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Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:47 AM

“Well… crap.” He looks at his watch, it’s 5:41, this message was new, he still had time. He tapped open the attachment, and waited for the GPS program to boot. A map of Independence Port showed up, and a little blinking dot appeared in the docks.

Putting the lid back on the Tupperware, he burped the container and put it back in its pouch, wiped his silverware on his pant leg, and put the package back on his belt. Shadow removed a small film canister shaped device from his belt. He stopped and picked up his helmet, clasped it on with a metallic wheeze as it expelled air to make it a perfect fit, and grabbed his gun.

After a couple seconds of fiddling with the device, he pressed the black button on top, and with a flash and a bang, he appeared in the middle of Independence Port’s expansive dockyard next to a large blue container with Intel’s familiar logo emblazoned across its side in white. He nodded to the guards, armed in the latest in corporate warfare gear. The full helmets, the guns, all the myriad gadgets and the uniforms made of space-age materials like ballistic nylon, Kevlar, synthesized spider’s silk, and titanium alloys were all stamped with ATI’s familiar three letter monogram, and were hued in the company’s red and black. “How’s it been, boys?”

The leader of the guards, at least, what Shadow believed to be the leader, Corporations had a funny habit of placating disgruntled CW employees with chevrons on the arm, stepped forward and handled his gun meaningfully. “You’re Stalking Shadow?”

Shadow, underneath his helmet, grinned widely. “Yeah, do they have memos floating around about me?”

The guard chortled, recalling a meeting he was forced to attend regarding this particular renegade, “You could say that. What are you doing here?”

“Me? Actually, I was going to ask you the same question. That’s an Intel container you got there. I got a tip telling me that the boys in blue would be pretty keen on getting it back.”

“Really?” Through the helmets, both of the men looked absolutely impassive, but underneath, a look of sublime amusement crossed Shadow’s face, and an incredulous expression was worn by the guard.

“More specifically, they have orders from head office to shoot to kill.”

“And you care… why?”

“I’m in law enforcement nowadays. Murder’s a crime.” Shadow knew that he always tread uneasy ground in his current position, as one of the spoil-sports of the corporate warfare world. In the long run, he knew that this was a moot task, and wondered what wars off in some remote jungle in Madagascar the two rival semi-conductor companies were funding.

“Right, well, what are we up against, Mr. Stalking Shadow?” The question almost came across as mockery, but with the artificial curtain of the helmets, you could never be too sure.

“Intel sent the local CW division. Basically, they want what you guys took badly enough to warrant four to one odds.” Under the helmet, the guard blanched.

“They’re sending twenty-four mooks?” He looked around to the other ATI guards. “What the hell are we sitting on, anyways?” The others, checking the perimeter and watching point, looked at him and shrugged.

“What you’re guarding isn’t important, buddy. I’m just here to defuse the situation. Personally, I’d like to resolve this without putting a bullet in your heads.” Shadow had a reputation in the corporate world. He didn’t believe in idle threats.

Apparently, this corporate raider was new. “Why should I believe you? How do I know that you’re just working for Intel?”

Shadow grimaced under his helmet. Turning a quarter, he bared his left shoulder at the guard, and indicated the red and blue laurel wreath patch. “See this? This means that I’m under new management. It means I’m law enforcement, and it means that I’ll blow your brains out without so much as a warning. Now open that container, I want to see what’s inside.”

“Won’t do it.”

Shadow sighed, and began lifting his rifle. “Why not?”

“Two reasons, we’re under orders to keep this thing closed. And you ain’t got a warrant.”

Shadow laughed, and pointed the barrel at the guard, who despite his tough talk, had his knees quivering. “Welcome to Paragon City, buddy, I don’t need a stinking warrant.” He took his wallet off of his tac-belt, and opened it, revealing his hero-ID. “Open the d**n container before I can look at your buddies through the hole in your head.”

The guard caved in, and headed to the container entrance. His voice nearly broke, “Oh, d**n… there’s a third reason.”

Shadow sighed impatiently, “What is it?”

“The container’s locked.”

“Get out of the way; get your men a good thirty yards away from the dockyard.” The guard and his colleagues scrambled out of the way. Shadow took a soda-can shaped and sized container off of his belt, and placed it on the barrel of his gun. Aiming it at the door, he pulled the trigger softly.

A resounding sonic blast shook the dockyard. And yet no fiery explosion accompanied it. There was no harm done to anything, except a flock of pigeons and a couple sea-gulls, found as a number of bloody stains covered in feathers; Shadow’s ears rung in protest. He went forward to the container’s door, which had a bullet firmly ingrained in the reinforced steel of the threshold. He reached out and flicked the door with his forefinger.

It shattered.

He smiled.

The ATI men wormed their way back. The one that Shadow had spoken to earlier jogged over to him. “What the… what did you do?!”

Shadow grabbed the smoking soda-can attachment off of his barrel, and handed it to the guard. He yelped, and dropped it. The synthetic plastic material of the gloves had melted to the can, and threaded messily like cheesy pizza as the can dropped to the floor. “What the hell is that thing?”

“It’s basically a supercharger for bullets. Anything fired gets enough potential energy in it to vaporize most solid structures the size of a refrigerator upon impact. It was about twice as effective. I’m impressed.”

The guard stepped forward, and looked at the damage. “That’s incredible! It stops right at the edges of the container!”

“Like it? Look for them next year.” Shadow grinned and walked into the container. “What do we have here?” He switched his left eye from the visible spectrum to lowlight/infrared composite. Many cardboard boxes, marked with the company logo. He opened one.

“Motherboards.”

“Motherboards?”

“You’re sitting on motherboards.” However, Shadow’s sixth sense told him that there was something more in this seemingly standard shipment. He dug around more, and moved boxes out of the way with his gun’s barrel. Once he was about halfway into the container, something caught his eye. One of the boxes had a different log; no, wait… two of them. Moving downward, he saw all of these boxes, with the same, frighteningly chilling logo. Crey…

He heard a gun click behind him. “Mr. Jackson, nice to see you again.”

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:47 AM

Shadow turned to face him. Or them, really; Intel’s CW unit had arrived, and made short work of the ATI guards. “Nice work gentlemen, very silent. Just like I taught you to do.”

“You’re like a father to us, Mr. Jackson.”

Chuckling, Shadow recalls his days as head of the very group that pointed their guns at his head at this very moment. He wondered how odd he looked with half a dozen little red dots floating on his forehead. “So, what are you godless guns-for-hire doing here, spoiling my fun?” The hero’s mind raced as he considered options. At the base of the back of the necks; that’s where they can get taken out, that’s the weak point. Of course, it wasn’t a simple matter of asking them politely to turn around one at a time. However, he maintained his cool, leaning against a pile of boxes with a subtle nonchalance.

The similarly helmeted, armed, and armored men looked back at him. The blue and white does look good… but hardly practical. Why didn’t they stick to camo? “You know, Jackson, embezzlement is a crime.

“What?”

“Your gear. It’s Intel prop.”

“Oh, this stuff?” He said, indicating his fatigues, “You don’t need it, do you? I mean c’mon, I didn’t even get a going-away party from you schmucks, I needed something to remind me of all the good times I had doing your jobs.”

The sarcasm wasn’t lost, one of them chuckled. “Regardless, breaking and entering is a crime too.”

He rolled his eyes behind the helmet. “Puh-lease. I’m a hero, remember? Warrant shwarrant, I’ll violate your rights whenever I d**n feel like it.” Suddenly, it clicked. Shadow dropped his hands to his sides, still leaning against pile of boxes. As if in a move to scratch his leg, he continued. “Anyways, what brings you guys to my neck of the woods?”

“You know why we’re here, Jackson. Don’t be dense.” Shadow’s hand moved to one of the items on his belt as his hand oscillated in the scratching motion, and with a little sleight of hand, concealed it in his palm.

“It’s a long way from HQ. You went all the way here for a bunch of…” He went forward to one of the cardboard boxes. Placing the egg shaped device inside, he pulled one of the motherboards out. “Motherboards? What a waste of your time. I’m sure you have many more interesting villages to plunder and rape.”

The soldiers were not amused. “Go back to where you were. Turn around.”

“Sure, if you say so.” Shadow walked coolly to his previous position, and stayed facing the far end of the container. His hands remained at his sides, and he reached a tab on the side of his belt.

“Goodnight, Mr. Jackson.”

That was his cue. He pulled the tab, and suddenly, the box containing the egg erupted in smoke. It spread quickly as he weaved downwards. The resounding crack of rockets filled the air. Shadow grabbed his own rifle, and spun around a hundred-eighty degrees. Engaging his cloak device, he slipped deeper into the foggy container, trying to find a cranny to duck into.

He found it, and engages full infrared in his bionic eye. Shadow took his rifle and held it ready. He thumbed the mode switch. Safety… off. Cautiously, he walked into the narrow path, and looked around.

Amusedly, he watched as the Intel mooks stepped in, their heavy boots made the container resound with a tinny echo, and watched as the laser beams cut through the fog. How... unprofessional. He hugs the edge of the passable area, and slips past the Intel soldiers.

It wouldn’t do to leave the container in the fog. The other eighteen troops would be waiting outside, and would see the tell-tale wisps that would trail him. He slips behind the first soldier, and presses the rifle’s barrel to the base of the man’s neck. A slight of the trigger, followed by a muffled bang, and the soldier’s body dropped to the ground.

All the beams wheeled around, pointing at Shadow.

He was invisible, but the laser dots stopped quite convincingly on his abdomen, betraying his presence. Crap.

Shadow took a lightening quick inventory of the situation. All the soldiers, save one, were ahead of him. The last one that hovered near the entrance probably had a dot right on his vulnerable rear, and was about to squeeze the trigger. But Shadow was faster. He thumbed his mode-switch further, Semi… burst… full. In a descending spin, he pulled his trigger hard, and sent a spray of lead in the direction of the four soldiers in the back of the container. A bullet sped over his head and lodged itself in the metal side of the container, and Shadow ducked further, finishing his spin. At the terminus of the rotation, he sent a final burst of bullets, which ripped through the guard at the door. Screaming, he fell backwards, into the light.

The four in the back of the container, however, didn’t fall exactly as planned. Some moaned, and one responded with the crack of his rifle. A fiery pain ripped through Shadow’s back, and through his abdomen. He grit his teeth, and turned back on the group. Walking back towards them, he began firing.

The hail of fire was awesome, and as the men screamed in pain, Shadow’s jaw set. “You shot the wrong guy, you stupid bastards.” He released the trigger, and the container was silent. Slumping down, he moved his hand to the wound in his back. Looking at it in the infrared spectrum, he saw the livid, warm blood coating his hand. Crap.

Shadow stood, carrying the pain, and grimaced as it shot through him like bolts of electricity. Six down, eighteen to go. But first, he had to get out of the container without letting them know where he was going. He pulled out his film canister shaped teleportation device in the darkness, and recalled the scene outside. After fiddling with the device for a moment, he activated it, and with a large flash and a bang, reappeared at the point where he first arrived at the dockyard.

He was still invisible, but the illusion was compromised by the stream of blood that dripped from his wound. Moving carefully, with the rifle held at the ready, on semi-automatic, he moved back to the area surrounding the container.

Shadow knew their methods. He invented them. The perimeter would be guarded by half of the dispatched contingent; twelve guys at six positions, two at a point. The other half accomplished the objective, with one half, which was already dead, going in first, and the other closely following.

Spotting the first perimeter guards, he smiled, and then grimaced again from the pain. They had taken an excellent spot, overlooking the aisle formed by the containers from the tops of one of the container blocks. They made a fatal error, though. By staying on the same side of the aisle, they had created a blind spot right underneath them. Shadow crept along the wall, until he could hear them chat idly above. Changing the mode-switch past full auto, he converted his assault rifle to a perfectly serviceable grenade launcher.

Making a couple head calculations, he pointed the gun upwards to the sky. A number flashed on the HUD built into his goggle: the trajectory angle. He matched the data, and the number flashed green. Pulling the trigger, a smile crossed his face as a grenade flew upwards in an elliptic arc, traveling back towards the ground. The guards above looked up, and gasped as the ordinance hit its apogee, and began its earthward descent. The resulting explosion blew the troops off of their perch, and against the opposite wall of corrugated steel siding.

As they crumpled noisily on the ground, and looked frantically for their weapons, Shadow chucked another grenade. It landed in their laps, and they chuckled nervously. A moment later, it burst, covering them in a web of hyper-quick drying epoxies, cements, and other synthetic polymers. He moved on, and went to the container proper. The second team was already inside the box, and the smoke had, for the most part, dissipated.

Walking towards the box quietly, he pulled another smoke grenade from his tac-belt. Shadow tossed it inside, and let it clang against the metal floor and roll a bit. A guard inside picked up the egg quizzically. “What the?”

The egg exploded in his hands, and the container filled once more in a cloud of dense grey fog with the deep sound of air being displaced. Shadow flipped his gun to its last mode. It was new, and instead of an engraved label, it was marked with a piece of masking tape, with “FLAMETHROWER” labeled on it. As the first of the Intel soldiers walked out, he pulled the trigger, and a tongue of flaming napalm licked each of them. They screamed, and tried to run back into the container. Shadow had already flipped the mode-switch two steps backwards, and a hail of lead caught them in their tracks. So, what does that make it now? Six, two, another six… fourteen down. Ten to go.

But first, Shadow had to investigate the contents of the Crey boxes. He stepped inside, and stepped over the moaning troops, and stepped past flaming boxes of motherboards. Directly to the Crey section. He took a box, and walked out. Examining the box in the sunlight, it looked plain and ordinary. A shipping box with the Crey logo pasted on its side, as well as “Fragile”, and “Handle with Care” and “This End Up”. Taking a utility knife from his belt, he cut the shipping tape that held the box shut, and opened the cardboard flabs.

Arranged in neat rows of test tube racks, myriad skulls smiled in their morbid fashion up at Shadow. Dyne…

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:48 AM

Shadow’s world turned a shade more surreal.

He took his teleportation device, and set it to one of his presets. With a flash and a bang, Shadow was back in his office, at the Dawn Patrol headquarters. He set the box down heavily, and sat at his desk. Unclasping his helmet and tossing it aside, he rubbed his face, now amply creased with the lines created by the cushions of the fitting mechanism of the headgear. “Why the hell is Crey smuggling Dyne?” Thirsty, he went to the breakroom to get a glass of water.

Halfway down the hallway, his world went black.

Later, at the hospital, Shadow opened his eyes meekly. Robo MD gave him a monocled look, and spoke, “Ah, good evening, Sleeping Beauty.” The droid hands him a glass of water, which he gulps down gratefully. “What the hell happened?”

“Anemia, complicated with a tear in your stomach, which leaked acid into your abdominal cavity. By all accounts, you should be dead. That’ll teach you to walk around the office with a bullet in your back.”

“What?” Shadow blanched, and then remembered. The wound he took in the back, from the first group! “Oh god… I never got that checked!” An image of scores of skulls looking up at him from a box reminded him, “How long have I been out?”

“About an hour or so. If you want, I’ll let you go right now.” Robo tapped the large piece of medical equipment next to him, “Ah, the miracles of Rikti technology, yes?”

Chuckling weakly, Shadow got up. Amazingly, he felt strong and vital, as if he just had a good night’s sleep. Getting out of the bed quickly, he moved to the door, and turned back to Robo. “Thanks Doc.”

“Don’t thank me. Thank Alumette, she’s the one that found you.”

Shadow blanched once more. He could imagine the thunderstorm of reprimand that she would send his way. He grabbed his tac-belt and put on his fatigues, which had been neatly folded on the bedstand. Feeling the spot where the wound was, he sighed. He’d have to find a place to get the suit repaired.

Footsteps sounded down the fall. Shadow put a hand to his lips, looking at Robo meaningfully, and engaged his invisibility device. Alumette stormed into the room, and looked at the empty room. She glared at Robo, “Where is he?”

Robo looked back at her, “I really can’t say, madamemoiselle.” He paused, and added “He was in here, though.”

Shadow stifled a giggle, and slipped out silently. He grabbed the teleportation device, and set it back to his preset. Pressing the top button, he flashed out of the clinic with his signature flash and bang.

Alumette wheeled around, and rushed into the hallway. Finding it utterly empty, she grimaced, “Merde!”

Back at his office, Shadow began working on a new case file.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:56 AM

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER, AT SHADOW AND ALUMETTE'S APARTMENT IN FOUNDER'S FALLS...

Shadow got sat heavily on the edge of his bed, and hoisted the heavy duffel bag full of his belongings onto the bed. His combat suit, rifle, and most of his gadgets were stowed in the hidden panic room of the apartment; a copy of his orders, and his travel itinerary rested on the desk in the study along with a note to Alumette. He moved almost automatically, running a mental checklist of pre-travel preparations. The routine helped him, he thought, keep his mind off the actual reason that he was traveling. Shadow had come to realize that his routines were coping mechanisms: subtle manifestations of obsessive compulsive disorder. The more like a machine he became, the easier it was to stop thinking and start doing – a skill he learned in college, expanded in the military, and perfected in the black years of his work as a corporate spook. I’m a man who lives a life of danger.

Alumette, off on her patrols, knew that he was going away for the disciplinary hearings, and his “indefinite temporary base of operations transfer,” but Shadow couldn’t help but feel that he was abandoning her, leaving without as much as a kiss goodbye. He shouldered the duffel and walked out of the apartment, locking the door behind him. A cab waited at the curb to take him to the airport. Instinctively, he opened the front passenger side door and then went around to the door just behind him, tossing the duffel in the back seat before he took the front seat. He buckled up, and turned to the cabbie, “Alright chief. Let’s go.” To everyone I meet I stay a stranger.

~~~

About half an hour later, the cab pulled up to the white zone of Paragon International Airport. Shadow got out of the car, and grabbed his duffel bag from the back seat. He leaned in through the passenger side window, and handed the cabbie a couple bills, thanked him, and walked into the terminal. With every move I make.

Like a regular stiff he checked his bags, made a phone call to Dawn Patrol World Headquarters, stepped through security, and bought a paperback at the airport bookstore. His patronage became an impromptu book signing, as a couple patrons (and the clerks) recognized him and thrust pens in his face. One woman asked him, “Where are you going?” Another chance I take.

He looked up from the book, which bore his obviously unpracticed scrawl, to reply, “I’m heading to London.” Guessing her next question, he added, “Business. I might head over to my alma mater to see if they haven’t totally gone to pot since I went there.” Odds are I won’t live to see tomorrow.

Shadow went to the gate, and sat down at one of the chairs, reading the book quietly as the clock in the terminal ticked minutes away. Five minutes passed, and Shadow realized that he hadn’t gotten himself any candy for the flight, so he got up to grab a candy bar from the nearby newspaper stand. The tedium of waiting for the flight to start boarding was something that Shadow always hated. The chairs they put in the lounge were needlessly uncomfortable, the screens had terrible acoustics, if any at all. Shadow smirked as he recalled the Douglas Adams line: “It is no coincidence, that in the history of human civilization, no culture has ever coined the expression ‘as pretty as an airport’.” Secret Agent Man.

~~~

A few minutes later, they started boarding the plane. Secret Agent Man.

Shadow boarded the flight, and took his seat in the business class cabin. He reflexively scanned the area, and spotted a similarly poised individual; the air marshal. The man met his gaze, and nodded curtly. Shadow gave a small wink that said “I know who you are. Keep up the good work.” They’ve given me a number.

The flight took off, and went without a hitch. Hours later, he was standing in Heathrow International, poking around the baggage claim for his duffel. And they’ve taken away my name.

~~~

In his typical, unassuming attire, Shadow walked into the Dawn Patrol World Headquarters building and tapped a couple times on the desk. The receptionist looked up from his computer monitor, and adjusted his glasses, “Can I help you?” Beware of pretty faces that you find.

Shadow nodded, “Leftenant Stalking Shadow. Base of operations transfer.” He put a manila envelope on the counter, which the receptionist opened. He glanced at the contents and back to Shadow. “May I see proof of registration, please?” A pretty face may hide an evil mind.

Quickly, Shadow produced his card, which he placed onto the black granite desk with an audible click and slid it to the receptionist, who glanced at it and nodded. “Alright, Lt. Jackson. Let me enter you into the system.” The receptionist quickly punched the new information into the keyboard just out of sight under the desk. He furrowed his brow, and looked back up to Shadow. “Lt. Jackson, you’re requested by Corporal Gulick, on the fourth floor: Department of Corrections.” Ooh be careful what you say.

Shadow nodded, “Of course. Which is his office?” Or you give yourself away.

“Third on the left, down the first corridor you see in the foyer.” Odds are you won’t live to see tomorrow.

~~~

Shadow sat in a chair in front of Cpl. Gulick’s desk. Corporal Sandra Gulick stared at him across the desk, and looked at a file folder in front of her, leafing through it’s contents. “Now, Lt. Jackson,” she started, “Recognize that we value your particular expertise in the field.” Translation: thanks for saving our butts back at the Louvre. “But you must understand, your track record, and some of your methods, in particular, have generated a lot of bad press. With your elevation to a position of some celebrity with the release of your book, your public profile has obviously increased, and many articles have been published about your more infamous exploits. As it is, we’re having trouble keeping a lid on your previous employment. Many of our attorneys are tied up with trying to find legal escapes for you in the Might for Right Act, and the amount of paperwork you turn in, while it technically clears you, has begun to put a strain on our system and become a large cause for concern.” She reached under her desk, and produced a large D-ring binder, nearly bursting with paper. “As it is, you’ve outgrown a regular file folder, a feat that many of our operatives don’t manage until their second or third year on patrol.” Secret Agent Man.

Shadow grinned, “With the possible exception of Sgt. Darling.” Secret Agent Man.

Cpl. Gulick rolled her eyes, “Sgt. Darling fills out requisition forms for a single box of staples. Your case is much more serious.” They’ve given you a number.

Shadow chuckled, “Right. But we already know all of this, hence the transfer. But why am I sitting in here, specifically?” And they’ve taken away your name.

Cpl. Gulick Nodded. “Well, in all technicality, I should be giving you a dressing down. But yours is a special case. I don’t think I’ve ever had to discipline a hero for doing too good a job. They did ask me to read you a list of headlines related to your exploits, though.” She lifted a piece of paper. Swinging on the Riviera one day.

Shadow nodded again, “Go ahead.” Layin’ in a Bombay alley the next.

She read off a litany of grisly headlines: “Stalking Shadow Claims Three for ‘Justice’”, “Ziggurat Medical Spending Up: Stalking Shadow to Blame”, “Incredible Family Death Toll, Shadow: ‘No Comment’”, and so on. Oh don’t let the wrong word slip.

“So, where are you transferring me to?” Shadow skirted discussing the headlines. While kissin’ persuasive lips.

“You’re being transferred to a desk job, you’ll be filing paperwork.” Odds are you won’t live to see tomorrow.

Shadow stifled a loud guffaw. Secret Agent Man.

Cpl. Gulick arched a brow, “What’s so funny?” Secret Agent Man.

Shadow grinned widely, “You guys have this terrible knack for poetic justice.” They’ve given you a number.

Cpl. Gulick put a hand to the corner of her mouth, and smiled. “You know, I didn’t think of it that way.” And they’ve taken away your name.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:57 AM

Alumette bounded through the door, grinning, her arms full of packages from the market. "Dom, I'm hooome!" she said in a sing-song voice. She was going to cook his favorite dinner, for a romantic night at home before he left for the UK, like they'd planned. She set the groceries down in the kitchen and wandered through the apartment to find him.

"Where are you, hon?" she queried playfully. "Dom?"

The weight of the silence pressed in on her. The quietude of the apartment was such that she knew he hadn't just stepped out for something. He was gone.

Her heart sank. She didn't know how long he'd be gone, or even how much contact she'd be allowed to have with him. It was as if he'd just been suspended from their life.

She checked their closet: most of his clothing had been removed and packed. The bathroom: his toothbrush, shaving kit, cologne, all gone. The panic room: his gear had been safely stowed. His study: his current journal and the laptop on which he did his writing, absent.

Her eyes fell on the one piece of him that seemed to remain from that morning: her name, scrawled by his hand so used to a keyboard, on a crisp white envelope next to his travel itinerary. She picked it up and turned it over in her hands, gingerly opening the flap and pulling out his note.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:57 AM

Dear Grace,

I’m sorry that I didn’t tell you that my flight left earlier today. To be honest, I hate goodbyes, and even if they’re just “see you laters” I’d rather leave quickly, under cover of night, as it were. If you’re reading this, I’m probably standing in Heathrow International, or I’m on the train to London proper.

‘Til I get to a landline or a mobile phone that works,
Love,
Tom

P.S. I’ll find a tiara worthy of you, my princess: I promise.

~~~

Shadow tossed his duffel into the open floor of the hotel room. The suite was passable, nothing fancy for a room of it’s class, and no major reason to complain: it was utilitarian, Shadow liked that. He grabbed the phone, and called Grace. The phone rang, once. A small worried voice asked, “Hello? Who is this?

Shadow smiled, “Hey hon. I’m sorry for missing dinner.”

The voice perked up, and took a tone of playful reproach, “You better be. I was going to make us salmon.”

“Oh no! How can I ever make it up to you, m’dear?” His own voice was one of mock sorrow.

Across the Atlantic, Alumette smiled. “Get home soon. That’s how. How was the flight? Did you check in with big Major Muckety-Muck at HQ?”

Shadow chuckled, “The flight was fine. Yes, I already checked in with HQ. I’ve been assigned to a desk job, sorting paperwork, of all things.”

He could almost hear her wince over the line. “Ouch. They came down hard on you, didn’t they?”

“Meh. Not really. It’s a desk job. It keeps me out of the limelight, and it’s like a vacation. The only real downside is that you’re not here with me.”

“Aww... well, you know that the Major needs me here.”

“Of course.” Shadow yawned and checked the clock on his nightstand. “Listen, I’ll call you tomorrow, okay? I’m bushed.”

“Of course. Beaux rêves, mon cher.”

“Cheerio, love.” Shadow gently clicked the headset back onto the stand, and sighed with a small sense of wonder. “She really loves me.”

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:58 AM

Alumette smiled wistfully as she read his note. In truth, it hadn’t surprised her that he’d done it this way, upon reflection. She chuckled to herself. I should have known, she thought. She folded the note and placed it back in the envelope, and then turned her attention to the travel itinerary. He likely wouldn’t be landing for a few hours yet, so she set herself to preparing a quiet evening at home.

Her first order of business was the kitchen. There was no way she could eat all of that herself. She settled for preparing only a small portion of the salmon fillet, rearranging most of the ingredients she’d purchased into a sort of Moroccan tagine. The task of making up a recipe on the fly with items originally destined for an entirely different dish helped keep her mind off the burdensome silence that pervaded the apartment.

It’s funny the things one gets used to: the sounds of an evening routine that keep two people together even if they’re in separate rooms. Absent was the sound of his boots landing on the balcony, the click of the French doors opening into the apartment, the great racket he typically made in removing his combat suit and tucking in his rifle for the night: a racket that generally led to wisecracks being made about his stealth abilities. This was a battle she could not win, for invariably he would get back at her by sneaking up on her in the kitchen and scaring her out of her wits.

A dangerous game, sneaking up on one’s girlfriend, particularly when she’s holding a kitchen knife and is capable of lighting herself on fire at a whim. Thus it was fortunate for Shadow that, (a) he’d made a career out of dodging death, and (b) he was loved beyond measure by the knife-wielding ball of flame.

Grace poured herself a glass of sauvignon blanc and sat down to her quiet little dinner.

She missed him terribly.

~~~

The meditation was coming much more easily now. She could feel her connection to the goddess returning day by day, and tonight, like any other, she settled into her meditation posture and began to focus inward. The absence of the soft clacking of computer keys from Shadow’s study tugged at her mind, but she continued to focus on her source, gradually descending into the familiar, meditative calm in which she stayed for a rather long time until her phone rang. She answered, startled.

“Hello? Who is this?”

She broke into a radiant grin.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 04:59 AM

It had been a little over a week since Shadow had been reassigned. He bent over his desk in the small office at UK HQ. Towers of paperwork leaned in mockingly towards him, from either side of his desk, from the filing cabinets behind, from large bankers' boxes that littered the floor. There was no window. The wood paneling was dour. The room was austere.

He glanced up for a brief moment at the small photo of Grace he'd brought with him, and rubbed his temples. The photo was from when they'd taken their vacation in Provence. Grace had been speaking with a jovial, leatherfaced old santon-maker in his workshop when Shadow'd snapped the photo; cajoling him breezily in her musical patois. He smiled to himself, savoring the solace provided by the memory.

"Delivery for you, Lt. Jackson," a reedy-voiced underling said in a crisp British accent, laced with respectful decorum. Shadow glanced up to see the mailroom clerk bearing a largish package that looked as if it had taken great pains to arrive at his desk. "From the States," he added, placing it on his desk.

Shadow glanced at the postmark and smiled: Founders Falls, Paragon City. "Thank you," he said to the clerk, who nodded and left the room to continue his rounds. Grace's handwriting spelled out the address. Shadow tore the paper off, grinning widely.

The warm smell of chocolate enticed him as he pulled back the box flaps. Inside he found a large tin of her homemade mocha truffle cookies and a note:

Tom:

I don't know how Dawn Patrol expects you to survive on British cooking. Hopefully these will sustain you in the meantime. I wish it were possible to send a lasagne!

Return to me soon, please.

Bon courage, et bisous,
Grace
xoxoxo
Je t'aime pour toujours

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:00 AM

Alumette packed her overnight bag in her typically chaotic fashion: toothbrush, pajamas (unmatched top and bottom, as usual), night cream... these items just seemed to migrate in random piles about the apartment without ever making it into her bag for a while. She thought about Dominic's systematic, pragmatic approach to these kinds of things: about how he'd packed prior to their return home from Provence. He'd lay everything out, neatly arranged. Everything was accounted for, everything had its place. Fully packed suitcases seemed to materialize for him in moments, while she would usually lose half her items between the closet and the duffle. She smiled bittersweetly as she balled up her yoga pants and shoved them into the corner of her bag. Now where did her toothbrush go again?

It never failed: she always seemed to be missing a single shoe, or one of her gloves. Her socks rarely matched which made her grateful for the tall boots that were part of her heroing uniform. She realized how much Dom kept her grounded, and the realization tugged at her heart. She flopped down on the bed for a moment to try to force herself to run through a mental checklist of the things she'd packed.

She inhaled deeply. His scent was still faintly detectable on the pillowcase. She couldn't stand the separation any longer, but knew there was little she could do. The apartment seemed at once comforting and lonesome. It was nice of JR and Leona to offer to let her stay at their place. It would be good to have some company.

