August 31st 8:00pm
Johnson walked to the storage area in the back of the facility with a clip board in hand seemingly doing inventory but his eyes darted constantly looking for any onlookers. When he was sure he was alone he acted quickly in a few moments he had what he wanted the two darts containing the retro virus meant for Sarah Swift he replaced them with standard tranq darts put the crate back then headed back towards the entrance. He waved nervously at the guards as he exited the facility when they didnt respond he knew he was in the clear.
Sarah Swift stood smiling posing for photographs with young fans in front of a charity event to supply housing for those displaced by the praetorian war and galaxy city tragedy, clothed in what had in recent months become her signature outfit a set of acus she was given on a USO tour of the Shadow Shard. She paused momentarily as she saw the longbow nullifier approach. Hey whats up Im off duty right now is everything all right?
Johnson walked like a man with a purpose with one dart hidden in his left glove and the other stored securely in his utility belt. He stopped dead in his tracks dumbfounded when she spoke. He never got a good look at her when she had saved him and his squad. She had been only partially visible and moved like a acrobat. It was strange while she looked like a succubus a creature from the depths of hell who should be feared her, demeanor that smile, and her purple sparkling eyes completely shattered that image. She was absolutely gorgeous in a strange way he thought. I uh well
You probably dont remember me I just wanted to say thank you for saving my life. He continued walking toward her at a slower more normal pace.
The children around her began to ooh and ahh about seeing a actual longbow soldier. Well come over here I think you have some fans that want to get pictures with you too. Sarah smiled and waved him over.
I uh sure. He quickly made his way over to her and stood posing side by side for a few pictures as crowds of kids rushed over for a quick picture. He was awestruck momentarily and, took a few deep breaths to recover. Dam she even smells like a angel he thought, his eyes quickly found hers and he stared wondering if she was reading his mind right then and knew what he was up to but it seemed she was only interested in the cameras and pleasing the crowd that had gathered. He could feel himself sweating profusely and after another moment of staring she finally looked at him, Are you okay?
Yeah Im fine theres just something I wanted to ask you and youre kind of famous with the whole hero thing and acting and modeling and stuff.
Im just as normal as everyone else dont get all worked up. Just give me one second and we can talk okay? She smiled warmly as she leaned over and spoke so only he could hear. Hey guys I gotta take five then we can get some more pictures before the dinner starts okay? The line of fans waiting for pictures looked slightly disappointed as she walked off to the side of the building motioning for the longbow nullifier to follow.
Okay so whats up she asked.
Well.. Uh you just.. I just wanted to say thank you for all that you do. And I wanted to ask you a question. he stammered nervously he almost fell back when she smiled and leaned in to give him a reassuring hug.
Ah thanks. She said as she hugged him
If you had a choice between being how you are now and being normal which would you chose. He asked while returning the hug and pulling the dart out of his left glove.
I uh. Thats a tough one. She tried to back up and relinquish the hug but he held tight her eyes quickly met his with a questioning gaze.
Youll thank me latter
he said starring in her eyes as he drove the needle into the back of her neck.
Seemingly instantly Sarah was awash in a slight pink light before becoming partially translucent he had seen this before and knew it was going to hurt. She quickly kneed him in the stomach and threw him off her with a telekinetic thrust. The next thing he knew he was being thrown up into the air by a invisible force he squinted his eyes closed waiting to be thrown into the ground with enough force to knock him out but instead fell to the ground with only the regular force of gravity. He quickly regained his footing and looked over to find Sarah Swift crumpled on the ground in the fetal position holding the bloody dart in a death grip as she writhed in pain. The commotion had drawn the attention of the crowd and some of them were beginning to venture around the side of building when he decided to make a break for it.
August 31st 8:30pm Steel Canyon Medical Center
Breaking news just moments ago Sarah Swift was admitted to the Steel Canyon Medical Center in critical condition after being attacked with a unknown biological agent by what appeared to be a longbow agent at a nearby Habitat for Humanity event. She is currently in quarantine and it is unknown whether she will survive the night
As the suave dark haired reporter said his final line a young lithe blonde woman pushed past him nearly knocking him over to get through into the building. Inside the main lobby the young woman walked straight to the receptionist, I need to see Sarah Swift now.
Im Sorry miss but shes not available for visiting right now.
