIZARD DEAD. LONGBOW SNIPERS. ELLEN AND SLEDGE IN CUSTODY. -J >>
James then got up to leave, but stopped, looking back at the computer for a moment. Then, his fist glowing with telekinetic energy, he punched through first the screen, then the base unit. Sparks flew everywhere, and suddenly all eyes were on him, including the cashiers. James looked at him steadily.
Bill Longbow for the damages, he told him coldly. Theyre going to be paying for a lot by the end of this."
Caios - Modern. Vampire. Cowgirl, not Catgirl.
Karnage - Monster. Psychopath. Fun at Parties.
FyreShadow - Innocent. Naive. God-like Powerful.
Queen Armitage - Caring. Exiled. and out of Options.