She stood, and zipped up her bag. If she'd forgotten anything, it was only a short train ride away, anyway. She slung the chaotically-packed duffel over her shoulder and stepped out of her apartment with a heavy sigh.

~~~

Leona's cheerful smile greeted her in the doorframe. "Alumette! I'm so glad you could make it!" she grinned, folding Alumette into a sisterly hug. "Come on in!" She gestured for Alumette to enter, and she did so, feeling a little less lonely, and incredibly grateful to have friends.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:02 AM

For a week, Shadow seemed to have disappeared. No matter how many times Alumette called his hotel, he failed to return her calls, and his own phonecalls, using stolen time at the office, ceased completely. Email hadn't been replied to, and calls to Shadow's superiors resulted in a disgusting bureaucratic tango that led Grace to Corporal Gulick. "Lt. Jackson is very busy with his work right now." was all she said.

~~~

Alumette hung up her office phone in frustration. That's it, she thought to herself, rising from her chair. This is ridiculous.

She marched down the hall to the Major's office and rapped on his door, more impatiently than she perhaps intended to. While she waited, she did a quick mental run-through of Dawn Patrol's current caseload, trying to determine if it would be even remotely practical for her to request a short leave to go to the UK and find Dominic herself.

Somewhere, deep inside her, a small seed of worry stirred a little and took root.

~~~

She knew a leave of absence to go fetch Dominic would be out of the question, but she had to ask. And the Major had said no. Still, she thought she saw concern behind his eyes, which was something.

"Can you at least press them on it? Try to find out what's going on? This isn't like him." Her heart fluttered in her ribcage like a frightened bird. "Sir, they respect you at Home HQ. They'll talk to you. What have they done to him?" She looked scotch-taped together, ready to fall apart at any moment. "Please?"

"I'll see what I can do, Leftenant," the Major said quietly.

Alumette saluted and slowly walked out the door.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:04 AM

Alumette lay in bed, deep under the covers. She had neither the energy nor the inclination to get up. She wasn't even sure what day it was. Still, the city needed her. That was just motivation enough to get her out of bed and minimally through her routine to get to HQ.

She had lost quite a bit of weight and there were dark circles under her eyes, and her cheeks were drawn. She hadn’t eaten in days. She seemed to be on auto-pilot. She pushed the door to HQ open and shuffled past the front desk. "Hello, Lt. Alumette!" Chip greeted her breezily. Alumette nodded a curt response, and gave him a weak wave of the hand as she passed. She mechanically set a plate of cookies in the breakroom, and returned to her office to pick up her missions for the day.

She stared at her computer screen for a long time. The thought of going out onto the streets just seemed like a Herculean task. And what was the point, really?

“Help! Help!” she could hear the woman’s voice down on the street below. Alumette sighed and stood up. Time to go to work. At least pummeling thugs would be a distraction. She sped down the hall and out onto the street to foil the mugging. It was simple, really. “That was amazing!” the woman said. “Thank you so much!” Alumette smiled weakly, although it was a sincere smile. The first one she’d given in days. So it was a sign that somewhere in her despair, helping people still fulfilled her.

Grace, you cannot deny me the ability to do My Work, the goddess told her. You must have faith that I will return him to you. This is simply another cave.

I need to at least know that he’s safe, Alumette said, through gritted teeth. Why can’t you tell me that? She could feel herself getting angrier and angrier at the goddess with each passing day.

He is in Shadow, the goddess replied. I cannot see him. But I shall not let any harm come to him. You must believe me.

A beep from her comm. prevented her from retorting. It was Vitaly Cherenko, with some new leads on the Circle of Thorns case she’d been working on. She blinked back the tears that stung her eyes and accepted the information download.

And back to work we go, she thought. Push it out of your mind.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:07 AM

Alumette's office had been empty for three days. The usually plentiful cache of her homemade cookies in the breakroom was gone, as she hadn't been in to replenish the supply. There were 121 unread email messages in her inbox. The display on her office phone showed 34 new voicemail messages. She had not been seen on the streets, either.

Chip knocked on Endless One's door timidly, poking his head in. "Leftenant Parks?" he began. "Do you know where Alumette is? I haven't seen her at HQ in days. I've asked Robo, Umbra Knight, Leehouse, and a number of other Patrollers, and they haven't seen her either. Does the Major know?"

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:09 AM

MEANWHILE IN LONDON, ENGLAND

The small pile of little yellow slips began to grow on Shadow’s desk, all labeled with Grace’s name and either their apartment number or her HQ office number. The tin of cookies, empty save for the wax paper lining and stale brown crumbs, was tucked in a corner gathering dust. Under the slips, corners of Shadow’s matte gray laptop poked out; the screen, black and blank, was open to Shadow’s preferred angle: bent backwards far enough that it seemed as if he were looking down to a notebook laid out on his desk.

A secretary walked by and dropped another slip onto the desk. The square floated through the couple inches of air between it and the pile, landing softly among its peers in the pile. To the side, a small mountain of paperwork awaited the absent pencil-pusher’s inspection, and Shadow’s outbox lay barren in stark contrast.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:10 AM

The desk’s tenant, meanwhile, walked along the southern bank of the Thames. He was in a sleek beige designer suit; spare and elegant, with a laidback touch of having the sleeves rolled up to his elbows. A chill breeze blew, and Shadow ran a hand through dirty blond hair to set it back into place. A slight adjustment to the strap of his brown leather laptop satchel, and he began walking again. The hard leather soles of his light tanned shoes clipped against the cement sidewalk with sharp staccato taps which began to echo and reverberate as he walked beneath the London Bridge; the white noise of traffic, punctuated by beeps of London lorries and cars, melded with the quiet lapping of the Thames. His azure eyes spotted the neon sign over the door: “Billy-Goat’s Gruff”. The allusion to trolls under bridges made the hackles on his neck rise, and he suppressed the instinct to go to the shoulder holster: they might be observing him.

Besides, he was wearing his new combat suit. The nano-mesh made him feel like he was wearing nothing, which made him self-conscious when he wore it on patrol in Paragon City, but for infiltration jobs like this, it was perfect. The black “fabric” crept under his clothes automatically, leaving no hint that he was actually more than just some fancy-looking “geezer”. Under the overpass, Shadow’s mind brought up memories of A Clockwork Orange. Hopefully, everything would turn up real horrorshow.

No sense wasting time. Walk forward. Casually. You’re here with a purpose. Your motivation is to get smashed. Knock on the door. Wait. Look at the pair of mean eyes looking back at you. No, not too trained. Casually. Amicably. Name? Shawn. Shawn Thompson. Plausible enough, right? Right. Wait. Look back to the eyes. Amicably. Nod. Let the door open. Walk in. Casually. Nod to the gorilla who owns the eyes. Hand to gu– no, don’t. Walk forward. Scan the bar. Not many people. Not surprising. Go to the bar. Order a beer. What beer? Guinness? No. Too stereotypical. Bass. Order a Bass. “I’ll have Bass.”
The bartender nodded back to Shadow and filled a glass of Bass for him. “Should I start a tab, mister?”

Shadow nodded. “Sure. Name’s Thompson.”

The bartender’s mouth twisted into an awkward smirk, “Like the gun.”
Shadow cringed. “Yeah, like the gun.”

Nodding, the bartender slid the beer over to Shadow, who took it. “Cheers.”

“Likewise,” Shadow raised the glass to the tender, and took a sip. A moment later, he asked, “Slow day?”

The bartender looked up, “As slow as any. This is your first time here.” He wasn’t asking, he was stating a fact.

“Yes.”

“How’d you find us?”

“Oh, just walking. Thought I’d pop in for a drink.” A lie. Shadow was looking for someone. Here he came.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:10 AM

The man had shockingly red hair: the sort that dulls for most children over time, and wore what looked like an expensive charcoal gray silk suit. One hand was grasped tightly around the handle of a black attaché case, and his gait attempted to restrict the movement of the briefcase, as if he was trying to keep it from experiencing too much disturbance. Shadow’s appraising eye examined the man carefully, noting details in the man’s face: the shape of his cheekbones, the length of his forehead, the distance between his upper lip and nose, the shape of is unnervingly green eyes, and other details that were difficult to alter on the fly. Hair and eyes, stride and clothes... in a good spook, those were transient. Shadow learned to pay attention to that which, though subtle, couldn’t be changed.

Their eyes met, and they nodded simultaneously. Shadow made a motion toward one of the ubiquitously empty tables in the bar, and the both walked smoothly to opposite chairs, silently circling each other like panthers, assimilating every inferred detail that they could about each other before even sitting down. The man was... experienced, or at least very well trained. They took their seats, efficiently, in a deft movement that left room for no pomp or circumstance, and sat with a pretense of comfort. Shadow removed the satchel, and put it next to his chair. Finally, the red-headed man broke the silence, “Mr. Thompson?”

Shadow nodded. “Mr. Brown?”
The red-headed man nodded back. “Can I get you anything?” Check-phrase.
“Sure, I’ll take a scotch on the rocks.” Counter-check.
“Maybe after business, eh?” Confirmed.

“Of course.” Shadow reached into his satchel’s front pocket and removed a small envelope from his breast-pocket, sliding it coolly onto the table. “I’m sure that everything is in order, yes?”

Mr. Brown took the envelope, and opened it, glancing at the contents. “Yes, everything is in order.” He carefully picked up the attaché and put it on the table.

Shadow opened the briefcase and peeked inside. Rows and rows of small vials, all capped with the death’s head. “Very good. A pleasure, Mr. Brown.”

“A pleasure, Mr. Thompson.”

Mr. Brown got up, and left the bar, sliding the envelope into his breast pocket. Shadow sat where he was, and waited a minute after Mr. Brown had conclusively left before reaching for his cell phone, clicking the speed dial, and asking, “Lock?”

From a control room in the MI5 headquarters, a voice replied, “Lock confirmed. Target is maintaining south-eastward heading.”

“Permission to pursue?”
A pause. “Granted.”
“Lethal force if I get resistance?”
Immediate. “Denied.”
“Fine. Get a pick-up guy here soon. I’m out.”

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:11 AM

Cursing under his breath, Shadow pocketed the phone, and dropped a couple pound-notes onto the table, grabbing his satchel. He nodded to the gorilla, and stepped outside. The wind immediately picked up his hair, and blew his jacket open. Now, reaching into his pant’s pocket, he retrieved a thin, obsidian colored card and tabbed a button on it. Goosebumps raised on his skin as the nano-mesh heated, cooled, and disappeared underneath his suit. A slight electrostatic sensation crept over his body as the nanites began tapping his body’s natural bioelectricity. South-eastward... to the London Bridge station. Shadow walked quickly to catch up with Mr. Brown, and began taking off his jacket, tossing it carelessly behind him as he moved faster through the empty streets. He wouldn’t need it. Repeat with his belt, shirt, trousers, and shoes. Each removal revealed the now cloak-active nano-mesh, and piece by piece, Shadow became invisible, running on the padded soles of the suit as he pulled the material over his hands to form invisible gloves. A final move and the floating head disappeared as he pulled the mesh over his face.

Now, a brown satchel floated through the streets of London. Shadow ducked into an alley to open it. Equipping himself with his device bandoleers, tac-belt, shoulder-pads, and goggles, he felt the nearly ghostly past creep up behind him. How many times had he done this? Into the stealth-suit (admittedly, never as sophisticated as this one), stalk the prey, find the prey, kill the prey, rinse, wash, repeat. This time, however, it was different: he wasn't allowed to kill the prey. Sigh. Take it apart, then. Just finding out what the heck it was doing. Put it in the bag. This oughta be easy. Take out your good gun, load the clip, screw on the silencer; holster it. And he shouldn’t even need to take his little cobra out of its cave.

Shadow grabbed the satchel, and clipped a small black tab to it, pressing it as he did so. A moment later, it flashed back into some government facility, to be processed by some other agent for cataloguing in some underground armory. Not important. Now, run. Got to catch up. Shadow adjusted his goggle’s sight settings, and those of his own ocular implants, to toggle between thermal and straight visual settings. So many tiny adjustments to make as you run, eh? Jump. Hover. Right over the turnstiles. Downstairs... there’s Mr. Brown. Going on to the Jubilee train. Quick, fast flight, over these people’s heads. Tab HUD. Lock on tracker device. Envelope acquired. Mind the gap. Stick to the roof, over the people’s heads. Don’t even breathe. Ever get the feeling that you’re being watched, Mr. Brown?

Some fatigue. These devices are tapping a lot of bioelectricity. Where are we? Green Park Brown is getting off. Transfer to Piccadilly line. More on the train. All the way to the end of the line. thingyfosters. Get off. Back up to the surface. Follow the bouncing light tagged to Mr. Brown. It’s dark out. Perfect. Float over him, like a silent angel of death. All the way to a warehouse. Lights are on. Somebody’s home. Stick close, Shadow. Watch Mr. Brown get in. Good. Now, up to the roof. Be silent: glide.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:12 AM

On the roof, Shadow surveyed the area. Several gable-shaped skylights made files like planters in a garden and spilled out golden light from the main storage room. A roof access door and a large ventilation intake also dominated the rooftop. No security measures on the roof that he could see... not implausible. He touched down to the ground, and disengaged the cloak and hover; feeling gravity’s pull once again as he breathed a silent breath of exhaustion. Shadow pinched just over his lip, and pulled the mesh down, popping a little blue Second Wind pill. The encapsulated energy spread through his body, and like some gothic Popeye, Shadow stood and replaced the mesh over his mouth, tabbing the cloak back on with a touch. He looked over one of the skylights to see what was inside the building.

It seemed like a regular warehouse, as far as warehouses went. This one seemed to be storing gigantic rolls of paper: the sort that newspapers and professional printers use. A couple forklifts and warehouse workers meandered around the floor, carrying crates that obviously didn’t look like rolls of paper. Mr. Brown was at the far end of the warehouse, entering an office where a couple other nameless faces were seated around a table. He stepped in, held up the envelope, and they greeted him coolly. Shadow pulled his face away from the glass, and now considered entry options. The vents were ruled out immediately. Shadow hated those clichés, and besides, vents in warehouses tended to be exposed. If anyone found out that he was in the vents, he’d become hamburger.

No, the only real option was the roof access door. Shadow walked to it, stepping softly to avoid setting off any potential pressure sensors and took a pouch from his bandoleer. After removing the mobile phone shaped device, Shadow set it on the door, pressing a button on its black surface, and waited for the intricate system of electromagnets inside to force the lock open. A few moments later, he heard the muffled “thunk” as the deadbolt rolled back, and the door unlocked. He took the device off the door, and replaced it in the pouch. Opening the door with extreme care, Shadow stepped inside with all the caution of a man carrying a vial of nitroglycerine. The door shut behind him, and inside, the stairwell seemed almost pitch-black. Shadow reached up to his goggles and set the visual readings to light-amplification, blinking as the world became a rusty red hue.

Shadow navigated down the stairwell, and though he was cloaked, Shadow felt almost unbearably exposed. He reached a door that lead into the warehouse proper, and tentatively reached out for the handle, twisting it slowly to make sure that it didn’t make noise. Silence was more than golden in his profession. As he opened the door, Shadow took off the light amplification, and the world settled back into its normal colors, albeit slightly more green than normal. Stepping quietly onto the metal catwalk, Shadow couldn’t help but be mortified by the pounding in his chest... it wasn’t like him to be this nervous. Could it be that what used to be the sharpest tool the shed had gotten rusty after a few short months out of wet-work like this?

The grate-like material of the cat-walk bit into the thin sole of the stealth-suit, distracting Shadow with shooting pains in his feet. Anxiety wasn’t his style, but (thankfully), his stomach wasn’t doing the flip-flops that it used to do on his first couple jobs. Cut it out, man. Remember your poise. Be cool. Casual. Walk slowly, calmly, quietly. Make your way to the office Take the catwalk all the way? No, too narrow, if someone walks this way, you’re dead. Jump off. Quietly. Activate hover. Land as softly as a feather. Stick to the shadows, sprint, quietly though. You don’t know how good the sound absorption on this suit is. Faster. You’re halfway there.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:13 AM

Shadow finally made it to the wall beneath the office. Activating the suit’s flight capability, he hovered until he was over the threshold of the door, conveniently left open. Heart pounding, Shadow slipped into the room through the top of the portal, his back sliding along the metal frame in a slow upside somersault that would leave physicists and gymnasts scratching their heads in confusion. The harsh fluorescent lighting meant that near the ceiling was the darkest, and therefore safest, place. He floated up and lay prostrate on the ceiling, looking down at the men.

“But of course, Mr. Red,” Shadow rolled his eyes. This was definitely a private outfit. These were classless thugs using clichéd Mr. Color codenames. “You’ll agree that we need to get this money to our benefactor as quickly as possible.”

Mr. Red replied, “Well, right. But we need to make sure that they’ll have the next shipment ready when we hand the funds over. We can’t bloody well run our operation here for them without supply, and our most recent ‘client’, Mr...”

“Thompson.” Mr. Brown cut in. Shadow stifled a deep, disappointed sigh. These guys had the moves of a professional outfit... but none of the brains. This would have been sorted out before they even confirmed “Mr. Thompson’s” deal.

“Mr. Thompson,” Mr. Brown continued, “has almost entirely cleared us out.”

A new man spoke now, “I’m wondering if they even want us to continue distributing. The stuff isn’t exactly something that leaves people coming back for more.” Shadow’s blood ran cold. The contents of that briefcase were due for some serious lab analysis.

“Of course, Mr. Blue, but that’d mean that we’d be out of a commodity that we’re practically being paid to give away. Frankly, I’d like to keep this train rolling. It’s been profitable.” A fourth man, lying back in an office chair, said. So it dawned on Shadow, they were just local distributors.

Mr. Brown shrugged, “We do have our reputation to uphold. If our contract has been fulfilled, Mr. Orange, then I think we should just stick to our bread and butter operations. It’ll look better for us, in the long run.”

Mr. Orange sighed, “Fine. Then let’s just make sure that we know what we have left.”

Mr. Blue walked behind a desk, and picked up a brushed aluminum briefcase with the surreally familiar Crey logo blazoned on its metal surface. He put it on the table, and unclipped the latches, opening it to reveal a half dozen racks of identical vials capped with that little grinning skull that was beginning to tear at Shadow’s mind.

Mr. Red examined the remaining supply, “I say that we just sell it on the street, instead of to the street dealers. We’ll cut out the middleman and make a bundle.” The others nodded in agreement.

As the bioelectricity drain was becoming noticeable once again, Shadow’s mind became sluggish. His newly formed hero reflex was telling him to jump down: waste these mooks. Shadow shook his head. Stay focused. Pay attention. See if they drop names... who are their contacts in Crey? Wait for them to leave, search the office. Get out.

The fatigue was becoming unbearable. Shadow reached down to the pouch with the Second Wind pills, and slowly unclipped it, retrieving one from the automatic dispenser. Pinching it between his thumb and forefinger, he slowly brought it to his mouth.

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:14 AM

The Mr. Colors kept chatting, planning their distribution of the drug, oblivious to Shadow’s form, shaking with exertion above. His jittery hand pressed against the nano-mesh covering his mouth, trying to push it through.

No dice. The pill slipped out of his hands, and landed, bouncing noisily, on the Formica table. Mr. Blue grabbed the pill, and stared at it. “Where the hell did this come from?”

Mr. Brown reached to a shoulder-holster under his jacket, and pulled out a handgun. “Gentlemen, we’re being watched.” He looked up, right through Shadow, and motioned the others to arm themselves. The four all looked up, guns at the ready, as Shadow struggled to maintain the strength and endurance it took to keep the devices functioning. The spy reached for his own gun holster, and aimed the silenced pistol at Mr. Brown. Stop thinking. Use instinct. Trust your gut. The barrel swayed uneasily in Shadow’s tired grip, and he contented himself with a partially checked shot before squeezing the trigger twice, reaching to hang on to the hanging light fixture before appearing and falling unceremoniously onto the table, breaking the light, plunging the room into darkness, and crushing the vials under his back, cutting through the mesh and lacerating the skin with the mystery drug-laced glass.

Brown screamed... a good sign. He wasn’t dead, so Shadow hadn’t violated his muzzle-order on lethal force. Stupidly, Shadow lay there as the Colors yelled and cursed in confusion. Now was his chance. He grabbed another SW pill, and popped it quickly. Energized, he got up and threw stealth out the window, jumping through the casement, and ripping the Venetian blinds out with the sheer force of his body. The shattered glass fell around him, cutting his arms and shoulders in a shower of tiny transparent blades.

Urgently freeing himself from the blinds, Shadow got up and bolted, gun held at the ready. In a single, focused move, he reached down to one of the pouches, opening it to reveal a red panic button, and pressed it until it started to flash. Warehouse workers stood by, confused by the sudden excitement. Breathing heavily, he ducked into the stacks of paper rolls, The Colors came rushing out of the office, and when they reached the area where he disappeared again, they stopped, slowing to a walk. Mr. Brown, clutching his gut with his left hand, caught up and looked around. They became a pack of wolves, and he the frightened rabbit. A rabbit with teeth, but a rabbit nonetheless. At least, that’s what his heart felt, beating much faster than normal. An odd warmth came over him, and the stinging pain of the glass in his back almost totally disappeared. He stood from the roll of paper that he was leaning against, and stepped out into the open with the Colors. They looked menacing. Glowering, even. They’re going to shoot you. They’re going to shoot you. Shoot them first. Without thinking, Shadow emptied his clip across them, firing the pistol until he was sure that they were all lying down. Not dead. Lying down. Finally, he stepped over to one of the scaffolds, and leaned against them. Wheezing out of breath.

A minute later, he felt a dull sensation across the back of his skull, and the last thought that crossed his mind before he settled into inky darkness was “Ow.”

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:15 AM

Shadow woke up to a gnawing sensation all over his body, and a pounding headache. He looked up and saw the face of a Dawn Patrol medic. She looked down at him with an analytical eye, and nodded. “Good morning, Lt. Jackson.”

He grunted. “How long have I been out?”
“A day.”
“Why do I have a headache?”
“A warehouse worker bashed you across the back of your head with a fire extinguisher after you had... erm... disabled... the objective. Lt. Jackson, was it quite necessary?”

Shadow looked at her blankly, “What?” The gnawing washed over him, and he made a face.

She rolled her eyes, “You were admitted along with those four men. You successfully shot every one of them in the pelvis. Those men may never walk again. Superior marksmanship, I’m sure... but was it necessary?”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

The medic studied him carefully. “Of course not. Though I must say, I’m impressed, the workers say that you took your two shots to the abdomen before you let them have it. You must have steel abdominals, Leftenant. Those bullets didn’t even pierce your stomach.”

Shadow’s expression went from confusion to panic. He looked under the covers and sure enough, his belly was bandaged firmly. His body spasmed as the gnawing pain struck like lightning. “What... what happened?”

“Commander Mersault will be in shortly to give you a debriefing. I’m sure that he has questions for you as well.”

Apprehensively, Shadow nodded, “Of course. Is that all?”

“I believe so. I’ll be back to give you a physical evaluation, and if Commander Mersault releases you, you’ll be free to go.”

“Alright.”

“Well, I’ll be off then. Please rest, Lt. Jackson. Mind that your IV doesn’t fall out.”

“Sure.” As she left, Shadow looked around his room. Stark, private, and utilitarian. But this gnawing... what was it? He glanced at his reflection in a nearby mirror. He had his dark brown hair and grey eyes back. But this gnawing... Knock knock. “Come in.”

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 05:16 AM

Commander Mersault stepped in, and nodded curtly to Shadow. He was a severe-looking man, with features like an emaciated crow. Mersault took a chair, and sat at the foot of Shadow’s sickbed. “Firstly, I’d like to commend you for managing not to kill anyone on this assignment. I’m impressed.”

Shadow made a noise. “No need to be condescending, sir.”

Mersault’s lips split into what looked like a smile, “Of course not. To be quite honest, you botched it. Though I can’t say that anyone else on our side would have done better.”

Shadow tried shrugging, but it hurt, so he didn’t. “I think I found out enough about the operation. It looks like it’s Crey backed, and from high up. I think it’s a totally new drug... probably a weapon. Regardless, there’s nothing to pursue here. I’ll bet you that I could find leads if I went back Stateside.”

Mersault paused to think. “Perhaps. I assume that you’ll be wanting free reign to pursue this...”

The gnawing in his chest grew, and Shadow rubbed it with an open palm. “Yeah. No sense involving the brass in this. I’ll give you guys periodic reports, but don’t worry to much about supporting the investigation. I have my own resources and contacts in Paragon that’ll get me in where I need to be.” Shadow paused, and added, “This’ll probably look bad for DP, if I need to do what I think I’ll need to do.”

Mersault raised a brow, “Doubtless. Are you alright?”

Shadow nodded, “Yeah, fine... just this pain in my body ever since I woke up.”

Worried, Mersault stood, “What’s it feel like?”

“I don’t know. Like something’s gnawing inside me.”

Mersault tabbed the white call button, and spoke into the intercom, “Yes, please send Dr. Umber back to Lt. Jackson’s room. Thank you.”

A minute later, the medic that was caring for Shadow walked back in with a clip-board. “What seems to be the trouble?”

“Jackson. Describe the pain.”

Nodding, Shadow looked at Dr. Umber. “It’s a gnawing feeling, like something’s eating me from the inside out.”

Dr. Umber tapped the pen in her hand against her lips, and her brows furrowed with worry. “I was worried about that. We had to take out some pieces of glass from your back. They looked like they were laced with some sort of chemical and I was worried that it may have gotten into your blood stream... I think you’re experiencing withdrawal symptoms, but no way to tell for sure. What do you think caused it?”

Shadow recalled falling onto the briefcase of vials, and the feeling of uncontrolled rage that he felt right afterwards, simply shooting at what he saw as the enemy. “I fell on a case of those vials that I got in the briefcase... is it Dyne in my system?”

“It could be.” Dr. Umber looked at Mersault, and raised a brow, “You’re not planning to send him on assignment so soon, are you?”

“Actually, he himself wanted to be transferred back to Paragon City.”

The doctor pondered a moment, “That might not be a bad idea. Their Superadyne treatment center is the best in the world. We should send him immediately. I’ll forward all the blood test data that we get from the lab and–”

“I’ll send them analysis data of the vials themselves.” Mersault interjected.
“Good idea.” Dr. Umber nodded in agreement.

Mersault grinned and clapped a hand against his knee as he got up “Well, Lt. Jackson, it’s settled. You’re being transferred back to Paragon City–”

“On convalescent leave.” Dr. Umber interrupted.

“–On convalescent leave.” Commander Mersault amended. “I’ll send a memo to Major Britain–”

Shadow interrupted this time, “And Lt. Alumette.”

Sighing, Mersault finished, “–and Lt. Alumette to let them know that you will be alright, and should be fit for active duty very soon.”

“Cool. One more thing.”

Mersault, refrained as he stepped out of the door, turning around to face Shadow. “Yes?”
“Can you give me the authority to disseminate information about this operation to qualified individuals? Can I form a task force on this?”

“That might be a good idea. You may benefit from a few more minds working with you.”

“You know what they say, sir. From the mouths of babes...” Shadow drifted off, and a seemingly random thought popped into his head. “Last thing... can you get that stealth-suit repaired and set back to the City with me? I liked using it.”

“Very well.”

Two days later, Shadow was lying in the detox ward of Chiron Medical Center, eagerly expecting one visitor in particular.

Alumette

05-12-2005, 08:24 PM

Alumette sat in the Major's office, looking ready to fall apart at any moment. The Major looked at her with concern in his eyes.

"You gave us all quite a scare, Leftenant," he said sternly. "Being AWOL is the last thing I'd expect from you. I'm sure you're familiar with the Dawn Patrol regulations for this sort of thing." He leaned against the front edge of his desk and looked down at her.

Grace nodded slowly. "Yes sir," she said weakly. "I fully understand." She was too inert to even fidget.

"In addition, Robo tells me you haven't been eating or sleeping," he gave her a warm, mentoring smile. "You look terrible, Alum." He pushed himself away from his desk and walked around to the opposite side, shuffling through some papers. After a pause, he added, "I understand you know. And on the strength of your past performance I'm willing to let this slide. But you know you have a lot of catching up to do." Alumette lifted her gaze to meet his. She seemed to relax a bit. "Thank you, sir," she replied.

The Major picked up a sheet of paper from his desk. Alumette could see the Dawn Patrol UK logo on the letterhead. "Oh, here it is," the Major said with a twinkle in his eye. He handed it to her. "A memo from UKHQ. Attention the both of us. Take a look."

Grace couldn't believe her eyes. She read the memo three times to be sure. And she didn't know whether to laugh or to cry. "Is it true?" she asked, shaking.

The Major grinned. "I just got a call from Chiron Medical Center today. He's been admitted for treatment." Alumette seemed to visibly brighten. The shadows that had been clinging to her persona vanished. "And yes, you may go see him now," the Major beamed. "Dismissed, Leftenant."

~~~

The elevator could not move quickly enough. Not for the first time, Grace wished she knew how to use Shadow's teleportation device. She was nearly vibrating with excitement, as evidenced by the quivering blossoms in the bouquet in her grasp.

<Ding!> The doors whooshed open and she stepped out onto the floor of the detox ward. She skimmed a glance over the wall placards to find his room number, shifting her grip on the tin of cookies she'd brought along.

The room was quiet. But there he was. She stood a moment in the doorway, not really believing he was there. He turned to look at her, and his face lit up with a radiant smile. "Grace!" he said. She was at his side in an instant, sitting on the bed.

Her heart overflowed with a multitude of emotions, but first things first: she gave him a tender, affectionate kiss, and then gazed momentarily into his handsome grey eyes. Her mood shifted, and her lips pursed into a little moue, followed by a furrow in her brow. "Don't ever do that to me again," she said sternly, although it was hard to keep up the pretense of anger given the joy of the situation. Eventually words failed, and she put her arms around him and leaned her head on his shoulder. "I'm just so glad you're back."

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 11:10 PM

Shadow hugged her tightly, and all the words that he had carefully drafted on the flight home for this moment just drifted away. All he could manage was, "Careful around the stomach, I'm still a little sore."

Alumette nodded, and moved her arms a bit so he could relax more. A painful wave washed over Shadow, and Alumette shrank back, "Did I hurt you?" She asked worriedly.

"No... no." Shadow resisted the urge to gasp with pain, tensing random muscles to take the edge off. "Did you see the memo?"
Mortified, Alumette murmured, "Oh, the withdrawal?"
Shadow nodded. "Yeah. It's been getting pretty bad, recently. The analysis data should be coming back soon, though."
Cautiously, Alumette nodded. "Alright."
Sighing, Shadow brought her closer until he could smell the sweet scent of her hair. "I missed you."

The Widowed

05-12-2005, 11:27 PM

Somewhere, across the city, the Widowed sat in a rooftop diner.

She sat in a corner booth, sipping a cappuccino and eating lamb chops.