Shes my sister
err cousin whatever stupid cover story we came up with just. I need to see her okay! with that she slammed her hero ID down on the counter. The receptionist nodded then picked up the phone to call someone. Fifteen minutes and a near brawl latter she was lead up to Sarahs room.
Okay um Cloe is it, we have determined she isnt contagious but its not pretty okay I just want you to know that before you go in. The large male nurse stated in a warm but manner of fact way as he stood in front of the door looking more like a linebacker than a care giver.
Ill be fine just let me in already. Cloe sneered as she pushed her way around him then stopped dead in her tracks as soon as she entered. On the bed in front of her looked more like an Egyptian mummy than a living person covered from head to toe in bandages with wires and iv tubes thrown in for good measure.
Right now we have her on Morphine we are just trying to make her comfortable she had lesions opening up all over her body spontaneously and nothing we tried could get them to close the enhanced regeneration drugs we tried actually made it worse
Her tail even sorta just fell off while they were bringing her in here. So if I were you Id start saying your goodbyes. He put one of his hands on her shoulder offering her support.
Thank you. She said quietly all the fight had instantly left her. He nodded and headed out of the room silently.
@pax parabellum
September 1st 1:15am Steel Canyon Medical Center
Cloe sat silently next to the bed looking over at her sister. She had only known her for a year or so after since she had broken free from arachnos grasp. Even though she was an artificial creation a clone born from Sarahs pre transformation DNA and the fact that she once tried to kill her, Sarah had been nothing but kind to her. She gave her a place to stay, she introduced her to their parents. She was the best thing that ever happened in her short life and here she was languishing in a hospital bed. Cloe hardly noticed the influx of well wishers who left a ever growing stack of get well cards and floral decorations as she maintained her nearly catatonic vigil with the steady sound of the ekg as her soundtrack. As the night progressed she began to hold one of Sarahs hands and allowed herself to do something she had never been allowed to indulge in during her days as an arachnos night widow and cried and eventually fell asleep. For a few hours she slept but her well honed senses kicked in and she woke up as soon as a nurse entered to administer more morphine. After the nurse left she noticed Sarah looked bloated the bandages looked stressed to near breaking point. She took hold of Sarahs hand and began to unwrap some of the bandages to see what was going on. As she unraveled more and more the bandage began to stick to itself from the dried blood and various bodily fluids that it had absorbed but she continued on. She could see Sarahs red flesh now through the last layer of bandage with large lesions already apparent. When she pulled off the last layer of bandage off her pinky the red skin came off as well with a white bloody mess underneath. Oh God. Cloe muttered momentarily thinking she was looking at bone. But then she looked closer and unwound more bandage and more flesh fell off revealing white normal looking skin bathed in a small amount of blood. Cloe began systematically unwrapping the bandages when she unwrapped Sarahs head the horns unceremoniously fell off and her old scalp complete with long black hair had already separated from her head with a long mane of brown hair lying underneath. Eventually her unraveling removed the ekg sensors that were present, fearing a flat line nurses and doctors rushed in astonished by what they found. Soon the bandages were completely removed, Sarah was placed in a medical gown and she looked like a older brunette twin to the young woman sitting beside her.
Steel Canyon medical facility 10:00am
Sarahs eyes fluttered open they were still the dark amethyst purple that they had been since the circle of thorns had abducted her and transformed her all those years ago in a ceremony gone awry. As she started to look around and gain her bearings she was suddenly pounced and felt arms wrap around her a blonde head laid itself on her chest and she could hear joyous crying.
Hey Cloe how long was I out.
Cloe looked up at her a rare smile on her face. About 12 hours...I think you need a mirror.
Sarah laughed, Oh come on I cant look that bad I dont even wear makeup most of the
She stopped mid sentence when she noticed her arms were a sun deprived shade of white.
The doctors think youre mostly normal now. Cloe smiled and squeezed Sarah tightly, Oh youre gonna need to call Mom and Dad they are worried sick.
A loud knock on the door ended the sisters bonding abruptly.
Come in. Sarah yelled.
A trio of soldiers in Acus walked in each carrying a card a floral decoration and a small stuffed animal. They stood there looking at each other and smiling nervously at the two women for a few moments neither party knowing what to say. Finally a young muscular Hispanic man about 510 wearing Sgt stripes stepped forward, Hi you came and visited us when were deployed to the Shadow Shard just figured we would come and say hello and see how you were doing.