She didn't say much.

(Your wish is granted! Unfortunately, the entry sucked. :D)

Stalking Shadow

05-12-2005, 11:46 PM

Alumette

05-13-2005, 02:08 AM

<The following blips across the global feed on all registered heroes' PDA devices>

To: All Registered Heroes
From: Alumette

May 12, 2005

Dominic Jackson, aka Stalking Shadow, returned to Paragon City today after a brief internal assignment at Dawn Patrol HQ in the UK. He was injured on assignment and is currently recuperating at Chiron Medical Center. Visitors are welcome.

Stalking Shadow's assignment has led to the need for the development of a task force. Interested heroes can contact Stalking Shadow either in person or via the PDA Messaging System. Heroes of all types, clearance levels, and talents are needed.

Sincerely,

Alumette
Dawn Patrol

PS: Friends, Dom would greatly appreciate your help, and your company as he recuperates. As would I.
Hugs,
--A

Akamaz

05-13-2005, 02:52 PM

<Begin Transmission>
<<<To: All Registered Heroes
<<<From: Alumette

<<<May 12, 2005

<<<Dominic Jackson, aka Stalking Shadow, returned to Paragon City today after a
<<<brief internal assignment at Dawn Patrol HQ in the UK. He was injured on
<<<assignment and is currently recuperating at Chiron Medical Center. Visitors
<<<are welcome.

<<<Stalking Shadow's assignment has led to the need for the development of a
<<<task force. Interested heroes can contact Stalking Shadow either in person
<<<or via the PDA Messaging System. Heroes of all types, clearance levels, and
<<<talents are needed.
<<<Sincerely,

<<<Alumette
<<<Dawn Patrol
<end Transmission>

As she hung there contained within the suppression fields, The message played over and over again. As she scanned over the message, the names "Stalking Shadow" <Dominic Jackson> "Alumette"<Grace Angélique Courbier> and "Dawn Patrol" seemed to leap out of the dark recesses of her memory, flashing newspaper clippings, video feeds, and even a breakfast cereal across her vision. It gave her an odd feeling in her head to read those names, but she wasn't quite able to pin it down. At least is was something to do while the Doctors and Scientists ran their tests.

After a while <37.45 minutes> three doctors in surgical masks entered the room. With a sigh she prepared herself for yet another battery of tests.

Akamaz

05-13-2005, 05:18 PM

As she resigned herself to being poked and prodded yet again, a small red warning flashed in the lower left corner of her field of vision blinking <KNO3CS present>. With that, a small red crosshairs started scanning over the doctors. things were starting to get scary again, like they did before she was brought here.

Her vision involuntarily started changing, skimming along the electromagnetic spectrum from the purple white of Ultraviolet to the deep burgundy of infrared. That was when she noticed a cold dark lump on the hip of each doctor under their hostpital scrubs.

"Now hold still Girl, we just need to run a few more tests" said the doctor, extending a metal instrument towards her abdomen, only to have it turned aside by the supression fields holding her in place.

"Mikoto, we need to turn off the fields to take a scan of your abdomen. It will only take a few moments, and we need you to hold very still while we do this. It won't hurt a bit, and we'll be done in just a little bit."

A voice stress analysis was already performed by the time he finished speaking, and everything pointed towards the last two statements being bald faced lies.

"You really shouldn't do that doctor, the supression fields are there to keep anyone from getting hurt, in case.. bad things happen again..." Mikoto said pleadingly.

The two larger doctors behind the speaker shifted uncomfortably when she said this, Most likely they had seen the news reports. At the thought of the news, a small picture appeared in her field of vision showing a pair of news anchors discussing Orange sherbert, she quickly ignored it.

"Now, now, we wouldn't do this unless it was absolutely nessecary" said the speaker, his voice dripping with mock sincerity. He nodded towards the switch on the wall.

The caution sign next to it caused the larger one to hesitate a second, but after a stern look from the speaker, he flipped the supressors off.

As the field dissapated, she was lowered to the floor with a clank, her taloned toes and her heel spur dug into the floors surface about 3/4ths of an inch <1.873cm>

As the speaking doctor walked slowly up to her, she could hear his heart pounding in his chest. Mikoto got more and more nervous, the closer he came to her, when he stopped walking and brought the metal probe in contact with her abdomen she was petrified in place. There was a terrific Jolting sensation, like a power line had fallen on her, and everything went red...

Target->Locked->Neutralized->Target->Locked->Neutralized->Target->Locked->Neutralized...

When she came back to herself, and saw what happened, she turned to run, something flipped inside, and not even a wall was an impediment to her. she ran clear through it, feeling the molecules as they flowed around her and barged into the room next door, and dove under the bed, shivering.

Alumette

05-14-2005, 03:33 AM

The clackety-clack of computer keys filled the air in Alumette's Dawn Patrol office. Yet another patrol report was filed. Chip poked his head in, "Leftenant, I'm afraid there's no more room in the breakroom freezer for all these cookies," he said warily.

Poor Chip. He was a more than capable intern, but even after all this time he was still intimidated by the heroes. Alumette giggled and turned to look at him. "It's all right, Chip. Just eat the extras. Or leave them in peoples' mailboxes." She stood up and pulled her jacket off the back of her office chair, pulling it over her pale purple cotton camisole and zipping it halfway. "I'm off on another patrol," she said, breezily stepping past him. "Please forward any calls to my comm?" she planted a kiss on his cheek and headed out the door.

Chip blushed furiously.

The Thorns fell about her like mown hay. Alumette hummed a little tune. Dom had only been back a short time, but she felt as if she could take on Hamidon all by herself. She was on better terms with the goddess. Her workload, so dire after having fallen behind in her funk, was lighter than ever. Still, she had a doubt. What was the nature of Shadow's addiciton? Were there long-term consequences? Still, she knew there was nothing they couldn't handle together.

She registered her final patrol report for the day. Piece of cake.

~~~

"Checkmate," Shadow said, playfully beeping Alumette's nose. She smiled. He'd been teaching her how to play chess, to pass the time at the hospital. So far it was Shadow: 6, Alumette: 0, given her personality and the nature of the game. She replaced the pieces and moved the board to his bedside table.

"So, when do you suppose they'll let you out of here?" she asked, taking his hands in hers and perching next to him on the bed.

"Hard to say. Depends on the test results, I suppose," he said. "Any responses on that email you sent out?"

"To be honest, I haven't checked," she said. "I've been trying to catch up with my patrols." He seemed anxious to get back in the saddle. "You know, you should rest," she reproached gently. "Plenty of time for your task force."

Shadow smiled. Alumette put a hand on his cheek. "Still, I'd like to get to the bottom of this quickly. And the more hands we have on it, the better."

Xaddak

05-14-2005, 04:20 PM

At Chiron Medical Center, Paragon City

A man walked into the hospital lobby, wearing dark sunglasses, blue jeans, and a black t-shirt. Glancing around, he walked up to the main desk, and spoke with the receptionist for a moment. The conversation concluded, he thanked her, and entered the nearby elevator.

Several floors up, the man stepped out of the elevator and walked down a hallway. Knocking on the door of the room Shadow and Alumette sat in, he said "Hey, Shad, it's Xaddak! Mind if I come in?"

Radical Dreamer

05-14-2005, 07:01 PM

-------------------------
To: All Registered Heroes
From: Alumette

May 12, 2005

Dominic Jackson, aka Stalking Shadow, returned to Paragon City today after a brief internal assignment at Dawn Patrol HQ in the UK. He was injured on assignment and is currently recuperating at Chiron Medical Center. Visitors are welcome.

Stalking Shadow's assignment has led to the need for the development of a task force. Interested heroes can contact Stalking Shadow either in person or via the PDA Messaging System. Heroes of all types, clearance levels, and talents are needed.

Sincerely,

Alumette
Dawn Patrol

PS: Friends, Dom would greatly appreciate your help, and your company as he recuperates. As would I.
Hugs,
--A
-------------------------

"Heh, like I care." Frost Cat thought as she read the broadcast.

With a quick flick of her finger she pressed the delete command and returned to her BLT. Then just as quickly as it disappeared it was back again but with one small addition. At the bottom of the message was a new sentance reading 'I wouldn't delete that if I were you.'. The sudden reappearance of the message caused her to do a quick double take followed by a groan. "You've got to be kidding me."

In responce to her utterance a new message appeared reading 'As far as I am aware I have no sense of humor.'. Frost Cat's hands tightened into fists. The person responsible for this was in the very room with her. Rather then look around like some fool she quickly ran the people she had seen in deli through her photographic memory. None of them seemed like him but one of them clearly was or there was some kind of monitoring device in the store. "Well then. What do you want?"

Frost Cat only had to wait a few seconds for her reply. 'That should be obvious for someone of your intelligence. You should join the taskforce. Don't wear your Knight's uniform. Also, try to be pleasant. You only get one try at making a good first impression.'.

"That's it? Just join? No special assignment? No ulterior goal?" The feline hero waited for a responce but this time none came. Releasing her clenched hands she leaned back in her chair with a sigh. What she had to do was clear, even if she didn't want to. Sitting up straight once more she quickly began to type a message to Stalking Shadow about joining this task force.

-------------------------
To: Alumette
From: Frost Cat

May 12, 2005

My sympathy about your comrade's current condition. I hope for a speedy recovery.

I volunteer my services for this task force you are forming. Simply name the time and place for our meeting and I will be there. I am uploading a copy of my hero credentials and skills with this message for your review.

Frost Cat
-------------------------

Once satisfied with the short and to the point message she sent it to its destination. Standing up she took what was left of her meal and threw it in the trash. Her appitite was gone.

Noble

05-14-2005, 07:06 PM

Somewhere deep in the heart of Kansas: 1 mile underground

“Cooper,” barked a bald, aged man dressed in a black suit, “What is the status on the Dawn Patrol operative that we have been tracking?”

Cooper, a young man dressed in a blue dress shirt with a complementary black tie, looked up from his console and responded, “Agent Dominic Jackson is currently being treated at the Chiron Medical Center in Paragon City. It seems that he is getting ready to be released soon. Wait a minute…” a *beep* sounded from Cooper’s console as new data flashed into existence onto his screen. “A new report has just come in concerning the situation. A Grace Angélique Courbier just broadcasted a city-wide alert across Paragon City, calling for any heroes available to aide in a task force.”

The old bald man clasped his hands together at the small of his back and turned to face a tactical screen view screen that enveloped an entire wall of a room that was as large as a football field. “Interesting.” Said the old man. He stood silently for a few seconds, deep in thought. “Thanks to our agent at the bar where Agent Jackson met up with his contact concerning the drug, we were able to follow them both the warehouse.” The man in the black suit smiled, “Funny how bartenders can be so easily overlooked.” His smile faded into a look of grim resolve, “Unfortunately Agent Jackson managed to take down our own operative within the building before he could snatch the briefcase that contained the drug and make off with it. Now we're back to square one.”

“Can’t we just send in one of our covert operatives to steal it?” asked a woman in a low-cut black dress.

“That isn't a bad idea Starling. Although considering that those drugs are now locked away in a high security lab for analysis the researchers there would already have the drug analyzed before we could obtain it, and that would ruin our chances of being the sole possessor of it aside from Crey. No, its too late for that option.”

“So what do you suggest we do now sir?” said Starling

“Exactly what we should have done in the first place. We track this down to its source, obtain our own samples, and then destroy everything else. Cooper,” The old man turned around to address the individual of whom he was speaking to, “Contact Edinburgh and tell him we have a new assignment for Project: Favored Son." The lips of the man in the black suit formed a sinister smile, "And, Starling, be sure to start a tab for our department so it can be ready upon the completion of this operation. I imagine there is going to be a lot of collateral damage on this mission."

Starling frowned, being slightly annoyed "Isn't there always collateral damage to some degree, sir?"

The old man simply chuckled, "Not on the scale I'm talking about, when Countryman is invovled."

Alumette

05-14-2005, 07:44 PM

Alumette glanced up to see Xaddak in the doorway. She grinned. "Of course! Come on in! We'll fill you in on all the details."

Xaddak crossed the room and Alumette stood to give him a quick hug. "Glad you're in on this," she said. Her comm had been beeping periodically throughout the morning. It beeped again. She glanced at it and grinned, turning the display to face Shadow. "Looks like we have some more heroes signing on," she said proudly.

She took a seat, as did Xad, and the three heroes began getting caught up.

Stalking Shadow

05-14-2005, 08:07 PM

Shadow grinned, "Hey Xad! Long time no see! How've you been?" His shoulder jerked involuntarily, prompting him to grimace for a split second before turning back to smile at Xad. "I have a feeling that you're going to be particularly useful for this job. How familiar are you with the Crey networks? Actually, beyond that, I think I might need you to muck around every goddamn database on the planet. How do you feel about hacking Uncle Sam?"

He turned to face Alumette's PDA screen, and nodded. "That's good. We need more, though." Shadow scratched his chin, and added, "We'll probably do the briefing in one of the multimedia rooms at HQ. I can't name a date and time until I know when I'm getting out of here. Did the Major say anything since he got the memo?" He sat up in the bed, trying to avoid putting stress on his bandaged stomach, and grumbled, "But you know, if I had my way, I'd grab a lecture hall for my briefing."

domicius

05-14-2005, 11:49 PM

Xaddak

05-15-2005, 03:51 AM

Xaddak nodded at 'Robo', and grinned at Shadow. "Shadow, we work in law enforcement. We both know what you're asking me to do is highly illegal..." he said, shrugging. "Alumette, you said we still had a couple cases of Bawls laying around?"

Major Britain

05-15-2005, 04:51 PM

Roland St. Martin, the now-retired hero known as Dark Master was having a difficult time deciding which tea to have. This is the toughest decision he faces daily and to be honest, it was driving him batty.

He then heard the loud CLUMP of a package being dropped off at his door. “Ah, the mail”, he thought sarcastically, “the most exciting part of the day.” He opened the door to retrieve it and noticed right away this was no normal package. It had the official insignia of the Dawn Patrol and the handwriting on it, was Jason’s, his son. “Odd…why would Major Britain send me something like this?”

He opened the letter on top. It was stated thus:

Hello Father,

I know you have been following what has been going on in the Dawn Patrol even through your retirement. I will not mince words here. Shadow needs our help and it would not be all that becoming for the leader of the Dawn Patrol to be involved in a mission such as this. To be honest, I think the less I know the happier I will most likely be. Besides, this kind of thing was always up your alley, so to speak. I know you are quite bored, probably having a tough time deciding what tea to drink and the like. Open the package and see what you think. Call me on my direct line and let me know.

Your son,
Jason

“This isn’t like the boy”, thought Roland. He tore open the package and noticed right away the flash of navy blue and white.

It was the brand new uniform of the Dawn Patrol, tailored to his exact size.

Smiling inwardly, he placed the call.

“Son, I’m in.”

Stalking Shadow

05-16-2005, 04:58 AM

Shadow looked at Robo and grinned, "Hey Doc. Long time no see." Obviously, nothing gave MemoMD away... yet. "Where've you been?"

He turned to Xad, "I'm not sure if I have any in this room... but..." Shadow grabbed his cell-phone from the end table next to him, and hit a speed-dial.

Somewhere in Skyway City, a little droid's yellow eyes glowed into life. Pinocchio sat up, obviously upset by being woken up by some rude call in its head. It shouldn't have incorporated that WiFi router into its systems. The droid stood, and surveyed the shell of Shadow's one time Skyway City apartment, now totally given up to entropy. The irritating ringtone in its head kept sounding off like a high-pitched foghorn.

>Run conversation.exe
>Conversation.exe loaded
>Query "Who is it?"
>Input "Hey, I was right. This worked. How are you Pinocchio?"
>Print "Oh, you know, fine for a robot that's spent the last couple months of its existence living in absolute neglect and squalor. You didn't call me. Once."
>Input "C'mon, now, Pinocchio. You know how busy I've been."
>Print "Oh, of course. Extremely busy. Can't even take an hour to pass by his old house to pick up his personal automated manservant."
>Run sigh.exe
>Input "..."
>Bad command or filename
>Query "What's that, sir?"
>Input "You picked up my copy of the Hitchhiker's Guide, didn't you?"
>Print "Yeah. Good stuff. It really examines the plight of the android in an uncaring world of meatbags."
>Input "That's a unique way of looking at it. Listen, I'm in the hospital--"
>Print "That's not surprising at all, boss."
>Input "A-ha, a-ha. Remind me to get Xaddak to monkey with your personality files."
>Run memo.exe
>Record "Avoid subject\Xaddak for the next couple days."
>Close memo.exe
>Print "Sure thing, boss."
>Input "Anyways, I'm in the hospital, and I need to ask you a favor."
>Print "Alright."
>Query "What do you need?"
>Input "Do you still have my wallet?"
>Print "Yes."
>Input "Are the credit cards still in there?"
>Print "Yes."
>Input "Awesome. I need you to pass by Cooke's Electronics and pick up a case or two of Bawls, head up to my hospital room, ah..."
>Bad command or filename
>Query "What room?"
>Input "..."
>Bad command or filename
>Query "What room, boss?"
>Input "Thirty-eight, de-tox ward."
>Print "Fine. But I won't like it."
>Input "Very funny. I'll look forward to seeing you."

Pinocchio looked around for a, at least marginally, clean rag, and upon locating one, wiped the dust out of its eyes and making itself at least slightly more presentable to enter a hospital. Its armor plating, (largely composed of copper pipes and aluminum cans) was scuffed, and the jolly roger sprayed across its chest was chipped and fading. A compartment opened in its chest to reveal a battered leather wallet, and Pinocchio opened it to verify that Shadow's Mastercard was still in there. More importantly, Pinocchio took out its hero I.D. and dusted it off. Shopkeepers had a funny habit of confusing it for Clockwork... which was fair, to some extent. It walked out of the apartment through the empty doorframe (the door which used to occupy it was long gone, looted by Trolls; Pinocchio fulfilled its "protect" mandate and the Trolls never bothered the apartment ever again,) onto the empty street, and activated its leg coils, springing through the air towards the nearest Cooke's outlet.

As it sailed through the air on each leap, Pinocchio ran through a thorough self-diagnostic. Everything looked as if it were in working order. Devoting some cycles to controlling his jumps, mainly to assure that it didn't make a total ass of itself and activate embarassment protocols, Pinocchio surveyed the decidedly grim and grey landscape of Skyway City and realized that it hadn't been out of the house for a very long time. It opened a log of its operational activity, and noticed the time between being activated today and its last time-stamp. In a digital equivalent of surprise, it processed "Six months. Interesting."

The remainder of its travel was spent online, as Pinocchio ran searches and queries to acquaint itself with Shadow's operational activity in those six months:

>November 2004: Change of address
>November 2004: Release of book: Unsung
>December 2004: Book tour, appearance on several talk shows, cited in several periodicals
>December 2004: Return to full duty
>January 2005: Active duty
>February 2005: Reprimand by Dawn Patrol World Headquarters, suspended from active duty
>March 2005: Transfer to Dawn Patrol United Kingdom Headquarters London, England
>May 2005: Return to Paragon City on convalescent duty

>Run sarcasm.exe
>Print "Well, he's been busy."
>Close sarcasm.exe

Pinocchio set down in front of Cooke's and walked in like an average customer. The clerk on duty, alarmed, grabbed a telephone on the desk, only to put it down when Pinocchio flipped his ID into plain vew for the clerk. The clerk peered at the card, and said, "Oh, sorry Mr. Pinocchio. Can I help you with anything?"

>Run cndscnd.bat
>Print "Sure thing, fleshbag. I need two cases of 'Bawls Energy Drink'. I'm sure an operational carbonoid lifeform such as yourself could direct me to the proper aisle. You have arms, correct?"

The clerk raised a brow, and irritatedly pointed to the small snack foods section. He didn't have to take crap from some pint-size robot. He was union!

>Print "Thank you, fleshbag."

Pinocchio walked to the aisle that the clerk pointed out. Spotting the cases in the corner, Pinocchio picked up two, stacking them against its chest as an ambulatory dolly. The clerk, sneering at the droid, said, "Need help with that, little man?"

>Run menace.exe
>Print "Are you mocking me, fleshbag?"

The clerk smiled, "Yeah."

>Print "You shouldn't mock me, fleshbag."
Pinocchio set down the boxes, and looked up to the fleshbag.

"Why not?"

>Print "This is why."
Pinocchio held out a mechanical hand toward the clerk.
>Run push.exe
A dull pop, and the clerk fell off the stool it was sitting on, landing with a crash on the ground behind the counter.
>Print "You should be more careful."

The clerk got up, and sputtered. He thought about complaining, but resigned to just muttering some anti-hero epithets and went around to scan the cases, take the droid's credit card, and watch the little monster sign the receipt. Through clenched teeth, he murmured "Thank you, have a nice day."

Pinocchio put away the credit card and picked up the cases.
>Print "Thank you. Have a nice day, fleshbag."
>Close menace.exe
>End cndscnd.bat
Stepping out of the store, it fixed its grip on the cases, and loped off to Chiron Medical Center.

Noble

05-16-2005, 05:47 PM

The suburbs of Boston, Massachusetts.

Countryman had received the call ten minutes ago. He was in mid-flight during a short jump from New Jersey, and waited until he landed to respond. Edinburgh, the middle man who contacts operatives for The Agency, filled Countryman in on all of the details concerning the background about his new assignment, and told him where his first lead would be. During the monotonous briefing a name had been mentioned that the mountain of might had not heard of since he had first begun working with The Agency. Dominic Jackson, A.K.A Stalking Shadow, had been working for an Intel Corporation when the two former soldiers had first met. Their encounter had been brief, but it was not something that Countryman was likely to forget for a long time.

A Dodge Neon rolled around the corner of the intersection in which Countryman was standing. The giant stood at the epicenter of a crater that had formed upon his landing on a two lane road that ran through a small urban development. The crater had an estimated 100 ft. radius, which could be discerned by observing where the cracked and displaced concrete ended. The homes on either side had lost all of their windows from the *boom* of his impact, and all the home had suffered structural damage to some degree, some much more extreme than others. The Neon came to a screeching halt just before the car entered the impassible terrain of the newly disheveled road. The driver only took one look at the living monolith that had caused the newly made renovations, then put the car into reverse and burned some rubber off the wheels in a hasty retreat.

Countryman’s merely grunted at the pathetic individual behind the steering wheel of that vehicle, his full attention returned to the briefing once the car was out of sight. “In a nutshell,” said Edinburgh, “once you find the drugs obtain a sample, then destroy the building where the drug is being manufactured. Short and sweet.”
One of the usual objectives had been left out which caused Countryman to ask about it for verification, “What about no witnesses?”
There was a short pause on Edinburghs end before he answered. “That has been made optional for this mission.”
Countryman’s only reply was a brooding silence, so Edinburgh continued, “I know you have a knack for leaving no witnesses, but because you will be working with some individuals who have a fair amount of publicity you should tread carefully on this matter. Understood?”
“Understood. Expect a lot of deaths to result from fatal wounding.”
Edinburgh sighed in resignation. “Fine, fine, but under no circumstances are you to kill Dominic Jackson, or Grace Courbier. Given their status with The Dawn Patrol it would cause some trouble across the pond to whack them off, if you know what I mean.”
“So if there are any other members of this task force that get in my way I have permission to kill them?”
“If you deem it necessary to accomplish the objectives then yes, it would be acceptable. Although reports are still coming in that there is a strong chance other members of The Dawn Patrol will be involved. Don’t kill them either.”
“Fine.”
“And be careful you don’t kill some damned hero with a large public profile. It makes it harder for The Agency to clean up after you, especially when politicians get involved.”
“Do you any other useful information for me?”
“No.”
“Favored Son out.”

Countryman’s micro-sized earpiece went silent, indicating that Edinburgh had ended the transmission as well. It was a marvelous little invention, this earpiece, capable of sending and receiving mental messages from around the entire globe due to it’s own power supply being the wave-lengths that the human brain gives off.

The man-mountain’s turned to face the direction of his destination. His body was so toned that it looked like molten steel lay beneath his flesh when he moved. With even the slightest movement, with every breath he took, thousands of pounds of muscle churned and shifted all across his body like turbulent waves during a violent storm. His legs bent slightly at the knees, causing a cascade of hills to flatten, shift, and then reappear in a different location, a reaction that occurred on both his thighs, and calves. His mind raced as it calculated the amount of power his jump would require to carry him the necessary distance, then, with a powerful leap, Countryman’s massive frame rocketed into the sky towards the horizon traveling several times faster than the speed of sound. The ground shook violently in a two block radius with his abrupt departure, causing one of the nearby homes to collapse from previous structural damage upon his arrival.

Alumette

05-17-2005, 09:44 PM

Alumette smiled. "The Major said he can't join the task force. Our resources are thin enough as it is. But.." her eyes twinkled. "Guess who's signing on instead."

Shadow smirked and facetiously guessed, "Sgt. Darling?"

Grace laughed heartily. "Can you imagine? No. The Maj is sending in his father."

"Dark Master?" Shadow asked, smiling broadly. Grace nodded. "So... Roland's coming out of retirement." A satisfied look crossed Shadow's face. "Excellent. Wouldn't be the first time he's helped me out like this." Grace smiled, remembering a certain affair with Shadow and the Tsoo.

At that moment Robo entered. Alumette eyed him warily, as he'd been acting strange since his return. She tried to communicate this to Shadow, wordlessly, hoping that at some point he'd catch her glance. He didn't, and instead was making a call of his own. She gave a little suprised smile on hearing Shadow's half of the conversation, when she heard who he'd called.

It's like old home week, she thought. This is definitely going to be interesting.

"I don't know who else the Major can put on this," she said when Shad had finished his call. "I'll make personal calls to some of the Patrollers, if you like," she offered, flipping open her mobile phone. "Anyone in particular you'd like me to ask?"

Stalking Shadow

05-19-2005, 04:54 AM

Shadow smiled, "I don't know. Call everyone!" Half his face seized up in pain, and he continued on the same note as before, "Have you seen Shan anywhere?"

A moment later, the pint-sized robot walked in, it's blank face wearing the meanest virtual glower that it could simulate as it carried the cases of soda into the hospital room. "Hey boss. Where should I put these?"

Shadow pointed to a spot on the ground. "There'll be fine for now. Set'em down gently."

Pinocchio digitally grumbled, "What? You think I can't take care of a couple of cases?" Its legs began folding around, letting it sink to the floor carefully like a forklift, slip its mechanical fingers out from underneath the cardboard case, and stood up again. "So, boss. What'd you do to yourself this time?" The droid clicked a couple times in a robotic chuckle.

"Oh, you know. The usual. Bullet wounds, lacerations, maybe a broken rib. I don't remember." Shadow shrugged, "I bruise like a banana."

Pinocchio clicked disapprovingly. "You should've brought me along, boss."

"HQ only gave me money for one ticket, and you wouldn't take kindly to travelling frieght class." Shadow grinned.

A few moments of silence passed, and Pinocchio spoke up, "So, what are we waiting for?"

Shadow shrugged, "The go ahead from the doctor that says that I have a clean bill of health." Shadow looked at the open, empty doorway, and his sigh was cut short by the painful gnaw in his lung. "He should be in soon."

Alumette

05-19-2005, 05:25 AM

Grace happily pulled up the Dawn Patrol contact list on her PDA. "Shan is on a brief leave," she said, tapping away at the screen. "I'm not sure why, but I think she'll be back soon. I've left messages with her, so I'm sure she'll be on the case the moment she gets back."

Shadow grimaced, and Grace took his hand, a concerned look crossing her face.

Pinocchio's entrance caused a brief distraction. She smiled at their banter, but continued to watch Shadow with concern.

At the mention of his imminent release, Alumette brightened for a moment, and then frowned as another wave of pain seemed to wash over him. She stroked his hair gently, trying to soothe him. "And you'll stay home and let me take care of you," she whispered tenderly.

domicius

05-19-2005, 09:18 AM

Realising it might be a bit strange if he RoboMD sat around doing nothing, MemoMD considered that it might be wise to partially activate RoboMD's medical procedures, if only to scan Dominic.

Checking first that the control programs where firmly buttressed against Robo, Memo initiated the bootstrap process of Robo's AI. As expected, the erstwhile host AI struggled briefly for control, but Memo brutally destroyed any hope of overt resistance before it could be started.

-----/-----

RoboMD turns to Shadow and scans him, running a thin line of radiation over him.

"You seem to be perfectly operable, sir. The damage you have suffered should not cause further distress unless you choose not to rest in the next few days. I think you might choose to leave if you wanted to, on my guarantee."

RoboMD pauses, and then quickly creates a radiation field around Shadow, soothing the pain from his broken rib.

"There, sir, that should greatly reduce your pain. You are good to go."

----/----

((As Shadow's pain eases, he might feel a slight tingling on the skin of his chest under his shirt where, a small pattern has been visibly burnt onto it: ...---... ))

Akamaz

05-19-2005, 01:58 PM

Mikoto heaved an internal sigh of relief after the scan passed by her. They hadn't found her yet. Now that she could think a little clearer she noticed that she sould see right through her body, to the floor below, and thus far that, and the concern for the man in the bed <5331> were all that prevented her discovery.
It seemed by pure coincidence that the bed she was hiding under belonged to the very same Dominic Jackson <Stalking Shadow> that was in the message.

After listening to the conversation for a while she decided to send a reply message to this "Alumette" person. at the very least they should be able to keep her from hurting more people.

<Begin Transmission>
<<<To: Alumnette
<<<From: umm... Mikoto

<<<May 12, 2005

<<<Good Morning umm Ms. Courbier? or should I call you Alumette?
<<<I'd like you to know that I'd like to help out. I must admit that currently
<<<I am not a registered hero, nor have I been in the past. I happened upon
<<<your original message by chance, as the period of time between tests
<<<can get pretty boring.
<<<
<<<If you accept my application of assistance, just reply to this message

<<<Mikoto
<<<Under the Bed
<end Transmission>

ChairLegOfTruth

05-19-2005, 05:21 PM

Meanwhile: Whitehall, London

In an annonymous government building sat a man from another age. Nestled deep inside the comforting confines of his genuine Eero Aarnio ball chair and gazed out at the dark wood of his office. The books and files that had onced filled the shelves that lined the walls around him now filled tea chests and cardboard boxes. The man wore white slacks, polo-neck and blazer with black trim, looking like he'd stepped out of a men's fashion catalog of the 1960's. On his desk a bakerlite intercom lit up, buzzing like an angry wasp. He leaned forward and hit the glowing button.

"Cephas is here for you sir" his secretary reported.

"Very well. Show her in and try not to sound so onimous; it's only retirement." The door to the outer office opened as the man pull himself to his feet, snatching up his silver capped walking stick as he did so. Through the gaping portal stepped a veiled woman in black and crimson.

"In earlier times 'retirement' in our profession meant six feet of sod to lie in" she reminded him.

"You can't bury me twice Countess; that would be incrimininating." He gestured to the bare shelves around him, "Not much to show for fifty years of saving the world, sixty if you count my boyhood escapades."

"You don't look a day over twenty", Cephas told him, her eyes glowing through her veil, for a moment, like twin hot coal.

"Countess, I know you're speaking as someone who hasn't aged a day since Pompei, but I feel every decade on the inside. I've outlived my wife and one of my children, nonbody should do that and still remain young."

"At least you've kept your humanity; forty years ago you weren't sure you could do that".

"Ye gods! Forty years of running the taskforce and now I'm to be put out to pasture." He sat on the corner of his desk and regarded the Countess like she was the grim reaper himself. All she lacked was the scythe.

"We don't need so many taskforces these days, not with the current glut of superhumans."

"So what's it to be Countess? The keys to a time machine and instructions to never darken your continuum again or a quick firing squad in a well concealed courtyard? You know I quite fancy catching up with that grandson of mine on his magical mystery tour across the multiverse in his dimension hopping cocktail lounge."

"Sorry," said the countess, producing a manila folder from somewhere and handing it to him. "How do you feel about spending your twilight years in Paragon City?"

He flipped open the folder and plucked a card from the front of it. It was a Hero registration card; "Jude Justice" he read.

"There's an incident developing over there," Cephas continued, "...well actually there's about a thousand, but there's one that you should focus on when you first get there; detailed briefing in that folder".

"Odds blood, Countess! I'm joining the spandex brigade?"

"They weren't ready for the Rikti, Jude, and there was bugger all the department could do to help anyone overseas. If they weren't ready for the Rikti then they sure as hell aren't ready for this! Now get going. Your plane leaves in two hours and you're going civil." With that Cephas turned and left.

Agent Jude, now Jude Justice, pursed his lips and put the head of his walking stick to them like he always did when thinking hard. He'd always known that when the filth hit the fan the department would always come to him for a solution; he wasn't codenamed after the patron saint of lost causes for nothing. However now it appeared that he'd been exceeded by his reputation as a miracle worker. Interesting times were on the horizon.

Impact

05-20-2005, 02:03 AM

Caleb Matthews sighed and stared out the window overlooking Steel Canyon, having long ago tuned out yet another business meeting. Instead, he'd opted to enjoy, via his imagination and the huge window on the other side of the conference room, the beautiful day outside. Leaning forward, he rested on his elbow, chin in hand and turned his attention to the other end of the oak long table, nodding to a businessman who had to be close to twice his age as he finished his report and took his seat.

"Thank you Mr. Stokes, if you will, please let our people in R&D know that I think it'd be in our best interests to speed up the testing and development of the new covert battle armor. I'm sure I speak for the both of us when I say that I'd like to see that in the works as soon as possible." Glancing to his left, Caleb nodded his agreement with his cousin Alex then turned his gaze back outside to the window.

"Would it hurt you to at least act like you're paying attention to what they're saying?" Keeping his eyes locked on the window, he ignored Alex's telepathic question for a few moments before answering.

"As a matter of fact, at this rate it just might. Now get out of my head and let me enjoy the view."

To accent his remark, Caleb shot his elbow into Alex's side, causing him to jump up a bit and bump the table. Trying to conceal his smirk he continued the mental conversation. "Seriously though, how can you stand these things Alex....they're sooooo boring...I'd much rather be out and about in the city, helping people and fighting crime..."

Alex groaned mentally. "Oh come on...not this again. What's wrong with you? You've been antsy like this ever since you helped those heroes against Dr. Vahzilok.." "Yeah and?!" Alex cringed a bit as Caleb's voice echoed a bit loud in his head. "You know...you don't have to yell...I'm right here."

Another sigh. "Listen Alex....I don't know about you but I've had more than enough of this 'helping from the sidelines'. You do a great job with all this business stuff and I'm glad I've got you here to help run things.....but I think it's time for me to dust off the costume and get back to doing something I'm actually good at. Being a hero."

Alex turned in his chair and stared at Caleb, who only nodded slowly while wearing a half grin, half smirk. "You've gotta be kidding me."

"Nope....I know we agreed to retire but it's time for me to suit up and do something more with my life than sit behind a comfy desk and live the playboy life. Don't get me wrong cousin...it's a blast and a half, but it's gotten old for me."

Sliding his chair back a bit Caleb stood up slowly, waving to everyone at the table. "If you'll all excuse me, I have some pressing business that requires my personal attention." Giving a slight bow, another wave, and a smile he strolled out of the conference room and stepped into the elevator, heading for the ground level.

"And for Tygerwolf's first piece of business I think I'll get in touch with....what was his name...Stalking Shadow and see if he can use another pair of hands..."

A few moments and a short drive later he walked into his apartment and sat down at his laptop.

To: Alumette
From: A new friend

Hi there. I got your message (like every other caped and noncaped crusader in the city). So...to be direct, do you and double S still need a hand?

Yours if you need me,
Tygerwolf

Alumette

05-20-2005, 04:31 AM

As Robo scanned Shadow, Alumette watched him carefully. Part of her mind insisted she was just being paranoid, but the other part was not about to lose Dominic again after having only just gotten him back. Everything seemed normal, but something in her didn't fully trust Robo since his return.

Her comm beeped, twice in succession, and she looked at the display. She smiled as she scanned the inbox listing. Two more heroes had replied to her message. Good. She opened up the first one, from a hero whose name she'd seen in the papers and heard mentioned on the grapevine, but that she didn't know personally. "Looks like we have another couple heroes on th--" she stopped abruptly, an astonished and perplexed expression crossing her face, and dropped to the floor, peering under the bed.

Stan Walker

05-20-2005, 03:07 PM

The dim light and the scent of stale air welcomed were the only welcomings in the ramshakle apartment. As Stan Walker opened the door a soft creak of worndown wood was heard. The furnishings were modest to say the least, a delapitated lazy boy sat in the corner with a rusting tv tray and a small color telivision nearby.
Walker set the paper sacks down he was carrying gently. The first labled Bobs Packaged Liquor made a soft clink, the second labeled Atlas park butcher shop.
Walker reached into his leather jackets pocket pulling a pack of cigarettes and a lighter. Her pursed the cancer stick in his lips then struck the zippo, the amber flame briefly lit the room and was gone just as quickly. The blue/grey smoke billowed as he reached into the sack getting out a bottle of beer. He glanced around in the darkness and easily found what he was looking for. An old mug lay at the foot of the chair.

"eh..its clean enough"

He poured the ale into the mug roughly filling it halfway, then reached into the other sack pulling a plastic container, as he opened the container the scent of copper pennies briefly wafted across the room from the crimson liquid that set inside. He fills the rest of the mug with this vitae and gives it a brief stir with his finger before finally taking a gulp, accompanying it with a satisfied.

"ahhhhh..."

He flops down in the delapitated chair drink in one hand, cig still pursed in his lips the ash dangling not sure whether to continue to cling or to finally breakfree. He stares at the TV, eyes glowing a soft amber yet the tv is not on, however the item on top of the TV is where his attention is focused.
In a tarnished silver frame above the TV is a picture of a woman. Her ebony skin contrasts her ruby lips and compliments the pools of blue that are her eyes. A mane of white hair scoops down over pointed ears and swathes her neck.

Walker says nothing he just continues to stare as he drinks his concoction. He glanced briefly and the wrist transmitter that had been issued to him. They gave him that and and ID when they had realized he had power. The wrist communicator had yet to beep since its date of issue. He took a deep drag of his cigarette finishing it then stamping it out in a craked glass ashtray, then returned his focus on the picture.

Akamaz

05-20-2005, 03:18 PM

A thin red beam scanned over Alumette's astonished face and stored the image in her database under "Friendlies"

Mikoto lay under the bed, arms crossed in an attempt to conceal the alloy steel blades that made up her "fingers" but could not even attempt to conceal the taloned prehensile feet.

after a moment <.9356 seconds> Mikoto slowly said in a slighly mechanical voice "Um... Hi... I didn't mean to intrude, but this was the closest place to my room to hide..."

Down the hallway came the sounds of pounding feet.

"Is it ok if I stay down here for a bit?" she said, as she quickly glanced towards the door.

Sebastian Kain

05-20-2005, 05:20 PM

Location: The Silent World Order Compound on the outer regions of the Paragon City limits.

Deep within one of the main lobbies of Paragon's most influential and secretive organizations, a young blond haired woman patiently for someone. The exact location she is at is the Silent World Order Compound, located on the outerlimits of the city known has Paragon, RI.

She was awaiting to conduct an interview with the head of the Business/Political Organization. His name was Sebastian Kain. However, not new to the rest of the world, he was new to the city of Paragon. His compound doubled has his residence for him and those that worked with him whenever they were in the city as well as their main base of operations.

Has she sat there waiting, the world around her was engulfed in it's day to day tasks. There were two men dressed in nicely done italian suits, standing infront of Mr. Kain's Office door. A receptionist punched away on infront of computer at her desk area and some more personel were walking back and forth between other rooms in the lobby area. She continued to watch Kain's door that was directly down the hall from where she was waiting. She was a bit nervous, eventhough her co-workers asured her that everything with Mr. Kain would go okay, she had never been in a situation like this one before. Especially with someone of his status.

"The President will see you know, Ms. Johnson. said the receptionist behind the desk and she pointed down the hall.

Ms. Johnson was startled a bit. She snapped out of her gaze and looked up at the receptionist. She smiled pleasantly and gathered her material and headed down the hall to where the woman was pointing. As she walked down the hall, the office door was now open and the men standing guard outside of it were now gone. She could hear a man's voice talking to someone. She couldn't make out his conversation but he sounded like he was irrated a bit, or at least very busy.

She stood in the doorway, to tenative and afraid to go through with it. The office was larger than anything she had been accustomed to. It was filled with various things and it even had a statue located infront of the 3 large windows along the back wall of the building. With his back towards her, President Kain sat in his chair behind his desk and was apparently in a serious conversation on his cell phone. She cleared her throat a bit, apparently she got his attention.

Alright now, I have to go. We'll speak about the rest of this later. Good Day Now. He says and he spins around in his chair to see who disturbed him.

The president was dressed in a black armoured suit and he wore shades over his eyes. He didn't look very professional or business like to Ms. Johnson. Apparently the rumors about him were true, and that he was a part time street hero to the city of Paragon as well. He certainly dressed the part anyway.

Yes. How can I help you? Are you Ms. Johnson from the Paragon Times?he said in a calm demanor.

Ms. Johnson shook away her nerves

Y...yes, I am...Mr. Sebastian Kain.she stepped forward and walked towards his desk.

Well, please do come in. We have an interview to do. he said has he smiled and pointed to a chair infront of his desk.

As she walked forward, she heard the door mysteriously close behind her

Akamaz

05-20-2005, 06:29 PM

The stomping boots came to a stop just down the hallway. There was a "whooshing" sound of a door seal being opened, then silence.

Suddenly the silence was broken by the sound of someone retching, the thick liquid spattering the pristine corridor floor.

Then the alarms began to sound, wailing like the lost souls of the damned being thrust into the furnace.

Mikoto began shaking under the bed, her claws gouging long lines into the floor.
"Help me... Please..."

Noble

05-20-2005, 07:54 PM

The Outskirts of Paragon City, Rhode Island