I remember you we talked for like 20 minutes then I had to go help one of your recon teams that went missing. Did you guys enjoy the beef jerky?
All three of the soldiers grinned finally relaxing, Yes maam. They chimed in unison.
Maam really Im 24? Youre making me feel old.
Well uh we gotta go so do some stuff so get well okay, Sarge here though hes free all day right Sarge? One of the soldiers said placing his gifts on a table among the others the other soldier followed his lead and before leaving he nudged the sergeant towards the two woman and gave him a wink as he closed the door behind him.
The sergeant left on his own began to blush, Well um you sure do look different from last time.
Yeah what do you think improvement or were you more fond of the she devil look.
I think you look gorgeous. I mean I dont think youll have problems getting more modeling jobs I mean. He stammered and looked away. Maybe I should get going
Oh come on I dont bite, and thank you for the compliment. Sarah said smiling warmly at him.
Cloe looked at him in her typical hard to read emotionless way, I believe his friends tried to get him alone with you yet he seems eager to leave. Why is human pair bonding such a complex undertaking.
I uh.. Who are you? He stammered.
Her sister. Cloe stated bluntly, before looking at Sarah and nodding, Fine Ill be back in ten minutes. She said seemingly without any communication to Sarah and headed out of the room.
Dont worry about her shes just a bit off what did you want to say? Sarah asked once they were alone.
Oh uh I just remember hitting it off pretty well and before you had to run off and I well um I am getting out soon next week actually Im gonna be going to Paragon U I wanna be a teacher.. But that doesnt really have anything to do with anything and Im rambling
You wanna go get something to eat sometime?
See was that so hard? She asked in a teasing manner. And actually Im pretty hungry and I just got cleared a couple of minutes ago apparently so if you can wait outside a minute for me to change then we can go get something to eat.
Sure! Um meet me in the lobby?
Yeah one thing whats your name anyways I mean youre nametag just says Smith.
Oh Yeah its Matt, Moms Columbian Dads stereotypical WASP
Yeah so lobby?
Yeah, Ill meet you there Matt.
He quickly made his way out of the room almost floating on air on his way to wait in the lobby. Five minutes latter Sarah walked into the lobby wearing a simple t shirt and jeans looking like the typical girl next door her sister by her side. Hey Matt one quick change of plans I need to get another pair of pants before we go since I dont have a tale anymore umm the hole for it kinda just shows my butt. She said with a little nervous laugh.
Okay. He said with a smile
Hey Cloe, Matt can I meet up with you guys outside? She got a strange expression on her face.
The two nodded and headed out the front doors with Matt trying to start a conversation with the younger Swift. Once the doors closed behind them Sarah looked around slowly at each person in the lobby before fixing her gaze on a man in a lab coat that seemed to be paying more attention to her than his tablet computer. He raised his left hand to his face and talked quietly into his sleeve pretending to scratch his face. Whiskey Delta Six the target is alone and vulnerable. Request permission to terminate meta human target. suddenly he dropped the tablet and pulled a pair of suppressor and laser equipped pistols from his waist and aimed them at Sarah Swift. She simply smiled and mockingly pulled her hands from her pockets with her hands pointed at him finger gun style. Bang bang. She said dropping her thumbs onto her hands like hammers falling on a revolver complete with some mock recoil. The man in the trench coat dropped his pistols grabbed his head then fell down unconscious. Sarah raised her two finger guns blew the non existent smoke from her fingers, smiled then walked out the front doors as security scrambled to secure the fallen man and his firearms. So I dont know about you guys but Im totally digging some pancakes. Sarah said as she wrapped a arm around Matt and the other around Chloe and walked off to enjoy another day in the city.
@pax parabellum
((So I got it in my head that I wanted to write a sort of open ended story about my main character to have some closure but if the game is saved isn't a endgame scenario. Here it goes I kinda just typed it straight into Microsoft word gave it a once over then put it here so I apologize for any horrendous typos and if you want to make a ending story for your chars then feel free to chime in.))