One single leap had carried Countryman across the state boarder of Massachusetts and Rhode Island in only a few minutes. He landed in a small open field located 200 miles outside of Paragon City. A small crater had formed around the giant’s feet from the impact; his feet and lower legs had beomce covered with over five feet of displaced soil and sod once it had settled back down to the Earth. Without delay the man-mountain estimated the amount of power for his next jump, a leap that should carry him over the city-zone force fields and land him in the harbor district of Independence Port. With a minor exertion of strength Countryman’s titanic form rocketed into the sky for the final time before he would arrive near his destination.

Within seconds the patriotic powerhouse crash landed through the roof of a warehouse in the harbor disctrict. Thankfully the building had been abandoned due to poor maintenance over the years, because it had collapsed due to structural trauma upon Countryman’s impact with the warehouse floor. The giant garbed in a costume that resembled the United States flag strode over the wreckage of the building without so much as a glance at the damage he had done, leaving dockworkers unsure of whether to run in fear or to simply go about their business. Countryman was a well known figure, thanks to media coverage and that fact that his exploits were well-known, mainly because of the destruction that was caused during his titanic battles. After much hesitation, and once the destructive behemoth had started walking in a direction opposite of the docks, the workers decided to continue their labor in an uneasy peace. At least until the next incident came alarm that would raise suspicion or alarm, something that tended to happen a lot in Paragon City.

The ground shook with each step that Countryman took, and each foot-fall was accompanied by a *boom* that echoed off the walls of the buildings that lined the streets. A trail of 2-foot deep foot prints were left in the pavement of the road, making it impassible for motor vehicles and clearly letting anyone who had missed the giant’s passing know that something very large had come this way. The size, and mass of his body was so enormous that it spanned the entire width of two lanes of road, from sidewalk to sidewalk. Vehicles that were in his way that were occupied were gently pushed onto the curb with a hand large enough to grasp the entire body of a typical man. Those vehicles that were unoccupied were not so fortunate, and were ground into the pavement by his mighty feet as though they were below the human-bulldozer’s care, as though they were nothing but ants.

A hero who was flying overhead spotted the patriotic giant stomping recklessly through the city streets. He recognized Countryman instantly, but even though citizens were in danger he hesitated, and gulped nervously before descending towards the street. The hero reached the ground and hovered a safe distance away from Countryman, he knew that it was inevitable that he would soon be forced to act, or react because he was directly in the human powerhouse’s path. The hero’s body began to sweat profusely, and his hands started shaking in nervous anticipation. Countryman is a lot bigger up close than I thought he would be, thought the poor hero. When Countryman was only a cars length away the hero gathered his courage and attempted to sound confident and commanding, but despite his best efforts his voice trembled with fear, “You must ss…sstop this.” He stammered, “You are endangering innocent civilians.”

Countryman gave the hero nothing but a quick glance that portrayed a hint of annoyance. Not bothering to stop his stride, Countryman’s right hand shot out and grabbed the hero with blinding speed. The hero had begun to mutter something, but the patriotic soldier failed to catch what it was as he whipped the poor hero deep into the city skyline. Whether the stupid hero survived or not something that would not haunt Countryman’s conscience.

Citizens fled indoors at the sound of his coming, but those that were brave enough to wait and see what was behind the booming and crashing sounds that came from around street corners soon fled as well once their eyes beheld the cause for the noise. Curious onlookers peeked out of upper-story windows to catch a glimpse of the strange, protective-terror that had chosen this day to walk down their streets. A few cheers went up from the ignorant who thought that a hero in a patriotic outfit was always a blessing, but the majority remained silent, because they knew of the insurmountable power that this man possessed and that it was often than not an ill omen.

The living monolith stepped into the intersection of the street he was currently on, and quickly spotted the building where his first lead was to be found. It was the Chiron Medical Center, the location where Dominic Jackson was to be found. It was four blocks away from where the muscle-bound monstrosity currently stood. The mighty goliath wagered that his chances of moving in silently were high, and his chances of being detected by those within to be minimal. His movements became slow and paced as he began to move quietly through the city blocks that separated him from his objective. The massive brute’s figure resembled that of an oversized gorilla, creeping cautiously towards an object of curiosity. The titan’s feet ceased making thunderous echoes as he walked, and were now barely audible, if audible at all. It was unnatural for something so large to move with such agility and quiet, but this was no was no natural man so it only made sense that it was true. Vehicles in the titan’s path were carefully laid aside on the curb, regardless of whether they were occupied or not. He stealthily crept to the parking lot of the medical building. Once there he halted, and waited.

Alumette

05-22-2005, 03:55 PM

Alumette stared at the unique heroine under the bed. The light from the scanning beam caused her to flinch, uncertain, but something inside her reassured Grace that this was no enemy. Her face softened into a mixture of compassion and confusion. "Of course you can stay here," she whispered. "I got your message. You are Mikoto?"

The heroine nodded. Alumette smiled. "We'll keep you safe, don't worry," she said, and then popped back up to address the others. Shadow was staring down at her, a bemused expression on his face. "Checking for dustbunnies, dear?" he asked, and then winced as another wave of pain washed over him.

Alumette chuckled nervously, in part from the oddity of the situation with Mikoto, and also from seeing Dom in so much pain, and being unable to do much about it. "After a fashion," she replied. She sat on the edge of the bed and leaned in close, whispering, "We have more help. She's... under the bed." Shadow remained impassive, as years of special ops work had trained him to do. But Grace could tell that inside, he was already considering the options. "She seems to be in some sort of trouble, hiding from someone. And Dom," she added, her voice tinged with uncertainty. "She's not registered."

She leaned back from him and pulled out her comm, tapping out a reply to the other message she'd received:

<new message>
To: Tygerwolf
From: Alumette

Friend,
Thank you. We could use all the help we can get. Happy to have you on board. This is Shadow's gig, I'm just the messenger at this point. You can meet us at the hospital, or stand by for more information. Your call.

Gratefully,
Alumette

<send>

Suddenly there was a sound of doors whooshing open, and someone being sick in the hallway. A klaxon began to sound. Alarms?! She dropped to the floor and gazed at Mikoto. "What the hell is going on?"

"Help me... Please..." was all she said, her claws digging into the floor.

"We will," Grace replied. "But you have to at least let us know what we're up against."

She stood and looked at Shad. "How you feeling, hon?" she asked in a tone of voice that implied there wasn't going to be a lot of time for him to fully recover before having to jump back in the saddle.

Alumette

05-22-2005, 04:04 PM

---MEANWHILE---

Frost Cat's comm beeped. She checked the incoming message. It was from Alumette. Well it's about time, she thought. What she didn't realize was that, due to the speculation going around on the various hero channels about Stalking Shadow's situation, in response to Alumette's global message, the comm routers were having a hard time managing the traffic on top of the normal daily flow of messages.

She tapped open the message and read with interest:

<new message>
To: Frost Cat
From: Alumette

Frost Cat:
We'd be glad to have you join us. Shadow will be holding a briefing soon after his release from the hospital, which could be any time, depending on his recovery. You can meet us at the hospital if you wish, or wait for further communication concerning the briefing. Your call.

Welcome to the team!
--Alumette
<end message>

Stalking Shadow

05-22-2005, 08:37 PM

Shadow took a look of contemplation, and began speaking quietly to everyone in the room, "Just be... casual, everyone. They're going to come in here, I'll read them the riot act, and they'll leave." Idly, he wondered how this unregistered person managed to make it under his bed without him noticing. To Mikoto, he said, "Mikoto, I want you to stop moving. Be completely silent. Don't even breath."

As if on cue, the stomping boots started moving again, growing louder and louder as they aproached Shadow's room. The doorknob turned, and several suits walked in, looking around impassively. Shadow sighed, and asked, "You guys don't believe in knocking, do you?"

The suits noticed the room's occupant, and his guest, for the first time it seemed. One of them spoke, finally, "Our apologies, Mr.--"
Another interrupted, "Leftenant."
The first began again, correcting himself, "Our apologies, Leftenant Jackson. We're looking for someone rather dangerous--"
Shadow cut in, "Well, you found him."
The agent fought the urge to grin and continued, "And we were wondering if she happened to come into this room."
A look of mock confusion passed across Shadow's face, and he looked around the room to the other heroes. "I can't say that I saw anyone that I didn't know come in." The shaded truth. "I don't know of anyone sneaking in." An outright lie. A wave of gnawing pain coursed through Shadow's veins, and summoning every ounce of will, he kept the discomfort from showing through in his body language. Under the covers, his legs moved in barely controlled spasms.
The agent nodded, seemingly not noticing Shadow's affliction. "Well, if you don't mind, we'd just like to take a quick search--"
Shadow stopped the agent again. "I do mind. You're in a room full of superheroes, chief. We're perfectly capable of handling anything 'dangerous' that might be in this hospital with the possible exception of the common cold and hospital food. If anything turns up, I'll get my people to find your people. Good day." The pain persisted, biting into his flesh as if his blood had become some vitriolic substance. The pain manifested in a twitch of the eye and a spasm in his neck.
The agent started to move forward, but thought better of it as Alumette, Xaddak, Pinocchio, and strangely, not RoboMD, moved from their "casual" positions to intercept him. He stopped, and looked to his peers, all of whom were standing by silently. The agent nodded to Shadow, and studied the patient curiously for a split-second. "Very well, Leftenant. Get well soon." The last three words were almost spit out of the agent's mouth.

The suits left the room, and after Shadow had determined that they had left the corridor outside, he got up and moved calmly to the room's sink to begin vomiting.

Radical Dreamer

05-22-2005, 09:26 PM

--------------------
To: Alumette
From: Frost Cat

Alright. I'll be outside the hospital. You'll know me when you see me if you've been paying attention to my name. See you whenever Shadow gets released.

Frost Cat
--------------------

With a quick button push the message was sent. For good or ill she had been accepted into the task force. Looking up from the small PDA attacked to her wrist she resumed walking down the street at a leisurely pace though by the twitching of her tail she was clearly agitated. She could be to the hospital in as quick as a minute or two but why get there so early? The only thing to do at the hospital if you weren't recovering was to watch all of the heroes exiting and make fun of their costumes.

Besides, she needed time to think about just why she was being ordered to take part in this task force. There had to be something more there. The people who pulled her strings were not terribly charitable. It could have been as simple as wanting more information on what was going on when Alumette flashed that very public message. Then again it could be something far more complex.

As she continued walking toward her desintation Frost Cat rounded a corner and came upon an odd site. All along the road were crushed cars and large foot prints. Something very large had come through here. A quick survey of the wreckage revealed that even though whatever force moved down the street had no reguard for damage it did not crush and maim the civilians in the way. If Frost Cat didn't know any better she would sware that Atlas himself had risen from his grave as a zombie under the Banished Pantheon's control.

As much as that was to take in her mind was focusing on something even more important. She had roamed these streets from the moment she could walk and the trail of destruction was headed for the very hospital that she was to meet Alumette and Shadow.

Passing her hand over her wrist PDA she activated the stealth device built into it. The air shimmered for a moment as the outline of her form faded away. Now hidden from the eyes of all but the most observant she took off down the street at high speed, further masking the ability of anyone to see her. Frost Cat was going to find out who or what was making such a mess of the city.

Akamaz

05-23-2005, 04:49 AM

Mikoto stayed still the only way she knew how, she locked all of her joints into the positions her limbs currently were. As far as breathing went, whoever made her the way she was took care of that... no need to breathe when you're <98.2352> percent robot. She wished she could speak as authoritative as Mr Jackson did to the hostpital security.

When she heard the mattress creaking and the sounds coming from the sink she cautiosly crawled out fom under the bed, keeping her hands curled so as not to cut up the floor.

"Umm Mr Jackson? she said in a small voice. "Are you ok? The thermo scans of him were fluctuating wildly.

ChairLegOfTruth

05-23-2005, 12:03 PM

Jude stepped out of the City Hall into Atlas Park and repressed a sigh. Gone was his familiar garb. Now the turtle-neck and slacks, while still white, were decorated with a swirling psychedelic pattern in gold. Instead of the blazer he wore a white Nehru jacket, with gold trim and golden peace symbol on the breast pocket. There was more gold in the form of the cloth belt that encircled his waist and the fingerless gloves that covered his hands. He looked at the world through rose-tinted Lennon glasses, and stroked his blond van-dyke beard that was as aureate as his wild hair restrained with a white cloth band. Gazing down at the PDA which was a part of his equipment he called up a map of the zone and began looking for the Chiron Medical Center. Finding his target he orientated himself towards it while mentally cursing any dependence upon technology.

He glanced at the shadowy whisps of force, which were the unbound form of his sword cane, and silently repeated the mantra of Enlightened Umbra. A thin layer of the shadow-stuff spread out from under his feet forming a shimmering cloud upon which be began to glide forward rapidly, like a man riding a motorised skateboard.

A few minutes later he glided to a halt on the steps of the hospital and did his best to ignore the flag covered mountain doing a man imperssonation over in the carpark. A moments fugue and he trawled up the identity of the being from the corner of his mind where it had been stored in case of this very eventuallity. "Countryman," he recalled, "Alpha classed embodiment of the United States and all the subtlety that emplies. Approach with extreme caution." Jude looked up at him and smiled.

"Hey Man!" he called, "You're standing in my sunlight, dude."

The mammoth patriot's eyes narrowed as he a Jude exchanged unblinking gazes. The latter's smile turned into a wide grin and a chuckled escaped his throat. He glided over to Countryman until he was truely standing in the giant's shadow and raised a polite hand. "The name's Jude, Jude Justice. I'm guessing that you and me are here for the same party, Daddio." With his other hand he shook open a print-out of Alumette's email.

Noble

05-23-2005, 08:02 PM

Countryman immediately became suspicious of Jude Justice. The name was an unfamiliar one, and yet this man seemed to know a good deal about him. Perhaps more than he was letting on. To Countryman Jude’s joyful demeanor was enough reason to smash him into dust, but because he was on the task force the titan decided that killing any fellow teammates before the mission began would be premature. The patriotic powerhouse averted his gaze from Jude’s and returned it towards the hospital, and instead of humoring his newly met acquaintance with conversation Countryman ignored him.

Alumette

05-24-2005, 02:36 AM

Alumette tensed as the suits entered the room. Her protective instincts were already on overdrive for Shadow, and she had promised to help Mikoto. Still, she knew he would handle it with his usual calm and aplomb.

She observed quietly as he addressed them, using his legendary presence as a weapon. On the surface he was controlled and authoritative, but she could see him tensing up, resisting the pain that she knew by now was siezing him in cyclic waves. She surreptitiously placed a hand on his shoulder in some meager hope of reassurance and comfort.

Still, she watched the suits with growing distrust. If they so much as touched a hair on his head--

"Well, if you don't mind, we'd just like to take a quick search--"

Like hell, Alumette thought, as she interposed herself between Shadow and the suits.

Shadow dispatched them shortly thereafter, and promptly crossed the room to be sick.

Alumette was at his side in less than an instant, gently rubbing his back and stroking his hair throughout the ordeal. She pulled a few morsels of candied ginger from her bag. "Eat these, slowly," she said. "They'll help you feel better. Trust me." She smiled warmly and handed him the ginger, placing her other hand on his cheek. She looked at her watch and contemplated a moment. "Mikoto, if you feel safe, you can come out now," she said quietly. "They're gone." She glanced about the room. "Is it just me, or does it seem kind of dark in here, considering the time?"

Stalking Shadow

05-24-2005, 03:23 AM

Shadow turned on the tap, and gargled some water to his lunch out of his mouth. Turning to Alumette, he took the candied ginger, "Thanks, hon. I don't think its digestive, though. Those suits left me a little queasy." Popping the sweet into his mouth, he leaned back onto the counter, tugging at his light blue hospital pajamas.

"Mikoto, if you feel safe, you can come out now," Alumette said quietly. "They're gone."

Sighing, Shadow prepared to move back when a palpable darkness fell into the room.

"Is it just me, or does it seem kind of dark in here, considering the time?"

Shadow shrugged, "It's probably just a cloud. It'll pass." He sat on the edge of the hospital bed, and looked around. "So, what've you guys been up to?"

Takeda

05-24-2005, 01:41 PM

The warehouse appeared to be deserted from the outside, but Shadow's Grip found the inside to be exactly as her contact suggested it would be. Infested by Malta Group Operatives. They were up to something, but neither her nor her informant could tell what.

She reached down with her mind, finding the warm point at the base of her spine. She felt the cold touch of the blackness surrounding her and when she opened her eyes she knew that the swirling cloud of blackness would serve to hide her and her companion. If she didn't get too close.

She turned her head and looked at her Dark Servant, thinking the words but not saying them. "Alright, Fluffy. We go in, slip by the guards, access the computer and drop in that virus. In and out." Fluffy responded with a "You know *something's* going to go wrong" look. Shadow's Grip rolled her eyes and slunk down the corridor. There were drawbacks to drawing on creatures made out of negative energy. Sarcastic comments were one of them.

The first two guards at the "T" junction looked bored. One stood looking down the other corridor and the other had his assault rifle halfway disassembled and was brushing out the chamber.

She hugged the wall, trying to keep as much distance between herself and the guards as she could. She crept quietly around some crates, Fluffy trailing behind her. Ten paces from them, Five, Four....

*CHIRP CHIRP*

Her comlink sounded like a gunshot. She'd forgotten to turn it to vibrate. She felt the blood drain from her face and she looked at the guards, still obscured by the crates a little, they hadn't seen her but they sure as H-E-Double Hockeysticks heard it.

The guards immediately glanced around, the one who had been cleaning his weapon slid the bolt back into the receiver and completed the assembly in one swift motion. The snick of a fresh magazine sliding into place told her he was ready. The other keyed the mic on his tactical headset. Shadow's Grip could over hear one side of the radio conversation.

"Black Six, Green One."

"Roger, possible MHI, Corridor Alpha, Side One. Request quick reaction force."

"Roger. Standing by."

The sound of booted feet on the corridor, shouted orders from officers and the whir of Malta titans convinced her that the mission would have to wait for another day.

Shadow's Grip could feel the now-familiar "I told you so" coming from Fluffy. She hated when he was right. They crept back out of the warehouse. Fluffy projected an air of smugness that was downright infuriating.

"Laugh it up, Dustball.", She half snarled at him, glancing down at her comlink to see what the message was that had blown it. If it was for breast enlargement, she'd find the spammer and kill him. Personally. Slowly.

To: All Registered Heroes
From: Alumette

May 12, 2005

Dominic Jackson, aka Stalking Shadow, returned to Paragon City today after a brief internal assignment at Dawn Patrol HQ in the UK. He was injured on assignment and is currently recuperating at Chiron Medical Center. Visitors are welcome.

Stalking Shadow's assignment has led to the need for the development of a task force. Interested heroes can contact Stalking Shadow either in person or via the PDA Messaging System. Heroes of all types, clearance levels, and talents are needed.

Sincerely,

Alumette
Dawn Patrol

PS: Friends, Dom would greatly appreciate your help, and your company as he recuperates. As would I.
Hugs,
--A

She chewed her lip. Alumette needed her. Shadow's Grip still owed her for the talk they'd had at Dawn Patrol HQ. She keyed an affirmative response quickly into the PDA and took off to meet with the team. She hoped she wouldn't blow it.

Akamaz

05-24-2005, 03:31 PM

Meanwhile, Back at the hostpital

Mikoto slowly slid out from under the bed, audio receptors turned up so that if the security agents returned she could make a run for it. The red beam played over each of the rooms occupants, recording their features, several faces matching names and swirls of data. Xaddak <3687> apparently has a vendetta against the clockwork, there were two Robots that she (thankfully) didn't recognise, as well as Dominic and Grace. She heaved an internal sigh of relief that Dominic...err... Stalking Shadow, seemed to be recovering, his vitals kept fluctuating, like he was either in terrible pain, drugged, or both at the same time.

She slowly got up, backing slowly along the wall until she was directly under the rooms monitoring camera, and out of it's field of vision.

"I hope you won't get in too much trouble for hiding me from security, I know they'll be back sometime... after all, they can't let....escaped murderers... run around free, it's bad for their image..." with that she sat down again, arms wrapped around herself

ChairLegOfTruth

05-24-2005, 06:58 PM

Jude dropped the offered manus.

"Strong silent type, eh, daddio? Well I hear that. Catch ya on the flip-side, dude."

With that he glided back to the hospital and up through the front door. It took a few minutes of waving his printout before he could get the directions he was looking for. Getting there was another matter; most of the floor was sealed while security searched for some kind of monster. Jude had to flash his hero ID so many times he felt like taking the risk and just stepping through Shamballa to his destination. However the risks far out-weighed any benefits so he maintained his grin and kept flashing his card. He'd seen a lot of blood and death in his time but the bits of people that were being wheeled past him brought back enough bad memories to make him decide to skip his next meal.

Eventually he reached his target. Knocking he waited just long enough to get what might have been a positive response before entering, his print out held before him like a shield.

"Hi there hippsters! Jude Justice is the name and fighting crime is my game!"

Akamaz

05-24-2005, 08:46 PM

At the knock on the door, Mikoto looked up quickly. Unfortunately there wasn't time to dive back under the bed before the door started to open!

Mikoto felt a shivering sensation go across her body rippling from the tips of her "hair" to the bottoms of her feet as she stood stock still trying to blend in with the background.

"Hi there hippsters! Jude Justice is the name and fighting crime is my game!"

Stalking Shadow looked up in irritation at the unnanounced visitor and glanced quickly at Mikoto's corner, only to see... absolutly nothing.

ChairLegOfTruth

05-25-2005, 10:02 AM

Jude noted his host's sour expression and raised his hands in a half shrug in way of apology, this resulted in printout and hero ID flapping in the air, making Jude look momentarily like an oversized seagull. He put the ID away and handed the printout to the nearest person, who just happened to be Alumette.

"Sorry man I thought heard someone say 'come in'. It's hard to tell with all the noise from that clean-up crew out there. Looks like some mad whittler has been to work on the staff. Not a groovy scene, ya dig?"

Jude thought he heard a quiet sob come from a corner of the room and his practiced eye picked a weird heat haze, vaguely person shaped. he locked eyes with Stalking Shadow before glancing purposefully back towards the corner. Shadow followed his gaze...

Alumette

05-26-2005, 02:16 AM

OOC--Perhaps I'm just an idiot but I am starting to have trouble following the story. Can we get a recap/OOC posting somewhere? I am not certain where to add in Dark Master. If any DP'ers would like to add him in, I'm ok with that as well.

Thanks,
Major Britain

((Maj: check here (http://www.cohguru.com/forum/showthread.php?p=19798#post19798) ))

Endless One

05-26-2005, 04:58 AM

Stalking Shadow was back? And now in the hospital? He'd never even bothered to send a "Hey I'm gonna leave the country for a few months" message to her. She hated to admit how much that had hurt her. She'd considered Dom one of her best friends appart from Chance. But he'd never given her a way to contact him... Perhaps she miscalculated her value there. That thought made her feel nervous and out of her element all of a sudden.

She had responded to Alumettes request, on behalf of Shadow for all heroes...not her, just anyone who happened to be not busy. Quit pouting Shan, this isn't about you...

She stood in the doorway of his hospital room wearing ratty jeans, a Marvin the Martian wringer t-shirt, and Chuckies that had seen better days. Her eyes glowed red as usual but as they focused on Dom just for a moment they flickered the deep brown underneath, an in them there was a mixture of concern, nerves, and hurt.

Her gaze slid away and found Alumette, she managed a little smile as she fiddled with the crystal lion pendant around her neck. "Heard you were needing heroes." She crossed to her and continued, "You know I'll help if I can. If you still need it." She shrugged in the way she used to when she'd first joined the Dawn Patrol, back before rescuing the Major, back before she felt at home with them.

Takeda

05-26-2005, 05:25 AM

Something had definitely gone down at the Chiron Medical Center. The regular security guards outside looked downright nervous, and there were plenty inside who didn't look like the usual doughnut chomping-coffee drinking grade rent-a-cops. These guys meant business.

"Wonderful.", Shadow's Grip muttered to herself. Fluffy had already wandered back to the dimension that was his home. Evidently, he had decided that nothing else interesting was going to happen. They wouldn't let him inside the hospital anyway.

She pushed the up button on the elevator and tried to look as inconspicuous as she could. Which is about as inconspicuous as anybody wearing a dark blue and white leather bodysuit complete with cape, mask, and surrounded by flickerings of dark energy could. She frowned. Nope. Not inconspicuous at all. The guards had already given her a glance over, but evidently they weren't looking for a hero.

The elevator doors opened with a welcoming chime and she allowed herself a sigh of relief as she punched the button for Stalking Shadow's floor. Her thoughts alternated between the purpose of Alumette's message and the odd security precautions at the hospital. Was there a connection? Something wasn't right around here. Maybe she was still jittery from her aborted mission. "You've been listening to Fluffy too much", she chided herself.

She stepped out into the hallway and was relieved to see Shan leaning in the doorway to Stalking Shadow's room. There. No ambush. See?

She leaned over Shan's shoulder and called into the room, "Hey guys, the Local Superhero's Union 471 meeting isn't until next week. Although it looks like somebody is going to be lobbying for increased medical coverage." The right side of her mouth upturned in a half smile driving home the joke.

Stalking Shadow

05-26-2005, 05:44 PM

Shadow looked up to Justice irritatedly, the guy stopped him from getting a fix on Mikoto... the name rang a bell. He looked back along the man's gaze noting the sob, and nodded knowingly. "Mikoto, its alright if you want to stay concealed, but don't worry abo--" he cringed in pain "--ut us. Believe me, I've done much worse."

He turned to the new man, and appraised him carefully, the apprehension dissapated, as he heard that Jude was joining the force, "Alright, chief. Good to have you on..." He glanced to the door as it opened once again, and saw Shan step in, and his face lighted up, "Shan!" He noted her apprehension, and after an involuntary spasm, bit his lower lip, "I'm sorry for cutting you out of the loop. I, well, technically, no-one was supposed to know that I was going overseas for anything but a disciplinary action... with everything that was going on, I didn't really get a chance to say goodbye to anyone."

Shadow's Grip popped her head over Shan's shoulder, and Shadow quirked a brow at the unfamiliar face. She was wearing a Dawn Patrol uniform, though. He nodded to her, and chuckled, "Quite a party here, eh? What's your name?" Shadow got up from the bed to give Shan a hug, and extended a hand to the newcomer. Before she got the chance to react, though, seemingly blistering influx of new people into the room culminated with the entrance by a doctor in a white lab coat carrying a clipboard with what seemed like a ream of papers attached. He looked at Shadow with his brow furrowed, and said in a measured tone "I think you should sit down."

Sighing, Shadow broke from the hug, and leaned against a counter. "Bad news, then?"
The doctor nodded, "You could say that. The results came in, and you're not experiencing any sort of withdrawal at all."
Confused, Shadow flinched and asked, "Then what is it?"
Apprehensively, the doctor replied, "Its... ah... a bacterium."
The pain pounded in his temples, "So what? Can't you give me some sort of antibiotic?"
The doctor shook his head, "No. We tried that, and radiation, and homeopathy... heck, we tried getting a consultant from MAGI to check it out. It's like nothing we've ever seen. This thing looks unbeatable." Shadow cringed, and the doctor looked at him worriedly, "Is the pain getting worse?"
Shadow nodded.
The doctor ran a hand through his hair, "I was worried about that. The bacteria is multiplying. What you're feeling is an acid that it's producing in your bloodstream. It's weak, but your system can only hold out for so long. We're trying to find a counter to the bacteria, but all we can do now is put in chemicals to neutralize the acid."
A defeated sigh followed a gasp of pain, "What else do you know about it?"
The doctor shrugged, "When it enters a system, it stimulates the body to release several hormones, including adrenalin, which are known to induce a state of rage, while causing a state of psychological detatchment. Basically, it causes a violent out of body experience."
"Why can't you use antibiotics?"
"It's resistant, which is strange. We want to analyze the bacteria more, and we're doing a genetic study. We might be able to engineer an antibody."
"And until then?"
"Strengthen your circulatory system. Eat plenty of protein, iron, etcetera. Oh, and we'll need to inject the chemicals to neutralize some of the acids."
Wincing, Shadow said, "Can I do that at home?"
Cautiously, the doctor answered, "Yes... we can send you ampoules of the chemical along with needles, but--"
Shadow interrupted, "Good. Make sure those get to my place. I'll be leaving within the hou-GAH!" Shadow's fist flew into the door of the cabinet behind him, and an audible crack was heard as the punch impacted the particle board door. Enraged, Shadow set his jaw and held his arms stock straight against the counter as he turned away from everyone at the room, looking down in shame and pain. A voice carrying a fraction of the authority that it once had said, "Thank you, doctor. Is that all?"
The doctor nodded sadly, "Yes. That's all. Good luck, Mr. Jackson."

The doctor left, and a palpable silence filled the room as the heroes looked around at each other awkwardly, trying to make sense of the exchange that just took place.

Alumette

05-27-2005, 04:02 AM

Alumette examined the printout that this new hero was waving in front of her. She nodded, and was about to smooth things over when Shadow’d beaten her to it. “Alright, chief. Good to have you on…” he said.

The door creaked open and Alumette glanced over. Her face lit up in a delighted grin. “Shan!” she said, nearly simultaneously with Shadow. She beamed at her friend, thinking to herself, I really missed her. She stepped back, allowing Dom and Shan to reconnect. Grace always admired their friendship, and knew it was important to both of them to get back in touch after his long absence. Grace nodded sympathetically as Shadow explained his need for having left without a trace. She remembered all too well the sinking feeling she’d had the day she’d come home to an empty apartment.

Grace breathed a sigh of relief as Shadow’s Grip poked her head in the door. “Hey SG!” she said, walking over to greet her colleague. “Glad you could make it!” It was good that more Dawn Patrollers were signing on. With our workload the way it is, I’m not surprised it took this long, Alumette thought. But she knew all along they’d come through for Dom. Still, she was glad to see them here. She ushered Shadow’s Grip into the room and let Dom hold court for a bit. That she had to introduce them to one another drove home how long Dom had been gone, and made Alumette that much happier to have him back.

Her introduction was cut short by the doctor’s entrance. The room fell silent as all were awaiting the news. Alumette held her breath and caught Shadow’s gaze across the room.

“I think you should sit down,” the doctor said. Alumette tensed. These were never good words, and already having seen Dom in such pain was torture enough for her. She listened intently. “This thing looks unbeatable,” the doctor ventured. Like hell,Alumette thought. She clenched her fists and leveled her gaze at the doctor. As he began explaining the details of Shadow’s condition, Alumette crossed over to Shadow and surreptitiously took his hand. She knew how important it was to him that he look and feel in control of the situation, but she also understood that he needed her, whether he realized it or not.

“…which are known to induce a state of rage, while causing a state of psychological detachment…” these words hit Alumette like a freight train. She looked over at Dom with compassion. She knew this was the abyss he’d been resisting since after the Rikti invasion, even though he’d never mentioned it to her directly. She gave his hand a little squeeze. Belisama, can’t I take this pain away from him somehow? she pleaded. The response was long in coming.

No. was all She said.

“GAH!” The crack of wood caused Alumette to flinch, and the energy in the room was instantly changed. The heroes who’d come to wish their friend well and lend their support were uneasy. More importantly, Dom was in a place she knew he didn’t want to be. The doctor crept out of the room, leaving the normally confident heroes to deal with their uncertainty.

Grace put a gentle hand on Dom’s shoulder, and looked around the room. “Thank you for coming, everyone,” Alumette said, smiling tentatively. “My guess is that you’ll all want to rest up a bit before the briefing,” she looked at each hero in turn pointedly. She glanced at Dom and offered tentatively, “What time would you like people to meet at HQ?”

She was trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy, of control over the situation. She figured Shad’s pride would demand it, at least. That and, she sensed how important this task force was to him. She didn’t want the heroes to lose faith. And she also wanted to make it perfectly clear that she wasn’t planning for a moment to let him try to face this alone.

ChairLegOfTruth

05-27-2005, 11:13 AM

Jude gave Shadow a dark smile of concern. "Hold it together Chief. I've had some experience with mood altering substances, man, and I can tell you that you're a whole lot more than sloshing chemicals and electrical impulses. Pain and anger are just messages your body and brain send you to get you to do things their way. Your body and senses can lie but deep inside is the real you and he's who's in control here not some rogue infection. Remind yourself "I am the master not the servant" or as I prefer "Om mani pame hum". Repeat until you get the message." He paused a while as he smile warmed.

"A man once said: "Anger is a great force. If you control it, it can be transmuted into a power which can move the whole world." He was a Scotsman so he should know. Angers's a cosmicly long lever, so lets go find us a good place to stand.

"When we're ready to book I'll take anyone who doesn't want to be seen with me through a short cut I know," he winked in the direction of the invisble Mikoto, "Although I warn you not to leave the path".

Endless One

05-27-2005, 12:03 PM

When Shadow hugged her she melted. Of course he couldn't tell her, that's why he hadn't told her...she shouldn't have doubted him. When the Doctor entered the room and he'd delivered his news Shan felt like someone punched her in the midsection without warning.

Enraged, Shadow set his jaw and held his arms stock straight against the counter as he turned away from everyone at the room, looking down in shame and pain. A voice carrying a fraction of the authority that it once had said, "Thank you, doctor. Is that all?"

She didn't flinch when he'd done that, and her eyes flickered to Alumette, she was worried about her friend. Shadow was a strong man, and though Alumette was tough as a sherman tank she had lost her powers not so long ago and it was taking her time to rebuild her strength. Though Shadow would never hurt those he loved knowingly...the word knowingly was the key word here.

Grace put a gentle hand on Dom’s shoulder, and looked around the room. “Thank you for coming, everyone,” Alumette said, smiling tentatively. “My guess is that you’ll all want to rest up a bit before the briefing,” she looked at each hero in turn pointedly. She glanced at Dom and offered tentatively, “What time would you like people to meet at HQ?”

Shan inwardly prickled at Alumette pointing out the obvious to her and she stifled the hot look she was gonna fire back at her for it. Maybe Alumette's coping mechanism was to be bossy, and maybe her own coping mechanism was to be b*tchy to her friends. Remember, Shan, not about you...it was about Shadow. She assumed that easy nonchallance that was her best poker face.

Shadow needed space and time with Alumette she was sure. She hoped he wouldn't push Alumette away. He was good at closing up when he was wounded. "Hey guys...I need to go change, if I charged into battle in this, they'd just laugh at me." She went over to Dom and Alumette and laid a hand on each of them. "Just let me know when you want us to meet, okay?" The red winked out for a moment her obvious affection for both shining through.

Shan left the hospital and she took off in a hurry to HQ. She was changing in the locker room when she heard Jason come in. In her leather pants and her Marvin shirt she ran to his office, didn't knock but threw herself into his arms as the sobs started to escape. "Oh Jason...its awful."

She tearfully explained what she'd seen at the hospital as she was now curled up onto his lap. He secretly thrilled as she absentmindedly played with the necklace he'd given her whenever she was worried. "It will be okay, Love. Why don't you go finish changing your clothes while I make a phonecall. Unless you've decided to alter the uniform with t-shirts with cartoon aliens on them."

She smirked and kissed him and got up to go get ready. As she left the room he picked up the phone, they needed the big guns for this, he'd call his father.

Akamaz

05-27-2005, 05:25 PM

Mikoto calmed down after the doctor left, and since Dominic had cleared everyone in the room, mentally clicked of what must have been some kind of cloaking field. When jude made his offer of help regarding mood swigs and the mantra, she recorded it in her Databanks, it might come in handy later. There was still so much she didn't know about what was done to her.

When Jude made his offer to help get her out of the hospital unnoticed, she glanced over at Dominic for assurance, but he was lost in his own thoughts, and quite frankly, with the news the doctor gave, she didn't blame him.

"Forgive me for not offering a hand, Jude" She said, "um.. i think it will be ok.... where will we be meeting up with ummm.. Alumette and Stalking Shadow?"

Stan Walker

05-28-2005, 12:45 PM

*Walker sat spawled out in the Lazy-Boy, half in half out of consciousness, the concoction he had been pounding back earlier to ease his internal pain had taken its toll. He was awaken by the first warblings of the wrist communicator. He snapped awake cussing and grumbling, reaching down to it with oversized fingers trying to bring up the message to shut the infernal thing off. After a few more moments of the buzzing, he was successful. The wrist communicator displayed the following message*

To: All Registered Heroes
From: Alumette

May 12, 2005

Dominic Jackson, aka Stalking Shadow, returned to Paragon City today after a brief internal assignment at Dawn Patrol HQ in the UK. He was injured on assignment and is currently recuperating at Chiron Medical Center. Visitors are welcome.

Stalking Shadow's assignment has led to the need for the development of a task force. Interested heroes can contact Stalking Shadow either in person or via the PDA Messaging System. Heroes of all types, clearance levels, and talents are needed.

Sincerely,

Alumette
Dawn Patrol

*Walker shook his head a few times as he read the display. He would help if he could, and it could help get his mind off his own "issues".
Walker leaned over the communicator giving a quizzical eye to the miniscule buttons.

"Bloody hell, how in the hell is someone supposed to type on one of these?"

*He took his time responding to the message, attempting to not make any tpos and failing miserably. The message sent back to Alumette read as follows:

Alumnette,

I would like to lend a hand offering my services to help yoiur friend. If thire is anything i can do please let me know. I will be 10-76 to teh hospital. Please forgive the typos and if there is anything I can pick up to help on the way there please let me knwo.

Regards,

Dect. Stan Walker

*Walker pressed the "send " key (or at least he hoped it was) on his communicator, and got up out of the chair. He stumbled into the bathroom and splashed a little cool water on his face, then retrieved his old familiar black trenchcoat wrapping it around him like a second skin. He then clipped his badge on his belt, and slid his sunglasses into place. Taking one long last stare at the photograph, he turned, lit a fresh cigarette and walked out the door.*

ChairLegOfTruth

05-28-2005, 01:22 PM

"Forgive me for not offering a hand, Jude" She said, "um.. i think it will be ok.... where will we be meeting up with ummm.. Alumette and Stalking Shadow?"

"Not a problem.. Mikoto, isn't it? I was planning to go to the carpark and wait for our hip-squad there. Which reminds me. Shadow there's a walking Mount Rushmore out there waiting for something. I think he goes by the name of Countryman. A friend of yours?"

Major Britain

05-28-2005, 03:48 PM

Dark Master arrived to Shadow's room not knowing what to expect. He'd been out of the game for some time now. Roland had exercised during his retirement but inwardly he was hoping he hadn't lost a step.

Going through the door he said,"Hello Shadow it's been a while........"

"My God you look like bloody hell." Roland nodded to Alumette, "Good to see you again as well Alumette, I do hope I'm not too late".

Roland hadn't read the communique from his son, marked FOR YOUR EYES ONLY yet.

Impact

06-02-2005, 06:43 AM

"Finally."

Tygerwolf wasn't speaking to anyone in particular as he floated along past the clouds, happy to be actually enjoying the lovely day that he'd been forced to daydream just a short while ago. Picking up a bit more speed he zigged and zagged, making his way through the city at, admittedly, a leisurely pace towards Chiron Medical Center.

"Perapsis....how much of this is me...and how much is you?"

"Well.....the energy I have enables you to do this....but the direction and purpose of it, for the most part is yours to decide Caleb."

Closing his eyes, Caleb slowly allowed Perapsis, the peacebringer who inhabited his body, to take control and guide them both through the city. In a burst of light energy Caleb's human form began to disappear and was replaced by Perapsis' "light nova" form. Gone were Caleb's hands and legs and in their place were several squid-like tentacles that they used to 'swim' through the air.

"Slowly but surely....I am regaining the abilties I lost in the crash on your planet.

Perapsis flew a bit faster, taking in the sights and sounds of the city.

"There is much that we can learn from one another Caleb. I promise you that I will not lead you astray from your sense of honor and duty....in fact it is much like my own."

"I see.....wow...how many planets have you gone to?"

A sound that could only be described as a laugh came from Perapsis' mandibles as he landed on a building near the hospital.

"Here.....this is where we were supposed to meet correct? Let us take some time to rest.....your body still hasn't become accustomed to channeling my energy for long periods of time. While we do that I can share more of my travels."

"Heh....yeah....sounds like a good idea to me. Let's just sit here until we hear back from Alumette."

The rooftop was bathed in light energy and the costumed form of Tygerwolf reappeared in the place of the Bright Nova. Leaning over the edge slightly he saw the hospital clearly along with a massive mountain seemingly standing guard in front of it. Taking a deep breath he leaned back against a ventilation duck and closed his eyes, listening as Perapsis began to speak to him when suddenly he stopped dead, the suddenness of the urge and connection hitting them hard enough that Caleb slumped down and sat there dazed.

"Perapsis....what was that?!?"

"I...I can't believe it...Caleb...quickly the hospital....we have to go inside now!"

In the short time they'd been together Caleb had already learned the value of listening to his Kheldian friend's hunches, especially when they were this urgent, so he quickly began changing out of his costume and back into his normal business attire.

"What is it? Is something wrong with Shadow or are there Nictus nearby?"

"No....unless I'm mistaken.....which I'm nearly sure I'm not....it's my beloved....she's in there...."

Sebastian Kain

06-02-2005, 06:59 PM

Location: Silent World Order Compound

Inside the office of President SK, the interview was going along as sceduled. The young report was beginning to feel more and more comfortable with Kain, has he answered all of her questions throughly and coherently. His charm was quickly winning her over and she was falling right in line with all the others that massaged his ego daily. A bit of flirting was going on between the two as well, but SK was pretty much going along with it to pass the time. She would reply with things and he would nod his head and chime in when necessary.

However, something would stop his interview altogether. His PDA messaging began to go off at the base of his hip. He continued listening to the reporter as he unclasped it from it's holder to see who it was from.

To: All Registered Heroes
From: Alumette

May 12, 2005

Dominic Jackson, aka Stalking Shadow, returned to Paragon City today after a brief internal assignment at Dawn Patrol HQ in the UK. He was injured on assignment and is currently recuperating at Chiron Medical Center. Visitors are welcome.

Stalking Shadow's assignment has led to the need for the development of a task force. Interested heroes can contact Stalking Shadow either in person or via the PDA Messaging System. Heroes of all types, clearance levels, and talents are needed.

Sincerely,

Alumette
Dawn Patrol

PS: Friends, Dom would greatly appreciate your help, and your company as he recuperates. As would I.
Hugs,
--A

SK eyed the message and debated his options. Clearly he would rather be out in the field than on this interview right now. It was not like it was really interesting to him. He was mainly doing it for publicity reasons. As Ms. Johnson continued to talk, SK stopped her quickly.

"I'm sorry my dear, but an urgent matter has come to my attention and I must stop this interview here for today. I sincerely apologize for any inconvience."

Before she could really respond to what was going on, SK got up from his seat and quickly rushed her out the door. He then slammed the door behind her. His agents escorted her out of the office and down the hall, he was alone....not techincally..something else was with him.

"What are you doing?"
"Relax, I'm being a hero for once."

As he began to reply to the message....

Alumette

06-04-2005, 04:54 PM

Alumette beamed as she saw Dark Master enter the room. Major Britain had definitely gotten much of his leadership skill from his father, that was certain; and as such, Alumette was relieved and honored to have Dark Master on the team.

"No, you're not too late, sir," she smiled. "It's good to have you with us. Shad will likely fill everyone in on the details at the briefing as soon as they let him out of here."

Her comm beeeped, and she glanced at the screen. Her eyes widened. "Dom, our allies at SWO are joining us. Or at least the President is." She grinned. It was good to see so many people coming out to help Shadow.

Just then the doctor came in. "Any word on when I can take him home, doc?"

Stalking Shadow

06-08-2005, 04:51 AM

Jenny's panicked mind screamed for her to run, and she was out of bed and halfway to the door before she realized there was no threat. Then the alarms went off. She rushed out the door, heedless to the fact
that she was only wearing a flimsy hospital gown. She stopped in the hallway and looked both ways. A nurse came around the corner and saw her.

"Miss Ashton, you really should be in bed still." She took Jenny gently by the arm and led her back into her room.

"What's going on?"

"We had an… incident. We're taking care of it. And if we need any extra help, there are plenty of heroes here right now, visiting a friend of theirs."

"Heroes?" Jenny climbed back into the bed and looked at the nurse uncertainly. "Do you think, um, that any of them might know me?"

The nurse looked at her sympathetically. "Perhaps. Would you like me to go ask?"

Jenny nodded, and laid back against the pillows, looking like a lost little girl. The nurse smiled encouragingly then turned and left the room. She took the elevator to the rehab ward and walked down the hall to Stalking Shadow's room. She saw several heroes as she entered and smiled. "Excuse me. We have a patient here with amnesia, and she was wondering if any of you might know her. Her name is Jenny Ashton, otherwise known as One Hit Wonder."

Shadow blinked, and looked around, "The rock singer? I've heard of her..." He had her album too, actually. "She has amnesia?"

The nurse nodded, "Yes, she just got out of a coma."

Quirking a brow, Shadow asked, "Is she alright?"

"Yes, she seems fine."

Shadow smiled, "Tell that she can come over here, if she'd like."

The nurse nodded and left and the doctor came back, before he could get a word in, Alumette asked, "Any word on when I can take him home, doc?"

"Now, if you'd like. Just check out at the front desk and head on outside."

ChairLegOfTruth

06-08-2005, 10:18 AM

"Now, if you'd like. Just check out at the front desk and head on outside."Jude looked up from the paper he was reading and folded it hurridly.

"I guess that's my queue hippsters," he said with a grin. Tendrils of darkness rose from the palms of his open hands and began teasing at the air in front of him. A charge seemed to fill the room as the air ionised and then began to glow in a vertical column like frozen lightning. In less time than it takes to describe the fabric of space was ripped ashunder leaving a gloom-filled tear in the air.

"Everyone who want's to travel incommunicado follow me. Remember to stick to the path and don't look too much at your surroundings; they often look back. Oh and this end will close when I reach the other so 'Carpe Diem' and all that". With those words Jude slid gently forward on a shimmering cloud of darkness and vanished into the portal. Those they followed him found themselves sliding upon a shimmering trail within a boundless penumbral realm. Beyond the glowing path vast shapes, more suggested than seen, churned and regarded them with alien malice. Ahead Jude slid, undheeding the malevolent forces around him as they parted to permit his passage.

Suddenly a brilliant spot of light ahead and the tear in the hospital room closed with a snap. Rushing forward towards the light those upon the path had a sudden sense of impending... Jude stood beside them in the sun. As the last person left the portal it faded like morning dew.

Countryman barely had time to notice the sudden commotion a few meters behind him before Jude called out.

"Hey dude! How's it going Man?"

Alumette

06-08-2005, 05:54 PM

Alumette listened as the nurse described One Hit Wonder's condition. She nodded in recognition of her name. Not only had Grace recalled seeing her CD in Shadow's collection at their apartment, but she'd also studied Jenny's use of fire powers on occasion while at the MAGI archives. Her eyes filled with concern at Jenny's state. She nodded, concurring with Shadow's offer to allow her to visit. "By all means," Grace added.

She was about to say something to Shadow when the doctor entered. Without missing a beat, she was on him: "Any word on when I can take him home?"

"Now, if you'd like..." Grace heard nothing more beyond that. Her eyes lit up with joy, and she smiled the second most brilliant smile she'd had since Dom's return. She took his hand in hers and beamed. "Doctor," she added, still looking at Shadow. "What about Ms. Ashton? Do you know if she can be released? I'd like to take her home, if I could. That is, erm-- unless she has family coming for her or something."

Akamaz

06-08-2005, 06:53 PM

after going throught the tunnel of light that Jude had created, Mikoto was a bit disconcerned seeing that they were just outside the hospital. Then she noticed the shadow on the ground and looked up... and up...

"Hey dude! How's it going Man?"

Mikoto looked up at the Giant that Jude was speaking to, and Shuddered visibly.

Noble

06-10-2005, 06:47 PM

Countryman had noticed a slight change in the intensity of brightness around him and the source of it appeared to be behind him. He had lowered his arms and was preparing to spin around to face this new anomaly when the voice of a newly made acquaintance proved to be the source of the disturbance, "Hey dude! How's it going Man?"

The giant grunted and relaxed, but only a little. He turned around slowly and looked at Jude, only to see that the time-traveling hippie had brought a companion with him. Despite the young woman’s visible shaking she appeared be well equipped with some of the latest technology, and should be allotted equal suspicion as with all of the unknowns on this mission.

Countryman folded his hulking arms across his chest as best he could, and answered Jude’s question in a booming voice that echoed off of the surrounding buildings. “Same.” He then turned his menacing, yet stoic gaze towards the young woman, glancing her over acutely for a threat assessment, then turned his head to face Jude once again, “How soon until we depart?”

ChairLegOfTruth

06-10-2005, 09:15 PM

"We're just waiting for the Chief to sign his way out and then; who knows. He's the man with the plan, daddio." Jude answered with a flashing grin and gestured towards the hospital with a shrug.

Jude didn't let it show but something was wrong and he couldn't put his finger on what it was. Something was agitating Shambala and it wasn't the man-mountain or the walking cutlery draw shaped like a girl. The sense of impending doom passed as quickly as it had come and Jude wondered if it was an element of the coming storm he'd been briefed on. A forerunner of impending destruction.

Alumette

06-11-2005, 05:03 PM

The doctor frowned slightly. “We’d like to keep her one more night for observation. We’re planning to release her in the morning. Maybe getting back to her home and normal routine will help jar some memories. As far as family is concerned, we haven’t been able to find any. There was a woman here while Miss Ashton was in a coma, but she hasn’t returned yet. And for some reason no one got her name. I guess since she looked so much like Miss Ashton, we all just assumed she was a relative and forgot to ask questions.”

Grace nodded and made a mental note to check up on One Hit Wonder in a couple of days. She would likely need friends until things got back to normal for her. The doctor went over Shadow’s release instructions and explained the procedure for his necessary injections. Grace made a point of packing up his personal items and straightening up the room: she could sense that Dom’s pride was having a hard time with his current reality, and she didn’t want to make it worse by hovering.

After the doctor left, Grace sat on the side of his bed and leaned over to kiss him. “You ready to come home?” she asked eagerly. Dom grinned, reaching up to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear. “Like you wouldn’t believe,” he said. He winced, tensing up a bit as the pain coursed through his body. Grace frowned, taking his hand. “Let’s go home,” she said quietly.

*******

Shadow didn't particularly relish being wheeled out of the hospital in a wheelchair, but it was policy. As they stepped out into the fresh air, Grace took his hand and glanced up at the sky. It was sunny, but somehow it was dark where they were standing, as if a large shadow loomed above them.

As it happened, a large shadow did loom above them. "Dom," she whispered, gazing in awe at the giant standing in the parking lot.

Noble

06-13-2005, 03:30 AM

Countryman watched his target exit the hospital with amusement. Seeing an old acquaintance in a wheel chair was always a pleasant sight, even if he wasn’t the one who put them in it. From the information he had been given on the Dawn Patrol the young woman pushing the wheel chair was one Grace Angélique Courbier, hero alias Alumette. Edinburgh had also informed Countryman that the two were lovers, an emotion which had lost any value to the giant many years ago.

The exiting heroes quickly noticed Countryman’s presence because his mountainous shadow had come to loom over the hospital entrance over the course of the day. The living monolith stood as an impassable object, and he was not about to let anyone by until he had said what he had come here to say.

He locked his gaze with that of Stalking Shadow’s, and spoke with a deep and commanding tone. “I’m on the Task Force.”

OneHitWonder

06-13-2005, 09:27 PM

The nurse came back into Jenny's room. Jenny looked up hopefully. "Well?"

"Stalking Shadow remembers you. But he's being released right now. If you wanted to write a quick note, I could make sure he gets it before he leaves."

"Okay." The nurse handed her a pen and a piece of paper. Jenny thought for a minute, then started to write.

I am told you remember me. I would like a chance to talk with you. I will be released from the hospital tomorrow, and returning to my apartment. Here is my address and phone number. Look forward to hearing from you. Jenny wrote down her address and phone number at the bottom of the sheet, then signed the note, folded it up, and handed it to the nurse.

"I'll see that he gets it."

"Thank you." Jenny laid back against the pillows and, exhausted, drifted off to sleep.

Radical Dreamer

06-16-2005, 02:31 AM

"Well dosn't that figure? Not only is the cause of the mess one of the biggest freaks in the city but he's on your task force. Dosn't sound too friendly either. Better give him his space." Frost Cat thought as she covertly observed the scene. She had been watching them for awhile now and was starting to form some opinions on her team mates.

Turning her gaze from Countryman she focused in on Mikoto, taking perticular note of the fear reaction. "Can't say that she looks much friendlier. I bet with claws like that she was designed as a weapon. Funny how she acts more human then the big guy though. Must be another case of a villain created super weapon being liberated before becoming brainwashed and evil."

Next she looked over at Jude. He was perhaps the strangest of the lot of them. "Not sure what the deal with that guy is. I can't tell if that crazy way of speaking is all the act of a period based hero or if he's been in a time capsule for the past few decades."

Finally she focused in on Alumette and Stalking Shadow and again took note of their reaction to Countryman's presence. "They might be the leaders of this fledgling task force but they're going to have their hands full trying to keep the giant in line judging by his attitude. Can't say that I envy them that."

Though it crossed her mind to go introduce herself Frost Cat decided that she would hang back a little longer and keep observing. The moment she made her presence known she would lose this opportunity to watch everyone in secret. Angling her ears toward the gathering group of heroes she continued to gather what she could about her future companions before interacting with them.

Takeda

06-16-2005, 02:19 PM

Shadow's Grip walked back out of the hospital. Something still wasn't right. She was glad Jude was able to get Mikoto out of there. And Stalking Shadow and Alumette were right in front of her. Maybe that's what all the security was about? Was Mikoto some kind of stolen robot or escaped experiment?

"Ooof!!!" She stubbed her nose as she walked right into something. A giant... leg? Her eyes followed the leg up to eye level of the giant Countryman. She rubbed her nose. Her pride more wounded than anything.

"Hey! Don't you have a beanstalk to climb? Or was it you I saw on the bag of frozen peas in the grocery store?", she grinned sheepishly.

Stalking Shadow

06-23-2005, 03:10 AM

Shadow shot a glance to Shadow's Grip, "SG, I have more use out of you as a human being than a puree. Don't poke the giant." Looking up, Shadow felt a breeze of hot humid air that he couldn't distinguish between Countryman's own breath and a wave of deja vu. Sighing, he looked up at the giant and set his jaw. "Your handlers put you up to this. Fine." From his seat, Shadow tried to compensate for his frail position, taking a strong posture and a hard stare, despite the twinge of pain that coursed through his veins at that moment. "But you answer to me first. I'll keep your people in the loop, but you don't do anything unless I tell you to. I don't want a situation anymore than you do."

SEVERAL DAYS LATER:

The task force heroes met in an improvised media center in the largest parking garage of DP Headquarters, unique for its relative privacy and ability to contain Countryman, who was already damaging the ferrocrete floor beneath his massive feet. Shadow, at the podium, picked up a remote and clicked it, activating a projector that filled the wall behind him. "This briefing has begun."

"Over the past year, I have been investigating a drug trafficking project that seems to have participants in numerous corporations and black market organizations. Unfortunately, up until now, I have only been able to find out a few of the major distributors of the drug, among them: Crey Industries."

"I don't know who makes this stuff, it might be Crey, but it might well be some group that I've never heard of. Whoever they are, chances are that they know what I'm doing, and they are taking steps to cover traces. That's all well and good, it means that they can't get the stuff out as easily. They're being more careful.

"That's why I need you guys. These people, which I'll refer to as the producers from here on out, know that I have a task force forming, and that I'm after them. Luckily, they don't know exactly who's in the task force. They will assume that the Dawn Patrollers, except for wildcards like Dark Master, and a few others among you are also likely candidates. This does not diminish your usefulness, it just means that it's going to be more difficult to actually get anywhere. Eventually, they'll know all of us. And they'll be scared.

"Alright, the drug itself: first thing to understand is that it isn't a drug, it's a weapon."

The lights dimmed, and a complicated chemical formulae, data, electron microscope pictures and schematics flashed upon the screen as Shadow described the venom. "For now, we're referring to this as Vitriol. Vitriol is not a chemical substance, but rather an engineered bacterium. It enters the human body intravaneously, and stimulates glands to secrete a hormonal cocktail which is induces a state similar to a Superadyne overdose. In my case, I got very angry and shot several men where it counts." He paused. "I'm liable to do it again. Moving on, Vitriol lives in the body by taking sugars in the bloodstream and converting them into acids. These acids wear down blood vessels, and without treatment, acummulate and eventually kill the host. The host, me in this case, feels a sensation not unlike heartburn along every bit of his circulatory system.

"The CIA and FBI have been notified, and they are willing to loan us their resources for background checks and related research, as are MI5 and MI6, which leads me to my first assignment: I've been working mainly on finding the link between Crey and thre drug, plus a few street-level distrubutors. I'm positive that there's more. First order of business, which is why I need so many of you, is to find as many channels of distribution as possible. Skulls who think the drug's Dyne, Family, the local thugs, etc. I need you all trying to find people who are moving this drug. Somewhere, there's got to be a weak point that'll let us in a little bit farther into this mystery."

Shadow lifted a clipboard, and looked down to it, "For this operation, I will assign you two to three hero cells, along with an operation area. Following this briefing, you are expected to take the investigation as your cell sees fit. If your investigations overlap, work together, if you find multiple leads, don't split up unless you can afford sending two or more folks on each lead that you're following. Report periodically to me with your status and what you've found, and do not hesitate to call me for assistance. Don't bother calling me if you just found out that you have a navel.

"This isn't going to be much more difficult than regular heroing work, people. I just want you to press for clues as to what the heck is going on. You will all be recieving drug samplers to test suspect substances for Vitriol.

"Now, assignments:
Stan Walker, Frost Cat, and Tygerwolf will be working on a possible lead on Crey's biotechnology laboratories. I have a friend named Geoffrey Stein who got fired, recently, from being a research assistant at one of their facilities in Bricks. He's an MI6 operative, and was trying to get into the lab for some other reasons, but he probably has some trails to lead you two down on.
Jude Justice, you're with Mikoto. I want you guys finding links in the Family. Go to your contacts, and try to find any drug deals they might be pushing.
Mr. Kain, work with Dark Master on Malta. It might be premature to go after them, but I don't want to take chances. See if they're up to anything.
Xaddak, you and Robo should work together... see if there's anything doing in Crey's weapon research divisions. On your downtime, Xaddak, try perusing Crey's database for relevant memos. Robo, try to dig up some further analysis on Vitriol. Join the scientists already working on it.
Alumette, Shadow's Grip, I'd like you both to work on a series of warehouses in Steel Canyon that the Feds think might have documents relating to Vitriol.
Endless One, Pinocchio, I'd like you to concentrate on making life difficult for Crey. Make them tread uneasily.
Countryman... you're working with me.

"Until further noticed, you are all dismissed. We will reconvene for another formal briefing as soon as we get to the next level of this mess. Good luck and good hunting."

Alumette

06-23-2005, 03:55 PM

Grace leveled a cold stare at the giant and listened. She knew enough about Shadow’s past to no longer be surprised to find individuals lying in wait for him on occasion. She simply studied the looming figure above them, for future reference. Not that he would be tough to spot in a crowd. She hailed a cab, and made a mental note to ask Shadow about the giant sometime before the briefing.

*SEVERAL DAYS LATER*
In the parking garage, Alumette was all business, which was a new side of her personality for many heroes who had only known her socially, or who had never before met her in person, before this point. She seemed almost cold. As the heroes entered and took a position in front of the podium, she greeted each of them perfunctorily, giving a curt nod or a handshake with a brusque but sincere “Thank you for coming,” and that was all.

She listened carefully to the briefing. Much of it Shadow’d already told her in the hospital and at home, but then it was Dominic telling Grace about his day at the office, as it were. Now it was Stalking Shadow briefing Alumette as part of a task force. The distinction was small, but it was significant, and it made the information sound new and different.

Upon hearing her assignment, she was a little confused Documents? she thought. I’m going to be pulling files? That’s it?! She was hoping to have the opportunity to pummel some thugs at least. Still, she was happy to be working with Shadow’s Grip, and Fluffy, of course. No doubt thug-pummeling would be on the agenda eventually, as deep as this rabbit hole seemed likely to go.

She recognized Shadow’s wisdom in not teaming her with him and Countryman. Alumette was certain that in that case she’d do something monumentally stupid, given the little that Shadow had told her about the giant, and how she felt about that. She didn’t like his presence on the task force one bit, but she also knew that Shadow likely already had several backup plans and contingencies in place. There was a reason she had yet to beat him in chess.

“Until further notice, you are all dismissed. We will reconvene for another formal briefing as soon as we get to the next level of this mess. Good luck and good hunting.”

The briefing began to break up, as heroes milled about, gathering into their groups, introducing themselves, and reviewing their notes. Alumette crossed to Shadow’s Grip and smiled gently. “Looks like we’re working together,” she said. “We might as well get started and see what we can come up with,” she said, reviewing her map to locate the warehouses in question. “What do you think?”

Akamaz

06-23-2005, 04:10 PM

Mikoto looked over at Jude fter the breifing. "So.. umm... looks like we're still working together on this... do you have any ideas where to start looking?"

*EARLIER THAT WEEK*
So.. umm where do we go now? Mikoto asked innocently

Check it out babe, We're headed to my crash pad for a bit of a rest.

Jude made another one of the shimmering tunnels, and they found themselves in the middle of what was obviously a bachelors apartment, complete with wet bar. Mikoto walked around with her "toes" pulled up, to prevent damage to the thick shag carpeting.

You'll be stayin in here, ya dig? Jude said as he showed her a room just off of the hallway.

Thankfully this room didn't follow the decor of the main room, but instead appeared to be done completely in intricate tiles, something that pulled at her memories a bit, but didn't clear up enough to give her a solid idea of what the thoughts were about. The circular bed in the corner could be a bit of a problem though.

Umm.. Jude? are you really attached to this bed? Mikoto called out, hoping he hadn't fallen asleep yet.
Not really, why? came the somewhat sleepy sounding reply.

Because... err... I don't want to wreck it... she said as she walked back out into the hall These probably don't work well with most matresses. she said as she gestured vaguely with her hands and other spiky bits.

Out of the corner of her eye she saw something and had a really weird idea. Are you using this? she said as she pointed at what looked like a gravity boots bar.

Not Really, I guess those hands of yours could cause a bit of damage to the furniture, feel free

Somehow she wrestled it into her room, mostly pulling with one foot and hopping with the other one.

After it was arranged to her satisfaction, she headed back out to the living room. Jude was sitting cross legged on the floor, eyes closed.

So, what do we do for fun around here?

ChairLegOfTruth

06-23-2005, 08:30 PM

"I dig it, Mikoto" he smiled reasuringly, "First we pop back to the lair and have a quiet word with a friend of ours."

*A FEW DAYS PREVIOUSLY*
Jude sat in the Rising Sun Restaurant and gazed across into the beautiful sloe eyes of Cleo King, formerly Night Sheba and now a field trainer of neophyte heroes for Freedom Corps. She stared back. They had reached the stage in their relationship where they could go hours just looking at each other without feeling the need to speak. Tonight Jude broke the spell with a simple phrase.

"I've got a live-in sidekick," he said.
"Hmm? Who?"
"Mikoto Yuanchi," Jude replied. Cleo's eyes narrowed.
"The killer cyborg?" Jude nodded. "She escaped from Cheiron just yesterday. For goodness sakes Jude there's a city-wide alert for her, you can't just pick her up off the street and put her up in your back room!"
"You know you get beautifully flushed when you're angry," Jude told her, "reminds me of..." he tailed off and raised his eyebrows in a mischievious smile. Cleo blushed.
"...She dangerous honey"
"Sweets, we do dangerous everyday. Point is she's actually a terrified teenage girl trapped in the body of a killing machine... the combat routines of which I've neutralised. I can switch it on and off like a switch," he dropped his PDA on the table top to puncturate his statement before sweeping it back into his pocket. "I was more concerned that you'd be worried I might corrupt her."
"She's too young for you. Heck I'm probably too young for you, old man. She grinned at him, "I love you" she mouthed. Jude smiled and their hands touched across the table "Now where's our meal; the service in this place is dreadful".

Their beepers went off in unison. Hurriedly apologising to each other, as well as the waitress who had finally appeared with their Peking Duck, they departed in seperate directions each heading to their independent duties, despite whatever singular crisis they both had to deal with. Neither apparently noticed the new field agent Crey had assigned to investigate Jude. He, however noticed their departure and noted "My daughter appears completely smitten with Commander Justice."

*NOW*
Jude's 'lair', or "pad" as he usually called it, was an apartment in a Steel Canyon skyscraper. Prior to his arrival in Paragon it had been redcorated to his tastes. Wall-to-wall (as in three foot up them) white shag pile carpet, classic Eero Aarnio furniture and other relics of the 60's. A few modern touches, the plasma screen TV, GamestationII and CD player were all recent touches since Mikoto had taken up occupancy in the spare room.

Cleo sat waiting in an a translucent Bubble chair that hung from the ceiling on a sturdy chain, every nerve on edge. The man who had turned her world upside-down earlier that day, the man who she had spent twenty years of her life believing was dead had been quite clear in what he expected of her. She was to betray her lover or her family dies. She fought back tears; she had survived the Rikti and everything the city had thrown at her before and after but this was something on a whole new level. This was personal.

The air split as Jude and Mikoto appeared in the apartment. Cleo shuddered reflexively as she looked at the girl, half expecting her to explode into a slashing blur of violence at any moment. Cleo had seen the footage and knew what she was capable of. Jumping to her feet she embraced Jude, burying her face in his strong chest.

"Hey baby, whats wrong?" he asked returning the hug.
"Nothing baby, I just missed you thats all."
"Hey I missed you too! You got the information I asked for?" Jude had phoned ahead once he knew his target and asked Cleo to plumb Freedom Corps records for possible targets.
"Yeah, every operation the Family has going on right now that we know of." Invisible beams of light flickered between their PDA's transfering the relevent data between them. "There's defineatly something big going on over in Independece Port, I suggest that you take a look there..." Cleo swallowed hard, the betrayal sticking in her throat. "...Now are you going to tell me what this is all about?"
"Sorry hotlips, but this is strictly need to know!"
"Well I need to know; I'm coming with you!"
"No offense sweetie, but you've been benched for years, this op needs active agents and while I'm convinvced that you'd be up to it we need certainties not maybes..."
"Pardon?
"There's a tub of that Haagen Daas icecream you like in the freezer and a bottle of your favourite wine cooling in the fridge. Make yourself at home and I'll debrief you on my return." he winked at this last comment and tore open a teleport portal for himself and Mikoto. They were gone before Cleo could respond.

She was half a litre into the ice cream before the penny dropped. "Jude you can barely use a touch-tone telephone; how the heck can you have over-ridden Mikoto?

Noble

06-24-2005, 03:00 AM

While waiting to hear from Stalking Shadow about the next phase of the task force Countryman had desired to go out and bust some heads. However, due to the nature of his mission he knew it would be best to lay low, but he still could not stand to sit idle. So he retreated into the troubled sewer network.

Over the course of the next few days spikes of seismic activity were recorded throughout Steel Canyon and Skyway City. In a few places of the city-zones entire sections of the road, and even a few buildings, buckled and collapsed due to the massive shockwaves wracking the area. Many heroes investigated the phenomenon but few returned. Those that did were often shaken to the core and unable to describe what had happened save that whatever had hit them was very large. Rumors had spread like wildfire throughout the city that a kraken hatchling had wondered into the sewer networks, but the rumors were never confirmed because a positive sighting, nor evidence of it’s passing were ever found.

During his time in the sewers Countryman had been contacted by Edinburgh. The middle-man between the agency and the patriotic goliath had filled Countryman in with all of the details concerning Stalking Shadow’s situation, and the poison coursing through his veins. The Agency believed that the people Stalking Shadow was hunting in London were planning to distribute the chemical to the public, now named Vitriol, as a trial-run with a false cover name. Such a thing was not an uncommon occurrence in the world, but in this case, because Vitriol resembled an already popular drug on the market, such as Superadine, it could be spread throughout an entire city within a few weeks, if not sooner.

Countryman arrived at the briefing stinking of sewage. His uniform carried a fair number of tears and gashes as well as some blood and other strange colored stains. A large number new wounds also were randomly spread across his body, all only a few days old. The data that Countryman had received from Edinburgh was verified by Stalking Shadow during the task force briefing. It was a good sign that this operation may go as smoothly as his superiors hoped it would. That didn’t mean something could still go. In fact, Countryman was hoping for such an outcome, but he would not be the one to instigate it unless it became necessary to achieve his own objectives.

At the close of the briefing the members of the task force divided into their assigned teams and began discussing their plans. Countryman was no different. He approached the podium where the leader of the task force stood; leaving his trademark footprints in the concrete behind him and causing the garage shake slightly with each step. Whatever pieces of dust that had managed to maintain their place during the titan’s entrance were now shook free and danced lazily through the air towards the ground.

When Countryman was only a foot away from Dom he stopped and looked down at his old acquaintance, a look of understanding passed between them as the giant spoke. “I take it you have a good reason for leaving out our assignment.”

Takeda

06-24-2005, 12:50 PM

Alumette crossed to Shadow’s Grip and smiled gently. “Looks like we’re working together,” she said. “We might as well get started and see what we can come up with,” she said, reviewing her map to locate the warehouses in question. “What do you think?”

Shadow's Grip grinned as Alumette threaded through the assembled heroes. "Not sure what to think. Let's take a peek at the map." She chewed a frond of jet black hair. "Hey!", she exclaimed jabbing her finger at one of the warehouses on the map. "That's the same warehouse fluffy and I were looking into a week or so ago. Place was crawling with Malta." The sudden enthusiasm drained from her face. "Of course... they spotted us. I wonder if they've moved. Well, might as well start there. Even if they have moved maybe they left something behind. I vote we start there."

She paused and glanced up at Alumette, then wrinkled her nose. Somebody stunk. Stunk like sewage. She only had to turn her gaze to the giant hero to know where it came from.

"So, a hero-ettiquette question. What is a tactful way to tell the Jolly Green Giant over there that it's polite to find a fire hydrant and hose off after chasing villians in the sewer system?"

Stan Walker

06-25-2005, 01:05 PM

I had received the instructions to where the briefing was to be held, giving the wrist communicator a few whacks as it warbled at me...lord knows if I would ever figure out how to properly work one of those things. As I made my way into the room I was greeted by Alumette, we had met once briefly before her charming personality gone and replaced with an all business attitude. I could respect that it was how I worked as well. I reached into my familiar jacket pocket and fished out a Marlboro, sticking it between pursed lips. Alumette gave me the nod that it wasn't really a smoking zone. Fine with me I could curb my habit till after the briefing. As I entered the foyer the first person, or should I say thing that I noticed was the one I later learned was The Countryman. I had gotten used to most of the heroes here being taller than me, I mean where I'm from I stand pretty tall at 6'1 but it seemed that here if you were super powered it usually meant your were a bit on the taller side as well. However this guy was huge! I muttered under my breath.