August 30th 2012
Deep inside a longbow bunker a longbow nullifier and ballista examine a stack of crates each crate has a name written in bold yellow letters on the top and sides making them easily distinguishable from one another in their perspective stack. “So you’re telling me this storeroom right here has weapons specially developed to take out the meta who’s name is on em?” The nullifier asked the lumbering Ballista, “Yes Johnson , we have a couple store rooms like this strategically placed throughout the city when your done gawking at em let me know so I can finish showing you around your new duty station.” The muscle bound ballista looked impatient as his smaller counterpart continued examining the stack of crates he seemed transfixed on one in particular.
“Uh Rameriez am I reading this one right it says Sarah Swift. She’s one of the good guys.”
The ballista removed his helmet and let out a sigh, “Yeah but she wasn’t always and well you know what they say always be prepared. I mean have you seen her go at it if she changed her mind and went back to Arachnos it would be a bad day.”
Johnson carefully removed the crate from its spot placeing it gently on the ground before opening it. “Seriously she’s been legit for like 5 years man, hell she saved my old squad once.” he looked over the cases contents before looking up at his comrade. “A grenade launcher and a tranq gun are you serious how the hell is that supposed to take her down?”
Rameriez walked over kneeling down next to the smaller man obviously displeased at the conversation. “Well genius we have one of these in each crate to give you a quick briefing on the individual and what the plan is to take them down if need be .” he plucked a small tablet out of the crate pressed the power button and tossed it to Johnson.
Johnson’s eyes grew wide as the device flew through the air and after some excited fumbling had it firmly in his grasp. He became transfixed on its screen oblivious to the look of anger his guide was giving him. “Wow that’s pretty smart. The grenades are a mix of OC and tear gas just meant to distract her enough to hit her with the tranq gun… But they aren’t tranqs it’s some sort of engineered retro virus tailored to her… It’s a cure for her condition. Does she…”
Rameriez cut him off, “Okay we’ve wasted enough time load that thing up so I can finish showing you around and get back to real work you can research red demon girls on your own time.”
“Yes Sir.” Johnson barked quickly putting the equipment back inside the case and securing it before placing the crate back in it’s space while Rameriez stood arms crossed but looking slightly relieved that they were once again on track.
August 31st 2012 12:00pm
It was lunch time in the long bow R&D base Rameriez sat by himself in the cafeteria with two trays overflowing with food in front of him eating as one would imagine a man of his ample size would. His attention was diverted from his food only momentarily as Johnson sat down across from him he nodded and continued to eat.
“So uh. I did some research last night. I mean don’t you think they should tell Sarah about this cure our brainiacs cooked up I mean she’s a member of the phalanx reserve and has been given more medals by the city than I can count.” Johnson asked timidly before grabbing the sandwich off his own tray and taking a bite.
Rameriez sighed, swallowed, then looked at Johnson shaking his head, “You want to talk about this during lunch then I at least get your pudding.”
Johnson smiled and pushed his chocolate pudding onto one of the other mans trays, “Deal!”
Rameriez continued shoveling food into his mouth speaking in between bites, “Okay its like this she’s a dam valuable asset, and strong as hell hence why we have that little countermeasure plan in place for her. So we came up with the cure to depower her if she ever goes rogue but she’s too dam valuable to just throw away.”
“I don’t get it.” Johnson said his brow furrowing under the cowl that covered the upper part of his face.
“Umm she would probably chose to use that cure if she knew about it right? Well then we would be losing a weapon and it’s a war out there so she doesn‘t get a choice.” Rameriez shrugged matter of factly then continued eating.”
“So that’s it. Someone risks their life defending the city after being made a freak by the circle of thorns but even though we could possibly cure her we don’t even let her know because she’s too valuable a weapon?”
“Yep kid that’s how it goes sometimes. I mean she’s taken down a Kraken, some of those Rikti pylons and one of those clockwork Babbage things all by herself. Ain’t too many people who can manage that. Hell back when she worked for Old spidey she kicked my a@# once.”
Johnson nodded finishing his sandwich in silence.
“Kid it aint that bad I mean think of it sure she’s red, has horns, a devil tail, can‘t handle booze and is probably sterile. But she doesn’t age, heals pretty dam well, can read peoples minds and fly. Whoopty do pretty nice trade off if you ask me.”
“I still think she should at least be given a choice is all.” Johnson said as he stood up from the table grabbed his tray and headed for the exit.
“Above our pay grades kid.” Rameriez replied.
@pax parabellum