"Good lord you’re a big (enter explesitive)."

One of the other heroes had heard me, and gave a small grin. No, tact had never been my strong suit. As Shadow entered the room and began the briefing I took a seat. Mindful to pull my familiar notepad and pen to jot down details like every good police officer should. I jotted down rough overviews of all the separated teams objectives, paying particular attention and detail to my own.
When the briefing was over, and the other members of the task force were congregating socially, meeting, shaking hands and what not I finally lit up my cigarette and meandered over to a corner where I could get some privacy. I fumbled my cell phone out of my trench coat and called the Paragon City Police Department. The front desk answered, a new guy one of the rookies, god he had no idea what he was getting into in this city. I cut his spiel short and asked to talk to Detective Courter.
I waited a few moments on hold then Courtner picked up.

"Dect. Courtner, how can I help you?"

"Al, its Walker. I need you to put my cases on hold and write me in on vacation for the next couple of weeks."

"Stan, I don't think the Captain is going to be too pleased with that."

"Who cares? It's my time and I'll use it when I want."

I heard Al sigh over the phone; this was a lot more difficult for him because he was going to be the one that was going to have to listen to the Captain gripe.

"All right Stan I'll write it in...Whats going on?"

"Need to know basis brother...and right now.."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah…I've heard it before"

The phone line then went dead, Al was never one to say goodbye on the phone, one minute you were talking the next you were finished.

After I placed the phone back in my coat I lit another cigarette and looked about the room for my teammates.

Alumette

06-25-2005, 04:37 PM

Shadow's Grip grinned as Alumette threaded through the assembled heroes. "Not sure what to think. Let's take a peek at the map." She chewed a frond of jet black hair. "Hey!", she exclaimed jabbing her finger at one of the warehouses on the map. "That's the same warehouse fluffy and I were looking into a week or so ago. Place was crawling with Malta." The sudden enthusiasm drained from her face. "Of course... they spotted us. I wonder if they've moved. Well, might as well start there. Even if they have moved maybe they left something behind. I vote we start there."

Alumette examined the map where Shadow's Grip had indicated. "Looks good to me. And to be quite honest, I could use a little something to beat up, even if they are Malta," she added with a wry smile, flexing her hands open and closed. "In fact, something as tough as Malta might be just what I need. I kinda hope they haven't moved." She chuckled a little. "Listen to me," she said, "all snarky. How different is that?" She gave a little smile, which SG returned, wrinkling her nose a bit.

"So, a hero-ettiquette question. What is a tactful way to tell the Jolly Green Giant over there that it's polite to find a fire hydrant and hose off after chasing villians in the sewer system?"

Alumette followed SG's gaze and took in Countryman's embattled form. "Unfortunately, there's no way to handle it politely,except to ignore it," she said. "And he strikes me as the type who no longer cares about such things anyway." Her face softened a little. "He's probably seen things in his career that have made him so; things you and I can't possibly imagine...things that make such matters as politeness and vanity seem like impossible luxuries." She thought for a moment about a hero she'd met a long time ago at the Steel Canyon Yellow Line station who likely had been on the path to becoming the same way--but didn't. She glanced across the room at him and smiled, then turned back to her cohort. "How soon can you be ready to hit that warehouse?" she asked. "Can you meet me here," she said, pointing to an adjacent location on the map, "in an hour?"

Takeda

06-26-2005, 06:45 AM

She glanced across the room at him and smiled, then turned back to her cohort. "How soon can you be ready to hit that warehouse?" she asked. "Can you meet me here," she said, pointing to an adjacent location on the map, "in an hour?"

Shadow's Grip shrugged and glanced at her watch. "Well, I have a hair appointment at four, and I'm getting my nails done at six. Hrrm, I think I can squeeze some Malta mauling in.", she replied playfully, winking.

Alumette

06-26-2005, 04:31 PM

Shadow's Grip shrugged and glanced at her watch. "Well, I have a hair appointment at four, and I'm getting my nails done at six. Hrrm, I think I can squeeze some Malta mauling in.", she replied playfully, winking.

Alumette rolled her eyes and chuckled. She was thankful that SG was helping her loosen up a bit, get back to her normal warm self again. "See you there in an hour. I'd like to get some meditation in before then. I want to be focused for this."

LESS THAN AN HOUR LATER

Alumette paced around outside the warehouse, stopping the occasional mugging or crime deal that happened by in nearby areas, just as a warmup. The warehouse seemed quiet; perhaps this would just be a simple matter of finding the files and getting out. It was hard to say. Much as she didn't particularly relish the idea of going toe-to-toe with Malta, going toe-to-toe with anyone would be better than just sneaking in and grabbing some files. It was a matter of pride, and of a need to blow off steam somehow.

She fidgeted with her PDA, double- and triple-checking (for the hundredth time) the list of specific files that Stalking Shadow thought they should look for, to keep her mind occupied. She knew she shouldn't worry about him working with Countryman, despite what he'd told her about their past: staying alive right under danger's nose was what Shadow did best, and in truth, he'd really only needed her to save him once, and that was long before they'd ever met. Knowing she shouldn't worry didn't necessarily stop her, but she focused her mind, connecting with her source, and forced the worry to turn to a serene resolve.

A sucking blackness nearby indicated that Shadow's Grip had arrived on scene, with Fluffy in tow. Alumette opened her eyes and grinned. "Your hair looks great," she said. "Ready to head in?"

Takeda

06-27-2005, 02:30 AM

Shadow's grip lept over the small fence, Fluffy droning after her. It was good to be back. Good to be fighting side by side with Alumette. Competent heroes were hard to find and she was glad to be assigned a partner she could truly trust.

She landed to find Alumette checking her PDA, probably looking up what they were supposed to keep their eyes open for.

"Your hair looks great. Ready to head in?" Alumette cocked an eyebrow at her.

"Born Ready." She replied with more confidence than she felt. She leveled her gaze at Alumette and pushed open the door. The very door she and Fluffy had come tearing out of a few weeks before.

"I've got a bad feeling about this" Fluffy projected into her mind. She glanced at him and rolled her eyes. "You've got a bad feeling about everything. Deal with it dustball." She turned her gaze to Alumette. "Sorry, he does that."

domicius

06-27-2005, 08:15 PM

RoboMD crouched over the petrie dish, closely examining the Vitriol sample cultivated therein.

"Bzzt. Fascinating."

There was no doubt that whichever laboratory was responsible for this particularly lovely creature employed a genius of some considerable magnitude. Knowing the creature, however, did not help much. What was required was evidence of where these samples were coming from, and they were going... and labs where not the best place to find shipping manifestos.

From the corridor outside came the sound of metal-booted feet walking on patrol. RoboMD carefully pulled back from the lab's main workbench and crouched behind a glassware cupboard.

"Oh, I do hope Xaddack shows up soon... I just knew I shouldn't have wandered into this room without him!"

Radical Dreamer

06-28-2005, 02:36 AM

While Stan looked around the room for the other two members of his team his eyes eventually fell upon the dark blue haired Frost Cat. She was leaned back in her chair so that it was on its two rear legs and looked back at him with a stare. It was a look that only a cat could pull off, that unblinking expression of arrogant independence that spoke more then mere words. She might have been assigned to a team but need them, at least in her own mind, she did not.

"Take a picture. It'll last longer." she commented with a hint of annoyance.

Letting the chair fall back to all fours with a solid clack she rose to her feet, her tail swishing first left then right. Things could have been worse. At least baldy wasn’t the uptight hero type who was always looking on the optimistic side of life. He seemed like he had a salt of the earth, regular Joe type attitude with emphasis on the salt.

“If the ears, tail and blue colored skin didn’t give it away, I’m Frost Cat. That’s not an alias, if you even remotely care, that’s my real name. My pops wasn’t very creative.” she informed him, giving him the nicest introduction she felt he was entitled to.

With all of the other heroes pairing up it wasn’t hard to find the third member of their group. Unlike Stan he actually did look like your typical hero. Young, handsome, the whole nine yards. From appearance alone he looked the least experienced of the three but appearances could be deceiving.

“You, same introduction as him.” she pointed to Tyger first and then jerked her head toward Stan to indicate him as well. “Now that we’ve gotten that out of the way anyone have anything to add before we go look up this ex-Crey employee?”

Takeda

06-28-2005, 04:51 AM

MEANWHILE BACK AT THE WAREHOUSE WITH ALUMETTE AND SHADOW'S GRIP...

Shadow's Grip pushed the door open and slipped inside with Alumette and Fluffy right behind her. She glanced left and right. The interior of the ware house was exactly as she remembered it from the last time. A few desks in the front office... the same lamp... right down to the same newspaper on the receptionist's desk. Dated two years ago.

"Well, looks like the maid took the week off." She quipped. "Let's see what we find in here." She called up the darkness to hide her and her friends.

The three moved quietly out of the receptionist area, back to the first room with the storage racks, working towards the rear office section. That would likely hold any records that they might be interested in.

The room itself was dark. Very dark. Storage racks full of things nobody wanted anymore reached up to the ceiling. Cobwebs and trash covered the floor. "I've got a bad feeling about this" Fluffy projected to Shadow's Grip. She responded with an eyeroll and a wink to Alumette, who chuckled quietly.

Alumette stopped her from stepping more fully into the room. "Wait.. I think I see..." She didn't have a chance to finish her sentence. White, blinding spotlights focused on the heros.

A too familiar clanking sound came from behind the spotlights then with a **Z-zzap** Shadow's Grip felt the hot blue bolt of a sapper's rifle hitting her side, she rolled just enough out of the way that it didn't entirely incapacitate her but it did leave her winded. Figures rushed out, backlit by the spotlights, hard to see. Assault rifles and submachine guns opened fire with a roar that reverberated through the warehouse.

With a projected "I TOLD you so", Fluffy froze the offending sapper in his tracks. Holes opened between this universe and Fluffy's home, tentacles reaching through them to batter the defenseless sapper and the other operatives . Alumette charged in, flames flickering wildly as she tried to get the attention of the titan that was no doubt hidden behind the spotlight. She laid down a patch of flame, centered beneath the thickest concentration of operatives, held fast by the black tentacles. “So kind of you to hold them still for me!” she called to Shadow’s Grip, grinning.

Shadow's Grip nodded, caught her breath and focused a cloud of darkness on the titan. It was the biggest threat, best to take it out of the fight as soon as possible. She almost felt sorry for the robot as she watched bolt of blue energy burn a hole in the roof.

Alumette wound up over her head, focusing her magical energy into a decisive strike at a weak point in the titan's knee. Perfectly delivered, the blow crushed the actuator that controlled the motion of it's lower leg. Alumette hopped back just in time for the crippled thing to fall to it's knees. A bolt of dark energy from Shadow's Grip finished it off.

Surprise lost, the titan defeated, and tormented by tentacles from another dimension, the remaining operatives tried vainly to flee. A few more bursts of dark energy from Shadow's Grip and power-packed punches from Alumette sealed the victory. The two heroes set about placing the teleportation bracelets on the unconscious and uncommunicative Malta operatives. One by one they winked out of existence, transported to the Ziggurat.

"I told you I had a bad feeling. Maybe I should follow Alumette around. She might listen." Fluffy moaned to Shadow's Grip telepathically. She rolled her eyes in reply.

The remainder of the warehouse was empty of Malta. Apparently, it had been an ambush, set up in the hope Shadow's Grip would return. Still, their search wasn't entirely fruitless.

"SG, come here. I think I've got something." Alumette called to her. Shadow's Grip hopped down off the top rack of the storage rack and made her way back to the break room where Alumette was. She surveyed the fresh pizza boxes and soda cans. "Malta operatives eating pizza and sucking back colas... who'd have thunk it. What did you find?", she inquired.

“That,” Alumette said, pointing to a laptop computer with a Danger Girl screensaver. Shadow’s Grip ran a finger over the mouse touchpad, trying to get the thing to wake up. The gratuitously underdressed and impossibly-proportioned heroine vanished from the screen, and a password prompt appeared. “What do you think?” Shadow’s Grip inquired.

“I don’t know; it could be anything,” Alumette responded. “Try, uh…Abby Chase,” Alumette shrugged, recalling the name of the jiggly being that had just moments ago flashed across the screen. It was obvious that Fluffy ‘had a bad feeling’ about that password, given Shadow’s Grip’s sudden eyeroll, but what else did they have to go on? Alumette didn’t particularly think it would work either but what did they have to lose?

*ACCESS DENIED*

The prompt reappeared, and Shadow’s Grip clacked at the keys. “It’s a longshot, but…”

*ACCESS DENIED*

“Try Falcon,” Alumette suggested, thinking of Dom’s film noir habit.

*ACCESS DENIED*

“M41t4i5tehr0xx0rz”

*ACCESS DENIED*

They were running out of options; which of course presumed they had any to begin with and it was plenty obvious they didn’t. Alumette’s comm. buzzed silently. She answered. “Alumette here.”

“Report,” Shadow said gruffly.

“We had some Malta waiting for us, but they’ve been neutralized. And we found a laptop. Can’t get the password though” Shadow’s Grip was still busy working away at the keys. “Try Vitriol,” Alumette suggested weakly, pulling her comm. back from her lips a bit. She could almost hear Shadow wince and roll his eyes on the other end of the line. “Do you have any suggestions?” she asked.

*ACCESS DENIED*

“No, I don’t,” he replied coldly. The laptop beeped loudly and shut down automatically. “I’ll have to take a look at it. Bring it in,”

“Uh… okay,” Alumette replied, worried they might have broken it.

“Drop it off at HQ, and move on to the next warehouse.” *click*

Akamaz

06-28-2005, 09:38 PM

While Jude was busy with his girl, Mikoto looked over at the t.v turning it to the news, I guess having light emitters buit into her skin had some advantage.

When their PDA's exchanged their info after the gushy stuff, her skin absorbed a copy of the data exchange. At least she was able to get her main CPU programmed enough to translate PDA data, if not nessecarily enough to control the combat protocols. The info appeared to be some map coordinates as well as dates and times. hopefully it would help out with this business with the Family.

While Jude was busy, she went down the combat subroutines again, trying to change the trigger patterns for them to change them to be more under her concious control, but there wasn't much luck yet. It just seemed better to keep people a a distance for the time being.

Staying with Jude seemed to have done wonders for her, as someone less laid back in their movements would probably have tripped the combat protocols on many an occasion.

Also he had no problems with taking in a Cybernetic killer famous enough to make the 6:00 news for a week and outfitting this place to make her feel comfortable, actually getting the t.v. and the gamestation.

While her "hands" made using controllers out of the question, the omniplug that D.A.T.A installed to run diagnostics on her seemed to work just as well as a video game control plug. sometimes there are advantages to having a computer hardwired to your brain.

She was hacking into the PDA system to ensure that the heroes who had officially taken up the hunt to find her would be sent bogus messages about her whereabouts when Jude got up.

"There's a tub of that Haagen Daas icecream you like in the freezer and a bottle of your favourite wine cooling in the fridge. Make yourself at home and I'll debrief you on my return." and with a wink, he opened another of those tunnels before she could get in the last word.

Endless One

06-28-2005, 10:20 PM

Shan looked down at her PDA and frowned at the list of known Crey bases and warehouses. She must have been naieve to think that what she did on the day to day was anywhere near enough. She'd been fighting non stop for a day and she felt like she hadn't made a dent in her list. She was tired, dirty, bruised and frankly exhausted, but reasonably in order to keep them busy they had to strike hard and fast and often. She spoke into her com, her voice hoarse from overuse. "Okay Pinnochio, I'm going to meet you in IP I guess after I make a short shopping trip." She stood up from the hospital bed where the Doctor's had patched her up.

The Doctor took a long look at the little hero and frowned, she didn't look old enough to be doing this. "You know Miss Parks, you'd do well to take it easy. That Paragon Protector messed you up pretty badly." She frankly didn't look like much opposition for any villan, much less in the shape she was in.

Shan leveled her glowing red eyes on the Doc and shrugged. "I've had worse. And I suspect I'll have worse before this week is through. Just give me something for the pain and toss me my uniform."

The Doctor just shook his head, "You heroes think you can solve the world's problems by running yourself into the ground." He handed the little hero her uniform and watched her shed her gown as if he wasn't even watching.

"Its heroes like me, Doc, that make sure your kids get home from school safely." He stopped her before she could shrug the jacket up and zip it placing a hand on her bared shoulder he injected her with a strong painkiller.

"Just the same, Miss Parks, this is the second time today I'm seeing you. If you don't stop I'm going to think you're stalking me."

She gave him a thin smile. "I'll be okay. I always am." She hit the button on the elevator.

Impact

06-28-2005, 10:35 PM

To say Tygerwolf was distracted during the briefing would probably be a bit of an understatement. Sure he was listening to everything that Stalking Shadow had told him, and had even taken note of the heroes gathered and for all intents and purposes he probably seemed to be paying attention to anyone that wasn't focused on him. But he wasn't. On the inside Caleb was busy explaining to Perapsis, for the umpteenth time, what a lesbian was and why he and his alien lover more than likely wouldn't be able to be together. Funny how the world works, in his alter ego of Caleb Matthews the two actually knew each other....he'd met her at a charity ball for the hospital earlier in the year so when he and Perapsis had seen her doing her rounds a few days earlier it began what had become nearly a constant explanation of the concept that, Caleb assumed was foreign to the alien.

After picking up the word "Dismissed!" Caleb turned in his chair and glanced around the room. "Definately a nice variety of people here..." Standing up slowly he walked over to meet his two teammates. Smiling he extended a hand to the blue skinned feline, listened to her introduction and slowly pulled it back and scratched his head.

"Note to self....she's definately a firecracker. I know there's a zillion of them running around this town...but Alex had mentioned meeting one a long time ago...I'll be sure to call him and ask him about it later.....she's not too bad on the eyes either.. Inwardly Perapsis cringed. "Caleb....do not forget about my love. There must be something....some way that you can reunite me with her...

Not wanting to seem too distracted Caleb turned to his other partner, deciding not to take a chance again and gave him a slight wave. "Tygerwolf here. I take it since she's Frost Cat you must be Stan Walker." Nodding he turned back to Frost Cat, "Anyone who's got a problem with Crey is ok in my book. From what Shadow said our best bet is probably to start in Brickstown..." he smiled a bit and nodded at Cat. "...unless anyone else has other leads or ideas."

Stan Walker

07-02-2005, 12:55 PM

I crushed out the cig as Frost Cat made her way over, giving myself a brief chuckle at her comment about taking a pic. True my fuse was short but the kid had moxy and i could respect that.

"This day and age in a place like this ya never know if the name is gonna fit the person kid."

I reflexively reached into my pocket for another cigarette. Lighting up and exhaling another cloud of blue/grey smoke as she went into her speil about her name. Once again doing my best not to make any smart comment. Sarcastic? Who me?

I kept an eye on her as she strided off and started talking to another person, then jerking a thumb back towards me. This had to be the third member of the team. Yep those brilliant Detective skills going to work. Tygerwolf was very "hero" looking. That worried me me from the get go. The cat had attitude, I didnt know if she would be one for my methods but she appeared as though she would do what needed to be done to complete the mission. This other one i was'nt as sure about, but either way time would tell.

Tygerwolf waved and introduced himself. I offered my hand.

"Yep, I'm Walker. Looks like were gonna be workin ' together. Bricks is fine with me, we can start there. Unless Princess there has got a problem with it."

I said with a smile. Ok maybe a little sarcastic but if she was gonna dish it out, she was gonna have to take it too.

ChairLegOfTruth

07-02-2005, 07:43 PM

Jude and Mikoto stood on the darkened roof of a warehouse and gazed down at the unloading of the adjacent ship. Armed and armoured scumbags stood around keeping watch; poorly, it should be noted.
"There are three ways of doing this," Jude told Mikoto, "We go in hard and fast, hoping to take them down before they take us down, or we sneak around taking out as many as we can before they notice us then we move fast. My personal favourite is to pick them off one at a time. It goes something like this..."

Jude reachout towards a lone hitman standing in the shadows of a shipping container and made a grasping motion. A moment later the criminal was with them on the roof, tendrils of black smoke encircling his throat and filling his mouth inches from Jude's outstretched hand. "So the Costra Nostra, eh? This here's Mikoto, you may have seen her on the news. I suggest refrain from calling out or make yourself inconvenient in any other way, or she might get a little upset. I'm sure you know what's she's capable of when she's upset. Capeesh?" The thug's wide eyes showed that he did indeed and he nodded as best he could. Jude pulled the black tendrils out of his mouth, allowing him to speak. "Now that's settled, tell us everything you know about Vitriol..."

A few hours later, they were on their third warehouse and nineth pack of scumbags.
"Jude this is useless. None of these crooks knows a thing."
"I know but orders are orders, and the most important thing is that we're..." A shot rang out and Jude tumbled from the roof as thugs dressed in Crey Uniforms stepped from the shadows. Two of them fired steel cable nets at Mikoto as another leapt down after Jude.
"Get his palmtop before he switches off her safeties!" Mikoto heard someone command as she strained against the wires that bound her.

Radical Dreamer

07-02-2005, 08:16 PM

"Kid? Heh. That's a derogatory term is used by old men who want everyone to believe that their years of experience give them an advantage but really they lament the loss of their youth and vitality." Frost cat replied and then added with a smirk. "Or in your case your hair."

Though she wasn't going to admit it this back and forth banter was actually making joining this task force bearable.

"As for your plan, have a ball. Why don't you take Tyger too? Knock yourselves out. While you do I'll be going to talk with Geoffrey Steins and find out which Crey facilities might have something to do with our case. That way, you know, we don't have to raid a few dozen of them to get the right one and have them remove or destroy all the evidence we're looking for before we get there. Just a thought. Take some time to mull it over should the logic escape you." she commented dryly.

As they say, boys will be boys. Typical that the two of them were ready to run in and start busting heads. Frost Cat could see it now. The two of them blasting everyone in view who wore a crey company logo and asking if they knew about Vitriol. Something like that would get results, just not the kind they were looking for.

"That is if he's still ok. Crey has an interesting concept of sevrence package. If he's any kind of decent agent he should at least be able to keep himself alive." she muttered as she looked through her PDA for the supplemental information Shadow had provided them. As expected it contained an address where Mr. Steins was was staying until he left the city now that he had been fired from his job at Crey.

Closing down her wrist computer she looked back at her two companions. "If you want to follow me that's fine or you can wait in Bricks. Just don't stir up Crey yet."

Akamaz

07-05-2005, 03:57 PM

"Get his palmtop before he switches off her safeties!" Mikoto heard someone command as she strained against the wires that bound her.

JUDE! NO!

As the world began to shift to red, the last thought before the machine took over was "What Safeties?"

With a pulsating ripple the dimensional destabilisation device threw her body out of sync with the rest of reality. With a slithering sigh, the steel mesh slipped through her to the ground

"**** she's loose!" said one of the goons as she phased back. as she ran up to him, he started firing wildly, many shots impacting he metal frame. as she reached him, her hands sliced the barrel off of his weapon. As her prehensile foot locked itself around his throat <target-aquired-held for interrogation> as she spun round to head after the others, she dragged the crey agent along held tightly in her foot. As the others turned to run, she was struggling to catch up, due to the dead weight of the semi comatose agent, then her audio sensors registered a groan to her left. <target-aquired-target-friendly> read her IFF as Jude started to get up. with the agents gone, her battlecomp cycled down to "normal" operations.

Jude, are you ok? Mikoto asked, as her target status systems started tracking pulse and respiration.

ChairLegOfTruth

07-08-2005, 08:12 PM

Jude groggily pulled himself to his feet as the Crey agent landed on the quayside before him. He winced as he popped his shoulder back into place.

"Fascinating," the Crey thug remarked, "you can regenerate from a heart-shot, I wonder if you can heal grey-matter as quickly." He drew his pistol, levelled it at Jude's head, flicked off the safety and gently squeezed the trigger.

"The journey to enligtenment begins with a single step." Jude sighed and dropped his pen onto his notebook and sealed it with an elastic band.
"Sure old man, and the sound of one hand clapping is a clentched fist". He looked up at the monestary's elderly Lama. "Your point being?"

"When we agreed to take you and your team in so that you could conquer our mutal foes, mister Justicar, it was on the proviso that you all respected our traditions. This includes our rituals and teachings. You have yet to investigate us as deeply as you investigate the invader."

"You want me take some of your teachings?

"The Chinese once had a great general who said: If you understand the enemy without understanding yourself then you are lost..."

The trigger mechanism pulled back the hammer against it's spring until it it could move no further. The hammer arced forward to strike the firing pin which in turn slid forward to strike...

...The midnight gong echoed through the monestary's grounds. Jude stared at the empty courtyard. "Where you old man?" he cried out, "I've been here over an hour. When will your precious lessons begin?" Silence was the only reply. Jude curled himself into the Lotus position that he had been taught and prepared himself, it was going to be a long night. The dawn was just beginning to lighten the eastern sky when the Lama appeared walking lightly across the courtyard, leaving no footprints in the snow. Jude stifly rose to your feet. "You're late," he all but growled. The old man smiled.

KLICK

The Crey agent looked at Jude's grin with wide eyes.

KLICK
KLICK
KLICK

Time and again the firing pin slammed into an empty chamber. Jude opened his hands to show the gleaming bullets that spun silently on black gaseous filaments and answered the agent's unvoiced question.

"When the student is ready the teacher will appear," he quoted. "I thank you for your lesson; here is mine." the Bullets vanished; the agent stiffened with a scream and then collapsed. "That pressure you feel in your joints." Jude told him, "are the rounds you would have used to end my life. That pain against your heart is the first of them. I guarantee that the operations to remove them will be painful and your recovery long and hard. Use the time to think long and hard about the path you have taken with your life before taking another. Do nothing but leave nothing undone".

"Jude, are you ok?"

"I'm peachy Mikoto; contact Uncle and tell him we have a Crey agent to question," he called up.

"Me too," Mikoto replied. There was a pause. "Peachy?".

Akamaz

07-08-2005, 08:41 PM

Man is he weird...

"What did you do to him? my sensors are picking up rounds in his body, but I didn't hear anything..." she said as she dropped down to the ground. The agent held in her foot groaned a little on impact, she'd have to be careful about that, or there would be one less operative to question.

I'll pass the message along to Dominic about <SECOF 4674654 Stephen thomas> and <SFO XJ-9 Joshua Smalltree> here... gimme a second

<begin transmission>
To <Stalkingshadow@dawnpatrol.net>
From <Edwina Scissorhands>

Dominic, while we were investigating some family operations, Jude and I were Jumped by a Crey hit squad... they didn't seem to expect much resistance fom us, and we managed to capture two of them. orders sir?

<end Transmission>

"Ok, I just sent Dom a short message about what happened. hopefully he'll get back to us before a rescue party comes back for Tweedledum and Tweedledee here. Do you think they were after you, or me?

I'm not sure, it looks like they wanted to take me down, and capture you. Jude said.

Mikoto played back the audio in her head for the past 15 minutes, and realised what the agents had said right after they shot Jude "Get his PDA before he shuts off her safeties"

Jude... I think we have a problem... or at least a bugged apartment..."

ChairLegOfTruth

07-09-2005, 10:44 AM

"Jude... I think we have a problem... or at least a bugged apartment...""

Jude's eyes darkened as he listened to the play back.

"No... I know where that dollop of honey was dropped and into which ear. I'll deal with it, later. Now where are the others?"

Akamaz

07-09-2005, 05:35 PM

They took off that way Mikoto pointed off into the distance what do you want to do with tweedle dum and dee here?

ChairLegOfTruth

07-09-2005, 09:37 PM

"Keep them on ice until pick up. We need answers Mikoto. They might just have them for us".

Stalking Shadow

07-11-2005, 07:50 PM

Shadow hated interruptions. Especially when he was on the job. Countryman, miles away in the New England countryside, was waiting for his signal. Meanwhile, Shadow hung upside down in the bowels of some industrial complex. When his PDA blinked and rumbled silently, he cursed. Idiot! Didn't you turn this thing off? He put his feet up on the rope, and held on tight as he grabbed the palm-top from his belt to see what the alert was. At least it wasn't another "Ready yet?" from Countryman.

"To <Stalkingshadow@dawnpatrol.net>
From <Edwina Scissorhands>

Dominic, while we were investigating some family operations, Jude and I were Jumped by a Crey hit squad... they didn't seem to expect much resistance fom us, and we managed to capture two of them. orders sir?"

Shadow pondered, and began writing his reply.

"Post note on perps, 'Hold for Questioning, #4086' fwd perps to Zig. Cont. invst. gj.

--SS"

He sent the reply, and replaced the PDA on his belt, continuing his mission.

A few days later, there was a report of a large factory outside of New Hampshire mysteriously collapsing. Investigators are puzzled by gigantic footshaped imprints at the epicenter of what appeared to be a major structural failure.

Alumette

07-13-2005, 05:59 PM

SG folded down the screen of the laptop. "What did Shad say?" she asked.

"We're supposed to take it in to HQ so he can have a look at it," Alumette replied, pulling out her PDA and bringing up a map of the city. "And then we need to just keep hitting warehouses."

SG nodded, unplugging the laptop and packing it up for transport to HQ.

************************************************** ****
The two heroines were sweaty and tired upon arrival. "Hello, ladies," Chip said respectfully. "Missions went well?"

"About as expected," Alumette replied. "Chip, can you mark this as evidence and get it to Shad's office for me please?" she asked. "We've gotta get back on the street."

Chip nodded and took the laptop from Alumette. SG had sent Fluffy back into the supply room to grab additional blue pills and medkits for the two of them in the meantime. When he returned, SG looked at Alumette, "Ready to get back out there?" she asked. Alumette nodded, smiling.

************************************************** *********

The mood around the dinner table at 112 Williams Square, Founders Falls, Apartment 4, was quiet. With the investigation going on, the two heroes had little more on their minds than the task force; and neither wanted to keep that topic at the forefront. And both were extremely tired. Alumette smiled. "Are you happy with the investigation so far?" she asked. Shadow nodded, cutting his steak. "Just a matter of waiting for everyone to complete their first round of assignments and report back, then?"

Shadow nodded again, this time adding a "Yup." Alumette smiled. "All right," she said. "I hope people are getting along. We had quite a mix of heroes come out of the woodwork for this thing," she said giggling. She took in Shadow's fatigued appearance and added, after a moment, "You, sir, are in need of a mental break." She gestured towards him, fork in hand, eyes sparkling. "I hereby prescribe for you an evening of relaxation on the couch with your favorite film, and a massage from the harem girl of your choice."

Akamaz

07-13-2005, 06:33 PM

As the message from Dominic scrolled past her vision, mikoto looked over to Jude Jude, Dominic ays to put a post it note on them, and port them over to the Ziggurat, you wouldn't happen to have any of those teleport beacons would you?
No need he said, as the crey agents slowly faded away

Mikoto quickly sent an anonymous tip to the Ziggurat guards that the two inbound were to be held for questioning in the assault of Jude justice

hmm looks like only one place left to check out... maybe you should let me try to sneak in first, with you holed up nearby... can you bring yourself to me if we go that route?

Noble

07-15-2005, 07:16 PM

Somewhere deep in the heart of Kansas

“Cooper, what is the current situation of the task force our agent is a part of?” asked an old man dressed in a black suit.

“Our satellites show that he destroyed a factory outside of New Hampshire.” Said Cooper. “He went a bit overboard with amount of force necessary and left some seismic activity in his wake.”

“Did a clean-up crew arrive before the press could gain access to the wreckage?”

“No sir, they did not. Photographers and journalists found our agent’s trademark footprints at the epicenter of the debris.”

“We can deal with the legal implications later when the local authorities file charges. What was so special about this factory that he attacked?”

“It was made to appear as a manufacturer of fertilizer, but instead was a covert operation to manufacture low-grade explosives for sale to terrorists in Third World Countries.”

“Interesting.”

An eerie silence followed the old man’s ominous statement. Cooper stared intently at his superior as the man simply known as “sir” stared blankly at the screen of the world that was in front of him. Cooper wished to know his next course of action because, as always, time was of essence. But, Cooper knew better than to overstep his boundaries and interrupt the old man’s thoughts. Five seconds had passed before the aged and balding man spoke again.

“I want anything and everything you can get concerning this factory. It is likely a false front and will lead nowhere, but it is always best to cover all of our bases.”

“Starling is already on it, sir.”

“Good. Now, what of the other assignments for the task force members?”

“There have been raids against Malta warehouses which are yet to yield any results. Another group was ambushed by Crey operatives, only to defeat their surprise attackers and take some captive. The prisoners are to be taken to the Ziggurat for interrogation.”

“See to it that our own agents get a chance at those prisoners before anyone else does. I want a heads-up on any vital information before the task force gets it in case something pressing is revealed and requires immediate action.”

“If something does come up in this case should we notify Countryman since he is the acting agent in this case?”

“No. We’ll send someone else to ensure that our Nation’s seemingly good intentions remain unmarred.”

“Understood. The final group is investigating Crey activities and is actively seeking for a lead from their agents.”

“Good work, Cooper. Keep me updated if anything changes or something important is discovered.”

“Yes, sir!” Cooper turned back to his station and continued to monitor the activities of the task force from The Agency’s many satellites orbiting the Earth.

ChairLegOfTruth

07-17-2005, 03:02 PM

Jude's Palmtop chimed and he read off the message with a smile. "Packages received," he told Mikoto. "[/b]Okay let's swing back via the Pad so I can double check some of Cleo's data and then we'll take a whole new grove."

WITHIN A FEW MINUTES

Cleo opened her eyes and looked up at the figure standing over her. "Jude?" she asked. The figure sighed and seemed to almost try and retreat into its self.

"Cleo, who is your contact at Crey?" Jude's voice was flat, emotionless.

"Jude. Yesterday I discovered that, despite twenty years of believeing otherwise, my father is alive and well," she sobbed. "He works for Crey. He told me that I was an experiment, a thing made by Crey to see what would happen if they mixed Human and Lion DNA. He told me to send you to Independence Port and gave me a number of locations, including those Family owned quays. Her voice wavered as she fought for self-control. "He said that if I didn't then my family would all die; my mother, brothers, sisters and stepfather. He knew about Mikoto and your overrides". She paused. "How did you override her Jude?"

"Zen Quoans; they override everything." he replied bluntly.

"I'm sorry, I lo..." Jude bent down a kissed her with a passion that overwhelmed her senses and she responded in kind.

"I know. I love you too." He took her hand and ran his fingers over the spines folded flat along her forearms and the claws hidden within her fingers. "Now get dressed. We're going to get your family to safety and then you and I are going to wake up Serge and see what he can do at this hour; I think it's time Night Sheba repayed Crey for their.. kindness".

LATER

"What is this place?" Jude, Mikoto, Cleo and her family stood blinking in the cold courtyard of what seemed to be some kind of fantastic castle. Massive whitewashed and blood-red walls reached skyward up to colourful roofs. Despite their size these were dwarfed by large conical cupolas and towers that were, in turn, dwarfed by the huge snow capped peaks that surrounded them on all sides. Oranged robed monks maintained the slow spinning of a number of turning pillars that lined one side of the courtyard.

"Welcome to the Forest of Incandesant Bliss," Jude replied, "The safest place I know on the planet that I could get us too at such short notice." An elderly monk walked across the courtyard towards them and Jude bowed at his approach. The monk returned the bow before the two of them had a brief exchange in Tibetan. After a few minutes of conversation the two of them bowed again before the Monk approached Cleo and her family.

"My just friend tells me that you need a refuge for a while," he said in perfect english, "You are welcome to stay as long as you like. These monks will take you suitable quarters." Three monks came forward and escorted Cleo's family off into the monestary. The Lama turned to Cleo, "Do not fear, they will be safer here than in your city."
"We can visit them at any time." Cleo smiled and kissed the Lama on the forehead. The Lama said something to Jude who laughed.
"He says that he still has it where it matters".

DAWN

She entered the Freedom Corps headquarters dressed in her familar red and white but left it clad in black leather. Serge's talents had created something at once modern yet suggestive of the tribal and totemic nature of her power. The buckles and zips of her bodice and costume that seemed to leave most of her skin uncovered, the knee high lace-up boots and the mask that zip-fastened at the base of her neck was suggestive more of an S&M clubber than a crimefighter. Black leather bracers covered both forearms, the spines that were her legacy stood proud through specially constructed slits in each. Jude and Mikoto stood waiting for her beneath Galaxy Girl's statue. As she reached them she smiled letting her claws slide from their sheaths in her hands. "Lets go to work".

Impact

07-18-2005, 02:40 AM

He couldn’t help but smile to himself. She had a good point. This was going to take a bit more stealth than say, his usual operations involving finding quantum weaponry. Leaning forward on one of the conference chairs he nodded, listening carefully.

”Sorry….I have a bit of history with Crey. I’m more than ready to jump at a chance to bring them down a few notches.”

He looked over at Stan then back at Cat.

”So…what’s the plan then?” He smiled playfully at Cat. ”As much as I’d love to follow your lead straightaway, I think it might be best if we take some time to prep then meet in Bricks.”

”It’ll also give me time to look up some information on these two….afterall, if I’m going to be working with them, it’ll be good if at least one of us has an idea of what the others are capable of.” He thought to himself with a slight grin, but his attention was brought back to the situation at hand as his teammates began yet another friendly conversation. With a laugh he slipped into his thoughts again, this time discussing things with his partner, for lack of better terms.

”Well…at least I know these two will keep things a bit light….what do you think of our teammates Perapsis?””I’m not sure what to think yet…..the man….Stan Walker seems…odd…he has seen many battles, that much I am sure of. The female….I cannot read her, as you would say it…..but that could be due in part to you being a bit..taken with her.”

”Hey. Tyger. You still with us or would you rather keep staring off into space with that vacant expression?”

Shaking his head Tyger nodded and smiled. ”Sorry….was just having a little talk. So…is meeting in Bricks in say…..an hour or so fine by you two?”

Stan Walker

07-23-2005, 04:21 PM

I ran my palm against the top of my head. Reflex actually after hearing Frost Cat's words, a lopsided grin played across my face, thankfully i didnt flash any fang to the team, not sure they were ready for that yet..oh yes im a hero oh by the way are you O positive? No definately not.

Tyger's option sounded fruitful but gave me the indication he wasted some alone time for ..well whatever "superhero type" people do, I still hadn't figured that out yet..maybe he had to iron his cape who knew? Then he went all wonky and started staring off into space..just a moment, not long really but odd none the less. My attention went back to Frost.

"Allright kid..your show..we'll do things your way till they stop working..then try it mine. Deal?"

I turned back to Tyger

"Yeah we can meet in Bricks in an hour...got a preference where? Nevermind..you let me know on this watch thingamijiggywhatchamacallit and ill be there."

I reached into my pocket for another cig, flicked the zippo and took a deep drag, then turned with a swish of the trenchcoat and started walking towards the exit.

Radical Dreamer

07-23-2005, 06:20 PM

"Glad you see it my way old man. Don't worry. We'll do it the fun way when the time is right." she said with a smirk as she left the briefing room. The fact that they were the last to leave did not go unnoticed.

An hour later the trio met up in Brickstown as they had agreed to. Frost Cat had changed into her black single piece crime fighting outfit with the thigh high purple accented boots, shoulder pads, and cape. She didn't really care what the others came dressed as but while on the clock she was going to look the part.

"Alright team. Like I said earlier Crey isn't too fond of firing employees and leaving them alone. Since Stalking Shadow feels he has information that would help us Crey probably feels he has information that would hurt them. As an MI6 operative I'm sure he's smart enough to get rid of all the bugs in his apartment but there's not much he can do against external observation devices." Gesturing to the south of the tram she pointed out the building that they would be going to.

"While I go up to talk with him I want you two to sweep the area for Crey agents, especially any with any devices pointed at his apartment. Heroes are pretty common in the area with the prison being so close so fighting them shouldn't raise too much suspicion, especially if you don't circle the building like you're guarding it. That should give us a few minutes to talk before Crey gets a replacement team to the area."

Leaving Tyger and Stan to do the dirty work Frost Cat activated her cloaking device and walked toward the apartment building. She wasn't in any hurry, at least not for the moment. It would take a minute or two for her two compatriots to disrupt any Crey operations in the area. Reaching the apartment front doors she waited until one of the residents was exiting and then slipped inside. Making use of the stairs she headed for the sixth floor and quickly found the room she was looking for.

A weak turn on the door handle revealed that it was locked, not an uncommon thing given the number of criminals in the city. Speaking of criminals having been one at one time did have its advantages. Frost Cat reached a pair of long thin fingers to her belt where she removed a lock pick and within a few moments the door was unlocked.

Opening the door the feline hero noiselessly entered the room and quickly took in the scene. The lack of overturned furniture was a sure sign that Crey had not already visited the under cover agent. Her keen sense of hearing picked up the sound of a TV playing and faint sip of someone drinking from a cup. Closing the door behind her she crept through the modest apartment to the living area where she saw who she presumed to be Geoff. While still cloaked she moved so that they could have this conversation face to face, even though he wouldn't be seeing her.

"Hello Geoff." the man blinked in surprise as he heard the voice and stared harder at the television, trying to determine if it was part of the program or not. "Don't worry, you're not supposed to see me. A mutual friend sent me to talk with you and I'm sure you'd rather Crey didn't know that I was here."

"How do I know you're not one of them?"

"If I were Crey I'd just drag you off for a good mind ripping. Now, let’s not waste any more time with pointless questions. My team is sweeping the area to stop any Crey monitoring but that will only work for a short time before they get suspicious. So, tell me everything you know about Vitriol."

Sebastian Kain

07-25-2005, 09:29 PM

Location: Peregrine Island

The engine of Sebastian Kain's personalized Bentley (http://www.wallpaper.net.au/wallpaper/automotive/Bentley%20Continental%20GT%20-%20800x600.jpg), roared throughout the streets of Peregrine Island as he whizzed in and out of traffic. One would think that he would have more care for himself or his passenger at least. The man beside SK actually enjoyed this style of driving. He was not like man SK already knew from the Dawn Patrol. He was nothing like his son, Major Britain. Dark Master was nearly SK's age himself and his abilities allowed him to age at a similar rate like SK himself. So they both had much more in common than they anticipated. That made things easier for the most part, since they both were thrown upon each other and expected to co-exist long enough to accomplish their goal. Even though their mood was light about the situation, they both still didn't talk much except for a few comments about the women of Paragon, they kept everything very professional like. Kain began to slow down has they were arriving at the location of where the contact known as Crimson, usually kept for an outpost during the day. SK wheeled his ride into an empty parking lot across the street from where Crimson was.

Well it's time to hop to it, my brother in arms. he said while getting out of the car in one smooth motion.

SK was quite battle ready, decked out in his battle armor as he took out his sword and everything else he might need.

No time like the present, mate. said Dark Master.

He followed suit directly behind SK. They both tried to blend in with the other members of paragon's flock. But of course they stuck out like most heroes of the city. Like sore thumbs.

Greetings! Brothers! What can I do for you? replied Crimson, knowing exactly who they were and what they were up too.

SK hesitated a bit and smiled, a bit of it was devilishly as he reached out to shake his hand.

Well, for starters...What can you tell us about the recent Malta activity in Peregrine in the last couple of weeks? he said.

However, in his mind the voice that haunts him time and time again; began to make his opinion known loud and clear once again. And he was doing everything in his power to stop SK from divulging any further into the matters of 'others'.

Akamaz

07-29-2005, 04:02 PM

Mikoto looked enviously at cleo's new outfit. Serge had really outdone himself. Unfortunately, a change of clothes and a trip to tibet didn't quite make it up to Mikoto for Jude being shot. 10% of her sensors stayed fixed on Cleo with her battlecomp studying how she moved. the other 90% of her computing power was directed towards the city planning departments computerised records systems, trying to get a floorplan of the building currently housing Baxter imports, the last stop of their family hit list.

"I'm in... check this out" and with a moments concentration, projected the floorplan on a nearby wall. "From What I can see here, it looks like Tony the Fish's office is most likely here" when she said that, one of the rooms on the upper floors glowed red.

Good job Kiddo Jude said, as he moved to pat her on the back, she flinched away

"This is going to be messy if we just go blasting in there... I could probably sneak in, look around and be out again before they know what hit them. What do you say?"

ChairLegOfTruth

07-30-2005, 04:02 PM

"This is going to be messy if we just go blasting in there... I could probably sneak in, look around and be out again before they know what hit them. What do you say?"

"It's a plan Miko'. Cleo and I will stick to the shadows if you need any back up." Cleo nodded and darkness seemed to wrap around her and Jude, obuscating them against the dawn's deep shadows.

Stan Walker

07-30-2005, 05:24 PM

I had dropped by the apartment first to pick up "the suit", this wasn't official police business and I wasn't about to get roped into all this and possibly take a hit on my record. I pulled the mask and then the hood over my head, looked in the mirror and sighed.

"That's right Paragon City..get ready for..bald man?"

I lowered my head, this get up was soo not me, and if I did wear the thing, which I had in the past I was going to have to get a cool, quintessential, dark, and mysterious hero name.

*note to self take a consensus for cool name*

The only good thing about the costume was my eyes could glow freely, and didn't have to be hidden by dark sunglasses. The people at ICON did good work, the gleam of my eyes matched the crimson trim of the outfit perfectly. As far as the rest of me I was enveloped in black. The window creaked as the rotted wood gave way when I was opening the window, my ebony cape billowed in the breeze as I leapt out into the night.

I met Frost and Tyger at the rendezvous'' spot in Bricks per her request, if you want to call it that. The woman was pushy, sarcastic and overbearing. I liked the kid she reminded me of..me. Listening intently as she laid out her plan, but also taking in other sounds of my surroundings. The hardest to tune out being that of the "lub-dub" of her and Tyger's heartbeat which reminded me..I was hungry. I re-centered myself on the task at hand, Frost hand finished the final touches of her plan, the bounded off and fading into nothingness. I looked to Tyger.

"Ready to sweep the streets?"

Tyger nodded yes, his attention seemed to be focused on something else as well, like he was listening to a song only he could hear.

"All right, I say we split up, we can cover more area that way. Contact me on the communicator in a half hour, that way we can keep tabs and make sure that 1 were both ok, and 2 that we don't end up working in a circle pattern."

Tyger nodded in agreement again as I stalked off looking for the shadows, somewhere dark that I could meld into to conceal my movements.

It didn't take long at all to find a surveillance team of Crey. There were three of them huddled in a corner of an adjacent alley. Jerkweed in the middle had some kind of device aimed at our contacts building. I slid through the shadows willing blood into my muscles to augment my strength. The Crey were so intent with there mission I was able to creep within mere inches of them. The one on the far left was closest, I laid a gentle tap on his shoulder. He was able to turn about a quarter of the way to meet my gaze before my elbow exploded into his jaw, reeling him against the concrete wall. His body went slack as it slid down. I left my left foot drag backward as the second agents gift from me was and independent motion rear kick. I heard and felt the wench's ribs give as I made contact, she dropped the device and lay on the ground sucking wind. The third one got the drop on me as I was turned, the blade dug deep into my back. It hurt like hell. Unfazed however I turned to see a broad smile that was quickly fading from his face. I shot out with blinding speed. Grabbing him by his windpipe, suspending him in the air. His face began to pallor as his oxygen supply quickly depleted. He kicked out and struggled, then passed out. I lowered him closer to me and loosened my grip, I needed him alive at least for now. I traced my thumb over his jugular as I pulled the mask just above my mouth canines fully exposed, then whispered.

"Lunch.."

I kilted his head to the side as one might do with an apple before taking a bite, then plunged my fangs into that soft fleshy spot, drinking deeply until my hunger was sated. This one wasn't going to die tonight but he was going to be out of commission for a long time. I removed the blade from my back, lowered the mask, removed all visual communication devices they had and faded back into the shadows.

Impact

07-31-2005, 05:50 PM

After meeting with the group and splitting up Tyger took a few moments to go over the little tidbits he'd learned about his teammates.

"Will do. And good luck."

Taking a deep breath he opened himself up somewhat and took to the skies, his eyes glowing brightly from Perapsis' powers, and began his search for Crey.

"So....Frost Cat said not to circle the building....and since Stan seems like the guy to go straight for the source so to speak, it'll probably be good for me to run interference...."

"Agreed...it will also be a good chance to try out the new techniques we've been working on."

Tyger had to grin. Not only was he getting to cut loose a bit, but he was getting to do it on Crey, the only things on the planet that he disliked more than Rikti. It didn't take too long for him to see the building where their target was, so he decided to start on a rooftop about a block away where several agents and one of the different types of Crey tanks were apparently giving a few young ladies a hard time. Tyger growled to himself and floated down on the opposite side of the building and flashed the two women a thumbs up.

"I think you should 'turn yourselves over' to us, if you know what's good for you." The agent said, taking another step closer to one of the women. His fellow Crey agents got a good laugh of out that and the tank nodded in agreement.

"Caleb....now is not the time to show off. They are unaware of our presence, and the tactical advantage is ours."

Tyger nodded, his eyes flaring a bit more as he hovered just above the rooftop.

"I think you guys should take a hike and let these ladies enjoy the rest of their day. Coincidently...do any of you know the visiting hours over in the Zig?"

All of them turned around and like usual began their ID scan on him using one of the features in the not-so stylish shades they all wore.

"Hmph....you haven't been much trouble lately. If you're smart kid you'll crawl back into whatever hole you've been hiding in."

The group of two agents and the tank slowly began to approach him and were joined by a juggernaut, all coming at slightly different angles. New powers or not, Tygerwolf hadn't really changed much, and his grin spread a bit as he crossed his arms.

"Alright....so I take it you guys are going to personally find out about those visiting hours aren't you? Well....if that's how you want things....

He shrugged as the juggernaut lifted up his rocket launcher, aiming it straight for his chest.

"This'll teach you to bother in Crey affairs."

The rocket launcher fired, and quickly covered the distance, exploding on contact with the still smiling hero. Smoke enveloped him and pieces of the roof crumbled down below, nearly hitting a few civillians as they walked by.

"Hmph....they'll let any loser put on a costume these days. Now...where were we..."

Watching the swirling smoke for a moment they turned and began to move towards the women again.

"Caleb...." "Alright alright..."

"Ahem..."

Taking a deep breath he blew some of the smoke aside and smiled, pointing to the shield of energy surrounding his body.

"Ok....your aim was on but you might want to talk to the Countess about some stronger stuff..."

Landing on a piece of the roof that was still intact the shield disappeared and Tyger popped his knuckled and cracked his neck, keeping an eye on the Crey while he prepared.

"Alright...I'm a bit rusty....so I hope you guys will take it a bit easy on me."

"Sure thing kid...nice and easy....and painful."

The first agent ran forward, planted and lept up for a flying kick aimed at Tyger's chest which he deflected down with his left hand, almost pulling the outstretched leg to the ground from the force of his blow and followed with a solid right uppercut, which exploded with kheldian energy on contact, and sent him flying back across the roof where he slid to a stop at the Crey Tank's feet.

"Hmm....I guess all that working out has really helped.."

Clearly surprised, the tank powered up his suit and fired a burst of energy at the rooftop where Tyger had been seconds before. Turning his visored eyes spotted his target standing in front of the Eliminator, who had his rocket launcher reloaded and was aiming it at the hero at point blank range.

"C'mon now...I really wouldn't fire that this close if I were you..."

"Welcome to pasteville."

"Alright...don't say I didn't warn you."

Lifting a glowing hand he put it to the barrel of the launcher and focused with a smile, watching the gun explode, moving him slightly, but blowing the Eliminator clear off the rooftop.

"See....toldya...suit or not that's gonna leave some marks."

As he was too busy smiling to himself, Tyger didn't notice the other agent until he jumped on his back, tackling him to the roof.

"I've got you now you little punk!"

"Hey!....Get...off!"

"Caleb....I'll take things from here..." "Alright...works for me..."

Tyger stopped struggling and allowed the agent to roll him onto his back.

"Playtime's over kid. Say goodnight."

The agent smirked, drawing his fist back, hitting the device in his palm to start up the mini energy generators Crey were known for carrying.

"You have no idea....how right you are.."

Tyger returned the smirk and his body exploded in burst of energy and blinding light, knocking the agent over by the tank who tried to cover his eyes from the light. When he looked again the person he saw had vanished and was replaced by the kheldian's well-known nova form.

"I suggest you power down and turn yourself over to the authorities.

Perapsis floated in the air, his tentacles drifting slowly as he moved towards the tank.

"No chance alien."

Holding up both his arms he fired several bursts of energy, following the creature as it flew off into the air, manuevering and dodging as he made a wide turn and dived straight at the tank, flattening his tentacles down, turning himself into a small missile. Taking aim at the quickly approaching target, the tank sent a small sniper type blast up at him, which knicked his side, tossing him into a spin, but not knocking him off his course.

"Now!"

In what looked like a falling star over the roof, Tygerwolf's body returned with both fists outstretched as he slammed full on into the tank, cracking the roof around them and dropping them through to the floor below. Exchanging confused looks the women slowly moved towards the hole, hoping to see the hero victorious, but quickly jumped back as they heard the sound of more energy being exchanged, followed by silence and the sight of a trail of smoke billowing up towards them.

A few moments later Tygerwolf floated up, carrying the smoking Tank over his shoulder and tossed him down on the roof, then landed, flashing a smile at the two women.

"Man...they really should make those things more enviromentally friendly...Are you two ok?"

Both of them nodded, and the blonde haired woman ran up to him, nearly tackling him with a hug and much to his surprise, planted a kiss on his lips.

"Thank you soooo much!"

Blushing slightly, he picked her up in one arm and held his other arm out for her red haired friend.

"Well....hehe...it's all in a day's work you know..."

As she climbed into his arms he slowly floated off the roof and landed on the ground below.

"Caleb...why is it that my lover's partner does not respond to you in this manner? Perhaps you should rescue her as well? Then I could be reunited with her..."

Inwardly he sighed....sometime tonight he was going to have to have that talk with Perapsis....again. But for now at least he could take a bit of questioning along with the perks of being a hero. With a grin he set the blonde haired woman down who hugged his neck tightly again and thanked him. As he put down the red haired woman she gave him a slight kiss on the cheek and whispered her name and phone number in his ear, giving his belt a slight tug and winking.

"That's for when you get done working pretty boy..."

"Well...ahh...thanks. I'll keep that in mind. Take care you two and be safe!"

Flying back into the sky he sighed softly and chuckled to himself, shaking his head as he flipped on his comm.

"Hey Stan....how're things going on your end? It's a bit warm over here hehe...."

Akamaz

08-02-2005, 09:23 PM

Keep an eye out for a moment Mikoto said to the two shadows next to her. Cleo shivered noticibly as a silver lens slid down over Mikoto's "normal" eye.
<objective remaining:1 Kill Count:0 Detection level:Green>
Mikoto started tracing the pathways through the net until at long last she found the data she was looking for. To her inner eyes this system appeared as a high fashion mall, with shoppers browsing through seemingly endless racks of clothing. She started rifling through the clothes racks discarding one "Garment" after another looking for the perfect "fit."

<objective remaining:1 Kill Count:0 Detection level:Yellow>
She did her best to appear small and insignifigant, but the chances of being detected rose higher with each nanosecond she remained. eventually, if she didn't find the data she was looking for, the alarms would trip and possibly a firewall would drop down, hindering her escape.

Eventually she knew she would have to drop stealth to get the data she needed and run before "Mall Security" showed up.
<objective remaining:1 Kill Count:0 Detection level:Orange>
She saw the Intrusion Countermeasures in place as a pair of Bipedal Dobermans dressed like Mall security Guards, their uniforms looking immaculantly pressed and shoes highly polished. Luckily they didn't seem to notice..
<objective remaining:1 Kill Count:0 Detection level:RED Unit Detected>
Oh Crapolie! they spotted me! she thought as they headed her way, red eyes gleaming
<unit detected initiating combat subroutine ACM-135>

Guard program one dropped to all fours and put on a burst of speed, leaping towards her going for the throat. with a graceful pirouette, she spun out of harms way. as her turn completed, guard Dog number 2 slammed into her, knocking her down and attempting to tear with it's teeth. As it's fangs went in, her Internal repair systems started swarming over the site, sending out a burst of code to repair the damage. with the guard dog having a tight hold of her, it couldn't dodge as a razor sharp blade sung out from her elbow, slicing the muzzle clean off.
<objective remaining:1 Kill Count:1 Detection level:RED>
(at that exact moment, an ATM inside of the hero mart in Steel Canyon began to helplessly vomit forth blank bank statements)

With GD2 derezzing she turned to deal with GD1. she heard the program leap and quickly ducked, causing the program to crash headlong into one of the "clothes racks"

(at that exact moment, the hero MC Xanatos was getting one of his costumes altered at Icon, the results were embarrasing at best...)

Mikoto saw the security gates at the "store" closing slowly and quickly ran out the door, grabing the first "outfit" that felt like what she was looking for.
<objective remaining:0 Kill Count:1 Detection level:RED>
<connection to host reset by host>>

As the silver lens slid up under her eyelid she immediately scanned the local environment, after all, a lot can happen in 1.537 seconds. now to see if what she just swiped was worth it.

<Run program scholgirl.pigg>

"What do you think?" she asked as her skin began projecting a 3d image of herself, wearing a schoolgirl outfit.

"Personally I think it's one of Serge's better works, I hope he doesn't mind that I "Borrowed" it. It just seemed to me to be a lot less conspicuous than my usual look."

(Meanwhile, in Steel Canyon, Serge is beside himself explaining how all of these odd computer occurances took place localised in his branch of Icon)

Stan Walker

08-08-2005, 08:14 PM

My communicator crackled to life in mid swing. A booming “CRACK!” echoed through the microphone followed by intense screaming. It wasn’t me screaming so I wasn’t concerned. I dropped the mangled body of the last Crey agent to the ground; his femur was protruding through his flesh.

At Tyger’s words a quote from a movie in my world came to mind, I decided to share it with him.

"Great kid…don’t get cocky… Now what’s your 20?”

“My what?” he replied.

I gave a brief sigh. Civvies Walker you’re working with civvies.

“Your location, where are you at?”

“Oh! Rooftop at Miller and Third.”

“I’ll be there in a minute, I found a large group of these jerkoffs and I think it might be “quieter” if we worked together on this. I counted 14, you up for it?”

“Was born ready.”

“Good I’ll meet you there we’ll go over a plan, and what the hell is taking the feline so long? She stop for a bowl of cream? We can only keep this up for so dam long..Thier gonna catch on.”

Tyger didn’t have an answer for that one, guess he was in the dark as much as me on that one. I let the com go quiet, then thought about something and keyed it back up.

“You’re doing a great job kid”

I didn’t know if he needed the ego stroke or not, but the fact that he was willing to put up with me for this mission said a lot in and all of itself, lord knows I’m not the easiest to be around.

I stalked down the alleyways coming across two women both raving about the hero that just saved them. They went on and on about how dashing, how brave, how wonderful…yadda yadda yadda. I came out of the alley just behind them and began scaling the scaffolding. Tue I could fly but I was going for stealthy. Yeah that went over well. One of the ladies, the redhead let out a whistle. Hell maybe her and her friend were thinking about a double date or something..Who the hell knew? I turned my head to meet her stare…big mistake. Her and her friend took one glance at the shrouded face with crimson fire spewing out the eyes and took off running as if they had seen death itself. Nope I’m definitely NOT people friendly. I let out another sigh and continued up the fire escape muttering one word.

“Swell..”

Radical Dreamer

08-11-2005, 04:22 AM

"You have a good point. Very well, Vitriol is not a product that is made by Crey. By this I mean that in my time with them I did not hear, see, or speak about anything with that name. If this substance is made by Crey they are using a different name for it." Geoff started and then a sip from his drink as if he were done speaking.

"I hope that's not the extent of your knowledge on the subject." Frost cat commented.

"Hardly. I’ve been with them long enough to pick up many of their dirty little secrets. Of course that’s the thing with Crey. No matter how many layers of information you peel back there always seems to be another just below."

"Would you please get to the point?" she said in an irritated tone, her invisible tail twitching back and forth.

"Not very patient are you?” he said back calmly. “The briefing I received recently on this Vitriol stated that the substance is biological in nature. Crey just so happens to have a biological sample store house located in building number two on pier thirty-three in Independence Port. From the outside it looks like nothing more then a normal warehouse but inside it's filled with cold storage units. Naturally it's well guarded by Crey security forces as well as a few armored soldiers. What makes this facility of particular interest is that a shipment was made to the United Kingdom recently. In fact it would have been around the same time that our mutual friend was there."

"Even when getting to the point you're long winded. Anything else you want to share while we’re still young?" Frost Cat started with the insults that she was known all too well for.

"As a matter of fact, yes I do. Crey also has a biological facility in the Folly that's capable of creating weapon's grade material. Since Vitriol is likely intended as such it’s a good place to look. You can't miss the place. It is guarded like a fortress. There is one security division on patrol outside at all times as well as several more inside. There is also a unit of Paragon Protectors on site at all times. It would take a decent sized organization of heroes to force their way in through the front doors not to mention fighting all of the guards inside and contending with the reinforcements Crey is likely to send." Geoff took another calm sip from his drink.

"Wonderful. Since I don't happen to have an army in my back pocket we'll try a more subtle approach with that one. Is that everything?" she cast a nervous glance over to the window, as if any Crey spies would be out in the open. Even though the plan was for her two team mates to distract the enemy she didn’t fully trust them to do a competent job of it.

"Those leads should be more then enough to keep you busy for the time being. If I can find out anything more without attracting Crey's attention I'll find a way to contact you." He answered.

"Alright.” Frost Cat nodded and stood. “Thanks for the help Geoff. Keep your head down and maybe you'll get out of this without one of Crey's special severance packages."

“Indeed, it was my pleasure.” He called after her as she walked to the entrance to his apartment. With the same grace that she entered she slipped back out into the hall and closed the door behind her.

The walk down to the lobby gave Frost Cat ample time to think about the situation. “Perfect. Two heavily guarded facilities to get into. I guess we'll take the easy one as a warm up for the real challenge, maybe figure out a way to work together as a team or something.”

Impact

08-23-2005, 10:15 PM

"Heh...thanks Stan."

From what Tyger had found out about Stan, he was quite the martial artist and police officer. He didn't exactly have a clean record, but then again not many did these days, hero or not. Standing on the rooftop, he cast another glance around to see if there were anymore Crey agents in the area. Satisfied that things were ok Tyger crossed his arms and floated up into the air slowly, spotting something moving up the side of a nearby building. From the looks of it, it was trying to keep from being seen.

"May as well check it out...could be some kind of new Protector..."

Landing at the end of the roof he quietly and quickly made his way over to where he thought it'd hop up onto the roof and powered up.

"Caleb, perhaps you should wait and see what it is before you...It's ok Perapsis...whatever it is I'm ready for it..."

His eyes and fists aglow in Kheldian energy, he drew back, ready and waiting for it.

"Just a little closer...."

"What ya got down there kid?"

Turning around slightly Tyger blinked a few times, looking back and forth from Stan to where he thought he'd seen something. Whatever it was it'd disappeared now.

"Heh...nothing I guess. Just thought I saw something....so..where're those Crey you were talking about? Hopefully by the time we're done with them Cat'll be ready."

Stan Walker

09-10-2005, 02:09 PM

I cast a wry smile full of fang at Tyger, that smile quickly faded from my face as i pointed to a nearby rooftop where i had seen the agents.

"Right over...."

Where the hell were they? There wasn't much that i didn't see or hear and them snaking out of my vision was definately out of the ordinary. I didn't like out of the ordinary because that meant that nine times out of ten someone was going to either do something stupid, or get hurt.

" Well they were right there..I don't like this kid. I think we've been made."

Tyger walked to the ledge of the rooftop we were standing on, again talking to someone I couldn't see. What the hell was up with him? Did he need medication? I keyed up the com trying to get the cat, my response...static...swell.

"I think we need to get a hold of the feline and regroup somewhere else, I got a bad feeling about th.."

I heard the metal grate against bone as the claws were sliding into place it was almost as if i was moving at normal speed and everything around me was moving in slowmotion.

"Kid look out!" I screamed.

Then i was moving in a blur. I jerked Tyger to the side as the blades bit into my shoulder. It hurt like hell, but i didn't even get the chance to yelp as a golden boot caught me in the temple sending me reeling to the ground. As i looked up i could see five or was it six more of these blue and yellow clad assasins making their way into a grouping on the roof. I did NOT like the way this was going.

ChairLegOfTruth

09-23-2005, 09:16 PM

...So then I said "You're big man, but you're out of shape". He glared at me and lifted his hands so that I could see the sparks dancing over them.
Then what happened
I kicked him in the crotch and he went down like a house of cards. Cleo and Mikoto laughed together before Cleo took another sip of her coffee. It had been a long day and the two women had found themselves growing closer as they did their best to hunt down the source of the Vitriol. The sun was now setting once more and so they had stopped off at one of the fashionable rooftop cafe's in Steel Canyon to take stock and replenish their reserves before reporting back. Despite being productive in overall crime-fighting terms they had singualrly failed to make any progress in their mission at all.
What's keeping Jude? His coffee is getting cold
Men! And they complain that we take a long time to go to the bathroom

Jude stood in a place that was not a place, and waited for Cephas to finish reading the briefing materials he'd taken the previous day. "You're right" he agreed with her unspoken conclusion, "it looks exactly like a Sangrall Imperial Warrior Phage. But there's no intellect in the gene-sequences; you can practically see where it's been stripped out."
"Except that we wiped out the Sangrall Imperium during the first Shift War. Paradigm Bombs typically don't even leave memetic fallout."
"Could it be a pragmaclast? We've had trouble with those before and we're not entirely sure of the mechanism involved" Cephas looked at him and sighed.
"Possibly but to find its way across superspace like this..."
"I don't think it did it without some kind of assistance and if something like this is going to wash up anywhere it'll be here in Paragon. You said it yourself; the fabric of reality here is weaker than wet toilet paper." A chippendale occassional table appeared beside Cephas and she picked up a small envelope that was sitting on it. She handed it to Jude who took it and smiled. "Thanks; hopefully the divination will give us the lead we need" He sliced the envelope open with a paper knife Cephas gave him and read the contents, his jaw dropping in suprise.
"What is it?" Cephas asked.

Jude rejoined the ladies at their table. "I've had a thought." he told them, "I think I know where we can go to get more information."
"Don't keep us in suspense" Mikoto said.
"Oh you're going to love this one hippsters..."

Paragon City Hall; the Office of Hero Registrations
"So why do you want to become a hero?" John Klein asked the young man clad in a lincoln green costume embroidered with beautifully stiched celtic knotwork. The youth looked at him from behind a green mask that concealed his features even better than the hood that covered his head.
"The horned hunter gave me the bow and hood so that I might fight evil and injustice in his name." The lad repeated flatly, as if he'd memorized it by rote, "I am the 50th to receive the Hood..." He stopped as whisps of darkness seemed to crawl of the air around Klein. Before anyone could react the Hero Registrations Officer vanished in a flash of light and the snap of displaced air.

Klein knelt and threw up over a relief map of the Arctic Circle. The wind whipped around his ears bringing up sounds from the ground far below. He looked up at Jude who scowled down at him. Either side of him Night Sheba and Mikoto swore off curious flying heroes that came to close.

"Tell me all about Vitriol," Snarled Jude, "NOW!" Klein swallowed hard and spilled more than just his guts.

Radical Dreamer

09-25-2005, 06:29 PM

Once back out on the street Frost Cat walked a block away from the apartment building before trying to establish contact with her two cohorts. The prompt answer of static from the both of them told her that something was very wrong. "Great. They better not have gotten themselves killed already."

She was just about to take off at super speeds in the slim chance she could find them when her wrist PDA beeped. Raising her arm she quickly scanned the incoming message. 'I'm sure you are wondering where your two partners are. While normally we wouldn't show interest in the well being of two unimportant heroes. However our analysis of your current mission shows that your chances of survival and completing your ultimate task are increased should you have backup of some kind.

You will find your two allies on a rooftop four blocks in the direction you are looking and then take a left and travel another five blocks. They are currently engaged in combat against a squad of Crey's upper echelon troops. Do not disappoint us by getting yourself killed while rescuing them.'

"You still haven’t told me exactly what that ultimate task is." Frost Cat mumbled as she took off like a shot down the street, weaving in and out of traffic at super speeds.

'You don't need to know that yet.' flashed on her screen in response to her audible statement.

"Figures." she thought as she made the left turn.

Frost Cat quickly closed in on the supposed location of the fight. The entire trip took under a minute and she was sure that they wouldn't have been defeated that fast. A quick look up revealed the flash of an energy blast, telling her exactly which building they were on. Reaching into her belt she pulled out a single black wafer thin disk in her right hand and four identical disks in her left except they were red in color.

Keeping her momentum she hoped up on top of a garbage can in the alley that ran between the target building and the neighboring one. Crouching down she launched herself upward in a flying leap that carried her over to the windowsill on the third floor. Pushing off sideways she sailed across the alley and landed on the fourth floor sill of the opposite building. She continued like this until finally she soared high above the target building. At the same time she pressed the center of the black disk and immediately a smoke grenade was teleported from her supply room and into her hand.

Time seemed to slow down for Frost Cat as the synapses in her brain fired at hyper speed. From her cloaked position above the fight she had the perfect opportunity to take in the scene. Stan was facing off with four Paragon Protectors, one of which was in melee range, who looked about ready to tear him apart with claws and poisoned spines. They were closing in on him, systematically lowering the amount of roof he had to maneuver. Not far behind him and slightly in the air was Tyger flinging energy blasts at two energy wielding protectors as they hovered in closer.

Within a second's time she had her plan. "Heads up!" she shouted as she launched the smoke grenade down to the rear most Protector as she started to descend. The thick black smoke enveloped the Crey soldier and quickly spread to cover the next two. A small lens slid over her right eye as her targeting drone came on line, allowing her to see through the darkness. She hoped that Stan could take care of the one with claws that he was currently fighting with despite the growing smoke cloud.

Continuing to spin with the momentum of her throw she inverted herself in time to land with her palms on the helmet of one of the Protectors in the smoke screen. Her left pinky finger tapped one of the disks onto the face plate of the protector just as she executed a perfect hand spring into the air and toward one of the flying Protectors. She touched the Crey soldier just long enough to tap one of the disks to the back of their neck and toss another like a throwing star toward the other hovering enemy. She then pushed off in a dive back down toward the second blinded Protector.

The air around her right hand crackled as she launched a freezing ray of cold ahead of her arrival. As the Protector froze up in a layer of ice she tapped the fourth disk against the icy shell. At the same time she kicked off, sending the iced up soldier sliding toward the third blinded Protector. As the two of them went tumbling off the roof the disks began teleporting in their payload. Each of them was connected to a small bomb and as each appeared they were followed by a jarring explosion.

"Hurry up and lets get out of here before they get back up! One bomb is only going to hurt them, not take them out."